Author's Note: Hi guys! Now look... a lot has happened. I know I'm a month or so overdue. I've been going through a lot - spiritually, emotionally and mentally. January was my birthday month so the last part of January was busy with celebrating. February rolled along and I was diving a lot for work because covid had hit my office, so myself and another coworker were the only ones who were medically cleared to dive. March came along and I was busy with church activity/planning for our Women's Day event. And then I had a huge emotional wall that I hit after being burnt out and grieving. I had a revelation that allowed me to start healing, but it was hard for me to take it. So... it's been a lot. And I haven't been in the mindset to write through all of that. I tried. But I would stop and go every time.

So I hope that this chapter makes the cut lol. It's not as long as they usually are, but I wanted to get this one out. I owe you guys that much at least. Plus I think it was hard for me to figure out where to go because there were so many avenues I could've taken it. There are a lot of things happening, that's for sure, and trying to juggle them all was becoming too much for me. But I'm back, and I'm getting back in the swing of things. I hope that you guys enjoy this one. With working on myself, I am finding my joy again and picking up the pieces. So hopefully I can write while I heal. Writing usually is a form of therapy for me.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Read at your own discretion - child rape/abuse

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

R2R

susu-anon: Thanks for your review. Reviews... lol. But your initial review cracked me up! I'm glad you liked that lemon and that it tops the first one. Hmmm... now do I top that one? Haha! Yes, Inu surely loves his Kagome. When it comes to men, Kags definitely knows how to get what she wants. She knows how to make them work for her, and to get them to desire her. That is what she craves. A power control, the total opposite of what she experienced as a child. For your second review, they did it raw the first time too. Inu told Kags that he can't get a woman pregnant (he said that he's sterile)- that was the reason why Kiyomi left him. But this will be talked about and played out more in the future. It does get mentioned a bit in this chapter about hanyou pregnancy, but there's still confusion around it because I won't go deep into it until another time. For your third review (lol- love it), yes, Sapphire is like her alter ego. Sapphire is the result of what Koga and her father had done to her - a woman who needs power and control over men because of the way men treated her. She is dominating and demanding. She gets what she wants (no touching) and gets the attention (lust, desire) that she craves. If you think about it, Sapphire is the extreme of what she believes she should've been and done. Instead, she was silent, powerless, and allowed them to touch her and hurt her the way they wanted to. I think to your comment about another woman at Midnite wanting to take her place, it comes up in this chapter so I'll let you read what happens. And to your comment about being livid if Koga gets Kagome and hurts her again... hmmm... no comment and no promises. But yes, I will talk about Kagome's mental health journey to her healing, especially when Rin is involved. For your fourth review (lol)- idk about how Japan pays their taxes. But she does have a hefty bank account. With working at Midnite for 9yrs and now Kikyo's job, she's banked. And yet... she still lives in the same run down apartment. That I will leave for you to interpret, and for it to come up later. For your 5th-8th reviews- thank you for always "pestering". I like that you review only to hope for another update because it reminds me that I need to get on it! So it's always a motivation for me to write, never a bother. If only you had an account and a PM so that I could write to inform you instead of leaving you high and dry to wonder when I'll be back. Haha. But that's okay. Okay. Enough. Go on and read :)

hive-chan: Thanks for your review! Yes, I love writing the lemons for these two because their sexual chemistry is off the hook. Anything goes when they're both in the mood for each other, which, when are they not? As for your guess on the 3rd ticket, I won't say, of course. But your guesses made me smile. And yes, I thought it so funny too when the "boys" at the dance class were flirting and trying to get her attention. They're young, they're not well known in the dance community, and they just wanted to be noticed. But in the wrong way and to the wrong person. They are WAY out of her league lol. Thanks for your last review, wanting another chapter. I hope you like it.

anime-geek: Thanks for your review! Yeah the whole mating thing is mentioned in this chapter, a good reminder to Inu that he needs to figure it out soon. Koga coming back into the picture is getting closer than you know. Enjoy this one!

Rosie B: Haha what an odd question, but thanks for your review. I really haven't thought about it. But I guess... possibly their American actors' voices, the originals and not the ones in Yashahime (ugh). It sounds like you just lost track of the timeline of events, which is fine. Yes, so many things happening! Enjoy this chapter!

xsophiex: Thanks for your review. I love how you see Kagome and her being comfortable in her femininity. Yes, she truly knows what she's got and she doesn't abuse them or hides them. She knows just what works for her and what she likes. As for her style... yes, I can see her as "chic". She likes neutral colors and doesn't like patterns or anything rambunctious. She also has a lot of classic looks and is with the current style trends, though she doesn't go out of her way to follow the trends if it doesn't suit her. She knows what works with her body's curves and she wears what suits her, not what people expect from her. When I write about her dressed in a crop top, it's with high waisted pants. So she is showing skin but only from beneath her breasts to her waist. Yes, sometimes I'll opt for the whole stomach exposure, but not always. It's up to your imagination, and that's what I see in mine. Again, she doesn't really call attention to herself that hard because she doesn't have to. Plus, in Japan, she isn't the "normal" size woman, so she's a little aware and conscious about that and how people will see her. But then again, she doesn't care that much whether or not people like her. But she is getting more aware that now she has someone to "represent", someone who stands next to her and is seen with her. So she has to take into account what she's wearing, especially since a lot of eyes are on her now because of who she's with. Anyways... I hope that answers your question. Enjoy this chapter!

MinxieXCX: Thanks for your review. I'm glad you like the lemons. And yes, I'm wondering if and when Kags is going to introduce the girls to pole dancing. She's still hesitant on blending her two worlds together, so I'm trying to figure out when's the best time for her. But more girl time is definitely in the future. I want them all to get more comfortable and friendly with one another. Also, everything you said about Onigumo is right lol. He definitely has issues, psychological issues, and Kag is the target of his obsession, which is not good for her. More on that to come. Enjoy this chapter!

val-rommel: Thanks for your review. Yes, I will talk about Kag's finances but maybe not in the sense as some would think. It'll just come up later, but you brought up the good point about her saving. This will come up later. Haha, yeah the dance class is definitely funny to see how these people are trying to catch the attentions of their teachers, while the teachers want nothing to do with it. Oh, as for Kag's hair, it's more blue than black. It's like an ombre blue, a deep blue, like a sapphire blue, but when it's dyed onto black hair it turns more tinted blue. Her hair is black on the top near the roots and it subtly turns to the deep blue for the rest of the hair. As the sun bleaches it over time and her roots grow out, the black and blue is more noticeable, while the tips of her hair gets a little lighter from the sun. I will be talking about this a little bit soon :) Enjoy this chapter!

inu-sitter: Thanks for your review! Yes, it'll take a lot of planning and skills if Koga wants to get Kagome while Kikyo's security team is around in Vegas. We'll see :) Enjoy this chapter

vanessa: Thanks for your review! Great question and thought! I'm glad that you are thinking and wondering about this. Hanyou pregnancies come up a little in this chapter, just to bring the topic of conversation in. But we'll talk about this more. Or they will talk about it more :) But I love that loop hole idea! Think about how Inu does have sex with her now? Hmmm ;) Enjoy this chapter!

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


"Do that again."

Kagome looked at Inuyasha's reflection in the bathroom mirror. He walked into the bathroom and stood behind her, his golden eyes so mesmerizing. She stood in front of her sink with water dripping from her face, waking herself up.

"Do what?" They just woke up. Well, more like they woke up a half hour ago and wanted to cuddle for a bit before they actually got out of bed. The more she 'lived' with him, the more she realized how much Inuyasha valued touch. He was a 'toucher', a 'lover', and she loved that. Too much, maybe. It was so strange to her how much she valued touch as well. She didn't know she would because of her past, but with Inuyasha, touch meant something to her. She realized that she was becoming obsessed with it, needing his touch and his little ways that he shows her how much he loves her, that he could become an addiction to her. She didn't want to be addicted to him, but how could she not when all her life she wasn't given this kind of touch. His touch was so different from what she's always known. And she craved it. She craved him. And today she would be going home after practice since she had to work tonight. She spent most of the week sleeping over at his apartment and for the entire weekend she would be back at hers. They had spent a little more time in bed to cuddle, with her stopping his sexual advancements since he got a text from his mother saying she was coming over.

"That thing. With your hips and your hair."

Kagome snickered, looking over her shoulder at him. His eyes bugged. "That!"

Kagome laughed, turning back around to look at his reflection. "I'm not doing anything, Inuyasha. Are you trying to hit on me?" The look he gave her only turned her to mush.

"No, seriously. Do that again," he started, staring at her reflection. When he walked in, he had seen her do a little move that caught his attention. Over the past days that she was staying here, he found inspiration in the little things she did. Like the way she swayed her hips when she was brushing her teeth or the way she closed a cabinet with her foot. Certain things she did gave him inspiration for dance moves. He was surprised as to how much she inspired him, but the more he thought about it and looked at her, the more he shouldn't be shocked. Kagome was just a sensual woman, sexy. She could use her body to inspire anyone, whether it be a sexual desire or a dance move. He was finding more about the way her body inspired him for a lot of things, a lot of sexual things.

"The thing with my hair?" she asked, grabbing the hanging wash cloth to her right. "You mean this?" She rocked her hip to the right and flipped her hair over to the right, running her right hand up through her hair to push it straight down behind her.

Inuyasha licked his lips, watching the way his shirt that she wore hike up her thigh but never revealing her pink panty that he knew she wore beneath it. "Yeah that."

She arched her eyebrow at his reflection. "You thinking something?" By the way his eyes were on her butt, she knew where his thoughts were going.

Inuyasha chuckled, kissing the back of her head before walking towards his sink to her left. "You just gave me inspiration for a new move," he said, turning the water on to rinse his face.

"Huh?" Now she was shocked. He got a new dance move just from her standing in front of the mirror, trying to make sure her hair didn't fall into the sink and get wet while she washed her face? That didn't seem like an inspiration for a dance move.

"Yep. Thanks." Kagome looked at him as he kept rinsing off the sleep from his face with warm water. These intimate moments with him was something that she cherished. She was sharing her life with someone, and for once, it felt good. He stood there, bent over the sink, with nothing but his briefs on, making her bite her lip. She crossed her arms and leaned her hip against the sink.

"You've been doing that a lot lately. You keep saying that you made a move because I inspired you."

"Yep." He turned to his left to grab his wash cloth, wiping his face while staring at his reflection. He hung his wash cloth back up and went to stand in the open area of the bathroom. He faced her and demonstrated his new move, all inspired by her.

"One, two..." His hands went to his chest and then his chest popped out as his hands waved up above his head, around and down to his hips. He pushed off to his right, doing the hip move she did while leaving his left leg straight out to his opposite side. "Three, four..." Then he brought his body down over his left leg, running his hands from his foot up his leg as he whipped his hair over his head and to his right side. "Five, six..." He ended with a roll of his body to the left as he ran his right hand through his hair, mimicking what she did. "Seven, eight."

Kagome smiled, shocked and surprised. She went to stand facing him and did the same eight count that he did. He watched her the whole time, it being sexier when a woman did it. His shirt hiked up over her butt and halfway up her stomach when she bent over and he loved the way she flipped her hair and rolled her body. She looked so sexy wearing his shirt, dancing like that. Inuyasha went to her and bent to grab under her thighs, picking her up. She squealed with a giggle and wrapped her arms and legs around him, pressing her chest against his as she stared down at him.

"You look so sexy doing that." He carried her to the middle of their sinks and placed her on the counter, standing between her open legs.

She smiled, moving her head back every time he tried to kiss her. "You got all of that just from me washing my face?" He chuckled.

"I could add some moves from our love-making," he suggested, wiggling his eyebrows. She stared at him with a half-hearted glare.

"Don't you dare." He laughed, wondering how that would work out in a dance group.

Kagome silenced him when she kissed him, tightening her arms around his neck, pulling him closer against him. He moaned and brought his hands up under his shirt, feeling her smooth back. Her skin was so soft, he wanted to lick every inch of her. He loved kissing her. And both of them hadn't brushed their teeth yet because they were going to have their coffee and toast first, but he didn't mind. He loved the taste of her, however he could get her.

"You amaze me," she said, breaking the kiss. She planted a kiss on his nose as she released her hold on him, placing her hands on his chest.

"That's why you love me."

She laughed. "I guess so." He pinched her back, making her arch into him to get away from his hand. He chuckled as she pushed him back so that she could hop off the counter. 'I'll take her here one day,' he thought, imaging that scenario as she hopped off.

"Let's go. Your mother's coming." Kagome headed out of the bathroom and back into his room to put on one of her jeans shorts. She took off his shirt to put on her bra and then put his shirt back on. She definitely couldn't walk out there, with Miroku and Sango already making their coffee, without a bra. Inuyasha had put on grey sweatpants and was putting his hair up in a pony tail as he walked to the door. She followed him and the two made their way towards the kitchen where the smell of coffee was coming from.

"Mmmmm, coffee!" Kagome said as the two entered the kitchen. Miroku was standing at the sink, washing the utensils he used while Sango was at the island, pouring herself a cup of coffee from the eight cup french press.

"Morning," Sango said with a smile. "You two don't look like you need coffee."

"I wonder why," Miroku said with a snicker, keeping his back towards them. Inuyasha walked behind him and swatted him on the side of his head. "Ow! What was that for?"

Inuyasha laughed. "You're the last person to say something like that."

"No, I'm the perfect person to say something like that," he corrected Inuyasha. Inuyasha just rolled his eyes as he went to Miroku's side to grab two cups for him and Kagome.

Kagome went to the island, standing next to Sango. "Inuyasha came up with a new eight-count just from me washing my face at the sink." She thanked him as he brought both of their cups and went to get some spoons to mix their creamer. The four had their morning routine, moving around each other with ease, getting what they needed to make their own coffee. Today was only the third morning since Kagome has been over and the four of them already were acting like they lived together for years.

They all woke up around the same time, usually around six, especially on weekdays for work. Whoever got up first made the coffee, an unspoken agreement since they all needed their morning coffee. By the time the coffee was brewed, everyone was making their way into the kitchen. The only thing they had to make was their own side dish if they wanted something to go with their coffee. Kagome loved to have some sort of bread or toast with her coffee, so Inuyasha was making two toast, one for him and one for her, while she made their coffee.

"He usually gets inspiration from anyone and anything," Sango commented, moving around the counter with her cup. "He's gifted like that," she said with a smile, looking at his back as she went to sit on one of the stools.

Kagome nodded her agreement as she poured the coffee into each of their cups and then poured creamer. Inuyasha had showed her how much he liked, which was a little less than she did. He liked his coffee strong. She stirred their cups, mixing the coffee. "His mother's coming."

Sango's eyes widened with her cup at her lips. "She's coming before she heads into work?"

Inuyasha nodded as he leaned against the fridge with his arms crossed. "Yeah. She texted me just as my alarm went off." He smiled a 'thanks' as Kagome handed him his cup and then took hers to sit next to Sango. "She just said she's coming over," he said with a shrug. He took a sip of his coffee, moaning. 'Hits the spot.'

"You wanna leave at seven-thirty?" Miroku asked, leaving the sink to grab his plate with a croissant. He walked around the island to sit next to Sango, pushing the plate between the two of them to share and taking a sip of his own coffee.

"Yeah." Since today was a Thursday, they would be starting practice earlier, at eight, on the days he and Kagome didn't have the dance class. But he had told the others to go to the academy and practice the older songs while the four of them would go to the warehouse to practice the newer songs and create the routines. He wanted them all to make use of the time, and since he was still creating the new routines, he wanted them to practice the old songs until he had a full number for them to start learning. Tomorrow would be the last day for the week and this weekend he would have time to be by himself in the warehouse to just be creative.

"We almost have one full number," Sango mentioned.

Kagome nodded. "We just have to clean up the bridge and maybe do a little changes."

"We usually add changes to it later, the more we practice it over and over," Miroku said. "The more we do it as a group, we can really see how the routine flows and works with twelve of us. And if it needs to be changed, which it usually does, then we'll change what we need to. But at least we have the foundation to teach the others."

"We just need to record it and we should have one of fourteen done," Inuyasha said with a roll of his eyes. The toast popped up and he went to slather butter and strawberry jam on it. The three got up and took their cups and plates with them to the dining table now that all of their plates and coffees were made. Once each couple got settled on either side of the table, they all sighed, enjoying their morning coffee together.

"It's been so nice having you here, Kagome," Sango said with a smile. "I really enjoyed having another girl here. It's nice not being the only one."

"Not our fault," Inuyasha complained.

Sango just smiled, shaking her head. "Did you have a good time, Kagome?"

Kagome nodded her head. "Yeah. It was nice being here," she said, smiling at Inuyasha as he looked at her.

"So... I guess we'll be seeing you more often then?" Miroku asked with a sly, knowing look over his mug.

Kagome held in her giggle, glancing at Inuyasha for a second. "Maybe."

They chatted for a bit about today's practice and the stress that Inuyasha felt for having to make the songs within a month. He felt like he wasn't making much progress, when the others tried to encourage him and tell him they had almost made a song within a few days. But the reality is, they still had thirteen more routines to create. It was stressful for him, and for everyone as they were wanting to help him. In the end, all of this was on Inuyasha's shoulders, and he knew it.

The doorbell rang and Inuyasha got up to get the door. The guest door was in view of the living room and dining room area, so they watched as he opened it and Izayoi was on the other side. She was dressed in a light green dress that went down to her knees, looking elegant with its wide straps and modest scoop neckline. She didn't have to dress to impress. Izayoi was beautiful in her own right. Kagome admired her.

"Good morning, honey," Izayoi said, leaning up to plant a kiss on Inuyasha's cheek.

"Good morning, Mother," he greeted, giving her a quick hug, and urging her in so that he could close the door behind her. "Why are you here so early? Heading into work?" He followed her out of the foyer and into the living room area to head to the dining room table.

Izayoi went to the head of the table and smiled at the others. "Good morning, everyone. I was just heading into work and decided to stop by."

Sango nodded with a smile, looking over at Kagome. "Izayoi's a doctor at Fujimoto Hospital. She comes by sometimes before or after work just to stop by and say 'hi'."

Kagome looked up, curious. "Fujimoto Hospital? I've heard a lot of that hospital." The hospital was owned by a person, and now that she put two-and-two together, she had no doubts that Inuyasha's family owned that hospital. The things she heard about it was that it had all the top notch medical equipment in modern day science. It was leading the way in medical breakthroughs here in Japan. She also heard some rumors, from those who believed, that both demons and humans were seen at that hospital.

Izayoi beamed. "Have you? I'm so glad to hear that. We have been trying our best to take care of our patients and give them the best treatment they could have."

"I've heard that it's a demon hospital?" Kagome chimed.

Izayoi nodded. "We accept all- humans, hanyous and youkai. But we keep them separated because a lot of things can happen in a hospital. I'll have to show you around the hospital sometime."

"Sure. I'd like that."

Izayoi nodded, smiling to her son who stood at her side with a knowing look on his face. She dismissed his questioning stare. "It's so good seeing you here, Kagome. Did you sleep over?"

Kagome smiled, crossing her legs Indian-style. "Yes. I've been here since Monday."

Izayoi's smile widened as she side-eyed her son, giving him a look. "Well, we should have dinner tonight after I get off work."

"I'm dropping her off at home after practice," Inuyasha said. "She has to work tonight. She works weekends and she's off Monday through Wednesday."

"Oh that's right. I remember you said that for the engagement party. Okay. Well I'll just have to come back some time next week to have dinner with you all."

"That would be great," Sango reassured her. "I'm sure Kagome will be sleeping over again," she said with a sly smile. Kagome looked at her with a shake of her head, smiling.

"Perfect. Oh, honey, I think your father wanted you to go in next week to help him with a project."

Inuyasha groaned. "I'll call him. I really don't have time, Mother. We have to get these dances made and then practice them with the group. We only have a month to get everything done."

Izayoi smiled knowingly and patted Inuyasha's shoulder. "I understand, honey. You guys must be super busy. I'll leave you to it. I just wanted to stop by and say 'hi'. My driver is outside waiting." She turned to leave, waving at them all. "It was good seeing all of you."

"Bye, Izayoi!" Sango said, the others saying their goodbyes. Inuyasha followed behind his mother, walking her to the door. He opened the door for her and walked with her outside.

"Inuyasha... I would love to have Kagome come visit the hospital. I would love to show her some of the work we're doing," she said, turning to him with a hopeful expression.

Inuyasha frowned, reluctant. He knew that his mother was all too excited to show Kagome what they were doing for hanyou conception. She seemed all too eager to show Kagome around the hospital. "I don't know, Mother. We haven't talked about that yet."

"Well, all the more reason for her to know and get educated. Plus, Rin still wants to get with her and I do too. I think it'll be good for the three of us to connect, and, you know, talk about mating."

Inuyasha groaned. "Mother, we haven't talked about that either. Plus, I want to be the one to tell her about those things." He understood why his mother wanted to get involved. For the first time, she was on board and all for his mating with Kagome. But he still felt protective of Kagome. It was his duty as her mate to tell her about those things, not his family. But he knew they had good intentions and they could help her in ways that he couldn't because they were female and they were human.

"Just think about it, sweetheart. Rin had myself to help her with adjusting, and Kagome has the two of us to help her. I'm not saying I want to be the first to tell her about these things. I'm just saying we can help her understand from a woman's perspective when the time comes." He nodded his head, understanding her intentions. She took one last look at him, worried about him, but decided not to press it. She leaned up to kiss his cheek again and turned to leave, but suddenly stopped.

"Why haven't you talked with her about it yet?" she asked curiously, keeping her tone low. Her son looked at her and she could see the pain and doubt in his eyes, eyes that quickly averted from hers.

"I... I'm not ready."

"Oh honey..." She turned back towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist, placing her cheek against his bare chest, offering him her strength. She felt his arms go around her immediately and she sighed lovingly. "Inuyasha... Kagome loves you. I can see that. And I truly believe that she is your mate. You have my blessing and yours father's, I'm sure. But you need to talk to her about those things. She has the right to know what she's walking into."

"I know, Mother. I just don't want what happened with Kiyomi to happen with her."

"And you think she would leave you because you can't get her pregnant?" Izayoi asked, rearing back to look up at him. Her face was dead serious, her voice holding no room for any softness. She knew that Kagome wasn't like that, even from the small exchanges that she's had with the girl, but if Kagome was someone like Kiyomi, she was sure as hell going to protect her son first. Inuyasha deserved much more than that. Just because he couldn't have children doesn't give someone the right to make him feel less than and rejected.

Inuyasha shook his head, stilling her fears. "No. We already had a small talk about that at the house. But I think we both need to sit down and really talk about what we want for our futures, and if we want a family together. I don't know how she feels about children or if she wants them." Now that he thought about it, Kagome might not want kids at all because of her past.

"Well have that talk, and have it soon. When she comes to visit the hospital, she'll see what we're doing to help hanyous. And then have that talk about mating, and Rin and I will be glad to have a chat with her."

"I know, I know," he said, bringing his hands up to her shoulders. "I'll let her know."

A clear dismissal. She smiled at him and released him. "I love you, sweetheart." He gave her shoulders a squeeze and she turned to walk down the hall.

"I love you, too, Mother." He watched her walk away and then turned around to head back in.

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

"No!"

Miroku sighed, frustrated, as he went to the iPad leaning against the mirrors. There, in the big open space of the warehouse, they had set six mirrors that faced the back of the room for them to use while dancing. Just the four of them. Miroku could feel the tension and frustration from everyone, especially Inuyasha. He snatched the iPad as he stood.

"Inuyasha, we're not getting anywhere," he said, turning back around to stare at the hanyou. "I don't think this is working out."

"You think?!"

Kagome frowned, looking at Inuyasha with his hands on his hips as he turned his back towards them to walk towards the back of the room, standing several paces away from them. They all needed a breather. The four of them have been going at it since they recorded the first song, and it felt like they were only hitting more walls than actually making a dance.

"Inuyasha," Kagome tried, wanting him to calm down. "I think all of us just need a break. Maybe we should take lunch and come back with a clear head."

Sango nodded her head, crossing her arms. Her face was sweaty, like most of theirs, and even she felt the same frustration that they all felt. "I think that's a good idea. I'm irritated, and making a dance with this energy is not helpful."

"I agree," Miroku chimed in, placing the iPad down next to the mirrors. "Let's go out and get lunch. I don't want us to end on a bad note, especially since there's so much more to do. If we don't want to come back, we can teach the routine we just recorded to the others. But if we do feel like coming back, maybe it'll be helpful to take a breath and get something to eat."

Miroku knew that Inuyasha was frustrated, not at them, but at himself. They had spent the first hour recording the dance to the first song. It was the only dance they've completed, and even then, once the group practices the routine, there were bound to be some changes to it. But they still had thirteen other routines to make, and the reality of it started to weigh heavy on them, especially on Inuyasha. Miroku felt for his friend. He could see now why Inuyasha had been so irritated at Kikyo when she broke the news to them at his engagement party. Inuyasha wasn't as happy as everyone else because he knew what this meant for him. He knew the responsibility and the pressure that would be put on him from then until the concert next month. And now he was able to see the pressure Inuyasha felt, coming out in his frustration, and even with the three of them trying to help him, they were hitting walls and losing motivation.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome walked up to him, his back still towards her. She sighed, placing a hand on his back. "Let's go for lunch." She felt him take a deep breath and then he turned around to look at her.

"Fine." He didn't say anything else but came up to her, wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. He urged her around and towards Miroku and Sango. Miroku nodded at Kagome with a smile, turning to offer his hand to Sango, and the four of them went to grab their things in the lounge area before they headed out.

They decided to walk to the restaurants nearby and search for something all of them would want. It was a good way for the four of them to be outside, breathe the fresh air and take some needed time off. Inuyasha kept Kagome against him the whole time with his arm around her shoulders, and she didn't seem to mind, while Miroku and Sango held hands in front of the two while asking the two about their dance classes and how it was going. Inuyasha and Kagome told the two about their new 'job' and how the students have been doing well, all things considering. Majority of the students still needed time to learn some of the moves and needed more repetitions before it stuck, while a small handful caught on faster than the others. Inuyasha told the two that they should come to a class and help out. It might give the students motivation or encouragement and boost morale. Sango agreed and said that she'd like to go and see what it's like. Kagome mentioned the two poles in the dance studio and how she could teach Sango a few things, which Miroku seemed all too eager and excited to know that Kagome knew how to pole dance and would teach Sango how.

They walked the streets full of delicious aromas, all four of them looking at all the restaurants they had to choose from and deciding on what they wanted. Once they all got their food, they ended up heading back to the warehouse. They decided to sit outside at the picnic tables, needing to be out in the sun after staying in the A/C warehouse, sweating all morning long. Both couples sat across from one another, opening their lunches with delight, thankful for the food.

"Itadakimasu!"

After a few small talks about the people they passed in the marketplace, the conversation ended up back on the job at hand.

"So..." Miroku started, placing his chopsticks down as he grabbed for his iced tea. "What do you wanna do?" He pinned Inuyasha with a look and the two obviously shared an exchange as to where the conversation had gone.

Inuyasha shrugged, taking a bite of his ramen. "I don't know," he said with food in his mouth. He chewed and swallowed before answering again. "This was what I feared when she told us the 'good news' at your engagement party," he said, making a mocking face when he said 'good news'. "I just... I feel so stressed out!" He didn't wanna get upset again but he could quickly feel his blood boiling at the thought of all the things he had to do within weeks.

"I know, Inuyasha," Miroku said. He watched as Kagome grabbed his hand and placed their hands under the table. Inuyasha looked to her and he calmed down after a few moments, smiling at Kagome. "But honestly, Inuyasha, I think we need to talk about this. I don't feel like we're getting anywhere. We have a lot to do with little time. So what should we change?"

Inuyasha knew Miroku was only trying to help, but thinking about a solution when all he could see was the obstacle and the stress of it all, he just had no suggestions left. "I don't know," he said in resignation.

Kagome squeezed his hand, looking ahead at Miroku to offer some thoughts. "Well it's obvious that the four of us dancing the song together isn't working. I can say that for me, I feel like I'm too busy looking at the three of you instead of focusing on me. It's hard for me to make a dance when we're all trying to do the same thing in the same space."

Sango nodded. "I was doing the same. But I also think that it's not helpful for all four of us to be doing the same song. Inuyasha, you are the choreographer. But I think in this situation, if you feel that stressed out and if we're just crunching on time like this, all four of us need to work together in making the dances for all fourteen of the songs. Maybe we can each take a song, make a routine for it, record it, and then bring it to you for approval. By then, that's one song done and we can keep moving forward until we get all fourteen done. Then, at the end, you can go through them all and change whatever you think needs changing before we teach them to the others. But at least the pressure isn't on you to come up with fourteen new routines in a week, or whatever. I'm so grateful that we're all such skilled dancers. I know the others will learn one routine in a day or two. But then we need to have mock practices with the stage dimensions, creating the fillers and the transitions. It's a lot for you to do alone." She looked at Inuyasha, her eyes sympathetic as he listened and appreciated everything she suggested. The two shared a smile as Miroku placed his elbow down on the table, resting his chin on his palm.

"Hmmm... I like that idea, Sango. We can all take a song. So that's... three songs each, with one up for grabs. That's already a lot for each of us to do, let alone fourteen." He turned his head so that his cheek was now resting on his palm as he looked at Sango. "Good idea, honey. I think that works out better than what we've been doing. I think it's something that we should try." He looked back at Inuyasha to see his reaction.

"I like it," Inuyasha said with a nod of approval. "I still think I'll have the final say, but in the end, if I don't like it and we run out of time, then I have no choice but to use it. At least we have something to use rather than nothing. I like that." He nodded his head as he squeezed Kagome's hand, looking at her. He really was stressed out about this. And for the past couple of days that she was at his place, the only thing he wanted to do was be with her twenty-four-seven. It was no one's fault but his own for not coming up with more inspirations and actually practicing and making the routines like he normally did. But now that he had Kagome in his life, he wanted to spend every waking moment with her. Once she was at home, he knew he would have nothing but his work to do and he would be grinding away at making the routines. He had to get them done. But he also had his desires and needs that distracted him.

Kagome smiled. "That's the plan then. We all choose three songs and you can have the extra one." Even though she wasn't comfortable making the routines for Kikyo, she would do this because he needed her help. Kikyo needed all of them if the concert was even going to happen. She would do this for him. "Are there any songs that stand out to any of you?" she asked, looking back at the two across from her. "Maybe it'll be better if we pick songs that we like and can quickly bang them out?" Honestly, there were only a few songs that she liked and that she thought she could make a routine for.

Sango tilted her head side to side. "Meh. I don't have a preference. There's a few that I like but I don't think it'll help me in making a routine any faster. You?" she asked Miroku. He nodded his head.

"There's one I like and I think I can make something to it quickly."

Inuyasha nodded, liking Kagome's idea. "Why don't we all just choose the three songs that we like so that it'll be easier for us to make something? Let's say... three days?"

Miroku nodded, a little unsure and doubtful, but it's not like they had time to play with. "The sooner the better, for sure." They all agreed.

"Record yourselves and we can make a video of all fourteen of the dances so that everyone can practice them on their own time after we've taught it to them. I have a feeling that we're going to be practicing everywhere and anywhere we can just to memorize every move," Inuyasha said. As a dancer, it's one thing to know the moves of a song. But the body needs to know before the mind knows. If the mind has to think what move comes next, it's already too late and mistakes can happen. It's always important for every dancer's body to have the dance memorized in the body, not in the mind. And that takes a little more time than one day of mind memory.

"Next Friday then, after Kikyo's album is released, we should have all the routines done by then. It'll be the perfect time since we can finally meet at the academy with the others and play her new songs in public. We can start with the routines I make to give me time to go over your guys' routines. And once they learn my routines, each of you will have your chance of teaching everyone your routines."

Sango made a thinking face, now doubting everything that they had just decided because reality was sinking in. "What if we can't come up with all fourteen routines? What if we don't like it and you don't like it?"

"Then Kikyo is going to have to do more songs from the last album," Inuyasha said adamantly. "She wants to do all of the songs in this new album, but I told her only if we have time. She knows that I won't make half ass routines just because I'm on a time crunch. It's not my style. And she agreed. Plus if we don't feel comfortable memorizing fourteen new routines in a month, then we're pulling from songs we already know."

Miroku sighed, thankful. "Well that's good news."

"I don't think it'll be any less special," Kagome assured. "Yes, she wants to promote her new album. But I think it leaves the suspense of making the fans buy the album if she doesn't sing all the songs on the album. Plus she's known for her hit songs and she should perform those hits that she's known for."

"I agree. She has to do her fan favorites," Sango said, liking the 'plan b' even more. She felt lighter now, knowing that the weight of the world wasn't on them because they could always change the lineup of songs, which she thought was the better idea for ratings. "Her top songs from the last album needs to be added into the show because it's Vegas." As if that explained everything, because it did.

Inuyasha nodded, thinking about this idea even more now and favoring it over them stressing out over fourteen new routines to make and learn. "Let me talk to Kikyo and Naraku again. I'm gonna get her to see that after today's practice, it's just not going to be a great show if we're forced to make a routine by a deadline. I think she'll agree."

The others nodded as they started to pack up their trash to head back in.

"Let's go down to the academy. And hold off on creating your three routines. Let's just teach the others this first one and I'll think of what we need to do next after my chat with Kikyo."

They agreed, liking that plan better. They weren't used to creating an entire routine since that was Inuyasha's job. Miroku and Sango usually helped him, inspired and critiqued his dances, but they never created a whole one. This plan was less stressful and hopefully the one that Kikyo would agree on.

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

"Call me when you get home," Inuyasha said, keeping his arms locked around her. He interlocked his fingers behind her hips, keeping their bottom halves pressed against each other while he leaned back to look down at her.

Kagome giggled, leaning back to look up at him, keeping her hands on his chest. "Yasha, by the time I'm off work it's one-thirty, two at the latest. I don't want to wake you up that late."

Inuyasha shrugged. "I don't care. Just call me. Are you going to catch a cab?"

Kagome stared at him for a moment, wondering what he was talking about. And then it dawned on her. She almost frowned, but pressed her lips together, shaking her head. "Maybe my coworker." She forgot that she still hadn't told him that truth yet. She didn't need to 'catch a cab' from Midnite to her apartment because it was a ten minute tops walking distance away. But because she 'works' at Starlite, she would have to find a ride to and from her apartment. If she really worked there. She was so good at playing a relationship, playing house, with Inuyasha that she didn't want to stop to assess the damage she was doing to the both of them, him especially.

"That Jinenji guy?"

She giggled at the jealousy in his voice. "I told you he's just a good friend and my coworker."

"He looks more like a bouncer or a security guard," he said, thinking about talking with the Jinenji guy even more now that Kagome was catching rides home with him and she seemed to really like and trust this guy. He wanted to get to know all the people in her life, not just to protect Kagome by making sure he trusted them around her, but also because he wanted to be a part of her life and know her friends.

"He kinda is," she said, patting his chest, hoping he dropped the subject. "I'll text you when I finish work."

"Call."

She sighed, resigning. "Fine." She patted his chest, giving him a slight push. He took the hint and kissed her, a little longer than she thought, before he finally let her go. She moaned when his lips left hers, not wanting to be separated from him.

Inuyasha smiled. "Think of me."

"I always do," she assured him, and grabbed her duffle bag from around his shoulder. They stood outside of her apartment complex, showing too much affection for the passersby, but both of them were too lost in their own world to care about what others thought. "I love you."

"I love you more."

She took one last look at him and smiled, wishing she didn't have to work tonight, or ever. She wished she didn't have to go home and sleep alone, now that she was used to sleeping with someone. She turned around and headed into the building, walking towards the elevator and waiting for it to come down. She frowned, finally letting her sadness wash over her now that she was alone. He seemed to be able to read every expression she had, and he could feel whenever her feelings or emotions changed, which unnerved her. He was getting so attuned to her. And she was getting more and more attached to him. She adjusted the strap over her shoulder, thinking about his smell, his smile, his arms and body wrapped around her. She was getting more dependent on him, which at first had caused her so much fear and anxiety. All her life she was alone and independent. She never depended on anyone to bring her happiness, to bring her food, to give her a safe home. She did everything on her own and for herself. And now, she finally allowed someone else to do it for her, and she actually liked it. She never thought that she ever would, but she did. She did from Inuyasha. She was starting to depend on his smile, on his arms around her when she fell asleep, on his deep chuckles that reminded her of how feminine she was and how attracted she was to him. He was becoming her whole world. Her life.

And yet... she was still lying to him. She got in the elevator and pressed the button to her floor. She hated that she had to lie to him about catching a ride with Jinenji home. It took her a second to remember that Inuyasha thought she worked at Starlite, the lie she had to write down on her job contract for her references. Using Jinenji as her cover was believable and easy since Inuyasha had met Jinenji before. He believed her, and it only made her feel guilty for having to lie to him.

Kagome walked out of the elevator and headed for her apartment, missing him with every step, wishing she could stop living two lives. 'I can't.' She took out her key and opened the door, stepping in and locking every lock she had on the door. She walked to her bedroom and dropped her duffle bag on the bed, immediately unzipping it to start unpacking so that she could head to work in less than an hour.

'Onigumo would never let me quit Midnite.'

The thought of asking Onigumo if she could leave only brought her chills. He was already starting to change with her. His possessiveness of her was getting worse in how he treated her. He never did raise his hand to her before, or hurt her. He knew better than to leave a mark on her, his best working girl. She couldn't work with marks on her body. A woman had to be unblemished. Flawless. Tattoos were absolutely not allowed. And yet, Onigumo was scaring her in how he handled her roughly, almost to the point of abuse.

'He can't lose me.'

She tried to think about why Onigumo would be so protective and possessive about her. He had all the other girls still working for him, and Ayumi and Midoriko were still one of his top three girls. He had nothing to fear if he lost one. Kagura would love to take her place, and Kagome was sure that Kagura would have her ways of staying at the top, even though it was different from how the top three girls professionally worked. So why would Onigumo get mad if she left? Why would he not want to let her go?

'He invested so much in me.'

That she knew to be true, and to be the biggest reason why she stayed with him. She headed for the bathroom and began stripping on the way. Onigumo really had invested a lot of his time and money into her. He had paid a lot to erase her past and create a whole new identity and future for her. He had paid for this apartment for the first couple of months. He had invested time and energy in teaching her all about being a gentlemen's girl, making Ayumi and Midoriko train her while he watched and monitored her progress. He gambled his best clients with her, hoping that they would be satisfied when she first was allowed to be on her own. He gambled a lot on her even now, knowing that she, Ayumi and Midoriko brought a lot of money to his business with the prominent and distinguished clients he gave them, and those who came seeking their services after word of mouth. They brought him a lot of money. And he had used a lot of money to help her.

'He didn't have to save me that night. But he did.'

She frowned, letting the hot water hit her skin as she thought back to that night in the dark alley. Onigumo really didn't have to save her. He could've walked by, like all the others. He could've been like one of them, but he wasn't. He stopped. He noticed. He saw her. He saved her. He gave her a chance for a future. She owed him her life. She probably wouldn't be living if he didn't see her and stop that night. And staying at Midnite, working for him and making money for him, was the only way she knew how to pay Onigumo back for everything he did.

'Inuyasha...'

He was her future now. And her future had nothing in common with her past. Inuyasha was good. He came from a good family, a rich family, and he had a future with such potential that any woman would want to be at his side and in his bed. She, on the other hand, was the total opposite of him. Yet, here they were. And still, she had to lie to him. She couldn't tell him about this part of herself because it was connected to a part of her that she didn't want him to know. Not yet, anyway. She needed to figure out how she was going to tell him, because she was, she had to. She had to tell him who she was, who Onigumo is and what he did for her. She had to tell him that she was still married and that her husband was looking for her. She was a cheating spouse. On top of shame and guilt that she felt, she didn't want to lose Inuyasha. He had become her everything so quickly that she was afraid she would break if he rejected her. So she knew she had to tell him. And soon before they became too invested in each other. He deserved the truth. And if he decided to leave her after she told him...

She shut off the water and dried herself off while going back out to grab her toiletries from her bag. She didn't want to think about him leaving her. It would break her.

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

"Lord Inuyasha." The woman rose from behind her desk as he came out of the elevator. Inuyasha looked at her and nodded, noticing her white blouse and black slacks. The receptionist bowed as he walked by without a word.

He loved the building's interior design, much like his family's taste. The walls were a fog grey, a perfect neutral to adding any color they desired for every floor of their building. This floor in particular was his family's offices, so it was notably more sleek and modern, not calling attention but giving off a relaxed energy. There were black and white decor down the hallway, from paintings to art to hanging lights, the floor was very simple and mellow. He passed the first door on his right and headed to the next one in the middle. The last door ahead he would save for last.

Inuyasha opened the door without a knock, closing it behind him and walking in. Much like the outside, this room spoke volumes as to whose office it was. His eyes met his brother's ahead at his desk.

"I just dropped off Kagome at her place," he said, as if there was a question spoken between them. Sesshomaru had texted him this morning, needing him to come to the office because he had something he needed to discuss about what he found out about Kagome's ex. He had told Sesshomaru that he was busy with practice but he would spin by the office after he took Kagome home, which wouldn't be until around five. And now, here he was.

Sesshomaru blinked but didn't say anything. Inuyasha made his way up to the two black, leather chairs facing Sesshomaru's desk and sat on one, bringing one leg up to rest his ankle on his knee.

"What did you find?"

Sesshomaru looked down at his desk and picked up a manila folder that had no label on it. His eyes went to Inuyasha's for a moment, and then placed the folder back down with his hand over it. "How well do you know Kagome?"

Inuyasha stiffened and sat up, regarding his brother with a blank stare. After a moment, he eyed his brother suspiciously. "Why?"

"At the engagement party," Sesshomaru started, leaning back into his chair so that it tilted backwards. "You told me that Kagome lived on Shikoku Island with her ex. You said she was in the hospital for a week and that she had multiple surgeries after her ex pushed her off the second floor railing. You also said that her ex was a demon who had power and wealth and who also kept her hidden from the world." Sesshomaru reminded Inuyasha of what the two of them, along with their father, had discussed in private at the engagement party, to get all the facts out there.

Inuyasha nodded his head, pressing his lips together from being reminded of what Kagome had gone through. "Yeah."

"It's only been a week, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru said, bringing the folder off the desk and opening it so that only he could see what was within. His eyes finally broke from his brother's, looking at the papers that slid down onto his palm. "How well do you know Kagome?"

"I don't like your question, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha said, holding in his growl. He gripped both hand rests of the chair, getting uncomfortable and threatened at the unknown and the puzzling question. Who was Sesshomaru to question how well he knew his mate? "I know Kagome just fine. Why?" he challenged.

Sesshomaru regarded his brother's answer, deciding for himself how his brother would react to the information he was about to be given. "My men took longer than I expected with finding any information related to Kagome."

"You were looking into her?" Inuyasha asked, now on the defensive to protect his mate.

Sesshomaru shrugged, crossing his leg to rest the folder on his thigh and closing it. "In order to find out about her ex I needed to start with her. It's a reasonable and understandable conclusion that I would look into Kagome's past in order to find out more about this ex. Don't get angry at me for doing what you asked."

"She's my mate," Inuyasha defended, not making any apologies for being on guard and suspicious towards his own brother for digging into his mate's past without his permission. "I asked you to look into the male, not my mate."

"After a week of searching," Sesshomaru started, dismissing his comment, "My men came back and reported what they found on Shikoku Island, which isn't much, but it's enough to draw suspicion and lots of unanswered questions." He didn't want to argue with Inuyasha because there were more pressing matters he needed to discuss with his brother. Even his interest was piqued with what his men found.

Sesshomaru opened the manila folder again and took out the papers, tossing the folder onto his desk. "They started at the largest city on Shikoku which is Matsuyama. That was the only city where they were able to find the closest information to someone who could be Kagome. They looked into hospitals and clinics for information on anyone named Kagome and Kagome Saito. There were a few profiles that I was able to discard since I knew it could never be Kagome. So I'm going to ask you some questions and narrow down this list of profiles to see if we can get any closer to Kagome's medical records." Sesshomaru didn't like the fact that his men couldn't find Kagome's files. Was Kagome lying about her name? Or did her ex have something to do with this? He found it odd for Kagome to lie to Inuyasha, especially about her name, but his men couldn't find anyone named Kagome Saito, which is on her birth certificate.

"Wait," Inuyasha interrupted. "There's no record of Kagome, or anyone, falling over a balcony and breaking bones?"

Sesshomaru shook his head and showed what could be considered a smirk. "That would be too easy. A paper trail is the last thing someone who would want if they wanted to keep their woman a secret from the world."

"And there's no record of Kagome Saito?" He watched his brother shake his with a dead stare. He felt his heart beat faster. "Well maybe her ex got rid of all of her records, even her birth records."

"A possibility." Sesshomaru's other thought was also that Kagome isn't who she says she is.

"You think Kagome's lying about who she is?" Inuyasha asked, wondering if his brother was starting to have his suspicions about Kagome. He knew his brother well. Sesshomaru didn't take kindly to false information and lies. Once he found out a lie, he was dead set in finding the truth. It became a game for him. But in this case, he didn't want his brother doubting Kagome and finding her suspicious. He didn't need his brother's approval on whether or not Kagome would be his mate, but he did want and value his family's approval of her. "Tell me what you really think, Sesshomaru."

"There is nothing that I think besides it being very suspicious. And I want to get to the truth of the matter, as I'm sure you do as well." Sesshomaru looked down at the papers, starting off with an easy question. "How old is Kagome?"

"Twenty-seven."

Sesshomaru flipped through and took out a few papers after quickly scanning the ages of the women. Every profile report either had an exact age from the date of birth or an age range based on medical records his men could find. The profiles also reported basic physical features, the schools the women went to and the profession they're currently in, on top of their marital status and children.

"What is her natural hair and eye color?"

"Hair is black. Eyes are blue." He watched his brother place a few more pieces of paper down on his desk, one after another. He knew his brother was trying to eliminate as many 'Kagomes' as his men had found. But Inuyasha had never thought that trying to find her ex would've lead to something like this. Was Kagome lying about her name? Why was it so hard for Sesshomaru to find anything on Kagome? Could her ex have gotten rid of all of her birth records or made fake ones to hide her from the world? For what purpose?

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru called. He could tell that his brother was unsettled by all this. He could sense his brother's anxiety and he could only imagine what his brother must be thinking. If he was in his brother's shoes, he would probably run home to Rin to talk to her about this as soon as possible. There could be no lies between mates. A mate was for life, and to live a life of lies was to not live at all. He could understand why his brother's guard would be up, not only to protect his mate but also to protect himself from being hurt again from another woman.

"I don't understand, Sesshomaru," Inuyasha whispered. He propped his right elbow on the arm of the chair and rested his forehead down into his palm. "Why would she lie about who she is?" He couldn't believe that Kagome would lie about something like that. But what else could this be?

"We cannot assume that Kagome is the one lying. Like you said, it could also have been her ex. It's a possibility that we haven't eliminated yet."

"But for what purpose?" Inuyasha asked, lifting his head with a growl and pounding his fist onto the chair. "Why would that bastard want to change her name when not even her parents cared if she was alive! Who the hell was he hiding her from!"

Sesshomaru remained quiet, watching Inuyasha reign in his temper. He gave his brother a moment to take deep breaths and calm down. "It isn't right for us to assume. It would only lead to more unanswered questions." His eyes went back down and he flipped through the rest of the profiles he had, taking out a couple that did not fit Kagome.

"Tell me... you said her parents didn't care if she was alive," he said, looking up at Inuyasha. His brother nodded with a twitch in his jaw. "Did she live on the streets?"

Inuyasha nodded. Sesshomaru looked back down and took out another couple of profiles. "Her parents were drug addicts," Inuyasha explained, wanting to help his brother who was only trying to help him. He wanted answers too and he would have to be open with Sesshomaru so that Sesshomaru's men would know where to look and what to look for. "They lost their home when she was young and they lived on the streets in homeless camps or abandoned houses all her life."

"Did she have any children?"

Inuyasha's jaw twitched. "No." He wasn't about to tell his brother about Kagome's sexual abuse. That was private. That was something that was hard for her to tell him, although he knew that Rin must know, but even she knew not to break client confidentiality.

Sesshomaru placed the last paper down until he had only one profile in his hands. His eyes scanned the document that only had two medical reports along with physical features and an age range. That was it. An entire piece of paper with only a few lines to record the existence of this girl named Kagome. And for some reason, from the little that Inuyasha had told him just now about Kagome's past, he had a feeling that this was the Kagome they were looking for.

"This might be Kagome's file, or what's left of it." Inuyasha's ears twitched and he moved in his chair, wanting to hear the information. "I tell you that it isn't long, at all. What my men was able to find about this Kagome was only two things from two separate clinics, and they intuitively believed that it was the same girl both clinics referred to." As Sesshomaru read the two doctor evaluations, his eyes narrowed at the last evaluation.

"The first evaluation was when the girl was five years old. She was admitted with a broken ankle." He looked up to see if his brother knew anything of that information.

Inuyasha looked down, tilting his head in thought. "She never told me anything about a broken ankle. When her ex pushed her over the balcony, she landed on her right side. She broke her wrist, knee, and rib. But nothing about an ankle."

"Well... this would've been when she was five." He waited to see if Inuyasha would say anything, but his brother remained speechless, motionless. "How open is she with you about her past?" he asked, wondering how well they both knew each other. He now wondered if Kagome knew about Kiyomi and how much, the same way if Inuyasha knew about her ex and how much.

"She shares some things," Inuyasha said, not wanting to go on the defense for Kagome. But the more his brother made him think about it, the more he began to question how well he really did know Kagome. "To be honest, our relationship had always been secretive, at least on her end. She's a very reserved and private person. It's hard for her to trust anyone and let them in, at least that was the impression I got from her when we first started dating. She had a hard time letting me in and sharing things about her past with me. It wasn't until she had that talk with Rin did she finally tell me things about her parents, specifically her father, and about her ex."

"Her father?" Sesshomaru asked, looking down at the last evaluation in the profile.

Inuyasha took a breath, hoping that he could trust his brother with this secret, and that Kagome wouldn't mind him sharing. "Her father first started raping her when she was ten and died when she was fifteen." Sesshomaru looked up to see the look in his brother's eyes. They shared a knowing look, both of their jyaki coming alive at the knowledge of a man touching, raping, one of their own. Sesshomaru could imagine the ice cold blood running through Inuyasha's veins. He would've been in a killing rage if someone had done something like that to Rin, before or after he claimed her.

"This makes a lot of sense now," Sesshomaru said, breaking the silence as he looked down to read the report. "The second evaluation was of an eleven year old who was admitted with pelvic pain, painful urination and vaginal bleeding." Inuyasha's ears twitched and he felt every muscle in his body tense, listening to his brother's words. "The doctor diagnosed her with gonorrhea and she was released with prescriptions."

That was the last word of that small record of a girl named 'Kagome'. He rested the paper on his thigh, staring at Inuyasha. "I think this might be Kagome based on what you shared with me. Is there anything else you can think of that she's shared with you about her past?"

Inuyasha stared at the front side of his brother's desk, thinking back to what Kagome had told him. He shook his head slowly, trying to take in that information his brother just shared while also trying to think of what Kagome shared and what he could share with Sesshomaru.

Sesshomaru sighed. "Listen, Inuyasha. It is not our place to come between mates, but I will give you some advice." He watched his brother, knowing he was listening even if his eyes were to the floor. "If Kagome hasn't opened up much about her past with you, then it could be that she is ashamed of it and doesn't want you to know about it. I think letting her talk with Rin and having scheduled talks will help her to talk through her past trauma. If that one talk with Rin helped her to open up to you about her rape, then I believe talking with Rin will help her to heal and be open with you about a lot of things." That was all he wanted to say about that. It wasn't his place to tell his brother what to do when it came to his mate, but Sesshomaru also didn't know the whole story and how much they may have already tried to talk about these things. So he couldn't judge Kagome based on this one detail about her not wanting to be open with his brother. Hearing that she was raped by her own father, he felt like that was a valid reason for her to not want to tell anyone, and that she may have a lot of emotional scars because of it. 'Rin is rubbing off on me.' His mate's words and wisdom in psychology has definitely rubbed off on him.

"I know," Inuyasha finally said, taking in his brother's words. He felt like there was still a lot he didn't know about Kagome, but mostly when it came to her past. When it came to their present together, she was open to him. He loved having her, body and soul, in any way that he could get her. When it came to talking about their future, they never really had talks about that besides him asking her to move in with him. And even that she was closed off to. So her past and her future were things that they didn't talk about, now that he thought about it. It was as if he had swept it under the rug because he was taking whatever he could. And she was only offering the here and now to him.

"Have you told her about Kiyomi?"

Inuyasha nodded. "I told her about how Kiyomi and I met, our childhoods together and me wanting to mate her. I told her about me being sterile and that being the reason why Kiyomi left."

"She left you because she didn't love you enough, Inuyasha," Sesshomaru said adamantly, his voice neutral. "She left you because she was never your mate. She leaving you was not your fault."

Inuyasha smiled softly, thankful to have Sesshomaru. Yes, he and his brother had their differences and quarrels, as all siblings do, but he and his brother were also very close and protective of one another, as all siblings are. He loved his brother, but he would never tell him that. "Thanks, Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru sat up and straightened out the discarded papers to be tossed out. He kept Kagome's paper aside and placed it back in the manila folder. "I don't have much to work on besides to continue to find out more about Kagome's past in order to find out who her ex is. I have nothing to go on in finding her ex. My men are also looking into some of the male demons on Shikoku Island but there are thousands and it's impossible to narrow it down without finding a connection from Kagome's past first. We are trying both ways, but I need you to know that I am going to be looking into her past. Not just to find her ex, but also to find out more about her."

Inuyasha looked up and knew Sesshomaru's underlying motive. His brother didn't like being lied to, nor did he like the unknown. And right now, Kagome was an unknown. They didn't have anything to go on to prove she was alive. Inuyasha's ears perked. "Was there really nothing to prove Kagome even existed?"

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed. "They did find her in the national database. But I found it odd that when my men took her records to Shikoku and showed her photo and information to the hospitals, no one knew of her or had any records of her."

"Wait, what do you mean?" Inuyasha was confused. "There has to be some records of Kagome because I remember seeing them when she applied for the job with Kikyo."

"There was a birth certificate and a basic profile on Kagome. It had her physical features like you described. Her age was the same and there is a picture of her in the national database from her ID. But everything in that file smells like lies to me."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because it makes no sense. I thought it strange that her birth is not on Shikoku Island and her parents' names are not listed. It says she was an orphan and adopted."

Inuyasha scrunched his eyebrows, wondering why her records was different from what he knew about her. Was it a lie? Or was she lying?

"Now you know why I'm interested in her," Sesshomaru said, standing. "It's either Kagome is lying to you about her past trauma and abuse, or the records have been manipulated. I do not like these secrets and these unanswered questions."

Inuyasha watched his brother pack up for the night, putting everything he needed into his briefcase to take home. He thought about his brother's words. Now he did know why Sesshomaru was so adamant on finding out more about Kagome. If the records were a lie, then who created her records? If Kagome was lying, then why would she feel like she needed to lie about having such a horrible childhood and upbringing? To get attention? Sympathy? Something wasn't right. Even he wanted answers. Nothing made sense.

"Inuyasha... I'll let you know what else my men find. Right now, I'm going to have them go off this profile and hopefully they can find out more about this Kagome and if it's your Kagome."

Inuyasha nodded, standing up as his brother came around the desk. The two of them walked towards the door together. "I hope... I hope this doesn't change the way you see her. She's a good person, Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru nodded his head. "I know that. From the few encounters I've had with her, I can tell that she has a good heart. Even my mate loves her, and that is enough for me to tolerate her, maybe like her."

Inuyasha smirked, knowing his brother never dealt with emotions well. Maybe not at all. Some would argue that he was emotionless, but his family knew better.

"I don't think any less of her, Inuyasha, if that's what you're asking. I still believe she is your mate and she won't be going anywhere. She is a part of the family, whether she realizes it yet or not. If she is your true mate..."

"She is," Inuyasha said without hesitation.

"Then she isn't going anywhere. Mates cannot live without one another. I know she is here to stay and she is my sister-in-law, even if it isn't official. I don't think any less of her. I just think she isn't being honest about a lot of things, and that doesn't sit well with me. And it shouldn't sit well with you. It's either she tells you and comes clean, or I will find out myself."

Sesshomaru opened the door and walked out with his brother right behind him.

"I'm going to see Father," Inuyasha said, dismissing Sesshomaru's threat to Kagome.

Sesshomaru kept walking towards the elevators, heading in the opposite direction of the hallway. "Good night."

"Night," Inuyasha said, watching his brother walk away. He needed to clear his head and gain some clarity. His father would be able to help him with that. He turned and headed to the last door at the end of the hall.

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

"You're so lucky," Ayumi said, putting her mascara on. "Is he good in bed?"

Kagome giggled, walking back to her chair with her pick for tonight's outfit. "Of course he is."

"Like how good?" Midoriko asked, swiveling her chair around so she could stare at Kagome.

Kagome took in Midoriko's look, dressed in nothing but her white underwear and bra, sporting a 'tell-me-everything' look. She was beautiful with her legs crossed and her green hair flowing over one shoulder. "What do you mean 'how good'?"

Midoriko's eyes glittered with a sly smile. "Oooooh don't give me that. Tell me how good he is."

"Why? So you can imagine what he's like in bed?" Kagome said with an arch of her eyebrow. She looked at herself in the mirror. "I'm not sure I'd like that."

Midoriko burst out laughing, bringing her hands up and behind her head, jutting her breasts forward. "Maybe..." she said teasingly. "Is he a giver?"

"He looks like one," Ayumi proposed, blinking her eyes several times to check her work. "He definitely seems like he could spend the entire night eating a woman out."

Now it was Kagome's turn to laugh. If only they knew how right their teasings were. She draped her outfit over the back of her chair and crossed her arms, looking between the two sitting on either side of her chair. "I can't believe we're having this conversation."

"Well, you're the only one getting laid right now," Midoriko said with a pout.

"Which I don't understand," Kagome said, looking at the woman with a beautiful, nearly naked body. "How is it that I'm the only one?"

"Because I've had my share of abusive men and Midoriko can't seem to find one that keeps up with her," Ayumi said, grabbing her lipstick and sliding the stick up. "It's a good change for us. It's a good change for you, Kagome. I like seeing you happy like this. Not to mention sex always releases the endorphins."

Kagome looked at Ayumi's reflection and smiled when their eyes gave each other a look. "Thanks, Ayumi."

"I still wanna hear how he is in bed," Midoriko pressed on.

Kagome giggled and shook her head, taking her shirt off so she could get changed. "Well I'll say this much..." she said, pulling her shirt over her head. "He's a giver and he's amazing in bed."

Midoriko uncrossed her legs and sat up, pouting. "No fair! Now I want more!" she said in a whining voice, gripping the hands of her chair.

Kagome and Ayumi laughed as the three of them continued to get ready, dropping the topic of sex with Inuyasha. The night was about to begin and they would soon be busy for the next six or seven hours. Kagome looked forward to tonight. It had been a long day with everyone, prepping for the concert ahead and stressing over the dances that needed to get made. Now that they came up with a game plan, she had to be prepared to make three routines if all else fails. The pressure alone was overwhelming, making her wonder how Inuyasha was able to do it. She was a dancer, not a choreographer. But Inuyasha keeps telling her that she still creates her own moves and choreography as a dancer. Dancers are natural choreographers to themselves, which she could completely agree. Working here at Midnite proved that she was her own choreographer. But the pressure to create dances for an entire dance group, not to mention the biggest kicker, that these dances were for Kikyo, an international pop-star, it was all too overwhelming for her. So it was nice for her to come to a job that takes her mind off her other job.

"Hmph, pathetic."

Midoriko paused in putting her hair up. She turned to look over her shoulder at Kagura who was busy putting on her makeup. Midoriko continued to put her hair up, looking in her mirror at Kagura's back. "Hold your tongue, Kagura."

Kagura smirked at her reflection, but said nothing else. Kagome turned to look at the back of Kagura's head and then back to Midoriko.

"What?" Kagome asked, wondering what that was about. She took off her shorts and stood in only her underwear, putting her hair up in a bun, keeping it out of the way while she dressed.

"Nothing," Midoriko said. "Kagura's just jealous." She said it loud enough so that Kagura could hear her. She could hear Kagura because she was a neko youkai, even if Kagura was mumbling under her breath.

"What am I supposed to be jealous of?" Kagura said, speaking up a little louder and bolder now so that Kagome could hear. "Poor guy. It's not like she knows what to do in bed."

Some of the girls snickered, listening to the conversation and the growing argument that was about to unfold. Everyone knew how Kagura can be, and some either enjoyed her attitude or hated it. Some eyes roamed between Kagome and Kagura, all of them interested now in what was going to happen, but also trying to get ready and seem like they weren't paying attention.

Kagome turned to glare at the back of Kagura's head. "I'm pretty sure I'm better than you, Kagura. Both on the floor and in the bed." The girls became a little more interested now as some of them turned around to look at the two women squaring off. Both Midoriko and Ayumi kept at their business but their entire attention was on the two women.

Kagura turned her chair around and crossed her legs, staring Kagome down. "Honey, you can barely stand a man touching you," she said in a condescending tone. "I'm sure Inuyasha's great in bed because you haven't had any before and he has to do all the work. The poor thing needs a woman like me to show him how good sex can really be."

Kagome felt heat crawl from her chest, up her neck and towards her ears. She had never been so angry at Kagura before this moment. She could handle Kagura's snobby and bossy attitude at work, thinking she was better than everyone when she wasn't. But what Kagome couldn't handle was Kagura talking about her relationship. Inuyasha was off limits. And it pissed her off that Kagura even assumed that she was a virgin because she knew nothing about her.

Without thinking, Kagome stormed her way towards Kagura. Midoriko and Ayumi immediately dropped their makeup and moved to follow her, catching up to her quickly just as Kagome towered over Kagura.

"You're so used, Kagura, that you can't give any man a good time," she said, glaring down at her with her hands on her hips.

Kagura became furious and stood up, nearly making Kagome take a step back as to how close the two of them stood head to head. Both were in nothing but their underwear, looking sexy and formidable, glaring at each other, a challenge. All the girls now had their chairs turned around to watch the catfight play out.

"You're done here, Kagome." Kagura smirked, her face in disgust. "You think you still have your place here. You broke all of the rules! And now you're dating. You think any of the men would still want you? You're used!"

Midoriko got in between the two and pushed Kagura back, catching her off guard so that she fell back and down into her chair with a thump. Ayumi stood right behind Midoriko, standing in front of their friend. Kagura moved to stand up again but the look on Midoriko's face made her think otherwise. Midoriko crossed her arms, glaring down at Kagura, daring her to stand and face her. The girls knew Midoriko was like a tomboy. She had a very domineering and aggressive attitude, making none of them want to test her or get on her bad side. Midoriko never got into a fight here at work, but when she spoke, she meant every word, and she was a demon nonetheless.

"You think I've lost my touch?" Kagome asked with a smirk, going around Ayumi and Midoriko to look at Kagura. "I'll show you tonight that I haven't."

"A dance off, then!"

"Ladies! What is going on!" Everyone turned to the door to see Onigumo walk in. All the girls immediately turned around and faced their mirrors, heading back to getting ready for the night. But the four women stayed in their places, their attentions leaving Onigumo and going back to their opponents.

"Ladies!" Onigumo quickly made his way over to the four of them and went straight for Kagome, grabbing her arm and pulling her to his side. "Kagome, what is going on?" His eyes went to Kagura and then to Midoriko and Ayumi, piecing bits together but not understanding why there was such hostility with the four of them. His eyes stared at Kagome until she finally looked up at him, dismissing the situation.

"Nothing. Kagura and I just wanted to have a dance off tonight."

Kagome turned and Onigumo released her so that she could walk away from him, watching her beautiful figure go back to her chair as Midoriko and Ayumi followed her. He turned to look down at Kagura who stared at the backs of their heads with anger.

"Kagura?"

She looked up at him and he could see her calm herself down, sitting up taller to compose herself, and turned her chair back around to face her mirror. "We want to have a dance off to see who's lost their touch."

Onigumo arched his eyebrow. He knew that Kagura had always been jealous of Kagome, and in a way, of Midoriko and Ayumi as well. Mostly with Kagome. All the girls knew their places and roles at Midnite. While most of them respected and accepted it, Kagura was the only girl he had who always wanted him to choose her as his top girl. She always fought him on it. But he wouldn't. Kagome would always be his most favorite girl. Ayumi and Midoriko were a part of his top three girls. They brought in the most money and he saw the highest potential in them. He just couldn't make Kagura one of his top girls and give her his higher clients because he knew her enough to know that she just wouldn't cut it. And it was that jealousy and animosity that drove Kagura to keep wanting to prove herself to him, even at the expense of getting into arguments with the three girls.

"Leave, Onigumo," Kagura said, glaring at Onigumo in her mirror. She didn't want to talk to him. She already knew where he stood with this, whose side he would be on, was always on. She didn't want to see him or hear him talk her out of it because he was always on Kagome's side. He would always be on Kagome's side, always back her up and always protect her. He was pathetic like the rest of the men who threw themselves at Kagome's feet. "Just get out!"

He could hear the venom in her voice and decided not to push the issue, even though he wanted to have a 'talk' with her in his office at her tone with him. But they were opening in less than ten minutes and he needed all of them out there, looking their best. He looked up at all the girls bustling around, getting ready. "I want everyone out in five!" With that, he left them to it.

After a few minutes, many of them were filing out the door one by one, needing to be out there to greet the clients as they walked in. Kagome stayed behind even though she was ready, one of the last ones with Kagura.

"Go, I'll see you guys out there," she said to Midoriko and Ayumi as both looked at her. They both nodded, all three of them ready and beautiful in their outfits. Midoriko and Ayumi left Kagome and Kagura alone.

As Kagura walked towards the door to head out, Kagome headed there quicker to stand in front of the door, preventing Kagura from going through. The two of them glared at one another for a few seconds.

"Pick a song," Kagome challenged.

Kagura smirked. "Since you seem to be so good in bed... Everyday from Ariana Grande." She took a step closer to Kagome, their faces mere inches from another. "If Inuyasha was here, I'd take him for a ride. And he would never even notice you."

Kagome's blood boiled as Kagura smirked and nudged her out of the way to get to the door. She glared at Kagura's back, trying to control her emotions and her pounding heart. The thought of Kagura touching Inuyasha, luring him up into the Sky and having her way with him, only made her see red. Kagura really thought that she was a catch, that she was the top girl in this business. Kagome took a deep breath, controlling herself. She would use all these emotions swirling within her on the floor. Dance was always her way of expressing herself. Through her dance, through her expressions, she was able to let it all out. And like Kagura, she had a horrible habit of craving attention from men. Guess that's what made her exactly the same as Kagura. As much as she hated Kagura, she was just like the woman.

Out on the floor, the night was beginning to start as men made their way in, dressed finely in their suits or fashionable dress clothes. Kagome smiled as three men stopped to bow, smiling at her approvingly as their eyes went up and down her entire body. She smiled at them, making them swoon even more, addressing her and wishing her a good night. She bowed her head and continued to make her way towards the bar. Many of the clients here were regulars. Onigumo kept his friends close. The only way one could come into Midnite was by being invited with a member, or by being a member, which was always with Onigumo's approval. And money, of course. But Onigumo liked to have connections with all of his clients in some form or another because it gives him an edge over them. Seeing the same men every week, sometimes even every day, was customary for her. She should know their names after nine years of working here, but she didn't. She didn't bother. If someone wasn't her client, it wasn't her job to know them. Onigumo kept her busy every night with back to back clients, so she never got to mingle with all the other men who came just to enjoy themselves without having to pay for a girl.

"Sapphire. You look nice."

She turned to smile at Kohaku, glancing at the way his silver-spiked tips of his hair shined from the club's bar lights around him. "You look nice yourself, as always."

Kohaku smiled sheepishly. "This old thing?" he asked, motioning at his white dress shirt and black slacks with his hands. "You know... I try," he smirked, tossing his purple tie over one shoulder as he leaned his elbow against the counter.

She laughed at his boyish flirt, loving how innocent he was. Kohaku was their youngest employee, being only twenty-one. What he was doing in a place like this, she didn't know, and she wouldn't ask. No one poked around in someone's business and that was the understanding that they all had.

"Same?"

Kagome nodded. "Please." She turned around as she leaned into the counter, looking at the room quickly fill up. Chatter was growing louder as Hakaru stood in his spot at the DJ booth, one earmuff over his ear, starting the night. The music he chose was simply musical, a nice pop beat to get the bodies swaying and moving, loose and relaxed. Movement caught her eye and she looked to see Kagura leave one of the men sitting at a table, and she made her way towards Hakaru. He leaned down to hear what she was saying and then nodded, smiling as he gave her a thumbs up. Kagome glared at Kagura as the woman went back to the table, smiling and laughing about something the men were telling her.

"Woah... if looks could kill."

She turned to see Kohaku smiling at her in wonder, pushing her glass of Baileys towards her. She took it with a thankful smile and took a long 'sip'. Kohaku watched her nurse her drink, clearly interested now, as Hojo walked by behind him, busy with the first round of orders.

"Kohaku! Get a move on!" Hojo reprimanded, but too busy to stop and snap him out of it.

Kohaku leaned both arms onto the counter and watched Kagome drink half the glass down in one breath before coming up for air, setting the glass down on the counter. "What's good?"

Kagome's eyes went back to Kagura, who was now looking around the dance floor while also trying to pay attention to the man whose lap she was sitting on. "Jewels." As if that answered his question, which it should. "We're doing a dance duel."

"Is that right?!" he said, standing to his full height as he looked out to spot Kagura. "Well, both of you look good tonight. I'm sure it'll be one hell of a show." He watched Kagome, wondering why she seemed so bothered. Something happened, that he could tell with the way Kagome's demeanor was and the way she stared down Kagura.

"Hey! Help me out, dammit!" Hojo said, walking behind him again, carrying two brand new bottles of rum back to his station. Kohaku waved Hojo off, turning to look at him.

"Sapphire and Jewels are having a dance duel."

"Yeah, and you and I are swamped with first rounds. Get a move on it, Kohaku!" Hojo reprimanded. Kohaku smiled and shook his head, but did as Hojo ordered, knowing he needed help.

"Good luck, Sapphire. You got this in the bag." With that, he went to flip open a black book on the top of many black books and started on the drinks.

Kagome smiled and turned around. "Thanks."

"Yeah, good luck, Sapphire," Hojo said as he poured rum from bottles in both hands into separate glasses. "Go show them what you got," he yelled, not even looking up but focusing on his pour. He stopped pouring and in swift motions, dropped the bottles in their slots on the speed rail, and reached for two new bottles, quickly pouring the contents into the glasses. "Hurry up, Kohaku!"

"Yeah, yeah."

Kagome downed the rest of her drink, feeling the smooth burn of the drink slide down her throat. This little liquor buzz would help to clear her head from all the anger and irritation that she felt towards Kagura. She didn't want to be distracted by the way Kagura got her so riled up, talking about Inuyasha the way she did, and having her emotions get the best of her on stage. She was always able to control her emotions and having to use them in a way that captures her audience. Now was a good time for that.

Kagome took a step and felt a hand fall on her shoulder. She turned to see Jinenji and smiled, his presence always making her a bit happier and calmer.

"Your first client is here," he announced.

"Perfect. Can you bring him to the front of the main stage. I want him to watch me dance." Jinenji nodded and turned to go get her client.

She then made her way onto the floor, walking around all the tables to get to the one Kagura was at with four other men. "Jewels. Are you ready?"

Kagura looked up, as if she was irritated at the interruption, and simply ignored her. "I'm sorry, gentlemen. I'm going to have to leave you for a few minutes. But I'm going to put a show on for you that you won't forget."

The men at the table all smiled at her, wondering what she was up to, their eyes expectantly looking between Kagura and Kagome. Kagura turned and walked towards the DJ booth with Kagome on her heels.

"Ready Hakaru?"

The man nodded and looked down to make sure everything was in order. Kagura turned and faced Kagome, a smug smirk on her face.

"After you, princess."

Kagome glared at Kagura with disdain. The woman sure knew how to press buttons. She turned and went straight for the main stage, keeping a cool head. She saw Jinenji waiting at the main stage with her client sitting a feet away, alone, at a table. She smiled when the man looked up and she noticed who her first client for the evening was.

"Genta." Even though he was maybe ten years old than her, he still had such a young, boyish look, even with his salt and pepper hair that she loved so much.

"Sapphire," he said, standing to reach for her. She placed her hand in his and he pulled her to him, letting him hold her loosely. "You look gorgeous."

"Thank you." She had chosen to wear a white skort with a bikini bottom since she knew she would be dancing tonight. The skort flared to add drama whenever she spun around the pole, and it would give a nice tease whenever she would flip upside down. She chose to wear a red halter top. In a way, she looked like an athlete, perhaps a tennis player, but she thought she looked cute with her hair up in a ponytail and her white stilettos. It was comfort and tease all in one outfit.

"You're dancing tonight," he mentioned, reluctantly releasing her. His eyes roamed her body once more, appreciating every inch of her.

"Yes. You have front row seats," she said, smiling once more before taking her hand back. She turned for the stage, smiling at Jinenji. He moved to come around her as she turned her back to the stage and faced him. He gripped her hips and in one easy move lifted her up to sit back onto the stage.

Kagome stood and made her way over to the pole in the middle of the stage. By now, the music was starting to slowly get softer as Hakaru kept his eyes on both women, watching to see if they were in position before he played the song. Everyone noticed the two women on the stage and their eyes and attentions were being drawn to them as the conversations started to quiet. The stage was set and the audience was captured. Kagome smiled to herself, reaching out for the pole and letting herself go. She gripped the pole with one hand and let her body fall away, twirling around once, standing up, and twirling around again. The customary feel of the pole and the way her body moved with it just brought excitement and energy into her. That familiar feeling This was her world. For nine years, this stage, this music, these lights, they were her world. The only thing she knew.

Kagome brought her body up and went to stand in front of the pole, putting her back against it while facing the crowd. She brought her hands up her body, knowing all eyes were on her, watching her every movement, feeding her addiction. She slowly ran her hands up her body until she wrapped her fingers around the pole above her head, looking out to Genta. She gave him a wink and he lit up, smiling at her as he nodded his head before taking a sip of his drink, his eyes greedily taking her in. She and Kagura were in their positions, waiting for Hakaru to start.

The music slowly faded out and flowed easily into a new song, a remix of 'Everyday', this one a slowed down version for the girls to dance to. As the beat came on, Kagome slowly slid her back down the pole, bending her knees until she sat with her knees up, spread wide for the crowd to see. The lights dimmed as Hakaru controlled them to go along with the beat of the music.

'Anytime I'm alone

I can't help thinking about you

All I want, all I need

All I see, is just me and you'

Kagome turned and brought her knees together to kneel facing the pole, flipping her hair around as she rotated her head. Her hands went up in the air, one arm feeling down the length of the other. She kneeled up to grip the pole and flung her right leg back and around to her side. The momentum allowed her to twirl around slowly while she lifted herself up, holding herself in the air while her toes slid along the stage beneath her crouched stance. She planted her toes down, holding onto the pole with the arm closest, and leaned her body forward and over to flip her hair back.

'He giving me that good shit

That make me not quit, that good shit

He giving me that good shit

That make me not quit, that good shit'

She took a step forward with every beat, letting her body roll, thinking about how good of a 'shit' Inuyasha gives to her. She thought of him the entire time because this song was for him. Anytime she was alone, she couldn't help but think about him. He was everything she wanted, everything she needed, everything she saw. And he gave it to her so good. Her body craved what he offered, and she let her sexual need of him inspire her moves.

'Oh he give it to me

(Everyday, everyday, everyday)

He give it to me

(Everyday, everyday, everyday)

Oh he give it to me

(Everyday, everyday, everyday)

He give it to me

(Everyday, everyday, everyday)'

Thinking about Inuyasha giving it to her everyday brought her on a high. She grabbed hold of the pole and climbed up, twisting her legs beneath her to push herself up higher, like climbing a rope. Once she got to her preferred height, she engaged her abs and used her core to lift her butt up and over her head. She wrapped one leg around the pole while extending the other straight out behind her, letting her body twist its way down as she went hands free, arching her back as she stared down at the ground. After a couple of spins, she switched positions, holding onto the pole with one hand while she grabbed her extended leg up against her body. She released it just before her head was close to the stage and reached up to grab the pole, releasing her legs and bringing them down beneath her to slide along the stage. The action took a lot of core and arm strength, holding herself high enough and with enough grace and control to glide along the floor with seemingly little effort.

'Anytime, anywhere

Baby boy, I can misbehave

Breathe me in, breathe me out

Feel me I'm running through your veins'

She went to her knees, kneeling up so that the pole was against her crotch as she faced it, and then bending backwards until her back touched the floor. She heard some in the crowd making 'ooohhhh' and 'aaahhhh' noises. Lying on her back, she brought her legs up from under her and into the air, letting them dance with the pole. She touched her body everywhere, tossing her head back and forth while arching her back. She thought about the way Inuyasha made her feel. He made her feel so wildly abandoned, like she wanted to misbehave, like she wanted to step off a cliff and do something so dangerous. As she felt the beating of the music, she thought if he could feel her running through his veins the way she felt him running through hers.

'He giving me that good shit

That make me not quit, that good shit

He giving me that good shit

That make me not quit, that good shit'

Slowly she sexily made her way back up to her feet, grabbing the pole to stick her butt out as she undulated up. She kept walking around the pole, moving her body around. She twirled and danced, using her whole body to captivate her audience.

'Oh he give it to me

(Everyday, everyday, everyday)

He give it to me

(Everyday, everyday, everyday)

Oh he give it to me

(Everyday, everyday, everyday)

He give it to me

(Everyday, everyday, everyday)'

She kept walking around, gaining momentum, and then grabbed up the pole while still moving around it. She climbed her way up using her arms, tightening her core, while she walked her legs in the air, looking as if she was walking up stairs going round and round the pole. Once she got up high enough, she brought her legs up and over, wrapping one leg around the pole while the other straightened. She quickly moved between different poses, changing which leg wrapped around the pole while dancing with her arms until she was low enough where she had to flip around and bring her legs back to the ground. She kept dancing to the song with the pole, dipping up and down while swinging her legs out in a helicopter with level changes.

'You make me go

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Everyday, everyday

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Everyday, everyday'

'I put that work on you everyday

When the night fall 'til the sun come

You done fell in love with a bad guy

I don't compromise my passion

Just know what you do for me, I'm doing the same for you

I don't be tripping or making mistakes

I made too many in my pants

I fight for the things you believe in

I got your body and put it in drive, baby

Like I got the keys in

We 'bout to take us a vacation

I'm 'bout to put all this vintage loving on you

Like it was the late 80s

When you ride on me, baby rotate it'

Again she climbed the pole, changing between poses as she listened to the rap part, letting the beat inspire her. She caught Genta's eyes as she slid down, making her smile to herself. She couldn't see everyone's eyes because of the lights but she was glad that he was watching and smiling, letting her know that at least he was pleased with her dance.

'He giving me that good shit

That make me not quit, that good shit

Oh he give it to me

(Everyday, everyday, everyday)

He give it to me

(Everyday, everyday, everyday)

Oh he give it to me

(Everyday, everyday, everyday)

He give it to me

(Everyday, everyday, everyday)'

High up, behind the tinted soundproof glass, Onigumo watched the entertainment down below. He kept his hands in his pockets the whole time, his eyes focused like a hawk on the one woman he craved like an addiction. He watched the way her body undulated around the pole. The way she danced on that stage like there was no one watching, like she commanded a crowded room. That was the one thing he fell in love with about her. The way she danced was like looking into her beautiful heart. The way her face looked, the way her eyes changed color ever so slightly depending on how she felt. He knew everything about her, and yet still knew nothing of her. He had her, and yet she always seemed to elude his grasp, and that was his addiction. She was his addiction. And as he watched Kagome twirl down the pole upside down, he knew that he would never give her up for anything. Or anyone. He would prove to her that she was his, whether she liked it or not. And she would regret the day that she would ever try to leave him.

'You make me go

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Everyday, everyday

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la

Everyday, everyday'

'He give it to me, to me

(She got me on it...)

Oh, he give to me everyday

(She got me on it...)'

Kagome ended on her knees with her back against the pole and her hands over her head, gripping the pole. The music went silent and the lights dimmed for a few seconds as the room erupted in applause. Some of the men cheered and many on the floor got out of their chairs to stand and applaud. Kagome smiled, focusing her eyes as the lights came back to their normal, dim glow, and the music slowly built back into something of Hakaru's choosing.

She made her way to the side of the stage where Jinenji waited. But then she saw Genta get out of his seat and make his way next to Jinenji, his eyes focused on her. She smiled as she walked and bent down in front of him, bringing her legs over the edge of the stage.

"Did you like it?" she asked him, noticing that Jinenji was walking away, disappearing as his usual self to watch over her.

"Like? Is that the word?" He smiled up at her and reached for her. She let him help her down off the stage and he blocked her for a second as she straightened out her outfit. "You were beautiful, Sapphire."

She looked up at him, grateful for the compliment. She placed her hand on his chest and pat his chest a few times. "Thank you. Was I better than Jewels?" she asked with a giggle, knowing he knew nothing about why she had danced tonight.

Genta frowned, turning to see Kagura on the center stage, getting helped off by one of the men. Kagome watched him, seeing his slight confusion but quick dismissal. "I never even noticed," he said, looking back at her.

She heard the truth in his voice and saw it in his eyes. She reached for his arm, wrapping her hands around his bicep and giving him a squeeze. "Let's not talk about her. I'm glad that you liked my dance."

Genta perked back up again as he looked down at the woman at his side. "Would you like a drink?"

"Yes, please."

The two of them made their way towards the bar, passing by the tables full of men who stood as she passed, bowing towards her with smiles on their faces. Some of them kept applauding while she walked by, bowing at her. She smiled in thanks and kept following alongside Genta as he led them through the crowd of admirers towards the bar.

Kagura intersected them. Genta stopped as she faced Kagome with a scowl written clearly on her face. "Wipe that mask off, Jewels," Kagome said, looking around at the men who were now taking their seats from bowing to her. "It's clear that the crowd loved my dance. Even Genta loved it," she said, squeezing his bicep. He looked down at her with a smile, his eyes soft and kind.

Kagura glared at Kagome. Even she knew that she had lost. It was obvious by the way the men stood and faced Kagome as they cheered, that they were cheering for her performance and not Kagura's. They didn't even give her the same respect of bowing towards her, and that only set her off even more. The thought of losing to Kagome, this good for nothing, this nobody who now thinks that she's somebody because she works for Kikyo Hayashi and is going out with Inuyasha Fujimoto. Kagome just needed to look in the mirror and see what a lowlife she really was, even if people thought she was a good dancer. No one knew the secrets that a gentlemen's girl kept inside.

Kagura walked closer, getting right in Kagome's face. "Face it, Sapphire. You're never gonna be good enough here and you're never gonna be good enough for him. You're damaged goods." She leaned in, smiling when she saw her words were getting to Kagome. "You're broken." With that, she turned on her heels and walked back to her client's table, hoping to have a better night after seeing Kagome's face.

Kagome frowned, stunned, staring at Kagura's back as she walked away. Was that Kagura's end goal? To prove that she would be nothing more than a gentlemen's girl, that Inuyasha was too good for her? She looked around the room, seeing all the men looking at her with adoration and lust in their eyes. These men who didn't know her, who only saw what she wanted them to see, thought the world of her and clearly desired her. Is that what she was doing with Inuyasha? How could he love someone like her? Kagura's words sank in, making her doubt everything about herself.

"Sapphire? Sapphire?"

She heard her name being called and blinked away her thoughts. She turned and saw Genta look at her with concern. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, needing to keep up the appearance. She turned to look around, seeking him. She saw Jinenji standing under the upper deck, watching her. Just seeing him brought peace to her heart when she felt like she just wanted to crawl and hide away. She focused and smiled at Genta, grabbing his forearm with both her hands.

"I'm fine, Genta. Let's go get a drink."

He frowned, clearly not going to move. "What Jewels said is not true."

She froze. 'He heard?' She didn't want him to have heard what Kagura said. And she hoped that he didn't understand what she was saying and who she was talking about. But in the end, the clients had figured out who she really was after she went viral. And with the help of social media, everyone seemed to know who she was dating. She didn't want her separate lives to mix, not like this.

"It's fine, Genta. Jewels and I just got into it before work started and that was just to blow off some steam."

"It seems like it was a competition. And she just lost."

She was shocked that he pieced everything together. But then again, he wasn't naive. He was a sophisticated, intelligent CEO. He could read people better than she could, which was discerning, especially now with his dark eyes staring into hers. She wondered what he was looking for.

"What Jewels said... about you being damaged goods and being broken. Don't let anyone tell you what you what your worth is. You are as worthy as you see yourself to be."

Kagome frowned, staring at Genta's soft but hard eyes. He spoke with such conviction, as if he knew her, as if he knew her worth and was willing to bet everything he had on it. Which was not a fair bid. As the music got louder, she felt like she didn't even want to be here. She just wanted to be alone, surrounded by her thoughts. Genta's words were so kind, and she felt like she just wanted him to hold her. But in reality, she just wanted Inuyasha.

She released his forearm and he moved then, doing something that he rarely does because he knows her rules. He wrapped his arms around her, keeping his hold on her loose in case she wanted out. He felt her stiffen, but having her in his arms was like paradise. She smelled so good, and she fit so well against him. Genta closed his eyes, allowing this feeling, this moment, to wash over him and through him. He knew that he could not fall for a gentlemen's girl. They promised everything and nothing, at the same time. They were a box of empty promises and full of secrets. Yet, this one beauty, this one woman was nothing like the other women in this room. And that was why he paid extra to be her client. Sapphire was the one woman he could see his whole world coming crashing down for. And that... was a powerful weapon.

Genta brought his mouth towards her ear so that she could hear him. "A woman should learn that since day one, she's already had everything she needs within herself. It's the world that convinced her she did not." He took a step back as he released her, smiling down at her stunned expression. "A quote from Rupi Kaur. It's beautiful, isn't it?" His eyes grew hard again as he turned to wrap his fingers around her small wrist. "Don't let anyone tell you what you are worth. If it was up to me, no one could ever put a price on you."

With that, he pulled her with him towards the bar, needing a drink for himself. He was getting too caught up with her, too intertwined with feeling for her and interjecting on her behalf. He always came here without emotion and without hope, knowing that it was only for comfort and a man's instinctual desire to come and get his needs met. Still, he could not stand there and watch a petty fight turn into a lie that Sapphire would believe. He would not stand for that, even if she didn't believe him.

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

"Kagome?"

His voice sounded so groggy and thick with sleep. She knew she would wake him. As much as she didn't want to call him and wake him up, as much as he told her to call him when she got home, she went against her better judgement and called anyway. She needed to hear his voice.

"Hi."

"Are you home?"

"Yeah. I just finished taking a shower. I'm trying to fall asleep." That was a lie. She couldn't sleep, not after everything that happened tonight. Her mind wouldn't stop racing the whole walk home, and then some. And even as she stepped into her home, she felt like she didn't want to be there. She wanted to be with Inuyasha. She needed his comfort, his arms around her. She knew that if she was in his arms, she would fall asleep immediately, unlike now. She needed him too damn much!

Inuyasha cleared his throat and she could hear the rustling of his sheets. "I wish you were here."

Kagome frowned, feeling her eyes sting with tears. "I wish I was too."

After a moment, Inuyasha's voice came back. "Is everything okay?"

She sniffed, wiping away her tears and shaking her head 'no' against her pillow. "Yeah."

Another silent moment of the two of them just breathing. "Kagome?"

"Hmmm?"

"Live with me."

She could tell by the way he was breathing and talking that sleep was still heavy on him. It was two in the morning. She shouldn't have called him. But the fact that he picked up was proof that he was waiting for her call and expected her to call. And she was glad that she called because she needed to hear his voice. He always seem to know how she was feeling and what to say.

"We'll talk about it later." She heard him moan softly and knew that he was going back down. She smiled to herself, closing her eyes and trying to fall asleep to the sound of his breathing.

"I love you, Inuyasha."

It gave her comfort to know that he was here, on the other end of her phone, even if he wasn't saying a thing.


Hard to imagine I wrote only one day of the story. A lot has happened for Kags in one day. Hope you liked it! Those two are so cute...