Chapter 3
Rahne entered the spacious reception area promptly at 11:55. She was unaware of the golden eyes watching her from the second floor. He noticed she was still wearing the same gold silk shirt but had changed from the jeans to an indecently short black skirt her high heels emphasizing her legs. Why this bothered him he didn't know. His sensitive hearing caught the soft wolf whistle of one of the guards as she passed. He growled softly and then wondered at his actions. He watched as his brother stepped off the elevator and introduced himself taking the woman's outstretched hand. Gathering his thoughts he decided to return to his own office before he made an even bigger fool of himself.
Rahne smiled as she held out her hand to the man who would interview her. Having met the elder brother earlier, she was not surprised to see golden eyes and silver white hair. "Rah - ne Tyler, I believe?" His voice was gruff but kind, totally different from the man at the shrine.
"It's pronounced rain." She corrected. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I would like to apologize for not being able to keep our earlier appointment. I hope I haven't inconvenienced you or the elder Mr. Yasha."
"No inconvenience at all. In truth if my brother hadn't wanted to do this, we wouldn't be meeting now. Why don't we discuss the particulars of the job. I want to have a mural painted in this area. The design does not concern me. I would like this wall to be the canvas." He indicated a seventy five foot long, eight foot high section of wall to his right. "As you can see the mural would also be seen from the street as well as the interior." Inu Yasha watched as the woman's eyes widened at the magnitude of the project he was describing. "Do you think you would be able to fulfill such a contract? Did you have perhaps a working sketch?"
Rahne continued to stare at the wall he had indicated. Suddenly she realized the small, behind the receptionist job she had envisioned was her dream job. This project would easily take a year to complete. Swallowing she answered the questions, now it was more than just a wish to have this commission it was a desire. "Yes sir, to both questions. I have no family so would it would be easy for me to remain in Tokyo to complete the job. I did have a sketch. However it was for merely an embellishment of the companies logo to go behind the receptionist desk." She reached into her portfolio and pulled the sketch out handing it to him she continued. "I had no idea that the project you had in mind was so extensive. I do, however, have an idea. If you wouldn't mind giving me a half hour I could do a rough sketch now."
Inu Yasha was impressed. All the other artist had told him either they were unable to accept such a large commission, or they would need a week to present him a preliminary sketch. He looked down at the sketch she had handed him. What surprised him most was not the quality of the sketch but that she had placed in each corner a white dog. "Miss Tyler, may I ask why you placed the white dogs in each corner?"
"To be honest, Sir. I have no idea, it just felt right for them to be there."
He nodded. "I would be happy to give you the half hour you requested. Would you like to use an empty office?"
"No, thank you. It will help if I can look at the space. Just a chair will be fine. As I only have my sketch book and pencils with me. Is there somewhere that I wouldn't be in the way?"
After finding a suitable spot, Rahne pulled the battered sketch book out and turned to a clean page. Pulling out her pencils she looked at the wall and suddenly it was clear, she knew exactly what had to be painted on that wall. Her pencil flew over the paper like this only when she drew him. Only then did she ever feel pleasure in her artwork, briefly she wondered why this was creating the same sensations. She had painted family portraits, family pet portraits, the obligatory country lane landscapes so common in the midwest. Yet none of those had ever satisfied her artistically. While her hand continued adding more and more detail, she prayed that as Michelangelo had the Sistine Chapel, she would have this mural. She heard a slight clearing of a throat behind her and realized her thirty minutes were up. She took one final look at the sketch and smiled. "I do appreciate the time, Sir. I hope this meets with your approval. It is a bit rough, please take that into consideration." She handed it to Inu Yasha and waited.
Inu Yasha looked down at the sketch. He was amazed at the detail she had placed in the sketch so quickly. The center was dominated by the rising sun in the background, in the foreground stood him and his brother arms crossed in suits, staring out at the viewer back to back. In the expanse of area on the side of Sesshomaru was a picture that could have been taken straight from the warring states era. Before him was a modern cityscape. "You did this in thirty minutes?" He couldn't hide the admiration from his tone or eyes.
"Yes, sir." She smiled at the pleased expression on his face.
"Well, Miss Tyler as far as I am concerned, if we can come to terms the commission is yours. Shall we go to my office to negotiate terms?" He indicated with a slight nod and his arm for her to follow him.
"Certainly." Inu Yasha watched as the smile crossed the woman's face. She gathered her pencils and placed them into the bag she had with her. Looking at him she spoke again. "My sketch book please?" He was reluctant to let it go, he wanted to show it to Sesshomaru as soon as they finished their negotiations. "I'll be happy to give you the sketch, but there is some artwork in there that is of a personal nature."
Inu Yasha's eyebrow raised, was he that transparent? How had she known he wanted the sketch? Nodding he handed back to her and led the way to the elevator.