A/N: This story is dedicated to the late Bachan, creator of " The Hero in the 21st Century," the greatest Inuyasha doujin of all time. Decide for yourself and check it out at You won't be disappointed.
Happy to See You
by LadyDetia
Part One: We Meet Again
Very few people ever have the experience of being extremely wealthy and enjoying all it's benefits. One of them is being able to sleep late whenever you feel like it and going to work whenever you damn well please. That's one of the benefits of being in charge. Apparently, one of Mr. Taiyou's employees wasn't aware of this benefit, and had the nerve to have his phone ringing that morning. It wasn't terribly early. It was about 9:30 AM when he got the call. But that wasn't the point. The point was that he had decided to sleep in that day and someone had the audacity to ruin that plan. Sesshoumaru could tell who it was immediately. It was Mr. Colefield, the one in charge of booking the entertainment at the casino. He sounded very excited about something, and Sesshoumaru hoped it was about something extremely important or someone was about to have to hit the streets seeking other employment.
"Mr. Taiyou! It's Brian. Did I wake you?"
"Yes, you did."
"Oh, I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to wake you, it's just that there's something I don't think you'd want to miss!"
"Oh really? What is it that I wouldn't want to miss, besides your head as I aim at it with a katana blade for waking me up from a quite pleasurable dream?"
There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds before Colefield continued.
"Well, sir, it's some new talent that came in for our last audition. It's a group called Wind Spirit, and frankly sir, they blew me away!"
Sesshoumaru frowned, wondering what type of mind altering drugs possessed this human to tell him about something that wasn't remotely important to him. He didn't care much for the latest talent, as long as they brought in the customers. He had his fill of pop stars in a can, and he was tired of hearing and seeing the same old thing.
"Colefield, why do you think I would be interested in this so called talent that you've discovered?"
"Oh, I know you're usually not particularly interested in the artists we have perform here, but you just gotta check out Wind Spirit, sir! They are amazing! And I also thought you'd be interested because they are Japanese!"
"Did you say Japanese?" Now he was interested.
"Yes sir. Ms. Kazegami says that she's actually half Japanese and half Okinawan, whatever that means. The hell if I know. All I know is she has a voice straight from heaven and the band has a sound like I've never heard before! I can't even classify it, sir!"
"It's that bad, huh?"
"No, sir! Actually it's the opposite! Nothing like the noise that you call a terribly sad excuse for music."
"And you are telling me this because...?"
"Because I asked them to come back today to give you your own personal show so you can see and hear what I'm talking about. They'll be here today at noon. I was hoping you could stop by and see what all the fuss is about."
Taiyou pondered this for a moment. He was really comfortable in his bed and didn't really feel like getting up. And yet he did like the idea of a diversion of some kind.
"What's the name of that lead singer again?"
"Kazegami. Aori Kazegami."
"All right, I'll be there, noon sharp."
"Really, Mr. Taiyou?"
"Isn't that what I just said?"
"Great! Thank you so much, sir! Uh, domo arigatou! You won't be disappointed!"
"You don't know how right you are," he mumbled as he hung up the phone.
Sesshoumaru took his time preparing for his excursion. It was supposed to be very hot that day and he wanted to be comfortable as well as look good. Although he was going from an air conditioned house to an air conditioned limo to and air conditioned music hall, the ten second walk from the limo to the door could be scorching in the three digit heat. He wasn't planning on being out there long, so he figured a comfortable cotton shirt and a pair of Dockers should do the trick. His shirt sleeves were long enough to cover his prosthetic arm. He didn't want to draw too much attention to himself, although his white hair and the markings on his face were striking enough. After looking himself over in a full length mirror, he was satisfied and ready to depart. He paged Mr. Jaken to drive the limo to the door. They exchanged their usual pleasantries then headed for the resort. Five minutes into the drive, Jaken decided to ask something of his master.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, might I ask what this last minute trip is all about? I thought you were going to sleep in today."
"Colefield called me this morning telling me that there was something I just had to see."
"What is it, sir?"
"A band called Wind Spirit. Led by someone by the name of Aori Kazegami," Sesshoumaru replied in his usual matter- of- fact manner. Hearing this, Jaken's already large eyes widened even further.
"Master, you don't think...you don't think it could be her, do you?"
"Only one way for us to find out."
"Us...?"
"Yes, us. You are my assistant, are you not? Besides, I figured if it is her you definitely wouldn't want to miss seeing her."
Jaken bowed his head slightly as he felt a blush creeping across his face. He silently hoped his employer couldn't see his face in the mirror. He had to admit to himself that he did hope it was really her. He wondered if his master truly knew how very glad he would be to see her.
About twenty minutes later, they arrived at the casino. An obviously excited Brian Colefield was there waiting for them at the V.I.P. entrance. He was trying not to rush them inside, but his enthusiasm was apparent.
"Mr. Taiyou! Glad you could make it, sir! They just finished setting up. All they need is an audience!"
As they made their way to the music hall, Brian noticed something strange about one of his guests. Taiyou had his usual deadpan expression, but Mr. Jaken seemed a bit nervous. Colefield decided to mind his own business as he lead the two youkai to the front of the music hall to introduce them to the band.
"Mr. Taiyou, I'd like you to meet Wind Spirit. This is their lead singer and founder, Ms. Aori Kazegami."
As she bowed politely, Sesshoumaru gave her a good looking over. She had the same unusually dark complexion, light brown eyes, and bluish hair. She had her hair cut short and her clothing was in step with the times, but nothing could hide that scent. It was definitely her. After bowing his head slightly in response to her, he turned to Jaken and gave him a slight nod. That let the diminutive demon know his suspicions were correct. After Colefield introduced the other three band members, who were all male, he let Wind Spirit know that they could begin their performance.
As the band performed, Sesshoumaru and Jaken's suspicions were confirmed even further. There was no mistaking that voice, the way she could grab one's attention with it then caress the senses with a sound as subtle as a gentle breeze. Yes, it was most definitely her, and the only thing that surprised the inu youkai was the fact that she'd managed to find him. Wind Spirit completed their performance to the enthusiastic applause of Colefield and Jaken and an approving smile from Sesshoumaru.
"Excellent. I'm very impressed. I do have a question for Ms. Kazegami. Would you be willing to perform topless?"
Aori, who was caught off guard by the question, stood there in shock for one moment, then embarrassment for another. She was obviously flustered.
"Mr. Colefield never told me anything about that, Mr. Taiyou..." she quietly replied looking as if she would bolt off the stage at any given moment. Brian finally broke out of his own state of shock to give an explanation.
"Ms. Kazegami, it's not required of you to perform topless. That's only for the showgirls. Mr. Taiyou's just kidding, right sir?" Colefield gave his employer a nervous glance, hoping that was the case. He couldn't tell by his expression, which was quite unreadable.
"Actually, I was thinking a private performance at my home would work for me. What do you think, Jaken? Does that sound like a good idea to you?"
Now his personal assistant was just as thoroughly embarrassed as Ms. Kazegami. All he could do was stutter in response, until Aori spoke up once again.
"Mr. Taiyou, I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't tease me like that. I'd like to be taken seriously, unless that's too much to ask."
That got everyone's attention. No one but the bravest of the brave dared to speak to the boss like that. Both Jaken and Brian looked at Sesshoumaru to see exactly what he would do.
"Are you saying you don't want to give me a private show in my home?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying."
"That's funny...you never had trouble saying 'yes' to me before."
By now, Colefield had nearly gotten whiplash from whipping his head around between the boss and the singer.
"Mr. Taiyou...you know her?"
Sesshoumaru completely ignored his question, since the answer was obvious.
"Ms. Kazegami, may I have a word with you backstage...alone?"
"What if I refuse?"
From the look in his eyes, Aori knew that was not an option. Sesshoumaru had a way of making things very unpleasant for those who defy him. She finally agreed, asking the rest of the band to wait for her in the front row seats. Jaken watched slacked-jawed as his master and the female made their way backstage.
"It...it really is her," he whispered to himself as his mind was flooded with nearly forgotten memories of his first true infatuation.
