A.N. Yeah, intended this as a oneshot, but everyone seems pretty excited about it and I have ideas for it, so Secrets will be extended, my intention being a four to fiveshot. I own nothing. Italics mean Japanese being translated to Tony.

"She doesn't want to be declared my heir." Glaring at nothing in particular from what one could see with his face on the monitor, the tycoon was at a complete loss for what to do. Who turned down being the heir to a billion dollar industry? Or a trust fund for that matter?

"Well, give it time, Tony. She's only known about you a month and you've had what a meal per week since?" Not looking up from the microscope, he adjusted the lens before taking a few notes.

"Because she won't allow more." Deeply annoyed, he paced on and off screen. "I've been here the entire time, running the company from Japan, you there in my stead and she refuses to do more than share a meal once a week!" Throwing up his hands dramatically, he flopped on a chair and stared into the screen at his researching friend.

"So, why did you offer her the title as heir?" Looking up from his tasks, Bruce leaned against the table and looked at his friend through the camera. "You knew she wasn't letting you in yet, so why bring it up?"

"I thought maybe she would realize what I had to offer as a father if she could see what she inherited." He was playing with a rubix cube, solving it and then scrambling as he spoke, without looking. It was perhaps irrational to the highest degree, but he felt a need for her to accept him as a father. And stop calling him Mr. Stark.

Wiping his face with a shake of his head, the Hulk vessel looked at his friend like he was an idiot. "You do do realize you essentially tried to use your money to impress your daughter, the same way you would to seduce a woman into your bed, right? Are you not seeing how screwed up that is? That aside, I could have told you it wouldn't work. You need to connect to her emotionally, earn her trust. I mean, you admitted the only reason you wound up with Emiko was because of an emotional vulnerability. You could have been replaced with any guy in that moment, as she just wanted to feel desired and loved."

"Thanks for that, Bruce, you're a very reassuring friend-And I assure you, no man can stand in for Tony Stark." The green guy had a point though. Like mother like daughter. He'd been so focused on how she might be like him, he'd almost disregarded that she'd been raised by his one-time lover who was far more... Emotionally driven than he was. Evident by her selection of her husband over him. From a purely fiscal point, he was an excellent provider and a paternity suit would have had her set for life.

Chuckling at his ego, he shook his head. "I'm not talking about sexual prowess and you know it. Look, it's lunchtime there, right? Just go to the Shrine and ask to have lunch with her. Or tea. She loves tea." He'd learned that in the ever so brief meeting they'd had. She made excellent tea, very natural and soothing. She had even given him some of the special blend.

Frowning at the other male, he leaned back in his chair. "You need to sleep soon." He shut off the monitor, ending the call.

Checking the time, the other scientist was inclined to agree. Packing it in for the night, he yawned and started towards his bed.

x~x~x

Walking up the shrine steps, the American was hopeful that he could tempt his daughter into coming out with him. Lunch somewhere else. Away from the old man who glared at him constantly and the kid who, while entertaining, tended to bug him with questions and hero worship. Flattering, but he'd rather have it from his kid.

A breeze came down, bringing with it familiar voices in Japanese. Turning on Jarvis, he had him set up to translate conversation automatically now.

"-the community is really in an uproar over all this. Mama, please let us take you into protective custody." It was a male voice, pleading and protective.

"I am not going to go into hiding. If anything, you should let me help. They're taking demons too, and if you all are still out there, than I should be too. Now, what are the leads?" That was Kagome's voice, quiet and comforting.

Wait... Who was calling his eighteen year old daughter 'mama'? This better not be some kinky sex thing he was overhearing. The very thought made the usually very open minded male's stomach lurch.

"We are not alone." That was unmistakably Tsukino.

Realizing he'd been discovered, but not sure how, the tycoon took the last of the steps, noting idly that the wind had shifted directions, now hitting his back. "Hello! Tsukino, Mikono, and... Sasaki, right?" Since seeing them around his daughter, he'd done his research.

The orange haired one arched an eyebrow. "I don't believe I ever introduced myself to you, Mr. Stark." His arm was slung around the black haired beauty's waist and he smirked, knowing it made the other man uncomfortable. Of course, he didn't know that the miko was his mother.

"Nor have I," the mountain of a man to his left commented. "Since you already know me, perhaps it's foolish to introduce myself, but I still feel that politeness dictates it. I am Sasaki Hachiuma-Or Hachiuma Sasaki, rather, for you." He gave a polite bow.

Surprised, the American copied the bow and then straightened. "Tony Stark." He grinned at him, finding the massive man to be oddly cuddly and harmless looking. Not like his business rival or the youngster. They both oozed the same sort of steady danger he'd seen in his own comrades.

"We have business to attend to." False brown eyes stared coldly at the business man. He held an obvious dislike for him that he did not feel the need to hide. He never really had.

Mischievous green eyes sparkled at the way his old ally didn't even bother with pleasantries. Releasing the miko, he smiled and kissed her temple. "I'll see you later, Mama."

"Bye, Aiji," the blue eyed teen returned, answering in English to be polite to her visitor.

Not showing that there was a translation playing in the earpiece, the American waved as the three departed. "It's lunchtime and I thought we could grab a bite. There's a little place down the way that lists oden as a specialty." Of course he knew it was her favorite from eating at their home, and hoped she'd jump at it instead of getting fussy at him about her odd assortment of friends leaving. He'd wait to corner her about that.

Surprised that he was being so blase about it all considering he'd been very pushy about things so far, she frowned. He'd already chased off her friends. Sesshomaru had barely been able to stand him before learning he had contributed to her birth. Shippou couldn't wait for her to tell him so he could start drinking with his 'jii-chan' and Jinenji was simply too peaceful to hang around them when their relationship was somewhat unsettled. Sighing, she nodded. "I'll eat lunch with you. Just let me get my purse."

"Feel free, but you're not paying," he replied with a grin. She hadn't chastised him for not calling. Had to mean improvement.

Rolling her eyes at his proclamation, she shook her head. Stubborn ass.

By the time the two had found their way to the little restaurant, Kagome was rather irritated with the whispers they attracted. A young woman with a wealthy American businessman, easily recognizable by his pictures in the newspapers and magazines was certainly enough to make people gossip.

The translator still active, Tony was first greatly annoyed, but then okay with it as he realized the assumption meant that the young men who eyed his daughter wouldn't be talking to her. Yes, better than dealing with them flirting with her.

"Right this way." The hostess smiled politely and lead them to a booth off the side. The restaurant was surprisingly not too crowded given that it was lunch time. "I will bring you tea and allow you time to decide."

Glad for the more private setting, Kagome gave the older man a slight smile. "She is bringing us tea and I can translate the menu if you like."

"Oh, it's no problem," he told her with a cocky grin. "Jarvis." He took out a handheld device which scanned the menu for him. "I think I will have the gyoza."

A waitress came with a small pot of tea and two cups, pouring one for each of them. "Have you had adequate time to decide?"

Frozen, the miko realized with a sinking feeling that he had likely had what they had said translated. This was a ploy, taking her out of her comfort zone to interrogate her. He was still just trying to get information on her and it truly scared her to share that part of her with him so soon. He was still a stranger and she could get into a load of trouble if the wrong people knew. Psychological evaluations, blowing the cover of an entire species... Consequences were steep for her. Snapping back to attention, she ordered for them and watched the waitress go with trepidation.

"So, judging by your very awkward vibe, you figured out that I have my ways of understanding you. So, why are two businessmen and a doctor asking you to go into protective custody and how are they demons?" He held up the small computer as answer of how he had their information.

"It's none of your business, Mr. Stark." Sipping her tea, she tried to remain calm. How much did he know?

"Aiji Mikono, age 24, already running his own business, Mikono Corp, Inuji Tsukino head of Tsukino Inc, and Hachiuma Sasaki, pediatrician, who apparently kept you from getting expelled through constant doctor's notes for diseases blood work says you never had. Pretty exotic choices too-The old man came up with them, right? Your mother would have had the sense to make the selection a little less eccentric." Smiling as the waitress came back, he nodded his thanks. "Arigatou." That one he knew.

"You're welcome." Smiling politely, she bowed her head and walked away.

Poking at her food, the blue eyed woman no longer felt much like eating. "You're a real asshole, you know."

"Me?" Using his chopsticks with practiced expertise, he appraised her idly and took a bite. "I am expressing fatherly concern, and you are treating me like an unwanted puppy, chasing you around. I hear people talking about you needing protection, and I'm supposed to just, what, let it drop?" He took another bite, not letting their disagreement disrupt his eating habits.

"You're not expressing 'fatherly concern', you're trying to satisfy curiosity. You're a scientist. You don't like things not making sense, so you have to poke and prod and spy until you're satisfied. And you're not my father, you contributed genetic material, nothing more. If you were a real father, you'd care about my feelings and you would respect my privacy." Standing, she turned to go.

Wrapping his hand around her wrist, he tugged her back down without much trouble, though he had a keen sense that she could have stopped him if she wanted to. "Kagome, why do you think I'm in Japan? I have a company to run, people who like me, ect in America. Why would I stay here if I didn't want to establish a relationship? Honestly, I could have all the information I wanted without even being here. Just hire some people to follow you, hack your phone lines, the works and I would know you better than you know yourself in a week." All of which had occurred to him, though Bruce assure him it was a very bad idea.

This pacified her a bit. She sighed and rested her head on the table a minute, thinking on it. "Mr. Stark..." She sat up, locking eyes with him. "Ten questions. I ask one, you ask one and we have to answer honestly. However, we get one pass a piece. Nothing too personal."

Arching an eyebrow, he grinned. Nothing was too personal for him, but he'd be nice and not point that out. "Fine, fine. Ask your question."

Taking a bite of her previously disregarded oden, she appeared to think a moment. "What's your favorite food?" She hoped to set the tone with that question, keeping it light and get-to-know-you rather than in depth or emotional.

Knowing exactly what she was doing, he decided to play along to a point. "Depends on my mood. Pretty into shawarma at the moment." Taking a drink of tea, he eyed her. "What do you do for fun?"

Wondering what shawarma was, she immediately wanted to try it just to see. "I haven't had a lot of time for fun in awhile... When I do, I like to hang out with my friends, be outdoors, sometimes read. Really enjoying the classics lately. Shonagon, Murasaki, Fujiwara..." She smiled, happy he'd backed off. "Of all the countries you've been in, which is your favorite to visit?"

"Japan," he answered quickly, offering her a smile. It was true, now. He had a kid here and she was entertaining. Plus Emiko. He might see if he could get into that bed again. "Do you have a boyfriend?" He was still wondering about the 'mama' thing and if that guy was some freak.

Saddened, the young woman immediately thought of Inuyasha. He was the closest thing she'd ever had to a boyfriend, and even he really wasn't when he was alive. Thinking of him as dead made her heart clench. "No. Never really had one."

Realizing he'd made her a little sad, he contemplated letting it go before his phone ringing settled it for him. Squeezing her hand lightly and holding up a finger, he pressed his earpiece. "You've reached Tony Stark, I really don't give a flying-" He broke off, brow furrowing.

A little surprised by the gentle gesture, the miko watched him take the call. At first his attitude was as blase as ever, but then he went quiet, a little serious. She thought that was the most serious she had seen him look.

"Okay, send me the details, I'll be there so-Fine, I assume you already know where I am." Face a little sour, he pressed the earpiece and turned to the slightly confused girl. "An acquaintance is coming to pick me up, so I unfortunately have to cut this short." Taking out the money, he signaled for the waitress and stood. "You go ahead and pay." He rested the money in her hand. "I still have eight questions, so don't forget." He winked and kissed the top of her head on impulse, ignoring the look of disapproval cast in his direction by an older couple.

"Stark, they just get younger and younger, don't they?" a redheaded woman commented as she strode in, confidence in her steps.

"You know me, billionaire playboy. Not like I never offered you," the American playfully remarked, not willing to share this little secret yet. After all, his kid wasn't even ready to call him her father, no need to go making intros.

Watching the two in surprise, the younger female couldn't help but wonder. Her stride, her manner... She was an assassin. "Next time," she told him, walking over to the counter to pay, sensing that this was not someone he wanted to introduce her to. Not like his friend Bruce. He'd brought him in immediately.

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, the Russian woman simply grabbed his arm and began towing him away. "Let's go, Hefner."