Hey minna! This is the pivotal chapter in the story. There are only two more chapters left, and they will be posted together to relieve any confusion. They won't be coming out for a couple of days, so be patient and review! Thank you for your support and please make sure to catch the notes at the end of the story. They are important AND interesting! Thanks.
Ja ne,
-MC
"He was laughing under his breath, like a cruel wolf, as he leaned over and lit his last cigarette. Books play that kind of trick, he thought. And everyone gets the devil he deserves."
-The Club Dumas
Manchester House was in a tumult of activity. In fact, to be completely correct, it was pure insanity. Kagome's father was to arrive any moment and she was still placing out the hors de vours. It wasn't her job, but she felt as if she had to do something.
If she didn't, she might go crazy with nervousness. Would her father be able to sense everything that went on when he was gone?
Bring her hand up to finger her locket she huffed in annoyance when a foreign hand pulled her fingers away from their anxious habit.
Sesshomaru.
That was the fifth time he had done it that morning.
"Really, t least I don't jingle the keys in my pockets!" It was like old times for a moment, and Kagome almost yearned for the simpler periods where everything wasn't as confusing. But that thought was quickly forgotten when Sess drew her into a comforting and possessive hug.
"I do believe it is tradition to hug your father after her arrives from a trip, and not your bodyguard who you've seen everyday…but I could just be old fashioned…"
Kagome abruptly pushed away from Sesshomaru and ran into her father's arms.
"Papa! Como esta usted? Mi favorito amigo. Bienvenidos a su casa!" Kagome and her father continued to joke in Spanish while Sesshomaru felt forgotten on the sidelines. About after five minutes [Necissita una bebida?] he left the happy family alone to tend to the arriving guest and survey the scene for any glimpse of the two men.
However, he was out of luck, and Sesshomaru resumed to slinking in the background. He listened joyously to Kagome weave her story about the house.
"Yes, this is from the late 18th Century, in fact. Many houses in that era were used as summerhouses but since New York has always been a city this happened to be a town house with many previous owners. I believe the most prominent were Thomas Jefferson and Kilgore Trout."
"Kilgore Trout?" Someone asked.
"Yes, he is an out-of-date science fiction writer, but supposedly the best mind of his time."
"Fascinating…"
Sesshomaru laughed at this. Kilgore Trout? The always-hilarious Kurt Vonnegut's fictional alter ego? Really, Kagome!
"This mansion was renamed a bit in when Kilgore Trout owned it…he preferred it to be called The House of Cyclone Bill, dedicated to his pet parakeet…. but the true and remaining name is Foxglove Mansion. As you can see here we have a…"
But Kagome was interrupted with the dinner bell. Good thing too…someday she is going to be caught in her lies and no one will be able to save her, Sesshomaru laughed to himself.
As dinner was about to be served there was a commotion in the entrance hall. In burst a slightly agitated man of about twenty-three years.
Sesshomaru drew in a quick breath and had to stop himself from gasping audibly. What was he…?
"Naraku!" Kagome cried merrily to the young man. "We thought you had forgotten us!" Kagome smiled sweetly.
Sesshomaru inwardly cringed…what the hell is he…?
As Naraku crossed to Kagome he said,
"No, no. Just a little problem at the office. I could never miss one of Senor White's parties." He bent down and kissed Kagome lightly on the cheek before sitting down next to her. As he brought his wineglass to his lips, Naraku's eyes sparkled mischievously in Sesshomaru's direction.
Sesshomaru's mind was reeling. Naraku Higoshima here, under his roof, kissing Kagome as if he belonged there.
But as he glanced back at Naraku and Kagome were deep in conversation, Sesshomaru had to admit he did belong there, by Kagome's side.
At least belonged there more than he did.
He remembered Kagome speaking of a well-off friend she had known since childhood. She had innocently called him "Ku."
A nickname.
For Naraku Higoshima.
The biggest and most corrupt crime boss in New York City.
"How…intimate…" Sess thought. Even though Kagome had nicknamed him as well, "Ku" would still come first. And judging by her father's countenance, he wouldn't object to a future union between these two childhood friends.
And then, and then it finally struck him.
Childhood friends.
She had said they had been childhood friends—in El Salvador.
The two men.
Naraku's little "job."
White card from Miroku.
White card from Miroku! His mind screamed as he darted out of the dining hall and up to the stairs. Sess burst into the guestroom to find that Miroku had Sango in a very compromising position.
Grabbing Miroku roughly by the arms he delivered two swift kicks to his stomach. Sesshomaru then dragged the stunned man into an empty room and pressed him face forward into the wall—continuing to keep a very tight grip on his arms.
"What the fuck is the connection to El Salvador, Miroku?" Miroku made a muffled gasp against the wall.
"What? I can't hear you. Tell me what the fuck you meant with the white card that said "El Salvador"!"
Miroku feebly tried to fight back, but Sesshomaru was more experienced than he.
"Na…Naraku. Naraku is the connection."
"So, let me get this straight. Tell me if I get anything wrong," he twisted Miroku's arm as proof of his superiority in strength and situation.
"You get out of the monastery and high tail it to America. You sell yourself like Inuyasha did and you end up getting involved with Naraku. It's inevitable. Dirty dealings lead to him. So, you get stuck in his service. Fine. But why did he want to kill Kagome? Why did he send Inuyasha to kill her father? Why did he want you to tip us? Tell me damn it!"
Miroku mumbled a little.
"What?"
"Go now. To 64th and Third. He has her there now. Go. All your questions will be answered. Go."
Sesshomaru was about to sprint out of the room when Miroku turned and smiled devilishly at him. It wasn't a pretty smile with the blood trickling down his lip and onto his pressed Armani suit.
"But watch out, Sesshomaru, I may have done my job, but have you? You fell in love…don't let it get to your head."
And with a panic Sesshomaru ran downstairs only to find the party deserted. But on further inspection, he found shoes poking out from under the table. What met his eyes was hardly a surprise.
Senator White, dead.
A warning death. Simple tactic when dealing with disgusting characters like Naraku.
And before he knew it, Sesshomaru was loading himself with artillery from his personal collection.
Anything.
He had to be prepared for anything.
Kagome was alive if he had anything to do about it!
Sesshomaru then sped off into the night. He tried to be prepared for anything.
But nothing would have prepared him for what lay in store…
The Club Dumas by Aruturo Perez-Reverte is the best book I have ever read. I seriously recommend it. And I got the "quote" thing at the beginning of each chapter from him.
-MC
