Twisted World
Chapter 9 - Encounter
A few minutes after leaving his apartment, Sesshomaru arrived in the lobby of his building, his thoughts remained otherwise occupied.
It was Friday night, surely he would find something open in this city on a Friday night. In the time he had been here, he had come to realize that human's in this world did most of their activities on what they called weekends, from Friday to Sunday night before they were required to rest and return to work on Monday morning.
He knew he had become more caring in his previous life. He had even learned to love, but he could not understand why he was filled with such overwhelming emotions now. Especially for an individual who was not his true brother. But the problem was, he did feel like him. Despite his constant human status, he felt more like his brother than his true brother had ever felt. But what did that mean? Was he accepting his humanity more? Was he resigning himself to this world? Was he silently acknowledging the fact that he would never be able to return to where he truly belonged?
In all likelihood though, that thought seemed inevitable. He had been here for what seemed several months and he had encountered no demons or sorceresses who could be of assistance. When he had first met Akatsuki-san, he had thought her to be his mate, but now he wondered about the possibilities of that. His mate would never allow him to wander in such confusion for so long without telling him, would she?
Sesshomaru's head was filled with puzzlement as he made his way blindly through the long spacious lobby. He knew not where he would go; only that he had to get away. Never had he thought he would ever love, and now that he did, he could not believe that he was not with the youkai who had won his heart - the youkai who had saved his life, when she had shown him the true beauty of life. What hell was this he wondered? How long must he remain here without his true family? His thoughts continued to wander as he made his way closer to the building's exterior until his head unexpectedly bumped into someone else's.
"Akatsuki-san?" he called, looking up while simultaneously reaching out to grab her, trying to prevent her from falling as her heel jammed into his foot and he hobbled momentarily.
"Sesshomaru-sama!" she also called, regaining her balance and moving backward.
"Akatsuki-san you are crying," he asked, noticing the flecks of water twinkling in her eye. "Did I injure you?" he asked reaching out to touch her forehead, where he was certain he had hit her.
"No, it is nothing," she said with an almost haunted expression etched across her face as she quickly turned and brushed her fingers across her eyes.
"Are you certain you are all right?" he asked studying her, but he could not read her expression.
"Yes, I am fine. We didn't really hit that hard," she said, rubbing her forehead. "But it was my fault; I wasn't watching where I was going."
"No, it was me," he said, taking the blame. "My thoughts were absorbed and I paid little attention to where Iwas going."
"I was coming to see you, but I know I should have called first," she apologized. "It's just that I didn't want…" she hesitated as she seemed to take in their surroundings. "Were you leaving?"
"Just to get some air."
"Oh, I see," she said turning away, her attention getting lost somewhere in the distance.
"My brother told me you stopped by earlier," Sesshomaru said, hoping to ground her focus.
"Yes, I've been… I've been…" she looked about uncomfortably.
Sesshomaru assumed she must have been in the area for a while, but apparently uncertain of what she should do. "So…, did you wish to see me?"
"Yes, I ahh … There are a couple of things that I ahh… wanted to speak to you about…," she began uncomfortably as she looked about the lobby. "Can we uhm, go to your home?"
"Unfortunately, no, I do not think…"
"I'm sorry. I did not intend to… I should not have come here," she said lowering her head and turning away, her painted claws rising to her lips.
"Akatsuki-san, it is not that," he said, not wanting her to leave as he reached out to grab her arm. "It is just that my brother and his girlfriend are… apparently still…," he stopped uncertainly, as he released her.
"Your brother," she repeated as she lowered her gaze apparently understanding his reluctance. "I know I should have at least called," she began timidly, allowing her gaze to continuously scour the lobby entrance. "But… but can we go someplace a little more… private?" she asked clearly distressed.
"Uhh," he began as he too scoured the lobby, not caring for the surroundings. "Have you eaten?" He asked knowing a different location would likely be preferable.
"No, I have not."
"Perhaps we can have dinner, then," he said as positively as he could hoping this time she would agree.
"Umm," her eyes widened slightly. "Yes," she said hesitantly. "Perhaps we could go to Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux have you ever been there?"
"No, I do not believe I have."
"It is one of my favorite restaurants," her spirits now seemed much improved. "Kiyomi Mikuni-san is a maestro in the art of adding a Japanese flourish to French cuisine," she almost licked her lips. "They have a pan-fried langoustines in vermilion butter essence to die for."
"But surely we would not have to," he smiled lightly. "Is you driver outside? Mine is off for the night and I do not wish to call him from his family."
"No, I thought … I would be here for a while, so I… I sent him back. But then, it was because I didn't… I thought you would be able to… have me taken back," that uncomfortable disposition she had displayed previously, began to return. "But, we can walk, it is only ten blocks."
"Can you truly walk ten blocks in such shoes?" he asked looking down at the height of the heel that had stumped his foot.
Looking down at her own feet, Akatsuki-san agreed. "I believe so, but perhaps we could have your concierge call a taxi."
As they exited the building behind the concierge, fog hazed across the city streets, the overhead air felt unusually heavy. There was no color in the clouds; they were massive dark grey forms that blocked an equally grey sky teasing one with distant splashes of energetic orange and yellow in the west. Sesshomaru could almost feel a dampness in the distance. He knew as a youkai he would have discerned how much rain was on its way. But even as a human, he had no doubts that some was coming.
Fifteen minutes later, Sesshomaru and his lady arrived at the Hôtel de Mikuni that housed the renowned Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux restaurant. It was a long two story structure with a background of the Tokyo River in the distance. They were quickly seated and their orders taken by an overweight, but pleasant waiter with a beefy neck and a boisterous laugh. Their dinner consisted of truffle soup, lobster salad, a chicken liver gateau in a crayfish butter sauce appetizer along with the much raved about pan-fried langoustines and carrot cube fricassee in vermilion butter essence. Akatsuki-san had once again topped off their dishes with a bottle of 'You's Time' sake.
I love the Yuzu juice. The taste of the citron is smooth, easy to drink and helps me relax.
Sesshomaru arched a brow when he heard her instruct the waiter to leave the bottle, while wondering if she required it to help her relax around him once more or if it was whatever it was that seemed to trouble her so. And there was no doubt that she was troubled. Her blue eyes did not contain the vibrancy he had previously seen, even in this twisted world.
When their food arrived and Sesshomaru had sampled it, he had to agree with Akatsuki-san's earlier exclamation; Chef Kiyomi Mikuni-san was truly a maestro in the art of adding a Japanese flourish to French cuisine. In the time he'd been here, he had grown accustomed to eating what he had previously simply called human food, but Sesshomaru had to admit this was one of the most exquisite dishes he had eaten thus far.
According to their waiter, the food was skillfully seasoned with thyme, rosemary and chervil paired with maitake mushrooms and a local herb called kaiware. Sesshomaru could not help but wonder if human food tasted even remotely like this in his true world. But then, he wondered if it was even worth it to consider sampling it since he did have a youkai body there, and here he had a human one. His lady though had sampled it and she had a youkai body as well; but then, she was not a warrior.
"How did you know about my brother's birthday party?" The former youkai lord asked having no current desire to have her continuously think about how he had previously treated him. "I would have had you invited, but…"
"You did not believe I would come," she finished for him. "And no, I probably would not have. I only came because…," she paused and looked about in uncertainty once more.
Sesshomaru knew something troubled her greatly. His brother had apparently noticed it as well.
There was something different about her. She kept looking around and I thought she was looking for you. But she seemed kind of uncomfortable.
"Forgive me. I should never have simply intruded on your private lives like that," Akatsuki-san said as she took a healthy drink of her sake. "And we probably should not have come here either," she admitted looking deep into his eyes. "There will likely be gossip, you know."
In truth, he cared not. There was no gossip that could be said about him that he feared more than what she thought of him. "But how did you know?" Sesshomaru asked, hoping to refocus her thoughts. Her uncomfortable disposition invited questions, but her words did not. "The gift you gave him was extremely generous."
"Oh, you know our social networks," she said waving her hand dismissively.
"Social networks?"
"Yes, someone in mine was familiar with someone in yours. And I did not give it to him to be thanked. I just…" she lowered her gaze as she danced her chopsticks across her plate.
"I am certain he thanked you, but I wish to do so as well," Sesshomaru offered up, immediately noticing that she was once more being distracted for whatever reason. "Gift giving has never been a strong suite of mine, but I know he appreciated it."
Looking upward, a tender smile crossed her lips. "I'm glad," she said taking another sip of her sake.
"Akatsuki-san you said that someone in your network and mine told you of my brother's party?" He had heard the term network when others spoke of computers and such, but for some reason he thought it imperative that he understood her reference now.
"You know what they say," she said with a curious expression. "Our social network essentially connects us all in six steps or fewer."
"Social Network? Six steps? I am sorry, I do not…"
"You've never heard of that?"
"No, I…"
"Well there is a concept that believes the world is much smaller through our technology and networking than we have previously thought and we are all connected to each other in six steps or less."
Sesshomaru was certain the expression his face contained was as clueless as he felt.
"The theory actually says that anyone on the planet can be connected to any other person on the planet through a chain of acquaintances that has no more than five intermediaries," she explained further. "That concept was actually popularized in a play written by John Guare, I believe."
"John Guare?"
"Yes, an American playwright. He wrote a play called 'Six Degrees of Separation' early in the 1900's. And from that, I have hypothesized that all things are connected."
Sesshomaru froze momentarily as he studied her. Because of her abilities to connect with others as a life sorceress, his own dear mate had often said the same types of things. "You said we are all connected?"
"Yes, theoretically anyway," she said, brushing aside her words that seemed to hold little import to her. "You have obvious connections like your brother, me, any one you know. But it essentially means that even if we do not personally know each other we could possibly find a connection through a friend of a friend of a friend of a friend and so on," she followed that with a bite of her lobster salad. "I am uncertain if it could truly be proven," her long lashes flashed up at him. "You would have to find the right six people to make such a connection and that could likely be impossible. But surely we have all seen signs of the possibilities since we have encountered someone in our group who is also familiar with someone from another. Such as was the case when I heard about your brother's party."
"A friend of a friend?"
"Of a friend of a friend and so on," she smiled lightly, studying him. "Yes, remember I told you the larger a circle is, the more difficult it is to contain a secret," she seemed embarrassed with that recollection herself as she looked away temporarily. "You've heard that saying that two people can keep a secret, but only if one of them is dead, have you not?"
No, he had not. But he could understand the truth and logic of that.
"I believe your brother's party was supposed to be a secret," she said almost quietly, as if afraid of the realization that it no longer was. "But at some point the people who know that secret overflow your small intimate circle. Because someone in that circle will know and speak to someone you may be personally unaware of, which I believe happened in this case," she seemed truly uncomfortable with this proclamation and Sesshomaru could not help but wonder why. "So because of that network connection, they may eventually know something about you that you would have preferred they did not." She lowered her gaze, as if afraid to meet his eyes.
He knew her thoughts had diverted to what she had heard about his relationship with his brother. Knowing she had had concerns of their estrangement in their true lives, Sesshomaru hoped to ease them. "Akatsuki-san, I know you dislike me greatly and I have much to make up for, but my brother and I are no longer…" Inside, though, he could not help but wonder if her concerns for that, is what caused him to black out previously.
"Sesshomaru-sama, forgive me. I believe I know what you wish to say, but you need not," she said cutting him off. "Yes, I have heard some unpleasant things about you through my network, but it was not truly my intent to wound you then. I simply wished to keep what was mine and cared not how I did it," she lowered her gaze seemingly embarrassed. "It seemed my best tactical approach. But what I said was unforgiveable so I should not even ask you to. I did not come to you to speak of such issues. Your life and your brother's life are between the two of you. I should be the last person…,"
She had not used the familiar form of address his lady was accustomed to using, but the former youkai lord was at least grateful that Akatsuki-san had used his given name with her salutation. To him, Taisho-sama had always been his chichi-ue. "Akatsuki-san, do not concern yourself," he studied her intently, knowing not if what he had done in this or any world had caused her to hate him forever. "If I have injured you in some way, it was never my intent, I have heard my life here has not been pleasant."
"You have heard?" she studied him confusedly, as she reached for then took another drink of sake.
Sesshomaru knew he could not disclose the thoughts that pervaded his mind of late.
"What is it that you wished to speak to me about?"
"Oh, I…" she hesitated and turned away; fiddling with the rim of her glass, drawing her painted claws across it. "You have not injured me, truly."
There was a sadness in her eyes and he wished to know why. "I got the distinct impression that you cared for me not and believed you would never have dinner with me again."
"Actually I did not intend to, but life is not as structured as we may like and many things have changed," she said, taking a rather large drink of her sake.
He wanted to know what troubled her, but she seemed reluctant to divulge the details and he had no desire to force her, yet he knew not where to direct their conversation. He was curious to know how much she had heard of his life with his brother; but more importantly, he was more interested in her and there were things that had puzzled him from that first time he had seen her.
"Why is a beautiful woman such as you, not yet mated?"
"Mated?" she repeated cocking her head.
"I meant married," he said, knowing he had to use more familiar human terms as long as he resided in this world.
"You tell me," she looked at him with a touch of anger in her beautiful eyes. "I am the CEO of a successful design firm. I depend on no one except myself. Men today do not want a woman in control. They are more interested in their own personal conquests," she said as if pulling her facts from how he had lived his life. "It is as if they feel threatened by us, or either they wish to control us, as if doing so would make them a more powerful male," she looked at him as if not understanding his puzzlement.
"I am certain you would know men are not interested in me or any female as an equal partner, only as a potential conquest to enhance their satisfaction, to get at their company, or at what is between their legs," she turned barely concealing her anger. "As if mating with them, as you say, will somehow make them a more powerful male."
"Surely you do not believe that."
"I don't?" she huffed in a clearly rhetorical manner. "But that matters not," she said looking around once more. "I came to see you because I must say I cannot accept the terms of your proposal."
She'd announced that so abruptly that he was stunned. "You cannot accept them?" he furrowed his brows. "Are your stockholders against it, or do you wish more money?"
"More money," she repeated looking at him with those vibrant blue eyes. "No, in fact I am certain you will wish to reduce your offer."
"Reduce my offer?"
"Yes, actually I wish for you to buy my company, but I cannot accept your offer to become CEO in your corporation after you do," she threw out in an almost rush.
"But why not?"
She focused her attention on her glass and swirled her sake. "We were talking about our networks before. The problem with networks is that every person we know is a door opening to another path. And unfortunately, a door I recently had opened is…."
Not knowing what she wished to say, Sesshomaru waited for a few moments. "The opened door is what?" he prodded gently.
"Sesshomaru-sama I have heard something that is potentially devastating to us both," she almost mumbled, clearly reluctant to state her information.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened. "Us both?"
"Yes, but I take it you have not yet heard."
"Heard what?"
"It seems your attorney Naraku-san was more knowledgeable than I would have imagined when he said 'your client did not protect her company'."
"What do you mean?"
"It seems you have a competitor," she said with a deep breath. "You are not the only firm interested in a hostile takeover of my company," her voice lowered to a whisper. "I have found out that Balthazar will initiate a creeping tender beginning next week where he will conduct a massive buy up of shares of my stock."
"You mean Balthazar of Dragon Corp?"
"You know him?" she asked angling her head then immediately brushed her own question aside. "Of course you do, you all know each other don't you?"
"Actually I do not know him, but I have heard of him."
"Well if you have heard of him, then you must know what kind of person he is. I have no desire to merge with that horrible demon."
Sesshomaru froze.
"You look surprised; I thought you said you knew of him."
"I supposed it is more I have heard his name mentioned, I know not his true nature. What is it that has caused you to believe he is a demon?"
"Well perhaps not literally, but what else could he be?" she asked with an unmistakable animosity dripping from her voice. "From the very beginning, years ago, that monster was responsible for the destruction of an entire family. His intent was to absorb a roofing company owned by two brothers and he did. His acts ruined those brothers, caused their father to die of a heart attack and their mother to die of a broken heart within six months of their father's death. But of course, none of that mattered, as long as he got what he wanted," she said, unable to contain her anger.
"If I could order a delay or even a halt on the trading of my shares, I would. But unfortunately, as far as I know only regulators, or authorized exchange floor managers or some similar authority can order such a halt," her eyes reflected her frustration and anger. "So unless you and your attorney's can have it done or come up with some alternative strategy, I am certain Balthazar will take action first thing Monday morning and I simply cannot allow that monster to own my company. But in truth, now that I think about it, I cannot help but wonder if it is me or you he is after."
"Do not get me wrong Sesshomaru-sama," she said lifting her long lashes to study him. "I have heard many negative things about you as well. But I do not believe I have heard anything as devastating as what I have heard of him. The man is absolutely perverted and ruthless. I do not want my company to end up in his hands."
Sesshomaru studied her. "What has your attorney Akimaru-san said?"
She took a deep breath, and brushed her hair back. "Akimaru-san is more a friend than a true corporate tiger," she sighed and reared back against her seat. "I know not if I believe he knows anything about true corporate law. It was not even through him that I heard of Balthazar," she revealed, looking at him intently. "I have a young friend in my network who knows of a male who apparently knows of someone in Balthazar's corporation. Apparently he loves her and knows she works for me and when he heard Balthazar's plans, he informed her immediately and she in turn came to me," Akatsuki-san sipped her sake once more. "After you and your company and now Balthazar, I cannot help but wonder if I have a traitor in my midst."
Sesshomaru did not understand why she would say that, he had not heard anything to indicate she had been betrayed. "I understand you do not wish to sell to him, but that does not explain why you do not wish to accept the terms my attorneys have proposed where you would be a managing partner in my corporation."
"That does not matter. Is it not sufficient that I do not?"
"No, it is not. Tell me why you will sell me to me, but you will not accept the position as CEO of my new Interior Design Division. And unlike what you said earlier, you would be a full partner."
"It is inconsequential, I simply wish to retire."
"Retire, but you are so young. Why would you wish to retire from the company you love so much? A month ago, you refused the merger because you did not wish to lose that company, now you are walking away completely. I must know why."
"I cannot."
"Akatsuki-san what is wrong?"
"Nothing, do not worry about it. It is personal."
"Is not Balthazar's attempts to take over your company personal as well?"
"Actually, that involves us both. If he buys my shares and then you buy my company then you would essentially…," she lowered her gaze.
"Akatsuki-san please tell me what…"
"If you do not mind, I am afraid that is something I do not wish to discuss," she interrupted him.
Sesshomaru could see the tears pool in her eyes as she wiped her fingers across them and fought to contain them.
"Is it because of that, that you have drunken so much sake this night?"
Her eyes widened as she looked up at him, then down at her glass, as if surprised that he had said such a thing. "That matters not," she said tightening her fingers around her glass as she diverted her gaze.
Sesshomaru knew not if his words had been a violation of protocol in this world; she had already walked out on him previously. He did not wish for that to happen again. So he decided to leave it at that.
Akatsuki-san's mannerisms during dinner had not escaped the former daiyoukai's observation, nor had they left his thoughts. Granted, he may well understand why she would not wish for Balthazar to gain control of her company, but her behavior spoke of a deeper concern. But did it truly, if Balthazar was at all like the one from his world, or if he had somehow managed to maintain his demonic power, is there any wonder Akatsuki-san as a mere human would fear him?
As they approached the exit to the restaurant, Sesshomaru could see she was becoming even more unsettled. In front of them was a cluster of individuals who seemed equally unsettled as they crowded the doorway.
"Oh no, it's pouring," she practically screeched, rushing up to peer through the glass paneled door.
In truth, that was an understatement, it was more a torrential whirlwind of water pounding against the door and exterior walls.
"It must be that T1112 they've been speaking about these past days," she said. "But I thought it wasn't going to be here until tomorrow."
"T1112?"
"You know, the typhoon, surely you've heard of it? Typhoon No. 12," she pushed her way past the throngs in front of her. "You know this means without our own drivers, we'll never get out of here."
"Why would you assume that?"
"Are you kidding, look at it," she waved her hand toward the downpour. "Getting a taxi is going to be impossible."
"Surely not impossible," he said, not understanding her concerns.
"Sesshomaru-sama, you amaze me," she said flashing her vibrant blues at him. "Sometimes you seem like a man completely out of his element. But I suppose that's because you've never been rained on," she closed her eyes completely for just a moment. "But of course not, the elements are not that foolish."
"But at any rate, is it not actually 'tomorrow'?" he asked diverting his gaze to an oversized clock near the entry. He had run into her shortly after 9 p.m. on Friday, now four hours later, it was shortly after 1 a.m. on Saturday morning.
She turned her head to follow his gaze. "No, they said lateSaturday. Surely it is not late in anyone's viewpoint. We are going to get drenched," she said in an almost panic. "I should never have come to you, nothing goes right in my life," Akatsuki-san grumbled.
"Akatsuki-san surely you do not believe this is an attack on you."
"And why not? I feel like I am cursed. The entire world is conspiring toward my defeat. First you, now Balthazar and then… and then…"
"The world is not conspiring against you," he said knowing his own life had not been pleasant of late.
"Well would that simply not depend on your frame of reference?"
"No, I do not believe it works that way," he said hoping to enliven her spirits. "Akatsuki-san, do not allow a little water to upset you so."
She was a powerful executive, but something beneath the surface had clearly rattled her. It was not his desire to see her fall apart. "If we cannot get a taxi, we can perhaps at least get a couple of rooms and wait until the 'typhon' has passed on." He had done that many times in his previous life, obtained shelter in a nearby cave. "Then, we can call our drivers to pick us up."
"Forgive me," she said lowering her gaze, but stiffening her shoulders. "You are correct, of course."
"I am sorry Taisho-sama," the front desk manager said regrettably. "But with the convention in town, we have only one spare room available."
"One room?"
"But it is a self-contained suite with a separate bedroom and living area which has its own futon for sleeping, if need be."
"What room is this?" Akatsuki-san asked.
"The honeymoon suite."
Sesshomaru noticed Akatsuki had gasped slightly and turned away. Did she know something about the potential quality of this room that he did not?
"Would you have a problem staying in this… 'honeymoon suite'?"
"Ahh," she began looking uncomfortable. "It should be fine. It is merely a room after all."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, it will be fine." Though the former youkai lord remained unconvinced.
"It has two separate rooms and a private ofuro so you will have no need to share the on-sen," the manager offered. "We can have it supplied and ready for you in a few minutes if you would like to take it."
"I am certain it will be fine," Sesshomaru said looking at Akatsuki-san who had not turned back toward them.
"Taisho-sama, if you do not mind a short wait, we can have the room fully stocked and supplied in 30 minutes. You can wait at the bar if you wish, we will send a bell person for you when your room is ready."
"Wonderful," Sesshomaru said taking Akatsuki's arm and heading toward the chateau bar area.
A/N: Wow, so Akatsuki-san came back to see Sesshomaru. And they went to dinner. I didn't think she'd ever do that again.
I've changed a lot of my original plans for this, the previous and the upcoming chapters, but I have always intended to have Akatsuki run into Sesshomaru in the lobby of his building to tell him what she had to tell him. But she seems to be concealing something far worse. What is this? She is never happy.
I must add that I hope the details of the scenes that will follow have changed for the better.
Are you kidding me, a honeymoon suite? But it is just a room, isn't it?
Chichi-ue - father
Daiyoukai - greater demon
Hanyou - half breed, half youkai, half human
Langoustine - scampi, is a slim, orange-pink lobster which grows up to 25 cm (10 in) long, and is "the most important commercial crustacean in Europe".
ofuro - bathroom
onsen - public hot spring water bathing room
Youkai – demon
