Chapter 17

Kouga slammed the door to the office, enraged at what he had been called in for. Kagome thought she was going to divorce him. She had the gall to actually file with the Taisho law firm. He wasn't sure if she realized the significance of the lawyer she had picked, but it didn't matter.

This was going to be a fight.

The Taisho's were known as the top dogs of the law world. There wasn't any that matched their level. Kouga had the second best, but that still may not be enough. He would have to get his hands dirty and delve into his pockets to make sure Kagome didn't get away.

His P.I. had already failed, and the bastard was learning from his mistakes. He had lost everything already, and Kouga enjoyed knowing the incompetent P.I. was no more. At least not in the investigation business.

Not only was Kagome trying to leave him, this was eventually going to be made public. It would get leaked by anyone who was nosey enough to overhear, and his name would be the one that got dragged through the mud. If he could avoid that scandal, he would be happy.

Passing a mirror, he stopped, looking at his reflection. He was scarred. The skin of his cheek was lumpy and no longer smooth. It was discolored, a mixture of red, white, and his natural skin color. It was ugly and unsightly. He hated looking at himself.

Kagome would pay. No woman wanted him. They laughed, called him names, and refused to look his way anymore. Children screamed and ran in the opposite direction, and he had even lost clients with his business.

Kouga hadn't done anything to deserve Kagome's treatment. At least not in his mind. Kagome was a hand full. She was unruly, and not a proper wife. He had been trying to discipline her, train and tame her. He was trying to make her better, and instead, she attacked him, ran away, and was now trying to divorce him.

It was all so tiring.

He had provided for Kagome. Gave her spending money, bought her what she wanted. He gave her pleasure as often as he could, and still she did this to him. The moment he got his hands on her, she would learn her place. It didn't matter how much he had to beat it into her.

Plopping down in the chair across from his lawyer, the other male threw a packet of papers to Kouga. Eiji, the lawyer sighed with a shake of his head. "Looks like your girl is trying to leave. She has some guns behind her. Both Touga and Sesshomaru have taken on her case."

"Why both?" Kouga looked over the packet, seeing what his lawyer was talking about. It wasn't normal to have two lawyers for one person. For some reason they felt compelled for both father and son to work on helping Kagome leave Touga.

"Couldn't tell you." Eiji shrugged, motioning for Kouga to flip the papers. "I inquired already, but they do not have to answer if they don't want to. They also request an anonymous judge. That means we won't know who will be assigned the case until the day of court."

"I've already got judges under my belt. Have them ask around." Kouga nearly snarled, throwing the packet back onto the desk. This wasn't going how he had wanted at all. Those Taisho's had thrown a wrench in his plans, and Kouga may have to rely on chance to get Kagome back to him.

"Not going to work. No one will know who has this case, because it won't be assigned until the day before. A judge in passing could agree to a mediation, but even they will be anonymous, and not the same one that you will have for court." Eiji leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers together. "You could try and buy out every judge, but there is a chance that not everyone will agree. Then if they don't word will get out that you won the case by illegal means, and the world is suddenly on Kagome's side. I advise that you request a mediation. Let the courts see that you are following their rules."

"That gets me nowhere. That bitch could get away." Kouga stood, pacing the floor quickly as he thought. "There has got to be something I could do. Something that will get her to stop this nonsense."

"In the eyes of the court, you are at a standstill. This will take time, it will be drawn out on both sides, because we want different things." Eiji leaned forward, a dangerous glint in his eye. "Of the clock, I suggest you send someone after Kagome. Don't go yourself, because if you are seen, we are back to Kagome having power over you. Have them talk to her, get her to agree to call this entire thing off."

"I don't know where she is."

Eiji smirked dangerously. He pushed a piece of paper to the edge of his desk, letting Kouga grab it. "You didn't get that from me. It contains both the address of the Taisho's law firm, and the address provided by Kagome of where she is living."

Kouga smiled, eyes glued to the piece of paper. "This is why I pay you so much."

An hour later, Kouga was once more sitting in the dining room of the Higurashi's home. Hitomi sat across from him, watching as he slid a small piece of paper over. Kouga had written down Kagome's new address, and now Hitomi had it. "You will go find her. You will bring her back, or I will take more than just the funding I have graciously given you."

"I'll do what I can. She doesn't want anything to do with me anymore. Not since you called me to treat her after you beat her so badly, she lost your baby." Hitomi glared at the male. She felt no remorse for Kagome, but Kouga had been nothing but an annoyance. She had wanted his money, not his company, yet he kept showing up.

"She should have made sure she didn't get knocked up. Kids are a nuisance and an expense I have no desire for. What I do with my wife is none of your business. Find her, Hitomi. Your very livelihood depends on it." He stood, making his way out of the dining room. He noticed Kagome's grandfather and brother sitting in the next room, both glaring at him, but he paid them no mind. They were not important.

…

"Are you sure you can do this?" Miroku was standing beside Kagome, watching her closely. Every year, the fair came to town, and his family always went together. Kagome had been invited, and she had agreed, but now that she was here, they could see the fear and anxiety overwhelming her.

She hadn't gone anywhere with a crowd yet. If she were to step foot into the fair, there was no way she could keep from bumping into or accidently touching a male. This would be a true test of how far she had come. She could tolerate Miroku touching her, and even Sesshomaru, though in small quantities. However, could she handle a complete stranger?

"I need to do this." Her hand was trembling, clenched above her heart. "If I don't, I'm letting him win. I won't do that. I'll fight him, and everything he did to me."

Miroku smiled, holding out his hand. "We will be right here with you. Every step of the way." With a deep breath, she took his hand, lacing their fingers. Together they walked into the fair, Sesshomaru on the other side of her. They were protecting her, and she appreciated it. This was something she was going to have to work into.

"How about we enjoy some rides first? Miroku tends not to be able to hold his stomach if he eats before he rides." Izayoi didn't notice the glare her youngest son sent her, but the others did, and didn't hide their snicker. "I know, let's do that one."

Kagome blanched, watching as the ride looped multiple times. It twisted and turned, screams of both thrill and terror coming from it. How could sweet and kind Izayoi pick a death trap. Miroku chuckled, leaning down to speak into Kagome's ear because of how loud it was. "You don't have to ride."

"No. no. I'm going to. I may die, but I'm going to ride it." Kagome worked herself up, much to the amusement of the others. When they were seated and locked in, she closed her eyes, trying not to panic. They jerked forward, the ride shuddering as it started to rise up the steep incline. "Is that normal?"

"Yes." Miroku laughed, holding onto the handrails. Kagome was gripping hers so tight her knuckles were white. He was not about to give her his hand. She may break it if he did.

"Just make sure your harness is clicked in place properly. They sometimes come loose." Sesshomaru was grinning, but he sat behind Kagome, so she couldn't see. Her little shriek of surprise got him a glare from Miroku, but it was worth it.

"Yea. You know how many people die on these rides? You literally fly right off." InuYasha, who was sitting beside Sesshomaru couldn't help but to join in with the teasing. It was easy to rile up Kagome.

"Do not listen to them, dear." Izayoi yelled from behind her boys. Touga was beside her, laughing at the shenanigans. "Just open your eyes and enjoy it."

Kagome did, regretting it immediately. As soon as she opened her eyes, the coaster dropped, and the blood curdling scream that left her lungs would leave everyone's ears ringing for hours. When the ride finally stopped, Kagome was frozen, panting hard with her hair going every which way. "That was amazing."

"Fuck, you have some lungs." InuYasha rubbed his ears, wincing as he did.

"I am not sorry." Kagome stood as she was released, her legs wobbly. It wasn't until they got off the ride that she realized she went the entire process without freaking out about being touched. The technician was male. When he locked her in, he had touched her. When he unlocked her, he had touched her again. She hadn't even noticed. Kagome was filled with elation as she pointed to the next biggest ride. "Let's do that one."

By the time the sun settled below the horizon, they had officially ridden every single ride, some of them twice. Kagome was like a child. It was her first time at a fair, and she was having so much fun she wasn't worried about being touched. It was freeing, and she didn't want it to end.

She had managed to tire everyone else out, and by the time they were heading home and piled up in one of Touga's cars, the boys had passed out. Touga couldn't help but to look in his rearview mirror, heart full as he saw his three sons sleeping in the back seat. Kagome was looking at her hands, amazed at the fact that she had handled so much touching.

Eventually, she too fell asleep, head against the window. When they were all out, he grabbed Izayoi's hand, bringing it to his lips and kissing her fingers. "I do think Kagome is here to stay." He chuckled, looking back once more and seeing Miroku was now holding Kagome's hand. He had grabbed it in his sleep. "It is likely she will be the daughter you have always wanted."

Izayoi smiled sleepily. Her head was leaning on the head rest, watching as the trees went past. "I love her already. She is perfect for Miroku. He smiles so much now." Her smile faltered for a moment. "Promise you and Sesshomaru can keep her safe. Kouga is known for how cruel he is, and if he gets his hands on her, he will kill her. Miroku would be devastated, and Kagome would be lost to us."

"We are going to do everything we can. This is my promise for my son's future."

...

I know it's been awhile but with the holidays, I haven't had any time to sit down and do much of anything other than clean and host. I promise I didn't forget about you guys. To make up for it, I'll give you two chapters tonight. Things should return to normal for me in the new year. Hope you all enjoy.