InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Impoverished Heir ❯ the pieces are set into play ( Chapter 5 )

Hello! All of your kind reviews (you know who you are, Inuskye, Inugrrl, Shiro-san, Darkmoonstar, Peacemaker and Mirage) have made me want to get this up before this weekend once more. Enjoy! And even though it may seem erratic, I do have an idea of a plot and where this is going. Rest assured, I won't let a story lie without an ending.

 

Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own Inuyasha, nor is getting paid to write this. I get paid in reviewer's comments, and girl scout cookies. Yes, girl scout cookies.

 

“Impoverished Heir” chapter five

The pieces are set into play

 

Inuyasha brushed his teeth at the communal sink, side stepping around a half drunk redhead with blurry eyes. She always wore a lacy see-through camisole and ordinarily he would have taken several looks. But he didn't have to. He was a one Kagome man. So he would politely do his business, sidestep his obnoxious neighbors, and make his way back to his room. Kagome had yet to spend the night at his house, preferring to take Inuyasha to her home when they slept together. Inuyasha took a quick look at his four walls, scratched tatami mats, small window and the front door and he found he couldn't blame her.

“Barely big enough to bury one man. Why bring her here?” Inuyasha mumbled. Whenever he took the long train ride back here at night, he knew he'd be sleeping instead of other things for a change. The longhaired man kicked aside his futon, gathered his backpack and cell and checked for text messages as he dug in his pocket for the door key.

There were quite a few already. Sango's read `Need to drink and go out. Bad day already!'

Miroku's was simpler. `Help. Now. Sango!' Inuyasha snickered at his abruptness and scrolled down. His heart pounded as he got to the message he wanted.

`Missed you last night. Meet you after work? Heart, Kagome'. Inuyasha sighed and pressed his cell to his chest as he bounded down the apartment stairs two at a time. He could just float to work now.

“Hey watch where you're going!” the camisole-clad neighbor barked. Inuyasha made a rude gesture at her half-covered back and trotted out to the street.

“Hey, watch where you're not dressing!” he muttered under his breath, but grinned all the way to the bus stop. Even a shift at Wacdonald's couldn't bring him down and Inuyasha was pert and polite to each customer want and or complaint.

 

“These fries are too salty! And greasy. Can you make them not so greasy?” a mother asked. Her two year old clung to her pants leg and wailed. Inuyasha grinned happily at her. His gaze shimmered out and all he could see was the dark-haired woman turning into Kagome, with a child standing by her.

“More greasy! You got it!” Inuyasha turned back to his fryer and got busy. The woman threw her hands up and sighed, giving it up for a lost cause.

Megumi giggled as she waited for Inuyasha to make her a few orders.

“What happened to you, Inuyasha? You look like you slept with a hanger in your mouth,” she said, smiling. Inuyasha rubbed his shoulder against his cheek, as his hands were busy.

“Am I that obvious?” he asked. Megumi nodded.

“So who are you seeing? If it's not too much to ask,” she asked. Inuyasha stood on one foot, perfectly balanced in his sneakers as he salted and scooped.

“Her names Higurashi Kagome, and she's a lawyer's intern,” Inuyasha smiled. Megumi whistled.

“You sure that won't get in the way?”

“What?” Inuyasha looked to the petite girl.

“Profession. Business. Heck, even money, Inuyasha-kun. Does she know what you do?” Megumi went on. Inuyasha blushed and looked around the burger joint. Small children screeched and spilled food as their parents watched them, or didn't watch, and businessmen in suits gave the staff the slightest bare mediocre amount of respect. Inuyasha was suddenly tired from his observations. His burger shirt chafed against his chest and belly, tightening against him.

“Hey, it's not like that, Megumi-kun. Kagome's not like that!” he insisted. Megumi patted his strong shoulder.

 

“I'm not saying she is! It just might get in the way at some point or another,” she said sagely. Inuyasha looked off into the distance and sighed.

Well she didn't come to his place to be intimate yet…. They were just waiting for her to come over, weren't they? It was just more convenient to go to her place…wasn't it? Inuyasha was going to give himself a headache if he continued.

“Oh no, I need four large orders,” Megumi continued at his side and Inuyasha nodded, blowing up under the brim of his cap as he tried to get a loose lock of hair out of his eyes. This was a lot to think about.

 

The tall man with a ball cap pulled over his eyes looked around the fast food joint. His gaze settled on the brooding Takahashi. His employer had told him to keep a look out to his activities and monitor him, and at the moment he didn't envy him.

`It's like taking a grease bath in here…' he muttered. The cute girl at the register set his order on his tray and gave him a polite smile. The man smiled, his goatee pulling low with the movement. Maybe the view at this time of day wouldn't be so bad.

 

His cell blared an alarm, but the Takahashi kid didn't look his way. Everyone these days had a cell phone, so it wouldn't make any difference to read his instructions while ten feet away from his target.

`Watch T.Inu. Monitor schedules. Do not interfere.' The man adjusted his tray in one arm as he read the electronic words and sat down. Another man, casually dressed and as nondescript, slid across from him.

“The boss sends his greetings, Yashiro,” the newcomer observed. Yashiro picked up a French fry, studied it.

“About time you got here, Toshio. You always get to check in with the boss,” the man said. He took his ball cap off and smoothed his short dark hair. Toshio stole a few fries and grinned around them.

“The boss likes me. Besides, this is an easy job so far. Do not interfere. This kid isn't anything special, he's just a name.” Toshio observed. Yashiro flashed a look towards the college girl with the bright smile, then beyond her.

“He's just a name, but hey you never know when the job might turn fun. Do not interfere means almost certainly `do not interfere YET.' Think he'll want us to send a message to the kid?” Yashiro wondered lowly. The Takahashi kid stretched with one arm and crouched below the counter to retrieve something.

 

Toshio shrugged. “That's the icing on the cake whenever we get sent out. Roughing kids up is the best part of the job.”

“And then Boss will make the moves on that woman he's been wanting. She's a hot one, that intern,” Yashiro drooled, remembering.

Toshio tapped one fingertip against the table. “Keep your mind on business. Boss gets what he wants, and we may get to have some fun.”

 

Yashiro sighed and sipped his coke. “It's just the waiting that's the worst thing about this job…”

“Isn't it every job?”

“Touche.”

 

* * * *

 

“Good morning, Sesshomaru-san,” Rin said sweetly. Sesshomaru watched her bring in the coffee tray that morning. A pink rose lay innocently behind the mug and he had to smile. Hints of wanted passion. His secretary knew how to send an unspoken message to him. Rin leaned over to set the tray down on his large desk and Sesshomaru had to cough and adjust his tie when he wanted to adjust his belt. Her blouse was open at the top button, revealing hints of seeing glimpses of golden flesh above her cleavage. Sesshomaru flicked his cool eyes back up to her bright countenance.

“Good morning, Rin,” he said carefully and he almost smiled as his secretary brightened at the obvious lack of suffix at the end of her name. “How was the rest of your night?”

Rin shuffled nervously and clasped her hands, blushing prettily. She bit her lip in the manner Sesshomaru found so adorable and the young businessman found himself focusing on her red lip. “I slept well but…. I felt something was missing,” she confessed. Sesshomaru looked over his files for the morning and nodded absent-mindedly.

 

“Perhaps we could rectify the situation,” he suggested. Rin looked up, her cheeks as pink as the rose she had selected for that day. Sesshomaru sounded as carefree as if he were offering sugar for her coffee. Did he mean about the other night, or the file he held in his large hand? Sesshomaru was a tough nut to crack.

“What do you mean, Sesshomaru-san?” she asked politely. Sesshomaru cocked an eyebrow and smiled at her shyness.

“One would mean that perhaps we work on that relationship aside from our working one, as you so kindly suggested after…. The other night's meeting,” he finished lamely. Rin blushed prettily. She could remember all too well how her thighs had parted around her boss' hips and how he had rocked against her, hard and pent up and obviously wanting more.

“I would like that, Sesshomaru-san…” she whispered, trailing a slim finger down the wood of the desk. Sesshomaru followed her movement and flicked his eyes back up to hers. She had amazing eyes. You could drown in them.

“Remember, its just Sesshomaru,” he said casually. Rin watched him, her lips barely parted. Her thighs wanted to feel him against her again. He had said that before he had climbed on top of her….

Sesshomaru cleared his throat. “I'll take you out to lunch. First, we should keep our minds on business.” But his eyes warmed when he looked up at her and Rin nodded.

“Of course! Myoga-san wants to see me soon, I'll leave you to it.”

Sesshomaru nodded and looked down. He was pleasantly surprised when Rin ducked around the side of the desk and pressed a kiss against his cheek. Now it was his turn to blush as Rin swayed out of his office.

 

Rin felt her cell phone vibrate, attached to the belt circling the waistband of her skirt. She checked where the call was coming from and sighed. Her usually cheerful face stretched into an exasperated grimace and her colleagues steered clear, unsure of what to think of the usually kind secretary. She ducked around the corner and clicked the phone open.

“Yes?” she asked. She already knew who it was.

A deep androgynous voice chuckled. “At this time you'd be with him. Am I correct in thinking that?”

Rin sighed and pressed a hand to her brow. The movement was a gesture of futile despair. “Yes, you are very astute. What do you want, Father? I will check in after work is done.”

The voice laughed, but the mirth was not kind. Rin shivered as she always did hearing it. “Assuming your `work' does not extend past office hours. You really are getting into character aren't you?”

Rin looked up, her eyes troubled. “It's not like that,” she whispered. The voice tutted her on the other side.

“Perhaps you should work harder on that. You have to gain Takahashi's trust.” Rin shook her head.

“I know…I know…”

“Relax and continue on as you were. You're doing very well, Rin.”

Rin said goodbye and held her forehead. Her feelings for her boss weren't acted, no matter how much her father would wish her to get `into character.'

 

She would try to have a good time out with him, and see where things would go. She wanted to feel his lips against hers again, wanted to be in his strong arms. But she wanted it to be real. Her work wouldn't allow her to be completely honest however. And it made Rin want to weep.

“Rin-kun! What are you doing?” Myoga called out. Rin wiped her eyes and flashed a brilliant smile to the stooped businessman. His suit was immaculate as always, and his white whiskers stuck straight out like a pair of antennae.

“I was on my way to see you! Sesshomaru-san mentioned he needed certain files and your aide on something…” Rin suggested. Myoga waved as she sped off. He tucked his arms across his chest and raised an eyebrow.

Akiyami Rin was a talented and charming young woman, and it was something to be looked into. Myoga smelled an angle where others would have seen a grand opportunity. The old man shuffled his way to Takeyoshi's department. It was time to begin investigations.

 

* * * *

 

Miroku peeked around the corner and tapped one shoe anxiously against the pavement. Sango was saying goodbye to her colleagues in the office she worked at, packing her bag up for the afternoon. Miroku was late getting into Onikage's office, but this was far more important. He couldn't stand looking at Inuyasha's happy face until he himself had something happy to talk about in return. He was slowly dying inside and only Sango was the cure.

Miroku's cell rang out a cheery upbeat tune and the priest's son clicked it off, his eyes narrowing with resolution. He wasn't going to call that girl back, or any of the other girls. This was his target now, and he was going to make it work.

When Sango stepped out the doors, she almost screamed in shock when Miroku stepped from behind the wall at her side.

“Would you NOT do that!” she screeched, holding one hand over her quickly beating heart. Miroku smiled uneasily and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Sorry about that, Sango…. guess your huntress instinct is tired for today,” he joked lightly. He was relieved when Sango eased up, her body language indicating calm.

“You could be right… listen, Miroku….” She began, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Miroku shoved his hands into his pockets and fisted them.

“I was wondering, Sango….” They both turned to each other at the same time, wide eyed and blushing.

“Could you!…”

“I wanted to!…

 

The man and woman stared at each other, standing barely a foot apart. Sango then laughed and patted her friend's shoulder.

“What is it you were saying?” she asked. Miroku smiled and smoothed a lock of her hair back into her bun gently. Sango trembled, not daring to hope.

“Would you like to go out after my work tonight? We could go to Fantasy Past if that's what you want,” he suggested. He didn't have to say his heart was about to fly out of his chest. He looked aside, with a moment's doubt, and missed the small blush that darted across Sango's cheeks. She smoothed her hand against her cheek.

“Yes! Yes, we'll go out. I was going with Inuyasha, but I think this could work out,” she said happily. Miroku wanted to scream at the mention of their mutual and obviously taken friend, then brightened at her last words.

“Well, great! Meet you at the club at nine?” he suggested. Sango nodded and trailed a hand across his shoulder.

“Oh and Miroku…”

“Yes, huntress?”

“Make it matter for you,” she said lightly. Miroku gaped as she sauntered away, his blood boiling. He was late getting into work, and Inuyasha had to smack him over the head with a ledger to get his attention.

 

* * * *

 

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow as he fished through his pockets for his house key. Takahashi Manor was no longer his to reside in when Father's money had disappeared, but his apartment was as well off as he could afford it at present. It wasn't as tiny as most could be, and allowed him a separate bedroom, and a bathroom with a sizeable bathtub. He inserted the key into his lock, and cocked his head slightly to the side.

Two male signatures had been following him since he left Takahashi Enterprises that afternoon. Sesshomaru didn't know how he could have heard and sorted them out over the hustle of the major city, but there you had it. He didn't take kindly to being followed, and he would finish this before they could get started if violence was their agenda with him.

Sesshomaru feigned a scene of stretching as he slipped out of his shoes in his entryway, and lightly shut his door without locking it. Faster than a person could blink, he had darted to his bedroom, and started fishing through the suits in his closet. His large hand closed around a cylinder cool object, and Sesshomaru grinned in the dark as he unsheathed the blade. He darted back to the main room, vaulting noiselessly over his coffee table in stocking feet.

The male scents were strong now, and he could hear faint whispers as they made their way in. Sesshomaru wanted to snort. Who sent these newbs? He was no stranger to attack once Takahashi Enterprises took a turn for the worst and the business world he knew turned cutthroat. He was on top of the two shadows once they stumbled into the entryway and before they could get their bearings.

“Where do you think he…”

“OH SHIT!” one of the men screamed. Sesshomaru slashed down with savage glee, striking his hardest with the flat of the katana blade and effectively knocking the first man down. His companion almost tripped over his friend, then reached inside his coat pocket. Sesshomaru advanced, not giving him a moment to gather his senses. He turned the katana the other way and slashed down with one quick movement faster than lightning. The man squealed like an animal as the tips of his fingers fell to the tatami mats, the gun falling to soak in puddles of crimson.

Sesshomaru slammed the butt of the hilt into the man's brow to shut him up, and listened as the second man thumped down onto his partner. He leaned down to wipe the blade upon the man's jacket back, and resheathed in one smooth movement. Father had taught him to respect his blades and this one had been passed through the Takahashi family for centuries.

 

Sesshomaru's cell rang with a grim tone and he clicked it out, holding the katana sheathe in his left hand. “Takahashi Sesshomaru.” Let their employers know who was still breathing after that attempt.

“Sesshomaru?” Rin's soft voice came out and the tall businessman relaxed utterly, his tensed muscles going slack. Her mere soft tone invoking his name took his battle posture aside and Sesshomaru would have to reflect why that could be a bad thing. He stepped back and turned on a lamp.

“Rin! Did you get home okay?” Sesshomaru meant it to a term of safety after what had just happened to him. He looked at the fallen men in his front door and shook his head, loose bangs swinging into his eyes.

“Oh, just fine! I was wondering if you could come up to my house and just knock,” she suggested. After lunch and work, they had agreed to go out that night. Sesshomaru smiled ruefully and looked down at his wrists. They were spotted with another man's blood.

“I believe that will be fine in order. Allow me to wash up first. See you in half an hour.”

“I can't wait!” Rin said truthfully. Sesshomaru's heart warmed then nodded. He clicked off, and redialed.

“Police? Yes, this is Takahashi Sesshomaru. Two men have broken into my house. You may find them indisposed,” Sesshomaru said smoothly. He loosened his tie, and made his way to the bathroom to get ready.

 

* * * *

 

Inuyasha groaned as his fingers swept over the keyboard in a flurry of activity. Miroku had been grinning like a goof all evening, and had generally been rather unhelpful to drawing Kikyo-san's attention when she was on the prowl. Inuyasha had had his shoulders rubbed, his hands touched, and he could have sworn his boss had pressed her breasts against his back at one point. It was more than enough to cross the line of sexual harassment!

And Miroku kept staring off into space with that insufferable grin on his face. What was with him??

 

“Miroku. Hey. Miro!” Inuyasha muttered under his breath. No answer. He turned, and chucked his files, all of them for the day, at the priest's son at once. They smacked him in the face. Miroku blinked then grabbed his nose.

“Ow! What'd you do that for??” he demanded. Inuyasha grinned and tapped his finger against his nose.

“Who, me? Come on, you've been like that all night. Talk to Sango?” he asked. Sango had mentioned that morning of her plans so he tried to act surprised.

“I went by Sango's work, and we're going out tonight. I think this could be the right time, Yash!” Miroku said happily. Inuyasha smiled and crawled across the carpet to pick up his files.

“There you go! See, like I told you, go for it!” Inuyasha chimed in. Miroku scrubbed a palm across his red cheek.

“I'm going to see how things go. Then I'll tell her,” Miroku said sagely. His hand tightened into a fist.

Inuyasha nodded, and clicked his cell open. “Inuyasha.”

“Inuyasha! How was your night?” Kagome asked. Inuyasha chuckled warmly and leaned back in his chair.

“Better now that I'm talking to you. What are we doing tonight, Kagome?” he asked.

Kagome chuckled. “We could go out if you want, Inuyasha. Don't worry about your account,” she suggested. Inuyasha's heart twisted.

“Actually, I was hoping we could go out to dinner. It'll be on me, I insist,” Inuyasha murmured. He had gotten paid that day for the Wacdonalds job, and had already estimated how much to save for rent and how much to spend. If he took Kagome out to anything less than a four star restaurant, he could afford to take her out for a change.

Kagome cupped her elbow, and rubbed gently. She wanted to ease her boyfriend's mind, but it sounded like this was very important to him. Perhaps she should say yes. Men had their strange pride about things, and his background probably rubbed salt in his present wounds.

“Sure, that sounds fine, koibito! Should I come to Onikage's?” she asked. Inuyasha fished through his backpack one handed for the tie he had stashed in there that morning.

“Please. Get off soon. See ya!” he hung up and slid the tie through the lapels of his collar. Miroku watched him expertly knot and tie it and raised an eyebrow.

 

“Trying to put in a good appearance?” he asked.

“I can at least try to pretend I grew up with a good background,” Inuyasha muttered. Miroku sobered and nodded.

When Kagome arrived, Miroku only stayed to kiss her cheek and dash off to Fantasy Past. Inuyasha got a longer kiss in and Kagome hugged his neck. The other young men snickered and whistled. Kagome ducked her head under Inuyasha's chin and clung to his neck.

 

“How was work?” Inuyasha asked softly as they made their way out of the building. Kagome nestled her head against his shoulder.

“It was…. strange,” she confessed. Inuyasha's eyes hardened.

“It wasn't HIM was it?” he asked lowly. Kagome shook her head.

“No. I mean, yes! Kouga-san has been acting rather strange and secretive. He talks on his cell phone more than the interns on floor one, and when he's not on the phone he well, flirts with me more…” Kagome confessed. Inuyasha shook his head, his hand possessively over her hip.

 

“He doesn't know when to quit,” he said angrily. Kagome kissed his fingertips.

“Don't let it bother you, Inuyasha! He won't try anything again, and I have Ookami Senior on my side, you forget,” she smiled. Inuyasha calmed down a fraction of a hair.

“Well, ready for dinner?” he brightened. His wallet felt light enough in his pocket, but he wouldn't trouble his girl about it.

“Well, where are you taking me?” Kagome went on with his suggestion. Inuyasha blushed.

“Your favorite diner and mine, Jerry's Deli!” Inuyasha tried to make it sound grand. His wallet was hurting enough as it was.

Kagome laughed. “I've been there. Home of the famous cement Danish,” she commented. Inuyasha was put at ease and kissed her brow. He wouldn't think about his troubles while he was out with his woman.

 

“So want to spend the night at my place?” Kagome asked as they went in and were seated.

“Sure! I'd love to,” Inuyasha grinned. He had enough condoms he remembered. The corner of his mind wanted to cry about the fact she didn't want to see his place it seemed, his destitute dwelling. He smiled and took Kagome's coat while the corners of his mind sighed in on itself.

 

* * * *

 

Sango leaned her forehead against Miroku's chest, dancing intimately close with him. Miroku's hands twitched against her back, wandered up and down, then settled at her hips. As the night progressed and they had put away dinner, then drinks, their talk became looser, and their company more familiar. Sango felt like a dream. She was everything he wanted, everything he hoped for when he dated. All of those other girls couldn't compare. And Sango he knew felt put down because he had devoted his attentions elsewhere.

Never again, Miroku thought as he stiffened in Sango's arms. One of her hands caressed the small of his back through his dress shirt familiarly, her free hand stealing up to cup the nape of his neck. She hummed with the song and massaged him. She was making him feel every bit a man should, so he wouldn't let her down.

It wasn't just the touches they had finally let each other indulge in, Miroku noted as he twirled his huntress in his arms. It was every word she said, every look she gave him, every smile and laugh that escaped her red lips.

Sango looked up, her heart in her eyes as Miroku gazed down at her with hooded passionate eyes. He had been a gentleman all night, and hadn't attempted to grope her like he normally would have, or like those girls he apparently didn't think twice about when he used them and discarded them. She had fallen for him years ago since high school, and his womanizing ways had put her off from the obvious attraction between them.

`I won't be just another thing to use!' she had thought. Her hands were getting bold while his were still hesitant. He had spoken with eloquence tonight as they tried to get to know each other again, he had been gentle, and earnest. Sango blushed and pressed her breasts against him. Miroku's jaw dropped and he gaped down at her with sheer astonishment. Funny, that look suited him better than a lascivious sneer. Sango gripped his hips in her hands and pulled him closer. Miroku leaned his chin down and grazed his lips against her cheek.

 

She wouldn't be used. She would be his. Sango felt it was time.

Miroku rubbed her back gently with his large hands and felt Sango mold against him with each movement. He melted as she opened his shirt collar and kissed his neck. His eyes rolled back in his head. He would be hers. Miroku felt it was time.

“Sango…” he began. Sango looked up playfully and cupped the back of his neck.

“Miroku, do you…” she began when the priest's son shushed her. He cupped her face in his hands and stared into her eyes.

“I want you and only you. Please, Sango, won't you let me close?” he whispered. His eyes were terribly vulnerable and he hated how his chest threatened to explode from his heart seizing in anticipation of her answer. The evening went well and they were holding each other. Things were well between them, weren't they?

Sango circled her arms around his waist. “I think we're close now.” Her hips nudged his softly to indicate her answer. Miroku leaned down and kissed her softly. Sango froze, feeling the moment when heaven touched earth at the feel of his lips against hers. She clutched his back as she opened her mouth and returned the kiss.

 

Fantasy Past throbbed and went on in its flurry of activity around the couple. Miroku and Sango paid no mind to the crowds walking around them and against them and held onto each other.

 

* * * *

 

Inuyasha closed his wallet and sighed as the waitress took their bill money to the front register. He'd want to leave a nice tip like Father had taught him and he counted out a few bills as Kagome finished up her coffee.

Kagome nudged her knee against his under the table and smiled. Her young man was very distraught, and she didn't want him to feel bad for doing what he wanted to be a good man. He already was a good man and his bank account couldn't convince her otherwise. Inuyasha looked up and blushed. He laid his hand over hers.

“Want to take the rails or a cab back?” he asked softly. Kagome held his hand between hers and kissed it.

“We can take a cab, Inuyasha. Come on, let's get out of here,” she suggested. Inuyasha felt his pants tighten and he nodded, standing in a hurry to grab his coat from the hook on the wall by their booth. Kagome stood elegantly and sighed when Inuyasha slid her coat over her shoulders. His hands tightened over her shoulders and then they made their way out of the emptying diner.

Kagome's cell rang as they went out onto the bustling sidewalk. Inuyasha let her answer as he walked at her side. His loose ponytail was slung over one shoulder as he scanned the sidewalk, and always he would keep her safe. He gazed down at his girlfriend as she started to talk indignantly into the digital device.

“I've told you, Souta, get your locks fixed! You shouldn't have been messing with that girl to begin with!” Kagome insisted, her brows narrowing angrily. Inuyasha clasped her shoulder, lending her strength. Kagome smiled at him and went on.

“She WHAT?? Oh, Souta, I'll be right there. Stay outside your building, I'll be there soon!” Kagome hung up and turned to her lover.

“I guess we're not going to your house,” Inuyasha said sheepishly. Kagome hugged his neck and stood on her tiptoes to kiss his lips.

“I'm so sorry, my dearest, but my ototo really needs my help. He just can't tell the good girls from the bad,” Kagome lamented apologetically. Inuyasha's eyes softened and he hugged her slim waist with affectionate arms.

Kagome looked out for her younger brother in a way his aniki hadn't looked out for him in years. Inuyasha couldn't stop the sudden lodging of his throat and he embraced her tightly, burying his face in her shoulder. Kagome rubbed his back and shoulders tightly, sensing a change in his thoughts.

“What's wrong, Inuyasha? You look so sad,” she looked up into his dark eyes. Inuyasha smiled sadly and caressed the corner of her lips with his thumb.

“It's nothing, Kagome, just… well I'll tell you later. I just hope your ototo is okay,” he said sincerely. Kagome kissed him tenderly and hugged him.

“He will be once I arrive,” she declared and Inuyasha smiled wryly. She could fly right into feudal battle and come out on top; he had no doubt.

“Goodnight, Kagome… I'll call you tomorrow,” Inuyasha said as his girl hailed a cab. She stood there, in her elegant short skirt and blouse, and blew him a kiss. Inuyasha found that touched his heart in the most sensitive way as he waved. He stood watching the cab chug away and sighed, digging his hands into his slacks pockets.

Two men watched the Takahashi kid walk into the nearest subway station. One cell phone rang and was put to the ear of a man with a goatee and a ball cap.

 

“Yashiro,” he growled.

“Surveillance is over. End it. Deliver the kid a message,” the smooth voice dripped over the line. Yashiro nodded as he kept an eye on the tall boy walking down into the station underground.

“Right. I understand,” Yashiro mumbled. He and his partner looked at each other.

“Time to get this job done. We're getting paid tonight.” Yashiro informed him. Toshio grinned and cracked his knuckles. They followed Inuyasha into the station.

 

* * * *

 

Ookami Kouga tapped his fingers against the fine mahogany of his desk, one leg crossed over his knee. He wish he could be there to land a few blows on the impetuous youth, but hiring goons to mess up someone he hated had to be good enough. His father had been on the prowl lately, and he couldn't afford to be seen misbehaving.

“And then Kagome will be mine…” Kouga growled. He was sure the Takahashi brat would be easily frightened after the attack. He didn't have the skill or the insight his elder brother did. His other job had failed horribly when the Takahashi heir had dispatched his attackers, and rather easily.

Inuyasha didn't have what it took to survive. And Kouga would have everything he wanted.

 

End for now

Like it? Hate it? Leave a review! They're crack for fanfiction writers. The mention of Jerry's Deli immigrated from NYC and an 80's movie called “Cocktail.” I'd like to see Yash do the hippy-hippy shake.

 

Most sincerely yours, penpaninu 3/28/06