The first notice of anything being wrong was found by the butler. An innocuous note attached to a flower delivery. As the old kitsune pulled out the slip inside the envelope he noticed an odd smell; familiar but elusive to his weakened senses. The slippery feel of the 3 by 5 card told him it was a photograph as he turned it over to view the image. The resulting sounds brought the downstairs maid running and soon the chef from the kitchen after her frantic calls for help.
"Miroku-Sama, a message from intel just came. A case has been opened by a youkai." A very hesitant tanuki held out a slip of trembling paper to his supervisor. "I was told to bring you and Sango-Sama as soon as possible."
"A youkai," the dark haired monk questioned. "Why would we be brought in for a youkai case? That's Inuyasha's department."
"Bouzo! Stop questioning and get upstairs." Glowing amber eyes pierced into bewildered brown ones. "They won't let me take it, now get going!"
Miroku immediately stood while searching the cafeteria for his partner Sango. Hatchi had already pulled her from her seat and they were now following a cursing hanyou towards the elevators.
"Tell me what this is about," Sango requested as the began to ascend.
Inuyasha growled then bit out two words. "A kidnapping."
"By a youkai?" She glanced at Miroku who could only shrug. "And they won't give it to you? Do you know the…" A hand on her arm stopped her.
Miroku was shaking his head. "Family," was all he said. They arrived on the fourteenth floor in silence.
(&&$))($#& ( like my break! )
As Inuyasha entered his brother's mansion he was only slightly amazed at the changes he found. He'd seen this situation before and knew what was required by regulations. He was honestly bewildered when he entered the second parlor to find his brother alone sipping tea.
"Normally you'd have at least two counselors trying to get into your intestines by now," he attempted a joke. "I'll assume you've scared them off and need them only to find her."
"Immediately. What has happened so far." Sesshomaru didn't even look away from the picture he was glaring at.
"They won't allow me to run the case, too close. I was able to get some friends as the top investigators. I know them and their track record, which is amazing. They'll be put in charge of my team. I'm being allowed to watch, but I know Miroku and Sango will let us both help as much as possible. They know when to bend the rules."
"We have received only the image."
Inuyasha grimaced and fell into a chair. "There's a scent on it." He paused. "It's Rin's blood." He kept silent as Sesshomaru continued to sip his tea. He knew it was the only thing he could do right now.
To Be Continued...
A/N: So, this is a plot bunny I've just discovered, let's see how long I can run with it, if at all... sigh too much to do, but too addicted to ever stop.