Chapter IV: Boxing for the Evidence

After Mac had left, Stella and Inuyasha were really into their little boxing match. As promised, neither had held back. Inuyasha was giving Stella a hard time trying to break through his defense, while Stella was giving Inuyasha a hard time trying to get a hit in. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.

"You know, you remind me of my big half-brother's girl, Kagome. She was always on the attack." Inuyasha said while blocking a left jab.

Stella grunted back, "You don't say," as she threw a right cross and an uppercut.

Soon, both fell tired and called it a draw.

"So, you want to cool off here in the ring or someplace else?" Inuyasha asked.

Stella took a swig of water and said, "No, I think I'll sit-," before she heard and felt a large thud.

"Ugh…" Inuyasha said, while a little stunned.

"What happened?" Stella asked, worry in her voice.

Inuyasha looked up at her and said, "Anytime anyone uses the 's' word, I get dropped into the ground. So, for the sake of argument, let's not use it."

Stella agreed as they both went to their respective corners; Inuyasha to towel down, Stella to put her high heels back on but cool off without her jacket. Stella also wanted to get back to her jacket because she wanted to wrap the DNA in the spit on the boxing glove.

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"…ever since Mr. Taisho had recovered his brother from Tokyo, Japan, he's been acting strange. Almost like there was a mood or a dark cloud hanging over him. Every night, he's been seen by the night staff walking out of the manor, and every morning he's reentered the manor a little dirtier then before." The butler told Mac.

"Almost like a sleepwalker?" Mac asked.

"Somewhat, but the night that poor young woman was murdered was when this all started. The young master had been sleeping late and started eating less after he brought his brother home. He is so worried about his older brother that it's even gotten to the point he doesn't allow anyone to go to the second floor west wing. This is actually the first time he's allowed someone even in the west wing." The butler said as they walked the hallway.

Mac looked down and noticed that they were making footprints in the dust as they walked along. He also noticed that there were a second set of footprints that led up to, and away from, them.

When they finally reached the right door, the butler said, "I caution you sir, from what I've been hearing from the master…his older brother may be dangerous. But, since I am beginning to doubt the master's mentality, I don't know."

Mac nodded his head, which the butler obliged in turn by opening the door. It was then that they noticed that the door didn't budge.

"That's odd; the door has always opened before?" The butler said.

They both started working on opening it before they heard a kind of shuffling and dragging, like somebody was in front of the door and was just now trying to get clear.

When the door was finally open, the butler asked, "My goodness; Mr. Taisho, what are you doing out of bed?"

Sesshomaru mumbled something while the butler helped him back up to his bed. Mac took a moment to look around and noticed that the room was unkempt, untidy, and looked like there really was a wakko staying there in the room.

"What's…he doing…here?" Sesshomaru asked tiredly.

Mac turned around and said, "My name's Mac, I'm a Detective for the NYPD Crime Lab. I'm just here to collect a sample from you, Mr. Taisho, nothing more."

Sesshomaru chuckled once and said nothing.

Mac started to take a look at Sesshomaru and noticed something really off. The young man looked like he hadn't slept for ages and looked like he barely ate anything at all. When he got to the dull amber eyes, he noted that they had a look of loss and confusion common among people that had lost someone dear to them.

"So, Mr. Taisho, ever been to Central Park?" Mac said, trying to get a conversation started and to also gather evidence.

Sesshomaru looked at him and said, "I had been, once, but that was long ago…before you were even born."

Mac looked at Sesshomaru before asking, "Mind if I measure your foot?"

Both the butler and Sesshomaru looked at him oddly.

"I noticed there were footprints in the dust, so I only wanted to check something." Mac explained.

The butler and Sesshomaru nodded and Mac continued.

Mac took a picture of Sesshomaru's foot, noting that it was 23" long. Then, Mac went to a dust print that wasn't destroyed by Mac and the butler. He measured it, noting that the print was only 20" long. Intrigued, Mac thanked Sesshomaru and left with the butler behind him.

He had the evidence he came for, it was now time to collect Stella and get it all back to the lab.

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And that's chapter 4. Things are starting to heat up now. So, don't forget, Read and Review.

Disclaimer

See chapter 1