Sugar and Spice : Chapter 1: Gone to the Dogs
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, nor do I make any profit from these publications.
Claimer: The NiSuibhne's are mine ^.^
Author's Note: The story is rated M for later chapters ^.^
X.x.X
Sesshomaru looked out onto the Tokyo cityscape from the windows that lined his office atop the Taisho Tower. By all accounts it was a beautiful day. The offices were quieter thanks to school returning to session, thus the annoyance known as Inuyasha was returned to the confines of his university of one last year. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if his dimwitted half-sibling had decided to apply for graduate school, so that this quiet could continue for a few more years. With this thought putting a wry smile on his stoic features he walked down the hall to the meeting room.
The long table was full save his seat, and one other… his smile, wry as it was, faded away. He took his seat, and nodded to his father to begin the barrage of this week's happenings, but he was fare from listening. Sesshomaru's mind was entirely focused on the door, despite the fact that he was looking at Touga every other sense was trained to the glass double doors. Occasionally, he would glance at his watch, and his father would stare at the empty seat.
After an hour passed by his father had completed everything he had accomplished. Save for briefing his prized mechanical engineer on his next project.
"Where is that damn Neko?" Touga turned to his elder son, and now only other occupant in the room.
Sesshomaru did not have the chance to answer because they both turned sensing said youkai's hastened approach. The young male neko youkai appeared before the doors. He was a brilliant engineer with a sharp wit and cutting humor, but he was also a dedicated worker. He was the product of a hardworking middle class family with a mother who was an equally brilliant engineer who had fought her way up the ladder to success in her own time, and a Yankee father. The man's father was a huge personality with a thick accent, he was American by citizenship, but the feline patriarch had been born to poor Scottish parents who immigrated, and the mixture of boisterous accents had been difficult to sift through at times. The neko before them was a special member of the Taisho team. His own father adored the man because even after being Sesshomaru's dorm mate in college he still had no fear of the intimidating young inuyoukai. The fact that the neko was crazy enough to take on any project, and somehow always came through for the company did help as well.
"Logan what the hell happened to you?" Touga frowned.
The tall and broad shouldered neko youkai was normally not a polished figure this early in the morning, but the half-tucked, wrinkled shirt was a new low. Logan was holding his tie in his hand, and he was very pale compared to his normal tan coloring. His short black hair was in disarray, and it was apparent which side he had slept on. He was a complete mess, and he looked exhausted with dark circles under his crystal green eyes.
"My baby sister happened", he grumbled almost growling with frustration as he dropped his briefcase to straighten his crumpled clothing.
"I have not see your sister in several years, but I don't remember the scrawny girl being capable to of … this", Touga made a sweeping motion to the neko.
"I have been up all weekend thanks to my sister upsetting some kind of deity!" Logan struggled with his tie while he spoke.
"I don't remember seeing anything on the news", Sesshomaru bated the neko with a smirk. As far as he was concerned this was hilarious. He had not seen Logan's little sister since … she was there at their graduations, but the only image he had of the girl was a scrawny tomboy with a mane of brilliant red hair, and was usually covered in grease and oil from the car shop her father owned, or whatever paint or glue from her latest art piece. They had seen very little of her because she was on a scholarship to a private arts school rather than the standard high school, and was under a rigorous schedule. Logan had actually often gone to Kyoto to visit her and their parents, but she rarely came to Tokyo during that time. What he did know about the girl was that she was thoughtful, always sending sweets to her brother, and had the worse luck. Logan often joked about her qualms with the fates, but now he had apparently been fed his just deserts.
"Come sit down, and explain what the hell is going on." Touga felt sorry for the boy who was the closest thing to a friend that his oldest had.
Logan complied flopping into the chair, and heaved sigh, "Well, Friday night Kitten shows up at my door crying. Apparently, Tokyo University had lost her application for a place in the dorms. Which she had gone to speak with an official about fixing, but they informed her that she could stay because she will be a senior this year. However, they did not inform her that they were changing the dorm policy this year. She was in one of the old dorms that were co-ed, and she shared a three bedroom with her two best friends. This year they school abolished the co-ed policy, and her dorm building will be male only, and the official assumed she was already in a female building. That was in august, and now in late September the school official in charge of her building singled her out, and has given her a week to get out of the dorm."
Sesshomaru had never gotten used to the pet name that the girl had earned since childhood. "Kitten", was also easier to pronounce than Rorie, so she had adopted the pet name her father graced her with in almost all social situations. He had heard her called by her middle name, Saiko, on occasions when she had upset her mother, but that had been years ago.
"She rooms with two men?" Touga asked a bit shocked. The neko's father had always been particularly strict on the girl.
"She has only one chick friend, and she is in the fashion program, so Kitten can not room with her. Now, there is apparently not one spot for her in any of the chick dorms. The result is me sleeping on the floor of my studio apartment that I just renewed a lease on." Logan rubbed his neck which apparently suffered.
"How did she not realize that she was the only female in the whole building?" Sesshomaru lifted a brow.
"She is brilliant, but rather oblivious. Plus, she grew up in a garage surrounded by men. She would have never noticed, and now I am paying for having a tomboy for my sister", Logan sprawled his upper body across the table dramatically.
"I pay you well enough, just put her up on a short lease. I'll look up one of our buildings", Touga opened Logan's brief case to commandeer the laptop within it.
"I already looked, and we currently have only a few open spots. I looked at them, but they are all in one building downtown, and they are surrounded by some less than trustful looking crowds." Logan spoke into the table.
"Well, I can't have your father coming after me for letting his daughter live in a less than safe building", Touga mumbled seeing the location of the building was in fact the one they had recently had the most problems with, and remembering the hot tempered yankee that was only a train ride away.
"Oh, don't remind me! The old man is fuming. He left his precious little Kitten under my watch, and now she is facing being homeless. This means I will be on my floor for a year…" Logan sat up only to drag a clawed hand across his face.
"Well, I could put her up in my home. We have several guest rooms, and Izayoi would love to have a "Kitten"", Touga sighed leaning back.
"I couldn't impose on you anymore after this", Logan motioned to himself.
"None sense your practically family, and if you don't get your rest who will keep me entertained", Touga laughed.
"I think my pride has had enough of a blow", Logan turned back to the table.
"Well, how about Sesshomaru?" Touga smirked when both young male youkai sat up at the words.
"I don't understand how I have been dragged into this", Sesshomaru glared at his father.
"You are in a massive three bedroom penthouse that you really only sleep in, and your only friend is in need of assistance", Touga smiled despite the icy glare his own blood was sending him.
"He has a point. After all how many times have I saved your own contracts by not allowing you to murder the holders?" Logan turned to him.
Sesshomaru felt the first pang of what he knew was a migraine. "Have her come over, and if I can stand her, then she can stay until you find a permanent place to put her. If I find her unbearable I will ship her off to father's."
Logan grinned broadly, and put out his hand. "Deal!"
Sesshomaru begrudgingly shook the neko's hand.
"When can I bring her over for approval?" Logan yawned.
"Tonight after the dinner meeting", Sesshomaru got up, and left with those words.
"Logan", Touga laid the packet of paperwork and designs in front of him, "Could you get this done in four days?"
Logan flipped through the papers, and grinned up at his boss, "Easily".
"Good, then go back to bed. I expect a put together you at dinner tonight", Touga moved for the door.
"Thank you for everything Touga", Logan's voice took a rare serious tone.
"You are practically family. It is nothing."
X.x.X
How he had managed to be in this situation he would never understand, but here he was standing next to Logan between their two cars in the parking garage of his building. They were waiting on the root of the problem to show up, so the final arrangement could be decided. He could hear the sound of a powerful motorcycle making its way to the upper most level that they stood at. The single light rounded up to their view. The young woman was on an earthen bronze colored Ducati Street Fighter. It was a very powerful bike for the slender figure who tamed it. She wore an earthy green helmet that matched the highlights on the bike, and flowing from beneath it rich red waves of hair. She came to park on the other side of her brother's Mercedes. The girl on the bike did not resemble the tomboy he had seen in passing years before. As she got off the bike it was clear that she was tall. Even in her slouched boots that lacked a heal that the top of her head would hit the collar of their shirts. This was accomplished with long toned legs that were shown of by the dark, skinny cut jeans that tucked into her boots. They also showed off wide and rounded hips, and the fitted T-shirt she was wearing displayed to her long narrow waist, and moderate bust. The tomboy had grown a woman's body.
She pulled off the helmet, and a cascade of brilliant red locks danced with their freedom. Her mane reached her waist, and was a mixture of loose waves and messy curls. Most of it was one length and parted to fall to one side, but the front most locks were cut to frame her cheek bones, jaw, and shoulders. The tapering drew the eye to the few freckles that played across her nose and cheeks clashing with the creamy skin. However, her eyes gave her away. The massive, round orbs were a light green with flecks of gold, but the color appeared to be lit as though gold was actually light trying to escape through her. They sparkled with purity and sweetness from beneath heavy lashes that flared at the outer corners.
"I understand my loving brother is dumping my charity case in your lap", she smiled sheepishly at him.
Sesshomaru felt something pull at him from within his chest, something that only Rin could normally invoke. The human child would have been proud had she seen her favorite uncle offer the young woman a small smile. It was short lived, but Logan did not miss the gesture.
"We have never been formally introduced. I am Sesshomaru Taisho", Sesshomaru offered her a hand.
"Rorie Saiko NiSuibhne or just Kitten", she gave him a firm hand shake, but Sesshomaru was too busy looking at the tiny claws that trimmed her slender fingers. Perhaps she really never would grow out of the "Kitten Phase" as her father had dubbed it.
Sesshomaru wordlessly lead them to the elevator, and once they had all filled in he pressed the PH button. With a bored expression he spoke, "I have a few house rules, and expectations. If anything about them or the apartment are not to your liking my father is ready and waiting for you to move into his home."
The girl nodded for him to continue.
The doors opened to a wide hallway with only one door at its end. Sesshomaru pulled the key from his pocket, and opened the door motioning her to look around. The girl did her best not to gape. Before her was a sprawling living room with a large brown leather couch that looked properly over stuffed. It faced a large flat screen TV, and was flanked by two matching love seats. From her spot she could see a dining room table to her left that easily seated six, and it looked like it could be expanded.
Sesshomaru lead her in, and gestured to the left of the living room, "Kitchen."
Kitten gasped. Beyond the dining room table was mammoth kitchen with wrapping counters and a large island with a sink and bar seating in the middle. It had three ovens set in the wall, and two stove tops. The dark hardwood floors covered the whole apartment, and went nicely with the cream cabinets and bronze fixtures. "I may have just died and gone to heaven…" she whispered.
"Kitten is a culinary student", Logan chuckled at his sister's star-struck expression.
Sesshomaru nodded, and turned to lead them to the right down a broad hallway. At its end were three doors in a forked fashion.
"This would be your room until you find better arrangements", he pushed the door to the left open. Kitten held her breath as she looked around the room. First, like everything else it was large, massive by Tokyo standards. The room was about fifteen feet by twenty feet which was larger than the living room that she shared with her current roommates. A queen sized, cherry wood, platform bed sat in the middle of the room with crisp white sheets. A matching cherry wood desk to one wall flanked by bookshelves that held very few books. The wall adjacent to her bed was composed of wall to wall windows that only had creamy sheers to cover them. The far wall from the door held two other doors. Kitten cautiously opened one, and found a walk in closet. Then, the other made her want to cry. She would simple never leave…ever… a large bathroom suit was hidden by the other simple door. It had a free-standing porcelain sink and cherry wood vanity on one side, yet another door revealed a toilet, and the wall opposite the sink was a standing glass shower and a garden tub complete with jets.
"Sesshomaru this is incredible… are you sure you don't mind me staying here?" she turned those large eyes on him.
"You do not appear to be a nuisance like your sibling, and so long as it remains so we will not have a problem", he motioned them to follow him back out to the living room. Where the men took the opposing leather love seats. Kitten took the hint, and sat in the middle of the main sofa.
"So, what are these house rules?" she smiled.
"No one comes home to this apartment. I value my privacy", he watched her blush catching his meaning. He did not care. He didn't even bring women here, and certainly would not be doing so while she was staying.
Kitten nodded, "I promise not to lose my virginity in your apartment." She was blushing madly.
"Really Sesshomaru?" Logan sneered.
"She is related to you", he returned without thought.
"I am a dirty man whore. She is the little angel. You don't have to worry about her defiling the place", Logan smirked.
"I am a boring goody goody, so are there any more serious rules?" she no longer made eye contact with him.
"No parties, and if you wish to have anyone beyond Logan over I would like to be informed prior", his bored expression was lost on the girl who appeared to giggle to herself.
"I can give you full access to my google calendar, so you know when and where I am, when I will be home, and if I have plans."
"You are a neurotic mess", Logan chuckled.
"Hyper organization is the opposite of a mess", she countered with a smirk, but it faded quickly as she silently crossed the room to swipe a finger across the top of the TV.
"Do you have a maid Sesshomaru?" she asked examining the film on her finger.
"Do you require one?" Sesshomaru lifted a brow.
"No, but I could act as one while I'm here. It's the least I could do. I do bathrooms, windows, and floor boards", she said dropping to her hands and knees to inspect the less than perfect floors.
"If it so pleases you", he said without expressing any emotion for or against the idea.
"Now, if you really want to earn your keep you should cook for him a few days a week", Logan smiled brightly knowing that would mean he too could weasel his way into one of his little sister's home cooked meals.
"I would be happy to!" she said rising.
"You may move in at your leisure, and if you intend to cook inform me of the date before, so that I do not make other plans", he spoke leaning back into the cushions.
"I would hug you, but I remember you are not much on invasions of personal space", she was beaming at him.
"I am sure Logan can move you in", Sesshomaru tossed her a small silver key.
She caught it, and placed it in her pocket. "I cannot express my gratitude enough, and if you think of anymore rules, or things I can do around her please let me know." She bowed lightly before her brother ushered her away with brief goodbyes.
…
Logan sighed as he looked down at his sister who was currently sleeping across his king sized bed. Oh how his life had gone to the dogs, but at least he would no longer have to worry about her being victim to a crazed frat boy. She would be under the care of what could easily be the best guard dog in Japan, and it allowed him to sleep easier that night. The only thing that occasionally woke him was the thought of Sesshomaru's wrath should things go poorly.
…
Kitten woke the next morning to go to class, and then to her old home of three years. Her two friends begrudgingly helped her pack.
"I don't know how I feel about this Kitten", Bankotsu frowned at her as he loaded books into a large plastic tote.
"I know I am jealous!" Jakotsu said dramatically while helping her fold her clothes into another tote. "Have you seen how gorgeous that man is?"
"I know I am not sure how I will ever leave. The place is like walking into a dream home", she said dreamily.
"Complete with a dream man", Jakotsu smirked.
"Don't be silly. He is three years older than me, gorgeous, and even if you set everything else aside he is my brother's best friend. He is off limits", she said firmly.
"Well, at least you can look", Jakotsu teased.
Bankotsu rolled his eyes, and started on a new tote. "How long do we have till you move in?"
"Logan was hoping to take the morning off tomorrow, and get me in. I could ask if you two could hang out, and help me unpack if you have time?" she smiled brightly.
They both nodded.
"Great! I will text Logan to ask Sesshomaru for me", she said already in search of her phone.
X.x.X
What could Possibly Go Wrong … or Right? I hope everyone likes my newest little addition. I have a lot planned for it! Please REVIEW to let me know what you think!
Thanks,
Suki B