Trap of Darkness

A/N: Welcome back to Trap of Darkness. I'm your authoress, Kitty. This story is a joint effort between me and LADY SILVERFOX aka charita rai. We do not own Inuyasha, but we'd sure love to own two certain characters. We own all rights to our OCs, one of which will be introduced in this chapter. Enjoy reading and don't forget to leave a review. Thanks!

Two

Sesshōmaru and Inuyasha both rode in the family's sleek black limousine, complete with black leather seats and mini bar. Inuyasha was glowering with crossed arms on the front bench seat just behind the driver, the furthest he could get from his older brother who sat on the back bench seat. Sesshōmaru leaned his elbow on the backrest of his seat, his cheek resting against his fist as he looked out the darkly tinted window. The way he disregarded Inuyasha's angry presence twisted the younger prince's mood darker. Sesshōmaru's mind was far too occupied to deal with his moping brother.

The speakers gave a strange little crackle, just like the ones back at the palace had, before a different song began to play. It was 'Don't Tread on Me' by Damn Yankees.

'Freedom rider on a midnight cruise

On my way I got nothing to lose

Sister mercy gonna take my hand

Lead me over to the promised land

But you'd better not set your sights on me

'cause it just might spoil your victory

Don't you dare, don't you tread on me

Don't you tread on me

Don't you try and make some fool of me

Don't you tread on me.'

Sesshōmaru's thin black brows drew together ever so slightly at the choice of song. It was almost as if someone knew exactly what he was thinking, as if they were toying with him, and he didn't like that thought at all. It couldn't be a coincidence that the driver happened to play that song. Someone must have hacked the systems. They might have even installed video cameras in the car in order to mess with his head even further. But where?

'We walked the ground of ancient ones

Lit the fire with the rising sun

You and me, we got a full on rage

Won't get fooled, no I won't be caged

Make love not war was your claim to fame

Now you're takin me down, well I won't be tamed

Don't you dare, don't you treat on me

Don't you tread on me

Don't you try and make some fool of me

Don't you treat on me.'

Sesshōmaru lifted a hand to the intercom system just above him and pressed a button.

'Turn it off,' he ordered the driver.

'B-but, Sesshōmaru-sama, the radio isn't on,' the chauffer stammered fearfully.

The scent was palpable that it caused Sesshōmaru to frown and Inuyasha to shift in his seat.

'What are you saying?' he demanded, becoming agitated.

'I-I d-don't know where t-the song's coming f-from. B-but I assure you, it's not from the radio.'

Sesshōmaru's anger rolled off his body causing Inuyasha to growl agitatedly at him.

'Would ya knock it off?' Inuyasha snapped. 'You're being grumpier than usual.'

His unfeeling golden eyes clashed with Inuyasha's anger filled ones. While Sesshōmaru remained still and appeared to be relaxed, there was a tension to his muscles that hadn't been there before. Inuyasha was able to make it out due to knowing his brother better than anyone else, which both disturbed and angered him. Sesshōmaru was far from pleased with how Inuyasha could seem to read him so openly at times. What was to be expected? They not only lived together, they went school together, and they worked together. Though Sesshōmaru appeared a mystery most of the time, even to Inuyasha, Inuyasha was an open book. He was too easy to decipher, and that was one of the things that pissed Sesshōmaru off. Their enemies could take advantage of Inuyasha's predictability.

'Bastard,' Inuyasha muttered when he went back to looking out the window.

'Stop acting like a brat, hanyō,' Sesshōmaru spat venomously.

'What the hell's your problem? Do you want a fight?'

'As if you're capable of keeping up with this Sesshōmaru,' he said mockingly.

'What was that?' he growled, balling his fists.

'Have you lost your ability to hear correctly? Or was you always that dumb?'

Inuyasha glared harder, a growl emitting from his throat.

'We've arrived, Sesshōmaru-sama, Inuyasha-sama,' the chauffer interrupted as the car slowed to a stop.

The brothers continued to glare at one another until the left side door was opened.

Getting graciously out of the car, Sesshōmaru stepped out into the chilly air that promised rain. His cold eyes eyed the high school with disdain before making his way towards it unhindered. He was aware of Inuyasha's presence behind him as he too made his way towards the school but chose to ignore him. He'd only ever acknowledge him whenever he needed a good sparring partner since everyone else was lacking. While he needed to spill someone's blood, Inuyasha's blood would not be able to help with his sudden bloodlust. The only blood that would satisfy him would be this intruder's.

Right now, his need to hunt this intruder down was hindered by this pathetic school.

Taishō High was a high school, built and owned by the Taishō family, that was made in order to cater for both humans and yōkai in the ability for both species to be able to coexist alongside one another. Up until their early twenties, both yōkai and humans had to attend the school before they could be deemed safe amongst the rest of Japan's citizens. It was a rehabilitation school that was a must. Foreigners and those that had been isolated, or had no contact, with the other species had no option but to attend.

Sesshōmaru and Inuyasha had both been isolated from humanity for far too long that neither of them had a choice about attending the school. The pair of them were very reluctant to attend but their father would not accept 'no' for an answer. And until they had been deemed safe amongst the yōkai and human public, they could not leave the school until their early twenties. But since they would never age any further, they'd be there forever until they both pass the test.

Sesshōmaru's presence filled the hallways as his towering six-foot-two frame sauntered towards his classroom. His right hand twitched with the need for blood, but otherwise nothing else looked amiss. Everyone had gotten used to him wearing the traditional ballooned hakama and haori rather than the modern clothing. He even carried his fluffy thick pelt over his right shoulder. The things lacked from his outfit was his armour and swords that Tōga-ō had forbidden him from taking with him. His father feared that he would slaughter anyone that would make him mad if he had his swords with him. As for his poisonous claws, he had threatened Sesshōmaru to having his abilities sealed if he as much harmed any of the students, be they human or yōkai.

Inuyasha shuffled behind him, hands stuffed into his kimono sleeves. Like Sesshōmaru, he was more comfortable in the traditional garb. Rather than the white that was associated with the Taishō family, his was red with an off-white layer beneath. He normally carried a sword at his hip, but that had been confiscated alongside Sesshōmaru's. To ensure that he behaved, Tōga-ō had threatened Inuyasha in the same manner as Sesshōmaru. Unlike Sesshōmaru, Inuyasha knew what it was like to feel like a human, so his agreement came a little quicker even if it was reluctant.

Sesshōmaru slid the door open with force, enough for the slap of door hitting frame to interrupt the teacher and the students' concentration.

'S-Sesshōmaru-sama,' the teacher said bowing low upon his arrival.

Without a word, the oldest prince made his way to the back of the room with heavy footsteps.

'Inuyasha-sama,' the teacher said disapprovingly as he stepped into the room. 'You're late again!'

'Hah? Why the hell do you only yell at me? Say something to Sesshōmaru too! He's just as late!'

'Must I report you to Inu no Taishō-sama?' he threatened.

'You're kidding me?!' Inuyasha said in disbelief. 'It's not my fault a fire started at home!'

'That's enough of your excuses! Please take your seat!'

Inuyasha grumbled something like 'bite me' as he sauntered off to his seat in the middle row, boxed in by two beautiful black haired women and a brown haired one, and a black haired one he'd rather choke to death. The one he really felt like choking gave him a sexy 'come hither' smile. He clenched his fists at his side, glared hatefully at her and slouched grumpily into his seat. Stuffing his hands into his sleeves, he turned his face away from the teacher if only to turn away from glaring at the woman who had betrayed him, broke his heart, and almost killed him. To think she still had the guts to say that she still loved him.

He just wanted to strangle her to death.

His golden gaze found a pair of blue eyes watching him with concern. His hate and sour mood lightened at the young male whose short black hair was pulled back into a small ponytail.

Miroku was the only one that Inuyasha could truly call a friend. They not only worked together under Sesshōmaru, depressingly, but they helped each other out in anything else. They partied together, they got in trouble together, they suffered from weakness, humiliation, pain and heartache. They've shared their secrets with one another. They trusted each other. They do anything for each other. That's how their friendship was. When one was in trouble, the other would always back them up. Inuyasha knew that he could count on him when things got rough. After all, he was at his side when Kikyō betrayed him like the filthy slut she was.

Inuyasha gave him a reassuring smirk his way before turning his attention to the outside of the classroom.

Stepping out of the gate, Jasmine was overwhelmed by the immensely thick crowd. Uneasy washed through, as well as a tinge of annoyance. Taking a deep breath, she steadied her emotions before wading through the crowd pulling along her suitcase behind her. Tightening her grip on her handbag as the people walked too close, Jasmine fought down the urge to push through the crowd. Never the violent one, the temptation was easily snuffed out.

Ten minutes of dodging and weaving around the ignorant Japanese people and tourists, she finally walked out the rotating door to the outside. There was a parking bay for drop offs and pick-ups. There was even a parking lot for those that had to wait for a while. What she was looking for was a taxi that was supposed to be picking her up. It had been arranged prior to her departure for Tokyo, Japan, by someone with the name of Myōga who said that upon arriving to Tokyo, she would be taken straight to Taishō High for rehabilitation. Of course she had questioned this being twenty-one years old. But he had said that it was a law for foreigners to attend to prove that they are safe enough to handle the new environment and laws of yōkai and human. Unable to argue against going to a high school, which she researched and found it catered to those up to their early twenties, Jasmine had bid the man goodbye and hung up.

And now she was here.

She came to this overwhelming city, dubbed as Yōkai City due to the overflowing population of them, in order to learn meteorology at their university. Her initial plan had been hindered by having to attend a stupid rehabilitation school, but at least this way she can get a feel of the place before deciding anything rash, like permanently moving to Tokyo.

'Where's this stupid taxi? I was told they'd meet me out front.' she said in English. 'They better not be late.'

'Miss Samaira,' a Japanese male called out, saying the name as 'Sam-ear-ra' with a heavy accent.

Jasmine turned and eyed the middle-aged man holding a cardboard with her name on it in block capitals.

'English?' she questioned taking a tentative step towards him.

'Yes, ma'am,' he answered. '…headed for… Taishō High…?'

The obvious breaks in his speech told her that he was still unfamiliar to the English language. At least it was good enough for her to understand him, and hopefully, vice versa.

'Yes,' she answered with a fake eagerness.

He smiled. 'Let…take…luggage,' he said reaching for the suitcase.

She surrendered it over to him without a fight

'.…this way…'

She followed as he led her to his parked taxi that sat right at the bottom of the stairs. She wanted to slap herself at not noticing him before now, but then she blamed the crowd that had swarmed around her. He courteously opened the door for her, with a smile so wide it looked like it would split his face in half. She felt uneasy at the look but got into the car anyway. He closed the door, effectively trapping her in. The slam of the boot made her jump in surprise. Relaxing herself into the seat, Jasmine took out her smartphone from her bag and plugged her earphones into her ears and played 'Make me Lose Control' by Eric Carman.

Her anxieties faded away as the music blared into her ears, drowning out everything else. She watched the streets of Tokyo fly by, the road bumpy. Yet, despite this, she felt lulled as her eyelids kept dropping, only for her to snap her eyes open. The right between wakefulness and sleep continued on for a couple more minutes before her head lolled to a side and she gave into the soothing darkness behind her eyelids.

Word meanings

Sama – is a respectful title, and is used as 'Lord' whenever Sesshōmaru, Tōga-ō, and Inuyasha are spoken to or about (sometimes Inuyasha will be called master rather than lord).

Hanyō –half-demon half-human