InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Living The Promise ❯ Business Lunch ( Chapter 7 )

A/N: Just a quick thank-you to my awesome beta, Breezie! Enjoy the chapter!

 

Chapter 7: Business Lunch

 

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Kagome nervously smoothed her skirt as she approached the doorway of the restaurant. `Why did he have to pick this place?' she thought uncertainly. The restaurant was only open by invitation; one had to know the owner to be admitted. Kagome sighed. `I should have told Sess that I couldn't make it or at least insisted on a different restaurant. How am I supposed to get inside?' The smartly dressed young woman was startled from her musings as an arm reached past her and opened the door.

 

“Please allow me.” Kagome gasped and turned to look at the figure standing behind her.

 

Sesshomaru stood holding the door, a hint of a smile gracing his lips and a twinkle lighting his eye. He was wearing a dark grey business suit, white dress shirt and red tie. His hair was pulled back into a low, neat ponytail. Kagome found herself wanting to drool, but managed to keep it to herself.

 

`Damn, he looks fine!' she thought appraisingly. `Wait! What am I thinking? I am a happily married woman!' Kagome felt herself begin to blush. Managing a “Thank-you,” she entered the restaurant, Sesshomaru following behind.

 

“Welcome back, Mr. Taisho. Your table is right this way.” The host flashed a smile at the two as he led them to a small private table. Once they were seated, Sesshomaru took a moment to study the woman seated before him.

 

`My brother did well in catching this one,' he thought. `It is too bad that he found her first and then developed that soul connection with her. I wouldn't mind finding someone like her for myself.' Kagome started to feel uncomfortable under his gaze and sought something to break the ice.

 

“So, um, Sesshomaru, how do you know about this place?”

 

Sesshomaru tore his gaze from Kagome and looked around the restaurant. “The owner and I were roommates in college. I often come here for business lunches.”

 

Their waiter came up and set down their salads before disappearing. Kagome looked at her salad in confusion. Sesshomaru held in a chuckle and answered her unspoken question. “There is no menu here. The cooks only prepare one entrée along with several courses. If one wishes a “special” order, then it must be called in a week in advance. Do not worry, however, the food is always excellent.”

 

Kagome relaxed and smiled her thanks as they started to eat their salads. They kept conversation light as they made their way through the following courses, finally finishing with coffee.

 

Setting his cup back on the saucer, Sesshomaru prepared to discuss business. “What information do you have for me, Kagome?”

 

Kagome set her cup down and pulled out her notebook. “The affected buildings all lie in a six block radius. They include 4 apartment buildings, a senior center, and the children's shelter. Within those six blocks lie 28 houses, of which 19 are vacant; the remaining 9 are in poor condition.” Sesshomaru was surprised at this information.

 

“Do you know why the houses are vacant?” Kagome shook her head.

 

“My contact didn't know, but was going to try to talk to a couple of the homeowners. I suspect that someone may be trying to acquire the land, but I am still checking into that.” Sesshomaru nodded his understanding.

 

Kagome took a sip of coffee before continuing. “The apartment buildings are subsidized for low income tenants; yet the monies needed are not arriving as promised. The same thing is happening with the senior center and the shelter.”

 

Sesshomaru tapped a finger on his lips as he thought about this information. “I will have my people look into it and see if the money was actually sent.”

 

Kagome nodded, a hint of relief in her eyes fading to sadness as she thought of Rin and the children's shelter.

 

“What is the matter, Kagome?” asked Sesshomaru, concern coloring his voice.

 

“Have you seen the state of these buildings, Sesshomaru?” she asked quietly.

 

“No, I have not. I have only read the reports.”

 

Kagome sighed and looked at the tabletop. “It is really bad, Sess. The children's shelter should be condemned, but they have nowhere else to go. 50 children are confined to a small handful of rooms, because the others are unsafe. There is only one working bathroom, and it only has hot water sporadically.” Kagome felt tears welling up and struggled to keep them under control. She felt a hand grasp hers where it lay on the table and it gave her a gentle squeeze. Choking back a gasp, Kagome looked up into Sesshomaru's concerned, golden eyes.

 

“Kagome, I was not aware that it was this bad.” He paused a moment as he thought something through. “Are you available to come with me this afternoon? I may be able to do something to help them out.”

 

Kagome felt a glimmer of hope. “My time is all yours.” She flashed him a blinding smile; Sesshomaru found that he enjoyed seeing her happy.

 

“Then I will call Jaken and have him free up my afternoon.” He stood and helped Kagome to her feet. With a nod to the host, he escorted Kagome out of the restaurant. He stopped and asked, “Do you wish to follow me in your car, or would you like to ride with me?”

 

“I would like to ride with you if you don't mind. I took the bus today, as Inuyasha's car is in the shop and he has mine.” Sesshomaru nodded and led her to his car.

 

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“Kagome, I didn't; expect to see you back so soon!” Suki greeted her with a hug before stepping back and urging them inside.

 

“Suki, this is my brother-in-law, Sesshomaru Taisho.”

 

“Welcome Mr. Taisho. I am sorry that Hojo isn't here, but he is out with the older children touring the city gardens.”

 

“That is quite all right, Mrs. …” Suki smiled and interrupted.

 

“Please, just call me Suki.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded. “Very well Suki. I do not wish to cause any difficulty, especially as we came unannounced. Kagome was telling me of your difficulties and I wished to see them for myself.”

 

“It is no problem at all. I would be happy to give you the grand tour.” Smiling, Suki turned and began the tour. Kagome followed behind the two. She saw a couple of rooms where the younger children were taking naps. As she passed the door of the second room, a small dark haired child came hurtling out and attached itself to Kagome's legs.

 

“Rin! How are you doing, sweetie?” The little girl looked up and smiled, before reaching up “asking” to be picked up. Kagome laughed and lifted her into her arms. Rin wrapped her little arms around Kagome's neck and placed a sloppy kiss on her cheek. Kagome smiled and tapped a finger on the child's nose. “Aren't you supposed to be napping?” Rin shrugged and laid her head on Kagome's shoulder.

 

Suki and Sesshomaru stood watching them. Suki had her hands on her hips, shaking her head as she fondly said, “Rin, you know what you should be doing, and it is not hanging off of Kagome.”

 

Sesshomaru found himself watching the scene between Kagome and the child, Rin, in curiosity. He had never had much to do with children; most of them seemed to dislike him. `She would make a wonderful mother,' he thought. Kagome blushed faintly as she caught up to the two adults. Sesshomaru saw Rin studying him carefully. He stood still as the young girl reached out and touched his hair hesitantly, before running it through her fingers in delight. Rin flashed him a big grin, shocking the normally stoic man.

 

“Rin, this is Sesshomaru. He is my husband's brother.” Rin smiled at him again, before ducking her head down shyly. “Sesshomaru, I would like you to meet my friend Rin. She is one of the children who live here. She doesn't speak much, but her smiles tell everything.”

 

Sesshomaru nodded in acknowledgement. “Hello Rin.” Rin grinned at him again before snuggling back against Kagome.

 

Suki continued the tour through the building; Kagome and Rin giggling and bringing up the rear. As Sesshomaru took in the deplorable state of the building, felt himself growing more and more angry. Suki had just finished the last of the tour and was leading the group back towards the office. Sesshomaru pulled out his cell phone and began making calls.

 

Rin had wriggled down and had grasped Kagome's hand. The two of them started skipping down the hallway, following Sesshomaru and Suki.

 

Rin suddenly came to a stop as she heard a sound coming from a nearby stairwell leading to the basement. Kagome stopped and looked at Rin. “What is it? Why did you stop?” Rin tapped her ear and pointed down the stairs. Kagome listened and heard a faint mew. It sounded like a kitten!

 

Rin dropped Kagome's hand and ran down the stairs, searching for the source of the cry. “Rin, come back! You shouldn't go down there!” Kagome cried after her. The basement was one of the many areas that were off limits due standing water. Kagome hesitated a moment longer, looking down the hallway for Sesshomaru and Suki, but they had already disappeared around the corner. Kagome made up her mind and went after the child.

 

“Rin, where are you?” Kagome gingerly made her way into the basement. She found herself wading through about an inch of murky water. She shuddered, not wanting to know what was in it. “Rin?” Kagome jumped as she felt a small hand grasp hers and tug.

 

“Rin, we shouldn't be here. It isn't safe.” Rin shook her head and tugged Kagome's hand. Sighing, Kagome followed Rin, who led her over to a vent hole a few feet from the ceiling. The mewing was louder, and seemed to come from inside the vent. Kagome looked around and found a rickety chair that she used to climb up and peer into the vent. Reaching in, she carefully pulled out a thin, dirty kitten. Cuddling it to her chest, she jumped down.

 

Rin was hopping up and down in excitement. Kagome gently handed her the kitten and said, “Be careful now. She needs to be cleaned up and fed. Let's go back up to the others.”

 

Rin smiled and nodded, cradling the cat in her arms. Kagome placed her hand on Rin's head and steered them back towards the stairs. They were about halfway there when the kitten leapt from Rin's arms and hid. Kagome felt the ground begin to shake beneath them.

 

EARTHQUAKE!

 

Kagome tried to get her and Rin to a safe place to wait out the quake, but only had time to thrust Rin beneath a desk which had a leg missing. Kagome turned as she heard an ominous groaning coming from the ceiling.

 

Kagome lost her balance and fell to her knees. She watched as a wall collapsed in front of her. Plaster and debris were falling all around her; something struck her head and she fell into darkness.

 

The quake soon stopped. An eerie silence fell, only to be broken by the sobs of a child.

 

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TBC

 

Another evil cliffy! I am sooo mean!!! You all know what you need to do, so don't just sit there, do it!

 

I need to let you guys know that I am getting a little concerned that people are not enjoying my story. I am thinking of bagging this one and maybe doing a different story. I am very discouraged because I am not getting very many reviews on it. If you are enjoying this fic, please let me know. If you are not, please let me know why not (be nice about it) so I can correct it. To those of you who have reviewed for me, Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you! Each review is greatly appreciated.

 

As Always, Read, Enjoy, and Review!