A/N: I do not own Inuyasha and its characters, that recognition belongs to the incredible Rumiko Takahashi. *This story is COPYRIGHT PROTECTED, to protect a passion that I pour my heart and soul in.*
To the new Followers/Favorites it's a pleasure and thank you! To those who've been here for a while, thank you for continuing to read this story!
I hope you enjoy it and I appreciate feedback and constructive criticisms.
-thebeastwithin0016
THIRTY ONE
They survived the five-hour flight and landed safely at JFK, and although the siblings have already taught their friends about telling time and time-zones, they were surprised to see that it's already evening when they left early in LA.
They arrived at 1 Hotel Central Park and the siblings smiled, it's the perfect hotel for their friends to stay at for their first interstate trip in the modern world. It's a nature oasis amidst the concrete buildings.
The exterior of the building's first two floors is trimmed with vibrant green foliage and wood, and the interiors exude modern elegance fused with nature; walls alternate between white marble, exposed brick walls and reclaimed wood, and living plants hung from the ceiling and adorned many flat surfaces. The eco-friendly vibe definitely helped in putting the guests from the Feudal era at ease.
They turned heads at the lobby and it wasn't just because the lead members of Gemini are here but because of the impact their group made with each of them being physically attractive, they make one good-looking bunch.
Sesshoumaru especially, had caught a lot of the women's eyes. Even the female front desk staff checking them in is having a hard time keeping her eyes off the gorgeously exotic daiyoukai.
In her ten years in the entertainment industry, Kurenai has been used to the people ogling them, but this is the first time she felt irritated and it's not even because of the attention towards her, but because of the women looking all dreamy-eyed at Sesshoumaru of all people! She fought not to show the agitation on her face but…
"This is interesting, this is the first time I've seen you make that kind of face peaches." her brother teased as they head to the elevators.
"I'm just tired from the flight brother." she reasoned indifferently but she got a knowing look as a reply.
"If you say so." Ren shrugged his shoulders but his suggestive grin didn't disappear from his face and Kurenai rolled her eyes. She's thankful that their demon companions have their exceptional hearings toned down or she would never hear the end of it.
The siblings aren't sure if they should be surprised that the additional room that their dad got them is the largest suite in the hotel. Two bedrooms with two and a half bathrooms, a living room, dining room and media room.
Kurenai can only shake her head, despite making her point clear, her dad still went the over-the-top route. But she appreciates his thoughtfulness in making sure her friends are as comfortable as possible.
The siblings agreed that the ladies should stay in the two-bedroom suite while the men will stay in the connecting king and double room that was initially booked for the siblings and Miguel. Miroku, Inuyasha and Shippo will share the king room and Ren and Sesshoumaru will stay in the double room. They got Miguel his own room, keeping him away from their big secret.
The rooms, just like the lobby, reflect nature and sustainability. Decked with reclaimed wood walls and living plants, there's even a sand timer in the shower to promote water conservation. It's also not short of luxury with insanely comfortable beds and spacious marbled walk-in shower especially at the women's suite which has bathtubs in the both bathrooms.
"Hey guys!" Kurenai hollered at the video of her fur babies on her phone. She walked to the window for better lighting, "How are you? I miss you!"
Rin and Shippo were lured by the barks echoing from her phone and they popped over their adoptive mother's shoulder to say hi to their furry friends.
"Hello Sawyer! Hello Nimbus! Toffee! We miss you!" Rin waved at the camera.
"It's really amazing that you can talk to anybody face to face no matter how far away they are mama." Shippo watched Nimbus nuzzle the screen, while Sawyer and Toffee did their own thing in the background.
Kurenai rubbed the kit's head, "Yeah, connection is important in this era; many times, we have to be away from our loved ones and we also crave new bonds and maintaining them so humans found a way to connect with each other. Oh Sango, Kirara's here!" she turned the phone towards the approaching Sango to say hi to her fur baby that stayed home.
"How are you, Kirara? Are you being good?" Kirara meowed earnestly, wiggling the silver wing charm dangling from her collar that Kurenai casted a spell on to hide her demonic features and powers, "Good girl, don't give Hannah any problems. I'll see you soon." the nekomata meowed again before the screen panned to Zodiac.
"Oh there you are! What have you been up to?" Kurenai giggled as Zodiac pawed at the screen before nuzzling it. Oh, she misses them so much. She hasn't spent much time with them since she had to travel to and from the Feudal era, and whatever time she gets to spend with them doesn't feel long enough. The red eyed promised herself to spend more time with them now that she won't be having Feudal era trips any time soon.
"I miss you too buddy. We have to go to dinner but I'll call again later okay?"
"Peaches, over here." Kurenai flipped the camera to Ren on the couch, "Behave you guys, so we'll bring home trrreeaaatoooos!" he declared which got loud barks in response and they chuckled.
"See you soon little ones! Love you!" Kurenai blew kisses on the phone, "Thanks Hannah, take care!"
Rin and Shippo waved, "Bye bye!" and dashed towards the window where Inuyasha is taking in the view of Central Park.
"Let's freshen up a bit then have dinner, I'm craving pizza so maybe we'll go out to eat?" Kurenai suggested.
"Mm, New York tends to get people in the pizza state of mind." Ren hopped off the couch, "Let's go gents! I'll message you when we're ready," he told her as they filed out of the room.
It was a beautiful night in New York, the streets are full of energy and the weather's perfect for a post-meal walk and quick sightseeing. Kurenai's cravings were satisfied by some exceptional pizzas accompanied by a tasty steak she shared with her brother topped off with a refreshing and decadent bowl of sorbet and gelato.
It's not just the great meal that gave the red eyed an extra pep in her step and a permanent smile on her face; it's being able to walk through the streets of New York with her friends from the Feudal era.
Kurenai imagined what it would be like to have her friends in her era a few times, and although there've been some drawbacks; mostly the demons' heightened senses, the reality has been wonderful. She felt giddy as they looked around with curiosity and amazement sparkling in their eyes.
But as much as they wanted to do more sightseeing, she still needs to be cautious with her ankle so they leisurely walked straight back to the hotel from the restaurant.
They decided to watch a movie in the women's suite since everyone's still buzzing from the excitement of being in New York and they won't be sleeping early despite the siblings' early call time for their performance at Good Morning America's Summer Concert Series tomorrow.
The Lion King's original animation played on the TV, but the movie night isn't as relaxing as the siblings expected.
Why? Well…
"Oh, this reminds me of that painter from hell we went up against a long time ago." Miroku fondly recalled from where he sat on the floor after hearing Ren's explanation on cartoon animation and the siblings are doused in panic.
It didn't help that Shippo walked with him down memory lane, "Oh yeah, I remember how the drawings in his scroll came to life!"
Kurenai squeezed Shippo in her arms in warning, "Right, it was so realistic, it feels like it will jump out and grab you. Right Miroku?"
"Well, it really did ju—" Miroku stopped when he turned and found Kurenai with a wide-eyed glare and subtly pointing her mouth to Miguel's direction. The monk got the message and nervously continued, "Ye-yeah, that painter's amazingly talented. My painting was nowhere good as his."
Miguel leaned into Ren, "I'm sorry Ren but how deep in the forests of Japan did Kurenai go to find these friends of hers?" Ren chuckled at the question, releasing some of the panic he felt at Miroku's slip up. He's grateful that his assistant didn't read much into the statements thrown.
"Don't hate on simple, tech-free living Miguel, I'd like to move to a quaint little cottage in the woods myself." Ren tried to divert Miguel's dangerous curiosity.
"Oh yeah? Will you leave a trail of breadcrumbs for the women? Send pigeons?" the assistant rolled his eyes at his boss, "I'm not hating, it's just hard to think that there are still people who are unaware of TVs and cartoons and cars and Kurenai actually found them. I feel like we should be watching Tarzan instead."
Kurenai's chuckle slipped into their hushed conversation, "That's a great idea for our next movie night!"
This is another drawback of the sudden arrival of their friends from the Feudal era. They kept the circle that knows about Kurenai's time traveling very small and they plan to keep it that way, but it was easier when it was just the red eyed disappearing for a few days. It's harder to keep two dog demons, a kitsune, a demon slayer with a size shifting cat, and a monk with a vacuum in his hand under wraps when they attract attention with their physical features and newborn-like curiosity especially with their celebrity lifestyle surrounding them with people they can't trust completely and a frequent exposure to the public eye.
The movie ended without further incident and their friends were able to enjoy the movie despite having to be mindful with what they say.
"Goodnight Papa! See you tomorrow!" Rin waved to Sesshoumaru as the men walked out of the room.
"Hn. Sleep well Rin." He replied to the young girl who's hand-in-hand with her adoptive mother. His eyes climbed to Kurenai's beautiful face and was fascinated at seeing her blushed cheeks. He realized that Rin addressing him as papa has an effect on Kurenai and it seems to be an effect that's favorable to him and it gave him an idea.
Sesshoumaru looked straight into her luscious red orbs, not bothering to mask how much he admires them as much as the woman who owns them, "Goodnight, Kurenai."
Her reaction was instant, she blushed deeper and surprise welled in her eyes but was able to regain her composure and bowed slightly. "Have a good night as well, Sesshoumaru."
The daiyoukai found Kurenai's changing expressions amusing and his chest swelled with satisfaction as he turned to follow the others back to their room with the image of the blushing Kurenai engraved in his mind until he fell asleep.