To every single reviewer. I can't thank you enough.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Ordinary

Chapter Seven: Found You

There was something crawling on her skin.

It was cold, wet and smelt of rotting and despair. Her skin tingled, gooseflesh appearing within seconds and a slow, agonizing shiver trembled down her spine.

Kagome had to do everything that she could to keep from screaming.

Ever so slowly she turned around, her body no longer looking at Inuyasha's sleeping form but towards the hotel room's door. Only when she looked at the door, she was looking through something else.

"Sasara?" Kagome whispered, her lips trembling. This was a nightmare if there was one. The ghostly image of the dead woman was leaning over her, her awkward angle no longer awkward since balance was of no importance. Her long blonde hair had fallen past her shoulders and her green eyes were dilated. She smiled sweetly, her eyes pleading for Kagome to relax.

Taking a few shaky breaths, Kagome smiled back. "I'm not used to this, that's all," she said, focusing her attention on the ghost. "It's not you, really."

Sasara seemed to be pleased at that and straightened up. Her mouth moved slowly and Kagome could see that she was speaking, but she still couldn't hear. Kagome shook her head, taking another deep breath. The voices in the very back of her mind were screaming and although Kagome had tried so hard to push them away, she let them consume her now. If she couldn't talk to the dead, the voices in her head probably could. She felt the loss of control and her limbs moved without her awareness. She could hear her heart beat fade as it slowed down. The dead didn't have beating hearts.

"Sasara," Kagome forced out of her mouth, surprised when the voices didn't say more over her. "Try again."

Sasara looked uneasily at her, as if she had somehow become tainted. Her wariness increased as she looked around the room, searching the walls, staring at doors…

"You're safe," Kagome whispered. "You're not in danger."

How could a spirit be in danger? Kagome thought it not possible, that Sasara's movements were automatic from her human life. Even as these thoughts occurred to her, Kagome felt the voices, so strong and sure consuming her mind, were not taking control. They were there, but not running her body. She was still in charge. The threat that once was seemed to perish; Kagome felt her power surge when she realized that the voices couldn't hurt her. She could use them to her advantage.

Finally, Sasara sat down on the bed where Kagome lay. Her figure seemed to float just above the sheets, but Kagome didn't stare hard enough to be sure. "He'll kill me," she whispered. "He'll kill you."

Kagome nodded. "I know. Who did this Sasara? Who hurt you?"

Sasara's eyes flew wide and she looked around the room hurriedly. "He's coming!" she whispered anxiously. "I have to go." Suddenly, she looked at Kagome with hard eyes and started to sing. "I am the dead. And you, the living. Breathe me back my soul and I will take you to a faraway place called home."

And then, she disappeared.

Tsuya was glad when the bell for lunch rang and her children jumped out of their seats, rushing to go to the cafeteria and eat their lunches. The only reason that she was happy, was because she was finally going to meet Soten Mizutani's parents. Soten, the child who was being tormented by the evil face and vibrations, was declining in school. She slept often, didn't do her homework, and when she did make any sort of scene, it was because her friend Koryo was bugging her and she was screaming for him to back off. Frequently, the young girl swore words that Tsuya was ashamed of and no matter what punishment Tsuya gave her, her attitude didn't change. Something was deathly wrong with the child, and as a teacher and friend, Tsuya knew she had to help.

Soten's father, Mr. Mizutani, arrived five minutes after the bell. He was sharply dressed and his expression was tight. He shook Tsuya's hand as she introduced herself. He took a seat across from her desk, his arms laying on the arms rests. Tsuya could tell immediately that he was a very concerned, but very devastated parent. She read his beginning emotions and tucked the information away for later. She had to get down to the bottom of Soten's pain and violence.

"I'm sorry, my wife couldn't make it. Someone called in sick and she had to work a double," Mr. Mizutani said. "But please, tell me what's going on."

"I can assure you Mr. Mizutani that Soten is a very intelligent girl. She works hard and is always very social in class. Why I called you here today is because all of these things are changing. She seems to sleep more in class than be awake. She doesn't do her homework and struggles in class now. Not only that, but I fear that Soten is isolating herself. She refuses to play with her friends and instead, draws outside alone."

"Drawing?" Mr. Mizutani asked, his face crumpling into a frown. "She doesn't like to draw."

Now that was a strange development. "She draws every day in my class. She has since the beginning of the year. Do you know what could be wrong with her? Any family issues or troubles?"

Mr. Mizutani gave her a sharp look but Tsuya spoke up again before he could respond. "And I merely mean about a recent death in the family or argument."

He shook his head slowly. "Not for a long while and Soten was always very happy."

"What's she like at home now? Do you see her doing homework?"

All of a sudden, Tsuya felt waves of embarrassment rolling off of him. He was embarrassed, angry and suddenly, determined to leave. His mind screamed the words 'leave now' and Tsuya knew she only had a matter of time.

"Both my wife and I work full time. We don't usually see her until after dinner. She has a nanny, who she is close with, and she's responsible for working with Soten on her homework."

Ah, one of those parents. Not that there was anything wrong with parents like that. A lot of parents couldn't help it but she could tell, just by the emotions rolling off of Soten's father, that there was more to the nanny's responsibility. It was her responsibility to make sure that Soten didn't need them for anything, so that they could be left alone to work, sleep and then wake up to do it all again.

He looked at his watch. "Well I do have to be going. I have another meeting. Thank you again for coming to talk to me." His tone was very polite as he stood up to shake her hand.

Tsuya thanked him for coming and smiled. "I'm just concerned for her."

"And I'm grateful for that," he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He felt around in his pants pocket and finally pulled out a white shiny card. "This is my business card. It has my cell phone, pager and email. If there's anything that I can do, please give me a call and let me know."

"I will," Tsuya said, making a note to keep his card. "Thank you for your time."

And with a wave, he was off. Their conversation hadn't last longer than ten minutes and there was still so much time left before class. She had hoped that the wife had been there, since nothing was coming off of the father. Was it the mother making Soten this way? Or, with her new information, was it her nanny? Tsuya knew she had to find out.

Grabbing her cell phone, Tsuya rested her head in her hands after she dialled the most familiar number in her world. A few rings later and she sighed. "Hi Nobunga, is this a bad time?"

Before she could even listen to his response, angry screaming came from down the hall. Suddenly, the door burst open and Soten appeared, her small angelic face contorted in rage.

She shrieked and grabbed a marker from her desk.

"Soten, what's wrong? Take a deep breath and calm down. What's wrong?" Tsuya asked repeatedly, trying to get through to the little girl.

Instead of answering, the little girl uncapped the marker and lunged at Tsuya, who fell back on the floor. She grasped the little girl and forced her up, but not before being attacked by the marker. Holding Soten on the ground to restrain her, Tsuya talked soothingly to the child. She knew if she called the father right now, things could either get better or worse. She thought about it, wondering what she was to do.

"Tsuya? Are you okay?" shouted Nobunga, her love, on the phone. She picked it up and told him that she would call him later.

Leaving Soten on the floor for a minute, she realized that the girl was back to silence, and her eyes never strayed from the floor, even when she talked to her. "Let's wash your hands," Tsuya suggested, knowing that black marker all over her would look suspicious. There was a sink and mirror in the classroom, and Soten let herself be taken away. Tsuya turned on the tap and watched her clean herself off.

It wasn't until she looked into the mirror that she realized that she would need to too. The number ten was scribbled in big, ugly letters.

"Why ten?" she asked Soten quietly, wondering what was going on.

"Bye, bye," the little girl whispered and smiled wickedly in the mirror.

"Enjoy your stay."

She was very good at her job. So good, in fact, that she was able to hide the sarcasm from every compliment, every meaningful sentence, and every pleasant thought. She hated being here most days, but her co-worker was having some problems and she was forced to stay. Miserable jackasses.

She sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. It was always so tense and tight. And her headache was back. It pounded from the back of her skull, throbbing all the way to the front.

"You okay, Mariya?" a soft voice asked and Mariya turned around, her hand falling from her neck and smiling.

"Yeah, I'm okay," she said, sighing. "Just another headache."

"You get them so often," the other receptionist said, frowning a little. "Do you want some aspirin?"

"Sure." Not like it ever helped anyways. Mariya Mashina always got headaches, and they were powerful and painful. Sometimes she had to be bedridden with all of the lights off. It could be difficult.

While the receptionist got her the aspirin, Mariya stared out at the lobby, memorizing the faces. It was something she often did, to stop the boredom. It was amazing what you could learn about a person from just watching. Suddenly, she turned to see a familiar man entering with a gorgeous smile and perfect hair.

She sighed again.

He was smiling and waving awkwardly at someone, his face tight with pain. A male with silver hair waved back and then disappeared out the door. When the silver-haired man left, he approached the desk and smiled. "I was told to pick up my key from here," he said smoothly.

"Oh, of course," Mariya said, smiling widely. "Just hold on." She disappeared for only a moment before returning to him, his key in hand. "Room 10-E?"

"Yes," he answered.

She handed him the key. Mariya distinctly remembered their old conversation and lightly touched her left ring finger, making sure the band wasn't there. "Your name is Miroku, right?"

He smiled. "That it is. And yours?"

"Mariya," she smiled. "I thought you were here with another woman?"

"Oh, that's my best friend. Her boyfriend just showed up a few days ago, you probably remember him. Loud, angry... He didn't like paying for his stay." Miroku sighed.

"Oh. Yeah. Him."

Miroku laughed. "Anyways, I should head up. Rest the shoulder."

He started walking away, and Mariya knew she couldn't let him slip away. "Miroku?"

He turned around, and she swore she saw a grimace on his face. It was quickly turned to a look of innocence, but it made her hold her tongue anyways. "If there's anything you need, just let me know," she added quickly and then turned back to her computer at the front. She had to stop this and calm down.

She was married for fuck sake.

"Kagome, why are you here?" Menomaru's voice was thick with grief. Another girl was dead at the hands of this bastard.

Kagome gave a small smile, only the side of her mouth twitching. From behind her, Sesshomaru appeared, looking at the sheriff. "I brought her here. Sometimes she can pick things up from the crime scenes."

"Really?" Menomaru turned around and shrugged. "She was murdered in her bedroom, but I guess you already know that."

Kagome nodded and put a small delicate hand on his shoulder. "We'll catch him," she whispered gently. "I promise we'll catch him."

"Can you read minds too?" Menomaru asked sarcastically.

Kagome dropped her hand and walked towards the house. "You know it," she called back to him, not looking at this face. She headed into the house, passing the coroner's assistants and forensics team. The house looked fairly creepy, truth be told, and she immediately felt the presence of something else. Something evil.

You don't deserve to be who you are. The voice filled the room, screaming in her ears. She continued walking towards the bedroom. Who you are.

His voice echoed through the hallway. Kagome continued walking through the house, getting closer and closer to the crime scene. Sesshomaru's large body was walking with her at a fair pace behind. He was silent and deadly, his power greatly hidden.

Hello Kagome, a dark voice hissed evilly.

Kagome shivered, feeling like she had just walked under a freezing air vent. "Who are you?" she whispered.

"Kagome?" Sesshomaru asked. "What's happening?"

She held up a hand to him, telling him to wait. She finally approached the bedroom door and stepped inside.

Fucking bitch she was, exclaimed the evil voice. She deserved to die.

"Why? What gives you the right to decide that?"

Have you heard my song, Kagome?

Kagome nodded, whispering, "Yes."

'And when I see you again, it'll be with arms wide full of love. And I'll see you again; it'll be the day I live for, even when I'm dead. With arms full of love, I'll hold you and kiss you. Love you forever until death do us part, and death will do us part, for I am long, long dead. I am the dead. And you, the living. Breathe me back my soul and I will take you to a faraway place called home.' Do you understand what I'm saying?

"Why don't you just tell me?" Kagome demanded, her body still shaking. "Who are you?"

You still don't see. Too bad. Sasara had high hopes for you.

Kagome's body went cold. How did he know about her communication with Sasara? "What the hell are you talking about?"

Be careful Kagome, the voice cooed.

Kagome shivered again. She rubbed her arms and took in a deep breath. A hand on her shoulder forced Kagome to jump and turn around.

"Calm down," Sesshomaru ordered, his voice cold. "What happened?"

"Just the voice," Kagome answered, looking down at the floor.

"Your imaginary friend?" Sesshomaru asked, confused. "I thought she was gone."

"I wouldn't call him a friend."

Sesshomaru gave her a sharp look. "It's a he?"

Kagome nodded.

"Why didn't you tell us?"

"I was sort of...distracted last time," Kagome answered truthfully. "I didn't really think of it. We haven't talked in a while."

"What was he talking about?"

Kagome looked at the bed, not ignoring Sesshomaru, but prolonging the moment that she would have to.

"Kagome?" Clearly, he was impatient.

"He was talking about how she deserved to die. That she was a 'fucking bitch'. I think... I think this voice in my head, this imaginary voice, is the killer."

"How can that be?" Sesshomaru asked. "Can't you only hear the dead?"

Kagome didn't answer him. Instead she walked toward the bed. The sheets and mattress had been pulled for evidence. The forensics had nearly finished. They processed the crime scene and were branching out to the rest of the rooms in the house, trying to get evidence of the criminal. But she knew. She knew that the body had been on the right side of the mattress, and that the blood dripping from the soaking mattress to the floor was just in front of her feet. A small square of the carpet was missing because of the blood spatter.

"His eighth victim," she murmured to herself. "She never saw it coming."

"What about her husband?"

She shook her head. "He was surprised to find the front door unlocked. He never knew. He didn't plan this."

"We still can't find him," Sesshomaru stated.

"We will." Kagome closed her eyes, opening her mind to the voices the swelled within her mind. "Soon."

A short ringtone forced Sesshomaru to tear his cold amber eyes off of her. The look on his face was an expression she couldn't describe. It wasn't fear of her, but fear of the unknown. He answered his phone.

A moment later, he hung up. "Menomaru wants us to meet him out front. His sergeants have some information. And the half-wit is out front."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "You and Inuyasha should go to couples therapy."

Sesshomaru turned and left, shaking his head as he walked away. "I won't grace that statement with a response."

"I didn't think you would." Kagome couldn't help but give a little smile. Just as she passed the doorframe, she looked into the large master bedroom, staring at the barren room. She hadn't been able to pick up anything at all. There were thoughts...anger... But her conversation with the voice said it all.

Inuyasha instantly walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her small frame, burying his face in her hair. "You okay?"

Kagome placed her hands on his chest, raising a brow. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

"No reason. I just dropped off Miroku at the hotel. He says he's going to call Sango and get some rest."

"Good. I'm glad he's okay," Kagome murmured. "The Voice came to me again."

"The male?"

She nodded and shrugged. "He didn't say much. Just that Momiji deserved to die."

Menomaru cleared his throat and the two turned around. "Sorry," he said, ducking his head over papers slightly, "but we should read this."

"What is it?" Sesshomaru asked.

"The forensics report. Every fingerprint that was collected at Sasara's crime scene was a partial, and none of them came back to anything we could use. Forensics picked up some fibres but came back to a few items in Sasara's wardrobe. So far, everything gained from the scene was a miss. Ruri just came back from the preliminary. Cause of death was what we expected. There's no bruising beside the damage caused by the hilt. She was not sexually attacked, but neither were any of the other victims, right?" He looked at Sesshomaru, who nodded.

"Why is that?" Inuyasha asked. "He attacks all these beautiful women. He attacks them always in a bed but his attacks are purely at the uterus and chest. Feminine areas, which suggests–"

"Either he's not capable of an erection or there're other reasons for why he's not sexually attacking them," Kagome finished, following Inuyasha's train of thought. "It is something that we can follow. Was there anything to suggest sexual activity?"

Menomaru looked over the papers while Sesshomaru explained. "Not with any of the previous victims."

"And not with Sasara," Menomaru concluded. "Shouldn't Kagura be listening to this?"

Sesshomaru nodded. "I'll update her later on our recent developments. We can discuss this further at the station. But Kagura's following a lead with one of your officers... Officer Minori Kobayashi?"

"What did they find out?" Inuyasha asked.

"We found Momiji's husband's car," Menomaru explained. "It was down the street. I had the officers spread the area and start knocking on doors. Apparently, one of them recognized his BMW parked out front. A closer look told us that he had actually run out of gas."

"And he was so close, he just started to walk home," Kagome stated. She tilted her head, feeling suddenly very strange.

"It's in the shop now, and I have forensics going over it as well," Menomaru said.

Found you.

Kagome took in a sharp breath. Her body hurt all over.

I found youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

Tears started to leak through her eyes. Inuyasha grabbed her quickly, realizing she was starting to fall over. She wilted in his arms, her breaths short and shallow.

"Inuyasha," she wheezed. "He's found me."

I knew this was going to happen. Inuyasha's words formed inside her head, but his mouth didn't move.

Kagome Higurashi, I found you. And now, you're never going to escape.

She choked back tears. "I can't breathe... Crushing me... Meno-maru. Husband's car..." Flashbacks flew through her mind, making her skull feel like it was going to explode. "He's...dead. Killer...showing me..."

Her mind was spinning. She threw up, unable to hold herself together any longer.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha yelled, flipping her over and holding her hair back. "Get a medic!"

And through all of the drama, Sesshomaru's phone rang. "We found the car," Kagura said on the other end. Her voice was grim. "We found the husband and he ain't going to talk – ever."

"Yeah," Sesshomaru sighed. "I know.

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