(Inuyasha's POV)
"Uuugh…my head…w-where…what…?" Inuyasha's efforts to open his eyes prove be futile when he is met with nothing but blinding sunlight. His eyelashes are fluttering uselessly against his cheeks as if he has not opened his eyes in years. By the feel of the silk sheets underneath him he can tell that he is in his room so someone must have drawn the curtains to his window.
"Inuyasha-kun?" Rin's head soon comes into view and blocks the light from his face which allows him to finally open them fully.
"Rin-chan?"
"Mmhm!" Her worried frown is soon replaced by her usual bright cherry smile as he sits up against the headboard. What was she worried about? "Are you okay Inuyasha-kun? How do you feel?"
"Uh…" Not that she mentions it, he feels kind of strange. "I'm really, really hungry and I feel so drowsy and weak…and heavy for some reason. And uh my head feels like someone is hammering away at it."
"Well, I can definitely help you with your hunger, but all those other symptoms are going to have to go away on their own, gomen." He watches in confusion as she sits up from her crouching position to place a cool rag on his forehead. When he reaches his hand up to scratch his head, a clear tube catches his attention, and he blinks at his arm when he notices a medical IV coming out of his wrist. When his eyes follow the trail of the tube, he is shocked to find a clear bag filled with some type of substance mounted on a silver pole next to his bed.
"W-What happened to me?"
"Sesshomaru-sama had Master Jaken and I hook up this IV so you wouldn't starve, which makes sense considering that you've been out of it for five days."
"Nani?! What do you mean? How can someone sleep for five whole days?!"
"Ano…I mean you did spend most of the time asleep, but you weren't asleep the entire time." She taps her chin and looks up at ceiling as if she is just thinking out loud and Inuyasha can only sigh at her airheaded attitude. This is serious! He cannot remember a single thing after giving Sesshomaru-sama his Christmas gifts.
"Rin-chan I can't remember anything. Can you tell me what happened to me? Did I get sick?"
"Well, no…" She looks away but he remains silent until she makes eye-contact with him again. When she does, she sighs at his pleading halcyon puppy eyes and takes a seat next to him on the king sized-bed. "You didn't really get sick, but I guess you could say that you went into shock. Sesshomaru-sama told me he carried you upstairs Christmas night after you passed out and you slept all morning. You finally woke up a few minutes after Master Jaken and I arrived, but you seemed…um really out of it to say the least. You kept crying, screaming, throwing things and we just did not know what to do. Sesshomaru-sama just watched from the doorway as we tried to calm you down, but nothing seemed to be working. You wouldn't even respond to your own name..."
"What…? I did all of that…?" Why can't he remember any of this and why would he do such a thing? Was he throwing a fit…? That is not likely; neither of his parents tolerated such behavior from him. Therefore, he never really threw "fits", he would just pout if he did not get his way.
"Yes…even Sesshomaru-sama almost ended up getting hurt when you threw a lamp, but luckily he ducked, and it crashed against the wall." His eyes widen as an uncontrollable shiver runs down his spine. Surely, he is going to get punished for acting up like this!
"How did you guys stop me? Did Sesshomaru-sama punish me?"
"Mmm-mm," She shakes her head matter-of-factly as she drains another rag to wipe his face. "He left for a minute and came back with a sedative. We held you down as he pushed the needle into your neck and within a few seconds you were out cold."
"Oh…"
"This would explain why you don't remember anything. He had to use that sedative three more times because every time you woke up, you reacted the same way. That's most likely why you feel so weak and drowsy too. And also, why you stayed in and out of consciousness for five whole days…I doubt that Sesshomaru-sama has special sedatives for children laying around, you know?"
"But…why? Why was I acting so crazy in the first place Rin-chan?"
"Umm…mm that's because…" She trails off nervously and Inuyasha grabs the hand she was using to wipe down his neck and shoulders pleadingly.
"Please tell me. I'm so confused!"
"Well, Inuyasha-kun…you must have gone into shock after learning…about umm, about your father's death—"
"Enough!" The girl jumps off the bed when her master's intimidating form suddenly appears in the doorway. "That's enough Rin, you are dismissed."
"Y-Yes Sesshomaru-sama, pardon me." She offers a shaky bow before grabbing the small wash basin she had with her and scurrying from the room with her head held low. Inuyasha remains silent as the memories from a few days ago come rushing back to him like water gushing through a broken dam. That is right…he learned that his dad died…he died protecting him! Everything is entirely his fault! His mom and dad are dead because of him! Why…How could something like this happen?! Things like this should not happen…What has he ever done to deserve this? What has his sweet mother and caring father ever done to anybody? Except have a mistake of a son like him who ended their lives! He does not deserve to be here right now. It should have been him instead of them—
"INUYASHA, snap out if it!" His small hand flies to his now stinging cheek as he stares up at his brother with pain leaking out of him in the form of tears. It takes him a moment to register that the numb pain he feels now is from the vicious smack he just received but he could not care less. He cannot even relish in the fact that his brother just used his name for the first time. Sesshomaru continues to glare down at the boy as he grabs a firm hold of his petite shoulders. "Just stop it alright?!"
"B-But S-Sesshomaru-sama…Tosan…Kaasan…all m-my—"
"Urasai! I don't want to hear it." Sesshomaru releases him as his small body falls limp against the headboard in defeat. He only stands there as the boy blankly stares down at his open palms resting in his lap.
"…"
"Hey…" The Yakuza lord is slightly relieved but slightly concerned when the boy looks up at him evenly. "If you are able to speak calmly then I will lend you my ears." He crosses his arms tightly as his back finds the wall nearest to the boy seated on the bed. Inuyasha's empty expression dissolves all at once and it looks as if he is going to start crying again so the teen adds on, "But if you start crying again then I will leave and forbid you from talking to me ever again."
The adolescent's gulp is audible around the large room and Sesshomaru only stares up at the ceiling as he wipes at his red eyes vigorously. When he speaks again, he manages to control his sobbing but he has to take a pause between words as hiccups rock his already trembling body. "I-Is it—Hic! Really tru—Hic!-e? Otosan, is he—Hic! really g-gone? Hic!"
"Yes."
He hides his face in his hands in an effort to stop himself from crying and it takes a few minutes before he can start talking again but he notices how Sesshomaru does not seem to be growing impatient with him. "Sesshomaru-sama…"
"…"
"Do y-you think t-this is all my fault too?"
"And why do you feel accountable for their deaths? From what I have been told, their deaths are the results of some fire. A freak accident according to Myoga since the police cannot find the cause of it."
Inuyasha's grip on the sheets becomes painfully tight as he shuts his eyes as firmly as possible. "B-Because I think I-I caused the fire…"
"…Explain."
"Mom always told me not to use the stove when she's not home but I came home from school, and she wasn't there. She left me a note saying that she'd be back in fifteen minutes, but I was hungry and tried to make some instant ramen. I thought that she didn't have faith in me and still saw me as a baby even though I'm turning ten soon, so I broke her rules. I made the ramen with no problem and when I was done, I laid down on the sofa to take a nap…when I-I w-woke up, dad was lifting me up in his arms and we were both coughing. There was…so much smoke…but I still managed to see my mother one last time as he ran out of the house. She was trapped under a fallen column from the roof, and it was on fire…no matter how many times I c-called her…she refused to open her eyes! She just wouldn't! She didn't respond or anything and dad just took me outside and placed me in the arms of a medic. He tried to run back inside but a firefighter stopped him because of all his awful injuries. The last thing I saw before I blacked out was father fighting the fireman and ignoring the fact that he was coughing up blood…"
"And again, how are you accountable? You said that you made the ramen just fine."
"I did but I must have left the stove on. I really t-thought I turned it off but…I must have left it on. I should have listened to mom. I'm such an idiot! She only had a few simple rules for me, and I couldn't even follow those…"
"…"
The elder's silence leads him to jump to the conclusion that the lord is now disgusted with him and the thought makes his chest feel all tight as his heart aches against his ribs. He lowers his head further and allows his hair to act as a curtain to shield his pitiful form from his brother's view. "You hate me now, don't y-you? Since I killed otosan, you must surely—"
"Nonsense." His head snaps up in surprise as his older brother elaborates. "No, I couldn't hate you. To hate someone, you must possess strong feelings towards them. It's just like love. You must care a great deal about that person to claim that you hate them and quite frankly I don't feel that strongly about you at all."
"…" He does not know whether that is a good thing or not!
"No," His narrow eyes finally open as he continues, "I don't feel strongly enough about anyone to say I love or hate them…well correction, I only feel that way about one person."
"Your kaasan, right? You love her."
"Tsk," Inuyasha cocks his head to the side in confusion when his question prompts a harsh scoff. "Hardly…what a joke. No, I love no one and I only hate your beloved father."
"What?! You hate dad? Why? How could you possibly—"
"The reason does not matter." He interjects curtly. "As for your senseless guilt, it is unnecessary so forget about it."
"But—"
"You must have some faith in the legal system. If the fire was indeed caused by your actions, then they would have been able to identify it as a simple stove fire but they labeled it as a freak accident which means the cause is unknown."
"So…I didn't cause it?"
"That is what I'm saying."
"…" Really? He cannot help the feeling of relief and calm that overwhelms him. He did not kill his parents! It was not his fault!
"In any case, how are you feeling?"
He is caught off guard by the random question but shakes his head slightly before responding, "Un, I feel fine now. Still a little weak and heavy but I'm fine."
"Good, we leave in an hour. I'll send Rin up here to get you ready." Sesshomaru states impassively as he makes towards the door. As his hand touches the doorknob, the boy stops him with a question.
"We leave? Where are we going?" He is not at all surprised when the man leaves without a word. The silver haired boy barely gets the chance to let his rabid thoughts settle down before Rin appears with some clothes clutched to her chest. She hands him a milk box and peanut butter crackers to wade off his hunger as she undresses him and proceeds to re-dress him in clothes that are actually his size. First, she puts him in a grayish-silver button-up long sleeve shirt before pulling a pale purple sweater over his head. The silver collar pokes out over the light purple one and matches the purple logo on the sweater. He makes her turn around as he pulls on the straight legged khaki pants and allows her to tie and buckle the complicated ash gray-black boots onto his feet. "Rin do you know where we're going that requires us to get all fancy?" He questions as she runs a brush through his tough tangles. He does not think he has every dressed up so fancy before.
"Not we, just you and Sesshomaru-sama—" She is interrupted by his offended cough from the light cologne she accidently sprayed in his face. "Ah gomen, and you two are going to Naraku-sama's New Year's Eve party. Make sure you are on your best behavior. Naraku-sama is Lord Sesshomaru's boss."
"His boss? Uh! What does Sesshomaru-sama do exactly?"
"You don't know? He's a Yakuza underboss duh."
"Ya-ku-za? Eh?"
"You know like the mafia." She states matter-of-factly.
"EEEH?!"
"Is he ready?" They both jump when Jaken pokes his head through the door.
"Yep!" Rin's smile is borderline disturbing as she pushes the unwilling boy towards the door. How can she be so okay with sending him to party filled will thugs?!
"C-C-Chotto matte! Wait Rin-chan, won't this mean that this party will be filled with—"
"Of course with different mafia bosses, connections, and clients."
"Eh?!" His protest is stopped before it could even start when Jaken roughly grabs hold of his ear roughly and guides him down the stairs in a hurry. "Oi!"
"Come on boy, Sesshomaru-sama is waiting! Are you trying to get us both killed? Dumb child."
"Hey let go—"
"Hurry up, this way." He almost trips when they head out the front door and towards the black limo parked in the driveway.
"Ow, let go of me you freak!" Inuyasha rudely slaps the imp's hand away from his ear and throws him a glare for good measure.
"Freak?! Who are you calling a freak, you insolent brat!?"
Sesshomaru rolls down the window in time to hear his little brother shout back with an angry pout on his red face. "Hey, you're the one with the green skin, bald head, and bulging yellow eyes! You look like a sewer monster. And that's not my fault, Hmpt!"
"H-How cruel! You little brat! Sesshomaru-sama~" Inuyasha only puffs his cheeks out indignantly when the short man starts to cry for his master, but his glare soon falters when light chuckling captures his attention. They both look over to the car to find their lord with his eyes closed and right hand over his mouth trying to muffle his chuckles. Inuyasha's eyes widen in pleasant alarm as his brother's laughter seems to sparkle along with his presence in the waning sunlight. He cannot help but think that if he was girl that would be kind of pretty…well actually he is still kind of pretty…A blush stains his tan cheeks and he shakes his head slightly to rid himself of the weird thoughts.
"Sesshomaru-sama…" Jaken sniffles meekly which brings the teen back to reality.
"Erm, eh-hem get in. Don't waste my time!"
They both jump to do as told with Jaken getting into the driver's side while Inuyasha joins his brother in the back seat. In all honesty, he must admit that he was looking forward to spending some time alone with his older brother, but his hopes are quickly squashed when the man gets on his cell phone as soon as Jaken pulls out of the estate. He pouts habitually as he rests his elbows on his lap and face in his palms and decides to settle for just watching the lord instead. He has on a dark purple long sleeve shirt, a fancy long white leather coat, black slacks to match, and perfect pristine white boots. His eyes light up when he realizes that he also has on the white tie he bought him for Christmas and cannot help smiling at the inattentive man. What also catches his attention is the white gold ring with a purple sapphire mounted in the middle resting on his ring finger…hasn't he seen this ring somewhere before? Oh! His father told him about that ring when he was showing him a picture of his own father wearing it in an old photo. His dad told him that that ring was very precious and when Inuyasha asked where it was, he told him that he already gave it to a very precious person. If Sesshomaru-sama really hates their father, why would he wear his grandfather's ring? Could it be that he does not really hate him? Inuyasha tries his very best to stay up and wait for his brother to get off the phone but after thirty minutes the sedative still in his system gets the better of him and he falls into a deep slumber.
"Hey, wake up…get up…hey do you want another smack?"
Amber eyes flutter open to meet matching ones and Inuyasha nearly has a heart-attack when he realizes that his brother is leaning over his laid out form. He is face to face with his flawless features and he does not know why but their closeness causes his cheeks to burn, and he knows he must be blushing. "Uh what?
"We're here." To his relief the elder sits up and the boy follows suit groggily. "Listen: don't speak unless spoken to, you are to stay by me at all times, and you are to address everyone here with Sama or Miss, understood?"
"Yes, Sesshomaru-sama."
"I'm warning you, if you embarrass This Sesshomaru in any way whatsoever then you will be marking the end to your short life." The boy gulps at the seriousness in his cold eyes and can only nod since his throat suddenly dried up. "Good."
Inuyasha's already big eyes widen further when the elder pulls a chrome white gun out of his briefcase and hooks it onto his belt underneath his shirt. "Let's go."
Jaken opens the door on cue, and he follows the Yakuza lord outside to come face to face with a mansion even bigger than Sesshomaru's. The manor must be at least three times its' size but is much gloomier in comparison. The actual house is ash black and dark purple which leaves him to wonder who would live in such a dark house. Even the windows are one hundred percent tinted and impossible to see through. Although there are lights lite up in lanterns hanging everywhere, the place still gives off an ominous feeling that is hard to shake off. It must have been a long drive to this area because the sun is already setting past the horizon, and it seems as this place absorbs darkness much quicker than the other areas. Quite frankly the property is just plain spooky. He had been hiding behind his brother's leg so when the man suddenly steps forward his little hand shoots out instantly to grab the big strong one in front of him. This stops Sesshomaru in his tracks and the boy cringes a bit when said teen looks down at him in unadulterated astonishment. His look prompts him let go of his hand and hang his head down, but he does still hold on tightly to his leather coat sleeve. The elder does not seem to mind that since he ignores him and continues his elegant stride towards the entrance. It is not long before heavy knocks echo around as he pounds on the door and Inuyasha frowns when a giddy woman's voice rings in his sensitive ears.
"Sesshomaru-sama~, I knew you'd come for me! This is the most wonderful present a guy could ask for, hee-hee." Guy?! His head whips up and sure enough there is a weird looking guy standing in the doorway. Even though he is a man, he has on red lipstick, tight black pants, boots that reach up to his knees, and a completely unbuttoned red shirt. The purple tattoos on his cheeks are also oddly eye-catching. How weird… "Oh!" Inuyasha cringes in fear when the man suddenly catches him staring. "Oh kami, is this your little brother?"
"…"
"How kawai!" He tries to hide himself even more behind his brother's leg when the creep crouches down to get eyelevel with him. "Aw, what's your name cutie-pie~?"
"Um, my name is Inuyasha…sir." He adds on remembering Sesshomaru's orders to address everyone formally.
"Oooh I like it. I might make you mine when you get older—if you're lucky that is." His wink makes his body shudder in disgust and all he can think is this creep is lucky that he is supposed to be on his best behavior! "Don't forget my name cutie, it's—"
"Jakotsu, get out of my way. Don't waste my time."
"Aw, yes boss." Inuyasha watches as the now pouting man named Jakotsu does exactly as told and opens the door wider to allow them entry. "Naraku-sama is in the ballroom." As they walk in Inuyasha clutches on tighter and presses himself closer against his brother, if possible. There are an unimaginable amount of intimidating looking adults littered around the foyer drinking and laughing. Live classical music and light jazz can be heard emanating from the band by the bar near the doorway to what must be the ballroom. The inside of the manor lets off the same apocalyptic feeling as the outside of it. The walls are deep purple and there are a lot of black and gold statues of creepy figures decorated everywhere. Judging by the multiple portraits and carved columns lining the wall, it feels more like a museum rather than someone's home. The only reason why it is not super dark is because of the ginormous chandler illuminating the place from the purple ceiling. He does not get long to look around before Sesshomaru is on the move once again. As they pass multiple guests all of them bow in respect and murmur greetings like:
"It's nice to see you made it Sesshomaru-sama," and "What a wonderful surprise Sesshomaru-sama," or "Let me know if you need anything Lord Sesshomaru." Many of them also cowered in fear or fled the room when they saw him coming. Well, it seems like he is not the only one afraid of his aniki. The ballroom is filled with even more people and contains another band in it along with tables filled with hors d'oeuvres and liquor. Sesshomaru once again ignores all the guests that try in vain to speak with him and instead makes his way to the back of the room. Inuyasha's body goes rigid when he realizes that they are steadily approaching the dark man who must be Naraku. He is sitting on what looks like a throne with his elbow resting on the armrest and cheek resting on his fist. He is wearing something similar to what he was in the painting on the wall, the dark kimono. His face was politely blank before he saw them approaching but his sudden grin disturbs Inuyasha more than his expressionless stare. Inuyasha tries to spare a worried glance up at his brother but the older of the two completely ignores him and continues to walk until they are directly in front of the frightening man. There is a long-haired average looking man standing to his right and a shorter boy who looks younger than Sesshomaru with white-lilac hair and Prussian purple eyes on his left. The boy also smiled when they came within their line of vision while the other man remained unmoved.
"Sesshomaru."
Inuyasha looks over in surprise when said teen suddenly shifts to kneel on one knee and bow his head before the man. Although he is beyond shocked at his high-and-mighty brother's actions he follows suit quickly and bows his head just as deeply all the while not letting go of the Yakuza lord's sleeve. "Naraku-sama I do hope that you are doing well."
"Hmm, I'm doing quite well indeed," Even the man's voice is chillingly snake-like, "It is a pleasure to see you finally attending one of my non-mandatory get-to-getters. I was starting to think that you did not appreciate my invitations."
"I appreciate everything you give me and everything you do, Boss." Sesshomaru's voice is perfectly even, and his expression is void of all emotion, so it is hard for the boy to tell whether he is serious or not.
"Hmm, perfect answer per usual Sesshomaru. This is why you are my favorite. You know exactly what to say and do in every and any situation which is fairly admirable for someone so young."
"…"
"Chotto matte, uncle~" Inuyasha glances up briefly between his bangs at the white-haired boy's whine and thinks that he sounds even younger than himself. "Did you just say that he's your favorite? How could you say that in front of your own nephew?! How mean!"
"And your own cousin." The brown-haired man adds casually. He does not really seem all that bothered by it.
"Well if you two weren't so useless then I would not have to feel this way."
"I get all my duties done!" The boy shouts back angrily and Inuyasha must admire his nerve. He would never yell at such a scary looking man, but Naraku only smiles at his nephew as if he were entertained by his rudeness.
"That may be the case Akago but Sesshomaru could get it done more efficiently. Same goes for you Muso. You leave all you work to your henchmen while you chase after some useless woman. If you two were not my dear relatives then I would have had your worthless heads mounted over my fireplace long ago." How the two are able to remain unworried after hearing something so bloodthirsty is beyond him.
"Well excuse the hell out of me—"
"Exactly," Inuyasha listens closely when his brother interrupts the one named Akago and as he finally stands back up. And once again he mimics his older brother's actions by jumping to his own feet. "Naraku-sama. That is why you should just strip them of their territories and rank and simply bestow them upon me. That would be in the best interest of your ever-growing empire." All three of them looked stunned at his declaration but Akago covers his face as he breaks into a fit of giggles while Naraku smiles and Muso shrugs.
"How bold Sesshomaru, you truly do amuse me."
"How rude Sesshomaru-senpai, you would really steal my rights to my ojisama's land? How foolish of you to even try. That would give you way too much power! That's why he breaks it up into sectors in the first place silly billy, use that head of yours." As Akago teases him, the lord's hands clench dangerously but the purple boy seems completely unaffected by his daunting glare.
"Sesshomaru who is that with you?" Naraku asks after his amused narrow red eyes dance between the two teenagers in interest.
"No one worth mentioning, it will only be a waste to do so my lord."
"Humor me." He insists with a dangerous gleam in his eyes.
"…This is Inuyasha…he is my otouto."
"Oh? How intriguing. Well, you and your little brother are dismissed. Enjoy yourselves." Inuyasha's stomach gives a nauseating churn when the man's sharp blood red eyes land on him and he could not be happier when Sesshomaru turns to walk away from the trio. The whole mood seemed to be tense and strained. Aren't these supposed to be Sesshomaru-sama's friends? What a forced friendship…
"Hey there honey." He focuses in time to catch a glance of Kagura before being pulled into a suffocating hug. "And good evening to you Sesshomaru-kun, you're looking dashing as always." Inuyasha does not know why but when Kagura suddenly grabs his aniki's face and places a wet kiss on each on his pale cheeks, leaving two red kiss stains in the process, a surge of anger rushes through him. Or is it jealousy? Why would he be jealous? Well, everyone does seem to be stealing his aniki's attention from him which is just no fair! It seems like everyone is always all over Sesshomaru and he must admit…he does not like it! He smiles however when he is the only one who catches the very deep and disgusted grimace that darkens the teen's features before she pulls away to face his blank façade.
"Absurd, I look like a peasant compared to your grandeur." T brothers almost roll their amber eyes at her girlish giggle, but she does not appear to notice.
"Hey, I was wondering Sesshomaru-kun, could we dance maybe? I know you've told me that it isn't your style but come on, try something different on New Year's Eve." There goes the strong feeling of jealousy within him, but he ignores it and stares up at the man for his response. Every fiber in his little being is screaming for him to reject her but Sesshomaru does not even glance in his direction.
When he opens his mouth however, he is interrupted by a cheerful, "Sesshomaru-senpai~" All three of them look over to spot Akago running over to them with a bright smile on his face as he animatedly waves them down. Sesshomaru's face practically turns to stone and they remain quiet until the younger teen catches up with them.
"What Akago?"
"We need to talk senpai. Don't you remember?"
"Of course, I do. Let us step outside." Inuyasha almost forgot that he was still attached to him until the man suddenly grabbed his wrist and disconnect his grip from his jacket.
"Heeheehee, sorry Kagura-chan its business but we won't be too long."
"No problem Akago-san…"
"Inuyasha stay with Kagura." Sesshomaru keeps his back to him as he speaks and Inuyasha cannot help but frown. Will he ever get to spend time with his illusive brother?
"H-Hai…" Both stare on helplessly as the two disappear into the crowd and out on to the veranda.
"Well why don't we go find something delicious to eat, honey?"
"Mm!" She laughs when his stomach growls in agreement and grabs his little hand before leading him to one of the dessert tables. Soon enough he gets lost in the endless supply of cookies, pies, cakes, and other treats so he does not notice anyone approach them until a man's deep voice makes him glance back up in curiosity.
"Evening Kagura-chan," Inuyasha cocks his head to the side when a man with long braided black hair and blue eyes kisses the back of Kagura's hand, causing the woman to blush slightly.
"And a good evening to you Bankotsu-kun."
"Could I ask you for your hand in this dance?" He flashes her with a "charming" smirk, and it is as if the grown woman is putty in his hands.
"Uh well I would love to but umm…" Blue eyes follow red ones and Inuyasha raises an eyebrow when they end up staring at him and his chocolate covered face.
"Who is that?"
"This is Sesshomaru's little brother."
"Eh? Hmm, interesting…"
"Miss Kagura you can go dance. I'll be fine."
"Are you sure Hun?"
"Mm, I won't go anywhere. I wouldn't want to anyway." She chuckles when he glances back over to the sweets and nods at him.
"Okay, I'll be back soon."
"Kay.'" As they disappear onto the dance floor, he decides to find a plate and after loading it up with sweets he takes a seat on a plush chair located right next to the table. He must have had tunnel vision on his plate from heaven for at least fifteen minutes so when he looks up suddenly to come face to face with light violet eyes his heart almost gives out. "U-Uh!"
"Hee-hee so adorable." Akago closes his eyes in a smile, but Inuyasha cannot help but feel nervous around the strange boy. "Hmm, why is there so much chocolate on your cheeks?"
"Oh umm, well people say I'm a messy eater…especially when I'm eating treats...so…"
"Aw how cute, should I call you sweet-cheeks then?"
"Erm, no I—!" He blinks as the young Yakuza lord leans in and licks the chocolate right off his face.
"Mmm de-li-ci-ous~"
"Don't do that!" What is wrong with the people in this city? Is this type of thing normal over here?!
"Aaaaw~ you're blushing!"
"Get away from me, you creep—Ah!" He covers his mouth frantically when he remembers what Sesshomaru said about respecting everyone or dying. His body begins to tremble when Akago blinks in shock.
"Fiery too? I love it!" He sighs in relief when the weirdo suddenly cracks an amused smile. "Come with me sweet-cheeks."
"…" Inuyasha's eyebrows furrow as he examines the pale hand waiting patiently for his own.
"What's wrooooong?" He whines impatiently.
"Sesshomaru-sama told me to stay put and not to leave Miss Kagura's side…"
"Oh! Do not worry about that silly. Sesshomaru knows about this. He does not have a problem with me getting to know you. He said you can come with me anywhere I like."
"…He said that?"
"Hai, hai. And don't you want to come and play with Akago-nichan~? I have a big, big house and an indoor pool too! And there is also a room filled with toys and video games. And there's plenty of kids your age and older there to play with."
"Hontoni?"
"Mmhm." He nods encouragingly as Inuyasha scratches the side of his head.
"I-I don't think I—"
"Not to mention I have three puppies, a bunny, a turtle, four hamsters, and two kitties—"
"You have a kitty?!"
"Yep! Two of em'!" He prompts with a playful smirk.
"Well, Uuuh…you're sure that Sesshomaru-sama said it's okay?"
"Mhmmmmm~"
"Even me going to your house? Will he pick me up later?"
"Sure, anything you want baby." How strange…but he has not seen anyone his age in a while and he really wants to see those kittens! And after all…Sesshomaru-sama did say it was okay…right?
"O-Okay…" Akago waits patiently with an unidentifiable glint in his eyes as the boy hesitatingly places his small hand in the pale one before him. The elder tenderly interlocks their fingers before helping him off the tall chair and leading them back to the foyer and soon out the front door…
(Sesshomaru's POV)
How annoying…why can't he shake off this funny feeling? His eyes gently close as the smoke from his cigarette streams out of his flared nostrils. The Yakuza lord is currently leaning over the banister on the balcony and endeavoring to halt his thought process with little success much to his disdain. The night air blows his strands of silver-white hair all around his refined face and licks at the exposed flesh of his collarbone harshly as he attempts to empty his overactive mind. The full moon reflects off his whole essence: his hair, his eyes, his porcelain skin, everything. He allows himself to get lost in nature and almost achieves his goal of abandoning his thoughts but of course something always stops him from getting what he wants. This time the something comes in the form of Kagura's frantic heels against the cement floor of the veranda.
"Sesshomaru!"
"What is it Kagura?" He does not even have to glance at the woman to know she is in a complete panic.
"Inuyasha is missing! I only took my eyes off of him for a second and he just disappeared!"
"…"
"I searched everywhere for him and I-I'm just so sorry, I'm so sorry but I just can't find him anywhere. You've got to help me look!"
"…" Her red painted mouth falls open in disbelief as the teen only takes another slow uncaring drag of his cigarette for a response.
"Sesshomaru, what are you doing? We are wasting time here! He could be in danger—"
"I know where he is." He interrupts the hysterical woman coolly.
"W-Well then…where…?"
"He is with Akago."
"What?!"
"You heard me." He can hear the slam of her closing the doors and the clickety-clack of her heels as she draws nearer to him, but he does not open his eyes until she snatches the cigarette from between his alabaster lips. Cold piercing eyes meet fierce red ones as the two stare each other down.
"Sesshomaru, what's the meaning of this? What in the world is that little boy doing with Akago?"
"That is none of your concern and you would do best to mind your own business."
"WHAT IS HE DOING WITH HIM DAMMIT?!" Sesshomaru turns to face her when he notices that her outburst caused some people from behind the door to pause and whisper in concern.
His hand harshly clamps down over her mouth and he nearly growls into her ear. "You better lower your fucking voice Kagura!"
He allows her to pry his hand away and stumble back meekly as they glare at each other. "Then you better start explaining."
"Inuyasha simply became a bargaining tool. I wanted something from Akago and he in turn wanted Inuyasha. That is all there is to it."
"Akago is a sick demented sex slave trafficker! How in the hell could you give your own little brother away to such a twisted little cretin? How can you sleep at night knowing that sweet innocent child will be used by God knows how many men for all types of dirty favors that I'm sure you can imagine! Huh?!"
"Kagura shut your damn mouth! If you must know Akago informed me that he has a personal collection and that is where Inuyasha is going. He wants him all to himself…"
"Is that supposed to be any better? Can you honestly stomach the thought of him being used for Akago's sick games?" As if on cue the lord's stomach flips unconsciously as unsuppressed nausea overpowers him. What the hell does he care? Inuyasha had nothing to do with him in the first place and this all worked out in his favor. The boy was able to become useful to him in the end. Images of his brother's smiling and red tinted face force their way through his defense, and he knows that he must change the topic soon or he will get lost in those unpleasant feelings once again. When he glances back to the woman in front of him, he shakes his head at her crying form. He steps closer slowly and gently but firmly pulls her hands away from her face.
"Kagura…"
"How…could…you!" He does allow his eyes to roll at her childish sniffle between every word, but all irritation is void from his tone when he tries to soothe her.
"I apologize if this upset you but let us forget about it." Her head snaps up so she can stare at him in angered disbelief, but he continues soothingly before she can open her impudent mouth. "Don't you love me?"
"Ah, S-Sesshomaru…I…" Hook, line, and sinker.
"If you do, why do you not trust me?" His eyes close as he allows their foreheads to press together and nose to brush against hers in what he knows most people would consider as affection. "Don't you want to start a new life with me?"
"A l-life with you!? You would…want that from me?"
"I would not find anyone better even if I spent all of eternity searching." He smirks as her eyes glaze over in what must be love and happiness but what she says next almost makes him loose his composure.
"But what about…Inuyasha…we have to get…him first…right?"
"What about him? We can start our own family."
"Our own family?" She whispers incredulously as their lips inch closer together. Her blush at this point has painted her entire face red and he is sure she cannot even recall her own name. All she can think about is how dare Kami create a being so sinfully sexy! Or is it the devil?
"Hn, and if we had a girl, we could name her…Kana." He watches with mock sincerity and hidden amusement when more mascara tainted tears slide down her powered face. She is clearly thinking about her deceased little sister now. "How does that sound? We could just forget all of our worries together…"
"For…get?" Her eyebrows furrow and right when the space between their lips were about to become non-existent, Sesshomaru's eyes fly open in shock when the older woman smacks him hard across his face. "No! I am not stupid! You cannot just use people like this Sesshomaru! People are here to love you, trust you, laugh with you, cry with you! Not for you to give away and toy with. You can't go on manipulating and stepping on the few people left that truly care about you!" What nonsense! All he can think about right now is strangling the bitch before him until she breathes her last damn breath! How dare she strike him? The murderous glint in his eyes is unmistakable as he rubs his sore cheek, but the Yakuza lady stands her ground. "You can't use me to ignore your guilt and bury your emotions. I know you feel bad for giving him away—"
"Shut up! You don't know what you're talking about!"
"Sesshomaru it's not too late! He really cherishes you—"
"Urasai before I kill you!"
She backs into the door as he advances on her with a dark expression. "You should have seen him when he was picking out your tie! He was so excited; he wanted nothing more than to make you happy. He's being trying so hard to please you and yet you—Ah!" Her eyes close as his hands lock around her long neck. His lips tug upward in a satisfied smirk as he watches the color drain from her flushed face. "H-He…wants-geh…nothing more…t-than to…s-s-tay by…your….s-side." His halcyon orbs widen when his otouto's hysterical sobbing echoes around his mind.
'S-S-Sess-sshomaru! Sesshomaru! H-How did this h-happen?'
"…" Why…
'I'M ALL ALONE NOW!'
"…" Why are his cries so clear?!
'I h-have y-you don't I? We're family r-right? Y-you won't leave m-me?'
"Tch!"
'Will you stay with m-me f-forever?'
'Say we'll be t-t-together forever, won't you? We will w-won't we?'
"KUSO!" His hands leave the woman's throat and the thud of her hitting the floor barely registers as he tugs at the ends of silky locks in distress.
"I-It's….n-not t-too late…Ses-sho…ma-ru." Somehow her hoarse whisper sets him in motion and in a flash, he is scrambling back into the ballroom where he rushes past all the important people who try to speak to him. When he finds Jaken, he yokes the green imp up and shakes him until the keys fall out of his pocket.
"L-L-Lord Sess-sh-sh-o-o-oma-ruuuu."
After scooping up the keys and tossing the green man back on the floor, he completely ignores him and dashes out the front doors of Naraku's chateau and continues his sprint to his parked limo. He nearly drops the keys when he tries to crank up but reminds himself to calm down and stay focused. They could not have gotten too far. Akago must have had his driver take him home so if he speeds it should be no problem catching up to them. "Okay…hang on you stupid brat." With that said he speeds out of the parking lot at 60mph and nearly takes out Naraku's gates in the process. As soon as he hits the streets, he pushes his souped up limo to the fool 160mph maximum. "I'm coming…"
