Shido knew he was one of the most gentlemanly men out there. So he couldn't even understand what it was that drove him to just kiss the woman. Was it the scent of her blood? Or was it the way she was willing to insult him, knowing that he was a vampire. When she didn't push him away as expected, he let out a sound of approval. It turned into something darker when her arms found their way around his neck, pulling him closer. He didn't expect the sudden flash of power that burned him, punishing his body. When he moved to get away, he realized that she clung to him on purpose. He wouldn't be able to get out of her arms without hurting her. As weak as it would seem, Shido whimpered under the assault. It ended seconds later.
"That," Kagome dropped her arms stepping away from the vampire. "Is what you get for infringing on my personal space. Learn a lesson." Shido bit his lip, unwilling to let her know just how hurt he was. She sighed. Pressing a hand to his chest, he was surprised to feel all the pain melt away. "I'm not a toy to be played with, or a whore to be treated with no care. I am Kagome. A woman who can kick your ass." She looked up at him with a smile. "I'll be going now, as should you. You know vampires don't do well in the sunlight, and it's almost dawn." Smirking, the woman vanished from in front of him. He looked around the alley, wondering if she had just tricked him. When he found no one, he acknowledged that she wasn't precisely a human.
Later that day, Yayoi found Shido in his office.
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
"What is she?"
"Who?"
"Kagome, Yayoi. She isn't human."
"Her records say that she is." Shido's eyes flashed gold.
"Well your records are wrong. What human can just vanish when you have them in your arms?" There was a startled gasp and a cup fell to the floor.
"I'm sorry Mr. Shido!" Riho ran back to the small kitchen for some napkins.
"It's alright Riho. Yayaoi, she isn't human!"
"Don't yell at me Shido. The only thing I can think of is that the NOS is protecting her."
"Why?"
"How the hell am I supposed to know!?" Yayoi glared at Shido and was surprised when he slumped in his chair.
"I don't know. It annoys me that I'm attracted to her and she isn't even human. What if she's a night breed? It means I'll be forced to kill her."
"You've killed them before Shido and you'll continue killing them."
"But she's beautiful! I don't want to end her life!" Down on the floor, Riho made a disgruntled sound.
"If you must, you will." Yayoi sat on the edge of his desk. "I came here for your help with another case. A play director was found dead on his stage and the star of the show has also died."
"Foul play?"
"It is, but not of any normal type." Shido lifted his head to look at Yayoi.
"How so?"
"The star has blood in her stomach. Also remnants of a heart that she was trying to digest. The director is missing a heart."
"Night breed?"
"Precisely. But it is in a new host."
"Suspects?"
"There is only one suspect that I can truly bank on." Shido's eyes gleamed in comprehension.
"The understudy."
"Correct." Yayaoi slid a file in front of him. "I'll need your help Shido." He smiled.
"I'm willing as always Yayoi."
"A little too willing if you ask me."
"He just wants ta take his mind off that girl." Shido sighed when Guni appeared.
"Why would you say that Guni?"
"You've been moping in here forever since you came in this morning. And then the first thing you ask for is about this girl. What else I'm I supposed ta think?"
"Mr. Shido?"
"Yes Riho?"
"I'll be going shopping now. Do you need anything?"
"No."
"Get him Kagome. He'll be happy after that."
"Shut up you little twerp. Nobody asked you!"
"Since when do I need your permission to talk!?"
"Since now!" Guni smiled suddenly.
"It's okay Riho. One day, you'll find a man who's so ensnared by your beauty that you'll marry him. Sadly, today isn't your day."
"Argh!" Riho dropped the sodden napkin that she was holding and marched out of the office.
"I'm tryin ta tell ya the truth!" The door slammed shut. Guni smirked. "What's got her panties all in a bunch?" Shido shook his head.
"How would I know?" Guni and Yayoi shared a look. How could men be so dense?
"We'll be checking the theatre tonight. I'll meet you here later, okay?"
"Uh-huh." Yayoi slipped off his desk and turned to go. When she reached the door, Shido's voice stopped her.
"Yayoi?"
"Yes?"
"Could you please find out something about that woman?"
"As you wish."
"Thank you." Yayoi could only smile at the sheer relief she heard in Shido's voice.
'Interesting.' She left the office, closing the door behind her.
"Go rest Shido. You'll need it for later." Shido nodded half-heartedly and went to his resting place. He paused when he was about to shut his coffin.
"Guni?"
"Yes?"
"How would you like to do some investigating on your own?"
"How so?"
"Her office. I want you to take a look see."
"Kagome's?"
"Who else?"
"Okay. I guess I can."
"Thank you Guni." The sprite smiled softly.
"Anytime Shido. Now, get your rest." Shido chuckled to himself as he immersed himself in the dark. Guni fluttered over to his desk and sighed softly. "How do I get myself into these messes?"
(at K&SH Architectural Designs)
"Does anyone know where my wonderfully adorable architect is!?" the people on the seventh floor shook their heads quickly. "Damn that little bastard!" The CEO of the company stomped down the hall, blue eyes flashing a warning to all in her way. "SHIPPOU!!!! WHEN I FIND YOU YOU'RE DEAD!!!YOU HEAR ME DEAD!!!" The petite woman somehow managed to make the elevator sound as if the doors slammed shut. As the elevator left the floor, one very familiar red head crawled out from under a woman's desk.
"Do you think she saw me?" The pale woman shook her head. "Hallelujah!"
"Hallelujah what you little rodent?" Shippou paled and slowly turned around. Standing behind him was none other than his current CEO, the insane rampaging bull herself, Kagome Higurashi…A.K.A. Mother, but above all else, nicknamed the Shieldbreaker.
"H-hi dearest." Kagome grabbed Shippou's hair and proceeded to drag the shrieking man down the row of cubicles and to the elevator. Most of the workers could only stare in horror. The ones used to the comical scene were all under their desks, praying to high heaven that the short tempered woman wouldn't need their help.
"Yamato! Get my damn papers to my damn desk before I reach there!" The elevator closed. Everyone turned slowly to face the unlucky newly hired man.
"Take the stairs!!" The pale man exploded into action and ran up the ten flights of steps that led to the seventeenth floor. He was leaving the crazy woman's office when she entered it, still dragging the weeping Shippou.
"Thank you Yamato. You can take my spa date that I have later." She motioned him out of her office. The man quickly vanished. She slammed the door shut.
"You know…as lovely a vision as you green silk panties are, do you really want your only beloved son to view them?" Kagome made a disgusted sound and kicked her beloved son ever so lovingly. "That hurts!!"
"Good! What the hell were you thinking leaving me with the vampyr last night?"
"That you needed to get laid?" Shippou winced when her foot once again connected to his side.
"And you cut my cheek! You know what my blood does to people like that!"
"Arouse them to the point of no return? Isn't that a good thing Momma?" Kagome sighed and dropped her son's hair.
"Not if I don't want them to be. Shippou, really, aren't you a bit old to be wanting a father?"
"Really Mother? All I wanted for you is for you to enjoy yourself."
"Uh-huh. What's the status on the Yamaguchi project?"
"Those snobby old bastards? They swear they're too good for my designs. After all, who wants a cost efficient casino?"
"What was wrong with it?"
"The strip joint wasn't gaudy enough." Kagome snickered.
"Really?"
"No lie. It was horribly embarrassing for the old coot to tell me so. I mean, it wasn't gaudy enough. I swear, it hurts my eyes to see it as it is now. However, they are the client."
"What are you going to do?"
"I think some velvet here and some for gold there and all the shiny metallic colors that clash should pull the trick off."
"I cringe for the strippers."
"Believe me, they'll cringe enough on their own when they realize they have to dance on gold poles on a metallic red floor."
"Pity."
"So long as you aren't planning to head into their casino, it is no concern of ours." Kagome sighed and walked over to her window. She plopped herself into the window seat and surveyed the view she was granted. "Momma?"
"Yes Shippou?"
"Does it ever bother you?"
"What?"
"That you'll never die."
"Not much. I mean, I'll have you by my side right?" She shot a smile at him that he saw through.
"I never meant for our exchange to end on these terms."
"What do you mean?"
"I never thought that it would mutate you Mother. You aren't human nor demon or priestess. You're simply you."
"Doesn't matter." Shippou stood behind her patiently. "I got you babe. And you have me. And eventually, you'll get married."
"You know I won't." Kagome sighed.
"I know Shippou." She leaned back, resting against her son. "I know." The pair fell into a comfortable silence.
"Hey Kagome?"
"Hmm?"
"I got some tickets to this play tonight. Would you accompany me to it?"
"Why darlin' are you asking me out?" Shippou chuckled.
"You're the only woman who holds my heart."
"Then I have to accept." The duo fell silent again.
"Hey Momma?"
"Yes Shippou?"
"Wasn't there a meeting today?"
"SHIT!!!!" If there was ever a place not to work, it would be that building. However, you did get very good insurance, courtesy off the odd expletives that usually rained down at the most inopportune moments. An example would be poor Mr. Yamato who was pouring a cup of coffee when the scream echoed through the building. He would be able to make his spa appointment that night, sadly, Ms.Yuhi would not be able to put on a short skirt for a couple of weeks, courtesy of the burn marks that would appear from having hot coffee spilt on your lap.
"AHHHHHHHHH!!!!" Yep, it was a normal day at the offices of K&SH Architectural Designs, and yes, even the clients knew they were facing insane people, but hey, why go to the second best when you can have the best?
(later that day)
Kagome and Shippou had managed to make it home safely through all their bickering.
"Shippou!! What should I wear?"
"Black dress!"
"Why Shippou had I known you were into me I would never have adopted you."
"Momma, you're a sick, twisted individual. Go take a shower." Kagome laughed and left the room. She returned half an hour later, dressed in her little black dress. She gasped in surprise when Shippou twirled her around, tying a Silver sash around her waist. He wasted no time in giving her knee high black boots. Kagome shook her head as he disappeared off to his own rooms. She slipped on her boots and then dug through her jewelry box. Shippou appeared in a black silk shirt and jeans. He smiled at his mother as she pulled her hair back with her favorite silver ribbon, a gift to her from a friend who died too long ago.
"Are you ready?"
"Mmm-hmm. Which car?"
"In honor of this most momentous night, in which a son drags his mother out on a date, we shall be taking…the Corvette."
"Silver?"
"Duh." He chuckled when she smacked him with her purse as she walked past him.
"Don't cling to me little one. I look good enough to eat. I may be able to attract some old geezer."
"Old rich geezer."
"Yea, that too." Kagome opened the door for the garage and then walked to the Corvette.
(Shido)
Shido stood outside the theatre, idly wondering over the understudy. She had said she was innocent, but he knew it was a lie. A silver car broke his train of thoughts as he stopped for the valet. The man helped the woman out of the car as the driver came around. He recognized the duo without much thought. It was Kagome and her little architect…again. Yayoi elbowed him in the side.
"Look! It's Kagome!"
"So I noticed."
"Who the hell is she with? He's so cute!"
"That'd be Shippou, her architect." Yayoi moaned.
"We should have gone that day to apologize. That could have been me on his arm." Shido snarled.
"Seeing as she's sleeping with him I doubt that." He snapped his hungry gaze away from the woman. "Come, we have a night breed to catch."
"Gee, what's got his boxers all in a twist?" Yayoi murmured to herself as she followed him into the building.