A/N: * breathes in relief * HAHA! Here it finally is! Chapter 13! Augh, I'm sooooo sorry that this chapter took so long, but I got caught up in school work and stuff that I barely had time to write until this weekend (Happy Easter by the way!)…I hope you can forgive me, and if not, I'll be more than willing to donate some chocolate easter eggs to ease the pain ~__^
Anyway, I've had at least two reviewers ask about this, and I've actually been meaning to explain this for a long time but thanks to them asking, I've gotten off my butt to actually answer it. The questions concerns my veterinary knowledge, and how I managed to sound like I know what I'm talking about…well, I hate to burst people's bubbles, but I am in no way close to being a veterinarian. Although I am an avid, avid animal fanatic--and have read just about every James Herriott book there is--I have to admit that I got that information on distemper from a reputable vet site….the other stuff was simply trying to employ common sense * looks guilty * There, I've confessed…now go on and read the story!
Enjoy!
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Chapter 13: Deception Hides in Every Corner
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Failure wasn't something he was used to, but something he could usually deal with on the rare occasion it would come up.
But this absolute, complete disgustingly miserable package that not only spelled out "failure" in bold black letters, but also reeked of defeat was unacceptable.
There was a snapping sound, and Sesshomaru looked down at his hand, which was now covered in oozing black ink. The remnants of a rather expensive pen slid out of his clenched palm to fall in an oblique puddle on his desk.
He didn't think he was that angry.
Sighing, he wiped the mess off his hands, ignoring the new stain that was forming on his favourite handkerchief. Well, another pen could be easily bought.
His patience, on the other hand, didn't have a price. And that was the one emotion he needed to grapple for. For if this silly chase went on any longer, Sesshomaru doubted his sanity would be able to maintain its grip.
It was committing emotional torture, but he took another long look at the report that had been hastily tossed onto his desk just moments before. The first few sentences glared a dark black against white paper, as usual printed words would.
But for some reason, the letters on the paper seemed to be enhanced and emboldened by their stark background, as if making a mockery of each word printed there.
And the words that appeared should never have been included in the same sentence. But there they were, for all the world to see. He had hoped that the men on his payroll would be able to produce a much better account of how they had lost Inuyasha and his friends, but they seemed to prefer to basic excuses.
How long could one man take getting lunch and newspaper anyhow? It said the two men had left Higurashi's apartment at around noon, then--upon returning--found out that not only had the young veterinarian disappeared, but her strange, "dog-like" companion as well.
If Sesshomaru had had any more time on his hands, he would have made sure those two men were no longer able to offer their services, let alone function above the level of a vegetable.
But now that his darling brother had found another escape route that no one--as of yet--had managed to even predict, the silver-haired youkai discovered that he no longer had time for many things, let alone tracking down two conveniently missing henchmen and having them done away with.
Running a clawed hand through silver locks, the great business man let out a small sigh. Had he been any less of who he was, there might have been a few pieces of broken furniture by now, not to mention gaping holes where the walls of the office once were.
But he was Sesshomaru, the youkai that could dissolve a man into terrified trembles with one cool, calculated glare. Rarely did he ever have to resort to brute force to get a point across.
And he wasn't about to start up such a bad habit now.
"Mr. Sesshomaru, sir, there's someone in the main lobby to see you," Yura's perky voice crackled on the intercom, interrupting his tumultuous thoughts.
"Does he have name?"
He heard murmuring and then his secretary's voice once again brought the little machine back to life.
"A Mr. Omori? Uh…wait, Naraku Omori? Yes, that's it. Should I send him up, sir?"
Great, just great. This was just what was needed to brighten the wonderful day that had been unfolding.
A visit from his father's old lawyer. The one man that held the details of his father's will in the grip of greedy hands.
Sesshomaru debated locking his door, then blaming the unfortunate occurrence on a jammed knob, but he wasn't one for pitiful escape attempts. That was where his brother usually excelled.
Besides, he thought as he began to wipe away the puddle of ink, maybe the man might have some good news for once.
Of course, when one's day began badly, it was a rare happening that it ever got any better. And today was not a day of miraculous occurrences such as that.
"Ah, Sesshomaru. I was worried that I would catch you in a meeting," Mr. Naraku Omori pronounced as soon as he put one leather clad foot through the door. "Your secretary told me you were quite busy today."
"What do you want now?" Sesshomaru growled. He had hoped that after the reading of the great Inutaisho's will, he would never have deal with the seedy lawyer that had dealt with his father's affairs.
Not only had he not managed to get rid of the pest, it seemed as though Mr. Omori had grown a sort of attachment to his client's sons.
Specifically Sesshomaru.
Or, even more down to the point, Sesshomaru's affairs.
Oily black hair glistened in the cold winter light, adding an even slicker appearance to the already slimy specimen that was currently taking residence in the seat across from the businessman himself. His presence seemed to fill the great wide space of the office, and cause the walls to inch closer together every second he breathed.
Yes, Sesshomaru did not like Mr. Naraku Omori. Not at all.
"I expect a business man such as yourself will be able to understand the implications of what I have to say. Especially one who is, in part, next to inherit one of the most profitable hotels in Tokyo."
His voice flowed smoothly from mouth to air and to ears, the sign of a man who knew how to work his way around the most stubborn of people.
Luckily, Sesshomaru had a sense for people just like him, and he had his own defences specifically designed to keep them at bay.
"Just get on with it. I have a meeting in fifteen minutes, and its one I can't miss."
Naraku apparently bought the lie, for he nodded solemnly, despite the smirk that was ever present on his pale face. "No worries, this won't take long. Did you get the papers I sent you?"
"You mean my father's will? Yes, I got them, or what you would give me," Sesshomaru replied, hoping the coldness in his voice gave way to the fact he wasn't exactly the happiest demon alive. "I noticed many things seem to be missing."
If ever there was a man more adept at concealing his deceiving nature, it was the lawyer sitting across from him. How the man had risen to the ranks of one of the most popular defence attorneys in the city was beyond Sesshomaru's comprehension.
Then again, the man was slimier than most people he knew. And it was a well known fact only the slimiest of people make it big with no effort at all.
"I thought that I explained the problems with your father's will." Naraku frowned, or at least as much as he could frown convincingly. "My secretary confirmed the fax had been received."
I got your fax, but all that was in it was a load of bullshit, Sesshomaru thought, but refrained from voicing such a strong opinion. He doubted that getting into a fight with an already shady lawyer would benefit him.
"I was told that my father specified to have certain things forbidden to my brother's and my views. What I don't understand, Mr. Omori, is why you can view them."
"Your father did not wish to burden you with all the technical details, Mr. Sesshomaru," Naraku said smoothly. If he suspected Sesshomaru was baiting him for something, he hid it well. "What I was told to give you was the outline of the will that I composed with the aid of your father's councillors."
He leaned forward, clasping hands on the desk. A gold ring flashed a multitude of precious gems, as if it was trying to taunt whomever laid eyes on it. Mocking them, laughing because they could not afford something so encrusted in money.
The youkai--if he had been any less of his father's son--would have merely rolled his eyes. Instead, he leaned back in his leather chair, and waited for an answer.
"Forgive me for sounding so doubtful, Mr. Omori, but I do not think you included everything in that outline. If it so pleases you, I would like to see the entire will." Silently, he added, The real will.
Ever since he had calmed down enough to take another long look at the papers he had been sent, Sesshomaru had had a strange feeling about what was written. Things made no sense, including the whole thing about Inuyasha inheriting the hotel's other half.
Inutaisho had never once mentioned to either of the brothers that they would have to share the family business. In fact, he had spent half his life making sure they each had a separate life, taking Inuyasha on the worldly trips while Sesshomaru stayed home and managed the hotel.
Although it wasn't an excuse to stop hunting down his brother, it certainly eased his stressed mind that perhaps he wouldn't have to waste any more time on the pesky hanyou that claimed to be his brother. There were other things in this life he had to worry about, and so far there had been too much worry wasted on what he was betting was a useless venture.
That still wouldn't stop him from giving Inuyasha a small lesson as to why he shouldn't keep his brother on a wild goose chase. It would simply mean that the deed need not be quite as dirty as the first one planned.
No matter the rumours of his extensive bloodlust or his speed at killing the annoyances in his life, Sesshomaru found the idea of killing someone who was somewhat innocent of the accusations was another waste of life.
Besides, if his instinct was correct--which it usually was--the youkai believed that it would soon be Mr. Omori in his lethal spotlight.
And there was nothing more he wanted to do than to wipe that oily smirk off of the lawyer's face.
Naraku shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't do that. Your father's orders were strict: we, his councillors and advisors, were to handle the will. You and your brother were to handle the business."
"Speaking of which," The lawyer interjected quickly before Sesshomaru could jump in and twist his words, "How goes the hunt for your brother? I heard he has not been seen in Tokyo for the past few days."
"How do you know of his disappearance?" The silver-haired businessman asked suspiciously, his sense on high alert. No one knew about Inuyasha's little escape. He had seen to it that it had been kept secret, even if it meant spilling a little blood.
Mr. Omori merely waved a hand, brushing off the seriousness in question as well as the threat. "Details, details. What I do know is that he is the reason why I am here today, a reason which I have yet to discuss with you."
Suddenly things were getting a little more interesting. And, for the slime ball lawyer, unknowingly dangerous.
"Do tell," Sesshomaru urged, hoping that Mr. Omori would give him a good reason to dispose of him in this instant. Flexing his claws on the desktop, he admired the sharpened points that protruded from pristine hands.
"Frankly, this information is for Inuyasha's ears only, but seeing as he is your brother, I felt as though I could make a few exceptions. As you no doubt read, he must step forward to claim his part of the family business soon, or else it will be put up for auction to the highest bidder--"
"What?" Sesshomaru hissed, claws digging deep into the wooden desk, eyes narrowed to golden slits as the news hit home. Where the hell had this come from? The lying bastard really does have something up his bloody sleeve…
Naraku seemed unfazed by this reaction, as he fiddled with the ostentatious ring on his finger. "Did you not get the latest letter I sent you?"
"Apparently not."
Naraku rolled his eyes at the heavens, sighing in strange innocence. "That would be the fault of my new secretary I'm afraid, she's a little on the disorganized side. Well, I will make sure another copy is sent to you as soon as possible."
"I want to know what it said now," The youkai stated coldly, fangs just barely bared, but enough to see the tip of what could only be something incredibly sharp. What he wouldn't give to wring the eel's neck right this moment, and watch as the life seeped from those shaded eyes.
But first he had to figure out what the hell kind of a trick he had pulled now.
"Well, I suppose I can explain it now. You see, it turns out Mr. Yamabe, one of your father's oldest financial advisors, had misinterpreted that certain section of the will. Your father did not guarantee Inuyasha nor you the rights to his hotel. In fact, he had a specific deadline set out, but you need not do anything since you've already claimed your part of the ownership."
"Inuyasha, on the other hand, has not yet appeared at all to claim anything. And time is starting to run out here." At this point, Naraku--if possible--managed to lean forward even more, his elbows sliding on the desk, edging closer to Sesshomaru's outstretched claws. The youkai thought this was a stupid move, but didn't feel like warning him off. It would be his own fault if those claws accidentally reached out and punctured his eyes, now wouldn't it?
"Can I not bid for the other half?" The businessman asked, hoping that his eyes were icy enough to get the sleazebag out of his personal space.
Obviously, he needed more than just a look to scare the dumb ass away.
"I'm afraid that is out of the question. Your father intended to have his company shared, just in case one party was unable to continue running the business. It's all laid out in the new outline that my secretary should have faxed you."
"Besides," Naraku continued, oblivious to the frigid surroundings he had created for himself. "I already have a few clients who are more than interested in the investment opportunities, should of course, Inuyasha fail to show."
Now that was the last straw. First the man had the bloody audacity to strut in here and tell Sesshomaru he was basically screwed over. Then he went on to dig an even bigger grave for himself by outright saying he had gone behind the youkai's back.
"Well, this has been an interesting talk, Mr. Omori," Sesshomaru finally said, unclenching his claws from the desk. There were deep grooves in the polished wood, marring it's usually immaculate surface.
No matter. Desks could be replaced.
As could lawyers.
But that would have to wait until Sesshomaru could sit back and analyze the situation. Right now, he needed to get as far away from Naraku's offending presence as possible.
"Likewise," the grease ball replied, inclining his head ever so slightly.
"I need you to get out of my office. Meetings you know."
"Ah, yes, I forgot. I'll have the outline sent to you by tomorrow. Have a nice day."
The lawyer eased out of the seat, and Sesshomaru idly wondered whether he should throw it at his head as he was walking out.
Just as he was making up his mind, he suddenly realized that Mr. Omori had disappeared just as sleekly as he had entered. A feat which he imagined only the best snakes out there had perfected.
Sighing in frustration, Sesshomaru contented himself with picking up an expensive paperweight he had gotten as a Christmas present and hurling it through the wall.
As the shards of panelling began drifting to the ground, Sesshomaru swung around to face the wide open windows that offered that magnificent view of the city. Somewhere out in the crazy, winter world was his brother, trying his damnedest to hide from what he imagined was an almost inevitable death.
But the cards being played were different now, and the youkai could only hope that his brother hadn't done something stupid, like driving off a cliff or joining the witness protection program.
He needed that bloody hanyou fast, and he needed him alive, or else all would be lost.
Inuyasha, where the hell are you?
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There was a strange ringing in her ears. Persistent and vaguely annoying, Kagome tried to shake away the sound but only managed to knock her forehead against something hard and solid.
"Owww…" She mumbled under her breath, opening her eyes to see what was blocking her way.
And was confronted with darkness. Sheer utter darkness.
Blinking, she stared harder, trying to see if she could discern any familiar shapes. Or anything that might resemble something other than black shadows.
Hmmm…was that a tree in the distance? Squinting harder, the young veterinarian tried to make out what the shape truly was. It was then she realized the strange barrier that kept her from moving her head any farther out was not anything unnatural.
In fact, it was a simple sheet of glass that many sane people who could maintain a coherent train of thought would have called a 'window'.
Shaking your head against a pane of glass was not the smartest thing to do, nor was it very productive, but Kagome managed to do it anyway as she contemplated her own sleepy stupidity.
Despite the fuzziness that enveloped her mind, the young woman was still able to question why the car suddenly seemed so quiet. There were no vibrations, no movements, not even the sound of breathing.
Wait a minute. Why was everything so quiet? Surely there would be some kind of noise. Had they stopped somewhere? Was the car broken down and they had all left to get help? Or had she been transported into some strange realm where only she existed?
"Hey, sleepyhead. Glad you decided to finally join us."
Kagome rolled her eyes as Miroku's voice managed to prove testament that she was still in the real world.
Still in the same strange, bizarre, unbelievable circumstances.
It was enough to make her want to fall asleep again. Sometimes dreams were the greatest escape of all.
But then again, reality could be a lot more interesting. And a lot more fun.
"What? Have you decided that you're still going to hold a grudge against me, and ignore me for as long as possible until I ramble on long enough to make you want to talk to me?"
Kagome quirked an eyebrow, and shifted in her seat to stare at her friend who was currently hauling bags out of the open trunk.
"Did you manage to breathe during that sentence, Miroku?"
He grinned. "Breathing? Who needs breathing when you can unload the car?"
With a sigh and an ounce of guilt for not having been helping out, she let herself out of the confined space of the back seat and promptly discovered why people hated to sleep in tight spaces.
Wincing at the shots of pain travelling through her cramped legs, she tried to stretch as best as she could. Why did Miroku have to put the seat so freaking far back anyway?
A light breeze brushed the top of her head and for an instant all that surrounded her was the delicious scent of pine trees and fresh air. A refreshing combination that worked even better than a quick shot of caffeine.
Closing her eyes for a brief moment, Kagome inhaled deeply, letting the crisp air fill up her lungs and clouded mind, dispelling the murky feeling that always followed close on a traveller's heels. It might not have been that shower she had been craving since the last gas station stop, but it certainly worked wonders for her mind.
Unnerved by the sudden silence of his good friend, Miroku paused before shutting the trunk door, taking a moment to glance over at the young woman.
His night vision wasn't the greatest. Frankly, he figured even a blind monkey could see better in the dark than he could (though that piece of information would never be admitted to his mother who would then link this problem with his childhood fear of carrots).
But despite that little hindrance, Miroku could make out her head tilted back, and the form of someone in mid-stretch. He had felt a little bad about giving her such a small gap of leg room, but with the way the SUV was designed, it pretty much kept him from conserving any space. Heck, she had been lucky to get any room at all.
"It's too bad it's so dark now. The scenery up here is beautiful in the light."
"Mmmm…I imagine it would be. We're in the mountains, right?"
Even though he knew she couldn't see it, he nodded. "Right under a pretty big one actually. If the weather's good, I might be able to find the trail that takes you to the top."
Kagome finally opened her eyes, and was surprised to find that the drowsiness was still present, keeping a close attachment to her drooping eyelids. "And this is coming from the same guy who complained all weekend when we took him for a camping trip where you had to hike to your campsite."
"Who said anything about walking?"
As the cramps subsided in her legs, the young veterinarian managed to make it over to Miroku in time to help him with the last of the bags. "Let me guess, snowmobiles?"
"You always were the brains of this partnership, Kagome dear," Miroku said, humour lacing his words. "And here I was thinking that all those years of inhaling chemicals had killed off the brain cells."
Geez, who the hell packed this bag? Kagome thought as she hauled a particularly heavy duffel bag over one shoulder. What's in here? Rocks?
"Actually the chemicals did kill off the brain cells. Now all I've got left is common sense," she remarked with a grin, albeit a forced one as the bag seemed to weigh more and more with each step she took.
"There's nothing wrong with common sense," Miroku defended. "I wouldn't be where I was today without it. It's not like I can attribute any of my success to my vast knowledge of Shakespeare quotes."
Kagome was about to reply to that statement with her own exhibition of the bard's works, but just as she was about to open her mouth, her world suddenly became obscenely bright.
Eyes partially shut against the blinding light that seemed to have flooded her vision, she yelled to no one in particular, "What's going on?"
"I think Sango found the main power switch," a blur who sounded like Miroku replied.
Squinting hard, the young vet and businessman found themselves in a pool of light that was not being emitted from some strange spotlight--as Kagome had first imagined--but from a large window that was set into a lovely cottage.
Miroku managed another grin, even as his eyes remained little slits against the sudden change. "Ah, home sweet home."
"This…this is where we're staying?"
"Yep. Our very own private cabin. With all the necessities of the urban inhabitant, of course."
She blinked once more then found that the light wasn't so bright after all. In fact, she could see quite clearly.
There was a creaking sound, and a dark figure appeared in its own box of light. A figure that soon took the shape of a certain female bodyguard.
"Are you two still out here?" Sango asked, leaning against the railing of a small porch that jutted off the front of the house.
"Just communing with nature," Miroku answered cheerfully, thankful for the newfound vision he had. Steps were so much easier to navigate when one could actually see where their foot was falling. "Where's our favourite half-demon gone off to?"
Sango shrugged as she watched the two other travellers make their way up the steps. "Who knows? Probably went to steal your room before you had a chance to get inside. Either that or passed out in a corner. He wasn't too coherent last time I checked."
Kagome gratefully passed off one of the bags she was hauling to Sango's outstretched hands, sending her a warm smile of thanks. "He's probably just tired. I know I'm going to sleep like a baby for the next twelve hours."
Sango smiled back as she followed her fellow travellers into the welcoming living room of the cottage. "Like wise. I didn't get too much sleep with my knees up to my ears, that's for sure."
"Hey, I already told you I couldn't help it!" Miroku said defensively as he dumped the last of the bags on the already growing pile near the door. "It's not my fault they designed the car for the comfort of the front passengers only."
Kagome followed his lead; thankful to be rid of the bag that she was convinced had been packed to the brim with bricks. "At least a comfortable bed will make up for it. So where do we sleep?"
"There's a room past the kitchen, to your left, that has two very luxurious double beds waiting for you two. The bathroom is the door before that, and--in worst case scenarios--there's another bathroom upstairs, but it only has the essentials."
He pointed to the back of the cottage, where--behind a very open concept kitchen--were two doors, one slightly ajar. Although it felt as though her eyelids were threatening to close forever, Kagome managed a nod and started to make her way to the bathroom, politely excusing herself from the group.
"She seems exhausted," Sango commented once Kagome had shut herself in the washroom. "And she got the most sleep out of all of us."
"There's a difference between sleeping on a mattress and trying to get comfortable in the backseat of a car. I think she's had a pretty long day."
"We all have. Aren't you going to run off too?"
Miroku shook his head as he sank down into a welcoming arm chair that cushioned his fall as gently as a cloud would. Okay, so he had never been caught by a cloud before, but still, it was the imagery that counted.
"I have a feeling Inuyasha really did steal my room, and since there are only two known bedrooms in this place, I'm the lucky person who gets the pullout couch tonight. Unless," He continued, a smirk beginning to appear on his face. "You want to share your extremely cushioned bed with me?"
Rolling her eyes, Sango picked up her bags from the floor and pointed to the couch that was pushed up against the wall underneath the front window. "You'd have better luck with Inuyasha. Just please don't pull out the bed until you remove Kirara from it. I'd rather not hear about her getting stuck inside a couch tomorrow morning."
His smirk in full view, Miroku looked to where she was pointing and suddenly took notice of the sleeping cat. It was strange seeing her once again curled up on one of his couches again, and for an instant he had a flashback of the days before. Great blessed spirits, who would've thought things had turned out the way they did?
"Goodnight then, and don't let the bedbugs bite."
"You have serious issues," Sango muttered, but hid a grin as she left. There was something about that dolt that made her grin, no matter how awkward it could be. Chiding herself for being such a sentimental fool, she made her way to the bedroom door, anticipating a good night's sleep herself.
Miroku, on the other hand, kept his butt planted in the chair for another few seconds, before finally deciding that he needed to get a move on if he wanted some decent sleep.
Scooping up the sleeping demon cat, he placed her gently onto the recently vacated arm chair, tucking her in so that it would be close to impossible for her to fall off. She gave a small purr, flicked her two tails, and nuzzled deeper into the cushions as she dreamed about things only demon cats could.
It was strange how comforting it was to watch an animal sleep, so innocent and peaceful even in the most turbulent of times. Just seeing Kirara so content in her dreamland was enough to make Miroku want to curl up and escape to his own sleepy happiness.
Now more than ever he was determined to catch some sleep.
Stripping off his heavy winter jacket, he was pleasantly surprised to find that the air around him was warm. The overseer of construction must have been nice enough to turn the heater on before they got here. Although he suspected that a nice little bit of extra funding would be the price for their kindness, it was a small price to pay for comfort.
Soft footsteps could be heard suddenly, and Miroku turned around expecting to find Kagome coming to say goodnight.
What he wasn't expecting was Sango, still hauling all her bags, and still bundled up in her clothes.
"Did you change your mind after all? I know the couch isn't the most comfortable place to sleep, but I can make it better," Miroku remarked smoothly, adding a lecherous wink to emphasize his point.
"You never give up do you?" Sango asked to no one in particular. "Just trust me when I say that me being out here has nothing to do with you."
"Sure it doesn't."
Glaring at him, she shifted the bag to the floor, and crossed her arms over her chest. "You can stop smiling, Mr. Houshi. What I'm here to tell you is that your favourite half-breed has taken up residence in my bed."
Now that was something Miroku wasn't expecting. He swore he had specifically told Inuyasha that the back room was reserved for the girls only. Wait, or had that been when he had started fantasizing about the girls all alone in their bedroom…in their skimpy pyjamas…having a pillow fight…
"Are you listening to me?"
"Whaa…Oh, of course, Sango. I always listen," Miroku recovered quickly, hoping his charm would get him much needed brownie points with the woman before him. Secretly, he was mentally chiding himself for drifting off into a very happy place. It's time to lay off the pay per view movies. And the internet, and the downloading, and the magazines…
Sango rolled her eyes, unconvinced as his eyes took on that same blank stare she had been faced with seconds before. No doubt he was thinking of something that would have every nun in a fifty foot radius falling down on her knees and praying to God to forgive them for just being in the vicinity of his perverted mind.
"If you had been listening, then you would be halfway up the stairs by now," Sango said, struggling with the stubborn zipper of her jacket. "I said I'll take the pullout couch tonight. And no doubt Kagome will refuse to sleep in our room now, so I suggested to your deaf ears that she can take your room upstairs, and you can take her bed. It seems you need company when you sleep, so here's a perfect opportunity."
With a laugh, Miroku shook his head. "No, no, my dear. I only need the company of a willing woman to keep me sleeping soundly. Inuyasha is hardly willing, nor is he a woman, however often he shows a more feminine side."
"Well, I'm not a willing woman, so scat." She pointed to the stairs. "I really need some sleep, and having you block my bed space won't help the situation."
He heard a toilet flush and realized Kagome would be exiting soon. Meaning she would see Sango practically fight him for the couch. Meaning she would soon know that Inuyasha was in Sango's bed in their room. Meaning Kagome wouldn't sleep in there.
Meaning he wouldn't get a chance to meddle in their relationship.
Now we can't have that, he thought mischievously. Placing a hand on each of Sango's shoulders--marvelling quickly at the strength he could sense--he smiled gently.
"What kind of gentleman would I be if I let my guest sleep on the couch? I insist you take my room, and let me sleep down here," The young man pressed, hoping she wouldn't be as stubborn when she was half-awake. The sound of running water was echoing from the bathroom, a sure sign Kagome would soon emerge.
Sango raised an eyebrow. She was tired, but not that tired. The sneak was up to something, and only a bimbo wouldn't be able to figure it out.
"Just promise me one thing," The assassin asked, a smirk slowly appearing on her face.
"Anything for you."
"Make sure I'm downstairs before you wake them up."
Chuckling, Miroku had to restrain himself from dropping a kiss on her welcoming lips. Finally, he had found a woman after his own heart. Someone who was just as conniving, and just as devious.
Oh, this trip was certainly living up to its promises. Miroku couldn't wait to see what would be happening.
But, he had to remind himself, we have to take this one day at a time. He had a feeling that she wasn't one to appreciate any gestures like that anytime soon.
Oh well. Some things were worth waiting for.
Especially when they were female, and looked so damn good.
Feeling a little light-headed--and blaming it on the heat that came from wearing winter clothes in a perfectly heated house--Sango broke the contact, and took her usual steps backward. There was something in that man's eyes, something inexplicable that she wasn't ready to face just yet.
And especially not when she was half-conscious.
"I'd better be going then. Don't let Kirara con you into feeding her before the sun rises."
The sudden space between them was almost a relief, since now she could breathe comfortably. And she felt her vocal chords finding their rhythm once again.
"I won't."
Geez did he ever hate awkward moments. Especially when they happened between someone you actually liked.
Still--despite the bizarre feeling in the pit of his stomach--he couldn't keep his eyes off of her as she climbed the stairs.
It wasn't until she had disappeared into his room that he realized he hadn't been staring at her enticing rear end.
Well, okay, not entirely staring down there.
But still, the fact that he hadn't put his full attention on her anatomy scared him witless.
"Miroku? Are you still awake?"
Relief thy name is Kagome.
"Me, I'm just your regular insomniac," He said, turning to face a rather dishevelled veterinarian. "Speaking of which, what took you so long? I was beginning to worry you'd flushed yourself down the drain."
"Because we all know that's possible too," Kagome commented, wishing her sarcasm didn't sound so lame this late at night. What she wouldn't give to be one of those night owls who could full, coherent sentences. "I was just freshening up. Sango's already gone to bed?"
Because he didn't trust himself to reply to that with anything else except evil chuckling, Miroku merely nodded.
"Alright then. Good night, Miroku."
"Night."
Kagome quirked an eyebrow at his sudden lack of speaking, but knew better than to ask. Sometimes it was best to let Miroku remain a mystery. Finding out too much about him could be detrimental to your health…and your mentality.
She eased herself quietly into the room, and noticed a large lump on the closest bed. Muffled snores echoed from what could only be the assassin, and Kagome hoped that they would remain that way: undetectable.
There was never a greater sense of relief that flooded her system than the feeling of a bed underneath her tired figure.
Kagome wasn't even aware of the fact she was still in her travel clothes, only that she had managed to dump her winter coat somewhere near a lump of what looked like bags.
She also didn't know that she fell asleep with a content smile on her face as she buried herself deeper into the haven of pillows and warm comforters.
But little did the young veterinarian know that she wouldn't have anything to smile about the next morning.
And Miroku and Sango definitely would.
~^~^~^~
To be continued soon in chapter 14...