Disclaimer: All Inuyasha goodness belongs to the amazing Takahashi-san!

A/N: The 5th is Behind the Curtain's Birthday! I can't believe it's been a year! Thank you to all of BTC's followers and readers! You're the best!

Behind the Curtain

By MissKatt

The Thermos

"Nee-san…?" Souta asked as her sister bolted from the room. He blinked his chocolate brown eyes in confusion before looking at Rin's father. "Do you know my sister?"

Sesshoumaru's golden eyes fell on the boy. Her brother, hm? "We had a brief encounter." He replied and then bent down to pick up his thermos, glad that none of his tea had made a mess on the ground. With his daughter's luck, her foot would find the one drop that spilled and cause her to fall and split her head open.

"Oh, I see. Where did you meet her?" The youngest Higurashi questioned again.

He has no intentions on revealing where exactly he was when his daughter was in the room. Not that she knew what a strip club was, but still. "Her work." He answered before sitting down next to Rin's bed side.

He tilted his head to the side. "At the coffee shop?"

Was that where he thought she worked? He would have laughed if it weren't so out of his character. "Indeed, the coffee shop." He said without looking at him.

"She must have gotten a raise or something because she told me she got an apartment for us forty-five minutes away from here," He sighed and leaned back into his pillows. "I don't know how she plans to work full time and go to school. I wish she wouldn't push herself so much."

Rin perked up her head, craning her neck back so she could look at Souta. "What does your sister study? Does she do choir? She sings really pretty. I want her to come back and sing again for us."

Souta gave a weak laugh. "She's studying business like our dad did. She doesn't sing for school but she's always singing in the shower, well, at least she used to when I still lived with my sisters."

The little girl pointed at her dad. "My papa is in busy-ness. He likes it, right papa?" She asked, looking up at him.

He nodded once, a little surprised to find out what she was studying. "It is rewarding enough." Why was he having this conversation with that stripper's brother?"Anyway, Rin, Jiji says hello."

She beamed, forgetting her previous talking. "I miss Jiji! Is he going to come visit soon?" She had the best grandpa and grandma ever! They always brought her goodies despite her papa's orders not to.

"He said that he and baba would come tomorrow to visit. They expect lots of drawings." He replied, glancing over his shoulder when the little boy sniffled and turned onto his side away from them.

Rin grinned happily. "I will make them so many that they won't be able to see the fridge!" She giggled for a second before it turned into a harsh cough.

Frowning, he leaned his elbows onto the bed and grasped her little hand in his. He then squeezed it gently until the coughing fit passed. "Do you require water?" He asked.

She shook her head before clearing her throat. She reached for her father's silky hair and began winding it around her fingers. "Papa, do you ever miss mama?"

The question took him off guard. They hadn't spoken about her adoptive mother since her death. "Sometimes, yes." He answered honestly, his father's words from earlier that day ringing in the back of his head.

Her pale lips turned down into a frown. "Did you not love mama? I miss her every single day."

Sesshoumaru exhaled quietly. How was he supposed to tell her that what her Jiji had said was true? That they only married because she was pregnant? He would have to lie to her, of course. He was not one to lie, but he did not want to break his daughter's heart either. "I did, but she has been gone for two years now."

She looked up at him with glistening eyes. "Does that mean you'll stop loving me when I die?"

His honey eyes widened slightly. How was he so horrible with words when it came to her? He lifted his hand and smoothed out her hair. "Of course not. And do not talk of your death because it will not come."

She gave a tiny, knowing smile. "When Nemo died, you told me all living things must come to an end, some sooner than others."

He could have sighed in defeat when she brought up the words he said to her when he goldfish died. She was too smart for her own good. "Yes, I did say that."

Rin smiled more at her flustered foster father and put her hand on his. "It's okay, Papa."

It never ceased to amaze him how intuitive his daughter was when it came to him. It was as if she knew him better than he did. He lifted her hand to his face and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of her hand. His eyes glanced at his watch after resting her hand back down and stood up from his chair. "Visiting hours is nearing the end, so I must leave."

She nodded reluctantly. "Will I see you tomorrow with Jiji and Baba?"

"Indeed." He responded and lowered his head to softly rub his nose against her temple in an affectionate nuzzle. "Sleep well, Rin."

"You too, Papa. I love you." She yawned, pushing the button on her bed that made it recline back.

He always felt awkward stating his feelings for someone, no matter who is was. "And I you." He responded and picked up his thermos before leaving the room, turning off the light as he did.

Sesshoumaru made his way to the elevator, nodding to the nurse to bid him goodnight. He pressed the 'down' button and waited patiently for the machine. Once it came, he stepped in and waited for the doors to close. He lifted his thermos to his lips, but stopped before he took a drink, his nose inhaling the scent of cherry Chapstick. He most definitely did not wear the flavorful lip balm. Raising a brow, he lifted the cup and inspected it, finding no trace of his initials.

He subtly huffed when he realized that it was Tama's thermos and not his own. She must have picked his up by mistake, or perhaps for revenge. Still, he would somehow have to get his favorite drink holder back. As the doors slid close, he vaguely wondered how he would do it. He did not want to go back to her place of work, that was for sure. Maybe he would see her at the hospital again. But, then again, she had fled at the first sight of him. Perhaps, he would just keep it on him until he saw her again, or at least give it to her brother.

Hearing the chime of the elevator, he lifted his head to the doors and lifted another brow at the splattered substance before they drew open.

Was that tea?

*~~~BTC~~~*

"You're really into it tonight, Tama-chan," Taijiya pointed out, watching as Kagome threw an arm full of ones into her locker. "Something happen?"

She sighed and shut her locker before turning to her friend. She bushed her bangs from her sweating forehead and flopped down in her chair. "I'm just taking out my aggression on stage." She replied. It was true, she requested Miroku put her up to heavier rock music so she could drown out what had happened earlier. To go along with the music, she had done every pole trick Sango taught her and clacked her heels together hard, making loud snaps come from them each time. She also moved faster, her body hitting the pole and floor harder when she purposefully bumped it with her hips.

"Okay, something definitely happened. Was it your test?" Sango asked, tilting her head.

"No, I actually think I did really well on it." Kagome shook her head, moving her hair over to her shoulder as she slid her black bikini top back on, tying the back of it securely. It was so funny to her how used she got to being topless at work; no longer did she cover herself and hurry to put her top back on in front of the other women.

"Then…?" She prompted.

"I saw him at the hospital," She murmured with a blush. "But the worst part is that I ran into him, made him drop his thermos, and then stole it!" She groaned, hiding her face in her hands.

Taijiya blinked. "You stole his drink holder?"

"I didn't mean to!" She wailed, lifting her face from her hands to drop her forehead onto the counter. "I thought it was mine! We have the exact same one!"

"Then how do you know it's his?"

"Because when I took a drink, it was warmer than what mine was a little earlier, so I looked at the base of it and his initials are engraved in it!" She fussed against the counter. "I'm so stupid."

A wicked smiled twisted the older girl's lips. "So, you kissed him after all…"

"Taijiya!" She cried in dismay, her face turning red.

Sango busted up laughing, her arms wrapping around her bare stomach as she laughed at her friend's expense. "Oh, Tama, you are too easy to make fun of." She breathed before regaining her composure.

"I don't know what to do." She murmured, anxiously fiddling with the ends of her hair.

"Just go give it back to him." She suggested with a shrug.

"But how? Where?! I doubt he'll ever come back here, thank Kami."

"How about at his work?"

"How am I supposed to know where he works?" Sango stared at her as if she was slowly growing some hideous boil on her face. "What?"

"Are you kidding me? He is Taisho Sesshoumaru," She clarified. "As in the successor of Taisho Corp…as in the big ass sky scraper in town!"

Sapphire blue eyes blinked. "Are you suggesting I just walk in and hand it to him?" She asked.

"Well, yeah. It's not like you're not allowed in or anything. I'm pretty sure it's a public building." She replied, standing up in her eight-inch heels when Miroku called her to the stage. "I would go tomorrow if you're free."

She nodded. "I'm off school for the weekend, but I have my day job at nine." She informed, mulling over the idea of going to Sesshoumaru's work.

"I would go before work then. It's better to get it done now then wait until you bump into him again." She suggested before walking onto the stage.

Sango was right, she decided. The sooner it was over with, the better.

*~~~BTC~~~*

So there she was at 8:09am, standing outside the intimidating building in her dark blue jeans, white, long sleeve v-neck, and black knee-high flat boots. She tightened her grip on the strap of her purse and took a deep breath before moving herself forward. She walked through the sliding doors as they opened on command for her and into the comfortable lobby.

It was instantly welcoming with a perfect temperature of 73 degrees, much preferred from the slight chill outside. The lobby was decorated with a tall reception desk with three very pretty women sitting behind it. Off to the corner there was a small waiting area with dark brown couches with a matching cherry wood end table. A large, flat screen television was mounted to the wall, the local news currently playing.

One of the women cleared her throat, snapping Kagome out of her gaze. With an embarrassed flush, she made her way over to the desk. She met the gray eyes of the woman in the middle and gave a small smile. "Yes, hi, err…"

She lifted a perfectly shaped brow. "Hello and welcome to Taisho Corp, how may I help you?" She asked, her tone a little stiff as she looked her over. She ran her hand through her dark brown hair before examining her nails.

"Oh, um, I'm here to see Taisho-san." She stated, furrowing her brow when the two women beside her started chuckling, very poorly concealing it.

"Which one, exactly?" Her pretty face twisted into an amused expression.

"Ah, right, sorry," She mumbled, feeling stupid. "I'm here to see Sesshoumaru."

Instantly, two of them let their faces fall into a scowl, including the one helping her. "Is that so? Do you have an appointment?"

'Stupid, Sango,' She cursed. 'She said I could walk right in!'

"I didn't realize I needed one…" Kagome frowned tightening her grip on her purse again. A loud snort made her look back at the woman helping her.

She leaned back in her leather chair and crossed her arms over her chest before crossing her legs. "Are you telling me you thought you could just wander in here and see Sesshoumaru-sama?"

"Yes…? I just have something to give him." She answered and they laughed again. Her brows knitted together at their rudeness.

"Honey, there is nothing Sesshoumaru-sama hates more than drooling fan girls. So take your love confession somewhere else before I have security escort you out." She said slowly, talking to her as if she had some mental disability.

"I'm not slow, but thank you so much," She said sarcastically. "He left something lying around so I am here to return it." It wasn't the exact truth, but she didn't feel like going on about how she bumped into him and took it by mistake.

The lady stood from her chair, gray eyes hardening. "Listen here, you little wench, Sesshoumaru-sama doesn't want anything from you. So, take your little lies and leave before I call security to throw you out!"

"Just tell him I'm here and he'll come down and get it! It's not that hard to do your job!" She finally snapped.

"That's it, Maten! Get this human out of here!" She hollered, yelling at the tall, bulky male sitting down by the coffee maker.

Instantly, he leapt up and headed over to her. He took her arm and began to lead her to the exit. "Come on, let's just make this easy for everybody."

Despite his calm demeanor, she shook him free. "I just need to give Sesshoumaru something that belongs to him! Why is no one understanding this?!"

"Maten! Get. Her. Out!"

Before the man could grab her arm again, he stopped when he felt a hand on his arm. "That's enough, Maten, she has permission to be here." With that he waved him away, sending him back to his perch.

Kagome whirled around to look at her savoir. It was Sesshoumaru's little brother! What was his name again? Ah! "Inuyasha!" She said with obvious relief.

He ignored her momentarily and then turned to the fuming girl behind the desk. "Asano Sara, you're fired. Get your shit and get the fuck out." He snorted.

Her face instantly fell. "B-but, Taisho-san, she's just a wh-"

"Keh, shut up already. I'm tired of hearing you yappin' whenever a pretty girl comes in to see Sesshoumaru. You're just annoying, so leave already." He growled and then looked at the blushing Kagome. "Come on, I'll take you up stairs."

She blinked once before scurrying after him. She followed him into the elevator and waited for the doors to slide shut before sighing in relief. "Ah, thank you, Inuyasha. I was pretty sure I was going to have to fight that security guard for a second." She laughed.

He rolled his eyes in good humor. "Keh, even a weakling like that would crush you, Tama." He said as he fumbled with his tie, Kami did he hate these things.

She decided not to correct him on her name and lifted a brow as she watched him. "A successful business man like you doesn't even know how to tie a tie?" She asked with a grin.

"I can do it!" He snapped. "I just can't do it when I'm rushing. I had a late night and my pops gets on my case about being late."

Kagome laughed. "Oh, out with the girlfriend?" She asked, smacking away his hands to begin tying his tie.

He sighed, but it wasn't a sad one. "I want her to be. We only had one date last night, but she's amazing," He blinked as he realized again who Tama was. "Ah! You know Miko right?"

She tilted her head curiously at him. "She's my older sister. Why?" She asked as she flipped down his collar and tightened the tie.

He suddenly beamed at her, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Convince her I'm a good guy! Tell her to keep seeing me!"

She blinked at she put the pieces together. "You're dating Kikyou?"

"Yeah! Well, we've been on one date, but I want more time with her. Can you help me out?" He asked, ears perked up in hope.

"Well, I suppose since you just helped me…" She trailed off. "But I don't know how much my word will help. She isn't easily swayed by others' opinions."

"Anything will help! Thanks, Tama!" He grinned, patting her on the head like a dog before stepping out onto the top floor when the doors slid open. He gestured her along, leading her to a polished desk with a teal-haired woman sitting behind it. Her face was angular with sharp blue eyes, her neck slender and shoulders straight with proper poise.

'Kami, are all the women here beautiful?' She wondered, walking up with Inuyasha to the desk.

"This is Sesshoumaru's secretary," He introduced. "Touran, this girl is here to see Sesshoumaru." He explained, pointing to her over his shoulder with his thumb.

She leaned slightly to the left to get a better look at Kagome. When she was done assessing her, she straightened out and looked up at Inuyasha. "Does she have an appointment?"

"No, but she has something that belongs to him," The hanyou looked back at her. "Right?"

She nodded. "Yes, he left it behind at the hospital." She said without realizing it. She was going to correct herself, but decided against it when she realized that it wouldn't be odd. Almost everyone knew his daughter was in the hospital. It wasn't weird for him to visit her.

"See? There you have it. Take care of it." He added before walking away to his own office.

She seemed to ponder to herself for a moment, her lips pursing for a second before she nodded. "Alright, I will call him," She picked up the sleek black phone and pressed it against the side of her face before pressing the '1' button. She waited three heart beats before opening her mouth. "Yes, Taisho-san, you have a visitor," She went quiet for a moment as he replied and then her eyes fell on her. "It is a Miss…?"

"Ah, my name is Ka-Tama." She said quickly, almost kicking herself for the mess up.

Touran lifted a brow at her stutter. "Tama-san is her name." She nodded once. "Hai, Taisho-san." She hung up the phone and looked at the girl once again. "He will see you once he is done with his phone call. Please be seated." She gestured to a long black leather couch with a glass coffee table in front of it.

She nodded and sat down on the plush cushions. She pursed her lips together and hugged her purse to her chest, trying to calm her nerves. It was only a brief meeting! All she had to do was hand it to him and the leave! It would be fast! It wouldn't take long at all, right?

So, why was her heart racing so fast?