"Wake up."

"Sesshomaru? How did you get in here?" She rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"I have a spare key."

"Reasonable." Kagome sighed. "What time is it?"

"9:00"

"A.M are you crazy?! That is way too early!" She flopped back down and put her pillow over her face.

"Then you could just stay here."

"We're going some where? I didn't think you would want to be seen with a human." She rolled over and put her feet on the floor.

"Get up." He walked out of her room and into the kitchen.

"Okay." Kagome always thought it would be impossible for her to smile this early in the morning but she couldn't help it. It only took her 15 minutes to get ready. A pair of jogging pant with a sweater and scarf and matching beanie. She came into the kitchen with a bounce in her step. She grabbed a glass of orange juice when he asked.

"Where did you get this?" He was holding up the flower.

Kagome almost chocked on her orange juice. "Were did you get that?" She snatched it away from him.

"The table."

"Nosey."

"You left it out. So, where did you get it?"

Kagome drank the rest of her drink, washed out the glass, filled it with water, stuck it in the window seal and put the flower in it. "Your brother if you must know. Quite the gentlemen." Kagome took a few minutes to brush her teeth and she was ready.

A limo was ready and waiting outside for them and Jaken stepped out. "Boss." He opened the door.

"Kagome." He motioned for her to get in first.

"So where are we going?" Kagome looked at the man next to her.

"You need more clothes."

"What? No way, I couldn't ask you to do that." That seemed to be the end of the conversation because he gave her no argument. If it was going to take two hours to get to the city she was going to have to find something to entertain herself. "Mind if I turn on the television?" He handed her the remote. She flipped through the channels making quick assessments. "No...no...no...diffidently not." Finally she found as old show she loved. "My mom and I used to watch this when I was a little girl." She smiled. She wasn't really sure if he was listening or if he was to enveloped in his newspaper, but he didn't tell her to be quiet so she figured she would keep going. "You see these three old women are best friends and the really old one she is that one's mom." She pointed out. "Oh and that one there she's not so bright, but she's really sweet." He glanced up at the television. "Oh and her, well lets just say she loves men and isn't afraid to show it." My mom would always tell me when I was younger she just had a lot of admirers." Kagome laughed. "I figured out what was really going on but I never told mom I knew." She noticed that he had put his newspaper down but decided against trying to get him to participate in the conversation. That would be asking to much. "The old lady is just a smart ass."

As she watched the women on the screen her mood changed, "When I was sick mom used to make me get out of bed and cuddle with her one the couch. We would both be in our pajamas with hot soup, sharing a blanket." Kagome's voice became distant. "I would forget I was even sick. I would forget about everything. The training, the meetings. For once I got to be a kid." The majority of her childhood memories were shrouded in mob affairs, her priming and prepping to become the leader. Moments of actual happy memories were far and few and always included her mother. They sat in silence watching these old women play out their lives. Neither had noticed the car had stopped until the door opened.

"We are here Boss."

"Jaken, you may leave until I call." Jaken nodded.

All around Kagome were stores she knew of but never in a million years had she ever even dreamed of shopping at one of them. "Where would you like to go?" He asked.

"No, I can't."

"Pick."

"That one." Kagome pointed. And so it began. There they were in the fashion capital of the United States and she could go anywhere. The first store she walked into a woman came from behind the counter with two glasses of champagne. With out a word Sesshomaru took a glass and sat down. Kagome stood there feeling a bit awkward, not knowing where to start.

"Excuse me Miss." One of the lady's that worked at the store pulled Kagome to the side. "Let me guess, he's paying?"

"That obvious?" Kagome shook with nerves and the lady laughed.

"Let's just say any one that can afford to shop here does not come in wearing jogging pants." She took Kagome by the hand and put her in a dressing room. "But what ever the reason he is spoiling you take it, a woman should be treated." She handed Kagome a black silk robe. "Put this on and I will be back." With out a word the woman walked out. Kagome did as she was told and stepped out. Sesshomaru sat directly in front of her drinking champagne and reading the news paper.

"Do you ever get your nose out of the paper?"

He looked up at her before answering. "I am a mob boss, it is my duty to know the politics of this city."

"Okay, I know I didn't take your measurements but I think these will do." The sales associate came back with an arm full of clothes and set them on the couch. "Try these first." On reflex Kagome looked at the price.

"I can't-"

"No, no!" The associate snatched them back "If you are not paying do not worry." She whispered. " Three hours later Kagome was really enjoying her self. She had at least fifteen outfits picked out and when it was time to go another sales associate gathered all the outfits and rung them up while Kagome said bye to the lady that helped her. When they left the store Jaken was already out front gathering the bags.

"I'm starving." Kagome felt her stomach grumble as they got into the limo.

"Jaken take us to-"

"Wait," Kagome interrupted. Sesshomaru looked back at her "may I suggest a place?" He seemed to hesitate but sat back and motioned for her to continue. "Thanks." She smiled as she told Jaken the address to put into the GPS.

"So how do you like this?" He asked.

"It's all new to me, Thank you." Kagome smiled.

"Your welcome." She studied him for a little bit but decided to bite her tong. As she leaned back she began to do something thinking about her situation. If her plan worked out Sango would be at this restaurant with some friends. That would make for a group of people that last saw her with Sesshomaru, that if she never came home there would be leads to where she was last seen. That being that, why would Sesshomaru take her to a high end store with cameras? Maybe sales clerks really worked for him, they seemed to know the whole situation between. Regardless, if she saw Sango there was at least some one on her side.

They got there a little before three o'clock, Sango would no doubt be there at four for happy hour happy hour so there was plenty of time. She looked across the table at Sesshomaru who was still quiet. "You know this lunch is going to be awkward if you sit across from me and don't speak."

"You seem to forget conversation is not my thing." He look across the table at her.

"If you don't talk to me I will just keep talking until I annoy you."

"What's good here?" She smiled at his submission. For the next hour it was mainly her asking questions. Some she got a short answer and some she got a long stare. Most of the time she would answer the question as it pertained to her. Mostly it was for stalling, and she was beginning to wonder if her plan would fail when the waitress brought the check. Then like an angel from heaven she heard a voice.

"Kagome is that you?"

Kagome's head turned at the familiar voics. "Sango?" Along with Ayame, Miroku, and some other guy. "Hey how's it been going?" Kagome laughed nervously.

"Nothing just shopping." Sango held up her bags.

"Yeah. Hey why haven't you been at work?" Ayame asked.

"Family business." That wasn't really a lie.

"Oh. Well Kagome this Koga, Koga, Kagome." Ayme notioned between the two.

"Nice to meet you."

"Kagome." Sesshomaru stood next to her.

"Sesshomaru, right." She turned back to her friends. "Well I wish I could stick around but we have things to do, and I'm sure you so too."

"Yes we do." Miroku smiled.

"Great talking to you guys again, see you later!" Kagome left with Sesshomaru.

"We have two more stops." Sesshomaru said sliding in next to Kagome.

"Okay."

It took about 15 minutes to get to the next place. "You may leave Jaken." He nodded.

When Kagome walked into the stores she realized it was for little kids. "What are we doing here?"

"Sota." He looked her annoyed he even had to say it.

"What?" Kagome was shocked, clothes for her and her brother? He motioned for her to proceed. Kagome began to go through the clothes. Shopping for Sota seemed to be so much easier for her, price was nothing. From toys to clothes and school supplies she got him whatever he needed or what ever she thought he liked. That was another three hours. "Ready." Kagome jumped in front of him.

"Very well." He called Jaken to come around, paid and they left. "You take good care of your brother."

"I try but like I said I haven't been able to do this," she refereed to the shopping, "but I put him first in everything I do. It's how my mother taught me." She smiled. "Did I spend to much?"

"I knew the cost. Price is nothing to me." He said crumpling up the recipe. "Last stop Jaken.

"Right" Kagome stared out of the window for half and hour thinking. Some of what was going on didn't make sense, once Sesshomaru gets what he wants mob rules dictate she be killed to tie up loose ends, maybe even kill her brother. Price must really be nothing to just blow money on some one he was going to kill. The only thing she could do is hope that they would let her brother live. But if she couldn't save him she could at least make sure he was happy until the end. Her little brothers death is something she never thought she would be thinking about.

"Kagome." She snapped out of her thoughts. "We're here." Sesshomaru helped her out while Jaken unloaded the trunk.

"Where is here?"

"Just wait." He whispered. He grabbed all of the bags and lead Kagome inside the building to room 710 were he set the stuff down and knocked on the door. To her surprise a very frustrated Inuyasha answer the door.

"Hey Kagome."

"What's wrong with you?" The older Sesshomaru asked.

Inuyasah let them in. "That squirt."

As Kagome entered she saw who 'squirt' was, and her tears began to flow. "Sota!"

"Kagome!" He squeled running to her arms as she dropped to he floor. "I missed you."

"Oh Sota, I missed you too. I'm so sorry." She buried her face in his neck. Should couldn't believe that just a second ago she was thinking of a world with out him, touching him seemed surreal.

"Hey Kagome, did something bad happen?"

"Why?" She wiped her tears away.

"I haven't seen you cry since mom died."

"No nothing bad, I'm fine. I'm just happy to see you is all." She laughed. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"

"Aw, Inuyasha said I could stay up."

"Oh did he?" She faced Inuyasha.

"Come on what would it hurt? There's no school tomorrow, I don't see the harm." Inuyasha walked up hands in his pocket.

"Yes I suppose." She couldn't help but cave when she saw how happy Sota seemed to be.

"Cool, Inuyasha really sucks at this game. It's been fun beating him." Sota cheered.

"Gee thanks kid." Inuyasha's voice went dry.

"Come here, I have some one I want you to meet." She brought him to Sesshomaru. Part of her hoped that she would see something change in Sesshomaru. Something that would let her know he would spare Sota's life. Even if she had to die, she hoped Sota would live. "This is Sesshomaru."

"Hey!" Sota smiled "Wanna see what we're playing?" In no time he dragged Sesshomaru to the game console leaving Kagome and Inuyasha.

"So how's it going?" Inuyasah laughed a bit moving in to close to Kagome.

"Good." Kagome smiled, "So who's apartment is this?"

"Mine actually. We just finished taking down Christmas light because we were board, then we decided to play a game. Which I'm not to good at."

"And I doubt you ever will be." She laughed with him. "You know I figure the son of a mob boss would be living in suite of sorts."

"I like to keep it simple." He laughed. "I see you went shopping." He motioned to the bags.

"Oh yes that reminds me, Sota I have something for you."

"Oh, what is it?" Sota jumped up. Kagome looked at the bags and that was all sign he needed. He was already going through them.

The three of them sat on the couch and talked about what ever came up. The brothers would exchange glares with one another when it got quiet, but Kagome did not notice. Every time it was quiet she focused her attention on her brother. In a few hours he was finally tired out.

"I love you, thank you sis." he yawned.

"Don't thank me, Sesshomaru got every thing for you." She smiled.

"Thank you." He went over and hugged him.

"Your welcome." It was stiff, but it was the change Kagome was hoping for.

"Let's go get ready for bed." Kagome giggled at Sota. As Kagome left the room tension between the brothers bubbled over.

"Ridicules?" Inuyasha asked.

"Don't start." Sesshaomaru glared.

"You are attached, you bought her and her brother stuff, you don't even like kids!"

"If she is not comfortable our problem won't go as fast as I want it to." He stood.

"You could always force her."

"I have my ways, and you have yours."

"Maybe we should tell Kagome that y-"

"Tell me what?" She asked coming back into the living room redoing her pony tail.

"That we should be going. It is 10:30 and we still have a 3 hour car ride back." he kept a straight face.

"Yeah, your right."

"I'm going to bed here in a few minutes my self." Inuyasha yawned, going along with Sesshomaru.

"Well, we'll see you later." She smiled. Before Kagome could make it to the door Inuyasha pulled her to him and kissed her on the corner of her mouth. This time she could not help but blush. This was only their second time meeting and he kissed her again.

"Good night," he said in a voice almost matching Sesshomaru's. "Don't be a stranger."

"You too." She flashed the most flirtatious smile she could.

"Kagome." Sesshomaru called. She knew what it meant- time to go.

"Coming." Inuyasha watched the two walk to the elevator.

Once in the safety of the elevator and out of his brothers hearing he asked Kagome, "Do you like him?" This time it was her turn to remain silent. Even if she did have answer for him it was none of his business. When they arrived down stairs Jaken was waiting outside for the two to return. Kagome slid in first and Sesshomaru after. The first 30 minutes was dead silence. "He likes you." Kagome whispered. He turned his head to look at her. "Sota, he said 'I like Sesshomaru' I asked him why but he had fallen asleep. Sesshomaru took his eyes from the girl to the window. Awhile later he felt her head drop to his shoulder.

He used this time of peace to think about Inuyasha and the family. He wouldn't put it passed Inyasha to tell all their secrets if it was to his gain. It was obvious he liked her though they both knew that when this was over she would have to die. He was sure Kagome had even come to that conclusion, but as long as she kept playing along he would keep his promise about her brother. He could tell she was already starting to let her walls down, but after seeing them today he thought it might be better if he just sent them off together.

"30 minutes until we reach the house."

Kagome felt her self waking up but decided to stay the way she was, she could tell he was thinking and he did not want to interrupt him. She began to think about how her day started, waking up at nine, shopping, how her plan to see Sango and the others fell into place. But the highlight of her day was Sota. That smile she saw tonight was the way she wanted to remember him. If she was no longer of any use to Sesshomaru and he killed her now, she would die happy. "We're home."

"We will get your stuff tomorrow morning it's almost 2:30." He walked her to her house to make sure she did not get lost. He let them in with his key and let her go to her room while he got a drink out of the fridge.

"You can go, I'll be fine now." Kagome smiled a tired smile, her eye were getting heavier.

"Good night."

"Wait." When Sesshomaru turned around he caught Kagome in his arms.

"Thank you," He could smell her tears. "what you did today means a lot to me." She tried to hide her cries by burring her face in his shirt but it wasn't working. Here he was out of his comfort zone he waited for her to get off but she kept getting heavier. He noticed her breathing slow, he thought she might have stopped crying but she was starting to fall asleep. Her face seemed pale and the circles under her eyes were deep purple. He carried her to her bed and covered her cold body. He brushed the remaining tears away from her eyes, and stayed a few minutes watching her sleep. He noticed sweat on her forehead when he moved some strands of hair from her face. She seemed a far cry from the happiness she wore on her face second ago. She had such a good time, all day she was smiling and now she seemed unsettled.