Date with Destiny

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Chapter 8: The Phantom Menace.

A room hides the mysterious masked figure, in a shadowy black shroud. Two male figures approach with much trepidation.

Heavy breathing cuts through the still air.

“...(Vader-like breathing-'you all know what I mean')... Did you bring it?”

“Yyes.. Mmaster.” Stammered Kouga, handing a parcel wrapped in a brown paper to the figure in the center of the room.

“Do not approach!” warned the 'Master'. “Place it on top of yonder table.” Kouga did as he was instructed. “Who is he?” the dark figure asked pointing to the shaking Hiten.

“Master, he too has the same problem that plagues me. I have brought him here because he also requests your aid.” replied Kouga bowing respectfully to the hidden figure.

“I tttoo brought you gggifts... Mmmmaster.” gulped Hiten.

The mysterious figure eyed him suspiciously but gave a nod of consent. “Hai, I also will give you aid to your current predicament... (Vader breathing)...(cough)...(wheeze)..HACK!” Kouga and Hiten turn to the shadowy figure bent forward.

“Careful there you wouldn't want to cough out lung or anything.” remarked Kouga shying away from the continious coughing and wheezing of the figure. 'I certainly hope that's not contagious.'

“Dude! I think the old frog is gonna croak his last!” gasped Hiten.

The figure rummaged through it's robes pulled out a silver caster. Kouga and Hiten stared wide-eyed in alarm then dived down with their arms covering their heads protectively. Both expecting a cataclysmic explosion.

“Have mercy on us oh most terrible dude! Don't kill us with your magic, oh ancient and all powerful one!” pleaded both, while prostrating themselves in front of the stunned figure. They lifted their eyes just in time to see the figure pull off the black helmet-like mask that held it's identity a secret. “Puffer medication.. (sucking onto the puffer greedily)” explained Kaede.

“What the f'ck?.. It's You! You crazy asthmatic psycho bitch! I oughtta...” snarled Kouga.

“Shut the hell up ya pansy! You act all tough but in the first sight of Ayame your d'ck shrivels up and your balls deflate so far back into your damn anus you'd think you have one massive hernia!” spat Kaede while Hiten howled in laughter. “Besides, so what if it was me? I can still help the both of you.”

“I dunno dork vader, seeing your midget ass kinda ruined the mystery ya know?”

“Hmp! Fine just don't come running to me crying your eyeballs out again when Ayame fondles your 'goodies'.”with that Kaede turns to leave.

“Wait...uh.. maybe you're right, it doesn't matter if it's you. We do need help...any help.” he emphasized. Smirking happily Kaede skips back to the two youkai males now looking at her pleadingly.

“Here.. (gives them each a necklace of beads and fangs).. you'll both be needing this. Just be careful when you say the word of subjugation.”

“Word of subjugation?”

“Hai, you can't both be in the same place at the same time when you release the spell especially when you speak the word used to subjugate the persons you're intend on subjugating. Phew that was a mouthful.”

“Why is that?”

“Uh, just that it would be bad. Instead of taking on one word of subjugation it could take the first two words that would come out of your lips.” cautioned Kaede. “Well with that said...Enjoy! And uh.. come again!” she skipped off happily holding the parcels on her arms.

“THAT, is one wacked out babe.” commented Hiten.

“Babe is right, the girl should be wearing diapers and riding on stroller instead of being loose on the streets, spreading her brand of evil.” added Kouga, shuddering visibly.

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Sniff.

Tears roll down cheeks.

Wipe.

Wipe.

“What are you upstart doing?” boomed a matriarchal voice.

“You have eyes, why do I have to explain it to you? Besides, I'm doing exactly what you told me to aren't I. So why are you having a high blood over it.” Ayame cried. 'Ya fat-ass cow!' she added inwardly.

“Getting the job done doesn't include wearing a snorkeling gear complete with breathing tube and turning my kitchen into a laughing stock!”

“I'm peeling onions you ladyship! It's toxic stuff! Even with this on my eyes are starting to get watery and my throat is stinging already! Maybe your menopause ass doesn't get effected by the noxious gases but my youthful virgin ass is shoulder deep in onion fumes!”

“That's not my problem. Sesshoumaru-dono sent you and that other wench friend of yours, here to work off your debt so take off that ridiculous gear and do the job properly.”

“Yesss, Sahib (i think that means master)!” muttered a bowing Ayame. Scowling darkly at the departing figure of the kitchen supervisor.

“Sorry I'm late! I had a business transaction to do.”

“Get your lame ass over here. Have you any idea how much spit spatter I have on my face already? All because you had to pull a disappearing act!”complained an irate Ayame.

“I can get a rough guess, it's clear to see on your goggles.” giggled Kaede.

“I'm soooo glad you find this situation so friggin funny! That bitchy slave driver spits more than a freakin camel does!”

“It's yellow too.. .” remarked Kaede.

“What? Damn it! The bitch's teeth is so yellow she spits butter!” Ayame takes off the goggles and observes the yellow dots on the clear plastic surface. “Bitch could audition for a role in Aliens too. She'd make one fine looking acid-spitting extra terrestial.”

Kaede doubled over in laughter clutching her stomach and slapping Ayame on her back. Ayame narrows her eyes at her amicable display. “You better not be up to something or the next time camel lady comes here I'll use you as a friggin spit shield!”

“Who said I was up to something... mou, why are you always so suspicious?”

“Whatever! Just grab the spare goggles and let's finish this already. I can't believe we get stuck with this while Kikyo ended up in the management section, and Sango in security. That should be me with Kouga in security not that boomerang-brained commando!”

“Kagome got the easiest job. She's stationed in my place at the foyer. Her work is pretty light compared to this hell hole.”

Sigh.

“I wonder how they're doing.” asked Ayame warily.

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“Hellooooo?” Sango's voice drifter across the silent security room, echoing in the joining hallway.

“Hey you must be the new recruit.”

“Yarggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh!” screamed Sango jumping up two feet at the same time Karate chopping the air.

“Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you and make your hair jump on end. I'm Bankotsu, but everyone here calls me Bank, Kouga assigned me to be your partner.” he said holding out his hand.

“Uh, yea, Sango's the name, so where is everybody?”

“The viewing room. Having lunch.”

“It's only 9am!” gasped Sango looking down at her watch. “What do they do when it's really their lunch time?”

“They have their dinner.” laughed Bankotsu. Seeing the confusion on her face he explained further, “they developed all sorts meal breaks, out of boredom of course. You see, since this is Sesshoumaru-dono's domain no sane ningen or self-respecting youkai dare set a trouble-making foot in here. So security pretty much have nothing to do.”

“What about watching the security cameras in the viewing room?”

“They have one channel open to that but the rest is tunned into sports. Like I said, this place has a reputation as big as Sesshoumaru-dono since this is his usual residence.” answered Bankotsu. “So now you know pretty much the drill around here.”

“That is one f'cked up system if you ask me. What if there's a real emergency?”

“You're forgetting, most employees here are youkai they would sense if there's trouble. Besides even before that Sesshoumaru-dono usually comes here and briefs us of any impending disaster before it happens. The only thing caught him unawares was that fiasco you and your friends pulled the other day.”

“It wasn't intentional!” protested Sango.

“Oh I know, but it was priceless seeing the whole youkai aristocracy in an uproar over four icing covered teens.” he grinned.

'He's cute.' thought Sango. The song 'Hey ya!' by Outkast plays in her head automatically.

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“So that's all we do here?”

“Yes. Just smile, greet, bow. We speak only when spoken to and do things only when asked or ordered by our superiors.” explained the blond woman.

“Kuso! Didn't they already invent robots for this tedious job?”

“I would have though that you would like it. The pays excellent and you don't even lift a finger! See, my nails have stayed nice and perfectly scratchless all week.” she declared proudly holding up both hands, jiggling her bouncy breasts in the process. “The name's Miffy.”

Kagome sighed heavily, 'Miffy? You have got to be kidding me. Am I in the freakin phantom zone or something?' Banging her head on the stylish wooden reception desk she groans. 'Great as if working in this boring ass job was bad enough I gotto keep Anna Nicole company.'

“Don't do that you silly goose!” she giggled inanely placing one hand in front of her mouth childishly. “You'll hurt your skull!”

Kagome smiled weakly. 'Oh god, the nightmare begins.' However before the nightmare could continue, they were interrupted when a cold emotionless voice cut through the reception area.

“You there.” A young beautiful girl with snow-white hair glides in their direction dressed in a dazzling pristine white kimono. “Tell Sesshoumaru that I've arrived for our meeting.” her voice was lullingly soft and delicate, yet beneath it Kagome detects a hint of hidden malice. She shivered slightly. Kagome did not like her at all. Also, the familiar way she addressed the young western lord caused Kagome's stomach to clench. “Did you not hear a word I said girl?” she continued in a monotone voice.

Observing no response from the stunned girl Miffy bowed respectfully to the elegant vision in white proceeded to lead her to the waiting elevator promising to call Sesshoumaru on his private line to notify him of her arrival. Scurrying back to her place Miffy let out a huge breath.

“You gonna have to be careful with that one my friend. People and youkai here say she's the Lord's intended.”

Kagome laughed nervously. “Are you serious? The ice queen is his intended? If those two get together we're in for another ice age.” deep inside her heart lurched painfully. “Only this time it would be us instead of the dinosaurs.”

“Shhhh! Even flowers have ears.”

“Don't you mean walls?”

“Huh?”

“The phrase you said, it's meant to be 'even walls have ears'.”

“When did I say that?”

“Just then.”

“I did?”

“Yes you most certainly did.” winced Kagome as she massaged her head.

“See! I told you so. Now you've gone and hurted your skull!” Miffy reproved. “Off to the nurses' office with you!” she ordered, one arm pointing the direction she was to go.

“Wha?”

“Go on! Off with you! I got your bases covered!” she chirped happily.

'Sure you do, but have you got yours?' thought Kagome. “Fine, but if you run into problems just call me ok?” Turning around she saw the happy-go-lucky receptionist humming a tune. Straining to hear what it was she was humming. A smile crept on her face when she recognized the song. 'Barbie by Aqua', laughed Kagome inwardly shaking her head.

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“Cousin what are you doing here?” spat a voice laced with venom.

“Tsubaki, I see the years have not been good to you.” greeted Kikyo with contempt. Tsubaki was another cousin of hers, aside from Kagome. Unfortunately, unlike Kagome, Tsubaki is dark, conniving and totally ruthless. She too inherited miko abilities but she chooses to use it to some evil purpose.

“You should know it was your counter curse that scarred my perfect features!” she snarled.

“It wouldn't have been scarred had you not tried to curse me. You should know that you're no match for me.” Kikyo responded coldly.

“Hmp! Well just learn to keep your holy untainted hands off my Onigumo!” she screeched stomping off in the other direction.

'Onigumo? He's here?' thought Kikyo in alarm. 'If he's here that means his twin Naraku is too. Sh't, all four of them might be here! I gotto warn the others.'

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'Why does that onna plague this Sesshoumaru's mind?'

: (Inu talking) You know it is her yet you continue to deny it!

'Only fate will decide if we are to be.'

: (his inu howls angrily) MINE! MINE! MINE! No fate! I crave out my own destiny! I am Sesshoumaru! I lost her once I won't loose her again!

His inu was once again trying to surface.

'You have no right to this body! Be silent!'

: Should you not go then I will take over and take what is rightfully ours!

Sesshoumaru's eyes bled red and azure. He hunched over panting heavily feeling the fight with his inu taking more effort and energy from him that he ever imagined.

“Sesshoumaru-dono, shitsurei shimashita (formal 'excuse me'), Miss Kanna has arrived and is asking permission to enter your office.”

His inu distracted, he summoned up enough strength to push it back to it's confines deep within the recesses of his mind.

“Show her in.” he replied stoically. 'It seems you have gotten stronger than when we last had a confrontation my inu. Though I am not surprised since you also draw your strength from this Sesshoumaru. However, I will not be coerced into a forced mating with that argumentative female unless. If fate deems it we will be with her again.”

His inu conceded reluctantly.

“Sesshoumaru-dono, are you alright?” her voice called out in an indifferent tone.

“Kanna, I was not expecting you until this afternoon.” he said curtly.

“I came earlier than expected because I wanted to ask when you will making the announcement.”

“Announcement?” quizzed the confused western lord.

“Hai, our mating announcement.”