The perfect date

by lmgurl92

Inuyasha Takashi has it all, he's handsome, smart, rich, and charming, everything Kagome needs to make her perfect older sister completely green with jealousy. He'd be the perfect date to her sister's wedding, but there's only one catch He's her boss...

17. Tell me how you feel

Chapter 17: Tell me how you feel

Disclaimer:So I don't own Inuyasha, this is a big chapter!

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She pushed some lettuce off to the edge of the plate. She hated old leafy vegetables, the thought of putting it in her mouth and chewing actually played at her gag reflex. She had to bite her bottom lip in order to stop the look from surfacing. She was so focused on that she didn't bother answering Inuyasha's question. He watched as she picked through some of the vegetables in her salad, taking out the ones she found disgusting.

"Hey…you can send it back?" He said and she looked up widening her eyes and smiling. "I'll get the waitress…"

"No…no…its fine, I'm sure whatever else they bring out will be in the same condition." She mumbled then pushed back some hair and faced forward. She put the fork down and placed her hands on the table. She didn't say anything, just waiting for him to continue.

"Okay…uh…like I was saying. It's more than just a dinner, there's a lot going on before we actually sit and eat…" She nodded. He had asked if she was ready for the annual dinner, but she had ignored him, too focused on separating her food. "Just wanted to go over some things"

"Oh yeah I completely understand." She nodded while picking up her glass of water. She placed the straw in her mouth but didn't sip. Something was a little off with her today. She paused for just a moment grabbing her binder, checking to see if she marked down the times she took her medication. She had taken it, but usually stress caused her OCD to go into a riot, and she could defiantly tell the added stress of the two different dinner invitations was setting it off.

"Are you okay…you seem a little preoccupied?" He asked as she straightened some of the papers and closed the binder.

"I'm fine…." She mumbled. She should tell him the truth. if she did then she wouldn't feel so guilty. Why didn't she just tell Sesshomaru she couldn't go to the dinner with him? It was easier said than done, because there were actual feelings involved with it. She couldn't straighten out these emotions. All she knew was that she preferred to go to the dinner with Inuyasha, but if this was all from a professional stand point, she should just go with Sesshomaru. He asked first, she said yes, that wasn't too complicated. How could she explain this to Sesshomaru without him thinking she had feelings for Inuyasha, because she didn't, she just simply rather go with him, because… well because… She didn't exactly know why, maybe it was because she knew him better, but that wasn't a valid excuse. She was so confused.

"Really?" He asked and she nodded rapidly. He let his eyes linger on her for awhile before looking down at his watch. "Well do you want to get out of here?" He asked. They had only been at the restaurant for a few minutes, but Kagome seem to be in a different world. He was running out of topics to talk about. She looked down at his food for a moment and backed up.

"You haven't even touched your food yet." She said and he looked down at it too.

"I know…I'll just box it." She sighed. In a way she knew he wanted to leave because of her. She was preoccupied by everything else; she hadn't even been paying attention to him. He waited for a response, but she had picked up her fork and began playing with her food again. She looked up partially.

"You know…I have to tell you something." She mumbled, and he raised an eyebrow while waiting patiently for her to talk. She didn't look up. She tried to muster up what it was she needed to say. "You're going to be extremely upset with me when I tell you." She said and he narrowed his eyes while smirking slightly.

"I don't think I'll be too upset…" He told her and she looked up. "Whatever it is just say it"

She nodded. "I know you just invited me to the dinner, and I'm more than pleased to go with you but…" She paused when she heard a loud vibrating. He didn't seem fazed by it.

"Go ahead"

"Uh…I have to say…at one of the meetings…" her voice trailed off as he pulled out his phone. "I can wait its fine."

"No…I'm sorry, it's my brother…but continue."

"It's your brother?" She repeated and he nodded, not sure why that was so significant. She seemed so shocked by the information. She shook her head slightly and looked back down at her food. "Uh it's actually nothing…I just wanted to say, thanks for inviting me. You should probably take that though." He gave her a look and she looked back down at her food.

"Kagome…go ahead, seriously he can wait." She shook her head. Whatever she had to say she was more than sure Sesshomaru would say it for her.

"No…that was it…I'm just glad you invited me."

"Okay…" He didn't buy it but he did raise himself from the seat. "I'll be right back." She watched as he walked towards the outside door. Her stomach was in knots. She was wondering what Sesshomaru wanted, but deep down she sort of already knew.

He pushed open the door walking a little ways out into the fall air. His phone vibrated again and he quickly answered. He didn't say hello, he just waited for his brother to speak.

"Inuyasha…" Sesshomaru said but all he could hear was a sigh on the other line. "Would it be too hard to say hello?"

"Yeah…it would." He stated but he didn't say any more. Sesshomaru just rolled his eyes before looking back down at his paper work. "What do you want any way…what did dad say?"

"Dad?" He asked a little confused. He realized that his brother thought he was calling on behalf of their father. That was really the only reason he usually called. "No…Inuyasha this isn't about dad." He said.

"Okay…then what do you want?"

"I just wanted to let you know that one of your female friends came looking for you." He said. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes not understanding. "It was all very unusual, she lost her temper for some odd reason, and screamed at me…"

"Wait what…who…What are you talking about?" Inuyasha asked.

"You know the girl that lived near us. She came into town looking for you…"

"She came into town"

"Yeah I'm as confused as you are…"

"Sesshomaru…what are you talking…do you even know her name?"

"Inuyasha…it's not my job to keep track of all of your little friends and their names."

"Okay then why the hell are you calling me then?" He snapped, he leaned himself against the brick wall of the restaurant. He wanted to end the phone call, but he really wanted to know who he was talking about. "What does she look like?"

He paused thinking the question over. He didn't even know why he bothered with this. Usually he wouldn't even call his brother for something so trivial, but all of a sudden he wanted to know more about her. It was all so idiotic, but if there was truly a woman running around who was obsessed with him. Then he needed to know more about her. It also didn't hurt that she was fairly attractive as well. "I don't know…you know who she is…"

"I really don't."

He thought for a second trying to remember what she said her name was. He was awful at names, but he usually remembered the ones he found useful. "Her name was fairly short…like one syllable….three letters." He mumbled remembering slowly what it was. "Uh…Rin"

"Rin…" Inuyasha said in complete shock. "Rin talked to you."

"Yeah…what's so surprising?"

"Okay…so let me get this straight. Rin not only talked to you she yelled at you. I don't believe it."

"Why not…" He paused waiting for him to reply, but Inuyasha seemed too preoccupied about the whole image Sesshomaru was painting.

"Well rather you believe it or not is no concern to me. She told me something and I wanted to know whether it was true." He waited for awhile to continue. "She told me that over the last few years she's been somewhat obsessed with me."

Inuyasha widened his eyes. "She told you that."

"More like screamed it at me."

"Okay…okay…uh…so why do you care…why do you want to know if it's true?"

"Because I do." He said and Inuyasha just furrowed his eyebrows not really understanding. "Not everything has to make sense to you. I kind of just called so I can get more information on her. That's really it."

Inuyasha smiled slightly. "Really…uh I guess I could tell you a few things." He said. On normal circumstances he'd just hang up the phone, but in the end this would actually be helping Rin. And although she irritated him to no end, he couldn't deny her this. "Uh…I just…I'm out now, I'll call you back."

"Fine…" The line went dead and Inuyasha took the moment to soak up what he said. He then quickly put the phone back into his pocket and headed into the restaurant. As soon as he came in Kagome looked towards the door. She seemed a little worried, he didn't reassure her with a smile, he was planning to, but before he could she quickly looked away. "Hey…" He said sitting back down in his seat. "Is everything okay?"

"I'm fine…" she said, but she didn't look fine. She was closing the top of her Styrofoam box, it was filled with her salad that she didn't touch, and probably wasn't going to. "Uh…so if you don't mind me asking…" She paused momentarily looking up at him. She was scoping his face for some sort of sign. "Did your brother tell you anything interesting?"

He looked away quickly trying to hide obvious anger. He was so annoyed with her obsession with his brother. That seemed to be what was really bothering her. He didn't take pleasure in making Kagome feel badly, but he knew he'd be happy telling her exactly what Sesshomaru did say. It was a feeling of jealousy that drove him, a feeling he wasn't too accustomed too, and he wasn't ready to admit it.

"Uh yeah a little interesting…" He said and a feeling of guilt took over her whole face. She could see a little hint of anger in his expression, and it made her stomach flip. "Apparently Rin actually talked to Sesshomaru today."

"Really?" She asked and Inuyasha just nodded.

"Her plan might actually be working; my brother seems to have taken a bit of interest. I think it's only…"

"What!" Kagome said interrupting him. She seemed so relieved all of a sudden. She had a small smile on her face. "So you think Rin might be going to the dinner with Sesshomaru?" She asked.

"Yeah it seems like it." All of a sudden he was confused. Did Kagome like Sesshomaru or not? She seemed so happy to know he might be taken. "You're more excited than Rin might be?" He joked. Rin would be ten times more stoked once it was all said and done.

Her face turned red and she looked away from him. "No I'm just excited for Rin is all…she's you know… she'll be happy." He nodded agreeing with her.

"She will be."

17

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"Okay…who cares about Sesshomaru?" Ayame said as she sat on the edge of the bed comforting Rin. She was crying against the pillow for hours now and she didn't seem like she'd stop any time soon. "You have to get over this. He's an asshole. He didn't even know who I was?"

"Mmm…mmm…" Rin muffled as the crying began louder.

"Rin I can't understand a word your saying. I don't think you should waste time crying about something you really never had." She said but it only made her cry even louder. She sighed not knowing what to say or do now. Nothing she said comforted her, she didn't understand how someone could love someone they never even talked to. "Honestly I think you built up this whole other Sesshomaru in your head. You think he's one way but he's not…"

Before she could continue, Rin moved slightly. Turning to face her… "Shut up, I knew Sesshomaru…" She cried out. Her face was swollen from crying, her eyes blood shot.

"Rin you didn't…"

"Yes I did…you don't know what you're talking about." She said and it made Ayame stop. It was a waste of time arguing with her. She seemed determined to cry her eyes out. "Can you just leave me alone?" She said burying her head back into her pillow.

She stared at her for a moment then rose up from her spot. "I'm going back to my hotel…Rin please try to get over this. Inuyasha and Kagome should be back any minute." She said. She backed up grabbing her jacket and purse and leaving. She was half way down the hall when she heard talking, and it was extremely familiar.

"Yeah I know how that can be like." Someone said, there wasn't anywhere for her to hide. She didn't see the reason to, but she did want to shield Rin from everyone. She walked forward causing both Inuyasha and Kagome to halt slightly in their spot. Kagome wasn't smiling, but just her expression and the way she carried herself showed she was pleased with something.

"Hi Ayame…" She said and Ayame placed a hand up signifying a hello.

"Hi guys…uh what are you doing here?"

"This is our hotel?" Inuyasha said and Ayame nodded slightly just balancing on the tips of her toes. "You were on your way back to yours right?" he assumed and she gave him a look momentarily. "Is Rin in there?" He asked and Ayame just nodded. He seemed disappointed by that, while Kagome seemed relieved. Where ever they were just at, Inuyasha wanted to be alone with her, but Kagome being Kagome wasn't brazen enough to do it. She seemed actually afraid to be left alone with just him.

"Well…" Ayame said after a moment. She backed up slowly getting as close to the door as possible. "I GUESS I SHOULD BE GOING." She announced loudly. "NOW THAT YOU BOTH ARE BACK" she said and Inuyasha threw her a confused look before rudely passing her and going for his hotel card. He opened the door and Ayame turned checking the room. Rin wasn't on the bed anymore; she seemed to be in the bathroom now. "Okay I'm taking off now." She said and Inuyasha just put a hand out that meant 'go away,' more than actually bye.

"Bye Ayame…" Kagome said and she waved back.

"Rin…" Inuyasha said as soon as they both entered the room. "I brought you back some leftovers." He said. Kagome closed the door behind her and headed to her bed. It was crinkled and the pillow was out of place. She dropped her bag and binder on the desk and began fixing it. "She must be in the bathroom." Inuyasha said and Kagome nodded slightly agreeing.

"I think she'll be happy to hear the news." She said while undoing the bed sheets so she could redo them.

"Oh shit…yeah she would. I forgot…Rin…" He called out again. "I just talked to my brother; he had a lot to say about you." He said. There was a pause but the door of the bathroom opened slightly. He smelled the tears instantly. "What's wrong?" He whispered. He couldn't see her face, but he waited for her to speak.

"I'm fine…what did you bring me to eat?" She asked. He stepped forward slightly and hit the door open. He wasn't surprised to see a tear faced Rin on the other side.

"What's wrong?" He repeated.

She didn't make eye contact, she just walked out. Kagome stopped making the bed to look up. Rin glanced at her and as soon as she did the anger came back. She reminded herself it wasn't Kagome's fault, but she didn't feel like putting up the effort to comfort her own vengeful thoughts. "Rin…what's wrong. You look like you've been crying."

She turned away from her. "I'm fine…I…I fell and hurt my arm really badly." She lied and everyone could tell. "I'm actually going to take off. I promised Ayame I'd…uh do something with her." She said. She went towards the closet to get some of her bags.

"What…" Kagome said. Rin easily ignored her. She took two suitcases out and turned. "Why are you leaving?

"It's none of your business." She snapped, but she back tracked realizing how rude she was being. "Uh…I just am." She said.

"Okay suit yourself. I'm not pulling teeth to make you stay. If you don't want to tell me what's up…then go." Inuyasha said. And Kagome looked up at him, a little disapproving. She walked forward towards Rin. "

"Are you okay…can I see your arm?" She asked but Rin didn't answer.

"Leave her alone she's acting like a spoiled brat."

"No she isn't." Kagome said. It was more like a whisper but she made sure it was audible for him to hear. "She's obviously hurt…Rin…"

"Kagome…leave me alone." She looked up at her and sighed. "I'm fine, you don't need me here…"

"What are you talking about?" She just rolled her eyes and kept moving forward. She left the room completely. And Kagome turned around to face Inuyasha.

"She'll be fine." He said. "I'm about to call my brother back. Give him her number, she'll be ecstatic." He grabbed hold of his phone and headed towards the door. Kagome watched him go for a moment, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Rin was mad at her. It wasn't hard to put two and two together. Sesshomaru must have told her, her stomach began to turn again. She took a deep breath and went to her lap top. She thought maybe working would take her mind off things, but as soon as she began she started feeling awful. She took a deep breath and tried putting all of her guilty feelings in the back of her head, but she couldn't. They wouldn't disappear, she sighed loudly scooting away from the laptop and fishing for her phone. She quickly picked it up and searched for Rin's number and called it. The phone rang several times, and right when she decided to hang up she heard Rin answer.

"Hi…Rin…"

"Kagome…" She stated. She was in the back of the taxi with her head against the window. She wasn't going to answer the call, but she decided at the last minute that it was a bit immature not to. Kagome didn't do anything wrong, why was that so hard for her to soak in.

"I was just checking on you, you seemed so upset…"

"I was upset." She said and Kagome waited wanting her to continue. She didn't, but she knew she should of.

"Okay…uh…can I ask why?"

"Kagome…it has nothing to do with, I'm just being stupid. I guess I…I just spent my life, day dreaming about how Sesshomaru would be, but he wasn't." Kagome let the information soak in. She couldn't put what Rin was saying and what Inuyasha informed her together. So Rin wasn't happy with her meeting with Sesshomaru, she wondered why.

"I'm really sorry to hear that." Kagome said. She didn't really know what else to say.

"Yeah well, life's not a fairy tale; it's about time I wake up." She said, though she wasn't telling the entire truth. She knew Sesshomaru, she knew all about him. While growing up she made it her business to know everything about him. No one knew him better, it didn't matter that she hadn't talk to him before, no one understood that. They all saw her as some obsessed girl with a crush who filled her life with little Sesshomaru consumed fantasies. She wasn't like that at all, and it sucked that when she mustered up the confidence to talk to him, he was completely interested in someone else.

"I guess…I…I don't completely understand. I heard that you made a lasting impression on him. He's called his brother about you."

"Yeah…" Rin said sighing. "I told him to go fuck himself." She said. Her voice had a bit of sarcastic humor in it. "Of course the impression is lasting; no one's told him that before. He's used to people kissing his ass.

"Wait…why would you do that?"

"Because…I don't know…he's in a relationship with some other girl." She said. She wasn't going to put Kagome into this, just because her and Sesshomaru wasn't going to happen, didn't mean Kagome and Inuyasha couldn't continue. "Some girl that I used to know, she used to be my friend, and uh…he wanted to know some information about her."

"That's awful." Kagome said. And Rin sat up slightly. "Did he not know that you were interested in him?"

"That's what angered me." Rin said, "He's so clueless."

"It seems so…." Kagome said, though before she could continue talking she heard the door open again. Inuyasha came in, and as soon as he entered he looked over at her. She had the chair turned towards the door with her phone on her ear.

"Hi…" He said and as soon as she saw him she sat up in her seat.

"Hello…"

"What…" Rin said not understanding why she would just randomly say hello. "Can you not hear me?" She asked, but Kagome had the phone away from her ear at this point.

"I talked to Sesshomaru." He said and Kagome waited for him to continue. "He seemed more concerned with figuring out what he did to her, then actually talking to her." He walked over to her side of the room and stood near the glass mirror. He undid his tie and began unbuttoning his shirt. Kagome watched not saying anything; she could feel her heart rate increase as he pulled off his button down. He had a white short sleeved undershirt underneath and after he was done taking off the top layer he pulled off his belt and turned to face her. She seemed so engulfed in him and his movements that she not only missed the question he just asked, she didn't even notice him turning. He stared down at her without saying anything. He could see her staring at him from the mirror, though he dismissed it as her just being engaged in their conversation, but she didn't answer his question. As soon as he turned she looked away completely. He couldn't help a cocky smile from slipping on to his lips. He walked forward suddenly and went towards his bag. "Did you hear me?" He asked and she looked at him.

"Huh…" He just smiled. He placed a few of his things in his bag. She sort of coiled at the way he stuffed them in there.

"I asked who you were on the phone with…it wasn't Rin was it?" He asked looking towards her. She looked down at her hands again almost like she couldn't muster the strength to look at him.

"Uh… yeah it was." He nodded then turned around, when he did she looked up, but she wished she hadn't, because at that moment he pulled down his slacks reveling just a pair of black boxers and nothing else. He stepped out of them and carelessly kicked them on top of the rest of his things. She couldn't tear her eyes away from him, she could feel herself gulp. He turned again and walked over to his bed, instead of climbing onto it he jumped head first. He didn't move he kept his face buried into the blankets. All she could see was his back and his legs poking out of the bed. Though she was already aware without seeing him with any clothes that he was in excellent shape, she wasn't aware of the extent. He had the body of a man that exercised frequently.

She got up after awhile and grabbed a few of her things, then headed towards the bathroom. "I'm going to…get ready for bed." She announced. He moved his self slightly then turned around completely in the bed.

He had a handsome smile on his face, overtly playful, "Okay…have fun, stay safe." He joked. She didn't smile back, she didn't understand the joke, she let it play over in her mind, and he could tell. "It's a joke, smile." He said and she nodded slightly before turning towards the bathroom.

"Oh that's what that was…I'm sorry I didn't get it." She said and he stuck an eyebrow up in slight shock. She left through the bathroom then closed the door behind her.

"What's not to get?" He asked sitting up slightly. She didn't answer back for a moment, but she could hear him clearly, she couldn't help the smile from turning up at her lips, something was eerily comfortable about being with him, it wasn't awkward or scary like she thought it would be.

She leaned against the bathroom door… "I don't know I think it would have to be the joke part. I thought they were supposed to be funny?"

He nodded… "Touché…"

!

!

17

She came out a few moments later dressed in baby blue pajama pants and a white tank top. She had her clothes folded on her arm and she placed them neatly into a different pocket of her suitcase. She didn't notice Inuyasha sitting up on the bed watching television. As soon as he saw her he remembered something that made him shift to the right. "Hey…you know what I forgot to tell you; uh tomorrow you don't have to actually worry about going to work." She turned quickly at that, she seemed extremely shocked and not very happy at all. "You can have the day off."

She stared back down at her luggage for awhile. She seemed to be deep in thought, when she stood up she turned to face him. "Thank you…but no thanks, I'm fine with working." She said simply. Inuyasha pushed himself upwards as if he was about to get up. She looked away quickly, not wanting to see him shirtless again; it always made her heart speed up and her stomach do flips. He wouldn't usually be walking around, but it was hard for him to get comfortable and just sleep. It had to be around six in the afternoon. He usually would be out doing something, but he worked in the morning, and he couldn't bring himself to leave with Miroku and Kouga right in front of her. He had no idea why?

"Are you serious?" He asked and she nodded slightly walking over to her bed. "I promised Rin you'd go out and pick out a dress for the dinner."

"Well Rin knows my size if she's going out she'll just pick one out for me." She said and Inuyasha gave her a strange look but didn't say anything. Instead he turned off the TV forcing the lights to go off completely. She took that as a sign that the conversation was over and she climbed up to her own bed.

It was silent for a moment, but she could see a small light being shown on his side, she knew it was his phone so she didn't say anything. "Uh…so tomorrow you're still off." He said and Kagome looked up. He moved back turning on the lamp so he could see her clearly. "You don't have to pick out a dress, but you're still off."

"Why…"

"Because you deserve it, and I don't want you going crazy from over stress." He said, and she felt like arguing, but the way he stated everything seemed very definite. She just gulped while pulling the sheets up and turning away from him to face the wall. "You'll thank me later for this."

It was quiet for a moment, and neither of them said anything, and she wasn't planning to, until she remembered something that had been in the back of her mind for awhile, and that had her turnig slightly, which in turn had her mumbling "I have an idea…" he paused waiting patiently for her to continue. "Why don't you take a day off and I'll go into the meeting…"

"Trust me if I could we would defiantly do that…" He said smiling slightly. She shuffled a bit in her bed, he could tell that she didn't find it funny at all, and he waited for her to voice it.

"Well… we wouldn't even…" She paused not knowing exactly how to phrase it. She didn't want him over hearing, but of course he did.

"What…" He asked wanting her to continue. "If you have something on your mind you should say it."

"I don't…actually I'm sorry, just ignore me, really." She said and Inuyasha sighed loudly, she could tell he was annoyed.

"No…go ahead…I want to hear your opinion." He stated rising from his spot. He headed towards somewhere; she had her body tucked into the sheets so she couldn't see. She heard the door open and some light shine; she knew he was towards the bathroom. She didn't say anything she just listened. The lights turned off and they were in darkness again. He walked over to the side and she could hear his mattress move slightly. "Okay…continue you had something to say." He said. "I really want to hear it."

"I was talking to myself… I have nothing to say." She mumbled, but she knew he wasn't going to leave it at that. She didn't understand why he was pestering to hear what she had to say anyway. It was like she could feel him staring at her back.

"You know what Kagome…" He stated grabbing her attention. "I don't understand what your big obsession with working all the time is?" He paused waiting for her to say something, she of course didn't "I'm trying to help you out….for God sake's, but work seems to be the only thing you want to do." She rolled her eyes but held her tongue. "I really doubt that it's the only thing you care about…maybe it's some sort of front…"

"Well I'm sorry." She said cutting him off. She pulled the sheets off, and he saw the first hint of actual anger in her voice and expression. He was pleased to finally see it. He didn't admit it, but he sort of craved some other emotion besides passive from her. He didn't understand why though? She was taken a bit off guard when she saw his position on his bed. He was sitting upright on the corner of it, facing her. She automatically put a hand to her hair trying to fix it. She didn't understand why she got so flustered when she saw him, but just because he was sitting there shirt less, didn't mean she wasn't extremely annoyed. It didn't matter what she told herself, but the words Sesshomaru said kept playing in her head. "I don't know…" She mumbled, "But am I wrong or am I here to actually work."

"Yeah…" He nodded. "You are, what does that have to do with anything." She shook her head as if she didn't know herself, but he knew she was hinting something. She seemed to be holding back, afraid to actually enter a confrontation. When was she going to see him as a person and not some evil ogre? He moved back in his bed. "You know I'm not trying to argue with you." He said. No one said anything and Kagome laid there staring at the wall. She didn't know why she felt so offended, it was crazy but she had to get her point across. She felt like she might be losing herself. If Inuyasha had hired anyone else from their office then she was more than certain they wouldn't be going to some dinner with him. She was so riddled in guilt over something that had nothing to do with her job there. It didn't matter how much she told herself that it was all business. It defiantly wasn't, and then she didn't even understand her relationship with Inuyasha? Should she even be guilty? Then there was her new image, it was like she always had to hide the real her, because she knew they wouldn't like it. So when he asked her what her obsession with working was, well maybe she didn't love working as much as she led on, but it was the only thing she knew that was simple and stayed the same. If she worked then she could keep kidding herself into believing that she was here because she was the most qualified.

"I wasn't trying to argue with you either." She mumbled and he looked over at her. "I'm just confused and…I'm….I don't understand why I'm here if I'm not working?" She admitted.

"You're working… all you do is work." He said and she bit her lip, but he could see she was getting upset. "I'm giving you a day off."

"That's not what I mean…" She said but she managed to hold in her anger. She bit on her lip before sitting up partially. "You know," She said suddenly. "I know it's hard to believe, but some of us actually like working." She admitted. it wasn't what she wanted to say, but it was crazy to think she could tell Inuyasha how she felt. She knew if she did tell him, some of the confusion that was piled on her chest would dissapear and she'd probably feel better, but in the end he was part of the reason she was feeling that way. He was her boss…but she was begining to see him as something completely different, did he see her that way…she didn't know, and she was beyond confused and the argument they were having wasn't helping.

"Well congratulations on the some that actually like it, because I couldn't give two shits about it…" He said and she just sighed wanting to end the conversation. He never really snapped at her, but he didn't have the best temper and for the first time she wasn't immune to it. He leaned over and turned off the lights

She moved in the bed, and though she wanted the conversation to end, she still had that question at the tip of her tongue…and now that he wasn't playing overly nice, maybe it was time she asked it. She bit on her lip telling herself to just shut up and hold it in, but she knew she wouldn't. "Okay…so can I just ask one more thing?"

"Kagome…you are off tomorrow, enjoy it…I'm done talking about it." He told her and she nodded.

"That's not what I was going to ask?" She stated and he nodded before realizing she wouldn't be able to see it. "Yeah…" he said. "Go ahead."

"Why did you ask me to go with you to the dinner?"

"What…"

"Why did you ask me here...? to the dinner…anywhere…?" She finally asked. He turned to look at her. She couldn't see him obviously in the darkness, but he could see her very accurately and for some reason she looked a little offended, a bit scared, but more importantly confused.

"I don't know what you mean."

She shrugged slightly. "You had so many other people to choose from, if you know…you really needed a secretary, but you chose me?"

"What are you hinting at…?"

"I just think I have a right to know….you could have chosen anyone, and invited anyone from our office to the dinner, but you chose me."

"Kagome…I hate tip toeing through things, if you have something to say go ahead and let it out." He said and she just shrugged, almost like she didn't want to admit it. She seemed like she wanted to take everything back. "You know whatever you're about to say I'd really think about it hard…despite everything that's happened I'm really trying to make things professional."

She rolled her eyes then turned in her spot facing away from him. "Well you're doing an awful job at it." She said suddenly. She didn't mean to say it, it just sort of slipped out, and when it did she placed a hand over her mouth but didn't move. All she wanted to do was apologize, but she couldn't even muster the confidence. She went ahead and placed the sheets over her head and hid like a child.

He watched her for awhile. He didn't say anything though she anticipated him too; he was just too deep in thought. All he could do was think about the question she asked, trying to decide if it was in fact true. "Actually you know what…" He said silently. His voice had lost its animosity. "tell me what you're thinking?" He asked, but she didn't say anything she just shifted in the bed. He had never thought in a million years he'd get in a fight with Kagome, she seemed so innocent and docile. She was quick to agree with what everyone said and told her. He just narrowed his eyes, he didn't know if she had been suppressing how she felt for awhile, but he wanted to see how she saw things so badly. "Go ahead tell me how you feel?" He asked.

He rose from his spot and leaned against the side table they shared and turned on the lights. She didn't move but he knew she was awake. "Come on up, lets here it Kagome."

"Leave me alone…" She said softly, even though she felt pitiful at the moment and apologetic, for some reason 'sorry' wouldn't leave her lips. He stared at her form for a moment as slow anger rose in his core. He didn't hesitate to go ahead and pull the sheets from over her head. She was lying with her eyes close but as soon as he pulled off her shield she looked straight at him and sat up. He could read her expression; he didn't understand what was going on with her lately. She seemed so conflicted. She was even out of it earlier at the restaurant. "Please…" She said in frustration. "I don't want to talk about it anymore, and I shouldn't have to….you got what you want now let me sleep." She moved forward to pull the sheets from him. She was prepared for whatever he'd say as his comeback, but he didn't have one. All he could do was stare down at her as she put the blanket back over her head.

He didn't know what to say or how to react but he knew something was off with her. "You know if you just said how you felt…" He said while walking away. "Then maybe you wouldn't feel so…." He didn't have the word for it. "You know shitty…" She took what he said in for a moment. Maybe she should tell him about how she felt, and about Sesshomaru, maybe she should have told him everything, but it was easier said than done especially when she didn't even know how she really did feel.

!

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The next morning he woke up extremely early, it was a first for him. He didn't even feel like going back to sleep. He just wanted to get the day over with. It was the last day in this town and tomorrow morning it would be a new place, new clients, and another chore. It was funny how something so depressing could actually energize him. He looked over at Kagome, but he paused realizing that she wasn't in her bed. She actually seemed to be out, she had made her bed pristinely and her lap top was gone. He checked his alarm clock; it was around six in the morning. He decided that he didn't care where she was, though that was far from true. While he got ready it was all he could think about.

It wasn't until he was about to put on his tie did he notice the door opening. He knew it was her before she actually entered, but he pretended he didn't care. He was on her side of the room looking at himself in the mirror. "Inuyasha…" She said. He wanted to turn and look over at her, but he didn't know where they stood.

She looked over at his bed, but when she didn't see him she looked forward noticing him right away. "Oh good you're awake." She said while closing the door. He still didn't look her way, but he did go back to his side of the room to get his over coat. "I brought you breakfast and coffee." She said and almost like she had apologized and admitted he was completely right he turned to face her. She had a soft smile on her face and though she wasn't wearing makeup she still looked gorgeous, but nothing like she used to before her change. Why he was thinking about her before she had changed her personal style was beyond him. She had her long black hair in a half pony tail with the rest of it flowing down in waves past her shoulders and back. She had a dark burgandy cardigan on and a black tank top under it. She was taking off her coat as she set both the coffee tray and lap top bag down. Next she placed the bag of food on the desk and turned. She had a black scarf around her neck and she began taking it off. "It's an egg and cheese bagel."

He tore his eyes away from her for a moment to look at the food. "Is that all the protein in it?" He asked and she just smiled.

"No it's actually a bacon egg and cheese bagel." She restated and he nodded obviously satisfied.

"You know me well." He said walking towards it. "And the coffee is…"

"Black of course." She said and he put a finger up as he lifted the cup, she took it as a thank you. She watched as he took a sip then placed the Styrofoam cup down. "I also wanted to um…you know apologize to you, for last night." He hesitated thinking about what she was saying. "I had no right to pester you…I work for you…what you say goes." She said and he turned to face her. He realized right away that she was going to just ignore the actual problem, which was a lot deeper than a simple disagreement.

He paused for a moment thinking over what he wanted to say. He didn't want to be stern, did he? "You know… you don't have to be afraid to tell me anything." He said, and just like that her face scrunched up in a look of uncertainty. He now felt guilty for some reason, why did he automatically feel like he owed her an apology as well? He never had that feeling with anyone else. "I guess I…I don't know…I'm sorry too. I just thought that you'd enjoy a day off." He said.

"Well I actually don't enjoy not working…" She lied and she felt guilt for lying to him. She owed him the truth, but besides the whole dinner ordeal, the rest of the truth seemed extremely personal, and usually she'd just keep it to herself, but she wanted to tell him so badly. "Well I actually do, but…" she turned away from him getting a hanger so she could put her jacket back into the closet. It reminded him of that night she snuck into his house and he found her in his closet. There was a jacket, Rin had found it. He remembered how it looked, this one that she had was a patterned woman's trench coat. It had an adjustable belt that she could tie to the small of her waist. It really wasn't her style…well it was her new style which brought him back to the old her. He had an inkling that she felt like he had only chosen her to come on the trip, or even to go to the dinner with him because of the way she looked, and he couldn't really say it wasn't true, but did she forget that he knew her before she had changed?

"So…" she said wanting to continue while turning to face him. He ran his eyes over her which like always had her heart beating and her blood heating up, "what…" she said her face turning red. "Do I have something on my face?" She asked and he just smiled while shaking his head. Why did he feel like he was obligated to tell her different, it was so weird.

"Hey" He said while beginning to fix his tie… "You remember our first stop?" He asked and she looked over at him. She seemed a little confused and he just smiled, her blood temperature spiked but she didn't look away like she usually would. "You know at that diner…"

"Yeah…Rin kissed the chauffeur…" He nodded remembering that as well. How could he forget, he nodded looking back at her. He couldn't believe how easily he could go from being angry then back to playing nice. What was it about Kagome that had his personality upside down?

"Yeah…that idiotic truth and dare game…" She had a slight flash back as her cheeks turned red and she looked down on the floor. He noticed but didn't say anything. "Well I told you something that day… at the diner before we went in." He stated and she looked up sensing some seriousness in his voice. "I meant it…and I feel like I might know you better now and… whatever anyone tells you or says to you…or wants to change about you…" He paused not knowing how to phrase what he was trying to say. He didn't mean to make the conversation turn into this. he just felt like he knew what ailed her. Why he felt the need to fix it, he had no idea. It was all so idiotic. "I don't know what I'm trying to say…I just…I should probably get out of here though…"

He turned around getting his over coat and walking towards the door. "Wait…" Kagome said. It was a bit too early for him to be leaving, but she knew whatever he was going to say had him on edge and he wanted to leave. She knew a little bit about overwhelming feelings… the type of emotions that had you running away from someone.

He turned around and looked over at her. She stared at him for a moment before walking forward and stopping adjacent from him, almost like she would lean up and kiss him, and though that's what deep down she wanted, she didn't have the courage the stamina or the know how to pull it off. Instead she adjusted his tie. "It's a bit off…" She mumbled and he nodded as she tightened it a little. She straightened it on his chest and as she set it down she could feel his heart beating. It was beating fast, pulsating almost, and the closer she got the quicker it went…it reminded her of her own beating heart. It shocked her. It made her realize that maybe…just maybe…She dropped the tie and looked up. His eyes on her calmed her strangely for the first time and she let a smile creep on to her lips. "I think it's perfect." She mumbled.

"Really…and how would you know that?" He asked and she widened her already perfect smile.

"I have a grandfather…" She told him backing up. She stared at him as he walked towards the mirror to look at himself. Her eyes followed everything he did while her mind raced constantly just processing information she was beginning to realize for the first time.

"Thanks…"

"No…" She mumbled making him turn in shock. She didn't know what she was doing, but at that moment her heart was beating, her mind racing, and her mouth moving by itself. "Thank you…" She told him and he narrowed his eyes, not understanding. "Because…I do remember that conversation…and I know exactly what you were going to say, and it's probably the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me." She admitted and he could smell the salty sweet scent of tears before they actually fell.

He didn't know what to do in this situation. He wanted to console her but he couldn't. He didn't know how. "I…uh…I guess I just remembered what you asked me yesterday. I don't know who told you that….or put it in your head, but they're…you know what…. they're actually right." He said honestly, realizing he was going to lie. "Maybe the reason why I invited you on this trip was because of how you were physically but it had a lot to do with…I don't know…your skill, and you're really smart…and…" he paused, what the hell was wrong with him, he was stuttering, he couldn't think straight. He had to get out of here…he moved away from the mirror and over to his bed getting his things. "We leave tonight…so... get packed, and enjoy your time off." He said going towards the door. He opened it slightly and just like that he felt as if he owed her something else. Something that he had been thinking about all night after their stupid pity argument, " Just to let you know…you were great before…you know all of this…that's what I'm trying to say I guess." She just stared at him with those unshed tears that she was trying really hard to keep at bay, why did he have the feeling that she knew exactly what he was trying to say anyway. "I'll see you later." He left and finally she cried.

!

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Sesshomaru was tracing the room as he explained the benefits of being a part of Takashi industries. Everything he said seemed to impress everyone but Inuyasha. He was in some sort of daze, he went from thinking of solely Kagome, to being angry that he was so consumed in her, then actually being frustrated that she wasn't here, and then mad at himself for wanting her to be there. Everything he thought about had to do with Kagome and it all rounded up to one question. What the hell was wrong with him?

When he entered the meeting he was extremely early which took Sesshomaru and his father by surprise. They also seemed extremely disappointed Kagome wasn't with him. He had lied and said she was sick and couldn't come in, but in reality he promised Rin he'd give her the day off, what more could he do. He was in one of his daze while drawing random things on important papers. He couldn't focus on anything; he was so lost in his own world he didn't notice Sesshomaru standing behind him. He place two hands on his shoulder and gripped tightly.

"Did you hear what I said?" He asked and Inuyasha suddenly returned to reality. He looked around at all the people staring at him and he looked down at the documents sitting bellow him.

"Uh…." He said and Sesshomaru rolled his eyes.

"Well it seems like someone's a little off today." He said making the people sitting around the table laugh lightly, but their father of course was beyond angered. "Okay well…lucky for us we don't need anyone's opinion when we have the facts written down." He said maneuvering himself towards his folder. He opened it up and went through some of his things quickly. When he was finished he glanced upwards, he had nothing in his hands, but his face was still filled with confidence. "Uh…but before we jump into the mechanics of the deal, I think we should all take a small break, just to process everything." He said and Inutashio gave him a look, but he didn't hesitate a slight bit. "How about forty five minutes or an hour recess?" He said and just like that people began to file out.

It took a moment for them to be alone but when they were, Sesshomaru was quickly trying to gather his things. "A recess, who the hell do you think you are, some of us have a life. We want to fucking get out of here." Inuyasha said but Sesshomaru ignored him. He was grabbing his coat and flinging it on.

"I have to agree with Inuyasha…we need to get every one of these mergers out of the way, so we can get on with the next." Inutashio said but Sesshomaru shook his head for a moment.

"I know…I know… I just….would you believe I left the contract in the damn hotel." He said and Inuyasha sat up loving that his perfect older brother had made a mistake. "I'm going to take off and get it, but if I'm not back maybe Inuyasha can take over." He said sadistically while buttoning up and taking off.

"Hurry back…you know your brother is worthless." Their father called out.

"Oh….nice dad…" Inuyasha said as he watched Sesshomaru disappear through the double doors. "When you say things like that I can really feel your love coming through. Tell me more about how proud you are." He said while going back to doodling on documents. His dad gave him a stern look then went back to sorting his own papers. None of them said anything for a moment before he looked up again.

"You know you waste your talent when you do this." He said and Inuyasha looked up. "You're throwing it out the door…you just…you sit there and you don't look like you have a care in the world. I swear sometimes I wish you could have experienced how it is to go out and work for what you want."

"Oh dad…I'm not throwing anything out the door, maybe your own talent, what you built, but it was never really what I wanted. But you don't have to worry, because I fully plan on continuing to run your business, then having a son of my own that I can force it on…all the while putting my work in front of my family and loving a business more than anything else." He said sarcastically. "I only hope that my own son turns out to be as spineless as Sesshomaru…" He muttered.

"You are an ass…" His father said abruptly. "Just a humongous ignorant ungrateful ass…" He then rose from his seat at that moment and walked towards the door.

"Don't forget a disappointment…" Inuyasha called out as his father left. "I'm also a colossal disappointment."

!

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Sesshomaru ran the length of the stairs before opening the stairwell door at his floor. He was heading down the hall when he noticed someone leaving a room near his. He wouldn't have thought anything of it but her scent was familiar, and though he usually threw information like that away, especially if he deemed the person worthless to him. He knew the information he kept meant they had to be of some importance.

It was a woman; she was very small, short and petite. She didn't look towards him, she left one door and headed to another. Her hair was in a high ponytail that dangled down to the nape of her neck. Though it was fairly cold outside she had on a navy flare skirt that sat high at her waist and ended around her calf muscle. As a top she had a sweater that fit snuggly and ended before the waist, it was navy stripped and he could see bits of her skin. She sort of reminded him of women from the fifties with the look of the skirt and the cream colored bow in her ponytail.

She walked over to one of the other rooms and knocked. "Are you ready yet…?" She called out. She hadn't noticed him. He was just standing there watching her, it was like he completely forgot about why he was there. He knew who she was though; her name had played over and over in his head for awhile. He was beginning to remember a few things about her from his past. He had even asked his dad about her. He went on and on about dinners and how she used to come over constantly. He realized what she meant earlier in the limo, she had been right. He only remembered what he wanted to, he completely tuned out things that didn't have to do with him.

He walked forward a bit leaving his room completely. "Hey…Rin…" He said and she turned away from the door she was knocking on to look towards him. As soon as she saw him her eyes widened, almost like she had seen a ghost. He almost expected her to just stand there and begin stuttering or stay stock still like he now was remembering she used to do, but she actually seemed a little annoyed by him.

The door that she had knocked on opened slightly but when Ayame noticed Sesshomaru she closed the door again, but left it a bit a jar so she could see what was going on. She crossed her arms revealing more skin. "What do you want?" She asked and he raised both his eyebrows a little shocked by her attitude. "I hope you're not here to see Kagome, cause I'll tell you now, she's not here."

He looked away from her momentarily than back again. "No, I'm not interested in Kagome…" he said and with that Rin could feel her annoyance lift slightly, "but I feel like I should be asking why you're here, more than anything?" He asked and Rin just gulped realizing what he meant. She was in the hotel that Inutashio and Sesshomaru stayed in. He must have seen her getting out of the room that their dad booked for Inuyasha and Kagome. He stuck an eyebrow out waiting. All she could think of at the moment was how handsome she thought he was. that wasn't exactly the right thought process she should have been having at the moment.

"I don't think that's any of your business." She said quickly, but she could see herself loosing composure. "Now if you'll excuse me…" She backed up and was about to turn and just randomly head into another hall when he called her back. She turned around slightly and he smiled.

"You know I remember now…" He said and she narrowed her eyes not understanding. "You told me I was…what was it…obtuse…"

"I don't remember saying those words exactly." She muttered and he nodded realizing that.

"Yeah…but something along those lines, you were right." He admitted. Why he was admitting it, he had no idea. No one ever yelled at him or had so much pint up emotion when it came to him. The words she said played out over and over again. "Maybe I did ignore you back then, I was wrapped up in me, but…you know when I look at you now…it's hard for me to believe." He said and Rin widened her eyes. She froze in her spot like she usually did, her face turned a dark red before losing color all together and she just stared. "I don't apologize, that's something I don't like to do." He said but she not only didn't comment on anything she also showed no emotion. "Would you like to maybe have dinner with me sometime?" She just stared not knowing what to say. He waited patiently and he narrowed his eyes after awhile wondering why she just stood there like a statue.

She had to remind herself how to breathe but she just nodded fast and continuously. He nodded he didn't let his relief show but he just smiled slightly. He stood there for a moment staring at her until he remembered why he was down here. He checked his watch and cursed inwardly.

"Uh… okay I'm actually taking off today, but uh….if you're still following Inuyasha around I'll see you at the next town." She nodded again in the same fashion; he paused for a moment then turned around going towards his room and disappearing. She stared after him not moving or saying anything. She was frozen and Ayame at the moment left Kouga and Miroku's room in order to shake her out of it.

She took her by the shoulder and shook. She had a huge smile on her face as she saw realization show on her friend's face. "Rin I don't know if the world's about to end, but I think Sesshomaru just asked you out." She said and Rin's eyes widened again as her face began to fill with color. She took a large intake of air and just stared upwards. She was about to say something when the door Sesshomaru had went in opened again. He walked out of it looking over at Rin, he looked like he wanted to say something but when he saw Ayame he went silent, he instead put a hand out signaling he saw her and turned around leaving.

Ayame smiled partially before turning back around to see Rin. She was frozen again and Ayame just rolled her eyes. "We really have to work on that if you're going to last a whole dinner with him."

17

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!

She paced back and forth as she thought things over. The idea itself had her stomach twisting and turning like she was on a roller coaster. She couldn't sit still; all she did during her time off was clean. She packed up all her things, and although she knew it was a huge violation of his privacy, she couldn't help it. She ended up packing his things too. She had so much on her mind, so many things that she couldn't just hide anymore. She just needed to see him and tell him how she felt. Growing up she recalled liking some guys, finding a few of them attractive, that was how she felt about Inuyasha the first time she ever saw him. Which was a long time ago during her internship, but she never felt this way before. It gnawed at her all morning, and if she didn't admit that she liked him romantically maybe she could tell him about the Sesshomaru dinner thing. She owed him that, he did tell her to admit how she felt, and it wasn't very professional, but it was eating at her insides.

She waited near the door and checked her phone a few times. He was late, and she hoped he would come straight home from the meeting. She just wanted to hurry up and tell him everything. It didn't help that all she could do was think about him all day. He filled her every thoughts, and her every reasoning, she couldn't contain her feelings.

She took deep breaths and headed towards her lap top, all she needed was to catch up on a little work, but if it was anything like last time then she'd just sit there thinking about him. Thinking about what he said to her. Thinking about those feelings that went through her when he said them, she'd think about them over and over again till it drove her crazy. No one ever spoke to her like that or said that they actually thought the old her, before Rin had worked her magic, was actually special. He was the first; she sat at the desk for a couple minutes before getting up again. She walked towards the mirror and fixed herself for the hundredth time just waiting. She turned from the mirror and looked around the room hoping there was something else to do, but of course there wasn't. The hotel was spotless, and even she couldn't find any more to do with it. She was jumping off the walls; all she wanted to really do was see him. It drove her so crazy she finally decided she'd just call him. Ask him what he was doing; she'd make it sound normal, not like she was completely obsessed with him.

She took another series of deep breaths and headed to her phone. She noticed she had a few missed calls from Rin, but she had purposely ignored them, she knew it wasn't the nice thing to do, but she was so preoccupied at the moment. She quickly dialed up his number waiting patiently for the first ring. She bit down on her lip finally hearing it when she heard the door opening. She quickly ended the call and looked to the mirror again. She fixed herself once again; making sure her hair was in place. She took a deep breath and then rose from her spot going towards the door. Before she could reach it, it opened on its own. She could feel her heart quicken like it usually did and her stomach twist in excitement. She stood off to the side clenching her hands together. The door opened and out came Ayame. She had bags in her hands as she backed into the room talking about something to who ever had actually opened the door.

She could feel her hopes die down as she walked around her not even bothering to say hello. She already knew it would be Rin on the other side of her conversation, but she couldn't help but check. It was of course Rin, and she too was holding about ten paper shopping bags. She pulled her card out of the door and closed it after her. She turned around to see Kagome trying to sneak a look out into the hall.

"Hey Kagome…what…" Rin asked staring at her. She was wondering why she was trying desperately to look out into the hall. She narrowed her eyes looking her over. She had on one of the cardigans she bought her. It was burgundy and paired with a pair of black jeans and a black tank top. It was simple but cute. "Where are you going? Why aren't you at work? I called you like ten times." She said and Kagome just nodded turning away from the door and sighing slightly. "What's wrong?"

She looked up noticing Rin. "Oh nothing…I'm just…you know…" she mumbled and Ayame glanced at Rin who threw Kagome a concerned look. She was heading to her desk where she woke up her lap top and began opening a few documents.

"Okay…so I guess Inuyasha really gave you the day off." Rin said putting her bags down. She noticed the hotel was unusually clean but she wasn't surprised by that at all. "I was sure he was lying." Kagome didn't say anything she just began typing continuously. "Any way if you had answered the phone we would of taken you to the mall with us." She said, but Kagome didn't seem too interested. "Well…any way…the mall sucked, so we didn't find a dress for you to go to the dinner with." She admitted, but that still didn't seem to faze her. "I think I'm going to probably have to get my mom to send us a dress from one of her stores. I'll have to put some work in, but I'm more than certain she has a perfect dress for us." She said, and just the thought of getting two dresses excited her and reminded her about Sesshomaru. "Hey…Kagome I also have great news...guess what." Rin said, but Kagome didn't seem to show any excitement. She was trying to focus on working instead of thinking about him. "Kagome…what's with you? Kagome…"

She turned at that…she just looked towards Rin not knowing what to say. She had too much going on to take in anymore. She was getting ready to admit something huge and she wasn't even sure she'd be able to. "You seem out of it…" Ayame commented from her spot on Inuyasha's bed. Kagome faced her for a moment before looking towards Rin who was just staring at her.

"I'm sorry…I've just been a little busy." She said sitting up. Rin nodded slightly then moved towards some of her things and pulled out one of her shopping bags.

"That's totally fine. I bought you more clothes by the way. Just my way of saying sorry about last night." She said and Kagome looked down at the bag and smiled. "Any way…I have great news…" She said putting the bag down and heading towards the rest of her things. She pulled out a little black dress and show cased it for Kagome to see.

She was at the moment looking through some of the clothes Rin bought her. "You know you didn't have to do all this. I can understand fully why you were upset." Kagome said. She paused for a moment pulling out a blouse then looking up. She froze when she saw the dress. "I hope that's not mine."

Rin shook her head. She had a huge smile on her face. "No it's mine…" she said and Kagome seemed more relieved than anything. "Any way…so what if it was yours…you don't like it?"

"Oh no it's not that I don't like it…it's just so short and…you know, but I like it for you. What's the special occasion?" She asked and Rin looked towards Ayame for a moment before spreading her already wide grin.

"That's the great news…Sesshomaru asked me to dinner today." Kagome widened her eyes as a combination of relief and just happiness for her came over.

"Really that's great." Rin smiled as Kagome rose from her seat. "Congrats…I know you must be…just overjoyed." She said and Rin laughed.

"Yeah…I'm pretty happy. It's not the annual Takashi dinner, but if I wow him then maybe." Kagome smiled. So Sesshomaru hadn't asked her to the dinner yet. Well she could still take joy in knowing that soon he would. "Any way…I owe you something…I wasn't too nice to you and…" Kagome looked away from her automatically as the door began to twist again. Rin let her sentence run short while she turned to face Kagome who was trying to desperately run her hand through her hair and fix her top. "Okay…I wasn't talking." She mumbled.

Kagome didn't hear her though. She was too focused on the opening door. She took a deep breath as it flew open slightly. Inuyasha pushed the card into his pocket and looked up. The first person he saw was Kagome of course. She was standing up and staring towards him. He put his things down and threw her a smile. "Hey…" He said. He looked over at Ayame who was sitting on his bed and Rin who occupied Kagome's. He automatically felt annoyance to have them all in the room. It was weird to think he just wanted to be alone with Kagome.

"Hi…" She said back making him look up at her again. She had pictured herself telling him everything she had been thinking as soon as he opened the door, but now that Ayame and Rin were here everything she wanted to confess sort of stuck to her throat like glue.

"How was your day off?" He asked with a smile. "Did you pick out a dress?" He asked and Rin inserted herself into the conversation which made Kagome roll her eyes and turn the other way. Was it too much to ask to be alone with him?

"Hey guess what…" she said and Inuyasha tore his eyes from Kagome to look towards her. "Your brother asked me out today." She said and Inuyasha narrowed his eyes like he didn't believe her. She nodded "It's true he did…I saw him…at…" She realized she couldn't tell him where she saw him, or he'd know that she switched the hotel rooms. "I ran into him earlier today. He said he'd get a hold of me tomorrow night."

Inuyasha smiled at her. He didn't say anything he just exchanged a grin. It seemed like he might of wanted to, but something took his train of thought. "Oh that reminds me. My mom's coming up earlier than we anticipated. She called my dad after the signing and told him she'd be coming up tomorrow morning…my dad told me to tell you."

"Oh awesome…so I get to see Sesshomaru twice in one day." Rin said and Inuyasha looked away from her. He seemed as if he wanted to focus his attention on Kagome but Rin kept inserting herself into the conversation. "Wait…your going too right?" She asked sensing that he seemed a bit indifferent about the whole thing.

He pulled off the blazer of his suit and sloppily laid it on the ground. He realized how clean the room was when he approached his bag and unzipped it. Everything was folded and placed neatly in; he looked towards Kagome for a moment ready to comment on it. "Inuyasha…you're going right?" Rin asked and he tore his eyes from her to rest them on Rin again.

"Actually Rin…" He said while loosening his tie. "I'm going to give myself a break." He stood up from his bag and removed the tie dropping it on the ground carelessly. "I think I'm going to say I'm sick. She's coming up really early this year... and we'll have plenty of time to spend together by ourselves. I've showed face enough at those stupid meetings. I'm not about to go site seeing and eating at some expensive restaurant with my family…" Rin narrowed her eyes not liking the answer.

"But everything's in your favor. You don't have to run to the airport and pick up your date for the dinner. Kagome's right here." Rin said and Inuyasha nodded knowing that, he was taking Kagome to the annual dinner, and usually when they spent the day with his mother and younger brother they would all bring their dates along to meet their mom. He didn't have to worry about nurturing a dead end relationship for a few months. She was right there, and she was gorgeous and innocent…and everything that would please his mother. He let his eyes wonder to her. She was hugging herself while leaning against the wall closest to the desk. She just stared towards him. She looked like she might've been day dreaming. He was still feeling a little odd about the conversation they had earlier but he told himself it was because he couldn't address it. There were way too many people in their room. "Any way I don't want to put Kagome through that. I think she's been through enough with my dad. She doesn't need to meet my mom and Shippo too."

Rin just watched him as she lost all of his attention to Kagome. She looked towards Ayame and just smiled. "You think Kagome would mind?" Rin asked and Inuyasha turned to face her. He actually seemed annoyed to be continuing the conversation.

He moved a bit away from his spot to walk towards his bed. "Get off" He stated making Ayame roll her eyes but quickly rise from her spot. "Can you somehow get rid of all these shopping bags?" He asked while pulling off his shoes. "And I'm not sure if she minds, but I know I do. I don't want to do it." He admitted. Rin looked towards Kagome who they didn't even bother asking about the situation. She didn't seem to care any way. She was standing there almost coherent but not actually.

"Well let's ask her." She said turning to face Kagome. "So what do you think…you don't really mind spending the day with Inuyasha's family?" Rin asked. Inuyasha had his eyes on her waiting for her answer, but it took a moment for her to snap into reality. She seemed so deep in thought. She had been like that all day and Rin was starting to get a little worried. "Kagome…Hey earth to Kagome…what's with you…you've been off today." She said and Kagome looked to her for a moment before looking over at Inuyasha. She bit her lip then took a few steps forward.

"Hey…um….can I actually talk to you." She said making everyone look over at Inuyasha too. He seemed surprise that she'd just ignore Rin's question all together to focus all her attention on him. "I was planning to tell you something, but…" She let her sentence run short just staring at him. He got up from his spot while running a hand through his hair.

"Uh…yeah…go ahead." He said. He had no idea what she wanted to tell him, but it seemed a bit important, but he still had no idea why she had to announce it. She could have just said what was on her mind. "What's up?" He asked and she quickly looked towards Rin and Ayame, and he got the point. His eyes widened in realization. "Alone…" He said and she nodded slightly. He didn't know exactly where to go, he just looked around before landing at the bathroom. "Ok…uh…the bathroom?" He asked and she just smiled a bit. He could tell it wasn't what she really wanted. She seemed to actually want Rin and Ayame to leave; he bit down on his lip not knowing what to do exactly.

"The bathroom's fine." She said and Rin sat up not really liking that idea. She could tell they wanted privacy, but she didn't want to leave them alone either. She was wondering what happened between them while she was gone. She didn't know if it was good or bad, what if they had sex, and Kagome was acting weird because of it. If she was too clingy Inuyasha would throw her out like yesterdays trash. Why did she leave them alone last night?

"Wait… do you want us to leave?" Rin asked and Kagome just shook her head quickly.

"No…I just…its fine you can stay." She said nervously and Rin narrowed her eyes.

"Actually I think they should leave." Inuyasha said while walking towards the bathroom. He opened the door and waited for Kagome to go ahead in. She slowly made her way in before taking her spot near the bathtub. It was a fairly big bathroom so she had enough room to slowly pace around as Inuyasha close the door behind them. Rin and Ayame quickly left their spots in order to press their ears on the door as the door shut. He turned to face her watching the pacing for a moment. "So…." He said and she stopped pacing in order to look directly at him. "You had something you needed to say?"

She nodded as her heart began beating over time. Her blood went hot and she bit down hard on her lip. He waited walking a few steps in front of her. It made her body heat up more. The only thing that brought her a little comfort was remembering the beating of his heart this morning. It made her think that maybe just maybe he felt the same. Maybe his blood was heated and his mouth was dry. Perhaps he was just as nervous as she was. Maybe he couldn't form his words, or he had thought of her all day. As ridiculous as the idea was, it was a possibility right? She took another deep breath then smiled. "Yeah…I…um I've been sort of waiting to talk to you all day." She admitted and his heart spiked at that. A feeling he didn't get generally, only near her.

"Yeah…" He said returning her smile. "Can…I…or should I sit down." He joked. Her smile widened and he walked past her to the toilet. He sat down on the top of it and looked up at her. "I'm ready when you are."

She nodded. "So…um I know you're…you know my boss." She said and automatically she wanted to take it back. What was she doing? Was she going to admit how she felt about him? He waited patiently for her to continue. Maybe she should of told him about Sesshomaru first. She sort of wanted to, but she felt like she could have solved that problem herself. He was probably going to take Rin now? Right… "Okay…actually let me start over." She said shaking her head. He narrowed his eyes slightly confused.

"Maybe you need to sit?" He asked and she shook her head turning away from him and thinking over her thoughts. Why couldn't she just say it? Why couldn't it just come out? Why couldn't she just say…hey Inuyasha…I think I might be…It was hard for her to admit it to herself. How did she know that she could be in love with him? It could have just been infatuation. She had never been in love before? Why was she admitting it anyway? Wasn't that something she should just keep to herself? "Kagome…" He asked and she turned around quickly.

"I'm sorry…I'm just…I've been thinking about what I wanted to tell you since you left. Seriously, it's the only thing that's been going through my mind, but now I'm stuck…"

"It must be important…" He said, but he couldn't fathom what it could be. He was riddled with anticipation, and for some reason nerves. He waited patiently but in the inside he was a mess. "So…uh…does it have anything to do with…the signing today…or anything you know business related?" She looked up at that and he waited nervously.

"Oh…yeah…" As soon as she said that his heart sunk. That was defiantly not what he wanted to hear. He didn't want to talk about business. "How did that go?" She asked and he was about to answer when she interrupted. "That's not what I wanted to talk about." She admitted. "It…this…it has nothing to do with working." He nodded slowly, understanding. "I think it has to do with us." She said and he sat up widening his eyes. Those feelings came back and he just stared not knowing what to say or do. "Uh…I…just…wanted to tell you that…I think I might actually be you know." She shrugged and he narrowed his eyes.

"I don't think I do." He said and she looked down on the floor. There was a slight awkwardness that filled the room and he stared at her. She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes, so she looked somewhere else while her long black hair helped to cover her face. He just stared at her not knowing how to ease her discomfort. He really had no idea what she wanted to say. He couldn't even slightly think of what it could be.

"You know what…" She mumbled looking up. He could clearly see she was beyond embarrassed. He didn't know why. "I think this was a mistake. I'm…I'm really embarrassed." She admitted and he looked away from her.

"I'm sorry…you just…be out with it Kagome. Tell me how you feel."

She shook her head. "I'm trying but...I think you already know." She said and he stuck an eyebrow up.

"No…I really don't." She shook her head again and pushed some of her hair over her ear. She didn't say much anymore she just turned away and headed to the door. He got up quickly meeting her in a few quick strides. He pulled her towards him. "Wait…I'm serious…I don't." He said, but she wouldn't meet his eyes. Whatever she wanted to say she thought he knew, for some weird reason she believed that he wasn't admitting it on purpose. It was all so confusing, but he wasn't going to just…let her walk out. He needed to know what it was. He had to know…if she didn't tell him, he'd be thinking about it…forever. It would stay heavy in his head. He had to know. "You remember what I told you last night? Just tell me…" He whispered and she looked down. They were standing at the corner and he just looked down at her, waiting.

She didn't say anything, she didn't reply. She just wanted to leave, she was such an idiot. "How can you not know…?" She asked and he narrowed his eyes. "I…can't be…I know I'm not hiding it well. I can't even think straight."

"What…"

"I can't think…I can't obviously speak…I 'm stuttering, tripping."

"You've always been like that." He said with a slight smile and she narrowed her eyes washing his smile off completely.

"No…" She pulled her arm out of his grasp. "No I haven't…" She turned away from him and pulled the door open. He sighed as she left the bathroom. Ayame and Rin dispersed as soon as she came out. "I'm never like this." She explained and he left the bathroom too. He stood at the doorway waiting for her to continue. "You think that when I'm alone, I'm stuttering and tripping and…I don't know... being an idiot?" She asked.

"Kagome…"

"I'm doing it because of you…I'm never like this…never. Before I talked to you in the office…I did all my work…I was never stressed, or tripping, stutterting, but obviously that's who you think I am. You think I'm a clumsy idiot." She said while turning towards her side of the room. Rin and Ayame stood to the side listening and following them both with their eyes, but they never said a word.

"How do you expect me to know how you are when you're alone? That's why it's called alone...and... You never speak to say what you mean. It's always these little riddles...like last night...And it's all my fault when I can't automatically read your mind." He shouted out and she turned and took a deep breath then faced him.

"Why do you think that is?" She asked and he shrugged. He had thought that was because he was her boss, but was she now telling him something different. "You still don't understand what I'm saying?" Kagome asked in shock while shaking her head, "but I guess that's a good thing."

"Why don't you just say what's on your mind." He said. "I'm done playing these games and reading between the damn lines." He said and Kagome took a deep breath before pushing a hand over her face in frustration.

"Going on this trip was a mistake…I knew it would be…well I should have known." She mumbled and Inuyasha looked up at her. She didn't even know what she wanted to do with herself. The three words sat heavily on her lips.

"So…what are you going to do…you're going to go home?" He asked, but she ignored him. It was crazy that even though he was standing there she still felt her thoughts sprinting through her mind. "I think you're being a bit over dramatic." He said while turning towards his own bags. He began to slowly unbuttoning his shirt. A few moments passed and he turned towards Rin who was looking through her shopping bags and trying to diminish as much attention from herself as possible. "Hey…um…we're leaving today…actually later this afternoon, so…get your things ready."

"Okay…" She decided that she wasn't going to insert herself into their argument, instead she'd find out all she needed to know from Kagome later. "but um…Kouga said that he got invited to some party tonight…it's a house party." Rin said and Inuyasha stared at her for a second. "We'll just meet up with you guys later."

"A house party…" he repeated and Kagome could see the general interest in his face. "So what…you're not going to spend the day with my parents tomorrow either?" Inuyasha asked and Rin nodded.

"Kouga said if we take off after the party we should be there by mid afternoon, so…I can actually go ahead and get ready for my date, you know once Sesshomaru calls me. He said tomorrow night."

"I guess it doesn't matter if we all spend an extra night." He said and Kagome turned to face him. "I'm not going to meet up with my mom either…and there's no work tomorrow so, maybe I'll be able to go." He let his eyes wonder to Kagome who at that moment purposely dropped the suitcase she was holding loudly against the ground. He raised his eyebrows. "That is if Miss. Bipolar doesn't have a problem with it." He joked, but Kagome wasn't in a joking mood.

Rin looked over at her who did not seem happy at all. She had never seen Kagome in this disposition. She was always quiet...it was so surprising. "Okay…okay…I have to ask. What the hell is up with you two?" Rin asked and Ayame nodded agreeing to the sentiment.

Kagome looked up and put a hand to her chest. "Am I Miss. Bipolar?" She asked staring directly at Inuyasha and once again ignoring Rin. He just shrugged. "I think it's an awful idea." She stated. He narrowed his eyes sensing some obvious animosity.

"Okay…Kagome…I didn't do anything, what's with the…" He let his words trail off and Kagome just looked the other way. It was true he didn't do anything, but she wasn't herself. She just wanted him to understand how she felt. He told her those stupid nice things, and then took off and when she tried to admit how she felt directly, he pretended as if he didn't understand. Or maybe he really didn't understand, but it was probably the bravest thing she ever did, and she got nothing from it.

She paused thinking things over. "Yeah...you're right...I know…I'm just…it's a bad idea." She restated. "I think it would be hard to drive all night after a party." She said calmly and Rin realized that to be slightly true. She was starting to reconsider going herself; she had to be energized for her date.

"Really…" he said…"that's how you feel…doesn't it feel better when you tell people what's on your mind?" He asked and she narrowed her eyes realizing what he meant. "Any way…she's right. If Kouga is going to do that thing where he lies and says he won't have a drink and we're all screwed at the end I can't. I don't want my dad wondering where I am when I tell him I'm sick." He said. He was just making up an excuse because he knew that's what Kagome wanted. She seemed to be in a bad enough mood, there was no reason to make it worse.

"Okay…so you're out…and I think I might be too. Ayame are you still going?"

She shrugged. "Yeah I think so…I have to make sure Kouga doesn't you know."

"You think he'd still do that?" Rin asked and Ayame just nodded.

"Can you guys leave?" Inuyasha interrupted after awhile.

"Are you even dating him again?"

"It's super complicated…so I better just go…you know to be on the safe side."

"Seriously guys I want to take a nap before we leave...so if you guys could go." Inuyasha stated and Rin threw him a look before ignoring him once again.

"Well you should just go and nip that in the bud. You don't want him doing something that… you know would ruin everything." Ayame nodded agreeing.

"I know just…"

"Rin…you and Ayame need to go…all your shopping bags are blocking my way, I'm tired, and I want to be out of here by three...so come on." He said and Kagome stood up at that moment. She stared at him before stepping forward. She didn't know what it was, but she wasn't going to just back out. Okay so she didn't know if she was in love, but she knew that she had feelings for him. She was going to tell him, she literally couldn't hold it in, and it made since to just be out with it.

"Okay…so about earlier." She said and Inuyasha turned to face her. He had a confused yet irritated look on his face.

"We're leaving jeez…I have to get my things anyway." Rin said "By the way I need…"

"Yeah...earlier in the bathroom?" Inuyasha asked and Kagome looked towards Rin who was still talking about getting her other things from the closet. She was pushing past them rudely.

"No...last night." She said raising his eyebrows in shock. He could feel his stomach flip. He wasn't ready to adress their conversations from this morning or last night just yet. "You told me to tell you how I feel…" Ayame began picking up the bags and Inuyasha put a finger up, wanting them to stop walking around while Kagome was trying to talk. All he could hear was the rustling of shopping bags. "I don't know when it started, but I sort of knew today that…"

"Hey…that's right I need to know what tux you're wearing so Kagome's dress won't clash with it." Rin said from the closet. Inuyasha threw her a look, and Rin pushed her hands up. "I'm just trying to help."

"I think I might you know..." She paused and her voice became really soft. "I think I have feeling for you…" She admitted and just like that everything froze. Ayame stopped what she was doing and Rin's jaw opened wide. Inuyasha turned slowly forward to face her fully.

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a/N Okay so that's out