Disclaimer: Alas, I do not own Inuyasha or any of Rumiko Takahashi's delightful characters.
A/N- I'd also like to thank those of you who review. The encouragement helps me push aside homework and house chores so that I can work on this fan-fic. And I'd like to give an extra special thanks to Winterzforgotten for her input and help with this chapter. If not for her, this would still be sitting on my jump drive for another week. Even so, no piece of writing is ever truly finished and any suggestions on how to improve will be welcome. Now, read and enjoy.
Chapter 9
Last time:
The doctor whimpered, and covered his face again once the demon had released him. Sesshomaru walked over and retrieved the vial of his blood from the remains of the nightstand. Kagome fell into step behind him as he walked toward the door and jerked it open, nearly pulling it off the hinges in the process.
Kagome nearly ran into his back when he did not keep moving. Catching herself just in time, she peered around him to see what had caught his attention.
"Oh, shit!" she swore under her breath.
xxxxxxxxxxx
Mrs. Higurashi arrived at the shrine just after midnight. She sighed at the sight of chores half done and the dirtied dishes left by the hurried dinner Sota and her father had scrounged for themselves in her absence. A yawn interrupted her inspection, but she waved it away with one hand before hurriedly preparing a couple of meals for her father and son for the next day.
She hadn't meant to fall asleep, but sometime just after five, Mrs. Higurashi jerked her head from its rest on her arms surprised to see the first signs of dawn through her kitchen window. Panic shuddered through her as she thought of Kagome awaking alone with that demon in her room, but then she recalled Sesshomaru's promise. As much as she feared him, she had an instinctual feeling that he could be trusted to keep his word.
A little reassured by this, she calmly grabbed a fresh change of clothes for Kagome, checking on Sota on her way back downstairs. She wrote a short note saying where she'd be, then quickly packed a lunch for herself, Kagome and Sesshomaru. Who knew how long they might have to wait before Kagome was well enough to be released, and she did not want to subsist on the vending machines alone.
Her anxious calm became an all out nervous fear when she noticed a large number of uniformed officers loitering near the front desk. A young man dressed in a business suit that probably cost as much as every appliance in her kitchen put together stood a little apart from the police. She blushed when she felt his intense gaze settle on her, following her progress until she had entered the elevator. He was rather handsome, but she knew he was way too young. Maybe she just resembled someone he knew.
Even these adolescent thoughts could not shake the worry that had only intensified at what she had just seen. She prayed, not for the first time, that this had nothing to do with a certain demon lord currently accompanying her unconscious daughter. Her reflection stared back at her from the mirrored panels of the elevator while her hands nervously twisted the bag of food and clothing.
Mrs. Higurashi jumped at the soft ding that announced her arrival on the fifth floor. Reminding herself not to run, she exited the elevator and hurried towards her daughter's room. Her heart pounded fiercely.
Just outside the door, a young orderly stood with seven police officers who had their guns drawn, though pointed at the ground for the moment. Mrs. Higurashi watched, horrorstricken, as the door jerked inward suddenly revealing the angelic form of Sesshomaru.
Despite the fact that they outnumbered him seven to one and carried guns while he, in all appearances, was unarmed, the men took a collective step backward at the mere sight of Sesshomaru. Upon seeing the orderly, his eyes narrowed in recognition, but he said nothing. Instead, he shifted his scrutiny to the policemen, taking only a moment to reach the apparent conclusion that they posed no threat, and continued on out of the room.
Shifting nervously, the men leveled their guns at the demon who eyed them with bemusement as he halted his progress. Mrs. Higurashi was reminded momentarily of her father settling in to watch, with amusement, an argument between Sota and Kagome. Mrs. Higurashi's thoughts froze and she dropped the bag she had been holding when she saw her daughter inching her way outside as well, looking extremely nervous.
"Stop them, officers! Stop them at once!" Dr. Moto shouted as he staggered out after Kagome with a hand clutched to his face.
His disheveled appearance startled Mrs. Higurashi as much as his cries. Dr. Moto locked eyes with the orderly and managed a small smile before whatever injury he had received to his face forced it away. He straightened with a renewed confidence and looked over at the demon lord and Kagome with a near crazed look in his eyes.
What happened? Mrs. Higurashi wondered. A growing crowd of nurses just behind her were echoing her thoughts.
"Officers, arrest those two," Dr. Moto ordered.
The policemen glanced at the orderly, then one asked, "What did they do, doctor?"
Dr. Moto's eyes went wide and he leaned into the man's face and shouted, "They killed me! That monster there killed me with his bare hands. Then he mutilated my face."
He removed his hand from the wound and moved even closer to the officer. He was breathing heavily and his eyes had taken on the wild, desperate glaze of a cornered animal.
The officer read the word etched into the man's face, stepped back to a more comfortable distance and readjusted the barrel of his gun so that it pointed directly at the doctor's chest. The man looked over at Sesshomaru whose menacing presence and god-like appearance screamed untouchable, then returned his study to the heaving, quivering man who could easily pass for a recently rescued castaway whose sanity was in question.
"You're saying that man killed you?" the officer finally responded to the doctor's allegations.
The doctor laughed and shouted, "Yes, you imbecile, are you deaf? I demand that these two be arrested. That thing is not even human, and he killed me without a thought. He also killed all those men in the alley."
Mrs. Higurashi could read the officer's disbelief in his body language. "You mean he killed you and eight other men with one hand in one night without so much as a scratch to show for it? And yet, you survived your own death?" Sarcasm seasoned his words.
The doctor was near raving now. He paced back and forth and pointed a finger at Sesshomaru. "Didn't you hear me? He's not human! He killed me then brought me back to life with his sword. He's-"
"Okay, officers, I believe you've heard enough. Take him into custody," the orderly interrupted. The authority of his voice surprised Mrs. Higurashi and caused Sesshomaru to jerk his head toward the man.
"No, wait!" Kagome cried out as she stepped between Sesshomaru and the guns, but there was no need.
The policemen nodded and moved their guns away from the demon and advanced on the doctor. "Turn around and put your hands on the wall, Dr. Moto. You're under arrest for criminal misconduct and abuse of your authority as a physician. There are quite a few other charges, but I don't believe you want us to list them all here in public."
Mrs. Higurashi's open mouth mirrored that of her daughter. The nurses began to gasp audibly and question each other as to what was going on. They watched as the doctor was forced against the wall and cuffed despite his vocal protests.
"What is the meaning of this? I am a senior physician at this hospital, and will not be treated in such a manner!" Dr. Moto shouted angrily.
"Indeed," Sesshomaru's silken voice interjected causing more than a few humans to jump despite its subdued volume. He looked the orderly in the eye and added, "You conspire with this healer and take payment in exchange for certain services, yet you suddenly decide to betray the healer's confidence at no apparent benefit to yourself."
The demon sounded as though he were trying to solve a riddle, speaking more to himself than the others.
One of the officers pulled a large wad of cash from his pocket. "You mean this money?"
The orderly crossed his arms and told him, "Oh, they were informed of my position with Dr. Moto from the moment my employer instructed me to take it as a part of his investigation into the doctor's conduct."
The orderly turned to Dr. Moto then said, "My allegiance was never to you. My employer wished me to express his utter disgust and contempt for both you and your gross lack of morals and professionalism that his investigation has uncovered over these past years."
"But- but- you never-" the doctor's voice trailed off as the policemen forced him down the hall toward where the spectators scattered.
Mrs. Higurashi gathered up her bag from where it had fallen earlier and pressed herself against the wall.
"And you," Dr. Moto hissed at her as he passed, "it's all that girl of yours' and her fiancé's fault."
At that point Kagome noticed her mother and called out to her as she ran to greet her. The two women exchanged a teary embrace.
"I'm sorry, Mom, I never wanted to cause you all this trouble," Kagome practically sobbed into her mother's waiting shoulder.
Mrs. Higurashi put a hand on Kagome's head and crooned, "Shh, it's alright, honey. I'm just glad to see you're well." Sesshomaru glided up silently behind, flanked by the orderly.
She met the cold, amber eyes and said, "I suppose I have you to thank for this, though I know you don't want it."
The demon answered her with silence.
"Mrs. Higurashi, young lady, and you sir, I'm afraid both my employer and I wish to extend apologies for getting you involved in this," the orderly told them when the pause permitted him to interrupt. "Dr. Moto has been under investigation for his questionable ethics for years now, but my employer did not have the final piece of evidence he needed until today."
Kagome lifted her head and all three stared at the orderly. "So this doctor has been under suspicion for a long time now?"
The orderly confirmed her question with a nod. He moved past them at a brisk pace and pushed the button to call the elevator. When it arrived, the man motioned for the others to join him inside. Mrs. Higurashi and Kagome quickly complied and felt no little surprise when Sesshomaru did so as well.
"My employer has instructed me to see to it that Miss Kagome is discharged with no trouble due to this unfortunate incident," the orderly continued once they had begun their descent. "And while we handle this business, I'm sure the young lady would like to freshen up a little. There is a public shower on the first floor."
"I would love to; I can imagine how bad I must smell right now," Kagome agreed, risking a glance up at the demon lord who wrinkled his nose slightly and looked away. "Unfortunately, I don't have anything to change into."
Mrs. Higurashi opened her mouth to inform her daughter of her little errand, but Sesshomaru spoke up, "I believe that is why the wench returned to her pack earlier, and it would be wise to bathe before we return, for more than the smell of blood and dirt covers you."
Kagome did not even need to name the silver-haired hanyou that was on both their minds. She blushed as she thought about how she had woken up that morning and knew that Inuyasha would indeed have a fit if she returned with Sesshomaru's scent all over her.
Unaware of the exchange earlier that morning, Mrs. Higurashi handed Kagome the bag she carried and added, "Yeah, I brought you some clothes. There's also some food in there if you or Sesshomaru are hungry."
"Um, thanks, Mom," Kagome said quickly.
"Mrs. Higurashi, follow me please," the orderly said once the doors opened at the first floor. "Kagome, the showers are just past the fountain, down that hall and take the first door on the right."
Both Kagome and her mother turned to the demon lord with identical expressions of deep thought.
He stared down at them and said, "You will do what must be done and we will depart. I am not a child. I am capable of 'entertaining' myself."
That said he promptly sank to the floor beside a large potted tree, laid his swords across his lap and closed his eyes. His white hair spilled onto the floor and his fur curled around his crossed legs. When a rosy-cheeked, squeaky-clean Kagome finally emerged from the shower in a fresh sweater and skirt, Sesshomaru was still engrossed in his expert imitation of a pale statue.
She scanned the crowded room and found her mother and the orderly speaking with a hospital worker. Kagome made her way to her mother, but paused when she felt like someone was watching her. Turning, she discovered a young man dressed in a ridiculously expensive suit standing in a dark corner out of the general foot-traffic. He did not shift guiltily and jerk his eyes away as most would at being caught staring at someone. Instead, he met her gaze until she felt forced to drop it.
Finally screwing up the courage to look at him again, she found he wasn't there. Kagome scanned the room for any sign of the man, but he had apparently vanished. He did not look like anyone she knew, but she could shake the sensation that he was familiar.
Not one to be too disturbed by the unusual, Kagome jogged cheerfully over to her mother. She felt extremely excited because her shower had revealed the fact that she did not even have a scar.
Sesshomaru must have either smelled her sensed her return because she jumped so high she nearly fell down when he spoke suddenly, "Your scent has improved, miko."
Once her heart had stopped trying to break out of her chest, Kagome turned to him and hissed, "Well, I wouldn't have had to scrub so hard if you hadn't decided to put your hand all over me. Why did you climb in bed with me anyways?"
Kagome braced herself for death, or at the least a severe tongue lashing, but Sesshomaru simply continued walking towards her mother and replied, "I was not aware of my actions. In my dream I lay with a fox kit and a cat demon and was simply moving to a place of greater warmth and comfort."
"Oh," was all Kagome could say. His candor had caught her off guard.
"Kagome, you won't believe what this young man was just telling me," Mrs. Higurashi called out when she noticed her daughter and the demon approaching. "It seems his employer has insisted on paying for any expenses from your stay here because of the trouble with Dr. Moto. We won't have to pay a dime, and you are free to go."
Kagome raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who is your employer and why is he so interested in helping us?"
"Kagome!" Mrs. Higurashi chided, but the orderly waved his hand dismissively.
"She's right to question. My employer regrets that he must insist on remaining anonymous, but he says he's doing this because he took your words to heart, Kagome."
He turned to Sesshomaru and gave him a deep, traditional bow which the demon met with an indifferent stare. "I was told to give that to you."
"Are you saying this person knows us?" Mrs. Higurashi asked.
Kagome perked her ears for the answer, but again felt a prickling at the base of her neck that told her someone was watching. Turning quickly, she saw the young man again. He nodded curtly to her. His presence registered faintly with her miko senses, but Sesshomaru appeared to be oblivious to him. Perhaps it was just the close proximity of an incredibly powerful, and agitated, demon lord causing her instincts to react.
A group of people passed through her line of sight, and when they had passed, the man was gone again. She shuddered as a disturbing thought surfaced- if it hadn't been for the black hair and lack of markings, she would have almost thought he was- Sesshomaru.
Maybe it was him. He did say he would make that man pay, Kagome thought to herself. Though she could not see him, she offered a grateful smile knowing that somehow it would be seen.
"I am merely a messenger, an employee. I'm afraid the only person who could answer that would be my employer who is otherwise occupied at the moment," the orderly replied in answer to Mrs. Higurashi's quesetion. He offered another stiff bow before departing with a small group of policemen.
xxx
Kagome stretched, grasping at the sky, as she stepped out onto the sidewalk. It seemed like ages since she had been arguing about shampoo with Inuyasha and been attacked by demons, but it hadn't even been a day yet. She worried about what could have kept him from coming to get her. Under normal circumstances, he'd practically bite his own arm off to get her away from Sesshomaru. Could he be seriously hurt? Or had something happened to the well? Sesshomaru was here after all, when Inuyasha was supposed to be the only one other than herself able to cross through.
"Kagome, I need to go check on Sota and Grandpa, and I'm sure you'd like to rest. Do you think it would be best to take a taxi or the train? The station's not far from here," Kagome's mother asked as she studied the demon out of the corner of her eye.
Fortunately, he decided to solve their problem himself. "The miko and I shall walk. You, wench, may return how you see fit. I refuse to tolerate the stench of those enchanted beasts or suffer the presence of more incorrigible human filth."
As if to prevent any protest he immediately stepped out into the morning rush of traffic only to resort to using his demonic speed to avoid being crushed by a large delivery truck. His aura flared so that Kagome could practically feel his irritation.
"Here everything won't move out of your path, Sesshomaru," Kagome told him ignoring the cold glare he sent her way. "Mom, why don't you take the train or a bus home. Sesshomaru and I will walk back. I need to stop by the store and get more Ramen and some things for the others, but then I need to get back before Inuyasha gets too riled up."
Both her mother and Sesshomaru barked, "No!" at the same time. Mrs. Higurashi and Kagome looked at the demon who had turned with an actual expression of anger on his face.
"I refuse to remain in this time of yours any longer. You will return us to our proper time immediately," he ordered sharply. A hint of red crept into his eyes and his silver hair had begun to writhe in the breeze created by the surge in his power.
"Hey, we'll go back when I'm ready. This is my proper time. And here I was worried you'd be trying to take over and rule all of Japan," Kagome fired right back at him, nearly seeing red herself.
"I would never want to rule such a place as this. The stench of humans even radiates from the very stones of these 'buildings' and these strange paths," he informed her, regaining his stoic mask, though his posture remained rigid and his lips tightly drawn.
"Mm-hhmm, well, I'm just as eager as you to get back, but unless you want Inuyasha waving Tetsusaiga around and threatening the lives of many innocent trees, shrubs and a certain demon lord, I suggest you let me buy something to placate him with," Kagome told him. Watching him from the corner of her eye, she slyly added, "And I'll bet Rin would love it if you brought something back for her."
The demon hesitated while he considered her words. She could tell her last suggestion hit home, but he wasn't about to admit it. "My brother is especially foolish, and I would hate to have to kill him before my debt is repaid. You may have two hours," he pronounced as though he were making a great concession for her.
Kagome fought the urge to roll her eyes, and turned instead to her mother. "I'll be home in two hours. You can go on home and let Sota and Grampa know I'm fine."
"Are you sure, Kagome?" her mother asked and she stared pointedly at Sesshomaru who had developed a sudden interest in a crosswalk sign and watched it raptly as the light switched from "Walk" to "Don't walk."
Kagome nodded. Her mother gave her a debit card and a quick hug before hailing a cab and returning to the shrine.
"Okay, Sesshomaru. We both want to get back quickly, so there are a few rules that must be followed."
He narrowed golden eyes at her.
"First, don't kill anything or anyone. If there are any loud noises or something that appears to be a demon, it's not. Secondly, I know you are a great demon lord and expec- deserve respect, but this is not your time. People no longer recognize demons and we do not have lords, so do not be offended if people treat you just like a normal person."
"Miko, do not assume that I am as crass as that half-breed," Sesshomaru told her. "Just lead the way to this market of yours so that we may be on our way. Just because I have allowed you two hours, does not mean you need them."
Kagome sighed and began trudging in the direction of the mall. Sesshomaru fell silently into step beside her. It felt like having a giant white angel hovering over your shoulder, only this was an angel that could kill you in over a dozen different ways without caring and without even having to try.
Not surprisingly, the crowd on the sidewalk parted and passed a good distance on either side of them. She assumed the icy stare of the tall demon stalking alongside her was responsible for that. Every so often she glance up at him only to find him curiously observing everything around him with a carefully veiled interest, and though he tried to hide it, she could see his nose working through the assault of new smells that she knew were upsetting his delicate senses. He may have appeared at ease, but Kagome could tell by the forced grace of his usually effortlessly fluid movements he was actively scanning all his senses for any threat among the barrage of new information.
Two hours. Nothing could go wrong in two hours, could it?