Chapter 9: A Date with the Devil

It was 2 in the morning when Kagome got home. Still in her scrubs, she kicked off her sneakers and threw her coat in the closet. She could feel the weight of the day resting on her shoulders. The heaviness of the secrets she kept to herself crushing her chest, breaking her heart. Her nose burned as the tears, she held in, threatened to fall down her cheeks. She'd been crying for hours. How could she even have any tears left?

Kagome trudged up the stairs, her feet practically dragging with the effort. She stumbled into the bathroom, turning on the tub and filling it with hot water. Baths were always her go to when she was stressed, or sad, or anxious. Right now Kagome was all three. She poured in her favorite soap. Already the familiar scent was beginning to calm her. She turned off the water before it could overflow, not giving the water a chance to cool off, before hopping in.

She hissed as she slowly sank into the water. The burn that usually made her uncomfortable, now cradling her. Ever since she'd read Kikyou's file she'd felt numb. When she left the hospital all Kagome could do was drive. She was surprised she'd made it to her destination and back without killing someone, or herself. The minute her favorite place came in sight, the raven haired woman had burst into tears. It was the only place on earth, besides the shrine, where she felt safe.

Lake Meade was the only body of water that ran through Sacred City. It was a hot spot in the summer, where families and friends went to swim, barbecue, and relax. Kagome had always loved the water. She loved feeling weightless as she floated in the sun. She loved feeling powerful as she cut threw the water, swimming as fast she could and never coming up for air until she made it back to shore. Kagome never felt more free than she did when she was in water.

As she sank into her bath a knot of dread formed in her belly. There was no more keeping what she knew to herself. Even if Inuyasha wasn't the first to know, it was time to spill her guts. Her friends loved Kikyou just like she did and they had every right to know about what was going on. After sitting for hours, Kagome finally had the courage to look at her phone. She bypassed all the messages and missed calls, going straight to her contacts and finding Kouga's number.

He told her he would follow up with her in the morning. Kagome didn't think she could wait that long and so she went for a swim. A long and very cold swim. Kagome felt her nose start burn once more, but this time she didn't hold the tears back. In the morning the police would hopefully be one step closer to finding Kikyou's killer. It was scary knowing that a psychopath was possibly roaming the streets of Sacred City. It was terrifying thinking that one day she would see the face of Kikyou's murderer, and even more terrifying still was the possibility that she would know them.

Inuyasha tossed in turned in his bed, no position feeling comfortable enough for long. The clock told him it was almost 3am. He heard Kagome come into the house a while ago. That's when the restlessness began. It took everything in him not meet her at the top of the stairs. He wanted to shake the crap out of her, scream at her. Tell her she was an idiot for keeping Kikyou's murder investigation under wraps. Even under his thick comforter Inuyasha shivered at the word.

Murder. Kikyou, one of his closest friends and the love of his life at one point, had been murdered. Someone had killed her, taken her life, taken her from him. The thought was enough to send him into a rampage. He wanted to scream, he wanted to tear something apart or burn something down. Who could have done that to her? Why would someone do that to her?

Then he'd sat down with Kouga and Kagura. The detective had told him how Kagura had called in the crime, how they thought Naraku was the prime suspect because Kikyou had been working for him, and after he assaulted her she threatened to go to the police. Only Kouga's quick reflexes and training as an officer had stopped Inuyasha from getting his hands around Kagura's throat.

"You selfish bitch!" Inuyasha cursed from under Kouga's body weight. The use to be jock had tackled him when he lunged at Kagura. All the training Inuyasha had been put through flew out the window. He writhed like a rabid animal on the ground, trying to get free. He was going to kill her. "You think you're making up for something by being here? You think you're doing the right thing, but you're too late! You sat in the auditorium with us, you watched us grieve and mourn and you said nothing!"

"Fuck you Inuyasha!" Kagura fought back the tears she knew were pooling in her eyes. Everything he shouted she'd said to herself a million times, but the sting was different coming from someone else. "I was scared and we were kids, teenagers, and he's my father." Her sentence once strong growing weak.

"He's a piece of shit!"

"You think I don't know that? Why do you think I'm here? Why do you think I'm putting my life on the line? Kikyou was a lot of things, but she was my friend. A good friend, who always had my back, a friend I never deserved. I'm trying my best to at least make Naraku pay for the shit he's done. I won't rest until he's in hell where he belongs. Are you going to help me or are going to keep blaming me?"

Inuyasha spent the next several hours answering questions and getting up to speed on where Kikyou's investigation stood. His brain felt like jelly by the time he left that place. The moment he waked out that decrepit building he threw up. He walked home in a daze, only half noticing the sky turning orange as the sun fell from the sky. He'd been laying in bed since he had gotten home, and nothing could motivate him to move from that spot. Not even the sound of Kagome's crying.

He wanted to know what was bothering her, what had hurt her, but he couldn't muster enough energy to care. Deep down he was angry at her. What right did she have to keep something so earth shattering from him? Who did she think she was to make decisions for him? Kouga had done his best to defend her. The detective had warned him not to go ape shit on her, that Kagome thought she was doing what was best for him, because she cared about him so much.

Inuyasha rolled onto his belly and buried his face in his pillow. He knew Kouga was right. They both knew Kagome, they knew how she could be. Her heart was too big, too pure for her own good sometimes. If Inuyasha was feeling this shitty after knowing the truth about Kikyou for a few hours, he couldn't imagine the way Kagome must have been feeling for all these weeks. Inuyasha cocooned himself in his comforter, with a promise to talk his best friend in the morning.

It was the smell of bacon and maple syrup that aroused her from slumber. For a moment the world didn't seem real as she opened her eyes, nothing like a good ol' fashioned sob to get a good night's rest. Throwing on her favorite robe and fluffy slippers, Kagome gingerly made her way downstairs. Inuyasha was already in the kitchen, hair pulled back, donning a white tee and boxers.

He didn't turn around or greet her when she walked into the kitchen, but already there was coffee waiting for her. She took a sip not minding the scorch of her taste buds. The caffeine quickly bringing her back to life. Kagome tried to smile when Inuyasha began making her plate, filling it with eggs and french toast. He still never looked at her. She nervously picked at her food. She could stab through the tension with her fork if she wanted. What had his knickers in a bunch?

She was only half surprised when he sat next to her. Still quiet, not touching his food.

"Good morning," she began, "are you okay?"

She could hear the bacon crunching between his teeth, like he was grinding more than chewing. He looked at her, finally, and Kagome was brought back in time. He resembled so much of the boy she'd known in high school. The boy who only projected confidence and anger because it was easier than admitting he was sad or afraid. The boy who cried on her shoulder and made her swear on her brother's life that she'd never tell anyone.

He swallowed and took sip of his coffee. "I ran into Kouga yesterday, and Kagura Fujiwari, from high school."

Kagome's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Kouga's name and she hoped it didn't read on her face. Her palms started sweating and she wanted to clutch them, instead her fist tightly closed around her fork.

"How was that?" Her voice was small, too small to fill all the space that had suddenly opened between them. Inuyasha heard her loud and clear.

"You know Kouga works for the police now? Guess he's some big shot detective or whatever." Kagome took a large gulp of her coffee, hoping that pretending it was tequila would give her some satisfaction.

"Yeah he told me when we went out a few weeks ago. H-how was Kagura?" She prayed he didn't hear her stutter.

"Not sure, she didn't say much. Kouga was the one with the stories." Once again Kagome found her breakfast to be the most interesting thing in the room. She snuck a peak at her friend through her lashes only to find him staring at her.

"Inuyasha you seem like you have something on your mind. You've been talking about Kouga for a whole five minutes and you haven't insulted him once. I'm worried." It was supposed to be a joke, a witty comment to get something out of him. A chuckle, a grin, anything except this x ray like stare. It felt as if he could see right through her.

"Did you know that Kikyou's suicide was re-reported as a homicide? Did you know that the police reopened her case?" His voice was low, steady. It shook Kagome to the core. He was angry, seething, and he had every right to be. Her worst nightmare had just come true. She let her pride and ego come before their friendship. She let insecurity meddle into one of the most important relationships she'd ever have.

"Inuyasha please-" He stood up when she reached for him. His quick movement had the chair scraping against the floor, her hand coming to her chest as if she was just burned. Her throat tightened, and her vision blurred.

"How could you keep something like this from me? From Sango and Miroku! Who do you think you are?" The more he spoke the more the fire in his belly burned. He turned his back to her, trying to remain under control.

"Please Inuyasha, I wasn't trying to be malicious. I just thought-"

"Thought What! That you could swoop in and save everyone like some fucked up superhero?" He should have stopped when she bowed her head. "You always do this! You try and cover everything up, but its not enough! There is nothing that will ever fill the hole Kikyou left." He didn't stop until her shoulders were shaking and his breathing was heavy.

"You're right," she started, "I do try to save everyone because I care. And maybe if you knew how to save yourself I wouldn't feel the need to be some 'fucked up superhero' as you called me." Her shoulders continued to shake, the adrenaline and anger from being yelled at coursing through her veins.

"Do you feel better now Inuyasha? Does knowing that Kikyou was murdered help you move on from the rut you've been stuck in since she fucking died or did it make everything worse? Huh? Tell me!" Now Kagome was screaming, her chair scraping across the floor as she got to her feet.

"I've watched you mourn her. I've seen you not move or eat for days because of her. I helped you pull those pieces back together when she died, so forgive me if I expected telling you that the love of your life was killed would put you in a dark place." The tears she didn't realize had been pooling in her eyes began to fall. Inuyasha opened his mouth to say something, but she didn't give him the chance.

"I don't want you to go to that place, I don't want you cooped up in your room wishing you were dead so you can be with her! I want you here and alive and happy! I want you with me!"

Kagome didn't realize she was sobbing into his chest until her fingers went numb from clutching his shirt. She felt small in his arms, weak.

"I was fucked up after Kikyou died, not just because I thought she ended her own life, or because I loved her. Kikyou had a lot of people around who loved her. I was fucked up because I felt like I couldn't help her. What can you do for someone who decides to kill themselves? But now I know. She didn't kill herself. Someone took her from me, from you, from her sister and that person is out there. There's an investigation to try and find them and I could be helping. I could be doing what I couldn't before and you took that away from me. It pisses me off Kagome."

"I'm sorry," she whispered. Everything he said only served to make her feel worse, her breath catching in her lungs. "Please don't hate me Inuyasha, I am so sorry." He squeezed her to his chest for a moment more, then the pressure was gone. He pulled away and she was scared to look up, so he placed a gentle hand under her chin.

"Idiot, I could never hate you. I love you always, more than anything. But I'll dislike you to the moon and back if you ever lie to me like that again. I don't need you to save me anymore Kagome, I'm a man now. I'd like to believe I've matured even a little bit since high school."

He gave her one of his signature smirks and all she could was nod. They continued to look at each other and it felt as if the world began to slow. Who knows who leaned in first, but it didn't matter the moment their lips touched. Like a starving baby to a tit they were on each other. His hands in her hair, her tongue dancing over his. They separated to breathe and Inuyasha went for her neck. He licked that spot right behind her ear that always made her nipples stand at attention.

Kagome moaned, hopping on the island next to their forgotten breakfast. Her hand found refuge under his shirt, soft palms running everywhere they could. Her manicured fingers found his nipples and she tugged, smirking to herself at the feeling of his abs contracting.

His lips and tongue moved from her ear making their way down past her collarbone, to the opening of her robe. Loose as it was, he simply parted the fabric to reveal her round breast and pert nipples to his gaze. Her name was but a whisper on his lips before those lips were on her, sucking and licking and squeezing until she was begging for his mouth on other parts of her. He obliged her without a second thought, sucking on her clit so hard he could feel her toes curling in his hair.

"Inu, please..." He kissed her again, and she felt dizzy from tasting herself on his tongue. They both froze when the doorbell rang, Kagome's right hand gripping his cock while the other tried to shove his boxers to the floor. When the sound faded they picked up where they left off, then the knocking began.

"For fuck sake!" Inuyasha cursed when the doorbell rang once more.

"Just ignore it, it's probably the mailman." He let his chin fall to her shoulder, turning his face so he could bury his nose in her hair. She bucked her hips, urging him to finish what they'd barely started. The doorbell rang again and she could feel the canine like growl bubbling in his chest.

"If I kill 'em we can't be interrupted." Kagome groaned as Inuyasha pulled on his boxers and headed shirtless to the door. Pulling her robe on and closed, she was hot on his heels. Also hoping she'd be able to give this cock-block a piece of her mind.

"Did you not get the hint the first time no one answered you dumb piece of shi-" Inuyasha opened the door only to have a bouquet of two dozen roses staring him the face.

"Is Kagome here?" Came the voice behind the flowers. Kagome's heart skipped a beat as she peered over Inuyasha's shoulder, and not in a good way.

"Hojo?" He smiled at her, so warm and bright, she wanted to run away. That same smile that turned her to goo a few months ago now made her want to vomit. Stepping aside, the two bodies in the door way made room for the man and his flowers.

"Are these for me?" She said sweetly, making nervous eye contact with the man who'd just been nose deep in her lady parts not even a minute ago.

"Of course, I mean Inuyasha's a great guy and all...but not my type." Inuyasha crossed his arms and continued to glare. Kagome laughed at the joke because that's what a fiancee does. Loyal, non adulterous fiancees laugh at their significant other's jokes. So she laughed, a little too loud, and a little too forceful.

"I'm going to shower." Inuyasha mumbled, stomping all the way upstairs and slamming his bedroom door for good measure. Kagome fought every urge in her body to look longingly behind her and go after him. Taking the flowers from Hojo she ushered him into the kitchen, finding something to act as a vase for her flowers.

"Are you okay Kagome? You seem...distracted." She jumped at his words, willing herself to calm down so she could stop acting so cagey.

'No wonder shit is constantly blowing up my face, I have the worst pokerface imaginable.' Kagome thought to herself.

"It's nothing like that. I guess I'm just still so surprised to see you. I thought you weren't coming for a few more weeks?" Walking towards him Kagome placed her arms around his neck, giving him a chaste kiss. Her chest pressed against his. Maybe if she started acting like she was happy to see him she would start sounding like it.

"I know, but the conference I was attending got pushed back and I figured coming to see you sooner than later would be nice. Are you sure now isn't a bad time? I know Inuyasha and I have never been close, but he looked really pissed."

"If you knew what you were interrupting you'd be pissed too, Harold." Inuyasha trudged into the kitchen, fully dressed and towel drying his hair. Kagome gave him a look that promised to put him six feet under if he didn't tread lightly. "Best dream of my life, felt so real I can still taste it."

He winked at her and Kagome felt her face start to burn. Her whole body on fire with guilt and embarrassment. Inuyasha began cleaning from breakfast, not thinking once about asking Hojo if he wanted anything. Begrudgingly he watched as Kagome offered and made him a plate, sending him to her room with a kiss and a smile. He didn't realize he was throwing the dishes in the sink until a soft hand on his shoulder willed him to relax.

"I didn't know he was coming, okay?" He wanted to be angry, but she looked confused and tired. She looked like an argument with him, about their relationship status and her fiance upstairs, would be too much. He backed off.

"Okay."

"Please don't be mad at me." His hands gripped the sink. The muscles in his arms bunching and his knuckles turning white.

"Kagome I can't-" I can't ignore this. I can't forget about us. I can't ignore how I feel. The words were on the tip of his tongue, but her arms came around his middle. Her cheek pressed against his back. He took a deep breath and turned to face her.

"Just give me some time, please? I can't have you mad at me about this. Not after everything. I just need some time." She touched his cheek and in that moment he felt weak because he knew she won. With her wild hair and flushed cheeks he didn't stand a chance.

"Okay."

Kaede sat at her desk, her feet perched on top and a pen twisting in her hand. It had been a week since the party at Naraku's. A week since she passed out like an idiot in front of everyone. Hakudoshi had been scarce since then. She really only got to hang out with him at school, if he decided to come. In his defense he would hit her up, texting her phone late at night wondering if they could chill. She knew where he would want to meet up.

She didn't think she could stomach going back in that house. Not when she had looked him in the face. Every sleep she had since leaving Souta's house had been terrible. The dreams she had were more peculiar than ever. For so long this shadow with crimson eyes had chased her. Now she knew his face, had seen him in the light, and still nothing made sense. Naraku was a scary man. No one knew his name because of his charity. His name was one you spoke in a hush, his reputation was one you didn't test.

Now in her dreams he didn't chase her. He didn't haunt her, because he couldn't see her. No longer was she the object of his dark desires and murderous fantasies. Someone else had taken her place. Now Kikyou was the one running, the one falling, the one pleading and not being heard. Every night Kaede saw Kikyou and every night she watched her die.

It was never the same. Sometimes Kikyou drowned. Her head being held under water while Naraku laughed. One time she was shot. Another time strangled. The only thing to ever stay the same, was the one who caused her death. Kaede can tell she's in a corner. She feels small and squished, like she's trying hard not to be heard. She can see Kikyou and she looks like she did five years ago. Young, beautiful, and only a little bit sad. Kikyou is humming, but then she's screaming. Someone grabbed her by the hair and as she struggles, their hands come around her neck.

SNAP!

Kikyou's down in an instant. Just like that her sister is gone, dead. Kaede wants to cry, but she can't. Something in her soul is telling her to stay quiet. The person who hurt her sister takes a knee next to Kikyou's body. He strokes her hair and lays her in a comfortable position. Kaede can't fathom why he chooses now to be nice.

"You made me do this. Your betrayal made me do this." Naraku said, sounding pained. Kaede clenched her fist as the monster stops caressing her sister's pale cheek. His head turns and Kaede swears he's staring at her.

The bell rings and Kaede leaves her daydream. She packs quickly, zipping past Souta and out the door before he can get a word out. Whatever they have going on, Kaede really didn't have the brain capacity to decipher it. She didn't know if friends was the right word, but not calling him at least her friend seemed wrong. Maybe she'd just call him her pillow, seeing how every time they were together he helped her go to sleep.

Her arm is suddenly tugged behind her and she gasps. Soon she's met with dark eyes and pale hair.

"Geez, I called your name like three times. You walked right past me after class." Hakudoshi stated.

"Sorry, I was zoned out I guess." He gave her a strange look, but released the hold on her arm. They walked side by side until they left the front doors. Quite a few students still lurked about, trying to decide if going out or staying in for lunch was best. Soon a dark car pulled into the pickup lane. The tinted windows and the shiny rims gave it a sleek look. The car honked twice and the window rolled down. Naraku sitting in the driver's seat, staring her down.

"My uncle said he'd treat me to lunch, you wanna come?" Unintentionally, Kaede stared back. She wanted to know how he had wormed his way into her brain so deep. So deep that even when she couldn't remember his face, she knew his eyes. To the point where she dreamed of him killing her sister. Before she could answer Hakudoshi, Naraku began to exit the car. Her heart stopped and every nerve she had was telling her to run. She didn't want to look insane so she stayed put, a small part of her also knowing that there was nowhere in this tiny town where Naraku couldn't find her.

"Kaede Hayashi, right?" Naraku said as he approached. He was wearing a suit, looking clean and put together. His hair was pulled away from his face.

"Hi, Mr. Fujiwari." She said meekly. She wanted to hide behind Hakudoshi, but he couldn't protect her from this.

"You make me sound old, just Naraku is fine." He laughed, but Kaede couldn't smile. "Hakudoshi has told me a lot about you, nothing but good things of course. I hope you've recovered from that spill you took."

Kaede could feel her entire body shaking. "I'm glad to hear that, I thought he'd just complain about how annoying I am."

Naraku laughed at her joke, loudly, like it was the funniest thing in the world. "My dear, a thing as pretty as you could never be such. I'm sure there are lots of boys dying to know every last thing about you. You have a way about you my dear, something that not many people can say they possess. Your big sister had it too."

Kaede met his eyes at the mention of her sibling. Naraku knew her?

"How did you know Kikyou?" She asked sounding more confident than she felt.

"We were coworkers, friends on a good day. I want you to come by for dinner with Hakudoshi tonight. Maybe I can tell you about all the things your sister and I used to do together." His tone left a nasty taste in her mouth and Kaede fought the nausea rising in her throat.

"I'll pick you up at 6 okay?" Hakudoshi gave her a quick kiss and then he was following his uncle. Kaede stood there long after they'd pulled away, not sure where this strange sense of calm had come from. She had a date with the devil and she wouldn't be afraid.

"You know Yash, as much as I love having you on the course with me, you're ass at golf." The aforementioned man huffed when his club missed the ball. He thought about pretending it was Hojo's face, just to see if it would improve his aim. He turned to glare at his best friend, who miserably tried to cover his laugh with a cough.

"Keh! This game is for geezers anyway." Putting his club away Inuyasha sat under the shade of the golf cart. Miroku found refuge next him, cracking open a cold beer for each of them. It wasn't a game until beer was involved.

"I know you didn't crash my game because you miss me. What's up? Got something on your mind friend?"

"Listen. Everything I'm about to tell you...it's heavy shit man. I just found out about 24 hours ago, so I'm gonna need you to bear with me."

Inuyasha's tone was too serious, Miroku took a swig of his beer. "What's going on Yash? You're scaring me."

"The police think Kikyou didn't kill herself. They got an anonymous tip over the phone and they looked into it." He took a moment to take a swig of his own beer. He let out a belch to release the pressure in his gut. "They think...she was murdered."

Inuyasha cursed when Miroku's beer landed on his toe, crushing said appendage and soaking his shoe and pant leg.

"Murdered! They think someone killed her...on purpose?" At Inuyasha's grave nod, Miroku took another swig of beer from his new can. A long one. "How do you know this? When did this happen?"

So Inuyasha launched into the full tale. From Kagome keeping everything a secret, to finding Kouga's intel headquarters. How the primary suspect was Naraku Fujiwari, someone Kouga thought Kikyou was running drugs for.

"Inuyasha if this story goes on any longer, we're gonna need something stronger than this beer. Kikyou? A drug dealer?"

"The story isn't even done. I confronted Kagome this morning about it. We were talking it through and let's just say, things got heated." At first Miroku is confused. Inuyasha continues to stare at him, the crease in his brow deepening by the minute, then understanding smacks him in the face.

"Again? You almost hooked up with Kagome again?" Miroku looks like he's got a tirade coming on, so Inuyasha interrupts.

"Keyword is almost. Then Hamlet comes knocking on the door, ringing the doorbell over and over."

"You mean Hojo? He's in town?"

"Apparently, for God knows how long. He just comes waltzing in, with his stupid face and his stupid flowers." Miroku is silent, his brain slowing down to snail speed, it was all too much to process.

Inuyasha is still grumbling under his breath, "eating my breakfast, sitting at the same counter I almost fucked his fiancee on." he chased his mumbles with his warming beer. Inuyasha looks over at his friend, when a strong hand gives his shoulder a squeeze.

"How are you holding up man? This Kikyou shit is crazy, kinda hard to wrap my brain around." If Inuyasha is honest with himself, he doesn't know how he feels or what invisible force is holding him up, because it feels like the weight of the world is trying to crush him.

"I just need everything to be solved. Including Kikyou's murder and Kagome's feelings."

"You don't think Sango knows do you," a quick pause saw Miroku gulping down his beer, "about Kikyou? Or Kagome's feelings?"

"The latter is possible, the former I doubt." Inuyasha crushes his can as the last drop of alcohol touches his tongue.

"Inviting me over Inuyasha's house? Bold move." Kouga smirked at his own joke, given Hojo standing behind her and the events of a few hours ago Kagome didn't find it funny.

"Kouga, glad you could come! This is my fiancee, Hojo. Hojo this Kouga, he's the lead detective on Kikyou's case and an old friend from high school." The two men shook hands and Kagome turned to lead them into the kitchen.

"Can I get you anything Kouga? Coffee? Tea? Water?"

"Uh nothing for me, thanks. I'm sorry I couldn't get back to you yesterday. Is this about Kikyou?"

Kagome shook her head gravely. Her fist clutching the counter for support. She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly to get control of herself. She wished Inuyasha was home. His presence would be enough to calm her.

"Yesterday I found myself at Sengoku Medical Center. I was given access to Kikyou's medical file and I...read it. Kikyou was pregnant at the time of her death."

"Pregnant? That wasn't in the medical examiner's report." Kouga leaned in, his face serious. "How far along? We haven't really had enough evidence to present for a judge to grant an exhumation of her body," Kouga stood from his seat, pacing the length of the kitchen, "but if we can get proof the M.E.'s records were edited or falsified, it may be enough. With her body we can test the DNA of the fetus and see if anything in our system matches."

"The file said 8 weeks." Kouga put a hand to his chin, thinking.

"We need that DNA. If we can prove Naraku got Kikyou pregnant we have a motive and enough to bring him in for questioning."

Kagome felt her chest tighten and it was hard to name the feeling sinking into her belly. She turned her head at the sound of the door unlocking. Everyone waited in silence until Inuyasha's head popped in from around the corner.

"How rude to have a party when the homeowner isn't around." Inuyasha was only half joking, managing a friendly nod in Kouga's direction. It only served to emphasize his blatant disregard for Hojo. "So, what's up? The cop is here this can't be good."

"Kagome came across Kikyou's medical file yesterday. Some information was missing from the medical examiner's report that was given to my team. Kikyou was 8 weeks pregnant at her time of death. We're gonna try to use this as evidence for a judge to grant an exhumation order." Everyone watched as Inuyasha's brain slowed to a crawl. Several emotions flicked across his face, the processing of his thoughts easy to read.

"Okay..." Inuyasha started slowly, "so you're digging her up for DNA?"

"I didn't put it so crassly, but yes we need her body to test the fetal DNA. Hopefully, the father is in the system. Rapists are hardly ever first offenders. If this guy has even got a parking ticket, I'll find him."

Kouga's will was strong and it gave Kagome hope. Something they all needed a little more of. When Kouga left, Kagome wished for nothing more than to be alone with Inuyasha. She wanted to talk about the Kikyou situation. Everyone was hoping this would lead them to her killer, but what if it just told them Inuyasha had never had the chance to be a father?

"Hey Hojo, do you mind if I speak to Inuyasha privately? I just want to make sure he's okay with all of this." He looked like he wanted to protest, but the flash in his eye was gone before she could fully comprehend it.

"Sure, I'll just be in your room. Let's go to dinner tonight, I want to make sure you're okay too." Kagome hugged him and in that moment it was genuine. There were so many reasons Kagome loved Hojo and in the midst of figuring out her shit with Inuyasha, she had forgotten about them. Hojo always had her back. Hojo was always the one checking on Kagome, because she was always checking on everyone else. When she pulled away he leaned down to kiss her, and she felt so many things she let them go in the kiss. Her love, her regret, her guilt.

As Hojo made his way up the stairs, Kagome made good on her word to check on Inuyasha. He was sitting on the couch, looking at the television but not watching it. She sat next to him, folding her legs under herself and scooting close.

"You doing okay?" She asked quietly.

"Weirdly, yeah." He looked at her then, and she searched deep to make sure he wasn't lying. He lifted his arm and she leaned into him without thinking twice. She closed her eyes, feeling more at peace than she had all day. "I just want this to be what the police need. I don't want to disturb her for nothing."

"I understand and I feel the same, but I can't help but be a little scared." Kagome began rubbing his bicep, more out of her nervousness than anything sensual. "Even though I lost the baby, our baby, I was happy when I was pregnant. I was scared, but I was happy because even if I couldn't have you, I got keep a piece of you forever. And it's a stupid thought and I hate myself for having it, but those feelings aren't something I want to share with Kikyou."

Inuyasha shifted so she could sit up to look at him. He wanted to see her eyes as she spoke. "I don't want...carrying your child to be an experience that Kikyou and I shared." Lost for words Inuyasha simply nodded his head in understanding. When it came to him and matters of the heart Inuyasha had put both girls through hell. Inuyasha did the only thing he could in that moment.

Hold Kagome.

Kaede didn't know why she kept fussing over herself. She wasn't vain or self obsessed. It never took her more than a moment to pick an outfit, but tonight nothing seemed right. Everything seemed too tight or too frumpy. Her hair just wouldn't cooperate and her skin was bleh.

'It's not a fucking date.' She thought as she continued to brush her hair. The nervousness snaked its way from her belly to her throat. She thought she would vomit. She took a deep breath. 'It's not a fucking date!'

"Kaede honey, Hakudoshi is here." Mrs. Latocki yelled from the living room. Even when talking of someone she couldn't stand, Mrs. Latocki spoke in the most gentle tone. Slowly Kaede gave herself a final once over and stepped out of her room. She'd decided on a black t-shirt dress, a long flannel to cover her arms, and some well worn combat boots. Makeup wasn't her thing so she wore none and her hair fell in 'I tried very hard to achieve this even though you can't tell' waves.

"Damn, you look good." Hakudoshi complimented while pulling her in close. Usually a remark like that would have her blushing, but she only had one man on her mind tonight.

"Please don't be out too late." Mrs. Latocki spoke. She was stunned when Kaede came to give her a hug. It was quick, but it was tight and spoke volumes. The young girl turned without another word and followed her boyfriend to the car he wasn't legally allowed to drive.

The ride was quiet, the sound of Hakudoshi's music filling the space between them. His hand found hers in the dark and she squeezed on reflex. Her belly was in knots. She wondered if Hakudoshi was grossed out by the sweat on her palms. She leaned her head on the cool glass, willing air into her lungs. The slender fingers of the boy to her left rubbed calming circles over her knuckles. Time seemed to fly and the next thing she knew they had arrived in front of Naraku's massive house.

"Listen, you don't have to be scared, alright? I'd never let him hurt you." Kaede nodded. His words weren't enough. In a moment so fleeting, she wished Higurashi was here. He was the first person, besides her big sister, who had ever made her feel so safe.

Naraku's house was actually nice when it wasn't filled with intoxicated teenagers. The light was soft and ambient instead of bright and harsh. The Oak staircase looked even larger than she ever remembered climbing. The chandelier was crystal, the paintings elegant and hard to understand.

"Let's go to the dinning room. My uncle is pulling out all the stops for you." Kaede blushed without wanting to and let Hakudoshi lead her. They came to a table much too large for their small party and a buffet of food ready to be eaten. Her stomach growled at the sight and Naraku's hushed laughter met her ears.

Embarrassed, Kaede gingerly took a seat at Naraku's right and across from Hakudoshi who sat on his left. Some help came to serve the food and soon their plates were filled with steaming fish and vegetables. The ate in silence, only the sound of utensils scraping against plates was heard. Kaede knew she was staring, but it felt out of her control. This man knew something she didn't. She wanted to know.

"Why did you invite me here?" Kaede spoke suddenly. Naraku looked up and smirked before setting his fork and knife to the side.

"You're the girlfriend of my only nephew, seems like we should know each other. Haku and I have always been close."

"I don't believe you." The smirk on Naraku's face widened and Kaede couldn't tell if she was amusing him or offending him. "I wanna know how you knew my sister."

"There's was a point in time when your sister was my right hand. Her and my daughter were an unstoppable team. Those girls moved more weight than most men twice their age. Though Kikyou and I were more than just boss and employee. I loved your sister dearly. She was a special girl. I was quite saddened when Kagura came home with news of her death."

Kaede ignored the sting in her palms, tighter and tighter her fist clenched, her nails digging deep into the thick skin. The twinkle in his eye was dark, though his tone was gentle with fondness and nostalgia. Her stomach turned with Naraku's insinuations. The thought of her sister caring anything for this man, was almost unbearable.

"I heard it was an overdose." Naraku continued, noticing the shift in the girl beside him. "The stuff your sister was into was some of the purest junk I've ever seen." Said girl could feel her body trembling. Her mind sending her back 5 years into the past. To the days when Kikyou had fallen from heaven in Kaede's eyes and had turned into something else.

In the months of Kikyou being hooked, Kaede had taught herself how to cook and do her own laundry. Gone were the days of Kikyou playing with her in the park and putting her to bed. The distant sounds of Kikyou's yelling and slamming doors rang out in her mind. She remembered how it felt to pray for sister to come back to her, even before she had died. Slowly the past faded and Naraku's voice brought her back to the now.

"My dear, I invited you to dinner because I knew from the moment I saw you that you were special, just like your sister." Kaede fliched when Naraku pushed back and rose from his chair. He came around the table, dropping to one knee like he was about to propose.

"Work with me, my dear. Make some money for yourself. More money than you ever thought in your wildest dream you'd have." His hand came up and he ran his fingers through her hair. She looked towards Hakudoshi, the words 'help me' just on the tip of her tongue. She swallowed them.

"If you want me to work with you, there's something I want in return." Kaede spoke. Her tone strong unlike her heart.

"Anything my dear, ask anything of me and it shall be yours."

"I want to live here, and move away from Mrs. Latocki. Would you let me stay?" Kaede thought surely Naraku's face would spilt from his wide grin. He brought her hand to his lips, kissing it once, twice, and one more time after that.

A kiss of death.

"Welcome home Kaede."

Hi,

thanks for making it this far, leave a review or favorite if you're here. Please excuse any and all inaccurate legal terms or procedures. My knowledge of the law comes from law & order (svu only of course), criminal minds, and personal experience. Also, excuse any typos and/or grammatical errors. I try to edit as I go , but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and all that jazz.

See you in the next chapter.