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Throwing Stones
Chapter Twenty-Six: A Short Talk
Kagome combed her hands through her hair nervously.
Sesshoumaru had never been the type to drop by for casual visits. The fact that he was here now could only mean that Houjo was only a small part of the reason why he'd showed up. If anything, she had to guess that it was regarding their case against the Safety Commission itself.
Touya hovered near her. He hadn't stepped away from her since the moment they'd made it down to the lobby. Even though Houjo was gone now, he still kept close to her, as if concerned that the man might find his way back to their dorm.
She appreciated his protectiveness and right now his presence was the one thing that helped her stay calm.
"You needed to talk?" Kagome directed her question at Sesshoumaru.
The man glanced between her and Touya suspiciously but she held his gaze, refusing to give away the nature of her relationship with the other man.
"I have everything ready when you want to pull the trigger." His golden eyes shifted back to her, "I assume you want to hold it on the back burner until you really need it, correct?"
Kagome nodded once, "That's correct. There's no use in pulling out our trump card at the start. We'll wait until they try to adjust the conditions on us again."
Because they most certainly will. It wasn't just a matter of if for the Commission's president but rather when. So once they made their move, she'd be ready to bury them a thousand feet into the earth and leave the hollowed out shell of their organization to be picked over by the opportunistic vultures they called their media. If the Safety Commission was going to try to shut her down, then she was going to bury their organization before she hit her death bed.
Kagome glanced up at the older man, "Did you want to stay for dinner at least? We've got a few hours to spare and I don't mind showing you around the dorm."
It'd honestly been a while since they'd last been able to have a heart to heart talk without discussing the program or their litany of lawsuits currently in progress. She was curious to know how he was actually doing.
Sesshoumaru gave a noncommittal sound, "I have no qualms with that."
Her smile softened, "You know, you like to act tough but you're really a big pushover." Kagome reached for his hand, "Come on, let me introduce you to everyone. I'm sure they'd love to meet you."
Sesshoumaru trailed behind her awkwardly as she introduced the rest of the group to him.
She'd never known why it was that he'd chosen to enter into the foster care program but she felt that if he wanted to tell her, then he would. It was his support that'd carried her this far so she would respect his privacy and wait for him to be honest with her first.
"Oooh he's so handsome! I could just eat him up!" Kenji squealed with delight, looking her foster father up and down with no small amount of appreciation.
"Careful now, no harassing our guests." Kagome laughed when Kenji began trying to take his measurements. They'd developed an interest in fashion and dress making lately. Kenji had even asked her if it'd be alright for them to get a sewing machine. Unfortunately due to the dangerous nature of the needles and machines involved, the Commission denied her request to give Kenji those items. She'd apologized to them and explained her reason why so they understood. In the mean time she'd encouraged Kenji to use their journal as a method of drawing out designs they'd want to make later. It seemed to improve their mood at least.
Kagome watched as Kenji quickly took out their notebook and began drawing a new design.
Clearly, they'd found themselves a perfect model.
Touya came to stand beside her as the rest of the group crowded around Sesshoumaru.
"How long you think it'll take before he snaps?" Her significant other teased.
She felt the tips of his fingers trailing down the length of her arm, pausing only when he'd reached her wrist. She had the urge to take his hand into her own but they both knew that such contact couldn't be allowed. They would simply have to wait until later. Kagome pressed the pads of her fingers against his in a silent request. Touya held still for a moment before he lowered his hand, his lips still pulled into a sideways smirk.
"Kagome," Sesshoumaru called her over. "Deal with them."
His eyes were set into a furrow while Ohagi had begun climbing up his leg. The little cat yowled and hissed, clawing his way up to Sesshoumaru's shoulders just to bat him with his paws.
She smiled and stepped towards the commotion. With practiced movements she swept the little feline into her arms and encouraged the others to give her foster father some much needed space. Both Kenji and Himiko sulked but the others were unperturbed. Atsuhiro and Shuichi were already in the kitchen working on dinner while Tenko and Jin chatted amongst themselves.
"It's quite lovely here." Sesshoumaru commented, dusting off the stray furs Ohagi had left behind on his suit. "You've done well."
A small smile pulled at the corners of her lips, "Coming from you, that's the highest praise anyone could receive."
Which was the truth.
Sesshoumaru rarely complimented others, so when he did it was truly genuine.
"Will you be satisfied with this?" His tone remained even but there was a sharpness in his eyes that belied how he truly felt.
Kagome's smile softened, "I was satisfied the moment this program became reality. What happens tomorrow isn't something I'm going to worry about. I'm just going to take this day by day." She then flashed him a wide grin, "That's what these guys here taught me, so I'd say that this program has helped all of us in some way."
It wasn't much but she wasn't planning on giving up any time soon.
"You know," Her grin turned playful, "There's always room here for you too."
At that moment Jin broke out into an argument with himself while Tenko had run into the kitchen to scold the other two for creating 'death on a plate'. Kenji had also returned and was looking to measure more of Sesshoumaru's figure.
The man shot her a baleful look, "I'll pass."
Kagome laughed in return.
She had a feeling that, that would be his answer.
