Hello! So this was going to be short but then...as always...I got carried away.

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Chapter 21: Gin and Tonic

Inuyasha had a lot on his mind as he drove in his red luxury vehicle through the streets of Paris. Buildings and people flew by rather leisurely that afternoon. The engine of his vehicle gave a nice low rumble and guided his car easily down the pavement in a silky manner that attracted a lot of attention around him. The sun shined bright and the heat blew down on the metal of his car. He gripped his leather wrapped wheel with one hand and rubbed his lips with his index and middle fingers in deep thought. It was everything he could do to keep from touching his cheek where he could still feel the ghost of soft lips pressed against them.

It was nice.

Everything about that morning was nice. He had woken up to get a drink and somehow he found himself rocking a small body to sleep and reassuring another that lay content across from him in the quiet of the early morning when the birds began chirping and the coffee machine automatically cut itself on down the hall. The smell of breakfast on the stove woke him and the push of Rin's little hand got him up and going. This new change in lifestyle was random. It felt strange. It felt comforting. It felt awkward. It felt joyous. All of these sensations passed through him when he woke up to two little women. Yet he couldn't think of anywhere else he wanted to be.

But why did I feel this way?

His fingers daringly ghosted over his cheek lightly afraid he would rub off the sentiment placed there before. He enjoyed the show of appreciation a little bit more than he care to profess to the public. Such feelings however weren't safe given his fast lifestyle. He thought about his current relationship status. He wasn't one to stick around which is how he and Miroku had bonded right away so fast back in the day. Despite him and Miroku being different when it came to their relationship pursuits, they shared common ground on the principle of solidarity and solitude. Despite Miroku's playboy demeanor, he was resolute about not bringing others into your own bullshit and letting females know what they were getting themselves into.

Yet something inside him woke up recently. Maybe it was because he found himself introduced to these women of different virtue, morals, or guidelines of success. He couldn't tell. But he enjoyed it and he found himself growing more protective and lively as the days passed. His nightlife had slowed down in exchange for more home visits with his relatives, late dinners with friends, and spending time with the newest addition to his pack. He knew it was only a matter of time before his father bestowed the honor onto Rin.

The sound of raspy off-tune humming came from behind him and he smiled with pride swelling at his achievement. A funky rock track played on the radio that pumped his blood and he turned it up slightly being mindful of sensitive ears in the car. He looked through the rear view mirror and nudged his chin up to check in the back lane as well as glimpse the passenger he was chauffeuring. He pushed his sunglasses on his face and a smirk spread across his face as he showed his sharp right top fang. Never, would he ever have thought he would be in the situation that he was in right now.

Usually, it would be some random attractive woman sitting in his passenger seat in which he would forget her name as soon as his mind jumped to something else. How odd it first felt to have far more precious cargo riding along with him in his well renowned 'death trap' in which his mother shouted upon him every time she glimpsed it. How horrified she shrieked when she learned he had been using it to move said precious cargo around from point A to point B. He laughed and pressed his foot on the gas a bit to hear it roar in his ears. He looked in the mirror again and saw his smile reflected back at him in a tiny formation underneath large sunglasses. His smile grew and he drove slowly much to the disbelief of others that shared the current road with him.

His phone buzzed indicating that he was receiving another message. He told Kikyo he would text her the meeting place so they could talk. He thought about what Kikyo had said and his mind went to that whole situation about Inukimi. How did she know Kimi? And what was Kimi up to? He noticed Kimi was dancing around the subject of Kagome's sister which didn't go unnoticed by him. Mainly it was Kagome's switch in scent and rise in anxiety that caught his attention. What was so important about her sister? Why did her name strike such emotion in her? Why didn't she speak about her much?

Maybe they had family problems.

He certainly could relate as at one point he had his own issues growing up when a man's sword was his weapon of choice. But everyone had issues. Granted his at times were a bit bloody with his brother but they had grown closer because of it. Maybe it was a trust thing. Maybe if Kagome got a little bit more comfortable with his pack, she would share her life because if he knew one thing about family, it was they were bound to show up eventually and they had a tendency to follow you.

Seeing his destination, he signaled and turned gracefully around a corner. He pulled into his personal parking space at the front of his business and parked his car next to a foreign orange Ferrari he didn't recognize. He watched as someone pulled out of the lot in a brand new vehicle he had designed himself and he smirked watching it glide smoothly just as he had imagined it out of the lot. Excitedly, he cut off his engine and turned around to look at his back passenger watching his reflection through her wide dark designer sunglasses.

"Ready to see some cars, Rin?" He asked removing his shades to look at her with a smirk.

Rin sat in her nice blue dress wearing the dark Chanel sunglasses that Inukimi had given her before she left on her lunch date with Izayoi. Her short hair was pulled up and split into two side ponytails. On her feet were white sandals designed by Shiori herself. Rin pushed the big glasses up her nose with her lips in a pout that reminded him very much of Inukimi. The glasses sat on her face rather big but clearly Rin didn't care as she left them on and looked right back at him. He wouldn't put it pass his Alpha if those glasses were her way of possessing Rin's body.

Rin mewled and signed using her hands "Let's go" looking cool and collected in her pink car seat strapped with two seatbelts for safety precaution on behalf of his mother. She even had his father give one of his fangs to be made into a bracelet that would act as a shield should anything happen to the pup in Inuyasha's care which he thought was a bit much. He was responsible! Rin was in perfect care.

Inuyasha smirked and got out of his car while flexing his aura to alert his staff that he had arrived and to get their shit straight before he came in. He walked to the other side and lowered the front seat so he could reach into the back. He unbuckled Rin quickly and carefully lifted her out of the seat into his arms. He felt her tiny arms wrap around him and he righted himself being mindful not to hit her head on the roof of the car. In typical Inuyasha fashion, he slammed the door shut and gave his keys to Rin who pressed the button to lock the doors. He brushed her nose with his thumb applauding her in his way for her assistance. Rin pushed his sunglasses back on his face and he nodded. Up ahead he could see his staff open the doors for him and he rolled his eyes behind his glasses at their lack of backbones.

He walked inside quickly but turned instead of going to the meeting room where he knew everyone was waiting for his arrival. He walked into the showroom to look at his newest model on display that sat behind protective glass. He was proud of his transition from cars to bikes and back again. Before his eyes sparkling under high lights was the world renowned 'White Fang' a silver luxury motor bike boasting chrome finishes and a fiery V10 engine that claimed 62 miles in 2.5 seconds. He loved the design and build of transportation as well as efficiency. The symbol of his famed fang sword shined in the leather seating. He worked with the best craftsmen in the world to create his luxury visions that started in the upper hundred-thousands. Now he had a new deal to design something sponsored under the Jaguar Company to design a vehicle affordable to the working consumer class. He found the challenge interesting and couldn't wait to see how the public would take it.

He watched as Rin placed her tiny hands on the glass window clearly excited about what she was seeing. She pointed to it and signed excitedly about what she thought as a shiny toy. Inuyasha placed her down on the floor and held her hand while looking at his creation. "One day, I'll build one for you." He said as she smiled brightly up at him. He looked down at her making eye contact. "I'll name it Little Jackal."

"Mutt face!" Spoke a loud voice that boomed and echoed in the space.

Inuyasha turned his head and smirked. A wolf demon with long brown-black hair pulled into a ponytail with shiny bright brown eyes walked towards him. He wore a black suit with his brown pelt laid over his shoulder showing his proud wolf heritage and regal status among demons. A smirk was on his face as he approached.

"Mangy wolf!" Inuyasha opened his arms up and walked towards his longtime best friend. They slammed their hands together in a comradery gesture and patted each other on the back before pulling away. "You finished the project?"

"Hell yeah! Right on time too." He responded crossing his arms over his chest haughtily. "Your new modeled bikes are officially patented and the papers are on the table. You should really clean this place up mutt. I almost drove right past this dump." He jabbed.

Inuyasha's ears flickered and he crossed his arms too defiantly. "You're one to talk. Why do you think I refuse to go to that junkyard of a car lot you got in the US? I smell trash just landing at the airport and your fleas are the worst."

Kouga was about to retaliate when his nose picked up on a soft floral scent. He looked down and saw a little one clutching the pants leg of his friend intent on hiding herself. His eyes grew wide and he looked to Inuyasha unsure of what all he had missed in the last couple of months since they last saw each other. "You had a kid and didn't tell me!" He exclaimed bending down to one knee to get a look at her. He sniffed her scent and smelled Inuyasha's scent on her but her natural scent spoke nothing of shared blood. She was of mixed blood that hinted of demon and spiritual nature which made his nose tingle. A soft pink aura stayed close to her skin that read of a mother's recent bond with the babe and the warning was clear of getting too close to the pup.

Inuyasha turned red and shook his head. "No! This is just a new member of pack that I'm watching until her mom gets off work!" He clarified looking down at the little pup smelling her nervousness. "Her name is Rin." Inuyasha pulled off his shades and placed them in his pants pocket.

Kouga smirked at little Rin and held his hand out for her to sniff. "My condolences to you little one for being saddled up with this loser for the day!" He spoke pointing up to Inuyasha. His smile grew upon hearing Inuyasha's threatening growl that promised a physical altercation later. He watched as Rin stepped hesitantly closer to him and sniffed his hand for security. Her grip upon Inuyasha's leg tightened hearing the hanyou's growl and Inuyasha bent to pick her up gently. Kouga stood back up and watched how Inuyasha rubbed her back and soothed her of the worry she had in her aura. The pup calmed down and she laid her head on his shoulder. Her tiny clawed fingers came to reach around his neck. Kouga was baffled at what he was seeing in front of him. Who is this kid? Who is the mom? Where is she? Why leave your kid with Inuyasha? Did she want her kid to live? He simply observed and turned to walk back towards the meeting room with his thoughts tucked tightly away for another time.

Inuyasha followed flexing his aura around the pup in his arms to calm her. She didn't do too well with angering and saddened emotions around her. He noticed this gave her intense anxiety and he wondered where that came from. He followed after his best friend into their meeting room where legal papers and blueprints of his next project lay spread on the table. His staff members were all crowded into the room looking a bit stiff in their suits and dresses. He shook hands with everyone and looked excitedly at his designs that he had made and the picture of a 3D rendered image of his newest beauty. Everyone looked at the child in his arms but no one dared say anything to question him knowing his temper could be set off.

"Damn." He muttered under his breath and looked at his new vehicle.

Kouga nodded with pride as well. It was nice working with his closest friend since the day they were in cloth diapers. He had his hand in many pots but Inuyasha's particular pot always guaranteed fun and lucrative incentives. "This is the almost finished product of the Iron Reaver model. She's decked out to the max on all fronts and we even put in full grain hand sewn leather in the interior from Italy along the seats. What we are working on now is putting in the tech and wheel cooling functions you invented to keep the car refreshed."

Inuyasha picked up a picture and looked at the insides of the model being built. She was everything he sketched and designed from the inside and out. He spent hours himself building her in his lot in Japan. Now here she was getting the spa treatment from different seasoned fabricators around the world to debut as another classic award winning vehicle he had created. They had taken what he built with his own hands and with his instructions cultivated something bigger and it was pretty hot. "So my blueprints are approved for public use?"

Kouga nodded shifting his pelt on his shoulders. "Obviously. We put the tech in another vehicle to test for safety. It passed inspection flawlessly with all the extra safety measures. We already got buyers wanting to pay top dollar for it. Now you just need to pick the colors for the paint job." He explained pointing at the other pictures of the vehicle in different styles and colors.

Inuyasha sat Rin down on the wooden table and turned to his friend giving his fist a dab. Inuyasha looked at the colors available with a critical eye. He watched as Rin looked with her hands clutched onto his black jacket tightly refusing to be away from him even an inch among all the foreign faces and scents. It was comforting in an odd way to have someone depend on him for everything even for something as little as reassurance. He poured his aura over her protectively as she settled closer towards him by scooting her rear. He also smirked at the double benefit it was serving such as the sound of rapidly beating hearts in the room obviously fearing the possible danger they would be in should they make a wrong move to freighted the little pup. He lowered his head down to Rin's ears and nuzzled her scalp. "Ok, runt. Which one you like?"

"Really!?" Kouga shouted. "You're putting this decision in the hands of a newborn pup?" Kouga balked crossing his arms at the unorthodox occurrence.

Inuyasha paid him no mind as he watched humorously as Rin took off her shades and looked at the photos on the table. Inuyasha spread them out before her so she could look clearly. He patiently watched as her brown eyes scanned the table looking over everything while everyone in the room stood silent holding their breath not believing that such a million dollar decision was given to a child.

Rin happily moved pictures around and lifted some to her face. She pointed for other photos she couldn't reach and Inuyasha politely retrieved them with the occasional help from those around the table. She turned her head to Inuyasha and mewled to him her input. He listened and read her aura as she spoke to him as best as she could. To aid her, she put the photos down and signed to him. Shockingly to everyone he nodded and made slow movements with his hands clearly communicating to her in the same way that she was which soothed her. Her legs kicked in excitement and mewled. Inuyasha nodded in agreement.

Kouga smirked understanding a little bit of what she was saying with her broken mewls but not everything. He watched her communicate and this brought more questions regarding the pup's lifestyle. He was also shocked to see Inuyasha do sign back at the little girl and gruffly speak to her in various tones of the Inu manner. "Well?"

Inuyasha looked at him. "Can you make one in the color orange?"

Kouga rubbed his chin in thought of what the vehicle would look like. "Yeah." He let out a confirmation to Rin choosing to respond to the pup directly.

Rin happily nodded in agreement of the color she liked and reached for a picture. She spoke again and pointed at it. Of course she picked up the red colored one and waved it in the air proudly as well. Inuyasha smirked and took the photos from her hands. He handed the photos over to Kouga pointing out his selection. Kouga rolled his eyes and took the photos. "Figures it would be red. Why am I not surprised?" He dragged handing the photos to his people standing behind him.

Inuyasha stood up to his full height and looked upon the vehicles with critical golden eyes. "Make one in royal blue too. I think that would really win over our female customers and show off the chrome in the grill here." He pointed with a clawed index finger.

Kouga nodded and looked at his people that hurriedly made notes behind him. He shoved his hands in his pockets. "So we finished mutt? I'm ready to eat!" He spoke seeing no further need to be there. He had given the paperwork, delivered on time the product updates, and received feedback on what else was needed to complete the project.

Inuyasha nodded and picked up Rin off the table back into his arms. She pushed her sunglasses back onto her face. Immediately afterwards, her hands went into his silver hair and she began playing with it. He had nothing else to say as he walked out allowing Kouga to make the calls and give out the orders. Inuyasha went back out into the showroom and looked around to make sure everything was in order before he left. He saw one of his previous black bikes on display and an idea crossed his mind. He smiled and walked over to the bike.

"Rin, you are about to sit on your first bike." He placed Rin on the seat and moved her hands to support herself while he held her securely by the side. Her hands couldn't even reach the handles so she just sat there kicking her legs on the sides happily and gripping the seat to keep herself steady.

"I see she's ready to go." Kouga stated tossing his keys in the air and catching it as he came up to them. "Now she just needs a helmet and gloves."

Inuyasha nodded watching as Rin scooted forward on her own and leaned on her belly to reach to the handles. It was a hilarious sight for sure that had them both chuckling. Inuyasha took out his cell phone and took a picture of them both with the aim to give his mother a heart attack. He then read the messages quickly he had received via text.

"So you know where we're eating?" Inuyasha walked forward and picked Rin up off the bike, careful to keep her dress down.

"The usual place." He responded walking ahead and out of the door. "Come on, mutt. We got a lot to catch up on."

Inuyasha and Kouga found themselves at their old watering hole with delicious food surrounding the table. Meats, cheeses, potatoes, and some vegetables were laid out but majority of it was finger foods. Rin sat in a booster seat in the booth munching on strips of tenderloin while holding a spoon full of mash potatoes. Kouga was baffled watching his best friend talk while trying to make sure Rin was covered in napkins should she drop her food on herself. It was a strange sight but at the same time it looked right. It brought him into his own truth.

"What's up with you?" Inuyasha asked having taken the spoon from Rin and fed her the soft potatoes himself.

Kouga blinked before shaking his head and going back to his truffle fries. "Same ole, same ole." He said gruffly while watching Inuyasha now wipe around Rin's mouth. Rin reached for his hands to help him and smiled up at him when she was done. "She's got you trained. Now all you need is a leash." He joked and laughed rather loudly.

Inuyasha turned his head and glared hard at his best friend. "We'll see who's laughing when her mom show's up to kick your ass because her pup isn't happy. Maybe it's good you're sitting over there. I don't want your fleas jumping on her."

"What did you just say, stupid mutt!" Kouga growled clutching the edge of the table in his hands and leaning forward completely forgetting about everything around them. He'd been meaning to give Inuyasha a beat down as clearly he had forgot who he was dealing with.

"Did I stutter, flea bag." Inuyasha jabbed with a smirk as he turned around placing his hand on the table as well meeting him in the center. A few patrons turned to see where the noises were coming from and others scooted away while pulling out their phones when they realized they were in the presence of celebrities.

Both made eye contact and started to growl rather loudly at each other. Their aura's rose and clashed warningly at each other. A huffing noise was heard and both turned their heads to see Rin suddenly shake and her tiny claws were clutched deeply in the booster seat. A whine came out of her lips and she pushed her body to move away from the pair. Her mother's aura seemed to become darker and they knew it wasn't good.

Immediately, the two leaned back and Inuyasha went into pouring his aura gently over Rin's body. However, it wasn't working as Rin tried to push away from him and her noises for her mom burst from her lips. The sound was strangled as her vocal chords still wasn't use to making various tones and commands. She turned away from them both seeming as if she was going to try to climb out of the booth to get away.

Kouga froze looking for things to help. He didn't know anything about babies or pups. His large pack had them but he didn't in particularly know how to deal with them in a nurturing manner. He picked up one of his fries to give to Rin but she just scooted further away into the booth and turned her head away from it. He could hear odd hiccup noises and it donned on him that she was beginning to cry which put him on alert. Salt and despair rushed to his nose overwhelming her soft floral scent. "Do something!" He whispered frantically while looking around hoping that no one was paying attention to them. He was wrong. He looked back to Rin and lifted his hands. "I have an idea. Give her to me."

"Are you nuts!" Inuyasha spoke before reaching for Rin again. "She's already upset!" Rin started to cry but she let Inuyasha hold her. Large tear drops fell from her eyes and she tried to sign that she was scared of the noises they made while growling through her hiccups. She thought they were angry and it scared her.

Before Kouga realized what he was doing, he let out a low calming grumble deep from his throat at the same time Inuyasha had begun to do so. It was deep and reassuring like a gentle purr that came from the pits of their stomachs. Rin calmed and clutched onto Inuyasha tightly while burying her nose in his jacket. Her whimpers and cries died down until she was breathing normally with a few hiccups rattling her body. She turned her head to look at Kouga now feeling a little bit safer having heard their combined efforts to calm her. The pink aura around her lightened again and both gentlemen gave a large sigh of a possible situation being avoided. Inuyasha nuzzled her cheek and spoke his apologies before placing her back in her seat. He moved her food closer to her body so she could reach. He took one of the napkins and cleaned her face making sure she was well and calm.

Kouga leaned back feeling a year taken from his life. He knew from his own pack that you never wanted to mess with a pup because their mothers were beasts. He shook his head and reached for his beer that he had ordered taking a large gulp before placing it back on the table. He kept his rugged aura calm hoping it would keep the pup happy and make her feel safe. He looked to Inuyasha who picked up his beer and drank as well. "You're going to explain this?"

Inuyasha swallowed his drink and sighed heavily. "Rin is the pup of a good friend who's having a hard time. I just stepped in to help out is all."

"Good friend my ass." Kouga stated before folding his arms and smirking. "So this good friend, is she single and hot?"

Inuyasha did his best to control himself but it was difficult. He knew what Kouga would do. "Kagome is pack and off limits!"

"Kagome…" He dragged rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "With a name like that in France, she shouldn't be too hard to find."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Shouldn't you be going to see about Kagura?" He asked to deflect the conversation. "She asked me about you a few weeks ago." He looked down at Rin before making eye contact with his best bud.

Kouga stilled and looked away in annoyance forgetting about his food. "So?"

Inuyasha sighed rubbing his claws through his mane. "Come on man…." Inuyasha knew what he was doing. He'd been waiting to have the conversation but it never was a good time. Being in France always brought him towards Kagura's way and he could barely look her in the eyes because he knew his best friend was dogging her. They were all really close friends and spent many years together. She could hold her own and fought as hard as the rest of them. Her banter was the best and she was known for easily getting underneath anybody's thick skin. Kagura was very laid back and a bit like one of the boys. So much at times it was easy to forget she wasn't one. Kagura was good people.

Kouga and Kagura started off on the wrong foot back in the day and were always at each other's throats. Somehow even they managed to work things out and both were around more and more. It was no surprise to him when he found out later that they were seeing each other privately behind closed doors. Whatever went down between Kagura and Kouga was real and genuine. After a while, word got out that the two had some kind thing going on. What started as a fling had turned into something more. Maybe it was too much that it scared the Wolf Prince who was destined to wed some princess.

Inuyasha knew Kouga was putting distance between himself and the Wind Demoness but it wasn't working. It never did. Kouga would come back to see Kagura at the end of the day. He may spend his days walking around pretending to do his duty in the US, but at night and during major holiday vacations, he could always be found with Kagura. Then he would disappear for months again and that hurt his friend. Demons always complained about human emotions being too abundant and wild but demonic ones were deep and almost impossible to shake off. No one can just shake off years and eras of affection despite whatever Kouga was telling himself. He hated to see females get upset over bullshit. He felt worst knowing it was because of his best friend that Kagura cried once for the first time in centuries on his shoulder. "All I'm saying is treat her like a real friend. You can't just keep fu-" Inuyasha stopped and looked at Rin who was shoving another spoonful of mash potatoes in her mouth. "-sleeping with her but then running off to marry another broad."

"It's none of your damn business, mutt." Kouga muttered reaching for his beer feeling the drop in his mood.

"The hell it is!" Inuyasha responded glaring at him while keeping his aura and temper in check. He looked at Rin remembering to try not to curse in front of her anymore. It was rather difficult to do so but somehow he was making progress…slow progress….but progress nonetheless. "You didn't see her cry did you?"

Kouga leaned back again in his seat as a server came over asking them if they needed anything else. Kouga thought on his words. It did hurt him inside a little to know Kagura was that distraught. But she knew about his lifestyle. Maybe he should have told her about the whole Ayame arranged marriage thing. But he what was there to say? She knew it would happen. She just didn't know it would happen now. But what did she want from him?

They ordered another round of beers and an ice-cream for Rin who was happy again despite the heavy conversation happening at the table. Both men were quiet for a while collecting their thoughts and controlling their demeanor. Kouga just sat back and watched as Inuyasha chastised Rin for almost spilling stuff on her dress in which Rin just laughed. Rin lifted the spoon up for Inuyasha to share with her in her vanilla delight. He saw the grimace on Inuyasha's face knowing the taste of his beer wasn't going to agree with the cream and sugar being offered to him. But, he opened his mouth and took it anyway making Rin very happy. A slow smile spread onto his lips again seeing his best friend behave so…fatherly.

He knew that any man that was taking care of another woman's child was hooked in some way. He wanted to meet this person that did this to his friend. The way Inuyasha was going, he wouldn't be surprised to finish the project and come back for a wedding or something. He pulled out his phone in his pocket and made a note to himself to find a Kagome later. That name was unique in France and he was sure she was bound to pop up. Kouga placed his phone back in his pocket and smirked at his best friend. "She looks good on you. I may solve all my problems and take her as my woman."

Inuyasha smirked while looking down at Rin. "Do you think the wolf is cute?" He asked Rin watching as she seemingly focused on Kouga's face taking in his words but having some difficulty with understanding his meaning. Kouga gave his winning smirk that usually caught the eye of many women.

Rin didn't think he looked plushy or cuddly like her bears at home that her mom called cute. He didn't look like her either and people called her cute. He didn't where a dress which she usually heard from adults that such things were cute. He had taken off the pelts on his shoulders so he wasn't furry. Rin looked at Inuyasha and shook her head no. Inuyasha laughed nearly barking at the table. Kouga face palmed himself. Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest proudly. "You heard the little lady. Beat it!"

"Damn. I'm going to need another drink after that blow." Kouga muttered finishing off his beer.

Kikyo sat at a bar she had found that matched the mood she was in. She had worked at the office trying to understand her new role and low key learned everything she could about Lady InuKimi and the Tashio clan. So much information registered in her brain and she found herself second-guessing her purpose as well as the Tashio's stance on things. Kaguya could be the biggest gain but also a heavy blow. If Sesshomaru was trying to get out of their marriage agreement, Kaguya could sue and take anything her claws could sink hold on. But she knew he was up to something. Her certainly was relaxed when she cross examined his life before him. He almost seemed like he rather enjoyed it and practically provoked her to keep digging. Maybe she would just be silent for awhile and carry her secrets and findings with her until things started to play out. At the end of the day, as long as their drama stayed far away from her family...she was fine. But that didn't calm the nervousness she felt in her bones. Something felt off about everything despite how good it was to be coming out of the dark and into the light. She had a lot to think about and somehow managed to walk her way to the Shikon where she stood nearly glued to the concrete watching the patrons go into the lovely little building that belonged to her sister. She just stood there as always wanting so badly to be with her sister and just spill up everything that was bothering her but she knew better. Then a slight pain began to pound in her lower abdomen that felt rather odd but she thought nothing of it.

She just needed one drink. One drink to take the edge off of things until she could get home to her little empty loft and sort things out one by one with clarity. Maybe it would even calm the pains in her abdomen as well. She was trying to meet up with Inuyasha later but the way things were looking, it may not happen. She thought of going to Sesshomaru's restaurant to find him but she wasn't sure if he would be there. Someone had to know what Inukimi was up to. Inukimi was watching Shiori and diving into her son's affairs behind his back which could backfire. She thought about telling Shiori but the girl would probably open her mouth and say something. Maybe a beer or a small shot would do. Nothing too large or too potent. She could make a responsible choice with her drink. She could do this. She could handle it. Just one shot. Her nerves were all over the place and cigarettes weren't doing much for her at the moment. Everything was going great...too great. From her experience that was usually when things turned for the worst. So rather not be prepared right?

Kikyo looked around at the grungy décor as she sat at the bar. It was slightly busy during that afternoon as more of the working class got off work. Clearly by the sounds of the people talking, everyone was excited about the weekend. The place itself was rugged and felt very masculine with the dark wood and plastic leather booths lining the wall. It smelt of booze and smoke which was very nostalgic. Flashes of her life in her parent's shrine lying about on her back drinking her life away sailed in waves in her mind. She could almost feel the cold floor against her skin and the warmth of a glass bottle in her hand. Kikyo looked in her purse and took out her wallet. A few gentlemen to her right looked at her but she paid them no mind.

"What can I get ya?"

Kikyo looked up to see a demoness with tattoos up her arms and a feather in her hair stand before her rocking red lipstick and a black tank top. Her red eyes seemed to glow in the low lighting of the bar. Without thinking too much she spoke placing her card on the bar. "Gin and tonic." Just the sound of the drink was refreshing.

The woman nodded and immediately began making her order. Kikyo watched her as she went through the motions. Fresh limes were being cut and squeezed before going into a chilled glass filled with ice. Her lips seemingly were becoming dry from the anticipation. It had been far too long. The ice crinkled as the gin was poured into her glass followed by the tonic. She smiled as the woman put the remaining slices of lime and a few leaves of mint in her drink before stirring it once. The drink was placed on a napkin right in front of her with a little black straw in it. "A little too dainty for a gin and tonic?" She questioned looking at her glass.

The woman lifted and eyebrow and smirked leaning against her bar. "Well you looked a bit too delicate so I made it to fit you." She clapped back with a smirk.

Kikyo smiled and lifted the drink in her hand. The smell of lime and peace entered her nose. She lifted the glass forward and cheered to her bartender before moving it to her lips and taking it down like a pro. It was smooth and glided deliciously down her throat leaving her burning trail that reminded her of her sobriety. She pulled back and sighed heavenly at her little piece of heaven in her hands.

"So you aren't as dainty as I thought." The demoness stated watching her down her drink and wiping her bar with a rag.

Kikyo placed her drink on the table. "You should have seen me back in the day. I could put men to shame." She told nursing her glass in her hand feeling the small tingling sensations running through her. The pain in her stomach came to a dull throb that became slowly a forgotten entity. Kikyo rubbed the area soothingly enjoying her drink and questioning if really quitting cold turkey was appropriate. Hell she could give up smoking if she could have an occasional drink.

Kagura stopped moving and reached her hand over the bar. "Kagura."

Kikyo extended her hand over as well to meet hers. She shook hers rather strongly. "Kikyo."

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