InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Bear Witness ❯ The Ball ( Chapter 10 )

{Disclaimer: See another chapter b/c it ain't here.}

Chapter Ten: The Ball

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

-Byron, 'She Walks in Beauty'-

*9:30 AM Wednesday*

A pair of bell boys dragged a large box out of the elevator, then shoved it down the hallway toward the room door on the left. When they reached their destination, they sighed and leaned heavily on the box.

"What's in this thing, kryptonite?" one asked as he took off his red bell hop hat and wiped his brow.

"I don't know man. Let's get this over with. I have to meet my girlfriend in a few minutes."

"Is this the right room?" the first bell boy asked. The second read the shipping address on the top of the box. "Yup, this is it. Ring the doorbell."

They rang the bell and waited patiently for someone to answer the door. The door opened a few minutes later.

"Can I help you fellas?" a dark-haired woman asked as she stepped in the threshold. The bell boys gawked at her, the box forgotten as they soaked in her legs from out from under the short red boxers. The form-fitting white tank top wasn't neglected under their intense gaze either, but was quickly forgotten by the intensity in her curious blue eyes.

"Can I help you?" she asked again, startling them out of their revere. They tipped their hats nervously.

"Um, yeah. We have a package for Mr. Takamada. You wouldn't happen to be Mrs. Takamada, would you?"

She giggled slightly. "No, not me. I'm Mr. Takamada's assistant."

"Really?" they replied, eyeing her like little kids in a candy shop. "That's interesting."

"Yes, it is," a man said as he appeared behind her. "Are those my packages Kagome?"

"Yup," Kagome chirped as she waited for him to sign the invoice. "You didn't tell me you were expecting anything Mr. Takamada."

"Yes I did," Sesshoumaru said as he opened the box. "This is what you're wearing tonight."

He turned to the bell boys and sighed. "You," he pointed to the boy on the left "Escort my assistant to the salon. You," pointing to the boy on the right "take these" he dumped five white boxes of various sizes into his arms "to the head of the salon. I believe her name is Yura, or something of that nature." Sesshoumaru shoved Kagome out of the room and into the bell boy's arms as Sango came out of her room. "Have fun Kagome."

"Now wait just a minute!" Kagome called as the boy walked her to the elevator. "Takamada! This isn't funny!"

"See you later Kagome-girl!" Sango called as Miroku and Inuyasha came out of his room. They waved as well as Kagome and the bell boy entered the elevator and the elevator doors closed.

"That was easier than I thought," Sango said as another bell boy emerged from the elevator a few minutes later.

"A package for Sango Taijia."

"That's me," Sango said as the bell boy handed her the small brown pack. "Thank you." She opened it as the others gathered around her, waiting as she read the letter attached to it.

Sango,

Another gadget for my favorite ' bomb exterminator'.

Kit

"That darned Shippou!" Sango exclaimed as she ripped the rest of the package apart. Inside was a small palm-pilot with an instruction manual. "Oh my God!" Sango said after she read the instructions. "It's a mini X-ray machine!"

*

The bell hop led Kagome to the spa on the lobby floor, then left as one of the employees approached her.

"Do you have an appointment?" she asked as she clicked and snapped her gum.

Kagome shuddered slightly. "I don't know. Mr. Takamada sent me here."

"You're Mr. Takamada's assistant!" the woman screeched. "Oh my goodness! We've been waiting on you! Come this way!" She grabbed Kagome by the arm and half dragged her down a long hallway to the back of the spa. Along the way, other employees poked their head out of various doors to ask about who she was. When the woman informed them that Kagome was the girl Sesshoumaru sent, they cooed in excitement and followed until they came to a small room at the end of the hallway.

On the other side of the door stood a girl with short, black hair and vivid red lipstick. "And who is she?" she asked impatiently.

"She's Mr. Takamada's assistant."

"Ooooooo!" she purred as she walked up to Kagome. "So ya are! How are ya darlin'?"

"I've been better, thank you," Kagome muttered as the lady shook her hand. "I'm Kagome."

"Oh, right. I'm Yura, and this is the 'Yura of the Hair Salon'! We're gonna to make you so beautiful!"

"Um, thanks," Kagome said as the others swarmed around her. "What's going on?"

"We're just surveying our workspace," Yura commented as one of the girl's appeared with a towel. "Now if you please, take off your clothes."

"Why?"

Yura sighed. "Mr. Takamada arranged for ya to have the all-day treatment," she said as she tugged Kagome's tank top over her head. "That means a full day of relaxation, rejuvenation and regeneration." She tossed the shirt into a waste basket. "I don't know what ya did to deserve it, but maybe I'm in the wrong job."

"Hey! That's mine!"

"I mean," Yura continued as the others removed the shorts. "To be rewarded with a full day of beauty. I wish all bosses were so generous."

"My shorts!"

"This is gonna be so much fun!" Yura assured Kagome as one of the other girls' tossed Kagome's shorts into the waste basket. "You've never done this before, right?"

"Right. What am I going to wear back to my room if you guys throw away my clothes?" Kagome asked as she watched her underwear sail into the waste basket. Yura scoffed and wrapped a white towel around her. "Don't worry about that. Mr. Takamada arranged a change of clothes for ya. Just relax and don't worry about a thing."

"Alright," Kagome said. Yura moved behind her and started to run her fingers through Kagome's hair as the others raised her arms and studied her legs. "What are you guys doing?"

"We're tryin' to see what would bring out the inner you," Yura said as she flipped a few strands into Kagome's face.

"The inner me?"

"Yes, the inner goddess. We're tryin' to see what kind of treatments will do that." She stepped in front of her and traced her hands over Kagome's face. "Ah, yes. Kemiri nut would be perfect. What do you think girls?"

"Kemiri nut!" the others cheered as they dragged Kagome through a door and down another hallway. 'Oh no,' Kagome groaned as she allowed herself to be pulled along. 'I'm going to hurt Takamada when this is over.'

"First stop:" Yura exclaimed as she flung a door open. "A kemiri nut facial!"

"Oh God."

*11:00 AM, Sesshoumaru's Room*

Sesshoumaru stood outside his room with Sango as she tried out her new gadget when the elevator door opened. Out stepped another bell boy with yet another package. He nodded to Sesshoumaru and Sango, then rang the bell to Inuyasha's room. Inuyasha stuck his head out seconds later, with Miroku not too far behind.

"Can I help you?" Inuyasha muttered irritably.

"Package for Mr. Hitame!" the bell boy squeaked. Inuyasha immediately grinned and jerked the package from him, tossing the chess piece in his hand back into the room. "Thanks man! Mr. Takamada will sign for it!"

The bell boy shrugged and handed Sesshoumaru the invoice as Sango kneeled over Inuyasha and the package. "Can I try my X-ray machine on it?"

"Sure," Inuyasha said as he slid the package to her. Sango waved the palm pilot over the pack, then grinned back.

"You bought the dress I suggested?" she asked as Inuyasha ripped the package open and pulled the dress out. It was a tea length black tank dress with mint green, baby blue and baby pink sashes wrapped around the middle and trailing around the back.

"I sure did!" Inuyasha said as he put it back into the box. "I bet you didn't get anything as good as this, Sesshoumaru!"

"I would not assume that," Sesshoumaru replied, a bored expression crossing his features. Sango sighed as Miroku came out of the room.

"Are you going to finish the game?" he asked Inuyasha before he spotted the dress. "Hey! Is that Katrina's dress?"

"Yup. I need to get it to her, you going?"

"Sure!" Miroku tossed his chess piece back into the room and shut the door as Inuyasha picked up the package. "We'll be back shortly!"

*12: 05 PM, with Kagome*

"Where are we going now?" Kagome groaned as the flock of girls dragged her down another hallway.

"Next is a lulur with an oil massage," Yura said as two girls helped Kagome onto a massage table.

"What's a lulur?" Kagome asked as she settled on the table.

"You'll see…" Yura cooed.

"What kind of oil would you like?" one of them asked as the other moved toward Kagome's feet.

"Well," Kagome said "what's Takamada's favorite flower?"

"I don't know," Yura said, scratching her chin. "But I think he orders lavender and jasmine flowers for his room every morning."

"Good, that will do," Kagome said as she rested her head on her arms. The massage began minutes later, with one masseuse working on her arms while the other worked on her feet. Kagome slowly relaxed under the kneading, the oil heating on her skin and slowly scenting the room.

Kagome started to fall asleep under the relaxing motions when something cold splattered on her back.

"Oo!" she gasped as she turned around. A bright orange substance oozed down her back and off her side. "What is that?"

"That is the lulur," Yura said as the masseuses poured more on. Kagome winced under the assault, but kept still as they smoothed the stuff over her body.

*12: 45 PM, Sesshoumaru's Room*

>Ding-Dong.<

"Expecting another package, Mr. Takamada," Sango asked as she answered the door. Sesshoumaru looked away from the TV as she did so, watching as she scanned the package. "I am. What is it?"

"It looks like a necklace. Is this another part of Kagome's dress?" Sango asked as she took the package and closed the door.

'A necklace? What the hell?' Sesshoumaru grabbed the package from her and left for his room, slamming the door behind him and tossing the package onto the bed before ripping it open. He held a small, golden necklace in his hand moments later.

'I told those fools to disguise this as a lapel pin,' Sesshoumaru grumbled as he fingered the pink solitaire in the center of the chain. 'There's no way I can hide this now, unless…' Sesshoumaru smiled and dropped the necklace back into the delivery box. 'Perhaps I still can,' he thought as he returned to the living room.

*1:05 PM, with Kagome*

Kagome's stomach grumbled as the masseuses wrapped her in what looked like saran wrap.

"Are ya hungry?" Yura asked as the other girls giggled. Kagome blushed in answer. "Don't worry, Mr. Takamada thought of that too. Girls!" She clapped her hands and moments later one of the girls appeared with a small white plate.

"What's that?" Kagome asked as the girl with the plate sat down beside her.

"That's the house specialty," Yura said as she passed the girl a fork. "Tuna steak!"

"How am I supposed to eat it?" Kagome asked, motioning to her wrapped up state.

"One of us will feed it to ya."

"That's not necessary," Kagome said as the girl raised a bit of the steak on a fork to her lips. "I'll wait."

"Nonsense. That's what we're here for," Yura replied as she motioned for Kagome to eat. 'Well,' Kagome thought as she took the small bit of food. 'this isn't so bad. And this steak is good!'

*2:08 PM, Sesshoumaru's Room*

>Ding-Dong!<

"Jeez!" Miroku muttered as he came out of Sesshoumaru's study. "This mate gets more deliveries in a day! How does Kagome do it?" He opened the door, but only found Inuyasha and Katrina on the other side.

"Hey Miroku," Katrina said as she and Inuyasha entered the room. "How are you?"

"Fine, Katrina. Its good to see you."

"Where's Sesshoumaru?" Inuyasha asked as he and Katrina sat down on the couch.

"I'm right here," Sesshoumaru said from the bedroom threshold as he fastened his cufflinks. He stood there in a pair of white tuxedo pants and a white mandarin-collared shirt, eyeing Katrina warily. 'Why can't I pick up a scent on her?' he wondered as Inuyasha introduced them to each other. Katrina smiled and greeted him.

"I'll be back people," Inuyasha said as he walked toward the door. "I have to get dressed."

*2:45 PM, with Kagome*

"Now what am I supposed to do again?" Kagome asked as she stood in the threshold of the cavern. Since her massage, she'd had a jasmine-infused hair conditioner, a manicure and a pedicure. Now she stood at the entrance to a stone-walled pathway, totally nude except for an orange body mask, eying Yura and the others suspiciously.

"Just walk down the corridor until ya reach the bath," Yura instructed as she and the other girls closed the door behind her. Kagome sighed as the paper door slid closed, then stepped into the water below and started down the pathway.

As she walked along, she noticed the round, flat stones under her feet. 'Wow, this feels kind of good,' she sighed as she wiggled her toes against the stones. Tiny goldfish swam from some unknown part of the cavern and nibbled at her toes. Kagome giggled and continued walking down the hallway, sometimes stopping to watch the water as it flowed over the black stone walls.

Kagome gasped when she reached the opening at the end of the cavern. On this side was the bath room, with a marble whirlpool tub in the center of the room. On one side were water-filled basin steps that lead into the tub, and on the other were regular black and white marble steps to get out. Kagome sighed as she lowered herself into the water. 'Now this I could get used to,' she thought as she plucked one of the many rose petals out of the water.

*5:40 PM, Sesshoumaru's Room*

"Where is that girl?" Inuyasha grumbled as he paced Sesshoumaru's living room. "Doesn't she know that we have to go?"

Sango entered the room moments later, dressed in a black dress with fuchsia netting peaking from under it. "Any word from Kagome?"

"Nope. No sign," Sango told them. "Does she have her shades on her?" Sesshoumaru held up the shades, twirling them around his left pinky finger.

"I take it that's a no."

"How astute of you," Sesshoumaru mumbled as he pocketed the shades and picked up the phone. The others listened as he called the salon.

"You say she's not there?" Sesshoumaru finally said. The others cast him uneasy glances as he nodded. "Of course. Thank you." He hung up and glanced at the others before standing up. He grabbed his white suit jacket and strolled out the room without another word.

"Takamada!" Sango called as she and the others ran after him. They barely avoided missing the elevator, skidding into each other to get on.

"Man, what was that all about?" Inuyasha demanded as he helped Katrina find a fallen hair clip.

"The manager informed me that Kagome asked us to meet her in the lobby," Sesshoumaru answered as he buttoned his jacket closed.

"Still no reason to leave us behind," Sango grumbled as she adjusted Miroku's bow tie. Sesshoumaru spared her a passing glance as the elevator doors creaked open. They walked to the desk and scanned the lobby for Kagome.

"Hey, isn't that her?" Katrina asked, tugging on Inuyasha's sleeve. Inuyasha and the others looked at the girl in interest. She stood talking to Agent Kenji, her hair hiding her face from view.

"Nah, that's not Kagome," Miroku said as he turned away. "That girl is too…feminine to be Kagome."

"But that's her!" Sango exclaimed. "Kagome!"

The girl turned around and waved, proving that she was indeed Kagome. "Woah," Miroku gasped as Kagome said goodbye to Kenji and walked toward them.

"Well, what do you guys think?" Kagome asked as she turned around. She wore a black halter dress that flowed to her ankles, with a split that reached her upper thigh on her right leg with stiletto sandals. The open back trailed off into a rhinestone triangle at her lower back.

****

SF: This is my dress! I want it so bad! I just had to write it in this story!

Kagome: She did it again Sesshou!

Sesshou: This time I don't mind. Have you seen the dress? It's worthy of the interruption.

SF: {::glomps Sesshou around the neck, turning him a dark purple::} Thanks Sesshou!

****

"You look great!" Sango cried out as reached for Kagome's hair. "This style is so you!"

"Yeah well," Kagome said as she glanced at herself in a nearby mirror. Her hair cascaded in loose waves over her left shoulder, with a little partially hiding her left eye. "It's definitely different."

"Yes, it is," Sesshoumaru said as he moved past them and toward the door. "It is good that my money wasn't spent fruitlessly."

The others followed behind him to the limo and got inside.

*

"We're here, Mr. Takamada," the driver said as he slowed to a stop. Sesshoumaru and the others got out and approached the lobby of the business.

"Are you here for Mr. Jinuse's party?" a young woman with black hair pulled into a high bun asked.

"Yes, we are."

"I'm Kagura. Follow me please." They followed her down a hallway to a pair of gilded double doors. "Step inside and give the attendant your invitations." She turned and left them after they walked inside. An elderly man in front of another set of double doors took their invitations and instructed them to enter two at a time. As Sango and Miroku entered the ball first, Inuyasha patted Katrina's hand.

"Are you nervous?" he asked her. Katrina shook her head no. "Good, because I'm right here, ok?"

"Ok," Katrina whispered as the double doors opened. Sesshoumaru spared a glance to his side at Kagome as the doors shut and found Kagome wringing her hands.

"What is wrong?" he asked offhandedly.

"Um, I've never done this before," Kagome whispered.

"So I see. Why are you so nervous?"

"Well," Kagome started as she twiddled her fingers. "I don't want to embarrass you. If Rin were here, then she would know what to do. But since I don't…I don't want you to miss out on anything because of something I did. I probably sound pretty stupid, don't I?"

Sesshoumaru gazed down at her in masked wonder. 'She's worried about embarrassing me? How interesting. I guess it wouldn't hurt to set her mind at ease. ' "If you really are worried," Sesshoumaru said as Kagome looked up at him. "Hold onto my arm."

Kagome did so nervously. "Next?"

"Hold your head up and try not to look afraid. What did your grandfather teach you about fighting?"

"That youkai can sense your fear."

Sesshoumaru nodded. "I don't know about youkai, but the same goes for people. If they think you're not supposed to be here, then that is how they'll treat you. So head up."

Kagome did as she was told yet again, trusting Sesshoumaru's judgment as he reached into his pocket.

"Maybe this will help," he said as he clasped a golden chain necklace around her throat. Kagome gasped weakly. "I can't take this," Kagome replied as Sesshoumaru smoothed her hair back into place.

"I'm not giving it to you. I will retrieve it after the ball. Are you ready?" Kagome nodded as she recaptured his arm. "If you feel uneasy, tug on my sleeve."

Kagome nodded again as the doors opened and Sesshoumaru escorted her through. She immediately steeled her face into a pleasant calm, scanning the room for a possible threat. She could see the crowd before them, with Inuyasha and Katrina on one side of the room while Sango and Miroku stood on the other near the buffet tables.

Sesshoumaru finally started their descent down the steps and into the ball, totally unfazed by what seemed to be hundreds of eyes staring at them. Kagome fought the blush that threatened to creep up on her features.

"Mr. Takamada!" An elderly man called to them as he and his wife approached. Sesshoumaru nodded in his direction before stopping to greet them. "Mr. Hayoco. It is a surprise to see you."

"Well," Mr. Hayoco said sheepishly, running his hands through his salt and pepper hair. "Jinsue made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

"I'm sure he did," Sesshoumaru replied, knowing exactly what kind of 'deal' Naraku offered.

"What are you doing here?" Mr. Hayoco asked. "Surely you haven't sold your father's company?"

"I haven't," Sesshoumaru informed him coolly. "So don't worry yourself."

"Be careful Sesshoumaru," Mr. Hayoco whispered in warning. "Jinsue is more resourceful than you think."

"The hanyou doesn't scare me," Sesshoumaru told him in French. "So don't trouble yourself." Sesshoumaru shook his hand and lead Kagome away.

*8:00 PM*

A sudden chime from the orchestra called everyone to the center of the ball room. Sesshoumaru and Kagome ended up at the head of the crowd, with Sesshoumaru towering behind her as Naraku stood up from the mists of the orchestra. He rested his violin in his chair and approached the microphone behind the conductor.

"I would like to welcome you all at this moment to my little affair," he said with a grin, his eyes lightening on Sesshoumaru, then Kagome before traveling the crowd again. "It's truly a pleasure to have so many of you joining my happy little family, and I'm sure that all our businesses shall prosper to no end in the future. As a matter of fact, the only one here who isn't a part of me is Mr. Takamada."

Naraku smiled as the crowd turned disbelieving glances to Sesshoumaru and Kagome. "Hopefully he will change his mind about merging with my, I mean our company. To encourage his decision, I ask that he and his lovely assistant lead us into the next dance."

The crowd clapped nervously as Sesshoumaru shot Naraku an icy glare. Kagome turned to him, effectively derailing whatever comment Sesshoumaru had up his sleeve.

"What now?" she asked. Sesshoumaru glanced around and found the others watching him, wondering what his next move would be. Unbeknownst to Kagome, a good 80% of the crowd were youkai, who masked their auras just as he did. He could hear the whispers in the crowd around them, and a lot of comments weren't about him; but were about the vixen in front of him. 'Why not?' Sesshoumaru thought with a mental smirk. 'After all, it would give me a chance to show off how well I dressed my 'lovely' assistant.'

"We dance," he finally said. As he escorted her to the middle of the floor he asked "Have you danced before?"

"I took ballet until my last year of college," Kagome replied. Sesshoumaru nodded. "Then this should feel like familiar ground."

Sesshoumaru took Kagome's hand in his and spun her around without warning, stopping her so that she faced him after a complete turn. Sesshoumaru heard the gasps of awe from the crowd as Kagome's hair swirled around her like a dark cloud, and was secretly pleased with himself for that little show.

Naraku chuckled from a few inches beside them, ruining Sesshoumaru's pleasure. "Well, it seems we have a professional on our hands," he said with a smirk. "I think something slow is in order." He sat back down among the orchestra, and waited as the conductor started them off. Sesshoumaru bit back a growl at Naraku's smug expression as he and Kagome started to waltz.

Kagome tugged his sleeve, immediately regaining his attention. "What is it?" Sesshoumaru asked her, some of the anger for Naraku leaking into his voice.

"Um," Kagome said, looking down at her feet between them. "I-"

"Do not stare at your feet. Look at me."

Kagome instantly jerked her head up. "Sorry. I just feel like-"

"A hundred eyes are staring at you," he finished as the crowd moved to join them on the floor. Kagome nodded.

"That is because they are."

Kagome gulped. "Great."

"They're talking about you too," Sesshoumaru informed her. Kagome went visibly pale, her face becoming a stark contrast to the shimmering pink lip gloss on her lips. Sesshoumaru glanced over his shoulder to find Naraku watching them in interest. "It's all good things," Sesshoumaru comforted her, hoping to restore the color to her cheeks.

"How do you know?" Kagome asked. "Can you hear them?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head. "No, but I can read their lips," he lied. He suddenly came up with an idea to help her. "Would you like to know what they're saying?"

"Sure!" Kagome chirped, eager to eavesdrop. Sesshoumaru twirled her around again, this time a little slower than the first time so she could see everyone around them.

"Did you see the woman in the red dress?" Kagome nodded when they resumed dancing. "Her partner has discussed you all evening. He told the woman that your hair resembled a moonless night."

"Really?" Kagome whispered, a faint blush creeping on her cheeks. "What else?"

Sesshoumaru glanced around them, his ears faintly twitching under his loose blonde hair. "There is another gentleman here discussing you with a business partner. He said something about your dress suiting you." He quirked a knowing brow at her. "And to think you protested the idea."

Kagome huffed and motioned for him to go on. Sesshoumaru continued his strange reporting until the last bars of the waltz. Sesshoumaru chose then to slowly move Kagome into a low dip, her hair tumbling over her shoulder and down her back to hover over the ballroom floor as his shifted over his shoulder like a curtain.

"So you see," Sesshoumaru whispered as Kagome stared up at him. "Your fear of embarrassing me is futile. You are the belle of the ball this evening."

Kagome blushed further as Sesshoumaru effortlessly lifted her to her feet. The crowd applauded the orchestra as Sesshoumaru lead Kagome away from them and to Inuyasha and the others, who stood waiting by one of the buffet tables.

"That was soo cool Kagome-girl!" Sango squealed as she grabbed Kagome by the wrist and started to bounce. Miroku's head seemed to bob with each spring as Sango continued. "You were so graceful and you looked like you were having so much fun!"

"Why weren't you dancing?" Kagome asked. Inuyasha shrugged. "Katrina and I did dance, but those two didn't."

"Why?"

"Girl please, so Miroku can grope every lady here and get us thrown out?" Sango said with a huff. "Or get himself beaten to a pulp by someone's husband. You know he can't keep his hands to himself."

"I just can't keep my hands off you, Sango my dear," Miroku whispered in Sango's ear as his hands went a little too far south for her liking.

>Whap!<

"See what I mean?" Sango exclaimed as Katrina giggled from behind her. "These people will think we're nuts."

"If they don't already," Sesshoumaru mumbled under his breath, earning a small chuckle from Kagome. She glanced around and found one of the buffet tables interesting.

"I'll be right back," she said as she walked off. Sesshoumaru gently grasped her arm and hauled her back to his side.

"Where are you going?" he asked her. Kagome blinked in surprise, then smiled. "I see something that might be good. You want anything?" she asked. Sesshoumaru looked down at her for a moment in hidden surprise. 'Is this how she looks every time she asked me that?' he wondered as he caught the genuine concern in her eyes. 'Maybe I should look up from my computer more often.'

"Are you ok, Mr. Takamada?" Kagome asked, snapping her fingers in his face. Sesshoumaru nodded, his composure rebounding before she had a chance to know it was missing.

"I am. I need nothing. Do you need me to go with you?"

Kagome shot him an 'are you serious?' glance before shaking her head. "I don't need protecting, remember?"

"Of course," Sesshoumaru replied as he released her arm. "Hurry back."

"Sure!" Kagome chirped before walking away.

"You know," Inuyasha said from behind him. Sesshoumaru turned back around to find the others smiling at him. "if I didn't know better, I'd swear you were falling for the girl."

"I do agree," Miroku said, missing the icy glare in Sesshoumaru's eyes. "But Kagome is a pretty little shelia isn't she? It would seem that our host certainly agrees, for he's abandoned his seat in the orchestra."

Sesshoumaru turned on his heel and followed Kagome's scent.

*

"Why hello there," said Naraku as he stepped from behind the buffet table. The others around it scrambled away as Kagome cautiously approached. "Its good to see you again Mr. Takamada's assistant. Are you ready to tell me your name now?"

"Not really," Kagome answered as she reached around him for a plate, trying to keep as much distance between them as possible. Naraku smiled and stepped in her way, knocking the plate in her hand back to the table.

"Now is that any way to treat your new boss?"

"Mr. Takamada said nothing about selling you the company, so technically, you're not my new boss."

"Ah, but that is where you're wrong my dear," Naraku cooed as he traced her jaw with his finger. "I have many ways to persuade him, as I'm sure you're aware of."

"Yes," Kagome scowled as she took a step back. "I'm fully aware. I don't think he cares."

Naraku suddenly grasped Kagome's wrists and pinned them behind her, then yanked her forward; pressing her into his chest. He leered down at her menacingly, leaning over to whisper in her ear.

"You are loyal," he whispered as his fangs emerged. He hid this behind her hair as he sniffed her. "And you smell like heaven. I'm sure Takamada doesn't know what he has. Tell me, what do you know about him?"

"What are you talking about?" Kagome wheezed, struggling to block his miasma as it attempted to assault her aura. Naraku grinned at this. "Surely you've seen him and his brother fight?"

"Well yes but-"

"Release my assistant," Sesshoumaru ordered, interrupting Kagome's question. She turned as Naraku glanced over her shoulder.

"Well hello Sesshoumaru."

"We are not so familiar Jinsue. Let go of her or I will be forced to make you."

Naraku chuckled, loosening his grip on Kagome's wrists. Kagome used this to her advantage in an instant, using her power to catapult herself backward into Sesshoumaru's waiting arms.

Naraku stood, obviously stunned at the public display of power, but wasn't nearly as stunned as Sesshoumaru as he effortless caught Kagome and crossed his arms in front of her. 'She made it look like I did it,' Sesshoumaru noticed as he glanced at Naraku. One look at him was enough to form a quick plan in his mind. 'This little woman is a lot smarter than I thought. I can use this.'

"I didn't mean to offend, Sesshoumaru-sama," Naraku finally gasped, earning a strange look from Kagome. Sesshoumaru rested his chin on the crown of Kagome's head and glared at him, his eyes changing to a polished gold.

"I will not tell you this again," Sesshoumaru growled. His claws extended by Kagome's side, but Kagome didn't see it for staring at Naraku's startled expression. Sesshoumaru immediately switched to Japanese.

"You will keep your hands off what is mine."

The white in his eyes clouded with red a moment, then disappeared with the gold, leaving the hazel human eyes behind as he turned Kagome around and escorted her away from him. Kagome glanced up at him, then at Naraku as she secretly wondered 'What in the world was that all about?'

*12:00 Midnight*

"I don't think I can dance another step," Katrina groaned as she climbed into the back of the limo after Inuyasha. Inuyasha chuckled and pulled her inside. She tumbled off balance and landed in his lap.

"If you wanted to sit there you should have just said something," Inuyasha jeered, earning a smack in the arm as a response. Miroku and Sango climbed in and sat across from them, then Sesshoumaru waited patiently for Kagome to sit down at the back before sitting beside her.

"Are you alright Kago-girl?" Sango asked as Kagome's head lolled back against the seat. Sesshoumaru draped his arm over the back of her seat and shook his head in irritation.

"That is the result of four glasses of red wine," he informed Sango as he tipped Kagome's head forward. Kagome opened her eyes and smiled.

"I'm fine," she assured Sango with a slight slur. "Just a tad…what's the word?"

"Stone-faced drunk?" Inuyasha offered. Sango and Katrina both slapped an arm as Miroku snickered. Kagome sighed.

"Not exactly what I was going for, but enough for me," she said as she leaned back against the seat.

Sesshoumaru shrugged his tuxedo jacket off and draped it beside him, glaring at Inuyasha in annoyance. "Behave yourself, or I'll lock you in a room with Sango and Katrina and let them beat you to a-"

>Thump!<

Inuyasha and the others stared in complete silence, then burst out laughing at the uncharacteristically bewildered expression on Sesshoumaru's face as he stared at his lap.

Kagome, unaware in her stupor, had fallen asleep and somehow managed to fall over, face first, into Sesshoumaru's lap. Inuyasha held his sides as he slid to the floor, gasping for air.

"Now that's a way to get a bloke's attention!" Miroku squawked as the others only laughed harder. Sesshoumaru finally found enough sense to glare at them, then at Kagome as she wrapped one arm around his knees.

'How disgraceful!' he mentally grumbled as she rubbed her cheek against his knee. 'To think that this creature would just…FALL on me, as if I were her personal pillow! I should wake her up!' His gaze turned to her hair as it shifted off her shoulder and draped over his knee. Sesshoumaru sighed in feigned suffering and covered her with his jacket, not realizing that such a small act would stop the laughter around him.

'What's the harm in her staying where she is?' Sesshoumaru asked himself as he leaned back against the seat. 'Let her, then plant her butt in the easy chair as soon as we get back to the hotel. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to give her those four glasses.'

The driver pulled up to the hotel entrance a few minutes later. Sesshoumaru stepped out while Inuyasha held Kagome up, then helped Sesshoumaru pick her up and out of the limo.

"You sure you have her?" Miroku asked from inside the limo. Sesshoumaru nodded. "I have her. Take Katrina home." He gave a sharp nod toward her.

"It was an honor to meet you."

"You as well Mr. Takamada," Katrina said with a blush. Inuyasha closed the door and smirked as he rolled down the window.

"Don't you two do anything I wouldn't do," he called as the driver sped off. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes, then looked down at the bundle of black and white in his arms. 'I swear, this girl should come with a warning label,' he thought with a slight frown as he walked through the lobby and to the elevator, ignoring the strange looks from the other residents, FBI and staff.

He stormed toward his room as soon as the doors opened, slamming the room door shut and marching to his bedroom. Sesshoumaru moved to toss Kagome into the easy chair but stopped before he could let her go. His arms hovered her over the seat, a serious expression on his face as he considered what to do.

'What the hell,' he thought to himself as he sat Kagome on the foot of his bed. 'I'm entitled to a whim or two. I won't even touch her.' Kagome sat up for four, maybe five seconds before she flopped backward. Sesshoumaru sighed. 'Except to take off her shoes,' he grumbled to himself as he tossed the heels to the other side of the room. Sesshoumaru sat her up again, for purely experimental reasons, only to have her flop down yet again.

"She's wasted," Sesshoumaru said, sounding suspiciously like Inuyasha as he moved to close the bedroom door. He unbuttoned his shirt and laid down beside her, glancing at her before looking up at the ceiling. "What do I do to deserve this?" he wondered aloud before falling asleep.