A/N: Thank you to everyone who read/reviewed/favorited/and watched this story. Here's chapter 2, which is as far as I've gotten. Chapter 3 is in the works. And as always, reviews are greatly appreciated!

Being Oblivious Has Benefits

Kagome had to admit, she felt really awkward sitting in the man's kitchen sipping tea while he went off to run his check on her information. He hadn't even told her his name yet and he just expected to sit here, in a strangers' apartment, with no proper way to defend herself…

Get a grip, Kagome. If he really was some sort of…well deviant he wouldn't be advertising in the newspaper for a roommate. Or maybe…maybe that's how he finds his victims…Holy shit; I spend too much time watching murder mysteries with Miroku!

She shook her head and decided that now wasn't the time to over analyze the situation. Glancing around, she couldn't help but admire the gorgeous apartment she had a slim chance of residing in. There was a spacious living room with an overstuffed couch and cherry wood coffee table at the center. Matching end tables found homes at each end of the couch. The fireplace on the far wall was made of marble and judging by the mass of burnt ashes, it was well used. The kitchen, well, she really thought she had died and gone to heaven. State of the art appliances, granite countertops, stainless-steel refrigerator…Kagome had to stop herself from drooling on the table. It was every woman's dream come true!

She stood up and headed towards the sliding glass doors that lead to the balcony. She probably should have stayed where her host left her but she was getting restless. She unlatched the door and pushed it to the side and was immediately greeted with the warm air of summer. Stepping out onto the wide balcony, Kagome took a deep breath and smiled. The view of the city was breathtaking. The air was cleaner up here than it was down below and she was offered a wide view of everything around her. She moved to lean against the railing and enjoy a few more moments of the bright afternoon sun.

Kagome found herself desperately hoping he would agree to share this place with her. Sure, the guy seemed like a bit of an ass but she had lived with worse. Besides, it's not like they were going to be around one another a lot. Well, that was her hope anyway. She couldn't say that she disliked the man but she certainly didn't like him either. He was rude, arrogant and seemed to think that she was dumber than a post. She would just have to make him change his mind about her.

Of course, the fact that he was gorgeous didn't enter into her mind at all. Nope, not even once.

~~~~~~~B~~~~~~~

Sesshoumaru stared at the computer screen utterly at a loss. There was absolutely…nothing. No criminal record, no minor infractions, hell the woman had never even had a parking ticket in her life! There had to be a mistake. No one was that good!

Just for good measure, he ran the search again. Surely she had to have something wrong with her. His eyes went to the screen when the computer beeped to signal that it was done. Just like before, the result came up clean. Kagome Higurashi was a model citizen. Well if that didn't just throw the mother of all fucks into the situation. He had no real reason to reject the girl because there was nothing to reject her over.

He sighed and ran his hands over his face. What would be so terrible about having her as a roommate? She was obviously a good person. She was educated and held down a decent job. She was beautiful.

Wait…beautiful? Where the hell did that come from? He just met the woman and he was already sizing her up like his next meal. Kami he was truly pathetic. There was no denying that she was appealing to the eye but he refused to go down that road.

She still needs to pass a few more tests he reminded himself before he rose from his seat and headed to where he left her in the kitchen. As soon as he rounded the corner from his room he noticed the table that was lacking a certain Kagome Higurashi.

Where did she wander off to?

He stepped into the living room and immediately felt the breeze coming from his open balcony doors. She was outside. It wasn't surprising really; he did have the best view in town. Well, in his opinion anyway. He moved forward silently until he was standing in the doorway staring out at the scene before him.

Kagome's lean frame was leaning against the railing while the wind tousled her hair around. Her long, denim-clad legs seemed even longer than he originally noticed. The sun light that was filtering down was bouncing of her skin creating a subtle glow while the lilac color top she was wearing was hugging her soft feminine curves in just the right places.

Damnit! I have to stop thinking these things he mentally chastised himself before he straightened and cleared his throat.

Kagome spun around quickly and flushed a few different shades of red before she found the courage to speak.

"Um…sorry. I was just admiring the view" she told him with a smile.

"Hn, it is of no consequence. If you would please come back inside, I have a few questions that I would like to ask you"

With that, he turned and made his way back to the kitchen and waited for Kagome to join him at the table. Once both parties were seated and fresh cups of tea were poured he decided it was now or never.

"Your background check came back exceptional Miss Higurashi but I have a few more questions before I make my decision" he began but was cut off.

"I'm sorry; before we begin could you please tell me your name? I'm at a serious disadvantage; you know who I am but I have no idea who you are" Kagome stated.

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened considerably at that. Was it possible that she had no idea who he was? Did the woman not watch television at all?

"My apologies, I assumed you knew. My name is Sesshoumaru Ito"

He assumed she knew who he was? Arrogant much?

"Thank you Sesshoumaru. Now please, go on with your questions"

Sesshoumaru nodded and turned to get more comfortable in his chair.

"Very well. You were born and raised here in Tokyo is that correct?"

"Yes, my family owns a shrine. It's been in our family for generations. My mother, brother and grandfather still live there and tend to it"

"What about your father?"

"He…passed away when I was 8"

"It says that you attended university and that your major was Economics yet you work at a small bookshop. Why would you give up a degree like that?"

Kagome smiled and sat back in her chair. "I gave the business world a shot for a little while but it wasn't for me. I couldn't take the backstabbing, the cut throat attitudes and the kill or be killed mentality. I was a constant patron of the bookshop and got to know the owner really well. She knew I was miserable where I was working and offered me a job. I left the corporate world and have been doing that ever since. Sure the pay isn't as good but I'm a lot happier and that's more important to me than how much money I make."

Sesshoumaru regarded her silently for a moment. This girl…no, woman was something else. Not many people would give up a high paying job to work at a tiny little bookshop in the center of town.

"Are you still residing at your family's shrine?"

"No. Right now I'm living with my best friend and her husband. I haven't been there long but they're newlyweds and I'm sure they really want some time to themselves."

"And before that?"

"I-I was living…with my…my boyfriend" she replied quietly.

"I see. And are you currently still engaged in the relationship?"

"I think that's a rather personal question for you to be asking, Mr. Ito" Kagome snapped.

"I'm afraid it is a question that must be answered Miss Higurashi. I'm not going to have my apartment overrun by strange men."

Kagome narrowed her eyes; who the hell did this guy think he was?

"What kind of woman do you take me for? Do you honestly think that I would just bring random men here and disrespect you like that? The answer to your question is no, we're not still together and not that it's any of your damn business but I don't plan on being in another relationship for a while."

Sesshoumaru sat back; he was impressed. No one ever talked back to him because they were all too afraid of what he could do to them. Yet, this woman wasn't afraid of him. Interesting.

"Thank you, Miss Higurashi. I have just one more question" Sesshoumaru said as he moved to place their empty cups in the sink.

"And that would be?"

"When would you like to move in?"

~~~~~~~B~~~~~~~

"Kagome you aren't serious about this are you?" Sango all but yelled.

She couldn't believe that Kagome was actually entertaining the idea of moving in with a complete stranger. A complete male stranger at that. Sango firmly believed that if she couldn't afford to be on her own then she should stay with her and Miroku a little longer. She knew that Kagome wanted them to have their privacy but in reality they didn't mind having her stay. It's not like she took up much room and ate them out of house and home.

"Sango I know what you're thinking but really, it's a good offer. It's close to my job, my half of the rent is really affordable and it's still close enough that I can visit you and Miroku whenever I need to."

"Kagome, you know nothing about this man. He could be…I don't know a convict or something. Or a murderer in disguise."

Kagome laughed loudly then. Sometimes she and Sango were too much alike for their own good.

"I thought the same thing but I highly doubt that a criminal would be living in a place like that"

"You never know anymore Kagome. I just want you to be safe."

"I know Sango, I know but I really think that it's going to be okay" Kagome told her with a smile.

Sango sighed. Obviously there was no arguing with Kagome on this because she'd already made up her mind.

"So…when do you want to go to Kouga's and get your stuff?"

Kagome paled just a little at that thought. She hadn't talked to Kouga since…that night. He called her numerous times and even went so far as to show up at her job to explain himself. But, there was nothing to explain. She knew perfectly well what was going on and nothing he could say would make things right. Eventually he got the message and backed off. The thought of having to get in contact with him or even face him made her sick to her stomach. She didn't want to see him or hear his voice but she knew she had to. She needed to know if he had the locks changed so she could get the rest of her clothes and various other things that were hers.

"Well, I guess…I need to call him. See if my key still works and find out when he's not going to be there. I don't think I could handle facing him even if you are Miroku are with me."

"We'll definitely be going with you. I don't want that son of a bitch alone with you at all" Sango replied with a smirk.

"Okay, okay. I'll call him this afternoon. For now, why don't you help me start getting packed up what I have here? It'll make everything easier when it's time to go."

"When did…hang on…what's this guy's name anyway? You never did tell me"

"Oh…his name is Sesshoumaru, Sesshoumaru Ito"

Sango's face paled considerably while her eyes grew ten times larger than normal. She knew that name. Hell, everyone knew that name. His face was plastered all over the television and tabloids at least once a month. Apparently, Kagome wasn't as observant as Sango thought she was.

~~~~~~~B~~~~~~~

Kagome sat in the quiet of her room and stared at her cell phone. She knew she had to do this but it didn't make it any easier. All she had to do was push the 'send' button but she couldn't force herself to do it. She didn't want to hear his voice or see his face because she knew it would bring back feelings that she didn't need right now. She was moving on with her life and she didn't want to go back to how things were…before.

Sighing, Kagome shook her head. This was ridiculous. It was just a simple phone call; that was it. They were over and done with and she a right to her personal belongings after all. If he did change the locks then she would go to the police and have them retrieve what she was missing. Determination flashed across her features before she pushed 'send'.

"Kagome? Oh thank the Kami's! Are you alright?" Kouga's voice sounded on the other end.

"Does it really matter anymore, Kouga?" Kagome snipped back.

"Please don't be like that. I've been so worried about you. You haven't been home, you've been refusing my phone calls and you weren't there when I went to your job. Where are you?"

"That's none of your business, Kouga. You lost your right to any answers when you cheated on me with your secretary"

"Kagome, please…if we could just…talk about this-"

"There is nothing to talk about! I called you because I want the rest of my stuff and I need to know if you've changed the locks on your apartment."

"No…I haven't. When are you coming over?"

"When are you not going to be there?"

"I…I'll be at work all day Monday. You can come by then. I'll make sure all of your stuff is packed up and by the door for you" he said sadly.

"Thank you. I'll leave the key on the kitchen table."

Kagome hung up before Kouga had a chance to respond. She was relieved that it was over with. She would definitely be bringing Sang and Miroku with her; she didn't trust the fact that he would be gone. She was half tempted to go over there now and see if he would leave. Then they could just run in there, grab her stuff and go. She wouldn't have to worry about him trying to talk her out of her decision. She'd had enough of that lately.

~~~~~~~B~~~~~~~

The bookstore was strangely quiet today. Usually it was teeming with people on a Monday but today it was almost empty. Kagome wasn't complaining too much; it was allowing her the opportunity to re-organize some things that she had been dying to do forever while helping to keep her mind occupied. Sango and Miroku were meeting her here at three so they could go over to Kouga's. She was praying that he wasn't going to be there but something inside of her was screaming that he would be home. Sango promised that nothing would happen and that she and Miroku would deal with Kouga but she was still uneasy. She knew that he would never hurt her or anything but she wanted to avoid the confrontation.

"Hey Kagome?" her boss called from behind the counter.

"What's up Shippo?"

"Can you mind the front for a minute? I need to use the restroom and make a phone call"

"No problem. Tell your honey I said hello" Kagome said with a wink.

Shippo laughed and smiled back at Kagome.

"Am I becoming that predictable?"

"Maybe just a little" she laughed.

Shippo made his way towards the backroom while Kagome took his spot behind the counter. She loved working here. Shippo was a great boss. Most times he acted like her big brother than the person who signed her paychecks. She could talk to him about anything and his girlfriend Ayame was a doll. She really couldn't picture herself doing anything different than what she was.

She was brought out of her thoughts when the bell above the door jingled letting her know that someone had come in. She looked up and was completely surprised at who she saw standing there.

"Sesshoumaru? What are you doing here?" she asked him.

"I was in the neighborhood and thought I would drop of your keys to the apartment" he replied while holding out a small bag to her.

"Oh…thank you. You didn't have to drop them off I could have picked them up."

He waved his hand in a dismissive manner before walking away. Honestly, he had no idea why he needed to bring her the keys, she wasn't moving in until the weekend. There was no reason for her to need them now but he decided to drop by and give them to her early.

"Can I help you find something?" Kagome asked.

"No, I am merely…observing"

"Oh, okay well…if you need anything I'll just be over there" she told him while pointing towards the counter.

"Have you had lunch yet?"

"I-um…what?"

"It is a simple question, Miss Higurashi; have you had lunch or not?"

He had no idea what possessed him to ask her but now that he had he couldn't exactly take it back.

"I-hmm…well, no I haven't"

"You will accompany me then"

"Wait what? I can't just up and leave; it's the middle of my shift"

"Sure you can Kagome" Shippo said as he walked out of the back "go have lunch with your…um…friend. We're slow enough; I think I can handle it."

"But-"

"No 'buts' young lady, go out and have lunch and I'll see you in an hour" he laughed and then pushed her towards the door.

Kagome scowled at him, but decided not to fight against it. She quietly followed Sesshoumaru out the door and down the street. Ten minutes later found the two of them seated at an outdoor café that she had never before been too. She had always wanted to eat here but the prices were always out of her budget. She protested when they first arrived but soon-to-be roommate silenced her with a glare.

So here they sat, in total silence while they waited for their food to arrive. What were they supposed to talk about? They knew nothing about one another so where were they supposed to begin?

"So-"she began but was immediately cut off by an extraordinarily angry voice behind her.

"What the fuck is this all about, Kagome?"

It was Kouga.