Chapter 2 Dr. Kenichi Takahashi, The University Chairman

Date: 2249

Kenichi sat behind a large oak desk. It was ancient and impressive. The previous chairman had bequeathed it to him as had the chairmen before him and the one before him. The polished finish glistened. Truly it would impress anyone who had the privilege of entering the chairman's office.

Chairman.

'Wow,' thought Kenichi. 'I'm The University Chairman now. Wow!'

Kenichi pushed back from the impressive desk and twirled around in the equally impressive leather office chair. As he twirled he took in the contents of the room; books shelved to the ceiling, complete with built in brass ladder for the hard to reach top shelf, leather furniture that smelled so good he had to keep his dog side leashed, Persian carpets that had the ultimate silk thread count, and antique wooden end tables with delicate lamps. Wow! No doubt in his mind that people who walked into this room would be impressed. He was!

Kenichi reflected.

The previous chairman and his wife had been his very good friends. He had spent many a meal in their home discussing local events to world issues with both of them. The chairman had even told him that he had actually recommended Kenichi to the University Trustees as a future chairman!

Then suddenly—BAMM!-he had died of heart disease. It was so unexpected. Here today and gone the next! Kenichi had stood beside the woman at the memorial service. They cried together. She seemed so lost. A day or so after the announcement that Dr. Kenichi Takahashi would be the next chairman of The University, the woman came to Kenichi and offered to help decorate his office. Up until then Kenichi had considered asking Kyo for help decorate. However the previous chairman's wife was a gifted decorator. She wanted to help Kenichi. She said that her husband would have wanted that. Kenichi couldn't refuse that argument.

Now here he was—The University Chairman!

'Why did I take this job? I like teaching. I like students. I love research. I think I got sucked into the glamour and glory of the idea. Whoa.'

Kenichi stopped twirling.

Kenichi stood and walked to one of the large window overlooking the campus. The inauguration ceremony was over. The staff was clearing out the last of the chairs. Kenichi had been guided all over the campus, wearing the robes of the office, which were now hanging in his office closet. His procession had included the University trustees, some of the distinguished professors, alumni, and delegates of the country. He honestly didn't know all of them but knew he would have to recognize their participation in his ceremony. Better get to work on all the thank you notes.

"Computer?" Kenichi called.

"At your service, Chairman." A hologram appeared in front of the oak desk.

"Please send all the participants of my inauguration a thank you note. I'll dictate."

Kenichi dictated several versions of the thank you note and told the computer which to send where. After that formality was taken care of Kenichi paused to consider his next act as the Chairman of The University.

Just then someone knocked on the door.

"Enter," Kenichi stood to welcome his guests.

"Hey Prof! Steven, Keiko and their three kids had to leave. Ryuu, Yuki, and Kyo are still looking over the campus but said to call when you are ready. Your Father and the rest of us are starving. We've been touring all over this place while you got set up in this fancy office. Time to grab some grub! What do ya say!"

Kenichi smiled. Count on Dad for putting everything in perspective. "I'm coming. Are you interested in Italian food?"

"Pasta! Oh Yeh!" Inuyasha led Kenichi to the waiting area where a small group of Takahashi children stood around their patriarch.

"Yay! Chairman Takahashi!" Rin and Suzy called in unison. The young women smiled at their oldest brother.

"My brother, the big shot! Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!" Kohaku beamed. The teen bowed in an over exaggerated fashion.

"Congratulations Kenichi!" Sango cheered as she looked up at Kenichi and smiled. The she bopped Kohaku between the ears and gave him a disapproving stare. He smirked and bounced over to Miroku.

"I'm starving. Can we eat yet? I want to get away from here. That young girl was flirting with me-" Miroku whined.

Sango growled.

"Hey! Don't growl at me. Girls have cooties especially you!" Miroku hid behind his older brother.

Kohaku laughed. "Methinks thou dost protest too much, Miroku. And Sango, I think someone has heard too many stories of times gone by. Jealous much?"

Sango blushed. Her ears twitched all directions, a physical symbol that she was irritated. "It's just disrespectful to Kenichi—That's all. It's his big day. We need to focus on him. Right, Dad?!"

Inuyasha suppressed a smirk. 'Yeh, right—we can all smell that lie.' He stared at his mate.

A low rumble calmed the raucous younger ones and the group moved to the nearby transporter gateway.

The last to the gateway, Kenichi turned. "Computer, activate receptionist hologram to give this message: Out to Lunch."

Then Kenichi turned to his parents. "I think the Italian food near downtown is pretty good. I'll program in the coordinates and let Ryuu, Yuki and Kyo know."

The Takahashis entered the teleporter gateway disappearing as they entered.

"I remember the first time I saw a teleporter," Inuyasha whispered to Sesshomaru. "Reminded me of the black pearl's portal to Father's resting place."

"Yes, I remember. Only this is more instantaneous. No swirling patterns. Just here and then there."

"I'm hungry," was the last thing heard as the teleport delivered the travelers to the front door of the restaurante.