Chapter 6.
Aristocrat ...
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The area before her was beyond words, a white marbled floor reflected the light from the dozens of windows, broken up by matching marble columns.
The high balcony ceilings decorated by the low hanging lights, the podiums with large flat screens up and down them; each showing a series of numbers and information, she couldn't hope to understand.
To her left was a series of metal and wire steps, seeming to elevate upward in a spiral, people climbed them unfazed by the open gaps in the stairs. To her right was the main entrance, with its set of high glass doors and windows, along with all the private offices she could see into.
Slowly Kagome stepped out of the elevator, the door closed shut behind her, leaving her with no way back. She looked like a fish out of water from all the breathtaking people walking around, with their briefcases and expensive colorful clothing. Kagome stayed pressed against the elevator doors, afraid and more than a little confused.
Where was she? A high-end company? A government facility? Perhaps, judging from all the rows of security set up near the entrance, the big security cameras at every corner, and the large stack of armed men approaching her.
"Eeep." Kagome squeaked as she shrank before them, they stopped before her, but didn't say or do anything else. Simply stood there, geared up in bullet proof vests and guns that needed two hands to handle. "Um? Hello?"
No one spoke, they didn't even look at her, after a pause Kagome had the urge to wave a hand in front of one them. Just to see if they would react, or if they were meant to be like the British guard; when a soft feminine voice rang out across the crowded lobby.
"Higurashi, Kagome!" From the sea of the finely dressed came forth a woman dressed all in beige, she waved as she approached her as if they were friends reuniting.
Kagome was surprised when the tall woman embraced her on contact, she was American judged by her long flowing locks of golden hair, and clear blue eyes, but her Japanese was on point.
The woman pulled back to look at her, and as Kagome was being inspected, she did the same.
From her long-tanned legs, to the dress that rained in sequenced patterned all down her body, accenting the American's well-toned curves; there was no denying the woman's beauty.
Kagome fought the urge to tug at her school's skirt, and fix her messy hair. At least she had a good excuse to look a mess, it's not every day one gets kidnapped, and this was the best the young woman could do considering the circumstances.
Then the tall American pursed her pink lips, tisking down at Kagome, before shaking her head and making those tendrils dance around her.
"I don't know how he expects to explain away the smell, but nevertheless" She stepped back, giving Kagome some resemblance of space, all the while fixing her dress. "It's an honor to meet you Miss Higurashi"
"Uh, you can call me Kagome, if you want." Kagome stuttered in, feeling bashful under the woman's soft smile and cool gaze.
"Kagome! Oh, wonderful. Then you may call me Kei, or 'K' as it were in the states. Please, please, follow me. I will be serving as your chaperone from here to 's office."
Kei waved at the men, and like toy soldiers, they snapped to attention.
"Is it really necessary, to have a chaperone I mean?"
She sent half the man in front of them, while the other three flanked behind her, Kei turned to her with a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Oh, I would hope so Kagome, I hope so."
Kagome smiled meekly, aware she was still in danger when one of the guys fell into step behind her, the other two blocking her right and left, she tried with every bit of her being to push back the claustrophobic feelings rising in her.
.
They headed further into the building, herding her along with them, where another row of security prevented anyone from going towards the elevators without screening. Metal detectors, armed guards, drug sniffing dogs, the whole nine yards.
Any other time it would have been appropriate to gap on like the shrine girl in the big city as she was, not now of course. It didn't come as a surprise when she slowed her steps to an almost full stop, just to gaze on. What did surprise her was when the guard behind her pushed her forwards.
Kagome was never sharp on her feet; one might even claim anything could disbalance her equilibrium easily. So when the man-brute shoved her, she couldn't help the clumsy way in which her feet stumbled over themselves, before straightening out.
Kagome felt like screaming, she would have too, but the soldier suddenly looked paler than she felt. Turning to see what had made the Lunk so worried, Kagome turned just in time to see it.
Kei had turned her head, just enough to where their eyes could lock, her face was pursed with disapproval, but her eyes spoke violence.
And although that look would be enough to scare a fleet of armed men, it was the faint swirls of red inside her irises that had Kagome struggling with her breathing.
"Do not touch the girl." Kei hissed out, tight and annoyed, there was a subtle sound of a low guttural that her human ears could barely make out.
Kagome shivered, the three guys all straightened up, and the rumbling eased, but didn't stop. When Kei continued, they moved with her, although now she had a much larger bubble between herself and her entourage.
The security guards lead them ahead of the line without having to go through the whole screening process, Kei at the front taking them to the executive elevators.
Glaring at the trio surrounding her the whole way.
The process didn't last long, and before she knew it, Kagome found herself being shown a private set of elevators. She could see the difference in them clearly, the crowd stayed confined to the other side of the building, to the right of the security check they had just bypassed.
Even these elevators had a fancier look to them, they didn't require a call button, equipped with just a silver pad on the outside. and of course, there was no line for this particular ride. Kagome watched with interest as Kei placed her hand flat against the pad, not a moment later the stainless-steel doors opened for her.
"After you, Kagome" Kei smiled politely, standing there with her hand out, she could be a tv cutout with how perfect and still she was. Against all better judgement, Kagome stepped in.
The space inside was large, no buttons as far as she could see, only a small screen that displayed the floor number.
Kagome swallowed hard when the doors closed, the elevator moving up without them hitting anything.
"Breathe Kagome" Kei reminded, and briefly Kagome found it funny that she had forgotten to breathe, the girl listened and took calming gulps of air.
"It'll be quite alright Kagome, just a few questions, nothing you can't handle on your own. You seem to be a talented young woman; it should be easy to make it out of this one alright.
But- in any case they aren't playing nice"
Kei brought out a business card seemingly from out of nowhere, she turned and with a gentle smile, she offered her help.
"Call me, I'm a lawyer by day."
Kagome stood there for a moment before her manners caught up to her, turning quickly, she was a little bit embarrassed, still she accepted the card with both hands. Bowing deeply to this woman, same as her, before tucking the card securely in her skirt pocket.
.
A few moments later she felt the elevator coming slowing, the display screen showed the 60th floor, but not much else. Taking a moment, Kagome braced herself.
They stepped out together, Kagome had the good graze to keep the gasp that threatened to break in check, she honestly couldn't help it. They came to another lobby, this one more secluded and far more extravagant. The entire right-side wall was one large window, the view that lay outside downright breathtaking.
The only things she could see were the other skyscrapers and offices, peeking behind them, the rays of the morning sun blended with the blue sky, the early mist shining through. The whole thing left her in awe, never had she been this high up, or inside such a bosh place.
Up against the windowed wall sat a very lush waiting area, white leather sitting, the whole thing so excellently decorated with play on oranges and blues, she was almost tempted to run over and enjoy the luxury.
"Inuyasha? What are you up to?"
At the mention of his name, Kagome's head snapped to attention.
"What's it to ya," Inuyasha's voice boomed around the empty lobby, he stormed down the pathway heading directly to her. "I'm taking the girl from here"
"Oh, really?"
He'd changed, walking slowly up to her in a black suit with matching button up instead of the gray ensemble he had just minutes ago, even his hair looked sleek, like it had been wetted.
Still, Kagome couldn't help sighing as her shoulders visibly relaxed, she almost went for him, but before then she noticed the tightness in his eyes.
He looked angry, not just grumpy as she'd seen him before, there was a warning in his eyes that she didn't understand.
She would have said something, but just as soon as he had reached them, his hand had shot out and forced her forward. Once more Kagome was proven to be without coordination, the force behind his pull too strong for her twisted feet, she fell forward, directly into his arms.
"Watch yourself Woman!" Inuyasha scolded her, but to Kagome's grand surprise, he didn't let go right away.
Instead, he took the time to help her right herself, his hand steadying her till she had her footing back.
"Oh, yeah..." Kei scoffed, rolling her eyes "-like that will do the trick. She's got You all over!"
Inuyasha growled at her, forgetting for a second that he was holding the girl, one hand on her lower back while the other came around to hold her up by the elbow.
"Keep your nose out of this, Bitch."
Kei stepped up to them, her eyes twinkling with mirth before him, "Now, now, Inuyasha. We both know I'm no bitch."
There was a pause, like they were sharing in some private joke Kagome was not in on, and to her amazement, Inuyasha had stopped his steady growl.
"Do as you will" Kei turned on a dime, graceful even with those stiletto heels, she scanned her hand to open the doors back up. "Kagome, a pleasure meeting you. Inuyasha; please do try to contain this, it's embarrassing enough."
"Come on, Kagome." Inuyasha tugged on her arm, forcing Kagome to walk away from the mysterious foreigner.
Inuyasha moved them forward, drawing her attention to the front of the lobby, the secretary there walked around her large white marble desk to greet him.
She was a lovely thing, black bobbed hair over a pale complexion. Her red lips contrast in the tight black dress she wore. The low dip of the neckline showed the tops of small but perky breast, her collar bone dotted with beauty marks, drawing the eye to the titanium pendant that hung by her neck.
Once again, Kagome felt a more than a little inadequate in her school's uniform, while at the same time questioning the dress code.
"Lord Inuyasha" The woman practically licked her lips up at him, her voice a seductive caress. "He's ready for you, is there anything I can do to make your meeting today more- pleasurable?"
If her face wasn't pale before, it sure was now. Was this an everyday occurrence? Kagome dared peek past her bangs up at him, just to see what he would do in response.
"Just don't bother us when we're in there, got it?" Inuyasha moved past her, seems like he was just going to ignore her, it shouldn't have pleased her as much as it did, but it did.
"Yes Milord" she stepped aside, not bothered by his lack of interest.
Kagome tried to stick close to him, but his strides were long, making the walk between lobby and office a strenuous one.
Inuyasha threw the double doors open to a darker room, he didn't stop until they reached the middle.
.
The office was equally as large and luxurious, if not more, than the lobby behind those doors. A whole wall was dedicated to housing a series of books, the space reaching all the way up towards high ceilings, no wonder a retractable staircase rested on the far-off side.
One side of the room sat an entertainment area, plush seats and sofas, not to mention its own wet bar. Behind the desk she was met with another wall of glass, this time the view was of nothing but clear skies, making her wonder just how far up they really were.
Her steps had been slow as she took in the room, but when she finally reached his side that's when she felt it, a force so strong it froze the air in her lungs. The doors shut behind them sealing her in with this surge of energy.
There was someone sitting in the large brown leather chair behind the desk, they had yet to turn around, building the suspense she felt further.
"Okay, I got her here. Now what?" Inuyasha barked into the eerily silent room, not seeming faced by the icy atmosphere.
"Inuyasha" The voice floated smooth like silk, soft as rain, yet taking dominance over the room, setting her already frail nerves on edge. "As Impatient as ever" the stranger turned to regard him.
Kagome felt a chill run down her spine, the man in front of her was tall even when sitting, his long dark hair hung low on his shoulders, a starch contrast against his sky-blue suit.
His features were gentle, long and even graceful, but it was the emotionless eyes that warned Kagome off. This man carried a frost with him, his dark brown eyes scanning over her, making her feel like prey caught in his stark stare.
"As for you my dear" the man before her stood then, his dark gray eyes hard on her form, those eyes held a tight grasp on her. "It's nice to meet your acquaintance."
Kagome couldn't speak, too busy fighting the urge deep in her stomach to run. He was gorgeous, a gentle voice, a long well-defined jaw, his beauty only added to his intimidating demeanor.
Inuyasha clenched his teeth, peaking at the frightened girl beside him, her fear hung heavy in the room. That bastard was doing it on purpose, Kagome had even begun to tremble, but there was little he could do to comfort her.
"Kagome" Inuyasha's voice broke through the trance, blinking up, she found his steady gaze. "This is Sesshomaru, the world's biggest ass. Huge ass, her name is Kagome."
Sesshomaru moved to stand, a predatory smirk pulling at the edge of his lips, not at all upset with Inuyasha's way of introductions.
" , pardon the foul oaf. My name is Takahashi, Sesshomaru. I've longed to meet the young heroine that saved the mongrel; such great feats should not go unrewarded"
His hand extended in a traditional Western greeting, there was a brief period when she was far too nervous to reach forward, knowing the longer she took, the worse her manners appeared.
It didn't seem wise to be rude to this man.
.
Eventually she was able to react, slowly, Kagome raised her hand to meet his. And in the grasp of his own, did she truly begin to realize the situation she was in.
The grip was firm and gentle, her hand drowning in his, everything about this man spoke of danger within his beauty. Assured of his power and strength, he was the master of this universe, and she was just a foolish lamb out for the slaughter.
Kagome dropped her hand to her side as soon as he allowed her, his slow smirk putting her whole being on edge, looking in his eyes, she had the clear distinction that her life would mean very little to someone such as him.
Her mouth ran dry...
"Now that the pleasantries are out of the way-"
He shifted forward, towering above her in a predatory way, Kagome felt herself take an involuntary step back away from him. Her entire being screaming at her to run, bolt, leave while she was still capable of doing so.
The warnings she received prior to this losing their meaning, her body and mind reacting in a flight response, urging her to escape this room, and this man.
That's when a hand suddenly landed on her lower back, a touch so light, but firm. The warmth from this hand steadied her feet, reminding her she was not locked in here with this threatening man, alone.
Kagome glanced over at him, Inuyasha didn't acknowledge her stare, just continued to glare on at the sophisticated stranger. But this was not the look of hate, it was close to the same irritated glance he gave Shippo earlier, but then there was more behind it.
"Please, Ms. Higurashi-" Sesshomaru, unfazed by the intense stare, indicated with his forefinger to the set of brown leather seats. A clear invitation but more so a silent command. "Let's begin getting to know one another."
Kagome wanted to turn more into the warm hand, it was the only thing conveying some small sense of reassurance, to hide behind him during this whole encounter.
But all thoughts of disobedience quickly faded when the force around the man doubled.
Swallowing hard she did as told, sitting quickly and stiffly, all the while praying she'd make it out of this one alive.
'Ah Gramps... I've done it now'