Home again

The sunlight streamed through the windows in that hazy way that only happens in winter. Stretching Mia took in her surroundings remembering that she had stayed the night at the Taisho household, in the bed of the oldest Taisho son no less. Looking around her she noticed he was gone, but on the couch next to her clothes was a bag and a slip of paper. Stepping out of bed and across the floor she picked up the slip and read.

'Go ahead and shower. Put these on, I'm pretty sure they're the right size.'

Smiling, Mia pawed through the bag to find a pair of jeans and a shirt with a picture of Woodstock on the front. At the bottom was a fresh pair of socks and a pair of black cotton boy short underwear with blue lace trim. "Sessh." She laughed. "Well at least they're the right size." She made sure she was alone then showered quickly and changed leaving her sleeping garb on the floor and depositing yesterday's clothes into the bag.

Coming down the stairs she smelled fresh coffee brewing and could hear Dropkick Murphys playing in the background. "Morning." Sesshomaru called from the kitchen. "The clothes fit I see."

"You didn't have to get me clothes, I could have gotten some from home later." She said sitting at the table.

"I know." He said pouring her a cup of coffee. "I thought you'd like the gesture. Besides I was up early anyway."

"Thank you." She sipped and yawned. "Are you doing anything important today?"

"I have to meet with Inuyasha about our parent's anniversary. It's on the fifteenth. We're going to have the party here, which is the other reason I wanted to have you help with decorations. Inuyasha hates putting things up, he'd rather look after it's done."

"Yeah that's what Kagome was saying." Mia looked into her cup and bit her lower lip. She didn't want to spend the day alone, but she didn't want Sesshomaru to feel obligated to her. "When are you taking me home?"

"Soon, I have things to do. Will you be all right?"

"Yeah, I should probably check on Kouga anyway he'll want to know if I'm okay." She smiled and stood, "I'm gonna go and get my coat."

He watched her leave as the phone rang. "Taisho residence."

"Sessh? That you?"

"Yes Inuyasha, what do you want?"

"We're still doing the planning for mom and dad right?"

"Of course, I'll be by in no more than an hour."

"An hour! What you busy trying on moms make-up or something?"

"Yes, little brother I'm secretly a drag queen by night." He laughed. "No I have to go meet with Michael."

"Michael? You mean Uncle Mikey?"

"Yes, I have a matter to discuss with him." He hung up without giving his brother a chance to question him. He'd tell him later on. Finishing his coffee he grabbed his own coat when he saw Mia descending the stairs. "Ready?"

"Ready."

Back at her apartment she deposited her dirty clothes into the hamper and called Kouga instantly.

"Hi you've reached Kouga Wolf, Sorry I missed your call. But if…"

Mia hung up the phone and huffed. "I know he's not working." She climbed out the window and up to Kouga's kitchen window. She opened the pane and slipped through. "Kouga?" She said walking in to the room. "Kouga, you home?" She heard a voice groan in recognition.

"Meh, who's there?"

"Ko it's me."

"Oh hey Mia." He stretched and yawned as he stepped through the door. "What you doing up here."

"Came to let you know I'm all right. I knew you'd worry." She watched as he moved to the counter to make coffee. "Sorry, I guess it's still early."

"What time did you get in?"

"I dunno, one maybe two." She felt bad lying to Kouga, but she didn't want him to get the wrong idea. "I had fun lost track a time."

"Good. What you doing today?" He said watching the coffee pot intensely

"Don't gotta work till tomorrow…probably get some groceries."

He leaned on the counter and scratched his head. "I gotta work, you okay on your own?"

"Yeah I'll call Sango to go with me or something. I'm pretty sure she said she had today off."

"Good luck getting her and Miroku apart, I hear it's pretty serious now." He said yawning again.

"Yeah, well I'm getting back downstairs…." A noise drew her attention to his room as she eyed the door suspiciously. "Um Ko?

"Um, Felix." He said. "Damn cat's always getting into things." He nervously scratched his head as a sleepy red haired girl stepped into view.

"Kouga," She yawned. "What's going on out here, you said you'd be…" She paused and blushed intensely. "Um Mia, hi."

"Ayame." Mia said in shock. "What are you…? What's going on?"

Ayame shifted from one foot to the other. Explaining what was going on was not easy. Although the fact that she was wearing one of Kouga's shirts and had just woken up in Kouga's bed was a pretty good explanation she felt she should say something. "I was looking for you, but you weren't home and…"

"And so you decided to sleep with my best friend instead, nice."

"Mia it's not like that." Kouga said as he whispered something to Ayame. She nodded and left back to the bedroom. "Look I've been kinda seeing Ayame for a while now."

"Oh and you just didn't tell me?" Mia said leaning on the counter.

"Well, not exactly, I wanted to be sure it was actually a relationship before I told anyone. I think Miroku is the only one I've said anything to." He paused. "I was gonna tell you really, you're my best friend. I wouldn't keep that from you."

"So," Mia said crossing her arms, "Do you love her?"

"Huh?"

"Do you love her? Ayame may be a pain in the ass when a show's going on, but damn it if she's not a friend and deserves a good man who cares for her." Behind the bedroom door Ayame smiled. She liked Mia, and was pleased to know she didn't just see her as a coworker.

"Mia of course I do, we only just decided to be together last night, we've been seeing each other off and on for months, but now it's just me and her together."

"So I take it you consummated the relationship?"

Kouga nodded. "I'm sorry I never told you. I shouldn't keep things form you."

"Yeah well I'm sorry too."

"You?" He said blinking. "Why?"

"I stayed with Sesshomaru last night." Kouga's eyes widened as he made to say something. "No, nothing happened, just let me finish. We decorated the house that much is true. But we sort of got close."

"How close?" Ayame asked stepping out of the door as Kouga gestured for her to come out.

"Real close." Mia said blushing. "We kissed, and then slept, not like had sex, but slept. He was a perfect gentleman."

"So you're happy then?" Kouga said calmly as he put his arm around Ayame.

"As long as you are too, Ko."

"I am." He said kissing Ayame softly on the cheek.

"Don't uh, go making a big deal about us yet okay." Ayame pleaded. "We want to be the ones to say it."

"Don't worry Aya. I wont tell if you don't." Mia said assuring her calmly. "Now you better be good to him."

"I will Mia, I promise."

"You too Kouga, she's my diva don't you dare break her heart before a show. I wont be wanting to redo her make-up every set change."

"No worries Mimi, I'll see you later all right?"

"Sure Ko, by Aya."

"Bye."

She made her way back down the fire escape and into her apartment. "Now to call Sango."

Somewhere across town Sesshomau Taisho stood in a warehouse elevator. A large man in a very expensive looking suit was standing by him. They didn't talk, didn't make eye contact. Socializing it seemed was not on the agenda. The lift stopped on the top floor, number 9.

Sesshomaru stepped off nodding to other suited men as he made his way to the office at the end of the hall. "Jake." He said kindly to the guy at the door.

"Sessh, it's been too long." He said smiling as he opened the door.

"It has. How you been?" He said walking in.

Jake followed behind him and stood by the door again, only now on the inside. "Svelte as ever."

"Sesshomaru Taisho." An older man standing by the window turned and smiled jubilantly. "My god, you look more like you'd papa every time I see you. How's he's doing any way? Treating my sister well I assume."

"Yes as always uncle." Sesshomaru said shaking his hand and sitting in the chair in front of the desk.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Michael said sitting and lighting a cigar. "Not that my nephew needs a reason to come see his favorite uncle."

"I need a favor." He said as he produced a large sum of bills. "I have the money, I just need your help."

Michael's eyes narrowed as he frowned slightly. "Sessh, I love you but what are you getting at?" Mike said tapping his ash into the tray. "I thought you wanted to stay outta this stuff."

"You've been looking for a reason to get rid of that fishy doctor Naraku Nomed right?"

"Yeah, what he leave a scalpel in ya after surgery?" Michael said laughing.

"He's abusing a woman, Kagome's sister Mia." Sesshomaru clenched his fist and set the money on the desk. "Make it happen."

"Mia?" Michael said frowning. "The red head from the wedding? Now why would a guy wanna go and harm a girl like that. She's sweet, wouldn't hurt a fly."

Sesshomaru nodded. "I know that's why it has to be done. I knew you'd understand."

Michael nodded. "Then I will take care of it. But take the money back kid you insult me." He said with laughter playing on his features. "You're family, I'll help you out." Michael smiled and set his cigar in the ashtray. "You uh, you like this Mia?"

"I care for her, and I don't want to see her hurt." He smiled himself. "I have to go meet Inuyasha." He stood and started to the door. "You're coming to the anniversary party?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

"Thanks Uncle Mike." Sesshomaru gave his uncle a one-armed hug and left with Jake in tow.

"So," Said Jake lighting a cigarette. "You need a hit on this fella? How bad is he?"

"Horrible." He said stepping into the lift. "He's not someone I don't want around this town, if he'll do it to Mia he'll do it to others."

"Stop being so righteous." Jake said as the lift came to the ground level. "You're doing it because you're worried about Mia. You don't want her hurt. I'd do the same for Theresa I just want you to know."

"Thanks Jake, promise you'll stay in touch more." He said stepping out the door into the cold wind.

"No problem Sessh. Dad'll take care of it. I'll see you at the party huh?"

"Yeah."