When Two Paths Entwine

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Chapter 8 – Webs Of Deception

Inuyasha sped through the underground car park towards the restricted area, marked ‘executives only’ and reversed his silver-blue Maranello into his parking spot. ‘Another day of problems, no doubt.’ He sighed as he grabbed his briefcase from the passenger seat and locked the car doors. ‘When will it all end?’ He laughed at his thoughts, knowing that their present situation would have to run its course before anything could be resolved. ‘Face it boy, you’re stuck for the duration. Nothing to do but accept it, huh?’ His grin held as he made his way to the elevators. He spotted his brother’s Porsche and wondered what time he came in. Lately, Sesshoumaru lived and breathed work, seeming to push himself so hard that Inuyasha was certain he would soon collapse from exhaustion. Sometimes, he wished he could understand his older sibling a little better. He would love to know what drove him. Sighing, he focused his mind on the day ahead. There was much to do with the new production line beginning and the old stock to be sorted. That, on top of the constant problems they ran into, was more than enough to keep him busy for the many hours ahead. ‘Let’s hope nothing unexpected comes up.’

His attention was drawn to a noise that echoed faintly in the air. He stopped and listened, making out the sound of heels clipping on the concrete. Relaxing, he continued to walk to the lift, his mind fully occupied with work once again. The doors of the lift opened and he stepped in, leaning back against the wall as he waited for the person approaching. His ready smile faltered as Angel stepped into the lift. He tried to ignore his racing heartbeat as he sought the appearance of normality.

“Good morning”

Angel smiled and turned to push the button. “How are you Inuyasha?”

‘Damned nervous right now, thank you’ his brain supplied while he wondered why he always felt so awkward around her. ‘Hell man, you were voted ‘the most eligible bachelor in Japan’. Now get it together, will you? You’re just talking to a woman, for heaven’s sake. Give her one of those amazing replies that leave other women breathless.’

“Good, good. And you?”

Angel smiled, keeping her eyes averted. It was always this way with him. She became formal and cool. She couldn’t help herself. She froze up as soon as he came near her. ‘What the hell is wrong with me? I’m a grown woman. I’m capable of holding a conversation with a man.’ Disgusted with herself, she wracked her brain for some witty remark that would prove that she was in control.’

“Great, thanks.”

She groaned inwardly. ‘Oh wonderful Angel, now that will really knock his socks off.’ She frowned at the thought. ‘Now hang on, where the hell did that come from? Knock his socks off? Girl, you get your head straight this instant. You absolutely will not get ideas about this guy. Pull it together.’

Inuyasha watched the play of emotions that ran across her beautiful features. His heartbeat picked up another pace. ‘Was it my imagination, or was that…’

The thought stopped as the elevator gently settled on the ground floor, it’s heavy doors sliding open. Frustration clenched at his chest. This was the first time she’d shown him any reaction other than her usual cool façade and he wanted desperately to find out what it meant. His frustration heightened when Kagome stepped in, smiling brightly. Much as he liked his assistant, this was not a moment that he wished to be graced with her cheerfulness.

“Good morning Angel, Inuyasha.” Kagome stepped beside the other girl, wondering at the tension that filled the air.

Angel felt relief settle over her. ‘Thank God’ she thought as she graced the young woman with a genuine smile. She’d taken an instant liking to her when they met but now, she really loved her. She almost laughed at the stupidity of her thoughts.

“Wonderful Kagome.” She replied truthfully, silently adding ‘now that you’re here’. “You’re looking well this morning.”

Kagome laughed, her eyes sparkling mischievously at Angel. “Well of course I am. I have the most wonderful boss in the world. Why wouldn’t I look well?”

Inuyasha scoffed as he listened to their banter. He released a sigh and relaxed against the wall, contenting himself with the fact that Angel was not as impervious to him as she appeared. He hadn’t missed her obvious relief when Kagome entered the lift. A small grin tugged at the corner of his mouth as he watched her rather animated face while she conversed with his assistant. ‘It looks like I affect you, just as much as you affect me.’ This certainly made a big difference to the situation.

The elevator doors opened on the top floor and Kagome stepped out. She smiled to herself as she thought of her boss’s reserved manner around the account’s executive. ‘Strange’ she thought, ‘I’ve never seen Inuyasha so quiet before. He reminds me of a little boy on his first day at school.’ She glanced sideways at the placid face of the woman who walked beside her and wondered what lay between them. From what she could see, it wasn’t much. They were both obviously too unsure of themselves to do anything about the attraction. ‘Shame, he’s such a nice guy. He really deserves to find someone nice.’ A tiny grin lit her features as a sudden thought came to mind. ‘Maybe, just maybe, with a little intervention…’

Angel pushed the glass doors of the executive suite open, sighing with relief as her office came in sight. “You have a good day Kagome. I’ll probably see you later.”

Kagome smiled at her and continued to Inuyasha’s office, greeting Kaede as she passed the reception desk. For some reason, the thought of playing cupid gave her a much-needed boost. ‘It might make up for the lack of romance in my own life.’ She grinned at the ridiculous idea.

Inuyasha grabbed his memos from Kaede and proceeded into his office. Kagome had already begun preparing their desks with necessary items. It would be a long day, filled with numbers and boring calculations. Unfortunately, the task ahead was necessary and unavoidable. Taking a deep breath, he sat across from her and shuffled through the papers she handed him.

Not more than an hour had passed when the telephone rang, disrupting their quietly concentrated efforts. Kagome gritted her teeth as she stared at the offending instrument. Each time she and Inuyasha made any kind of progress, the interruptions were guaranteed to come. No doubt this was another of his ‘most urgent that you leave now’ calls, which meant that she would spend the whole day trying to finish the work of two people. She watched his expression carefully as he answered in monosyllables, giving no clue to his conversation.

Inuyasha placed the phone down and sighed. As he stood, he looked at Kagome’s expectant face, knowing the cause of her worry. He couldn’t blame her for it, fully understanding how much she had to deal with in his absence.

“I have to go to my brother’s office for a while.”

She nodded in relief as she watched him walk to the door, noting his worried frown. “Is something wrong Inuyasha?”

He paused at the door and turned to give her a reassuring smile. “Nothing that we can’t handle.”

As the door closed behind him, Kagome wore a frown of her own. This was a common scenario of late. She, worrying at the obvious problems that the company was facing, while he constantly assured her that all was well. ‘I’m not stupid. I know something’s wrong. I just wish he’d tell me what it was.’ She sighed as she gave her attention back to the papers before her. ‘Oh well, I guess it’s a little early for expectations of trust, though it would’ve been nice.’ She swallowed her disappointment and continued tallying numbers.


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Sesshoumaru watched Inuyasha enter the office and close the door behind him. He noticed the falter in his step as he realised that Angel was present for their meeting. Containing his grin, he wondered when his brother would become the man he boasted of being and give the girl what she so obviously yearned for. Over the past few months of watching their stunted interaction, Sesshoumaru had found himself swinging from amusement to frustration then on to sheer exasperation at their total lack of inability to deal with their obvious attraction. It was plain to him, as well as everyone else in the office that they affected each other greatly.

“So… what’s happened now?”

Inuyasha avoided the cerulean eyes that made his whole body tingle with strange sensations, concentrating instead, on his brother’s stoic façade.

Angel swung in her chair, handing him a paper as she answered. “I picked up a glitch in the account’s program when I tried to access the record of this transaction.”

Inuyasha’s brows furrowed as he stared unbelievingly at the amount paid for some product that they no longer used. “What the hell is this?”

Angel shrugged. “I have no idea. I can’t find the original purchase note or any record in the journals. When I tried to access the file in the account’s program, everything went haywire. All these numbers started coming up and the whole thing shut down.”

Inuyasha sighed as he sat in the seat beside her. ‘So much for nothing going wrong today’ he thought sourly, angered by the unknown conspirator. He listened as his brother spoke to Kaede, requesting all files connected with the purchase and the presence of anyone involved. Their eyes met in silent understanding, acknowledging that they could no longer doubt the reality of a spy in their midst. To have this kind of access meant only one thing. It was definitely one of their employees. ‘Now’ he thought as he stared at the paper again, ‘all we have to do is find out who it is.’


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Kagome jumped as the door flew open and a voice yelled out excitedly.

“Uncle Yaya! I’ve come to help you.” Rin stopped and stared at the beautiful girl that sat at her uncle’s desk. “Oh hi. I’m sorry, I thought my uncle was here. Are you his assistant?”

Kagome smiled tolerantly and nodded at the girl, completely used to the loud and brash manner of today’s teens, mainly due to her experience with her own brother Souta.

“He went to your father’s office.” Her heart jumped at the words she uttered. “Can I help you with anything?”

“No actually, I was hoping to be the one doing the helping.”

“Well…” Kagome looked around at the papers littering her desk and felt greatly tempted by the offer. “I’m up to my eyeballs in numbers at the moment but…”

“I’ll help you” Rin beamed happily, grabbing at the chance to show her worth. “I love numbers. Dad always helped me with my math work, I guess that’s why I’m so good at it.”

Again, Kagome ignored the odd rhythm of her heartbeat at the mention of Sesshoumaru and pulled a chair up beside her. “To be honest, I’d love some help with this. It’s so fiddley. Much easier with two people working on it.”

Rin sat in the seat and looked curiously at the girl beside her. “What’s your name?”

Kagome blushed at the absence of her manners. “Oh, I’m sorry. My name’s Kagome.”

Rin beamed again. “That’s so pretty, just like you. I’m Rin.”

Kagome shook hands with her, smiling into her warm brown eyes. She found it hard to not like the girl and wondered why she even tried in the first place. ‘Whatever happened between Sesshoumaru and me is not her fault.’ She put aside the petty emotions and began to explain the method of calculation that she was using. She was greatly pleased when Rin picked it up with ease and even more surprised when the girl showed her a much faster way to achieve her results. A steady rapport grew quickly between them as the hour stretched and much work was accomplished. They cheered happily when they made the final calculation and everything balanced perfectly.

“Wow Rin, you can come and help me out anytime you like.” Kagome stared in amazement at the finished report in her hand. “This would’ve taken me all day.”

Rin’s smile showed her pleasure at the praise she received. She liked Kagome a lot, finding her easygoing and friendly. Not all adults were as approachable as her. She shuddered when her mind produced a picture of Yura’s sickly grin. She pushed the disturbing image from her brain and smiled ruefully.

“Oh I’d love to Kagome but I don’t think that dad would be too happy about it.”

Kagome laughed. “I’m sure you’re right there. I can’t imagine that he’d appreciate you giving up school to help your uncle’s helper.”

Rin’s eyes shone with mischief. “If that’s the case, I don’t think dad would mind at all. He’d say, ‘your uncle needs all the help he can get.’”

Kagome’s laughter filled the silent room. “You do that so well. I swear you really sound like him.”

Rin giggled. “I know and he hates it but uncle Yaya gets me to do it all the time, just to annoy him. He’s the one who taught me how to do it right.”

Kagome’s laughter continued. “Uncle Yaya?”

Rin’s laughter came to an abrupt end as a look of horror took over her features. “Oh no, please Kagome. You can’t tell him that I told you about that. He’ll get really angry with me.”

Kagome took one look at the girl’s panic-stricken face and wiped the smirk from her own. Much as she’d love to torture Inuyasha with that juicy piece of info, she had no wish to cause Rin any distress.

“Don’t worry, you’re secret’s safe with me.” She almost laughed again at the look of relief that passed over the girl’s face. “Say Rin, why don’t we go down to the tearoom and have a break. I think we earned it.”

“Great!” Rin jumped up and bounced to the door. “I can make you one of my special chocolate drinks.”

“Mm… sounds good.”

She looped her arm through Rin’s and they headed out of the executive suite, waving cheerfully to Kaede as they passed.

The old woman smiled, watching them disappear down the hall as their noisy chatter and laughter faded behind them. ‘Well, this is certainly a step in the right direction.’


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Kouga frowned as Inuyasha’s explanation of events filtered through the earpiece. “So you need a computer tech.”

“A good one Kouga. This thing is really tough to crack.” Inuyasha’s flat voice continued. “Our own tech’s been on it for hours and can’t make any sense of it.”

Kouga sighed. “Shippou’s already tied up with that disc from Naraku’s office and I don’t think they’ll give me another tech.”

“Kouga, you’ve got to try. We need to find out who’s behind this and I’ve got a feeling that this will tell us.”

Another sigh escaped from Kouga as he resigned himself to further arguments with his superior. “Fine, fine. I’ll see what I can do.”

He placed the receiver down and stared at it a moment. He wasn’t looking forward to this but what other choice did he have? Taking a deep breath, he lifted the receiver and pressed the button that connected him to computer lab. He cringed as the dreaded voice greeted him.

“Iyashii, it’s Kouga.” He cringed again at the contemptuous snort that he received. “Something’s come up in the case I’m working on and I need a tech, quite urgently.”

At the computer lab, Iyashii gagged in disbelief. “What? You already have one working for you.”

“I need another one Iyashii and I need one as soon as possible. Are you telling me that there’s none available?”

“That’s right Kouga. There’s none available.” Iyashii’s smirk broadened as he imagined the agent’s frustrated face.

“You better not be lying to me. You know the rules. If someone’s available, you have to send them.”

“Listen you little shit, I don’t need you telling me the rules. You’re the most incompetent agent this company’s ever had.” Iyashii’s face contorted with rage.

“You seem to forget that I’m no longer an agent. I have my own division now, so I think that makes me a manager, don’t you?”

Iyashii grinned, hearing the tension in Kouga’s voice. “As I said, you’re the most incompetent agent that I’ve ever met.”

Iyashii chuckled at Kouga’s growl. He really enjoyed riling the stupid bastard right up. His grin faded however, as he noticed the black haired man who walked into large computer lab. ‘Damn, now why did he have to go and turn up right now?’ His teeth clenched and his knuckles turned white with the pressure of his grip on the receiver.

“You’re in luck, you silly prick. Roiyaru just came in. He must have finished his assignment. He’ll be there on Monday, after he’s finished his paperwork and briefing.”

Iyashii cursed again. Of all the people he had to send, why did it have to be his best technician? ‘The bastard doesn’t deserve him.’ He slammed the receiver down angrily, hoping to deafen Kouga in the process. He would never forgive that sleaze for taking his fiancée away from him, never. Walking to the large glass screen, he tapped loudly until he had the attention of the young man in question. He indicated his desire to speak with him and received a nod of affirmation. Moving back to his desk, he sat and waited, allowing his mind to wander to the past; to a time when all he held dear had been stripped from his life.

Roiyaru emptied the contents of his briefcase before depositing it on the floor. He lifted his light brown eyes and stared in amusement at the glazed expression on his co-worker’s face.

“Shippou, how long have you been at that thing?”

“Umm, a couple of days… I guess” With his eyes firmly fixed on the screen before him, Shippou continued pounding the keyboard impatiently.

“You haven’t been home yet, have you?” He noticed that the whites around Shippou’s green irises were now almost as red as his hair. “What the hell are you working on?”

Shippou ignored the question and the presence that suddenly appeared behind him. His mind was lost in the intricacies of the codes that he analysed. He felt Roiyaru bending over his shoulder but gave no indication of acknowledgement. A faint whistle stirred at his senses and he turned to see his friend’s keen glance fixed firmly on the ever-changing sequence of numbers that rolled down the screen.

“Hell, that’s one complicated job you’ve got there brother. I’m glad it’s you and not me.” He leaned forward and pointed to a cluster of numbers that fell out of pattern. “Have you tried these?”

Shippou blinked and stared for a second before his fingers responded. A gasp escaped him as the numbers stopped rolling and a new screen appeared. His face lit up with a smile as he turned to Roiyaru.

“I think I could kiss you Roi.” He chuckled at his friend’s comical expression of horror.

“Nah, that’s not necessary. You know how it goes Shippou. Sometimes, when you stare at something too long, it’s hard to see what’s right before your eyes. With a fresh set of eyes, much easier to spot.”

Shippou frown and rolled his eyes, swinging back to the computer as he waved a hand dismissively at his friend. “Yeah right. Piss off.”

Roiyaru chuckled as he strolled back to his terminal. “Yeah, I guess I better get a move on. The old bastard looks pretty shitty today.”

He laughed as Shippou released a string of curses, having found himself stuck with another wall of jumbled codes. Shaking his head, Roiyaru gathered his diary and headed to the boss’s office.


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Inuyasha shook his head as he watched Kagome rush out the door after his giggling niece. If it weren’t for the fact that they’d managed to complete the impossible list of tasks that was his and Kagome’s for the day, he would gladly choke the pair of them. Rin’s presence seemed to bring out the more mischievous side of his assistant and the last few hours had found him on the receiving end of more than one prank. He was beginning to see how it was for the techs that he so liked to pick on. Sighing, he lifted the receiver off the blaring phone.

“Inuyasha, good news.” Kouga’s voice was full of enthusiasm. “You’ll have a computer technician on Monday.”

“Thanks. I’ll let Sesshoumaru know. I gather it’s not Shippou.”

“No, he’s still working on that damned program but… this guy’s even better. He’s top of his field.”

“Well, thank God that something finally worked out.” The small indicator flashed on Inuyasha’s phone. “Listen Kouga, I have to go. There’s another call for me. Thanks for that. I’ll talk to you soon.”

Inuyasha pressed a button on the phone and was soon listening to his brother’s voice.

“Can you come to my office? They found the original invoice.”

“Sure” He was about to hang up when Sesshoumaru’s voice continued.

“Oh Inuyasha, can you go and get Angel? We’ll need her here too.”

Inuyasha frowned as he replaced the receiver. There hadn’t been much time to think about Angel yet but now he found his mind straying to the awkward moments in the lift this morning. He knew that her reaction to him was more than his imagination. Smiling, he turned his attention to the paper he was signing. ‘I’ll finish this and then I’ll go.’


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Angel frowned at the document in her hand. ‘How can this be? Surely someone would’ve noticed these.’ She sighed as the ring of the telephone dragged her attention away.

“Hello” she replied impatiently.

A chuckle came through the earpiece. “Are you always this happy when you answer the phone?”

Angel frowned as she recognised the husky feminine voice and hissed angrily into the receiver. “What are you doing? Have you lost your mind? You know not to call me here.”

“Relax, will you?” the voice continued, in an appeasing manner. “It’s urgent or I wouldn’t have called.”

Angel gritted her teeth. “What now?”

“You have to come home tonight. Uncle wants to see you.”

“And I have a feeling I know why. Okay, what time?”

“Seven”

Angel jumped when a brief knock came as the only warning to Inuyasha’s sudden presence. She stared at him wide-eyed as her panicked mind wondered if he’d overheard her call.

“Hang on a minute” she spoke into the receiver before giving him her attention. “Inuyasha, is there something I can do for you?”

He stared at her intently, puzzled over her unease. “Yes, Sesshoumaru wants us both in his office. He’s found the original invoice.”

“Oh” Angel nodded distractedly. “All right, I’ll be there as soon as I finish this call.”

Inuyasha waited for her to do so but she continued to sit and watch him. “Well, I guess I’ll see you in there.”

She gave him a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes and waited until the door was closed, and she was certain that he was out of hearing range.

“Look, I have to go. You know the risks involved here. Just let uncle know that I’ll be there. ”

She received another chuckle. “Okay, I’m outta here.”

Angel hung up the phone and stood to her feet. She took a moment to breath before making her way to the door. It was very important that she present as normal an image as possible. Too much depended on it.


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AN: Thanks to all of you for your reviews and the funnies that you provide regularly. See you all next chapter people.
Babs