A.N. Well the last chapter was short. Yes Kagome is being stupid, and blowing things out of proportion. Its part of my plan. No her and Sesshoumaru aren't over for good. It's just a subplot added into a subplot I had layed out a while ago. Either way. This chapter should cover up and explain some stuff. Although it is future of what had happened in the last chapter, I hope you'll like it either way.
--
"Kagome," Sango called, "your secretary just called. You're late, have two meetings in a hour, and you're supposed to have a web meeting with the headmaster at our school about graduating by the end of summer so you can start working properly."
"Yeah yeah," Kagome said, rushing around her room at top speed, half dressed and attempting to do her hair, "I just wish I had more time in training. Did I tell you what happened yesterday?"
"No," Sango said, sitting down on her friends bed as she continued running around like a chicken with her head cut off.
"Sesshoumaru stopped by," Kagome said, "we had lunch."
"So you're talking to him again?" Sango asked interestedly.
"Hardly," Kagome said with a grin, "he found out I've gone on a few dates with that new American guy in photo. Got pretty angry with me."
Sango laughed, "I wonder why. You and him broke up what… two months ago?"
"He's been sleeping around since we broke up," Kagome said, making sure her skirt wasn't wrinkled and found a blouse that matched, "since his father forced me to give him a position in the company I can keep a eye on him. It's rather entertaining, but at least he doesn't have to worry about never having money. He makes decent pay down where he is."
"What does he do?"
"Janitorial work," Kagome said with a smirk, "he needs to learn how to work hard. That is a good way to do it. It's not even hard really. Just cleaning bathrooms and moping up spills."
Sango laughed again, "yes I see. Well you should get going, your secretary said your first meeting is at noon."
Kagome nodded and took off. Figuring she had two hours until her first interview, she could use that time to understand the band who wanted her to feature them and then go over the new layout with publishing in the following interview.
--
-With Sesshoumaru-
"I can't believe she will not consider me for promotion," Sesshoumaru complained to his father, "I've worked there for months now. The entire building is sparkling because of the work I have put for her. What is her reason for giving me that position in the first place?"
"She said you need to learn to work properly with your hands," his father said, "and I agree. It is a good job for you son. It is not difficult, nor do you get to slack off, which you would do had you been given another job. Live with it."
"You do it," Sesshoumaru grumbled.
"I have," his father replied simply, "I worked my way up the ranks in my last job during and after college until I was ready to take up my own company."
Sesshoumaru nodded, scowling and left for work.
--
-three hours later with Kagome-
"Thank you for your time," Kagome said, standing to show her guests out of the conference room, "we will consider your proposal. You have a different look we'd love for our next cover, and from the CD you brought you're definitely something young people would be interested in. Trust me on that."
The lead singer laughed, "you cannot be much older than me Ms. Higurashi."
"I am older than you though," she said with a smile, "a few years at the least. But I do know what even younger people than I like. And I am sure we can work something out with you if we do use your band for the cover."
The lead singer nodded, walking away with his band-mates as their manager leaned in to talk to Kagome.
"You are not just a figurehead in this company am I correct?" he asked, looking down at her with intent in his eyes.
"I am the owner and editor and chief of this magazine if that's what you mean," she said, not allowing him to intimidate her.
"How old are you?"
"Old enough to run this company," Kagome shot back, "young enough to further my education to keep it."
The man smiled, "a woman who can shoot back. I was warned you'd be a spit fire."
"You've seen nothing yet," Kagome said with a smile, "but if you'd excuse me. I have another meeting to attend to."
"Of course," he said with a smile, moving to the side to let Kagome by, "shall we expect a call from you?"
"I wouldn't wait by the phone," she said with a smile, "but yes. Expect a call from us eventually."
-With Sesshoumaru-
"I hate this job," Sesshoumaru grumbled, pushing his cart into the closet so he could go to his break.
"Man can you believe that EIC?" came a young sounding voice, "she is hot."
"I think there is something fishy," another voice said, "she's too young to be that high up in this company. She's gotta be what, 16?"
"Either way," the first voice said with a grin, "I'm going to go after her. Women like that don't stay single for long."
The second voice laughed, and he heard them board the elevator.
He's right, she wont be single for long. I have to find a way to get her back. And fast.
"Kagome," he said sweetly, walking into her office as she changed her shirt.
"What," she asked, quickly buttoning the shirt and pulling a mirror out of a drawer.
"I was wondering if you would accompany Rin and I for dinner this evening," he said with a smirk.
"For what?" Kagome asked, pulling out a eyeliner to touch up her makeup a bit.
"It is her birthday," Sesshoumaru remarked, "and Rin said she wanted you to come as my gift to her."
Kagome softened and looked up at him, "Rins birthday?" he nodded, "what time and where? I'll have a gift sent here wrapped by the end of the day"
After Sesshoumaru told Kagome where and what time to meet, he decided it was the perfect place to start winning her back.
Let us just hope that she doesn't remember this is where we had our last… family dinner, he thought to himself as he went to find his most recent 'friend'.
– 10 minutes later–
"But Sesshoumaru I don't understand why?" the girl said, wrapping her arms around his waist, a pretty pout on her lips, "we were having such a good time."
"My daughter requires a mother," Sesshoumaru stated, looking down at her.
"I can be a mother," the girl said with a smile, "and she seemed to like me enough."
Sesshoumaru just looked at her, "yes. But I shall choose who is worthy of my daughter to be her mother, and you do not make the cut."
"Why not?" she asked.
"Because," Sesshoumaru said coldly, "Rin chose Kagome as her mother. And I agree that she is my perfect choice."
"Weren't you and Kagome engaged?" the girl asked, remembering Kagome was to take over the company after their wedding. But got it even after they broke up.
"We were," Sesshoumaru answered, "but I said one thing she didn't like. And now she doesn't speak with me much."
"So why are you dumping me?" the girl asked.
"I am attempting to get Kagome back," he responded, "I am 20, almost 21 years old. I should be getting ready to settle down, as should she."
The girl stared, annoyed that he would tell her that as if they were simply good friends.
"So I was just something to keep you occupied while you plotted?" she asked angrily.
"You and the other four girls I've had since," he said un-noticingly, "but yes."
The girl nodded, "I see. Well I guess I'll see you around Sesshoumaru."
He stared as she walked away, surprised she didn't get as mad as the other girls he had been dating since his breakup with Kagome.
--
-End of Day-
"So Kagome you came," Sesshoumaru commented as Kagome walked up to their table, a box in hand.
"Of course," she said, leaning down and giving Rin a huge hug as the little girl bounced in her seat, "I cant miss Rins birthday. What kind of person do you think I am?"
"I would not find it suitable to say aloud what sort of person you are," Sesshoumaru remarked, smirking as she glared at him.
"Here is your present Rin," she said with a smile, handing her the box, "I hope you enjoy it."
Rin opened the box, to pull out a frame with a photo inside. It was a photo of the last time Kagome had gone to dinner with Rin and Sesshoumaru. She received the picture in the mail, forgetting that a man was taking photo's as people were leaving the restaurant. The three had taken one as their first family photo, none of them realizing that Kagome would leave the very next day.
"THANK YOU KAGOME!" Rin squealed, "it's perfect!"
Kagome smiled and hugged Rin as the girl launched herself into her lap, "I'm glad you like it. There's a hook on the back so you can hang it on the wall if you want."
"Can I?" Rin asked, looking at Sesshoumaru.
"I will put it up when we get home," Sesshoumaru said quietly, never taking his eyes off Kagome.
"YAY!" Rin said, climbing back into her chair, "what are we going to do?"
"Dinner is just for you," Sesshoumaru said with a smirk, "pick whatever you want. Dessert too. But I do have grown up things to talk with Kagome about."
Rin nodded, just happy Kagome was back, so she didn't get mad that Sesshoumaru wasn't going to focus solely on her.
"Why don't we talk grown up stuff at work tomorrow?" Kagome asked, pulling a book out of her bag, "I don't have any meetings, so I'm just fixing up some stuff that I don't like. You can come up anytime you want."
"This is personal," Sesshoumaru said, "I do not wish to bring business into my daughters birthday. This conversation is about me and you."
"There is no me and you," Kagome said, "which is you and I. Besides, I'm seeing someone."
"I am aware of that," Sesshoumaru said, watching Rin out of the corner of his eye, "but I still wish to be with you."
Kagome sighed, picking up her menu, "I do not wish to be with you Sesshoumaru. You went to far."
"And I have apologized," he said sternly, his attention fully on her, "more than one time. In numerous ways. I know you're mad at what I did and said, and I have come to realize it was wrong to say and do what I had done. But that, as you had said, is the past. I wish to focus on the future, and I can only see Rin and mines future with you in it."
"Very charming Sesshoumaru," she said sadly, "but I refuse to end a relationship all because you wish me to."
"I ended one to be with you," he replied, "why cannot you do the same?"
"Because I do not work like that," she said, "I do not hold my relationships so poorly that I can end one in the drop of a hat."
"You ended ours in the drop of a hat," he said.
"You pushed me," she said angrily, "you pushed until I couldn't take it. You never thought to ask why I wouldn't, couldn't, tell you certain things about my past."
"And I had apologized profusely for my mannerisms in the moment," he argued, "I did everything I could. In the end you wouldn't listen. You were as honery as a mule."
"Thank you for that comparison," she snapped, "but I will not take the blame for this. It is your own fault."
"STOP FIGHTING!" Rin exclaimed, "YOU ALWAYS FIGHT! WHY DON'T YOU LOVE EACHOTHER ANYMORE!?"
Kagome and Sesshoumaru stared, as did everyone in a ten foot vicinity, as Rin broke down into tears.
"Rin," Kagome said softly, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fight with your father today."
"Then why did you?" Rin asked, sniffing slightly, "I thought you loved him. He loves you."
Kagome looked up from Rin to Sesshoumaru, who was kneeled on her other side.
"He loved me honey," Kagome said standing, "and I loved him. But sometimes grownups fall out of love."
"Why?" Rin asked, looking at Kagome with watery eyes, "you told me you wanted to be my mother. You cant be my mother unless you love my dad."
Kagome looked down at her, "I'm sorry baby. I didn't want to hurt you. I would love to be your mother. But I cant because of your dad."
Sesshoumaru stood up and looked at Kagome, "I think you should leave now."
"I do too," Kagome agreed stiffly, "don't worry about coming into work tomorrow. Take a vacation for a while. You'll get paid. Don't come back until I've called you."
Sesshoumaru watched as Kagome walked away, her head held high as she exited the restaurant.
"Does Kagome hate me?" Rin asked, tugging on his sleeve.
"No," he said, picking her up, signaling for their food to be made to go, "she hates me."
A.N. okay so it sucked. But its all I could think of really. It'll get better. But I just hope you enjoyed anyway in some way or form. REVIEW!
