Chapter 4
"Rahne-san," The male voice softly invaded her waking mind.
She opened her eyes to find the young security guard kneeling beside her. "Oh hello. I fell asleep again didn't I?"
"Yes," he said with a smile. "I brought you a cup of tea."
"Thank you." Rahne took the offered cup returning his smile. "This is becoming a habit, isn't it? I fall asleep in this chair and you wake me in the morning with a cup of tea. You don't have to you know. Bring me the tea."
He smiled at her, she knew she was going to have to discourage him eventually, but he was sweet. "I don't mind."
"So what do you think of the sketch? I finished it last night." She took the guards hand as he helped her to her feet. Watching with interest as he studied the sketch now adorning the west wall. Rahne knew that her friends would find the young man cute. He was tall. 'To be honest,' she thought 'most men are taller than little bitty me.' His dark brown hair always looked windblown, his brown eyes were gentle. She knew he had feeling for her and gave a soft smile, 'To bad you don't have silver white hair, a blue crescent moon on your forehead and red stripes on your cheeks.'
"It's nice, but...." He didn't want to offend her, but he didn't understand it. He knew that there was a story to go with every painting. He just didn't get this one. Sano did enjoy spending his mornings with the artist, he wanted to ask her out for dinner and turned to do just that.
"But what Sano-san?" She looked puzzled, "Would you like me to explain it?" At his nod she opened her mouth to explain when a silky voice interrupted,
"He should be at his post, not receiving art appreciation lessons." Seeing his employer the guard bowed and quickly returned to his post near the entrance. "However, I would appreciate learning why this particular mural."
Her breath caught momentarily as she noticed again how much he resembled her mystery man. "Of course, Yasha-san. The sun represents Japan, just as the flag is the sun on a white banner. This one of course will have the darker colors of sunset to represent, naturally, west. The central figures of you and your brother represent a united front."
"Ah, yet why place us back to back rather than side by side?"
"Haven't you ever heard the expression 'I've got your back'?" He shook his head slightly. "It is an American expression it means that I will guard your back. Like in battle, you can't see what's behind you. It indicates no weakness when the two of you are together in a common goal." She felt the slight blush tinge her cheeks but continued. "In front of you is a scene from Japan's past, indicating the strong foundation the company is built on. Before your brother, is the future, indicating the companies movement forward."
Sesshomaru was impressed, Inu Yasha had told him the girl had drawn the rough sketch in under an hour. He had to admit she had been dedicated, it seemed most every time he walked through the lobby she was there. In the morning, snoring softly in a chair. At lunch, on a ladder sketching in some small detail. As he left for the day, her face smudged with whatever medium she was using to do the sketch, standing examining the days work. "Do you ever sleep or eat?"
She laughed, and the sound enchanted him. Soft almost bell like it echoed through the area. "Of course." she said amused, then her stomach rumbled softly. "Well, not this morning."
A war raged within his thoughts. The normal logical side of his brain reminding him of the mountains of reports for him to read, the meetings he must attend. All the responsibilities of running his company. The other side, telling him he was after all the CEO and could easily take a day off. Spending it with the infuriatingly charming young woman before him. Unaware of the war he fought Rahne turned and lifted her bag to her shoulder. "I'm off. Don't worry I'll be back after some breakfast and a shower." She walked away.
Sesshomaru watched as she walked away. 'Shinta is wrong.' he thought watching her wave to the guard, 'Rin would never have behaved as she did. Flirting with that guard. Walking away with out being dismissed.' He turned to begin his day and found himself face to face with his brother. He didn't like the smile his brother was wearing. "Yes, little brother?"
"Damn, Sesshomaru, the temperature in the building drops twenty degrees when you do that." Inu Yasha complained. Reaching out he snatched the briefcase from Sesshomaru's hand. "Kagome wants to meet Rahne. Shinta and Sango haven't shut up about her. Now go catch the girl and take her to breakfast and ask her to dinner tomorrow night. Or my mate will...." He fingered the beads at his neck. "Why did I ever agree to let her put these back on me?" He questioned, then the memory of the previous night came to him and with a pleased smile he continued, "Oh yeah, now I remember. Anyway, what you're still standing here. Oh look I think that security guard is going to ask her...." There was no use continuing that thought. He watched as his brother quickly caught up to the young artist.