Chapter Text
Kagome trained herself in her early days of being in the agency to look a person in the eyes before she took their life. And no matter how many photos of nefarious mob bosses or smugglers she saw, they always looked different once she saw them face to face, and they became someone she could -and inevitably would - kill. She never let it slip, from the tone of her voice to the features on her face, that they were her target.
Even so, Kagome felt her face fall when the elevator doors opened to Hiten and Manten. Both were dressed nicely enough, but neither were the faces she wanted to see.
Kouga swept into her room, and for the first time so close to a hit, Kagome forgot about the mission. Not entirely; she could never push a mission completely out of her mind, but she certainly let it occupy the far corners of her mind to make way for other things. Namely, how well Kouga filled out his tuxedo.
During Hiten’s fitting for his own tuxedo, Kagome was bored nearly to tears. With Kouga, she could barely tear her eyes away from his broad shoulders and chest. The goosebumps that covered her arms and chest could only be quelled by bringing up the least sexy thing she could think of: her guns. She secretly hoped that he would trip over his words somewhat, and the trance would be broken. But he pointed out the efficiency of the more compact weapon, her favorite weapon, and Kagome took his advice, despite the volume of her dress, it was a better choice. Kagome's mind changed almost immediately. Suddenly talking about weapons felt very sexy.
A voice in the back of her head still told her that there was no way that Kouga would ever be interested in her beyond a little arm candy, and Kagome decided, against her better judgement, to play with fire, if just for the evening. The blade at her stiletto heel was so well hidden that she had to practice removing it swiftly a few times after she purchased it. In Kouga’s large hand the knife was petite, and Kagome, who already found swords, knives and blades in general to be sexy, nearly had to take a seat, watching Kouga turn it over in his hand. The silver shone in the lighting of her room, and she questioned why she never sparred with him in any training sessions. The simple answer was that training usually drew some sort of audience, and Kagome did not want any eyes on her if she found herself pinned under Kouga’s firm body.
When he knelt to replace her blade, Kagome tried to keep her shaking limbs relatively calm. The warm pass of his hand on her skin was more disarming than she would have admitted to, and Kagome realized she was falling hard, when he stood and she had to keep herself from wrapping that same leg around his waist. Kagome rechecked her weapons and tried to clear her head, replaying the past few moments in her mind, and moved past Kouga to open the door. She lingered at the door an extra second, hoping her dress (or lack thereof from the back) was enough of an enticement. If the night went well, strictly speaking, if they murdered their devious bosses and got away with it, there would still be a night ahead of them before paperwork had to be processed and the agency had to be notified and dealt with. That left several hours in a five-star hotel that she didn’t have to pay for and a sinfully handsome colleague who may already be interested.
The ride to the top floor balcony was uneventful, save for Kagome blushing like a teenager and wishing that the device would move a little slower, or possibly break down altogether. The inspection notice on the wall was coded and up to date, and Kagome wanted to rip it off the wall.
The doors parted, and Kagome exhaled, immediately reminded of their mission that night, upset that she would most likely have to spend the better part of the night away from Kouga, having to assess imaginary threats and finally dirtying her hands with her bosses' blood. She reminded herself that it was for the greater good.
“Agents,” Manten said, smirking between the two of them. He was convinced that there was more between the two than he could prove, and Kagome steeled her features for the possibility that Manten was wrong.
Kagome nodded at Manten, whom she held a fraction more respect for, but not much. At the very least, he mostly ignored her instead of leering at her everytime they shared a room. Kagome took her time meeting Hiten’s eyes, and when she did it was after he finished shamelessly drinking in the lines of her body through her gown. The only thing that broke his inspection was Kouga clearing his throat, drawing the attention of Kagome and Hiten. Kagome noticed the timbre of his voice; it was less of a cough and more of a bark, and she wasn’t sure whether to be intimidated or aroused by it. Hiten looked momentarily caught, and instead straightened his ostentatious bow tie and zeroed in on the crook of Kouga’s arm, where Kagome was still connected to him.
“Miss Higurashi,” Hiten began, his voice like oil and honey over her skin. It was at once cloyingly sweet and slick, and Kagome decided that she did not at all like it. “As we are both without dates for the evening, would you mind being my escort into the ballroom?”
Knowing the game being played (and hating being the centerpiece of such a game) Kagome wore the face of a demure woman, and let her eyes fall to the carpeted floor of the elevator. Kagome felt Kouga’s arm flex under her palm, and silently encouraged him to maintain the ruse, if just for a bit longer, knowing that, had he the opportunity, he would openly object. She didn't miss the gloating look he flashed at Kouga as her hand slid from the warm crease of his arm. Hiten presented his arm, and Kagome took it, waiting until they stepped out of the elevator to look back at Kouga. His face was otherwise calm, but Kagome noticed the clench of his jaw and fists. As they approached the ballroom, the music from a jazzy band swelled, and Kagome took in the room, mapping out the night that would change the trajectory of her career.
“Agent?”
Since entering the ballroom, Kouga kept one eye on his targets, and the other on Kagome. He knew that she was observant and vigilant, and it would take a lot to catch her off guard. Where Manten was more solitary, choosing to eat and drink amongst a small group of politicians, Hiten was oily; sliding around the room, charming as many people as he could in a short period of time. The two were not difficult to spot, especially Hiten, as he managed to monopolize Kagome for the better part of the evening. She would discreetly move away from him, and after enough drinks to loosen his inhibitions without being downright disrespectful, Kouga watched Kagome press a finger to her ear, and move away, pretending to assess a threat to his safety. Hiten was a pervert, to be sure, but he couldn’t hold a pistol to save his life, and probably didn’t want to risk getting blood on his gaudy off-white tuxedo.
When Kouga approached Kagome, it was initially to check after her wellbeing. The benefit of approaching her from her right side was catching another glimpse of the long expanse of her neck where her hair was pulled to the opposite shoulder. He wondered if the scent of her skin under the gun oil was as intoxicating as in his dreams.
Kagome smiled before turning to face him, and almost seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. The only thing more nerve-wracking than being on a mission, was pretending to be on a mission while on an entirely different mission. The paradox wasn’t lost on him, but Kouga chose to focus on the sparkling grey eyes of his colleague instead.
Focused as Kagome was on her work, Kouga tried to compile clear evidence of her feelings. He tried to be a good team member and followed her lead without imposing too many of his ideas, unless he was adding to one of hers. She was smart as a whip and resourceful. Kouga knew that the mission, if left in his hands alone, would be moving at half the speed. She was professional, beautiful, and everything he could ask for. Kouga just needed to convince himself to ask for it.
Holding his hand out, Kouga swept her out of her seat and over to the dancefloor, finding a spot between the sparse number of couples there. Kagome fit against him, and Kouga hoped that the band would play a long, slow song. Twice.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Kagome asked quietly, snapping Kouga out of the trance that her bare back put him under. He imagined any number of soft things; the fuzz on a perfectly ripe peach, his down pillow after a long day, and each failed in comparison. Kouga’s mind went to peeling away the fabric from her skin, feeling it’s warmth under him, and tasting the stretch of her ivory neck while she moaned in his ear.
“I am now…” he answered, trying to shake the gravel from his voice. Kagome chuckled into his shoulder, and he thought it best to keep her talking. The only words he wanted to exchange were how best to ditch their targets and spend the remainder of the night together. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.”
“That sounded genuine.”
Kouga felt her hands fall harder over his shoulder. “Hiten is exhausting. It’s like being led around by a peacock on a leash.” Her head rested on his chest, and Kouga could barely think of a more perfect place for her. “What about Manten?”
“He’s easy. He was drunk after his second champagne.”
“What else is new?”
“I mean very, very drunk. Probably started drinking in the room and barely made it down her eon his feet. I’m guessing he’s got another three minutes of swaying before he completely topples over, and needs a solid shoulder to help get him up to his room.”
“I guess it’s a good thing you’re his guard for the night.'' Kagome liked that word better than the one Hiten picked when she was forced to enter the room on his arm. She wasn’t his “date” or “escort” or even “companion”. In his eyes, she should have been the professional keeping him safe (all the while plotting out his murder), but as usual, she was relegated to the one task she hated the most. “So long as there are just enough eyes seeing him escorted out by you, and none of them belonging to his brother.”
“How are you going to keep him distracted? You know if he sees his brother getting carried out, he’s gonna follow.”
Kagome was silent. She could hardly in one breath denounce seduction as an effective technique, and then offer to do it. But, there wouldn’t be another opportunity like this in ages. She had to take her shot, even if it cost her a little bit in dignity.
“...Kagome?” Kouga asked, clearly following her train of thought and not liking its trajectory.
Kagome gave his shoulder one last squeeze, before stepping away from him. “I’m going with the best trick in my bag.”
“I’m going with the best trick in my bag.”
Kouga could hardly believe his ears, and Kagome didn’t look surprised when he refused to let her back away from him, mid-dance.
“I certainly hope you mean that brilliant mind of yours…” he offered, trying to search her grey eyes for an answer. Her face went hard, the same expression he’d seen when she was reloading her weapon or demonstrating how to flip a grown man over her shoulder. Focus and determination. Kouga would have been struck with awe if it weren’t putting her in danger.
“It’s the only way-” she began, before he cut her off.
“Kagome, no -”
“You said it yourself: if he sees Manten leaving, he’s going to follow you. He’s an ass, but those two are close.”
“More like ‘oddly codependent’…” Kouga began, looking over Kagome’s head to where Hiten sat, laughing around a crowd. There was so little honor left in the man that Kouga wanted to walk over and end him right there. “I don’t like the thought of you putting yourself in danger needlessly.”
“That’s kind of our whole job, Kouga,” she responded. He knew she was right, and that she was more than capable of taking care of herself. “Manten’s second pill takes six and a half minutes to work. I can keep Hiten occupied for that long.” Kagome looked away, and Kouga knew she was trying to hide something from him.
Kouga still wasn't satisfied, and made use of a particularly large and ornate pillar on the outskirts of the dance floor. Moving Kagome behind it gently, he kept his voice low, in case someone was close enough to hear. After entering the room, Kagome had more people following her with their eyes, much to the chagrin of their dates. “You’re gonna dance with him for six minutes?”
“If he starts asking about Manten, then...I have another ace up my sleeve.”
Kouga already knew he wouldn't like her answer. “And that is?”
Kagome let out a deep breath. “I’m gonna give him a key to my room.”
The music from the band suddenly sounded shrill as Kouga's chest constricted. “Absolutely not.” Over the course of their investigation, Kouga never gave Kagome commands. She was his team lead, and he let her make most of the decisions, while he was happy to support her and offer suggestions where necessary. So long as she wasn't putting herself in harm's way too often or recklessly, he could pull back. But not this time.
“Excuse me?! This is my mission!” Kagome took a half step away from him, keeping her voice low and harsh.
“Exactly! You shouldn’t have to take on that role, while still being the team lead!”
“I can do this!”
“I know you can, but I don’t want you to!” Kouga could see it now: Hiten grinning like a cat with the canary, sliding his paws over Kagome's body...it was enough to send him hurtling toward the man, even after promising Kagome that she could be the one to take his life.
“Why not?!"
"Kagome," he began, rubbing his temples. "You've been telling me how much you hate seducing people for this job."
"So, I hate it?! There are tons of things about his job that I hate. Our health insurance, for example, is severely lacking. We don't even get dental.”
"But, you don't have to do it this time. I'll tell him there's been a breach; that we saw Naraku's men outside, and we have to take one of the service elevators to the basement-"
"And he's going to ask where his brother is, and ignore you to go find him," Kagome offered. "This is the only way."
Kouga's mind flashed back to watching them dance, how Kagome kept Hiten from getting too handsy while plastering a smile on her face. The man barely deserved to walk away with his life then, he would be unbearable if he thought Kagome returned his ill-mannered affections. And there was no telling Hiten would take Kagome up on her offer. If Kouga were distracted with Manten or took too long to administer the second pill, Hiten could find some way to be alone with her. Kouga wouldn't put it past him to force his attentions at even the slightest encouragement.
"I'm sorry, Kagome. I can't let you do that," Kouga said.
Kagome clenched her jaw. He'd never seen her so angry. "I'm not asking for your permission. Stand down, Agent." She moved to walk away from him, and Kouga reached out for her fingers, taking them gently between his. He didn't want to manhandle her, especially because she was already upset, but it wouldn't do for her to try and seduce her target while angry at him.
"I'm sorry; that came out wrong. I just know how much you hate it, and I don't like seeing you do things that you hate."
"It's a part of the job, Kouga, especially mine. I have to do this." A question hung in the air between them, and Kouga noticed her fingers were still in his hand "Why do you care so much?" Kagome asked quietly. If he hadn't been standing so close, he might have missed it against the din of the room around them.
“Because you’re more than that!"he said, almost shocked that she had to ask at all. “I know you, and I know that you can do it, because for the first time in my career, I thought about throwing a mission. I wanted to frame those guys for embezzlement, or bribing cops or stealing candy from kids. Anything to keep you from having to come down here, and walk in on his arm instead of mine. I know that bastard too well to think he wouldn’t wanna….show you off like some shiny new toy, but you’re more than that. You’re the best agent I’ve worked with. This investigation wouldn't be half of what it is without you. And, yes, you are...stunning...beyond words, but I need you to know that you bring more to a team than just how you look."
"...I need you to know that you bring more to a team than just how you look."
Kagome's throat caught as Kouga spoke. She spent most of the time they were together denying the blossoming feelings she had for him, or trying to justify why he would be so kind to her in an otherwise ruthless industry. She'd never lead a team, and made more missteps than she liked to think about. He was always gentle with her, offering his suggestions without pressure and praising her contributions. She had Team Leads who weren't half as encouraging to her, let alone the members who took orders from her. He was more than respectful, almost annoyingly so; when she opened the door to her hotel room, Kagome noticed a brief pause in him, before he refocused on the mission. She would be lying if she didn't carry the heated look in his eyes in her mind for the rest of the night.
"Kouga, I'm...thank you, but I...I know what I need to do for this job."
"You deserve to be a part of a team doing what you're damned good at, what you love. Not something that demeans you." His hands were warm as they moved over her arms, but Kagome still felt a chill creep up her back. "I would rather you lead a thousand missions than have you flirt with one more sleazy criminal."
Kagome focused on the floor and hoped her knees wouldn't buckle under the weight of his words. "I know you want me to have a good hit for my first mission, and-"
"I want you in my life, agent or not." Kouga's hands moved to her back, where the dress dipped dangerously low. The chill she felt earlier was swept away, replaced with a warmth that made the room feel immediately more comfortable. Kagome sank against Kouga, enveloped by the scent of his cologne, leather and gun oil. The amalgam was intoxicating, and she allowed herself to be pulled toward him, moving her hands to the strong line of his arm. She knew that time was of the essence, that as an agent on assignment (even one that was self-imposed), she should remain vigilant. In the corners of her mind, she remembered that Hiten was wandering the ballroom, and could chance upon her and Kouga, and the mission would be blown. Or at worse, Kouga would break Hiten's neck, and she would miss out on the opportunity to kill him herself. Kagome saw the question in his blue eyes; giving her the last moment to pull away as she always did, recalibrate and refocus on the mission. She met the silent challenge by leaning forward and raising herself up on her toes. The fact that she needed to, even in stilettos, did something wicked to the pit of her stomach.
Kouga cradled the side of her face with such tenderness that Kagome released a sigh in between his parted lips. Kouga drank in every sound she made hungrily, his hand pressing the small of her back and bringing her body flush with his. Kagome wedged her hand between the back of his neck and the cold stone pillar behind him. Kouga’s lips parted, turning Kagome completely in their secluded spot, pressing her between the pillar and his body. Kagome’s lips opened fully to him, and the leg that wore the high slit in her dress came up to snake around Kouga’s leg. The back of her head hit the pillar with an audible thud, and Kagome bit back a groan as Kouga attacked the soft skin of her neck.
The sound of a solid body hitting the ballroom floor dragged Kagome out of her trance, and with a whine, she began extracting herself from Kouga. He moved with similar reluctance, running a finger over the strap of her concealed thigh holster. She'd spent the better part of the evening wondering if she was too forward or fickle in her flirting earlier, and the singular touch let her know that it did not go unnoticed. She shot one last glance at Kouga, and turned to begin her seduction, trying to imagine it was Kouga she was about to charm, instead of her boss.
"Mr. Raikou...enjoying your evening so far?"
Kagome approached Hiten as he was finishing up a peal of obviously forced laughter with a pompous looking gentleman in an ill-fitting suit. Hiten had spent the better part of the night either with his brother, or men who looked enough like him, and Kagome guessed that these men were either incredibly important, or boosted her bosses ego. He would never be caught standing too close to a man who rivaled him in looks, even if it meant ignoring more powerful men in the room.
It wasn't a surprise that he and Kouga barely exchanged two words after entering the ballroom.
Kagome blinked hard and licked her lips, trying to focus. She'd spent the past few weeks imagining what kissing Kouga would be like, but the fantasy paled in comparison. He was all at once firm and pliant, taking and giving in equal measure, and a very primal part of her wanted to scrap the mission, save the killing for another night, and see what trouble his wicked mouth could get her into.
Unfortunately for her, Kagome was stubborn and focused, which led her to standing in front of Hiten, all the while thinking of another man. She began counting when Kouga took Manten's arm over his shoulder and escorted him out of the ballroom, and her internal stopwatch told her she had five minutes to keep him distracted enough for Kouga to finish the job.
Hiten stepped closer to her, and Kagome silently choked on the syrupy sweet stench of his cologne. "You look like you have something... evil on your mind…"
Kagome smiled under her lashes, and turned at a passing waiter, taking two flutes of champagne from his tray. "Of course not," she drawled, handing a glass to Hiten. "I just wanted to inform you that your brother has decided to turn in early for the night."
"Really?" Hiten asked, looking over her head to scan the room. "Manten never leaves a party early…"
"I'm afraid the open bar got the best of him. He's been escorted to his room and will probably be nursing a headache tomorrow morning." Kagome smiled, looking every part the agent she was.
"Sounds like him. Thank you for letting me know." Hiten took a sip of his own glass, and Kagome caught the long slide of his eyes from her lips to her throat, his gaze disappearing below the deep neckline of her dress. She hated the possessive look in his eyes; it was all at once desirous and hungry. His perusal of her body was entirely selfish, and she hated him just an inch more for it.
"Of course. If you wanted to retire to your room, I'd be happy to scan the perimeter. Your brother's guard will stand post for the night, if you wish."
Hiten rolled his eyes and looked annoyed. "My brother and I got adjoining rooms, and I'd hate to bring any...companions," he began, drinking in the line of Kagome's collarbone. "...back to my room, only to be interrupted by his snoring all night."
Kagome feigned a laugh into the back of her hand. "Well then, Mr. Raikou," she started, listening as his breath caught in his throat. Her hand traveled down her exposed sternum, dipping in between the satiny fabric of her dress where it fell and covered her breast. Pulling out a thin plastic card, warmed by her skin, Kagome held it between her fingers. It was a challenge, and Kagome knew her boss well enough, sure that it wouldn't go unanswered. "...feel free to make use of my room."
Hiten flashed her a grin that he must have thought was charming. Taking the card from her hand, he slid it into the breast pocket of his ostentatious tuxedo jacket. "And where does that leave you to spend the night?"
Kagome closed the space between them, fingering the lapel of his jacket. "Who says I won't be spending my night there as well?"
"Five minutes?" Hiten asked, even though it rang in Kagome's ear like a command.
"Ten. I need to secure the perimeter."
"I'll see you soon, Beautiful." One more sweep of his eyes over her exposed leg, and Hiten turned to saunter out of the ballroom.
Kagome rolled her shoulders and turned toward the opposite room, to an exit that led to a hidden elevator. Brushing off the leering of her target, Kagome tapped the piece in her ear and spoke.
"The Peacock is on the move."
"I thought you'd never make it…"
Kagome shivered at the oily voice wafting from her room. Part of her wanted to take Kouga up on his offer; let him enter the room, catch Hiten off guard and do away with him. Very few of her seductions led her to being completely alone with a target, and for good reason. She wasn't always sure that her team lead would risk a hit to jump in to rescue her, even if her safety were in jeopardy.
Working with Kouga was the complete opposite. He never asked her to do anything that would make her uncomfortable, and when he met her outside of her room, she nearly leapt into his arms. The last place she wanted to be was alone in a hotel room with Hiten, and Kouga knew that.
The pair closed the door with a soft click, and Kagome silently urged him to go into the bathroom to wait for her signal. It was to the immediate right of the door, and out of Hiten's eyesight from where he stood in the room. Kouga retreated into the bathroom and pulled his weapon.
"I just wanted to make sure we wouldn't be interrupted…" Kagome said, gliding into the room. "I hope you don't mind that I procured some libations." Kagome held up the unopened bottle of champagne and the pair of glasses she grabbed before leaving the ballroom.
Hiten turned at the sound of her voice, and the sight of his jacket over her bed and his loosened bow tie made Kagome's stomach lurch. She was no fool. She knew what would happen. He would try to put his hands on her again. She may have to suffer through a kiss. Kagome told herself that it was worth it, and despite the weapon at her thigh, he deserved a slow death.
"Not at all," Hiten smiled, holding out his hand for her to pass him the bottle. He opened it easily, and Kagome laughed at the flood of bubbles that spilled onto the floor. "For second, I was worried you'd send your little boyfriend to babysit me for the night."
"I'm sure I don't know what you mean," Kagome said, dragging her eyes down his jaw to land on his glass. A quick glance at the champagne flutes, and Kagome handed one to Hiten, and watched as they were both filled, pausing to watch the miniscule powder dissolve at the bottom of his glass.
"My brother is convinced that you and Agent Oshida are…" he began, raising his eyebrows and taking a long sip from his glass. His words were coaxing and almost jovial, but Kagome could sniff out his jealousy from a mile away. He'd been all too possessive from the moment they arrived in the ballroom, making sure that anytime Kouga was near enough to him, he was sure to show off in some way. How she and Kouga managed to sneak away for even a moment was beyond her.
"Your brother is mistaken. I'm a professional, after all," Kagome said, turning away from him. In the back of her mind she wondered if Hiten was on to their ruse, and was going to take her out before she could do the same to him. If she had lost any footing, Kagome was sure that the sight of her mostly bare back was enough to resume the chase.
Kagome gasped as Hiten stood behind her, his hands falling over her shoulders and moving down her arms. She fought off a shiver at the warm breath on her neck, thick with the smell of champagne and the amalgam of other alcohols he had over the course of the night.
"I didn't think you were desperate enough to waste this…," he began, his hands at her hips. "...gorgeous body on that pretty boy."
Kagome was glad he was too focused on the view over her shoulder to notice her clenched jaw and the fist she was making around the stem of her champagne glass. She schooled her features to hide the anger on her face, just in time for Hiten to plant a line of kisses on the back of her neck. Kagome's face morphed from anger to cool indifference, to disgust in the span of just a few seconds.
"I wonder why you trusted him to guard your brother, if he's just a 'pretty boy'..." Kagome said, glancing at the half empty glass in Hiten's hand.
"He's my agent," Hiten began, dragging his lips, moist with champagne, across Kagome's skin, leaving goosebumps in his wake. "He'll do as I tell him."
Kagome knew that Kouga could hear them from his secluded spot, but she hoped that he couldn't see them. Hiten threw his head back to finish off his glass, and Kagome took the opportunity to turn around in his arms. There were no telltale signs that her concoction was working, and Kagome tried to look into his eyes, the pulse at his neck, anything to tell her that it was working.
"Does that make me your agent?" Kagome asked, trying not to sound at all panicked. Manten was a lightweight, but Hiten could drain a winery on his own and still charm the pants off an entire room.
The hungry look in his eyes was almost enough to shake her; Kagome gritted her teeth as his arms slid around to the open back of her dress, groping for some closure or zipper to undo. She was about to close her eyes and prepare for the furthest she'd gone with a target, the inevitable pass of warm hands at her back and a rush of cool air as her dress fell away, and tried to imagine it was Kouga.
Without warning, his hands were gone, and Kagome couldn't help jumping away from him. In an instant he was stepping away from her too, coughing into a fist. Hiten tried to apologize and resume their embrace, when another coughing fit overtook him. His words were trapped in his throat, and he began pulling at the already loosened collar of his shirt. Hiten's face reddened, and Kagome watched him claw at his collar until the stays came loose, and the buttons flew away from his shirt with an audible 'pop'. His blunt fingernails made angry red rivulets down his neck and collarbone, and Kagome didn't realize how far away she'd backed until she felt a solid body behind her.
Hiten gasped around a word, and Kagome guessed it was to question why Kouga was in her room with them, looking nothing short of murderous. Hiten's lips were beginning to turn an unsightly shade of blue, the tiny capillaries in his face standing out in stark contrast, as he tried to form a single word.
"Mm…Ma...Man-"
Kouga cut him off, before he could struggle any further. "Your brother is dead." Kouga stepped forward, standing next to Kagome, instead of moving her to stand behind him. "Just like the agents you sent to their deaths when they got too close to your dirty money."
Kagome gathered her fallen resolve, and pushed away any lingering pity she may have had left for him. "We know about everything. The bribes, drugs, trafficking...you've been taking money from the same people you vowed to take down."
In the span of a breath, Kagome was on her back, Hiten's last ounce of strength used to push himself between Kouga and Kagome. He pinned her to the bed by her neck, his thumbs pressing on her windpipe.
His grip was loose, but Kagome still gasped and wrapped her hands around his wrists. Her fingers easily found the pulse points on his wrist, pressing the soft flesh just under his thumb. Kagome tried to keep her wits about her,, and felt a tug at her shoe while he tried to throw his full weight on her throat. She felt his grip further loosen, and finally, and he was lifted away from her at the same time that she wedged a knee between them. She knew that Kouga was partially to thank; when she scrambled to sit up on the bed, Hiten and Kouga stood face to face, Kouga hand gripping the tattered collar of his patterned shirt and Hiten with his hand around Kouga's wrist. Hiten slumped and fell forward, with Kouga allowing him to drop to the floor, just soft enough not to alert anyone on the floor below them, but without the grace of someone he actually cared about. Kouga starred at the blade in his hand, taken from Kagome's heel and flicked the droplets of blood off of it and onto the floor.
A beat of silence passed between them, Kagome sprawled on the bed, and Kouga checked for any signs of life left in his former boss. Kagome made the same inspection from afar, noted the stillness of his back and body, and when she was satisfied with his lack of movement, Kagome stood. Her skirts billowed around her, and she resisted the urge to gather them and simply stepped around Hiten's motionless body. She made her way with careful steps toward the bathroom where Kouga was once hiding.
Kouga reached out a hand toward her, and Kagome leapt back, finally met his eyes, guiltily.
"I'm sorry, I just...please don't touch me."
"Are you alright?" Kouga finally asked, his tone more serious and quiet than Kagome was probably used to. On a normal mission, this was the part where the team exchanged high fives, made a few jokes about who would be stuck with the paperwork, and planned the happy hour that was sure to follow.
Kouga knew better than to take Kagome's serious nature to heart, but he'd only glanced a few seconds of her interactions with Hiten. It was hard to watch for many reasons, above all, the look on Kagome's face when she was acting.
"Yes, I just have to...wash my hands," she replied, stepping around his outstretched hand. Kagome turned the light on in the bathroom with an elbow, and did the same to the tap, sending cold water rushing into the sink.
"This isn't your first kill." Kouga meant for it to come out as a question. He leaned on the doorframe as she washed the planes of her hands, but focused on the tips of her fingers.
"No, but, I crushed Hiten's tablet and wiped it around the inside of his glass. I don't know how it responds yet externally, and I didn't want anything to happen to you." Looking around the bathroom, Kagome unrolled toilet paper until her hands were dried, and discarded the wet bundle in the toilet and flushed it. "Did you think I was upset about watching him die?"
Kouga shrugged, not comfortable with being called out. "I know the agency prefers kills from farther away, and I know you've shot a target before…"
Kagome offered him a small smile. "I've never seen this one work up close. It was a little startling how quickly it worked."
Kouga nodded. Watching Hiten claw at his own throat as his face turned blue wasn't something he'd forget any time soon."Manten went much slower...but you said you wanted to give them different pills."
Kagome exhaled. "It was the same pill."
"But how?"
"Manten got the first pill in the ballroom, and I'm assuming you gave him the second in his room. Hiten only got the second pill."
"What's the difference again?" Kouga kicked himself for being so distracted by Kagome that he only heard a portion of her explanation.
"Manten's first pill disarms him. It just makes him tired and listless enough to be easily manipulated. It also slows down the death brought on by the second pill."
"So without the first pill…"
Kagome looked at him, all seriousness and professionalism. "Death is three times as fast."
"I thought you wanted them both to die slowly…" he said after a minute.
"I did. But I put the crushed tablet in his glass before I came up here. I didn't know if I would have enough time alone with him to administer the first pill. And even if I did...he was in here with me. He thought we were alone, and even with you right there…" Kagome said, rolling her shoulders. She looked as if she were about to go into battle, steeling herself against a truth she'd rather not utter, let alone face head on. "I have to prepare myself for every eventuality, including-"
"Including your boss taking advantage of you while you're on a mission?" Kouga didn't mean for the question to come out so angrily. None of his ire was directed at Kagome; he knew that she was thinking of her hit first and her wellbeing second. He tried to set aside some anger for Kagome at putting her own safety after something as inconsequential as a job, but it was difficult, with her standing in front of him looking determined enough to bulldoze an army if need be. Kouga's hand came up to cradle Kagome's elbow. He wanted to reach out to her in some way, but was careful not to spook her so soon after having Hiten' hands on her. "I hate that you think that's part of your job."
Kagome offered a small smile, and Kouga gripped her arm a little more solidly.
The knock on Kagome's hotel door stole Kouga's attention, and he almost didn't notice Kagome stiffen under his palm.
"That's my crew…" he told her, moving towards the door to let them in.
"Crew?"
"Sort of a cleanup crew. They freelance, so I don't have to worry much about loose lips." Kouga waved as they entered, and Kagome smiled as he introduced her. Kouga wanted to extol Kagome's every virtue, gave all credit for the mission, intel and kill to her, and possibly shoo his team out of the room as soon as possible once they were done. But there was a body to be dealt with, and a growing pool of blood that all of his knowledge and expertise did not train him to properly dispose of, at least not on his own.
"This might take a minute…" Kouga began, not wanting to remove Kagome from her room too abruptly.
"That's okay; I think I'm going to head home." Kagome eyed the room and her eyes settled on the black rolling suitcase wedged between the wall and bed.
"Maybe you should rest a little first, before hitting the road," Kouga suggested, trying to calm the nervousness in his chest. He was hyper aware of Kagome's safety all of a sudden, and the thought of her in any danger after she barely escaped the last threat was weighing on him. The heat that traveled up his neck when Hiten pinned Kagome to the bed was blinding, and the discreet blade was out of Kagome's shoe and in the man's back before Kouga realized what he was doing.
Kouga rolled Kagome's bag out of the room, standing aside as Ginta and Hakkaku moved their tools into the room, and moved to the door next to her. Kagome seemed nervous when he told her that their rooms would be next to each other, but said nothing as they checked in. Kouga unlocked the door, and ushered Kagome into a nearly identical room, save for his personal effects. Kouga wheeled her suitcase next to his in the exposed closet and gestured to the unused bed and remote on the nightstand.
"I'm gonna help these guys in there, if you want to rest."
Kagome thanked him quietly and nodded as he left the room, with only a hint of hesitation. With the door locked behind him, Kouga spent the next hour or so wondering and worrying about Kagome. He was unsure of how she usually took the end of her missions, even successful ones, and wasn't sure what to expect when he returned.
He did not expect to find Kagome, still in her ballgown, hovering over the coffee table at the far end of the room. The shimmering green material of her dress spread out around her and her bare feet peeked out from under the blanket made by her skirt. She didn't seem to notice him entering the room, as she was adjusting the scope on a microscope attached by a USB cord to her laptop.
"Please tell me you have a travel microscope, and you bring it with you on missions…." Kouga said, making sure the door shut completely behind him.
Kagome didn't jump, just turned around smoothly, almost anticipating his return. The glasses on top of her head were removed, and a few strands of her inky black hair fell out of her ponytail and over her face. "Don't laugh at me."
Kouga took a seat on the floor near her and began disarming. His weapons were well concealed, though not as well as Kagome's, and once he checked that they were secure, Kouga began removing his cufflinks. "I would never laugh at you. Your dedication is admirable."
"I wanted to see how the poison in the second pill reacts to organic material and what, if any, external effects it has."
"Maybe next time we can just slather our targets in poison instead," Kouga joked. "Your room is all cleaned up. I'm sure you're tired after today."
Kagome slowly began packing away her slides and stain kit, avoiding Kouga's eyes. "I think I'm still going to head home," Kagome told him. "I'm fine, I promise. I just don't want to spend the night in that room."
Kouga moved over the floor to sit close enough to Kagome that their knees touched under the fabric of their clothes. "I'm sorry. I should have jumped in sooner."
"There's nothing you could have done. I knew what I was doing when I invited him to my room. I think I'll catch a taxi home and just take tomorrow to rest."
Kouga stood and walked to where his suitcase was, and pulled the hotel key from his back pocket to set it on the dresser next to the television. "Then, please, sleep here, and I'll take your room. It's late, and I'd hate for you to have to find a taxi at this hour."
"I can't ask you to do that…" Kagome said, wringing out her hands.
"You're not asking, but I'm offering."
"Thank you. But what about you? I can't ask you to sleep in the room where you just killed someone."
"Don't worry about it. I've thrown parties in rooms where I killed a guy," Kouga said with a jovial smile.
"What?!"
"Not right away. My parent's 35th Anniversary party was in the Diamond Banquet Hall of the hotel downtown."
"I remember that," Kagome said, stretching her limbs and walking over to where Kouga stood. "Was that the wedding where you took out the groom's father with a butter knife through the eye?"
Kouga shook his head. "Tales of my deeds have been greatly exaggerated. It was a perfectly regular knife through the neck. Nothing special."
"Remind me not to upset you when you're holding a knife, of any kind." Kagome said, motioning over to her discarded heels. "Thank you again for tonight. I wasn't anticipating Hiten trying to take me out with him."
"As long as you're okay now." Kouga said, taking Kagome's hand in his, and the handle of his suitcase in the other. "Have a good night."
Kagome let Kouga's hand slide out of hers, before snatching it back. The action seemed to shock her as much as it did Kouga, and the two stood frozen at the threshold of Kouga's room.
"I don't think either of us should sleep in that room."
Kagome wanted to duck into Kouga's bathroom. Her boldness broke out of her throat without consent, and if she could snatch the words back from the air between them, she would.
"Kagome, I'd love to, but-"
"Did you mean what you said downstairs?"
Kouga released his suitcase, barely noticing the sound of it falling over and the door closing behind him. Kagome's throat bobbed as Kouga stepped closer to her, a hand snaking around her waist. His fingers were warm as they danced along her spine, and were so different from the last pair of hands over her skin, that Kagome found her eyes drifting shut before he uttered a single word.
The gentle hand at her jaw pointed her gaze back at him, and Kagome was shocked at the intensity of his eyes on hers.
"I meant every word."
Kagome swept a hand over Kouga’s jaw and wondered at the stubble she found there, pulling him down to meet her lips. Part of the reason she was so shaken after her encounter with Hiten wasn’t that she didn’t have the nerve to kill him if necessary. It threw her that he might be able to overtake her in closer combat, but she was confident in her strength enough to, at the very least, disarm him. But after Kouga pulled her into his arms in the ballroom, she could only push the kiss back to the corners of her mind for a few minutes, at most. It would come back each time with a vengeance, and threaten to distract her until she felt him against her again. The thought of Hiten occupying the space Kouga had (and coming up deficient) made their encounter that much more daunting.
Kouga seemed taken aback for only a half-second before responding, and Kagome felt his hand go flat against her back as she was pressed against the wall behind her. Kagome made a mental note to let Kouga know that she would never tire of being pressed against any manner of building material if he were the one doing it. His hands moved swiftly from her hips to the billowy fabric of her gown, finding the swell of her thighs and lifting Kagome to straddle him while standing. Kagome broke the kiss to moan high toward the heavens, and Kouga took the opportunity to suckle her neck while she attempted to peel his jacket off of his back and arms. The two moved so frantically, and Kagome was about to start on the buttons of his crisp white shirt, before one of Kouga’s hands closed over hers.
Kagome panted and looked at their joined hands before meeting his eyes. A brief chill of panic swept over her, thinking she'd greatly overestimated Kouga's attraction to her. She'd never so much as thought of approaching a fellow agent, let alone found herself in such a compromising position. But Kouga was sincere in his declarations, and there was not much room for deceit in the space between their bodies. Kagome guessed he was concerned somehow with her level of consent. "I just wanted to make sure," Kouga began, as out of breath as Kagome. "That when you take over the company, this doesn't affect my chance at a promotion." Kagome rolled her eyes and pulled her hair free from its tie. The cool strands fell over her shoulders, and she had to smile as Kouga's eyes went glossy. For once, Kagome was glad to store away one of her tactics for later use with knowledge that it actually worked. "Shut up and take me to bed."
Aside from himself, Kouga had never undressed a fellow agent. There was one occasion where his squad leader took a bullet to the arm, and he had to make a tourniquet out of his sleeve. Other than that, Kouga had very little experience in removing clothing and weaponry from any body but his own.
Kagome’s dress was surprisingly easy to remove. The animal in him wanted to rip it to shreds for keeping so much of her from him for the entirety of the night, but she wore it so perfectly, and bragged about its stain-proof coating, that he thought better and left it alone. Once the dress was relocated to the floor of his room, Kouga took a moment to survey Kagome in the garments she wore underneath her bewitching gown. Where he expected tactical underwear for concealed weapons, Kouga found a leather garter that started where the slit of her dress ended, and a chest holster fitted perfectly to her toned body. Underneath the practical garments were slips of black lace, and matte black leather, rivaling the softness of her skin.
Arching her back, Kagome rose up to kiss Kouga, and busied herself with his fitted pants, stretched tight over his hips and groin. Her lips were soft, but her hands were impatient, and any question of whether or not she wanted him were discarded as quickly as their clothing. Kagome was methodical in the removal of her clothes, moving efficiently, and Kouga promised himself that next time (because there would most definitely be a next time, if he had anything to do with it), they would take their time. Maybe get dinner beforehand.
Kouga’s hand fell over Kagome’s for the second time that night, stopping her as she began to undo the buckle of her leather garter. Once the weapon was removed and locked, the garment’s function was purely aesthetic, and Kouga was already in love with the sight. Her milky thighs were made longer by the leather straps and the silver buckles were cool against his hand.
“Keep these on?” he told her. It was meant to be a question in response to the curiosity on her face, but out of his mouth it was a command, spurred on by her swollen lips, mussed hair and the blush spreading down her neck. Kouga didn’t wait for an answer, recapturing Kagome’s neck, and sliding his hot mouth down her chest. The lace of her bra gave way to his teeth, and he moved his tongue over the pink nipple he found there. Kagome moaned in response, a jumble of words in a language he didn’t understand, and combed her fingers into his hair to keep him in place. She snaked her other hand in the tight space between their bodies, palming him in her small hand. Kouga bit down on the pebbled flesh between his teeth and drank in Kagome’s gasp, thumbing the other in time with his mouth.
“Please,” Kagome managed to choke out, rubbing frantically on him, trying to relieve some of the pressure building in her lower body. Kouga tortured her for another moment, denying her the need that his body screamed out for. Lining himself up at her slick folds, Kouga moved forward, his hand leaving Kagome's chest to press her leg to his side, Her muscles stretched lovingly around him, and the thrust was slow and delicious. Once seated inside her, Kouga gave her a moment to catch her breath, before drawing out of her. Kagome’s enthusiasm was clear, her short nails piercing the skin of Kouga’s arms and back as she clung to him. A moan left her lips as she kissed him, and the sound was like a symphony to Kouga.
Once satisfied with her comfort, Kouga began their dance, sinking into Kagome’s warmth over and over. He was relentless, driving into her with the pent up passion that came from watching her - wanting her- for months. She reciprocated in kind, meeting his every thrust and drag, mumbling and moaning his praises as they moved together. The first few thrusts were rough and Kagome struggled to follow his lead, but once Kagome found his rhythm and could roll her hips in time with his, she arched her back, pressing him further into her and drawing moans from Kouga as well. Kagome began to sigh, but her breath was caught when Kouga drew himself from her heat, only to fall back in with force. The throb of him sent Kagome moaning toward the ceiling, her jaw slack and mouth wide.
Kouga’s name became a breathless mantra over his neck and Kouga was caught between relishing the sound of his name on her lips, and wanting to taste them for himself. Her movements in turn became more frantic, and Kouga tried to pace himself, staving off his orgasm and focusing on Kagome’s pleasure. His own approached faster than he would have liked, spurred on by the demure way Kagome was slowly taking control of their intimacy. He watched to stretch their lovemaking into the night, make her moan and cry out and praise him in every language she knew.
Kouga moaned at every sensation that came with Kagome moving against him, her sweet center enveloping him, her hips undulating with each movement, and her soft breasts against his chest. The holster at her thigh scratched at his skin, so starkly different from the soft sweep of her skin, and Kouga gripped her hips and pumped into her faster and harder. Her voice in his ear was half plea, half-confession, begging for release, even as she urged him to continue long into the night. He felt her orgasm begin as a flutter, then a vice that gripped him so tightly it was almost painful. Kagome whined into Kouga’s neck as the force of her pleasure rushed over her like a wave; her movements against him stuttered, and Kagome constricted around him with such intensity that he felt his vision all at once tunnel and grow cloudy. He felt himself falling before he could right himself, resulting in Kagome falling back against the bed, and Kouga barely holding himself up over her.
Kouga’s hands pulsed at her hips, his breathing uneven and chest pressed against hers. He finally discovered the scent of her skin apart from gun oil and the clean smell of the lab. It was the forest after rain, the first breath of fresh air after a millennium underground. It was clean and perfect, and Kouga filled his lungs with her like a man half-drowned.
Kagome’s hand moved over the red marks she left on his back, and Kouga reluctantly slid himself out of her, to move behind her and secure them both in the tufted sheets of the bed. Once under the covers, Kouga moved his hands over her skin again, releasing her from her harnesses and leather straps. Her belly was soft under his hands, and he pulled her back flush to his chest. Kagome turned in their embrace, pulling Kouga’s face down to hers and captured his lips in a long drugging kiss. Kouga reached for her jaw, and was only vaguely surprised when Kagome used her impressive lower body to flip him over. She straddled his waist with ease and moved her hips down until they were lined up with his erect member.
“Another mission for me, Boss?”
Kagome smiled at the title, and reached for the bedside lamp, sliding her chest over Kouga’s.
“In fact, I do…” she began, the room darkening with a flick of her wrist. Kagome continued moving her body down until she was almost hidden under the covers. She pressed a kiss to Kouga’s hip, leaving him moaning. “But first, I need to secure the perimeter…”
Tomorrow, he and Kagome would sit at length and discuss the future of their company. They would divvy up responsibilities, manage contacts, and find the best and most efficient way to inform the team of the newest developments.
But tonight, Kouga was intent on getting acquainted with every inch of the best partner he'd ever had and the best boss he could imagine.
The moon over the bay was reflected in the water, the ripples breaking up the sliver of light and painting it silver over the water. Kouga killed the engine several miles from the dock, far enough away that even in the light of the moon, they could squint and barely see land.
Kagome stepped out from the canopied portion of the speedboat, and surveyed the area. There was a team on the dock and a few scattered about in the bay, most farther out, with the job of keeping any boats or watercraft away from their area. She watched Kouga move around the controls of the boat, and wondered if they could delay their return to shore a little longer. Shaking her head, she refocused, and reminded herself that they had a job to do. The fun would surely come later.
“Anybody else on the water?”
Kouga took a last glance over the bay and shook his head. "Looks like we’re in the clear.” He smiled at her, and briefly pulled her in for a kiss. Even if a member of their team saw them, no one was going to bat an eye at the boss taking advantage of her best agent. It was the first announcement made after reporting the activities of their former bosses and that all power would be turned over to Kagome. It was a shock to no one; half of the team could tell Kouga was smitten, and the other knew Kagome was. Aside from the change of their bosses (and subsequent ire at their dirty business dealings), the agency moved on as normal with a new name and a new boss.
Kouga broke off the kiss, placed latex gloves on his hands, and moved to lift one of the neatly wrapped tarps over his shoulder. He rolled it over the side of the boat, and it entered the water with barely a splash, thanks to Kagome stuffing one end with cinder blocks and packing the rest with used coffee grounds. With the second body, significantly larger than the first, he accepted Kagome’s help, and tried not to focus on the sight of her toned and muscular arms lifting one end of the body with ease. The second body disappeared under the water quietly, bubbles coming up in the inky black water of night.
“Glad that’s finally done…” Kagome said, removing her gloves and holding a hand out to Kouga.
Handing over his soiled gloves, Kouga’s hand lingered over hers. “I thought this was supposed to be a romantic moonlit boat ride…”
Kagome grinned wickedly at him, a habit she clearly picked up after being his company for too long.
“..it can be two things.”
Kouga laughed and pulled her to sit over him on the bench in the back of the speedboat. Pressing the concealed mini walkie-talkie attached to his lapel, Kouga kept Kagome’s gaze, but spoke into the mic.
“Agents, stand down.”