InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ If You Are Not The One ❯ The Current Is Only Pulling Me Down ( Chapter 26 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

IF YOU ARE NOT THE ONE

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Current Is Only Pulling Me Down

Looking back at the beginning of this
And how life was
Just you and me loving all of our friends
Living life like an ocean
But now the current's only pulling me down
It's getting harder too breath
It won't be to long and I will be going under
Can you save me from this?

Cause it's not my time I'm not going
There's a fear in me it's not showing
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
Oh but I won't go

I look ahead to all the plans that we made
And the dreams that we had
I'm in a world that tries to take them away
Oh but I'm taking them back
Cause all of this time I've just been too blind to understand
What should matter to me
My friends this life we live, it's not what we have
It's what we believe in

Cause it's not my time I'm not going
There's a fear in me but it's not showing
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
But it's not my time I'm not going
There's a will in me and now I know that
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
Oh but I won't go
I won't go

-It's Not My Time by 3 Doors Down-

Work the next day began uneventful until she had received a very important call. Kagome stared at the sweaty palms of her hands, noticing the way they imperceptibly trembled with anxiety. She squirmed on her seat clearing her throat as she eyed the secretary seated at the desk from the corner of her eyes.

Kagome shook her head, she was being absurd. It was just a call to see the most important man in all Japan, not a big deal right? His waiting room was identical to Inuyasha's; the only vague difference was the fact that it resembled more earthy colors; green and dark brown. The young secretary smiled as she caught Kagome's stare, noticing the way Kagome fidgeted on the leather sofa. She intently heard as her phone line rang and the secretary answered vastly on the first ring.

She mumbled a few things in a hush tone and glimpsed at Kagome every now and then, after a few minutes she nodded once before finally hanging up. “Mr. Takahashi will see you now.” She confirmed in a more fake upbeat voice. Kagome blinked several times and nodded; straightening her beige blazer and smoothing away the wrinkles of her khaki pants as she got up. And when she staggered through the colossal walls as they opened automatically, Kagome noticed how the fancy golden T engraved on the solid glass opened in half.

Just as she entered, she was utterly taken back by the enormous size of the headquarters, perhaps twice in comparison to Inuyasha's. It was absolutely breathtaking nonetheless, not short of anything she had imagined beforehand. Its lavish interior contained Italian designed furniture somewhat alike Inuyasha's office; with a plush luxurious settee in one corner, a narrowed bookshelf positioned along the left wall with collection of books arranged alphabetically, a mahogany opaque wooden escritoire and two leather chairs before it. The atmosphere surrounded undeniable elegance and comfort.

The thing that stood up the most in Kagome's opinion was the fabulous original painting that was framed with gold and hung at the right-hand side wall. She had never seen anything like it before in her lifetime; it was a marvelous canvas with the image of a man and a woman who appeared almost god-like creatures, both nude meanwhile gazing at each other with an overwhelming emotion. Kagome observed its beauty; she realized that the woman held a blood-red fruit of some sort that resembled closely to an apple. It was as if the female was asking for the male to take it from her offering hands. Both figures stood near a spectacular riverbank. It took her breath away; it was beyond doubt remarkable in every aspect.

She sucked in a huge intake of air as she approached the escritoire. Truth be told, he looked like a runway model, completely out of place; just as handsome as his younger brother.

“Mr. Takahashi you called for me sir?” Kagome spoke timidly as she saw for the second time, the silver-haired man settled on his fine leather arm chair with a massive glass wall behind him and the most unbelievable view she had ever seen, the scenery of the vibrant city from Inuyasha's office was nothing compared to the heights of his brother's top floor department.

A pair of spectacles hung at the brim of his nose as he read some documentation carefully before noticing Kagome as she had nervously entered the room. She quickly became aware of the way he kept his manuscript neatly in piles on his desk unlike his brother's unorganized mountainous masses. “Please have a seat Ms. Yoshida, I've been meaning to talk to you for sometime now, however I am a very busy man as you may already be aware.” Sesshomaru made the acquaintance of her presence with his typical indifferent manner, indicating one of the two chairs opposite him, and Kagome silently obeyed by taking a seat.

“I insist sir, please call me Sakura.” She persevered in an attempt to feel at ease, though it did too little help than she would have expected.

His voice remained monotone every time he spoke as if without a care if the ground crumbled beneath him. “Very well, Sakura I've heard some interesting things about you and my younger brother.” Kagome's eyes widen as she was taken back by his bombshell statement, she had definitely not expected him to be so forthright.

“I beg your pardon?” Sesshomaru's emotionless mask remained well put in place as he noticed her surprised expression; it was obvious he did not beat around the bush.

“You helped to find the whereabouts of our cousin, am I mistaken?” When Sesshomaru had learned of the news, he had not expected for his brother's secretary to be involved. Truth of the matter was, he knew of Inuyasha's mistresses and of all the women he fucked around with thus he believed Kagome to be no different.

“No sir, you are not. My friend Sango asked for my help and—I having met Shippo—couldn't refuse.” Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes, so she was friends with Sango and possibly Miroku.

Kagome winced at his intimidating presence filled with power as he gazed at her unemotionally. “I see, but what exactly is your purpose in my company?” Kagome bristled at his tone, cold enough to send shivers down her spine.

“Nothing in particular sir but to assist Inuyasha in any work-related matter.” She said at once, not sure why his sudden interest.

“You sound so fond of him, in fact, you addressed him as Inuyasha.” Kagome blinked, not having noticed that she had used his first-name, she was so used to it now that it was easy to forget he should be addressed more appropriately with respect.

She shrugged awkwardly not sure why he seemed bothered by her revelation. “He and I have become good friends outside of work.” She informed him, a little less frightened.

“Is that all...a harmless friendship or are there benefits involved as well?” His voice still monotone, as if he had asked her something simple like her name. Kagome's jaw dropped at once.

“Hardly friends and nothing more I assure you.” She reminded him and furrowed a brow.

He nodded. “Of course, but Sakura I must warn you and please excuse my forwardness and aggressive tone when concerning personal issues.” His hard golden eyes wavered with some undecipherable sentiment she would not comprehend; he continued. “If your intentions with my brother are not pure—I suppose you could call it; then I suggest you stay away from my family.” It was a threat more than a suggestion, one she had not expected.

“Sir, I don't understand?” Kagome could hardly believe what she was hearing.

Sesshomaru went on as if a professor explaining a math equation to a retarded student. “It's quite simple; you see Inuyasha was not on his best behavior after his wife's passing. In fact, he still has temper problems on occasions. And I'm afraid you might provoke such behavior.” He began slowly, as though searching for the right words that wouldn't give away what he was truly feeling at the moment.

“I didn't know he had problems with self-control.” Kagome racked her brain for the memory a week ago; when Inuyasha had gone mad on that one drunken man from the bar and again when he had nearly beat the life out of Shippo's attacker. Though he had meant well, on both occasions he had overreacted a bit, not bothering to consider the consequences of committing murder.

The business man stared into Kagome's blue eyes and the way they expelled a plethora of emotions, almost like a window to her open mind. “So you see; because of your keen resemblance to Kikyou, it would be on your best interest to maintain some distance. I know your kind, who only wants his wealth—”

Kagome rapidly cut in. “With all due respect Mr. Takahashi, I apologize if that is what you have come to think of me as. But I can assure you, that I would never sink so low as to want to be near him because of his money.” She corrected his assumption.

“Perhaps not—but do you value your reputation, your intimacy?” He asked.

Kagome inhaled sharply somewhat unsure of what to say, torn though deep down she knew exactly how she felt. “I-I do...” She whispered. Sesshomaru unexpectedly rose to his feet; his posture was imposing, almost threatening in ones eyes.

Sesshomaru walked carelessly around his desk and stopped next to the marvelous painting that hung on his wall. “I have a collection of original and priceless paintings from many famous former artists; I consider this one to be one of my favorites.” Kagome stared at him as he tucked his hands in his pockets scrutinizing the glass enclosed image with a passion. The very image she had pondered over as she had entered minutes ago.

“It resembles choice; a choice which can be present in every opportunity we get if we look determined enough. So you see, Miss Yoshida; there is always a choice, a path that could either easily lead us to prosperity or that could uphold our downfall. It is always up to us to alternate which path to head for; which option to choose from.” Sesshomaru's wisdom made plenty of sense for a historical lecture but Kagome was still skeptical of his invitation.

He saw her bewildered expression as he caught her emotion-abundant eyes, “I can offer you a new position, under my management with better salary and benefits.” He concluded at last. In other words, he was saying that she would most definitely loose her job if she stayed by Inuyasha's side.

“But sir…I-I can't abandon your brother just like that!” Kagome would not back out on Inuyasha, not now that she felt intimately and emotionally connected to him. She valued their friendship regardless of what his sophisticated brother though or the way she felt so strongly at ease around him which caused her to be drawn into this overwhelming attraction.

The older brother sat back down propping his elbows on the desk and fists under his chin. “Please rethink your actions, for the advantage of both of us and the future of this company. I propose to maintain everything professionally, I'm sure you understand my concern.” Sesshomaru did not miss the determined look in those mirror-like orbs that watched his ominous unbreakable gaze with caution.

“I think I comprehend correctly sir.” She pursed her lips in an attempt of not letting her tongue get the best of her.

He nodded knowing well he had planted seeds of doubt in her mind, a sense of choice and an unforgettable threat. “In that case, by all means, have a nice day and consider my proposal Miss Sakura.”

“Yes sir.” Kagome said forcefully as she got up and headed for the automatic doors.

Taking out his cell phone, Sesshomaru pressed speed dial when he was sure he was utterly alone. “Jaken follow procedure Code Red on a Miss Yoshida Sakura immediately.” He commanded in the same monotone.

“My lord, is there any particular threat?”

His eyes narrowed at the mention of hazard. “Not necessarily, find out everything you can on this person—I want family background, how many pets she's had, what she ate for lunch her first day of grade school, names of boyfriends, previous jobs and a copy of her permanent record.” He ordered at once.

“Of course my Lord Sesshomaru, I'm on it.” His most trusted assistant assured. Takahashi Sesshomaru would not stand back and allow any risks overthrowing everything he had worked so hard for, not even an attractive stranger who had caused such uproar in his precious company at her arrival. Regardless of her familiar resemblance, he preferred to gamble with fate than to allow a catastrophe to happen on anyone's behalf.

*************

Inuyasha sighed, exasperated as he sat on a stool; somewhat outraged with the fact that he was practically forced into coming in the first place, god how he hated spying on people. “I can't believe your making me do this—wait why are we doing this again?” He asked the teenage boy who sat next to him with his eyes focused on a couple that sat a few meters away on a table of their own.

Souta sighed for the hundredth time that night, ignoring the partying atmosphere in Club Toxic. “Because my sister is not ready to date yet, well not at least until I get a better look at that scum bag.” Souta kept a watchful eye as he stared nonstop at his older sister and that creepy guy who had not convinced him one bit, man was his sister bad at judging a character.

The upbeat music roared in his eardrums as Inuyasha drank a glass of a strong concoction, glaring hatefully at Banktosu, the same reason why he planned to get wasted tonight. “And why exactly am I here?” He asked loudly in a tired voice as he momentarily glanced to his right, somewhat bored for staring at the woman who he felt infatuated by yet was currently snuggling up to one of his worst enemies.

He explained a second time; wishing he could overhear what exactly his sister was conversing about with her date. “Because I like you, actually I'm just as surprised you followed through. But mainly because you have the hotz for my sister of course.” Souta gave the older man a sly grin.

Inuyasha snorted. “Keh, I still don't see what the hell I'm here for.” He said as he straightened and cracked his neck. “Though I have to admit, your sister has a nice ass on those jeans.” he said, trying to contain a yawn despite the lively bodies that grinded on the dance floor to the beat of the most popular music. His golden eyes never left the woman who laughed and giggled with the asshole who worked for him much to his dislike.

Souta narrowed his eyes at him. “I'm going to pretend you didn't say that…dude no one's going to believe me back home when I tell them I rode on your Ferrari F430.” He said disbelievingly and then caught Inuyasha blowing kisses at a young but attractive model swinging her hips seductively as she slowly danced somewhere near them. The model just kept eying the older man like a piece of meat.

“Hey how come you said back there that she wasn't ready for a serious relationship?” Inuyasha brought his attention back to Kagome once more, he could easily detect those glinting blue eyes anywhere including in the dim light.

The eighteen-year old boy frowned, knowing well he shouldn't answer that particular question if he preferred to live to see tomorrow. “I couldn't tell you, it's complicated.” He hesitated.

Inuyasha snapped somewhat irately. “Thanks to you I have all night, now I want the truth. Someone has to explain to me what's going on my employees and their substandard behavior.” he stated, shaking the boy's shoulder slightly.

He sighed. “Damn, don't tell me she had another one of her episodes?” Souta hated witnessing one of those; he hated the fact that she still had them, knowing well the unreasonable manner she would behave.

“More or less. So spit it!” Shouting impatiently, nevertheless he waited for a response.

Souta began. “Well, she was in a serious relationship sort of speak, back home that is.” If Kagome were to find out that he had told Inuyasha everything she tried so hard to keep a secret, she would possibly never speak to him again.

“Go on.” Inuyasha nodded and urged him to continue by all means.

He inhaled inwardly. “My Sis went out with a guy name Hojo before he came along. They dated a couple years in high school and all through college, but then…” He trailed off, unsure if he should continue.

“But then what? Did he hurt her, did he dump her?” Inuyasha asked, puzzled.

As Souta stared at Inuyasha for a minute or two, he decided that he looked pretty trustworthy and interested in his sister in a good way that deserved an honest answer. Besides, Souta would kill for a brother-in-law like Inuyasha. “They were about to get married you see but some things just went wrong.” He concluded, hoping it would be enough to satisfy his hungry inquisitiveness.

Inuyasha grimaced speculating ahead. “Let me guess, he left her at the altar?”

“Not exactly—she left him.” Souta answered carefully.

“Typical bride-to-be.”

Inuyasha's eyes glinted with an unexplainable emotion as he stared off at the dance floor where he saw Kagome, ignoring everyone around her. He knew she wasn't the kind to do something like that but at this moment looks could be deceiving. As he gazed, Inuyasha found himself spellbound to the erotic way her curved hips swung to the beat of the music. Her legs were spaced a foot apart, ample room for her body to move freely. She was a seductive siren who compelled men to stare as she rocked her hips so exotically.

Souta shook his head in dismay. “No it wasn't like that anyway. She ran off for a reasonable cause and it took us two days to track her down. When one night we got a phone call saying she was at the hospital and how someone had found her in the streets, she had been hurt on an attempt of rape and had lost consciousness. After that, she was never the same again. Not like I knew her at least.” Stunned, all Inuyasha could do was look back at the boy with an expression as if looking at him for the first time.

That was something he was not expecting whatsoever, he had never realized how much she went through; never knowing what exactly she put up with. Though he had to admit her mask had its flaws. “So you see she can't date just any random guy who shows interest just because she wants to forget. I can't let her make the same mistake, not again.” Souta grimaced, determined to prevent another disaster.

“That explains the night she got drunk.” Inuyasha acknowledged.

Souta noticed as Kagome grabbed Bankotsu's hand and tugged him to one of the back rooms. “Look they're headed for one of the back VIP rooms; oh shit he wants to score some and in that case we better go, I don't think I want to witness any of this. Ugh I think I'm going to be sick just thinking about it.” He flinched at the thought.

Inuyasha gulped the last of his drink and grunted. “First off you have to realize your sister is one hell of a woman, secondly you didn't drag my ass to follow them all the way here for you to chicken out, and third I have a better idea so watch and learn kid.”

Souta stared helplessly as Inuyasha got up on his feet and towards the crowded dance floor to follow in Kagome's direction. “Wait—Inuyasha dude don't!” He yelped and watched as Inuyasha grabbed two gorgeous women by their waists and pulled them with him.

“Stay here.” He heard as the older man ordered before disappearing in the sea of bodies.

“Oh Kagome's so going to murder me in the morning.” He groaned. Souta was pretty lucky Kagome hadn't killed him yet, considering he was the only brother she had. But then again, he was too nosy for his own good.

*************

Bankotsu cupped her cheek and kissed her fervently, he had waited all night for this and he planned to enjoy it as best as he could. She wrapped a hand around his neck and leaned into him, knowing this was not going be like that first chaste kiss he'd given her earlier. Bankotsu's lips pressed against Kagome's softly at first, and then pressed a bit harder as the want increased by the millisecond. She felt his mouth open so she returned the favor by opening hers as well, both caught by the heat of the moment. And then when he slipped his tongue in her mouth, she nearly dropped her cocktail.

Instead, she pulled him closer, anxious to get as much of him as possible. Truth was all she wanted was to erase the burning memory of the countless kisses she had shared with Inuyasha. To be able to forget how perfectly balanced her body fit into his own, like two missing puzzles put back together. The way he took her breath away with a simple striking smile, the way her heart jumped ecstatically whenever she saw him. It couldn't be helped, and now she just wanted to forget before it was too late and she ended up falling for him hard.

She didn't want that to happen, she didn't want to fall in love with someone who wouldn't appreciate her or return the love she offered with the same capability. Bankotsu smiled against her mouth and continued his slow, sexy exploration until the person behind them forced them to break apart.

“Am I interrupting?” His husky voice was cold and hard. Kagome's eyes grew from the realization of whom exactly the voice belonged to.

He grabbed her from where she sat on his lap and managed to swing her around. “Inuyasha what the hell is wrong with you?!” Kagome said a little sternly, enraged by his abrupt interference.

Inuyasha stood with two women by his side, one brunette still currently holding his arm and the other had her arms wrapped around his waist. “Let's get one thing straight here Bankotsu, I don't like you. You work for my brother and not me.”

Banktosu glared back. “The feeling is mutual I assure you.”

“Oh and another thing—stay away from her.” He nearly snarled obviously indicating Kagome.

“Is that an order? Because I refuse to stay away.” Bankotsu declared with determination as he stood up from where he sat next to Kagome, his face inches from Inuyasha's.

Their intense glares seemed to succumb hatred. “For your sake, I suggest you do.” Inuyasha's voice was dreary and deep though calm.

“Remember Inuyasha, she'll be mine one way or another.” Bankotsu told him threateningly. That was the last straw for his sanity, for it suppressed Inuyasha to push the drunken women off himself before clutching his knuckles frighteningly and giving a blow at his face. Kagome gasped and the women who had entered with Inuyasha shrieked before departing the VIP room not willing to get involved.

“We'll just see about that.” Inuyasha challenged. Kagome stood up and watched horror-stricken at the commotion between the two rivals. Then Banktosu snarled before punching Inuyasha on the gut who fell to the floor. Both of them were correspondingly alike, both preferred violence than to settle their differences respectably.

No, she would not stand there like a damsel in distress and witness them mindlessly fight over her affection.

Kagome walked away towards the exit of the private room. “Sakura Wait!” Bankotsu called but she refused to listen.

Fuming, Kagome walked through the crowds of people and towards the bar where she sat down on one of the stools. “Kagome?”

When she looked to her left she noticed a familiar looking boy barely legal enough to be there. “Souta I don't need you to baby-sit me, I can take care of myself.” She said annoyed without bothering to continue and look at his direction where he sat about three stools away. The minute she had seen Inuyasha and he had ruined it all, her brother's face had also popped into her mind. She had strictly told him to stay at home while she went out with Bankotsu but like always he had failed to listen to her.

Kagome was obviously mad; realizing as she watched him take the seat next to hers, that this whole scandal had most likely been his idea all along. “Oh yeah? Well look what happened last time you said that to me!” Souta got up and stood in front of her, hating wheneven she refused to let him help her out, it was all her fault why things happened to her, because she never allowed anyone to correct her mistakes.

Just then something snapped in her mind, something she had failed to notice before, Kagome stared at him bowled by his response. “It was you, wasn't it?” Whispering, Kagome's eyes widen suddenly and she stood up to look up at him. “You-you gave my number to Kouga!” She accused with rage. It would always be Souta who could not keep a secret long enough.

He paused nervously and took a deep breath, shocked that she had figured it out so soon. “I-I…Kouga insisted, he begged on his knees Kagome!” He said in alarm, Kagome had caught him. Now she knew that he had been the one who had given her ex her phone number, now it was only a matter of time before he would obtain her localization.

People were starting to stare as they walked by and those few that sat on the bar stools near them. “So you decided to give it to him, just like that?!” She spit back, tempted to knock on his head, just to see if it would echo.

He scowled but backed away a foot, afraid of her reaction. “Kagome, he's taking it just as bad as you are!”

“NO! I didn't cheat—he did!” She shot back at him indignantly as she stepped forth him.

Souta cried back. “But he's sorry, you just wouldn't forgive him because you weren't sure all along, you wanted it to be your ultimate excuse to get rid of him!” He let his thoughts spill out.

Kagome gasped.

Had he not been there when she had suffered so much? Wasn't he supposed to be on her side and not on his?

Teardrops spilled from her eyes. “How dare you think you understand what I'm going through!” She banged her fist angrily on his chest repeatedly and he slowly brought his arms around her comfortingly. She cried hysterically as she buried her face in his chest, clutching his shirt in her knuckles as she whimpered.

“Kagome, please forgive me.” Souta pleaded miserably in an attempt to calm her down, realizing the gravity of his mistake. “You're losing it Kag and I can't stand back and watch,” he murmured with a frown on his face as he held his sister.

She whispered meanwhile rubbing her eyes and wiping the tears from her flushed cheeks. “Go home Souta.” And then she left, running from everything that caused her pain. Leaving behind her brother utterly dumbfounded and once again unable to help.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN INUYASHA AND CO. I REPEAT...THEY DO NOT BELONG TO ME WHATSOEVER, ONLY TO THE VERY TALENTED MISS RUMIKO TAKAHASHI.

A/N: Please forgive my absence during the last couple of days, I wanted to update sooner but I've been going out lately (more than usual) and it's getting hard to set aside time for my writing. Anyhow, I'm trying and I really want to continue writing this story, so don't worry I won't die just yet. Honestly, I hate it when a good story is left unfinished. I also wanted to thank you for your reviews; you guys don't know how much I appreciate your encouragement...