Hojo slowly made his way inside the crowded bar. Looking around, he immediately spotted a group of young men drinking at the farthest corner. He smiled and strode towards them. Once near, the men stopped all their conversations and stood up, glaring at the intruder.
"What do you want?" one of them asked, looking directly at him while his hand inched towards his jacket. Hojo simply smirked before replying.
"I want to speak with one of you. His name is Tiger if I am not mistaking."
Silence filled the group for a few seconds before they parted, leaving the place. Only one man remained seated, staring directly at Hojo. The young business man gulped under the gaze of that man.
"I am Tiger." He stated, his blue eyes shining in his face, his black hair pulled back in a short ponytail, his muscular shoulders revealing the deadly force of his well toned body. His face showed innocence and gentleness while his eyes burned with malice and hatred. His voice came calm and deadly. "What do you want?"
Hojo stared at him for a second. That man was exactly what he needed: a combination of life and death. While his face fooled everyone into believing in his gentle nature, his motions, his expressions and his eyes revealed his true nature: a monster.
"I heard that you are very good at your job." He whispered while sitting in front of the man. "I need you to do me a favor, Tiger."
The young man smiled cruelly, taking a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. His blue eyes inspected the pack before taking one of them and lighting it. A strand of his black hair fell on his face, hiding his deadly eyes from the man in front of him.
"Really?" He asked nonchalantly. "What kind of favors?"
"I am having some troubles with a friend of mine, a female friend of mine, and I want you to deal with her properly."
Tiger tapped his fingers on the table, while his right hand pushed the falling strand behind his ear. His eyes snapped towards Hojo, taking a more pensive aspect.
"I don't kill women." He finally replied, "I never kill women…they are such delicate creatures, angels in our hell. You sought the wrong man. I don't kill women…"
"I don't want you to kill her." Hojo immediately cut in, surprised by the rejection. They told him that Tiger never refused a deal; maybe they disregarded the fact that all his targets were men. "Just scare her. And I will pay you handsomely. Let us say, fifty thousand?"
Tiger smirked, taking an intake from his cigarette.
"You don't understand. Women are made to bring us happiness …pleasure. Killing a woman is not a prestigious act on my record." He stared at Hojo for a moment before continuing, a knowing smile gracing his lips, giving him an angelic façade that could fool anyone. "Don't tell me she's your wife."
Hojo laughed, dismissing the thought with his idea.
"No, of course not..."
"Then who is she? Why do you wish her harm to the point of choosing me to scare her? I, an assassin, a criminal…"
The businessman glared at the man in front of him, his conscience slowly waking up.
"Just scare her okay? I don't want your philosophical opinion. My objective is simple, scare her."
Tiger smiled innocently while staring at his half finished cigarette.
"Is she beautiful?" he asked, his blue eyes shining in his face. "I always like beautiful women. They are so easy to scare yet so fun to play with. Utterly delicious…"
He licked his lips before staring at Hojo.
"Tell me more about her so that I can decide if she's worth it or not. I am a very busy man…and I might like to add a woman on my schedule…"
"Before I tell you…" Hojo started "You may need to know that she is Naraku's girlfriend."
Tiger's smile immediately vanished, replaced by a look of pure hatred.
"Really?" he asked in a dark voice, throwing his cigarette away. "Naraku you say."
Hojo nodded, feeling a new confidence rise within him. Tiger's anger at hearing Naraku's name was a good sign. Maybe with the right persuasion, the young handsome assassin may accept the deal.
"Yes, we're talking about the same Naraku who made you who you are now, the same Naraku who broke your family away and initiated you in this dark world. It's payback. This girl, she is Naraku's. Don't you want to hurt her? You are the best hit man in the streets. Show it. Fifty thousand and a revenge from Naraku, what could you desire more?"
Tiger leaned in his chair, his eyes staring in the distance.
"I don't want to play with Naraku." He replied, reaching for another cigarette. "He is more deadly than what you think. If he figures out, he will send all his assassins after me. I'll be dead in a matter of days. Your money will do me nothing."
Hojo frowned. Tiger was the best hired gun he could find and he knew that if he loses his chance with him, others would not be able to do the job in the same way. He had to make him agree. If Tiger was afraid of Naraku, than what would he expect from the other assassins?
"But you cannot live in the shadows forever. Naraku won't know and you won't kill the girl. What are you afraid of?"
Deadly blue eyes immediately shot towards Hojo, making him freeze in his chair.
"Afraid?" he whispered, his voice dripping with venom, his face contracted with sudden anger. "Do you know who you are talking to Mr.? Do you even know how much danger you are in for just being next to me?" his blue eyes darkened and Hojo gulped in fear. The man was surely up to his reputation. "I have killed more people than you have ever met and I am never afraid. Do you hear me rich boy? I am never afraid. I am heartless. I can kill without remorse, without regret, without feelings..." his voice dropped to a silent murmur. "I am the best in the streets."
Hojo took a large intake of breath. He knew he was pushing his luck but he had to get him to agree.
"Then prove it. Prove that you are not afraid. If you harm Naraku's girlfriend then you are sending a clear message to everyone that you are not afraid. This will build your reputation, will make you invincible. I sought you because they told me that you were Tiger, the best I could ever get. Prove it to me and I will pay you the double. I will double the fifty thousand. I promise that you won't regret it."
"What's her name?" Tiger finally asked after a long silence. Hojo smiled and leaned back in his chair.
"Mercedes, her name is Mercedes. And yes, she is very beautiful."
"I cannot believe you!" Rin yelled. "What do you mean the whole hotel is booked?"
"I am sorry miss." The receptionist apologized, "but the hotel is full and we don't have any places left. I am sorry. We can give you names of other hotels you could reside in."
"We don't want any other hotels!" she yelled again. "We want this hotel. What part of my sentence are you unable to understand stupid?"
"Please miss." The receptionist answered a hint of anger in her voice. "I am not stupid. I am just telling you that…"
"Excuse me." Sesshumaru cut in. "Rin, can you please wait for me over there?"
"Why?" she asked but the older man shot her a look. She sighed and made her way towards the other end of the room. Sighing, Sesshumaru looked at the young receptionist apologetically.
"I am sorry for what she said and I understand that all the rooms are booked. But I do know that all hotels leave at least one room for emergency visitors."
Slowly, he reached in his pocket and withdrew a full envelope.
"Does this amount of money give us the right to access the room?"
The young woman peeked inside the envelope for a few seconds before grabbing the phone and dialing a number. A few words were exchanged between her and the other person before she hung up and smiled at Sesshumaru sweetly.
"It seems that there's still one more room that is free."
"Excellent." Sesshumaru replied, smiling back. "We'll take it. Please let someone take our baggage up."
The young woman nodded.
Rin watched as her ex husband made his way towards her.
"So?" she asked him. He nodded, smiling slightly.
"They are taking our baggage to our room as we speak."
"Really, and what did you tell that bitch to make her agree?"
"Language Rin." He cut her, a scolding look in his eyes. "Let us say that I have my own ways of persuasion."
"Hum. How nice of you. Let me guess. You sent her one dazzling smile coupled with a few thousand of dollars and a small wink for a 'see you around'. Or am I mistaking what happened?"
He stared at her, a smile coming to his lips.
"I am really impressed. That's exactly what happened. I must confess that since our divorce, I have started to notice things I have never noticed before."
"Like what?" Rin asked, not wanting to hear the answer.
"For example, I never noticed how popular I was with females. The flirtatious looks, the little insinuations…so I started to take advantage of this…"
"You're such an insensitive jerk." She cut him in, her eyes glazed with anger. Sesshumaru's eyes widened before narrowing into slits.
"Take that back."
"Why should I? You are a jerk and an asshole. You…you…"
"Look who's talking!" he hissed with a calm voice. "If someone between us is an insensitive jerk, it's you…"
"What are you talking about? Or are you still affected with the whole divorce thing?"
"The divorce thing?" he asked incredulously. "So now our divorce is such a little thing Rin? You divorced me with no reason at all. You just got bored…"
"Sesshumaru?" a feminine voice came from behind them. They immediately looked back and saw Mercedes standing in the hall, eyes wide with surprise.
Sesshumaru gulped before staring at Rin. What were they supposed to do now?
"Miss Mercedes." He finally answered, managing a little smile while trying to sound surprised. "What are you doing here?"
Kagome made her way towards them, a small smile on her lips.
"I am shooting a video clip with Rubin. What are you two doing here?"
Rin looked at her suspiciously. She was talking to then friendly. Why would she do that? Mercedes was always cold and distance; maybe because she wasn't working for them anymore.
"We heard that this island is great so we decided to come." She heard Sesshumaru answer.
"Really?" Mercedes asked happily. "You two are together again? I am so happy for you! That's great! Come with me, Inuyasha is here. He would be really happy to see you both!"
They followed her up the stairs. All the way, she laughed and talked, occasionally winking at Sesshumaru.
"So, I knew that you would come to your senses soon enough, I mean, you cannot divorce, you were such a cute couple. Inuyasha would be thrilled to know."
"And what are you and Inuyasha?" Rin finally asked. "Are you a couple or something? Because when we arrived here, I saw your picture and Rubin kissing. So…"
Mercedes shrugged.
"I really don't want to talk about it." She answered, stopping in front of a room and knocking at the door. Without waiting for an answer, she entered, followed closely by the two of them.
"What the hell?" Inuyasha asked, staring at his brother. "What are you doing here?"
The older brother smiled.
"What a coincidence young brother! Rin and I are staying in this same hotel."
Inuyasha stood up from his desk, and Kagome noticed for the first time that he was dressed formally. She frowned.
"Where do you think you're going like this?" she asked, staring at him.
The young man smiled and adjusted his red tie in front of the mirror.
"To the press conference. I am Rubin's manager aren't I?"
Kagome gasped.
"You've got to be kidding me. You're not going anywhere mister. You are to stay in your room."
"I am going to the press conference Mercedes and you are coming with me." He answered his voice serious and calm. Kagome frowned.
"Hey, don't you use this business tone with me Taisho! You will not go to that press conference and this is final."
Inuyasha finally finished with his tie and looked at the mirror approvingly.
"I am ready. Come on let's go."
"We are not going!" she protested. The young man forcefully yanked her by her arm and started his way towards the door, stopping next to his brother.
"As soon as I finish with the press conference, we will talk about this…coincidence." He stated, staring at both Rin and Sesshuamru before making his exit, Kagome following closely.
Once alone, Rin was finally able to speak.
"They act like a married couple, don't they?" she asked, smiling slightly. "And Inuyasha seems to be happy. That's great. We came here for nothing. We wanted to hook them together and see? They are already like... Sesshumaru?" She finally asked, looking at the young man's back as he inspected a bottle resting on Inuyasha' bed. "What are you looking at?"
Her ex husband looked at her, his eyes filled with worry.
"Why is my brother taking a cardiac medicine?"
Rin's eyes widened.
"So you're telling us that although you were seen kissing in the street late at night, there are no romantic feelings between you and Mercedes? And you are expecting us to believe it? Why are you hiding your love life from your fans Rubin?" a reporter asked.
Rubin took a deep breath and stared at Kikyo who simply shrugged. Great, now he was left alone to answer this pack of hungry wolves.
"No comment." He answered. He was immediately bombarded by the next question coming from the woman sitting to the right. Who would have thought that such a beautiful woman could have a venomous mouth?
"So you're saying that you simply kiss and sleep with women without having any romantic feelings towards them? What an idol you are for our children!"
"I never slept with Mercedes." He answered but was immediately interrupted by the same woman.
"Our reporters saw you both leaving your apartment in the morning after spending the whole night alone. What did you do together, play cards?"
Several laughs were heard and Rubin felt his patience turn into a very thin line.
"I repeat, there is no romantic relationship between me and Mercedes. We are only going to film this video clip together. That's all."
The reporters wrote a few notes and were about to ask further questions when the doors of the main entrance opened and Inuyasha made his way towards Rubin, followed by Mercedes.
Immediately, the young businessman took his seat between Rubin and Kikyo while Mercedes sat to the other side of Rubin.
"What are you doing here?" Kikyo murmured in his ear. "You're sick, you should rest."
Inuyasha looked at her, frowning a little.
"Please Kikyo," he whispered, covering the microphone with his hand. "I am professional; I cannot miss this press conference. Don't make me seem weak."
She looked at him for a few seconds before nodding, smiling a little. He smiled back before looking at the journalists.
"Please, continue your questions." He stated, leaning back. Immediately, he was showered with questions from curious reporters.
"Mr. Taisho, everyone wants to know: why would you give up your company and come to work with Solaris?"
"A personal choice that I rather not discuss." He answered smoothly.
"Is it true that your father has disinherited you?"
"My father's choices are not the subject of this conference. I would rather not comment on this question."
"Then it is true?" another journalist added. Inuyasha sighed heavily. He really didn't know if his father has disinherited him or not but he didn't care. His choice of staying with Kagome was the best choice he had ever taken and he would never back off.
"No comment."
"Is it true that the reason behind your misunderstanding with your father is your friendly relationship with the businessman Naraku? A friendship rejected by both your father and the board of directors?" Someone in the middle of the room asked.
"My friendship with Naraku did not affect my relationship with my company. The reason behind our quarrel is personal and I rather not discuss it."
The journalists soon lost hope from getting any information from the businessman and moved to Mercedes.
"Mercedes," a woman sitting in the front asked, "How would you describe your relationship with Rubin?"
"We're good friends." Kagome answered with a smile. She was definitely expecting this question. It would have been simpler if she was not with Inuyasha while having her photos kissing Rubin published in magazines. But again, her life was never simple. "And I am sure that we will work together in harmony."
"Did you know Rubin before the casting for princess of my heart?"
Before she could reply, Rubin interjected.
"We met once or twice before but we were only formally introduced a couple of days ago. Mercedes is the perfect girl for the role and I am sure you will share my opinion as soon as you watch the video clip. In fact, the shooting will start today and probably end by tomorrow. The delay of one day was due to some technical issues but don't worry, everything was rescheduled so that the day of the launching would remain the same as the one set previously."
The questions continued and the answers came short and blurry. In the middle of the discussion, no one noticed the young man who came in and whispered something in the ear of one of the reporters before leaving in the same hurry.
"What about Karla?" the same reporter suddenly asked. Silence filled the large conference room, looks of surprise exchanged between everyone.
Inuyasha stared at the journalist, trying to guess the meaning of his question while Kikyo smiled as secretly as she could. Rubin gulped. That was an unexpected question.
"Karla and I filmed publicity together." The star replied. "What does this have to do with anything about princess of my heart?"
The old reporter smiled deviously.
"Maybe the fact that you two slept together just days before the publicity was made? Why didn't you choose Karla to shoot the video clip with? "
Whispers coursed through the audience and Rubin shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He tried to answer but no words came. Inuyasha stared in anger at the reporter while Kagome stayed silent, trying to understand what just happened. But the old man was not done with his words.
"In the same exact time when Karla was the girlfriend of the billionaire Taisho, your current manager, you two shared a romantic relationship. Tell me if what I am saying is wrong Rubin."
Silence stretched again, and Rubin could feel Inuyasha's angry gaze on him.
"Maybe the fact that young Taisho is now your manager kept you from choosing Karla so that no confrontation would occur."
"That's not true." Rubin finally answered, "My relationship with Karla had never affected my choice." He took a glance at Inuyasha. This information was never supposed to come out, especially in such a critical time, but he was sure that the reporter had evidence with him. It would be better to confess rather than to deny and only be confronted with reality later on. He took a deep breath and was about to reply but Inuyasha beat him to it.
"This was all what we had to say. Thank you for taking the trouble of coming. The next conference will be held after the shooting is over."
Several complaints and new questions were asked but Inuyasha dismissed them and stood from his chair, followed by the others. As soon as they left the room, Rubin was about to storm away but Inuyasha's calm voice called after him.
"Rubin. Where do you think you're going?"
The young singer turned around, and their eyes clashed together. Worried, Kagome stood next to Inuyasha while Kikyo kept her distance.
"I need to talk to the director." Rubin responded coolly.
Inuyasha nodded twice, his face tensed, his frown deepening by the second.
"Can't this talk wait for a few minutes, Rubin?" he finally asked.
"Inuyasha, what are you doing?" Kagome asked. "You'll discuss it later."
He didn't even look at her, his gaze still fixed on Rubin.
"So Rubin, why don't you tell me how your night with Karla was? I hope you enjoyed yourself." He added venomously.
"We were drunk, totally wasted. We can't even remember what happened. It just happened okay? She didn't mean it and neither did I but stuff happen. And don't you give me that look! I don't owe you anything!" He yelled, glaring at Inuyasha who seemed to be more pissed than he was minutes ago.
"Calm down! Both of you!" Kagome ordered, literally trying to hold Inuyasha back.
"You slept with my girlfriend!" The businessman exclaimed, anger evident in his eyes. "And I was aware of that fact in the middle of a fucking press conference. Neither you nor she had the decency to tell me about that earlier! And to think that I have started trusting you and changing my opinion about you being a complete jerk! Bullshit! You're so full of yourself and you just want to have every woman I put my eyes on don't you!"
"I am a man!" Rubin yelled back. "She tempted me, what was I supposed to do? Turn her down?"
Before Kagome could do anything, Inuyasha lunged at him. The two men crashed together in a storm of fists and yells. She saw Kikyo call the security, still calm as ever but what disturbed her most was the anger welling in her heart. Inuyasha was fighting Rubin because of Karla. He was fighting him because he was jealous over her. She watched as the security separated the two men, not without difficulty and dragged them to opposite corners.
He said he loved her yet he was fighting the battle for another woman, for a woman he was involved with both romantically and physically. She closed her eyes, trying to control her tears. He would always break her heart.
"Ouch, my knuckles are hurting like hell!" Rubin complained while Kagome stared at him from the opposite side of the now empty conference room. "That bastard can surely fight. His heart is weak? Yeah right. Who would have known that Karla's thing would piss him off like that? I mean come on, he was the one who dumped her and never gave a shit for her. And now he's all jealous over something that happened months ago and only once! That asshole, he says that I want to put my hand on everything he has. Well, flash news for you Taisho, you've got nothing other than your fucking ego!"
Kagome looked away, too pained to answer.
"I mean, he's got you, why would he car abut Karla anymore? You know what; I think I know the answer. That bastard just wants everything that is out of his reach. When he had Karla, he wanted you and now that he has you, he wants Karla back. I told you Mercedes, I told you to stay away from him. Now look! You're stuck with him, forever. You'll have to constantly deal with his jealousy. I know that all men are jealous but their jealousy is for their current girlfriends not their exes! So now, all Taisho's girlfriends are out of reach? That bipolar bastard, to think that I was starting to consider him as my friend. That bastard almost fooled me."
Silence stretched again, only to be interrupted by a sobbing sound. Alarmed, Rubin's eyes left his injured hand and settled on a now crying Kagome.
"Hey…" he softly said, looking at her."Why are you crying?"
The softness of his voice made her cry even more. Getting up, he slowly made his way towards her.
"Come on… tell me why you're crying." He asked again but was surprised when she flung herself in his arms, sobbing quietly. Carefully, his arms encircled her, bringing her closer.
"He was so jealous over her." She finally admitted. "He didn't say anything when he thought that we were together but when you and Karla…he got so jealous. He loves her…"
Rubin sighed and hugged her tighter.
"I will never own his heart would I?" she finally whispered, her sobs quieting down. "I mean, I know that he loves me, but not only me. There are so many people other than me in his heart, so many people to share him with…"
"Hey, look at me." Rubin ordered, titling her chin upward so that they can stare at each other.
"What would you say if we start shooting this damn thing already?"
Kagome cracked a smile, nodding her head. Rubin was about to reply when the doors of the conference room opened and an applause was heard. They both stared, eyes wide, as a man entered, followed by his three bodyguards.
"Amazing." He said, staring at them. "The love birds in each other's arms. Am I interrupting something?"
Kagome shivered and held on to Rubin.
"What do you want Naraku?" she asked, staring at the man who stole three years from her life. His smile immediately vanished, leaving him as he always was, threatening and deadly.
"I want you to explain."
"Explain what?" she whispered heatedly.
"Leave us alone." Naraku ordered, motioning at Rubin. The young man was about to leave when Kagome clutched him tighter, her eyes begging.
"Please stay." She whispered. He nodded.
"What's the matter Mercedes?" Naraku asked, suspicion quickly making its way in his system. "Are you afraid of me?"
"Of course not." She answered, but didn't sound convincing. Naraku's eyebrows furrowed as he stared at her. He could tell that something was different about her but he couldn't exactly identify the reason. "What do you want? Why did you come here?"
He was about to reply when his cell phone rang. He gave her one final look before getting out; his cell phone opened, however, his three bodyguards stayed in place. Kagome breathed deeply and sat on the nearest chair.
"Why didn't you want me to leave you alone with him?" Rubin finally asked. "I thought that you two were friends."
Kagome closed her eyes.
"I though t that too." She replied sadly.
Naraku frowned, listening carefully.
"What do you mean he's nowhere to be found? Didn't I tell you to keep a close eye on him?" he asked. The man on the other line gulped audibly.
"I am sorry sir, but I cannot find him. It's like as if he disappeared from the face of the planet. I searched everywhere but I cannot find him. I just can't."
Naraku took a deep breath.
"I should kill you for that." He whispered in the phone causing the other person to shiver.
"I am so sorry. I am sure that this means nothing. Maybe he's with one of these women he hangs out with or maybe…"
"Or maybe he's going to kill someone that we need." Naraku interrupted angrily. "For years I have controlled him but I have noticed lately how rebellious he has been. Listen carefully, I want you to secure Chris' house. I don't want him near my son. Also my house, and tell Kelly to move with Chris until I return. Double the guards and for God's sakes be useful for once and seek him down!"
"I will sir, don't worry. I will find him in two days. Maybe he's smart but we still have our connections. He cannot hide forever."
"I don't care!" Naraku exclaimed. "I don't care if he's fucking or killing. I just want him to remain under my sight! I am paying you and your men handsomely and I expect you to serve me correctly. Just find Tiger and tell me when you do. And do it quick!"
He then slammed his phone closed and rubbed his temples anxiously; as if he needed anymore troubles.