Rin stared up at her lover eagerly awaiting his words. She was ecstatic that they were reunited, but terrified they would be separated once more.

"I want you to leave this place with Jaken."

She gasped loudly, her brows furrowed. "What?! But-"

"There is no reason for you to be here and put our children in danger. You must put them before yourself. You must put them before me." Sesshomaru replied matter-of-factly.

He avoided eye contact with Rin. He tried to avoid the pain. It did always hurt to stare at sun.

"The tunnel will lead directly to Jaken's estate. You should put yourself in police custody for your safety, and allow me to handle Izen." He took two paces away from Rin, staring out the window.

Rin glared at his back, hoping that he would feel her eyes beaming into him , but it was futile. He was too cold. Too solid.

She released a defeated sigh. "Fine. I will go. But you come home as soon as this is over! We can't go on without you."

"Rin, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have known about what was done to me, to my family. This man has destroyed the Tono-Taisho namesakes and I will avenge my mother, on my own volition, this time." He said with a cold, passionate voice, his fists clenched on the window sill.

"I'm scared." She moaned as she grabbed her stomach. "The babies hate when I get scared."

"As do I. Our children will become overly emotional."

"Oh, please." Rin retorted. "Your father said you were nothing but a crybaby the first year of your life."

He glanced back at Rin, an eyebrow raised. "You love getting under my skin, don't you?"

Rin giggled as he pulled her into his arms. "I suppose I do. I would love for us to move past this and have a normal relationship where we can have lighthearted talks like this again."

"We will. The sooner you leave, the sooner I can move freely." He replied as he let go of Rin and returned to the window.

'Why does he keep looking out the window?' Rin pondered.

"Is there something out there?"

"No." He replied after a short pause. "But someone familiar is coming."

"Who?"

"Sango."

"But why her, of all people?"

"You and I both know Sango is quite dangerous. She survived mortal wounds and struck fear into Kohaku, even while he was under demonic influence."

Rin's heart started racing. What would happen next? Surely Sango knew about Kohaku being murdered at Sesshomaru's hand. Was that the reason for her coming?

"She's coming alone, on her bike. You have 15 minutes to begin traveling through the tunnel. Her ability to sense demonic auras will tell her if Jaken is near. Leave."

"But-"

"Go! I will come for you soon." He kissed her softly then led her to the tunnel with Jaken.

Jaken brought Rin to a small overland vehicle and he drove hastily through the stuffy tunnel.

"How will we know if he's safe?" Rin asked as they reached the end.

"Lord Sesshomaru and I have a telepathic connection. It has been quite shaky over the past decade, but it is much clearer now."

Rin pouted. "I wish we had that kind of connection. It would make things much easier right now."

"Well, Milady," Jaken began as he helped Rin out of the car and up the creaky wooden steps. "That takes much time. It took Lord Sesshomaru and I 15 years to perfect it. We spent much time traveling and working together."

Sango jumped off her bike , leaving it to slide into the stairs, denting the bottom step.

She stomped to the front door and kicked it down.

She glared around the house, bloodlust eyes scanning for demons.

Sango found Sesshomaru sitting on the couch in a relaxed state.

"I killed Kohaku under direct orders." He mentioned without allowing her an opportunity to open her mouth. "Now, before you attack, there are many things you may want to know about your dear brother's suffering."

Sango leered skeptically, her hand on a gun hoslter. "Why should I trust you?"

"Oh? You trust Izen instead? The man who ordered me to kill your brother after he no longer had any use for him? That is the man you believe?" He stood, causing the uneasy Sango to draw her gun.

Sesshomaru advanced her agilely, knocking the pistol out of her hand and grasping her by her neck. "You are going to come with me. You are going to listen."

Sango tried to fight her way out of his grip, but the more she wriggled, the more he squeezed.

"Are you wearing a wire?"

"No." She gasped, pointing to her pocket.

"Is that so?" He said as he ripped the microphone out of her pocket and crushed it.

"Are there any more? Dishonesty will lead to your death."

"N-no."

"Perhaps I should submerge you in ice cold water to...exterminate any bugs you may have on your person."

"There...there aren't any more! I swear! On my brother's life. On my father's life! That was the only one."

Sesshomaru loosened his grip on Sango's neck and she dropped to her knees, catching her breath.

"Do you want the truth?"

Sango nodded. "I won't try anything funny. It isn't my style. I came here for answers. Against Izen's wishes."

"Then we don't have much time."

Sesshomaru showed Sango his mother's research, let her hear the tapes and explained Rin's last encounter with Kohaku.

Sango sat at the kitchen table in disbelief.

"I never had any intention to kill Kohaku. I knew deep down, Rin still had love for him."

"That...didn't bother you?"

"Petty human emotions such as jealousy don't effect me to that degree. Aside from that, Rin placed her job on the line for my sake and endured endless suffering because of me. I have no right to question her loyalty."

"I only worked for Izen to be close to my brother and to lay low after the crimes I committed. I have no reason to remain loyal to him."

"Then perhaps we should work together."

Rin was napping in Jaken's master suite, waiting for Miroku. She refused to speak with any police or government officials, except for him.

Miroku called Rin's phone, startling her out of her sleep.

"Hey. Where are you?"

"My superior will not allow me to have anything to do with this case, due to conflict of interest."

"What!? B-but who else am I supposed to trust?"

"I don't even know, Rin. I'm very sorry. Police will be there soon to speak with you. Speak with discretion."

He hung up the phone abruptly and Rin sighed worriedly.

She flinched at a knock on the door, then groaned as her twins knotted up in her stomach.

"Come in."

"Milady. There is someone here to see you."

"Who?"

"Kagura."

"Kagura?! But why?"

"She says she wants to help exonerate Sesshomaru. She said she has information she did not disclose when she arrested him a decade ago."

Rin decided to humor her, but speak with discretion as Miroku advised. She couldn't help but think some of the people in his office were working with Izen.

Of course they were. His program was being funded by the government, after all.

Rin apprehensively stepped into the foyer and Kagura glanced up at her.

"Hello, again, Ms. Asano."

"Hello, detective."

They greeted each other flatly and awkwardly.

"I know you aren't a big fan of me, and I on the other hand don't have a valid reason to dislike you. So I won't. You were only trying to protect Sesshomaru, which is something I tried to do, but couldn't." She sighed and reached into her bag, taking out a folded paper. "This is a letter Sesshomaru had written me immediately after he was arrested. I thought he was just trying to get out of his sentence somehow, but everything about his case-especially his sentencing... was off."

Rin read the letter, utterly confused by how scattered Sesshomaru's thoughts were. She squinted to decipher the surprisingly sloppy handwriting.

"Dear Kagura,

I am very sorry for the way things ended. I am sorry all those people died. I can assure you, I did not kill them. At least, not on purpose. There are things I cannot control. I have been hearing a song in my head non-stop. I am constantly asleep, and waking up with blood on my claws. I am so used to the scent, so used to the taste in my mouth, that I have come to enjoy it. Where I go , is where I belong. I would like to wake up from the awful nightmare."

"You never told anyone about this?"

Kagura shook her head. "No. He appeared to be an erratic serial killer."

"Erratic for sure. This was a cry for help. It's poorly written, very scattered. He crossed out words several times, and...sad."

"So what now?"

"Why are you asking me? Aren't you supposed to be hunting him?"

Kagura shrugged. "My sergeant took me off the case due to 'conflict of interest'."

'That's the same thing Miroku said. Can I trust her?' Rin wondered.

"I can tell you don't trust me. That's fine. You don't have to tell me anything you don't want me to know. Just let me help somehow. I'm afraid Sesshomaru might be in danger."

"He...killed Kohaku."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I watched him snap his neck."

"Where was this?"

"Outside the Taisho residence."

"We never recovered a body there. That's why I'm asking."

'So...is he alive? Or did they take him?'

Kagura watched as Rin's eyebrows furrowed. She knew she was scared, and she pitied her. She decided to go rogue, possibly risking her job, even her life. Who knew? But, justice needed to be served to someone , somehow.

"I'll be taking my leave. I should look into some things. I will certainly be in touch."

Rin watched as Kagura left. She attempted to call Miroku, but his phone went to voicemail. Rin was tired of sitting around worrying about all the people she cared about.

"Jaken!" She shouted. "Please come here."

"Yes, milady?"

Rin stood. "You heard everything going on, right?"

"Milady, it would be rude of Jaken to eavesdrop." He replied nervously.

"It's okay. I hope you did hear. I need a big favor."

At the hospital...

Inuyasha was helping Kagome wash up while Miroku watched the baby.

Miroku loved children and it saddened him that he may never see Sango again, because this was the life he wanted to share with her.

He held the baby gently in his arms. "Hello, nameless heiress." She yawned, showing her fangs. Her features were predominantly human with the exception of her fangs and amber eyes. He could tell she would be strong as he admired her.

The intimate godfather- goddaughter moment was interrupted by a loud knock on the hospital door.

"Yes?" He asked as he opened the door.

Two men let themselves in and looked around.

"We're government officials. I'm agent Sakakibara. This is agent Takahara." He said, pointing at the equally suspicious man beside him.

Several questions were swirling around in Miroku's head. "May I see your IDs, please?"

The two men flashed obviously fake identification. Miroku felt uneasy.

"What do you need, agents?"

"We're looking for Inuyasha Taisho. We have reason to believe he knows the whereabouts of a dangerous felon that escaped recently."

'Why didn't they go interrogate Rin? And If they're from the bureau, why don't they seem to know who I am?'

Miroku was unsure of what to do. He figured asking too many questions may do more harm than good.

He sat down with the baby , her legs covering his badge. He didn't want them to know who he was. It was obvious they weren't agents.

He didn't have much time to think. Kagome and Inuyasha were coming out of the bathroom.

His heart began beating rapidly as Kagome wobbled out of the bathroom, Inuyasha following behind, holding her gown closed.

They stared at the men in confusion, then over at the uneasy Miroku.

"Are you Inuyasha Taisho? We need you to come with us."

"Why? Who are you?"

They flashed the fake IDs again. "Government officials Sakakibara and Takahara. We need to ask you a few questions about your brother, Sesshomaru Taisho."

"I ain't got nothing to say. I'm here with my sick fiancée and our newborn. They need me right now. You need to come back another time."

"Look, you either come with us or we can arrest you for aiding and abetting a felon."

Kagome looked over at Miroku. "Will you stay?"

He nodded without hesitation. "Of course!"

She turned to Inuyasha "Go. You haven't done anything wrong. I'll see you soon."

Inuyasha sighed and kissed her , then helped her back into bed. "Take care of her." He told Miroku sternly before disappearing with the suspicious men.

Miroku noticed the apparent worry on Kagome's face as he handed her newborn to her.

"Would you mind closing the curtain so I could nurse her?"

"No worries, I have to make a few work-related calls and ensure that those agents don't give Inuyasha too much trouble."

She nodded approvingly. "I just need 30 minutes."

"Call or text me whenever you're finished and I'll come back in."

Kagome smiled. "Thank you."

Miroku rushed to the hospital lobby and took out his phone. He looked around and saw officers all about, and he didn't trust a soul.

Except his partner.

He knew for certain she had no involvement in this, so he decided to call her for help. He got into his car to ensure complete privacy during his phone call.

"Good evening, Miroku! How is the little baby doing?" She said cheerfully.

"She's well. I called because I need your help."

"Is this something rogue and dangerous?" She asked with a giggle " I'm not sure. Can you tell me if there is an agent named Sakakibara or Takahara in the system?"

"Hmm..." She paused for a few moments as she clicked and typed in the background. "Nnnope. There is a Sakubaru and a Takahashi but nothing else similar."

"I knew it."

"What's wrong?"

"I have to go. I will explain everything later."

Miroku didn't want to get anyone else dragged into this, so he called someone who already had involvement, and was skilled enough to find anything.

"Hello, Inumira. May I speak with Shippo please?"

"I'll put you on speaker, if you don't mind."

"Excellent, then I don't need to explain twice."

Miroku explained the current situation in full detail. "Now, Shippo. I need you to locate Inuyasha using his cell phone ."

"Not a problem. Give me 30 seconds."

Miroku looked at his watch worriedly. He knew Kagome would be calling him shortly.

"Found him! He's between 7th and Hanzo.

"What's over there?"

"Some commercial building."

"I need to find him."

"I will stay with Kagome." Inumira offered.

"Great. If you can get here in 15 minutes, that would be ideal. Kagome is still nursing the baby."

"I'm leaving now."

Inuyasha...

As he sat in the backseat of the agent's car, he looked up at the building. He knew that wasn't the bureau office, having been there several times. At that moment, he knew he was in trouble.

Jaken's estate

"Milady, I did as you requested. There was no indication there was a body in front of Lord Taisho's estate. I even knocked on the door, not even the maid answered."

"That's awfully strange..."

InuNo's basement...

'I hear voices...dark voices.'

"Oh, you're awake, I see." InuNo said warmly. "If it weren't for that demon, and this trusty brooch replica, you would be dead."

Kohaku sighed. "This is the third, or fourth time I have almost died and lived somehow." He said weakly.

"That stubborn demon inside you refuses to let you die. That hungry bastard tried to fight it's way out of you once I placed the brooch on your body."

"I thought Izen took the demon out of me."

"No, no. All he took was cloudy demonic energy. These brooches can't extract demons. Once a demon is placed inside you, it's irreversible."

"B-but when people are posessed-"

"You aren't possessed, Kohaku. Your soul has been fused with a demonic one. You've become a half demon."

He hissed in pain and groaned loudly when he tried to sit up. "It hurts so badly!"

"Sesshomaru snapped your neck. Luckily, your demonic power made your body less fragile, and it started to repair itself with sheer will."

"W-where's Rin?"

"She's fine. Sesshomaru regained his memories. He was under mind control."

"I see."

"You rest up. You are a vital secret weapon in taking down Izen. You should be fully recovered by sunrise."

InuNo left Kohaku alone in the basement. He took deep breaths as he stared up at the ceiling. 'Why can't I just die?' He wondered to himself. 'I'm going to kill that bastard for doing this to me. For ruining my soul and taking the one woman I loved from me.'

Kohaku noticed that InuNo left the brooch on his chest. He could feel his demonic energy increasing, and he hoped he wouldn't lose control again.

Please review. The worst and slowest writer ever would appreciate your love.

xoxo

-vQ