Chapter 12
It was about a few more minutes before the people outside were to enter Cerise. The two women were making hurried last minute preparations.
"Dammit, no! I told you to arrange that wheel over there!" yelled Kagome. Her face was flushed, and the men could hardly believe that a woman in a dress was ordering them around. "Steady! NO! Don't you dare let that goddamn thing tip! Bruce! Get your ass over here and set it straight!"
She stalked off to Sango, who was busy checking to make sure the cards, money, chips, and playing equipment were in place. The casino's brass slot machines, staircases, and counters had been polished to a high shine luster and the carpet was clean and free of dirt and other material. Kagome checked the last minute stuff before going into a private room with Sango to prepare the speeches and nodded to the doorman. The casino Cerise was ready.
The frosty glass doors with the twisted double C's were opened and a flood of people entered. The group of glittering jewels, sparkling dresses, silky furs, and leather purses were enough to make any money hungry man go crazy. Kagome smiled as she stared down below. Her new casino was going to bring in a great deal of cash to the Nicola Family, and to Tehera Enterprises. The people gathered in front of the small stage surrounded by fake trees and flowers, as Thomas Buchani, the Family consigliere, or lawyer, addressed the vast crowd.
"Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to the Cerise Grand Casino. And here is the founder, and creator, Kagome Nicola!"
That was Kagome's cue. Motioning to Sango, they went down a flight of stairs before being led up the tiny staircase that was hidden behind the fake tree. An enormous noise level occurred as Kagome and Sango smiled and stepped down from behind the fake tree. As the noise subsided, Kagome was the first to speak.
"Good evening, ladies and gentleman. Throughout history, treasures have ruined lives; destroying empires, breaking up families, and forced stealing. They have been buried and found. Now, the Nicolas have uncovered them. They are here, in the greatest casino in all of Las Vegas, in the entire world. Welcome to the Cerise Grand, where luck is on everyone's side!"
A cheering rose in the crowd. Kagome beamed. Never before had anyone in her Family been able to raise such a noise. She was the first. I love it, Mother. This is where my life should be. Forever.
She sat down as Sango got up to address the still hooting and yelling crowd. Tapping her fingers on her hand, she surveyed the crowd. Suddenly, she felt her heart stop for a second. In the midst, were about eight men dressed in black. They held communicators and were talking to each other through them. Stowed in their chest pockets were unmistakably…guns. Kagome nearly choked. She motioned to Sango, who quickly finished her list of rules and they walked up the small path to behind the tree as the crowd roared with anticipated excitement. Showers of bursting lights appeared as music and dancers paraded through the carpeted paths. The people screamed, yelled, shouted, hooted, and clapped. Kagome and Sango quickly changed out of their dresses and into pants. Rumors had reached them that the Western Mafia Families weren't too happy with the opening of Cerise and were intending to cause a massacre, and the men that Kagome saw just verified that rumor.
Kagome stripped off her gown and pulled on a pair of black pants. She pulled on a black turtleneck then shrugged into a black leather coat.. She stepped into leather "dress" boots and removed her jewelry. She clasped silver diamond drops and a chain with a single pear shaped diamond on it. Off with the bracelet, and on with an Armani watch. She stored her cell phone and communicator in the pockets, with a gun, and watched as Sango jumped into a same exact outfit. Quickly, they took the escalator up to the private room upstairs, where the money was stored. On the way, she spotted Inuyasha, Miroku, and their bodyguards looking at the entertainment. Inuyasha suddenly turned towards the window and Kagome stiffened. He smiled and she turned on her heel and dragged Sango away. They threw the door open and were met by startled people handling cash.
"Get your guns ready," Kagome ordered. "Western Mafia alert."
There was a scramble as people crammed revolvers into their pockets and equipped themselves with knives. There was a sudden shot that rang out through the casino. Instantly, there was yelling and screaming and people hurriedly running to the exit. Sango and Kagome rushed to the glass window. There was a tremendous blow as a bomb stored in one of the slot machines was activated, and the game blew up, sending splinters of metal, gold coins, and bits and pieces. The sight was devastating and Kagome calmed herself by desperately praying thanks that just one thing was destroyed. Sango turned as the door flew open and in came three men. They pulled out their guns and started shooting. Instantly dropping to the ground, Kagome and Sango played dead as men all around them fell.
Kagome's heart twisted as she heard a deep voice. "I think the bitch is down too. Both of them. Let's go."
Kagome made sure that there were no more footsteps before slapping Sango, and they checked around for survivors. Only two had survived; the other eight were seriously wounded. Sango hurriedly dialed the police as Kagome said, "I'm going down to check for any injured."
She ran down the escalator and staircases before finally setting foot on the floor of her casino. The only thing ruined was the slot machine. The game tables, walls, decorations, including the terracotta warriors with real weapons in their hand, were still intact. Kagome breathed a sigh of relief.
There was a rustle behind her. Instantly, she kicked a sword out of the warrior's hand and turned around. Her mouth tightened.
"Long time no see, cousin."
It was Antonio Demeris, the leader of the dominant Western Family.
"You've always been so power hungry, Antonio. But trying to ruin your dear cousin's new business shouldn't be the first step in overthrowing us. You belong in the West. We are the East."
"Heh. You are such a fool, Kagome. As always. It's not like we're ten anymore. And I want more than being just a Western. I want the East. And taking over yours can eventually lead to getting rid of the other Families. Like the Moretti Family."
Kagome lunged at her cousin. He quickly grabbed a dislodged game board and started shielding from her attacks. For a rusty sword…it's not bad, she thought.
"You've improved, cousin!" yelled Antonio from behind his board.
"And I've seen that you have gotten no change," snarled Kagome, "ALWAYS SHIELDING!"
She struck below and he jumped. He grabbed her and held a knife to her throat, while his arm was wrapped around her neck. "You've grown taller, and you still haven't noticed my hidden weapon technique," he whispered.
"Argh!" She grasped his arm and fell back, and raised her leg to kick him in the nose. He let go of her and she lunged at the sword and swung it around. He ducked.
He grabbed another game disc as she swung upwards, downwards, across, diagonal….and he kept on shielding.
"Coward!" She screamed.
She lunged forward, onto the pool table and the sword was stuck in the disc. Seeing that it was to his advantage, Antonio grinned and twisted it around. Kagome twisted off the table and fell. Seeing that he was still recuperating, trying to drag the sword out of the disc, Kagome kicked another sword out of it's holder and stabbed at him. It met him in the chest. She pushed him into a terracotta warrior as he whimpered. "Dammit, why won't this stupid thing go THROUGH?!"
Frustrated, she kicked him, and knocked him over, terracotta warrior and all. Panting, she walked up to him, and using her sword, she sliced open the pocket. Inside was a wad of money. Picking it up, she snarled, "Much as you want to destroy me, Antonio, you just couldn't resist the idea of stealing a bit too, huh? Your greediness can save you sometimes, but not always!" She stabbed him in the chest and left him there, carefully wiping down her fingerprints. She surveyed her surroundings, breathing heavily. She walked unsteadily along the carpet. There was a slight noise and she instantly remembered her gun, and pulled it out, aiming at where the sound came from.
"Come out," she whispered.
She tightened her hold on the trigger as a man stepped out. She let out a relieved sigh. "Oh, it's just you, Inuyasha."
"Yep."
"Were you here the whole time?"
"Yes."
"WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP ME?!"
"Easy!" He grabbed her wrists. "It was your fight."
Kagome looked at him for a moment. "Where is Miroku?"
"With Sango."
"Oh."
The two walked back up to the second flight as police arrived. Sango rushed to Kagome. "Oh my God, I saw what was happening down there but I thought that if I got out there and you were distracted, than your cousin could have held you hostage!"
She gave Kagome a cup of tea as she explained to the police that he committed suicide, with Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, and other workers backing her up. Inuyasha offered them a ride and the two women went back to Bellagio.
"There goes one business." Sighed Kagome.
"No," Inuyasha said. Kagome looked at him. "Everybody thought it was great. They just got scared off. They'll come back as soon as you reopen it again. I promise."
Reassured by his words, Kagome took the elevator up with her belongings. Sango did the same. As Miroku and Sango talked in low voices, and then smiled, they entered Miroku's room. Together. Kagome stared. Inuyasha chuckled.
"Don't be so surprised, Kagome. The whole time they were talking on the phone and arranging meetings behind your back." He grinned as Kagome looked at him in shock. Then his features softened. "Can I come in for a nightcap?"
His long lashed eyes bored into her blue ones, as Kagome debated her answer. "Yes." She said finally. "Yes."