Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the other characters.
Chapter Four: Engaged to my Ex-boyfriend's Brother
The next morning, Kagome woke up on the couch with Sango nowhere in sight. The TV was turned off and she could hear Sango rummaging in the kitchen. The smell of pancakes drew Kagome into the kitchen. She was surprised to see Miroku already sitting at the table.
"Good morning Kagome," Miroku greeted her cheerfully, as if it was perfectly natural for him to be in his girlfriend's kitchen at seven in the morning.
"Good morning," Kagome answered back dully. "Why didn't anyone wake me up?"
"We didn't want to bother your beauty rest," Sango teased. She had set three plates on the table and sat down next to Miroku. Kagome then took the seat across from Miroku and they started their breakfast in a quiet manner.
After breakfast, Kagome started to help Sango clear the table while Miroku went into the living room and looked at the magazines on the table. Kagome knew that her friends understood how she felt and they didn't want to do anything to remind her of Inuyasha. Miroku didn't even make a perverted joke and Sango certainly didn't mention anything about her current situation. Kagome smiled softly to herself, she was grateful to her friends.
"Hey Kagome, do you want to go shopping today?" Sango asked casually when they were washing the dishes.
"I can't Sango," Kagome sighed. "I have a meeting with grandpa and the Taiyoukai Company at ten."
Kagome looked at the clock and noticed that it was only eight so she still had two more hours to kill. Kagome then decided that she might as well go home and make herself presentable for the meeting. Her grandpa had always told her that her appearance would be a direct reflection of the Higurashi Company.
Kagome called her limo up and told them to wait for her in front of Sango's house. Fifteen minutes later, the limo was ready for her. Kagome then said good-bye to her friends and headed towards the limo.
When she got home, Kagome then went to take a long bath. She used her favorite sakura-scented soap and relaxed her body. She sighed when her mind went to Inuyasha, but she quickly blinked the tears away. She promised herself that she would be strong and that she would learn to forget him.
She stepped out of the bath and stepped into her gray business suit. The skirt went up to her knees and she wore black heels to match. She stepped out of her house and headed to the company, where she knew that the Taiyoukai family and her grandpa would be there.
Kagome felt butterflies in her stomach as the elevator began its long ascent. She didn't want to see Inuyasha again and she dreaded the meeting. She took a deep breath before entering the room. She was five minutes early, but the others were already seated. Kagome's grandpa sat across the long table from Inutaisho, and Sesshomaru and Inuyasha were sitting on the left and right side of him. Kagome then took a seat to the right of her grandpa and looked anywhere but at Inuyasha. The air was thick with tension until Kagome's grandpa broke the silence.
"Why don't we all move over to the couches over there," he suggested. "It would make us more comfortable and this meeting to be less formal."
Inutaisho nodded and headed over to the couch. Kagome sat next to her grandpa while Sesshomaru and Inuyasha took their own couches and Inutaisho sat across from Kagome and her grandpa.
"Let's get right to the point," Inutaisho began. He looked over at Kagome and noticed that she was chewing on her bottom lip. Inuyasha finally looked over at Kagome and noticed that she was nervously chewing on her bottom lip. Only Sesshomaru remained impassive about the entire situation.
"Kagome, I'd like you to consider an engagement to Sesshomaru," Inutaisho began. "I understand that you are feeling very vulnerable right now, but I wouldn't ask this of you if I didn't think that it was for the best."
Kagome couldn't believe what she was hearing. She turned towards her grandpa and her grandpa had a determined look on his face.
"Yes," Kagome's grandpa answered. "Inutaisho and I had discussed this yesterday and we feel that it would be for the best. It would help reduce the amount of publicity and our companies would remain together. There would be no need to separate our mergence of the two companies."
Kagome was shocked at this. She didn't want to go to another Taiyoukai son. Inuyasha had broken her heart and she didn't want to risk anything again. Inuyasha watched her face carefully. He had felt a wave of jealousy wash over him when his father had made the suggestion, but he quickly pushed the feeling aside.
"It will be strictly a business arrangement. No emotions will be involved," Sesshomaru spoke up.
Kagome was still doubtful about the situation. She didn't want to become engaged to Sesshomaru. He was too silent, too cold for her taste. For the first time, Kagome looked over at Inuyasha and noticed that he was watching her carefully. He appeared to be impatient for her answer. Kagome mentally snorted mentally. Inuyasha probably wanted to return to his slutty girlfriend.
Kagome didn't want to give in but she knew that they were right. It would reduce public attention and it would keep the company together. Kagome knew that the company was the pride of her grandpa and he had always expressed his pride in her at her ability to keep the company functioning. She also knew that it was her fault for falling in love with Inuyasha, since their engagement had also been a business one.
"Alright," Kagome answered slowly. "I'll agree to your proposition."
Inutaisho was surprised that she had accepted, but when he looked at her determined face, he knew that she had done it for the company. He admired this girl for her attitude and her willingness to sacrifice for the company, which he knew was important to her grandpa.
Kagome's grandpa looked at Kagome and smiled in appreciation. He was not so heartless as to want his granddaughter to allow herself this engagement, but he also wanted to see her settle down with a suitable husband. He knew that Sesshomaru might not be the best kind of husband, but he also knew that Sesshomaru would be able to provide for her and his sense of honor will always protect Kagome. He then turned to glare at Inuyasha. The boy had hurt his only granddaughter and he was resentful about it.
Inuyasha stared at Kagome. He was shocked that she had accepted. He felt anger rise in him, but then he reminded himself that he had no right to get angry, since he was the one who gave up on her.
"So, when do we have to announce the engagement?" Kagome asked.
"A party will be held tomorrow night," Inutaisho announced.
Kagome nodded her head and stood up to shake hands with the men. When she shook hands with Inuyasha, she looked straight into his eyes. His eyes were blank, but she sensed another emotion from him. Anger? Impossible, Inuyasha didn't need to get mad at her. Maybe he didn't want her in the family? Whatever the reason, Kagome then decided to just drop the matter. She exited the building with her grandpa and headed home. She had so much to tell Sango.
Please Read & Review!
Thanks once again to all those who reviewed! Ok, I've decided. I'm going to update every Sunday night or Monday morning each week. At times, I will update faster, it depends on how much homework I have that week. Anyways, thanks again!
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