A/N: I really do apologize for the late update! Between school, life, and my internship I've managed to eek out time for this story. The chapter's been ready for a month and a half but I haven't gotten around to posting because I was waiting for my beta. Needless to say it's here now so all is good. I have been busy however with side projects. I regularly update a drabble series ("Communication") and have managed to post some un-betaed oneshots and contest stories up. Check them out if you want.
Anyway, no more stalling: here's chapter 11!
Chapter 11: Golden Week
Sesshomaru walked out of his boardroom with his chief press secretary Honda-san walking behind him. Taking a look at the documents in his hands he nodded to Ayame and she paged the security guards and workers downstairs to indicate that Sesshomaru was on his way. He sighed as he got into the elevator with Ayame and Honda-san. As soon as this was done the company was shutting down for the day and the executives who had to stay overtime to work on the launch of the new smartphone would be allowed to go home and spend the remainder of the day with their families. Though today technically was still a workday, Sesshomaru had always had a policy of giving his employees the full week off. It made no sense to have them work two or three days during Golden week. Tomorrow, however the true holiday would start and he like his employees was going to enjoy it with people he liked. He was going to the shrine, where he and Rin had become frequent and welcome visitors, and spend time with the Higurashis. The elevator opened and he walked out taking long confident strides towards the room where the press was waiting. Approaching the stage where a table had been set up he took a seat, Ayame on his right, and Honda-san on his left waiting until the commotion died down before speaking up.
"Taisho Corporations is releasing our newest gadget." He paused then reached next to him and picked up a phone from the table. "This ladies and gentleman is the Firestorm, Taisho's Corps. newest smartphone. It has 3GB of storage, is exclusively 3G, and sleek. This product is made for the average office worker." He turned to Honda-san who gaged the audience and nodded his head to allow questions.
"Taisho-sama, I'm from the Osaka Daily. What features make this phone so much more accessible to the average office worker?" Sesshomaru let his press secretary answer that.
"This smart phone is smaller than most smart phones. What we have done is eliminate some features on the phone such as unlimited music and access to gaming applications. This phone instead offers in that place unlimited data plans with our shared connection with Cell-Japan and also includes access and storage of e-mails. Our phone has also been equipped with technology that allows face-to face conferencing."
The reporter nodded satisfied with the answer. Sesshomaru himself was glad that the reporter seemed satisfied. He would have had to step in if she began asking more questions and he wasn't prepared to handle this press as well as Honda-san was. Honda-san was Sesshomaru's oldest and most trusted confidante. He had worked under his father and was Sesshomaru's godfather. Another reporter was picked.
"Honda-san, or Taisho-sama, I am Shinichi Watanabe from Technology Digest. What makes this phone better than the rivals?" Sesshomaru didn't hesitate to answer.
"Watanabe-san," he addressed, "the phone comes with unlimited data plans and unlike other smart phones that only deliver specifically configured e-mails, this phone allows you to access all e-mails and prioritize them according to importance. For example," here he held up the phone again, "an e-mail from my secretary could pop up red at the top of screen while an e-mail from my friends would pop up on the screen in a different color and would be noted as not urgent."
"But are you sure the market will be up to buying this Taisho-sama?" Once again Sesshomaru let Honda-san answer that question.
"When we first came up with the idea to make a phone targeted to the regular office worker we gaged the market to see what they would and would not like. Once we realized what the market wanted we acted on it. We believe the phone will be received well in the markets."
Another reporter raised their hands and when Sesshomaru saw who it was he grimaced inside. Touran and her newspaper Nippon no Times was notorious for ripping apart his company's press releases. It was good because it always forced him to be one step ahead but answering her questions sometimes made him hope that certain releases wouldn't fail.
"Touran, why don't you go?" Honda-san called. He cast a quick glance at Sesshomaru and the young man understood. Better to get this done with now than put if off for later.
"Thank you." Touran was well respected in the journalist circles and she easily launched into her question without complaint. She wasn't known as the best for nothing. "If you don't mind me asking Golden Week is a rather odd time to be launching the press release. Why are you releasing this now instead of two weeks later as the product was supposed to be launched? Does it have something to do with Shikon International?"
Shikon International was Hakudoshi's firm. Sesshomaru paused as he thought of how to answer Touran's question. He also wanted to know who leaked the press release dates to her. Knowing Ayame would get to the bottom of that, he spoke.
"Yes this press release has things to do with Shikon International. We want to reassure customers that our brand and line of products still retain the same quality they have always had. What we also would like to say however is that the company thought releasing the phone during Golden Week would be beneficial because the average office worker would have time to look at the phone and interact with it now more so than at any other time during the year. And even if sales for the phone do no peak the first few weeks, we are confident that the publicity around the new phone will help its sales."
It seemed the reporters wanted more and so the trio on the makeshift stage silently listened and answered the questions thrown at them. Finally, an hour into the press conference and many questions about the technology, market sales, and production of the phone later, Honda-san closed the deal. When they were all safely back up in Sesshomaru's office he offered the younger man a smile.
"I think it went well."
"Hn." Sesshomaru did have to admit that the conference had gone better than he had expected. Except for the one question from Touran all the others had been relatively easy to answer and otherwise not infringing on the company's sovereignty.
"Well then, I'm going to go home." Honda-san paused and assessed his god-son once more. "Are you sure you don't want to spend Golden Week at our place Sesshomaru?" Sesshomaru hesitated in answering. He wanted to say no but knowing his godfather and the fact that he'd been avoiding answering the question all week meant he had to be truthful and give him the answer. With a grimace he did just that.
"I am spending Golden Week with my girlfriend's family."
"Girlfriend?" Ayame, who had watched the conversation discreetly up till now sneaked out of the room without the two men noticing her disappearance. Sighing Sesshomaru answered.
"She was my lawyer during Rin's custody case." He somehow didn't feel like elaborating. Kagome was private; she was something he didn't want his godfather knowing about until they got more intimate. However at the same time he knew that it was only fair that Honda-san at least know what Kagome was to him. It seemed his godfather understood because he ended the topic with his next sentence.
"Let me meet her one day." With another nod he left the office. Sesshomaru himself resigned to his desk. He had some papers to look over and grab before he left. Grabbing them and organizing them he stood up to leave noting that he was the last person in the office to do so. With a happier countenance he left the room.
When he arrived at the shrine Rin and Shippo were running around the shrine grounds with the puppy he'd gotten her. Rin had decided to name the puppy Ewen, he didn't know where she got the name but considering it was a better choice than any others he thought she might suggest he acquiesced to it. He watched as Kagome came up and joined them ignoring the fact that he should probably announce his presence first. Souta walked out of the house and waved to him which Sesshomaru replied to with a nod. Clearing his throat Sesshomaru caught the attention of the trio playing with the dog. Rin and Kagome immediately stopped the game and ran forward to greet him, Ewen nipping at their heels. Kagome kissed him in greeting and then giggled when she heard Shippo's chorus of "ew" behind her.
"We saw your conference." Kagome announced after breaking away from him. "You did a good job."
"Thank you." He gave Rin a pat on the head and looked to Kagome in exasperation. Rin had her arms wrapped tight around his leg and he doubted he could walk with her attached to his leg. It wasn't Kagome however, but Souta who saved him.
"Rin, how about we go inside and tell Grandma to get tea ready? Also I think Shippo needs help with his carps." The girl immediately nodded her head and gave Sesshomaru's leg one more tight squeeze before running away in the direction of the house. Kagome giggled watching her disappear into the house with Shippo and Souta. She loved to see Rin so happy.
"Is Rin celebrating Children's Day with you all?" Kagome blinked up at Sesshomaru. She hadn't realized what Souta's words had meant until now. She supposed that she really should have asked Sesshomaru before making assumptions about who Rin was going to spend time with on that day. What if Sesshomaru had had something planned and she'd gone and screwed it up? Sesshomaru sensed her distress and gently brushed some of his hair behind his ears nervously trying to explain.
"I had just assumed that you would like to spend the day with your family."
"Well, you're spending the week with us, why wouldn't you spend that day too?" She asked. He realized how absurd he must have sounded but to him Children's Day was always a little special. It was the one day his parents always spent with him and Inuyasha. It was also the only day at all last year that both Kagura and Naraku had spent time with their daughter. Seeing that Kagome was still impatiently waiting for a reply, he answered her.
"This was the only day last year in which Rin's parents were both there to celebrate." And suddenly Kagome understood why that particular day was so important to both him and Rin.
"Do you think it'll bother her?" She asked carefully measuring her words. She wanted to know if Kagura wanted to spend this time with her daughter. If it was, it was only polite that she invited the lady to the shrine tomorrow.
"Kagura has decided to visit Okinawa." Sesshomaru answered stiffly clearly not pleased with her decision. Naraku however, he didn't mention, something that Kagome noted. Sesshomaru knew what his friend was up to, had known since Kagura had complained to him, and had lost respect for his longtime friend as a result of it. Today, he'd flown out with his new girlfriend to Singapore. Sesshomaru had heard from Naraku that he was planning on proposing to her. The thought sickened him but he didn't tell Kagome. She didn't need to worry about it yet.
"Okay, why don't we go inside?" Taking his hand Kagome led him inside the house. As usual, he walked into the living room and took a seat next to her grandfather. Sesshomaru had only just sat down however when Mrs. Higurashi came in and welcomed him.
"Sesshomaru!" She answered smiling. "We saw your conference." He knew she meant to congratulate him and he took the praise wholeheartedly.
"Thank you." She smiled once more before asking another question.
"I know this may seem silly, but we were wondering if you'd spend the night here. It's just it seems pointless to send you home every night for the next three days when you're going to be celebrating with our family. Shippo's currently in the guest room but we could easily put Rin there as well. And I was thinking that you and Kagome could share her old room." Besides him he heard Kagome sputter and had to admit that the level of trust Mrs. Higurashi placed in him was strong. But the chance to tease Kagome for a bit was even more appealing.
"I'd like that. If you want, I'll go home and bring some clothes over."
"Of course Sesshomaru, why don't you go ahead now? If you hurry you'll be back for dinner."
"Hn." Standing up, he smirked at Kagome and took his leave.
Later that night, as Sesshomaru left the guest bedroom where Rin was sleeping, he ran into Kagome. She blushed before pointing towards her door.
"I, uh, if you want to go to bed your stuff's in that room- that's mine." He nodded and then sighed before coming up with a suggestion to put her at ease.
"If you want, I can sleep on the sofa tonight." Kagome blinked and then sighed. She wasn't really uncomfortable sharing a bed with Sesshomaru; but she was uncomfortable sharing it under these circumstances. She reached forward and took his hand not wanting to have this conversation in the middle of the hallway. Once safely inside her room she decided to talk with him.
"I'm sorry I seem skittish." Kagome began with a blush, "It's just that I feel weird knowing my family is right outside that door." She wasn't sure how to word it but he understood and the understanding showed in his face when he took a few steps closer to her. Just like how he wanted to protect his privacy from his godfather for now, Kagome wanted to protect her privacy for a bit.
"It's okay." He answered giving her a chaste kiss. He felt her relax and smiled a little. He'd had a rather trying week and as much as he wanted to spend the night just talking with Kagome he couldn't. He was just too tired.
"This reminds me of your first visit to my apartment." She whispered leading him to the bed. He quirked a brow wondering what she meant. Giggling Kagome continued with her answer.
"Well, you were dead tired that night and just fell asleep in my living room. You're really tired today too." He huffed in response before pushing her to the bed and pulling up the comforter once they were comfortable. He was too tired right now and so all he could do really was grab her waist and snuggle into her shoulder for a good night's sleep.
"Good night Sesshomaru."
"Hn."
Kagome woke up the next morning because something was nudging her and trying to squeeze into her side. Finally giving in, she peeked an eye open and saw Rin clinging to her. Blinking she wondered if Shippo had also come into the room and then smiled when she saw him standing by the bed. Giving him a wave was all the encouragement he needed to climb into bed with her. He tried to find a way around Rin but when he realized there wasn't another way he just curled up next to her. All the moving however had woken up Sesshomaru. He moved his head to her shoulder wondering what all the commotion was about and let out a sigh seeing the two additional occupants.
"Morning." Kagome whispered careful to not wake up Rin who she thought had now fallen asleep again.
"Hn." He wasn't going to lie- there was something about this moment that was a little too special. Rin and Shippo curled up against Kagome like she was their mother and him watching over them like a father would. The thought scared him a little because even though he was ready to be a father to Rin he wasn't sure if he was ready to be a husband to anyone yet. Still it did feel nice to have someone by his side when he woke up. Sesshomaru wasn't a stranger to relationships and he'd had women in his bed before. Some of them were just one-time guests but there were a few who were there quite often- when he was in serious relationships. Sighing, he pushed those thoughts out of his head for now and slowly tried to get out of bed without waking up Rin. He didn't succeed however, immediately altering him to the fact that his goddaughter had been faking sleep.
"Morning Papa Sess!" Rin stated before giving Kagome the same greeting. Kagome giggled, but replied to her and nudged both her and Shippo awake. They reluctantly sat up in bed and Kagome soon followed suit.
"Rin, did you brush your teeth?" Sesshomaru asked carefully looking at her. If she had he would probably send her down to breakfast and freshen up himself to follow her. Rin giggled but shook her head. Kagome idly raised an eyebrow towards Shippo and he shook his head as well. Sighing, she got out of bed and took hold of the kids' hands.
"How about this. We'll go brush our teeth and Sesshomaru can brush his- then all of us can head downstairs to breakfast okay?" The kids nodded and soon Kagome was out the door with the two children in tow.
Twenty minutes later the four arrived into a bustling dining room. Mrs. Higurashi was busy serving Ayame, Souta, and Kagome's Grandfather when they arrived. Kagome immediately went to help her mother out. With Ayame being pregnant Souta had taken to watching over her like a hawk. Kagome couldn't help but smile at that; her brother and his wife were such a loving couple. She grabbed the eggs her mother handed to her and approached the table intent on serving them to Rin and Shippo. The kids grimaced- they'd wanted the French Toast- but took some nonetheless. Turning, she served Sesshomaru as well before disappearing back into the kitchen for more food. When she did she noticed her mother busy at the stove and paused. Her mother had always been like this, serving a bustling family even while running a household by herself. While her mom did have her grandfather to help her take care of the kids, she had to work hard to make the financial situation stable after her father had left. And yet Kagome could hardly remember a time when she'd seen a frown on her mother's face.
"Kagome." Her mother called. "Are you free dear?" Nodding, she stepped forward wondering what it was her mother wanted. Her mother handed her a plate with a piece of French Toast.
"Split this between Rin and Shippo would you? I'm afraid as much as they want to eat an entire slice, they wouldn't be able to."
"I will." She walked back to the dining room and was surprised at how at home everything looked. Sesshomaru and Rin looked like they belonged at the dining table with the rest of her family, they blended in almost perfectly. With a large smile on her face, she put the plate with French Toast in front of the kids and then cut in half.
"Here's what- you both get to eat half of this piece of toast. If after that you are still hungry then we'll get more okay?" Shippo seemed a little put out but nodded. This was his grandmother's house and he had a feeling his grandmother had given those instructions. There was no way he could break those. Giving them a smile Kagome stood up to go back to the kitchen and help her mother.
"Need help with anything?" Her mother looked up at her and then at the pan next to her. Kagome followed her glance to the pan and went to stand by her mother. Together, mother and daughter finished making breakfast together.
Later that day, the carps were hung and the kids were running around the shrine grounds with Rin's puppy Ewen. Souta and Ayame sat by the house watching the children run around and lost in their own world. Grandpa was inside taking a nap and Mrs. Higurashi was making dinner, shooing everyone away when they offered to help her. Sighing, Kagome sank against the Goshinboku and Sesshomaru took a seat next to her, causally throwing an arm around her in the process. With a smile, she settled into him and watched the kids.
"I was wondering if you were free Friday night?" Sesshomaru asked. This year, Golden Week celebrations had landed on a Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday so most restaurants were still open on Friday while the major offices still remained closed. Kagome looked up at him wondering why he was asking that but didn't find an answer.
"If I am free?" She posed asking questions of her own. He scoffed at her response before telling her what he planned.
"I was wondering if you would like to go out to dinner."
The two of them hadn't really been on a true date since their first one. The other times they had met as a couple, only two times if Kagome counted right, were just lunch meetings. Usually, both were rushed a little during those since they both had work to get done. Now, she giggled excited at the prospect of actually going on a real date again. It had been awhile since they had just spent time together and enjoyed each other's company.
"Where are we going?" She asked making herself more comfortable in his embrace.
"Ginta's place is my favorite restaurant. Of course, if you want we could go somewhere else."
He not only suggested Ginta's because he felt comfortable there but also because he was always guaranteed good service and food every time he visited. It was also a place Kagome liked and now that Ginta had been told of Kagome's shellfish allergy Sesshomaru knew she would have more options to choose from. He watched the kids silently while waiting for a response. If it came down to it he wouldn't mind changing restaurants but something just told him that Ginta's might be a good choice.
"I'd like that Sesshomaru." She stated before giggling and pulling away to go play with the kids.
Friday was weird simply because she was getting ready for a date with Sesshomaru at her house. But when she was ready, so was he and when she came downstairs he was waiting there for her. Rin was sad that the two weren't going to be there with her but Mrs. Higurashi had explained to her that the two adults needed some time to themselves. She didn't like it but she accepted it. Kagome had told her earlier that she might read her a bedtime story if she got back on time.
Like the last time Sesshomaru had the valet park the car and the waiter led them to the table in the back corner of the restaurant by the kitchen. This time she realized that they didn't have to order since the waiter seemed to know what the two wanted to order when they sat down. Turning towards Sesshomaru she silently asked him what was going on.
"I called Ginta early and asked for some special orders." She seemed a little perplexed by this and wasn't feeling so comfortable. Kagome hated to think that she'd ever had to inconvenience someone for her food. Seeing her expression, Sesshomaru spoke up again.
"I just asked him if there were other options." He stated. "He didn't mind making a dish without shellfish. I noticed you were really interested in the pesto pasta the last time we visited."
Kagome was shocked by the attention he'd paid to her the last time they had visited. It made her wonder if they'd be ordering the Brunello again. She giggled thinking of that and when Sesshomaru asked her what was happening; she couldn't help but laugh out her answer.
"I was wondering what kind of wine you ordered."
"Who says I ordered wine?" Kagome blinked then feeling a little confused. Maybe she'd just assumed things she shouldn't have then?
"I did order the Brunello Kagome." With a huff, she pretended to be angry but soon that died out and the two found themselves enjoying the date. Soon after, their dinner arrived and since both were hungry, they dug in to the delicious meal.
"Kagome!" Rin's voice rang out as soon as they entered the house. The two adults immediately stopped their conversation and watched as the little girl hurtled herself at them. Expertly, Sesshomaru caught her before she could hurt herself or any others. She wiggled out of his hold and then hugged Kagome before dragging her to the bedroom she and Shippo were placed in.
"You promised to read me a bedtime story if you came home on time. Me and Shippo have been waiting for you!"
"Shippo and I, Rin." Sesshomaru corrected watching as his girlfriend was escorted up the stairs and he was left behind. Behind him he heard laughter and he turned to see Souta there.
"They have literally been waiting all night for this." He answered in response. "You might want to get up there before they keep her for the rest of the night."
"Hn." Advice taken, Sesshomaru followed his girlfriend up the stairs. When he arrived at the room he was slightly put out of his anger regarding Rin. His goddaughter and Shippo were curled up together in the bed and Kagome sat down on the side looking matronly as she read them both what he assumed was Momotaro. The story was always one of his favorites when he was a little kid and seeing her read it brought back memories of his childhood. By the time she was done he was nearly falling asleep leaning against the door and Rin and Shippo were fast asleep. She carefully tucked the kids into bed and then turned to see Sesshomaru standing by the door. She wondered how long he had been standing there for him to be so relaxed against the door.
"Sesshomaru," she called gently when she neared him, "want to go back to our room?"
"Hn." He answered. He didn't want to admit it but he had nearly fallen asleep like the kids. Following Kagome, Sesshomaru made it to their bedroom- it felt a little odd saying that- and then promptly began getting ready for bed. When the two laid down he casually draped himself over her and kissed her. He hadn't done this on any other nights, but Sesshomaru thought that tonight was special. They had just gotten back from a nice date and he hadn't even able to kiss her when they got back because he'd been interrupted. Well, he was going to fix that. Kagome agreed with him apparently because she responded to the kiss just as he'd hoped. Granted, he did stop their session early so that they would preserve their modesty.
"I had a good time tonight Sesshomaru. We should do this again soon." He eyed her face, taking in the slight flush of her cheeks and the happiness glowing from her eyes. Yes, he agreed, they should do this again soon.
A/N: Thanks for reading and please review!
Momotaro is the story of the boy who was found in a peach and adopted by a childless couple. After growing up he went to fight a band of demons on a nearby island with his friends, a talking dog, pheasant, and a monkey. They win and he comes back to live with his parents, splitting the demons treasure with them.
Kaoruhana ^_^