Disclaimer: Inuyasha mine - NOT! Title belonging to Stratovarius...
Chapter four - The soul of a vagabond
Ayame sat back down at her computer screen and sighed. Why did the twins always have to fight with one another? She shook her head.
What? A new message? Kagome had already replied to her e-mail?
She opened it up. Her green eyes moved quickly along the lines she read. She gasped and gave a sharp hiss. What?
"Kouga-dear, come over here. You're so not going to believe this."
The black-haired wolf-prince, also known as the taiyoukai of the northern lands, walked up to his mate.
"What is it, Ayame?"
"It's an e-mail. From... My e-mail friend," Ayame replied. She had not told Kouga about her e-mail friend's true identity. Although she knew Kouga loved her now, she still did not want to take any risks. And how would Kouga take the news of the situation? Of course, Ayame realised that she could not keep this secret from him forever. She would tell him... Eventually... Maybe...
"Oh, has she been fine?" Kouga asked, waking Ayame from her thoughts.
"Well, she's feeling quite confused. You see, she's been running into a certain someone lately - by a sheer coincidence."
"Oh?"
"Sesshoumaru."
"What?" Kouga bent closer to the computer screen and started to read the message through. He never finished it, since when he reached the part which his mate had wanted him to read, he burst into laughter and actually fell onto the floor as his knees gave in.
"Sesshoumaru..? As a pizza-boy?" he managed to bark out in the middle of his laughter.
Ayame giggled along him.
When Kouga had been able to calm down a bit - and after he had wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes - he took out his mobile phone. After dialling the correct number, he sat down on a chair and waited.
"Hitachi," the taiyoukai of southern lands answered.
"Yo, it's me, Kouga!"
"Hey there, haven't heard about you for awhile. How's it going?"
"I'm just fine... Hey, listen. What the heck is up with this pizza-delivering-thing?"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking 'bout the mighty Sesshoumaru-sama, taiyoukai of the western lands, working as a pizza delivering boy."
"He what? How do you know about this?"
"Ayame has been e-mailing with some human woman who has lately been running into Sesshoumaru. And it appears that today he had appeared behind her door with a pizza."
Hitachi tried his best. He really did try. Sadly it just wasn't enough. Kouga quickly jerked the phone away as a loud bang was heard.
"Hitachi? What just happened there, man?"
He got no answer.
"Hitachi!" He yelled into the phone.
Few minutes later Hitachi spoke again.
"Sorry, I just dropped the phone."
Kouga chuckled.
"I understand, pal. Well, if you didn't know, then sorry to bother."
"It's okay... By the way, we should have a meeting sometime soon, don't you think?"
"Hmm, let's see... It was twenty years ago since all four taiyoukais gathered together the last time."
"Exactly. And isn't it the pizza-boy himself who should be hosting the meeting this time?"
"Yes," Hitachi answered, trying his best not to burst into laughter again.
"In that case, the sooner we have the meeting the better. How about the day after tomorrow?"
"Fine with me."
"Great," Kouga chuckled. This was going to be fun... "See you then, right?"
"Right. Bye, Kouga!"
Hitachi hung up. He laughed quietly for some time.
Then he took out his phone again.
"Hello?"
"Hello Sadoko-san. It's me, Hitachi."
"Miyame-san! It's been ages!"
"I know... Uh, so, Kouga-kun just called me and we decided to have a meeting again. There hasn't been one for 20 years, so it's about time. Don't you agree?"
"Oh, certainly! I would love to see Rin-san and Ayame-san again... Who's hosting?"
"Sesshoumaru... Oh, and talking about Sesshoumaru... You are not going to believe this..."
"No way! Sesshoumaru-sama as a pizza-boy? Dear, you must have been mistaken..."
"I'm telling you, Rin, it's true."
"Yeah right... Oh, sorry I have to hang up, there's another call."
"All right. See you in few hours."
"Bye."
Rin cleared her throat and picked up the receiver.
"Mrs. Miyame, Mr. Hisakata's secretary speaking... Oh, Yorukawa-san... Yes, there is a meeting appointed with Hisakata-sama tomorrow, at the lunch time. The place of meeting? Hmm... Could you please wait a moment?" Rin put the business call on the hold and dialled a new number.
"Hello?"
"Yuka-chan? It's me, Rin-chan. Listen, could you tell me the name and the address of the restaurant where Kagome-nee-chan is working?"
"Uhh, sure.." Yuka answered.
An alert window popped out.
"You have one new message."
He clicked it and an e-mail opened.
"Dear Hisakata-sama.
I was very touched by the concern you showed towards me. I also would like to inform you, that
1. I am unwilling to obey your friendly suggestion, and,
2. Your message came a little bit too late.
So, in your face! I already told one of my friends, and I'm pretty sure the word is at the moment spreading all over Japan. "S. Hisakata, the pizza-boy" will be in headlines first thing tomorrow.
... I'm really looking forward to my punishment.
Your humble servant,
Kagome Higurashi
PS. In case you did not get it, it's called sarcasm. JERK!"
Sesshoumaru growled. That bitch...!
"Sesshoumaru-sama!"
Sesshoumaru turned and saw Rin standing at his doorway, holding back a giggle.
"Hitachi just called me and told me to inform you that you'll be hosting the taiyoukai meeting that's arranged to take place the day after tomorrow."
"What?"
"There has not been a meeting of taiyoukais for 20 years," Rin reminded him. "So, Kouga-kun and Hitachi decided we'll have one. Oh, And Hitachi has already informed Abi-san too."
Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth. Great. Just what he needed...
"I'd also want to remind you of a meeting with Yorukawa-san tomorrow at eleven... The address of the restaurant is here..." She handed a note for him.
Sesshoumaru glanced at it shortly.
"Was that all?"
"Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama... Although... Hitachi was telling me about something he called a 'pizza incident'... "
It could not be.
Barely an hour had passed since the miko had slammed that door at his face and now Rin was telling him Hitachi had mentioned... What the hell? She had not been kidding in the e-mail, as he had assumed by the sarcasm note, but honestly told someone? And how in the hell did Hitachi know about this?
He would have to take some actions soon, to make the taiyoukai of southern lands keep his mouth shut. Just imagine how the meeting would be, if all the other taiyoukais too would know about his little "hobby"... Sesshoumaru twitched. No, He really didn't want that to happen. His reputation and image would be ruined after that. Completely ruined...
"I'm going home."
"Huh?"
"You heard me Rin. I'm going home. Maybe you should go too."
"But Sesshoumaru-sama -"
"It's Sunday anyway. I don't feel like sitting here when it's weekend." A hint of what could have been disgust flashed in his eyes.
"As you wish, Sesshoumaru-sama." Rin sighed.
The taiyukai got up, took his briefcase and marched out from his office.
Rin stared at his back. Something was bothering him... Rin sighed again. Well, it was Sesshoumaru-sama.. He would not bother to tell anyone of what would be worrying him..
That's why, he'd need a mate.
Rin giggled. And a mate was what he would get...
Seshoumaru looked at the note where was the address. Then he looked at the restaurant in front of him. This was the place Rin had chosen? He shrugged and stepped in. It was a small place, but didn't seem to be too bad. There was only one waitress. Her back was facing him and he soon found himself staring at her figure. She wore a black pleated skirt that was mid-thigh length. She was alsp wearing a white blouse, which could barely be seen under the cascade of her black hair.
Sesshoumaru raised his silver eyebrow.
His inner demon truly liked what it saw. It gave a lecherous grin.
Sesshoumaru gave his inner demon a firm shake. The woman was a mere human. Having such trail of thoughts was inappropriate.
But apparently his inner demon did not care of what was appropriate and what was not.
Sesshoumaru started giving lecturing his primal self.
The waitress turned around.
It was her "EEP!" that interrupted the mental ramble and Sesshoumaru's eyes flew to look at the waitress.
She gulped and Sesshoumaru could clearly tell that she was very, very nervous. And for a very, very good reason.
"You," it was a low cold growl.
"Now, violence is not needed..." She smiled nervously and raised her hands on the level of her chest, in a futile attempt of protecting herself.
He cracked his knuckles not letting his cold stare leave her brown eyes.
"I told you not to tell anyone."
That was it. She was not usually such a short-tempered person, but it was something about him that always seemed to make that side of her stand out.
"Well, it's not my fault that you said it too late."
Sesshoumaru was still growling. He was actually a bit surprised that his eyes did not start to bleed red. Then he noticed that the reason, why that did not happen, was because his inner demon was not angry. It was amused.
Useless annoyance, he mentally kicked his other self.
"Besides, I only told one person! And that's my e-mail friend who lives in Hokkaido."
Sesshoumaru stopped. If she had told a friend who lived in Hokkaido, how could Rin say she had heard from Hitachi that... Sesshoumaru frowned.
As she noticed that she had managed to distract him and that her life no longer was in an immediate danger, she relaxed a bit.
"So, did you come here to deduct my entrails, or to have a lunch, maybe?"
He shot her with the famous freezing glare though it did not seem to affect her quite as much as he had planned.
Sesshoumaru walked to a table and sat down. She followed him.
"What?" He barked out one eyebrow raised.
"Your order, sir?"
Oh right, she was the waitress. He felt his inner demon laughing at him.
Shut up, Seshoumaru barked at him. Sadly he did not listen.
"I will take only a cup of coffee."
"Right away!" the waitress turned around to get the coffee-pot and the cup. However before she could go, long fingers wrapping themselves around wrist stopped her. His touch caused her to shiver.
"Yes," she asked on a weak voice.
"I'm waiting for company. So if anyone asks me, you know what to do."
"Hai, Hisakata-sama."
He released his grip and let her go.
She returned soon carrying a cup of coffee. She placed it on the table in front of him.
"Here you go."
He did not bother to thank her.
Her eye twitched. That... attitude... Her neck suddenly tingled as if someone would be staring at her. She turned her head and saw a young man who wore glasses and a neat suit and who was carrying a briefcase. It seemed he had just stepped in.
"Welcome, how can I help you," she chirped with a smile.
"Uhm, I'm here to have a short meeting with Hisakata-sama, so if you please..."
"I see, this way please." The waitress led him to the table Sesshoumaru was sitting in. The men greeted each other.
"May I take you order, sir?"
"I need nothing, thank you."
The waitress smiled again and walked away.
The words kept coming. They went in from his right ear and came out from his left one, none of them really bothered to say in his head. He didn't notice as the calm stream of words suddenly ended and a heavy, oppressive atmosphere wrapped him. He awoke as he heard his partner clear his throat. He quickly jerked his head to see burning, cold amber eyes staring at him with a dangerous flash in them.
"You did not listen a word that I said," his partner said with a scary low tone.
"My apologies, Hisakata-sama," He bowed. "My attention was... disturbed."
"I noticed," Sesshoumaru said glancing the miko from the corner of his eye.
"But surely you understand, Hisakata-sama?" He chuckled nervously. "Such a lovely waitress..."
"Pick up women on your free time," Sesshoumaru spat out. "Now we are supposed to have a meeting about the project."
"Oh, yes..."
What was it about her that made people stare at her and gather around her? Sesshoumaru shook his head. Whatever reason it was, he was not interested. Too bad, that his inner demon was.
"Oh what a day!" Kagome threw herself on her favourite spot on the sofa and pulled Shue over into her lap.
"You know, it's really a miracle that I'm still alive," she told her cat. She had not bothered to tell anyone else but Ayame about the incident with the pizza, and she really wondered how could he have already found that out. Well, she had told it in her reply to his e-mail, but still... She sighed.
More confusing was the shiver she had got when he had took a hold on her wrist. She had shivered because she had been a bit frightened of him, right? Why else then would she have shivered...?
Though, in her mind she knew she had been more annoyed than scared of him back then. So, why had she shivered?
"I'm hopeless", Kagome announced to her empty apartment.
The demon rose in front of her. It extended its huge hand to slash her into tiny pieces. She screamed.
"Kagome, stay back!"
The red-clad, dog-eared boy rushed forward and sliced the hand neatly with his claws.
A huge boomerang came whirling through the air, hitting the head of their enemy. The black-haired taijiya smirked.
The little Kitsune pup was in her arms, shivering.
"It's okay, it'll be over soon," Kagome said, stroking his back soothingly.
A muffled scream escaped from her lips as she was thrown harshly aside.
"Sango!" the monk shouted, hurrying over to the woman.
The Hanyou growled and finished the demon off with a wave of his big sword.
He watched his desk, hidden under the piles of paper and yet more paper. He got up and walked over to the window. The city spread before him, its lights glowing into the dark evening. He heard the door of his office open.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, I'm leaving now."
"Go on, Rin."
"You should go home too," Rin advised. "Hitachi could drop you off on our way home."
"No thank you," Sesshoumaru declined, still staring out of the window. "I think I'm going to walk today."
"You sure?"
"Positive."
"Fine then... Goodbye, Sesshoumaru-sama! See you tomorrow!"
"Goodbye, Rin."
She closed the door as she left.
He wanted to walk. An odd restlessness was tugging his soul. He felt... old. This big city, full of humans... It was depressing him. He longed for the times when the numbers of humans and youkai had been equal... The times he had been free to roam the lands he owned. One couldn't even see the stars anymore now, he observed darkly.
Those foolish humans and their absurd ideas. Always building up new cities... Destroying everything that stood in their way... He couldn't stand them. They made him sick. And they were everywhere now.
He turned and walked out of his office. He let the cold evening breeze play with his hair. He hated this. The noise, the smells, the cars.. He hated all of it. He wanted desperately to escape. To turn back time.
And he knew he couldn't.
There was two possible things he would end up to do feeling like this. Either he would start painting or drinking.
The taiyoukai-meeting was tomorrow, he remembered. Better skip the drinking then, Sesshoumaru decided gloomily. Damn, it had been the more appealing option of the two.
She startled awake as her phone rang. She still felt sleepy.
"Higurashi?"
"Hello, my love!"
"Hojo? Hi."
"Have you got anything planned for this Friday?"
"No, nothing on Friday."
"Great! How about a dinner then? At my place, say around eight o'clock?"
Kagome was honest to herself. She didn't want to see Hojo. For some reason, she did not look forward to their dates or his phone calls anymore. She didn't want to sit down at the same table with him, and talk about everything possible. She did not want to go over at his place..
But though she was honest to herself, she wasn't honest to Hojo.
"I'd love to," she lied.
"Great! Listen, I'm sorry, but Friday's kind of a busy day for me, and I have to prepare everything and so forth... So I'm afraid I can't come to pick you up."
"It's all right. I'll take a cab or something."
"Good... See you on Friday then! I love you."
"I love - " for the briefest moment Kagome hesitated. Was she really telling the truth now, did she really mean what she was saying? Damn this confusion... "- you too. Bye!"
She sank back to the sofa and moaned, closing her eyes and starting to rub her temples. Why she had to be so confused?
It seemed that the knot in her chest had only grown bigger. How was it ever going to become untied? Kagome sighed. She needed tea and a hot shower. She needed chocolate and a good book to read and a blanket that she could wrap around her.
But most of all, she needed answers. Answers to ease her confused mind. And she needed that damn knot to be untied. She needed to know. How was she feeling about the situation she was in? How did she feel about a life together with Hojo? What did she feel for Hojo, anyway?
But the most frightening question, one that Kagome didn't even dare to really ask herself, but which still kept coming back into her confused mind over and over again, was what exactly was she feeling for a certain someone, called Hisakata Sesshoumaru?