Almost Twelve Roses

Chappie 13: Almost Twelve Roses

Author: Funnyfan that has just finished a fic, OH YEAH!

last time

I love you.

… … … … … … … … … …

I hate you!

… … … … … … … … … …

"Place your bet. When do you think Sesshomaru'll ask Kagome to marry him?"

… … … … … … … … … …

"You look sad."

… … … … … … … … … …

And as they both wondered whether the other was watching the sunrise with them, they smiled as the sunrise started to look brighter and prettier than usual. And as the sun reached the top both shared the thoughts of the other, wondering about the one they loved but thought didn't loved them back.

Now

Kagome yawned as she opened the door to her home open. She hadn't gotten much sleep after the sun rise and was more tired than ever. "I'm home," she attempted to shout, though it was just more than a whisper. Geez I'm tired she moaned to herself. Shouts and laughter rang through the house as she made her way into the kitchen. Peeking around the corner into the living room she saw her mother, grandfather, brother (who kept glancing at a notebook), Sango, Miroku and a grumpy, blushing InuYasha. "What are you all doing here?" Kagome asked.

"Thanks for the heart warming welcome," InuYasha retorted.

"Your words wound me, Kagome," Miroku said dramatically, holding the palm of his hand to his chest.

"We figured we'd come over and watch movies, just like old times," Sango answered with a smile.

"Yeah, 'sept it ain't at my hou—" Sango jabbed InuYasha in the ribs before he had a chance to finish his sentence, still smiling at Kagome. Kagome glanced at InuYasha and rose a questioning brow as he rubbed his side.

"What's wrong?" Kagome asked. InuYasha frowned at Sango and was about to tattle on her when Miroku interrupted.

"He is merely sad that you haven't offered drinks or snacks," Miroku stated with a fake tear.

"But you do have drinks," Kagome pointed out. "And snacks." She added and pointed to the table in front of the sofa.

"Then let us continue watching movies!" Miroku announced.

Kagome found herself a spot on the couch while her grandfather excused himself and her brother said he had to study. Ms. Higurashi however stayed with the group and narrated, as Kagome soon found out that they weren't rented movies they were watching, but home videos.

"This is when InuYasha and Kagome were little." Ms. Higurashi announced as a small five-year-old Kagome and InuYasha came into view. "Both of them had decided they were going to marry each other and just couldn't wait." Both Kagome and InuYasha were dressed up, Kagome wearing a small, white wedding dress and InuYasha wearing a black and white tuxedo. InuYasha's father, Taishio, wore the robes of a priest and had the biggest smile on his face. The area was decorated with sparkles and homemade streamers. Presents were off to the side on a large table, and a cake, decorated with different colors and flowers, was set in the middle of a table with other goodies surrounding it. Kagome's mother was in the front row pretending to cry, and most of Kagome and InuYasha's pre-school class was sitting in the rows of benches behind her. Sango stood as Kagome's, only, bride's maid and Koga stood as InuYasha's, only, best man.

"Awe, Kagome, you look so cute." Sango chirped. Kagome gave a nervous and uncomfortable laugh. InuYasha's face was bright red.

"Awe, InuYasha you look–." Miroku stopped when he noticed InuYasha glaring daggers at him, pushing him farther down the couch. Miroku gave a nervous laugh and turned his attention back to the TV.

"I look ten times better than mutt-face." Everyone's, excluding Ms. Higurashi's, head spun in the direction of the kitchen's entrance. There stood Koga, with a red haired girl who had her arm looped with his. Souta stood behind them, towering over the girl, half reading his book, half talking to his mother.

"Come sit down, we were just watching movies," Ms. Higurashi invited, patting a seat on the couch beside her.

"You got a lotta nerve comin' here," InuYasha growled and narrowed his eyes as both his and Koga's met.

"I come here all the time mutt!" Koga growled back.

"I think what InuYasha is trying to say is, you hadn't just previously dumped Kagome," Miroku re-worded, though he used none of InuYasha's previous spoken words. InuYasha crossed his arms and glanced at Kagome. Everyone else's eyes darted to Kagome, who looked a bit nervous, and fidgety.

"And saying that just makes everything better," Sango stated sarcastically, looking at Miroku with half-dropped lids and annoyed bored expression.

"It looks like she's nervous to me," Miroku said, ignoring Sango's sarcasm.

"And you brought your fiancé, how nice," InuYasha sneered rudely.

"But, Kagome remembers them, don't you honey?" Ms. Higurashi announced, glancing at Kagome with a sugary smile full of reassurance.

"How did you…?" Kagome trailed off as her mother just smiled and gave a quiet, meek, laugh.

"You remember them?" Sango questioned. Kagome nodded her head.

"Just a little!" she added quickly. "I only remember a bit, not a lot." She looked at Koga and at his fiancé. "Like, I didn't remember that they were engaged," Sango elbowed InuYasha, "Or what her name is." Kagome finished.

"OH!" the girl exclaimed! "I'm Ayame!" she burst out. "Koga said you remembered a bunch of things," Ayame commented and sent a look towards Koga who held his hands up defensively.

"I guess I exaggerated a bit, heh," he said and flashed an apologetic smile at everyone.

"Feh, and how'd you know in the first place?" InuYasha demanded, his arms folded and his eyes narrowed. Koga pointed his thumb at Ms. Higurashi and she just smiled.

"How about we continue with the movies?" she suggested. The movies were turned back on and everyone went through turns of being in the seat of embarrassment. There was a movie on Miroku confessing his love for Sango, with flowers, when they were close to nine, and Sango rejected him with a heart breaking response of 'I don't date lechers, or losers.' Everyone laugh and poked fun at Miroku, who in turn wrapped an arm around Sango and responded with a 'But apparently she marries them,' and winked, causing Sango to blush.

Koga was in one, when they were all ten. He confessed his love for Kagome in front of a crowd of people at the fair (her first trip to one Ms. Higurashi announced,) and claimed she was his woman. Not stopping there he challenged anyone who dared even look at Kagome, including old folks, and young girls younger than half their age. Kagome ended the fanatics with a quick slap on the face, a lecture, and stomped off and spent the rest of her time beside Taishio, who was holding the camera. InuYasha laughed the hardest and poked fun at Koga the most as the video passed by and another came on.

"InuYasha, you're such a jerk. I hope you keel over!" Kagome's voice shouted from the TV set, InuYasha's mouth hung open and stopped shouting jabs at Koga. Koga took up his role and started to laugh and poke at InuYasha. Everyone laughed at the irony and quieted down when the next video came up, though Koga occasionally pointed and laughed at InuYasha, only loud enough that he could hear it (and Ayame who sat beside him).

Movie after movie was watched and laughter filled the house. Some movies held everyone in the room in it, including Ayame, and others shared only a small portion of the members (Usually Sango, Miroku, InuYasha and Kagome). Birthdays were watched, bike riding lessons were laughed at and they all watched the movies with warm hearts. Popcorn had been made and divided, more chips were brought out and soft drinks were emptied and emptied again.

Laughter filled the room as the movie ended. Everyone quickly quieted down as the tape ejected itself. Getting up Ms. Higurashi glanced to the audience behind her, "care for another movie?" she asked. Everyone nodded their heads and hooted for more. Kagome glanced at her watch and shook her head.

"No, it's almost midnight, I think it's bed time," she announced and got up. Sango and InuYasha, who sat on either side of her, grabbed her and pulled her back down to the couch.

"Just a few more," Sango urged.

"It ain't gonna kill ya," InuYasha commented.

Kagome sighed and admitted defeat. And as she prepared herself for a long night of laughter everyone else prepared themselves for what was going to happen next.

"Hey mom, where did you get these movies?" Kagome asked as the screen started off fuzzy before it started up.

"InuTaishio dear." Her mother answered with a smile as the movie started. The first movie was a cute movie, though Kagome had already seen it. It was the movie where she introduced Sango and InuYasha to each other. The next one though made Kagome realize that InuYasha and Sango had yet to let go of Kagome's arms.

Kagome, looking like-a-five-year-old-with-an-endless-supply-of-candy-happy, held high in the air a large white dog. A card hung from his neck saying;

Happy Valentines Day,

-Sesshomaru

Kagome watched herself on the screen prance down the halls of her work area. The next image to appear was Kagome and Sesshomaru on a picnic. Followed up by an image of Sesshomaru sleeping in swim trunks on the beach, sun tanning, with Kagome behind him, a bucket filled to the rim with water in her hands. Image after image flicked by, some mini movies, some just pictures, of Sesshomaru and Kagome together. Kagome looked to all her friends as the screen went fuzzy and the tape popped out. Everyone was looking at her and smiling.

"Just thought we'd give you a taste of the past," Sango said cheerfully, finally releasing her arm.

"Figured you might like to know other stuff," InuYasha added as he too let go of Kagome.

"Ain't a lot of me in it, but still a good show," Koga stated.

"Thanks guys," Kagome said with a smile.

After everyone had gone home, Souta and her grandfather had gone to bed, and her mother was busy cleaning up, Kagome still questioned whether or not Sesshomaru had actually loved her. Sure, they looked happy and in love, but Kagome had thought herself in love with people before him. And none of those worked out. Perhaps it had been for the best this one didn't either. If he didn't love her, what kind of relationship was it? Not a good one that was for sure (or one at all for that matter).

And even after she had seen all the footage of their previous life together, she still hesitated to believe he had loved her.

"Hey mom," Kagome said as she watched her mother rinse the few cups and bowls that had been used. Her mother made 'hmm' sound and Kagome took that as her cue to go on. "Why did Sesshomaru and I get back together so many times? After so many mess ups?" Kagome asked as he mother was drying her hands off on the drying cloth hanging off the oven's handle bar. Walking over to the stairs her mother made a 'hmm' sound that Kagome figured meant she was thinking.

"What a silly question Kagome," her mother laughed as she walked up the stairs. "Because you were in love." Kagome barely caught the last statement, but she heard it none the less.

Because you were in love Kagome repeated in her head as she changed in the darkness of her room from her day clothes to her bed time clothes. Because I was in love, or because we were in love, Kagome questioned. Sighing as she covered her head with covers she admitted defeat. Because I was in love, she decided.

And as night shifted to dawn clouds began to spread through the skies of Tokyo. Dark clouds dispersed themselves through parks, and streets landing as a light fog. Thunder grumbled in the clouds bellies, as if daring anyone to tell it to 'go away'. And as the wee hours of the morning began to rise, and time when the sun was to rise rolled around. And it did so according to schedule, not that anyone could see its luscious red and orange rays spread across the sky and white puffs of clouds. Not today. Today the clouds blocked the display of beauty and replaced it with dark brooding clouds.

And as the sun rose the rain began to fall, almost as if the suns rays were too much for them. The rain started out small and light, but as the minutes ticked by and the thunder howled the rain picked up. Had anyone been outside as the rain picked up, and had they been without an umbrella, they would be tortured with the pelting rain. Cars made thwup sounds as the rain hit them, windows shook from the wild winds, trees danced fiercely back and forth as the wind whipped them everywhere. And a storm began, threatening anyone to come out into its depths.

Sesshomaru cursed his luck as he found shelter under a tree, which wasn't much shelter since the winds changed every few minutes making the rain either pelt against his back or front. And his choice was either; freeze his ass of quick walking through the rain, because there was no way he could see running, or, freeze his ass of slowly and wait for the weather to slow down. Either way, he was freezing cold.

He had made his decision, his final decision. Things before had happened all over again. There was the saying 'history repeats itself', but this was ridiculous. But last time, he contemplated, wasn't as bad as it is now. This time around he'd screwed up big time, as Rin said; he made a big mess of his life. And hers, he added. He had to have broken the record for making the same woman cry over the same thing. He'd screwed up the relationship with the only woman he had ever loved, would ever love.

And though he wasn't going to make her fall in love with him, he was going to do something he had never once in his life had to do, he was going to apologize. Tell her he really did love her, and even though she could never remember her love for him, their love for each other, he would always love her. He really couldn't expect her to forgive him, but what was there to lose, besides her love, something he had lost the moment she forgot him, or even her respect and trust, that train had crashed and burned long ago. He could only gain from this trip. And a cold was not one of the things he intended to get.

Was he just not meant to love her? She had forgotten him, sneered at him, and told him she hated him, but then, she had smiled at him, laughed with him, and cried for him…he just didn't know. And to make matters worse and things even more confusing (and Sesshomaru rarely got confused, or matters muddled up), Rin had been singing a song (that wasn't even a song, just words she heard and put together with a tuneless hum. One he was sure his father or InuYasha had taught the girl), they say they cry, for the ones naught love, they say the smile, for ones fort love. A smile for a kiss, is a loving spire indeed, a tear and a turn, is of naught love fore over back. They say, when you find your love, they naught make you cry. They say, when you find your love, they ought make you smile. True love brings naught tears, but smiles through cheer. He had made her cry, so many times. Damn he felt guilty (another first involving only Kagome.).

The wind blew fiercely against his side as it changed direction. The tree above him creaked and croaked. It sounded as though a branch (or the whole tree,) was going to break and fall, the wind was blowing hard enough. He could almost imagine, the great and powerful Sesshomaru, being quashed by a pathetic branch (or tree), because of a little (ok, A LOT) of wind. He let out a breath of air, almost classified as a sigh and lead against the tree, lightly.

Waaangp! Waaangp!

Sesshomaru glanced dryly in the direction of the odd sound. Glancing to the side of the road, past the tree, he saw a burgundy car parked on the curb, the window rolled down and a girl hanging out. At first Sesshomaru couldn't make out who it was in the vehicle, rain, mixed with wind, and fallen debris, flying around. Waving her hand she ushered Sesshomaru to hurry and get over there. Letting himself be pulled away from his current shelter, though the following word held absolutely no meaning, he waded, through the damp grass with his already drenched pants, and sopping wet shoes. His normally glistening silver hair hung and clung to his body in a dull shade of gray. Upon closer viewing he realized who it was in the car.

"Marisa," Sesshomaru greeted in a tone that matched the way he felt. He was freezing and his words were clipped and annoyed, coldly spoken. Rolling her eyes she clicked a button on the arm of her door. A click sound was barely audible through the wind whistling through his ears. Getting the hint he walked to the other side of the vehicle and reached for the handle. And just as he pulled at it, Marisa pressed the button again with another click sound, a devilish look plastered on her face. Sesshomaru gave her a deathly glare through the window. Laughing she unlocked the doors again and let Sesshomaru in.

"What, pray tell, was that childish act for?" Sesshomaru questioned with a tint of annoyance hitched in his voice. Marisa laughed and, after rolling up her window, she started her engine up and pulled away from the curb (after checking behind her of course).

"Well, let's just say I ain't too fond of you," Marisa stated shifting the gear stick with expertise as she flicked her wipers on full blast as the rain quicken and hit the glass with loud thwumps. Sesshomaru shifted his gaze to her with a bored glaze over his eyes.

"Then why pick me up?"

"Well…" she started, tapping her chin in thought, slowing down as they reached a red light. Glancing at him she gave him a wink, "I've got things riding on other things, and let's just say you're in that vicinity of those things." Sesshomaru stared blandly at her.

"Do you not wish to know where I am going?" he asked, just as blandly as he stared. Pulling forward into the intersection she shook her head and turned her blinker, signaling her left turn, on. Sesshomaru glanced around at the familiar, though rain blurred, scenery of the road toward his area of town and home.

"Nawh," she added, "Kagome's already asleep by now. She stayed up really late last night." She took another turn and Sesshomaru was rather curious as to how this woman knew how to get to his home so well. "Besides, I think you should give her some time to think about the things that happened earlier, before you put more on her plate. Let her finish lunch, before you serve supper, yuh know?" Marisa said as she pulled to a stop in front of Taishio's mansion. Clicking the doors to unlock she glanced at Sesshomaru, waiting for him to get out.

Pushing the door open he hesitated a bit before stepping out into the storm. Turning to face her, he nodding his head in thanks (because he'd never uttered the words since he was young), and closed the door. Rolling down the window she shouted after him. "Remember," She yelled, "before the moon rises, the sun needs to set!" Without another word she quickly backed up, swung around and started in the direction of her home. Had Sesshomaru been able to see through the wind blown rain, and had he stayed long enough to watch her drive away (not that anyone would stay in the weather by choice) he would have seen Marisa wave. Of course, he didn't and therefore, no wave was returned.

Yawning and rubbing her eyes Kagome stretched her legs out and let out an I-just-had-one-hell-ova-sleep moan. Smiling she stretched her arms above her head and relaxed back into her bed. Her room, she realized, was lit with light meaning her mother had let her sleep in, and she was so grateful. Lying motionless in her bed, just relaxing for a bit she realized she hadn't had a full sleep since she'd gotten back from Taishio's. How many days had that been now? Three?

Deciding her train of thought was rather dangerous, since she was trying to move on. Maybe she would go buy some ice cream and chocolate later and sit on the couch wallowing in self pity. She had argued with herself before falling asleep at whether or not she should really love someone who had hurt her, twice. But, Kikyo's words sprung to life as the topic rode her thought train. But…did she really love Sesshomaru? She sighed and nodded her head. If she was thinking about him this much there was no way she didn't love him. And though Kikyo's words hit her mind, (she agreed with them wholly) and she agreed she loved him, she wasn't sure if she could forgive him. Kikyo had told her if you loved someone you'd forgive them, but, had she forgiven him? She could say she did, but did she? She sighed and pushed her covers off.

This was too much to think about so early in the morning, or rather, afternoon, she corrected after looking at the clock. One PM it read. She really had slept in, hadn't she? Glancing around her floor she realized she hadn't really unpacked her things yet. They were scatter across her floor; clothes, books, shoes, and the rest of the things she had shoved in her suitcase minutes before leaving. She glanced around for a clean set of clothes and found a pile on the edge of her bed, neatly folded. Grabbing a set of clothes she threw them on the floor of the bathroom, along with a towel. After stripping out of her Pj's, showering, bathing, dressing for the day and pulling her sleeves up and looking at her room floor with a determined look, she began to work. That meant, throwing dirty clothes in the laundry to do later (her or her mother, most likely her mother), folding clean clothes (she wasn't sure whether they were dirty or not though…) and putting them on her bed with all her nick-knacks to be put away in their proper places when she was done the other things.

And had you asked Kagome Higurashi why she was cleaning she would probably answer, because I need to do it eventually, and though that may have been true, so was the other reason, the main reason. Which, being, was she hoped it would take her mind of the dangerous subject of Sesshomaru. So she wouldn't think of how she loved him, despite all he'd done, despite the fact that he wouldn't love her.

And she would have succeeded, had she not had to put her clothes in her dresser. She had gotten through a good majority of her clothes, but when she came to the other end of her dresser she couldn't help but gasp and drop the pile of clothes she was holding. She had completely forgotten about those, in fact, she thought her mother would have thrown them out by now. Standing in a bright orange vase were twelve dead flowers. Most of them didn't have any petals left and were just a prickly stems with jaded, dead, brown leaves. Some of them didn't even have leaves, let alone petals. Some only had half their petals, and had just dried out. But, from the way it looked, they were all dead, completely. There was no water left in the vase and Kagome sucked in a breath. She had to get rid of them, all of them, even the ones that had dried out and were ready to be crystallized into beautiful decorations.

They were a memory of him she wasn't sure she could handle just yet. Grabbing the roses, carefully, so as not to prick herself, she pulled them out of their vase and carried them down stairs. She didn't look at them until she had the garbage in view. Dropping them she stepped away from them quickly, almost as though one had turned into a snake. She sucked back a quiet sob and felt her eyes widen in surprise.

"I need to speak to your boss" Taishio stated.

"Yes, sir." The secretary replied professionally.

"…sir?" he questioned. "Are you implying that I'm old?" he asked with fake anger rising in his voice. He held the phone away from his mouth as he listened to her stutter. He snickered as he listened to her try to explain herself. "I'll have you know, I'm not old, not in the least," he stated angrily forcing the secretary into a jumble of apologies and reasons for her rudeness. He pulled the phone away and started to snicker once again. Too fun! He laughed mentally, I think I'll phone another place later he added. "Let me talk with your boss, now." he ordered with a hint of amusement in his voice that only Sesshomaru could be able to catch. Luckily, his son was having a bath, and no where in hearing range. (How and why Taishio knew that, is beyond anyone's knowledge and desire to have said knowledge.)

Kagome glanced at all the dead flowers on the floor, well almost all dead. The flowers that looked like they could have been used for decorations were now just as destroyed as the other flowers, but one flower was just as red and luscious looking as it had been on the first day. She stared at it curiously for a moment before bending to her knees and sweeping the flowers together in the pile. Grabbing the flower that looked perfect, and completely unharmed she looked at it closely. At first glance it looked like it was just another flower, but now that she had it up close she felt rather stupid for thinking that. It was a plastic flower. A very well made plastic flower. It looked exactly like other flowers and one would never have guessed it was a fake, assuming they didn't pick it up. It even had little thorns on the stem.

Kagome stared at it curiously. Why would he give her a fake rose? Maybe he had thought them all real, and had just been jilted. Made to think they were all real. Though she couldn't picture Sesshomaru being stupid enough not to inspect every rose before he spent his 'precious' money, not to mention the fact that Sesshomaru had that intimidating, I'm-so-much-better-than-you look about him that she doubted anyone would have the guts to even pull that kind of stunt.

She scoffed at the thought of Sesshomaru and threw the plastic rose on the counter for further inspection after the flowers were garbaged. She would keep it, but not because Sesshomaru had given it to her, she told herself defensively. He didn't love her, he never did love her, and she be damned if she would be so pathetic as to keep something just because he gave it to her.

Twirling it in her fingers, the mess cleaned, as she sat on a kitchen chair she gazed at it thoughtfully. Gold shimmered near the bottom of one side and she pulled it closer to her eyes and stared at it. Gold lettering shone brightly and beautifully up the stem. Kagome gasped and she could've sworn her heart skipped a beat, or two.

I give you twelve roses, eleven real and one fake, and I promise to love you, until the last rose dies.

Kagome's eyes glazed over with tears and she gaped at the fake flower. All the flowers were dead, but, this one was fake, so, it couldn't die…and neither could…Sesshomaru's love. And for some reason, Kagome didn't know, Sesshomaru wouldn't know, Taishio would assume to know, and Kagome's mother would undoubtedly, probably, know, but wouldn't tell anyone, her previous declaration melted. Her announcement of Sesshomaru's love no longer there for her to hold, banished from her thoughts, her doubt dissipated into clouds of hope.

"I shall love you, until the last rose dies, my love."

He had said that to her, when she first saw him (after the memory loss incident). And she could remember the burning look of hurt in his eyes when she had called him a stalker, when she had stated she didn't know who he was. And she truly believed he had loved her when he gave her those roses. She truly, completely, believed she could forgive him. Not because of the present he had given her, like the flower heart in the garden, or the roses she was just finding out about now, or even the gifts he had given her in the past. She jumped off her chair quickly and dashed into the living room.

She would tell Sesshomaru, even if he couldn't love her now, she would tell him. Tell him that she loved him; tell him that she was sorry, so very sorry, for not believing him. And even if he wouldn't love her back anymore, and even though he may not accept her apology, she would do it. No matter what.

She glanced around the room for her mother to find no one in the room. Searching the rest of the house she ended back up in the kitchen, no one found. She ran outside and after finding her mother's car gone she lazily climbed back up the stairs to her home. Almost opening the door she stopped herself, a note, neatly written was taped to the door.

Kagome,

I took your grandpa and brother out for the day. We'll be home in time for the big announcement, and supper of course.

Why didn't she leave it in the kitchen, Kagome wondered with a slight glare. And what announcement?

I'm sure you're curious why I put it out here. I thought you'd have fun.

Kagome snorted

I'm sorry if you needed a ride dear, but it looks like it will be nice out tonight, a walk sounds lovely. Have a nice day, sweetie.

Love Mom

Kagome sighed and crumpled the letter up and threw it in the kitchen's trash bin after making her way back into the house. She had no money for a cab and Sesshomaru's house was on the other side of town. Of course her love was cursed; it couldn't have been anything else with all the burnt events that had taken place. But, cursed or not, she was getting to Sesshomaru's, even if that meant walking.

"Hello, Mr. Pizza's House, what can I do for you?" a cheery male voice said on the other line. Confidence shone in each word the boy spoke, and Taishio planned to diminish that confidence, or at least, play with the kids head.

"Can I get a large pizza?" Taishio asked.

"Yes, what, would you, like on it?" the male responded.

"I want half with pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, pineapples, ground beef, banana peppers and bacon." He paused and waited for the boy to report he had all said ingredients and had it written down before he continued.

"And on the other half?"

"On the other half I'll have bacon, banana peppers, ground beef, pineapples, onions, mushrooms and pepperoni." Taishio finished, a fit of snickers being held back as he waited.

"Sir, they're the same ingredients as the other half, just in different order," the boy stated. Taishio held the phone away for a moment and quietly snickered.

"Is that right?" Taishio asked with fake confusion lacing his voice. "I guess I read the same list twice!" Taishio laughed, though it wasn't because of his fake mistake it was because the boy had believed him. "Right then, just scratch out everything I said." Taishio commanded.

"Alright."

"I'll have a large pizza, mushrooms, salami, onions and pineapples, turkey, if you have it, banana peppers, pepperoni, tomatoes, bacon, roast beef, pickles (Taishio nearly snickered at that one) and jalapeños, ground beef, ham, green peppers and feta on it." Taishio stated. He could hear the male scribbling furiously, trying to keep up.

"Ok, so you want a large pizza with mushrooms, salami, onions and pineapples, turkey, banana peppers, pepperoni, tomatoes, bacon, roast beef, pickles, jalapeños, ground beef, ham, green peppers and feta on it?" he male read back.

"No, no, no." Taishio said with fake annoyance as he tried to bite back the laughter that was threatening to burst out. "I want green peppers, ground beef, tomatoes, pineapples, bacon, spinach and feta on it," Taishio lied and changed it.

"Alright, so a large with green peppers, ground beef, tomatoes, pineapples, bacon, spinach and feta on it?" the boy repeated again with perfect order. Taishio heaved a loud sigh into the phone.

"No," he said angrily, "Forget the pizza, do you have Chinese?" Taishio demanded.

"No sir, we don't." the male answered curiously.

"WHAT!" Taishio boomed into the phone still holding back the piles of laughter threatening to barge out. "Why not!"

"This is a, pizza restaurant, Mr. Pizza's House, it's in the name." the boy recited.

"Well!" Taishio said grouchily. "I should report you to the manager for leading me on like that!" Taishio slammed the phone down and started to dance around laughing giddily.

Sesshomaru sped through the streets of Tokyo, though only as fast as the law permitted him to go. He may have been in a hurry, but he wasn't fool enough to get arrested before he had the chance to accomplish his task. He had thought about what Marisa had said, and decided perhaps he should wait for her to settle down. But his resolve quickly fled and he was left with the need to go explain everything to her. The only reason he had waited for the next day was because Kagome had already resided to her room for rest. She had gone to sleep and he wasn't going to deal with a grumpy, half-asleep Kagome. He'd done it before, and it wasn't something he intended on doing again, ever.

Sliding in between cars, maneuvering in and out of them he made his way closer to his destination. He wasn't sure if Kagome would forgive him, but he would have her. She would fall in love with him again. He'd charm her, woo her, seduce her; he'd do everything he could to make her fall in love with him. She'd gotten away this time, but, he'd have her. He'd have his Kagome.

He growled and waited for the red light that was holding him back to change green. There were no vehicles ahead of him, all had lagged behind him, and he was only a mere twelve blocks away from Kagome's home. Only a mere twelve blocks away from Kagome. The light blinked green and he quickly pushed the gas petal, cruising ahead of every other car in his path.

Kagome heard another hollow crack as she stepped on another dead branch. Pushing another green leafed branch out of her way she pushed through a patch of small bushes. She had decided, since she had no other way, she was going to walk to Sesshomaru's. She was surprised when she found it was passed four in the afternoon. She had glanced at the clock expecting it to say something like two, but four? Apparently it had taken her longer to clean her room than she had thought.

Not wasting anytime she grabbed a jacket slipped on her shoes and jacket on was out the door. She had started walking on the sidewalk, and through parks, but somehow she came across a forest path and couldn't help but follow it.

And so, here she was blocking branches from thwaping her in the face and trudging through thick bushes that she could find no way around. The path had started out as a beaten down path with nothing in the way, no branches or bushes. But as she got farther into the forest, bushes starting jumping in her way and branches haunted above her. It was a rather exciting walk and she'd never been in his forest before. She had to push away the urge to explore like a child.

Kagome shivered as a wind brushed by her. Everything in the forest dimmed with color as clouds surrounded the sun, blocking its rays of light and heat. Kagome pulled her jacket tighter around herself and folded her arms. It was starting to get really cold. The wind whistled by Kagome's ear and she couldn't help but shiver again. And should you look up at the sky you'd see dark clouds swiveling and spiraling in devious movements.

It started out as a light sprinkle, making Kagome slightly wet. Thunder began to boom above, lightning striking in short bolts of electricity. Kagome was only slightly scared, since it was dark and there were loud booming sounds, along with crackling, above her. The wind picked up and swept by Kagome with fierce blow. Her hair blew forward and into her face. Spitting out the hair that had made its way into her mouth she glared at the sky. And as if on cue the rain thickened and came down in large pounding drops of water. Kagome eeped and started to walk again.

And the wind blowing as hard as it was, mixed with the numbing rain, felt like blades against her skin. Her cheeks burned red with coldness and her hair suction cupped to the sides of her face and forehead. She shoved her hands as far into her sleeves as she could, trying her best to stay warm. Her pants were soaked and sticking to her frozen legs. Her shoes couldn't have been more drenched and made swueeeh sound with every step she took. In other words, she was freezing and in dire hopes of finding some sort of shelter, since the trees were doing a poor job.

Despite his earlier standing on not wanting to go to jail, therefore not speeding had been shot down when he realized they wouldn't put him in jail for speeding. That was what speeding tickets were for. And since he had a clear record, he wouldn't get anything more than a speeding ticket. And so, he had sped to Kagome's home. He'd been stopped twice, but, luckily for him, the first had been a female. He hadn't even needed to charm her with words. He merely gave her a glance and she waved away the ticket. However, the second had been a bit uncomfortable on his part. A male pulled him over and apparently was quite attracted to him as well. And instead of giving him a ticket he gave Sesshomaru his number. Gave him a wink and walked back to his cop car.

And now Sesshomaru was speedily racing up the steps to the Higurashi shrine. He made it to the door in no time and contemplated on whether or not he should just walk in or knock. His question was answered for him when he heard Kagome's mother's voice behind her.

"Oh, hello Sesshomaru," she said sweetly.

"What're you doing here?" Souta demanded, obviously mad at Sesshomaru for what he'd done to Kagome.

"Come inside, have some tea." Ms. Higurashi invited as she opened the door Kagome never remembered to lock. Sesshomaru followed her in, not missing the angry glares Souta and Kagome's grandfather were giving him.

Ms. Higurashi invited him to sit at the table while she put water to boil on the stove. Getting out some cookies and crackers and put them on a plate. Souta, who had sat down, just as the old man did, grabbed some crackers and stared at his mother with a suspicious look. Ms. Higurashi gave no indication she saw the look and continued to serve as the perfect hostess. She hadn't sat down with them until the water had boiled and tea had been handed out to everyone who wanted it.

"So, Sesshomaru, what brings you here?" Ms. Higurashi asked. He could hear Souta mumble something like 'ya right' under his breath. Though Sesshomaru was surprised, he didn't show it. Ms. Higurashi was the type of person who knew everything that was going to happen. She knew what you were going to do before you did. So obviously her statement surprised him.

"Oh come now, he's obviously here to make Kagome cry!" Kagome's grandfather cried out in his scratchy, raspy voice.

"Don't be silly, Kagome isn't home." Kagome's mother said with a slight laugh. Sesshomaru quickly jumped out of his chair, nearly knocking over his tea, as well as the table. Souta and Kagome's grandfather both jumped but Ms. Higurashi merely sipped her tea and smiled at Sesshomaru.

"She isn't here?" Sesshomaru asked. Ms. Higurashi shook her head.

"No, I imagine she woke up quite late. So she mustn't have left too long ago, perhaps and hour so ago." Ms. Higurashi smiled and finished of her tea. Gathering the cups up she put them in the sink and started to fill it with hot water. Sesshomaru was at the door with his shoes and coat within seconds. He shouted a 'fine tea' over his shoulder in replacement of a thank you (since he uttered the words to no one) even though he had tasted none. He swung the door open only to have the wind gust passed him, blowing his hair into a tangled mess behind him. The wind snatched the door from his light grasp and swung shut with a loud slam.

"Whoa!" Souta shouted.

"It seems you're staying a while Sesshomaru. What would you like to eat for supper?" Ms. Higurashi asked as she appeared at the entrance between the kitchen and the front door. Sesshomaru turned around in defeat, he would wait for the storm to die down, but he'd only wait an hour. He wasn't about to let a storm stand in his way. He wasn't about to let anything stand in his way.

She had expected to make it to Sesshomaru's, warm, and she expected to confront Sesshomaru with an adult attitude, no shouting or crying, just plain conversation. She expected to find her way through the forest and have everything turn out perfectly. However she hadn't made it to Sesshomaru's, at least not yet, and she was not warm, not in the least, she had not seen Sesshomaru, which made sense since she hadn't expected to find him in a forest during a storm (or at all). Nothing had gone the way she expected it to, yet. But she was determined to have a civilized conversation with Sesshomaru.

But, for now, she was in a cave, on top of the mountain a mere hour or so from Taishio's home. Had the wind not picked up so much she'd have tried to make it to Taishio's, but, as fate would have it, the wind did pick up and she was stuck in a cave. It would have been an enjoyable time on the mountain had a storm not been blaring outside the cave, or had there not been wind whistling against the cave's walls sending chills and shivers up Kagome's back. It may not have been warm, but it wasn't as cold as it was outside, and Kagome was willing to bet, even if she complained it wouldn't have made a difference.

"This sucks." And even though she knew it wouldn't change anything, she complained anyway.

Kagome leaned against the cave's wall, bundled up in a ball, her knees tucked tight against her chest. An hour must have passed, and the storm didn't look like it was going to die down anytime soon. Her eyes started to feel heavy and she could feel her body lagging from tire. Obviously staying up all night and sleeping in the next morning canceled each other out, because she was ready to have a warm bath and fall into a long sleep. Sighing a small breath out she decided she'd sleep, just for a little bit.

At least two hours had passed. And he had started to become impatient. Ms. Higurashi had 'insisted' he stay until the storm let out a bit when he had announced his departure. And he found it quite difficult to say no to the woman. So he had stayed another hour, played cards with Souta and his grandfather, helped Ms. Higurashi with supper, ate supper with them all and helped clean up. And after each task was finished he had recited his leave, but Ms. Higurashi deemed it necessary he stay. And when he had recited his leave after dishes were finished Ms. Higurashi had smiled and asked him to tell Kagome dinner is ready when she comes home.

The storm had slowed down to a slight drizzle, with no thunder, no lightning and clouds were starting to disperse amongst themselves. He had decided the car would only slow him down and began running as soon as his feet touched the ground. He sniffed around the area and tried to see if he could catch any scent of Kagome. But the rain had washed away any traces Kagome might have left of herself.

Sesshomaru dashed through the forest, out of the sight of the humans that would find his inhuman speed frightening. He scoffed at the thought of hiding himself. But he did it any way. His father had demanded it and Kagome had agreed with him. Branches broke upon touching Sesshomaru and bushes seemed to bow down before him as he jumped over them. He stopped and looked around. He was in the forest by his home. Ms. Higurashi had informed him that was where Kagome intended to go. Why she was going there was beyond him, but if that was where Kagome's mother had said she would be, then she'd be there. The woman was almost never wrong, he just hoped this wasn't one of those almost times.

He was so close to her, it was almost as though he cold smell her. He sniffed the air again. He could smell her. He looked in the direction of her scent. The mountains, she was in the mountains. Why was she there? Whatever the reason, he didn't care, he found her. The sun peaked around a cloud and shone brightly over what area it could reach. Racing at a speed even a demon couldn't match he made it to the top of the mountain. Behind the ledge the two had sat on for sun rise gazing was a cave filled with Kagome's scent.

Kagome felt her body shake back and forth and slowly inched her eyes open in a sleepy daze. She looked around with a confused gaze, unable to remember where she was for a moment, her sleepy eyes dancing lazily across the cave walls. She was jolted fully awake when her eyes landed on Sesshomaru. And the determination she had earlier with fulfilling her own expectations vanished. She tried to suck back her tears and say something but her tears decided to come down in waves and she couldn't stop them.

Jumping at him, she wrapped her arms around him and cried into his shoulder. She started to mumble words even Sesshomaru couldn't hear, or understand. Sesshomaru pulled her back and stared at her. She wiped the tears from her eyes and stared back at him.

"I'm sorry!" she said through a sob. Though she had wiped her tears away they just kept coming, making her already red tinged cheeks burn brighter. "I know I wasn't fair, and I know I did some things I should have, and so did you, but I'm sorry!" Kagome cried out, literally, as she wrapped her arms around him again. "And I know you don't love me any more," she sobbed out, "But, I want you to know, I love you!" Kagome started to cry even harder.

Kagome stopped crying when she felt Sesshomaru's shoulder shake. Kagome stopped moving and kept completely quiet. As she listened she could hear Sesshomaru slightly laughing, his shoulders shaking. Kagome pushed back and glared at Sesshomaru.

"Why are you laughing?" Kagome demanded, wiping her tears away. How could he laugh at her while she was apologizing and admitting her love for him? Why would he laugh!

"Kagome," Sesshomaru said with a slight smile that could barely be seen. He tipped Kagome's chin up with a finger, bringing her eyes level with his. Her eyes were filled with anger, hurt, love, confusion and a bundle of other emotions he was sure to erase soon. "I love you too." And without waiting for her to say anything he took her mouth with his own. He had waited to kiss her since the day he arrived back home. No, since the day he had left her. He had wanted her in his arms for so long and now he was finally getting it.

He tilted her head back and deepened the kiss. At first she was too surprised to do anything but, she was participating now. His mouth slanted over hers in a swelling movement. He nipped her bottom lips with his fang, tantalizing her into wanting more. And she did, not failing to show it.

She hadn't realized how wonderful it felt to kiss him. She hadn't thought it wouldhe mselves. owed down to a slight drizzle, with no thunder, no lightning and clouds were starting to disperselook. wouldnt ay ar ever feel good to kiss someone. But it did. Kissing him felt like she was in a dream. And his declaration of love for her couldn't have made it more enticing. The effect of it all had her kissing him wildly as though she were a child denied chocolate for weeks. The only difference between the starved child and her was that hers, she was sure, was far more rewarding.

She felt Sesshomaru's hand buried in her hair, his other on her back, slowly lowering her to the cave's floor. His hand changed positions when her back slid to the ground. His hand slid up and down her thigh. He motioned for her lips to part with his tongue as he swept it across her bottom lip. She complied with his command and invited him into the cavern of her mouth. Her tongue danced with his and the two never felt more whole, more satisfied, more in love.

Pulling away from each other they looked each other in the eyes. Kagome's eyes brightened as she hugged him. She missed the feel of him in her arms. And as he hugged her back he realized the same thing. He had missed the feel of her in his arms. It could never have felt more right. The sun's rays swept into the cave and pushed across them with tinges of pink and orange.

He held her against his chest as he leaned against a large rock. His arms were wrapped around her shoulders, her hands held in his. The sun gleamed brightly with pinks, oranges and yellows bouncing off clouds. The sun beginning it's descent behind the mountains as it welcome night to come, beckoning the moon and stars to come out. And as the sun began to set, Kagome nuzzled into Sesshomaru, and Sesshomaru held her close.

And though both agreed the sunrise was a wondrous sight, one that adorned the world with day, they also agreed the sun set was just as wondrous a sight, adorning the world with night. Its sleek tones of pinks and almost purples shone brightly in the sky. And both agreed, though they had never seen a sunset it was far more beautiful with someone else there to share it with.

"The sunset's so pretty," Kagome said softly in an almost whisper.

"It's perfect," Sesshomaru commented and held Kagome tighter.

"You're perfect," Kagome said happily, looking up at Sesshomaru with a wide smile.

"I thought there was no such thing as perfect?" Sesshomaru questioned with a grin. Kagome smiled.

"Yeah," she said as she inched closer to Sesshomaru, "But I love you." She pushed her head up and kissed Sesshomaru lovingly.