A.N. Well I am unsure of how long this story will take. I wonder, and make a guess of when it'll end. And I have passed that point a few times. Do bear with me, I am truly working on finishing it!

"You know Kagome," Sango started with a smile. "If you and Sesshoumaru continue the way you are, you're going to wind up moving out of here and into his house!"

"I am not," Kagome said with a giggle as she raced around the apartment, looking for her other shoe she had meant to wear for work. "I just think we're on a nice route to getting to know each other again."

"That's why you don't practically live over there or anything," Sango reminded her sarcastically.

"I really don't," Kagome replied with a knowing smile. "I go over after work here and there, but I ALWAYS wind up right in my own bed at the end of the day. Besides, he has been staying at his parents. Something about a extermination."

Sango laughed with her friend. She liked giving her a hard time about everything, but she knew that this time around Kagome and Sesshoumaru were really taking things slower with their relationship. "Have you recieved those test results yet?"

"Yeah," Kagome nodded with a relieved smile. "It came back negative. I am actually very relieved. I could not do this and raise a kid at the same time! Sesshoumaru might be able to do it, but I wont. I cannot allow some random person to take care of my child at all times of the day while I am at work!"

"Since when is how I raise my child an issue?" they heard him ask through the door.

"It's not;" Kagome replied, opening the door. "I just wasn't raised where nannies are a part of life. It's not a bad thing, having a nanny, but onlyf or occasions." Sesshoumaru kind of glared for a second, but both the girls knew he had softened a little bit just by the way the air shifted.

"We are going to be late," he stated simply. "If you are done acting up?"

"I'm never done acting up," Kagome said with a smile; grabing his hand as if he had been waiting for such a act. "But I will settle for not being late for the meeting. See you at lunch, Sango?"

"Of course!" Sango said with a giggle. "I will pick you up at 11:30."

"How should we go about this situation?"

"I will go about it how I see fit," Naraku said darkly.

"And you are certain that she will fall for your rouse?"

"No," Naraku stated. "I am going to tear down her confidence in Sesshoumaru; let her see that he is not worthy."

"Let who see who isn't worthy?" came Kagome's happy voice. "Don't tell me you are plotting against some poor sap to steal his girlfriend?"

"Aren't I always?" he asked her, giving his friend a warning look as Kagome went to give him a hug.

"Don't break anybodies heart," she stated with a giggle. "Now get inside, this is a important meeting. It involves all partners."

Sesshoumaru was bored with the meeting. Looking at Kagome, who was trying to stay away, he could tell he wasn't the only one who found it boring. They were going through quite a bit of information about the suspicious company who was trying to buy Kagome's magazine, he knew she wanted the shareholders there to discuss things later about how they were to make the next step. Sesshoumaru himself was currently trying to talk Kagome into merging with his own company, but it seemed that wasn't happening. She was holding steady that she didn't need to do a merger to keep her business afloat. True, the magazine was doing very well, she had lots of ideas that helped it out of its old rut and into the hands of younger readers; even the older ones, but Sesshoumaru feared she would wind up losing it all if this new company tried to sweep it out from under her knees like he knew they wanted to.

"Any questions?" the marketing head asked.

"Just one," Sesshoumaru said; jerking Kagome out of her daze. "How do we know these new plans won't be brought into the public, ruining the magazines chances at making another big stride? We're still having issues with people taking Ms. Higurashi seriously as a business woman, if this gets out, it'll get worse. Especially since most people still think she's just a figurehead; a pretty face to make more sales.

"We are aware of that," he said. "That's why we are doing everything possible to make sure things work properly to keep the public aware Ms. Higurashi is in fact the owner of our company, as well as the editor. Let them know that she is more involved in every aspect of it."

Sesshoumaru nodded, locking eyes with Kagome for just a split second. He understood that they wanted people to know she had power within the company, Kagome did especially. What he didn't understand is why they were forcing stuff so much. He was hoping that things would be sorted out soon. It was stressing Kagome out, and stuff that stressed her out tended to have effect on their relationship.

"Is that everything?" Kagome asked.

"I believe so," the head replied. "I do have to talk to you about a few things, Ms. Higurashi, but I feel that is best done in private."

"Of course," she replied with a smile. "I will meet you in my office in ten minutes?" He nodded and went out to the hallway with the rest of the shareholders.

"Sesshoumaru," she said quietly. "I think we need to talk, later, about your proposal you brought up the other night."

"You are ready to marry me?" he asked. He knew he sounded more cold than anything, but he truly did hope Kagome was ready to get married. He was more than ready for the commitment himself.

"Not that proposal," she said with a giggle; leading him to the parking garage. "The one about us merging companies. You producede many big names, a lot of my bands that are coming in are looking for some help to get their feet in the door. We can only do so much to help them..."

"And you think that is a good way to do that?" he finished for her.

"Yes," she replied. "It is a good idea. I have thought so for a while, but I have been to proud to accept it."

"You? Proud?" he asked, letting his shock show through.

"Only slightly," she said with a smile. "I need to get inside. I will see you later?"

"Of course," he replied; leaning in to give her a long searing kiss. "I will call with information on dinner."

"Can we eat in tonight?"

"You want to eat in?" he was surprised.

"Yes! I have learned to cook a bit," she replied with a giggle. "And who better to try it out on than my wonderful boyfriend."

"Again my parents are taking Rin," he informed her. "So unless Sango will be joining us, it will only be you and I."

"Sango and Miroku will be joining us," Kagome replied. "Think of it as a double date!"

Sesshoumaru nodded and gave her another kiss. "I will can on my way over then."

"I love you," she said quietly; arms wrapped around his waist.

"And I you," he said. "See you later."

"Kagome," Sango asked. "What time are you planning this dinner thing?"

"Seven or so I guess," she replied. "Why?"

"Well while you were busy putting together the 'perfect friday night cute look', your soup boiled over and the oven is smoking," Sango replied calmly.

"OH NO!" Kagome exclaimed. "I wanted dinner to be perfect! I've never cooked for you guys before!"

"It'll be fine," Sango chided. "I'll help you fix your meal and everything will be fine!"

"How are you sure?" Kagome sobbed. "It all keeps going wrong! I tried to make a salad earlier and... well look!"

Kagome held up a hand that was wrapped in a large bandage that was already stained in her blood. "Kagome! How did you manage that?"

"Knife slipped," she said softly. "Stupid cucumbers don't like to be cut apparently."

"You know Sesshoumaru is going to freak when he comes over and smells blood," Sagno reminded her playfully. Kagome nodded, she knew it was true. He'd probably think someone broke in and tried to harm them, and succeeded. Somehow it reminded her of how he reacted the night she found InuYasha and her asleep together right after they moved into the apartment. It really bothered her at the time how he had acted, but now that she thought on it, Kagome kind of wished he would get protective of her again.

Just as she pulled herself from her thoughts, and also pulled the roast from the oven, Sesshoumaru burst through the doors. "Why do I smell your blood?"

"I cut my hand making dinner," Kagome explained; trying to wrestle her hand away from him so she could attempt to finish preparing dinner. "Now will you let me go?"

"No, I will not." He stated. "You are in need of first aid."

"I've cleaned it," Kagome groaned. "And put antibiotic on it. What more do you want?"

"It could be very deep," he replied; ignoring her protests as he all but dragged her into the bathroom. "Be still, your wound needs to be tended."

"It's been tended!" Kagome squealed. "Jeeze and here I was thinking I wish you were more overprotective of me! I regret thinking that!"

"Why would you wish for me to be more overprotective?" he asked, slightly confused. "Would you prefer I huddle around you at all hours of the day and night, ensuring your safety and warding off any person who I deem a threat to you?"

"Not like that!" Kagome exclaimed. "I was just remembering how, when we weren't together... but were together, you freaked out over InuYasha and I accidentally falling asleep together."

"That was a different story," he said darkly. "And we will not get into that. Now, your hand is clean and bandaged properly. Let us go finish preparing the meal."

"It is more or less done," she said meekly. "I just need to make sure it is not burnt..."

"And you wish for I to be the one to taste whether it is burnt or not," he finished for her.

"I knew you would want to!" the girl cried, jumping into his arms. "Now lets go!"

Sesshoumaru just nodded, carrying her into the living room and dumping her on the sofa. He instructed her to sit there whilst he made sure dinner was edible. Kagome was positive he was going to meddle in the matter and followed him into the kitchen anyway, only to be thrown over his shoulder and carried right back to the sofa. "Now you will sit there. I will not change anything. I only intend on cleaning the mess you made. You cooked, it is only fair that I do the cleaning up."

"After we eat!" she squealed, jumping on his back as he wandered back towards the kitchen. "Just leave it for now!"

"It smells good in here," came Miroku's voice. He was standing in the doorway of Sango's room, watching the spectacle for a few minutes. "I hope this meal tastes as good as it smells. Sango! Come on, I think the food is ready!"

"Shut up!" Sango exclaimed. "I am cleaning up the mess YOU made."

Kagome was fighting with Sesshoumaru, who was attempting to clean her mess as she pulled down dishes to set the table. Miroku was fighting with Sango over the mess in her room, and somehow Rin managed to make her way into the apartment. "Sesshoumaru! Grandfather needs you!"

"Rin!" Kagome exclaimed. "When did you get here? And how did you get in?"

"The door was unlocked," the little girl exclaimed. "Grandfather wanted to ask Sesshoumaru about the horror stalking us." Her last comment made Kagome raise a eyebrow at her boyfriend, who had swept up the child and walked out of the apartment without speaking a word.

"Kagome," Sango started. But was cut off before she could ask her friend what was going on.

"I'm sure it's nothing," Kagome said. She knew she was re-assuring herself more than anything, but she wanted to make sure it sounded convincing to her friends as well. "Sesshoumaru is a man many women want, and most are probably bitchy that he is no longer on the market."

Sango just nodded. She understood that Kagome got very self-concious when it came to her relationship with Sesshoumaru, but what she didn't know was why Sesshoumaru never really made the effort to comfort his girlfriend. He just told her she need not worry, that if he had any interest in other women, he would not have tried so hard to get her back. Although, in Sango's eyes, he truly did very little to reconcile his relationship with Kagome.

"Father," Sesshoumaru stated, setting Rin back in her seat in his father's car. "You wanted to speak with me?"

"Yes," the older man stated. "You are aware there is a woman who has been camped out on your lawn all day?"

"She has been there for a few days," Sesshoumaru replied. "It is the reason Rin and I have been staying with you this week. I cannot coerce her to leave."

"How has she been surviving?"

"I have no clue," Sesshoumaru replied. "Since she took residence on my lawn, I pretty much moved back in with you, or have you not noticed? The nights you have been keeping Rin, I stay with Kagome. She so far has not questioned, but now that you sent my daughter in after me, I am sure this will spark some new fight in my extremely fragile relationship."

"If Kagome get's angry with you over this woman," his father started. "Then it is because you did not inform her of the situation you are in."

"Why else did you come?" Sesshoumaru asked, rubbing his nose. "I know it wasn't just about the one woman."

"I understand you are trying to merge our company with Kagome's," he father said flatly. Now he looked angry. "And I would like to know why."

"It is a good idea for both of us," Sesshoumaru started. "And if you would like to know more, come to me during business hours. I am trying to have dinner with my girlfriend and her friends. This is important to her. If you do not want Rin for the evening, leave her with us, I am sure Kagome will not mind a extra seat at the dinner table."

"Your mother wishes to take Rin shopping," his father replied; ignoring his sons glare at the word 'mother'. "We will keep her for the evening. If you plan on returning tonight, let us know. If you are staying here, also let us know."

Sesshoumaru nodded to his father, before climbing into the back seat to say good bye to his daughter. "You will behave for your grandparents, understood?"

"Yup!" the little girl said with a grin, climbing into her fathers lap. "When is Kagome going to live with us? I don't like how we have to travel so far to visit her."

Sesshoumar smirked, the kind of smirk he reserved for only Rin and Kagome. "Soon she will be with us, but for now, we must accept her choice to live away from us. I will see you in the morning."

"Bye Sesshoumaru! I love you!"

"And I you, Rin," he said softly. Leaving the lightest kiss on the childs temple, Sesshoumaru realized how soft he had grown in the recent past. He was unsure of how he felt about it.

"I will see your tomorrow, Sesshoumaru," his father replied; pretending to not be watching his son in the mirror.

"Good bye, father."

"Do you have any new's on Takahashi?"

"He has not returned to his home in over a week," she said sadly. "I have seen his car come by a few times, but he never stops. Just drives down the street."

"Did you scare him away?"

"I did what you said!" she exclaimed. "I set up camp in his yard, dressed in my sluttiest clothes, and tried everything to woo him! He is very hard to get attention from."

"I was not literal when I said camp out in his yard," he told her harshly. "It was a metaphor. Go retrieve your camping gear, and just keep a eye on him to see how things go from there. Try to not be so obvious next time."

The girl nodded, pulling out a cell phone to make a few calls. 'I hope he allows me to keep Sesshoumaru as my boy toy after he takes that annoying girl from him.'

"And Sayu," Naraku growled. "Do not get any romanticized ideas of you taking Sesshoumaru as your pet. He will not live to fight me for Kagome."

A.N. Well I am finally done with this chapter! It took a while for me to write, and to be honest I think it was a bunch of rambling. Let me know what you think of it! Also appologies if the breaks in between scenes aren't apparent. Until I get word on my computer I am using notepad. It is not fun.