Kagome Higarashi wanted nothing more than to stay in Fukoka Japan and catch up on her reading of English

literature. She'd finally finished College and would be teaching Japanese history in an American university next spring, as well Chinese and Korean. It didn't matter that she'd majored in literature, shejust wanted to get her thoughts straight before she set it down on paper. Her roommate and best friend Sango was currently digging through their closet for the suit cases and clothing that they'd need on the school trip to Beijing, China. It was the end of school year, and usually only the top students in their prestigious university were allowed an all expense paid trip. Looking up from her sketch of a Shinto shrine, Kagome leaned back away from her desk to peer into the closet as Sango continued throwing clothing about.

"Kags, come on. Even I know you want to go!"

Sighing, said female threw herself on the bed, groaning slightly as her arm collided with the suitcase.

"I didn't say I wouldn't go Sango, I just said it wouldn't be good if I did go."

"Kikiyo can watch the shrine Kags."

"I didn't say she couldn't.."

Sitting up on the bed, she dragged a hand through her waist length black locks, her blue eyes focusing anywhere but her friends face. It wasn't the shrine that she was worried about, it was looking worse in the eyes of her mother. Sure, her mother had three kids, but her favorite was and always would be Kikiyo. She graduated with all honors, best in class, and even became a doctor. That's not to say Kagome didn't do all that, which she did; Kagome didn't want to watch the shrine, she wanted to be a writer and teacher. Maybe if she hadn't told her mother that, she wouldn't be banned from the family she would have a better relationship with her sister. If it wasn't for the favoritism, she'd still be in the family.
Sighing, Sango leaned onto the bed and playfully nudged Kagome's shoulder. Her head tilted slightly as she plastered a smile on her face, brown eyes twinkling with mirth.

Kagome did not like that look.

"…Sango?"

"Lets just pack your things. You don't have any formal classes and you're my guest of the

trip! We can sit back and relax when there's nothing important to do-"

"There isn't ever anything important to do in that class to you Sango."

Kagome quickly interjected, wagging a finger in her friend's direction as she rose from the bed. Sango
quickly removed herself from the bed, her hands held upward in a mock calming gesture as she made her way toward their closet.

"I'm just saying, it's always all work and no play with you Kags!"

"That's the only way you get things done!"

"If you won't do this for you, at least do it for me!"

A pregnant silence filled the room as the girls continued to pack their clothing. Sango's bag more clothing and money then school supplies; and Kagome's bag had several sketch bags and pencils tossed over several articles of clothing and money. Once the bags were filled, the girls headed toward the front door of their small one bed roomed apartment; turning off the lights and locking the door as they made their way down the steps. Kagome looked back momentarily at the building before she and Sango hailed a Taxi to the airport.

The ride was long, and Sango was the first person out of the Cab and into the airport, Kagome in tow. Had it not been for someone screaming her name, she probably wouldn't have stoped and jumped into the awaiting arms of her best friend.

"KOUGA!"

Said person laughed, wrapping his hands around her waist as her own looped about his neck. Kouga placed her back on the ground and fixed the collar of his suit. "What kind of man would I be if I didn't see my woman off?" Kagome grinned and picked her bag up from the ground, turning to look at Sango who waved over at Kouga who returned the greeting. Spinning on her heel Kagome grabbed him by the tie and pulled him to her level, glaring at him.

"What the hell are you doing in Japan!"

"Business Kags and nothing that you're thinking, I know that look."

Kouga placed a hand on her head, nuzzling her cheek with his nose.

"Nothing will happen, I promise I'll be here when you get back."

He gave her a charming smile as she walked through checking, and out of his sight. Frowning slightly, he reached into his pocket to pull out a ringing phone, placing it at his ear.

"Wolf."

"Fluffy…."

"That is not even remotely funny. Are you in Japan?"

" Yea man, landed ten minutes ago. what the hell's wrong now?"

"…We have a rat amongst us..find out who by the time I get back."

"Got it Sesshomaru."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The bustle of the city never seemed to quiet down in the red-light district, even when sunrise came around. Naraku Onigumo found himself seated in the back of his black ford focus, feet raised to rest on the chair directly opposite of him; A grin permanently etched into his features as he took another drag from his opium pipe. Lazily he blew out a puff of smoke and closed his grey eyes, leaning his head back onto the chair as long black locks cascaded down his left shoulder; obscuring view of his black QiPao decorated with dark green snakes.

"Exactly what's the problem this time around?"

The words flickered off his tongue like nails as he opened his eyes, locking them on the female that sat next to him. She jolted slightly as she opened the folder that sat on her lap; the manila folder a stark contrast to her dark purple Chinese dress. Nodding, she looked toward the folder as she opened it, breathing slightly as she spoke.

" According to the middleman in charge of the smuggling route to Japan; it seems that the

Taiyokai have been starting transactions with a fellow weapons trader."

"And the issue is what exactly…?"

"It seems that the head of the Taiyokai is here at the moment."

"In Beijing? How funny..."

A deep chuckled echoed throughout the small vehicle, chilling the female at his side. The car came to a stop in the center of the busy street; the door opening as The female stepped out, clutching the folder in her hand as she bowed deeply, her red eyes glaring holes into the chipped concrete.

"Kagura?"

Said female looked up momentarily before nodding.

"Don't screw this up, or I'll be forced to bring Kanna into this."

The door was slammed shut as the car sped off, leaving a very terrified mother in its wake. With a shaking hand, she reached into her bodice and pulled out her cell phone.

"He's currently staying in the opposite house in suite 24, send him a welcoming party."

She quickly bit out, knowing that it would only take several minutes for them to get there, and get the job done. several men flooded into the hotel building, making their way up to the room through all elevators and stairs; securing the floor within several moments. Naraku held the phone at his ear as he listened intently to the voice.

"He's alone…then his arrogance will be his downfall."

"We'll bring the Japanese man to you Boss, just you wait."

The phone cut off shortly as gun shuts sounded from the hotel, civilians ran out in all directions. The police new better then to interfere in gang affairs, and with this thought in mind, Naraku had his driver pull up the doors of the Hotel. Counting swiftly back from ten, he turned to open the door to find it being yanked open from his grasp.

"That Quite the welcome you had planned for me Onigumo…"

"….Taisho Sesshomaru, I hope you enjoyed it."

"Why don't you come inside and join me for a drink?"

Naraku rose from the car and walked into the lobby behind Sesshomaru, his eyes ranking over the carnage that littered the lobby as well as the elevator when they'd stepped into it. Leaning back against the wall of the elevator, Sesshomaru took a cigarette from his breast pocket, placing it in his mouth as he lit it with a match, dropping the debris onto the floor.

"I'm sure you have a very influential position in the business, but perhaps we could end this

childish tussle."

Taking a long drag from his cigarette, Sesshomaru turned, his gold eyes hardening on the shorter man in front of him.

"If you go by such ignorant and bigot ideas, I'm sorry to say that you are in for a shock. The

Taiyokai play by my rules."

"And we decided what happens in our Areas, you would do well to stay out of it all."

a shake of his head, sent long white locks over his shoulder as he took a long drag from his cigarette.

"That's my job, and I don't intend on following anyone else's orders, Including someone who

sent his half-assed goons after me."

"Your empire is falling Sesshomaru, and I will snatch it from beneath you."

as soon as the elevator doors were opened, Naraku delivered a swift punch to Sesshomaru, he who quickly caught his fist while kneeing him in the stomach. Naraku shifted his weight backward, throwing Sesshomaru over him as he rose from the floor, as Sesshomaru delivered a kick to the side of the head. Quickly standing up right, Naraku entered the elevator as Sesshomaru rose, bounding toward the elevator as the doors shut. Reaching for his phone from his inner sleeve, Naraku quickly dialed a number, wiping the edge of his mouth clean from blood just as someone spoke into the phone.

"Surround him, I want him Alive."

The phone was shut, and tossed to the floor just before Naraku brought his foot down on the device several times before swiftly making his way out of the elevator as the doors opened and out of the hotel. His eyes roamed the now spotless lobby as he walked out of the front doors and seated himself back inside his car, leaning toward his driver.

"As soon as you drop me off at home, be sure to send someone to visit the little princess. I

hate being disappointed."