AN: It's been a month since my last update. And this chapter was sitting in my laptop complete for 2 weeks. I am officially effed up for that. I AM SO SORRY! I threw the biggest Halloween party (its my favorite day) and I just have been MIA in the fanfiction scene. Please accept my sincerest apologies on the wait. It won't happen again. Thank you for everyone who reviewed. And I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Sesshomaru had just arrived at his parents' house when his phone started to ring. A picture of Kagome and Kenichi appeared on his phone and he smirked before answering.

"Hello?"

"Daddy!" It was Kenichi. Sesshomaru's smirk widened into a small grin. So Kagome didn't have the guts to call him after their short conversation last night.

"Hello, Kenichi." He turned off the car and sat back in his seat. He would wait to get out.

"Good morning, I miss you."

"I miss you too."

The guys exchanged small talk for a few minutes. Kenichi asking Sesshomaru about his plans for the day, and then revealing his own plans. Sesshomaru was a bit disappointed when the call ended; Kagome never made a peep in the background, he usually heard her. He wondered if she would avoid him after what he said to her. Even so, if she did, then it was for the best. Things were complicated enough.

Time passed and the text messages were never brought up again, not by Kagome nor Sesshomaru. Kagome had only one more week until she and Kenichi left to visit Sesshomaru's home. They would be there for a week and the time spent would be considered Sesshomaru's monthly visit. After they left, he'd visit them the next month. She was unsure if she'd be going back after this time.

Things had been going well for Kagome. She stayed true to her word and tried to keep things between her and Sesshomaru strictly platonic, business like, really. If it wasn't about Kenichi, they didn't speak. Their almost-friendship seemed to suffer, but it was obvious that a friendship would lead to more. Things were better this way.

She also finally bought a new car. The accident had her hesitant but she was glad to not have to rely on rides from anyone. Kenichi loved his mom's new car; he didn't seem to be affected by the accident at all. She supposed it was because he met Sesshomaru immediately after, it was more than enough to make that negative experience positive.

Kagome was in the process of going over things she needed to do. The plan was that Sango would move out when Kagome returned from her trip. Koga and Miroku would help with the moving process. Then, once Sango was all moved out, Koga would move in. He was more than happy to break his apartment lease if it meant sharing a bed with Kagome every night. Things were going great between the two, especially since Kagome had a job and had separated herself from Sesshomaru.

Koga had been coming around a lot more lately, he was rarely even at his own home anymore, and some of his things were making their way into Kagome's apartment already.

Kagome had yet to tell him that she was leaving for a week with Kenichi. He knew the child would be going but it had not been spoken about in too much detail. She was pretty sure that he assumed she would stay here, but that was not the case. She knew this much, because he had made comments about the two of them finally having some alone time. She didn't know what to say other than giggle any time he said something.

The guilt that she was lying by omission was eating at her, and she had to tell him sooner or later. She would be leaving in a week; there was no more time to put it off. That was why she had him come over for a late dessert and wine night. She strategically got his favorite type of cheesecake and waited until he was on his third glass to bring it up.

"Koga, can I talk to you?" Kagome looked at him, nervously.

"What's wrong babe?" he could sense something was up by the expression on her face. An anxious tingle made its way up his spine. Drinks, dessert, cuddling; it had been pretty random but now he felt suspicious. Was she breaking up with him? Did she cheat on him? She might as well have just said the 'we need to talk' phrase.

Kagome frowned and slid her finger around the edge of her glass. "We never talked about it before," she started, "and I never knew how to bring it up, exactly, but it's about Kenichi's trip."

"What about it?" Koga tilted his head. Now he was confused. He watched as Kagome took a deep breath.

"I'm going with him." At his blank stare she continued. "That had been the plan all along, I thought you knew at first but I later realized that you didn't..." Her voice trailed off as she let him process the information.

"Wait." Koga shook his head. "What? You're doing what?"

"I'm leaving with Kenichi for the week." He was a heartbeat away from cutting her off.

"Why?" He demanded, forcefully placing his drink on the nearest table.

"Because I'm his mom," she quickly explained. "I have to go."

"Why can't he go without you?"

"Koga, he's three. I can't have him fly by himself; he needs me there."

"Right." The man scoffed and rolled his eyes before narrowing them at her. "I didn't realize you were that kind of girl."

"What?" Kagome's voice dropped an octave. Just what was he implying?

"So how often do you plan on flying to spend time with Sesshomaru while we're together? Will you get up and leave me every time he invites you out there?"

"What? No!" She realized he was getting it all twisted. "Koga this isn't about you and me, this is about Kenichi being with his dad. And right now he is too young to be going out there by himself."

"Then he can stay here. I don't want you going out there, Kagome. You're my woman, not Sesshomaru's. You've got no business going across the damn country to see him.

"I'm not going out there to see him!" Kagome cried out in frustration. "I am going out there to supervise and take care of my son."

Koga ignored her and continued on. "Obviously things are serious between us if we're moving in together. I've treated your son like he was my own and this is what I get? You leave me to be with his real father."

"Koga…"Kagome tried to calmly explain what was going on. Koga was acting crazy. "I'm not leaving you. I'll be back in a week. You are reading way too much into the relationship I have with Sesshomaru."

"So there is a relationship!" He stood up and pointed a finger at her. Before he could continue his accusations Kagome stood up and took a hold of his arms, trying to talk some sense into him.

"Koga you're taking this the wrong way. I'm just going to be there for Kenichi; he's my world, I can't send him away where I can't have access to him in case he needs me. Please understand."

He turned his head away, causing Kagome to frown.

"Why are you being like this?"

He faced her, glaring. "Because you're MY girlfriend."

"And Kenichi is mine" she placed a hand over her chest, "and Sesshomaru's son. I won't deny him his father."

"And if we have kids what'll you do? Leave with Kenichi while we wait here?"

"That would be a long time from now. Kenichi would be old enough to fly on his own by then."

The man pouted and turned around, leaving his back to her.

"I'm not sharing you with him."

"I'm not asking you to." Kagome was becoming exasperated. Koga had managed to turn it around and make it seem like she was going out to visit Sesshomaru when she really was going there so Kenichi could visit him. If the child was older she would let him go alone, but he was really too young. "Please don't be like this."

"Kagome, I want a woman who can commit to me just like I would to her."

"Koga…" she reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I can't do this."

She pulled her hand away as if his skin had burned her through his shirt. 'Did he just…'

"I can't be with someone who's already tied to someone else."

"But…" she wanted to explain. He couldn't leave her; they were happy! Things were going great! He was supposed to move in! They'd live happily ever after as a blended family!

"Choose." He said. "Right now."

"What?"

"Me or Sesshomaru." He faced her, his eyes burning into her soul.

"I'd pick you every time, Koga." She clasped her hands together, wishing he realized how much she cared about him.

"Then stay here!" he pleaded.

"You know I can't." Kagome raised her voice, frustrated. Momma bear would not let her cub on that plane alone.

"Then I can't be with you." He swept his hand through the air, as if sweeping the thoughts of them away. "I'm leaving." His legs carried him halfway to the door before her voice stopped him. He cared for her… if she would just let the boy go without her.

"But Koga…" what could she say to make him stay?

"If you get on that plane," he warned, "I won't speak to you again."

"I…" her eyes were wide, looking for the right words.

Koga realized that Kagome had no intention of skipping that flight. Just like in the past, she always had to put a damn Takahashi before him. He wouldn't let her do that again.

"I can't believe I thought I loved you." He felt like a cruel trick had been played on him. He was angry.

Tears welled in her blue orbs. "I…" her voice broke simultaneously with her heart, "I'm sorry I couldn't be the girlfriend you wanted."

He continued to glare at her with disgust as the resentment started to sink in. Wordlessly, he shook his head and stalked his way out of her apartment, slamming the door behind him.

Kagome flinched at the loud noise. She was frozen in place, numb and her mind in turmoil over all that had just happened. She jumped when she felt warm fingers on her arms.

"Kagome?" Sango held a tired, yet concerned expression.

"Everything's fine." Kagome plastered on a fake smile. "We just got into an argument." She rushed to wipe the tears from her eyes, sniffling, and shaking her head, as if it would shake away all that had happened. "It'll be over by tomorrow," she lied.

"Oh," Sango backed away and tilted her head, not sure if she believed the woman. "Are you sure? He's never walked out and slammed the door."

"It's fine Sango." Kagome waved her friend's worries off. "He's just on his man period," she tried her best to joke. "Let's go to bed. The sooner I go to sleep, the sooner I wake up to an apology text!"

"Hm." Sango smiled at her friends words. "Well, goodnight then." She turned to go back to her room.

"Goodnight," Kagome called out to her. She then began to clean up the living room with shaky hands. A feeling a dread washing over her. By the time she was in bed, her stomach formed into a knot, the nausea only adding to her distress.

Her boyfriend dumped her. She was doomed to be forever lonely. Now she nobody to move in when Sango left, and Sango wouldn't leave if she found out. So Kagome would have to pretend everything was okay between herself and Koga; she would suffer quietly. She wouldn't ruin Sango and Miroku's happiness.

She tried her best to cry silently into her pillow, eventually she fell asleep.

The next week was so stressful for Kagome. She had to suffer the pain of heartbreak silently the whole time. It was a blessing that nobody was nosey enough to figure out that Koga had left her. She had hoped the first few days after their fight that he would come back but he did not make an effort.

Kenichi had inquired if Koga would join them for lunch, and Kagome had simply told the child 'no' as she continued to prepare their sandwiches. She made no comment about not bringing Koga up again, but Kenichi noticed the pained way his mom's face fell when the man was mentioned. He made sure not to do it again.

Kagome had kept her mind distracted by picking up a few extra shifts at the club. It was not hard to do, since most of her coworkers had no work ethic and called off a lot. The managers were glad to have her fill in. Her job was a great distraction towards her life.

Her best friend was leaving, and though Kagome was happy for her, she was going to miss her. She had come to rely on Sango for so many things; not being able to confide in her about Koga was making things ten times more difficult.

To make things easier on bestie, Kagome had found a babysitter to take care of Kenichi. That way he could get used to this person while Sango was still available. As if to wean him from his current babysitter. Sesshomaru also had the number for the new sitter so he was able to speak with Kenichi there. The woman watching him now also cared for the children of some of Kagome's coworkers. The babysitter's sister was a dancer and so their kids were always there. Kenichi had three other children to play with now, all boys. Kagome wondered how difficult it must be to get those kids to sleep at night. Little did she know, the new babysitter would call Sesshomaru and have him tell Kenichi to go to bed. The child always obeyed. He would be dead asleep when Kagome picked him up from work and she knew he didn't stay up late because he was always there early in the morning to wake her up.

The lack of sleep made things much harder on Kagome. At least whenever Sango made a comment about Kagome looking depressed, she could blame it on that.

Then, the night before Kagome would leave, Sango finally spoke up.

"What's going on?" The brown eyed woman watched her friend wash dishes. "Koga used to hang around here like a flea on a cat. Now, no trace of him since that night." She didn't have to specify which night she was referring to, Kagome already knew.

"It's nothing." The young mom had to think quickly for a response. Years as an entertainer gave her that gift. "He's just upset that I'm leaving for a week. We've been texting here and there, but he'll get over it."

"I guess." Sango shrugged, believing her friend. "Is he still going to help me move?"

"Oh!" Kagome's eyebrows rose in surprise. She had totally forgotten about that. "I'm so sorry Sango; I forgot to tell you that he was going to be out of town those days."

"Out of town?" Now Sango was suspicious.

"Yeah," Kagome nodded, hating herself for lying. "He wants to give me a taste of my own medicine, I guess. So he'll be spending the week I get back at his cousin Ginta's house. Can you believe that? How immature!"

"I'm surprised he would be such a jerk. Especially because we needed his muscle."

"I know." Kagome frowned. Feeling terrible that she was convincing her friend to believe the web of lies. "I'm sorry." Her apology was for lying to her best friend's face.

"Hey, it's not your fault." Sango patted Kagome on the back. "I'll just have Kohaku and my dad help."

"Okay," Kagome nodded. Now she felt even worse! Kohaku and Sango's dad were gonna pick up Koga's slack because she was such a bad girlfriend that he left her.

Kagome picked up the dirtiest pan and began scrubbing with much more force than necessary. Sango had assumed that Kagome was pissed at Koga and left the room to Facetime her fiancé.

A few tears threatened to spill from Kagome's watery orbs but she tilted her head upwards and blinked them away, trying to stay strong.

Kagome was well aware that she was going to enjoy her time away, she needed a vacation. She vowed that during her week off she would pretend none of her troubles here existed. She would worry about them when she got back. Until then she would enjoy herself.

Feeling a little better that she was going to have a small escape, Kagome quickly finished her task and started to turn off the lights in the apartment.

Tomorrow would be their last day in town, so she wanted herself and Kenichi to spend time with Sango before they left and she moved out. She also would make sure they packed everything they needed and then they'd go to bed extra early. Their flight was before the sun rose, Sango would drop them off at the airport and she'd be the one to pick them up when they returned.

With the anticipation of the trip, and the exhaustion from so much work and so little sleep, the young mother was down and out in no time.

The next day was spent exactly as planned. Sango, Kagome, and Kenichi spent entire day together. They all went to bed early in preparation for the early flight.

Sango had made the early morning much more enjoyable by running out to get coffee and donuts while Kagome and Kenichi got ready. She didn't need to change from her pajamas seeing as she was only dropping them off and then returning home to sleep. Then again, she'd probably have a hard time falling back asleep from drinking coffee. It was needed though, the sun wasn't even up so without the caffeine there was no way the women would make it to the airport without falling asleep on the way there, or even before leaving the apartment!

Kenichi was half asleep as his mother dressed him. He was not allowed to have coffee but Sango always gave him some. What he didn't know, was that it was just milk with a little bit of coffee in it. He'd never actually had coffee like what the adults drank; if he did he'd know that he'd been duped! The placebo worked though, the child somehow woke up after drinking his flavored milk.

The trio left the apartment and quietly drove to the airport. Kagome was nervous and excited. She'd never actually been on a vacation before and this was her opportunity. This time was meant to be for Kenichi and Sesshomaru. So theoretically, Kagome was just there in case she was needed, and as long as she wasn't needed she'd be free to do as she pleased. Sesshomaru or his parents would have Kenichi and Kagome could be a tourist.

"This is our stop," Sango said as she pulled up to the drop off zone at the airport.

"Thanks for dropping us off. I didn't feel safe leaving my car in one of these parking lots."

"Well you know I had to see you off."

The women exited the vehicle and got the suitcases out of the trunk. Then Kagome got Kenichi out of the car as Sango moved the bags onto the sidewalk.

Kenichi jumped into Sango's arms and wrapped his arms around her neck.

"I'll miss you," he told his godmother.

"I'll miss you too." She hugged him tighter. "Be good for everyone, okay?"

"Okay."

"I'll be here to pick you up when you guys return. Have fun with your dad."

The child nodded and Sango put him down. Kenichi moved towards the luggage. He caught sight of his back pack and put it on while the adults spoke.

Kagome and Sango hugged each other tight.

"Be careful out there," Sango told her.

"I will, mom." The women shared a laugh.

"Call me when you've landed. I love you."

"I will. I love you too."

They parted and then Kagome and Kenichi went inside the airport terminal with their things. They stood behind the door and watched as Sango drove away. Kenichi was in awe as he saw all the airplanes. It was his first time in an airport and he was eager to fly. They made it to their place to wait and Kagome listened as Kenichi explained to her just how excited he was to go on a plane and to visit his father.

The sun had just begun to rise when they were allowed to board the plane.

Kagome prayed that Kenichi would behave himself on the flight; she didn't want to be one of those people who made the trip a nightmare for everyone else. She also prayed that there were no babies anywhere near her, because babies were loud, and she was tired.

As the plane began to take off Kenichi watched out the window with wide eyes. Kagome would bet his eyes would not leave that window until they landed.

"Hey mom," the child spoke without looking at her. "Where does dad live?" He always knew his dad lived far, but that couldn't be the name. His home had a name. So what was his dad's city?

"Your father lives in Las Vegas." Kagome answered with a small smile. She was going to vacation in Vegas!

Apologies for any typos. Please review :)