Chapter 4:

Perfume

Sango and Miroku had been a great idea for their surprise group-date Rin felt. Sango, long-haired, willowy and tall with skin whiter than porcelain and eyes that flashed even in the dark, was wily enough to form a solid bond with Kagome. It helped that she was engaged to Miroku, Inuyasha's college friend who was a louder, more conniving, more perverted version of Inuyasha. His hair was only a shade darker than his better half's and styled elegantly, somehow, in a messy-half-ponytail. He had eyes that seemed to glitter with mirth as Sango's would glow with fire and strength. He was Inuyasha's height and wore expensive jeans and a dark blue button down that brought out his eyes. Sango was dressed in a tight-fitting amethyst mini-dress that flattered her lithe frame excellently.

Miroku greeted both of the girls with a devilish grin and held out his hands bowing before them. "My beauties, how delightful to make your acquaintance-" He "uumph-ed" as Sango smacked him on the head. "Sorry, he's harmless I swear." Sango apologized and bowed informally to properly introduce herself.

They went to a local cafe with live acoustic music and dim lighting. Kagome and Sango sat together and sent both boys off for some wine and for Rin a caramel hot chocolate. Rin was quiet as the two girls covered all the basic questions: Which school, What major, How long have you been together, then How do you feel about an arranged marriage? "Are you okay Rin?" Kagome's concerned face broke her from her trance. "Uh, no-I mean yes-I'm fine." "It can be hard to be a third wheel at times." Sango sympathized, giving her an understanding look. Rin smiled back gratefully, even though her problem was unrelated.

"So were you the one who freaked out Sesshomaru?" Sango asked bluntly, staring Rin down. She couldn't help but feel intimidated. "Don't bring that freak up, I'm going to pulverize him if he comes near her again." Kagome growled. "Who, Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha asked as he and Miroku returned with the drinks. Miroku delivered his fiancee her glass of wine and gave Rin her drink with another devilish smile that made her blush again. "For Sesshomaru's wet dream." He winked as he slid the drink to her. Rin gasped and Sango smacked Miroku again. Inuyasha laughed at Miroku until Kagome glared at him. He noticed, and cowered slightly, learning quickly.

"I'm glad he's gone, he practically ate her the first time he saw her." Kagome grumpily sipped the wine Inuyasha had brought for her. Miroku and Inuyasha relaxed with their beers, Miroku's hair slightly mussed from Sango's hopefully-loving abuse. "He wouldn't have hurt her, I was there." Inuyasha hit his chest with his fist. Sango laughed and rolled her eyes at him. "Oh please Thor, are we supposed to pretend he hasn't beaten your ass every time you've fought in the past what, five hundred years?" Sango took another sip as Inuyasha growled back at her. "Not. Every. Time." he hissed back, ears twitching. "I'm so glad you could make it Sango." He ground out through clenched teeth, to assorted laughter from the group. "I'm not allowed to leave home without her anymore." Miroku replied dolefully, eyes down in his beer in a pathetic manner. Kagome and Rin laughed at Miroku's whipped lifestyle as Sango smacked him again. Rin found as time went by and everyone became more inebriated and more lewd, she was able to actually take her mind off of Sesshomaru. At least until she got home.

...

"I've got it R-R-in-chan, no worries!" Kagome giggled as Rin half-carried her through the door. "I know, let me just get you to your room though." They had gone through the back door which led into the kitchen and then the dining room, then the main hall and their rooms respectively. Kagome had had a little too much, and as they left Sango had carried Miroku from the cafe wedding-style and Inuyasha had offered to drive them home. He helped her get Kagome into the back seat of his two-door sports car and helped her into the passenger seat politely, then slipped into the driver's seat and with a deep rumble of the over-powered engine - they were off.

She had apologized for Kagome as the city fell behind and the country glittered around them. She noticed his eyes check Kagome's lightly snoring form in the back seat Inuyasha smiled kindly. "No worries." He told her, eyes lingering. Rin liked him, she decided then. She knew Kagome was beautiful, she had always felt quelled by her luscious form and sensuous eyes and lips, but Inuyasha's warmth told her he saw more. He had battled her temper well, frustrating her just enough. She had begun to laugh more then growl at him as the glasses had doubled and the conversation quieted.

As he helped them to the door and gently passed her weight over to Rin, he tucked a strand of Kagome's hair behind her ear and she dizzily giggled and blew him a kiss. Rin grimaced and shouldered her properly. "Sorry about my brother little sprite. He'll come around." Through Kagome's armpit she paled as she met his serious gaze. "Um...sure, thanks." He had nodded and helped her with the door closing it behind them.

Rin locked the door and set the alarm, leaning Kagome on the counter next to them as Kagome mumbled incoherently. With great difficulty she got the girl upstairs and into some comfy flannel pajama pants and a white tank-top. The strappy heels were the hardest part to wrestle from her. Then she headed downstairs. As she walked through the foyer she remembered the package and snagged the small parcel off of the small marble high-table where most mail ended up. She took it into the kitchen then dug through the fridge until she found some leftover rice from presumably dinner and warmed it up in the microwave.

As she sat down at the smaller table she took a bite and pulled the few envelopes and package towards her. She opened some junk mail and a thicker packet. Her eyes scanned the letter then she lit up. Accepted, to her school of choice, thank goodness! She flicked through the information then decided she was too wrecked and tired to really comprehend it so she put it all neatly away then moved on to the package.

She frowned. No return address. The handwriting was masculine, but flowing as if the hand that had written it was silky. She unwrapped it with little difficulty and was surprised to see a small elegant glass bottle with a small note: "This is how I'll find you. -S" She carefully unscrewed the top and smelled it. Perfume. The most glorious, beautiful perfume she had ever inhaled. Flowers, musk, and a sweet, almost vanilla flavoring. There was no label or indication of producer on the vial, and only the note with it. She could feel him all over the package, despite their distance. The bottle, the tan packing paper, the scent itself. Dizzy from all of the excitement she clasped it close to her chest and closed her eyes as she pictured again the feeling of being in his arms. 'America is so far...' She sighed despairingly. 'What could this possibly mean?'

He had apologized, for what she now assumed was leaving. He had presumedly carried her to bed and made her comfortable there. He had called her "little one" like an endearment. And he had attacked her, pinned her to a wall so hard the wall had been damaged. Yet leaving her unharmed. If he really wanted her, would he just leave like that? Inuyasha had seemed to imply it had been a random and unnecessary venture. She would keep the perfume, tuck it away. Maybe, if he returned and cared enough to come find her, then she would wear it. Until then she had university to prepare for. She determinedly finished her rice, put away her dishes, all while clasping the bottle. As she collapsed into her bed it was still clutched to her chest as she slipped into sleep.

...

5 Years Later...

"I know you're a heartless maniac, but it may make you look approachable to the press. That sounds like a benefit worth the twelve-hour flight." Sesshomaru glared at his phone, then had to forcibly remind himself that his brother could not see him at the moment through the device. "Listen, the bride is requesting. And you know how she feels about you for dogging her cousin five years ago. Yeah, that feeling is still fresh for her. The woman can bring a grudge back from the brink of death." Sesshomaru sighed and closed his eyes to tune out what was around him.

Upper 8th Avenue was always crawling, just like every part of New York City that had been his home for the past five years five months, two days and eight hours. He had felt every minute. Japan had been a forbidden fruit for long enough he supposed. Inuyasha and Kagome had made the announcement six months ago, which he had discovered the next day from his father. He was warned then this moment would be coming, and his father had sent at least three hires his way, subtly hinting he should be training for someone else to take over.

If his only playfully-estranged relationship with his half-brother were to become less playful he would get an earful from his father, who still had the voting power on the board to throw him out of the company. Or at least reduce his control. He snapped back to the noise and bustle as a human middle-aged mother he judged from her smell that now assaulted him, crashed into him and threw a look over her shoulder while on the crosswalk to glare back at him. He hadn't realized the crossing signal had changed and Inuyasha was still painfully silent on the other end of the speaker. He moved on, crossing the street and relented. "I should have some flexibility in my schedule and Marks' seems slightly competent to handle my absence." He left the rest open and Inuyasha "feh-ed". "All right, I'll make room. Later." Sesshomaru slipped his phone and hands back into the pockets of his slacks.

His hands spasmed slightly as he fought to stop his claws from ripping his pockets off. As he ascended the stairs off of East 8th, he entered the American headquarters of Inutaishou Inc., and greeted the receptionist. "M-Mr. Inutaishou! We didn't expect you back so soon, shall I send up some tea?" Sesshomaru didn't even glance at the young brunette. She had been trailing after him like a love-sick fool since she was hired last year. Someone's daughter or something. "No. I'm leaving for Japan indefinitely. Send me Marks, now." The girl was clearly flustered at his brief tone but he ignored it and side-stepped swiftly around her desk and pressed the up button for the chrome elevator. The lobby was all intimidating marble, the elevators the only color in the gray scheme. He heard the brunette dialing and summoning Marks, his father's newest associate (and bribe), as the doors slid open and he glided on. 'Twenty-two...only twenty-two years old.' He thought dismally as the doors clicked seamlessly closed behind him. He leaned back against the wall of the elevator behind him and allowed himself to let loose for a singular moment. His demon roared, ecstatic his prize would soon be near. Taking a deep breath he managed to dually restrain his inner demon and also plan his next few steps. 'She'll only be twenty-two when her life ends.' He exited that elevator without breaking pace and began to prepare his vacating of New York.

...

A/N: Hello all! Hope you enjoyed! I know it's kinda' short, but more is coming, no worries. Thanks so much, as always, for tuning in and reading/reviewing/favoriting/following, you make life happy. Thanks to the show The Office for playing ignored in the background, but allowing me to concentrate and get this done, and (per usual) T-Bone for helping me overcome the OOC of Sesshomaru in this chapter. I'm aware, but DO keep in mind this is AU. I'm sort of evolving everyone based off of the idea that the original plot never happened. Not sure I had made that clear at all. So, if someone is acting contrary to the anime/manga, that's why. It's a whole different world, biologically, emotionally, and socially. The locations are the only part that remain the same. I may not own them, but they are my playthings *MUA-HA-HA!* So yes, apologies, but this is the universe you're reading, so it may be best to not tug'o'war with me on small, and in this case only, irrelevant details. But! Love&Peace to you all, please join me in the next chapter, because you're gorgeous. *baby talk* You know you are, you know it don't you little reader?
*MWAH!*