InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ As Deemed By Fate ❯ Tension ( Chapter 5 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Jade Catseye 
Never steal a bag from a stripper...
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama / Comedy | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 06.04.2005 | Updated On: 09.29.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 1.3K | Status: Work In Progress
Never steal a bag from a stripper...
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama / Comedy | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 06.04.2005 | Updated On: 09.29.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.0K | Visits: 1.3K | Status: Work In Progress
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Title: As Deemed By Fate
Rating: R (for obscene profanity usage, content, and some limey situations)
Pairing: Kik/Inu/Kag
Summary: AU. Man is incomplete until he marries. Inuyasha believes his fiancée Kikyo will make him whole, or did until he met Kagome, an avid exotic dancer that instantly complicates things. Temptation has never been so hard to resist.
Chapter Five: Tension
.
.
.
.
.
.
Tension
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
His fingers massaged the bridge of his nose, not the least bit surprised when it did absolutely nothing to alleviate the pressure that had gradually accumulated over the duration of the day. Staying on top was no easy feat. Over the past seven hours, he had been subjected to three stale board meetings, several stacks of paperwork and the usual heated argument with his partner/half-brother over each other’s supposed ill-advised choices. Nothing was simple anymore and hadn’t been since their firm breached the 10 billion yen mark a couple of years ago. Since then, the firm had skyrocketed in prestige, clients and assets. Shikon Inc. was the most used corporate investment firm among social elites as well as booming businesses across the globe.
The firm now represented over 1.5 million high-priority clientele, something that no Japanese owned firm had ever accomplished in history.
Inuyasha’s chest heaved with exhaustion, tired golden eyes lazily drifting over the hustle and bustle of the city below him. One of his favorite perks that came with being partner in a prestigious joint venture as successful as Shikon was the possession of an expansive, top floor office that could easily double as a small albeit lavish condo. The only pitfall to owning such a vast corporate empire was all the work that had to go into maintaining it at a level where it persisted with surpassing all others.
Caging a tired yawn, Inuyasha swiveled his black leather recliner from the windows to his large, polished desk where across from him sat his secretary, still reading off the reports that was a mandatory obligation thanks to the idiocy of his brother and his faux concern for the ideas and opinions of their employees.
“…believe that managerial overconfidence accounts for the distortions in the investments.”
He slouched deeper into his seat and rested his head lackadaisically against his fist and studied her profile. She was cute and flirtatious, and had been one of the many flings that he had partaken in during his wild years. They hadn’t lasted very long, mainly because of her unnatural fetish with his hair, something he found quite disturbing, especially when he was trying to seduce her and all she could do was comment about the texture of his hair. For anyone else, it would’ve been awkward to continue working for the boss who you’d screwed the night before, but not for someone as vapid as Yura. No, after thanking him for a
wonderful sex filled night the following day, she reverted back into secretary mode and acted as though nothing had transpired between them.
Inuyasha drummed his fingers along the armrest. “Yura,” he drew out her name slowly to emphasize the blatancy of boredom in his tone.
“The overestimation of returns to their investment projects and view of external funds as unduly costs.”
“Yura.” ‘I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad that she takes more interest in the affairs of my company than I do.’
“The overinvestment when there is an abundance of internal funds will most undoubtedly curtail investments when they require external financing.”
“Yura!”
Startled ruby dipped irises lifted from the reports to connect with those of her boss. “Yes, Inu-kun?”
Inuyasha cringed at the irritating pet name. “What have I told you about calling me that?” he shot her a withering glare.
A wicked smile spread across her cherub shaped face, a brown brow rising up in response to the query. “You said not to address you as such in public.” Reports forgotten for the moment, she got up and leaned over the desk, her hand reaching out and grasping a handful of his silken locks. “You never said anything about when we’re in private.”
He yanked his hair from her prodding fingers. “We’re finished here, Yura.” He waved her away.
She pouted. “But Inu-kun, I’m not finished reading the reports to you.”
“Well I’m done listening so save your breath for someone who cares.”
“Oh, Inu-kun,” the secretary gathered her things and offered him a wistful smile, “you were so much more fun before you became engaged to that cold hearted bitch of a-“ The rest of her words froze at the tip of her tongue at the dangerous glint in his eyes that dared her to finish what she was about to say. “Sheesh, down boy. No need to go all rapid dog on me. I’m only telling the truth.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and left.
His anger receded as quickly as it was conjured, leaving him drained and ready for the day to end. How many more years did he have until retirement?
“Aw, is the poor baby tired?”
“Go fuck yourself Miroku.”
Said man grinned. “No need to when I have Sango to bestow me with that pleasure.”
Golden eyes narrowed at the part-time monk that stood propped casually upon the threshold of his office. “Did you have something of actual importance to say, because if not get the fuck out. I don’t have time for your idiocy.”
Miroku sighed and reluctantly dragged himself inside of the spacious office. “I hope this perpetual funk you’re stuck in nowadays wears off once you come back from your honeymoon because I speak for everyone when I say that this grumpy state of mind of yours is most unappealing.”
“Since when have I given a damn about anybody’s opinion?” Inuyasha guardedly eyed the other man as he casually dropped into one of the two chairs facing his desk.
“Well,” Miroku began, picking up an imaginary piece of lint from his custom tailored suit, “you certainly give a damn about Kikyo’s opinion. You made a complete 180 degree turn attitude-wise. I’ve never seen you so committed to one woman in the entire time that I’ve known you.”
He shrugged and bent over to retrieve the reports to put away. “It’s time for a change. Besides, weren’t you part of the majority that wanted me to settle down in the first place?”
Miroku lifted a skeptical brow. “Who are you and what have you done with the real Inuyasha?”
“Why is it so hard for you and everybody else to accept the fact that I’ve changed and am getting married in less than a month?” He shoved the reports rather forcefully into his desk drawer, his jaw tensing with hampered irritation.
“Because you seem to have an affinity for making mistakes of mass proportions. Understandably, you are a hell of businessman and teamed up with your brother, you both are unstoppable, but why the sudden decision to tie the knot so early on in your life? Most rich, successful men don’t fathom the prospect of getting married until they’re in their late thirties at least.”
“Miroku, you should know by now that I’m not most rich, successful men.” Frowning at the direction their conversation was going, Inuyasha rose from the leather lounger and walked to his closet. “Why are you so interested in what I do with my love life all of a sudden?”
“I’m just looking out for the well being of my best friend and co-worker like I’ve been doing for years.” Standing, Miroku watched as he stepped out of the walk-in closet and pulled on his jacket. “I’m not trying to second guess your judgment; I just want to make sure you know what you’re-”
“Well this is what I want,” Inuyasha cut him off abruptly, his tone leaving no room for further discussion. “And as far as I’m concerned, this conversation is over with. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be going.” He snatched his car keys from his desk and wordlessly brushed past his best friend.
Inuyasha frowned at the bitter aftertaste that the exchange left in his mouth, but what was done was done and he had no intentions of taking back his words. ‘People need to learn to mind their own damn business. They still think they can dictate the terms of my life even after I’ve turned myself around.’
“Hey Inuyasha, you okay?”
He glanced over at a concerned Sango. “I’m fine. Tell my brother I’m gone for the day if you get a chance.”
“No problem, but what happened to you last night? You left before you had a chance to open your presents.” Brown eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You didn’t take one of those dancers home and sleep with them by any chance did you?”
Inuyasha felt his hands tighten into fists and began to count backwards from ten like his therapist prescribed in order to maintain composure.
Taking his silence for conformation, Sango slid an exasperated hand over her face. “Inuyasha, you have got to stop with these random one night stands. You’re getting married in less than a month and you’re still running around with those sleazy bimbos. And don’t even think about blaming it on the alcohol,” she shook a chastising finger. “You didn’t have more than a few Coronas and we all know of your astronomical tolerance. What if Kikyo finds out about this? You’re going to…ruin…” Sango trailed off as he bypassed her and walked to the elevator.
“I don’t know how Kikyo can put up with him,” Inuyasha heard her mutter before the elevator doors closed.
His hand trembled with inhibited anger as he punched the button for the garage level, grateful for the moment of solitude he could use to collect himself. Squaring his shoulders, Inuyasha let out a shaky breath, forcing some of his frustration with it. This was exactly what the problem was. His friends were the main ones on his case about anything and everything, scrutinizing his life with a fine-toothed comb with every move he made to ensure that he wouldn’t screw up. So what, he’d been a reckless son of a bitch the latter part of his life and on more than one occasion, had to be bailed out by his friends. He was a changed man, for better or worse he didn’t know, but it was welcome change from his volatile years and it was something they needed to get used to.
‘Fuck. I need a smoke.’ He patted the inside pockets of his jacket and pulled out a familiar green and white cardboard box.
Withdrawing a cigarette with his lips, Inuyasha crammed the box back within the confines of his pockets and retrieved his lighter. He tapped his foot anxiously as the elevator doors finally opened, revealing the underground parking lot under the building. Stepping out, he lit the cigarette with the urgency of a desperate man and inhaled, allowing the smoke to infiltrate his expanding lungs, then released the parting smoke in jet-like streams through his nostrils before going over to the Vanquish. Another perk in being amongst the most elite of businessmen, it would be having the most exotic of cars in the world at his disposal. And if there was anything that could rival his love for his woman, it would have to be his precious vehicles.
A smug grin outlined his lips as he disengaged the locks on the silver car. The shrill ringing of his phone shattered the silent moment between owner and vehicle. The light buzz the cigarette had given him still too much in effect for him to be the slightest bit annoyed at the disturbance, Inuyasha reached down within his pants pocket and dug out his mobile without paying heed to the caller id.
“Yo?” He took a drag.
“Inuyasha?”
He choked on the smoke, the voice of his fiancée having demolished the peaceful walls his nicotine high had erected around his brain.
“Inuyasha? Are you okay?” Her voice sounded worried.
He coughed to draw out and expel the lingering traces of smoke from his lungs. “I’m fine,” he winced, knowing that the hoarse, scratchiness of his voice had just given him away.
There was a pregnant pause on the other side of the line. “Hello?”
“Were you smoking?”
“No,” he said a little too quickly.
“I thought we were past lying to each other.” Her tone hinted displeasure.
“You weren’t when you kicked me out of my house, on my birthday no less,” he snapped throwing down the cigarette and smashing it beneath his shoe, the recollection of yesterday’s events further dampening his mood.
Instead of coming back with one of her usual cold retorts whenever he raised his voice at her, he was surprised when a sigh drifted into his ear. “We need to talk.”
“About what? It’s obvious that you’re having issues of trust in regards to my whereabouts and activities,” he replied dryly and got into his car.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted.
Inuyasha’s lips parted in shock being that this was the first time he had ever hear her apologize, to him or anyone else for that matter.
“It was wrong of me to assume the worst when I found those panties,” Kikyo admitted regretfully. “It’s just taking a bit longer than I thought for me to accept who’ve you become in such a short period of time. In my mind, I still see you as the wild party boy who threw up all over my shoes when we first met.”
His mouth twitched at the memory. He had been drinking far too much than usual that night. And the combination of multiple rounds of Beirut and one too many dance numbers on the floor had caused him to throw up the remains of his dinner all over the Christian Dior stilettos of the renowned talk show host who’d been sitting near the dance floor. “I had a hell of a hangover the next day.”
“I know. I was the one who sat with you through the night and on into the next to make sure you didn’t suffocate from your own vomit,” she laughed airily.
Inuyasha smiled. It had been a long time since he had last heard the lighter side of her personality. “You’re forgiven.” He turned on the car with a press of a button and closed the door. “Do you want me to pick you up after the show?”
“Sure, why not. I’ll see you at five thirty then.”
They said their good-byes and hung up. Inuyasha revved his engine, feeling in a considerably better mood after the phone call. ‘I knew I didn’t sacrifice my less than admirable ways for nothing.’ Grinning, he started to switch gears when something outside caught his attention. It was a simple black bag. Nothing distinctive about its look, but it was enough to trigger a memory of a certain someone.
‘Wait, isn’t that…shit.’ Inuyasha snapped on his seatbelt and threw the gear into drive. He had meant to call and check on the girl to make sure she was ok, but the thought had been planted at the bottom of his to do list upon seeing his workload when he arrived at his office. ‘I can only imagine what ‘Ember’ has in store for me when she finds out I drugged her to make sure she didn’t run off to class.’
.
.
.
“Why that good for nothing bastard!” Kagome seethed tossing clothes that lounged at the bottom of her closet behind her in search of clean sweats. “I can’t believe I actually trusted him with my life for a second.” She snatched a pair of black pants from the floor and proceeded to stuff her legs into them. “Damn my trusting nature. He even made me miss the first part of Kikyo” Still fuming, she stalked to her TV and absently flipped it to her favorite talk show of all time.
:Loud applause in background: “I’ve been receiving e-mails from around the world about this topic for some time. Whether it is between family members, friends, or lovers, dishonesty is something that has been commonplace in relationships throughout the ages.” :Concurrence of audience:
She remembered exactly what had come to past the moment she awakened from her drug induced state. Not only had she missed both her morning and afternoon classes, but she was also going to be late to her workout session with the girls down at the club. Never mind that she had had the best twelve hour rest nap she’d had in her life or that the pill had done wonders for her migraine. The fact remained that he had violated her trust and given her a drug that was so powerful it could’ve killed her.
“Now I can account for those pathological liars and people with disorders, but what about the other ninety eight percent of the world? What compels a person to hide the truth from others? And is it really in the person’s best interest if they don’t know?”
“Stupid Yash, throwing my entire day off. If I ever see him again it won’t be a day too soon,” Kagome grumbled and continued to ransack her room. “Where is my bag?” Irritation quickly manifesting into anger, she gave up searching the room after ten minutes of coming up short and with a short growl, plopped onto her western style bed, arms crossed and eye twitching.
“Take for example the woman who is happily married to the man of her dreams with two children, white picket fence and all. She doesn’t know that her husband is cheating on her with his secretary. Now is he obligated to expose his dark secret or should he allow his wife to remain in her illusionary world where everything is perfect? Are we better off not knowing the truth sometimes? Is ignorance really bliss?” :Conspiratorial whispers:
Annoyance momentarily forgotten, Kagome tapped a thoughtful finger against her chin. ‘Wow. Good point.’ She glanced at the red digital numbers of her clock and swore under her breath. ‘Too bad I will never know.’
“Today we’re going to speak with a relationship specialist and psychologist, Dr. Watanbe Amira from-”
Reluctantly, Kagome switched off the TV. “Damn it, if I worked a normal part time job instead of sliding up and down a pole I’d be off in time to watch my show,” she muttered, picking up her jacket from the back of her chair and exited the room to look for the missing bag one more time before departing. After partaking in another widespread search and retracing every step she might’ve taken twelve hours earlier, Kagome was at a lost and very much on the verge of ripping her hair out when the doorbell rang.
“Will this day ever end?” With a frown still in place, she walked over to the foyer and opened the door. Surprise held her face captive for a good minute as she came face to face with the bag she’d been tearing her house apart to find.
“Is gaping like an open mouthed fish how you greet all of your guests?” Inuyasha smirked lowering the black duffel bag.
Too relieved that her bag was no longer MIA, Kagome took the strap off of his open hand and crushed it to her chest. “You are my savior. I’ve been looking my ass off for this thing,” she offered him a smile that warmed his heart and made him glad that he’d made the out-of-the-way trip, but when the corners of her mouth curled down and her pleasant demeanor gave way to something sinister, Inuyasha smartly took a couple of steps back and braced himself.
“What were you thinking giving me that over-the-counter drug without my knowledge?” she exploded, her smoky eyes blazing with fire. “What if I had had an allergic reaction to the substances in that pill?”
“Calm down, it was only Vicodin. It’s a completely safe drug and doctor recommended if in a lot of pain. They usually use for concussion victims in the hospital so obviously regular drugs wouldn’t do.” He gently took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted it her face upward for examination. “And by the looks of it, you are allergy free, are you not?”
Fighting back a blush, Kagome swatted his hand away. “That’s not the point.”
“Then what is?” he countered taking a step closer so that they were face to face, taking a perverse pleasure in her discomfort.
“Ah…” The warmth radiating from the proximity of his body, the sharp, spicy scent of cinnamon and sage sending her senses reeling caused her mind to draw a blank.
For some reason, Inuyasha had the urge lay a kiss on the pouty lips that hovered painfully close to his own. Mentally chastising himself, he diverted his gaze from her mouth to the interior of her home. “So are you going to invite me in or are we going to stand out here until the cows come home?”
Kagome glared at the arrogant man. “I was just about to leave.”
“And I am parched from driving halfway around the world to bring you that bag,” he gave her a condescending grin.
‘Oh hell, I’m already late as is. A few more minutes won’t kill me.’ “Come on.” She led him to the kitchen and hurriedly poured him a glass of water.
“Why thank you.” He took the glass and proceeded to drink as slowly as humanely possible. “So,” he smacked his lips and leaned comfortably on the counter, “who do you live with?”
She rolled her eyes at his nosiness. “What’s it to you?”
He shrugged. “I’m just making conversation.”
“My mother, my grandfather, and my little brother. Happy?”
“Ecstatic.” He finished the rest of the water in one gulp. “See, being a good hostess isn’t that hard now is it?”
“Shows what you know,” Kagome grumbled taking the empty glass.
“So where are they now?” Inuyasha jumped back as the glass shattered into a million fragmented slivers on the tiled floor beside him. “Damn woman. You’re one clumsy bitch.” Looking up when she failed to make a comeback, he instantly regretted his words. Her face had become pale, the subtle shake of her hands as she bent down to retrieve the larger of the shards alerting him that there was something amiss.
‘Gods, I’ve got to keep it together. Everything will work out for the best. I’ve just got to have faith.’ She did a double take as Yash stooped by her side with the broom and dustpan from the other end of the kitchen. “Sorry, it slipped,” Kagome said numbly and held out her hand to take the cleaning utensils from him. “You don’t have to help.”
Inuyasha ignored her outstretched hands and began sweeping the splinters of glass into a heap.
Sighing, Kagome grabbed the handle of the pan and held it in front of the pile. “They’re all out of the country at the moment. My brother’s debate team went to the international championship in London and will be back in a week or two.”
He knew that wasn’t the real reason behind the glass dropping incident or probably even the truth, but didn’t press the matter. “Wait, so you’re staying here all by yourself until then?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?” she retorted wryly as he brushed the sharp particles into the dustpan.
He merely frowned as she dumped the glass into a nearby trashcan. “So they just left you here by yourself?”
Kagome tried to keep her anger in check. “I can take care of myself without a chaperone.”
“You’re only 19 years old.” His frown deepened. Though the neighborhood she lived in wasn’t nearly as bad as the one he grew up in, it didn’t sit well with him for her to be all alone in an insecure home at the top of a hill. It was an ideal setting for criminal mischief. She was isolated from everyone and everything and if things did take a turn for the worst, she would have nobody to run to. “What the hell are you going to do if someone tries to break into the house? Do you have some type of security alarm?”
“Nobody has ever tried to break in here before and I don’t expect them to start doing so now.” Kagome slammed the pan down in front of the last pile, her teeth grinding together.
“I don’t think it was such a good idea leaving you here without any means to protect yourself in case something happens.” Inuyasha swept the last remnants of glass into the pan and pulled out a pen from his pocket. Locating an envelope in the middle of the table, he bent over and quickly scribbled his digits. “Here. I’m leaving you my cell phone number. Call me if something happens or if you need anything.”
She blinked, taken aback by the amount of trouble he was willing to undergo for someone he barely knew. But while the gesture was sweet, it was uncalled for. She could take care of herself and without the help of an outsider. “Listen, I appreciate your concern, but I think I can manage being on my own for a few weeks without any assistance. It’s really no big deal.”
Inuyasha snorted. “It is if you wind up kidnapped, raped, or dead. And it’s something I’d rather not have on my conscious knowing that I could’ve prevented it.”
Kagome clenched her fists. ‘He’d rather not have it on his conscious? So this is all because he doesn’t want a guilty conscious lest something happened to the poor, little shrine girl. I knew there was nothing different about him.’ “You patronizing bastard. I don’t need you or your help.” Her eyes were like steel encased sapphires, hard and impenetrable. “Get out of my house.”
Inuyasha felt himself bristle at her dismissal of both him and his proposition. “What the hell is your problem?” he growled. “I try to help you and you throw it back in my face like it’s nothing?”
“Go take your charitable rounds elsewhere because I’m not interested, especially coming from an asshole like you.”
‘That’s it. I’ve had enough of this crap. Try to help someone out and all they can do is spew insults.’ “Fine. Stay up here in this shithole and wither away for all I care. I’m done helping you out.”
“Good since you always seem to do so without my say anyway.” Kagome resisted against flinching under the dark, heavy gaze of his amber eyes that seemed to bore holes into her soul and let out an audible breath of air as he left without a word more. “I don’t need him,” she mumbled heatedly and balled up the envelope he had written on before tossing it into the waste bin. “I don’t need him for anything.” So why couldn’t she rid herself of the apprehensive churning in her gut that told her otherwise?
AN: Sorry it took so long for this update but writer’s block is a bitch. Thanks so much for the support and reviews people. I love you guys! I’m on a roll so the next chapter should be up same time next week if I don’t get wrapped up in any more drama or trouble. Until next time.
Title: As Deemed By Fate
Rating: R (for obscene profanity usage, content, and some limey situations)
Pairing: Kik/Inu/Kag
Summary: AU. Man is incomplete until he marries. Inuyasha believes his fiancée Kikyo will make him whole, or did until he met Kagome, an avid exotic dancer that instantly complicates things. Temptation has never been so hard to resist.
Chapter Five: Tension
.
.
.
.
.
.
Tension
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
His fingers massaged the bridge of his nose, not the least bit surprised when it did absolutely nothing to alleviate the pressure that had gradually accumulated over the duration of the day. Staying on top was no easy feat. Over the past seven hours, he had been subjected to three stale board meetings, several stacks of paperwork and the usual heated argument with his partner/half-brother over each other’s supposed ill-advised choices. Nothing was simple anymore and hadn’t been since their firm breached the 10 billion yen mark a couple of years ago. Since then, the firm had skyrocketed in prestige, clients and assets. Shikon Inc. was the most used corporate investment firm among social elites as well as booming businesses across the globe.
The firm now represented over 1.5 million high-priority clientele, something that no Japanese owned firm had ever accomplished in history.
Inuyasha’s chest heaved with exhaustion, tired golden eyes lazily drifting over the hustle and bustle of the city below him. One of his favorite perks that came with being partner in a prestigious joint venture as successful as Shikon was the possession of an expansive, top floor office that could easily double as a small albeit lavish condo. The only pitfall to owning such a vast corporate empire was all the work that had to go into maintaining it at a level where it persisted with surpassing all others.
Caging a tired yawn, Inuyasha swiveled his black leather recliner from the windows to his large, polished desk where across from him sat his secretary, still reading off the reports that was a mandatory obligation thanks to the idiocy of his brother and his faux concern for the ideas and opinions of their employees.
“…believe that managerial overconfidence accounts for the distortions in the investments.”
He slouched deeper into his seat and rested his head lackadaisically against his fist and studied her profile. She was cute and flirtatious, and had been one of the many flings that he had partaken in during his wild years. They hadn’t lasted very long, mainly because of her unnatural fetish with his hair, something he found quite disturbing, especially when he was trying to seduce her and all she could do was comment about the texture of his hair. For anyone else, it would’ve been awkward to continue working for the boss who you’d screwed the night before, but not for someone as vapid as Yura. No, after thanking him for a
wonderful sex filled night the following day, she reverted back into secretary mode and acted as though nothing had transpired between them.
Inuyasha drummed his fingers along the armrest. “Yura,” he drew out her name slowly to emphasize the blatancy of boredom in his tone.
“The overestimation of returns to their investment projects and view of external funds as unduly costs.”
“Yura.” ‘I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad that she takes more interest in the affairs of my company than I do.’
“The overinvestment when there is an abundance of internal funds will most undoubtedly curtail investments when they require external financing.”
“Yura!”
Startled ruby dipped irises lifted from the reports to connect with those of her boss. “Yes, Inu-kun?”
Inuyasha cringed at the irritating pet name. “What have I told you about calling me that?” he shot her a withering glare.
A wicked smile spread across her cherub shaped face, a brown brow rising up in response to the query. “You said not to address you as such in public.” Reports forgotten for the moment, she got up and leaned over the desk, her hand reaching out and grasping a handful of his silken locks. “You never said anything about when we’re in private.”
He yanked his hair from her prodding fingers. “We’re finished here, Yura.” He waved her away.
She pouted. “But Inu-kun, I’m not finished reading the reports to you.”
“Well I’m done listening so save your breath for someone who cares.”
“Oh, Inu-kun,” the secretary gathered her things and offered him a wistful smile, “you were so much more fun before you became engaged to that cold hearted bitch of a-“ The rest of her words froze at the tip of her tongue at the dangerous glint in his eyes that dared her to finish what she was about to say. “Sheesh, down boy. No need to go all rapid dog on me. I’m only telling the truth.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and left.
His anger receded as quickly as it was conjured, leaving him drained and ready for the day to end. How many more years did he have until retirement?
“Aw, is the poor baby tired?”
“Go fuck yourself Miroku.”
Said man grinned. “No need to when I have Sango to bestow me with that pleasure.”
Golden eyes narrowed at the part-time monk that stood propped casually upon the threshold of his office. “Did you have something of actual importance to say, because if not get the fuck out. I don’t have time for your idiocy.”
Miroku sighed and reluctantly dragged himself inside of the spacious office. “I hope this perpetual funk you’re stuck in nowadays wears off once you come back from your honeymoon because I speak for everyone when I say that this grumpy state of mind of yours is most unappealing.”
“Since when have I given a damn about anybody’s opinion?” Inuyasha guardedly eyed the other man as he casually dropped into one of the two chairs facing his desk.
“Well,” Miroku began, picking up an imaginary piece of lint from his custom tailored suit, “you certainly give a damn about Kikyo’s opinion. You made a complete 180 degree turn attitude-wise. I’ve never seen you so committed to one woman in the entire time that I’ve known you.”
He shrugged and bent over to retrieve the reports to put away. “It’s time for a change. Besides, weren’t you part of the majority that wanted me to settle down in the first place?”
Miroku lifted a skeptical brow. “Who are you and what have you done with the real Inuyasha?”
“Why is it so hard for you and everybody else to accept the fact that I’ve changed and am getting married in less than a month?” He shoved the reports rather forcefully into his desk drawer, his jaw tensing with hampered irritation.
“Because you seem to have an affinity for making mistakes of mass proportions. Understandably, you are a hell of businessman and teamed up with your brother, you both are unstoppable, but why the sudden decision to tie the knot so early on in your life? Most rich, successful men don’t fathom the prospect of getting married until they’re in their late thirties at least.”
“Miroku, you should know by now that I’m not most rich, successful men.” Frowning at the direction their conversation was going, Inuyasha rose from the leather lounger and walked to his closet. “Why are you so interested in what I do with my love life all of a sudden?”
“I’m just looking out for the well being of my best friend and co-worker like I’ve been doing for years.” Standing, Miroku watched as he stepped out of the walk-in closet and pulled on his jacket. “I’m not trying to second guess your judgment; I just want to make sure you know what you’re-”
“Well this is what I want,” Inuyasha cut him off abruptly, his tone leaving no room for further discussion. “And as far as I’m concerned, this conversation is over with. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be going.” He snatched his car keys from his desk and wordlessly brushed past his best friend.
Inuyasha frowned at the bitter aftertaste that the exchange left in his mouth, but what was done was done and he had no intentions of taking back his words. ‘People need to learn to mind their own damn business. They still think they can dictate the terms of my life even after I’ve turned myself around.’
“Hey Inuyasha, you okay?”
He glanced over at a concerned Sango. “I’m fine. Tell my brother I’m gone for the day if you get a chance.”
“No problem, but what happened to you last night? You left before you had a chance to open your presents.” Brown eyes narrowed suspiciously. “You didn’t take one of those dancers home and sleep with them by any chance did you?”
Inuyasha felt his hands tighten into fists and began to count backwards from ten like his therapist prescribed in order to maintain composure.
Taking his silence for conformation, Sango slid an exasperated hand over her face. “Inuyasha, you have got to stop with these random one night stands. You’re getting married in less than a month and you’re still running around with those sleazy bimbos. And don’t even think about blaming it on the alcohol,” she shook a chastising finger. “You didn’t have more than a few Coronas and we all know of your astronomical tolerance. What if Kikyo finds out about this? You’re going to…ruin…” Sango trailed off as he bypassed her and walked to the elevator.
“I don’t know how Kikyo can put up with him,” Inuyasha heard her mutter before the elevator doors closed.
His hand trembled with inhibited anger as he punched the button for the garage level, grateful for the moment of solitude he could use to collect himself. Squaring his shoulders, Inuyasha let out a shaky breath, forcing some of his frustration with it. This was exactly what the problem was. His friends were the main ones on his case about anything and everything, scrutinizing his life with a fine-toothed comb with every move he made to ensure that he wouldn’t screw up. So what, he’d been a reckless son of a bitch the latter part of his life and on more than one occasion, had to be bailed out by his friends. He was a changed man, for better or worse he didn’t know, but it was welcome change from his volatile years and it was something they needed to get used to.
‘Fuck. I need a smoke.’ He patted the inside pockets of his jacket and pulled out a familiar green and white cardboard box.
Withdrawing a cigarette with his lips, Inuyasha crammed the box back within the confines of his pockets and retrieved his lighter. He tapped his foot anxiously as the elevator doors finally opened, revealing the underground parking lot under the building. Stepping out, he lit the cigarette with the urgency of a desperate man and inhaled, allowing the smoke to infiltrate his expanding lungs, then released the parting smoke in jet-like streams through his nostrils before going over to the Vanquish. Another perk in being amongst the most elite of businessmen, it would be having the most exotic of cars in the world at his disposal. And if there was anything that could rival his love for his woman, it would have to be his precious vehicles.
A smug grin outlined his lips as he disengaged the locks on the silver car. The shrill ringing of his phone shattered the silent moment between owner and vehicle. The light buzz the cigarette had given him still too much in effect for him to be the slightest bit annoyed at the disturbance, Inuyasha reached down within his pants pocket and dug out his mobile without paying heed to the caller id.
“Yo?” He took a drag.
“Inuyasha?”
He choked on the smoke, the voice of his fiancée having demolished the peaceful walls his nicotine high had erected around his brain.
“Inuyasha? Are you okay?” Her voice sounded worried.
He coughed to draw out and expel the lingering traces of smoke from his lungs. “I’m fine,” he winced, knowing that the hoarse, scratchiness of his voice had just given him away.
There was a pregnant pause on the other side of the line. “Hello?”
“Were you smoking?”
“No,” he said a little too quickly.
“I thought we were past lying to each other.” Her tone hinted displeasure.
“You weren’t when you kicked me out of my house, on my birthday no less,” he snapped throwing down the cigarette and smashing it beneath his shoe, the recollection of yesterday’s events further dampening his mood.
Instead of coming back with one of her usual cold retorts whenever he raised his voice at her, he was surprised when a sigh drifted into his ear. “We need to talk.”
“About what? It’s obvious that you’re having issues of trust in regards to my whereabouts and activities,” he replied dryly and got into his car.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted.
Inuyasha’s lips parted in shock being that this was the first time he had ever hear her apologize, to him or anyone else for that matter.
“It was wrong of me to assume the worst when I found those panties,” Kikyo admitted regretfully. “It’s just taking a bit longer than I thought for me to accept who’ve you become in such a short period of time. In my mind, I still see you as the wild party boy who threw up all over my shoes when we first met.”
His mouth twitched at the memory. He had been drinking far too much than usual that night. And the combination of multiple rounds of Beirut and one too many dance numbers on the floor had caused him to throw up the remains of his dinner all over the Christian Dior stilettos of the renowned talk show host who’d been sitting near the dance floor. “I had a hell of a hangover the next day.”
“I know. I was the one who sat with you through the night and on into the next to make sure you didn’t suffocate from your own vomit,” she laughed airily.
Inuyasha smiled. It had been a long time since he had last heard the lighter side of her personality. “You’re forgiven.” He turned on the car with a press of a button and closed the door. “Do you want me to pick you up after the show?”
“Sure, why not. I’ll see you at five thirty then.”
They said their good-byes and hung up. Inuyasha revved his engine, feeling in a considerably better mood after the phone call. ‘I knew I didn’t sacrifice my less than admirable ways for nothing.’ Grinning, he started to switch gears when something outside caught his attention. It was a simple black bag. Nothing distinctive about its look, but it was enough to trigger a memory of a certain someone.
‘Wait, isn’t that…shit.’ Inuyasha snapped on his seatbelt and threw the gear into drive. He had meant to call and check on the girl to make sure she was ok, but the thought had been planted at the bottom of his to do list upon seeing his workload when he arrived at his office. ‘I can only imagine what ‘Ember’ has in store for me when she finds out I drugged her to make sure she didn’t run off to class.’
.
.
.
“Why that good for nothing bastard!” Kagome seethed tossing clothes that lounged at the bottom of her closet behind her in search of clean sweats. “I can’t believe I actually trusted him with my life for a second.” She snatched a pair of black pants from the floor and proceeded to stuff her legs into them. “Damn my trusting nature. He even made me miss the first part of Kikyo” Still fuming, she stalked to her TV and absently flipped it to her favorite talk show of all time.
:Loud applause in background: “I’ve been receiving e-mails from around the world about this topic for some time. Whether it is between family members, friends, or lovers, dishonesty is something that has been commonplace in relationships throughout the ages.” :Concurrence of audience:
She remembered exactly what had come to past the moment she awakened from her drug induced state. Not only had she missed both her morning and afternoon classes, but she was also going to be late to her workout session with the girls down at the club. Never mind that she had had the best twelve hour rest nap she’d had in her life or that the pill had done wonders for her migraine. The fact remained that he had violated her trust and given her a drug that was so powerful it could’ve killed her.
“Now I can account for those pathological liars and people with disorders, but what about the other ninety eight percent of the world? What compels a person to hide the truth from others? And is it really in the person’s best interest if they don’t know?”
“Stupid Yash, throwing my entire day off. If I ever see him again it won’t be a day too soon,” Kagome grumbled and continued to ransack her room. “Where is my bag?” Irritation quickly manifesting into anger, she gave up searching the room after ten minutes of coming up short and with a short growl, plopped onto her western style bed, arms crossed and eye twitching.
“Take for example the woman who is happily married to the man of her dreams with two children, white picket fence and all. She doesn’t know that her husband is cheating on her with his secretary. Now is he obligated to expose his dark secret or should he allow his wife to remain in her illusionary world where everything is perfect? Are we better off not knowing the truth sometimes? Is ignorance really bliss?” :Conspiratorial whispers:
Annoyance momentarily forgotten, Kagome tapped a thoughtful finger against her chin. ‘Wow. Good point.’ She glanced at the red digital numbers of her clock and swore under her breath. ‘Too bad I will never know.’
“Today we’re going to speak with a relationship specialist and psychologist, Dr. Watanbe Amira from-”
Reluctantly, Kagome switched off the TV. “Damn it, if I worked a normal part time job instead of sliding up and down a pole I’d be off in time to watch my show,” she muttered, picking up her jacket from the back of her chair and exited the room to look for the missing bag one more time before departing. After partaking in another widespread search and retracing every step she might’ve taken twelve hours earlier, Kagome was at a lost and very much on the verge of ripping her hair out when the doorbell rang.
“Will this day ever end?” With a frown still in place, she walked over to the foyer and opened the door. Surprise held her face captive for a good minute as she came face to face with the bag she’d been tearing her house apart to find.
“Is gaping like an open mouthed fish how you greet all of your guests?” Inuyasha smirked lowering the black duffel bag.
Too relieved that her bag was no longer MIA, Kagome took the strap off of his open hand and crushed it to her chest. “You are my savior. I’ve been looking my ass off for this thing,” she offered him a smile that warmed his heart and made him glad that he’d made the out-of-the-way trip, but when the corners of her mouth curled down and her pleasant demeanor gave way to something sinister, Inuyasha smartly took a couple of steps back and braced himself.
“What were you thinking giving me that over-the-counter drug without my knowledge?” she exploded, her smoky eyes blazing with fire. “What if I had had an allergic reaction to the substances in that pill?”
“Calm down, it was only Vicodin. It’s a completely safe drug and doctor recommended if in a lot of pain. They usually use for concussion victims in the hospital so obviously regular drugs wouldn’t do.” He gently took her chin between his thumb and forefinger and tilted it her face upward for examination. “And by the looks of it, you are allergy free, are you not?”
Fighting back a blush, Kagome swatted his hand away. “That’s not the point.”
“Then what is?” he countered taking a step closer so that they were face to face, taking a perverse pleasure in her discomfort.
“Ah…” The warmth radiating from the proximity of his body, the sharp, spicy scent of cinnamon and sage sending her senses reeling caused her mind to draw a blank.
For some reason, Inuyasha had the urge lay a kiss on the pouty lips that hovered painfully close to his own. Mentally chastising himself, he diverted his gaze from her mouth to the interior of her home. “So are you going to invite me in or are we going to stand out here until the cows come home?”
Kagome glared at the arrogant man. “I was just about to leave.”
“And I am parched from driving halfway around the world to bring you that bag,” he gave her a condescending grin.
‘Oh hell, I’m already late as is. A few more minutes won’t kill me.’ “Come on.” She led him to the kitchen and hurriedly poured him a glass of water.
“Why thank you.” He took the glass and proceeded to drink as slowly as humanely possible. “So,” he smacked his lips and leaned comfortably on the counter, “who do you live with?”
She rolled her eyes at his nosiness. “What’s it to you?”
He shrugged. “I’m just making conversation.”
“My mother, my grandfather, and my little brother. Happy?”
“Ecstatic.” He finished the rest of the water in one gulp. “See, being a good hostess isn’t that hard now is it?”
“Shows what you know,” Kagome grumbled taking the empty glass.
“So where are they now?” Inuyasha jumped back as the glass shattered into a million fragmented slivers on the tiled floor beside him. “Damn woman. You’re one clumsy bitch.” Looking up when she failed to make a comeback, he instantly regretted his words. Her face had become pale, the subtle shake of her hands as she bent down to retrieve the larger of the shards alerting him that there was something amiss.
‘Gods, I’ve got to keep it together. Everything will work out for the best. I’ve just got to have faith.’ She did a double take as Yash stooped by her side with the broom and dustpan from the other end of the kitchen. “Sorry, it slipped,” Kagome said numbly and held out her hand to take the cleaning utensils from him. “You don’t have to help.”
Inuyasha ignored her outstretched hands and began sweeping the splinters of glass into a heap.
Sighing, Kagome grabbed the handle of the pan and held it in front of the pile. “They’re all out of the country at the moment. My brother’s debate team went to the international championship in London and will be back in a week or two.”
He knew that wasn’t the real reason behind the glass dropping incident or probably even the truth, but didn’t press the matter. “Wait, so you’re staying here all by yourself until then?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?” she retorted wryly as he brushed the sharp particles into the dustpan.
He merely frowned as she dumped the glass into a nearby trashcan. “So they just left you here by yourself?”
Kagome tried to keep her anger in check. “I can take care of myself without a chaperone.”
“You’re only 19 years old.” His frown deepened. Though the neighborhood she lived in wasn’t nearly as bad as the one he grew up in, it didn’t sit well with him for her to be all alone in an insecure home at the top of a hill. It was an ideal setting for criminal mischief. She was isolated from everyone and everything and if things did take a turn for the worst, she would have nobody to run to. “What the hell are you going to do if someone tries to break into the house? Do you have some type of security alarm?”
“Nobody has ever tried to break in here before and I don’t expect them to start doing so now.” Kagome slammed the pan down in front of the last pile, her teeth grinding together.
“I don’t think it was such a good idea leaving you here without any means to protect yourself in case something happens.” Inuyasha swept the last remnants of glass into the pan and pulled out a pen from his pocket. Locating an envelope in the middle of the table, he bent over and quickly scribbled his digits. “Here. I’m leaving you my cell phone number. Call me if something happens or if you need anything.”
She blinked, taken aback by the amount of trouble he was willing to undergo for someone he barely knew. But while the gesture was sweet, it was uncalled for. She could take care of herself and without the help of an outsider. “Listen, I appreciate your concern, but I think I can manage being on my own for a few weeks without any assistance. It’s really no big deal.”
Inuyasha snorted. “It is if you wind up kidnapped, raped, or dead. And it’s something I’d rather not have on my conscious knowing that I could’ve prevented it.”
Kagome clenched her fists. ‘He’d rather not have it on his conscious? So this is all because he doesn’t want a guilty conscious lest something happened to the poor, little shrine girl. I knew there was nothing different about him.’ “You patronizing bastard. I don’t need you or your help.” Her eyes were like steel encased sapphires, hard and impenetrable. “Get out of my house.”
Inuyasha felt himself bristle at her dismissal of both him and his proposition. “What the hell is your problem?” he growled. “I try to help you and you throw it back in my face like it’s nothing?”
“Go take your charitable rounds elsewhere because I’m not interested, especially coming from an asshole like you.”
‘That’s it. I’ve had enough of this crap. Try to help someone out and all they can do is spew insults.’ “Fine. Stay up here in this shithole and wither away for all I care. I’m done helping you out.”
“Good since you always seem to do so without my say anyway.” Kagome resisted against flinching under the dark, heavy gaze of his amber eyes that seemed to bore holes into her soul and let out an audible breath of air as he left without a word more. “I don’t need him,” she mumbled heatedly and balled up the envelope he had written on before tossing it into the waste bin. “I don’t need him for anything.” So why couldn’t she rid herself of the apprehensive churning in her gut that told her otherwise?
AN: Sorry it took so long for this update but writer’s block is a bitch. Thanks so much for the support and reviews people. I love you guys! I’m on a roll so the next chapter should be up same time next week if I don’t get wrapped up in any more drama or trouble. Until next time.