Disclaimer: I do not own inuyasha. Although I do own Atoko, Kiyelle, Kishelle, and Kiyumi.

Fair Trade.

Chapter: 9

""- talking

''- thinking.

Kagome arrived home shortly after four. Exiting the limo she smiled thanks to Jarles and made her way up to her room. She flopped on her bed after entering her room and taking the necessary steps to her bed. She was so tired and today was a long day, plus Hojo popping back into her life only made things worse. 'how did he know where I worked? I wonder who called me and hung up?'

Closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose, kagome sighed at the headache that was beginning to form. Deciding to put away that topic for a later day she got up and went to her dresser pulling out clothes she went to take a shower.

Showered and dressed in dark blue shorts that stopped mid thigh and a white wife beater, kagome brushed her damp hair and left it to air dry as she opened her door and walked out of her room.

Walking down the corridor and looking at her nails kagome failed to see inuyasha walking towards her, his head in the towel as he attempted to dry it. The two of course walked into each other.

BUMP!

Kagome reached out in front of her to grab onto something to catch her balance, but instead fell onto a wet, shirtless inuyasha, who slipped and fell back onto the floor with kagome sprawled on top of him.

"Dammit, watch were you're going wench!" inuyasha growled after taking the towel off of his head.

"Sorry! I wasn't looking were I was going!" kagome apologized and lifted her head up to see inuyasha shirtless and wet. Her face heated up and kagome blushed looking over inuyasha's toned, golden chest. The water glided and rippled down the muscles on his chest as he sat up. Kagome licked her lips wondering what it would be like to run her tongue over those same muscles.

"well obviously! Next time watch where you're fucking going! I could've hit my damn head!" inuyasha yelled at kagome.

Kagome snapped out of her fantasy her blood boiling. "I said sorry didn't I?" she yelled back getting up off of his and standing up, eyes ablaze.

"Well sorry doesn't cut it wench!" inuyasha snapped back.

"My name is not wench!" kagome said fiercely as inuyasha stood. Walking over to him kagome poked his chest angrily as she spoke. "It's" poke. "Ka-" poke. "–go" poke. "–me!"poke.

"I'll call you whatever the hell I want! I own you!" inuyasha yelled angrily.

"You don't own me!" kagome growled.

"You're my mistress! I'll call you what the fuck I want and you'll do what I fucking tell you!" inuyasha spat angrily.

Kagome stiffened, that last remark dousing her like water to a flame. 'that's right, I'm just his damn play toy. The kiss meant nothing.'

'shit. I hadn't meant to say that'. He didn't even think of her as his mistress. 'Well what was she?' inuyasha shook his head cutting off those thoughts. He reached out to touch kagome who stared at him and pushed his hand away. Inuyasha watched as she walked away her back stiff and the smell of salt in the air. She was crying.

Inuyasha cursed and punched the wall effectively putting a hole in the wall the size of his fist. He hadn't meant to make her cry; in fact just the thought of her crying caused his heart to throb painfully. He was still in a fucking sour mood because of the call her got today and the pool hadn't helped at all. He was so fucking angry with that fucking Naraku dude. 'Who did he think he was talking about kagome like that? And then he had the balls to say that he wanted her when I was finished with her!' these thoughts kept running into his mind as he swam and when he was walking to his room. And like a fucking asshole he had gone and let out his pent up anger on kagome! Inuyasha swore under his breath. 'I hope she doesn't hate me now.' Inuyasha pulled his hand out of the wall, blood staining his knuckles he picked up his towel on the floor and draped it onto his shoulders and walked to his room.


Kagome brushed furiously at her eyes as tears leaked down her face. 'why am I crying? She was his mistress after all.' More tears sprung to her eyes as she walked into the garden outside and sat on a bench. 'just when I was starting to like him he had to act like an ass.' Kagome wiped at her red puffy eyes and winced as her headache came back full force.

"kagome?" a soft voice asked full of concern.

Kagome looked down to see shippou looking at her. "yeah?" she sniffled.

"what's wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked touching her knee softly offering her his support.

Kagome smiled at the little gesture and picked up the little boy snuggling him to her chest. "its noting. I'm fine." She answered.

"nuh uh. You were crying. What's wrong? You can tell me." He said looking up at her and wiping the tears from her cheeks.

Kagome kissed the little boy's hand and smiled. He was just too sweet. "someone that I kind of liked hurt my feelings, that's all. See? I told you it was nothing."

Shippou just shook his head. "that person is stupid that's all. Why would someone want to hurt your feelings? They're mean and stupid." Shippou stuck out his tongue and folded his arms bringing a giggle from kagome who felt surprisingly better. Shippou knew just how to cheer her up.

Remembering the treat she had for him kagome piped up, smiling. "oh shippou! I have a treat for you!"

The kid on her lap hopped up and down in excitement. "you do? Where is it? can I have it?"

"sure! Its in my room, come on!" she smiled as shippou hopped off of her lap and practically dragged her behind him with a surprising amount of strength for a little boy.


Earlier that day with Atoko….

"Mr. Higurashi you have a visitor."

Atoko looked up from the book he was reading to the nurse at the door. "Send them in then." He smiled marking his page before closing his book.

"Yes sir."

….

Atoko reached over and placed the book on the nightstand just before his visitor arrived.

"Still reading about other people's lives instead of living your own, I see."

Atoko cringed slightly at the cold ruthless voice. He should have expected him to show up sooner or later. He looked up at the visitor. Thick, black oily looking hair cascaded down his shoulders contrasting with his pale skin and met his waist, while reddish piercing eyes regarded him coolly, his mouth quirked into a smirk.

"Naraku. How have you been?" Atoko asked finally.

"As a human would have been without limbs, Miserable." Naraku answered.

"So to what do I owe this visit?" Atoko answered shifting in his bed slightly.

"Your daughter."

Atoko's head snapped back up. "W-what about her? "

"I have come to make her my wife as I have told you before." Naraku stared at Atoko as he fidgeted.

"I have already paid the debt to your father, so there is no need to come for her anymore." Atoko answered confidently.

"Yes, so you have told me two weeks ago when we last talked. But I do not care about that silly debt you had to my father. I will have your daughter as my wife whether you agree or not." Naraku glared at Atoko and then smirked.

Swallowing softly, Atoko relaxed. Kagome was with Mr. Takashi. She was safe. A sudden feel of confidence and pride as well as guilt washed over him as he thought about Mr. Takashi and his daughter. He knew he shouldn't have just traded her away but he knew his daughter was able to handle herself against Mr. Takashi. Yes, he would rather her with inuyasha than with Naraku. Inuyasha wasn't as cold and ruthless as Naraku who would without a second thought kill kagome should she disobey him once. Inuyasha would protect her, he was sure of it. Yes, he liked the thought of them together. Even though he does not know Mr. Takashi well he has a good feeling about him, although he seems not to like him very much. Wonder why?

"My daughter is not available Naraku." Atoko smiled to himself smugly.

"What do you mean, not available?" Naraku asked darkly.

"She is with Mr. Takashi, living in his house with him. They are a couple." Atoko smiled as he told a lie.

"You're lying." Naraku smirked as Atoko's smile fell and he continued. "You see, I have had you watched and I have learned that you owed Mr. Takashi money and he gave the option that if kagome was to become his mistress, he would cancel your debt. Now that I have talked to you I know it's true and I will tell you now, Mr. Takashi will grow tired of her and when he does I will be there to take her off of his hands."

Atoko just stared at Naraku in disbelief as well as anger and hatred. He will never get Kagome. Ever. He will have to talk to Mr. Takashi.

Naraku pulled out his cell and looked at his watch. "Well I must leave now, I have important calls to make." With that said Naraku left.

Atoko sighed, he hoped Kagome was alright.


Please Read. VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU READ!

Well guys i'm sorry I took so long! very sorry! but I have to let you know that I will not be updating quickly anymore but I will still update though! don't worry! it's just that things have gotten very busy in my life and I hardly have time to sit and write but do not worry when I have time I write and I will continue this story until it's done. I just won't be updating as quick as I used to. Please bear with me!

I love you guys and keep up the Reviews! I want to know what you think! R&R!

Until next time... Ja Ne!