InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Taisho's Darling ❯ Assistance Requested ( Chapter 6 )

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Disclaimer: I don't own these marvelous characters; they are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. I merely torture them at will and put them in uncomfortable situations whenever possible.

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Chapter 6

Assistance Requested

 

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Kagome was awakened by a gentle tug on her silky black hair. “Five more minutes, Shippo,” she muttered tiredly. Her hair was pulled again, this time a bit harder. “Shippo, what are you doing?” Kagome asked, rolling to her side to face him.

 

A small hand released her hair and large brown eyes blinked at her. “Who are you?” Kagome asked, sitting up in the bed in surprise. The last thing she remembered was sitting on Taisho-sama's couch; she must have fallen asleep. But how did she wind up in Taisho-sama's bed with Shippo at her feet and a little girl tucked in next to her?

 

The child in question stared up at her, mahogany orbs filled with complete and utter trust. The girl smiled suddenly, showing a gap in her teeth as she beamed at the world around her. Before Kagome could repeat her question, the little girl threw her arms around Kagome and clung to her tightly.

 

“Okasan?” Shippo had awakened as well. The kitsune crawled up to his mother's stomach, rubbing his eyes sleepily. “Who's that?” he asked curiously, giving the girl a cautious sniff. The girl ducked away from Shippo's nose in silent laughter.

 

“Let's see if anyone else is awake,” Kagome told the children. “I think I smell Sango cooking something delicious in the kitchen.” She arose from the bed, lifting the girl who was still clinging to her neck while Shippo perched on her shoulder. “What do I look like, a tree for a couple of spider monkeys?” Kagome teased. Shippo giggled and the child hugged her tighter.

 

“Sango?” Kagome called as she entered the tiny kitchen. The former taijiya was right where Kagome expected to find her, standing in front of the stove. “Good morning! Something smells wonderful!”

 

“Interesting growth you've acquired there,” Miroku smiled from his seat at the table as he pointed to the girl in Kagome's arms. “Who is she? I don't remember seeing her last night.”

 

“I have no idea,” Kagome replied, depositing both children into a nearby chair. “I woke up and she was in my bed. Where is everyone?”

 

“Sesshomaru left for the office right after Inu-Yasha and I got up,” Sango answered the question as she stirred her cooking. “He didn't even stop to eat breakfast. At least Inu-Yasha likes my cooking. I'm glad at least some of the members of this household appreciate my efforts,” she groused.

 

Kagome and Miroku looked at each other and rolled their eyes at Sango's familiar rant. The woman had a tendency to take it personally if you missed one of her meals. Telling her you weren't hungry was grounds for a stern lecture on proper nutrition.

 

“Anyway, this little girl must be Rin. Sesshomaru said she crawled into bed with you last night, Kagome.” Sango continued as she turned off the stove and knelt before the girl. “I'm going to be taking care of you today,” she told the child. “Are you hungry?”

 

“She belongs to Sesshomaru?” Miroku asked in amazement.

 

“Rin is his adopted daughter,” Sango answered as she dished food onto a plate for the young girl. “Sesshomaru said she won't speak, but she understands anything we tell her. Anyway, I offered to watch her while Sesshomaru is at work. I figured I might as well, since I'm watching Shippo anyway.”

 

“Sango, I really appreciate this,” Kagome thanked her. “I'm certain Sesshomaru is grateful as well. Are you sure this isn't going to be too much trouble for you?”

 

“I don't mind, Kagome. Besides, it gives me something to do now that I'm not working outside the house.” Sango straightened and patted her abdomen. “Koharu already said she'd arrange her work hours to fill in during the times I can't watch them. Don't worry about finding daycare for a while.”

 

“I get to stay with Sango-obasan today?” Shippo asked excitedly. He pushed his empty plate away and squirmed as Kagome took a wet cloth to his sticky face and hands. “Can we go to the park, Sango-obasan? I can show Rin where all the fun places to play are!”

 

“If the weather stays nice,” Sango promised. “Do you need to use my car today, Kagome? Or do you want to have Bankotsu and Jakotsu retrieve your car from the mansion?”

 

“I don't have time to wait for my car,” Kagome said as she checked the time on the clock above the stove. She wiped a few crumbs from her mouth and pushed away from the table. “I need to get to the office. I don't want to take your car, though, so I'll just get a ride with Inu-Yasha.”

 

“Koharu! Get your ass out of the bathroom, will `ya! I'm going to be late for work!” they could hear Inu-Yasha yelling from the other room. “You've got five minutes before I tear down this door and throw you out!” he threatened, pounding on the door with his fists.

 

“On second thought, maybe I'll just call a taxi,” Kagome announced.

 

……

 

“Have you completely lost your mind?” Kagome gasped from the doorway. She dropped her briefcase into a chair in alarm and crossed the room. “What are you doing to my houseplants? That's a prize African Violet!”

 

“This Sesshomaru has decreed the plants must die,” the inuyoukai answered her. Sesshomaru didn't look up as he continued to shred the plants resting in the windowsill. “Their presence has offended me.”

 

“Couldn't you just ask me to move them?” Kagome cried. She snaked a hand in to rescue a tiny fern. “What did these innocent plants ever do to you, anyway? Geez, you're worse than Inu-Yasha! He just forgot to water them while I was on vacation!”

“Silence, slave. Who are you to give your master orders?” Another shred of greenery dropped to the floor.

 

“O-kay!” Kagome ground her teeth. She grabbed a lock of long silver hair and yanked him around to face her. “Let's get something clear between us, Sesshomaru-sama.” She purposely emphasized the honorific as she stabbed him in the chest with a finger. “You will address me by my name, understand? Not `slave', `wench' or anything else you had in mind. And you'd better be very careful of what you say to me around this office, unless you'd like your employees to know you're engaging in something this illegal. And while I'm on the subject of slavery, you had better not take advantage of this situation, because when Taisho-sama takes me back he's going to - ”

 

“He's not taking you back,” Sesshomaru interrupted her tirade. He tightened a hand around her wrist and squeezed, forcing her to release his hair. “Father has decided it's best for all of us if you belong to me.”

 

Kagome opened her mouth and closed it a few times. “Taisho-sama wouldn't abandon me like that!” she said at last, folding her arms across her chest and glaring at him defiantly. Sesshomaru was struck with her resemblance to Inu-Yasha at that moment. Isn't one individual with an attitude problem enough of a curse? Kami, how the fates must hate me!

 

“You're certainly a selfish one, aren't you?” Sesshomaru commented, speaking the words calculated to cut her off at the knees. “Father's life is in danger and you are merely concerned with your own welfare. I had not expected this of you, Higurashi Kagome.”

 

His statement had the desired effect. A film of moisture clouded the stormy blue eyes in front of him. “Excuse me,” Kagome whispered, biting her lip. “I spoke without thinking. I forget what a burden we are to Taisho-sama.” She dropped her arms and stared at the floor.

 

He had hurt her with his words. Sesshomaru could see her dismay in the set of her shoulders and smell the salt of her unshed tears. Somehow, Sesshomaru reflected, he knew the beauty in front of him would never allow her tears to show in front of another. His hand began to rise in an instinctive movement of comfort before he caught himself.

 

Stupid mark! This strange affection combined with a growing irritation was in danger of wrecking his newly formed plans to help his father. While it would be a pleasure to push this annoying woman to the breaking point, Sesshomaru knew he couldn't hope to succeed without Kagome's cooperation. If she opposed him, the rest of the slaves would follow suit.

 

“How can we aid Taisho-sama?” Kagome's words broke his concentration. She was acting as if his previous words had never been spoken, her eyes clear and her shoulders squared. Apparently the wench had plenty of practice at concealing her thoughts, for which Sesshomaru was grateful. It was unsettling enough for him to be feeling her emotions; if she were to demonstrate them visibly he wasn't sure he could handle it.

 

“Father will be all right, he's too stubborn to die,” was Sesshomaru's wry response. “But he wants me to do something for him and it will require your cooperation, Higurashi Kagome. May I count on your assistance?”

 

“You need my help?” Kagome asked in disbelief.

 

“Yes,” Sesshomaru answered shortly. “I need you to keep the others in line. They're to be paired off with youkai mates as quickly as possible. Close your mouth, Higurashi,” he added, noticing her expression. “You're catching flies.”

 

Kagome sank into the chair behind her desk. “Why the rush?” she asked finally. “The other slaves have waited over four hundred years! Why do they have to find mates now?”

 

Sesshomaru twirled a leaf from the remaining houseplant between his long, slender fingers. “You are aware of the current political situation,” he stated. “Father's enemies are plentiful, and if the status of the residents at the mansion were to be made known…”

 

“The slaves wouldn't live to see the light of day,” Kagome finished for him. She took a deep breath. “We've always known the dangers, but we've chosen to pretend everything was fine. That's foolish, I suppose.”

 

“The situation has always been out of your control,” Sesshomaru reminded her. “If you chose to believe otherwise, it was purely out of a desire to survive. And just to clarify the danger, have you stopped to consider the political repercussions if it became known a youkai possessed human slaves? The resulting upheaval would make the riots of today seem like a peace rally. Then you have to consider what would happen to my father - his own life would be in jeopardy not only from the law but from vengeful humans.”

 

Kagome shuddered. “What are you going to do?” she asked. “If it were that easy to find a youkai willing to take a human mate, don't you think it would have happened by now?”

 

“Inu-Yasha is living proof that there are youkai willing to consider such an alliance,” Sesshomaru responded. “This will not be easy, but I have a few ideas. For your part, I need you to convince the others to accept the situation.”

 

“So you'll just hand them over to any demon agreeing to take them in?” Kagome asked with concern. “That doesn't sound any better than slavery! I could probably convince Nazuna and Koharu to do it, but Sango would never agree. And what about Kohaku? He's at the university right now, but he's still Taisho-sama's slave.”

 

“He's on the list as well, so I suggest you pay him a visit. Also, the situation with Kaede is going to be rather difficult since she's staying with Father.” Sesshomaru leaned back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head. Staring at the ceiling, he continued to think aloud. “Any youkai planning on acquiring human mates are going to want someone compatible. Life bonds are not something to be trifled with.” He turned his head to study Kagome. “I plan on using the services of a professional matchmaker.”

 

“You mean those still exist?” Kagome asked. “I thought they were a thing of the past. And can a matchmaker be trusted with our secret?”

 

“I don't plan on telling her about the slave bond,” Sesshomaru replied. “But if she accepts the challenge, she can be trusted to do her best to find a compatible mate for all of you. She's quite good at her job.”

 

“You sound like you know her personally,” Kagome noted.

 

“I do.”

 

“Do you know her intimately?” Kagome demanded suspiciously. She then blushed at her question. “Forgive me; it's none of my business. I don't know what possessed me to ask such a thing.”

 

“It's the blood bond,” Sesshomaru said as he tipped his chair back into position. “It's having a strange effect on the both of us. I will warn you now, Higurashi - keep your distance from unattached men until our situation is resolved. There is a very real possibility that the youkai within me will react violently to the scent of a strange male upon you.”

 

“You don't need to worry,” Kagome retorted. “I don't like being touched by men, so any male scent you find on me is purely platonic. Half the time I smell like your stupid brother because he's in my face demanding the impossible.”

 

“Like the way I insist you actually do some work around here, Higurashi,” Inu-Yasha's growl interrupted them. The hanyou stomped into the office and slammed his briefcase on the desk. “Thanks a lot for taking my car this morning, Sesshomaru. There's nothing like running out the door five minutes late only to discover you need a taxi.”

 

“Good morning to you as well, little brother,” Sesshomaru responded smoothly. “I took your car because I wasn't about to call a taxi to the apartment at such an early hour of the morning. Some of us do not take hours to dress for the day.”

 

“For someone who filled up on Sango's cooking, you're in a foul mood,” Kagome said as she observed the grouchy half-demon. She walked over to his desk and tossed a stack of papers towards Inu-Yasha. “Those contracts are ready for legal review. We just need your signature.”

 

“Do you realize I had to wait half an hour to get a turn in the bathroom?” Inu-Yasha grumbled. “Then that brat of Sesshomaru's ran in there ahead of me. And does it always take Koharu twenty minutes to fix her hair?”

 

“No, it usually takes her forty minutes. She must have been rushed this morning,” Kagome told him. She reached across the desk and began to fix his rumpled tie. “At least we all will have private baths at the mansion. The only trick is to keep Nazuna from wrecking the plumbing with her water spells.”

 

A warning snarl erupted from Sesshomaru's desk. “What the hell is wrong with you?” Inu-Yasha asked. He craned his neck to the side to look at his brother, earning a light smack on the side of his head from Kagome.

 

“Hold still or I'll mess this up,” Kagome ordered. She finished working on the tie and patted it into place. “There. I'm surprised Sango let you out the door looking like this. She has an obsession with neatness.”

 

“Learn to fix your own tie, Inu-Yasha,” Sesshomaru growled low in his chest as his claws shredded the papers in front of him. He could feel his heat rise at Kagome's familiar handling of his brother.

 

Inu-Yasha stared at him. “Higurashi always does my tie,” he said, surprised. “It's the least she can do, seeing how she runs it through the paper shredder by noon everyday. You got a problem with that?”

 

“For the sake of avoiding an argument, let's just say that at the moment he does have a problem with that, Inu-Yasha,” Kagome explained as she retreated to her desk. As she put some distance between herself and the hanyou, Sesshomaru's eyes lost their red color and he visibly relaxed. “He's feeling a bit territorial. It's a youkai thing.” She ignored the odd look Inu-Yasha sent her way and went back to emptying her inbox.

 

……

 

“So did you know anything about those women?” Inu-Yasha asked his brother. They were sitting on a park bench, eating the lunch they had picked up at a takeout stand. “I knew Father had bought the mansion for Higurashi, but I had no idea anyone lived with her. Hell, before yesterday, I didn't even know she had a kid!”

 

“This is news to me as well, Inu-Yasha,” Sesshomaru replied. “You've worked closely with Higurashi for a few years; why didn't you realize what the situation was?”

 

“Because Father and Higurashi have always allowed everyone to believe that she's his mistress! Besides, she and I don't get along that well,” Inu-Yasha said defensively. “We don't exactly chat with each other over lunch.”

 

“Yet you allow her to fix your tie every morning,” Sesshomaru pointed out icily. He suppressed the ferocious anger that arose within him at the memory of Kagome's hands on his brother's tie. Damn woman won't give me a minute's peace…

 

“And I allow her to destroy my tie every afternoon,” Inu-Yasha shrugged. “She's my favorite person to argue with - does that make sense?”

 

“Coming from you, yes it does. It's obvious that while you don't get along with the woman, you do respect her opinions. Has she proven to be that valuable an asset to the company?” Sesshomaru asked.

 

“Yeah,” Inu-Yasha replied grudgingly. “She's got a knack for investing the company's resources that no one else can duplicate.” He shook his head. “I can't believe we're going to be sharing the same living space, though. She'll probably slit my throat in my sleep.”

 

“Only if you deserve it,” Sesshomaru said with a scowl at the thought of Kagome being near Inu-Yasha while he slept. She will be lying next to me at night, the demon within him demanded.

 

They continued to eat their lunch in silence. As he finished, Sesshomaru yawned and stretched his long legs in front of him. “Father has given me an interesting task,” he said casually, trying to lead Inu-Yasha down the conversation path he desired. “Apparently the residents of the mansion are seeking youkai mates and they need my help with the matchmaking.”

 

As expected, Inu-Yasha's ears perked. Sesshomaru knew the best way to get Inu-Yasha's attention was to act as if something wasn't important. “Why would they want youkai mates in particular?” Inu-Yasha asked, trying to feign disinterest.

 

“The mating bond would overpower the other bond,” Sesshomaru answered after a minute. He forced himself to sound half-asleep. “I imagine they're rather tired of their situation, no matter how kindly Father treats them. Always going through life looking over your shoulder, wondering if your secrets will be exposed…”

 

“So why isn't Father taking care of it? He's the one with all the connections,” Inu-Yasha noted.

 

“Father's a bit preoccupied at the moment,” Sesshomaru said idly. “He's trying to figure out who's threatening his life. And incidentally, he doesn't want Sakura to know he's in danger, so not a word about this to anyone. As far as anyone is concerned, Father is taking a vacation.”

 

“Father doesn't want his own fiancée to know he's in danger?” Inu-Yasha questioned.

 

“He also doesn't want his fiancée to know he's keeping female slaves,” Sesshomaru pointed out.

 

“What a wonderful relationship. Father should write an advice column on dating.” Inu-Yasha finished devouring his lunch. “As much as I don't like Sakura, I'm kind of glad Father's taking her for a mate. If anyone ever needed someone to look after him…”

 

But it won't be Sakura looking after him, Sesshomaru thought with satisfaction. Not that he was going to tell his brother about Sakura's treachery. “So I can depend on your discretion and assistance, Inu-Yasha?” Sesshomaru wiped his mouth with a paper napkin and tossed it into the empty takeout bag.

 

“Of course,” Inu-Yasha answered him with a serious nod.

 

“Thank you,” Sesshomaru said as he stood up from the bench. “I'll be a bit late getting back to the office; I have a few errands to run. I'm sure you are capable of dealing with any emergencies that arise.”

 

Maybe I should tell him the truth about Sakura, Sesshomaru debated as he left his brother sitting on the park bench. He has no idea she's been planning Father's murder. No, Father asked me to keep quiet about Sakura. Better to leave things as they are.

 

……

 

“I need to speak with Ms. Kagura,” Sesshomaru told the pert young receptionist. She batted her green eyes at him. He read the nameplate on her desk. The redheaded ookami was named Ayame.

 

“Do you have an appointment?” Ayame asked. “The Matchmaker is very busy today; whom shall I say is calling?”

 

“Tell her Sesshomaru needs a moment of her time,” he directed. Ayame complied, picking up the phone and paging Kagura's inner office. After a brief conversation, she replaced the handset and motioned Sesshomaru to pass through the large double doors.

 

“I hadn't expected to see you here.” Kagura was seated behind a large mahogany desk, filing her long nails. She arched an eyebrow at the youkai. “Could it possibly be that the great Sesshomaru has need of my services?”

 

“Yes, but not for myself,” Sesshomaru replied. “You certainly believe in taking the direct approach, don't you?” he asked. He took the chair nearest to her after closing the office door behind him. “I want strict confidentiality on this one, Kagura. Turn off the recording devices.”

 

“Darn,” she complained, her ruby lips forming an adorable pout. “I was so hoping to blackmail you at a later date, Sesshomaru. You take all the fun out of being wicked, you know that?”

 

“I need you to find compatible mates for the individuals on this list,” Sesshomaru said, handing Kagura a list across the expanse of desk. “And I need this done as quickly as possible. No decade-long courtships allowed. All the information you need is on that list.”

 

Kagura stopped filing her nails and perused the notes in front of her. “What's so special about these individuals?” she asked Sesshomaru. “Why can't they find mates through traditional means? Are they nobles looking for political alliance?”

 

“No, they're something at the other end of the scale,” Sesshomaru said. “They're humans who want mates with demon blood. Your fee, of course, will be substantial.”

 

“What?” Kagura hissed, dropping the list as if she'd been burned. “Humans? Sesshomaru, I am a highly respected youkai Matchmaker! Why would you think for a moment I would agree to do this, no matter how much money you throw at me?”

 

Sesshomaru leaned forward. “Because the women are Father's consorts and he's trying to get rid of them before the wedding,” he lied easily to the Matchmaker. “You don't want your mother finding out about them, do you? Father has said the only way he'll give up his `Darlings' is if they're properly taken care of, and by his definition that means youkai mates.”

 

“I should pick up that phone and tell my mother about this right now,” Kagura snapped. “I can't believe Taisho-sama been keeping a house full of consorts! As if keeping Higurashi isn't bad enough! Why isn't she on this list? And who are the two men?”

 

“The men are brothers to one of the consorts. Higurashi has already been removed from the picture,” Sesshomaru wove his tale. “And you won't tell Sakura unless you want to wreck her and my father's relationship.” He scribbled a number on a nearby memo pad before ripping the page out and folding it in half. “Give it some thought, Kagura. You know you like a challenge, and you'll be amply rewarded.” He slid the piece of paper underneath her hand lying on the desk and walked out the door.

 

……

 

From a recorded telephone conversation, Taisho International Corporation:

 

“Hey Inu-Yasha, what's up? Are we going to be at the club tonight?”

 

“Hiten, you're not gonna believe what's happening around here.”

 

“Let me guess…your brother is really a woman? Your secretary is pregnant with your love child? A beautiful girl walked past Miroku and he didn't grope her?”

 

“That last event will never happen, my friend. Listen, I need your help. My father has given the Ice Lord an assignment.”

 

“And you want me to help Sesshomaru? Are you feeling all right, dog-boy?”

 

“No, I don't want you to help my brother. I want you to help me make sure he screws up. If we do this right, he'll fall on his ass and my Father won't be taking Sakura for a mate. I can't think of two other things in this world that would make me this happy. I loathe Sakura, and as far as Sesshomaru goes, that asshole is holding down my spot as acting president of this company. He needs to learn what it's like to fail miserably.”

 

“Fortunately, you have plenty of experience at failing miserably.”

 

“Shut up, Hiten. Are you going to help me or not?”

 

“Sure, Inu-Yasha, it'll be fun. What do you need me to do?”

 

“I'm going to introduce you to some women, some very pretty, very intelligent women. I want you to do what you always do.”

 

“Really? This ought to be fun…”

 

“That's not what I meant, pervert. You're going to pretend to be courting these women. In reality, I want you to string them along and then dump them after you've scared away the competition. If these women don't find mates, Sakura will never agree to take Father as a mate.”

 

“So what's the catch?”

 

“They're all sharing the same house with me and Sesshomaru. You'll have to be careful, Hiten.”

 

“Ah, a challenge. I was just thinking that life was too boring. And what is in this for me, Inu-Yasha?”

 

“I don't know, endless entertainment watching the Ice Lord tear his hair out in frustration?”

 

“Let me borrow your car while I'm doing this and you've got yourself a deal, my friend.”

 

……

 

The door slammed shut behind Sesshomaru's departure, eliciting an irritated growl from the Matchmaker. Her ruby eyes flared at the inuyoukai's arrogance. The nerve of him, thinking for one minute that I would agree to find mates for a litter of human scum! The last thing I want is to fill the world with more of their useless offspring!

 

She clenched her fists, feeling a corner of the paper Sesshomaru had left behind dig into her palm. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to see how much he's willing to pay to take care of this mess. What a trial it must be to have Taisho for a father. She opened the paper and stared at the number.

 

Then again, every year I get more and more youkai and hanyou requests for human mates…there just aren't enough demons left in the world to find mates for everyone. Our numbers are dwindling further every year…and this is a fair amount of money…hell, this is more money than I've received all year…

 

With a heavy sigh, she picked up the list of information on the consorts. Pictures of the humans were attached to the list with a large paperclip. Let's see, we have Kaede, Sango, Nazuna and Koharu. Interesting assortment, apparently Taisho enjoys variety in his appetites. Then we have Kohaku and Miroku, brothers to Sango. She paused at the picture of Miroku. Hmm, Miroku doesn't resemble his sister at all. I wonder if violet is his real eye color. He's a handsome bastard, so he shouldn't be too difficult to pair with someone. Maybe I could hook him up with an older demon wench looking for an energetic young man to warm her bed. He looks like he has a lot of carnal knowledge… he may be human, but I'll bet he's a demon between the sheets.

 

She straightened in her chair and drummed her nails along the desktop. I need the money… Mother would be devastated if she found her intended mate with all those women… I really need the cash. It's not like I'm the one who has to mate with the humans. And since Higurashi isn't on this list, how hard can this be?

 

Kagura turned to the second page of the list, where the descriptions and situations of each of the humans were listed. As she read, her eyes grew wider and several times she had to stop and blink. Pregnant…destructive…eye patch…unrepentant pervert…

 

She finished studying the document and picked up her phone. “Sesshomaru?” she said when the line was answered. “Double the amount and you have a deal. But you owe me an undetermined favor in the future - a huge favor.”

 

……

 

A/N: Forgive the repost, please; I needed to fix some formatting errors. Also, quite a few of these chapters were written before I had a beta, so any mistakes are mine alone - Lavender