Blame my torturous mother for this being late, but I'm going to make this longer to make it up. I know the last update was late as well…but she took my laptop (the only computer in the house) because I forgot to do the dishes…-.- how lame.

The night was pleasant. The restaurant had mood lighting and at night it was dimmed with the tables lit with candles. It was kind of strange seeing as how it was a sushi place that was meant more as a 'eat and go.' Apparently the owner is now trying to make it classier. There were more tables on the floor and a live band was playing in the corner. The band, or rather orchestra, was small, but included a violin, trumpet, and somehow a piano was stuck in there too. Kagome couldn't figure out how that full size black piano could possibly fit in this small restaurant. That is until she realized the bar where you could once sit to watch the chefs make sushi was removed and in its place…the piano. Kagome wrinkled her nose. Those seats were usually her favorites. She didn't know why, but watching the meticulous, yet swift cutting of the morsels of fish, the placement on the rice and being wrapped in seafood was stupidly fascinating.

Kagome and Shippou had arrived approximately fifteen minutes after Sango. Apparently that clever friend of hers knew that Kagome would get stuck in traffic and also Kohaku had wanted to play more with his new friend, Rin. Sango had actually been in the middle of teasing him when she noticed that Kagome wasn't chiming in. A quick look to her left and Sango's smile dropped like honey from her lips. It was almost is slow motion. Kagome stood slowly from her seat, stepped to the side, and carefully tucked her chair back under the table.

Kagome turned to Sango and whispered in a soft, almost toneless voice, "Make sure Shippou gets home safely, won't you?"

And at Sango's speechless nod, the girl walked off and out the door, but not before being seen by a pair of golden eyes. Sango had watched her walk away only to turn her head in the direction her dearest friend had been staring. Her lips thinned and her eyes darkened. Now she knew why.

Sango and the boys finished their food quickly and left the restaurant after dropping a few bills unceremoniously on the table, an act surely not appropriate for this now much more expensive dining place. But as of right then, Sango couldn't give a shit. She was more worried about her friend, but even more so the look that was planted on her face.

The darkened steel grey eyes shaded by hanging bangs casting shadows on those orbs giving the twins a tortured look. The thin black eyeliner that normally highlighted the blue irises gave her an even more hardened appearance. The paled cheeks with lips pursed so tightly together the soft flesh turned white with pressure. Also, the clenched jaw that remained taught as if to kill the abandoned scream in her throat all for the fear of discovery. This was something Sango hadn't seen for an entire year at least that's what she thought until about ten seconds ago. It was then that she realized that it had always been there, she'd just been blind to it. The scorching hopelessness and utter loneliness, even when surrounded by several people considered love ones. Yes- it was all there hiding expertly beneath that warm smile and secretly tucked away.

Sango had always perceived Kagome as transparent. Sango knew when the girl would lie or when she was excited. Sango could tell if the news Kagome was bursting to say was good or bad, but perhaps her friend wasn't that way at all. Or at least she learned how to lock it away so painstakingly secure that not even her best friend of two, going on three years…noticed. But all the same, it was there mistaken as a deep royal cerulean tinge that always constant in the ever swirling blend of blues and teals in the woman's eyes.

Sango unconsciously smack herself in the forehead. She could be so stupid sometimes, but she winced immediately afterwards. This hitting herself thing was getting to be a bad habit. Sango rode with Shippou home on the train and then returned with Kohaku hung sleepily on her back. His arms were loose around her neck and she was grateful he was with her for he was, even in this dormant state, keeping her toasty warm.

After tucking in her brother, Sango attempted to call Kagome. She had picked up the phone hearing that annoying dial tone, but knew that even if she did call Kagome wouldn't pick up, not while in this state. Sango's worse fear was the knowledge that Kagome probably wasn't even home.

-.- -.o -.- o.- -.- -.0 -.- 0.- -.-

There he was, the man who blessed and yet in the same moment haunted her dreams. The evil, conniving, handsome, with concealed kindness that she loved sat at the nicest table reserved for important people. It was half concealed by a wall to the rest of the restaurant, but looked out upon a small garden and koi pond that was set up at the back of the establishment as another new part of the 'romantic' atmosphere it was trying to achieve.

Not only was he here in real life, but he was once again trying the wobbly the strings holding her together. He was the puppet master, playing with her heart and uplifting her life only to cut her loose. Now the master was back and this time Inuyasha held the knife. He was poised ready to slit the bonds of recovery and did so swiftly with one little kiss to the back of Kikyo's hand accompanied by a little blue felt box slid across the table. It wasn't only that...it was the wicked, twisted smile sent her way when Inuyasha's attention was averted to open the champagne.

She then slowly felt herself raise from her seat and with gentle care replace the seat back under the table. She then left discreetly through the front exit. Once again Kagome felt her normally over-sharp senses dull as a thick haze spun its web around her. Her eyes were clouded by the gatherings of unshed crystal and her mouth felt dry like the desert sun without a drop of water in sight. Kagome's ears were nearly mute as all the sounds that would have bothered her were dropped down in a volume so steep that Kagome felt herself swimming. Kagome jetted quickly across the street and she would have made it if not for the forest green car.

Kagome turned dreary orbs upon the blurry figure leaning over her. She hadn't even heard the screeching brakes at the futile attempt not to hit her. The brilliant shining headlights hadn't contracted her pupils. The black spheres remained dilated and glossy in the moonlight. The last thing she remembered was a flash of silver before her eyes faded to black.

…..

Pounding- it was an incessant rhythm racking against her skull. The headache swore violently when she even tried to turn the littlest bit to get the sun out of her still closed eye lids. The workings of a drum striking a stressed and then non-stressed two beat tempo. She could feel the blood being shoved through the tapering tributaries that branch off from the main stream of current. Smooth, cool liquid passed by a desiccated mouth to spread silkily down the waterfall esophagus soothing the sandpaper tissue. Nostrils flared drawing in the fresh lilies no doubt near her by the pungency of their tender scent as it infused with the surrounding air. Wiggling toes made themselves known as the tingle spread up her legs to teasingly spin around her knee cap, specifically her left. There was natural warmth attaching to her hand that neither blanket nor wrap could achieve. The winding heat sprung like fingers through her numb hand as it slowly received a full grasp on reality.

Kagome opened her now liquid rain drop eyes, the lightest blue they'd even reached. There at her right, lay her hand entwined with another, like in those superficial chick flicks. The bizarre part of this incidence was that Kagome could not recognize the dark head that was resting upon the bed next to the enraptured pair of hands. The long blackened strands of hair were brushed back into a high pony tail at the back of the head. It was obviously a man by the build and the fact that his hand was twice the width of Kagome's. Now his hand wasn't fat per se, it was wider than hers, but only about an inch longer. This persona stirred in his post upon the hospital mattress. Kagome didn't need to guess that this is where she was for she woke up here enough times to recognize the soft, but supportive bedding.

Cobalt eyes perked upon roughly cut bangs and lighted after seeing Kagome awake. The man curved a roguish smile, so similar to his, at her simply for her consciousness. The anonymous male was dressed somewhat casually in a light blue collar, cotton dress shirt with the top three bottoms undone. The tails were left out in the back, but were tucked in, in the front showing without revealing his flat stomach. A chiseled pectoral view was seen through this peep hole as well as that flash of silver Kagome remembered before passing out from injury. It was a simple silver chain with a stylized representation of what Kagome could only imagine was a dead…fish? From what else Kagome could see he was wearing a pair of tasteful faded jeans that were frayed at the bottom hem from wear. A pair of black skater shoes peaked from under the baggy rims where a grey suede-like 'e' could be seen on the side denouncing the shoes under the Etnies brand.

"Uh..Ohayou. My name is Kouga. Haruyama Kouga."

Kagome's eyes widened. Why did she meet all these rich guys out of nowhere? The clueless twit had been recently informed just who Rin's adoptive parent, Sesshoumaru, truly was and it caused those unnatural blue eyes to bug out of her head quite comically. Not only would she be associated with his company through her internship, but she hadn't recognized what the fashion magazines denoted 'the most eligible bachelor in Japan.' At that point, Kagome felt idiotic, but then again the magazines and tabloids she just happened to glance at while putting her items on the conveyer belt at the grocery store never had a picture. Kagome only caught the headlines that were printed heavily in bright colors that always caught her eyes. But the name Haruyama was known through all provinces and prefectures of Japan. It was the most successful law company and now here was that man's son, holding her hand in some hospital who knows where.

"And you are…"

Kouga smiled softly, an obvious apology for interrupting her crusading thoughts that were no doubt being broadcasted across her face like those moving billboards that could be seen while passing on the street attached high on the towering sky scrapers.

"Higurashi Kagome."

Kouga squeezed her hand in reassurance with a small smile once again when he heard how meek her voice sounded. He then released her tiny hand and reached over next to Kagome's head. The injured girl couldn't help the blush that slithered across her cheeks at the gruffly handsome face inches from her ear. And like a chameleon Kagome wished she could turn white to blend in with the bed when she saw the playful smirk on his lips.

Of course he was only pushing the button to call in a nurse.

-Stupid Kagome, what is it with me this week? It's like my hormones are in high drive.-

A rather young girl, most likely volunteer, of about seventeen entered the room bearing a full tray of thank the lord it wasn't hospital food. Instead as it was laid over her lap on a plastic table cover that was hooked on the side of Kagome's bed. Kagome's stomach grumbled happily at the sight of the miso soup, two onigiri, and the warm pot of still steaming green tea. But even more so one of her favorites was the variety of pickled vegetables.

"I thought you wouldn't want that shit they usually serve here."
"Yea- I mean no. Hospital food would have been fine really; you didn't need to go to any trouble."
"Heh- I didn't I just ordered it from the sushi place across the street. It's called Agari."
"Oh! I've been there, it's really good, especially the um- fried mackerel. And there oden! It's to die…for…"

Kagome's sentence dragged off when she saw the wolfish grin spread across her face as he sat slouched in the seat next to her bed.

"What?" Kagome's voice held a scowl on it, but her face was curious.

Kouga chuckled, "I've never seen a girl so excited about food that's all…"

"Hey, I know plenty of girls who are happiest when eating…"
"And they're heavy…"
"Humph, that's not a nice thing to say."

Kagome's tone was dry, but the guy was still chuckling at her. Kouga couldn't help it. This girl's voice went from a childish excitement, to a nagging wife's cross nature, and then finally to uninterested. And the last one reminded him a little too much of the man he'd been visiting just before he'd practically run this chick over.

"So why'd you run out into the street?"

Kagome's head shot up from her steaming tea, its olive green swirling with a misty white steam spewing from its surface, but her eyes didn't move up from looking at the imprints of her board straight legs under the white blankets.

"I...just wasn't paying attention. I'm really sorry."
"No, it's not a problem. I was just curious."

Kagome lifted an eyebrow at him.

-Not…a problem? He almost hits me and he acts like he was doing me a favor…well he did only knock me over, but…still!-

"I don't want to take up any of your ti-"

A nurse knocked on the half-open door before quickly entering. This one, unlike the previous attendant, was more towards her mid-forties. She was no doubt the head nurse of this wing. Kagome smiled at her kindly. The woman's eyes were a soft brown and twinkled as she regarded the pair. Kagome tugged down on one side of her bottom lip in obviously disbelief. The woman, whom time was treating kindly, simply laughed a light soft surge of glee at the look she was sent.

"Miss...You are allowed to go home now. It's just a sprain, but stay off it for a few days for the swelling to go down. Raise it on a pillow and ice it twice a day. Take some of this if you have any pain."

Kagome took the proffered orange bottle with the white label.

"Thanks, I will."
"You're welcome. I'll leave some crutches outside the door."

Kouga nodded, and then turned to regard Kagome.

"I'll let you change. I'll be right outside if you need me."
"Mmhmm."

Kagome was blatantly ignoring him as she hoisted herself up and swung her legs over the railing lining the cot. Kouga shook his head. He hit the girl, spent the night at her bedside, and now she was already getting under his skin. What would his father say?

-Hell…he'd just laugh and say it would be just like me-

Kagome hobbled into the bathroom to change dragging her clothes from the side table next to her bed. The bathroom was big enough for a wheelchair to comfortably turn around in. Kagome exchanged her clothes for the hospital gown she just now noticed was open in the back. It was also now that she realized that…

-These…aren't my clothes!-

Kagome was shocked to find they fit her and after sticking her head back out the door once saw her old clothes in a bag. She could see the tears and rips from where she was half-hanging out of the bathroom. Kagome slipped on the new clothes and made sure to keep the tags. Kagome ran her fingers through her wavy tresses and pulled them into a tight French braid, but still quickly done. After years of experience braiding her hair, she was quite adept at it. Then the hopping woman pulled the thick braid over on shoulder and stepped out of the changing room into the hall as best she could.

"Haruyama-san?"
"Now, now…that's my father's name."
"Oh…sorry…"
"Stop apologizing already."

Kagome smiled at his irritated sigh and he stood in a feminine pose with his hands on his hips. She tried to stifle her laughter with her hand, but couldn't. Kouga watched her shoulders shake and the reddening of her cheeks from the corner of his eye.

"Here."

Kouga helped Kagome get her crutches situated and on the right setting. He waved a hand out in front of him allowing her to go first. After all…this was the first time he would get to admire her. She…Kagome looked good in the clothes he had picked out for her. Her others were ripped when she fell and skidded a few feet from his car. He never really hit her, just nudged her a little. But it didn't help that she didn't even try to move out of the way.

Kagome was dressed in a simple olive green tee shirt with his band 'Deisui Pirania's symbol of the front. It was a piranha within a spray painted circle, some of the paint dripping on the bottom end, with the letters 'd' and 'p' on the back with the same dripping paint design in a cream white. Then he had a pair of light blue pre-ripped jeans with one shaggy tear across the thigh and another at the knee. Her high heels had one broken heel, the ankle that was sprained, so he replaced them with black low-top chucks. He got a studded belt as well and she needed it apparently. The pants looked a little big, like a half inch, in the waist. She was so slim, but with a full rear that wasn't unpleasant to the eye in his opinion. She fit the image of a punk/emo girl perfectly. Kagome was just like the ones screaming at his concerts, their arms reaching for him.

Kagome had no idea of the appreciative glances she was receiving from behind her. In fact she never knew Haruyama Hazuna had a son. Did he work at the firm? Somehow he didn't look the type…he seemed wilder.

This is shameless, but check out my fanart in that section. It's not very good, my first one actually. I was just playing around in Paint, so nothing fancy.

Words to know:
Agari: Ascent, after rain
Onigiri: rice ball

And as always alert me to any mistakes, but try to specify which chapter(s).