Chapter 20: Encounters

"Miroku? We need to talk."

Instantly, alarm bells ring in his mind. No matter how many girls he once had lined up desperate to date him, Miroku had never felt the horrifying dread that came with those four simple words We-need- to- talk. It wasn't as if he hadn't suffered the humiliation that came with those words. It was just that he never thought the loss of someone who nearly meant the world to him would come so soon. To him, she was the unblemished light that seemed to never fall to greed. She was different from the others that he had been associated with, so it actually hurt. It hurt like a thousand tons of brick all at once and he could barely breathe just thinking about the idea.

"...What do you want to talk about?" Miroku paused to look at Sango cautiously as if her face would warn him to run, "Oh! I know. You were talking to Rin weren't you. Is this about that guy she likes so much? I heard that he was coming to visit. You know I think that it's a great opportunity for-"

"-Miroku." Sango inhales a shaky breath, "We have to talk. This is important and I have to say this now."

Miroku smiles sorrowfully with a look that someone would have when he/she sees a puppy limping or a baby cry for its mother. It is a look that showed so much depth and feeling of pure sadness.

Sango couldn't figure out what in the world he was expecting and it made her exceptionally anxious. She closes her eyes to calm herself only to cause Miroku to fear her words even more.

"Sango! Let's go see that movie that recently entered theaters. I heard that it was the final movie of that director's career."

Sango grabbed hold of Miroku's sleeve with pleading eyes, "Miroku, please. I have to tell you-"

"-Okay!...okay." Miroku lead her to sit down on his favorite reclining chair. "I'm all ears. I will listen to anything and everything you have to say. Just...be quick."

Sango frowns slightly at Miroku's shaky tone, "Miroku, do you remember that time I unintentionally slapped you?"

An expression of panic flashes across Miroku's face, [She's going to break up with me because I touched her butt? I knew I shouldn't have gotten so comfortable with her. I must have been moving too fast for her. But, it's been an entire year and we haven't done anything. Well, I guess holding hands and kissing is more than nothing, but ... AH! Idiot! Miroku, you are a fucking idiot!] Returned to his senses, Miroku mutters his response, "Sango, it's not how you think it is. I'm don't just want to sleep with you. I mean I do - want to, but not unless you want me to. T-that's not what I meant. I-What I meant is that I care about you and as result also desire you. I really - I don't want you think of me as some asshole. You are the only person that has meant so much to me."

"What are you talking about?" Sango asks trying to suppress her shock. "All I wanted to tell you is that I am a black-belt in judo. I mean it's embarrassing. I was even nicknamed demon slayer. I was so focused on bringing my team to the finals that I was unaware of my image. I didn't want you to know about how... rough I was, but I wanted to tell you even though I have been really worried that you'd be disillusioned and stop liking me. I know that's silly, but-"

Before Sango could finish what she wanted to say, Miroku pulled her into his arms. "Thank the gods. You scared me.", he murmured with a tired sigh, "I thought you were upset about that time and wanted to break up with me."

"Why would I-"

Miroku softly kissed her forehead as she struggled to look him in the face, "I've reached a point where I can't lose you. I'd-I don't know what I'd do. I'm not experienced with feelings like this. But I know they are real. I can't even describe the joy that courses through me every time you smile, even when I'm messing with you. The love I experience when I see you care about those around you is unmistakable. So, you can't ever leave me. Okay? I wouldn't be able to bear it."

Sango laughs lightly, "I wouldn't even if you wanted me to."

Miroku grins with his usual overconfidence, "I'm glad. So judo huh? I didn't know that middle schools had a girl's judo team."

"Oh, they don't. I was captain of the male's judo team. I competed in the male's ranking. I think I still have one of our old team pictures." Sango rustles through her purse before pulling out a wallet picture, "See?"

Miroku looked at the picture and suddenly froze. [How can she look so pretty in a judo uniform? All of the guy in the school must have had a crush on her.] "Thank the gods you were nicknamed "demon slayer".

"Huh? What did you say?"

Without answering, Miroku simply shakes his head as he hugs her lovingly.

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"So this is what it is like to see the heaven's on paper." Rin murmurs silently gazing at the soft streams of light breaking through the deep blue clouds on the painting of "Puits de Lumière (skylights)".

"Do you like it?"

Rin turns around flustered by the cheerful voice that she had so desired to hear since she had gotten back from America, "Jaden? Oh, I mean Shippo. What are you doing here?"

Shippo smiles in a way that could light up the entire exhibit, "I'm so happy you remembered Rin-chan! I wanted to hear your thoughts on my painting. This is one of my most famous ones."

"Honestly, it's beautiful. Each stroke show the soft and gentleness of the light shining on the water's surface. I can really feel the calm atmosphere that this scenery must have showed you. However, there is just this underlying feeling that is so sad hiddening about the hues of the clouds. It is almost heart-wrenching."

Shippo sadly smiles in a much too grown up way for his appearance, "I knew you'd see it."

"Huh?" Rin asks unintentionally tilting her head cutely in confusion.

"My dad used to take me to see that sky. Unfortunately, both ceased to exist."

"What do you mean?"

After a small pause, Shippo grins his usual bright way, "Nothing. Anyway, weren't you going to treat me to some desserts?"

"Huh? Oh! Yah, do you have a place you wanted to go?"

Shippo laughs as if it was an unusual question, "Of course, Jessica's. I have been craving her famous chocolate cake since I saw it on a magazine in America."

Rin giggles at Shippo's infectious laughter, "Okay! Let's go!"

When the two finally arrive at Jessica's, Jessica rushes out of the door and bear-hugs Shippo.

"I've missed you so much Shippo! I can't believe how tall you've become. Last time I saw you, you were only this tall." Jessica says holding her hand at hip level.

Shippo pouts slightly upset, "That was elementary school."

Jessica laughs, "Really? Well, I was only in middle school. If you were shorter than me then you must have been really short."

Shippo deeply frowns, "You were the tallest girl in your middle school. That is not a fair comparison."

"Oh come on. You were even shorter than Kagome and she has never been particularly tall."

"Kagome was never considered short! She's always been just the right height for her age. You're the one that was too tall."

Jessica sighs, "There you go again with your Kagome complex. You always take her side."

"She's family to me. Of course I'd take her side."

During their interaction, Rin was unusually silent until Jessica addresses her, "Fine, anyway Rin. Where's Sango and Miroku? I thought you said they'd be joining you two."

In a confused daze, Rin answers emotionlessly, "They're coming later." Then, Rin turns to Shippo with a hurt look, "So, you've known everyone. Since when?"

Shippo smile with a childish embarrassment as if her question was only intended to tease him. "I've known Kagome as long as I can remember, so naturally I've also known Sango since childhood. As for Jessica, I met her five years ago during the annual cake convention held here."

Suddenly remembering something, Shippo excitedly turns back to Jessica, "By the way, last year's Strawberry Chocolate Mousse cake was divine. It's no wonder your reputation has reach America."

Jessica tussles Shippo's auburn hair gently like a older sister would, "So, am I to assume that's what you actually came here for?"

Shippo shows a toothy grin, "Not exactly. I came for the Chocolate Fudge cake decorated with chocolate dipped strawberries that won you the blue ribbon in the chocolate creation contest. That and to see my friends of course."

Jessica chuckles, "I'm not surprised. Okay, you two come in. I'll bring the cake to your table."

"Thanks!" Shippo smiles as he excitedly pulls a depressed Rin with him into the café like a child in a toy store.

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"Oh! Shippo! What are you doing here?" Sango asks as she glances confusingly over at Rin's look of detachment.

Without looking up from the chocolate cake on her plate, Rin replies in almost a whisper, "So you really do know him."

Concerned, Sango sits down beside Rin, "Rin dear, what's wrong? Where's that painter you were so looking forward seeing?"

"What do you mean?! How can you keep lying to me?! Shippo's that painter!" Rin yells as tears threatened to overspill.

Sango lightly rubs Rin's shoulder in an attempt to comfort her, then the dam of tears overflows, "Did you and Kagome find it entertaining to deceive me?"

In confusion Sango glances towards Shippo, "You are a painter? How come you haven't told any of us? Unless...Jessica did you know?"

Entering the back garden, Jessica sets down the cake with a sigh, "His is unbelievably famous and always attends the annual cake contest, so yes. Though, I didn't know that you were unaware."

Jessica leans in and lowers her voice, "Do you remember that painting I put in my apartment? The one with a priestess?"

Sango nods, "Of course, it had a sort of familiarity to it."

"That is one of Jaden's paintings, so even though it is small it was worth fifteen hundred. Now, probably even more. I mean he's been winning a whole lot of awards since he was fifteen. I thought you already knew that, Sango. You even said that there was a familiarity about the priestess's face. I thought you knew that Kagome was the inspiration for it."

Sango sighs as she sits down, "How come you never told me? Wait, does Kagome know?"

Shippo nervously laughs breaking the conversation, "Well, the thing is my parents didn't want me telling a lot of people."

Finally understanding the situation, Sango sighs tiredly, "So, Kagome knows."

"Actually, she was the one that encouraged me to exhibit of my work on a local blog, so yes. I mean that's kind of how I got famous overnight."

"You should have told us." Sango says in a stern tone, but Shippo's puppy-dog eyes dissipates her irritation, "Then again, I guess I can't complain. You've always been closer to Kagome. But-"

Rin cuts in, "How come I'm the only one that didn't know about your connections to everyone else?"

Sango gently pats Rin's head, "Rin, Kagome and I would never hide anything from you unless we wanted to protect you."

"So this is how you protect me?!" Rin yells with an accusing tone.

Sango rubs Rin's back comfortingly, "I didn't know about Shippo... Jaden's recent rise to fame. As for Kagome, I can't speak for her, but I trust that she didn't know that he was the guy you were talking about. Even if she did, she wouldn't want you to get hurt like you did when you came back from America."

"You got hurt, Rin-chan?" Shippo asks in between mouthfuls of chocolate cake.

Rin glances at Shippo's innocent face and suddenly remembers how happy he had looked talking about that Laila girl, "No, I- actually yes. I did. It hurts every time when you talk about that girl so fondly. I hate it! I hate it because...because I like you! I like you so much it hurts when you smile at anyone else!"

Mid-bite, Shippo froze in shock. He was never one to be experienced in receiving such blunt confessions, but he did have his fair share of girls that broke into tears when he mentions Laila. Still, he felt awkward. It wasn't a bad feeling, but it wasn't good either. He always thought that he didn't deserve to feel affection for a human, since they were so frail. More fragile than any demon could ever be. "I-" Shippo inhales deeply, "I can't accept your feelings. I'm sorry."

"Is it because of that Laila girl?"

Shippo drops his gaze to the plate of chocolate cake, "No, I just don't feel that way about you. You are a kind and sweet person, but we aren't compatible. And it would hurt you more if I lied and accepted your feelings. So..."

"Why?! Is it because I'm childish? Is it because I'm older than you? If it is something that I can change, I can."

"It's not you. Believe me. Any guy would be lucky to accept your affections, but I just can't."

Rin's voice had changed from soft sobs to frustrated anger, "What do you have against dating me?!"

Shippo stares at Rin's teary eyes, "I'm sorry. I...I have something to do." before suddenly rushing out the café without ever looking back.

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"Hello?" Kagome answers her phone without looking up from the health records that she was transferring into the hospital's database.

A soft voice speaks from the other side of the call, "Laila? I have a problem."

Instantly recognizing the voice and the name that Shippo usually uses when he really felt troubled, Kagome stops typing, "Shippo, what's wrong? Did something happen at the exhibit."

"Did you know that your friend had feelings for me?"

"What are you talking about? Sango has a boyfriend. You know that."

Shippo sighs over the phone, "I was talking about Rin."

"Wait, you met Rin?"

"That is the girl I was telling you about a week before I left."

Recalling Shippo's troubled feeling regarding to an intern that he had mentored, Kagome falls into silence. "So, Rin was quite upset wasn't she?"

"..."

Kagome lightly rubs her temple as she leans back into her chair, "I see. It isn't your fault. Besides, I'll figure out something when I talk to her. Don't think too much about it. Rin is just very in love with the thought of being in love. I know that she thinks that love at first sight is more than just a game that your mind plays, but she'll recover. She's always been very resilient. Now, you should remember that you have a red-eye flight back to America tomorrow. And when you get back, your big sister will treat you to all the desserts you want."

At the mentioning of sweets Shippo weakly smiles, "Who are you babying? I'm over a hundred years your elder."

Kagome chuckles, "Yes, but in human terms I'm the older one. Besides, I am the closest person you have to a sister."

"Okay, okay onee-san."

Kagome smiles noticing that Shippo's tone seemed much brighter, "Okay, so what do you want to eat when you get back? I'll get you anything."

Shippo smirks mischievously as he recalls Kagome's inability to bake, "Anything huh?"

Kagome slows her speech, "Anything I am capable of."

"Then, I want to eat cake that you personally make."

Kagome chokes on her shock, "Shippo! I said anything I am capable of. You know that I can't bake!"

Shippo giggles gleefully, "Well, then you better finish your work soon. You'll need all the practice that you can get."

"Fine. I can't believe how cheeky you have gotten now that you feel better."

"You should already be used to it. I have been cheeky since the day we met. I have just been on my best behavior for most of the time onee-san."

Kagome laughs relieved that Shippo sounded happier, "You sneaky fox. Okay, so what kind of cake do you want?"

"Do you need to ask?"

"Alright, chocolate it is."

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[So the ingredients that I will need are butter, eggs, sugar, flour, cocoa powder (white and milk chocolate), baking powder, milk,...I think the recipe also said baking soda. I think that's it. Oh and I guess I should get Ferreros and Yorks just in case. Oh! Shippo probably will want strawberries too.] Kagome looks around in the icing area and picks up two different kinds, [I guess I can get away with just buying french buttercream instead of simple buttercream.] Kagome places one of the containers back. [Shippo eats too much sugar.]

Suddenly a thought crosses her mind, [Is that a demon thing? I remember Inuyasha also liked sugar, though I guess Ramen was his favorite thing of all. Maybe human junk food is a demon favorite?] Suddenly, the image of Sesshomaru eating junk food makes Kagome giggle to herself. [No. Sesshomaru can't stand overly sweet things and he refuses to eat anything short of organic and freshly made.] A memory races through Kagome's mind bringing a smile to her lips, [Now that I think about it I've never seen him eat anything slightly unhealthy. I wonder if he'd eat a mildly sweet cake if I made one for his birthday.]

Deep in her own thoughts Kagome bumps into someone. Kagome glances up to see a long platinum blond-haired man. "Sorry about that. I wasn't paying attention."

Akito looks at her blue eyes and sees a sincerity that he hadn't seen in humans for decades, "No, I should have been paying attention."

Akito bows down to show his apology only to see that the young girl's sky blue shirt had been stained with coffee as a result of their collision. Out of obligation, Akito hands Kagome his business card, "I don't have time right now, but you can just give me a call and I'll reimburse you for the dry-cleaning and your groceries."

At this form of apology, Kagome felt enraged. Not because he had stained her cheep shirt, but rather because this man thought that money could solve the problem. This had always been something that Kagome could never stand. She didn't mind that rich people had more money or more reason to be arrogant. After all, Kagome was never the passionately political type. She felt no socialistic view nor capitalistic drive. She was the rational type who saw both sides of most arguments, except when it came to her pride. "I don't need you to pay for anything. Thank you."

Kagome begins to walk away, but doesn't go very far before Akito grabs her hand to stop her. "Wait." Akito looks around with a slight distress, "Miss, I'm not good with words, but I truly feel that I need to apologize in some way."

Kagome glances at Akito and sighs, "I appreciate your morals, but I don't need an apology in the form of money. Besides I am also at fault."

Akito freezes stunned. He had never met a human quite like her, "Then, at least let me pay for your groceries."

Kagome frowns with irritation, "Sir, I don't need that, so do excuse me. I'd like to buy my groceries and leave as soon as possible. I'm quite busy."

"But-"

"Sir, excuse me for thinking that you are trying to hit on me, but that is what it seems like if you don't stop grabbing my hand. Thus, I'd like you to know that I have a boyfriend that I really care about. So, I'd like it if you'd just leave me be."

Kagome stomps off leaving a bewildered Akito chuckling internally amused by Kagome's reaction. [She is certainly quite interesting.]

"Akito?"

Akito turns around at his Lady's voice, "Inukimi-sama, did you find the organic cocoa butter that you needed?"

Inukimi answers with a curiosity, "Yes. However, I get the feeling that you don't really care about the cocoa butter. Do you want to enlighten me as to why are you in such a good mood all of a sudden?"

"I ran into..." Akito smiles affectionately, "a rather interesting girl."

Inukimi chuckles at the kindness that flooded into Akito's silver eyes. "For you to have an interest in a girl, then she must be someone special. Does this mean that my dear friend has finally fallen in love at the age of thirty-four?"

Akito turns bright red like a child whose mother just found out about his crush, "Hardly."

"You should be more honest with whom you like. It's not as if people interest you every day."

Akito's smiles dissipates to a frown, "Inukimi-sama, that is quite rude. I am just more selective in the people I care to take interest in."

"Sure, that's why you haven't dated in two hundred years."

"Well, that and this are two separate things. Besides, she is already attached. I don't plan to enter into a battle simply for a human's affection."

Inukimi smirks, "Human girl huh? I have nothing against you dating a human, so what's the problem?"

"I just told you-"

Inukimi's attitude darkens as she recalls the way that Naraku had caused her love's affections to diverge from her. "What does it matter? Love is just a game. I'm sure she'll end up breaking up with that guy some time. Thus she'd be better off, settling down with a man who would be willing to give up half his life force for her."

Akito angry yells, "Inukimi-sama!"

Inukimi chuckles as she walks past Akito. "Fine. If you don't want my advice, then do what you please. You are, after all, four hundred and seventy-six and in every way capable of making your own decisions without the help of your elders."

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Once Kagome got back to Shippo's apartment, she had forgotten all about the encounter in the supermarket. Quickly changing into comfortable clothing, Kagome sets to practicing baking a chocolate cake. However, through the course of seven hours, she still manages to burn two and undercooking three. Feeling highly discouraged, Kagome sighs placing the finished batter into the oven for her final attempt.

A little more than half an hour, the smell of rich chocolate fills the apartment. Kagome nervously opens the oven taking out the normal appearing cake. Hoping that it would do, Kagome sets it on a platter to cool for twenty minutes before smoothing on the icing in a very simple manner. Finally, feeling satisfied with her rather average work, Kagome hurriedly cleans up the explosion of chocolate on the kitchen counter before Shippo would return.

Minutes after Kagome finishes cleaning up her mess, she hears a cheery voice from the living room.

"I'm back!" Shippo calls out as the front doors open into a chocolate aroma filled air. Hurriedly he drops his bags on the floor as he skips over to the kitchen, "Ka-go-me?"

Kagome turns around with a tired smile and completely unaware of the chocolate frosting smeared on her elbow, "Welcome, back."

Shippo glances at the simply decorated chocolate cake in a flower embroidered platter before sniffing the air. "Did you get chocolate all over the table?"

"N-no"

Shippo's eyebrow raises slightly with a look of disbelief, "Really? Then, how did you get chocolate on your elbow?"

Glancing at the spot Shippo painted to, Kagome huffs, "...yes. However, I cleaned it up."

Shaking his head gently, Shippo giggles. "So, when are you going to cut the cake? I want to try some of the cake.", he asks sitting down at the dining table barely containing the glee.

Kagome hands him a spoon and gingerly places the cake in front of him. "We both know that you don't need to cut a slice out to eat cake."

"True", Shippo replies as he spoons a mouthful before placing it cautiously into his mouth. The silence that follows his chewing causing Kagome to stiffen with anxiety. However, the very instance he breaks into a small smile, Kagome exhales a sigh of relief.

"Not bad. Certainly better than what you made in middle school."

"Hey! I was inexperienced. Besides, I'm rather proud of the way this one turned out."

"I know." Shippo giggles gently. "I can tell you put in a lot of effort. Though you burned..." Shippo sniffs the air again, "two? And under-baked three? Still, it's not all that bad. Not Jessica's chocolate cake, but for a proud stubborn sister, it is surly edible."

As Kagome relaxes, Shippo mutters, "I bet Sesshomaru would be seething with jealousy if he knew that I was eating your cooking."

"What was that?" Kagome asks having not heard Shippo's muttering from the kitchen where she was untying the apron around her waist.

"Nothing! I just was going to send a picture to a friend." Shippo says with a mischievous smirk as he clicks a picture and sends it to some number.

Almost instantly after the ping of the picture being sent, Kagome's phone rings. "Sesshomaru?"

"You made that kit cake?"

Kagome glances in Shippo's direction with a slight frown, "Yah, but it was because he was feeling down about something that happened in during the exhibit. I felt kind of responsible, so I baked him a cake to make up for it."

Sesshomaru clicks his tongue, "Then, make me one as well."

"Sesshomaru. You are busy in Japan running your father's hospital. I hope you don't expect me to fly all the way to Japan to just to bake you a cake, though I not against making you one." Kagome huffs.

"Of course not. I'd be the one to go see you." Sesshomaru replies with an all-important tone.

Kagome falls silent as she battled the happiness that she felt hearing that she may be able to see him after a long month. However, her rational mind would not let herself given in to her desire to see him before she fulfilled her end of the agreement. "Sesshomaru, you have an important role to fill in Japan. And you promised that you would solve the power struggle before coming back. You haven't even been in power long enough for an official announcement to be made, so you can't get distracted. You aren't going to break your promise are you?"

Feeling disappointed, Sesshomaru yielded to Kagome's comment, "Very well. I believe that you will uphold your end of the deal, thus I must do mine as well. I wait anxiously to our future reunion, my love."

Kagome smiles softly. [Okay Kagome. You have to focus on your career too!]

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A week later, a letter arrives in the mail at the hospital addressed to her.

"Thanks." Kagome says as she signs the paper work from the deliveryman.

Noticing the curved letters, Kagome opens the mail curiously wondering what kind of mail would be contained in the elegantly designed golden envelope.

{You invited to Skydom's 100th Annual Anniversary.

Place: The Grant Hotel, Crystal Ballroom

Date: July 5th, 5:00pm to 11:00pm

Formal Attire is required.}

Kagome stares at the equally beautiful invitation, [Do I know someone from Skydom? No, they are a finance company. Maybe Sesshomaru knows someone. What time is it?] She glances at her watch calculating the time difference. [Eight o' clock at night. I guess I shouldn't concern him. I'm sure he's tired. Should I attend? I don't think I know anyone from the company, but... I guess it will be a good connection opportunity. Okay.]

Kagome marks the "will attend" box and places the invitation, back into its gold envelope. [I guess I'll have to send my reply.] She glances at her watch yet again, [I guess I have some time before I have to shadow Dr. Roberts. Though it is really odd how old-fashion this form of invitation is.] Kagome thought as she stepped outside into the warm weather of summer. A gentle breeze blows the trees sending a slight rustling of the leaves along the busy streets of downtown San Diego. Even through the smells of smoke and dust, the scent of moisture lingers in the air.

"Hey!" A male voice calls out.

Kagome turns around to glance at the commotion behind her, but ignores it.

A platinum blond man runs up to her, "Miss!"

Kagome's eyebrows scrunch up, but she doesn't reply as she turns around again as if she hadn't heard him.

"Miss!" Akito calls out as he runs up to her, "I was speaking to you."

Kagome glances at Akito with an obvious displeasure plastered on her stern face, "Do I know you sir?"

"We met at the supermarket a week ago." Akito grabs Kagome's shoulder rather forcefully, "You drew my boss's attention."

"So?" Kagome asks with a confused tone hiding her menacing annoyance.

Akito sighs at Kagome's stubbornness, "My boss would like to meet you."

"No, thank you."

Akito grabs hold of Kagome's arm a bit too violently causing her to release a burst of power that burns him slightly. [So demon huh?] Kagome thinks to herself before replying with increasing antagonism, "Sir. I highly suggest that you keep your distance. I do not take to people who think they are high and mighty kindly."

"Please, talk with my boss before you throw out rash judgments."

Kagome's eyes narrow with distrust, "If your boss wants to meet me so badly, then have him request it from me himself. It is not befitting of a man in power making his underlings ask for him."

"You mean for her." A woman's voice states with an amused chuckle.

Kagome turns to meet face to face with a short dark-haired woman in a silver dress-suit. "If you'd do me the favor of speaking with me." she says with a smile as she offers Kagome to enter her silver Rolls Royce.

Kagome hesitates, "I apologize for acting rude, but I don't make it a habit to randomly follow strangers."

The woman laughs, "Very, well. You have a point. Why would you trust me. Then, we walk."

Akito raises his voice in objection, "Inukimi-sama."

Inukimi eyes glare blood-red, "I said, we walk."

Hurriedly, Akito bows, "My apologies."

Inukimi steps out of her car with an air of god-like egotism, "Come. Walk with me."

Her manner reminds Kagome of the first time she met Sesshomaru. It gave her a moment of warm bubbly feeling that results in her agreement, "Fine by me I have to go to the post-office anyway."

The three walk down the crowded busy sidewalk, as every passing person stares in their direction engrossed with Inukimi's aura of greatness flooding off of her in waves. Yet, she makes no effort of breaking her attention on the conversation.

"So, may I ask what your name is?" Inukimi asks with a gentleness that does not reach her face.

Kagome glances into her eyes intriguingly to see that though she did not show any sign of a smile, Inukimi was most definitely presenting amusement in her honey colored eyes.

"Kagome." Kagome says with an unconscious smile at the sudden thought of the resemblance she saw in this woman. "Forgive me for asking, but are you possibly a dog demon?" Kagome asks under her breathe as she turns her attention back to the sidewalk before her.

Upon hearing the young human's question, Inukimi falters for a split second, "Kagome. Could you be that human who has caught my son's affections?"

Kagome turns around with a surprise, "If you asking me that... Then you must be-", she smiles kindly as she suddenly comes to the realization that the woman before her is undoubtedly Sesshomaru's mother, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

"I see. So you are her. I was wondering why he chose a human, but now it makes sense. You are certainly an extraordinary girl." Inukimi lightly urges Kagome to raise her head, "Of course, you are not the type that I had envisioned my son to chose." Inukimi glances over Kagome again, "However, I'm not disappointed. From what I have heard, you are quite the independent and stubborn woman. And also quite the brave one as well, since you haven't shown any fear of me."

Inukimi mutters to herself as she glances towards Akito, "Then again, I guess I should have guessed. Not just any girl would piqued the interest of both my son and my vice president."

Having not heard Inukimi's words Kagome frowns uncertain of the great demon had said. However, she assumed that it was at the very least shocking. Akito seemed to have first turned bright red, then suddenly paling whiter than paper.

"What was that?" Kagome finally asks after a silence had seemingly descended upon the entire area.

Inukimi beams enjoying the discomfort that Akito visibly showed, "Nothing. I was just thinking out loud."

Before Kagome could express her dissatisfaction with the answer, Akito speaks up, "Inukimi-sama, unfortunately we need to end this conversation. You have a meeting with the CEO of that biotech. company about that project in half an hour."

Inukimi slowly closes her eyes as if shutting all of the noise from her mind. When she opens her eyes again, her stone-like expression returns to her face, "Very well."

She turns to Kagome, "It was a pleasure to finally meet you in person dear. I hope to see you at the party."

A gust of wind rushes through the street causing Kagome to cover her eyes. Upon opening them, she found that the two demons had vanished along with the golden envelope. All that remained in her hand was a small sheet of paper {I have received your invitation. Hope to see you there. P.S. To your comfort, my son will be attending as well.}