A/N: For the 'Make Believe' theme on Dokuga's LJ comm - this one was for the one-shot contest. It totals at 1356 words. Originally posted on October 7, 2010. It won third place! :D
I'm sure everyone knows this, but 'below the belt' is a saying for something done that's plainly unfair. It originated in sports like boxing, where hitting below the waistline isn't allowed at all. In MMA, it's permitted with some restrictions. On the street, it's encouraged.
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Below the Belt
By the end of the night's events, two fighters had broken bones, one had lost a tooth, and Sesshoumaru's opponent had dislocated a shoulder. "He would not tap out," the dog demon said with a shrug. "I decided to drive the point of my victory home."
"He didn't want to quit because Naraku is here. That's why all those guys were hurt. Everyone wants the chance you have tonight," sighed Kagome, stepping forward and pressing two fingers to the purple bruise forming over his ribs. Sesshoumaru didn't make a noise, but he couldn't prevent the flinch of his muscles. "Are you sure that nothing is broken or bleeding internally? That was a vicious kick."
He grabbed at his shirt and pulled it over his head, ignoring the pain that shot up his side. "It will heal," he said.
"That doesn't really answer my question," Kagome pointed out. "Meeting Naraku with broken ribs or worse is not a smart idea."
Sesshoumaru cocked his head. "Attacking me in any way would be unwise on his part," he said. "I possess abilities that I do not use in the fights that you see. There is no cause for anxiety."
She shook her head. "Sorry. Can't help that. Just remember..."
"Taisho," Byakuya's voice cut in as he appeared beside them. "Naraku is ready to see you."
Sesshoumaru glanced down at the anxious face of the human girl. "Remember what?"
"Everything that I've said," she replied quietly.
She wasn't going to say anything more in front of Byakuya, but Sesshoumaru wondered if she would ever divulge what was truly bothering her. Kagome smelled of secrets - even deception, on occasion - but he had always ascribed that to their illegal activities. The air at the fights was saturated in the tangy scent of lies. The only bright note was Kagome's genuine warmth towards him. She would come around eventually.
"I will see you tomorrow evening," he said, turning to follow the other demon.
"She's a clingy one," laughed Byakuya as they made their way towards the back of the warehouse floor.
Sesshoumaru's gaze deflated any humor in his companion. "She is none of your concern."
The demon sniffed and waved aside the two, hulking creatures that stood on either side of a staircase that led up to the office above. "Perhaps not, but I'll give you some advice, my friend. Continuing to associate with humans like that one won't score you any points with Naraku," he said.
"Offer me any more advice, and I will remove your throat," Sesshoumaru replied as he started to climb up the stairs alone.
"You should play nice, Sesshoumaru!" called Byakuya after him.
"Yes. That does sound like me," scoffed the dog demon.
The windows of the office had been blacked out with paint, although a couple of them were chipped enough to show that this was not Naraku's regular haunt. When Sesshoumaru didn't detect any movement, he pushed open the door to find only a cheap desk and, beneath the windows, a large mirror. He had only just turned to study it when the door opened again.
"Sesshoumaru Taisho," murmured the dark-haired man that entered. He didn't extend a hand, but only crossed the room to lean up against the desk as a pair of thugs hovered at the threshold. "I've been hearing so much about you. You've been quite successful at my fights. You're good for business." He smiled, and Sesshoumaru noticed that his eyes glowed a faint crimson. "Although, you'd be even better for business if you lost once in awhile."
"I will not throw a fight," said the taiyoukai.
Naraku's smile didn't waver, although his expression seemed to darken. "I know that you have your pride." He stood straighter. "But that can be quite the problem, can't it? You were once a brilliant and successful prizefighter, Sesshoumaru. And now, you're here in my little establishment, living off of scraps by fighting the adrenalin junkies and the truly stupid."
"Your point, Naraku?"
"You could be making so much more working for me."
Sesshoumaru glanced at the other two, silent occupants of the room. "As your muscle, standing around as if I had no brain and no ambition?" he asked with a sneer.
Naraku smirked. "Why would I waste such talent as yours?" he asked. "Why should you waste your talents? It would solve both of our problems, after all. I need someone that I could rely upon."
"And what is my problem that you are looking to solve?" asked the taiyoukai.
"Aside from your deplorable conditions in that hovel you call a home?" The spider demon chuckled softly. "Be honest, Sesshoumaru. You need to feel like someone of importance. Someone of authority and stature. You might be surviving right now, but it's not going to last. And they will never take you back in the professional rings. Not if they find out that you've stooped this low."
Sesshoumaru's body went taut in an instant. "Are you threatening to expose me?" he growled.
The smile was back. "I'm saying that I like having you around, and I would hate for you to leave." His eyes flickered to the door. "So would that little human of yours. What was her name?"
"Kagome Takahashi," grunted one of his bodyguards.
Naraku nodded. "Right. Ms. Takahashi is quite the little addict. Are you sure it's wise to be around such a woman? She's certain to destroy herself. And anyone too close to her."
"You will not touch her," seethed Sesshoumaru.
The spider demon's face darkened. "You're living in a world of make believe if you think that you affect any decision of mine," he said. "I'm giving you an opportunity here, Sesshoumaru. One that so many would kill for. You've become somewhat of an investment, and I want bigger returns."
"And if I refuse?"
Naraku shrugged. "I make money off of you either way. But you might want to ask yourself if you're really prepared to spend the rest of your life fighting for a few bucks in front of a small crowd of drunks and gambling addicts. I do have connections. I could return you to the top of the professional world, if that's what you truly want. But I expect payback with that, as well."
He was not tempted - a return to his former status with Naraku as his patron would have no glory at all - but the threats were something different. He wished that Kagome hadn't been so right. "Assuming I agreed to work for you, what is my use to you?"
"Special projects," replied Naraku. "Matters which would require your personal touch, when I was unavailable."
Sesshoumaru resisted the urge to draw back. He could imagine what that meant - he'd been alive for far too long to avoid having some blood on his hands, but he wasn't looking to add to it.
Before he could respond, however, the spider demon was pulling a card from his inside jacket pocket. "Think about it. Take your time, and call me when you decide." He placed the card on the desk and motioned to the thugs, who took up the mirror and suspended it between them. "Until then," Naraku continued as he headed for the door after them, "I wish you luck in the ring."
They disappeared down the stairwell, and Sesshoumaru stood in the room for several minutes, listening to Naraku's indistinct orders as he and his security left the warehouse. The lights were shut off. Everyone else had already gone - he was alone.
The card stood out in the sliver of moonlight that managed to pass through the dusty windows to the outside. Sesshoumaru contemplated leaving it there - possibly for Naraku to find later. That would be a clear enough answer.
He thought of Kagome and the few others that Naraku had not mentioned, but of whom he was sure to know, and Sesshoumaru knew that he was not so invincible in his apparent solitude as he liked to believe. Even the bruise from his fight continued to pierce at his side.
He took the card and slipped it into his pocket, promising that he would never use it.
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