InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ As Time Will Tell ❯ Three Days of Hell, and of Slutty Women ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: See first chapter, and I do not own the Paris sex tape, or The Apprentice and a shout out to the greatest band ever- Dir en grey!! (Which I also do not own… ::Tears:: Wahh!) Also I gave Hojou a last name since he doesn't seem to have one.

Also I am looking for a Beta reader. I really need one; if anyone is interested email me, I would greatly appreciate it.

As Time Will Tell

Chapter Three: Three Days of Hell, and of Slutty Women

Sesshoumaru boarded his private jet after a quick pack and having to drag Jaken from his room, he managed to get on his plane all before midnight. He did not under circumstances wanted to part with Kagome during the short time that she was in this time but the call of business required his presence. He began to doubt that he could concentrate at the business at hand, while knowing Kagome was unprotected by his own watch was unbearable.

`Maybe I should have Kado or Shippou deal with this. Of all the years of watching her and this year alone serves to be the most important, I should be there for her. My sons are more than capable of dealing the Mizaki wench and the business. Damn her! If I were a bit more paranoid I would think she called this meeting with the intent of separating me from her.'

While deep in his musings, he didn't feel the jet take off to Okinawa. Jaken was asleep in his chair snoring loud enough to awake the dead from their slumber, and to irritate his sensitive ears. He noticed that Jaken in no matter what form he took he still had a toad base look to him. His human form by human standards was ugly. His face was all pointy and he had a green tint to him, making him appear to have a deathly sick demeanor. Many choose to keep their distance whenever Jaken was near.

`Stupid humans always trying to avoid something that is either contagious or not, can they not tell the difference between a sickness or something of basic inheritance?' Sesshoumaru tried to hold down from giving a superior snort, at his observance. Humans were amusing to him and Jaken seemed to remind him of it. It was cycle; Jaken served as an example of weak humans and vice versa.

He looked out the window and watched as the Tokyo city lights faded from view from beneath the dark clouds. He couldn't help but feel nostalgic. He recalled all the years that he was free to fly through the pure clean sky, with the fresh wind whipping through his hair. Now he wouldn't consider it. The air itself was not what it once was, and he refused to be subjected any more to the industrial world than necessary, and he couldn't forget the risk of being spotted, by the lower class. Now he was forced use planes as a replacement, but he preferred his youki cloud, as he had total control over himself.

As he neared his destination, he held back a shudder at the outlook of the unwanted advances constantly made by Mizaki. `Just three days and I can go back home away from her. Three days… This will be hell on Earth and the only cure… Kagome, my sweet beloved.' He would be back and he could continue his regiment of watching her and protecting her.

Due to the days of anticipation of finally being able to speak to her, hear her voice, to feel her, he had went without sleep for too long, even for him. He allowed himself to fall into a light sleep, while trying to block out the annoying humming of the plane engines and the erratic snoring that came from the toad youkai a few seats away from him. Sleep was a safe haven for him; it kept him from worrying about his state of affairs, and helped him forget about the gold-digging whores in his world. With sleep it reminded him of his life he had with his beloved and the all times they had shared. And with each time he awoke from his dreams he found himself just as much in love with Kagome as the first time that he told her of his true pure unadulterated feelings of love he held for her…

“Sesshoumaru-sama? Sesshoumaru-sama! Wake up my lord, we are here.”

“Jaken.”

“Hai?” he gulped.

“Do not wake me from my dreams again.” Sesshoumaru voiced with poison dripping from his tone.

“But milord we are here.”

“I am aware. Now remember to address me as Hayakawa as when we are in public Jaken.” Sesshoumaru declared harshly.

“Hai Sess- I mean Hayakawa-sama.”

“Better.” `Damn you Jaken, you stupid fool. Only if you weren't so loyal…'

Sesshoumaru picked up his briefcase and glided out of the jet and had Jaken tend to the luggage. The black sky seemed to darken as if it sensed his apprehension and agreed with him about his present problem. He marched up to the awaiting limousine and waited for the driver to open his door. From the corner of his eye, Jaken was struggling with their luggage.

`Five-hundred years and he still a weakling…'

His limousine door was opened and he jumped in, and the door was closed after him. After a few minutes he realized the he had not gotten anywhere, he looked out his door window and he watched his driver help the lowly youkai with the luggage. Soon the luggage was placed in the back and Jaken joined the driver in front, they were soon on their way. Within a reasonable amount of time had come to pass, he found that they had pulled up to his hotel. Not waiting for the driver to open his door, he and his briefcase marched up to the front desk. He received his room key and made his way around the familiar settings, leaving behind Jaken, the driver and the bellboy who struggled to keep up with him while juggling his belongings.

He liked this particular hotel, they never asked him questions, always did as he requested and they always had the same room for him, no matter if he was in town for a night or for an entire month. His room was always deprived of the human stench and it should as he paid to keep anyone else from occupying the room whenever he needed it. He entered the familiar hallway at the top floor of hotel and made his way to the largest suite in the hotel.

`At least I will have some comfort while I am here in hell while in the presence of a snake no different from Satan himself.'

As Sesshoumaru saw no need to go back to sleep as he would be joining the meeting in a few hours. He sat at the well worn in a corner of an adjoining room, he restarted his work on his laptop, and he allowed Jaken to maintain everything and to bring along his belongings from their ride. Hours went by unnoticed until Jaken interrupted his work.

“Sesshoumaru-sama, it's time to leave for the conference.”

“I see Jaken, get my ride ready.”

“It already is milord.”

“I will be on my way soon enough.”

“Hai milord.” And Jaken waddled out of his room, leaving his lord alone.

To his disliking, it was the start of the trice days of the hated conference and Mizaki's advances.

`Only if I could fire her or be rid of her in another fashion, but her family is shareholder and the damn contract I have with her damned father, prevents it from carrying out my road to freedom. Perhaps I should have my lawyers look up a loophole, if I have to take any more of her foolish human attempts at seducing me.'

He closed his laptop and changed into another identical black suit. He much preferred his white silk but the black Prada was a fine replacement. He placed his laptop into his briefcase and strolled out of his room to the private elevator. On the base floor he found Jaken waiting for him, he thrust his briefcase into Jaken's tiny hands and walked on expecting the toad to keep up. Their limousine was waiting for them and Sesshoumaru silently got in. On the way to his secondary building he reviewed the material and discussion before hand, and he planned a blunt way of threatening Mizaki with her job- damn the contract and damn her father.

Jaken remained quiet as well; knowing his lord favored silence. He nervously tapped his fingers across the hard dark leather of his master's briefcase; he knew of his master's predicament. The whore would torment his lord endlessly, he would personally love to burn her with his Heads of Staff but he couldn't. Be the case, no not in the twentieth-century, well he could rid his lord of the annoyance but humans punished those who kill and his lord made it clear that there would be no senseless “murders” or he liked to call it extermination.

His lord was once cold, aloof, merciless and powerful, but it began to change. It started first with his lord's first human- Rin. He kept her like a pet, cared for her well being and protected her. She was a nightmare, the flower fetish and the fact that she was uncontrollable whenever she was placed in his care. Rin found a crack in his lord's heart and in Jaken's lowly belief, weakening him.

Then his lord's human mate, - Kagome-sama, what an odd human she was. He personally thought she was better than all the other smelly humans, but she was still a human. Had the same weaknesses and such. His lord deserved better. He was happy that his lord was happy to be with her but being the weak human she as it was a short-lived happiness. She was doomed to die of old age were not for her murder, while he himself would remain young. Kagome-sama was a great human and a wonderful Lady of the Western Lands as much as he hated to admit it to himself. To have a short life and be weak was something you forgot when you were around her; she exuded strength and calmness. It was hard to believe she that she was not youkai.

When the young master was born it feared Jaken. Not for the fact he was part demon, but for being part human. His lord had the audacity to name Kado-sama his heir. Doing the exact opposite; he once proclaimed and the fact it would offend any youkai of importance. Yet he stood back, did as his master commanded and hoped that his strength would be enough. But it went back to his earlier theory. Humans made his lord weak. He fought for someone he loved and his clairvoyance was clouded by emotion, not logic.

In the end it all went to hell. He never saw his lord so emotional, so angry, he feared for those poor souls who would meet their end is such a horrible way, but they did deserve all the future pain they were entitled to.

“Jaken give me my suitcase.”

Jaken snapped out of his thoughts and handed his lord his case. “My lord when did we reach the office?”

“Jaken if you wish to serve me any longer don't act like the idiot you are.”

“Hai Sesshoumaru-sama.”

“Jaken.”

“I-er mean Hayakawa-sama.”

Sesshoumaru or rather `Hayakawa' and his loyal green toad exited from the limousine quickly and before they could step onto the concrete sidewalk, they heard a gnarlish screech, directed at them.

“Hayakawa-saaaaaaan!”

`Oh no, not now.' Sesshoumaru thought to himself, as he contorted his face to his stoic mask on the arrival at the arrival of the one person he wished to avoid.

“Hayakawa-san! Ohayo gozaimasu! It is so nice to run into you on the way up to the meeting! Now we can ride the elevator together!”

“… Mizaki, ohayo.” Sesshoumaru responded with his thoughts dripping with trepidation.

Naomi Mizaki inched closer to Sesshoumaru as she continued to have a one-sided conversation with the tense youkai. Sesshoumaru looked her over, as she wouldn't shut up about her nonsense, she always wore revealing clothing that feigned to be a woman's business suit in hopes of enticing any male. She was taller than the average Japanese woman, but she blended in successfully some of the time, but was not for the light brown hair and her shimmering jade green eyes she had inherited from her American mother, she still stood out in a crowd. And Mizaki always seemed to be swimming in perfume, probably thinking that males of ANY species would swarm to her.

She was attractive by human standards but by his as she was nothing more than unwanted scum beneath his shoes. And unfortunately for her he thought her to be inferior to him and in truth she was, but still she continued to narrow her eyes upon him whenever he was near, and he had the sensation that she was undressing him with her eyes. He was not uncomfortable about her glaze, in fact he knew he was the ideal of `human' perfection, but he hated the idea that He would be looked upon in such a fashion by such a lowly creature he deemed unworthy. He only tolerated her rude and uncivilized manner due to the fact that she was the unwanted partner in some certain aspect of his business, and that he made a promise to his sons that there would be unneeded bloodshed. Nevertheless his upbringing and his station in life called for Mizaki's head to roll.

Sesshoumaru grew tired of being held up by Mizaki and wished to get the meeting early, as he preferred to do. “Come Jaken.”

“Hai.” Sesshoumaru and Jaken left Mizaki standing awkwardly on the sidewalk to his building with Jaken scurrying to catch up with his lord.

“Oh wait up Hayakawa-san!” Mizaki collected her wits and chased after the Sesshoumaru, yet he continued to ignore her. “Hayakawa are you not happy about this unplanned meeting? I tried to do something but I unfortunately gotten nowhere.” Mizaki grabbed Sesshoumaru's left arm and pulled it into her bosom. “We could try to make the best of it you know, Hayakawa-san,” she added sensually.

Sesshoumaru stared coldly at the foul, demeaning human that took hostage his arm. “Let go of my arm.”

“Oh Hayakawa-san you are so cute.” She said it in a why that was meant to be as a excited chirp, but to his sensitive hearing, it sounded something similar to that of an ecstatic teenage girl screaming, and if had he had listened to any more eager squeaks his ears would no doubly bleed.

`This must be the first time that I wished that my arm didn't grow back…' Sesshoumaru pulled his arm from her iron grip and shoved her away. “I believe I told you to let go of my arm.”

“What's wrong Hayakawa-san? I am starting to think that you have no interest in women, Hayakawa-san. And that won't help with you needing an heir to take over your small empire. Perhaps I could assist with that small problem and test my theory.”

“What theory is that?”

“That you haven't met the right woman yet.”

“That `right' woman is certainly not you.” With that declaration, Sesshoumaru left her and headed into the elevator, leaving her with her gaping with denial.

“Wait a minute milord!” Jaken hustled to catch up but Mizaki stuck her leg out and tripped the short-legged youkai before he could reach the closing elevators. “Humans! I swear you are worse than Kagome-sama,” Jaken cried out against the hard cold floor.

“Kagome-sama? Who is she?” Mizaki yanked Jaken off the floor and pulled him up to her level and glared evilly into his bulbous wide eyes.

“Gah!”

“Listen to me, you little tumor, who is this Kagome person?”

“I can not tell you!”

“Yes you will.”

“Release me now human!”

“What's with you? I don't know if you noticed but you're human too. Now, who is she? She better not be after Eizan!”

“Kagome-sama is a great human and you will never grace milord's bed! You slutty useless human.” Jaken added.

“Oh you horrible little rat!” Mizaki dropped Jaken onto the flooring and was about to stomp him as he laid sprawled on the marble floor, but in the blink of an eye Jaken was pulled away. “Huh? Where did he go?”

“I would appreciate it if you did not assault my servants.” Sesshoumaru announced calmly from the other side of the room with Jaken being held in midair by the fabric of his collar.

“Oh Hayakawa-san, it's just a misunderstanding. We were just having a nice little chat about someone named Kagome.”

Sesshoumaru dropped Jaken and his eyes grew thin and the wisps of red swept into his eyes. Jaken threw himself at his lord's feet begging for forgiveness. “Kagome? Really? What did you say?” but before Jaken could respond, Sesshoumaru kicked the sickly toad on the nearest wall.

“Forgive me, milord!” he pleaded as he slid down the wall to collapse into a puddled mess upon the floor.

“You will be severely punished Jaken.”

“Hai.”

“This Kagome must be important if you wish not to speak of her. Did she break your heart or something?”

Sesshoumaru's eyes began to bleed red as the oblivious human hit to close to the truth. `Damn you Mizaki, even when you're clueless you torment me about Kagome's betrayal.'

“But you know Hayakawa-san, I can fix whatever ails you…”

Sesshoumaru ignored her and picked up Jaken and marched back to the elevator. But before he entered the elevator he looked over his shoulder and glared back at the scheming woman, and uttered in his most threatening, cold, emotionless voice. “I grow bored at your pathetic attempts at seducing me. You will stop or you will lose more than your job.” The elevator opened and the Taiyoukai and his servant left Mizaki dumbfounded on the foyer. As the elevator opened up, Sesshoumaru stared down his useless servant as he cowered in one of the corners of the elevator.

“Jaken what did you tell her?”

“Nothing milord! I spoke nothing of your human!”

“You lie.” Sesshoumaru said calmly. Sesshoumaru could see years of secrecy and planning being needlessly tossed aside because his servant could not keep quiet. He threw his arm out and placed his clawed hand an inch away from Jaken's face and began to secrete his poisonous acid from his palm. “Now do you care to tell me what you told her?”

The fumes already began to affect the toad as he inhaled the dangerous poison. “Milord all I did was to say her name. I said nothing about her being your mate! The whore knows nothing of her. Forgive me milord, for my stupidity!”

Sesshoumaru stopped producing his acid, and grabbed the toad by his thick greasy neck and pulled him into his eye level. “Beware Jaken, all these years of servitude means nothing to me. If you ever speak of her again you will die. I can not afford to miss this opportunity due to your lack of control.” He gave Jaken's neck a tight squeeze to help get his point across till Jaken begged for forgiveness.

“Hai milord! I understand!” He dropped the toad onto the floor and he collapsed into the fetal position on the cold hard steel floor of the lift. They remained in hostile silence until the doors opened mechanically to reveal the last floor of the building.

The floor revealed a simple but elegant room, meant for people who were kept waiting. It was a theme of red, black and white. All the couches and chairs were black leather and the tables were wood with a dark cherry red finish. The walls of the room were a cream, but with the lighting effect, the walls were shadowed. On the far wall, a bar and TVs showed only the stock market and the news. And nearby a butler who was to wait on those who waited for the meetings. On both sides of the floor were off shoots of offices and boardrooms.

He left Jaken in the elevator and walked into the closest room. The room was plain in its simplicity. It only had a large black table with lots of chairs that surrounded the table. He soon joined the others that already occupied several of the chairs.

“Ohayo gozaimasu Hayakawa-san,” and old wrinkled who sat near the edge of the rectangular table.

“Ohayo gozaimasu,” as everyone else followed suit with saying good morning.

“Ohayo minna.” Sesshoumaru went to his chair that was the end of the table, the people he was hoping to buy out were on the other side.

“Hayakawa-san it is good that you have made it to this meeting on such short term notice.”

“Let's get this over with and do away the pleasantries. I have something to get back to in Tokyo.”

“Hai, that is understandable, now Hayakawa-san you proposed a sum of hundred and twelve million-“

“Actually I was thinking seventy million, Mizaki thought to offer far more than your worth.”

“NANI!” a unison of lawyers squawked as they leapt from their seats from the shocking revelation.

“I mean exactly what I said, your worth is only seventy million.”

“But Mizaki reassured us that the deal would be hundred and twelve million!”

“I see. But she forgets her place and you do realize that nothing is finalized until I approve, so her assurances are nothing more than empty promises.”

“Good for nothing bastard,” The young owner of the dying company whispered underneath his breath, but to Sesshoumaru's youkai hearing, he heard him loud and clear as if he was sitting right next to the bitter man. It was the first thing that he said since the beginning of the meeting started. Sesshoumaru directed his glare towards the human that dared to mock him, and he began to release his youki slowly in the room. As the minutes passed he smelled their supposed unfounded fear. The humans shifted around nervously as the air was immersed with Sesshoumaru's youki aura. The perfect tool to intimidate the weak humans unnoticed to make things go his way.

The group of men around the young business owner huddled closer as if they were trying to make a plan without any of the opposition knowing anything. The only one to speak was an old man that sat to the right of Hayakawa's business nemesis. Sesshoumaru noticed that his eyesight kept traveling to him, as if he refused to let him out of his sight. The young man had a look to him as he was bored but had a bit sinister look to his clear face.

Although their discussion was only meant for a few, Sesshoumaru clearly heard their plans and silently prepared to cut them off.

“Ayaoki-san perhaps you should settle for this. No one else is offering for your company.”

“No, you old fool. I will not settle for seventy million. If I can't have what that bitch offered I will look to other buyers.”

“But Ayaoki-san there are no oth-“

“This is not our last option. If Hayakawa won't settle then I'll merge with Sonagi and-“

`Oh interesting… He is willing to do that. He is smarter than I thought,' Sesshoumaru thought to himself as he continued to listen to their conversation.

“But sir! Sonagi is taking a beating from other businesses. It is too much of a risk.”

“I don't care! I will get what I came here for!”

“Sir at least use that option if Hayakawa won't reopen the negotiations-“

“Perhaps we should reconvene tomorrow, it seems that you have to reorganize for our negations. I would hate to take advantage of your weak state.” Sesshoumaru interrupted snidely.

Ayaoki bid his time and sent Sesshoumaru a hard stare, and leapt out of his chair and his circle of lawyers followed suit.

Sesshoumaru waited until he heard all of Ayaoki's entourage had completely left the floor before setting his plan into action.

“Kiba get me the information on Songai immediately and have Nishimura brought up here.”

“Hai Hayakawa-san.” The thirty-something Kiba jumped out of his chair and dashed out of the room in a hurry to get Nishimura up to his employer. Kiba could only wonder why he would have Nishimura brought up. He personally thought her to be a bit creepy, it was not that she was a horrible person but she never really talked and her eyes had a dark red tint to them and they seemed so emotionless. But if his boss need her then it was important as Nishimura always got the job done, although no one really knew what that was.

But as he went to get the job done he could only remember the look his boss gave him, it was the same look that Hayakawa's father had whenever he had a brilliant plan to get what he wanted. His excitement grew as he waited in anticipation of what Hayakawa-san had in store for Ayaoki.

Ayaoki Koshiro had a horrible reputation. He was a man of circumstance and that was the only thing he had in common with Hayakawa-san. He was a vicious sort of character one would read out of manga were the evil character of the plot would un-dauntingly destroy anything to get the one thing he wanted no matter how small or in significant the item or person was. He even looked the part of an evil villain, as he had unnatural colored eyes, a deep cherry color. They seemed to have the ability to leave an unwavering capacity to look possessed, and it left you with the strange feeling that his eyes followed you wherever you went, like those haunted paintings as you walk past. His short black hair was a well brushed and maintained but, his bangs hung freely in front of his eyes to give a shadowed effect and made him a eerie effect and his eyes just seemed to glow behind the shroud of hair. Too add, to, the villainous look, the only color that was only seen on Ayaoki was black but he had the odd sense to wear a silver trench coat over all the black.

Sesshoumaru had the plan all worked out and if everyone played their parts right, then he would have Ayaoki's company far less then they would have appreciate it and Ayaoki would know who the `big dogs' were, sort of speak. Well the only thing to do was to wait for the new day, and hope that he could get back to Tokyo sooner and watch until the time has come.

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Sesshoumaru sat at the edge of his black marble desk with his attorneys and etc..., of business employees that proved to have some intellect were with him on his side of the long table, awaiting Ayaoki's party. He was late, and lateness usually proved a weakness that was upon them if they could not show up to a meeting that would decide the future of his dying company.

Sesshoumaru drummed his claws against the table lightly, a habit he picked up from Kagome over five hundred years prior. It was a habit of hers, she drummed her nails whenever they were at an important function, or she was bored from work, and he unwittingly picked it up.

Suddenly his ears flickered as he heard the buzz of the elevator as it was pulling up to the floor; he could smell Ayaoki and his dimwitted minions from the elevator. Within minutes, Ayaoki and his legion of followers waltzed into the boardroom.

Sesshoumaru could tell that Ayaoki and several of his lawyers and workers had close to little or no sleep. It seemed that they were busy all night long trying to find a way around his proposal but Hayakawa was confident in his intelligence, business decisions, and his capability to frighten people into getting what he wanted, that he knew that Ayaoki had no chance but to accept his offer.

Ayaoki glared fiercely at Hayakawa as he took his seat at the edge of the black table, his eyes never leaving Sesshoumaru's, but he stared back just intense. Ayaoki did not even to seem to notice that all his lackeys took their seats around him and awaiting his orders.

Sesshoumaru decided to break the cold tension within the room and between him and Ayaoki. He deterred the eye contact from Ayaoki with his dark eyes still staring at him knowing that the troubled businessman hated having eye contact broken during conversations that he was part of, “I see that you finally decided to show up. I expected you here earlier, but I noticed that you must have stayed up all night long doing that what I already know… trying to save yourselves from the inevitable.”

“Nice try Hayakawa but that scare tactic won't work on me. I know better than to fall for your pitiful attempts at intimidating me.”

At that remark Sesshoumaru could not help but show macroscopic smirk at Ayaoki, even when drowning in his own stupidity he still held on to his rude tenacity and demeanor, he could not help but laugh at it.

“Ah, but Ayaoki that was no attempt, I was just simply stating the fact. And someone like you would know not to dispute with fact.”

“Ha ha, Hayakawa-san let us resume our negotiations over the worth of my company, for I know I could banter with you all day.”

“True, but you were the one who wasted away your precious minutes by being late. For all I know you can afford to lose more.”

The tension swarmed around the room, everyone in the room could feel it but the only ones that seemed immune to the pressure were Hayakawa and Ayaoki. They seemed to ignore it as they glared at each other with much visible hatred as seen by all the unnoticed men that sat at the table. Hayakawa and Ayaoki seemingly acted as if they were the only men in the room. They were blinded by the need to argue, dismay, and overpower each other with words. It was safe to say no one would be able to see the outcome of this meeting.

Sesshoumaru watched as Ayaoki's fist tightened and his eyes constrict from anger, but Ayaoki was better than to let him be ruffled by him, he had a strong control over his emotions- for a human.

“Well I am here now, so lets get this over with, unless you do like spending time with me and this is how you show it.”

“Illusions of grandeur really, you can only hope that I would like you and take it easy on you. As that won't happen, my original price stands seventy million, no more and possibly less as I am offering more than its worth.”

“I can't and I won't accept that measly pocket change. You clearly underestimated my company's worth.”

“You should now by now I never underestimate anything. Your company in my opinion is nothing and worthless in your hands. You've destroyed any and all potential for it, and I am here to collect something that could be profitable to me.”

“You are too sure of yourself Hayakawa.”

Sesshoumaru reached for his briefcase, pulled out a black report, and opened it slowly. He allowed himself to review the insides before answering the dare given to him by Ayaoki. “On the contrary Ayaoki. My terms stand, as they are perfectly reasonable. Take in account for the utter loss of profit, lack of interest from investors, loss of work force, the stockowners are abandoning their shares, and you had an unfortunate mishap at one of your factories that resulted in a electrical fire-“

“How did yo-“

“How did I know? With you, being so secretive about your properties? Simple, I prefer knowing everything that goes on by my potential profits, or competitors. If I could continue without being interrupted.”

Which resulted with an intense glare from Ayaoki.

“Where was I? Ah yes, the electrical fire that prevented you from keeping up with the competition. Seventy million is more than your actual worth...”

“How dare you!”

“… This is simply the truth.” Sesshoumaru looked down and flipped through the bleak report before continuing. “Seventy million is more than your recent income as of late. You used to make one hundred and thirty-five million a year, but for the past three years, you barely raked in a total of sixty million dollars at net loss of three hundred and forty-five million dollars. Seventy million is reasonable for such mismanaged company as yours.”

Ayaoki tightened his fist until they almost were at the point of bleeding and his jaws were clenched. He was sick of enduring the humiliation that he was forced to sit through. Hayakawa had done his homework, but then again so had he, since it was apparent that Hayakawa was proving to be difficult and he was refusing to relent. He was forced to pull out his trump card. He was going to merge with Sonagi. And possibly find a better CEO to run his company, than the last one.

Sesshoumaru watch the emotions swirl in Ayaoki's dark eyes, he was thinking of something, and he could help but notice that he was jaws were clenched tight, it was apparent that he had gotten under his skin, perfect. Ayaoki could control himself well but he was only human. But there was an elemental change in him, he could not place it, but it seemed familiar.

Ayaoki took a deep breath and forced his anger down, he knew that Hayakawa was the type to sense weak emotions. “That may be so, but my company isn't dead yet and as long as it breathes, it will comeback.”

“Oh? And why would you say that?”

“Because like you Taiyoukai, I still have my trump card.”

An underlying wave of confusion crashed down on all the occupants of the chairs in the meeting. No one understood what Ayaoki was talking about or to whom. There were murmurs of questions and shared confusion amongst the human lawyers and fellow CEO's as they inquired quietly to each other about the sudden introduction of the strange and surprising word such as `Taiyoukai'.

`Taiyoukai? Interesting. He isn't who he appears to be.' Sesshoumaru thought as he sensed the spreading confusion within the humans. Ayaoki had a peculiar look on his face as he stared unwaveringly into his eyes. Something that not many has done in his long lifetime. He could recall every person who had the gall and he could count on two hands. Something strange was with Ayaoki and he be damned if he didn't check into this startling turn of events.

“Correct I am aware of your little trump card. Let's say I neutralized that irritating problem.”

“Nani?” Ayaoki asked sinisterly, not truly believing what he said. He whipped around to one of the people to his side and whispered into his ear and the minion pulled out a cell phone and began dialing away. Ayaoki sat tensely as he waited for the news the lackey would report with. As he waited, he glared at Hayakawa as if he could feel the hate rolling off him.

“Ayaoki I'm afraid that Sonagi will be on no use to you now, as I terminated any possible merge between you and that little company.”

Ayaoki could not help but growl, he refused to believe him, but it was known that Hayakawa family never lied about anything. He was interrupted from his snarling, the lawyer of his with the cell phone had just gotten the results. He leaned over and whispered quietly as if he was apprehensive to tell him the bad news.

The look on his face grew darker and darker from the findings; he slammed his fists onto the desk and screamed as he hunched over the long marble table, “You fucking Inu! I'll kill you!”

Sesshoumaru calmly asked, “Really? How so?”

Still hunched over the table, his reflection seen clearly on the black shine of marble, he had a look of complete anguish and hatred. Those who were fortunate not to have their glare on them, was slowly inching away from him, as he were to explode from fury. “Everybody out!” he snarled under his breath, but his order was clearly heard, and they wasted no time as they rushed from the room as if their lives depended on it, leaving Ayaoki alone with Hayakawa and his drones.

“Everyone leave.”

“Hayakawa-san, is that wise?”

“Do not make me repeat myself.” Everyone quietly left the fuming Ayaoki and Sesshoumaru, the stature of calmness alone in tension-ridden room. “Well Ayaoki will you accept my offer as you have no other choice.”

“I have no choice but to accept that insubstantial offering. But be warned Taiyoukai, next time I won't be screwed and I will not look the fool.”

“I doubt that as you do that perfectly well on your own.”

“Five hundred years and you are still arrogant Taiyoukai. How's little Kagome? Is she still your play thing?”

At that comment, Sesshoumaru leapt out of his black Italian chair, landed on the long stretch of table and it collapsed under the stress of the force of his jump. He wrapped his long slender claws around Ayaoki's neck and knocked him into the offending wall. Sesshoumaru could feel his pulse vibrating delicately beneath his fingers as he tightened his grip.

This situation would have been like any other for Sesshoumaru while threatening a human but the crazed look on Ayaoki's face spoke either wise, he showed no fear, no anger, just cold malice and hatred. Most humans would have trembled under such a threat, but Ayaoki's wickedness and lunacy seemed to flourish unexpected as if he had been in a similar situation before.

Just the thought of Ayaoki teasing him about his mate and taunting it in front of him was unacceptable as his anger began to seep out of his aura. His mask began breaking as he tried to hold on to the concealing spell, but the royal markings on his cheeks and forehead began to appear on his face.

Silence broke out within the room; the only sounds that could be heard were the low growls that Sesshoumaru was emitting and the cold, evil crackle Ayaoki made at the expense of the person who held the power to end his life.

“My, my Taiyoukai, so protective over a human, a miko non the less. All this time I thought she was just a whore, a plaything thing for your amusement.”

Sesshoumaru's immediate response was to snarl and squeeze the already tender flesh and squandered more breath out him until he was at the point of turning blue, but did not allow him the satisfaction of falling unconscious. Ayaoki's eyes were bulging out of his head, but he still held the same crazed look on him as if daring him to end his life. He slowly released him but allowed him to have a firm hold on him.

“You do not know of what you speak of human.” Sesshoumaru growled. He watched as Ayaoki's eyes rolled back and then in another moment, he was staring into Sesshoumaru's striped and snarling face and he look- confused? He looked down to see Sesshoumaru's crimson striped hand around his neck and a bristled eyebrow was raised as if silently asking himself about his current predicament.

“I am human aren't I? Then again, we all are human Hayakawa. I think you should remove your hand from my neck. I do not know how that got there but I would hate for `the great Hayakawa' to be thrown in prison for my murder. You do realize that they punish for such a crime?”

Sesshoumaru was at a lost. There seemed to two different people within Ayaoki. One knew him as Sesshoumaru the lord of the Western lands, though he had yet to refer as such, and another that recognized him as Hayakawa. The question was which one was the true Ayaoki. Was it possible that he simply suffered from a weak human mental disorder, or was it more? Did this supposed alternate personality capable of so much more than a normal human. The theories ran through his head as his grip slackened. It was pointless to threaten this `Ayaoki' as it was apparent that he did not remember their confrontation just moment prior. As his anger dissipated his concealing mask was properly hiding his marks.

Before Sesshoumaru could catch himself, he asked a simple confusing question. “Who are you?” and by the unmistakable look of puzzlement on Ayaoki's troubled face, he did not seem to understand the question at all.

Ayaoki choose to ignore the troubling question and changed the subject. “I suggest you let me go so we could finalize this arrangement. I know we both just can't stand here and wait the world to end.”

“I asked you a question.”

Ayaoki could not help but glare back at the other man, “I am Ayaoki Koshiro, owner of Shikuro Corporations and of the Toshiki Company which you just bought out. So what about you Hayakawa? Who are you beneath all the mystery?” he hissed out the last part full of revulsion.

Sesshoumaru relinquished his dying hold on the human, walked back to the other side of the room, and gathered his briefcase and the portfolio that was knocked over the floor all while keep track of Ayaoki. He was not stupid, Ayaoki was a threat of some kind and he would keep up his guard. He sauntered back over to Ayaoki who had a hand to his neck checking for bruising, but Sesshoumaru could tell that Ayaoki was again controlling himself.

But he nearly flinched when Sesshoumaru pulled a contract from his briefcase, “This is the contract, it has every thing that we had agreed to. Sign it and we can go about our business.” He said in a professional manor that acted like none of the destruction that laid around them was nothing.

“I will have my lawyers look over this before I do anything.”

“A wise choice but it is unnecessary.”

“I'm just keeping an eye out for myself, your word be damned.” Ayaoki snatched the papers out of Sesshoumaru's hand grabbed his own briefcase and headed towards the door. Before he left he looked over his shoulder and checked out the damage from the altercation he did not remember. “You are going to need a new table Hayakawa. Next time don't get something so cheap, apparently yours won't hold up on the job.” And with that, he walked out leaving Sesshoumaru with the debris that was once his boardroom.

'This is quite interesting. They both don't realize anything. The Taiyoukai and the human are clueless, but in time, I will make myself known to them both. The future has much in store for the Western lord, his family and this simple human. I can wait, after all a few months are nothing to the time that I have waited.'

Sesshoumaru stood and watched the area that area that Ayaoki walked out of as he replayed the entire brawl inside his head. There was a feeling that he some how `knew' the person he assaulted, for he seemed familiar, but for the life of him he could not place it. But now was not the time to investigate a supposed ghost if there was one, he had more important things to be concerned with.

He left the boardroom and walked over to the stairwell. He was not in the mood to wait for the elevator and smell the lingering odor of Ayaoki and his henchmen. With his youkai speed, he ran down all to the first floor, but he hesitated when he smelled the disgusting body odor of Ayaoki's men. He waited until he heard the same man exit the elevators and meet up with his crew.

With his youkai hearing, he heard tidbits of inquires the subordinates had asked of their employer, and he was not surprised that Ayaoki himself didn't know the answer whenever they asked about his outbursts and his unknown references to `Taiyoukai' and `Inu'. He waited for all the humans to leave, as he did not want any lingering questions, harassment or annoyances by them, had enough of that sort of thing from his own people.

He excited the stairwell and found Jaken trying to ignore the Mizaki wench, but with her she was hard to ignore, her piercing voice made sure of that. He slid up behind them with ease and interrupted their little squabble.

“Jaken we are done for today.”

“Milord?” Jaken asked as turned around and bumped into his master's legs.

Sesshoumaru looked down to see Jaken sprawled out of the floor, “Jaken once again you proved your usefulness. Come now or do you wish to stay here?”

“No milord I am coming.” He squawked as he attempted to get off the floor to follow his master who already began to leave him, but the forgotten Mizaki impaled a six-inch heel in his back, forcing him back on the ground beating him to Sesshoumaru.

“Hayakawa-san! Ayaoki and his group just left, they seemed confused and angry, how did the meeting go?” Sesshoumaru ignored her all the way outside, but Mizaki pursued her questioning as the limousine pulled up. “Did he take the one hundred and twenty million? I personally dealt with this on-“

“No he didn't take it.” Sesshoumaru interjected her babble, leaving her gaping in confusion.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I negotiated a different deal.”

“Really? Ayaoki was fine with the hundred and twenty million.”

The limousine driver came around and opened the door for Sesshoumaru but he refused to go in. He was intending to put Mizaki in her place. “The new deal was far more reasonable than your original account. For now on I would prefer if you would discuss with me before hand what you plan to do before I am forced to deal with people unprepared.”

Mizaki's face faulted, the condescending tone he was using for her was humiliating and condescending as if she were some schoolgirl. She was confused on why Hayakawa was disappointed in her handling of the Toshiki account, as that was difficult as Ayaoki refused to hear anything less than what he wanted. But she could forgive him; after all, there was nothing she wouldn't do for him. She would make him see that, but as of right then she would hold her tongue.

She inched closer to him, standing on her toes, she placed a hand on his arm and inched closer to him and looked at him with all the hints of womanly needs. She whispered gently as seductive as possible, “I'm sorry Hayakawa-san perhaps we can go over this later. I know a small intimate place where we won't be bothered about- business.”

Sesshoumaru looked down at the shorter woman and placed a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes were full of temptation and her lips were formed into a devilish grin, lecherous thoughts ran through her head. He bent closer and whispered back into her ear, “You will stop your pitiful attempts at this seduction of me. You are the filth beneath my shoes. I will not hesitate shredding your father's contract and go to court over this matter, if it means releasing you from my torment. One more incident of this and you are fired, your father and family be damned.”

He shoved her that she landed hard on the concrete sidewalk. She had dropped her purse in surprise that the contents had spilled out; feminine products and personal items littered the sidewalk. She looked horrified but he ignored her as he entered the limousine. Jaken soon made an appearance and followed his lord into the car. The driver shut the door and began pulling away from the sidewalk, Sesshoumaru watched as Mizaki picked up her belongings. Sesshoumaru turned his attention to his servant,

“Jaken.”

“Yes milord?”

“Have someone clean the boardroom and order me a new table.”

“Milord? Which boardroom?”

“The one that was recently occupied by Ayaoki and his humans. I want the room removed of the stench and get me new chairs and a table. Don't make me repeat myself for a third time.”

“What kind of table do you need?”

“Just get me an identical one, it does not matter to me.”

The ride back to the hotel was a short trip made in silence. Sesshoumaru waited in the limousine as he belongings were brought down from his room. He was supposed to stay one more day, but he wanted to leave as soon as possible. He could have the contract mailed to him after Ayaoki had signed it, and he wished to be rid of the whore. He needed to be in Tokyo, he needed to be with his family and most of all he needed to see Kagome.

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With their father gone, the role of guardian angels was bestowed upon Kado and Shippou. They did not mind, in fact they loved watching their mother unnoticed while she was in her era. It was like watching another Kagome at work. She was quite carefree, as she never had to worry about things that would try to kill her. All the strange phrases she used and the style of clothing that confused everyone in the past, but in this present time, she did not stand out amongst the hundreds of humans. It seemed funny to them that she finally had a place to fit in and it took Shippou and Sesshoumaru five hundred years to understand it.

For the children it was time they cherished as they spent their days with her although she had no clue. It was especially important for Kado who had the shortest time with her out of all the demons in the family. He treasured every moment that he witnessed or eavesdropped and it made their mission so much more important whenever they were around her, as it seemed possible that they could actually change history.

With the sun rising for a new day, Shippou and Kado were ready to begin the day. Instead of usual attire of expensive suits and their normal concealing spell, they were to protect their mother in normal clothes and a different concealing spell that warped their natural features. They had to take such precaution, as the damned paparazzi loved hunting them down. Ever since the Paris Hilton sex tape, The Apprentice aired and the article that featured their father as the most eligible bachelor of the business world, they became a topic of gossip and part of a popularity that belong to the television and movie stars. It was simply that businessmen were in the in crowd and they saw no end in sight.

Kado and Shippou stood on the roof of their building and watched as the sun rose over their mother's shrine house, they just stood and watched until the house shown signs of life. Shippou headed down first, knowing that Kado liked staying a bit longer. Kado left after a few more minutes went to his place to change and meet up with his brother, knowing Shippou would be waiting in the lobby of the apartment complex they lived in.

Kado found Shippou lounging on the bench reading another gossip article about the rich and famous that they reluctantly belonged to. Shippou wore tight blue jeans that were ripped and ragged around the bottom of the legs as his pants went past his heel and his shirt was a simple white shirt that freely proclaimed Dir en grey's greatness.

“Nice shirt.”

Shippou looked up and found his brother hovering over him with a questionable look. He looked down and took noticed the shirt he was wearing. “What about you? Going clubbing?”

Kado looked over his clothing, and found Shippou's assessment over rated. He wore tight black jeans that had graffiti written all over them in English, his shirt was a long purple shirt that seemed to be stretch over his chest, showing his muscles and the black pinstripe jacket finished the look that gave a punk feel to it. The completed Shikon no Tama hung around his neck with the righteous dull shine to it.

“Yeah thanks, you like?” Shippou just ignored him and went back to his article. “I didn't know you liked them.” Kado asked as he took a seat next to his brother.

“Dir en grey? Yeah they are awesome. My favorite band, I just have to be careful when listening to them, I'm tempted every time to turn up the stereo, but I would blow out my hearing. But you wouldn't know that as Father had all of our places soundproofed.”

“I know that geez, you just love talking down to me don't you.” Kado asked as he ripped the news article out of his brother's hand.

“That was rude you know.” Shippou said as he pulled the magazine back, “I wouldn't be a big brother if I didn't get to do it.” Shippou ignored Kado until he was finished with the article.

“I can't believe that you read those things, its all just garbage.”

“Its not when you're in the article.” Shippou retorted.

“Nani?”

“Yeah, Father is in the article- again. It just says that he is still single and looking, which you know is a complete lie and it mentions him being spotted in Okinawa.”

“Lucky for us that we weren't mentioned huh?”

“Don't be hexing us baka. But then again you do get noticed by the female population.”

“You hentai, Miroku must have rubbed of on you.”

“Yeah, but you can't go wrong with a little attention now can you?”

“But there is a difference between attention and whoring, and those are all the kinds that you've been getting from those articles.” Kado said, a winning blow in a brotherly game they played.

“Ah shut up, you can be mean when you want to. Well let's go I'm sure that Okasan is running late again.”

“Looks like I win again, eh Ryozo?”

“Whatever Matsuyo,” Shippou put down the article and they stood up and walked out of the building and turned down the alley between their apartment complex and another building and Kado chanted another concealing spell to change his appearance while Shippou used his fox magic to change his looks.

When they were done, they no longer looked themselves, as Kado no longer had his long light brown almost blond hair and his pale skin from his usual concealing spell. His hair was now short, black and spiked, which contributed to the American punk look and his skin, looked tanner. He even changed his eye color from his icy blue color to a dull light brown.

“So how do I look?” Kado asked, as he jokingly imitated male models.

“Punk.”

“Great that was what I was looking for.”

“What about me? I can't look stupid now can I?” Shippou also modeled but he walked around in a tiny circle giving Kado a three-sixty point of view. Instead of his fiery curly red hair, it was now purple with black highlights that reached his shoulder, and his eyes were black with blue specks.

“You look great but aren't we supposed to stand in not out?”

“Does it matter as long we don't look like ourselves? We can do the chicken dance in front those reporters and they wouldn't know it's us. We just look like `hipsters' walking around; we'll fit in with everyone else. Besides purple is a great color and I think that I look damn good in it.”

“Ha ha, let's go don't want to be late now do we?”

“I doubt that, so do you want to walk or take a cab?”

“Let's walk, you don't want to miss those fan girls of ours now do we?” Kado joked. Shippou gave him hurtful look before sticking his tongue out, but he waved Kado over as they began their trek trough Tokyo.

As they walked towards their mother's high school, they received many stares, mostly by woman, which Shippou ate up; Kado was less enthusiastic as he was the shy one of the family. Though for the most part no one thought that they were special, just two good-looking guys walking down the street. Not once, any photographers harassed them.

They soon reached close to where their mother lived, and they could tell that she was running late again. They could hear her running around trying to put things in order, with her mother attempting to calm her down in her haste. They sat down on a bench on the edge of the sidewalk so that they were far enough not to be seen by her or her family but capable of hearing everything that went on in the house, despite the noise of all the cars nearby.

“So what's the plan for today?”

“I don't know Shippou. We just make sure that she gets to school, then hang out nearby till school is over and then follow her home. That is of course if she and her friends don't make their trip to Wacdonald's, then just go inside after her and hang out.”

“Isn't that little close for comfort? Father would kill us if we got that close to her.”

“Hey if it means keeping an eye out for her, who really cares.”

“No not that, she's a miko and her skills have been improving since the last time she was here, she could sense us.”

“That should not be a problem I will just cover up our demon aura, it's not to difficult. Besides, if she can't sense us now, what makes you think she will sense us in the restaurant?”

“I don't know, Okasan was always the one to surprise us.” As they sat waiting, Shippou pulled out his cell phone and checked his messages. He had no new messages, he could only guess that his father had everything under control in Okinawa. “Do you think that Father is behaving himself in Okinawa?” he asked as he placed his cell phone back into his pocket.

“Of course unless some baka insults him or annoys him, you know he tends to forget that he can't threaten people anymore.”

“I meant the Mizaki whore. Ten to one without us there he already killed her.”

“I'll take that bet, Father isn't stupid. He would have Jaken do it.” Shippou and Kado looked at each other, with looks of grim seriousness, but the masks began to shatter as they both tried to keep their laughter in. The race was on. Shippou was losing, as he had to place his hands on his mouth to keep himself from bursting out from laughter, Kado was doing a better job, but Shippou had a new tactic to use on his brother. He started staring into Kado's already shaky eyes without blinking. Kado couldn't keep it in any longer, he laughed out loud, losing to the low tactic and Shippou joined him soon after.

As their laughter died down, they noticed that the shrine house was lacking the hectic noise that accompanied a rushed occupant, which meant that Kagome was on her way to school. They got up from their bench hid themselves as she quickly walked past. Kado and Shippou silently agreed that was too close, they could not screw up again. They watched her meet up with her schools friends who looked happy to see her and they made their way to their high school. Kado and Shippou removed themselves from their hidden place amongst the trees and stepped back onto the concrete.

“Shippou you got some leaves in your hair.” Kado pointed near his ear, as Shippou combed out the leaves.

“That was too close you know.” Shippou reminded.

“And you were worried about WacDonald's.” Kado rebutted.

Shippou's response to Kado was a simple shove and forced him to began their walk to Tokyo High. Of all the things they had to do hanging outside of a high school that was filled with smelly, sexually frustrated teens, was the worst thing while watching over their mother. Their sense of smell was always twisted into a useless sense as the body of students covered up her sweet smell. And their hearing was not better off, high schools kids knew how to be loud and they used it.

They stood across the street and watched as tall the students marched into their, school, they saw their mother with a crowd of her friends, they also noticed the Hojo guy inching up to her and went by unnoticed. Kado and Shippou both found it funny that he constantly bothered her about going out on dates and the presents he kept giving her, but their father hated the attention she received.

He hated the human. He once flew into a rage after the human asked her out and they went out, it took everything to stop their Father from storming into the restaurant when they were on their date and killing him. Shippou had to use his kitsune tricks on him and have his hands held under a stone, like he did to Inuyasha when they first met. Since then as a rule their father was not allowed near the high school, as a precaution from harming the kid.

From afar, Kado and Shippou watched with glee as Hojo was shot down for another date, in spite of the fact that they saw the guilt on their mother's face. They thought the situation was funny as now matter what the human did he would never win the heart of their mother. He was just one of several suitors and it meant nothing as she was `fated' to one who she would have never thought possible.

The gathering of students ended as the new school day began as they were ushered inside to begin their learning. But it marked the beginning of boredom for Kagome's hanyou and kitsune protectors, as the school was one of the least enticing places for danger.

From across the high school, Kado and Shippou used their youkai abilities and leapt on top of the buildings facing the high school. It was a favorite place for them to watch the school. As the building, they resided on top of smelt of pastries and sweets something, which they both loved. There on the roof they stashed chairs and umbrellas that were used for shade, as they were no tall buildings to offer any. They sat there for hours, talking, watching and waiting.

“Hey Shippou it's almost lunch time.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“You want anything from the shop below?”

“Do you really have to ask?”

“Oh right I forgot. Never mind.” Kado hopped down from the top of the pastry store and walked in. He and Shippou knew the store very well as they usually got something for everyday that their mother was at school. Of all the things that rubbed off on him by Shippou, he was happy that he received a sweet tooth, but not as bad. His brother could live off chocolate, but Kado was not too sure that he could.

Kado found his and Shippou's sandwiches and as he passed up the aisles he found a very tasty morsel, on the self. He could not resist, it looked so good. He took his prize and walked up to the counter and placed his food on the counter.

“Konnichiwa, Matsuyo-san. I see that you changed your hair again.” The store owner said. She knew Kado very well, as she had special items only for him and his brother, as they always came to her shop. Loyal customers for a few years.

“You like Abi? I got to change it every now and again. Can't be like everyone else now can we?”

“You are the only one that I know that changes your hair to go with your clothes.”

“But it works.” Kado and Abi broke into laugher. For an old lady she was very current with the times. “Hey do you have our food?”

“Of course. Matsuyo-san.” She smiled as reached for the food that was prepared for Matsuyo-san and his brother Ryozo. She placed next to the food, two desserts that she created herself. Only the two brothers had that privilege.

“Sugoi! Abi you out did yourself.”

“It is no big feat.”

“Thanks, Abi. Here's my card.”

“What about your id? Matsuyo-san?” A sinister smile grew on her wrinkled face, when she was in a teasing mode she always cracked the same smirk.

“You have to be kidding? You never asked before. And I don't have one on me.” Kado said as he patted himself down to help convey the meaning that he did not have it.

“Hai, hai Matsuyo-san. You know you always have to ruin my fun.” Kado just rolled his eyes and reached for the receipt to sign for it. He handed the bill back as she bagged his food and placed his part of his receipt, and Kado picked up his stuff and headed for the door. Before he left he waved goodbye, as the door closed.

Kado headed into the alley with his food, he made sure that there was no one around before he leapt on top of Abi's store. Before he could catch himself, Shippou was already on him demanding his food.

“Shippou matte yo. I just got up here.” Before Kado could do anymore Shippou stole the bag and ran back to his seat, leaving Kado near the edge of the store. Kado walked to his seat, listening to the cries of plastic being destroyed by Shippou's claws. Kado helped himself to his food. He was not in the playing mood at the moment so, he was not going to tease him about the new dessert he got. Shippou was just annoying whenever he was around food. Like Miroku told him so long ago that Shippou took up his uncle's eating habits, then was promptly hit on the head by none other than his uncle Inuyasha.

A few more hours passed. Shippou and Kado were growing restless it was almost time for school to be over.

Shippou and Kado from their hidden perch from the streets heard the school's bell going off the signaling off the end of the school day. They walked to the edge of the little pastry shoppe and looked to see if anyone was around and they jumped into the small alley. They walked out and Kado threw their food bags into a trash bin and they headed towards the school. As they got closer their mother had already made her way out of the school and with her three friends as they walked away.

They followed far behind, watching their mother and her friends walk in another direction of the shrine, they could smell in the distance, WacDonald's and they knew they were going to stop there.

“Hey Kado it looks like we get to have lunch at WacDonald's.”

“Shippou just make sure you suppress your youki, and nothing will go wrong.”

“Yeah I know; you don't need to remind me.”

A few minutes later and they reached WacDonald's. Shippou was hesitant to go inside, he didn't want to be that close to his Mother. Not that he didn't want to it was that no matter how strong the concealing spell and his kitsune magic were he always feared that she would recognize him, or that she would somehow sense their youki and she would be on edge.

Kado ignored his brother's hesitation and walked in, and followed their mother and her friends into the line. Shippou gathered his strength and chased down Kado.

“You are really stupid you know that? Father will kill us, for this. We are not supposed to get this close,” he whispered so low only Kado could hear him.

“Shippou she hasn't noticed us yet, so does it really matter? Anyway Father gets to met up with her later anyway, so what is the big deal if we stand next to her?” he muttered softly under his breath.

Their conversation was cut short as woman from behind the cash register asked what they wanted. Shippou saw from the corner of his eyes that Kagome watched them as she and her friends waited for their food. He nudged Kado and the walked up to the register.

The woman smiled gently as she took their order. They moved to allow the next customers make their orders, but their mother had already gotten her food and she sat with her gossipy friends at a booth. They received their food and they made their way on the other side of the restaurant as far from their mother and the gossiping hens, but with their youkai hearing, it was no problem hearing their conversation.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“Yuka please let me borrow your math notes!” Kagome begged as she clasped her hands to get and bowed her head forward. “Please, I need to study and my notes are not up to date!”

“Alright I will let you borrow my notes.”

“Honto ni?” Kagome looked up with glee but the look in her friends' faces made her drop her smile and a sweat drop slid down her brow.

“We will let you look at our notes if you tell us what is up with your two-timing boyfriend and your other friends.” Ayumi added, with Yuka and Eri nodded in agreement.

“What? Huh? Why?” Kagome struggled to think of what to say. She honestly had nothing to add to what they already knew and it was still odd for her friends to refer as Inuyasha as her boyfriend. She never told them that he was, but she let them think that, it did not matter; Inuyasha was not here to do anything about it.

“Come on Kagome, something had to happen, anything at all?” Eri said as she dangled her math notes of Kagome.

“Nothing really. It's just the same thing as always. But he did get another fight with his brother a while ago.” Kagome supplied and she knew her friends would be interested in that fact, but she didn't really care, she just wanted their math notes, and it was mean for them to bribe information from her.

“Like what? Why were they fighting again?” Ayumi asked.

“Oh you know the typical brotherly discord. We ran into his brother and they just started to fight again. I am beginning to think this is how they express their feelings. They never ever talk. Its always with their fists- or swords” She muttered under her breath.

“Kagome you know you shouldn't be around people like that.” Yuka said worryingly. “With you being sick all the time.”

“Oh its okay really. I bet deep down that they care. But it's not a big deal. They are not the best people to have conversations with. It was always, `Die!' `Give me what's mine!' `No its mine', I swear they act five. But lately whenever we run into his brother, instead of their squabbling and fighting they just ignore each other. I honestly don't know if that is an improvement for their relationship. But I guess fighting over their differences was just getting old.” Kagome finished as she took a sip from her drink.

“K that explained the brothers what your friend Miroku with that wondering hand of his and Mr. Possessive?”

Kagome put down her burger and placed her finger on her chin in a thoughtful pose. She hadn't seen Koga in a while, and silently she hoped that he was okay, though he annoyed her with `my woman' talk she cared for him.

“Hmm Koga? I don't know I haven't seen him in awhile. Last time I saw him was at least a few months. Him and Inuyasha got in a fight again. But he had to leave… he had urgent families matters to tend to.” Kagome played with her straw pulling it up and down through the plastic lid. She did not feel like finishing her food. Just thinking about her friends made her wish she were back in the Sengoku Jidai. She took one last sip of her neglected drink before continuing.

You know out of all the guys Miroku is the most sensible, but that hand of his annoys Sango and I. But I don't think that he is such a horn-dog that he makes himself to be. I think that he loves Sango and is his way of showing his by groping her.”

Her friends looked at her weird but she went on explaining her logic. “Its just simply that he doesn't know what to do and the only way to get her attention is groping her and making her jealous. It's just like when little boys hit the girls. They don't really dislike them, they just don't know what to say, and hitting them is their way of showing that they like them.”

“I guess so Kagome.” Eri shrugged it off and they finished their food. As they promised they handed her their notes, and Kagome chirped in happiness. She flipped through their notes, and her happiness faded quickly. There were notes on problems she hadn't covered. Her little vacation from the Sengoku Jidai just became gloomy. She would have to spend the rest of her time studying trying to catch up without getting to see her friends for the rest of the time she was back home.

From across the room Shippou and Kado heard their mother's conversation with her friends. They thought it was funny. They knew that Kagome as close in her assumptions but yet she didn't realize how much she didn't know. The next few months were going to be interesting. Would she handle it knowing the outcome?

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Kagome awoke with a start, her alarm blazing in her ears. As the alarm stopped blaring, she stretched almost cat like as she rose from her bed. She had stayed up late copying her friends' notes and trying to comprehend everything that was in their notes. She feared that she couldn't be able to pass any of her math tests that were covering the same material she desperately tried to understand.

From the corner of her eye she saw the clock on her wall she would be late if she didn't hurry. She didn't need another tardy when she was heading back to the Sengoku Jidai soon. She searched through her closet to find her sailor fuku, she couldn't find one, it seemed that all her uniforms were dirty. She headed in downstairs she could smell her mother's cooking she peeked into the kitchen and her mother was tending to the meal, not noticing that Kagome there.

She found her uniforms all clean, pressed, and ready to be worn. She silently thanked her mother as she headed upstairs. With a short shower, she packed her school bag, and headed out the door. She could do without breakfast, she was late, she didn't have time to eat. She rushed out the door yelling out her goodbyes to her mother.

“Wait Kagome! You forgot your lunch!” but her efforts were wasted. Kagome was long gone, and Mrs. Higurashi couldn't drop off her daughter's bento box as she had to take Souta to the doctors later that day. Mrs. Higurashi ran out of the house hoping that she could catch up to Kagome. She got to the bottom of the shrine stairs, Kagome was long gone but she could see two people wearing school uniforms of Kagome's high school, chatting friendly.

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Kado and Shippou sat at bench near their mother's shrine. Shippou yawned deeply, he didn't particularly feel tired but it was early in the morning and the yawning was contagious as people passed them on their way to school were still tired.

“Damn I hate waking up early.” Shippou whined. He laid his head back and rested against the hard wood of the bench. He yawned deeply again. Today he sported the same purple hair and black eyes and wore a paint splattered shirt and a pair of raggedy jeans.

Kado nodded in understanding. Shippou hated having to adjust to different times. They grew up waking up at dawn but ever since the beginning of the twenty first century they adjusted to waking up later, and sometimes it was tiring from having to wake to a time that your were not used to.

Kado sat bored on the bench, whenever they watched over their mother it was the same thing in the morning. She seemed never to be one time for anything. And it was the same was for this particularly morning. He could hear her rushing to get dressed. Nothing really ever happened when they were around. He couldn't deicide if that was a result of their skills at protecting her or that it was simply an act of good luck for her that kept her out of trouble. He yawned along side Shippou. His father would laugh at such an idea. However, it seemed to turn out like that. Everything that happened here, his father dealt with or Inuyasha was there to take care of it.

“Shippou she's running late again.” Kado noted, and looked at his watch. She was later than usual. He wasn't surprised, judging from her looks yesterday she didn't like what she saw when she flipped through the borrowed notes and stayed up studying. Today his hair was just plain black, his eyes were a dull brown, and he too just wore a simple grey shirt that said `What are you looking at?' in English and blue jeans.

“Yeah I know.” Shippou yawned again. His eyes half closed and with his head still resting against the wooden bench.

“Is anything thing going to happen today? Or will we have to sit back and watch her from a distance?”

“Don't know. But I don't think that you should wish something would happen, it's a bad sign. I know that you want to talk to her but give it time. Father already planned it out for us to see her. What's a few weeks compared to five-hundred?”

“Yeah I know, it's just that sometimes I think the damn gods are doing this for fun. Lets' see how long they can last, before everything goes to hell.”

Shippou dropped his head and rolled his eyes. Kado was certainly Kagome's pup. His thoughts ran as wild as hers. But he understood. It wasn't fair, but they would have to deal with it. “I know, but I don't see it like that. Mother has an incredible ability to get into trouble. Sooner or later something will happen. Something good something bad, who knows? But at least we get to see her almost everyday. So count your blessings. For all we know my changing the past it could destroy the whole space-time continuum.”

“Shut up that's not funny I was being serious.”

“Me too.”

“No, you just seen to many sci-fi shows.”

They quieted down, their mother ran past them in her haste ignoring them both on the bench. In the distance they could hear her mother yelling about her lunch and heard her running out in hopes of catching her.

Shippou jumped jump with a grin on his face. Kado sat perplexed of what was going on, but before he could ask Shippou yanked him off the bench and pulled him up. He knew Shippou was up to something it was the same grin he used whenever he used his kitsune trickery.

“Just follow my lead okay?”

“Wha…” and before he could finish his question there was a low blast, and a cloud appeared around them, the sign that Shippou had used his kitsune magic. When the cloud disappeared he saw that his brother was dressed in the uniform the boys were required to wear and he looked like a seventeen human. “Shippou what did you do?”

“I have an idea. You want some excitement I will give you some and if Father finds out its your fault.” Shippou smiled. “Kado take a look at yourself.”

He did look, he too was wearing the same uniform as him, but he still didn't understand. He looked like a high student. “What do you mean `excitement?'” not liking what his older brother was thinking.

“Excuse me?” Shippou and Kado turned to look at the interruption; it was their `grandmother'. She stood a polite distance while holding a bento box, in her hands. “I'm sorry about interrupting you but I noticed your uniforms, and I was hoping that you could do me a favor.”

Kado glanced at Shippou again not liking where this was going. He didn't like the kitsune's random ideas. They usually went bad. Shippou still had that same grin on his face, when he used his magic.

Kado turned his attention to his grandmother and gave a warm smile. “What can we help you with?”

Mrs. Higurashi returned the grin. “ I was wondering if you went to Tokyo High.”

“Yes we do.” Shippou said.

“Do you know Higurashi Kagome? I'm her mother and she forgot her lunch. I can't give it to her. I have to take my son to the doctors today.”

“Higurashi Kagome? Hmmm I've heard about her from my little brother. He says that they are friends with her.”

Kado finally understood what was going on. The kitsune should win an Oscar. He could fool almost anyone, even their father with his acting chops. He just stood watching his older brother deal with it. He wasn't much of a liar, and couldn't pull this act off.

“Your brother? Who might he be?”

“I'm Tanaka Shuichi, Tanaka Hojou is my little brother. This is my friend Mamoru.” Shippou pointed to Kado and he bowed hanyou head in acknowledgement. “Hojo tells us that he and Kagome are great friends.”

Mrs. Higurashi nodded knowing that Kagome cared for Hojou even though she didn't like being lavished with all the un-needed gifts. “Then if it was alright if you could give this to Kagome? She didn't have time to eat breakfast and I don't want her hungry through the day.”

She handed the bento box to Shippou and bowed. “Its no problem Mrs. Higurashi I am happy I could help.” Shippou and Kado bowed and turned to walk towards the school. Kado could feel Mrs. Higurashi's eyes watching them.

As they walked they turned the corner and heard their grandmother heading back did they feel it was okay to talk again.

“So this was your brilliant plan? Playing delivery boy huh?” The hanyou asked.

Shippou just smiled, with his with fangs protruding, visibly seen. “Hey it was a good idea. If you think so other wise, then I think I lost all faith in you. What happened to that carefree attitude of yours? Yesterday you were all like `father be damned' and didn't worry about the consequences.”

“Well I am free to change my mind.”

“Father would disagree. But then again you act just like her sometimes.”

“Really? I thought Father was the only one to think that.”

“Nah, even Jaken sees her in you, and he is just a stupid toad.”

As they neared the high school the familiar scents of it made them remember why they were there. They had to drop off their Mother's bento box. Though the school was familiar but they never actually knew the inside of the school looked like or where to drop it off. They would have to travel inside the unknown lair.

Suddenly Shippou's great plan began to look completely futile. They saw that they were some kids that still coming towards the entrance, they didn't seem to care that they were late. Kado ran up to one of the stragglers to ask where the main office was. He rudely told him it was one the first floor, six rooms to the left. Apparently he knew the main office well.

They marched towards the office following the directions the guy gave them. It took a lot to ignore the smells, it clouded everyone one of their senses, and they seemed to be swimming in it.

“I don't think I have ever been happy to have been tutored.” Kado said. Shippou couldn't answer, he didn't hear what he said, it stench was making him lose his concentration over his little spell. Normally it would hardly be a challenge to hold his spells, it was second nature for him but the smell was everywhere.

“Damn it I hate this.” Shippou muttered under his breath. They reached the office and an old woman turned and looked at them. She didn't seem happy, and neither did they. She just assumed that they didn't want to be there; all kids were like that.

Kado grabbed the box from Shippou and placed it on the counter. “This is Higurashi Kagome's lunch she forgot it.”

“Alright I will send it up to her.” The lady grabbed the box and turned her back on them. They didn't need to be told twice. With their youkai speed they ran out of the school not caring if anyone saw them. They got outside and as far from the smells as they could.

“Damn it Shippou I swear I would kill you for that.”

“What? I didn't think it would be that bad…”

“Next time you want to wonder into that school, you are going by yourself.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Shippou waved it off as the cloud appeared with a bang and the kitsune spell was gone, replaced with their normal looks. They weren't far from their usual hang-out from the high school, when arrived to the little pastry shoppe and jumped on top. They knew that they were going to have a long day despite Shippou's little misadventure.

After the hours of waiting their mother and many of the other students she went to school with, left with an eager vigor for the weekend that was back and they welcomed with open arms and a carefree attitude of a careless nature. Shippou and Kado followed from a great distance behind their mother and her friends. They were near the shrine where Kagome lived as Kado's cell phone went off. Shippou and Kado froze one the spot and watched as Kagome and her friends went on as Kado looked at his phone. Their father was calling. Kado answered and looked at the fading shapes of his mother as she went around the corner leaving him and Shippou alone on the street.

"Moshi moshi?"

"Kado this is your father."

"Yeah I know, what's going on?"

"I am coming home early. I have transacted the business deal and Ayaoki has sold me his company so I will be back soon. I will take over and you and Shippou will go over all the paper work and make sure nothing was left out of the contract and that everything is sorted through the company as we gut it."

"Did everything go well?"

"I almost lost the bid, Mizaki gave Ayaoki high hopes on an unacceptable figure."

Shippou tugged on Kado's arm, "Hey let me talk to him!"

Kado turned from the phone to his kitsune brother, "Yeah, hold on." Kado turned back to their dad, "Hey father Shippou wants to talk to you."

"Yes I heard him, put him on."

Shippou pulled the phone out of Kado's hand, without escaping the glare of his hanyou brother gave him as Shippou answered the phone.

"Hey dad, another successful day at work?"

"Yes, Shippou. Is there something that you want?"

"Well.... I was wondering about mom..."

"Shippou I told you, everything will take place on its own accord."

"I know but.."

"Shippou you need to learn patience."

"Yeah yeah, but if you don't let us I am going to seal you under a statue-"

Kado wrenched the phone out of Shippou's grip as he tried to fight back while continuing threatening him with kitsune magic. "Shippou, you are so lucky that he is in Okinawa," he cried as he yanked his phone out of his brother's hand. Shippou tried to fight back but Kado held his hand up keeping the kitsune at bay. "So are you taking a direct flight back? Will someone need to pick you up?"

"Yes I should be back in the morning, and I will have a car there for me. I want you and your brother to start as soon as possible on this. I'd rather not have a repeat of what happened last time I left you two in charge. I do not care how but make sure that Shippou does not get distracted or lazy. I am trusting you to stop him from procrastinating."

"Yeah, sure no problem."

"I have to go, take care."

"You too, and Shippou adds his apologies."

"You know he doesn't."

Click. Kado hung up and placed the phone in his pants pocket.

"You know you shouldn't speak for me like that," Shippou said as he punched Kado soft on the shoulder.

"Well you are lucky that you aren't a kid anymore, father would have killed you."

Shippou waved his hand as if fanning all worries away, as he walked down the street away from the Shikon Shrine. "Kado we got work to do, or dad will be upset for you for wasting your time."

Kado turned on his heels and chased Shippou down the sidewalk, "Haha but Father will have a harder time believing you than me. We both know you mess around whenever given the chance."

Shippou gave Kado a foxy grin, with a protruding fang glistening in the sun. "Prove it."

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"Mama I'm home!" Kagome yelled, as she ceremonially dropped her bag as she took off her shoes, she was happy the weekend arrived, despite only being in school for a few days her love of school died again as the current subject in math class caught her off guard.

Mrs. Higurashi head shot through the doorway and she had her usual warm smile on her face as she welcomed her daughter. "Kagome did you get your bento box? I have been worried that you didn't get it."

Kagome grabbed her school bag and walked past her mum, "Yeah mama!" As Kagome was halfway up the stairs on the way to her room, she heard her mum say something but she didn't quite catch it, she stopped on the stairs. Did she hear her right? "Mama what did you say?"

Mrs. Higurashi walked back into the room and stood at the bottom of the stairs. "I said could you please tell Hojou's brother and his friend thanks for taking your lunch."

"Wait Hojou's brother? ... Hojou doesn't have a brother mama. He is an only child."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah Hojou only has a little sister. Why did you think that Hojo had a brother?"

"Because the boy that brought your lunch to school said that he was Hojou's brother. He said that his name was Tanaka Suichi."

Two identical looks of confusion and growing apprehension were held on both faces of mother and daughter. Kagome left the staircase and steeled her nerves to concentrate on homework, if something were wrong wouldn't she be able to tell? Mrs. Higurashi went back to the kitchen, all thought of housework and chores left her mind as a single worry inhabited her thoughts. Without saying anything both had the same question on their mind.

Who was that guy?

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Sesshoumaru sat alone in a nice café not to far where the all the street shops that Kagome and her friends liked to shop in downtown Tokyo. His only companion was a business report and his green tea. He kept his cell phone off to keep from being bothered by work and his sons had no need to contact him, as they were still at the office watching over the Toshiki transaction. Ayaoki had finalized the deal but now Kado and Shippou were making sure that everything went smoothly.

He took a sip of tea as he sat across the street watching his mate as she left her friends in one of the stores, the only thing he could have thought to as why she was leaving was that she needed to go home to pack for the Sengoku Jidai. Knowing his half brother, he was impatient for having to wait for her. She walked down the sidewalk, carrying a little bag; she obviously had made a purchase at one of the stores. She was wearing one of her dresses, it was black and it went to her knees. The top of the piece was modestly cut low but gave no hint of teasing any staring male. Her raven hair was pulled back into a lazy bun but she had some hair free that framed her face.

She was heading his way, but he just remained in his chair and sipped his tea. His day of watching her was relatively boring, not because her that could never happen, it was that her friends of hers idea of fun, which resulted in walking around casually around stores and buying the occasional thing that caught their fancy. He did not even have to leave his spot, as they never left his line of sight, hearing or sense of smell.

He did not even notice that the waitress came around again and refilled his cup or the look-over glance she gave him. His only concern was the young woman that came his way. He almost laughed out loud when she stopped at the crosswalk and looked both ways before crossing. It was endearing on how cute and innocent she was at that moment. She skipped happily along with her little bag swinging. He could not believe how close she was now; her scent was so alluring he felt completely wrapped in its familiar aroma.

She was standing right in front of the store, and for a moment, Sesshoumaru hoped that she saw him, but it was dashed when to male punks crashed into her knocking her to the ground, but they did not even bother to stop and help her. He could not even contain the growl the escaped his lips. He wanted to help her up, but he remained seated. She seemed fine, next to the shock of landing ungracefully onto the ground.

He watched as she searched for her bag; she had dropped it when the two human punks ran into her. It was lying in the street, she kneeled to pick it up, but she did not hear the car that was coming around the corner. Sesshoumaru never hesitated as he rushed to her as the car barreled down the street, nearly missing her head.

Old feelings began to resurface as he held her close to his body. How he missed holding her, having her in his arms. It was five hundred years, but it only seemed yesterday as memories swirled around his head. He looked down to the overwhelmed look on her face, she did not seem to have gotten over the shock of nearly having her head taken off. Nor did it seem that she was aware that he was holding her. She was clutching the bag tightly that her knuckles were turning white. But she still looked beautiful.

Kagome was still, the fear of dying was washing away, but the shock numbed her senses. It was a minute before she registered that she was all right and that a stranger was holding her. The first thing she noticed it was male and he wore a very nice dark grey suit. She could feel his sculptured arms around her waist. She was almost too afraid to look up, but she followed the black silk tie, she could see the muscular chest, and her heart began to beat faster as her eyes traveled higher and higher.

`Wow he is tall.' She thought as continued her examination. `Oh Kami-sama he's beautiful,' when she finally looked at her savior. His face was angelic and his cinnamon eyes just seemed to glow from the mask of concern on his face. His light brown hair seemed perfect as the bangs hung over his radiant eyes. A blush grew over her cheeks and a small nervous laugh escaped. His only response was a perfectly shaped eyebrow was raised at her.

“Are you alright?” Sesshoumaru asked. But as he did, he hoped to Kami that she would not recognize him. But a part of him hoped she did.

“Um, I think so?” Kagome was starting to get uncomfortable in his arms and Sesshoumaru sensed her discomfort let go immediately although he wished that he could have held her forever on that sidewalk. “Heh um thanks for saving me.”

His penetrating glare was starting to get to her, she felt like he was looking past her and into the depths of her soul, judging her if she was worth saving. She had to turn away the mysterious angel, it was like looking at the face of perfection, no mortal should ever see.

“You are welcomed.” Sesshoumaru said, as he sensed her uneasiness. She seemed shock at his response as her headshot back up to look at him and he could not help but smile. She was his Kagome, how he missed her strange ways.

`He's smiling, why?' Kagome noticed that his teeth was perfect and white but for a second she swore something more, `did I see a fang?' She tossed the idea out of her head and out of habit she smiled back. She spent too much time in the Sengoku Jidai. She was grateful that she was saved, but it was not everyday you would run into someone that handsome.

“Ano I got to go home… Thanks again for saving my life. If there's something I could do…”

“There is no need for that.” He fought with himself, he wanted to tell her, but he had to bite his tongue almost to the point of making it bleed, to silence himself before he could respond. `Kagome…' He moved away from her letting her pass him but the moment that she took a step, she nearly fell back down before he caught her again.

“Huh? My ankle hurts.” Kagome noted, as the man held her, “How did that happen?”

“You must twisted it when those guys knocked you down.”

“Great. Just great, I don't need this now. Inuyasha is going to kill me!”

“Inuyasha?” Sesshoumaru asked, wondering how she would react to his question, while knowing why she was worried.

“Inuyasha? Heh hehe… Ah um, he is friend of mine. We had plans now it looks like I can't do them.”

“Here let me help you.” Sesshoumaru helped Kagome back into the café and sat her down across from him, her little troublesome bag was placed on the table forgotten. He took her ankle despite her objections and placed it in his lap. He looked up at her and a blush was deepening on her exquisite face. He just had to smirk at her, it was funny, she was his mate; he had seen her naked and they had often bathed together, but she was blushing over the fact that he was holding her foot in his lap. But he had almost forgot that to her their future has not happened yet.

“You know how to tend to broken ankles?” Kagome asked, hoping that he would be distracted by the question and she would not be so embarrassed.

“Yes I do. My father had me learn the art of first aid.” He said as he pulled her shoe of her foot. Without looking, he knew that the blush was back and she nervous. He studied the foot, her ankle was not broken, not even sprained, and she just would have to stay off it for a few hours. He began to massage her foot fully aware that she liked it.

Kagome watched the man across from her as he tended to her ankle, so many questions ran through her head, he seemed familiar but she could not place where, and it surprised her that he knew what he was doing. For a moment she thought that he was just one of those rich lechers that targeted schoolgirls with a foot fetish- hence the blush.

`I have been around Miroku too much. Now every guy I met I keep thinking that they are going to start grope me. Or kill me… But this guy doesn't seem that bad. He did save from becoming headless.' When he started to message her feet the blush came back but it wasn't as strong as before, but the foot fetish came back into her thoughts.

“What's your name?” She blurted out. She was threw her hand to her mouth, she was angry with herself, she did not want to come off rude to him, she already thought he thought of her as an idiot for not being able to see the car.

Sesshoumaru stopped his menstruation to look at the schoolgirl across the table; the blush never seemed to leave her face now. “My name, its Hawakaya Eizan. Care to tell me yours?”

“I'm Higurashi Kagome. I'm pleased to meet you Hayakawa-san.”

“Please call me Eizan, no formalities needed between us.”

“Alright Eizan.” Sesshoumaru just smiled at her, it had been awhile sense he felt this happy, and by a simple word. “So how's my ankle?”

Her ankle! He almost forgot that it was still in his lap. Just being around her made him distracted and he forgot that he was tended her sore foot. He handed her shoe and released her foot. “Its fine, you just would have to stay off it for awhile and it will bruise, but you should be fine.”

Kagome placed her shoe back onto her foot and smoothed out her dress, she had the embarrassing thought that he could look up her dress. It was an uncomfortable silence between them. She had questions for him but she could not seem to phrase them the way she wanted to. But he broke that silence for her.

“Is there something I can get you? It's only polite that I ask as you are with me in this café.”

Kagome was a bit hungry but she was not going to take advantage of his generosity, but as she thought to respond she saw out of the corner of her eye she watched a waitress bring a hot fudge brownie to a customer nearby, and it made her mouth water. He seemed to have noticed her starved look as he waved the waitress over.

“I would like two of your hot fudge brownies, with lots of sprinkles.” The waitress gave him a smile and walked off to fill his order.

`Sprinkles? How does he know?'

They waited a few minutes before they received their desserts, Kagome resisted the urge to inhale the brownie, but she noticed that her eating companion had the greatest table manners that she had ever seen, it quenched the idea of devouring her food like a rabid animal. She too ate her food with all the table manners that her mother had ever taught her. She felt the need to impress Eizan though she did not know who he was.

Sesshoumaru watched Kagome eat when he was finished. Had to resist the urge to lick her face every time a crumb would stick to her lips, but every time he was saved as she wiped her mouth with the napkin, but that just made him want to ravish her lips with his. This was torture he decided. After all the time he waited, had to break his own rules and he was fighting with himself from just taking her away and ravishing her.

“Eizan-san. Hello? Are you there?” Sesshoumaru came back from his growing needs as he noticed her small hand being waved in his face.

“Hai?”

“I was just trying to thank you for the food.”

“You are welco-“

“Oh man the time! I got to go home!” She leaped out of the chair only to crash back onto the chair. “Itaiii!” She grabbed her ankle and massaged it. “I forgot my ankle was hurt!”

Sesshoumaru stood up, pulled his wallet out, placed a large bill not caring for change, and promptly discarded the bill on the table. He picked up Kagome's little plastic bag and his belongings before bending over and lifting her out of the chair, carrying her bridal style. He was sure to keep her modesty as his hand underneath her kept her dress from moving.

“Ah Hentai!! Put me down!!” Kagome all but shrieked, scaring the other customers in the café and hurting Sesshoumaru's delicate hearing.

“I am no hentai. You cannot walk on that ankle of yours. I am being considerate of your situation. You wish to go home but with you hurt there is no possible way for you to walk anywhere.

“Oh. Sorry about that heh. So how I am going to go home?”

“I will drive of course.”

“No no, you don't have to go out of your way for me. My mama can pick me up.”

“I assure that it's not a problem, I was leaving this place soon enough.”

“Okay, I just hope that it's on your way, you did enough for me anyway.”

Sesshoumaru did not respond and left all the watchers in the café and walked slowly to his car, careful not to hurt Kagome. The car was a convertible and the hood was down. He liked having the wind in his face till this day, despite living in the city with its air and noise pollution. He threw all the items in the back, not caring for the mess. He lowered Kagome into the front seat, mindful not to hit her ankle on the car door.

“Nice car.” Kagome said, as it was the only thought that came into her head. She was still unsure about being driven home. She did not know him and she did not want to be an inconvenient to him, although he said she was not.

“It suits my needs. But I really have no need for it, as I am usually driven around.” Sesshoumaru answered as he opened his car door and sat behind the wheel.

“But, then why you have one?”

“Are you always this inquisitive?” He asked knowing that she was the one for talking and making small talk. He turned and gave her a quick smile, as he began to pull away from the curb.

“No, yes, I mean I'm just making small talk.”

“No I believe that you are doubting my driving ability. As no one makes small talk out from comfort.”

Kagome blushed deeply as she analyzed his observation; she could not help but agree with his assertion. But she chose to change the subject. “Do you even no where you are going?”

“You have yet to tell me where you live.”

Kagome blushed again and looked away, she could not seem to keep it together. “Um I live at the Tokyo shrine of the Shikon no Tama.”

“Oh I know of it. I visit there often.” The turned the car around the car now heading towards the shrine. The wind blew wildly and their hair fought for freedom in their restraints.

“I never seen you there.” A blush grew on her cheeks; “I would have remembered you.”

“You think that I am that hideous? Or that stunning?” He loved teasing her; it was an addiction. He loved watching her blush and squirm. He gave her a little smirk and from the corner of his eye, he saw the same blush back on her face.

For the first time, since he had saved her life there was a comfortable silence between them. She was enjoying the feel of the wind on her face and the attention she received from the people on the street, who were obviously jealous of her situation. He could not tell if they were jealous of the car or him. He like to think it was he, Sesshoumaru not the car, when it came to women, but he noticed some looks that males gave him too. He just had that effect on people. But what so nice about the car ride was that she was sitting besides him. After all, his planning and waiting, one little unexpected turn of events, he had her in his car, and she did not know it was him. It made him wonder if all the secrecy and the intensive planning was still worth it. He wanted to throw it all away and just take her now and tell her everything but he was holding himself back. Something was telling him that it was too early and he should remain cautious as he could unwittingly destroy everything that he worked so hard to keep.

The shrine was coming up, but Kagome was not paying attention. She was enjoying herself too much. Her day was good despite her barely becoming decapitated and her sore ankle. An angel saved her and it was the only thing she could use to describe him. Tall, beautiful with a feminine face but his body was a masculine masterpiece. She would have to be blind not to notice the way his clothes were stretched tightly around him. Although everything about him was perfect, her favorite thing about him was his eyes and hair. His eyes were a shimmering cinnamon brown but they seemed to glow golden in the sunlight. And his hair held a silken luster and his hair was almost as long as he was, and he had a black hair tie near the bottom of his hair. It was a simple tie to keep the great mass of hair contained.

“We're here.”

Kagome broke out of her thoughts as she looked at the steps that lead up to her shrine house. The man- Eizan had parked right in front of the stairs that was held for her family. She did not move as Eizan stepped out of his car and came around in the front. He seemed to radiate in the sun, and when he smiled at her, her breath was caught in her throat. `Nobody can be that good looking.' She thought as he stood next to her car door.

“Your bag is in the back.” He picked up the bag and gave it to her.

She smiled in thanks, but she could not contain the shriek when he picked her up without warning. She saw him grimace in pain. She must have been louder then she thought, as she yelled right into his ear. “Sorry about that but you never gave me a warning.”

“Its alright, I just have sensitive hearing.”

She had a good glance and she noticed that his ear was more pointy then most people. `Heh, I guess he has some youkai blood or something.' But at that thought, she giggled silently to herself. Youkai were rare in this era, and it would have to be a coincidence that she keeps running into them.

“What's so funny?” He asked as he held her bridal style again as carried her up the stairs to her house.

“It's nothing. Just having some crazy thoughts.”

“Oh like what?” He asked, he was sincerely curious. Kagome was an interesting person and he always loved hearing what was on her mind.

“I was just thinking that you must have some youkai blood in you.”

“What?” Sesshoumaru asked, as he grew worried. Could it be that she found a way to sense his youki? Or did his concealing slip with him not noticing?

“I'm just joking. I was just thinking about youkai. I really can't help it, my grandpa has told me so many legends and stories.”

A thousand weights proverbial were lifted off his shoulders, as she explained. He had never been so happy that she was not over critical in her observations. But then again, she was always surprising; if the time called for it she was quite the observant person that could always add two and two together. Like the time he first met her and she saved Inuyasha from the mononoke from absorbing his soul.

“You are quite odd.” He smiled brightly at her. Smiling was contagious around her; you just could not help it.

“You are not the first to tell me so.” She smiled back happily.

He reached the top of the stairs into the familiar yard that belonged to the shrine. He had not lied to her when he said that he visited the shrine often. He had come yearly till Kagome was fourteen, then he took to his watching and such from a distance. It was the first time he had set foot in the yard in a few years since she began her time-traveling journey. He set her on her feet in near of the front door. He looked over his shoulder to look around and used his senses to see if anyone was nearby. Kagome's family was not here and Inuyasha had not come into the shrine area recently. His stench was weeks old. He heard a click and found that Kagome was hobbling into her house, careful not to hurt it again. He grabbed her and let her lean onto him for strength.

“Thanks again. I am starting to think that you are some kind of super hero or something.”

“I just might be.” He countered as he helped her onto a chair. “Is there anything I can do?”

“No, I'm fine.”

“How about I make some tea. It would help with the ankle.”

“You don't have to.”

“I want to.”

“I don't want to be hassle.”

“Trust me you are not.”

Kagome sat in a couch with her arms crossed across her chest. She was adamant in her need, she did not want to press herself on him anymore, and he had done more than enough. She could sit there the whole day and fight this out, and she knew that he could see this.

“Fine, I just want to make sure that you are ok.”

“I'm fine now thanks. I just don't want to bother you anymore. You had done more enough for me.”

Sesshoumaru watch her as she stubbornly refused any more help. It was one of the things he loved about her. She was willing to help anyone, but when it came to her, she refused any more need then she thought she needed. “Are you sure?”

“Yes I'm sure. I don't want to take any more of your time.”

“Okay well then, I guess I will leave you here.” He pulled out a card and pen from inside his jacket. He wrote on the back of the card before handing the card to her, while placing the pen back into its place. “This is my business card, with my number, fax, and email. My personal cell phone number is on the back. Don't hesitate in calling me if you need anything.” Kagome was going to interrupt but he kept going, “I promise that you are not a hassle. I just like knowing that you are okay. Promise me if there is anything I can do, you will call me.”

“Um sure. I promise, Eizan-san.” Sesshoumaru smiled, and took his leave, as he was exiting the house, when she called back and he looked over to her. She was kneeling in the couch with her head and hands above the spine of the chair. She looked dwarfed by the overstuffed seat. “Thanks for everything. Especially the hot fudge brownie, it's one of my favorites.”

Sesshoumaru nodded in understanding, walked out of the house, and shut the door behind him.

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Two men with cameras watched as their prey pull away from the shop with the girl in the car. They drove off going a different direction, as they had work to do.

“Man I can't believe our luck. Hayakawa, with a girl, that is one in a million.”

“I know! Remind me to give our leak some extra money for this one.”

“Oh yeah, how much is the magazines willing to pay for this? I got some shots of him smiling! No one has ever seen him smile.”

“Don't know, but its going to be worth something. The tabloids are going to have a field day with this.”

“Come by tomorrow everyone is going to see Hayakawa in different light.”

“Heh, different alright. There were rumors that he was gay, since he was ever seen with a woman. I know two or three people who are going to be disappointed. But they got the other brother and the red head heh. A family of fags.”

“Nah, it's going to be all the girls. I can see it now. Them chasing the girl down from jealously.”

“Oh yeah that reminds me. We got to look her up, find any dirt on her. If she was on a date with the most eligible bachelor there must be something about her to make her special.”

“This is going to be fun.” The driver said as they pulled into the local tabloid that loved to make the Hayakawa family the center of gossip.

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Word count - 19,707 words

Teaser:

"Is this your idea of courtship Inuyasha? Your woman seems to hold you by a leash as some common animal." Sesshoumaru sneered.

Inuyasha just growled from his second impact.

"Just get to the point Sesshoumaru. I won't stop him a third time." Kagome interrupted. "And besides, you are the animal not him."

"Watch your tongue human."