Misconceptions And Misunderstandings

Chapter 50

The normally brightly lit exterior of the hotel was significantly altered. The electric lights illuminating the courtyard and path to the beach were off. The path lit by torches, to accentuate the mood of the luau. The moon overhead was almost full, giving a decidedly romantic glow to the surrounding landscape.

Kagome was in awe of the atmosphere it created. Her mate and the other demons accompanying her were on edge. Even though the semi darkness did not affect their enhanced demonic eyesight, it did set an appropriate cover for any nefarious activities their enemies had planned.

They had not arrived at the start of the event, so there were a great many hotel guests already present. Some quite inebriated despite the short time they'd had to imbibe. One such guest made his overindulgence known by the loud sound of retching in some bushes just off the path. Matsushita snorted his disgust. Humans went out of their way to exhibit their foolishness on so many levels.

As they drew closer to the area set up for the luau, they could see the hotel staff and entertainers in their brightly colored traditional costumes. Most of the women wore grass skirts, and for modesty sake, the coconut bras rather than going bare-breasted as their ancestors did. Some wore colorful sarongs. The men wore the traditional malo, or loincloth. Both wore leis and elaborate headdresses.

Kagome noticed a group gathered to watch a fire dancer and pulled on Sesshoumaru's hand to lead him in that direction. It was indeed a thrilling sight to watch the man dance and twirl not one, but two flaming batons. He was soon joined by a second fire dancer and they began to toss the fiery batons between them. Once the fire dancers had completed their performance, they were replaced by a group of hula dancers.

The dance was at once sensual and energetic. The way they moved their hips while the upper body remained almost motionless was amazing. Sesshoumaru was amused by Kagome's reactions. Her enthusiasm for the entertainment was nothing short of childlike. With all of the death and hardship she witnessed in the past, it was no small wonder that she still retained that childlike exuberance. He would do all in his power to make sure she never lost it.

Further down the beach, another pair of golden eyes were watching the young miko as she enjoyed the performance. He was far enough away that she couldn't sense his aura, but close enough to watch over her. Inuyasha leaned against a palm tree, a shroud of sadness draped around his slumped shoulders. He should have been the one to grant her dream of visiting Hawaii.

He should have been the one to make all of her dreams come true. He made so many mistakes. And she forgave most of them. Even his indecision when it came to Kikyo. When Kikyo died, he realized that what he had felt for her was a misguided sense of duty. Kagome was the one who truly held his heart. She should have been his mate. It should be his pup she carried. Not his brother's.

Miroku and Sango had warned him. They told him there would eventually come a time when she stopped forgiving. Stopped allowing him to hurt her. And he had not listened. He had learned nothing in the five hundred years he waited to see her again. And his ignorance, his arrogance, had driven her straight into his brother's arms. It was ironic that the ice lord of the west, the emotionless demon who hated humans, would be the one to give Kagome the love she needed and wanted. His place in her life would never be more than friend and brother in law. He had once claimed the right to protect her. But that right was now superceded by his brother's rights as her mate.

As he continued to watch her, he knew that this was how he would spend his life. At a distance. On the outside looking in. Oh he was most assuredly a part of her family. But only a part of it. Not the center of it. That place now belonged to his brother. He shook off his melancholy and tore his eyes away from her. He had a job to do. He had no time to mourn the loss of what once was, and could never be again.

Sesshoumaru had insisted on getting her plate for her. She thought it was sweet that he was still acting like he was courting her and told him so. He was content that she believed that was the reason. The real reason was that regardless of Kenta's conclusions and theories about the safety of the food, he could scent any poisons or drugs added to the food. If he provided it for her, then he was assured it was untainted and safe for her consumption.

A waiter clad only in a malo approached them and handed Kagome a drink. She took it before Sesshoumaru could intercept it.

"Kagome, don't."

She looked up at him as he took it from her hand and shook his head. He handed it back to the waiter.

"It has alcohol in it."

"Oh. I didn't think about it. Thank you."

He smirked at her as he kissed the hand he'd taken the drink from, glad that alcohol was all he had smelled in the drink.

"I'll go get you something else. Stay here. I'll be right back."

She smiled at her mate's retreating back. He was so attentive. Her mind flashed back to her first glimpse of him. So long ago. Even longer for him. He had been intent on killing her. The foolish, insignificant human who stood beside the hated half breed he couldn't at the time even acknowledge was his brother. She giggled. It was absolutely amazing what a few centuries could do for one's disposition. She wondered briefly how five centuries would change her.

Mariko politely refused the drink the waiter offered her. When Kenta accepted one, she discreetly elbowed him.

"What gives, Hashimoto? We're working."

His answer was as quiet as her question.

"It would look strange if none of us were drinking. I'm a dragon. My high internal body temperature renders the alcohol ineffective. You know, kind of like what happens when you cook with alcohol. It dissipates."

"Just so you're vertical and coherent. Not horizontal and comatose. I've had a bad feeling that something's gonna go down tonight."

Matsushita was ignoring the two. He was on high alert and constantly observing the people around them. It was decidedly odd that he had not sensed any demons. None at all. In a crowd this large, the odds were that at least a few of the guests would be demon or hanyou. The only ones he sensed were the ones they had assigned. It set his nerves on edge.

Sesshoumaru returned and handed Kagome a glass.

"I couldn't get guava juice."

He smiled teasingly at her.

"I settled for papaya juice. I still have the bump on my head that tells me you'll like it just as well."

She turned red at the reminder of her fruity assault on her mate.

"That was an accident."

He arched an elegant brow.

"I swear!"

Mariko let out a giggle and slapped a hand over her mouth to contain it. She wished it were possible for her and the rest of the security team to just disappear. These two needed to be alone. This was supposed to be their time. Away from business. Away from responsibilities. And away from the prying eyes of those that didn't understand.

She knew that they were, and had been, seeing a side of their lord that they never should have seen. It was private. Belonging to him and his mate. Something that a demon concealed from his enemies at all cost. The fact that his mate was important to him for reasons other than the obvious.

For most demons, a mate was replaceable. They were chosen for their family lineage, their connections, and their power. Chosen and valued only for the power and prestige the demon gained from the union, or for the blood they could pass on to an heir. It was clear that Lord Sesshoumaru loved Lady Kagome. She was not replaceable.

That knowledge would be a very effective weapon in an enemy's hands. One they would not hesitate to use against him. She shuddered to think of the retribution in their future if they chose that path. Much like what had been planned for Lord Kouro once they located him.

Matsushita scanned the beach area. His sense of foreboding increasing despite the precautions they had taken. Something was about to happen. He could feel it. He walked a few steps away from the group and touched the device at his collar.

"Report."

He listened as his operatives made their reports. There had been nothing out of the ordinary. Inuyasha had concurred that there had been nothing moving around his vantage point. Still, the feeling would not go away.

Kagome sipped her drink. The luau was living up to her every dream. The gentle breeze blowing in from the ocean. The soft lapping of the waves as they rolled to the shore. The food and entertainment exceeded her expectations. Her mate's arms around her waist, his lips nuzzling her neck, was the icing on the cake. This was the best vacation she had ever had.

Sesshoumaru had noticed Matsushita walk away. Then he heard the reports over the earpiece he wore. He knew that Matsushita was as ill at ease as he was. He made sure to keep Kagome occupied so that she didn't sense the tension in the group. She was certain to pick up on it if given the chance.

A part of him wanted to act on his unease. To scoop her up and carry her back to their suite and put up a protective barrier until he could take her back to Japan and the safety of their home. He realized that it was completely unrealistic. His little miko would not back down from a threat. She never had. How could he expect her to cower in fear of a 'possible' threat, when she had faced him down at their first meeting?

He had to smile at the memory. That of a tiny little human woman, little more than a girl at the time, staring him down with all the courage she could muster. Oh yes, she was afraid. He had been able to smell it. It had edged her so much higher in his eyes that she acted despite it. She had not allowed it to cripple her. And she grew bolder and less fearful with every encounter. Until at last they had become allies in the final battle with Naraku.

Saito walked the edge of the water, his senses alert for any sort of disturbance. He had drawn the beachfront patrol close to the festivities. It was reasoned that if Kagome happened to see him, it would just be written off as hotel security for the event. Since she had met him in that capacity, she would think nothing of it. Perhaps she might ask him if there had been any leads on the break in, but she would accept his presence as normal.

The wind began to pick up. It was barely noticeable at first. Then the palm trees began to sway heavily. Sesshoumaru and the other demons jerked their heads in the direction of the beach. The surge of youki even got Kagome's attention. It left her miko senses tingling. He turned to her as Matsushita was speaking to the others.

"Kagome, take Mariko and go back to the suite. Put up a barricade. Don't let anyone in."

She pulled on Sesshoumaru's sleeve.

"What is it?"

He shoved her roughly at Mariko.

"Go! I'll explain later."

He turned away from her. Matsushita was barking orders. He and Kenta ran toward the beach. Mariko grabbed her arm and pulled her up the path to the hotel. There was no arguing as Mariko was quite strong.

She opened her mouth to demand answers when all hell broke loose. The waves had suddenly receded far past the normal low tide level. One of the guests had noticed and was screaming.

"Tsunami! Tsunami!"

Then they all began running for the hotel. It was chaos. Everyone panicked. Kagome and Mariko were pushed and shoved as people tried to escape the terror they knew was coming. Mariko lost her hold on Kagome and did some pushing and shoving of her own with her demon strength to battle her way back to her lady's side.

Sesshoumaru and the others came to a halt at the edge of the beach, watching as the water receded even further. They could all feel the signatures of several demons. Not the weak ones they had previously dealt with, but formidable foes that would keep them busy for a while. Inuyasha was wishing he had Tetsusaiga.

"Where's Kagome?"

Sesshoumaru did not glance his way. His eyes were focused on the enemies speeding their way.

"She is with Mariko. I sent them back to the suite."

Inuyasha nodded. It was better that she was not here. She would insist on joining the battle and in her condition it wouldn't be a good idea.

Matsushita scanned the horizon. This was not a tsunami. But it was acceptable for the humans to think so. It got them out of harms way. And out of their way. No innocents to have to avoid. They would have to find a reasonable explanation for the humans later. Especially if any of them saw the battle about to occur.

In the distance, just above the horizon, they could see their enemies moving in fast. Seven demons of above average power. One for each of them. Even odds. For now at least. They spread out and braced for the attack.

Mariko had finally reached Kagome's side. She was panting. She'd taken several hard blows as the humans scrambled to get to safety. The cattle did not care who got hurt in the stampede. They were such animals. The humanity they were so proud of certainly disappeared fast enough when it came down to their own pathetic little lives on the line.

Kagome had put up a barrier to protect herself from the hysterical crowd. She let it down quickly when Mariko appeared.

"Come on. Let's get to your suite."

"I can't. I have to find Sesshoumaru. I have to know that he is alright."

Mariko tugged on her arm.

"He'll be fine. He wants you safe. Come on. If he sees you out here, he will worry. He doesn't need the distraction."

Kagome turned hardened eyes on the woman.'

"What do you mean?"

Mariko swallowed.

"He's obviously going to try and help clear the beach before the wave gets here. What did you think I meant?"

Kagome relaxed some. She bit her lip and with a last look toward the beach, she allowed Mariko to pull her in the direction of the hotel.

The overturned tables and other debris were scattered about the path blocking their progress. The combination of the wind and the humans racing for shelter had done a number on the once beautiful scenery. It had grown eerily quiet once the crowd had made it to the safety of the hotel doors.

Mariko stopped in her tracks as they emerged from the dense foliage. There were several demons between them and the door. It was obvious they were not there to assist them. They had guns.

Mariko pulled Kagome into the concealment of the bushes, but not before they were seen.

"There she is! Don't let her get away!"

A shot ricocheted off of the tree over their heads.

Kagome dropped to the ground.

"What the hell is going on?"

Mariko pulled out her .45 to return fire.

Kagome kept her head down, but she observed the firefight. She had deduced that Mariko was at least a hanyou. Now she was aware that the woman was a full demon. Even if her now unmasked aura had not given her away, the way she barely registered the recoil of the .45 auto gave her away. Kagome had tried firing one once. It had knocked her on her ass and the gun had bucked out of her hand. Definitely not a woman's weapon of choice. Yet Mariko handled it with ease. The ease of practice. A lot of it.

Mariko managed to take out two of the demons. She didn't take the time to identify what they were, but there weren't many that would survive a shot to the head. She had limited ammo, so she made her shots count. She didn't stop to think how she was going to explain this to Kagome. The cat was obviously out of the bag now.

A few more shots and the demons retreated to regroup. Mariko remained on alert. Kagome took the opportunity to ask the question she had held for some minutes now.

"Just who the hell are you?"

Mariko sighed. She'd probably catch hell from Matsushita for telling her, but she knew she was over a barrel. There was no way that Kagome would trust her if she didn't tell her the truth.

"Security, my lady."

"My… Ok. I want a straight answer. Whose security?"

"Yours. I work for your mate."

Mariko tilted her head at the rant that was growing in volume with every breath. She wouldn't have guessed that Kagome even knew some of the words that she was hearing.

To be continued….