Angel: I just realized something... at the end of the last chapter I didn't even begin to explain what some of the terms used in the conversation between Menomaru and Gatenmaru meant!

Izzy: Good one Angel.

Angel: Shut up! Ok, let me explain to the best of my ability.

Kumicho Head of a Yakuza family

Council A group of 8 high-ranking officers of a family

Saiko Komon Senior Advisor to the kumicho

I think that's all I used. If you need any thing else explained please feel free to ask! And Thank you to the four people who reviewed last chapter, I had hoped for more, but 4 isn't bad :)

Where Do We Go From Here

"Higurashi... I know you were at the door, what did you hear?" Menomaru asked, leaning back in his chair and propping his feet on his desk.

"I-I didn't..." she stopped, deciding it would be better not to lie. "Gatenmaru-sama would like to see you replaced."

"Is that all you heard?"

"I heard you call him kumicho..." She took a deep breath. "Menomaru-sama, your business is none of my concern and as per my silence contract I will not breathe a word of this to anyone."

"Not even someone close to you who could gain from this information?"

"I'm not sure I follow..."

"Do you really think I'd hire you and not have someone look into your 'private' affairs?" He smirked as he laid a folder on his desk. "I generally do not interfere with the personal lives of my employees, but what is your relationship to Toga Takahashi's heir, Sesshoumaru?"

"I have no relationship with him."

"Really? Then explain these," he said, opening the folder. "There are images of you sneaking out his window, leaving his home late at night, dining with him, you two leaving together this morning... If there is no relationship then I am sure you have an explanation."

"Who took these pictures?"

"That is not your concern, can you tell me why, if there is no relationship, you two have been spending so much time together?"

"I just split up with his brother, Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru has been helping me deal with it."

He scoffed. "I'm supposed to believe that the ice lord himself is helping you mend your broken heart? Please do not negate my intelligence."

"It was a fling and a stupid mistake. It was only supposed to happen once, but it happened again last night. I give you my word that it won't happen again on one condition."

"And what would that be?"

"That you trust me and stop having people follow me. I am a woman of my word Menomaru Hyoga, the real question is are you a man of yours?"

--

Sesshoumaru looked around his new apartment in disdain. He would have to hire decorators as soon as possible because this looked like something out of 'Home & Garden' and the atmosphere it created made him ill. This is something the miko would like, he thought as he walked into his living room. The walls were a pale yellow with a white trim and in the center of the room was a white couch with dark wood legs and two matching chairs across from a fireplace made of black marble. On the coffee table was a tan pot with an amaryllis in it, but everything seemed so generic and forced. The only good thing about it was the huge window-wall the over looked the city. He could only imagine the view at night, looking out over the city lights, cuddling with someone he cared about. He shook the thought from his head, ever since he kissed the miko he kept having thoughts that he could never imagine himself having before. The worst part was that they all involved the miko, a human who got on his nerves and seemed to find new ways to get under his skin every day.

The ringing of his cell phone drew his attention away from thoughts about Kagome. He picked it up and answered without bothering to look at the caller ID. "Hello," his cold voice echoed through the empty apartment.

"Sesshoumaru, it's Kagome, we need to talk about something, can you meet me at the old park down by the university?"

He looked at his watch, it was nearly eight and was certainly not in the mood for her antics at the moment. "Miko, I am preparing to have dinner, can this wait until later?"

"No it cannot." Her voice sounded clipped and rushed.

He groaned internally. "Fine, I shall meet you in fifteen minutes. You had better be there miko."

The line went dead and Kagome stared at her phone. She took a few deep breaths even though she didn't know why she was so nervous, it couldn't be considered breaking up if they were never really an item.

--

Sesshoumaru leaned against his car and looked around the park, wondering why she would want to meet in such a broken down mess. Finally his eyes settled on the woman sitting at the base of a tree, it was starting to get dark, but with his demon vision he could see her perfectly. When he reached her, she looked up, her eyes were sad and distant. "Hello Sesshoumaru," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

"I have no time for games miko, what is it you wanted to talk about?" he asked, his voice cold and void of all emotion.

She gave the ghost of a smile, it was so like him to want to get straight to the point. "We have to stop."

"Stop what?"

"Seeing each other, being friends, everything."

He usually wouldn't care, the feelings of humans didn't matter to him, and the idea of being 'friends' with one never appealed to him, but for some reason the sadness in her voice made him want to know more, made him want to comfort her. "Why?"

She looked up, visibly surprised by his question. "My job, I work for the competition. Menomaru-sama has asked that I stop seeing you or I will lose my job."

He sat down beside her. "He can't do that to you, he cannot dictate your actions outside his office."

"Sesshoumaru..." her voice trailed off and she placed a hand on his face then let it slide away. She turned away, not wanting him to see her tears. "I can take a chance, I can go against his wishes, but before I take that plunge, before I risk everything I need to know that this is more then physical."

He looked into her eyes, trying to find the answer that he didn't have. For the first time in his life he didn't understand what he felt. In the past it had always been easy, hatred, anger, simple feelings that required little thought and even less effort to conceal, but now... This miko made him crazy, she was disorganized, unruly, overly emotional, and all the things he had always held a great distaste for and yet... The idea of them being together had crossed his mind a lot in the last few days, it intruded on his every thought, but he wasn't sure it was what he really wanted. She was just coming out of a bad relationship, what would it do to her if she took this leap and it didn't work out? His brother had caused her enough pain to last her a lifetime, and he really didn't want to be added to her list of 'why to never trust men.' What if she was using him as a rebound? If he put the effort forward and she left it would hurt, especially since he'd never had a real relationship that he worked at. Of course nobody would see it, he would keep his cold demeanor, but inside it would just add to the turmoil.

Kagome watched him as he conflicted with himself. The longer he took to answer the more nervous she became. What if he didn't want to take it any further? Was she just setting herself up for more heartache? Could it really be considered heartache if she didn't love him? Did she love him? Of course she didn't love him. They didn't even know each other that well. Then why do you care if you two stay together? If you don't love him why are you willing to risk everything for him? a voice inside her taunted. She silently cursed herself.

Sesshoumaru's voice brought her out of her thoughts. "Kagome, I..." he stopped and thought about how to word what he wanted to say next. "I don't know how I feel about it right now. You just whirled into my life and turned everything upside down. We haven't even really known each other until less then a week ago, I mean, I can't just come out and say, yes I want more. Do you understand?"

She tired to look strong, tried not to cry, but she failed miserably and turned away from him. "I, uh... yea, I get it." How could I have been so stupid? Of course he doesn't want to be with me, he's gorgeous, he can have any woman he wants, human or demon so why would I think he would want a pitiful girl like me. I'm not pretty, I'm not smart, and I'm probably no good in bed. Kami, I'm such an idiot! "So this is nothing more then just sex?" she asked after she found her voice.

"Kagome..." he started, but realized he didn't know what to say. That's not what he was trying to say, but he didn't know what he wanted.

"No, it's ok, I'm not a child Sesshoumaru, I can handle rejection." She stood and brushed the dirt off of herself then turned to him. "It was fun while it lasted, thank you."

It killed him to see the pain in her eyes. He looked away, not knowing what to say or do next. She nodded then turned and walked away. He watched her go, wanting to make her stay, not knowing what he would say if she did. He'd never felt so confused in his entire life.

--

As Kagome entered her apartment she felt even more worthless, not only was she not pretty or smart, she wasn't rich either. Her apartment was tiny and under furnished. She cursed herself for ever bringing him here, that was probably the nail in the coffin. He was rich and important and she was just a lowly human who couldn't even afford to live in a decent neighborhood. There was a tap on the door and she quickly answered it. "Hey Kagome! It's about time you got home! I haven't seen you in..." Izzy stopped as she looked at her friend. "Are you okay?"

She shook her head as she dropped onto the couch. "I'm an idiot Iz, a true blue through and through idiot."

"Why is that?"

"I did it again."

"Did what again? Kagome you aren't making any sense."

"I fell for him and he stomped on me, my boss told me I had to stop seeing him so I talked to him and told him I would take the chance if he could promise me that we would have something more then just a physical relationship and he said he didn't know what he wanted so I left him sitting at the park."

"Sounds rough... Anything I can do?"

"Yea, just leave me be for a while. I need to think."

"Of course, just remember, I'm right next door if you need me."

Kagome nodded and hugged her friend. "Thank you."

"Anytime sweety."

--

Sesshoumaru cursed as he threw yet another helpless pillow across the room, this time successfully knocking one of the mirrors off and breaking it. "Goddamn it!"

"Sesshoumaru-sama, your father is here, shall I tell him to come back later?" a toad demon asked from the doorway of his bedroom.

He ran his hands through his hair, and straightened his jacket. He turned to Jaken, his face stoic, his eyes emotionless. "No, I will see him. Clean up this mess."

Jaken nodded and stepped out of the way as his master walked toward the living room.

"What do you want father?" he asked, getting straight to the point.

"Your girlfriend is working for Menomaru Hyoga."

"Get your facts straight father, the miko is not my 'girlfriend.'"

"Well whatever you want to call her, she is working for Menomaru Hyoga. As you know, he is trying to strike a deal and take part of our company, which means he'll do anything to get dirt on us."

Sesshoumaru growled. "The miko is not like that."

"What do you know about her? You have only made the effort to get to know her in the last week yet you defend her to your own father? Look what she did to your brother! Speaking of which you should warn her, Inuyasha is getting a lawyer and is out for blood."

"Tell him I will pay for the repairs and to leave the miko alone."

His father nodded. "It seems you've finally found something to protect."

He growled again. "Get out, now."

Toga raised his hands in mock defense. "I am leaving."

--

"That's not what I asked, I want to know if I can trust her," Menomaru said to what seemed like and empty room.

"She told him she would risk everything if he wanted the relationship to be something beyond sex," came a male's voice from the shadows.

"And does he?"

"I cannot be certain, he told her he didn't know and she left it at that."

"Well, distract her from him. Make her fall in love with you and forget him."

"That will not be easy, she does not trust me," Naraku said stepping out of the shadow.

"Gain her trust, I'm counting on you to make this work because with the miko on his side our chances are slim."

--

Angel: DUN DUN DUN! What are Menomaru and Naraku planning? How will Kagome deal with her pain? Will she fall into their trap to escape her emotions? Find out more on the next installment of 'Just Sex?'

Izzy: You're a complete nerd.