The Plot Begins

The group had gathered together in the Higurashi shrine living room to hear Shunusuke's plan. After he presented it to them, they had their doubts, but were willing to go along with it, mostly. The one who was the most hesitant was InuYasha, who doubted that a crucial element would work, and said so several time. But, he agreed to go along with it anyway, just to see. Now, to work their plan, they were going to need some help. InuYasha and Lina agreed to go to talk to his older brother and Great Youkai of the Western Lands, Sesshomaru, and through him, to the Great Youkai of the Northern Lands, Hisui Oukami. Shunusuke and Sango were going to go talk to Mikoto Asano, and try to convince him to help out, and Kagome, Yuki and Miroku were going to see the Great Youkai of the South. Kagome would have much rather gone with InuYasha, but someone had to stick with Yuki and Miroku to make sure that they stuck to the business at hand and didn't just go screwing around (in more than one sense).

InuYasha always kept a couple changes of clothes at Kagome's shrine for when Sesshomaru needed him in for training in modern day weapons and customs, so it didn't take long for him to get ready to go. When they left, InuYasha was in his customary leather pants and biker t-shirt, with a bandana hiding his ears and sunglasses keeping his eye color a secret. He wasn't happy with his not being able to go with Kagome, and was expressing so freely.

"Why do I gotta be the one to go with the brat? Why couldn't you have gone played babysitter with Yuki and Miroku so I could spend some time with Kagome?" He asked to no one in particular, though the question was directed at Lina.

"Hey, this ain't a picnic for me either, I'll have you know. But, I got the feeling that the others wanted to try to split you and Kagome up for the same reason that that monk and the girl Yuki needed a chaperone. I want this over just as much as you do, so I can go home."

InuYasha growled at this, but didn't say anything, partially because he knew she was right. He would never get distracted with her the way Yuki and Miroku distracted each other, but for stuff like this they were a lot more effective apart. Much as they both hated it.

They needed to take a train to get to Sesshomaru's castle, but thankfully, InuYasha's spending time with Kagome in this time had acquainted him with their use. He had to show Lina, who was quite impressed and had to be shushed a couple times, or she would have the entire train knowing something was up. Fortunately, they made it to their stop without incident, thanks to Kagome's work on teaching InuYasha to control his temper. More than once, he wanted nothing more than to rip the annoying git to shreds, but he maintained his composure and did nothing. For now. When they got to his castle, Lina was almost as impressed as she was with the train

"Wooowww. You used to live here? What a palace!"

InuYasha smirked at that. "No, I've never actually lived here. I was born in my mother's home, and my father died before he could take us both to it. Sesshomaru stole it and all my old man's lands away before I was old enough to take over, even though pops wanted me to take his place. All I have now is the Tetsusaiga, which I'm going to need if we're going to pull off this plan of Shunusuke's. Now, let me do the talking ok? I have fought this guy countless times in the past, usually whooped his ass, and now I'm working for him. I what to say, all right?"

"Fine, fine. I have no idea what's going on, so I'll leave the explaining to you."

Just at that point, they entered into the main reception hall. Sitting behind a desk was a small, green slightly scaly youkai with big round eyes and a beak that exactly matched his skin. He was poring over several boring-looking papers at the moment, so didn't see InuYasha and his companion come in. They walked up to the desk and gave the little fellow quite a start when InuYasha said, out of the blue, "Hey Jaken. How's it been?"

Jaken jumped at the voice, and looked at him suspiciously for a few moments, before saying "InuYasha. What brings you back this time? Lord Sesshomaru doesn't have any more training for you scheduled for another week."

"I know. Listen, something's come up, and I need to talk to Sesshomaru for a bit. We're going in, ok?"

"NOT SO FAST, you ignomious cretin! Certain protocols have to be upheld. Now you can just wait there, and I will see if Lord Sesshomaru is free." With that he pushed the button on a small intercom installed into his desk. "Lord Sesshomaru?"

After a few seconds pause, a voice replied "Yes, what is it, Jaken?"

"InuYasha is here. He says he needs to talk with you about something."

"Fine, send him in."

"Yes, Lord Sesshomaru." He then turned back to InuYasha and Lina, "Don't take up to much of the master's time; he has many things to do more important than to help settle your petty problems!" With that, he pointedly looked at his companion for the first time, and paused for a moment. Isn't she…… Nah. Couldn't be. With that thought, he immediately began working on something on the computer in front of him, completely forgetting the annoying hanyou and his strangely familiar companion.

"Yeah, thanks a lot Jaken." As they started to go into Sessomaru's chamber, InuYasha shook his head, muttering "I'll never get used to all these machines."

Sessomaru was sitting behind a desk similar to the one Jaken was, but on a grander scale. He looked up from the papers in front of him long enough to look his brother in the eye and say "So what brings you to my office, brother? Need your pay early, or do you not think you can hold up to the training as well as you thought you could?"

"Shut up, Sessomaru. The only reason I'm here is because of her," at this, InuYasha jabbed his thumb at Lina, and Sessomaru took notice of her for the first time.

"Hmmm?" For the first time since InuYasha had known Sessomaru in the modern era, he seemed genuinely interested in something that InuYasha had found. He actually got up and went around his desk to get a closer look at her. He walked up within a few feet of her, and looked at her very closely up and down. "It can't be… there's no way."

"Yes, I know, the anime character Lina Inverse has come to life," Lina replied gruffly, with more than a little annoyance.

"So that is your real name? Curious."

"Hey, Sessomaru, what's this about? How do you know her? I wouldn't have thought you would be the type to like cartoons."

"It just so happens, my ignorant little brother, that I do not watch the Slayers anime show. However, I do know of it, because I assisted the author with the creation of it. And yes," he said as InuYasha was about to ask a very obvious question, "I will explain. Please, both of you, have a seat. This is a middling-length story, and may take some time to tell."

Lina gladly accepted the offer of a seat, InuYasha sat down only after her, with a grudging look at his brother. "OK, Sessomaru. Now what's all this about?"

"Patience, you lout, patience! For you to understand how I aided the creator of Slayers, I'll have to tell you a little bit about an experience I had many years ago."

"Well then hurry up! I wanna finish up here as soon as possible so I can go after Kagome."

At this, Sessomaru actually smiled. "Of course. How could I forget the girl. Well, about 400 years ago, I was walking through a forest with Rin and Jaken, not exceptionally far from the village that that old woman Kaede lived in. There was a flash off to one side, and when I looked to see the source, I saw a young woman, with long red hair, laying on the ground, unconscious. Naturally, I was curious, but I was also in a hurry, so I told Jaken to follow her when she woke up and report to me if he saw anything that he thought especially noteworthy. A few hours later, he ran up behind us shouting something unintelligible. It wasn't until after he caught up with us for a few moments were we able to understand him. Apparently, the girl had taken up with you and your friends, and had done some sort of incredible sorcery, blasting Naraku off past the horizon. I decided to find her, and ask her to join my hunt for him, but I could never find her. At the time, I thought it was a shame, but nothing more. A few years ago, nearly 400 years after the incident, a human friend of mine (Yes, I have developed a few of them in my centuries of life) came to me asking for help. She had an idea for a show, and she had everything worked out, except for what the heroine would look like. For some reason, my mind flashed back to the incident 400 years prior. I picked up a piece of paper, and drew a quick sketch of the girl, and it was perfect for his purposes. He thanked me, and left, and not long after that, the Slayers manga was formed. Soon after it was started, it became somewhat of a phenomenon, and the anime started. Now, I see that same girl, claiming her name really is Lina Inverse, standing before me with my brother, saying they need my help. Curious." A small smile crept across his face, and he said slyly "If I didn't already know you traveled through time, this might just make me a tad suspicious."

"Your point, Sessomaru?" InuYasha was looking bored by his brother's long monologue, though Lina looked a bit confused at what was implied. InuYasha probably would be too, but he wasn't letting his guard down enough to think about it, a reflex about being around his brother, even though he worked for him.

"None, other than the fact that it seems quite interesting and perplexing. After you finish here, you should think about it for a bit, maybe you'll understand the implications." Then Sessomaru smirked, wickedly, "Then again, maybe this is too complex an issue for someone like you to wrap your brain around. Now, back to business. What is it you need?"

Back with the group of three, Kagome wasn't any more thrilled with the groupings than InuYasha and Lina were.

"I don't see why I had to be the one to baby-sit you two! I'm sure Lina or Sango could have kept you two under control perfectly well."

"What I don't see is why we needed a chaperone at all! We're of age, and we're in love! Isn't that enough?"

"Shut up, Yuki, we needed someone to come with you two to make sure that you actually got to where we're going and delivered the message in a timely manner. Once this is all dealt with, I'll buy you two a hotel room and you can knock your brains out. But 'till the mission finishes, you need to focus!" Kagome wasn't angry about not being able to trust two of her good friends in close proximity, but because she wanted to be able to spend more time with InuYasha, without some youkai trying to slaughter them all! Quality time was hard to come by with her lifestyle!

"Now, now, girls, lets just get this mission over with and get back to the others, shall we?" Miroku was the only person who didn't mind being watched, and was keeping his cool. He also quietly added in Yuki's ear "The sooner we get his help, the sooner we can be alone," and drove his point home by lightly kissing her on the ear. A slight shudder went down her spine as she grunted her grudging consent.

Kagome knew what was going through Miroku's head, but didn't care, so long as it helped Yuki settle down so she could get back to InuYasha sooner. As she checked the subway map, she realized that they were almost to their stop, and she told the others that as well.

"Good. Sooner we get there, sooner Miroku and me can get some alone time."

Kagome shuddered slightly at the image that put in her head, but didn't reply. They got off the sub at their stop, and made for a very tall skyscraper. Their target was undoubtedly on the top floor, since Great Youkai tended to like being above their subjects, in more ways than one. Even though they had a hard time believing that about this particular one, that was where they were going to start. They were right. After riding to the top floor in the elevator, Kagome discreetly ignoring the caresses and more that the lovers shared, the office they wanted was straight ahead.

Sitting at a desk at the door, a young looking, apparently human woman sat at a computer, typing something that the inquisitors couldn't see. She looked up at their approach, and it was only then they knew this wasn't a normal human woman, since her eyes were golden. "May I help you?" She politely inquired.

Kagome spoke first, not trusting that the others would remember what they needed to say, or that he would recognize those two, since he had been closer to her when they were together. "Umm, could you please tell Foxfire that an old friend is here and needs to ask him for a favor?"

"I'll be right back. Please, have a seat. I'm afraid Foxfire is quite busy, but he may have time to see you." With that, the secretary got up, and walked down a fairly long hall, her long fox tail twitching contentedly behind her. After the group had been watching her for a few seconds, they all looked at each other and decided to take up her offer to sit.

And it was a good thing they did. It was almost 20 minutes after she went in that the secretary came back out, looking a little irritated, and said "Foxfire has instructed me to show you in immediately. Please follow me."

"Finally!" A somewhat disgusted Yuki said. "What took so long, anyway? His fur-combers not done yet?"

Kagome and Miroku both shushed her, and simply thanked the secretary. She lead them down the hallway, to a door that wasn't very elaborate, the most distinguishing thing about it was the fact that it had "Foxfire, Great Youkai of the South" emblazoned on this side in kanji. Other than that, it was just a normal door. On the other side there was a desk with a computer at it, with a game of solitaire open on it, but there was no one playing it right now. That was because the inhabitant of the office was standing at a large window, and was looking out at the city. He turned around when he heard the others enter. He had a handsome face, with only slight vulpine characteristics and his fox tail coming out of his khaki pants betraying his kitsune nature. He smiled and said "Good day, Kagome. You haven't changed a bit."

"Well, you have, Shippo. Or should I say, Foxfire?"

"We're friends, aren't we? Shippo will be fine."

Miroku and the others looked at him in surprise. The grown-up version of Shippo was not what anyone expected. Kagome recovered the fastest and said "You aged well."

"400 years can tend to do that to youkai. Now, unless I am mistaken, you three have something to discuss with me. But, before that, if I remember the relationship between these two correctly," he looked at Miroku and Yuki with this statement, "I expect they would rather have some alone time, rather than listen to something they already know all about. Miss Rumiko, would you please show Miss Yuki and Mr. Miroku to my guest room?"

"Whatever you wish, Foxfire." She glared evilly at Kagome as she took Yuki and Miroku out of the room.

Shippo turned to Kagome and said "You must forgive Miss Rumiko if she seems somewhat rude. You see, she has developed some feelings for me, and never learned to share properly."

Kagome replied "No trouble. I have no interest in you, after all."

Shippo smiled at that "No, of course." Then he went and sat at his desk, made a cradle of his hands and rested his head in it, then said "Now, what was it you wanted to see me about?"

Shunusuke smiled at Sango as they drove back to his house. Sango had made it clear that his hands were forfeit if she felt the slightest graze against any part of her more personal than her shoulder, and he knew she was serious. Her Hiraikotsu was only part of why he knew she could back this up. But, this was improvement over what she had told him when they first met, so he was content. For now. She had been gradually warming up to him since they first met a few years before. Sooner or later, she was bound to trust that he wasn't like that Miroku. Honestly! He would never grope a woman without getting her permission first. True, he might sometimes encourage a somewhat reluctant girl to agree, but he was always gentle! And he genuinely liked her more than most of the girls he tries to woo, so he was being even more gentlemanly than normal around her.

"How much longer till we get to your parents place, Shunusuke?"

"Not long. Now remember, unless he specifically addresses you, I'll do the talking. I know how to say what we need done so that my dad will most likely listen. If he doesn't, I can always get my mom to convince him," then they both chuckled at the image that brought up, and Shunusuke added "Ma could get dad to cross a lake of boiling sulfur to save a hundred yen on a purchase when she really turns on the charm"

"Any woman can do that to any man with practice. You're just lucky that I have more important things to worry about than messing with guys." At that, Shunusuke simply shrugged, since their home coming into view at last.

The car pulling into the driveway, Sango quickly slipped out, grateful yet again that they hadn't needed a third person, since that would have undoubtedly meant Shunusuke would have tried to convince her to sit in the middle again, and she had the hardest time arguing with him for some reason. She certainly hoped that he wasn't using any of his so-called "Jedi-mind tricks" to get her to go along with him, because if that was the case, he might just be in for a world of hurt.

They walked into the door, and Shunusuke's younger brother quickly ran up and glomped onto him, greeting him and saying how much he missed him. He was so glad, in fact, that it was several minutes before little Kei realized that they had visitors, and promptly remembered his manners. Stepping back, he bowed respectfully to Sango, adding that it was wonderful that he had brought home his new girlfriend. If Sango was shocked at something like that coming out of the mouth of someone who was barely ten, if that, then she was absolutely flabbergasted at what Shunusuke said in reply.

"Not girlfriend, just friend. You remember meeting InuYasha a couple years ago?" Nods in agreement. "Well, Sango-san here is a good friend of InuYasha's, and we need to see dad for a bit. He's in his study, right?"

Kei shook his head in negation, saying "Nope. He got a call from work about fifteen minutes ago, and left right afterwards. He did say that he would probably be back within an hour, though."

"Lovely." Shunusuke said with a bit of a grimace, then he turned to Sango and said "Well, looks like we're going to have a bit of a wait on our hands. Wanna look around the place to kill some time?"

"To tell the truth, if she's here, I'd like to talk with your mother for a while. Last time we didn't really get the chance to get to know each other." There was some truth in that, and she hoped that Shunusuke wasn't a good enough telepath to pick up on the real reason behind her statement. She was becoming more accepting of him, since he seemed to be somewhat more moral than the monk, but she still wouldn't trust herself alone with him.

Unfortunetly for her, Shunusuke knew exactly the reason why she turned him down. Fortunetly, he was patient, and understood her reaction. Plenty of time to put the moves on her later, once she's opened up to him. "Fair enough. Ma's in the kitchen, right Kei?"

"Yup!"

They went into the kitchen, and saw the elder Asano woman chopping vegetables for dinner. She looked up as they came in, and looked sort of surprised when she saw Shunusuke. She asked, "What are you doing home already? I thought you had gone to the condo for the weekend. And isn't that your friend Sango? What's she doing here?"

"Easy, ma, easy. I'll explain everything. Have a seat, and I'll tell you what you want to know.