InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Impoverished Heir ❯ Scary New World ( Chapter 24 )

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

Well here we are again! This one has accomplished alot for my job, ie I am now making abit more money. Yeah for me and making a difference in my life. I must apologize for the VAST delay. Training, the job, and the comp getting a virus and eating the previous work for this story, alot has gotten in the way. Now I have more time so get ready for the events to come! What will happen to Inuyasha and Kagome? Will Naraku get away like he has time and again in the animation? Will Miroku and Sango be alright? And what about the ramen??? Only time will tell.

This story is dedicated to my fiancee and lover. Skye I love you. This one is for you as always. Why do I need you so much? Because you complete me.
For Inugrrrl. Ki, you are the best friend an inu can ask for! I hope youre still reading this!!! You deserve to know how this one will end.
For my sisters even if they dont' read my practice works. For Ricky and Kirsten, follow your dreams. For all who have supported my thoughts, thank you.

To all who have read my story in the past, a brief dedication in part to all of you. I admit, this one has become rather lazy in not naming one and all in the list for Honored Reviewers, but I thank you generally for your support. I hope some of you are still looking and reading this.

Disclaimer: Penpaninu does not claim to own Inuyasha. Does own own hanyou spouse. Inu's are so much fun. A part in the opening scene is well and truly taken from Pirates 2. It was too much fun to resist.

"Impoverished Heir" chapter twenty-four
"Scary New World"

Sesshomaru and Rin stared at each other as the knocking resumed after a moment. Obviously the person on the other side was giving them a polite allotted amount of time before rapping again. Rin leaned to the side at the same moment as Sesshomaru leapt off the couch and made for the coat closet. He reached in and pulled out a simple katana sheathed in grey. The long cylinder matched his white hair, Rin thought oddly, as her lover held the sheathe with his one hand, his thumb pressing against the hilt slightly.
"Who is it?" Sesshomaru demanded. Rin watched his thumb notch the blade loose an inch.
"Kaze Kagura. Would you mind opening the door already? I haven't had an easy time getting here unseen, you know."
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at the arrogant tone permeating through the thick wood. Apparently she thought rather highly of herself. Before he could open his mouth to answer, his lover sprang off the couch towards him.
"Kagura-san!!" Rin pushed past him and unlocked the door. Sesshomaru felt a headache come on as his lover swung their front door wide open. Kaze Kagura stood on the other side with a wry smile stretching her ruby red lips.
"That's me, little Rin. Won't you let me in? I need to sit, if you don't mind," Kagura winked. Her tone was generous enough, but her appearance was anything but relaxed. Saying she looked like shit was an understatement. Kagura was dressed fashionably enough, her dark hair pinned up in a high knot on top of her head. Long sharp bobbypins scored the bun, holding it in place, and makeup hid the bruises on her face, but Kagura's right leg was clad in plaster from the knee down. The pantleg of her dress suit was slit to accomodate the cast and Kagura's bandaged fingers clutched a cane tightly. A long handfan was tucked tightly under one arm, a backpack perched high on her shoulders, oddly enough. Sesshomaru opened his mouth to comment on her baggage when his girlfriend leaned out of the safety of their home towards the laden woman.
"Come in, come in! Hurry, you don't look as if you can stand another minute," Rin gushed. She took the pack from her friend and let Kagura lean on her shoulder. Sesshomaru resisted the urge to snap at the damned woman to hurry up and hobble inside. His sharp eyes scanned the walkway outside before he clipped the door smartly behind Kagura's faltering steps. Rin shifted the backpack, making the contents clank sharply. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, do be careful with that, dear. You have no idea how long it took to get that," Kagura idly commented as Rin helped her sit upon the couch they had just been occupying. Sesshomaru bit back another curse at the sight and sighed. Peace was so hard to find as it was.
Rin smiled wryly. "A backpack?" she asked. Kagura laughed.
"What's inside, Rin. My, how life turns, doesn't it?" she commented. Sesshomaru leaned the katana against his belly, his clawed fingers tracing the hilt carefully.
"Why are you here?" he asked; straight and to the point was his way. Kagura leaned back and smiled. Sesshomaru glared at her openly.
"Why, to lend my help of course," Kagura answered languidly. Rin took her hand and clasped it tightly.
"You're okay, that's all that matters," Rin said sweetly. Kagura chuckled warmly for her, and patted her fingers.
"No, taking care of Onigumo Naraku is all that matters, I'm afraid."
Sesshomaru nodded with barely recognizable approval. "Finally, someone who talks sense. Thank you for your concern, but we have it all well in hand."
Kagura shook her head sharply, pissing him off instantly once more. Why must she be so obstinate for pity's sake? "Wrong. You would do well to include me in your party, young Takahashi Sesshomaru."
Sesshomaru bit back his outrage and clutched his katana with his remaining hand. "Well then, since you're so certain we need you, explain yourself to us." He couldn't have held back his contempt if he had tried.
Rin had the feeling he meant it for a more grand and arrogant description of himself and his Takahashi name than the two of them as a couple. She watched her lover curiously.
"Gladly. In my flight from your father's reaches, Rin, I took the battle to research to discover why he is the way he is," Kagura began. Rin cocked her head to the side and couldn't keep her curiousity from forming words this time.
"You make it sound like he's not human."
Kagura smiled sadly and patted her friend. She juggled her cane and backpack and snapped her fan open sharply. "I'm afraid he is not what he once was. Onigumo Naraku does not have as interesting a heritage as your Takahashi here," and here Kagura swept her sharp gaze towards Sesshomaru, seeing him in all of his shining apparent glory. "He wishes he had. So, he sold parts of himself that should remain in the form of humanity, giving vital parts of himself to darkness that should have stayed with a man's body."
Sesshomaru sat upon a sole chair, crossing his leg over the knee; he could but imagine the parts that Kagura implied when she went on. "He went to caves high near the mountains and called on primal powers to shape his fortune the way he wanted. Only in that cave are the sole traces of his humanity and I have found it. It will be needed; believe me."
At this time, Kaze Kagura snapped her fan, the picture on the silk depicting divine wind shaking with her movements. Rin was beginning to look ill so Sesshomaru took it upon himself to answer in the obvious pause she had given. "Well, what is it you found there?"
Kagura snapped her fan shut in satisfaction and tucked it back under her arm. She juggled with cane, fan and backpack while opening the latter, reaching in with bandaged fingers to pull the contents out. Sesshomaru had a bad moment where he had to stare and stare again; Kagura had not pulled out an heirloom weapon or even an arcane artifact of power, but simply put: it was large and glass and...
"...It's a jar of dirt." Sesshomaru was clearly anything but amused. Rin giggled uneasily in the seriousness of the moment. She had to or she would shake to death of fear. Kagura glared at him. She cradled the jar as if it were as precious as a child.
"Yes, it is," she snapped. Sesshomaru halted, then plunged on again.
"...Is the jar of dirt going to help?"
Kagura sighed with disgust and held the jar up to the light. It was as long as her forearm and filled with soil so dark it was like to be black. "This soil is from the very spot where Onigumo Naraku gave himself to powers that should not be; this will be his undoing..."
"Because it links to the man he once was!" Rin finished triumphantly. Sesshomaru was proud of her and quieted in the wake of her beautiful smile. Kagura smiled and leaned back. "Finally, someone who makes sense," she teased. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes at her play on his words.
"So we throw the dirt at Onigumo, and that's it?" Sesshomaru asked. Kagura glared evenly at him trying to find the scarcasm in his words.
"No. We will house what is left of his human organs and place it in the soil, and that alone should be enough to stop him. His other organs, I have discovered, are not inside him and have long been disposed of."
Sesshomaru placed his hand on Rin's shoulder, seeing the palor of her skin in that declaration.
"What can be found then?" he intoned.
"His heart. It is not in his breast as it should be, but housed in the body of a servant most loyal to him, and him alone. Think; who has trailed Onigumo and carried out his wishes? Who would it be that is close to him?" Kagura asked.
Sesshomaru saw long hair brushing thin shoulders and a smile full of mocking white teeth. 'I knew that couldn't have been enough to kill you, Master!' an obnoxious voice called with glee in the field of his memory. "Hakudoshi," he growled. Rin looked at him with eyes wide with concern and her hand covered his knee.
"Right," Kagura smiled indulgently, pleased at his answer. "I see the Takahashi's are more sharp than I thought."
Sesshomaru held her gaze, warning her with his golden eyes. "Hear me, Kaze Kagura, I will allow you to join us in what we're doing, but if your actions cause harm for me and mine, then I will come for you."
Kagura smiled widely and carefully slid the jar back inside the backpack. Rin took the pack and laid it carefully at her feet. "I'm not threatening anyone of yours, Sesshomaru-san, but know that I intend to get out of this with my skin intact. So you won't interfere with what I have to do to achieve that."
Sesshomaru growled as she winked at him, not sure of what to make of that. "I despise cowardice, Kaze-san."
"And I despise laziness," Kagura shot back.
"Come on, you two!" Rin spoke up with her usual sweet smile. As always, she would be the peacemaker. "We have alot of work to do, so let's all get along."
Sesshomaru slowly nodded. "You are more right than you know, my Rin. We do have alot of work to do."
"Your brother starts tomorrow, you know," Rin added, her eyes twinkling. Kaze Kagura laughed and clutched her cane closely.
"The youngest Takahashi is in on this too? Oh, we are so set," she joked. Sesshomaru sighed and felt the beginnings of that headache bite close. There was so much to do to accomplish their goal, and it felt there was far too little time.

*****

"Hey, he's not picking up," Inuyasha complained.
"What was that?" Kagome called from the bathroom. Inuyasha looked up from their bed, shirtless as he cradled his cell phone in his hands.
"Everytime I try to call Miroku, it goes straight to voicemail. What the heck is he doing?" he wondered. Kagome audibly finished gargling and Inuyasha heard her clinking around as she finished up her nightly ritual to prepare for bed.
"You mean he's not at home? What does Sango say?" Kagome's voice came out louder as she came out of the restroom, her bare legs leading the way under Inuyasha's old Rurouni Kenshin tee. The shirt bannered over her, pulling low on one slim shoulder and left the curves of her breasts ambigious beneath the garment's large size. Inuyasha looked her up and down unconsciously and shrugged. His long salt-and-pepper hair cascaded down his thin back.
"That troubles me, 'Gome," Inuyasha said. He leaned back and allowed his girlfriend room in the bed. Kagome swept her bare legs over his lap and he idly rubbed one of the smooth limbs with his nimble fingers. "She said he was out, and didn't know when he would come back. Kagome, I think he's been doing this for quite some time; I could tell by Sango's tone."
Kagome looked very concerned at that news. Their friends had not had an easy time of it after the loss of their unborn child, but the implication of Miroku going out WITHOUT Sango was distressing at best. "I hope he's not doing anything stupid," she swore lightly. Inuyasha shook his head, his hair swaying gently.
"He won't; I'm going to look for his ass if he's not back by tomorrow evening," he said grimly. Kagome leaned close and hugged his side. Inuyasha laid his arm over her, and squeezed with his wiry strength.
"Just focus on your first day tomorrow at the company, my love. You'll be great, I know it," she said cheerily. Inuyasha sighed and buried his face in her shoulder. Her scent alone was enough to calm his fears over the upcoming day.
"I hope so," he worried. "My big brother is a hard man to do business with."
"He'll teach you, and Myoga-san will help, won't he?" Kagome smiled and kissed his cheek. Inuyasha nodded absently. Myoga-san had been beside himself at the news that Inuyasha would be starting with Takahashi Enterprises, and had all but promised his services to grooming him for his role at Sesshomaru's side.
"I won't have to worry about not getting help from old Myoga," Inuyasha admitted. "I'll just have to do my best."
"Listen to your brother! You'll do fine, and just give me a call. I'm having a lunch conference with my boss' partners, but he'll understand if you want to talk," Kagome smiled gently. Inuyasha grinned and nodded.
"I will." The two kissed and twined on the sheets and Inuyasha let himself be swept away in the safe cocoon of their love. He would handle his business at his new job with his family's building, and he would help his friends. He would do right by them all.

*****

Miroku stared blurrily into the bottom of his glass and slowly belched. The sour mixes of strong liquor singed his mouth, and made his tongue feel leaden and heavy. He didn't know why he was here at this unextraordinary bar, in this unextraordinary street, but here he was at a vain attempt to drown his sorrow. Store-bought beer wasn't enough for his grief, and besides, he didn't want Sango to know he was indulging in a bad habit. But he was hurting, and hurting badly. Sango had been the one carrying their baby and her grief could be explained easily; his couldn't be. He was merely the sperm donor, the catalyst for sparking their child's existence between their embraces; but it was his creation, his and Sango's alone.
"Damned doctors..." Miroku muttered into his glass. If the health departments were so damn good, why couldn't they figure out what was wrong?
"What'd you say, honey?" The bartender asked. Miroku stared at her blurrily, her curves melding into a haze of voluptuous nonsense. She had tried to get a story out of him earlier, and Miroku attributed that to his once gift of Getting Any Woman He Wanted. He had ignored her and spent all his attention on filling his glass. He may be a jerk for spending a night in a seedy bar, but he wasn't going to cross the line further by hooking up with anyone else. Miroku still had his father's ring in his pocket and he fisted his hand over the tiny circle every so often to make sure it was there. It was...
"Nothing. Hey, gimme another double," Miroku muttered. He ran a hand through his touseled black hair; the dragon's tail stuck straight out as usual. The woman shrugged and made his drink. Miroku rubbed his chin, his newgrown stubble making him look dark and drowned; exactly how he felt. She left him alone and went to work on the businessman at the other end of the bar. He wasn't so immune to her visible charms. What was he condemning doctors for? The baby had been healthy; all the sonograms had said so. It was that wave of negative energy that had taken a swipe at the city; he had felt it, deep in his heart, that the darkness had caused all of those accidents and/or acts of violence. Something about that Onigumo man who owned the company that had run out Inuyasha's father's business...
"He's in for it!"
"Hey, that one's been here awhile now..."
"Table ten needs a refill."
"That girl's trouble, I'll tell you, man."
"You should tell your wife."
Miroku let the dozens of drunken conversations wash right over him as he hunched at his corner of the bar. He really should go home. He should go back to work, and he should get himself together. But he couldn't. Promises of a new family unplanned but not unwanted was taken from him. There wasn't going to be a small warm bundle to smile and show off to family, friends and strangers alike. It just wasn't going to happen now.
'Why....why??' Miroku leaned his brow on one hand and squeezed his eyes shut. No, best to drown all of those thoughts down. It wasn't going to happen... it wasn't going to happen...
Hoshi Miroku stretched his arms down on the bar and let himself go. It was easier than facing the pain after all.

*****

"Ok, I can do this... I can do this..." Inuyasha mumbled. He buttoned up his dress shirt and watched his pale torso disappear behind the equally pale fabric. The morning was a hustle to get out the door and to work on time. With Kagome doing her makeup in the bathroom and monopolizing both of their times; Inuyasha had opted to dress in their bedroom in front of her floorlength mirror. He wore the dress slacks to his new Armani suit, new leather shoes on his feet. Kagome said she'd come to help him in a moment, and she would, Inuyasha knew. But she had a big day at Ookami Law Firm as well, and would need to look her best too. Inuyasha was content to wait for his girlfriend to finish up. He finished buttoning up, and tucked the shirttails into his pants. Re-fastening his belt, Inuyasha ran one hand through his salt-and-pepper locks and puffed his chest out in the mirror. He looked as pompous and self-absorbed as his big brother now; that or a marshmellow peep about to pop! Piyo piyo, Inuyasha thought. He snickered nervously.
"You okay in there, love?" Kagome shashayed out of the bathroom, attaching earrings. Her hair was swept up into a simple bun, her makeup perfect. Inuyasha grinned and ran a hand through his bangs.
"Just fine. You look great," he admitted. Kagome swayed her hips on over and adjusted his collar.
"So do you," she said impishly. "Do you have a tie?"
Wordlessly, Inuyasha pointed to the crimson red one on her dressertop. Kagome tied it for him and looked him over.
"Let's tie your hair back, and then you'll be just perfect," she commented. Inuyasha let her fasten his longer hair into a simple tail.
"You know, I don't feel right," he confessed. Kagome whistled as she pulled the last of his hair through neatly.
"You look fine. Do you feel fine?" Kagome asked. She brushed her hand over his shoulder, pushing away imaginary lint. Inuyasha stood straighter and looked at both of them in the mirror. A good-looking couple looked out at him. If Inuyasha wasn't the man he saw there, he would have been jealous for the woman on his reflection's arm.
"I think we look fine. More than, actually," Inuyasha finally smiled. He felt his stress dissipate as Kagome rubbed his chest softly.
"Shirt, tie, slacks, shoes, hair's done... you're all ready!" Kagome leaned up to kiss his cheek. Inuyasha turned and caught her lips with his. "Don't forget your lunch, my darling."
"I won't," Inuyasha smiled. Kagome had packed rice balls, seaweed and rolls into a crimson red box. Nothing said love like a homepacked bentou lunch. Inuyasha wasn't sure if it was professional, but it was his image all the same. Kagome had made it; he was taking it, nothing else to say. Inuyasha found himself wondering if Rin packed Sesshomaru lunches. He would fine out today it would seem.
Inuyasha watched Kagome wrap his bentou box in a long swathe of crimson linen and knot the ends over the top. He accepted the bundle and shrugged the rest of the way into his coat. Kagome was sure a leather trench would complete the look and Inuyasha had to admit he looked damn good. Exotic Matrix-y perhaps, but it worked. 'Bet Keanu wished he had natural white hair.'
"Have a good day!" Kagome beamed. She leaned on her tiptoes and kissed her lover's lips. Inuyasha stooped slightly to accept her kiss. He trembled slightly, but straightened carefully.
"I'm gonna kick ass, don't worry, Kagome," Inuyasha grinned. He patted his pocket to make sure his wallet, train pass, and other essentials were there. His clawed fingers touched a knot and bundle of wood, then brought out a temple charm to his surprised gaze.
"What's this?" he asked Kagome.
"It's for luck. And protection," she said simply, looking pleased with herself. It was at most times that Inuyasha almost forgot that she was trained as a miko in her youth. He smiled and pocketed the protection.
"Thanks, babe. Well, I'm off!" Inuyasha waved. He liked how Kagome's cleavage seemed to plunge as she waved back; his girlfriend was quite the sexy intern. Inuyasha made his way to the train station, ignoring the usual stares at his salt-and-pepper hair and golden irises. His clawed fingers clutched his leather case closely and he let himself be swept in the wave of humanity walking the steps to the subway trains. Men in well-trimmed suits stood at attention with pure white gloves, ready to gently and respectfully cram in the last man on their commutes in the busy morning rush to commerce and business.
Inuyasha felt the ends of his ponytail catch in the doors of the train and he felt a momentary moment of panic before a plump woman next to him gently worked the hairs loose and smiled kindly at him. Inuyasha managed a winning smile in return and watched the matronly woman blush a light pink. Kagome was right; kindness could go a long way.
The train ride was uneventful and the transfer line he had to take wasn't so bad either. Inuyasha made his way to Takahashi Enterprises with narry a surprise, and for that he was thankful. Boring meant safety, apparently. He was yawning, but at least he wasn't in a fight for his survival. Inuyasha made the familiar trek to his father's building, shrinking back years with each step. He was no longer in his early twenties; he was eighteen, seventeen, a shy sixteen discovering his passions and caring for Sango in brotherly fashion, a slim fifteen...
'Will I work here one day, Pop?'
'With me, son.'
Oh, man...
"Young master!"
Inuyasha looked up to see fat old Myoga waving at the front double doors leading to the lobby. His family's crest, a crescent moon adorned with fur, decorated the glass doors. Never was there a more welcome sight, short of his father walking back through those doors himself. Inuyasha swallowed the sad nostalgia and smiled lowly. He reached up to clasp his father's friend's outstretched hand.
"Good morning, Myoga-ojii," Inuyasha said. Myoga clapped the young man on the shoulder and swept the doors wide open. Inuyasha stepped up beside him into a stark white world of hustle, polite murmers over telephone lines, secretaries and young and old businessmen hurrying up to their offices to begin the day's appointments.
"Welcome to what your family has built," Myoga was saying to his left. Inuyasha squinted his gold-centered eyes at all of the noise then smiled sheepishly.
"It seems like alot."
"Because it is," a deep voice purred at the front desks. The secretaries gasped, dropped makeup or magazines and picked up phones or ledgers at a mad attempt to save face. All the businessmen in the lobby practically kowtowed as his older brother stepped out of the elevators. Takahashi Sesshomaru was dressed all in white, in a vain attempt to match his pure-white hair, Inuyasha guessed sourly. He looked good though; practically shining he was. The white didn't indicate premature age, it hinted at exotic timelessness. Inuyasha fingered the ends of his more gray ponytail self-consciously then smirked as Myoga bowed at his side.
"Morning, bro. Shall we get down to business already?" he asked. Inuyasha heard low gasps from the suited men, and the secretaries watched him with sideways glances of admiration and/or consternation. Myoga stiffened but he held his ground. Sesshomaru regarded his younger sibling with half-concealed amusement.
"We shall. May I show you to your offices, Inuyasha? Come with me, then you shall get down to work." Sesshomaru was anything if direct. Inuyasha nodded and clutched his wrapped bentou close. He and Myoga stepped back into the elevator with Sesshomaru and when the doors pinged shut, the whole lobby sighed as if one. Secretaries made and answered calls, jotted down appointments, and businessmen readjusted their ties and took off to their own agendas.
Takahashi Sesshomaru did not employ the lazy, after all.

*****

"Are you well, my most loyal servant?" Onigumo Naraku asked. Hakudoshi sighed and leaned back. His shirt collar was loose, one foot arrogantly hiked over one knee. He kicked one fine leather shoe back and forth over his knee idly.
"Course, bossman. Though your burden is SUCH a damned heavy weight," he grinned. Hakudoshi was dutiful despite his insolence; it was a rare mix, but Naraku must take his servants where he could bind them. Naraku smirked. His teeth glowed white in the dimness of his elaborate office.
"I may have the solution for that, Hakudoshi. Kanna, come here," he ordered curtly. A flash of white showed in the corner, and she was there. Hakudoshi turned to greet her, grinning. Kanna wore shining white as usual, the better to match her oddly pale hair. Her eyes were the only dark thing about her; as limitless and endless as the void between stars and hope.
"Yes, Master?" Kanna all but whispered. Naraku smirked but Hakudoshi cleaned out one ear with his pinky finger. It was so damned hard to hear her sometimes.
"You are called upon to carry our most precious burden. Do you accept it, Kanna?" Naraku purred. Kanna nodded once, the briefest of acknowledgements. Hakudoshi stood and sighed. His shirt-tail hung half out of his pants down his waist, giving him a well-rumpled appearance.
"Come on then, take it already," Hakudoshi drawled. Kanna stepped close to him, within the circle of one wiry strong arm. She stood close enough to kiss, Hakudoshi staring down into her coldly beautiful face.
Kanna looked up into Hakudoshi's handsome face, her cheeks brushing against his loose shoulderlength hair.... until her hand brushed over his chest and reached through, PAST his clothing and flesh in a moment of impossible means. Hakudoshi gasped as if in ecstacy, his hand gripping the girl's slender shoulder hard enough to break. Kanna murmured softly as her delicate fingers found what it was seeking, and drew forth a heart pale with pus and stinking of corruption. Hakudoshi seized his chest with one hand, his eyes wide in pain. His own heart struggled to carry him along with the shock of what even he knew what she meant to do. Kanna regarded the heart as it throbbed in her hand. Her eyes swept back over Hakudoshi's shoulder to Naraku, who nodded. Kanna opened her mouth wide, wider yet, and impossibly widest. And pushed the rotten organ between her teeth.
Hakudoshi watched her swallow with mild curiosity. "That's always painful, huh, kid?"
Kanna watched him with distant eyes. Onigumo Naraku laughed loudly.
"They think they can find MY heart. Now that we're all settled, let's set my plans into motion," he announced. Hakudoshi picked up Naraku's half-empty drink and downed it in one gulp.
"Go on, boss, we're listening," he grumbled. Kanna sat primly, her hands folded in her lap. She listened, and her face showed no expression.

*****

Inuyasha leaned back in his chair and looked nervously around the large office his brother said was his. The desk was enormous, his reflection gazing back up from polished cherrywood. The floors were plush carpet; he felt like he could sink with each step. Large windows took up one whole wall, showing off the Tokyo skyline. Framed pictures of Mt.Fuji and other images of inspiration adorned his other walls. Sesshomaru had even had the family crest painted on his office door, with a thick curved outline along the side that must stand for Tetsusaiga and their father's wishes he carry it. Funny, Inuyasha thought the sketch was too large to resemble the slim katana blade...
"I want to CHANGE the WORLD!" Inuyasha fumbled and reached into his pocket to retrieve his cell. Clawed fingers gingerly clicked the phone open to his slightly pointed ear.
"Kagome, how's work, baby?" Inuyasha asked blithely. His lover giggled on the other line.
"Just fine! I wanted to check up and see how your first day was going! Is Sesshomaru being kind?" Kagome inquired.
Inuyasha swept a hand through his bangs.
"Yeah, it's going all good. I'm gonna meet a bunch of his brokers and other people, and we're going to break for lunch soon."
"Are you coming home to me tonight at a good time?"
Inuyasha grinned.
"Yeah, I am, babe. Myoga said we're finishing early for a surprise."
"Don't let it be too much of a good surprise, or I'll bust you," Kagome teased. "Well, I have to go. Bye!"
Inuyasha looked at his cell fondly before snapping it shut. "Bye, my love..."
"Are you quite finished, little brother?" Inuyasha looked up to see Sesshomaru perfectly poised in his doorway. Inuyasha nodded slowly.
"Yeah, guess I am."
"Well, come on then, we should get started." Sesshomaru stood back and let Inuyasha slide out into the hallway with him.
"Why are these bigwigs so important to getting Naraku?" Inuyasha wondered. He and Sesshomaru walked side by side, carbon copies of the same ghostly page.
"How can we hope to finance what we need to do without them?" Sesshomaru returned. Inuyasha shrugged. Somewhere along the way, an extra set of steps clipped behind them. Inuyasha didn't have to turn to see Myoga had brought up the rear.
Inuyasha did his best and did what was asked of him all day. He said his pieces, used his brash intellect where it was needed, and kept quiet where it was needed. Sesshomaru said he had done well, so maybe his insolence was a voice that was needed in business. The sun began to slowly sink along the Tokyo horizon when Myoga led Inuyasha along another endless corridor high in the Takahashi building.
"Where are we going now?" Inuyasha asked. He was sipping a bottle of water like a baby gerbil as they moved; who knew talking was so much blasted work?
"Someplace important," Myoga informed. He readjusted his tie; his small white mustache stuck straight out from the sides of his cheeks as he talked.
"Boy, you're really not helpful sometimes, Myoga-ojii," Inuyasha complained. Myoga chuckled, and stopped at a set of shoji screens. He slid one door to the side and gestured for Inuyasha to step forth.
Inuyasha smiled as he looked around. The room was high, cavernous almost. Elaborate white tatami mats covered the floor. Simple bamboo sat in black pots along the walls, abrupt against the stark white walls. A large ink scroll depicting divine glory decorated one entire high wall. The whole room leaked peace; a man could have real solitude in a place like this. Inuyasha couldn't even hear the sounds of the city outside, with his sharp ears and all.
"What is this place?" he marveled. Myoga smiled and leaned against the doorframe.
"The Room of Supreme Contemplation. Your father had it commissioned some years past."
"It's great," Inuyasha swore. "I guess we got us a meditation spot when we get too stressed out."
Myoga looked sadly at him. "Stress is the least of our worries, and may they be all of them also. We are going up against things you've never gotten up against, young Master. Your father, bless his spirit, began to have an inkling before it destroyed him."
Inuyasha let the beginnings of a frown mar his face. "Onigumo Naraku didn't give Pop cancer." Did he?
"The cancer, well, that is a discussion for later, young Master. Naraku took care of the rest. Now your elder brother says we have alot more work than the meetings, and I agree. You must be trained with blade and hand, steel and claw," Myoga said.
Inuyasha shrugged, perplexed. "Yes, Obi-Wan. I didn't know we were going to do all of THAT."
"Oh, we will. Your brother has hired the best teachers and you both begin tomorrow."
"I can't wait." Inuyasha walked past the ink scroll. He failed to notice the details of the blobby shapes. The image was rather abstract at first glance, but one could make out several tall figures holding large blades resembling teeth. Tails fell from the hindquarters of their hakama, and ears stood straight on top of their heads...

End for now

More to come! I promise. The ending I have planned and will be the reward I hope you want for putting up with all the delays! I hope someone out there is still reading this. Review review! It helps the writer to write. Feedback is always good! Love it, need it.

Most sincerely yours, Penpaninu 3/16/07