Chapter 10: Stress
One week later
Sitting at her digital drafting table; Kagome absently worked on a new project, adding details and notes to her blueprints on an apartment building that had recently burned down. Being a public housing unit, the government needed to rebuild the complex as soon as possible or risk keeping nearly three hundred people holed up in capsule hotels. Remembering her own substantial wealth, the disguised demoness sighed and made a mental note to add the government housing incentive to her list of charities. Between the shrine and the school system, she hoped she was making some sort of a difference. Rearranging the furniture set up that was in a tight corner unit of the building, Kagome thought about Sesshomaru and his last words to her only a week earlier.
"What if I never find this book you're talking about?"
"Then you will never come back."
She should have been glad to be rid of that arrogant man refusing to look for whatever book he had been speaking about, but instead, the demoness found herself using just about all of her spare time trying to discover the text he wanted so badly for her to find. Up until a week ago, Kagome had believed herself to be all alone in the world. The only dog demon or demon in general that still existed in this modern age. He must have known what she was feeling, and that's why he told her what she needed to do to return. Unfortunately with no knowledge of kokumajutsu or any other form of dark magic, she didn't have the slightest idea where to look.
Leaving her drafting table, Kagome went over to her desk instead, shaking her mouse so that her desktop popped up. Getting comfortable in her chair, she clicked a few times on the monitor and after opening the internet browser quickly typed in the name of the demon who fascinated her. 'Sesshomaru.'
No results. Again. Huffing, the woman crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, frustrated. Of course, he was an eight centuries old youkai like herself; obviously, he used an alias.
"Oi Sess where are you?!"
"For the love of god Inuyasha please shut up..."
Entering his brothers bedroom, the half breed stared at the dog demon curiously, surprised and a little shocked at what his brother was doing. Sesshomaru lounged on his bed in a very undignified way, his head hanging off of the side while his eyes looked absently at the floor. His shirt and tie were noticeably wrinkled; the suit jacket he had worn earlier thrown over a nearby chair. Sniffing around, Inuyasha smelled no alcohol or any other substance that could have been a cause for his out of character behavior; he was used to seeing the man stiff and alert whenever he entered the room.
"Oi! Sess what the hell are you doing?"
"I was relaxing until you showed up."
"Keh, whatever." Glancing around the simply decorated room, he stopped when he got to the mantle piece over the fireplace which usually held his brothers three swords. Noting the one at the top was missing he asked, "Where's the old man's sword?" he was speaking of Sounga, which had been passed down to the eldest heir since their grandfather Shin'ichi discovered it in his youth. Though Sesshomaru never used it, the significance of it meant a lot to the two brothers.
"Gone."
"Gone where?"
"It is on display at the Japanese sword museum. We have a charity event to attend there tomorrow; eight o'clock sharp."
"Keh. Why do I have to go?"
"Not just you." Sesshomaru said, his voice low; "Kikyo and your children will need to attend as well. Dress appropriately."
"Hey wait just a damn minute! You're the alpha and the president of this family why do I; the simple COO have to go too?!"
"Inuyasha..."
"No way! I hate those stupid events! All it is is a bunch of rich nitwits trying to beat each other with their knowledge of big words. You said I didn't have to go to anymore events this year if I went to that dumb opera two months ago!"
"Inuyasha, I need you there."
"Why?!"
"Because there is a rip located nearby and I need you and Kikyo to handle it."
"Really?" no longer dreading it; Inuyasha's ears twitched in anticipation. He loved to fight. "Has anything come out of it yet?"
"No, but such a large gathering of people is sure to attract something through the tear. That and one other thing."
"What?"
Kagome's assistant walked into her office, a cheerful smile showing on the young mans face. "The sword museum's gala is at eight Kagome-san! Are you ready?"
Not bothering to look at him, she absently nodded while keeping her eyes on her computer. "Thanks, Hojo and yea I am."
"Ah well here you go, the fire damage reports you requested." he said, placing the files on the edge of her desk.
"Great. And..."
He placed another piece of paper on her desk. "The directions to the gala along with the names of some of the guests who might be interested in our company."
She nodded. "Thanks. Also..."
Her assistant opened his phone and went to his calender. "I called ahead and your dress is ready at the cleaners. And you have a hair appointment at four tomorrow."
"Wonderful. Lastly..."
Giving a shy grin Hoji confessed, "I couldn't get you that, Kagome-san."
"Couldn't get me...what?"
"Information about our new client."
"How is that possible?"
"I don't know Kagome-san. I followed the check he wrote and while it turned out to be legit, it was an account that had been specifically set up just for us."
Burying her head in her hands, the demoness resisted the urge to growl. A mysterious person had sent her a letter a while ago, asking for help rebuilding his families old mansion in China. Though he had given her a hefty sum of money as a bonus incentive, Kagome still held doubts about the authenticity of the whole thing. "Just another mystery for me to solve…."
"Huh?"
Snapping her head up, Kagome shook her head; "Nothing."
"Oh…" coughing into his hand, Hojo bowed and hastily cleared the room, leaving the woman to her thoughts.
Once the door softly shut behind him, Kagome audibly growled and laid her head down on her desk. So much stuff to do and so little time to do it in. As much as she hated to do it, the book would have to wait.
A/N: Kagome and Sesshomaru at the same gala…..I am really asking for it. Lol. Anyway I need a favor from all of you. You know how with this story I am using some chapters as a flashback into the past? Well as much as I enjoy writing them (I actually think they are my favorite part of writing this story) I also have very few ideas as what to focus on when I do the past chapters. I was wondering if I could have some ideas? Just some things you would like to see happen in those chapters. Like….maybe you would like to read about the two of them during the point in time where Kagome kept trying to kill herself for research? Lol anyway, please review! -Theores