BlueMoon Goddess: I usually don't write other couples within InuYasha and only stick to my favorite and main pairing Inuyasha x Kagome. However after a review from one of my stories, I decided to take a whack at it and start a Sesshomaru x Rin fic. I've read them before and I believe I can get the characters down pack. After all I mention them in my other stories, so I might as well write one for them. So please thank Lori74, since they got me to start a Sesshomaru x Rin fic!
Also Rin is twenty-one years old in this fic and Sesshomaru is going to be the human age of thirty (don't worry he's still a demon, but just for a mental note).
Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha, it's characters, or 'Once Upon a Billionaire' by Jessica Claire.
Summary: To attend a wedding for a respectable family, Sesshomaru needed an assistant, fast. Unfortunately he got stuck with Rin, a young woman who knows nothing about high society and a human to boot. Though through her eyes, he's starting to appreciate the simple things in life, and maybe even grow feelings for the human woman as well.
The timing of Sesshomaru's personal and executive assistant was appalling. "What do you mean you cannot travel?"
"I'm very sorry Lord Sesshomaru." Jaken said into the phone. "But the doctor assures me I will be clear after ten days have passed. He suggested I stay in a hotel until I'm no longer contagious, and I wouldn't want you to catch what I have my Lord. Especially with what's going on this week."
"You're fucking kidding me." Sesshomaru said, using his brother's favorite expletive, which seemed appropriate at the moment. "You're contagious for ten days? We leave for Japan tomorrow, and I can't go without my assistant."
"I realize that my Lord, but I'm afraid there's nothing I can do."
Furious, Sesshomaru hung up the phone on his long-serving personal and executive assistant. The little demon had never troubled him before. Jaken had worked for him for the last fifty years, all the way back to when he was an eighteen years old (in human years) who insisted on coming to the United States for his education. His mother had insisted on sending an entourage of servants to join him as befitted of his high status. However, he'd fired all of them except for Jaken. Someone had to pick out his clothes and drive him around, after all. And now, when he needed the little imp the most, he was abandoning him.
Sesshoamru stared at the pile of periodicals on the corner of his paper-strewn desk. There was a copy of Japan Today, which he had imported in and below it, Japan TIME, which had the same damn headline.
COUNTDOWN TO THE WEDDING OF THE CENTURY, it read in big, bold letters. Below there was a picture of the demoness, Akira Soto, of Soto Empires and her fiancé, Lance Salvatore, CEO of Salvatore INC in New York City. Not only was Akira marrying a worthless human, but she was marrying a very well-known one, which meant that both American papers and Japanese ones would be covering it to a ridiculous extent. Simply annoying was what it was.
As the upcoming event was the wedding of a high profiled demoness, it meant every well-known demon had been invited to the wedding and festivities, him included. And while he could get away from most of his titular duties since he lived stateside, he couldn't get away from this. Everyone would be rounded up in Japan to celebrate the heir of Soto Empires wedding, and Sesshomaru fully expected to spend a week utterly despondent, avoiding paparazzi, stopping for photos, which he hated, and generally avoiding whichever eligible demoness his mother threw in his direction.
All of which would be made even worse because Jaken wouldn't be with him. He needed an assistant, and he needed one now. He couldn't keep his own schedule straight, and according to his mother, it wouldn't do for a high status demon like himself to make his own arrangements. If his mother knew that his one and only assistant abandoned him, she'd resume her efforts into pressing him and even send people to help him. And if it was one thing he hated, it was having a whole bunch of people around him who were in his way and slowing him down.
He had to figure out something, and soon. His mother would suspect him the moment she clapped eyes on his tie. If it was even so much as askew, she would not only laugh in his face, but she'd force her hands on him and give him a lecture. It wasn't proper, she'd say. Can't even tie his own tie without any help, she'd say. Wouldn't it be easier if he had a few servants to help, and the next thing he knew, he'd be tripping over people determined to make themselves useful. Then he'd have no peace at all. His loft would be crawling with maids and butlers and . . . he shuddered at the thought.
Something simply had to be done.
"Sesshomaru, how has business been doing for you?" Inutaisho asked him, as he sat across from him at the dining room table.
Sesshomaru took a bite of his sirloin steak before replying. "Our stock went up by twenty percent this morning, so that should be your answer."
It was their weekly family dinner that he wished he didn't have to attend. Since his father, Inutaisho married that human woman Izayoi, she had wanted a day when everyone wasn't too busy and have a day where they can all be together as a family. He wasn't too keen on the fact that his powerful father was married to a worthless human, but Sesshomaru has been cordial to his stepmother and his half-brother. Though tonight, Izayoi had an event she couldn't get away from and it was just going to be him, Inutaisho and Inuyasha…if his half-witted younger brother would show up that is.
"Where is Inuyasha? He was supposed to be here thirty minutes ago, and I still have to prepare for tomorrow." Sesshomaru said. He was already not in the mood to attend this thing, least of all his brother could be here on time.
"Kagome had called earlier and said that they were on their way." Inutaisho replied, taking a sip of his imported Sake.
"That woman is coming?" Sesshomaru said in mild surprise. He thought it was just going to be the three of them, he didn't expect his brother's fiancée to attend this dinner as well.
"That woman has a name and is going to be your sister-in-law." Inutaisho said with a slight glare. "And this time try and engage in conversation with her. Just because you do not care for humans, does not mean you can be cold towards her."
It wasn't as though Sesshomaru didn't like Kagome, even if she was a human. He could say that she was one of the only humans he actually respected and tolerated. Though he did get annoyed whenever she referred to him as "big brother."
The front door was heard slamming shut, and a few seconds later Inuyasha and Kagome both strolled in.
"Hi, sorry we're late." Kagome said, walking over to give Inutaiso a hug.
"It is no problem at all Kagome." Inutaisho said smiling, standing up to receive the hug from his future daughter-in-law. "You look absolutely stunning this evening. And I will attribute that to my grandchild in there." He replied, the last sentence happily.
Kagome rubbed her slightly rounded belly. "Yes this little one is keeping me on my toes. Might even have a future martial artist with the way they've been kicking." She moved to sit down until Inuyasha came and helped her into her seat, with her giving him a little peck on the lips before he sat right beside her.
Sesshomaru gave a small shake of his head. Good gracious. His brother used to be an arrogant playboy and the moment he met and fell in love with Kagome, all of a sudden he was acting like a love struck fool. It became even worse when he found out she was pregnant. The damn hanyou was at her beck in call getting her whatever she needed like the dog he was. Well his brother could act like that all he wanted, but Sesshomaru vowed that he'd never let that happen to himself. And with his busy schedule and life, he wouldn't find the time or need to ever. He didn't need a wife or children of his own. He was fine being the only person to take care of in his life.
Inuyasha looked over at Sesshomaru. "Well don't you look like a ray of sunshine."
Sesshomaru rubbed at his face. "Oh yes, I'm having a wonderful time, thank you for asking."
Inuyasha grunted. "That's an understatement. You look more unemotional than usual."
"Inuyasha, you shouldn't speak that way towards your brother." Kagome said in Sesshomaru's defensive.
"Is everything all right?" Inutaisho asked. "Anything I can help you with son?"
"Not unless you have a spare assistant." He said. He put his fork and knife down, all traces of his appetite gone. "Jaken is ill and will not be available to travel for at least another week, and I fly to Japan tomorrow night for Akira Soto's wedding."
"I totally forgot her wedding was this weekend. I hope you have a great time, since we won't make it." Kagome said.
The entire family was invited to go, however with Kagome feeling nauseas and unable to fly and Inuyasha not leaving her side, they were not attending. And as for Inutaisho and Izayoi, they had a charity event that was planned months before the wedding was to take place and they couldn't back out of it. So that left with Sesshomaru being the only one attending the wedding.
"Fun is an understatement."
"Akira's wedding is a huge deal! Especially since she's well known in demon society and among a few humans." Kagome said. "It's wonderful that you're going."
"Feh, except that Sesshomaru is the most antisocial one in the family." Inuyasha stated, taking a bite out of his food, that he filled his plate with. He shot a glance at Sesshomaru. "And I'm sure it's interfering with his precious time on other projects he has working on at the moment."
"It doesn't even matter if I wanted to go." Sesshomaru said. "Which I most emphatically do not wish to attend. But if I don't have an assistant, I'll be forced to rely on my mother's staff. So I need one."
"Well actually…" Kagome started. "I do have a friend who's looking for a new job at the moment. I'm sure if I give her a call she'll be free to work."
Sesshomaru turned toward her. "You do?"
She nodded. "She's very sweet, hardworking, and I'm sure she'd travel on such short notice if you offered overtime."
"I'm going to need someone who can run a very busy schedule for me while I'm in Japan. There are many high-profile functions I must attend."
"I'm sure that won't be a problem. Rin's very task-oriented and she takes a lot of notes."
Sesshomaru pondered this. He did need someone right away and calling an agency would take forever to get someone on such short notice. Plus this Rin woman didn't have a job at the moment so it was convenient. "I'll check in with Jaken again tonight, and I will let you know if I need her services."
"Of course." Kagome replied. "Just let me know and I'll give her a call."
Kagome and Inuyasha left a few hours later when she started feeling tired, and when she arrived home, she was on pins and needles about the Rin situation. She fidgeted and checked her phone a dozen times every few minutes, just in case. An hour after they returned home, and she had gotten settled for bed, Sesshomaru texted Kagome with a message.
It seems I need your friend after all. Do you think she can meet me at the airport at 8:00pm with her passport, as much formal business wear as she can carry, and be ready to work? I will pay her triple of what she would normally be paid.
Kagome looked at the phone as she got into bed beside her fiancé, read the screen, and smiled brightly. "Yes, this is going to be great! Rin is exactly the woman Sesshomaru needs."
Inuyasha grimaced. "He's going to kill you when he gets home, Kag. You know Sesshomaru hates working with humans. Well most of them at least. He only has a few working in his company but still. "
"Rin is human yes." She agreed. "But she's friendly and sweet. It'll be the perfect situation, because she'll be charming and she'll eventually win him over. After this ordeal, I suspect this time next year, she'll be joining us for family dinner."
"You're insane you know that right. If you think that this is going to work, then you have a strong determination. But I guess that's one of the reasons why I love you." He said. "Otherwise I won't be able to save you from his wrath."
"Once he falls in love with her, the only thing I have to expect from him is a big fat thank you for bringing her into his life. I'm going to call her now to make sure she can take the job."
He waved a hand at her. "Fine then, just don't spend too long talking to her alright. You and the pup need to rest."
Kagome grinned with sheer delight again. "Don't worry I won't."
Rin Noto was watching an episode of Once Upon A Time on her small television, eating popcorn, and feeling rather homesick when her phone rang. It wasn't unusual for family members to call at odd hours, just because that was how her family was. "Hello?"
"Rin? It's Kagome."
She put aside her bowl of popcorn and licked her fingers to clean them. "Kagome, it's been what feels like forever, how are you?" It was awhile since she heard from her, especially since Rin was busy trying to finish her last year in college and finding a new job after being one of the few people from her old job to be let go.
"Great, how are you?"
"I'm good!" She replied trying to sound happy.
She didn't want to mention that she was in desperate need of money at the moment and feeling dejected after being passed on another job that she applied for. Her rent had gotten raised and if she didn't find a new job soon, she'll have to find somewhere else to live and already she wasn't living in a great place and area to begin with. Also her school had told her that her other scholarship and loan fell through and she needed to find a way to pay the amount before the next semester started. Which sucked since she was in her last year of school and wanted to finish it and not delay.
"Well, the reason I'm calling is because I need a favor. Do you have a passport? " Kagome asked.
Rin frowned. "Well, yea of course I have a passport Kagome. It's actually one of the things I got before I came to New York." She was rather proud of that passport. Not many people in her hometown had one and not many people in her hometown traveled out of state, much less out of the country.
"That's great, like I said I need a favor from you." Kagome said.
"Sure, what can I do for you? Need help preparing for the baby nursey or shopping again?"
Kagome laughed through the phone. "I think I have enough things that will last me until next year for this baby. But no that's not it."
"Than what is it?" Rin asked.
"I'm calling because I need a favor. Inuyasha's brother, Sesshomaru, is in need of an assistant as soon as possible because his personal assistant is sick and he's about to go on an important trip."
"Oh?"
"Yes. His name is Sesshomaru Taisho. Have you heard of him?"
"Hmm, that name kinda rings a bell. Is he the one that owns Taisho Corporations?" She had recalled seeing an article about him in the New York Times about the new clients he received from his company. Apparently it was big deal.
"Yep that's the same guy, and he's offered to pay you triple of what you would normally get if you go on a trip with him and act as his personal secretary. He needs someone to manage his appointments and such. He doesn't show his emotions much so don't be alarmed if he acts like he doesn't care."
Rin had literally stopped listening after the magical words of "triple of what she would normally make." She looked at her small, limited-furnished, closet-sized apartment, and crossed her legs on her bed. A little more money would go a long way. It would certainly help mend some of the things she needed taken care of. "So he just needs someone to help him with his appointments and other duties? I think I can manage that."
"I know you're perfect for this job when I heard it. So can you go? He needs you to meet him at the airport tomorrow at 8pm." Kagome gave her some rattled-off details that she quickly wrote on a notepad, then said, "I can send you an email with everything if you like."
"That would be great."
"Good, I'll text Sesshomaru and let him know. He'll be so pleased! Just pack all of your normal business wear."
Rin would have to get an Uber or lyft to the airport. Actually, no, she heard the stories about some of the drivers of those things. Maybe she could take the subway instead. That was cheaper and in a way quicker. "Where exactly does Mr. Taisho need to go? Is it England, Italy?" She hoped it was Italy, she always wanted to go to Italy and see the leaning tower of Pisa and the colosseum.
"Actually he has to go to Japan.
Japan! That was even better! Rin could check out the golden pavilion and the visit Tokyo tower. Then a thought came to her. "Wait a minute, aren't they going to have that wedding ceremony there? The one with that famous demoness and human."
"Yep, that's where you're going." Kagome said. "Sesshomaru's been invited to the wedding."
"Really?"
"Really. Inuyasha was invited to attend as well, but with me being nauseas, I won't be able to travel for so long on a plane."
"You sure you want me to go to this Kagome? I don't really know much about secretarial work. What if I mess up?" Now Rin was starting to get worried. She had never been to a social event as big as this before. Hell she never even been to a big event in a day in her life, unless she counted her senior prom in high school. Added to the fact that even though she was excited about receiving triple the normal rate for the work, the most she ever did was wait tables and never worked in an office setting.
"You'll be fine, I just know it Rin." Kagome said, a coaxing note in her voice. "It'll be fun. Think of the stories you'll have to tell afterward! And don't forget, triple the rate. All you have to do is make sure Sesshomaru gets to places on time and take his phone calls. It'll be easy."
And Kagome had recommended her to do it? Rin might've only known Kagome for a few months, she can already see her as such a good friend and the closest thing to family in this city. "Alright then Kagome, since you have such faith in me, I won't let you down! You tell Mr. Taisho that he's got himself an assistant."
"Perfect!" Kagome said, utterly delighted. "I'll send you an email with all the details. Thanks, again. You're the best and I know you'll do great!"
They hung up and Rin immediately leaned back on her bed. Getting to travel to Japan for a famous wedding and getting a great amount of money to boot to assist a well-known businessman. She had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
"Whoa." Rin breathed as the courtesy transport cart drove onto the tarmac toward the jet. She juggled her bags, clutching them in her lap.
"Almost there, Ms. Noto," The driver told her.
"That's a pretty small plane, isn't it?" It didn't look very big, or safe for that matter. She'd flown in an exceedingly large plane on the way to New York City, with three rows across and plenty six up and down. This . . . was clearly not the same kind of plane.
"It's a private jet Ms." The driver said, an elderly man who seemed to be having a great time watching her reactions to everything in the airport. "Some are smaller than others. This is one of the larger ones."
"It is?" She stared at it, gaping. "So there won't be any other people on it?"
"No Ms., Mr. Taisho won't be flying coach." Rin could have sworn he smiled to himself at the thought.
"Oh, okay." She felt incredibly out of her depth at the moment as she clutched her luggage tighter. This suddenly felt a little overwhelming.
'Triple the rate.' She repeated to herself. 'Triple the rate.'
Kagome had figured she would be perfect for this job, and really, she was doing Mr. Taisho a favor by traveling at the last minute with him. She just needed to remember that. He needed her, not the other way around. Lifting her head high, Rin resolved that she was going to enjoy this trip. She'd never left the States before, and this would be the adventure of a lifetime.
The cart parked in front of the jet and a wheeled staircase had been set at the door. At the top, a flight attendant waited. The man took Rin's suitcase from her arms and frowned a bit at the bright red tartan of it, along with the trailing ribbons she had decorating the handle. He touched one of the ribbons. "Did you need to secure these, Ms.?"
"Oh, no." She said cheerily. "That's so it doesn't get lost in the luggage pick-up."
"There's no luggage pick-up on a private jet." He said, smiling at her. "Otherwise, it's a smart idea."
She beamed at him for the compliment. "I can carry the suitcase, there's no need for you to go up all those stairs."
"I don't mind. It's my job."
"Well thank you then." She told him, and the man grinned at her. She was brought up to treat everyone with respect, the same way she would want to be treated, so she was always friendly to the staff. Hell, she was staff. These were her people. "I can't thank you enough for the ride out here."
"Just doing my job Ms." He said again, and gestured for her to climb the stairs ahead of him.
She clutched her purse close, shifted her backpack onto her shoulder, and let him carry her suitcase. She was glad she had worn low-heeled flats with her skirted suit, because that staircase looked vastly steep. Didn't most flights normally have a tunnel ramp thingy you went down to get onto the plane? She supposed this baby plane was too dinky for that sort of thing.
Nearby, another flight attendant smiled at her. She was wearing a black-jacketed suit that looked way fancier than anything Rin owned. Her blonde hair was pulled into an elegant twist and she wore more makeup than Rin. Still, she looked model beautiful. "Welcome. Mr. Taisho is inside. Can I take your things?"
"Oh, uh, thank you." Rin said and shrugged off her backpack. "You're so kind to offer. And wow, you are so pretty!" It wasn't a lie—the woman was flat-out gorgeous.
The woman chuckled at Rin's effusive compliment and took the bag from her. "Thank you. Please follow me and I'll show you where you can sit."
The interior of the jet was nothing like the time that she'd flown coach. Then, she'd been at the back of the plane and the ride was so bumpy that she'd felt like she'd ridden a bull all the way to New York. They'd hit turbulence and it had given her nightmares so badly that she'd gone to the doctor for a prescription of relaxers, which were in her purse at the moment, for the next time she flew. She'd also been a middle seat and had spent the entire terrifying flight squished between two fat businessmen, who'd looked terribly displeased at the thought of someone sitting in the middle seat. It hadn't been an experience she'd wanted to repeat. The trepidation of flying had been on her mind this morning as she'd packed her suitcase, but the triple in her pay pretty much won the argument every time. She had her pills, so she'd be fine.
The smiling flight attendant led her in. "The flight is approximately thirteen hours."
"Thirteen hours?" Rin said. "That's a long time to remain in the air."
"It is long, but this is an overnight trip, so you can sleep most of the way there." The attendant said with a smile.
"Oh, I'll probably be too riled up to sleep." Rin told her. The attendant then stepped aside and she got her first really good look at the private jet. "Oh my gosh."
It was like something out of a movie.
Soft golden lighting filled the cabin, the ceiling striated in a decorative seashell pattern designed to make the interior seem much bigger than it actually was. There were no ridiculously crowded—and claustrophobia-making—overhead compartments here. Instead, more lights were built into the ceiling, and beautiful carpeting in a soft, pale patterned brown lined the floor of the cabin. The few seats inside the cabin were enormous, made of a buttery leather, and a pretty table jutted out from each wall, accompanied by a flat-screen TV on an arm that could be pulled out so the seated occupant could watch whatever they wanted. Rin counted eight of these seats, and in the back, there was another door to what must have been a private room. Flowers in small vases adorned each of the tabletops in the main cabins.
This was nicer than her apartment.
"What do you think?" The flight attendant was smiling at her, clearly seeing her awe.
"It's so . . . ritzy. This is where we're flying?" Whoa, they were paying her to fly in this jet? And then take a trip to Japan? Man, she didn't know how she'd gotten so lucky. She couldn't stop smiling, either.
The attendant laughed. "It is. Mr. Taisho is in the back room and doesn't wish to be disturbed at the moment." She inclined her head at the closed door. "Let's put down your things and I'll show you where the bathroom is. Just pick a spot."
Rin walked through the spacious cabin, running a hand over the silky-smooth leather of each seat before selecting one in the back. She wasn't quite sure where employees were supposed to sit, but she guessed it wasn't in the front. The back was always where the roughest ride was on a plane, right? She was pretty sure Mr. Taisho wouldn't want to sit there, then. She picked a seat and sat down, then clasped her hands in her lap.
"This isn't like a normal flight." The attendant said. "So anything you need, you just let me know."
She patted her purse, now in the seat beside her. "I have my panic pills in here."
The attendant laughed and gave her a sympathetic look. "Afraid to fly?"
"Afraid of crashing or falling to my death, yea." Rin admitted. "I haven't flown much and it makes my heart race pretty badly."
"Do you want a drink? I can make you a lovely cocktail."
A cocktail? "That'd be very nice of you."
She winked at her. "How about a mojito?"
Rin had never had one. Even when she was legally able to drink, she never bothered trying too. But now…she was on a private jet, about to fly to Japan, and the triple rate in her pay! This would be the great time to celebrate and with a drink, so how could she pass it up? "That would be great, thank you." She pulled out her purse. "Do you want to see my ID?"
The attendant giggled again. "Not necessary. This is a private flight, I'm sure you're old enough."
"I'm twenty-one." She admitted.
"I'm Rei." The attendant said, and bustled away, her hips swaying in that nice suited jacket.
Rin smoothed her own cotton dress, she'd gotten at Marshalls on sale. It had buttons going up in a fake seam and the jacket was attached to the skirt so the entire thing zipped up the back. It fit a bit like a sack, but it had been on sale, and you couldn't ask for more than that. She'd just safety-pinned it in the worst spots and called it a day. Of course, she'd had to take those out when they'd wand her at security, so it was a little loose at the moment.
As she waited for her drink, she ran her hands along the smooth leather of the seats and tinkered with the buttons she could reach. Some were for air vents, some for lighting, and one let her call the attendant. There was a control for the television, earphones tucked into a pocket on the side of her chair, and a fancy little pillow and matching blanket just for her, if she wanted them. It was impressive. Heck, it was nicer than some motel rooms she'd stayed in. The motel she'd stayed in while searching for an apartment had water damage on the ceiling and she had to share a bathroom with everyone else on the floor.
Rei returned a few minutes later with her drink. "Here you go."
Rin took the glass. It looked pretty refreshing, especially with the mint in it. "Thank you very much." She sipped it and smiled at Rei. "It's wonderful." It was pretty good, refreshing just like she thought. She kept drinking as she settled into her seat.
As the minutes passed, the cabin remained empty. She tried to finish her drink quickly so she could be done before they took off, but it seemed that they weren't in any particular kind of hurry. They were just . . . sitting here, waiting on Mr. Taisho. She fished a piece of ice out of her glass and chewed on it, sucking the last of mojito off the cube.
Rei eventually returned and snagged her glass with a smile. Before she could protest, Rei was pouring another. Well, she could drink another one of those. After all, it was pretty tasty and refreshing.
The plane began to taxi down the runway just as she started to drink her new one, and Rin chugged it, trying to finish it before they took off. That was just polite, right? By the time she'd sucked down that second mojito, she was feeling a little tipsy. Nothing ridiculous, just a little floaty and loose. It was probably because she'd drank them so fast and on an empty stomach. The plane stopped again, and waited.
Rin peered out the window. She couldn't see anything except the night sky and the lights on the runway. Why weren't they getting into the air?
The attendant floated past again, and as Rin watched, Rei went to the door at the back of the plane and knocked. "Ready to leave whenever you are, Mr. Taisho." She didn't wait for an answer, just swung back around to Rin and smiled. "Another drink?"
"No thank you." Rin said. "But thank you though."
Rei took the glass from her. "Go ahead and buckle up. We'll be leaving as soon as Mr. Taisho is finished with his meeting."
She fumbled with her belt, snapping it at her waist and then tightening it. Anxiety began to gnaw at the pit of her stomach. She'd be meeting the well-known business man Mr. Taisho himself, and they'd be flying. Both things that made her very, very nervous. Combined with the drinks, she felt like she was going to throw up.
Time for her pills.
She fished the bottle out of her purse and peered at the label, uncertain of how many to take. One or two? There was a bright yellow sticker on the side that said DO NOT MIX WITH ALCOHOL but it was a bit too late for that now wasn't it? She hurriedly popped one into her mouth, swallowing it.
Five minutes later, she felt nice. So, so nice…mellow…all floaty and wonderful.
In a pleasant haze, she watched as Rei buckled herself in at the far end of the cabin and they both waited for Mr. Taisho to appear. She blinked slowly…that was rather fun, so she blinked again, watching her eyelashes descend. Wow. Who knew eyelashes were so interesting?
"We might be another minute." Rei said to her. "Can I get you anything else?"
Rin beamed at her and gave her a thumbs up. One hardly seemed to convey how good she was feeling, so she thrust her other one into the air, too. "I'm wonderful. So, so wonderful!" And she wagged her thumbs at her.
The smile on Rei's face faltered a little in its sincerity. "Um…all right. Just let me know if you need anything."
Rin thought for a moment, not an easy feat given the alcohol and pills. Then, she said, "Knitting."
"I'm sorry…I don't think I caught that."
She flapped her hands, a bit like a chicken and said. "These are bored."
"Bored?" Rei blinked at her, hard.
"Yes. And my knitting is all tied up in my luggage." She made a sad face. "It's probably lonely." She stared down at her hands. "I bet it misses them."
"Your suitcase is actually just up here." Rei said, that curious look still on her face. "Do you want to get it?"
"Oh, that would be just peachy!" She stood up, or tried to anyhow. She was still buckled in and it knocked her back to her chair. She began to giggle wildly. "Oopsie daisy."
"I can get it for you." Rei said quickly.
"That would be peachy, too." Rin said with a languid smile. "It's in a side pocket." Gosh, they were nice on private airplanes. She liked everyone here so much.
A moment later, Rei handed her the knitting and Rin made a happy sound in her throat. So perfect! Now she could knit all the way to Japan. Maybe she'd knit a hat for Mr. Taisho. Wouldn't he just love that? "Everyone likes hats." She mumbled aloud to herself, and began to knit.
There was a soft knock at the door as Sesshomaru was on the phone with one of his business deals. "Ready to leave whenever you are, Mr. Taisho." The attendant said, through the door.
He ignored it and continued talking for a few minutes more. He was pissed as hell that he had to take time away from his company just to see Akira lower herself and marry some pathetic human. He should've picked an event to attend too or planned a business trip to get out of this. But seeing how both Inuyasha and Inutaisho weren't going to the wedding, someone had to attend. Now he had to dress up in starchy suits, shake hands with a few people, and have his blasted photo taken eight hundred times a day. His brother should've been the one to go, but no, his fiancée had to feel nauseas to fly and he had to stay with her since he couldn't leave her side. Such a worthless hanyou.
When he could put off the inevitable no longer, he ended the call, put away his laptop, and left his private room. He nodded at the attendant at the far end of the plane and sat in his seat, rubbing his face. He was looking forward to this about as much as one would look forward to a tooth extraction, or perhaps a vasectomy. A colonoscopy? He pondered a list of horrific things that could possibly be less painful than a week-long celebrity wedding between a human and a demon.
He buckled his seat belt, closed his eyes and leaned back, and the plane began to taxi forward. He kept his eyes closed, relaxing, as the plane ascended into the air, the roar of the engines drowning out everything but his own thoughts. Eventually the sound of the engines leveled out, and he became aware of a new noise.
Clicking.
He frowned, opening his eyes just in time to see the flight attendant lean over his chair. "Can I get you anything, Mr. Taisho?"
He shook his head. "I'm fine."
She nodded and disappeared. The clicking began again. He looked to his left. Nothing. Looked behind him. And paused.
What on earth?
There was a woman behind him. A black-haired young woman…and she was knitting.
That was . . . odd.
This had to be the friend of Kagome's. She had texted him last night and told him that she'd send her over to meet him at his plane. To be perfectly honest, he'd been so wrapped up in his own misery that he hadn't even given it much thought. It was just taken care of. But this? This made him pause.
First of all, this woman was a human. He couldn't stand working with them because they were so incompetent. They couldn't do anything right and they needed help showing how to do the simplest of things. And another thing was that the woman was a mess. Her hair was a messy pile of black that long passed her slim shoulder. She was fair skinned, not a freckle or spot on her face. And speaking of her face, she looked impossibly young . . . except for the knitting. Also she had on what had to be the most sincerely godawful ugly suit he'd ever seen. It hung off her small frame like a shapeless sack.
For the love of…he'd asked for competent, experienced. Kagome had assured him that her friend was all these things. Damn that woman of Inuyasha's. He'd bloody kill her when he got back home.
"Just who in the world are you?" Sesshomaru barked out at the human woman, furious. This had to be a mistake. Surely Kagome wouldn't be so foolish enough to send this human woman to work for him.
Rin blinked slowly. Twice, as if it were difficult to do so. Long, black lashes skimmed her eyes and there was something peculiar about her gaze. Her eyes were extremely dark.
"Hi there!" She said in a high pitched voice that it made him inwardly cringe. Small hands dropped the knitting into her lap and she stuck one out at him. "I'm Rin Noto."
He just stared at her.
She tilted her head and blinked slowly again. Then she giggled, the sound musical and sweet and young. "You must be Mr. Tashy."
"Taisho." He gritted. Up in the front of the cabin, he heard the flight attendant smother a laugh, and he shot her a glare.
"It sounds like a cute doggie's name." She said, her voice quite serious. "I always wanted a dog. Ever since I was little I wanted a cute little west highland terrier. They're sooooo cute and fluffy!"
He stared at her a moment longer, and then looked over at the flight attendant. "Is she drunk?"
Rei's eyes widened. "I only gave her two drinks, sir."
"Sounds like two too many." He muttered. He turned back to the wild-haired human, who was blinking those big brown eyes at him. "Are you drunk?"
"No sir." She breathed. "I'm Rin No—"
"I heard you the first time girl." He interrupted. "And you are clearly drunk. Either that, or a fool. Why did Kagome send you?"
"Triple time." She said, and gave him a beaming smile. "You're caught in a jumble of a pickle and I get to make lots of money and a fancy trip to all the nice parts of Japan."
Dear God, her voice got pitcher the more she talked. There were all kinds of revolting human sayings rumbling out of her mouth. He was really going to kill his brother's woman.
"Yesiree." Rin breathed. "You're plumb outta assistants and so Kagome called me and asked me if I could look after Mr. Tashy, and I said I surely could."
This was ridiculous and truly a complete waste of his time. This woman surely didn't know how to act and the more she talked, the more irritated she was making him. He pulled out his phone and began to furiously text.
"Whatcha doin?" Rin asked, making him even angrier.
"I'm texting Inuyasha to let him know how much I hate his fiancée." Sesshomaru snapped. "You absolutely cannot be my assistant for this trip. This is a job that requires delicacy and an ability to maintain a tight schedule—"
"I can do all that—"
"—and manners." He interrupted, rudely. "This is inexcusable and utterly ridiculous and you are not going to be my assistant."
"I'm not?" The two words were soft and trembly.
He shot her another angry look. "Don't you dare."
But it was too late. The horrid creature burst into big, gulping, noisy sobs.
Sesshomaru had grown up to practice restraint in certain situations and considered emotional displays to be a waste. Crying? Never happened. He had no need too. It simply wasn't done. And given that Sesshomaru normally wasn't his best with people, he really, really didn't know what to do with a crying female.
This trip was going from bad to worse, and rapidly.
BlueMoon Goddess: Whoa this was a lot to write! But I had to make sure I got their meeting in here instead of breaking it up. Anyway, what did you guys think? Liked it, loved it, and can't wait for the next chapter? Well be sure to leave a review and I'll update the next chapter very soon. So until next time guys! ^_^