I think this chapter will put us at 10,000 words. So hopefully if you're still here, you're enjoying the story. I'm writing this as I go, but I have a few plans of where all of this is heading. So far, it's looking like it'll be a pretty long story especially if I continue with some one-shot heroics chapters. Hopefully you enjoy those and the building main plot that you'll start to see very soon. So leave a review, let me know what you like and dislike. I think I'm getting the hang of writing (or tell me if I'm not) and going to try to keep this schedule and update every 1-3 days while I can, especially depending on chapter length. And on with the chapter, longest one yet!
Chapter 10: First Heroics and a Date
Damn it I'm running late. The professor kept the students a little overtime and just when he was finally running to the coffee shop, Sesshomaru sent a text to pick up some weird relic thing at a shop half a kilometer away from campus. Inuyasha knew better than to tell him to shove his ideas up his ass considering the beating he got last time during 'training'. The shop keeper was a youkai and apparently couldn't tell that he was a youkai, so the pick up took forever. Almost there! Huh, sirens? They sounded close and approaching. Ack! I'm already running late, but this might be my chance!
Yash: Sessh gave me detour, I swear I'm still coming.
Kags: You better. But take your time, sitting here with many hours worth of hw.
Yash: Promise.
Thank you for being the most forgiving person on the planet! Time to get dressed. Being on a fortunately deserted street, Inuyasha took a look around and seeing no one, he tucked into the alleyway and took out his 'kendo' sword. Without wasting time, and finally having gotten used to it, he swiped the blade through his hand and smeared the blood. He quickly grabbed the stuffed kimono out of his bag and put it over his normal clothes, tucked the sword into his belt, and lastly put the black beanie over his ears and tucked in some of his hair. He followed the sound of sirens from the rooftops.
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This is Mei with News 6 reporting from the scene of a large apartment fire. Many residents have been evacuated, but a few remain trapped inside. Firefighters are working to get them out, but the flames are rapidly growing-
"AAAHHH"
It would appear there's a young girl trapped almost at the top of the complex. The ladders are currently extended to one story short of the girl. But the fire has already reached her. They need to- what's that?
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I know it's selfish to say it, but I didn't cause the disaster, so I'm gonna say it: YES! This is my chance to do something big!
"AAAHHH" Huh? The firefighters won't reach her in time!
Inuyasha, who had been watching the events from atop a nearby rooftop suddenly leaped down to a fire truck which was attempting to fight the blaze. Quickly running up the ladder, and jumping over the heads of two firemen, he leaped into the room where the girl was located, slamming through the glass and landing gracefully just past her.
"Oh" Oh? That's your response to this?
"Don't just stand there. Come on!" he insisted. Instead of waiting for any reaction, he just grabbed the girl and leapt back out the window to the ground below. Unfortunately, he must have snagged something above his head that tangled with the beanie.
Shit my beanie!
The girl looked at him. She definitely noticed the ears, "oh."
"What's the matter?" he questioned playing ignorant before landing on the ground.
"Fuzzy ears," she answered, grabbing a hold of one.
"Knock it off! Stop touching!" he replied with a growl. "See ya," he said before hopping off to an adjacent rooftop to watch and ensure she was the last victim.
"Ha Ha Ha. Doggie man, thank you for saving me!" she called after him.
Observing the scene for 10 more minutes, Inuyasha could see the firefighters getting the fire under control and a few more residents being escorted out. Even with his hearing, he didn't hear any more calls for help. So, he headed back for his date.
Yash: OMW, 5 min!
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Rapidly reapplying his seal, removing the fire rat clothing and sword, and quickly dusting his hair for any ash, Inuyasha quickly repacked his bag and ran to the coffee shop. Hosenki's was a rather upscale seeming coffee shop, but it charged rather standard prices. As it turns out, the place was actually a cover for a youkai shop selling precious jewels with magical properties. Hosenki felt his items would be safer from fools by placing it right in the middle of a human population where youkai prefer not to make a scene. And a coffee shop seemed a classic for deal negotiations. The upscale vibe definitely made it popular for college dating.
"Kagome!" Inuyasha called upon arriving.
"Over here," she repled with a wave, "Oh geez Inuyasha, I told you it was ok, you didn't have to rush." It was obvious he was winded.
"I just didn't want to keep you waiting any longer. Sides' I was running partially out of excitement." Well, he did appear rather happy.
"I'd love to believe you were simply that excited to see me, but I assume something happened?" she questioned.
"Yah, well, I guess it was something I've been waiting for, that finally happened. And I kinda screwed up one thing, but at least I succeeded at the main thing." he answered a little vaguely.
"That's good, I think."
"I think so." There was a bit of an awkward silence, "so I visited my mom yesterday, gave her some of your sweets."
"That's wonderful! I'm sure she enjoyed the company."
The two chatted for a bit, and Kagome answered a few phone messages that she was getting, but then Kagome made a suggestion. "Do you want to actually order some coffee? I had one before, but the caffeine is wearing off."
"Coffee's good," he answered. The two then walked up to the counter to order. Inuyasha looked at the menu and decided he felt like a simple tea while Kagome got a caramel mocha.
Kags: All set?
Roku: You just have to get him here.
Just then Inuyasha noticed a news report and Kagome took advantage of the distraction to slip sleeping pills into his tea before following his gaze:
This is Mei with News 6 reporting from Yushima Street that was moments ago the scene of a large apartment fire. Firefighters at the scene are currently reporting no casualties and the few individuals taken to the hospital are in stable condition. However, what many are talking about is the appearance of the crimson vigilante, who was seen hopping into the burning building and rescuing a small child who walked away with no injuries. Many are questioning the increasing sightings of the vigilante including the increasing boldness of their actions. We'll keep you updated on all the action. Back to the studio.
"Whoa, the vigilante is getting bolder," commented Kagome.
"Long as they're helping people, right?" How did no one comment on my leaping from the building? Or the dog ears? I know the kid saw them, but maybe they just ignored the recently traumatized kid?
Kagome POV
"I suppose." Kagome looked over at Inuyasha, "you're not drinking your tea?"
He looked at it, "no I will. I just, recently developed something of a sensitivity to hot things so I'm letting it cool." What? Is that the curse's fault? They can temporarily boost a human's strength so maybe it's boosting his sensitivity? "Kags?"
She was surprised, "what? Oh, sorry, I was just wondering."
"Wondering?"
"Err who the crimson vigilante is," she lied.
"You're curious about that stuff? Hm, could be anyone I guess."
"Right." She agreed.
The two continued to chat for a while until the moment Kagome was waiting for.
"It's probably cool enough," he went to take a drink. "Blech! What is that!" He promptly spit it back into the cup and started wiping off his tongue. Increased sensitivity! He tasted the pills, grr! "Gimme a sec, I need to buy something else just to wash out my mouth." He went to the counter.
Kags: A bust! The curse seems to be affecting sensitivity. He can't tolerate heat and tasted the sleeping pills! What if we're dealing with a possession? If so, it's not complete, yet.
Roku: Not good. Get him here, not ideal but I can hit him over the head with my staff.
Kags: Roger!
Inuyasha started coming back over. "You started drinking it already? Isn't it too hot?"
He took another sip, "nah, I got iced coffee. I prefer normal, but this is faster and still better than that tea."
"Oh." Think fast! "I just got a message from Mama that she needed me to help gramps with some chore in the shrine. Do you want to come with me, I'm sure Mama would love to see you?"
"Sure, I should thank her for baking and Sessh is actually out of town this evening."
"Perfect!"
Kags: On route!
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The two made it back to the shrine and by the time they made it up the long staircase, Kagome had come up with a plan, "apparently, I need to help clean out the well house. Buyo has been going inside and making a mess."
"Need any help?"
"I don't want to drag you here just for free labor." But I know him too well. He'll help, and I don't feel too bad taking advantage of him cause we're not actually doing the work, "but I wouldn't object."
"It's no problem," he answered. Kagome quickly whipped out her phone and the two walked into the well house.
Kags: NOW. I repeat NOW. Heading into well.
The well house was completely unlit besides a little light poking through the walls. Upon opening the door, Kagome's familiarity with the room let her walk right in, while Inuyasha paused a second to let his eyes adjust, at least knowing there were a couple steps he didn't want to trip on. Suddenly he heard steps behind him, quiet, but speedy and precise, reminiscent of the thugs that had tried to jump him on one of Sesshomaru's assignments. And he reacted the same as he did then: he waited until the sound was right there and punched at it.
"FUCK, OW" screamed a masculine voice.
"Huh? Miroku? The hell you doing sneaking up on me?" replied Inuyasha as he got a look at him, "and what are you doing with that staff?" He was also in monk attire.
Uh oh! Think, think, thin- "Ugh Miroku, did gramps drag you out here to help make sutras again?"
He straightened and released his very red nose before reaching into his robes and actually pulling out some sutras he must've prepared ahead of time, "why yes Kagome, although I know some people here," looking at Inuyasha, "don't believe in youkai, many do and find comfort in protecting their homes. Your grandfather is simply wise enough to appreciate my family's expertise."
"Keh! I seem to remember Kagome complaining about the old man's cheap tricks back when we were kids. Or you nutty enough to believe that stuff's legit now?"
"No no." he confirmed with a bit of an odd grin which suddenly grew, "his items tend to not contain any real power, but you know, who's to say mine don't? I could demonstrate." Way to go Miroku! Inuyasha won't back down from a challenge.
"Nah! What a waste of time. You – oh… looks like a message from Sessh. I gotta get home," he answered pulling out his phone.
"Wasn't Sesshomaru out of town?" questioned Kagome.
Inuyasha looked hesitant, "doesn't mean he can't find work for me. I got to go, want to do this again sometime?"
Urgh! "That would be great." I can't just let him walk away with whatever is on him! "But first."
Kagome wouldn't see her boyfriend left in danger, so even if it made her look nutty, she knew those sutras would be charged. She rushed over to Miroku, practically tackling him, and grabbed a sutra. She then, literally, tackled Inuyasha and placed the sutra on his forehead while holding him down, straddling his hips.
"Um, Kagome?" he questioned, finally getting over his shock.
"Huh?" It didn't do anything. Inuyasha peeled it off. There it is again! It must have retreated from the sutra, but ricocheted back a little stronger. She looked over at Miroku who had a look of shock, likely at her actions, but also a look of fear. He must've felt it too.
"You, uh, you gonna get off?" he was covered in a blush.
"OH!" Kagome stumbled off, oh so not gracefully.
"So, yah, I gotta go. Good luck with those sutras." He gave Kagome a bit of an awkward smile and started heading out. Though he did stop at the main building to thank Mama for the gift.
"Well, that didn't work." Thank you for stating the obvious.
"But you did feel it?" Kagome just wanted to confirm.
"I did, but apparently whatever it is has bonded rather well to him and is using his humanity to its own benefit. We may want to report this to the demon slayers. They already have enough on their plate though with the crimson vigilante." Slayers typically specialized in killing youkai as opposed to keeping them out of trouble, or generally high profile cases that could change rapidly. Which meant that involving them tended to get more messy.
"Why? I know there were suspicions, but did something change? Oh! They made it onto the news today for that fire, but they didn't mention anything weird."
"That's because one of our own was nearby and took the liberty of frying the camera before the heroics started and kept the media report quiet too. But they confirmed we're dealing with a youkai. An Inu from the sounds of it. They don't want to involve the youkai council just yet, but they're rather confused as to what this youkai is trying to accomplish."
"Great." It really wasn't. "Think we'll get called in?" she asked.
"We're of age for duty," he confirmed.
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That was close! Sessh could've warned me that sutras don't work on sealed hanyou. But I definitely felt something, which means Miroku's power is real. And Kagome? Why'd she jump me like that? Can they… can they sense my demon? Nothing happened and they didn't say anything so maybe they'll drop it. I hope.