Chapter 12: I Changed My Mind

For the next few days, Kari encountered Inuyasha more often. She apologized for her unexpected behavior the other night and from that point on they started to see more of each other. Sometimes in passing, other times it would be to show up at the flower shop. Now it had been nearly two months since she'd been there, and Kari was feeling somewhat better about her situation...somewhat.

Everytime Sesshomaru saw them together he began to doubt himself. Did he really think that he could hope for something that he couldn't have? Was Kari the same way?

Sometime in the flower shop, Sango entered. She looked out the window to see Kari's car parked where it was last night.

'She must have gotten here early' she thought. Just as Sango was preparing to straigthen up, she saw Kari rush through the door.

"Sorry I'm late!" she exclaimed. "I'm alarm didn't go off!"

"Kari? But I thought you were already here," said her cousin. "I saw your car."

Kari took in a few deep breaths, grabbing Sango's hand and leading her outside. There, Sango saw the damage. She shook her head.

"She stooped that low."

"Dogs gotta start somewhere," Kari stated, agreeing with her cousin. "I'll just call a tow truck later and get some new tires."

They made their way back inside.

"You need to be careful, Kari," Sango said from out of nowhere.

"Why?"

"If she's smart enough to slash your tires, then she's evil enough to do something far worse."

Kari scoffed. "Like what?"

Sango shrugged. "I don't know, just something. Have you been around Sesshomaru lately?"

The brunette thought for a moment. If she told her cousin then she would have to hear from her lecturing mouth, and Kari really didn't want that.

Finally she said, "Nooo..." slowly dragging the word out.

Sango raised an eyebrow. "Don't lie to me, Kari."

"What? I'm not!"

"You'd better not be. I'm really trying to help you."

'You can help by not getting on my nerves,' she thought.

"Come on. We've got work to do," said Sango as she headed to the back. Kari followed.

Sometime across town, Sesshomaru forever stared out the window of the advertising company. A moment later there was a knock at the door. His secretary poked head inside.

"Sir, someone's here to see you," she announced.

Sesshomaru's face showed interest. Maybe it was Kari stopping by to deliver more flowers, but this person was completely different. It was Kikyo.

"Hello there, sweetheart," Kikyo exclaimed with a smile on her face.

"Hey," was all Sesshomaru could and wanted to say. "Why are you here?"

She walked toward him. "I just came to stop by. Is that so bad?"

"No I guess not."

"Good." She pulled her arms around him, planting a kiss on his warm lips. Sesshomaru mentally sighed. Not from content of Kikyo's action, but because his feelings were disorganized. He didn't know what he wanted. But he knew what Kari wanted; Inuyasha. And if she had him then Sesshomaru would have Kikyo. End of story. He was going through with the wedding.

He pulled away.

"Um...Kikyo I have something that I want to give you."

Her face lit up. "What is it?"

Without a word, Sesshomaru walked to his desk, pulling out the drawer and reaching for a velvet box...