This chapter received a bit of change. But it won't make much of a difference to the original storyline.
Chapter 29
"What am I going to do?" Kagome asked herself as she sat on top of bed. It was passed midnight, and once again her problem had denied her a chance of sleeping. Not like she could sleep after the day she has had. She had less than 24 hours to come up with $500 before she lost the chance to rent out that apartment. But that was just one of her many problems. After Koga had dropped her off, she had begun adding up the cost of everything she would need. There were many more things she needed for the apartment, such as beds, pots, pans, sheets, dishes, furniture, practically everything. She also was in desperate of a car to get to work. Fall was around the corner and she couldn't walk with Kiseki without running the risk of get her sick. And what about the money she needed to pay for her online courses. And a computer. And Kiseki's daycare payment. After crunching all the numbers, she had determined that she needed at least $6000 by the end of the week. "I need money and fast." She let out a heavy sigh. But how was she going to get that much money in such a small amount of time. It's not like the money would magically appear out of nowhere. And she could not risk the chance of contacting one of her friends or family member. She didn't want to worry her mother with her problems. She couldn't call Sango, because she knew that Sango would find her eventually. There was no way she would ever consider asking her ex-husband for anything. Inuyasha probably despised her for all the trouble she and her daughter had caused him.
"So in other words, I'm screwed." She let herself fall back onto the bed. As she turned towards to the left, her eyes caught sight of the money.
"Koga," she said to herself.
"Damn it!" Koga slammed the door of the motel room just as Kagome sat on the bed.
"It's alright, Koga. You did the best you could."
"You think that makes me feel any god damn better?!" Koga shot back. He was more disappointed about the apartment than Kagome was. "I swear that damn old hag gets bitcher every year."
"She's just doing her job. We can't hold it against that." Kagome said on behalf of old lady Kaede. Koga was silent for a brief moment, as if he was in deep thought.
"Maybe" he said as he rested his head on his hand. "We can get Ayame to give you an advance on your paycheck."
"Koga," Kagome called out, but Koga wasn't listening.
"Nah, Ayame is pretty stingy when it comes to loaning out money." He took another moment to think. "I know, I can sell my car."
"Koga," she said again, but still no respond from the man.
"I can sell to Ginta After all, he always going on about how much he likes it."
"Koga!" she said in a louder tone, hoping to get his attention.
"I can just take the bus until you can pay me back later. Then," but then Kagome shot up from the bed.
"KOGA!" Kagome cried out, finally getting the young man's attention. "I appreciate everything that you have done, just for my sake. I really do. But you don't have to go out of your way for me."
"But Kagome," Koga tried respond, but Kagome shook head.
"I don't want to inconvenient anyone, just for a mess I created for myself. If I fail it was because of the decisions I made, no one else." Admitting defeat, Koga let out an annoyed groan.
"I should get going," he turned towards the door. "It's getting late and I don't have my car."
"Yes," As Kagome walked Koga out, she gave him a weak smile as gently placed her hand on his shoulder. "Thank you for everything, Koga." The young man sighed as he suddenly spun around and clasped his hands around Kagome's. Kagome let out a grasp. She wasn't expecting such a move from him. She glazed into the man's piercing blue eyes, she felt something sipped into her hands. As Koga pulled away, Kagome looked down to see a couple of $50 bills in her hands.
"I know it's not much, but it will hold off your eviction for a least a few more days." Koga said, he glaze shifting away from hers. "I'm not gonna sit back and let you and your kid become homeless."
"No," she said as she tried to return the money. "I can't accept this." but Koga shoved her hand away.
"Don't argue with me." He shot back. "Just because the dirt bag who knocked you up left you high and dry, doesn't mean I'm gonna do the same! So just take the damn money!" he reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper with his cell number scribbled on it. "And that day comes, when you have nowhere to go, Promise me that you'll give me a call."
"Koga," Kagome was speechless. How could one man be so generous to a woman he had just met.
"I mean it Kagome. If I find out that you got driven out of your room, I swear on everything holy that I will drive all over town, look under every bridge and pop into every shelter, just to bring your stubborn ass to my apartment. And I will bring you back, even I have to drag you by the collar of your neck!" Koga waited for Kagome to object, but she just smiled back at him. Her lovely eyes glossy from unshed tears, a soft smile on her lips.
"I promise Koga."
She didn't want to Koga anymore. He's been too good to burden him with her problems. Sadly, there was only one way out of this mess.
"I can't believe it's come to this." Kagome said as she dug into her purse, pulling out a little black notebook. She flipped through the pages until finally coming across Sesshōmaru's phone number. "I have to ask that arrogant ass for money." Just the thought of groveling to the man who had violently assaulted her made every cell in her body want to vomit at once, but she was desperate. She couldn't allow her daughter to be homeless. And it was the least he could do since she had given birth to his child, even if it was completely unwilling. "It wouldn't even be asking; it's practically be child support." She said as if to justify her action. With a deep breath and trembling fingers, she began dialing the number of the man she despised more than any other being. The phone rang about three times before someone picked up.
"Daiyōkai Estate," an elderly man said. "This is Jaken speaking."
"May I talk to the lord of the house?" Kagome asked, unwilling to speak that man's name.
"And what business do you have with my master?"
"That doesn't consider you."
"In that case, you may not speak with him. I will not have milord being bothered by some rude little brat such as yourself."
"Just pass me to Sesshōmaru!" she screamed out, having lost all her patience with this man. "Tell that son of a bitch that Kiseki's mother needs to talk with him!" the line suddenly went silent. She wondered that old man had hung up on her. But a few seconds later, she heard movement coming from the phone.
"Who is this?" She heard him call out. Kagome could feel her body growing stiff at the sound of Sesshōmaru's voice.
"Hello," her grip tightening around her cellphone. "Sesshōmaru." Kagome spat out as if were a poison.
"Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise," Sesshōmaru said in his usual egotistical tone. "And how are you and my beautiful little girl doing?"
"Since when the hell have we ever matter to you!" she hissed through her teeth.
"Now, now Kagome. How could you be so cold to the father of your child? After all, I truly miss hearing your voice."
"You are not her father!" She shouted so loud, she was certain that some of her neighbors could hear her. "You're nothing but a sperm donor, you bastard!" but Sesshōmaru let out a laugh.
"So my dear Kagome, How have you been since you left my worthless half-brother?" he asked.
"How do you know about me and Inuyasha?"
"Oh Kagome, when will you learn that I know everything that concerns you." He mocked her. "To be honest, it was quite a surprise to hear my half-brother would stray. To think he would cheat such a beautiful woman with a common whore. But yet again, he is his father's son. Inuyasha definitely inherited that trait from him. Wouldn't you agree, my dear Kagome?"
"That doesn't matter." Kagome said in order to change the subject. "Sesshōmaru, I'm going through some hard times, financially and…"
"And you assume that I will give you money, just because I fathered your child?" Sesshōmaru interrupted her. "Honestly Kagome. What kind of imbecile do you take me for?"
"But she's your daughter!" She shouted. "As her father, you have to support her!"
"You say that as if it mattered." He coolly replied. "And if I remember correctly, I'm not her father, just a sperm donor."
"But…," Kagome started to shudder. How could Sesshōmaru turn away his own daughter with such ease? As if she was nothing to him.
"However, I am not completely heartless. I will be more than willing to assist you financially, under certain circumstances." Sesshōmaru said. But Kagome was not about to trust this man. Not after what he had done to her.
"What circumstances?" Kagome asked.
"My, aren't we distrusting."
"Only a fool would trust a serpent after being bitten once before." Kagome shot back callously. But Sesshōmaru let out a shallow laugh, completely unfazed by Kagome's icy demeanor.
"Be that as it may, you will have to trust this serpent if you wish to keep your head above water." Kagome could feel the vein on her temple throbbing from frustration. Though she despise him, he was right. Sesshōmaru was the only one who could help her now.
"You have taken everything. What more could you possibly want from me?"
"A son." He said bluntly.
"Excuse me?" Kagome must have misheard him. Sesshōmaru couldn't be so bold, so callous, so egotistical, so asshole-ish to ask her to have another child after conceiving her daughter by raping her.
"I believe you heard me correctly the first time. I was quite displease to learn that you had given birth to a daughter and I want a male heir. If you provide me another opportunity have a son, I will give you the money you need to carry on with your mere existence. I may even consider giving you an allowance in exchange for 'sensual relief' from time to time." Kagome could practically see that condescending smirk upon his lips as he spoke to her.
"I can't believe that you are that stupid to even consider asking me to have sex with you!" she was practically screaming at this point, not even trying to hide her rage. "Just what do you take me for? I am not some type of whore that will laid with you, just for money!"
"You should lose that pride of yours, Kagome. Especially when you have to gall to ask me for a handout." Sesshōmaru said, never losing his haughty manner. "Now I have given you a more than generous offer. You can neither take it or leave me alone and never call me again."
How could he do this? After everything he had put me through, everything I have lost because of him, he thinks his can completely write us out of his life. She gripped the phone so tightly, it was a wonder that the screen didn't crack. No! He won't get away with this again! I will that son of a bitch pay!
"Listen here, you stupid asshole!" she shouted into the phone. "I wasn't asking you for the money! I was demanding it!" But Sesshōmaru just laughed at her.
"How asinine of you to believe that you're in a position to be demanding anything from me." He said, but Kagome narrowed her eyes, a sly smile forming on her lips.
"Fine then," she calmly said. "Then I guess you wouldn't mind if I decide to talk about us then."
"It doesn't matter to me if you talk to the police. Without evidence, you have no case against me."
"Who said anything about the police?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Imagine how shameful it will be when everyone finds out that you have a daughter, out of wedlock." She said insultingly. "With a married woman. What will all the other high ranking nobles think of you?"
"How dare you threaten me," Kagome could hear his tone rising, something that normally doesn't happen. "You lowly wretch."
"And with your half-brother's wife no less. Having your brother's sloppy seconds, how low class can you get?" She let out a taunting chuckle.
"You wouldn't dare!" he said in a threatening tone. "I will sooner destroy you than lose my prestige to a whore like you!" But that didn't stop Kagome from talking.
"But I guess it can't be helped." She said with a smirk on her face. "After all, it's a trait you obviously inherited from your father."
"That's enough!" he shrieked, at long last losing his cool composure. For the first time in a long time, Kagome finally had the control that she thought was lost after the assault. And it felt incredible. "How much do you want?" she thought very carefully. She needed $6000 only, but this was a change to make him suffer just as she had for the last year.
"As of right now, I want $10,000." She said calmly.
"$10,000!" he shouted. "Are you insane?"
"I'm not finished!" she continued, unfazed by his intimidating manner. "After that, I want $2500 a month. Consider that child support, you deadbeat."
"You're not a single penny from me!" he countered. "I can guarantee you that!
"Then don't be surprise when some of your colleagues suddenly turn their backs on you!"
"You think you can blackmail me for money, but it won't work!"
"Why? Because you think you can change your number and be done with me? That you can ignore me and forget that your daughter exist! Well, I can always show up at your company. Maybe I can show up to a company party and introduce myself as your 'baby mama'." She finally had the mighty Sesshōmaru cornered, with no escape in sight. And he knew it.
"Just tell me where to meet and I will give you the money." he said as he let out a groan of defeat.
"Don't insult my intelligent by thinking I would actually meet you anywhere!" she cried out. She never wanted to see that monster. "Now go get a pen and paper; I'm giving you a number so you transfer the money directly into my account. I expect this money in my account by tomorrow morning or else." After giving him an account number, that was untraceable, she hung up the phone without even giving Sesshōmaru a chance to talk to her.
Kagome just stared at the phone, long after she had ended the call. At long last, she had beaten Sesshōmaru at his own game. She was the one in control, while that son of a bitch quivered in fear. Wondering if she had the guts to publically shame him. She laid down, a smile of satisfaction plastered on her face.
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Kagome stood quietly outside the bank, waiting for it to open. As she waited with Kiseki in arm, it gave some time to reflect on yesterday's conservation with her baby's father. She couldn't believe that she had just resorted to extortion. Yes, Sesshōmaru has had it coming for a very long time. And it did finally give him the punishment he deserved. But it didn't make it any more just. She couldn't stoop to his level just for revenge. And what if Sesshōmaru decided to seek her out. He could use this as grounds to take Kiseki away. Even though, Sesshōmaru didn't care about the baby, he would love to cause Kagome more pain.
"I hope not." She said to herself as she hugged her daughter tight, just as the teller unlocked the door. Quickly, she walked up to one of the tellers.
"I would like to withdraw $500 from my account." Kagome nervously asked as she pulled out her card and handed it to the female teller.
"Yes, Miss Higurashi." Kagome watched anxiously as the teller pulled up her account on the computer. She was frightened that the teller Would she tell her that they was no money in her account. But the teller gave her smile as she handed Kagome back her cards and a white envelope. "Here you are, Miss Higurashi." She gave a bow. "Have a nice day."
As she walked out the bank, she opened the envelope, revealing 5 crisp one-hundred dollar bills. As she pulled out the bank slip to check her balance, she grinned. To her delight, it had grown $10,000 over night.
A/N: I hope I didn't upset anyone by making Kagome act so mean in this chapter.
