—This just in: Moments ago, business tycoon Sotu Higurashi was admitted to a local hospital after collapsing during a lunch meeting with several clients. His companions say he seemed fine, if a bit pale, before he unexpectedly lost consciousness. A representative of Shikon stated firmly that Higurashi does not suffer from the Fushou Virus, but otherwise refused to comment on the illness. His condition is currently listed as stable. More information will be reported as it becomes available.
The newswoman on the television screen returned to conveying the story about recent notable changes in the stock market that Sesshoumaru had been watching before the disruption. But Sesshoumaru no longer listened to the woman's droning words. Instead, he wondered if Kagome, who had taken Rin out for the promised shopping extravaganza, was aware of her father's current situation.
She had given him her cell phone number, an obvious sign of trust on her part, and he was about to call her when the front door to his apartment opened and the two females walked through, each carrying a couple bags. Jaken, who had acted as chauffer, followed bearing several more. Kagome's face, lacking its usual joy, told him that she knew of the recent incident concerning her father. To her credit, she was doing her best to remain serene so as not to worry Rin unnecessarily. Still, Kagome's smile was forced as she apologized to the girl.
"Sorry we had to cut our day a bit short," she said, her words somewhat rushed. "I'll make it up to you. I promise."
Rin simply nodded, a large, slightly sympathetic, smile brightening her face. "Okay. Thank you, Kagome-chan! I hope your daddy feels better."
Kagome smiled, then her gaze met Sesshoumaru's. He nodded in understanding, and with a grateful look she was hastily walking out the door. He would speak with her later. Right now, he knew she wanted to go to her father's side.
- - - -
Kagome kicked off her shoes as soon as she had shut the door behind her. Shippo was not home since he was spending the day with Jakotsu at an out-of-town museum. She did not want to cause him to worry overmuch by calling him home early from his field trip, though she had called Jakotsu's cell phone to inform the older youkai of what had happened. She would explain the situation to Shippo once he returned.
So Kagome had gone to visit her father on her own. He was asleep when she arrived, he remained so during her talk with the doctor, and was still sleeping when she left four hours later. Kagome had stayed at his bedside while he lay there, looking more calm and vulnerable than she had ever seen him before. She knew he needed rest, and so had not even tried to wake him.
Kagome had learned next to nothing from the doctor. Until the test results came back, the physician could only speculate that Sotu's condition was simply the result of aging. He would remain in the hospital at least until the seriousness of his sickness could be identified.
Entering the dark dining area, which actually shared the same walls as the living room, Kagome switched on the light. She had taken a few steps forward before she noticed it. When she did, a cold fear shrouded her, and her heart began a rapid rhythm within her chest.
Kagome had been the last one to leave the house that morning. Not expecting to be home for a while, she had activated the security system. She could count on one hand the number of people who knew the code and had a key to her house. She employed no servants. Nor was there post on Sundays.
Yet on her otherwise bare, polished wood table, dead center, rested a frighteningly familiar white envelope.
Kagome sat in one of the matching wooden chairs, and took the envelope addressed to her into her hands.
They had been inside her house.
Taking a deep breath in an attempt to quell her fear, Kagome opened it.
At first the note seemed no different than any of the previous ones, as it reminded her of the restrictions under which she was to live, adding assertions that ultimately derived to the threat 'or else.' Until she read the last two lines, and then read them again.
Stay away from Sesshoumaru Taisho. An unfortunate accident involving him would be most tragic, would it not?
Kagome pushed the paper away from her. Her only solace lay in the fact that the letter had made no mention of Rin, so in all likelihood the sender was unaware of the girl. But that did not mean that further digging into Sesshoumaru's personal life would not reveal her existence. Kagome would have to sever all personal ties with Sesshoumaru. Doing so would be best for all involved.
Kagome did not call Sango. Instead, she suddenly felt the burden of every mysterious note, every obligation of her corporate lifestyle, every pressure, every worry, weigh down upon her shoulders. She slumped forward, her elbows resting on the table as her hands hid her face, an image of utter resignation and defeat, to which only the silent, vacant house was witness.
Then the moment was past, and Kagome straightened in her seat, her face once again one of the collected businesswoman.
- - - -
One week. One week had passed, and he had not seen or spoken to Kagome. He had called both Shikon and Hope and Home countless times throughout the week, and she was always unavailable or out of the office. Though he left messages, she never returned his calls. She did not pick up her cell phone when he called it, nor did she return his pages. He had taken Rin to the park almost every day, and he never saw her or Shippo. He had even driven by her home a few times during the weekend, but when he knocked on the door no one answered.
He strolled irritably into his office, not even sparing his secretary a glance as he grabbed his mail as he passed by. He almost threw it aside before he noticed the manila envelope. Sesshoumaru had sent word to Kagura to investigate further into the rumors from Kagome's past, so he was curious as to what she had found.
Reading her summation, he found it basically confirmed what Kagome had told him. However, more detail about the allegations was given. Reports had said Sotu Higurashi cheated on his wife, or vise versa. Others said that Souta or Kagome, or both, were illegitimate children. There were stories that Shikon was using unethical foreign labor or had bought up land preservations to develop. Charges of sexual harassment occurring in within Shikon were said to exist as well. Some went as far as to claim that Sotu had ordered the murder of business competition. All of the charges had been cleared rather quickly, and physical evidence that the accusations had even existed almost entirely disappeared. Not once was Naraku mentioned in the unsolved question of the leak of forged documents to the press.
Kagura had also discovered that Kagome's mother came from a long line of priestesses. Sesshoumaru remembered sensing Kikyo's very weak miko blood, but had not sensed any such power within Kagome. Perhaps her holy abilities were so diluted that even he had not been able to perceive them.
A small note at the end mentioned that Kagome's father remained in the hospital. That much Sesshoumaru was aware of. What surprised him was the following comment, which stated that Sotu's health was in serious decline.
For some, the news of her father's condition would explain Kagome's failure to contact him recently. But Sesshoumaru refused to believe that was the case. Before, no matter how busy she might be, Kagome always returned his phone calls.
Based on what he had learned, Sesshoumaru was only more determined to speak to her. He redoubled his efforts to contact her, but by Wednesday his efforts seemed to be in vain. His failure only added to his discontent.
Later that day, his father paid him a personal visit. As the owner of Slivco, Samuru often came to observe for himself how well the company was running, in addition to receiving weekly reports on production proficiency and profit margins. He also participated in important industry decisions, and many of Silvco's old associates still preferred to do business through him.
"Now is not a good time," Sesshoumaru growled out when his father entered the office.
"So I've heard," Samuru replied. "The entire staff seems almost too afraid to move lest they incur your wrath. Intimidation is a powerful quality, but this is something else. What has you so upset?" he demanded.
Sesshoumaru sat back in his chair. "You are aware that Sotu Higurashi has been hospitalized?"
"Of course. But what does that have to do with your current foul mood? Ah. Could it perhaps have something to do with his daughter?"
Sesshoumaru inclined his head slightly. "I have been unable to get in touch with her for the past week and a half, despite numerous phone calls."
"She is very busy, Sesshoumaru," his father explained, his tone almost that of a parent reprimanding a child. "In addition to her father being unwell, she has had to virtually establish herself as temporary head of Shikon in his absence, something the other higher-ups in the company are not entirely happy with."
"And how would you know this?" Sesshoumaru instantly sat forward, belying his otherwise calm air. "Have you spoken with her?"
"No, not with her. I recently had a call from Kageroumaru Hiroko, and Kagome's name came up."
"I see."
Samuru gazed as his son with a thoughtful look. Abruptly, he smirked. "I've never known a woman to cause you such distress."
"I am not distressed," Sesshoumaru retorted immediately.
Samuru shrugged nonchalantly. "If you say so. I'm rather fond of her, myself." His tone became serious. "But if you care so much that your mood becomes this stormy, I suggest you do something about it. You say you've called her, to no avail. So go to her office yourself. Just get rid of this poor disposition of yours. It's disrupting the work atmosphere." Turning, he opened the door to leave. Just before closing it behind him, he added with a mischievous innocence, "You know, I would be very pleased to have a daughter like her."
As the door was quickly closed, Sesshoumaru resisted the urge to throw the nearest paperweight at the space where his father's head had been. Though he never pushed the issue, Samuru had never concealed his wish for Sesshoumaru to find a 'proper' wife. His father was undoubtedly very happy that Sesshoumaru seemed serious about a woman like Kagome. A human, no less.
Following his father's suggestion, Sesshoumaru visited Shikon and H&H every day for the remainder of the week in the hope of seeing Kagome. However, she was always either in a meeting or not at the office. Sesshoumaru also checked the club she had invited him to, the movie theater, the homeless shelter, and her favorite bookstore. Sometimes a secretary was able to tell him where he might find her. But never once did he catch sight of her. Several times he was told he had missed her by less than an hour. By the end of the workweek, he was almost despairing. At least his scavenger hunt had him constantly out of the office so he was not frightening Slivco's workers.
Early Saturday morning he again entered Shikon only to be told that she had already left. Next, as had become his routine, he tried Hope and Home. Again, he was told that Kagome had already come and gone. However, Nazuna seemed to take pity on him.
As Sesshoumaru turned to leave, she spoke. "I'm not supposed to tell anyone," she began, then lowered her voice, "but I think she mentioned visiting the animal shelter." She scribbled an address onto a slip of paper and pushed it towards him.
Taking it, Sesshoumaru nodded his thanks and quickly returned to his car. A few minutes later, he was parked in front of a standard shelter for cats and dogs. Once he entered, he asked the elderly woman at the desk if Kagome was there.
"Oh, that nice young lady? She took some of the dogs out for a walk."
She was here. "Where did she go?"
"I'm not sure. She takes them along all sorts of different routes, and she never tells us which way she's going. I don't think she knows herself until she gets out there."
"When will she be back?"
"Oh, she'll be out for another half-hour, at least."
Sesshoumaru's hand clenched. He did not want wait that long, now that he had finally found her. With a quick thank you to the woman, he exited the building.
He rarely had need for his youkai-enhanced sense of smell in current times. In fact, the stench of pollution could become rather bothersome. But standing outside the shelter, he began to recall his ancient ability to isolate and track a specific scent.
It took longer than he would admit to separate Kagome's scent from the many that had passed by since she had left, but once he did, he immediately began to follow it. He pursued the trail down many streets, losing it a few times and frustratingly having to stop to find it again.
He was waiting for the light to change for him to cross the street when he thought he heard a bark. Turning his head, he scanned the swarming sidewalk. His eyes caught on the bright white fur of a large dog, accompanied by three other dogs. Following the leashes upwards with his gaze, he spotted Kagome at the other end of them.
The light changed, but he did not cross. She must have looped around at some point. A few minutes more, and he would have missed her completely.
He made his way through the mass of bodies and approached Kagome's unaware form. Her concentration on the animals, she did not notice him until he spoke.
"Kagome," he called when he stood but a few feet from her. Her eyes rose to meet his in obvious surprise and… alarm? What reason would she have to fear him? "You have been avoiding me. Why?"
She did not even attempt to dispute his statement. They both knew it was true. Her eyes dropped from his demanding stare. "I… I've been really busy, with work and everything. And my father has been sick, so I have been spending a lot of time at the hospital."
"I am aware of that, and I would like to help you in any way I can. But that does not explain your actions." He stepped closer, and she took a step away. What made her evade him like she was? Had he said or done something when they last met that had caused her to lose interest in him? They had last truly been together on her birthday. But she had seemed to very much enjoy herself that day, and had been thrilled with his gifts to her. He could recall nothing he said or did that could have offended her. Before that had been their date. Replaying the night in his mind, he remembered his conversation with Sango, as well as the additional knowledge he had gained earlier in the week from Kagura. Did she fear scandal, perhaps? Degrading rumors that might arise about the two of them?
"Kagome," he said, waiting until her dark blue eyes met his golden ones before continuing. "I will protect you."
She remained silent, and his gaze remained steady as she searched his eyes, his face, for something. And the probing look in her eyes alerted him that she might fear more than simply the media. Still, he wanted her to know that he meant what he had said.
"Whatever it is, Kagome, you have my word. I will protect you. All I ask of you is that you let me be with you. I do not like it when you avoid me."
For a moment Kagome stood speechless. In his own way, Sesshoumaru was telling her that he enjoyed her company and disliked being apart from her for long. Perhaps even that he had missed her. She could not ask him to protect her, but she now realized that shunning him was a cruelty she did not wish to inflict upon him. And in all honesty, she had missed him, too. She took a deep breath, and then the smile he had greatly missed graced her face. "Okay, Sesshoumaru."
Smiling slightly, he held out his hand to her. With a smirk Kagome placed two of the leashes into his grasp. She laughed at his displeased expression. "Come on. I think these guys want to go home."
By the time they reached the shelter, Sesshoumaru had extracted from Kagome a promise for her and Shippo to join him and Rin for dinner the next day. Unfortunately, Inuyasha would be in town, and so Inari insisted upon a family meal. When Kagome asked if she would be intruding, he insisted that his parents would not mind. She also accepted Sesshoumaru's offer of a ride, once he informed her that he would be in the area anyway.
- - - -
Kagome dressed herself in a layered powder blue skirt, the top cover being made of nylon, which fell just below her knees. Her short-sleeved black blouse had a neckline low enough to display the necklace Sesshoumaru had given her. Shippo wore dark blue pants and his favorite vest over his white shirt. Sesshoumaru had assured her the affair was informal. "You'll know when you see Inuyasha," he had said.
The drive to the home of Sesshoumaru's parents was rather complex, and Kagome doubted she could have found the mansion, big as it was, very easily on her own. And it was very large, even more so than the one she had stayed at in France.
Inari greeted them at the door, and led them to the dining room. The long, marble-topped table could have easily fit twenty guests. But Samuru, Inuyasha and Rin, all of whom were already seated, were clustered at one end.
Inari took the seat between her husband and Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru escorted Kagome to a seat one down from his father's unoccupied side, and then sat down between them. Shippo took the chair next to Rin, who sat on the other side of Inuyasha. Kagome noticed that Inuyasha, indeed, wore nothing more than jeans and a clean shirt.
"Hey, no one told me she was coming!" Inuyasha declared, pointing at Kagome.
Samuru opened his mouth to chide his youngest before Sesshoumaru reacted more violently, but Kagome responded the fastest.
"It's nice to see you again, too, Inuyasha," she said politely, smiling.
Inuyasha at least had the decency to blush, realizing his impoliteness.
The food was served soon after. It was tasty, but Sesshoumaru commented that Kagome's cooking was better.
"You cook, Kagome?" Inari inquired eagerly. At Kagome's nod, the older woman immediately launched a barrage of questions concerning the recipe for this dessert or that entrée.
Inuyasha listened intently. After all, the conversation was about food. Sesshoumaru thought the hanyou would soon be drooling. Rin and Shippo seemed to be enjoying their own dialogue in conniving whispers, but occasionally added their own remarks to the discussion. Samuru grinningly watched all of them, commenting only when his wife questioned him.
Sesshoumaru's eyes drifted around the table, taking in the ebullient atmosphere. But his gaze eventually locked on Kagome. He felt his lips twitch upwards as he watched her chat merrily, perhaps more cheerful than she had been in a long while. He was surprised at how much he enjoyed the idea of bringing her happiness.
Samuru had seen Sesshoumaru's smile as he gazed at Kagome, and clapped his eldest on the shoulder. Having gained Sesshoumaru's attention, Samuru grinned. "Looks like you're in a better mood. I guess I should thank Kagome for that."
Sesshoumaru felt his hand itching for that paperweight.
Suddenly Rin turned to him. "Sesshoumaru-sama, this new movie came out and Shippo and I really want to see it. Will you take us? Please?"
Shippo was simultaneously requesting the same of Kagome. "Kagome will you take us to the movie? It's supposed to be really good. I'm sure you'll like it, too!"
Kagome laughed and looked to Sesshoumaru. "I'm game if you are. Sounds like fun."
"Very well. Once we've eaten."
The children cheered while the women smiled. Kagome added, "But only once your plates are clean. And that includes the veggies."
Samuru drew Kagome into a business discussion, asking her first about her founding of Hope and Home, and then speaking of running a business, such as she was essentially doing now.
Samuru could soon tell that, though she was holding her own, Kagome was having trouble running the company in the place of her father because she was only a CEO. Samuru offered to donate funding to the research of the Fushou Virus. With the backing of the Taishos, Kagome would have far less trouble asserting herself within Shikon.
Kagome smiled gratefully. "That's a very generous offer. But my father is still owner and president of Shikon. I can't make those kinds of decisions without his approval—or the consent of the other CEOs, which will not happen. But I'll be fine," she assured.
"All right." Samuru seemed disappointed at not being able to help. He truly admired the girl. "If you ever change your mind, you must promise to let me or Sesshoumaru know."
"I'll do that."
Kagome's cell phone suddenly rang. Grabbing it from her purse, she quickly answered. When she finally closed it, she looked rueful. Slowly standing, she explained, "That was the hospital. I'm afraid I have to go."
"I will drive you," Sesshoumaru said.
"One moment, Sesshoumaru," Samuru stated. "Inari, please take Kagome and the children to Sesshoumaru's car." Looking at Kagome, he added, "He'll only be a moment."
Rin and Shippo followed as Inari led Kagome outside. Sesshoumaru waited, somewhat impatient for Kagome's sake.
"I'll be brief." Samuru pointed in the direction Kagome had gone. "That girl is one of kind: compassionate, brilliant, beautiful, loyal, and a match to you in business sense. I can tell she means more to you than any of those so-called women you've been with before. She'll be your best friend, but if you want something more, you'd best do something about it. If you love her, take my advice and marry her before someone else does. Now, go one. She's waiting for you." With that, Samuru turned on his heel and left.
Sesshoumaru hastily made his way to his car, his father's words whirling within his mind.
The drive was tensely quiet, with only sparse conversation between the two children. Kagome's face was worried, but otherwise tranquil as she stared with eyes unseeing out the window. Sesshoumaru wished to distract Kagome from her undoubtedly pessimistic thoughts, but he knew not what to say.
Kagome did not speak until they arrived at the hospital. As they exited the car, she said, "I just want Shippo to visit for a moment. Then would you mind taking him over to Sango's?"
As the four of them walked through the automatic sliding doors, Sesshoumaru replied, "We still have a movie to see, do we not? I will take him to your home, and the three of us will wait for you there."
Nurses greeted Kagome as they walked past, and Kagome responded to each with a smile. "That's very considerate of you, thank you. This is it," she said, stopping in front of a closed door. Through the small, rectangular window white-coated figures could be seen shuffling about.
"We will wait here," Sesshoumaru assured her.
Kagome knocked once before stepping inside and closing the door behind her. Her back was to him as she spoke to the doctors, but her body language told him that the news she received was not good.
Shortly after the doctors left, Kagome spent a few moments alone with her father. Then she opened the door and motioned for Shippo to enter.
"Look who came to say hello," Sesshoumaru heard Kagome say before the door was shut once more.
Shippo's time within the room was very brief. When he left, he did not close the door entirely. So as he walked over to play with Rin, Sesshoumaru leaned against wall beside the slightly ajar door.
"Kagome," Sotu said, his voice devastatingly faint, "You know I do not like to be seen when I am looking so weak." The last was spoken with a bit of self-loathing.
"I know." Kagome's voice shook. "I just wanted him to see you, before…"
Sesshoumaru's eyes closed, the sorrow in her voice causing an ache within his own chest.
"Kagome." Sesshoumaru's eyes opened again at the sternness of Sotu's tone. "What did I tell you about crying?" he asked, speaking as though he had posed the question many times before.
Silence reined for a moment, while Kagome was probably composing herself, fighting back rising tears of grief. When she finally answered, sounding as though she were reciting a lesson bored into her long ago, all traces of sadness had left her voice. "Tears are a sign of weakness, not to be shown to anyone," she responded levelly.
Sesshoumaru could imagine Sotu's nod. "Now, why don't you all go home."
Sesshoumaru straightened as he heard Kagome's footsteps approaching. She looked at him with clear eyes, but an aura of melancholy still surrounded her. "He's asleep now, but I think I'm going to stay here for a while," she explained. "I'm sorry for making you wait. I hope your offer still stands?" He nodded. "Okay. Let me tell Shippo."
Crouching down to Shippo's level, she explained the arrangement to him. However, Shippo insisted on remaining at the hospital with his mother, no matter how long he would have to wait, or how bored he might become.
Finally, Kagome sighed. Shaking her head, she told Sesshoumaru, "I guess he'll stay here. Thank you anyway."
"Your home is closer. If you do not mind, Rin and I will wait for you there."
Kagome looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. "I don't know how long I will be here," she cautioned. When he nodded in understanding, she fished though her purse and pulled out a key. "Here. I can't have you two waiting outside. Help yourself to whatever you can find to eat." She forced a smile. "I'll understand if you aren't there when Shippo and I return home."
Slowly, he reached towards her, and her face took on an uncertain look. His fingers gently pushed some strands of hair from her face, then he tenderly ran his knuckles down her cheek, where no tears trailed. "We will be there."
She smiled again, a more genuine smile.
- - - -
The sun had set long ago when Sesshoumaru finally noticed headlights, and a car pulled into Kagome's driveway. Sesshoumaru and Rin were at the dining room table. Rin was snaking on some cookies she had found, while Sesshoumaru sipped the coffee he had made. The car engine was shut off, and then he heard the front door open.
He expected Kagome to come and find them, but after a moment Shippo was the only one to appear. The sadness in his eyes was excruciatingly obvious. The kit did not have to say the words that followed for Sesshoumaru to recognize the cause. "He died."
When Sesshoumaru stood, Shippo added, "Kagome said she wants to be by herself for a little while." Sesshoumaru wavered, uncertain.
Rin, who already had tears of sympathy streaming down her face, was the one to notice that Shippo seemed to have more to say. "What is it, Shippo?"
The boy looked at his feet. "Well, I wasn't supposed to be in the room, but I wanted to ask Kagome if we could go home…"
"Quit looking so sad. I know I'm dying, Kagome. I've known it a lot longer than any of those damn doctors. At least I get to see your mother and brother again."
Sotu was silent for a long while. Kagome drew in a shaky breath. "Father?"
Sightless eyes opened and a hand searchingly reached outward. Kagome caught it in her own hands. Sotu's dying words could barely be heard as he closed his eyes once more. "I'm very proud of you… Souta."
A loud bleeping noise echoed in the room. Shippo saw Kagome squeeze her eyes tightly shut. When she opened them, they were clear as day. Taking her father's arms, she crossed them over his chest as doctors and nurses rushed into the still room.
Sesshoumaru left, and Shippo did not protest. The boy did not know what he could do for his beloved mother. But perhaps Sesshoumaru did.
Following Kagome's scent, entirely devoid of tears, Sesshoumaru opened the door to her bedroom. At first he did not see her, for she sat on the floor with her back against the far side of the bed. Walking around, he kneeled in front of her.
She looked utterly depressed and despondent. She had lost her father. And in the end, despite all she had done to please him, he had not seen her. Because she was not a boy, she could never be all that he had wanted. Yet even now, she fought to do as he had told her.
Throwing all caution aside, Sesshoumaru leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her in a firm embrace. For a moment he remained silent. "I know you're sad, Kagome," he told her quietly. "It's okay to cry sometimes. I will never think less of you because of it."
He heard her sharp intake of breath as he cradled her head against his chest. Then the smell of saltwater reached his nose as he felt his shirtfront become wet. He heard her muffled sobs and held her tighter.
As Kagome cried out years of contained sorrow, she marveled at the youkai who held her. How was it that he could say exactly what she needed to hear, when even she had not known the words?
A/N: Kagome's birthday presents sure were popular! A big "Thank you so much!" to Celtrasa, Anonymous, shadowcat1028, stoictimer, anime-lover-forever2007, LynGreenTea, Feyrbrand16, LazyHop, shippo-chan328, hopelessly hopefull, Wilby711, Silver Phoenix7, mimi86, Kagome Assassinater, Flame Ivy Moon, Kagome21, ShadyMinion, fluffy li, AN. AN. AN., SaBrIeL ofthe MoOn (welcome to NeKuRaSaMa, Barley47, the ultimate evil, Mysticalflame (thanks so much for catching my mistake!), morbidmunkey, and Animes-life.
There are no dumb questions! I simply may not answer some for the sake of the plot, or if I don't know the answer yet, lol. So please feel free to ask anything.
Q: Does 'fushou' mean anything?
A: Yes, it means 'mysterious' or 'unknown'.
Q: Does Sesshoumaru have any past relationships?
A: Well, he's had 'relations.' I don't know if you could call them relationships.
Q: Why haven't Kagome and the others taken the test for the virus?
A: They have, I just didn't say anything about it, at least not yet.
