"We likely won't meet for another few weeks," Sesshou had said that night, "I have business with the American Reikon tribe to personally attend to."
"But we just went to the anniversary dinner of the peace treaty. What could there possibly be to attend to now?" She was frustrated, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
"There's recent interest in a merger," He said, finding it amusing how impatient she was to begin her training. So many times as a child he, too, had been determined to become stronger. She would get there, he believed. "And I am not certain their demands can be met."
"Well what is it that they want?" Kagome's attitude soured. All she wanted was to start her life with YANA.
"You." Sesshou chose not to meet her eyes. He had a feeling this was not going to go over well. When he had received the news earlier while he was out meeting his sources, it had significantly changed how he saw the Reikon tribe. Never had Sesshou been a fan of the Eastern wolves, or even Kouga and Ayame, but Kakushin had always seemed reasonable. That is, until now.
"What?" Kagome braced herself against the desk, uncrossing her legs to steady her center of gravity. Why did she feel so light headed?
Now, two weeks later, Kagome found herself seated in a private jet, about to take off.
"You needn't be concerned, Kagome." Sesshou sat across from her, dressed in a reasonable business suit, and his concealment in place. "I shall protect you."
"I know," She offered a reassuring smile before going back to worrying her lip, biting away at the sensitive flesh out of anxiety. "I just can't shake the feeling that something is going to go very wrong."
"Our flight is approximately twelve hours long. Try to rest until we land." He rose and left to make himself comfortable in his own seat. He had much to think about until they faced the Reikon tribe.
They had taken off in a private jet from YANA Headquarters around three in the afternoon after Kagome was through with class for the day, and had planned to be back Sunday evening. Sesshou knew issues like these were never truly settled in forty-eight hours, but he was willing to bargain for claim of their human. She was wolf by tribal rite as once betrothed to their prior Alpha, and as someone who sought vengeance against the assailant of their brethren, but she was dog by those same factors. However, Sesshou knew, his claim was different to his brother's. She had not avenged his deceased loved ones, was not his betrothed, and had only recently joined his pack. His claim, at best, was that of familial ties, as the elder brother-in-law she almost had.
He knew if he had to, he would use force and fight for her, but then that would be breaking their one hundred and fifty year old peace treaty. While he did not mind the loss of the wolves, he did mind that he would have to find others to spearhead their American headquarters, and Sesshou was more receptive to loyal subjects over strangers. This would be a difficult weekend, he was sure.
At some point in the night, he wasn't really sure what time, he awoke to Kagome's head on his shoulder. She curled in further, never really grabbing him or snuggling, but their bodies were turned into each other's, and her cheek was resting on his shoulder. He would accept that.
"Sorry," She mumbled, "It's really cold."
"Hn." As if he needed an explanation from her anyways. Sesshou allowed himself to doze off once more.
It was around noon when they landed, and both persons exited the jet with relief. Kagome had never flown before, or even left the confines of her birth country, so she was unfamiliar with jet lag. When Sesshou had warned her it would be tiresome and boring to attend the weekend trip, she had refused and swore she could handle all the travel and still go back to school Monday morning, no problem.
Only, she was beginning to think he was right.
"So you never did say," Kagome grumbled, taking her rolling suitcase from a flight attendant. "Which state is the Reikon tribe in?" She searched the open horizon of the airport for clues. So far, all she could register was the dry heat. So south, she assumed.
"Welcome to California, Kagome." Sesshou took her shoulders and spun her to face the building where signs were posted everywhere, directing guests to entrances. "We're in San Diego." He motioned to the large print on the side of the building, where the building's name was clear as day.
"I'm in California!?" Kagome was stunned. When she imagined the Native American reservations, she thought of Texas and Alabama, where cowboys and Indians fought over the land, and had assumed they were flying to some middle of nowhere, known for nothing state, like Montana.
"If you wish," Sesshou began, smirking as he pulled her forward, "You may attend Disneyland for your birthday."
"You have got to be kidding me." Kagome was dumbstruck, allowing herself to be dragged along into a private car service. Sesshou took her bag and motioned for her to sit, and she did so, but not before mouthing to him in disbelief, "California?" He could only snicker before shutting the door and coming around the other side to take his seat as well.
The car ride was silent, but not with awkwardness. Sesshou took great pleasure in watching Kagome stare out the window, enthralled. Her face was practically glued to the window as she took in the American sights. When they began approaching a casino, Kagome turned to wordlessly ask why.
"We are staying at their Casino resort," Sesshou began to unbuckle, "Reikon Valley Casino." Kagome followed his lead and exited the car with him. "Come, we will not have time to get checked in just yet. The wolves are waiting."
"Okay." Kagome nodded, following.
They entered the brightly lit entrance and Kagome marveled at the flashing lights everywhere. Was she even old enough to be in this facility? As if that meant anything to her companion. The two made their way through the crowds and finally to a set of elevators. Everything in the building was trimmed in golden metal, appearing regal and rich, and even the smallest details were purposeful here. The elevator, the buttons, and even the tassels on the elevator attendant's shoulder pads were gold and bright.
They rode it down two floors before coming to a management floor, it seemed. Kagome was confused, but Sesshou seemed to know where he was going. As the doors opened, Kagome was relieved to see Hakkaku once more.
"Hiya, Sis," Hakkaku greeted her with a wave. "Welcome to you both." He reached his hand out to take Sesshou's for a shake.
"Thank you for the arrangements." Sesshou nodded, "We will check in shortly once I have had a moment to speak with Kakushin. I'm sure Kagome is eager to meet him as well."
"Of course," Hakkaku agreed, "Follow me, I'm sure he's still in his office."
"Hey, Hakkaku," Kagome asked as the three of them made their way down the hallway. "Do you have any idea what this is all about?"
"Well," He groaned, "This is kind of my fault, but I didn't know this would be the turnout."
"What do you mean?" She asked, her stomach twisting in knots. They wanted her to be part of their pack, right? But why start all this over a simple title when she would have to return to her family in Japan anyways? It's not like she could stay with them in America.
"I'll let the boss explain," Hakkaku nervously scratched the back of his neck and continued to lead them. "I have a feeling he doesn't want me to play sides here." He grew nervous as he felt Sesshou's eyes on the back of his head.
After a few twists and turns, they came to a single dark wooden door. On the wall was a name plate that read the room number and who the office belonged to.
Kakushin Nishiomo
"Go on in," Hakkaku motioned to the door, "I'll catch up with you guys later at the dinner." Before either could abide the command, he turned the corner and kept going.
"I don't think I've ever seen Hakkaku so nervous before." Kagome tilted her head in confusion, "Not even Kouga made him that nervous."
"Hn." Sesshou grabbed the door handle and pushed through. Inside was a large office, decorated like a log cabin. The walls were wood, a bear rug was stretched between two brown leather couches, and an electric fireplace along one wall. On the far left was the large L shaped desk that housed many lupine trinkets. In the corner, a spiral staircase lead downwards another level, to a private room, which is were Kakushin emerged.
Their eyes trained to the movement coming from the far side of their sight and found him coming up the steps languidly, entirely at home in his office. Kagome was impressed, to say the least. Sesshou could hear her heart rate spike. He tried to tell himself she was merely nervous, but he was well aware of how women perceived the wolf demon. To put it lightly, he was walking sex.
"There he is! The man of the hour." Kakushin approached the pair with a wide, feral grin. He wore a black suit with a gray button up, leaving the top few buttons open to expose the top of his toned chest. "Sesshou, always nice to see you." He stretched out his hand to shake and Sesshou accepted it.
"And now you," Kakushin eyed Kagome with his icy blue eyes, "You are just the woman I want to see, my dear." Kagome blushed under his scrutiny. She couldn't help herself. His eyes were colored like crisp snow, so light that you could barely see the blue, but it was there regardless, and she was trapped inside his gaze. The silver hair she was thoroughly confused by, but it didn't matter. It suited him. He wore it long, too, with a slight fringe that swept easily behind his ear. Doing a once over, she came to the conclusion that he was just as young as she was physically.
"You must be Mr. Nishiomo," Kagome extended her hand to shake, but he had other plans. "Nice to meet you." Kakushin gave a wolfish smile before bending to kiss her hand.
"Kagome," He breathed, taking in her scent. "You have become very important, very quickly."
"So I hear," She retracted her hand from his, uncomfortable with his forwardness. Americans didn't normally do this, right? "Listen Mr. Nishiomo," He cut her off.
"Please, call me Kakushin." He turned to take a seat on one of the leather couches. Sesshou and Kagome followed, sitting together on the opposite couch.
"We came on a short notice to attempt to come to a decision, Kakushin." Sesshou began, not wanting to waste any time. His human was tired, and this nonsense over pack belonging was ridiculous. He only entertained the wolves out of respect for their treaty. "Now I believe we can agree that I am pack as Kagome belonged to Inuyasha's pack, and he of mine," Sesshou was about to finish his sentence, but Kakushin cut in.
"Oh you think this is about pack?" Kagome had never seen anyone interrupt Sesshou before. She wasn't sure anyone had ever lived long after doing so. Sesshou didn't respond, having been interrupted once, he did not wish to be interrupted again. "No," Kakushin smirked, locking his eyes onto Kagome, he rose to his feet and crossed the bear rug, "This is about mating." Sesshou's jaw tightened in response, a muscle visibly jumping. Kakushin knelt down before Kagome, on one knee, taking both her hands in his. "Kagome, will you be my woman?"