Unwanted Smiles
Early the next morning Sesshomaru woke and went to his study. Keeping an eye on the time he started doing his paperwork. His mind kept drifting back to how to fix the problems with Kagome. Finely he gave up on doing his paperwork. After meeting with Jaken and then the ones who had been watching the shrine, he had an idea of what to do. Dialing the numbers he waited.
" Hello. Higurashi Shrine. Mrs. Higurashi speaking."
" Good morning Mrs Higurashi. This is Sesshomaru Tashio. I take it the night went well."
" Yes. She is still sleeping." Looking up at the stair way, she didn't want to take a chance of waking Kagome from her sleep. Taking the phone she returned to the kitchen and her tea.
" I am glad to hear she is resting well. I was wondering if Sota might be allowed to accompany Kagome and myself today."
" I am afraid that is something you would need to ask him. May I ask where to?"
He could understand her wanting to know. Telling her their destination, she agreed she thought they would both enjoy it. As their conversation proceeded, she invited him to come and eat breakfast with them. He happily excepted her invitation and they hung up the phone.
Kagome woke to the sound of birds singing in the tree outside her window. Yawning she rolled over in her bed. She froze when the memories of the night before flashed in her mind. Wait a minute. How did I get home? Did I walk home? I was in the park crying and laid down, that's the last thing I remember. Then how did I get here? She sat up on the side of her bed trying to remember.
Not knowing how she got home bothered her. Someone must have brought me home. But who? Sesshomaru? Naaa couldn't have been him. I left him at the club all pissed of. He isn't the type of person to be nice like that anyway. Maybe mom would know. The idea someone had touched her and she didn't wake up disturbed Kagome greatly.
Going to the bathroom she saw she was still wearing her dress from the night before. Returning to her room she changed. She was sure everyone would be in the kitchen. Stepping in the room, she froze when she saw who was sitting at the table smiling at her.
" Morning My Dear. You seem to be feeling better this morning." The shocked look on her face vanished almost as quick as it had appeared. He started to wonder if she was alright as she stood staring at him. Whispering to low for anyone but her to hear he said her name. She turned to her mother not liking the idea he was there.
" Mom can I talk to you for a minute?" She said smiling at her mom. Looking back at Sesshomaru the smile vanished and she said " Alone." Narrowing her eyes at Sesshomaru, she walked out of the kitchen. Leaning against the back of the sofa she waited for her mom to join her.
" What's wrong Dear?" Her mother asked placing her hand on Kagome's back. She could tell she wasn't happy with the fact that Sesshomaru was in the house. But their was some things she knew that her daughter didn't.
" Mom why is he here?" She knew her family just didn't know what he had put her through. She wished she could tell them, to make them understand, but for some strange reason she just couldn't bring herself to tell them.
" He was kind enough to bring you home last night after you fell a sleep in the park. He was worried about you so he called this morning. I'm sure he does not have breakfast like we do Dear. We have each other, he is alone." Her mother leaned against the back of the sofa next to Kagome, before finishing her thoughts.
" Your father once told me something I have always remembered. You could have all the money in the world and never be happy. Happiness comes from sitting around a table with those you love. I invited him to breakfast to thank him for protecting a part of my family."
As Kagome listen to her mother she looked at the floor. She found it hard to believe it was him that had brought her home. If her mother was saying it then it must be true. She had never known her mother to tell a lie. After thinking about it she knew why he had done it and to her it had nothing to be with him being kind.
Glancing at the kitchen she stood facing her mother. " Mom believe me, him bring me home had nothing to do with being kind. The word kind is not a word one would use to describe him. His honor was at stake that's the only reason he did it." Before her mother could say another word Kagome walked away toward the stairs. " I'm going to go get dress for my day." Another day of punishment. She thought as she wanting to scream.
Her mother was shocked with how serious her daughter was. It made her wonder just what it was that caused the actions she was seeing in her daughter. Was it really something he had done? Did it have something to do with her being changed? Or was it a combination of the two?
The side of her daughter she was seeing both scared and worried her. Stepping back into the kitchen her mother rejoined the others. Sesshomaru had heard the entire conversation. Even though he had done nothing to warrant her statement since their reunion. He couldn't blame her for making it. He had done many things to her in the past. Things he had regretted over the years.
Hearing movement coming from the living room, Sesshomaru watched as Sota ran into the room. While Sota ate Sesshomaru asked if he wold like to join Kagome and himself for a day of fun. Asking where they were going Sesshomaru only smiled and saying it was a surprise but he was sure he would enjoy himself.
Smiling ear to ear Sota ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs. Without even knocking he burst through Kagome's door. "Hey sis guess what. I'm..." Before he could finish telling her his body froze, eyes went wide and he was hit by a pillow. " Oh man. Sorry sis, I should have knock. I'm sorry!" He said trying to apologize as he quickly turned around facing the door.
" Get out!" She screamed as she started pushing him out of her room and slammed the door closed behind him. Kagome finished getting dressed as she mumbled to herself about stupid brothers and having no privacy. Sota returned downstairs, his face blushed from his embarrassment of seeing Kagome with no shirt on.
Sitting at the table Sesshomaru heard what was happening upstairs. A wide smile crossed his face as he spoke. " I believe young Sota has embarrassed himself by rushing into his sisters room." Just as he finished making the statement they all heard a door slam. Sota's mother and grandfather started laughing.
When Sota stepped into the room the look on his face told them all Sesshomaru had been right. Seeing the smiles and grins that was on everyone's faces, Sota knew they knew what had happened. " Now you know why you should always knock before entering a room Dear." His mother said while trying not to laugh. The only one who didn't think it was funny was Sota.
Not wanting to embarrass him any further they returned to their normal conversation. Before long Kagome stepped back into the room. She stood glaring at Sesshomaru with her arms crossed. She wondered where it was she was going to be forced to go today. The idea of being forced to endure more of the uncomfortable feeling like she had the night before wasn't a pleasant thought.
" So Sesshomaru where to today?" She asked as if she could care less. Sota on the other hand waited with anticipation to learn their destination.
" Today we will be meeting someone at the amusement park." He said smiling at the excited look on Sota's face. Kagome however rolled her eyes.
" Yes! The amusement park cool!" The excitement in Sota voice and actions was very easy to see and hear.
On their way to the amusement park Sesshomaru's phone started ringing. " Hello."
" Sesshomaru I need you to come to the office." Came the voice from the other end.
" Can you not handle things on your own?" Sesshomaru wanted to growl and beat Inuyasha. He knew what was planed for the day.
" Listen asshole. I need you to sign a few things and a couple of them can't wait. If it isn't signed now we lose the accounts. It will not take long. Just come and do it." Inuyasha said and hung the phone up in Sesshomaru's ear.
" I'm sorry My Dear. It seems as if we will need to stop by my office for a moment before we go to the amusement park.
" Whatever." Was all she said as she rolled her eyes.
Arriving at the office building Kagome saw the name Tashio Inc.. She was surprised she had never noticed the name before and put them together. Leaving Kagome and Sota in his office, he promised to return shortly. Recruiting the help of Sota she grabbed up two sticky note pads and went to work.
As soon as they were finished they stepped out of his office and was talking to some of the woman who worked in the room. As Sesshomaru approached them however he had a bad feeling. When the woman all started turning around smiling at him, he knew she had done it again.
What happened next surprised Kagome. " Well Ladies I am glad to see you are all in such a good mood today. May I ask what my future wife has been telling you?" He knew him calling her that would upset her. The look she gave him told him he was right.
The idea of being the one to tell him what she had said was just to good for her to pass up. " I was only telling them how much you love to hug up your teddy bear." She said smiling sweetly at him.
Sesshomaru only smiled back at her. The way he smiled made her feel uneasy. All to soon she knew why he was smiling. " Dear I thought we agreed we would not tell others our little nick names. Your just so soft and cuddly like a teddy bear I can't help myself." The devilish smile that spread across his face made Kagome want to choke him.
Looking at Sota she was upset even more. He stood next to Sesshomaru snickering trying not to laugh. " I think I left something in your office Sesshomaru."
" We should get it then Dear." As they walked off to the office what she heard from one of the woman shocked Kagome. She wondered if he had brain washed his employees. " I wish it was me he was marrying." Another popped off saying " Dream on."
Stepping in his office Sesshomaru froze as he looked over a sea of yellow sticky notes. Everywhere he looked there was a sticky note. Turning he looked at Kagome. " What may I ask is all of this?" He had to admit to himself that what she had done was funny but he wasn't about to let her know he thought so.
Putting on an innocent smile she replied. " I got bored and labeled everything for you." The reaction she got from him was not the one she wanted. There was no sign of anger as he smiled back at her. " Shall we go? The amusement park awaits us."
Kagome didn't wait as she turned and left his office. She was mad in the fact she had not been able to upset him. " She's mad ya know." Sota said grinning as he looked up at Sesshomaru.
" Yes I know. Cute isn't it." He replied looking down at Sota and let out a soft laugh. Sota nodded his head grinning and they took off after her.
Pushing the button for the elevator she waited patiently. Until she heard his voice whispering in her ear. " If you are bored again Dear, I can suggest something for you to do." She felt an arm snake around her waist.
" Sesshomaru I just have one thing to say to you." Turning in his hold, she pushed away from him. When she spoke it was to low for human ears but she knew he could hear her. " Demon you will not touch my person with your." She looked down his body and back up. " Your body."
What she saw flash through his eyes made her almost feel sorry she had said it. He looked straight ahead at the elevator door and released her. Her mind flashed back to the day he had said it to her. Even though it was only a memory it still hurt her the same way it had that day.
Turning her back on him she spoke once again. Not wanting to ruin the day for Sota she made sure she spoke in whispered words. " It hurts to have someone you want to be around call you by your race and demand you not to touch them. Doesn't it Sesshomaru?" When the doors opened she stepped in.
When she turned around to face the doors hers and Sesshomaru's eyes lock for a split second before she could looked away. As their eyes locked Sesshomaru saw something he had not expected. Her eyes were lined with tears. While the elevator moved floor to floor Sesshomaru tried to figure out what had caused her tears.
Thinking of what she had said he realized what had caused them. Knowing it was something he had said to her 500 years ago angered him.Through out the years he had thought of all he had done and said to her. Each time he did, it only angered him with how mean and cruel he had been.
With the excitement of going to the amusement park Sota took off running as soon as they stepped out of the building. Climbing into the car before either of them got there, he waited patently. Sesshomaru stopped when his hand touched the car doors handle to let her in.
" Kagome I apologize for what I said to you that day. There are many things I said and did that effected you back then. If I were able to change them, I would. As hard as it might be for you to believe, I am not the same as I was." What she said next made his chest feel heavy and tight. It seemed like nothing he could say or do was going to help. He wished there was a way to make her understand, to believe him.
" Sesshomaru you may have my family and others fooled but your not fooling me. I know the real you. I know how cruel you can be. How you take enjoyment from others pain. I simply want to finish our agreement, keep my word and get away from you. There are other things that are more deserving of my time than this." As she spoke her face was void of any emotion and her voice cold as ice. Opening the door she got in and they left the building.
When they arrived at the amusement parks, Sesshomaru stood looking around as if he was watching for someone. Glancing across the parking lot Kagome saw a little girl with dark hair and pig tails running toward them.Rin. She looks like Rin. Stop it Kagome, Get a grip on yourself. Rin's dead and has been for a very long time. Closing her eyes she turned her head away, willing herself not to think or cry over the little girl she left behind.
Her eyes snapped open when she heard the little girl yell out. " Grandpa." Shocked she turned around just in time to see him picking up the little girl with a huge smile on his face. " Well birthday girl. How is my favorite great granddaughter today?" This made the little girl start laughing as she hugged him around the neck.
" Grandpa you always say that. I am your only great granddaughter." " This fact does not change your status My Dear." The tone in his voice was different than she had ever heard before. It was kind, warm and surprising enough loving. The warm smile he wore reminded her of the ones she would see on her own grandfathers face when she was young.
Kagome stood frozen in a confused state. Watching the two of them she was seeing a side of Sesshomaru she had never seen before. She didn't know if she should trust her eyes or not. She found it hard to believe he would or even could be like she was seeing. She wondered if this was just another one of his tricks like he did in the past.
Little did she know she had one more shocking surprise coming. When Reni walked up she saw that Kagome had come along as well. Looking at Sesshomaru he nodded his head but said not a word. The little girl looked over as she giggled and called Reni momma. Looking at Kagome, Reni smiled brightly. Finely she was going to be able to do what she had wanted to do since she first met her.
Standing her daughter in front of her Reni smiled as she looked at Kagome. " You have a lovely little girl Reni." Kagome said as she smiled down at the child in front of her friend.
" Yes she is. She looks like my mother did at her age. My husband and I even gave her my mother's name." Kagome became even more confused as she looked at the little girl. Reni bent down placing her arms around her daughter. " Hun I want you to meet grandpa's Kagome." The little girls eyes widened and a smile spread across her face as she looked at her mother.
" Kagome I would like you to meet my daughter Rin. The Rin you knew was my mother." Kagomes body went numb and her mouth went dry. She felt like she was unable to breath as she looked at the pair in front of her. Now she understood why the little girl looked so much like Rin. The reason she had felt the connection with Reni on the plane and the island.
Feeling a light tug on her shirt Kagome looked down. By her leg stood little Rin smiling up at her. Bending down she looked Rin in the eyes. " Since you was my grandma's mother can I call you grandma now like I do grandpa?" Looking at the little girl even the way she spoke so innocently reminded her of her Rin.
Looking at Reni the smiles she wore told her she didn't mind. Not wanting to commit herself to anything she quickly came up with a way to give the child what she wanted. " You may call me whatever you wish to. It is your birthday after all." The smile on her little face grew even more as she lunged herself forward at Kagome.
Wrapping her arms around Kagome she whispered. " At last I got my great grandma." Closing her eyes Kagome hugged little Rin tightly to her. Sesshomaru was glad that at last they was able to tell her the truth. He felt as if a great weight was lifted off of his shoulders.
After a few minutes they all entered the amusement park. As the day wore on Kagome enjoyed herself with Reni and little Rin. Each time Kagome would ride one of the rides with Rin she would talk none stop about anything and everything. Even though she would not admit it she even enjoyed Sesshomaru company. Before leaving the park Sesshomaru vanished behind some tents. When he returned, in his hand was a single silk red rose.
Holding his hand out he offered it to Kagome. Looking at the rose she realized it had been him who had been giving her the roses on the island. Taking the rose all she said was " Thanks." The shyness she was displaying made Sesshomaru smile. He could tell she had enjoyed herself. He was glad that for a change she had not said or done anything rude or to try to upset him.
Saying their farewells they promising to get together soon. With the exchanging of phone numbers they went their separate ways. On their way back to the shrine Sota sat in the back seat talking about how much fun he had and his new friend Rin. Kagome on the other hand was deep in thought.
The idea that Reni was Rin's daughter kept going through her mind. She wondered why they had not told her sooner while they were on the island. With knowing that they had kept this secret from her , it made it wonder what else they were not telling her. She knew if she was to ask Sesshomaru on his honor she would be told the truth or he might not say anything. Question was would he tell her at all. Glancing over at him she decided she would ask and try to find out.
Arriving at the Shrine, Sesshomaru walked them up to the door. After Sota entered the house it left Kagome and Sesshomaru alone. " Sesshomaru before you go there is something I want to give you. But you need to come to my room to get it." With the little grin that crossed his face she knew what he was thinking.
Her hands went to her hips as she narrowed her eyes at him. " It's nothing like that. So don't even think it Mr." Sesshomaru's smile grew and he gave off a soft laugh. " As you wish My Dear. Lead the way." As he spoke his motioned toward the door.
When they stepped into Kagome's room and Sesshomaru saw her wall of memories the smile he wore vanished. Standing beside her bed the sight of so many pictures with him and Rin caused his breath to still in his chest. For so many years he had not seen the face of the little girl he looked at as his own daughter. Staring at each picture he found he was unable to look away. With each picture he saw memories flashed through his mind of when they must have been taken.
Kagome watched as Sesshomaru froze looking at her wall. When she saw a tear fall from his eye, she thought she was seeing things, until she saw another. She had not thought that him seeing the picture would bother him so much. She could feel pain coming from him. She couldn't figure out why, but she felt bad that she had caused him pain.
Placing her hand on his shoulder she spoke softly. " Sesshomaru are you alright?"
Hearing her voice pulled him back to reality and he looked at her. He was unaware to the fact she had felt his pain or the tears that had fallen from his eyes. " Yes." He looked back at the wall. " You have many memories to be able to reflect on."
She saw his back straighten and all emotions drained from him. " I wanted to give you one of these pictures. I'm sure you don't have any of her. You can pick the one you want." Sesshomaru watched as she sat down on the chair at her desk. The hard edge she had to her voice had vanished and a softer one had taken its place. What he couldn't understand was why she was being so nice. What had changed?
The awkwardness in the room was unsettling to both of them. Picking a picture, he carefully placed it in his shirt pocket. When he turned around he found she was now standing beside him. Without warning she started moving toward the door. Before she could open the door Sesshomaru put his hand on it keeping it closed. " Why did you do that?" She said with her hands on her hips, her back close to the door.
" I would like to thank you for the picture. It means a great deal to me." While he spoke he watched her reactions closely. His hand raised letting his fingers softly caress the edge of her cheek. He was pleasantly surprised when she didn't pull away.
She tried to relaxed as she replied. Outside she was calm but inside she was nervous. She didn't know what he was going to do. " Your welcome Sesshomaru. I umm wanted to thank you as well. You know for telling me the truth about Reni and allowing me to get to know little Rin. I did enjoy myself today."
His eyes roamed over her face as if trying to memorize everything about how she looked. She saw his body starting to move closer to hers. Stepping back she was stopped by the door, her body flush against it. As he leaned forward his eyes never left hers. His hand cupped her cheek as his fingers slowly moved into her hair. It made her feel as if he was trying to look into her very soul.
Quickly darting to the side, she moved away from him. " I think you should go now Sesshomaru." She looked at the floor in front of the door as she spoke. Even though she could see his face, she tried not to look him in the eyes. The thought she had almost let him kiss her disturbed Kagome.
Watching her action Sesshomaru was puzzled. She was saying one thing but her body was telling him something different. The light scent of arousal was mixed with her own natural scent. The scent of her arousal was driving him wild. He knew if he didn't go he would end up doing someone he would regret later.
Taking her hand into his, he let his thumb softly rub over the top of her hand. " I will call for you tomorrow. I have waited 500 years for you and denied all others while doing it. I will wait for you as long as it take. Good night My dear." He softly smiled at her then walked out of the door.
Kagome stood by her bedroom window confused about what had happened. Her mind raced as she watched him walk into the court yard and turn around looking up at her before continuing to his car. She laid on her bed in the dark wondering what to do as sleep took her over.