Chapter 11

Naraku was growing impatient, it had been 500 years now. And still he had continued to fail in his plans to possess the jewel. He wanted the jewel now! He had been following the girl for three days in the new city. Add on the 10 before that, and you get a very angry villain. Naraku was pleased when he found out her new work destination was Koga's business. He was sure the wolf would not aid the woman, in fact Naraku was quite sure this would be the end of the line for the said woman.

Naraku had easily transformed into a small boy, he was a master of tricks and disguises. He could take any appearance he wanted. A perfect mirror image of anyone or anything he desired. He of course had also over the years been in touch with many dark priestesses, and wicked monks of dark magic. Naraku had studied his mistakes time and time again. His new idea was sure to either fail or succeed.

Kagome had just come off the elevator when a male voice called her name. "Hey Kagome!" Turning she looked back and saw Hojo running towards her. Kagome had actually forgotten about having lunch with Hojo, but who wouldn't when your mind was keeping watch for a said Koga.

"Oh hello Hojo, I guess I forgot about our lunch plans… I'm really sorry about that. I was busy getting my computer setup and I had building plans to work on. Hopefully tomorrow we can meet. You'll have to show me where the cafeteria is in this big place."

Hojo smiled, he found Kagome to be really sweet and she looked like an angel in his eyes. "Of course, this is a big place after all. I really hope you like it here, Kagome." Hojo's eyes almost sparkled, as he said this to her. Holding out his hand and bowing he asked. "Can I walk you to your taxi?"

"I'd like that." Kagome said, a smile. As they continued to walk outside. Kagome figured she'd ask Hojo about what he thought of the business and his boss Koga. "So Hojo, how long have you worked here?

"Well I've been here for 10 years now. I'm in accounting down the hall. It's something I always wanted to do for a big company. I'm actually going to be moving up soon. Koga asked me to go into a partnership. I honestly can't believe he chose me. But Koga says I'm the best he's ever seen. So I guess he feels I'd be a good partner in the company."

Kagome was surprised to hear this about Koga, she was curious to know what he was really like. "So Koga, he's a nice guy? I mean he seems nice, but sometimes you don't always see both sides of a person."

Hojo looked confused at Kagome. "Did something happen between you and Koga, Kagome?" Hojo was worried maybe Koga had hit on Kagome. She was extremely beautiful and Koga was single. No, he didn't think Koga would be a pervert like that to any woman.

"No, no, well not really. He seems nice. I was just wondering. We actually bumped into each other before I started working here. He was a little rude to me. But today he brought me flowers and was super nice."

Hojo chuckled. "Yes he is very nice, still I'm here if you need anything, Kagome. You're an amazing person and I'd like to let you know, I'm always here if you need anything."

"Thank you, Hojo." Kagome said, as she opened the main doors and stepped outside the building. Hojo quickly took the door to hold it for her and she giggled at his sweetness. Kagome was actually starting to like this place now.

Naraku watched as the woman and a man walked out of the building. 'Damn, why is there someone with her? No matter. I need to complete this tonight, I'm tired of waiting.' Naraku thought out loud. With a grin that surely meant trouble, Naraku began to put his plan into action. He ran up to Kagome and Hojo as a small boy, with tears in his eyes he hugged Kagome tight and cried. "Please help me Miss. I'm lost and can't find my mom."

Kagome looked at Hojo with great concern, they needed to help this little boy. She moved the boy back and kneeled down, Kagome was now eye level with the little boy. "Hey it's okay little guy, I'm sure we can get you some help. Tell me where did you see your mom last?"

The boy pointed off towards the left from where they were standing. Placing a hand on Kagome's shoulder, Hojo said. "I'll go see if I can find her, what's your name son?"

After a few sniffs he replied. "My name is Haru, and my mother is with my father. Please hurry, I'm scared I'll get in trouble for being away for so long." Hojo nodded and ran off to find the boy's parents. 'Now then, Naraku thought. She's all alone now. It's time to work my magic.'

A dark cloud soon appeared around Kagome. It was a blinding smoke that had come out of nowhere. Kagome started to cough as the smoke entered her lungs. "Haru, we need….to get...out of….here." It was so dark Kagome couldn't even see her hands in front of her. She tried to find her way out, but she couldn't see anything. Her legs were starting to feel like jello. And just before she passed out she was caught by a pair of strong arms.

Work had been a real pain in the ass today for InuYasha. And to make the night even worse, tonight was the new moon. He cursed his bad luck. "The only good thing about this night is I don't need to wear those damn beads." He said to himself as he walked home. His mind went to Kagome and he wondered how her first day of work went? "Keh, like I care. That girl will be lucky if she lives to see her next birthday." InuYasha growled at his own words. He hated to think about another woman dying because of the damn jewel.

As InuYasha turned the next corner however, his nose smelled wolf and. "Kagome?!" He wasted no time running to get to her. However, he faced another problem. Thick black purplish smoke was everywhere. "Damn, it's Naraku's miasma! I knew he'd soon go after Kagome!" A million thoughts went through his mind in that moment and there was nothing he could do. 'If only I had been able to leave work on time. Damn Bob wanted to leave work early and made me work late in his place.' As he thought, another smell came to him. "That bastard, Koga if you touch her I'll kill with my bare hands in two seconds."