Rosie is on fire - another update!

Prompt: Baa, Baa, Black Sheep
Genre: Romance, Drama
AU/CU: Canon, as long as you ignore the last bits of the manga :)
Rating: T
Warnings: Mention of character death, fluff later on, angst
Word Count: 3349

On the award front, this story got 3rd place for Best AU/AR in the Inuyasha Fan Guild's 1st Quarter. :D Yay! Thank you!

Ruiner

She sat down in a corner of the restaurant with her glass of merlot and watched the other guests from under her drooping eyelids. She wasn't wearing a watch, but the stiff feeling in her joints told her that it was far past midnight. Time to go to bed, she thought, leaning her head back against the wall.

Sesshoumaru crossed into her vision - despite the fact that he hated these gatherings, he appeared quite comfortable moving from one cluster of people to another. He made sure that no one was forgotten, although he didn't seem to notice that she had retreated from the crowd. But that was fine - he had warned her that that might happen. "It is important that my employees believe that they contributed to the company's success," he had said before they left.

"Didn't they?" she had asked, but the question had gone unanswered as they had climbed into the limousine.

Kagome set her half-full glass on the table and tucked her feet underneath her chair as she watched her husband. It had been three months since they'd married - just over a year since they had been reunited in the modern era. She imagined that, in time, she would be able to read the subtle emotions flickering on his face. At the moment, however, she had only come the point where she saw that his expression was not simply a mask of indifference. It would take considerable hours, weeks, even years of study to learn his emotional intricacies. Was that gracious appreciation that he expressed to each person in the room? Or was it barely restrained annoyance that his company had succeeded in spite of his employees' work?

"You seem very much in love, Mrs. Taisho," said a voice at her shoulder.

Kagome turned to see a slim, young woman with a severe, sloped bob. "Do I?" she replied, and then cursed inwardly. The other woman raised an eyebrow. "I mean, I was actually feeling rather drowsy. But yes, I do love my husband, of course." That lie was becoming easier and easier to say every time, although she was not sure if it was because of an actual affection or simple practice. "Have we met?"

"Oh, no, I'm afraid not. I'm Asuka Watanabe." She shook Kagome's hand and pulled up a chair. "I'm rather tired too. Do you mind if I sit?"

"Go ahead," Kagome replied. "Do you work for my husband's company?"

Miss Watanabe smiled. "No, I'm here with my date, who works in Mr. Taisho's accounting department," she said. "I'm a writer."

"And what do you write?" She was still sleepy, but the conversation was rousing her a bit. She tried to concentrate.

"For fashion magazines mostly," the other woman replied. "I have to admit that I was happy to hear that you would be here tonight. I've seen your picture in the society pages so many times, and you always look so beautiful."

"Oh." Kagome colored. "Thank you."

The writer edged closer. "Actually, I was wondering if perhaps we could do an interview some time. It's impressive, really. I know that your family is not as well off as Mr. Taisho's - well, no one's is - and suddenly, you were vaulted into the position of the wife of one of the richest men in Japan. Yet, you've made the transition wonderfully, including your wardrobe. I would love to hear more about it."

Kagome bit her lip, smudging the expensive lipstick she wore. "Well, I don't know if I can take any of the credit. My friend, Sophie, picked out most of my clothing. You might want to speak with her. She has flawless taste."

"Sophie Fournier?" asked Miss Watanabe. "The one involved in the Kenji Yonai deal?"

Kagome frowned. "I'm not familiar with anyone named Kenji Yonai," she murmured.

"Oh." The other woman paused and cast a sharp glance around the room. "Mrs. Taisho, I don't mean to alarm you, but Kenji Yonai owned a technology company a couple years ago that was in financial trouble. Many companies wished to buy it, but your husband was successful in his bid."

"What's so alarming about that? Those things happen all the time in business," Kagome replied.

"It was in the newspapers for weeks."

The miko blinked. She had been in the Feudal Era, fighting Naraku and the Shikon Jewel on an almost daily basis two years ago. "I suppose I missed it. I was young and not interested in those things," she said slowly.

Miss Watanabe gave her a look that could only be interpreted as pity. "Mr. Taisho promised Mr. Yonai that he would make Mr. Yonai's company a subsidiary of his own company. All of the employees were to be kept, and all contracts honored. Mr. Yonai was going to be on the board of directors of Mr. Taisho's company." She paused and frowned. "A few days before the papers were signed, your husband bought out Mr. Yonai's company in a hostile take-over. He went back on all of his promises. Kenji Yonai died of a heart attack just a few days later, and his company was destroyed. Your husband fired everyone and took the assets he required. It tripled his stock price. It probably paid for that fine wedding you had and your beautiful clothing."

Kagome lowered her eyes to the green, natural silk dress that she wore. "I would imagine that he had his reasons," she said. "And, unless I'm mistaken, that's not illegal, is it? What he did?"

"No, it's not," admitted Miss Watanabe. Her eyes had hardened. "But it was unethical. And it was not the only time he dealt in such tactics, although it was the only time someone died because of it, that I know of."

"He didn't kill that man," snapped Kagome, standing up. "He's my husband. What do you think you're accomplishing here?"

"You obviously don't know what kind of man you've married," said the writer, rising to her feet as well. She stood a few inches taller than Kagome in her heels. "I only wanted to warn you. You should leave him before he drags you down too!"

"I know much more than you about what kind of man Sesshoumaru is," breathed the miko.

"I haven't even started," said Miss Watanabe.

Sesshoumaru materialized behind the writer with two large men at his side. "You will not have that opportunity," he said. "You will stop speaking to my wife immediately and leave."

The writer shrunk away from him, although she tried to keep the determined look in her eyes. "Everyone should know what you do in your work, Mr. Taisho."

"The only one here that is ignorant of what I do is you," he growled. He beckoned to his two companions. "These men will escort you from the premises. I should warn you that if I ever see you speaking to my wife or any other member of my household again, I will take all legal measures available. As it is, do not look forward to achieving great success professionally."

"You can't do that. You can't threaten me!" she snapped, but her strength was ebbing away.

"You speak of ethics, and yet, you attempt to spread slander about me to my own wife and try to interfere in my marriage. I believe that is quite valuable for your future employers to know." He turned from her. "Leave."

Miss Watanabe was led away, flanked by the two security guards. "You're not going to have them hurt her in any way, are you?" Kagome asked, watching her go.

"Other than her professional demise? No," he said. "Unless she harmed you."

Kagome shook her head. "I'm fine. She just startled me. She said she wrote for fashion magazines."

"You need to be more careful. Reporters have a way of slipping into functions such as this one, and something tells me that she was not aiming for a fashion magazine with an exposé about our marriage." His expression darkened as he spoke.

"She said she was here with one of your accountants."

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed and turned to sweep across the room. "Well, that is something I will investigate personally."

"I'm fine. Really. Please, don't do anything like what you're thinking. It's not worth it, is it?" she murmured.

"Someone that allows a reporter into a private gathering such as this has no true loyalty to my company. It does not matter who that person is. If they breach my trust in this way, then they should go elsewhere for employment," he said.

Kagome bit her tongue, not expressing the incredulity she felt at hearing that he trusted anyone. "Sesshoumaru, I'd like to go home. I'm tired," she said instead.

"Of course," he said. "I will fetch our coats."

He strode off into the crowd, stopping only once to speak to one of his assistants. By the time he returned with her red, wool overcoat and his black trench coat, the other guests were wandering towards the coat check and setting down their drinks. "Party's over that quick, huh?" she asked as he helped her into her coat.

"It's late," he replied absently, guiding her towards the side door where the limousine waited for them.

"Sure." She nodded to the chauffeur and slid into the back seat, waiting until the door had closed again. "Do people do everything you say?"

He glanced at her. "In general, yes."

Kagome was silent for a few moments as the car pulled away from the curb. The partition was raised between them and the driver, but she pressed the button to close it once more for good measure before looking back at him. "Is it true what she said about Kenji Yonai? And was Sophie really involved somehow?"

Sesshoumaru's fingers drummed against his knee for a moment. "I am not certain what she said about the matter," he said, "but in general, what the newspapers said at the time was correct. Our companies had arranged a merger, but in the end, I bought his stock outright instead. It was a hostile take-over, and I removed all the assets from the company. As a result, his company folded without the means to make a profit on its own. His employees were terminated. He had a heart attack a short time afterwards, and he died. As for Sophie, she was my assistant at the time and was highly visible because of that. Nothing more."

"So you lied to him. He thought you were his friend."

"There are no friends in business," Sesshoumaru replied, leaning back against the leather seats. He closed his eyes and rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "However, if I ever did have a friend in business, it was Kenji Yonai. He was ruthless, and I respected him for it, despite his humanity."

"But you still..."

"What the papers did not know," he interrupted, his eyes opening again to fix on her unhappy face, "was that Kenji Yonai had found out that his previous surgery had not corrected his heart defect. The agreement was not ready, and the lawyers were fighting over its terms. Other companies were poised to take over the company, but he preferred that I take his assets. He knew that I would put them to good use. He died even earlier than expected, but what happened was not unforeseeable, especially by Yonai."

Kagome's shoulders relaxed a fraction. "Those people still lost their jobs."

"I hired the useful ones to my company," he said. "Another fact that the newspapers glossed over too readily."

She let out a soft breath. "Well, I guess I'm pleased to hear that."

He scowled at her. "Kagome, just because that instance was not what it seemed to be does not mean I have not caused hardship in my business practices." The crease in between his eyebrows deepened. "I have put people out of jobs. I have left men penniless. I have ripped apart companies after buying them. I have even bought companies for no reason other than to rip them apart, just because they have threatened my own business in some way. In short, I conduct my business in the same way I conducted my kingdom when you knew me in the Feudal Era."

"Is that the honorable way of doing things?" she asked. "Back then, that was the most important thing to you - honor."

Sesshoumaru paused. "Was it?" he asked.

"You never ran from a battle," she began.

"Pride," he said.

"You helped us defeat Naraku."

"Vengeance."

"You never broke a promise."

"I never made one that didn't benefit me."

Kagome frowned. "You saved Inuyasha. You saved me."

"Necessity," he murmured. "At the time."

She sat quietly. "I don't believe you. I know that you did some things out of honor, not because you had to or wanted to, but because it was right. You took in Rin."

"She took me in," Sesshoumaru replied.

"So, what? You think that you're this black sheep of the business world? Laying waste wherever you go, just as you did in the Feudal Era?" she asked. She rubbed at her arms. "It's cold."

He turned up the heat and pulled her close to his side without a word, moving his artificial limb out of the way. "I did not say that. Most people in my position have done the same things I have in order to create successful enterprises. The reason I am a favorite target of the press is because I am extremely good at my job." He hesitated as she rubbed her cheek against his shoulder. "If I thought of every individual affected by my decisions, nothing would get done. And there is good that comes of my power and wealth."

"Such as?" she asked.

"I now have a wife that can use that power and wealth to counteract the evil I do to attain it."

She shook her head. "You're not evil."

"I thought that was what you were talking about. Now, you're defending me?"

Kagome looked up at him. "I always was. I know that you're not running drugs or dealing with the Triads. I don't know enough about what you do to question its morality, I admit," she said. "But Naraku was evil. You never were, although you were a bit particular about who you cared for. I doubt that that's changed. Despite what you say, I always saw you as honorable."

Sesshoumaru pulled her closer. "I appreciate your sentiments, but I disagree."

"Why?"

"If I had any honor," he began. He stopped and shook his head. "It doesn't matter."

The miko frowned. "Yes, it does. Look, I'm not under any delusions about who you are, Sesshoumaru. Remember that, for me, the Feudal Era was only a couple years ago. You weren't evil, but you weren't exactly sunshine and roses." Her expression softened. "She just startled me. She was nice, and then - bam! - I was under attack. I'm not used to that. I thought of that man dying, and I remembered how you would cut down anyone in your way with Tokijin."

"I still do that, but without the aid of a sword."

"I know. But to think that you'd be any different was just..."

"Wishful thinking?" he supplied.

"Foolish. On my part," she said. "The fear I felt was momentary. It was foolish for me not to realize that you applied the same level of intensity in your business too."

Sesshoumaru sighed. "And do you expect that to change? Now that I am married to you?"

"No," she murmured. "This isn't Pretty Woman. You don't see anything wrong with what you do."

"But you might," he said. "And that does matter to me, despite all appearances."

Kagome sat up, pulling away from him to look into his face. "You're putting words into my mouth. Look, I think that this marriage is hard enough to get used to without one of us changing what they are. I'm just learning the normal Sesshoumaru. Who would say that I'd even like the nicer, more compassionate Sesshoumaru?"

"So I am ruthless and dispassionate, but that is acceptable to you?" he asked.

She let out a soft laugh through her nose. "I guess so. This Sesshoumaru is the one that I married." She sobered. "I'm just saying that while that reporter's tactics rattled me for a minute, I wasn't surprised by what she actually said. And that's fine with me." She reached out and wove her fingers through his. "As long as it's fine with you."

The car turned up the drive and came to a stop at the kitchen door before he could formulate a reply. The staff was gone for the night - either to their own homes or to the servants' quarters - and they slipped off their shoes in the entryway and made their way to their bedroom in silence. Kagome yawned every few feet and hardly noticed that her husband was in the dressing room with her as she peeled off her cocktail dress and put on a cotton nightgown. He stood in silence as she went into the bathroom, only managing to loosen his tie before she came out again, ten minutes later.

"I'm exhausted," she said, picking up Sesshoumaru's arm and looking at his watch. "Two in the morning! You have work tomorrow." She pressed a kiss to his lips, which he returned. She tasted and smelled like mint and lavender - her toothpaste and her soap. It was the scent that hovered around her during the day too.

"I'll be there in a few minutes," he replied as she drifted towards bed. He waited until she had slipped between the linens and had closed her eyes before he moved to the back of the dressing room. Opening the closet filled with his older suits, Sesshoumaru pulled his quarry from the back. He set the smooth, black lacquered box on the ground and unlatched it.

Folding back the red silk, he ran his fingers over the three blades - one with its own scabbard and two without. Tokijin pulsed red at the appearance of its long-absent master, but Sesshoumaru flipped the silk back over it and looked at the other two. Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga - his father's legacy, separated between his two sons - sat quietly in their places.

Although Inuyasha had given him Tetsusaiga of his own free will, Sesshoumaru had never used it. He couldn't. It didn't matter though - even Inuyasha had known that the days of the sword were ending. It was a symbol only - of their father, of their rivalry and of Kagome. There were really four people tied up in the fate of Tetsusaiga after all. His father had it forged to protect his human mate, Kagome had been the one to give it to Inuyasha so that he could defend her, and Inuyasha had given it to him to seal Sesshoumaru's promise that he would take care of Kagome. It seemed very long ago, like someone else's life.

"Have I lost my honor?" he murmured to the two blades. "Did I ever have it? Who is right - Kagome or that reporter?"

He paused. "How is it that the reporter's words startled me more than they startled my wife?" His father's swords remained silent. Tokijin, ignored, finally stopped its pulsating, and Sesshoumaru sighed. "I will honor my promises. And you, Father," he said, closing the box and stowing it once again.

He changed out of his tuxedo and went into the bedroom, switching lights off as he walked. Kagome was asleep, facing his side of the bed, and he could see the outline of her features in the dark. "But I am sorry for it," he said.

Kagome's eyes opened, and she blinked slowly at him. "Hm? Didya say summin'?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head against the pillow. "No. Goodnight, Kagome."

She took in a deep breath and smiled. "Night," she murmured, slipping back to unconsciousness.

The taiyoukai rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling until dawn came.

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A/N: It actually took me ages to find the correct tone on this one - the first draft had Kagome in tears because of what the reporter said, but I realized how dumb that was. She really *does* know Sesshoumaru better than anyone - she probably wouldn't be surprised to hear that he *literally* stabbed someone through the heart at a board meeting. :P

And yes, I do love angsty Sesshoumaru. I know I've teased you at least twice about that. I promise it will be revealed in the next chapter... unless I change my mind. :D