A/N: Hello all! I'm pleased to bring to you my first work here on FF! I look forward to constructive reviews as I truly desire to grow in my writing. There's more to come so set your alerts if you enjoyed this chapter! Now, on with the story!
Ch. 1 The Dream
Miles of ivory sand ebb and flow in the wind beneath the white, hot sun. Dry, sweltering heat waves permeate the scenery. Even a half demon can only survive on so little. After what felt like months of hunger and dehydration, a speck of a thatch roof hut is on the horizon line. It could be two or twenty miles away. Hope is hope. A sanctuary, at last. Water. Food. It felt like only a minute had passed once the hut was in sight. It was falling apart, as if it had been here in the middle of the desert since the 1500s. Surely it's abandoned. Yet...I smell something. It smells like...a home. Bread, fresh water, and steamed vegetables with chicken broth.
The door stands before me. Careful to avoid property damage, I reach to turn the rusted knob. I've let myself in and notice the creaking sound of the dilapidated structure giving weight/way under my footsteps. Inspecting the place from top to bottom I am sure it's been here for at least a half a millennium. My ears swivel backwards, picking up a sound, like a sharp inhale. Turning on my heel toward the sound, ready to defend myself, I am caught off guard by the figure in front of me. A woman. A beautiful woman. Her hair, thick and raven barely covering those eyes, deep pools of brown kindness. She smiled at me like the sun greeting the earth at dawn. Dressed in a white cloak, hood overhead, she took careful steps toward me. On instinct, I stepped back from this strange but beautiful creature. Face to face, with a voice that calmed my apprehension like a gentle breeze, she spoke, "Welcome, I prayed you would come."
At that moment, an intense sensation like ants crawling all over my body tears me away from this moment. In a second, the hut is pitch black and I hear someone saying, "Inuyasha..."
Louder, "Inuyasha?"
...It wasn't real...but this hell hole is.
"Wake the hell up! Where is my dress!?"
I was asleep a moment ago, how would I know wench.
"Retrace your steps, you're a smart girl, you'll figure it out"
Laying in my bed, I considered that it was the sixteenth time this dream played in my subconscious. Yet, it had been a while since I dreamt of something that felt so real. Too bad, that bread smelled nice. And that girl. Why do I feel like...I've-.
"You're just lazy! God, why the hell do I keep sleeping here, you're never any help in the morning!"
I ask myself the same thing, Yura, believe me.
"Hang on, I'll help you look. What time is it anyway?"
Flat on my back, willing my head to turn to the phone-
"Shit! Miroku's probably outside. You have to go, I'll call you when I'm off."
"Inuyasha! I can't-"
"You have to, I'm not leaving you here alone. Just wear one of my shirts and drive home"
Running around like the severed tail of a lizard is my morning specialty. That and waking up next to batshit crazy women. The result of my evening specialty.
HONK! HONK!
I yell out my bedroom window,"I'M COMING! Yura, come on!" I snap as I pull together the first clothes I see.
As I brush my teeth, my agitated mind wanders to that woman in the white cloak.
Now I'm sure. I know that I know her.
"Inu! I can't even brush my hair!?"
"Not my fault you can't multitask. Lets go!" I seethe while she pouts to no end.
I do this too often so I have it down pat. She'll learn. If not, it was fun while it lasted. Minus the whining.
Black slacks already on, short sleeve button up and loafers in hand.
I'm out the door and down the hall while this wench is dawdling!
"I'm not gonna tell ya again Yura, come on!" I rage in the hallway, undoubtedly drawing attention from fellow salaried commuters.
My phone goes off. It could only be one person.
"You have 3 minutes before I leave you where you stand Inuyasha. I'm growing impatient",he states so plainly that it sounded like he's had practice.
"You and me both Miroku, keep your prayer beads on. I'll be there."
"I'm never spending the night again! You always do this!", it was Yura's turn to rage. Here comes the batshit crazy.
One would think after five or six bouts she could get with the program.
Regardless, I give her the performance of a lifetime through clenched teeth,"I'm sorry, you know I have to be at work. Nice dinners and shopping sprees aren't cheap. I'll buy you something nice and make you feel like a princess tonight, OK?"
She looked at me angrily clothed in only a red XL T-shirt for just a moment. Then, tackled me, melting into my arms.
"That sounds more like it. Gosh you're so grumpy in the morning! Call me when you get off, love you Inu!"
And with a peck on the cheek, she skipped off into an elevator full of people, drawing even more attention to herself. My shirt barely covered her assets.
Not a fan of attention, I go the opposite direction. I prefer to take the stairs anyhow.
With only twelve seconds to spare, I bound down three flights of stairs and used the banister to pole vault into my good buddy's Mercedes drop-top.
Made it. Finally a moment of peace to put on my shoes, button up my favorite red shirt and comb my crazy hair. I already get enough attention: white hair, gold eyes and shiba inu dog ears. I don't need to look like a slob.
"So, who was it last night? Kagura, Kiharu, Enju, Mitsuki, Hanai, Tsubaki?'' asked Miroku as if rattling the usual suspects involved in heinous crimes.
"Yura," I stated, plain as rice.
"Oh, that makes sense. She's a handful. Last time you were late I think you had to pry her off with a sword! Don't you make it clear to them that you've got responsibilities in the morning? I understand more than anyone, Inuyasha, the primal desire to snuggle the morning away, in bed with a beautiful woman, none other than my lovely Sango of course, but time is-"
"Moolah, coin, dough, yen, money, yeah yeah, same talk every morning Miroku."
"But no heeding my warning I see. Oh well. You can lead them but you can't make them drink"
"Less lecture. More Tokyo Drift. Chop chop!"
Miroku sighed, quickly pulling off, fearing his best friend would never get his life together. It had been like this since he got his heart-broken two years ago. His first love, Kikyo Fujiwara had done serious damage to the lady killer. Though he had always been a one woman man in the past, these days Inuyasha changed his bed sheets at least every other day to prepare for the next girl he'd entertain and then become bored with. A vicious cycle. The sad part was that Inuyasha wasn't a bad guy. He was just looking for comfort in the wrong places. These places were all too easy to come by.
Some time passed by while Miroku drove down the city streets, allowing Inuyasha to comb his long and tangled hair into his work bun. Once satisfied he looked over to the driver's seat at Miroku who, in contrast to the half demon's own business casual ensemble, was wearing a familiar and expensive black on black tailored suit.
"Are you going to court today?" Inuyasha inferred, not remembering a conversation of that topic.
"I told you! We literally spoke about this last night before what's-her-face came over and you kicked me out."
"Whoops, forgot. Your client is that guy who committed arson on the Ichigo Street Church, right? I don't know how you're gonna get through that one man. He's done. I'm betting five years minimum. Maybe four with good behavior. If you're ambitious, 3 years parole. On top of that. How does a construction/real estate lawyer even have permission to represent a criminal?"
"Never underestimate the power of prayers and a tailored Armani suit, Inuyasha"
"Keh, I'll believe it when I see it."
Soon they pulled up at their place of business. Taisho & Associates. Making their way into the business park elevator, they were greeted by their coworkers and staff. Miroku only came to call a quick staff meeting and grab some files. Then he was off to court.
So there I was. Coffee in hand, ass in chair, full day schedule in front of me. But all I thought about was that white cloak and the peace I felt when-.
"Inuyasha."
...the peace was gone.
"What Sesshomaru."
Inuyasha's older brother, Sesshomaru, glided into the office, silver hair flowing like a cape behind him. He stopped in front of Inuyasha's desk with a look of pity and disgust in his cold amber eyes.
"This Sesshomaru is displeased with your contracts for the Newman Group. There are countless errors that only children would make. You misspelled litigation."
"Alright, email it to me and I'll redraft it"
"Look at me you glorified paralegal. This is unacceptable. You pathetic failure. You're not fit to hold a position in our father's company. You-"
"Waste of space, wannabe-attorney, half-breed, illegitimate heir, jeez Sesshomaru. Get some new material. You don't ever get tired of your own voice?"
"This Sesshomaru never-"
"Boys!"
At the booming voice, the two seized their squabbling. The Great Inu no Taisho, owner, partner and president of Taisho & Associates, was standing there, glowering, listening to his two adult sons behaving like teenagers.
"It is unbecoming of my heirs to behave as though they come from the gutter. Where is your honor? Pull yourselves together! Sesshomaru, Berkshire, 10 minutes, my office," his words clipped, he walked away leaving the door to his office open.
Sesshomaru turned back to his younger brother, who was smirking as only a kid brother could smirk.
"Most unbecoming Sesshomaru, pull yourself together," Inuyasha mocked his father at his brother's chagrin.
"Insolent mutt" rebutted Sesshomaru, his amber eyes narrowing in displeasure. With that, Sesshomaru exited the office to attend the scheduled meeting.
That's one perk of being a contract administrator and not a lawyer: most meetings are optional.
With some semblance of peace resumed, Inuyasha booted up his dinosaur desktop. While he waited, his mind drifted. White cloak. Smile like the sun. "Who are you, and why do I think I know you?" he said aloud.
Business as usual transpired at the office. Inuyasha edited the contracts his pompous brother complained of, in addition to several conference calls for new projects. Average day. Then, Miroku called.
"Yo."
"I got him off!"
"What the hell Miroku!? I don't wanna hear about your experimenting! It's not my business but Sango's gonna catch a case if-"
"NO YOU IDIOT, the case, my client! 2 years parole and community service!"
"Damn, hook me up with that suit."
"Prayers make a difference Inuyasha. Let's go out and celebrate, on your dime since you lost the bet of course. Or are you entertaining a lady this evening?" he deduced. Inuyahsa's evening schedule was usually predictable.
"Keh, I have not entertained a "lady" since Kik-"
He hadn't thought of that name in a long time. A twinge of aching found his heart.
"I'm just kidding Yash. But really, we haven't celebrated anything lately. Sango knows a nice gourmet ramen place off Nikko avenue. Let's have a good time. I'll come get you once I'm done here and we'll go."
"Keh, as long as I can get my fill I'm down" he said with confidence. Liquor required, ramen optional. So he could numb the feelings that just resurfaced.
"Also, Sango is bringing her new roommate. Be on your best behavior."
"Aren't I always the perfect gentleman?"
"I don't know, Inuyasha, do you feel that bearing your fangs at an innocent waitress because there were pickles on your burger is the mark of a gentleman?" he said, rubbing his temple as he recalled that failure of a business lunch.
"No pickles was all I asked for! But yes, I do see your point. I'll be good."
"Good. See you in an hour."
By the time Inuyasha tied up his loose ends at work, Miroku was outside.
He met Miroku by the Benz, and soon they were off to dinner.
"You already know how successful I was today. What's up on your end?"
"Keh. Same old same old. Sesshomaru's a drama queen. Got some new contracts to write up for a building dad's purchasing. Old man's getting on my nerves"
"I'm sure old man Taisho's got his reasons. Bigger is better as they say. What's the building, an apartment complex?"
"New hospital branch.. But that's not why...he's pressuring me to take the bar again"
Ah. That WAS a touchy subject.
Inuyasha, like his brother, had gone to Japan's finest law school. He even graduated with honors. But he had taken the bar twice of the three times per five years allowed. Each time only a few points shy of passing. That was two years ago. He was putting it off as long as he could. But Taisho, who had easily spent millions on both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's education, was not about to let go of his dream so easily. He paid for two lawyer sons. Right now he only had one. Not a good return on investment by any means.
"So, what do you want, Inuyasha? You know you still have one more shot for this half of the decade."
"Yeah I know."
Miroku could see the anguish on his friends face and elected to drop the topic for a more exciting one.
"So Sango's new roommate just moved from the States. She was raised here in Tokyo, went to Tokyo U, then spent some time in California"
"Wish I'd gone that route."
"Stanford right, weren't you accepted there?"
"Yeah but...she convinced me to stay here, remember?"
"Oh yeah…" Miroku wished he could avoid it but she always seemed to come up in conversation somehow.
"Plus, if I had, I couldn't practice here, which wouldn't do my dad any good. Kinda the whole point of being a pawn on the board, right?", Inuyasha spat satirically.
"I've heard California isn't nearly as rigorous. Who knows, maybe move out there and pass on the first try."
"Anyway, Sango's roomie, have you met her yet?"
"No, she actually just touched down today. I've heard she's a saint though. She and Sango were roommates in undergrad. So Sango referred her for a new lead pharmacist role opening up at the new hospital."
"Damn, big bucks huh?"
"Seems so. We're here"
Inuyasha turned his head toward the pink and purple lights above them that read Kuroshio Ramen House.
"Huh, well I'll be damned," he ground out. Just can't get away from her today. This was the place he took Kikyo when she cut him loose.
"You've been here?"
"Once. Rice cakes were good. Let's get this over with."
Miroku threw his friend a confused look, sighed and prayed for a pleasant evening.
Upon entering the dark and modern restaurant, they looked around for Sango. Finally, Miroku caught sight of her, kneeling on a cushion in the back corner of the room. In her company was...Kikyo!?
Damn! What a fucked up day...
I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this chapter! Was it really Kikyo at the restaurant!? Inuyasha seems like he's got some deep seated issues...
Please review!
loveanne