Inuyasha pulls his face from the rough carpet floor and coughs. Not too far away from him are the boxes, tipped over and spilling their contents onto the floor. They smell of whiskey now, a bottle broken when he threw it, some time before he passed out.
I got drunk the night she left, he thought to himself, running a finger over gritty teeth. Or the night he kicked her out. He was still a little hazy on that detail.
What's there to be confused about? She smelled of another man, you always knew she wouldn't settle for someone like you. You pushed her away before she could break you.
The last place that he'd seen her, before the end, before the blood, was at her job. He never really went there, having little interest in what she did in the sterile white rooms, and she wouldn't have been allowed to share anything even if he had been. That part of her wasn't a part of the package, it didn't really matter, just like she didn't care about the property he would eventually inherit. What mattered to him were the walks they would go on, the gentle banter between them, the shy way she would take his hand, tentative at first then becoming a comforting habit.
'We could get married, ya know?' The room had been bathed in the pale blue light of the early morning when he had climbed over her on the bed and brushed the hair from her face. Kikyo was strong and capable, but it was moments like this that Inuyasha remembered that she was inexperienced and that left her somewhat vulnerable. It wasn't a position she was accustomed to being in and he kissed her cheek, hoping to soothe her. 'Leave all this behind.'
'You know I can't,' she said, pushing his hair off of his face and cupping his cheek in her palm. "I'm so close to something big. You know that." With the gentle pressure of her hand on his chest she managed to move him onto his back, placing herself above him. "One day we'll be able to get out of here and no one will care or know who we are." Her mouth is on his, his hands on her back. "I just need more time."
Or maybe she just wasn't as certain as he was about the relationship. Maybe she had her own reservations about a big commitment. With him. Inuyasha buried his face in his hands, rubbed at the crust on his eyelids and pulled himself together. He had a list of places he needed to visit, places he hoped could help remove the fog from his memories and let him see the truth. And he was going to cross off one of those places today.
Kagome sat with her bare feet on her desk, writing down some notes on a slip of paper resting on her knee. There was to be a charity gala in one week and it seemed that the universe was dead set on ruining plans that she had made weeks ago. The hotel that she had reserved for the venue suffered a fire and it would take weeks for the damage to be repaired. The caterer had mixed up the order she had prepared. She rubbed her forehead, trying to figure out how she could fix this. It wasn't something that could be cancelled or postponed. Invitations had already been sent, RSVPs already accepted, talent booked, all building up to one night of fat cats looking good for one night.
She had been sending Jin back and forth to Sesshou with status updates and inquiries as to what she should do. His responses were what she had expected, short little notes that she read with his voice in mind. At one point he even informed her that her behavior was childish and she had nearly responded with "You started it," only to realize that it would not help her case. When Jin cracks open the door to her office Kagome is expecting Sesshoumaru's decision on whether they should accept the order that the caterer had prepared for or just try to find someone else. Instead, with wide eyes, the woman points to the phone. "There's a call for you on line 3."
She doesn't recognize the number or the voice, but the purpose for the call is quickly revealed. "Ms. Higurashi? Yes, I'm an associate of Naraku. He was hoping that he could meet you for dinner today."
She hesitates, taken off guard. Kagome would not lie, she knew that Naraku was flirting with her at that first meeting. And she knew that the flowers were a not so subtle way of driving the point home, he was interested in her. But she did not expect him to be so forward, not after Sesshou's obvious disdain. "Has this invitation been extended to Takahashi Sama?"
"Not that I'm aware. He would like an answer before twelve o'clock miss."
She could make it clear that the only relationship that she was interested in was professional. She could let him down easy, put an end to this flirtation without hurting his feelings or the potential role he might play in the business.
More importantly, she could finally prove to Sesshoumaru that she could handle herself.
"Tell Naraku that I can join him for dinner."
"Splendid. Is seven o'clock an acceptable time?"
"Seven o'clock will be fine," She nods, knowing that the smug sounding voice cannot see her movements. There is the click of the call ending not a moment later and she lets out a sigh. Now all that was left was avoiding her best friend for the rest of the day.
Shouldn't be too hard, she thinks to herself. Big baby's too busy trying to prove a point.
Even then she feels a little uncomfortable, more than a little nervous, as the time grows near for her to get in her car and drive to Naraku's territory. She actually scurries when she comes to Sesshou's office, trying to avoid him, though she could feel his youki as she rushes past. And when she got to her car and turned the ignition she let out a huge breath she had not even realized she'd been holding, feeling tension in her lessen just a bit.
The building was just as she had expected, large and imposing, like nearly any other building that made the cityscape. She parked her car, pushed some quarters into the meter, and straightened her skirt before making her way to the door. Aside from two security guards the lobby was empty.
Our lobby would be better for press conferences. More conventional… Better lighting. She waited for the receptionist to finish her conversation on the phone before smiling.
"Hello," a voice caught her attention and she turned to see Kagura. She looked beautiful, obviously, but what took Kagome's breath away was the long, red ball gown she wore. A corseted bodice with lacy fabric up to her throat, the same sort of lace that trailed to the ground where the fabric stopped at her knees. Kagome suddenly felt very underdressed and more than a little confused.
"Hi," she responded, somewhat awkwardly. "I'm Kagome Higurashi, we met earlier-"
"Yes, I remember," Kagura sauntered closer. "Naraku said that you had accepted his invitation. He didn't tell you about the event?"
Kagome shook her head. "He only said dinner. What am I missing?"
"He's hosting an art exhibit. Black tie event." Her eyes cast a critical, not so subtle glance at Kagome's work outfit.
"I'll let him know you're here."
Kagome nodded in thanks and turned, trying to shake off her embarrassment. It didn't take long for Naraku to appear, looking sharp once again, his jet black hair contrasting sharply with the white suit. He smiled when he saw her and she returned the expression politely.
"It would appear I'm underdressed," she joked when he come close enough to grab her hand and kiss it.
"Don't be ridiculous, you look lovely," he took her arm, pulling her to the gallery. The room was filled with people, all dressed in formal wear, and she felt even worse about this night.
If I'm lucky it'll be over quick, she thought, keeping a smile on her face as she moved between conversations, some with familiar faces, and tried to put her best foot forward. She was a part of the face of the company, after all. Naraku stayed at her side throughout the night, her arm tucked into his, his hand on her back, as he guided her through various pieces and commented on each.
"I don't know what to say," she smiles, staring at one obscure piece. He seemed enthusiastic about the use of color, but she only saw blurs and splatter, nothing had taken form.
"I'm glad that you're here, Ms. Higurashi," he leans slightly, his lips brushing her hair, and she becomes even more aware of the persistence of his hand on her back.
She knows the way she moved away from him was not subtle. "Of course. It is important that we build a strong repertoire. Considering we will be in business together. Correct?"
Inuyasha parked his motorcycle in front of the building. He spent a relatively short portion of his life around imposing structures like this. Overcompensating, he thinks. He took off his helmet, this time not caring about the strange looks he might get. This was not the time for such concerns, there were more important things to focus on.
The size on the inside struck him, if only because he did not recognize the layout. He had only been here to drop her off one or twice and had almost never been inside… except for that one time and he hadn't exactly been checking the décor.
Vast and empty, but not without sound or scent. Inuyasha could hear noises and when the security guards did not stop him, he followed the sound. A door opened without resistance and he saw that some sort of party was taking place. When he caught a scent, a familiar scent, he followed it, at first unaware of where he had smelled it before.
It wasn't until he saw a tall, broad shouldered form that he remembered coming to Kikyo's arms and smelling another man on her skin. Bedside him, hand on her back, was a dark haired girl.
No, he thought, freezing up. Not again.
It couldn't be her, he knew it. She was dead, he knew that too. So why was she here, why was she meeting him again?
Had it all been some elaborate trick. Was she afraid to leave him, thought he would hurt her, so she faked her own death? He hadn't realized that he was storming forward, pushing past confused people, hands reaching, until the man, looked up at him, somewhat confused, somewhat alarmed. And Inuyasha's hands, still in leather gloves, wrapped around his throat and forced him into a table. There was a loud clatter as dishes fell to the floor and the soft clamor of voices fell silent. And no one moved.
The punch that landed on the side of his face didn't hurt, exactly. But it did sting and it did distract him, briefly. He turned to the side, expecting to see a security guard, instead faced with her. Face on, there were shadows of KIkyo's face, shadows that had him seeing a ghost, but they very quickly passed and he saw another familiar face, one he couldn't quite give a name to. From the sudden drop of her jaw, the widening of her eyes, it seemed she recognized him too.
The speed with which she recovered her senses was remarkable. She didn't ask what he was doing there or where he had been. Instead she grabbed his hand and evenly whispered, "Let him go."
The hand he'd forgotten was wrapped around the man's throat loosened and he took in air loudly. She pushed past Inuyasha and placed her hand on the man's arms, supporting him. "Are you alright?" Two security guards approached, Naraku waved them aside. They stayed close.
He nods, coughing, casting a glance at Inuyasha. "Tell me Ms. Higurashi, is this how the Takahashi's do business?"
She shook her head vehemently. "No Naraku, I – I am very sorry about this. I don't know exactly what's going on, but I can assure you that nothing like this will happen again," her speech faltered, perhaps due to Naraku's hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps it would be best to reschedule for lunch, yes?"
"Perhaps that is a good idea," he nods, his eyes intent on her face. "You look rather enchanting, flustered like this." He stepped forward, she held her ground, and Inuyasha resisted the urge to grip his neck again. "You do not have to worry Kagome. I am a man who knows the value or discretion."
She bowed, politely, he took her hand and offered her a kiss. Kagome smiled, then frowned again when she saw his eyes shift back to Inuyasha. "I hope that when we meet again, it will be under more personable circumstances."
As if feeling the man behind her shift, Kagome took a step back and clutched his arm. "Another time, Naraku," then, moving away and pulling Inuyasha with her, "Do anything else and you will ruin everything." He resisted slightly when she tried to pull him, causing her to tighten her grip and glance back at him. "Do you want to go to jail?"
He remembered the inside of cell, of an interrogation room, all too well. He followed.
"Get in the car," she snapped when finally out of the building, reaching into her pocket for cell phone.
"I have my bike," he jerked his arm away, moving away from her.
"Oh no you don't. I have a frigging fiasco on my hands and it's your," she looks up at him before putting up a finger and talking into the phone, "hey, Sesshoumaru. I'm coming over, we need to talk."
"I am not going to him!"
"You have to. People saw you do that and now we, as in Sesshoumaru and I, need to figure out what to do with you."
"What the fuck does that mean?"
"It means that you- idiot- just choked up a potentially profitable partner! The prodigal son has returned after years of being gone after a huge scandal and I am not ready to deal with this alone!"
"Yeah, that's not happening," he patted her arm. "Listen, I'm not here for anything like that. Not here for the business, not here for anything but answers." He is away from her in two strides, climbs on his bike, and rides away.
A shift in weight causes a sudden dip in her mattress. She stirs a little, the sunlight through her curtainless window hits her eyes and she covers her face before hearing the sound of a giggle in her ears. Suddenly Kagome is dragged from the misty fog of sleep into the here and now, her barely furnished apartment at seven o'clock in the morning, with a giggling Rin not six inches from her face.
"Oh my gosh," she sighed, dragging the pillow to cover her face. "How did you get in here?"
"You've changed your place of living more than three times," Sesshoumaru's voice reaches her through the barrier she's made for herself, "and you've kept a spare key in the same place each time."
"Stalker," she rolls over and peeks at Rin from under the pillow. "Are you expecting breakfast?"
"We brought donuts," Rin beamed in response.
"Will you go get them for us?" Sesshou asked, inclining his head towards her bedroom door.
"Okey dokey," the little one bounded out of the room, leaving the two adults alone.
"Does this mean you want to talk like an adult?" Kagome asked, sitting up.
"This means that you play a role in this company, one that I simply must respect. I only hope that you have the sense enough to practice caution with a man like Naraku and," he pauses a moment, taking a seat beside her, "and remember that if anything should happen, you may always come to me."
"And what made you come to this very mature conclusion?" She asked, smirking.
"If he does anything it gives me an excuse to break his neck."
Kagome nods, face scrunched up slightly. "Well, that makes sense."
"He left a message with your secretary last night, not long after you had left, requesting that you join him for lunch today."
"And you would like to accompany us?"
He slips a paper in front of her, his face still stone. "I think we have other things to take care of."
She looks at the front page, knowing what it must be. Inuyasha, his face absolutely feral, as he lunges for Naraku.
"I'm on it."
This chapter was bad. I know it.