Chapter four – The ghosts of the past
Kagome stepped into the little restaurant where a waitress was receiving her almost immediately.
"Good day, Higurashi-san! May I escort you to your table? Yamasaki-sama is already waiting."
"Yes, please", Kagome replied with a nod and followed the waitress to the table where she and Katsuo-sama always sat at.
Once Yamasaki Katsuo noticed her, he got up and walked over to her.
"My dear Kagome-chan! It has been weeks."
The old man closed Kagome into a bone-shattering hug.
"It's great to see you, Katsuo-sama", she replied smiling cheerfully after getting released from Katsuo's embrace, taking off her sunglasses as she sat down on the opposite side of the table.
"What would you like to eat, Miss Higurashi?" the waitress asked, holding out her little notebook.
"Ahh, I'm not so hungry, may I just have a cup of tea?"
"Certainly! What flavour would you like?"
"Green tea and mint, please."
"Thank you for your order, I'll be right back." The waitress bowed and walked away.
Katsuo set his elbows onto the table, leaning closer to Kagome. He was grinning widely.
"So, how was your holiday? You got yourself a tan, I see!"
"Yeah", Kagome replied, letting out a little laugh. "The holiday was really wonderful. Hawaii was great. It was so fantastic to have a break from work."
"Oh, tell me about it", Katsuo replied whole-heartedly. "You dropped by at Kyoto Records?"
"Yeah... Just checking everything's running smoothly... And checking out my new assistant."
"What? You hired an assistant?"
"No, in fact Myoga and some other of your old friends hired him for me."
Katsuo frowned.
"That doesn't sound like them at all."
"I know, that's what bothers me", Kagome huffed.
A waitress arrived with Kagome's cup of tea and Katsuo's ordered lunch.
"Here you go, sir."
"Thank you."
"And here's your tea, miss."
"Thank you very much."
When again left alone, Kagome peered at Katsuo over the brim of her teacup.
"There's something fishy in that guy too", she said.
"What guy", Katsuo managed to ask through his chewing.
"The guy they hired for me as an assistant."
"They hired you a guy as an assistant?!" Katsuo blurted out, clearly surprised.
"Uhh... yes, they did, actually."
"Be careful, my child", Katsuo said with a serious and sincere face. "Men are monsters. You have to look after yourself."
"Yes, Katsuo-sama... I know."
"Let me know if he tries to make any approaches towards you! Katsuo will protect his daughter."
Kagome shook her head, smiling to herself. She really could not figure out this old man.
"I will, I will. Don't worry about me, 'daddy', I'm a big girl already."
Katsuo let out a joyous laughter.
"I really did miss you, Kagome-chan", he admitted, raising the glass of water to his lips.
"I know you did", Kagome replied, smirking.
"Oh! Izayoi sent her greetings. She told me to tell you that you're invited for a dinner on Saturday, 6 pm. At our Tokyo residence. I figured out you'd be visiting your family anyway, so.."
"It's fine, I'd be delighted to come."
"That's great, 'cause you have to be there! There's someone I want you to meet and he's just returning to Japan from US."
"I'll be there", Kagome promised with a smile.
Sesshoumaru couldn't bring himself back to doing his work. It had been this way ever since his new boss had left the building with her high healed leather boots and sunglasses. The mystery of the woman bothered him, as well as her relationship with his father. He couldn't understand how a twenty-years old young woman could fall for his father. The mere thought was disgusting. He could barely stand Izayoi and that snotty brat they claimed was his half-brother, but he would NOT allow this "Kagome" to become his stepmother. Why was it so hard to his father to be tied with only one woman?
The elevator binged sharply and Sesshoumaru raised his gaze.
"Myoga", Sesshoumaru lashed out the moment he saw the old man.
Myoga walked through the corridor and finally stopped before Sesshoumaru's desk.
"Yes, Sesshoumaru? What is it?"
"I need you to tell me who exactly is this 'Kagome' woman."
"Kagome-sama? What, you already met her?"
"Yes, she was here about an hour ago", Sesshoumaru said, seemingly irritated.
"That's odd... She just came from Hawaii and she wasn't supposed to start working before Monday", Myoga replied frowning.
"Apparently she only stopped by to check me out."
"Ah. I see."
"Now pray tell me", Sesshoumaru started on a cold tone, "how did that woman end up being Kyoto Records CEO?
"She went to Kyoto's College of commerce and studied there under Kaede-san's care. Kaede-san noted her skills and strong instincts. The CEO's position had then been left open for half a year already. We were kind of desperate to get it filled. So, Kaede-san took liking in Kagome-sama."
"You said Kaede took a liking in her?"
"That's correct", Myoga said. "You know how hard she is to please. It takes a lot of time to gain her trust, however, Kagome managed to do this in mere months. Kaede presented her to the board of management and she was given a six months trial which she successfully completed, thus being officially appointed as the CEO of Kyoto Records."
"So she didn't buy my company?"
"Oh, none of that! You see, Kagome's from an average, poor family. She couldn't possibly have had enough money to buy your company. The current owner of Kyoto Records is the board of management."
"Well, her being from an average poor family explains her lack of pride and manners pretty well", Sesshoumaru grunted.
"Lack of pride? What do you mean?"
"She just stuck out her hand and blurted out 'I'm Kagome'. I mean, a female CEO who can't even introduce herself properly, that's just pathetic."
"That's just one of Kagome-sama's peculiarities", Myoga said, smiling. "She insists that people call her on her first name. She said she feels uncomfortable when being addressed by her surname only. That's what she said to me; 'We'll be working together in this company, as a big family. In a family they share the same surname.'"
"Hnnh."
A silence occurred while Sesshoumaru looked back to his meeting with Kagome.
"There's one more thing I want you to clarify."
"Yes?"
"How in hell did she build up a relationship with my father", Sesshoumaru asked, crossing his arms across his chest.
Myoga wondered to himself how on Earth Sesshoumaru already knew of that as well.
"Well... Katsuo-san was curious who got the leading position in his son's company and came personally to find out. He immediately fell in love with Kagome. They go out to have lunch together weekly."
"And does Izayoi know what he's doing behind her back?"
Myoga frowned.
"Of course she knows. She has invited Kagome over for a dinner several times. They chat together like sisters."
Sesshoumaru felt revolted.
"It seems odd to me that Izayoi seems okay with my father seeing another woman."
Myoga blinked.
"What are you talking about", he questioned Sesshoumaru. "Why should Izayoi hate Kagome?"
"Well, I've got the picture that the wives usually don't approve their husband's mistresses. I know for sure that my own mother didn't."
"Hold on now, Sesshoumaru. Are you saying that Kagome-sama and Katsuo-san..?"
Seemingly disgusted Sesshoumaru nodded gravely, causing Myoga quite efficiently burst into laughter.
Myoga laughed a long time while Sesshoumaru was growing constantly even more and more irritated by his side. He hated being laughed at.
When the old man finally calmed down Sesshoumaru was far beyond 'pissed off'.
"Sesshoumaru, my boy, you've got it all wrong", Myoga said, shaking his head while grinning widely. "Katsuo-san sees Kagome as his daughter! He's told it to me several times, always the same words: 'Myoga, my old friend, let me tell you... If I had daughter I wish she would be just like Kagome-chan!' That's all there is."
Suddenly Sesshoumaru felt very stupid. That didn't approve his raging mood at all.
"I learned a long time ago that my father's foolishness has no limits. And the impression I got from this 'Higurashi Kagome' wasn't the most flattering one."
"Why this sudden resentment? I understand if you feel – "
"I'm not jealous for her taking up my position", Sesshoumaru indifferently replied. "I just hate her, that's all."
Myoga sighed to himself and shook his head. It seemed that this was going to be a bit more complicated than what he had thought.
It was Friday night. Kouga leant back on the leather seat, grinning to himself. A waiter came by, setting a drink on the table before him. Kouga nodded and took a sip. To Kouga, there was no sitting home on Friday night. He needed to be where the action was. He was sitting there, dressed in fine clothes. Why would he not show off the wealth he had? After all, he was working under the legendary Kyoto Records' roof. A new silver earring hung from his left earlobe, matching his silver wristwatch. His hair had been pulled up on a high tail, as always. He looked rather sporty in that black hoodie and stylish khaki-pants he wore. Yes, Kouga thought to himself, he truly was one hot hunk tonight.
It was "Planet Z" where he was tonight, his favourite night-club. DJ changed the track and a self-satisfied grin rose to Kouga's lips. Yes, he truly was amazing. The singer, whose record was currently being played, had been nothing until Kouga found him. For that was Kouga's job, he was the director of the branch office of Okazaki's talent scouts, the one that actually was built inside Kyoto Records. Most of the time he didn't have any time to be scouting though, his days passed by filled with paperwork, meetings and consultations.
Kouga was one of those males who are convinced of their own greatness. All females are aware of this type, avoiding that kind of males as a plague. However the males, blinded by their own convictions, don't grasp the reason why it is so damn hard to get yourself a girl. Kouga was similar. He had a sweetheart, an attractive young woman his heart was set on. He continued to woo her the best he could, convinced that he would win over her affections someday.
After all he was a proper young man, in good position, healthy and certainly hot stuff.
The music was cut off and the DJ announced a karaoke-competition to start. Kouga chuckled to himself, sipping his drink once again.
The contestants were fairly good but none of them had quite the spark Kouga had been looking for. He but his notebook back to his pocket and was already decided to leave after his finishing his drink when the DJ announced the last performer.
"The last one to participate is 'Ayame-hime' with BoA's 'Winter love'!"
The DJ's voice faded and Kouga lazily followed the figure of a young red-haired woman walking onto the spotlight. She was pretty to look at, yes, but nothing special. Besides, Kouga already had his sweetheart. He turned his attention back to his drink. That was, until 'Ayame-hime' started to sing.
Kouga's neck let out a quiet crack as he turned his head swiftly back to stare at the red-head. He sat there, glued to his seat for the rest of the song, unconsciously holding his breath. That girl was something else after all!
After the song had ended Ayame bowed down to the clapping and cheering crowd and intended to walk away, back to sit at the corner table where he had resided for the whole evening. However she never made it there, because a neatly dressed handsome young man blocked her path.
"Has anyone ever told you that your voice is amazing?"
Ayame blushed slightly.
"Excuse me, sir, but could you maybe move out of the way..."
"No, I won't. I want you with me."
"Eh, I'm not intending to get myself a boyfriend right now, so..." the young woman looked troubled and kept glancing a way out of the embarrassing situation.
Kouga laughed out.
"You got me wrong, dear. I have a girlfriend already. I'm talking about that voice of yours. I want it."
"Ehhh..?"
"Director Nakamura Kouga from Okazaki's talent scouts", Kouga said casually, giving her his card. "I want you come to see me at my office... Is Monday alright to you?"
"Uhh... Sure", she replied, although she seemed to be a little hesitant.
"Great. Monday, 3 pm, be there. I'll talk to my boss and ask her to come to meet you too. So you better be there."
"Uhh, yeah, okay..."
"Splendid. I'll see you then, dear." he winked and waved, stomping away.
Ayame stood rooted to her spot, not really knowing what to do. She felt a little freaked out. Who knew what kind of creeps walked around? He could claim to be a talent scout from a company but who knew who he really was and what were his true intentions?
Although, Ayame had heard of Okazaki's talent scouts. The company was fairly famous. She glanced down at the card and saw the words Kyoto Records printed on the bottom left corner. It was then when she made up her mind. It might be jumping off to deep end, but if truly Kyoto Records were involved, this was her once in a lifetime chance. Carefully Ayame put the card in her pocket. Monday, 3 pm, she reminded herself, then walked back to sit at her corner table.
"Kagome! Oh it's good to see you, come in, dear."
"Hi Mom."
"Mommy!"
A red-headed lightning attacked and Kagome nearly fell onto her back because of the impact.
"Hey Shippo. Missed me?"
"I missed you a lot", Kagome's 5 years old adopted son declared.
Kagome let out a little laugh.
"I missed you too, sweetie."
"So, tell me, how was Hawaii?" Higurashi Kasumi questioned.
"Oh, Hawaii was great. It was so relaxing. And Kyoto Records managed well without me. Though there were changes too."
"Oh? Did something happen?"
"Well, while I was gone a few members of the board hired me an assistant."
"Oh, is that so? How considerate of them."
Kagome didn't bother to correct the wrong impression her mother had. After all, Kagome did not want to make her mother worry by telling her 'bout the suspicions she had about this Suzuki Hikaru.
"Mother?"
"Yes, dear?"
"I need you to watch Shippo for me on Saturday night too. Izayoi-san has invited me over for a dinner."
"How nice of her. Sure I can look after my cute grandson."
"Great."
Kagome smiled and took her son's hand as she stepped further into the house, to meet the rest of her family.
It was Saturday afternoon when the doorbell rang. Miroku was the one to open the door and soon beckoned the guests to step in. He led them to living room where they met an enthusiastic, squealing Rin and delighted Sesshoumaru.
"Uncle AhUn", Rin piped out and ran to hug the twins' legs.
"Ah and Un", Sesshoumaru blurted out. The twins looked like they always have looked. They both had narrow faces and slim figure. The only change now was that their hair which used to be ink black was slowly starting to fade to ash grey. Time spared no one.
"Hello, Rin", Ah said, picking up the child. "Have you been well?"
"Yeah", she replied with a wide smile.
"We finally found the time to come and see you, Sesshoumaru-sama", Un said, smiling.
"We wanted to come earlier, but the shop kept us too busy", Ah said apologetically.
"What shop", Sesshoumaru frowned.
"Oh, right, he doesn't know", Ah said to Un.
"We have a lot to catch up, don't we?"
"Better get started then."
The twins sat down onto the sofa, Ah was still holding Rin.
Seeing the twins brought certain calmness to Sesshoumaru's being. The twins had always been there, first teaching him and guarding him, later on serving him. And after he had been locked away from the eyes of the world, they had been looking after and caring for his daughter.
"Well, after you were sent to prison, we stayed for awhile in your house. We found Rin and took her in. Katsuo-sama came by one day, asking us whether we would want to return to his service now you were gone, or would we want to quit. We did not want him to find out about Rin, so we quit instead. With the money Katsuo-sama gave us as the pay off we founded our own business."
"That's right; we're running a flower shop."
"And our apartment is in the second floor, right above the shop."
"We would have taken you in as well, had we only been able to."
"Yes, unfortunately our apartment isn't so big."
"When Miroku-san volunteered to take you in, we were relieved."
"Katsuo-sama still doesn't know about Rin. We didn't want to tell you, because after all it is your decision whether or not to let your father know."
"I appreciate it", Sesshoumaru nodded.
"So how are you doing now", Un asked.
"We heard from Myoga that he hired you as Kagome-san's assistant – "
"Hey wait a minute", Sesshoumaru exclaimed with a frown. "You know that woman as well?"
"Kagome-san, you mean? Sure we know her", Ah said.
"She visits our shop every now and then, she likes flowers", Un told, smiling slightly.
"Also she came over after she heard from Katsuo-sama about disowning you. She asked us all kind of questions about you."
"Why would she do that", Sesshoumaru wondered, one eyebrow raised.
Ah and Un shared a look and smiled to themselves.
"Who knows", they replied simultaneously, even though they very well knew why.
It was five o'clock on Saturday afternoon and Higurashi Kagome was currently gazing her reflection in the mirror with scrutinizing eyes. Deciding that it was good enough she turned around, meeting her mother.
Kasumi had taken care of her hair, collecting it and putting it on a traditional style that fit well with the kimono Kagome was wearing. It was a silken masterpiece, part of the kimono collection that was the shrine's heirloom. It was sky-blue with a silver dragon embroidered to rise from the very hem slithering up the garment like a snake so that its head rested on the chest, right above the bearer's heart. A simple light grey obi held it in its place.
"You look like a hime, Kagome-dear", Kasumi said warmly.
"Thanks, Mom. For everything." Kagome gave her mother a quick peck on the cheek.
"The cab is already waiting, dear. Hurry up."
In the entrance hall she kneeled down to hug Shippo for a good bye.
"Be a good boy, I'll come to pick you up tomorrow morning."
"Mom?"
"Yes?"
"You look pretty."
Kagome let out a delighted laugh.
"Thank you, sweetie." She gave him a little kiss on the forehead. "Bye then, Shippo."
Kagome walked out of the door and gracefully came down the many stairs of the shrine, not caring about the whispers and the stares of the passers-by. She stepped in to the taxi, giving the driver the address. She would be a little early, but that would be quite alright. Kagome always was on time.
Kagome paid the river and stepped out of the car. No matter how many times she stood before the gates of the traditional style mansion, the beauty of the building managed to take her breath away. The guard opened the wooden gate for her.
"Good evening, Miss Higurashi."
"Thank you, Bokusenou-san", Kagome replied, nodding. She walked the stone path up to the door, admiring the flowerbeds on the courtyard. She failed to see that Izayoi was on the door, waiting for her. She had already been informed of Kagome's arrival. It had been a while since they had last met and Izayoi had really missed the young woman. Her husband might consider the young CEO as his daughter but to Izayoi she was like a little sister. Just like Midoriko. They really were alike, Kagome and Midoriko, Izayoi's late younger sister. If Izayoi were one to believe in reincarnation, she could have sworn Kagome carried part of Midoriko's soul inside.
With a smile she watched as Kagome strayed from the stone path, stepping to the emerald grass. Izayoi moved quietly, not to catch the young woman's attention and slid back to indoors. It didn't take long to find him.
"Darling, come with me. Kagome's here."
Katsuo got up and wordlessly followed his wife. Soon they were both standing in the doorway, taking in the unique sight. The sun was setting, colouring the little garden on the courtyard with gold and red. The flowers still bloomed, unyielding to the will of the cold winds. Kagome stood by the pond, drinking in the beauty of it all, not at all aware how she was being observed.
"It's amazing", Katsuo whispered. "It's like I'd been taken back in time."
"She looks like she'd belong in that garden", Izayoi quietly agreed.
The illusion of an ancient hime waiting in her garden for the stars to take over the sky was however shattered, as the wooden front gate opened once again with a creak.
A silver-haired, tanned young man stepped in, carrying a heavy shoulder-back.
He stopped as he saw the young woman, looking at him with widened, cerulean eyes.
A frown settled on his features.
"Who are you, woman? Who let you in?" The bag fell from his shoulder and he crossed his arms across his chest as he stared down at the stranger.
Kagome trembled; her legs nearly gave up under her as she looked at the young man, a ghost from the past time that had haunted her heart for so long.
The first man she had ever loved. The first man she had ever opened up to. The first man who had broken her heart. The only man who had ever seen her exposed soul.
"Inuyasha!"
Quick steps echoed on the stone path as black haired middle-aged woman ran over to her son. She hugged him close to her chest.
"You were gone for five years! I missed you so much!"
Katsuo-sama slowly walked over to Kagome, seeing her obvious distress.
"What is wrong, Kagome-chan", he asked as he helped her to stand straight. Gently leading her by the arm he started to walk back to inside. "You look like you'd have seen a ghost."
"In a way, Katsuo-sama.. I just did." The smile she flashed was strained and her voice had been quivering a bit.
These signs were alarming to Katsuo who had never seen Kagome being anything else than calm and composed, reminding him about his elder son's outer cover.
Footsteps echoed behind them and they turned around, facing Izayoi and her son.
Kagome braced herself and put on a little smile.
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Inuyasha?"
"Huh? Who are you? Do I know you?"
Funny how after so many years it was his words which could wiggle their way through the wall around her fragile heart and stab it.
"What, Kagome-chan, you already know Inuyasha?" Katsuo exclaimed, surprised.
Kagome's quiet reply was drowned in Inuyasha's surprised yell.
"KAGOME?!"
"Have I really changed that much that even you don't recognise me?"
Hiding the pain was more difficult she had remembered.
'Bottle it up', Kagome commanded herself. 'Bottle it up and keep it in.'
She could not let the others know how fragile she truly was. She could not let Inuyasha see how deeply he had once hurt her.
"I didn't expect to see you at all... And that kimono and all... You've really grown."
"So have you, yet I had no trouble recognising you."
"Well... seems like you already know each other... But since you haven't obviously seen each other in quite a while, mind if I do the introduction?"
"Not at all, Katsuo-sama."
"Kagome-chan, meet Inuyasha, my son and heir."
Inuyasha's eyes bulged and his mouth fell open.
"And Inuyasha, here is Kagome-chan, my precious friend and the current CEO of Kyoto Records."
Kagome bowed down.
"Nice to meet you."
Inuyasha stood silent for several minutes, unable to close his mouth though he tried serious effort.
"Wh- What's the meaning of this, father?" he asked as soon as he found his voice again.
Kagome frowned. Now this was odd. It seemed as if Inuyasha was not at all aware of disowning Sess – wait!
"Katsuo-sama, you couldn't have!"
"What are you referring to, Kagome-chan?"
"Don't tell me you never told Inuyasha about – "
"About what?!" the annoyed young man cut in. Inuyasha felt irritated. It seemed that even Kagome knew what was going on! And no one had ever bothered to tell him anything...
"Why don't we all go and sit down and discuss these matters over the dinner", Izayoi suggested quietly.
Most of the traditional Japanese mansion had been decorated and furnished in Western style but the dining hall was unchanged. Kagome sighed to herself as she kneeled down onto the soft silken cushion. She felt at ease at this kind of old atmosphere. After all, her home was an ancient shrine.
A maid came in and set the trays of food down onto the table. Izayoi told her to leave and for awhile silence reigned over the party.
"I want an explanation", Inuyasha finally demanded, looking at Katsuo. "First you introduce me as your heir and then you claim that Kagome's the CEO of Kyoto Records. What the hell has happened to Sesshoumaru? He couldn't have died, could he?"
Katsuo seemingly stiffened at the mention of Sesshoumaru's name. Izayoi's pale face got a sad expression and Kagome's features spoke of perfect calmness, which, Inuyasha somehow realised, was completely faked.
"No, Sesshoumaru is still alive", Katsuo said on a tone void of all emotion. "He has been thrown out of my family, that's all."
"What?! Why?"
"I don't want to discuss about that", Katsuo shouted, his amber eyes blazing.
Inuyasha flinched. Something must have happened while he was away in the US. He had seen his father lose his temper very rarely, and none of those times had been about Sesshoumaru.
Silence went on as Kagome pondered what exactly Katsuo was up to. He had said back then that Kagome had to come today, for a person attended whom Katsuo wished her to meet. So, Katsuo-sama wanted her to meet Inuyasha? And that way he kept glancing both of them felt unnerving too.
"Well. Let's talk about something else. Tell me, Inuyasha, how do you know Kagome-chan?"
Inuyasha glanced quickly at Kagome, who avoided his gaze.
"Well... Uhh... We were classmates in high school."
"Truly? And you never mentioned this, Kagome-chan."
"That must've slipped my mind", Kagome lied. Of course she hadn't told. Telling someone about Inuyasha made it awfully lot harder to try and forget about him and the pain he had caused her.
"Well, that's quite understandable", Katsuo assured. "You know, my children, I truly wanted you two to meet each other but if you already know one another that is just splendid."
Kagome looked sharply at Katsuo. He could not be... could he?
"You see, Inuyasha, while you were gone Kagome has become dear to me, like my own daughter."
Kagome kept staring at her food, trying her best to ignore that tingling feeling on her skin that told Inuyasha was looking at her.
The dinner ended and Kagome gracefully got up.
"I'm afraid I must leave now."
"What? Already, Kagome-chan?"
"Yes. I'm still a little tired because of the jet lag and I'm certain that Inuyasha must be exhausted as well."
"How very considerate of you to respect Inuyasha's feelings as well."
Kagome let out a little – fake – laugh.
"Katsuo-sama, could you please see me to the gate?"
"Why certainly, Kagome-chan!"
As soon as they were out of the hearing range of Inuyasha and Izayoi, Kagome turned to look at Katsuo sharply.
"Katsuo-sama... I want you to tell me one thing."
"What is it, Kagome-chan", the old man wondered.
"Please tell me you're not trying to set me up with your son", Kagome said
"Pfft, Kagome-chan! What are you talking about? Would I try something like that? Ahhahaha!"
Kagome mentally sighed. So it was as she feared.
"Of course you wouldn't", she lied. "Sorry for even asking."
They walked in silence through the court yard. As they reached the main gate Kagome bowed down.
"Thank you, Katsuo-sama. I really enjoyed myself this evening."
"Well is that so", the old man asked one eyebrow raised.
"What do you mean", Kagome asked, puzzled.
"You really didn't seem to be enjoying yourself", Katsuo observantly replied. "In fact, you seemed to be very troubled by something. Does it have anything to do with my son?"
"No, you're wrong", Kagome lied. "I just couldn't get work stuff out of my head, also I thought if Shippo was well while I was gone..."
"Ah, I see it now. Well, I'm glad you came."
"So am I."
"Goodnight, Kagome-chan."
"Goodnight, Katsuo-sama."
Kagome turned around and walked out of the gate. She felt awful; she hated it when she had to lie to Katsuo-sama. But there were some things she was not yet ready to tell anyone.
And thus the Monday morning came. The day Sesshoumaru had dreaded. This was the very day when that woman would stomp into his office and would boss him around. Somehow working under Kagura didn't seem such a revolting idea anymore. For the first time in his life, Sesshoumaru really didn't want to go to work. The mere idea disgusted him. The woman who was supposed to be his boss made him, in fact nervous. Sesshoumaru was famous for his ability to determine people but somehow he couldn't define Higurashi Kagome. At first the woman had appeared young and foolish to him, foolish but friendly. Then her behaviour had changed completely. Sesshoumaru had thought for a while that there had been completely another human being standing before him, telling that she was going to find it all out. He somehow got the feeling that the woman was hiding her true feelings deep inside her and that was why he could figure her out. This Higurashi Kagome was totally unpredictable. It was odd how she somehow reminded him of himself too – even though he realised that she was completely different from him. Sesshoumaru groaned to himself. It would seem that Higurashi Kagome was a woman whom no one was able to figure out. And that was one reason why Sesshoumaru felt so reluctant working under her.
"You've been awfully quiet", Miroku pointed out. "Is everything alright?"
"I don't want to go to work", Sesshoumaru just said, frowning.
"Relax, cousin dear. Kagome's really not that bad you know. You'll do just fine."
"Daddy?"
"Yes, Rin?"
"Can I go to play over at Shippo's today?"
"Who's this Shippo", Sesshoumaru asked, watching his daughter with a raised eyebrow.
"He's my bestest friend from the kindergarten!"
"He's a reliable kid", Miroku assured, seeing the sceptical look on Sesshoumaru's face. "You know, the other children used to pick at Rin, saying that she was weird 'cause she didn't have a mom. But Shippo stuck up to her saying that he didn't have a father but it didn't make him weird. And after that the teasing stopped."
"Really", Sesshoumaru asked, still a little hesitant.
"Yeah", Rin replied with a wide smile.
"Alright then. How will you get back?"
"Shippo's mom takes me home."
"Then, you may go."
"YAY! Thanks Daddy!"
Sesshoumaru became a victim to Rin's famous hug-attack.
"Rin, that's enough. Your father has to go now or he'll be late."
Sesshoumaru groaned.
"Do I have to?"
"Yes, you have to. Have a nice day."
Mentally rolling his eyes at Miroku, Sesshoumaru got up.
When Sesshoumaru stepped out of the elevator, he heard a soft humming voice coming from ahead. Frowning to himself he walked through the corridor, vaguely curious about the source of this voice. It turned out to be a woman. She was sitting on his desk, flipping through some documents. She was wearing a knee-length black skirt and a silken white blouse. He knew immediately who she was, although he didn't believe his own power of deduction at first, not until he spotted the shoes she was wearing: the same high healed leather boots.
This woman sitting so casually on his desk could have been a completely different person, so different she was compared to that odd woman who had been threatening him last Thursday.
She raised her gaze abruptly as if sensing his presence.
"G'morning, Hikaru-kun."
"Good morning, Higurashi", Sesshoumaru replied stiffly.
She narrowed her eyes, regarding him for awhile.
"A fairly good response", she said after a while. "But it's still not quite right."
Sesshoumaru knew what she wanted. But no matter how low he sank, he would not call that woman his boss, nor add any honorific suffixes to her name. On this he had decided.
"It's only three syllables, so it shouldn't be too hard to remember, right, Hikaru-kun? Ka-go-me. Not Higurashi."
Sesshoumaru blinked.
Had his boss just reproach him for calling her by her surname?
"That's just one of Kagome-sama's peculiarities. She insists that people call her on her first name. That's what she said to me; 'We'll be working together in this company, as a big family. In a family they share the same surname.'"
Ahh, that was exactly what Myoga had told him earlier. That was right. This woman and her peculiarities... Sesshoumaru huffed to himself.
"Fine", he said out loud, "Kagome."
"Good, you learn fast, I see. I'm impressed." She flashed a bright smile which could easily have been mistaken to a friendly one. But Sesshoumaru knew human behaviour better than that and saw the flicker of mockery under the surface. "Maybe you're not a total waste of space after all."
Sesshoumaru's hand clenched into a fist.
It was odd indeed how this woman seemed to possess the ability to break in his carefully built shield of calmness and attack his nerves in such a violent way.
"Why don't you go down to second floor and find Hojo from the main canteen. Ask him to prepare a cup of tea for me; he'll know what to do. I'll figure out what to do with you while you're gone."
He glanced at her and turned around, walking away without another word.
Kagome chewed on the end of her pencil, deep in thought. This thing was getting even shadier now. Hikaru-kun clearly didn't like her too much. Nor he seemed to be a man of "assistant" material. He seemed more like a leader-type to Kagome. Why exactly had Myoga and his little gang insisted on hiring this guy? And why had they done this the moment she was out of the company, out of the whole damn country? Kagome decided not to have a holiday any time soon. Kami knew who they'd hire the next time she was gone!
Kagome came into the conclusion that the best plan of action for now was to closely keep an eye on Hikaru-kun and observe him, trying to find out what kind of guy he really was. But the problem was could she do it? Hikaru-kun was clearly a sharp one, possibly even wittier than she was. She ought to be extra careful and subtle. She could not let him find out. If he were to find out that Kagome was only testing her, he could get quite mad. And Kagome didn't want that to happen. After all in her heart still remained the shadows of a scared child who wanted nothing as much as to retain peace.
The day had been nothing special until a little before ten o'clock a few unexpected guests arrived.
Sesshoumaru involuntarily flinched, as he saw who stepped out of the elevator. It had been three and half years since he last saw him. His father. He hadn't changed the slightest. His hair still was as white as ever and pulled up into a long tail as usual. He was dressed in a neat black suit; one like Sesshoumaru had always remembered him to wear. The all familiar serenity written all over his face he took a few steps towards the corridor, his mere being emitting a sense of regal superiority only he possessed. It was an aura so powerful that Sesshoumaru himself could only dream of.
As Sesshoumaru observed him the old man turned to look into the elevator.
"Hurry along now."
"Geez.. Why did I have to come here", grumbled an all-too-familiar voice.
A moment later a grumpy Inuyasha sullenly stepped out of the elevator.
Sesshoumaru felt nervousness building up inside of him. It seemed that it was time to put his new disguise to a test.
They stopped before his desk. Inuyasha was curiously peering at him behind his bangs but Sesshoumaru was too busy to notice. For he was equally meeting the heavy weight of Katsuo's golden eyed stare.
"Suzuki Hikaru-san, I presume", Katsuo stated calmly.
"That is correct, Yamasaki Katsuo-san", Sesshoumaru replied indifferently.
"Impressive, you already know my name."
"Would a company like this hire a person who wouldn't even recognise the face of the current Minister of Foreign Affairs?"
Inuyasha quietly observed the conversation between the two males. He could see that they were testing each other, in a way. Why his father paid so much attention to a mere assistant, Inuyasha didn't know. But he did notice that this Suzuki Hikaru matched quite well against his father.
"I'll inform Kagome of your arrival."
Katsuo nodded.
"Please do."
Seshoumaru pushed down a button and leaned in closer to the speaker.
"Kagome, Yamasaki Katsuo-san is here to see you."
"A minute", came her reply from the other end of the line.
Soon muffled steps could be heard and the heavy wooden door of CEO's office swung open.
"Katsuo-sama, I wasn't expecting you at all", Kagome exclaimed, leaning against the door frame.
"Is it a bad timing, Kagome-chan?" Katsuo politely inquired.
"No", Kagome declined, "not at all, I was just going through some – " her sentence cut abruptly as she noted the person standing behind Katsuo's back.
Sesshoumaru noted the widen-eyed, nearly scared look in Kagome's eyes as she spotted his half-brother.
Kagome inhaled, forcing herself to calm down and keep her voice steady.
"Inuyasha."
"Hiya", the young man mumbled, raising his gaze to meet her eyes.
"Well, come on in."
Sesshoumaru watched the dark oak door that had just been closed.
How come that the woman seemed to know every person in this Sesshoumaru's life?
About fifteen minutes later Sesshoumaru's father exited the room, and walked over to Sesshoumaru, stopping right by his side.
"May I have a word with you, please, Suzuki-san?"
Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrow.
"Sure, Yamasaki-san. Please sit down." He pointed offhandedly at one of the luxurious black leather arm-chairs provided for visitors who had to wait.
"Thank you. Now, the following thing I'm going to tell you is strictly confidential. I sense you're a man of honour and won't tell a soul – especially don't tell Kagome."
Interesting. His old man had managed to spike up his curiosity. Sesshoumaru recognised the little gleam in his eyes. What was he planning..?
"I'm listening, Yamasaki-san."
"I love Kagome-chan like she'd be my daughter. She's very dear to me and that is why I hope she would become my daughter officially too. That is exactly the reason why I dragged Inuyasha along this morning."
Sesshoumaru really did respect his father, but sometimes he thought that the old man could get the most idiotic ideas that had been doomed to fail even before they'd been born.
"You're trying to set Kagome up with your son", Sesshoumaru stated, proud that he was able to keep his voice calm.
"Yes, that is my plan. And I'm asking your assistance, Suzuki-san."
Sesshoumaru didn't yet know his boss very well but his brother he knew. And just by watching the two react with each other a while ago told clearly that the two right now did just not match. Though, he didn't have the heart telling it to his father, seeing the glimmer of hope in the old man's golden eyes.
"I doubt there's much I can do", Sesshoumaru said, trying to politely evade the offer. He did not wish to take a part in an already doomed attempt.
"Well, I understand if you're not ready to give your answer right now. But please, think about it."
"I will", Sesshoumaru promised.
Katsuo stood up and nodded at Sesshoumaru.
"Well, it is time for me to go. Please look after my little darling, I trust in you, Suzuki-san."
With a quick smile Katsuo walked away.
What an interesting guy he was, this Hikaru-kun, Katuso mused to himself as he walked back towards the elevator. Somehow he got the feeling as if he had known the young man for ages. He seemed to be a reliable and capable guy, a one who immediately had won Katsuo's trust over. He couldn't see how Kagome could have believed that there was something fishy in this assistant. Katsuo recognised an honourable man when he saw one.
Sesshoumaru was left there, staring at his monitor with unfocused eyes.
He would never be able to understand his father.
Then his keen ears picked up his name coming behind the office door. Unable to stop himself he sneaked closer to the closed door. What could possibly his boss and half-brother be talking about behind his back? Muffled voices reached his ears.
"So it's juts the two of us now", Inuyasha said bluntly to break the silence that had settled down after his father had left the office.
"Yeah", Kagome agreed, trying her best to avoid looking at Inuyasha.
"Kagome..."
"Yes, Inuyasha?"
"I need you to tell me what this all's about."
Kagome looked up to find Inuyasha staring intently at her. His determined honey-coloured stare bore into her soul, setting free long forgotten memories.
There still was a scar on her heart.
"What all?"
"My father never told me anything, not until Saturday-night. Suddenly telling that I'm his heir and that you're Kyoto Records' CEO. I don't understand, what the hell ever happened to Sesshoumaru?!"
"Calm down, Inuyasha. And please refrain from yelling." Kagome heaved a heave sigh. "I'll tell you then."
"Good. Spill it."
"I see that the five years spent in America didn't manage to teach you any manners."
"Keh! Tell me, damnit! I have a right to know!"
"Well. It all started four years ago", Kagome began. "When Sesshoumaru was accused of a large-scale tax fraud."
"He what?! But there's no way – "
"I know", Kagome interrupted, "Sesshoumaru would never do that. However, the case was brought into the court and for the lack of defending evidence your brother received a 4-year long sentence."
"What?!"
"As for me becoming the CEO of your brother's company, that was a sum of coincidental events. I made it to the college I planned to get into, you see, and one of the board members was my sensei there."
"I'm glad", Inuyasha said quietly. "You accomplished your dream. You made it to the top."
"Yeah... Although the victory somehow feels bitter to me. I feel like I'm falsely put into this position. I know I can never reach your brother's level, no matter how hard I'd try. The CEO's position really belongs to Sesshoumaru, still even after everything that happened to him..."
"You mean being thrown into prison wasn't it all?"
Kagome let out another sigh, turning around and getting off from her chair. She now stood before the huge window, gazing out at the city spreading below.
"Two years ago... A year after I made acquaintances with your father, Katsuo-sama... He..."
"What did Dad do?"
"He..." Kagome tried to swallow down the lump in her throat. "He was so stubborn. Wouldn't listen to anyone. I tried to stop him... Izayoi tried to talk to him; Myoga-san tried his best to persuade him... But we all failed and Katsuo-sama carried out his plan."
"Geez, tell me already what he did!"
"He... disowned Sesshoumaru."
When Kagome did not hear any reaction from Inuyasha, she turned around. He was staring at her, wide-eyed and dumb-struck, obviously not believing what he had just heard.
"You gotta be friggin' kidding me, Kagome! How could Dad disown Fluffyball after everything – "
"What I'm assuming", Kagome quietly said, "that he never really got to knew Sesshoumaru so well. I think he believed the accusations. In Katsuo-sama's eyes Sesshoumaru disgraced the family. But when I discussed this with Izayoi she told me she suspects that Katsuo-sama was hurt when Sesshoumaru got into such an unfavourable situation and still stuck to his pride, not going to ask for help from his own father."
Inuyasha stared at Kagome.
"It's a hell of a change."
"I know. Take your time and think over what I told you. But before you go, Inuyasha, there is one thing I need to tell you."
"Yeah, what is it?"
"It's Katsuo-sama. I don't know why, but I believe he's trying to hook up the two of us."
"EH?!"
Kagome crossed her arms.
"You heard me."
"That old man must be out of his damn mind", Inuyasha mumbled.
"Well, we did go out", Kagome pointed out flatly.
"Yes, but that was years ago. We were still kids then and it didn't work out."
"I know. As much as I like Katsuo-sama, this time I have to let him down. It'd never work out between the two of us. We've grown so apart."
"You know... We never really made up, did we?"
Kagome startled, looking up to see Inuyasha smiling fondly at something, his honey eyes staring into distance.
"No we didn't. We just stopped talking and soon after that we graduated... I came here to Kyoto, you left to US..."
Kagome's voice faded away as her eyes followed Inuyasha coming closer to her. Soon he stood right before her, holding out his hand.
"Friends?"
"Friends", Kagome softly whispered, brushing his outstretched hand with her own.
"Okay. I guess I'll see ya 'round."
"Mmmh. Bye."
As the office door closed, Kagome sank into her chair, resting her head against the palms of her hands. It would take a while now to clear out her thoughts.
As Inuyasha stepped into the hall his eyes landed onto the assistant who was staring at the monitor and typing, ignoring everything else around him.
An idea struck him, as he watched the young man and his indifferent attitude towards his environment.
"Hey, you."
Sesshoumaru stopped typing. Great. Now it was his brother who wanted to chat with him.
"Yes?"
"I just thought that you seem to be quite a strong person. I mean, not so many people can just hold my father's stare as equally as you did earlier."
"What is your point?"
"Well, I kinda found out that my old man wants me to start dating with your boss – "
The mere idea made Sesshoumaru shudder in disgust.
"- but neither of us really approve his plans. So I thought you could maybe help us out."
Truly, what were the odds something like this would happen? Both sides had asked for his help. Which one would he take? Or would he just stay neutral and observe the whole mess from the first row?
"How exactly you think I would be able to help you?"
"Well I was thinking that you maybe could hint at my old man that you and Kagome would... You know..."
The mere idea of that made Sesshoumaru gag.
"Well, at least think about it", Inuyasha shrugged. "I'll be in contact."
With that, his half-brother was gone.
Sesshoumaru was again left at his desk, this time though blinking and wondering how the hell situations like these always seemed to find him.
"Wow, such a big building!"
"Don't just stand there and gawk. Come along now, my dear. They are waiting."
"Sorry."
Yuuki Kikyo hurried after her manager through the glorious lobby towards the elevators.
When they stopped to wait for the elevator to arrive, she allowed her gaze wonder around. The building was indeed big and beautiful too. She heard an elevator go "bing", but it wasn't the one they were standing in front of. It was the other one.
Kikyou's eyes widened as she saw a man with long white hair and tanned skin stepping out. Then, suddenly she found herself staring into his warm honey-coloured eyes.
Time seemed to slow down as they continued to stare into each other's eyes.
"Kikyo? What are you doing, we must hurry."
Suddenly feeling embarrassed, like a child caught red handed from doing something she hadn't been allowed to, Kikyo snapped her eyes away from the young man, and obediently stepped into the elevator after her manager.
The young man's face, filled with wonder was the last thing she saw before the metallic doors closed before her.
Up they went.
"There will be two persons awaiting. The PR-consultant Iwajima Sango and the Sales Manager Ogami Kagura. We'll just go through the contract and sign it. It's a quick and easy task."
"Yes", Kikyo replied, nodding.
The elevator stopped and the doors opened. Kikyo stepped out after her manager. They were escorted into a small meeting room where two black-haired women were waiting.
They stood up as Kikyo and her manager entered.
"Good morning to you. Do you need anything or would you want to get straight to the point?"
"Let's just view the contract straight away", the manager replied with a fleeting smile.
"Alright. So, Yuuka-san, nice to meet you", the woman with longer hair and friendlier expression greeted. "I'm Iwajima Sango, I'm looking forward to work with you."
"Thank you", Kikyo said as she sat down. "Please take care of me."
"So, basically this contract is just about that our company been selected to produce the character single of Noriko-chan whose seiyuu Yuuka-san here is. Let's get started.."
The stack of papers was heavy and piled so high that Sesshoumaru couldn't really see where he was going. Though it really wasn't a problem for Sesshoumaru knew the whole building so well that he knew every turn like his own pockets. What he didn't know was why Kagome had wanted ten copies of each document. Not that it mattered, though, because he was her assistant and would have to obey every single whim of hers – a fact that made Sesshoumaru groan inwardly every time he thought of it.
Sesshoumaru walked into Kagome's office.
"Where should I put these", he mumbled, trying to avoid getting sheets of paper into his mouth.
"I'll help", Kagome said hurriedly and Sesshoumaru heard her getting off from her chair and walking to meet him.
Truly, Sesshoumaru knew the building better than his own pockets and that was why the pile of paper which towered above him didn't make it difficult to move around. However Sesshoumaru had failed to take into consideration that the new CEO might have wanted to decorate her office in a new fashion. This was why Sesshoumaru accidentally managed to bump into a heavy chair.
For the several next moments it rained papers.
Heavy silence filled the room as Sesshoumaru took in the new position he found himself in. He had fallen forward, knocking Kagome down as well as he went. And now she was lying on the floor on her back, directly underneath him.
Sesshoumaru's body was looming above hers, their faces only inches apart.
This sudden turn of events had left Sesshoumaru completely frozen. His thoughts were treading a path Miroku would be proud of.
Well, it was really quite understandable. It had been three and half years since the last time Sesshoumaru had had his way with a woman and after all Kagome wasn't that bad to look at, no, in fact she was quite a –
"Umm... Hikaru-kun, are you planning on getting off me anywhere in the near future?"
Sesshoumaru snapped awake, his eyes widening once he realised what had just been going on inside his head. Kami, he had not just now seriously considered having sex with his boss! He felt the abrupt need to throw up.
However, before either of them managed to move a muscle, the door gave a creak and a person stepped in.
"Kagome, you gotta listen to this! I found – "
The man in the doorway froze as his eyes drank in the sight of papers scattered all over the floor, Kagome lying on the floor with a dangerously good looking unknown male on top of her in a very suggesting position.
He would not tolerate this! His hands clenching into tight fists the pale man in the doorway glared daggers at the unknown male. How dare that guy!
"Who the hell are you?!" Kouga growled out loud, his eyes blazing furiously. "And what the heck are you doing to my woman?!"