Law and Disorder
I don't own Inuyasha
Chapter 12: Hidden Shadows
The rain played against the window as Sesshoumaru sat at his desk. The only two things that were consistent today were the clouds and the phone calls that seemed never ending. The whole office seemed to be lighting up. Rin hadn't been gone ten minutes good and it was like everyone in and out of their right mind started calling. He couldn't imagine that this was what she put up with everyday and he now realized why Rin volunteered to get Inuyasha. They didn't pay her enough for this kind insanity. He growled as the phone rang again.
"Hello."
"Sesshoumaru Takahashi I presume? This is Hisoto Shibuya of Hisoto and Associates. How are you?"
"What is the purpose of your call Mr. Shibuya?"
"Please call me Hisoto. I can tell you're a man that doesn't like to waste time so I'll get straight to the point. My partners and I have been keeping close tabs on your record Sesshoumaru. You're quite the prodigy among D.A.'s. I've never seen such a record of success for someone so young in this business. Word is spreading like wildfire that your father will be retiring at the end of this year and even with your talents, running a firm is no walk in the park."
"Exactly what are you suggesting Hisoto?"
"I'm suggesting a merger. Before you say no, I want to bring to light a few points. The merger would be strictly to your benefit. A merger would mean nothing but greater profits for your firm. What I'm asking in return is a guarantee of stability."
"I'm listening."
"I must admit, word spreads quickly when you have less than trustworthy partners and the grapevine has informed me that your father is highly concerned about the loss of several people in the firm despite the conditions that he's currently set forth. What I'm suggesting, is that when the firm is left in your hands to already have in place their replacements. Replacements with experience and reliable and promising track records for a successful firm that can prosper."
"Underhanded possibly but not beneath some. The guarantee that you're suggesting is the guarantee that all of your employees will stay in place while the employees here will find work elsewhere am I right?"
"Don't think of it that way. If your employees choose to stay then it's their decision. But of course, we can't overlook the fact that there are the select individuals that are very stubborn about who they work for. Their loss unfortunately. However, that would of course allow our best and most loyal to stay in place."
"And you?"
"Well, I wouldn't take less than a partner."
"Hmph, the pitch of your idea is intriguing but hardly that in specifics. What you're asking of me is to allow a rival firm to come in and work camouflaged under the name of a firm that has far surpassed yours. I would hardly take such a deal."
"Trust me, such a deal will be a gold mine when you weigh all your options. Keep it in mind is all I'm asking. I'll send along some information, it may look better on paper and if not then all that I can do is wish you the best of luck."
"It won't be necessary."
Sesshoumaru's cell phone buzzed almost as soon as he hung up. He sat back recognizing who the number belonged to and stared at the phone as it rang. The decision to pick up ate at him before finally silencing it as Rin walked in with Inuyasha.
… …
I understand why you're ignoring me but I really need to talk to you. Text me back.
Sesshoumaru shook his head as he thought about the phone call from earlier that day and now the text that came not long after. The only thing that was running through his mind was why now? After two years of complete and total silence, the woman wanted to talk when her existence had all but faded from his memory.
"Sesshoumaru..."
"… What?"
"Something wrong?"
"Just...remind me to change my number."
"Ok." Rin laughed slightly confused as she turned her attention back to the movie they were watching before the two of them were startled by a scream coming from Inuyasha's room.
Rin got down to look underneath the bed and was met with Inuyasha staring back at her. As she tried to coax him out he continued to shake his head and back further underneath.
"It's just me Inuyasha. What's the matter?"
"Hide."
"Why would I need to hide sweetie?"
"…"
Sesshoumaru grabbed the stuffed dragon off the nightstand. He knew the scream that startled them and the silence that followed after well enough.
"He thinks something horrible is coming to get us."
He joined Rin to see Inuyasha
"I want daddy."
"Father's not here so you're going to have to settle for me Inuyasha."
"No. Hide!"
Rin witnessed her future boss try to persuade Inuyasha to come out from underneath the bed with the stuffed animal. But Inuyasha was insistent on staying where he was if only to test the patience of his older brother.
Sesshoumaru found himself down to bargains and compromises and Rin was sure that if Inuyasha asked for the world he might have gotten it if it meant that he would come from underneath the bed. The deal of a cat instead of the dragon, the reassurance that they were properly hidden, and a promise that Inuyasha would be protected against all monsters, ghosts, witches, bad dreams and the like finally was enough to draw the child out.
As Inuyasha grabbed the cat, Sesshoumaru fought not to react to the touch of cold, wet, fingers on his arm that Inuyasha had in his mouth only a second ago. It simply wasn't possible not to cringe at all.
"...hugh!"
Rin smiled and shook her head. She wished this was the person that more of the office got a chance to see. There was more to Sesshoumaru than his past, than the lawyer, the player. He had a heart just like the rest of them and it may not seem like it at times but he did care, he had feelings, and was just as capable of being hurt. He simply had a knack for masking it better than everyone else.
Sesshoumaru looked up at her as she sat back against the bed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"Hmph. You're smiling too much for it not to be something."
"You know, you should let your guard down more often. It's kind of interesting to see your reactions."
He felt slightly embarrassed that she'd caught the reaction. "...?!"
"Like that one. Slobbery fingers aren't your thing are they?" She laughed.
"No. But then again they don't have to be. I've never planned on having kids around."
"Yeah right. I bet in less than ten years you'll be saying…"
"I'm glad that I didn't have kids."
"Nope. More like, I love my kids, slobbery fingers and all."
"Right."
"You'll see. I won't be surprised one bit when you do."
"So, ten years from now, what will you be saying?"
Sesshoumaru watched her smile fade slightly.
"I…don't know. Glad to still have a job I guess." She rolled her eyes as she thought about it.
"That's it?"
She shrugged as Inuyasha yawned and closed his eyes against his brother.
"So you can envision a future with innocently bothersome children for me, but nothing for yourself? Explain."
She really hadn't thought the next ten years through. There were too many other things getting in the way in the present.
"It's hard to envision things for yourself when you're kind of stuck running down the same road. Don't get me wrong. I'm thankful for the job that I have but I just wish things could've worked out a little differently that's all. I can easily envision things for you because you're not in my shoes. Everything in my way, you've already overcome. There's nothing stopping you."
Sesshoumaru listened to her explanation. At least she could envision herself running down the same road. But what she couldn't envision was running down different ones hoping that they would take you somewhere long enough just to forget where you had been.
"Believe me, you'd be surprised. There's more in the way than you think."
A/N: I apologize if this got a little confusing or seemed a bit disjointed. There may be too much going on in this chapter for its own good :P Hopefully it will all be clear later!
Chapter 13: Trouble