Title: The Broken Rose

Chapter 7: An Azalea for Infatuation


A/N IMPORTANT: I know this is really short and I haven't updated in forever but lately I haven't been in a good place... I think it's only fair to let everyone who follows this story that I have severe depression that has been hard to overcome. I know you're all eager to find out what's next for this story and I'm sorry if this chapter disappoints but I promise it will not be abandoned, I just need to get back into a better state of mind and health.


Hearing the ding of the elevator from outside his office signal the arrival of his guest, Sesshomaru didn't move from his seat as he heard his secretary greet the kit with a gasp. He had known the kit hadn't understood the intention behind his actions when he was so young and he knew that had Kagome stayed in the Sengoku Jidai, she'd never have allowed such an infatuation for her to be formed. However, it seemed that once Shippo had been taught the ways of mating he had believed why he had done such to Kagome was because they were destined to be mates in the future.

When Sesshomaru had heard of the kit creating such a foolish notion, he had immediately confronted him but realized the reason for such was a twisted way of mourning. It seemed as though the kit was so overwhelmed by the sorrow of losing another parent he began to idolize the miko, modeling her into his mate-to-be, in hope that should he find her in the future, he'd never have to let her go. He should have beat out such a ridiculous idea from the growing kits mind but out of pity he let his fantasy expand, hoping that perhaps the kit would find another to mate in his long wait for the miko.

Unfortunately, he never grew out of the phase and had expanded his life around creating a perfect habitat for Kagome, as Sesshomaru had seen by his company 'Sengoku Modern' which specialized in the balance between traditional and modern values.

A knock at the door jarred him out of his thoughts as he called for his secretary to enter.

"Your 3 o'clock appointment, Taisho-sama," the secretary announced and Sesshomaru cast her a cold glare before turning his gaze on the auburn male behind her.

"You may leave us, Katsuyo-san," Sesshomaru dismissed her as he gestured for Shippo to take a seat in the chair before his desk.

Watching the kit ignore him and instead curiously wander around the room before stopping to look out the window at the view, Sesshomaru couldn't deny that Shippo had grown up. He was almost as tall as the taiyoukai and had finally reached the height of his power. But, despite his best efforts Sesshomaru could tell the childish kitsune he had last seen two centuries ago had yet to mature.

"You know," Shippo began the conversation as he turned his sparkling emerald eyes on the Inuyoukai. "I never thought you could be so protective over a ningen other than Rin, but you proved me wrong...What do you want? Should you give me the location of Kagome perhaps I'll help you."

"Should I give you her location or not does not matter, either way you shall help this Sesshomaru," the lord stated coldly as he used the authoritative voice he had learned from being a ruler. "Kagome is in danger."

Shippo blanched at that before hiding his concern with a smirk and a loud yawn. "What else is new...Kagome-chan always was in danger in the past. She was always fine in the end."

Replaying the recording of the threat Kagome had received, Sesshomaru watched as Shippo's eyes darkened in rage.

"Who sent it?" the kitsune demanded after taking a ragged breath in an attempt to calm himself.

"Unfortunately, the man did not say this directly to this Sesshomaru's or the miko's face," Sesshomaru drawled mockingly. "And despite the vocal recognition technology I possess it has been unable to find or pick up a match."

"So if I can't tear this person to shreds what should I do about it? Your technology is far more advanced than my own," Shippo grudgingly admitted as he crossed his arms.

Taking a deep breath Sesshomaru knew he'd regret his next words.

"You are currently her protector from the time she leaves her school to the time she wakes up for her school," Sesshomaru said with a grimace, noticing how the kitsune's eyes lit up. "I'm having a meeting with her tonight and will let her know about this arrangement..."

"So I'm no longer forbidden from seeing her?" Shippo demanded his eyes lighting up.

Although Shippo was a powerful youkai in his own right, Sesshomaru was still the Lord of the West and had governed all youkai in Japan when the remaining lords were either killed or passed away. Even if he didn't want to he would follow Sesshomaru's command no matter what, simply because he owed him that and the taiyoukai's power was unmatched, his word was law.

"Hai, kit...you may see her. However, while you are guarding her you are to be a simple shadow, you cannot interact with her in any way," Sesshomaru laid down the rules with a biting edge.

Rolling his eyes Shippo knew the old dog would pull something like that but nodded in agreement. "Very well, but when I will talk to her one way or another Sesshomaru, I doubt she'd be very happy to find out you've been keeping her son from her."

"And I doubt she'd be happy to find out her son thinks of his mother as a mate," Sesshomaru replied his face impassive as he leaned back in his leather chair.

"Ah, touche," Shippo grinned as he got to his feet. "Well then...I guess we'll just have to see how everything plays out."

"Indeed," Sesshomaru replied coolly, watching as Shippo left his office and waiting for the soft click of his door to be heard before rubbing his forehead.


Hearing a crash and yelling come from Kagome's room, Haruhi ran towards it and threw open the door only to open it and find Kagome fuming above a destroyed cell phone, her chest rising up and down in ragged breaths.

Glancing towards her cousin Kagome rose an eyebrow before straightening up and crossing her arms in annoyance. "Jeez, don't you knock?"

"N-nani?! What...why?" Haruhi stuttered as she looked from the cell phone to Kagome and back again.

"Because it's the polite thing to do, Haru-chan. And close your mouth unless you want to have flies in your mouth...though I'd imagine that to be disgusting," Kagome said breezily as she brushed by the stunned Haruhi and made her way towards the door. "I won't be back until late...so no need to wait up, hun."

Watching the door shut behind Kagome, Haruhi still couldn't comprehend what had just happened and found herself gaping like a fish out of water.

"It must be all the dance lessons," Haruhi finally surmised as she left Kagome's room. Planning revenge on the Idiot King for causing her bout of insanity.


The drive to Sesshomaru's office was a silent one, something not completely relaxing. While Kagome had become used to the periods of silence the taiyoukai seemed to exert and had come to enjoy them herself, the strained silence was enough to draw her worry. However, she was unwilling to break the silence and instead smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt as she focused her mind elsewhere.

Entering the building was a quiet affair, unlike the last time she had ventured there. Employees kept their eyes lowered respectfully and Kagome could tell that Sesshomaru must have done some more 'spring cleaning' from the lack of faces she saw. Waiting for the elevator Kagome sighed deeply at Sesshomaru's silence.

"I don't suppose you called me to have a silent meeting...because if you did you're doing a splendid job," Kagome finally muttered sarcastically as she brushed by Sesshomaru to enter the elevator and then created a barrier to prevent him from following. "I've decided your behavior tonight has been unacceptable, you can take the stairs."

Waving goodbye as the elevator doors closed Kagome caught a slight glimpse of Sesshomaru's suddenly enraged face. Leaning against the side of the elevator with a sigh, she failed to notice another occupant of the elevator.

"Seems as though you're still as fiery as ever Higurashi-san," a boyish voice called out from behind her and Kagome turned to stare up at a lanky but muscled male with messy auburn hair that was cut at the shoulders and a cute grin that seemed to brighten the elevator but the most striking feature was his bright emerald eyes that glittered with mirth.

"S-shippo?" Kagome muttered faintly as she felt her knees weaken.

Seeing the kit she had loved so dearly in the Sengoku Jidai, all grown up and mature was shocking. Sesshomaru had never revealed he had kept in touch with her beloved son and she had assumed the worse.

"You're alive..." Kagome murmured her hand outstretched to touch his handsome face.

Grasping Kagome's small hand in his Shippo nodded before adding teasingly. "Hai...it's been five hundred years and I don't even get a hug?"

Gasping, the miko flung herself at him, wrapping her arms around him tightly, finding it a bit odd to be held by Shippo rather than her holding him.

"Why didn't you find me sooner?" Kagome whispered into the embrace, her maternal instincts rising to the surface despite the tough facade she usually wore.

"I would have..."Shippo mumbled into her hair but stopped as a slight glint came into his eyes.

Deciding not to pry Kagome allowed herself to simply be content with holding onto the kit she had adopted. Her aura washed over his, feeling subtle differences and changes but finding the same kit she had loved.

Hearing the ding of the elevator Kagome tentatively pulled away from Shippo but kept his hand firmly clasped in her own when the doors opened to reveal an extremely pissed off inuyoukai.

"Miss your elevator?" Kagome taunted as her earlier ire was renewed with force, no doubt in her mind the reason Shippo's existence had been neglected to be mentioned was due to a certain taiyoukai's scheming.

Impressed Kagome still had the fire and spunk he'd always admired in her as a child, Shippo cast Sesshomaru a haughty look as he glanced pointedly at their joined hands.

Giving a derisive snort, Sesshomaru didn't deem either the miko or kitsune worthy of a response and instead stalked down the hall to his office. An expectant glance was all the encouragement they needed to follow him.


Taking a seat in a leather chair Kagome crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed at Sesshomaru's proposal. She didn't need a babysitter, especially one who was the child she had watched over. Although she did accept his proposition of having guards for Souta.

"Iie, absolutely not," Kagome protested her eyes cutting into the two youkai. "I am perfectly capable of defending myself."

Shippo leaned back on Sesshomaru's window, ignoring the low growl Sesshomaru released. "Come on, Kagome...I already agreed and it's not like you'll even see me. Is it because you don't want to see me?"

Rolling her eyes at the pouting face of the kitsune, Kagome frowned. "That doesn't work on me anymore, Shippo-kun, after all you're all grown up."

Releasing a lengthy sigh Shippo nodded in defeat as he pushed off the window to lean against Sesshomaru's desk instead.

Pushing his aggravation for the kit aside Sesshomaru focused on Kagome. "You will accept my terms or I shall put an end to your little game."

"Game?" Kagome asked with an oblivious expression although she seethed on the inside.

"You know what I mean miko," Sesshomaru replied dryly as Shippo merely smirked at the 'meeting' they were having.

"Going to school is not a game, Fluffy-sama," Kagome hissed, her brilliant blue eyes narrowed in fierce opposition.

"Iie, it isn't," the taiyoukai agreed as his own golden eyes narrowed. "However, joining a 'host club' is."

Shippo's eyes widened at the information and he stared expectantly at Sesshomaru before turning to Kagome, waiting to hear some type of explanation. "So, you've been entertaining men, Kagome-chan? That doesn't really sound like you."

"Iie," Sesshomaru cut in, ignoring the glare Kagome directed at him. "She has been entertaining women in the guise of a male."

"Aah," Shippo hummed and nodded as though Sesshomaru's words made perfect sense and turned teasing emerald eyes onto Kagome. "Never thought you'd swing that way but like uncle like niece, eh?"

Kagome felt a sudden urge to strangle her adoptive son, annoyed she had but pushed down the feeling as she opted to glare at the taiyoukai instead. "I have a debt to pay to the host club."

Sesshomaru snorted at her words, while originally he had planned to allow Kagome to do as she pleased at Ouran, his patience with her foolish antics was being stretched thin after hearing the threatening message she had received from ex-employees.

"Ah, hai that debt...I was informed by Myoga the reason for the debt along with the amount that it is. Should you refuse having a bodyguard," Sesshomaru said nodding towards Shippo. "I will make sure the host club is paid the amount of money the vase was worth and you shall find another source of amusement."

Not quite sure why she felt so defensive about being in the host club, or for that matter why she didn't pay the hosts off in the first place, Kagome bit her tongue as her thoughts raced erratically in her mind. Since when had she started to care about the idiot club?

Seeing Kagome was at a loss of words Shippo decided to help her, feeling sympathetic and also hoping to get in her good graces. "Kagome, look at the bright side you can depend on me for anything and I don't mind anyways, you always protected me in the Sengoku Jidai. This is just me repaying you."


Kyoya let out a groan as he sat back in his seat, something he was becoming annoyingly use to. The search for Kagome Higurashi was just as difficult as finding information on Kagome Fujioka. All of the girl's school records had been deleted, if she didn't have a birth certificate Kyoya was sure that she wouldn't even exist. Finding her and Fujioka's true identity was becoming even more twisted and confusing. Every time he came close to finding out information on either Kagome the trail he had followed would be blocked or killed by a firewall more advanced then the technology the Ootori family had access to...almost like the Kagome's had ties to the technology company that was blocking his hacking.

Eyes widening Kyoya called out for one of his servants. If he couldn't get around the company that was protecting Fujioka's and Higurashi's information he'd go right to the source.

"Find the name of the company that's been blocking our virus attacks..."


Tick...Tock...Tick...Tock...

Staring at the clock in the kitchen Haruhi waited impatiently for Kagome to return home. It was getting late and Kagome never stayed out later then 1 o'clock. Tapping her pencil against the math homework she let out a loud yawn.


Tick...Tock...Tick...Tock...

"Haruhi," Ranka said placing a hand on his daughter's shoulder as he set down his cup of tea. "Go to sleep, I'll stay up and wait for her to come home."

Nodding sleepily Haruhi closed her math book and picked up her homework before she made her way clumsily down the hall to her room.


Tick...Tock..Tick -CLICK-

Face to face with his niece Ranka sighed tiredly at the guarded expression that had adorned her face since she arrived on their doorstep.

"Kagome, Haruhi waited up all night for you," he finally stated, dropping his feminine voice.

"She should go to bed," Kagome said with a shrug trying to move past Ranka only for her arm to be held in the surprisingly strong vise grip of the okama.

"I don't think you understand, Kagome. I haven't complained or questioned you about where you've been going," Ranka began in a fierce whisper. "I don't know what you're mixed up in but you still have people who care about you, Haruhi and I are those people."

Pulling away from her uncle Kagome nodded curtly and moved towards her room.

"Please, just protect Haruhi, Kagome...she isn't like you, unbreakable. She will break eventually," Ranka pleaded softly, his feminine voice being replaced by a masculine one.

Pausing Kagome turned back her eyes cold. "Some things that seem 'unbreakable' are already broken. Nothing can't 'break' uncle. I will protect Haruhi...but she must protect herself...I won't always be there to help her...or you."

Watching her close the shoji door with a snap Ranka stared speechlessly at it for a moment, his thoughts an erratic mess before sitting at the kitchen table and picking up his cup of tea. It was cold.

Sitting on the roof of the Fujioka apartment Shippo sighed having heard the whole conversation. It was a pity that ningens were so blind to the fact Kagome was a hero and had been through far more than any could imagine. Figuring it was going to be a long night he flipped open his cell phone, a smirk on his lips. It was time for him to start planning on how to woo Kagome.


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