Author's Note: Well, I came this far. Can't turn back now. I'm hungry D:

Disclaimer: All the people NOT from InuYasha are mine. 3

Chapter Ten

The hellish phone call from her step-father ruined Kagome's day, night, and even the next morning. He had called to inform her of the banquet and hour he would be arriving to pick her up. It just happened that today was the grueling day. She hadn't noticed it but today she was seriously considering the option of running away. Stuck in her room, Sango was helping with her hair. Anything wrong or unpleasing to Naraku's eyes would mean a brutal beating after another.

"I seriously don't think you should go. I have a bad feeling about the outcome and I don't like it," She protested, slipping a loose strand into the french braid. As she finished pinning up her hair, small strands cascaded around her face to add soft beauty that was well worth it. Kagome said nothing during this whole time, her eyes had been glazed over in nothing but hopelessness since yesterday. This was her process of putting her defenses up, if she ever let them down, the pain would seep in and devour the growing light she had the opportunity to lit once arriving here. Feeling numb was better than feeling frightened or on the edge. Sango frowned and hugged her from behind as both girls stayed silent. There was no reason to speak on a subject that they knew wouldn't do anything. It's been like this since the beginning of high school. The quiet shattered once Kagome's phone began singing the melody of her favorite song. Refusing to answer it because she didn't want to interact with anyone she wasn't obligated to, Sango went to answer it instead.

"Hello?"
"Um.. You're not Kagome. Sango?"

The voice asked, surprising Sango as she recognized who was on the other end of the phone.
"InuYasha, hold on."

Grabbing the phone, she pressed it against Kagome's ear, retrieving a flinch from the girl. Pressing an index to her lips, Sango urged her to say something. With a exasperated sight, Kagome held onto the phone and answered with a faint voice that was barely above a whisper.

"Kagome? Are you alright? It's InuYasha."

Her eyes instantly animated to life. Pressing the phone closer to her ear, she wasn't sure why his voice brought such joy when her feelings were obvious towards him. Still, despite the facts, a small smile formed on her lips. "InuYasha.. I'm fine. Listen, about the other day, I'm really-"
"It's alright," he interrupted,"Kagome, listen. I wanted to ask.. well if you can come out with me tonight. There's this thing I gotta go to and-"

Kagome's eyes died down once again as she shook her head,"I can't.. I'm sorry but I have plans tonight." Her words filled with regret.
"Not with that fucking flea bag!?"

Smiling a bit, Kagome let out a soft laugh before their moment was interrupted by a clear of someone's throat. Turning to look at Sango, Kagome glanced away and replied,"No. Not with Kouga. Listen I have to go now.. Thanks for calling... really."

Click.

Her tone of melancholy alarmed him but he couldn't say anything when the line went dead on her end. InuYasha glanced at Miroku who was leaning against his doorway with a small smile,"At least you tried, bud. Maybe next time,"Walking into his room, Miroku grabbed a bow tie that lazily rested against the shade of a lamp,"But luckily for you, my schedule is free and I'm always happy to be your date!"

InuYasha scoffed and tossed his cell phone on the pillow behind him. Getting up, he rubbed the back of his neck, not able to shake off the feeling of worry. Rubbing it off for a few seconds he kicked Miroku out to get dressed.

"So you're the infamous Naraku! Nice to meet you, I'm Haku and this is my wife Daniella and our child, Midoriko."

Naraku was punctual as usual, coming at the hour he told Kagome he would. Looking rather extravagant. An arm curled around Mrs. Higurashi's waist, he held her at arm's length and smiled charmingly once invited into the Aigyou's house. He took one look around the place, impressed at the house his step-daughter hid away at.

"Indeed, it's a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for taking care of my family, I do so appreciate the kindness."

Mrs. Higurashi smiled as she leaned against her husband. Eyes filled of love for him for the time he was there. Naraku avoided such looks. Daniella craddled her child in her arms as she gurggled and popped a saliva bubble. It made her smile before her attention went back to her cousin," So, Shu-suh, why is it that you don't accompany Naraku for these events?"

"Oh, I'm not one for such things. Plus, Kagome always tagged along with her Father since she was ten. It just made sense for her to join Naraku. She knows more than I do afterall."

A gasp erupted in the room as Kagome entered in the room wearing the dress she had bought the other day. Her hair done up in the beautiful style Sango had crafted it to be. Small diamond earrings hung from her ears while an old spherical charm hung from her slender nek and rested against her collar-bone. She wore three-inch high heels and two woven bracelets on her right wrist. Long story short, she was breathtaking. All eyes landed on her, Naraku smiling with approval.

"Kagome, you look amazing!" Her mother gushed over her child, hugging her tightly. Kagome tried to smile but it was only to fail. She did manage to place a faint smile on her gloss pink lips. The rest of her family smiled happily, only two people were really aware of the sadness in her eyes, Rin and Souta only smiled lightly, avoiding any involvement.

"You look marvelous, dear. Lets get going. We're running late," Naraku insisted, grabbing her firmly by her hand. Tensing at his disgusting touch, Kagome forced another smile and nodded as she followed her step-father to the door. Not before noticing the worried expression on Sango's face. Giving her a sweet smile, Kagome mouthed out the words 'I'l be okay' and soon disappeared.

"Well then, how 'bout watching 'The Voice'?" Uncle Haku suggested turning on the TV.

"I want you on your best behavior. Any nonsense and I'll see to your punishment."

Kagome stared out the window to watch whatever caught her interest. She was trying so hard to keep it together, her defenses up at their highest. There was no goddamn way she was going to fall weak to him again. Tonight she was going to stay strong . Simply nodding at his threat, her mind trailed off to a certain male she was potentially going to call once coming back home. Realizing that she hated him for confusing her, in some odd way she was attracted to him. Caught off by the sound of popping knuckles, Kagome grew stiff. Here it came. Naraku had gripped the back of her neck and leaned close. His sinister atmosphere clouding her failing optimism.

"Tonight I want you to charm every damn morsel you meet. With you, the competition weakens and I'll be able to take them down."

Swallowing back the lump in her throat, Kagome nodded. The car soon came to a stop in front of a grandly lit building that was being overrun by men of high social class. Naraku tightened his grip and pushed her to open the door. His claws had dug into her skin slightly in the process, causing the girl to wince. Yet she opened the door and stepped out, his hand retreating to her waist. A fake smile plastered on both their faces, her mask slowly cracking with each deceitful laugh or smile she forced to impress his colleagues. This was nothing more than a scam, she only a puppet for his benefit. Entering the grand hotel, Naraku had led her to the ballroom where men and women mingled to their content, some laughing others flirting or discussing business details. Many eyes landed on Kagome, making her feel like an item on auction. There goes another crack.

"Naraku! Most happy to see you get here. About time you came to your own shindig,"A jolly man of fifty grinned, shaking Naraku's free hand. His green eyes soon landing on Kagome,"Ah! You brought along your beautiful daughter. Hello there, remember me?"

Kagome smiled and nodded, extending her hand to the man,"Of course, Sir. You worked along with both my fathers for the Tatsudoshi Project. Ryuu-San, it's truly nice to see you again." Ryuu smiled and kissed her hand before Naraku had pulled her away to mingle with other men of the industry world. Throughout the night she had stayed by his side, smiling, laughing at poor jokes, and interacting with men and demons who eyed her like meat. Soon Naraku gave her permission to rest her aching feet, making sure she sat at his table while he went off to flirt with his CFOs wife, Kagome rested her forehead against her palms and tried to relax herself. This was no fun but at least the music playing was catchy. It hadn't been a two minutes when Kagura had came to fetch her.

"Kagome.. well don't you look satisfactory. Your dad wants you." She sneered, taking another gulp of her wine. Kagome scrunched up her nose, the woman was nowhere on her like list. Letting out a sight, she stood and grabbed a water bottle, taking a drink of it before her eyes looked at the wind demon up and down.

"You might want to slow down there, light weight. My father would hate it if his secretary caused him embarrassment at such a public event," Kagome retorted, walking passed Kagura who definitely had a little too much to drink. Looking around, she had at last found Naraku standing near the refreshment tables. Hesitating to walk forward, she felt a hand grip her waist and drag her along to the dance floor. The eyes on Naraku's face only spelled 'Pissed off'. Kagome was panicking, her body frozen as she turned to push off the body that dragged her away. Though once seeing who it was, her grip only tightened on his coats sleeves. The emotions that bubbled inside her was indescribeable. She hadn't expected anything like this to happen and dear god she was scared.

"You look.. god Kagome, you look fucking beautiful."
"I-Inuyasha.." She had breathed out once they began swaying gently to the music. Words were at lost but her thoughts certainly weren't. A red flag had shot up as she questioned every possibility to why he was here. Though she couldn't speak, she just allowed herself to enjoy this dance before it ended. His warmth and comforting scent calmed her. For once, she truly smiled up at him, her eyes staring into his lovely shade of dark blue. InuYasha was staring down at her, his hair braided down in a long tail. He couldn't tear away his eyes from her. She was gorgeous and actually happy to see him. The way their bodies pressed against each other as they slow danced was nothing short other than a dream. Her scent.. how he inhaled it like air. He missed her, he missed her a lot. It didn't matter that they knew each other for a short time, InuYasha knew that this is the girl he wanted. Soon he felt her grip tightened more, making him snap out of his thoughts. The song had ended... so soon.

"Thanks for the dance, I guess,"He smiled at her, still holding her close until something registered in his mind,"Hey, why are you here? I don't think some college kid has any business here.. unless you're interning at some billion dollar company.. are you?"

"No... InuYasha why are you-"

Kagome couldn't finish asking what she need to because her step-father had called out his name. Naraku had called out his name. Something was wrong.. something was really wrong. He came near and smiled charmingly once again with his hand out to her.

"Ah, InuYasha. I see you've met my step-daughter, Kagome." Kagome tensed as she felt InuYasha twitch a little. Swallowing, she had gave her father her hand, being pulled away gently to his side. InuYasha stared in disbelief before clearing his throat and nodding,"Yeah, I didn't know you even had a daughter, Naraku."

"Ah yes, she's from my late co-worker's marriage. Once I married her mother, I just adopted into the family. Though I am quite surprise how the two of you know eachother." His gripped tightened around her waist. Kagome stayed still, the pain throbbing into her side.

"We met at my restaurant, though it was under bad circumstances we worked it out and became better acquainted,"InuYasha paused to see Kagome's face. No longer was it in content but in pure fear. He furrowed his brows and was about to say something until Sesshomaru joined the group with his wife on his arm sporting quite a large belly. She was beautiful with flowing curls of brown stopping above her waist, the mark of her mate on her light tanned skin. She was slender but curvacious, a perfect ration from head to toe. Her eyes gleamed a glorious evergreen. She smiled sweetly at everyone, even toussling InuYasha's hair in greeting him. InuYasha lowered his hues and mumbled incoherently before fixing his hair.

"Naraku, I believe you wanted to discuss some matters concerning busines,"Sesshomaru stated in a matter of fact way. His wife leaning against his shoulder. Kagome awed at his silver hair and eyes.. oh his eyes were a lovely amber shade that hypnotized her in such a way. She felt awkward, worried, and stressed all at the same time.

"Yes, indeed. Takahashi, I'd like for you to meet my daughter, Kagome. Kagome this is Sesshomaru Takahashi, owner of.."

"Takahashi.."

At that moment, everything clicked. InuYasha wasn't just the brother but the co-owner of Naraku's rival company. He not only ran a restaurant but a giant company that was doing wonders for the medical and technological field. This was insane, she felt dizzy but merely cleared her throat as she shook Sesshomaru's hand with a weak grip. So much for first impressions. Sesshomaru on the other hand stared at the girl with an arched brow, kissing her hand before releasing it .

"So you are the famous Kagome i've been hearing about," He smiled, delighted to meet the beauty his brother had ranted on.

Kagome felt her heart stopped. He knew of her and Naraku wasn't liking it at all.

Note: A penny for your thoughts.