Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or any of its characters.

Summary: Sometimes the choices we make lead us down a path we don't expect. She chose to leave his side, and he closed off his heart to the world. Now she is back, and he is the only one that can save her. Can he move past his pain to help her? Or will the consequences of their choices prove to be too much to bear?

Rating: T for language and alcoholism.

*Note, in response to a review: This story was previously posted on Dokuga under the same penname.


A knock came at his door, and Sesshomaru glanced up from his desk. It was only seven in the morning, and he had a strict rule that he was not to be disturbed until at least nine.

"Come back later." He growled out, returning to his paperwork.

"No can do, grumpy bastard." The door opened, and a young man with matching silver hair and expressive gold eyes strode in. Sesshomaru bit back his annoyed retort and settled for glaring at his unwelcome guest. Inuyasha plopped into the seat in front of the mahogany desk and leveled Sesshomaru with a look.

"Got a call from Kagome last night." Sesshomaru stiffened at the mention of her name, his fists clenching. If Inuyasha noticed his tension, he did not remark on it. "She was looking for..."

"Do you have a purpose for being here?" He snapped out harshly. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at his older half-brother, not believing for a moment that his brother did not care about news regarding Kagome.

"Don't pretend like you aren't interested. You may be a dick, but you're not as cold as you think you are. Not when it concerns her."

"Get out." Sesshomaru shot Inuyasha a furious glare, his lips pursed and body rigid. Inuyasha sat still for a moment, gazing at his brother. With a sigh, he stood.

"Don't say I didn't try to tell you, prick." He snapped as he stepped out of the room, slamming the door shut.

Sesshomaru slammed his fist down on the desk, ignoring the pain that shot through his hand. He stood and turned to the window, willing the busyness of the streets below to ease his thundering heart. Why would she call? To tell him what he already knew? That she was engaged to be married? Why would she even need to call? And why would she call Inuyasha? The questions flew through his head, only serving to confuse and irritate him to no end. The sound of his door opening again snapped his control.

"I told you to leave!" He shouted, whirling to face Inuyasha. Except it wasn't Inuyasha. His assistant stood frozen to the spot, her eyes wide with fear.

"I'm… I'm… sorry!" She said as she bowed. He released a sigh and lifted his hand to his head.

"What is it?" He said in a slightly gentler voice. Apologizing was not something he did. His assistant, visibly shaking, moved forward hesitantly.

"Ku…Kurumi said to give these to you immediately. There's a patient in room 3…"

"Give it to someone else. My case load is full." He turned his back, dismissing his assistant. After a moment, he did not hear her move. "Is there something else?" His tone was growing tense again, and the small eep from the woman alerted him to it.

"Er, well… It's just that… Kurumi said it was non-negotiable." She finished meekly. He growled audibly. Turning he strode towards his assistant, taking the documents and stormed from the room. Without a glance at the offending folder he strode down the hall, his fiery temper exuding from him like a dark cloud. Co-workers and patients alike parted as he made his way down the corridors of the hospital.

Sesshomaru's temper was well known within the institution, his cold, no-nonsense attitude almost as renowned as the establishment itself. Though he was still young, he had been a gifted physician from his early years. His hard work and dedication lead him to being one of the leading Oncology specialists in the country. Though he was not the most compassionate doctor, people came from around the country to be assigned to him. Waiting in room 3 was probably some patient with hospital connections, a son of a donor or perhaps the wife of an investor.

Sesshomaru came to a large oak door, and he threw it open. An older woman sat at her desk, her eyes filled with annoyance at being interrupted. Two men sat in front of her. Caring not that he clearly interrupted a meeting, his agitation too great to control, he dropped the file onto her desk.

"Find someone else to take the case." The woman stood up at his words, grabbing the file quickly.

"Excuse me, I apologize about the interruption. I will be right back." She excused herself and followed out after Sesshomaru who was already walking away.

"Dr. Taisho!" She admonished in a hard tone. Sesshomaru did not stop, nor did he turn. "Dr. Taisho, you simply have to take this case! The board has already approved it…" He whirled around, his eyes narrowed. The hallway stopped, and onlookers watched in silence as the two faced each other down.

"I am already on eleven cases, Kurumi, which is three more than protocol allows. Find someone else." He hissed the last part out. Kurumi's cheeks tinged red, her own temper flaring out.

"You cannot tell me who I assign cases to! This case is absolutely paramount! Besides the patient is already here. I would be more than happy to give it to Mina, but she is at a conference in America right now. If you prefer, I will reassign Mr. Yisako's case until Mina returns if you feel you cannot perform…" His sharp growl made even the headstrong Chief of Staff pause.

"Do not forget with whom you speak, Kurumi." He warned. Today was most certainly not a good day. Kurumi stuttered, attempting to reign in her nervousness. Though she could technically manage Sesshomaru, he was in every which way her superior. He was the sole reason their hospital received the donations it did. Their oncology program was the best in the country, thanks to his team. Angering him did not bode well for her career.

"If you did not wish to accept because it is my case, Sesshomaru, you could have just told her." The sweet, feminine tone was like a knife to his heart. He froze, his eyes widening and his body stiffening. Slowly, he turned to face her, the woman he tried so hard to forget. Kagome.


Love, Caleesci