Author's Note: PLEASE READ! It seems like some of the reviews have triggered some people or caused some of you to be a little disturbed as to what's happening with the Koga/Kag/her father relationships. I want to make this clear... If you are triggered by sexual assault, child molestation, or even child predation... please read at your own caution. I also want to make clear that I in no way am portraying that what happens to Kag is how all sexually assaulted children grow up or that this is who they turn out to be or that this is how they cope with their trauma. This is a fictional story that has some personal experiences, but in no way am I generalizing things and in no way am I downplaying anything because I know things like this happen in the real world. So I just want to make that clear. From here on out, things will get deep and it will get dark with a lot of hard topics or situations that might be disturbing. This is your warning to read at your own caution.

With that warning out of the way. This chapter is a little shorter than usual because it's a continuation from last chapter. I also had a hard time writing this one because some things are going to happen that made me question Inu/Kag's future together. Right now... it's looking bleak T_T So it took me a while to find out what these two needed in order to grow in their relationship. I am, however, super excited as to what's to come and I really want you guys to read the next coming chapters. I am writing a little every day or so. Hopefully I can update soon :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. If you are triggered by sexual assault/child molestation, read at your own risk.

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R2R

Billye22: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you like the story and I hope you like this next chapter :)

susu-anon: Haha, I like your cup of tea. Well first off, the difference between 'mate' and 'wife' is that in the wolf demon culture, there is one alpha female and many other females as his concubines. Kinda like a pride of lions with one male and a bunch of females. Koga and Ayame are lifetime mates while it's in his right to have other women if he chooses to be his 'concubine'. But since Kag is human, he wanted to marry her in the eyes of the human law system, whereas he was also going to hold an official ceremony in the demon way. He just never had a chance, yet. I hope that answers your question. (Mind you, this is wolf demon culture. I'm not saying this applies to the entire demon race.) As for Kag being affectionate with certain men, yes, that became a coping and defensive mechanism for her. It happens again in this chapter where you see more of that touchy/feely, need to be in control to protect herself, side of Kag. As for Onigumo coming back, yeah he's in this one too as we pick up where we left off from last chapter, and he might tick you off a little more so beware of that. As for Kag and how she is at Midnite, yeah she begins to realize more and more about herself and working there. Hahaha... I like the parts you liked from the last chapter. Yeah, possessive Inu is my thing. He's actually very mild up until this point if you ask me. But he will bump up the heat later on. To your second review points- I'm not sure when I'm going to bring her mother into the storyline. Her father is coming up soon because he had the biggest impact on her- NOT Koga. Not to say Koga didn't mess her up, but her father was the first and most impactful in how she became who she is now and the issues/desires that she has with men. Anyways... I hope you enjoy this next one!

hive-chan: Don't worry about the song. It's hard to choose one out of the millions out there, but yeah I heard it while driving and was like 'This is perfect for them!' Hahaha! Aladdin! I loved that movie! I am not offended at all lol. With Inu/Naraku, yeah I hoped Inu would control himself so as not to ruin the business relationship they all had together. But that's not to say something else might happen because Naraku is who he is, so we'll see how far he lasts without getting knocked out by Inu. As for your comment on Kag using her sexuality, she does in this chapter, though I wonder if it's with the person you want it to be with? As for your comment on Onigumo... I hope he doesn't scare you or piss you off in this chapter. He does push the limits further than he ever had with Kags before. Well... I hope you enjoy this chapter!

anime-geek: Yes, what you said about the Fujimotos and Nakashimas are correct. Talk about a family who does honest dealings compared to one who kills people and families with drugs. Smh. Yeah, I'm really interested to see how Koga/Inu will act/react or even meet when all of that goes down. Anyways, thanks for your review! Hope you enjoy this next one!

vanessa: With Kagura, she ends up making another appearance in this chapter which might answer your question :) With Kag's past, it'll come back and answer a lot more questions in the next couple of chapters. Trust me, it isn't over. There's a lot more that hasn't come out and of course, Inu knows nothing of this. With Kag's parents and her upbringing, yes that'll be answered when she talks about it. But yeah, she didn't have schooling or friends or a safe place to sleep in. But as for Sai... he comes back in this chapter, don't worry :) You asking for a friend or for you? lol You might actually love or hate this chapter then, depending on how you see it. Anyways, enjoy!

Rosie B: Okay, first off, with Koga having inappropriate relations with a minor, I will say now that he didn't. He was only keeping her close and trying to make her love him for when she was able to legally be married to him the human way. So to put your mind at ease, he didn't have any sexual relations with her as a child. As I mentioned in my author's note above, if you find it hard to read about child abuse/assault, then this is your warning to read at your own caution. What happened to Kags will come out within the next few chapters and it might be disturbing to some people. Even the topic of Kag's daddy issues, which is a real thing for her and how she reacts to men now in her adult life, those daddy issues will come out and be explained in the next chapters. But thank you for your review. I'm not offended and I don't mean to offend you either, just want to warn my readers to protect you guys :)

MinxieXCX: Oooo yeah the music video was pretty cool, but no there won't be any acrobatics. There will be some contemporary dance mixed in to the pop moves, but that's all. As for Ayame, I won't be bringing her back up anytime soon. Right now, I'm focused on digging into Kag's past now that the door has been opened. Yes, we'll get back to the Fujimotos, actually in this chapter they come up and for the next chapters after. I'm not sure when Inu/Kag will perform their dance because something happens in this chapter. I'll let you read :)

xsophiex: Inu/Koga know each other in the sense of they had met before at demon courts, but it was just formalities. I'm sure they would recognize each other in passing. But they don't really 'know' each other aside from what they hear at court or on Google like with their family business and what not. As for Inu/Kag's dance, I'm not sure when or where they will perform that. You're not the only one who wants it at his bday party :) Hahaha, Oni and Naraku can go to hell lol. Well, Onigumo comes back again in this one and you might want him to go to hell again. As for Kik/Naraku being a thing... I'm not sure. Kik also doesn't really know what she wants and I'm not sure if her friends would like her to be dating a douchebag like him. Hahaha enjoy this next one!

val-rommel: To your question: No. Koga won't be coming up anytime soon, in the next three or four chapters. Yes, he's obsessed with her because she's his, he had years of bonding with her before he took her as his wife, and he truly does love her. Maybe he shows it in a sick way, but he and his 'ways' won't be explained until wayyyy down the line. But as for you observations about Kag, yes. It's just she doesn't see it until it's hitting her in the face like Onigumo actually voicing it and saying she doesn't know what love is. Then she's like 'ohhhh, you're right' kind of thing. So there's going to be a few more of that in this chapter and the chapters to come. She'll get deeper into herself and who she is and why she is the way she is. I hope you enjoy! :)

insister: Awww what a sweet review. Thank you. Yeah, I hope this chapter doesn't pop your bubble :( sometimes things get bad before they get better. Enjoy!

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Midoriko was now on the center stage, twirling around the pole as the men gazed up at her from their seats. They were captivated by the way her body swayed, the way she whipped her long, dark green hair and the way she slid down the pole, all the while holding their gazes seductively with her green eyes. Standing on her three inch stilettos with black leather shorts and a skin-tight, green halter top, she was seductive and alluring. It isn't a mystery as to why she was one of Onigumo's top girls, and a cat demon at that. The lights in the club pulsed to the beat of the song she danced to, calling everyone's attention, from the bar to the lounge and even up in Onigumo's office.

Kagome watched as Midoriko moved around the pole, her thoughts far away from what was happening around her. 'He's right...' Onigumo was always right. He had been there for her since she came to Tokyo and he had never shunned her or left her side. He had always remained faithful to her and protective of her.

"I do love him..." she whispered to herself. She didn't care if Onigumo didn't believe her or if she really didn't believe herself. She honestly didn't know what love was. Love to her meant pain, rape, abuse. But beneath what was physically done to her, she had to believe that behind their physical actions of rape and abuse, they truly did love her. And it was their love for her that made them do what they did. "I love him."

Onigumo sighed loud enough to remind Kagome that she was not alone in his office, her back facing him as she stared out the glass wall. "Kagome..." he said pitifully. "You don't have a clue as to what love is. You never did. You love every man that comes into your life because no man really stayed in your life. At least, not your father. You have daddy issues."

Kagome frowned, Onigumo's words cutting her more than she thought it would. "That's not true."

"Of course it is." Onigumo stood, fixing his pants and shirt as he made his way back over to her. He stood behind her and crossed his arms, feeling both anger and love for this woman in front of him. He loved her. He loved her more than he should've, more than she loved him, and he didn't want to lose her to some hanyou nobody. "You even thought you loved me once."

"I did," she whispered. "I do." There once was a time when she had confessed her love for Onigumo. She thought that she had loved him. Wasn't love supposed to be when someone takes care of you, feeds you, clothes you and protects you? That was more than what her parents had given her, so wasn't that love? In a way, even Koga gave that to her, and he said he loved her. Onigumo was the only man who saw her, who plucked her from the streets and who protected her. And he was protective of her. He made sure she felt comfortable working at Midnite, allowing her to make her own rules, wanting her to have the best of the best outfits, even trying to protect her image so that Koga wouldn't find her again. There was a time when he asked her to move in with him or to allow him to buy her a better apartment out of Shinjuku, but she refused. He really took care of her, he always had and he still was. Wasn't that love?

"You love me?" Onigumo asked, moving up behind her. He could smell her this close, her smell so sweet and so feminine with a hint of her floral perfume. He wrapped his arms around her small figure, bringing her flush against him. "The same way you love Inuyasha?" He looked down at Midoriko as she just ended her solo, bowing from her spot on the stage and then walking over to the side where Bankotsu waited for her with his extended hand to help her down. "The same way you love Sai?"

Kagome's breath hitched. 'Sai.' He was her client tonight. She didn't feel ready to meet him. She didn't really want to service him after this. Onigumo just made her a mess, mentally and emotionally. She had been having such a fun and happy night and he had to go and ruin it.

Onigumo brought his head down to the nape of her neck, placing little kisses along the side of her neck. "I love you, Kagome. I always have. You're mine." Kagome closed her eyes in pain and confusion. His kisses felt nothing like Inuyasha's. They didn't give her the same feelings as Inuyasha's did and her body didn't respond the same way. Yes, she still liked the way Onigumo touched her, but it was different from Inuyasha's touch. Inuyasha's touch was... intimate.

"Onigumo..." she whispered, so confused and sad. "You hurt me."

One of Onigumo's hands moved lower, grazing over her belly, trailing down her skirt. Kagome froze. His other hand moved over her breast, cupping it in his palm while the other remained over her mound, frozen in both spots, as if he was branding his claim on what was his. "I want you to remember that you're mine, Kagome," he whispered, his lips below her ear against her neck. "I took you off the streets. I helped you get a new life. I gave you everything that you ever needed, and more!" Onigumo couldn't help himself. He licked her neck right up to her earlobe, earning a shiver from her.

"Onigumo..." Kagome whispered, grabbing the wrist of his hand over her mound. "Stop." This was different. This was wrong. She knew what he was trying to do but his touch just wasn't the same. She wouldn't respond the way he wanted. "Onigumo, please."

He kissed behind her ear and released her, his body hard and on fire for her. Of course he wanted her. What man didn't? One look at Kagome and any man in his right mind would want to spend a minute with her with the hopes of spending a night with her. He released her and placed his left palm flat against the glass over her shoulder, staring ahead at the dimmed lights below. "Get out before I do something I regret."

She turned towards the door, her throat dry. 'What was that?' Onigumo had always hinted to her that he might have deeper feelings for her, more than just being her boss. Sometimes he acted like it and sometimes he didn't. But he always left her confused on whether he wanted something more from her or not, like now. She reached the door and turned around, staring at his back as the lights from the outside danced around him.

"I love him, Onigumo. Please don't make this a problem."

"If your clientele is affected, then we will have a problem." Onigumo placed his other hand in his pocket. "You should've thought about the consequences of your actions before you sold yourself to that hanyou. But mark my words, Kagome... if Inuyasha affects my business, he goes."

Kagome bit her bottom lip, not wanting to put up a fight with him, and decided to leave. She grabbed the door handle and left, closing the door and walking down the stairs. Her mind was scattered, thinking about Inuyasha and her future and her job, her job here and with Kikyo. Thinking about whether or not Onigumo was right: did she really know what love was? Could she have different love for different people? Did she really love Inuyasha?

"Hey, Sapphire." It took her a moment to realize that Manten had just said something to her as she reached the bottom of the stairs that he guarded.

"Oh, hi, Manten." She was too occupied in her thoughts, which wasn't good. She needed to be focused, to serve her clients and to satisfy them. She needed her head to be in the game.

"You okay?" By his concerned look, even Manten could tell something was off.

Kagome smiled, not wanting to trouble him. "Have you seen Jinenji?"

Manten nodded, his purple eyes glancing her over once. His spiky, red hair stood at attention as he did on every night, and his purple eyes noticed everything. "He's over in the lounge with your client."

Kagome nodded and turned to leave but not before he called out to her.

"Sapphire! You sure you're okay to work?"

Kagome nodded her head and walked away. "I'm fine." These men knew her too well. Jinenji knew her the best since he was her personal bodyguard, but all the other men in here were like family to her, close friends as strange as that sounded. All the men looked out for the women. It was their job after all. But wouldn't that mean that they at least cared, even a little, for the women? Wasn't that something? Wasn't that a type of love too?

Kagome made her way towards the lounge area, passing by a few men who took several glances her way, but she paid no mind to them. She was getting her head straight to work tonight. As she went into the dimly lit lounge area, it was busy as the girls were busy taking care of the men. There was a big group of men setup to do business together as a couple of the girls waited on them. She looked and saw Jinenji standing next to one of the men in the circle, recognizing him as her client. Jinenji's green eyes looked at her and he immediately noticed something was wrong as his concern flashed on his face for a brief second. He reached out his hand to her and she gave it to him, feeling him squeeze her hand once. She looked up at him and smiled reassuringly, feeling love for this man, hanyou, her good friend. Wasn't what she felt a type of love for Jinenji?

Jinenji cleared his throat, catching the five men's attentions as they stopped their conversation and looked up at him. They immediately noticed Kagome at his side and their eyes were glued to her. Her client, however, stood with a smile, reaching out his hand for her.

"Sapphire. You look lovely tonight."

"Thank you, Genta." Kagome smiled, taking her hand from Jinenji as she placed it into his. "Business meeting tonight?"

Genta nodded, his eyes beaming as he stared at her, infatuated. The other men got to their feet to greet her with courtesy. Genta was a CEO, like many of the men here, a middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair. She loved that older look about him. There was something very sexy in the salt and pepper hair. Genta was very sweet to her and she loved servicing him. She smiled at the other four men and bowed towards them. Genta guided her to kneel so that she remained at his side as he sat down next to her, the others following suit.

The whole conversation was lost to her. Kagome could only think about what Onigumo said to her. "You don't even know what love is." Was he right? He probably was. She was a nobody who came from nowhere and had no family. What did she know about love? How did she even know when someone loved her? Was it by their actions? By their words?

"Do you need a break?"

Kagome snapped out of her thoughts as she looked to her side. Jinenji was bent down, whispering to her so that only she could hear him, his concerned eyes reading more than she wished he did. He didn't let the others see his face or hear their conversation. Genta, however, noticed Jinenji talking to her, and grew concerned as he placed his hand on her wrist, one of her 'okay' zones.

"Sapphire? Is everything okay?"

Kagome smiled at Genta and nodded, turning to smile at Jinenji. "I'm okay." She brought her free hand up to place her palm against his cheek briefly, thanking him without words. Then, she turned to Genta and focused, smiling at him and giving him her whole attention. Now was not the time to be thinking about herself and her personal problems. She had a man to think about, to care for, and he wanted her undivided attention. He paid for it.

For the next two hours she serviced Genta in the lounge and their business meeting still wasn't over. But it was time for her to take her leave as her next client was supposed to have arrived for his scheduled time.

"Gentlemen, I must take my leave." Kagome fixed her skirt as she stood, Genta standing with her as the others politely bowed from their seats. By now, they were all feeling good with bellies full of liquor and conversations that got them fired up. Genta's smile was infectious as he reached out his hands to her, squeezing hers as she offered them to him.

"Sapphire... as always, it has been a pleasure being in your company tonight." Genta bent down to kiss the back of her hand and she smiled sweetly at him.

"The pleasure was mine, Genta. Have a good night." Genta smiled and bowed. Kagome bowed to all of them and left them at their seats.

She followed Jinenji out of the lounge area and took a moment to look around at the packed club. It was business as usual for a Thursday night, busy but not as busy as the weekends were. Her eyes scanned the club, noticing Ayumi and Midoriko both at their client's side, enjoying themselves. She even noticed Kagura with a client at one of the tables she passed by.

"Your next client is at the bar." Kagome turned to look at the bar as Jinenji directed her attention to it. She immediately noticed him and she felt butterflies in her stomach at the sight of him.

'Sai...' Kagome took a moment to drink in the sight of him with his broad shoulders and back. He sat at the barstool being serviced by Kohaku, the youngster making Sai shrug his shoulders as he took a sip of his drink. Sai turned his head so that she could see the silhouette of his face. Kagome frowned, wondering what it was about Sai that made her so drawn to him. The butterflies didn't go away as she made her way towards him, feeling anxious and nervous. Kohaku looked over Sai's shoulder and saw her, smiling as he took his leave from Sai. She stood behind him for a few moments, not knowing what to say or what to do. They had left each other the last time in such an awkward way that she didn't know how he was going to react now that he was here again, asking for her services. Why did he come back? Why did he want to see her again? She had thought, for sure, that he wouldn't want the drama of being serviced by her after last time's breakdown in the sky.

As if Sai had felt her presence, he turned around and froze, facing the side as his eyes locked with hers. They stayed that way for a few moments, both of them not knowing what to say or what to do. Then, Sai turned so that he could get off the barstool, and closed the distance between the two of them. She knew what he was going to do and she wan't about to stop him. He wrapped his arms around her, breaking her rules, and brought her against his chest, enveloping her in his musky, woodsy cologne. 'Sai.' Did she love this man? The way he made her feel, it had to be love, right?

"Sapphire..." Sai whispered. Kagome immediately brought her hands up under his arms, grasping the tops of his shoulders, squeezing him back. Sai smiled, resting his cheek against the top of her head as he squeezed her a little tighter. "I missed you."

Kagome could hear his heart beat, so steady and strong. She loved this, being in a man's arms, feeling safe and secure. There's was nothing like it. That's what she got from Onigumo. That's what she got from Sai, from Jinenji. That's what she got from Inuyasha. Wasn't that all love? She frowned, feeling so confused and distraught by all these questions and doubts. She didn't know what to believe anymore. Everything seemed like a lie.

Sai could feel Kagome squeeze him back, but she said nothing. Her quietness alarmed him when she was normally the aggressive and talkative one. After weeks of not seeing her because she had been unavailable after that last appointment they had, he was starting to obsess over her. He couldn't stop thinking about her. Yes, he was worried, especially after that episode she had last time and he had to leave without any explanation of what was happening. Of course he would be worried and wanting to see her again just to make sure she was okay. But his desire to see her again wasn't just out of worry. It was out of his affection for her. He truly did care about her, desire her, possibly even like her. He had the past couple of weeks to think about his feelings for her and he wanted to tell them to her tonight, after he was able to make sure she was okay.

Sai turned with her and walked them towards the barstool he just left. The bartender, Kohaku, gave him a surprised look, staring at Kagome in his arms. "Can you get her something?" Kohaku nodded and went to work in making her drink.

"Sapphire, sit down," he said, moving her back until she hit the back of the stool he was on. But she didn't let him go. He smiled, rubbing his chin on top of her head. "Sapphire, I want to see your face. Sit down so that I can see you."

Kagome slowly let go of him, unwrapping her arms under him as she sat on his barstool. She was finally able to take him in, and he her. Sai looked her over, his eyes scanning her body, and he looked relieved. He grabbed onto her hands as he moved a stool closer to her, spreading his legs so that she was between them, holding her hands on her lap. He just stared at her, his eyes full of concern and happiness. She too was happy to see him, more so than she thought she would be. The two of them snapped out of their thoughts when Kohaku slid Kagome's drink in between them, leaving the two alone.

Sai cleared his throat and released her hand as he grabbed her drink and brought it to the edge closest to her. "Here. You look like you can use a drink."

Kagome smiled, genuinely happy now that he was here. Her night had started off happy and then it went to hell with Onigumo and now it was slowly getting back to being happy again. All thanks to Sai. He smiled now that she smiled. Kagome reached for the drink and took a sip, her eyes watching him curiously.

"I've missed you, Sapphire."

Kagome placed her drink down, smiling sadly. "I've missed you too," she confessed. She looked at her drink, embarrassed. "I didn't know that until now."

Sai licked his lips and sat straighter, grabbing his drink and bringing it closer to him. "I know you've been busy."

He took a sip and Kagome watched him as he finished his drink, pushing it forward to wait for Kohaku to give him a refill. He turned his attention back to her, propping his arm on the bar. "How have you been?" Of course, he had seen her everywhere on television and on social media. The media made a frenzy out of Kikyo's concert in Osaka last week as it was highly successful and a huge hit to her fans, especially with the ending by Kikyo's two dancers, Inuyasha and Kagome. He had watched that performance many times over and every time he watched it, he grew more and more jealous of Inuyasha. He had the woman that Sai wanted, the woman outside of this establishment, the one beneath the facade of Sapphire. He knew the other woman, the one that Inuyasha didn't know, and maybe that was something he had over the guy. Here, she was Sapphire, and she would always be Sapphire to him. It made him jealous at Inuyasha for what he had, making Sai wish he never met Kagome in Midnite but that he had met her on the streets as Kagome first. That way, he never would've signed Midnite's contract and he could see her outside of this place.

Kagome cleared her throat, turning to look at him. His black eyes were so loving and concerned, his whole attention on her, wanting to hear what she had to say. It was as if he paid no attention to anyone else, not Kohaku who was currently making his next drink, or the other patrons who walked by them. His whole attention was on her. She loved that about him. She craved that attention from all her clients, to be the center of their attention. "I've been okay. Busy, but that's to be expected. I'm sure you've seen..."

Sai nodded, losing his smile. "I've seen enough." He looked to grab his new drink and took a sip. Kagome watched him, gauging his mood. She was used to gauging other's moods, for her own protection but also because it was her job. She had to know the moods of her clients so that she could better serve them. But she also had to know the moods of the men in her life so that she didn't say anything or do anything that might lead to them getting angry at her. Reading people was a defense mechanism and a skill she had to perfect since childhood. Sai seemed somber now, as if he was bothered by something.

"How have you been?" she asked him, not wanting him to dwell on whatever it was he was thinking about.

Sai shrugged, turning his attention back to her. "I've missed you. I thought about you a lot these past several weeks," he admitted. His blatant and confident response took her aback as to how open and real he was. "How are you, truly? After last time we were together..." Sai looked uncomfortable as he shifted in his seat and released her hand, fixing his suit. He looked at the ground, trying to find his words. "I said... some things..." He sighed, straightening and looking her in the eyes. "I meant every word that I said."

Kagome turned her head from him, looking out at the people. She couldn't look at him as the memories of the last time they were together began to flood her memory. She had forgotten about it until now. The only thing she remembered clearly about that night was what happened before her breakdown.

"You said you were falling for me..." she whispered, hoping that he couldn't hear her.

"Yes. I meant it." He wanted the chance to explain himself because after their night had ended, he knew that she might not have remembered. He wanted to make sure that she heard him and accepted what he said, or not. He just wanted her to hear him out. "I told you that you are beautiful to me. I see the woman who is here at night and I see the woman on stage in the day. Both are beautiful to me, and I judge none of them. The woman I see at night is beautiful, on the outside but also on the inside. She cares for others more than she cares for herself. She takes care of others. She's smart and sees things that even I miss. She..."

Kagome grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze, making Sai's eyes widen as she stared at him, smiling sadly. "Please stop." His mouth hung open, wanting to say more but wanting to respect her wishes. Kagome reached up and closed his mouth for him with a giggle, placing her hand on his cheek. "All those things you see is what I want you to see because it's my job," she sighed. "Listen, Sai. I'm sure there's other women out there who would be better for you."

"I don't care about the other women," he interjected. "They mean nothing to me. They don't know me."

"Neither do I," Kagome tried to reason as she brought her hand back to her lap. "We only see each other here, for a few hours, during a day or two of the week. We don't really know each other." Who was she fooling? Why was she trying so hard to make him not like her? A part of her desired his affection, she desired to be loved. And a part of her didn't want to lead him on. Didn't she love him? He spoke the truth when he said he knew her daytime and the nighttime personas, but not intimately. Not even Inuyasha knew who she was a night.

"I know that we don't really know each other. But we can. We can hang out outside of Midnite and get to know one another."

Kagome smiled sadly at him. "You know that's against the rules." He sighed, leaning on his arm. "If we had met some other way, maybe in some other life, things might've worked out between us," she tried to reason.

"No," he said adamantly. "The way you and I met, the way we know each other now is enough. I refuse to believe that it might be better some other way or some other time. You helped me through my hardest time when I was about to walk out on my father and the family company. I don't think I would've given just any woman the chance to talk me through that hard time. But for some reason, call it the atmosphere here or call it pure luck... I listened to your thoughts and it mattered to me. You matter to me. I wouldn't change anything."

Kagome smiled sadly, turning to face the bar. She grabbed her drink and played with the glass with both hands, needing to distract herself from his intense gaze. He was becoming too much for her to bear. "Answer me something..."

"Of course," he said, turning so that he faced the bar and a little bit of her, waiting as he looked at her. He held his drink in one hand on the bar while his other hand rested on his knee.

"Do you love me?" Even as the question left her lips, she regretted saying those words. She didn't want to know the answer. She feared she already knew it.

Sai looked ahead at the glasses hanging above the bar, his eyes unfocused, trying to find his words. He didn't want to frighten her but he also didn't want to lie. He wanted to give her space if she needed it, so he didn't look at her. And it was obvious that she needed space as her whole attention was on her drink, nervous and unsure, so unlike his Sapphire. "I do." He sighed, not knowing how else to ease into it. "I love you, Sapphire. And it might not be what you wanted to hear, but it's the truth. I do love you. I think about you a lot and I care about you more than any other woman in my life."

"Your mother?" she asked him, wondering how truthful his words were.

Sai shrugged, answering her after he took a sip. "Dead. She died of a brain aneurism." Kagome looked at him, feeling sympathetic but seeing that he didn't need any consolation. He seemed okay with it, or at least, that he had moved on from his mother's death. "So you're the only woman in my life right now that I care about and think about... probably more than I should," he said with a chuckle, taking another sip of his drink. "I'm sure you don't reciprocate."

Kagome bit her bottom lip and looked away, feeling pained at his accusation. But it was the truth. Who was she kidding? Of course she didn't reciprocate. She didn't think about him and care about him every day. The one person who was constantly on her mind and in her heart was... 'Inuyasha.' The only time she thought of Sai was when she came to work. Being at work made her desire him. When she was here, she just wanted to see him, to be with him, to spend time with him and for him to spend his affection on her. Outside of Midnite, she had Inuyasha who was on her mind and giving her the affection she craved. 'Kami... I sound like a horrible person!' She was. She was using both men for her own personal needs. One at night and one during the day. She wasn't any better than the men who came to Midnite. She was exactly like them, seeking men to service her needs. How ironic!

Sai turned his head to look at Kagome, frowning. She looked sad and in her thoughts but he didn't know what else to say. He had just confessed his love to her and had told her what she meant to him. And she hadn't responded or reciprocated his feelings. That alone was his proof that she didn't feel the same way towards him. He really had no one else to blame but himself for being so stupid as to fall in love with her. A gentleman's girl. But who could blame him? Even Onigumo had warned him several weeks ago not to fall in love with her because it was meaningless. He hadn't listened to Onigumo's advice at the time. Sai knew that Onigumo had it in for Kagome, even though he tried to act more like a boss to her. Sai could see the affections Onigumo had for Kagome, from the way he looked at her to the way he treated her. They even got into a tense conversation on the phone about it, but in the end, Sai didn't take any advice Onigumo gave him. He would decide on his own if he could be Kagome's 'knight in shining armor'. He would decide when to stop pursuing her and when to end whatever it was he felt for her. Even now when he realized that she didn't feel the same way, he still felt love for her.

Kagome ran her finger along the rim of the glass, finding her courage to speak. "There's a reason why I have rules here," she warned him, talking slowly so that he understood. "I'm very... messed up. I come from a not-so-great past," she said with a mirthless laugh. "I can't reciprocate because I don't know how. I don't know what love is." Onigumo was right... she really didn't know anything about love.

The music playing was a slow instrumental, helping with the tension and severity of the conversation between the two. Kagome took another sip of her drink as Kohaku and Hojo bustled behind the bar, making drinks as the girls and men were coming to the bar for more. It was a little easier to be with Sai out here in the open with people watching them. There was not a lot of pressure to satisfy his needs while also trying to keep her composure compared to them being alone in the sky.

"But you love him." Kagome blinked, turning to look at Sai, confused. Sai's face was unreadable but he stared at her intensely, still facing the bar. "You love Inuyasha."

Kagome's face went blank and she could only stare at him. "I do."

"How do you know?"

She didn't what to say. She averted her gaze, staring at her drink again, thinking it over. Onigumo's words kept playing back in her mind, making her doubt her own love for Inuyasha. "I don't."

"Then how do you know you don't love me?"

Kagome looked at the women in the room. These women. Were they here seeking love? Or were they here for the same reasons as the men: to seek comfort and solace, to desire attention and affection for a night? For her... that was exactly why she was here. That realization cut her deep. She was no better than these men, no better than if she was paying Inuyasha for his time and affection.

"Sapphire?"

Sai reached out and placed a hand around hers that was wrapped around her tumbler. She didn't look at him, but he could see her struggling with what he said and he didn't want to hurt her. "Sapphire, listen. You're very special to me. I would like to believe that I'm also special to you too."

Sai was very special to her. He was the only client she had who she felt like really understood her. He was the only client who saw her, not Sapphire but Kagome. He saw her outside on the television and he saw her inside the club. And all those times he saw her, he never judged her or treated her any differently. He cared about her and asked her about her life or whatever she was willing to share with him. He always wanted to know what her day was like, or her night, or if she just wanted to tell him anything about herself. He always gave her the choice of opening up to him. Not because it was in their contract. But because he truly cared and wanted to know more about her. Their time together wasn't so that he could get serviced, like all the other men here. Their time together was to be together and get to know one another, like a relationship, or more like a friendship. Sai was a very handsome, caring and sweet man. Kagome finally looked up at him, smiling sadly. 'You shouldn't be here...'

"Can we change the subject?" she asked politely. He was still her client. She would respect his wishes, if she could, so long as he was paying for her time. And right now, she wanted to change the subject from 'them' to 'him' and hoped that he didn't mind. "How have you been?" she asked happily, trying to put on a good mood.

Sai looked at her sadly, staring into her blue eyes for a moment longer, wishing he could pull out all her secrets that she was hiding. He could tell that there were so many, so many that she didn't want to share, so many that she kept in and that haunted her. But he couldn't force her to open up and trust him if she didn't. Right now, he didn't want to test her trust in him, not after what happened last time. "Fine." He sighed and released her, sitting straighter, taking the last sip of his drink and motioning for Kohaku back over to give him a refill. "I hired a new manager for the IT department. I don't think he understands the severity of his position, or the amount of work he has in store," he said, turning to look over his shoulder at Kagome with a sly look.

Kagome giggled, pushing her drink forward for Kohaku to refill, thankful that Sai didn't press her. He was patient with her and respected her wishes when she needed a break.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Kagome checked her phone, smiling as she saw she had a few text messages from Inuyasha. She was about to open them when Kagura breezed past her, catching Kagome's attention. She looked up at glared at Kagura as she made her way towards the back door leading out under the stairs.

"Kagura!" The woman stopped and turned around, giving her a snobby look with an arched eyebrow. "Stay out of my life and worry about your own," she warned, glaring at the woman.

Kagura smirked. "I am, honey. Once you're gone, I will be the top girl here. And I'll be getting all of your clients."

Kagome snickered, crossing her arms. She had taken out her ponytail for the night and had changed out of her outfit, now wearing her black buttoned blouse with jeans shorts. She had her blouse unbuttoned, revealing her white bra underneath her crossed arms. "My clients don't appreciate freaks. They prefer the professionals. And before you can become a professional, you need to remember who the top three are." Kagome was referring to Onigumo's top three girls who were Midoriko, Ayumi and herself. They were his favorites, the ones who made him the most money, who had the most clients and the first picks for everything- days of the week, clothes, etc. Kagura, on the other hand, loved to use her 'assets' and men's weaknesses to her greatest advantage. She sometimes went as far as to 'service' her clients in the sky, which gave her the label of 'freak' instead of 'professional'. Kagome never judged any of the women who wanted to do that. It was their choice and she didn't look down on any of them for their choice. That was just something that she refused to do, as well as Ayumi and Midoriko as far as she knew. The difference between Kagura and herself was that Kagura showed off in a loud way with the way she looked and danced, and she was sometimes too picky or opinionated with a client if she wasn't getting what she wanted.

Kagura snickered. "Honey, they pay a lot more if you give them everything they want," she said, turning around and wiggling her fingers at her in farewell. "I'm too tired to talk to you. Oh, and don't get too comfortable. I'm sure once word spreads that you're dating, even Sai won't want to be your second-best."

Kagome watched as Kagura headed down the hall with the purple lights and made her way to the door. She knew Kagura had a point, but she would never let the woman know she was right. Kagome turned as a couple of the girls called at her and told her good night, making her smile at them and wish them a safe trip home. As she went back to her phone, the last girl came out of the bathroom and talked to Kagome a little about her job with Kikyo and what that was like.

"You would like the group, Yuki," Kagome said, moving to lean against her chair, facing the girl. "They're really great people and we have so much fun together."

Yuki smiled, bringing her purse around her body and over her head. "I'm sure I would. But that might be in another life," she giggled, pulling her long, black hair out from under the purse strap. "I'm not really 'dancer' material, Kagome. Well... not that kind of dancing," she said with a wink.

Kagome giggled with her. Yuki had been a good friend to her since helping her the night she first came to Midnite. Yuki had still remained a friend to her, and Kagome loved her spunky attitude. Yuki's stage name was Epiphany, and she was so beautiful with her long, wavy hair and her spitfire of an attitude. Apart from being Epiphany with that attitude of hers, Yuki was just a sweetheart to all of the girls here behind closed doors.

"Seriously, Kagome," Yuki said, taking a moment to really take Kagome in. "You look really happy." Kagome smiled, genuinely thankful for that. It had been a rough night, a lot of rude awakenings for her, but Yuki's comment made her grateful. "Really, Kagome. You're different since you've had that other job. And even though I don't like to see you away so much... I like the changes that I see." She turned with a wink and walked towards the door closest to the lockers, the main one that led out to the club. "I remember the night I first saw you walk in these doors. You're nothing like that anymore," she said, saying her good night as she walked out the door.

Kagome said her good night with a thankful smile just as Yuki left and the door shut behind her. 'Thank you, Yuki.' She was about to turn around to check her phone again but then the door reopened. When she thought it was going to be Yuki again, she noticed Onigumo walk in and let the door close behind him. He made his way towards her, taking her in. She wasn't happy to see him, but stood there with her arms crossed, wondering what else he wanted to tell her. How else was he going to berate her and demean her? Even though he spoke the truth, it still hurt.

"How was your night?" Onigumo asked after a long stretch of silence. He looked around the room to see that the girls had cleaned up after themselves, as they always did. There were empty hangers, but that's to be expected. The dry cleaners would come to get the dirty laundry tomorrow morning and have it ready by tomorrow night. His girls never wore the same outfit two nights in a row, but he always wanted all the outfits cleaned and ready, just in case.

Kagome watched him walk over to Midoriko's station next to her. "It was fine." She went on the other side of her chair, hanging onto the arm of it, putting the chair between her and Onigumo.

"Just fine? I saw that you were happy to see Sai." Onigumo smirked and looked up, staring at her reflection in the mirror. She was beautiful standing there with her blouse open, revealing her smooth skin and white bra. "He had been asking for you for so long and literally begged me to put him on the first night that you returned to work. He even paid extra to be one of your first." The money this woman made him. That was one reason why he never wanted to lose Kagome, and he never would. Not to a Fujimoto. And not to a Nakashima. Kagome was his, and no one would take her from him.

"We had a long conversation." She didn't want to tell him the details. She knew he would get mad or jealous and she didn't want to get into another confrontation with him. It was late, she was tired and she wanted to go home.

"About what, I wonder?" he asked. Onigumo picked up some of Midoriko's makeup supplies she left on her desk, turning them over and inspecting them. When she didn't say anything more, he sighed. "Were you able to think about what I told you earlier?"

"Which part?" The part where he told her she didn't know what love is, or the part where he told her he loved her? How could it be that three men loved her? Inuyasha said he loved her. Sai said he loved her. Onigumo said he loved her. How could three men love the same woman? Was it the same kind of love for all three of them? And did she love all three of them back?

"The part where I warned you... if you being with Inuyasha affects my business..." he trailed off. A part of him wanted to fire her. A part of him wanted to beat her. A part of him wanted to throw her against the wall and take her from behind. A dozen thoughts flooded his mind of how he was so pissed that he wanted to punish her and make her regret ever thinking about falling in love with that hanyou. That 'love', or whatever, she felt for Inuyasha would ruin her. Not just her work here at Midnite... but it would ruin her future. "Have you thought about what you might be doing to him?"

Kagome blinked, taken aback by his question. "What?"

"Did you even think about the lies that you're telling this boy?" Onigumo smirked, figuring out a way to get her to want to break up with Inuyasha. Kagome was always a woman of her own free will. She valued her freedom. So he would make her want to break up with Inuyasha because she was the problem and she wasn't enough for him. Onigumo knew her well enough to know that Kagome had a good heart. She wouldn't want to hurt someone intentionally.

"What lies?"

He turned to stare at her, dumbfounded. "Who are you, Kagome? Are you Kagome Saito? Kagome Higurashi? Kagome Nakashima?" She shut her mouth quick, the pained look on her face was his only answer. "You already lied to him about who you are. That's not to mention that you're lying to him about already being in a relationship with someone else that you're married to." Kagome turned from him to grab her phone, placing it in her purse, which infuriated him even more. "You're lying about where you work. Do you work at Midnite as a gentlemen's girl or at Starlite as a hostess? Come on, Kagome. What's the truth!" he badgered. He inched his way towards her chair, getting louder with every step. "Your whole life is a lie! And you think you can just live happily ever after with this boy without any consequences?!"

"Stop!" she yelled at him. Kagome turned around and made for the door that led out into the club. She felt Onigumo grab her hand and whip her around. The only thing she saw was his other hand go up and she immediately flinched, instinctively paralyzed with fear like a caged animal.

Onigumo breathed hard and stopped himself, his hand suspended in the air. He was about to slap her clear across the face, so pissed at her for raising her voice at him. He had never been so angry before as to anything that Kagome has ever done. But this... this was stupid, reckless, and it threatened his hold on her. He wasn't just angry with this Inuyasha fling, but he was also angry about her job with Kikyo. She was reckless with that career, putting herself out there in the spotlight for Koga to find her. It was now to a point where he couldn't protect her anymore. The whole world knew about her and she never thought once about the consequence of Koga being able to find her now. Kagome was something that would drive him to insanity if she was ever taken from him. Onigumo took deep breaths, lowering his hand as he loosened his grip on her wrist. She was huddled into herself, looking like a child cowering in fear of being hit. He had to control himself. Physical abuse was something that she had known most of her life, so it was understandable that she would still have many scars, both physiological and psychological as a result from years of abuse. He needed to calm down before he truly made it irreparable between him and Kagome, which was the last thing he wanted.

"Kagome..." he said, his voice calmer and gentler, trying to coax the child. He placed his hands on her shoulders, slowly bringing her shaking body into him, wrapping his arms around her. "I'm not going to hurt you."

She felt like she was having a panic attack. Onigumo's hands came around her back trying to comfort her, but they did anything but. She was immediately triggered by him raising his hand at her, a sign that she knew all too well. She didn't want to be here, or around him anymore. "I just want to go home," she said, moving out of his arms. She walked backwards, keeping her eyes on him the whole time until she bumped right into the door. "Good night," she said softly, her voice quivering. She grabbed the handle and opened it, hurrying out quickly.

The club was brightly lit and the DJ was still closing down his station. A few of the bodyguards were on the floor, placing the chairs upside-down on the tables for tomorrow's janitors. But she paid no attention to anyone as she quickly made her way to the front door, fumbling with the buttons of her blouse with shaky hands.

"Good night, Kagome!" Hojo said, waving his white towel at her. She looked up quickly to offer a weak smile and wave, then looked down at her blouse, trying so hard to get the buttons in their holes before she reached the door.

"Kagome."

She froze. Jinenji stood in front of the door, blocking her exit. He obviously could see more than she was willing to explain.

"Shall I walk you home?"

Kagome shook her head, unable to offer him a fake smile. He could see how traumatized she was by her wide eyes. "I'll be okay. I just want to be alone right now." She went to move around him but he stopped her, placing a hand out to make her stop and then reached for her chest. He helped to button her blouse, finishing the rest of the buttons for her as her shaky hands fell away, then straightening the shirt before he stepped to the side to let her pass. She smiled at him, truly grateful for Jinenji, her rock. She went for the door handle and walked out, feeling the cool, morning air hit her face.

A lot had happened yesterday and into today at almost two in the morning. Too much for her to take in and think about. Too many men and their overwhelming needs and feelings for her. And then for Onigumo to hit her, or almost hit her... He had never risen his hand to her before. Kagome opened her purse and found her phone, turning it on to see that Inuyasha had texted her multiple times. 'That's right.' She forgot about his texts. His texts always brought a smile to her face and butterflies to her stomach like some love-sick woman who needed her man. Right now... she was none of that. Or maybe... maybe he was all she needed in a time like this.

"Hey. I'm heading to bed. Call me when you get this. My mother wants to throw Miroku and Sango an engagement party next week. Call me. I love you."

Kagome felt tears stream down her cheeks as she quickly shut off her phone, ashamed of herself.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Kagome stirred. Her phone was ringing, rousing her from her dreams. She groaned, opening her eyes to see that the sun had already risen. 'What time is it?' she thought, trying to get her bearings as she pushed the comforter back a little to reach over to grab her phone off the bedside dresser. She looked at the caller ID and frowned, not knowing what to do. She answered it anyway, unable to think clearly right now.

"Inuyasha?" Even her voice sounded groggy, reminding her that she had cried herself to sleep this morning.

"Kagome? Did I wake you?"

"Mmmm... 's'okay," she mumbled, staring up at the ceiling. It was so good to hear his voice. "What time is it?"

"Seven thirty. What are you doing today?"

"Mmmm..." she moaned, stretching out on her bed. "Not sure."

Inuyasha chuckled, making her smile at the masculine sound. "You're still sleepy."

"Mmmhmm... What are you doing today?" She loved hearing his voice. It was their phone calls like this that she looked forward to. It was times that they spent together when she could actually touch him that she loved the most.

"Mmm not sure. Miroku wants to go with the guys for breakfast. I think Sango was going to see if you wanted to hang out today."

She groaned with a long stretch. "Okay. I work weekends so I need to be home to take a nap before I head to work."

"I remember. But I want to see you before you go back home," he insisted.

Kagome smiled, liking that he wanted to see her just as much as she wanted to see him. "Okay."

There was a slight pause, both of them not speaking but finding it a comfort in knowing that the other was just on the line. So close, and yet so far.

"Did you get my text last night?"

"Yes, sorry. I had a long night at work," which was the truth. "You texted about Miroku and Sango's engagement party?"

"Yeah. My mother called me yesterday and is already setting it up," he said, exasperated. "Sometimes my mother can be very excited and over-the-top when it comes to throwing parties. She loves to do it, but only because it brings people together, and she likes making everyone happy."

"Aww... how kind of her."

Inuyasha chuckled. "I think she's setting the party up for next week. I told her that you're off Monday through Wednesday from your night job, so I think she's planning on setting it up then."

"What? That soon?" Monday was three days away. She didn't know that an engagement party could be planned and thrown together that quickly.

Inuyasha laughed. "You'll see what my mother can do with a little time and a lot of money on her hands." Kagome laughed. "She can hire as many people as she needs in order to get it done when she wants it to be done. I have no doubt that she'll get it done in three days, whatever it is she's planning."

"You don't know?" she asked, starting to feel like she was fully awake now. She pulled back the covers and sat up at the edge of the bed.

"Nope. I choose not to ask what my mother is planning when she plans," he said with a chuckle. She heard him talk to someone else and she took the time to stand up and shuffle her way to her kitchen for some much needed coffee.

"You have to go to breakfast?" she asked, hearing the conversation he was having with Miroku.

"Yeah. I'm in the living room. Miroku says we have to leave soon."

"Hi Kagome!" Kagome giggled, hearing Miroku in the background.

"Miroku says 'hi'," Inuyasha informed.

"Tell him I said 'hi'." She heard him tell Miroku that and she sighed. "Well, go have a good breakfast with the guys. Tell them I said 'hi'."

"Okay. You gonna hang out with Sango?"

"Yeah, I'll text her after I make my coffee."

"Okay. I'll call you after we eat so that I can come see you."

"Okay."

"'Kay." Inuyasha shushed Miroku who started talking to him. "'Kay, I gotta go. I love you, Kagome."

Kagome smiled sadly, walking over to her bathroom. "I love you too, Yasha." With that, they hung up and she threw her phone onto her couch with a frown, picturing his face.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Kagome huffed, placing her hands on her hips in frustration. The music continued playing but she was in no mood to continue dancing. She turned and walked away, heading to the back of the room.

"Hey!" Inuyasha watched as Kagome walked away, clearly frustrated. He shut the music off and followed her towards the back of the room. He knew something was clearly bothering her, she had been off her game since they had started practicing. Actually, he had noticed something was wrong when he first met up with her at the academy. Kagome had seemed different yesterday too when he met her at his apartment before she had to go to work. She insisted it was nothing and she was just tired, but now she seemed even more not herself this morning.

"Kagome, what's wrong? Something's obviously bothering you."

Kagome kept walking away from him, just needing some space. She was so frustrated. Frustrated with herself, with the choreography, with Onigumo, with Inuyasha, with Sai. She was frustrated with her life!

"Nothing." She didn't want to talk about it. Actually, the fact was that she didn't want to be anywhere near Inuyasha right now. Which sounded so stupid because all she wanted when she was alone was to be in his arms. But when she was around him, she didn't want to be anywhere near him. She felt this way yesterday too when she saw him after he came back from his breakfast with the guys. The way that he held her and kissed her... she didn't want it. She didn't deserve it. And she was starting to push him away.

Inuyasha sighed, remaining silent as he followed her towards the back mirrors. He gave her a lot of space since it seemed like that was what she wanted, and he didn't want to push her. He wanted her to talk to him about whatever was bothering her because whatever it was, it was affecting her work. He watched her pace back and forth along the back mirrors with her hands on her hips, sometimes running her hands through her hair in frustration. He could sense her mood and he knew that she was agitated about something, and as much as he wanted to hold her and help her, he couldn't help unless she opened up to him.

"Kagome... tell me what's bothering you," he pleaded. She refused to look at him. "I know that something's up. You've been acting strange since yesterday." He waited, but still she said nothing. She continued to pace back and forth, her expression one of helplessness and frustration. He just wanted to hold her and comfort her but he stopped himself, trying to figure out what it was that she needed. In this new relationship that they were in, he wanted to understand her as best he could so that he could be everything that she needed. He was the one who wanted to hold her. He didn't know if she wanted to be held. 'Geez, Rin.' Her many words of wisdom stuck with him.

"I just..." What could she tell him? That she just needed space from him? Was that really what she wanted? Or was that what Onigumo wanted? She turned her back towards him and went to the mirrors, sliding her back down the glass until she sat down, drawing her knees up to her chest. She wrapped her arms around her knees and buried her face in her arms so that he couldn't see her. She was too emotional to be around him right now, let alone to practice. 'I knew this was a bad idea. I shouldn't have come.' Inuyasha had texted her this morning, asking her to meet him at the academy to keep going over their song. They hadn't finished making the rest of the song yet and he didn't want to lose any momentum with it. But she didn't want to go. A part of her was just so tired from all the drama she was dealing with at work, and all the thoughts running through her mind, that being around Inuyasha seemed overwhelming. But there was still that part of her that missed him and wanted to be with him. 'What's wrong with me!?' She hadn't been so complicated like this before. It wasn't until she met him did she start to feel so... insane.

Inuyasha frowned, watching her hide her face from him and curl up into a small ball. He sighed, unable to stay away any longer. He went up to her and sat down in front of her, placing his feet on either side of her with his knees up. He grabbed her and brought her into him, easily maneuvering her around so that her side was up against his chest. She brought her head up, looking at him in shock as he turned her and situated her in his arms easily, his legs surrounding her. He enveloped her entirely.

Kagome took a deep breath, taking in his scent and the spicy notes of his deodorant, feeling like she was about to breakdown. Inuyasha had a way of getting into her heart so easily, and she had allowed him. He had a way of making her feel so safe and cherished in a way that she could trust him with her brokenness. He did it before in Hawai'i.

"Inuyasha?" she whispered, her voice pained.

He smiled at her, placing a hand against the side of her head to bring her closer to place a kiss on her temple. "I don't know what to say or what to do to make you trust me and open up to me," he said sadly, wishing that she would tell him what was wrong. He tucked her hair behind her ear and placed his palm against her cheek, running his thumb back and forth. "I just want you to know that I'm here... and that I love you."

Kagome frowned, tears burning in her eyes. "How do you know?"

Inuyasha blinked at her, confused. "What do you mean?"

"How do you know that you love me?" she asked, truly wanting to know as tears fell down her cheeks. Onigumo had her doubting herself, her own feelings for Inuyasha, and he had her doubting Inuyasha's feelings for her. Heck, Onigumo did have a point. He knew her. Inuyasha didn't. And that just made her sadder. Maybe it was time for her to tell him everything. Maybe then... then she would have the answer that she truly wanted. Inuyasha didn't know her. How could he love someone that he didn't know? Once he found out everything about her... for sure he would leave her. And that would be the truth that she was trying to avoid.

"I just do," he said, almost feeling defensive about it. "Where's this coming from?" He was trying not to get upset, because he didn't like her questioning his feelings for her, but he was confused as to why she asked him this question. "Is this why you've been in a mood all morning? And yesterday?"

Kagome pulled back a little so that she could sit up straighter, but still have his arms around her loosely. "I've had a rough couple of nights at work."

"What does that have to do with my feelings for you?"

Kagome blinked at him, seeing the seriousness in his face. He was the last person she wanted to anger or hurt and yet the very one that she seemed to be hurting. "Nothing."

"Kagome... you need to talk to me. The only way we can work this out is if we talk to each other." He tilted his head so that he could get her to look at him, gripping her softly. "Why would you question my feelings for you?"

Kagome took a deep breath, not really wanting to get into this with him here, now. But he was crowding her, containing her, making her talk, and she felt like he deserved an answer. "How do you know if you love someone?"

"You mean how do I know if I love you?"

"Yes," she said, looking at him, her eyes pleading with him to understand and not get upset. "How do you know you love me?"

Inuyasha frowned and paused, seeing the desperate look in her eyes. "Why are you asking me this? Do you doubt my love for you?"

She looked down, averting her gaze. "I just... don't know what to believe..."

The pain in her voice helped him to not lose his temper and her scent helped him to relax a bit, giving him the patience that he needed to take a deep breath. He didn't like it when someone questioned his feelings. He knew what he felt and he didn't need someone telling him how they thought he should feel. He doesn't like feeling like his feelings doesn't matter, like he doesn't matter. "I love you. If it's one thing I don't like... it's when people question the way I feel for them."

Kagome frowned, tightening her arms around her knees even more, trying her best not to touch him. "I'm sorry."

Inuyasha kept his left hand on her back, rubbing supportively, while he brought his right hand up to her chin, making her look at him. "This might be hard for you to believe... but I knew that I loved you the moment you walked into your audition." She looked at him confused and surprised, making him smile. He placed his other hand on her knee and rubbed his thumb against her skin. "I told you that I'm an inuhanyou and the greatest sense I have is..."

"Smell," she finished. Inuyasha smiled, thankful that she remembered.

"I remember the moment I first met you, the moment you walked into the door of this studio room," he said, looking up at their reflection behind her. "Out of all the women who auditioned that day, the only one who caught my attention was you. My demon knew that you belonged to me before my human was able to fall in love with you because of scent."

She frowned, knowing the differences between the two species. She had grown up around demons all her life, and she had seen many different species of demons and had heard some of their ways of living. It was easy to learn people's way of life when one lived on the streets and had to learn how to survive by watching others meticulously. It really was a 'kill or be killed' world. She also had Koga and his family to thank for teaching her some things about the wolf demon species. But she still didn't know much about inuyoukai and she didn't really understand the significance of what he was saying.

"So... scent is how you imprint on someone?" she asked, trying to find the correct 'demon' term for it.

Inuyasha chuckled, shrugging as he looked at her. "I guess you can call it that. You don't understand how important scent is to us." He tried to form it in words what scent was like, how much her scent meant to him. "Take your scent, for example. I knew the minute you walked into the room, that out of all the people there, I could pinpoint you just by your scent alone. Scent is a way I can track people. I don't have to see you to know that you're nearby. Your scent tells me a lot about your mood too. Like this morning, I knew that you were feeling frustrated not only because I have a heightened awareness to people's jyaki, but also because I can smell it in your scent. It's just like how people say that fear has a scent, all emotions have scents linked with a change in energy and for inuyoukai, we can pick this up with our nose and our jyaki."

Kagome listened, intrigued and amazed as to Inuyasha's abilities as an inuhanyou. She loved learning about the demon race and how different all of the species were, even from humans. It was so interesting to know that these species lived on this planet and majority of the population on earth didn't even know.

"So... you know that you love me because of the way I smell?" she asked, smiling. In a way, she found it a little amusing, changing her mood a little at the thought of it. 'Isn't that how animals are?' she thought, which Inuyasha did have the traits of an animal, so that made some sense.

"Yes and no," he said with a smile. "It's kind of like pheromones, where your scent triggers a response from me. Scent is how we know who are mates are." His hands kept moving on their own because he couldn't stop touching her. "Touch is also important to me," he explained, as if to justify his actions for touching her. "My demon knew that you were my mate just by scent alone and wanted to claim you as my own. My human side still needed to make that emotional connection, to get to know you and fall in love with you over time in a human way."

Kagome smiled sadly, trying to take in all the information he was giving her but it was a bit overwhelming. "You don't believe in love at first sight? That's a human thing."

Inuyasha shrugged. "I do. But it got me into trouble before. I guess that's why my human needs to catch up sometimes," he said, shrugging again. It was a little uncomfortable for him to be sharing this much about himself when she was so quiet, only asking questions and evading her own feelings.

"I still don't understand..." she said, confused. "So the way you know you love me is because of a scent thing?"

Inuyasha sighed, shaking his head. "You can't understand, Kagome, because you're not an inuyoukai," he said gently, not wanting to get into a fight but needing her to not wrack her brain about it. "I tried to explain it the best way I could but it's hard to understand something you haven't lived through and experienced."

Kagome blinked, taken aback by that. He was right. She could easily turn the tables on him if he talked to her about being raped or homeless when it didn't happen to him. For him to judge her on that and for her to judge him on his demonic abilities, it was wrong. What he just said made her feel defensive and yet sad at the same time, as if they were coming up to the deep fear in her heart: his rejection.

"I think it's your turn now." Kagome looked at him, biting her bottom lip. His eyes lowered to her lips, wanting to kiss her badly. "Do you love me?"

The way she looked at him broke his heart and made him stop. The pained expression on her face made him think that this was what had been truly bugging her since yesterday, and the reason for these random questions. Her silence struck fear in his heart.

"Kagome?"

She turned her head from him, placing her forehead onto her hands, and cried. 'I don't know!' she wanted to scream. Onigumo's words kept playing in her mind, burdening her, making her feel like Inuyasha needed someone worthy of his love. "You love every man that comes into your life because no man really stayed in your life. Have you thought about what you might be doing to him?" She didn't deserve him. Onigumo was right. She was lying to Inuyasha about so much and she was only hurting him. How could he love a liar? She felt his arms leave her and heard him move. By the way it felt, she knew that he had put some space between them, but she didn't have the courage to look up to see where he went.

Inuyasha couldn't believe what this was turning out to be. He needed a little space to think about what they were really saying to each other, or more like what she was not saying to him. He loved her, that much he knew to be true. But it sounded now like she didn't love him back. 'But she said she did...' She did love him before and confessed her love to him several times. Was it a lie? What did he do wrong? He brought one knee up so he could rest his arm on his knee, placing his hand on his forehead in defeat. "Kagome... what are you telling me?" he asked, closing his eyes.

Kagome sniffled, her tears wetting her arms and her legs. He was breaking her heart or maybe it was the other way around. All she wanted to say was that she didn't know what love was. All she wanted to say was that Inuyasha deserved someone else, someone other than her, who could treat him better and give him everything he needed. Onigumo was right. This was all just a fairytale that was too good to be true for her. Her past would always come back to haunt her.

"Inuyasha..." She finally looked up, wiping her tears to see him sitting a few feet away from her with his head down. He looked so dejected that it pained her heart to see that she had caused him that pain. This was her fault, her fault for letting it get this far. "Inuyasha... I..." Should she tell him that she did love him with all her heart, even if she didn't know what love was?

"Do you even want to be with me?" he asked suddenly, bringing his head up to look her dead in her eyes.

His golden eyes were full of pain and sorrow that her breath caught in her throat. She didn't mean to hurt him. She was only trying to protect him. "Inuyasha... I didn't mean to... I just don't know..." She couldn't even find her words to speak as tears continued to fall down her face.

Inuyasha shook his head, sadness and disappointment flashing across his face for a moment before he turned his head from her. "Never mind." He couldn't take it anymore. His patience had run out. She didn't realize that she had just taken his heart out and sliced it open. Her silence was more hurtful than anything that she could have said. If she had said something about how she felt, maybe they would've been able to talk about it and work it out. But her not saying anything was more of a slap to his face than her words would've been. What the hell was this all for if he was the only one willing to put in the work in this relationship?

Inuyasha got up, making her watch him with pained-filled eyes as he turned and walked away. "Inuyasha!"

He headed for his duffle bag next to hers, wanting to leave. He didn't want to get angry with her but right now, anger was his go-to emotion when he couldn't deal with pain and hurt. Anger was his best friend to cover up what he was truly feeling. And he had to remember that they were still in a business relationship and would have to continue to be. That alone reminded him that he had to try and keep their relationship as cordial as possible, even after this heartbreak.

"I think we should postpone this number," he said, bending down to put his things away and zip up his bag. "I don't think it'll be a good idea to continue making a choreography for it."

Kagome wanted to get up, she wanted to run to him and tell him that she loved him. That even though she might not know what love was, she was sure that she loved him. Because this pain in her heart that she felt by those words, by the way he looked at her, by the sound of his voice, only confirmed that she loved him. But it was too late now. She had hurt him and she didn't know if she should repair what she had broken. 'Maybe... this is for the best,' she thought as she watched his back as he packed up to leave her. In truth, perhaps this was the better choice. Onigumo's business wouldn't be threatened by her relationship with Inuyasha and her clientele wouldn't be affected by her being in a relationship. In all honesty, whether he knew it or not, this was better for Inuyasha than it was for her. And she was okay with that. A lot of people came and went in her life. She watched her parents walk out of her life many times and she was used to people walking out on her, leaving her alone. That was something that Inuyasha didn't know. Like so many other things that he didn't know and that she was lying to him about. But, if she truly did love him, wouldn't she have told him the truth about everything? Isn't that what love was: telling the truth to the one you loved? Kagome bit her bottom lip, refusing to cry. She was already, slowly, putting the bricks back up around her heart.

Inuyasha sighed heavily, fishing the iPod out of his pocket to throw it into his bag, defeated. "Kagome... since you and I are still business partners... why don't we just keep it that way?" He stood up, strapping the bag around him. "Maybe we jumped into this relationship a little too fast. We weren't ready for it. And for Kikyo's sake, I don't want to ruin the business relationship you and I have."

"Mmm," she agreed, nodding her head though he couldn't see her. She took a deep breath to steady herself and dug deep for that part of her that made her strong, the part of her that didn't allow the world to see inside of her. She slowly built her walls back up and put on her mask. Nothing could get to her if she didn't allow it to, at least not where the world could see. That's how her life had always been and that was always her coping strategy. She watched his back, keenly aware that inside, she felt like she was falling apart. But she would never show it to him. For his sake, and for her's, she would be strong and watch him leave while they were still on friendly terms. 'Friends...' She would have to find a way to be a friend to him when all she wanted was to be loved by him.

Inuyasha turned around, needing to see her one last time. His eyes caught her blue ones and he was surprised to see how unaffected she seemed. She had wiped the tears from her eyes and she was no longer crying. Instead, she was smiling at him, which made him even more angry to see that perhaps she really didn't love him and this breakup was nothing to her. Her silence really was his only answer he was going to get. Frustrated and heartbroken, Inuyasha looked away.

"Don't forget... this Monday is Miroku and Sango's engagement party at my parent's house. Everyone's invited and my mother invited everyone to stay over if they want. That includes you." He turned around and headed for the door, saying nothing more as he left. He had nothing more to say. She had just broken his heart. The second one who did.

Kagome heard the door click shut and her smile immediately went away. She placed her chin on top of her knees and stared at the floor with a blank stare. 'Inuyasha... It's better this way. For the both of us.' Yes, that's what she had to tell herself. They had only been dating for not even six days. Maybe they had moved too fast. It was just Sunday when she remembered being in his arms in the gyoen, agreeing to be his. He had confessed his love for her then, on that first night, and she had done the same thing even though she loved him before then. Maybe they had moved too fast and didn't really know what love was if they loved each other before they were even dating. And then, Thursday night, everything just went to hell. Onigumo's words never left her mind. And her memories plagued her, memories that she had tried her best to forget from years ago but she now was being forced to remember. Memories that reminded her of who she was and who she was pretending to be. Now, Saturday morning, not even a week later and they had already broken up. Kagome smiled, picking herself up to head over to her bag to leave.

"Good things never last, Kagome," she said to herself.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Kagome walked out and noticed that there were men already on the tables and in the lounge with girls walking or standing by their sides, servicing them. She hadn't been feeling herself since this morning, since Inuyasha broke up with her. She had refused to cry all the way home but once she got home, she couldn't help herself. She ended up in bed all day, crying. She felt like such a failure. There was no way that a man would be able to be with her. She was too complicated and had too much drama in her past for anyone to put up with her. She felt like such a horrible person to do that to Inuyasha. And she just felt... unlovable. No one would be able to understand the pain she has been through, the struggles she had in life and the fear that threatened her every day and for the rest of her life. Koga will never stop hunting her and so long as he was alive, her life was in constant danger. She couldn't put Inuyasha or anyone else at risk because of her selfishness to be loved. She refused to be a victim, she always had and always would. And still, no one would be able to pick up her broken pieces and put her back together again.

Once she got to work, Ayumi and Midoriko could immediately tell that something was wrong. They had tried to find out what happened but she refused to talk about it. It would only make her cry. So they dropped it and went on their business. As for her, she couldn't stop thinking about Inuyasha and the look on his face. He looked so defeated, so sad, so rejected. He looked... defeated. She had waited until she could finally put on a good face and put her feelings aside to head out to the floor to work. By then, she was four minutes late. The doors were already open, clients were already coming in and being serviced to, and the club was already busy for a Saturday night.

"Kagome."

She jumped and turned to see Jinenji standing near the door to the dressing room that she just came out of. Dressed in his normal bodyguard attire, his black suit blended in with the black curtains that covered the walls of Midnite.

"Jinenji. You startled me."

"Sorry. Midoriko updated me. She's worried about you."

Kagome smiled, shaking her head at the thoughtfulness of her friend. "I'm fine. I had to have a minute to myself, but I'm fine. I'm sorry I'm late. Is my client here?"

Jinenji remained quiet, his beautiful green eyes seeing too much, his intense stare making her look away from him. She focused on the other men in the club and all the bodies that moved around busily. Jinenji knew her long enough and well enough to know that something was wrong, as it has been for the past two nights at work. He knew that something had happened Thursday because he had been worried while she was with Genta. Whatever Midoriko had told him, his suspicions were now confirmed and she knew that he was worried since he wasn't saying anything. He was silently making certain for himself that she was okay to work tonight and how much he needed to keep his eye on her. That was the beauty of their relationship. As her bodyguard, he would change his demeanor based on her mood. He could always read her mood, sometimes better than herself. He knew when he needed to be close by because she wasn't feeling herself and he needed to protect her, or if he could be watching her from far away because he was comfortable leaving her alone. As her bodyguard, he needed to know what to watch out for in order to protect her, and he did it well.

"Sai is your only client tonight," he finally informed her. Kagome turned to look at him, surprised.

"Okay." 'No... I don't think I can deal with Sai right now.' She was too emotional and in her own stuff to have to deal with Sai's stuff and the way he felt towards her. She hoped that they didn't have a conversation about 'them' and how he felt towards her. Tonight was not the night. If he was her only client tonight, she didn't want to spend seven hours with him in awkward silence if things go wrong. "Take me to him."

Jinenji led her towards the bar where Sai was sitting as he waited for his drink. Kagome took a deep breath, taking him in from a distance and steeling her nerves to serve him. At least she could become another person tonight. Tonight, she was Sapphire. Sapphire didn't have any problems or boy issues. Her only purpose and desire was to serve her client. It's as simple as that.

Sai turned as if sensing her before she drew near and his eyes locked with hers. She could see his smile even from the distance in the dim lighting and her heart turned over. He wore a suit and his black tie was loosely tied, as if he had loosened it to relax tonight. Jinenji stepped to the side and let Kagome walk the remaining distance on her own, following her from behind and staying a bit aways but close enough if things went wrong.

"Good evening, Sapphire," Sai said, his eyes warm and inviting. Kagome smiled, a true, genuine smile. He made her feel happy and safe, chasing away her worries and sadness from the day.

"Good evening, Sai."

Sai looked her over once, smiling his approval. "You look lovely tonight." She had decided to wear a loose fitting, white gown. It went down to her ankles to show off her white heels with rhinestones. There was a slit on the side of the dress and it was a halter top, which always showed off her assets well. She had her hair up in a messy bun so that some of her hair fell down her back and over her shoulder. She had decided to wear blue lip gloss with smoky blue eyes, wanting to be mysterious and tempting, covering up any evidence that she had been crying all day.

"Thank you. I'm glad you approve."

Sai chuckled. "I approve anything you wear, Sapphire. You look beautiful in anything." Hojo slid two drinks towards Sai and he reached out to grab the drinks, offering her one. "Drink?"

Kagome smiled and took the drink from him. He extended his elbow to her and she placed her hand in the crook of his arm, smiling up at him. Sai led them to a table out on the floor as the entertainment tonight was starting off on a high. Two of the girls were up on the main stage near the DJ booth, strutting their stuff in time to the pop music. The lights were flashing, causing everyone's attention to look at the two, seductive women who opened up the night with a bang. Both of them were dressed in short skirts and white shirts, obviously playing a specific part as they danced together.

Sai pulled out a chair for her at an empty table and she sat down, placing her drink on the table while she surveyed the room. It was crowded already within the first ten minutes of the club opening. As usual, most of the time the men usually booked the time and hours that they came in to secure the girls they wanted to be serviced by. The weekends were always their busiest.

"So..." Sai said, taking his seat next to her. He adjusted it so that he was sitting close to her and slightly facing her. "How's your weekend going so far?"

Kagome shrugged, crossing her legs and turning to face him a little more. "I had a rough morning but tonight is better."

He smiled. "I hope I had something to do with it."

She giggled. "Maybe," she said with a wink. Some of the men cheered, causing the both of them to look up to see what happened. One of the girls was sliding down the pole upside down while the other was in a split at the bottom of the pole with her hands above her head. The girl slid down using her legs alone, her free hands extended down until she grabbed the other girl's hands and released the pole, doing an easy backflip as she stood and released the girl's hands. The crowd applauded them.

"Listen, Sapphire. I wanted to apologize for what I said a couple nights ago." Kagome turned to look at Sai, confused. He smiled at her reassuringly, leaning back into his chair and taking a sip of his drink. "What I said about your love for Inuyasha," he said softly, not wanting anyone to overhear them over the music. "I shouldn't have questioned your love for him. I was just jealous and I was honestly quite happy when you said that you don't know if you love him." He sighed, taking another sip of his drink, composing himself. "It was wrong of me to question your love for him like that, especially here at work. I am sorry."

She smiled sadly at him, looking down at her drink with a far-off expression. "It's okay. You were right to question how I felt towards him."

Sai heard the sadness in her voice and sat straighter, curious as to what she meant. "Did something happen?" He watched her. She was silent for a while, staring into her drink as if she debated telling him about it. He didn't blame her. He understood that this might not be the time or place to talk about it, but this was the only time and place that he was allowed to see her. He wanted to talk about everything and anything with her while he could. Her eyes went up to look at the crowded room in front of her.

"Sometimes I wonder why life can be so cruel..."

Sai frowned, trying to decode what she meant by that but understanding her completely. Without warning he stood, making her look up in him with confusion. "Let's go."

Kagome blinked, taking a moment to try and figure out what he was doing, but obliged. She stood up and turned to see Sai walk away, heading for Jinenji who stood closer to the wall near the bar. Jinenji could see that Sai wanted his attention and so he walked forward to meet the man halfway. She watched them talk for a little bit and then Jinenji took Sai's empty glass and walked towards the bar with it. She gave Sai a questioning stare as he came to her with a smile.

"Come. Let's go to the sky."

She hesitated as he kept his hand out to her. The last time they were in the sky she had a huge meltdown. The last time they were there, Sai had said such beautiful things to her and she wasn't able to accept them. He had been so kind and she had pushed him away, just like Inuyasha.

Sai noticed her hesitation and moved closer. "I just want to be in a quieter place, alone with you so that we can talk about this. I can tell that you're not in the mood to be around the crowd tonight." She was surprised that he could read that about her. He knew her more than she thought.

Kagome gave him her hand and his firm grip pulled her forward, surprising her. She remained quiet, thinking to herself about him and how much he really knew about her. He knew enough that he could tell that she wasn't herself in the club tonight. He knew enough to see that something was bothering her and he just wanted to be there for her, the same way that she was there for him. But that was her job. Sai had always had a special place in her heart, but she wasn't sure how big that space was for him.

"What did you tell Jinenji?" she asked, realizing that he wasn't following them when they started walking up the stairs.

"I told him I was taking you up here and to charge it on my card. I wasn't planning on getting one of the rooms tonight so I asked him if there were rooms available. He said there's only one open all night."

There were only four rooms upstairs, two on each side of the club. There were dark purple lights above each door that signified if there were occupants inside. Sai took them to the only room that didn't have a light on above the door, opening it for her with a smile. Kagome nodded her head at him and walked in, holding her drink with both hands. The lights turned on automatically and she heard the door shut behind her as he followed her in. Kagome went immediately to the bar, placing her drink down to move around behind it to make him another one.

"I'll make you a new drink." Sai smiled and took off his suit jacket, walking towards the bar where he draped his jacket on the back of one of the chairs. He watched her with a smile, loving how she always changed when they were alone.

"You're different."

"Hmm?" She poured the dark liquid into the fresh tumbler on ice and closed the bottle up. Then, she grabbed another bottle to fill up her own drink.

"You're different when we're alone together." She looked up at him curiously, handing him his drink as she came around the bar. "You're more open and... comfortable," he explained, taking the glass from her. His fingers grazed hers and she smiled at him, shrugging her shoulders.

"Maybe..." He was right though, but it only happened with him. If she was in here with any other client, it was just her job and she was still servicing them as Sapphire. But when she was in here with Sai, she felt like it was just the two of them, privately. She felt like she could relax around him and let some of her walls down. "It is different with you," she said, grabbing her drink off the counter and walking past him with a smile. "I almost feel like I can be myself around you in here."

"You can," he said adamantly, turning around to watch her walk back towards the circle platform next to the bar. She went up to the stage and placed her free hand on it.

"Sai..." Kagome said, looking at herself in the mirror behind the pole in front of her. "Sometimes I feel like in another life, you and I might have had a different future. Maybe that's why I open up easier to you." She stared at herself, frowning. For whatever reason, she wanted to open up to him and she needed to tell him what was on her heart. She needed someone to be there for her after what happened this morning. She just needed someone to care for her. And as much as she tried to resist him over and over, there was no doubt a stirring within her that she always felt when she was around him.

"Who's to say we still can't have a future together?" he asked her, slowly moving towards her.

Kagome sighed, turning to face him, wishing he could drop that. "We can't."

"Because you love Inuyasha," he finished, stopping in front of her. He tucked a few hairs behind her ear, reminding her of Inuyasha doing that to her this morning.

"Because I'm just not relationship material," she said defensively, getting angry. She went around him and moved to the cream-colored couch. She sat and placed her drink down, trying not to let her emotions get the best of her. The reason why she couldn't be with Inuyasha, or Sai, was because she just wasn't 'girlfriend' material. No one would want her when they found out about her past. The closest thing to a relationship she would get from men would be if she sold her body to them, but she was sure that there was no way she could be with a man intimately like that. Right now, Midnite was the only way she could get close to men under her terms and conditions with her rules that they were bound to follow. Outside of these walls, she was a wreck when it came to men. She just didn't know the first step of being in a relationship with them.

Sai moved over to the bar to grab some napkins and then went to sit next to Kagome on the couch. He placed the napkins down on the glass table so that he could set both of their drinks onto the napkins, and then dropped the rest in the middle of the table. "Why do you say you're not relationship material?" He turned to look at her, reading her face. "Did something happen with Inuyasha?"

Kagome frowned, looking down at the watermark that her drink left behind on the glass, hearing such patience and compassion in his steady voice. "Inuyasha broke up with me."

Sai burst out laughing, making Kagome turn to look at him as if he had lost his mind. Sai held his hands up, trying to control himself and pull it together. "I'm sorry, Sapphire. I just... that boy is an idiot," he said, shaking his head in disbelief as he calmed down. He leaned back and rested his arm on the top of the couch, regarding her in disbelief and amusement.

Kagome turned to look at him, smiling, wondering why he found this so amusing. "Why?"

Sai arched his eyebrow at her. "Inuyasha is a fool to let you go." He stared at her, making her uncomfortable at his attention. "If you were mine, I would never let you go."

The way he said it and the way he looked, sitting there with his arm draped across the couch in his white dress shirt, he looked sexy as hell. And she found herself attracted to him, that seductive female within her begging to come out and play, to get her way. He looked delicious and inviting, his words touching her heart and making her feel like he was there for her and cared about her. He was everything that she could ever want. And her body responded to him.

Sai watched as Kagome turned to him, placing her leg up onto the couch between them, as he watched her intently. Her whole demeanor changed. He could see and feel the change in her, the sudden spark of electricity between them. Everything within him responded to her, there was no denying her feminine call. Her beautiful blue eyes were darker, looking at him with such intense desire that it made him sit taller, his whole body tense. 'This woman...' The power that she wielded, he could understand why Onigumo was so protective of her, why so many men would probably kill to be hers. She really didn't know how truly beautiful and desirable she was. Her sex allure was off the charts, and right now, he wanted to hold her and run his hands along her body. He clenched his fists, restraining himself from moving, as if he didn't want to scare away the innocent animal.

"You look so touchable," she purred, shocking herself at her sudden change in voice and demeanor. She had forgotten how easily she could slip into this role, this persona, or perhaps it was just who she was. This life that she loved so much, being desired and cherished by a man, being able to dominate him and make her own set of rules, this life was who she was. The reason why she loved it here is because it was who she was and what she needed. She needed control. She needed rules. That was how she had survived and that was how she was currently surviving in her glass world. This part of her was never going to go away or change. And that realization only made her feel further from Inuyasha.

"Only you can touch me," Sai said, his voice husky, every muscle tense, holding himself back.

She noticed his restraint and responded. Kagome moved, bunching up her dress as she kneeled on the couch and crawled onto his lap, running her hands up his chest and to his neck. She could feel the heat of his skin and the rise and fall of his chest. He was breathing hard, flushed, as he brought his hands down to rest on the couch on either side of her legs. She felt so heated, so in control, and she loved it. Kagome smiled, staring into his eyes, capturing him.

"Sapphire..." he whispered, drowning in her. Kagome brought her face close to his, feeling his breath come out of his mouth in gasps against her lips. She blinked and moved back, making him look at her in confusion, at a loss.

"I'm wearing lip gloss," she said, giggling as she saw the question in his eyes. "I don't want to get blue lip gloss all over you."

Without warning, Sai moved forward, making her wrap her arms around his neck as he bent her backwards to grab some of the napkins he had placed on the table. The whole while, he never touched her, but instead forced her to hang onto him. He then sat back and gave her the napkins, smiling in victory.

"Easy solution."

Kagome giggled, seeing the determination and set of his jaw. Sai's eyes were so intensely focused on her that she could feel butterflies in her stomach. His whole body was hard, tense, as if he was anticipating what was to come. She could feel the muscles of his thighs flinch beneath her butt as she wiped her lip gloss off, making sure she got every last blue off her lips while his eyes stared at her lips the whole time. She saw him lick his lips and she nearly lost her self-control.

She threw the napkins to the floor behind her and reached up to place her hands on either side of his head, staring at his lips. She brought her head towards his slowly, feeling so seductive and desirable, wanting to capture this feeling in a bottle.

"Sai..." Her lips were mere inches from his and his breath came out against her lips. They stared at each other the whole time, him waiting for her to make a move. Every muscle in his body was tense. Blood roared in his ears and he had never felt so turned on before, not by a simple, innocent moment like they were having. But with her on his lap, her body so open to him, and the way she looked now in front of him like the seductress that she was, she had him wrapped around her finger. His whole body was bending to hers, and if she kept this up, he wasn't going to be able to leave Midnite for a while, at least not until he lost his erection. If she kept up this slow, seductive game, he was going to lose patience and forced to take the lead.

Kagome licked her lips and moved in, kissing him gently. She closed her eyes and reveled in the feel of Sai's lips against hers. She remembered his kiss, the way his lips felt and that slow trepidation when they came together. It was like they were walking a thin line, not wanting to break the glass and not sure how far they were willing to go. They were like young teenagers learning how to love one another, so innocently shy. Kagome moaned, scooting a little closer to him on his lap, closing her eyes in bliss. She deepened the kiss and threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him to her.

Sai groaned and moved back, taking a deep breath. "Sapphire..." She looked at him dazed and confused as to why he stopped. "Let me touch you," he breathed heavily, his chest quickly rising and falling.

Kagome smiled tenderly at him, nodding her head. He quickly brought his hands up to cup her face and kissed her, running his tongue along her lips. She opened to him and he explored her mouth with his tongue, dueling with hers. He got swept away in the moment, the moment that he had desired and dreamed of for a long time. He took control, wrapping his arms around her and dragging her body against him, both of them moaning in response. The feel of her soft body against his was such a treasure to him. He flattened his hands against her back, afraid that she would stop this and run away like last time. He leaned forward, bending her back a little bit, as if he could get any deeper into her. Kissing her was addictive. The smell of her was intoxicating, drowning out all sense and logic. Right now, he wouldn't care if the world ended because she was the only thing on his mind. He meant what he had said to her a couple of nights ago. He loved her.


Sorry for the cliffhanger ;) I think we need to leave those two alone. LMK what you thought about this chapter