Chapter 8: Warring Era: A Beginning
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
A/N: Wow! Thank you for all the feedbacks! I wasn't expecting that since I've gone M.I.A. on you. So, really, thank you guys! :)
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Sesshomaru's Mother waited for me to step on the stage before continuing with her introduction.
"In barely three years, Ms. Higurashi managed to establish Shikon Industries on her own. Although, the company is still young, it has proved itself time after time. Just last month, it successfully designed the hotel chain of Mr. Linton in London and garnered many praises for the wonderful work it delivered." She glanced at me, her lips turning upward. "Of course, without Ms. Higurashi, such work would not materialize." She gestured me to stand behind the podium. "Come, Kagome, let us hear some words from you."
My hands fisted, my stage-fright creeping up again, but Sesshomaru knew that I would feel this way, so he deliberately chose a location that would place him directly on my line of sight. I plastered my perfected professional smile on my face and stood behind the podium which Sesshomaru's mother vacated.
My eyes found Sesshomaru and I began to talk to English. "Good evening! Or is it? Attending this gala tonight, entering this gallery wearing your best clothes, and mingling for hours, is it really a good evening for everyone?" I saw most of them smile, some looking for someone to translate from English to Japanese.
My gaze went back to Sesshomaru and I shifted from English to Japanese. "When I was first attending events like this, I barely enjoyed myself and I felt cold despite the air conditioning. I looked around me and found that, although, the place is perfect and enchanting, it is not warm. All the glitz and glamor of the place doesn't feel welcoming, it's uncomfortable, and intimidating in a way that doesn't inspire awe but fear."
Sesshomaru's lips twitched a little, seemingly remembering the first time he brought me to a high profile event, and how disastrous that had been for me. "That is how Shikon Industries started, I decided that all the diamond and gold in the world is nothing if you do not feel welcome. I wanted a place to feel like home where you will shine instead of cower away in the corner." At that moment, I caught a glimpse of silver hair. "A real home. The interior designing came easy to me after I think of that. Like this place, which I personally designed, every little detail is thought of to make you—us—feel warm and welcome, a part of something, not shut out and away." He stared at me with those golden eyes full of shock and hatred. I smiled and held his gaze, the rest of my speech flowed through me easier after that.
Watch me, Inuyasha. Just watch.
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I stood next to Sesshomaru, his parents, and some acquaintances who was trying to hook the Taisho Industries with their business. Only Toga-sama made an effort to stay charming while his mate and son already looked bored to death. I tried to help him by pitching in a comment or two. He winked at me, and I smiled.
Inuyasha was so wrong about his father. Toga-sama was kind, warm, and….almost human in some way. Even Sesshomaru's mother, despite the coldness and aloofness, was not as bad as Inuyasha told me before. She accepted me completely and treated me like a part of family…or their pack.
But then, I wasn't Toga-sama's mistress. I experienced it myself and I don't think I could feel kind toward Inuyasha's other woman so I understand her.
She elbowed me then leaned down to whisper conspiratorially beside my ear. "That is the ugliest dress I have ever seen tonight!"
I followed her line of sight and giggled. "Shh. She might hear you."
She flipped her silver hair backwards. "Do I look like I care? And darling, she would not dare say anything against me."
I smiled at her attitude that was so much like Sesshomaru's. "Of course, she wouldn't."
"But you would, since you have an attitude," she replied, her tone criticizing but also held a hint of fondness.
I laughed aloud at that.
"Go on and laugh. The little bitch would not like that though," she said smugly, her chin lifting too point at someone behind me. "We shall go, have fun, darling." She pulled Toga-sama with her, leaving me and Sesshomaru.
I didn't have to look behind me to know who were coming. I looked at Sesshomaru and he stared back, his eyes glittering in amusement.
"Well, well, you two sure look cozy." Inuyasha's gruff voice cut through the silence between me and Sesshomaru. My heart pounded in my chest at hearing his voice for the first time after three years. "The dress and shoes don't suit you though, Kagome."
I turned slightly to look at him and Kikyou. The smile I perfected for other people was in place. "Why, sweetheart? Do you think I wore these for you?" I asked, my smile giving way for a small grin. Go on, Inuyasha. Get irritated.
"Keh. You—"
Kikyou interrupted Inuyasha, with a sweet voice, she chirped. "Stop it, my love. "Kagome looked very lovely tonight!"
Sesshomaru stepped closer beside me, his arms sliding around my waist. "She does, doesn't she? Everyone pales compared to her beauty."
I turned my head to look at Sesshomaru, smiling fondly at him. "Shut up, youkai, or you're going to make me melt."
Inuyasha laughed boisterously, and said in a mocking tone, "Don't try too hard for me, you two. It's disgusting."
Sesshomaru broke eye contact with me and focused those cold eyes to Inuyasha. "Why would I try anything for you, dear brother?"
"Oh, wait. Disgusting? Isn't that your middle name?" I followed Sesshomaru's comment immediately.
Inuyasha's face straightened. Kikyou smiled sarcastically at me. "Don't worry, my love. Bitterness could do this to people."
I mocked her with a smile of my own. "Oh Sesshomaru, I heard Kikyou spreading so much about your relationship together. Bitterness is really an ugly thing. Even though she's married, it seems like she's still hung up on you."
Kikyou's face shuttered, her teeth showing, but before she could say anything, Inuyasha pulled her behind him. "Don't talk to my wife that way, you bitch. You think you're so great, huh? Keh! You're just a worthless, penniless, and ignorant little girl—"
Before he could finish his ranting, I leaned down beside his ear, my eyes connecting to Kikyou. I whispered only for him, "Have you talked to my team, yet? I heard of your financial troubles, no wonder you're so anxious and hot-tempered tonight."
He pulled away from me so rapidly, he startled Kikyou, and many other guests. He stared at me, eyes blazing with anger, before yanking Kikyou away.
I smiled triumphantly, my eyes finding Sesshomaru's mother quickly enough. She nodded at me, her face alight with amusement. At the startled crowd, she said, "Shall we start the dancing?"
Sesshomaru leaned down beside my ear and whispered, "I remember you owing me a dance, Ms. Higurashi."
I pursed my lips. "I owe you nothing, Mr. Taisho."
His eyes laughed at me as he led us to the dance floor.
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Inuyasha
I drove home like a maniac, Kikyou remaining silent all the while. I parked the car haphazardly and almost yanked the car door off. I threw the door open and poured a scotch for me. I drank it quickly and threw the glass on the wall. "Damn it!"
The fact that Kagome owned the Shikon Industries didn't really sank in my mind until she mentioned the deal with her team. "Un-fucking-believable!"
Kikyou stepped into the kitchen, her stiletto entering my view. "Inuyasha."
"Leave me for now, Kikyou," I bit out, my anger barely contained.
"Are you sure?" She asked quietly, her voice coy.
I looked up and found her wearing only her lingerie. "Kikyou," I breathed out.
She walked closer to me, biting her lower lip, her eyes hooded. "I need you, Inuyasha."
I sighed deeply. "I need you too. Always."
"Don't worry about them." She caressed my face, her hand other hand travelling downwards. "Kagome and Sesshomaru are nothing against us."
She don't know about our financial troubles. I can't let her know. "Yes, they're nothing."
"We will take them down."
"We will," I whispered, capturing her lips for a deep kiss.
We came up for hair, I kissed her chin, her jaws all the way to her neck. "We'll get close to them. We will destroy them from the inside. You'd take care of the bitch, and I'll take care of the dog," she said, her voice cold. Sometime, I forget that Kikyou can be cruel.
"I need to see my son," I told her.
"We'll get him, get the custody for the boy."
I smiled and carried her to our bed.
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I sat in my office, writing a note that would go with the flower arrangement I intend to send to Kagome this morning.
Kagome,
Have lunch with me.
We need to talk.
You know that our son needs us to be friends.
Yours,
Inuyasha.
I called my secretary after I tucked the note in the bouquet of flowers. "Send it to Taisho Industries building. From what I've heard, three of the floors there houses the Shikon Industries. Make sure it reached Kagome."
"Yes, Mr. Kimura."
I leaned against my chair, grinning to myself.
An hour later, he came back with an enveloped in his hands. "Ms. Higurashi sent this for you, Sir."
I took it, opening it with a Cheshire grin.
Inuyasha,
Of course, we could meet for lunch.
You seem too eager to meet me after last night.
I'm not heartless, so I'll indulge you.
Kagome.
P.S.
No need to use Shippou as a reason for wanting to meet with me.
My grin fell off my face. "Bitch."
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Kikyou and I sat in a fancy restaurant, waiting for almost fifteen minutes now. "Classless bitch," Kikyou muttered. "Making us wait is pathetic even for her."
From the glass, we saw Kagome parking her car—a red Ferrari—on a reserved slot. Heads turned to have a look at the sight. She got down, wearing a black and violet stripped dress partnered with black stiletto.
Damn. Okay, I hate her, but she does look hot.
She made her way towards us, looking classy and seductive at the same time. We did not stand up for her. She sat down, irritatingly calm and collected. Not the Kagome I know.
"Punctuality is an etiquette everyone should have. Just saying, in case you don't know," Kikyou said, sweet and just as calm.
Kagome's brows shot up. "Don't lecture me about etiquette, Kikyou. Sleeping with your cousin's husband is evidence enough that you don't know anything about it."
Kikyou trembled beside me, and before I could process what she was about to do, her hand shot up to the glass of water on our table, splashing Kagome with its contents.
Other guests in the restaurants stopped eating, looking at us with shock, and then whispering behind palms.
Kagome swiped at her face with her hand, smiling at her serenely, with her eyes alight with amusement. "Very nice, my sweet. You just proved what I stated."
Then, I sensed my brother's presence before he stepped into our view. He sat beside Kagome, immediately wiping her face and clothes with a handkerchief.
"You are not welcome here, dog." Kikyou snapped at Sesshomaru.
"Hello, again, Kikyou. Imagine all the make-up that would have dripped from your face if you're the one splashed with water."
"I know you still want me back, youkai. I'm so sorry for you."
"Don't be. Anyone who have you in their life should be the sorry one."
Kikyou stood up, seemingly on the verge of hysteria. I held her hand then kissed it softly. "Kikyou." She ignored me as she glared at Sesshomaru, her reiki showing and making her glow. She walked out of the restaurant before I could stop her.
I gritted my teeth and fixed them both with a glare of my own. "Where is my son, Kagome?"
"Stop pretending to worry, Inuyasha. He's very happy without you," she replied, her eyes hardening a little.
I stood up in anger, my chair falling backward, and then I pounded my fists on the table, shouting at her. "You can't do this!"
Sesshomaru leaned forward on the table. "Walk away, brother, before this gets more out of hand." Nodding towards the door where Kikyou left, he continued. "You may want to follow your wife before she gets bored and find another man."
"Fuck you!" I said before straightening and leaving them both.
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Kagome
Leaning on my chair, I sighed. "I'm only here for three days but the war is already draining me."
"It's just the beginning," Sesshomaru replied casually. Signaling for the waiter to bring us the menu.
"And they said I don't know etiquette. They didn't even let me eat lunch before going crazy!" I complained.
Sesshomaru's lips turned upward. Just a little. "Miroku is irritating me with his outing plans."
I laughed. "Let's indulge him this weekend. Spending time with them is really nice right now."
"I'll make the plans." He took my hand and looked me directly in the eyes. "Don't worry, Kagome. We're doing this together."
I nodded, finding strength in his eyes. "Yes, we are."
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