InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Taisho's Darling ❯ Too Much Noise ( Chapter 12 )

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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 12

Making Too Much Noise

……

Sango was thoroughly pissed at him, no question about it. Inu-Yasha kept a wary eye on her as she paced back and forth in front of his desk. What he couldn't for the life of him understand was why he cared so damn much about the former taijiya's feelings on the matter. "Sango," he tried again.

"Shut up, Inu-Yasha," Sango hissed. "I don't want to hear any of your lies right now!" She tossed her hands up in the air in exasperation. "What you arranged with this sleazebag youkai," she gestured angrily at Hiten, who was trying to look as inconspicuous as possible, "was beyond cruel! How could you even consider toying with our feelings like that? Dammit Inu-Yasha, you have human blood in your veins! How could you be so - so unfeeling?"

"I still don't see what you're so mad about," Hiten interjected. "It's not like you're one of the women concerned. Why do you care if I date these women? Trust me; they'll have a good time." A smug grin crossed his handsome face.

"Just where in the seven hells do you think I'm living?" Sango exploded. "I'm one of the girls you were supposed to be playing around with! And even if I wasn't, the other girls are like sisters to me! Is your opinion of humans so low that you think nothing of getting their hopes up and then crushing them under your heel?"

"Why would I bother even pretending to court a woman who's already been claimed?" Hiten asked, sending a confused look in Inu-Yasha's direction. The now-human hanyou was making a 'shut up or die' motion behind Sango's back. "Only a fool would try to mess with an inuyoukai's bitch," Hiten continued unwisely. "Inu are jealous enough under normal circumstances; there's no way I'd even consider touching a bitch carrying a pup."

If possible, Sango flushed an even deeper shade of red. "Get out of my face," she threatened the elemental demon. "And stay away from the mansion and everyone in it! I swear, Hiten, if I catch sight of you anywhere around the place, I will exterminate you so fast they won't even find traces of your youki!"

Hiten quickly left the room, rapidly followed by a silent Koga. At least wolf-boy knows when to keep his mouth shut, Inu-Yasha thought grumpily. An uncomfortable silence settled between him and Sango.

"I'm sorry," Inu-Yasha said quietly.

She gave him a startled look. "What?" she asked. "I'm not sure I heard you correctly, Inu-Yasha. That sounded suspiciously like an apology."

Inu-Yasha nervously ran his tongue over an absent fang. "Sango, I wasn't thinking straight when I asked Hiten to run off the other suitors." He paused, gathering his thoughts. "It's just - it's just that I was so mad at my brother, and the thought of Sakura becoming Father's mate makes me want to hurl!" he said forcefully. He swallowed hard as he looked at Sango's pained expression. "But I guess that's no excuse…anyway, it was a rotten thing to do, and I'm sorry."

"You know what makes me so angry?" Sango asked, fatigue creeping into her voice. "You were willing to treat us as nothing more than tools!" She blinked back a few angry tears before continuing. "Don't you see us as individuals? We have feelings, Inu-Yasha. I know there's a lot of youkai who treat humans as objects, but I thought you were different!"

"I am different," Inu-Yasha insisted. "I know what it's like to be seen as some inferior creature with no feelings, Sango! I'm one of the oldest hanyous I know, and do you know why? Because most of the other hanyous born were viewed as disgusting abominations and slaughtered!"

"So you've mentioned before," Sango pointed out. "That makes what you did even worse, Inu-Yasha! Don't you realize you're messing with our lives? We need mates or we're as good as dead!"

"Father would never allow that to happen," Inu-Yasha countered. "He loves all of you too much to allow you to die. If you can't find mates, I know he'll continue to take care of you. I just want to get rid of Sakura!"

"And you want Sesshomaru to fail," Sango added acidly as she dropped into the chair across from the desk. "Why are you so jealous of him, anyway? It seems to me like you have the better life. I've never felt sorrier for Kagome than I do right now."

"Crazy wench, what are you talking about?" Inu-Yasha was perplexed. "How is Sesshomaru's life worse than mine? I'm the one who's spent all these years working directly under our foul-tempered father, and he walks in and takes over the company!"

"Do you really want control of the company?" Sango asked, arching an eyebrow. "I've noticed your brother is the first one through the doors and the last one to leave at night. You don't even work weekends, Inu-Yasha! Besides, you have this place." She allowed a smile to cross her face. "Don't you think being the owner of Club Lavanda is sexier than being the President of Taisho International?"

"You don't understand, Sango! I'm so sick of living in his shadow! Sesshomaru was always the perfect son, the one with the pure blood who never caused his father a moment of grief! I worked my ass off for Father, and he rewarded me with the opportunity to play second string behind my brother!" Inu-Yasha panted, the force of his jealousy and bitterness surprising even him.

Sango leaned across the desk and grasped his strong hands within her own. "Inu-Yasha, you are such an idiot. You are warm, vibrant, and - dare I say - a caring individual. You live your life to its fullest, even when you make the most awesomely stupid decisions based on pure impulse."

She gave his hands a gentle squeeze. "Sesshomaru, on the other hand, is a frozen bastard who can't even recognize his own attraction for Kagome. Instead, he pawns it off with some load of bull about the bond having a 'strange effect.' Honestly," Sango chuckled, "Sesshomaru's only hope lies within a mute little girl and an emotionally scarred miko - how scary is that?"

……

"Is there a problem, Miroku?"

"Oh, just a small incident with one of the consorts," Miroku said as he smiled at Kagura. The wind youkai was stretched out on his bed, appearing not to have a care in the world. "I have a bit of medical experience, so I'm the one who gets called upon to treat any household injuries. When did you arrive, my dear?"

"Kindly refrain from calling me your 'dear,' Miroku. We are by ourselves, so drop any pretenses." Kagura sat up on the bed and crossed her bare feet beneath her. "I came here just a minute ago to deliver this." She handed him a thick packet. "Those are the files of potential suitors. Have everyone take a look through the packet so we can winnow out the obvious mismatches." She stopped speaking and looked at his torso. "That's a lot of blood on your shirt. Just what kind of injury were you treating?"

"Oh, just a scratch," Miroku responded airily as he removed his soiled shirt, hoping Kagura's sense of smell wasn't too keen. The last thing he needed was questions about inuyoukai blood. Although he was telling the truth, he reflected. Taisho-sama was suffering from a scratch. Miroku just neglected to say what kind of scratch. He was fairly certain that if he mentioned a fight between two inuyoukai, Kagura would become suspicious.

"Must have been pretty deep," Kagura commented. She shook her head as if to clear it. "All the conflicting masking spells in this place are messing with my senses. How do the youkai living here stand it?"

"I suppose they're used to it," Miroku told her. He could feel her staring at the bare lines of his upper body. "Well?" he asked. "Does my physique meet your approval?"

"Yes," Kagura said bluntly. "In fact, I think my problem with you is not going to lie with finding a mate, but rather with narrowing down the interested parties. I can name several female youkai who would love to be here in your bedroom."

"And yet, the one youkai who is right here in the bedroom with me isn't interested," Miroku sighed. "Mine is a terrible life to live. Perhaps I could find a wind sorceress to massage away my pain."

"I don't think it's your pain you want massaged," Kagura retorted. She stood to leave. "I've delivered that packet; my business here is finished."

"You've forgotten something, Kagura." Before she could respond, Miroku pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly. "Just giving you something to think about," he grinned as he released her.

To his surprise and delight, she placed her arms around his neck and drew his mouth to hers. The kiss she gave him was slow and sweet, leaving the flabbergasted Miroku with a feeling of absolute emptiness when it ended. "Now you have something to think about as well," Kagura laughed as she departed.

……

"I hate to be so harsh with you, my dear," Kagewaki said calmly as he struck Kikyo once more. "Now promise me you won't disobey me again. You've learned your lesson, haven't you, my little miko?"

Kikyo remained on her knees before him, blood trickling from the corner of her lip. "Go to hell!" she spat. "I'm tired of cowering before you!"

Her husband crouched beside her. "Oh, you'll continue to cower, my dear. Don't forget, I own you." He lifted Kikyo's head, forcing her to face him. "We're so close to finding the Shikon no Tama, Kikyo. You can't quit now." He moved his lips down the side of her face. "This is our chance, Kikyo, our chance to shift our fortunes for good. Why settle for merely obtaining the powers of the youkai, when we can elevate ourselves above them?"

She didn't answer him. Kagewaki jerked her roughly by the hair and slapped her, hard. "Why did you tell Inu-Yasha you wouldn't see him again? The hanyou is our key to obtaining that jewel! He finally takes the opportunity to speak with you, and you tell him to never contact you again? How could you be so stupid?"

"He doesn't have the jewel!" Kikyo bit out. "If he was able to get it, he would have done so a long time ago! I'm telling you, Taisho is the one who knows something! His sons are completely ignorant!"

"You're too sentimental as far as Inu-Yasha is concerned," Kagewaki flared. "But perhaps you are right about Taisho. Unfortunately, Sakura's foolish greed has allowed the youkai to become suspicious. Taisho has once again disappeared from our view." He released his tight grip from Kikyo's face. "Maybe we're using the wrong approach to get to Taisho. Your sister is one of his whores, is she not?"

"Don't waste your time with her," Kikyo told him. "Taisho is not the type of youkai to include his mistress in his secrets. My sister is as untrained as ever, so her knowledge of the Shikon no Tama is non-existent."

"Oh, I don't doubt her ignorance," Kagewaki agreed. "But she's been with Taisho for a while, so undoubtedly she holds some place in his heart. I want you to focus your efforts on Higurashi Kagome." A horrible smile graced his countenance. "Think of it as getting to know your sister a little better. Families shouldn't be so estranged. What do you say to that?" he asked imperiously.

"Yes, my Lord Naraku," Kikyo intoned. She kept her brow to the floor, knowing her husband and master would strike her again if she didn't properly submit to him. The face of Kagewaki, which he presented to the world, was powerful but concerned. Here, in their private chambers, he allowed the true nature of Naraku full reign. And the face of Naraku was deadly and ruthless.

Kagewaki sauntered over to the chair behind his desk and sat down. He allowed the disguising spell to drop, and his deep red eyes burned within his face. "Come here, miko," he motioned to Kikyo. "Crawl to me and tell me how sorry you are for being such a disobedient little slave."

……

"You are so dead, Hiten. Inu-Yasha's never going to forgive you for shooting your mouth off like that. Why don't you learn to think before you speak?" Koga huffed.

"How was I supposed to know his bitch was listening? And why didn't he tell us she was living at the mansion?" Hiten complained. The pair grabbed a table near the bar so Koga could keep an eye on the club's patrons.

The two drank in a companionable silence. Eventually, Hiten spoke up again. "Hey, Koga?"

"What?"

"Our boy's been keeping some stuff from us. That Sango woman is carrying his pup…why do you suppose Inu-Yasha hasn't marked his bitch? Is it because he's a hanyou?" Hiten asked.

Koga shook his head. "No, I don't think that's the reason. Maybe she doesn't want to be marked. Some humans are against that sort of thing. They claim it's unnatural to live as long as demons."

"You'd think someone like that wouldn't be having sex with a youkai in the first place," Hiten remarked. "I didn't even know Inu-Yasha was seeing anyone. Hell, I thought he'd never get over Kikyo. What caused those two to split up, anyway?"

"She wanted him to turn full human."

"No!" Hiten was shocked. "Could he even do that? And why would he want to be a weak human?"

"He was supposed to get a hold of some relic that would purify his demon blood. When he didn't succeed, Kikyo dumped him and ran off with Kagewaki." Koga smirked. "Of course, the way I heard it, she was seeing Kagewaki before they split."

"That's insane, Koga, it really is. Can you imagine the hell his life would have been if he'd taken her for a mate? This one he's got now is scary, but at least she doesn't seem to hate youkai." Hiten paused, his attention caught by a movement across the dance floor. "Koga, who's that?" He pointed.

"The girl with the freckles?"

"No, the one sitting next to her. She's hot. I wonder if she's available." Hiten rose. "I'm going to go over there and talk to her. Come with me," he urged.

"Why should I?" Koga asked. "You're a little old to have your hand held when you talk to strangers. Go get her yourself."

"Idiot, I don't need my hand held! I want you to distract her freckle-faced little friend while I make my move. Haven't you ever heard of the 'Divide and Conquer' strategy? It's the first rule of clubbing."

……

Something furry tickled his nose, causing Sesshomaru to wake up sneezing. What in the world…it's that kitsune…He blinked in the darkness. Sure enough, Kagome's adopted kit had climbed into the bed with them, wrapping himself in a tiny ball near his mother's neck. The tip of Shippo's tail flicked once more, tickling Sesshomaru's nose and resulting in another sneeze.

The kitsune wasn't their only visitor. Lying on the other side of Kagome was his own little Rin. She was sound asleep, a lock of Kagome's sleek hair wrapped around her small fist. Rin stirred, and Sesshomaru held still as Kagome pulled the child close and massaged the Disposal mark on the back of Rin's neck. "Go back to sleep, little one," he heard Kagome whisper.

"When did these two join us?" Sesshomaru asked in a low voice. Their approach hadn't awakened him, which bothered him somewhat. True, he was used to Rin coming into his room, but should he trust the fox demon as well? Then again, a young kitsune hardly posed a threat.

"They haven't been here long," Kagome answered, scooting closer to Sesshomaru in order to give Rin a little more of the bed. "They came in here because they were scared of the thunderstorm. I was hoping they wouldn't wake you."

"The children do not disturb my slumber, Kagome. Your wriggling, however, is somewhat troublesome. I fail to understand why you are uncomfortable. How difficult can it be to sleep with a small pair of elbows in your ribs and a kitsune on your neck?"

She giggled, the vibration moving against his bare chest and sending a pulsing tingle down his spine. "It is a bit crowded, isn't it?" Kagome whispered, "Especially when you have a tall demon taking up more than his fair share of the mattress. Perhaps you should consider going back to the futon."

Sesshomaru tugged the aggravating miko towards him, tucking her head into the hollow of his shoulder. Kagome relaxed, bringing her arm and leg to lie across his body. "Not a chance, woman. You have already taken over my good sense; I will not allow you to take over my bed as well. Tonight, my place is beside you."

"And tomorrow?" Kagome allowed the question to fall from her lips. "Where is my place tomorrow night? Will it be next to you, or will you act as if tonight never happened?"

"Before I can answer that question, you must first tell me what you believe happened between us, Higurashi Kagome. Think carefully before you respond, for you may be assured that the question will be posed to you at breakfast by at least one of the interfering occupants of this household. Have you an answer?"

"Yes," Kagome gave a peaceful sigh. "Tonight was the night that Sesshomaru, son of Taisho, proved himself to be my friend. Therefore, I will not harass my friend with questions about future sleeping arrangements. Good night, Sesshomaru." Kagome planted a chaste kiss on the inuyoukai's chest before closing her eyes to return to a dreamless sleep.

……

"Don't look up, but we have predators headed in our direction." Nazuna snorted into her drink. She normally didn't do the club scene, but Koharu had begged her to come along, insisting that Nazuna needed to get out of the mansion for awhile.

"You'll never meet anyone interesting if you stay here with your nose stuck in these chemistry spell books," Koharu had informed her. Like she wanted to meet 'interesting' people, Nazuna pouted. Koharu's definition of 'interesting' was based on the perverts who shopped at the adult lingerie store where she worked.

Koharu brightened when she saw the two youkai approaching their table. "Ooh, he's a cute one!" she squealed under her breath. Nazuna wondered if Koharu was intoxicated. Sure the guy was good looking in a rough, outdoorsy kind of way, but 'cute'? The doubt must have shown in Nazuna's eyes, because Koharu began to argue. "Well, he is," Koharu insisted. "Look at those brilliant blue eyes!"

"Whatever," Nazuna grimaced. "His friend looks way too full of himself, though. If I send out the distress signal, you'd better rescue me."

"Should I use the 'ailing grandmother on her deathbed' excuse?"

"No, that's too obvious. Use the 'caught sight of your ex-boyfriend' routine."

"Hello, ladies," the blue-eyed wolf demon introduced himself. "I'm Koga, the manager here at Club Lavanda, and this is Hiten. I don't think I've seen the two of you here before." He seated himself next to Koharu. "I'd remember such a lovely face."

Noticing her friend's blush, Nazuna groaned inwardly. Judging by Koharu's instant response to the handsome wolf, she might as well give up any idea of help from her friend tonight. If this elemental youkai sitting next to her got out of hand, Nazuna was on her own.

"So what's a sweet little girl like you doing out at the club?" Hiten was handing her a corny pickup line. A strand of hair had come loose from his braid, and now hung artfully across his good-looking features. He smirked at Nazuna as his eyes traveled up and down her curves.

Great, he's youkai's gift to women. This is the last time I let Koharu take me anywhere. Nazuna forced a smile to her face. The things I do for my friends…

……

"Sango. Wake up, we're here," Inu-Yasha nudged the sleeping girl. She yawned and allowed him to help her from the taxi.

"I hope Kaede's gone to bed," Sango murmured. The gravel of the pathway crunched beneath their feet as they walked the long distance to the mansion. "She can kill us in the morning after I've gotten some sleep."

"This is my fault for keeping you out so late," Inu-Yasha said. "Are you cold?" he asked as he noticed Sango shivering. He draped his arm across her shoulders and brought her next to his body warmth. "Why in the hell didn't you bring a jacket, woman?" he scolded.

"I couldn't find one that fits," Sango admitted. "None of my clothes fit across my chest anymore." When she said this, she noticed Inu-Yasha staring at her breasts and cuffed him across the head. "You've been hanging around Miroku too much," she complained.

"Hey, you're the one that brought it to my attention," Inu-Yasha defended himself. He took a deep breath as they approached the mansion. "Sango, I meant what I said earlier. Asking Hiten to scare away the competition was a stupid thing to do. I'm sorry."

"Sorry you were caught?" Sango asked ruefully.

"Sorry I hurt a woman who's shown me nothing but friendship," Inu-Yasha corrected her. He unlocked the door with the key code and checked to see if anyone was in the front entryway. Seeing no one, Inu-Yasha held Sango's hand in his as they slipped quietly into the mansion.

……

"No!" Taisho gasped loudly. "It is cursed, I tell you! I'll not allow you to possess its power!"

Kaede struggled to restrain her master. Weak as he was, he was tossing violently about the bed, still fighting the unseen foes within his mind. "Taisho-sama," she whispered, "calm thyself! 'Tis but a dream, master!"

In desperation, Kaede cast a spell binding him to the bed. Her master was going to further hurt himself if he attempted to move. Taisho stopped struggling for a moment, giving Kaede the opportunity to collapse into the nearest chair. Her skin was flushed from the exertion, and her hair had come loose from its customary knot. Care of an injured inuyoukai, Kaede reflected wearily, was not for the faint of heart.

The masking barrier surrounding the room slipped for a moment, causing Kaede to curse her lack of control. It was relatively easy to cast a scent-barrier; all of the mansion's occupants could do such a simple spell. This barrier, though, blocked sounds as well, a much needed intervention in a household of sharp-eared youkai. Unfortunately, it required all of Kaede's concentration and energy to maintain the barrier, and Taisho was certainly not helping!

"Kaede," Taisho was groaning aloud in agony, struggling against his bonds. Exhausted, Kaede allowed the barrier to slip once more. "Please Kaede, I beg of you! Cease this torment and grant me my release! Kaede!" he roared. Unable to think of another way to quickly silence the hurting demon, Kaede pressed her lips against Taisho's own and kissed him fully.

……

Sango and Inu-Yasha went still as they heard the muffled yell. "Did I just hear what I thought I heard?" Sango gasped. Her cheeks flamed a cherry red.

"Yeah," Inu-Yasha laughed, a pink flush covering his own face. "Someone's having a good time tonight. I could hear that even with these human ears. Whose room is down that hall, anyway? Miroku's?"

"That's…that's Kaede's room," Sango choked out, too flustered to look her companion in the eyes. "And I couldn't hear it very well, but it sure sounded like some male was shouting her name as he - oh, never mind," she said quickly, covering her face with her hands. "This is really embarrassing. And before you ask, no, I don't know who is in there with her!"

……

Sesshomaru lay wide awake in shock, all thoughts of sleep banished completely. Just as he was falling back into slumber, his youki had picked up a sensation from a distant part of the house. He had felt the spiritual flash caused by a falling barrier, one most likely constructed to suppress sound as well as scent.

And in that short moment, Sesshomaru had heard his father's passionate shout to Kaede…

He closed his eyes. It has to be a dream. Either that or there is someone else who has a voice remarkably similar to Father's. Because Father is hidden somewhere in the South Pacific, and Kaede is downstairs snoozing with the peace of the aged. Father would not be doing…I mean, he's always had a thing for the human wenches, but…that old woman with the eye-patch? Surely not…

……

"Did I really just hear someone yell 'Kaede, cease this torment and grant me my release'? Oooh, Kaede's getting kinky," Jakotsu snickered. "Never thought the old gal had it in her," he added as he played with Bankotsu's thick braid.

"It's not all that surprising," Bankotsu replied. He grinned up at his lover. "I always suspected she was hiding something other than good looks beneath that 'old hag' spell of hers. She needs to ask Taisho-sama to erect a permanent sound-proof barrier around her room like he did for us."

……

A/N: *sings* Yes, we have no bananas, we have no bananas today…

We don't have any lemons either, folks. I might get a little limey and I adore double entendre, but I don't stir the lemonade pitcher. Since I've had some requests, I just thought I'd make that clear :>D

A couple of you have asked about my updating schedule. Real-life circumstances have turned the schedule I posted in my ff.net bio into a masterpiece of fiction. Sorry about that…anyway, I update just as quickly as I am able, but my stupid life keeps interfering with my precious writing time. Thanks so much for your continued patience!!!

- Lavender

Thanks, as always, to my beta TitianWren! You guys should see the plot-holes she stumbles across in my first drafts…