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Finding Kagome	By : MetsukiKaraTen Category: InuYasha > Het - Male/Female > InuYasha/Kagome Views: 8806 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, nor make money from this story.

Chapter List
- 31
- 32
- 33
DISCLAIMER: I do not own InuYasha and company, however I
DO own an overactive imagination...

Finding Kagome

Chapter
Thirty Two

InuYasha
sat on the massive stairs of the Inudono mansion, a solitary spot of
black interrupting the pristine whiteness that glowed with the rising
sun. He reflected on the events of the past 12 hours. One thing was
for certain, this modern era was fast paced, and it allowed little
time to think.

The
fog had begun to break early, and it left a mist that pooled around
the foothills like low smoke. His ears twitched under his hat,
following the early morning sounds of birdsong, distant surf, barking
seals, and off in the distance, the increased drone of the city as
it awoke and stretched with the new day.

He
closed his eyes, and imagined Kagome as she would pull herself
slowly, hesitantly from her slumber. . . just as he had watched her
do so often. . . a lifetime. . . only, now seeing her as this
woman. It wasn't hard to do. She may be a different person,
but she is still. . . my Kagome. . . Kami, but she is beautiful. .
.

Though she was taller now, he had still needed to bend
to touch noses with her. Reflecting on that moment brought a smile
to his face. The way her eyes lit up when he had done it, surely she
had to have some memory of him.

The
way she moved toward him almost immediately when he beckoned her,
even though he was a virtual stranger. Yeah, she remembers.
. . and what she didn't, he
would help her to.

He
just needed to get loose from the tether that Sesshoumaru had on him.
A motorcycle was his ticket to freedom from the jackass. Kami only
knows what the asshole was cooking up with Kagura for his benefit. He
hated being made to feel like he was an arrant child, and they had
done a good job of rubbing his nose into it last night. The
fuck head had to know better than to get between me and Kagome. . .
he's just as arrogant as he ever was, to think he could actually
stop me.

But
now, InuYasha 'owed' him. He cringed as he wondered what devious
punishment Sesshoumaru would come up with. Once again he
sees me as a bad puppy in need of a spanking. At least this time
swords wont be involved. He promised no more bloodshed.

A motorcycle made its way through the gate and around
the drive, pulling InuYasha from his reflections. It was a blockier
model than the one he had seen on the way to the opera, and it made
more noise which caused his ears to flatten.

“Dude!
Don't you ever fuckin' sleep!?” Clint called as he cut
the engine. He set the kickstand and dismounted, removing his
helmet. Dark glasses hid his eyes, but by the grim set of his mouth
InuYasha could see he was not in a good mood.

“Caleb
Inudono made the KFI morning news. . .”

The
hanyou cocked his head, not understanding. He shrugged, and adjusted
his hat against the glare of the sun, unprepared for the assault he
was about to undergo.

“What
the HELL did you think you were doing??” the
tutor approached him removing his gloves then stood just below him
with hands on his hips. “It's all over the news!! EVERYWHERE.
. . SHIT, man. . . That station is in L.A.!!” he lowered his
head putting the butt of his hand against his forehead, “The
idea, InuYasha. . .” he looked up removing his
sunglasses to glare at the hanyou with dark swollen eyes, “was
to stay low profile!”

“There
was nothin' 'low profile' about that damn opera,” the
hat adjustment hadn't solved his problem, so he brought a clawed hand
up to block the sun.

“I'm
not talking about the opera. . .” Clint climbed the three steps
separating them and sat next to InuYasha. Scowling at the sunlight he
put his sunglasses back on but they didn't help much. He leaned
forward with his elbows on his knees, tilting his head at his
student. “Why the hell did you kick out a plate glass window?”

“Oh.
. . Sesshoumaru told you about that, huh?” frowning, InuYasha
suddenly found the traffic crossing the bridge fascinating as he
avoided Clint's scrutiny.

“No.
. . not a word. . . I just now heard about it. . . on the
radio?!?” he snapped his fingers in front of InuYasha to
get his attention, “what the fuck were you thinking??” At
the affront of the snapping fingers, InuYasha glared at him for a
nanosecond, then looked down and away.

“It
was Kagome. . . some guy had his hands all over her. . .” he
mumbled. “Sesshoumaru said he took care of. . . the mess. He
said I owe him.”

Clint
studied the hanyou for several moments. He wondered if there was more
than a broken window that his employer had needed to 'take care of'
and it made him cringe inwardly.

He
knew Kagome was the girl that InuYasha had needed so desperately to
find that first meeting, and though he had been pretty certain before
she was a love interest, now he had no doubt. Underneath his tough
facade he was sympathetic, but a point had to be made here and he was
determined to do so.

“You
wanna spend the rest of your life with Big Brother wiping your ass?”
he asked the hanyou pointedly. InuYasha turned his scowl on the man.
“That's what it amounts to, you know. . . Shit like that will
get you locked up. Especially in town.
. .”

“Look, I didn't see any other choice, alright??”
InuYasha spat. “He wasn't going to let me follow her. . . but.
. . I had to. . . ” he trailed off as he rose from his seat,
stepping down toward the motorcycle. “I didn't know you had
one of these. . .”

“Don't
change the subject, damnit!!” Clint followed him down to the
bike. “You're gonna run your ass crosswise with the law if you
don't stop and fuckin' THINK
before you DO shit!”

“Give it a rest, Clint!! It's over!”
InuYasha stood by the motorcycle with his arms folded. “I know
where she is now. . . that's all that matters.” He mounted the
bike, and examined the console and handle bars, dismissing further
discussion on the matter.

“I.
. . don't. . . think. . . so.” The tutor clipped, ignoring the
dismissal. “I know for a fact
that your brother doesn't want the Inudono name flushed into the
sewer. If you have any gratitude
for what he's done for you. . . any loyalty to
him at all. . . then
you'll listen to what I have to say, God damnit!!”

“OK
THEN!!” InuYasha had stopped his examination, and dropped his
hands to his thighs, narrowing his eyes at his tutor. “Fuckin'
bring it on!! Let me have it!! Tell me what a fuck up halfbreed I
am!” he looked down, “It's not like that's
news or anything,”
he snarled. Clint's words, 'gratitude' and 'loyalty', echoed in his
ears.

Clint removed his glasses again, and wiped his hand
down his face.

“I
wouldn't call you
that, InuYasha. . .
not ever,” his
expression softened to one of concern. He took a moment to formulate
a reasonable argument, something the untamed creature could
understand. “Your
family name is well known. . . and there are people out there who'd
use anything. . . and
I mean ANYTHING they
can get their filthy hands on, to try to destroy the. . .
reputation. . . that
Sesshoumaru's worked so hard to build. You haven't been here long
enough to understand. . . just. . . just fuckin' be careful. There
is still a lot for you to learn. . .”

InuYasha thought about this for several long moments,
his eyes scanning the grounds. So the wolves weren't the only enemy
his brother faced. This was a complex time, and he knew the Demon
had not gained everything by might alone.

InuYasha
also knew fully well that he himself wasn't the most cunning person,
living by sword and claw all of his life. The nuances of this era
were confusing at best, and as badly as he wished to be independent,
all of his actions were under scrutiny. And not just
by the jackass.

He locked gazes with Clint who stood by him waiting for
a response.

“Understood,” he said simply, all brashness
removed from his tone. “So. . . ya wanna show the 'fuck up'
how this works?”

“Knock that shit off, you aren't a fuck up,”
Clint leaned in and placed a supportive hand on his shoulder, “we
all make mistakes. . . just try to stay outta the news, huh?”
InuYasha nodded, and their voices lowered as Clint began explaining
each of the controls.

Sesshoumaru stepped out of the side balcony of his
study watching the two. He had heard the exchange, most of which had
been impossible to ignore. Clint seemed to truly understand InuYasha,
how he processed information, his values. He would be the bridge that
was needed to educate his younger brother. He had learned much in a
very short period of time, and there was so much more for him to
understand.

Before
long Eddie pulled in to the drive, his car sounding like it was
losing a long battle with the plague. It coughed and sputtered three
times when he killed the engine, and Sesshoumaru made a mental note
that Eddie was not to
discuss vehicle maintenance with InuYasha. He would leave that to
Clint, who appeared to be doing a good job thus far.

Both
of the men looked as though they had been drug out of their beds,
which for all intent and purpose, they had. But then again, that was
what they were paid for. Eddie's shirt was only half tucked into his
faded jeans, and Clint appeared to be nursing a hangover, despite the
amount of shouting that had taken place on his arrival.

The
session began in earnest at 7 A.M. and for three hours, they drilled
InuYasha on all topics relative to basic motorcycle operation, safety
and maintenance. It was fortuitous that Clint had arrived on his own
motorcycle, which allowed InuYasha an opportunity to practice for a
short time.

At
first InuYasha had been tentative, as he got the feel for the
controls, making slow circles around the drive. That didn't last for
long, however. And though the Demon was certain that the wheelie had
been unintentional to begin with, his eyes glimmered in appreciation
as his younger brother stood into it with perfect balance, his hat
blowing off, and rode it for a good 50 feet, before bringing the
front wheel back down to cheers from his tutors. The hanyou was a
natural stunt man.

“Now
THAT'S what I'm TALKIN' ABOUT!!” He shouted as he made another
pass, his hair billowing behind him.

What
amazed Sesshoumaru beyond his uncanny coordination, was how quickly
his brother absorbed the information that was presented to him. He
had the enthusiasm and motivation to want to know, and he
asked many questions.

That
pleased the Demon a great deal.

InuYasha
however, hadn't had much use for technology prior to this. He had
abhorred the flights that brought him to America, and grumbled at the
stuffiness of riding in the cars. But he was able to see the value
to a certain degree. He tolerated the glare of the computer screen
during his lessons, and he understood how important television was to
his brother, primarily for news. But to the hanyou's thinking, the
use of modern technology was like snowball rolling down a hill
unfettered, gathering more snow to itself. One thing lead to
another, and yet another.

The
last item on Sesshoumaru's morning agenda was to present InuYasha
with a small satellite phone unit with a specially modified wireless
ear piece, which would fit down in his ear so all he would have to do
is press a button on the main unit to answer calls. It would allow
him to be contacted regardless of location, even far into the hills
where cell phones often failed, so he would be able to check on the
hanyou at any given time. It included a G.P.S. Interface and allowed
for Internet access using voice command should he need to query any
special information during his travels.

He
told the hanyou to consider it his 'leash', after the incident at The
Noodle Factory. InuYasha had scowled, and even grumbled a few choice
obscenities, before accepting the unit. Inwardly he was grateful it
hadn't been anything worse.

He
frowned at first while its operation was explained to him. However,
while Eddie was a normally quiet fellow, when he began discussing
electronics he became a different person. In demonstrating how the
device worked he had become quite animated and his enthusiasm had a
contagious nature. InuYasha soon found himself querying coordinates
for various locations using the G.P.S. feature then scanning the wide
variety of satellite radio stations. Some of the shit they call
music now. . . DAMN.

That
fucking snowball was growing bigger.

The
tutors were then excused and the brothers made their way to the
Department of Motor Vehicles, which was opened for a half day on
Saturday, where InuYasha took an oral test for his initial permit. He
did remarkably well, only missing one question.

'Hurry the hell up,' was not an appropriate answer for the meaning
of a yellow signal light. The examiner had set his lips into a thin
line attempting to disguise how funny he thought the answer was.
InuYasha mistook his suppressed snorts as hiccups and offered to get
him a drink of water.

Then
it was off to several different motorcycle dealerships to decide
which model was best suited for the hanyou. The first three were
easy, as they walked in, InuYasha scanned the floor and shook his
head and off they went to the next.

InuYasha
knew the moment he laid eyes on the Ducati that he had found his
'wheels'. It was a Super Sport model that was very nearly the same
color as his hinezumi. 'Fire Rat Red', he had called it, which had
brought Sesshoumaru to roll his eyes, and the salesman to look at him
strangely while scratching his head. They were in luck, that very
floor model was for sale so there would be no need to wait on
delivery of a special order.

Sesshoumaru
felt duty bound to argue that it was more a racing model than a
touring model, and InuYasha had just blinked at him. AS IF. .
. he would be happy with just a touring bike.

The
Demon could not deny it.

It
did fit him.

It
was perfect.

~ooO0Ooo~

Kagome could feel the demon's eyes following her as she
slowly made her way up and down the beach at the water line hunting
for seashells. Even though she had the Jewel neatly tucked into her
new swimsuit, she couldn't help but wonder if he sensed it somehow,
if he knew it was there.

She had chosen the suit for it's collared, halter style
top which allowed her to keep the chain tucked neatly away from
sight, the Jewel nestled into its usual resting place. It wasn't
until she put it on at Miranda's that she realized how reminiscent
the design was to the nautical style uniform her great grand aunt
used to wear. It even had a little mock skirt. Perhaps Kouga
watched her because she was triggering memories for him.

Deep
down though, she suspected it was more than simply nostalgia. There
was something calculating about the way the demon had been watching
all of them throughout the afternoon. She had not sensed him to be an
enemy, yet she couldn't help but wonder what he might be plotting.
Just because hadn't sense a threat about him at first, her memory
had been an ambiguous rush of feelings including both fear and safety
. . . it certainly didn't mean that he was their friend.

Selene had chosen to ignore him for the most part,
concentrating on her cousin and the sharing of family gossip. She
would play her guitar and Miranda would sing old songs from when they
were younger. And Miranda could definitely sing. She had clarity of
tone and an impressive range that pushed into three octaves. The two
had been a real treat to listen to.

It was apparent that Miranda was no more fond of
Michael than Selene was of Kouga, which in a way amused Kagome.
Family dynamics could be quite entertaining from the outside, and she
had watched both women jockey their conversations away from the
respective males, often referring to them as 'what's his name' or
'that guy you like so much, though I can't imagine why'.

Hojo had been in the water for hours on and off,
breaking to join them for short periods of time, to listen to the
songs and have a beer. He had told the truth about knowing how to
use a surfboard, and the waves had been good, between five and seven
feet as the tide moved in.

He had kept his hands to himself, which was a relief,
though a couple of times he had waved to her from the water and in
his distraction flipped his board. It was pretty comical, and he
would shake his head and grin, then retrieve the board and head out
again in search for another wave.

At least he wasn't moping.

She dipped to her haunches to reach for a shell that
was half hidden in the wet sand. Brushing the sand away, she
discovered a perfect sand dollar. Pleased with her find she rose and
continued her stroll, and her reflections.

Hojo's dejected countenance on the last leg of their
trip had left her feeling guilty. The disappointment on his face
when she had refused his offer to purchasing anything she needed had
brought her guilt, or maybe it was because of the way she had
responded. Either way. The confusion on his face when she had
spoken so abruptly about her mate had ultimately left her empty
inside and feeling guilty once again. It was really becoming
annoying.

And
she could find no reasonable explanation as to why
she should even care.

But she did.

She preferred to see people happy. It was just part of
her nature.

But,
becoming romantically involved with someone just to make them
happy, certainly was not. She was too busy, and had entirely too
much unfinished business to even consider it.

He's
smart, handsome, and endearingly goofy. . . he could find someone
easily. . . someone who could reciprocate all that affection he has.
. . someone with a lot less . . . baggage. . . Her
hand brushed up toward the Jewel.

I am going to strangle Michael for this. . . What could have
possessed him??

So
what about Caleb? Why did I agree to see him? His brother scares the
bejezus out of me. . . and face it, following someone across town
and hiding in their back yard is pretty freaky behavior!

But
those eyes, the honesty behind them. And they look just like. . .
InuYasha's eyes.

But
that was just a dream. Caleb is. . . real. . .

Oh
what I am thinking??? I'm going to Tokyo in June!!

But . . . would it hurt to just. . . get to know him? Maybe get some
insight on what to expect when I finally find InuYasha. Would that be
wrong?

I
don't dare tell him, he would try to stop me, too.

It was then that she saw things for what they were. And
her hands fisted with the revelation.

Michael knows. . . he must, and that's why he has dragged
Hojo into the picture. . . to try to stop me. Why didn't I see it
before?? It makes perfect sense, and it's absolutely revolting!! To
think he could interfere by trying to find someone to steal my heart.
Men. . . they seem to think that's the only way to manipulate
women. Hmph!

She
didn't realize how far down the beach she had wandered, though the
sounds of the gathering had diminished considerably. She jumped at
the sound of the masculine voice behind her, his approach masked by
the sound of the surf and her inner turmoil.

“He's using the water to avoid you, why would he
do that, miko?” At her startled response, Kouga graced her
with a toothy grin. “He should be protecting his woman, you're
wandering too far. . .” Those sharp eyes and equally sharp
teeth fascinated her for a moment, then she struck a casual pose
adjusting her halter.

“I don't think he gets to go surfing much,”
she offered, shadowing her eyes against the western drop of the sun
to watch Hojo ride a wave all the way to the sand. Turning pointedly
to Kouga she continued, “I'm not his woman, anyway. . . we
only just met last night.”

“Ah,” he nodded. “From the way he
looks at you, I was under the impression you were claimed.” He
touched her elbow lightly directing her back toward the house. She
flinched at the touch, then followed the direction smoothly pulling
her elbow away.

“You make me sound like a piece of luggage . . .
or lost property,” she grinned. She stopped, her expression
becoming serious, “I'm not a piece of property. . .”

This made the demon chuckle. The glare he received did
not faze his mirth.

“The
girl may look different, but I don't think she has changed much,”
his eyes sparkled as he put a hand on her shoulder. “Tell me,
how much do you remember? Do you remember the fights we had over. . .
her? How with only a
single word she could stop him dead in his tracks?” His eyes
scanned the horizon. “I would have killed that flea ridden
whelp you know, but honor dictated he be able to fight me back.”

Kagome gaped at him. He grinned and motioned her
forward.

“But. . . why? Why would you want him dead?”
she had no memory of any of this, and nothing like it was included
in the legends.

“It's simple, I claimed her first. . .” his
eyes rested on her briefly. “He was such a baka. The stupid
hanyou had no clue, and apparently she didn't either. She captured my
heart, though. She really did. She didn't have to die like that.”

“All you wanted was a shard detector, that much I
do remember,” Kagome pulled herself away from the hand still on
her shoulder, only to have it grip her again more tightly. She
glanced at the clawed hand, then into the piercing gaze of the demon.

“Shows how much you know,” his words were
low and dark, and caused a fresh shiver to run up her spine. She
refused to back away or to show any fear to the creature.

“Let
go of me, Kouga,” she growled through clenched teeth, eyes
defiantly locked on his. “This serves no purpose. What about
Miranda? That was another world. . . that was. . . THEN.”

The
intensity of his expression ebbed, and he pulled his hand from her
shoulder, nodding to suggest they continue their stroll back to the
others. Kagome didn't know what it was the demon was trying to
prove, but had a strong sense that he was trying to manipulate her.
Maybe not an enemy, but was he a friend? Probably not, if
he wanted InuYasha to die. . .

“Of course, you're right, miko. Hindsight is
always the clearest, ne?” they were close enough now to clearly
see the others around a small bonfire.

“What did you mean, 'she didn't have to die like
that'?” Kagome's tone bordered on accusatory as she frowned at
the cryptic statement.

“You mean you don't know?” There was a
strange gleam in his eyes that made Kagome shudder slightly. “He
never sealed their union. All those years, and the idiot mutt never
marked her.”

“Marked her? You mean the mark of possession?”
she recalled Shippou talking about how youkai would mark each other
as a sign of their bond.

“It's a hell of a lot more than that. . . look
at her. . .” and he nodded toward Miranda, who was laughing
with Selene by the fire, “She's no longer what she was. She
will live a very long time by my side.”

“What do you mean, Kouga? I don't understand,”
Kagome's brow furrowed with her confusion. She had noticed some
oddities about Miranda's appearance, flashes of her fangs mostly and
the intensity in the color of her eyes.

“He probably just didn't know,” he waved it
off, “he practically raised himself and was a stubborn ass. He
wouldn't have asked anyone about it. And being hanyou, well. . . who
would he ask?”

“So it's not just a mark of 'ownership'?”
her voice low, she looked at the ground as she wondered how it was
she felt so bound to InuYasha if they had never really been mates.

“It's one of the great mysteries, miko. . . I'm
sure you know a little bit about mysteries. . .” he raised a
brow slightly at her. “A change occurs, more so with a ningen
mate. I am surprised you didn't know,” that gleam was still in
his eyes, and it irked her.

“Why didn't you ever tell him?” She
demanded. “You obviously knew.”

“Why would I do that? That would have been
stupid. . . since I wanted her for myself,” the gleam became a
calculating smile. “As long as their union wasn't sealed, I had
a chance.”

“I
think that is the most incredibly selfish
thing I have ever
heard anyone say. . .” her hands had become fists at her side.
Self serving bastard!

Again
the demon chuckled, as he observed the amazingly familiar stance.

“I see, the apple doesn't fall far from the
tree,” he continued his trek back, knowing she would follow.
“I kept hoping she would come to her senses and leave the
ignorant flea bag. But, no. . . her loyalty to him never wavered,
misguided as it was. She was quite a woman, it must be a challenge
to wear her name.”

Kagome let out an exasperated growl, which made him
laugh outright.

The sun was near setting and Hojo's surfboard was
propped against porch. Selene was playing an old folksong on her
guitar and all four of them were singing along, even Miranda who was
tending the grill, but Kagome didn't miss Michael's wary watch on the
two of them as they approached.

“Food will be ready soon, it's getting colder. .
. you should change.” Kouga led them up the sand toward the
fire. Kagome had one last question to ask before they rejoined the
others.

“Kouga,” she reached to tentatively brush
his arm with her fingers, gaining his attention. “You knew the
hanyou. . . can you tell me. . . what happened to him? I mean. . .
after. . .”

Kouga stopped and examined the girl at length. He saw
the hint of longing in her eyes, and inwardly he refused to give her
what she wanted so badly. Hope.

The
dogs would not get their hands on his Jewel.

“I heard he went feral after she died,” he
began his lie, “Without her around, the only way to stop him
when he got like that would be to kill him. So. . . I'd assume he's
dead.” At her stricken look he added, “it's best to not
dwell on it, miko. You said it before, that was. . . then.”

At seeing the look on Kagome's face, Michael quickly
rose and ran to her, eyes narrowed at the demon. Taking her hand, he
put a protective arm around her shoulders whispering into her ear.
Her response was to shake her head slightly as a single tear worked
it's way down her cheek. Kouga watched this in fascination, then
glanced back at Hojo.

“I feel sorry for him, you know. . .” he
nodded toward him, “I was once in his place. . . however,”
he reached over and ran his finger up Kagome's cheek, collecting the
tear, “He competes with a ghost. . . Now, tell me miko, how
does one challenge a ghost?” and he turned with a somber
expression, leaving them.

“Ok,
bizarre does not even
begin to describe
that,” Michael held her out at arms length to examine her for
any obvious damage. “What were you doing alone with him? Are
you insane?”

“I found a shell. . .” she looked down at
the sand dollar, willing herself not to cry and not succeeding. “He
was just bringing me back.”

“Right,
and that's why your face is all wet, you're so touched by his
kindness in showing you back . . . to the only damn house
on the beach?!” his voice
was thick with sarcasm.

“I'm FINE! I just need a minute,” she
needed a lot more than that, but it would have to do. She ran into
the house to lock herself in the bathroom under the guise of changing
her clothes.

Watching
her make that dash Michael caught sight of Kouga speaking
conspiratorially with Hojo. Why would a demon get involved
in Hojo's love life? Surely Hojo remembers to not say anything about
the Jewel. . . Oh, this does not bode well. Not at all.

Miranda basted the meat one more time as she hummed the
tune of an ancient David Bowie song, a vague smile on her face, while
Selene tried to match chords to the tune.

He
got Sally's attention and nodded toward the house with a grim
expression. She immediately rose from her seat on the steps and went
to check on her friend, leaving a disappointed Miranda to cast
furtive glances at the door.

“What song was that, Miranda?” he asked,
pulling her attention away from the door. Surely whatever was going
on, she was involved somehow and he wanted to thwart any interference
by her.

“It's the theme song for a really old horror
movie, I always thought it was more of a fantasy. . . then recently I
realized what it was really about,” she set her brush down.
“The movie was called 'Cat People',” her laughter was
low, almost guttural. “I never dreamed there really could be. .
. creatures like that. Now I'm one of them, sort of. . . Well, by
proxy maybe. . .” her eyes found Kouga near the fire, speaking
quietly to the surfer who appeared to be all ears.

“A movie about youkai?” she had his
attention now, and she gave him a toothy smile.

“Yeah, a movie about. . . youkai. They're all
around you Mikey. Have been. It's nothing new,” she crossed
her arms and examined the psychologist. “The question is, now
that you know. . . what will you do?” She was obviously
enjoying this way too much.

Michael
turned her philosophical challenge around in his mind, not caring for
the taste of it. DO?? Like I have a choice to make. . .
what choice could she mean?
This whole visit is becoming too surrealistic. . . Again I
am beginning to doubt my own perceptions, maybe it's time to just go.
. .

The question was how to do so gracefully, and without
incident. He eyed the meat that had been slow roasting on the spit
for hours, and remembered the concerns they'd had about the sake the
night before. His appetite suddenly and completely gone, he
swallowed, then forced a smile for Miranda.

~o0o~

“'Gome, open the door,” Selene had tried
knocking to no avail. She could hear Kagome sniffling on the other
side. It was more than that, she could feel it. It was a quiet,
soul sick kind of sob only heard when someone has lost their last
hope. “Open the damn door, it's me!!”

The lock clicked and Selene darted into the bath
locking the door behind her. The lights were off and Kagome was only
half dressed, the Jewel glowed in the dimness, lighting her face
freakishly in a in a swollen, wet, contorted, grimace.

On seeing Selene, she froze with her fists up in front
of her, eyes brimming with more unshed tears before rolling up under
swollen lids. She leaned forward, straining to contain the emotion.
Not succeeding, an unearthly high pitched keening escaped her
throat.

“My God, what did that bastard do to you??”
Grabbing Kagome to her tightly, she held the shuddering mass that was
her best friend as the silent sobs continued . “Did he hurt
you??” she demanded.

Kagome only shook her head, still taut and trembling
with the weight of what she had be told. Selene gently stroked her
back, then reached for a nearby towel and wet the end of it in the
sink. The depth of the pain Kagome was feeling was all too familiar
to her, and she knew she had to do something quickly to get through
to her. It was either that, or fall into the pit with her.

“C'mon honey, get a grip. . .” her own
voice was shaky. “I need you to tell me what happened,”
she ran the damp cloth over Kagome's face, pulling her hair back and
around her ears. “Was it something he said?”

“nnhnn” it was more a squeak, but the
nodding head affirmed.

“Was it something about. . . InuYasha??”
The response was a silent scream, and more tears. “What did he
say?? You have to stop, Kagome!! You have to tell me what he said. .
.”

After several long minutes, Kagome was able to take in
a full, although shuddering breath, without having to hold it to
prevent making too much noise. Selene had waited, alternately
holding her and wiping at her tear stained face with the towel. Her
dislike for Kouga grew exponentially with each passing minute.

“Can you talk to me now?” She asked, gently
holding Kagome by the shoulders, and was rewarded with a nod.

“He
said a lot of things. . .” it was no more than a whisper at
first, “the last straw was when he told me InuYasha was dead,”
her face pulled into that grimace again. “He never marked her,
Sally. . . Kouga said that's why she aged and died, that she didn't
have to die like that,” her eyes glazed for a moment. “In
my dream we were making love. . . InuYasha said it was forever. . .
but they were never mates?! GODS!! If
that's true, then why do I miss him so damn much??” The tears
began anew, albeit not quite as intense as Kagome buried her face
into Selene's shoulder.

“For the same reason that Sango. . . couldn't
go on without Miroku,” Selene took a deep breath, a tear of her
own broke free from her lashes and slowly made its way down her
cheek. It was the first time she voiced the terrible loneliness that
was laced throughout her memories. “Look, some people have a
connection that's deeper than anything that can be measured,”
at this Kagome pulled back to face her friend. “Kagome. . .
you and InuYasha had that. . . I really believe you two are soul
mates. . . That far outweighs any other kind of commitment, in my
book. Best friends, marriage, mate, whatever name you put on it.”

“So that leaves me as . . . half a person,”
she leaned on the counter and weakly looked in the mirror, her eyes
reflecting her words. “No wonder I feel so damned empty.”
She dropped to her knees, her hands crossed on the counter, almost
appearing as though in prayer.

“Its no wonder you can't see yourself with anyone
else,” Selene struggled to keep Kagome from dropping all the
way to the floor, as she reached for her tee shirt to help her finish
dressing. “I think we are done here. I'm sorry that bastard
hurt you. . . let's go home.”

Michael's response was immediate when she called him
through the crack in the door, as she held up a nearly limp Kagome.
The two of them worked together to guide her through the sliding
glass door, where they were met by Kouga who blocked their path.

“Kagome is not well, we need to take her home,”
Michael announced quietly, then shouted to his friend out by the
fire, “Hojo! Secure your board, we're leaving.”

“Damn!!
Don't you guys ever actually eat??
You pulled this last night, too. . .” grumbled the surfer as he
reached for his board. “A guy could starve to death. . . oh
hell,” he stopped, taking in the scene for a moment before
running his board to the car. Kouga reached to take Kagome's hand,
and draw it away from around Selene's shoulder.

“No you don't demon!!” she pushed his arm
away. “Don't you think you've done enough?”

“Don't be ridiculous, Sally. . . I'm gonna carry
her to the car,” his eyes held a hint of concern, and an oddly
affectionate warmth as he looked on the incapacitated Kagome. “She
could lay down here, you know. . .”

“She needs her own bed. I'm sorry about dinner
Miranda, perhaps another time,” Michael offered without any
real enthusiasm, as he eyed the demon still blocking his path. Kagome
had become a dead weight on them, and he wasn't in the mood get into
a fight. He just wanted to get her away.

Kouga refused to take no for an answer. He reached down
and grabbed Kagome by the waist, and before they could struggle
against his theft, he had turned her onto his shoulder and had leaped
off the porch, moving toward their car. Michael and Selene rushed
to grab their belongings and follow.

Hojo
met the demon half way, and Michael watched as Kouga passed her rag
doll form carefully into Hojo's waiting arms. Something silently
passed between the two of them, and Hojo nodded before kissing her
head and whispering something into her ear. She didn't stir, and the
sight of her like that frightened Michael more than he could put into
words. His trust of Hojo had diminished after seeing the way he and
the demon had been talking. The bizarre transfer of Kagome's limp
form between them tipped the scale. What the HELL was that
all about???

“You
drive, monk. . . I'm in the back. . . with her,” Selene
tossed him the keys as she darted past him to argue the seating
arrangements with Hojo. She set her guitar into the trunk, slamming
it, then opened the back door and ordered the engineer out of the
seat, citing that it was her
vehicle and he could very
well walk his ass back
to the city if he didn't comply.

Had
this been any other circumstance, Michael would have been grinning
ear to ear. He loved it when she took command. He watched a
begrudging Hojo move to the passenger seat, and quickly climbed into
the driver seat, starting the engine. Kagome will be OK
once we get her away from that creep. Hojo, on the other hand, will
be needing some deprogramming. . .

Well,
we knew it was going to be interesting. . .

~ooO0Ooo~

“WHERE
the HELL have you guys BEEN??” came a roar from across the
street. Michael squinted in the half light, trying to identify the
black clad figure who had just hopped off his literal perch on an
imported red motorcycle and was swiftly moving toward them. He could
make out four long thin white braids against the black leather
jacket. Inudono? No way. . .

“SHIT!!
You all reek like a wolves den!” he spat on the ground, then
narrowed his eyes at Hojo, who was carrying a barely lucid Kagome
from the car.

“I beg your pardon??” Michael glared at the
affront. “What business is it of yours??”

There was a discordant twang of strings combined with
the splintering of wood as Selene turned toward the source of the
disturbance and absently dropped her guitar onto the cement.

“Caleb. . .” whispered Kagome. Hojo frowned
at her, then held her just a little bit tighter.

“Put her down, asshole. . . just get your
fuckin' hands off her,” demanded the irate figure. “What's
wrong with her? I swear. . . if you hurt her. . . PUT HER THE FUCK
DOWN!!”

He growled exasperatedly at the man who had frozen in
his place, and before anyone realized that he had moved, he was
glaring into Hojo's face and pulling Kagome from his grasp.

Hojo angrily reached for her, and she batted his hand
away with a whine.

“Whoa!
Whoa!! WHOA!!” Michael shouted, attempting to run interference.
“Do you even KNOW
her???”

“Monk!!” Selene stopped him, her eyes
narrowed in warning, she beckoned him back to her. “I'm pretty
sure she knows him,” as a smile graced her face.

“Caleb. . .” Kagome smiled dreamily,
wrapping her arms around his neck. “You came to see me. . .
I'm so glad. . .”

His question answered, Michael placed his hands on his
head in confusion.

“I was worried, Koi . . . you were gone all day
. . .” he pulled her close, sparing a quick glare at Hojo, he
nuzzled her neck. “Why do you stink like . . . those mangy
Ookami bastards?”

“Oh that just does it!! You grab my girl right
out of my arms. . . and NOW you insult my friends??” Hojo's
hands fisted and his feet spread, his features marred with loathing.

“Huh?”
Michael's face blanked for a split second. “Oh no. . . Hojo,
no! Down boy!” he waved his hands trying to get Hojo's
attention, then turned a silent helpless plea to Selene. The guy was
going to get himself killed fighting for the wrong side
if the situation wasn't diffused.

“Fuckin' idiot. . . I eat wimps like you for
breakfast. . . GET LOST!” InuYasha dismissed the man
completely, walking toward Selene with his prize. “She needs a
bath, hell. . .” he sniffed deeply at the two of them, then
sneezed, careful to avoid showering Kagome. “You all do!
DAMN!!”

Michael had never seen Hojo angry, he ventured to think
that perhaps Hojo had never been this angry before. It looked as
though a vein was going to pop at any moment. He could see the only
thing keeping the man from attempting to tackle Caleb was the fact
that he was still holding Kagome in his arms. If he put her down, all
hell was going to break loose.

“Take her in the house, Caleb. . . Selene, you
too. I'll deal with Hojo,” he cracked his knuckles.

“Nice thought, monk. . . but I can't get in the
damn door. . .” mumbled the hanyou, which yanked Michael in for
a reality check. “You warded it, bouzu. . . remember?”

“Oh hell. . .” Michael ventured one more
pleading look at Selene, before he ran to dismantle the ward by the
front door.

“Go
home, Hojo!!” she shouted. “It's over. . . I will NOT
have a disturbance right in front of my home!!” This pulled his
glare of searing hatred from the hanyou and onto her. He appeared
ready to fight anyone necessary to get Kagome back. “I'll run
your ass in if you push it!! Don't you think I won't!!” she
produced her badge out of her back pocket and flashed it at him,
reminding him just who he was dealing with.

“FINE!!” he finally backed down, though his
expression had not changed. “But THIS IS FAR from OVER!!”

“Glad she's on my side. . .” muttered the
hanyou as he joined Michael on the front porch. The sound of peeling
rubber signaled the end of the altercation as Hojo drove away.
Kagome's eyes glimmered as she smiled up at him, she looked so
vulnerable it tugged at his heart. She was like a small child in his
arms as she reached up to trace his brow with her fingers.

“That may be debatable, Mr. Inudono,” the
female voice behind him was unmistakable. He turned to take a long
look at the woman. There was a reason he had mistaken her for Taijiya
the first time he saw her, his smile of recognition was more of a
grimace as he realized he was going to have to answer her questions.

“Call me Caleb. . . Officer.”

“It's
Detective. . .” she cocked her head at him strangely. “Just
call me Sally, everyone else does. . . Caleb,”
her eyes narrowed slightly. “But that's. . . not really
your name, is it. . .”

~ooO0Ooo~
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Finding Kagome