HELLO… thank you for the reviews!

I'mglad the first chapter made a lot of people so… emotional. I really didn't think people would really cry… but I'm glad my writing has some kind of effect.

As a reward… here's chapter 2!

Mafia

Chapter 2

Kagome sat on her bed, the tears unable to be stopped. Today was the day of her father's funeral. She couldn't even attend to see her father's body for the last time. That's what sucks about being a mobster's daughter. Your identity had to be kept a secret. The world's not fair.

Now she gets it. Her father's call. Why he sounded like he was in pain… because he was. She cried even harder, taking advantage of the vancant house. Should would not let anyone see or hear her cry.She had to prove to her father and everyone else the strong girl she is. She still wanted her father to be proud of her, even if he's in the spirit form or in the afterlife.

No more daily phone calls with her dad. No more visits. No more "I Love You's and I'm So Proud of you's".

No bother. She'll just have to work harder. She can't depend on her dad anymore. Although her bank account is now crammed with whatever she inherited from her father, plus the money he would often wire in, she still needed something to keep her mind off of her loved one.

I guess I won't be seeing Sesshomaru anymore.

She sighed and went to sleep. That night, she dreamt of her father.

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The funeral was too depressing. There were about 200 men there, all dressed in black and armed with weapons, coming to commemorate their dead boss. It was crammed, all right. Everyone was itching for revenge. Every one of the men wanted a piece of naraku. Still, Sesshomaru had to remind them that right now, they'll have to worry about their own lives.

"I will be taking over the Demon Mafia… but my first goal for now is to deal with Naraku." Not to mention take care of Kagome. "I do not want this to be a big deal so that Naraku will get news of it. So now, I would advise all of you to go home and take care of your families first. I will contact you once the gang will be in action again. Be patient."

Nobody bothered arguing with him. He was practically the boss now. He was like a son to Kane… and they understood. Sesshomaru had always been the most deadly and strongest of all the men. He's had the longest training besides Kane, and knew what to do in the most dangerous of situations. In other words, he was well respected… and feared.

After the funeral, Sesshomaru started heading back to his new living quarters.

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Kagome opened her eyes to the sound of the door opening and closing downstairs.

That's weird. She had sent her bodyguards on a vacation back to their homes to see their families. She didn't feel like calling them up to complain about her problems. She was used to being alone, anyways.

Kagome opened her bedroom door quietly. She didn't bother to turn the lights on, just incase she'd attract the visitor. She crept to the stairs, trying to be as quiet as she can, and see noticed that the lights downstairs were already on.

She was just about to rush to her room to call the police when she heard a familiar voice.

"Miss Higurashi, don't be frightened. It's only me."

She gasped and smiled at the same time. Sesshomaru!

She raced downstairs, though trying hard not to seem too eager. When she reached the bottom, she stopped. He was beautiful. Same as before. Same as when they had first met. The only problem was that he looked so worn out. So tired.

"hi sesshomaru!" She sounded strangely thrilled for someone who just lost their father.

That's when she noticed that she was still in her nightgown. It wasn't exactly revealing. It came up to her knees and was kept up by only the spaghetti straps on her shoulders. Still, it was the most skin she'd ever shown to anyone… besides Sango, that is.

Kagome blushed. "uhm… It's late. We'll talk tomorrow."

She waited for his answer. He only nodded. She wasn't exactly expecting anything more than that, but she still stuck around just to be polite.

When she got to her bedroom, she was still blushing. Then she giggled.

"Hehe. Daddy always knew I was into Sess…." Her huge smile turned into a small sad one. Daddy….I'll make you proud.

She got into bed and cried for her father… but soon it was replaced by a smile, for she was dreaming of Sesshomaru.

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Sesshomaru frowned.

Stupid girl. She should have thought twice before running down in that nightgown. He never wished to see such a sight.

It wasn't exactly bad… but he can never imagine himself being with Kagome Higurashi. They were just too different.

He didn't even bother to change into the clothes that he'd brought along with him. He was just so tired.

He took off his shoes and fell onto the sofa with a soft 'thunk'.

Today was a long day for him. He'd tried so hard not to show any emotions for Kane at the funeral. But if he didn't have a reputation to uphold, the he probably would've cried his eyes out til there were no more tears left.

His thoughts went back to Kagome. She was smiling. Her dad just died and she was smiling? He knows that she had feelings…. So why didn't she show them?

Actually, when he thinks back, whenever he's seen her, she's always been happy. Rarely sad… never depressed.. rarely angry…. Just either happy… or content.

Hmph. She must be happy her father died. That would mean that she gets his inheritance. But still…half of it went to Sesshomaru and the gang, anyways. Wouldn't that mean that Kagome would dislike Sesshomaru?

He mentally shrugged. Like I care.

He then yawned and drifted into a deep sleep. That night, he dreamt of Kane.

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Little Sesshomaru wandered down the dark alley. It had been about two days since he's eaten anything.. and a week since he's ran away from the shelter.

Sure, the shelter provided food, and a place to sleep…. But the food sucked and it was cold. It smelled like urine all the time and half the people were crazy. Not a turn on.

He doesn't need help. Especially if the help was from strangers that really don't give a crap about you and is just trying to fill up community service. I can take care of myself. I need no one.

By the time he said that to himself, he was exhausted. His stomach roared every five seconds, begging for something to fill up the empty space.

Maybe I should rest. He sat down on the dark empty alley and relaxed his eyes.

"Boss, what should we do with him?"

Sesshomaru felt something tug on the collar of his worn out shirt and he realized he was being lifted off the ground.

He growled.. He may be 10, but his growl was still low and full of warning.

Sesshomaru looked over when he heard someone laugh.

It was a man. He wasn't as gruff-looking as the other two men with him, one of them still holding him up in the air. In fact, he looked kinda… friendly.

He was stilling smiling when he told the man to let him down. Then the man, who he guessed is the leader, walked up to Sesshomaru, kneeled down so that he was eye-level with the little boy, and held out his large hand.

"My name is Kane, and you?"

Sesshomaru hesitated. Is this a trick? Strangers aren't supposed to be nice like this. In fact, all strangers he's ever met until now were…. Well, assholes, basically. Either that or they're just plain ignorant.

He's friendly, Sess decided.

He took the man's man and replied, "Sesshomaru."

The Kane man nodded. "Ahh, beautiful name. You're a demon." Kane took in the markings on his face and the long silver hair.

Sesshomaru looked at him with a "duh" look. "You think?"

Kane chuckled at the boy's wit. "Why were you sleeping here? This crappy alley is no place for a KID like you." He emphasized 'kid' just to tick off the boy. Hey, it was fun.

Sesshomaru glared. "I have no better place to sleep." Then this stomach growled loudly. It made the three men chuckle.

Kane smiled. "Seems like you have nothing to eat, either."

Sesshomaru stared. His smile… it's genuine. Not fake like the many others he's encountered.

After seeing that the boy had no reply, Kane stood up. "Come with me."

Sesshomaru didn't budge, though.

Kane frowned to make it look like he was hurt, but instead he was quite amused. "I won't hurt you." He held out his hand to the boy, signaling for him to take it.

Instead of taking the hand, Sesshomaru just stepped forward. He was not going to take some strangers hand and let them lead him to God knows where. He would just follow him instead.

Kane looked over at Sesshomaru next to him in the passenger seat. He smiled at the boy, and Kane thought that he's seen a slight smile coming from the boy, as well.

It may seem strange for Sesshomaru to just follow a stranger like a puppy… but what the hell, he was hungry and tired. Okay, so the 'I need No one' act was a fluke. He shrugged. He was a demon, so it would be hard to take advantage of him, even if he was only ten.

But maybe the real reason was that he felt a sense of peace around the man. He actually felt content for once, and safe enough to fall asleep in the car full of strangers. He thought he felt a hand stroking his long hair, but maybe he was just dreaming.

-------

Sesshomaru woke up to a bright sun shining in his face. He opened his eyes and smelled something good. It was food. He got up and walked into the kitchen.

Kagome was making breakfast. She made enough to feed a whole farm of animals, and while doing so, she was humming a tune. It was an upbeat tune.

Sesshomaru glared. "How could you be so cheerful?"

Kagome turned around from the stove hastily, not expecting Sesshomaru being up so early. Then she realized his question. "What are you talking about?" She was confused. What, people aren't allowed to be happy?

"You're supposed to be in bed." He looked at her as though she was brainless. "And why are you cooking? That's what servants are for. Where's Miroku and Sango? They're supposed to be around you at all times."

Kagome stared. "Geez, I'm supposed to be welcoming you home. You're so unexciting." She continued with her cooking.

"You have not answered my questions." His patience was wearing thin.

Kagome wasn't feeling so bubbly anymore. She turned around and walked up to Sesshomaru, pointing her spatula in his face. "Look, technically speaking, my rank is above yours…so you have no right to question me like you own me." She tried her best to look tough, which was hard to do since she was so much smaller than the man in front of her.

He striked out at her hand, causing her to drop her spatula to the floor. The vibrations from the fall echoed throughout the kitchen and living room.

He almost smirked at her stunned face. " 'Technically speaking', I am here to protect you, so I am allowed to question you."

Kagome smiled, which flabbergasted him. "You're staying here?"

He sighed. "Sadly, yes."

Her grin turned into a troubled look. " 'Sadly'? So…. You don't wanna stay here?"

Sess bent down to pick up the spatula, making sure he doesn't dirty his hands from the splattered grease. "Your food is burning." He handed her the spatula.

He's obviously trying to change the subject and she opened her mouth to nag, but she could smell the food burning from behind her.

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Both people sat at the dining table, eating in silence. Of course, it annoyed Kagome, but she didn't want to be the first one to speak. It was kinda like a game. Even though it would be pretty obvious who was going to win. Sesshomaru looked like he didn't care and in truth… he didn't.

She wasn't even sure if he knew that there was a challenge going on. She sighed, a sign of defeat.

"You don't seem too excited to be here." She resorted to playing with her partially burnt food.

"I'm not in such a cheerful mood. Your father just died, and now I have to deal with all of this stuff and taking care of you." He's never said so much in one sentence.

Kagome played with the fish on her plate. The mention of her deceased father wasn't exactly thrilling.

Sesshomaru continued, oblivious to her gloom. "Now, explain to me why this house is so empty. I do recall your father hiring many maids and servants… and those two bodyguards."

She sighed. "What's with this stupid interrogation? Shouldn't we be talking about us? I mean, when was the last time we had a real conversation? Oh yeah…. Never." Kagome moved on to smushing the burnt potatoes next. Mashed potatoes, anyone?

He dropped his utensils abruptly to get her full attention. "And if that attitude of yours keeps up, then it will remain that way." He glared at her.

She glared back. "Fine. I let the servants have a few days off, since they're all sad about Daddy's passing away and I didn't want them to see me all miserable and depressed and trying oh-so-hard to cheer me up. Miroku and Sango have a weeks' vacation to visit their home village to visit their families…. And I enjoy cooking. Okay? I even throw parties for my staff sometimes. I like to be praised." Her dialogue was turning into babbling.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. "You let your employees have a little vacation? Money does not grow on trees, Higurashi."

"Kagome." She corrected him right away. And whatever happened to 'Miss' Higurashi? She pouted mentally.

He ignored her and continued with his food. Not bad for burnt food. Not like he would ever say that out loud.

"Speaking of which..." Sesshomaru kept his eyes at the food while Kagome started up a conversation again. "What's your last name….Sesshomaru?"

"I do not know or have one." He didn't care. Last names were just for recognition. Sesshomaru was well known enough so he didn't need a last name. Conceited much?

"Oh. Okay. So do you have a girlfriend?" She really was curious.

"No." He glanced up and saw a faint smile on Kagome. "And I do not plan on having one any time soon." The smile stayed on her face, though. Not what he was expecting.

"Higurashi, why are you so at ease? Even for a girl that's supposed to be mourning her father's death, you're pretty satisfied."

"Kagome." She corrected again. The smile was still plastered on her pretty little face. "Well… I am mourning. I just don't want anyone to see. I…may seem content… but I'm very pained on the inside. Like I'm slowly deteriorating. But I know that I'll get over it one day, so the sooner the better, right?"

Sesshomaru seemed quite pleased with that answer. So, she has some pride. Same as me. She will earn my respect for now.

"I feel the same, Miss Higurashi." That statement shocked Kagome, but she was very delighted with that comment. Hey, at least we have something in common.

Kagome giggled. "Minus the fact that you don't smile…. Ever." Sesshomaru stared in amusement. Her giggle was quite pleasurable to the ears. The childish girl continued. "I'm also happy… 'cause you came Sesshomaru. Now I have some company. I won't feel alone anymore."

She kept her gaze on her now messed up food and she was smiling at it. She already knew Sesshomaru's response. It would just be that "I-don't-really-care" look. And she was right. He didn't react.

Kagome got up and cleared the table. "I'll give these leftovers to Momo. She missed you as much as I did." She chuckled at his bemused look. a/n I almost forgot about Momo there.

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While Kagome was outside, feeding the mutt, he pondered at her remark.

"I'm also happy… 'cause you came Sesshomaru. Now I have some company. I won't feel alone anymore."

So… this girl was 'lonely'? Impossible. She's had such a great life. Everything she's ever wanted. Everything except…. Lots of friends. Her guards were friends… and she even managed to befriend the servants. But that counts up to...what? 7 people?

Wow… so snobs don't always have the perfect life. Well, she's not exactly a snob… but she was still sickeningly rich.

Still… Life is nothing without your friends and family, right? Well, he's never had many real friends. Just Kane…he was like a father, though… and some acquaintances from the gang. No family, either. Not that I know of. But then again, he's a demon. They're fine on their own. Humans get weak easily… and their emotions are a big role in their survival of the fittest. And Kagome was so… petite… I'm surprised she's not dead yet.

Okay, that was mean. But… speaking of family, where was her family? I mean, she has Kane, but that's only a small part of a family. What ever happened to her mother? Any siblings? Grandparents?

After thinking for a while, Sesshomaru noticed that he had judged this girl too quickly. He didn't even get to know her. Here comes the guilt.

Over the past ten years, all he's been doing was disliking the girl for being better off than himself. He didn't even take the time out to evaluate her life. He didn't even notice her fake smiles and phony attitude. The only time she was truly happy was when her father was around.

Oh well. It wasn't even his fault. He's never been around her long enough to know her true feelings.

He sighed. Well, I guess now is the perfect time.

His thoughts were interrupted by a lick on his face.

He got in killing mode and looked down. It was Momo. Kagome ran in after him, panting and gasping for air. "Sorry… Sessho…ru, I told her that you came back… and she just ran into the house…"

Sesshomaru sighed while getting dog spit all over his face. He pointed to the Doberman.

"That thing is too smart for its own good."

Kagome laughed nervously while pulling the huge dog off of Sesshomaru, hoping that blood would not be shed.

She handed Sesshomaru a napkin. "Hey, Sesshomaru?"

"hmm?" This spit is repulsive.

"Wanna take a bath together?"

He gaped. Way to be modest, Kagome.

She snickered timidly. "Daddy got a hot spring installed in the backyard. And you're pretty filthy." She knew she was being blunt and that it would hit a nerve. "AND just so you don't get perverted, there's a little wall so that one would be for men's. You know Miroku…" She smiled at him hopefully.

"Me? Being perverted? Not with you, dear. Don't flatter yourself." Now both nerves were affected.

She pouted. "Hmph. So I guess that's a no?" She walked away, obviously disappointed.

"After dinner." He wanted to get to know her more. He wanted to get rid of the guilt of him mentally berating her over the past few years. He saw Kagome freeze, and then proceed to walk off.

He could feel her smiling, and he almost did so himself. Almost.

END OF CHAP.

I know, not full of adventure… but it was informative…right? Did you like it?

Damn I finished that in 2 days! Yay for me.