One wild car ride later, the three of them arrived at The Wolf’s Den—a multistory club in the heart of Tokyo’s youkai entertainment district. Even for a Friday night, the place was jam-packed, and it took a combination of Shippou’s credentials, Kagome’s blushing excuse-me’s, and Inuyasha’s cursing and shouting to get them through the crowd.
“Damn, this place is nuts,” the hanyou grumbled as they made their way to the bar.
“Kouhei’s band is headlining tonight,” Shippou said, smirking back at Kagome as he slipped between a couple of snake-eyed patrons. “That guy always draws a mob.”
Kagome reddened. It was no secret that Kouga’s grandson had a thing for her.
“Heh, somebody’s blushing.”
“Shut up, Inuyasha!”
Like the club itself, the central bar spanned multiple stories, a gigantic shimmering staircase spiraling up through the middle. Scantily-clad waitresses—the wingless ones, at least—hurried up and down the lighted steps, balancing trays laden with exotic drinks.
“Hey you three!” a dark-haired serving girl hollered over to them on her way up.
“How’s it going, Sachiko-chan?” Kagome called back cheerily.
Sango and Miroku’s great-great…great granddaughter released a heavy sigh, Kirara nearly toppling from her perch on her shoulder. “It’s madness, but the tips are just as insane. Catch you later, okay? I need to know the story behind that schoolgirl getup you’re wearing.”
With a saucy wink, Sachiko dashed off, Kagome groaning inwardly in her wake.
“I’ve gotta run too,” Shippou said, steeling himself as though for battle. “I’ll meet up with you guys in a few.”
“Yeah, yeah. We’ll see ya,” Inuyasha said with a wave. “C’mon, wench. Let’s get some drinks.”
As if on cue, a silver-haired lady approached them from the other side of the counter, smiling warmly. “Good evening, Kagome-chan…Inuyasha-san.”
Kagome didn’t miss how the head bartender’s voice softened shyly as she greeted her hanyou companion. Inuyasha, on the other hand, was oblivious as usual.
“Oi, Shiori,” he returned brusquely. “What’s on tap?”
As Shiori patiently ran through the list, Kagome checked her phone again. Still no calls or texts from Sesshoumaru. Her teeth worried at the inside of her cheek. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or not…
“Hey, Kagome, you want one of these?” Inuyasha said, shoving a mug of something red and faintly smoking into her line of view.
Kagome paled. Gods only knew what was in that hell-drink. Youkai brews were notorious for sending unsuspecting humans to the hospital.
“Er, no thanks.” She beamed past him at Shiori. “Just a jack and coke for me, please.”
Inuyasha shrugged, downing the fiery concoction in a couple of swigs. “Suit yourself. And quit messing with your phone. It’s annoying.”
“You could have at least let me tell him I was leaving, you know,” Kagome complained. “What if he shows up tonight?”
“Keh, fat chance of that,” Inuyasha said, reaching for another drink. “Sesshoumaru hates clubs. And people, for that matter.” Chuckling, he shook his head. “I still can’t believe you work for that asshole.”
“You were the one who told me about the job in the first place!” Kagome snapped.
“Yeah, well, I didn’t think you’d actually take it,” Inuyasha snickered, his voice beginning to slur. “Say, Shiori-chan,” he called out with a devilish grin, “how ‘bout another?”
As the flustered bar matron rushed to meet his shameless demands, Kagome sipped on her own drink and silently fumed. Stupid Inuyasha. All he did was make her life more complicated than it already was.
On the other side of the club, the sound of shouting and shattering glass told her that someone else’s night was going about as well as hers. Fanning his flushed face with his hat, Inuyasha laughed drunkenly.
“Sounds like Shippou’s on damage control already.”
Kagome rolled her eyes. This always ended up happening. Kouga would get too handsy with the dancers—especially if they were “fresh meat,” as Inuyasha so crudely put it—and his wife Ayame would blow a gasket. Shippou might be floor manager, but his unofficial role was peacekeeper, and while he defused the situation, Kouga would slip away and—
“Heyy, Kagome-chan.”
—be right back at it again.
“Hi, Kouga-kun,” she said politely, bracing herself as the club owner sauntered over with his trademark cocky grin.
Inuyasha’s muttered “Here we go” echoed her sentiments entirely. Slicking back his dark hair, Kouga drew to a stop just before her and clasped her hands, his glittering blue eyes roving her up and down.
“I have to say, I like your choice of outfit tonight, Kagome-chan,” the wolf prince said smoothly. “Brings back memories, ne?”
Inuyasha scoffed. “I’ll bet it does, you pervy wolf.”
“Pretty sure I wasn’t talking to you, dog brain,” Kouga shot back, glaring, before he returned to her with an easy smile. “Anyway…haven’t seen you around much the past few months. You still like coming here, don’t you?”
“Of course I do, Kouga-kun! I’ve just been busy at work.”
“That busy, eh?” Kouga’s lips pursed. “Sesshoumaru’s a slave-driver, even if he does own half the city.” His smile became downright wolfish. “Why don’t you just come work for me instead?”
“Ah, well…”
“Maybe because she doesn’t want to be groped all the time,” Inuyasha interjected snidely. “So why don’t you buzz off?”
Kouga rounded on him. “This is my club, baka. If anyone’s taking a hike, it’ll be you.”
“Oh, yeah?” Inuyasha said lowly, golden eyes narrowing as he prodded Kouga in the chest with his cane. “Make me.”
“That’s it, mutt.” Fangs bared, Kouga loosened his tie. “You’re going down!”
“Bring it on, you mangy bastard!”
Kouga growled, his claws lengthening as Tessaiga transformed, splitting through the cane that normally concealed it. Shiori gasped while the others around them whistled and cheered. Youkai loved a good brawl.
Kagome sighed wearily, moving between them. “All right, you two, knock it off…”
“Stay outta this, wench–this dumbass wolf needs to be taught a lesson!”
“We’ll see about that, old timer!”
“Who are you calling old, grandpa!”
As their bickering continued, a hush fell over the crowd. Kagome turned around in surprise as the mass of onlookers slowly parted, and none other than Sesshoumaru strode through.
Cool amber eyes surveyed the scene before him in obvious distaste. Hands literally at each other’s throats, Inuyasha and Kouga paused at last, staring dumbly back.
“Little brother,” the daiyoukai addressed the half-drunk hanyou.
Radiating pure intimidation, he rested the full weight of his gaze upon her. Kagome felt the force of that look all the way down to her toes.
“Miko,” he said.
Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi
Old habits die hard eh? LMFAO This is a fun story so far. Kouga’s bar sounds entertaining. And youkai being completely integrated into society… I’m really interested in seeing how this goes.
haha glad you like the scene at Kouga’s bar! 🙂