As Kohaku ran up the steps, he felt something painful pierce his back and he rolled down the stairs. He fell at Sango's feet as she put the smoking gun back in her holster.
He looked up at her slowly, noticing the crazed look in her eyes, like her soul had become more twisted than his own.
She wiped the blood off the side of her head and huffed furiously.
"I told you..." She breathed out as she stepped on his neck. "When you were young..." She let out another breath. "With great power..." She slowly took out her sword. "Comes great responsibility!" She screamed as she stabbed him in the neck as he did to her.
Sango refused to stick around and find out of she killed him or not. It wasn't about that anymore. At that last second when her blade went through his neck, she didn't want to kill him. She wanted to go back in time to when he was that shy young middle school boy who excitedly brought home his first love and sighed wistfully during breakfast.
She bolted out of the hospital, leaving behind her motorcycle and helmet. She took out her phone and started to call Miroku but changed her mind at the last second.
"I'll just text him." She thought to herself as she sent a nice, long message.
Back at the precinct...
Inumira began to grow impatient of all the waiting and playing games with the small time police force.
She looked over at Sesshomaru who was lost in the papers from his father.
"You should rejoice, Sesshomaru. You're going to be a father in no time."
"Yes and my child—"
"Children." She replied, cutting him off suddenly.
He looked up from the papers, lost in his aunt's words. "What did you say?"
"Rin is having twins. One of your children was bashfully hiding behind the other and it was not realized in her first ultrasound."
He stood quickly. "I need to see her. This pregnancy could be dangerous for a human."
"Calm down. I have a plan." She asserted as she motioned for him to have a seat.
Inumira slowly stood and vigorously knocked on the two way glass until an officer showed up.
"What is it, counselor?"
"My client needs to use the bathroom." She said with her arms folded.
"Can't do that." The officer replied coldly.
"That is cruel and unusual punishment, officer. We have been here for four hours!"
"So? What do you want me to do about it?" He spat as he checked his phone.
Inumira's eye began to twitch as she slowly stepped closer to the officer.
"So?! You should show us some respect. We have enough money to buy and sell your entire family and restock your refrigerator 17 million times. Your salary hardly covers what I pay in dry cleaning. I don't think you're going to get a measly tax return for being an asshole. Now let my client use the bathroom, you filthy swine."
The officer sucked his teeth and motioned for Sesshomaru to follow him to the bathroom.
"Just break through the wall. I will cover the damages." She whispered to her nephew as he walked past.
Sesshomaru walked into the bathroom and peered into the other stalls, looking for any witnesses.
Once he realized he was alone, he walked to the wall by the sinks and punched through with each fist and slipped out through the hole he made.
Sesshomaru landed in the grass and took one look around before flying off towards the hospital.
Little did he know, he was being watched by an old...friend.
"Should we stop him?" Hakudoshi asked his elder sister as he watched Sesshomaru fly past the window.
Kagura shrugged. "The only person I think he's interested in going after is Kohaku. So I don't care anymore."
Hakudoshi shrugged as well. "We should at least follow him. He is in our jurisdiction."
"Go ahead. I'm not coming." She said rudely as she waved her hand.
Her brother shook his head and headed out the door.
Kagura sat in her office chair and let out an exhausted sigh. "He's...changed." She said with a chuckle, remembering his face as he flew past.
He appeared concerned. There was a serious, yet soft look in his eyes. Kagura had never seen it, even when they were together. Maybe she never knew him after all.
Sesshomaru realized that Inumira had slipped her cell phone into his pocket. He took it out and dialed Rin's cell phone.
"H-hello?" She answered on the second ring.
"Rin. How are you?"
Rin began to cry and talk incomprehensibly on the other end.
"Rin I-I can't understand you." He said as she continued to talk over him. "Rin? Rin I don't—"
She sniffed and let out a quiet breath. "They put the hospital on lockdown. We have an entire squad of police in my room."
"I just escaped the precinct."
"Why? You're in enough trouble!"
"Since I cannot come to you, I am going to search for Kohaku."
"No no no!" She said in a loud whisper.
"I was informed that you are carrying twins. I feel twice as obligated to protect you now...even if it costs my life." He told her as he hung up and headed towards the hospital at a quicker pace.
Tokyo Hospital Entrance...
Miroku had just arrived as his phone vibrated from Sango's texts.
"Miroku I am so sorry. I did awful things at the hospital to apprehend Kohaku. I have to disappear for a while and reevaluate my life. I will turn myself in for the people I have killed. You should find Kohaku in staircase B."
Miroku let out a sad breath and covered his face with his hand.
"What's wrong?" a fellow officer asked as he placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Nothing. I just received an um...anonymous tip that Kohaku might be in staircase B."
The officer nodded and motioned for the rest of the team to follow him in. "Copy that, sir." He said respectfully as they all rushed inside.
Miroku slipped away and got back in his car. He made three failed attempts to call Sango but her phone went to voicemail on the second ring.
"She must be ignoring my calls." He figured as he decided to reply to her text.
"Sango..." He let out a groan, put his phone in his lap, his head on the steering wheel.
"I don't know what to say to make her come back." He said to himself sadly.
As he was deep in thought, something landed on the hood of his car.
He stuck his head out the window and saw Sesshomaru sitting patiently on his Mercedes.
Sesshomaru glanced at him, then at the entrance.
"What are you..."
"Do you know Rin Asano on a personal level?"
"I Uh...yes. For many years. W-why are you here? How did you—"
"I escaped my detainment. Are you going to arrest me?"
"No." Miroku said with a sigh. "I can now empathize with Rin. The woman I love killed people." He told him as he looked around. "You are bound to get caught. Get in the car."
"I came to find Kohaku."
"My officers are already after him. He may be dead anyway."
Sesshomaru looked at him blankly before sliding off the roof and into the back seat. "What now?"
"I'm waiting to hear word from my team. I suppose we wait until then."
"Is it safe to assume Sango is missing now?"
Miroku nodded. "I can't think of what to say to make her come back. She feels incredibly guilty for what she did."
Sesshomaru shrugged. "It was for a good cause. I would not let anyone get in the way of killing him either."
"So you two are the same in that matter. Tell me...how can I prevent her from running away?"
"Don't. She is a grown woman. She will most likely return but you should at least reassure her that there will be no repercussions when she comes back."
"You knew I planned on covering for her all along."
"You said you love her. Even though you're a simple-minded human, I understand that feeling."
Miroku smiled at Sesshomaru.
"Sir, we're in Staircase B!" A voice shouted from the walkie-talkie on Miroku's hip.
He swiftly pulled it off and responded to the call "And? What'd you find?"
"No sign of Chiba, sir. Although there is a massive pool of blood on the second floor steps. We're bringing samples to the lab."
"Copy that."
Miroku threw his walkie-talkie into the passenger's seat. "Damn it! He's still at large. I am getting tired of him."
Miroku looked back at Sesshomaru who had his eyes glued to something in a distance.
"There he is. I will take my leave now." He said quickly as he rushed out of the car and sped off down an alleyway.
Kohaku was moving sluggishly and Sesshomaru was right on his trail.
Kohaku decided to scale the building and hide on the roof.
Just as Sesshomaru was about to follow, he heard a gun being cocked.
"That's not a good idea Mr. Taisho." A voice said from a slight distance.
Sesshomaru turned his head and saw Hakudoshi pointing his gun at him.
Sesshomaru gave the young detective a smug look and clenched his fist. "Have you come to apprehend me?"
"I'm not sure." He replied in a rather confused tone. "But I don't think it would be ideal for a criminal to pursue a criminal."
"It is my duty to protect Rin."
"So go and stay by her side. You also have her emotional well-being to consider, isn't that right?" Hakudoshi pointed out as he put away his gun. "Listen. Let's say some of my guys pretend they don't know you've gone missing yet? My captain is going to be hot on your trail regardless and we're all going to take some heat for this. But I'm pretty sure if I try to arrest you now, you'll kick my ass just like you used to when I was younger."
Sesshomaru looked at him suspiciously. "Why are you suddenly so willing to help me?"
"My sister is not concerned that you escaped. In fact, she doesn't even care. So I'm not going to worry either." He said as he tossed him some handcuffs and a key. "Put the key in your pocket and I'll bring you up to Rin's room personally."
"How do I know I can trust you?"
"Because I don't lie." Hakudoshi replied with a slight chuckle. "Besides, I want to see where this goes. It's been years since our city has been turned upside down like this." He said as he looked straight into his eyes. "Matter of fact, this city hasn't been this fucked up since you were out rampaging, my friend."
In Rin's Room
Everyone's jaw dropped when they saw Sesshomaru walk in with handcuffs on and an officer behind him.
"Everyone stand down." Hakudoshi ordered. "I've brought Mr. Taisho to see the mother of his child."
"Why?" One of the officers asked.
"I was in pursuit of Mr. Chiba and this man was already in my custody. Besides, I'm feeling a tad…merciful today." He said as he began to walk out. "Let them have twenty minutes alone before bringing him back into custody, understood?"
The officers nodded apprehensively.
Sesshomaru sat in a chair next to Rin's bed and she rubbed her nose across his face. "I missed you terribly." She said in a quiet whisper as he placed his hand on her stomach.
"So, it is two. I feel their presence."
"Isn't it wonderful?" She said with a smile as she placed her hand on top of his.
"It is a bit premature for celebration, Rin."
She hissed slightly and looked away. "Don't say the p-word! It's bad luck."
"Don't be superstitious, Rin. Even if you went into labor early, our children would manage to survive outside the womb without difficulty."
Rin began to smile once more as she turned towards him. "I'm glad we're able to have idle conversation about the pregnancy without you being covered in blood."
"Keep in mind I am still handcuffed."
Rin let out a sigh and briefed Sesshomaru on the events in the hospital. She told him everything she had seen and heard up to the very moment they were in.
"Rin, there is something I want to tell you about." He began once she finished giving him details on the eventful day.
"Okay, I'm listening."
As he was about to speak once more, an officer came over and lifted Sesshomaru up by his arm. "Come, on Mr. Taisho. Your time here is up."
Sesshomaru let out an annoyed grunt and reached in his back pocket for the handcuff keys. As he attempted to unlock the cuffs, the key did not work.
'That son of a bitch!' He said angrily in his mind.
When Sesshomaru tried to break free, He felt the cuffs cutting into his wrists. He realized they were made with impenetrable silver-bullet steel. Even the strongest of demons could not escape those handcuffs.
Sesshomaru was taken back to the precinct and placed in a cell. After hours of waiting, Hakudoshi showed himself before him.
"You!" Sesshomaru growled out as he rushed towards the cell bars.
"Relax. I did you a favor either way. I was nice enough to let you see your girlfriend."
"You used her as a weapon against me!"
"Of course I did! The only way I could get you back here was by outsmarting you. Your arraignment is tomorrow. If they grant you bail, pay it and spend time with your woman." He told him as he began to walk away. "You have to admit, though. I got you good."
Sesshomaru let out an infuriated snarl and kicked the bench in his cell. He lied on the cold, concrete floor and began doing sit-ups. He was well aware of what was going to happen next, and what he was going to have to do.
Later that day…
"Ms. Asano? You are discharged." The doctor said with a smile. "Please remember to take your vitamins and iron on a daily basis."
Rin nodded and shook her doctor's hand. "Thank you very much."
Inuyasha drove Kagome and Rin home from the hospital. The ride was silent and awkward. What was there to talk about after such an eventful day?
Once they arrived at the house, they could hear two people arguing upstairs.
That night, 11PM…
"Taisho. Get up. You have a visitor."
Sesshomaru sat up slowly and opened one eye. "Oh? At this hour?"
"It's a government official. On your feet, Taisho. Show the man some respect." The officer spat as he walked away.
Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and stood slowly when Miroku arrived at his cell.
The two stared at one another before Miroku opened his mouth to speak.
He let out a quiet breath. "I uh...saw Rin a few hours ago." Miroku began.
"Did you? How was she?"
He nodded. "Fine. She turned in early because she was overwhelmed with the turmoil."
Sesshomaru sighed and looked down. He couldn't stop thinking about her and all the things she's going through.
The sun only sets earlier when it's cold. She must see the state of the world as a blizzard right now.
"I also saw Sango. For some strange reason, she thought it would be ideal to rendezvous at your father's estate. She told me he was going to help her go incognito in exchange for Kohaku's whereabouts."
"So he's still alive, I see."
"Unfortunately, yes. Sango knows exactly where he might be, as well as your father. Both of them refused to inform me." He said in an exhausted voice.
"My father has a habit of keeping secrets."
"I see. He helped Sango escape after all. So I don't intend to go after him for any information."
"Hmph."
"Get some rest, Mr. Taisho. Your arraignment is at 9AM. Rin will be there to support you." Miroku said kindly as he walked off.
"Tch. My father is such a stupid man. I should kill him for putting Rin in further danger by keeping quiet about Kohaku's whereabouts."
9AM, Sesshomaru's arraignment…
"Your honor, the defendant is a convicted killer, a diagnosed and untreated psychopath, as well as a flight risk with unlimited resources."
"Objection! My client was not diagnosed as a psychopath, but as a sociopath."
"What difference does it make? He is a man without a conscious responsible for the deaths of countless people!"
The judge banged his gavel and let out an exhausted sigh.
"I agree. He is a dangerous man. He will be held without bail at Kanma Prison. His trial is set for three months from today."
"Your honor! How will the mother of his child visit with him? She is pregnant with twins and once you get off the train by Kanma, you have to walk through the tunnels on foot!"
"That is not my concern, counselor. I am only interested in keeping Japan safe from murderers." The judge said as he banged his gavel once more. "Next case!"
Sesshomaru looked back at Rin as three officers escorted him out. He could see her fighting back the tears in her eyes, like a stubborn cloud before a rainstorm.
"Take care. I love you." She mouthed silently before she walked out of the courtroom.
Sesshomaru felt helpless and guilty. How much more could he put this woman through before he could keep his promise to protect her?
That afternoon, the Taisho residence…
"Kanma Prison is an underground prison right on the border in the outskirts of Tokyo. It's a quarter of a mile past a valley too small for vehicles to pass through and the tunnels can only be accessed on foot." Inumira explained.
"Why do I get the feeling they are trying to deliberately separate Sesshomaru from Rin by discouraging her from visiting him?" Kagome asked as she rubbed her chin.
"That's a possibility. They must be using her to break him down."
Rin curled herself up into a ball on the couch and let out a shaken sigh. "Yesterday, Sesshomaru said he had something he wanted to tell me. It's been weighing on my mind. I wonder what he needed to talk to me about."
"Yes, it had something to do with his mother. Something she subjected him to during his childhood."
Rin sat up as she grew interested in what Inumira was talking about.
"You see." She continued as she set down her cup of tea. "Sesshomaru was sent to a clinical testing facility that also uses children as guinea pigs for the Monarch program."
"What is the Monarch program?"
"It's a mind altering program, used by the American CIA." She said as she handed Rin the folder. "So in other words, the killing perfection in Sesshomaru wasn't born."
Rin gasped as she skimmed the papers. "He...was programmed."