Grey Skies

A/N: Okay. No excuses. I was tardy and this update is really, really late. The truth is though, I'm getting bored of writing Inuyasha fanfiction and losing my enthusiasm. (-.-) I never thought that this day would come. Anyway, this story shall be shortened drastically. Especially since the readers would have probably given up on this fic by now. Hurray for some people, I will still finish this story. Y'all don't need to worry about it being left incomplete.

That's good, right? XO

Hate and Lust

Now, Kagome knew entirely what that Maru Tashio was talking about in the club. After her board meeting with her chairmen, she found out that the owner of Tenseiga was no more than Tashio himself. As Kagome walked on the pathway, with the sun blazing spitefully down, she thought, Then why did Naraku say that Tashio was no more than a business partner of his? Did he even know that he was the owner of Tenseiga? Deep inside her, she knew that Naraku knew. There was little that sneaky man didn't know.

She was having her coffee break now, since the coffee maker in the company building had broken. Kagome blamed it on her secretary. Sango had gotten so drunk last night that her hangover had stayed with her until well into the afternoon. Apparently, Kagome thought, Sango put a whole bag of salt into the machine. Heaven knows why she did that in the first place. Once again, she believed that her secretary was out to get her. Sango knew how Kagome couldn't function properly without her daily coffee. I am not a coffee addict, she told herself strictly. I'm just less grumpy when I have it, is all.

And after the realization of Maru Tashio being the owner of Tenseiga, she really did need her coffee.

No wonder the man was such an arrogant, little bastard.

She entered her favourite coffee shop, Hiraikotsu, and ordered her usual latte. When she sat down, she was surprised to see someone she knew walking outside, through the window. Her eyes widened as her heart suddenly froze over.

Curse Fate…

Damn Sango.

Inuyasha Hanyou caught her eyes and suddenly, Kagome felt herself sinking. Gosh darn it, she cursed beneath her breath as she watched the man walking into the café. Why so early in the day? She didn't want to point out to herself that it was already late into the afternoon.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha greeted, giving her a hesitant smile. He stood next to her, towering like a skyscraper. Kagome's eyes lingered on his soft, black mane and those violet eyes of his that she had loved so much. Nervously, the man glanced around, specifically at the spare chair opposite her. "May I?" he asked gently.

No, her mind said coldly. I hate you. Outwardly though, she gave a stretched smile and nodded. "Yeah, sure." Why did she have to be civil with this guy anyway? She has acted far less welcoming with people who had hurt her less than the man who began to seat himself before her. "So, Inuyasha, what brings you here?" she asked. She mentally applauded her acting skills. She had half the mind to reach over the table and wring his thick, manly neck.

"Kagome…" It seemed that he had acted on impulse, deciding to make himself her company. Now he was at a loss of words. "The last time we saw each other… We didn't really leave on a good note, did we?" he asked quietly, his eyes slightly drooping.

Kagome resisted the urge to sarcastically applaud him as well. The Inuyasha she knew wasn't usually so considerate. Usually, all he ever did was act and face the consequences later without regard for any other person's feelings or reactions. Stupid men. "Unless memory deceives me, no, we did not leave with a good note, Inuyasha." She took a calming sip of her coffee.

Inuyasha looked at her. "Kagome, please, hear me out before you decide to hate me forever."

I've already told myself to hate you until the world dies over. "You better make it quick," she said dryly. It was hard to look at him. There was a weak pulsing in her heart that she wanted to get rid of. Forever. Kagome knew what that beating was. That beating was always there whenever she thought of the man before her, whenever she saw him, whenever he spoke to her. She loathed that part of her that still loved the man. "I still have work to do."

The biting coldness in her tone caused Inuyasha to narrow those beautiful violet eyes. "I've already said I'm sorry," he said gruffly, regaining his usual rough tone. "And I've tried to make it up to you. Kagome, what would it take for you to forgive me?"

At that, she released a bitter laugh. "Inuyasha, you haven't spoken to me for three years since I found out about your affair with Kikyo. I thought we were going to get married with the intention of staying like that forever, did you know? Then you just dump my ass as if we were nothing." She looked away and brought the coffee to her lips, taking a trembling sip. "No contact for three years, despite my calls. And what's this talk, about you trying to make it up for me? Three years of neglect and you just turn up, random and insignificantly. You haven't done a thing for me," she said spitefully.

"Because you won't let me," Inuyasha countered, a heat in his tone. "Please, I can make it up to you, Kagome. I really can. If only… If only you'd let me."

Kagome abruptly stood. "I will do no such thing," she said coldly. She began walking away.

"Wait!" the man called, running after her. They attracted stares but they didn't seem to care. Screw what they thought. "Kagome! You can't just walk out on me!"

The owner of Higurashi Co. suddenly stopped, turning to face him with an infuriated look, causing him to still and stiffen. "Why can't I walk out on you?" she whispered quietly, her tone slightly wavering. "Why can't I do that when you did so casually to me?" She closed her eyes briefly. Damn it. Her coffee times were meant to be relaxing. She finally gained back her composure, her eyes once again carefully guarded and her tone clipped. "Leave me alone."

When she was about to briskly walk away, Inuyasha grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him. Eyes widening, Kagome unwittingly let herself be pulled. The next second, he was kissing her, in public with many eyes to behold. The soft touch of his lips on hers jolted something inside her, causing her to jump. Suddenly, her aching pain emerged, despite her protests and control, making her eyes moisten as a full rumble of emotion coiled inside of her, threatening to burst. She harshly pulled away from him, not wanting to even touch that skin she longed for.

How dare he mock her again? Tempt her with things she could not have, lure her with fleeting touches she knew would never be for her. That bastard! "Don't you ever touch me." First, he was cheating on her. Now, that bastard was cheating on Kikyo. Did that woman even know? "You're disgusting," she spat heatedly. She turned and left, this time with no one to stop her.

..Skies.x.

"Oh…" She panted, resisting the urge to moan. Hot, short breaths left her full, red rips, her naked skin flushed a rosy colour. She groaned, unable to help it, pleasure rippling through her very being, strikingly obvious, unable to ignore. She sighed, her ruby-coloured eyes closed in utter bliss, the warmth of the man on top of her filling her senses, enveloping her fully, so that it was only him that she was aware of. Him and only him.

Finally, he allowed himself to release just after the woman had her second coming. Once he was done, he suddenly sat up, beginning to pull his clothes back on.

The woman, panting slightly as the pleasure slowly ebbed away, sat up, watching the man who just fucked her stand to zip up his pants. "Sesshomaru," she purred, not bothering to cover herself up when he glanced at her. She lay there, in all her womanly glory, hot and sweaty from their union. "Do you have to leave so soon?"

The man glanced at the open window of her apartment. It was just going onto evening. "I have other things to attend to, Kagura," he said, his voice cold, an extreme change from the warm, seductive voice he had used earlier. "No doubt you have other things to do as well. Naraku would be wanting you back by now, wouldn't he?"

They had met only five hours prior in a bar, with her strutting up to him with the arrogance of all beautiful female women. Even though he knew she worked for Naraku, he had fucked her. The woman was asking for it, wanting it. Who was he to deny her offer, when she was such a beauty in herself?

But the temptation had come later. First, she had merely been the messenger of Naraku, who had tried to get information out of him for his future plans involving the take over of Higurashi Co. When that hadn't worked, she had tried to seduce him. He said nothing about his innermost plans and yet, she allowed him to do what he did, seducing her instead. Sesshomaru liked that. He liked power.

Kagura scowled. "Who cares about what that dick wants?" she said spitefully. "Naraku can go fuck his own ass."

Sesshomaru buttoned up his shirt. "He may do so if he likes but I still don't intend to stay here with you," he said icily. "You got what you wanted. It's time for me to leave."

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "I didn't get everything I wanted," she said lowly, her eyes once again gleaming that lustful gaze.

Sesshomaru just gave her a cold, relentless stare and, once he was finished dressing up, left her. Kagura growled, enraged. She stood up, the area between her legs still slightly wet from their recent activity. The pretty woman knew who Sesshomaru was thinking about when he took her. It definitely wasn't Kagura he saw as he fucked her. Throughout their entire mating, he didn't even kiss her. Not once.

She glared spitefully at nothing in particular, all alone in her claimed apartment. It's always that damn woman, Kagome, she thought angrily. First Naraku wants to fuck her, and now Sesshomaru. What is it about her that draws so many men in? Of course, she had the same effect on most men as well. She ignored that fact for the time being.

Kagome Higurashi, who are you?

..Skies.x.

Close to ten o'clock at night, there was a tapping at her door. Kagome, who was up due to business paperwork, glanced up suspiciously. Who would be knocking at her door at this time of night? Especially since Kagome didn't get many visitors in the first place. Warily, Kagome stood from her computer chair, walking away from her work desk in the living room. She retrieved a hard, wooden bat that hid itself behind a window curtain and walked towards the door quietly.

Knock, knock, knock.

It was an even more persistent knocking. Kagome's heart rate sped up. Should she answer it? Should she call the police? If it really was a stranger wanting to harm her, would she be able to hit him over with the bat without killing him in the process? These questions swam inside her head as her feet unconsciously walked towards the thumping door.

I have to be an idiot, she thought. She reached the door, as silent as ghost with her breath being held, and peered curiously through the eyepiece. Immediately, she recoiled, gripping the bat tightly. No way, she thought. Never in a thousand years will I let that monster in.

The knock persisted, this time followed by a voice. "Kagome, please open up!" It was none other than Inuyasha. Why couldn't the man just leave her alone? She'd had enough of him for a lifetime already. "I know you're in there! Please, I'm sorry about earlier. Let me in."

Idiot! She hissed. It's ten pm and you expect me to let you in? Idiot bastard! She inched towards the phone hanging on her wall, a small urge to call the police to take him away. He's making me uncomfortable, he's breaking the peace and he's giving me the idea that he might break in. Those should be good excuses, ne? Who says no to me anyway?

"Kagome!" Hanyou, you moron, go away. Your voice is annoying me. "Kagome, I'm sorry! I'm sorry." I don't care if you're sorry, asshole. I don't care if you're sorry. "Please, I won't try anything. Let me in… Kagome…" You bastard, you bastard, you bastard. Now that you've popped back into my life, I'm more unhappy than ever before. "Please…" Just go away!

Yet, in spite of her thoughts, she couldn't help it. She walked slowly back towards the pounding door, Inuyasha's rants continuing to slip in and out of her ears. With impassive eyes, Kagome stopped just in front of her door, staring at the vibrations the man on the other sides caused upon it. The bat hung limply in her hand.

"Kagome… Please… Just hear me out…"

Damn it, Inuyasha, she sighed, clutching the fabric over her chest. It was hurting again. That infernal pain that wouldn't go away, haunting her night by night, never once ceasing in its torturing pattern. "Inuyasha…"

The knocking stopped. Inuyasha had heard her. "Kagome," he said, more earnest now that he had her attention. "Please, Kagome. I'm sorry about before. I just, I didn't--"

"Inuyasha, please go away," Kagome whispered, shutting her eyes. There was no response. "This is not the time for this. I'm not ready to talk it over yet. Please, just… just stay away from me."

"… Kagome…"

Said businesswoman leaned her forehead upon the door, her hand now touching the wood. Can you feel me, Inuyasha? She thought silently. Is my hand upon yours, with this door our only barricade? "I can't deal with this… Not now… Not here. You hurt me so much back then, Inuyasha. I hated you so much… I don't know if I'll be able to forget this feeling… And it hurts. It hurts, this hatred I have for you. It hurts."

This was the first time in years where she openly spoke about her feelings. She was grateful for the door. If Inuyasha had stood in front of her where she was able to see every expression, every movement of his lips, then she'd either break down crying or turn once more into a righteous demon, wanting to tear him limb from limb. She was so sincerely grateful that he was on the other side of the door. Because, if he wasn't, then she wouldn't be able to say these things. She wouldn't be able to say the things that she'd wanted to say to him for so long.

"It hurts so damn bad that I have to drink whisky almost every single night. My mum still worries about me, you know? I haven't had a boyfriend in years since you. I hate all males now. I can't see anything good in them. From the day you betrayed me and never entered my life again, every man I saw was a demon, only wanting me for the material things. For my body, for my wealth, for my name. I can't look at one without thinking 'he's an asshole who uses women and discards them without a second thought' or 'I hate him. I hate him so much.' I think these thoughts even when we haven't introduced. I think these thoughts even before he's spoken the first word. It's horrible, I'm horrible. It's what you made me become."

Inuyasha said nothing. He wouldn't dare interrupt her even if he did have something to say. This was the first time after their breakup that she fully opened up to him. He wasn't going to ruin this moment by opening his mouth.

Gratefully, Kagome continued. "I hate you, Inuyasha. When I saw you again, I was filled with so much rage and hurt… Ever since then, I tried to shut myself off from the world, not feel anything, not to get close to anyone. But then you came along and ruined it all. All my efforts, shattered, just by glancing at you. I hate myself for still being so weak whenever it comes to you, Inuyasha. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. God, I hate so many things about you and me. I feel like I hate everything."

A small, bitter laugh escaped from her mouth. "And yet… My heart… Despite all the things you've done… All the things my mind rants and raves… My heart still yearns for you. Damn that thing." She wiped her cheek, finding it moist. "See?" she asked. "Look at what you've done. You haven't said a word yet you made me cry. I hate you. I hate you. You made me fucking cry."

"Kagome…"

She stood up straighter, walking away from the door backwards. "Go away now, Inuyasha. Please, just go." She hugged herself, not wanting to even look at the door anymore. Just the thought of him being so close, so very, very reachable was frightening. Truly, truly frightening. My self-control has ebbed away… If I were to touch him, feel his warmth… Then I don't know what I'd do. Something she'd regret, she knew. She didn't want to regret anything, especially if it involved him.

There was a moment of silence before the sound of footsteps began. Kagome heard him leave, his hollow steps loud and clear within the empty, quiet hallway. It wasn't long until the footsteps dwindled and died, not a thing to be heard once more.

Kagome gave a shaky breath, dropped the bat she forgot holding and ventured silently to her kitchen. She took out a whole bottle of whisky and uncorked it. Without even pouring it into a glass, she pressed the opening to her lips and drank, the tears cascading down.

I hate you, Inuyasha.

..Skies.x.

"You look like absolute shit," Sango said with meaning. "Kagome, are you alright?"

"If I look like shit, do you think I'd be alright?" Kagome snapped with a growl. She marched into her office stiffly, not bothering to answer the questionable look on her secretary's face. She had a rough night last night, emotional and crappy. Naturally, the morning she'd woken up to wasn't all that peachy either. She dropped herself onto her chair, leaning her elbows on the desk as she massaged her temples. She had a killer hang over. Usually, she was tolerant of alcohol. The past few days though weren't exactly ordinary.

The day passed with tedious and slow movements, Kagome trying not to think of anything else but the sheets of paper laid out in front of her. "Damn it," she cursed sharply when she made a mistake on a document. She didn't want to call upon Sango to get her a new one. She didn't want to cross it out and write it again either, as it would seem unprofessional. She was cornered in this situation and how she loathed being cornered. I wish I had a punching bag, she scowled. I'm under too much stress already. There was nothing else to do: Kagome had to call upon Sango.

Before she even pressed the button on the intercom, Sango's cheery voice spoke out of it. "Boss, Mr. Tashio has arrived for the scheduled meeting. He will be in your office in a few minutes."

The intercom went dead, and so did Kagome's eyes. When the hell did I have an appointment with Tashio? She would murder that woman. She really would. Screw the law.

Not a moment later did the doors open, revealing that hunk of a man that was named Maru Tashio. He strode into the office as if he owned it, smoothly sitting down in the chair opposite Kagome. Said woman couldn't help but glare at him, hating his silver locks, his brown eyes that seemed all too fake and that body she knew was simply godly beneath that silver and white suit. She hated him entirely really, for even worsening her day.

When seconds ticked by without anyone speaking, Maru lifted an eyebrow. "Is this how you always greet your guests, Higurashi? By glaring at them before they even sat down or spoken?"

Kagome wanted to snap, saying, what the hell do you want? But she couldn't do that, no. She was under a reputation and this handsome man in front of her could and would ruin her. "What's the purpose of this meeting again? Please refresh my memory." She sure as hell wasn't going to apologize for her shitty mood. If he was expecting one, then he could shove straight up his a--

"Do you not recall our last encounter?" he asked, his tone impassive. "I made a proposition to you. Have you forgotten?"

It was only then did Kagome remember that bar night in Kitsune Bi. Her eyes suddenly narrowed further as she stood up straighter. "My board and I have found out that you, Mr. Tashio Maru, own the company Tenseiga. So, after I was told this information, I suspect that Naraku Onigumo may have lied to me the other night. Are you really a business partner of his?"

Maru stared at her calmly through his contact lenses. "He may wish it was so, but no," he responded indifferently.

"But why would he lie about something like that?" Kagome frowned. "And why did you say nothing in protest?" She remembered that night all too well. It was the place where she was 'reunited' with Inuyasha Hanyou, after all.

"I didn't find it to be the utmost importance back then," Maru replied smoothly. "But enough of Naraku. Tell me, have you thought about my proposition of merging companies?"

Kagome glared at him suspiciously, keeping a calm, aloof demeanor about her. "Don't think for one minute that I'll agree to this," she said coldly. "Your company is suspicious, I can tell you that. You've done nothing but rise your stock and connections ever since Tenseiga first started. The only time your company suffered was when Mr. Myouga withdrew from his contract. Unfortunately, he was dead almost immediately after." Her eyes narrowed dangerously. Could… Could he be the one who was responsible for his death? She reminded herself that it was a bunch of drunken teens that did this though. How could Maru ever be responsible for that? "Your skills are commendable, Mr. Tashio. This gives me reasons to suspect you. After all, no one has ever heard of you until a few months ago. How can you just have appeared out of no where and seem to know everything about the business trade?"

Calmly, Maru leaned back, making himself more comfortable as he unflinchingly held Kagome's sharpened gaze. "I had personal training," he responded. "Confidential information, really. I'm afraid I can't inform you of where I learnt my skills. Rest assured though, I have had plenty of practice." It was then that his eyes grew darker. "So, seeing as how you suspect me and my company for illegal actions, I suppose you've declined my offer."

"Regretfully, yes," Kagome answered with a slight hint of sarcasm.

Maru then stood. He seemed as if he was expecting this. "Then would you agree to another offer?" he asked casually.

Kagome eyed him cautiously. "Depends what the offer is, Mr. Tashio."

"Accompany me to dinner. That is all."

She couldn't help it. Her stoic expression shattered as her eyes widened with shock. The man's expression didn't change however, causing her snap out of her surprise. "Are you serious, Mr. Tashio?" she asked angrily. "To ask such a thing of me… It's completely preposterous. You made your intentions known long ago that you didn't like me. To ask me to dinner… and so abruptly after my other declination…" She glared. "You're pulling my leg. No. I will not go to dinner with you." Asshole, she added mentally.

Maru's eyes narrowed. "I prefer to be taken seriously, Ms. Higurashi," he said coldly. "Do I really look as I'm the one to jest?"

No, but you do look the type to break a woman's heart.

"And perhaps it's because I had negative thoughts of you that I'm asking you to dinner. After all, you're to make more allies than enemies, if you wish to survive in this deadly game called life." He looked at her seriously, making her slightly squirm beneath his intense gaze. "Perhaps this can be an opportunity for both of us to know each other a little better."

"That opportunity comes when we have dinner parties, strictly business and with a group," Kagome retorted. "Perhaps you should organize a gala, just as Mr. Onigumo had done."

"No," he denied simply. "I wish it to be only with you."

For any other person, what he said would've been romantic and sweet, something that told the other that they truly cared. But this was Maru Tashio, ruthless businessman, owner of a suspicious company called Tenseiga. Of course it wouldn't be romantic or sweet. Even the name of his business sounded suspicious.

"I'm going to have to decline, Mr. Tashio," Kagome stated as calmly as she could. She already had boy problems. She wasn't going to add more troubles to the pile.

But Maru continued to stand there, his gaze unwavering. "All I am asking is a couple of hours with you," he stated in a clear tone. "Over dinner, of course. What is there to say no to? You have disagreed to merge Higurashi Co. and Tenseiga. The business portion of this meeting is over. During that night, we won't be fellow owners of two different companies striving for power. Instead, we will be associates in the simplest form."

He just can't take a no, can he? Kagome asked herself wryly. All this time, he kept an unreadable expression, those eyes which she hated cold and relentless. She'd be crazy to agree to this power-hungry tyrant. And yet, she sighed. He'd be here forever if that was the case. Even from the moment they met, she knew that he wasn't a man who could take 'no' very lightly. "When?" she ground out. "And where? If I find the place suitable, then I will accept." It would take my mind off Inuyasha, too, she pondered. And it would be interesting as to what we'd be talking about. The only way we can fully engage in conversation is when we speak about work. I wonder what other interests we may have in common. She doubted they had many similarities though.

Maru couldn't help but smirk. "I'll take you to C'est le Vile for dinner. I'll pick you up at seven and we'll see what we do from there."

Kagome nodded and, before she could speak another word, she found Maru holding out his hand to her. Puzzled, she looked up at him, eyes narrowed. Why was he offering her his hand? She didn't need to stand. He must want me to though. Damn politeness, she cursed inwardly. Must I? She didn't take his hand. Instead, she stood up on her own. When Maru didn't withdraw his hand still, she clenched her teeth together. What did he want? She asked herself in annoyance. I've already stood. What more can he want from me? She glared at him right in the eyes, slightly surprised to see that all he did was stare back. Usually, men would be intimidated by her glare. What made him so different?

Once again giving in, her headache much too great for the long endurance of wills today, Kagome reached forward and lightly touched his hand, resisting the urge to puke. Although, she was surprised greatly when his hand, much larger than hers, enveloped it. Maru brought it up to his lips and gently kissed the back of her hand, never once taking his eyes off her.

It was in those moments that time seemed to stop for Kagome. With eyes locked and the press of his thin, firm yet amazingly gentle lips on her skin, everything seemed to fall away, leaving nothing but him and her, the décor of her office vanishing and the lingering thoughts of angst fading. She even stopped breathing at that moment, a strange feeling coiling in her stomach. He was just so… handsome. And so very, very dangerous. It caused something deep within her to stir, her hatred for all men disappearing as she wished for those lips somewhere else…

Then time continued on again as Maru let go of her hand and took a step back. "I will see you tomorrow night, Ms. Higurashi. My gratitude for today." His voice was apathetic, his eyes void of any emotion. He turned on his heel and walked away, back straight and posture perfect. It was only when Kagome heard the doors closing did she snap out of whatever trance she was succumbed to.

"Bastard," she cursed beneath her breath, narrowing her eyes at nothing in particular. "That sly, manipulative bastard…" How could she allow herself to be drawn to him like that? She condemned her body's needs, scowling and raving. She made an awful mistake by agreeing to that bastard's request. Who knows what would happen now. Idiot, Kagome, she scolded. Idiot.

Yet that feeling she had, it was very, very familiar. It was that lust of a woman for a man. An incredibly handsome, handsome man. But I hate his eyes, she thought bitterly, unconsciously holding her hand close. They're so fake, so cold. I hate that colour of brown he has.

She sat back down, feeling her migraine worsening. She loathed the weak, helpless feeling that the ache caused within her. "Damn it…" she mumbled. "Why do I hate so many things?"

Was she always such a pessimist?

..Skies.x.

A/N: There you have it folks. Not nearly as good as I'd hoped, considering the MONTHS it took me to update (o.0) But yeah, holidays for school has started so I'm hoping to finish it before the three weeks come. If not, then I don't really want to think about it (-.-) I am once again sorry for all those who followed this story before hand. I should've pasted a note instead of just leaving it for you to ponder if I was dead or not. So incredibly sorry and I'll make sure that it won't happen again.

Hope the chapter didn't suck to badly XP Thanks for reading.

-- KP out