Chie: I know. It's late. However I don't dare to keep you any longer. Enjoy the chapter.
Chapter seven – A wolf in sheep's clothing
"Have you heard of Kyoto Records?"
"Kyoto Records? That Japanese company?"
"Exactly. They have two singers about to debut that interest me. I would like you and Mr. Rochester go to Japan and try to negotiate with Kyoto Records' manager. They are the leading recording company in the whole Japan and hold rights to many successful hits in Japan. I believe there is a possible market here for them and that by an allegiance both companies – ours and theirs – will flourish. A symbiotic relation."
"Understood, sir. What are the details?"
"I have contacted the CEO of Kyoto records and we have agreed that the negotiations can take place. We're now trying to figure out when, but most likely they'll start next Monday. Your flight goes Thursday-morning, so you've got time to get past jet-lag."
"All right, sir. Is there anything else?"
"No. You may leave, Mr. McKenzie."
The man nodded, leaving the room.
"What the boss wanted to talk about, Robbie?"
"It seems, Colin my buddy that we're going to have to pack our bags."
"What do you mean?"
"The boss wants us to go to Japan for some negotiations with the local leading recording company."
"Robbie... Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" asked Colin Rochester.
"Yes, Colin, I think I am. This is our big chance to get promoted."
"The sewers? ... Closing down? ... It's alright. ...Yes, I'll be there shortly. ...It's fine. Goodbye." Sesshoumaru hung up.
"What was it", asked the black-haired woman sitting on the opposite side of the table.
"My daughter's day care is shutting down due a sewer-problem. I'm afraid I have to leave now."
"I see. I'll call to make the next appointment."
Sesshoumaru nodded.
"Good day to you, Youkou-san."
The probation officer nodded as well.
"I'll see you, Yamasaki-san."
Sesshoumaru stepped out of the restaurant and got himself a cab.
Now this was tricky. What would he do with Rin now? He had to be at work for least five more hours. He didn't have time to try and find someone to watch after Rin! He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialled a familiar number.
"Ah speaking."
"Ah, I need a favour."
"Sesshoumaru-sama? What is it?"
"I need you and Un to look for Rin. Her day-care was just shut down temporarily, and I don't know what to do with her."
"I'm terribly sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama, but we can not help. We're in Tokyo at the moment, helping out your father with organising the New Year's party."
"I thought you two were not working for him anymore."
"We are not, but he ordered the flower-decorations from us. And he really needs an extra pairs of hands, so..."
"I understand. I'll come up with something else then."
"I hope you'll be able to solve it."
"So do I. Bye, Ah."
"Goodbye, Sesshoumaru-sama."
He cursed to himself as he put the cell phone back to his pocket. The driver pulled over.
"Wait here, I'll be back in a moment."
"What do you mean you have a problem with the sewers?" the irritated woman yelled into her cell phone. "Everywhere, you say? Is there any chance that... I see. ...I understand. ...Yes, I guess I'll have to come to pick him up. ...Yes. I'm on my way."
"We're sincerely sorry about the inconvenience, ma'am. Goodbye."
Kagome hung up.
"I bet you are", she muttered heatedly, shooting an ugly glare at her innocent cell phone.
"My sincere apologies, Katsuo-sama", Kagome said while getting up, "it seems that our lunch has just been spoiled."
"What is it", Katsuo asked, concerned.
"The sewers broke down at Shippo's day-care. It seems that they were rusted through. They have to build up the whole sanitary system from a scratch." Kagome buried her face in her hands. "Why me", she whined softly. "I have no other place where to put Shippo in."
"What about your family in Tokyo?"
"I can't burden Mom again! Besides, New Year's Eve is just two weeks from now. She has her hands full of cleaning and organising the annual festival."
"Oh, that's right."
Silence reigned while Kagome was finishing her tea in a hurry.
"You know, Kagome-chan..."
"Yes?"
"You could bring Shippo over to our house."
"Your place? Katsuo-sama, I couldn't... I mean you're leaving to Tokyo next week, that party of yours - "
"Shush, my dear, it's nothing, really. Izayoi is home alone anyway and she can watch after him. Izayoi is good with kids, you know it."
"Well..."
"Come on, Kagome-chan."
"I don't want to be a burden.
"It's not a big deal. Really. Come along, I'll drive you to the day care. I can drop Shippo off too so you can go straight to work from there."
"That's kind of you, Katsuo-sama. I don't know how to thank – "
"Come to have another dinner with me and Izayoi soon. I'll make sure Inuyasha's there too."
"Ahh... Sure", Kagome said, trying her best to keep up her smile.
'Inuyasha, you still haven't told your parents about Kikyo? We're so going to talk about this...'
"Let's not keep Shippo-chan waiting", Katsuo said as he got up.
Kagome nodded and followed him out of the restaurant.
A moment later the man returned, walking hand in hand with a cute three-year old girl.
"They said we can't go to day care anymore."
"They need to take care of the problem", Sesshoumaru explained, while nodding at the driver to start up the car. "When everything's fixed, you can go back."
"How long takes it?"
"I do not know, Rin."
"Rin wants to go to play with Shippo-kun."
"You can't. You're coming with me to work."
"Rin will see Daddy at work?"
"Yes. And you have to behave very well, do you understand?"
"Yes!"
"You have to stay still and be quiet."
"Yes."
"Don't talk to any strangers."
"Okay."
"And the most important thing: never run off on your own."
"Rin won't!"
"Good."
Sesshoumaru sighed to himself. If Kagome found out that he had brought Rin to work with him, she would...
…
Sesshoumaru didn't even want to know what she would do.
The cab stopped and Sesshoumaru paid the driver. He got off, picking Rin up to his arms. He walked into the building and prayed all the Kamis that Kagome would still be on her lunch-break with his father. He hurried into the elevator, avoiding his best to be seen by any co-workers that could let Kagome on about him coming to office with his kid.
To his luck, they made it to his office without being seen by anyone. Even better, Kagome still was no where to be seen.
Sesshoumaru walked up to the heavy wooden door and knocked.
"Kagome?"
No answer.
He sighed in relief.
Sesshoumaru kneeled down onto Rin's level.
"Listen carefully now, Rin. I'll go to the canteen and get us something to eat. I want you to stay here. Don't go wandering anywhere, okay?"
"Okay", she cheerily replied.
"And if you hear that someone is coming, hide under the desk."
"Rin hides!"
"Good."
Unable to shake off the thought that this was a very, very bad idea, Sesshoumaru got up and with a wary glance around, left to the elevators.
Kagome stepped out of the elevator, feeling utterly frustrated. Why did everything have to keep on piling up? Both Ayame's and Kikyo's debut albums were about to be published, a rather famous American recoding company was interested in negotiations which would probably start on next Monday and now Shippo's day care had been closed down.
"I wish I could go to another vacation on Hawaii right now", Kagome muttered to herself, rubbing her temples.
She came to a quick halt as she stepped out of the portrait-corridor. There was someone sitting on a chair next to Hikaru-kun's desk.
That certain someone was a three-year old little girl, humming to herself and waving her feet happily in the air.
Kagome's jaw dropped and she nearly dropped her handbag as well.
"Rin?"
"Auntie Kagome!" the little girl jumped off the chair and rushed to hug her legs.
"Rin, what are you doing here?"
"Daddy came to pick Rin up. Rin can't go to day care anymore. Daddy brought Rin here. Daddy said Rin has to behave and be quiet and hide if somebody comes in. But Rin forgot to hide. Will Daddy be mad now?"
"I don't honestly know", Kagome said.
"Rin is happy to see Auntie Kagome! Rin hoped to see Auntie Kagome. Uncle Miroku told Rin that Daddy works with Auntie Kagome, when Daddy went to a trip with Auntie Kagome. Was it a nice trip?"
"Yes... It was a nice trip."
"Daddy brought Rin a gift. New set of crayons."
'So that's what the crayons were for', Kagome thought to herself, remembering how Hikaru-kun had bought them on Friday-night, refusing to explain what he was going to do with a set of crayons.
"That was nice of him."
And then she finally came to a realisation.
She was forced to face the truth. Her self-deceit crumbled to pieces. Hikaru-kun had been in prison just like Sesshoumaru-sama. Hikaru-kun had an extremely keen business sense, just like Sesshoumaru-sama. Hikaru-kun had the typical tattoos of the heir of Yamasaki-clan, just like Sesshoumaru-sama. He also had amber eyes like Sesshoumaru-sama, but obviously used contacts to hide it. And it seemed that Hikaru-kun was Rin-chan's 'Daddy' thus the only logical solution being that Hikaru-kun actually was Sesshoumaru-sama. There was simply too much to it for the whole thing to be just a series of coincidences. Kagome groaned to herself.
This could not be happening... But it was. There was no point of denying that anymore. There was no Hikaru-kun. There only was a disguised Sesshoumaru-sama who had wanted back to his own company. She could no longer live in denial and self-deceit, pretending to be oblivious to something she had known to be true for some time now.
'I could probably die of embarrassment right now', Kagome mused to herself.
And suddenly it all made sense. Why 'Hikaru-kun' had been hired while she was away. Why everyone who had recommended him had been Katsuo's old friends.
"Myoga. You knew about this and let it go on. I'm going to kill you", she mumbled barely audibly to herself, her eyes gleaming.
"Auntie Kagome?"
"Yes, Rin", Kagome said, concentrating back on Rin. She would think things through on her spare time. Find out a way how to react to this situation that had overwhelmed her.
"I'm hungry."
"Come on, dear, let's go into my office."
They walked hand in hand into Kagome's office. Kagome helped Rin up to sit on the chair behind her desk as she herself sat onto the desk. Kagome took out her cell phone, dialling the number to the canteen.
"Kyoto Records' canteen, Hojo speaking."
"Hello Hojo, it's Kagome. Listen, could you come up and bring me some milk and cookies? Two glasses, please."
"Sure, Kagome-sama. Just a moment."
"Thank you, Hojo."
Kagome hung up.
"Soon a nice man will come and bring us some cookies and milk."
The child let out a delighted laugh and clapped her hands.
"Auntie Kagome, you're the best."
Sesshoumaru stepped into the office, carrying a tray. He had picked some grapes, yoghurt and orange-juice for Rin. However, when he looked around the girl was nowhere to be seen.
Curse it.
She had apparently disobeyed the most important rule he had told her: not to wander around. By now, the child could be anywhere. Sesshoumaru groaned. He set the tray down and pinched the bridge of his nose. What now?
Sesshoumaru inched closer to the door to Kagome's office.
"Kagura, just make the appointment, all right?"
Great. Kagome was back and apparently in a bad mood. Sesshoumaru contemplated for a moment what to do. Then he realised he didn't have any other option but to begin searching for Rin.
He headed to the elevators. A few floors below he ran into swearing Kagura.
"Kagura, have you seen a little girl around here somewhere?"
"Now why would there be a little girl here? Geez, Hikaru-kun, I have no time for this now, with Kagome bitching at me about one Ayame's interview I forgot to arrange. What's up with her?"
"Who", Sesshoumaru asked confused.
"Kagome. She's really bitchy today."
"I don't know, haven't seen her since lunch."
"You really should go to her... help her to relax, let out some steam, cure the tension... ya know what I mean."
With a ridiculous wink Kagura hurried off.
Sesshoumaru huffed. They were still going on about the rumour? Gosh, did these people have boring lives.
Next he met up with Sango.
"Excuse me, Iwajima-san, but have you seen a three years old girl here somewhere?"
"A girl? Can't say I've seen a girl here. What is going on, Suzuki-san?"
"Ah, while I was over having my lunch my sister appeared out of nowhere, asking me to baby-sit her daughter and... Now I lost her."
"You brought your niece here?" Sango blinked. "If Kagome-chan finds out, you're screwed."
"I'm very well aware of that", Sesshoumaru said with a pained expression, "especially since she's in a foul mood to begin with."
"Oh dear. But finding a three year old from this building? That's going to be difficult. I wish I could help you –"
"It's fine, thanks anyway." Sesshoumaru hurried off, beginning to feel the first stages of panic.
One hour later Sesshoumaru felt extremely exhausted as he arrived back to his office. He had searched through the whole building and had not found a trace of his daughter. He was getting more and more worried as the seconds ticked on. Where was Rin? What if something had happened? What if one of the people working here was a vicious pervert and child-molester and had fooled Rin away with candy and was now –
Oh Kami. Where could she be? Maybe she was out here somewhere, hungry and hurt and lost and all alone, waiting for her father to come to rescue! Or maybe Kagome had found her and kicked her out. His boss was in a bad mood and there was no telling what she would be capable of. There was no other choice anymore. Sesshoumaru gulped. He would have to confront the monster.
With heavy steps he walked over to the big door, knocking it twice.
"Come in."
Weird. She sounded deceitfully calm.
Sesshoumaru opened the door, stepping in.
He didn't get any further than that before he froze. There, in his boss' chair, was sitting Rin who happily nibbled a large chocolate-chip cookie. Kagome herself was sitting on her desk, sipping milk from a long glass.
"Nice of you to join us, Hikaru-kun."
"Daddy! Auntie Kagome's cookies are good!"
"Yes, they are. You should have a bite too, ne, Hikaru-kun?"
Sesshoumaru blinked, not believing the sight before him. He stood there dumbfounded, watching the two.
Kagome's eyebrow rose.
"Cat got your tongue?"
"I thought... You... Rin... When...?"
"You're not making too much sense", Kagome dryly observed. "Here, have a cookie."
He caught the sweet thrown at his way only thanks to his reflexes.
"I just ran through the whole damn building, looking for you, Rin. I told you not to wander off."
"Rin did not wander off. Rin was waiting in the chair when Auntie Kagome came in."
"Yes. And I was very surprised to see Rin-chan here. You never told me you had a daughter."
"I... Wait a minute, do you two know each other?"
"We've met a few times", Kagome said in an off-hand manner. Then she smirked and winked at Rin. The child giggled and winked back.
Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrow.
"Rin...?" he said expectantly.
"Rin can't tell. It's a secret."
"Now, Hikaru-kun, why don't you come in and shut the door."
Mutely he obeyed. It seemed that Kagome had not been in such a bad mood after all. Still he hadn't quite expected her to invite Rin in and offer her cookies. Sesshoumaru shook his head. Apparently there was even more to the woman than he had previously thought.
It was Monday morning and Kagome was quietly regarding the two American businessmen who had come to negotiate. They were both warily glancing at her, not hiding their surprise.
'Idiots', Kagome deduced fairly quickly. She was disappointed that the person she had been in contact with hadn't come to negotiate himself but sent these two instead. Of course Kagome understood that it was very difficult for a CEO to leave his or her office – not to even mention the country – for the sake of negotiating. After all no one knew how much time this was going to take.
As Kagome watched the two men Hikaru-kun – Sesshoumaru-sama, she corrected herself – had guided to the room, a plan began to form in her mind. A brilliant plan.
With that plan she could pay back to Sesshoumaru for fooling her as well as teach a lesson to the silly Americans standing before her. She had heard their surprised whispers. What was so bad about a woman being a CEO, eh? And why hadn't they bothered to do a background check? Kagome's ability to read people was activated again – the ability Inuyasha called her 'creepy sixth sense'. Kagome could feel that the Americans were relieved, even delighted to realise that the CEO they needed to negotiate with was a woman. Their confidence rose and she could sense hints of arrogance.
So they thought that they could easily fool her because she was a woman? Fine. Let them have what they wanted.
Kagome switched on a sweet smile.
Sesshoumaru glanced at his boss warily, sensing the sudden change in her attitude. The earlier signs of irritation Sesshoumaru had learned to notice really well had altogether disappeared. Sesshoumaru could sense that she was about to start with a new act. But what she was about to begin? He did not even dare to guess.
"Good day my good gentlemen", she said on a sweet tone, in Japanese nonetheless. Sesshoumaru was starting to feel confused. Why wasn't she speaking in English? He had heard Myoga praising earlier her fluentness in English earlier. Why on Earth she was speaking Japanese then?
The two American's stared at her, bewildered. They had no idea what the woman had just said.
Sesshoumaru turned to look at Kagome, just to find her staring at him. She nodded enthusiastically. Sesshoumaru raised his eyebrow but her expression didn't even twinge. He understood finally that she was waiting for him to translate her words.
"Miss Higurashi wished you two gentlemen good day", Sesshoumaru said, turning to look at the Americans. Inside of him he could feel the horror rising. What was she up to? What ever she was planning, it couldn't be anything good. Her sweet smile hadn't faded a bit. It was freaking him out.
"It's a true pleasure to see you two here this day", Kagome said, pausing again allowing Sesshoumaru to translate her words before she went on.
"I hope that these negotiations will be very fruitful indeed. Do not feel afraid of turning either to me or my assistant Suzuki Hikaru-kun. We are more than willing to be at your assistance."
"Now if you'll excuse us, there is something that needs my and Miss Higurashi's attention very badly. I'm aware that we had an agreed appointment, but this shouldn't take too long. A few gentlemen from our board of management shall accompany you to a lunch."
"Well isn't that friendly, Colin! Let's get going then, I'm starving."
"Nice meeting you, Miss Higurashi, Mr. Suzuki." Robert McKenzie said with a nod of acknowledgement.
The moment they were out of the office, Sesshoumaru turned to glare at the woman. To say that he was outraged was a crude understatement.
"Spill it, Kagome. What's up with you now?!"
"I don't know what you are talking about", she denied in nearly perfect English.
"Oh, I think you do", he retorted with an angry growl.
Kagome's sweet smile turned into a sneer.
"Relax, Hikaru-kun. Everything is fine!"
"Oh really? Tell me why you're fooling around in such critical negations? This might very well be the biggest chance for Kyoto Records and you are acting all Miss brainless!"
"You're exaggerating. Calm down. I know what I'm doing."
"I certainly hope so", Sesshoumaru muttered to himself, feeling further irritated by her smug smile.
She didn't bother to explain her actions. Only smiled knowingly to herself.
The negotiations started after the lunch and Kagome's behaviour didn't return to normal, no matter how ugly glares Sesshoumaru sent into her direction. The two men were exhausted as they finally reached the hotel they were staying at. Colin sighed and threw himself onto the bed. Robert starting taking off his tie.
"I would never have imagined the big boss to be a woman", Colin mused out loud.
"Came as a surprise to me as well", Robert admitted. "Say, Colin, what do you think of lady Bigboss?"
"Hard to say", the man frowned. "She seemed a lot different from what I was expecting. That smile she had on and her tone... She looked more like an extremely friendly secretary than the scary big boss of a wealthy Recording company."
"Yeah. It also surprised me that she didn't apparently know English", Robert pointed out, chewing his lip. "You'd suppose that the CEO of a company of Kyoto Records' level spoke English fluently."
Colin nodded.
"She also seemed to be a little dim-witted", Robert added.
"But that assistant dude was a smart one."
"Yeah. He glowered us like a hawk."
"Hey, Robbie, I was thinking..."
"Yes, Col?"
"I know that we were supposed to come here to negotiate about the marketing rights for this company's songs and albums, but since we're here anyway and the CEO is like she seems to be... We could try to buy the whole company!"
"Colin, calm down. It wouldn't be that easy."
"We can try. It would be a great opening. Think about a promotion, Robbie. We'd surely get one if we succeed now!"
"I don't know, Colin. It's pretty risky."
"Yeah but I'm sure we can do it."
"Do you have a plan?"
"Not as of yet. But I'm sure I'll come up with one soon enough", Colin assured.
Robbie sighed to himself and switched on the TV.
A song filled the room.
The Both men stopped.
"This is very good, what is this?"
"Isn't that the girl boss showed us? The Kyoto Record's newest finding."
"We got to get the negotiations end up on our favour. With stars like these, well be rich back home."
Robbie nodded.
"This song will surely be a blockbuster."
Kagome lay on her sofa, her face hidden behind her hands. She moaned to herself. This had to be what they called 'irony'. The one person she had craved to meet someday, the one person she had looked up to more than anyone else, the one person who had her loyal respect...
Just how in hell did he end up to be her assistant?!
It was official. Karma was a bitch and the universe had a crude sense of humour.
Sighing heavily to herself she got up and wandered into the kitchen.
"Mom?"
"Shippou? Honey why aren't you already in bed? It's late."
Kagome turned to look at her son.
"I woke up and saw a light downstairs... Mom..?"
"Yes?"
"Are you all right?"
Kagome was taken aback by the sudden question. She had felt pretty lost for the whole day but had she been so see-through that her five year-old son understood that everything was not all right?
"Yes, honey. Never been better. Now, you should hurry to bed."
"Good night, Mom", Shippou whispered before turning around.
"Good night, honey", Kagome replied, watching his retreating back.
When the boy was out of sight Kagome bent to dig up ice-cream from the freezer. Grabbing a spoon she exited the kitchen, returning back to the living-room sofa. It was half past ten o'clock in the evening. Kagome was trying to make herself feel better by stuffing her tummy full of ice cream. She had finally acknowledged the truth about 'Hikaru' for a while now but the days had been too hectic lately so she hadn't confronted that acknowledgement until this evening. No wonder she was in a bad mood. It was very straining to keep on acting all normal at work, like nothing would have happened. She dared not say anything to Hi-Sesshoumaru, didn't dare to tell him that she knew about his little masquerade. She had only just reluctantly acknowledged the truth. If she told Sesshoumaru that she knew the truth, she was not sure what would happen. But it was for sure that what ever would happen, nothing would be the same anymore. They had managed to form a comfortable balance between each other, maybe even a frail start for a friendship. That all would probably be shattered if Kagome would bring the truth into the light. Hikaru-kun would cease to exist. And to be honest, Kagome did not have the slightest clue what to do, what to think and how to behave once her assistant would be Yamasaki Sesshoumaru-sama.
Kagome sighed and scooped up another spoonful of her chocolate-chip ice cream. She absent-mindedly fiddled the hem of the dark-blue t-shirt she was wearing. It was the very same t-shirt Hika – Sesshoumaru-sama had lent her on their trip to Hokkaido. Why was she still wearing it as a night-shirt? She couldn't tell. She really should have already washed and returned the garment to Sesshoumaru with deepest gratitude. But for some reason she felt reluctant to give up the piece of clothing. It was better than any souvenir, a memorial from the trip.
Kagome blushed a bit as she remembered their last morning and the way she had woken up back then. Cuddled close to Sesshoumaru, his arm wrapped around her waist! She couldn't help but to admit that it had felt rather pleasant. Kagome had not let any male close, save for Katsuo-sama who really did not count, since Inuyasha. And now, possibly, she might want to get to know his brother better who – nonetheless – actually was her assistant.
Kagome muffled a groan by stuffing another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.
Whether she was a bit interested in him or not, she liked his shirt too much to give it back to him.
'Unless he asks after his shirt, of course. I'll give it back to him if that happens', Kagome decided, before getting up and wandering off to bed.
Sesshoumaru glanced at the TV, then at the couple that was snuggling on the couch. What was he doing here again? Oh right, spending quality-time with his little brother and that brat's girlfriend. The couple had invited him over for a movie-night and Sesshoumaru had actually agreed, thinking that such activities might help patching up the bond between him and Inuyasha. However he had trouble concentrating on the movie. All his thoughts were revolving around Kagome. Her recent behaviour puzzled him. He didn't have the slightest clue why she put up such an act in front of the two Americans. But it wasn't just that. She had behaved oddly for a while now. Somehow it felt as if she was distancing herself from him. The bond that they shared – and Sesshoumaru was ready to admit that there truly was a bond between them – was not yet that strong and that was why Sesshoumaru felt a little concerned. What if the bond would completely cease to exist? They weren't exactly friends but came along with each other better than well and they also had developed deep mutual feelings of trust towards each other. Together they made an invincible team. It was actually quite funny when you thought about it and the way they had acted towards each other in the beginning. At first Sesshoumaru hadn't even believed that Kagome could be the CEO. He hadn't trusted her one bit. He had hated her guts. It seemed that she had always managed to provoke him into feeling irritated. And yet she had from the beginning attracted him on one level. They had not liked each other at all nor had they trusted each other, but they both knew that they had to come along nevertheless, for the company's sake. They got used to each other pretty quickly and as they had learned to know her better he was truly surprised by the level of skill she had. She relied onto her instincts much, exactly like him, and she also had the ability to read other people well. Almost three months had passed since the Sesshoumaru's first day at Kyoto Records under Kagome's watchful eye. He had started to respect her. Now he couldn't think of anyone better to be the CEO of his company, aside from himself, of course. But now she was acting oddly, keeping more to herself. He couldn't understand why. There was no clear reason for her behaviour as of late. It all confused him to no end.
He was awoken from his musings soon.
"Sesshoumaru?"
He looked up, finding Inuyasha standing before him, holding two cans of beer.
Sesshoumaru blinked a few times, trying to figure out what had happened. He had been way too deep in thought to pay notice to everything around him.
"You were spacing out big time. Was the movie so bad?" Inuyasha chuckled to himself.
"No, I just had some things on my mind... Where is Kikyo?"
"She left home already. The movie ended ten minutes ago."
"Oh", Sesshoumaru bluntly replied.
Inuyasha's grin widened and he tossed the other can of beer to his older brother.
Sesshoumaru unceremoniously opened it and took a sip.
"So, what's bothering you, brother dear?"
"Kagome", the older man simply answered.
"Ah, I thought it was about a woman..." Inuyasha sipped his beer and sat down onto the floor next to him. "So, what's bothering you about Kagome?"
Sesshoumaru kept silent for awhile, pouring more alcohol down his throat. After some pondering he came to the conclusion that actually telling Inuyasha would be good thing, especially when they had agreed to try their best to become the brothers they were supposed to be. Talking, as far as Sesshoumaru understood, was one of the means to keep up human relationships. Sesshoumaru had never really been talkative less alone really had a deep conversation with someone close to him about his own feelings, thoughts and opinions. He had never had someone that close, a person with whom he could've had such a conversation with ease.
Maybe it was about time for him to give it a try.
"She's been behaving all weird lately", Sesshoumaru said.
"You mean weirder than usual? Uh-oh."
"It feels as if she's trying to put a distance between us", Sesshoumaru confessed.
"Really? From what I've seen I can say that Kagome trusts you quite a lot. And that tells much, Kagome has a little problem when it comes to trusting people."
"She does?"
Inuyasha nodded gravely.
"Her father was a drunkard who kept hitting her. Kagome's mom didn't get divorced until Kags was 8 years old. She didn't have any friends in middle school either and she had quite lot of trouble with her self-conscious. She always thought too lowly of herself."
"Kagome? Having a low self-esteem?"
"Believe it; I'm not making it up. Though all tings considered it was no wonder, her childhood was quite gloomy."
Inuyasha heaved a sigh and go up, walking into the kitchen to grab a new can of beer.
Approximately 90 minutes and four more empty beer cans later Inuyasha felt very relaxed and chatty. Sesshoumaru realised that now was the best opportunity for him to finally learn about Kagome. He was just trying to figure out a delicate way to bring up the subject when Inuyasha saved him the trouble.
"Ya know, I'm really glad I broke up with Kags back then... It's painfully clear now that I was the wrong person for her. I mean she's great and all but... I guess that was the problem itself. She was too great for me. Of course I'm glad that we dated. But I think it was fortunate that we broke up before anything worse would have happened."
"What do you mean by that", Sesshoumaru asked, one eyebrow raised.
"She was so broken. She would have needed special attention, someone very caring and devoted. Well, you know what I was like back then. I was independent in a way; I lived in Tokyo by myself and did what I wanted. But I was spoiled and selfish, not one to consider her feelings first as should have been done. Kagome's childhood had been so gloomy that it was a true wonder how lively she really was. Of course she was broken. The shadow of his father, being called worthless for whole 8 years left its mark on her... She was always so sad and alone, that's why I first walked up to her and started to talk to her. She was so cute, yet she had no friends. One day I was just watching her and realised I had never seen her smile. That's when I wanted to learn more about her. Even though she has changed now, so much that you'd think you're watching a whole different person, I still somehow see the image of the young Kagome, overlapping with the current Kagome. There's something similar, the same aura. I think that she still is heartbroken. That's probably my fault too. I was the first person to walk up and talk to her. I was the first person who cared about her. I dragged her out of her shell only to hurt her again. I feel so ashamed by it and yet I never even apologised..." Inuyasha's voice trailed off.
Sesshoumaru mutely stared at his brother. Yes, it was true. He had sensed all along that something was wrong with her, seen the sadness in the corner of her eyes. It was a part of her beauty; even when there was a smile on her lips it didn't quite reach her eyes. She still was heartbroken. He could never have guessed that the Kagome he knew would have gone through so much pain in her life. Now he understood better her relationship with his father. After all, if what Inuyasha said was true, she had never had a proper father-figure in her life. Now, thanks to everything Inuyasha had told him Sesshoumaru finally understood her better, why she was so complicated, so variable. She didn't want to be figured out, she didn't want anyone to see how broken she was inside.
"She's like a Cinderella", Inuyasha said with a lopsided smirk on his lips. "Poor family, a cruel father, then getting into the collage she dreamt of with a scholarship and finally ending up a CEO to a company whose founder is a man she always admired. Like a dream, a fairytale come true. The only thing that went wrong is that the prince whom she fell in love with betrayed her and broke her heart."
"You were young", Sesshoumaru said, sipping his beer. "What's done is done. Kagome's still young. She'll find the true prince soon enough."
Inuyasha looked down at the empty beer can in his hand. Then he suddenly raised his gaze and stared at his older brother.
Sesshoumaru soon became nervous by both the look in Inuyasha's eyes and the big grin slowly spreading on his face.
"What?"
"Nothing", Inuyasha replied although his words conflicted a lot with his tone of a voice and the expression on his face.
He had just got a brilliant idea. Inuyasha had realised who Kagome's true prince was. He chuckled to himself.
Sesshoumaru felt even more nervous after hearing his brother laugh to himself.
"Ne... It must be stressing for you to keep on your toes all the time."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about you and Hikaru-kun, and how careful you must always be not to blow your cover."
"Well yeah, it's not too easy or anything", Sesshoumaru admitted, looking back to the time he shared the same hotel room with Kagome in Hokkaido and the time he had been forced to take Rin to work with him.
"I was wondering if you should tell Kags the truth."
"Tell Kagome? Inuyasha, are you out of your mind?"
"Maybe a bit, thanks to beer. But that's not the point. I mean, you said that Kags has been distancing herself from you lately, right? You two are close, it might help building back the trust. After all you're like her number one idol."
"I don't know if that'd be such a good idea, Inuyasha."
"C'mon. Think about it. How long you think you can keep this up? Kags is not stupid, you know. She'll figure out your bluff sooner or later. And I was just wondering that, all things considered, it would probably be better if you told him yourself before she finds out by herself."
Sesshoumaru pondered it. Inuyasha did have a point. But how was he ever able to tell Kagome?
"Hey, you said Kagome has been distancing herself from you?"
"Yes."
"That's weird." Inuyasha frowned. "I can't figure out why she would do anything like that without a reason."
"Well I have one theory why she'd do that", Sesshoumaru said thoughtfully.
"Oh? What theory?"
Sesshoumaru kept his gaze at the floor and actually seemed to be a bit uneasy.
"Well, you know we took the trip to Sapporo last week?"
"Yeah, I heard."
"Well, due a bunch of rumours going 'round at the office people think that Kagome and I am a couple -"
Inuyasha sneered at that. Somehow he had the feeling that what ever was coming up, would only add fuel to his recent realisation.
"... So the hotel-reservation was made by one who believed in the rumour, thus we ended up sharing a room... And a bed."
Inuyasha snickered.
"Don't laugh", Sesshoumaru said icily.
"Sorry. Go on."
"Well, during our last night there we slept apparently kind of restlessly. I don't know why but when we woke up, well, we kind of had ended up in a spoon-position."
Inuyasha bit his lip not to laugh.
"You think you scared her?"
"I was soundly asleep, I didn't do it on purpose", Sesshoumaru snapped.
Inuyasha chuckled.
"But would you have wanted to do that to her? On purpose?"
Sesshoumaru suddenly fell even more silent than usual and his stoic mask slipped back to its place. To Inuyasha, this was enough of an answer. Knowingly he smirked to himself.
"It's getting late. You should get home, onii-chan."
Sesshoumaru shuddered.
"Don't 'onii-chan' me, you baka otouto."
Inuyasha smirked.
"Fine then. Seeya 'round, Sess."
Sesshoumaru nodded and left.
After the door closed Inuyasha made a dive for his cell phone. After listening to the dial-tone for a moment she finally picked up.
"I'm sorry to bother you on such a late our, sweetie, but I just had to tell someone what I just realised..."
"Inuyasha? What is it?"
"Don't you think that Sesshoumaru and Kagome would make the perfect couple -"
"Tonight? At which restaurant? Eight o'clock? Sure, I can make it. I have one question though, if I may... Why are you inviting me along? .. Ahh, I see. See you tonight. Bye."
Sesshoumaru hung up and sighed to himself.
Miroku glanced up at him.
"What is it?"
"I have a dinner tonight, it seems. Can you look after Rin?"
"Sure I can... A dinner with who?" Miroku smirked.
Sesshoumaru was about to reply as his cell phone went off again.
"What is it, Inuyasha?"
"Sess, care for a dinner tonight?"
"Explain."
"Well, Dad is throwing a little 'family-gathering' and I'm sure he'll try to pair up me and Kagome again. I need you to come, to save me."
Sesshoumaru could feel desperation in his brother's voice. What he didn't know was that Inuyasha's invitation also had a hidden agenda, one to serve his recent realisation concerning Kagoma and her 'true prince'.
"Wouldn't it be easier just to tell him that you're dating already", he advised.
"No! He'd snap. He might actually try to force me into marrying Kags... And that wouldn't be pretty."
Sesshoumaru chuckled.
"Worry not, little brother. I'm coming. In fact I've already been invited."
"Invited?! By whom?"
"Believe it or not, by father. He just called."
"Why'd he invite you?"
"Apparently he wants me there because for one Kagome values my company and for two, he thinks I might help him in getting you two together."
"Kami, no! Sesshoumaru, if you turn against me – "
"You and Kagome as a match is a disaster, Inuyasha. You already tried once and it didn't work out. I don't doubt you'd be any better off now."
"Knew I could trust you, brother dear. Anyways, I promised to see Kikyo. Seeya tonight."
Click.
Sesshoumaru sighed again and noted the curious glint in Miroku's eye.
"Let me guess. You're going to have a dinner tonight."
"Yes."
"With you father and Izayoi."
Sesshoumaru nodded.
"And Inuyasha'll be there too,"
"That's right."
"And Kagome-sama's also invited?"
"Without a doubt."
Miroku chuckled to himself.
"Good luck, cousin dear. I feel you'll need it."
"Second cousin", Sesshoumaru tiredly corrected, while wondering in horror to what he had just enlisted for.
Sesshoumaru got out of the taxi and paid the driver. He looked at the restaurant ahead of him and sighed to himself. Why had he once again agreed to this? Because his father had asked, he replied to himself. He stood there for awhile, gathering up his courage. How he would pull this off, even he did not know. When he finally was ready to walk up the few steps he was stopped by a surprised voice.
"Ya – Hikaru-kun, what are you doing here?" Kagome stared in surprise at the man standing before her, biting her lip. She almost had called him 'Yamasaki-sama'.
Sesshoumaru turned and saw his boss, tightly holding her purse. He blinked a few times, trying his best not to stare at her different but nonetheless lovely appearance. Her hair was partly in a complex bun, cascading down the side of her neck in waves. She had a bit more make up on than usually too. The helm of her dress was flowing against her calves in the gentle cold breeze. Her little white teeth were nibbling softly her bottom lip, a habit of hers. She always did that when she was nervous. Sesshoumaru had no clue why she was so distressed but he wanted to help her.
As Sesshoumaru finally spoke Kagome woke from her semi-panicky thoughts about sitting at the dinner table with the entire Yamasaki-family.
"We shouldn't keep them waiting."
Kagome raised her gaze and saw that he was still looking at her, offering her his arm.
"Let's go."
Kagome's hand trembled slightly as she set it on Sesshoumaru's arm. His right hand covered her hand securely, squeezing it lightly.
"Don't worry about it", he whispered slightly.
"Thanks", Kagome managed to say, keeping her gaze down. Together they walked up the stairs and into the restaurant. Sesshoumaru immediately spotted the right table from his height and escorted Kagome over there.
The Yamasakis glanced up as the two arrived. Inuyasha smirked to himself as he saw Sesshoumaru and Kagome walking towards them arm in arm.
"Well well, Kagome-chan", Izayoi said as they finally reached the table. "Who is he? Your boyfriend?"
The reactions were priceless. Sesshoumaru's grip of Kagome's hand tightened instinctively as Kagome's cheeks flushed. Katsuo-sama's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets whereas Inuyasha was trying vigorously to choke on his drink.
"Erm, no, he's not my boyfriend", Kagome stuttered. "Izayoi-san, meet my assistant, Suzuki Hikaru-kun. Hikaru-kun, here's Katsuo-sama's wife, Yamasaki Izayoi-san."
Kagome felt rather stupid.
'Here, Sesshoumaru, meet your step-mother!'
Shaking her head slightly to chase away unwanted mental images Kagome took her hand from Sesshoumaru's grip. Sesshoumaru acted like the gentleman he was raised to be, and pulled Kagome a chair. Kagome thanked him softly and sat down.
Sesshoumaru seated himself between her and his father. Inuyasha was seated on Kagome's other side and Izayoi was sitting between her son and her husband.
A waitress came to take their order.
"So Kagome", Katsuo said, turning to the woman. "I was just talking with Inuyasha about this one extra invitation I have for one New Year's Gala... I thought that maybe you'd like to go with him."
Kagome heaved a mental sigh.
"I'm sorry Katsuo-sama, but I've already made plans for New year's eve. I'm sure that Inuyasha finds himself a date, though."
Even though there was a disappointed expression on Katsuo-sama's face, Kagome didn't really feel bad about it. In stead she felt a little relieved.
Katsuo-sama started to talk about something, mostly to Inuyasha. Kagome tuned him out almost immediately but acted attentive, nodding every now and then absentmindedly. In stead she concentrated her attention to the man sitting by her side and watched him silently from behind her long dark lashes. Her boyfriend? If only that would be true, Kagome thought to herself. He was looking very handsome tonight. And she hadn't really experienced such a courtesy before that he had shown her tonight. And to make it even better, he was Sesshoumaru-sama, the man she had admired all her life. Even though she still was a little angry that he had deceived her like that at the same time she was glad. She had learned to know him, get close to him which would have been impossible if she had known who he really was.
With a start she awoke from her Sesshoumaru-filled thoughts as her cell-phone went off. She yelped and started to dig through her purse, only to drop the phone when she finally got it out.
Before she had time to move a muscle, Sesshoumaru bent down to pick up the still ringing cell-phone. As he was straightening himself his hand accidentally brushed against her thigh. Kagome startled again and her cheeks flushed immediately.
"Here you go", Sesshoumaru said, offering the phone back to her.
"Thanks", she whispered softly. "Excuse me." Kagome extended her hand, her small fingers wrapping around the phone. His slender fingers closed tightly around her hand. Her blush deepened and she relished the touch for a few seconds, before finally taking her phone from him and walking off.
Izayoi's attentive eyes followed Kagome's retreating form, then she glanced at Sesshoumaru.
However, Inuyasha and Katsuo had both remained oblivious to the whole scene.
Chie: If you're not interested in excuses/explanations for the shameful delay in updating this chapter, please skip the following italicised text.
Reason #1: I'm writing another fic at the same time.
Reason #2: I had just had my high school finals. Exams are luv :3 (NOT --)
Reason #3: I was lazy and slacking off and having a break (which, on a latter note, I should have used in studying instead Xx)
Reason #4: I actually had trouble writing this chapter. I think the main reason for the delay was the writer's block I was having. :S
Reason #5: ... Wait, I don't have reason #5 :O
In any case, feel free to judge me if you were angered by the over month-long, shameful wait. My sincere, deepest apologies. –bows-
