"Little girl, did you honestly think we can't tell when a file gets hacked? Why that file? Now what do you know?" the guard hissed while Sango sat shell shocked, "What happened on that train?"

"M-my friend had an allergic r-reaction to her," Sango breathed as she tried to ignore her smarting face, "Her condition is d-documented. She's n-not a danger to-"

"Oh we don't care about her. You want us to believe what happened was an allergic reaction? Do you think we're stupid? We know you and that boy were discussing him being an unregistered empath," the guard continued angrily, "Why were you looking at that file? You know what I'm talking about."

"J-just background. We wanted to a-add him to our unit f-for the selection," Sango replied honestly as she glanced towards the exit with terrified eyes, "And we were j-just trying to find a-an explanation, t-talking about t-theories but we knew t-that wasn't possible."

"Theories?!" the guard snapped before pulling out a printed piece of paper and reading in a mocking tone, "A moderator. He has to be a moderator."

Paling, Sango's thoughts immediately jumped to her brother. It wasn't like anyone was really watching him or looking out for him in that group home. No one that she trusted to protect him. They'd already limited contact with him but would they do something else if they determined she was a security threat. If she got imprisoned or worse?

"H-he never told u-us-"

"His center shifted," the guard continued reading in that same mocking tone, "Dying made him stronger."

Wincing, Sango tried and failed to find a believable explanation before an all too familiar pair of men entered the room and Sango's heart dropped.

"You can let her go. There was nothing to back up the report," the larger man in his dark black suit offered casually before turning towards the frightened teenager, "But if you see anything out of the ordinary, anything at all wrong with your friend, you will report it. Do you understand?"

Nodding feverishly, Sango shakily got her feet and stumbled towards the exit.

"Don't go telling your friends now," the large man warned as he turned the knob and opened the door , "We've got eyes and ears everywhere. We'll know."

Nodding once more, Sango tried her best to compose herself and found herself deposited directly into the main terminal.

"Clean up your face," the man chuckled darkly. The door slammed shut.

Letting out a shaky breath, Sango wearily eyed the boy they'd brought with them and prayed to everything holy Inuyasha didn't do anything weird before they got to the shrine. What she really needed to focus on was making damn sure Inuyasha did not join their group. That he got right back on that train and stayed the hell away from them. After everything she'd lost, she was not about to let this asshole take the only family she had left in this world. Kagome and Miroku were basically family. Their lives were now on the line. Not to mention keeping her nose clean was the only way they'd let her brother talk to her. The only way she'd get custody of him after she graduated. She was not about to ruin everything over some pathetic ass sociopath who wanted to dodge the law and keep whatever insidious plot he'd cooked up hidden. God, she never should have backed down when those two idiots decided that this…thing join their unit. She should've stuck to her guns. Refused to let him come along. Life would've been so much easier with Inuyasha stuck alone back in his dorm.

Though if she was being fair, the bastard likely agreed with that opinion.

Blowing out her cheeks, Sango tried to pull the brakes on her anger to no avail. It didn't matter that by some fluke those birdwatchers hadn't found anything. The fact of the matter was that this turn of events made no sense and meant their release was a trap. Danger now lurked around every corner. Sango wouldn't be shocked if there was evidence and they just didn't want to give Inuyasha a heads up about the incoming hell fire.

Setting then resetting her sore jaw, Sango adjusted her backpack and narrowed her eyes.

"Are you alright?" Miroku whispered worriedly after he slowed his pace to match hers. A single hand raised and the back of his fingers gently touched her swollen cheek, "Was it my fault?"

Sighing, Sango subtly shook her head before purposefully flicking her eyes towards Inuyasha. Miroku nodded once in understanding and bit his lip.

"We'll put some ice on it. When we get there," he offered after a long moment, "Just be more careful. Don't fall into any more walls."

Sending Miroku a surprised side-eyed glance, the boy casually moved to brush the hair away from his neck revealing a smarting mark of his own. His was better hidden. The edge of the swollen area ended just below the hairline.

Letting out a controlled breath, Sango tried to keep her composure but found she was failing miserably.

"So what do we do about our clumsiness?" Sango mumbled hatefully under her breath and Miroku shrugged.

"Be more aware of inanimate objects," he answered casually before wincing, "I would like some painkillers though. In the meantime."

To be completely honest, Sango wanted to smack the idiot for having decided to ignore the obvious danger and stick to his suicidal determination to keep Inuyasha in their group. This was madness. The powers that be had quite literally tried to beat answers out of them. Answers that they simply didn't have. All they did know for certain was that Inuyasha was hiding empathic abilities and that they had knowingly perjured themselves.

Chewing her bottom lip, Sango would admit growing up trying to navigate the social pecking order that was the family had hardwired her a certain type of way. In a different life, with a hairpin thin change in trajectory, she would've been a birdwatcher of a different kind. Working in the shadows and doing someone's dirty work. Deny it all she might but that didn't change the fact that she'd been raised by people intent on her becoming a lethal weapon. Who knows what would've happened to her if her parents hadn't died? Their deaths were the catalyst for all the changes in her life and she'd turned traitor without a second thought.

No one, not even her friends, knew what she'd done. They wholeheartedly believed her when she said there had never been an affiliation.

All that being said, her upbringing had made her gut instinct to lie. To protect. No questions asked.

So stupid…

"Allergies have been bad this year," Miroku offered hesitantly before smirking when Sango sent him a surprised glance, "Wouldn't you agree?"

So he'd come up with the same excuse. That was lucky. Very lucky.

"Only here. I blame pollution," Sango countered with a weary sigh, "I think I'd rather walk out here in the fresh air. I can't imagine how gross the subways must be right now."

Nodding his agreement to her proposition to avoid public transit, Miroku was silent for a moment before sighing when Inuyasha cast a nervous glance back at him. Almost apologetic too but the expression was gone faster than Miroku could truly analyze it.

Convincing him to join their unit was going to be difficult. Trust issues aside and there was now a danger inherent in their informal affiliation. Inuyasha was hiding something. Expertly well if the government's sudden interest and inexplicable surprise was any indication.

Which was strange. All of it was strange. And none of it could be helped. If he could go back, knowing what he did now, Miroku most likely would not have picked Inuyasha. There were others. Safer options. But what was done was done. He couldn't change what he'd inadvertently begun. Not anymore.

"So what did you and your mom do for the holidays?" Kagome suddenly asked as a way to break the awkward tension and an attempt to make Inuyasha feel more comfortable, "Anything special?"

Inuyasha shrugged once and didn't say anything for an awkwardly long period of time. Kagome cringed. Sango scowled. Miroku sighed.

"Why does it matter?" Inuyasha clipped before sniffing once and coming to a dead stop, "You guys go ahead. I need to check on something."

Miroku and Sango exchanged a quick glance while Kagome looked crestfallen.

"If it's something I-"

"Of course it's something you did," Inuyasha snapped heatedly, "You-"

"You can't leave right now," Sango finally blurted before looking shocked that she'd spoken at all. Taking a deep breath, she added, "It's getting dark. The curfew?"

"Curfew?" Inuyasha replied with a withering glare, "I'm from here idiot. I know that's bullshit."

Sango rolled her eyes and seemingly gave up on the idea of doing anything more when Miroku decided to pick up the torch and carry it.

"At least come with us to drop your things off," he tried a different approach before pointedly looking to the side and scratching his neck in such a way that his minor injury was exposed, "Sango meant the streets are probably not safe at and as you are from here, I know you must agree. We don't want you getting hurt or lost."

Inuyasha's gaze lingered on the growing bruise before his eyes flicked back towards the conflicted looking girl. Something clicked behind his eyes.

They'd lied. They got pulled in the queue. Undoubtedly because of him. And lied. Despite some pretty serious interrogation techniques too given their injuries. Techniques Inuyasha didn't even know could be used. Why would they do that? Why hadn't they just ditched him? Betrayed him? They barely knew him.

It made no sense.

Breathing heavily, Inuyasha tried to find words or an excuse to leave but couldn't even begin to process what undoubtedly happened. After what they'd done, it would be straight up rude to just ditch like he was planning. And would probably get them in trouble. Make it seem like they blabbed or warned him or god knows what else could be inferred.

Well, shit.

"Fine," Inuyasha huffed in frustration as he turned and began walking again, "Fine. I'll drop my bag off first."

"What did you need to do?" Kagome asked quietly and Inuyasha rolled his eyes at her - most likely - willful ignorance.

"It's none of your business," Inuyasha huffed before trying to come up with some palatable excuse in case they were still being watched - something which seemed almost like a guarantee, "Just wanted to see my old street. That's all."

"Oh, that's all?" Kagome asked in an unsure tone before clearing her throat and adding, "Well, I'm sure you'll be able to go visit all the time if you wanted. We're here for a few weeks. There'll be time."

For lack of anything better to say, Inuyasha merely shrugged. There were going to be questions. Allegations. His mind raced to find a nicer way to say 'I don't know what it is. All I know that it's not registered and that my mom used me to not die. Also I can block.' Anything else would be a lie though. Which was insane. Every single time he got vaccinated, every doctors visit, every trip he took, they scanned him. Not once did the topic ever come up. Not once did anything ever show.

Maybe he had to be actively using whatever 'it' was. Not that 'it' mattered. There was a clear trajectory for how this whole trip would go. They'd ask. He'd say whatever bullshit answer he could come up with. They'd report him. He'd go to jail or worse.

Well, except they already had the opportunity to rat him out and even the girl who hated him had held her tongue. All he had to do was lay low. Not touch any empaths. Easy enough. That was possible.

Especially if he was on a team and these crazy people knew to keep empaths away from him. If they had his back.

But did they? Could he trust them?

As they turned a corner, Inuyasha noticed Kagome glancing back at Sango and his ears flattened against his head.

"It's just up ahead. That wasn't too bad a walk, huh?" Kagome offered as she slowed down with a nervous laugh, "I mean-"

"Let's just get inside," Sango huffed as she muscled between them and stormed ahead, "This trip has been a nightmare."

Miroku sighed as he watched her go before he caught Inuyasha's eye and offered a reassuring smile.

"She'll come around," Miroku tried, "You'll see."

Inuyasha sincerely hoped she didn't. That they'd just send him packing and let him go back to the school. The last thing he wanted was for anyone to get in trouble or die over his worthless ass. He might be strong but he wasn't stupid. Something had changed for worst.

This was going to be the longest three weeks of his life.

At least when they did get to this dime a dozen tourist trap he could maybe have some time alone and decompress. Figure out his next move. It hasn't been a lie when he said he wanted to visit his old street. Maybe if he was the luckiest man on the planet, their old apartment would be untouched. Pictures might still be there. Things he could bring back to his sad little dorm that would definitely be where he permanently resided these next few years.

Unless, of course, he wound up in prison but-

'Oh shit…'

"Here we are!" Kagome chuckled nervously and Inuyasha instantly wished for death. Struggling against the tears prickling at the back of his eyes and the lump in his throat, Inuyasha felt himself hitting new lows. Because this shrine would be her shrine now, wouldn't it? Couldn't be one of the other dozen or so shrines that existed in this stupid city. No. Of course it had to be his mother's favorite shrine. The one that had reminded Mother of where she grew up. Inuyasha wasn't supposed to know that his mother came from outside the safety and protection of the habitable zone. No one was supposed to know there were others who were still managing to survive in the midst of a nuclear wasteland. It was speculation but Inuyasha had always suspected that was why Mother got so seriously ill. Even with all the mutations in the world, no one not built for it could survive high doses of radiation and live a long healthy life. How she, an outsider who shouldn't exist, managed to meet his father had never been fully explained and she never would say exactly where she came from but wherever that place was had a shrine that was almost identical to this shrine and therefore, Mother had made a point to visit every other weekend for as long as Inuyasha could remember. They'd just walk around, eat something or sit under the trees reading. The odd visits had been their thing. Moments of peace in an otherwise stressful existence.

Until, of course, her condition has gotten worse and then the trek over here wasn't possible. So, it'd been a few years. Maybe the annoying old man who badgered them for tours might've croaked by now and no one would be there to recognize him. Or, god forbid, Kagome had recognized him and that's why she'd invited him in the first place. In hindsight, he really should've done some background digging of his own. If he had known that this shrine was that shrine, he would've happily stayed back. Gladly visited the creepy old man who was allegedly friends with his very dead dad and maybe, just maybe, got some answers to questions he might not even know he had.

"I know it looks intimidating, but her mother is very kind," came the irritatingly desperate boy's hopeful voice, "As is the rest of her family. Be advised, however, that her grandfather will give you a long tedious history lecture at his earliest…"

"What makes you think I give a shit whether they're nice or not?" Inuyasha huffed hoarsely as he gave the violet eyed boy a menacing glare.

"Good for you. After everything, it makes me so happy you plan on being an ass all break," Sango's irritated voice suddenly chimed in as she went a withering glare over her shoulder. Inuyasha furrowed his brow.

"The hell is that supposed to mean?"

"It means eat shit and die," Sango huffed as she stopped and began to advance, "Listen, I get that this whole trip has been a disaster but so help me if you so much as cause a scene, I will personally drag you back to the train station and throw you onto the next train back to school."

"I'd like to see you try," Inuyasha snarled but the woman didn't so much as flinch. Miroku, however, did react and seemed to be more concerned for Inuyasha than he did for the girl.

"Well now that the threats have been made, shall we go in?" Miroku sighed as he gave the bristling girl a patient look. The fact that the girl seemed incredibly confident in her ability to force him onto the train and the boy's clear agreement with that assessment gave Inuyasha pause while also irritating the shit out of him.

"I could take you down in a second," Inuyasha snapped as he rolled his shoulders and tried to look intimidating, "You're just a puny…"

Weird how blue the sky looked today and how quickly the ground came up to forcibly meet him. Somehow in the span of less than a second, the girl had managed to flip him over her shoulder before he could react.

"Why would you do that?" Inuyasha heard Miroku mutter under his breath as two semi-dazed amber eyes watched the defeated looking boy quickly move to scale the staircase.

"You put one toe out of line, and I will personally end you," Sango hissed as she moved out of arm and leg reach, "Now get up."

Nostrils flaring, Inuyasha set his jaw and seriously considered starting a full-on brawl but thought better of it.

"I thought you were their defensive team member" Inuyasha accused angrily as he pushed himself into a sitting position and glared, "Seems like you have offense covered."

"Martial arts is defense oriented," Sango snapped angrily as she folded her arms across her chest, "We have done you a favor inviting you here. Start acting like-"

Inuyasha's scowl deepened as he awkwardly got to his feet.

"Oh, so you call almost getting killed a favor!?"

"I wasn't talking about that but if-"

"Everything after 'but' is horseshit. You've made your point," Inuyasha snapped before rolling his shoulders and nodding towards the stairs, "And I wanna be clear. That shrine is where we're staying?"

"Yes," Sango ground out as one eye twitched. Inuyasha had to consciously hide his internal screaming as he picked up his thrown suitcase and shifted his weight.

"Who all lives there?"

"Her mother. Grandfather and a small child so don't do anything stupid," Sango supplied with a huff before sighing heavily and adding as a gesture of good will - mainly in case someone was listening, "Kagome's grandfather can be annoying but her little brother, Sota, will insist on explaining to you every detail of whatever book he's reading. Which is infinitely more annoying believe it or not. Be. Nice."

Somewhat taken aback by the shift in tone, Inuyasha raised a single eyebrow, "Who said I won't be nice?"

A withering glare was his immediately answer before the girl oddly glanced around and cleared her throat.

"Well, Sota is into fantasy. There is a lot of canon," Sango offered awkwardly by way of explanation - causing Inuyasha's mind to backfire at this random response, "And typically extensive backstory that he will want to explain to you in great detail. It can be annoying."

Blinking rapidly, Inuyasha continued struggling from the mental whiplash.

"What?"

Sango ran her tongue over her lips before adding slowly and deliberately, "The good thing is that you have an excuse to stay away from him, you know, because of your allergy?"

Oh. Okay, so he was caught up now. Horrible and terribly executed attempt to seque way the conversation but-

Inuyasha nodded slowly and adjusted his hold on his suitcase, "Easy enough to avoid a brat, right?"

"Not really. Sota is an empathic tracker. It's hard to avoid him. He awlays seems to know the second you're awake or when you're…"

"So, he's like Santa Claus," Inuyasha joked lamely - recognizing that statement for what it was. However, at his response, Sango very unfortunately seemed endlessly confused.

"Sandra who?"

Cringing, Inuyasha mumbled a quick 'forget it' and made a beeline for the stairs. It was going to be hard to know what he could say and couldn't say. Having never had friends before, he didn't exactly know what was common knowledge and what wasn't. Sure, in the comfort of his home, things like that had been said and taught but for some asinine reason, he always assumed that fantastical men breaking into your house to leave you a gift was something common. In primary school, no one had ever really talked to him or included him in anything. For many, many years 'a new friend' had pathetically made it into his letters to this Santa until he got old enough to realize Santa was just his mom. Alternatively, the concept of 'Santa' could have been something Mother had just made up for his benefit. A quirky family tradition to give a lonely, confused little boy some hope and bring a smile to his face.

Despite being lost in tainted memories, Inuyasha had enough wits about him to realize he'd been recognized. A muffled gasp and the sound of dainty footsteps rushing across the tiled courtyard. Shadows reflecting off the gold accents of a middle-aged woman making her way towards him. That familiar sense of doom and dread...

"Oh my goodness! When Kagome said she was bringing a new friend I never would have expected it to be you!" the woman, presumedly the mother, gushed excitedly before seeming to remember something very important and giving him a guilty grin, "It's okay if you don't remember my name. It's been a long time so let me introduce..."

"I'm not an idiot. I know who you are," Inuyasha huffed - trying to figure out why this woman was acting Iike she knew him well enough to act so familiar. More likely, she just recognized him because imaginably, seeing the same white-haired dog-eared child come to visit your place of business every weekend for years on end would leave an impression. Still, didn't give her the right to act so friendly.

And despite being snapped at, the woman laughed. Which made no sense.

"Is your mother joining you?" the woman asked excitedly as she glanced over his shoulder like she expected the missing and no longer living woman to be behind him, "Oh I've missed her. She hasn't…"

"She hasn't because she's dead. If you really knew anything, you'd know that," Inuyasha clipped before squaring his shoulders and nodding in the direction the other teenagers were heading, "I'm assuming the house is this way?"

Instead of reacting in a normal way to being called out on bullshit, the now subdued and entirely too pale woman nodded absently while her fingertips slowly raised to her lips and her jaw trembled. Was this bitch seriously going to cry like a tourist meant a damn thing to her? Seriously?!

Setting and resetting his jaw, Inuyasha made to go inside the house and find a place to sulk in private before freezing and going rigid when he heard the woman whisper to herself 'that's why she stopped calling…'

As far as Inuyasha knew, Mother never called anyone and she sure as hell never talked to this woman while the numerous times they visited here. Shit, he wouldn't have been able to pick this woman out of a crowd much less…

"I'm so sorry for your loss," Kagome's mother finally offered with genuinely sympathy as she shook her head and gestured for him for follow, "Come. Come. I have lunch all ready. I had just been setting out plates."

Agonizingly uncomfortable with this abrupt and random transition, Inuyasha for the umpteenth time considered just getting back on the stupid train and going to live off his stash of Doritos. Sure, there was a very real risk that people were watching and waiting for him but there was also a chance they weren't. That being said, if he was being honest with himself, he really didn't want to spend his first holiday without his mother truly alone. That and there was a strong likelihood these people were the only reason he wasn't in jail right now. Also, these assholes were only reason he would be in jail right now but there was no point focusing on what could have been. There was no going back.

Tapping her pen against the small notepad, Kagura tried to come up with a message that would convey the gist without giving too much away. It was entirely possible that Father already knew. That he'd always known that power was out there and had just been waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Even if he didn't know, Father always watched his eldest closer than the others. Wired her house, office and god knows what else. But he also allowed her more freedom. Seemed to find amusement in her attempts to break free from the system that kept her trapped.

'Even the moon has times when it can hide in darkness. There's nowhere for me to run...'

Inhaling deeply, Kagura cracked her knuckles and rolled her neck. The first thing she needdd to convey was that a babysitter needed to be arranged. Perhaps a mention that his brother was in town and could make himself useful by watching his niece for once. If she was feeling brave, she might even throw in that they should find him because she knew he was free and available. Talking in code had never been one of her strengths and it wasn't her husband's either. Both of them blunt, rude and largely self-centered people.

A grating beep emanated from a small speaker on her desk before a nasally voice cut her thoughts short.

"You have a visitor-"

Setting down her pen, Kagura sighed and rubbing her temples in frustration.

"Tell whoever it is that I'm busy," she said, her voice tight and strained.

"But its-"

"Do I need to define the word 'busy' for you?" Kagura huffed in frustration as she quickly began cleaning up her desk just in case the idiots downstairs decided to let someone up without actually telling her they'd done so. Watch Father show up and spy the note she'd written and start asking questions.

"But ma'am, it's your-"

Angrily hitting the mute button, Kagura leaned back and blew up her bangs. Wasn't it enough that Father was springing a dinner on her last minute? Really, who did that? What was the point of family dinners if her father was keeping tabs on her anyway? It wasn't like he enjoyed her company. What the hell did he expect to learn in an hour and a half? Maybe it was all just a giant trap and Father had already figured out-

A soft knock on the door had her letting out a miserable groan even as she tried to act calm and collected.

"Kagura...?"

Jumping slightly at the unexpected voice, Kagura stared in mild horror as a different type of devil than she'd expected walked in. Short silver hair framed the angular face which housed two cold amber eyes. Smartly dressed per the norm in a tight and stark white three-piece suit that could just not be comfortable for daily wear. No emotion per the norm other than the usual disgust. Ah, yes, the husband. The ideal picture of propriety and class, but Kagura had no illusions that there was something undefinable and sinister beneath the surface. That was one of the few things they had in common.

Kagura steeled herself, forcing a feeling of indifference, "Why have you come?"

"I thought I would inform you that I have some business to attend to this evening, and will not be able to join your family for dinner," his voice was measured and distant. Kagura felt an emotion she hadn't felt for a long time - relief - wash over her. She let out a small sigh and sank back into the chair, fingers trailing over the mute button.

"I'm sure that won't be-"

"Why, though, must I hear we have dinner plans from your sister?" Sesshomaru asked in a flat tone as the door closed, and he narrowed his eyes. Just like that any relief vanished, and dread took its place. Kagura felt a chill run down her spine as his stern gaze met hers. She swallowed hard, desperately trying to think of a response that wouldn't make her situation worse.

"I-I was about to send you a message. You probably found out before I even did," she tried to make her voice as even and innocent as possible, hoping it would be enough to satisfy him.

"Do you expect me to believe you were ignorant of this? Why would they tell me first?" the tall man scoffed before he uncharacteristically glanced around and moved closer. Chewing the inside of her cheek, Kagura shrugged and muttered a faint 'Dunno.'

Those cold eyes narrowed then surprisingly grew softer.

"You are afraid of me. You've never been afraid," he observed - softer than he usually spoke and with a barely noticeable frown.

"Who said I'm afraid?" Kagura sighed irritably - completely unnerved by this completely abnormal reaction. Since when did he care about anything she felt or didn't feel? In all honesty, a part of her had wanted to take the easy road and not mention any plans to her so-called husband at all. The fact that he had plans was a godsend in many, many ways. Besides, it wasn't like he ever took her feelings into consideration and half the time she had no idea where he'd gone. Probably having affairs left and right. The one and only reason she knew he hadn't procreated beyond Rin was because Father would've been on those children like white on rice. Sesshomaru having children without someone other than her would have made for some absolutely fantastic taunts. But she'd heard none of it.

Kagura was snapped out of her thoughts by Sesshomaru's voice.

"I'm not asking if you're afraid of me. That much is clear," he amended, "I'm asking why you're afraid of me."

Startled, Kagura snapped her head up to look at him and found him watching her with a curious expression. Her heart dropped. This was not the normal behavior he exhibited, but there was something strangely alluring about his new attitude.

Kagura shifted in her seat, feeling suddenly uncomfortable under his gaze.

"I'm not afraid of you," she finally huffed, though she knew it was a lie. She had no idea what had gotten into him today, but it wasn't like she had any control over it. Bizarrely, Sesshomaru smirked, though the expression was so small and fleeting it was barely noticeable.

"Be that as it may," he said, moving away from her and heading for the door, "I will not be unable to attend this evening."

He paused at the threshold, glancing back at her over his shoulder. "I will see you later this evening. We will talk more then."

Without another word he turned and left, leaving Kagura alone in the room with the sound of his footsteps echoing in the air. She watched him go, feeling a strange combination of relief and disappointment as he disappeared from sight.

"Well…that was weird," she mumbled before shaking her head and opening the desk drawer where she'd stashed her letter. A letter that was essentially useless now. Kanna had gone ahead and beaten her to the punch. Probably randomly floated through the walls to bring him the news during a business meeting and scared him half to death which would explain why he'd seemed so...whatever that behavior had been. Sesshomaru had just been thrown off was all.

Huffing, Kagura ripped off the topmost sheet of paper and crunched it into a small angry ball before sending it soaring into the trash bin on a wisp of wind.

Normally the awkwardness of life was one of Miroku's favorite types of comedy. One he even enjoyed initiating on occasion. Emphasis on normally because whatever had just occurred was far from amusing. Every moment had been so cringeworthy it bordered on tragic. Normally, he could charm the pants off of anyone and was as smooth as butter. Capable of bringing even the most stomach churning situations back from the brink.

So, to say he'd been horrified and unable to salvage what had just occurred was saying something. From Kagome's mother trying to tell stories of times Inuyasha clearly thought she'd hallucinated to Sango giving Inuyasha death glares whenever he so much as breathed to Kagome trying her best to force positive communication, it had been uncomfortable in the worst possible way. Were it not for the fact that their very lives could be at stake, Miroku would have escorted Inuyasha to the door himself - more to save the poor boy than anything - and wished him well. Alas, however...

No one could leave right now without bringing suspicion down on their heads. Even if that conclusion had been largely unspoken, it had been agreed upon nonetheless. So, Miroku made the best of a bad situation. He tried to stir conversation to more pleasant topics, regaling everyone with stories of his own youth and silly anecdotes. He made a point to include Inuyasha in the conversations, trying to make him feel a part of the group. He complimented the cooking, even though it was a bit underdone, and gave Sango his complete attention whenever she spoke.

It wasn't easy to put on a brave face and pretend that everything was okay when it wasn't, but Miroku felt it was the least he could do. He only hoped Inuyasha would appreciate the effort in time.

No matter how dire the situation might seem, they actually did need Inuyasha in order to achieve their goals and Inuyasha would be a fool to not realize he needed this alliance too. Sure, in theory, the current trio could handle the first few rounds of the Selection without issue. All of them had formidable offensive and defensive tactics but the problem was that statistically, with only one exception in the history of histories, the Champions had four people. Some had five but 99.9999999999% of them had four people. An even number so one person didn't get isolated and ambushed in the more difficult challenges. They were also limited. Yes, Sango could destroy someone with her fists, but she had to make contact. Okay, Kagome could use her ability to absorb energy to manifest weapons and barriers and long-range attacks, but that wouldn't help if someone got close enough and also there was the little issue of her having a meltdown of nuclear proportions. By far the most useless team member was himself who had exactly three, maybe four, attacks and all of them could only be used in limited amounts before he sped up the timeline for his imminent demise. As for Inuyasha...

Well clearly the powers that be had identified him as a threat of some kind and believed he was hiding something. Even though he had been the victim, something had frightened that poor medic to such a degree he changed his mind with a second's notice and reported his patient after abandoning said patient in his hour of need. What made it all the more confusing was that there was no possible way for Inuyasha to have hidden an ability. Every school put their students through rigorous testing - medical and academically. Their backgrounds studied extensively. Further, Inuyasha hadn't exactly hid the fact that he could block empathic probes despite having no registered correlating trait. The first time they interacted he'd very loudly and publically declared that empathic probes didn't work on him.

Inuyasha hadn't been hiding...

What on earth was going on?

Whatever the reason, Miroku couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. He had been watching Inuyasha silently as he took part in the conversation, and it seemed to him like the half-demon was still uneasy. The way he avoided eye contact and kept shifting in his seat was a dead giveaway. There was something Inuyasha wasn't telling them, and Miroku was determined to get to the bottom of it.

Despite being slightly uncomfortable with the situation, Miroku decided to take a risk and try to press Inuyasha for more information once they were alone. Which was - unfortunately - far sooner than Miroku had anticipated. As such, the poor teen found himself uncharacteristically lost for words.

Especially when, upon being told they'd be sharing a room, Inuyasha looked like he would have preferred death. A reaction that was odd seeing as how everyone – no matter how rich or special – had a roommate in the dorms. Maybe he assumed he would be staying alone? Or perhaps he wanted to hide from them during his stay? Not that Miroku could blame him for wanting...

In any case, someone had to broker peace and try to ingratiate themselves. Someone had to get to the truth of the matter and put the missing pieces together without putting everyone jeopardy.

"Which bed is yours?" Inuyasha suddenly sighed – taking Miroku's nervous gaze for fear of being placed in a room with a criminal. A completely reasonable fear truth be told and one Inuyasha couldn't help. It wasn't like there were other options. The fact that they didn't each get their own room was shocking, but that was probably ignorance talking, and it wasn't like he had any right to complain. All his life, Inuyasha had assumed the people who ran tourist attractions – especially ones with religious significance – were loaded. While everyone else in the world lived in apartments, those types of people had actual homes with yards and luxuries like built in HVAC units. They were paid handsomely for the services they provided. Had all the benefits usually bestowed on Champions. Well, okay, not all but most. They had power and influence and were on governmental boards and…

Inuyasha just thought there'd be more than five bedrooms for some reason. Not that five wasn't a lot of bedrooms but just seemed like fewer bedrooms than he always imagined that kind of money would provide. Unless, of course, these people didn't have money, and it was just another item of propaganda to maintain the unspoken class warfare. Something which was entirely possible.

"I defer to your judgment," Miroku offered with a strained smile, "I have no preference."

Nodding absently, Inuyasha glanced between the two beds before choosing the one furthest from the door. Even though he'd been in shared living quarters his entire life, it never ceased to be weird to be in a room with a door. A life of sharing a small studio apartment with his mother, complete with its communal bathrooms and suspiciously damp smell, had made being given true privacy uncomfortable. For that reason, he was secretly grateful that someone else was going to be in the room with him.

On the other hand, he didn't know anything about this guy other than what a quick glance over his register had told him. Space naturopath. Caused some earthquakes. From Kushimi. Enough said, but it wasn't like he could really judge for having parents that were labeled terrorists and the guy did seem to be trying to be nice in his own awkward way. Inuyasha also couldn't ignore that this guyhad clearly lied to protect him once already. Inuayasha felt like he owed Miroku some benefit of the doubt. After all, you could throw a rock in Kushimi and hit a dozen of people who thought the Capital was up to something more than taking care of its citizens but as far as Inuyasha knew, there was no evidence for any of the charges that got thrown around. A conspiracy had made its way around that a lot of Kushimi people believed there was a cabal who was really in charge of the Capital and the greater country of Tama. Which was an insane thing to even suggest much less believe. But enough of the Kushimi region believed the tales and because of that, every other year some idiot would go blow something up to try and blow back the 'curtain'.

Those people who randomly attacked other people to get back at the government were stupid. Everything was stupid anymore and nothing ever got better. People just sucked. No amount of atrocities ever made people learn and yet...

"How did you wind up with those two anyway?" Inuyasha asked awkwardly as he laid out and unzipped his suitcase before adding quickly, "Just seems random is all and just with how you picked me-"

"We went to primary together. Sango and I were part of the refugee program," Miroku offered as he moved to sit on the bed and twiddled his thumbs, "By the third week, Kagome and Sango were thick as thieves. By the fourth, their duet became a trio."

"Refugee program, huh?" Inuyasha repeated as he glanced over his shoulder, "Because of what you did?"

"Yes and no. After the accident, my guardian was approached by several...shall we say recruiters. He applied for asylum and Arami accepted me into their refugee program," Miroku explained with an oddly bemused sigh. Chewing the inside of his cheek, Inuyasha warred with himself for a moment before deciding that the stupid idiot had risked his life by lying to the authorities and deserved some transparency.

"I know the type," Inuyasha chuckled darkly as he placed a few folded shirts onto the bed, "There were a few groups around when I was small. Wanted the brat who killed his father on their team. I don't know how or why but they stopped bothering me pretty quick."

"You fought them?" Miroku pressed and Inuyasha shook his head.

"They just stopped. Dunno why," came the muttered reply before a heavy sigh followed, "I never went looking for fights. Just minded my own business. After my father...died, there was no place for me, ya know, so I had to make one for myself, and then I realized, I had a place, but I was the only one in it. Well, not just me I guess. Mother used to be there too. We kept to ourselves and no one bothered us."

Nodding in understanding, Miroku absently played with the brace around his wrist before clearing his throat.

"Your mother died recently. I saw on your registry," he offered hesitantly, "I'm very sorry."

"Don't be,' Inuyasha snorted - removing a small package that he hesitated to put down, "She was sick. Was gunna happen sooner than later. I always knew that."

Miroku's expression softened and he reached out to place a gentle hand on Inuyasha's arm.

"It's never easy," he said, his voice soft and full of understanding. "No matter how much we may have known it was coming."

Inuyasha looked up, his eyes meeting Miroku's. He nodded in agreement then averted his gaze and the two of them stood in silence for a moment. It was only when Inuyasha broke the silence with a quiet "thanks," that the moment passed.

Miroku smiled and retracted his hand from Inuyasha's arm. He took a step back and cleared his throat.

"Well, I suppose I should leave you to it," he said awkwardly, gesturing to the stack of clothing on the bed. "I'm sure there is plenty more to do."

Inuyasha nodded and watched as Miroku casually left the room. He picked up the package he had been holding and sat down on the bed. He ran his fingers over the weathered paper gently and tried to imagine his mother's reaction to, well, any of this. Whether she knew something more and just never told him. Whether she had ever actually felt bad for what she was doing or whether she didn't think twice. Whether she was upset that he'd been hurt yet again or more upset that his adverse reactions were basically public now after a lifetime of trying to keep it under wraps. Whether she was sad he was at the mercy of strangers or she was thrilled that her son was with a friend he didn't know she'd had. Someone she'd arguably trusted more than she'd ever trusted him...

For a few moments, he allowed himself to remember his mother full force. The good moments. The bad. The, well, motherly ones and the highly questionable ones too. Echoes of decisions he'd gone along with because he was a child and was afraid. Decisions that were coming back to bite him in the ass. Things that couldn't be fixed without causing problems for him and the people near him. People who might have issues but who actually seemed okay for the most part.

"What am I supposed to do?" Inuyasha mumbled to himself as he gently tossed the package onto the bed and groaned. He needed to focus. He stood up, shaking his head slightly and rolled his tense shoulders.

A walk. He needed to take a walk.