InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Impoverished Heir ❯ the pieces fall down ( Chapter 6 )

The healthy reviews from FF.net and MediaMiner helped me get through my exhaustion. Getting sick, but I wanted to finish this. Inuskye, Inugrrrl, leilachan, Fairytale chic 1, BlazingNymph7, Mirage, ginacat, Peacemaker, Shiro Ryuu, iluvmitsukake, demonpriestess07 and Cherry Dragon Heart, thanks.

 

Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own Inuyasha nor is getting paid to write this. Does claim to be inu however. Almost out of girl scout cookies. Anyone got some? Oh, throat medicine, thank you…

 

“Impoverished Heir” chapter six

The pieces fall down

 

Inuyasha tried not to let his leg twitch as he stood in the subway car, staring out at the stops whipping past. He had been followed ever since Kagome had gotten into her cab, and the two men he knew were targeting him were in the same car. Inuyasha wanted to snort. Did they think they were being subtle about it? He wasn't a timid man; he knew when he was being followed and that it probably wouldn't end well.

Inuyasha felt a bead of sweat trail down his cheek and to his jaw. He hadn't been in a fight in a very long time, and he hoped he would come out on top. His hand closed in his jacket pocket, fisting around a small cylinder object. Woe that the times were too modern where a pocketknife was grounds for arrest and not seen as merely self-defense. His box cutter from work would have to do. Inuyasha would have preferred to have one of Father's heirloom katanas strapped to his waist instead, but what could you do?

 

His stop approached and Inuyasha forced himself to walk at a leisurely pace through the open doors of the car. He shouldered his backpack with one hand, his right fist closed around the box cutter in his pocket with the other. His loose ponytail hung over his back, his tie swung from side to side as he walked. His ears picked out the paired footsteps following him, sorting them from the rest of the people getting off and dispersing to their various locations. His hearing had always been sharp, and now it came in handy, Inuyasha thought.

He moved with the hand that clamped over his shoulder, whirling around his assailants. They were tall and slim, with fierce goatees and malice in their eyes. One wore a baseball cap (which oddly enough said Piyo Piyo on the bill, but Inuyasha didn't have time to laugh about that) and the other was reaching into his coat pocket.

 

“Our boss has a message for you, Takahashi Inuyasha,” the man in the cap said. His partner held up his large hands and cracked each knuckle. Inuyasha's eyebrow twitched.

“Oh yeah? And what's that?” he asked cockily. His fingers clenched his box cutter so tightly his fingers lost feeling.

The second man grabbed Inuyasha's collar and grabbed him close.

“Keep away from Higurashi. She's Ookami's territory.” And then his fist aimed at Inuyasha's face and everything went red.

Inuyasha remembered slashing up the man's arm with his box cutter until the partner kicked his knees out from under him. Inuyasha grabbed his shirt as his legs gave out, and hoisted himself up to head butt him in the face. That wasn't a smart move, for his vision blacked out, going from red to void as stars exploded in his vision. His target screamed and cursed so maybe that move wasn't in vain.

Inuyasha's torso folded in on itself as he tried to shield himself from the kicks and punches that followed. The second Takahashi son fell to the ground, trying to shield himself. His face was pressed into the concrete, his hair all over his face as he tried to inch his way aside from the beatings. His teeth rattled against the concrete at the last savage kick. His eyes were bleeding, there was blood everywhere, he was sure of it…. Inuyasha's mind panicked and went gray, trying to pick up the pieces of his sanity. His fingers scraped, and bled against the concrete. They straightened and went still.

“Little fucker cut me!” one of the men screeched from overhead. Inuyasha didn't care. Just make them go away.

“Don't worry, he's hurting more than you,” the second man assured his friend. “Let's get that arm looked at…”

Inuyasha lay there for several moments that spanned an eternity. His entire body hurt, and he tasted blood. He turned his head and gently worked his tongue against his teeth. All still there. Miraculous. He thought that head butt would mar his face permanently. His eyes closed, opened long moments later.

 

“Are you okay? Hey, you alright, man?” A young businessman leaned down next to Inuyasha, concern across his face. Inuyasha squinted through his loose dark hair and his mind tinged red as a slow rage built through his battered being. The man could have been his age, and he was so pristine, so clean cut, and his suit was freshly pressed. This was the kind of man that fit Kagome's image as an intern, not a pauper with two jobs. Especially not a pauper who couldn't take care of his own fights. Inuyasha gnashed his teeth together and felt one loosen. Damn.

“I'm fine! I'm fine,” he hissed and crawled to sit up. The man left, put off by Inuyasha's mood, leaving him to his own devices. Which was how he wanted it. The son of Takahashi Inutaisho groaned and pulled out his cell phone. His box cutter was lost, but who cared about that unfit piece of metal. It hadn't helped him any.

Inuyasha stumbled up to his feet, relocated his backpack and clicked on the phone. He tried calling Sango. No answer. Inuyasha uttered a short cry of distress. Sango could always be reached. He tried not to feel utterly abandoned when Miroku's tone indicated his phone was also turned off. Maybe they had found each other; but for Inuyasha it was merely bad timing. He tried not to hate his friends and the world as he stumbled down the streets to his home.

They said to keep away from Kagome. Ookami's name being mentioned could only mean his shit of a son was behind all of this. It sure made sense.

The thought of Kagome tore Inuyasha's heart in three different directions and threatened to ruin his existence. He loved her. He cared for her. Someone sent people to give him an obvious message to keep away from her. She didn't know about this…could she? Inuyasha stumbled up the concrete stairs, fished for his keys, and dropped them. Kagome's bright smile and genuine affection filled his memory senses.

No…she cared about him. This was way beneath her. It would have to be a strange other world that made his lover want to hurt him, stab him through the heart. Inuyasha groaned as his fingers clawed for the metal pieces. Finally he picked up his keys and jammed them into his apartment lock. His dark apartment room sat uninviting like a tomb for him. Inuyasha dropped his backpack, kicked aside his futon and collapsed. He eyed the half open door and groaned. Pulling off his torn shirt, he dropped it between careless fingers as he made his way back out to the communal sink with a bowl.

“Kagome…” he rasped, easing back into his apartment. Finding an old shirt, he dipped it into the water and mopped at the wetness across his brow. The water turned dark in the bowl. Tears filled his eyes and ran down his bruised cheeks. He hadn't experienced this kind of humiliation since his aniki had dared lay hands on him that horrible night. He tried to find his cell phone in the dark then gave it up. He would find it when he called off work. He knew he couldn't afford to, but he needed time to heal.

How could he face the world after this had happened to him? Inuyasha hugged his bruised knees and cried. He missed his father, he missed his mother, he missed his once protective and only faintly distant older brother. Why was this happening?

Inuyasha thought of Kagome's smile and gentle hands. His bruised eyes closed and he sank into blessed release.

 

* * * *

 

Sesshomaru looked aside, his gaze intense as he tried to sort his premonition of disaster. What was that just now? He had felt a large shiver run across the sanctity of his family name and his own had been threatened, along with himself…

“Ototo….” He murmured. He rested his elegant jaw against his hand. Rin looked across the table at him.

“Sesshomaru? What is it?” she asked sweetly. Her heart thudded when her painfully handsome boss turned his gaze back to her, his dark orbs as warm as the sun.

“It's nothing, Rin… shall we have dessert?” he suggested. He picked up his goblet of wine and sipped it slowly.

Rin nodded and reached across the table. She laid her hand over his and squeezed. Sesshomaru's cheeks threatened to flush at the simple touch of her fingers and looked up into her bright eyes.

“I'm glad you asked me out,” she confessed simply and flushed bright red. Sesshomaru smiled. He picked up her hand and kissed the back of it.

“I hope our other relationship is progressing well,” he said clinically, but his tone was warm. Rin watched him, fascinated. She smiled softly.

“I think it is….” She dared to rub her foot against his pant leg under the table, giving her partner an idea of how well things could go. Sesshomaru smiled lowly and leaned back.

“Shall I drop you off at your place?” he ventured. Rin played with his large fingers, drunk on him and a touch of wine.

“You don't have to leave so soon either,” she suggested. Sesshomaru felt his world stop, then heat up.

“If you insist, Rin-kun,” he teased. Akiyama Rin straightened her poise and swept her loose hair over her shoulder. The gesture was of an experienced woman and set Sesshomaru's blood on fire.

“It's just Rin, or shall I call you Takahashi-san?” she asked softly. Sesshomaru found himself grinning. He liked her spunk.

“I don't believe that's necessary. I do know my own name after all.”

 

Rin stared at him, then wound up laughing. Sesshomaru signaled for the check and all too soon they were on their way out. Once the valet brought his car around, he opened Rin's door, shooing away the young man intending to do just that. Rin smiled up at her companion and delicately sat down, folding her legs under her. Sesshomaru's eyes traveled up the smooth limbs and found himself grinning. No stockings today? He jogged around the side of the car, and ignored the other young man holding his own door. He tossed a large bill out the window, and started up his car. The anguished look on the kid's face brightened when he read the digits. He stepped aside, waving as Sesshomaru started up the road.

“You remember the way back to my place,” Rin suggested. She picked up one of Sesshomaru's hands from the steering wheel and played with his fingers. Sesshomaru smiled out of the corner of his eyes and nodded.

“I should remember… although I need that hand to drive,” he commented idly. Rin settled against his shoulder instead. Sesshomaru kept his arm draped over her close form, and his hand settled over her hip. Her short skirt pushed up against her thigh. Sesshomaru tried to watch the road instead of glimpses of pink lace. His hand rubbed her hip and Rin pressed her face against his shoulder to keep from squirming.

Sesshomaru parked and turned to his secretary. Rin lifted herself to meet him and the two met in a hot kiss. Their tongues thrust together and Sesshomaru's chest rumbled with an unspoken growl. His large hands roamed over her back and hips and Rin arched against his side, moaning into his mouth. Her delicate hand crept to his knee and rubbed his thigh. Sesshomaru broke the kiss and sighed deeply. Rin kissed his cheek, then his ear as her hand crept closer to the bulge between his thighs. Sesshomaru cupped her breast through her clothing and squeezed.

“Shall we go inside?” he asked deeply. His blood heated, and began to race throughout his body. It was a slow anticipation of exercising his passion with a willing partner. Rin touched every sense of his and made him throb. Rin smiled in the dark and kissed his lips again.

“Yes… we'll have more room than the car,” she blushed. Sesshomaru grinned toothily and opened his door and stepped out with some difficulty. Rin followed quickly and unlocked her door. Sesshomaru merely laid an arm around her waist as she wrestled with the door and they both spilled into the dark apartment as one unit. Sesshomaru kicked his casual loafers off and stepped inside, waiting for Rin to slip her more delicate heels off neatly. She stepped in and smiled, turning to find a small lamp. Turning back to Sesshomaru, her breath caught in her throat. His hair was so long and so dark, his eyes gleamed bright obsidian. His tie and collar were immaculate, his shirt and jacket adhered to his slim form nicely, and she rather liked what she saw below his belt.

Rin stepped to Sesshomaru and placed her hands against his hips. Sesshomaru looked down and took her in his arms. He found her equally enchanting if more so. The top of her head came against the bottom of his chin and they could dance or embrace easily, fitting together nicely. Sesshomaru rubbed her back through her blouse and smiled to himself as Rin molded herself against him. All of her curves pressed into him in just the right way, enflaming his senses again. She excited him, yet she calmed him. He wanted to take her to several states of bliss this night, but he had no desire to ravage her senseless and leave once his satiation was accomplished. Sesshomaru had a feeling Rin was an easy woman to excite once finding a foundation to share. He wouldn't have to work at giving her pleasure; they could find that easily together.

 

Sesshomaru's pleasant thoughts turned to red when Rin's rubbing turned insistent. She backed him into the nearby wall and pressed harder against him, her belly tracing the edges of his stiffness. Sesshomaru found he liked the shy ravenous look on his partner's face and rubbed her hips in his hands. He smiled with surprise when she lifted herself on her toes and slung one leg over his hip to better push herself against him. Sesshomaru whuffed and held her close to him, nibbling the side of her smooth neck. Rin sighed and clung to his shoulders. The smooth skin of her bare thighs rubbed against the fabric of his slacks, her skirt riding high.

Sesshomaru went with her when she tugged on his shoulders. “Come with me…” she whispered. Sesshomaru kept his hands on her shoulders, his eyes strangely finding his way through the rest of the darkened apartment to her bedroom. Rin turned and stood on her tiptoes, slinging her arms around his neck. Sesshomaru pulled her tightly against him, thrusting his tongue into her mouth. Rin moaned against him when his hands cupped her breasts again. She parted from him and pushed him to sit on the edge of her western bed. Sesshomaru's legs hit the bed as he went. Rin hurriedly knelt before him and undid his tie, throwing it over her shoulder. His buttons were parted down his chest and belly, and Sesshomaru grinned as he shrugged out of his shirt and suit jacket. Rin leaned up to kiss him as her deft hands worked on his belt. Her elbows rested on his thighs, and her long hair swung down against his arousal, pressing against the lap of his pants. Sesshomaru's hands twitched, wanting her mouth on him, wanting her thighs clamped around him. His mind went hazy as if to decide which way to go when Rin licked his lip, and opened his pants. The sound of the zipper being pulled low filled the room and Sesshomaru felt himself pulling Rin close against him in a savage kiss. His hands tore her blouse open, eliciting a gasp from his partner.

Rin blushed and clung to Sesshomaru's arms as he expertly unclipped her bra and pulled her up into his lap. His naked stiffness pressed against the lace of her undergarments as he ducked his head under her chin to kiss her breasts, suckle her nipples. Rin moved against him harder, finding it hard to breathe when he was so close, poised against her gates with only a thin silky barrier separating them. Sesshomaru grunted, as if reciprocating her thoughts and raised his head, his face flushed with passion. Rin nipped at his lower lip and pushed him down on his back. He looked good enough to eat, on his back in her bed like a greek god, his hair unbound and everywhere, but Rin would skip to the main course. She smiled and bent to give him a good long lick. Sesshomaru's hips moved off the bed at the unexpected gesture. He hissed in approval, throbbing. His legs shifted, kicking off his loose pants.

“Rin, go look in my pants pocket…” he whispered. Rin bent from view, and rustled around for his clothing. She found a packet of condoms and smiled. Climbing back on the bed, she smiled in triumph and opened the wrapper. Sesshomaru's stomach went concave when Rin rolled the latex against his stiffness with expert fingers. He laughed at her eagerness and expertness at the same moment, but found he couldn't breathe when Rin knelt over him, unfastened her skirt and worked it off. When she attempted to pull her panties low, Sesshomaru helped her, his large hand cupping her warmly, causing her to moan in appreciation. His middle finger rubbed her wetness through the silk and he tugged her undergarments low. Rin forgot the momentary pleasure as her boss pulled her to kneel over his hips, his turgid arousal pressing against her belly. She angled it where she needed it and lowered herself with breathy moans that made Sesshomaru's balls tighten further with need. Her silky thighs clamped against his hips and her burning wetness gripped his length.

“Ooh… Sessh….” She moaned. Her back was arched, enjoying the way he stretched her so fully. Sesshomaru's fingers clenched her sheets, so he wouldn't claw her in his excitement. His breathing was so hoarse, he was so ready to explode…

“Rin…move with me…” he invited, pressing his hips up against her. The length of his wrapped arousal prodded her tightness deep inside and Rin moved gently with him, crying out softly. Her hips worked harder and faster and Sesshomaru watched her in amazement. He found he couldn't get to his end at that frenetic pace she set, and rolled over, pinning her beneath him.

Rin's fingers clawed his back sharply and she fairly screamed as she came. Sesshomaru's hips beat against hers quickly. He grit his teeth together and tried not to howl like a dog as his loins burned and he came to his end. He gasped, his body dripping in cold sweat, and laid his head against Rin's shoulder. She cradled Sesshomaru between her arms and legs. Sesshomaru tried not to let his heart ease too much but it felt too good in her arms. He separated from her, tore off the condom and nestled against her.

Rin whispered something about the hour to get up but Sesshomaru drifted off to sleep. His release had exhausted him and he was finally satiated inside and out. Rin smiled as her boss began to snore in a manner she found cute. Her eyes only glazed sadly when she thought about what her father would think of this night that had meant so much to her. She clutched Sesshomaru tightly in her embrace and tried to rest with him.

 

* * * *

 

Sango thought it was strange that she and Miroku hadn't been able to reach Inuyasha all day. Their night last night had been perfect and they had even slept together. Fully clothed, Sango thought ruefully, and even though she craved Miroku's body and had for years, she couldn't deny the sweetness his offer of keeping a slow pace was. They had had an interesting time upon waking early so Sango could ready for work and granting what she had felt pressed against her through their clothing, Miroku was feeling everything and then some.

They had parted with soft words and kisses and promises to go out later. Sango felt work that morning was preternaturally quiet, and had tried to text Inuyasha. He would be in Wacdonald's at this time, and didn't want to get him in trouble. It was strange that his phone was turned off. Granted, she had turned hers off last night after leaving Fantasy Past with Miroku, but she had needed that night to secure a place in finding a future with her priest's son.

“See you tomorrow, Sango!”

“Yeah, have a good night.” Sango waved as a couple of her colleagues called out to her. She let her hair loose from its high ponytail and fairly had a bounce in her step as she made her way to Jerry's Deli. Miroku had texted her during work about meeting for lunch, and seeing Inuyasha before they had to work at Onikage's that evening.

“Sango, over here!” Miroku waved from a table as the tall woman entered the diner. Sango smiled and set her briefcase down on the seat opposite her friend and sat next to him.

“I missed you,” Miroku said, kissing her cheek. Sango closed her eyes, smiled and laid her head against his shoulder.

“I did too! Have you heard from Inuyasha yet?” she asked as they rifled through their menus. Their waitress approached, greeted the pair and waited to jot down their order. Sango and Miroku closed the laminated books as one unit, the soft books clapping gently. They both always had the club sandwich and chips and unsweetened tea. Realizing they were going by habit even while exploring their new affections made the two grin at each other.

“Not yet, huntress. Yes, I'll have the same as Sango here…. But you know him, maybe he spent the night at Kagome-san's,” Miroku suggested. Sango socked his shoulder as the waitress bowed and walked off with their order.

“I like her, don't badmouth her!” she insisted. Miroku gestured with his hands, grinning.

“I do too, huntress! You can't deny that Inuyasha has developed something of an attachment to her,” he laughed. Sango sobered slightly. Her nimble fingers played with nutra sweet packets as she waited for her tea.

“Maybe that's a good thing. He needs a woman that's true,” she said seriously. Miroku nodded. He could understand that. He had just found his after all.

“Well we'll see him at Onikage's. I have to be there in an hour,” Miroku suggested. Sango tried to shrug her earlier bad feeling off and enjoyed her time with her new boyfriend.

 

* * * *

 

Inuyasha lay in his futon, propped up on the spare flat pillow Sango had given him with his belongings. His body was too hurt to move besides to stumble to the communal toilet on his floor, and his slim bruised frame was covered only in a loose pair of pajama pants. The waistband was tied loosely over his navel and hung low on his hips. Calling off from work had proved an odyssey in itself, as well as avoiding his usual schedule.

The Wacdonald's manager who surely had always looked down on him for his famous name, had chewed him out over the phone. Inuyasha felt crushed at her vehement words. He had always been on time, he had always done what was asked, had always tried to work his shifts efficiently. To hear her threaten to shorten his hours for the week was enough to darken his already bleak view of his world. How could he afford to pay the rent if any hours were cut? If things got too drastic at Wacdonalds, he'd have to ask for more work at Onikage and Kikyo-san's mere presence there entitled this was not an option he wished to pursue.

Inuyasha had spent the day in agony, his lights out, listening to the activities of his fellow neighbors. The camisole-clad neighbor had started a drinking binge next door, and her cackling laughter had made his ears wince at each sharp decibel heard through the wall. He had kept his cell turned off, ignoring the usual texts and calls he would have gotten from Sango, Miroku and Kagome. They had to have wondered what was up with him today, but he couldn't face anyone; especially his friends and lover.

“Wonder what happened to her ototo…” Inuyasha's voice sounded raspy and unused in the stillness of his small room. Shadows danced high up on the walls as he lied there, his body aching and hurting. His eyes didn't feel as bruised today and he could open them at will, but his head still throbbed. He raised his arm and scratched his stomach, wincing when his nails grazed a black bruise. His cell vibrated against his side and he glanced down at the offending piece of machinery. He would have to call off from Onikage and he wasn't looking forward to talking to anybody else that day.

 

When someone pounded against his apartment room door five minutes after hanging up on Kikyo-san, Inuyasha was sure his head was going to explode.

“Who is it??” he growled. He pushed himself to a sitting position, looking around for his box cutter. Oh yeah, he had lost it in a thug's beefy arm.

The person pounded again. “Inuyasha, are you in there??”

Relief flooded into the Takahashi and he sat up painfully.

“What are you doing, Sango?? I didn't call you,” he growled. Sango sighed on the other side.

“What's wrong with you, Inuyasha? Open the door! Did something happen? Why didn't you go to work?” she asked. Inuyasha sighed and felt his insides pull together.

“No! Now go away! I just had my cell phone off today!” he called.

“No, something happened! Did Kagome get into trouble?” Sango asked, fearing for her new friend. Inuyasha growled.

“No! Now go away!” he called. Sango pounded again.

“Open up the door or I'll break it down!” she threatened. Inuyasha sighed in disgust and crawled to the door, stood up and tore the lock off its hinges practically. Why couldn't he have these small spurts of strength when he needed it most?

“There, you've seen me, now just go!” Inuyasha groused. Sango gasped and caught him when he almost fell against the door.

“What happened to you, Inuyasha??” she demanded. Inuyasha groaned and leaned against her soft strength. Sango's arms circled his waist and held him up easily.

“Ran into trouble,” was all he gave. Sango kicked his door shut and helped him back onto the futon she had given him. She reached to turn on a lamp and gasped as her eyes scanned up and down his half covered thin form bruised and battered. Inuyasha covered his face with his bare arm, his hair flung over his pillow.

“Well that's apparent! Who did this to you? Why?” Sango demanded. She pulled out her cell and sent a text to Miroku. As she started another for Kagome, Inuyasha seemed to sense her intended direction and looked up with a groan.

“What are you doing, Sango?” he demanded. Sango punched in the message and looked down at her battered friend.

“I left a message for your girlfriend. I take it if you haven't told Miroku or me earlier, you haven't told Kagome-chan,” she wisely deduced. Inuyasha held his head.

“Stop lecturing me, Sango!” he complained.

“I didn't tell her what happened, but I told her to come over if you're so dead set on staying locked up today,” Sango warned. “She deserves to help you and you deserve to take it!”

Inuyasha felt strangely warmed and threatened all at once.

 

“She can't come here! She doesn't want to!” Inuyasha protested. Sango smiled sadly and smoothed the bangs from his bruised forehead.

“Inuyasha, Kagome-chan cares for you. It shouldn't matter to her where you live!” Sango said a bit naively. Inuyasha scrubbed his eyes with his palms, his chest muscles standing out.

“I don't want her to see me like this,” he whimpered. Sango smiled sadly and lay down beside him to kiss his brow.

“You're not weak, you were just jumped by punks. This isn't your fault,” she said. Inuyasha laughed, tears sliding from the corners of his eyes.

“Hey, remember how torn up I was after Sesshomaru came after me? I was more worse off then,” he joked. Sango held him close as his laughter turned to tears.

 

* * * *

 

Kagome checked her cell phone, her brows knitting in concern at what she read. Sango had left a text and it told her to come to Inuyasha's apartment and see him. It was a rather cryptic note, so Kagome felt some apprehension to what was going on. Did it have something to do with why he hadn't answered at all today? She just assumed he was busy at work. The intern sighed and texted Sango back, staring at down at her cell phone to answer her silent questions.

Kouga had called her in to go over some files earlier and she found his attention was back to leering and obsessive again. Her heart sank at the possibility that he was going to try and get her alone again. His hands had touched hers, he had leaned close enough to breathe in her ear and it was all Kagome could do not to slug him in the face. He was getting too familiar again. Did she have to mention this to Ookami Senior? Kagome didn't want to trouble the old wolf and repay his kindness with tattling. Still, Kouga could try at her again…

 

“Kagome!” a familiar voice called. Kagome looked up from her desk as a round faced young woman with her long hair tied back came up, waving. Kagome beamed and stood up to hug her.

“Ayumi-chan! What are you doing here? What happened to your desk job?” she asked. Out of her school friends, Kagome felt Ayumi was more of the truer stock. They had kept in touch throughout college and getting into the work world. Her friend now laughed and moved a lock of hair out of one eye.

“I decided to start an internship. Isn't that great? We'll both be working here!” Ayumi almost jumped up and down. Kagome laughed and hugged her again.

“Wonderful! Have you meet Ookami senior yet? He might set up your registration. He did for me!” Kagome suggested. Ayumi shook her head and smiled.

“I don't know as of yet, so I decided to play hooky and track you down to give you the news. They should tell me by the end of the day! They have my number,” Ayumi said and held up her own cell phone. Kagome grinned.

 

“Well if you get Ookami senior, you're in luck…. he's just…” Kagome began when the mobile phone rang out a jaunty song. Ayumi clicked it open and shushed her friend with a teasing wink.

“Moriyoshi Ayumi…. Yes! Yes sir, I can come meet you. I'm actually in the building! Er, well tracking down one of your employees. Higurashi Kagome…. oh you know her?” Ayumi looked at Kagome curiously. Kagome shrugged and spread her hands. She was well known for her congenial attitude toward work, so really it could have been any of her superiors.

“Yes sir….Ookami senior?? Yes, sir!” Ayumi bowed, even though no one was nearby and straightened with a farewell. She clicked the phone shut and squealed.

“So you're meeting with Ookami-san? Good for you!” Kagome chimed. Ayumi checked her appearance.

“He owns the fricking firm! Do I look okay? How is he, is he handsome?” Ayumi wanted to know. Kagome reflected that Ookami senior while bent and old had his looks, his son was the far more of the freshest specimen.

“Well….” Kagome began kindly when a deep voice cleared behind them.

“Ookami-san,” two of the floors secretaries stood at their desks and bowed and Kagome did the same. Ayumi blushed and followed suit as the older man walked closer, light on the balls of his feet as if on the hunt. His brows were bushy, his eyes crinkled at the corners and his beard was a bit scraggily even when trimmed but his body still spoke of power and respect. You wanted to be befriended by such a kind gentleman and serve him at first sight. Kagome knew her friend had the first impression of him as she had.

The old wolf stopped and clasped his hands behind his back and smiled kindly.

“I believe you are Moriyoshi Ayumi? Very pleased to meet you. I am Ookami-san,” he said, slightly inkling his silver head. Ayumi bowed low at the waist.

“T-thank you, sir!” she stuttered shyly. Kagome silently wished her luck.

“I believe we can go to my office to discuss your registration. Shall we, my dear?” The old wolf's eyes twinkled and he led the way. Ayumi followed blushing.

 

Kagome smiled and went back to work. She had an hour to finish up before she went to Inuyasha's home.

 

* * * *

 

Kagome hugged the strap of her purse tightly as she knocked on the metal door. She looked to the left and right at the rows of small apartment rooms on that floor and tried not to shuffle uneasily as she waited for Inuyasha to answer. She could hear loud noises from next door and she called out to hurry her boyfriend. Was he sleeping?

“Inuyasha? Are you there? It's me, Kagome. I… I called you earlier….” She called. She heard moans from the other side of the door and her panic rose. Was he okay?? He didn't sound too good. The door opened to reveal one messy room. The dim light revealing the unfolded futon, the dishes of water scattered around and bandages soaking in them. The face her boyfriend showed her was one to piece fear into her heart. He looked half there and half willing to even look at her. His eyes were bruised, his face was scratched and the way he carried his pajamaed form spoke of other hurts.

“Inuyasha! What happened to you?” she asked softly, touching his face with gentle hands. Inuyasha winced and smiled uneasily. It broke Kagome's heart to see him shy from her hands even for an instant.

“Got into a fight. Wanna come in? Guess Sango called you,” Inuyasha mumbled tiredly. He bolted the front door as Kagome came in and with nowhere else to sit, she knelt on his blankets and futon. Inuyasha sprawled on his ass and spread his legs, wincing.

“A fight? With who? Why would someone fight you?” Kagome asked. She laid her hands over his and Inuyasha grimaced and looked away.

`Stay away from Higurashi.' The oily voice gloated in his memory. Inuyasha touched his brow, trying not to fell faint.

“They…they were after me to stay away from you. Someone doesn't want us together….” He mumbled sadly. Kagome gasped, putting two and two together. It all made sense now, Kouga's extra attentions. She traced the bruises on Inuyasha's face and tried to open his pajama top. Inuyasha caught her wrists.

“Leave it alone, I'll be okay,” he growled. Kagome shook her head and parted the clothing, gasping at the bruises covering his torso.

“Just let me see! Oh kami…. They really hurt you. Do you need to see a doctor? Are you hurt inside?” Kagome laid a hand flat against his side and Inuyasha's flesh jumped at the gentle touch against sensitive skin.

“I'm fine, dammit, Kagome! My pop and I could always heal fast,” Inuyasha insisted. He would have included his aniki in the list but he didn't want to think about him anymore. “It won't be that much longer and I'll be out and around working again. Stop worrying about me!”

“It's my job to worry about you. I'm with you,” Kagome retorted. She cleaned his dishes into a neat pile and folded his scattered clothing.

“Job? Yeah right,” Inuyasha snorted.” I don't need any pity. If that's what you have right now, just leave me alone.”

Kagome turned and clenched a fist. “It's not pity! I'm worried about you…”

“What, about this hole? Take a look!” Inuyasha snapped. Boxes of ramen stacked in one corner by the hot plate, his spare dishes that she hadn't broken that first meeting, his clothing folded just now by Kagome, his untidy and rumpled futon bedding. The sole window with flimsy blinds letting in the nightlights from the city. “This is me! This is how I live! My last name is only a thing now. The Takahashi's don't own anything anymore and I don't see why you're here! I have nothing!”

Kagome shook throughout Inuyash's outburst, and her anger snapped. It faded to cool blue and she gently laid her hands on his face again. Inuyasha shook violently, tears springing in the corners of his eyes. He looked like a damaged child expecting a punishment or slap. The intern's eyes softened.

 

“Do you think I care about all that? I care only about you,” Kagome confessed. Her hands caressed her young lover's cheeks, his neck, his shoulders and chest as if her fingers could heal him at a simple touch. Inuyasha's chest pushed in and out noticeably with his harsh breathing.

“You can't mean that,” his voice said highly, slight indecision still showing through. A loud thump sounded against the wall next door and Kagome winced as did Inuyasha, but she stuck with her convictions. She pulled her lover close and stood on her toes to reach his lips.

“I do… I love you and I won't let you keep me from all of you…” Kagome whispered. She ignored the neighborhood, the building and the rest of the world but the man before her. She tenderly laid her mouth to Inuyasha's and kissed him softly. Inuyasha's arms finally went around her, lifting the fear from her heart that he would still push her from him. They embraced tightly as if to become one, then bent to lie on the futon on the floor.

“Kagome, I want to…”

“Are you sure you're okay? It won't hurt?”

“I'll be fine… with you I am strong.”

“Oh, Inuyasha…” Kagome gasped as his hands grew more sure and unfastened her uniform to the business world. They slipped within to caress her with reverent embrace. His pajamas were easily slipped off and Kagome pulled him between her arms. Inuyasha sank into her willing need with a sharp cry. Kagome held him close and closed her eyes tightly as their breathing matched gasp for moan. And their world dimmed to that room only, the noise of the world kept at bay for a time.

 

End for now

What's Rin up to? What about Kouga? Why was Ayumi blushing around his dad? What other things can we mess with? Not so wrapped up as this may appear.

Like it? Hate it? Send a review!

Most sincerely yours, penpaninu 4/03/06