A/N

Now, for the story. I apologize for not getting back to my reviewers. I swear it is on my list to do. Also, I just want to shout out again that this is a Kag and Sess fiction and to keep reading (if you want) through what I toss out in this chapter. :3

This one is kind of rough, so bare with it. The next one is on the tip of my brain and will include more to Rin's background and some Naraku action. O:

Enjoy and Review? Yes?

~Smo

Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own any characters associated with InuYasha.

Chapter 10

"Rich people..." Kagome trailed off, her shoe losing traction against the sleek tile of the lobby. She had only been here a handful of times but could never get used to it. Everyone was dressed in suits and designer clothes. The women were decorated with jewels, the men adorned Rolex watches. Kagome felt like a commoner in her pencil skirt and blue blouse. Her pearl necklace added some value to the outfit.

"Are you jealous?" Rin asked, startling Kagome from her thoughts of loathing. She looked down at the young child. Rin was dressed in jeans and a yellow polo shirt, flip flops decorating her feet.

"Sort of," Kagome answered honestly as they stepped into the elevator. "How can I not be? That's not what bothers me the most though," she added.

"What does?" Rin pressed on, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. Kagome tapped the button and waited for Sesshoumaru to buzz her in. When the elevator began to move, she approached Rin's question.

"They don't appreciate it. I think they take their money for granted," Kagome explaining, trying to figure out how to get an eleven year old in a way she would understand. "They think they have a right to such a lifestyle."

"Don't they? They do have the money," Rin pointed out even as the elevator doors open. Kagome felt her nervousness swallow her whole as she entered the apartment. This was the place where Sesshoumaru had delivered the horrible news she knew by the name of Kagura. This place was more of a setting where nightmares took place than a cozy home.

She shivered, pushing herself forward. "Kagome!" Her name was shouted by Kagura from a distant room. "In the dining room," the demoness added.

Kagome pulled Rin with her, keeping their hands locked as if she were the one that needed the guidance. Rin leered at her for a moment, pulling her hand from her grip and wiping it against her denim jeans. "You're sweaty," she whined.

Instantly, Kagome wiped her own hands on the skirt she wore. When she entered the dining room, she saw Kagura sitting at the head of the table. Sesshoumaru seated on the opposite side. "Welcome," Kagura greeted, gesturing to the empty seat for Kagome to use. She didn't even glance at Rin, hoping to ignore the child completely.

Kagome sat down in the wooden chair, trying to calm her nerves by taking a deep breath. Sesshoumaru cleared his throat, pulling her attention to him. Papers slid along the wooden table. "The papers for Rin have been taken care of, just sign the last one," he ordered.

The sound of a metallic pen rolling across the table filled the quiet room. Kagome watched the object roll towards her, stopping it with one of her fingers. Her eyes turned back to the contract and she scanned it while speaking. "I assumed we would go to some restaurant," she mumbled. She felt nervous and uncomfortable to be in his home. Her most horrid memories were forged in this place.

"That would be my fault," Kagura chimed in with a smile, although it looked more like a sneer with the squinting of her reddened eyes. "Sesshoumaru did not tell me you were coming until an hour ago. I didn't have time to get ready, so he figured you would adapt to the situation. You humans are known for your adapting..." She trailed off.

Kagome's fake smile faltered. A real smile came to light. "Yes, we are wonderful creatures, Kagura. In fact, it was our adapting that put you demons into hiding. After all, demons couldn't keep up with us. You could say adapting is our special power."

Kagura's smile disappeared, leaving Kagome with a sense of victory. She turned her eyes back to the paper, reading over the words before flipping through it page by page. She tried to ignore the penetrating feeling Sesshoumaru's eyes caused her. She could feel the honey gaze directed on her being. "It all looks fine," she confessed, almost disappointed at the lack of errors.

She pushed the pen out of the way almost snorting at the foreign object. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out the stamp and slammed it against the bottom of the page. She slid the papers back to Sesshoumaru, standing up and looking to Rin. "You ready?"

Rin instantly pouted. "I thought they were going to feed us?" The question was so innocent, and Kagome knew the child had no idea how awkward it really felt. For a moment, Kagome wished to be innocent and blind again, to dig her head into the sand and enjoy each day like she had.

"I don't see any food," Kagome answered, gesturing with one hand to the empty tabletop. The dark, wooden table was polished, she could see the fingerprints she had left upon pushing herself up.

"Nonsense," Sesshoumaru chimed in. "The chef is on his way up with lunch. You will both stay."

Kagome tried not to show the sadness she felt. Thankfully, Rin's grin was contagious. The toothy expression made Kagome release her own smile. "I knew you wouldn't let me starve!" She exclaimed, directing the cheer to Sesshoumaru. His expression remained blank.

"Kagome, have a seat," Kagura encouraged, smirking at the frozen girl. Slowly, Kagome sank into her chair and dropped her purse on the floor beside it. "How was the drive?" Kagura asked.

"Long," Kagome answered easily, folding her hands in the lap. "Have you two announced a date yet?" She forced out. It still felt like salt burning in the wounds when she thought about them mating - marrying.

"No," Sesshoumaru answered quickly, causing Kagura to shoot him a glare. "We are still working things out between our parents."

Kagome's eyebrows rose at that. As far as she could tell, Daitaro was jumping for joy at the possibilities of powerful heirs. "Oh," she remarked.

"How is the research coming along?" He asked. Kagome saw out of the corner of her eye as Kagura leaned forward casually. The secretive scientist within Kagome instantly wanted to hide everything.

"Koga and I have been following a few leads, but nothing is certain yet," Kagome explained, hoping the short comment would suffice. Sesshoumaru made no move to press on.

The silence that followed was thick. The elevator rang once more, doors opening to reveal two waiters rolling in a sweet-smelling meal. They set the table, making Kagome feel useless. She never liked having people serve her. Yet, she was too nervous to offer her help. Her eyes turned to Kagura and Sesshoumaru, who both seemed too comfortable with humans serving them. Kagura were a smirk as she eyed one of the waiters, and Sesshoumaru looked as if they weren't going fast enough.

"Thank you," she chirped as they uncovered the cooked steak and poured the wine. "Water?" She asked. They looked offended that she would not take the wine, but nodded and switched it for a glass of water.

"Was there anything else you wanted to discuss today?" Kagome asked, staring at Sesshoumaru. It would have been nice to speak to him alone. A part of her wanted to ask what he had meant when he had visited her with Izayoi. He had said that one line, if only. However, the other part of her told her to ignore it, that she had to move on. Facing his confession could be deadly, could end her.

"I don't see what else you have a purpose for here," Kagura returned hotly. Her fork plowed into her slab of meat, causing a pool of red juice to slide along her plate. Kagome wondered if the cow was making any noises, it was just so rare.

"I wanted to speak to you," Sesshoumaru announced quietly from his spot at the table. Kagome paused her chewing to stare at him blankly. Unfortunately, the dog demon was eyeing his own food and moving it around the plate. "It will wait until afterwards."

She tried not to huff at the dismissal. After lunch, she wanted to get out of this lair. She looked to Rin, her smile appearing when she saw the child tearing into a turkey sandwich.

"I had assumed the wolf would try to tag along," Sesshoumaru spoke. Kagome wanted to roll her eyes, but held down the temptation.

"He is in the lab today," Kagome answered easily. Quickly, she tried to turn the conversation onto a different point. "Kagura, have you made any wedding plans yet?" She asked.

The demoness swallowed the food politely, dabbing at the corner of her mouth with a napkin. "I have been gathering ideas. I am sure you would not want to listen to them," Kagura proclaimed, turning back to her food. "You did turn down my invitation into the wedding party."

Kagome bit her tongue to keep from laughing. "I apologize for that," she muttered. Another topic welcomed itself to the surface, one that she had been meaning to investigate. "I met your father at one of my charity events for the research."

Sesshoumaru's knife clattered against the plate. Kagura's fingers froze whilst holding the silverware and she turned her eyes to stare at Kagome. The red orbs were slightly widened. Kagome felt as if she had just found a weakness. "Yes, he wanted to make a donation. I found it a bit curious, considering your attitude towards me. This may come off a bit forward but you don't seem to like me."

Kagura was silent for a few moments. "My father approached you?" She repeated, as if the idea was impossible.

"Yes, he actually gave me some wise words of wisdom," Kagome replied, sliding another piece of steak into her mouth and savoring in the wonderful taste. Rich people definitely afforded better food. Kagome wondered if she could get the catering company's number but winced when she thought of the price.

"Interesting," Kagura whispered. Kagome's eyebrow rose once more, but she did not press the issue. Maybe, she would ask Christopher about the demon. He seemed to know a lot about other demons, and Kagome wanted to keep in contact with him after their last encounter. Now that Rin was with her, she needed to contact him often so he did not question her goals.

When Kagome realized she was close to bending down and licking her plate clean, she slid it forward and grinned triumphantly. Instantly, one of the waiters swooped in to claim the dish and silverware. Kagome turned to Rin, noticing that her plate was gone too. Sesshoumaru hadn't touched most of his.

Kagome's mouth twitched curiously. She had never really seen him eat food. She remembered asking him about his appetite and had listened to him explain that demons didn't need to eat as often as humans. Kagome knew better than to question the race. Most of them ended in trouble.

"Kagura, we will be in my study. Take Rin into the den to watch some television," Sesshoumaru ordered, standing up and leaving the room. Kagome scurried after him, grabbing her purse on the way.

"Play nice, Rin," she warned. Rin grumbled something under her breath, but made no attempt to argue.

Sesshoumaru's study was just like the office at his work. Instead of modern, glass furniture, he decorated with antique, wooden finishes that often had carvings and molding along the sides. There was only one window instead of a large glass wall, but Kagome assumed it was apart of the apartment. "Sit," he uttered as he walked around the desk to stare out the window. The silver curtains seemed to mesh with his hair, pulled into a ponytail.

Kagome welcomed herself to the leather chair, setting her purse in her lap. "What did you want to talk about?" She asked, hoping it wasn't the line she wanted to forget about. Something warned her that if he mentioned it, she should get up and make a run for the elevator.

"I was wrong," he confessed. Kagome felt a weird lump rise in her stomach. Sesshoumaru never said such a thing. He was always one who would rather die than own up to a mistake.

"What?" She choked out, not quite sure she heard him right. He turned around, she could see an unreadable emotion in the golden depths of his eyes. He took in a deep breath and repeated the same statement.

"I was wrong. Kagome, I never gave you the chance." The words made her stomach tingle. She felt the butterflies within her begin to flutter around. The words felt so good to hear, but were also frustrating. She had to come this far just to get him to realize his mistake - a mistake that should have never happened.

"I don't quite get what you're getting at, Sesshoumaru," she whispered, knowing that Kagura had demonic hearing. This conversation was easily accessible to her. She could mentally visualize the demoness ignoring Rin to listen in on their conversation.

"I want to apologize, Kagome. I don't want you doing this anymore. You're getting involved in things that you should stay out of. I never wanted you to be a part of it for your own protection," he explained. Kagome blinked as she absorbed it. It felt as if he were pushing her away. His words made the butterflies die as she came to the true meaning of them.

"Y-You want to smooth things over so I can stay away from the demon realm," Kagome translated. She stared at the wall, not able to look him in the eye. She released a shaky breath. Was this not what she wanted? She had wanted him to say such things, say that she could have done it beside him. Why did it feel so bad then? It felt as if nothing had changed. She was still alone.

In all honesty, she was having fun. These past months had been a blast. She had taken on a new identity. She had gone from the passive Kagome that worshiped Sesshoumaru to a Kagome that was a strong and stood up for herself. She had people looking to her for answers. She had demons supporting her. The realization dawned on her that she didn't want to stop. She enjoyed these balls and parties for her. She enjoyed having the fancy meetings and gathering support for her research, which she loved to do more than anything. She loved working with Koga on finding discoveries. Sure, it had its moments. Christopher was definitely something she needed to work with, but she loved the new chapter in her life she was currently righting.

She stood up on shaky legs. The heels she wore felt as if they were going to snap off as she stared the one being she had loved more than anyone else in the eyes. "Thank you," she admitted, feeling liberated at the words. A soft smile appeared on her lips. "Sesshoumaru, this may sound bad, but because of what you put me through, I found myself. Back when we were together, I was happy worshiping the ground you walked on. I was happy with your late night visits and secretive meetings. I was happy when I went to bed with you. Youwere my happiness."

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened with her blunt confessions, but she gave him no room to argue. "I loved you like a puppy loves its owner. I lived for you, Sesshoumaru," Kagome whispered, her voice growing louder and firm with each word. "But now, Iam happy because of what I am doing. I am making myself happy."

She laughed, although tears began to fall down her cheeks. Kagome felt free for what she was saying. No longer was she waiting for him to show up at her door. "Thank you, for realizing that I could have done it. But Sesshoumaru, that's not why I did all this. I wanted to show you that I would have done this with you. I would have fought to stay beside you." To keep from crying, she released a dry laugh, wiping at the tears. "But, I don't want to do this for you anymore. I want to do this for me."

They both stayed quiet. Sesshoumaru leaned onto his desk, his bangs dropping in front of his eyes while Kagome sniffled. He turned to look up at her. The raw emotions in his eyes caused Kagome to momentarily stop breathing. He looked tortured. "Why did I let you go?"

Kagome choked on a sob, forcing it back down before it could escape. "You were scared. Sesshoumaru, you don't trust anyone. Even Daitaro doesn't have your trust. Trust isn't your strong suit," she grumbled.

"I still..." His words stopped, and Kagome closed her eyes, thinking of what she wanted him to say. He corrected her thoughts though. "I still want you."

Sighing, Kagome allowed her eyes to open. She wiped the tears away for the last time. "I think I should go," she released, moving the straps of her purse onto her should and turning to near the door. Her heart thumped against her chest as he made no move to stop her. The romantic side of her wanting for something to happen - a passionate kiss or confession of undying love. Nothing came.

The door closed behind her. She leaned against it for a moment before nearing the den. Kagura was waiting for her, standing with a cold expression on her face. Obviously, she had heard everything. Quietly, Kagome gestured with her hand for Rin to follow. The young hanyou obeyed silently as they took the elevator into the lobby.

"You've been crying," she noted. Looking up, she could see Kagome's slightly puffy eyes. Kagome chuckled, giving a nod as she handed the valet the card for her car and a five dollar tip. The young boy quickly disappeared to the parking spot, pulling up a few minutes later with the sedan.

She slid into the driver's seat, waiting for Rin to buckle in the back before pulling into the street. "What did you and Kagura do?" Kagome asked, trying to take her mind off what had happened. She wasn't quite sure how she should feel. Did she feel free? Had she just gotten rid of the last part of her that missed Sesshoumaru?

She shook her head at the last question. No, she still wasn't completely over him. She had wished to feel his arms around her, had hoped to feel his lips against hers, nipping and sucking on them like had had so many years ago. She had wanted him to stop her, to tell her he loved her and had been so very wrong in his decision to mate Kagura. Kagome should have known it wouldn't have come.

"She's scared of me," Rin whispered from the back. "She wouldn't look at me."

Kagome snorted. "She's an idiot," she returned easily, as if it was a simple solution. Rin giggled in the back, looking out the window at the motorway they were driving down.

"What did Sesshoumaru do to you?" Rin asked quietly, not able to look Kagome in the eyes through the rear-view mirror. Kagome turned her attention back on the road.

Clearing her throat, she answered the child's question. "We were together for a while," she paused, "then he... he announced he was going to be with Kagura and left me behind."

"He cheated on you?" Rin clarified. Kagome hummed as she thought about it. They had never really declared that they were in a relationship. She had never asked him to be faithful, although she had been loyal to him the entire time.

"It's complicated," Kagome answered. Rin opened her mouth to say more but closed it. She resumed her stare out the window, leaving Kagome to drive them home.