Disclaimer – I don't own InuYasha…

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Chapter 10 – A New Promise

Kagome now became the new subject of every gossip within the walls of Shikon Insurance. Throughout all the chit chat, Kagome has been described an 'extremely lucky bitch', a 'desperate flirt', a 'deceitful whore' and many more comments made by the women expressing utter distaste. The strong feeling of jealously inside the office was so dense that it could literally make a person gag. The men, on the other hand, labelled Kagome as 'off limits' against their will. If she wasn't 'Sesshoumaru's woman' most of the young men would be vying for her attention by now.

Kagome and Sesshoumaru were in their now usual lunch date. It seems that almost everyday they would go out and eat lunch together. And most of the time, Sesshoumaru would no longer bring any work with him. The head of the company would be so ecstatic when he hears about this. Actually, he might have already heard about it due to all the many gossips around him. For all we know, he's already jumping for joy.

Both were having a nice lunch together, like most of their other lunch dates. It seemed that nothing ever went wrong. Their friendship started out fresh and has been going strong as time went on. However, Sesshoumaru couldn't help but wonder why he has suddenly changed. He was no longer bogged down by work and the heavy pressure he carries was becoming lighter and lighter. Wanting everything to be explained, he took a good look at Kagome while listening to her.

Kagome, who was talking in an animated way, suddenly noticed Sesshoumaru's change of expression. It is quite interesting to know how Kagome could tell, since Sesshoumaru always maintains a straight face. She quickly changed the tone of her voice to a concerned one and asked, "Is anything wrong?"

Sesshoumaru quickly dismissed his inner musings and replied, "Nothing's wrong. Sorry for interrupting you."

Kagome gave a suspecting look at her companion before going back to their conversation. She attempted to recall what she was talking about beforehand, but she found out she couldn't so she thought of a new topic for the conversation. She suddenly hyped up after coming up with a more interesting topic. "I just found out last night that one of my new friends is actually your brother" she said beaming.

"My brother?" Sesshoumaru now held an even more serious tone.

"I met Inuyasha weeks ago when he started working at my favourite ice cream parlour. I was so surprised upon hearing that you two are actually brothers. I didn't expect it at all! I met you guys around the same time. Actually, I met you first then your brother. It never really occurred to me that you too are brothers."

"That's because we're so different."

"I agree." Kagome noticed the hostile tone in Sesshoumaru's voice. "The way you're acting, you don't like your brother very much do you?"

"All he gives me is disappointment. He's a lazy scum, who takes everything for granted."

Kagome wasn't too keen about Sesshoumaru's response. "The way I see him, I don't think he's lazy at all. He works very hard at the ice cream parlour. I sense that it's not much to you but it's honest work."

"No matter how much you can convince me, you wouldn't be able to change my mind about him." That's definitely the cue for the conversation to stop. Sesshoumaru no longer wanted to talk about his pathetic brother.

Kagome didn't want to see Sesshoumaru agitated anymore, so she ended the topic, saying, "It's very sad to hear that both of you speak ill of each other. I really do hope things would get better between you two."

Sesshoumaru stood up, saying that he needed to get back to work. He apologized for leaving early and walked over to the counter to pay for their meal.

Kagome looked over to his food that he didn't finish and felt really bad that their lunch ended miserably. Since she knew that Sesshoumaru wanted to be alone, she quietly finished her meal and decided not to run after him.

Meanwhile, Sesshoumaru was walking back to the office in a terrible mood. Once again Inuyasha ruined everything. He quickly brought up the idea that his friendship with Kagome has got to be one of Inuyasha's stupid schemes of pairing him up with someone. 'How could I've been so easily fooled?' he said to himself grimly.

Once he arrived at his office, he slammed the door closed. He didn't care if anyone heard or saw. He's really pissed with himself that he has fallen trapped into his brother's plan.

When it was nearly the end of the lunch break, Kagome arrived back to the office building. On her way to her office, many of her colleagues were all looking at her. 'What is it now?' she asked herself.

As she was about to open the door of her office, someone nearby had the nerve to ask, "What happened between you and your boyfriend?"

Kagome didn't like the tone of her voice at all. "What do you mean? What boyfriend?"

"How would you then explain Sir Sesshoumaru slamming his door closed when he got back? You guys went out together for lunch but he got back here alone and way before you did. You had a fight didn't you?"

"I don't think it's any of your business knowing everything that happens between us. And just to let you know, he's not my boyfriend." Kagome retorted back with a tone of intimidation. "I'm sorry, but I can't have a chat right now. I have work to do." She opened the door of her office and quickly closed it once she got inside.

There goes a hot new topic for gossip out for the taking.

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Back in the condominium, Inuyasha was home since today was his day off work. Having Miroku with him meant that they are back to business on finding Sesshoumaru a mate. It is true that Inuyasha did lose interest about his new scheme days ago, but hearing that Kagome also knows Sesshoumaru last night may have influenced him to change his mind.

If there is something going on between Sesshoumaru and Kagome, it is true that it would make Inuyasha's task so much easier. Heck, he doesn't have to do anything at all. The question is why is he still bothering with the personals ad?

The answer to that question is pretty obvious actually. It's a very simple answer. He likes Kagome and he wants her for himself. How very selfish of him. But what can you do with a man in love?

Inuyasha and Miroku are at the moment going through the 'definite' folder, finding a woman that they would set up a date with Sesshoumaru. So they are basically on the next stage of Inuyasha's scheme. This will be a very hard task but like Inuyasha said before, he would do anything for his brother to agree.

After so much debate, Inuyasha and Miroku have finally chosen a lucky candidate. Inuyasha quickly took hold of the telephone and dialled Kagura's contact number.

After a couple of rings, someone finally picked up. "Hello, may I please speak to Kagura" greeted Inuyasha.

"Speaking" the woman answered.

"Hi, this is Sesshoumaru. I'm really sorry for the short notice but I would like to meet you tonight. Are you free?"

Miroku grew surprised from what Inuyasha just said. He knew that the dating stage would begin but he totally had no idea that the first date would be happening tonight. He looked at Inuyasha with a perplexed face.

On the other end of the line, Kagura wasn't expecting anything she was asked. She was so shocked that she starting stuttering. "Umm… I-I believe so."

"That's great." Inuyasha started mapping out the details. "Meet me at Crown, a restaurant along Main Ave. Let's say around 8:00 pm. Is the time okay for you?"

After hearing Kagura agree, he continued on. "As you enter the restaurant, just mention my name. Someone would lead you to our table. Are my arrangements okay with you?"

Kagura once again agreed.

"I'm looking forward on seeing you then. See you tonight." Inuyasha waited for Kagura to hang up before he did.

Just as Inuyasha put down the phone, Miroku straight away asked him, "How come the date is tonight? There's no way we could convince your brother to go on a date tonight."

"I'll take care of it." Inuyasha sat back at the couch and switched on the television.

Miroku followed suit and sat next to him. "Why are you suddenly in a hurry about all this?"

"I just want this done and over with."

Miroku looked at his friend. He knew that there's definitely something that Inuyasha is hiding from him.

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Surprisingly, right after working hours have ended, Sesshoumaru was the very first one to get out of his office and proceeded to the car park. It may really sound weird but he wanted to get home as soon as possible. All afternoon, he locked himself in his office and shooed anyone that knocked on his door. All he did was fume over his brother about how he keeps prying on to his life. What bugged him even more was his trivial relation with Kagome. If the fact that Kagome was another victim to Inuyasha's matchmaking efforts was true, it angered him so much that he's actually making a really big deal of it. He never cared about all the other women Inuyasha introduced to him before. He basically brushed them off like ticks one by one. Even though he hated to admit it, this marked the very first time he actually cared.

He recalled the past few weeks and noticed that he was practically feeling very calm and serene most of the time. The weight upon his shoulders had slackened and he no longer felt stressed and pressured. He didn't need to think about what change had occurred around him during that time. It was obvious that meeting Kagome was the recent change in his life.

Now that he's avoiding Kagome, he started to feel miserable all over again. It would be logical to say that having Kagome by Sesshoumaru's side is actually advantageous on his part. Sadly, Sesshoumaru was still unsure. He feared that if he admits to it, he would face the question as to why Kagome has that effect on him. He didn't want to ask himself whether it may be possible that he is attracted to Kagome. It was his strong belief that personal happiness doesn't depend on romance. If he was really attracted to Kagome, then he had just proved himself wrong. That would surely deflate his ego.

After being stuck in a heavy traffic, Sesshoumaru finally arrived home. This time he was even grouchier. As he opened the door of the condominium, he was met by Inuyasha right by the door. "Move", he demanded.

However, Inuyasha didn't move an inch. He ignored Sesshoumaru's nice request and asked him a question. "Can you do me a really big favour?"

Sesshoumaru grew even more aggravated. He is definitely in no mood to be doing favours for Inuyasha. "Damn it! I said move!"

Inuyasha finally gave way to Sesshoumaru and closed the door as Sesshoumaru entered the condominium. Inuyasha tried asking the question again, hoping that he would get an answer this time. "Can you me a really big favour?"

Upon entering his room, Sesshoumaru called out, "The hell with your favours. I'm not doing anything for you." This was followed with the slam of the door.

Inuyasha walked to Sesshoumaru's bedroom door and stood by it. "I promise to do whatever you want and I'll do it however you want it, if you agree to do this favour." Inuyasha has battled over that statement as he was waiting for Sesshoumaru to get home. He knew that his brother would come up with inhumane things that he would definitely hate to do. He's desperate, so he has no choice but to give in to whatever his brother orders him to do.

Inuyasha's promise had registered in Sesshoumaru's mind. He deemed the situation peculiar since Inuyasha never promised him anything before. He definitely sensed his brother's desperation. There's only one thing that this will lead to. Sesshoumaru knew straightaway that this favour has to involve a date with some woman. However, this has made Sesshoumaru wonder. If Kagome was indeed involved in Inuyasha's scheme, why would his brother still arrange dates with other women? Kagome surely couldn't be the woman implicated in Inuyasha's present favour, since it is plainly illogical. Why would Inuyasha arrange a date between Kagome and Sesshoumaru, if Kagome could ask Sesshoumaru herself to go out for dinner? Besides, if Inuyasha does arrange a date between Kagome and Sesshoumaru, it'll totally spoil the scheme that Sesshoumaru is thinking of.

Sesshoumaru now grew curious on who the woman might turn out to be. A thought suddenly had entered his head and he had a change of heart. He opened his bedroom door and Inuyasha was right in front of him once again. "Are you sure about your promise? Are you, by any chance, taking it back?"

Inuyasha gulped. "I'm sure about my promise and I'm not going take it back", he said confidently.

"What's your favour then?"

Inuyasha mapped out the details and readied himself for a scolding.

However; Sesshoumaru did no such thing, which surprised Inuyasha a great deal. "What's her name?" he asked.

"It's Kagura."

"Is there anything else I need to know, besides meeting her at Crown around 8:00 pm tonight?"

"That's it." Inuyasha gulped once again. "So what's the other end of the bargain? What do you want me to do?"

Sesshoumaru looked straight into Inuyasha's eyes. "This is will be the last date that you would arrange on my behalf. You're going to stop any scheme that you are currently undertaking to find me a mate and you're not going to start any future schemes that you would come up with in the future. Do you understand? You better not break your promise."

Seeing that it was quarter to 7:00 pm, Sesshoumaru closed his bedroom door once again and headed to his en suite bathroom for a shower.

Inuyasha headed to his own room, with thoughts rambling around his head. If Kagura failed to gain Sesshoumaru's interest, then Inuyasha would have to break his promise to his father. 'Everything has to work this time', thought Inuyasha. 'I better go check things out myself.' He also readied himself to go to Crown as well.

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A/N: Here's another chapter! I'm surprised that I was able to update this July. Since I didn't expect to be finished this early, I believe that what I have just written won't really sound good. I'm really not that happy with this chapter. But anyway, do you like it? Hate it? TELL ME! PLS. REVIEW! Comments and suggestions greatly appreciated! I'm sorry for the grammatical and spelling mistakes.

Thank you so much to the people who reviewed! Love you all!

The next update would be in August! I've got my major exams in 2 weeks so I think there's no way for me to be able to update before July ends.

Thank you so much for reading my story!

Take care people!

elena-maria