Chapter Eleven

Staring at the shambles of her apartment, Kagome shrugged good-naturedly. "Well, I never did like that couch. Something about the green and brown flowers, I think."

"The furniture will be replaced," the male standing beside her promised in a cool voice.

Knowing better than to wave off his need to make reparations, she kneeled to rifle through the splintered remains of her coffee table. Retrieving her satchel, she began stuffing the scattered papers back into its gloomy confines. "There's no rush, Sesshoumaru."

A brow lifted in surprise. "As I do not plan to live like this indefinitely, there is, indeed, a 'rush.'" He gestured to the room, encompassing the destroyed furniture and slightly cracked walls that had taken the brunt of his weight.

Kagome even noted uneasily that the floor creaked a teensy bit more than normal. She shoved that thought away. It wasn't her problem, was it? The landlord could deal with it. She had paid an extremely high deposit, after all. He could probably redo the entire apartment and still have some to pocket.

Checkbook in hand, she turned to face him while stuffing it in her purse. "Level with me, Sesshoumaru. Do you normally transform every night? Before you moved in with me, that is."

His posture stiffened. "Were it not for the challenge to my authority, the need would not have arisen."

As interesting as the 'challenge' statement was, unwilling to be sidetracked, Kagome's lips thinned. A dainty foot, encased in a high-heeled red pump, tapped in irritation.

"That's not what I asked, Sesshoumaru." Couldn't he answer one question without being difficult? She knew he had his pride, that he would not like owning up to a 'weakness,' even if she didn't see it as such. Still, this was her. She was hardly a threat that he had to guard against.

Confronted thusly, Sesshoumaru had no other alternative than to admit to his habit of sleeping in true form. Rather than appearing put off by his admission, Kagome hummed thoughtfully.

"Do you have a place, or do you stay at your father's estate?" she asked out of the blue.

Nonchalantly, he shrugged. "My primary residence was the estate. I do have rooms, however, at the Youkai Realm." A prestigious complex that offered the comforts of the city within it's rock and spell guarded walls, it sprawled for almost fifty five square miles within the heart of the Daisetsuzan National Park. The more 'violently inclined' youkai bought rooms there to mingle with other like-minded youkai without the rules of the humans and their more refined youkai brethren to interfere with their natural impulses and instincts. It was a concession to modern times. Within the complex, only youkai laws ruled, and instinct was not forced to conform to the whims of modern society.

She bit her lip. "Oh. I wouldn't be welcome there, would I?"

He cocked his head to the left, his mind latching onto the almost wistful note. "Humans are not forbidden entrance, but most find the Realm distasteful."

"How so?" Kagome closed her purse and slung it over her shoulder, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

He hesitated only slightly. "Among youkai, there is a division of what is considered proper form. Elemental youkai, for instance, are much in line with humans in regards to morality. The more primitive youkai, those who take animal form and are, to some extent, ruled by baser desires, have a broader sense of what is right and wrong. The weaker species, humans have been fundamental in banning much of what is considered 'normal' by those more aggressive beings. As such, most humans are shocked when confronted with the reality of our nature."

The leather strap under her fingers creaked in her grasp when her fingers tightened. "Do you do this, Sesshoumaru? Hide more than your true form from me?" She glanced down his body, taking in his pressed khaki pants and white, long-sleeved shirt before meeting his narrowed eyes. "Are you only, well, behaving as you think thatI think you should?" She frowned, unsure of what she had just said, but it had sounded right.

Understanding her real concern, Sesshoumaru felt a headache coming on. "I am not human, Kagome."

She snapped her fingers. "Well, gee. Thanks for telling me!"

Growling at her flippancy, he snagged her hand to still her fingers. "This is what I speak of. Your lack of respect would be answered differently were you youkai. In the Youkai Realm, your humanity would not save you from youkai reprisal as it does everywhere else. There, the only thing that matters is power. How much or how little you possess determines your treatment at the hands of others."

Kagome shifted uneasily in his grasp. "You mean I would be treated badly if I lived there with you?"

His eyes flashed. "I was speaking generally, Kagome. You are not just some human. Within the Realm, I may be mocked behind closed doors, but all respect the power I wield as Daiyoukai and the skill behind my training. None would dare touch what belonged to me."

Ignoring the 'belonged to me' statement, deciding that taking umbrage at this point for being referred to as a 'what' was futile, Kagome took the plunge. "In that case, rather than worrying over my furniture, let's just move in there for the time being after Thursday."

She worried her lip again. She had some vacation coming up, and after the stress of the past few days, a week off shouldn't be too bad. "Although, I do think the mess needs to be cleared out. That reminds me, can you go with me tomorrow?"

Still assimilating her calm decision to move into the Youkai Realm-a place most humans avoided like the plague-Sesshoumaru almost missed the invitation, so casually was it thrown in there.

"Tomorrow?" he asked blankly.

"The gala at the museum. You know, the one I've been working my butt off in preparation for? It's at seven and is supposed to last until midnight. It's just opening night for the new exhibit, but I do have to be there. I get to take a date. I would like it if you could come with me."

His expression cleared. He had wondered if she would extend an invitation to him. Not that he doubted her attraction to him, or her intense curiosity about him for that matter. Sightings at restaurants and the gym could easily be slipped under the rug or explained away as a mere token of friendship or even a small infatuation. To welcome intense scrutiny at such a formal affair was tantamount to a declaration of an intent to mate.

He wondered if she understood that aspect of the thing, but kept that particular question to himself. Her invitation, however, was the final nail in the coffin of his lingering concern about her worries about public opinion.

"I will. And after the gala, we will take up residence in the Youkai Realm." Given his reputation, the other males should steer clear of her there, and he wouldn't be forced to show her just how different they really were. A small part of him couldn't help but anticipate a scuffle, however. That small part, the piece that held his strongest desires, lusted to know if she could accept the animal that prowled on four paws as easily as the one who walked on two feet.

Kagome smiled. "Sounds like a plan to me."

"Indeed." A sense of anticipation built within Sesshoumaru.

Picking up on it, Kagome rocked back and forth on her pumps, her red skirt swaying with the movement. She straightened her black, collared blouse nervously. "So, now that we've settled that, about my checkbook…"

Sighing, he held his hand out. "Give me your purse, and I will sort through it after I deal with Jaken." The toad had contacted him yesterday, vowing to remain in his service in any capacity. While the notion of having to deal with the diminutive youkai again did not please him, Sesshoumaru knew the toad's loyalty was solid. Plans had already been tentatively laid out for a consulting business, and he would have to begin hiring eventually.

A fleeting sneer crossed his lips as Sesshoumaru wondered if his father already knew that almost a full quarter of Jidai, Inc.'s stock holders had contacted him, interested in his future plans. They knew he had been the one to engineer the changes in the company that had turned it into a powerhouse of modern practices, which, in turh, had translated into surging stock prices.

He had no intention of competing with his father. He had no need to. Unless he brought new blood in, the Tashio would find out just how badly outdated his 'friendship' clause was. The Takai fiasco would be as nothing and Jidai, Inc. would crumble.

Unaware of his current train of thought, Kagome asked, "Are you sure? I mean, I wanted to help you, not make you do all the work."

He glowered briefly. "Kagome, I assure you, I am positive that you would only prove a hindrance. Henceforth, I will take into my hands all receipts and other financial matters."

"Now, wait just a-"

"Do you wish my help or not?" he asked in a tone of voice that suggested she'd better make the right choice.

Studying him, Kagome suddenly smiled. She dug through her purse and retrieved a small wallet before handing over the satchel. He was so sweet. The tough guy act might have fooled her in the beginning, but she knew better now. He really was the old-fashioned, chivalrous type. Some men paid for their dates to go to dinner and a movie; he wanted to make sure she didn't bankrupt herself.

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"Yo, old man, what's going on now?" Throwing his jacket onto a swivel back chair, Inuyasha leaned against his father's desk. He'd been summoned an hour ago to appear before his father at the offices of Jidai Inc., but he'd taken his time to appear. The rumors of what had happened between Sesshoumaru and their dad had already reached him though Shippo, and he was not eager to hear what his dad had to say.

The Tashio stared up at his hanyou son impassively, scrutinizing the faint hint of a pout on his thin lips. "You have been named my nominal heir until Sesshoumaru comes to his senses. I expect you to act accordingly, Inuyasha."

"The hell you say!" He stepped away from the desk, hands held out in front of him in denial. "I ain't no hoity toity noble, dad! You know those assholes won't accept a hanyou like me as your heir, anyway!"

The Tashio stood so fast his seat flew back to crash into the wall behind him. "You will accept the honor, Inuyasha!" he roared. "You will do as I say; you will not bring more dishonor upon my head as your brother has done! Until such a time as Sesshoumaru can be brought to heel, the Western territories are on shaky ground. Without a promise of continuation through my blood, there is already talk of annexing portions of my lands into the more stable domains of the other lords!"

Gape-mouthed, Inuyasha sputtered, "Then beat the bastards to an inch of their lives! Don't try and make me into something I'm not!" Drifting aimlessly through life, he'd never been put in such a position! Never expected his father would even try to force him to kowtow the way Sesshoumaru was made to, or had been made too, he realized mutinously. Because his asshole brother had chewed through the leash, he was now being collared!

Moving quicker than the eye could follow, the Tashio's hand lashed out and grabbed Inuyasha by the scruff of his neck. He hauled his son forward to dangle from his claws over the desk. "You have no choice, Inuyasha. For everything I have endured for your sake, for the sake of your mother, you will do as bid. Have I made myself clear?" he whispered into a twitching ear, deadly serious.

Shocked by the change from benevolent, caring sire to this almost tyrannical being, cowed by the almost feral rage dripping from every word, Inuyasha nodded slowly. Once he was released, he scooted off the desk to warily stare at his father. "What am I supposed to do as the heir?"

Calmed by Inuyasha's submission, he reclaimed the seat. "Your responsibilities in security will now be handled by Bankotsu. As of this morning, your new title is Vice President of Jidai, Inc., and you only answer to me. Is that clear?"

Startled, the hanyou barely managed to bite back his incredulous snort. Sesshoumaru had devoted his entire life to Jidai, Inc., and he had never reached that high. Now, his father expected him to just walk into the position? What the hell was going on?

"I understand, but, Father, why has Sesshoumaru been disinherited?" Rumor had put it at the feet of the woman, but surely, Inuyasha desperately hoped, as his own mother was human, there had to be another reason.

Softening the truth, as he knew his son was soft-hearted no matter how much he may try to hide it under false bravado, the Tashio replied, "He refused to do his duty to the line. That is all, Inuyasha."

Unwilling to chance angering his father after such a close call, Inuyasha refrained from delving into just how Sesshoumaru had failed. His heart refused to believe his father could be so cold-hearted, but the common sense that had been bred into him by the cruelty of youkai and human taunts whispered that there was so much more to it than that. In the end, however, the fact that it was fear that held him silent; whereas, before he trembled before no one, spoke the loudest to Inuyasha of his father's perfidy.

Father, what have you done?

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Thursday morning, the watcher slammed the phone onto the cradle. Staring into the heart of the sun beating down on him through the arched window, he cursed the woman who refused to play by the rules.

She would not learn to properly repent if he could not teach her to fear!

Since two nights ago, he had repeatedly tried to reach Kagome at home. Now, the operator's voice replaced the familiar buzz, explaining that the number was no longer in service. Even her cell phone no longer was a viable way to reach the blasted woman!

He wondered angrily what was going on.

Breaking open the silver box on his desk, he tapped the revealed computer screen. Still nothing. Sometime Tuesday night, the camera he'd managed to hide in the woman's apartment had malfunctioned. The last thing he'd seen had been an argument between the two before the screen went fuzzy. Soon after, the entire connection had been lost.

As gratifying as the argument had been, he needed to know what had happened. Had he left? Did the camera react to a burst of youki energy, had the youkai had mauled the woman?

Personal intentions to end her miserable existence aside, the watcher scowled furiously at the notion of being denied his rightful prey. He had not spent all this time cultivating a relationship with the woman, perfecting his plans, only to have the final moment snatched away in a fit of youkai pique!

His fulminating glare caught on the photograph of his little side project. Oh yes, he mused, leering at the smiling face, that was exactly what he needed. His box should be delivered today, and in the meantime, he would go hunting.

And when she found his present, he would be sure to be there to comfort the little slut with yet another token of his revulsion. Or, he laughed maniacally, should he perhaps offer a shoulder to cry on?

The possibilities were endless, and he had plenty of time.

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Glancing into the mirror, Noriko tilted her head. Silver tresses caught the perfect lighting from the crystal lamp that sat on her dressing table.

A calm façade perfectly in place, the only evidence that something other than what she presented to the world burned within her heart was the faint sneer on her rose-red lips.

Inuyasha has been named heir.Noriko wasn't surprised. She had expected her foolish mate to make such a step in the assumption that Sesshoumaru would leap to defend his reputation.

A silver-backed brush glided through her hair, parting the strands to lay in lush splendor against her black silk dress.

She almost wished she could be there when the rash male realized the full scope of his error. But, she was tired. Too tired.

Her people would never take her back. A celestial maiden, she had deserted them for the empty promises of the famously handsome Daiyoukai. Warned against it, and then forbidden to return to the City in the Sky, where all celestial beings resided, she had taken the form of his kind to mate him. The transformation had been unstable as she had known not the internal workings of an inuyoukai.

As a result of her imperfect transformation, she became the mother of what some called a monster. But she had been willing to try again. He had not.

And now she was stuck mated to one who had never loved her as she deserved. Only honor, and a foolish hope that one day he would see what lay before him, had held her to his side through the disgrace of being turned from his bed for his countless stream of mistresses.

And then, Izayoi had been brought into her home. Her home, became the human's domain. And she had been relegated to this penthouse, as if she were some maiden aunt to be tucked out of sight. An embarrassment.

No more.

Sesshoumaru had finally seen his father for what he was. She needn't worry for her son, her imperfectly beautiful pup, any longer.

Noriko wondered if the letter would reach the woman tonight, or if it would be delivered tomorrow. The post these days was so unreliable.

Briefly, Noriko reflected on her relationship with Sesshoumaru. She had been bitter. She had not been a doting mother, this she saw. In his eyes she could see her failure, and so she had taken great pains to look away.

Still, in this moment, she would do for him what only she, his mother, could. She would set him free, and in doing so, she would fly away from this life of non-living.

She laid the brush down on the table, carefully ensuring the metal made no sound on the marble. There was no reason to be uncivilized, after all. Sure and steady fingers wrapped around the bejeweled tanto that had been waiting patiently for her to pick it up.