AN: I appreciate you all for following along with this alternate modernized story. I love and hate cliffhangers. But I love even more, the visceral butterflies that I feel once embracing the fall.

Have fun reading and remember, not everything is how it appears. :)

Before she could look up at whoever nearly tackled her to the ground, he was already standing; fingers wrapped tightly around the barrel of a gun, pointed directly at the strangely disfigured man. "W-What are you doing here?" Rin stammered. Her eyes landing on that long jet-black braid that dangled low. "Bankotsu!"

"Saving your ass." He turned to her down below.

Rin was visibly trembling, heart beating erratically as her entire body succumbed to the effects of fight or flight. It was numbing. Completely expelling the knowledge of the pain from her fall. Her vision sharpened over the transformed beast, in complete disbelief that this in fact was not a dream. It was inconceivable. Not even just the fact that there was a reptilian-like man standing in front of them, but the realization that she, for whatever reason, had nocturnally predicted this. And if that be true, then what of everything else? "What the hell is that thing?"

A low and deeply sinister cackle emanated from that deceiving-unearthly beast. "Why don't you ask me yourself, Miss Rin?"

She stiffened. Eyes agape. Seeing in its eyes a hallow and emptiness that no man should hold. They were spiritless, lacking even an ounce of reason. "H-How do you know my name?"

"Look you, I've already killed one of you shits the other day and I'm not 'fraid to do it again," Bankotsu's grip tightened even more, fingers blanching over the barrel now. "Stay back!"

"I am here for the girl," it's vertical slit pupils sharpening over her trembling frame before turning to Bankotsu. "Your interference, a small yet inconvenient obstacle I'd be remiss to turn a deaf ear to."

"L-Leave him out of it!" Rin asserted, standing to her feet, nearly tottering over again. "I-It's me you want, right?"

The grin that formed on its face was most certainly unpleasant. "Wise of you to comply."

"You will not touch her!" Bankotsu's eyes and pointed position unwavering, "Rin, he will kill you. Get behind me."

"B-But..."

"NOW!"

Rin quickly stepped back behind him with just enough of a view to see the grin on its lips quickly vanish.

"What do you want with Rin?"

"A pity your heroic efforts are solely in vain."

Before she could blink her eyes, the beast's elongated slitted tongue darted out rapidly, encircling around Bankotsu's wrist-pulling him face forward onto the hardened ground in an oof. The sudden and booming sound of a gun shot pierced her ears as she covered them, crouching low. Opening her eyes she saw the creature already on top of him, slowly slithering its tongue around Bankotsu's neck. She froze, thinking that maybe now would be the best time to run. She darted her eyes around them, viewing if anyone had been walking by or silently observing.

Not another soul in sight.

Before she began taking a step back, in any hope of escape, she looked on at the scuffle before her. Bankotsu had his tightly gripped fingers around the creature's tongue that was tightening over his neck. He was fighting. Fighting hard with a stern look of determination in his eyes, face slightly bruised and redden. She could not leave him like this. To die by the hands of such a savage demon. He was like a demon, if she had ever knew one. But she was helpless. Guilty even, that his blood would likely be on her hands.

'Plan B," she thought, visually searching over the area again for any kind of blunt object. She could at least knock it over the head, releasing Bankotsu. 'There!' she spotted a thick fallen tree branch several yards away. Time was limited. Succeeding through this indeed was a narrow path. Nonetheless, these creatures had wreaked havoc in this city. Someone had to put a stop to it. Sesshomaru and his family were allegedly busying themselves towards that goal. But no one seemed to have noticed this one's presence. But that too, in fact, could be, as she had pondered, because they were disguising themselves as... human.

Rin had inched herself closer to the fallen tree branch without notice. Closer now, before regrettably stepping over a pile of fragile twigs, crushing them under her feet. She quickly darted her eyes over to the pair and the beast already had its eyes right back on her. 'Kuso!'

Bankotsu wisely took this split second of an opportunity to reach for the fallen gun just an arms length away from him. With the last bit of his strength left, he quickly clutched it in his right hand- aiming it directly inside the predator's opened mouth. Without hesitation, he pulled tight, firing the weapon straight through its head. Greenish-brown warm liquid and flesh splattered over the surrounding area, including his face, arms and chest, before roughly tossing the lifeless body off of him, onto the ground.

Rin surveyed him, voiceless and full up of sudden relief, as he stood proudly- drenched in blood, gore, and sweat.

He walked over, beginning to survey her too, ensuring that she was unharmed. He paused in his steps, seeing a pale pigmentation wash over her face. "Rin, are you okay?"

Rin rapidly blinked her eyes. Her vision grew increasingly blurry. Legs weakening and heavy. The corners of her vision slowly diminished as she began to feel weightless. Through her narrow greyed sight, she saw Bankotsu now, running towards her before everything around faded into blackness.

Rin heard the faded echo of Kagome's voice near her. Her head was throbbing and she squeezed her closed eyes tight, tossing and turning a bit in what felt like a familiar setting.

"Rin! Rin, are you awake?"

"Mmm... where... where am I?" She replied, moaning.

"You're home," Kagome responded. "You fainted."

Rin slowly opened her eyes, seeing the perturbed face of Kagome's as her physiognomy soften in relief.

"How are you feeling?" Kagome inquired, placing the back of her hand over Rin's forehead. "Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"No, no. I'm fine," she reassured, sitting up in bed. "How'd I get here?"

"I carried you." She heard the voice of her savior as he walked over from her kitchen, holding a glass of water in his hand. "Here, drink this."

"He saw your cellphone flashing in your purse near you after everything had happened," Kagome reached to grab Rin's hands, squeezing tightly there, as the corners of her eyes began to fill with tears. "I had called you several times and even came here to see if you had returned from the plaza. When I didn't see you here, I got really worried."

"And she told me where to go." Bankotsu added.

"So it's true then! You were attacked by one of those creatures?"

"They are not ordinary creatures," Bankotsu reminded. "They are demons!"

"I know what you said but, demons aren't real, they can't be." Kagome replied.

"Well according to the legends, they were called yokai and they lived and dominated over humans, ranking highest in the food chain," Bankotsu lectured. "History recalls that at some point in time during the early modern area, or during the enlightenment period, they were slowly killed off; eventually eradicating them, thus- erasing them from history."

"But it's just a myth." Rin countered.

"That's what they want you to believe," he replied, taking a seat on the bed, adjacent to the two who held their expressions nonplussed. "Look, I use to think I was just a conspiracy theorist. I studied on the ancient yokai throughout my time here at Scottman. The library has a small section on that area of history. Although the disclaimer is quite clear that it is all speculation."

"I suppose that has to be the explanation of all the missing and injured people around here," Kagome pondered. "We have to tell Inuyasha and Sesshomaru about all this. All the time searching, it would kill me to hear that Inuyasha or any one of them were hurt."

"Yes! You're right," Rin agreed. "Every day I worry about them. At least they have the law force on their side."

"The police already know everything!"

Both girls simultaneously turned back to him and exclaimed, "What?"

"There are reports every week about those demons. The first one I killed I called them right away. Once they arrived at the scene, it was obvious that not one of them, and there were plenty that showed up, seemed surprised in the least bit," Bankotsu continued. "And the entire time I was thinking, this is a fucking demon! What are they doing about it and why hasn't the public been informed."

"Oh, my God!" Rin exclaimed, placing her hand over her mouth.

"This is terrible!" Kagome remarked, wiping at her tear-stained cheeks.

"My guess is that it is their way of decreasing the likelihood of an uproar or public panic. Or even avoiding it entirely, probably thinking they can just deal with it on their own."

"Well, we know they can be shot down. Being that they are aware of what they are, they're doing their best to keep us safe, right?" Rin presumed.

"Not if Bankotsu was able to kill two of them on his own." Kagome deduced.

"I believe in Sesshomaru and Inuyasha. I trust that they are safe and helping them deal with this issue."

Kagome half-smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Well I hope your friends, er- my brothers, know what they are getting themselves into," Bankotsu concluded, standing to his feet. "Something must be done about this."

"Thank you again!" Kagome said, reaching over to grab his hand before he walked towards the front door. "You saved Rin. We are indebted to you."

"Of course," he nodded sternly. "Iv'e always thought of Rin as the precious type. How could I pass by such an opportunity to save someone as beautiful as her."

Rin's eyes widened, red discoloration filling throughout her cheeks.

"Uh..., right." Kagome stammered awkwardly.

"But in all seriousness, I would have done it for anyone. I come from a family of many proud, strong brothers. I can take a fight. Any day."

"Thank you," Rin smiled in reply. "I really appreciate your help tonight."

"Be safe ladies," he winked and turned toward the door. "See you on campus."

Kagome turned to Rin and placed her palms over the sides of her head, endearingly. "I'm so happy you're okay Rin."

Rin smiled, placing her hands over Kagome's. "Thank you too, Kagome. You've always been there for me."

Kagome pulled her into a tighten embrace, "Of course. And I know you'd do the same for me."

Rin returned her hug and breathed deeply, thankful to be in a safe space again. She slowly pulled away and gazed up at her best friend. "Now what?"

Kagome's smile faded then and her brows lowered. "Rin?" She questioned, eyes focused on her; fraught with an urgent sense of worry and confusion.

"Yes." Rin quickly replied.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Tell you what?"

Kagome frowned and looked off to the side, away from her as she mentally analyzed her next words before beginning. "You know something, now that I really think of it, that night after that rather strange family dinner, I spent some quality time with Izayoi. I even followed her back to her private rooms."

Rin nodded for her to continue.

"She made it so easy to talk to her. She even let me sit in her fancy vanity chair and softy brushed and braided my hair while we talked," she recalled thoughtfully. "I was so comfortable there that I totally forgot she was even Inuyasha's mother. Almost like how it is with you and me." She turned to face her again. "Before she pinned up my braid, a servant came by to hand her a set of clips. The clips slipped out of her hands somehow and Izayoi rushed to pick them up, kindly reassuring the servant that it was okay."

Rin smiled, "I'm happy to hear that she is so nice to be around."

Kagome nodded and paused, shifting her eyes elsewhere again, lowering her brows. Her eyes danced about frantically and she bit down on her lower lip, hesitant even.

"But what bothers you then?"

"I saw something that I didn't really know how to explain that night. I was looking at the reflection of us through the mirror when she reached for the clips. Her kimono slipped a bit, down passed her shoulder and I saw these, like, glowing purple marks at the junction of her neck," Rin stiffened, observing Kagome point directly at the same exact location on her own neck. "I probably wouldn't have noticed it at all if it wasn't for that glow. When she stood back up, she quickly covered her shoulder and it just slipped right out of my mouth, "What is that?", I saw her look towards the servant and back at me and you know what she said then?"

"What?" Rin abruptly asked; her focus at the mercy of Kagome's revelation.

"It is best that I inquire about it with Inuyasha."

"Kagome?"

"At first I thought I was losing my mind and how awkward it would be to bring up anything relating to intimate marks like that on his mother's body, so I just brushed it off," Kagome continued. "But interestingly I recalled how heavily I felt, or rather sensed Toga's presence all around her in that room and he was not in the room with us. It didn't make any sense at all. I could somehow discern Toga's spirit. It was calm and welcoming. It made me feel safe. And tonight I could sense something entirely different, like in the air if that makes any sense. It was unnerving and eerie. The presence of it was all over you and Bankotsu."

"How long have you been able to sense things?"

"I've always kinda had sensations or like mental nudges. Like a feeling or even a knowing of when danger is near or specific people to stay away from," she explained. "But I have never felt it as strongly as I do now. It's like so much of our lives has changed since the arrival of those brothers, and somehow it all makes sense still."

"Hmm." Rin pondered. Kagome was definitely on to something. Sesshomaru's own mother instructed her to stay near her son, as doing so had some connection to her newly found gift of prophecy. Rin paused then, pondering even the more. If her dreams were in fact prophetic, then what does that mean of Sesshomaru?

"But you know what really doesn't make any sense?" Kagome professed directly; reaching over towards Rin's right shoulder, removing the part of her shirt that was covering her own mark. Rin sharply gasped. "...The fact that you not only have a similar mark, but the presence of Sesshomaru is all around you also,"

"Kagome!"

"...it's so strong so much so that it's like he is right here in the room with us. And with everything going on, I would have expected you to tell me something. Tell me what that mark means at least."

"Kagome," Rin reached to place her hand over her shoulder. "I did not understand it myself. It just happened so fast and... and.."

"And it felt right." Kagome answered.

"Yes, yes it did!" Rin realized; tracing her delicate fingers over the sensitive flesh on her neck. "It's difficult to comprehend it."

"You know, I always seem to find Inuyasha like, inhaling me there, in the same place actually. He almost acts like a wild hungered animal. Or kinda like a...a...,"

"Dog?" Rin surmised. They both paused; staring at each other for a brief moment.

An instant synchronous guffaw erupted from their lips; relieving a bit of the tension that rested over this night.

"Yeah, sure. I wish, because then I could tell him to SIT BOY!"

"That's...," Rin, near breathless and hysteric. "that's genius!"

"Ha! If only that were true." Kagome's laughter diminished as she pondered again. "But seriously, how and why," she pointed out, "did that get there?"

Rin bit her lower lip, rubbing at the back of her neck; hesitating a bit. "Well, uh... he kind of um, bit me."

Kagome coughed, near choking on her own saliva. "Excuse me?" Rin responded with a nod; eyes glued to the floor, somewhat embarrassed. "Wait, you're serious?" Kagome observed Rin nod again. Kagome stood to her feet, beginning to pace the floor. "Okay, so, okay, WOW, um... hmm."

"Kagome! If Izayoi shares the same mark, and from what we both have witnessed, whatever the purpose is behind it we can trust them, right?"

Kagome paused in her pacing and began rubbing her index finger and thumb over her chin contemplatively. "I've figured it out!"

Rin, still seated on the bed, raised an inquisitive eyebrow up at her skeptically. "Uhh... you what?"

"About what they are all about. Yes! Those myths are true as well," she deduced triumphantly, pointing that same little index finger upward. "They're damn vampires!"

Rin blinked her eyes rapidly, as if that would somehow form even an ounce of logic from Kagome's absurd revelation. "That's the best you could come up with?"

"Oh, come on. Think about it," Rin watched her nearly sprint back toward the bed, sitting across from her; actively waiting to hear her best-friend's attempt at selling such a ludicrous assumption. "Their hair! Think about the color and how perfect it always looks. And even those golden eyes!" Rin's brows lowered as she mulled over it all as well. "And don't forget the fact that their father, who is at least 20 years older than them, pretty much resembles them in age."

"Hm, you do have a point there." Rin agreed thoughtfully. "And remember right after my last dream that morning, Tōga was rather firm about not sharing details of where they live and the names or descriptions of the servants in their house."

"Yeah, I thought that was kinda odd. But then I thought, well, maybe they're just really private people."

Rin shrugged her shoulders, "I mean can you blame them... just look at their home."

"Hm," Kagome pondered. "But that still doesn't explain the reason to go around biting people!"

Rin puckered her lips thoughtfully; nodding in agreement.

"Oo...! I bet they're in a secret cult or something."

Rin stared at her incredulously. "Kagome, you were better off just calling them vampires."

"Either way, it may explain the reason for their extended absence. What the hell could they be doing out there anyway? If what you both saw was in fact a demon man-creature thing, it seems that anything is possible."

"But, they are assisting our local law-enforcement." Rin reminded.

"For over two weeks?"

"Yeah, I know," she frowned. "I haven't heard that much from Sesshomaru and it doesn't feel right being physically apart but, I trust him. Do you trust Inuyasha?"

Kagome half-smiled, warm liquid pooling underneath her eyes again. "Of course... of course I do. There is no changing that."

Rin reached for Kagome's hands, giving her a light squeeze. "And I'm sure throughout all of this we both can be useful for them. Either through my dreams or your heightened senses."

Kagome nodded in agreement.

"We will figure this out! As long as we stick together, right?" Rin visually traced over her now contemplative expression. 'What is she thinking of now?'

"Oo! I bet they were all purposely bit by some radioactive spider!"

Rin rolled her eyes, chuckling. "I can't with you." She stood to her feet, heading towards her small kitchen.

"Oh, come on Rin."

"Next thing you're going to say is that they're aliens or something." Opening the door of her refrigerator, ignoring Kagome's mumbled retort. "Do you want a snack or something? I don't think we'll be getting any studying done tonight or tomorrow."

Suddenly there was a loud knocking on the door.

Kagome stood quickly to her feet, startled. "Rin, it's..."

"It is me!"

Rin turned from Kagome, heading straight towards the front door, quickly opening it. "Sesshomaru?"

There he stood straight, his eyes cold. His face was tight, as if he was fighting desperately to control any outward emotion. He was followed by Inuyasha and they equally looked physically drained.

Sesshomaru brushed past her, entering the small apartment as he visually inspected it frantically.

"Are you guys okay?" She heard Inuyasha ask as he entered.

"Yes, yes we are." Kagome stood, walking over toward Inuyasha.

Rin had her eyes on Sesshomaru as he silently concluded his search. "Sesshomaru, is everything alright?"

"Who was here?" He boomed.

Rin stiffened, wondering how in the world he could have known.

So... I hope you laughed towards the end!

How will Inuyasha and Sesshomaru react when they find out what kind of night the girls have gotten themselves into.

Stay tuned ... :)