A/N: Yes yes... I'm alive.

11.

"So here I am! Missed me yet?" Amaya half screamed when she came in with a commotion nearly impossible for one person to cause. "Lately I've been here more often than is healthy", she kept muttering under her breath.

She stepped into the uselessly big hall and looked around. It was too quiet for her liking. Her hand slipped under her jacket as she quietly walked towards the kitchen. There was no one there. The coffee machine had not been used at least during the night. That was definitely strange.

Amaya turned around, walked straight to Sesshoumaru's study and opened the door with a loud bang. Her hand was still holding the cool metal under her jacket, just in case. She had never been too good at that sneaking around thing. She simply lacked patience.

Well, unfortunately there was no real danger there. She was actually a little disappointed. A good fight in the morning is good for ones blood circulation.

"You look like shit, my dear", Amaya stated. The sight in front of her could be described as nothing but pathetic. Sesshoumaru looked like he had been sitting there the whole night. If you put it nicely that is.

Truth to be told, Amaya's description about his state had been quite head on. He had dark shadows under his eyes, he obviously hadn't been sleeping enough and that state made it even more obvious that he had lost weight again.

Sesshoumaru didn't bother to give her an answer. He simply ignored her.

"You! Wake up from the dream world, you good for nothing!" she screamed and clapped her hands. "I haven't got all day!"

Sesshoumaru turned to look at her. It took a few seconds before his eyes focused properly. "There is no need to be so loud."

"Then react would ya! And where's the kid?" Amaya huffed and sat on the work desk, on top of Sesshoumaru's papers.

"You do realize of course that I have three other perfectly usable and comfortable chairs right there", he pointed out to the woman in front of him.

"Yeah. Whatever. Where's the kid?"

"She is still sleeping, I assume. And she is hardly a kid anymore."

"A brat is a brat. So what do we do with her? What is the safest and most of all fastest way to get her the hell out of here and go back where she came from, hmm?"

"It seems we both forgot they have a holiday now. It is not the safest place for her to be."

"Hmm… I guess… Well, then there is no other way but to make use of this oversized palace of yours. That's what this is here for, right?"

Sesshoumaru frowned. "I am in no position to take care of a child."

"So now she's a child, eh?" Amaya raised an eyebrow. "Still, better you than me."

"That is true."

"So you'll take her?"

"No."

"Why not?" Amaya whined and swayed her legs so that the whole table shook.

"First of all, why don't you stop behaving like a child. Then we could actually communicate without our talks taking weird courses and me starting to lose my mind."

Amaya pouted. "You sound so…so…"

"What?" the irritated author snapped.

"Adult!"

Sesshoumaru's irritation hit another level due to stress and lack of sleep (and Amaya in general). He got up from his chair and marched away.

"Correction", Amaya laughed at his back, "you do behave like a child." She jumped off the table and followed Sesshoumaru to the kitchen.

When they were there, they took their usual places, Sesshoumaru by the coffee machine and Amaya on the table.

"Seriously speaking", Amaya started, actually sounding serious for once, "if she's not gonna stay here, where do you suggest we dump her?"

Sesshoumaru gave her a stare. "She is not a bag of garbage."

"I know. She is WAY more troublesome than that…"

Sesshoumaru sighed. "I guess there's no helping it. She can stay here for now. After all, it is like you said, as much as I hate to admit that, she is the reason why I took over this cursed place, well, that and it's most of the time quiet here. And I do feel more at ease if I know exactly where she is. I'm still not sure if it was such a good idea to send her so far away."

Amaya shook her head. "It's better that she doesn't stick too close to us. After all, we cannot tell what will happen in the future. Besides, I'm not sure about that Naraku fella. There's definitely something fishy about him. He smells nice though, not like fish… Anyway, I think I'm going to investigate a little more. He might be onto something and I don't like the idea of him knowing more than I do."

"Taking into consideration that you are usually very eager to take any obstacles out of the way, why haven't you just taken care of him already like you do with everyone else?" Sesshoumaru asked slightly curious. It was very rare that Amaya let a chance to be evil pass by. Evil meaning extremely violent.

"He's interesting", she said simply.

Sesshoumaru looked at her his eyes turning cold bit by bit. The pixiewoman could not possibly be serious. "You would risk everything just because it's interesting? Have you any idea how dangerous that is?"

"We all have to take risks sometimes", she explained trying to imitate a saint by clapping her palms together and taking an angelic expression. Sesshoumaru could swear he saw a pair of devil's horns instead of a halo on top of her head.

"If that's what you think I want you to promise me something."

"What is it sweetie? You know I don't do favors."

"No, this is an exchange. I want you to leave Miroku out of this."

"You want your plaything for my plaything?"

"Cease your twisted thoughts. I simply want him to be left out of this mess."

"Fine by me, as long as he won't see her."

"No, I want you to promise that he will be safe from you no matter what."

"… You're kidding, right?"

"I most certainly am not", he huffed. "Just keep your hands away from him."

"Aren't we protective today", she murmured curling her lips like the devil himself. (A/N: If you really think about it, isn't it more likely that the devil is a woman…? If there even is one that is.) She thought about it for awhile. "Fine. We'll see what happens. But I just say that if the worst were to happen, it ain't me he should be worrying about."

Sesshoumaru just nodded and gave her a coffee cup. She took out one of her cigarettes with a deep sigh.

"Don't smoke those inside!" Sesshoumaru barked but it had absolutely no affect to the woman at all. He shook his head. "You've been smoking a lot more recently."

"The smoking increases together with my stress level. Even I am getting tired of these games", Amaya said quietly and ran her fingers through her hair. "But you're not much better. When was the last time you actually slept?"

"Well, there has been a lot going on lately", Sesshoumaru murmured and sat down next to her.

"How's the actual work going?" she asked as she offered Sesshoumaru her cigarette.

After thinking it twice he took the cigarette and inhaled deeply, then he gave it back to the smirking editor. "I haven't been able to concentrate for the past few days, not to mention sleep."

"I can imagine, and see. Just take your time."

Sesshoumaru looked at her suspiciously. "Okay, you're scaring me."

Amaya laughed. "Sorry, sorry! I just meant that take your time with Miroku. It's good for you. He's not so bad."

Sesshoumaru only hmmed.

That, of course, made Amaya instantly perk up. "Oh my! Something happened, right? I'm right, aren't I?" she demanded answers her eyes sparkling.

"We just talked. No need to get jumpy", Sesshoumaru said grumpily and sipped his coffee not looking at her. It just mainly annoyed him when she was being like that.

"Talked? The whole night?"

"No. About fifteen minutes to half an hour. Not too sure. Less than an hour."

"Sweetie, your sense of time sucks."

"I don't need you telling me that!" he snapped.

"Well, for you to talk with him only that little and be so affected by it that you can't sleep or work, yeah, it has to be something very special."

"Not really…" he shrugged.

Amaya's eyes narrowed. She grabbed a firm hold of Sesshoumaru's hair and pulled him toward her so that their foreheads banged against each other. "Don't lie to me you skunk with deceivingly pretty face or I'll print it with insects!"

Even though the situation was what it was and his head hurt (he was 90% sure Amaya's head was made of steel), Sesshoumaru could not help but to be a little amused. "You do realize, I hope, that your threats are getting more and more ridiculous, pixiewoman. Running out of ideas?"

This time Amaya's fist made contact with his arm. "And don't you dare to change the subject!"

Sesshoumaru groaned under his breath. "Someday you being concerned is going to kill me."

"Then you better start talking, eh?" Amaya said voice all sugary, smiling sweetly and eyes sending daggers at him.

Sesshoumaru circled his finger around the coffee cup. "He was watching my bookshelf."

Amaya's eyebrows rose surprised. "Oh? You mean he saw that book?"

"No, I keep that elsewhere. It's just that he said the exact same things…"

"Sweetie, I really don't get what you're trying to say here."

"He's happy living his life as he has built it to be. It is not like he hasn't got any ambition, just that he is content."

"So?"

"It makes me wonder where I went wrong. I used to be like that. I never wanted to come back here again."

Amaya sighed. "Well, I'd say that meeting me, being blown up and having the mission to take care of that brat are more than enough to mess up a life."

Sesshoumaru gave her a sideways glance and curled his lips like tasting something bad. "Yes, now that I think about it, it is all your fault."

Amaya fidgeted next to him feeling a bit uncomfortable. "Oh, come on! It's not like your life totally sucks. So, you had to come back here, big deal. You get to see your brother at least. And it's not like you can't do what you like. Actually, I'd say that this situation suits you quite well."

"I never said it wouldn't suit me. It's just not something I planned to happen. And somewhere along the way I think I forgot why I do what I do."

"At least this talk doesn't suit you" Amaya grumbled pouting. "Makes you sound all whiny and stuff."

"Thanks for the support", Sesshoumaru said, his voice thick with sarcasm.

Amaya scratched her head in a very unladylike manner. "Seriously, sweetie, what's going on in that head of yours?"

The author thought about it for a while. "Perhaps I'm slightly uncertain. Writing this book is more challenging than I thought. You know me, when I get down to it I do nothing but work and yet now… I have absolutely no idea what to do."

"Writers block?" Amaya asked worriedly. Damn it, if she wouldn't be able to get the book out in time.

"Of course not!" Sesshoumaru snapped. The thought that he might have a block of any kind was insulting.

The little devil editor eyed him suspiciously. "Sesshoumaru?"

"Hn."

"I don't really get these things but could it be that you have a thing for cutie boy?"

"What do you mean?" Sesshoumaru's eyes widened.

Amaya clicked her tongue displeased. "I mean what I said. Are you falling for Miroku? That's not healthy, ya know. Sex on the other hand is perfectly okay. Now tell me, how far have you two gone? You haven't mixed in any emotions, have you? "

Sesshoumaru tried very hard to think of a way to avoid answering Amaya's inquiry but his mind was like a blank sheet. Lucky for him, he was safe from answering when a girl suddenly ran into the room. "Aunty!" she practically screamed and jumped to hug Amaya who was still on the table.

"Don't call me that you loud, oversized, ADD brat!"

"Be nice", Sesshoumaru murmured and sipped his coffee amused.

Amaya jumped off the table. Rin was much taller than she was. It pissed her off. "Would you stop growing already? You're a girl!"

Rin looked confused. "I'm only 172cm…" Then her face brightened. "Did you like me more when I was a small child? I had no idea you like children!"

"Don't be ridiculous. And you're still a brat. Just a tall one."

Amaya had a little complex with her height. She could not quite reach 160 cm even when wearing very high heels, and those weren't practical at all so it was difficult to wear them (she wore them anyway though).

Rin just kept smiling happily. "How are you Aunty? We haven't seen each other in a long time."

"Just fabulous", she said flatly and gulped down her coffee all at once. "I'm leaving."

"Already?" Rin whined. "I would've liked to talk with you!"

"Sorry kid. I'm busy. You'll be staying here with Sesshy boy - "

"Don't call me that!" Sesshoumaru barked without anyone taking notice.

" - but only if you promise to stay hidden when someone comes over. It shouldn't be too difficult in a place like this.

The girl was surprised. "Sesshoumaru-sama has visitors?" she wondered.

Amaya chuckled. "Hard to believe, eh?" Then she froze. "Wait a sec! Why do you call him with that cool name and I have to be some Aunty?" she screamed.

Rin blinked several times. "Then should I call you Baa-san?"

"That's worse!" Amaya kept screaming, clacking her heel on the floor.

"Quiet down you two. And Amaya, you are making holes to my floor", Sesshoumaru said calmly and took the morning paper his editor had brought.

Amaya calmed herself and steam stopped coming out of her ears. "You two have a lovely day", she said with a hint of sarcasm and gave them a crooked smile before stomping out of the house.

"I've never quite understood how she can make so much noise even though she is so small", Sesshoumaru muttered.

Rin smiled brightly. "Oh, I think it's very common! Jaken makes a lot of noise too. He's very good at shouting. Not as good as Aunty, though."

"Is that so", Sesshoumaru murmured, not too interested, and turned a page.

"Can I get something to eat?" Rin asked eyeing the fridge.

"Take whatever you like."

Miroku was more than ready to eat lunch. It was already two in the afternoon and he hadn't been able to put anything in his mouth the whole day. He was quite frankly starving. Even so, his aching stomach would have to wait a little while longer. The situation at the moment did not look good.

His current customer was somewhat of pain in the ass. She was about to get married and was looking for the perfect everything. Now it was Miroku's turn to make the most beautiful hairdo for her. Unfortunately it was not as easy as it usually was for him, mainly because the woman had too many ideas so he couldn't do what he usually did – be creative that is – so she was constantly unhappy with the result. Miroku couldn't understand why the customers couldn't just leave it to him. He was a professional after all, he knew what looked good.

When he was just about ready to strangle the woman, hack off her head and feed it to Amaya, she finally smiled and squealed. "Yay! That's just perfect! Thank you! This is what we're going to do when the day comes!"

Miroku tried very hard not to roll his eyes. If he was going to hear the words 'the day' one more time… "I'm glad you like it. Shall we leave it on or would you like me to wash your hair again?"

"I'm so gonna leave it on! I love love love it!"

Miroku flashed to her the best professional smile he had and turned quickly around so she couldn't see how he gritted his teeth. He was hungry and irritated and definitely not in a mood for her gushing over wedding details. He usually liked working with brides, they were always so happy, but sometimes one of these persons walked in and drove him absolutely crazy. With these kinds of customers around he always thanked whatever or whoever there was to thank that he was gay and would never had to deal with his own panicking fiancée.

Miroku woke up from his murderous thoughts when someone opened the door and the bell rang. He smiled relieved when he saw the pair that walked in.

"Hey Miroku! Did we come at a bad time?" Sango asked and sat on one of the chairs. It didn't look like she really cared about the timing.

"We brought you some lunch. You haven't eaten anything yet, have you?" Kagome said smiling and put a plastic bag on the table. A delicious small came from it and Miroku felt his mouth water.

"No no, we were just finishing here", he smiled to the woman who was trying to find her purse from her handbag.

Kagome sighed. "Oh Miroku! You did a wonderful job! I absolutely love those curls on the side! Mine was just pulled up…"

The woman absolutely beamed under such praises, even if they were really meant for the hairdresser instead of her.

Miroku shot Kagome a sharp glare. "Don't you dare to complain! You're hair was a piece of art after I was finished with it", he huffed and took the money from the woman. "But I forgive you since you brought me food. I'm starving."

The irritating woman thanked Miroku and left. Sango watched her go before she turned to talk to her friend. "Honestly, you totally rip them off. How is it possible you still have customers with prizes like that?"

"Shut it Sango. I'm the best and they come to get the best. Though, I may have charged a little bit extra from her for being such a bitch."

"Uh-oh… Kagome, give him the chicken curry this instant. He gets grumpy when he's hungry."

Kagome laughed and tossed him the food before taking hers and Sango's. She sat down and they started to eat. She laughed when she saw Miroku practically throwing the food into his mouth. "Miroku, there's really no rush. Take your time with it. You don't even get to taste anything!"

"Easy for you to say, I have another customer coming in any moment now. You can't believe how busy I am. This situation with Sesshoumaru doesn't really help either. I don't even remember when was the last time I went home."

"Really? So you're liking it then?" Sango mumbled, her mouth full of food.

"What gives you that idea?"

"Oh come on Miroku, when have you ever done something you don't like to do?" Sango said after swallowing and raised her eyebrow. "You might have gone a few times out of curtsey (and because there are people who'd kick your sorry ass if you didn't) but after that, you would've simply come up with a reason so you wouldn't have to go."

Miroku shrugged, eyes fixed to his food. "Well, yeah, I guess it's interesting in a way… And I sort of get what you meant, Kagome. He really does have a split personality… Oh, and his smile totally creeps me out."

Kagome looked confused. "His smile? Really?"

"Yeah. He looks like a predator when he smiles."

"I didn't know he even knew how to do that…" Kagome muttered.

"He does and it's fucking creepy. And did you know he's very weird about his coffee?"

"That I know… It took ages before he agreed to drink a cup I made."

"Figures… He also acts like a little brat around Amaya. He threw her in a cold shower!"

Sango chuckled. "Something tells me she deserved it."

"Sure, but that's not the point. And what's up with the fact that he has that huge mansion and he only uses three or four rooms? "

"Maybe he doesn't like to clean the others?" Kagome suggested.

"Does he clean the ones he uses now?"

"Come to think of it, no he doesn't. I do… And I haven't been there in a long time, the place is probably a mess by now. It's just that he doesn't want other people around when he's working."

"Don't worry, Kagome, I cleaned that place", Miroku sighed.

This time Sango laughed out loud. "You? Cleaning? You're joking, right? When have you ever cleaned voluntarily?"

"I got bored, okay! There's no need to be mean about it… He was in one of those moods again and he forgot I existed."

"Then why didn't you just leave?"

"Because I couldn't. I don't have a car, remember? Besides, if he snaps out of his trance and I'm not there, he gets all pissy about it."

"I see."

Miroku took the last bite of his food and sighed relieved. "That was good. Thanks for the food girls, I might have died without it."

"You're welcome!" Kagome beamed. She was always happy when she got to take care of others.

"Did you have a reason for this visit or did you just come to feed the beautiful me?"

Sango frowned. "Do we have to have a reason for visiting you, other than keeping you alive?"

"That usually means that you have a reason. Out with it, girls!"

"Actually, I was wondering if you'd like to come to my house and have dinner with us someday. You haven't been around much lately and we miss you."

"Would Inuyasha be there too?" Miroku asked eyes shining with excitement. Teasing Inuyasha with gay-stuff was hilarious. Poor guy was so uncomfortable with the subject.

"Depends when you come. He's been away a lot, too. Business trips and such. He's been a bit irritated about it."

"Of course he is. He can't get his hands on his beautiful wife if he's in another town", Sango said smirking.

Kagome blushed. "I guess there's that too…"

"Ugh, straight sex, way to go killing my buzz", Miroku muttered and the others laughed. "But yeah, I'd love to come to your place. Your cooking is so delicious that even just thinking about it made me hungry again."

Kagome gave him an affectionate smile. "Do you want to bring Sesshoumaru, too?"

Miroku flinched. "Why would I want to do that?"

"Well, I was just wondering - "

"No. I won't bring him, Kagome, don't even go there. Besides, it's better if it's just the three of us." Miroku said with all the seriousness he had in him. He wasn't exactly pleased that people seemed to like to bring up his relationship with Sesshoumaru, not that there was any relationship, but talking about it made him uncomfortable. He hated the r-word.

"I might have to let him know that I'm not available, though", he muttered, not realizing that he was thinking out loud, or that once again there was a splash of red on his cheeks.

Sango gave Kagome an I-told-you-so look and they both giggled. However, despite her laughter, Kagome couldn't shook away the feeling that something was terribly off.

-:-0-:-0-:-0-:-

A/N: Was it worth the wait? Leave a few comments if you please, even if you just want to tel me what a bitch I am for dissapearing for a year. Nice to be back, though. You'll be hearing from me soon!

~Val