A/N: Here I am again...with another one of my chapters. So how do you like it so far? The last chapter was a little rocky, but I promise that this one will have a lot of great surprises. The story will have to go a whole new way now that I have entered Kagura's high school story. But that's okay, I'm sure it can still be as good. I am also in a very good mood cause I got all of my senior stuff today. My gown and autograph and year book. I have a feeling the 8th graders will be running around the school tomorrow asking ppl to sign their book. But I can't blame them! I would do the same too! It's just that I'm pathetic and don't know a lot of people. I think I'll just stick to my close circle of friends...:0

Disclaimer: Don't own nothing. Except for the quote, that one I made up. Wow, I'm actually really good at making quotes. This one goes to the cats :)

Surreal Reality

Chapter 5: Ruined

When one life is ruined, you still have eight more to go...

Inuyasha

Ever have one of those days where something so unbelievably terrible happens to you and you just want to kill yourself to end your miserable life? Well then, you know exactly how I feel. When I woke up this Monday morning, I wanted to get off to a fresh start. Last week, I recieced more than 3 morning lettters. Any more and I could get fired. I didn't want to be late to work or miss it at all this week. Maybe then, I could clear my records. So I got out of bed and brushed my teeth, put on something clean, and went out into the kitchen where my family was having breakfast. So far, I was doing pretty well. But then, everything went wrong.

My mom told me something so...appalling, so dreadful...so hideous! I think I had a heart attack. The news was so unbelievably disgusting, I just wanted to throw it all up and start new. Right at that moment, I knew life will never be the same again. I knew my life was ruined and I couln't do anything to stop it. I wished that last week hadn't happened. Hell I wish I was never born! That was how awful the news was. Suddenly, I just wanted to crawl back in bed and pretend it was Saturday. I would stay in bed all day watching TV in my room and drinking hot soup my mom would make for me. She would show me how to fold paper cranes, and we would make thousands and thousands for the rest of the afternoon. That was what I wanted.

Sadly, I wasn't living a dream. Reality was smacking me right on the face, and reality hurt.

Moday morning, Juromaru woke up to the sun in his eyes. He groaned and rolled over on his bed. His alarm clock and rung half an hour ago and he knew he was late, but he didn't care. Today, he might finally get a break from KPF Inc. Today was the day he was taking his newly written novel to a publisher he was recommended to. Today, his book would be discovered and he will be a rich author with tons of houses. Today, his dreams will come true.

Juromaru knew it sounded corny and unbelievable, like a scenario that'll only happen to a character in some book by some cheesy author. But it was hard to believe that he might actually be reaching his goals today. He yawned and got up.

Through the thin walls of his bedroom, he could hear the water running in the bathroom. It was most likely his brother, Kagaromaru. Juromaru put on some clothes and went out to make breakfast.

As he stepped out of his door, he came face to face with his 22 year old brother, Kagaromaru. He was a short person for a 22 year old, but his speed made up for his lack of height. At 16, he had become the top runner in his track team and had ran against schools famous for teams. He still beat them

He had went into a college well known for its sports teams, and had just graduated last year. His goal was to be in the Olympic track team, and Juromaru had a feeling he was going to make it. Let's just hope they don't judge him for his height.

"Good morning, Kagaromaru." Juromaru said tiredly.

"Yeah..." Kagaromaru said in pretty much the same tone. He headed off to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Juromaru went into the bathroom to take a shower. 20 minutes later, he stepped out fully dressed and ready for work. Kagaromaru had already left for his job, where he worked at an animal clinic. It wasn't the best job to bring him along the road as an Olympic runner, but it was all he had.

Juromaru looked at the table, where Kagaromaru had left for him a half eaten egg. Juromaru dumped it in the trash and went to make his own breakfast. But then, he stopped abruptly when he noticed it was 5 after 8.

Not caring about his breakfast, he cursed under his breath and ran out the door, forgetting one very important piece of material he'll need later on in the day.

Juromaru rushed out of his car and ran towards the elevator of KPF Inc. The elevator door was just closing, and he spotted long silver-white hair and a pair of jeans through the little slit in the door. When he was just about to yell Inuyasha, the door closed completely.

Juromaru didn't have time to wait for the elevator, since he was already 20 minutes late so he decided on the stairs. He prayed he had Kagaromaru's speed gene and ran up the stairs to the sixth floor as fast as he could. When he reached the top, he was panting like crazy. Just a couple more feet. He thought as he staggered through the office entrance.

Looking around, he silently slipped into his chair, hoping Yura didn't notice. He looked around the room to try to find any signs of the secretary, but what caught his eye was that Inuyasha was still not in the office yet.

He smiled to himself, impressed that he had out run the elevator. But then he remembered seeing a flash of silver hair out in the lobby near Kirara when he was stumbling towards the entrance.

He wondered what Inuyasha was doing outside, since he should be making up for all those times he was late last week.

Just then, the door to Onigumo's office opened and out stepped a very grumpy looking Inuyasha, with his head down and his hands in his pockets. Juromaru looked around, wondering how he could've missed seeing Inuyasha walk through the front door and into Onigumo's office.

"I would like everyone's attention please." Onigumo said, clapping his hands to aware the workers of the speech he was about to make.

Everyone in the office stopped what they were doing and turned their heads to look at him. Speeches like these were usually very important in the office life of KPF Inc. And they all had a feeling that this one was no different.

"I would like to announce that we have a new member joining our work crew today. He is a-"

"RELATIVE!" Inuyasha interrupted Onigumo as if that word could save his life.

Onigumo gave Inuyasha a glare that said, 'I'm-The-One-Making-The-Speech-And-I-Can-Say-Whatever-I-Want'

As you can probably guess, everyone in the office was extremely confused. They didn't ask any questions and allowed Onigumo to continue.

"This new member, is Inuyasha's older brother."

As you can probably guess, everyone was shocked. Their friend had never mentioned that he had an older sibling.

"His name is Sesshomaru, Inuyasha go tell him to come in." Onigumo ordered.

Inuyasha kept his head down, mumbling something under his breath as he went out into the lobby. No one dared to move, excited to have a mysterious member join their "clan".

Inuyasha came back half a minute later in pretty much the same position, hands in pockets glaring at his shoes and mumbling. But this time, a young 20 something year old gentlemen came following him in. He had long silver hair, similair to Inuyasha's, with a straight face and piercing amber eyes. He was wearing jeans and a white dress shirt, top button unbuttoned. His hands were by his sides as he slowly scanned the room. Once again, no one dared to move. But this time they were afraid that if they moved, the amber eyes would land on them and would paralyze them for life..

It was then that Juromaru realized that those times this morning, he wasn't seeing Inuyasha, but Inuyasha's older brother Sesshomaru. He was dissappointed that he didn't beat the elevator after all.

"Sesshomaru, I would like you to meet your new co-workers. Juromaru and Koga are in charge of the deliveries," Onigumo said, pointing to the two young men.

"Ayame and Sango take care of the modeling. Kagome does the presentations, and Miroku is in charge of the organization in the office to keep it running smoothy. He is also our treasurer." Onigumo stopped to point everyone out to Sesshomaru, who hadn't moved a muscle since he scanned the room a minute ago. The girls gave small smiles and Miroku went over to shake his hand.

"I assume you already know what Inuyasha does, although he is too busy being late, and I assume he will have to be de-promoted soon." Onigumo glared at Inuyasha, who was slowly backing away.

"Of course, KPF wouldn't be without the fashion designers. Kikyo here," Onigumo pointed to Kikyo, who was staring at Sesshomaru curiously. "Is one of our three designers. The other two must be discussing something in Kagura's room." Onigumo mumbled the last part more to himself than to his new worker.

Just then, the door to Kagura's office opened and out stepped Kagura, holding a mug to her lips. Naraku stepped softly out after her and closed the door quietly behind him. As the door clicked to place, he suddenly froze, aware of a new presence in the room. The presence was too familiar for someone like him to forget...but who was it?

Kagura bought the mug down so it wasn't covering her face anymore. Should've kept the cup there 'cause all the liquid she had just put into her mouth was spat out as she saw Sesshomaru. She knelt on the floor and started choking. Since Ayame was right next to her, she went over and started patting her on the back, asking if she was okay.

Kagura was still coughing when Naraku whipped his head around and locked eyes with Sesshomaru. Naraku narrowed his red orbs. Sesshomaru did the same to his gold ones. If you were in the standing in the middle of their staring contest, you would surely get fried through the tension.

"Sesshomaru..."

"Nice to see you again...Naraku."

"Good! You already know each other!" Onigumo said happily. "Naraku, you can show him around the office. You know, get him acquainted and stuff."

Kagura had just finished coughing as the janitor came out to wipe up the spilled mess. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stood up. After staring at Sesshomaru for 5 seconds, she finally managed to say the first words that came to mind.

"No way." Kagura simply stated

Sesshomaru stared at her, more like soft glared at her. He nodded his head as if to say 'Yes way' but was too cool to actually say it aloud.

"So, Naraku? How's about that tour for your new co-worker?" Onigumo went over to give Naraku a friendly pat on the back. Naraku went over to Sesshomaru in long strides. He narrowed his eyes once more at the white haired man, and said, "This way." He leaded him into the back room where the last time he was there, he was listening to gossip.

"Sesshomaru, come to my office after the feild trip." Onigumo yelled after him.

Eyes followed the pair as they disappeared down the hallway. Something was about to happen in there and it wasn't going to be pretty. But then again, everyone was a coward and didn't want to stop them. Inuyasha just let out a sigh of relief that he was finally breathing his own air again.

Kagura

I have a feeling that by the same time next week, I'm going to be on a plane heading to Greenland or something, any place as long as it is within 10 miles of KPF Inc. Not that I hate it or anything...it's just that if I stay here any longer, my life will slowly unravel with embarassment of past memories and the life I have built in Japan, to say the least, will be ruined.

As soon as they were alone, Naraku pushed Sesshomaru to a counter. Sesshomaru hit it hard with his lower spine, but ignored the pain and was fast to recover. "What are you doing here?" Naraku demanded. "I thought you went to America after college."

"Yes, I did. It is hard to find a job there if you don't know their language." Sesshomaru glanced at Naraku. "After 2 years of being by myself with a pathetic job, I decided to head back here." He finished his story.

"And you had to come work here? Of all the offices in Japan, you just had to choose this place?" Naraku wasn't about to give up on his interrogation until he got some solid answers.

"You've noticed how my little brother was either late or absent last week. He was helping me find a job. I knew he was trying so hard so I wouldn't have to work at the same place as him, but his uphill struggle didn't pay off. I learned we would have to be working at the same place yesturday morning. My little brother learned it today. I would feel sorry for him, but I'm not going to."

Naraku smirked. "No office would take you, I suppose? Is that why you are here?"

"I would rather not discuss that topic."

"Sesshomaru, you're still the same old, ugly person I remember." Naraku gave an apologetic pat on Sesshomaru's shoulder. He hadn't made a comment like that since he was 17.

Sesshomaru pushed his hand away. "And you're still the scum I remember from high school." Sesshomaru said with a stare that said, 'My-Comeback-Was-Better-Than-Yours'

"So, are you still doing that 'pretend-boyfriend' thing?" Naraku asked, remembering that one encounter in high school.

"That was a one time thing." He dead-panned. "Don't mention it again." He added quickly.

"Leave your secret to me and all else will be safe." Naraku advised.

"Are you still going to show me around the office?" Sesshomaru asked, remembering why they were here in the first place.

"This is the workers...'hang-out'." Naraku said, trying to find the right word. "You can come here to get food, a quick drink, and a cup of coffee if you're doing OT"

Sesshomaru just nodded, taking in his surroundings while barely moving his head.

They walked out of the room so Naraku could continue his tour.

Who knew that old enemies could quickly become new friends?

Outside, it wasn't much different. Everyone was crowding around Inuyasha, asking him questions about his mysterious brother. Kagura was leaning herself against a desk, with one had on her hips and the other on the edge of the desk. It looked like if she let go of the desk, the world would end.

"So, who is he?"

"I told you, he's my brother"

"How come we've never met him before?"

"He just came back from the States."

"Was that why you were late last week?"

"Yes, I was late 'cause I was helping him find a job. Unfortunatly, no one would take him."

"Well he looks like a smart guy."

"Well looks can be decieving."

"I think he looks cute." Someone commented.

"Cute!" Inuyasha gasped. He made a face like he was about to throw up his breakfast. "Hello Kitty's cute. Chibi Maruko Chan is cute. But Sesshomaru!"

The office laugh at his comments.

"Well then what's so bad about working in the same office as your brother? I mean don't you already live in th same house? What makes this so different?" Koga questioned.

"That's exactly my point. If he already lives in the same 'friggin house as me, then wouldn't you think I would want to get away from him? And the only place for that is right here in KPF. But now that the world has turned on me, I don't have any place to escape to."

"Well EXCUSE me for being an only child and not knowing about this sibling stuff." Koga said.

"Do you know how hard it is to have a brother? And people are saying it's the younger brother that's annoying. Puh-lease, Sesshomaru's the one that usually starts the fight. Whenever we are within a 5-foot radius, chaos erupts." Inuyasha complained.

"Inuyasha you make it sound like you guys are in elementry." Kagome said. "Grow up." She demended.

"She's right, you know." Miroku agreed. "Maybe if you don't talk back at each other and try to agree on some issues, it might not be so bad."

Some people nodded in agreement.

"But you see, it's harder than you think. Sesshomaru hates my mom, therefore, he hates me."

"What are you talking about? So he hates his own mom?" Sango asked.

"Nooooo." Inuyasha sighed, sounding as if he had said this so many times. " You see, my dad married this women and had Sesshomaru. She died when he was like, I don't know, young. Not long after that, my dad married my mom. She had me. My brother thinks my mom replaced his mom, and he doesn't like either me or my mom."

He recieved wide eyes and gasps of surprise.

"So you guys only have the same dad?" Ayame asked. Inuyasha nodded.

"Half of your genes are the same as his. What's the big deal?" Kagome asked, confused.

"But we don't care if we're fully related or cousins five time removed. As long as we live in the same planet and breathe the same air, we'll hate each other. It really isn't that hard to hate a guy like that. He always seems so moody." Inuyasha explained.

"You're all suppose to be working." Came Yura's annoying voice. The little discussion group broke up and went their seperate ways, not wanting to get involved in her weird habits.

Minutes later, Naraku and Sesshomaru appeared. They weren't laughing and patting each other's back like old buddies, but they walked silently. Sesshomaru went to Onigumo's office as told so and Naraku went back to his desk. They both had the same matching expression of cold calmness. You couldn't decipher anything that happened on the tour by looking at their faces.

Seshomaru was give a desk in a corner of the room near Juromaru and Ayame. Ayame tried to strike up a conversation so she would get to know him better, and Juromaru wasn't helping much.

Ayame went over to Sesshomaru's desk and sat on a corner to his left. Sesshomaru didn't look up, but you can tell he knew she was there.

"Sooooooo...you're Inuyasha's older brother?" She asked.

"Yes." He said calmly without looking up from his first assignment.

"How many years apart are you guys?"

His head raised a centimeter and his eyes did the rest of the moving. They shifted up to stare into Ayame's green ones.

"Three." He simply stated. Ayame nodded as if to say 'I see'.

"I heard you went to the States. What's it like there?" She bought her head closer to his and rested her chin on her palm.

If he was uncomfortable with her being so close, he didn't show it. Instead, he said, "It's not very different from here. Big cities if you are talking about New York. Farmland in the mid-regions. They have nice landscapes." And he said all this without stopping from his work to look at her.

Ayame should be very lucky to have Sesshomaru open up to her this much...and with so much emotion!

She just nodded. "How long were you there?"

"Three years." He deadpanned.

"Did you have a friend or a relative there?"

"A friend."

"What kind of job did you get?" Ayame had so much more questions, but it sounded rude to pour so much at once.

"I would rather not discuss that part."

"Okay, sure. Tell me which state you were in."

"I traveled to a lot of them, but spent most of my time in Alaska."

Ayame blinked a few times to let the answer settle in. "What the hell were you doing in Alaska?" She finally said.

"Exploring." He answered.

Ayame gave him the look she only gave Koga, the 'What-Kind-Of-Freaky-Idiot-Are-You?' look. Yeah it was a rude look to give to a new member of KPF Inc, but it suit him just fine. Plus, he was too busy doing his work to to notice he had recieved the famous look.

Ayame opened her mouth to say something, but thought over what she was about to say and closed it. This guy was weird, but he and Naraku seemed like good friends. She knew better than to mess with Naraku's friends.

"What are you working at right now?" She asked, noting his assignment.

"A project."

Gee. that was a lot of help. She thought. But istead of saying it, she just nodded her head. Ayame looked over at Juromaru, who was staring blankly at his computer screen. She went over to him.

"Need help with your computer?" She offered. Juromaru didn't respond, just continued to stare.

Ayame furrowed her brows in confusion, but gave up hope on trying to ask him again. If he didn't respond the first time, there was little chance he was going to respond the second time.

Juromaru

How the hell can I forget! How can I forget something as important as my book? How the freakin' hell can I forget something like that? You may think this doesn't sound like a big deal, that I can just go home after work and get my book, then go meet my publisher...but no. It's not as simple as that. I get off work at 6pm. I have to meet my publisher at 6:30 PM. By the time I go home and get my book, then head off to my publisher, it's going to be 7:30. So if I'm late, the publisher will think I'm some irresponsible druggie that can not be trusted. Trust me, most publishers think that. My whole life is going to go down the drain if I don't get this book published. This may sound cliche, but everything I have ever done will be for nothing, my whole life will be ruined.

A/N: Isn't it so cool how my quotes can connect to so many characters in this story? You probably think I planned it out, but I was only thinking of the quote about the ruined life having to do with Kagura. But now it has touched the hearts of Juromaru and Inuyasha. places hand over heart, closes eyes, and nods slowly I was also thinking about relating it to Sesshomaru, but then I'm like, 'How's his life ruined? He gets to ruin his brother's, he should be happy." Plus, I can't really make Sessho say his life his ruined without changing his whole personality all together. I'm just not that good of a writer.

Now that we're talking about personalities, do you know how hard it is to write thoughts and conversations of certain characters, while still keeping their special personality? Like that part with Ayame and Sess talking, the more I make them talk, the more it starts to sound like the dialogue is what I would say, not the characters. And with Juroaru's little thought, the way he talks is like the way I would. He is also harder since I dont' know about him that well...Just try to bare with me. Imagine the characters speaking, okay?

Okay, I have a new story out that is not mine. What I'm trying to say is that my friend wrote that story, but doesn't have an account so I posted it on my account for her. I have no clue what the story is going to be about and how she is going to make it happen, I just type and post it.

'K then, till next time:)