Misconceptions And Misunderstandings
Chapter 48
Kagome kissed her mate's cheek as she disentangled herself from his arms. She was ready to start her day. And her investigation. His arms tightened around her.
"Where are you going?"
"To take my shower."
"We have no plans for this morning. You can stay in bed a little longer. And… rest?"
She knew that look he was giving her. Since her morning sickness had abated, she had been introduced to his morning appetite. And there were days he was ravenous. She ducked under his arm and scooted off the bed.
"As much as I like taking care of your hunger, your pup seems to want to make mine a priority this morning. I'm starved."
He chuckled and let her go. There would be ample time later. The luau didn't start until nine. He intended to insist she take a nap before it started. He slid out of bed and grabbed a pair of pants. She poked her head out of the bathroom.
"Are you going down for your newspaper?"
"I am."
She flashed a grin.
"Could I talk you into bringing up some guava juice?"
"I suppose I could manage such a simple task."
She giggled.
"Thanks."
He finished buttoning his shirt.
"Since you are getting in the shower, I am putting up a barrier when I leave."
"Whatever for?"
She inwardly smirked. Let's see him explain this.
"Have you forgotten someone broke in? I will not leave you here unprotected."
She turned to the bathroom door so he wouldn't see her disappointment. Damn he was good. And she knew it had not been an ordinary break in. The would-be thief had been looking for something. Oh well. Sherlock Holmes never solved his cases this fast either.
"Oh. Yeah. Ok. I'll see you when you get back."
He walked over to her and kissed her on the top of her head.
"I won't be long. When I get back, we'll go down for breakfast."
As he closed the door behind him she let her smirk show. Yeah right. She would just bet there would be some excuse for a delay. She giggled. Maybe someone had to go out and pick the guavas or something. The man must really think she was an airhead. She had seen him pick up his phone. He was on vacation. Why would he need his phone just for a quick trip to the lobby?
She turned on the water and set the temperature. She would start at the beginning and work her way to the present. That meant the car. It should have made the news. The day it happened. It would not be on today's broadcast news. But the local news station websites would carry archives of their past stories. While the hotel provided free wireless internet, she had not brought her laptop. That meant the public library. What a coincidence that the Hawaii State Library was right next to Iolani Palace. She should be able to ditch her overprotective watchdog… she giggled at the unintended pun… long enough to look it up.
She decided that Mariko could help. A morning shopping trip. Toweling her hair, she opened the closet and pulled out clothes for the day. She noted that the shirt she had bought for him was still there. She was almost disappointed. That would have been the perfect excuse for an impromptu shopping trip. But it seems that he took her at her word. Too bad. He'd look good in a Speedo.
On second thought… Maybe she would buy it anyway. There was always the pool at the house. And he couldn't object to an audience. She would be the only audience. She licked dry lips at the mental image. Perhaps she shouldn't have been quite so anxious to start her investigation. She certainly could have endured more of his efforts to distract her.
Sesshoumaru set the barrier around the suite and walked to the elevator. He was calm enough now to talk to his brother. Without wanting to beat him to a bloody pulp at least. Since the idiot was already here, he could be another pair of eyes tonight. As long as he didn't let Kagome see him.
Inuyasha's temper had not improved any. He had not had to sleep sitting up in a very long time. He had a kink in his back that hurt like hell and he couldn't stretch out until he got this damn statue off his hand. The knock on the door lightened his mood. It had to be Sesshoumaru. He'd grovel if he had to. At least until he was free. Then there would be a serious ass kicking. He owed the bastard.
Mariko came out of the kitchen to answer the door. She bowed to her lord.
"Good morning, my lord."
He nodded and strode past her.
"Gather everyone. My time is limited."
She went to alert the others.
Sesshoumaru seated himself in a chair across from his brother with a smirk on his face.
"An interesting companion."
Inuyasha grumbled under his breath.
Sesshoumaru cocked his head to the side.
"What was that? I didn't hear you."
"I said. You're a bastard. You know that?"
"Actually I am quite sure my parents were mated."
"Ha. Ha. Very fucking funny. Make them get this thing off of me."
"Why would I wish to do that?"
"Because as soon as you do, I'm gonna kick your ass."
"You aren't helping your cause."
"Alright. Look. I didn't intend for Kagome to see me. Ok? I came to help protect her. Tamotsu says this is serious. You know how Kagome is. You need all the help you can get."
"Then you know that Kouro is our target. And that he is here on the island."
"Yeah. That's why I came. We'll get the bastard. He won't lay a finger on Kagome."
"And if I agree to release you… I can trust you to stay away from Kagome?"
"Yeah. I don't want to ruin her vacation. Just make sure she's safe."
Sesshoumaru nodded.
"Very well."
He addressed the security chief who had just entered the room.
"You may release him."
And to his brother, "Don't make me regret it."
Matsushita waved an ok to Saito. The statue disappeared. As the security team gathered to meet with their lord, Inuyasha jumped up and ran toward the hall leading to the bedrooms.
Sesshoumaru sighed.
"I have informed you that I have limited time."
"I've had to fucking piss for the last two hours."
Matsushita took a seat on the couch.
"Has your brother's language always been so…?"
"Crude? Low class? Indicative of a Neanderthal level of intelligence?"
Matsushita scratched his head.
"I was going to say colorful."
Sesshoumaru couldn't contain the small smirk.
"Yes. It's one of his many charms."
Mariko set cups of coffee out for the group.
"I could recommend a good charm school."
Kenta snorted.
"You mean the one that flunked you?"
Mariko only smiled sweetly as she offered him a cup of coffee. Which somehow managed to slip from her grasp and cover his lap. He jumped up as the hot liquid soaked his pants.
"Oh. I'm so sorry, Hashimoto. I'm so clumsy. I don't know how I dropped it. Perhaps I should take a remedial course on serving guests."
The smile in her eyes was positively evil. Kenta scrubbed at his pants with a kitchen towel that Saito had tossed him. It was fortunate that he was a dragon. High temperatures had little effect on him other than momentary pain. The burn would heal by evening and leave no permanent damage. But it would be damned uncomfortable until then.
Matsushita rubbed his temple. Did they have to put on such displays in front of their lord?
"Can you two grow up? At least until this assignment is completed?"
Properly chastised, they returned to their seats. Mariko cast a guilty look at her lord. Would he think less of her skills because of her childish act of revenge? She quickly looked down. She could swear she'd seen a slight trace of amusement. She would never have even had the thought if she had not seen him with his mate in the rainforest. Could it be that his icy demeanor was a façade? She was beginning to see him in a whole new light.
Once Inuyasha returned, they got down to business.
Sesshoumaru listened as Kenta went over the plan he had spent most of the night working on. Matsushita had insisted this was still his assignment and he had no intention of taking it over. Matsushita had only come to deliver information and to aid in what had now become a touchy political situation. When they took Kouro down, it would have to be a clean kill. With absolutely no room for doubt of his guilt. If not, it could ignite a clan feud. Then no member of either house would be safe. While Matsushita had no doubt his lord would prevail, what would be the ultimate cost?
Kenta got straight to the point.
"Capturing the assassins is not a priority tonight. Lady Kagome's safety is our only objective. Nishimura and I will be close to her at all times. I have called Ito back. He, Saito, and Tsukuda will cover the beach and the hotel. The food will not be a problem tonight, as it will be served buffet style. They will not risk a major incident and investigation by poisoning all of the guests. We will only have to watch the drinks she is served."
"What about the snake?"
Kenta nodded at Saito's question.
"We know where he is staying. He has not noticed Ito's surveillance. After all of the failures, I expect him to be involved with any attempt made tonight. If not, then Ito can return to his stake out in the morning. Tonight he is needed here."
He outlined his plan in concise detail. The others listened and added a comment or question when necessary. Sesshoumaru was satisfied that there was nothing else that could be done in preparation for the luau. Other than get his hands on Kouro before tonight. He highly doubted that would happen. Despite the inexperienced talent they had seen so far, Kouro was not completely incompetent. His stupidity seemed to only run so far as a poor choice of victim. And Sesshoumaru planned to make him see the error of his ways as soon as possible.
Matsushita left the suite with Sesshoumaru. His assignment would begin now. He followed his lord to the lobby where he picked up today's paper and a bottle of guava juice from a vending machine. With the items in hand, they returned to Sesshoumaru's suite.
Kagome was pacing the floor in that afore mentioned suite. Her mate had been gone entirely too long to get a paper and juice. She had known of course that would be the case. She wondered what excuse he would use. Knowing her mate, it would at least sound good.
She was also now reasonably sure that she had indeed seen Inuyasha. For whatever reason, they were keeping his presence a secret from her. She'd had time to think about what she had seen. The silver white hair was a hereditary feature of their clan. There were no other members of their clan left that she was aware of. The odds that the man she had seen was not Inuyasha were so slim as to be almost nonexistent. How she was going to confirm her suspicions was the subject that currently occupied her thoughts.
She felt the barrier go down and turned just in time to see her mate enter the suite followed by a man she had never seen before. He was not suppressing his aura. That of a full demon. The man was handsome. His expression was a stoic mask. He was dark version of her mate. He had no markings that she could see. Despite his lack of royal markings, his bearing reflected the arrogance and pride of a lord. She wondered who he was.
Matsushita assessed the woman who was clearly doing the same to him. She was not what he had expected. She was a beautiful woman, certainly. But it was a quiet beauty. Not the sophisticated sort of ideal beauty that was worshipped as the standard for humans today. It was reflected in the way she carried herself. She had a confidence that did not rely on her outward appearance. As if she knew her place in the world and was more than ok with it.
When she saw her mate, she smiled a smile that was so radiant there was no doubt that she was completely in love with him. He watched his lord open his arms to her and she went gladly into them.
"I'm sorry it took so long. I ran into Matsushita. I lost track of time before I invited him to come up. I hope your juice didn't get warm."
She took the juice from him and kissed him lightly.
"It's fine. Now who is your friend?"
Matsushita stepped forward and gave her a bow as Sesshoumaru introduced them.
"This is Tamotsu Matsushita. He is a business associate. He is here on vacation as well."
It had been decided that Matsushita could be another person close to her. As long as he was introduced as someone Kagome would believe had a reason to be there, rather than some random acquaintance recently met. Kenta and Mariko had that covered already. Since it had been Kagome who initiated the first contact, there was no risk of discovery there. Sesshoumaru inviting a stranger to join them during their vacation would raise her suspicions immediately. So he had to be someone that was already known to Sesshoumaru.
Kagome bowed.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. Would you like something to drink? Coffee? Tea?"
"Coffee will be fine. Thank you."
Kagome went to get the coffee. Her thoughts on just who this man really was. He could be a business associate. But somehow she doubted it. It was too much of a coincidence. But then her suspicious mind could be working overtime.
She had yet to put her puzzle together. But she had gathered more pieces when she decided that Inuyasha was here in the hotel. She just hadn't found the piece that told her why. But she would. For now she was faced with a new piece in Matsushita that she wasn't quite sure where he fit. But she was sure that he fit into the puzzle somewhere.
The plan to introduce Matsushita into the picture did not go exactly as planned. Kagome used it as part of her plan instead. There was nothing Sesshoumaru could do. Not without divulging the truth to his sure to be angry mate.
"I'm sure you two have a great deal to talk about. I wanted to do a little more shopping before the luau tonight. I'll call Mariko and get her to accompany me. I should be back before lunch. If not, I will call you."
She kissed her mate's cheek. Not giving him time to argue.
"See you later."
She was out the door with her purse and cell phone in her hand before he could think of an objection.
"That woman will drive me to insanity one day."
Matsushita chuckled.
"And you will smile and go willingly every step of the way."
A small smile appeared on Sesshoumaru's face.
"You are probably right."
"Should we follow her?"
"If the wolf is as good as I've been led to believe, then she should be in no danger. The shopping district is a crowded public area. Getting to her would be difficult at best. And with the luau tonight being a much better opportunity, I don't expect another attempt until then."
"If you are sure."
At Sesshoumaru's nod, they moved on to other subjects.
Tsukuda pulled up to the curb at the place Lady Kagome indicated. Mariko cast him a cautious look as she got out of the car. He nodded. He thought it was strange as well. Why would their lady want to visit a library while on vacation? He thought it strange enough to call in and report it.
Kenta hung up the phone. Damn it. Something had made her suspicious. But what could she be looking for at the library? He had to let his lord know right away. While it was tempting to call, he decided face to face would be better. He couldn't be that angry. Could he?
Kenta knocked on the door to his lord's suite. He had been thinking about it on the way up. Perhaps she just wanted some more information on Hawaii. She did seem very interested in the history and culture. Maybe with a day of leisure before the luau, she just wanted to do some reading. Nah. His assignments were never that easy.
Matsushita opened the door.
"You have some information for us?"
Kenta moved past him and went straight to the chair opposite Sesshoumaru.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, my lord. Tsukuda just called."
"Is there trouble?"
"Yes."
When Sesshoumaru tensed, he hurried to explain.
"But not the kind you're thinking."
"Continue."
"Tsukuda just dropped Lady Kagome off at the library."
Kenta expected an angry reaction. Instead, Sesshoumaru sat back against the chair calmly and closed his eyes.
"I believe I told you that she was too intelligent to stay in the dark for long."
Kenta did not know what to make of the calm reaction. It was almost as if he had been expecting it. Waiting for it.
"I don't suppose she just wants to read more about the islands?"
Sesshoumaru snorted.
"Not a chance."
He sat up and folded his hands between his knees.
"We do have a little time. If she is at the library, then she is still trying to put it all together. If she had it figured out, she would be here ranting about my being a smothering overprotective jerk. Not at the library. She is looking for something specific. Although I don't know what it could be. The workings of her mind still give me a headache at times."
"So what do we do now?"
"Nothing. She has only suspicions for now. We will focus on the luau tonight. We will deal with the rest tomorrow."
Mariko sat quietly thumbing through a magazine while Kagome was getting more and more frustrated. She had found the news story she was looking for. It had made all of the local stations. But she didn't have any more information than she had when she started. All she knew now that she didn't before, was that the two men in the car were not locals. They were foreigners. And they had yet to be identified. It leant credence to her theory that the men had been following them, but didn't add much else.
She pulled up the Tokyo news reports for the last few days. Looking for what, she didn't know. If it were a case of corporate espionage, it would not be in the news. Sesshoumaru made certain that any incidents of that nature remained hidden from the public. She had learned from him that even the smallest of things could and did affect the price of the company stock.
She wished that she could access the demon world news from here. They had their own network of websites that only demons could access. This public computer would not be able to access any of those websites. Only IP addresses that had been cleared through the council could access those. She could have accessed them at home. But not here.
She had all the information she was going to get. It had been less than helpful. She was hoping that she could get names. Maybe do a background check and find out where they were from, who they worked for. Oh well. She would not be discouraged by a little dead end. It only made her more determined to find her answers. She clicked the logoff button to terminate her temporary pass.
She looked at her watch. She didn't realize she had been here that long. Mariko had to be bored out of her mind. She had told her to go do some shopping or exploring and she'd catch up with her when she was done. Mariko had insisted on waiting for her.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to be that long. Let's get some lunch."
Once outside, she pulled out her cell to call Tsukuda. She had three missed calls. All from Sesshoumaru. Damn. How was she going to explain? He could always tell when she lied to him. She called Tsukuda to pick them up. Then she called Sesshoumaru.
"Why haven't you answered your phone?"
She could tell from the calm monotone that he was less than pleased. A lie would not serve her well. So she decided on the truth.
"I'm sorry. I was in the library. I had to turn it off. I just got out."
"The library? Not exactly a tourist hotspot."
"I needed a computer. I wanted to learn more about the culture. And look for some places that aren't exactly on the tourist maps."
"Did you find anything you would like to explore?"
"Actually yes. But it's not something I can do right now. We'll have to come back sometime after the pup is born."
"Not something you can do right now? Because you carry our pup. Is it dangerous then?"
"Not really. But it requires scuba gear. The weight of it wouldn't be good right now. Or the underwater pressure changes. I don't want to take any chances."
"I'm glad you decided against it then. Care to tell me what it is you wish to do that you cannot?"
"Just a little diving. Exploring the reefs. I read all about the artificial ones they have. Did you know that they have sunken old ships and even an airplane to make artificial reefs to encourage coral growth and provide underwater habitats?"
"No. I was not aware. Have you made lunch plans?"
"Ah, no. I haven't thought about lunch yet. We grabbed a quick breakfast on the way to the library."
"Why don't you have Tsukuda bring you back? We can eat here at the hotel and relax for a while before the luau starts. I believe you said you wished to acquire a tan before we went home."
"Ok. I'll see you in a few minutes. I love you."
"I know."
"Jerk."
Sesshoumaru hung up. A small smile graced his features. It was so easy to push his mate's buttons. And very entertaining. Her story had been good. And not a lie. He could always tell. She was a horrible liar. But he was quite certain that she had not spent the entire time reading about diving the reefs. He expected the wolf to have some information for him when they got back.
She hung up with a smile on her face as she headed for the car. She was glad that she had thought to look at a website or two to concoct a believable reason for being at the library. He could always tell when she lied to him.
Mariko followed. She had a great deal to report. It was a good thing that Lady Kagome did not suspect her of being anything other than another tourist. She would have taken precautions not to reveal the subject of her research. She was sure that her lord was going to be very displeased when she told him what his mate had been researching. Perhaps she should make her report to Kenta and let him pass it on.
She always hated to be the one to report bad news. But she couldn't see a way out of it. She could only wonder how long they had before Lady Kagome had her answers. She did not want to be present for that conversation. She had come to like her a great deal in the short time she had known her. If things were different, she felt they could be friends. Unfortunately, after this was all over, she was sure that Lady Kagome would never want to see her again.
To be continued….
