A/N: Hey you guys! Applauses for Bella with the last chapter! Now here is the fifth chapter of ATHME, by me, Daichi! I hope you guys like it and review it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter 5: Just when it couldn't get worse

"Are you serious? He did that?" Sango exclaimed in wonder, after I told her what had happened with Takeshi the day before. It was in the early afternoon of a glorious Saturday and we were at the malt shop in a small booth near the window. I sat apprehensive. We spent hours before scouring all the documents we could to find something to incriminate Takeshi with, but so far our efforts had turned up nothing.

"Kagome, don't worry." Sango laid a hand over my outstretched one, trying to reassure me. I gave her a strained smile but then frowned.

"I just wish I knew how he did it." I sighed angrily. "He's been charged with everything in the book and no one seems to get him behind bars for good! Not even my kidnapping." I closed my eyes, frustrated that nothing could be done. The one man who deserved the death penalty times one hundred gazillion was the one who walked freely at night. Since that day I found the note after the smoke appeared, I hadn't touched it. I didn't even want to think about it.

Sango sympathized with me. "I know Kagome. I think it's horrible that he's still out." She sipped her strawberry milkshake. "And what's worse, he's actually trying to assimilate into the social wellness of our society!"

"English, Sango."

She sighed, giving me a look. "I mean that he's trying to be like everyone else." She then gave me a look. "And him hugging you and talking to you that way is just gross." She wrinkled her nose at me. "Did you tell Inuyasha?"

I jumped. "No! I can't tell Inuyasha, especially not now." I had already explained what happened the night he had to go to the hospital and she shared my belief that it wasn't an accident. "If tell him, he'll be gone before I could talk him out of it. Then, he'll be the one in trouble."

Sango nodded and then spoke. "Are you sure we've looked at everything?"

I nodded. "I made sure to get documents from everywhere. The government's, the international archives, and every document that contained his name across the face of the planet!"

"Those are just documents. Couldn't we talk to somebody?"

I sat up straighter. "That's a great Idea, Sango! We can get a witness!"

Sango then shook her head, rethinking her idea. "One problem. We don't know anyone who might have anything to talk about, do you?"

I thought about it and a light bulb lit up in my head in a flash. We did have someone to talk to, someone who had already been directly involved with Takeshi, someone who would gladly give us information to incarcerate him for good.

We both smiled at the same time. "You thinking… what I'm thinking?"

Sango stood up, a smile wide on her face. "Oh yeah."

I grabbed my chocolate shake and drank the last bit before slapping a bill onto the table. It was enough for a good tip too.

"Let's go."

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We got to my mother's house in less than an hour. I hadn't been back since I had left after the wedding, so seeing my mom was a plus for me and Sango. She took care of Sango's brother while Sango went to college and she did it free of charge.

My mother was happy to see us. "Kagome, Sango! Come in, dears. I just made some brownies that you'll just love!"

My mouth watered as the smell of my mom's brownies reached my nose. "I'm happy to see you too Mom. How have things been?"

"Oh, it's been a little lonely without you, but I can't complain." I followed her to the kitchen, Sango trailing behind us. She turned to me and grinned. "Any grandkids on the way?"

I shook my head, laughing. "Mom, we're both still in school. Besides, kids can come later once we're settled down with jobs. Inuyasha still doesn't like getting money from his father."

She nodded, taking out the brownies from the oven. "I guess he wouldn't."

I grinned. "You know him."

She put a plate on the table, loaded with big, soft pieces of brownies. I couldn't resist and so I grabbed one, but Sango reached for the same one at the same time.

I narrowed my eyes. "Sango, if you want to keep living, let go of the brownie."

Sango narrowed her eyes at me as well. "Try me."

So we stood there, staring each other down as much as we possibly could. This was actually nothing new between Sango and me. When we both wanted something, we would stare each other down or something like that and the one who looked away lost.

Oh, and I should probably mention I always win.

"Fine." Sango conceded, letting go of the brownie. "You win."

"Ha!" I jumped and grabbed brownie and right when I was going to bite it, Sango grabbed my hand and smashed the brownie I was holding onto my face.

My mother sighed and walked out the kitchen, muttering under her breath about how we were going to waste such good brownies as she went.

I glanced at Sango as I removed the brownie from my face. She was laughing so hard that she was having trouble breathing.

"This means war."

I grabbed a brownie from the plate and just walked up to her, smothering her face with the warm, gooey brownie. She stood there shocked for a moment, but she grabbed another brownie and threw it at my shirt.

Soon, a whole brownie food fight ensued. Bits of brownies were falling everywhere, landing on their targets with gasps of "My shirt is ruined!", "My jeans! MY PERFECTLY GOOD JEANS!" and "You're gonna pay for that!" Battle cries came from both sides as the brownie pellets were thrown. The fight was so gruesome, my mother nor any of my family members didn't bother to stop it.

Finally, we both raised our white flags. Sango and I had exhausted our brownie supply and we ended up on the floor, all covered in brownie stains. I saluted her military style.

"Good work there, soldier."

Sango laughed. "Lame, Kagome." She sat up. "We acted like little kids again." She smiled. "It was fun."

I sat up and laughed. "Oh yeah. We should have more food fights like this to relieve stress, but how about next time we include Inuyasha and the others. They would love it."

Sango nodded, standing up and pulling me up with her. "Yep. But right now, we have people to talk to."

"What happened here?"

We turned at the sound of the voice and we saw that it was Kagura, shopping bags and all in hand. She looked at us as if we had lost our minds. But hey, maybe we had lost our minds.

"Kagura! Just the person I wanted to see." I smiled, folding my hands together.

Kagura grinned and rolled her eyes playfully. "And what do the children want now?"

Sango pouted. "We're not children."

Kagura laughed. "Then stop pouting like one."

I muffled my laughter when Sango realized she was pouting and tried to change her facial expression. I continued on.

"Kagura, we really do need to talk to you about something. It's serious."

She switched arms holding her shopping bags. "I'm supposed to take you seriously when you're covered in brownies?" She chuckled, and then added, "You did leave some right? Your mom's brownies are to die for."

"Kagura!"

"Okay, Okay!" she laughed and held her hands up in defense. "Let's just at least get you guys semi-cleaned up. I don't know if I can keep a straight face with you guys all dirty like that."

"Fine." Sango and I both groaned.

Sango and I hurried to the bathroom to try and get our faces cleaned up. Our clothes were already too far gone to save, casualties of the previously mentioned battle. Sango grunted at her jeans and then semi-glared at me.

"These really were good jeans."

I pointed to my shirt. "Well, this was a good shirt."

She stuck out her tongue and, being the child that I am, I blew a rasberry. Running out the bathroom, I ran to Kagura's room before Sango could catch me. Kagura was barely making it in, so I was saved by her presence. Sango wouldn't kill me in front of her. Right?

Kagura sat down on her bed and it was then I realized how much better she looked than the last time I had seen her. I think it was right before the trials (which didn't serve any purpose because the man of my nightmares was still prowling the night for me) and back then she had looked paler and frailer. Well, I guess she had survived a bullet shot.

"So what did you want to talk about, Kagome?" Kagura directed her question at me.

I sighed, suddenly serious. "It's about Takeshi."

Her hands clenched and her eyes narrowed. I'm guessing she doesn't like him at all. "Takeshi? What for?"

Sango answered for me. "He got out of jail, Kagura."

Her eyes bugged out. "What? I thought he was in for life!"

I shook my head. "He got out on parole. The justice system is screwed."

Kagura covered her mouth with her hands. "This is so not good. That man is a psychopath. I should know."

I sat down, some of my journalist characteristics coming out. "Do you by chance know anything about him when he worked with Naraku?"

Kagura nodded. "Oh yeah, he was a big name underground for a long time. He had the ability to weasel out of anything, and I mean anything." Kagura shook her head. "Naraku wanted him on his side because he was afraid of what he was capable of if he ever went against him."

Sango cursed under her breath, but I continued. "Do you know about anything he did that he was never tried for? Something you might have knowledge of?"

Kagura shook her head, disappointment written on her face. "I wish I had something that good. After Naraku started suspecting my loyalty, he didn't tell me much about what Takeshi did. All we knew is that he was the one to take care of his 'personal' business."

I nodded, letting the information sink in. "Hmm. Thanks for the info." I stood up abruptly and walked to the door. Sango followed suit, although

"Kagome," Kagura called, causing me to around. "I just want to mention that if Takeshi is after you now, he's probably acting on his own. Naraku has nothing to do with it this time."

I tilted my head, nodding. "That makes sense. There's no reason why Naraku should be out for me now." Well, aside from the fact that he's going to rot to hell in that jail he's in, but those are just minor details in the grand scheme of my short, seemingly too active life.

Sango looked confused. "But what could he gain with doing this? What exactly is he trying to accomplish now?"

I crossed my arms in thought. Sango was right. If Takeshi was after me now, it wasn't by orders of Naraku. There was something we wanted, and I'm sure he wanted it more now than ever. I leaned by the door and bit my lip in thought.

"Maybe he's after something different now," I spoke aloud. "But what could he be after?"

"Revenge?" Sango suggested.

I considered it. "That makes some sense. I mean, I did send him to jail and all. But why attack Inuyasha?"

Kagura tilted her head. "Inuyasha got hurt?"

I nodded. "It's a long story."

Kagura smiled. "I've got nothing but time."

And so I re-told what happened at the cottage a few days before. Kagura nodded as I talked and when I finished she spoke again.

"He might be trying to hurt him to hurt you. Whatever's your vulnerability, he'll use it to his advantage. He's seriously a pretty low guy. Hits below the belt, if you know what I mean."

I nodded. "Kagura, Sango and I are going to leave now. Thanks for helping us." I smiled and Kagura smiled back. I glanced at Sango and signaled her to the door.

We left without another word. I was sort of disturbed by some of the information we had just found out, although it didn't surprise me. There were so many things Takeshi had done in the past, some that were recorded and some that weren't. We really were dealing with a psychopath. I kissed my mother goodbye and Sango and I left.

Once in my car, Sango turned to me. "Kagome, why do you think he did hurt Inuyasha anyway?"

I shrugged, backing out of the driveway. "Well, when we were at Kikyo's house being hostages, Takeshi let something slip. He's usually pretty calm and cool, but he was beyond insane when he confronted me and Inuyasha. He was angry at Inuyasha for taking Kikyo away from him."

Sango's eyes bulged. "Kikyo? "

I nodded, my lips pressed together. "I'm pretty sure that he blames him for Kikyo liking him, and he blames me for putting her in the asylum. But I don't know why he would do that since he has a girlfriend now."

Sango shrugged and glanced out the window. "Maybe he's trying to get over it."

I scoffed at her suggestion. "Yeah, then why is he still acting like he's after my life?"

"I was just saying,"

I shook my head. "No, I think there's something way deeper here now. He acts one way one day and another next. I mean, he totally acts like he wants to…do something to me." The infliction in my voice made Sango turn to me and arch and eyebrow.

"Do? What do you mean by 'do'?"

I sighed angrily. "Sango, do I have to spell it out? It's what Miroku wants out of you every night."

Sango playfully punched me. "Hey, I was just kidding. I understood what you meant." Then, she added under her breath. "And Miroku doesn't want it every night. More like every other day."

I laughed. "But all the same, you don't give it to him."
Sango grinned mischievously. "Nope." She laughed and then became serious again. "Since when has Takeshi been acting that way with you? I mean, excluding what you already told me. When did it start?"

"Almost the day he came back. It's disgusting, really." I shuddered. "That's why I want him gone. I don't want to deal with him anymore."

Sango thought for a minute. "But why would he suddenly change from wanting to kill you to wanting to do that to you? Or maybe it's both now?"

I just shook my head, not bothering to answer. There were so many questions and not enough answers. The deeper we plunged, the murkier the water was getting. Nothing connected, nothing made sense enough to progress anywhere.

I dropped off Sango at her house a couple of minutes later. On my way home, I knew I would have to open that note Takeshi left. Eventually, I'd have to open and it, and better sooner than later. Hopefully, it could answer at least one of my questions.

Inuyasha was already home when I came back.

I glanced at him, realizing he was doing something in the kitchen. "Inuyasha, what are you doing?"

He turned around, giving me one those rare crooked grins. "Oh, just something for the world's most wonderful wife."

I chuckled, throwing my keys onto the couch. I tried to walk inside, but Inuyasha blocked me from getting inside.

"What?" I asked, crossing my arms. "Am I not allowed to go into my own kitchen?"

Inuyasha enveloped me in his arms and gave me one, long kiss. After he pulled away, much to my dislike, he noticed my clothes. "What happened?" he asked.

I laughed and sighed. "It's actually a pretty funny story. Sango and I—"

He put a finger to my lips before I could continue. "You can tell me after you've changed and eaten. I'll be in here if you need me." He let me go and walked into the kitchen, leaving me outside. I decided that the note could wait until after I got a shower.

I quickly got clean and changed into new clothes. I sniffed the air and almost died from how good it smelled. Whatever Inuyasha was cooking, I knew I would like it. Focusing away from the heavenly smell, I walked to one of the bedside cabinets, the one I had a key too. I took the key from the neck chain I kept on and opened the drawer. Only one thing was it there and that thing was Takeshi's note. I tore it open, preparing for the terrible things it might say. I read it silently to myself and I was sure surprised about what it said.

Dear wonderful, beautiful Kagome,

I cannot wait until I see you again and I'm sure you can't wait to see me. I know you're been trying to find out more things about me, but it won't work my devilish little devour. Don't do anything drastic now, my dear. It might end up with a knife in your back. I'll be waiting for the next time we embrace.

"What the hell?" I nearly choked on my saliva as I read the small, but disturbing note. Who the hell did does he think he is? Devilish devour? Embrace? Where the hell was he getting this stuff? Had he completely lost it?

I was so repulsed by the letter that I didn't notice the photos that had fallen out when I had opened the little enveloped. They were dated a while back, but what creeped me out was the fact that the pictures were candid photos. You know, the ones people take of you without you knowing? Well, he had bunches of them tied together. There was one of me at the restaurant where the fire had started, there was one of me lying down in my bed and the most disturbing of all was one where he took a photo of me changing. I wasn't really naked because only my back was showing and I still hadn't taken off my shirt all the way off, but come on! That is one seriously demented man. If it was up to me, he'd be right up there in the asylum with Kikyo.

"Kagome, dinner's ready!"

I nearly jumped out of my pants when Inuyasha called. I laid a hand over my heart to stop it from beating so fast and stood up to walk out of the room. Just as I was leaving, I couldn't help but glance over my shoulder.

Hey, I'm entitled to be paranoid when I have a freakin' stalker.

I tried to give Inuyasha a smile and it seemed to work, but inside, I was a mess. The food he made was delicious but that only made me feel worse. I felt like having Takeshi after me was like cheating on Inuyasha and not telling him was even worse. I went to bed troubled.

Inuyasha had already fallen asleep, but I was still wide awake. Before going to bed, I pulled all the curtains and made sure that all the doors were locked. It bothered me that someone could just invade my privacy and for me to not know. But I guess that's what stalking is, I guess.

As I laid there near Inuyasha, three things became clear to me. One, I was not going to get out of this as fast I had hoped, two, Takeshi had upgraded from bloody murderer to psychotic bloody murderer/ stalker and three, I was definitely in a way bigger hole than before and it was only going to get worse from here.

Screw my life.

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A/N: Hello again! I'm probably betting you guys want to know why this chapter is late, I suppose. Well, I was pushed behind on my writing for about a week. This chapter should have been finished last week, but between studying and HW (and I've fallen behind it that too) I couldn't even get one minute to spare. But I compensated, I think, with this chapter. So how did you like it? Was Takeshi creepy or what? I swear I got the chills writing that letter up there lol.

Maybe I'm getting too into my stories.

We're taking the story into a new direction, a direction I have never walked before. I think it'll work though. I have it all in my brain.

So, anyway, there's a new a poll on my website that I would like you guys to check out. There are a couple of stories that I have that haven't been updated, mainly because of the lack of response so now I really want to know: What story would you like me to update more frequently? Cast your vote to make sure you get your favorite story chosen to be updated to most. Details are on my profile.

REVIEW!

~Daichi