Priestess by Smortz

Dangers and Art

A/N

This is in response to the Superhero/Batman challenge! It is keeping my mind from exploding due to work and school and I am glad I got this chapter done.

I have also changed the rating from MA to T. This is a light and humorous fic and I don't think there will be any adult themes in it. I apologize if any of you were looking forward to it, but I had younger people telling me that they would like to read this because of the summary they read on the front page, and because it was so early in the story – Chapter one. I figured I would change it to T while I could. :) I apologize if this disappoints anyone. If you want some MA... Go read Time Floats On. :)

I hope you enjoy it, seeing as this is the first time I have attempted something like this!

Enjoy and Review!

~Smo

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from InuYasha.

Chapter 2

“Why did she have my number?!” The roar rattled everyone in the conference room. Even Kagome dropped her pen to her notepad and stared at him. It was not out of fear, like everyone else. No, her stare was in triumph. “I pissed him off!” She cheered.

Sesshomaru had been in a mood all day. Instantly, after lunch, he had scheduled an abrupt conference and had not stopped shouting. Apparently, this vigilante woman called him at an indecent hour to feed him the story first. While he was glad they had the jump on it, he was quite angry that he did not identify her.

“Police swept the phone booth where she called,” Kagome volunteered, tapping her pen against the wooden table to keep the sweet victory out of her tone. “There were no prints or hairs left on it. She knows how to clean up,” she threw in the compliment, wanting to pat herself on the back for what she had pulled the night before.

Sesshomaru slammed his fist into the table, startling a woman to the point where she released a small squeal and lifting her teetering coffee cup. “Get me this woman. I want her unmasked by the end of the week!” He shouted. “Leave!”

They all scurried like ants under a heated magnifying glass. Casually, she pulled her notepad to her chest and turned to exit the room like everyone else. “Not you, Higurashi.” The cool and composed tone actually startled her. She felt cautious suddenly at the compete change in him. He was so angry before, and now he sounded just fine.

“It was a woman.” It was as if he had just confessed he was a homosexual. He sighed, releived to get it off his chest. “This 'superhero' is a woman.”

“So?” Kagome asked, obviously offended at the sexist feeling to this conversation. “Can women not kick some serious booty?” She clarified, leaning against the table to stare at him.

Sesshomaru growled, obviously not liking her tone. “I called the police station. They are going to tap my lines for the next week, which is why I want this wrapped up. I want you to reach out to your resources, I know you have more than anyone here. Get this settled.”

She couldn't help the sly grin that spread across her face She felt a pulse of triumph soar through her. He looked so defeated. She gave a nod, turning the conversation to more personal matters. “What exactly happened last night?” She asked innocently, keeping her voice as casual as she could. Her whole body felt on fire with her victory. She had been there, all night, watching as he scoured the neighborhood looking for her.

He avoided the question, something she had expected. She knew Sesshomaru was not a man who talked about his night. Instead, he began to bark out orders, like usual.. “Get Koga over.”

At first the order stunned her. Koga was her contact that she used when she needed to verify cases or clues. She had never told Sesshomaru about him. Her shock subsided when she realized that this man figured everything out. “Why?” She asked, feigning a worried look. “Is something wrong?”

A grunt was her response. Then, a moment later, he flicked his wrist to dismiss her. Kagome shot him a glare, shaking her head as she sauntered out of his office and into her much smaller one just outside of it. Quickly, she dialed Koga's number.

“I had a feeling you'd call,” he teased into the phone upon picking it up. “You can never stay away for too long.”

“Kagome sighed dreamily. “It's the gun,” she teased back. “Is there any way you can come over here when you get a chance?” She asked, her tone turning serious.

“I can be over in about an hour. Do you need my services or is this a social call?” Should I bring my … gun?” He asked, almost hopefully.

Kagome only hung up, dropping the office phone back onto the receiver and releasing another sigh. Koga was incorrigible when it came to flirting.

Kagome shook her head to clear her thoughts, refocusing her attention on the computer. She typed in the name of the night club in a periodical search engine, watching in horror as attack after attack slammed into her. So many reports of assaults and muggings, yet none of the stories linked the obvious connection. None of the big name articles even mentioned them, only small local papers and newsletters.

She began to click on them all. There had to be a common name or witness that had some sort of power to control the story. She began to find several clubs that were located around the attacks. They were nightclubs, gentlemen clubs, and pubs. They were all known for the risky behavior of the patrons, so no one was really shocked over a mugging or brawl. It was almost usual in that area now.

She found it quickly. Naraku Onigumo was the owner of the three of them and a witness to one of the last ones. His black hair framed his face, heavy eyes suggested drug abuse and he looked devious. She could almost feel the demonic aura coming off him.

“What are you looking at?”

She squealed, jumping up and slamming into the body behind her. Fingers wrapped around her his to keep her from hitting his chin as she jumped. “Don't scare me like that, Sesshomaru!” She shouted angrily, turning to glare at her boss.

“What are you working on?” He asked again, eying the screen behind her. “Who is that?” He asked, staring at Naraku's picture.

Kagome flushed, trying to gather an idea. She couldn't say she was looking into attacks, because she technically did not know about them. She chewed on her lip, trying to conjure some sort of ingenious fib. “Koga wanted to know if we wrote any articles on the popular nightlife in the city. It seems like this man owns most of them.”

“I will assign the story to someone else,” Sesshomaru returned instantly at he stared at the familiar face. To be honest, he had thought that demon had died years ago. Naraku was a dangerous being and snooping around in his past was something he did not want Kagome to do.

“It is my story though!” Kagome argued stubbornly. Instantly, she stood up when he began to walk away from her. Following him, she halted in front of the elevators. “You can't give someone else that story! I found it, Sesshomaru, and I know it is going to be a big one!” She exclaimed, hammering the lobby button when the oaf simply waited in the elevator. The fool couldn't do anything on his own.

“No,” his answer was firm, and she hated it. It was not that she wanted the publicity. She liked bringing bad men to justice, in and out of her superhero suit. This had bad man all over it. Also, it was a precaution. She couldn't allow someone from the agency to get hurt.

“I'll quit.” The threat left her before she could stop them. Sesshomaru's brow arched curiously, and he reached over her to hit the emergency stop on the elevator. The cables strained. The cart came to an halt, and she swayed a little to catch her balance. Still, she held firm to it. “I will go to Hojo's company. I will leave you if you give another one of my stories to someone else.”

“Why is this story so important to you?” He challenged, narrowing his eyes on her and stepping towards her. It was a move of dominance and intimidation. Kagome knew better than to fall into his trap.

“This man owns all the clubs, Sesshomaru, he is practically getting away with murder, organized crime, and other charges that I could uncover!” Kagome lectured. She pointed a finger at him. “My turn, pal, why don't you want me on this?”

His answer came a lot quicker than she had prepared herself for. “It is too dangerous.” The concern leaked into his gaze faster than she could melt at his sudden worry.

“All the stories can be dangerous,” she whispered, her tone much softer than before. Finally, she came to a compromise. “Let's do it together, Sesshomaru.” He smirked, she flushed. It was a foul choice of words. “The story! Let-Let's wrap up the story,” she corrected.

He hit the run on the elevator, and she took it as his way of accepting her suggestion. “Higurashi,” he murmured when the door opened, beginning to walk away for his scheduled dinner meeting, “I would do it with you anytime.”

Kagome gawked, her expression unchanging as the doors closed once more. She stood, frozen, in the elevator, until she returned to her desk and sank into her rolling computer chair.

~Priestess~

She huffed, but was quickly back on duty when the elevator doors opened. Koga brushed through and immediately all the girls in the office seemed to swoon. The man had that effect on women. His uniform was perfectly tailored to his chiseled torso and muscular arms. The belt that holstered his numerous weapons hung on his hips. His long hair had to be against some sort of code, but he wore it in a low ponytail under his cap. The badge situated on the front.

“I thought detectives got to wear their own clothes,” Kagome teased, leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs over each other. Her skirt rode higher, and she caught him glimpse before catching himself. He sat in the chair on the other side of her desk, casting her a smirk and a wink filled with his womanizing charm.

“I wish I could stay longer, but I am still on duty, Kagome,” he told her, obviously appearing antsy. Kagome knew that Koga was all business when he needed to be, so she quickly got to work.

“I am researching a story that includes several nightclubs in the college district. I want you to dig up some dirt on Naraku Onigumo-.”

“No.” The answer was quick and to the point. Kagome raised an eyebrow, but thankfully he continued. “That guy has feelers everywhere. I don't want you on something so dangerous.”

“Sesshomaru is lead on the case,” she lied easily. She quickly teased him with a benefit. “You would be getting rid of competition if something were to happen to him.”

Koga sighed, shaking his head and releasing a chortle. “You minx! You tease me so,” he moaned, feigning hurt. “I will dig. I do know that he is holding some sort of banquet for some art release downtown. Invitations are running in the thousands though,” he added the last part with a look of disgust. Kagome smirked, waving to him as he made his quick departure.

Art? What did a demon like Naraku want with art? Kagome chewed on her fingertips before picking up the phone once more and dialing a more familiar number. “Miroku?” She called when he picked up. She could hear him chewing on food. “I need you to get me tickets to the art banquet in downtown tonight.”

“Alright, how many?” He wondered. She heard him begin to write this down and was thankful to have such a trusted accomplice in all this. “One for you, of course. Also, I will reward you for your hard work. Get one for Sango, I will set it up.”

“You're in angel!” He exclaimed before hanging up. Kagome rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair and staring at the ceiling. So much happened in one day.

“Sango?” She called out in the office floor. Her fellow worker quickly came running around the corner, giving her a reprimanding look.

“You shouldn't yell in the office.”

Kagome gave a pout but waved her credit card in the air as if it would remedy it. “We got tickets to a fancy art banquet downtown. Want to go shopping?”

Instantly, the feminine gleam of complete greed overtook both their eyes. Kagome grinned, grabbing her purse and waving to the secretary at the front. “Tell Sesshomaru we're done for the day!” Kagome called over her shoulder. Being second in command had a few perks.

~Priestess~

Naraku chuckled maliciously as he clanked his glass against his second in command. Kagura shot him a smirk, going off to do his evil bidding as he scanned the room. The rich cats were all admiring work that they didn't understand. Their financially blissed minds were too loaded that they couldn't possibly comprehend any color other than green.

His eyes landed on something much more promising though. The small chime of laughter caught his attention. He turned, smirking slightly when he spotted the female. The sleek, burgundy dress hugged her in all the right places. It fell to her feet, hiding the black heels he was sure she wore. The see through sleeves hung off her shoulders. She looked as if she were a 1920's singer, ready to entertain her guests.

Naraku hummed in delight as he neared her, seeing that she was currently with two others. A young couple that seemed to be bickering. “Sango, stop nagging on him,” the woman admonished, shaking her head as she took another delicate sip of champagne. Her eyes fluttered to his, widening slightly before a smirk came over her. He was instantly amused by her reaction.

“You must be Naraku Onigumo,” she greeted, holding her hand, palm down for him. He took it gently, bringing it to his lips to lay a charming kiss on the back of it.

“I am flattered that you know me, but I find myself desperate to know what the other angels call you,” he replied smoothly, the line well-rehearsed.

Kagome giggled, letting him think she fell helplessly into his trap. “Oh, but if I told you who I am, this game would lose its appeal,” she whispered teasingly, nearing him. He sensed her two guests scurry somewhere else, obviously knowing the attention had been lost on them. “I have heard a lot about you. People say that you throw a one-of-a-kind party,” she added, her eyes turning to look at another piece of art. “I was rather shocked to find out you would be here, at an art banquet.”

“I have my interests,” he replied, turning to admire the same work she was looking at. “What do you think of this one?” He asked. He saw the work for what it was. The small woman was crying in the corner of the room. The colors were all negative, dark colors that brought out emotions of hurt and pain. It was gloomy, and the title simply stated what it meant to get across. Loneliness.

“I think that people only see the negative side of loneliness. With loneliness comes freedom to do whatever you want with no risk. You have nothing to lose when you're lonely,” she explained, and he found himself staring more at her than the portrait itself. This woman spoke from experience, he was sure.

“I apologize,” she turned, staring at him with a look that stated that she wasn't really sorry. She knew what she was doing. This woman was playing with fire, trying to lead him on and tease him. Yet, he found himself dancing into her flames. “I must go,” she added.

“I did not get your name,” he quickly ordered. His tone daring her to define him once again.

“I did not give it,” Kagome answered, tossing a smirk over her shoulder, the tendrils of hair falling from her bun at the movement. Quickly, she left the building, having the information she wanted. She knew what he looked like. The suit he wore was a limited edition for a brand designer she happened to be friends with. Also, he commanded a woman by the name of Kagura, whom she had seen running errands for him the entire night. This banquet had been a success.

As she hailed a cab and continued her way back to her apartment, she realized she had left Miroku and Sango though. She shrugged, let the two lovebirds have their fun. The taxi continued into the night, unbeknown to her that their were demons on the rooftops following her every move. Obviously, Naraku had been fond of her. In fact, he had liked her a lot.