Aloha! Hana Hikaru Here!
This took so long, because the site was being really wonky, and not saving my progress sporadically. Practically every time i would log back in, my progress would have been reverted back to where it was on the previous save. Im actually really annoyed with the site, because theres like no reason for this.
Ive uttered a concurrant "FUCK THE AUTO-SAVE" Battle cry for all my works...
Chapter 19 might be regarded as unnecesary, for all the work i supposedly did on it. But i needed a transitional chapter from Italy back to Japan, to mirror the transition from Japan to Italy. I ended up working a relationship helper into the story as well, so it was well worth the effort on my part. Ive always had this fascination with the wonder about "what would happen if Kagome were to BRUSH Sesshoumaru?"
And its decided, this story will have a sequel. [ive already written extras - steamy and non steamy - for this story, so youll see those before the sequel gets out... lol.]
This chapter will be once again, slightly more graphic and steamy. I have a knack for writing steaminess, and so I go back to the smut chapters. :)
HINT: remember how the entire story is a single year flashback from chapter one? think about the date, the upcoming event, and the progress of the Kagomaru relationship... anything clicking into place? hmmmm I wonder... :)
Adieu!
The People You Love
Hana Hikaru
Chapter Twenty-one: Enter "The Gala" - A Night To Entertain Pompous Shareholders.
Kagome sidled into the limo with a wave of Sesshoumaru's outstretched hand, barely sitting comfortably on the cushion before he slipped in behind her. October had indeed come and gone quickly, as September had, both melding back into the routine chaos that engulfed their company jobs. It was nice to be so productive again, especially since they had an enormous function to prepare for come January. The purpose of the trip they were taking, was to meet with Kikyo at the designated hotel for status updates and statistics. Kagome was very well adept with handling things on a moments notice when she was in public. Sesshoumaru thought it convenient that she worked faster in public than she did with him, because he enjoyed the benefits of their "down time" before getting any work done.
This limo, for example, wasn't a normal thing, as he assumed Kagome had already figured out. The drive to the hotel was easily several hours, and Sesshoumaru decided he wanted to be relaxed and satiated for the duration of the wait.
Just as well, he had never had sex in a limo - and so created the opportunity to do so.
"I think I'm all caught up on this stuff." Kagome absentmindedly said. Apparently she hadn't gotten the sexually tense vibe yet. She was a worker bee through and through, usually not paying attention to things like this, if work was on her mind. "Kikyo is fucking extensive." She slapped the files down on her knees and then slid them in a pocket of her case, leaning against the wall. "I mean I love that she's thorough, but keeping up with her is almost exhausting." She leaned on an elbow, looking out the window. "Isn't it supposed to be the other way around? Her following me?"
He chuckled and looked her over. She hasn't realized yet? He would have to change that, wouldn't he. Sesshoumaru reached over and tugged on her wrist, causing Kagome to look at him and lean to the side. He extended one finger and brushed back a single strand behind her ear, fondly, using her small gesture of closed eyes to clasp her waist in his palms and lift her onto his lap.
She uttered a startled squeak and her hands came up to whap him on the shoulders, feet dangling loosely on one side as she sat sideways on his lap. He took the opportunity to curl her into his body, the hand near her waist moving farther down the expanse of her back to rest on the crease of her hip, and the other hand pinching the point of her chin, bringing her face closer to his.
Their mouths met in a searing kiss, delicately melting into eachother with slow tongue strokes and sensual nibbles with teeth. It was a passionate swirl of heady ecstasy, and they both succumbed to it. Sesshoumaru groaned into her mouth, sliding his hand further down the expanse of one thigh, gripping it tightly.
Kagome had pleasantly worn a summer dress into work today, cropped ends above her knees, and a lovely draping of durable fabric. He was dying to know what kind of underwear she had on underneath, whether it went with the dress, or was delectably daring.
"I was wondering when you were planning on initiating." Sesshoumaru was mildly startled, but leaned in for another kiss anyways, muttering a concurrent 'hn?" to get her to explain further. Her lips were always lovely, and nibble-able, igniting a passionate addiction within his heart. He wanted to chew on her all over. Her tantalizing lips, her perky breasts, her luscious belly and accompanying belly button, everything.
He smiled against her lips and continued his perusal of them, kissing delicately, tasting the inside just before her teeth, nibbling on the flesh when she wasn't speaking. He ran his hands up her side, steadying her body where he gripped under the swell of her breasts, and against her upper back. She sighed into his body, turning her head, and Sesshoumaru gratefully slipped his tongue between her teeth to delve into her mouth, pulling out a few strokes later to look at her smiling face.
"I happen to like it when you initiate." He chuckled and dipped in again, this time clutching the back of her head, willingly lost in her smell, taste, everything.
"I thought you weren't getting the picture." Sesshoumaru smiled and trailed a hand once again up her thigh, but this time underneath the hem of her dress, feeling her softness, and the familiar catch of lace.
"Mmmm," Kagome mimicked. "I needed to read those reports from Kikyo." Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and gripped the underswell of her ass cheeks, leaning forward to connect their torsos, lifting her body to allow one leg to slip over his lap. Perhaps it was the cut of the dress, but Sesshumaru hadn't realized that Kagome was not wearing a bra until he had pressed her against his body, and the fleshy mounds squished unhindered by excess fabric and wire contraptions.
"You tease me unbearably well, Kagome." He grunted and dipped his head to nip at the skin of her neck, loving how loud and quick her pulse was thrumming.
"No one reserves a limo for a transport vehicle to a simple meeting." Kagome quipped, rolling her hips and trying to sink farther into him, her fingers petting his hair and her back arching. "We aren't picking up any dignitaries, or even any guests, we aren't returning to the office today, since this was our last stop and we have all of our belongings, and there are a myriad of other reasons why I inferred that the limo was part of a secret agenda." She widened her knees and sank closer to the bulge in his crotch.
"I'm glad you are running our company then, Smarty-pants Kagome." Sesshoumaru had nibbled his way down to her clavicle and was sucking there, his fingers making work on one thigh under her skirt, and on her waist, where he gripped and squeezed and reigned her in.
His knuckles brushed the core of her underwear, directly between her inner thighs, and Kagome moaned again, dipping to kiss him on the lips. Sesshoumaru's tongue brushed past her teeth, passionately filling her mouth and pulling out slightly with a suctioning motion from his lips, kissing her with all the mirth he had.
He was so horny, it was hard to not toss her on the ground and violently rut within her.
The hand beneath her skirt moved back from her damp underwear and back over her leg to dip into the lace from a different angle, moving and pushing the fabric to compensate for his large hand. The other travelled up her side, brush the underside of her breast and then sliding around her shoulder blade to cup the back of her neck, providing Kagome's head with support as he delved in deeper.
"Mmm…" Sesshoumaru whispered, "You taste divine." and indeed she did. The strawberry juice Kagome had been drinking was assaulting his nose with pleasant fruity scents as well as stinging his tongue with the tangy sweetness. Sesshoumaru loved strawberries. He let go of her mouth and trailed his chin down the expanse of her neck, tasting her hot skin and feeling the softness upon his nose. Kagome sighed arched back slightly, shifting in her position across his lap.
He let her get up and hike her skirt up her thighs to pull her underwear off and then welcomed her back onto his still-clothed lap.
His knuckles brushed the satiny flesh on the insides of her netherlips and she swore pleasurably into his mouth. He settled his hands on her things and stroked lightly, feeling Kagome sigh and relax into his touch. Sesshoumaru's tongue brushed past her teeth, passionately filling her mouth and pulling out slightly with a suctioning motion from his lips.
The hands on her thighs cuddling them to his sides only served to distract her more. One left her exposed leg to travel up her side, brush the underside of her breast and then slide around her shoulder blade to cup the back of her neck, providing Kagome's head with support as he delved in deeper.
Kagome's gasps and moans increased in volume as his other hand took up occupation fondling the other. It was such a stimulant – teasing the flesh without actually touching it. Her cashmere sweater would most likely come off during the trip. His mouth switched sides in favor of his hands to run up the expanse of her thigh and clutch the globe of her ass delicately. His fingers neared their goal and began stroking with feathery light touches almost to light to be felt, the insides of her thighs and the bottom of her lips, opposite her clit.
Kagome's fingers knotted themselves in he fabric of Sesshoumaru's satiny chest as she started to ride his lap, feeling the waves of pleasure coax her into a slow rhythm. While Sesshoumaru stroked and worked and prodded her cloaked triangle with his fingers, his mouth was now inching its way up the column of her pristine neck. Kagome moaned as she tilted her head back, arching her spine and opening her mouth in awe.
She could feel the tension start to ebb away from her body, her mind filtering into white, and her body twitching on her own. She was sure Sesshoumaru could feel the dampness of her crotch and the ripe scent of sex in the enclosed space of the car. His head tilted towards her ear and as she arched into him, provoking him to continue.
This was definitely a side of Sesshoumaru Kagome wouldn't mind seeing more of. He was playful and gentle, and wasn't shredding her clothing. A deep chuckle in her ear told Kagome that he was also enjoying their encounter. The hand around her ass retracted so that it was stroking her from the front, allowing his easier access to penetrate, which he did.
Slowly, he inserted his finger, gently brushing the delicate bundle of nerves inside her quivering pussy. His mouth found hers once again as he stroked her at an achingly slow pace. The car seats did not allow her to sink her crotch into his slacks like she wanted, but allowed him room to fiddle with her center like he was picking a lock.
Kagome was in heaven. She was riding his fingers, writhing in pleasure on top of him while he paid homage to her breasts, her mouth, her throat, her cheeks. Her breathing started to become ragged and her motions jerky. All she felt was incredible pleasure. It seemed to be building somewhere but she could not pinpoint it. All of a sudden her body clamped down shudderingly on his fingers, her eyes flashed wide as Kagome was pushed over the edge in one motion. Her body pulsating in bubbly waves of pleasure.
Sesshoumaru waited for her body to come down from climax before slipping his fingers from her folds. She hissed at the movement. He picked her up and laid her on the floor by his feet, one hand going to the fly on his slacks. Stripping them off, he neatly folded them and set them on the seat, out of harms way.
The miniscule pleasure he felt from widening her thighs and settling himself between them was amplified by his already dripping arousal removed from the confines of his underwear, sliding deftly across her warmth. He let his eyes close momentarily, basking in the pleasure of her slippery cunt on the base of his dick before pulling back and easing himself inside of her.
The arch of her unmarked neck was tantalizing enough, but accompanied with her hair fanning out in fluffy rivulets, and her khol lashes batting softly against her flushed cheeks, it was almost undoing. The head of his cock squished deeper, allowing more of her dribbling pussy to engulf his shaft, and he let a groan escape his mouth, too preoccupied with looking at the beauty beneath him.
And then he was fully sheathed, and eager to screw the energy out of her. Sesshoumaru leaned down to nibble on her clothed shoulder, repositioning his hands where he could fondle her upper body and began a steady rhythm, listening to the puff of her exhale, and the ragged intake of pleasure she was helpless to receive. It was times like this where Sesshoumaru could not hold off the majority of his beast, and surrendered to his animistic call. The feel of her open cunt, the submission of her entire body, the need in her that cause Kagome to beg vocally for his manhood, was all too gratifying.
After several sharp deep thrusts, she climaxed around him, her vagina sucking and tugging on his cock, squeezing the life out of his swollen tip, and caressing his intrusion in violent pulses.
"Fuck that's wonderful..." He breathed into her neck, receiving only a breathy chuckle in response. He lazily thrusted again, opening his eyes to look at her.
"Then lets do it again." Her eyes were dilated, and her tongue snaked over the top of her teeth seductively.
Sesshoumaru simply showed her his want to comply.
Kikyo was the first person Sesshoumaru saw as the car pulled up to the curb. She was waiting outside the front door, her left arm twisted in to herself as she checked the dainty watch on the inside of her wrist. He gently helped Kagome from the car, and then flagged the driver to move onward. They wouldn't need him back for another few hours. He turned to walk into the building, but was stopped by Kikyo again, confusing him slightly. Wasn't she just waiting for Kagome?
"Ms. Takahashi?"
Her stare was pleasantly blank. "Kikyo, please."
He inclined his head and his eye twitched. Apparently she was waiting for both of them, or him personally. She continued before he could respond, however. "I wanted to talk to you both privately after we handle business with this hotel. It's extremely important."
Kagome nodded her head immediately, looking concerned. He rolled his eyes, in secretary language, "important" could mean a rush job for a table commission.
"That depends on what you entail as important, Ms. Takahashi."
She smiled. "Kikyo, please." Her persistence was astounding. Formality was a strong suit of his, and Sesshoumaru always had a hard time not using such language. However, she was well acquainted with Kagome, and Kagome has a habit of abusing informality, especially in regard to her position as an executive. Sesshoumaru realized he shouldn't be too concerned, nor surprised with her easy-going request. He sighed.
"What is it, Kikyo?" He was almost bored. Almost.
"Hakudoshi."
Sesshoumaru stilled and looked at her blankly. The only report of this demon he had ever heard from was the extensive files she left with Shippo for him months prior. Although he had been curious at her blatant lack of progress, or so he thought, he didn't perceive him to be too big of a threat, since he hadn't been physically injurious toward the company - kidnapping Byakuya aside. Hakudoshi, however, was a demon not to be taken lightly. Sesshoumaru still didn't understand why he was explicitly needed for this particular meeting, but fluffed his curiosity anyways, wanting to know intimate details all the same. He began to respond to her, after his lull in thought, but Kagome had beaten him to the punch.
"That sounds fine. We will conduct a meeting after business here is finished." Sesshoumaru merely inclined his head again at the clarification Kikyo asked for with her blatant look in his direction.
She turned abruptly and with a sway, entered the building through the turntable doors, hair flicking sharply at her knees. "In regards to the celebration, the committee members from Shanghai decided to handle the Game rules, and left us the portion covering the hotel and stock inventory."
"That should be fine, right?" Kagome didn't seem to know the extent of such a split in duties.
"Its more than fine, Kags." Inuyasha walked up to her and scratched behind his ear. Sesshoumaru snorted at his attire - jeans, his customary leather lace-ups, and a casual red punk tee. He was dressed down way too much, did he think it was casual-everyday?
"Your attire is astounding, Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru could not help himself.
"Whatever, tell that to everyone else. Aside from you three, and a few others who enjoy being prissy, the rest of us are in work mode. Bite my ass." Inuyasha scoffed and turned back to Kagome with a growl, clearly annoyed. "anyways, they left us with the easy half. Everything is booked, and the rest is reserved, all that's left to do is count out a guest list, formalize it, and keep preparations on decor up to date."
"That was so nicely put, Inuyasha." Kikyo smiled and swatted him on the head. "But you are under-dressed."
"Ahh WHATEVER. I hate it when people gang up on me." He scowled and itched his ear again, turning away and walking back to the group he came from, muttering as he left. "And here I was tryin' to be helpful."
Sesshoumaru watched for a minute and let a chuckle escape his mouth for a brief second. Kagome looked up at him confused.
Clarification was evident. "He used to be a protagonist who howls as he leaves, running so fast he kicks up dust in his wake. I'd say he has improved miles beyond what I expected."
Kagome giggled and looked surreptitiously up at him. "by being a protagonist who scoffs as he leaves and walks slowly away?" She flicked her hair over her shoulder.
Kikyo only laughed, and Sesshoumaru didn't feel the need to designate a reply to that.
For the next hour, both Kagome and Sesshoumaru were lead around by Kikyo, learning the ups and downs of the soon to be function, listing things to be handles, and outlining a priority list. The visiting coordinators were calm and productive, expressing their gratitude for the generosity of Taisho corp. and relaying current comments or concerns. Overall, Sesshoumaru thought the function was well on its way toward success.
Kikyo seemed oddly at ease, since her real agenda was to discuss a menace like Hakudoshi. It was a calming feeling to watch her be so in control of herself, as a secretary should be, rather than fretting unnecessarily. Then again, Kikyo had always handled everything, most of it without Kagome's request either.
Two women appeared at Kikyo's shoulder, one in a miko garb, the other in a pressed suit, pencil skirt and matching blazer a stark white contrast to the red undershirt and shoes, both emitting a powerful spiritual aura. Sesshoumaru had gotten used to Kikyo being a miko, since she employed a cloaking aura during work hours. He found it not only convenient, but smart, seeing as she was working within a demon populated franchise. He looked over the two women and quirked a brow, finding the colors of their attire a tad too alike. However, Kikyo smiled and hugged each of them, muttering hushed hellos and small talk, before turning to him again.
"If you are finished overseeing the progress, we have set up a room to talk." Kikyo was pleasantly quiet, trying not to draw unnecessary attention, but Sesshoumaru didn't miss the collective spike in demonic reiki when the miko's walked in, nor the tension that permeated as Sesshoumaru inclined his head and followed the trio into a room he figured Kikyo had already outfitted with soundproofing of some kind.
Sesshoumaru sat gracefully in a chair, and reclined back, glancing at the apprehensive face of Kagome and receiving a smile from her as she sat next to him. "Introductions are in order." Sesshoumaru quietly intoned, observing the women intently.
"This is Hitomiko Kane," Kikyo gestured to her left and the woman in the white suit stepped forward and bowed politely. "She is current secretary and professional assistant to Byakuya. This is Kanade Horai" The woman in miko garb bowed deeply and then stepped back. "Head security detail at the remnants of Hakurei shrine, and an Entrepreneur for the Underground Miko society. They are very dear acquaintances of mine."
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes slightly. "Indeed."
"Kikyo, what is this all about..." Kagome sounded very confused. "Why couldn't you have come to the office?"
Kikyo smiled, and gestured for the other women to sit on chairs, sinking into one herself. "Taisho Corp. is predominately demonic, and I didn't want any aggressive occurrences. I know all the demons employed, or residing there have themselves under control, but Miko's aren't exactly looked upon as nonthreatening, and they both have very large aura's that are semi-unsuppressible. I felt that the demons might feel intruded upon if they suddenly showed up at the office" She leaned back and crossed one leg over the other. "So I figured that meeting in a public arena would have a little less of an impact.
Sesshoumaru was feeling less threatened by the minute, now that Kikyo was explaining their inherent submission to the demon rules in the community. It wasn't often that three highly powerful miko's and one taiyokai locked themselves in a room without tearing at each other.
"And what do I owe to the meeting?" Sesshoumaru still, however, had no idea why he was in a meeting with three miko's instead of just Kikyo.
"We have located Byakuya." Kikyo reached down to her feet and pulled out a spiral bound book, flipping through the pages and then handing it to Sesshoumaru. Kagome looked over his shoulder to see what was on the page.
"He's in Beijing?" Kagome's voice was utterly shocked, confusion pouring from her scent. Sesshoumaru agreed whole-heartedly. Why is he in Beijing?
"At first we thought he was in on the capture, by his actions and state of dress. We saw him alone, in his custom suits at a coffee shop, talking adamantly with this man," She held out a photograph and Kagome took that as well. "and we didn't figure that Hakudoshi would give him such a long leash. regarding Hakudoshi's previous actions, this wasn't synonymous. But the man he was with, was no better than his captor, not the friend that it looks like."
Kikyo sat back and worried her fingers between her knuckles. Sesshoumaru took the moment to memorize the face in the picture.
"His name is Bankotsu." A soft voice filtered through his eardrums and Sesshoumaru directed his attention in the general direction. Hitomiko had scooted forward on her chair, and pulled the mass of hair that hung below her waist over one shoulder. "He was originally employed under Naraku, but since Naraku has since been disposed of, Hakudoshi coerced him into cooperation. It seems that Bankotsu is keeping the tight leash on Byakuya, and Hakudoshi is sitting back and watching from afar."
Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome and she nodded, her worried face accurately portraying his thoughts. This was becoming much more complicated than Sesshoumaru originally thought it to be.
Hitomiko continued. "At first we didn't understand why they were in Beijing at all, until a few weeks ago."
Kagome interjected. "This wouldn't happen to be because of that merger situation, would it?"
Hitomiko nodded solemnly, and Sesshoumaru looked curiously over to Kagome, willing her to clarify without being prompted.
She sighed and sat back, putting her finger on her lip and thinking for a moment. "Before the set up of this function, I had suggested a merger deal on two accounts, solely benefiting the Beijing demonic population. It was the catalyst for their support in our organization. Since then, China has backed out of the merger entirely, wishing to leave the professional handling of the company in Japan, as well as stating formally that unless an overseer came directly from Japan, they wouldn't be able to properly run that part of the company."
Sesshoumaru looked over and thought about this, watching her fiddle with the hem of her skirt. "What accounts?"
"The budget account for human interaction, and development for foreign affairs." Kagome smiled to herself and Sesshoumaru suppressed a chuckle. What demon in their right minds wants to handle human affairs and foreign relations. Kagome was a smart woman indeed. "I figured they wouldn't take it anyways..." He barked a short chuckle.
"No, they wouldn't." He quirked an eyebrow at her again and she continued.
"But they sent a memo later requesting to still be a part of the contributing element, not wanting to lose footing in the company that would soon rule a level of demonic stability over their nation." She looked down and chewed her lip. "I think I have this right, but they contribute close to two thirds of the foreign affairs, and damage control income in regards to human interaction. They seem to be really keen on preventing incidents regarding humans versus demons."
Sesshoumaru was surprised by all of this, wondering lightly why he had yet to hear of specifics such as these. He rolled his eyes though, they were probably in his ever growing inbox.
Kikyo spoke up again, checking a notation. "64.85% actually. A great majority of their contributions include oil, resources, man power - like the cooperation we have right now for this function, and currency. However, the most important part, is the smallest part. They can comp us with things like resources, oil and currency, based on their own income from places like Great Brittan, Mongolia, and most importantly, North Africa."
Immediately everything clicked into place for Sesshoumaru. "Hakudoshi wants to take advantage of controlling the supply." He felt a wave of anger wash over him. The insolence of that twerp.
Hitomiko nodded again. "By controlling how much income china receives, he can indirectly control how much income Taisho Corp. receives, and eventually hamper the foundation low enough to cripple the company. He is using Byakuya's Territory to fluctuate the ebb and flow of income Japan. Its a slow moving effort, but potentially successful"
Sesshoumaru growled angrily. "He will die by my hands." He was beyond angry. The sneaky bastard was already doing enough damage to get the attention of Kikyo and Hitomiko, so the implication that even more damage to his company will follow made Sesshoumaru even angrier.
"We have several different ways to retrieve Byakuya, but we need to ask an enormous favor of you in order for any of our plans to actually succeed." Hitomiko's voice was pleasantly soft, and unagitated, even though his beast was practically clawing its way out from the inside of his ribcage.
"A favor is it..." Sesshoumaru intoned. Already the conversation was making him angry, not the women themselves, but the factual evidence of him not only failing to prevent this, but being unable to prevent it without help either.
Mikos and demons hadn't gotten along well, practically ever. In the light of modern advancements in societies, cooperation had been forced upon the two factions, but for the most part unfavorably. The recognized leaders of both groups, had come to an agreement, as well as the leading subordinates, but the vast majority of commoners did not agree with the new found rule.
Tsukiyomi, and the five other head mikos in charge of separate communities had called a counsel with the four ruling demon lords around the Meiji restoration period for a kind of proposition. Slightly more than half the miko population had already understood that demons weren't solely out to hunt, kill and be barbaric, and acknowledged that they had misread the circumstances based on the miniscule percentage of feral, uncontrollable animals that happened to be demons. Along with an apology from the five heads, Tsukiyomi had justified a joining of groups, to tackle the new era with "the strength of peace" as she put it.
The outcome had began with the belief of stability and smooth transition, but it came to the attention of the leaders, that a great number of both demons and mikos had been fighting solely with each other, refusing to comply with the new regulations. The price to calm the wave of hostility was Tsukiyomi's life, and the concealment of both the demonic population and the Mikos, ruled by her lover Hoshiyomi, who later took his own life out of heartbreak. The result was a tension filled cooperative effort, that began to lean toward the passive aggressive side of hostility for each other, and the merging of both entities into society, Demons branching out to rule more, with a greater majority of leaders, and the Miko's collectively sharpening their small communities of power.
Since then, demons had not involved themselves in Miko affairs or offered help, and Mikos had not intruded on demonic affairs, or offered any assistance on their side either.
The situation now stood as a demonic problem, and yet here were three powerful mikos not only offering support and assistance, but assuring they could handle the situation. It was a sore blister on Sesshoumaru's nostalgic memory, and he wasn't sure what the conditions were that he would have to meet to satisfy the women and handle the situation appropriately. He eyes them, waiting with bated breath as they watched him ponder this. He finally decided to hear what they had to say, reserving the right to negate the favor once asked.
"Ask your favor of me, and I will see if I am able to comply."
"We would like you to release Goyomaru temporarily, so that we can make use of Moyomaru."
Kikyo barely got her sentence out before Sesshoumaru flatly intoned a sharp "No." without blinking.
Kanade stood and bowed deeply. "We don't intend to keep him released, or do anything destructive to the-"
"NO." Sesshoumaru released a violent bark and stood sharply, advancing two steps toward the women, curiously unflinching.
"This has nothing to do with our unfortunately tense past, nor has it anything to do with an alternate agenda-"
Sesshoumaru also cut Hitomiko off with two sharp barks, and bared his teeth. "I said, NO." He was not in the mood to risk everything just so that the mikos could supposedly help him, not when he was intelligent enough to figure out another course of action, that didn't involve releasing a traitorous criminal. He watched the three bow respectively to him in a line, and briefly felt a parental kind of twinge in the back of his mind, as if he were scolding children, but was more angry at the request than the women themselves.
They had come to him politely, without aggression, and submissive to the laws of demonic society, laying aside any hint of authority. However, they were still asking for something inappropriate, and unlawful, something that was a direct risk to both the underground societies of Demons and Mikos and the umbrella population of the planet. He would not be the person to give them such a volatile tool that could possibly result in the end of both existences.
Kagome laid both hands on his bicep as he was still growling warningly at the three bowing women when the door sharply opened and another woman stepped through, her reiki crackling against the auras of the three women, still postulated. Inuyasha appeared behind her.
"What in the seven heavens is going on?"
"Mizugami," Sesshoumaru inclined his head in a small bow of respect.
"You five are causing a disturbance. This will be resolved immediately." She turned and also bowed minisculely to Sesshoumaru. "Lord Sesshoumaru, it has been too long."
Kagome squeezed his arm gently and stepped forward. "I apologize, but I think I'm out of the loop. Can someone clarify the problem for me?"
Hitomiko and Kanade straightened and looked at the new visitor. "Yes. However, this matter is supposed to be confidential, and we don't want the information broadcasted, can you state your name and position?"
Kikyo stood this time and stepped forward. "This is Suijin, The water goddess. She is the ruling lady of China."
Hitomiko smiled and relaxed. "We apologize for our abruptness. Please, Mizugami, join us."
Sesshoumaru was still upset, but linked fingers with Kagome, looking down at her confused face and studying her intently. She had been silent and receiving of the information put out on the table, not questioning or butting in unnecessarily He supposed it was because she didn't understand most of it, but also because she was also a person the Mikos were asking a favor of, because of her dual partnership in running the company with him.
Sesshoumaru cleared his throat and waited for the attention to gather upon him. "I am going to excuse myself while you fill Suijin in on the issue at hand. Kikyo, you are not to ask her the favor you have asked of me, until I am back within the room. You three must be informed of the consequences of such a request." He slid his hand down Kagome's waist and lead her out the door before him, giving one last warning glare to the occupants and then shutting the door, re-administering the soundproofing attached to the thresholds and sills.
He led Kagome to an adjacent room to continue the discussion, and closed the door behind them. Only then did he sigh audibly and run a hand through his hair.
Kagome's hand had found its way to his belly, and stroked it several times while looking up at his face, concern etched across her features.
"I apologize, Kagome. I almost became uncontrollable." Kagome shook her head and smiled at him, linking her fingers with his again.
"No, you don't get angry like that unless its for something really important." She reached up to cup his jaw and brushed a thumb over the now jagged lines of his genealogy. "Am I allowed to know?"
He chuckled and smiled down at her. "That is why I brought you out here. Everyone in that room is aware of the situation concerning Goyomaru, and I wanted to fill you in. You have an insight into issues from an objective standpoint, so your advice is important to me."
"Thank you Sesshoumaru..." Kagome looked sheepish, and Sesshoumaru decided to ignore it. Her modesty would always be prominent in her personality.
"Goyomaru is a demon currently in life imprisonment under the Taisho castle in Fukui, in the dungeons. He has been there for four hundred years."
Kagome looked appalled. "And I thought life imprisonment for humans was bad." She struggled to find words, her eyes darting back and forth and her mouth opening and closing slightly. "I know this might not be any of my business, but hes not chained to a wall or anything, is he?"
Sesshoumaru looked pointedly at her. "He may be imprisoned, but he is comfortable. There are three demons with the same circumstances as Goyomaru, and a home has been crafted under the Taisho dwellings to accomodate them. They are comfortable, but restricted only to their abode." Kagome sighed in what appeared to be relief. He raised an eyebrow. "We may be a strict culture, but we are not barbaric, Kagome."
She backed up a step and waved her hands in front of her face. "No No.. I wasn't suggesting anything like that, I just didn't really know..."
Sesshoumaru inwardly rolled his eyes. Such was her excuse for everything, although as her credibility stands, she really didn't know much about said circumstances, only a few perhaps. "Because of our extended lifespan, accommodations are usually made after a certain period of time, after sufficient punishment has been given. In the case of demon life-imprisonment, 130 years must pass, before they are allowed to move around any arranged establishments."
Kagome fidgeted slightly, and muttered a soft "oh..." he relaxed in the moment of silence, letting her process it. "Can I know who the other three are?" Her silent question was odd, considering they had other things to talk about, but Sesshoumaru didn't particularly mind.
"An annoying jewel maker, an arrogant fire elemental, and a sword smith so susceptible to anything that he is overcome with the demonic evil of his own forged weapons." Sesshoumaru didn't bother with names, because it would only prompt her to ask more questions.
"ah... um.." She looked up at him curiously. "So what happened with Goyomaru?"
He shifted his weight and juggled the words he was about to say on his tongue, making sure he remembered his facts correctly. "He is a traitor to not only Mikos and Demons alike, but the entire human population as well. His selfish tenancies almost destroyed the world, and the only thing he has to show for it are his excuses." Sesshoumaru sighed and shifted his weight. "Around the turn of the sixteenth century, there was a great battle, caused by the exponentially increasing tensions between mikos and demons. This was the time in which Goyomaru became dangerous."
"Became?" Kagome was rapt with attention.
"He had been partially devoured by a demon, and when the demonic spirit had been neutralized, it merged with his body."
"Neutralized? I think I'm missing some information here..." Kagome giggled lightly.
Sesshoumaru quirked a small smile and looked down at her pointedly. "Goyomaru was originally a Shinto Priest."
Kagome looked confused and furrowed her brows. "But how does that work?
"That is what we all want to know." Sesshoumaru chuckled under his breath, a smile quirking on his lips. "The demon who merged with him took control of the body, and stated his name as Moyomaru, unleashing tremendous power and violence. He was able to absorb the living ki of anything - demons and humans alike, in order to strengthen himself."
Kagome looked appalled and Sesshoumaru continued, choosing his words carefully. "He was imprisoned by a stroke of luck, and since the initial capture, the only thing anybody has ever done in regards to that traitor, has been strengthening bonds, punishment, or reinforcing the cell he is confined to." He sighed. "If released, there is no telling how in control we could keep him, and a stroke of luck isn't reliable for a second capture."
Kagome looked contemplative and then nodded. "That seems reasonable. Why don't we see what they want to do before you solidify the negative response."
Sesshoumaru looked perturbed and leveled a glare at Kagome, who waved her hands in front of her face. "No. No, I'm saying that the negative response would be safer, but to still hear them out regardless. You could ask them to explain themselves before giving them the concrete answer." Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and then got up, inwardly agreeing, but outwardly scowling. He hated coming to terms.
"Alright. It will be more annoying than anything though." He looked down at her, smiling peacefully up at him and sighed again. He wanted to pin her down and screw her again. The car fuck relaxed him, for what he thought would be the whole afternoon, but all of this conflict had riled his beast up and it was itching and thrashing about. He restrained his beast with a reprimand and sighed for the umpteenth time, running a few fingers through his bangs and turning to the door. It was time to face the fire.
When Sesshoumaru walked back into the small office, Inuyasha was on edge, claws practically shredding the armrest of a very unfortunate chair, and Suijin was listening elegantly with rapt attention to Kikyo's tactful summary. Already he knew this would continue to go downhill before it got better. Inuyasha was brash in general, so it wasn't uncommon for the mutt the overreact, however both Sesshoumaru himself and Suijin had subconsciously employed a tight lipped pale anger that washed over their cheeks. Sesshoumaru could feel it in the muscles on his face, and could see it on hers.
The fucker was going to die, anyways, but that didn't mean Sesshoumaru wasn't livid presently.
All the more so, Suijin had a right to know, since the bastard had been worming around under her carefully powdered nose. It was reasonable that she was the most upset.
"As we told Sesshoumaru earlier, we have the ability to reclaim Byakuya, and eliminate Hakudoshi, but not only does it require a collaborative effort from both the Demon and Miko societies, it also requires us to take a large risk." Kikyo finished tactfully.
Sesshoumaru cut in, "Which is why you are not to ask her of it until I hear out why you need such a thing."
Hitomiko stepped forward and bowed again, speaking softly. "I apologize, but talking of specifics would only imply our request, and it would most likely be easier to find a solution were all the cards on the table."
He half expected her to call him something befitting of his station, but Sesshoumaru continued to regard her in silence, waiting a few moments to answer, and letting his authority hang thickly in the air. She was correct, although out of line. Perhaps it was because he was still upset about the whole thing, but Sesshoumaru found himself unwilling to concede to them. "Then let her know, what it is you have requested of me."
A pregnant silence filled the air as Suijin looked expectantly at the three women. He figured somehow the presence of a goddess, and her expectations must be much more intimidating than a Dai Youkai, though he suppressed the urge to smirk as Kanade flicked her eyes back and forth equally nervous.
"Well..." Kikyo sighed at her comrades hesitation. Sesshoumaru felt a brief passing of sympathy to her, since she was doing most of the talking, but quelled it, not wanting to appear biased.
Kikyo huffed and coughed, speaking up. "We requested that Sesshoumaru release Goyomaru from custody so that we could make use of Moyomaru."
"No." Was Suijin's flat answer, once again almost cutting her sentence off. Sesshoumaru allowed himself to shirk a pride filled twitch of his mouth in Kagome's direction, who, he was sure, rolled her eyes at.
Inuyasha's concurrent "HELL NO." at the same time, was pleasing, for once. Sesshoumaru relished the pride he was feeling in the fact that both a goddess and the ruling demoness of China, as well as his Half-brother who normally disagreed on everything Sesshoumaru did, both were more confident in the security and solid confinement Sesshoumaru upheld in terms of Goyomaru, than excited to get Byakuya back.
Kanade sat down and inhaled a deep steadying breath, preparing her next words.
"I am well aware of the centuries of conflict between both Mikos and Demons, but this request has nothing to do with any lingering spite." She smoothed out several invisible wrinkles on one hakama leg, looking down.
"Are you?" Sesshoumaru countered. "Perhaps you are also several centuries old, and have first hand experience in the matter?" He was sour, and incredibly defensive.
"No, I am not. I was born in an era where Demons and Mikos can peacefully coexist, albiet some tension. I was raised with the understanding that although Demons may reject kind advances from Mikos, tolerate our presence in limited amounts, and generally avoid any other interactions, they are honorable creatures who are more concerned with blending in with the human race, and coexisting, than starting a war with Mikos." Kanade continued in a leveled voice, her back straight and proper, and her eyes determined.
"I can assure you, there are multiple history lessons the Mikos of today are required to attend, most of which cover the 150 year old blister that is still prevalent upon your society. I was taught of our transgression, as well as the violent reactions from both parties, and the inevitable seperation of two powerful forces that would be better inclined to work together than separately."
"The reason I am an entrepreneur in the involvement of Miko societies, and actively pursuing the enlargement of such a group upon the land of humans, is partly to enure that proper knowledge is taught to new students, to avoid any more mis-communications."
This time is was Suijin who spoke. "Miscommunication? our oppression was miscommunication?"
Kanade shook her head. "Absolutely not. I would compare it to a crusade, more than miscommunication, however, miscommunication was what I believe to be the cause of the fights in the first place. Like crusades, the conflict between Youkai and Mikos spawned because of a difference in race, power, and beliefs. Much was, I'm sure, aggrandized to have the illusion of victimization, versus oppressor."
Suijin looked pleased. "Thank you for the clarification." Her tone was still clipped, to which Sesshoumaru felt every ounce of empathy for.
"Although it is not in my position to apologize, since I am not the the one who started such travesties, I am here to offer not only my cooperation, but my sincere hope than in the future Demons will begin to look upon Mikos in a different light. It is not just I who wishes for a change in pace."
Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes. "My acknowledgement to your opinions. However, monologue aside, I still will not release Goyomaru under the pretense of mere trust."
Kanade seemed to be fine with this, as she continued. "Thank you. I would like to ask that the three of us not be a target for your anger, seeing as we come under the due diligence of helping retrieve someone of demonic importance, and not demanding help for the opposite party."
Kagome spoke up this time, calmly. "I think that both You and Hitomiko are very considerate in this regard." Sesshoumaru could practically feel the smile radiating off her body. "However, I think that both Sesshoumaru and Lady Suijin are more angry at Hakudoshi and his underhandedness, than you, and extremely uncomfortable with taking such a risk without any pretense of success."
Kanade seemed to relax, and inclined her head, taking a deep breath.
Suijin picked up from where Kagome left off. "Agreed. I will need to have much more incentive than your word, to allow someone as frightfully uncontrollable as Moyomaru running around my country."
"Will then, you allow us to state what it is we have planned?" Hitomiko laid her hand on the back of the seat Kanade was sitting in, a look of hope evident across her cheeks.
Sesshoumaru inclined his head, and Hitomiko smiled. He sat, steepling his fingers, and staring rigidly at the three of them. "I will hear what you have to say." Kagome's delicate squeeze on the inside of his palm, and a sigh of relaxed anticipation was all Sesshoumaru got before Kikyo stepped forward, laptop in hand.
CLIFF HANGER...
Sorry... I couldn't resist. Its funner to write the actual plan as it progresses, than explain it first. If I were to simply explain it, there would be no anticipation, no nothing. Dont worry! I still love you all.
Please Read and Review!
Aloha and Mahalo