InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Captive Soul ❯ chapter 24 ( Chapter 24 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of it's characters.

____________________________________________________________ __________

Chapter 24: Banquet begins

_________________________________________________________________ ______

Inuyasha bounded up the five flights of stairs within seconds.

After closing the stairwell door, he walked down the hallway a few paces then opened another door.

As he stepped into the large, almost vacant, office room, he greeted his partner. "Ay Shippoh!"

The fox demon swiveled around in his black chair with a hardy grin. "About time you made it. I was beginning to think you were going to be late for the ball, Cinderella."

Walking over to his red haired friend, Inuyasha smirked. "Keh, I am always right on time, runt."

He almost laughed at the irritated look on the fox's face at the comment. Shippoh had outgrown his runt stage over three hundred years ago.

Inuyasha sobered his thoughts as he stopped at the oversized table. He studied the dozen or so monitors. "Has he arrived yet?"

The fox demon's expression became serious as he swiveled back around to his black keyboard and monitors. "Not yet. I've been set up for the past six hours viewing and recording with the surveillance cameras. Our hanyou friend hasn't showed."

Inuyasha walked over to the wall of windows which stretched from one side of the vast room to the other.

He peered through the darkened glass, observing the Grand, Five Star hotel sitting across from the office building. A few cars had pulled into the parking lot. Some people were going in. Some were talking merrily at and around the entrance.

His palm was sweating under the garment bag he carried. With the other hand he raised a clawed finger to the glass and tapped it lightly, thinking.

Taking inventory of his thoughts, he shared them with Shippoh. "Shippoh, I want a recording of every person that goes in that hotel this evening. And I want our database to supply information on every single person. If Naraku escapes tonight, he may take someone with him. If that happens, our only clue will be finding out who he took and why...."

He laid his palm flat on the cool surface of the glass. More to himself than to his partner he mused. ".....He's planning something....I can feel it in my gut.... Tonight he will strike." Dropping his hand from the window, he clenched his fist tight. "And I will be there when he does."

Inuyasha turned from his dim reflection and inner contemplation to look at his partner who was diligently glancing from one monitor to the next and tapping on his keyboard. "Shippoh."

The red haired fox demon looked up from his task. "Yeah?"

"This may be our last chance. I just found out that Naraku has sold all of his property and emptied out his bank account. He has cut all ties to his business dealings. Our suspect might run tonight. Tell me when Naraku enters the building. Since tracking the snake is not easy, I will need to have a clear view of him at all times. I want to be his shadow. Got it?"

His partner nodded with determination before going back to his viligant watch. "You got it, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha walked up behind him, giving the young fox demon a confident clap on the shoulder. "I'm going to go get changed. Yell if you see him."

Shippoh nodded again while scanning and typing. "Right, you can count on me, Inu."

With that, Inuyasha headed to a smaller side room to change into his tux.

------------------------------------------------------------------- -------

Sesshomaru blinked up at the clear navy sky. The first star of evening glittered with brilliance.

Light poles passed before his line of sight. They were going down a hill. "Rin?"

"Mmmmm?"

Switching his gaze from the passing streetlights to the beautiful young woman next to him, he asked. "Where is this...banquet and what is it for?"

Rin smiled while keeping her eyes on the road. "It's a charity banquet held once a year for the children's hospital to honor those who have given during the year. My father is being honored for his donations and volunteer work. My father will give a speech. Food will be served and some will dance after the dinner. The banquet is being held at a Five Star Hotel near the edge of the city, close to the city park. I went last year. It's an incredible place with an enormous ballroom and many ritzy rooms. The hotel also has one of the largest gardens in the state, the prettiest I have ever seen: bush mazes, fountains, every flower you could imagine and...a few...hiding places."

Glancing at him with a smirk, she added. "Would you like me to show you some of those...hiding places?"

He smirked a tad. "Yes, I think I would like that but...who would we be hiding from?"

Her smirk became a full fledged grin. "Everyone."

------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------

Rin pulled the car into a paved parking lot and parked the car near the front of the hotel. Sesshomaru noticed that not all were parking their own cars. Some had valets to do it for them.

While getting out of the car, Sesshomaru surveyed the area and the building. Rin had been right, the hotel was lavish with white columns in Romanesque style which reached up three stories high. Bright lights illuminated everything, even the entire parking lot. The entrance doors were wooden and lined with gold edges. Tall hedges cut into different animal shapes along with fluttering bradford pear trees adorned each side of the front steps.

Some people were milling around the steps, laughing and joking.

Rin locked the car before walking over to him.

With a smile she looped her arm around his.

Together, they strolled toward the Grand Hotel.

As they came to the white steps, Kagome's voice rang out above them. "Rin! Sesshomaru!"

He looked up to see Rin's sister near the top of the steps smiling and waving.

Rin waved back with a smile.

They approached Rin's sister. Sesshomaru blinked at what she wore. Red. A stunning red dress that hugged every curve yet remained modest. It sparkled much the same as Rin's, dazzling the eye. Like Rin, Kagome also shined with an inner glow but..... to him, Kagome came in second to Rin's unique radiant spirit.

Kagome gave Rin a brief hug. "You look wonderful Rin."

She stepped back from Rin and gave him a warm smile. "Hello, Sesshomaru."

With the slightest nod of his head, he returned the greeting. "Good evening."

Turning back to Rin, Kagome grasped her small purse and pulled out two pieces of paper. She handed one to Rin. "Here is your ticket Rin. Sesshomaru doesn't have to have one since he is your escort. Mom and Dad have already gone in."

Rin frowned a little. "Don't you have an escort Kagome?"

Kagome shook her head. "No, I called Kouga but he already had a date for tonight. I almost called Hojo but thought better of it. So tonight, I'm going stag."

Rin ribbed her sister with an elbow. "Maybe you might find a nice rich and handsome man tonight."

Rin's sister laughed. "Nah, not really looking. I'm more here for Daddy's speech and the food. But if I do happen to find a nice gentleman who will ask me to dance, I could make an exception."

The miko in the red dress grinned at him. "Maybe Sesshomaru wouldn't mind dancing with me...that is..." she playfully smirked at Rin. "...if you wouldn't mind giving him up for a few minutes."

A small hand grabbed his arm. Rin pulled him close while giggling at her sister. "Uh uh, Kagome, Sesshomaru is all mine tonight."

Kagome's smirk switched to him. "I think we should let Sesshomaru decide for himself. Well, Sesshomaru, care to dance with me tonight?"

Sesshomaru suddenly had the urge to roll his eyes at the two females, but refrained and only replied with a dry tone. "I am afraid I will have to decline the offer. This evening, I solely belong to Rin."

Shaking her head at him, Kagome grinned. "Okay, okay, I get the picture." Gesturing with her hand for them to follow, Kagome moved toward the grand double doors. "Come on guys, lets go find our table and get situated."

Right next to the doors, a young man sat behind a small podium. Kagome and Rin handed their tickets to him. He asked their names which he wrote down in a book.

When he gave the brown haired male his name, the human glanced up at him. "Sesshomaru? Last name?"

Sesshomaru peered down at the human male. "I have no last name."

With a nod, the man wrote down his name then handed each of them one white ribbon.

Rin pinned the white ribbon to her dress. She held out her hand to him. "May I?"

Sesshomaru handed the small ribbon to Rin.

He noticed the pinkness in her cheeks as she reached up and pinned it to his clothes.

When finished, she blinked up at him. "Shall we?"

Two attendents opened the doors for them. Together, they entered the building.

Sesshomaru couldn't believe the size of the room they entered. This place could hold his giant dog demon form easily. People were everywhere, some were standing, some talking in small groups. Quite a few heads turned toward him and Rin. Several females eyed him while several males stole quick glances at Rin and Kagome.

He became irritated at the human males who dared to look at his future mate in that way. But he mentally willed his demon blood to settle. This was Rin's night. He wasn't going to spoil it by rip...by causing a scene.

Instead, Sesshomaru chose to occupy his mind by scoping out the surroundings. The vastness of the ballroom intrigued him. He hadn't seen a meeting room this big since his father's estate. Hundreds of round clothed tables covered the floor. A sizable white circle centered the sea of cream colored tables and chairs. He surmised it to be the dancing area. A few steps led up to a wooden stage where a dark brown podium stood. Milky white roses mixed with bright red ones had been placed at every table, along the banisters, and around the stage. He could barely make out their fresh flowery scent over the pungent mixture of colognes and perfumes.

Sesshomaru kept Rin's arm on his as they descended the long flight of steps leading to the main floor.

They followed Kagome through the crowd of chatting people to a table near the stage. An older woman dressed in a stylish peach dress stood up when she saw them approach.

He could see the resemblance. This woman was Rin's and Kagome's mother.

Sesshomaru could feel his training trying to kick in. He wanted to kneel before the older woman. But for some reason...he didn't.

The raven haired woman smiled warmly at her two daughters. She embraced Rin. "Rin, you look so lovely tonight! How is my beautiful daughter?"

Pinkness returned to Rin's cheeks. "Thank you, Moma, I am fine."

Rin's mother backed up from her daughter and looked at him with a bright smile. "Why Rin! I didn't know you were dating Royalty!"

Rin coughed a little. "....uh.....Moma I want to introduce you to my companion." She gestured to him. "Mother, this is Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru, this is my mother, Rianna Higorashi.

He leaned forward a tad, a slight bow of respect. "Good evening Mrs. Higorashi."

The older woman nodded and returned his greeting. "Good evening to you as well, Sesshomaru."

Kagome spoke up. "Moma, where's Daddy?"

Rin's mother turned to her daughter. "William went to the bathroom. He gets a little nervous before a speech. He should be out shortly."

The older woman grabbed his arm, pulling him toward the table. "Now, Sesshomaru, it's not everyday that my daughter introduces someone special to me."

He glanced back once at Rin's anxious expression while the woman led him to the round, oversized table and motioned for him to sit.

As the older woman sat on his right, Rin sat to his left. Kagome moved to the chair next to her mother.

Rin's mother regarded him intently. "You are a youkai, aren't you?"

Sesshomaru swallowed under the new scrutinizing gaze of the older woman. Suddenly he felt very nervous. "Yes, Mrs. Higorashi."

With a wave of her hand, she pish poshed. "Call me Rianna."

He gave a slight nod. "Yes...Rianna."

The older woman's features wisened. "That's an unusual neck ornament you wear...very....different. Tell me Sesshomaru, how did you meet my daughter?"

Before answering, he glanced at Rin again, hoping she could see his silent plea for help. "I met Rin at the market place."

"Really? and how is it that you two met? Did you just bump into one another? Did someone introduce you two? Was it love at first site? I just love blooming romance."

He opened his mouth to reply , but thankfully, Rin interrupted. "Moma, will you stop it please? Sesshomaru is my escort tonight. Your embarrassing me."

Her mother pouted at her red faced daughter. "Oh, come on sweetie. Can't I have a little fun?"

Rin gave her mother a pleading expression. "Moma?"

She waved at her daughter offhandedly. "Ah pooh, you kids today. Won't let an old lady have her fun."

Rin rolled her eyes. "Mom, you are not old!"

The older woman patted his hand. "Don't worry son. Me and you will get to have a 'one on one' at Kagome's house tomorrow."

She looked at Kagome who for some reason was looking off, probably trying to avoid getting into the conversation. "Isn't that right, Kagome? Were you not going to invite Sesshomaru and Rin over for dinner?"

Kagome halfheartedly smiled at her mother. "I haven't gotten a chance to, Momma." Rin's sister looked over to them. "Rin, Sesshomaru. You are now officially invited to join us for dinner tomorrow night."

Rin nodded. "Uh...okay, sure."

Sesshomaru sensed a man approaching. By his scent, Sesshomaru guessed him to be Rin's Father.

He acknowledged the well dressed man who came up to the table with a slight nod.

The man's steel gray eyes locked on him with reservation. "Hello my beautiful ladies."

Rin got up out of her chair and hugged the tall man with silver streaks in his black hair. "Daddy!"

After giving his daughter a brief hug, Rin's father looked to him. "And who is this may I ask?"

Rin gestured toward him with an open hand. "Daddy, this is Sesshomaru, my escort for tonight. Sesshomaru, this is my father, William."

He gave another slight nod in respect to the older male. "Greetings." He nearly had to bite his tongue to keep from kneeling before him. This was Rin's father.

William eyed him critically. "Sesshomaru. Very unique name. Are you foreign?"

Sesshomaru returned his straightforward glare. "Yes. I come from a faraway land."

As Rin and her father sat side by side, he asked him another question. "You wear ancient royal attire. Are you Royalty?"

At this Sesshomaru started. He really didn't know how to answer the question. "I......."

Rin nudged her father. "Daddy, you are almost as bad as Momma. Can't you leave my date alone and not ask him so many questions?"

Rin's father leaned over and pecked her cheek. "Okay pumpkin. We can wait until tomorrow night to get to know your new friend."

The older man smiled. "Forgive my blunt curiosity, Sesshomaru, I am just a concerned father who likes to know just who is dating my daughter.

Sesshomaru inclined his head to the male only a touch. "It is quite alright, Mr. Higorashi. I understand completely. Rin is an exceptional person. I wouldn't expect anything less from a devoted father. I have only the utmost respect for your daughter. She is very special to me."

A knowing gleam sparked in his steel gray eyes. He seemed to approve of his comments. "Very well said, Sesshomaru. Your high regard concerning my Rin is quite honorable. Your distinguished elegance compels me to believe in your noble birthright."

With those words he ended his cryptic statement, turning his attention to Kagome and her mother.

As Rin's family began conversing with themselves about different matters, Sesshomaru let out a deep breath. What would Rin's father say when he became aware of his social status? Legally, he would be free in four days. But concerning his curse....the future was uncertain. Rin's father may not approve of their mating. Could he live with Rin's unhappiness over her father's disapproval of their union?

Silently, he hoped Rin's parents would not reject him when they learned the truth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rin glanced from her father to Sesshomaru while they talked. An underlining battle was playing out between the two. By their expressions and firm worded comments, Rin knew her father was trying to figure Sesshomaru out.

She sighed to herself, tomorrow she must tell her mother and father the truth about Sesshomaru, but tonight the truth could wait. She didn't want to ruin Daddy's important evening. Picking up her water glass and taking a sip, Rin hoped her Mother and Father would approve of Sesshomaru.

Rin set her water glass down and stole a long glance at the handsome male sitting next to her. He sat straight up. His eyes solidly taking everything in. It had puzzled her the way Daddy had regarded him and called him royalty. Mother too. They both seem to think Sesshomaru of noble blood. The outfit he wore could be the reason for the misunderstanding.

But.....something else seem to influence their assessment of him..

And she could see it as well.

Ever since he had put on the ancient royal outfit, his mannerisms had begun to change.

When they had entered the Hotel, Sesshomaru's demeanor evolved completely.

In a way, he became a different person.

It became clear in his stance and the way he held himself when he walked: tall and proud with a dignity befitting an aristocratic prince.

But she also noticed something else in his expression: A coldness. A setting apart from the rest of the crowd. Almost as if he were...above everyone else.

What if Sesshomaru was of noble blood? What if he had been royalty?

Was this his true identity?

Could he have been a prince when the curse had been placed upon him?

Kouga had called him...Inu...Ouji: Dog....Prince.

And speaking of Kouga.

"Good evening everyone."

Rin looked up from her inner musings to see her wolfish friend Kouga standing there with a very beautiful girl on his arm.

It appeared to Rin that Kagome had some competition. The girl was almost the same height as Kouga. Her green eyes sparkled with a radiance and fire that matched the silky green dress she wore. A lighter green dragon design slithered from the side all the way to the thin spagetti straps. The young woman's strawberry blond hair had been pinned up in back with a few curls framing her rosey cheeks. Her expression revealed a rare self-confidence not often seen in women.

With a grin, Rin waved once. "Hello Kouga."

Her father smiled and lent out his hand. Kouga shook it firmly then introduced his companion.

Kouga gestured to the lovely girl at his side. "I would like you all to meet Jessica. Jess..." Kouga pointed to each of them as he said their names. "....this is Kagome, Rin, Sesshomaru, Rianna, and William."

The tall, strawberry blond nodded once. "Nice to meet all of you."

Rin heard her father speak up. "It's nice to meet you too young lady. I see you've got your hands full being Kouga's companion for this evening. Maybe you can keep him in one place for a while. Something my colleagues have a hard enough time doing."

Kouga laughed. "You know me all to well, William."

The wolf demon grasped the girl's hand. "You need not worry, William. This one has me wrapped around her finger. Her wish is my command. And her command is to have a good time tonight in one place."

William smiled at Jessica. "I applaud you dear girl. You have done the impossible: Kept the great Prince Kouga in line."

The strawberry blond smiled sweetly at her father. "Thank you, Sir. But Kouga gives me too much credit. I think he wants to be here as much as I. He has been telling me about your charity work. It is I who should applaud you for your kindness and compassion concerning the children who benefit from your donations and volunteer work."

Rin could hear the respectful meaning behind her soft spoken words.

Kouga may have found himself a keeper.

William shook his head with a grin. "You are making me self conscious dear one. Kouga, where did you find this well spoken lady?"

Kouga smiled brightly. "I met Jessi at the hospital when I inquired about giving donations. She is a recently hired nurse."

Rianna gestured to the cloth covered table. "Kouga, Jessica, why don't you join us. There is plenty of room at this table."

Kouga bowed low. "Alas, Jess and I already have a table not too far from yours. And we need to get seated. The lights are dimming."

He grinned at her father. "Your up soon and I don't want to miss one single word, William."

Kouga and Jessica departed, saying they would come back later after William's speech.

Rin sneaked a hand under the table, searching for Sesshomaru's hand.

His warm fingers reached over and grasped hers lightly.

--------------------------------------------------------------- -----------

Shippoh watched the main monitor: the one set on the front entrance.

Inuyasha had left to go get changed about fifteen minutes ago.

The red haired fox youkai peered closer. "No...it...couldn't be...but..."

Shippoh strained to see, to clearly make out the obvious scene playing on the screen.

Two women were standing at the entryway talking with...a...very tall... silver haired...demon...who was dressed in...old fashion royal garments...

A memory flashed in his mind....one of a immensly tall inu youkai...who wore the exact same outfit...If he didn't know better...he would say that demon....was...Inuyasha's...brother...

Shippoh shook his head and rubbed his closed eye lids. "Impossible."

When he looked back up, the three had gone into the building. Maybe he had been seeing things. With a few taps on his computer, he ran the image through the database. It might take some time, but the data on that particular demon would come up soon and then he would know for sure.

A few minutes later, Inuyasha came out of the back room dressed in his black tux. "Ay Shippoh, see anything suspicious?"

Shippoh nodded his head. "Yeah, a inu youkai. A tall one. Dressed in an ancient royal outfit."

Inuyasha stepped up next to him. "What?...Hmmmm...Maybe he is the one Naraku could be after tonight."

Just then, shippoh caught Naraku's image on the screen. "Got him! He's at the entrance Inu!"

Inuyasha vanished in a blink.

.

.

.

.

.

.

___________________________________ __________________________________________

.

.