READ THIS!!! Okay, my deepest and most sincere apologizes that it took so long before I updated. The language is a problem. Don't worry, I have rest of the story all planned out so this will definitely not stay unfinished. Also, this is the first chapter that has been proofread. You can thank my wonderful beta writers are INSANE that you got to read something without a float of errors like before. Now, enjoy. Though, perhaps you should read some of the previous chapters first...
10.
Sesshoumaru sat on the veranda with a stack of papers, trying to work but unable to concentrate - a problem he very rarely had. Now, however, he kept keeping an eye on the road waiting for a car to appear in his sight.
He was annoyed. Well, there was not anything unusual about that, but the fact that he was restless because of it was something to be considered exceptional. Things were starting to get difficult. He did not like difficult. It was far too troublesome. He liked peace and order in his life. He wanted to live as he liked and not to listen to anyone else's opinions or advices. That suited him.
And now there were complications, as if his so called editor was not enough of a trouble already. He wanted to concentrate on his work and this certainly did not help. Why on earth did she have to get the idea to visit him now? Silly girl…
When he finally he a car approaching the mansion, his brow furrowed. He decided it would be best to ignore the car until he had no other choice. Otherwise it might be hard to control his temper (Yet another problem he rarely had). He turned his attention back to the papers and began to read.
The car stopped right in front of the veranda. The moment it stopped the passenger's door flew open and a girl jumped out laughing happily. She was about sixteen years old, Japanese, and she had thick, wavy black hair that looked a little messy all the time, big brown eyes and a beautiful smile. She ran straight to Sesshoumaru and hugged him.
"Oh, Sesshoumaru-sama! I missed you! How have you been? Did you miss me too? I have soooo much to tell you! Do you know where Aunty is? She wasn't home and I got worried. Is she still doing that dangerous work? Why didn't you call me even once? I thought you had forgotten me – "
"Be quiet girl!" a squeaky voice commanded from the car. "You are troubling the master!"
Sesshoumaru just sat still and looked up from his papers. He looked at the girl clinging to him and sighed. "Rin", he greeted and nodded shortly. Then he rose from his seat and Rin instantly let go of him. Sesshoumaru walked down the stairs and straight to the ugly toad like man, whose shivering increased the closer Sesshoumaru got.
"My lord, it is so good to see you", he managed to squeal through his gritted teeth and trembling lips.
"I told you to keep her safe", Sesshoumaru said coldly.
"But, My lord–" His voice was cut off when Sesshoumaru hit him.
"Thank your good luck that Amaya wasn't home when you got there. She really would have killed you. What were you thinking you useless idiot? If that woman wants to do something to you when you next meet I will not stop her."
Rin ran to them. "No, Sesshoumaru-sama! It was all my fault. I persuaded him to bring me here."
"I know that", Sesshoumaru growled, and gave her a cold look. "But that does not change the fact that he did bring you here."
"Please forgive me My lord!" the little man begged. He looked like he was about to grovel on the ground.
"Just be quiet, Jaken. You annoy me."
Sesshoumaru's words seemed to affect the ugly man more than any physical pain ever could. He lowered his head, ashamed.
Sesshoumaru turned his attention to Rin. "As for you…"
Rin flinched.
"What were you thinking? Have you any idea how dangerous this little whim of yours is? You have endangered everyone! What if Amaya or someone else gets hurt? What if you get hurt? Then all this would have been for nothing! You have to be more responsible!"
"I'm sorry, Sesshoumaru-sama. I just wanted to see you and Aunty. I missed you. It's so lonely there and Jaken is boring."
Sesshoumaru sighed. "That cannot be helped. Boarding schools like that one are the safest place for you."
"But I could be here! Surely I'm safe with you! And you're so smart, you can teach me!"
"Absolutely not", Sesshoumaru's voice was firm.
"Can I at least stay for a little while? Please! We have a break from school and I don't want to be alone there. It's like a prison and it's scary."
"Don't be ridiculous. You are not a child anymore."
"I know that but it's still scary. I want to be with you and I want to see Aunty. Please Sesshoumaru-sama!"
"I guess it can't be helped for now. But you know very well what will happen if you are seen with me or Amaya. I'm going to have a visitor today, and tomorrow, so you have to stay out of sight. You know very well how seriously Amaya takes this rule."
Rin shivered. She knew exactly what Sesshoumaru meant. Amaya was not the most forgiving person. "I understand. I promise you won't even know I'm here." She smiled a reassuring smile and her chocolate eyes sparkled.
Sesshoumaru just looked at her, expressionless. After a small silence he said quietly, "Your room is the same as last time. I haven't touched anything. Take your things there and you probably have to clean up a little. I will call Amaya and tell her you're here."
"Oh thank you, Sesshoumaru-sama!"
"Just go inside."
Rin ran inside the mansion and Jaken followed close behind with their luggage. Sesshoumaru looked at them go and could not help but feel like there was something, in a way, complete. And yet not.
The author collected his scattered thoughts and decided that if he had to call Amaya eventually, he could just as well do it right away. Still, it was not something he was anticipating. Amaya was and always would be a pain. She was capable in her own way and no-one could deny that she was smart, but she was a pain, no way around it.
He remembered their days in the military. She had been in her own environment. He remembered wondering how someone so small could be so bloodthirsty. The worst part was that she had a temper. And of course a HUGE ego. Troublesome woman. It was a good thing she hadn't been born as a man. She could wreak havoc enough as it was… Actually it might have been better if she were a man.
What on earth was he thinking??
Sesshoumaru shook his head and walked back inside leaving his papers outside. They wouldn't go anywhere and he could just come back outside to read them. Some fresh air was good for him. He did spent quite a lot of time indoors nowadays.
But he could not help it. He had a job to do. Well, more like an obsession to be fulfilled. Rin's sudden appearance was not welcome in that sense. It broke his perfect little world of not-belonging. When he worked, he usually lived in the world he created not caring about the outside world.
This current project of his was extremely interesting. It was something he had never done before, a totally new challenge. He had to admit that Miroku was an intriguing person. He was so different than what he was used to. Contradictory to him. He liked that. He could write something good, he was sure.
Oh, yes, Amaya. He almost forgot.
Now where was that damn phone again?
He dialed the number a few times. It was hard to remember the right one, he so rarely used it. There was noise coming from upstairs. He could hear Rin's voice babbling on and on about some silly thing to Jaken who probably wished he could stuff her in a toilet.
Finally he got the number right. (He had one of those old-fashioned phones. Yes, he used a phone very rarely…) It rang for awhile before she answered.
"Yeah?"
"She's here."
"Well hello to you too. Is she okay? Nobody's seen her?"
"Everything is quite alright. She wants to stay though. At least for awhile."
"Absolutely not. There's too much going on right now. You have to concentrate or you'll get nothing done and I can't keep an eye on her all the time."
"Can't she just stay at your place then?"
"No. We can't leave her alone even for a minute. You do remember what happened last time, don't you?"
"It seems like even you can say something reasonable from time to time. All right then, what do you suggest we do?"
"No idea."
"That's not really helpful, pixiewoman."
"Oh, shut up. I'm thinking."
"Do it faster."
"Why don't you try? Figure out something!"
"You're the boss, remember?" There was a clear edge of irony in his voice.
"You still going on about that?"
"Yes. They made a stupid decision. As if you could be responsible for a child. Do they think you have mothering instincts or something else just as ridiculous?"
"They do, actually. They'd be surprised to see that you're the mother hen and I'm the one with the balls."
"I doubt anything you do can surprise them anymore…"
"Perhaps, but your true colors might draw the color off their faces."
"This conversation is going in the wrong direction. This is about Rin now. We are supposed to keep her safe and we have to come up with something. Right now it would be too dangerous to send her back to school. There are too few people there at this time and I don't want to send her on the journey back so fast."
"Wow, you are getting soft. But yeah, you're right."
"I know I am."
"Hmph. Well, like I said before, you have to keep her there at least until tomorrow."
"Why can't you pick her up tonight?"
"I'm going to get my nails done after meeting Naraku."
"… You are kidding, right?"
"Not at all. I'll come tomorrow and we can talk then. Oh, and Sesshy?"
"Do not call me that! What is it?"
"Can I beat up that toadman? Pretty please…"
"No, you cannot beat up anyone. Try to control yourself woman!"
"You are SO not fun at all!"
Sesshoumaru could almost hear her pout. "Tough cookie."
Amaya sighed theatrically. "Fine fine. See you tomorrow."
Sesshoumaru hung up.
--
--
Miroku paced around his apartment. Sesshoumaru was late and that was not usual. Could something have happened?
No, he had probably just forgotten to pay attention to the clock and was now working in his study, his mind somewhere out of this world. Miroku could only wait, even though waiting made him impatient.
He really wanted to see Sesshoumaru. He needed to. That was the only way to confirm if he was going mad because of thinking too much and listening to Sango, or if he really was falling for Sesshoumaru. Mixed feelings were twirling inside him. He was not sure which feelings were real and which were born from all the thinking.
He just knew he had to see Sesshoumaru, whatever the reason was. White hair, handsome face and cool manners, all of it, he yearned to see it.
But the bastard was late, damn it.
When had everything started to get complicated? Sesshoumaru was not even the type of person he should like, though Miroku had no idea what exactly his type was since to this day he had only loved a woman who turned out to be a lesbian. Now why was that so freaking funny? Miroku couldn't help but to chuckle once again.
Anyway, he had to see Sesshoumaru. He actually wanted to talk to him. For some reason Miroku had come to like their weird interviews. They were, in a way, interesting, and at least they proved that the man was not what he first seemed to be.
Miroku sighed. He really was in big trouble. What if he actually had developed feelings (yuck!) for the bastard? How should he handle it? Well, of course he could not do anything about it. Sesshoumaru would never ever feel the same way and more importantly, Miroku had absolutely no interest whatsoever to involve himself in something that could be defined as a 'relationship'.
Ugh, the thought…
Anyway, that was something he did not need to think about, at least not yet. First he had to make sure if there were (or preferably were not) any feelings in the first place, and to do that, he needed Sesshoumaru.
Finally he heard the sound of a car and looked out of the window to see Sesshoumaru pulling up in front of the house. He got out of the car and looked up to see Miroku in the window. He gave him a small nod and leaned on the car, waiting for Miroku to come down.
Inside the apartment Miroku tried to find his composure again. Seeing Sesshoumaru had caused strange things to happen to his heart, chest and all the other parts of his body as well. He was a bit afraid that his heart would just pop out of his ribcage because it beat so wildly.
He had to calm down. Deep breath. Good.
This didn't mean anything, did it? He was just generally nervous. This is why people shouldn't think too much about unnecessary things.
He shook his head and took another deep breath before grabbing his bag and going out of his apartment to where Sesshoumaru was waiting.
Why did he have to look so good? Why, oh why? This really did not help at all. Though, he really should take a better care of his hair… That silly bun was not most becoming for him. Perhaps a loose ponytail or it could just fall freely around him swaying when he moved…
Luckily, that was when Sesshoumaru opened his mouth. "What took you so long? We don't have all day", he snapped, opening the car door and getting in.
Miroku stood still for a moment. Okay, that was a good wakeup call. He developed a new mantra: Sesshoumaru is a bastard Sesshoumaru is a bastard… That helped a bit.
Miroku got in the car too. "You say we don't have all day but somehow you always keep me there until the morning hours."
Sesshoumaru did not answer. His thoughts were already elsewhere.
--
--
Amaya snapped her cell phone close and sighed. It was not typical for her to sigh but now seemed like a good enough opportunity to do so. Damn that brat, why the hell was she so difficult? She absolutely hated kids! She had thought that dealing with the girl would be easier when she grew up but that had been a hope completely wasted. As a teen she was even worse! And what made it even worse was that she really knew how to handle Sesshoumaru. That softie was totally wrapped around her little finger.
Amaya tapped her heel on the floor. She needed a smoke. Her brow furrowed worriedly and she quickly took a sliver cigarette case out of her breast pocket, taking out one of the strange long dark cigarette-like things she smoked every now and then. She lit it and took a deep breath. Now that was better, she could think again (more or less clearly).
Rin's showing up had not been part of the plan. It would make things a bit more complicated. That might be in a way interesting, though. It all depended on what she could make of it. Perhaps the girl could stick around for a while. Actually, it was a rather good idea… Just in case…
Amaya chuckled. Perhaps Sesshoumaru was right and she really had some sort of personality problems. But that was okay. She didn't really care as long as things went smoothly and she had fun.
Speaking of fun… She took another deep breath from the cigarette. Naraku was waiting for her. That meeting might be able to relieve her built up stress. He was very good at providing release.
Amaya put out the smoke and got up from her "office" sofa. She smoothed her dress and looked out of the window. It had started to rain. Perfect weather for difficult thoughts.
She enjoyed playing with Naraku but that was also another problem needing to be solved. There was something about that man that disturbed her. She knew him from somewhere, she was almost certain of it, and he was obviously suspicious about her. That in itself was something that forced her to be on guard. A normal head of a publishing house would not be like that. Just like she was not a normal editor, and he knew it.
That uncertainty in the situation made it actually much more delicious. She had had a number of opponents but now it seemed like she finally had finally found her match, someone who could keep up. It made her shiver with anticipation. She truly hoped Naraku would be everything she expected of him, and more. A few surprises along the way would make things more interesting.
Amaya stood in the corridor outside Naraku's door deep in thought. Now that she really thought about it, she was definitely missing something important. She should do Naraku's background check one more time just in case.
Suddenly the door opened.
"How long are you planning to stand there?" Naraku asked and held the door open for her to come in.
Amaya quickly flashed a smile and stepped in. "How did you know I was there? You a mind reader or something?"
Naraku looked amused. "No. Your heels just make an unmistakable noise. You always sound like you're trying to break the floor. Was my door so interesting you stopped to admire it?"
"Yes, your door is very nice indeed", Amaya said, humor in her voice, and hopped on Naraku's desk.
"Why can't you sit on the chair?" Naraku sighed and walked to the window. The rain made a rhythmic sound as it hit the window.
"Because that's too normal", Amaya explained, eyes twinkling.
"Why did you come?"
"Full of questions today, eh?"
Naraku turned to look at her, eyes narrowing. Amaya rolled her eyes at his suspicion. "Weren't you the one who asked me to come?"
"You never do as I ask."
Amaya blinked a few times. "Oh yeah. I guess I don't."
"So why did you come?"
"I guess I was bored enough."
"That's flattering."
"It should be."
"You have far too much confidence in yourself. People rarely dare to talk to me like that", Naraku said quietly, smirking a little. The expression made him look rather evil and that made Amaya shiver in excitement.
"I know, but I've always lacked the ability to think about what I say. To a certain point at least", Amaya smiled sweetly. She jumped off the table and went to where Naraku was standing. She began to slowly open the buttons of Naraku's shirt and stared at him challengingly.
"You really got some nerve", he huffed, and grabbed her hands, holding them in place. His eyes were hard and mouth a tight line.
"That I do."
As soon as those words left her mouth he was already pushing her against the window, kissing her roughly. His hand was under her shirt in mere seconds and his mouth traveled along her jaw line, making her moan and gasp. Her hands were in his long hair and lips on his throat leaving marks that would stay for some time. She would make sure of it.
--
--
Miroku fidgeted in his seat, feeling… yeah… What was he feeling? Annoyed? Troubled? Certainly those. It didn't make sense though. He'd already decided to not care about it, so what was he getting all worked up for?
The problem was, of course, Sesshoumaru. The man was acting strangely.
No, that wasn't the right choice of words…
He was acting too normal. The Sesshoumaru he was seeing now was the same he had met in his salon. He was reserved, cold and distant. All signs of the exited author were gone, the old Sesshoumaru was back and it made Miroku troubled.
Bloody Sesshoumaru managed to mess up his pace better than anyone ever had before.
What the hell had happened to him?
"Sesshoumaru?"
"Hmm?"
"You've been quiet for a long time. Don't you need to ask me questions or something?" Miroku asked nervously. He wasn't sure why he was so nervous. It wasn't exactly logical but he was anyway. Something was definitely out of place and he wanted to know what it was.
Sesshoumaru stayed silent. He sat in his chair without moving a muscle, staring into the distance.
"Sesshoumaru?"
Finally he looked at him. His eyes were cold and reserved. Miroku was starting to feel extremely uncomfortable. "Would you like me to leave? I'm sure Kagome can come and pick me up."
"There's no need", Sesshoumaru deep voice murmured.
Miroku sighed and got up from where he was sitting. This was getting them nowhere. If this continued they wouldn't be able to get anything done. Sesshoumaru was obviously not in the right mood to do his job at the moment. That was odd in a way. Kagome had said that nothing could stop Sesshoumaru once he got started. Perhaps there was really something wrong.
To occupy himself while thinking things through, Miroku walked to the bookshelf that was big enough to cover the wall. He had been told (by Amaya) that these books were the personal favorites of Sesshoumaru, and the house's library contained even more books.
Miroku had a not so secret weakness for books. He loved them. It was much alike with some women's affection for shoes. When he saw a bookstore, especially a second hand one, he couldn't help but to step inside and spend more money than was wise.
He looked at Sesshoumaru's bookshelf with gleaming eyes. All of his favorites were there, some of them very old editions. He was not certain what it was about them that intrigued him so. The stories yes, but there was something else too. Old books especially were close to his heart.
He took one carefully from the shelf and flipped through the pages. This particular book was Dante's Divine Comedy and it had illustrations in it. The whole book was a great piece of art and so very beautiful, even if some of the pictures were extremely grotesque.
"You seem to like books", Sesshoumaru's quiet smooth voice stated.
Miroku rolled his eyes. Well this was just great. Now he decided to pay attention. Just when he was about to get lost in the world of books. "Yeah. I like them, as I have told you before."
"You did?" Sesshoumaru sounded a bit surprised.
Miroku shut the book a little too hard and turned around to face the arrogant man. "Seriously, where is your head most of the time, huh?"
"What do you mean?"
"Don't play stupid with me! How can you have forgotten the time you came to my salon? You cannot be serious!"
Sesshoumaru looked thoughtful. "Oh yes... I guess I did go there…"
Miroku felt like hitting his head through the closest wall. He still could not understand what that man was thinking about. It really was like he had different personalities, or then his thoughts just swirled around in his head so fast it was humanly impossible to follow his train of thought. What a troublesome person.
Miroku let out a deep sigh. "Yeah, you did come. And acted like an asshole."
Sesshoumaru chuckled. The voice did strange things to Miroku's body (and mental health…) "I thought it was you who used most of the time trying to figure out the best ways to sexually harass me."
Miroku was taken aback by that. Then his face became red. He was starting to get tired of blushing, he did it way too much lately. "So you do remember!" he accused, pointing at him.
"Of course, now that you so kindly reminded me", Sesshoumaru said, suddenly sounding indifferent. He got up from his chair and walked to the bookshelf. He took out some random book and turned the pages slowly. "So what is it about these that you like so much?"
"You sound like you didn't like them."
"They are nothing but books."
"Liar."
Sesshoumaru turned to face Miroku with surprise in his eyes. "What?"
"I said that you're a liar. You actually like books very much, don't you? I just can't understand why you would want to deny it, being an author and all", Miroku huffed and but Divine Comedy back in its place. "I'd kill for a book like that…"
Sesshoumaru collected his thoughts. "You didn't answer my question. Why do you like them?"
Miroku's face turned thoughtful. "Not too sure. I like reading in general. You know, learning new things and such. I enjoy studying. But I guess I like old books because of the history. When I'm holding an old copy in my hands I like the thought that someone else has already had experiences with it and I'm able to share those experiences too. Someone might have hold it in his hands as he's been told that his wife is in labor or someone might have been reading the book under a tree on a nice day while resting in his lovers lap. That sort of thing."
Sesshoumaru had been listening carefully. He could understand Miroku's thoughts. He was just somewhat surprised that he thought like that. "So tell me, how come someone as obviously intelligent as you is stuck being a hairdresser?"
Miroku could feel some of the veins in his forehead popping out in anger. "You really piss me of."
"It is not my intention to be rude. I am only curious."
Miroku sighed. What was he going to do with this person? "If I wasn't a hairdresser what do you imagine I would be?"
The author thought about it for awhile. "Perhaps a teacher or a researcher of some sort."
"Uh-huh. And how do you fit the image of me partying, manhunting and acting like a weirdo into that?"
Sesshoumaru looked at him questionably.
There was no way around it. Miroku would have to explain it from the start. It was not something he was particularly pleased to do. He really did not like to explain himself to anyone. He was the sort of person who did not look for people's approval. If they couldn't handle him, they could always drag their asses somewhere else.
"Listen", he started, "I honestly could not give a damn what you think I should do or not do. I do what I want and that's it. I happen to like being a hairdresser and I like talking to people while I make them look beautiful. I also like to study and read just because it happens to please me. I have no desire to have any degrees or anything. Those have no use for me. I've created a place for myself in this world and I'm quite happy with it. Now I can only see what tomorrow brings with it."
"But surely you could have thought of some other profession that could give you a little better income."
Miroku was starting to get really frustrated. "You're totally missing the point here! I don't care about the money. I get by well enough, it's not like I'm poor or anything, I just don't own a mansion like some people! Besides, I own my own business, I have a place to stay and freedom to do what I like. What more is there?"
Sesshoumaru smiled. It was that very small change in his expression that was somehow able to change the whole atmosphere around him. And it was still able to creep Miroku out. Not that it was in any way a bad expression. "Hmm… Yes, I can see what you mean" he said quietly.
And once again Miroku was not sure what to do or say. Had Sesshoumaru just been playing with him or what? For some reason he was starting to feel very tired. "I really don't get you", he sighed.
That made Sesshoumaru's smile widen. "You don't really need to."
"I know. Thank god for that."
"Do you believe in god? Any gods?" Sesshoumaru asked suddenly overly interested.
"A sinner like me?" Miroku laughed. "No I don't. And what does that have to do with anything?"
"It doesn't", Sesshoumaru stated, looking very serious.
Miroku couldn't help but laugh. It made Sesshoumaru confused. "What is so funny?"
"You know, I've always thought of myself as somewhat of an odd bird but you really take it to another level. During the time here I've actually began to think of myself as a normal person."
"I'm deeply sorry about that", Sesshoumaru said earnestly and put the book in his hand back on the shelf.
"Why?"
"Well, it must be extremely boring being a normal person. Though, that is a concept I have never really understood", he explained.
"Oh, no worries. I'm not quite there yet", Miroku assured.
Sesshoumaru nodded and went back to his desk. Then realization hit Miroku. He had actually fallen into that guy's pace just now, having a conversation that had absolutely no point in it…. Oh crap, he was staring to lose it…
--
--
I have no idea if it was worth the wait but at least it's finished. I beg you, leave reviews, please! I'm very uncertain about this story (even though I personally like it) and I really want to make it better. Just tell me what you think so far.
Love, Val