AN: Oh, wow I cant believe the support I have already gotten for the first chapter so here is a treat. Chapter two all wrapped up and ready to go for tou my lovelies. I hope you enjoy and as always R and R
Chapter Two: Thank You
Kagome slumped back against the wall of the elevator as she made her way to the fourth floor of the hospital. It was almost over all that was left was to dictate charts and she could go home and sleep. That's all she wanted was one night uninterrupted in her own bed. Kagome sighed as the elevator dinged signaling it was time for her to depart. Dragging her feet Kagome slowly began to make her way to her office. 'I wonder if Rin is okay. I hope Sesshomaru wasn't to hard on the poor girl.' Kagome frowned at her thought. Sesshomaru had never been known for cutting anyone any slack.
In high school he had been a year ahead of her but they had shared most of there classes together. He had been so cold and rude at first, not even bothering to learn her name. It wasn't until she finally had enough and knocked him on his ads with her purification powers that he finally started to respect her. Then respect turned to friendship or as much friendship as Sesshomaru could offer some one. He had always been so quiet and she always did most of the talking. On rare occasions he would tell her a story or make one of his famous dry jokes that would make her laugh like no other. As time passes Kagome had found herself wanting more from him. To take it to the next level. She had found herself wishing, praying even that he would kiss her even if it was only one.
But much to her dismay he never did. She waited for so long turning down so many other as they begged and begged for her attention. Never once did she give in to them holding on to hope that he would notice her but he never gave her any indication of his feelings if he had any other at all. Then InuYasha appeared out of what seemed like thin air. At first she had turned him down. So many times she had told him no but he always came back begging and pleading with her. He refused to take no for an answer. "One date. And then ill leave you alone." That had been her undoing. He had put so much thought and effort into that first date and it had been a magical night. A night that made Kagome realize she couldn't wait around for Sesshomaru to noticed her any longer. He would graduate at the end of the year and his life would go on just as hers had too.
So she settled for what she thought was the next best thing, InuYasha.
Her attraction to him was not instantaneous like it had been with Sesshomaru. InuYasha was good looking enough but he was so rough around the edges and brash. He lacked basic mannors and his foul mouth left mush to be desired but he was kind and affectionate. So Kagome found that she had been willing to over look all his other bad qualities as long as the good ones out weighed them. Especially as her friendship with Sesshomaru became strained, that had hurt her more then anything. From the moment she told him she was seeing his brother it was like she didn't exist to him any longer.
"Kagome!" She was pulled from her thoughts as a familiar nurse came rushing at her. Kagome smiled at her friend who was clearly out of breath.
"Sango what's wrong?" Kagome asked as worry filled her eyes. "Are the kids okay? They were all stable when I left."
"What's wrong! I can't believe you would do this to me that's what's wrong!" Sango pouted as she crossed her arms over her chest. A frown clearly set on her face.
"Sango I..." But Sango cut her off before she could say any more.
"No Kagome I don't want to hear your excuses. I could understand wanting your privacy, but this how could you not tell me this! I'm your best friend your supposed to tell me when things like this happen to you!" Sango bit out angrily as she placed her hands on her hips.
"Sango what are you talking about?" Kagome asked confusion shining in her deep blue eyes. She was at a complete loss. Nothing Sango was saying made any since. Sure she hadn't mentioned Rin or what happened last night but that was only because she was late for work and with the three new patients that had been piled on top of her for being late for rounds she had barely had time to breath.
"Your impossible Kagome! I can't believe your still playing dumb! Well fine I'm refuting to the fact that you have a boyfriend and didn't bother to tell me!" Kagome couldn't help it she didn't mean for it to happen but she laughed. The angry look that appeared on Sangos face only served to make her laugh harder. "KAGOME! This is serious!"
"I'm sorry Sango but its just so funny. You know I swore off men a long time ago." Kagome managed to get out between laughs. "So why on earth would you think I had a boyfriend?"
"Because there is a drop dead gorgeous demon male standing at the nurses station calming to be." Sango snorted and Kagome froze.
"What!" Kagome fumed before stomping her way to the nurses station. Sango following hot on her heals determined not to miss the show that was sure to fallow.
Kagome eyed the nurses station that was now empty along with the waiting room that now only held a few children and there mothers along with what looked to be so pregnant women as well. Kagome turned back to face Sango annoyance clear on her face. "Sango." Kagome spoke softly.
"Yes." She smiled back at her friend as she too scanned over the people in the waiting area.
"Theres no one here!" Kagome snapped and Sango flinched a little at her harsh tone. It wasn't like her to just snap but between lack of sleep and thoughts of Sesshomaru and InuYasha she just didn't have the energy to deal with practical jokes.
"But there was a guy here Kagome I swear! I don't know where he went. He was right here when I left to find you!" Sango cried as Kagome held up her hand to silence her best friend. She loved the girl dearly but sometimes she could be a bit much. Sango was like a dog with a bone once she sank her teeth in it was almost impossible to make her let go and although Kagome admiered her commitment to the part she was playing it was time for it to end.
"Sango the joke has gone far enough." Kagome snorted again. It wasn't completely uncommon for the nurses and other staff to play small jokes on each other when things were slow. But this was uncalled for. They all knew Kagome didn't date and that she had no interest in dating. Most of them thought she was a prude others simply thought she was secretly gay. To scared to come out of the closet. But Sango knew the truth behind why she didn't date. She knew the pain that her heart had suffered at the hands of the brothers.
Sesshomaru had hurt her with his indifrince cracking her heart at the loss of her closest friend and InuYasha had delivered the final blow shattering it beyond repair. Five years it had taken her to a rich up the wounds he had left her with, five years to turn open wounds into bright pink scars. Sango knew all of this. So 'I can't believe Sango went along with this!' Kagome thought as she watched Saongo's brown eyes widen in shock.
"But Kagome! Its not a joke!" Sango protested again. "There really was a man here asking for you!"
"Sango enough! I'm going to my office to finish dictating charts. I have had a vey long day. After I am done I am going home to sleep after which I will call you and we can discuss this." Kagome said sternly as she turned on her heels to walk away. If she didn't leave now she was going to say something she would no doubt regret later.
Sesshomaru smiled as he watched Kagome run frantically out the door. She was still just as beautiful and air headed as the first day he meet her. It brought him comfort to know that in these five years she had not changed much. Yes she was older and her looks more mature but it only added to her beauty that she had finally shed the last of her childish features. She had truly grown into a woman now. 'You will not escape me again little miko.' Sesshomaru smirked at the thought.
No nothing would stand in his way this time. Not now that he had finally lain eyes on her again after all of this time. He had not realized how much his beast had truly longed for her as it vibrated to life once again after laying silent for so long in the recesses of his mind. Taking in a deep breath Sesshomaru was pleased to find that no other male had been in her home. This pleased his beast as well as it rattled against the back of his mind. It was calling for her stronger then it ever had before. Five years was a long time for a demon to be separated from the one he has chosen. It had taken a toll on him that even he had not realized until this every moment. He wanted nothing more then to chase after the girl and show her exactly what she had been missing out on these past five years, but there would be time to chase her later. For now he had other pressing issues to deal with.
Turning his attention back to the sleeping girl he frowned. He was truly torn between punishing her and treating her with any request she could think of. Shaking his head he decided that he would leave the punishment to his father. After all he was only her brother. Growling low in his chest he watched as the shot up from her sleeping position.
"Big brother." Rin smiled brightly in an attempt to charm him from his anger. It was a tactic that had worked when she was younger.
"Rin." He growled out her name to show her just how serious he was. "You do not realize the severity of what you have done." He watched as she lowered his head no longer able to meet his gaze.
"Sesshomaru you don't understand! InuYasha was so cruel he and Kikyo would take my phone, lock me in my room and make fun of me. You were always at work and father and mother were gone. Then the girls at school didn't help matters I just couldn't be in that house any longer. " Rin cried as placed her face in her hands.
"You should have come to me Rin. I would have put the idiot and his wench in his place." Sesshomaru felt bad for scolding her it was something he hated to do and no doubt father would scold her as well but this could never happen again.
"How could I. You were always at work and I had no phone!" Rin protested. "This was the only way I could get any ones attention."
"It matters not." Sesshomaru growled out flaring his aura around his sister gaining her full attention. "You must always be smarter then your opponent. Even If that opponent is a family member. We do not run from a challenge. If it were up to me I would punishbypu for not only running away but for letting that idiot treat you so horribly." Sesshomaru sighed as he pulled his aura back into himself tucking it neatly back into place. He could see Rin was trembling now and he hated that he had to do it. Rin had never felt the full weight of his power or had it used on her, but she needed to be taught the severity of what had transpired. "However it is not up to me to punish you. That is our fathers job. I am inclined to take you for ice cream as a reward for locating Kagome."
"Really? And no school?" Rin beamed as he nodded his head. Jumping from her seat on the couch Rin latched herself onto his waste in a tight hug.
Touga couldn't help but feel release wash over him as he finally laird eyes on his youngest and only daughter. He still found it hard to wrap his mind around what she had done. She was old enough to know better. Old enough to understand the dangers that awaited her out there at such a tender age. He watched as his mate latched herself onto their daughter pulling her into a smothering hug. He fought within himself to do the same but he could see his oldest pup now needed his guidance. He would let his mate punish their youngest no doubt she was far more creative then he could ever think of being.
"Sesshomaru. Join me in the study." It was a statement and not a request. Sesshomaru could tell from the town of his voice. His father was planning one of his heart to heart chats which mostly consisted of him talking and Sesshomaru pretending to listen. But he followed the older male regardless. Sesshomaru watched as his father took a seat behind the large cherry wood desk as he motioned for Sesshomaru to sit on the dark leather couch. "So you have found her then?" He asked bluntly.
"Yes father I have." Was his simple answer. He had never been one to overly express what was on his mind and these last five years had not helped his communication skills. If anything he was even more closed off then before.
"What will you do? I assume your beast has not moved on from her?" He gave his son a knowing smile. It was a rare occurrence but a beast could change its mind. If the potential mate died or was absent for a long period of time like Kagome had been sometimes it would move on to another. It would never truly be satisfied with the second choice however it would sooth the ach left by the first or dull it at least.
"No father it has not." Was Sesshomarus simple answer.
"Then son what will you do? Will you let her slip through your grasp a second time? You may not get another opportunity after this one." Touga gave his oldest a knowing smile. He knew exactly what Sesshomaru wanted to do, what he needed to do, but would he be brave enough to do it. Humans even the powerful ones were not like demons. They were ruled by emotions and wanted love. Love was not unknown to demons in fact it was very common for mates to fall in love with each other. However it was not common for it to happen before the mating was preformed. Demons unlike humans were guided mostly by instincts. Dealing out the strongest mate, power and beauty were what demons sought.
"I will not louse her a second time." Sesshomaru growled.
"Very well my son then you have my permission to begin the hunt." Sesshomaru snorted as if he needed his fathers permission to do anything. He stood to leave his fathers study. "Oh, Sesshomaru just a friendly tip from one hunter to another. This pray will be the most difficult for you to ceatche. You see human women like to be wooed first."
"Hn." Was Sesshomarus only acknowlegment that he heard his father before he swept out of the room. His father was right this hunt would be different form any other he had ever faced. But it was a hunt he had been preparing for the last five years for. No he was ready, he would do what he should have done before InuYasha ever had the opportunity to interfere.
Kagome sighed for what felt like the hundrith time that day. It seemed that in the last twenty four hours she had done it more then in her entire life. 'Maybe I was to hard on Sango.' Kagome thought as the door to her office came into view. She really should apologize to her friend for the way she had acted but she couldn't help it. All the old memories that were being brig to the surface were just to much to handle.
But that wasn't Sangos fault. She had no idea about the events that had transpired the night before. 'Maybe I could take her shopping as an apology.' Closing the door to her office Kagome smiled softly at the though. Sango had always loved shopping and Kagome hated it. Especially with Sango, she always seemed to find the skimpiest outfits and force Kagome into trying them on. But this was supposed to be an apology trip so if Sango wanted to torture her for the day she would let her.
Kagome's phone buzzed in her pocket startaling her out of her thoughts. Kagome fished the annoying thing from her pocket as she hesitated before sliding her finger across the green answer key. It was an unknown number an her personal line. "Hello. Kagome speaking."
"I wasn't sure if youbwpuld answer or not little Miko." Kagome froze. Why in the world was he calling her?
"I almost didn't. Normaly I don't answer unknown numbers." Kagome snorted back at him as she took a seat at her desk.
"I am glad you made the exception this time." Kagome was amazed at how smug one man could sound over the phone.
"As much as I love discussing my phone habits with you Sesshomaru I'm sure you have a reason for this call." Kagome pointed out.
"Can one simply not call to speak with an old friend?" Kagome raised a brow at his statement. Did he really think she had forgotten him. He was still the same Sesshomaru.
"You never do anything without a reason Sesshomaru. You never have and you never will." Kagome poked at hi, laughter dancing on the tip of her tong. Oh how she missed teasing him.
"Alass miko you are correct there is a reason for my call."
"Oh, and what would that be?" Kagome asked as she waited for him to respond.
"I would like you to accompany me to dinner tonight." Kagome could have swore hell had just frozen over. Was Sesshomaru Tashio asking her of all people out on a date.
"Sesshomaru... I... I don't date." Kagome whispered into the phone and he frowned at her statement. "I swore off men after everything that happened." He knew that he had smelled no other male in her apartment. Had she changed her preference to that of her own sex. The thought did not sit well with Sesshomaru. If she had switched sides it would make it that much harder to win her back.
"Have you discovered a taste for women then?" He knew it was a tactless question but it was one he needed an answer too.
"How crude of you to ask such a question!" Kagome snorted. "And what if I have did you want to watch!"
"That is an idea miko but I would much rather join in the fun. I was never one to simply sit on the sidelines." Kagome could feel her face turning a bright safe of red and was thankful for the fact that it was simply a phone call and nothing more. 'What has gotten into him. This is not the Sesshomaru I remember.' Kagome thought as she tried to focus on her response.
"Only in your dreams puppy. You couldn't handle what I have to offer anyway." Kagome snorted back at him. She knew she was playing with fire but what did it hurt to have a little fun. It after all had been over five years since threat time she teased him.
"Is that a challenge Miko?" Sesshomaru raised a perfect eye brow as he waited for her response. He wondered how far she would take there little game before she buckled.
"No its not. And F.Y.I I'm not gay. I still like men I just don't like the pain and trouble that comes with them." Sesshomaru frowned sad that she had brought there little game to an end. He was however grateful that she had indeed not switched her preferences. 'This will not be as easy as I first thought. The half breed has done more damage than anticipated.' Sesshomarus beast raddled in the back of his mind as thoughts of killing InuYasha once again made there way to the fore front of his mind.
"Then it will not be a date. It will be a proper thank you for caring for Rin and the opportunity for two estranged friends to reconnect." She was quiet for a long moment and Sesshomaru could feel the angziaty begin to build in his chest. How would he convince her it was him he should have been with from the start if she would not spend time with him.
"As long as it's not a date ill agree to it." A wicked smile made its way onto Sesshomarus lips this game was far from over and he would come out the winner.
