Chapter 3. Wrong Feelings
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"You are truly insane, Kagome. God, I can't believe this!"
Kagome put her bag on the desk and groaned. "Sango, please calm down. The last thing I need is to have everyone in here to know about that."
Sango shook her head. "I mean- sure that guy has the looks and wealth, but Gods, what the hell, Kagome? He was your ex-fiance! And your enemy on top of that!" Sango shrieked, "I don't know Kagome. If I were you, I think I won't accept Naraku's offer in the first place." she sighed, "Now I understand why you had never shown interest to any guys."
Kagome raised one of her eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
"Isn't that obvious? You do still have feelings for him, don't you? Or else, why would you be willing to be with him again?"
Kagome sighed. She couldn't really tell Sango what exactly what was in her mind, right?
"I don't know, Sango, maybe yes, maybe no."
"What do you mean, maybe yes maybe no?" Sango rolled her eyes.
"I mean, is there any reason for me to keep loving him?" answered Kagome, "He broke my heart-yes, but…."
"Do you need reason to love someone, Kagome?"
Kagome bit her lips. "I-"
She felt her words suddenly died in her throat. Did she need reason to still being in love with Inuyasha? Love was not something you could force to happen, after all. It happened naturally. But did she need reason not to love him anymore?
"Think about it, Kagome. He obviously still cares about you, or else, why would he go through the trouble just to be with you again?" Sango said in a voice full of concern.
Kagome nodded. "Thanks, Sango."
Sango smiled. "No problem. If you need someone to talk to… remember Kagome, I will always be there for you. That's what friends are for, right?" She winked at her.
Kagome smiled back to her.
'If only you know how complicated all this was for me, Sango.' She thought to herself. 'God, is this truly what I want…?'
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Inuyasha was in an unusually pleasant mood. He smiled to everyone he met in the company that day, and even tried to make a civilized conversation with his brother before he went to his own office room.
"That creepy smile on your face doesn't suit you, little brother." Commented the older Takahashi.
Inuyasha smirked. "What's the matter, Sesshoumaru? Can't a guy be happy once in a while?"
Sesshomaru, of course, being the ice prince he was, simply ignored his younger brother, muttering something about 'stupid idiot and mood swings'.
Uncharacteristically humming to himself, the young business owner lazily slumped to his comfy working chair before he took out his phone from his pocket. His long fingers started to press the buttons on his phone, dialing a certain someone's number.
"Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha smiled to himself, very pleased that Kagome had addressed him so casually on the phone. At least she didn't use the last-name basis with him anymore.
"Hey, Kagome."
"Hey you too."
Inuyasha smirked to the phone. "Did you miss me?"
"Talk about overconfidence, Takahashi."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Inuyasha answered, still grinning like an idiot.
"Whatever… Inuyasha. So, what's up?"
"Well, yeah. Actually, I was wondering, are you free tonight?" The young business owner asked.
"I think so… What is it?"
"Wanna catch some movie? There's a movie I've been dying to see since two weeks ago…"
"Well I guess a movie tonight won't hurt. So… what time?"
"I have a meeting until eight, I'll pick you up at your home around nine."
"Okay… Hey- How do you know about my home? I don't recall telling you where I live right now!"
Inuyasha laughed again. "I have my sources, sweetie."
"Inuyasha you jerk. You have been stalking me again, haven't you?"
"You know me so well, sweet heart. I'm so honored." He teased her.
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"Inuyasha Takahashi. I ought to kill you."
The young business owner smirked. "And why is that?"
"You know I hated horror movies." Kagome hissed.
"But I loved it." He grinned.
"You're so selfish." Kagome mumbled.
Inuyasha chuckled. Truthfully, he had deliberately chosen a horror movie for them to watch. He still remembered when the two of them were dating few years ago, how Kagome would clutch to his arms so tightly whenever the horrid scenes came out. He didn't want to admit it to her, but having her so close to him, still sent those weird feelings to his stomach until now.
This feelings he felt for her, it couldn't be a mistake, right?
The trip to Kagome's home went unbelievably slow, probably because of the fact that the two didn't really talk to each other.
"Um… Thank you for tonight, Inuyasha." said Kagome as she stood in front of her house's door.
"Umm… Yeah. It's been great." answered Inuyasha as he scratched his head, suddenly feeling very awkward.
"Well, I guess… I'll see you later?"
"Yeah…"
Kagome proceeded to open her house's door, and Inuyasha sighed in disappointment.
But then she stopped and turned around to face him. She smiled and walked back to him. Before Inuyasha even had the time to process what was happening, Kagome was already on her tip- toes as she put her hands on his neck. She then lightly brushed his lips with her own.
"Good night, Inuyasha." She whispered before she went back to her house.
A small grin was curved from the corner of Inuyasha's lips. Yup. This feelings couldn't be wrong.
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"Inuyasha… C'mon. This is not funny." The raven-haired girl began to giggle madly as her boyfriend tackled her to her bed.
Inuyasha smirked at her before he started to tickle her sides. "And who says I was trying to be funny?"
Kagome gasped. "No, stop! That tickles!"
"Nope, not a chance, princess…." purred Inuyasha lovingly as he started trailing kisses down her neck.
"Inuyasha…" Kagome breathed, trying to suppress her moan. "My family, they're sleeping…"
"Ssshh… They won't hear a thing if you keep quiet…" Inuyasha replied as his right hand slowly proceeded to unbuttoned Kagome's blouse.
"No, we can't-" Kagome was paused mid sentence as a pair of warm lips descended on her own, greedily tasting every inch of it.
As the two parted, Kagome smiled slightly as she whispered to the man who had stolen her heart. "I love you…"
"… love you."
"Uh, I'm sorry, Kagome?"
Kagome blinked her eyes opened, and she saw her brunette friend sitting next to her. "Huh?"
Sango rolled her eyes, "Mind to tell me what you've been dreaming about?"
"Uhh…" Did she just somehow fallen asleep?
"I just bought you some documents from the head office." Sango inhaled, "Our lazy ass boss says that you need to complete them by tomorrow, yeah sucks I know, me myself have about three damn stacks of files on my desk practically screaming for me to get them done, and God I'm so fucking tired…"
Kagome stared at her friend in amusement. She never knew that woman was capable to curse so much in one sentence.
'Sango must've been in a bad mood.' She thought. 'Probably just had a fight with Miroku.'
"Alright, Sango. Umm, you wanna catch some lunch together later?" She asked her carefully, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"What do you think?" Answered the brunette a bit harshly, before she stomped out of her room, muttering something about stupid lecher and ungrateful son of a bitch.
Kagome chuckled nervously. 'Note to self… Don't ever go near Sango when she's in a foul mood.'
She was about to open her first document when she suddenly felt her phone vibrated on her skirt's pocket.
Hey, Kagome. I was wondering, could you help me find a gift for my mom today? Uh, I thought I would buy her a diamond necklace or bracelet like I always did before. But my dad just told me he had bought her three damn whole sets of them for her this year -_-
Inuyasha.
Kagome raised one of her eyebrows. For God's sake, just how rich his family was? She quickly typed her reply.
Sure, where are we going to meet?
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"Inuyasha…" Kagome sighed loudly, "For God's sake, just pick one of them already! We've been in this watch store for like two hours!"
"Hmm… Just give me a sec, Kagome…"
The raven-haired woman groaned. She was starting to regret her decision to help this guy finding a present for his mom. She still had shitloads of works due tomorrow, and how could she forget that Inuyasha was such a picky when it comes to buying presents for his mom?
"Inuyasha…" She tried to say, "We've been on the clothing store, bag store, and this is the second watch store we've come across. Why can't you just pick something already?"
Inuyasha frowned. "You're right. I'm sorry, Kagome. It's just so damn hard trying to find something that my mom would really love. I don't have any clue what might she like beside jewelry."
Kagome tapped a finger to her chin. "Something she would really love? Umm, Inuyasha… Would you consider buying her… something that is less fancy?"
"Something that is less fancy?"
"Yeah… Something like… Flowers?"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "You gotta be kidding me. My old man and Sesshomaru are going to laugh me to death if they saw me giving some stupid flowers to my mom."
"Hey, what's wrong with giving someone a flower?" Kagome snapped.
"Uh, I mean…" Inuyasha gulped. Fuck. How the hell could he forget that this woman was obsessed with flowers?
"Why do you think a bride holds a bouquet of flowers on the day of her wedding? Flowers are the most delicate things you can give to someone to show your affections and true feelings," She glared at him angrily. "Yet you dare to call them stupid… I can't believe you!"
"Shit. I didn't mean that, c'mon Kagome…" He tried to calm her down.
Kagome crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. "You're a jerk."
"Kagome," Inuyasha reached to touch her arm, only to get a scowl from her in response.
He retreated his hand back. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean to.. Fuck.. It's just never occurred to me, buying my mother an… err common thing for her birthday present?" He tried to explain to her, choosing his words carefully, but was failing miserably.
Kagome sighed. "Inuyasha, money or price ain't everything when it comes to give someone a gift, you know. What matters the most is your sincerity and true feelings when you gave them the gift. It's just as simple as that."
Inuyasha nodded. For some reasons, Kagome's words had always got to him. It's almost as if her words warmed his heart. He probably would never tell it to her face, but he would actually listen to everything she said in a heartbeat.
"I think you might be right," He breathed, "Why should I keep trying to find something worth thousands of dollars for my mother, if she wouldn't like it better than a less fancy present- like a flower?"
Kagome smiled brightly. "Well then, there's a flower shop at the end of the road. It has always been my favorite and the shop owner was very nice! You wanna go there?"
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"So, have you decided what kind of flower you wanna buy, Inuyasha?" asked Kagome as she sniffed a freshly planted Jasmine on a pot.
"Um… Yeah...Kinda." Inuyasha answered.
Kagome smiled. "So, what is it?"
"I decided to buy her a bouquet of pink carnations. The store owner said she can have someone deliver it to my house at my mom's birthday party." replied Inuyasha.
"Pink carnations…I'm sure your mom would love them. It's a symbol for a mother's love, isn't it?"
"Yeah…Hey, Kagome?"
"Yes?"
"These are for you." He told her quickly as he handed her a bouquet of blue flowers.
She stared at the flowers in amusement, before a slight blush suddenly appeared on her cheeks. Inuyasha had never give her flowers, even when they were dating on the college.
Carefully, she took the flowers from his hand and smiled at him. "Inuyasha...Thank you. I never really expected that you would somehow give me flowers."
"Keh. If you think that I'm not capable to do such... mushy shit other guys would probably love to do, you're dead wrong." He answered gruffly, trying to mask his own embarrassment.
Kagome giggled. "Why are you giving me... hyacinth? Not that I'm complaining. But it's a kinda uncommon flower to give to someone, don't you think?" She asked him.
Inuyasha just smirked at her question. "Don't you think that giving roses to a woman are starting to get too old and lame, Kagome?"
Kagome raised one of her eyebrows. "What?"
"Kagome, you're a big fan of flowers. I'm surprised that you don't know what a blue hyacinth means."
"No, I have no clue what it means…" Kagome frowned.
"Blue hyacinth means sincerity," said Inuyasha softly, a slight blush appeared on his perfectly tanned skin. "And it…expresses exactly what I'm feeling for you. Cause whenever I'm with you… I felt like I can be honest with myself, and show you every single side of me that other people probably could never see."
Kagome's eyes widened.
'Sincerity? Honest?' She froze as the two words hit her. Those are the very words that she didn't dare to speak or even think of on their current forming relationship.
"Fuck it all to hell," Inuyasha cursed, shaking Kagome off from her thoughts, "I sounded so fucking sissy and lame."
Kagome was about to say something back to him before her phone suddenly rang.
"It's my phone, I'm sorry, Inuyasha. I gotta pick it up real quick. It might be something important from work… Can you wait for me here?"
Inuyasha nodded. "Sure, take your time."
"I'll be back soon."
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"Hello, Mr. Fujiwara." She began carefully.
"Ms. Higurashi."
There was something in his tone that was slightly different. It's almost felt as if he sounded a bit more unfriendly than usual…
"Yes?" She replied nervously.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Higurashi. First, please trust me, I do not mean to offend you by saying any of this. It's just- someone told me that Takahashi picked you up from your office this afternoon. By any chance, is it true that you've been meeting him?"
Kagome couldn't help but to notice the obvious accusing tone on Naraku's voice.
She bit her lips lightly. Should she explain everything about her plan to Naraku…? What kind of woman would he think she was?
But then again, Naraku Fujiwara had been known for his cunning nature as he built his company, using many ways in order to stay at the top. A simple 'cheating' like this surely wasn't a big deal for him.
She took a deep breath. "I can't really explain everything to you now, but I will, soon, on our next meeting."
"Okay, Ms. Higurashi, I hold on to your promise."
As the call ended, reluctantly, Kagome began to make her way back to the flower store, where Inuyasha had been waiting for her at the corner of the room.
She smiled a bit before she walked to him.
"You wanna go home now?" He asked her softly.
Kagome nodded. "I guess so…"
As those two walked together to the car, two rather different thoughts kept lingering on their minds;
'Asking her to be my woman once again, even though it kills my pride for a moment there, is something I'm not going to regret…'
'Is me accepting his request to be by his side again… Just for my own advantage, is something I'm really not going to regret?'
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Inuyasha was about to park his car inside their huge, massive family garage when he noticed that here was a familiar white Porsche parked in front of his father's black Aston Martin. He raised one of his eyebrows.
'Isn't that Midoriko's car?' He thought as he read the car's plat number.
"Probably talking to dad about our next project." He muttered to himself before proceeding to enter his house.
He walked over to the guest room, and almost instantly he could hear a few female voices talking.
"Look, look at this one! This picture was taken on Inuyasha's six-year-old birthday party… He was crying because Sesshomaru refused to hug him!"
"Oh my my, who would've thought such a sweet and adorable little boy like this would grow up as a fine, fiery, and hardworking young man!"
Oh no, don't tell him his mother was showing his childhood pictures to Midoriko!
"He must've picked the traits from his parents." A more feminine voice giggled.
Inuyasha froze. He knew that voice. Kaguya…? Why was she here? When did she come back from England?
Kaguya Ishikawa was Midoriko's eldest and only daughter. She went to the same university with him in England, but since Inuyasha started earlier, he had finished and came back to Japan first.
"You flattered us, Ms. Ishikawa." Said Inutaisho, Inuyasha's father, in his deep and calm voice.
"Why, I am merely stating the truth, Mr. Takahashi. Inuyasha is so lucky to have such great parents like both of you." replied Kaguya before she suddenly shrieked in excitement, "Oh, Mrs. Takahashi, look at this! Is this Inuyasha's baby picture? Oh my God he's too cuteee!"
'No, not my baby pictures!" Inuyasha thought in panic before he bursts to his family guest room.
"Mom! Why are you showing my pictures to people?" He cried, his face red from embarrassment.
Izayoi, his mom, just smiled to him warmly. "Look who's finally here. Inuyasha, we've been waiting for you to come home, darling. Why don't you sit here and say hello to Kaguya?"
Inuyasha stared at the young woman sitting beside his mother as he walked over to the guest room sofa.
Kaguya giggled. "Hi, Inuyasha. Long time no see."
"Hey to you too, Kaguya. So, when did you come back from England?" He asked as he made a seat for himself.
"I've been here for almost a week, Inuyasha. I wanted to see you, but I know that you're a busy man now… I don't want to bother you." Kaguya replied, a tint of blush adorned her face.
Inuyasha just nodded. As dense as he was, he wasn't a fool when it came to women. He knew that Kaguya had been crushing on him when they were in England, but he had never responded to her feelings.
Kaguya was a nice girl. She's smart, pretty and well behaved. But Inuyasha had never think of her as anything more than a friend, especially when his heart had always belonged to a certain raven-haired woman. To him, Kaguya was only like his little sister.
"Haha, don't say that. Kaguya. It's make me feel like an old busy man. How about yourself, eh? Getting ready to take a lead of Hikari's Corporation?" Inuyasha smirked.
Kaguya blushed. "Well, um, you see…"
Midoriko cleared her throat. "Actually, Inuyasha," she began as she smiled at her daughter. "Our intention of coming here today has something totally relate to that."
Inuyasha's eyes widened. "What? You're not telling me you're going to retire from Hikari Corporation, right? I mean- Sure Kaguya's a dependable girl, but she's barely twenty-three!"
Midoriko chuckled lightly. "I didn't say anything about wanting to retire, did I?"
Inuyasha blinked his eyes a few times before his face began to redden with embarrassment. "Oh…"
"Inuyasha, the reason that Mrs. Ishikawa visited us today is to discuss about your engagement with Kaguya." Said Izayoi calmly.
Inuyasha felt as if he was struck by a lightening. What…the…hell…?
"What…?" He croaked.
Midoriko breathed deeply. "You see… Inuyasha, I'm not getting any younger. And Kaguya is already on her mature age. She is my only child and she means the whole world for me, since my husband had long deceased. " She paused to cast a smile at her daughter. "It's now the time for Kaguya to settle down for a family, and it bothers me that she doesn't seem to be interested in any man…. But she seems to have taken a liking to you... Inuyasha. I know it by the way she talks about you."
Inuyasha froze in silence as mind desperately tried to process her every words. She wanted him to marry Kaguya?
"I know you are a great and responsible young man, Inuyasha," began Midoriko again. "And just like I said earlier, I am not getting any younger. That's why… I wish for a merge in our companies, and making you as the top C.E.O. Now I'm fully aware of this current dispute that you have with Mr. Fujiwara, and I believe that the fact that you're going to marry with Kaguya, my daughter, would be a good premise for our companies to join together." She explained.
"Mrs. Ishikawa is right, Inuyasha. After all, Naraku Fujiwara won't be able to bother with the contract if it is done under Mrs. Ishikawa's will. He has no right to interfere in this matter, and therefore can leave our family and business alone in peace." Said Inutaisho thoughtfully.
"And Inuyasha, I think this is the perfect time for you to settle down with a wonderful woman like Ms. Ishikaw. After all, being surrounded with a family is every man's greatest dream beside power and success." added Izayoi, while smiling in agreement with her husband.
Inuyasha couldn't believe what he's been hearing. Did his parents just somehow sold him…? Rage began to build from inside of him, replacing his shock and confusion. Did his parents not trust him enough to handle someone like Naraku?
"What are you saying…" He growled lightly, "I'm perfectly fine with the lawsuit, if that what's you mean, father. You don't really have to go this far, do you? Besides- does Kaguya even agreed?"
"Marrying you would certainly be the most wonderful thing for me, Inuyasha." Said Kaguya almost abruptly as she stared at him with a smile in her face. "And I'm certain that you should've know how I feel for you… And that's why… I guess this is a perfect opportunity to build our future together."
Inuyasha repressed his urge to roll his eyes. This woman was surely confident that he would've agreed to build his future together with her, as how she puts it.
"I understand," He said while trying to sound as polite as possible, trying to prevent any unnecessary heartache. "But isn't this… too soon? I mean- you had just came back from England, you might find some men that interest you… or suit you better than me."
Midoriko grinned. "I understand your concern, Inuyasha. But trust me, I know my daughter isn't one who would hastily jump to decisions. I know you two had been quite close back then in England… So, why don't give this a chance?"
For the whole time in his life, Inuyasha had never felt so defeated. What more could he possibly say now?
'Hate to break it to ya, but I'm currently in a romantic relationship with this woman I've been madly in love with ever since I was in college?'
Nah. It would certainly broke Kaguya's heart apart and possibly made Midoriko pissed enough to end her contract with him. Resulting in him being lectured to death by Sesshomaru and his father. And not to mention giving Naraku everything wanted as well.
Inuyasha really didn't know what to say. He felt as if he just wanted to scream and ran away, which was not a really good option since his father had been eying him like a predator for quite some time.
"Uh… I guess… We can always give it a try…" He finally said.
Kaguya's eyes shone with delight before she sighed in relief, while Midoriko nodded her head as she smiled, looking extremely pleased to hear his answer.
"Very well, Inuyasha…" She then glanced to Izayoi and Inutaisho. "Mr ad Mrs Takahashi, I'm really looking forward for all of us to gather as a family in the future."
Inuyasha gulped, praying to every God he believed in that this was all just a joke. That he would suddenly wake up and find that this was all just a nightmare.
But apparently his God has a twisted sense of humor.
How the hell was he supposed to face Kagome now?