A.N. Chapter 10 Time! Sorry this is so late... I had most of the beginning to this chapter but due to personal problems I hadn't been able to touch any of my stories.

Okay some things that need to be addressed. Kagome and Sesshoumaru aren't going to be jealous of each other with other people for awhile.

Kagome doesn't like Sesshoumaru that way...It's been less than a week! He just puzzles her and she wants to get to know him.

And Sesshoumaru... He wouldn't care if Kagome got hitched to Kouga right now. She's amusing and slightly frustrating and what not, but she's no vital, concrete in his life. He doesn't need her yet.

Sorry guys, but love at first sight does not exist in my book, but to make it up to you guys, this will have some fluff in it!

Dedication: My grandpa ...his one year Memorial was last Saturday. And this is also dedicated to my grandma.

Plus: Konane Shadow Wolf my 300th reviewer! I heart you!

Disclaimer: If I had a dollar for every Inuyasha character that every popped up on the show, I'd have enough to even think about affording manga!

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Simply Business

Chapter Ten

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(Tsuki)

Kagome's face was flamed red as she bustled about the kitchen and living room, picking up a sock that seemed not able stay off the floor, in one room before bounding into the kitchen and turning soup.

It took her about three rounds of heading to the kitchen, turning the soup, walking back to the living room and picking up a cute, small red sock and putting it on Shippou's foot, before she finally stuck her tongue at the mischievous child and huffed back to kitchen...only to have her thoughts turn to the previous conversation she had with her ex (as if) best friend.

How could she even say—say. Not insinuate, but outright say that.

Kagome reached into the cabinets above her and got out three bowls. They were plain but cute spotted ceramic bowls.

"I mean, really, that girl! I'm sure we would've taken more than the afternoon." She said that in a 'duh' tone and she started humming, as she stirred the soup. Suddenly her hand stopped cold on the ladle she was holding and slowly her face lit into an explosion of red.

"Oh...God! I did not just say that! Pervert, pervert, pervert!"

Kagome sighed as she ladled the steaming soup into three bowls she had set on the adjacent counter. She laughed, "I'm a lost case, huh."

"Momma says not to talk to yourself, 'cause it makes you look crazy. Are you crazy, Kagome?"

Kagome sighed, 'Even the kiddo can see it... Should I think about getting committed?' But her thoughts were not voiced. Instead, she asked, "You hungry?"

'He'd better be...I made all this soup.'

Shippou looked at the soup, "Well it does look good..." with that, he nodded, "Uh huh! I'll have a bowl..."

Kagome laughed and set him up with a bowl before placing a spoon inside the colorful ceramic plate. "Eat up."

He didn't have to be told twice, as sat down and he began to inhale the soup with vigor.

Kagome let out another laugh and was about to join him in the meal, when the bell rang.

Her eyes narrowed playfully, "That better not be Sango..." She snorted, "It'd be so like her to drive around the block then show up again a few minutes later. Poor Mirouku." She suddenly grumbled in after thought, "And I'm the one that scares off the men. I, at least don't pretend to be sane before I meet someone."

She snorted but had to cringe when Shippou piped up with, "You're talking to yourself again, Kagome."

So she was...

Kagome playfully growled and picked up the small boy. He squealed a bit half in surprise and half from the flight to being carried under Kagome's arm. She giggled, "Not so tough now, huh?"

She spun him around in a wide circle.

Shippou just let out a laugh as Kagome reached the front door and opened it. She was slightly surprised to see Rin there.

It was that late already?

Kagome smiled wryly...apparently. She chirped a cheerful greeting, "Hey Rin! I finished lunch just in time, I suppose. It should be at a nice temperature now, so go wash up and dig in."

Rin took a look at the giggling Shippou and a look flickered quickly about her face. "Hi, Kagome-nee-chan..." Kagome turned her head to the side, in question. Where was the glomping/attacking/happy mauling? First 'Gome and now Rin...

Kagome led her inside the house and closed the door behind her, "You okay Rin-chan? You seem a little down."

She just smiled and nodded, "I'm fine."

Kagome placed Shippou down and ruffled his hair before speaking to Rin, "Why don't you go up and wash up. I have some soup in the kitchen."

Rin tossed her backpack on the couch before bobbing up the stairs.

Shippou looked up after her, "She seemed upset."

Kagome shook her head dismissingly, "She's probably just tired. Poor thing. It's been a long week for everyone."

Shippou turned to look at her and then shrugged. And men were ragged at for being clueless. The child snorted. No one could understand women. Not even a woman could get another female.

He let out a sigh.

Women!

(Tsuki)

"So want were the eggs for?"

Sango rolled her eyes fondly, "My friend's trying to butter up her boss because she's going back home for the weekend and wants to spring the news carefully. Her boss has some temper."

Sango made a left and read the street signs. She hadn't really been in that area before, but she knew where she was. ...Mostly.

Mirouku suddenly called out to her, "Stop the car!"

Sango gasped and quickly stepped on the breaks. "What's wrong?"

"You just past a candy store that's what's wrong!"

Sango placed a hand over her heart and gave Mirouku a look, "Are you serious?"

Mirouku seemed to misunderstand, "I know right...Thank God I caught that. Care to make a stop?"

Sango could only laugh, "Why not..."

'Wow...just wow.'

(Tsuki)

Sara suddenly smiled. They were in Sesshoumaru's car driving to Sara's house. "It'll like our sleepovers again. Remember when I would force you, Inuyasha, and Jishi to have sleepovers with me? Back in the days when I was the terrorizing girl that picked on the boys. Those were such unforgettable time." She let out a laugh and Sesshoumaru snorted, "Unfortunately they were."

Sara laughed harder, "Jishi used to say then that no one would ever marry me because I was a psycho and ironically he did..."

Sesshoumaru smiled as he pulled up to her street. "I'll be glad when I'll finally see Inuyasha again. Even if it's on these terms. Did he have any kids yet? I hear he's married."

Sesshoumaru gave her a look, "Thank God no."

Sara rolled her eyes, "Oh, hush...His kids would look adorable. He sent me pictures of him and that girl and they make a cute pair."

"How the kids would look is not how they would act."

He pulled into her driveway and Sara got out. "Be back here in two hours and I'll be all set okay? I know you're prompt so I won't tell you not to be late."

She was leaving that night on a private plane so she could start treatment the next afternoon. Sesshoumaru didn't want to take any chances with Sara.

Sesshoumaru looked unsure as to whether to leave, "Are you sure you won't need my help?"

Sara nodded, "I'm sure...I'm not crippled or anything." She laid a hand on his, "Bye Sesshoumaru. Talk to you in a bit..."

He inclined his head, "I will see you in two hours."

He wasn't quite yet ready to say goodbye.

(Tsuki)

Kagome brought out a large glass bowl, and found a wooden spoon. "Okay guys, who's going to help me bake a cake."

Rin beamed, "Can Rin help?"

Shippou crossed his arms, "Baking's a girly thing. That's what Uncle Inuyasha says. Men like me shouldn't have to do women work."

Kagome pouted, "Aw...you don't mean that Shippou...Baking isn't just for girls. Who's gonna help me and Rin lick the spoon."

He seemed to waver on that, "Well...Alr—"

Rin frowned, "You don't need his help Kagome-chan. You have me." Kagome blinked, getting a sinking feeling that this really wasn't about cake anymore. "Guys..."

Shippou rolled his eyes, "Well now she has my help too."

Kagome put a hand on both their shoulders. "Both of you should calm down. Shippou's right. I have your help and I have Shippou's, Rin."

Rin suddenly looked dejected, "I'm going to go do my homework."

Kagome touched her arm, "Rin...Come on. The both of you can help me. Okay?"

Rin shook her head, "It's one or the other."

And she walked away.

(Tsuki)

Sango covered her eyes as she walked into the store, "Mirouku, no...I'm going to splurge! Get me out of here. I have no self control!"

For the third time that day people inside of a store dubbed the two as escaped mental patients. The second episode of such had been when they were picking up eggs, Sango had gotten into a game a chicken with an old woman.

The walls of the store were covered in lidded bins of candy all brightly labeled and all different. The bins were stacked on a vertical diagonal and it stopped at five feet.

Mirouku came up behind her and uncovered her eyes, "Embrace the temptations." He whispered in her ear and she suppressed a shudder. He brought her hands down to her sides.

Sango reveled in the feel of his warm hands over hers.

She turned to look at him but he let her go and after flashing her a smile he walked away holding his hand to his chest.

He let a sigh of relief, "I almost slipped back there..."

Sango caught up to him grumbling about teases. Mirouku turned to her, amused, "What was that?"

Sango blushed, "Um, I said...'What a God damn...Twizzler?'"

Mirouku laughed, "Twizzler?"

Sango nodded weakly, "I hate those ...damn Twizzlers. Looking all red and twisty... Hey! Look, they have bags! And they're pretty too! Come on, let's get some..."

Mirouku doubled over in laughter.

Sango had to come back and pull him over to the rack of paper bags with the store logo.

Sango looked at the prices, "Holy Shit!" All attention turn towards her once again but she didn't quite notice.

"Three dollars a pound? This is the best day of my life." She started to jump up and down and only then did she notice the crowd she was gathering.

Her face lit up in a fiery blush and she cleared her throat. Mirouku pulled her back to the wall of candy. "Come on Sango...We only have a few minutes to spare."

That was all Sango needed before she picked up a scooper and started piling gumballs, gummies, wrapped chocolates, sour candies, and all sorts of candy into her paper bag.

Mirouku shook his head with a smile.

She was definitely an interesting woman.

(Tsuki)

Sesshoumaru walked into his house, not feeling quite like himself.

He was carrying a small backpack of some toys and books for Shippou that Sara had decided at the last minute that she wanted to get out of the way first.

He placed down the backpack and took a seat on the couch. He put his head down on the arm rest. He had taken the front door, since he hadn't felt like parking in the garage. He was leaving in an hour and half so what was the point of wasting his time.

Kagome walked out from the kitchen just then and walked into the living room carrying a plate of frosted cupcakes. She let out a sigh suddenly feeling frustrated, "I suck at this job don't I...?"

Sesshoumaru muttered from on the couch, "No, you do it just fine."

Kagome let out a small shriek, "Sesshoumaru! What the hell are you doing here?"

She placed the plate on the coffee table and Sesshoumaru shifted on the couch so that he was stomach up laying down on it, "I believe we had this conversation before and came to the conclusion that I live here."

Kagome stood there awkwardly, "You know what I mean...Why exactly are you here so early?"

Sesshoumaru suddenly sat up and gestured the adjacent cushion. He moved into a crossed legged fashion, facing out towards the TV as he leaned back. "Why exactly do you think you're not doing a decent job?"

Kagome sat down and mimicked his position. She turned to face him as she picked up a cupcake, "No reason. Cupcake?"

Sesshoumaru chuckled and took it. "I'll allow you to change the subject this once." He ate in thoughtful silence for a moment.

Kagome whispered feeling comfortable in the quiet. She had made Shippou take a nap a few minutes before because he had been yawning. "Thanks. So why are you back so early. Didn't you have a meeting? I remember Rin saying you usually have one every Monday and Thursday."

Sesshoumaru was relieved that she was questioning him. It

Sesshoumaru nodded, "I did but I cancelled. I spent the afternoon making plans for Sara." Kagome made an 'o' with her mouth

"What kind of plans? If you don't mind asking, of course...I don't want to pry...Anything romantic going on between the two of you." She wiggled her brows.

Sesshoumaru looked at her and smiled slightly. But just as suddenly as he smiled, he gained a tired look to his eyes and Kagome furrowed her brows. Was something wrong?

He said quietly, "Not those kind of plans. She is ...sick so I'm having her go stay with my brother and his wife in the States while she gets treatment."

Kagome didn't completely put two and two together to get four necessarily but she knew that it had to be something serious if it affected him so much. And come to think of it, Sara hadn't looked that well.

She suddenly threw her arms around him, "I'm so sorry, Sesshoumaru. Do not want to talk about it?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head, "No..." Kagome moved to sit up but Sesshoumaru asked in a whisper. "But could we just sit here for a moment?"

Kagome smiled, "Of course..." He leaned his head on hers.

"Thank you..."

(Tsuki)

Sango popped a sour gummy into her mouth and she closed her eyes as the sweet and sour combination sent a shudder sown her spine. How long had it been since she last had candy? "Mmm!"

Too long...

She glared playfully at Mirouku. "The things you make me do, Mirouku..." Mirouku grinned from behind the wheel of Sango's car, "I'm such a bad influence huh?"

Sango laughed, "Oh definitely. I mean really...you tempted me into buying gummy worms. You're horrible!"

Mirouku chuckled, "I know..." He abruptly reached for his bag of sweets, but Sango smacked his hand away, "Hey! Both hands on the wheel mister..."

Mirouku groaned and cast a longing sideways glance to his bag, "B-but my candy!"

Sango crossed her arms and said in a 'Momma's knows best' tone, "Can wait. I'm not getting killed over Swedish Fish."

Mirouku shook his head, "You Driving Nazi..."

Sango smacked his arm, "Oh please...I'm going easy on you."

"Can't I please have just one piece."

The pout! He was bringing out the pout!

It took all her self control but she finally formed the word, "No."

"Then feed me."

Sango snorted, "Are you serious?"

Mirouku looked at her, completely serious, "It's either that or I let go of the wheel. And I would do it too."

Sango rolled her eyes and got his bag, "You're such a—"

"Handsome, sophisticated, sex God?"

She scoffed and finished her sentence, "Kid."

Mirouku smirked, "Or that I guess."

Sango got out a piece of his candy from his bag and told him to open his mouth, "It's gum so it should last you a good five seconds."

Mirouku looked at her, ""Hands are coming off the wheel...

Sango popped the gumball into his mouth and patted his cheek. "Now come on and speed up a little. We're running late."

Mirouku looked at the dashboard clock, "We're ten minutes away."

Sango laughed, "I was supposed to check in five minutes ago..."

Mirouku winced, "I'd hate to be you...Isn't the head of your department that creepy person who hates women ... or something insane like that?"

Sango snorted, "Most women. I'm an exception." She suddenly teased, "And I think Jakotsu would be a little crushed that you think of him like that when he thinks so highly of you..."

Mirouku choked on his gum, "But I thought he was in the same department as Bankotsu."

Sango nodded, "He is. But he's a lot of things... In the mornings, he's a delivery boy/waiter. In the afternoon, he works with Bankotsu-san and is my department head and finally at night he works at Burger King and is a bouncer at some bar. He does some odd jobs here and there throughout the day, too."

Mirouku furrowed his brows and asked incredulously, "Why?"

Sango shrugged, "He gets a lot of sexual harassment suits."

(Tsuki)

Weird place to end it but at least it's no cliffhanger. Summary of the chapter: Rin and Shippou aren't getting along too well, Sara's leaving soon, Kagome hasn't broken the news to Sesshoumaru that she's leaving, questions are still unanswered, Sesshoumaru's worried (-gasp-), Jakotsu's multitasking to the extreme (aka why he was in Burger King) I just love his character and I hate sticking him and just one spot.

So now what?

Well we have ourselves the eleventh chapter of Simply Business!

And on a very separate note, c'mon! I'd never hold a chapter for ransom. I'm as inconsistent in updates as my plot ideas. (And you all still would have been waiting a couple of more months had I been serious.) But all in all...if I hold a ransom. You all will know...-mwahaha-