To those who have waited and waited and waited... Wait no longer! I am ALIVE! I have no excuse for this really overdue chapter... and I am ashamed. Just ran out of steam and new ideas for stories came and... But as you can see, I am back with a new chapter, although it may not be as long as any of us would've liked after so long, but hey at least it's an update right?

To Chapter 12's reviewers:

KikyouWillDieByMyHands - Will you forgive my lazy backside for this super late update? I am not worthy! LOL!

Inume-blue - I know right? Now that I have updated, I hope you continue to love and enjoy!

Inu'sgirl4ever - I am so sorry about this over-a-year-long update! I have dusted this off to bring you a chapter! I hope you like and forgive!

Q - Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks so much!

Savagelove417 - I am not worthy of such praise and love! LOL! But hopefully this'll make up for the long wait!

Disclaimer: I will never own InuYasha, Kagome, and others. They all belong to Rumiko Takahashi. The plot and any OC's are mine!

(Please read Author Note at the bottom!)

Chapter 13: December Moon

It was silent in room 591 as six souls were bathed in the dying winter's sunlight. It was already December, noticeable from the frigid air and the light snow frosted on the ground. The arising full moon was noticeable as the sun set slowly on the Japanese horizon. The sky became darker as a colder winter's night replaced the frosty winter's day.

The man in bed, his leg and shoulder wrapped up was reading a handful of important notes, handed to him by his family's good friend and caretaker, Kaede Mito, who was standing there patiently to the left of him, at his bedside.

On the opposite side, two female teenagers occupied the chairs, while the men stood behind them. Kagome held Chiisai close to her as waited for her father to finish. She wasn't told anything so she sat quietly as her demon friend slept on her lap. She felt her hanyou behind her and a small smile escaped her lips. Kagome always knew when Inuyasha was near, and it made her feel safe as always. Even the hand that was resting on her shoulder gave her solace and comfort in the otherwise eerily silent room.

Sango sat beside her, Kilala asleep as well on her lap. She wanted to be there to give her support to the Higurashi family, as did Miroku who was standing behind her, and that's why they were here. Sango and Miroku knew very little of the happenings over a week ago, so both were clueless, and from what little they were told by Kaede, the teenagers were understandably upset and so they wanted to be there and help anyway they could.

A deep breath and the sound of paper landing sounded, causing all heads to turn to the injured party. "Are you positive about this information, Kaede?" He asked the old woman.

"Hisakawa-san sounded absolutely certain about this, Akio-san. I trust his word, since he is rumored to be the best P.I around." Kaede confirmed, her russet eyes serious.

Akio took another deep breath and looked to the teenagers.

"What is it, Daddy?" Kagome asked. Her father had this look on his face, and figured that he knew more than what he told them.

He looked to the inquiring group, all with pale faces and worried sets of eyes. The businessman knew he couldn't hold off this information any longer. It would put his family in more serious danger. And everyone they knew would somehow suffer with them. No, this information and his own personal story had to be told. It was something only his beloved wife knew fully of. But clearing his throat and glancing at his family and friends, the middle-age gentleman began his tale.

He quickly briefed the group of four about the Higurashi family symbol. The crane, rumored to live a fabled life of a thousand years, stood for good fortune and longevity. Well, the Higurashi crane was once a upon a time in association with four other significant insignia. Well, with merging of the Crane, The Black Sword, The Dragon, The Mirror, and The Moth, it became a well know international seafood export that brought in millions annually. He, along with the four other CEO's got along to create a business that would surely compare to no other.

But that was 25 years ago. Just before Kagome was born, the five partners had a major disagreement. The CEO of the Mirror, Hime Kaguya tried to buy his part of the company. Kurosawa Takimaru, Mori Menomaru, and Wakahisa Ryuura also felt it best to that he should relinquish his share. It was greed. They wanted the part of the company that brought in more profit than the four put together. Higurashi was their glue holding them together. But he would have none of it. After weeks and months of many failed attempts of negotiations, Higurashi pulled away from the four to start his business as a single company.

"Is that why those henchman attacked you? To kill you in order to try and regain your company?" Miroku knew of the prosperous seafood industries and was in complete awe at such a fact.

"It makes sense…" The heiress muttered. "In order for them to take back your company, they would have to kill the current CEO and then go for the next successor."

The hanyou's grip on her shoulder tightened. "It doesn't matter. Next time they try and pull something, they're going to have to get through me. And believe you me that it won't be pretty when it's over."

Akio saw the protective grip his bodyguard had on his daughter's shoulder. And after working with the half inu/half human bodyguard, he knew full well InuYasha could back it up. "Well, let's not be so hasty. We have time before they strike again. I know these people and they aren't foolish enough to try and make another attempt to attack so soon. No, they'll lay low and try to figure out where to strike next."

"So who exactly came and broke into the house?" Sango continued to pet the dozing Kirara's fur, her mind also in surprise of the news.

Akio clasped his hands. "They all work under Hime, the woman fully in charge. She's wicked that one, the most cunning next to Wakahisa. Anyway, I recognized the three. Not exactly harmless, mind you. The supposed leader was Bankotsu, he along with his six brothers save for one, work under Wakahisa Ryuura. The female Kagura, employed by Hime herself, and the giggly gay sounding man works for Mori Menomaru. He's the other brother and has a fascination with…other men."

The room was quiet. "You can't be serious." Miroku paled. He glared at Sango, was giggling despite the seriousness of the situation.

The older man couldn't hold back a smile. "Yes unfortunately. And he did say something about wanting to, and I quote "Play with the hanyou."

A black eyebrow twitched, followed by the squinting of a sun yellow eye. "What the hell?" Not only did he have to hunt down and rip the bastards apart piece by piece but now he was on some creepy homosexual's hit list. It gave him a terrible shiver.

"He was always mentally unstable but quite sure about his sexuality." Akio recalled, always having the sense of unease when coming around the guy. It was unsettling indeed, especially for the two men in the room. Both were pale, but Miroku seemed to hold in his laughter along with Sango at their half demon friend. His daughter shook her head in her hand while looking at him.

That night, as the snow powdered down on the lawn and steam rose from four cups of tea, the Hidaka daughter's bedroom was occupied and in deep discussion.

"So what do you all think of this?" The heiress spoke up after minutes of silence.

Sango shook her head. "It's pretty bizarre, like some action movie."

"I agree." Miroku cradled his cup, watching the green ocha swish back and forth. "But what can we do?"

The hanyou, who was cradling the frail Higurashi daughter in his arms against the bed, shook his head. "The only thing that makes sense right now is that we have to stop them before they can harm anyone else. Higurashi-san was seriously hurt by those bastards and it's probably only a matter of time before they come after you."

Kagome felt his embrace tighten and his heart quickened at the dreadful thought. "We can't let that happen. If they do come after me next, everyone around us will get caught in the cross fires."

The room fell silent once more. All were in favor of trying to put a stop to it before something else happened but was unsure on how to go about it. What they were dealing with were no dumb criminals, but a rich and powerful company with force and strength in numbers and resources that made them unpredictable and possibly dangerous.

"Couldn't we fight them?"

All looked up to the violet eyed male. "Think about it. I mean, we all have some form of fighting experience right? InuYasha has his martial arts and demon abilities, Kagome her archery and martial arts training, Sango you have your demon bone boomerang and I have some spiritual moves from the years I listened to my Master Mushin."

"Wow, you're right Miroku." Sango was impressed. "I could kiss you right now!"

The teenage male looked liked he hit the jackpot. "Would you?"

The female's eyes twitched as she felt a growing presence near her backside. Without missing a beat she stood up and stepped on his foot-her heel making hard contact with his knuckles.

Miroku hissed and pulled his throbbing hand away. "Sango! Why must you constantly wound me?" He wondered how she detected his hand so fast. He couldn't get near her anymore and it was driving him crazy.

Folding her arms, Sango narrowed her eyes at him. "Because that damn hand of yours won't stop making a grab for my ass, that's why!"

The couple who was watching with vivid interest saw the flush creeping up on Sango's cheeks, but was it really anger? Or something else? Only she knew and apparently she wouldn't be admitting anything anytime soon.

But Kagome vowed to corner her sooner or later…

"You're incorrigible, you know that?" She growled as she sat back down.

"But you love me anyway, right?" The perverted male wiggled his eyebrows.

She chose to ignore that and focused on seeing his hand which she held up to inspect. "It looks a little swollen. I didn't mean to slam down so hard where it could possibly bruise. Come on, let's go and put some ice on it." Sango dragged Miroku up, still holding the injured hand and said to the amused couple that they would be back shortly before leaving the door open a crack.

Kagome was the first to speak. "She likes him, she just won't admit it to herself. It's so obvious, but I wonder what's holding her back?"

"Maybe she's afraid?"

"It can't be that. But then again, maybe yeah. I mean, he's a womanizer who makes a grab at any ass within reach and flirts with any woman within grabbing distance." Snuggling into his warm and comforting chest, she closed her eyes. "She's known him for years, knows what he's like."

"I jut hope it's soon. With they way they're prancing around each other it's getting pretty damn annoying."

Kagome couldn't help but agree with him on that.

About ten minutes passed before the missing couple returned, Sango looking only mildly peeved while Miroku had a dazzling smile that says to everyone he just got lucky.

"What happened? It was pretty quiet out there."

The brown eyed teen looked at her best friend, a blush once again staining her cheeks. "Nothing."

But Miroku was not as shy. "I hit heaven the moment she kissed my hand to make it better. I'm kinda surprised she did." Miroku looked to his lady friend, admiring how cute she was when was embarrassed.

"It was a-a spur of the moment…nothing else."

"Was it?"

"Miroku if you don't shut up-"

"If you two lovebirds are done flirting… can we get back to the topic at hand?" The hanyou didn't miss the glare sent his way. While he learned never to piss a woman off, it was hilarious to see how she could get so angry so fast.

It wasn't until nightfall that the group had come up with a solid idea, one they would have to run pass with Kaede and the Higurashi businessman in the hospital.

"Other men said they have seen angels, but I have seen thee, and thou art enough." - G. Moore

Updates will be random, but I promise to update more frequently from now on. Since it's a brand New Year, I want to start off clean and fresh with my stories!

A Poll has been created! It will be up for a while so afterward go and vote for a new title to a story in need of heavy revision!

AUTHOR NOTE: Anyone interested in being a beta- someone who knows their stuff on battles and fights? Because I am going to need a lot of help when the action does take place. So if you're interested and are experienced with action-packed battles- with attention to detail, review or email me. I would appreciate any help at all!

ANOTHER NOTE: "Through Glass Eyes" has been nominated as Best AU/AR for Feudal Association's December 2011 Term! Wish Me Luck!

AND ANOTHER NOTE: A Cool Summer's Night has won Best Fable in Eternal Legends 2011!

Until Next chapter...

Sayonara and Happy 2012!