Chapter 10

Later that night, Inuyasha found Kagome looking over newspaper clippings.

"What have you got there?"

"Oh, when I went out with Izayoi this afternoon, I stopped by Lizzie's and asked her if I could borrow these."

"You're not still going on about that freaky dude are you?"

"Yes, I am. I didn't realize it before, but it came to me. In all the information that Lizzie has about him, a lot is the same. Same types of areas he lived in, same job."

"Yea, so? A lot of demons stay in similar areas and hold same jobs and just change names. It's easier that way."

"Well, this is suspicious because all the towns he lived in suffered financial ruin."

"Really? Ok, go on."

"All the towns he lived in were major port towns at one time or another. Either shipping ports or railroad ports. And in all of them, he sold insurance to protect the citizens. Then the port would go belly up and the people would lose their money and then he would die in a fire. About ten years later he would show up in another town. Same scenario. Same MO. Different name."

"Now that is interesting. And this town used to be a major port?"

"Not this one, but Wellington about 5 miles south of here."

"Wellington is a ghost town, Kagome."

"I know. But it wasn't in the 60's and 70's. It was a booming railroad port town."

"Isn't Wellington where that major train wreck occurred in '78? The one with the avalanche? Killed all those people?"

"400 people killed. They filed claims under Jones' insurance company and no one received a dime. Then he died in a fire 2 months later."

"Then they all moved on. Except for those few hardy souls that moved here. Then this town became known for tourism and even that's down now that the Washington and Oregon coasts have become huge. And cheaper."

"Right. I figure of the two thousand residents of Wellington, only 50 live here now."

"Ok, so where is he now? Jones, I mean."

"North of us. In Jamesville."

"Ummm, Jamesville is not a major port town. It's an island where the crab fishermen leave from every year."

"Yes, I know. And do you realize, that since 1988 there hasn't been one single boat accident in Jamesville. Not one man overboard or one boat lost."

"Isn't that good?"

"Yes, and the crab market as been through the roof. The prices for crab have quadrupled in value. Especially dungeness, Jamesville's main source of income."

"Ok, and the point is?"

"The point is, Inuyasha, they are due for a fall don't you think? How many fishing ports see that kind of revenues and good luck all at the same time?"

"I don't know, I don't keep track. But, I bet you're gonna tell me."

"Darn right I am. Zero. Nada. Zilch. NOBODY! Every port suffers a calamity. The good with the bad. Even during major storms - no problems. And I think that it's going to end soon. Maybe not tomorrow. Or next week. But a few years maybe."

"And what are you gonna do about it?"

"I am going to find out how to stop this man and stop whatever he is doing to those poor people."

"Hey Kagome, take my advice and stay outta it! You'll get yourself killed."

As they talked, Bunza and his brothers Phillip and Yasuo walked in from taking a nighttime stroll on the beach.

"Hey, mama, papa, can I ask you a question?"

"Yea, what is it?", queried Inuyasha.

"Remember that woman that Shane mentioned? The one on the rock with the long flowing robes?"

"Yes?", Kagome perked up.

"She was out there tonight. And she was playing the flute again ...", Bunza started.

"And we felt eerily drawn to the sound. Like we needed to go to her.", continued Yasuo.

"Like she was calling us. Calling for us to come to her.", finished Phillip.

"That's weird.", Inuyasha stated.

"I wonder if it's a demon call.", said Kagome.

"If so, why didn't Shane feel that way?", asked Inuyasha.

"Maybe he's too young to feel the call?", said Phillip.

"Mmmm. Maybe ...", started Kagome.

In Tokyo

A lovely young lady dressed in a pretty summery dress of green and pink entered the restaurant. She had long black hair, striking blue eyes, and a figure that would stop a truck. She spoke softly to the maitre'd and she was shown to her table. Sitting there was a handsome man, with black hair and the same striking blue eyes. Dressed in a casual shirt and pants, he stood up to address the woman,

"Lily, I'm so glad you could come. How was your flight from Milan?"

"It was horrendous. We had to double back to Rome and we sat on the tarmac for hours. I'm glad I had a chance to rest before meeting you tonight, Kouga."

"I know it's asking to much, but is there anyway I can get you to call me father?"

"No. Not yet anyway. Inuyasha is my father. I'm sorry. The circumstances of my conception still irritate papa under his skin. But he has accepted me when I feel other fathers would not have."

"I understand. I shouldn't have pushed.", Kouga said.

In British Columbia

"Yes, mother. I understand.", Mashai said, into his cell phone.

"You must take them out soon.", came the female voice on the other line.

"I have yet to meet Sesshoumaru, mother."

"I'll be happy with Inuyasha. He was the main one who orchestrated your father's death."

"I gotta go, mother.", Mashai said as he closed his phone quickly and Izayoi walked onto the patio.

"Talking with your mom?", she asked sweetly.

"Yes, I was."

"Did you hear a flute out here earlier. My brothers were talking about a woman playing a flute."

"No. I wasn't paying attention. My mother can be a real pain in the you know what, sometimes. She was blah blah blah. Can't pay attention to anything else when she's on the phone."

Inuyasha and Kagome joined them. The moment Inuyasha walked out onto the porch, Kagome sensed him stiffen. Still, he remained civil.

"Keiko is bringing out drinks. What's your poison, Mashai?", Inuyasha asked.

"Bourbon on the rocks if you have it.", he said.

"Ok, Izayoi?", continued Inuyasha.

"Caramel Latte, please."

"Oh for Christ's sake ... it's a fucking warm caramel milk. Quit the fancy names, ok?", he muttered, as Izayoi giggled at her father's outburst.

Before he went in, he asked Kagome,

"White wine spritzer, Koshii?"

"Sounds good, my love.", she said as she stretched her legs and took a deep breath of sea air. Soon, Inuyasha returned with a plate of warm quesadillas.

"Ooo, yum.", said Kagome as Izayoi licked her lips. Just then, the phone rang.

"Master?", said Keiko, "It is for you."

"Who is it?"

"He said he is your brother."

"Damn. I wonder what he wants.", said Inuyasha, as he got up to take the call.