Misconceptions And Misunderstandings
Chapter 21
Inuyasha stormed out of his brother's study.
"Arrange it, he says. He just doesn't get it."
He headed for his room. He needed a drink. Shippo said dealing with his brother would be difficult. Difficult? That was the fucking understatement of the year. No, not the year. The century.
Sesshoumaru stared out the window. He didn't trust all this sneaking around. They told him his 'bullying' would not mend his relationship with Kagome. She would not like knowing they had manipulated her either. Of that he was sure. He wanted his miko back. He had to find a way to see her. To talk to her. He understood she wanted time. He could give her that.
Sesshoumaru wondered how he would find out where she was. She had left with Shippo. Inuyasha said Shippo was supporting her. He straightened from the window. It couldn't be that simple, he thought. Could it? No. They would know that would be the first place he would look. He had always claimed his brother was simple minded. It had been an insult. Was he really?
Kagome was enjoying her day with Shippo. It had been so long since she had just forgotten her troubles and spent a day doing nothing but frivolous things. She sat across from Shippo having lunch. They'd stopped at a small family restaurant close to the mall they had just left. She had tried again to talk him out of spending money on clothes for her. When he had told her she needed them, she realized he was right. And a plan began to form.
She had let him pay for her purchases, but she was careful to buy things that were versatile. Things she could get a lot of mileage out of. And she would pay him back for all of it. It would take time, but nothing stopped her when she made up her mind. She had learned a few things from the inu men in her life. She was tired of being the prize in the game. It was time she joined the game as a participant. And she played to win.
She spent the weekend fine-tuning her plan. Shippo had insisted he buy her a laptop. Ok. It was expensive. Something else she would have to pay him back for. But it was useful. And would come in quite handy if her plans worked out the way she wanted them to. It hadn't taken long to look up what she needed. When Shippo went to work on Monday, she would have the day to work out the rest of the details. She logged off and closed her new laptop.
"Take that, you overprotective demons! You underestimated me in the past and you haven't learned from your mistakes. If I can take down a demon with a bow and arrow, I can manage my life. Thank you very much."
Kagome was an early riser, which worked to her advantage. Monday morning was the day she set her plan into motion. She had breakfast on the table when Shippo got up. She was making mental notes of his schedule. His alarm went off at 5:30. He was showered and dressed by 6:00. He sat down and they had a nice conversation over breakfast. He filled a travel mug with coffee and headed for the door at 7:15.
He stopped at the door. Taking out his wallet, he handed Kagome some money.
"I'll be gone all day. If you want to go shopping, or eat lunch out… Maybe take the train to visit your family. You know."
She surprised him by accepting his offering without complaint.
"What time will you be home? So I know when to have dinner ready."
He smiled at her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"With traffic, around 6:30. But you don't have to make dinner."
She scowled at him.
"I've got to earn my keep somehow, don't I?"
He sighed in frustration, but didn't argue. She closed the door.
Ok, she thought. Give him time to leave. She took their breakfast dishes to the kitchen. Once they were in the dishwasher, she dried her hands. Making sure she had the key he had given her, she grabbed her purse and left the building.
The walk was pleasant. It only took half an hour from the apartment. She found the administration building easily enough. She had put in a request for materials online and asked for them to be held for her to pick up. Once she had the materials in hand, she set about filling out her application and making an appointment with the financial aid officer.
Kagome waited patiently while the woman behind the counter told her she was in luck, the financial aid officer, Ms. Sato, had an opening tomorrow morning at 10:30. Kagome thanked her and headed for the train station. She would need a copy of her transcripts from her high school. It would be faster for her to go and pick them up rather than have them mailed. Time wasn't on her side as the new semester started next Monday. She was glad she hadn't given Shippo a hard time about the money. She had to pay for the train fare and the school would probably charge a fee for the transcript.
Shippo parked his jag in his reserved space. Inuyasha was leaning against his car in the space next to the one Shippo's car now occupied. He wondered what was wrong that Inuyasha couldn't even wait for him to get to his office. Inuyasha pushed off his car and reached in to grab his briefcase.
"Sesshoumaru wants us both in his office at 9:30."
Shippo let out a sigh as they walked into the building.
"It's not about business either. Is it?"
Inuyasha snorted.
"Man we gotta work on your language skills. You need to learn the difference between difficult, and fucking impossible."
He fished a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Shippo.
"What's this?"
"He went ballistic about being the one to support his mate. He expects you to ask for more if you need it. I'd do it even if you don't need it. He'll think you aren't taking care of her properly if you don't."
They waited while the elevator door closed.
"He wants to see her. No, scratch that. Demands to see her. And talk to her."
"When?"
"He said three days. That was Saturday. So… Tomorrow."
"Shit. He's going to push. Did you explain to him that he needs to be patient and give her some space?"
"Yeah. For all the good it did."
The elevator opened on the executive floor. Shippo rubbed his temple. He just loved starting the workday with a headache.
He and Inuyasha went their separate ways. Shippo entered his office. His assistant was already at work. He nodded to her as he passed by.
She took the phone away from her ear and mouthed, "Good Morning, Shippo san."
He set his briefcase down and thumbed on the power to his computer. It wasn't long before his assistant came in with a stack of files. She set them on the corner of his desk and then smiled at him.
"Most of these are minor issues. The top one contains the notes for your 2:00 meeting. I'll be back with your coffee. Do you need anything else?"
He rubbed his temple again.
"Some aspirin would be nice. Thanks Ayaka."
Shippo looked at his watch. 9:15. He took a sip of his now cold coffee and made a face.
"Eww."
He set the cup down on his desk. He knew that Ayaka would come in and take it once he left. Standing up, he grimaced. He was not looking forward to this. He headed out the door.
"Hold my calls, Ayaka. I don't know how long this meeting will last."
She nodded her assent. She was busy typing the changes in his proposal for his 2:00 meeting.
Inuyasha was coming out of his office as Shippo passed it on his way to Sesshoumaru's. He fell into step beside him. Hands in pockets, Inuyasha glanced at Shippo.
"You ever get the feeling that this is more trouble than it's worth?"
Shippo nodded.
"Yeah. And then I look at how unhappy they are, and I remember every single thing they have both done for me over the past five hundred years."
Inuyasha's ears flattened as he had the same thoughts.
"You're a fucking martyr. You know that, Shippo?"
They reached the huge walnut doors that were the entrance to Sesshoumaru's outer office. Pushing it open, they were greeted by one of Sesshoumaru's assistants. The man had two of the most efficient assistants in existence. They still had a hard time keeping up with him.
"Inuyasha san, Shippo san. He is waiting for you. Go on in."
It didn't surprise them. They were early by a few minutes, but it was expected. No one was ever late to a meeting with Sesshoumaru. Not more than once. They weren't given another opportunity.
Sesshoumaru was sitting behind his huge walnut desk. He had an affinity for dark furnishings. Intimidation factor, without a doubt. He was on the phone. He nodded to the two chairs in front of his desk. They sat down. Once they arrived, Sesshoumaru cut his call short. He hit the intercom button and asked one of his assistants to have a file ready when he was done with his meeting.
Meeting? Inuyasha fought his urge to laugh. This had nothing to do with the company and he knew it, Shippo knew it. Hell, his brother's assistants weren't stupid. They probably knew it.
Sesshoumaru turned his attention to them. His face was his usual stoic mask.
"Has Inuyasha told you that I expect to see Kagome tomorrow?"
So Shippo was up first. Inuyasha sat back. His relief would be short-lived he was sure.
"Yes. He also said he told you it wouldn't be a good idea. And it wouldn't."
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed.
"I am sorry if I gave you the impression that this would be an open meeting where opinions were welcome. It is an informative meeting. I am informing you of my intentions and my requirements."
He folded his hands on his desk.
"You will bring her here in the morning. I wish to have lunch with her. Alone. We will talk. I require only your cooperation, not your arguments."
Shippo pinched the bridge of his nose. His headache was worse.
"Fine. I can't fight both of you. She wants to be independent and you want to smother her. I'm stuck in the middle. Are we done? I have real work to do."
Sesshoumaru glared at him before calming himself.
"I'd like to know how she is."
Shippo crossed his arms and shifted to his hip in the chair.
"Yeah. Daily reports."
Under his breath he muttered, "Just like a new business you're checking out."
A low growl told him he shouldn't have uttered the thought out loud. Oh well, it wasn't the first time Sesshoumaru had been pissed at him.
Kagome got back in plenty of time to have dinner ready when Shippo came home from work. He unlocked the door and dropped his briefcase on the table along with his keys. He sniffed the air on the way to the kitchen. It had been a long time since his mother cooked for him. He grabbed a soda and sat down at the table as Kagome started bringing the food from the kitchen.
"You know, by the time you leave, I'll be so spoiled I'll have to find a mate."
She giggled and ruffled his hair.
"I'm too young to be a grandmother."
"Who said anything about kits? I intend to let my mate spoil me for years before I have to share her with the kits."
Kagome laughed at him.
"I knew Miroku was a bad influence on you."
They ate dinner in relative silence. Shippo dreaded telling her that she would be going with him in the morning. He helped her clear the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher before broaching the subject.
"Kagome, Sesshoumaru wants to see you. He wants to know that you are all right. And… He wants to talk to you."
She bit her lip. Then nodded.
"Ok."
Shippo had not expected it to be that easy.
"He wants me to bring you to the office at 10:30. He wants to have lunch with you."
Kagome hid her panic. That's when her appointment with Ms. Sato was. She couldn't miss it. If she did, she would have to wait until the next semester. Not an option. Think. Breathe. Then think.
"I'd really rather not go to the office. This… matter… between us should be kept private. Tell him to come to dinner tomorrow night. I'll cook. We'll talk."
Shippo studied her face.
"Are you sure? There is no way to hide the fact that you are living here."
"It's ok. He would find out sooner or later anyway. You know how efficient his information network is."
Shippo raked a hand through his hair.
"You're right. He probably already knows."
Kagome was up early the next morning as usual. Shippo kept to the schedule she had observed yesterday. Good. She waited until he left, then grabbed her purse and headed out herself. She wanted some time to explore the campus before her appointment.
As 10:30 approached, Kagome was waiting impatiently outside Ms. Sato's office. She knew that it would be a minor miracle if she managed to get into classes on Monday. She was past the age of the normal entering freshmen. Her grades were poor and her attendance record even worse. Shippo had been right when he said she was unprepared to be on her own. She straightened in her chair. That was why she was here wasn't it?
She refused to be protected by others for the rest of her life. She had learned how to handle a bow to protect herself from demons. She could learn what was necessary to make a decent living for herself. She looked up as her name was called.
Seated across from a woman older than her mother, Kagome made sure her posture radiated confidence. Looking up from the paperwork before her, the woman gave her an assessing look and folded her hands on the desk in front of her.
"Well Miss Higurashi, I'm sure you are aware that your grades are less than stellar. But I have seen much worse. And with the proper encouragement, they have gone on to successful careers. Your grades, I'm sure, are a reflection of the numerous absences recorded in your file. Is your health sufficiently improved to allow for your studies to begin again?"
Kagome thought back to all the illnesses Grandpa invented to cover her frequent stays in the past. She was glad that those details were not contained in her transcript. She had a feeling the interview would already be over were that the case. She decided to be partially honest.
"Yes ma'am. The doctors tell me I am cancer free now."
"I see. I'm afraid your circumstances don't qualify for aid or admission without remedial courses to improve your academic standing."
Kagome felt her heart sink. Remedial classes. That meant that her plans would be delayed. At least a year, maybe more. Ms. Sato witnessed the young woman's disappointment.
"There is, however, a program designed for people in your situation. It would mean a lot of hard work on your part. It won't be easy. Tell me what your academic interest would be if we admitted you to the program."
Kagome began to feel hope again.
"Business administration. I thought to decide on a specialty once I got started and found what I liked or what I was good at."
Ms. Sato nodded.
A good choice for you. Your biggest deficiency seems to be math. A business degree doesn't require any of the higher math classes."
She pulled out some papers from her desk. She filled out the papers and handed them to Kagome.
"When we are done, take these to the testing center. The tests you will be taking will determine the areas in which you are still below level. The program is simple. Your financial aid will be approved on a semester by semester basis. As long as you qualify academically, you qualify for aid. Your first two semesters will be a probationary period. If you fall below academically acceptable standards during this period, you will not be allowed to continue."
Ms. Sato typed some information into her computer. When she finished, she took some things off the printer behind her.
"These are your admission papers. Take them to the registrar. Your ID will identify you to the system as a student on the program. You will sign up for the normal curriculum according to the requirements for graduation. Once I have your test scores, I will let you know what additional classes you will need in order to be successful in your core classes. If necessary, we can adjust your schedule at that time. By the time you are finished with your tests, the system should be updated so that you can purchase your books with no problems."
Ms. Sato looked at her watch.
"Do you have any questions?"
Kagome's head was spinning. She was in. For the moment that's all that she focused on. Ms. Sato smiled.
"If you think of any later, let me know. I'm here to help. I have another appointment and you have tests to take."
Kagome wanted to hug the woman like a giddy schoolgirl, but tried to retain at least some semblance of maturity.
"Thank you, Ms. Sato. I appreciate the chance you have given me. I won't let you down."
The heavy backpack felt good on her shoulder. She had worried about taking the tests with no preparation time, but they weren't that difficult. The algebra had given her the most trouble. She never could remember the formulas. She let herself into the apartment and stashed her backpack in her closet. She would worry about how she was going to hide her study time from Shippo later. Right now she had a dinner to cook. She glanced at the clock. And not a lot of time to do it in.
Dinner was almost finished when she heard Shippo come in the front door. She was surprised that he was alone. Was he not coming? She dried her hands.
"Where's Sesshoumaru?"
Damn that sounded like she was disappointed. Shippo's expression told her he had not had a good day.
"He wasn't exactly thrilled that you refused to come to the office."
Boy was that an understatement. He had calmed down almost immediately at the invitation to dinner though. Then he had told Shippo he would not be eating at home tonight. While he wasn't happy to leave Kagome alone with him, it would allow time to plan some strategy with Inuyasha. So he had made reservations for two at a restaurant not far away.
"He'll be here at seven."
He took her hands in his.
"I have a business meeting I couldn't get out of. So I won't be here. We can cancel if you don't want to be left alone with him."
She wandered back to the kitchen.
"He is my husband. I think I can be alone with him for a couple of hours. It's not like he's going to hurt me."
Not physically anyway.
Shippo watched her as she checked on the dinner she was cooking.
"Are you sure?"
She smiled.
"Yeah. It'll be fine. Don't worry. I know I told you I need time to think. But I also need to talk to him. I need to see how deep his commitment to working this out is. I don't intend to make this decision lightly."
Although she had already made up her mind after the accident, she had now had time to realize that her decision was heavily influenced by his injury. There were now a lot of factors she needed to consider before she made a final decision. She would not go back on it once she decided.
The doorbell rang. Shippo grabbed his keys.
"If you need me, call."
She nodded.
Shippo opened the door and nodded in greeting to Sesshoumaru before leaving. Kagome stood there looking at him. He closed the door behind him. Kagome felt her throat swell up at the sight. She swallowed nervously. He had a dozen red roses in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.
To be continued….