Miraculous

By AndrewsRedSweater

Posted April 19, 2011

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. The series belongs to Rumiko Takahashi, all rights reserved. I am making no profit from this fanfiction. It is purely for my personal amusement. And hopefully yours, too.

Chapter 2: Jump

It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Kagome could not believe she was on a plane at 7am. Further, she could not believe she was about to skydive at 7:20am. Knocking her head against the plane's tiny window, she tried not to think about how the youkai in her life got her in the weirdest, extremest situations.

"Hey Kagome!"

Slowly, she turned her gaze to the certain youkai that got her into this mess. As the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome—with piercing blue eyes—he made a pretty picture in his black skydiving suit.

Kouga grinned at her, fang showing between his lips. "You ready to do this?"

Looking at the thick boots on her feet, she said, "As ready as I'll ever be."

Kagome prayed that the tiny bag on her back would really, truly work. It didn't help that the airplane Kouga rented was nothing better than a tin can with two fins and wheels.

Kouga bounded across the plane and sat right down next to her. "At least having me as your boss isn't boring," he said.

Kagome smiled at him and said, "Yeah, I guess so. I just wish you could fly."

"Hey, but at least I have a soul," he said defensively.

Kagome laughed. "No, no, I'm not comparing you to Sesshoumaru. I'm just saying that if this whole parachute thing doesn't work out... you know..."

Catching her drift, Kouga's roguish smile returned. Clapping her on the back, he called to the pilots.

"Any chance of us tankin'?"

Ginta's head, capped in big ear phones, said, "No sir!"

Kouga smiled. "Ya hear that Kagome, we're in good hands!"

With eyes ahead of him, Hakkaku the co-pilot added, "We just started flying 102, so we know what we're doing!"

Kagome's muscles tightened. "You mean you haven't even graduated?"

With a nervous laugh, Kouga said, "Well, let's put our helmets on Kagome. Safety first!"

As he passed her a red helmet and goggles, Kagome said, "You do realize that humans heal a whole lot slower than youkai, right?"

Kouga snapped his goggles around his pointed ears. "Yep."

"And you also realize," Kagome continued, "That I can't fly."

Kouga looked at her, his eyes sparkling. Stepping forward, he took the helmet from her hands and placed it carefully on her head. Smiling, he said, "Well, I never said workin' for me wouldn't be dangerous."

Kagome's breath caught as he kept his eyes locked on hers. Even after all these years, she thought.

"Ready, Kouga!" Ginta called from the front.

Kouga's eyes lit with an excitement she only saw in battles... and in extreme sports. Winking at her, he said, "Brace yourself!"

The plane turned sharply. Kagome fell forward against one of the windows. Squashed like a bug, she watched breathlessly as Kouga unlatched a lever on the round door, and yanked it open. Intense winds rushed into the plane.

Kouga pulled Kagome toward him. Yelling over the commotion, he said, "Now remember, just pull the orange lever and—"

Kagome yelled, "Kouga just how does skydiving relate to journalism?"

With a laugh he said, "The people love excitement. We're givin' it to 'em!"

With that, he saluted her and said, "See you on the green!"

Kagome's eyes widened like skillets as she watched the wolf prince dive through a clear blue sky. He became a black fleck as he sailed toward the patchwork world below.

"Your turn, sis!" yelled Hakkaku.

Closing her eyes, Kagome called forth her power and held it in her heart. If this whole situation... bombed... maybe her powers would help.

Sensing her purity, Hakkaku called to her, "Hey there Kagome, don't be worried, just follow Kouga!"

Gulping, Kagome nodded her head. She'd jumped through time. She could jump through air. Turning a bright smile to the pilots, she said, "Thanks for the ride, guys!"

And she leaped.

The world rushed to meet her. Kouga stood in a large meadow, waving his arms and cheering her on. An enormous circle of reporters and admirers surrounded Kouga, giving a wide enough birth so she didn't accidentally maul someone upon landing. Kagome couldn't control the laughter that consumed her. As she steadied her legs for the landing, the experience reminded her of riding on Inuyasha's back as they hopped over treetops.

Somewhere in the crowd Kagome could hear a reporter announce dramatically, "And here enters Ms. Higurashi, Mr. Arata's star journalist. Her parachute flies behind her like a beacon. She's coming closer to the ground, she extends her right foot forward, and one... two..."

Kouga zoomed before her, and before she could worry about twisted ankles, she landed in his arms. His familiar woodsy smell washed over her as the crowd cheered.

Wryly she whispered, "Was all of this for a photo op?"

She could hear the smile in his voice. "Never Ms. Higurashi. I expect a full report on skydiving safety measures by this afternoon."

Rolling her eyes, she moved from his grasp. Kouga turned to the crowd, full of the confidence only royalty can exude. "Thank you all for attending this educational demonstration on proper skydiving safety."

Reporters rushed forward. One woman asked, "Will the Arata Communications Corporation follow through with its plans to perform glacier climbing? And shark diving?"

Kouga caught the woman in a dead serious expression. Staring into the woman's dark eyes he said, "The Arata Corporation feels its first responsibility is to the people's safety. If people need to know the safest way to swim with sharks, it is our duty to show them how."

The reporters gushed at his machismo. Kagome snorted her laughter into her hand. Unbuckling the helmet, she watched the familiar scene of people worshiping Kouga like the demigod he was. Kouga could certainly take the limelight when he needed, and take it he did. It never surprised her that his communications business was Japan's prime entertainment source.

Kouga turned sharply to a camera lens and said, "This skydiving demonstration will be aired on channel five tonight. It is for the safety of all peoples that I, and Ms. Higurashi, take these risks."

What? Kagome's legs jellied at the mere thought of shark diving.

Kouga marched over to Kagome and linked her arm through his. The female reporters swooned, while the men lit with admiration. Kouga placed his free hand over his heart and declared like a conquering hero, "Ms. Higurashi and I must now return to the office. Our commitment to quality programming never ends."

At that exact moment—and Kagome knew it'd been planned—a topless black Hummer sped across the meadow. In a cloud of dirt, it stopped right beside the gaggle of reporters. Ginta's driver's cap looked ridiculous with his bulky pilot suit.

Kouga led her through the crowd, the mass spreading like the Red Sea. Suddenly a reporter thrust his microphone in Kagome's face. Before she could blink he said, "So when is the wedding, Ms. Higurashi?"

Totally blanking out, Kagome said, "Well, it hasn't been set yet, but probably June."

The crowd went wild.

Kouga stiffened beside her. Looking up at him, she read pure shock in his eyes. Oh. Crap. Kagome's face went scarlet. Before she could speak, Kouga tossed her into the Hummer.

"Ginta, office. Now," he demanded.

Groaning, Kagome put her head between her legs. "Tell me they meant Shippo and Rin."

In a steady voice, Kouga said, "And how would they ever know that your kitsune son just killed some dragons, brought some people back from the dead, and who knows what else just so he could become engaged to Rin Taisho. Last night."

Ginta started laughing. Kagome could feel a headache coming on.

In a whisper she said, "Please don't fire me."

Kouga put a hand on her shoulder. In a soft voice he said, "You know you have a job as long as you want one."

Feeling her shame slowly ebb away, Kagome looked up at him. "Thank you," she said.

Kouga's eyes were warm. He gave her back a pat and said, "No problem. You have an article to write. We have some damage control on our hands, but it'll be handled."

Sitting up, she leveled him with a glare. "Shark diving? Ice climbing?"

Spreading his arms he said, "But Ms. Higurashi, it's what the people need."

"Don't give me that crap."

Chuckling, Kouga sat back in his seat. Kagome watched as his ponytail moved in the wind. "Well, Kagome, considering all the harassment we're bound to get from your recent admission—"

"You mean increased viewership? Interviews? You should be thanking me," she said dryly.

"All of that aside—you owe me."

Before she could interrupt, he put a hand in the air. "And," he continued, "With all the time off you'll be needing for this 'Lord of the West' shindig—"

"Wedding."

"Whatever," he rolled his eyes. Turning his gaze back to her, she was caught by his intensity. "I'm gonna assign you a topic that'll merge your matrimonial and career responsibilities."

Kagome sensed that whatever this was going to be, would not be comfortable.

BAM!

The Hummer suddenly jerked upwards and caught air. Kagome shrieked. Ginta had catapulted them over a cliff. The vehicle soared forward, but before it could reach land, the Hummer tipped downwards. A rocky ravine lay beneath them.

"Ginta! Where did you learn to drive?" Kouga yelled.

"An online course, sir!"

Kouga wrapped his arms around Kagome and prepared to leap from the Hummer. But before he could jump, Kagome's body erupted in pink light.

Save us, she thought.

The wolves watched in astonishment as her aura encircled the entire vehicle. The falling stopped. Her eyes opened, glowing with power. Kouga's hold on her slackened. His mouth gaped.

The miko levitated them steadily to the other side. Once they'd landed, her aura returned to her body. She glowed a pale pink as it slowly reentered her.

Kagome leaned her head on the seat in front of her, beads of sweat on her brow. "Well, haven't done that in a while," she said meekly.

Kouga and Ginta exchanged a look. Kouga reached for her, but a firm grip caught his wrist. Looking up, Kouga's eyes met angry amber. Inuyasha stood seething just outside the Hummer, clad only in jeans and a t-shirt. To Kouga's immense surprise, Sesshoumaru stood a few feet away in a black business suit.

"What the hell just happened?" Inuyasha yelled.

Kouga bristled instantly. "What's it to you?"

"Guys, stop it," Kagome whispered.

Inuyasha's grip on Kouga loosened. In a quiet voice he asked, "You ok Kagome?"

She nodded her head and said, "Yeah, just need rest. Don't worry."

Ginta called cheerily from the driver's seat, "Hey there Inuyasha. No biggie. I'm just not the best driver."

Inuyasha's voice was low and dangerous. "Aren't you gonna hold your packmate accountable for endangering her life?"

Kagome whispered, "Guys—"

Without breaking eye contact with Inuyasha, Kouga said, "Ginta."

"Yes sir?"

"No sweets for three months. And you can forget about driving. Ever."

Inuyasha growled. "If that's what you think Kagome's worth, you just insulted her."

"Well I—"

Kagome sat up and forced some distance between the two. Looking at Sesshoumaru she said, "Why are you here?"

For once his calm energy was more than welcome. "I assumed a threat was present."

Kagome nodded her head. "Well, thanks for coming but we're good." Sesshoumaru nodded, looking only mildly annoyed at the false alarm.

Turning to Inuyasha she said, "Inuyasha I appreciate it, but this isn't a world of Narakus. I can handle myself."

Inuyasha stared down at her. Only after hearing what she'd said did she realize how hurtful it could sound. Stepping back he said, "I get it."

"Inuyasha," she called.

He didn't look back. He walked into the trees and presumably in the direction of his dojo. Heart aching, she thought, Why does he always make me feel fifteen again?

Shaking her head, she was surprised to see that Sesshoumaru still stood nearby. His eyes followed his brother's path, seemingly in thought.

In a deflated voice, Kouga said, "Want something, Sesshoumaru?"

The Western Lord slid his gaze to the wolf prince. He walked forward until he was only a foot from the Hummer. "I require the miko's assistance."

Kagome nearly keeled over in shock. Him? Needing her assistance? Shippo really must have remodeled Hell.

Kouga said, "In what capacity?"

Sesshoumaru's gaze fell upon her. She tried not to squirm. "Rin requires aid."

Kagome could hear the kogs in Kouga's brain twirling. In the front seat, Ginta was opening a Snicker's bar.

Kouga cleared his voice and took a distinguished air. "You are aware that Ms. Higurashi is my employee."

Kagome cringed. Whenever "Ms. Higurashi" came into the picture, Kagome was doomed.

"I am aware," Sesshoumaru replied.

Nodding, Kouga said, "Rin's wedding plans will severely limit Kagome's reporting abilities."

Kouga paused. Sesshoumaru remained silent.

"That being the case," Kouga said, "I want to make a deal."

Was it just her, or did Sesshoumaru's eyes glint? Literally, glint?

"Go on."

Kouga put one hand firmly on Kagome's shoulder. "Rin can have Kagome as much as she needs her up until the wedding. But, Kagome must be allowed to write a full-length CEO-interview scoop on Taisho Real Estate."

Sesshoumaru huffed. "The miko has already agreed to her duties. You have no leverage."

Kagome could literally hear Kouga clench his teeth. "If you don't agree, she'll lose her job."

Kagome's heart skipped a beat. Both youkai looked at her.

After a pause, Sesshoumaru said, "Her employment does not concern me."

Kouga stood up in the car. "You're heartless."

"And you lack substance."

Kagome looked between the two youkai. Sesshoumaru, a granite wall. Kouga, a volcano. Nervously she said, "It's ok. I can, you know, get another job."

Kouga's head whipped toward her.

Trying not to cower under his stare she said, "I mean, especially after today, maybe it'd be best, and—"

"Taisho," Kouga declared, "You will agree to this or I will personally ensure that your daughter's wedding is a disaster."

Sesshoumaru's glace shifted between Kouga and Ginta. Kagome watched Sesshoumaru's nails elongate into claws. In a threatening voice Sesshoumaru said, "So that's where you're taking this, ookami?"

"You try to kill me, Kagome zaps you."

"Usually the miko refrains from murder."

Kouga growled, "I'll pay her."

Kagome rubbed her temples. Even five centuries later the youkai in her life had egos the size of small countries.

Looking up, she was met with Sesshoumaru's fierce stare. Kagome could hear the trees rustling about them, and Kouga breathing beside her. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the taiyoukai before her. The way his long silver hair moved was kind of... mesmerizing. Ok, yep, I really need to lie down.

With a curt nod of his head, Sesshoumaru said, "Agreed."

Kouga smiled toothily. "Great."

Feeling like a bartered cow, Kagome said, "Get me to a bed. Now."

Ginta choked on his chocolate. Looking back at them he said, "Well boss, sounds like the lady knows what she wants!"

Kagome watched Kouga's tan skin turn distinctly red. Groaning she said, "Guys you know what I mean. Damn sleep deprivation!" Looking at Sesshoumaru she said, "This is all your fault!"

Is his lip quirked up? Like a grin? Laughing at her, no doubt.

Tired and somewhat pissy, Kagome heaved herself out of the Hummer and onto the grass. Standing as tall as she could at five feet five inches, she peered up at Sesshoumaru. "Rin needs help? Take me there. You two have already figured out my life for the next few months so I might as well play along, right?"

Realizing his blunder, Kouga said, "Hey Kagome, I didn't mean—"

Turning to him she waved her hand and said, "I know Kouga, it's ok. I'm just tired. I'll talk with Rin, take a nap, and... somehow... get the piece to you by 5pm." Her voiced weakened at the mounting impossibilities. Apart from learning that skydiving was totally awesome, she had no other research to go on. Dang it.

Put at ease by her explanation, Kouga motioned to Ginta to start the engine. Looking back at Kagome he said, "Well Ms. Higurashi, I'll let you out of the shark diving on one condition."

Kagome instantly brightened. "Yes?"

"You make sure I get that skydiving piece by 5. It is, after all, a pivotal piece since it announces our recent engagement." He winked at her, and slapped the side of Ginta's seat. The engine roared. Kagome's stomach flip-flopped. With screeching wheels, the two wolves barreled through the forest.

"Engagement?" Sesshoumaru asked.

Tilting her head toward him she said, "Don't believe anything he says."

"I rarely do."

Blame it on the sleep deprivation, but for whatever reason, he made her laugh.

Please review and tell me your thoughts. Thank you so much and take care!

All the best,

AndrewsRedSweater