A/N: Okay so this story really isn't all that new. I originally wrote this 4 years ago (2008) (hard to believe it's been that long), and the last time it was updated was back in 2010. It did pretty well for the first couple of chapters, gaining 37 reviews. I just thought I would go back and do lots of revising and re-post it with a fresh new start. Enjoy!
Chapter 1: New Partner
"Taisho! Get your ass into my office! Now!"
It was his Captain, Gino Kuzaki. At forty-two his hair was badly thinning (as he called it), and he had a matching beer belly to go along with his bright bald spot on the top of his head. He was the Captain of the South Tokyo precinct and a complete hardass. When Sesshomaru refused to move he walked toward him, an angry frown set on his ugly face. Sesshomaru could already see the crow's feet around his eyes, and not to mention bags. He must really be tired.
"In my office," he repeated, and then turned round, making his way into the office.
Sesshomaru had a smug look on his face, already not liking how this was going. He was standing in the middle of the precinct, minding his own business and hoping to get some early morning coffee when suddenly his dragon of a boss approached him. From behind, he could hear the voices of his co-workers, some snickering, and others whispering, probably making bets on whether Sesshomaru was going to get fired. He ignored their talk, sighing and then casually walked into his boss' office.
He took a seat in one of the plush leather chairs. Comfort wasn't one of the words to use in describing the chairs with their cold vinyl and ten thousand tears in the upholstery. Sesshomaru never understood why his boss wouldn't upgrade his shitty furniture. The Captain made himself content by pulling out a box of cigars. He took one out, then offered one to Sesshomaru; He declined. Captain Kuzaki lit it, blowing out a puff of smoke. He propped his feet on the desk. Sesshomaru grimaced at his superior's behavior.
"So," he began. "Do you know why I called you in here?"
Sesshomaru wasn't in the mood for guessing, so he remained silent. He would let his boss fill in the rhetorical questions.
"I called you—"
"Correction. Yelled," Sesshomaru interrupted. If Kuzaki was going to ruin Sesshomaru's morning, he was at least going to rectify the man's actions.
The Captain squinted his eyes through the smoke.
"Look Taisho, don't get cocky with me. Your ass in on the line and now isn't the time to be a smartass," he stated, pointing a finger at the silver-haired demon.
Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, hoping that this would end quickly. He had a long shift ahead of him, and he honestly didn't need this crap.
"Like I said," Captain Kuzaki continued. "The reason I called you in here was to discuss the Haruko murder case."
"You mean the one about the fifteen year-old that was killed in the alley two weeks ago?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Well obviously," Kuzaki said with an attitude. "I want to know where my report is for that."
Sesshomaru silently cursed himself. He was assigned the Haruko case, because he could get the job done. There was still plenty of evidence to gather, and Sesshomaru had to get things organized. The least he could have done was ask questions to witnesses and whatnot, and he didn't even have that. His boss was beyond angry; down-right furious.
"Sir—" Sesshomaru started, but was cut off.
"Don't sir me, Taisho! Where's that report?" Kuzaki yelled, his cigar now half-way gone. "I've got a grieving fifteen year-old girl's family on my hands, so I want my answer, damnit!"
Sesshomaru sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was really close to making up so bullshit lie, but he was already in enough trouble as it was. Kuzaki didn't know the meaning of slack, and Sesshomaru just knew that he wasn't getting off the hook so easily.
"Sir, I don't have it," he answered.
"And why not?" Kuzaki inquired.
Sesshomaru didn't reply. What more could he do or say without digging himself deeper into the hole he created.
"I asked you a question, Taisho!"
He took in a deep breath, considering what to say and being sure to choice his words carefully. And when he came up with nothing, Sesshomaru finally said, "I just never got around to doing it."
Kuzaki was getting real tired of his officer's incompetence. He pressed out what was left of his cigar, quickly getting to his feet and leaning over his desk. Sesshomaru could smell his rank breath.
"Never getting around to it?" Kuzaki mimicked. "Think about this Taisho. If I just never got around to telling my officers that some little old lady just got mugged, would she be alive with all her valuables?"
Sesshomaru didn't answer.
"If I never got around to telling everyone on my squad that there was a convenience store being robbed, do you think we'd be able to catch the thief in time?"
Once again, Sesshomaru was quiet. Here his boss was giving him the guilt trip...again. It was just like the tyrant of a man.
"Since for some reason, you can't be responsible for what you need to do," Kuzaki went on. "I'm assigning you a partner."
"What?" Sesshomaru got to his feet at once. In all the years he'd been on the force, never had he thought his boss would utter those very words.
"You heard me." Kuzaki gave him an evil scowl. "A partner. Today."
Sesshomaru huffed. He didn't need a partner. So he was screwing up on one little case; he could always recover. And besides, having someone else tag behind him was too much trouble. He'd only get held back. Ever since he joined seven years prior, Sesshomaru was at the top of his game. He filled out all the mundane paperwork, caught all the baddies; what more could his miserable boss want from him?
Kuzaki walked from around his desk and to his door. Turning the knob, he opened it.
"Let's go."
Sesshomaru maneuvered through the chairs. He stepped to his boss, gave a look of disapproval and then walked out to join the other officers. And if he were to be assigned a partner, who would it be? Almost every other cop had one. Who was he going to be stuck with? Sesshomaru could only imagine. What if they were a total fuck up and he had to drag their ass through the process of partnering with him. Or maybe it was going to be some old geezer who was too old to keep with the fast and productive youkai. Sesshomaru was beginning to feel the effects of a migraine starting.
As he waited, Kuzaki was guiding a petite brown-haired woman in a tank top with jeans his way. Attached to her waist was a South Tokyo police badge. No. She couldn't be his partner. Although he admired her fragile frame, and shapely body, he didn't want to be this up and personal with the opposite sex. There was no doubt that things were bound to happen. Plus she was a woman. What could she do for him? For a moment, Sesshomaru's mind wandered to some pleasurable thoughts that didn't include working on the job.
"Taisho," Kuzaki began. "This is Officer Rin Hirano. She'll be your partner from now on."
Rin was very polite from the get go, extending her hand for it to be shaken, but it went ignored. She slowly pulled it back, coughing slightly at the awkward situation.
"I'll let you two get acquainted," said the Captain as he excused himself.
For a moment, they only stood there, unsure of who should speak first. Rin decided that she would be the one to break the silence.
"So you're the Sesshomaru that I've heard so much about," Rin stated with a smile.
"And you're my…new partner." Sesshomaru folded his arm over this thick chest.
Her smile grew even wider. "Yeah. It's going to be great working with you."
Sesshomaru mentally cursed himself. Her happy disposition was already in the beginning stages of annoyance. He felt the need to voice his opinion on what he really thought of this new-found partnership. His face became cold, and he drew himself close to Rin, staring into her eyes that he could almost see past them and into something else.
"Look, here. I don't need; nor do I want a partner." His voice was cold, icy.
"But—"
"But nothing," Sesshomaru interrupted. "I don't know what possessed Kuzaki to hand you over to me, but I'll be damned if I have to be your partner."
"And what's so bad about me?" she demanded. It was only her first day, and already she was getting hell.
Sesshomaru could already tell that she wasn't backing down from him. Spunky. He began to make his way to the exit, Rin not far behind.
"Look, if we're gonna make this work—" she tried again.
"We aren't going to do anything," Sesshomaru said sternly.
Once outside, Sesshomaru continued onward toward his parked black Mustang convertible. His car was his absolute treasure; his baby. He unlocked the door, opening it but not getting in. He located his Versace sunglasses, placing them delicately on his face.
"We're supposed to be handling this together," Rin said, trying to be reasonable.
"No," Sesshomaru quickly said, "I'm supposed to be handling this. Do whatever you'd like."
Rin placed her hands on her hips, and then cocked her head to the side. "Well I'd like to work with you, if you don't mind." That last part was with attitude.
Sesshomaru eased himself into the car, closing the door then rolled down the passenger window to look at Rin.
"Well you know what? I do mind."
He cranked the engine to his car, easing out into the flow of traffic. Rin only watched as he paused at a STOP sign and then continued forward.
She sighed heavily, running both her hands through her hair. That man was going to be a total work-out. And Rin was always looking for ways to exercise herself, mentally and physically. She stared down the street for a quick moment and could no longer see his car.
Definitely a work-out.
She turned back around, making her way into the precinct.
