Next Door

Chapter 4

Risa leaned back in her chair after she finished her meal, a content smile on her face. She looked at her date from across the table and tilted her head in questioning manner. He has been shifting his head back and forth constantly for the past five minutes now; was he looking for something? As Risa went to ask him what was possibly troubling him, a waitress had quickly come to their table and handed Sesshoumaru the check.

"Here you are sir…" The employee said quietly, "A limousine is also awaiting you on the other side of the building…"

Sesshoumaru responded with a short and low 'Hn' as he pulled out his wallet, gave the woman cash, and then waved her off. His gold eyes shifted to lock his gaze on Risa's face. Her expression was full of bewilderment and wonder; just as he expected, but he would keep the second part of this day to himself until the moment was right. Standing up to help Risa out of her chair, a small smirk became apparent on his features.

"You look so surprised. Don't tell me you've never rode in a limousine before." He asked teasingly.

Risa blushed hard as she cleared her throat and nervously pushed her glasses back into place, "I-I have actually, but may I ask where you're taking me? You only said lunch."

A long overpowering arm slinked its way across the brunette's shoulders, pulling her close with little effort. Sesshoumaru then leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"Can this man not show his lady a good time?"

She nodded reluctantly. The shy woman was hoping to be gone for maybe an hour or so and return back home to read on her mattress before finishing the day off with some studying. But Sesshoumaru seemed insistent on taking her out, so Risa would remain silent and wish for the best. The two strolled to the front of the café each looking in opposite directions wondering where the limo was located. Finally, Sesshoumaru would spot his ride and pull on Risa's hand for her to follow. Like a gentleman, he opened the back door allowing Risa first entrance before going in after her.

Inside the limo, the awe-stricken woman observed her new, lavish surroundings with curious, wide eyes. Slick, black, leather seats, overhead lights equipped with a dimmer-switch, a sun roof, and a mini-bar set by window dividing the front portion of the vehicle and the back. Risa felt like a movie star on her way to a grand premiere. Sesshoumaru climbing in the back seat and settling next to the brunette pulled her back to Earth. The silver haired man looked down at Risa, sending a sly smirk her way before watching the chauffer roll the divider window down.

"Lovely new date Sir." He stated, "Where to?"

Sesshoumaru returned his gaze to Risa, though he was more checking her out, "Skinz, please." He said smoothly.

As the window began to close, Risa craned her neck to focus on the man who was scooting closer to her with his golden eyes trained on her form. Quickly, Sesshoumaru wrapped his arms around the now red-faced Risa, and pulled her into his lap before letting his fingers run through her coifed and curly hair. Risa tensed while in his arms. He was so close to her. What was she to do in such a situation?

"Risa, have you ever wondered what it would like to live a life that's different from your own?" He asked her quietly. A hand slithered up her spine and soon he had his talon-clad fingers wrapped carefully around her neck. His other hand, gripping her hip, made sure he would keep a firm hold on the frazzled brunette as he pulled her face to his; the tips of their noses barely touching.

"Think about it. A life full of surprise, pleasure and risk…" He purred out his last point before dipping his head to nuzzle her neck. The scent of purity and a cleanse spirit pleased him greatly, and the sensation of a watering mouth was fast approaching. He wanted a taste of this angelic nymph, but he would have to persuade woman; there just wasn't any fun on taking something that fights you even after defeat. It was just too exhausting. Risa's shocked gasp from his affectionate action caused him to grin. As expected however, he was met with a hand at his chest attempting to push him away.

"I like my life the way it is thank you." He heard her say.

Risa was in a slight panic. Here she was in the embrace of an imposing demon that seemed to want nothing but one thing. She's read so much about the various goals of men; sex being on the top of their priority list.

'Seems demons are no different.' She thought.

A second hand met Sesshoumaru's chest but instead of ignoring the resisting actions, he simply cradled one of her trembling hands and brought it to his lips, kissing it tenderly before shooting his intent gaze back at Risa. Suddenly, he released her, letting the woman scramble away from his person and keep to herself for the rest of the ride. The demon could smell nothing but embarrassment and fear lingering through the air.

As the limo slowed to a stop, Sesshoumaru waited for the driver to make his way to Risa's side of the door, and he offered a hand of assistance for her to take. However, no sooner did both of her feet find the solid ground below; Risa's clacking heels would carry her in the opposite direction of limo and her destination. Sesshoumaru's amber irises were accompanied by streaks of pink invading the whites of his eyes as he watched his newest prey try to walk away from him. He was instantly behind the woman in only a few strides, and before Risa could react to his original position, the demon zipped to the front causing her to bump into his solid chest.

She stumbled backwards but he simply trapped her in another bear hug then swung his arm under her knees so Sesshoumaru was carrying Risa bridal style. The woman wiggled and squirmed, but his hold was far greater than her own strength, eventually causing her to give up hope on escaping him. Lips met her forehead as he continued to walk toward the building with a giant sign flashing the name of a hotel above. Confused, Risa pointed to the sign; catching Sesshoumaru's attention.

"I thought you said the name of the club was Skinz?" She asked.

"It is…"

"Then what is-"

Sesshoumaru hushed her with a 'shush' as he changed directions and submerged himself in the shadows of a nearby ally way. He followed the trail of dim, red colored lights to a door covered in bars and guarded by a burly man standing nearly 7 feet tall. The demon strolled up to the entrance and spoke his name, prompting the bouncer to search through the list of names on a clipboard. Looking at the woman in Sesshoumaru's arms through his shades, the bouncer raised an eyebrow before making an amused grunt and stepping to the side. He knocked the door in a pattern that was difficult for Risa to follow. Suddenly, the rust covered, bar door slowly creaked open and Sesshoumaru was quick to walk inside with his new prize in hand.

"Welcome to Skinz! We hope you have a wonderful time!"

Two scantily clad women, both wearing black formfitting half-shirts and black shorts to match, came running up to greet their guest with an excited bow before running off to disappear behind a red curtain. The room was dark, crowded, and Risa was surprised that she could even make out the details of the other patrons' faces. A stage sat high above the ground in the corner of the billiard room with men of all kinds clambering around it to watch the dancing women with drool covered faces. Sesshoumaru didn't seem interested in such a thing, which raised the question of why he brought her here in the first place. Her question would soon be answered as the demon whisked her away past a set of double doors decorated with cushions and diamonds studding the frame. Two more bouncers stood with their arms crossed and a firm stance indicating that they meant business. As Sesshoumaru came their way, the bouncers shifted positions to allow the demon easy access into what called the V.I.P. area.

Curtain-concealed booths were scattered along the floor and flashing, neon fixtures above provided the only means of lighting in the dark room filled with dancing people of all walks of life. Along the black walls were doors of the same color, each with a bouncer standing front and center holding a key. Waitresses walked to and fro from the bar to their customers; some occasionally stopping by to offer Sesshoumaru and Risa a drink or two, but the silver-haired man had something different in mind. He was clearly on a mission to get the brunette alone and he would be damned if he had to wait any longer by indulging in the distraction of alcohol.

Risa was rather impressed with the sights and sounds of the club, though her shy nature had her wishing that Sesshoumaru had brought her to a different area. She noticed that her date was headed for one of the doors lining the walls and she watched Sesshoumaru pay off the bouncer and receive the key. By this point, the demon had set Risa on her feet however the lack of walking caused her to wobble a bit. As soon as the woman regained her posture, her wrist was in the firm hand of Sesshoumaru, and she was pulled inside the door.

…

"Alright move out of my way you greedy liquor hogs!" Shouted an irritable woman carrying a tray of various drinks laced with fruit flavorings and liquid courage.

The men following had been doing nothing but cat-calling and whistling for the poor waitress's attention. One man even had the audacity to place a palm on her behind! Whirling her head around so she could get a good look at the patron who was so bold as to lay finger on her person, the waitress set the tray down and slammed a fist into her open palm, her beady, red eyes staring daggers at him.

"So are you going to apologize," She said cracking her knuckles, "or will I have to get fired today?"

The man, clearly unfazed by her words, leaned in so he was at eye-level with the feisty waitress, and pointed at his chin.

"Go ahead Sweetheart… Make my day…"

'Ok then…' The waitress thought as she reeled back her fist. She swung with all her might and connected a solid blow on the man's face. He went down with a hard thud, surprising the other patrons, but her co-workers went unimpressed. They've seen the way Kagura would handle unruly customers at the bar and they were quite glad about it. There were no rules in Skinz; waitresses could beat the shit out of payers, refuse service to whomever, but unfortunately that meant customers were not bound by limitations either. Grabby men, liquor thieves, plenty of bar fights to go around; one, if not all, of these events would take place on an average working night, so when Kagura, Skinz's Vigilantress, began working here, a large decrease in trouble-making was observed.

Of course that didn't mean Kagura was doing this for her health. The feisty woman is always asking for raises, claiming that she's putting her life in danger to make up for the incompetent bouncers guarding the place. To her, it was a rather fair trade. She beats up Cretans, and her manager for the night gives her a hefty salary.

As the raven haired firebrand was picking up her tray to begin serving more drinks, she noticed a rather good-looking man carrying a disappointingly plain looking woman into the V.I.P. area. She smiled and let her curiosity follow the pair through the doors to V.I.P. where then saw the demon pull the brunette into one of the closed rooms. The bouncer to the room raised an eyebrow as he noticed Kagura walk up to him.

"So…" The waitress said with crossed arms, "What new prey has our predator of a boss captured this time?"

Whoo even longer chapter! You guys deserve it! Thanks for reading guys and stick around for the next installment!

Well I have a favor to ask all of you! To cut down on sporatic updates for each story, I'm planning on putting all my attention on one story till it's finished and then working on another one. Maybe this will also help rid myself of writer's block too... Anyways, if you all could take the time to view my poll in my profile and vote on which story you want to see finished first that would be great!

Thank you for keeping up with me and check ya later! :D