Hey there. Sorry about the wait but things have been all over the place with this story. I have finally found someone to help me with everything. So a big thanks to Naraku's Servant for taking time to help me and beta.
Disclaimer: Inuyasha doesn't belong to me and I don't make any profit from this story
Letter Seven: Warnings, Threats, Promises
Golden eyes snapped open the minute a shriek reached his ears. Ignoring his indecent state of dress he rushed from his room at the end of the hall to the distressed signal. The woman he had been set to rest hours ago. She had screamed a deadly sound of fear, worst of all, she had yet to wake. Posed at the edge of her bed, he reached forward to grasp her shoulder in a gentle shake. The sapphire orbs darted open and alert immediately. In a half sit she looked around and noted the room she was currently in. The woman's screams hadn't woken his daughter, or so it seemed, relieving him immensely that he didn't have to worry about the young child at the moment.
"Uh… Sesshomaru… I mean Mr. Taisho," his concerned look confused her unaware mind, "I can go home."
"It's three in the morning," he pointed out smugly.
"What, why did it take so long to get here?" Her tiredness, she blamed it for her lack of intelligence.
"You fell asleep in the car," he explained, now amused, "Did you suffer a nightmare?"
"Nightmare?" As if to add exaggeration to the confusion she tilted her head to the side innocently.
It was that moment that he knew she was hiding something. Either she thought he was fishing about the nightmare and hoped to throw him off or she wanted to avoid talking about it. Or both. Then again he didn't know her well enough to say for sure.
"You were screaming," Sesshomaru added taking in the woman's concerned expression.
"I'm so sorry," the woman mumbled horrified, "I…"
"Sleep," he ordered; the subject dropped for her own sake and his before he left the room.
Once she was alone she realized she wasn't wearing the gown. She then saw that it was hanging over the chair across from the bed. Looking over her current state she wore a long night gown. Settling deeper into the bed didn't ease her mind. It began pondering if Sesshomaru had been the one to dress her or if he had ordered one of the household servants to.
As sunrise ticked closer and closer, Kagome tossed and turned. Finding it useless to lounge around in bed she sat up and only then remembered that she didn't have her pills. Yet she still continued to rise from bed and head to the kitchen intending to grab a glass of water at the very least. Entering the spotless room she could sense she wasn't alone. To her right the patio door cast pale moonlight upon a lone figure staring out of the window into the night scene over the landscape. The sight of shadows dancing over his form had her inhale to catch in the back of her throat. Long streaks of silver glittered magically across her vision enchanting her with the scene. In the pale light of the night the dips and contours of his upper body deepened further. Never in her life could she recall any male affecting her the way he did. If fairy tales were indeed true then this man was too gorgeous to be a prince.
More like beautiful demon lord, her mind supplied. The kind that steals away a gorgeous princess so he can marry her. I wouldn't mind being that princess.
But he was her boss. That was all. Nothing more. And she really couldn't let her mind think otherwise. Then there was her past. No one, not a soul could know of it and therefore she couldn't afford to get too close to anyone for anything intimate, even with her insides trying to bind into a tight knot. Her control over her body was perfect though and she was able to quickly grab hold of that rule and fluttering thoughts that came with it. Biting her bottom lip she pondered continuing further into the kitchen or leaving. As it were, the man hadn't moved so she assumed he had heard her. Not wanting to be a disturbance, she took a step back.
"You don't have to leave because of me," his low voice startled her into stillness.
"I'm fine I just needed to walk a bit." Unconsciously she took another step back as she waved a hand.
"Then the gardens are at your disposal." He never looked behind to stare at her.
"Uh…"
He slipped a hand over to the latch of the door and unlocked it. In one swift motion the glass door slide open a few inches. A little breeze filtered through the gap kissing any of her exposed skin. He turned then and let his eyes drift over her form. The gown and slippers had been Rin's idea. There were extra clothes and nightly things left in the room for the woman to use in case the nanny needed to stay the night. It was strange but he almost thought the young child had planned all this. In silence he passed by, gliding regally into the dark hall.
Kagome grasped her pounding heart and gulped. Her feet picked the way through the door where she hesitated for a moment. Outside the cool night air engulfed her as she timidly shut the patio door. As she followed the various paths she couldn't help compare the fantastical garden in the moonlight to the fascinating pictures she had seen in books. With Rin she had spent many hours playing in the beautiful scenery but she had yet to actually come out at night. It seemed that this was when things came to life. Fireflies drifted lazily through the arm, night flowers bloomed as they filled the area with their glorious scent.
Above her, a set of golden glazed eyes followed her slow movements. The second floor balcony wrapped around the majority of the house only accessible by the master bedroom. Within the dark shadows he hid like a predator. But his intentions were to make sure no one would disturb the woman. It was obvious she was still anxious from the terror she woke from, even if she couldn't remember it. A walk would help her nerves and relax tense muscles as well as tire her out. Therefore he kept watch from above as his mind wandered. There was no reason to show any concern over the average woman; Sesshomaru assured his mind that she was simply fascinating because she didn't throw herself at him. After that evening's confession he began to think that perhaps the woman figure didn't have the right since she couldn't produce a child for any man. It angered him that with each answer or new fact the woman gave about herself made him only ask more questions. Never in his life did he recall a woman causing chaos in the organized brain waves.
He narrowed his gaze as the woman leaned over to bring the soft petals of a white flower to her nose and inhaled the delightful aroma. There was something fascinating and soothing while observing her actions. It almost made him want to join her, but he trampled that idea and leaned into the cold stone wall of the house. After a while the woman yawned and headed back to the house followed by his swift return to his room. Moments later he heard a door down the hall shut softly and only then did he close his eyes forcing his body and mind to rest at least until the sun rose.
xXx
"Kagome you stayed the night!" a child rushed into her still tired form for a hug.
"Uh yeah…" she reminded herself to thank her boss later.
Sesshomaru's suggestion had helped her greatly. After her walk her aching muscles relaxed enough for her to fall right asleep. Best of all: the nightmare didn't return. So she slept peaceful for once.
"Did you have fun last night?" the child questioned leading her to the kitchen table.
"Yeah," Kagome smiled, "I enjoyed it very much. I met Azuela and she says to say 'hi' as does Banerod."
Rin giggled and turned to her nanny, "I know it's your day off but maybe you could…" Rin stopped as her father walked into the room.
"Could what?" the woman had been reaching for a pan to make breakfast and turned to face the child when the girl didn't finish.
Sapphire eyes darted to the entrance to see Sesshomaru. He was dressed very casually, from his tan pants to the loose, partly opened black top.
"Good morning," she greeted.
Sesshomaru nodded and took a seat at the head of the table. The morning paper laying folded was soon opened and under close scrutiny from the man. Kagome, however, focused her attention on the young girl who had yet to finish her request.
"Rin what were you saying?"
"Oh... could you make pancakes like the ones you said you made with your brother."
Kagome's breath caught in her chest but she managed a sweet smile and a short nod before turning to take out a pan. In the fridge were the berries and other ingredients, the cupboard was laden with the rest of the things she needed.
"Can I help?" the girl asked.
Seeing no reason why she couldn't the woman allowed the child to assist her. All the while she held back the sorrow in her actions as she remembered her painful past and attempted to push it away. Rin took no notice of Kagome's features in her small dance of happiness and listened as Kagome explained the steps one by one. From the table Sesshomaru watched intrigued about the woman. Her expressions were always hard to read, she was always smiling but for some reason something caused her to lose her control. It tweaked his curiosity as he learned of one more thing to add to the mystery of the woman.
"Dad breakfast," the child sat the plate before him.
Golden gaze looked over the tye-dyed mess the woman called pancakes. When he didn't move said woman got fidgety.
"Sorry if you want something else…" she was cut off.
"It's fine," he hated sweet things and let the butter piled on top melt onto the pile of the bread-like breakfast skipping the sugar substance that usual accompanied the dish.
When Kagome sat down with a plate of her own he assumed the woman would be one to drown her breakfast in syrup much like his daughter. But she shocked him with only a light amount drizzled over her plate.
"I have class so I have to leave after this," the woman replied.
"What? But…"
"Rin."
At the sound of her father's voice the young child stopped.
"I will see you tomorrow Rin. It's not like I'm just going to vanish."
xXx
In the weeks that passed Kagome felt she was growing closer to the Taisho family. Rin spent many evenings pursuing Kagome to stay longer. It became so usual to see the woman at his table that Sesshomaru couldn't help miss her presence when she wasn't around. Whenever she spoke he was drawn to listen. But he never let it show how much affect the woman had on him recently. Ever since the ball he took her to he couldn't stop thinking about the mysterious woman. He was drawn to her unusual ways and, most of all, the things he didn't know about her. Of course with money and power he was capable of using many means to find the knowledge he sought. Yet he didn't, mainly because he liked the challenge. Everything he wanted to learn from her he wanted to hear from her.
There were only a couple of months left until summer vacation. It was his plan to take Rin away for a bit but he knew the child was too attached to the woman. There was a debate in his mind to ask the woman to come with them. Within the walls of his study he let his mask slip away and admitted to himself that he was confused. Utterly and total perplex about her and it bothered him. No woman had ever caught his attention. No woman had ever chosen not to throw themselves at him in attempt to get his attention. But more importantly no woman ever grew close to his daughter. Without realizing it they had fallen into her grasp. Something tugged them closer and closer together. She could easy play them to her will and yet she didn't.
It was safe to say he couldn't lose her. Not until he learnt more about her and the possible spell she had cast upon them. Rin seemed to need her. The older woman acted more like a child and was slowly helping Rin. For that reason he couldn't lose Kagome yet. So long as Rin needed her the woman had to stay with them. Seeing his daughter out of her shell was one thing, but he knew she could just as easily sink into old habits.
"Daddy!" a child flew into the room and jumped onto his lap. "Kaede said that we could have movie night this weekend. Can I call Kagome?"
She batted her eyes much like a puppy but he refused to give in, "Kagome is in class Rin. She'll be h… here tomorrow." He bit back the growl that threatened when he nearly said 'home.'
"Fine," the young child moped, "Are you coming down?"
xXx
Returning to her apartment a short time after her last class left her wanting nothing more than to flop onto her bed and sleep the rest of the evening away. But homework called and so she began to make her way to a small desk when her phone rang. Not hesitating in step she redirected her path to the phone and let it rest against her ear.
"Hello?"
No answer.
"Hello?"
"Get out of the house Kagome!"
The line went dead immediately as her mind pondered the familiarity. A little taken back she reached for her purse and really thought about doing as the caller told her. Something told her to listen to the warning. Yet her mind told her it was stupid to pay any heed to some stranger on the phone. Not one to take her chances she left the apartment and decided to go visit Sango to see if her friend could make sense of the strange occurrence.
xXx
"Thanks for coming back with me," Kagome mumbled, feeling stupid about taking the call seriously.
"No worries."
The small framed woman next to her leaned casually against the wall watching her friend shift through her purse in search for the keys.
"You're probably right though: some teenagers probably playing jokes and scaring innocent people. Too bad we can't…" Kagome pushed open the door and let her eyes flowed over the small area of her apartment.
"What's wrong?"
The older of the two whipped her body around to peer past the threshold into the small living space. It was a sight she hadn't expected in the least and she was stilled when her mind registered what it was she was seeing. Kagome reached in her purse and took out the bottle of pepper spray. An overturned chair blocked her path pass the short entrance. Hesitating for a moment she crouched down and turned it to its four feet. Looking pass the corner into the kitchen she noticed the other wooden seat was also pushed onto its side away from it's neat position tucked under the table earlier that day.
The table was nowhere in the room. Glasses, plates, utensils usually all hidden within the cupboards and drawers were shattered into pieces on the floor. The doors of every nook and cranny opened to allow access to the contents which was repeated in the living room she stepped into. Her eyes filtered over the shredded couch, the smashed television, the tattered bedding, broken windows and figurines. Everything she cherished was ruined again. She felt violated, her space molested from the unknown stranger.
"Kagome, who would do this?" Sango whispered timidly following her best friend.
"I don't know…" the small voice normally defiant trailed off as she laid eyes on the wall above her bed. It drew her attention the most and she felt the need to cry suddenly.
I Found You Cup Cake!
The knife used to bleed the message into the walls was plunged into the dot of the exclamation mark.
"Take me to Kikyou's please," she requested holding back any emotion and trying to remain calm and reasonable.
"You should call the police," the other woman argued.
"I will, once I get to my cousin's place. I can stay there for a few days I'm sure."
"Fine," a sigh brushed passed her lips as Sango let her hazel eyes fall over the room once more, "Is anything salvageable? You'll need clothes right?"
Kagome shook her head as she sorted through her that material littering over the bedroom area of her floor. Everything had been ripped, tore, mutilated in some form leaving her nothing. Sighing with defeat she turned to her best friend.
"Kikyou and I are the same size, I'm sure I can borrow what I need from her."
xXx
"Sesshomaru-sama you have a call," Rin's ears perked when Kaede entered the room, "I know that you don't like to be disturbed but it sounds rather important."
"Hn," he stood from his spot on the couch. "Rin get ready for bed."
The young girl sighed and followed her father out of the room only to go their own ways once they reached the stair case. Obediently she walked up the steps one at a time. Her mind had been going wild that day as she pondered what she could do next. If she could she needed to get them alone together. Perhaps in a small, dark room. What she wanted more than anything was to understand how much her plans had affected her father. If he wasn't budging she needed to do something over the top. But if he was losing grounds than she could stick to small things she wouldn't get caught for.
"It be better if she just lived here," the child murmured almost angrily, "then I could monitor them every day."
Downstairs she was unaware of her father's current conversation. Not once did she conceive the thought on his own accord he would make things easier for her.
xXx
"And someone called you about this?" Kikyou demanded.
"Yeah, I got a call just after my last class. I didn't really think too much about it but I went to see Sango anyway. I thought she was right it was … just a prank."
Seeing her cousin on her doorstep gave her a startled surprise. The younger woman, by ten years, was identical to her. Many times her husband would curse about the closeness. The only that set them apart was their eyes. Dazing sea blue and midnight hues swirled within the younger woman's eyes. But Kikyou had a deep colour of earth.
Kagome hadn't visited her in some time but right away she knew something was wrong. No one could see through her cousin like she did. Inuyasha and she had taken care of Kagome through her last few years of high school and college. They had watched her grow into an independent fearless woman, the process had been slow yet now she wasn't a force to be reckoned with. But that fight looked to be torn from her.
"Sango thanks I will get Kikyou to help now. I know you have work in a few hours so please don't worry about me," the young woman replied with a bright smile.
It was fake.
Kikyou could tell she was covering something up and when the other woman had left she let Kagome into the living room and demanded an explanation. She didn't expect the younger woman to break down into tears turning into a sobbing mess that clung to the front of her shirt. Bit by bit she drew the event out into the open. Right away she knew what her cousin feared. Unfortunately she was right. There was nothing she could do. Bringing the police into it would make things worse.
"I'll hire someone to take care of the mess. Then you will sell your apartment and move in with Inuyasha and me," the older woman soothed.
"No… I can't do that. I hate being a bother. I got out of here for that reason."
"Call your boss tell him you need a couple of days off."
"I have work Kikyou... I can't just collapse into a useless mess again. I'm stronger than this she resolved."
"Your safety is more important to me," but her cousin looked depressed than before, "If you won't call I will."
"But…"
With a sigh the older cousin stood up and walked to the kitchen. After a few minutes the woman walked back into the room. Kagome had pulled her knees to her chest. The vacant look was familiar and wanting to be of some help. Sitting down cautiously beside the younger woman she handed her a cup of steaming tea.
"Here," Kikyou got her attention and placed the cup in the extended hand, "Careful it's hot."
Tucked in the corner of her mouth was a small sad smile. Kagome sipped the hot liquid slowly trying not to think of anything.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"No."
"He won't come here. Inuyasha won't let him."
"I know," she whispered sadly, "I wanted to let you live your own life. Become independent from everyone and live a normal life. I thought after so long I could. But he's going to do it again isn't. He's going to try and take everything away from me."
The two women grew silent until Kagome began to feel drowsy. Her mind swirled colours together blending them into new shades and reshaping each of the images.
"Kikyou what… what did you… do?" she slurred her speech together.
"You need to sleep," the woman sighed, "it's only light, an hour at most. Please don't hate me."
Kagome couldn't fight back as she sunk into her unwanted slumber. Her mind was groggy but her body relaxed. The feeling was strange because she was aware, to some extent. Everything was occurring slowly, oh so slowly, but each movement felt heavy and her breaths grew shallow. Kikyou moved her, she could just make out her figure as her head swayed from side to side, and she was soon spread out across the sofa with a blanket draping over her form.
Looking to her cousin, she debated her next steps. Walking to the small purse Kagome had brought with her she searched for the wallet. Inside she found the business card with a number, name on the front, and a company logo.
Sesshomaru Taisho
On the back was another number written by a hand other than her cousin. Assuming it was a home number she walked to the kitchen and located her hand held. Carefully she moved her fingers over the numbers one at a time. An older lady answered on the other end.
"Hi, I need to speak to Mr. Taisho," she explained after the greeting.
"I don't know how you got this number but I must request that you call the company and go through the proper measures," her statement was dismissing meaning she was going to hang up.
"Wait! Please, I'm a relative of Kagome Higurashi. I understand she works for Mr. Taisho. I wouldn't be calling if it wasn't urgent so if you would please be so kind to allow me to talk to him."
"Kagome… well I will see what I can do," the answer sounded hopeful but Kikyou was determined so she wouldn't have it any other way.
"Thank-you."
Kikyou peered around the doorframe from the kitchen to the living room. Kagome's eyes were fluttering open and close, staying shut longer and longer with each blink. The line had that echo blocked sound as she was put on hold. Looking to the clock she wondered how long she would have to wait. Vaguely she pondered the name on the card. It sounded memorable somehow but she couldn't place it exactly. Just as the sapphire eyes closed for the final time while sinking into the much needed rest, Kikyou could hear a short click of the phone call being transferred to another line.
"Sesshomaru speaking," a voice cut into her thoughts.
"Mr. Taisho," she began, "My name is Kikyou Higurashi, I'm Kagome's cousin," she used her maiden name for the simple link between Kagome and her. There was no interruption so she continued, "I'm calling to ask if you might consider allowing Kagome two or three days off."
"Hn," Sesshomaru let a pause filled the distance between the line but the woman didn't elaborate further. "Kagome is under the agreement that she is to make arrangement prior to any events unless a dire emergency. Either way a request is expected to be made personally rather than through a family member. Is she there with you?"
"Yes," Kikyou couldn't explain it but she felt obligated to tell the truth. It was his voice, it spoke in an uncanny commanding way, "but she can't come to the phone."
"Why not?"
"I can't really go into detail, but she's sleeping finally," yet she knew this answer wouldn't suffice. "There's a family issue and I personally believe it would be best for her to take time off."
"Hn."
There was no good bye as he cut the connection. Scowling Kikyou pondered how her cousin could ever put up with him. He sounded rude, ignorant, and worse… he was male. Seeing that Kagome didn't need a relapse, Kikyou was determined to have her cousin quit as soon as possible. She was certain the environment was stressful and too much stress would put her over the edge.
Heading to the kitchen she chose to handle things one at a time as they came around. It was better than getting to ahead of one's self, she reasoned.
"Ki—ko," the soft cooing voice slurred reaching her ears as she finished up the light meal being prepared.
"Right here."
The woman carried a small tray to the living room and noticed her cousin attempting to sit up.
"Kagome please stop," she pleaded setting down the meal on the small coffee table.
"How could you drug me?"
"I didn't drug you. I gave you an herbal tea. You needed some rest after everything that's happened."
Defying the woman more, Kagome sat upright and reached for the light meal, all the while fighting off the dizziness. Before the spoon in her hand could reach her lips it paused.
"Did you do anything to this?"
"No nothing," she sighed.
Never one to hold a grudge for too long she continued a casual conversation while trying to forget the memories that continued to resurface after so long.
"So where's Inuyasha?"
"He'll be home in an hour or so," Kikyou joined Kagome and took up her own plate of food.
"Why is he always working? He should take a break and spend time with you."
"He had to get things ready."
Curiosity now fully spiked she focused on the phrase and tilted her head to her cousin: "Ready? Ready for what?"
"Well I've been meaning to ask you over to tell you. I'm pregnant and Inuyasha wants to take some time off as I near the last months."
She was more than a little shocked at the sudden announcement. When her line of vision focused over the womb of her cousin she realized she hadn't even noticed the tell tale bump. The couple had been married for a little less than a decade so it was obvious they would take that next step soon. But still it overwhelmed her to know there was a little someone to spoil on the way. The news lightened her mood considerably
xXx
"Damn I'll kill him," Kikyou whispered harshly under her breathe after looking out the living room window. "I don't need him buying another car he already has four."
As soon as the words were spoken the car door opened and Kikyou watched a remarkable man resembling her husband stand. Putting two and two together she assumed this was Mr. Taisho. It was strange for a boss to come check on an employee but at least this way she could stand her ground and get some peace for her cousin. She allowed him to knock on the door for good measure before going to answer it.
Meanwhile her mind was screaming at her for not understanding something: Taisho. She thought this name over and over again, knowing heard it somewhere, Taisho.
It only took a moment for her to catch on. The resemblance in hair, and now eyes since she had opened the door: "So you're Inuyasha's half brother," she greeted with a smile, "If I recall you refused to come to his wedding so we haven't had the luxury of meeting yet."
"Hn," the male didn't show any signs of interest in her statement, "I wish to speak to Kagome."
The two males were apparently completely different. In an attempt to separate from his 'clan' Inuyasha had taken his mother's maiden name and never really shared family stories. Taisho was a name she had used only once when creating invitations for the wedding. The older brother never socialized with his half brother and it had been quite easy to forget about him. But it bothered her that Kagome never stated a thing about the look-alike brother she worked for.
"She's asleep. I'll have her call you in the morning and she can explain to you… hey where are you going?!" Kikyou was side stepped as the man made his way further into the house. Just as she whirled around the dark form walking up the stairs to the bedrooms: "What are you doing!?"
Ignoring the wench screaming at him he pressed on. Eyes darted into the first two rooms he passed with the doors wide open. One, a gutted room in the process of being painted a pale green the other an unoccupied guest room. Further down the hall he heard a soft sob. Ignoring the next set of doors he let a hand wrap around the knob and gave it a quick twist.
"You can't go in there!"
The words didn't cause him to avert his mission. Pushing the door in he found the being he was searching for huddled into herself as she let silent tears fall down her flush cheeks. Something grabbed onto the sleeve of his suit jacket just after his first step into the room.
"Don't dare presume you can touch me woman," he tugged his arm away from her grasp violently. He didn't hesitate to close the distance between them after pulling away from the protective female, "Kagome," he whispered touching her shoulder.
Snapping her eyes open in alarm she looked about. The voice that roused her was male, yet familiar but logic didn't overcome her fear. So she jumped into her half sit and backed away from the form sitting on the edge of her bed. Golden orbs greeted her and, recognizing them immediately, she smiled which then changed to a mystified frown.
"What are you doing here?" she inquired with her brows knitted together.
"I received a call, and your cousin refused to disclose any information within my care. I use necessary means to obtain this address."
"Well, at least you're honest," a voice interrupted, "But you aren't welcomed here. Now if you would, I'll show you to the door."
"Kikyou it's fine… I'm fine," but she received a questionable look from the male and an eye roll from her cousin, "I just… there was this thing. Nothing big," her words weren't bought, "It kind of freaked me out a little, that's all."
"What happened?"
Sesshomaru was staring at her so intensely. He had done it a few times over the past weeks but never so filled with concern.
"Someone broke into my apartment," she hushed the words in hopes he wouldn't catch on.
"Look I don't care who you think you are but I've taken care of Kagome for the better part of my life. Consider this her resignation warning. Seeing your social status and all, I think it would be best not to involve you in anything further," Kikyou had the motherly look down pat with her hands on her hips and her toe tapping the floor in an angry rhythm.
"Is it your wish to quit Kagome?" he asked the woman who had yet to draw away from the wall she had backed herself into.
"No… no I don't want to…" her eyes met the hazel warning behind her boss, "I just need some time to find a new residence and to set myself back up again."
"Kagome!" her cousin hissed.
"I won't run away in fear Kikyou. I'm strong enough to keep moving forward," she was determined.
The atmosphere was tense, the two women's aura's clashed as they fought for what was best for the youngest woman. Sesshomaru on the other hand was thinking about what he had learnt about Kagome thus far. The woman was in danger, she was therefore no longer safe to keep near the family, unless of course under his complete care.
"I have a proposition," he interrupted the silence, "Come live in the mansion as a live in nanny. I'm certain Rin would enjoy having you around. It's not uncommon so there'd be no need to worry about scandal. We can discuss the same details later but it's seems logical since you spend so much time at the mansion anyway."
"Are you sure?"
"You've got to be kidding," Kikyou growled.
"I do not joke," he snapped at the other woman and turned a sincere gaze at Kagome, "I won't push you into this but I do believe it to be the best solution for the moment at least."
"Uh… well I suppose you're right. I mean it would be easier and I wouldn't have to travel so much."
"Then it's settled. Come," at the command he stood up looked upon the woman still in the bed.
"Right now?" she gasped the sapphire gaze widening at the boldness the male showed.
"Why not?"
"I… I…"
"Sesshomaru," another voice hissed, "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Inuyasha," deadly, low, almost a growl.
"Get away from Kagome!" he gentle pushed his wife to the side and took a stance before the other male, "This is my house!"
"Your filthy stench is enough to warn me of that small fact."
"Leave."
"I intend to, as soon as I retrieve who I came for," Kagome shivered at the coldness in the voice and how it soothed the air to freeze the atmosphere.
"What's Kagome got to do with this?" he darted his eyes between the two.
"Didn't you know little brother?" the taller male was mocking the younger silver-white haired male idly, "Kagome works for me."
"What?" but his voice wasn't the only one asking the question. "You're brothers?" Kagome averted her gaze to flow equally over each other.
Sure they looked somewhat the same but they had their differences. Inuyasha's hair was more white than silver and his eyes more amber than golden. Sesshomaru was taller and though both were well built masses it was clear the taller was more than a challenge to the younger in his muscle mass. Overall she didn't understand why Kikyou and Inuyasha were giving her stunned looks. The two males didn't even share the same last names. How was she supposed to know her best friend had a brother? No one ever told her. In fact she had to learn things on her own most of the time because no one ever told her anything anymore.
Deciding to deal with the information given to her later she elected the idea of solving the real issue at hand. The problem with Sesshomaru's presence. It was clear Inuyasha was threatened by his older brother, probably why he never said anything about him, and so to put his jealous mind at ease she made her announcement.
"Sesshomaru's daughter Rin is under my care. He offered to let me live with him for the convenience so I won't have to quit."
"What? Kagome do you understand what you're putting yourself through?" Inuyasha was always so great at growling when he was uneasy.
"Inuyasha drop it," Kikyou replied seeing the fire in her cousin's eyes.
Kikyou was left to think for a moment before pressing forward. She was aware Kagome had been put through a lot, too much for one lifetime, but she kept fighting. Usually she took her battles and fought on her own yet it was obvious that Kagome had learned to depend on someone else now. It pained her that the once young teen that had come for help had grown and was replaced with a young woman who was filled with a rare and fierce passion. But it gave her reassurance that Kagome had another in her life to watch over her even it Kikyou was no longer that being. Though she doubted the two realized the link between them, or at least looking at them gave her that impression, but it wouldn't be long before one of them picked up on it.
"I think we should let Kagome live her own life. She is an adult now," Kikyou pointed out. "Just remember our door is always open."
The young woman nodded and then shooed them all out of the room so she could change. Walking downstairs she noticed that Sesshomaru was nowhere to be seen. A quick hug from Kikyou led to the woman whispering in her ear.
"I will tell Inuyasha," she began lowly, "I'll wait for a bit, but I can't hide it from him for too long. Take care," the last two words were spoken a loud for anyone to hear.
"I will," and with no Inuyasha around she added, "Tell Inuyasha I say bye."
Kikyou chuckled as the woman headed out the door. Her boss leaned against the door of his car. When she drew near he followed her and, like a gentleman, opened the door for her. Silence filled the car for most of the drive home. It was easier to drive so late at night with barely any cars than in afternoon traffic. Just as he turned a particular corner she realized something.
"Where are we going?"
"Your apartment so you can pick up some of your things," he answered turning down another street, five blocks to go.
"No, that's not necessary. I mean I don't need anything there right now… or ever really," she stumbled over the sentence as they stopped at a red light.
"I doubt a robber would linger in the area," his foot hit the gas and drove down the last block, "and I assure you I am capable of holding up against anyone who may be stupid enough to return."
"Uh… but I'm tired I can do this later. I have things at your place… so it's not essential to go there now."
He parked the car in the lot, "Are you hiding something? You make this sound like no ordinary robbery," and she gulped at his conclusion.
"Well… uh…" Bad Kagome, don't think about it and don't pause, her mind advised.
"Come I want to see," he was exiting the car
"NO!" she screamed jumping out and rushing over to him and past to block his way.
"Remember that you work for me and any danger you're in you put my daughter in and so I must insist," he didn't raise his voice but he didn't need to as the tone alone told her to obey for once.
Taking a deep breath she led her way through the main door, up the stairs, and to her apartment door. Another inhale of air and she was pulling her trembling hand to the lock to insert the key. Sesshomaru pushed her aside gently, turned the device and opened the door.
"Wait out here if you want," he told her but the idea of being alone scared her more than being in the room of warning.
Her steps were nearly on his heels as she followed him into the living space. In the middle of the mess he stopped and looked around. Kagome closed her eyes and lowered her head not needing a reminder of what the place looked like in its attacked mess.
"Is there anything you want from here?"
"No… Uh… yeah," she sighed and opened her eyes.
She moved to the desk. The only drawer was open and empty but she moved a hand into the opening and up. Tucked under the lip of the wood the dainty fingers touched something cool. She tugged and it freed easily. Golden eyes looked at the metal object in her hands and he narrowed the gaze when he saw the object attached to the chain.
"Miko," his realization as he recalled her strange aura. "What are you doing with that?"
"What? Miko?" Kagome looked to the knick knack. "This is the only keepsake I have from my father before he died."
Things were becoming more and more confusing to him. How could the woman not know what that jewel represented? Moreover, why wasn't she aware of what she was? The shining pink within the orb swirled giving off a glow but her natural barrier blocked of the cry that resonated off the Shikon-no-Tama.
"I admit that I am from a long line of shrine maidens but I was told I could never be one," she added when she noticed him staring at her once again that night.
"By who?"
"Someone in my past," she didn't elaborate as she pocketed the jewel.
"Come we need to talk," he grasped her elbow, "My property will be safer than this place."
Yeah so it looks like we are getting somewhere finally...
Ja ne
Angelic Memories
© 2009
