InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Impoverished Heir ❯ The Source of Misery ( Chapter 12 )

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Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own Inuyasha nor is getting paid to write this. Does claim to be inu however.

 

“Impoverished Heir” chapter twelve

The Source of Misery

 

Inuyasha looked through his paycheck stubs, his backpack settled between his spread legs. He leaned forward between his stretched thighs as he studied the digits owed to him and pursed his lower lip out in thought. His hair lay unbound over his shoulders and cascaded down his back in obsidian waves. He was dressed for his morning job at WacDonalds, waiting on Kagome to finish readying herself for her morning schedule at Ookami's.

“Are you ready, love?” Kagome asked. Inuyasha smiled up at her shoulder half peeked out of the tiny bathroom. She was still doing her makeup it seemed.

“Waiting on you!” he offered. His gaze swept down to his pay stubs and his brow furrowed. The Wacdonald's one wasn't as high as it could be…

“Tada, I'm all set!” Kagome twirled out into the main room. Inuyasha frowned up at her, still lost in thought.

“You look great,” he said idly and Kagome pouted.

“What's wrong?” she asked and looked down to the papers in her lover's hands.

Inuyasha sighed. “I think they're stiffing me on a few hours at the underside arches, Kagome. I know I could be making a bit more than this.” He offered her the stubs and Kagome looked them over.

“Do you think you should talk to your manager about this?” Kagome suggested. She handed the papers down to Inuyasha and he tucked them away in his backpack.

“I might have to. If things don't go well, I'm going to have to get more hours at Onikage's,” Inuyasha mumbled. He looked up when Kagome leaned down and cupped his face in her hands.

“It'll be okay, Inuyasha. Just take it one step at a time,” Kagome said. Inuyasha felt a smile stretch his lips and he knelt up to press his face to her stomach, his arms going round her waist.

“I will. Thanks, Kagome,” Inuyasha said. He closed his eyes in pleasure when she rubbed his round ears, her fingers in his dark hair.

“You're welcome. Shall we go now? We're so going to be late.” Kagome giggled. Inuyasha nodded and rose to his feet, his face grazed an inch from Kagome's curves. Kagome blushed as he grinned in her face, his hands innocently playing with the edges of her sleeves.

“We don't have time for that just now,” Kagome said regrettably. Inuyasha pouted but picked up his backpack. Kagome locked up and they left together for the subway.

“I was thinking, to save your mind from exploding each month, why don't you just move in?” Kagome suggested shyly as they sat on the train together. Inuyasha jumped, and banged his shoulder on a nearby steel bar.

“Ow!” he exclaimed, his mind jumping in circles.

“What do you say?” Kagome whispered, rubbing his hurt shoulder. Inuyasha looked down at her hand massaging him, and down at her skirt clad knees, and lower to her sensible leather shoes. Kagome's hand on his cheek guided his vision back to her lovely face.

“I… I don't' know, Kagome! That sounds great…. But won't get on each other's nerves?” Inuyasha winced. He took her hand within his.

“We could,” Kagome mused thoughtfully. “But we could have sex every night. I miss you when you're at your room.”

“Eh hehehe,” Inuyasha blushed and grinned. “Yeah well, ya gotta miss me sometimes…”

“Move in with me, Inuyasha. I want you to,” Kagome urged. Inuyasha stroked her cheek gently with his palm.

“I'll really think about it. I don't want to rush into anything without being intelligent about it,” he admitted.

“This is my stop,” Kagome said, looking up at the signs whipping past. “Just call me later, and we'll think about it over dinner.”

“Okay,” Inuyasha grinned. He went cross-eyed when she gave him a good kiss. Then the doors pinged open and she left him.

Inuyasha sat back in his seat and spread his knees.

“Whew!” he muttered. This was heavy stuff. He wanted to more than anything, and monetarily, it would save his skin and his bank account. But he was born a Takahashi. He had his stubborn pride and he couldn't live off his girlfriend's generosity.

`No way she's just gonna pay the rent!' Inuyasha thought. He palmed his cell phone and texted Miroku.

He needed help thinking this one over.

 

* * * *

 

Sesshomaru looked through his planner, his brow lined with stress. He wore an immaculate black suit and tie and his long dark hair was tied back in an elegant ponytail. Myoga was off getting them coffee as he hadn't a new secretary, and they were both camped in his office anyhow. Sesshomaru looked up through red-rimmed eyes and regarded his father's oldest friend. Myoga grumbled under his breath and maneuvered his round body through the door, bearing two mugs.

“I've tried tracking down Takeyoshi's old secretary for our use, but she has called in sick apparently. One fears she hmmm has been involved,” Myoga grimaced, handing Sesshomaru a mug. Sesshomaru blew on the steam and took a careful sip. His tongue was scalded, but he didn't care. It only served to wake up his sleeping mind to the present.

“We shall take care of her when the time is convenient,” Sesshomaru growled. ”There is still the meeting to attend to, and I must be at my peak behavior.”

“I wouldn't worry about the brokers, Sesshomaru-san,” Myoga offered. He pulled out a package of tobacco and looked for his pipe. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow as the old man fixed the pipe between his teeth and reached for a lighter.

“This early? You know I am about to leave,” Sesshomaru growled. Myoga ignored him and lit up.

“I would worry about the matter of securing your secretary,” Myoga said. He sat at the edge of his own desk. Sesshomaru was commandeered in his own chair. He grunted and closed his folders.

“Very well, look through applicants and choose who you deem suitable for the position, WELL over forty,” Sesshomaru muttered. Myoga tapped his wrinkled but nimble fingers against his desk.

“What?” Sesshomaru uttered. Myoga stroked his white whiskers. They stuck straight out from his lips.

“I asked about securing your secretary, not about hiring a new one. What are you going to do about Akiyama Rin?” Myoga wanted to know.

Sesshomaru felt his heart tear open, a pain too sharp and new even after a night of intended drunken abuse to numb it.

“Onigumo Rin,” Sesshomaru growled in correction. He snapped the edges of his folders, his brows narrowed in irritation. Myoga suppressed a smile. His friend's son tried so hard to mask himself, but it was apparent he loved her.

“Onigumo Rin,” Myoga corrected congenially. “What do you intend to do about her?”

“I can't think about that right now,” Sesshomaru muttered. He rose and adjusted his appearance, but he was perfect. He was ready on all accounts but inside for his meeting.

“You can't ignore your feelings, Sesshomaru-san! There may be more to this than it seems,” Myoga blew a ring of smoke at his boss. Sesshomaru tapped his folders against his hip and frowned.

“I'm going now. Are you coming with me or not?” Sesshomaru demanded. Myoga stood and discarded his mug of coffee for his pipe.

“You have to do something about her sooner or later,” Myoga continued. Sesshomaru growled and turned, grabbing the end of the pipe. He threw it across the room and as quick as Myoga's eyes could bulge from that quick erratic action, Sesshomaru was composed once more.

“Let's go. They're waiting on us,” Sesshomaru's eyes were hooded, reserved. He could hold his own appearance before the important big names. Myoga adjusted his suit and sighed.

“Of course, young master. Lead the way, and this one will follow,” Myoga said. Sesshomaru whirled and set a clipped pace. Myoga barked over his shoulder as they left his office and their younger partners sprang up from chairs, waiting on Sesshomaru's exodus. Sesshomaru saw a glimpse of himself in a wall mirror on the way out and allowed a tiny smirk to lift his lip. He looked garbed for combat, with his troops in array behind him. His spirit bordered on a cold zeal of succeed-or-bust and Sesshomaru let his self settle into a being of indomitable will.

 

The gray-haired brokers conversed lightly and smoked cigars as they waited for Takahashi Sesshomaru. They had a meeting with him to decide well and all if they would back him fully as delegations had proposed to at the beginning. They were nonchalant, awaiting the Takahashi heir to arrive. The clock above the double doors read a minute to the hour. Sumiyoshi Takeru watched the time, his fat lips spread in a wide grin. If the Takahashi kid were late, he would deny him full out.

At the old man's side, a thinner version of himself leaned back in his chair, idly forming smoke rings at the ceiling.

“Control yourself, son,” Sumiyoshi ordered. Sumiyoshi Haru grinned at him.

“But Dad, he has five seconds,” he boasted. Takeru made mental notes to move up his next hourly appointment within the minute.

“Tell my secretary to…”

The words died in Sumiyoshi Takeru's throat as the doors banged open and Takahashi Sesshomaru strode in smartly. His entourage of businessman tagged his heels. The clock stroked ten o`clock exactly.

“My esteemed fellows. I must thank you for your time,” Sesshomaru demurred. His voice oozed self-confidence and control. Sumiyoshi saw his son and the other gentlemen, old and stale as they were, lean forward and pay close attention. The Takahashi heir was that charismatic.

“Very well, Takahashi-san, we shall conduct our business,” Sumiyoshi intoned. He mentally cancelled his plans to move up his next appointment and focused on the handsome young man.

“Sumiyoshi-san,” Sesshomaru crooned. He sat down across from him near the head of the table. The fat old businessman Myoga huffed and grabbed the seat at his side. Sumiyoshi Haru grinned as Sesshomaru sniffed with distain at the smoke-filled chamber. That clean was he?

“Well then, Takahashi-san, we have provided for your uprising company for now, but I think we should have something to show for our good faith. Can you give us an example of yours?” Sumiyoshi smiled. Sesshomaru was not feeling well after the day before. He wanted nothing more than to lunge his blunt nails into the fat man's collar and tear out his throat. But he kept his face level and his eyes lidded, appearing bored but in control. Appearances had to be kept.

“I find that can be arranged. As you can see, our stock has risen and at its continued rate, we shall reach our old capacity,” Sesshomaru intoned. One of his younger partners jumped up to slide a folder across the table to the broker tycoon. Sumiyoshi perused the digits and figures and nodded slightly. Just ever so slightly.

`You old bastard. Wouldn't even give me the time of day if I didn't come in all business,' Sesshomaru thought coldly. Myoga mopped his brow at his side.

 

“Hmm, impressive; most impressive. Still, I find my partners and I reluctant to offer full backing. Don't take it so personally, Takahashi-san. We are complacent and set in our ways,” Sumiyoshi fully leered at the look or lack of on the kid's face. Took the wind right out of his sails, didn't it? Though, one couldn't be sure. Takahashi Sesshomaru did not incline to share his personal thoughts.

Myoga coughed at Sesshomaru's side and the young partners fidgeted. Sumiyoshi smirked. They could not compete with old hands at business.

Sesshomaru waited for the folders to return to him and folded his large hands together. “What are you afraid of, Sumiyoshi-san?” he asked.

Sumiyoshi raised an eyebrow. “Pardon, young man?”

Myoga paled at the term and sweat harder. If there was one thing to target Sesshomaru's temper, it was his age. He had seen firsthand and from secondhand accounts of the knowledge and ability Sesshomaru could exercise at his young age of twenty-seven already, and it was not to be trifled with!

Sesshomaru did not rise to the bait. Or if he did, one could not tell. He was that composed.

“What are you afraid of if you fully back with Takahashi Enterprises? It must be fear that inspires you to keep your names fully from backing ours,” Sesshomaru purred. Sumiyoshi Haru voiced a cry of outrage but his father grasped his arm and threw him back into his chair. Sesshomaru tried not to smile at the stink of consternation across the table. His younger partners grinned openly at his side.

“Fear? Don't think you're going to shame me into backing Takahashi fully, young Sesshomaru,” Sumiyoshi spat. He chomped the end of his cigar hard enough to take a bite into his throat and had a moment of panic as he choked in outrage. Sesshomaru turned his nose up as the fat elder man maneuvered his cigar to his other hand and fished out the soggy bit of narcotic.

“That's right, don't think to call us cowards!”

“You can't even do it alone! Your father could, but you can't, so you need our help!”

His elder partners voiced similar views at his side, drowning out the younger Takahashi partners with bellowing shouts. Myoga shook his head. What a zoo. It was all heckling from that point on.

Sesshomaru smacked his palm on the ornate oak table and voiced what verbally could have been merely a growl. The men stopped and gaped at him. The pony-tailed man rose to his feet and gestured with his right hand. His left hung heavy at his side. He only needed one hand to get their attention as it was.

“Fear! This is exactly what this one speaks of! You all quarrel among yourselves, but choose to ignore our offer.” Sesshomaru intoned grandly. Every man in the room stopped smoking, stopped arguing, stopped swearing.

Sumiyoshi Haru tried to get one last word in for his father's sake. But even he could feel the charisma Sesshomaru wielded effortlessly. “What offer when our men back your company, Takahashi-san?”

Sesshomaru turned to the earnest young man and almost smiled.

“Success; that is what this one will point out. Takahashi Enterprises is rising to her feet and even that effort alone has won us large marginal income and stock. Think how far you could go when you back us and we rise to the top once more.” Sesshomaru demurred. The elderly brokers turned to whisper to each other, but Sumiyoshi-san crossed his arms.

“Can't be done. Not to the specifics you boast of. Takahashi Enterprises took a beating when Onigumo Inc. ran it into the ground,” Sumiyoshi Takeru snarled. Sesshomaru did smirk then and his smile was cold to see. The brokers were chilled in the presence of it.

“Fear holds you back from seeing the possibility of our success,” he said and he did not have to shout. “Fear and common sense. Is it common to win by overwhelming margins? Is it COMMON to succeed by what you were too afraid to contemplate?”

 

Myoga smiled as the brokers rose to their feet and rushed to Sesshomaru to shake his hand, thrusting papers for him to sign. Pens were offered to him at every angle. His young partners laughed and leaned back, their jobs apparently over for the meeting. Sesshomaru lifted his cold eyes and laughter was in them as he regarded Sumiyoshi as he signed contracts. Sumiyoshi Takeru mopped his brow but admitted it was worth a chance. His son was already at Sesshomaru's side, won over by his words. All the old men were.

When Myoga followed Sesshomaru out of the broker's meeting, he watched his boss' back. His gait was straight, his steps forceful and confidant. But Myoga could see the smallest slump in his shoulders, the smallest doubt of his heart. And he knew even though Sesshomaru had just won it all in the business world, he truly did not have everything he desired.

 

* * * *

 

“She asked me to move in with her. What am I going to do, man?” Inuyasha murmured. He and Miroku were in Jerry's Deli having lunch, Inuyasha free from his WacDonald's obligations for the day. Miroku sipped his unsweetened tea and raised an eyebrow.

“Wow, Yash…. She really has a thing for you. I say go for it,” Miroku offered. Inuyasha held his head and frowned at his friend.

“I don't see you moving in with Sango!” he protested. Miroku raised an eyebrow.

“It's too soon for us, as Dad says, and I'm inclined to agree. Besides, it's fun to shack up at each other's houses. It's like being a stowaway,” Miroku grinned. He wound his beads around his wrist and picked up his fork.

Inuyasha snorted. “Yeah well, this stowaway pays way too much for his corner in the ship's hold. It'll save me a lot of stress to move in with her. She wants me to!”

“Well it's not like your father, kami bless his shade, can protest,” Miroku made a devout sign with his bead-wrapped hand. Inuyasha looked down, his eyes sad. Pop…

“I bet he would want me to have a woman who loves me,” Inuyasha said. Miroku nodded and lifted his fork to his mouth.

“We've never lived with women before,” Miroku commented.

“Thinking about moving in with our huntress now, are you?” Inuyasha asked. Miroku smiled and tapped one finger against his chin.

“It's something to be looked into at either case. I'll meditate on the matter,” Miroku smiled.

“All right, monk boy. But this really doesn't help me,” Inuyasha complained. He pushed his food around on his plate, then shoveled it away in his mouth. Miroku eyed his eating habits with one raised eyebrow.

“Well, your rents due at your room. You have enough right?” Miroku asked. Inuyasha blushed and twirled the fork between his fingers, stammering.

“Well about that…. I should have enough, but nothing else,” Inuyasha lamely explained. Miroku sighed, feeling bad yet exasperated for his best friend.

“Meaning I'm paying for lunch,” Miroku said, reaching for his wallet. Inuyasha clasped his hands in his lap and bowed his head in apology.

“Sorry, Miro, I just couldn't eat another burger today,” he said. Miroku sighed and ran his hand through his bangs.

“Unless you decide to move in with Kagome-chan, and save on some of your money, you're going to have to every day,” Miroku advised. His dragon tail waved as he shook his head. Inuyasha sighed.

“You may be right, Miroku. Well, guess we should head out…”

“Right, Yash. Miss, we're ready for the check,” Miroku waved to the cute young waitress. She blushed and giggled, and swayed their way. Inuyasha looked aside, his chin on his hand. He had finances to think over, he didn't want to ogle some girl when he was taken. Miroku still liked being friendly to the ladies it seemed. Inuyasha knew he would be faithful to Sango, or his huntress would go for the goods.

“I'm sorry, sir, but your check has been taken care of,” the girl blushed and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. Miroku and Inuyasha locked eyes.

“I don't understand,” Miroku admitted. “Who took care of it?”

“I did, young man,” a fat white-haired businessman said. He strode forward, light on his feet for being round in shape. His white whiskers stuck straight out from his nostrils at an impossible angle. Inuyasha looked up at him and recognition came through.

“Oh, you, you're Myoga-san. You used to work for my old man,” he offered. Myoga smiled and stroked his chin goatee.

“That I did, young Takahashi-san. It's a pleasure to see you again, and I dearly wish it were on better circumstances,” he said apologetically. Inuyasha fidgeted, feeling prickles of unease creep up his back. He tried not to shiver.

“Well what is it, Myoga-san? Is something wrong?” Inuyasha asked. No, his brother couldn't be dead too. He would know it if he were… his hands gripped the edge of the table though. Miroku looked at his white knuckles, then at the smiling aged businessman.

“It this about Sesshomaru-san?” Miroku intoned. Myoga smiled at the somewhat familiar boy he had seen at Inuyasha's side over the past few years.

“In part, yes. Inuyasha-san, I was wondering if you could come with me for a few moments,” Myoga asked. Inuyasha frowned up at him, not liking this. Myoga appearing here meant trouble, for his family and for the company. That's what this was about, wasn't it? They just wanted to use him for some reason.

“I have to go to my night job with Miroku in an hour,” Inuyasha said. It sounded like an excuse. Myoga nodded absently and reached around for his pipe. He found it in his breast pocket.

“That's fine, I can drop you off. I am deeply sorry, Miroku-san, but I would ask to see Inuyasha alone,” Myoga apologized. Miroku nodded and collected his things.

“That's all right, Myoga-san. It was a pleasure meeting you again,” Miroku said. He stood and bowed. Myoga inclined his head as the tall priest's son walked out the door. Inuyasha was pleased to see him ignoring the waitress making goo-goo eyes at him and left without any altercation.

“All right, Myoga-san, let's go,” Inuyasha swore. He stood up and collected his red backpack, clipping his cell phone to the strap. He flung his dark ponytail over his shoulder and followed the round man. Myoga led the way to the curb where a limousine say chugging and waiting on them. The driver got out, walked around and opened the door for Myoga. Myoga gestured for Inuyasha to go in first. Inuyasha looked up and down the busy streets and sighed. He said a silent prayer to his father and mother and climbed inside. Myoga sat across from him and the door was closed.

“Where to, sir?” the driver asked, climbing into the front seat.

“Where do you work, Inuyasha-san?” Myoga asked. Inuyasha relayed the address to Onikage's offices and they were on their way.

“So what's this about?” Inuyasha asked, his irritation showing through. Myoga smiled and stuck his pipe into his mouth.

“Your elder brother Sesshomaru has just succeeded in gaining full backing as he helps Takahashi Enterprises to rise to her feet once more,” Myoga began. He made a split second decision not to trouble his friend's second son about Rin-kun. He would handle that himself.

“Keh, that's fine. Whoop de doo for him,” Inuyasha groused. So his aniki had done it. “Maybe he should choke on all of that money.”

Myoga knew Inuyasha had a lot of stubborn pride, and even if his finances weren't up to key, he would refuse help from Sesshomaru. He sighed.

“Our monetary compensation will come in now that we've accomplished our first goal,” Myoga admitted. “Not enough to choke a person I would think, but we shall be covered.”

Inuyasha crossed his arms and looked at the tinted window. “You came all this way just to tell me that, old timer?”

Myoga smiled. “No. I realized I have a few obligations to fulfill for my late friend. Sesshomaru will have my help, but you have nothing from me yet.”

Inuyasha watched curiously as Myoga rapped on the window separating them from the driver and it opened. The driver drove with one hand and handed a long wrapped object back to his boss. Myoga accepted it with a nod and turned to Inuyasha.

“Your father left this life prematurely, but as he is gone, this heirloom shall pass to you. He wanted it to be so,” Myoga said. Inuyasha unwrapped the long cylinder object and uncovered an ancient leather scabbard. It looked warped and worn in certain areas, but once it must have been very beautiful. Its importance could not be overlooked as Inuyasha turned it over in his hands. The hilt was as worn and Inuyasha knew it had seen many hands in battle. Maybe even many of his ancestors. He looked up into Myoga's eyes, bewildered.

“You're giving me one of Father's weapons?” he asked softly. His hands clenched around the scabbard reverently. Myoga nodded.

“It was stated in his will, that you were to have Tetsusaiga and your elder brother to have Tenseiga. The lawyers wanted to take all they could, but I hid the weapons,” Myoga stated proudly. Inuyasha smiled.

“Thanks, Myoga-san. This really means a lot,” he said. Myoga regarded him seriously, the second-hand dressed young man with a backpack, cell phone and ponytail.

“There's one other thing, Inuyasha-san,” he warned. Inuyasha grinned and leaned the katana against his left shoulder, and wrapped his arms around it. He had never felt more natural.

“What's that, old man?” he asked. Myoga tamped a bit of tobacco into his pipe and pulled out a matchbook.

“If you are not focused and you are not concentrating, you won't be able to pull Tetsusaiga's true strength.”

“Muh?” Inuyasha asked in confusion. Myoga lowered the window an inch and exhaled smoke out into the street.

“That Tetsusaiga can do more than cut. It has the power to slay a hundred foes at once,” Myoga informed. Inuyasha's eyes bugged out, and he felt a child again, at his father's knee.

`Otou, can I play wi' your sword?” Inuyasha had asked his father. His father, as tall as the heavens in his memory with dark hair long enough to reach his buttocks, had chuckled and polished the warped scabbard.

“You have to be strong for this sword, son. It has the power to slay a hundred,” he had said. Inuyasha had always believed that to be a child's story, a whim to make him laugh and believe his father was the strongest. But hearing those same words out of his father's oldest friend put a surreal edge to his life.

“You mean…. Pop was telling the truth?” he wondered. Myoga just nodded.

“Be careful when you use that sword, Inuyasha-san. You must be honed and you must be strong to wield it properly,” Myoga advised. Inuyasha looked down at the weapon in his hands and nodded.

“Thanks, Myoga-san….” `Thanks for keeping my love for Pop alive.' Inuyasha couldn't wait to show it to Kagome.

“You're welcome, Inuyasha. And here's my number, if you need to reach me. I am always at your service as well as Sesshomaru's,” Myoga said. Inuyasha grinned and pocketed the piece of paper as the limo came to a halt outside Onikage's.

“Thanks! I'll see you around, old timer…”

“Take care, young master,” Myoga called. Inuyasha picked up his backpack and climbed out, carrying his katana with him. Young men who worked there flocked around the second Takahashi son, asking to see his weapon. One didn't go around carrying a katana in public after all.

Myoga tapped on the window and talked to his driver once more. He still had more work to do this day.

 

* * * *

 

“Thank you for meeting me,” Rin whispered. She looked down at the table and bit her lip. Kaze Kagura stirred her coffee then took a sip, her red lips spread in a smug smile.

“Think nothing of it, Rin. We both have something in common after all, don't we?” Kagura said. Rin clutched her hands in her lap and shrugged. The woman looked like such an abandoned waif. Where was that confidence Naraku had been grumbling about?

“If you mean my father, then we do…” Rin whispered. Kagura nodded. She regarded her boss' adoptive daughter with a penetrating stare.

“I do. Rin, he's used both of us for his own means. I don't know about you, but I don't intend to let that go unpunished,” Kagura confided. Rin blushed and took a deep breath. The curvy demoted businesswoman was a firecracker, and a pinnacle of strength, albeit under her fathers thumb much as she was. Maybe with her help, she could get away from Onigumo Naraku's influence, and find a way to insure he paid for his underhanded dealings.

“I…. I don't want him to get away with what he's done,” Rin said. She had come to that hard conclusion after a little research and discovering it was indeed her father who had downed Sesshomaru's father's company. “We have to stop him, before he hurts others.”

Kagura laughed and tapped her red fingernails on the table. “I agree with you, honey, even though my motives aren't as clean-cut as yours. Yes, he must be stopped; but because he used me. Nobody does that to me and gets away with it.”

Rin frowned. “How can I trust you, Kagura-san?”

“Our goals end the same way don't they? Honey, don't worry. I can get you the information you need from the inside track. That'll help your sweetie, won't it?”

“If he wants me to help him,” Rin sighed. Her heart was an empty place without Sesshomaru.

“Perhaps I could be of assistance,” a voice called. Kagura narrowed her eyes at the round businessman standing at their table.

“Who the heck are you?” she asked cockily, but Rin watched him with widened eyes.

“Myoga-san? What are you doing here?” she asked. Her heart thumped hard and she dared believe in hope. Myoga smiled and grinned around his pipe clenched between his teeth.

“This one can help you if you so wish it. I think we all want the same thing,” Myoga smiled. He laid his hand over Rin's.

“Sesshomaru?” she asked. Myoga nodded. Kagura regarded the two of them and raised a coy eyebrow.

“Well isn't this quaint. What have I gotten myself into?”

Rin focused on the gentle smile Myoga bestowed on her. Things would be all right eventually. They had to be. Rin focused on the slight hope the whiskered businessman bestowed. It was better to believe in that than the ball of hysteria that threatened to grow in her stomach and eat her alive.

 

* * * *

 

“Inuyasha-kun, can I see you for a moment?” Kikyo crooned. Inuyasha looked up from his monitor and sighed.

“What's this about, Kikyo-san? I have your reports ready, it can't be about my typing,” Inuyasha pointed out. Kikyo raised a finely arched brow and smiled. She may have been trying to be seductive, but Inuyasha only felt ill. Again, there was the dread feeling around his second boss. He couldn't shake that no matter what he tried.

“Do I need a reason to? Please, to my office,” Kikyo said. Inuyasha sighed mightily and shot a look to Miroku. Miroku shrugged at him. He leaned back and texted a message to Sango. Inuyasha sighed. Some friend he was.

“Coming, ma'am,” he muttered. Kikyo eyed his lean physique as he rose from his chair. Inuyasha really was a fine specimen. Inuyasha slouched after her. On second thought, he snatched his father's katana from under his workstation.

Kikyo eyed it with distrust as he entered her office. “You won't be needing that, Inuyasha-kun.”

“Oh, I'll feel more comfortable with it here,” Inuyasha said shortly. His look brooked for no nonsense. Kikyo smiled and tried to come closer to him. He held up his katana between them. And Kikyo didn't like the sparks of energy that sword gave up when she came near.

“Uhm, well, I wanted to discuss… your work performance… and your schedule…” Kikyo began. She walked behind Inuyasha and ran her hand across his thin shoulders. Inuyasha shuddered, his muscles going rigid.

“I wanted to talk to you about that, Kikyo-san. I would like a few more hours if you have them available,” Inuyasha brought up. His hand fisted his katana's scabbard tightly to feel the leather imprinting into his skin. Kikyo stopped behind him and breathed against the back of his neck. A few loose hairs from his ponytail stirred against his shoulders. Inuyasha felt ill. He could envision his lunch from Jerry's Deli coming up all over his scuffed shoes.

“I think we can discuss that. Maybe you should stay late, and we can go into… depth about it,” Kikyo suggested. Inuyasha turned and held Tetsusaiga up as if to dispel her. And it seemed to work for Kikyo looked uneasy and took a step back. Amazing! His old man really did come through, even gone.

“I don't like what you're suggesting, Kikyo-san. If you don't have the hours, I've wasted your time. Excuse me,” Inuyasha said curtly, anger flashing in his dark eyes. He opened the office door and stepped out. Kikyo staggered against her desk and watched his forceful gait as he strutted out of her grasp.

“Where….” Where had he gotten such a powerful relic? Kikyo felt drained, weakened. She limped to her desk and called in Sugimura. She knew how to get her energy back.

 

* * * *

 

“And that's really your fathers?” Kagome asked. Inuyasha nodded and beamed happily at her. With the presence of a weapon, they had opted to go straight to her apartment to keep it out of public view, and order in dinner. He held Tetsusaiga in one hand and pulled her close to him with the other arm.

Kagome curled against his front, twining her arms around his waist. She tugged him down for a kiss and they settled happily against each other, mouths moving heatedly. Kagome hummed and sucked his tongue into her mouth. Inuyasha's eyes widened when her tongue sensually stroked his. He didn't know if it was the energy of the old katana, but he was pent-up. His knees had been shaking all night at work with it nearby.

“Hmm!” Inuyasha said into her mouth. Kagome smiled and broke the kiss. She opened his collar and sucked on a sensitive part of his neck. Inuyasha shivered and tapped one foot on the floor like a puppy.

“Is that a katana in your hand, or are you happy to see me?” Kagome joked. Inuyasha stiffened against her and she rubbed against him in languid strokes, promising more. Inuyasha smirked, reached with one trembling hand to stand Tetsusaiga against the wall, and returned to take her up in both arms.

“It could be, if you want. Do you like my second sword? It's a pretty big one,” Inuyasha leered. Kagome groaned good-naturedly but sank down onto the carpet with him.

“Does that make me your sheathe? A sword needs a good one,” Kagome said impishly, her eyes gleaming. Inuyasha laughed and sank down onto her pliant body. They rubbed and moved against each other, and all too soon Kagome was tearing at his shirt, clawing his back when it was bare.

“Don't do that too fast, I like to last long enough to make you scream,” Inuyasha muttered, his mind red with passion. Kagome was beneath him, rubbing against his bulging erection, her hands busy against him, sliding into his partially open dress shirt and raking over his back and chest with small exciting scrapes.

“Move in with me, and you'll be the one screaming,” Kagome purred. She leaned up on her elbows to nip his chin and Inuyasha gasped with pleasure as her lower half molded to his. Her hands tugged at his belt until he captured her hands and leaned her on the carpet, holding her arms above her head.

“Thinking bout it, Kagome…” Inuyasha murmured. He unbuttoned her blouse expertly with one hand, keeping her hands captured with his free limb. Kagome moaned and writhed beneath him.

“Think harder,” Kagome licked her lip, angling a leg around his hip. Inuyasha shook her playfully and growled. Kagome gasped and let herself be pressed down onto the carpet. Inuyasha's embrace grew more tender as he pulled her skirt aside, tugged her panties low. His hands trembled as he found a condom in his pocket and worked it on. Kagome watched him, her body rigid with unspent passion, but her eyes softened seeing his scrap of vulnerability.

“Think about me. Think about this,” Inuyasha insisted, and moved over her. His hands pressed into the carpet next to her head and Kagome held his hips as he lowered himself. Kagome's head tilted back as he entered swiftly.

“Move…. In… with…. me…” Kagome whispered, far lost in passion. She was so full with him…

Inuyasha gaped down at her and moved his hips back and forth, plowing her with his rigid lust. “I am in you…” he breathed, and nothing else made sense. Just their skin against each other, just their agonized cries and whispers filling the apartment.

“Harder, ah! Please,” Kagome moaned a few minutes later. Sweat drenched Inuyasha's brow from keeping such a slow steady pace. He bit his lip and pressed Kagome's hips into the carpet, weighing her down with his thrusts. He found himself uttering high moans that would have sounded funny ordinarily, but he was too far gone to make himself sound too manly. Kagome rose to meet Inuyasha as they crested the tide of passion as it cascaded onto the beach of their embrace.

They lay against each other in a pile of limp arms and legs, their clothing half on and half discarded on the floor. Kagome groaned and moved her hips against Inuyasha's. He moved inside her with small jolts of aftershock.

“Don't move, that hurts,” Inuyasha moaned. He slipped out of her and discarded the condom. Kagome giggled seeing his once turgid manhood hang limply between his thighs.

“Poor thing. I'll have to treat it better next time,” Kagome smiled. Inuyasha rolled on his back and cushioned his head on his arms. Kagome laid her head on his chest.

“I really want to be near you all the time, Kagome,” Inuyasha decided. Kagome smiled and looked up into his flushed face.

“Is that a yes?” she asked. Inuyasha smiled tenderly at her and nodded. His obsidian eyes gleamed.

“Now I can live without the pressure,” Kagome joked. Inuyasha rubbed her back, his hand tangled in her blouse.

“Of asking me to live here?”

“Of asking whether you were going to spend the night,” she teased.

“Hey!” Inuyasha insisted. He wrestled Kagome to her back and kissed her.

 

Across town, Sesshomaru regarded the wide bed in his small apartment and sighed. He hadn't gotten rid of the sheets he used with Rin and his bed was still scented with her unique smell, and the jasmine perfume she loved.

“I let this happen…” Sesshomaru muttered. He hadn't been too vigilant, and a mole had come in right underneath him; underneath him in this bed, underneath him on his office floor… “I let my cock do all the thinking.”

That wasn't going to happen again. Sesshomaru grabbed the end of the sheets and made to yank, but he stopped. Rin's scent washed over him again and he almost fainted from the intense want of her. Sesshomaru snorted and dropped them, making his way to his main room. He would sleep on the floor out there, a fool for sentimentality.

 

End for now

 

Like it? Hate it? Send a review!

Kagome's line about sheathes and swords was lifted right out of Samurai X content. Everyone find a good sheathe today (lol). Glad to get this out before the weekend. Shout out to all of you.

Most sincerely yours, penpaninu 5/09/06