Hey everyone. Thanks for the support so far with this story. It won't have too much to do with the story, but for clarity, in this story humans and demons live together and it's normal. So Kagome is human, Sesshoumaru is demon, and so on. On with the story!
Tease
Ch. 2
Kagome waved the phone in front of Bankotsu, laughing airily as she climbed into the black sedan.
"You're in a good mood," Bankotsu commented.
"It's been a good night, considering," said Kagome. Despite her cool demeanor, she couldn't lose the grin on her face.
"So what happened with 'Mr. Genoka'?"
Kagome unlocked the phone, scrolling through the messages, "He's fine. He'll wake up with a knot on his head, but I'd say he's getting off easily."
Bankotsu glanced at her attire, "Seeing you in a schoolgirl outfit? I'd say he got off pretty good. I know watching you bend over in that skirt would be a dream for me."
Kagome laughed and smoothed out her skirt, "Whatever Bankotsu, you can keep dreaming."
Bankotsu turned off to a private road. He parked in front of his home and motioned for Kagome to follow. Bankotsu connected the phone to his computer, decrypting files while Kagome watched with mild interest.
"So what's the deal with this phone and the real Genoka?"
Bankotsu shrugged, "Pretty average stuff for us. The guy you dealt with, Hanzo Yagyu, had been blackmailing the real Genoka family. Apparently, the patriarch Koemon Genoka, had been involved in some things that were less than savory for the family's reputation and Hanzo found out. He's been having the family wire him money, but got a little greedy."
"I'll say. The money wasn't enough; he was posing as a family member to get extra perks."
"Yeah, though I hope he got more perks than just a VIP section at a seedy strip club," Bankotsu quipped.
"Hey!" Kagome smacked the back of his head lightly, "It is not a seedy strip club. Uh, I hate bullies like him though. I should have kicked him again. Anyway, the evidence is on his phone and computer?"
Bankotsu nodded, rubbing the back of his head, "Correct, I'm wiping the info clean now and then you'll slip the phone back in Hanzo's pocket."
Kagome nodded. The computer pinged, a signal that the wipe was complete. Kagome smiled wickedly, "I know it doesn't matter, but what did Hanzo find about the Genoka family? It must be juicy."
Bankotsu grinned and tossed Kagome the wiped phone, "Sorry, the Genoka family paid for discretion so my lips are sealed."
Kagome rolled her eyes, but made her way to her own car. Bankotsu followed her to the car and sighed.
"I wish I could be out there more instead of working behind the scenes. I haven't had any action in months."
"Well these jobs take some finesse."
Bankotsu scoffed, "You only caught him off-guard because he can't keep it in his pants. How much finesse does that take?"
Kagome ran her hand up Bankotsu's arm before giving it a playful punch. "It's not my fault that these guys fall for a pretty face."
Bankotsu regarded her amused. "Okay, you ARE in a good mood, and I don't think it has anything to do with getting this guy. What, did you stop being such a prude and get laid?"
Kagome giggled thinking of Sesshoumaru, feeling very much like a schoolgirl with a crush. "I had a good day at work. Speaking of which, I better get back before Hanzo wakes up."
"How are you gonna be a stripper who doesn't dance?" Inuyasha complained.
He kicked his feet up on Sesshoumaru's coffee table and leaned back in the couch. The two brothers had just put the finishing touches on Rin's room and had earned a well-deserved break. Miroku had filled the younger brother in on the mystery girl that had caught Sesshoumaru's attention and Inuyasha was shocked to hear she was a dancer of all things. Sesshoumaru growled and Inuyasha set his feet back on the ground. Sesshoumaru sat down beside him.
"She has standards, Inuyasha. I know that's a foreign concept to you."
Inuyasha snorted, but didn't correct him. He wasn't trying to pick a fight. Sesshoumaru pulled out the crumbled paper, staring at the number. Inuyasha glanced at the paper. He read the words Mai with a little heart dotting the i.
"Mai huh? So you gonna call her and redeem your dance?"
Sesshoumaru sighed, "I should focus my efforts on Rin. She'll be here soon."
Inuyasha stretched, "Yeah, maybe a stripper ain't the best role model for the kid."
"She was a teacher mainly," said Sesshoumaru tersely.
"Oh right, right," Inuyasha laughed off. He didn't know why Sesshoumaru was being so defensive over this girl, but he knew well enough to not goad him any longer. "Well, I say call her up. When's the last time you even went on a date, much less got lucky? If you want, I'll watch Rin, give you two some alone time."
"Hn."
The doorbell rang and Sesshoumaru stood up, shoving the note in his coat pocket. He opened the door and a young girl stepped inside timidly. Sesshoumaru knelt down with a smile.
"Hey, Rin. This is your new home. Inuyasha and I just finished working on your room. Would you like to see it?"
Rin shook her head yes. Sesshoumaru picked up the few items she had along with her suitcase and led her upstairs. Sesshoumaru nudged the bedroom door open. He stepped aside to allow Rin to see her room. The walls were a pale yellow with stickers of flowers and grass stenciling the base of the walls. A small bed was tucked in the corner. Rin ran in touching her new toys and swinging a white rocking chair stationed next to a bookshelf.
Rin smiled, showing off her missing baby teeth, "It's just like the park and you remembered all my favorite things!"
Inuyasha walked up behind the two, "You like it, Rin?"
Rin spun around the room, laughing giddily.
"I love it. It looks just like the park!"
"The park?" Inuyasha asked his brother, quietly.
"Every time Rin would run away, she went to Sunohime Park. I would always find her playing in the flowers."
"It's my favorite place in the whole wide world," the little girl confirmed.
Inuyasha nodded, "Well I should probably get going. You two probably want to get to know each other or something. I'll see you later Rin."
Rin waved goodbye. Sesshoumaru walked the man back downstairs. Inuyasha kept his voice low when he spoke.
"She looks like she'll adjust nicely. She's a really happy kid, especially when you consider all that's happened to her."
"I'm glad for that. She's had to move schools. I was worried that all this would be too much change, but Rin is resilient."
Inuyasha smiled. He could hear Sesshoumaru's pride when he spoke of Rin already.
"You're gonna be a great dad," Inuyasha said seriously.
Sesshoumaru didn't speak. His face with nearly emotionless, but his eyes softened.
"Thank you."
Inuyasha slapped his back, "Keh, well don't get all mushy on me, but I meant what I said. Rin needs you and you need her, especially since you won't call Mai. Looks like she'll be the only chick in your life."
Sesshoumaru sighed, "I'll call her."
Inuyasha grinned. "Seriously?"
"Yes, I'll call Mai."
He hadn't called. It had been four days and Sesshoumaru hadn't called. Kagome glanced at her phone idly. She sighed for the umpteenth time that afternoon. Maybe she had read too much into their conversation. Maybe he thought she was leading him on. Maybe their chemistry wasn't what Kagome envisioned it was, but whatever the reason he didn't called. The school bell rang, signaling the end of recess. Kagome rose from her desk and plastered a smile on for her students. Now wasn't the time to mull over the silver-haired stranger. The children filed in one at a time, greeting the woman. Kagome took a headcount and frowned. Two of the students were missing.
"Class, does anyone know where Shippo or the new student Rin is?"
Soten spoke up, "That new girl refused to leave the playground and Shippo was trying to get her to come along. I told them to hurry cuz they were gonna be late. I think they're still there."
"Okay, thank you Soten. We're going to continue our art projects so everyone get out your work quietly while I bring back the others."
Kagome called another teacher in to watch her class and went out to the playground. She spotted her two students in the school's flower bed. Kagome straightened her white button-up blouse and smoothed the wrinkles of her pencil skirt before marching over to the duo.
She fixed her expression to a look of seriousness, "Recess ended ten minutes ago. I expected the both of you in my classroom."
Shippo yelped, running to Kagome. "I was coming, but Rin-"
Kagome looked at Rin. She sat in the grass. Her bangs covered her eyes, but Kagome could hear her sniffling.
"They were picking on me. The big kids made fun of my hair and said it was ugly." The little girl had stuck all the flowers she could in her hair in an effort to beautify it. Unfortunately, she also stuck in twigs and blades of grass.
Kagome crouched down, her earlier expression replaced with care. She spoke in a hushed tone.
"Oh, honey your hair isn't ugly. Some kids can just be mean for no reason."
"That's what I told her," Shippo agreed.
Kagome brushed her tears away, "The flowers here are very nice, but let's organize them a bit."
Kagome pulled out the leaves and twigs and set the flowers aside. She detangled the girl's hair and wove the remaining flowers into a crown.
"There you are. Now how about we get back to class?"
Rin stood up, giving her teacher a tentative smile. Kagome held Shippo's hand and lifted him up. Shippo winched.
"What is it, Shippo? Is your arm hurt?"
Shippo shook his head quickly and he wouldn't look Kagome in the eye. Kagome watched him concerned.
"I'm fine, Miss Kagome. It must have been a nerve."
Kagome remained unconvinced, but didn't comment. She led the two children back to the room.
"Okay listen up everyone. I want to formally introduce our newest student Rin. Now you all know how scary your first day of school can be so I want you all to be especially kind to Rin."
Rin sat in her seat next to Soten. A light chatter resumed in the room, everyone concentrating on their work. Rin drew a picture of her new home. Soten nudged Rin. Rin looked up.
"That's a really pretty picture. I like your flower crown too," she whispered with a soft smile.
"Thank you. I like your drawing too," Rin said, beaming.
Her eyes met Kagome and Kagome winked, walking throughout the class. Rin smiled, a genuine smile and continued drawing.
Rin ran and bounced in the car. She put her seat belt on, humming happily. Sesshoumaru's lips lifted in a slight smile as he drove them home.
"You had a good day at school?"
Rin bobbed her head, showing him her picture, "Yes, yes."
"Well done, Rin," Sesshoumaru complimented, "Everyone was nice to you?"
"No, not everyone."
Sesshoumaru resisted a growl, his protective nature arising. Rin was still smiling, perplexing him.
"What happened?"
"Some big kids were picking on me, but a boy named Shippo stood up for me. Then Miss Kagome came. She told me how some kids are just mean and then she made me a flower crown and the other kids said it was pretty."
"Really? So the day ended well?"
"Uh huh. I met a lot of people, but Miss Kagome is my favorite. She played games with us and read us stories and she's really pretty."
Sesshoumaru listened to Rin prattle on excitedly. He unconsciously touched the Mai's note, still stuffed in his pants pocket. He hadn't meant to take so long to speak to her. She consumed his thoughts far more than he cared to admit. Now, was it too late? Was this something she did with other men or was she thinking of him too?
"Daddy?"
Rin's voice brought him from his musing.
"Yes, Rin?"
"Miss Kagome gave me a note. It's about a parent/teacher conference. You have to sign it."
Sesshoumaru nodded. He pushed the dancer to the back of his mind and turned to Rin.
"How about ice cream to celebrate your first day?"
Rin cheered, naming all the flavors she wanted. The man smirked. Rin was loud, easily excitable and completely beguiling to him. Maybe Inuyasha was right, Rin may be the only girl in his life, but if he could keep that smile on her face, it wouldn't be so bad.
Next chapter Kagome and Sesshoumaru meet one another again. I thought of them meeting up sooner, but I want to draw it out slightly. Let me know what you think and thanks for reading!