Disclaimer:

I do not own Inuyasha. All credit for the Inu gang charters goes to Rumiko Takahashi

Whispers

Chapter 3

I stared at the letter in my trembling hands. I couldn't believe this was happening. It had been twenty-two years since that day, why now? Every thing was going so good; this has been one of the best days in my life and I don't get many. Why? Why do bad things always happen to me? I was finally starting to be happy again and now this…

I was so caught in my thoughts I didn't notice the door open till Rin called to me

"Hey boss lady, I just came to see if you needed any help unpacking. By the looks of it you're done so maybe we could go out to lunch and celebrate…"

She had yet to look at me as she walked around my office. She was gathering empty boxes and just kept talking. I quickly put the letter away there was no need to alarm her after all this was just a letter. Who knows it might not even be from him.

" I know this great little Italian place down the street, well I've never been there, but I hear great things…umm boss lady are you okay you're looking a little pale, all this excitement too much for you."

Frowning at my lack of response she set the boxes down and came closer.

"Boss lady, earth to boss lady, come in boss lady."

She began to wave her hand in front of my eyes. I just couldn't speak I know I had a blank look on my face but I needed a second to gather my thoughts I had so many things flying through my head, I couldn't get them to slow down. But as I looked in to Rin's eyes and seen the panic in them I came to.

"Sorry…I guess I'm not felling to good right now…stomach…you know that bug has been going around."

I don't think she quite believed me but she didn't push it.

"Okay…"

She said slowly.

"Maybe you should take the day off. Go home get some rest."

"Yeah that sounds like a plan…"

I was about to gather my things and head home when I realized I couldn't, I had to meet Inuyasha for lunch and I had a 2 O'clock meeting about my very first case as a judge. I couldn't just leave.

"On second thought I'm fine, I have a meeting and I'm going to lunch with Inuyasha I can't leave."

"Are you sure boss lady?"

"Yeah I'm fine but if I start to feel bad I'll reschedule and go home."

She gave me a hard look, it reminded me of the one my mother would give me when she caught me in a lie, and I had to suppress my urge to tell her the truth.

"Promise."

I said hoping that would make her happy.

She gave me one last look and nodded her head.

"Well maybe we can go to that Italian place another time"

"Yeah that sounds grate."

Relived I smiled it wasn't a true smile I had to force it to stay on my face till Rin left my office. I felt like shit, I hated lying but I didn't want Rin to worry. By the looks of I'd say she already was but at least she only thought I was sick and not in fear for my life. Oh well there was nothing I could do about it now, what done is done.

The day seemed to go at a snails pace it took forever before lunch came. I was getting jumpy. Every time someone came to my office I nearly had a heart attack. Although it didn't show on my face I was scared and I couldn't wait to get out of the building. I was tired I wanted to go home but I had an obligation to stay. I have worked so hard for this I wasn't going to let this psychopath destroy everything I have accomplished.

I met Inuyasha at the front doors and we headed to my car. We walked in silence until Inuyasha couldn't take it any more.

"Keh! What's wrong with you? Your acting like you've seen a ghost."

Inuyasha's sudden outburst startled me and I dropped my suitcase. As I bent to pick my things up Inuyasha said

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you but you're being so damn quiet. You didn't even say hi…not that I care, what's wrong?"

I had to smile at that. He could be so childish some times.

"It's nothing Inu I'm just not feeling my best right now. You know that stomach bug that's going around? I might have of caught it."

"You still up to for lunch?"

"Yeah I think I can manage."

We got to the car and drove off to our favorite restaurant, WacDonalds. The drive was uneventful and by the time we got there I was felling much better. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until I walked into the restaurant, all the wonderful smells had my mouth watering. I must have had a funny look on my face because Inu said

"I guess you're hungry"

Embarrassed I quickly closed my mouth before I started to drool.

"Hehe, yeah I guess I am. Lets order the food before I start to drool."

"Umm…I think you already did."

He said pointing to the corner of his lip. I felt my cheeks heat up and quickly wiped it off. Inu laughed and started walking to the cashier. A few minuets later we had our food and headed to a table.

I watched her as she got her food. Her schedule is the same every day, I know because I've been watching, I'm good at that, real good. I could watch her forever. She looks so strong; it'll be fun to break her. First I'll break her emotionally then I'll break her body and by the end she'll be begging me to end her pain. It'll be such fun; I've wanted this for so long.

She's with that man again but that's okay I know how to get rid of him. Nothing can keep her from me, NOTHING!

Every thing is almost ready just a little longer. I've waited for twenty-two years, twenty-two long years dreaming of the day I would find her. I found her now, just a little longer and she'll be mine, I've waited so long, just a little longer, just a little longer and she'll be mine, ALL MINE!

Inu and I never talk about work when we have lunch. The job is stressful enough without taking into our personal time too. We ate in silence for a bit just enjoying the food. I was kind of nerves I can't decide if I should tell him about the letter. I trust him with my life but I don't want to get him worked up if this turns out to be nothing. Inuyasha can be a bit possessive. If he finds out I won't have a moment's peace.

"Kags? You okay you've had that fry in front of your face for like a minute. If you don't want it I'll take it."

With that said he reached over and plucked the fry out of my fingers and ate it.

"Hey I was going to eat it I was just…I was just…give me a sec I'll think of something."

Inuyasha laughed and with that my mood got better. I love it when he laughs. He doesn't do it much anymore but when he does, he changes. I can see the child in him again. He should do it more often I thought to myself.

"You know you should do that more often,"

"Do what?"

"Laugh"

"Keh, whatever."

I can tell I embarrassed him by the way his cheeks turned a little pink.

The rest of lunch went like that. We talked about movies and music but all too soon we had to get back to work.

I watched her as she left; I watched as that man put his hand on her back. It made my blood boil to see him touch her she was mine even if they didn't know it yet. I wanted to go over there and take her with me but the time was not right yet I still had things to do. Looking at my watch it read 1:30 pm, same time she always finishes lunch. I had a few hours till she got home. I had plenty of time to leave her my little presents. I quickly finished my food and left.

Before I knew it we were back at the courthouse,

"Thanks for lunch Inu I'll get the bill tomorrow."

"You bet your ass you will."

We sat in silence for a moment.

"Well…back to work we go, come on Kagome…or should I stare calling you Judge Higurashi."

"Sure and I'll start calling you Mr. Takahashi."

I know he doesn't like people calling him that, it makes him feel old.

"Okay, you win, Kagome it is. Come on its time to go."

We got to the entrance, just before entering Inu said

"I don't know if I told you this yet but congratulations. You really deserve this and… well…I'm proud of you."

With that said he walked into the office. I stood there for a moment and smiled to myself, then I went in search of Rin I had 2 o'clock meeting I needed to get to.

"You need to go to court room five."

She looked up at me

"Better hurry boss lady you have five minutes to get there and that room is all the way across the building."

"Thanks Rin I'll see you later and tell you all about the meeting."

"You got it and good luck"

With that said I ran out the door heading to courtroom five.

I was nearly flying down the hall, I had to stop by my office to grab a few things before going to the meeting and now I late, it took me forever to find my note pad, I was trying to put everything into briefcase and run down the hall at the same time needless to say I wasn't watching where I was going, can anyone guess what happened next? As I was turning the corner I ran right in to something dropping my briefcase and spilling everything on the floor.

"Oh shit, not now I'm going to be so late. Who put that wall there? Man that hurt."

I was crawling on my hands and knees trying to get all my papers back in my case when I seen a pair of shoes in front of me. I slowly stood up blushing heavily because I realized it wasn't a wall I ran in to but a person.

"I am so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going. Are you okay? I was in a rush and I was trying to get my thing in my case and when I turned the corner I didn't look…well…you know what happened next."

I was embraced so I was talking fast, it didn't help that all he was doing was staring at me.

"Well Mr.…umm"

"Tanaka."

"Mr. Tanaka again I am very sorry but I really need to go I have a meeting I need to get to and well…excuse me but I have to go."

I bowed slightly and walked around him, just as I passed him he said

"You might want to fix your blouse before you go to that meeting."

Flustered I looked down and noticed the first few buttons had come undone. Let's just say I was giving everyone a good view of my goods. Flushing hotly I quickly buttoned my shirt. I turned around ready to yell at him for not telling me sooner. What a damn pervert. When I was fully turned around he was gone. Who was that man? I don't think I've seen him here before, I would have remembered someone with long silver hair. But there was something about him he must remind me of some one I know. Pushing all thoughts of that man out of my head I grabbed my case and continued on my way to the meeting.

My god, she has grown. She didn't recognize me, I don't blame her, the last time we seen each other was a little over eighteen years ago. I'll have to come see her again maybe she will remember next time.

Every thing is ready for her. I just know she is going to love my little presents. I can't wait to see the look on her face when she sees them. One more hour and she'll see and she will know her time is up she'll know and there is nothing she can do to stop it.

The meeting lasted for an hour and a half I was tired and really wanted to go home. I had a lot of papers to go over and I would rather do it in the comfort of my home. I still had to bring Rin up to speed on the case and do a little copying and filing then I could go home. I found Rin in the staff lounge.

"Hey Rin."

"Oh hey boss lady how did the meeting go"

"It went fine I got there a little late, I kind of ran into this guy and I was apologizing but as it turns out all he was doing was looking at my chest he probably didn't hear a word I said"

"How rude he just stared at your chest?"

"When I ran into him I fell over, some buttons came undone, and out came my goods. He was such a perv he just stood there and didn't say anything. But then as I'm leaving he tells my 'you might want to fix your shirt before you go to that meeting' what an ass. But never mind about him."

"Did you get his name?"

"Tanaka was all I got. Do you know the name?"

"It sounds familiar I'll do a little checking and if I find anything I'll let you know."

"Thanks Rin now about the case. It's a murder trial. Mr. and Mrs. Yamamoto were gunned down in front of there five year old son, Shippo, by two thugs that go by the name The Thunder Brothers. It was a robbery gone bad the Yamamotos were going too slowly for the Brothers liking so the shot them and took it themselves. Shippo had slipped away and hid the Thunder Brothers looked for him but couldn't find him. The police were coming so they had to cut there search short and run. The police caught up to them a few blocks down the road. It's a pretty open and shut case there were found with the wallets of the victims and the murder weapons. With the ID we got from Shippo they should be going away for a very long time.

Through out the whole narrative my voice grew more and more monotonic. I knew what Rin was thinking by the look in her face but I waited till she said something.

"Kagome are you okay? That was… I mean it was almost identical to what happened to you."

"I know and yes I'm okay well it was a shock at first but I'm okay now. This is why I wanted to become a Judge right? Helping that little boy find the kind of peace that comes with knowing your parent's killers are in jail, where they belong, will be the best filling I will ever have."

I had tears in my eyes. At that moment I remembered the letter I had gotten this morning with it the fear I felt when I read it. I stood slowly and started gathering my things.

"I think I'm going to call it a day before you got could you make a copy of this file and put it in my in box."

"Sure no problem you get some rest okay and I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yes I'll do that. Thank you Rin."

She stood and gave me a hug. I held on for a moment before stepping away.

"Thanks I needed that."

"I thought so. Good night boss lady."

"Good night Rin. Be safe."

And with that I headed home.

I pulled my car into the drive way, got out and locked it up. As I entered the house I took off my shoes carrying those and my briefcase to my room I put them away. Sticking to my routine I changed washed my face and brushed by teeth. I took my cloths to the wash room then went to my vanity table; I sat down and got my brush. As I was putting it through its first run in my hair I looked in to the mirror and stared in horror at what I saw there.

Taped to the mirror were two pictures one was of my mother but not of the beautiful women I knew as a child no it was her distorted face with its empty eye sockets. It was a close up on the face so all I seen was the black holes that hade once been kind and loving. It felt like I was a small child again and standing in my mothers room if I didn't do something soon these black holes were going to suck me in, then I would be forever lost to the deep, dark, nothingness of them.

Before I was sucked in my eyes snapped to the second picture, it was of my brother. He was sitting on his bed, his pajamas were covered in blood, and he was staring at his hands as they were pressed against his stomach with a look of complete and utter terror.

Tears were falling freely down my face but I made not one sound, I couldn't, my throat felt like something was constricting it. I couldn't breath. My vision was starting to waver. The darkness was coming I could see it at the edges of my vision. I didn't want to go there not with these pictures in my head I tried to fight it but I couldn't.

After all this time whispers of my past have come to haunt me I thought to myself just before the darkness clamed me.

AN:

I decided to finish the chapter and post it. Hope you like it, sorry for any errors and PLEASE REVIEW