Unknown Intent

Inuyasha is not mine. Please excuse and grammar or spelling errors.

Enjoy

Ch.12

Sango swiped at her forehead absentmindedly as she prepped the backyard. It had taken longer than she thought to get the supplies together, but things were slowly picking up.

"Not so rusty yet," Sango mumbled to herself. Tying the last knot with practiced ease, the demon slayer eased up slowly. To the untrained eye it looked like nothing was amiss, and the back grounds looked the same as they were every day. But hidden amidst the trees and brambles were tiny traps set for any unwanted insect visitors, designs meant to capture and contain but not kill. Checking briefly on the burning incense stick that masked her human scent, Sango dug into her pouch for the final touch to her traps. Pulling out the cloth bundle delicately, Sango unwrapped the cloth to reveal a stack of yellowing sutras.

"The last of the family's demon-binding sutras. A little old, but should still work." As Sango made to attach the paper to one of the traps, a sudden yelp interrupted the peaceful silence. Stashing the sutras in her waistband Sango rushed towards the apartment with a slim dagger in hand. Heart pounding, Sango came upon the scene only to gape at what she saw. Miroku looked up sheepishly at her from his sprawled position in the dirt, periwinkle blue hydrangea petals scattered like pieces of confetti.

Resisting the tremendous urge to face-palm herself, Sango slowly crossed her arms and gave the handy-man a look. Chuckling nervously, Miroku slowly pushed himself to an upright position. Fishing behind him, he grabbed a sturdy mallet, and cracking a hesitant half-smile, said: "I take that this is yours Sango-san?" Gazing at Miroku's disheveled appearance, He doesn't seem to be working today Sango noted briefly in the absence of his work uniform, Sango had half the mind to take pity on him and help him up. But the facts that she was alone, how Miroku had come into the back grounds without prior permission and all the other memories of that stupid hand grabbing her butt steeled her eyes and her conscience.

"Since you've found a way to invite yourself in, I assume you can show yourself the way out," Sango hissed and resolutely turned on her heel to stomp back into the surrounding shrubbery. A pang of guilt made her teeth grind together as she stomped it back down to the back of her mind. She had no time for the man's theatrics right now, and wasn't in the mood to put up with them anyway!

But the sound of heavier footsteps spoke otherwise, and Sango almost wished she would have grabbed the mallet from him before so she could have had something to threaten him with. Quickening the pace, Sango tried to concentrate on finishing her part of the deal before Kagome and Inuyasha returned, but the slightly labored breaths following behind her soon had her eyebrow twitching. Anger was building like lava from a volcano, and Sango was a hairs breath away from snapping.

In the back of Sango's mind, the logic side of her brain was shocked at her behavior. Never before had anyone been able to push all of her buttons so easily, and just with breathing no less! Being furious over nothing wasn't like her. Just calm down…deep breaths…just ignore him and..and…and his stupid breathing!

Snapped, Sango twirled around to rip Miroku a new one. But before a harsh word could escape her mouth, a handful of wilted flowers were shoved under her nose. Periwinkle hydrangeas to be exact. Thrown for a loop, Sango could only stare at the pitiful collection of flora; her anger temporarily subdued.

"I know you have every right to be angry Sango-san, and I know I deserve it. I should have treated you with the respect you deserved, and not as a plaything. But if you're willing, I am fully prepared to start over and show you I'm not a lecherous jerk. So…Hi, I'm Miroku Houshi. Do you want to be friends?"

Ironic how the same man that could make Sango's blood boil could also make her heart flutter.

Gingerly taking the bouquet, Sango stared into Miroku's deep blue-violet eyes for a few nerve-wracking seconds before sighing.

"Alright Miroku-san, apology accepted. But we're not friends yet, just business acquaintances. However, if your 'cursed hand' is found within a foot of any of my extremities, we are through, friendship or otherwise, for good." Miroku nodded sternly at Sango's statement, and even placed his hands behind his back. Fighting back a smile, Sango looked back towards the area where her traps lied unfinished and then back to her guest's rumpled state. Glancing down at the flowers Sango sighed once more before inviting Miroku inside to clean up while she put the flowers in a vase.

I'll attach the sutras as soon as the handy-man leaves…but a little snack break won't take up too much time.

…...

Inuyasha was not having a fun time. At all.

Of course you wouldn't be so comfortable with a gay cross-dresser undressing you with their eyes now would you?

Didn't think so.

Inuyasha took another deep breath to try to settle his nerves as Kagome chatted about a subject that the hanyou didn't bother to remember, and shuttered as another breathy sigh from the registers found his twitching white ears. I should have kept my trap shut when I had the chance… Inuyasha thought glumly while passing over some button-up shirts in disinterest.

When Sango asked him to take away Kagome for the afternoon so Sango could do her 'exterminator thing', Inuyasha had no relative idea how to get the said girl out of the house without a certain level of force.

"If there's one thing Kagome-chan is a sucker for, it's a person in need. Just tell her you need something, anything from the mall. Your ego might take a dive, but it'll keep Kagome-chan out of the way until we catch this thing," Sango had advised, and had smirked at the grimace on Inuyasha's face. Inuyasha never liked asking for help or favors, and probably wouldn't till' the day he was put in his grave, yet he knew this was the only strategy that might work without getting Kagome suspicious. So Inuyasha tore up some of the shirts and one shoe that he and Kagome purchased from their last shopping trip(whatever he had left that he didn't originally pack in the duffel bag on the new moon), and swallowed any arrogant comments that might erupt at the wrong time and completely screw him over.

Turns out, Inuyasha didn't have to say anything all.

Kagome had taken one look at the ruined articles of clothing and hollered to Sango that she and Inuyasha were going shopping and not to wait up with dinner. Although Inuyasha was glad that Kagome was going along without a fuss, he was still miffed about her buying more stuff for him.

I feel like I'm going into her debt again, Inuyasha had thought. If she keeps doing this, I don't know if I could ever pay her back…

But what had startled him the most was that the notion of staying by Kagome's side longer filled him with joy for the briefest of moments.

Bringing himself back to the present, Inuyasha realized that Kagome had already taken the new shirts to the checkout. Sighing in relief that the visit in the B7 store was short, Inuyasha waited near the exit for Kagome to finish paying.

…

"Well we got your new shirts and a replacing pair of shoes, and it's not even 1 o'clock yet! Certainly was a lot easier than the first time right Inuyasha?" The hanyou's reply was a noncommittal shrug, keeping his hands deep in his jean pockets as the pair strolled through the light foot traffic. Kagome pouted at his lack of response, and the conversation was silent once again. Ever since the visit with her family Inuyasha had been off, staying on the back grounds for longer periods of time and sometimes coming back from his runs with a furious look on his face.

Kagome had to bite her tongue to keep from prying, but she felt as though their fragile relationship was being stretched to the brink, and she feared the day that something would happen to cause it to break without hopes of repair. So when Kagome caught Inuyasha with the shirts in his hands and the slight venerable look on his face, Kagome felt the urge to try and cross the gap between them, even if she had to deal with Inuyasha's stubbornness to do it.

Surprisingly, he came without a fuss and only gave Kagome a weak glare when she chose the B7 store once more, and remained compliant ever since. But there was something about Inuyasha's cooperation that was sending alarm bells off in Kagome's head. It's almost like he's hiding something from me…but again, what else is new? Eyes drooping at the depressing lead her thoughts were taking her; it shocked Kagome when she felt Inuyasha's warm hand touch her bare arm.

"Isn't that your Mother with your kid brother?"

Stopping and looking towards the direction Inuyasha was pointing, it was indeed her mother just getting out of one of the cars with Souta following closely behind. Smiling, Kagome grabbed Inuyasha's hand and began hailing her mother; not noticing the bright red blush that Inuyasha had at the contact.

But what Kagome didn't see, Esaki certainly did. Smiling softly, yet eyes having a touch of apprehension, she welcomed her eldest with a brief hug and nodded towards Inuyasha.

"Mama, Souta! What a surprise! You usually don't come around this part of the city anymore." And for good reason too, for Kagome's old house was in the nearby neighborhood, and Kagome knew that her Mama still felt uncomfortable being here after her husband's death.

"Oh Souta and I wanted to stretch our legs a little and spend some quality time at the park on Sakura Ave. Are you and Inuyasha-kun on errands?" Inuyasha's ears twitched at the 'kun' suffix to his name, but said nothing about it.

"Yes, Inuyasha and I were just about done. I reckon we are heading home now." Inuyasha's eyes widened at Kagome statement, and racked his brains for reasons to keep her away from the apartment.

Sango will need another hour at least to finish all of her traps! Need to keep Kagome distracted for a little more but what do I—

"But it's still so early in the day Kagome. Tell you what, why don't you and Inuyasha join us? It's too beautiful of an afternoon to waste," Esaki suggested, giving Inuyasha just the chance he was looking for.

"Yeah sis! Maybe Inuyasha could show any cool tricks or attacks! It'll be awesome!" Souta quipped, stars almost literally dancing in his eyes. Clearly outnumbered, all it took was a small nudge forward from Inuyasha to have Kagome agreeing, and the duo turned into a small group as they walked towards the community park.

…...

Yakamura Manor

Jinenji slowly deposited the small shrub into the earth with a gentleness not expected from his size. The logo 'Yokoto Landscaping' stretched across his massive back on his tan uniform, which showed signs of wear and tear. Moving to the next spot, the horse half-demon began to re-plant a small bushel of pink petunias. Although his enormous size and strong build tended to make others believe him a fighter, Jinenji was a simple soul and despised the thought of hurting anyone more than anything else in the world.

Even after his skin was overrun by scars over the course of his life, Jinenji's heart still remained pure due to the teachings of his mother. "People are dumb, brash, and stick to their bad habits like glue," Jinenji's Ma would preach, "So it's pointless to hate and scorn them for not knowing any different. Just keep your head and spirits high son and always be kind, because not one person on Kami's green earth will forget an act of kindness."

Jinenji smiled softly at the little plants, silently wishing it long lives and many blossoms. Grunting as he got to his feet, he lumbered over to his wheel barrow and picked up a map of the grounds. This was the biggest job Jinenji had in a while, and though payment went to the company sometimes demons were given tips with money or food for their work.

"Yakamura-sama seems like a nice man. If I work especially hard, I might get something to buy Ma's medicine," he murmured to himself, before wheeling out towards the front lawn. Just as he reached the front of the property, a slight breeze was beginning to blow. Tugging at his collar to welcome some the air on his sweaty skin, Jinenji turned to his wheel barrow to pick out the next shrub for planting. Suddenly the slight breeze turned into fast gusts of wind and Jinenji barely registered the wave of youki energy before it hit.

An explosion of light catapulted Jinenji backwards and rolling him a few feet away. Eyes dizzy and head pounding from the pressure, Jinenji blinked to see an honest-to-Kami tornado touch down just outside the manor front door. The tornado began to dissipate as the smoke of the attack settled, reveling both the massive damage and the manor's attacker.

A lovely woman emerged from the twister and it disappeared fully with the flick of her wrist, dressed to kill in an ornate kimono that seemed to move on invisible winds. But although she looked delicate, the waves of youkai energy rolling of her were enough to tell Jinenji that this demoness was not to be trifled with. Moving the fan she held to cover her smile, security demons and humans alike began to come out the wood work, and from behind the small cluster Shinji Yakamura looked on at the attacker with a non-pulsed attitude.

"You know, Miss, usually you ring the doorbell or knock to get my attention. In a rush perhaps?" Shinji asked, using a tone as if one would talk about the weather. The woman lowered her fan to show her red lips smiling coyly, and when she did so Jinenji suddenly noticed a black collar around her neck.

But…what is that odd pink shine…?

"But what confuses me, is that if you have the power to control tornados, why would you just destroy the house and be done with me?" Shinji questioned, sharp eyes taking in the small change when her eyes hardened in contempt.

"I am merely on a house call, Yakamura-san. My master seems to have let something slip from his grasp and Intel tells him some very important people may have it. He's distraught you see, and will do anything to get it back. Unfortunately he is unable to visit you himself so he sent me instead. I hope I'll meet any expectations," the woman purred, not even blinking as the security slowly surrounded her.

"Interesting, but how is he so sure that I have what he seeks? All of everything I own in tinder value is in the stocks my dear, and everything else is sentimental baubles of an aging man that only mean anything to me and not to him."

"Sometimes it's the most unlikeliest of things that have the most value Yakamura-san. You'd be surprised on how much people would fight over something ridiculous…from oil mines to fake jewelry."

Shinji's eyes widened slightly, and the easy-going façade trickled away to show grim determination as the atmosphere doubled in tension. Jinenji gulped as he tried to keep his hands from shaking with fear, for his gut told him something bad was about to happen.

"Indeed. While I would like to help, I make it a point not to aid would-be murderers. Please pass that on to your master Miss…?"

"Kagura of the Wind Yakamura-san, although it's a shame not to have you're cooperation, because now I can't let you live."

At Kagura's statement all hell broke loose.

As the demons and humans leapt to attack, Kagura easily wiped off half with an air attack that looked like blades. The half remaining decided a more strategic move was needed, so the human security began shooting at her. Evading the bullets with the grace of a dancer, Kagura's red eyes danced with glee at their frustration and conjured small tornados to slash some more victims to pieces.

Suddenly the last guard fell with a wet 'thump' and left Shinji woefully unguarded. Cursing under his breath, he reached behind his back and pulled out his own gun. Firing multiple shots, one bullet managed to graze Kagura's cheek, and the slight contact made her flesh blister and crackle with energy. Eyes widening and hissing, Kagura dabbed her cheek before narrowing her eyes at Yakamura.

"Blessed bullets for taking down demons…not bad Yakamura-san. Unfortunately you're a horrible shot and have wasted all of them, and what's worse is that now you've pissed me off." Flicking her fan to deliver the finishing blow, Kagura was suddenly knocked to the side by a meaty fist. Managing to land on her feet a few yards away, Kagura growled at the sight of Jinenji standing in-front of Shinji. She sniffed the air and sneered before barking, "You could have walked away from this alive you half-demon! But now you'll become fodder like the rest of them!"

With his hands still shaking, but unwilling to let the slaughter continue, Jinenji's bright blue eyes pulsed with unknown power and courage as Kagura launched another blade attack. Crossing his arms the blades met his flesh with mighty force, but due to the natural toughness of his skin, the attack served to leave only shallow wounds.

With a mighty bellow Jinenji crashed both fists to the earth, and the shock wave made Kagura retreat once more to avoid the brunt of the attack. Alas, Kagura was faster than Jinenji, and the next blade attack caught him on the more vulnerable skin around his ribs and the half-demon crashed down as more speckled blood rained on the grass. Assured of her victory, the fight was once again interrupted by the wailing of sirens and caused Kagura to hesitate.

Catching eyes with Yakamura, Kagura managed to smirk before stating, "You may have survived this encounter Yakamura-san, but I wouldn't celebrate for too long if I were you…"

And with that final threat, Kagura grabbed a white feather from her hair and in a flash of smoke had taken to the sky; just moments before the police swarmed the manor. Shinji managed to walk a few steps forward before collapsing, heart pounding and thinking a few years were shaved of his life.

Waving off the paramedics, he ordered to have Jinenji taken to the best hospital to be taken care of and check his guards for survivors before letting himself be looked at. As Shinji stood before his destroyed front door, he felt a foreboding in his bones, much like the feeling he felt two years ago. Rubbing his temples, he thought back to what that devil-woman had said, and more importantly what she implied.

If my hunch is right, then this mysterious man knows about it. And is willing to throw away lives to get his slimy hands on it…

"What a right ol' mess you've gotten into Yakamura, " Shinji hissed out. Asking one of the officers if he could borrow a cell phone, Shinji began to call the number of his beloved wife, while various plans of action circled around his head.

Next chapter: Wheels of fate begin to turn as Kagome and her family is thrown into an old war that may forever change her views on Yakamura and her father. And as the danger around Kagome begins to increase, Inuyasha starts to fear what may have happened 50 years ago may happen again. Will Inuyasha be able to prevent it? Who is this madman and what is he searching for? Stay tuned to find out…

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