A/N : I don't have a specific time to update or anything, I just write as I get an idea but it won't be a long time.

Read and review: This chapter was hard to write, as it is a lot of background information. It'll get more exciting soon!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or characters, just the plot!

The Struggle to be Who You Are

Kagome started her walk to the Tashio house and thought of what she was going to say. She was conflicted, her father and Toga had been great friends. Did she want to ruin the way Toga saw her dad with the news that he tormented her? She had to figure out who wanted to murder her parents also. She would have to get into her father's personal computer at the company to figure it out. Kagome noticed a car parked that she's never seen before in the Tashio yard. Walking to the front door she knocked twice and it open to reveal Sesshomaru waiting for her.

"Come in Kagome, dads waiting for you in the kitchen." Kagome walked passed Sesshomaru; she didn't know why he was around during all of this. The two used to be really close before his mom passed away. After that he stopped talking to his friends and his personality changed for the worse. Kagome spotted Toga sitting with an old man and a lot of papers in front of them.

"Kagome, this is Yu Hashimo, he is the lawyer who handles on the legal stuff of your fathers." "Nice to meet you sir." Kagome shook his hand and took his seat next to Toga, Sesshomaru sat across from her.

Yu pulled out the will. "It states here that your father left everything to you. The house and corporation are now in your name." Kagome looked surprised; she didn't know why her dad would leave it to her. There had to be something going on. "Thank you sir" He handed her the documents and began to pack up. While she read over everything she noticed one thing Yu didn't mention. "Wait, what does this mean in the second clause?" "It states that in order for me to gain everything Jewel Enterprises has to merge with Shikon Enterprises." Kagome knew that compaies merged but she knew that a merge mean that someone in both familes of the merge had to get married to each other. Toga knew this was coming, he didn't tell Sesshomaru either, who was silently fuming at his father.

"Kagome, your father made it specific that the two companies merge upon his death to ensure that both stayed strong." Kagome was angry, she didn't want to get married, nor did she want this company. "Toga I can't do this, I don't want it." Kagome started to tear up, but she would never cry in their presence. Toga let Yu out and began to walk towards his office. "Come you two; let's talk about this in my office."

Kagome followed behind Toga and Sesshomaru, she knew what was coming next. Entering the office she sat on the couch next to Sesshomaru. Toga had a grand oak desk surrounded by elaborate book cases. He had a large bay window and one comfy couch. He didn't get company often so he didn't both to add more chairs.

Toga wanted to know what Kagome had to tell them, so before he started a business conversation, he had to know what she was talking about. "Kagome, could you please tell us what's on your mind?"

She didn't know how to start this conversation. She decided to be blunt and looked out the window. "Toga did my father ever really talk about me or mention me to you?" Toga countered quickly, "No, but what does that have to do with this."

"Toga please, my father is not a nice man, nor is he who you thought he was." Toga looked confused and she continued. "My dad started hitting me when I was 4; he's done terrible things over the years. Do you remember when I was in the hospital last summer?" Toga was shocked; his friend could do this to their daughter. "I remember we came to visit you all the time." Kagome looked at him this time, her eyes were haunting. "Did you ever see my parents there?" Now that Toga thought about it, he never saw them. Not once had they walked in to check on her, they only came to check her out. "Kagome, I had no clue. Why didn't you tell anyone?"

Kagome closed her eyes. "I was on my way to tell you. I wanted to be free of them. Daddy had me by my neck and slammed me into a vase which cut up my back, and then he threw me down the stairs." Her voice started to crack. "He didn't know that part of the vase was stuck… when I landed at the bottom I started bleeding and my parents freaked."

Kagome wanted to forget that day, she almost died. She noticed something out of the corner of her eyes. Sesshomaru's hands were squeezed into a tight fist and he looked angry. "Dad told me that next time I tried to defy him and tell someone he would leave me to die, I just stopped fighting knowing that I would eventually get out of there." Toga was ready to bring Ken back and kill him himself. He was baffled. "Kagome, we're going to find out who did this to your parents." Toga let them go he needed to think and he needed to make a call.

"Shinzu, get me all information about the death of the Higurashi's. I want everything by tomorrow night." Toga hung up the phone he needed to go check on his wife and Souta; the poor boy was taking it hard.

Kagome walked out of Toga's office and towards the stairs to find her brother. Sesshomaru couldn't let her get far, he needed to apologize and soon. He grabbed her arm before she got too far. "Kagome, wait." Kagome froze, she didn't understand. "What Sesshomaru, I don't want your pity." He understood her anger. "It's not like that Kag." He pulled her into his chest. "I'm sorry for the last few years; I just want to be here for you." Kagome was angry; he pushed her away when she tried to be there for him. "You have no right Sesshomaru!" Kagome snatched her arm away and stormed down the stairs. She didn't even acknowledge Inuyasha walking up the stairs.

"Sesshomaru what's wrong with Gome?" Inuyasha had canceled the band practice when he got the text earlier about Kagome's parents so he went out with his friends. Sesshomaru was looking past his brother; he knew he had no right. According to his father and that will he and Kagome were going to have to get married and he needed her to not be mad at him. "Inuyasha did you know that Kagome's father hit her?" Inuyasha suddenly looked just as furious as he did. "HE HIT HER! She never told me and I've never seen a bruise on her." Sesshomaru knew that her dad wouldn't want to make it known. "It's been happening for years and we didn't even know. You have to help me though. She won't talk to me anymore." Inuyasha snorted.

"I wonder why, you pushed all of us away and did it the worst to her." Inuyasha left his brother to wonder. He knew that Sesshomaru had his own way to grieve but it had gone on long enough.

Sesshomaru just walked to his room in a daze. He knew what he did was wrong; he was just so upset and didn't know how to ask for help. Sesshomaru was a musician and was classically trained on the piano and to sing. It was his mother who started that life for him. He wanted to continue but his dad had started to decide his life for him. He was going to take over the business completely when his dad retired. Which meant giving up music when he graduated to began his business degree. He sighed as he got to his room. He had to take Kagome to dance tomorrow night so maybe they could talk afterwards. Without anyone around or close to home maybe he could get her to understand his feelings.

Kagome went to get her brother from the guest room but found him sleeping. "I guess he can stay tonight, we won't be going to school tomorrow." Kagome kissed his forehead and headed for the front door. All she wanted to do was sleep and figure this out. She decided she was going to her father's office tomorrow and she needed Toga's help. She got next door and locked the front door and headed straight for her room. Her clock said it was after midnight so she hoped he was still awake.

"Hello Kagome, what can I do for you?" She was amazed he was awake. "Sorry for the late call Toga, I need your help tomorrow. I have to get into my dad's office and see if anything on his computer hinted about where he was going." Toga was thoughtful, he knew that Ken's office computer was locked but maybe he left something to get in. "Ok dear. We can go in the morning be ready by 9." Kagome was relieved. "Thanks, and by the way, Souta was asleep so I left him over there in the guest room. I'll see you in the morning." She hung up quickly. She needed to sleep. She knew her dad's computer would be under lockdown. Now she would have to explain to Toga how she learned how to hack into computer systems. Her phone beeped letting her know she had a text message. It was from Sesshomaru.

Text: Don't forget that I'm taking you to dance tomorrow. Can we have lunch? Goodnight

Kagome didn't know if she wanted to reply, she didn't know what to say. She had forgotten all about dance and knew she had to go regardless of what happened.

Response: Sure. Goodnight Sesshomaru

Both of their thoughts before lying down: Do I still like him/her?