InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Impoverished Heir ❯ Poor Man's Date ( Chapter 3 )

A nice handful of reviews got me working on this early. Cheers, all. Dedicated to Inuskye and Inugrrl specifically. They're the best inu sisters around!

 

Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own Inuyasha. Rin is this inu's love slave. I mean in this inu's dreams… Isn't getting paid to write this stuff either. Would love to be.

 

“Impoverished Heir” chapter three

Poor Man's Date

 

Inuyasha typed hastily at his desk in the Onikage office, his mind a blur of activity. What business did he have accepting a date with Kagome? He was poor, living on packets of ramen and barely had a bill or two of money to spare! Inuyasha groaned and buried his face in his hands. He hadn't wanted to call it quits after coming to her aide. He had wanted to see her again. Her eyes had been so bright and earnest. Her face was open with beauty and….

 

Inuyasha sighed, misspelled, and cursed under his breath as he fixed his typo. Miroku balled up a piece of computer paper and tossed it at his raven dark head. Inuyasha ducked, held his head and scowled at his friend.

“Ow, what the hell!” he groused quietly. Miroku grinned and angled a thumb over one shoulder. Kikyo-san was on the move it looked like. She was flirting with Sugiharu at the water cooler and Inuyasha slouched in his seat. That whole exchange was merely for looks he was sure. Kikyo-san had never made it secret her attraction for him, and not just for his name. Little Inuyasha was like to shrink to nothing if his thoughts kept going along those lines.

 

“Who cares!” Inuyasha muttered back to his friend. Hoshi Miroku was not one to take a subtle hint out and teased his friend under his breath. Inuyasha slouched low, hoping Kikyo-san would not come this way. She truly did scare him inside and he had no idea why. Most people went through life willy-nilly and paid no mind to their deepest instincts, but Inuyasha was not one to ignore his. His intuitions were panicked for a reason around the willow businesswoman so he would gladly keep away.

“Are you jealous? You know she wants you and not Sugiharu,” Miroku teased. Inuyasha's strong shoulders slouched.

“Gee, aren't I lucky!” he moaned. Miroku shook his head, his short ponytail swaying with the movements. His fingers danced over his keyboard easily as he spoke at the same time.

“When the kami throw a chance at you, you take it! Bonehead!” Miroku ruined his wise statement with the last comment. Inuyasha rolled his eyes and took a sip of water from his paper cup. He already had one chance and he didn't want to ruin it. That was the only reason he was willing to ruin his bank account and put it in the red. Why couldn't dates be cheap? At least he actually liked the taste of ramen, which was a good thing. It was the cheapest thing to buy for a single man's meal at home. Inuyasha wondered if Kagome's antics that morning had broken his hotplate. He would need it to heat up water for his noodles after all…

 

“Good evening, gentleman,” a smooth voice spoke over Inuyasha's shoulder.

“Good evening, Onikage-san,” Miroku chirped, straightening in his chair. The other male secretaries peeked glances down the office space. Inuyasha kept his eyes on his computer monitor and invoked prayers to the kami. `Please don't let her notice me, please don't let her notice me, please don't let her…'

 

“Takahashi-kun.” Damn. The kami must hate him.

“Yes, Onikage-san?” he asked politely. His tone was strained with the sour taste of his prayers turning to dust in his efforts. His fingers twitched then went rigid on the keyboard when Kikyo-san laid her hands over his.

 

“You need to stop making so much mistakes. Perhaps a calmer approach?” her lilting voice suggested. Inuyasha's spine was rigid from his panic attack. This was not helping him to remain calm in the slightest. Miroku's insufferable grin across the way wasn't helping.

“Hai, Onikage-san. I'll…. keep that in mind,” he muttered politely.

“Don't call me that, you may address me as Kikyo,” Kikyo-san suggested, smiling. Her lipstick was bright red and her teeth white. Inuyasha knew many may have favored her looks as very attractive, but it was hard to focus on what everyone else thought when every fiber of his being told him to `get away.' Her teeth were a little too white, the edge a little too sharp?

“I'll try and remember, Onikage-san,” Inuyasha murmured, stressing the link on her family name. Kikyo smirked and pressed one long-nailed hand against his shoulder. Inuyasha tried not to shudder.

“How is your work coming along, Hoshi-kun?” Kikyo moved on. The priest's son grinned and leaned back in his chair, whether inviting her access to look at the monitor, or climb into his lap, Inuyasha didn't know. Kikyo leaned a little too close over his best friend's shoulder, making small comments about his typing. Miroku grinned stupidly over his shoulder and Inuyasha frowned. Stupid womanizing git. Sometimes he acted like a dog in heat.

 

“This all looks well and in order, Hoshi-kun. Keep an eye on our Takahashi-kun for me,” she smiled serenely. Miroku said he would and licked his lower lip watching their boss sway away back to her office.

“Whew! Fiiiiine!” Miroku crowed. Inuyasha bit his lip and kept typing.

“If you say so, Miro…” Inuyasha muttered once again. Miroku laughed and kept ribbing him until Inuyasha's cell phone went off. The dark-haired man grabbed it and looked around for Kikyo-san before putting it to his ear.

 

“I want to CHANGE the WORLD!….” the ring tone obnoxiously sang out until Inuyasha clicked open. Why Sango downloaded that one, he would never know.

“Yash here,” he muttered, cradling the phone to his shoulder while he typed.

“Inuyasha, how are you doing?” Sango asked over the line. Inuyasha found himself grinning, coming over his nervousness for the end of his evening.

`Sango?' Miroku mouthed. Inuyasha waved one hand at him. Miroku made to adjust his tie as if their friend were in the room. Inuyasha rolled his eye and leaned back.

 

“I'm doing okay, Sango! How's the old girl?” he teased lightly, keeping one eye on his work. Miroku tried to get his attention again. Inuyasha ignored him.

“Well actually…” there was some shuffling in the background and Sango sighed. “Is he there with you right now?”

When she said `he' like that, Inuyasha knew she meant one Hoshi Miroku. “Well he is…and he's acting like a moron trying to get my attention since I'm talking to you,” Inuyasha informed candidly. Miroku pretended to look hurt.

“So what's going on with you?” Inuyasha went on. Sango sighed.

 

“I have to talk to you about our resident moron. Can you meet me after you're off work?” she asked. Inuyasha thought of his date coming up and how little time he would have to re-groom himself on the way, but decided to fix it in. Sango didn't sound like this was her kind of day.

“Sure. How about the usual place?” That would work out just fine. Kagome was coming to meet him there and he would have time to talk to Sango. Inuyasha thought he had things well in hand as he and Sango wrapped up and he slid his cell back into the breast pocket of his dress shirt.

Then Miroku stood and leaned up over his desk.

“Uhm, what do you want already?” Inuyasha sweat-dropped.

“Is she still mad at me? Tell me she's not mad at me,” Miroku begged. Inuyasha flung his ponytail over his shoulder.

“Look, you're going to have to lay it out for her and talk to her! I'm going to see her after work,” Inuyasha said, fetching up his jacket and backpack. There were ten more minutes to go and he wanted to use it combing his hair and making sure he looked good enough to meet Kagome.

Miroku swept a hand through his tousled bangs and made a face. “If she would stop crying on your shoulder I would! I swear, Yash, you take all her time away,” he complained. Inuyasha watched his friend, frowning.

 

“She wouldn't have any reason to cry if you would just claim her already. How many boyfriends has Sango had since she met you?” Inuyasha asked. Miroku wriggled the fingers on his right hand thinking.

“Tatsu? And….you?” Miroku muttered. Inuyasha shook his head.

“We never went out, we didn't go that far. Yeah, only Tatsu and she was never serious about him. She's always wanted you, Miro! Why don't you just suck it up, quit all your girls and devote yourself to her?” he wanted to know. Miroku looked aside, his eyes angry and intense with his thoughts.

 

“I don't know, Yash. I don't know why I can't stop….” He murmured. Inuyasha shouldered his backpack and clasped his friend's shoulder.

“I'll speak well of you to her again, Miro. But you better shape up! Or you may lose her heart forever,” Inuyasha warned. Miroku gave him a wounded look.

“If I lose her to you, I swear to you…”

Inuyasha laughed, his heart half into it. “Miro, you don't have to worry about that. Sango's been my best friend for years. Besides, I'm going on a date tonight…”

 

“A date?? Woo-hoo! Who are you going with?” Miroku asked. Inuyasha blushed and scratched his neck.

“A beautiful woman. Her name is Higurashi Kagome.”

 

“Higurashi…Higurashi…. Hey, her family wouldn't happen to own the Higurashi shrine in the city would they?” Miroku asked. Inuyasha shrugged.

“I don't know, I suppose I could ask her for you. Why do you want to know?” Inuyasha wondered. Miroku smirked.

“The Higurashi shrine has the oldest god tree in Tokyo or in any major city within a hundred miles. My old man and Grandfather had me visit once to see it for myself. It is a very sacred site,” Miroku said, clasping his palms together as if in prayer.

“And wait, you saw Kagome there or something,” Inuyasha shook his head. Cold hard jealousy lined his belly and he almost felt sick.

 

“You bet I did! I even tried to ask her out, but she's stubborn. Takes after her own heart,” Miroku commented. Inuyasha's heart warmed and he grinned to himself.

“Yeah…she does I guess,” he said lightly. Miroku punched his shoulder.

“Go, say hi to Sango and to Kagome-san. And call me later with what Sango says!” Miroku whined.

 

“Alright, I'm going, I'm going…” Inuyasha clicked his computer off and looked around. The coast was clear. The other young men were clearing their work desks and collecting shoulder bags or briefcases. Inuyasha thought he was in the clear, when he turned abruptly and smacked right into something curvy and warm.

“Takahashi-kun! I didn't see you there,” Kikyo laughed. Inuyasha had a feeling she liked to sneak up on people, but didn't say so.

“Oh, that's alright, Onikage-san. I wasn't looking where I was going,” he mumbled, trying to sidestep the shorter woman. She had pressed her breasts against him in that brief interaction and his spine was rigid. Kikyo pressed the flat of her palms against his thin chest. Inuyasha felt a pushing even though her hands were perfectly still. A cold hard trickle of sweat beaded under his jaw and ran under his shirt collar.

“I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time, Takahashi-kun….” Kikyo began. Inuyasha's heart froze and it felt hard to breathe.

 

“I can't, Onikage-san. I'm late to meet someone. Good night!” he called, dodged her and jogged off. He had a feeling he had barely gotten away with all of himself intact.

Onikage Kikyo watched the longhaired young man run off and smirked to herself.

“I will have you, Inuyasha. You can't run from me forever…”

“What's that you said, Kikyo-san?” one of the young men asked. Kikyo flipped her hair over her shoulder and smiled brilliantly.

“Nothing, Sugiharu. Are you doing anything tonight?”

 

* * * *

 

Inuyasha ducked into Fantasy Past and looked around. This was one club he warranted having gone to more than once, since his friends both enjoyed coming here. Half of Miroku's little black book list were met here as well. Inuyasha waved away Akira and Matsuko and made his way to Sango.

“Hey there, huntress. How are you?” Inuyasha asked. Sango smiled when he gave her a platonic kiss on the cheek and sat across from her.

“It's good to see you, Inuyasha. Oh I'm doing okay, except for our idiot,” she sighed. Inuyasha noticed her fingers were clenched together, the knuckles white. She was trembling almost in rage. Inuyasha patted her hand, and felt the tension leave her from the friendly gesture.

“What's he done this time?” he asked softly.

“A girl named Akira! And half the girls here I imagine,” Sango griped, her lips pursed together. “He's just a playboy monk. Why did I have to fall for him?”

 

Inuyasha tried not to laugh as he signaled for a waitress to take their orders. “Two beers and an order of wings. Don't worry, Sango, it's on me this time.” Red numbers danced in Inuyasha's head, but he wanted to do something for his friend for a change. The half rueful smile she showed him told him he made the right decision.

“He can be sweet sometimes…. and that's genuine. And he could be the right one for me. He just has to stop playing at the other girls,” Sango complained. Inuyasha listened to her and finally got his best friend to laugh.

 

“He really does care about you, huntress. He just got let out of the shrine too late,” Inuyasha commented. Sango laughed and wiped a tear from her eye.

“Thanks, Inuyasha. You're sweet,” she said. Inuyasha was glad to see her looking happier at least about the situation of her heart. He wished that Miroku would get it together for the twentieth time that day.

 

“Anytime, Sango. Hey, uhm you know, if you want me to put in for this cell phone bill…” he started. Sango laid her hand over his and squeezed.

“You never told me how hard you had it after your dad died. But I'm here for you. And you'll keep the things I gave you or I'll take that phone back to the store,” Sango winked. Inuyasha laughed.

“If you keep doing this for me, people are going to think you're my sugar mama.”

“What are best friends for?” Sango wondered. The two grinned at each other madly and laughed.

 

“So why'd you come out to spend money? You're usually at your hole at this time of night,” Sango asked. Inuyasha looked around.

“I'm meeting someone here…”

“You already did, I hate to break it to you,” Sango laughed. Inuyasha winked.

“No, I mean someone else. I met this woman last night, Higurashi Kagome.”

 

“Are you blushing? Did you put some cologne on?” Sango leaned close and sniffed Inuyasha's shoulder. The hairs stood up on the back of his neck not in an unpleasant way.

“I can't help it, I wanted to see her. She seems different…” Inuyasha stammered.

“And he helped me out when I needed it most,” a kind voice said behind the two. Sango and Inuyasha turned and the latter smiled, rising to his feet.

 

“You made it. It's good to see you again, Kagome,” Inuyasha said. Higurashi Kagome looked stunning in the white pant suit he had seen her in that morning and his mouth felt dry all of a sudden. But the bright smile she bestowed upon him made him feel like the richest man in the world.

“Likewise, Inuyasha! I can't thank you enough for all of your help…” she began. Sango cleared her throat and pretended to look important. Inuyasha blushed.

 

“Kagome, may I introduce Taijiya Sango? I've known her since high school and she's put up with me ever since,” he joked. Kagome smiled and held her hand out to shake.

“Pleasure to meet you, Sango-san. It's good to meet a friend of Inuyasha's,” she said and Sango had the feeling she wouldn't know how to lie if her life depended on it. He could see in a flash what Inuyasha saw in her, and thanked the kami for Inuyasha finally getting to see a genuine girl.

“Likewise! And you can call me Sango. Yash and our resident idiot do,” she said. Inuyasha helped Kagome into her chair and stood close by. He had the urge to touch her, place his hands on her shoulders to let her know he was close. He hated to admit it, but he had been a little nervous for her ever since he had left Ookami.

“He means our other friend, Hoshi Miroku. He can be kind of uhm, insensitive to the feelings of others,” he said with a hint of sadness in his eyes. Sango flipped her hair over her shoulder, a very obvious defensive manner she had adopted over the years when Miroku's involuntary infidelity came up in conversation.

“I'm sure I'll still be glad to meet him,” Kagome smiled. Inuyasha sat next to her and tried to look casual. His left leg was twitching something fierce under the table.

 

“Well, I'm off! Maybe I'll see him, maybe I won't. You two take it easy,” sango winked. Inuyasha gave her a look.

“Did you want to stay a moment longer? I'm not kicking you away from the table,” he said with genuine confusion in his tone. Kagome found his gesture endearing and she had to fight to keep from fidgeting.

“No, that's okay, I had to get going anyway. I wanted to meet your date, and she's great,” Sango shared a smile with Kagome. She had a feeling she wind up being a valuable addition to their inner circle of friends. “Good luck!”

 

“Thanks…” I'm going to need it, Inuyasha thought.

“So what are you having?” Kagome asked. Inuyasha picked up the long-necked bottle sitting before him and took a sip.

“Blue moon beer. It's kind of good…” it wasn't cheap however. Inuyasha was determined to nurse this drink while he was here with Kagome.

“That sounds good. I'll take one of those,” Kagome flagged down a waitress who grinned and moved off towards the bar. Inuyasha's mouth almost dropped.

“Beer huh? My kind of woman,” Inuyasha chuckled. He didn't fail to notice the faint blush that spread across Kagome's cheeks.

 

* * * *

 

“That was great!” Kagome cheered. She and Inuyasha sauntered out of the club, arm in arm. After a few dances that only made the loud music tolerable, he was more sure of where he was allowed to touch her and the permission made him relax noticeably. They had enjoyed energetic fast dances, and had dared a few slow ones. Seeing Inuyasha was nervous as he clasped her waist, she asked him small questions to get him to open up and soon the two were spinning around each other and laughing.

“I think it's getting late,” Inuyasha peered at his wristwatch. Kagome took his arm and walked at his side.

“It's not too late, Inuyasha. What do you usually do on a night like tonight?” she winked. Inuyasha's mouth went dry. All he could think of was his coffin and the fact that Kagome had seen what his paycheck could afford for him as living space.

 

“Well, I usually see my friends… or I exercise.” Sure pushups and sit ups consisted of exercise. Inuyasha could still do over a hundred of each. His father had instilled a need for physical activity that he wouldn't forget anytime soon. His pompous brother probably didn't even do them anymore. It made Inuyasha sad to remember the mornings the three of them would exercise before school and work.

“Do you run? You look like a runner. All trim and thin,” Kagome chuckled. Inuyasha blushed at the compliment and patted her hand.

“Well…a bit I guess,” he laughed. Running to the bus stop counted, he was sure.

 

“So how'd you wind up working for a dickhead like that lawyer?” Inuyasha murmured. Kagome looked up at the side of his noble profile and felt a warm twang within her. He really had been worried about her.

“Well it was Ookami-san's idea. He had no idea his son was this way,” she informed. Inuyasha smiled, thinking of his meeting with the senior founder that morning.

“I liked him,” Inuyasha said honestly. “He seemed like an okay guy.” He wouldn't tell her that he had reminded him of his father. `Pop was that stern but kind to everyone too…'

 

“He's always been a dear, and I can't say he hasn't helped my career so much…” Kagome began. Inuyasha watched her tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. He had the urge to smooth her hair out himself. For now he would settle with his arm around her waist.

“He hasn't tried anything since I left has he?” Inuyasha asked. Kagome's toes almost left the sidewalk when his hand gripped her hip possessively. She was starting to like his worrying over her.

“No, he hasn't! I don't know what Ookami-senior talked to him about, but Koga-san has been contrite ever since. He still looks at me…”

Inuyasha snorted to himself.

“But he hasn't tried to touch me. I can't thank you enough, Inuyasha,” Kagome went on. Inuyasha stopped and looked off.

 

“I couldn't do otherwise. If any man lets another harm a woman, he's no real man…”

 

Kagome squeezed his arm and looked up at the side of his sad expression. “You have an air of sadness to you. Why?”

Inuyasha gulped at her candid approach and scuffed the toe of his worn shoe into the concrete. “Come on, it's a happy evening, right? We were having fun so far,” he winked. Kagome smiled with him and laid her head against his shoulder.

“Shall we take a cab?” she asked. Inuyasha's fingers twitched against her hip. He could feel the warmth gather in his loins and thought about the open door again. It would be easy to go on this path. She was interested in him, she wanted to get to know him, and kami knew he needed physical affirmation all of his parts still worked. Kagome wasn't a girl to use and discard however. Inuyasha found himself wanting to get to know her, wanting to have her trust and her friendship. He wanted to believe in her. He wanted to try.

“We could…but I could take the train home,” he said. Kagome looked up into his eyes.

“Will I see you again, Inuyasha?” she asked. Inuyasha found himself drowning in her gaze. He nodded numbly.

“Yes…. Yes …. You will, Kagome. You know if your boss gets out of line, that's my cue to discipline him,” he joked. Kagome laughed brightly. She quieted when Inuyasha's thumb caressed her cheek.

 

“I'll give you my cell number and I'll call you…” The two separated long enough to fish out their digital phones and enter numbers.

“You will, won't you? You're not just saying that?” Kagome teased. Inuyasha nodded, his eyes serious.

“Kagome…. I want to kiss you….” he stammered. Kagome held his face in her hands. His honesty was overwhelming and she felt all of her being gravitate towards him.

“I want you to…” she said. Inuyasha leaned down and touched his lips to hers. Touch exploded and time stood still. As his arms encircled her slim waist, Inuyasha felt he had never been so happy in such a long time.

 

After Inuyasha saw Kagome safely in a cab, he floated to the nearest train station. He didn't worry about how many days was left on his month long transportation pass, didn't agonize over how hungry he was for saving money on a date. He thought only of serious dark eyes and a rare smile just for him. Just like his thoughts confirmed earlier, Inuyasha knew they would wind up in bed someday, but not this day. He wanted to keep things simple. He wanted things to work.

 

“I think she wants that too…” Inuyasha leaned his head against the cool glass of the train car. He watched the stops fly by and dared to let the warmth take his heart.

Across town, Kagome undressed for bed and thought of Inuyasha's hands on her waist and hip. She longed to have him here with her in the dark cocoon of her apartment and to herself. One day soon, she was sure. There was something real here, she was sure of it. She wanted it to be simple, and she wanted things to work.

Somehow she knew Inuyasha was wishing for the same thing across Tokyo.

 

* * * *

 

Takahashi Sesshomaru sat at his large desk and ran a hand through his dark bangs. The gauntlet of meetings had commenced and proceeded well he had hoped. The brokers and businessmen he had consulted with had been understanding, but frank. If he wanted to try and get Takahashi Enterprises out of the grave, this Sesshomaru had quite a lot of work to do. And that was without the guarantee to reviving Father's business.

 

Ever since his father died, life had been a living hell, Sesshomaru reflected. That and the night his half brother walked out on him forever. He wondered where Inuyasha was and if he was okay. Sesshomaru could have called Taijiya Sango to inquire to his whereabouts, but his pride was too deep. He didn't want to seem to be trying if Inuyasha would throw their family name in his face again. He didn't want to extend his hand if his brother would chop it off verbally.

 

Granted, he shouldn't have laid hands on him. Sesshomaru cursed himself each time he remembered that night. Showing emotion had always been hard on the stoic young businessman, especially after Mother had left Father and Izayoi had come into the picture. She had tried her hardest, poor woman, to include Sesshomaru, she had said they were all one big family. Sesshomaru wanted to believe her, and he almost did. Just as he was getting comfortable with the kind woman being his new mother, she had done something to shatter his trust.

She had gotten pregnant, she had grown round with Father's second accomplishment of life and while Sesshomaru tried to come to grips with his emotions about everything, Izayoi gushed and beamed radiance with his half brother inside her. And it seemed Father was more proud of his second son, the squalling pink thing that kept him up half the nights when he was a baby.

 

Sesshomaru grunted, massaging his close eyelids. It literally hurt him physically to remember his brother's growth through the years, and how he adored and looked up to him. He hadn't been good enough for his brother's love, and he kept himself distant and he acted cold towards Inuyasha. Things may have gone well if Izayoi hadn't died. She and Father always told Inuyasha this Sesshomaru did not truly hate him. But with his reassurances dying around him, his brother had no reason to try and believe in him anymore.

The company dying along with their parents gave the brothers more room for friction. Sesshomaru wished Inuyasha had gone to college so he could be helping him now. He should be here with him at the ground rising up.

`You owe it to Father, you moron…' he thought. The young man rumbled deep in his throat and held his forehead.

When the knock sounded at his office door he almost lashed out with a shout. But Sesshomaru prided himself on appearance; especially during all of this tricky business. He needed everyone's work and their loyalty or Takahashi Enterprises didn't stand a chance of living again.

 

“Come,” he commanded and the door slid open. An aged stooped businessman wearing round spectacles bowed low. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow, reflecting that bowing to him didn't help his back any.

“Myoga-san. It's good to see you again. It's been awhile,” Sesshomaru crooned, tapping one long elegant finger on his desktop. His father's oldest friend and business partner straightened and grinned. The facial expression tugged at his short beard and mustache.

“Ah it is good to see you, young Takahashi. Your father had great pride and faith in your abilities and uhhm if you will allow me to take a moment of your hmmm time…”

Sesshomaru waited for him to come to the point. Patience was a virtue after all.

 

“The newest secretary has been transferred to you by Takeyoshi and his colleagues. They believe she will hmmm be accommodating to you, Sesshomaru-san,” Myoga bowed. Sesshomaru gestured with one errant hand.

“Well then I guess I will meet her tomorrow morning…” Sesshomaru said, indicating this day was at a close. He was exhausted mentally and emotionally.

Myoga smiled, his beard pulling low. It was a horrifying sight for the young man. Sesshomaru waited for him to say what he was so obviously plotting.

 

“Pardons, Sesshomaru-san, but she wishes to meet you now. Won't you come in, dear?” Myoga called through the open door. Sesshomaru straightened his tie and sat up straight. Takeyoshi was a traditionalist, so he should expect an older woman, a wife who would work well without any strings attached. Whatever to keep his mind from straying from the tasks he needed to carry out.

 

When the young slip of a woman stepped through his door, Sesshomaru was certain there were definitely strings attached for having such an attractive woman sent to work directly beneath him. What was Takeyoshi thinking? She was a child! Granted, Sesshomaru wasn't that much older at twenty-five, but she had to be what nineteen? Twenty at the most? How did she land such an important position right out of college? This was going to be a mess, Sesshomaru groaned mentally. She was alluring, beautiful, and innocent. His horns were up and he had to turn himself off mentally to remain the master here.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, miss. May I make your acquaintance?” Sesshomaru asked smoothly. He rose to his feet and walked around his desk. Myoga crossed his arms and looked pleased when the young woman bowed at the waist respectfully.

“I am Akiyama Rin. It is a pleasure to meet you, Takahashi-san.”

 

Sesshomaru barely inclined his head in a bow in return, but his senses were reeling. Why must the kami make mock of him so to send her here?

“The pleasure is all mine, Akiyama-kun.”

“You may call me by my given name, Takahashi-san.”

“Rin-kun.” That was all Sesshomaru could allow himself. He was starting to feel faint. “I find you will enjoy the atmosphere as we venture with Takahashi Enterprises once again….”

 

Myoga left the two kids to their conversation and excused himself. Sesshomaru barely noticed, waving him away with one hand. But then that had always been his way. That kid had always had a one-track mind. Still, Takeyoshi had been adamant to sending young Rin to Sesshomaru directly. Did the old business partner have a plan or agenda? Where did the corruption originate and where did it link to the company's death? Myoga was certain there was a link, somewhere. The old man clasped his hands behind his ample waist and walked slowly down the hallway.

 

End for now

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Most sincerely yours penpaninu 3/16/06