A/N: Daichi here, back with another chapter of ATHME! I'm glad a lot of people liked it. Please, you guys, spread the word about the story! Get more people to review! Authors like Bella and me love reviews! It's what we thrive on!

Disclaimer: (Ugh, we totally forgot this in the last chapter! I hope no one comes looking for me yet…) neither I nor Bella own Inuyasha! Though I am sure it's one of our greatest dreams! *cries*

Chapter 3: When Justice fails you

It was Inuyasha that woke me up the next morning. Groggily, I pushed his hand away several times before finally getting up. He was already in the bathroom, probably washing his teeth with baking soda from the wine we had last night. (I had ordered two glasses apart from our regular drinks with the first waiter, but he drank both of them.) I walked to the bathroom and poked him.

"Inuyasha, can't you take a hint of when I want to keep sleeping?" I asked, hands on my hips.

He rinsed out his mouth and turned to me, chuckling. "I love you too, Kagome." He leaned in, probably just for a light kiss, but I had a better idea. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed back, not letting go. Finally, when we needed the air, we separated.

He laughed. "What a way to start the morning." He glanced at his watch. "I have to go now. Class starts in half an hour and yours in one hour. You might want to get ready."

"Oh, okay." I kissed him on his cheek as he left the bathroom. Dejectedly, I looked at myself in the mirror. I touched my now shoulder length hair and sighed. If only I had a hair-growth serum for it. I loved how long it used to be, but now… I decided not to think about it and to take a bath. After last night, kami knew I needed to shower.

As I showered, I wondered whether or not the fire was an accident. It had come from the kitchen, so it probably was one. I was just glad nothing really bad happened to me or Inuyasha. I came out the shower and dried myself quickly and walked into my room. I turned on the television, watching as the news channel came on. I walked into my closet to put on my clothes, when something in the media caught my ears.

"There was another break in the fire at the La belle restaurant last night. It appears that it was arson, but the police have no suspects or leads. It occurred around nine last night, and burned the kitchen as well as part of the dining area. It will be closed until further notice."

Arson? The fire was a set up? I paused as I grabbed my socks and my shoes. I didn't want to believe it, not one bit. It had to be a coincidence; I was done with all the drama of my life. Especially the life-threatening part. I quickly donned on my shoes and grabbed my books and headed to my car.

Oh yeah, I had forgotten to mention my car. You see, Inuyasha's wedding present to me was this fabulous, green, and oh-so updated sports car! He knew how much it had pained me in my senior year of high school to practically be the only senior without a car. I was so happy that he had remembered.

It made my little package of cologne look like crap.

I got in and quickly turned the key in the ignition. As I drove to the college, my thoughts wandered again to the fire from last night. I convinced myself it was nothing to worry about. All the people who wanted me dead were either loopy in an asylum (Kikyo) or locked up behind bars (Naraku and Takeshi). There was absolutely, positively no reason to think that the fire had been started to endanger my life.

Right?

I parked my car close to the main entrance and pulled out my schedule. My first class was Journalism, since Inuyasha convinced me to take up my passion for it once more. I also had an art and photography class, along with a Math and English. I also had a creative writing class to boost my essays for Journalism. I was a little rusty from not writing all those years, but things were finally lightening up on me. I had no job to keep up with, but it sort of made me sad not to see all my friends.

I checked my watch and realized I only had fifteen minutes to find my class. I so did not want to be late on my first day of college and I had to admit, it was like High School all over again. The butterflies, the anxiety, the sight of people barfing into trash cans on their first day... you know. All the regular stuff.

I took a deep breath to calm the butterflies that were performing Chinese acrobatics in my stomach and walked in. I glanced around and was mesmerized by how gorgeous the college was. I nodded to myself, completely satisfied with my choice. Ayame and Kouga had no idea of what they were missing.

I quickly found my way to my first class, Photography. Imagine the squeals that were heard when I saw Sango already sitting down. Miroku was there too, but most likely he had taken the class to be near Sango. Go figure.

"Sango, I'm so glad we have a class together!" I squealed, receiving many glares from the rest of the people who were in there. I glared at them and they quickly turned around to mind their own business.

Sango jumped up and down. I think there was still a lot of High school insomnia in us. "I know, I was totally wishing up and down that you and I would have a couple of classes here on campus! Do we have any others?"

The rest of the time was spent pouring over schedules, much like how we used to do it in High School. We figured that out of our six classes, we had five together. The only class we didn't have was Art, but it was the last class of the day. I could make it without Sango there, couldn't I?

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I walked into Art somewhat unsettled, but that might be because of my paranoia. All day in my classes I had been hearing about the fire from the restaurant. I had kept my mouth shut about being there though, because I didn't want to attract attention to myself so early into the semester. I took my seat near the window, facing the other building, where Inuyasha probably was. He was majoring in business and finances, but to me, that career path suited him. Just like how mine fit me.

Hmm, if I thought about it, all of my friends seemed to have chosen a major that suited them. Well, everyone except Miroku maybe. If there was a lecherous major, he would have been the first to sign up. Sango was majoring in Landscape Photography. (Her dream was to be able to get her pictures on the back of postcards. To each their own.)

Ayame was majoring in Fashion designing, while her fiancée, Kouga, was also majoring in business and finances with Inuyasha. Ayame's dream (which was summed to be Kouga's dream also) was to own her own store, full of clothes of her own design. She also wanted to make her own trademark and clothesline. I understood why she would want that.

You might ask, what's my dream?

Well, I think I already have it. My dream was to get married with the man I loved and live happily ever after. So far, it's all been good, but if I had to choose, I would love to make my own newspaper or magazine. Journaling would always be the thing with me.

I had completely zoned out when suddenly, I felt a chill in the air. It was vaguely familiar to me. I brushed it off, already freaked out by other things. Besides, I was having a good time thinking about mine and my friends' dreams and futures.

But then I heard his voice, and even if I had tried really hard, I wouldn't have been able to keep the fear out of my eyes.

"Kagome, dear, you cut your hair. The new look suits you."

I could never mistake that silky, falsely soothing voice. I stood up and faced my worse fear embodied in human form.

Takeshi's strange, and piercing, violet eyes held me almost in a spell. He was still as handsome, his hair ruffled up in a roguish way that made all the other women in the class swoon. To me, it was the symbol of his rebellion, his cold and uncaring brittleness. It made the hairs on my neck stand up at full attention.

My voice was shaky, but I tried to not let it show. "What are you doing here? You're supposed to be in jail!"

Takeshi clucked his tongue and placed a finger on my lips to silence me. I was so shocked that I didn't move. His finger was cold and almost lifeless. "Now, Kagome, I'm sure your mother taught you not to yell other people's business, didn't she? It would be a shame for you to yell my business right now."

I slapped away his hand and glared at him, the fear replaced by anger. "You're a bloodthirsty murderer, Takeshi. I don't give a damn of what you think." I hissed. I took a step back, but he took a step forward. He gave me an easy-going smile.

"I was let out on parole because of good behavior." Suddenly, he frowned, something very uncommon for him to do. "I have no reason to hurt you anymore. I am a changed man, Kagome."

Yeah and I'm the queen of Sheba!

"You don't really expect me to believe that? After all you did?" I hissed, whispering very loudly. He glanced at the others before smiling at me once again.

"I'm not here to hurt you or mess up your life, Kagome. Just think of me as a normal, functioning adult in society." He turned and walked away to sit in his seat, not waiting for my response. I was still kind of scared at him being in the same room. What were those parole people thinking releasing Takeshi? He was a murderer, A FREAKING BLOODTHIRSTY MURDERER! I'm not crazy for thinking this. I AM NOT CRAZY

I stood up from my seat and made sure I was as far away from that man as I could be. Class started, but my thoughts were a jumble and a mess. I couldn't believe that the man who had wanted me dead so much had actually gotten out of jail and in the same college as me. It was too coincidental to just be a coincidence. Besides, he had a knack for acting like he was the role model of the community. I didn't believe any of the stupid crap he tried to sell. I felt like crying. It was all too much for me to handle at one time.

Suddenly, my phone vibrated and I picked it up to see who it was. It was a text from Sango.

Kagome! Omg, I just saw you-know-who! Get out of there now!

I snorted and texted back openly, since the teacher didn't even say a thing.

And what? Give him the satisfaction of seeing me running away with my tail between my legs? No sir, not me!

She texted back in less than a minute.

So what do u want to do?

I bit my lip in thought. The only way to be prepared with a murderer was to know everything about him, down to the type of toothpaste he used. If I could dig something up from his past, maybe I could find a weak link in his chain, and if I could find that weak link, maybe I could figure out how to get him in jail again, and this time, without parole.

We're digging up some dirt tonight, Sango. Meet me at 'the echo' k? Bring your laptop.

The phone buzzed again.

Ok, but why?

I smiled devilishly.

You'll see!

I leaned back in my chair, a smile of victory already on my face. My plan was brilliant, foolproof even. Takeshi was going to be sitting behind bars even if it was the last thing I do. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I failed to notice that class had finally ended. I stood up and grabbed my things, intending to get out of there fast. On my way, I bumped into a girl.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I—"

When I looked up, I thought I was looking at Takeshi again, but I quickly realized it was a girl. She had jet black hair that was cut short, a little above her shoulders and that was adorned with a small red bow.. Her eyes were also the same violet of Takeshi's eyes. She frowned at me and pushed me out the way.

"Move it or lose it, princess."

My mouth fell open as I watched the girl walk up to Takeshi, grab his shirt and pull him down to her lips. It was really a disgusting sight to see someone actually touch, let alone, kiss that deranged man.

I ran out to my car, got in and put the pedal to the metal. I got home faster that I would have thought. Inuyasha, who left earlier than me from college, met me with a smile and a kiss.

"How was your day, Kagome?"

I tried to smile but I sort of grimaced. He pulled me toward the couch and we sat down. He held my hand and looked at my seriously.

"Kagome, what's wrong?"

I tried to downplay it. "Oh, nothing, nothing at all! Everything's just fine!"

He rolled his eyes. "Kagome…"

I really didn't want to tell him for two reasons. One, he was going to flip and start acting super possessive (but I don't mind it much) and then number two was that he would try to get me out of my plan, even when he knew it was the perfect plan. Still, he's my husband; I don't think I should keep secrets from him. He might start accusing me later that I had lied to him or something, and Kami knows I don't need any additional drama in my life. I laid out the bomb, praying that he wouldn't overreact too much. I held his hand tightly.

"Takeshi is back."

Inuyasha stilled, and his eyes locked with mine. For a second, I thought he was okay, but surddenly he stood up, the anger in his eyes prominent. He was at the door before I could register anything.

I jumped up after him. "Inuyasha, where are you going?"

He turned around, still livid. "Well, obviously, I going to find Takeshi and break his face."

He started to open the door but I blocked the way. "Inuyasha, I know you want to beat the crap out of him and I'm not against it or anything, but think before you do it!" I grabbed his hands. "According to the community, Takeshi is just another, regular adult. If you do anything, even if we both know he's a killer, it'll give him the chance to throw you in jail." I squeezed his hands, my eyes searching his. "Don't give him that chance."

He sighed and I let go of his hands. He ran a hand through his hair. "Then what the hell are we supposed to do? Do nothing? Kagome, we're gonna be like sitting ducks!"

I pulled him into the living room again. "I know, Inuyasha, but that's why I have a plan." I grinned and he raised an eyebrow.

"What kind of plan?"

I avoided his gaze. "Oh, it's nothing big, really. We're just going to find something that will definitely incriminate him and put him behind bars for good. You know, go through his personal files."

Inuyasha crossed his arms. "Nothing big, huh?" He pinched the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb. "Kagome, are you hearing yourself?"

I frowned. "At least it's safer than going and trying to beat him up."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes again. You know, that was really getting on my nerves. "Even if you could do it, how would you break into his personal files?"

I grinned. "Inuyasha, there are some things I can do that are better not spoken of. I had an old friend who taught me how to hack into computer systems and what not. I think I can handle it."

"Let me guess, Sango is helping you with this, isn't she?"

I smiled wide, watching him as he sighed. Suddenly, I felt his arms around me. I wrapped my arms around him as he kissed my hair.

I hugged him tighter. "Inuyasha, you don't have to worry. I'm not going to let him get to me this time. I'll be ready."

Inuyasha pulled back and gave me a light, chaste kiss. He grinned crookedly. "Kagome, do you think I doubt you? I'm just a little… overprotective, I guess. With what happened last night with the fire…"

"Did you hear that it was arson?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I did." He cupped my cheek in his hand. "Can't you see, Kagome? I'm just worried. I don't want to lose you."

I gave him a small smile. "You won't, I promise." I stretched and gave him a kiss. He returned the kiss with as much fervor, his hand leaving my cheek to entangle itself in my hair. I tried to convey to him in that kiss that I was his forever and that I would be okay. I just wanted him to feel better. I wrapped my arms around his neck as the kiss deepened. All thoughts left my brain as he placed his hand on my hips, pulling me closer to him.

I knew we were getting carried away, but who cared at the moment? Not me. He started to pull me closer and closer to our bedroom, but right when he was going to say the words, my phone rang loudly. I jumped and so did Inuyasha.

Inuyasha looked at my phone with an upset look. "Damn."

I giggled and took my phone out. "Inuyasha, I have to go. We'll continue this later." I gave him a devilish smile, but he pulled me back to him. He pressed his lips to mine once more and then let me go.

"That's a down payment." He grinned, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

I laughed and walked to the door. I waved to him as I closed the door, and I thought I saw his face morph into worry again.

I sighed. Nothing would really calm him down.

Hurriedly, I walked to my car and returned the call I had ignored. Sure enough, it was Sango who had called. She was always the one to interrupt my intimate moments with Inuyasha.

"Kagome? I've been waiting for half an hour! Where are you?" she whined.

I huffed. "I'm on my way." I opened my car door and shut it once the car was on. I kept the phone on my ear as I backed out onto the dirt road leading to my house.

"Great!" she squealed. After a moment's hesitation, she asked. "I wasn't interrupting anything, was I?"

I rolled my eyes, even though she couldn't see. "Well, what do you think?"

Sango got the message. "Oh my gosh, Kagome, I'm so sorry! I'm a horrible friend! I won't even let you and Inuyasha—"

"Anyway," I interrupted loudly, before she could go on. "Do you have everything I asked you to bring?"

"Yep! My computer is charged and ready to go."

I smiled. "Great. I'll be there in ten."

"See ya."

I hung up quickly as I made it onto the highway. It was fifteen minutes later that I finally got there. Sango was sitting on the rooftop of her car, typing on her computer. She saw me and smiled.

"Hey, Kagome! Are you ready to tell me what we're going to be doing?"

I nodded, leaning against her car. "We're going to hack into Takeshi's permanent record and figure him out. I have to be one step ahead of him if we want to get him behind bars."

"Hack? But Kagome, I don't know how to hack into anything!" She looked at me.

I grinned once more as I grabbed her computer and set it on the truck of her car. "You're not. I am."

She watched in amazement as I began to browse the internet. First, I needed to make sure no one could trace us back to this computer. I pulled a flash drive from my pocket and inserted into the computer. It would mask the IP address so no one would figure out who did it. After I made sure we were untraceable, I hacked into the city's permanent files. It took me a while to get past all of the walls and passwords, but eventually I was able to pass into it. I quickly pulled up Takeshi's file. Multiple red writing was on it.

"Got it!"

Sango glanced at me and then back at the file. Takeshi's picture was on it. "Kagome, I will never doubt you again."

I waved a hand at her. "Yeah, whatever." I pointed to the screen. "Read this, Sango,"

Sango read out loud.

"Takeshi Terra—has been charged with multiple arson charges, multiple murder charges and drug possession." She read on by herself. "This guy's been in and out of jail his whole life! And there," she pointed to the screen. "He was charged and convicted of murdering a little girl." Sango looked disgusted as I shook my head.

How the heck was this guy out and about?

I scrolled down the screen. "It says here he was let out on parole after five years. The people who let him out kept raving about how decent and changed the man was. Changed my butt! How could they so stupid?"

Sango shook her head. "He's manipulative, isn't he? He had the whole council wrapped around his finger."

I nodded. "And he did it again." I slammed my fist onto the car, making Sango jump. "This is ridiculous!"

Sango sighed. "I know, but what can we do? The justice system won't take a look at him unless we can prove that he did something wrong, that he slipped up."

I glanced at her, crossing my arms. "Last night, Inuyasha and I went out to eat at this really fancy French restaurant. La belle, if I recall correctly."

"Isn't' that where that fire was?"

I nodded. "I'm sure it was him! How coincidental can it be for him to magically appear the day after the fire and day it's announced it was arson? His file says it all," I indicated to the computer screen. "Arson must be his favorite pastime."

"But how can we prove it? They already let him out of jail twice!" Sango wailed, crossing her arms as well.

It was getting dark, and the stars were starting to come out. I looked up, admiring them. "When justice fails you," I paused, glancing at Sango. "You have to take justice into your own hands."

"I hope you're right, Kagome." She sighed, looking at the stars with me. "I really hope you're right."

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And so we did take justice into our own hands. Takeshi had a very extensive file so we decided that we would meet at my house the next day to keep looking at his stuff. I told her that we could use my home computer this time. I was about to turn away, when I saw something glint off her finger.

"Sango?" I grabbed her hand, a smile creeping onto my face. "Did Miroku finally—?"

Sango beamed. "Yes, he proposed to me last night! I was going to tell but you seemed so worked about the Takeshi thing and I thought you had enough on your mind."

"What?" I squealed. "How could you even think that? This is great news!" I hugged her tightly. "We have so much to do! Have you thought of who you want to be your Maid of Honor?"

Sango nodded. "I want you do it, Kagome."

My jaw dropped. "Me? You want me to do it?"

She smiled nodding.

I was surprised, since I thought she wanted Ayame to do it, but wow! Maid of Honor? I squealed and jumped at the idea. I hugged her extra tight this time.

"Sango, you're the best! I promise it'll be the best wedding ever!"

Sango laughed. "I thought you weren't going to be available, because of Ayame's wedding, but since she's planning it by herself I knew you could do it."

I laughed. "Yeah, I offered to help Ayame but she's very confident. She didn't want to do the whole 'Maid of Honor' thing. She's being very untraditional." I remembered our last conversation about it. "It's going to interesting." I laughed.

"Well, I have to go, Kagome. I still have to tell Ayame and Kouga."

I nodded and let her go. "I'll see you tomorrow at my house! Right after classes!"

She nodded and waved, getting in her car. I walked to my own and got in. I checked the backseat, just in case. I shook my head at my paranoia. It was senior year all over again.

I drove back home, thinking about what I had found out. Takeshi was actually convicted of a murder, a little girl no less. Imagine what he could do to me? I shuddered at the thought. Hopefully, this whole thing would blow over soon. I pulled onto the driveway and parked the car.

I walked inside and found Inuyasha asleep on the couch. I smiled as I watched him. Even when I had seen him sleep so many times, he still took my breath away. I grabbed a blanket from the hallway closet and draped it over him. I walked into the kitchen, and was about to prepare dinner for when Inuyasha woke up, when something caught my eye.

I was shocked into silence when I saw it. It was draped gracefully over a note. I grabbed the note and opened it up with shaky hands.

Watch your back, or someone might just stab you there. Beware, your enemy is near.

It wasn't signed, but I didn't even have to see a signature to know who it was. I picked up the flower knowing exactly which one it was. A monkshood. Its blue petals were vibrant, as if it was freshly picked and there were no signs of it dying.

He must've been here just before I got here. Maybe he even saw me before he left. I shuddered as different scenarios morphed in my mind. I carefully laid the flower on the counter and walked to where Inuyasha was.

Very carefully, I checked to make sure he was alright. Nothing was out of the normal. I sighed in relief and closed my eyes. I was hoping he would only target me, but it seemed that it wouldn't be that way. I laid my head down near, Inuyasha, the food in the kitchen all but forgotten. Tears came unbidden and I cried softly, so as not to wake Inuyasha up.

Suddenly, I felt arms around me. I glanced up to see Inuyasha looking at me with worry.

"What's wrong?" He gave me a small kiss on my forehead and he wiped the tears away from eyes.

I clutched his shirt. "Oh, Inuyasha, why does my life have to be so complicated?" I buried my head into his shirt and continued to cry, louder this time. He just held me tight, whispering, soothing me.

By the time I stopped crying, I was so tired that my eyelids were drooping. The last thing I felt was Inuyasha carrying me to bed. He leaned in to whisper in my ear.

"I'll never let anything happen to you."

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Daichi: So what do you guys think? Was this good? Please review! The story is getting a lot more deeper!

So what's Takeshi really up to? Has he really changed for the good or has he changed for the worse? And who's his girlfriend? Does Kagome have to be careful around her too? Tune in for the next chapter!