IMPORTANT: I first off want to apologize for my really long absence from this fic. I have been mourning the loss of my grandpa, whom passed away. I am dedicating this story in the memory of and tribute to my grandpa. He passed on Friday July 1, 2005 at the age of sixty four. We were told in the afternoon that he had died that morning at seven twenty. It was too say the least a huge shock. He was a great person, a wonderful grandfather, and he surely will be missed. He died from the effects lung cancer treatment a year after he was diagnosed. I also want to dedicate this chapter to Theresa English, Silver Dragon, and JimmyPippet. Thank you Silver Dragon, for your pep talk, that just made me feel compelled to sit down and type out this chapter out and I want to encourage everyone to read JimmyPippet's wonderfully written, Broken Promise. The biggest thank you, though, goes out to Theresa for all she has said to make the passing away easier, among other things. The funeral and wake has honestly been the hardest part because we all had to finally say good bye and admit to the loss of someone we had grown so attached to, but now that it is over, I feel some what better about his death because he has now found peace.
It feels like a month has passed since I had stopped writing, so with out further ado, chapter twelve.
Disclaimer: I do not own this anime.
Delightfully Disastrous
(TSUKI)
Chapter Twelve
(TSUKI)
Kagome dragged Sesshoumaru down stairs, him still clad in what she assumed was something he just threw on to sleep in— or possibly they were his pajamas. She really was not sure. It was just that morning that she found out that he actually did find time to sleep. She gave an inward snort, 'You learn something new every day I suppose...'
She threw a grinned at Sesshoumaru whom was dressed in richly colored black silky pants, and a white wife beater that was similar to what he wore on the day they visited the beach.
Without warning she paused in her decline down the steps; mid step in descending onward to the next step, she slowly teetered in her awkwardly frozen position. Kagome took a second to give him a look over before she brought a hand to stroke her chin in what could only be deep thought. She continued down the steps once more having found his arm and was pulling him with her.
They reached the bottom steps before she alerted him of what was on his mind. Sesshoumaru looked at her with hidden curiosity on his blank face. "You know, I think you should put on some normal "everyday" clothing. You look like you just jumped out of bed!" She gave a motherly tsk.
Sesshoumaru gave her a deadpan look, "I wonder why..."
Kagome turned him around on their spot in front of the entrance hall and pushed him back up to his room. "Less sass and more dressing, mister."
Sesshoumaru frowned, "You seem to forget the fact that you are the one who dragged me down here. Rather pointless of you if you think."
The girl behind him snorted in a rather un-lady like way, "So? You need a little pointless, meaningless, nonsense in your uptight, edgy life. And further more you also seem to forget the fact that you lack proper clothing."
Sesshoumaru scowled at her, "I hardly think that my sleep wear is improper."
"Less sass, and more dressing, mister!" Kagome repeated, making her tone becoming firm, as if puffed through her clenched teeth that were held tight from how she struggled to all but push the heavy youkai up the stairs and to his room.
'I really do have to make a point to get him some slim fast! This is ridiculous...'
"Now change your clothes and don't come out 'til I approve, young man." She could just feel the waves of annoyance coming off of him. She stifled a laugh. There was really nothing like messing around with an uptight youkai...
If only it paid.
Practically shoving him through the door, he only had time to glare at her before she closed it behind her so as he could not get any word in. His icy glare had long since lost any effect on her and so she took a position by the door way wall deciding she wanted to wait for Sesshoumaru to come out to irk him more. She slowly let out a mock sigh of exasperation, her lips breaking into another wide grin as she shook her head with feigned disbelief, "Kids today..."
She could not help feeling as playful as she did. She just felt so relaxed all of a sudden and wanted to spread the love. A traitor line of thought, whispered the reason for her sudden cheer in her mind but she did not hear it as how she suddenly zoned out a thing that was not so common for her as of late.
Kagome looked down, her thick bangs falling to cover her face as if the substantial raven colored strands of hair had minds of their own, before she brushed them out of the way of her line of vision with a frustrated grunt. She really needed to trim her bangs.
Abruptly she caught sight of something and her hands moved away from her raven hair and dropped in confusion. Frayed fabric...? She pulled her skirt a bit into her line of view so that she would be able to see where exactly the fraying was coming from. She moved her skirt a bit more. She gasped; it had not been hard to find the unraveling material. The fluttering scooter skirt she had adorned had a long ragged tear in the side.
'Where did that come from!'
Suddenly her face flamed up, for what could have possibly have been the millionth time in the past few days, seeing as how she had suddenly realized that she had been flashing the whole world the panties she had bought at that accursed boutique.
"Oh Crap!"
Squeaking she held the skirt to her rear so the tear, and her undergarments were hidden and bolted down the hall to change into something else, mumbling a few curses under her breath.
(TSUKI)
Sango gave Totousai an incredulous look before she placed down her favorite deep pink eye liner, which seemed to go with every outfit, onto a temporary spot on her night stand, "You're kidding, right?"
Totousai shook his head, "We can't pay you to not cook, when you were hired to cook. So to earn your pay, you have to do some thing else. I talked it over with Sesshoumaru last night and he decided your new task."
'And he gave me the unpleasant assignment of telling you...' But to be fair, he did have a choice. It had been the pick of Sesshoumaru's fury or Sango's anger effects and no body in their right mind wanted to willingly piss off Sesshoumaru...
Sango suddenly sighed and plopped down on her room couch. She knew that asking a temporary pardon from her job would have some unpleasant results, but really, this?
Day long errands with the so called manager who had one too many accidents in where the end results were his hands ended somewhere they were not to be?
How sadistic could one be!
She frowned remembering the little scene they had made in the ice cream parlor, when Mirouku had insisted he was just 'wiping a smudge of fudge off her bottom' when in fact rubbing his hand on her ass.
She rubbed her temples, 'All I had truly expected was a glare from Sesshoumaru and it is really not like I would never cook again. Kaede-sama could temporarily take over my spot, she really is a wonderful cook and Ayame could do wonders... when she put her mind to it. I just need a break. I'm not an early retirement...' Her hands applied more pressure to her temples, her mind's ramblings giving her a headache.
She also needed the pay though, on a more rational note. Her hands continued to rub her temples, as she weighed the choices and sighed. It was either, get jailed for attempted murder by accepting to go on the errands with Mirouku...or risk being fired from a very well paying job.
Why did all decisions have to be so hard!
Sango let out another sigh, but this time in defeat. "Fine, Mr. Totoki, I'll do it."
The old man patted her shoulder, "Glad to hear it!" Sango gave him a warning glance, "But so help me if he even touches me."
Totousai laughed nervously at the malicious glint in her eyes and quickly changed the subject after stepping back from her.
"Well then I already told Mirouku and Kaede of the change in plans. All you need to do is hurry up and get ready before he leaves. You have about five minutes before he starts off. You can get breakfast on the way— there's extra money for it."
She frowned, her mind was a chaotic mess of struggling opinions when it came to this certain area of thought but so she just nodded despite the war waging in her mind and said good bye to Totousai who was more than happy to leave before smoothing her flower print skirt and running a brush through her long brown hair. She had been getting ready to go to the local mall for a few phone cards so as she would be able to call her family across the sea, when Totousai had interrupted with the proposition. She looked at the skirt came down to her knees with a ruffled bottom and the white tank top that had thin spaghetti straps. She wavered with the thought to change her attire.
Deciding against it, claiming she had no time, she left the room to grab her purse which resided some where in the kitchen closet before she left with her mental bane of her past few days.
(TSUKI)
Sesshoumaru quickly showered and got dressed in a black shirt and jeans, already feeling a headache at the prospect of having to go out that day. He had a few stops to make that day that he could put aside any longer. One to Kokoi and then another to check up on a few things. Hopefully Inuyasha had made that list that he had asked him to and had given it to Sango.
But where Inuyasha was concerned things were hardly ever done properly.
He frowned deeply at the thought of what was yet to come and his behavior in the last few hours. He gave a growl; the noise was sharp and gating against the silenced area. The famed youkai opened the door to find Kagome glaring at the wall in front of her. She had her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall steam practically coming from her ears.
Sesshoumaru smirked as he noted her change of apparel. Kagome had threw on flip flops along with a short sky blue dress, and was steaming over that revealing tear and put out over how horribly and annoyingly tiny that small boutique's selection had been. Kagome turned her glare to him when she noticed his entry. "And you said nothing why?" She knew full well that he would understand.
Sesshoumaru shrugged slightly, hiding his amusement. The skirt had torn as she fell of his bed, in her ill attempt to strike his person with a pillow, but apparently she had not heard the tear. He shook his head at how dull human senses were. "You never let me get a word in. There was no break in your senseless banter to say anything." His smirked turned superior; his cold exterior slipping back into place, though it did not outwardly faze her in the least, her insides boiled with rage. Kagome wanted to argue her point but decided against it and instead ignored him, not wanting to talk to him any longer lest she ended up pushing him down a long flight of steps.
Sesshoumaru abruptly grabbed her arm not having time for her antics he decided as he looked at his watch. "We have to leave."
Kagome gave him an incredulous look, "Now? But I'm hungry!"
"We will get something on the way."
"But I don't know where we're going!" She whined, not in the mood for a car ride.
"You will find out soon enough."
"But..." Her childish whining was met with silence as Sesshoumaru pulled her by the elbow to bring her down stairs.
Kagome frowned and retracted her arm from his hold with a pout as she followed Sesshoumaru on her own. She threw a strong glare at his head.
'You just know a guy is an ass if they have better hair than you... '
Sesshoumaru went unfazed the sharp sparks of sizzling anger that emitted from Kagome's eyes. He just led her silently to what Kagome automatically knew had to be a garage. It was hidden out of view besides the villa even though it was fairly large, Kagome noted, and was built almost on a slope.
The new sprout lings of plant life had already started their journey upward on the sides of the large garage and the trees' new leaves shaded the ground area in dark patches of shade. The garage's stucco and deep cherry wood materials that made it up completely matched the villa.
Sesshoumaru's clawed hand went to his pant pockets for his keys and he opened the garage doors with a slight push of a button on a small remote attached to the silver keys swinging from a small key ring.
Kagome looked on as the doors slowly were raised, her eyes widening as they opened up for her to see inside of the garage. There had to be at least thirty or more different cars, one of them the black stretch limousines she had gotten so used to that had been cleaned of its previous bloody mess, motorcycles, and different types of trucks. All were lined up in perfect rows; some old models, some were newer ones. And all of them were spotless.
"Do you really need all of them?" Kagome heard herself ask with a soft tone of awe.
Sesshoumaru smirked at her, but said nothing. He prided his cars— all of those he had collected over the past few years or had been given to do commercial work. He had kept them all practically immaculate.
He immediately went to a white 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe as soon as the automatic doors opened. Kagome looked at it than him, and then repeated that, eyes still abnormally wide.
She repeated the process once more.
Kagome stared at the car then at Sesshoumaru once more much to the youkai's annoyance. Then, again she looked at him again and then at the car.
He gave her a pointed look and ground out, "Unless you truly want to walk, get in."
Kagome was struck with a vague sense of déjà vu as she heard the frosty comment feeling as if he had said something along the lines of that before.
She slid into the car her eyes immediately roaming over every aspect of the interior. Kagome did not have to be a car expert to appreciate the car.
Sesshoumaru strapped on his seat belt and started out of the garage, the coupe having luckily been in the first row he easily managed out with little effort, before taking out the small remote and pressing a button and once more and closing the doors.
Kagome leaned back into the leather seat as soon as they were out of the drive way, "So..." She began in a nonchalant tone, "Where are we going?"
Sesshoumaru did not even bother to take his eyes off the road.
(TSUKI)
Ayame sighed, as she crossed her legs on the island counter top. The action earned her a reproving glare from Kaede who was an elderly woman who had obviously seen better days, but there was wisdom and knowledge and hardship, that came only with old age that was emitted from every pore of her hunched person. It practically commanded utter and total respect from those who came in contact with her. One of her eyes had been completely destroyed in infancy from a now eradicated disease, and so it was covered by a dark colored eye patch.
Ayame returned the look with a sigh before sliding sheepishly of the top.
"Sorry, Kaede-sama. So where's Sango? Shirking duties?" She asked the last question with an obviously faked, laughing tone. If that old man Mr. Toworti or whatever his name had not called that morning she would still be home sulking, but there was really no point in spreading her gloom.
He had half heartedly threatened to fire for idling on her responsibilities her but the threat was still there, and she really, really, really would not have looked forward to explaining to her grandfather that she had been fired for sulking over an old love.
Kaede shook her head before slipping a pan of cookies into the oven. That young girl Rin had come in, asking shyly if they would make some and Kaede could not say no to the girl.
She chuckled lightly, 'No one could, I suppose.' So in came a batch of fresh walnut and chocolate chip cookies.
Ayame's movement's had brought her back to what she was doing and she had turned to see her on sitting on the counter. The girl was noticeably upset over something, but there was nothing she could do, but would let the young woman ask her for any advice. Seeing as how she was no one to pry into other people's problems, it was not in her way to prod. However after Ayame had gotten off from the granite top, she instead had launched into a steady flow of questions, none about her own problems.
Kaede's answers were concise and pointed, as she was busy, since the questions did not need too much thought.
"Sesshoumaru-sama has requested she do a different task, so no, child she is not shirking responsibilities."
Ayame nodded; suddenly giving up on keeping up her artificially bright mood because of her newly intruding thoughts. They seemed to follow her hauntingly ever since she had seen Kouga again. Thoughts about promises from years ago...
Promises... She gave a disdainful scoff. They were nothing but simple words put together that lacked meaning even though they gave such impression of holding any. They lacked any thought to carry it out. She sighed bitterly. 'Kouga.'
Promises were rarely kept, to her at least, but all Ayame knew and needed was that the most important promise to her...
Was possibly never meant to be fulfilled.
(TSUKI)
Sango awkwardly walked along side Mirouku— he was oddly quiet; his expression was strangely thoughtful. 'Probably thinking about these darned errands.'
So she then decided to break the uncomfortable silence by striking a conversation with the manager.
"So where is it that we are going?"
Mirouku pulled out a shockingly long list, and shook his head, "You really don't want to know."
Sango gave a wry laugh, "I'm starting to think I agree on that." Mirouku smiled a bit, but still held a thoughtful stance as they reached an inky black sports car. Mirouku swung open the driver's side door. There was no point in locking the cars he knew since Sesshoumaru was feared as well as adored and no one in their right mind would want to steal from him, 'Save, Naraku,' he frowned and slipping in into the car, he reached across and opened the door for Sango, playing the proper roll of a gentleman.
Sango blushed lightly at the gesture. "Thanks."
Mirouku smiled and murmured a 'no problem' before turning the key in the ignition. The car started smoothly and they were off in mere seconds. Mirouku reached over to hand Sango the list of errands, not having read it first himself, "Where is the first stop?"
Sango grimaced and sighed, "Well first off we have to head to Utage Central, to pick up a few hundred items," she gave an exaggeration, though there were a lot of things that they had to pick up. Utage translated out to "party" and it was the place to go if you were planning any party of any kind because they had it all. From balloons to party favors, everything was pretty much covered. And they were planning a party— Sesshoumaru at least and it would no doubt need a lot things.
"Then we're off to the hard ware store for window blinds to replace the ones ruined in Inuyasha's room."
The actor had been trying to open the pristine white blinds, but they chose that time to not cooperate. The end result: Shredded window covers.
Sango suddenly blinked as she continued reading the list with an unbelieving expression, "Then we have to go ...to the Liquor Store 'to pick up some hard core liquor so we can get drunk off our freakin' asses...ha ha ha'..."
Her eye twitched in a form of annoyance, "That laugh is even there."
Mirouku started to laugh, "Well, seems as if Inuyasha decided to add his two cents." Sango rolled her eyes, though her lips curved into a smile before she began to laugh, "That definitely sounds like him."
Mirouku gave a snort, "Then where?"
Sango turned her head to look at him, giggling behind a hand, "The candy store for 'an ass load of lollypops and pixie sticks. The gummy worms are also on sale for the pound so don't be cheap and pick some up you were given like what 112,000 yen?'" (About one thousand American dollars.)
Sango grinned, "It goes on to say some other nonsense, but I don't think you would be too interested to hear it."
Mirouku rubbed his temples with a free hand, "I'm starting to think that Inuyasha is a child trapped in a man's body..."
Sango smiled then read on, "Well the next actual stop is to the grocery store, and then we need to pick up the fabric that Kikyou had ordered. Finally we need to drop off a package in the back seat, make fifteen other stops and we're home free."
Mirouku sighed, "You know, maybe we should make that stop to get those drinks." Sango tried to make her voice steady as she hid a laugh, "You, woman, and alcohol should never have to mix."
The manager turned his head to give her a wounded look only to see her smiling widely at him. He couldn't help but return the smile that she had thrown, before his eyes were forced back to the road.
(TSUKI)
Sesshoumaru first headed off to a small shop in the same area of the boutique they had visited. It had a good breakfast selection and would place a stop to the symphony coming from the immediate area of Kagome's stomach. After five minutes of a drive, Kagome had sunk further and further in her seat at the sharp noises of complaints that sounded from her stomach and could feel her face burn profusely with embarrassment.
So she had been quite overjoyed when they reached the coffee shop. Sesshoumaru leaned over into the glove compartment and took out two articles. Kagome saw that they were a hat and sunglasses similar to those he wore when they visited the shrine. He threw on the black cap; his silvery hair tucked neatly underneath its blackened fabrics and pair of simple sunglasses, hoping to have a media free breakfast.
He exited the car, Kagome doing the same albeit less graceful as Sesshoumaru had. Kagome grumbled over how fluidly he moved.
No one should be allowed to be that perfect!
Sesshoumaru walked ahead of her into the shop. She have expected him to slam the door in her face, but he held it open long enough for her to enter. Kagome gave him a small smile of thanks. A soon as she stepped into the door way, she was engulfed in the pleasant, scent of freshly ground coffee and cinnamon among others.
The created an inviting, not too mention pleasing environment. Kagome noted however that Sesshoumaru's nose twitched somewhat.
She gave him a sympathetic look. The scent was strong, though very enjoyable to her, but with Sesshoumaru's demonic senses, it must have been quite over powering to him.
Sesshoumaru looked at her, and nodded towards the front glass counter, where bagels and rolls, store bags for ground coffee beans, amidst other things stood in attractive arrangements.
A daily menu and specials board was posted behind the cashier on an easel in neat swirling cursive colored chalk.
Kagome moved to Sesshoumaru's side so as she could be heard over the high drones and laughs of people's chatter and said a bit sheepishly, "Can you order for me. I don't know what's good here."
Sesshoumaru rolled at the sudden annoyance his eye behind the shaded glasses and took her arm. In no more than five minutes they were up to place an order.
Sesshoumaru was not sure what exactly she would enjoy, but she had taken that risk in asking him to order for her. The young man behind the counter yawned before asking, "May I take, your order, sir?"
Sesshoumaru snorted. Such a pointless question. "Two Thai iced teas and a plain bagel."
The guy punched in a few numbers on the cash register, "Uh huh, that's two Thai iced tea orders and one plain bagel? Okay. Anything else, sir?"
Another pointless question. "If I wanted anything else I would have asked."
The man seemed taken aback and stuttered, "O-of course, sir." Kagome hit Sesshoumaru on his arm with her elbow, "He's just doing his job, so lay off."
Sesshoumaru glared fruitlessly at her but Kagome cleared her throat, "Make it for here, please." He told them to wait for their order to be finished and they had the option of where to sit. After paying and grabbing a packet of cream cheese from a wicker basket, and knife they made their way to the back of the room.
"By the way, I wanted to remind you that I completely intend to pay you back. You've spent so much and it'd feel just wrong if I didn't."
Sesshoumaru leaned back in his seat, "Well then unfortunately for you, I do not intend to accept it."
Kagome frowned, "But..."
"Thai iced tea and bagel order is up."
Kagome sighed and went to get it the wooden tray holding their order. Kagome set down one cup of tea in front of Sesshoumaru and the remaining one she put down along with her bagel on her place.
Immediately to satiate her roaring stomach, she took a sip of her tea.
'Well...he may not have the attitude thing yet but ordering he has down to a T,' her face shown with contentment from the sweet aroma, and delicious, tea.
(TSUKI)
Kagome for the second time in that hour was thrown into utter shock. She was in front of the renowned Kokoi magazine studio. After ten minutes for a short breakfast, the two had driven off, Kagome once more placed in the dark about where they were going and why. They had made a few other stops all, boring so she really had not expected Kokoi's headquarters to be the last one.
Sesshoumaru frowned while taking off his hat to let his long strands of hair fall down in waves. He scowled at her when he noted her staring, "Apparently you have not been taught that staring is rude."
Kagome's face flared and she mumbled, "Well it's not everyday you visit the heart of one of Tokyo's most popular magazine."
Sesshoumaru said nothing but led her into the building. They were almost instantly greeted by the partial owner of the magazine. Kagome immediately recognized him as Jakotsu Nagamushi.
He was known for his famous magazine, his unusual last name that meant 'snake,' as well as the fact that was openly gay. Jakotsu Nagamushi had long ink black that he kept in a messy bun a top his head and dark eyes that shown with a playful light. A light touch of red lip stick and strange facial markings finished off his appearance.
It was not such a common thing to see markings on a youkai. Sesshoumaru was one of the few with his deeply colored stripes and a crescent moon that represented the Taisho clan. It was even more of a rarity for humans to possess any symbols at all.
At the site of Sesshoumaru, the co-owner of Kokoi eyes lit up and he straightened the kimono he wore, "Oh! Sesshoumaru, I'm so glad you showed up! Did you bring that sexy darling Inuyasha with you? Word is all over that he's in town and he would no doubt be with you."
Kagome wanted to outright laugh at the look that adorned Sesshoumaru's face before it completely vanished at the moment, but Jakotsu had other plans for her.
He cupped her chin and brought her face closer to get a good look at her his expression unhappy, "So this is that Higurashi woman? I've been dying to meet the girl who bagged the one infamous ice prince..." his voice did not sound too eager though it did hold another distinguishable tone. Clear disappointment.
Sesshoumaru rubbed his temple. This truly would be a very long day...
Jakotsu let Kagome go after a moment and pouted, "Well, she's okay... I guess. I'm still disappointed that you chose her over me, Sesshoumaru, so don't think I will let you off easy." Kagome blinked as he seemingly reluctantly said that then with less lack of enthusiasm held out his hand to her, "Welcome to Kokoi! I'm Jakotsu."
Kagome gave him a warm smile, and shook his hand, "Thanks for the welcome. I'm Kagome."
Jakotsu nodded before turning to Sesshoumaru, "So no Inuyasha, huh?" The man gave a let down sigh, sulking, "Darn. I was really looking forward to seeing him again. He is just so cute! Has he let go of that Kikyou, yet?"
Sesshoumaru shook his head slowly, cursing his luck that the... flamboyant magazine runner had to be the one he had to deal with. Any one of the other six other men that ran Kokoi would have been better to deal with.
All they were suppose to do was arrange an article about a damn fundraiser festival, but Jakotsu was known to put men above every business aspect. The other partial owner, Bankotsu would have been more serious, albeit a little uninterested, but completely welcomed in exchange for Jakotsu. "Inuyasha is busy and so was not able to come though I am sure he would just love for you to send him a call."
Jakotsu squealed completely missing the evil glint in Sesshoumaru's eyes and the bordering on sarcastic tone he held, "Really, now? I'll definitely do so then!"
He smiled and continued, "But as of now, you have my total attention." Kagome giggled. This was going to be interesting.
Sesshoumaru snorted, "Joy."
The owner grinned, "Aren't you just ecstatic!" without waiting for a response he continued, "Let's head up to my office, I'm not sure if Bankotsu is up there just yet, though, he said he would be running late this morning."
Kagome knew a lot about the magazine. How it was run basically by seven men, Jakotsu and Bankotsu included—and all whom Kokoi could not do without. They were known as the Shichinintai in the magazine world, because they were like a seven man army. They were all applying different talents and specialties to create one very popular magazine that applied to all ages and covered many topics.
She grinned. It was strange being at the root of it all. It was the root of the gossip, the advice, and the obsession of millions. She looked around. Kokoi's first floor was filled with a few cubicles, working employees, a front office, elevators, and even a small café for employees who needed a bit of a pick me up.
Jakotsu waved Sesshoumaru onward, knowing he had been to the Kokoi enough times to know where the office was. "You go on ahead Sesshoumaru. I want to talk to Kagome for a bit."
Sesshoumaru just shrugged and turned to go ignoring the apprehensive, "you can't leave me with him" glance Kagome sent him.
Jakotsu smiled one that was a tad too friendly, "So...Kagome is it? I wanted to ask you some questions."
Kagome gulped. "Yes?"
"What's Sesshoumaru's home number!"
(TSUKI)
Sesshoumaru walked into Jakotsu's office to find the co-owner, Bankotsu seated inside. He looked up from the wall of magazine covers that adorned one portion of the light pink colored wall.
"Sesshoumaru. Surprise, surprise. How are you?" A black haired man about the age of twenty, two years younger than Jakotsu, looked up with a smirk flashing on his face. His eyes were a dark blue color, his braided hair reaching down to his back.
Sesshoumaru frowned, "I did not come here to socialize with one such as yourself, Bankotsu."
"Always the charmer, eh?" he laughed, "It's a wonder how that you got that girl of yours." He looked at the last issue's cover, feature Sesshoumaru and Kagome at the Kyoto center opening. "She looks pretty actually."
Bankotsu plopped down on a revolving arm chair and pulled out a notebook, and grabbed a pen off the desktop, "So about this article. What's the charity again?"
Sesshoumaru rubbed his temples, "The underprivileged."
The proprietor jotted down the information. Every few months, one of the most prominent to keep on top would throw a festival to raise money to help a certain area. The money was used to build and rebuild, fix parks, schools, hire teachers— anything they could think of.
It was a prime example of mutual symbiosis, and many, places benefited greatly from it all, even if the donators could not have cared less.
Jakotsu walked in suddenly, giggling loudly as Kagome laughed hard enough to pour tears.
Bankotsu sniffed, "Glad you're enjoying yourself."
Jakotsu grinned, and moved to sit on the arm of the chair, "Hey, Bank! I'm so relieved you showed. I was never good at that "note taking" thing."
Kagome grinned at Sesshoumaru, "Jakotsu was telling me about the shrine he has set in your honor."
He cringed. Yes it was official. Sesshoumaru had been thrown in to a God sent hell.
Bankotsu only sighed at his newly arrive associate, "Stop fooling around, Jak, I want this to get done and be over with it."
A pout and reluctant nod greeted the command. "Sesshoumaru. I need a time and place, and date. You know the works."
Sesshoumaru gave concise answers to Bankotsu's drilling. "Begins promptly at six thirty ends midnight. The beach area behind the Taisho villa. Saturday. Invitation only. Kokoi gets the full story."
"How much do you expect to raise?"
"About 11,000,000,000 yen." That was about one million dollars in American money. Kagome coughed a bit at the high price, but then realized how that was merely pocket change or relative to an allowance to some...
Bankotsu grinned, "Alright. I think Suikotsu can handle this story. When ever he's in that mood of his, he loves to write about this kind of charity, 'help the people' kind of stuff."
He shook his head and ripped a page from the note book he held. "Jak, make sure Suikotsu gets this. Also call Renkotsu. I need to get a cover picture with these guys."
Kagome frowned, "Pictures?"
Bankotsu nodded a smile easing onto his face, "It won't take more than a few hours."
Sesshoumaru frowned, and this was why he hated Kokoi.
(TSUKI)
Sango signed a form nodding her head as the representative explained for the third time what the form stated and explained the fine print.
"—And incase we are not on time, you will be refunded a portion of what you previously paid. By signing this form it means that we are not liable for—"
"Please. You really do not need to explain the contract anymore. We are just renting out a few booths!"
The employee continued on heedless. Mirouku shared a look with her that said, "The last stop just had to drag on so long."
It was now two o' clock and they were finishing their last stop, except, it seemed to want to take then five times the amount of time it took the other stops.
Truly, truly, maddening.
Sango sighed, "Look. We get. You're not liable for any injury caused under our use, with your booths. Right. Now can we go?"
Mirouku took a step back. Even he was afraid of what Sango could do when irritated, pushing back his own growing annoyance with the man.
"Excuse me sir, me and my companion understand what you have been telling us for the passed half hour, so I think we can take our leave."
He sighed, "Well, it's your loss, but go ahead; you'll receive the booths two days before your party." He looked at a clipboard, "So you'll get them tomorrow."
Sango smiled, "Thanks."
Now they could finally get to go home, then she could probably head to the mall before night fall.
It did not take too long for them to reach the villa, and the car was once again parked. Mirouku and Sango got out and both grabbed several large brown bags that were distributed in two boxes.
They had in fact purchased those drinks before heading home...
Just as they had gotten their bearings on the heavy cases, Sesshoumaru's car pulled up. He drove up the curved driveway and parked next to Mirouku's vehicle.
Kagome got out of the car, her face flushed from laughter, "Hey guys! Let me give you a hand with those."
Sango threw a grateful smile as Kagome rushed over to grab a few of the grocery bag
From the back "What did you guys buy?"
Mirouku chuckled, "You really don't want to know, Kagome."
Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes, knowing full well what was in the bags, he himself grabbing the rest at Kagome's prodding. "You can take them to the basement, but note: the door only opens from the outside so try not to get stuck in there."
Sesshoumaru opened the door and walked into the living room. Inuyasha called out to him, "Oi! Sesshoumaru. What took so long?"
Sango as soon as she saw Inuyasha glared at him, "You better come here and help me with these bags before I do something I might regret."
Inuyasha scowled and took a bag from the box Sango held, Kikyou helping out too.
Mirouku looked over her shoulder, "You're going to have to lead the way, Sesshoumaru."
Sesshoumaru frowned not wanting to go in the basement, and led then to the kitchen and into the pantry. Grocery bags were placed down on the kitchen floor and everyone grabbed a bag of beer cases and wine and on Sesshoumaru's instruction, several of the grocery bags and started after Sesshoumaru. Kagura, who sat in the kitchen once more by herself, explained her presence, "Kaede and Ayame needed to go get some fresh herbs. They left me in charge of watching some sugar cookies."
She shrugged, "Aren't I the lucky one..."
Sesshoumaru said nothing and did not even spare her a glance before opening a door in the pantry. It looked very heavy even though Sesshoumaru opened it one handed with ease.
But then again, he was a youkai.
It was pitch black in the basement and much cooler than the upstairs rooms. Sesshoumaru gave a glare at Inuyasha who was at the end of the group, "If you let that door close, I will personally kill you."
The lights were at the foot of the stairway and he was certain human vision would not be able to detect anything in the dark and the last thing he needed was broken glass and beer on his carpets.
Inuyasha scowled, "Feh! As if I want to be stuck down here with you."
Four consecutive sighs sounded on the darkened steps. Sesshoumaru flicked on the lights emerging the basement in brightness.
Everyone except Inuyasha followed Sesshoumaru down the stairs and into the sparsely furnished room where they placed the beverages in a miniature fridge in a corner. Red and white were the basic furnishings.
Suddenly they all heard a yelp from Inuyasha was he came tumbling down the stairs, followed by a gush of wind. A large thud was heard as the door slammed closed.
Miraculously none of the expensive beers and wines in the bag Inuyasha held broke, but with that good news came a very shocking realization.
The bad news.
Inuyasha sat strewn awkwardly in his thrown position. He clearly remembered what Sesshoumaru said about the door.
How he had never gotten around to fixing the lock and how it stuck from the inside. He shuddered.
The door had been shut firmly and was secured tight.
That could only mean one thing...
They were locked in the basement and had absolutely no way out for possibly hours.
Sesshoumaru cringeded involuntarily; he had just entered the seventh layer of hell.
(TSUKI)
Inuyasha, Kagome, Sesshoumaru, Sango, Mirouku, and Kikyou are all trapped in a basement. Mirouku and Sango picked up some dozen drinks. There's a festival coming and Jakotsu and Bankotsu are writing an article and people are scheming for the upcoming weekend (from the previous chapter). There's a very short recap of this chapter and some important things and I must say I am not proud of this chapter twelve. Next Chapter, we deal with a few intoxicated and totally hammered some ones... I also must say that I am really sorry that it took this long just to get this out. It's not too long, to which I apologize, but I hit a seemingly impenetrable wall of writer's block and my brain just flew out of my ear with reality with my grandpa's passing. Another thing that contributed was this summer school thing. It's so stressful having to study for tests and doing all that homework and such. We may go down to Florida to visit a family friend also around August so things with D. D may slow down even more. I want to also thank you wonderful reviewers also. You guys are the best. Thank you so much for such encouragement. Since I took so much time getting this chapter out, I'll also do reviewer responses from Chapter Eleven.
Reviewer Responses:
sexi socks, (Night Sins, writerlover101, hermonine thanks!) sheenachi, Mirei Nochi (lol)
Animebook fan- Thanks; I'm glad you like it
Chewy518- Thanks, happy to hear so. Hope you enjoyed your vacation, sunburn besides!
Skitzoflame- Lol really you have? Heh, being as me as I am I just bolt from the room when someone asks me that. Lol thanks
Archchic- (Chapter eleven) Sorry to say, I did not put too much fluff in this chapter, lol thanks (Chapter Six) Lol thanks for the double review! Glad you think so. Yeah. I think French is something Sesshoumaru would speak since he's is an aristocrat. (It's good knowing that I'm not the only one.)
Ana Jully Potter It's good to know people are enjoying my warped sense of humor lol!
Lady-Crymsyn- Thanks!
CultKagome and Sesshomaru- I love that word, Kawaii, lol. Yeah they are, it seems to be they are taking two steps forward and one step back. Naraku is up to a lot of things, and should get a heavy role sooner or later lol.
Aarien Star- It's good to know that I'm spreading my Sesshoumaru/ Kagome obsession lol! Thanks for reviewing and you're welcome, I will.
Seishi Sairensuno- Lol thanks so much –grins- With the time I take on all these chapters I hope it's as good as you say
Duzzie- Wow thanks! You guys leave the best reviews that I just can't help but be cheered up by them.
Last vampire- Lol and here I thought you were serious! Thanks for such great compliments and I'm going to turn up the fluff next chapter, I promise -grin- Lol thanks
PippetJimmy- Lol, how could I forget? Such a harsh laptop to leave me in suspense (kidding)! That's okay though. Lol! Amazing chain reaction, for sure, thanks! By the way awesome job with that chapter on Broken Promise. Thanks again for the dedication!
Kirarakitty- (Chapter Eleven) Lol I understand completely. But that time my brain slowly shuts down heh. Sorry about the pairing choice. I don't think I could write a good Inuyasha/ Kagome fiction. Tsuki means moon (Chapter Ten) its okay, I understand I have brothers too lol and I really know where you're coming from. The new story I might pick from an ASSKS challenge, though I'm not sure whether or not I'll post it. (Chapter Nine) thanks for reviewing
Lunasun72- Sorry about not updating on a single spark, I keep forgetting it's on that site heh... Lol I put the description of Sesshoumaru's pjs for you at the beginning of the chapter. I'm happy to hear that you do thanks!
Kari konoko- Did I ignore your review? I'm so sorry! I seriously do not find any one of my reviewers annoying.
Moonscout11- You'll have to wait to find out lol!
Blue Rhapsody3- I'm the class of 2009 and (will be) a freshman lol. Thanks! I love making people laugh and also I don't mind long reviews at all!
Celestial Fox- Lol that or Thanks. Heh no problem! And I apologize for the long wait on the long wait.
Me- Glad you like the fluff! I'll try and pour on more. Yeah school is very evil but this summer school program is hell. Thanks for the Pocky! It'll surely help.
Thanks for reviewing. Thanks for reading.