Misconceptions

Chapter Seven:
Secrets, Secrets

The air turned it's self, morphing into a chill breeze that could cut through skin like glass blowing in the wind. It grabbed hair like a tornado, twisting and tangling it around the owner like a dance, whipping them in the face spitefully. IT was harsher than usual, almost as if it were revenge from the earth . . . just for a day.

"Can you shut the window? It's getting kind of cold."

Kouga nodded and did as he was asked of. He grabbed the knob that stuck out like an odd ball and twisted it so that that the window would slowly come toward him like a door. "Good enough for you Virgin Mary?"

"Don't call me that," she chastised without feeling. Ayame kept pounding into the key board like it had been her worst enemy and needed to be squashed. "Once I'm done, I expect you to be grateful," she added carefully.

Kouga leaned into the screen of his notebook computer. "Who taught you Russian?" he wondered out loud.

"Carissa's Grandmother could only speak Russian."

"I thought Carissa was American."

Ayame nodded. "She is. See, both her parents are full blooded Italians. They were born in the states. But her great grandparents moved to Russia for some military stuff and he grandmother was so young that all she spoke was Russian by the time they went back to the states."

"So basically her whole family was involved in all kinds of fields of the military?"

"Pretty much . . . done. I swear if these partner projects keep coming up and you keep making me do al the work, it'll be the death of me." She moved the mouse to save her work and research. "You're supposed to inherit this whole empire your parents have going on, right? Maybe you should try doing the work once in awhile so you won't completely bring your companies to its knees," she teased.

"I'll worry about when the time comes," he countered coldly.

"So basically your only claim is that you're lazy?"

"Take it however want it."

"Fine then, I guess I'll take it that way." She sighed. The lack of sleep was really doing her no good at all. She was usually cranky and would look for any reason to make witty banter just to make her point. "You're such a . . . lion of a man."

"I thought I told you I was Ookami-youkai?"

She laughed a little. "No I mean it's just the way you act. Lions like to dominate their territories. Their very fierce . . . not kind at all."

"I'm kind!" he argued.

"You could have fooled me,"

"I guess that'd make you a sheep," he taunted purposely.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"What else? Sheep are needy, sneaky little things. They also do exactly as they're ordered."

Ayame rolled her eyes, annoyed. He'd obviously caught onto her little game. "I hope you play in traffic and get run-over," she murmured under her breath.

.o0o.

"Daddy," Carissa called as she ran to jump into her father's arms. She giggled as he out her down just like when she was six years old.

"How's my favorite daughter?" the old man asked with a bright smile.

Carissa rolled her eyes and smiled. "Daddy, I'm your only daughter."

"Oh, of course," he teased hugging her once more. "I'm just so old, I can't seem to remember how many children I have, just that you're my favorite."

"Very funny, Daddy, but I'm not buying it. So why so mysterious today? You've got my suspicion running." She stood on her tip-toes to see behind him. "Where's Ma? Didn't she come with you?"

Andrew sighed. "You know your mother. She should be here in a few days."

"Of course—business before pressure."

"Hideki," Andrew called joyfully behind his daughter.

Carissa turned around dreadfully.

"I see you two remember each other." Andrew never knew about Carissa's drinking but he always raved about Hideki and Carissa being neighbors at one point. Carissa however either didn't remember, or didn't wish to acknowledge the past.

"We've run into each other now and then," she mentioned as if it were nothing. She flipped open her cell phone, hoping she had missed a few calls so she had something to do. While her father had is back turned she punched in Ayame's number.

"Hello," Ayame answered.

"Hey, you called?"

"No, I didn't!" she shot back surprisingly.

"Shut up," Carissa hissed into the receiver. "Play along. Oh, Ayame I'm so happy you called. Is something the matter?"

"Oh . . . right. I, um . . . need you."

"I understand. Is that much of an emergency? Well no bother I'll be right over."

Is that Ayame?" Andrew asked snatching the phone out of his daughter's hand. "Ayame, how are you Kiddo?"

"Oh, sir I'm absolutely great. I wasn't aware you flew in today." Ayame sat back in her desk chair.

"Well I decided to surprise my two favorite girls. So what's this emergency?"

"Oh, um," Ayame searched her mind for some kind of excuse. She was never the best liar.

"It's a girl thing, Daddy," Carissa interrupted.

"Well I'm sure this—said—girl thing can wait. I was just about to invite Hideki and Carissa to dinner. It would great if you could join us."

"Oh, I actually just ate—"

"Nonsense, you'll join us in an hour, I'll send a car to pick you up."

Ayame laughed a little. She had forgotten how persistent Carissa's father, Andrew, could be. "That sounds like a plan."

"Good, then. We'll talk later, Kiddo." He gave Carissa back her cell phone. "I'm only here for so long Sweetie, don't make Ayame lie."

"She wasn't," Carissa argued.

Andrew snorted. "Don't be ridiculous. That girl couldn't lie her way out of a paper bag. And it's just cruel for you to insist she do so."

.o0o.

Ayame piled up her belongings and shoved them quickly into her tote bag. She knew that when Andrew, Carissa's father, said an hour, he probably meant fifteen minutes.

"What's your hurry?" Kouga asked curiously.

"Carissa's father is in town and I have to get read for dinner with them," she explained in one breath. Just as she opened the door, she stopped herself short.

There in the door frame stood a very high class woman. She had on her light pink Channel suite. The air surrounding her smelled of jasmine. Her make up was smooth, and consisted of very little color, enough to lighten and highlight certain traits of her face. And she looked at Ayame almost in disgust.

Despite the nasty look she was given, Ayame smiled politely and bowed. "Hello," she said offering her hand nervously. "I'm Ayame," However, the woman did not want to give Ayame her hand. She stepped back almost sneering at Ayame's small, pale hand.

"Oh, Ayame this is my mother," Kouga mentioned. "This is Ayame," he said pushing Ayame's back down for another mechanical bow. "She'll be leaving now,"

"Oh . . . yes," Ayame reminded herself. "Well . . . it was a . . . pleasure meeting you Mrs. . . Kouga's mom." She ran out as fast as she could.

"What was that thing?" His mother snarled in disgust. "She doesn't belong here with any good reason, Kouga. And I expect you of all people never to let her in this house again."

"Nice to see you too Mother," he teased. "And that thing was just a school mate. We finished up a project. I thought you traveled to the states."

"Well I obviously came back," she countered trying to hide her furiousness. "Now you listen to me, boy. You are soon to inherit your father's businesses and I expect that girl to not have any part in your future. The last thing you need is a distraction. I don't want to catch her here again."

He sighed. "Who's to say I was even distracted. It was your choice for me to major in business."

"And for good reason—now get dressed and come down stairs for dinner. Your father and I will be waiting for you. We'll be having company. Don't forget to tell Bankotsu about the party tomorrow. His mother will be more than happy if he were to attend and be acquainted with some of the girl we picked out."

"Picked out?" he questioned.

His mother nodded. "Yes . . . picked out. You both and Hakkaku know that if you are to take over the family business, then you are to marry someone suitable and to our standards. You don't believe that a successful business can be built by marrying someone so common and with no power, do you? Don't be so naïve, child."

.o0o.

"Tell me more," Andrew coaxed as he sipped his Champaign, delighted. He and Hideki had been holding conversation after conversation, driving Carissa insane.

Carissa took it upon herself to pour as much Champaign in her glass as possible. While she was on her fifth glass, Ayame had yet to finish her first. "Are you going for a growing headache by the time you wake up," Ayame snapped, slashing the cup out of her hand. "Had some patience," she pleaded silently.

Carissa glared at her best friend. "Please, if I have to hear one more word, I'm willing to get as fucked up as I pleased."

Ayame shook her head and sighed. "Why was I invited if you were just planning to sit and listen?"

"To keep your best friend company!" Carissa snapped lightly. "I don't plan on being tortured on my own, thank you."

"That's not fair,"

"What's wrong, girls?" Andrew interrupted. "You seem quiet. That's practically abnormal."

Carissa played with the flute of her glass. "We crammed all night for testing, Daddy," she fibbed and shrugged. "I guess we're both just tired."

Andrew nodded. "As well, you should be," he allowed.

She nodded and faked a smile. "Ayame and I are going to the washroom, we'll be back shortly."

Carissa grabbed Ayame's hand, dragging her out from the table and leading the way to the bathroom while digging into her pure for a cigarette. "You got a fag?"

Ayame shook her head. "You know I don't smoke."

Hideki bursted through the doors of the Ladies' bathroom.

Ayame's eyes widened. "Is this the bathroom?" she giggled nervously. "I was looking . . . for the phone booth. I'll just leave you two."

Carissa lit her long awaited cigarette as she mounted herself backwards on the sink. "Last time I checked you weren't exactly up to code on the female anatomy. Do you have a secret detective?" she teased as a sly smile played on her lips with her next drag. "What do you want?"

He shook his head, glaring in disgust. "What the hell's the matter with you?"

"Excuse me?"

He angrily snatched the cigarette from her dainty fingers and stubbed the butt against the elegantly framed mirror behind her back and just above her shoulder. "You know what I'm talking about. You're a rude, inconsiderate, spoiled brat. Do you know how hard it is for me?"

"What's hard? You sit there and tell Daddy all about yourself while he falls in total love with you. God, why don't you just fuck him while you're at it."

Hideki suddenly lost control of his thoughts. He fell into an odd out of control rage that only his youkai-blood could contain. He knew he could easily over power her small frame and took advantage of it as he grabbed her roughly by the her arms and slammed her back into the mirror, shattering it. His face got close to hers as resisted the need to have her right there and then. "You know I like you, so stop fucking with me," he hissed through his clenched teeth, his lips brushing over hers as she spoke.

Carissa had no fear what-so-ever in her eyes. The more careless he became with her, the more it excited her to know she was getting under his skin. She gasped as his lips harshly covered hers aggressively—wanting to explore every bit of her.

.o0o.

Ayame yawned and stretched as she reached for her cell phone on the night stand next to her bed. "Hello?" she groaned, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

"Get up and come outside."

"Who is this?"

"Don't ask questions and just do it."

Ayame was just about to rub her eyes until a woman grabbed her wrist and gently set it back down. She shook her head at Ayame and went back to organizing the make-up stand.

"Remember," Bankotsu noted. "Make her look tasteful. Auntie will have a fit if she looks like a hooker—even the kind a boy has to save up for."

"Why am I here?" Ayame demanded. "I'd rather be in bed than . . . kidnapped."

"You're impatient," he growled.

"No, I'm tired," Ayame countered. She looked in the little table mirror in front of her. Her hair was up in a messy bun and she wore a thick white robe over her naked body. She suddenly crossed her legs remembering she had no underwear on underneath it all. "Not that I mean to be rude, but I want to know why I'm at your house of all places and meeting this Auntie you keep talking about."

Bankotsu smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "Trust me. you'll be glad I helped you. Auntie felt bad about the way she treated you when you were in Kouga's room. She doesn't like anyone of the opposite sex hanging around him for good reason."

"Wait . . . why am I getting all dolled up for her?"

"She's hosting a cocktail party in honor of . . . well let's just say someone special. Anyways, she spoke to Osaka-sensei who told her how much you'd helped Kouga all this time. She wanted to invite you. But trust me when I tell you that she's usually not too thankful and it can often be mistake with snobbish behavior."

Ayame nodded slowly trying to take everything in at once as his maid pulled her chin to her face and brushed eye make-up over her creases. "Am I really that peasant-like to her?"

"If you're not worth a billion, then yes," he admitted, standing up. "I'll be back in an hour." He looked at his maid. "Take good care of her—and get her fitted by the time I get back."

Ayame sighed getting more comfortable in the cushioned seat and peaking in the mirror. "You're really good," she allowed.

The maid smiled. "I'm happy I please you."

"H-have you met Kouga's mother before? Is she as harsh as they all say?"

The woman nodded, smearing more peach-blush on to the fat brush. "I am afraid so. Nothing seems to please her enough. She's a tough woman, but from the looks of it, I'm sure she'll give you a good chance."

"Hm," she thought. "I sure hope so."

Ayame saw that another maid stepped in. She was a much older looking woman and was a bit heavy around the middle area. She released Ayame's lock and let them flow down her back as she grabbed a near by curling iron and began her job.

It was certainly going to take a slot of time and money to impress her . . . but was it really worth it?

.o0o.

"I don't want to go!" Ayame protested.

Bankotsu stood behind her, pushing her. "Come on, get in there."

"No," she argued. "I shouldn't have to proof anything."

"You shouldn't have to—but you will!" He grabbed her hand and dragged her into the Ookami estate. "Now let me do all the talking and just stand there like an ornament."

As much as Ayame hated taking orders from him, she couldn't afford to make one mistake. She had no idea why she wanted to impress Kouga's ill-mannered mother. But she just knew she had to make a better impression than last time. The woman was intimidating she could probably force you on your knees with one glance.

"Auntie," Bankotsu let out as he bowed. "You remember Ayame, eh?"

Hana gave a fake smile. She eyed Ayame curiously. "Yes, of course. I see you've kept my son in his wits."

Ayame smiled and bowed. "It's nice to meet you . . . again."

"Hm," she mumbled. "So it should be." She turned her attention back to Bankotsu. "Did your mother and father explain clearly why you are here?"

He nodded. "Yes, they did."

"Good, now join the rest of the guests."

Bankotsu waited till she was far away before speaking to Ayame once more. "See, that wasn't so bad.

Ayame rolled her eyes. "She looked at me like if I were to turn around and whack her with my non-existent hump."

He snorted. "Don't worry. She looks at everyone like that."

Too bad Ayame didn't feel the same.

.o0o.

Carissa scrambled over Ayame's room. She hadn't been home till that minute and luckily, Ayame was out also. She was probably at the orphanage working on more of her sketches for Mind Over Material, or more like M Over M. "Where is it?" she hissed to herself. She finally found a slip of paper and shoved it in the pocket over mini-skirt.

"Is . . . Mr. Burke here?" Carissa asked the large man in a black suit.

He was obviously some kind of guard. He looked big enough to knock into a wall and end up on the other side unharmed. "Do you have an appointment?"

She shook her head. "No, but trust me, he'll want to see me after I tell him what I have to say."

The large man sighed and opened the door. "You have a visitor," he announced loud enough.

Carissa stepped into the large office. It was filled with all kinds of books. There were big books, small books, old books, new books. It almost distracted her.

Mr. Burke sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Can I help you with anything?"

She smiled politely taking a seat in front of his desk. "If I ask you some questions, will you answer them honestly?"

He smiled. "I don't even know your name. Do you really expect me to open up to a stranger?"

Carissa thought a moment. "Well, Mr. Burke, you seem like an honest enough guy—despite your career path. I'll ask questions, but you don't have to answer them. I'll just clue you in on what I want to know and whether or not you answer them is completely up to you, okay?"

"Fair enough." He leaned in. "You may begin."

She nodded. Carissa had no idea who she was dealing with, but she did know that by not showing any sign of fear could get her far. "Let's say . . . about twenty-years-ago you met a woman. Whether you were in love with her is obviously none of my business but whether you consummated the relationship is. Did you ever meet a woman twenty-or-so years ago? Did you have sex with her?"

"You don't mind breaching personal borders, do you?" He teased in an amusing tone.

Carissa only smiled and continued with her prying. "Did you knock her up? Did she giver birth? Did you know if she had a baby? Did you marry her? Did she die? Easy questions, right? All I want are simple answers, whether they are one word, or even if I don't get them at all, at least I have you think."

"Correct," he noted nodding as he went over every question in his head. He suddenly stood and grabbed a dusty book off a shelf. He dusted it off and threw in on the table. "Look over that, and hopefully you'll get your answers.

Carissa opened the photo album and browsed through it rather quickly. She stopped at a picture of a tall, lean woman with auburn curly locks and bright eyes. She closed the book. "All the answers in one book," she commented. "I suppose you know why I'm here."

"You look noting like my ex-wife," he commented. "And you also look nothing like me. I don't believe you truly are Ayame."

Carissa froze. He knew? "Ayame? So you know her, eh?"

He put the book back in it's placed and sat in his chair. "Why else do you think I'd reside in Tokyo? I certainly don't do it for good business. It's the Americans who really know everything about nothing."

"So then you know I'm here for Ayame, right? Why not approach her if you knew all along?"

"I tried," he argued calmly. "See, my ex-wife died a little after Ayame's birth. We usually spent our time arguing, so right after the divorce she left. She didn't sign my name on the birth certificate and before dying made sure I'd never see Ayame again."

Carissa listened intently. "But why not approach her? It's not lie she's four-years-old anymore. She's a grown woman."

Mr. Burke, better known as just Burke, smiled. "See, I didn't even know where to begin to look till last year."

"I'm not sure I know what you mean."

"As I said before, Ayame's mother was very short tempered and felt that for revenge she should keep my own daughter away. I only knew my kin existed and a name. I didn't even have a last name. Last year I came here for a business trip that was only supposed to take weeks. But I thought I saw Yumi's young spirit walking into a local tea shop."

"Ayame . . ." Carissa trailed off.

Burke nodded. "After that I was determined to find her, but I have yet to ever see her. My men have tried every possible search, but ended up failing. It seems Yumi did an excellent job of hiding our daughter's identity."

"I haven't heard many good things about you," Carissa allowed. "I'm not sure I'd really want Ayame to realize you're her biological father."

"That's very understandable, but you have to realize that should be left up to her. Yumi kept Ayame from me long enough. I don't think I could stay sane knowing that a knowledgeable resource like you walked through my doors and walked right out leaving me with out a trace of Ayame."

Carissa stood up and bowed out of habit. "I'm truly sorry that your ex-wife did so much as keep your own daughter from you, but understand she is my friend. I know you'll probably have me followed once I leave, but I have to ask a favor from a stranger."

"Anything," he responded knowing Carissa was the only way of ever seeing Ayame.

"Don't attempt to contact Ayame, please. I really think she should hear something like this from me rather than see is at a surprise." She ran to the book case and grabbed the photo album off the shelf. "I'll need this."

Burke nodded. "Accepted,"

.o0o.

"What's going on?"

"Don't you know?"

"They're announcing it!"

"I can't wait to see who they are? I wonder how fortunate looking they really are."

Everyone whispered over each other making loud commotions. They were obviously excited for the main event. But was exactly was this main event? Suddenly two young ladies stepped down the large stair case giggling and whispering. Everyone pretended not to notice but were amazed while still whispering to their neighbors.

"Who are they?" Ayame asked Kagome, who she had luckily found in the crowd. She was probably the only female Hana ever let near her son and only because she was already mated to Inu Yasha.

Kagome sighed. "Their obviously the matches Hana and Bankotsu's mother insisted on."

"Matches . . . as in like . . . mates?"

Kagome nodded. "Yes, why?"

Ayame shook her head. "Nothing, I was just wondering."

Kagome took in the rest of her champagne. "It's kind of a shame—the fact that they can't pick their own mates like youkai should. How come Carissa isn't with you?"

Ayame shrugged, sitting down next to her best friend. "She didn't come home last night. And I doubt Hana would even let her near her precious son."

Kagome laughed a little. "I suppose that is true. She personally dislikes Inu Yasha so she didn't invite him either. The only reason I'm here is because she believes I'm a good influence."

Ayame had tuned out Kagome and watched Hana, Kouga and Bankotsu from afar. They were conversing, but Ayame was never good at reading lips so she had no clue what they could be discussing. The only thing near lip-reading that she had actually mastered was sign language—and that obviously was not going to help in any way in this case. But she could still tell how Kouga felt.

His body language said it all. He looked confused and uncomfortable. It was very unusual of him. He was usually very comfortable around girl and found it necessary to flirt with them. But this time it was different. His eyes almost seemed dead.

"What do you think their talking about?" Ayame wondered out loud.

Kagome shrugged. "Who knows, she's probably planning the conception of her first grandson by now."

She laughed. "Knowing her, that's very likely."

Looking for any reason to exit, Kouga looked around the room. His eye froze over at Ayame who was laughing about something with Kagome. "Why is she here?" he hissed toward his mother.

Hana looked at Ayame and back at her son. "I invited her. I thought she is your schoolmate, right? Why not share the happiness with her?"

He snarled at his mother. "You just take pleasure in ruining people's lives, don't you?"

"Hush," she chastised lightly. "I won't allow you to speak to me in that tone."

He rolled his eyes. "Kami forbid you take the family fortune from me leaving you hopeless for another heir."

Ayame sighed. "Let's go home, Kagome," she suggested. "I'm honestly not in this little party mood."

"Alright," she agreed. "We haven't had a girl's night in a little while anyway."

Ayame grabbed her jacket off the back of her chair and turned around quickly, whipping Kouga in the face with it. She gasped from surprise. "You scared ten years off me!" she scolded.

"I think it's best you leave," he suggest in a whisper.

She glared at him. How rude? "Don't' worry, I was already leaving."

Hana immediately stepped in. "Kouga do not cause a scene, not tonight. Amaya, you shouldn't have to leave, dear."

"It's Ayame," she corrected.

"It's all the same," she stated with a fake giggle.

"No, my name means Iris," she pointed out.

"Mother, why don't you go entertain the guest you just have to have here," Kouga suggest annoyed.

"Look, you're going to speak to Ai. You're to converse and get along. Do what ever you have to do to get your engagement together and then you'll marry." Hana's tone had changed to complete seriousness.

"I can't do that," Kouga argued simply.

Hana rested her boney hands on her even bonier hips. "And why is that?"

Kouga turned to Ayame who was a little surprised by the public display. He turned her roughly to face him as her eyes widened in surprise and roughly pressed his lips against hers. He used his finger to practically pry her mouth open and let his tongue slip in as he cupped the sides of her face, burying his fingers in the mass of her hair.

.0o0o0.

A/N:

WOOHOO! FINALLY GOT TOGETHER!

I mentioned Landon Burke in like chapter 3 or around there. He is supposedly some 'mobster's" son. But stay tune for more secrets reavealed.

.0o0o0.

A blanket disclaimer for all chapters associated in the story of Misconceptions, which is soon to become an Inuyasha fan fiction series. R. Takahashi owns all rights to the original characters of the manga/anime series. However, for all characters not associated with the manga/ anime series, they are owned by me, Tayanese.