The Rain Begins
Kagome left the house after Sesshomaru departed for work heading in the direction of the Sunset Shrine. As Kagome pulled into the shrine parking lot, she noticed another car there. Getting out and walking up the long flight of steps, she pondered over things that were put on the backburner. She would have to call Inuyasha to check how things in the office were running. She also knew that she would need to make sure and call Jinengi, her assistant and ask him if there was any urgent business that needed to be attended to. She knew she was not supposed to be working, but when you are busy and on call 24/7, it's hard to just let go.
Making it up to the top of the steps, Kagome looked up to see none other than Touga, her lover's and best friend's father at the top of the stairs. "Touga!" she yelled as she raced toward him. Touga Taisho turned just in time to see his heart's daughter running to him. He opened his arms to welcome her and spun around as she hugged him. Kagome felt the deep chuckle he gave off as he laughed. "Ah, my lovely daughter has returned to be with her father at last." Touga exclaimed proudly. Looking down at Kagome, his heart clenched at the thought that his plan may not work out. "No, we mustn't think that way," his beast spoke to him. "It will work out as we said. She will be mate to our son and mother to our grandpups. We will make this work."
Kagome looked up into the eyes of the man who has been a father to her for so long. It was due to his guidance that she was able to excel in her position at Taisho Inc. He taught her to believe in herself and to never be afraid to fight for what she believes in. It was due to her heart's father that she was able to make it through high school and college with a word of encouragement here or a warm hug there as she needed it. "Maybe I can ask Father what is wrong with Sesshomaru. I know Father would tell me." Kagome surmised. Looking up into the golden eyes that she hopes would pass on to her own children, she addressed him. "Father, what troubles Sesshomaru so? I can see that he is stressed, yet he refuses to tell me." Kagome imploringly asked her Father. Touga was beyond shocked at the fact that Sesshomaru said nothing to her. Before he could answer, Kagome put on her best scowl and stated, "Don't even think about getting out of this Father, I know you know!" Touga normally would disembowel the person who spoke to him rashly, but he could not deny his daughter. Steeling his resolve, he was saved when the form of his other favorite person showed up at the door.
Hitomi Higurashi stood in the doorway to her home with her hands firmly grasped to a tray for tea. "Kagome, Leave Touga alone this instant!" she exclaimed while winking at Touga. She had a cheery smile on her face as always, but her smile did not reach her eyes. Touga always stopped by from time to time to chat and have tea, but even she could tell that something weighed heavily on his mind.
"Leave your Father alone and you two come on in. I've got the tea ready and I made some cookies earlier that we can share." Hitomi looked from Kagome to Touga wondering who was going to break their battle of wills first. "If I have to tell you both again, you will both be sorry!" Hitomi then sent them a glare that caused them both to shiver. Hitomi was one of the most gentle creatures on the planet, but if disobeyed she was known to be far worse than any female demon. Touga turned away from Kagome and looked at Hitomi, "I'm coming woman, hold your horses!" Hitomi placed her hands on her hips and was just about to unleash her wrath on Touga when he suddenly moved in front of her and picked her up. "You know, if I hadn't met Izaioyi, and you weren't courted by one of my best human friends, you would have been mine." Hitomi looked Touga straight in his eye and with an evil smirk stated, "No, I don't think you're cute enough for me, now Inuyasha and his cute ears….he would be mine." With that she jumped down from Touga's arms and ran into the house.
Touga was dumbstruck. "How dare she think we're not cute enough?" His beast on the other hand laughed and quieted down at his pack's antics. He saw Hitomi as a pack sister and loved her as such. Touga came out of his thoughts after having his beast laugh at his wounded ego and looked back at Kagome. "You heard your mother little one. Let's go before she comes back to get us!" Kagome followed her Father into the house silently laughing at how easily he bends for her mother.
Tea and cookies were served all around as they all basked in the comfort of being with family. Kagome spoke of work and how Inuyasha and Kikyo were. She told them about the different pranks they pulled on each other and how she causes Inu to go into a panic by hiding his ramen stash. As they sat back and traded more and more stories, Kagome and Hitomi both noticed as Touga withdrew more and more. They had completed stopped talking before he realized that they were focused in on him. Hitomi broke the silence first. "Touga sweetie, something is troubling you. Care to share?" Touga looked from Hitomi to Kagome and found the resolve to continue. "Kagome, you were right when you said something is going on with Sesshomaru. I was hoping that he would tell you, but since he has not, and you have every right to know, we must speak." Kagome was dazed for a second but then stood and followed her Father back out the door.
"Maybe we should take a seat under Goshinboku; you'll need to be seated for this one." Touga guided Kagome to their spot under Goshinboku and sat down. "What I am about to tell you is not easy for me. This should have come from Sesshomaru, but as he has not told you by now, then I know he won't." Touga placed his arm around Kagome's shoulder and told her of the business plan with Akio Industries and Sesshomaru's engagement to Kagura. Once he finished explaining the details and the plan to annul it after the agreement is reached he looked down at his daughter. Kagome was in total shock. How could he not tell her this? Wasn't this important enough, wasn't she important enough to have this be discussed and an understanding made? Kagome bounced back from the shock at the call of her Father's voice. When she looked up at him, tears were streaming down her eyes. All Touga could do was hold her and pray to Kami above that this would not spell the end for his son and daughter. If she chose to leave him because of this, Touga was afraid that this time around, his son would be lost never to return again.