Chapter 9:

Inuyasha rubbed his temples. He was trying to make sense of Miroku's story; getting a major headache.

"So you're telling me that you didn't notice that 8 other tables had light blue liquids while you were the only one with two pinks?"

"Hey I was paying attention to my own station." Miroku defended himself.

"More like paying attention to your partner." Sesshomaru retorted. When Miroku just looked down at his shoes Sess continue, "You said her name was Sango Hana correct? I'll have to look into it."

Miroku's head snapped up, "No. You can't be serious. She not the enemy."

"We don't know that yet." Sesshomaru raised his voice slightly. Sometimes he couldn't believe Miroku's stupidity.

"I know she isn't." Miroku fumed. He wouldn't believe that Sango was the enemy, he couldn't.

"Stop thinking with your dick for once." Sesshomaru closed his eyes and tilted his head so that it rested on top of Rin's; he was also getting a headache.

Bankotsu spoke up, "Miroku listen, we trust your judgment and all but, it's just too coincidental. Out of the hunters, two of them are female; everyone knows that you have a weakness for them and it just so happens that you get paired up with one. Then, as you said, she claimed that she didn't know what she was doing and just so happened to pour the chemical that would have blown your face off if you hadn't paid attention. Granted it was a fifty-fifty chance that she would or wouldn't have picked the explosive one; either way that bomb was meant for you. Sesshomaru maybe wrong but then again, so could you." Everyone was silent as they put Bankotsu's words into consideration.

"Yeah but she brought the bomb to my attention before anything happened. If she was the enemy why would she have done that?" Miroku questioned.

"Maybe because she was sitting right next to you and would have been blown up too if she hadn't" Rin spoke. "It could also have also been a plan to find out just how distracted you can get when a pretty face with a great body comes along. You said that you saw the liquid when it was about to turn red before exploding. She could have just walked and you still wouldn't have notice because your attention was on her the whole time." Miroku had a defeated look on his face as he slumped down in his chair. His mind was telling him that they were all right; Sango could very well be hunter. But his heart was saying the complete opposite.

"Goddamn it Miroku!!" Inuyasha roared, getting to his feet "Didn't I tell you all to keep your guard up!? You could have been killed. What do I have to do, keep an eye on you 24/7?" Miroku got out of his seat.

"I'm not a fucking child. I don't need somebody looking over my shoulder; I can take care of my damn self." Inuyasha snapped his head towards his direction, eyes flashing with anger he walked over to Miroku in two strides; he grabbed his shirtfront and looked directly into his eyes

"Who the fuck do you think you are? Have you forgotten who the fuck you're talking to? I'm your Captain and you willshow respect. Don't you ever stand to me like your ready to challenge me you son of a bitch." He shoved Miroku backed down on the sofa before sitting in his own. "Now tell me what happened to you." Inuyasha barked the order directed at Kouga.

"I'll tell you I was there." Rin said clearing her throat.

Flashback:

Miroku had called earlier asking that everyone meet at the mansion later that evening and since Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had took both cars, Kouga had no way of getting there, so Rin took the liberty of driving over to the University to get him. It was about 4:30; classes had been let out early so there was rarely anyone out. Rin parked the car and dialed Kouga's number.

"Yea, I'm coming." Kouga hung up, his usual greeting so Rin didn't mind. Seconds later she saw Kouga step out the door; she waved at him from the car. He started to walk forward but stopped suddenly; jumping into a back flip seconds before the katana blade hit the ground. Rin gasped.

"Oh gods, Kouga look behind you!" she shouted getting out of the car. Sensing the presence behind him Kouga ducked low, the second blade whooshing above his head taking a few of pieces of his hair. Kouga pivot on his heels as he came back up, throwing a left hook right into his assailant's jaw. The man flew about 5 feet in the air before coming in contact with the concrete.

Rin ran as fast as she could towards the fight scene so she could help.

"Don't you move." a female voice came from behind her. Rin felt something jab in the middle of her back. Rin stopped, dropping one hand to her side while the other one clutched her chest.

"Rin." Kouga said as he sidestepped the attack the first hunter made. Kouga did a roundhouse kick, aiming for his head but it was blocked by both katana blades. Kouga stepped back; there were three in all. Two were on Kouga because in his demon form, he was too fast for one of them to handle, and the third was holding Rin hostage to what look like a metal fan, holding one in each hand. (A/n: for those that seen the movie mortal combat: annihilation, they look like Katana's weapons)

"Never put the safety of a woman's life in front of your own. This will be your downfall demon." The hunter #1 said positioning himself for battle; hunter number # 2 stood behind Kouga raising his sword above his head. Kouga moved fast dashing up towards hunter #1 who brought his katana upwards; Kouga easily jumped over the blade landing behind his attacker. He ducked while turning, kicked swept with his right leg, knocking the hunter's feet from under him. Still turning, Kouga shot forward his left leg, kicking the hunter in the back of the neck. Hunter number #1 flew forward but before he could hit the ground, he shot out both hands, pushing himself up into a front flip. While in mid-flip, he throws his left blade aiming for Kouga. "AAHHHHHH!" Kouga howled as the blade imbedded itself into his right side; blood seeped through his shirt as he tried to take it out. As hunter #1 landed, #2 ran forward bringing his sword down for the kill. Kouga held up the blood soaked blade to stop the blow. He used his feet to kick up to knock his attacker off him before getting up. Kouga felt strange; something was wrong, he felt weak, his vision blurred slightly.

"How do you like our Miasma blades?" #1 mocked, picking up the blade.

"Miasma?" Kouga stammered, trying to shake off the tiredness he was feeling.

"Yeah. As you well know, miasma is usually in a vapor form, but we figured out how to turn it into a liquid instead." He tapped the blade with his finger, "These babies have been soaked in it for over a month. Just look at them, one cut and the miasma will be flowing through your blood stream. Too bad we used it all, but it's enough to kill you and your friends." Shit Kouga thought this was not good.

"Now, die." both hunters said charging towards him

Rin didn't know what was going on. Why is Kouga slowing down? What was happening to him? Oh, where is it so I can help?

"It's a shame that you have to die along with your friend, demon lover." the voice spat. "But I'll kill you first so you don't have to see him die." She opened the fan to reveal 7 razor shaped blades.

Got it! "You bitch!" Rin said as she turn swinging a 6 foot retractable steel rod. Since her attacker wasn't expecting it, she didn't have time block it as the rod made contact with the side of her head. The force was so hard that # 3 flew across the lot, crashing into a parked car. Rin spun the rod above her head before getting into her battle stance placing her weapon diagonally across in front of her. Her attacker shook her head as she got off the car.

"Where the fuck did you get that?" she growled.

Her bra. Rin thought, though she wasn't going to tell her that (A/n: that's why she was clutching her hand to her chest, she was looking for it. If we can put money in there why not a weapon?) Rin charged at her moving her hands to the bottom of the rod, holding it like a sword, she swung down hard. # 3 easily blocked her attack lifting her right fan in defense; using her left fan, she swung upwards, aiming for Rin's head. Rin ducked under the fan, pivoting to the right as she took her rod and swung hard sideways; hitting the hunter in her left side.

CHUNCH! "AAAHHH!" she screamed; she knew that her ribs were broken. She stumbled back trying to regain her footing. Rin didn't give her that chance; She gritted her teeth as she spun the steel beam upwards hitting the hunter's lower jaw; she then balanced herself with it as she did a high jump kick, breaking her nose, finishing her off with spinning back kick. # 3 didn't know who the fuck she was messing with.

As Kouga defended himself while trying to subside the affects of the poisoning, he could feel it slowly draining away his strength. He still held one of the cursed katanas in his hand as his defense holding off #1 as #2 came up behind him. There was no way he could defend himself from both of them. #2 held his sword above his head ready to deliver the fatal blow.

"This is it for you demon. Enjoy hell" snarled #2. Kouga had doubts that he wouldn't make it but he wouldn't dare look away or close his eyes, he had too much pride for that.

"AAAHHH!!" a screamed came in the distance, both hunter's looked in the direction. Kouga took his chance now; he moved the katana from above his head, the hunter loss his balance from the sudden lack of support leaned forward as Kouga moved the blade, ramming it in the hunter's stomach. "UUUHHHH!" he groaned as he coughed up blood. Kouga shoved him backwards and was about to turn around to deal with the other but sensed that he wasn't behind him anymore. #1 had gone over to the female, picking her up bridal style. "Let's go." he shouted as he ran in the other direction; #2 stood up, taking his katana out of his abdomen before running to catch up. Kouga stumbled back some as he saw Rin run up towards him.

"Fucking… miasma." Kouga panted. Rin's eyes widen. She didn't know how long he'd been infected; she put his left arm around her shoulders while she held his back for support.

"Come on, let's get home quickly so I can give you an antidote." she said a little out breath. All Kouga could do was nod as she led the way.

End flashback.

Everyone was silent when Rin finished. Sesshomaru opened and closed his fist repeatedly, his amber eyes tinted with flicks of red. How DARE those goddamn hunters hurt the ones I loved dearly. He thought with rage. Inuyasha began pacing once more. This was unbelievable. First, they try to break down the Lightening Barrier, now they were attacking my squad in broad daylight. And we still don't know who the fuck they are." Inuyasha made an inaudible sound.

Bankotsu spoke first. "Did any of you get a good look at them?" he looked at Kouga and Rin; both gave some thought to the question before answering.

"We couldn't see their faces because they had mask covering the lower half of them." Rin explained, stroking Sesshomaru's tail while she talked. "But they did speak so maybe we could recongnize their voices if we heard them again and describe their body type and what they look like from the mask up." Everyone nodded; it was a start. "The female had black hair tied in a bun and had reddish brown eyes. She was about 5'5 and built small." Rin described, everyone taking a mental visual. Kouga cleared his throat,

"The others were both guys. One had short light brown hair and eyes about 5'11 with a lanky build; the other was 6 even; black medium length hair to his shoulder, black eyes with and average build. But I got their scent all over me so I'll be able to spot em if I get near one of them." Inuyasha stopped his pacing when he heard Kouga's description. Black hair, medium length, and eyes. No way! It couldn't be. Inuyasha thought, there are thousands of people that fit the profile; but he couldn't disregard him either.

"Something must be coming up soon." Miroku stated. All eyes were on him at the moment.

"Why do you say that?" asked Sesshomaru.

"A number of things. We've never encounter any hunters that were bold enough to attack any Nobleman in the daytime, they usually strike at night. They're attacking us in groups when no one else is around, I'm guessing so they can kill us off quickly. Both me and Kouga were attacked within hours of each other. I don't think they were expecting Rin to interfere so that screwed up their plan. Also, no hunter has ever tried to break down a barrier before, ever. There has to be an event coming up soon and they want us dead before it happens; that's the only conclusion I can think of."

"Yeah that's a good theory but what event is so big that would concern the hunters enough to get rid of us?" there was a pregnant pause.

"You guys didn't hear?" Rin questioned looking at everyone. Confusing looks plaqued on the men faces.

"Know what? They said in unison.

"Artemis, the Dragon King, has made the announcement that he has decided to relinquish his throne over to his eldest daughter. However he's not publicly announcing it til later this week." They all gave her a puzzled looks "What?"

"How the hell do you know that?" Kouga wanted to know. Rin played with the ends of her hair.

"The hospital is full gossipers. You wouldn't believe all the stuff you'd hear, for instance, Mr. Brock, that lives across the street from the barkery, he's like 65 years old and he's sleeping with that blond 20 year-old florist, Juniper, and she says the reason why they're together is because his dick is like…"

"STOP!" they all shouted at her. That was too much information! Sesshomaru shook his head; she was just as bad as the rest of them. Inuyasha sighed.

"Miroku, I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm going to need you to stay on Sango." Inuyasha watched as Miroku placed a wide grin on his face. "Not in that way, get your head outa the gutter. Like we said, we're unsure if she's on our side or not so I'm going to need you to find out everything you can about her; routine, daily habits, hobbies, all of her government. Everything, but stay on guard." Inuyasha put an emphasis on the last part. He raised his right hand, looking down at his watch; 7:23 pm. Inuyasha rubbed his hands over his face, even though it was still early he was tired as hell; He'd a long day.

"Yo, I'm beat. I'm going to bed." he got up from the couch and stretched. "You guys spending the night?" directing the question to Miroku and Bankotsu. He already knew Rin wouldn't let Kouga out of the house, not with his injuries, so he didn't expect an answer from him.

"Where else am I gonna go? No point in me driving all the way home only to have to come back this way to go to school." Bankotsu replied. Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders before looking at Miroku.

"Naw, I'm going home tonight. My mom got back from her trip in Milan and I wanna see her." Miroku got up and started to walk to the door. "See ya tomorrow." he waved to everyone not bothering to turn around.

"Miroku." he stopped at sound of Inuyasha voice but still didn't turn. "Be safe." he heard him say. Miroku smiled and continued to walk away.

-------------------------------------------

"No matter how many times I replay it, it still creeps me out." I heard Sango say, referring to the phone recording. "'You'll regret this.' That's a threat. Sango turned to look at me "Are you sure you don't know this guy?" I kept my eyes on the road.

"We wouldn't be driving all the way home if I did." I said in a sarcastic tone. I saw her make a face at me from the corner of my eye.

"What if it's Inuyasha?" I almost got whiplashes by how fast I turned my head to stare at her.

"How could you say something like that?" Her eyes widen.

"Watch the fucking road!" she screeched pushing my head to face forward. "Chill. I was joking"

"Well it wasn't funny." I really liked Inuyasha. I wouldn't know what to do if he was some crazy, scary schizophrenic stalker. I realized that we were approaching the protective barrier so Sango and I released our disguise to pass through. I kept driving straight for awhile before making a left down a cobble stone road, driving all the way to the end of it before making a complete stop; parking in front of a red brick, two story house. I grabbed the white box before we both got out and walked up the steps onto the wooden porch. Sango dug into her pocket and pulled out her keyring. After selecting one, she unlock and opened the door.

"Kohaku? Where you at?" Sango yelled through the house pushing the door shut behind us.

"In here." he shouted. We started to down the hall, passing the living and dining room; then turned right into the kitchen. The floor was covered with black and white checkered tiles; to the right was a steel refrigerator, along the side were two long wooden counters and above, cabinets.On the left was the stove, diswasher and a window above the kitchen sink where dirty dishes laid in. In the middle was a mahogney table with four matching chair; 18 year-old Kohaku Hana was sitting in one eating a plate of chilli cheese fries. Sango walked around me and opened up the frigde for a second then closed it.

"You have all this healthy food in here and yet you're eating junk at this hour." She folded her arms over her chest, tapping her foot. Kohaku rolled his eyes while shallowing the contents in his mouth.

"This is the exact reason why I moved out. All you do is nag, nag, nag; bitch, bitch, bitch." He shoved more fries into his mouth. Sango growled at her brother,

"I wouldn't be bitching and nagging if I was for certain that you were talking better care of yourself. And just look at all those dirty dishes. When were you gonna wash them, or were you just waiting for the mold to get up and walk away?"

"Blah, blah, blah. I do as I please in my own damn house." I smiled. I loved how the two of them acted when they were around each other. I walked over and sat in the near-by chair. Kohaku finished his meal and put the dirty dish in the sink with no intention of washing it. Sango couldn't take it any more; she turned on the water, opened the cabinet under the sink, grabbing the dishwashing soap and began to wash. Kohaku sighed dramatically, throwing his arms up in the air.

"See, this is why we broke up cause you can't stand to see the signs of filth. You were driving me with all the cleaning every five seconds." Sango sighed

"I don't know what your talking about." she said.

"Oh sure you don't. While I was sitting at home taking care of the kids you were 'working late' then you came home in all hours of the night smelling like Clorox."

"Kohaku, we've been over this time and time again." Sango placed the now clean dishes in the dish rack. She dried off her hands before looking at him. "I just wasn't satisfied." she said.

"There you go again. It's always been about you, you, you. Well what about me? What about my needs. What about all the things I did for you" Kohaku placed his right hand on his chest while the left one was over his mouth, covering his quiver lips, "I did everything you asked me to do and you still left me, you broke my heart." he sniffled letting out a tearful sob. Sango held a sorrowful look as she reached to grab Kohaku's shoulders.

"Kohaku, I'm sorry." He shook his head brushing off her hands.

"No,no. It's ok. Just forget about me." he turned his back on her. "I'll be alright." he let out another sob. "I'll mend my broken heart." I couldn't take it anymore.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!" we all busted out laughing, it was too funny. I love their soap opera moments! (A/n: me and my best friend go into soap opera mode all the time, especially in public.)

"All man," Kohaku said grabbing his sides, "We lasted longer this time." Sango nodded in argreement; she was laughing to hard to say anthing.

"Ok, now that we got that out of the way." he straighten his clothes before talking again "So Kagome, what was so important that you couldn't tell me over the phone?" I brushed a tear from under my eye. I pulled out my phone from out of my pocket.

"I have a stalker. He's already called me twice and has sent me black roses this afternoon" I placed the box on the kitchen table opening the lid. Kohaku looked and grimaced

"That's kinda creepy." He picked up my phone off the table. "What do you want me to do?"

"I recorded our phone conversation. If you could do a voice analysis or even hack into the phone system to get me a number that would help also." he turned on to the recording and listened. When it was over, he walked over to the end of the kitchen and touched the side wall; there, a panel was revealed. He placed his hand on the blue screen; it beeped for a moment then flashed green; the counters split opened, uncovering a hidden door.

"Come on." he replied as he walked through the door. Me and Sango were right behind him. We stood on a platform before the counters closed behind us. Bright white lights blinded me for a second before my vision cleared. We walked down the metal spiral staircase into Kohaku's secret underground lab. Equipped with the latest of technology anything that you could or couldn't think of was all here in one room. Unregistered computers were lined up against the wall; Kohaku sat down in front of one and booted it up.

"A voice analysis could take a couple of days because of the population density, but I should be about to get you a phone number." he said, placing my phone onto some kind of charger. His fingers began to dance over the keyboard, keys clicking rhythmically. I leaned over his shoulder to get a better look at the screen: white text scrooled up the black background as the typing continued.

"I can't do this with you looking over my shoulder." he suddenly said. I backed up some to give him his space. As he was playing with his toy, I studied his face; He had dark brown hair, like Sango's, that past his shoulders that was currently in a ponytail. He had chocolate brown eyes, and freckles that dusted both cheeks. I smiled, he and Sango looked so much alike. Kohaku was a genius; inventing all types of crazy things starting at the age of five, using thing that he found around the palace. He blazed through grade school; finishing top of his class in the 8th grade at the age of 10. He had tutors for high school because their mom felt that he would be socially isolated from the rest of the kids because of he age. After finishing all the lessons the tutors had to offer he took his SAT at 12; almost getting a near perfect score. He got all kinds of full scholarships for college but he did go. He knew he was smart and he felt as though he didn't need to go to school anymore to prove it. He found his passion in computers at the age of 14 and the rest is history.

His computer made a beeping noise. "Found a number." he announced. Both Sango and I hovered over either side of him to take a look at the screen. One number was highlighted: 987-4321. "It's unregistered so I don't know who owns it. But now you can put it in your phone and lable it 'Stalker.' he said jokingly. That's exactly what I planned to do. He handed my phone back to me so I could enter the number. He turned off the computer and led us back upstairs. "I got the voice analysis going. I'll call you when it comes in." the counters closed back silently.

"Thanks Kohaku. You're the best." I stated, leaning over to kiss his cheek. He blushed slightly.

"Yeah, yeah. Tell me something I don't know." he walked us towards the front door.

"Yeah, your not a waste of air and skin after all." Sango teased. Kohaku gave her a look.

"Get out." he said opening the door for us.

"You're just gonna kick us out?" Sango asked sounding hurt.

"Yes. Bye." I giggled softly.

"See ya." we both said simultaneously. He waited inside the doorway until we got into the car and drove back towards the school. We would have stayed at my house but we left a probably starving Kirara back at the dorm.

TBC.

------------------------------------------Author's note------------------------------------------------

Holy crap! That was the longest and busiest chappie I wrote yet. And the day/night still isn't over.

Thank you everyone for reviewing such wonderful comments!! I'm truly grateful. Until next time.

PLZ REVIEW!!! Thank you!

SMOOCHES!!!!