The long weekend ended up being a girl's weekend, for the first part at least. Sango had spread the news of Kagome's formal dinner date to their other girlfriends and they had all agreed to flood Kagome's house Friday night after everyone got off work. Takeout was ordered, movies were brought, and the girls settled in for a good night. They slept in the morning after, then enjoyed some at home pampering before they all began to help Kagome get ready for her night out.

Yuna moonlighted as a makeup artists for weddings and proms so she had professional quality product and skills. They put Kagome in her dress first then threw a robe over her to keep anything from staining the dress. Already having a natural wave in her hair, Yuna straightened it out before pinning it up in a low knot at Kagome's nape - as per Sango's instructions. Yuna chose to not go heavy on the makeup, just coverage and contouring with a bit of colour on her eyes (a bit of a light cat eye because that was Yuna's favorite signature when she did make up), but there was a fight over her lipstick. Yuna wanted a bright red, while Sango felt that it was too much compared to how low key everything else was.

Kagome just sat in one of the chairs in her bedroom. She was pulling on her shoes when she heard the doorbell ring. Emi yelled from the first floor that she'd get it. Kagome heard the door open and close, then two sets of footsteps coming up the stairs. "Sesshomaru is here," Emi said, leaning into the room.

She finished putting on her last shoe and sat back up, and tucking the two thin strands of her hair left out of the coifeture behind her ear. Sesshomaru stepped around Emi to come inside and the two took in each other. "I love the addition of the pink, fuzzy bathrobe. That surely makes the outfit."

"Smart ass," Sango huffed. "Pick a colour," she added, picking up the two colours they had narrowed it down to and holding it up to him.

He grimaced a little at the ruby red and pale lavender options and walked to look at the other options, a metal box tucked under his arm as he did so. Kagome took the opportunity to look him over as he shifted through the disorganized makeup trays. Other than their personalities, one of the main differences in InuYasha and Sesshomaru was their builds. Whereas Inuyasha was stocky and muscular, Sesshomaru was tall and lithe. He had more elven, graceful features that were just a touch feminine. Inuyasha tended to wear things either overly baggy or overly tight, depending on what he was trying to accomplish, but Sesshomaru seemed to buy things that were specifically tailored for him. It was no different with his deep navy suit. Like her dress, there was a bit of a shimmer to the fabric, except for the lapels which were a shade darker. His tie matched the lapels and to change his attire completely, he also chose to wear his hair up in a bun. She'd only seen him wear his hair up once or twice before.

"This one, I think," he said, pulling out one of the lip shades and handing it to Sango.

She raised a brow but just shrugged before handing it to Yuna. She seemed to approve and immediately got her lip brushes and approached Kagome. It was a deep plum in a matte finish and Yuna applied it quickly. She stood back, pursing her lips to the side as she stared at her work, before nodding with approval. "All done, she's all yours now," she said to Sesshomaru.

"Good timing. I have some things for you to borrow - compliments of the Takashi estate."

He put down the box and pressed a code into the little keypad on the top. It clicked open with a beep and he pulled out earrings. They were a string of four diamonds that ended in a big saltwater pearl. He handed them for her to put them on, all the girls eyeing them with envy. "I don't even like jewelry and those are pretty," Emi said, coming into the room now.

A four string pearl cuff bracelet was pulled out next and he handed that over for her to put on too. She tried it on both arms before Sesshomaru suggested putting it on her right. "I'll be on your left for most of the night, so putting your jewelry mostly on your right leaves it open for other people to see."

He suggested she stand up and derobe, laughing with them at his poor choice of words. Kagome tried to hide her embarrassment, standing up, and taking off the robe. Sango took it from her, throwing it on her bed. The necklace he looped around her neck. She watched sidelong in the mirror as he latched on a simple diamond necklace that fit at the base of her neck like a 1950s pearl necklace. "I went for understated given everything else," he said, as he clasped the necklace and punctuated his sentence by letting his fingers trail a few inches down her exposed back.

"If this is understated in your family, I'd hate to see what overstated is," Yuna said.

He smiled at her. Kagome stepped away and went to the full length mirror next to her walk-in closet. She didn't recognize herself. "Okay ladies," he said from behind her. "I'm afraid I need to take Kagome with me. It's a bit of a drive and fashionably late and actually late is a very fine line to cross."

Kagome turned and walked back across the room. "I put your clutch on the table by the door," Sango said. "And I'll lock up after we've cleaned up."

"Thank you."

"We expect full updates next week," the other girls shouted as Sesshomaru helped her down the stairs.

She grabbed her clutch, checked it one last time to make sure her phone and keys were in it, and they left. The stoop was only a few steps up, but she took it slowly, giving him a chagrined look as she did so. "I told you and Sango these high of heels was a bad idea for a natural clutz."

"Just lean on me then, I'll help steady you."

He had to do just that as they crossed the lawn slowly to his sleek Mercedes. He helped her into the passenger seat before moving to get into the driver's side. He put the car in neutral first, letting it roll back the driveway a bit before starting the car and shifting into reverse. Kagome looked at him oddly, but realized what he was doing when his front door opened up and Inuyasha and Kouga rushed out. Sesshomaru smiled to himself as they pulled down the street and out of the way before either men could get to the bottom of the driveway. Kagome just laughed at him and shifted in the seat to get more comfortable against the cold leather. "Feel free to turn on the seat warmer if you need to," Sesshomaru said, pointing to the little buttons in the middle dash. He shifted into another gear as they sped up towards the freeway.

She was beginning to regret coming as they pulled into the fancy country club. Sesshomaru pulled them up to the curved driveway and turned the car off in front of the valet station. He stepped out, straightening his suit before stepping away as a valet came forward to take his keys and greet him. Another valet came forward an opened Kagome's door, helping her out with white-gloved hands. He shut it behind her as she stepped up on the curb. Sesshomaru came around and held out his right arm for her, which she took, tucking her clutch to her right side. There were other people getting out of their cars, or standing out talking to other people who had just arrived, and they stared at Sesshomaru and Kagome and their striking differences. He led her forward into the building, where footmen opened the doors for them with a jaunty greeting. "They know you by name?" Kagome asked, looking behind them.

"Legacy of my father more than me personally. I only come here once or twice a year for my family's benefit. Inuyasha should be here too, but…"

"I don't take him as a formal dinner type of person."

"He's actually not that bad at these. He has charisma and manners when he chooses to use them. He can usually charm the pants off of everyone around him so that if he does trip up with a faux pas they're quick to forgive him."

"So why didn't he come?"

"You'll see why, I'm sure."

The benefit organizers had hired photographers to take pictures throughout the night for literature in the future and the club's website. A short man with a bit of a paunch shoved into a tux that was just a touch too small ran forward with his camera and asked if he could take their picture. His assistant came up from behind him with an additional camera for additional angles. Sesshomaru stood straight on to the camera, just slightly angled towards Kagome. His free hand going into his pant pocket. Kagome nervously shifted so she was standing close to Sesshomaru, his arm letting go of hers and coming to rest on her right hip. She tried to mimic some of the red carpet pictures she frequently saw on TV. She looked up to Sesshomaru just as he looked down. They shared a smile, Kagome's body doing a bit of a lurch while trying to swallow her own laughter. This made Sesshomaru's eyes dance with humour and he dipped his head forward a bit towards her. They didn't hear the photographers snap several dozen shots, only the short man thanking them once he was done. Sesshomaru forced himself to step away, pulling at her waist as they continued further into the building.

All the rentable rooms had been let. The main ballroom was where all the dinner tables were set up. Two long tables at both sides of the door were set up with carefully labeled signs on where to receive their table assignments. The other rooms had bars, dancing, and other entertainments going on. It left the building in a low roar.

Sesshomaru took them up to the table where the T's were supposed to check in. The older woman there, elegantly dressed as the other party goers, looked Sesshomaru over carefully, then moved to do the same with Kagome. "Who is your date Sesshomaru?I haven't seen her around the club before."

"Not a member, I'm afraid."

"Oh," the woman said. "If you're interested in being one feel free to contact me as a sponsor."

"Thank you, Mrs. Dawthon, that's very generous of you."

The lady sitting next to Mrs. Dawthon face soured. "We have plenty women in the club that could have made just as fitting dates, it's a shame you don't attend enough functions to realize that. Though, I guess it helps some to see how their betters live."

Sesshomaru didn't dignify her with a response or even a glance. He took the little place card that gave them their table designation and thanked Mrs. Dawthon. He steered Kagome by using the hand on the small of her back until they were away from the table and back into the noise of the event. "Oh this is going to be fun," Kagome lemented giving him a side eye.

"You just met the two main kinds of people who make their lives around social status and being a member of this club."

They entered the ballroom and an usher standing by the door directed them which way to go. Sesshomaru moved to take Kagome's arm once more and led her through the dining room, stopping at several tables on the way to greet older couples and introduce Kagome. She put on her prettiest smile and greeted them each. They didn't stay too long at one table until they finally reached their own table. Kagome's eyes widened as they approached their table seeing man that was unmistakably Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's father. He was just slightly taller than Sesshomaru, but built more like Inuyasha. His hair too was the same colour, worn long, though currently put in a high ponytail at the crown of his head. He wore the traditional black suit and despite being twice her age, Kagome could easily admit he was one of the most handsome men she'd ever seen. His bright smile when he saw Sesshomaru and Kagome approaching just confirmed that thought.

"Sesshomaru," he said. "I'm so glad you made it."

He reached forward and shook his son's hand. A young woman, not much older than Kagome, turned around and looked at the two of them as if they were shit stains on a fine carpet. "And who is this beauty," he asked, trailing his eyes down Kagome's body. Her smile became a little bit more forced and her hand gripped Sesshomaru's arm a little tighter. Yes, he was handsome, but his leer was unguarded and his body language unwelcome. Sesshomaru moved his arm again, letting hers fall to her side, and put it around her waist. "This is mine and Inuyasha's neighbor, Kagome Higurashi. Kagome, this is my father, Toga Takashi."

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I didn't realize they had such a charming neighbor or else I would have made more of an effort to visit regularly."

"Or at all," Sesshomaru muttered under his breath. If Toga heard him, he didn't make an indication. The woman from earlier cleared her throat loudly and gave Toga a disapproving look. Sesshomaru sighed and offhandedly introduced her. "Kagome, this is my father's current girlfriend Ayako."

"Fiance," she corrected.

Toga snorted at this, he and Sesshomaru's gaze meeting in a silent conversation before Toga moving back to the table. Ayako's face was just contained rage as he directed her towards her seat by pulling out the chair. She sat down roughly, her surgically-enhanced breasts nearly spilling out of her low cut dress. Toga sat next to her, suggesting that Kagome sit next to him. Sesshomaru was already pulling out the chair two away for her, which she thanked him for quietly as she sat down more sedately. Sesshomaru took the other chair next to his father with a nod. A few more people came and joined them, introductions going around.

"So, Kagome," Togo said while they waited for the speeches to begin, which was the precursor for actual dinner. "What do you do?"

"I work in childcare."

"So a babysitter," Ayako chided. "Must be doing something on the side to afford a townhouse on babysitter pay."

Kagome responded to her with a sad smile; she'd seen such reactions before. It was a pity that she had so little confidence in herself. And it kind of made her angry at Sesshomaru's father and his like who obviously fed on those insecurities for their own good. "I'm actually the director of the H Childcare Network throughout the city, though the title is a bit of a misnomer. There are multiple directors and we all have our little regions of 2-3 care centers we are over."

"Impressive. You don't seem old enough to be in that position," Toga said, picking up his water glass and taking a sip. He flagged down a waiter who was handing out wine to the tables.

"My mother worked for the H childcare until she retired recently and I grew up volunteering then later working through the company. I basically was raised to take over my current job; my mom had it before me."

"H Childcare is an impressive program; it's very hard to get into a lot of them. Top notch place," another of the couples at their table said.

"It is. I work with a lot of great people too from the actual care givers to the maintenance and cleaning services. My region hasn't scored below 99 on our health code inspection for two decades and we really pride ourselves for that fact."

"As you should be," Toga said. "Excellence is always something to strive and thus be proud of. Though, I sense you aren't completely happy where you are."

Sesshomaru's eyes widened and he looked over to Kagome who looked a bit bashful at getting caught. "No, I'm happy. But I've also been doing it my whole life and there are things I'm looking into."

"Such as?"

Kagome gave him a shy smile. "Things. Can't have you learning all my secrets the first night I've met you, now can I?"

Toga slapped the table, making many of the occupants jump, and threw his head back in a belly laugh. "I like her, Sesshomaru. No wonder you and Inuyasha fight over her so much."

"Speaking of Inuyasha," Ayako said, trying to gain attention again. "Where is the halfwit?"

"Couldn't make it. He and his soon to be business associate had already made plans to have a meeting tonight to finalize some details."

Ayako snorted, obviously not believing it. Togo nodded a bit. He seemed disappointed but didn't raise any objections. "Excuse me for talking business at the table, but what do you think of this venture they're doing? Gyms seem to be a dime a dozen now. I fear the market is too oversaturated for them to be successful."

Sesshomaru just shrugged. "I only know the bits I've gleaned while he and Kouga have discussed in my presence. Inuyasha and I have never really had deep conversations, as you well know. But, they're being very thoughtful. Right now they want to start with two gyms not far from each other, which would make it easier for them to run them both, but with completely different concepts. I know one of them is going to be a cross training gym since that's what both he and Kouga are into. The other one I think is going to be women's only."

"It's going to be half and half, but not like half women and half men," Kagome interjected. They had actually asked her opinion on this one and then tapped her expertise later and even offered her a job setting it up. She had declined but said she would gladly help all the same. "A developer has come in and renovated the old M-Mart building. They were able to get half of it and split it further into two different retail locations. One space is going to be a women's only gym with machines and classes and such, but it's going to be directly connected to the other space which is going to be a children's gym. Or, really, it's a indoor playground with some specific fitness goals. The idea is that anyone can bring their kids to the kid's gym and let them 'workout' there, or a mom can drop of their kid then go to the gym right next door and workout too."

"So it's a fitness area for kids that also functions as childcare while the mom worksout?" Sesshomaru clarified.

"Yes."

"Ah, well, now I know why they wanted to pick your brain."

"They actually started by just asking about what women would want out of a gym and when I brought out the essentials of childcare it kind of expanded from there. I think it's a really good idea though. I hope it's successful."

Togo studied her for a few moments, all flirtation gone, and then nodded. "I think that settles it. Inuyasha asked if I would invest some capital into it to get them started, all those machines and whatnot being expensive, but hearing that they've actually done market research and consulted with experts - and let's face it, Sesshomaru actually said positive things about InuYasha, which is unheard really - then I think I'll invest."

"Actually, Togo, if you could set up a meeting with your son and his partner, then I'd like to hear what they say. It sounds like a good idea and I might be interested in investing as well."

"I can certainly do that," Togo said.

There was a slow quieting of the crowd as they all looked to the upraised stage at one side of the long room where a crowd had gathered. An older woman stood at a podium waiting for everyone to quiet down before beginning. "I would like to welcome everyone here for the eighth annual…"

Kagome let the words fade out as she relaxed back in her chair as much as her stiff dress would allow. From the corner of her eyes she noticed Togo's attention was on her still, as was Ayako who looked less than pleased.