The Pain of Losing Again by ShadyMinion
Chapter One
The Pain of Losing Again
Summary: (AU) SessKag. Sequel to The Pain of Losing Another. Sesshoumaru searches for Kagome. Friends and family have turned against him for his past actions, but he seeks to rectify his mistakes, beginning with getting Kagome to learn the truth and depth of his love, but Naraku has already laid his claim on her, and he must also reach her past the affections of other possible suitors. He screwed up royally the first time around and must face the consequences of his actions.
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SM: Alright, finally, the first chapter has been released. Took a damn long time, I know, but I've been busy, and this thing was like a dead weight strapped to my back. It was something that would finally conclude its prequel, but I kind of really liked that depressing ending, even though I know that some people were rabid for a happy ending. Meh. Any who, I thought about writing this as a standalone, basically not requiring to have read the The Pain of Losing Another in order for this to make sense, however, as I started typing, it became a direct offshoot. So it will make almost no sense unless you've read it's prequel.
But I know a lot of people are lazy like me, and unwilling to read the first part, if the second part has already been released, so here's the quick rundown of the prequel:
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Sesshoumaru and Kagome were once engaged, however Sesshoumaru was distrustful of Kagome, despite her best intentions. He unjustly accused her of cheating him and betraying his trust to his business in rival, Kumo Naraku. Bankotsu and the Shichinintai were the main reason for his mistrust, as they were a group known to work for Naraku, and Kagome was seen often with them. What Sesshoumaru failed to realized was that Kagome only visited them as they had all been in the same classes in High School, and Bankotsu used to have a crush on Kagome.
Kagura, an agent of Naraku, uses Sesshoumaru's untrustworthy nature to frame Kagome for crimes she never commited. In that span of mistrust, Sesshoumaru brutalizes Kagome, breaking her body and spirit, and unknown to him, she had been pregnant with his child during the abuse. He leaves her battered body on the floor of their home and leaves. Kagome disappears for four years.
Shippou, the boy-genius head of another rival company, the Akatsune Industry, is Kagome's adopted son. After finding Kagome in a hospital run by Houjo, he takes and hides her from Sesshoumaru, unable to forgive the man for his cruelty against a woman who all knew that she was innocent. Sesshoumaru returns once more as Kagome is coincidentally brought back to her home at the Higurashi Shrine, and as Sesshoumaru has already realized his grievous error, takes it upon himself to try to crawl back to her. Unfortunately, Kagome cannot recognize his love, and flees in terror, believing herself to be worthless.
She leaves behind her family, friends, and her only son, Hoshimaru. She is found in the road by Kouga, and taken to the hospital where Houjo works. Both were childhood friends of Kagome, and both cared for her deeply. She is currently in their care.
This takes place a few months afterward.
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Chapter One
Burning...her skin was burning. It was too hot! Fire, eating away at her flesh. It hurt. Her vision swam in red, blurred, unclear. She stumbled, blindly feeling, groping in her self-imposed darkness. She heedlessly bumped into furniture, scattering objects across the floor. She didn't even notice as broken glass cut into her bare feet.
Her hands fell on a sliver of cold. She brought it to her skin, reveling in the icy feel of it. It slid across her skin, releasing the heat, cooling her down. The burning was going away. She marveled at the sliver, clutching the sliver to herself.
Blinking, she saw shadows approaching her. Sounds were muffled by the pounding of blood in her ears. Pressure built up in her head. She hunched down, covering her sliver. They were trying to take it. Heat coursed through her body, hot and uncomfortable. She whimpered. The sliver cooled her fevered flesh. Why were they taking it away from her?
Hands stronger than her own pried the sliver from her feeble grasp. She cried out. She needed it! Couldn't they see? It was too hot! Too hot! Weakly, she reached out for the sliver. Then it was cold. Numbness engulfed her. Oh...the cold. This is what she wanted. White clouded her vision. Unaware of collapsing onto her side, she almost smiled. Floating, she was unaware of pain or sorrow. It was just, pure, untainted white...
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"Dammit! Ginta! Hakaku! You guys were supposed to be watching her!" Kouga roared into the faces of his two friends as best he could while on his cell phone, blasting down the highway at 121mph. The two visibly cowered on the other end of the phone line.
"She said she wanted to take a nap." Ginta said quietly. "We didn't want to disturb Kagome-nee-chan."
"Don't disturb her! Just...watch her..." Kouga lost his steam. He was more angry at himself. He had received notice of a job that required his immediate attention that day. He hadn't wanted to go, but against his better judgment, he had left Kagome's side to fulfill his obligation. He had thought that just a few hours wouldn't do any harm.
He had obviously been wrong as he had come back to a panicked pair of his bumbling friends. Kagome had been hastily bandaged, but it couldn't hide the damage from his eyes. Her wrists had been slit wide open. Blood covered her front, drenching her clothes. She had cut herself deeper this time. Kouga gritted his teeth.
Houjo would probably reprimand the hell out of him, if not demand that they switch her caretakers. Though, they both knew, that even though Houjo could take better care of her, it was only when he was off duty from the hospital, which wasn't often. Kouga could simply keep a closer eye on her, giving her the almost round the clock observation that she required to keep her from harming herself.
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Houjo sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stared at the clock for the millionth time that day. He was unusually edgy, nothing at all like the calm and cheerful doctor he normally was. He had a bad feeling though. Something would go terribly wrong that day, he just knew it. And, Kagome would be involved. He wanted to go over to Kouga's apartment and check, but he couldn't find a plausible reason for leaving work early. His responsible persona pervaded, and he stayed at work, albeit reluctant, and nervous.
He tried to reassure himself. Kagome was in good hands. Kouga would die before he let anything bad happen to her.
It was the area he was uncomfortable with. It wasn't a poor region by any means, but the hospital he worked in, as well as Kouga's apartment building, all resided well within the heart of what was loosely termed 'Kumo Land'. Kumo Naraku was a powerful man, and a devil to cross. He had heard terrible rumors about the man from Kouga, and he trusted most of them were true, since Kouga worked for the beast.
It disturbed him more that, though the apartment building belonged to Kouga, the land belonged to Kumo, and one never knew when the eccentric man would drop by for an unannounced visit, as it sometimes happened.
Kouga had once told him that Naraku favored pretty girls with dark hair and unusual eye color. And hearing other things about Naraku only made Houjo sure that the corporate tyrant was a very sick individual. He prayed that Naraku's eyes never fell onto Kagome. Perhaps, he could get Kouga to move her elsewhere once she was better.
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Kouga was tied up in bandages as he tried to wrap Kagome's damaged tissues. He had already cleaned and sterilized the wound. Ginta and Hakkaku stood on either side of her, both applying pressure to the one arm they held each, to slow the flow of blood. Unfortunately, before Kouga's arrival, they had floundered with the bandages, and the once neat roll had become a horrendous knot of white fabric. He wrapped her arms as quickly and as carefully as possible, tying the ends deftly. Then they removed her bloodstained clothing, washing her pale skin free of the dark, crusted blood.
Ginta and Hakkaku flinched as they saw the thick scars covering the body of the woman they had dubbed their sister. Kouga only frowned, his lips pressed into a thin line. If he ever came across the person that had done that to her, he swore that he would deliver the pain that she had felt to him, a hundred times over. The was pale as death, and her body still weak and thin. Despite their best attempts, she had only put on a few pounds at most, still looking much like a starved child. Her ribs were painfully prominent. Her stomach, a hollow where flat belly should be.
They slid her into a clean set of clothing, tucking her neatly back into bed with fresh sheets, changed, courtesy of Ginta. Hakkaku had gone off in pursuit of a glass of ice water, a straw, and some snacks to bring to Kagome's bed in case she awoke and would be hungry. Past circumstances had made them aware that severe blood loss caused increased appetite later, a lesson they would much rather have learned from a different source. Ginta fluffed her pillow as Kouga sat morosely by her bedside.
Next time he had a job to do, he was dropping her off at the hospital or handcuffing her to the bed. She just couldn't keep hurting herself like this. She tried too often, and he was terrified that one day, she would succeed. A knock at the door roused him from his brooding. Ginta stood to answer the door, but Kouga waved him down. "Just keep and eye on her." He said quietly. Ginta nodded.
He barely passed into the other room before he heard the sound of a key turning in its lock. He stared at the front door. Kouga's eyes widened in shock as the door opened slowly. "Naraku! What are you doing here?" He shouted, the words slipping through his lips before his brain had understood the situation.
The dark man smirked. The foolhardy boy, so tactless... He silently slid into the apartment, slipping his master key back into his pocket, what a useful little item it was, and sprawled himself across Kouga's couch comfortably. He looked up with a grin. "It's not polite to keep guests waiting at the door." He taunted.
Kouga had to bite his tongue. Now was a horrible time for his boss to show up. Kagome needed help, and him screaming his brains out at his hated employer would only stress the matter. Better to get things over with as soon as possible. "What do you want?"
A lazy smile was his answer. "You seem to be in quite the rush to get rid of me." He drawled. He enjoyed watching the colors of barely controlled rage pass across the other man's face. Kouga was struggling to reign in his temper, quite admirably as well. Before Kouga could burst, however, Naraku continued. "It has come to my attention that you have gained a...special new guest in your apartments."
The color drained from Kouga's face as quickly as it had appeared. Had he been insinuating Kagome? No, of course not. Why would he even know Kagome. She was nothing to Naraku. It had to be someone else. "We get a lot of tenants." He replied slowly, in a rare show of delicacy.
Another smirk. "But she is ah...how should I say...unique. She had captured my interest long ago, and by rights, she is mine."
Kouga was silent. What the fuck was this prick talking about?
"I'm glad you have taken such good care of her while I was otherwise occupied. It was, after all, I who had sent you to retrieve her; twice, I might add." Naraku was particularly enjoying the slow, dawning realization in the man's eyes, as well as the quick, sharp anger. He cut off any explosive outburst his employee was about to unleash upon his ears. "You never would have found her, if not for me. If it weren't for me, she would be lying dead in a ditch years ago. You have been quite useful, and I thank you for that, Ookami-san. Now, if you would, bring her out to me, Higurashi Kagome."
"Never." Kouga hissed.
"Mm, now that's not for you to decide." He purred dangerously, a challenge glowing in his eyes. He chuckled. "I'm sure Miss Higurashi can make her own decisions, unless of course, you have some prior claim to her?" The tail end of his sentence lilted into a question, reminiscent of playful banter.
Kouga scowled darkly. The bastard was playing with him. Naraku, if he knew that much, he already knew that they were keeping her illegally. Technically, Kagome had been kidnapped. Kouga was sure there had to be some kind of Good Samaritan loophole or something since they had taken her in while she had obviously been hurt multiple times, but the simple truth was, they knew where she belonged, and they were keeping her from there. If he didn't hand over Kagome, Houjo would lose his practice, and they'd both end up in jail.
However, if Kagome chose willingly to stay with them, they would be alright. But she was in no condition to make any sort of agreement, and Kouga knew that Naraku would manipulate her into doing what he wanted, taking advantage of her fragile psyche. He couldn't let that happen. He'd stand prison if only to keep her out of Naraku's clutches.
Naraku smirked. "Ah, it looks like you think you have a choice in this." The smile he gave Kouga was oily and mirthless. "Well, perhaps it would please you to know that Kagome currently belongs to me."
Kouga stiffened. Just what did the bastard mean by that.
"She is, after all," Naraku continued, ignoring Kouga's expression, "the woman that I am to marry. So please, bring her out." He grinned, flashing perfect white teeth.
Kouga ground his teeth. "Fuck you. Get out. Get out now." He hissed.
They head a scuffing from the other side of the room. Kouga's head swung toward the noise, hoping that it wasn't what he thought.
Naraku's grin broadened.
Kagome stumbled out from behind the closed door, Ginta tagging on her heels, making fruitless gestures and motions to try to get her back in the room. He fell short of forcefully dragging her back for fear of harming her further.
She looked up slowly, looking at Naraku from the corner of her eye. The corners of her lips tugged downward slightly. He grinned. She winced.
They were gone. They had left her alone again. She didn't blame them. No one would want to stay around her. She wasn't worth the effort. Perhaps...she could help them. She could leave them. She wouldn't be burden to them anymore.
Shakily, Kagome rose to her feet from her prone form on the bed. She clutched weakly at the bedding taking tiny steps toward the door. Her hands left the sheets to fumble at the ground, making her way to the wall. It took too long to get to the door, but she was sure she had time. They had finally left her alone, and she knew that they were waiting for her to leave before they got back. They had become sick of her presence. She was just a burden to them. She was a burden to everyone, too weak and stupid to take care of herself.
She stifled a sob. Dammit. She should be beyond those stupid tears. Crying only proved her weakness further.
They had only been friends as children. None of them could have known what a terrible person she would grow up to be. She didn't blame them at all for not liking her anymore. They shouldn't have liked her then.
Her hands slipped around the front door knob. They were slick with cold sweat, and the knob was slippery in her hands. Leaning on her shoulder against the wall, she managed to take the cold knob in both hands and turn. The door was locked. She twisted the deadbolt and tried the knob again. This time, the knob turned easily and the door pulled free. She managed a few weak steps forward before stumbling onto a warm body. She looked up fearfully, her breaths coming in short, shallow pants.
"Higurashi Kagome." A deep voice murmured coldly.
"Ah..." She whimpered. Someone knew her! Oh what did they want? She was no good to anyone! Surely they could see that. She started when she felt arms winding around her form. She was lifted easily and cradled against that warm chest.
She carried back inside the apartment. The man how held her closed the door behind him with a nudge of his foot, and took her back into the room she was in previously. He laid her gently on the bed and sat on the edge.
She curled up. No progress. No matter what she did, she would never be any good. Always a failure...
"I have a proposition for you, Kagome." He said softly.
She made no move to acknowledge him.
He smiled, clearly no expecting her to do or say anything. "My name is Kumo Naraku, and I'd like very much for you to work for me."
She started slightly at his name. She peered up cautiously from lowered lids, her blue eyes widening at him. His eyes glowed crimson in the darkness. His smile was a ghastly thing. He was a bad, bad man, she could tell. Maybe Shippou and Sesshoumaru were right to hate him as they did. She found his presence detestable almost instantly, but not as hateful as her own presence.
"You don't have to answer right away. In fact, I'll give you a week for you to decide. I want you to marry me, Kagome. That's all. Nothing more than that. But before hand, you should be at my side, and do as I say. It's so simple, and won't be any different from how you lived before, wouldn't it?" He grinned.
She shuddered. He knew about that...he knew what she deserved.
"You're a bad girl, but that's alright. You'll be perfect for me, don't you think? Marriage to me isn't asking too much. You don't deserve any more or less. And I'll treat you right. As long as you're in my care, you know exactly how things will be done." His grin broadened. "After all, I know that you don't love me, and you never will, and I won't love you either, but you're not optimistic enough to think that you'll ever marry the person that you love." He spat the last word out as if had been distasteful if left in his mouth too long.
"I won't lie to you." He said softly. He bent down and whispered four tiny words into her ear.
Her eyes widened. "Y...you will?"
He nodded, almost solemnly. "I promise." Then he patted her gently on the head. "Your answer, in one week." He said, and left the apartment silently.
She took a few weak steps forward before finding a chair. She braced her arms against it, leaning heavily on the back of the chair. "I...I'll go." She said softly, not once meeting Kouga's shocked eyes.
Naraku smiled, taking her cordially by the arm. "Excellent."
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"You...you let her go?" Houjo stared, eyes wide, but his face and tone were otherwise blank.
Kouga stared at his hands, frustrated at himself. "What could I do? Tear her out of his arms and shove her back into the room and lock the door?"
Houjo bit back his instantaneous reply of 'yes'.
"Naraku would fire me, toss me in jail, and while I was in there, arrange for some sort of accident to occur, then Ginta and Hakkaku would mourn my shredded corpse, lending that they were in a state to mourn to begin with. And she would still end up in his arms." Kouga continued, ignoring the Houjo's silent answer.
The doctor sighed. He knew a similar thing would have happened to him as well. Rationally, it was better they let her go for now in the hopes of retrieving her later. Emotionally, he knew that Kagome shouldn't be allowed any where near the Kumo, if even a third of the rumors were true...
"I...suppose you did the best thing in those circumstances, the only thing you could do..." He said quietly.
Kouga frowned at his hands. He heard the unspoken meaning. Yes, it was the only thing to do, but that doesn't make it suck any less. He wholeheartedly agreed with it, but it didn't make him feel any less useless.
"So, what should we do know?" Houjo asked, staring curiously at the apartment owner.
"That is a very good question."
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Kagome sat quietly, curled up, in the back of Naraku's car. He smiled at her from his place next to her. "You will work with me." He stated, settling a hand over hers.
She nodded.
"Do you understand what you'll be doing?" He asked silkily, his hand sliding up her arm.
She nodded again.
"Good." His arm snaked about her waist, pulling her toward him. "I think this will work out very nicely." He cradled her against him, a mockery of the affection between two lovers, and rested his cheek near the hollow of her throat.
She could feel the pleased grin that spread across his features. She suppressed a shudder.
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Outside of the Ookami apartment complex, Bankotsu was lugging an armful of groceries. He was on his way to bug Hakkaku about the latest issue of Jump, and drop off some bread for Ginta. His eyes widened as he saw a familiar pale form step gingerly from the building. Beside her glided the dark shadow of his employer. But that couldn't be right...
The last he had heard, she was to be wed to that Taisho snob. Kagura had too gleefully recounted the details of the extravagant affairs of his High School crush. He knew he would never be good enough for her, so he had said and done nothing, hoping only for her happiness. But, if that was the case, why was she here, looking as pale as death, and being escorted by the arm by the devil himself?
Bankotsu, although employed by Naraku, had an exceedingly low opinion of the man. Naraku was a manipulative bastard who knew exactly what he wanted, and what dirty tricks he could use to obtain what he wanted. The only reason Bankotsu willingly worked for him was the fact that he knew he would be no good at anything else. He had a dark streak, some vein of sadism within him. It was used greatly for Naraku's benefit, even if it made himself feel sick. The only thing he was good for was his job.
She deserved so much better.
It looked as though she were going willingly, though. Nothing seemed out of place, but if Naraku was involved, he could make the murder of an infant appear legal. He watched as she was lead into the back of a dark colored limousine with tinted windows. Her whole body looked fragile, and her movements tremulous, yet her face was impassive.
Something was definitely wrong about the whole situation. He turned a sharp corner and shrouded himself into it's dark shadow. He slipped a cellphone from his pocket and dialed Renkotsu's number, his sharp eyes never once leaving the delicate form of the woman.
"Kagome..."
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Houjo stared at his hands. "Kouga," he began softly, eyes not moving from his palms. "Do you remember that man that picked up Kagome when we phoned?" He asked.
Kouga cocked his head to the side. "That red-headed twerp? Yeah, I remember him."
"Do you remember his name?"
"Um...Aka...Shippa...something."
"Akatsune Shippou." Houjo corrected.
"Yeah, that's it! Hey...why's that sound so familiar?"
"He's the current head of the Akatsune corporation."
Kouga's eyes widened. "You're shittin' me. That kid?"
The doctor nodded seriously. "He's known as a boy genius. He's kept Akatsune in power for over the past ten years. But so little is known about him, that the boy can walk around in a public setting without notice. He's a brilliant tactician in public relations, industry, and business." He explained quietly. "He may also be the reason that Kagome..." He trailed off.
Something clicked in Kouga's mind. "Fuck!" He raked a hand through his hair. "He's the reason that bastard wants her. That boy was too attached to her, I thought. Too close, like a kid to his mother. She probably adopted the poor squirt when his parents died. Yeah, I heard know about that." He added when Houjo raised his eyes questioningly. "Naraku's a crafty asshole, but when he's proud of something, it shows. He was behind their murder. Now he wants his to sink his claws into Kagome. Fuck it!" He cursed in frustration. He knew that there would be little he would be able to do in standing up to Naraku alone.
"I...I still have Akatsune-san's number..." Houjo said very quietly. "Maybe..."
Kouga frowned, eyes hardening. Then his expression drooped. "We ain't got much other choice, eh?"
They couldn't protect Kagome by themselves. They were fodder beneath Naraku's notice, and the Kumo was well aware of it. That was one of the reasons that Naraku hadn't bothered to even attempt to silence either of them. He hadn't seen it as worth the effort.
The doctor shook his head.
"I'll get the phone then." Kouga said, walking to the other room. If they could protect her on their own, then he would make that Kumo bastard sorry for ignoring them.
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Touga's phone was ringing insistently. Myouga's name was displayed. He answered it quickly.
"We have a problem." The elder spy reported. He sounded strained. Whatever had happened could not have been a good thing. "She's with Kumo, now."
"WHAT?!"
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An unfamiliar number was displayed on Shippou's phone. He reached for it hesitantly, almost willing to let it ring. Inuyasha had been making several calls to the Akatsune head on Sesshoumaru's behalf. As fond as he was of the younger Taisho, Shippou couldn't stomach the idea of working with the elder Taisho sibling. Sesshoumaru made him sick. His hand fell to the desk.
He frowned. He had been ignoring Inuyasha's calls, and after a while, Inuyasha had stopped calling. Shippou had been grateful for the silence, he needed time to think. Where could Kagome go? He had checked the police reports and hospital documentation of the area completely surrounding all the places Kagome might have been able to reach. He had come up with nothing. Either Kagome had simply disappeared, or someone was shielding her from him.
Now that he was aware of the Kumo's involvement with the circumstances between them all, he was inclined to believe the latter. But, if Naraku did have Kagome, why wasn't he flaunting her at them like the gloating fool he was? It was too quiet. Had a third party somehow become involved?
His mind whirled through the possibilities. Too many 'what ifs' and his own worry clouded his sense of judgment. But he couldn't find it in himself to clear his mind no matter how he tried. Kagome was gone. It was the only thought that echoed through his brain. She was gone, and he could have stopped it, could have prevented it all, if only he hadn't been so presumptuous. He had been so willing to believe that she was better, that she had healed, that four years might have been enough time, to realize that she was just too scared.
It had been his fault.
Hoshimaru now felt as if he had been abandoned, and the poor child hadn't the slightest clue as to why. He thoroughly believed that somehow he had been a bad child, and no amount of persuasion from Kikyou or himself had been able to convince him otherwise.
Hoshimaru had become reclusive, spending his days sulking in his room. He kept the letter that his mother had left him by his side, always. He couldn't read it, and no one was willing to read it to him. It would have been too damaging, and Shippou was sure that Hoshimaru would take it in the worst possible way.
He sighed. With these thoughts in mind, Shippou stared at his ringing phone. Perhaps Inuyasha was making another attempt through a different phone line? It wouldn't be the first time the Taisho had done tried like that. But this time, Shippou found himself a little more willing to hear Inuyasha's pleas.
Shippou wasn't ready to forgive Sesshoumaru for what he had done, but he was keener to listen to what the Taisho leader might propose. Working alone was difficult, and he was getting no where. It was unusually defeatist of the stubborn Akatsune, but he was becoming desperate. Every moment alone, Kagome could be in more danger, she could be hurting herself, blaming herself unfairly. For all he knew, she could have simply collapsed somewhere and allowed herself to expire. He hoped that such a thing did not happen, but the logic within his mind saw it as a potential possibility.
He didn't want to help Sesshoumaru. Kami, did he want that man to fail. But he needed to make sure Kagome was safe. She was his top priority. He gave the phone a hard glance, his hand reaching for it.
His jaw clenched. If he could help it, Sesshoumaru would fail. He would make it so. But first, he would suck that man dry of any information he might have. Then, he would leave him in the dust.
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Myouga winced. Touga-sama certainly wasn't taking the news well, but that was to be expected. Myouga himself almost had a stroke. But how could he not? Kagome had been taken from their watch, right from under their noses.
Regrettably, it had been their own ineptitude that had led to the loss. Simply put, Saya had fallen asleep on duty, while Myouga and Totousai had gone to check on some other dealings that had been in the area. They had gone deep into Kumo's territory. It was natural for them to be suspicious of their surroundings. But for Saya to fall asleep, that was something wholly unexpected, from the aged, yet usually reliable, spy.
Myouga could hear the grind of teeth from the other end of the line, but he continued to make his report unperturbed. "She went willingly, it seemed. We think that perhaps there had been some prior contact between the two, but we're not sure when. Also, it seems that Kumo kept his business with Kagome as strictly need-to-know as we observed members of the Shichinintai acting as if unaware. We believe that perhaps there is some level of strife between them and Kumo. It might act to our benefit."
Touga was silent on his end. Myouga knew that the Taisho was considering what he had said, and most likely weighing his options. He was also aware, that he would come to the same conclusion as he and his fellow spies.
Touga sighed heavily. "Very well." He said slowly. "Continue observation over her. But if anything seems to go awry, whether it be Kumo's plans, or someone else's, I want you to drag her out of that spider's nest immediately."
"Yes, Touga-sama." Myouga said, nodding. It was the only option. They needed to know what the Kumo hoped to gain by using Kagome. She would probably be used as some foothold to obtain more power over the three divisions of business reigning over Japan, that they knew. However, it would be too dangerous to forcefully remove her currently, since she still strongly displayed the recent signs of trauma and abuse, and Kumo would only use that to his advantage over both the Taisho's and the Akatsune's, to obtain custody of Kagome. Further, he could use the cause of neglect to isolate Kagome from her family legally.
If they acted too rashly, Kumo would simply entrap them. Plus, there was no telling how Kagome would react to them. Already, they knew that their presence would cause her to act in a manner that was adverse to her health. What she needed was someone to take care of her, and that she would allow them to take care of them. Currently, that described no on within the Taisho fold. Though it was not that they hadn't wished it could be. They had to wait, it was their only option. Once they figured out Naraku's plan, they could move forward with their own agenda.
This was the logic, but Myouga couldn't help but feel that they were all making the wrong decision, and he knew that all the others felt the very same way.
[End Chapter One]
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SM: Alright, so there you have it. Finally, the first chapter has been released. You won't have to wait as long for the second installment, but believe me, patience is a virtue. I thank anyone who still follows this arc, as it has taken me a LONG time in order to get around to posting any part of this. It may seem to have been written a tad haphazardly, and that wasn't intentional. If it's confusing in any way, ask your questions, and if I can, I'll answer them.
One question I anticipate, is that weird flashback in the middle of a scene. If it's unclear, sorry. Basically, a week prior to Naraku showing up in Kouga's apartment, he had visited Kagome before while the others had been away. It was then he proposed to her a deal, and gave her one week to think about it. He arrives again, after the one week has passed, and uses Kouga and his friends as unwilling witnesses to Kagome's agreement to come with him.
Alright! That's about it. Thanks for reading!