Almost Twelve Roses

Chappie 4: What are you?

Author: Funnyfan

last time

A grin spread itself across Sesshomaru's face. And normally, when a grin was on his face, it meant that he was planning something. And indeed, he was planning something. He was going to make her fall in love with him. Even if he had to go through the same things he did last time. Yes, last time had been, fun, to say the least, and he would try not to go through the same things, but if he had no choice, he had no choice.

Be ready Kagome, love.

Now

Kagome sighed as she roamed the halls. It seemed to be a new past time of hers. She had been there for two weeks now, and she had yet to see seen Sesshomaru. Well, she had seen him, but she wasn't sure if he saw her. Every time she had actually seen him, he was buried in a group of business associates. He always seemed to be chatting with some business associate or had his nose in some sort of document or book. When he had actually made it to the table for a meal, normally supper he paid no attention to anyone other than his business 'friends'. They seemed to follow him every where he went. It was something Kagome found a little creepy.

Kagome looked at the halls walls. She was in the north side of the mansion. She had taken the time to give herself a tour, and had memorized where everything was, and who slept where. She had two weeks, of doing nothing, to do this. So it was no surprise to her. InuTaishio had given her compliment after compliment on how she was able to remember where everything was, and that she should be the one giving him a tour. He had been busy too, and worked a lot with his own business associates, though not as much as Sesshomaru.

InuYasha had his own things to do too. Between going to meetings with Sesshomaru and his father and going out and working at a job he actually wanted. He was head chef at an extremely high end restaurant, and he was really good at it. He had told Kagome it was how he got his anger out. Chopping things up on a cutting board sounded more like a way to get homicidal thoughts out, not anger. But if it worked for InuYasha. She was going to visit him sometime this week and try a meal made by him.

Rin, also, had other things to do. Including school. She was still in school and was there most of the day. Sometimes she'd bring her friends over, and they would all play with Kagome, or Rin would go out to her friend's house. Kagome found that with everyone gone, she got really bored. She had started to hang out with maids and butlers, helping them around the house. Which, wasn't as bad as it sounded. It was actually really fun. It was better then doing nothing, like she was now.

She didn't know if she should feel sad or mad, lonely or happy. She was confused to say the very least. And bored. She was deathly bored. She was in the house of one of the richest men alive, and she was bored. Kagome heaved another sigh. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately, and was starting to wonder if it was good for her health or not.

"It shouldn't be possible to be this bored." Kagome whined to herself. She seemed to be doing that a lot too. Talking to herself. And she knew that wasn't healthy. Shaking her head from thoughts of her being crazy, she turned down a corridor. Once she stopped and looked around, she realized she was in a hall she didn't recognize. Quickly she realized she was in Sesshomaru's corridor. She hadn't been here since her first 'tour'. She was about to turn around and look for a maid to help, or something, anything would be better than what she was doing now, when she heard a crashing sound.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Kagome walked down the hall, towards the sound of clanging metal, and loud thuds. She was a little hesitant as she crept closer to the sounds. Not that she needed to creep, the sounds were loud enough for her to scream, and no one would hear, at least not from where she was standing. The thoughts of 'what if they were doing something secret?' swam through her mind, but were quickly pushed away. If they were, they were doing a lousy job at hiding it. Then again, she wasn't really supposed to be down this hall. Before she could turn around, she was already there.

Standing before her, proud and tall, were a pair of large, brown, thick doors, opening only a crack. The crack being just big enough that you could see those inside, provided they weren't far from the door. Deciding on satisfying her curiosity, Kagome peeked through a crack and glanced around, as far as she could.

At first she could only see silver, then blurs of red, but after a while, they turned into people. Two people, one being Sesshomaru, himself. The other was his father. Both looked to have a blank expression on their face, though she was sure Sesshomaru looked that way all the time. The entire time she had been here, during the times she had actually seen him, his face had no expression it was completely void of any emotion.

Kagome's attention was caught by the clashing of metal against metal. She studied their movements. They were fast and beautiful, as though they were dancing instead of fighting. Kagome watched them in awe. Their swords were clanging every few seconds, drowning out any sound, at first. After a while they seemed to drown out themselves and she could hear Sesshomaru and InuTaishio talking. Kagome concentrated on what they were saying and tried her best to drown the clanging out.

"You expect to 'woo' her?" that was InuTaishio's voice. Kagome's brows furrowed in thought, who was going to woo who? Were they talking about her? Kagome's eyes narrowed and she hoped it would sink through the door.

"Yes father, that is correct. I will woo Kagome, as I did before." This time it was Sesshomaru's voice she heard, and Kagome couldn't help but frown. Not only for him saying that he was going to woo her, but it was the fact that he said he'd done it before, and he said it so smugly. Kagome heard InuTaishio make a snorting sound and then he started to laugh.

"Do you really think you can woo someone such as Kagome?" InuTaishio's voice dripped with amusement; obviously he thought it was funny because he was still laughing.

"What I do is of no concern to you, father." Sesshomaru's voice echoed coldness and Kagome couldn't help but shudder.

"Come now Sesshomaru, don't be so cold. I just hope you don't go as far as you did last time." His laughter had died away, and seriousness replaced his joy. Kagome was surprised, she had never heard him sound so serious. And what exactly did he mean by go as far as before?

"Don't worry father, she will be easily 'wooed'." Sesshomaru's voice held confidence and showed he had no doubt he would succeed.

Kagome turned away from the door in anger. How dare he think he can woo her? She was not someone who was going to be flattered into bed; she would not be persuaded by that arrogant bastard. What angered her even more was that he had succeeded in doing it before. How stupid could she have been? Maybe losing her memory was a good thing. Yes, Kagome agreed, it was a good thing, now I don't have to deal with that pompous ass. With that final thought Kagome turned to face a hall, the same one she had come down before. The sound of swords clanging against each other slowly faded as she made her way farther down the hall. She would make sure he would not succeed, any plans he had, were going to soon be broken.

InuTaishio sniffed the air again. She was leaving now, and she didn't smell happy. He smiled visibly. She had been there for the majority of the conversation, and she wasn't happy. In fact, she smelt furious. InuTaishio laughed, and swatted Sesshomaru's sword with his own. The fool wasn't using his demonic powers, and hadn't noticed her. Too arrogant for his own good, he thought sullenly. He knocked Sesshomaru's sword from his hand, and put his own in the sheath at his side. A smile was plastered on his face. Your job's even harder now, he thought with amusement. He bowed with Sesshomaru, and left the room, and down the hall.

"Good luck, Sesshomaru," InuTaishio whispered silently, walking down the hall.

She swung her feet of the edge of the bed. The blankets still covering her legs, and parts of her feet, were pushed off. It was almost noon, and she had been sleeping all morning, an unusual feeling for her. She wasn't much of a sleeper-inner. But, it felt nice, she felt relaxed and rejuvenated. Tonight she was going to the bar, with Sango and some other friends. They didn't go out much, and when they did, it was always a good time. She was glad though, this time, she was going to be able to drink. Most of the time she would end up being the designated driver, meaning she wouldn't be able to drink anything other than sodas. A smile lit her face as she jumped out of her bed. She was glad this was one of the things she remembered. She didn't know what she would do if she hadn't, especially with all the 'nothing' happening in the house. Who wouldn't need to go out and actually do 'something'.

Kagome quickly stripped of her bed clothes and dressed herself in the days wear. She would change for going out later, but for now, she was going to go find something to do. Maybe she would look around outside. She had only been outside twice in the time she had been at the mansion, and she had yet to explore the entire grounds. Satisfied with her decision she made her way out of her room and down the hall, in the direction she hoped would take her outside.

Eventually she had made it out to garden, after making several wrong turns to halls she had never ventured through and opening doors that she thought led outside but led, according to Kagome, no where. Cursing herself she finally came across one of the butlers, one who seemed to know her quite well, though Kagome couldn't remember him, and asked him for directions. He pointed her in the right direction, exactly where she had come from, and told her more directions. Unfortunately she ended up losing her way again and had to ask two maids for help.

What the hell's the point in having such a big house! Kagome whined to herself mentally. Her complaints were wiped clean when she came across a garden. It was absolutely beautiful. It looked like no one had attended to it for a few months, but it was beautiful none the less. Kagome walked towards it and found a path leading to the center, and all around it. Joyfully she followed the stone path towards the center. She looked around again. It felt like she'd been here before, so many times, but she couldn't remember it at all. It doesn't look like any one's even worked on it Kagome thought to herself. Deciding that she would work on it later she got up and ventured back to the mansion, but not before taking one last look behind her at the garden.

As she disappeared into the house a shadowed figure made themselves visible. Silver hair danced in the wind, the small breeze that was there. Gracefully he leaned against the tree, his arms folded and short smile drifted to his lips. "So it seems she is still drawn to It." slowly he made his way back to the house, his long silver hair slowly fading into a grayish color.

The sound of a horn caused Kagome to jump. Quickly she jumped out of her bed. Cursing herself as dashed about her room trying to find the clothes she had planned on wearing for the night. She had only planned on it being a short nap but some how she ended up sleeping for the rest of the day. She hopped across the room trying to pull her pants up at the same time. The horn went of again. Kagome grumbled something under her breath about impatient friends as she opened the door and hopped down the hall trying to put her sock on.

Quickly she ran down the stairs past InuYasha shouting she was going out with her friends. She slipped her shoes on halfway and ran out the newly opened door. As she came out she could see the yellow car Sango owned in the driveway. Kagome ran towards it and the passenger's seat in the front. She nearly choked of fear when Sango honked the horn as Kagome crossed the front of the car. Getting in she shot Sango a glare.

"So, how'd you get out?" Sango asked as she reversed the car and quickly spun around to face the road. Neither girl seemed to be fazed, like it happened regularly. Kagome sighed at the question. She hadn't been able to go out since she had gotten to the mansion. Apparently Sesshomaru had informed all the maids and butlers, and what ever help they had, that she wasn't to leave the premise without an escort.

"He's out." Her answer was plain and simple. Kagome didn't know where he went, but she didn't care either. He had probably gone to do some sort of business errand, as usual. He was a stuck up ass that thought he was king of the world. Kagome glared at an invisible image of him on the dash board.

"Really? Where to?" Sango held some sort of disbelief in her voice and Kagome couldn't blame her. She, like Kagome, wasn't fond of Sesshomaru, though, Kagome knew it was for different reasons than hers.

"Probably his office or something," Kagome answer showing no interest towards the topic of Sesshomaru. The 'or something' meaning 'off with another girl'. Kagome didn't put it past him to do it. He certainly held the ability to draw most girls in with his looks and his fake charm. She scoffed at the thought of him again. The rest of the drive to the bar was quiet and neither talked for fear of an argument. But when they arrived at the bar, smiles were plastered on their faces. It was going to be a good night.

Kagome ordered another drink. It was her eighth that night. Sango looked at Kagome worriedly. As did the three other girls, that had joined up with them not long after their arrival. They had been there for only three hours, and Kagome wasn't holding back on drinking. Just as Kagome was about to bring the drink to her lips and swallow the burning liquid Sango held her hand up and stopped Kagome.

"Kagome, don't you think you should slow down?" one of the girls asked.

"Eri is right Kagome, you should slow down." another said. The girl, Eri, nodded her head. So did Sango and the third girl.

"I don't think you even taste them." Sango pointed out. Kagome looked at them all and frowned at them. She put the glass down and sighed.

"I guess so," Kagome nodded in agreement.

For the next couple hours the girls were there, Kagome continued to drink, at a more reasonable pace, and everyone joined in the fits of laughter, cheering each other in their latest achievements. The hours swept by quicker then Kagome would have wanted and the three girls decided to leave. Sango tried to convince Kagome to come with her, but Kagome didn't want to leave and go back the mansion. She tried to convince Sango to stay, but Sango shook her head and said she had to go. She left, to Kagome's dismay, but not before making sure Kagome promised to get a taxi home at a reasonable hour. Kagome nodded her head.

She wasn't drunk. Not in the least. She had been very good at consuming her alcohol, even though she hardly ever drank it. It may have helped that she didn't take hard alcohol, but whatever the case was, Kagome was still sober.

"Hey cutie, can I buy you a drink." The voice sounded familiar to Kagome, but she didn't bother to think about that and just turned to retort a come back.

"I think the ret—" she stopped mid-sentence when she turned around. There, standing in front of her, was InuYasha with the biggest grin plastered on his face like a seven year old that just pulled off a huge prank. Kagome's frown was replaced with a smiled. "InuYasha!" she smiled and patted a chair beside her. "What are you doing here?" she asked. He took the seat and sat down.

"Same thing you are," InuYasha replied as he ushered a waitress over to the table. "No body can be in the same room as Sesshomaru for too long, let alone the house." Kagome nodded at that. Though, she felt she shouldn't. She didn't actually know him, she just heard him say a few things, and suggest others. Kagome frowned. She took back what she had thought. He was a pompous ass, and she felt sorry for anyone who had to spend more than two minutes with the man.

"What can I get you Hun'?" the waitress asked, arriving at the table. InuYasha gave his order and asked if Kagome wanted anything. She shook her head.

"I've had enough for the night," Kagome decided and got up and put her coat on. InuYasha grabbed her hand.

"You sure?" he asked, still holding onto her wrist. "You know, cabs are pretty hard to get around this time, you'll be waiting outside." Kagome slid her hand out from his and slipped her coat on.

"I'm sure I'll survive, what's the worst that could happen?" Kagome gave him a smile and a short wave before she disappeared through the entrance of the bar.

"You know, InuYasha, your brother is over there." The waitress slightly nodded her head to her left, discretely. InuYasha smiled.

"Really?" InuYasha didn't show any hint of surprise towards the comment. It wasn't uncommon that Sesshomaru went out for a drink every now and again, especially during this time of the year, when his work load was tripled. But he knew, tonight, that wasn't the reason. The waitress walked away to retrieve InuYasha's drink. "How unlike you, Sesshomaru."

"Cab at the Doubles bar please." Kagome spoke into her phone. She was quiet for a moment, listening to the person on the phone. "Yes, of course." Kagome clicked her cell phone shut and sighed. Shoving her phone into her purse, she lifted her coat tighter around her body. Why hadn't she listened to InuYasha? Now she was going to have to wait, in the rain. She would've gone inside but, she only had enough money for the cab now.

Kagome shivered. Her pants were drenched from the knees down and her jacket was doing a poor job at keeping her dry and warm. She leaned closer to the building of the bar, hoping for better cover. It was cold and she was sure she wasn't getting home anytime soon. Sighing she wiped her face, drying it off with one of the only things on her body that was dry. Though, soon enough, everything would be drenched.

Kagome looked curiously above her head. The rain had stopped above her, but not any where else. It only took her a moment to realize, an umbrella was hung above her head. She almost smiled at who ever it was that had offered the shelter, but pulled back after realizing who it was. Standing above her, with a smug expression plastered on his face, holding the umbrella was, Sesshomaru. Kagome narrowed her eyes at him. She turned her head away and swiftly moved out from under it.

No doubt, an attempt to 'woo' me, Kagome thought angrily as she stomped away. Stopping, she leaned against the wall of the bar again, and held her jacket closer to her. She could hear him follow her over, standing right beside her. Once again, he lifted the umbrella over her head. She gave him an icy glare and turned to walk away again.

He grabbed her wrist. "You'll catch cold," Sesshomaru stated plainly. Kagome snatched her wrist from his hands.

"I'm already wet Sesshomaru, so go away." Kagome replied coldly and walked away. Sesshomaru followed her as she walked away. "Stop following me." Kagome growled. It was obvious he was drunk. Had he been sober, he would have scolded her for talking to him so 'disrespectfully'. She hadn't had any time to spend with him, something she wasn't complaining about, but that didn't mean she never saw him. He always seemed to think he was on some high standing pedestal, like the world was his. Kagome snorted. She didn't doubt he thought he was king of the world.

"All the more reason for you to use the umbrella, you will get worse." Kagome shot a glare at him. Even though he was drunk, the only thing that had changed about him was his responsiveness to her comments. Other than that, he was the still the same pompous ass that thought he could woo her with his fake charm. He placed the umbrella over her head again. Kagome's eyes narrowed further and she slapped the umbrella from his hand. Another point of evidence that proved he was drunk. She wouldn't have been able to smack the umbrella from his hands had he not been so. Giving him one last glare she stalked away grumbling about idiot men who thought they were prince charming.

Kagome sneezed. Wiping her nose, she threw the tissue in the already over flowing trash. Kagome heaved a heavy sigh. Her throat felt scratchy again and she started to cough. Taking in a good amount of air into her lungs Kagome laid her head back down on her soft pillow.

"'What's the worst that could happen?' I asked." Kagome grumbled her throat throbbing with every word. "I jinxed myself," Kagome whined, irritating her throat once again, throwing her into another fit of coughs. Kagome sat up and covered her mouth. Damn cold Kagome complained in her head. She didn't want to risk going into a series of coughs, again.

"Kagome!" Kagome looked to the door and whoever it was calling her. Rin stood in the door way with a greenish looking butler that was hardly as tall as Rin. Once she noticed that she had scored Kagome's attention Rin ran into the room and jumped on Kagome's bed. Kagome nearly gasped as she shook a bit as the bed wobbled from the little girl's impact. The green butler gave out a series of protests in a raspy voice.

Covering her mouth Kagome greeted Rin. "Hello Rin." Kagome smiled at Rin, though, she stopped when she realized the child couldn't see her welcoming smile. Rin started to laugh.

"Why does Kagome cover her face?" Rin asked, still giggling as she spoke.

"I'm sick, and I don't want you to get sick too." Rin gasped.

"Rin will go pick some flowers for Kagome," Rin said urgently and quickly jumped off Kagome's bed, rippling it into a series of jiggles for Kagome. "Come Jaken, Rin wants you to come pick flowers with her!" Rin squealed with delight and dashed out of Kagome's room, closing the doors gently and grabbing onto the green butler's arms. Kagome put the blanket down and flopped backwards.

"Being sick is boring." Kagome whined. She blew her nose again and burrowed her head under the covers in an attempt to sleep. Soon afterwards she was awarded with just that and she faded into unconsciousness.

She knew she wasn't supposed to be out of bed, especially when she was this sick, but being in bed was boring. She couldn't just sleep all day, she wasn't tired. There was nothing to do in her room except stand out on the balcony, something that she lost interest in quickly. She tried to jump on her bed, but it just sank. She tried on all the clothes in her closet but that had lost its spark after a while too. And so now, here she was, wandering the halls, trying to find something to entertain her, failing miserably.

Her visits to the doctors had been even more uneventful. They just told her the same thing every time. She lost her memory and she was going to gradually remember things, she already knew that. They wouldn't tell her anything other than that, and the doctors seemed to chat with her mother and InuTaishio for what felt like hours.

Lately that's what her life felt like. A repetitive, boring, event with nothing new or exciting ever happening. Why was her life so boring? Kagome groaned. "I'm sooo bored." In truth, she was beyond bored. There is nothing to do in this house! Kagome's mind hissed. Grumbling under her breath about the lack of excitement in her life Kagome stomped down the hall, eyes stared at the well carpeted floor, as if it were to blame. Not watching where she was going Kagome felt her body hit a soft, yet firm, object. Not bothering to look up she just mumbled an apology and walked around what she assumed to be a person.

Sesshomaru was reading papers on the company's progress, again. Somehow they came out with these reports every other day, and he was getting tired of reading the same thing over and over again. He knew how the company was doing, he was running it. Nothing he led was ever anything less than perfect, not on his watch. Everything always went his way, no ifs, ands or buts about it. He nearly growled when he felt someone bump into him. He looked down to see the girl he was in love with, Kagome. He watched as she kept her head down and mumble an apology before walking around him.

"Kagome." It was a command to stop, but it seemed she was too deep into thought and continued on her stroll. "Kagome." Sesshomaru said louder. Kagome stopped in her tracks and looked behind her.

Kagome halted. She knew that voice. Slowly she looked behind her, hoping to the gods that it wasn't who she thought it was. She met with an unfortunate fate, Sesshomaru staring down at her. "Yes?" she squeaked out.

"Where are you going?" Not that he really cared; he just hadn't seen or talked to her since that incident. He'd only a chance to glance at her during meals, provided he had the chance to even go. His schedule was busy and he would find time for her, eventually. She comes second, after work.

"What do you care?" Kagome asked, still mad. She was sick and it was all because she was stubborn and he was stupid. No, it wasn't just her fault. It was his fault too. If he hadn't of made himself seem like a jerk at her house she wouldn't have to hate him. But he did, and she did.

Sesshomaru's brows drew into a frown. How dare she? He was honoring her with his presence. Girls would kill to even have him look at them let alone live in house. What was wrong with this female? She had perfection set before he eyes and she didn't grovel at its feet. He would have blamed it on her head injury, had it not been for the fact that it was like this the first time too. He sighed; this was going to be hard, but doable.

"Watch your tongue girl. Do you not know of whom you speak to?" Sesshomaru bit out coldly. She may have been the girl he was trying to win over, but she would, in the end, be the one bowing down to him. Begging him to love her. And he was not going to let her talk to him like it was she on the pedestal, and not him.

"Or what Lord Sesshomaru?" Kagome asked her brows knitted in a frown, matching Sesshomaru's easily. Kagome sent him a deathly glare and spun away from him, walking down the hall again. She nearly shrieked when he popped up in front of her. Gasping she took a quick step backwards. Tripping over her footing, one foot hooked closely under the other, she fell to the not so soft ground.

"You will show respect to those higher than you." Sesshomaru stated voice clear of all emotions. His tone gave no indication of how he felt but his eyes showed just how annoyed he was.

"When I find someone who is, I'll be sure to do that Sesshomaru." Kagome smirked as Sesshomaru's slender brow twitch irritably. His buttons were too easy to push. He may have thought he was good at hiding his emotions, and it was true he was, but obviously irritation wasn't his best hidden emotion. Kagome lifted herself up and turned down the hall again.

Sesshomaru wanted to growl at her. He could smell her amusement, her haughty attitude vibrated elegantly around her aura. She was being curt towards him. The wench actually had the gall to try and one up him? He felt his eyes twitch irritably, uncontrollably he felt himself start to lose control. His eyes redden as he watched her hips sway mockingly down the hall. His claws lengthen and sharpen as her arrogance grew with every step. His control lessened as he took an uncontrollable step forward. He took another uncontrolled step forward when he heard her silent laughter. He let out a silent growl, one he wasn't sure whether she heard or not.

He cursed himself as he moved another step forward, and another, and another. Soon he found himself ready to pounce, to jump into a run and surge forward. He felt his blood quicken in his veins, his heart beating at a faster pace. He felt, good. When was the last time he let himself do this? No, he cursed himself for allowing any enjoyment. But even as he cursed his lack of control, it slowly slipped his grasp and he began to ready himself. He leapt into the air.

End of Chappie 4