Chapter 18
Decorating Blunders
Sesshomaru watched, over the top of his paper as the two hanyou's carried in the large tree. Beginning what had become his least favorite holiday. First the frenzy of putting up the decorations for a non Japanese holiday only to take them down again at the end of the month. He was beginning to suspect that Kagome's and Rin's fascination with the holiday had less to do with it's meaning and more to do with an excuse to shop. Which brought him to another reason he disliked the holiday. It meant he would have to shop. A soft growl escaped his throat. Until he felt a slap to the back of his head. Turning his head, he saw his mate standing behind him. "I don't suppose a check in an envelope will suffice for a gift?" He asked hopefully.
"Sessho..." Rin threatened softly. "No, it won't. Now come help me get the decorations out of storage. Genken and Inu Yasha brought the tree in."
Inu Yasha watched as his brother's mate led him away. "Thirsty?" He asked Genken. Moving to the wet bar that took up one corner of the spacious den.
"Yes, a bit." The dark haired hanyou answered, taking a seat on one of the bar stools.
Casting a glance at the clock, Inu Yasha figured the number of hours till Kagome would return. He opened the refrigerator in the small bar. "Soda, water, or something stronger?"
"Soda. I have a feeling Rin-sama has much for us to do."
Pulling out to soda's Inu Yasha handed one to Genken. "Why do you do that? Rin-sama, Sesshomaru-sama, it's just my brother and his mate." Opening his own he took a swallow.
"Hai, he is your brother, but he is the Taiyoukai of the West. One of the most influential youkai in Japan. My pack leader has never met him, and I'm sitting in his home having a drink with his brother. One of the sons of The Inutaisho." Genken shook his head, "It's still hard for me to believe that I hit you over the head with a steel beam and your brother did not demand my head."
"Well, if what Kagome and Sesshomaru told me. I needed it. Besides, Sesshomaru felt so bad about ripping the door off Kagome's Toyota he bought her a new car." Inu Yasha chuckled. Moving to sit on one of the bar stools.
"Well, I will admit I had heard the tales and knew it was possible for a hanyou to transform like that. But, I didn't really believe it. I'm really embarrassed that I didn't recognize your name immediately at the club. All inu youkai know that Kagemusha is the name Sesshomaru chose for himself. Then add Inu Yasha, a name that is forbidden to be used by any other Inu Youkai." Genken rambled on. "So that only, Inu Yasha the defeater of Naraku would carry that name."
"Naraku?" Inu Yasha whispered. Searching his mind for any familiarity with that name.
"Yea, I grew up on stories of you and your pack. I had always believed, the tales were exaggerated. Hey, what was the name of that miko... the one who was killed when you were pinned to the tree, then brought back? The one who wanted to drag you to hell."
"Genken." Sesshomaru's voice cut through the room. "I wish to speak with you." Sesshomaru dropped the box of decorations he had been carrying. Turning he moved towards his office knowing that the hanyou followed. "What exactly did you say to my brother?"
Realizing he had made some error, Genken quickly and truthfully answered the Youkai Lord. As he finished he bowed deeply, "Forgive me my lord. I do not know what I have done, exactly. It was not my intention to pry into family matters if that is what I have done."
Sesshomaru nodded, "We should have informed you Genken. I was aware of the amount of time you spend with Inu Yasha, the fault is mine. Have a seat and I will explain what Kagome, Rin and I have managed to piece together." Hours later Sesshomaru concluded, "Inu Yasha has no memory of most of his life. Small things are coming back, yet he has failed to remember the Miko Kikyou or Kagome. That may be what is causing him to not realize the uncanny resemblance Kenmaru has to him. Hai, Kenmaru is Inu Yasha's son. Though neither the boy nor Inu Yasha are aware of this fact. Kenmaru only knows his father is my brother. Thanks to providence, Inu Yasha has not questioned the boy about his father. For I do not know how Kagome or I would explain it at this point."
Genken nodded, "Once again forgive me. I was unaware of any of the things you have mentioned. How would you like me to handle my error?"
Sesshomaru thought for a moment. Finally he broke the silence, "There is nothing that can be done about what was said. However, refrain from asking further questions about the quest for the shards. If he questions you about the miko and being pinned, tell him you confused legends." Gold eyes met deep brown, "Better a lie than a furious miko. From experience, do not anger Kagome Higurashi."
"I understand. I saw a fraction of that temper at the club." Genken replied.
"No, Genken, you saw concern for Inu Yasha. Kagome's anger is formidable. The houshi that traveled with them once told me that on their first encounter with Naraku. It was not my sire's fang, the houshi's wind tunnel, or the exterminator's training that won the encounter. But Kagome's anger and two arrows. Naraku was dormant for many months after that. I still can recall the first time I met truly notice her. She had pulled Tetsusaiga from it's resting place. I stood before her and her first words to me. 'I'll kill you.'" Sesshomaru chuckled then reached over to the rolodex beside the phone. "Which reminds me, I have yet to call the kitsune. If you will excuse me."
Genken bowed and walked out of the office. He almost feared moving into the den with the hanyou he had begun to think of as friend. Then a childishly high voice reached his ear. Moving into the den, he was pleased to see Kenmaru sitting in Inu Yasha's lap.
"See, Santa is this real big fat European guy, and on December twenty fifth he brings you presents. If you've been real good you gets a lot. If you were bad you don't get as many. Do you think my running off at the park will make him bring me less presents? Cause I really didn't mean to."
"No pup. I think the boys who tried to steal your cap won't get many though." He answered working on a particular snarl in the child's hair. Seeing Genken, Inu Yasha nodded. "What was that about?"
"Nothing. Pack business." Genken answered smoothly. Surprised that the other hanyou seemed to have forgotten the earlier conversation.