Chapter 4:


Flowers on Fifth

By: pillowsama


Ties unbroken


The monotone ring of the phone broke the silence that settled on the shop like a light mist of rain.

They'd been there today, in the shop going back to their normal routine. No customers seem to be around, no wanderers with sweethearts hooked in their arms, and definitely no wedding to think about.

Sango decided maybe it was better if Kagome took the time off of the whole fiasco. The job was seemed like it was going to be a burdened when she mentioned this morning that it was actually Rin and Shippo who had called her about it. Kikyo was no woman to screw up with, neither was Sesshoumaru. Not the woman part mind you, though he was known to bitch a lot when irritated.

So thus, as the clouds hid the sun, and the sky darkened; they were alone in their quaint little Flower on Fifth.

Neither of them minded really, it was perfect, almost like a slumber party.

She wrapped her fingers around and through a bouquet of fresh tulips; violets were sometime preferred around this area, and they were almost out. Kagome would have to order some more.

Fall, was one of the most expensive seasons to survive through. Lack of customers, and the cost of flowers, were always something to think about, Sango even wanted the both of them to get a second job to support their lifestyle. 'Thank God for Kagome...'

Boys seemed to flock to the place, hoping to spend time with her; offering up large sum of tips and ordering the most expensive of flowers on display they'd hope to give in terms of courtships. Of course, Kagome, being Kagome, refused and said they should spend it on their sweetheart. The young man would blush, unsure of what to do next; eventually leaving the store lovesick.

With all it's quirks and catches, how could we not love our job?

"Hi, Flowers of Fifth how may I help you?"

She waited calmly for the caller to reply. The clock in front of her seemed to smile at her; the long and short hand pointing the 12. Lunchtime.

"Are you the owner?"

"Yup, Co. Anything else?"

Sango was a bit stumped with the question. She'd never had a person ask her that question before. 'Well I've never been asked my weight before.' So maybe this was a good learning experience?

"I'm calling to ask to meet you an hour from now. It's about the Wedding on Charlotte?" The masculine voice stated.

Her mind went in a flurry, unable to think for the moment. He wanted to meet Kagome, Well, since it was her day of, she'd take the meeting for her. Probably just sending Kagome off to order the flowers later would be fine, distraction would go all the way. "Sure, no problem. Anything else?"

She waited for the person to replay again, but it seems after waiting on the phone for two minutes.

The rude bastard hung up.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

He closed his eyes, a migraine now forming behind the back of his head.

'Maybe you ought to get away from the office Sesshoumaru...' He mentally scoffed now at the idea. At first it seemed like the best thought anyone in his office came up with; especially since it was Jaken.

Don't get him wrong; Jaken was rather important to him. The man was his assistant. Knowing his own fair deal of knowledge, he tried to help the situation from time to time, and even offering to work off-hours for free. Sesshoumaru had to yell and ask his employee if he though he was cheap. Jaken's salary was doubled ever since.

His fingers gracefully stroked the silver cell phone, while his other hand stirred the cup of tea. Steam rose from the porcelain cup, it's essence of jasmine flew to his nose, clearing his mind from anything that might distract him from his noon break.

Here in his small cafe, was where he spent most of his lunch. Jaken had to drive him a good 15 minutes to get here, but it was worth it. The place was rather barren and it's lack of customers at noon was pleasing. The owner now a close friend, warned him that they were busy in the morning evenings. Supposedly the place was packed and there was no way he could possibly serve Sesshoumaru in these conditions.

The liquid flowed down his throat, the lips on his face catching any drops that might spill.

He'd just called the number Rin had given him. 'But I didn't bother to ask who I was meeting.' Sesshoumaru mentally cursed. So he just assumed the owner was the person who was helping with the wedding. His sister did tell she sounded rather pleasant, which the person on the phone did. Hopefully there won't be any sexual tension like the other times... He'd have to leave in 30 minutes.

The window next to him, gave him a view of the busy outside street. People bustling to get to their destination, pushing and solving.

There was not a doubt in his mind that one of these days his life would change. Marriage was not as evil and wicked and some had cooked up to be. Nor was it so beautiful and joyous. Coming home to the same woman each day, following the same routine night after night. Sesshoumaru could not have helped but wonder.

'Is this all there is to life?'

Being spontaneous was something only InuYasha could come up with. His ever 'loving' brother who would be in the wedding.

Kikyo and InuYasha's tryst years ago should be no more than a memory. Things would be forgotten, wounds mended, and futures replaced. He trusted Kikyo to be faithful to him, vice versa him to her. Foundations of relationships were built on virtues like that. Maybe he should cancel the wedding? Obviously they have their feelings for each other.

Sesshoumaru finally pushed all thoughts inwardly and swallowed the last drop in his cup.

The limo that Jaken drove, was bound to be here, so he waited and ordered another plate of cookies. Chocolate chip as he preferred. The treat that had long come to hold his heart.

He munched quietly, sipped slowly, and watched silently.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Being punctual was always on her mind, but this was plain just silly. "Why do you have to go so soon Sango?"

She was being ushered from the store with such force it was surprising. Kagome managed to grab her purse and coat before her friend could lock her out again. Oh yes, she'd done this many times before. Whenever someone or someone had called to remind her of task given, Sango forgot and needed help.

But that truly is what friends are for.

Kagome doubted being a friend meant being rushed from her midday lunch, to order some tulips from a shop that would be open till seven at night...

"Kagome!"

She turned around at the sound of her name. Her eyes seemed to catch in a sight at familiar head of hair; they widened and lit with surprise. "Miroku?" She whispered, and ran through the crowd, hoping that her eyes weren't deceiving her; robbing her of this joy. It was him!

The man who held secretly held Sango's heart (who refuses to admit that he does), the only person of the opposite gender she even bothered with. Miroku tried not to be around whenever his ex was, since she'd been known to 'hate' him. But they saw each other whenever they could, whether for a cup of coffee, or lunch down the lane. Lately, for the past two months, he was gone, never even tried to see her.

Her arms wrapped around his neck; the feeling of being reunited with an old friend once more surging through her. They both laughed at their silliness, happy that they could see each other.

He looked the same, regular fashionable black pants, and a dark shirt. His ear piercing glinted even without the sun. Kagome watched his mouth curve upward.

"Where are you going?" He asked quietly, they were in busy parts of the city, and he still wanted to whisper.

Kagome linked arms with him. "I am going to order some more flowers, and you are going to escort me, brother!"

They turned a corner, and made a right, walked along the left side of the street beneath small trees. She sighed and tightened her hold on Miroku's arm before letting him go. Her own arms were used to hug herself. It was cold today, and here she was not even thinking to dress warmer. A t-shirt and jeans weren't the best, but thank God she brought her light leather jacket.

"Do you plan to stop for coffee? There's a place farther back."

"I don't see why not...I am thirsty...On me?"

Miroku laughed and shook his head a little. "Of course Kagome, of course."

They weren't on a date, (Which they never will be.) So she had the privilege if not the right to pay for everything. Kagome went into and out of the store; placed an order and was out of there. "We can go now." She giggled to Miroku who gave her his arm once more. If anything, Miroku had completely turned it a completely gentlemen. Compared to his lecherous old self in the past, this was a HUGE improvement.

The path she'd taken was the path they took to get back. "How are you doing?"

"I've got a wedding to plan." she mumbled.

"Not your own I hope!" He joked, his eyes glinting like his earring.

"It's for Sesshoumaru."

She totally killed the mood then, they were quiet a little bit. But Miroku stopped and spun her around to face him. "You can marry me if you want!" Kagome's eyes seemed to glow and than she quietly refused. Her hands he were holding found themselves wrapped around Miroku in a heartfelt hug. He knew, he understood, and was willing to do anything to help this his so called 'sister'.

Kagome felt unfamiliar eyes on her with the familiar feeling.

Pulling away from the hug, she turned around and saw him. His eyes now locked her hers. They seemed so different now, than what she last remembered. He was standing in the street as if stunned. His lips were almost as if moving, but she could not hear. The mouth she'd so long wanted to kiss. Kagome wanted to run to him, wanted to hid at the same time. Miroku held her hand and nudged her to go, if she wanted. 'This is something you should settle...' She heard him mentally.

But the car reached him first.

She watched; as if in a dream. His mouth move and him being there, but then he wasn't. Forever would she try to block out the sounds of his bones creaking, and the haunting of his eyes as they pierced into her own.

"Somebody call 911!" She heard a man screech.

It was all such a blur, now, only it was a minute ago. The red vehicle slammed into Sesshoumaru, without knowing. Her eyes laid on his limp body that laid on the ground. She ran, even if it was too late to him. Past the gathering crowd in the streets. The ring of sirens headed in her direction. His head she cradled in her arms. 'Oh God, please don't die...'

He would never get to see his wedding day. His last sight would be her wretched face. The only thing he never wanted to see again. Kagome shouldn't be here, Kikyo should. It should be her who should cradled her fiancée in her arms, as he lay dieing. Not her. The picture was all wrong.

"Tainted..." She sobbed. Her eyes now free flowing of tears.

Kagome held him, and held him closer than she should have.


Authors note: okay! Relax, I just had to have this. And I think I have some explaining to do, because I feel I owe to all, though I must say the people who have been reviewing this story seem quite intelligent, and rather can comprehend and establish the things I try to capture. (I must add I'm not very good). I thank all of you who try to humor me, through this incredible need to express.

I know that this fic is not going to get a lot of reviews, and probably won't be exposed because of the type of story it is. But that's fine. But I know there might be someone who's interested and doesn't want to really take the time to review...so I'm going to just try and explain.

Sesshoumaru: He's rather unattached, and seemed to totally forget about Kagome in this fiction. Everything that they had or at least the didn't know they had, was lost. Up until this chapter. Where they not really 'meet', but see each other since three years ago.

Kagome: Ever since Oh the Irony Kagome has been living her life with Sango, and occasionally Miroku. Now I must say there will be no sexual tension between Miroku and Kagome. She holds almost a close sibling bond with the both of them.

Miroku + Sango: I don't know if I should even write this in the fic. But...Miroku loves Sango dearly, though Kagome tries not to bring her up due to heir past. I cant' say much about Sango, since she doesn't' talk much about her ex. But it is because of Kagome, they might talk to each other or so. (They're position in the story I might put their coupling into the story...might or might not)

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Thank you to anyone for reviewing. I'm sorry, not sure I can answer your reviews individually anymore, since I just read the guideline or something...so I'm a little bit unsure... of what to do. If you have any questions or such, that you'd liked me to answer personally, e-mail me. or instant message me. It's really no problem at all.

For those of you who can find time, please try and review.