A/N: Goddamn, it's been a while. Many apologies. A summary and last chapter for you now:

I hope you enjoy!!

Last Chapter: Kagome showed a glimpse of her talent as she puttered around with the 'Garage Gang'. After revealing a amazing paint and detailing job that they had done as extra credit, InuYasha gets in contact with his brother. The need to disguise their cars- and who better to do it? Bankotsu, however, warns Kagome that they're up to no good when Kagome takes them out for a ride. Her eyes opened to the possible truth of her father, Kagome deivises a plan in which she can confront the three Taishos, and get to the bottom of the mystery of her father's disappearance. Bankotsu invites InuYasha to the club that his family co-owns, while Kagome gets in contact with Sesshomaru and invites him and her father. Meanwhile, Kagome has to be home for the dinner with her mother's fiancee...

Summary: A.U. Kagome, just like her missing father, is a genius. Racing was in his blood, and it's in hers too. In meeting InuYasha, new roads are opened up to her. But does Kagome really like where they're headed? KagomeX?

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. BUT I HAVE OFFICIALLY READ IT ALL!! OMFG!

Placing First

Chapter Six: The Three Taisho's

By ancient-relic

Kagome closed her eyes as Bankotsu drove, finally getting close enough to feel the underground club's beat pounding through the ground. A smile spread across her face.

"It's been a while since you've visited, Kagome." Bankotsu chuckled.

"Mmn," she made a noise of agreement, concentrating on recognizing the song that was pounding through the ground.

"Will you dance with me?" he requested slyly, his tone enough to get Kagome to open her eyes, and turn to look at him.

A smirk that she was fairly familiar with had spread across his face, though he was looking at the road and not her.

"Maybe if you're good," she replied, batting her eyelashes when he turned to look at her.

"I like the sound of this," he laughed again.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Are you sure?" InuYasha asked again, looking at Miroku warily.

"For god's sake, yes," Miroku said, looking at InuYasha through the mirror. "You look fine. Has it really been this long since you've been to a club?"

"No," he admitted, almost hesitant to continue.

"But it's been a while since you've tried to impress a girl, right?" Miroku chuckled, pulling his hair back, and moving to the door. He was dressed in fairly slim jeans, and a simple white shirt under a purple button down shirt, which he left open. Silver jewelry accentuated his purple eyes and shirt; hoop earrings, a thin chain around his neck, and a large silver watch. The look was completed by polished black shoes, which made him look more Italian than Japanese.

InuYasha was wearing dark slacks and a lighter long-sleeved shirt, thicker than cotton but thinner than a sweater. The sleeves were rolled up to show his tanned forearms and a silver watch on his own left wrist. His dark hair was down, and his eyes shone brightly despite his dark clothing. Personally, he thought he looked decent. He could get any girl that he wanted, he supposed, if he walked into a club looking and smelling the way he did right now.

"Every girl except one," Miroku said, reading his thoughts from the doorway. "Come on, already. Sesshomaru has already left to pick up your father, and Sango is waiting for us."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kagome slunk into the club behind Bankotsu, earning more than one whistle from the line of people waiting to get in. She replied with the finger.

As soon as she entered the door, a heavy pounding made her body vibrate. The actual entrance was set on the top of a staircase, and the actual building continued down, instead of up. Lights flashed appropriately, and the dance floor was a heap of writhing bodies as the people moved to the provocative music. A large mirror covered the far wall, and only served to reflect the flashing lights. On an adjacent wall, a bar stretched the length, and the third wall held a stage and DJ booth, the stage currently devoid of performers. Stairs climbed the same wall, and several balconies, comfy chairs, and sitting areas were spread out on various levels, all around the building. VIP rooms, however, as well as other quarters that Bankotsu used for other things, used the wall of the bar.

Poles were used as supports for the balconies and dancing partners, and speakers were hidden in the walls, the ground, and even the seats. What was the most unique, perhaps, about this particular club, was the décor- everything was done in deep shades of green and brown, and trailing vines and real plants decorated the walls and balconies. Twinkling lights lined the railings like stars, and lights were not traditional colours, but instead, blues, some whites, and greens.

The whole place thrummed with a dark kind of light, creating the suburban jungle called Schinintai no Sengoku Jidai. Kagome inhaled deeply. It'd been a long time. And it was time to hit the bar.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Let's go!" Sesshomaru looked down at his watch, resisting the urge to tap his foot impatiently. InuYasha was becoming strangely obsessive with his appearance. He had an inkling as to why, but the more he thought about it, the more disgusted he became.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!!" a holler met his ears. Looking up from his watch, Sesshomaru watched InuYasha stride over, patting down his hair. "Let's get this show on the road," InuYasha said, climbing into the backseat where Miroku and Sango were already waiting.

"About time. We have to go pick up father, and you know how much he hates being late." Sesshomaru snapped, walking around to the driver's seat.

"Yeah, yeah," InuYasha said, brushing the comment aside. His voice covered his anxiety well enough, and he congratulated himself.

Sesshomaru peeled out of the driveway, and sped around the corner, turning sharply through a yellow light into the business district to meet his father.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kagome bounced lightly on her feet, accepting a daiquiri from Suikotsu. Mmn, strawberry. She sipped lightly, tasting the slight aftertaste of alcohol, and made a mental note not to have another one. She wanted to be totally on her toes when she met Sesshomaru.

"Kagomeee!" a shrill voice seemed to cut through the noise and the crowd effortlessly, and Kagome turned to see Jakotsu approaching. Every once in a while he decided to dress like the male he was- and even Kagome had to appreciate it. He was dressed in slim jeans, a white buttoned shirt, with a black waiter's vest hanging open over it. It was the uniform for anyone who worked at the club, but only occasionally Jakotsu actually made an attempt to follow it. He was a co-owner, after all.

"Hey, Jak." Kagome said, raising her glass in a salute. She caught a few jealous glances over his shoulder as he gave her a peck on the cheek.

"It's been so long!! What's got you here tonight? It usually takes and arm and a leg to get you away from your computer nowadays." He pouted when she moved her drink out of his reach.

"I needed a break," she deigned. "But I've finished my car- my newest project. And besides, I've got some people I'm meeting here tonight."

"I see," Jakotsu said, nodding but not listening. "Come see Zap-chan! He's here tonight, and you haven't seen him for even longer than you've been away." He said, tugging on her hand.

Kagome turned to look over her shoulder, but Bankotsu was already in business mode, talking with a group of gentlemen at the bar a little ways away. They aren't due for at least ten minutes more, anyways. She thought, following Jakotsu.

He led her up several flights of stairs, and across a walkway that spanned the whole building. Kagome could have followed the path with her eyes closed, she was so familiar with it- but she watched the people she passed, as they enjoyed themselves in the place she had a part in creating.

"Zap-chan!" Jakotsu called, stepping through a door marked 'Employees Only'. "Kagome's heeeereeeee! Zaaaaaaap-chaaaaaannn!"

Kagome shook her head at his antics. A moment later, a door slammed open. "I thought I told you not to call me Zap-chan!!" a voice roared.

Dressed in jeans, a black shirt and a purple dinner jacket thrown haphazardly atop this, Hiten still managed to look dashing. "You fucking ingrate!" he yelled, bopping Jakotsu on the head. "At least you're actually wearing the right clothes!"

"Stop being so mean, Zap-chan!!" Jakotsu whined. "I brought Kagome to see you!"

Hiten turned around, his braid whipping Jakotsu in the face. "Kagome! It's been forever," he scooped her up into a hug, and pecked her cheek. "I'm glad you've come to visit!"

"Me too," Kagome replied, returning his affections. She'd dated him for a couple of months a few years ago, but had mutually split after some unpleasant faces had started causing him trouble. They had stayed good friends even after the trouble had passed, but Kagome didn't want to put herself in such a dangerous position a second time.

"Still looking for a man?" he said, puffing out his chest. "Look no further."

"In your dreams," she laughed. "Where's your brother?"

"Still out of town," he shrugged. "He's found a girl from China who adores him- but he can't speak a word of Cantonese. It's hilarious to watch, really."

"Kagome's got some friends she's meeting with," Jakotsu chose that moment to butt in. "Ban says she needs somewhere quiet to meet with them."

"Cool," Hiten replied, sending Kagome a curious glance. "This won't be the first time business has gone down here. I'll check my VIP rooms, and meet you downstairs."

"Thanks," Kagome said, giving him a light squeeze on the shoulder. "I'm going to find Ban," she said to Jakotsu, heading back down the hall.

After the door had swung shut behind her, Hiten turned to Jakotsu. "Business? What kind of trouble is Kagome in now?"

"She's not in trouble… yet." Jakotsu dodged a smack from Hiten. "She's meeting up with the three Taishio's."

"What?!" Hiten made a particular facial expression not unlike that of a fish out of water. "Taisho's? Here?! ALL THREE OF THEM?"

"Yeah," Jakotsu said. "This will be one of few times that they're actually all out together."

"God damnit, Jakotsu." Hiten swore. "Japan's three hottest bachelors, here all at once?"

"Yea, well…" Jakotsu shrugged. "Ban's got a plan,"

"He'd better," Hiten threatened. "I've gotta go run some checks before they get here."

"Kay!!"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sesshomaru pulled up with a screech of tires to the front of one of several Taisho Corps. buildings. His father was already outside waiting.

"Be more careful with my car, would ya?" InuYasha snapped from the backseat. "I just got new tires."

"One of the many things that needs to be replaced," Sesshomaru snapped. "It's your fault we're late, anyhow."

Touga climbed into the car in the midst of yet another bout of his sons' bickering. "Enough," he said. "We're all to be on our best behavior meeting Miss Higurashi tonight, all right? She's the daughter of Hosui."

"We've already all met her, dad," InuYasha pointed out. "It's just you,"

"Well I won't have her thinking bad of me just because I've got two bickering buffoons for sons," he replied, pining his youngest with a glare. "Now, let's go,"

Sesshomaru pulled of the driveway and into traffic in a smooth left. He weaved through lanes efficiently, cutting through several yellows and earning more than one honk.

"Take it easy," Touga replied, placing a hand on his shoulder. "She won't care if we're slightly late- Hosui didn't care either."

"She's not Hosui, father," Sesshomaru replied. "Not everyone has the time to wait for you."

Touga retracted his hand at his eldest's sharp retort, but smiled. Even Sesshomaru could be nervous, it seemed. Looking in the rearview mirror, he caught Sango's, Miroku's and InuYasha's grins, and replied with a wink.

Sesshomaru pulled into the VIP lane outside the club, and tossed the keys to a rather violent, bald valet. "Scratch it if you want, it's my brother's." He said, moving inside, leaving Sango, Miroku and InuYasha behind. Touga kept pace with him.

"Why are you so nervous?" he asked, turning to look at his son as a guard opened the doors and they were ushered inside.

"I'm not nervous," he replied. "Did you know that she contacted me? Before InuYasha did,"

"Oh really?" Touga questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Mmn." He affirmed. "She found my email address, and we spent a half an hour trading emails- and get this," he said, handing a short man his and his father's over coats. "I couldn't track her IP address. It was too heavily encrypted."

"Or really," Touga said, a wide smile spreading across his face. "Like father, like daughter?"

"So it would seem," he said, stepping out onto the landing.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kagome leant casually against the bar, chatting with Suikotsu, who had handed her another daiquiri. Bankotsu caught her attention as he strode through the crowd, and Suikotsu placed a glass of ice water in front of him.

Chugging it down, he turned to Kagome. "Always something to do," he said with a cocky grin. Kagome couldn't help but smile back.

"What's up?"

"They're here," Bankotsu said, pointing upwards. "Jakotsu's gone to get them."

Kagome followed Bankotsu's finger, and watched as two imposing silver-haired figures descended the stairs- one of them familiarly Sesshomaru, followed by who Kagome guessed was Sango, Miroku, and a dark-haired InuYasha.

"I'll wait here," she said, turning around and slurping down the rest of her second drink.

"I'll bring them, then," Bankotsu said, squeezing her shoulder gently. "Be careful,"

Kagome smiled and nodded, looking out at the dancers. Her eyes wandered to the mirrored wall, and she did a double take. A pale face stared back at her from the mirror. Light lavender hair was offset by a black jacket and a white shirt.

"It's the guy from earlier," she mumbled, rising from her seat and setting off after him. However, as soon as she stepped foot on the dance floor, she was lost in the sway of bodies, and she couldn't seem him any longer.

"Damn," she sighed, turning to head back to the bar. A familiar song pounded through the speakers, and she found herself moving with the throng as she made her way through the crowd.

However, a gentle tug pulled her back, away from the bar, and she turned her head to see who had stopped her.

"It's a pleasure, Kagome Higurashi," a voice rumbled in her ear, barely heard over the thumping music. "Again,"

Kagome turned to see Sesshomaru's brilliant amber eyes appraising her. She smiled. "Sesshomaru, what brings you to the dance floor?"

"You, of course," he replied, a smug grin lifting the corners of his mouth. "I've been told you know how to dance,"

"Well that depends on the kind of dancing you think I know how to do," she shot back, linking her fingers lightly with his and pulling him deeper into the crowd.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Did you see that?!" Miroku said, pointing. "He was so totally flirting."

"Shut up," InuYasha growled, downing a shot.

"And Kagome- wow!!" Sango laughed, twirling her martini and sipping lightly. "She went right along with it!!"

"Do you suppose she's got a crush on him?" Miroku questioned, wiggling an eyebrow suggestively. "Or maybe Sesshomaru likes he-"

"I said shut up!" InuYasha snapped. "That prick doesn't know a thing about picking up girls," he growled, "and he certainly was not flirting with Kagome."

"Is that not allowed, InuYasha?" Miroku laughed. "Can he not go to a club and enjoy himself with a beautiful lady?"

"Or is it just that he can't do it with Kagome?" Sango chipped in, nibbling on her olive.

"I'm going to wait with dad." InuYasha snapped, downing another shot. "They'd better get their asses up to the VIP room, or I'm gonna have to come and pull them up there by their tongues myself."

"Unless their tongues are preoccupied," Miroku laughed, moving after InuYasha, leaving his empty beer at the bar. Sango, giggling, followed.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kagome laughed again, pulling Sesshomaru out of the throng of dancers. "I didn't know you could dance," she said, walking arm in arm up the stairs towards the VIP room they were meeting in.

"There's a lot about me that is assumed," Sesshomaru replied amiably. "But it's amusing keeping people on their toes."

Kagome pulled her arm away from Sesshomaru's, flashing her club VIP id at one of the VIP bouncers. He opened the door to let them through, letting his gaze linger on Kagome's legs.

Sesshomaru, following, slammed the man bodily against the door he was watching with a dangerous golden glare. The man closed the door behind them hastily.

"Hurry up, Sesshomaru," Kagome called, already a ways down the hall. "Your father is waiting."

Sesshomaru didn't bother to reply, instead, catching up easily with long strides.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Stepping through the door, Sesshomaru held it out for Kagome, who entered quickly. Couches, tables and cushions were spread tastefully around the room and large glass windows looked down through sparkling lights and dangling ferns onto the dance floor.

"Kagome-chan!" Sango said, rising from a seat by the television where Miroku and InuYasha were entertaining themselves with a racing game.

"Sango-chan!" Kagome smiled, hugging the older girl. "I didn't know you were coming too,"

"Well, Miroku and I had nothing better to do tonight," she smiled. "We thought we'd tag along."

Kagome looked worriedly at Sesshomaru, but he was no longer paying attention to her, and had taken a seat by his father, whose back was currently to her. Hopefully they weren't going to be discussing anything while Sango and Miroku were in the room… she didn't want to get them into trouble.

"Taisho-sama," she said, walking over. "It's an honor, I-" she was cut off as he rose to his intimidating height of 7 foot 2 and scooped her up into a bear hug.

"Kagome-chan!" he boomed, spinning her around. "You've grown up so much!" he chuckled. "Let me look at you, yes, yes, turn for me."

Kagome did so, shocked at his response. "Ah, so young and lovely," he smiled. Patting the spot beside him on the couch, she looked to see Sesshomaru had moved across the table to another couch. He had a disgusted look on his face at his father's actions. She giggled. "Please, have a seat. We have so much to talk about,"

"Uh, Taisho-sama," she stared, sitting beside him. His presence was impressive, one leg stretched and one crossed his arms across the back of the couch. His silver hair, pulled up, fanned out against the back of the couch. His suit was spotless.

"Please call me Touga- oh! Call me Touga-jii," he smiled fondly at her. "I was a good friend of your fathers, Kagome. He also named me your godfather."

"What…?" Kagome said, stunned into silence. This was the first time she had ever met this man, and here he was, treating her like his long-lost daughter. He was her godfather? He knew her father? Questions, questions, questions!! They welled up inside of her with a startling ferocity.

"I know you must have lots of questions for me, Kagome-chan," Touga said, pulling her close with one arm. "But how about we set up a lunch date- just the two of us? We can talk all about it then," he gave her a sparking smile.

Her voice still displaced, she nodded.

"Can't you see you're making her uncomfortable? And talking to her like she's a business partner." Sesshomaru finally snapped. Touga turned to look at Kagome, whose face was beet red. She was tucked under the arm of the richest tycoon in Japan, after all, like a duckling under the wing of her mother.

"Ah! Sorry, Kagome-chan." He gave her another smile.

"It's- it's all right," she said, righting herself with an embarrassed blush. She didn't know whether to feel lucky or shocked.

"Now," Taisho said, smiling, and rubbing his hands. "Business, shall we? You've got a dinner to be home for,"

"How- how did you know?" Kagome said, startled.

"Ah-" Touga fumbled.

"We were talking with Bankotsu-san," Miroku said, walking over and perching on the armrest of Sesshomaru's couch. "He told us of your curfew."

"Speaking of which," InuYasha said, plopping rather ungracefully down beside his brother. "Where is that runt?"

"InuYasha," Kagome glared, rising. "I'll go get him. Just a moment,"

Walking to the door, she picked up the phone that was there for contacting employees. She dialed the number to Hiten's office, keeping a glare fixed on an unaware InuYasha.

"Hiten-?"

"What's up, babe?" he replied, recognizing Kagome's voice and relaxing.

"They want to talk with Bankotsu-"

"Already? All right- that's cool. We'll be down in a moment."

"Okay, I-"

Hiten hung up. Kagome felt a wave of irritation flash through her, but she supposed that they didn't have long- and would need to be back to work rather quickly. A moment later, a sharp knock at the door had Kagome up and opening it, and Hiten, Bankotsu, Jakotsu, and Suikotsu strode through.

Jakotsu and Suikotsu were still in uniform- Suikotsu wearing his bartending apron instead of a vest like Jakotsu. Kagome wondered what was going on- to have all of them up here. Smiling at them, she led them over for introductions.

"This is Bankotsu, the primary owner of the club," she introduced. "You've already met, though. These are his two eldest brothers, Suikotsu and Jakotsu," she pointed out, "And this is Hiten Rai, who helps manage the club with his brother Manten because we're all still in school,"

"A pleasure," Touga said, rising to shake hands, as Sesshomaru followed suit.

"Ah," Bankotsu said. "Before we start, can I get you anything?"

"A round of beer," InuYasha said, crossing his arms. It was more of a mutter, bur Bankotsu caught it. Sending a subtle glare in his direction, he pressed down his lapel, and spoke through a hidden walkie-talkie.

"Kyokotsu, a round for our guests, please,"

"Certainly," a voice rumbled.

"Now,"

"Yes," Sesshomaru spoke up. "It has come to our attention that you and your brothers have exceptional skills in detailing and painting," he said, as Miroku pulled out the picture InuYasha had snapped of their project and placed it on the table in front of them.

Bankotsu regarded the picture carefully for a moment, before giving InuYasha another dirty look. "Yes, we do," he replied, leaning back.

"We're interested in buying your services," Touga said, cutting straight to the point. "I- we," he corrected after a moment. "Are in the possession of several vehicles that need to undergo a-"

"Makeover," InuYasha supplied.

"Yes, thank you." Touga said, frowning at his youngest. "We were wondering if you would be interested in assisting us in this endeavor."

"Well," Bankotsu said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "We are busy with school work- but summer vacation is coming up, so we would have some time to help then, I suppose."

"Of course," Touga smiled. "And you would be given any materials you require, as well as a payment for each vehicle you're able to complete.

Kagome listened through one ear, rising to get the door when Kyokotsu knocked with their drinks. Bringing them over, she felt her earlier irritation at InuYasha return. They had used her to get to Bankotsu for his detailing? She flashed an irritated glance at Sesshomaru, who seemed to sense her look, and looked up. He seemed confused at her irritation.

Sango pulled out a folder, and she and Miroku began spreading several pictures of their garage and the cars that they wanted re-painted. Touga began explaining, as Bankotsu studied the pictures.

Walking to the door, she glanced back one last time. They were now discussing what was going to be done at the club in their absence. This was ridiculous! She had arranged the meeting so that she could find out about what was going on with this strange gang activity- and all they were doing was talking about cars.

Usually, she would have partaken in the conversation… but for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to. No one seemed to notice as she left.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Cutting through the dance floor, Kagome made her way to the elevator that took her to the exit. Her displeasure seemed to evaporate the further away she got- but she still couldn't believe what had just happened.

Touga Taisho was her godfather? And her mother didn't see fit to tell her? And they used her to get to her best friend… the evening ran through her head on replay.

Mukotsu smiled at her as she stepped outside. It was dark, the sun having already set. Renkotsu, seeing her exit, moved over to her.

"Something the matter?"

"Eh," Kagome sighed. "No, not really. Just a minor setback,"

"Don't let it stop you," he smiled.

"Of course not," she replied. Moving around the side of the building, she made her way to the main street, where she would call for a taxi. Looking into her purse, she noted that she'd have to go to the bank some time tomorrow.

The gentle rumble of a car caught her attention, and she looked up from digging through her purse. A familiar lavender car had pulled to a stop in front of her.

"Do you need a ride?" a soft voice asked. Kagome stared into the dark eyes of the man with pale hair.

To Be Continued…

A/N: Hoooo boy. That's that then, isn't it? I wonder what you all thought of that chapter. Please be sure to tell me in a review!!

Also, please continue voting for the pairing that you'd like. As long as you tell me which pairing you want most, then that's enough. I think I've decided what I'm planning on doing- alternate endings with each pairing. However, there needs to be a main pairing. So please keep voting, okie? As the story progresses... well... you'll just have to wait and see how that plays out.

Thanks for sticking with me for so long- if you're still reading this. I LOVE YOUUU!

U3U

ancient-relic