Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this serial caper… especially for the serious one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.

A Debt of Gratitude: With thanks to mine beta, Fenikkusuken.

A few days later…

Chapter 25
The Ploy

Trepidation tightened the knots in her stomach, but Sango stood her ground. "I realize that you and Inuyasha are not exactly breaking any laws, but I'm not comfortable with your decision to edge out the police. This is their investigation."

"They had their chance," Sesshoumaru said, dismissing her concerns with the lift of one shoulder.

Sango bit her lip in frustration. She knew she should be grateful to have wrangled a private audience with the president of a large corporation, but he wasn't listening to her—not really. Grateful for Ayame's advice on how to approach the youkai, she launched into the second phase of her argument. "What if the plan fails? What if the thief gets away with the last statue? He'll disappear for another year or two, and the authorities will have to start from scratch."

"They already believe this to be the case," the youkai reminded her. "This plot is ours; the risk is ours alone."

What they don't know can't piss them off, Sango mentally paraphrased. Bravely meeting Sesshoumaru's golden eyes, she dared to say, "The risk is yours, but the prey is not." A slim brow arched, and Sango swallowed hard before continuing. "I understand that he's taken something of yours, but you aren't the only victim; many people have lost precious things to the Kissing Bandit. You're acting in your own interests, but Keisatsu is acting in everyone's interests. He has more than a decade invested in these cases."

"Are you asking for his sake, then?" Sesshoumaru challenged.

"Not exactly, sir," Sango replied carefully, trying to think of the best way to phrase her response. "I think… I think you'd be foolish not to put him to use."

The youkai's head canted to one side as he considered her face. "Hnn. Continue, Miss Sakamoto."

"It's to your advantage for the Kissing Bandit to assume that the one responsible for The Soul of Wisdom's disappearance was Inspector Keisatsu. When it reappears, the thief is going to suspect a trap, but if it looks like the police did it, then it's just the same old trap." Sango drew a deep breath, then plunged ahead. "There's a big difference this time, though. You have a reiki-user on the team—someone who can actually spot the thief. If Mr. Murasaki's abilities are as rare as everyone makes them out to be, then the thief probably isn't expecting us to have this kind of 'secret weapon'. By letting Inspector Keisatsu lead the charge as usual, you'll provide cover for Mr. Murasaki to do his thing… right?"

Sesshoumaru took his time answering, but finally, he conceded, "Your observations are not without merit." Sango released the breath she had been holding. "However, Keisatsu will not be pleased to learn of the 'precautions' I took."

"Maybe Mr. Murasaki could smooth things over?" she suggested. "He seems to be good at that kind of thing, and if people like Mr. Murasaki are as rare as you say…"

When she paused, he nodded once, answering, "They are."

"Well, then! Inspector Keisatsu will probably be thrilled to have the benefit of his services," she finished optimistically.

"Hnn, perhaps," the youkai allowed.

"Even if the police are brought in, the next move is still yours because you're in control. I mean, if the Kissing Bandit stays true to form, all you'd have to do to end his crime spree is keep the Kushimitama hidden away. He can't move on if his set is incomplete," she half-joked. Encouraged by the bemused expression on Sesshoumaru's face, she smiled and added, "If you think about it, the safest place to put the statue is in a building where there are no women to kiss."

His eyebrows shot up. "That observation is also worth considering," her murmured. In a louder voice, he said, "I will take your words into account, Miss Sakamoto."

Recognizing her dismissal, Sango nodded gratefully and stood, saying, "Thank you, sir." She was halfway to the door when her steps slowed to a stop, and she stood, momentarily confused by what she saw. A painting that had spent the better part of two weeks propped against the wall in her tiny living room now occupied a place of considerable honor on Mr. Taisho's wall.

"Miss Sakamoto?" Sesshoumaru inquired, and she glanced back at the youkai, who stood courteously.

"I'm sorry sir. I was just surprised to see a 'familiar face' in here," she said with an apologetic smile. As she resumed her course, she muttered, "Rin will be on cloud nine over this."

With a disorienting rush, Sesshoumaru was suddenly in front of her, barring her exit. "What did you say?" he demanded.

"Eh?" she managed, though it was barely more than a squeak.

"Rin." He loomed over her, eyes intent. "Those exquisite scrolls from last autumn—they were also by Masashi Himawari. You know this woman, don't you?" Sango, nodded mutely. "Would you happen to know how she obtained such an intimate knowledge of my ikebana arrangements?" he pressed. Unable to keep from trembling, Sango nodded again. Suddenly aware of the state she was in, Sesshoumaru stepped back and gentled his tone. "I am not angry, Miss Sakamoto. The question has been… plaguing me."

Glancing at the glowing depiction of golden forsythia that graced the wall, Sango kept it simple. "Rin loves flowers—adores them, actually. I took pictures of your arrangements to show her, and she found them very inspiring."

"Assistant Director Hitomi released this painting to me as a favor, but I have been unable to reach 'Masashi Himawari' to finalize a transaction. Several of the pieces at the show were inspired by my ikebana, and I wish to acquire them."

"Oh, well, that's understandable. Rin's in one of her artistic 'moods' right now—hardly leaves the loft to eat, let alone check her messages."

Sesshoumaru frowned. "How do you know this?"

Sango blinked. "Oh! I didn't say? Rin is my roommate—we share an apartment."

This fact took several moments to sink in, but Sesshoumaru eventually nodded. Looking down his nose at Sango, he said, "You may warn Miss Himawari that if she does not respond to my inquiries within a reasonable amount of time, I will be dropping by."

With a resigned smile, Sango replied, "I hope you like cinnamon toast."

End Note: This story owes much of its structure to the Live Journal community 30(underscore)lies, where I have a claim on Miroku. Lie #3, Cover-up. 1,049 words.