{Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. I just borrow Sesshou on the weekends.}
To Bear Witness
Chapter Thirteen: Crash!
/10:45 AM, Tuesday/
"Would you hurry up?" Kagome called as she leaned against the bedroom doorway. Sesshoumaru glanced at her, then reached inside his closet for another trench coat.
"Do you really need all that stuff?" she huffed as she peered inside the suitcase. Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow in feigned innocence.
"It's not a lot," he said in defense. "And you can't talk about keeping someone waiting. You stay in the shower for at least an hour and a half."
"Well, if a certain man wouldn't shove me into the shower when I'm half asleep, maybe it wouldn't take me so long!"
"How's it hanging, people?" Inuyasha said as he entered the room, totally unnoticed as Kagome continued to rant. Inuyasha smiled and sat down in the neglected easy chair.
"And another thing, where in the hell is my shower gel going?"
"What shower gel?" Sesshoumaru asked as he tossed a pair of slacks into the suitcase.
"You know what shower gel! My shower gel! The stuff that's under the bathroom sink one day, and gone the next! You know, that shower gel! Where is it?"
"Like I know where that cheap smelling stuff is," Sesshoumaru countered as he searched under the bed for a missing cufflink. 'Since that girl's been here, my stuff seems to walk off on its own,' he thought as he felt around the darkness. Kagome watched him from above, her right eye twitching rapidly. Inuyasha grinned and sat back, readying himself for the damage and destruction that was to come.
"Cheap…smelling…STUFF!!!" Kagome screeched, her hands balling up at her sides. Sesshoumaru stood back up and flicked a glance at her before searching the nightstand.
"That's what I sai-"
"You JERK!" Kagome interrupted, her hands twitching at her sides. "That's Victoria's Secret! Do you know how much that stuff costs?"
"I really don't care."
"Oooooo…I bet you throw it away, you control freak!!!!"
"I do no such thing. Why should I care what you smell like?" Sesshoumaru said as he opened a dresser drawer. 'Where is that damned cufflink?' he wondered as Kagome glared at him. She opened her mouth to speak again when-
"I agree," Inuyasha interrupted. Kagome whirled on him, pure malice glowing in her eyes.
"What was that?"
Inuyasha smiled as he straightened his tie. "I agree with Sesshoumaru. Why should he care what you smell like? I mean, it's not like you two sleep together or something."
Kagome blushed as Sesshoumaru glared at Inuyasha over his shoulder. "What?" Inuyasha mouthed as Kagome turned away from him.
"How much longer are you going to be?" she asked as Sesshoumaru opened another drawer.
"Not much longer. I just have to find my other cufflink."
"This one?" Kagome asked as she stooped down beside the easy chair and picked up a cufflink with a diamond stud in the middle. Sesshoumaru mentally groaned as she deposited the cufflink in his hand. "This is it. Thank you Kagome."
"You're welcome. Now stop throwing out my shower gel."
"I don't throw out-" Sesshoumaru sighed and rubbed the space between his eyes with his middle and index finger. 'This girl can get on my nerves like no other being alive, including Inuyasha,' he mused as she turned away from him. "Where is your suitcase?"
"In the living room."
"Go get it. I would like to discuss something with Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru told her. Kagome nodded and left the room, shooting them her 'Be nice' look before walking out. Sesshoumaru glared at Inuyasha as he smiled up at him.
"Yes, Fluffy?"
"Are you peeking through my window?" Sesshoumaru asked. Inuyasha shrugged. "Maybe. After all, its not every day that a guy steps on the Lord of the Western Land's balcony and finds him wrapped around a little miko as if his life depended on it."
"You didn't take pictures, did you?"
Inuyasha shook his head. "Nah. The mental picture is enough for me."
Sesshoumaru nearly rolled his eyes as Kagome came in with a red rolling suit case. Sesshoumaru winced as she stopped it at the edge of his bed.
"What is that monstrosity?" he asked her. Kagome huffed. "It's my suitcase!"
"It's ugly."
"What's so ugly about it?" she demanded. Sesshoumaru leaned down for the zipper pull and glanced up at her.
"You mean, other than the fact that it screams 'Wal-Mart'?"
"Oooooo!"
"Did I say how nice you look Kagome," Inuyasha interrupted again. Kagome blushed, then turned to him.
"Thank you Inuyasha. It seems your brother has some things to learn from you about how to treat a lady."
Sesshoumaru huffed as Inuyasha snickered. 'She does look rather nice,' Sesshoumaru mused to himself as he glanced over her black turtleneck and the tan wide-legged pants. 'She looks almost…civilized.'
"Where are the rest of your things?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"In the other room."
"Go get them."
Kagome came back a few minutes later, holding a matching red train case and a make-up bag. "Now what do you want with these?" she asked as she plunked them on the bed. Sesshoumaru walked to the closet, pulled out one of his suitcases, grabbed Kagome's suitcase and proceeded to dump all of the contents. Kagome gaped in astonishment as he shook her suitcase over his.
"What are you doing?!" she hollered as Sesshoumaru tossed her make-up and train case into the suitcase and zipped it shut.
"I said that monstrosity wasn't coming with me and its not."
"But that's MY suitcase! You can't tell me what to do with MY suitcase!"
"You know, you two sound like you're married!" Inuyasha wheezed. Kagome instantly quieted as Sesshoumaru glared at him over Kagome's head. Inuyasha shrugged and stepped to the side as Sesshoumaru and Kagome walked past him, Kagome dragging the suitcase Sesshoumaru 'gave' her behind them the entire way to the elevator. Sesshoumaru sat down his suitcase and brief case and glared at Inuyasha as the elevator doors closed.
"Behave yourself Inuyasha," Kagome called as she waved to him and Sango and Miroku. "You two!" she said to them. "No sneaks!"
"Awwww!" Miroku groaned as Sango whapped him upside the head.
"Don't allow the company to go under while I'm away," Sesshoumaru warned. Inuyasha grinned innocently. "You'll only be away for three days. What could happen?"
"He had to say that, didn't he?" Kagome groaned as her suitcase fell over and the elevator doors closed.
/12:23 PM, The Airport/
"Wait up Takamada!" Kagome called as she half ran/half dragged herself and her suitcase behind Sesshoumaru. He flicked a glance back at her, then continued on his way. He did slow down a little, much to Kagome's relief. Sesshoumaru walked up to one of the gates, where Kouga and a petite woman with shoulder-length blonde hair sat waiting. Kouga turned around as soon as he found Kagome's scent, tapping the woman on the shoulder as he stood up.
"Hello Kagome!" Kouga said as he kissed Kagome's hand. Kagome blushed, ignoring the glare Sesshoumaru was sending toward Kouga.
"Hello Mr. Tarentino."
"Just Kouga, Kagome. How often do I have to remind you?"
"Sorry about that. Who's she?" Kagome asked as she motioned toward the woman. She stepped forward, shaking Kagome's hand with an eager smile.
"Hi! I'm Sutaasafaia, Mr. Tarentino-" Kouga elbowed her in the side "I mean, Kouga's assistant."
"I'm Kagome. Great to meet you. This is Mr. Takamada."
"Hi," Sutaasafaia said, reaching out to shake Sesshoumaru's hand. Sesshoumaru glared at it for a moment, then walked past them through the gate to the plane. Kagome shrugged as she, Sutaasafaia and Kouga followed Sesshoumaru down the ramp.
"Ignore him," Kagome told Sutaasafaia as they entered the plane. "He's pissed off at me, not like I care. How long have you worked for Kouga?"
"I just started a week ago," Sutaasafaia said sheepishly. "What exactly does WCT do?"
"You mean you don't know?"
Sutaasafaia shook her head as Kagome looked ahead to make sure Sesshoumaru and Kouga hadn't left them behind. "As far as I know of, they're an education/medical technology company."
"I know that," Sutaasafaia replied as she lowered her voice. "I mean, what kind of projects are we working on?"
"Oh," Kagome scratched her head thoughtfully. "The only thing I know of is the Tenseiga, you know, the portable surgical lasers?"
Sutaasafaia nodded. "Yeah, I've heard of those. Aren't we working on a new satellite or something?"
Sesshoumaru glared over his shoulder at them suddenly, earning a strange look from Kouga. Kouga turned toward the two, trying to see what would warrant such a violent look. When he turned back around, Sesshoumaru's attention was ahead of him once again as Kagome finally answered.
"No, I haven't heard of anything like that. Why?"
Sutaasafaia shrugged. "Just wondering. Um, by the way, I was wondering-"
"Yeah?"
"If I ever get lost at the office-"
"If you see me, don't hesitate to stop me and ask where to go," Kagome reassured her with a pat on the shoulder as they boarded the same plane she and her fellow marshals flew on months ago. "I remember when I started. I got lost all the time!"
Sutaasafaia smiled and nodded in thanks as she and Kagome walked to the back of the plane.
Sesshoumaru watched as Kagome and Sutaasafaia put up their attachés and strapped themselves in their seats. 'Why would she ask about satellites?' he wondered as he and Kouga strapped themselves in. 'What would even make her think to ask such a question?'
The plane took off moments later. Kagome showed Sutaasafaia around the plane as Sesshoumaru and Kouga discussed work.
"You do know that it's unfair that you only have to be in Seattle for three days, while I have to be there for three months, right Takamada?" Kouga complained as he scanned over his briefcase. Sesshoumaru shrugged and pulled his laptop out of his.
"That is not my problem. You're over employee services. That means you must hire them as well."
"But for me to have to go to Seattle to hire them?" Kouga countered. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you…." Kouga drawled off, with a knowing smile on his face. Sesshoumaru glanced over his laptop to him, a quirked eyebrow to suggest his curiosity over the forgotten statement.
"You don't want me in the office, do you?" Kouga asked as he leaned against the back of the chair. He started to laugh, the second person to laugh at Sesshoumaru since this morning. Sesshoumaru glared at him in annoyance before returning to surfing the web. Kouga sighed and shook his head.
"You're afraid that the little minx will choose me over you, aren't you?"
Sesshoumaru shook his head, not bothering to look up as he clicked onto the company website. "I don't care what she does."
"Sure," Kouga said, glancing to the back of the cabin at her. Kagome and Sutaasafaia were currently giggling about something in the kitchen area, her dark hair flowing from the ponytail over her shoulder. "You're not interested. And I'm merely human."
Sesshoumaru snapped the laptop shut with a small click and put it on the table beside him. "Why should I care what she does, since you insist on this line of conversation ?"
Kouga smiled, leaning toward Sesshoumaru like a co-conspirator as he scandalously whispered "I'm not saying that you should, but I think you do." He glanced at Kagome again as she reached inside one of the upper compartments. "I don't blame you. After all, she is quite beautiful for a human."
"Your new assistant is too, but you don't see me running after her when I should be working," Sesshoumaru countered. Kouga considered this before ignoring it completely.
"Such long legs, beautiful eyes and long, dark hair. She's graceful too, like she dances or something. I'm sure she's inspired a few love-sick poems in her day."
"I'm sure she has," Sesshoumaru said dryly, glancing at Kagome as she strapped her sheath to her arm. "I however, am no poet."
"Yeah yeah," Kouga muttered. "I'm not either, but I bet if she frequented my office long enough, I'll become one. I'm struck by the muse of love right now-"
"You mean the muse of lust," Sesshoumaru interrupted, looking to end this conversation as soon as possible so he could get back to work.
Kouga smiled. "I don't think so. I think she's a goddess, fallen from heaven to grace the poor mortals with her presence. Us too, by the way."
Sesshoumaru did roll his eyes at this as Kouga continued. "She smells different too, like jasmine, lavender, apple blossoms and thunderstorms. Absolutely beautiful, if you don't mind me saying."
"I couldn't care less," Sesshoumaru grumbled, rubbing his temples with the pads of his fingers. Kouga's comments were bringing out the possessive, predatory side of him, and he was almost positive that the two humans on the plane with them wouldn't appreciate him flinging Kouga off.
'Even though he'd survive it, and it would be justified,' Sesshoumaru thought with a groan. Kouga continued, completely obvious to the murderous turn of Sesshoumaru's thoughts.
"Does she know that you're youkai?" Kouga asked. Sesshoumaru shook his head no. Kouga sighed. "I wonder what she'll do if she found out?" Kouga suddenly grinned. "You know, she might pick me for real, now that I think about it."
"What are you babbling about?" Sesshoumaru growled. If it was one thing he couldn't stand, it was babbling. It irked his nerves like no other…except the miko officer on the plane with him.
"Wolves are better than dogs, remember? At least in the bedroom."
Sesshoumaru nearly snapped, deciding in that moment that it would be worth it to toss Kouga out the plane when someone cleared her throat. Sesshoumaru turned, not exactly surprised to find Kagome and Sutaasafaia glaring at them. Kagome tilted her head to the side as Sutaasafaia spoke up.
"Are you starting trouble again, Kouga?" Sutaasafaia asked as she sat down beside him. Kouga shook his head no as Kagome sat down beside Sesshoumaru.
"I don't think that's the truth, do you Kagome?"
"Nu-uh," Kagome said as she patted Sesshoumaru's arm, instantly calming him down. "I don't think Mr. Takamada would look like that for no good reason."
"Why Kagome, Sutaasafaia, don't you two trust my word?" Kouga said as Kagome stood up and walked behind Sesshoumaru's chair.
"No, not really," Sutaasafaia replied as Kagome started to massage Sesshoumaru's shoulders. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and relaxed under her ministrations.
"Don't you want something to drink, instead of aggravating people?" Sutaasafaia asked. Kouga watched Sesshoumaru enviously, then decided that a drink would be good right about now.
"Sure, how about a gin and tonic?"
"Alright," Sutaasafaia replied, moving from her seat to Inuyasha's bar in the front of the cabin. Kagome gently nudged Sesshoumaru forward, working down his back as something like a purr rose from his throat.
"You know, he does that every time I do this," Kagome mused aloud as she reached Sesshoumaru's lower back. "Maybe you should try it, Sutaasafaia."
"Sure," Sutaasafaia said as she gave Kouga his drink. "Maybe he'll behave himself for a change."
"You two are ganging up on me," Kouga grumbled good naturedly as Sutaasafaia moved behind him. He slumped forward as Sutaasafaia began his massage. Kagome giggled quietly as Kouga started to purr as well.
"Well, there's something they have in common," Sutaasafaia mused. Kagome's giggle nearly got the best of her. The plane suddenly lurched forward, drawing Sesshoumaru and Kouga out of their musings.
"What was that?" Kouga asked as Sesshoumaru patted Kagome's hand.
"I don't know, but I'll go see," Kagome said as she moved to the front of the plane. She disappeared behind the cockpit door, only to come out moments later, pale as a sheet.
"What's wrong?" Sutaasafaia asked as Kagome peered back in the cockpit one more time. She nodded to herself, then turned around to face them.
"We don't have a pilot."
"WHAAAAAT?!!!!!"
"We. Don't. Have. A. PILOT!!!!!" Kagome said as she scrambled toward the back of the plane.
"What do you mean we don't have a pilot?!" Sutaasafaia asked as Kagome tossed her attaché to her.
"Exactly what I said," Kagome told her as she draped her attaché over her shoulder. "We don't have a pilot."
"Well, where is he?" Kouga demanded as Kagome dragged him, Sutaasafaia and Sesshoumaru to the back of the plane. Sesshoumaru hastily grabbed his suitcase as Kagome held his hand.
"As far as I know, already on the ground," Kagome answered before grabbing Sutaasafaia's hand. "Now grab Sutaasafaia's hand."
"Why not call Miroku?" Sesshoumaru asked. "You said he could pilot anything."
"He can, as long as it has fuel. That's something we're lacking."
"We don't have any fuel either!" Sutaasafaia exclaimed, her blue eyes wide in disbelief.
"Yup, no fuel."
"Then what are we supposed to do?" Kouga said out loud.
"Crash, as far as I know of," Sesshoumaru said calmly, earning glares all around. Kagome sighed in aggravation.
"Just hold on," Kagome said. "And don't let go, no matter what,"
The others agreed as the plane plummeted toward earth. Kagome instantly raised a shield around them, then searched the plane with her mind's eye. There was a bomb on the right wing of the plane, with only seconds until detonation.
'Man, I wish Sango and Miroku were here,' Kagome thought as the bomb exploded, ripping off a side of the plane. Another bomb exploded on the left, removing that side as well as the bomb under the pilot's seat detonated.
Sutaasafaia gasped as a fireball flooded what was left of the cabin, surging around them and engulfing the rest of the plane in flames. The fire licked at their sphere hungrily, waiting for any sigh of weakness as it burned through the carpet and the chairs. Sesshoumaru groaned as one of the bottles of liquor exploded.
"There goes my Pinot Noir."
Sutaasafaia and Kouga gaped at him in astonishment as Kagome's eyes blazed purple. "You can't be serious," Sutaasafaia exclaimed. "We're moments away from death, and you're worried about a bottle of wine!"
"That's good win-"
Kagome gave an ear-splitting yawn, capturing Sesshoumaru's attention and effectively shutting him up.
"Are you ok Kagome?" he asked as the others looked on in confusion. Kagome nodded, yawing again. The shield wavered, then reinforced itself in a matter of seconds. The entire front half of the plane suddenly fell away, leaving Sesshoumaru and the others hurtling toward earth in half a plane. Kagome yawned yet again…
And the shield wavered, then broke as Kagome slipped into unconsciousness.