Sorry for the wait, but it took a few drafts to get it perfect. I hope you enjoy and reviews will be greatly appreciated. :D
Kagome wished she could prolong the inevitable conversation about her relationship as she climbed the three flights of stairs to Rangiku's apartment. The dark hallway leading to the apartment made Kagome uneasy as she walked to the end. 'When is the super going to fix these lights and the elevator? They've been out for two weeks,' Kagome thought to herself.
When Kagome reached the door, she knocked quietly, secretly hoping no one would be there so she could go back home and cry herself to sleep. However, her hope was short lived. Not even five seconds after she knocked, an orange haired woman with gigantic boobs opened the door with the enthusiasm of a kid going to a candy store. If Kagome wasn't so used to this welcome she would have been taken aback and scared of the possibly insane woman standing in front of her with her arms outstretched for a hug.
"KAGS!" shouted the very excited woman at the door.
"Hey, Rangiku; Sorry, I'm so late," replied a sullen Kagome with her left hand rubbing the back of her head and a forced smile on her lips.
"Don't look so glum, Kagome. We'll figure this mess out and then everything will be okay. Don't worry about being late. You're here now and you made it just in time to still be my best friend. One more minute and I would've been forced to let you go," replied Rangiku in playful tone of voice before giving Kagome a loving hug and letting her inside.
"So, what movie are we watching tonight? Please tell me it's not a romantic comedy where it all works out in the end," asked Kagome as she made her way to the couch.
"Oh no, of course not; this one is an assassin movie where a woman kicks ass. It's called Azumi. The love story isn't until the second one, but it's not as good as the first one."
"Sounds like the perfect movie." Kagome smiled genuinely as she sat down on the couch ready to be distracted from her relationship problems. Rangiku set everything up and went into the kitchen briefly to get the popcorn, drinks, and chocolate syrup. With popcorn in hand, she sat down on the couch next to Kagome and started the movie.
As Azumi was slicing through some bad guys on the screen, Kagome noticed something odd on the coffee table in front of her. "Um Rangiku?" she asked. "What's the chocolate syrup for?"
"The popcorn, of course," answered Rangiku as if it should be obvious. Kagome looked at her with a questioning look, as if she was insane. "What? Haven't you ever had chocolate popcorn?"
"No, I haven't, and I don't plan on it. How could that taste good?"
"I don't know, but it tastes wonderful. My friend, Orihime, got me eating it."
"Her tastes must be as weird as yours if she likes that."
"Oh, come on Kagome, try it." Rangiku grabbed a piece of popcorn and put chocolate syrup on it and proceeded to try and shove it into Kagome's mouth. Kagome naturally tried to keep her from succeeding. Before long both girls were wrestling on the couch and were screaming or repeating, "Come on, try it." This went on until the fun was interrupted by someone shouting at them.
"Matsumoto! What is all of this noise for?" shouted an irritated looking child with white spiky slightly slicked back hair.
"Huh?" said both girls simultaneously.
"Oh, nothing; just eating some popcorn and watching a movie," replied Rangiku in her usual chipper tone.
"That's not what it looks like to me. It looks like you're trying to force feed Kagome. Now, I suggest you knock it off lieutenant. You're a seated officer in Squad Ten of the Thirteen Court Guard Squad. You are not a child, so stop acting like it." Rangiku let go of Kagome and got off the couch. At first she looked sorry, but then a mischievous smile crossed her face.
"Toshi's cranky, Kagome. I think we need to cheer him up. Don't you?"
"Nooooo way. You can handle that one on your own. I don't want to be a part of what you have in mind. Knowing you it'll be dirty and involve little or next to nothing in clothing."
"Aww, fine then." Toshiro saw the look on Rangiku's face and instantly knew he was in for it. For what, though, he didn't know.
"Matsumoto, whatever it is you're planning, don't go through with it." But it was too late. Rangiku was running towards him and before he could move, Rangiku grabbed him. Because of his height, his face was right where her boobs were. Rangiku took one of her hands and used it to hold his face in place at her boobs. After a minute of him struggling to get free, Rangiku let him go.
"Isn't that better Toshi?"
"No, it's not," began Toshi as he tried to catch his breath, "and my name isn't Toshi. It's Captain Hitsugaya." He ended in a more irritated voice than before.
"It's only Captain when our Soul Reaper duties have to be taken care of. Now that we're dating, I can call you whatever I want, remember, Toshiro?" Rangiku gave Toshiro a look that always made him agree to what she said. It was a combination of a puppy dog face and an "if you don't, I will kill you" face. Naturally, with Toshiro being a captain and Rangiku being a lieutenant he could easily take her, but there was something about that look that sent chills down his spine.
"Fine," Toshiro relented with his arms crossed and an annoyed look on his face.
"You know, you can call me Rangiku or a pet name, Toshi. It doesn't always have to be Matsumoto. I think we've reached that point in our relationship. Don't you?"
"Whatever. We'll talk about this later. In case you've forgotten, we have company over."
"What? Oh right, Kagome. You've been so quiet, I forgot you were even here." Toshiro then walked out of the room, back to his and Rangiku's room leaving the two girls alone again. When he reached his room, he began to wonder if it was safe to leave them alone.
"Gee, thanks; it's good to know I'm so memorable," said Kagome depressingly in response to Rangiku's comment.
"You are memorable. How can you not be? You're a reincarnated priestess who kicks demon ass." Rangiku took her place back on the couch beside Kagome and looked her straight in the eyes. "You are an amazing person, and it's impossible to forget someone like you and it's impossible not to love you."
"Sesshomaru doesn't love me – not anymore. I wonder if he ever did." Kagome looked away from Rangiku as tears began to form in her eyes, but she stopped them before they fell, determined not to breakdown in front of her friend.
"If he didn't, it's his loss. Do you want to talk about it now or wait until the movie's over?"
"Let's wait until the movie's over. I'm not ready to talk about it yet."
"Okay, I'll rewind to where it was when we started wrestling." Rangiku did as she said and the two girls sat quietly and watched the movie. The movie distracted Kagome enough to where Rangiku was able to put chocolate syrup on the popcorn. Rangiku smiled a victorious smile as she watched from the corner of her eye as Kagome ate piece after piece of chocolate popcorn.
"Hehehe," giggled Rangiku.
"What are you laughing at?"
"Oh nothing."
Kagome looked at Rangiku questionably, but went back to watching the movie and eating the popcorn that tasted infinitely better now for some reason.
"Wow that was a great movie," commented Kagome as she stretched her arms and sighed.
"Yeah it was. The decapitation at the end is my favorite part," agreed Rangiku as she stretched her legs.
Kagome finished stretching and sat on the couch actually happier than before. There is just nothing like getting over the blues by watching a movie were a woman slaughters a bunch of bad guys in a huge blood bath. Its unfortunate the happiness brought on by this can be lost just as quickly as it came. Rangiku wasted no time in getting to the point.
"Alright, Kags; tell me what happened."
Kagome's smile instantly turned into a frown and tears once again started forming in her eyes. She whipped them away as quickly as they came.
"Kagome, it will be okay," the orange haired woman said reassuringly, "The best thing to do right now is to talk about it and figure out the issues."
"What's there to talk about? He doesn't love me anymore. He might never have. No matter what I do, I can't see what's on his mind anymore. He's back to being cold and heartless like he was in the Feudal Era. The Sesshomaru I fell in love with is gone and I don't know how to get him back."
"Do you want that Sesshomaru back?"
"Of course I do," answered Kagome with conviction.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. Why shouldn't I want that Sesshomaru back?"
"Do you think he can be that Sesshomaru again?"
"Do you think you can stop asking so many questions? Last time I checked, this wasn't an interrogation."
"I'm just trying to figure out what was so great about him and if he's even worth keeping around. I honestly don't see it. Sure he's good looking, even with the weird tattoos, but other than that I don't see it."
"You don't know him like I do."
"I know I don't. So, tell me what I need to know."
Kagome took a deep breath for a moment before continuing. She closed her eyes and folded her arms across her chest and sat Indian style on the couch. "He's different when he's with me," she began. "At first, he was just there to help me cope with losing Inuyasha to Kikyo. I was so madly in love with Inuyasha, but I was never enough. He always wanted to be with Kikyo. It didn't matter that I was alive and Kikyo was a walking, undead, clay pot. She went to hell, and he followed her. Being her reincarnation didn't help in the slightest. I wasn't the real thing, just a copy. After the battle with Naraku was over and Inuyasha was gone, Sesshomaru found me at the Bone Eaters Well before I left to go back home to the Modern Era. He didn't say anything to me, but I knew he wanted something."
Flashback
"Is there something you need Sesshomaru?"
"I wish for you to replace my left arm. You are capable of that correct?"
"Yes, I am. Why are you asking me now? You could've done so several times before now."
"My foolish half-brother is no longer in the way."
"You say that as if he's always been in the way." Sesshomaru stared blankly at her. "Fine."
Kagome walked over to Sesshomaru and placed her hands where his left arm would be. A purple light appeared around her hands and the flesh and bone of an arm formed until it was completely intact. Before Sesshomaru could thank her Kagome grabbed her bag and jumped into the well out of sight.
End Flashback
"Then what happened? If he stayed in the Feudal Era how did you two end up together?" asked a curious Rangiku.
"A few days after I got back he showed up at my doorstep. He looked different. He was wearing a suit and had his hair in a ponytail and his fluff was gone. He said he wanted to thank me for restoring his arm. When he said that, I burst into tears. I don't really know why, but I guess seeing someone from the Feudal Era again so soon broke me down. I had been trying to forget about it – forget about Inuyasha. I fell to my knees and Sesshomaru came over, picked me up off the ground, and carried me inside to my room. I didn't even care that he was the one doing this. I just held onto him and cried on his shoulder. I cried until I fell asleep in his arms. When I woke up the next day he was gone, but he came back later that night. He came to visit me every night. To this day, I don't know why he did. It was so out of character. The only person he ever showed any emotion towards was Rin. After a while, we became closer and went out when I started getting over Inuyasha. Then, one night, I kissed him. He didn't resist it or push me back. He didn't kiss me back the first time, but the second time he did. We started dating and after dating for three years and after my graduation we moved in together. It's been that way ever since."
Both Kagome and Rangiku sat quietly for a minute before the latter female spoke.
"Okay, so that's how you two got together, but it doesn't explain what was so great about him. He still seems too distant for you to fall so hard for him."
"He took care of me. By the time he showed up at my door that first day, he was already a billionaire. He did have 500 years to cultivate his business. I never lacked anything. My family is well taken care of and I haven't had to worry about paying for school or any bills. He's done all that. I'm living every girls dream. I'm dating a rich guy who will give me whatever I want."
"Yeah, I can see the appeal fiscally. Did he make you happy?"
"Yeah, I guess. I mean he…it seemed like he loved me. I was happy thinking he did. I thought I could see what he was thinking by looking into his eyes. At some point in our relationship, he started showing some emotion. He didn't just stare blankly at me. He even smiled a few times. They were faint and barely noticeable, but I noticed them. The sex was and is still great. He's a demon in bed." Kagome and Rangiku giggled at her small joke. "I don't know what's happened for our relationship to cool down so much. I can't tell what he's thinking by looking into his golden amber eyes. They're lifeless again – just like they used to be so many years ago. I don't think he wants to be with me anymore. Nothing is as it used to be. I miss how he used to hold me and watch me fall asleep before he did. He even cooked for us every night. He hasn't done any of that in months. Do you think he actually loved me, Giku?" Kagome asked pleading for a yes.
"I think he felt like he had too. I haven't been around him much, but from how I've seen him act around you it seems he acted like he did. He may have loved you at one point. I have only known you for two years, so I can't say for sure that he hasn't. Maybe he felt obligated to take care of you. His brother did leave you for someone else, and you did restore his arm. He waited 500 years to tell you thank you. The man obviously has a moral code he lives by. "
The things Rangiku said hurt Kagome more than she thought they would. She was hoping her doubts about the relationship were only in her head. She could no longer ignore the facts. She realized she's in a one-sided relationship. "So what do I do now?" she asked.
"You find out why he's been with you so long and then move out and move in with me and Toshiro." said Rangiku with a smile.
"I can't move in with you!" exclaimed Kagome
"And why not?" asked Rangiku defensively.
"Because, I don't want to burden on you. I don't have a job. I can't help pay the rent or anything. I'll just take up space and cost you money."
"Now, Kagome, you will not take up space or cost us money. We have an extra room and the Soul Society takes care of most of the bills. Plus Toshi has a job as a Kendo instructor. We will be fine financially. You need to get out on your own and start taking care of yourself. I know you can do it. You survived the Feudal Era after all. Not everyone can say they slaughtered demons and saved all of Japan while taking care of an entire group and keeping a half-demon in check."
"True, I did do all that. You're right. I need to stop depending on Sesshomaru and start depending on myself. I don't need a guy to make me happy. I was happiest when I was taking care of my friends. Sesshomaru doesn't need me to take care of him." As Kagome spoke, her confidence built up. She was starting to be herself again with this newfound assurance that everything was going to be okay. "Rangiku," she began. "I'm breaking up with Sesshomaru, and I'm moving in until I can live on my own. I hope you can handle me."
"Oh, I think I can manage alright. I'll go tell Toshi the good news. Don't leave until I get back okay."
"Okay." Rangiku went to the back room to give Toshiro the good news. Kagome couldn't hear what was being said until Toshiro gave his answer.
"What? She can't live here. It's against regulation. She's not even supposed to know about what we are and the Soul Society!"
"Oh, calm down. She went back in time and battled demons and is a priestess with spiritual powers slightly different from ours. What we are isn't exactly shocking to her. I'm sorry Toshiro, but she's living here as soon as she's out of Sesshomaru's apartment. If you don't like it, you can go live with Ichigo and Rukia." That option stopped Toshiro dead in his tracks. He had no desire what so ever to live with Ichigo. He never called him Captain and considered it very disrespectful to his rank. Not to mention his rash behavior was annoying and unprofessional. So Toshiro relented.
"Fine. She can live here, but if she causes any problems, she's out. I don't care if she has nowhere else to go."
"Thank you, Toshi!" said Rangiku happily. She kissed Toshiro on the cheek and skipped into the living room to where Kagome was. When she walked in she noticed Kagome had her head down and her hands on her knees. "Kagome what's wrong?"
"He doesn't want me here, either."
"Oh, don't worry about Toshi. He's just too caught up in sticking with protocol. Don't worry. He won't give us any trouble. Now come on, I'll walk you home." Rangiku smiled and help Kagome off the couch. They walked arm and arm the entire way to Kagome's apartment, excited about the new prospects living together would bring them.
The apartment was dark when Kagome walked in. 'Sesshy must still be at his meeting.' Kagome thought to herself as she turned the light on. Rangiku was right behind her as they walked in.
"Since he's not here you won't be able to break-up with him tonight. Do you want me to stay or do want to be left alone?"
"You can go home. I'm going to enjoy the quiet and get my thoughts together on how to go about this. It'll give me a chance to go around the apartment and see what's mine and what's his. I'll call you tomorrow with the details." she answered with a forced smile.
"Alright; I'll head on home then. Maybe I can convince Toshi to do some cleaning up in your new room. I love making him do whatever I want. Hehehehe."
"Yeah." Kagome's resolve had died when she walked into the empty apartment. She no longer felt confident and all the sadness she had felt before was back.
"We're back where we started aren't we?" Rangiku asked noticing the sudden change in her best friend's demeanor and speech.
"Yeah, we are. I don't think I can do this, Giku. What if it's all been a lie? I don't know if I can go through that again. That pain is so unbearable. Why do I fall in love so easily?"
"I don't know, Kags. I guess it's just in your nature. You're a loving person. You thrive off having people to care about and love. It's only natural you'd want that in return."
"I guess you're right. It doesn't make it any better or easier.
"No, I guess it doesn't. In any case, Kagome, just know I love you and always will.
"Thanks, Rangiku. I love you too," a small smile appeared on Kagome's lips.
"Alright, I'm leaving. I'll see you tomorrow. Call me if you need anything at all. I don't care what time it is. I'll answer."
"Okay, and thanks." The girls hugged and parted ways. Kagome went into the kitchen to get something to drink. She then went into the office and grabbed some placement post it's to put on the things she owned around the apartment. With the music up loud and a bottle of sake in her hand, Kagome perused the apartment marking her territory. A couple of hours passed before Sesshomaru got home at 2:00 am.
The dog demon walked into the apartment expecting Kagome to be asleep or still at Rangiku's. Instead, he found Kagome dancing in the living with a bottle of sake in her hand, the glass being abandoned not to long ago, oblivious to Sesshomaru's presence. Sesshomaru walked over to the stereo and turned off the music, much to Kagome's disappointment.
"What are you doing?" asked Sesshomaru in an emotionless tone.
"I'm dancing, drinking, and marking my territory in a sanitary way," replied Kagome with a giggle at the end.
"Marking your territory?"
"Yes, for when I move out. I'll know what's mine."
"Move out?"
"It's obvious our relationship isn't going any further. It's clear you don't love me anymore and you probably never did." Kagome was hoping for some sliver of emotion to cross Sesshomaru's face or even in his eyes, but nothing. He just stared and didn't say word as she explained. "What I want to know is why you kept me around for seven years. Why you had an intimate relationship with me."
"I owed you for restoring my arm."
"That's it? It' doesn't take seven years to pay someone back for that. You lead me on. I believed you loved me. There has to be another reason. You at least owe me the truth for leading me on for so long."
"You reminded me of Rin, but only for a short time. You fell severely short. I no longer have any use of you. You may leave if you wish."
"You have no use for me." replied Kagome angrily. "So I'm worthless to you now? Did I mean anything to you?" Tears started forming in her eyes. She couldn't help but be slightly mad at herself for nearly crying so many times tonight. She hadn't cried this much since she lost Inuyasha to Kikyo.
Sesshomaru just stared at her. He didn't bother responding to her questions. His silence said everything, and it stung Kagome like a thousand bees at once. He did think she was worthless; she didn't mean anything to him and never did. Her heat and mind were racing. She didn't know what to say at this point. Her worst fears were confirmed. Once again, she fell madly and passionately in love, and was tossed aside as nothing. And by the brother of her first love no less!
"What is it with you dog demons and never getting over your dead girlfriends!" she suddenly blurted out before the thought completely crossed her mind. One of the unfortunate side effects of being drunk – all thoughts are said out loud. "Do I have to die first to be of any interest to you? If I'm not mistaken, you brought Rin back to life twice. She really must have been something extra special to be so important to an emotionless human hating demon like you. I bet she was a good little bitch," she said bitingly.
"You insolent wench! How dare you speak of Rin in such a manner." Sesshomaru brought up his right and brought it back ready to smack Kagome across the face. When she saw his hand go back and start forward, Kagome immediately reacted in one of the only ways she knew how.
"Sit boy!" she yelled. Sesshomaru stopped before he hit her. Not because the command worked, but because he couldn't believe what he heard. Did she really think that would work on him?
"It seems you have forgotten whom you are dealing with. This Sesshomaru will not be brought down as easily by that command as Inuyasha did."
Kagome stared at the silver haired demon in front of her, also startled by her what she had said. She hadn't said that in seven years. She couldn't believe she had said it either. She could see the amusement and hatred in Sesshomaru's eyes. She was frightened by the anger in his eyes. She had longed to see emotion behind those eyes, but she didn't expect to such fire behind them. She took a step back as she braced for the slap she knew she was still going to receive, and receive it she did.
He took to no mercy on her. She insulted his beloved Rin and put him in the same category as his weakling younger half-brother. He didn't use all of his strength or his poison claws, but the force of the slap would leave a nasty bruise. Back in the Feudal Era, he would have killed Kagome for what she had said, but times and laws were different in 2010. He would be arrested and convicted of murder if he killed her. He had no wish to go through such useless trials.
Kagome staggered from the slap and fell back onto the couch. Normally, she would've been able to hold her ground, but being completely drunk didn't help her balance. She sat on the couch crying with gritted teeth while holding the cheek the left side of her face where she was slapped. She said nothing and started at Sesshomaru. His expression was stoic as if nothing had happened.
"You will leave in the morrow." Without another word, Sesshomaru walked into the guest bedroom and closed the door.
'After all that, he's still gentlemanly enough not to kick me out at 2:00 am and let me sleep in the master bedroom.' Kagome thought to herself as she took a swig of her sake. She got off the couch and finished marking the last of her things and then went to bed.
In the afternoon, Kagome woke up with a pounding headache thanks to the bottle of sake the previous night, and excruciating pain in her cheek. She lay in bed and stared at the ceiling trying to remember what happened. Since she was wasted, it took her a while to remember that she and Sesshomaru were no longer together, or on speaking terms and she would be moving in with Rangiku as soon as possible.
"*Sigh* I guess I better give Rangiku a call and start packing everything up," she said to herself as she got out of bed and stretched. So Kagome took out her phone and called her best friend and new roommate.
"Hey, Rangiku."
"Hey, Kags. So is everything settled? Are you moving in today?"
"Yes, I am. I just need to pack everything up and I'll be ready to head over."
"Great! I'll come over with some boxes and help out. Will we need two cars for this?"
"Mmm, yeah we will. I have a lot of clothes and books."
"I'll drive over right now and give you hand. See you in a few."
"Okay, see you soon. Bye."
"Bye."
Kagome hung up her phone and took a quick shower and got dressed. She tried to cover the bruise that had formed over night on her face, but it was pointless. No amount of make-up would cover up the purple mass that took up nearly her whole left side. "Rangiku's going to have a field day with this." Kagome said out loud with chagrin coloring her voice.
By the time she was done, Rangiku was at the door. Before Rangiku could react to the seeing the bruise, Kagome gave her look that told her not to bring it up yet. Rangiku obeyed the silent order and the two girls immediately got to work on packing and avoided talking about Sesshomaru and the break up since he was still in the apartment training. When packing was finally done and Kagome was taking the last of her stuff down stairs, she said goodbye to Sesshomaru. She knew he wouldn't like it and would probably say some snotty remark but she kissed him one last time goodbye. Surprisingly, Sesshomaru did nothing. He didn't kiss her back, he didn't move a single muscle, or break his stare. He simply watched her leave and walk out of his life. When she left, Sesshomaru went to his bedroom to take a shower.
Meanwhile, in the elevator…
"Rangiku?" asked Kagome.
"Hmm," she answered.
"Why did the popcorn taste so much better after we stopped wrestling and started the movie again?"
"Oh, that's because I put chocolate syrup on it when you weren't looking." She giggled at the end.
"…..Well played Rangiku Matsumoto. Well played indeed."
"I told you so."
Ding