Hello my lovely readers =], I know its been forever and a day since my last update, and honestly this chapter was kinda forced, but more than likely my longest ever. 8,500 words just about... I already started on Chapter 19 so I hope you wont be too mad that its a cliffy kinda.

A Simple Request

Chapter 18

Revenge is a Dish Best Served on Fire

Kagome was awake before the sun could peak out of the horizon and ventured into her room for the first time since Sesshomaru left. Her steps were light but confident and determined as she embarked into the depths of her closet. Her eyes lit up briefly once she spotted an old shoe box. She picked it up gently and blew the dust from it before removing the lid.

She was pretty sure Sesshomaru had known of her bringing it with her, after all it was in her possession when her place burned down. Retreating from the closet, Kagome emptied the contents of the box onto her bed. She had last worn the leather outfit which was so carefully preserved inside the box when Naraku's minions thought they could take Shippo. Kagome's eyes then met the magnum she picked up when Naraku made the offer.

She smiled as her unique eyes met with the necklace her mother gave her before she passed. She touched the small pinkish-lavender jewel lightly with her fingertips, becoming entranced as it seemed to glow. The hybrid demoness looked up to see Chorei standing in the doorway with uncertainty in her eyes.

Kagome simply smiled at the elder butterfly demoness and removed the empty clip from her gun, and then set about reloading it with bullets she had bought from Amazon before her move then reattached the clip to her weapon. "Lord Sesshomaru would not approve of this being kept from him." She stated leaning her forehead against the doorframe as if it were the only support keeping her standing.

"I am well aware, but since he was not here to be affected by this, then he has nothing to do with it. Shippo and I should return be back before dinner, but I wouldn't count on us to be home on time." Kagome replied collecting the gun once in the shoebox.

"If I had not asked what you were doing up so early and why Rin slept with you in your bed then you would not have told me, would you?" Chorei questioned with a hurt expression. Kagome laughed slightly and shook her head.

"I'm pretty sure you would have noticed my brother was missing from the table and was no where to be found, so no. You would have been told even if you had not asked." Chorei appeared to have her spirits raised and nodded with a small smile.

"I will prepare Rin while you get ready." Chorei told her preparing to leave.

"Alter her memories to Shippo being over at a sleepover and let her sleep. They don't have to go to that field trip today…" Kagome said after a moment's pause. "I'll visit her before I leave." Chorei bowed and disappeared from the doorframe and Kagome went to the shower, going about her mundane tasks quickly so she would rescue her kit sooner. By the time she reached Rin's room, she was itching to leave.

"You did not tell me of Rin's transformation." Chorei stated her eyes wide with shock.

"It hadn't crossed my mind." Kagome replied with a gentle laugh at the elder demoness' reaction. Rin's amber eyes opened slowly to meet her own. "Morning Rin, how are you?"

"This Rin is well, but I feel very tired. Is Shippo coming back from his sleepover with Lady Shippota today?" Kagome's mind whirled as memories rushed forward of the female fox demoness and her interest in Shippo from the day at the park. A deadly growl threatened to surface from her throat and Kagome could only nod.

"I am leaving to go get him now actually. Be a good girl with Lady Chorei." Rin nodded tenderly and Kagome kissed her forehead as she began to drift back to sleep. Shippota would be dead before she realized.

Shippo was somewhat scared, alone, and confused. The Shippota lady from the park promised she wouldn't hurt him, and then collected a sample of his blood before leaving him alone in a dark room. He didn't know how long it had been since she had taken him to her palace, but he only came along willingly and quietly like she'd asked because the fox demoness had threatened Rin after Rin attacked her. Shippo knew it wouldn't be long before Kagome found out and came to get him, but the only worry was would she be in time to save him from whatever this crazy vixen was planning?

The fox kit relaxed against a wall and closed his eyes. The room was more like a hall closet for coats or umbrellas, and it was barely large enough to fit his growing legs. He allowed his aura to spread out and concentrated on any sounds coming his way. He heard voices, a male's and Shippota's. The kit's muscles automatically tensed, prepared for whatever was heading his direction. They stopped in front of the door and seemed to be arguing about something. "The blood results were positive. We definitely have an heir on our hands."

"Regardless of the results, you should have asked permission before just abducting the kit from Sesshomaru's care." Shippota's angry hiss echoed his ear drum.

"You're the one who pestered me about finding him, and when I told you where he was, you said take any means necessary to secure our ruling-,"

"I did not tell you to take extreme measures and invade Lord Sesshomaru's domain. Have you lost what feeble mind you have left? You're putting a death wish on us all!" He heard the dialing of a phone then something plastic hitting the floor in pieces.

"What do you think you're doing Akihito?"

"Correcting your mistakes before Lord Sesshomaru hears of it and kills our entire kingdom then takes over what YOU worked so hard to ensure."

"Watch your tongue you wretched pathetic excuse for a demon. I have the power to kill you." Akihito growled in warning.

"Correction, you have the authority to order someone to kill me. Now stand down before I snap your neck." Shippo heard the response of a submissive growl and the door opened. "I don't know what your vassal was thinking locking you in a closet milord, but please do not be angry." Shippo arched an eyebrow not sure if he heard correctly.

"I shall lead you to your room and get you settled for now milord." When Shippo said or did nothing, Akihito continued, "If you would please follow me." Shippo followed, not wanting to return to the cramped closet. He was still somewhat frightened and unsure of his situation, but it appeared that with the events unfolding; he could take advantage of it.

"Who is my vassal?" He questioned earnestly as he pawed at his clothing and followed the strange man he felt he could trust.

"I am one of your many vassals my lord, Lady Shippotta is one as well, though she acts as royalty. I have come to the understanding that you were not brought here on your own will," His vassal paused in front of large brown oak doors and pushed them open with ease. "However, you have free reign to leave, in fact, let me know when you are ready, and I will drive you myself."

"What's your name?" Shippo asked, taking in the huge bedroom with wide emerald eyes. Akihito only smiled as Shippo stepped forward to investigate, it was a room designed specifically for him after all.

"Akihito, sir. If you require further assistance, simply find me with your aura or ring the bell on the wall to your right. There are chefs and servants waiting for any services you may possibly need." Shippo could only nod as his vassal departed.

"All this is mine?" Shippo questioned the air, not knowing his vassal had left. When no one answered him, he looked around, finding Akihito gone, and his face beamed with a fanged smile and he launched into the bedroom with inquisitive nature. "I guess so." He assured himself as he investigated every orifice in the room. He shrugged his shoulders at the toys and stuffed animals and threw all gaming electronics on the bed.

He wasn't really certain of how much time had passed since he had been here, but they had every game known to kid! Shippo immersed himself into his video games until it was dark outside and his stomach growled. He saved his game and peered out his window. Shrugging, he couldn't really tell where he was besides a really huge house with a driveway, similar but definitely smaller than Sesshomaru's estate. Just as he was about to wander out his room, the weird lady Shippotta walked in with a firm frown marring her beautiful features.

She was carrying a tray of demon dinner and snacks. Shippo nearly bounced with excitement and ran over to her, accepting the tray with large forest green eyes. "Thanks Shippotta! You're the best." He of course only called her that because he knew she had to be a little off of her rocker. Shippotta smirked at the compliment and flipped her wavy fire-orange hair as he settled onto his bed with his tray of food.

"No problem Lord Shippo. It's a pleasure to service you." She replied conceitedly. Shippo shrugged his eyes mirrors of his satin king-sized bed sheets.

"Do you know why Lord Sesshomaru is in France?" She asked stepping further into his room. Shippo shrugged genuinely as he wolfed down his food.

"Boring grown-up stuff, I guess, why?" He asked only paying her half-attention as he cleaned his plate of the bloodied food and threw back his cup of concentrated home-made orange juice. When Shippotta did not answer he glanced at her with a raised eyebrow, a trait learned from the daiyoukai they spoke of. "Don't tell me you like him or are trying to marry him or somethin' like that 'cause my sister is engaged to him and you have no chance at all. Zilch." Shippo told her with humor as he nibbled on chewy beef jerky.

Shippotta's eyes glittered with fury, embarrassment, and stubbornness, all of which Shippo witnessed before she concealed her reaction. "Of course not milord, I apologize for interrogating you sir." She replied flexing and un-flexing her fists with barely controlled rage as she departed. Shippo shrugged, returning to his gaming systems with focused attention. He knew it was only a matter of time before the fox demoness learned her lesson the hard way.

Shippotta stormed through the mansion with anger, slamming the door on the way out. How dare that pesky brat insinuate that she couldn't take Sesshomaru from the meddling human bitch he called his sister? She smirked and shook her head as she climbed into her sleek black Chrysler 300 and slammed the door shut. She checked her face in the rearview and scowled when she noticed that the foundation was wearing off.

Sesshomaru's bitch of an adopted pup marred her perfect face and the wound had yet to heal. When she became Sesshomaru's wife, she would be getting rid of a few people. Shaking her head to herself, she sped off the premises to return to her own house.

That stupid kit had another thing coming to him if he thought that his sister would marry her mate. Shippotta growled to herself as she drove across town to her penthouse. That stupid kit enraged her so much, she felt blood lust over his words and she didn't know why. He was only a kid with a big mouth, what did he know? She growled to herself as doubt took over, the little bastard was lucky he was actually in their lineage or she would have already slaughtered him.

After all, why would Sesshomaru would keep a genetically created kitsune with no rank and lacked any power in the demon community? She tapped her claws in thought on her steering wheel as she pulled into her apartment and nodded to herself. She was the prettiest most desired bachelorette of course who had discovered his heritage to the fire kitsunes, thus making her an asset as well... Sesshomaru would be knocking at her door tomorrow morning in thanks for improving his territory, she was sure.

The mighty, sexy daiyoukai would knock on the door and thank her for finding use for the pathetic kit. She would invite him in and offer the eastern lands under his wing and her as his mate, they would consummate, and she would dispose of those mutant children and their stupid, weak human 'protector'.

As Shippotta stood alone in the elevator leading to her penthouse, she smiled, going over her plan, knowing it would be successful. She cackled manically as she slid her keycard into the door lock and immediately stripped as soon as it was shut behind her.

Her eyes bled red and she lost control of her beast nearly instantly. Her nose twitched at the scent of warm blood moving around her apartment. She stalked her prey silently, catching the woefully unaware human maid by surprise as her canines sunk deep into her jugular and drained her of her life force.

Shippotta smiled dazedly as the bloodlust faded and the nearly pale-grey deceased maid went limp in her arms. Her face frozen in silent shock as the careless demoness dropped her carcass passively to the stone-tiled floor. "The world will soon be mine." Shippotta said to the full moon as she fell onto her king four-poster bed and slipped into an unconscious slumber.

When the sun filtered into her apartment the next morning, Shippotta arose feeling renewed slightly, and also very disgruntled. Now she would have to hire another helper. Grumbling to herself she rose from her bed and spread open her curtains revealing her lovely penthouse view of the city. She felt that today would be a day of great success.

Shippo awoke the next morning somewhat surprised he was still there. Shrugging to himself, he realized that he had fallen asleep comfortably on the mass of video games he piled on the emerald green bed. Stretching, he walked into the bathroom and rid himself of his morning pee then washed his hands.

He couldn't sense that Shippotta lady anywhere near the premises, so he ventured from the room Akihito had led him to and down the hallway. He passed the coat closet they had put him in on his unexpected visit here. As he walked through the estate, he viewed timeless artwork of kitsunes with similar features hanging up in the halls. Every maid or gardener he passed seemed awestruck and whispered of great things to come. Shippo arched his eyebrow, feeling as if this were some weird dream or cult, and managed to find Akihito coming through double doors.

He appeared pale with fright and completely nervous at the sight of Shippo. "Don't you know your way home or something kid? I would hate for your Lord Sesshomaru to come here angrily because you haven't been returned home." Shippo shrugged and followed the antsy lower ranked vassal.

"While in the trunk of Shippotta's car I counted sixty at least a hundred fifty times, so I'm not quite sure where I am."

"Your temporary estate is located in Emporia, my lord." Akihito told him easily. "I would offer you a phone or internet to get in contact with your caretakers, but Shippotta saw to it before she left to destroy the phone lines and have the internet service disabled before she left." Shippo arched an eyebrow.

"Didn't you say you were going to drive me yourself?" Akihito's low growl rumbled his chest along with a spark of irritation in his voice.

"Shippotta saw to it that all of the cars you were to inherit had the batteries removed and brakes slashed."

"Wow, she's crazy." Shippo said and Akihito could only nod.

"Let's get you some breakfast while I await my surely impeding death." Akihito offered leading Shippo through a few more hallways and into the kitchen.

"I've never really met another fire kitsunes, let alone a grown one." Shippo began with enthusiasm, "Can you show me some tricks or something?" Akihito seemed slightly taken off-guard, nearly dropping the pancake mix in his hand. He had never been asked to display his power before. He wasn't a high ranking demon after all. Shippo's stomach growled reminding him to return to the task at hand.

"Of course, let us get you fed first though." Akihito led Shippo to a stone room after he was full from a heaping breakfast of blood sausage, blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, and turkey bacon.

"Why is this room completely made outta rock for?" Shippo questioned instantly, his deepening voice echoing off the walls.

"The perks of being a fire kitsunes," Akihito began curling his fingers as if holding something round in his palms, "is the fire." Blue fire erupted from his palms, covering his entire hands. Shippo jumped in surprise at the actual crackling sound. Wiggling his fingers the fire spheres enlarged to the size of a kickball and Akihito threw them into the wall.

"Whoa cool…" Shippo remarked running up to the wall to touch the scorch marks. "How did you do that? I only know how to transform into some animals and objects… but I'm not that good at it, my tail still shows up as normal."

"You have inherited your father's ability to transform, but unfortunately, I cannot train you with that. I am under the understanding that Shippotta may have some transformation abilities but I am sure yours are better than hers, even at your age." Shippo arched his eyebrow. He really doubted that Shippotta's insane mind would not help him learn to transform.

"I'm sure once Lord Sesshomaru finishes his business in the UK, he will help find someone to train you or allow you to meet more of your family."

"I saw some of the portraits hangin' up in the hall, and they all have the same color hair and stuff. Why does everyone gotta look the same?" Akihito smiled and shrugged.

"Before the organization of towns and governments, families wed for genetic appearance, and for some reason, the fire kitsunes family never had genetics for other hair color, however, eye color is a totally different range. Your green eyes are very rare." Shippo smiled at this and then held out his palms like Akihito had.

"So are you gunna teach me how to make fire or what?" Shippo questioned enthusiastically. Akihito cupped his palms correctly then allowed the kitsune fire to start from his palms and into his young sire's. Shippo nearly jumped but held his hands in place. "How come you didn't burn me?"

"The major reason why different kitsune clans never fought one another is because we have a resistance against our own magic." Shippo awed as the kitsune magic blazed in his palms and then put them together, forming a bigger sphere the size of a full grown rabbit. His eyes were full of mischief as it grew a little bit more and Akihito jumped back, his blue eyes wide in shock. Shippo didn't notice and repeated Akihito's actions, sending the blast into the wall, leaving a larger burn mark on the wall.

His nose twitched at the smell of burnt hair and skin met his nose. "I thought you said we couldn't hurt each other with our magic?" Shippo questioned rushing over to him with concern. Akihito's muddy orange hair on his arm was slightly singed, and the burn was blistered as it slowly healed.

"I forgot you were genetically created…"Akihito began making Shippo's demeanor change with slight sadness, "your mother was a miko, but I never heard of kitsune and miko magic mixing." Shippo seemed to perk up.

"When you get older, you would definitely be an asset to the demon community." Akihito appeared lost in his own world and Shippo could only stare at him in confusion. What did the demon community have to do with his kitsune magic and his mother's inherited holy power?

"I told you I left the kit with one of his vassals, damn. The brat isn't going anywhere nor is he in danger." Shippotta informed over the phone with an annoyed tone.

"You know that is not how you speak to someone above your rank." Shippotta's lip curled upward in disgust. "You are ignorant of the fact that I told you to abduct the kit and keep him in your sight, he'll be a great tool in capturing the hybrid for our master, not for your political game or wish to trap Lord Sesshomaru. Master Naraku will be surely-,"

"Please close your trap Dominare. I'm pretty sure she isn't that stupid to fall into your trap and speaking of Master Naraku being angry at someone, you haven't told him you know of her whereabouts yet, have you?" Shippotta smirked as he sputtered on the other line and finally picked out a dress to wear.

"I am not keeping anything from our master; I just wish to spend a little time with the tramp before he gets her." Shippotta chuckled.

"He would have your head; don't you think he would find out about that? After all, he isn't a percentage of youkai like you, so he's almost a complete youkai instead of hanyous thanks to his absorbing abilities." She could almost hear the scowl on his face so she continued to anger him with her next statement. "I think I'll be your superior when I deliver the female to Naraku, and not you."

"You wouldn't dare, I'll-," Shippotta hung up her phone as his rant begin with a knowing smirk. Of course she wouldn't rat on her partner, but she'd be damned if she wouldn't fight for Sesshomaru's attention before Hojo or Naraku could have fun with her. Fully dressed now, she walked into her living room and immediately knew something was off.

She expanded her aura and was quickly against the wall of her own apartment wall with her feet dangling from the ground. "Where is my kit?" Shippotta's gurgled as feminine claws dug into her neck. Shippotta stared into the angry navy blue eyes of the hybrid she was just speaking about, and only smirked. How she had discovered where she lived, she didn't know, but she surely wasn't about to go down without a fight. "Answer me!" Kagome growled slamming her head into the wall by her throat with force before dropping her.

Shippotta held her throat soothingly as she stood, now angry that the dumb hybrid had the guts to get violent with her. "I know not of what you speak or what brings you to my penthouse you dumbass mooching whore, but you need to get out of my home now! I don't know a thing about your son." Kagome crouched down to her level, her fist flying into the wall beside the kitsune demoness' head, successfully creating a crater. Shippotta had moved at the last second and growled dangerously at her.

"Don't lie to me bitch." Kagome warned removing her fist from the broken plaster and drywall. "Rin had your blood in between her fingernails yesterday." Shippotta charged a blast of her kitsune energy at Kagome, sending her away from the slumped demoness. Kagome rolled to a stop near the fireplace and rolled out of the way as a vase crashed where her head was followed by another blast of kitsune magic. Training with Chorei was actually paying off because the crazed kitsune demoness was keeping her on the defensive while destroying her own apartment.

Kagome barely dodged her sudden tentacle that reminded her oddly of Naraku. "Once I kill you, Sesshomaru will be all mines. All I have left to do is to get rid of that ridiculous altered human nuisance when I'm through with you." Shippotta's tentacle disintegrated and Kagome's claws tore into her chest before another word was spoken. Blood poured from her mouth quickly, quickly providing a matching stain on the rose pink dress which also now had a hole.

Shippotta appeared shocked and she kicked Kagome away from her as her concealment spell vanished, revealing a tall, skinny hideous female. Kagome gasped. Shippotta had appeared to be so voluptuous and beautiful, but once her kitsune energy depleted she was a disgusting looking twig. Kagome held back the laugh as she approached her with seriousness. Her claws elongated with threat.

"This is your last chance to tell me where Shippo is before you become ash." Her holy energy appeared at the ends of her claws and Shippotta hissed at her as the holy energy threatened to burn her flesh at the proximity.

"Why don't you ask Souta whore?" Shippotta questioned with a smirk. One of the spheres of her holy power flew of her claw and onto her face, causing a tiny explosion. Shippotta shrieked immediately and clutched at her burned, melting face.

"What does my brother have to-," A gun shot ended her question and it narrowly missed her back, and struck her shoulder. Kagome clutched her shoulder in a muffled cry. Hearing the trigger being pressed again, she dashed out the way, and it struck a picture frame behind her. She barely caught a glimpse of her brother as several more shots were fired her way. The click of an empty barrel met her ears and she quickly charged the brown haired male, knocking him to the floor. "You bastard!" Kagome yelled striking him in the face with her free hand. He laughed manically and a muffled shot was felt between the two of them. Kagome crumbled onto his frame after striking him unconscious.

Shippotta pulled her up by her hair and kicked her in the side where the bullet had gone straight through. Kagome screamed from the unbearable pain as her aura spiraled out of control. Shippotta screamed as her holy power engulfed her, burning her body to a black crisp of the skeleton that was left. Kagome regained what little control she had of her aura back and stumbled to her feet.

She was confused as to why Shippotta hadn't turned to ashes. Her brother appeared unharmed besides being unconscious and possibly having a concussion. Groaning, she dug her claws into her upper forearm to remove the bullet he had placed inside of her and sniffed it delicately. Where in the hell had he gotten poisoned bullets from? She clawed off his white shirt and hastily made a bandage for her arm.

The hybrid of course had no clue as to what poison was in her system, but so far, it was doing nothing to affect her. Clutching her bleeding side, Kagome roughly searched her supposed brother's pocket after picking up his gun and reloaded it with more ammo. Gripping his gun with her uninjured arm, she roughly kicked him awake. As his roll ended, she held the gun into his squinted eyes.

"What are you doing here and where is Shippo?" She asked vehemently. Her vision spun before straightening and she was finding it harder to breathe.

"So you lost him again huh?" He asked with a smirk. "How expectant, always off not paying attention to the only thing my mom left you." Kagome lowered the gun closer to his cranium.

"So do you know where he is or don't you?" She slurred darkly, fighting to keep her vision straight.

"Ooooh, so little big sis is trying to scare big little brother with a gun. It's not like you gunna shoot me Kags. You never had the heart to-," Kagome pulled the trigger after moving the gun to his the right side of his chest. Souta gasped for breath, blood pooling in his mouth and spilling from his lips onto his neck similarly to Shippotta. Kagome dropped the gun on his chest and began walking out the apartment. She felt slightly disappointed that she may have to enlist in Sesshomaru's help to get back her kit.

Kagome entered the elevator with a tired and annoyed sigh. It reached the fourth of ten floors and came to a stop. They hybrid arched an eyebrow. This would definitely be very weird standing next to someone with two bleeding wounds. Her movement felt sluggish as she moved to the side as the doors slid open.

"Oh my, is that blood?" a familiar voice questioned walking into the elevator. Kagome arched her eyebrow at the familiar sounding voice and quickly tried to place it as a brown haired male entered the elevator once the doors completely opened.

"Hojo Dominare right?" Kagome questioned with a skeptical tone. She almost began to question his whereabouts hear, but she shrugged it off.

"I wasn't aware you lived here Miss Kagome." He began in a confused tone and then acknowledged her wounds and the blood on the elevator wall she had leaned against before switching sides when the elevator doors opened. He closed the flip-phone he had been holding to his ear which she heard had been just ringing anyway.

"I don't…" Kagome paused feeling dizzy again. "I just…umm had to visit a friend."

"I'm guessing it didn't end well?" Hojo questioned gesturing to her wounds and Kagome gave a weak smile. "You're losing quite a bit of blood there; perhaps we should get you to a hospital." Kagome's eyes widened once he mentioned the hospital, that's where she had heard his last name before when they had visited Sango. She tuned back into his conversation just as he was saying, "I'm a doctor you know." He told her in such a boasting tone she could tell he was trying to get her affection.

"Umm, as much as I appreciate the offer, I think I'll be fine until I get back home. I'm currently trying to handle some business, as weird as it looks." Kagome found that it was getting harder and harder to speak. Her tongue on the roof of her mouth felt like sandpaper rubbing against concrete.

"You okay, you look a little pale." Hojo was suddenly holding her up as the elevator reached the ground floor. Kagome politely removed his hands from her body; her arm was feeling a little numb now anyway.

"I'm fine thank you. It was nice seeing you under the weird circumstances."

"Yes, nice talking to you…" Hojo trailed off clenching his fists unbeknownst to the leaving hybrid. Kagome began to walk leisurely from the elevator and out the main lobby, she was almost to her jet black Porsche when her already injured shoulder was suddenly in a vice grip above her head. Before she could cry out in pain, a wet towel covered her mouth that smelled slightly like tequila and she felt her heartbeat slow as her already weakened body slumped into a strong pair of arms.

Sesshomaru's mood was significantly higher now that he was on the way home for a good amount of time. Of course he would have been in an even better mood if his annoying brother wasn't in his private jet drunk and noisily banging on the arm seat of his chair like a thirteen-year old practicing drumming.

Yasha took off the specially made set of earphones and pushed his dyed hair behind his ear. "Does something feel a little off to you?" Sesshomaru shrugged his shoulders and checked his phone again. It should be early noon on the east coast of the United States by now and there wasn't a single call, missed call, text, or email from his betrothed. "Come on, I'm over here blastin' music and pretending to be a drummer and that's like the thousandth time you checked your stupid phone. Who's the dumb wench that got you to fall in love with her?" Sesshomaru's left eyebrow arched delicately and he held back the small growl that would have accompanied it.

"You would be wise to silence your tongue before I do so myself, and for your information half-breed, I have a meeting with Usagi Incorporated shortly after our jet lands."

"Oh back to the half-breed thing huh? She must be pretty important eh?" Sesshomaru smirked. When would he tell his half-brother that the 'wench' he was referring to was his high school friend and also one of their persons of interest when they were in the law enforcement together?

"I am sure when you see her again; you will not call her such." He retorted when the hanyou began to put his headphones on again.

"Wait again?" Inu Yasha shouted dubiously, "I aint never met one of your floozy sluts."

"That is because I do not date nor have I ever dated sluts dear brother." Sesshomaru retorted.

"Shittin me, I remember that time in high school-,"

"Yura was a fling." Sesshomaru countered before the hanyou could finish, "A fling that was induced at a party with opium and some strong demonic alcohol. Of which you met your whore, Kikyo right? If I am not mistaken, she lost a fight against my betrothed." Inu Yasha growled and the paused in midway.

"Wait a minute!" Sesshomaru's smirk grew, "You want to mate Kagome?" Inu Yasha was on his feet in a second, quickly crossing over to his brother who was in front of him and already standing seeing as how he was removing his laptop bag from above him. Inu Yasha resisted the urge to grab his brother by the shirt and shake him.

"When were you gunna tell me? After you guys mated? Do you even love her?" Sesshomaru elevated his right eyebrow at his brother instead this time.

"I did not say we were having children, I said we were betrothed. I honestly had no intention of tell you at all."

"I use to date her back in middle school you know…" Inu Yasha told him crossing his arms across his chest.

"You aren't trying to lay claim on her in challenge are you?" Sesshomaru responded with an even tone. Inu Yasha raised his hands in defense.

"Whoa whoa whoa. No. Eww. Gross. Not only would Kikyo have a cow, Kagome is like my sister, and we really don't get along well. Only sometimes… because during that whole investigation thing, I kinda tried to kill her..." Sesshomaru growled deeply and Inu Yasha ducked, dodging his hand surely meant to choke him.

"Easy big angry guy!" Inu Yasha pleaded his ears lowered to his scalp. "If it wasn't for me you wouldn't have even met her, and you forget I was trying to make it look so Naraku could trust me." He spoke quickly one of his amber eyes squinted closed as if expecting his acid whip to lash out.

"Have you heard anything of the whereabouts of the imbecile while you were in Italy?"

"Kouga called me and told me that he was doing some experiments with his daughter's void abilities and mirrors. Not only that, but he had several black market youkai children under his control."

"Hn, why would he try to make children under his employ when there could be other stronger youkai he could use to overthrow the government?"

"My question exactly and then Kouga old me that he was making the age faster and they were putting out some pretty incredible powers and abilities that could kill some of the reigning royalty left."

Seeing Sesshomaru's frown, Inu Yasha continued. "Miroku also called me and said he approached Kikyo for the Shikon Jewel, if you remember the lore and what not on that. Luckily she didn't have it and knew nothing about it or he woulda killed her. She did let him know that her mother used to wear a necklace of sorts when she was younger, but lost it after her father left."

Sesshomaru's cell phone rang, interrupting their conversation. His heart nearly skipped a beat seeing it was the phone he provided Kagome with on his last visit. "What took you so long to call me?" He questioned as soon as he pressed send.

"Uh, sorry puppy, this is Chorei. I was calling to ask you if you knew Kagome was in possession of the Shikon Jewel. She has a ridiculously strong barrier over it, and I never even would have known she had it if she wouldn't have been looking for her gun… Ah shit." Chorei cursed and Sesshomaru's deep growled echoed the jet and her eardrum.

"For what reason would she go looking for her weapon? She told me she had seen a human with the name Dominare, whom was interested in her, but I checked his background, he's a doctor and apparently did not have any further contact with her since the grocery store."

"She didn't tell me about him and I doubt he had anything to do with Lady Shippotta…" Chorei trailed with a somewhat annoyed tone.

"Insect, you would do well to tell me what is going on." Chorei began to talk, but her voice was interrupted by a beeping sound and Sesshomaru released an annoyed growl before looking at the phone. It was the head of the FBI, and unfortunately he had to take this call. "I will call you back in a few and I will be expecting a full explanation when I do." He pressed send, switching over to the other phone call.

"Tashio speaking."

"Tashio we got a demonic crime scene over here with a fatality and looks like one or two of 'em got away. We're having our lab test the different blood samples that were left and they'll be back to us by about eight tonight. We know your nose is one of the best, so we're gunna need you to come to the crime scene and see if it's one of those demon gangs we had you investigatin' before you quit. I understand-,"

"I'll be there about seven-fifty this evening." Sesshomaru interrupted with a growl then hung up. Inu Yasha looked at Sesshomaru with his curious eyebrows all the way into his hairline.

"What's Kagome gettin' her gun for? She told me she'd stop doin' all that stuff round the time Sango got hurt because of her brother." Sesshomaru held up a long index finger for silence as he called Chorei back.

"Okay Lord Sesshomaru, don't get mad, because she made me promise not to tell you until she got back, and she still isn't back yet, so I might as well tell you, and you'll find out anyway-,"

"Chorei…" He growled warningly.

"Ah yes, well Lady Shippotta paid us an unexpected visit yesterday and took Shippo while he and Rin were doing their homework." A dangerous growl erupted from the bowels of his throat, causing Inu Yasha to duck in his seat. That ridiculous demon had dared trespassed into his home while he was away and take one of his members that were to be initiating as pack. Why did his intended think not to tell him of this?

"And Rin?"

"Her claws had blood under them, which Kagome sampled then I guess picked up on her trail this morning."

"Rin does not possess claws." Sesshomaru stated in an agitated manner.

"Oh yeah, about that… She has the most adorable brownish-silver hanyou ears now. I think she invented a new hair color." Chorei informed trying to lighten the situation.

"Have Kagome ready to explain herself when I return home." Sesshomaru stated angrily before hanging up the phone. The device melted in his grip moments later and Inu Yasha straightened himself in his chair.

"I'm guessin she went out on her own and did somethin without askin your help or tellin ya?" Inu Yasha questioned after a few moments of tense silence as the jet began to land.

"You predicted correctly brother."

"That's Kagome for you, don't be too harsh on her, she's used to doin' things on her own."

"I am not asking you for advice on how to discipline my mate." He replied shortly, his eyes dark with anger.

"Once you get out of the meetin' with Usagi Inc., you'll feel a little less angry, trust me. She probably was just trying to prove herself to you, women aint like what they used to be when I was growin' up you know."

"Hn."

"And even if it was, Kagome wouldn't be one of those obedient, quiet bitches."

"Indeed." Sesshomaru agreed nonchalantly. His brother's attempts to qualm his anger did nothing, and even through their courting mark, all he felt was silence. –

"I trust you enjoyed Italy well?" Maru asked the stoic, silent daiyoukai as he picked over a plate of fettuccine alfredo."

"Your assumptions are correct, however it is nice to return to the states and see my profits here have risen despite the downward fall of the economy."

"Unfortunately for me, I have had to close a few smaller companies because of such, but not too many were effected. You were smart to go with the mom and pop organizations and hospitals. You still have numerous job openings of which many employees that were forced to resign transferred to." Maru told him with a smile as he bit into a forkful of heaping spaghetti.

"Are you admitting defeat already?" Sesshomaru questioned with a smug grin.

"Of course not, but I am no fool to try to beat the person I knew I was going to join." Maru countered with a sly grin. "You took the person who I wanted to send to Canada to run and manage her own business there."

"That is because my business is in Canada." Sesshomaru responded. "Alaska, Hawaii, and of our demon continent the humans have no access to thanks to its strong natural forces, Atlantis." Maru slammed his palm on the table, earning a chuckle from the daiyoukai.

"You used your old man for that one didn't you?"

"This Sesshomaru does not share business tactics." Maru sighed and removed the already signed paperwork from his briefcase and slid them over to Sesshomaru.

"Of course company earnings are split nine ways as well as all companies owned by the eight of us."

"You feel it necessary to make sure she lives comfortably?"

"I wish the both of you luck with your mating." Maru told him quickly, obviously seeing the courting mark on his neck, "but that's to make sure she has something to fall back on in case you and her don't work out."

"What are you insinuating?" Sesshomaru questioned the daiyoukai across from him only a few years older than he.

"Nothing, every couple has their spats and I know you aren't cold-hearted to leave her with nothing if you were to divorce." Sesshomaru read the contracts thoroughly before signing them and handing the also signed copies back to Maru. Before Sesshomaru could say anything else, smoldering anger consumed his feelings through the courting bond and her aura spiraled from his control.

He smirked. So she found Shippotta, which was splendid, although fairly late considering Chorei informed him on his return to his estate that she had left early that morning. Checking the time on his watch, Sesshomaru scowled. It was seven-thirty, meaning he had to go check the crime scene for the impudent human services. "As much as I have enjoyed your company, I have to take my leave and tend to other business." He laid a bill on the table to cover both their meals and give the waiter a hefty tip.

"It was nice doing business with you Lord Sesshomaru, perhaps you can convince Kagome to come to our family gathering. I'd bet the upcoming riots that you'll be mated before then." Maru teased. Sesshomaru gathered his copies and departed the restaurant without another word. He honestly felt that they had some catching up to do before they mated.

Sesshomaru had chosen that restaurant purposely. He had about a ten minute drive before he reached the crime-scene, which was located in Emporia, also, entirely out of his jurisdiction when he had one. He parked in the apartment complex's parking lot as guided by the police officers already there. Upon stepping out of his light blue Lincoln, he was approached by the country-voiced agent he had spoken with over the phone earlier. "Talk." Sesshomaru ordered short on patience thanks to his courting mark which he felt a range of emotions from.

"Well, when I spoke to you earlier, we thought one of your cars had been stolen, but we didn't find no reports in the system, so we figured demons had somethin' to do with it." The blonde-haired thirty-something agent led him to the black Porsche he had bought Kagome as an early Christmas gift and instantly his instincts churned. In plain view was the gun he knew had previously been in the shoe box at his home.

"This vehicle is mine, but there is no need to send it to evidence…" He trailed off noting there was no other scents in the car and too many of the agents around it. There was a small drop of blood on the pavement near where the door was slightly ajar.

"We didn't touch nothing, this is just how we found it." Sesshomaru scowled mentally. Knowing now his Kagome had been here, but was no longer around. He knew she wasn't one to leave her belongings so carelessly abandoned. "Now the crime scene aint too bad. One really charred body, and oh yeah, you probably already noticed the blood in the elevator on both sides. There's alotta blood in the apartment. From a couple different shot angles we guessed. Our evidence team already collected the bullet casings."

Sesshomaru kept quiet as his mind raced. Standing inside the elevator nearly made him lose control of his beast. It was only Kagome's blood here, but there had been another male with her and he smelled demonic poison, one that slowed the healing abilities of demons dramatically and caused the inflicted to become quite weak, nearly paralyzed. He ignored the ramblings of the agent as they reached the tenth floor, where Kagome's scent of blood was the strongest. He detected another male's, not the same as in the elevator. His mind raced as it worked to remember where he had smelled it previously and his beautiful golden eyes narrowed suspiciously when he recalled the scent on Kagome upon seeing her in the hospital after she had been shot. It belonged to her brother.

Walking into the destroyed living room, he spotted what he assumed was Shippotta's body, guessing by the skeleton with burnt-orange hair and the large hole in her chest cavity. Next to the charred remains was the large puddle of blood from Kagome's brother. Her blood was splattered over the bricks of the fireplace, and a little on the ceiling, meaning she had to be on top of someone when she was shot. Guessing from the distance of blood spatters, Sesshomaru figured she was surprised by her brother. Stepping over the puddle of blood, his suspicions were confirmed when he noted Shippotta's blood near her bedroom archway.

The daiyoukai also mentally noted the slight dent in the wall and then the crater in the wall below it. The shattered vase on the ground meant nothing; obviously a miss from whomever had thrown it. "We also found four drained bodies of maids in a deep-freezer in the guest room." The agent told him looking around the room with disgust. His cell phone rang at precisely eight and the agent answered it quickly. He walked away, which did nothing because Sesshomaru's precise hearing caught both sides of the conversation.

The medical examiners could only identify her brother's blood and Shippotta's, and the third was not in their system. Looking around the fireplace, a picture frame caught his eye. A bullet projected from it with a strong smell of the poison he scented earlier drowned it in a large amount. He removed the bullet with his claws, immune to the poison anyway, and realized it was a horribly altered picture of the he and Shippotta dressed in high fashion wedding clothing.

Shippotta was dead, the kit's scent was not in her penthouse at all, and Kagome's scent was hours old. Where could she possibly have went from here injured? Sesshomaru knew for a fact she wouldn't have easily given up on finding Shippo and would have returned to Chorei for healing. He also knew for a fact that she didn't have a youkai cloud to travel on, so leaving her car was also something she couldn't have done. "Well sir, what's your opinion? We gotta keep the press outta this considering that bastard Souta Higurashi was here and escaped somehow again. But at least we know he's injured and we can alert the hospitals in the surrounding are to look out for 'em."

"That would be wise to do. Only mention the death of Shippotta Shimizu and her heinous crimes. Also, I will be having the Porsche towed shortly. Do not expect to drive it to evidence."

Sesshomaru departed from the crime scene just as quickly as he had given advice, and took the stairs instead of the elevator for the hope of a clearer mind. Instead he found that Souta's blood trail randomly continued in there. It stopped strangely on the fourth floor, and he followed her brother's scent until the end of the hallway, which led to apartment door 4E and was still fairly fresh. Sesshomaru masked the growl forming in his throat and threatening to erupt. Inside he could smell him still alive, albeit barely, and attempting to remove the bullet. He muffled his cries of pain well through clenched teeth on thick fabric. Sesshomaru melted the doorknob and held the pathetic human up by his neck instantly. Kagome's scent was on him as well as some of her blood, but it was nowhere in the apartment. "Who the fuck is you freak?"

"Silence human." Sesshomaru growled tightening his grip on his throat. "Where is Kagome?" Souta smiled deliriously.

"You must be one of her demon consorts. You look familiar too, if that bitch wouldn't have made me lose so much blood, I'd prolly know who you are."

"Where is Naraku's location, idiot?" Sesshomaru's nose twitched at the stench of burnt almonds.

"I guess it's time to join my father and mother in hell." Sesshomaru watched as hit bit down on an obnoxiously large-sized capsule of cyanide and dropped him in disgust. Souta Higurashi had never been a threat to him, but he made his future mate's life miserable and in the end, Sesshomaru did not get any information from him. Souta died minutes later, his mouth foamed from the self-poisoning, earning a sneer from the daiyoukai whom was angry at the fact he had chosen the coward's way out and denied him the glory of feeling his blood in his claws and on his hands.

One short phone call to the FBI agent above and more police arrived along with the coroner. Of course to a human perspective, a mass-murderer had killed himself, shirking their justice system and taking his wanted life into his own hands. In the demon community however, his life was an experiment and his death was of no significant importance.

And that is the end of Souta. Now where's Kagome? ^_^

Love and Leave Love,

Mouse or SillY