Chapter 13: Between The Lines

Toga Taisho stood at the entrance of the Taisho Innovations retreat center, his sharp eyes scanning the arriving employees. Today marked the company's annual team-building event, and as CEO, Toga was determined to make it a memorable (and productive) day. He had insisted that his sons, Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha, and his nephew Miroku join the event.

Toga stood at the forefront, exuding his usual air of authority. Dressed in a tailored navy-blue blazer and slacks, he addressed the gathered employees with a calm yet commanding voice. "Today isn't about deadlines or market shares. It's about understanding each other's strengths and working together as a cohesive unit. Let's make the most of it."

Sesshoumaru, dressed sharply in a light gray suit, stood to his father's right. Though his demeanor was cool and reserved, there was a subtle air of anticipation. He wasn't one for socializing, but he understood the importance of these events for maintaining morale—and his father's approval.

To Toga's left stood Miroku with his easy smile and natural charm, Miroku thrived in group settings. He clapped his hands together, addressing the employees with enthusiasm. "Let's make this a day to remember! I'm looking forward to seeing some hidden talents out there."

Inuyasha arrived a little late, skateboard in hand and tie askew, much to his mother's likely disapproval. He shot a sheepish grin at his father before joining the group. Though still in high school, Inuyasha had been invited to observe and participate, a gesture by Toga to involve him in the family business—even if subtly.

What Toga didn't know was that Sesshoumaru and Miroku were using this as an opportunity to scope out potential talent for their projects. Meanwhile, Inuyasha was desperately trying to keep his dad from finding out that he had a soccer game scheduled smack in the middle of the event.

As employees gathered on the grassy field for the first activity—a trust fall—Miroku sidled up to Sesshoumaru, a sly grin on his face.

"Sesshoumaru," Miroku whispered, "how much do you want to bet Inuyasha sneaks out before lunch?" Sesshoumaru raised a perfectly arched eyebrow. "I wouldn't bet against it. His stubbornness has its uses."

At that very moment, Inuyasha appeared, juggling an overly enthusiastic grin and an oversized duffle bag that suspiciously jingled. He clapped a hand on Sesshoumaru's shoulder. "Hey, big bro! Ready to... uh... build some trust?"

Sesshoumaru's golden eyes flicked toward the bag. "Indeed. Though you may wish to ensure your... gym equipment stays properly secured."

"Uh, yeah! Totally! Thanks for the tip!" Inuyasha replied, sweat forming on his brow.

Everyone stood together waiting for Touga's instructions.

Toga stepped forward, ready to demonstrate. "A simple trust exercise. You fall, and we catch you," he said, looking confidently at his team. He adjusted his jacket and looked up at the team, smiling. "I'll go first."

Totosai raised an eyebrow. "You sure, Toga? Maybe you should leave that to someone with more experience in… catching."

Toga shot him a side-eye. "I've got this."

He turned around, arms outstretched, and prepared to fall. As he leaned backward, Totosai took his place beneath him—but instead of standing in a proper catching position, he wandered off to adjust something on the sidelines.

"Hey, where are you going?!" Toga called out, alarmed, but it was too late. Toga was already falling.

And then, to everyone's horror—and Totosai's complete obliviousness—the rest of the team was standing in a circle, too distracted by their own positions to notice. Miroku was adjusting his tie, Inuyasha was drinking water, and Sesshoumaru... well, Sesshoumaru just watched, arms folded, as usual, with the faintest look of amusement on his face.

Toga hit the ground with a soft "oof" right as Totosai casually glanced back, horrified. "Oops! I might've been too busy fiddling with my shoes there."

The group, after a stunned silence, burst into laughter. Toga lay on the ground, staring up at the sky, momentarily defeated.

"Well," Toga said, getting up and brushing himself off, "lesson learned. Maybe I should've trusted more than my team."

"Seems like your trust was misplaced," Miroku teased, shaking his head. "Maybe next time you should try trusting in someone who's not... Totosai."

Totosai nodded enthusiastically, seemingly oblivious to his failure. "Oh, I'll be more focused next time, don't worry!"

Inuyasha, not wanting to be left out of the spotlight, stepped forward. "Alright, fine. I'll show you how it's done."

He positioned himself at the edge of the designated fall spot and turned to face the group. "Alright, make sure you actually catch me, or you'll regret it."

With dramatic flair, Inuyasha fell backward—but just as he did, Sesshoumaru caught him effortlessly, lifting him by the shoulders and turning him around with a smirk. "I'll catch you, but don't expect a repeat performance."

Inuyasha's eyes widened in shock, then narrowed in irritation. "Hey, that's not fair! You didn't let me actually fall!"

Toga, still recovering from his own fall, couldn't help but laugh. "Seems like you're not the only one who gets caught off guard today."

Sesshoumaru looked entirely unbothered as he released Inuyasha back onto his feet. "You should've trusted more in your ability to land on your own."

Miroku, eager to stir things up, smirked. "Oh, Sesshoumaru, this would be even more enjoyable if we had a few ladies around… perhaps even some doctors. I'm sure they'd add a certain charm to the event."

Sesshoumaru, stiffened, glancing over at Miroku. "Worry about your own falling technique, Miroku."

But Miroku wasn't done yet. "Ah, but I can't help but wonder… Who is it you trust, Sesshoumaru? Maybe you can pretend to catch her again—like at the hospital."

Sesshoumaru's expression remained as cool as ever, but for a split second, there was the slightest twitch of his eyebrow. Miroku, clearly enjoying the reaction, pressed on. "You know, Midnight-like—the one with those blue-black eyes. I heard she's quite the catch. Maybe you should really practice this excersize with her."

Sesshoumaru didn't respond, but Miroku saw the faintest hint of something in his eyes. The stoic facade remained, but it was clear that Miroku's teasing had found its mark.

Before Sesshoumaru could regain his usual composure, Miroku flung himself backward for his own Trust Fall. He fell dramatically, almost as if he were auditioning for a role, with his arms outstretched for the perfect "falling" pose.

Sesshoumaru caught him, of course, but he did so with the same minimal effort he'd shown with Inuyasha. "Next time, try to fall without the theatrics," he deadpanned.

Miroku grinned up at him, not missing a beat. "I'm just trying to keep things interesting, Sesshoumaru."

As everyone took turns, the Trust Fall quickly descended into chaos. Totosai was either too distracted or too slow, Miroku made overly dramatic falling noises to amuse himself, and Inuyasha tried to avoid catching anyone for fear of falling face-first. Even Sesshoumaru, despite his cool exterior, ended up half-catching Miroku, who had launched himself backward with an overly exaggerated fall.

Finally; with everyone getting knocked over, miscommunicating, and laughing more than they probably should have. By the end, Toga stood with his hands on his hips, grinning. "Well, that certainly didn't go according to plan, but I think we all learned something."

"That trusting your team may lead to unforeseen consequences," Sesshoumaru deadpanned.

"Yeah, like falling on your face," Inuyasha added with a chuckle.

Totosai nodded sagely. "Exactly! Next time, I'll make sure to focus on catching... but no promises!"

Before Sesshoumaru could respond, Toga's voice boomed across the field. "Everyone, gather around! The next activity is a group relay race. Teams will be randomly assigned!"

As luck (or fate) would have it, Inuyasha ended up on a team with Toga, Sesshoumaru, and Miroku. Their opponents were a group of fresh-faced interns who looked both terrified and thrilled to be competing against the company's upper echelon.

"Alright, team," Toga said, clapping his hands together. "We're here to win. Inuyasha, you'll run the first leg. Sesshoumaru, you're second. Miroku, you're third. I'll anchor."

Inuyasha's heart sank. The first leg meant no chance to sneak off to his game. "Uh, Dad? Maybe I should go last. You know, save the best for... last?"

Toga gave him a look that could have stopped a clock. "Run."

The whistle blew, and Inuyasha took off like a rocket, his duffle bag bouncing awkwardly against his side. As he passed the baton to Sesshoumaru, he veered sharply off course, muttering something about "stretching his calves." Sesshoumaru's golden eyes narrowed as he caught sight of a soccer jersey peeking out from the duffle bag.

Miroku, observing the chaos, leaned over to Sesshoumaru as they waited for their turn. "Should we tell Uncle Toga?"

Sesshoumaru's gaze remained steady. "No. He'll learn more from this than from any lecture."

Meanwhile, Inuyasha was ducking behind a tree, swapping his polo for his soccer jersey. He dashed off toward the nearby sports complex, his cleats clinking against the pavement. "Just a quick half, then back before anyone notices," he muttered to himself.

Back at the retreat, Toga's team was holding their own, thanks to Sesshoumaru's inhumanly efficient running and Miroku's surprising burst of speed (motivated, perhaps, by the attention of a group of admiring assistants). But as the anchor leg approached, Toga glanced around.

"Where's Inuyasha?" he barked.

Sesshoumaru's smirk was almost imperceptible. "Stretching his calves, I believe."

Moments later, a very sweaty Inuyasha reappeared, grass stains on his knees and the faint scent of turf clinging to him. "Sorry, uh, cramp! But I'm good now!"

Sesshoumaru handed him a water bottle as he passed by. "You should hydrate. It would be unfortunate if your performance declined further."

Toga's eyes narrowed. "Good. Because you're leading the next activity: the blindfolded obstacle course."

Inuyasha groaned, realizing his afternoon of secret soccer and corporate bonding was far from over. Meanwhile, Sesshoumaru and Miroku exchanged knowing looks, silently agreeing that this team-building event was turning out to be far more entertaining than expected.

The obstacle course was designed to test teamwork, trust, and patience—qualities that varied wildly among the participants. The rules were simple: one partner wore a blindfold while the other gave directions to navigate through foam barriers, tangled ropes, and other ridiculous obstacles. Simple in theory, chaotic in practice.

Miroku's mischievous streak came out in full force when paired with Jaken, who was blindfolded and holding on to a foam stick for "balance."

"Take a step to the left," Miroku said innocently, as Jaken promptly walked into a foam pole. "Ah, my bad, that was your right. Let's try again."

By the time they reached the rope climb section, Jaken was fuming. "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

Miroku grinned. "Would I ever?" But when Jaken slipped, Miroku quickly caught him. "Relax, my friend. I won't let you fall... too hard."

Sesshoumaru ended up paired with Inuyasha, an arrangement that raised eyebrows and bets.

Blindfolded, Inuyasha smirked. "Alright, let's do this. Bet I'll crush it without your help."

Sesshoumaru, utterly unimpressed, responded dryly, "Your confidence is as misplaced as your aim."

"Just tell me where to go!" Inuyasha barked.

Sesshoumaru sighed, guiding with calm precision. "Step forward. Slowly. There's a barrier."

Inuyasha charged ahead at full speed, predictably tripping over the foam and landing face-first into a rope net. "What the hell, Sessh?! You could've warned me better!"

"I did. You ignored me. A recurring theme," Sesshoumaru replied, adjusting his sleeve as though this were a boardroom meeting.

Despite the bickering, Sesshoumaru's instructions were discreetly helpful. When Inuyasha almost walked into a low-hanging beam, Sesshoumaru smoothly steered him away with a subtle tug.

Halfway through the course, Inuyasha muttered under his breath, "This is taking forever…"

Sesshoumaru raised a brow, noting the younger man's restless energy. "Do try to stay focused. Quitting isn't an option."

But by the time they reached the final stretch, Sesshoumaru turned to give the next direction—only to find Inuyasha's blindfold abandoned on the ground. The sound of distant footsteps confirmed his suspicions.

"Hn," Sesshoumaru murmured, almost approvingly. "At least he's consistent."

The morning's activities finally led up to the last round of the blindfolded obstacle course, and Toga, with blindfold securely fastened, took to the field. Confidence radiated from him, though his enthusiasm was tempered by his team-building partner, Totosai, who shuffled beside him with far less vigor.

Toga set off, guided by Totosai, who seemed uncertain with his directions. "Step left! No, wait, step right! Oh, there's a foam wall ahead!"

Toga paused, turning his head toward Totosai's voice. "Totosai, I can't see! Either give me clear directions or none at all."

Totosai scratched his head, muttering, "Well, I'm not exactly known for my clarity in these situations."

Sesshoumaru stood on the sidelines, arms folded, his usual air of detachment unwavering. Miroku, leaning toward him, whispered, "Think they'll make it through without a disaster?"

Sesshoumaru gave a faint smirk. "If nothing else, it will be entertaining."

Just as Toga approached the final stretch, a wobbly balance beam suspended over a pit of foam blocks, Inuyasha jogged back onto the field, looking a bit too fresh for someone who had supposedly participated all morning.

Sesshoumaru arched a brow as Inuyasha joined the group. "Back already?"

Inuyasha waved a hand, brushing dirt off his cheek. "What do you mean? I've been here the whole time. Just had to... use the washroom."

Sesshoumaru's expression remained unchanged, but the faintest glimmer of amusement danced in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Toga completed his run with a dramatic leap off the beam, landing in the foam pit. The group erupted into polite applause, though it was clear they were all eager for the promised lunch break.

As Toga dusted himself off and removed the blindfold, he noticed Inuyasha approaching. "Inuyasha, I trust you enjoyed the event thus far?"

"Yeah, yeah, it's been great," Inuyasha replied, grabbing a bottle of water and avoiding further questions.

Toga's smile lingered for a moment before he clapped Inuyasha on the shoulder. "Good. Then you'll be eager to join us for the next activity after lunch."

Inuyasha's grin faltered. "Uh… what next activity?"

Toga winked. "A group photo."

As Sesshoumaru walked past, a faint smirk tugged at his lips. He leaned in, just loud enough for Inuyasha to hear, "This is why I don't sneak off. Consequences always follow."

Inuyasha groaned, already regretting his earlier attempts at evasion.

The event concluded with a group photo, and, as expected, chaos ensued. Inuyasha, looking like he'd been through a mud fight, stood awkwardly, his shirt half-tucked and his hair in absolute disarray. Sesshoumaru, standing next to him, was the very picture of pristine composure, his posture perfect, his clothing immaculate as if he hadn't broken a sweat all day.

Miroku, grinning with his trademark smugness, leaned a little too close to Sesshoumaru, making the picture feel even more ridiculous. Totosai, ever the oddball, wore his signature quirky grin, with a hand awkwardly placed on Toga's shoulder, as if he had no idea what was going on. Toga, thoroughly enjoying the situation, gave the camera an exaggerated wink, clearly pleased with how the day had unfolded.

Meanwhile, Jaken, who had been enthusiastically gesturing at the camera, got caught in the moment and almost knocked into Totosai, his face a mixture of confusion and desperation to be a part of the photo. His odd stance and flailing arms made him look like he was auditioning for a role in a slapstick comedy.

As the photographer tried to wrangle the chaos into some semblance of order, the rest of the workers stood around in a semi-circle, adding their own brand of mayhem to the scene. One worker was caught mid-laugh, another was adjusting their shirt in a way that suggested they were practicing for a runway, while a third attempted to sneakily adjust their hair, oblivious to the fact that the camera had already captured the moment. The whole group looked like they'd been caught in a tornado, each person contributing their own special touch of madness to the photo.

The photographer, clearly trying to maintain some order, clicked the shutter just as Inuyasha was mid-eye-roll, the epitome of annoyance, while Jaken was frozen mid-flail, making the entire picture a hilarious mix of chaos and exasperation.

As the team began to disperse, Toga caught up with Sesshoumaru and Miroku. "Despite some… creative interpretations of the schedule," he said, glancing back at Inuyasha's retreating form, "I'd call this a success."

Miroku grinned, his eyes twinkling. "Most fun we've had at one of these events. Though I'm pretty sure Inuyasha's version of 'success' was running away before the photo was taken."

Sesshoumaru gave a small, measured nod. "He'll get used to the consequences… eventually."

Toga chuckled. "True. It was far better than last years."

Sango's face grew serious as Kagome spoke, her initial surprise fading to concern. "Kagome... what do you mean, 'malpractice'?"

Kagome hesitated for a moment, her fingers tightening around her teacup as the weight of what she had learned sunk in. "I think Hojo might be giving patients the wrong medication. I've seen some discrepancies in his prescriptions lately. I didn't want to believe it at first, but I started paying closer attention, and it's becoming clear."

Sango's eyes widened with alarm. "Wait, you mean he's—intentionally?" she whispered, looking around cautiously to make sure no one was listening.

Kagome shook her head. "I don't know. It's possible he's just careless, but it doesn't feel right. Some of the dosages are wrong, and I've even caught him altering patient files when I've gone to double-check prescriptions." She paused, her expression clouded with uncertainty. "It's starting to seem like he's doing it on purpose."

Sango sat up straighter, her mind racing. "That's... serious, Kagome. This isn't something you can just ignore. If patients are being harmed..." Her voice trailed off as she realized the gravity of the situation.

Kagome's heart raced as she continued, her voice lower now, tinged with worry. "I've seen a few signs—patients coming back with unexpected reactions, even worse symptoms than they had before. But I didn't know what to make of it at first. Then it started to add up."

Sango's expression turned from shock to determination. "You're right to be worried, Kagome. This is beyond something you can handle on your own."

Kagome's mind wandered for a moment as she sipped her tea, the pieces of the puzzle still swirling in her thoughts. "There's something else, though... I've been thinking. Doctors can make more money prescribing certain drugs, right?" She bit her lip, her eyes distant. "But it doesn't make sense. Hojo's still a student. He's not even full-fledged yet. So why would he risk everything for something like that?"

Sango's brow furrowed as she considered it. "You're right. It doesn't add up. But if he's trying to pad his income somehow, that could explain it... even if he doesn't have the status yet. Maybe he's found a way to profit in other ways, like getting kickbacks from drug companies or something?"

Kagome's eyes narrowed in thought. "Maybe. But that still doesn't explain why he'd jeopardize his career like this. Unless he thinks no one will catch on..."

Sango's gaze hardened, a resolve setting in. "We'll get to the bottom of it. Whatever his reasons, it's clear he's putting patients at risk, and that's something we can't ignore."

Kagome gave a small nod, grateful for Sango's steadfast support.

Kagome took another sip of her tea, her mind still turning over the implications of everything. "You know, my father has spent years ensuring that our pharmaceutical company can provide for patients from all walks of life. He's worked so hard to make sure that everything is above board, that patients can trust the medications they're receiving. If this gets out, it could impact our family business…everything we've worked for."

Sango's frowned, understanding the weight of Kagome's words. "I get it. This isn't just about Hojo or even about what's happening at the hospital. It's bigger than that. This could shake the whole foundation of what your family's built if someone takes this the wrong way."

Kagome nodded, her voice growing more resolute. "Exactly. If people find out that something like this has been happening—whether it's malpractice or fraud—it could affect not only the patients but also the credibility of the entire pharmaceutical industry. It could tarnish everything my father's built, and I can't just stand by and let that happen."

Sango leaned forward, her tone filled with determination. "Your father's built something incredible, Kagome. And you're doing the right thing by not letting Hojo's actions jeopardize it. You're showing the strength to protect everything that matters to you—and that includes your family, your career, and the patients who rely on your company."

Kagome's expression hardened with resolve as she looked at Sango. "I can't let someone's carelessness—or worse, intentional harm—destroy all that. I'll handle it, no matter how difficult it is. I'll protect my father's legacy and the integrity of the work he's done."

Inukimi stood at the front of the courtroom, her posture impeccable, exuding the kind of authority that made even the most seasoned attorneys pause. Her tailored suit, sharp and elegant, reflected her no-nonsense attitude. The courtroom, usually filled with tension, seemed to draw an even quieter breath in her presence, the kind of power that spoke without a word.

The case she was handling involved a theft of intellectual property between two small companies. One accused the other of stealing trade secrets, and the evidence was shaky at best, but Inukimi's sharp mind had already seen the cracks in the opposing counsel's arguments. She had spent weeks dissecting the details of the case, finding a flaw in their evidence that would prove pivotal. It wasn't a high-profile case, but it mattered deeply to the clients who trusted her, and Inukimi would not let that trust go un-honored.

As the judge's gavel came down, signaling the conclusion of the hearing, Inukimi stood tall, her gaze unwavering. The judge's voice rang clear: "In favor of the defendant. Case closed."

Inukimi offered a faint, knowing smile to the opposing counsel, who had tried to twist the narrative and hide the gaps in their evidence. She hadn't needed to shout or make grand speeches. Her precision and meticulous handling of the case spoke louder than any display of emotion.

Her colleagues offered congratulatory words, but Inukimi merely nodded, her expression serene. She wasn't one to revel in public displays of victory. Her satisfaction came from the quiet acknowledgment of her own brilliance, the knowledge that she had outmaneuvered an opponent in a battle of intellect, not force.

As she walked out of the courtroom, her calm presence was a stark contrast to the frantic buzz of the case's conclusion. She had won—again—not with bravado, but with quiet mastery. To those who truly understood her, this was more than a simple legal victory. It was a reminder of the power she held, not just in the courtroom, but in all areas of her life. She was always several steps ahead, and that was what made her unstoppable.

Kagura sat poised across from the interviewer, her eyes calm yet filled with purpose. The room, softly lit and filled with the quiet hum of conversation, reflected her elegant but grounded presence. As always, the interviewer was eager to get the story behind the iconic model, but today, there was a deeper curiosity in the air.

The interviewer began, sensing an intriguing direction. "Kagura, your career as a model was legendary, but it's been years since you've been in front of the cameras. We've seen you step into different roles in life. What led to that change, and would you ever consider going back to modeling?"

Kagura's lips curled into a small smile, a mixture of fondness and resolve in her expression. "Modeling was always a way for me to survive, not to be in the spotlight. It was an opportunity to take control of my life, to create a future. And I'm proud of the journey it led me on—the woman I became because of it. But it's just one chapter in my life."

She paused, letting her words settle before continuing, her voice steady but tinged with sincerity. "Would I return? If the right opportunity came along, I wouldn't rule it out. But right now, that part of my life is behind me. I've found a lot of joy in the quieter things—baking, for instance, and most importantly, spending time with my family."

The interviewer nodded, intrigued by the depth of her response. "That's beautiful to hear. You've certainly built a life filled with fulfillment. And I've noticed that you've been involved in some charity work as well, most notably you will be hosting a charity gala. How does that fit into your life today?"

A soft, knowing smile tugged at Kagura's lips. "The charity gala... it's one of the things that's closest to my heart. It's not just about raising funds—it's about making a tangible difference in people's lives, something I've always wanted to do. I'm fortunate enough to have a platform that allows me to be a part of something meaningful, something that benefits others. Being able to contribute to my community, especially through causes that matter, feels far more rewarding than any photo shoot ever did."

Her voice softened, the quiet sincerity of her words reflecting her deeper commitment to her family and the causes she championed. "Of course, modeling will always be a part of me, a foundation I built myself on. But now, my focus is on creating lasting impact in ways that truly matter to me."

The interviewer looked at her with admiration. "You've certainly carved out a beautiful, balanced life, Kagura. It's clear that your priorities have shifted, and you're content with where you are now."

Kagura nodded, her smile gentle but confident. "Thank you. I've learned that happiness isn't just about what you've accomplished—it's about what you choose to value. For me, it's about being present with the people I love and giving back when I can."

The conversation flowed smoothly from there.