InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Winds of Fate ❯ The Guest ( Chapter 1 )

The Winds of Fate

By: Kagura-hime

 

Summery: Kagome Higurashi is a chambermaid at the most prestigious hotel/casino in all of Japan. Sesshoumaru Takara is a wealthy businessman owning one of the largest technology companies in the world. What happens when fate unexpectedly throws them into each other's arms, and they are forced to depend upon one another if they wish to survive? S/K

 

Disclaimer: I don't own jack. I wish I did, but, hey, shit happens. Besides, do you really think that these characters would really let me own them? Not bloody likely.

 

Aw hell, just go read.

 

Recommended fics: Marrying the Mafia by Shichan2, Being Me by Samarah-chan, The Bridepens by Moonsilver, and Crucify My Love by Jo-chan. I love all these fics, and I think you will too. So make sure to r&r!

 

The Winds of Fate

Chapter 1: The Guests

 

Kagome woke to the sound of the train speeding by behind her apartment. She couldn't have asked for better timing. The enchanting sound of the trains' whistle woke her every morning at 6:15, or bloody close to it anyway, and gave her enough time to get dressed, eat, and walk to work for 7:00.

 

She slowly crawled out of bed and dragged her ass to the kitchen to start up the coffee maker because caffeine equals friend when you have long hours to work and you have to get up early to start them. While it was happily grinding away at the coffee beans, she went to the bathroom, and splashed some cold water on her face, to wake herself up. Kagome leaned over the sink and looked at her sleep lined features in the mirror. `Wow am I a mess,' was the thought floating around her brain as she took in her tousled hair. After quickly grabbing the nearest brush, she ripped it through the rat's nests she called hair and pulled it back into a ponytail once it was tame. She completed some other business in there and came out just as the coffee machine had finished its task. She poured herself a steaming cup and went to sit on the small balcony outside her living room.

 

While she sipped the hot brew, she watched the traffic speed past and pedestrians stroll by, some leisurely, others pushing past with briefcases late for some meeting or another. When she was out of coffee, she popped some bread into the toaster and quickly got dressed in a light blue skirt and white blouse. On the way to the kitchen, she snatched her purse and house keys, grabbed the waiting toast, slipped her shoes on at the door, and locked said object. She was on her way to work after the same boring routine she used everyday. In everyone's opinion, meaning Sango and her little thirteen-year-old brother Kohaku, she needed something-or someone-to shake up her monotonous life. As they say-good things come to those who wait, and Gods know Kagome has been waiting a lifetime for something great to happen to her.

 

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Kagome had just unlocked the door in front of her and opened it to go in and clean when the owner of the Shingetsu came strolling down the hallway toward her. It was very rare that anyone of a higher standing saw him, let alone a lowly chambermaid. And to top it all off, he came striding straight towards her, three important men in tow, with another three pushing luggage carts behind them. At a distance of course because why would upper-class men want to idly chit-chat with bell-boys?

 

“Naraku-sama, what a pleasant surprise!” Kagome pasted on her plastic smile and bowed when the man came close.

 

“Good afternoon Ms. Higurashi,” he said in mock politeness.

 

The way he was leering at her gave Kagome the creeps, as did his general aura. And also the fact that he knew her name sent shivers up her spine. Most people didn't bother with her, she wasn't popular at all, and if she didn't have such a memorable face security would probably stop her from coming in the building. That's how little known she was. So why the hell would he know her name when no one else cared to? There was just something about this man that you could not trust. She had noticed it the first time she had met him, when he had randomly popped into a group interview that his employee- manager Kagura was performing. She had happened to be in that group, and she didn't like him then either.

 

“Did you need something, sir?”

 

“Yes. These gentlemen will be staying in Penthouses A though C for a while. I ask you to see that they are taken care of, and have everything they need,” Naraku replied, gesturing to the men standing behind him, who were all looking bored. One of them was just staring at her in a daze, completely oblivious to everything else. It also looked like he mouthed something, but Kagome couldn't tell what it was. A shiver went down her spine from his unwavering gaze, and she answered Naraku, ignoring the white haired man.

 

“But sir, Ayume and Yuki work the penthouses. They would probably do better than I could, so why me?” Kagome finally asked, puzzled.

 

Naraku sighed at having to delay his guests and answer to his employee to prove to them that he had manners, and explained. “Ayume is sick, and Yuki went on vacation. Since you are currently working the floors below them, I thought it would be appropriate for you to cover until one of them returns since we could only find one substitute. Now will it be too much for you to handle in addition to your regular duties? You will be compensated, of course, for the extra,” he asked, getting impatient that his precious guests were mumbling to each other.

 

“No sir, it would be no trouble at all,” Kagome replied, bowing low.

 

“Very good then. And shall I take you to your room now?” Naraku directed at the men, among one of which was glaring at him mercilessly. Of course it had to be the one who was staring at her earlier. Though he did get brownie points back if he hated Naraku, no matter the reason.

 

Kagome merely knit her eyebrows at his apparent hostility towards Naraku, vaguely wondering his particular reason, before bowing to the guests and Naraku seeing as how they were leaving. Naraku gracefully ignored the murderous look the guy was still sending to his back. As the other men nodded, and strolled away, the antagonistic one trailing along behind the other two, his arms crossed over his chest defiantly, not unlike that of a bratty six-year-old child that wasn't getting the ice cream he asked for. One of the other men, the only black-haired one, took a glance back at her. Kagome's right eyebrow started twitching when she realized he was giving her the once-over. `Bloody pervert…'

 

Kagome barely managed a polite smile without chucking cleaning supplies at the mans' handsome face. She just looked away and cooled off, since she figured that the man had to be important (and damn wealthy to afford to stay in this penthouse for any amount of time) and she wouldn't see him very often, if at all. She shrugged and had just started pushing her cart through the door, when Sango poked her head out from the room across the hall and interrupted her, raising a finely sculpted eyebrow at Kagomes annoyed look.

 

“What?” she asked when the group was definitely out of earshot.

 

“I heard every word. Congrads.”

 

“Thanks…but I still don't know why he picked me. Or how he knew my name. I've only met him once, and that was three years ago. Kind of freaky if you know what I mean,” Kagome said lowly, just in case anyone was around.

 

“Uhh…Kagome I hate to break this to you, but he is the owner of this place. He can just pull the files of who works here, their general areas and set shifts, and their picture.”

 

“Oh be quiet! I was going to think of that sooner or later. Anyway, do you have any idea who those guys were?” Kagome said, waving her hand at Sango in an offhanded way.

 

“Probably just some big business typhoons, that's all. We get tons of them. And did you see the look that one guy gave to Naraku? Priceless!” Sango giggled, Kagome joining in.

 

“I know! I wonder what's going on between them. Hey wait, how did you see it?” Kagome asked, suddenly thoughtful.

 

“I was just about to open the door and come out when I heard Naraku talking to you, so I spied through the door crack. I didn't see all of them because of where they were standing, but I saw that white haired guy and his unfriendly stare. Well, back on track, you'll have plenty of time to find out the full story since you'll probably be up there a lot. That's one thing about businessmen-they're almost all prissy bastards and need everything handed to them on a silver platter.”

 

“Yeah I guess so…”

 

“And make sure you tell me all the juicy details,” Sango was nudging Kagome's arm in a `you-know-you-want-to' kind of way.

 

“Don't worry Sango, you won't miss a thing.”

 

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“Kagome-san! Hey wait a second! Come back here!”

 

“Hmm?” Kagome turned around puzzled when the sound of her name reached her ears.

 

“Kagome-san, could you take this up to Penthouse A for me? I have a ton of other orders, and Hojo is delivering some other things to help me out. I need to get this up there pronto, and I have no one else here to do it. I know that your shift is done and that you're a cleaning maid, but will you please help me just this once?” The desperation in the hotel chefs voice, Nobanaga, was quite noticeable, and Kagome decided to help him out a little, since he was a good guy.

 

“You said it goes up to Penthouse A, right?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“I guess they're all in there together to work or something. Nobanaga, consider it done,” Kagome said brightly, muttering the first part to herself.

 

“God I owe ya one Kagome-san.” Nobunaga had a look of pure relief and gratitude on his features.

 

“You won't owe me anything if you don't start dropping the “san” off of my name. I've told you before, it's just plain Kagome. There's no need for honorifics with me.” Kagome patted him on the back as she walked away.

 

Nobunaga smiled as he turned back to his stove. “Kagome…Yeah I like that better.”

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The elevator pinged and closed behind Kagome as she pushed the cart into the small entranceway of the penthouse. Kagome heard voices in the background, and she wasn't sure that they had heard her come up.

 

“Room ser-“

 

“Yeah we know you're here, so just bring the damn food in to us, will ya?”

 

Kagomes face turned stormy, and her eyes dark with anger. She rubbed the back of her neck where she suddenly felt tingly like when somebody was watching you. She pulled her hand away and decided to ignore it. `Jeez! This guy could be a little nicer. What an ass!'

 

But she quickly wiped her face clean of all emotions, but her eyes betrayed her calm and detached appearance. She took a deep breath, and entered the room where the voice came from.

 

Kagome saw that two of the men were sitting on the couch watching the giant plasma T.V, while the other one was sitting at a large kitchen table doing mountains of paperwork.

 

“Over here, wench,” growled the one who was staring at her earlier.

 

Kagomes short temper only increased to dangerous levels as she wheeled the cart over behind the sofa.

 

“Which of these is yours sir?” Kagome asked through gritted teeth.

 

“The ramen.”

 

`I hope he chokes on it,' Kagome thought heatedly as she walked around the sofa with the dish, and placed it on the table before him along with some sauces.

 

“I wanted to eat in the kitchen you moron,” he growled, glaring at her.

 

“Well I'm sorry I'm not a bloody psychic and couldn't read your mind! And besides, the table is kind of occupied right now, so I couldn't put the dish there anyway baka!”

 

As soon as she said it, Kagome slapped a hand over her mouth her eyes wide as her brain stumbled through all the possible outcomes of this disaster. The black haired pervert from earlier looked up at her in surprise, and the one sitting at the table twitched the corners of his mouth without missing a beat of writing on his paperwork, while the arrogant one just stared stupidly at her, a look of utter and complete confusion nestled onto his face.

 

The pervert, as Kagome had named him, sitting on the couch interjected when the gaping imbecile (as Kagome had named this one) with white hair and…dog? ears opened his big mouth to speak again.

 

“You'll have to excuse my friend here. He's not used to being talked back to by someone of lower status.”

 

“Whatever the case may be, I should not have said that. Gomen-nasi,” Kagome quickly apologized and bowed. Even though that last remark both wounded and infuriated her, if one of the men ratted her out, she would lose her job, especially since these were no ordinary guests. Naraku would have her head if she lost him these high-class, very high-paying customers.

 

“Feh. You should be wench. I won't tolerate you talking to me like that again. I'll let it go this time but there had better not be a next time or else I'll have your job,” mutt-face said turning up his nose.

 

Kagome nodded her head in understanding. When he didn't complain about having his food in the kitchen again, Kagome turned to the other man, and asked, “And which of these is yours?”

 

“Just the steak sandwich, M'lady.”

 

Kagome's jaw almost dropped at being called m'lady, especially after this guy had basically implied that she was low-class trash, but she quickly caught it, and delivered the man his food.

 

As she turned to give the last man his miso soup and pot of green tea, something quickly grabbed her arm and held her in place. It slowly spun her around so that she didn't spill her cargo. The black haired man jumped over the back of the sofa, took the bowl and teapot, put it back down on her food cart, and grabbed both her hands in his.

 

“M'lady, may I inquire as to your name?” he said looking her right in the face.

 

“…Kagome,” she responded slowly, not quite knowing his motive.

 

“Well Kagome, I would like to know if you would be willing bear me a son.”

 

Kagomes mind blanked out for a moment. `He..uh…son? What the hell?!' Her internal drama was interrupted by the very ugly sounding crack of balled up knuckles hitting flesh.

 

The man at the kitchen table had moved with remarkable speed and left-hooked the black haired lecher, who was now spread over the sofa like some sort of twisted comforter, completely unmoving.

 

“Do not pay any heed to Miroku, for he asks anything wearing a skirt to bear his child.” The man that said this was quite tall, at least a good 6”8', which towered over her 5”10' frame, and she got a good view of his calf length white hair when he turned away from her to say what he did. On his way back to the kitchen table he gracefully picked up his food, saving Kagome the trouble of trying to find a spot to put it.

 

“Umm…is he still alive?” She asked, slightly nudging his foot. `Not that I'd mind if he was dead,' she silently added.

 

“Don't worry, he receives this type of abuse on a daily basis. I am beginning to believe that he has built up an immunity to serious head trauma,” her savior spoke after clearing a small spot for his dinner then sitting down to do more work.

 

“Uh…thank you sir for helping me there. I appreciate the gesture, even though I can take care of myself. Everything's ok though, I guess. No hard feelings,” she said way too cheerfully.

 

“Yeah whatever you say bitch. Though I don't know why he would even bother with the scrawny likes of you anyway. Usually he goes for the more voluptuous women than any other. But getting off the topic of you, nice job Sesshoumaru. You just killed our CEO for the rest of the night. Way to go,” the cocky-ass imbecile rolled his eyes.

 

Kagome wanted so badly to just imitate the only decent one of the bunch and punch his lights out. `Maybe if I get lucky, that…was it Sesshoumaru? guy will knock him out too. Ah…I don't have enough good karma built up for something so great to happen.'

 

“Silence Inuyasha. I've had enough of you too tonight. Now either do some work or shut your mouth,” the man now branded as Sesshoumaru turned and glared forcefully at his target, sending shivers down Kagome's spine from the mere intensity. `Jeez. I never want to piss him off. He's not even glaring at me and I'm scared.'

 

Kagome desired nothing more than to get the hell out of this loony bin. But she couldn't leave until she was dismissed but one of the two conscious occupants currently having a glaring contest, of which Sesshoumaru was winning by a landslide.

 

Kagome just stood there awkwardly and rubbed her still tingling neck until Inuyasha turned his nose up again and began slurping down his ramen noisily, glancing at her every now and then between mouthfuls.

 

Sesshoumaru went back to work, leaving Miroku sprawled out in what looked like an uncomfortable position on the couch. Kagome cleared her throat quietly after a minute, and Sesshoumaru looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.

 

“I thought that you would have left by now. Is there something else you need, or are you waiting for a tip?”

 

“Oh no sir. No tip. I just can't leave until you dismiss me. Hotel policy,” she said with her head bowed.

 

“I see. Then you are dismissed.”

 

“Arigato Sesshoumaru-sama. Oyasumi-nasi to both of you,” Kagome said while bowing low. Then she grabbed the cart, and headed through the entranceway to the elevator. While she was waiting for it to arrive, Sesshoumaru suddenly appeared behind her so fast Kagome nearly had a heart attack.

 

She was clutching her heart as she turned around to face him. `Jesus this guy is fast. There's no way he can be human…No definitely not with those eyes,' She thought after looking up and seeing two gorgeous amber eyes stare back into her currently navy blue ones.

 

“Did I startle you?”

 

Kagome nodded a few times, her heart rate finally returning to normal.

 

“Well then this should make up for it,” he said while holding out a roll of bills to her.

 

Kagome took it with shaking hands, and realized that it contained many hundred-dollar bills. The elevator doors opened behind her as Kagome came to her senses and tried hastily to shove the bills back into the mans hand.

 

“I'm sorry but I can't accept this. It's way too much money for me to take. Save it for someone who actually does something to deserve it.”

 

“Think of it as compensation for having to deal with my idiotic half-breed brother and lecherous CEO,” he quickly reached forward around Kagome and held open the elevator doors, which had started to close.

 

“Don't think I didn't hear that Sesshoumaru,” Inuyasha yelled from the next room. Sesshoumaru gracefully ignored him and cut Kagome off to continue speaking.

 

“All of us will be in a meeting tomorrow starting at 8 A.M. sharp, and it should last several hours. You may come in and do your job then.”

 

“Yes sir. And I take it that I can say nothing to bring you back to your senses and keep your money in your pocket?” Kagome was slightly suspicious. Did this guy expect her to do more than clean his room? She had never received a tip even a quarter as big as this, even from the wealthy assholes that constantly came through the hotel.

 

Sesshoumaru gave a little `hmph' of laughter. “I assure you that I am currently in a sane mindset even after having to deal with those two all day. Now tell me, will you not accept the money because you believe I have an ulterior motive?”

 

Kagome's eyes widened. `How the hell did this guy get the nail smack-dab on the head? After I just thought it no less. Hey wait a sec…I've heard of demons who are so powerful they're telepathic. God dammit, he's been reading my mind all night! That's what the tingly feeling is or so I've read. I feel so violated now…'

 

Sesshoumaru smirked a bit, showing off sharp fangs. “You are correct. I have been reading your thoughts all night to try and tell if you were sent to spy on my company for one of my competitors, or if you can be trusted. I knew no other way to get the information, so I monitored your thoughts. You have passed my test, and I believe you can be trusted.”

 

Kagome blinked a few times, surprised at such a ready and honest explanation. Then she shrugged, “I actually don't even know what company your with in all honesty. But you couldn't have known that unless you dug through my mind. I understand why you did it, but can you please refrain from doing it all the time. It creeps me out that even my unspoken thoughts are public.”

 

Sesshoumaru bowed his head. “Of course. There is no need to do it again unless I suspect something.”

 

“Ok, well, I should be letting you get back to your work. And thank you very much.” Kagome looked down at the money in her hand. “This is more than I make in a few weeks if I saw correctly.”

 

“I assure you that you did. And also, just for your own awareness, I am staying in this Penthouse, Inuyasha in Penthouse B, and Miroku in Penthouse C. ” he said, nodding his head slightly and gliding back into the next room.

 

Kagome stared down at the tip in her hand as she boarded the elevator and pressed the number 1 button, effectively shutting the doors.

 

“Why'd you go after her and give her that? You don't actually like her or anything, do you?” Inuyasha asked as soon as the elevator was gone.

 

“Of course not. I only feel sorry for the poor thing for having to put up with you two,” Sesshoumaru said absently, going back to his paperwork.

 

“Feh.” The T.V. channel was changed to some random action movie.

 

Miroku lay sprawled on the couch, his bruised skull guaranteeing him a full night's rest. Oddly enough, Sesshoumaru had hit him a bit harder than usual for some reason; though Inuyasha didn't realize it, and neither did Sesshoumaru himself.

 

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RIIIING

 

`Oh I hope she's still home,' Kagome thought impatiently as the phone rang its annoying chorus.

 

“Moshi moshi?”

 

“Oh thank heavens Sango! I have so much to tell you, can I come over?”

 

“Yeah sure, just come over for eight-ish, I should be back by then, and we'll have all night to talk.”

 

“Ok. What kind?”

 

“The usual, what else?”

 

“I should've known.”

 

“Ja Kag.”

 

“Ja ne, Sango.” Click. Kagome hung up the cell phone, and checked the clock.

 

`7:27. I'll just make it if I leave now.' And with that thought in mind, Kagome left and began strolling down the ever-darkening streets.

 

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Sango walked down the sidewalk and saw a figure sitting on the front steps to her row home. She smiled, knowing full well who it was, and called out to her.

 

“Hey Kagome!”

 

“Hey Sango.”

 

“I really need to get you a key.”

 

Kagome giggled, “Same here.”

 

“So did you get it?” Sango asked, peering around Kagome.

 

Kagome sighed and pulled out a bag from behind her back.

 

“Yes! Chocolate Marshmallow; now that's the best ice cream ever made.”

 

“Mm hmm,” Kagome agreed as Sango unlocked the door, setting her baseball bat down to do so. Kagome looked down at the ice cream container in her hand. `She loves this stuff. Knowing her she probably wouldn't have let me in if I hadn't bought it on the way over!'

 

Kagome watched silently as Sango opened the front door and turned off the security system. She followed her in and went directly to the kitchen to grab some bowls and spoons.

 

“So what did you have to tell me?” Sango asked smiling when they were all nice and settled into comfy chairs in the living room.

 

“Well…it's about those guys in the penthouses…” She started vaguely, not wanting to give anything away.

 

“Yeah, go on,” Sango said with her mouth full, nodding her head in the `go-on' gesture.

 

“Well Nobanaga asked me to take up some food right, because he was shorthanded and I did. I got up there and the guy that pierced a hole through the back of Naraku's head earlier?” she paused here, and Sango nodded her head, showing that she remembered him. Then she continued. “He was being a total ass, and I snapped back at him…” she trailed off sheepishly.

 

“Bad girl. You know you could get fired for that right?” Sango asked nervously.

 

Kagome sighed, “Yeah I do. But I don't think they'll say anything. Not if Sesshoumaru has anything to say about it.”

 

Sango started choking on her ice cream.

 

“What's wrong Sango?” Kagome asked, reaching over and patting her friends back.

 

“Sesshoumaru?” she croaked out hoarsely.

 

“Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's what the gaping imbecile called him. Why?”

 

“Sesshoumaru Takara is the President and owner of Sakura Enterprises-a major technology company. His company probably made your cell phone. I know mine's one of his. Anyway, he's the third richest guy in the world, and is supposed to be extremely good-looking, and extremely available. Though that might be more because he's a youkai, and less that's he's gay or something. There have been rumors recently that he is because he hasn't hitched up yet. I'm not sure if that's true or not, or if the media is just trying to rile him up or what…” Sango trailed off thoughtfully.

 

“Jeez Sango! Ever think about writing a biography?” Kagome asked jokingly.

 

“Everyone knows that,” Sango rolled her eyes.

 

“Well I didn't”

 

“Then you're just weird and need to get out more.”

Kagome stuck her tongue out playfully and remarked, “Yeah, well him being youkai explains the killer speed and markings on his face. And his height. He's almost a foot taller than me! And the fact that he's a powerful psychic.”

 

“Yeah, I've heard rumors he's psychic, but nobody ever knew if they were true or not. I guess they are…”

 

“Do you stalk him or something?”

 

“No…” Sango said with a shifty glance and an amused smile.

 

The girls laughed at that and then Kagome began to think seriously for a second.

 

“If you know so much about him, why didn't you say anything about it at the hotel?”

 

“Because I've never seen him before. So even if I had seen him through the crack, I wouldn't have known it was him unless someone called his name. Remember I said that I heard he was good-looking? That's because he's very elusive to the press and whatnot, so not many people know what he really looks like,” Sango explained, and Kagome let out a little “oh” of understanding.

 

“Well, to confirm the rumors, he is very attractive. Possibly the best looking guy I've ever seen.” Sango grinned and let out a little “yes” of happiness. “Wait, he called the white haired guy with dog ears his `half-breed brother' when I was in there. That means that Inuyasha is a hanyou, right?”

 

“Duh. I don't know why Sesshoumaru made him his Vice President. Inuyasha's kind of an idiot from what I hear. Well, not an idiot, because I've heard he's very smart, but he's just not very interested in the company. He's not worried about stock earnings and profit at all. And his CEO is reputed to be a huge lecher, asking women to bear his child or something,” Sango said, a look of disgust planted firmly in her features.

 

“Oh he is, trust me.”

 

“What?” Sango's left eyebrow started twitching.

 

Kagome sighed and continued. “After I snapped at Inuyasha, Miroku, I think his name was, said something like `Excuse him, he's not used to being talked back to by someone of low status' or some bull like that. I gave him his food, and when I began walking away he grabbed my hands, asked for my name, and then asked if I would like to bear his son! And he was dead serious about it too!”

 

“He'd better hope he doesn't ask me, because I would pound his face in…” The tick in Sango's eyebrow only got worse, and Kagome was worried she would pop a blood vessel soon and tried to calm her down.

 

“Sesshoumaru saved me the trouble of hitting him. As soon as he said it, Sesshoumaru by my side, and he punched Miroku right in the temple! It's a miracle his skull didn't cave in!”

 

“He's probably used to that kind of abuse if that's all he goes around saying,” Sango had cooled off a bit and cheered up when she heard that Kagome had been avenged.

 

“Sesshoumaru said later that he was hit on a daily basis, and that he `believed he was becoming immune to major head trauma.' Or at least that's pretty close to what he said. He was very articulate with his words and phrasing. But anyway, after the sudden display of kung fu, Sesshoumaru took his own food, sat back down, and continued his work like this was normal for him. A minute later after all the chit-chat had died down, I had to clear my throat for them to realize that I was still there-“

 

“Oh they knew,” Sango interrupted. “Youkai have exceptionally good senses. Better than the animals that they come from.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Sango sighed and explained it nice and simple to poor confused Kagome. “Youkai are “demons,” right? Well that's because their ancestry is different than ours. We evolved from apes, while they evolved from other animals. Sesshoumaru is an inuyoukai, meaning his ancestors are dogs. And from what I hear, all his ancestors are full-blooded dog demons, so he's one of the very few purebloods left of his race. Moving on, his senses are better than that of an ordinary dog. Much better. You see demons have evolved a form of sorcery, where they can take human form and blend in more easily. Sesshoumaru's true form is most likely that of a giant dog of some sort. And if you go by his hair color, that's most likely what color his fur would be. With me so far?” Sango asked, hoping to god Kagome said yes. She nodded and Sango continued, smiling.

 

“Youkai live far longer than humans. Their looks can be quite deceiving, since Sesshoumaru is only supposed to be about 27. I'm sure he's actually hundreds of years old, just no one knows for sure how many exactly because he's never told anyone. And since he's single, I think he's a virgin,” Sango said, starting to laugh a little.

 

Kagome's jaw hit the floor. Then, holding back girlish giggles, she asked, “How on gods green earth would you know that?!”

 

“Simple. Dog demons mate for life. So unless a mate dies, they can't break the bond that they share. Now I don't know about his past, except that from what I've read, but he doesn't seem the type to fall in love and just be the mushy romantic everybody wants. That's how his half brother Inuyasha came to be. One of his parents must have died, and taken another mate. Most likely Sesshoumaru's mother is the one that died, since most demon women don't take human mates. That's more of a guy thing, if you know what I mean.”

 

“I do. I have some questions though,” Kagome said, completely interested now in the background of youkai.

 

“Shoot.”

 

“Well, for starters, what if they do take a human mate? Wouldn't they die long before the demon?”

 

“Most would. But there is a way that humans can share a youkai's life span.” At Kagome's questioning look, Sango elaborated a bit.

 

“If the human has strong spiritual powers, such as a houshi, miko, or someone else who learned to tap into their spiritual powers, they can bind themselves to the youkai when they mate and share their lifespan.”

 

“Oh, I get it now. I have one more question.”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“How do you know all this Sango?”

 

“The internet. You should really get a connection, you're missing out on a lot.”

 

Kagome fell flat on her face out of the chair, and Sango laughed her ass off at Kagome's shocked look.

 

“Get up, I'm just kidding. Kohaku and I come from a long line of taijiya. My father told me all of this, and a lot more as well.”

 

“Well that explains a lot. And also, I never thought much of it, but I supposedly come from a long line of miko's. Whether that's true or not, I couldn't tell you, but now…I don't know. I never bothered much with it before.”

 

“I don't doubt it Kagome. Now, finish telling me about what happened, since we got so sidetracked.”

 

“Oh yeah, where was I? Oh, I remember now! I told Sesshoumaru that I couldn't leave until I was dismissed, so he dismissed me, and while I was waiting for the elevator, he gave me this,” Kagome handed Sango a wad of bills from her pocket.

 

“He said to think of it as compensation for having to deal with Inuyasha and Miroku.” Sango stared at it in shock, her mouth moving but no sound was coming out, and Kagome waited for her to say something.

 

“It's so much money though…”

 

“I know. I tried to give it back to him a few times, but he refused. I want you to have it Sango, you need it more than I do.”

 

“What?! You're kidding me. I couldn't take this! There's got to be at least a thousand dollars here! I-“ Kagome cut her off.

 

“I want you to have it. You have a little brother to take care, and a higher rent than I do. Think of it as your Christmas gift for the next ten years.”

 

Sango stared at her in amazement as Kagome told her that she wouldn't take no for an answer. Then Sango proceeded to jump on Kagome and threatened to suffocate her in a bear hug.

 

“Thank you so much Kagome-chan! This means so much to me! I really need the money to make sure Kohaku is taken care of. Don't worry Kag; I won't waste a cent of it,” Sango said, tears running down her face.

 

“Don't worry about it Sango. That's what friends are for right?”

 

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Woot, I revamped this and added a lot of dialogue and some little details I was too stupid to think of last time. I hope you enjoy, and are less annoyed by my suck-ass writing style this time around.

Also, all the money I'm talking about is in US dollars. I don't know Yen or the exchange rate, so I'm making my life easier. If you know the exchange, then you can convert it for yourself. But the majority of readers understand US dollars and so it will stay that way.

 

Translations

-sama- An honorific term used for people of a higher status

Ramen-Japanese noodles

Gomen-nasi- I'm very sorry

Arigato-Thank you

Oyasumi-nasi- Good night

Moshi moshi-Hello. Only used when speaking on the phone

Ja or Ja ne-See you later. Usually used only when you will be seeing the person later in

the day

Sakura-cherry blossom

Youkai-Demon

Hanyou-Half demon

Inuyoukai-Dog Demon

Houshi-Low ranking Buddhist monk

Miko-Priestess

Taijiya-demon slayers

-chan- A term usually used between girls and to someone younger

 

Always- Kagura-hime