I'm trying to keep this light-hearted but by golly it's not! Still I will try with the funny moments.. As always, Inuyasha and co belong to Takahashi Rumiko ::bows:: et al.)
(Note: Added some detail towards the bottom half regarding the youkai servants of Hadori)
Five Days In Tokyo - or - Sesshoumaru's Unlikely Visit -Nine
Sesshoumaru had taken them a distance away from where he had rescued Kagome and now they were near a small park area where vendors sold food and drink. It was an idyllic setting with young mothers watching the very young children run and play on the playground equipment and college students from the nearby university taking a brief break from their mid-morning classes. Although they were getting looks due to Sesshoumaru's appearance, no one bothered them as they walked along the park, each in their own thoughts.
~Sesshomaru rescued me - like Inuyasha..~ Kagome would gaze at Sesshoumaru from time to time. ~ And when he looked at that guy, he looked like - well protective, just Inuyasha would get. No, no..he probably just did it because I'm his only way back..~ Kagome sighed. ~Is that all I'm going to be, is just someone to be used for something? Will I ever be loved for who I am and not what I can bring?~
Well Hojo claimed to love her, but Kagome didn't love him - at least not as a potential husband. Hojo-kun was cute, sweet and kind, but she just couldn't feel anything more for him - even though she had tried.
And Inuyasha - well he loved Kikyou and that was that. She couldn't change his heart and she knew all he would see in her was Kikyou, and she just wasn't Kikyou, she was herself - Kagome.
~I wonder if he will EVER say my name..~ Kagome stole another glance at the tall youkai-lord walking just ahead of her.
Now why was that important?
Sesshoumaru remained silent, although he knew that the wench was casting glances his way. Hmph, he certainly hoped she didn't think he saved her out of any real concern for her welfare. That would be a typical human thing to do - mistake his actions for something else altogether. He thought that was why Rin was so loyal to him sometimes. Well, he did not love the little wench, no more than he had any feelings for this one.
But still, something within him had snapped when he saw the human grasping the wench. She was HIS to do as he pleased with, not some fool human. He had felt almost - possessive.
Humph. Sesshoumaru lifted his chin a bit higher as he heard the wench's stomach rumble. He supposed they should stop so that she could eat - otherwise she would probably start whining and slowing him down.
"You will eat here." Sesshoumaru said, his back still towards her.
"Oh gee thank you, m'lord." Kagome said sarcastically as she headed for a vendor that was selling yakitori (a type of grilled chicken), passing Sesshoumaru by. Sesshoumaru followed her but before Kagome could even speak to the amiable looking vendor, Sesshoumar towered over the man menacingly, and said, "You will give this wench something to eat."
The man looked at Sesshoumaru and his reaction must have not been too pleasing to the youkai, for Sesshoumaru went to draw out his sword.
"Wait! Wait!!" Kagome said frantically, trying to push Sesshoumaru away from the wide-eyed vendor. She turned with a nervous smile to the man and said, "Ah - ha - ha..he's um - practicing for the - uh - Kanazawa Festival of the Fish! Ah - I will take your special please.." Kagome took some money out of her purse - which had somehow miraculously stayed with her the whole time. The vendor eyed them warily but when he saw that Kagome had money out and was ready to pay him, he shrugged and gave her a paper bowl filled with yakitori and some delicious rice. To Kagome it smelled like heaven and she gladly paid the vendor. They walked to a bench and Kagome felt Sesshoumaru's eyes upon her but she didn't care. She sat down and for a moment Sesshoumaru looked as though he couldn't decide to sit down or not. Finally he did, watching Kagome as she ate.
"Mmmmm..this is SO good!" Kagome chewed her food gratefully, her stomach already feeling better. The incident with the gang leader seemed far off now and she was grateful to be in a quiet place at last. Hm, but she could use something to drink.
"Sesshoumaru, could you hold this for a moment while I get a drink?" Kagome asked.
Sesshoumaru only manged to look haughty, so Kagome placed her plate upon the bench and went to get a drink from one of the vendors. A pigeon flew onto the bench and started to make it's way towards Kagome's food, Sesshoumaru eyed it and then the pigeon squawked as Sesshoumaru's claws nearly cleaved the bird It flew away as quickly as it could as Sesshoumaru shook his head. Reduced to scaring stupid fat birds - what had he come to?
Kagome quickly came back with not one but two drinks in red and white glasses. She handed one to a surprised Sesshoumaru, took her plate back and sat back down.
"I bought you one too as I thought you'd be thirsty.." Kagome explained as she daintily set her plate down on her lap temporarily and took a drink of the beverage in the red and white glass.
Sesshoumaru looked at his glass curiously. It wasn't really glass, nor china, but of stiff paper. A wavy line went down the side - a symbol? - and then there was some sort of foriegn language in some odd script. He did recognize some characters that were off the side of the foriegn writing. It said, 'Coca Cola'.
Frowning he took a sniff curiously - not that he was thirsty mind you - and found that the liquid inside the paper cup was dark in color and that cubes of ice floated in the drink itself. Small bubbles came to the surface tickling Sesshoumaru's nose.
Kagome tried not to smile but just kept eating her food and sipping at her drink. He saw the wench acting like she wasn't watching him but she was. Did she think he was afraid to drink the fizzling beverage? Humph.
Sesshoumaru took a healthy swig and promptly gagged on it, throwing the paper cup to the ground, along with it's contents. Immediately he was practically in Kagome's face, a growl in his throat.
"Trying to kill me with this foul brew, wench?" Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed with anger.
"N - no..!" Kagome looked startled and then she started to giggle controllably. "Oh..g - gomen!"
Laughing? She was laughing? Sesshoumaru started to growl at Kagome, extending his clawed hands outward.
"G - gomen! Ha - hahaha..oh!" Kagome hicupped, covering her hand over her mouth.
"You don't need to drink this - this - .." Sesshoumaru grabbed the coke from Kagome's hand.
"H - hic! - hey!" Sesshoumaru tossed the cup, contents and all over the bench, where it landed on an elderly lady.
"Eeeeeeek!!" The woman exclaimed.
"Sesshoumaru!!" Kagome put her plate down and went to help the old woman. The old woman however, glared at Kagome and started to rail at her.
"You young people! You have NO respect for your elders at all! None! And there's laws against littering and throwing things in this park!" The old lady suddenly with surprising strength, grabbed at Kagome's ear and pulled!
"Ow! Ow! Wait! I was only trying to - "
"Old woman.." Sesshoumaru was just - there, glowering at the old woman who had Kagome in an ear lock to beat all ear locks.He was sure it hurt the wench - which why he was enjoying her little predicament.
"Humph!" The lady gave Sesshoumaru the once over. "What are you? One of those extremists that want to blow up the world? Eh! Eh!"
"Let go!" Kagome wrenched her head away from the old woman's grip and sprinted away. She had been only trying to help her! It was all Sesshoumaru's fault!
"Come back here!" The old woman rattled her handbag at the departing Kagome, who was joined by Sesshoumaru as he lifted her up and soared through the air, scattering the birds.
"No!" Kagome sputtered."All you do is cause trouble!"
But as usual, he said nothing, which annoyed Kagome considerably, even though she should have known better.
"You've eaten, woman, now we shall go to the youkai lords.." Sesshoumaru headed back in the direction that they had come from in the district.
Kagome sighed. There were no youkai lords here - or were there? Maybe they were hidden where humans could not see them anymore. She knew that she didn't want to tell him that there were only humans here.
And then she felt it again - the shard!
Sesshoumaru looked straight ahead towards the glass towers of Tokyo. His sense of smell, which had been assaulted ever since he came upon the numerous humans, smelled something else - something very faint and yet almost familar.
Narrowing his eyes, he saw the tall building that they had been heading for before and sensed the faint smell coming from within the buiding itself.
"Sesshoumaru.." The youkai-lord could sense the change in the wench's voice. It was firm and resolute.
"We need to land - where people cannot see. They're not used to powerful youkai like yourself. I'll show you how to get to the top." Kagome rested her hand on Sesshoumaru's chest as the wind ruffled her hair. Sesshoumaru noted the compliment but did not acknowlege it since it was true. He would humor the woman for now, since she was a native to this land of stone and glass. They landed in a somewhat secluded area between buildings and made their way to the Hadori building itself..
****
"You were told never to come here, Hirarku." Hadori eyed the young man who stood unsteadily in front of his desk.
"I - thought you needed to know about this, Hadori-sama." Hirarku bowed.
"Then enlighten me." Hadori's expression was bored.
And then Hirarku related the story of the woman and her rescuer. By the time he finished, Hadori was leaning forward in his chair, his gold eyes glittering with interest.
"Eyes like mine.." He muttered to himself thoughtfully. ~ A youkai - or perhaps a hanyou. And the woman, could it be? ~
"Tell me, Hirarku, the woman - what did she look like?" Hadori steepled his fingers together.
"She was pretty enough..young.." Hirarku said, his nervousness getting the best of him.
"Kukuku.." Hadori smiled. "You need to be more descriptive than that. I shall help you." He unlocked a desk drawer and took out a photograph. He showed it to Hirarku.
"Is this the woman?"
"Yes!" Hirarku looked relieved. "That is her most definitely!"
"Ah.." Hadori put the photo of Kagome back into the drawer and locked it with an ancient spell where only he could unlock it. He stood up and walked towards Hirarku with a paternal smile.
"Thank you Hirarku." He placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. "You will be rewarded for your deed."
"Hai, Hadori-sama. That woman - you want her? I can find her for you.." Hirarku was obviously trying to kiss up to him.
"No, no..I shall find her myself." Hadori grew tired of this game - he grew to impatience so easily. He concentrated and his hand grew claws as Hirarku stood transfixed.
"You - y - you.." Hirarku managed to stutter.
"Yes, the old tales you learned at your whore of a granmother's knees ARE true, dear Hirarku." Hadori said smoothly.
A moment later, Hirarku lay dead on the floor, his eyes wide. Hadori summoned the two bodyguards that always seemed to be at his beck and call.
"You may have him.." Hadori watched as the two men changed shape and form, becoming creatures that no longer resembled humans at all. The two were in fact slug-like, with fangs that extended from their long teeth and small almost delicate looking hands. They were weak youkai, but Hadori was able to control them with promises of an endless feast of human flesh which was always supplied by those who dared to leave Hadori's inner circle. It was a way to keep secrets where they belonged and tied up loose ends. These particular youkai he had found on one of his many sojourns into the remote areas of Japan. They, along with a group of their brethern, had been trapped within a cave that had been sealed by a powerful monk. Somehow Hadori had been able to unseal the cave, and the youkai, recognizing that he had to have been more powerful than themselves, swore alliegance to their new master. They learned to assume the forms of humans and they were scattered throughout Hadori's organization, keeping order. 'Cleaning up' people such as Hirarku was one of their many responsibilities.
Within seconds, they devoured the unfortunate Hirarku and then they changed back, looking as ordinary as they were before. They left the room quietly.
Hadori frowned. The woman he was trying to snare was close, but it was the evidence of another like himself that worried him. He would have to move quickly..
(Note: Added some detail towards the bottom half regarding the youkai servants of Hadori)
Five Days In Tokyo - or - Sesshoumaru's Unlikely Visit -Nine
Sesshoumaru had taken them a distance away from where he had rescued Kagome and now they were near a small park area where vendors sold food and drink. It was an idyllic setting with young mothers watching the very young children run and play on the playground equipment and college students from the nearby university taking a brief break from their mid-morning classes. Although they were getting looks due to Sesshoumaru's appearance, no one bothered them as they walked along the park, each in their own thoughts.
~Sesshomaru rescued me - like Inuyasha..~ Kagome would gaze at Sesshoumaru from time to time. ~ And when he looked at that guy, he looked like - well protective, just Inuyasha would get. No, no..he probably just did it because I'm his only way back..~ Kagome sighed. ~Is that all I'm going to be, is just someone to be used for something? Will I ever be loved for who I am and not what I can bring?~
Well Hojo claimed to love her, but Kagome didn't love him - at least not as a potential husband. Hojo-kun was cute, sweet and kind, but she just couldn't feel anything more for him - even though she had tried.
And Inuyasha - well he loved Kikyou and that was that. She couldn't change his heart and she knew all he would see in her was Kikyou, and she just wasn't Kikyou, she was herself - Kagome.
~I wonder if he will EVER say my name..~ Kagome stole another glance at the tall youkai-lord walking just ahead of her.
Now why was that important?
Sesshoumaru remained silent, although he knew that the wench was casting glances his way. Hmph, he certainly hoped she didn't think he saved her out of any real concern for her welfare. That would be a typical human thing to do - mistake his actions for something else altogether. He thought that was why Rin was so loyal to him sometimes. Well, he did not love the little wench, no more than he had any feelings for this one.
But still, something within him had snapped when he saw the human grasping the wench. She was HIS to do as he pleased with, not some fool human. He had felt almost - possessive.
Humph. Sesshoumaru lifted his chin a bit higher as he heard the wench's stomach rumble. He supposed they should stop so that she could eat - otherwise she would probably start whining and slowing him down.
"You will eat here." Sesshoumaru said, his back still towards her.
"Oh gee thank you, m'lord." Kagome said sarcastically as she headed for a vendor that was selling yakitori (a type of grilled chicken), passing Sesshoumaru by. Sesshoumaru followed her but before Kagome could even speak to the amiable looking vendor, Sesshoumar towered over the man menacingly, and said, "You will give this wench something to eat."
The man looked at Sesshoumaru and his reaction must have not been too pleasing to the youkai, for Sesshoumaru went to draw out his sword.
"Wait! Wait!!" Kagome said frantically, trying to push Sesshoumaru away from the wide-eyed vendor. She turned with a nervous smile to the man and said, "Ah - ha - ha..he's um - practicing for the - uh - Kanazawa Festival of the Fish! Ah - I will take your special please.." Kagome took some money out of her purse - which had somehow miraculously stayed with her the whole time. The vendor eyed them warily but when he saw that Kagome had money out and was ready to pay him, he shrugged and gave her a paper bowl filled with yakitori and some delicious rice. To Kagome it smelled like heaven and she gladly paid the vendor. They walked to a bench and Kagome felt Sesshoumaru's eyes upon her but she didn't care. She sat down and for a moment Sesshoumaru looked as though he couldn't decide to sit down or not. Finally he did, watching Kagome as she ate.
"Mmmmm..this is SO good!" Kagome chewed her food gratefully, her stomach already feeling better. The incident with the gang leader seemed far off now and she was grateful to be in a quiet place at last. Hm, but she could use something to drink.
"Sesshoumaru, could you hold this for a moment while I get a drink?" Kagome asked.
Sesshoumaru only manged to look haughty, so Kagome placed her plate upon the bench and went to get a drink from one of the vendors. A pigeon flew onto the bench and started to make it's way towards Kagome's food, Sesshoumaru eyed it and then the pigeon squawked as Sesshoumaru's claws nearly cleaved the bird It flew away as quickly as it could as Sesshoumaru shook his head. Reduced to scaring stupid fat birds - what had he come to?
Kagome quickly came back with not one but two drinks in red and white glasses. She handed one to a surprised Sesshoumaru, took her plate back and sat back down.
"I bought you one too as I thought you'd be thirsty.." Kagome explained as she daintily set her plate down on her lap temporarily and took a drink of the beverage in the red and white glass.
Sesshoumaru looked at his glass curiously. It wasn't really glass, nor china, but of stiff paper. A wavy line went down the side - a symbol? - and then there was some sort of foriegn language in some odd script. He did recognize some characters that were off the side of the foriegn writing. It said, 'Coca Cola'.
Frowning he took a sniff curiously - not that he was thirsty mind you - and found that the liquid inside the paper cup was dark in color and that cubes of ice floated in the drink itself. Small bubbles came to the surface tickling Sesshoumaru's nose.
Kagome tried not to smile but just kept eating her food and sipping at her drink. He saw the wench acting like she wasn't watching him but she was. Did she think he was afraid to drink the fizzling beverage? Humph.
Sesshoumaru took a healthy swig and promptly gagged on it, throwing the paper cup to the ground, along with it's contents. Immediately he was practically in Kagome's face, a growl in his throat.
"Trying to kill me with this foul brew, wench?" Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed with anger.
"N - no..!" Kagome looked startled and then she started to giggle controllably. "Oh..g - gomen!"
Laughing? She was laughing? Sesshoumaru started to growl at Kagome, extending his clawed hands outward.
"G - gomen! Ha - hahaha..oh!" Kagome hicupped, covering her hand over her mouth.
"You don't need to drink this - this - .." Sesshoumaru grabbed the coke from Kagome's hand.
"H - hic! - hey!" Sesshoumaru tossed the cup, contents and all over the bench, where it landed on an elderly lady.
"Eeeeeeek!!" The woman exclaimed.
"Sesshoumaru!!" Kagome put her plate down and went to help the old woman. The old woman however, glared at Kagome and started to rail at her.
"You young people! You have NO respect for your elders at all! None! And there's laws against littering and throwing things in this park!" The old lady suddenly with surprising strength, grabbed at Kagome's ear and pulled!
"Ow! Ow! Wait! I was only trying to - "
"Old woman.." Sesshoumaru was just - there, glowering at the old woman who had Kagome in an ear lock to beat all ear locks.He was sure it hurt the wench - which why he was enjoying her little predicament.
"Humph!" The lady gave Sesshoumaru the once over. "What are you? One of those extremists that want to blow up the world? Eh! Eh!"
"Let go!" Kagome wrenched her head away from the old woman's grip and sprinted away. She had been only trying to help her! It was all Sesshoumaru's fault!
"Come back here!" The old woman rattled her handbag at the departing Kagome, who was joined by Sesshoumaru as he lifted her up and soared through the air, scattering the birds.
"No!" Kagome sputtered."All you do is cause trouble!"
But as usual, he said nothing, which annoyed Kagome considerably, even though she should have known better.
"You've eaten, woman, now we shall go to the youkai lords.." Sesshoumaru headed back in the direction that they had come from in the district.
Kagome sighed. There were no youkai lords here - or were there? Maybe they were hidden where humans could not see them anymore. She knew that she didn't want to tell him that there were only humans here.
And then she felt it again - the shard!
Sesshoumaru looked straight ahead towards the glass towers of Tokyo. His sense of smell, which had been assaulted ever since he came upon the numerous humans, smelled something else - something very faint and yet almost familar.
Narrowing his eyes, he saw the tall building that they had been heading for before and sensed the faint smell coming from within the buiding itself.
"Sesshoumaru.." The youkai-lord could sense the change in the wench's voice. It was firm and resolute.
"We need to land - where people cannot see. They're not used to powerful youkai like yourself. I'll show you how to get to the top." Kagome rested her hand on Sesshoumaru's chest as the wind ruffled her hair. Sesshoumaru noted the compliment but did not acknowlege it since it was true. He would humor the woman for now, since she was a native to this land of stone and glass. They landed in a somewhat secluded area between buildings and made their way to the Hadori building itself..
****
"You were told never to come here, Hirarku." Hadori eyed the young man who stood unsteadily in front of his desk.
"I - thought you needed to know about this, Hadori-sama." Hirarku bowed.
"Then enlighten me." Hadori's expression was bored.
And then Hirarku related the story of the woman and her rescuer. By the time he finished, Hadori was leaning forward in his chair, his gold eyes glittering with interest.
"Eyes like mine.." He muttered to himself thoughtfully. ~ A youkai - or perhaps a hanyou. And the woman, could it be? ~
"Tell me, Hirarku, the woman - what did she look like?" Hadori steepled his fingers together.
"She was pretty enough..young.." Hirarku said, his nervousness getting the best of him.
"Kukuku.." Hadori smiled. "You need to be more descriptive than that. I shall help you." He unlocked a desk drawer and took out a photograph. He showed it to Hirarku.
"Is this the woman?"
"Yes!" Hirarku looked relieved. "That is her most definitely!"
"Ah.." Hadori put the photo of Kagome back into the drawer and locked it with an ancient spell where only he could unlock it. He stood up and walked towards Hirarku with a paternal smile.
"Thank you Hirarku." He placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. "You will be rewarded for your deed."
"Hai, Hadori-sama. That woman - you want her? I can find her for you.." Hirarku was obviously trying to kiss up to him.
"No, no..I shall find her myself." Hadori grew tired of this game - he grew to impatience so easily. He concentrated and his hand grew claws as Hirarku stood transfixed.
"You - y - you.." Hirarku managed to stutter.
"Yes, the old tales you learned at your whore of a granmother's knees ARE true, dear Hirarku." Hadori said smoothly.
A moment later, Hirarku lay dead on the floor, his eyes wide. Hadori summoned the two bodyguards that always seemed to be at his beck and call.
"You may have him.." Hadori watched as the two men changed shape and form, becoming creatures that no longer resembled humans at all. The two were in fact slug-like, with fangs that extended from their long teeth and small almost delicate looking hands. They were weak youkai, but Hadori was able to control them with promises of an endless feast of human flesh which was always supplied by those who dared to leave Hadori's inner circle. It was a way to keep secrets where they belonged and tied up loose ends. These particular youkai he had found on one of his many sojourns into the remote areas of Japan. They, along with a group of their brethern, had been trapped within a cave that had been sealed by a powerful monk. Somehow Hadori had been able to unseal the cave, and the youkai, recognizing that he had to have been more powerful than themselves, swore alliegance to their new master. They learned to assume the forms of humans and they were scattered throughout Hadori's organization, keeping order. 'Cleaning up' people such as Hirarku was one of their many responsibilities.
Within seconds, they devoured the unfortunate Hirarku and then they changed back, looking as ordinary as they were before. They left the room quietly.
Hadori frowned. The woman he was trying to snare was close, but it was the evidence of another like himself that worried him. He would have to move quickly..