Author's Note: I know you guys are thinking "Where have you been? I hate you for not updating. You're terrible." Well, I've literally been everywhere and nowhere at the same time. I just haven't had it in me to write, and college and work have been a little stressful, but now with this summer break, I can catch up on my writing and hopefully finish this so I can focus on something else. I will not rush this to finish and I may even do a sequel where they are in college. It just depends on what you guys think/want. Anyways, hope my writing hasn't completely failed you all. Read & Review lovely people! Much Love

Chapter 10

Days Later

Kagome had not been able to get in touch with Sesshomaru for a few days, but when she was running behind to catch the bus because she woke up late, she called him hoping he would answer.

"Hello?" His voice was low and monotone.

"Morning, I know we haven't been talking a while, but if you're not too busy, can you take me to practice?"

Sesshomaru groaned, "Of course."

"Thank you so much. We should have lunch, my treat. I'll see you in a few minutes." Kagome hung up and continued to get ready. She grabbed her gym bag, a muffin, and water off the table. She went outside where Sesshomaru was waiting for her.

She got in the car, "Sorry I'm late. Overslept, so much on my mind."

"You're fine." Sesshomaru casually stated and drove to the school. "What time is your practice over?"

"I should be out of there before noon, but you don't have to come get me." Kagome glanced at Sesshomaru, "Is everything alright?"

"Perfectly fine; my mother should be back any day now. Things have been quite stressful at the office." Sesshomaru looked at Kagome as he stopped at a light, "How else can we have lunch if I do not come get you?"

"Fine. Lunch on me of course. I hope things get better," Kagome smiled and looked at her phone as it vibrated. Sesshomaru stopped again and looked at Kagome's hand, catching a glimpse of her smile and the name of the person messaging her this early.

He clenched his jaw and kept his eyes on the road. He would not let her see him lose his control, especially when he really had no right. He had no claim over her, did he? He felt as though he did for some reason. He felt as if they were more than friends, but what did he know?

"Sesshomaru!" Kagome practically yelled at him.

He looked at her.

"You passed the gym…" Kagome chuckled a little, "Are you sure everything is alright?"

"I need more sleep." Sesshomaru made a very illegal U-turn and pulled into the school. "My apologies."

"It's fine. I hope you get some rest." She smiled and grabbed her gym bag, "See you after practice?"

"Of course, just text me." Sesshomaru waved to her and drove off to the office. He was going to kill his brother. It was his fault he was this way to be honest. Had his brother been working he wouldn't have snapped those pictures of Kagome and that guy. He slammed his car door and stalked up the stairs. He snapped at a girl with a notepad and looked at her, "Find Miroku. Tell him it's urgent."

The girl fluttered off as Sesshomaru went into his office. He sat behind his desk and gained his composure. A few moments later, the door opened and Miroku sat in a chair.

"Yes?" Miroku looked at Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru looked up at Miroku; his eyes were red.

"Oh my… Your eyes, is everything okay Sesshomaru?"

"No!" He growled, "Find this man. Find out who he is and everything about him. Find out his connection to Kagome."

"Your sec…your former secretary?" Miroku looked at Sesshomaru and his not so red eyes anymore.

Sesshomaru nodded, "I'm concerned about her."

"Right, or jealous…"

"Is that what this is?" Sesshomaru looked at Miroku, "Why do I feel like this?"

"Because you really like her, more than you've liked anyone. Almost like I like Sango." Miroku smirked.

"Yes, but you will not change your perverted ways to be taken seriously by that young woman."

"We're in high school, seniors in high school. I want to be a free man before I am tied down to one woman for the rest of my life."

Sesshomaru glanced at Miroku, "Understandable, my father did that and ended up having a mistress."

"Exactly." Miroku stood up, "Is my only task to find this boy?"

"Yes, everything about him." Sesshomaru nodded as Miroku looked at the photo Sesshomaru printed from his half brother's phone.

Miroku nodded and reached for the door. "Anything else?"

"I'm not available unless thy name is Kagome." Sesshomaru hit his head on the desk.

Miroku shook his head slightly because that poor man was deeply in puppy love. He walked to the elevator with the picture in his hand when a thought passed through him, and he laughed out loud because there was no way in the world that THAT could happen, especially to Sesshomaru.

Kagome helped put the gym back to the way it was so that the basketball teams could practice. She ran off to the showers so she could be ready for Sesshomaru and their lunch date. She smiled to herself at the thought of him. He made her so happy. Sometimes he would get a weird look in his eyes, but he was male and had repeatedly told her how he thought she was beautiful. She changed into her work clothes, a work outfit picked out by Scott himself. She smoothed her skirt and picked up her gym bag, looking at her phone.

"Hey..Kagome.."

"Hi Sango, what's going on?" Kagome walked with her teammate outside to her car. She glanced around but did not see Sesshomaru.

"Would you like to go bowling with us? Some of the girls on the team and I are going on Saturday."

"Oh sure. I haven't been bowling in a while. Text me the details."

Sango smiled, "Will do. See you Saturday. Remember, we don't have practice tomorrow."

"That's right. Thanks for reminding me." Kagome waved to Sango as Sesshomaru pulled into his usual parking spot. "I'll see you on Saturday." Kagome got into the car and threw her bag into the backseat.

"Saturday? You have practice on the weekends now?" Sesshomaru turned down the music as she began to talk.

"Oh…no, Sango and some of the girls are going bowling and invited me to come along. I thought it would be nice to bond with them outside of the gym."

"Of course. Where to for lunch?"

"I don't really know. I'm still learning the area. The café next to work is great."

"I know a sushi place not far from work. I would much rather go there." Sesshomaru said through his clenched jaw.

Kagome glanced at him while shaking her hair out of the ponytail she had been wearing for practice, "Are you alright?"

"I am perfectly fine and in control."

"It doesn't seem like it. Talk to me. We haven't talked in a few days."

Sesshomaru pulled into the restaurant's parking lot and glanced at her, "Are we together?"

Kagome coughed and her eyes widen, "Together? Like…in a relationship."

"Yes, like in a relationship, how else?"

"I don't know…" Kagome stammered, "I…It had…can we talk about this inside?"

Sesshomaru exited his vehicle, "As you wish…"

Kagome looked over the menu, glancing at Sesshomaru every now and then.

"Yes?"

"I…" Kagome put the menu down, "We are dating…exclusively, if that is something you wish…"

"Oh."

"Oh?"

"Then do tell, why were you galivanting with some hooligan on a motorcycle?" Sesshomaru's voice began to grow louder, but he calmed himself, too afraid that his demon would emerge demanding the truth from the dark-haired beauty across from him.

Kagome's eyes widen, "Excuse me?"

"I believe I enunciated clearly."

Kagome inhaled and exhaled slowly, a trick she had learned from her father so she wouldn't get too riled up and destroy something or someone, "Is that why you have been avoiding me these past few days? Because I had lunch with a friend?"

Sesshomaru stared at her, waiting for an explanation.

Just as Kagome was about to explain, the waitress came and took their orders. They ordered their food quickly, and Sesshomaru turned his gaze back to Kagome. "I was having lunch with a friend I met at the mall."

"We did not meet anyone in the mall."

"I went back. That's when I applied for my job and got it. I met him. He helped take all my bags to the car."

"And that is all?"

"We had lunch early this week, and he took me to work when I missed the bus. He is actually helping me with a project."

"Oh? And am I of no assistance?"

"Well no, you're so busy and he works as a mechanic, and I don't want my mother to know. If she knew what I was doing, she would try and stop me."

"So you decided not to even tell me, your…boyfriend, and rather I find out from someone else?"

"Who told you about my lunch? And I wasn't ready to tell you either. I prefer to do things in my own time." Kagome glared at him, "And honestly I am done with this conversation about Koga."

Sesshomaru scoffed and clenched his hands into fists, "Koga…"

"Leave him alone. Don't be that guy."

"I am merely protective."

"And territorial."

"It is my nature."

Kagome slightly rolled her eyes, but her scowl was quickly replaced with a smile when the food arrived. They both ate in relative silence. Kagome's phone rang while Sesshomaru was paying, so she went outside to answer.

"Hey. I was going to text you back, but I got distracted."
"It's fine. I just need to know if you really want these parts. I can go ahead and get them and bring 'em to you."

Kagome waited by Sesshomaru's car, "Ohmygod, really? Do you think we could do it together?"

Koga chuckled, "Oh…um, sure. Anything for you."

"Awesome. I'll see you tonight."

"I'll make my way over when I close up shop."

"Great. Bye." Kagome hung and nearly jumped out of her skin, "You scared me!"

Sesshomaru opened her door, "Nothing to worry about even though you asked if you could do it with someone that is not me."

"It's my project and once we are done, I will let you see." Kagome smiled and kissed Sesshomaru's frown. "Please, trust me. This relationship won't work if you do not trust me."

He kissed her again when he got into the car, "I do trust you."