Whew…after a long time involving hectic schedules, losing the spiral I write Destiny in, then finding it again, Chapter 9 is finally finished! celebrates And with summer break coming up, I'm hoping my time between chapters will become shorter and shorter. Well…enjoy this chapter, and watch for an appearance for a character from another of Rumiko Takahashi's series.

Chapter 9: The Tokyo Trickster

Miruk was happily enjoying normal, not-being-sucked-into-nothingness dreams when he realized someone was trying to shake him awake. "Five more minutes Mother," he grumbled, pulling his pillow over his head. He thought he heard laughter before someone grabbed the pillow and started hitting him with it.

If someone my age was your mother, then your father must've been more of a flirt than you are." Miruk cracked his eyes open to see two figures standing over him, one with the pillow over its shoulder. "Now get up...we've got a problem."

Sitting up and yawning, Miruk finally recognized the figures as Kagome and Souta. "Wha' kinda problem?" he asked, blinking sleepily.

Souta pointed to the window and Miruk slid out of bed to take a look. He stopped in mid-yawns as he observed the scene outside.

Kagome's mother and grandfather were standing at the base of a nearby tree. Mrs. Higarashi seemed to be talking to her father as he tossed objects Miruk recognized as charms and talismans from the storehouse up into the tree. He also seemed to be burning some sort of incense as smoke was rising up into the tree's branches.

Shifting his line of sight upward, Miruk saw a familiar flash of red and white. He shrugged and yawned again as he spoke. "No problem, we just tell them that my 'friend' was too tired to get back home after last night and he...uh...sleep-climbs."

Souta shook his head. "Not gonna work."

Miruk raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"Look at the God Tree," Kagome said, pointing again.

Miruk had to crane his neck at an awkward angle to see the tree properly. "Damnit..." he muttered.

He had forgotten to recharge the illusion spell on the tree. The missing vines were now visible...err...not visible and Kagome's mother and grandfather had obviously noticed this. Realizing his help was probably needed outside, Miruk bolted out of his room, and down the stairs, ignoring Kagome's move to stop him.

"Well," she muttered to Souta, "I tried to stop him...but it's not my fault if he wants to run around outside like that."

Souta laughed again as they too hurried to get outside.

Meanwhile, Inuyasha was yelling down from the tree's branches at the old man changing and throwing things at him. "Would ya cut it out old man? I'm not here by choice!" He glanced towards the house when he heard footsteps and a door slam. Miruk soon rounded the corner. What tha' hell is he wearing? He asked himself, having never seen boxers before, let alone the rainbow and heart covered ones Miruk was wearing.

As an unnoticed scroll tied to a small statue hit his ear, Inuyasha decided to try the blame game. He pointed to Miruk. "Throw things at him! It was his and that Kagome's fault that I'm here!"

"Higarashi-san!" Miruk called out, skidding to a halt behind him. "I-"

"Ah! Miruk, I need your help," the shrine keeper exclaimed without turning around. "The demon from within the God Tree has been unleashed into the world."

"He has been unleashed for about a week, jii-chan," Kagome said as she arrived on the scene with Souta.

"What do you mean, dear?" her mother asked, while shooting an odd look at Miruk.

"Nee-chan let him out," Souta said.

"That's excellent news!" their grandfather exclaimed, sparing a glance from Inuyasha to grin at Kagome.

Everybody stared.

"If it's good news, then why are you trying to get rid of me?" Inuyasha asked.

"The demon being unsealed is an unfortunate event, but I have been praying that Kagome or Souta would show spiritual powers so that I may leave the care of this shrine in the hands of the Higarashi family when I move onto the next world. Oi!" Apparently Inuyasha had flicked a twig at him, causing the old man to resume trying to use his talismans. "I wouldn't mind leaving it in the care of Miruk, he's a talented and reliable lad, but unless he was to wed Kagome," Kagome's eyes widened in terror while Miruk seemed to be contemplating the idea, "it would have broken the line the Higarashi family has held for almost four hundred years."

This speech brought several reactions from those present.

I wouldn't be surprised if jii-chan did try to marry me off to him...

Something tells me this shrine hasn't seen a real priest for a while if it ended up in his hands...

I could have easily gotten away from that blabbering old man...but if I did anything to him I could have been bound or sat like last time thanks to those two...

I wish I had powers...then maybe I could find a demon of my own...

So Kagome unsealed him...interesting considering her lack of interest in old legends and stories...

Kagome's grandfather interrupted the silent musings with a sound of annoyance.

"I obviously need something stronger to get rid of you..." he muttered, rummaging in his pockets for the various paper charms and seals he seemed to carry everywhere. "This should hold you in that spot for now," he said, sticking one to the tree's trunk. He then started to head back inside, saying something about sending Miruk on an errand.

Kagome's mother leaned over to whisper in Miruk's ear. "You might wish to change your clothes before heading out."

Miruk blinked and finally seemed to become aware of his single garment. Blushing slightly, he made a beeline for the house. Why did I have to be wearing the pair Hirome gave me last year? He thought, remembering his 18th birthday gag gift.

Mrs. Higarashi now turned to her daughter. "I believe I know where your grandfather is sending him, so could you please go with him and pick some things up for me on the way?"

"Yes, mama," Kagome answered, not complaining as she didn't have much else to do that day.

"And also," Mrs. Higarashi took a quick look up at Inuyasha, "If you could take him with you? I don't want your grandfather hurting himself or innocent bystanders trying to banish him."

"But...aren't you worried about him...eating me or something?" Kagome protested. She had been Inuyasha's babysitter for a while now and she was hoping for a break.

"If you managed to keep him hidden since the time you unsealed him, I'm sure you can handle a trip into the city," Kagome's mother countered. She then lowered her voice before adding, "besides...there have been quite a few disappearances in downtown, I think this demon could provide some good protection if need be.

Kagome sighed and looked up at Inuyasha.

"Don't bother talking...I heard it all an' I'm not going," the demon snapped.

Kagome became even more irked at his tone. "Yes you are," she snapped back. "Get down here!"

"No," Inuyasha said, looking away.

"Down!"

"No!"

"Down!"

"No!"

"Osawari!"

Inuyasha was allowed one brief expression of surprise before the prayer beads forced him, and his branch, down to the ground at Kagome's feet.

"I hate you...you know that right?" A pained, muffled voice came from the round.

Souta looked at his sister with a look of amazement. He had known about the command, but had never witnessed it. "And you were worried about him eating you."

"You're lost aren't you?" Kagome asked Miruk's back.

"No...this is a short cut," he replied, turning an alleyway corner...

...and coming face to face with a dead end. "Alright, maybe we are lost."

Inuyasha and Kagome both moaned.

The three of them had spent a whole two hours after getting off the train trying to follow Kagome's grandfather's vague directions to the shop he had sent Miruk to. It was, unfortunately, hidden in the maze of Tokyo's backstreets where it probably still would have been hard to find, even with good directions.

"I guess we should have you backtrack for us again," Miruk said, turning and looking back at Inuyasha.

More groaning.

"C'mon...I know you're getting tired, but I don't want to be fired, I enjoy working at the shrine."

Or you enjoy following the women who visit... Kagome thought

Inuyasha led them back through the alleyways and streets, following their scent.

"There are so many other things I could be doing right now," Kagome muttered, starting to get impatient. Something suddenly caught her eye and she went back a few steps.

There was an alleyway entrance dark enough to blend into the surrounding shadows. Towards the far end, she could make out a shop entrance and a worn sign with the words Genma's Charms, Antiques, and Misc.

"Miruk?"

"Not now, Kagome."

"Miruk!"

"I said not now, I need to try and figure out where we're going."

Annoyed at being ignored, Kagome looked around for something to get his attention and noticed a glint of purple through Inuyasha's hair.

"Osawari!"

"What tha hell was that for?" The flattened hanyou yelled from the ground while Miruk looked back at Kagome with surprise.

"The store's down here," Kagome replied innocently.

"Are you sure?" Miruk asked.

Kagome walked down the ally a little ways until she could make out the store's entrance. "Unless there is another back street store with a painting of a panda on either side of the door."

Great...now lets just get this job done and over with," Inuyasha said while standing up, "I'm getting bored as well as abused."

He was suddenly knocked to the ground again as someone on a bicycle rounded the corner quickly.

"Oh, no! I'm so sorry...I didn't think anyone would be back here..." The rider dismounted, apologizing over and over as she offered Inuyasha a hand to help him up.

Both Kagome and Miruk noticed the voice almost immediately.

"It seems fate has brought us together again," Miruk said, grabbing Sen's hand since Inuyasha ignored it.

"Unfortunately..." the girl replied, not looking very happy.

Kagome had walked up behind Inuyasha and was making sure that after two falls, his ears were still securely covered. "What are you doing back here anyways?" she asked Sen.

"I come to Genma's all the time," she replied, trying to get her hand away from Miruk's as politely as possible, "my room is filled with stuff I've bought there...but," she finally got her hand out of Miruk's, "I need a book about dream memories since mine doesn't go into too much detail about them."

Both Kagome and Miruk were now staring at Sen with odd expressions on their faces.

"Dream memories?" Kagome repeated.

"Yes...extremely vivid dreams of things that have happened in your past, or even a past life."

Miruk spoke up. "Would you be having some of these dream memories?"

"Well...most wouldn't think so because I was fighting demons, but since you live at a shrine you should know how common place they used to be."

At least after Inuyasha showed up, both Kagome and Miruk thought at the same time.

"What about you?" Sen asked, "I thought I was the only person I knew who knows about this shop."

"We're running an errand for my grandfather," Kagome told her, "he needs some sort of powerful talisman or charm."

"What for?"

"Umm...shrine troubles."

Sen didn't dig into the matter anymore as she picked her bike up and started wheeling it forward as the group proceeded to the shop.

Once inside, Kagome couldn't help but stare at the towering, cluttered shelves filled with anything and everything.

At the counter stood a bored looking, red-haired girl, who had been rolling a 100 yen piece across the counter, before noticing the customers.

"Oh...its you again," she said, noticing Sen and obviously recognizing her, "just go ahead and help yourself to whatever you need this time." Sen promptly proceeded to a table in the back of the store with a huge mound of books on it. "Now what about you?" the red-head asked the other three.

"We were wondering-" Kagome started.

"-If you knew how absolutely beautiful you are?" Miruk finished, moving right up to the counter. Kagome gave a slight groan and put her face in her hand.

The girl glared at him, "You're not another fiancée, are you?"

"Fiancée?" Miruk repeated, sounding slightly disappointed.

"If that's a no, good," the girl said as she cracked her knuckles.

"It's just a joke," Kagome said, grabbing Miruk's shirt and tugging him backwards, "what I was trying to say earlier was that we were wondering what you had for powerful charms."

The girl leaned on the counter and squinted slightly. "You're Higarashi's grand-daughter, aren't you?"

"Umm...yes."

The girl returned to her original position. "Had a feeling he would start sending someone when he finally admitted he was to old to keep wandering around back here," she made a motion with her hands that made Kagome think she was mentally strangling someone, "unlike someone I could name." She looked back at Kagome, "but you can tell your grandfather that the only things added to our stock since he was last here are some toys from the Sengoku Jidai era."

"All that trouble for nothing?" Inuyasha complained, before starting to investigate some of the objects on nearby shelves.

"You got lost also?" Sen asked, walking up to the counter to pay of the book she had picked out.

"This area of the city seems to have that effect on people," the girl added, "I've been helping my old man around here for several months, and I'll still get disoriented on occasion." She suddenly glared at Inuyasha. "Shoplifters usually think twice before stealing from here."

Inuyasha looked up from playing with the figurines near the door. "I was just lookin' at it," he snapped, "not that you could do anything to me if I did."

The girl leaped over the top of the counter, landed lightly in front of the hanyou, and glared up at him. "Don't test me," she snapped back, "and you were the only one near the Sengoku Jidai toys," she pointed to the shelf he had been standing by. "Don't see then there now, do you?"

"I haven't been interested in those since I was a kid," Inuyasha snapped back with an identical tone.

"Feh. You-"

"Merow."

The red-head looked behind Inuyasha to where the noise had come from. She suddenly stiffened and bolted to the top of the counter. "W-where did those come from?" she asked with fear in her voice.

The other four exchanged looks with each other as they noticed what was terrifying the girl.

Three orange-brown cats were sitting by the doorway.

"Kawaii!" Kagome exclaimed, bending to pet one.

The felines simply ignored her and walked over to the counter where they simply sat down and mewed up at the terrified red-head.

"That explains why she refused to let me bring Kirara in," Sen mused.

Kagome was about to ask who Kirara was, but something else distracted her.

A young man about Miruk's age was standing with his face pressed against the main store window, a grin on his face. He looked normal enough, dressed in street clothes and had apparently dyed his hair an orangey color. But what made him jump out at Kagome were the objects sticking out of the front of his shirt. She tapped Sen on the shoulder, "Hey, aren't those the old toys that went missing?"

Sen glanced at the person outside and suddenly bolted towards the door, pausing only briefly to tell Inuyasha, "You don't want either of Genma's kids mad at you, so I'd suggest helping me get the real thief."

Inuyasha looked at the observer, gave a sniff then gave an growl before following Sen out the door. Their object of pursuit had noticed the attention he had attracted and had ran back down the alleyway as his chasers reached the door.

Kagome was now worried for the thief's safety. Inuyasha would probably have no problem with killing him, and his earlier growling didn't help her thoughts.

She grabbed the back of Miruk's shirt and gave it a yank. "Leave the cats," she whispered as he turned his attention from trying to get the cats out of the store (they refused to let him pick them up), "Dog-boy's loose."

Miruk looked a bit guilty about leaving the red-head to fend for herself against something she seemed deathly afraid of, but he decided a rampaging demon in Tokyo was probably worse. "Which way did he go?" he asked Kagome, following her out of the shop.

Shortly after they had left, the three cats disappeared without a trace. From her vantage on the shop counter, the girl triple checked that they weren't there anymore before climbing off. She headed to the back room, planning on dumping water on her father so he could deal with any more customers so she could try and cat-proof the building.

"I hate this place!" Kagome yelled, kicking at a nearby abandoned newspaper.

It had been a while and she and Miruk were even more lost than they had been earlier. They hadn't seen hide or hair of Sen, Inuyasha, or the thief, even though they thought they saw random flashes of them at the ends of intersecting alleyways, or heard random shouting from behind a wall or building.

"Maybe we should just go home and wait for the news to report mass chaos in this part of town," she said aloud, expecting a reply from Miruk.

But none came.

"Miruk?" Kagome asked, turning around.

Only a darkening, empty alleyway stood behind her.

"Miruk?" she called again, desperately hoping that he was just being a little slow and would turn a corner shortly after.

He didn't, but Kagome did see somebody's shadow moving down one of the connecting paths. Kagome cautiously moved towards it.

The ally turned out to be a small and narrow empty lot of sorts. Grass and weeds grew in scattered clumps on the ground, hiding trash strewn on the ground. At the far end stood the young man who had been the source of this entire mess. He was leaning against the wall as if taking a break from being chased.

Oddly enough, he hadn't seen Kagome standing there. "Oi!" she called, about to make a move to corner him.

A hand suddenly grabbed her shoulder and spun her around. For a split second she thought it was Miruk or Inuyasha, but was shocked to find the thief standing behind her. "Looking for me?" He asked with a grin.

Kagome shot a look behind her, seeing that the thief was still leaning against the wall, but at the same time, he was standing about a foot away from her.

But as Kagome looked back at the other one, she began to realize that the two looked identical, but the one in front of her seemed to be dressed in old fashioned clothing and armor. Not only that, but as Kagome stared at his face, she noticed that his ears were pointed and his eyes seemed almost...animal like.

Suddenly very nervous, Kagome asked, "W...who're you?"

He continued to leer at her as he replied. "I've acquired many names over the years," he said, "but you can call me Shippou, the Tokyo Trickster and the last man you'll ever look at."