"Excuse me," Sesshomaru said as his car rolled up to the ninth stranger. "I'm looking for this girl," he produced a photo of Kagome's high school I.D "She used to live in the area and she still comes by to visit the cemetery. Her name is Kagome."

The stranger was an old man with so many creases in his face, Sesshomaru wondered if he would push back his wrinkly forehead to make room for his eyes to see.

"Kagome," he said, tasting it on his tongue. "That's the Higurashi wild child."

"Yes," Sesshomaru agreed, hearing this for the fifth time. "Did you see her here today?"

"I heard she left Honjo months ago," the old man continued. "When she was, I don't know, maybe nine, she was caught smashing all the mirrors in the furniture shop down on third street. Mr. Higurashi took care of it though, nice man."

"Glad it all worked out," Sesshomaru was biting back his frustration, "Have you seen her here today?"

"No, not lately. Why?" The old man peered into the car. "What's she done this time? Kill somebody?"

"You've been very helpful, thank you." Sesshomaru pulled back into the car and signaled for the driver to flag down the next pedestrian.

They drove only within the perimeter of the cemetery. They'd arrived in Honjo long after the sun had set and it took him a few minutes to find Kikyo's grave in the darkness. When he finally did, he knew she'd been there. The fresh white tulips blew gently in the wind and the disturbed leaves and dirt were recent.

He found the Higurashi manor, not too far from the graveyard, but its gates were sealed with a rusty thick chain and undisturbed lock. No lights shined in the house. She wasn't there.

As he drove around, he think he understood why Kagome would never return to that house. Every person he had spoken to knew who she was and had a story to tell about her youthful days before she had learned to mute her agony with smiles and glass bottles deep down inside.

She broke mirrors, she smashed windows, and people could hear her scream for miles when her mother locked her in the house "for her own good."

Everyone saw a rich little wild child that needed discipline. Who could be friends with the deviant, the troublemaker? If she wanted friends she had to move two hours away and smile so they wouldn't see her agony. She couldn't show the real her, the raw her, or else she'd be pushed away.

No one understood the girl afraid of the dead twin in her reflection, frightened of being trapped in strange buildings with shut windows, terrified of being confined in small spaces.

All Kagome had was Kagome.

She had to keep saving herself over and over again.

No one came to her aid when she and her sister were in that room with their worst nightmare.

No one came to her rescue when she fought that nightmare every day until her inner walls were complete and she could retreat into herself, away from the world. She locked out everyone around her, everyone who couldn't understand.

Until there was no one left but herself.

As Sesshomaru drove around the perimeter of Kikyo's grave seeking information, Kagome was witnessing the most stunning view of Tokoyo she'd ever seen.

"Well," Naraku said as he looked Kagome up and down. Her sweater was too big, her skirt was dirtied, and her hair was a mess. "Looks like you've had a bad day. Care to tell me about it?"

Kagome stayed silent, looking out the window over the city.

This time Naraku had chosen an abandoned building for their reunion. They were high up, maybe the top floor, in a huge empty office. There were still desks, paper filled boxes, and stray telephone cords all around them and by the looks of a beat up mattress, a dirty plate, and other personal affects, Naraku had been living here as well.

The place was without electricity but the windows were huge and surrounded the office, giving them light from the moon and the soft glowing streetlights of the city below. The chances of her being seen from this height, especially at night, were less than likely. Under different circumstances, the twinkling building lights of Tokyo was a beautiful view.

"That's okay," Naraku said, taking a seat on an old desk. "We have plenty of time to catch up."

He barely had to fight to get Kagome to go with him. Sure, she sprinted when he took a step towards her but within a few seconds he had her in his grip. She struggled, she screamed, but a quick jab to the ribs stopped that right away and he forced her to the car while she was doubled over in pain.

Kagome bit his hand. Hard. And in turn she received one backhand to the face that sent her tumbling into the trunk. She screamed and pounded the trunk lid the entire trip back to Tokyo, but it was late and the highways were empty with only a few scattered cars that Naraku quickly whizzed by before anyone could hear.

When they had arrived, she tiredly walked up the many flights of stairs while he twisted her arm behind her back, adding painful pressure when she displeased him with her pace or rebellious demeanor.

Naraku had given her a light shove into a lush but worn office chair with wheels. He had tied her tightly to the chair with telephone wire and bound her hands, leaving her legs free.

Here they sat, together at last.

"Then let me tell you about me," Naraku said conversationally. "Guess where I've been?"

Kagome said nothing.

"This view is nice but have you ever seen the Big Ben clock tower at night? It's quite beautiful," he said in English. When this got no response from her he looked sullen. "I know you understand me."

He grew annoyed and walked over, raising his hand.

"I understand you," she said before he could bring it down on her face.

"Show me," he growled.

She turned and spat at his feet. "You should have thrown yourself off that stupid tower," she replied angrily. She gave her attention back to the view of Tokyo.

Naraku chuckled, with one excited clap. "I knew it." He circled her chair, taking her in. "You've been brought up so well, my little Kagome. I've kept track of you here and there but look at you. You've grown so sophisticated and lovely." He roughly grabbed her cheek, forcing her to look at him. "I'm so proud."

"But now you're going to kill me, right?" she grounded out.

"Kill you?" Naraku said with the smallest hint of surprise. "My dear girl, I don't want to kill you. I mean to save you."

"You attacked me," Kagome hissed. She had to keep the anger hot otherwise the fear would come back and immobilize her.

"What, the little tussle in the cemetery?" Naraku asked as if his violence was a trivial matter. "That was to protect you from yourself. You're stubborn, Kagome. It was necessary."

"I was running away from you!" Kagome snarled.

"Because you don't understand," Naraku reasoned. "Here I am in London, walking amongst a thousand other people when my eye catches the pretty sign of a restaurant I've never seen before. I swear it must've been fate, Kagome. There you were in the window, talking to that fool of a man, Renge."

Kagome grimaced, fighting the chill in her spine.

"You looked so sad, so hurt," Naraku said sympathetically. "I knew right then and there, I'd done the wrong thing, leaving you back then. Of course you ran away. You don't know any better."

Kagome didn't want to open the door to that conversation so she declined to comment.

"So I came back," he said. "Just for you."

"You shouldn't have," was all Kagome managed to mutter. She was starting to feel tired.

"But I did," Naraku said. "Because as I'm sure you've learned by now," he spoke softly. "Only bad things happen when you leave your flesh and blood behind."

It was getting late and Sesshomaru still hadn't come home.

"Here, Rin," Kagura said as she offered her another cookie, getting a little tired of the shouting conversations to imaginary friends. "Go play in your room."

"OKAY!" The little girl snatched it and bit into it gleefully before running around the house with her hands waving in the air.

Kagura checked the clock. It was bordering on one. Maybe she'd give Rin a bath and skip practice tomorrow so she could finally pin down Sesshomaru and confront him.

She was just about to give in when the doorbell rang. Jaken hadn't moved from the main house to the guest house just yet but he did have a key. However he'd already gone back to the main house hours ago.

Thinking Sesshomaru must've forgotten his, Kagura casually walked down the entranceway and opened the door to reveal the composed face of her father-in-law.

"Mr. Takahashi," she breathed with just a hint of surprise. "Uh, Sesshomaru isn't here right now…"

"I know," Mr. Takahashi said with a small smile. "I've just come from speaking with my younger son. He and Sesshomaru had a disagreement and he's gone to clear his head." He gave a small respectful nod. "I'm here to see you, actually. I saw the lights on. May I come in?"

Kagura flinched slightly and moved aside. "Where are my manners, of course! Come in, come in. It's cold out here."

"Thank you," he said and wiped his feet before removing his gloves and scarf.

Kagura closed the door with a click and watched him as he hung up his coat and removed his shoes.

"Would you like some tea?" she asked politely, pushing away her butterflies.

Taishou looked around the house. "I haven't been in here in quite some time," he said, paying her no attention for the moment. "Sesshomaru's mother used to stay with him in here when we had our disagreements."

"Um, is that so?" Kagura continued, uncomfortable with this information.

"I don't expect him to remember it. He was very young," Mr. Takahashi reached out gently and touched a wall like touching the arm of an old and unfamiliar friend. He turned to Kagura and smiled. "Where is the little girl?"

Kagura breathed a sigh of relief, moving onto a topic she could handle. "She's in her room," Kagura explained quickly. "But I can get her if you want to meet-"

"Don't disturb her," Mr. Takahashi gently shook his head, thinking she was asleep at this hour. "I really did come to talk to you. I accept your invitation to tea."

Kagura swallowed and nodded. "Then by all means, right this way."

Even though she said it, Mr. Takahashi led the way to the kitchen and assumed a seat on one side of the table.

Kagura searched the cabinets for a few minutes, unsure of what went where, until she finally found the teapot and put some water to boil.

She sat down opposite of her father-in-law and gave him an anxious smile. "So what brings you here?"

"Forgive me. I know it's late but I'm usually at the office all day," Mr. Takahashi smiled. "I just wanted to check on you. How are you adjusting to the move?"

Kagura's shoulders relaxed slightly, starting to feel more comfortable with the man she'd only met once under awkward circumstances.

The last time she'd seen him was the first time she'd met him. She'd been lying in a hospital bed holding a baby and he'd been screaming at his son in the corner of the room.

"It's going pretty well," she said. "Rin already loves it here."

"How old is she now?" he asked conversationally, with no hint of the malice that he had had three years ago.

"She'll be four in June."

Mr. Takahashi nodded. He then reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and produced a small manila envelope, placing it on the table. "This is for you," he said kindly. "But please, open it after I leave."

Kagura nodded, her eyes entranced, curiosity flying around her head.

That delivered, Taishou took a small breath. "So are you in love with my son?" he asked abruptly.

Kagura snapped her eyes away from the envelope with shock.

"Excuse me?" she asked, astounded by his bluntness.

"It's a rather simple question," he responded.

"With all due respect, Mr. Takahashi-"

"Please, call me father."

"Umm…" Kagura shifted uncomfortably.

"Or Taishou," he offered.

Kagura let out a small sigh.

"Excuse me, Mr. Taishou but I love my dancing," Kagura replied, trying not to blush at his invasive behavior. "I haven't had time to consider anything else."

"Ah yes, that's right," Taishou said, suddenly moving back to politeness. "How is that going for you? Will you start doing festivals in Tokyo?"

Kagura swallowed hard again, having trouble keeping up with his sudden conversational shifts. "Well now that you've mentioned it," she said. "I've actually been thinking about that-"

Taishou's phone rang from his coat pocket but it was loud enough to be heard from the kitchen. "Excuse me," he apologized. "That's the ringtone for the office."

"Of course," Kagura answered politely. The office at this hour? Was Sesshomaru this tied to his work too?

Taishou stepped away and silenced the phone by answering it.

The kettle blew and she moved to prepare the tea but as she quietly poured, Kagura couldn't help but hear his side of the conversation.

"Hello?" he answered briskly. There was a brief silence as he was told something on the other end.

"He ordered what?" Taishou sounded peeved. "What the hell is he doing out there? We can't have details on public property, he knows that….No, he's not authorized to give overtime to employees….Send those men home and have them compensated for their time….Thank you, call me if anything else…Yes, goodbye."

Taishou re-entered the kitchen, this time the phone tucked neatly in his hand. He resumed his seat with a small apologetic smile.

"Is everything all right?" Kagura asked courteously, bringing a tray of sugar, milk, and two steaming cups over.

Taishou placed the phone flat on the table and took a short sigh. "I'll be honest with you, Kagura," he said, causing her to brace herself.

"It's not that I don't like you; I don't know you enough to form an opinion of you. But nevertheless, you and the child are here now and I will make an effort to get to know you. All I knew of you was your background and I must admit, at first I was quite furious when you used the pregnancy to trap my son-"

"I did no such thing!" Kagura said hotly, slamming the tray on the table. Tea spilled slightly from the cups. "What happened between us was not some kind of devious plan. I didn't-"

"Nevertheless-"

"You don't get to judge-"

"Nevertheless," Taishou stressed forcefully, almost angrily. He held up a hand to silence her, determined to finish. "Sit down."

Kagura hesitated, tapping her foot angrily, but Taishou had an air about him that loomed over her. She took her seat and quietly fumed.

"Nevertheless," he said again, more calmly. "Since then I have come to find the silver lining in this situation." He continued firmly. "You see, around the time Sesshomaru met you, he was going through a very rebellious stage. He has always had has his own discreet ways of doing things so his rebellion was more mentally strategized than most teens.

He began fighting me every step of the way when it came to anything dealing with taking over the company. I found out he was selling test answers and homework for money and in such a competitive school like Seiki, he was making quite the profit. It seems he was saving up because he had plans to run away at eighteen."

Kagura, unsure of why this was important, began sipping her tea so she wouldn't interrupt him and so that her hands would have something to do.

"I almost lost him," Taishou sounded sad, almost mournful. "With him distancing himself, the legacy of my company wouldn't turn out the way I wanted it to be. Sesshomaru is brilliant; I have no doubt that he will do me proud when he takes over, it's his chosen path. My legacy is very important to me, Kagura." He stressed. "And Sesshomaru almost threw it away."

"I don't see-" Kagura began but Taishou gently put up his hand again, clearly not finished.

"However…" His tone was gentler, slightly apologetic. "With the child coming into the picture, my son had to set aside his selfish interests to do what is best for her. He came to work for me, to take responsibility, and has been diligent ever since. I have been quite happy with him so I actually mean to thank you."

Kagura sipped silently, feeling suddenly anxious and cornered.

She pushed it away, not wanting to think about it.

"Nevertheless," Taishou continued with that word again. "Some situations have arose recently and I fear Sesshomaru may be rebelling again. I fear he will do something…reckless. So I'm asking you to do whatever you did back then to recapture his attention."

Taishou sat back in his chair and she knew that she had finally been given permission to speak.

Kagura mulled his request over carefully. "Are you asking me to seduce him?" she asked, controlling her angered attitude.

"No," Taishou shook his head slightly. "I'm asking you to work for me and save your marriage."

"Flesh and blood. Hah!" Kagome cried, starting to feel her anger come back for another round. "Good one. Tell me another!"

Naruku's eyes turned became angry little slits. "Okay," he said with menace "I will."

He sat down on the desk again, opening his legs slightly and resting his arms on his upper thighs, clasping his hands. "It's a long one so we'll start with some background." He cleared his throat dramatically.

"A man walks into a bar and sits down next to a beautiful woman. They talk, they click, and they go to a hotel together to get better acquainted. They're both married, but that's irrelevant. They like each other, that's all you need to know. They like each other so much they decide to keep their tryst going. For years, they managed to keep it alive. Passionate letters, secret love nests in five stars hotels, the works." He swallowed. "With it so far, Kagome?"

He received no response. "Kagome?"

Kagome had closed her eyes, putting her mind at the lunch table where Miroku was laughing cheerfully and Sango was blushing because she was being laughed at, and Inuyasha was cursing because he was good at it, and Sesshomaru—

Sesshomaru...

Her heart squeezed so painfully she wanted it to stop all together.

Naraku lightly slapped her out of her world.

"I can see I'm losing you," Naraku said angrily. "So I'll speed it up."

He kneeled down in front of her, forcing her to focus on him.

"The woman and man were madly in love with each other. So in love that they planned to leave their spouses and run away together, skipping into the sunset.

Here's the setup, Kagome. Pay attention.

A few weeks before they were going to drop the bomb on their marriages, the woman finds out she's pregnant. The man is so happy, he could dance on the moon. But the woman…the woman wasn't so pleased with the news. She wanted to stay with her husband because he could support her and the baby financially, which the man she loved could not.

He begged and pleaded with her but she wouldn't change her mind. She wanted to choose her husband over her lover, even if that meant living an unbearably miserable life. She left her lover and went home to her spouse. Ready for the punch line?" Naraku smiled. "Nine months later, Yuzuru spits out twins."

Kagome howled, outraged and kneed Naraku in the chest, knocking him over.

"Shut up!" she screamed. "You filthy liar!"

Naraku coughed as he picked himself up. "I guess it wasn't so funny after all."

Kagura pushed her tea away and squared her shoulders. "With all do respect, Mr. Taishou, we were young and scared and stupid, and sometimes I can't help but think I made a mistake signing that certificate."

"That is an issue that can be resolved in a few years," Taishou said immediately. "Being married is of no real hindrance to you right now but separating will not do you both any good. I imagine that a messy and stressful divorce can have an effect on a dancer's performance and practice, not to mention important auditions," he said as subtlety as possible. "The financial aspects take especially long to resolve."

"I don't want any money if that's what you're insinuating," Kagura said tightly. "I wouldn't fight him in court."

"You are still a child after all," Taishou sighed tiredly. "You don't know the difference between want and need. If you want to continue your sole concentration on your passion, you need stability. Something like a lack of money will greatly hinder that. I think the cliché of being an artist while living off waitress tips is a little beneath you."

Kagura looked away, biting her cheek.

"However, I mean to help you," Taishou's tone was gentle, understanding. "In fact, I'm willing to invest a monthly stipend in a personal bank account for you for the next five years so that when you do eventually divorce, you and the child will be comfortable until you find your means of employment. I have great confidence that it will be as a professional dancer," he finished politely.

"Me and the child," Kagura repeated nastily, hotly. "I don't know who you think you are but no one's going to coerce me to believe that the food will be taken out of Rin's mouth," She snapped.

"I was trying to make my offer seem less self-centered for you," Taishou explained, holding up his hands in an apologetic way. "My son is responsible and will do his duties as a father to a child. However," he continued on. "He will not be accountable for the welfare of his ex-wife. When it comes down to that matter, he will not provide, and I'm willing to assist you."

Kagura's shoulders visibly tensed.

"You've had it hard, Kagura," Taishou frowned. "I've spoken to your parents. They told me they used the money I gave them to rent you an apartment and haven't spoken to you since. I had no idea that it was just you and the little girl, all alone. It must've been quite a struggle. Sesshomaru never spoke much to me about either of you."

"Don't try to act like you know me," Kagura squeezed her cup tightly. "I'm not some stupid puppet."

"I only mean to lightly tug your strings in the right direction," Taishou said. "You need to prepare for the future, right now. You're running out of time. Five years can go by very quickly. If you will just cooperate-"

"Can I have another cookie?" Rin sped into the kitchen but paused in her tracks when she saw the newcomer.

Kagura was too upset to make introductions and Taishou tightened at the sight of the toddler.

"I will be going now," he said and stood up, pushing the chair in. He pushed the small envelope a little closer to her. "Please, Kagura. Think about it. Sesshomaru needs to be saved from himself and I believe you and I are the only ones able to help. I only want what's best for him, I truly do."

Kagura didn't reply so Taishou stared for a few seconds before giving a gentle nod as his goodbye. He walked back to the entranceway and for a few seconds there were only light sounds as he replaced his gloves, scarf, coat, and shoes.

Only when the door clicked shut did she let out a long sigh of relief.

After a few moments of heavy contemplating she finally reached over and slid the small envelope closer to her, opening it.

There was a gold ring inside, tucked tightly in a little slip.

Kagura slammed it back on the table and pushed it away, not ready to deal with this.

But Taihou was right.

She was running out of time…

She needed to settle the details before things were too late.

Kagura walked over to the cabinet and gave Rin another snack.

It was really time to talk to Sesshomaru.

Kagome was screeching at the top of her lungs, kicking her feet and pushing herself around in circles in the wheeled chair. She fought against her restraints, flailing uselessly.

"Kagome," Naraku warned.

Her wails were echoing, fueled with anger and desperateness.

"Kagome!" Naraku shouted.

She was relentless, screaming herself raw, using all her energy to fight against his words and her restraints.

He punched her in the stomach, taking the air from her body. With a large gasp, it silenced her immediately.

She choked and sputtered, trying to fold into herself as the pain bounced around her torso. When she could breathe a little, she groaned her discomfort.

"You know how I hate that," Naraku chastised. "God, you and your sister were so willful," he said with contempt. "In the days where your mother and I were growing up, children were seen and not heard."

"Don't talk about her," Kagome said between gasps. Her face was red and puffy from anger and lack of air.

"Who?" Naraku looked genuinely confused. "Your bitch of a mother?"

Kagome focused on getting her breath back.

"Kikyo?" he guessed again.

She grunted angrily.

"Kikyo?" Naraku confirmed the struck nerve. "Sweet little Kikyo." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, worn, and pleated little paper. He unfolded it and smoothed it out, bringing it to her.

It was a photograph of the two of them when they were about five. A candid shot. They were sitting next to their old nanny, Kaede, on a park bench. Kaede looked like she had faded off into a light nap.

Kagome and Kikyo were both holding ice cream and Kagome was crying because hers had begun spilling down her shirt. Kikyo was reaching over with a smile, trying to wipe it off, not seeing that her own ice cream was about to topple over.

"Do you remember this day?" Naraku asked. Kagome was overcome with tears, they slipped down her face with no sign of stopping. "I don't expect you to," Naraku answered for her. "You both were so young. This was the day I saw you for the first time," he said fondly. "The moment I saw you both, I knew you were mine."

He took the photo away and went over to his small living area and fished around in a box for a while until he pulled out a small orange bottle. He shook it and it dully rattled, almost empty.

"I know you're upset right now, so I'll give you something to help you sleep."

"Just kill me already," Kagome sobbed.

Naraku paused with thought before putting the bottle back in the box. "I've had a long day, Kagome," He said tiredly. "I don't have the energy to fight with your confused logic right now. It's late. So I think we'll go with the A.C.E mixture instead. It'll kick in faster."

Kagome's eyes widened in horror. Seiji had been a merciless chemistry tutor and she knew the capabilities of alcohol, chloroform, and ether when combined.

"Don't look so fearful," Naraku assured her as he lightly poured the fluid onto a crude rag. "It's been carefully diluted. I even tinted it purple. You'll be fine. I don't know if you remember this but I used the exact same formula to help you and your sister sleep last time we were all together."

"Stop talking," Kagome begged. "Please stop…"

"Fine. We'll chat more in the morning," Naraku assured her as he returned to her side. "When you have all the facts, you'll thank me like you did that day when I saved you from the pain."

He used the cloth to wipe her bright red face, and gave her a small tight smile.

"You'll see, Kagome," Naraku brought the cloth over her mouth. She tried to fight it, to mover her head and hold her breath, but the crying and screaming had stolen her energy. "I'm going to help you."

She inhaled once, twice, three times before her world began to spin and her eyelids began to droop.

"Because I love you, Kagome," she heard as blackness wrapped around her head and dragged her into the dark. "I love you as only a father could."