Disclaimer: Don't own…never will.
Title: Slave to Love
Summery: After deciding to pay off money that her family owes by working as his personal 'slave'. Kagome starts to feel something grow between her and her 'master'. And having him flatter her doesn't make things much better. Still she can't fall for him, not after putting her through what he does. [Rating will DEFFINATLY go up in later chapters]
Genre: Romance/ Humor/ Drama
Chapter 14- His Feelings, Her Decision
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It was getting close to 7pm and Kagome had just left her friends Ayumi, Yuka, and Eri. The three of them had agreed to watch Yukio while she went on her date with Hojo. As much as she trusted her friends, she couldn't help but feel a little timid about leaving Yukio alone with them, especially since he was still a little sick. But she didn't have very many options left. Her mom was swamped at the restaurant, her dad wanted nothing to do with her, Inuyasha was working late, and she couldn't even find Miroku or Sango.
She sighed. "I guess I'll just have to keep checking in on them…" She said to herself as she walked through the Soup Shop doors and skimmed the place for her boyfriend.
"Kagome!" She heard from behind her, which was soon accompanied by a soft kiss on the cheek.
"Hojo! There you are. Are you just getting here?"
"Yes, I was caught in traffic. I'm sorry, you weren't waiting long were you?" He asked whilst taking her hand and leading her to a table.
"Oh no, not at all. I actually just walked in and…"
"Kagome! I have the greatest news!"
Kagome wasn't sure if she should be acting as enthusiastic as Hojo was since she wasn't sure what this great news was yet.
"You really do seem excited, this really must be the greatest news. But…shouldn't we order and, you know…have dinner first before the big news?" She asked.
"I already called and ordered our usual. I couldn't let this wait!"
Kagome furrowed her eyebrows. "But...how did you know what I would order?"
"You always get the squid ink pasta, am I right?"
"True…" But I might have wanted something different today…
"Alright then. It should be ready and coming out soon! Kagome, please don't let me hold this in any longer…"
"Um…okay, okay! Then tell me. What's this big news?" She asked perking up for the sake of Hojo.
He took a deep breath and readied himself to speak. "The business I work for is branching off a firm that's going to be placed in New York in America! The did a random selection of employees from my firm who will be going over there to run the American branch and I've been chosen as the Vice CEO!"
Kagome's eyes widened and suddenly she too was just as excited. "Hojo, that's great news! Matter of fact, that's wonderful! You always told me you wanted to travel over sees, and this is your big chance. But…how are you going to travel back and forth between the two countries everyday? You certainly wont be able to after all. Even if it were straight flights."
Hojo's face instantly changed to a serious one. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about…"
Kagome's facial expression turned suspicious and she nodded slowly.
"As you just said, it's practically impossible to live here and work over there…"
She nodded again.
"That's why the business is providing living arrangements to each employee. Kagome, if I agree to this job offer, I'll be moving to New York by the end of this month…"
Kagome gasped and her mood changed to sad. "That's really great Hojo. You should go…I'm happy for you, honest. Don't turn down the job on my account."
He reached over the table and took her hands in his and smiled at her.
"Kagome, I have to intention on turning down the job. And that's why…I want you to come with me."
Her eyes shot open. "Huh!"
"Well, you and Yukio of course. I wouldn't dare separate a child from its mother. Along with the living arrangements, I'm allowed to bring along household family members. And well…I consider you and Yukio my family. I adore the both of you, and I love that little boy as if he were my own."
"Hojo…"
"We can get a nice size house, and you'd be able to attend a University like you planed. We can enroll Yukio in daycare, or if you're not comfortable with that we could get a nanny."
"Hojo…"
"Being Vice CEO will open up a lot of doors for us. Kagome…I want to take care of you." He finished sincerely.
Kagome bit her bottom lip. After that last sentence, she didn't know what to say.
Hojo released her hands and dug in his pocket for the small black box he'd put in there some time ago. He slid it across the table toward Kagome and she took it and opened it. Inside was a beautifully cut heart shaped diamond, white gold ring. She gasped at its clarity. Surely she couldn't accept something like that. It must have cost a fortune!
Kagome shook her head no. " Hojo…I can't!"
"No." He answered softly. "Take it…I know all this is a lot for you to take in which is why I won't demand answer from you tonight. But I want you to think about it. I want you to seriously consider going with me to New York. And maybe even…consider being my wife."
Kagome tiled her head to the side. She didn't know what to say. What could she say? Yes…No…? Which answer would be the right answer? But before she could say anything, Hojo stood up from the table and Kagome followed him with her eyes.
"I have to go now. I've got to head home so I can fill out the documents that are needed to complete this arrangement." He said while readying himself to leave.
"But…but…aren't you going to have dinner with me? Wasn't that the point of all this in the first place? She asked.
"I can't stay because of all that I have to do. However, feel free to stay and eat. Or have it packed up to go. Everything is already paid for so it's really up to you."
Kagome raised an eyebrow. "Um…okay…"
Hojo nodded to her but right before leaving her side, he kissed her cheek and whispered in her ear.
"I know it may seem to soon but…I'm falling in love with you Kagome. And I really hope you come to live with me." He said and left Kagome in the small shop by herself.
Moments later, a waitress came to her table and placed a large plate of squid ink pasta in front of her.
"Thank you…" Kagome said as the woman walked away and she stared dumb founded at the entrée in front of her.
"Move to New York…with Hojo? It doesn't seem like a bad idea but…"
*ring…ring*
Kagome pulled her phone from her pocket and answered it. "Hello…?"
"Kagome! Kagome! We're so sorry!" Eri bellowed into the telephone.
Automatically Kagome's motherly instincts kicked and this just wasn't what she needed when her mind was already scrambled.
"What? What's wrong? What happened?" She yelled gaining the attention of everyone around her in the shop.
"We…we don't know! Like, as soon as you left, Yukio started crying and we couldn't get him to stop! But…but we didn't want to call you because we didn't want to ruin your date. So…so we thought we could handle it!"
"Eri…Eri…you're not telling me what's wrong!"
Kagome could hear the phone hit the ground and she instantly stood up and ran out the restaurant while still trying to get some details from her friend.
"Hello? Hello? Is anyone there!" She screamed.
Moments later Ayumi picked up the phone. "Kagome…we're so sorry! But…But…after a while Yukio…he…he stopped breathing!"
Kagome gasped. "WHAT! What do you mean he stopped breathing? What happened?"
"We called the paramedics and we're all on our way to the hospital now. And…and…I'm sorry Kagome but I didn't know what else to do so…"
"What? What? What more could you possibly do?" Kagome yelled now changing course to the closest possible hospital.
"I…c-called Inuyasha…"
Kagome froze. "You did what…"
"I'm sorry! I was trying to help! We all were, we didn't want to ruin your dinner!"
"I would have preferred you did that than to have my child rushed to the hospital!"
"I'm sorry, Kagome!" Ayumi screamed from the other end of the telephone.
Kagome took a deep breath. "Forget it…I'm on my way." She said and hung up.
I'm so sorry baby…please be okay…
Inuyasha was pissed, really pissed. He couldn't believe Kagome could be so irresponsible. It had only taken him about 10 to 15 minutes to get to the hospital from where he was and when he got there; he was ready to crack someone's head open! But he wasn't about to let his anger get the best of him. He'd have plenty of time to get on Kagome about what she did. But for right now, it was all about his son, and his sons' health.
It had been about 10 minutes of waiting and the doctor came into the waiting room where he was hopefully to tell him some good news.
"Mr. Takahashi…" The Dr. said and extended his hand which Inuyasha shook.
"Dr…"
"Has the mother arrived yet?" He asked.
"No she hasn't, but she should be here momentarily."
And as if on cue… "Where is my baby!" You heard from across the waiting room.
Kagome ran inside looking around for someone she may have known and came across Inuyasha and ran to his side.
"Inuyasha! Inuyasha…where's Yukio? Where is he? Tell me something!"
Inuyasha grabbed hold of her shoulders and shook her violently. "Kagome, Shut up! And calm down!" He yelled in her face and she froze instinctively. Never had Inuyasha yelled at her like that before. Sure, they had they're share of arguments but he'd never scolded her like that to the point where she didn't know what to say.
"Just calm the hell down! The doctor was just about to tell me something right before you ran in here!"
Kagome started shaking and tearing up. "I-Inuyasha…let go of me. Y-you're hurting my arm…"
"Oh really? Maybe you deserve it! It's your fault we're here in the first place!" He screamed at her.
"Mr…Miss…please! Try to lower your voices this is a hospital! I know the two of you are upset but do try to act civilized!" The Doctor tried to talk over the two of them but to no avail.
Kagome started whaling due to the pain Inuyasha was causing her. But she still wasn't going to give up the argument. "H-how is it my fault!" She answered trying to force back her tears.
"You just had to go off with that ass whole of a boyfriend of yours didn't you? Yea, your friends told me what happened. You left Yukio with them knowing damn well he was already sick! But you still left him! You put your wants and needs before the ones of Yukio! Didn't you! DIDN"T YOU, KAGOME!" He only continued to yell and Kagome's arm began to go numb from lack of circulation.
"That's not true….I always put Yukio first…" Kagome was forcing out. "Inuyasha, please…please let go." She started begging.
"How can you stand here lie like that? If you really put him first…WE WOULDN'T BE HERE RIGHT NOW! And I wouldn't be forcing myself not to rip your arm off right now!"
Much attention was being drawn to Kagome and Inuyasha due to argument and slight case of domestic violence. Though, it would take a lot more before Inuyasha would even think to strike her. But…the spectators didn't know that.
"Sir, you're making a scene. I understand that you're upset but you cannot take your anger out on the woman! And if you continue this behavior…I'll have security…"
"You shut the hell up!" Inuyasha yelled at the doctor and turned his attention back to Kagome was now in tears.
"Inuyasha…I-I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say…I'd never put Yukio in harms way intentionally. I'm sorry now please…please let go!"
Inuyasha took one deep breath and released her. Kagome quickly retracted her arm and began cradling it with her other one.
"I really am sorry, Inuyasha!"
He turned his head away from her and shook her head. He had nothing more to say to her.
Inu…Inuyasha…please don't do this…
"If something happens to him…I don't know if I'll be able to forgive you, Kagome." He said in a much softer tone.
What…
Her eyes widened and more tears ran down her cheeks. But not due to the pain that was now in her arm, or the distress for her son. No, the tears she was shedding now were from the aching she now felt in her heart caused by the words that left Inuyasha's lips.
'I don't know if I'll be able to forgive you…'
Many hours had passed and it was now some ungodly hour in the morning. Kagome and Inuyasha hadn't spoken since the tirade in the waiting room. During those silent hours, Kagome's arm had been bandaged up and Inuyasha had a lot of time to cool down. The two of them where quietly sitting on a couch together outside of the room Yukio resided in. They weren't allowed in because the Doctors were afraid they might start to fight again and cause Yukio distress that wouldn't have been good since he was on a respirator.
The two were told that Yukio would have to stay in the hospital until about noon the next day to make sure he'll be alright to go home. They were also informed that Yukio's condition was mild and that he may have contracted a small case of apnea, and that he would have to be watched carefully because he may forget to breath again.
After being told that Yukio would be okay, Inuyasha had no reason to be upset at Kagome…other than the fact that she still left him.
"I'm…so…sorry…Inuyasha…" He heard her mumble and turned to the girl sleeping next to him.
She's talking in her sleep…
Inuyasha wasn't sure when Kagome had fallen asleep or how she could sitting up in a chair. It seemed so uncomfortable. She could have leaned on him, he wouldn't have minded. But perhaps she thought he was still upset at her. He never exactly did tell her he said all those things out of anger.
"Please forgive me…I…I…love…"
She now had his full-undivided attention. She couldn't have been getting ready to say what he thought she would.
"I do forgive you Kagome…" He answered not sure if she could hear him or not.
"I…lo…love…"
"Say it Kagome…please tell me."
"I love…Yukio…" She whispered.
Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. "What…"
Well that's certainly not what I expected…
"I so sorry…"
Inuyasha looked at Kagome sleeping figure. She really was a beautiful girl and a wonderful mother. He only wished he could go back to the night before and take back all the horrible things he'd said to her because he really didn't mean it.
"No, Kagome…I'm the one who's sorry. I shouldn't have hurt you like that. I'm always screwing up when it comes to you. But the reason is that…I just don't know how to act around you. You drive me so crazy sometimes and I can't but get out of control."
He leaned over the couch they were sitting in and cupped her cheek with his hand.
"I love you so much…Kagome." He said softly in her ear before placing a soft loving kiss on her slightly parted lips. Though it was quick, he poured every feeling he had for her into it. The happiness, the sadness, the joy, and prosperity, everything…everything he felt when he was around her went into the kiss he bestowed on her lips. And then…he pulled away.
Inuyasha then moved over closer to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder and gently guided her head to his shoulder so she could sleep more comfortably.
"Kagome, that's great news. Why are you treating this like it's a bad thing?" Sango asked.
Kagome sighed while clasping the pamper she was putting on her son. "Because, He wants to bring me and Yukio along with him and I'm just not sure if that's what I want to do."
"Then tell him that you don't want to go…"
Kagome picked Yukio up off her bed. Sango had come to visit her a few days after she left the hospital with Yukio.
"It's not as easy as it sounds, Sango. Hojo's been really good to me these past few months and I really don't want to hurt his feelings. I know he really likes me or maybe more than that…"
"Why do you say that?" Sango asked while taking a seat next to her.
"Because right before he left…he told me that he's in love with me."
"Well, are you in love with him?"
"I-I doesn't know. It's to early to tell and I think part of it has to do with me not being able to get over Inuyasha…no matter what I do, I can't get him to let go of the grasp he has on my heart."
"So, what is it that you want Kagome? Are you saying that you want to be with Inuyasha? Or are you saying you're trying to forget about him? Because you're not making any sense to me anymore…I used to be able to understand you, but I'm not so sure about that anymore."
"I don't know…I don't really know what I want. Part of me wants to be with him, but the other part of me wants to move on and accept the fact that he'll only see me ad the mother of his son."
"Maybe that's how he should start to look at you."
"How do you mean?" Kagome asked.
"Being the mother of his child means you hold an irreplaceable stop in his heart. Because you mother his son, it would be for the sake of Yukio that he wouldn't want anything to happen to you. He cares about you in a special way."
"Could have fooled me that night in the hospital." She mumbled.
"Kagome, I told you before I'm sure at the time he was just angry."
"Doesn't mean he had to grab me like that…"
Sango sighed. "Think about it, that's all he did. He didn't hit you; push you, or anything along those lines. So why can't you…"
"Oh, so you're taking his side now?"
"I'm not taking anyone's side Kagome. I'm just trying to help you see the whole picture. Inuyasha's my friend too, and I know how he is; as should you. So I'm just considering the possibility that it was all out of anger and that he really didn't mean any of it."
Kagome's facial expression faltered and she started to think. Sango noticed her silence and tried to change the subject.
"So…do you think you'll go to New York?" She asked.
"I really don't know just yet. This is going to take a lot of thinking and contemplating. I can't just decide for me. I have to think of what's best for my son. And well…I'm just not sure if it would be fair to him to put him on a plane for several hours, take him out of his natural environment and make him live in a new country."
Sango pondered that thought. "Oh yea. I forgot about that. I don't know Kagome. Maybe you should go and ask Inuyasha."
"I can't face him right now. Since that day in the hospital I haven't even spoken to him. What would I say? Hey Inuyasha, I'm thinking about moving to New York and taking our almost four month old son with me!" She said sarcastically. "Yea, that will be a cheerful conversation."
""Well, you're going to have to tell him something…and soon."
"Actually, I don't have to tell him anything. My life is not his life, he can't control what I do. Besides, rather I go or not, the decision on taking Yukio should be mine. I don't remember him stepping up to the daddy plate back during my pregnancy, so why should he have much say in what I do with Yukio now?"
"Because you didn't exactly tell him he was going to actually be a daddy. Therefore he didn't have the option of stepping up to the daddy plate or not."
Kagome sighed. "Oh yea, that was my fault…I supposed I just don't know anything anymore. Life's gotten more complicated now that I have to think for two people."
"Well, whatever you decide, I hope the both of you benefit…" Sango added and Kagome nodded.
Yea…I hope so too…
"I think you should just come out and tell her."
"I couldn't do that. Not while she's still with that other guy. Saying something like that would only confuse her. Besides, after everything I said to her that night in the hospital, I'd be lucky if she ever talks to me again."
"But she knows how you are. You say things without thinking first…"
"Thanks…" Inuyasha responded irritably and Miroku smirked.
"Whatever, it's true. And it's for that simple fact that I'm pretty sure she's forgotten all about it."
"Doubt it…"
Miroku shook his head and smacked Inuyasha in the back of his head. Inuyasha in turned growled at the slick gesture but didn't react.
"Look, you love Kagome, right?" He asked.
Inuyasha nodded his head.
"Then you need to tell her. You have to let her know how you feel before she falls in love with someone else!"
"Suppose I tell her and then she doesn't feel the same way? Then what?"
"Then, at least you wont go the rest of your life wondering what could have been. But you'll never know unless you try, so just tell her."
Inuyasha sighed in defeat. He didn't have another come back so he just gave in all together.
"Fine…the next time I see her face to face. I'll tell her…"
Or…at least try to…
AN: Hm...suprisingly i have nothing to say today. =/
R&R please and thanks
-Dia