Title: High Stakes Negotiation
Author: SakuraRyuu
Rating: T
Genre: AU, Angst, Comfort, Drama, Family, Friendship, Romance, WAFF
Characters: Inuyasha, Jii-chan, Kagome, Kikyo, Miroku
Author's Note: Inuyasha and all characters in this fan fiction are the property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Walking into the office of Kikyo's lawyer on Wednesday afternoon, his own in tow, Inuyasha was the epitome of confidence. He was certain she wasn't prepared for him to have any type of conditions of his own concerning their frozen embryos or the twins Kikyo carried, which he would hold on to as his trump card for after her heard what she had to offer. Over the past 10 months they had squabbled back and forth until he agreed to give her a healthy payday to settle. Now there was no telling what she would want with such important bargaining chips.
Entering the meeting room the receptionist ushered them to, Inuyasha and his lawyer waited for Kikyo and her to enter. At the sound of the door opening he turned from staring out the window to look at the mother of his children for the first time in six months. He was shocked to see how round her middle already was.
"My God, Kikyo, how far along are you?" He was not prepared to see her so heavy with the babies already. He knew there were two, but she looked to be rather far along.
"Uhm, four months?" Kikyo looked to her lawyer for confirmation. The man gave a curt nod, and she looked back at Inuyasha with a smile. "I didn't expect to be so big already. They take up so much room."
"Do you know what they are yet?" Inuyasha became anxious as he watched her ease into a chair across from his lawyer.
"No, I wasn't planning to find out."
"Shall we?" Kikyo's lawyer smoothly interrupted their exchange, gesturing toward a chair across from him for Inuyasha to sit in. "My clients new terms for the divorce are simple. She has stated children do not fit into the plans she has for herself after your divorce is settled, however, she feels that, considering you are using her as a broodmare, she should be compensated beyond what you previously agreed."
Inuyasha's mouth fell open. "What the Hell? This was not my idea! Why in the world would I want the woman I'm divorcing to have my children weeks before the divorce is final? Does that sound like sanity to you?" Inuyasha was mad, and getting madder by the minute. He knew divorce lawyers were full of bullshit and lies, but this was simply beyond him.
"Regardless, she is pregnant, and this could hold up your divorce. I suggest you consider my client's very generous offer."
Miroku, Inuyasha's lawyer, broke into the conversation. "And what is this very generous offer?"
"Kikyo wants double the original settlement, for her pain, suffering, and embarrassment."
"Have you checked out of your brain?!" Inuyasha jumped out of his chair, slamming his hands on the table. Miroku quickly rose to put his hand on the man's shoulder, pushing him back down into his chair.
Ignoring the outburst, Bankotsu continued. "She also wants the same amount paid to her again once the children are born healthy, along with all her medical expenses being covered. In return, she is willing to sign the divorce papers, and sign away her parental rights, leaving both you, the children, and the two remaining embryos to your devices."
"Are you serious?" Inuyasha had no idea what to say. He never thought she would use their children as a paycheck. She was asking for $10,000,000.00 plus expenses in exchange for the divorce, the embryos, and the children. That amount would ruin him, and he would never be able to care for two infants on his own, plus their living expenses. He sat in his chair in stunned silence.
Looking at his client, Miroku inquired about a second meeting room where they could discuss a counter offer in private. Bankotsu directed them to the door across the hall, and Miroku pushed Inuyasha in his chair across the hall. Closing the door behind him the man pulled back his hand and slapped Inuyasha across the cheek.
"Good God, man, snap out of it! We have to discuss what we're going to offer if you want to settle this today. And as your lawyer and oldest friend I suggest you finish with this greedy bitch as soon as possible."
Sitting in his chair Inuyasha thought it over carefully, then calmly stood, putting both hands on Miroku's shoulders. "Don't worry, I have the answer. I know exactly what to do. And if you ever slap me again, I'll punch you in the face." Giving a reassuring smile, Inuyasha straightened his suit, and opened the door to return to the previous meeting room. Entering, he was amused to see Kikyo and Bankotsu suddenly stop talking and turn to look at him.
"Here's my offer, and it's the only offer I'll make. I will pay $5,000,000.00, half now, half when the children are born healthy, and a DNA test proves they are mine. I will buy Kikyo a home of her choosing costing no more than $2,000,000.00, and will provide her with the paperwork in her name as soon as the sale is final. I will continue to carry her on my insurance and pay any out of pocket costs until the children are born healthy, at which time she will sign the divorce papers, and relinquish all rights to the children and frozen embryos. I will also accompany her to all medical appointments concerning the pregnancy, and be there for the birth. I will have the privilege of naming them. Once all the money has been transferred, and all the papers are signed she will go away, and never bother us again."
Kikyo's lawyer promptly agreed to all stipulations, and promised to have the appropriate paperwork signed and delivered to Miroku's office by the next day. Inuyasha smiled brightly, and for the first time in over a week he felt like a weight had been lifted. There was finally an end in sight, and he was going to be a father.
"I'm going to be a father, Miroku," he said as they walked to their cars. Suddenly Inuyasha stopped, all expression leaving his face. "Holy shit, man, I'm going to be a father." If Miroku hadn't yanked him out of the way he would have been run down in the parking lot.
