bloodsong1 | This is not going to end well.

There is something to be said for wealth, Sarah thought as the Mercedes Maybach cruised through Tokyo. It was almost six in the evening and she had had quite a day. The yacht trip had included a delicious lunch of seaweed salad, sashimi and a cocktail called "Forbidden Fruit" that went down way too smoothly, a massage from Shippo himself that concentrated on the twisted muscles of her back and a nap in an honest to god feather bed. Now she was riding in one of the most expensive cars of the decade, with Shippo beside her pointing out various things, sipping a cup of tea from a porcelain cup embossed with Lord Fluffy's crest and occasionally admiring her shiny red shoes.

"I thought this was only a concept for this time period," She commented when Shippo turned back to her. Shippo blinked.

"How do you mean?"

"Well, I used to work around Mercedes Benz. A Maybach concept was debuted at the Tokyo Auto Show this year. A concept isn't the actual model, that comes about a year later."

"Unless you're Sesshomaru," Shippo winked and helped himself to a soda out of the bar. Sarah looked around the leather covered, TV-equipped, multi phone line staged interior and back at Shippo.

"Sesshomaru BOUGHT the concept?"

"And made sure his crest was festooned all over."

"That must have been a scramble."

"It was hilarious to watch all those Germans falling over themselves." The Maybach coasted to a graceful stop. Sarah tossed back her tea. Shippo hopped out and a doorman graciously helped her out. Sarah craned her neck back.

"Good gods!"

"Welcome to the Opera City Office Tower, Reiki!"

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

"Was that...APPLE is based here?" Sarah asked, astonished, as Shippo led her to a certain bank of elevators.

"Apple and Microsoft, it's kind of funny." He hustled her into the elevator and punched for the 30th floor.

"Wow." Sarah tucked herself a little closer to Shippo, feeling a bit awkward. Yes, she was wearing haute couture, but her cheap travel purse was still on her right hip and her left wrist was festooned with two cloth bags in different colors and patterns. She could almost hear the grumbling of the Generals as they brushed against the humming bracelet bag. Shippo glanced down and wrapped a warm arm around her shoulders.

"Relax, Reiki. Sesshomaru is not going to hurt you. He'd bring the wrath of the Mother on the entire House."

"Demons believe in Amaterasu-sama?" The elevator chimed and a female voice thanked them for visiting the Opera City Office Tower. Sarah shook her head, followed Shippo to another bank of elevators several yards away.

"For demons the entire pantheon is alive and well." This bank of elevators were staffed by tall, handsome men in plain beige uniforms. Shippo presented a card to one who scanned it, bowed and activated the elevator. Shippo kept his arm around Sarah as they entered and rang for the 53rd floor. "Does that surprise you?"

"Only a little. Given that kitsunes and kappas and such are part of the Shinto mythology, if you're real, then it's not a great logical leap to see the gods are real too. I guess I didn't expect you to feel they would have any part in your normal life." The second ride was faster, thankfully. She tended to get vertigo if she rode elevators more then three times in an eight hour day. Out of that elevator, down a marble hall and through a black door with a discreet brass plaque that she couldn't read. They walked into a sumptuous lobby; all leather chairs and ebony tables and marble floors with strategically placed runners and area rugs of blue with gold borders. A secretary's station was to the left, unmanned, and another bank of the black doors suggested more offices and possibly conference rooms on the right. At the far end of the lounge stood a larger black door with a woman standing in front of it. A tall, green haired woman, in a fuku and carrying a key shaped staff. Shippo growled menacingly and tried to shove Sarah behind him. Sarah ducked out of reach and approached.

"Pluto! What are you doing here?"

"I have come to stop you. You claimed you cared about Crystal Tokyo and here you are consorting with those that would destroy it!" Pluto announced, pointing the Garnet Orb at Sarah's chest.

"What?"

"And to think we actually believed you!" Sailor Uranus said bitterly. Sarah and Shippo spun around to see Uranus and Neptune blocking the door. Sarah swallowed hard, seeing all the Outers were armed with their main weapons.

"Please, Pluto," Sarah said, turning back. Shippo continued to face the other two and deliberately bumped into Sarah's back. "I do NOT wish Crystal Tokyo's destruction! I've been very, very careful!"

"You are allying yourself with monsters!" Neptune spat.

"The House of the West? Monsters?" Shippo growled, blue fire flickering around his hands. Sarah reached back and squeezed his wrist.

"I swear on the Mark I bear, Sailor Pluto, I am doing everything I can to protect your future. The House of the West has existed for several hundred years. Their numbers have dwindled as humans have taken over Nippon. They deal directly with humans while keeping their natures hidden." She cocked her head slightly. "Did you even KNOW about them before now? Have they interfered in any way with the Princess or the Senshi?"

"They cannot be trusted! Their kind have preyed on humans for centuries!" Uranus shouted. A hollow thud sounded behind Pluto.

"What was that?" Shippo snarled, eyeing Neptune and Uranus.

"I have sealed one demon inside his lair," Pluto announced. "After we dispose of the kitsune, you, Sarah, will be thrown back to your proper dimension, you and your children. I will make sure you cause no more harm."

"You...locked...Sesshomaru...in his office?" Sarah spluttered. A sudden flash brought her chin up and her eyes boring into Pluto's. "What did you see, Pluto?"

"What?"

"What. Did. You. See? You float outside time and space, guarding a portal to prevent changes to the timeline. What did you SEE that brought you here ready to do battle? Why did you do something so stupid?"

"Stupid," Pluto bit out. A loud crack echoed through the room.

"Sesshomaru has had centuries to hone his skills, Guardian of Time. If he cannot dismantle your barrier..."

"Okay, what the fuck is going on?" A new, loud voice demanded. Uranus and Neptune whirled to face the addition; a tall, white haired man with triangle puppy ears, a scowl and a great big honking sword, standing in front of the bank of office doors.

"...Inuyasha will with much greater force and a high likelihood of collateral damage," Sarah finished.

So! Pluto has taken umbrage with Sarah's new companions. Won't this be fun!