I'm not sure where to start. I originally posted this particular chapter in November of 2014. At the time I was in a turbulent relationship and while that relationship ended many years ago, it left me going through the motions for a long time. I'm not sure if anyone is still interested in Inuyasha fanfiction, it's been nearly 10 years, but I figured going through and trying to improve my previous works would be a good place to start. I haven't written for enjoyment in many years, so I'm not expecting drastic improvements in my skill and grammar, but if you enjoy please leave a review. And if you followed or favorited any of my stories all those years ago, let me know. I think that would be really neat. As always, thanks for reading. xx Silver Mist
Kagome could sense that she was being followed. She'd already made multiple turns in an effort to ditch her pursuer, but her red Honda didn't blend in easily in Tokyo traffic. Pulling out her iPhone, Kagome dialed the number of her best friend, Sango. She picked up almost immediately.
"What's up 'Gome?"
"I think I'm being followed." Kagome replied, as she made a sharp right turn. A horn honked in distress behind her, but she breathed a sigh of relief as she lost sight of the black corvette that had been tailing her for nearly half an hour.
"Kagome you need to call the police." Sango's voice was full of concern.
"I think I lost them." Kagome hesitated, "You know I can't go to the police Sango. There are too many dirty cops in Tokyo. They'll report me to Sesshomaru for sure."
Sango huffed in response, "I knew he was trouble from the beginning."
Kagome groaned, "I know, Sango. I'll be home in a bit."
"Alright," Sango paused, "Please be careful." With that the girls exchanged goodbyes and Kagome slowly relaxed as she distanced herself from the city. Traffic began to thin out and soon Kagome was humming along to the radio; only to be cut off by the sound of her cellphone humming. She picked it up, and without taking her eyes off the road, answered it.
"Kagome, Sesshomaru isn't finding this game of cat and mouse amusing anymore."
"Go to hell Bankotsu." Kagome replied sharply before hanging up and chucking her phone into her purse.
A gas station shone in the distance. I need an energy drink, Kagome thought to herself, too many restless nights. After putting her car in park, she locked it, and headed inside. The small convenience store contained rows of assorted junk food and beverages. In the corner an elderly cashier sat scratching off a lottery ticket. After paying cash for her drink and a pack of gum Kagome quickly headed out to her car. It was nearing midnight, and she was the only one in the lot. She held her keys in her right hand in a defensive position. She didn't see anyone. There was only a lone car, presumably the clerks, but she'd been on edge since thwarting Sesshomaru's men. Always paying in cash, always worried he'd jump out of the shadows. She took a deep breath. I'll be home in half an hour. I just need to stay alert until then.
She hit the unlock button on her key fob, and her car beeped in response. Settling into her seat she immediately locked the doors and began fumbling with the ignition. The lot wasn't well lit, and as she reached up to press on the interior dome light she caught sight of cobalt eyes in her review mirror. A powerful arm wrapped around her neck and a cold metal barrel rested on her temple.
"Please-" Kagome struggled for air, "please don't hurt me. I'll give you whatever you want. My purse is on the floorboard."
The tanned arm relaxed slightly as the man removed his black ski mask.
Kagome's eyes flashed with recognition, "Bankotsu, how did you get in here?"
"You learn a few things when you do what I do." He shrugged, "Now, let's get you back to the boss."
"Why can't you leave me alone?" Kagome spat, "Sesshomaru has plenty of women. He doesn't need me."
"I don't get paid to ask questions." Bankotsu replied, nonchalantly. "Now, show me your hands." Kagome raised them slowly and he fastened the cold metal handcuffs to her dainty wrist.
"Crawl over to the passenger side." Kagome, with a lot of effort and a string of curse words complied. Bankotsu slipped into her vacated seat with considerably more grace.
"Sango's going to realize I'm gone."
"Who's she going to call?" Bankotsu retorted.
Kagome huffed in frustration and stared blankly out the window. The sinking feeling of dread creeping in as she wondered just what Sesshomaru had planned for her.
It was nearly two hours before Bankotsu parked the car outside an unmarked and clearly abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of a city she didn't recognize. She had tried her best not to doze off, but it was nearing 2 o'clock in the morning, and despite the adrenaline rush, she'd not slept well in the weeks following her escape.
"Keep quiet. You know the drill." Kagome waited until he came around and opened her door. She groggily followed him, careful to take in her surroundings and hoping it wouldn't be the last time she'd see the outdoors. The warehouse had a pungent woody scent. Kagome guessed it was an abandoned distribution center for building supplies.
He led her into a side room attached to the main hub of the building. A single bulb illuminated an empty chair. "Sit down."
Kagome looked at the rope in Bankotsu's hands and back at the chair. He gave her a menacing look; she met his gaze with a stubborn spark. I can't just give up so easily, she thought, searching desperately for anything she could use to defend herself as he approached. Her chocolate brown eyes landed on a piece of lumber sitting on a nearby workbench. With her wrists still handcuffed it would have to do. She stepped back into the bench, grabbing the lumber like a bat, and swung wide with everything she had. A normal human would have crumpled, but Bankotsu was strong, and the hit merely dazed him. Kagome took advantage of the precious seconds and ran. Heart pounding she could hear Bankotsu let out a string of curse words behind her. He was already up and heading in her direction. More footsteps filled the space. "Don't shoot!" Bankotsu shouted, as she weaved through crates, "The boss will want her alive!"
Kagome continued to run, weaving through crates, narrowly missing skidding into a work bench, when an arm suddenly wrapped around her waist and a clawed hand covered her mouth, forcing her scream to die in her throat. A hushed male voice whispered into her ear, "I'm going to get you out of here. I need you to remain silent and stay here until I can remove you from the premises." Kagome silently nodded against his hand in response and held up her handcuffed wrist. He responded by carefully gripping her wrist and applying pressure to the chain with his thumbs. Kagome let out a sigh of relief, grateful to have more mobility, when the chain snapped. She turned to give him an appreciative nod. He met her gaze with molten amber eyes and a lopsided grin. Silently, he lifted the top of a shipping container and motioned for her to climb inside. Slipping a bullet proof vest in with her before replacing the lid and disappearing out of view. She shrugged the vest on over her cream sweater and listened carefully for a sign to come out. A few bullets had gone off, but by the sounds of it nobody had been injured, yet.
Retreating further back into the recess of the crate Kagome held her breath and silently prayed that her scent wouldn't be noticed by the demon scum that worked for Sesshomaru. She was lucky it had been Bankotsu sent after her. He was strong and skilled in combat but he was only human. She shuddered at the thought of Hiten being sent after her. He was loyal to Sesshomaru, but the thunder yokai was merciless. The sounds of gunfire grew nearer. She didn't dare leave the confines of the crate, worried she'd be spotted or caught in the crossfire.
Someone obscured by the shadows whirled by. She thought she caught a fleeting glance of Bankotsu's braid through a gap in the crate. Kagome held her breath. Then a tall figure walked by, slowly, calmly, despite the whizzing sounds of bullets and frantic shouts of those that had been shot. Kagome's blood ran cold as she realized Sesshomaru was mere feet away from her. She knew with his keen nose he'd be upon her in seconds. With nothing but a lousy bullet proof vest and an old damaged shipping crate between her and his wrath.
Leaning down to face her he motioned for her to come out . She sat frozen in fear. His eyes narrowed minutely. One clawed hand removing the ill fitting lid and the other swiftly latching around her throat as he pulled her up and out of the crate. Kagome's eyes widened in fear, she gripped his wrists trying to hoist herself up to relieve some of the pressure, letting out a half sob. His hold on her tightened and cut her off, but the sharp ears of Inuyasha and his nearby crew-both human and demon alike- registered her futile call for help.
Sesshomaru grew agitated, Kagome grew limp in his hands. He adjusted his hold on her, easily cradling her weight with one arm, and deftly jumping up to the tops of the rafters. Dark bruises began blooming across her neck, marring her pale skin.
Inuyasha shot up while his teammates covered his back. More of Sesshomaru's cohorts had crawled out of the woodworks and were keeping the team thoroughly busy. He landed up on the rafters. "Let her go Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru simply sat stone faced, "Have you forgotten little brother." Sesshomaru replied calmly, with a bite of edge, "I am the eldest. I order you."
Inuyasha lunged forward only to be alluded by his brother's quick reflexes. "Damn you." He swung again, missing and punching a hole through the roof.
Inuyasha wouldn't have believed it if he hadn't seen it, but his half-brother smiled. A subtle wicked smile, but one nonetheless. He now stood beneath a brilliant moonlit sky. The light streaming in highlighted his striking features. Inuyasha gritted his teeth and made one more futile attempt to strike down his older brother, only to be thrown back against the warehouse wall. He growled in frustration, which only seemed to amuse Sesshomaru.
His ears perked up to the whirling sounds of blades. Suddenly a rope ladder dropped and Sesshomaru held on with his free hand, giving his brother a curt nod, before being pulled up. Inuyasha launched himself up onto the roof. The ladder, attached to the helicopter already being pulled up. It retreated too quickly, and the hanyou let out a string of curse words on the way down. He let out a frustrated sigh as the helicopter blinked out in the distance.
I'm going to find you.
I promise.