Happy To See You

Part Two: A Reasonable Request

Backstage, Sesshoumaru and Aori were engaged in a private conversation. He could tell from her body language that she was in no mood for much conversation, let alone teasing. To keep the conversation even more private, they spoke in their native tongue.

"Is this your way of getting my attention, Aori-chan?"

"What are you talking about?"

"The audition. That’s the best you could come up with to be able to see me again?"

"Look, I had no idea this was your casino. The only reason I auditioned here is because I needed a gig and they had an opening here."

Sesshoumaru leaned forward, his nose millimeters from hers.

"I smell a liar."

"How dare you!"

"You’re telling me that by pure coincidence you just happened to get a gig at my casino?"

"Yes!"

"Liar. Now tell me why you’re really here."

Aori opened her mouth as if to say something, then shut it. She was now angry and frustrated, but she knew she had to choose her words wisely when dealing with the likes of Sesshoumaru.

"All right, you found me out. I came here after hearing rumors that you were somewhere in Vegas. Fortunately I had more solid leads than the other times I tried to find you. Like when you left for Europe. Then I heard you were in America somewhere. Oh, and let’s not forget Russia. I must have had terrible timing because by the time I would find out where you had been, you had already left."

"I see. And now that you’ve found me, what do you plan to do?"

"I...I don’t know. It all depends..."

"On what?"

"On if you’re happy to see me or not."

The wind demon observed the inu youkai’s reaction. It never was easy to read his emotions or figure out what the hell he was thinking. It was as if he used his face as a mask that couldn’t be trusted to portray what was really going on in that mind of his. She saw the tiniest hint of a smile form on his lips. That wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

"Of course I’m happy to see my beloved Aori-chan. Why wouldn’t I be happy? In fact, I‘m so pleased that I want to treat you and your friends to lunch. How does that sound?"

Aori reluctantly agreed, not having any idea how things would go. It had been centuries since they had seen each other after all. She knew she had changed, but she wondered how much Sesshoumaru had changed, if at all. When Ms. Kazegami told the other band members about Taiyou-san’s offer, they politely declined. It turned out that they didn’t take a liking to the casino owner. They didn’t care too much for his teasing of their dear Aori. They decided to head back to the hotel, order room service and rent some movies. Sesshoumaru didn’t seem the least bit offended or surprised.

"Oh well, I guess it’s just you and me, my dear."

Aori gave a half-hearted smile as he escorted her to the waiting limousine. The two youkai spent most of the ride in uncomfortable silence. Even though they sat right next to each other, there was distance between them. Sesshoumaru had set his right arm behind Aori , who faced the window on her side, arms folded against her chest. The dog demon quietly observed the female, taking in all of her features once again. She hadn’t changed much physically. She even still had his mark on her neck. Her short hair would take some getting used to, but everything else was perfectly fine...except for her new attitude.

"Are you angry with me, beloved?"

"Don’t call me that," she snapped, flicking a thumb across the tip of her nose. That was her signature ‘back off cuz I’m really pissed’ move. "So you want to know if I’m angry with you, huh? Why would I be angry at the person who thought his inheritance was more important than his mate?"

"Now why would you think a thing like that?"

"Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that you would disappear for days, months, and even years while you were off on your little quests..."

"They were hardly little..."

"Ok...how about petty?"

"They were far from petty, my dear..."

"All right...how about stupid? Like the time you came home with a missing arm?"

Now the bitch was trying his patience.

"Aori-chan, I suggest you quit while you’re still alive."

"Are you threatening me?"

"Yes," he hissed.

It was at that moment Aori faced him. She could see the fire in his eyes that indicated his flaring temper. She really didn’t want to push him too far so she clammed up. The spent the next few moments in silence once again, each one stewing in their own anger.

"What did you expect me to do?"

"Ne?"

"Did you really expect me to just sit there as my father’s legacy was threatened with destruction? Would that have pleased you?"

"If it meant you would have more time for me, then I’d say yes."

"You’re one selfish bitch, you know that?"

"And you’re a selfish bastard. I guess we’re a match made in heaven, wouldn’t you say?"

"More like a match made in hell..."

"Well if you feel that way, why did you even bother choosing me for a mate?" the wind demon screeched. Sesshoumaru answered her with a cold stare.

"This foolish conversation is over," he stated simply.

"So what are you gonna do? Throw me out of the car?"

"That won’t be necessary. We’re here."

"Where?"

"My home."

Aori had been so caught up in the conversation that she hadn't realized the limo had stopped. She was about to open the door to get out, but Taiyou-san stopped her. Jaken then opened the door on his master's side.

"Wait here," the youkai lord instructed as he exited the vehicle. He made his way to Aori’s side to open her door himself. She was only slightly impressed at his attempt to appear to be a gentleman. Once she stepped out of the limousine it was as if she had stepped into another land altogether. His mansion reminded her of the ancient palaces back home in Japan. He gave her a brief tour which ended in an elegant dining area. A young human female was waiting for them there. She had already set the table for tea. As Aori knelt down she tried to remember the human, but she couldn’t place her face. The wind demon gave her a good looking over as she poured the tea. She then looked over to Sesshoumaru to see if he would bother to identify this girl.

"Aori-chan, you do remember Rin don’t you?"

Rin? That raggedy little human he brought home after another one of his failures? She had only seen the girl twice before her separation from her mate. Aori had moved to Okinawa to live with her mother to get as far away from the insanity that surrounded her at the time. This woman couldn’t possibly be her! She’d have to be centuries old!

"How...how is this possible?"

"It’s a long story. I’ll have to tell you about it sometime. But first, I would like to ask you something."

"Nani?"

"Who is this other male I smell on you?"

It seemed both the females were caught off guard by his inquiry, and Rin quickly decided to make a quiet and polite retreat.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"The scent is like the one from your band. The lead guitarist with the silver hair. Care to explain why his scent is all over you?"

Aori suddenly looked horrified by his words.

"You don’t think that we...It’s nothing like that! Not even close!"

"Then explain."

"He’s not my boyfriend or my lover or any such thing. We’re just very close, that’s all."

"Close enough to leave his scent all over you..."

"Oh come on! Do you know how cramped it is in our van? We were sitting next to each other, practically on top of each other. Stop acting so jealous."

"Who says I’m jealous? I was just curious." He sipped his tea, glancing at her over his cup. "So, have you changed your mind about the private performance I asked for?"

"What? You’re back on that again? I already gave you my answer."

"There’s no reason for you to refuse. It’s just the two of us."

"You have a one-track mind, you know that?"

"Is it because you’re hungry?"

"Huh?"

"Why you’re not in the mood."

"No, that is not why."

"Perhaps some music will help. Jaken!"

The youkai lord barked for his servant, who quickly made his appearance.

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama. How may I serve you?"

"We need music to help Aori-chan get in the mood. What would you suggest?"

"Milord...I...I have no idea!" Jaken saw his master smile as the heat began to creep across his face.

"Just as I thought. Useless. You’re dismissed for the day, Jaken. Just see to it that we are not disturbed."

Jaken had suffered quite enough embarrassment for one day and was happy to obey. As his assistant left the room, Sesshoumaru had managed to snake an arm around the waist of his guest. She noticed he was tugging at the edge of her top. He leaned closer to her to whisper in her ear, his lips lightly brushing against her skin.

"Now Aori-chan, we’re all all alone and there won’t be any interruptions. No need to be shy."

Aori gasped when she felt cold air against her skin causing her to shiver. When she looked down she realized that her top had been cut all the way up to her armpit and now hung loosely from her shoulder, leaving much of her chest exposed.

"Are you sure you don’t want to give me a little show, beloved?"

The wind demon’s words of protest caught in her throat and she found herself unable to move for a moment. She noticed his hand was warm and had moved up from her waist to her breast. She finally turned and face him, seeing the look of expectancy in his eyes.