Chapter Three

"Captain, Sango would like a word."

Inuyasha looked up from his computer to the kitsune standing in his doorway. It was well past midnight and he should have gone to bed hours ago but the young fox was still trying to convince Inuyasha to promote him from his secretarial job so he could get some more field experience. Fat chance.

"Send her in Shippo. And go home." Inuyasha closed his laptop and straightened the stack of papers he was currently working on, moving them to the side. Shippo grumbled as he turned down the hall. Sango appeared a minute later and closed the door softly behind her.

"How did your reconnaissance go?"

"Went as well as expected. It's all in my report. I'll send it over to Shippo in the morning. But that's not why I'm here."

It wasn't unusual for Sango to stop by his office but the scent coming off of her was. Nervousness…? Anxiety? Those were not things he was familiar with when it came to the demon slayer in front of him. Inuyasha's back straightened, expecting bad news.

"I need a favor. It's in regards to one of the ranks you just approved." Despite her scent, Sango's voice was strong.

"Hmm," Inuyasha reached for another stack of papers near the corner of his desk. He flipped through some of the sheets until he found the one he was looking for, "Houshi, Kagome. You've been trying to push her to the top of the pile for months now." Inuyasha let the statement hang.

"Kagome is a...friend. She's one of the good ones Yash. And...I would never compromise our...initiation protocol but-"

Inuyasha sighed, turning away, ready to shut Sango down. "You know the bylaws. We can't change them for-"

"I need you to be the one to initiate her." Sango interrupted her superior.

Inuyasha froze, his eyes shooting back to Sango's face. He was met with a pleading desperation in her brown eyes. Again, this was not a familiar thing he was used to with his friend. "You know I don't do that."

"I know it's been years Inuyasha, I know. But please. For all those times I saved Kouga's ass. Or when I defused that detonator when you couldn't. Or hell, when I helped you put together your IKEA furniture last month. I wouldn't ask if it was anyone else."

Inuyasha couldn't stand this version of Sango. He was just thankful he didn't smell any tears coming. Already regretting his decision, Inuyasha rubbed his eyes, "Fuck. Ok. But we are square now." Moving his claws to scratch the back of his neck, "Does she know what she is getting herself into?"

"It was the first thing I told her."

It was a long standing tradition that the only way into the Militia was in a bed and the only way out was in a box. It seemed barbaric but the initiation process stood. Even as the organization's Captain, he had no power to change it.

"Yash, there's something else you should know."

Sango's scent held a twinge of sadness, "Hmm?"

"This- you will be...her first."

Another piece of Inuyasha's stone cold heart chipped off at those words. He had seen his fair share of death and destruction in his 30 years of life. But he knew there was still hope. Still innocence in the world. And it didn't deserve to be sullied by the likes of him.

"Sango..." Inuyasha's head thud against the back of his chair, dread flooding through him.

"I have already done everything in my power to dissuade her from this. That's why I came to you. I know you will do this right."

Bittersweet pride filled Inuyasha's chest. Clearly Sango cared about this girl. And for her to trust him with something so important—so delicate—he couldn't turn her down.

"I will have Shippo set the appointment."


"You have to WHAT?"

"Oh my god Miroku, lower your voice." Kagome was mortified enough at the fact that she actually had to fuck someone to officially join The Militia, but telling the man that was practically her brother? Kill her now. The last thing she needed was their neighbors calling the cops for a noise complaint.

"You cannot do this." Miroku stood and started pacing through their living room. Kagome didn't miss the fact that he wasn't looking at her anymore.

"I can and I am. If this is the way to get in, it's a small price to pay." Kagome kept her voice level even though her mind was screaming that she agreed with Miroku.

"A small-" Miroku's voice was on the verge of exploding. He cut himself off and took a breath, rubbing his eyes with the heel of his hands. "Fucking hell Kagome."

"I'm 28 fucking years old Miroku. If anything it's embarrassing I haven't yet. Plus the protocol is no one can ever discuss the initiation process after the fact. So we all just pretend it never happened. I'm good at that."

Miroku gave her a sad look, "I just- I know I can't tell you what to do. I just don't like it."

"You'll have to do the same thing if I can get you in."

Despite the nausea he was feeling Miroku gave a forced smirk, "Do you think you can get Sango to do the honors?"

Kagome punched him in the shoulder.


"This is so fucking stupid. I thought no other members were permitted to know about the specifics?" Kagome was livid but her body held control over her internal fury. Sango had somehow intercepted her appointment card and was holding the location hostage. To the point where Kagome was forced to drive with her. Like Sango was her fucking mother driving her to meet a boy at the movie theaters. "You're only making it so much worse by doing this."

"I just-" Sango stopped herself and bit her lip. She hadn't looked Kagome in the eye the entire car ride. First Miroku now Sango. Their pity was suffocating her.

"Aren't you supposed to be some demon slaying badass? Get your shit together Taijiya." Kagome's stoic voice was cracking, her agitation ready to burst through.

"I called in a favor. For your initiator. He will...you'll be in good hands." God that sounded so sexual but what else could she say?

"Jesus fucking Christ!" Kagome gritted our, her nails digging into her jeans.

Sango only sighed in response. Kagome's shield was up again. She had only known the woman for seven or eight months now but it had taken most of that time to bring some of her defensive walls down. Yes they talked and laughed but whenever family or the past was brought up Kagome's demeanor shifted. Sango had done her research on Kagome when her father employed her at Slayers. She had not expected such a tragic backstory. Sango sympathized with Kagome but she also knew Kagome had to be the one to bring up her family. If she knew Sango had dug into her history that would only push Kagome further away.

That afternoon Kagome sparred with Ayame was the most vulnerable Sango had ever seen her. The last thing she expected was for Kagome to reveal she was a virgin. The pair sat on that mat for two hours and for the first time in months, Sango felt like Kagome was open and raw. That made this whole thing so much worse.

Sango had fought to change the horrible bylaw since the day she joined. But to no avail. The original members apparently had made it a part of the "membership foundation". Whatever the fuck that meant. And it remained unchangeable. Bullshit.

Sango wanted to protect Kagome. That's why she was interfering with her meeting. If Inuyasha knew, Sango would be so fucked. They had already broken protocol with this set up but this was taking it too far. She just needed Shippō to keep his mouth shut.

However, Sango was regretting her decision. She had thought she was helping. The thought of Kagome driving to this meeting alone, it didn't sit right with her. But Kagome was more closed off than the day Sango met her. At least that day Kagome was polite. Sitting in the passenger seat, Kagome angled her body away from Sango. She was rigid and cold and Sango should have never done this. Kagome was fully capable. Hell, that's why she was approved to join the Militia in the first place.

The longer the car ride took the more Kagome was regretting ever telling Sango she was a virgin. She didn't have girlfriends, she didn't know what were appropriate topics of conversation! It was humiliating enough being required to sleep with someone to join this stupid fucking gang but now Kagome just wished the front seat would swallow her whole.

Sango was the one that told her members were restricted from talking about initiation. It was to "protect the team". It was a test of loyalty. They didn't need some asshole walking around bragging about the chick he smashed the night before. It would only undermine their members. The scheduler, the initiator and the new member were the only three to know of the interaction. It was kept professional and dignified.

Kagome was feeling anything but dignified at the moment. Her embarrassment was now a painful ache in her stomach as Sango threw the car into park.

"If you step one foot out of this vehicle I will fucking slight your throat myself." Sango was not surprised by the controlled fury in Kagome's voice. She just hoped this wouldn't ruin their new friendship for good.

They sat in front of the nicest hotel in Shikon: The Crown Jewel.

"Here." Sango handed Kagome a small cardboard envelope with 'P1' written on the outside. The room key was an elegant skeleton key made of heavy metal.

"Call me when-" Sango started weakly.

"Not in your wildest fucking dreams." Kagome's cold voice cut in.

Before Sango could say anything else, Kagome had slammed the car door shut. The demon slayer just sat there for another moment, staring out the front window and berating herself for the mess she made. Then suddenly Kagome's face was back in the passenger window, "I'll text you tomorrow ok?" Her voice was much softer now and Sango gave her an encouraging smile.


Even though Sango gave her the key, Kagome felt weird just walking right in. Instead she knocked. She could feel youki on the other side of the door. But there was something strange to the energy. He was...hanyou? And when the hotel room door opened, her suspicions were confirmed.

His eyes were the first thing she noticed. Bright amber, like liquid gold, unlike anything she had ever seen. They just stared at her and she felt her self-consciousness jump to the surface. His nose twitched and she knew he could smell her nervousness. Which only furthered her embarrassment. Determined to push the feeling down, Kagome schooled her features and said the code phrase to identify herself, "The orange trees are in bloom."

"Only in Florida." The tall man responded. His voice was like velvet.

At least he's attractive. Kagome thought as he stepped aside and gestured her into the room. "My lucky day." She mumbled.

The man arched an eyebrow and smirked a little before he let the door slam shut. The two triangle ears on top of his head swiveled and Kagome knew immediately that he was a dog hanyou.

"I'm Inuyasha." His name was a little on the nose wasn't it?

"Kagome." She turned away from him to look around the room. Well room wasn't the right word. Apparently the P on the key stood for penthouse. The place was bigger than her and Miroku's apartment and Kagome suddenly felt wildly underdressed in her distressed jeans and casual blouse. But, then again, she would be naked soon anyways. Her stomach dropped at the thought.

"Would you like a drink?" Inuyasha had moved further into the penthouse and stood behind the wet bar on the other side of the living area.

"No," Kagome said curtly, "thank you." She quickly added. She never drank. She almost wished she did because she needed something to take the edge off. But the thought of not being in full control during that was her nightmare.

She didn't miss the two double shots he poured for himself. But he was also a hanyou so she knew it wouldn't affect him the same way. As he was preoccupied with the liquor, Kagome openly admired him. She wondered if Sango requested Inuyasha solely because he was so attractive. He was tall. Kagome guessed at least six feet. And his body was well taken care of. He wore a t-shirt and fitted jeans but the bulging of the sleeves and pant legs told her of strength beneath. His long silver hair was pulled into a thick ponytail at the back of his head with his fringe hanging in his eyes. And the dog ears on top of his head seemed to never stop moving. Well if I have to lose my virginity to someone, it's not like he's half bad...

Kagome was plenty familiar with youkai. Although she had never met a dog demon in person, she had studied them with Mushin. Good vision, great hearing, even better noses. If you wanted to take one down, you went for their sense of smell. Inuyoukai lived by pack mentality so she was not surprised he was a part of an organization like The Militia. Inuyasha was the first hanyou she had ever met. They were becoming more common in the last few years as more humans and youkai formed romantic relationships. But even a few decades ago, they were treated horribly. Seen as an abomination by both groups, never fitting in with either. There were still many people, Governor Naraku included, that believed humans and youkai should not cohabitate and definitely not reproduce. He had tried drafting laws to ban interracial marriages but thus far he had failed. However, because Naraku was so outspoken on the topic, his faithful followers were finding more confidence in their bigotted hate towards hanyous and interraced couples. It pissed Kagome off. Which made her feel more connected with her parents. They hated Naraku's policies and that's why they formed the Shikon Rebellion. Kagome wanted to follow in their footsteps.

"So how does this work?" Kagome's voice came out louder than she intended. Especially since she knew he could hear her even if she whispered.

"Um well," Inuyasha wiped his hands on his pants, "would you like to sit?" He gestured towards the couch between them.

Kagome looked at the furniture and walked around it to sit down. She sat on the edge, as far away from Inuyasha as she could get. God this was so fucking awkward.

"Are you sure you don't want a drink?" Inuyasha cocked his eyebrow and grimaced slightly.

Fuck I must reek of anxiety. "I'm sure."

"How about a game then?"

Kagome looked at him skeptically, "A game?"

"Hn, let's call it an ice breaker. Ask a question, get an answer." Kagome just searched his face for a hint of any funny business. Inuyasha rolled his eyes, "Lie if it will make you feel better."

Kagome felt her cheek twitch, "Fine."

"Ladies first."

"Where are you from?"

Inuyasha snorted, "Strong start. The Western Lands. Why do you want to join the Militia?"

A multitude of things flashed through Kagome's mind but she settled on, "Justice." She didn't specify that the justice was selfish and not for the common goal of The Militia. "How long have you been a member?"

"10 years. Have you ever killed anyone" Inuyasha's eyes searched her.

Kagome was not expecting a question like that but did not hesitate to answer truthfully, "Yes." She waited a beat to see Inuyasha's reaction. A slight twitch of his nose and she knew he would smell no lie. "What did Sango tell you about me?"

Kagome saw Inuyasha falter, "Uh-hh. Nothing."

Forgotten fury overtook her body and Kagome was standing in an instant, "She fucking told you?" her voice was a deadly whisper and it took everything in herself not to release her reiki.

Unfazed, Inuyasha stood to walk back to the bar, "I think it's my turn to ask a question." Kagome did not sit down. "So, Why haven't you?" he asked.

The scent of rage stung Inuyasha's nose and he almost regretted asking that. When he looked up at her from behind the counter her steel blue eyes were slits, "I don't do commitment." She growled out.

Of course there was a reason she was a 28 year old virgin. It was the vulnerability that Kagome feared. In a room with a stranger. Bare of any weapons and armor. No barrier between her and another person. And Kagome had spent far too much time building those barriers up to let them down for fifteen minutes of pleasure. She knew her way around her own body anyways, who said you needed a man?

Inuyasha smirked and a fang poked out of his mouth, "Well, you know you don't need a committed man to get that."

Kagome hated the focus on her and her sex life (or lack thereof), "How many times have you done this?"

"Just the once. When I was initiated."

That's strange. Why isn't he ever assigned to initiate new members?

Inuyasha didn't want her to focus on his lack of experience initiating. It might lead to her discovering his rank in The Militia. "Are you nervous?"

"No." Kagome answered curtly.

"Did that make you feel better?" He asked, implying she was lying.

Kagome looked away, "No." When she looked back up at him she asked, "Do you want to play a different game?"

"Ok."