So this is the ninth chapter I promised you about. Haven't got 200 reviews of course (just 1 more!!!) Lol. But, well...why don't I play fair and give you a bit compensation? LOL. Well, I really hoped I got 200 but seems it's very hard, ne? So, since everyone already send me emails, I won't let you down. I update it!! Hope you enjoy it. Really!!

BIG THANKS to ICEWINGS, my editor. I can't do this without you! My grammar is a mess but...that's why I got you as my editor, because YOU'RE THE BEST! You go girl!

and of course to DUKE OF SPADES (sorry if I mistyped your nick) who already be a great event organizer because she is the one who'd arranged Kagome's wedding with the gowns and everything. Sorry if I can't describe her gown excellently in this chapter. I will do it better on the next chapter! just wait. Lol. hope I can make the homepage to put all of the pictures... but I can't make one( Because I don't know how. Anyone want to help me? Lol. Anyway... a real thousand of thanks for you, Duke!

And...

Of course to all the readers who reviewed my story, the readers who just read it without review it (I know you're too lazy to type it grin), the reviewers who just read my summary without read my stories (how can?!! LOL). And well to everyone in here of course.

and remember...

INUYASHA WILL NEVER BE MINE!!

a good disclaimer huh? )

"Grandpa, grandpa, why you loves to staring out the window at night?"

"Because I'm praying, my dear. I'm praying to Tomorrow so it'll not be the same with Yesterday or Today"

--My Own Quotes--

The Cost You Pay

Chapter 9

The Day After

KAGOME woke up when she felt the sunlight warm her face. She touched the other side of bed, hoping that Sesshoumaru would still there. But it was empty. No one beside her.

Feeling dizzy, Kagome pulled up the blanket and covered her naked body. Seemed the air conditioner was still on.

What happened last night? Oh God, she felt disgusted with herself. How could she sleep with him so easily? How could that happen in just one night?! What was in Sesshoumaru's mind? That she was a slut?

Great. Now you have a nice new nickname, Kagome. A slut. Isn't that just wonderful? You should be very proud of yourself, it takes most women days to get that kind of name, you did it in one NIGHT!

Kagome growled at that thought. No. She wasn't a slut. She only did what she was supposed to do. It was part of the covenant and there was nothing she could do to stop her physical desire. Kagome's physical, virgin desire to be kissed by Sesshoumaru Hamoto.

You're not a virgin anymore since last night, Kag…

Kagome's face reddened at the thought. Images of what happened last night started flashing in her mind, making Kagome really irritated with herself. But she couldn't help it, okay?! She couldn't help herself from remembering what Sesshoumaru had done to her and

Maybe he's done it to other women.

Kagome's face darkened. Yeah, she knew. Maybe there were too many other women who'd stayed in this bed for just one night. Kagome took a deep breath and filled her lungs with air, but all she could smell was just Sesshoumaru's scent. The scent that filled every part of her senses now.

Kagome sighed, burying her face in the pillow so she could smell Sesshoumaru's scent again. The masculine scent. His scent that could make Kagome feel so calm.

Kagome gritted her teeth, annoyed by her own thoughts.

He doesn't make me calm, okay?! And he's dangerous! Your feelings are wrong! Wrong! Wrong, Kagome!

Kagome closed her eyes. Yeah. She shouldn't or musn't, more exact, fall in love with this man. Yeah. Her two days again soon-gonna-be-'husband'.

Kagome looked at the clock that hung on the wall.

Oh my. It was already 9 o'clock in the morning and she hadn't even taken a bath! She had to

Work, Kagome whispered it to herself quietly. She didn't work in Inuyasha's company anymore. Kagome was working for someone else now. Yes, Sesshoumaru. Who else? But this work was harder than she thought.

Silently, her eyes were looking around Sesshoumaru's room. The room was so…

What is the right word to describe? Kagome thought.

Big. Okay, that was the first word that came to her numb mind.

Yes, big. Maybe about ten times bigger than her apartment. She just realized it now. And all of that room was covered in white and black. She was lying in a king size bed, a big flat-screen plasma TV in front of it, some sofas to the side that made the room seemed more artistic and so 'Sesshoumaru', and there was glass door that lead to the balcony. And another two doors which Kagome was sure lead to the bathroom and the exit door.

Kagome smiled quietly. The thought that she was in the most masculine room that she ever knew made her a bit happy. Yes, a man had never touched her since she broke up with her boyfriend, not that she wasn't attractive. Okay, there were two or three guys who liked her but she was already in love with her boss. So… she rejected them all.

Kagome's smile vanished quickly when she remembered Inuyasha. How was he doing? He always counted on her. Yes, counted to her to be there for him. Inuyasha had trusted her his entire life…

At the workplace, she added.

What would he do now that she wasn't there for him anymore? Feel depressed because all of his work and piling papers? Or what?

Would Inuyasha miss her? Not as a lover of course but as a partner…

Actually, Kagome didn't hope more than that. She was a good girl, though she wasn't the religious type, but her mother taught her about norms in society. Kagome shouldn't ruin a person's relationship even though she loved him very much.

So… here our little miss Kagome Higurashi, who would do anything for her boss, including marrying a man who could probably freeze an active volcano…

Who even left her the next morning after what had happened to them last night.

Kagome felt so lonely. Although she would choose being lonely over having Sesshoumaru by her side…

Part of her heart wanted him. Missed him even.

Damn you, Kagome! I can't believe you've become this weak after only one night! She scolded herself. Damn you! Damn you! Damn you, Kagome Higurashi!!!

Kagome whacked her pillow, frustrated and angry. She hated herself! She hated being so weak and for being in love with Inuyasha! She hated it!!

……..oooOoOoOoOooo…….

Kagome ate her breakfast in silence. She was alone, eating at the poolside, and didn't do anything other than eat 'High Class Food'.

Sesshoumaru had been at his office since seven o'clock. Kagome knew it from Jaken, who promised to show her around the house after she ate her breakfast.

The house could go to hell for all she cared. She didn't belong here! It wasn't her place.

Feeling angry at herself, Kagome stood abruptly and left the room, ran to her room, and grabbed her bag. She knew it was stupid but she'd already done the stupidest thing she could ever do. She slept with him, for goodness sake! And it had happened before their wedding night.

Oh, now this is just getting better and better, she thought angrily. She was no difference from a slut a slut. A SLUT!!!

Angrily grabbing her purse, she hurried out of the room, quickly answering Jaken's questions about where she was going.

"Oh, just taking a walk, Jaken," she replied, walking to the door with the weird little man following closely behind. "I will be back before noon."

"Do you need a car, Ma'am?"

"No, why should I need a car? I'll just take the bus."

"B-but, Ma'am, the lord will be very angry when he hears about this. A Hamoto should not go around by foot."

"Well, Jaken, I'm not a real Hamoto anyway." With that, she banged the door and half ran to main exit. "I hate the Hamotos," she mumbled.

Kagome sighed as she passed the main gate. Well, it wasn't the Hamotos' fault, of course. It was hers and definitely hers alone.

Right, now she was the one who should be blamed because she loved her boss too much.

"Oh, Inuyasha," she whispered, closing her eyes, almost praying. "Please give me strength…"

……..oooOoOoOoOooo…….

Days passed quickly—so quick that she didn't even realize it until the wedding day had come. She was too busy preparing for it—as Sesshoumaru said, 'you do you part, and I'll do mine'. Trying on gowns and getting them fitted (because her soon-to-be husband was very rich, he forced her to buy three different gowns. One for the bestowal of blessing, one for the evening reception, and another one for the night reception), choosing the perfect color that matched her gown, finding the right shoes, earrings, the best salons to styled her hair, buying some sexy lingerie (by Jill's command) which she knew she wouldn't need since Sesshoumaru would never care about what she wore on their wedding night.

Since Kagome was occupied arranging this wedding lately, the 'couple' never met since the first time they'd slept together. Sesshoumaru seemed too buried in his work while Kagome was buried under wedding plans. Well, even though she knew he usually came home late at night, while she was sleeping, they still didn't meet each other. Sesshoumaru just slept beside her and did nothing, not even touch her or wake her up. It wasn't that Kagome wanted to be woken by him, but…well…

She didn't know where would their marriage turn out. A divorce? That was definite. A child? It was included too. Money? Well…that was her real reason for marrying him. Make love? No! It wasn't making love. It was just sex. The part of the covenant. Well, you need sex to make a baby, right?

Check, check, and check. Everything was checked and would be done.

Kagome stared at her reflection in the mirror, and held her breath for a while. Well, Jill had definitely done the perfect job; Sesshoumaru should be very satisfied. Her hair had been swept up in a loose bun, with locks escaping to frame her soft features. A silver tiara with twinkling diamonds was elegantly arranged in it as well. The gown? Was beautiful with a soft pinks color, elegance and hugged her trim figure in all the right places.

Maybe, just maybe, Sesshoumaru will be impressed, she thought, encouraging her self.

But, no matter how hard she tried to assure and composed her self by saying that everything would be fine and she was doing it for her love, her heart was still screaming, questioning everything so that she tried to ignore it.

Her sight started to blur as she realized tears were in her eyes, ready to slip down and ruin her make-up.

Oh shit, she thought angrily, grabbing a tissue and wiping it carefully on the tips of her eyes. Don't cry right now, Kagome. It was your decision. You are strong and you are in love with Inuyasha. You love him so much so you're willing to marry this bastard Sesshoumaru.

Yes, you love him. You love him. You love him. You love him. You want to save the company. You love him and all your friends there. You want to save him. You want to see him happy because you love him, you love him, and you love him and you…., she repeated the words in her head a thousand times like it was a spell or something. Jill called her from outside the door and she stepped from the safety of the room.

Yes you love him yes you love him and you will never betray him, you will always love Inuyasha, you will

And she continued to mutter it inaudibly. But why was it that every time she told herself she was in love with Inuyasha, she felt another part of herself feel uncertain about it, asking her back with the most unanswerable question.

Do you really love him?

..::End of chapter 8::..

There you go! Happy? not a cliffhanger I'd supposed. Well, now...PLEASE REVIEW!! say it everything you want to say to me!!

Ja Ne

The Eternal