Inuyasha, "Some Dreams Fade Anew" Sesshoumaru/Kagome
Fandom: Inuyasha
Title: Some Dreams Fade Anew
Chapter Title: Testimony
Author: Paynesgrey
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama/Romance
Universe: AU
Prompt: "horizon" theme at dokuga_contest
Claim: "memories" for 30shards
Warnings: some violence
Notes: This is off-hiatus! This is also going to be part of my new claim at 30shards. This is part eight of my "Some Dreams" serialization. You may need to read previous installments to understand what's going on.
Summary: After they meet again for the anniversary of her husband's death, Kagome can no longer deny Sesshoumaru's offer to take care of her, especially when someone starts to threaten her life. AU. Serialization. Kagome x Sesshoumaru.
Other Links: Dokuga | FFnet
previous chapter
Some Dreams Fade Anew
Chapter Nine: Testimony
Kagome tried not to be rude, so she resisted the temptation to twiddle her thumbs while Homeland Security Agent Kikyou questioned her about her family. Kagome was feeling tired, especially when Kikyou’s silence seemed to eat up time while she scribbled away at her notebook.
“So your grandfather; he once owned a shrine in Japan?” An eyebrow rose at Kagome challengingly, as if Kagome was hiding something so obvious.
Kagome chuckled anxiously. “Yes, but I assure you he has no spiritual powers. He was tested again and again, in both Japan and by the American forces. It was quite a disappointment, not only to him but also to our family. It’s part of the reason the shrine didn’t do well, and he was forced to sell it.”
“Hrm,” Kikyou replied stonily. “And I presume your mother was tested as well after your grandfather?”
“Yes,” Kagome said, shaking her head. “No luck with her either.”
“I see, so the latent abilities either stem from your unknown father or from a regressive gene in your family,” Kikyou said, forcing an unusual smile. “It happens quite frequently, but it’s nothing to worry about.”
Kagome hated her niceties as much as Kikyou probably did herself.
“So...what do I have to do? I take it priestess training is on the horizon,” Kagome asked woefully. How much would this training hinder her normal job? Her boss won’t like her taking off time for government-required activities.
“Well, do not get ahead of yourself just yet,” Kikyou said, and the woman’s tone was back to business. “For now, let’s get back to the issue of your father.”
“Mama never talks about him,” Kagome said quickly. “I can ask her...but I don’t know anything about him. I was three when he died, and Souta was less than two months old. All my mother ever said was that he was a regular business man, worked in an office in Japan, and then he had a heart attack at 42 and died.” Kagome shrugged, not knowing what else she could offer her.
“So you know nothing about your father’s history?” Kikyou asked.
“No, nothing. Mama said he had no family that she’d ever met. She’s never spoken about other family, but even though she says that...” Kagome’s voice trailed off and she couldn’t believe she was telling Kikyou this, but she figured she had to tell her everything in case she’d get in trouble for leaving any details out. Whether it was Kikyou or someone else handling her case, she had to be thorough when it came to holy power laws. Youkai didn’t mess around with the government when it came to their laws, and neither did holy people. If they did, there was a hefty felony involved as well as jail time. Kagome shivered. She didn’t like the idea that Kikyou could find cause to give her jail time because she left out personal details about her family.
She met Kikyou’s dark eyes. “Over the years, the way my grandpa talks about Dad, mostly when he doesn’t think I’m around, well, I’ve gotten the impression that he was disowned from his family, so I may very well have family in Japan on my father’s side.”
“You’ve never pursued this notion?”
Kagome shook her head. “I never had a reason to.”
“Until now, of course,” Kikyou said, and Kagome was startled as Kikyou slammed the notepad down briskly and began rising from her seat. She leaned over the table and leveled with Kagome’s eyes. “It seems this case isn’t closed after all. Leave it to me, Kagome. I will look into your family history.”
She smiled, and Kagome could feel the strange pleasure Kikyou was getting into having the permission to poke into her life. Holy power or not, it was obvious.
“So I take it I’ll be seeing you again?” Kagome asked with mock enthusiasm. Kikyou smirked at her.
“I’ll contact you as soon as I find anything,” Kikyou said, and she handed Kagome her business card. “In the meantime, talk to your grandfather and mother. I know it will be hard considering this is a sensitive subject for your family, but when they know the HMS is involved because of your incident, then they will have to comply. Contact me as soon as you find out anything new.”
Kagome nodded, taking the card. “I understand,” she mumbled.
“But, you’re free to go as far as I can see. I’ll report to my superiors about the fluke and that your case is in progress,” she said briskly again, and Kagome followed her out the door.
Kagome gaped a little when she saw Sesshoumaru outside waiting for her. There was a frigid exchange of acknowledgement between their eyes, and then he met Kagome’s gaze with softness. She heard Kikyou clear her throat beside her, but as Kagome and Sesshoumaru stared at each other wordlessly, they barely paid Kikyou another thought as she left.
“Is everything alright?” he asked smoothly, and Kagome felt the blood rush to her cheeks.
“Yeah, fine,” she laughed nervously. “Kikyou was...civil, surprisingly.”
“It must have been difficult,” he said sympathizing.
Kagome tilted her head. “You know, it really wasn’t. She says she’s going to help me, and I believe her. I mean, I have to cooperate. Wouldn’t want to give Kikyou any reason to throw her former lover’s widow in jail for a felony, now would I?”
Instead of putting his mind at ease, Kagome’s statement seemed to perturb him, and he looked away from her eyes to glare at the direction in which Kikyou had exited. He snapped his head back at her, and she could tell he was trying to calm his fury.
“I promise you that will not happen,” he said in a growl, and Kagome was too awed by his sudden anger to say much of anything. Then, she remembered that he had gone through some questioning as well.
“What about you? Did you find out why those guys were hired to kill you?” Kagome asked, finding his problem much more important than hers.
Sesshoumaru released a strained sigh. “No, but Detective Coolidge and his men are still looking into it.” He offered his arm to her, and she took it, naturally, and they stepped out of the police headquarters to a rental car that was waiting for them. A security officer for hire was waiting at the car, and he nodded at Sesshoumaru as he opened the door for them.
“Let me assure you, when it comes to my enemies, there are plenty of options,” he said as Kagome slid next to him in the back seat of the black Fusion. She turned to him, still holding his arm, and she slipped her fingers into his.
“I’m worried about you, Sesshoumaru,” Kagome said. “Everyone keeps telling me that you have a lot of enemies in the courtrooms.”
“Everyone is correct,” he said haughtily.
“Well, if that’s true, then you must have had hundreds of death threats during your career,” she said, and he turned to her, intrigued by her observation.
“Actually no, this is the first serious one,” Sesshoumaru said. “I’ve had written threats before. I’ve had bricks thrown through my office window, but never a hired attack until now.”
“Well, if anything,” Kagome said, and she leaned against him and rested her head on his shoulder. “This narrows the list of suspects just a bit.”
Sesshoumaru sighed as the car drove ahead to take them home. “I do hope you are right.”
Chapter Ten
Title: Some Dreams Fade Anew
Chapter Title: Testimony
Author: Paynesgrey
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama/Romance
Universe: AU
Prompt: "horizon" theme at dokuga_contest
Claim: "memories" for 30shards
Warnings: some violence
Notes: This is off-hiatus! This is also going to be part of my new claim at 30shards. This is part eight of my "Some Dreams" serialization. You may need to read previous installments to understand what's going on.
Summary: After they meet again for the anniversary of her husband's death, Kagome can no longer deny Sesshoumaru's offer to take care of her, especially when someone starts to threaten her life. AU. Serialization. Kagome x Sesshoumaru.
Other Links: Dokuga | FFnet
previous chapter
Some Dreams Fade Anew
Chapter Nine: Testimony
Kagome tried not to be rude, so she resisted the temptation to twiddle her thumbs while Homeland Security Agent Kikyou questioned her about her family. Kagome was feeling tired, especially when Kikyou’s silence seemed to eat up time while she scribbled away at her notebook.
“So your grandfather; he once owned a shrine in Japan?” An eyebrow rose at Kagome challengingly, as if Kagome was hiding something so obvious.
Kagome chuckled anxiously. “Yes, but I assure you he has no spiritual powers. He was tested again and again, in both Japan and by the American forces. It was quite a disappointment, not only to him but also to our family. It’s part of the reason the shrine didn’t do well, and he was forced to sell it.”
“Hrm,” Kikyou replied stonily. “And I presume your mother was tested as well after your grandfather?”
“Yes,” Kagome said, shaking her head. “No luck with her either.”
“I see, so the latent abilities either stem from your unknown father or from a regressive gene in your family,” Kikyou said, forcing an unusual smile. “It happens quite frequently, but it’s nothing to worry about.”
Kagome hated her niceties as much as Kikyou probably did herself.
“So...what do I have to do? I take it priestess training is on the horizon,” Kagome asked woefully. How much would this training hinder her normal job? Her boss won’t like her taking off time for government-required activities.
“Well, do not get ahead of yourself just yet,” Kikyou said, and the woman’s tone was back to business. “For now, let’s get back to the issue of your father.”
“Mama never talks about him,” Kagome said quickly. “I can ask her...but I don’t know anything about him. I was three when he died, and Souta was less than two months old. All my mother ever said was that he was a regular business man, worked in an office in Japan, and then he had a heart attack at 42 and died.” Kagome shrugged, not knowing what else she could offer her.
“So you know nothing about your father’s history?” Kikyou asked.
“No, nothing. Mama said he had no family that she’d ever met. She’s never spoken about other family, but even though she says that...” Kagome’s voice trailed off and she couldn’t believe she was telling Kikyou this, but she figured she had to tell her everything in case she’d get in trouble for leaving any details out. Whether it was Kikyou or someone else handling her case, she had to be thorough when it came to holy power laws. Youkai didn’t mess around with the government when it came to their laws, and neither did holy people. If they did, there was a hefty felony involved as well as jail time. Kagome shivered. She didn’t like the idea that Kikyou could find cause to give her jail time because she left out personal details about her family.
She met Kikyou’s dark eyes. “Over the years, the way my grandpa talks about Dad, mostly when he doesn’t think I’m around, well, I’ve gotten the impression that he was disowned from his family, so I may very well have family in Japan on my father’s side.”
“You’ve never pursued this notion?”
Kagome shook her head. “I never had a reason to.”
“Until now, of course,” Kikyou said, and Kagome was startled as Kikyou slammed the notepad down briskly and began rising from her seat. She leaned over the table and leveled with Kagome’s eyes. “It seems this case isn’t closed after all. Leave it to me, Kagome. I will look into your family history.”
She smiled, and Kagome could feel the strange pleasure Kikyou was getting into having the permission to poke into her life. Holy power or not, it was obvious.
“So I take it I’ll be seeing you again?” Kagome asked with mock enthusiasm. Kikyou smirked at her.
“I’ll contact you as soon as I find anything,” Kikyou said, and she handed Kagome her business card. “In the meantime, talk to your grandfather and mother. I know it will be hard considering this is a sensitive subject for your family, but when they know the HMS is involved because of your incident, then they will have to comply. Contact me as soon as you find out anything new.”
Kagome nodded, taking the card. “I understand,” she mumbled.
“But, you’re free to go as far as I can see. I’ll report to my superiors about the fluke and that your case is in progress,” she said briskly again, and Kagome followed her out the door.
Kagome gaped a little when she saw Sesshoumaru outside waiting for her. There was a frigid exchange of acknowledgement between their eyes, and then he met Kagome’s gaze with softness. She heard Kikyou clear her throat beside her, but as Kagome and Sesshoumaru stared at each other wordlessly, they barely paid Kikyou another thought as she left.
“Is everything alright?” he asked smoothly, and Kagome felt the blood rush to her cheeks.
“Yeah, fine,” she laughed nervously. “Kikyou was...civil, surprisingly.”
“It must have been difficult,” he said sympathizing.
Kagome tilted her head. “You know, it really wasn’t. She says she’s going to help me, and I believe her. I mean, I have to cooperate. Wouldn’t want to give Kikyou any reason to throw her former lover’s widow in jail for a felony, now would I?”
Instead of putting his mind at ease, Kagome’s statement seemed to perturb him, and he looked away from her eyes to glare at the direction in which Kikyou had exited. He snapped his head back at her, and she could tell he was trying to calm his fury.
“I promise you that will not happen,” he said in a growl, and Kagome was too awed by his sudden anger to say much of anything. Then, she remembered that he had gone through some questioning as well.
“What about you? Did you find out why those guys were hired to kill you?” Kagome asked, finding his problem much more important than hers.
Sesshoumaru released a strained sigh. “No, but Detective Coolidge and his men are still looking into it.” He offered his arm to her, and she took it, naturally, and they stepped out of the police headquarters to a rental car that was waiting for them. A security officer for hire was waiting at the car, and he nodded at Sesshoumaru as he opened the door for them.
“Let me assure you, when it comes to my enemies, there are plenty of options,” he said as Kagome slid next to him in the back seat of the black Fusion. She turned to him, still holding his arm, and she slipped her fingers into his.
“I’m worried about you, Sesshoumaru,” Kagome said. “Everyone keeps telling me that you have a lot of enemies in the courtrooms.”
“Everyone is correct,” he said haughtily.
“Well, if that’s true, then you must have had hundreds of death threats during your career,” she said, and he turned to her, intrigued by her observation.
“Actually no, this is the first serious one,” Sesshoumaru said. “I’ve had written threats before. I’ve had bricks thrown through my office window, but never a hired attack until now.”
“Well, if anything,” Kagome said, and she leaned against him and rested her head on his shoulder. “This narrows the list of suspects just a bit.”
Sesshoumaru sighed as the car drove ahead to take them home. “I do hope you are right.”
Chapter Ten