Inuyasha stared at the people around him, god this was boring. Why did he even come? Oh, right, Kayede would skin his hide if he didn't. Speaking of maids, he had to wonder how Kagome was doing. She was still putting up with him; he had to give the bitch credit, though he'd never admit it out loud. If he was to admit it out loud it would give her the upper hand, and he wasn't about to let that happen.
"So Inuyasha, what is your perspective on the matter?" asked a voice to his left.
Inuyasha snapped his eyes open, looking around for any indication about what the topic had been. He looked at Sesshomaru, the fucking bastard was smirking. He looked around again at the curious gazes locked on him, "Um…I'd have to say that is more of Sesshomaru's expertise," was all he could manage.
The group turned towards Sesshomaru who was now frowning at Inuyasha's obvious escape. Looking at everyone else Sesshomaru sipped his wine, "I would have to say the economic growth would triple if given the proper resources and learning capabilities, but our company is a corporation, not a charity."
"True, though unless they find someone to fund them, they will surely go under," said another gentleman.
Another sipped his own wine and smiled, "Which is good business for the rest of us."
The others laughed, while Inuyasha tried not to gag. They were all so conniving, almost waiting for someone else to fail just to gain a few extra pounds in the their pockets. Inuyasha was a lot of things, a player, a womanizer and a few other unmentionables but he could never be called a backstabber.
Soon the group left in order to continue their group circulation with other 'less worthy people', eventually leaving Inuyasha and Sesshomaru alone, "Damn it, Sesshomaru, how do you do it?"
Sesshomaru sipped his wine, "With an abnormal amount of alcohol," was all he said.
Inuyasha looked at his empty glass, looking up he saw a waiter. Flagging him down he motioned for more wine, "How much longer till this thing is over?"
Sesshomaru took another sip, "Two hours and thirty-seven minutes."
"Damn," Inuyasha took a long drink, empting the glass completely. He flagged over another waiter, waiting till the glass was full before pulling it away.
"Inuyasha!" came a voice from across the room.
He stopped mid sip. He looked up to see Sesshomaru cringing while scrunching up his nose.
"Shut up Sesshomaru," Inuyasha barked.
Soon pale arms were wrapping themselves around Inuyasha's middle. Bright red lips placed themselves on Inuyasha's cheek, "I've missed you."
Inuyasha turned around, ignoring the icy cold feeling now coating his cheek, "Hello Kikyo," she was wearing a tight fitting black dress with a front that hung down past her breasts, revealing a little to much if she moved in the wrong way. The back seemed to be decorated in the same fashion, covering almost none of her milky white back. The slit on her sides also went up past her thighs, flashing her creamy legs to any observers. On her face rested a fancily decorated black mask with red and white feathers perfectly placed.
"A little revealing isn't it?" was all Inuyasha could manage.
She smirked, "Well baby, I knew it would make you happy," she moved on her toes to whisper something in his ear, "besides, don't you want everyone to know what you have and they don't?"
She licked the shell of his ear with her tongue, trying to turn him on, but was interrupted by a growl. Kikyo turned towards Sesshomaru, "Aw, jealous?"
"Hardly, I don't date whores," he took another sip of wine.
"She's not a whore Sesshomaru," spoke Inuyasha rather fiercely.
"Hn," was the only thing that came out of Sesshomaru's mouth, he looked back over at Kikyo, "She dresses like one."
Kikyo scowled, "Whatever Sesshomaru, this is the latest look among all the stars. Just last week Jennifer Aniston was wearing something just like this to a premier."
"Yet on you it still looks like it was designed for a whore," Sesshomaru took another drink, dismissing the conversation.
Inuyasha growled, "If you cannot speak nicer to my girlfriend then leave Sesshomaru."
"Glad to be dismissed" he turned around but stopped suddenly. Turing back to Kikyo he smirked, "and Kikyo, try not to sleep with to many people on the wait staff. They are getting paid by the hour after all, wouldn't want them to get confused or anything."
"Why you-" started Kikyo but was cut off by a voice.
"Oh, there you are Inuyasha."
Inuyasha turned around to see one of the last people he wanted to see tonight, "Maten, what can I do for you."
"Maten? Maten of the CIA?" asked a very disturbed Kikyo.
Inuyasha turned to face Kikyo. What? She knew who Maten was? How was that? "You know who he is?"
Kikyo's face gained back a bit of its color, "I've just heard through reputation. You work to capture the Black Widows don't you?"
"How-how did you know that? The Black Widows are not known of throughout the public," stated Maten.
"I have some friends who work in the CIA, that's all. I told you, I had heard of you through reputation, though never had the pleasure to meet you," she quickly answered.
"Knowledge of the Black Widows is limited, even thought the CIA, you will find very few who know of them. Tell me, who is it you know?" he asked skeptically.
"If I told you I don't believe they would want to be my friend to much longer," was her sharp reply. It was a cold silence, tension adding up by the second.
"Inuyasha, glad to see that you are actually mingling," came an overly happy Miroku. He stepped forwards then looked throughout the circle. He sighed, "Oh dear," was all he said.
"Where are Sesshomaru and Kouga, I need to speak with you four," said Maten while looking around the room quickly.
Inuyasha scanned the vicinity as well, "I don't know where Kouga is but last I saw Sesshomaru he was heading over to the wine tasting table," he said briefly.
Maten nodded his nearly bald head and quickly walked over to the white linen table covered with various wine bottles.
"Inu-baby," spoke Kikyo while drawing small circles on Inuyasha's chest with the tips of her fingers, "why is Maten here?" she pressed her body up against his own.
"We might have a bit of Black Widow trouble, but nothing we cannot handle, of that I assure you," he spoke smugly.
"Kikyo, could you please get me some more wine? I cannot find the waiter who is caring around the Barbeito 1795 Terrantez Madeira anywhere," asked Miroku.
She scowled, "I'm not your servant Miroku."
"Correct, but I need to speak with Inuyasha about boring business matters and figured you wouldn't want to stay for that. So please, if you could find the waiter I would be extremely happy," he raised his glass.
She snatched it out of his hands, and walked away, searching the room.
Miroku turned back towards his best friend, "Why are you still with her?"
Inuyasha crossed his arms defiantly, "Who I am with isn't any of your business Miroku."
"I thought you were going to toss her out, I thought we had talked about this Inuyasha," said Miroku unwaveringly.
"I was…I changed my mind ok, so get over it. All three of you are going to have to start showing her some respect," he looked at his friend, daring the man to argue.
"Inuyasha…fine, date her, but don't talk about work in front of her alright. At least promise me that, and I'm putting an emphasis on the Black Widows," he grabbed a nearby glass and took a sip. Shaking his head he frowned in disappointment, "Still not as good as the 1795."
"Why not? What does she care?" asked Inuyasha.
Miroku looked up, "I didn't like how she was asking questions, something just felt off about it. Just promise me ok?"
"Alright, I promise," he said quietly.
"Promise what mutt face?"
Inuyasha turned around to see Kouga with two classy yet still scandalously clad girls attached to him, "Shut up wolf meat."
"Inuyasha, Kouga, we are in a public place. Knock it off," spoke Sesshomaru from behind them casually.
Kouga brushed the two women off as they each walked away pouting, "Well maybe if he wasn't messing with my woman night and day I wouldn't be so angry."
Inuyasha smirked, "Your woman huh? Didn't know you'd grown an attachment to someone. Tell me Kouga, who was it I was able to take from you again?"
"I'm talking about Kagome you idiot, Kayede says you've been working her to the bone," growled Kouga.
"Kagome? That bitch? What do you want with her?" asked Inuyasha almost wearily.
"Sesshomaru, Kouga, Inuyasha, Miroku," said Maten as he walked up to the bickering group. "I wanted to inform you that we have complete surveillance around the ballroom. Throughout the ceilings and windows, on many of the wait staff as well are small cameras virtually undetectable to the human eye. Many of my agents are here as well. If the Black Widows show up, there is no way we can miss them."
Sesshomaru turned towards Maten, "Are the doors being watched as well?"
"Of course," answered Maten proudly, "All the entrances are heavily guarded by handpicked soldiers specially trained for dealing with the Widows. Now, if you would, please stay in plain sight at all times, and if anything happens please find me or one of my men immediately. I have to finish the final surveillance sweep now, but I will be back soon."
The four billion heirs watched the man leave, his three hairs bobbing towards the kitchen entrance. "Do you think they will actually show up?" asked Kouga.
"Your guess is as good as mine," answered Miroku.
Sesshomaru sighed, "I have to go, I was in the middle of a conversation when Maten pulled me away, that and I don't wish to be in your inferior company longer then necessary," and with his usually farewell insult, Sesshomaru was gone.
"Why does he have to be such an ass?" asked Kouga.
"I think he enjoys it," said Miroku wisely.
"Ya, he's been a sadistic bastard all his life," said Inuyasha.
"Whatever, I'm off, I have to find those two beauties I was with earlier. I have to settle for something since my woman isn't here," Kouga gave a wolfish grin and was off.
Inuyasha and Miroku turned to each other, though Inuyasha seemed rather off, "What could he ever see in that bitch? She's annoying, demanding, bossy, has no respect for those better than her and-"
"Inuyasha, if you like her that much maybe you should ask her out?" said Miroku teasingly.
"What? I do not like that wench!" he yelled.
A couple turned around to face him curiously, but he paid no head to their stairs, he was too preoccupied with what Miroku had suggested. That woman was nothing but a nuisance; he sure as hell didn't like her. He had had Kikyo; he didn't need anyone, especially that damn woman. Then it hit him, Miroku was alone, he didn't have a woman on his normally occupied arms. He hadn't tried to grab a woman once tonight, he hadn't even looked! "Are you sick?"
"Excuse me?" asked Miroku, with his eyebrow raised.
"It just hit me, your drinking…by yourself," he said skeptically.
"Oh, well, I just didn't feel like being here with anyone tonight," said Miroku while taking another sip of his wine.
"Right, what's really up?" asked Inuyasha.
"I just, I just haven't been attracted to anyone else since…since Sango," his voice was laced with defeat.
"Sango? Whose Sango?"
Miroku took another sip then glanced around the room, "She's one of your new maids. I don't know why but, every time I look at another woman Sango smacking me is suddenly all I can think about."
"That's a little strange Miroku, even for you," was all Inuyasha had to say.
"That's not what I meant. Every time I get close to her she smacks me senseless, it's maddening," he sighed, then after a long pause he spoke, "I better go mingle."
Inuyasha watched as Miroku walked off, shoulders slightly slumped. The way Miroku was acting, the downcast way you would hear about in corny movies, why didn't he feel that way? Why was it when Kikyo was not in the same room with him he was fine? Why didn't he feel the overwhelming need to be with her at all times? Why didn't he pull out his hair when she was gone for to long? Wasn't that what it was supposed to feel like?
"Beautiful aren't they?"
Inuyasha swiftly turned around, trying to catch the gentle voice of the woman behind him. When he did his heart literally stopped for a split moment in time. She was a goddess in waiting. Wearing a black dress that fit her body perfectly she looked stunning, almost as if walking down a runway. It was a black strapless gown that fit her like she was born in it. With a black pair of gloves and a perfectly matched four-inch blood red bow tied around at the back, with the ends gracefully folding within her dress leaving a trail of blood red to touch the ground. Her mask was simple yet elegant, a black base color with dark blood red gems surrounding its edges. In her hair he could make out the faintest findings of the same red gems strategically placed throughout her perfectly curled hair which resided on the top of her head in an up do he knew he'd never be able to name.
He watched her lips as she smiled, those ruby red lips that made him want to melt, "The violins, wasn't that what you were listening to?"
"The violins?" he managed.
The angel smiled again, "Yes, you were facing their direction, with your eye's closed as if in deep thought. Allegro Aperto, one of Mozart's pieces if memory serves."
She smiled again, his knees almost gave way, "Yes, I do believe that it what they are playing. Mind if I ask, what is your name?"
She gave a small giggle and Inuyasha felt his heart pound. He had cause that, he had been the cause of that wonderful laughter, "I don't think I am going to tell you that just yet."
He smirked, "And why is that?"
"Because my name is something very few know, and I just met you," she said while still smiling.
He smiled and held out his hand, "Would you care to dance?"
She gently placed her own gloved hand in his smooth grasp, "I think I can manage that for now."
He gracefully led her out to the dance floor, twirling her around with ease. Pulling her back in he let out a small smile as they waltzed, "Are you new in town, I've never seen you here before?"
"Oh yes, I'm just here for work, then I leave," she answered calmly.
He twirled her closer, "I don't think I like that idea very much."
She smirked, "I would think you of all people wouldn't."
"And why is that?" he dipped her gracefully, loving how elegantly she could manage the move.
"Because you are the reason I'm here at this ball Inuyasha," she smiled and continued to dance.
"Me?" he was confused now, why would she be here for him…unless, "Shadow."
"Glad to see you have been properly informed, at least Maten can do one thing right, of course that's about it," she smiled as he twirled her to him.
"What do you want?" he asked rigidly.
"Oh, you're so cold now. What happened to the man who asked me to dance?" she smirked.
"Why are you here?" he asked again.
"For your fathers sword silly. It's rather valuable," she smiled.
"So this has nothing to do with revenge?" he asked, glancing around the room for any sign of Maten's men.
"Very perceptive of you, did you figure that one out all on your own?"
"You'll never get it," Inuyasha looked around again, trying to spot one of the cameras so they could gain a good picture of her. Even with the mask on, maybe they could find something to identify her.
"That's what they all say…right before I rob them," the final stroke in the last violin was played and the two stopped. As soon as they did a loud clapping noise echoed throughout the arena. Inuyasha looked up to see half of the guess staring at both him and Shadow. Apparently their dancing was amazing, if this didn't get anyone's attention nothing would.
He looked down as she pulled her gloved hand out of his hold, "I'll be seeing you around Inuyasha. Say hello to the others for me," the crowd surrounded her and she was gone, leaving no trace that she had even been there.
That was no angel. No, that was one of the ones that had fallen. That was a demon in disguise.
As soon as the crowd left Inuyasha scanned the entire room, desperate to find anything that could help him. Anyone, hell he would take Sesshomaru right now. Wait, guards, Maten had said that their were guards at every entrance. Heading towards the back he looked for a door. He was disappointed when no one was standing there but decided they had to be on the other side. Opening the door he was stopped in his tracks. In the middle of the alley were seven full grown CIA specially trained agents unconscious on the ground while gagged and tied up with garbage ties.
Slamming the door he headed towards the kitchen entrance. Hurtling over the wait staff and various busboys he opened the side door, once again appalled. Three were tied up to a light stand while a pair of boots, which were undoubtedly attached to someone, were hanging over the trashcan. Two were sprawled out over a car and one was face first in a pile of trash. All were unconscious.
"Damn," Inuyasha walked out of the room, having no clue what to do. Heading back into the ballroom Inuyasha grabbed a chair out from under a random person and slouched down.
Miroku came running up to him, panting and out of breath, "Inuyasha, Maten thinks they are here. He just found two of his security personnel in a broom closet. Inuyasha? Are you listening to me? This is serious!"
With that Miroku turned around, giving up on his friend temporarily, and went to find the others. Inuyasha reached over and pulled a waiter down to his level, "I want a drink, now."
"Yes Sir," the man ran off, knowing by now to never ask questions.
"Inuyasha, you mutt, why aren't you moving?" Kouga was there now, with Miroku right behind him, "Maten isn't getting a reading from any of the men he had on the balcony or surrounding buildings, and the computers connected to all the camera's have crashed. Everything they may have gotten was destroyed. Are you listening dog breath?"
"Inuyasha, we need to scout the area, get up," said a furious Sesshomaru. He was practically yelling, and if Inuyasha had been even the slightest bit aware of anything aside from the conversation he had just minutes ago he might of cared.
The waiter Inuyasha had grabbed before was back with an empty glass and a bottle of wine in his hands, "Here you go sir, would you like me to pour you a glass?"
"Sure," was Inuyasha's only reply.
The man left and Inuyasha took a sip of his drink. "Are you listening Inuyasha? They are here, we need to find them, we need to figure out what they are wearing so we can tell Maten's remaining men," yelled Kouga at the silver haired man.
Inuyasha placed down his drink, "Well I don't know about the other two but Shadow is wearing a black dress with a blood red bow tied around the middle," he lifted his glass again and took another drink.
The three surrounding men froze, "You talked to her?"
"Ya, and she said to say hi," he took another drink.
A lone figure sat on top of a building, thoroughly enjoying the view. It was late out, almost two in the morning, and the streets were beautifully lit. On the high balcony she could vaguely make out the people walking below, oblivious to what was above them. She crossed her legs, placing an arm on one of the statues to her left, the moon was beautiful tonight, "Did you two have fun?"
A figure came out from the shadows, she was dressed in a black dress with sequins all around it, "Please, I was crashing computer systems like that when I was seven, did they actually think that a simple system like that would stop me?"
Shadow smiled at Virus, "Maten always was an idiot. Amazon, what about you?"
Another figure, dressed in a long black gown was by her side as well, "I can't believe he thought those men would stop me. Why is it that government's think that more men means success? It's quality, not quantity."
Shadow smiled again, "You two still didn't answer my question, did you have fun?"
Virus laughed, "I sure as hell did, who knew the rich could drink so much? And crashing Maten's computers only to upload a second virus which will enable me to hack into every and all files on their system, damn, I can't wait till the moron discovers that one."
Amazon smirked, "I guess tonight was fun, but I was surprised to see Miroku alone. From the way he treats me at work you would think he'd have his own groupies. What about you Shadow, have any fun?"
"I guess I did, in a weird sort of way," standing up Shadow smiled at her friends, "Ready to start playing?"
Amazon smirked, "Now here comes the fun part of the job, watching them squirm."
Firevixen73-Sorry about the horribly long update, school as we all know is murder. So that 1795 wine I used earlier, I looked it up because I wanted to use something authentic, it's $3,500 a bottle. I couldn't believe it. And I really wasn't trying to make Inuyasha or Sesshomaru look like drunks, I just couldn't think of anything else for them to be doing. This was mainly a chapter for Inuyasha to officially meet Shadow, so nothing huge here. So I hope you all like it, please review.
Also, yes that is Kikyo's character. I personally don't have anything against her, ok, I personally don't have much against her, but I needed her to be that character for the plot to work. Hope you all like, and please review.
