Chapter 3: fading obsession

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha…

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Introduction of chapter

The night before Kagome's graduation/ Sesshomaru gets ready to pick up his newest student.

Kagome smiled to herself as she skipped up the porch to her house. She was holding a plastic bag in her right hand, and she seemed very excited about whatever was in it. She had just finished shopping with her friends, and she had picked up the perfect white gown for graduation on Saturday. She walked up to the double doors that led to her house.

She wore on her person, a button down summer dress. It was extremely short, and she knew her dad was home, so she quickly pushed her hands through the bag to get out a very long stylish over coat. She pushed it on, and began buttoning all the buttons. After fixing her appearance, she put her left hand on the door knob and twisted.

Inside, Kagome's father was pacing back and forth. He had been up since dawn; just pacing and thinking. He didn't want to send Kagome away so soon, but he didn't know what else to do. He also didn't know how to tell his daughter the horrible news, and this was solely the reason he was so agitated and demoralized. He tried calling her mom to tell her, but she had been too busy. Now he faced telling Kagome her fate alone, and he didn't know if he was up for it. Kagome was very persuasive, and he wouldn't be shocked if she convinced him to change his mind.

He heard the door twist open, and he stopped his pacing to give her his full attention. She had left very early this morning to pick up her graduation gown. It had been on hold at a very expensive boutique. She walked in the house, but she wasn't aware of her father staring at her. She was instead more concerned with her reflection on the wall across her. She walked with purpose and natural grace to the mirror. Her dad watched in confusion as she touched her face in a very visual way; caressing each pore with care. She evidently loved what she saw, which forced her to flash a dazzling smile at her reflection. Kagome's father couldn't help but roll his eyes; his only daughter was so vain.

She cocked her head to the side once more in front of the mirror, before getting bored, and leaving. She stopped when she saw her dad. A tailored smile appearing on her face. "Hello daddy… sleepy head…" She said walking right past him towards the kitchen. He watched his elegant daughter gracefully pass him by. "I got my gown today…" She said in enthusiasm. "It's even prettier than I remembered… do you wanna see it?" She placed her shopping bag on the marble counter, and looked up at her dad. She had a dazzling grin on her face, and she made her beautiful features concoct a very innocent expression.

Kagome's dad looked down at the tiled floor. He was sad stricken to even think of telling his daughter what he had done. "Kagome…." He said looking up to face her. Kagome had lost interest in him though; she was now staring in awe at a very elegant white gown. It looked to be floor length, and costumed fit for her. She was staring it up and down in a very pleased way. "I have something very important to tell you… can you please give me your attention?" He asked as she ran her hand over the fabric.

Kagome continued to ignore him though; she only had eyes for her gown. "Daddy isn't just remarkable… look at it. Mom's going to love me in it…" She said, and she backed away from the counter. She began twirling around with the gown and smiling widely. "I'm going to go try it on." She said, and she skipped her way out of the kitchen. Her dad could only stare after her. She had completely and candidly ignored him.

He was so upset by this he followed her out of the kitchen. "Kagome… that was extremely rude. I was talking to you." He said, and he could feel himself heat up. Kagome turned at the discipline in his voice, and like always she faked a smile. Deep down she was very annoyed, and agitated she hated it when people told her what to do.

"I'm sorry dad…" She said in the most apologetic voice she could muster. "I'm just so excited about graduation tomorrow… and mom coming down… what did you want to tell me?" She asked, and as if she was the most considerate person in the world, she walked to the bottom stair, and sat down in anticipation for what he might say.

This caught Kagome's father off guard, and he scratched the back of his head thinking. He had to remind himself how manipulative his daughter was. He sighed looking down at her. "Kagome… I have bad news." He said, and she smiled waiting. She had the most delightful look on her gorgeous face. He couldn't bring himself to tell her. He couldn't admit that he had enrolled her in an all woman etiquette school for the summer.

Kagome looked up at her dad innocently, but in her mind she was extremely annoyed. She thought he was wasting her time. "Dad… I have to decide what to do with my hair, and call mom… I need to go." She said, and her dad sighed. There was no way he could tell her, so she was going to find out the hard way.

He nodded… "I just wanted to say your moms going to be late coming tomorrow. She'll meet you at the ceremony." She smiled and got up; gracefully walking up the stairs. "I'm proud of you." He announced, but Kagome ignored him. He watched his daughter leave, before sighing. He was so utterly spineless.

"I arranged the flight, I got her graduation tickets ready, everythings set." Rin said as she followed behind Sesshomaru. She had a clip bored pinned to her breast, and a preppy smile on her attractive face.

Sesshomaru turned to glimpse down at her. "That's great." He said, and he searched his mind for something else. He had a handsomely brilliant expression on his face, but he was unaware of it. Rin on the other hand blushed contently at witnessing it. He then turned realizing he had to do something in his office.

"Oh wait…" Rin said still following him. "What agent did you get to escort her here?"

"Well…" He said thinking deeply. He hardly knew anything about Kagome Higurashi, besides what her father supplied. He wasn't very good at meshing personalities. He looked down at Rin, she still had a pleasant smile on her face, and he had to fight his own grin. "I guess… Kikyo… she can do it. Cancel her classes for tomorrow." He said, and with that he turned.

Rin on the other hand wasn't as sure of his choice as he was. "Um… Sesshomaru… great choice, really, but not one I would make." She said, and that caught his attention. He didn't turn though. He just waited for her to continue. "If this Higurashi girl is actually gunning for Kikyo's place… I don't think Kikyo will be as kind as she should towards her."

"Right…" he mumbled, and he nodded. "Yeah… you're right… uh... how about Kouga?" He asked his assistant. He could hear Rin shift from behind him. She obviously didn't like this choice either. "Okay Miroku?"

"Uh well he's a tad bit pervious…. Don't you think?" Sesshomaru nodded at this. Miroku had been teaching girls at his "Etiquette school" for years now, but his perverted ways never eroded. If Kagome was as gorgeous as her picture showed, then Miroku was obviously a horrible choice. He racked his brain for other people… "I have a couple choices myself." Rin interrupted.

Sesshomaru would be wise to consider what Rin said. Rin was a top agent. She wasn't proficient at killing criminals like the rest. No, her brilliance lied in strategy and tactic. Rin was a certified genius; which is what kept her in a top spot among the rest of the agents. No one had her knowledge or her capacity for information. "Who Rin… yourself." He guessed. He thought it over; Rin was extremely pleasant, and it wasn't a dangerous mission.

"Oh… no… not myself." She said, and Sesshomaru turned at that, waiting. She let her trademark smile light up her appealing features. "I was thinking you send someone like Sango… or Ayame." She said, Sesshomaru thought it over.

"No…" He simply said. "I want you to go. I like that idea… bring Sango with you." Rin was about to oppose his idea, but he had already taken off in his original direction. Bringing a woman to fetch Kagome would be a very solid idea. "Oh shit… I'm forgetting everything today…" Sesshomaru mumbled to himself, he looked up. Rin had already turned the other direction, but he had something to ask her. "Rin…" He announced, and luckily his voice carried. She turned to face him; he made a sweeping motion with his hand.

She didn't waste any time getting to him. "Yes sir." She said her placid smile returning.

"I forgot to ask… what is my younger brother's schedule for today? I have good news for him." Sesshomaru asked, and Rin nodded before checking a clipboard, written on Friday afternoon for Inuyasha Takashi was sprawling with Kikyo. Rin held her breath, she was exceedingly bright, and it didn't take long for her to understand what Sesshomaru's motives were.

She looked up "Uh… sir I'm sure you have amazing news for Inuyasha, but if it concerns Kagome. I would probably wait till he's alone and not with Kikyo." She said, and Sesshomaru looked down at the petit woman. He hated when she did that. She was always over analyzing things, and it caused her to read his mind.

"I think Kikyo will be astonished and delighted about her new replacement… as an agent she should be aware that she can easily be replaced." He said, but Rin wasn't very sure of this. She had an amazing take on character, and though it was true that Kikyo was very sweet, and polite, she lacked something.

"Well of course you're right…" She said smiling, "but she is only human, she has emotions, and seeing as Kagome is only being highly considered. Wouldn't you think it would be a tad foul and irrational to tell her?" Rin asked, and Sesshomaru couldn't help the handsome smirk that spilled on to his perfect face.

"Well Rin, we kill people." He said charmingly, his eyes narrowed. "I'm not at all considering Kikyo's emotions or feelings." Rin opened her mouth to speak, but fell short. He was absolutely right, and she had nothing to say on that. She nodded once before turning, Sesshomaru watched her as she walked daintily across the room.

"No… your offense is a bit off." Inuyasha said, he had sweat dripping from his bare chest, and he was quite a gorgeous sight to see. He wore a long pair of track pants, and his hands were wrapped in boxing tape. His beautiful golden eyes were trained on the attractive girl in front of him. He was making excuses to why her combat was off today, but he let the observation rest on the simple fact that she was not qualified enough for the job she held.

Kikyo backed up from the half demon. Walking towards the mirrors that covered every inch of the studio. She bent over grabbing her water bottle. "My offense is off… or do I just suck?" She asked squeezing water into her mouth. She eyed her highly attractive partner, she was getting extremely frustrated, but she tried holding it back.

Inuyasha wasn't one for sugar coating anything, and though he was very charming. He didn't lie to the woman in front of him. He didn't try boosting her confidence by telling her she didn't suck. He only looked over at her. "I didn't say you sucked… I said your offense is off." He repeated. Kikyo only shook her head, and turned towards the mirrors.

She was drenched in sweat, and her face was turning a deep red. She wore only a sports bra, and loose running pants. She didn't much pay attention to how she looked. She just wanted to hide how frustrated she was. She couldn't do it, she simply wasn't skilled enough, and it was starting to take its toll on her. She was extremely talented though, she had so much raw talent in fact, that she had skipped several steps as an agent, and landed on top. She used to be the lead woman in her field, but her lack of training was wearing her down. She had brains, beauty, personality, just like most of the girls she competed with, but she simply did not have enough, and she was afraid this search that Sesshomaru had been doing was just a way to replace her.

Inuyasha stared at his partner; he could easily tell she was frustrated. He could sympathize with her, she was being replaced. Slowly of course; seeing as Sesshomaru hadn't yet found the girl he was looking for. He didn't agree with his brother's search, but he did agree that raw talent could only get her so far. She needed actual skill if she planned to keep her spot. "Listen it's just combat…" he said, walking towards her. "Just a little combat… you're an amazing shot." He said referring to her as an agent. Sesshomaru's leading lady had to have personality. She had to be manipulative, and conniving, and seductive. It was an essential when dealing with criminals of the opposite sex.

"Yeah… well being a slut is defiantly replaceable." She said looking up; she had a bitter look on her face. Inuyasha eyed her before backing up. He didn't have time to put up with this shit. He was in no mood to battle with Kikyo's mood swings. She was a slowly failing agent, and she was very upset about it. She wanted to keep her top spot, but it was looking more and more impossible.

Inuyasha and Kikyo had a love and hate relationship, but lately the love aspect of it was reserved solely to Kikyo. Inuyasha was far past his puppy love days, and found Kikyo's PMS ways; a bit too much to swallow. He turned away from her, if she was going to pity herself. He'd find a different way to train. He walked towards the punching bag on the corner of the stadium, and Kikyo watched him.

She was not only slipping occupation wise, but her and Inuyasha's relationship was beginning to slip as well. She watched him while taking a deep breath; she wasn't exactly distraught about that aspect too much. She and Inuyasha had their run, and there metaphoric fire was no longer flaming. She got up grabbing her things. "I'm calling it a day." She announced, but he ignored her as he pounded on the black punching bag.

She walked out of the room slowly, and Inuyasha eyed her with his peripherals. He wasn't exactly looking towards her per se. He was more distracted by the scent of his older brother. He guessed he'd be in the room in less than 10 seconds. Kikyo who was hesitant to leave; felt she owed Inuyasha a small apology. She turned, but her words faded when she saw Sesshomaru walk in.

Sesshomaru threw her a dazzling smile. "Leaving already Kikyo?" He asked, and he didn't even spare her a look. A habit he had towards only his less successful agents. Kikyo was aware of this, and it was taking its toll. "Well I have very good news… you might want to take a seat." Inuyasha never stopped attacking the bag in front of him, and he only turned to glimpse at Sesshomaru.

"Let's hope it's not more bullshit about finding this special girl." He said, and Sesshomaru only smiled. When Inuyasha saw his brother's expression, he stopped punching the bag to look over at him. "What about her now…" Inuyasha demanded. He had an annoyed look on his face. He walked towards his end of the studio where his stuff was placed. He picked up his towel drying off his face. He took a glimpse at the mirrored wall in front of him. He could see Kikyo staring at him, her facial expression withered with sorrow. He hesitated as he dried himself, what bothered him the most was his lack of care. He used to care, but not anymore… He looked away from her to his own reflection. He was almost painfully beautiful, but that only helped to make him feel a bit more depressed. He covered his face with the towel drying himself and turning away from the mirror completely.

"What would you say if I told you I found her?" Sesshomaru asked, and though he wasn't yet sure of it. He had a feeling, one he hadn't had for awhile, and the last time he felt like this was with Kikyo. He turned to look at her, but this feeling was even stronger.

"Bull shit…" Inuyasha said. Excitement was starting to develop in his core. If this was true they could finally start the single most important mission. He could finally stop waking up at 5 in the morning to teach bratty ass girls. The thought of that made a sinfully handsome smile grace his full lips.

"No... I'm telling the truth. She flies up here tomorrow afternoon. I'm going to expect her, and hopefully it goes well." Inuyasha's smile slipped a bit. He was a bit disappointed to know his brother wasn't completely sure. He was even angrier that he wasted his time with the girls in his class; when this girl he talked of, didn't even go to his school. "I'm placing her in your homeroom…"

This got Inuyasha's attention. "Well… what's her name?" he asked "How will I know it's her."

Sesshomaru smiled before turning. He glimpsed one more time at Kikyo; who seemed to be in a painful abyss. He threw a look at his brother. "When you see her… you'll know it's her." He said, and Sesshomaru with that left the room.

Thanks for taking a liking to this story… I hoped you all loved this chapter. I'll update super duper quick. I hope you guys liked it. Inuyasha meets Kagome next chapter. I'm sure of it… I'll make it happen even if I have to write a 20 page chapter. :)

Also if you have time… tell me what you think about the chapter lengths… just review it. This ones about 8 pages… Is that good... what do you think less or more?