Kagome's eyes' fluttered open when she felt some one move next to her. Turning over she came face to face with Inuyasha laying there. She smiled as she loosened herself from his embrace. She decided she would have breakfast ready and on the table before he woke, but something caught her eye on the way out of the room. A red dress. She walked over and pulled it from the bottom and spread it out to get a better look. As she looked over it memories of the last few days flooded her mind.
flash back
Kagome, Inuyasha, and Sesshomaru walked back into the house. "Kagome are you ready?"
"Ready?" Kagome looked up at Inuyasha with questioning eyes'.
"I figured Sesshomaru would have told you already but I guess not." He sighed. "Our family has gatherings-"
"That I know."
"Well we are getting ready to have one of those dreadful things."
"Inuyasha." His mother scolded.
"Okay, but what do I have to do with it? I am not family."
"Well you see-"
"Of coarse you are!" Taiysho entered the room. "You're with Inuyasha are you not?"
Kagome went quiet for a moment as her cheeks flushed. "Well, I guess but-"
"Okay then it's settled! You will go with Izaiyo and pick out a dress today, she will make sure you are taken care of."
"But I have no money."
"Nonsense, that will be covered."
"I can't-"
"Oh you can and you will, any girlfriend of my son will be treated as family." He was in a good mood as always.
"Shall we go?" Izaiyo smiled. Inuyasha nudged Kagome forward, but Kagome turned to Sesshomaru who gave a simple nod.
"O-okay." She followed Izaiyo.
"Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, we have planning to do!"
"I thought this would be a good time for us to talk." Izaiyo slid in next to Kagome. "The men in our family plan these gatherings."
The limo ride was pleasant but Kagome kept her guard up against any questions, she always took a moment to think before she answered. And when she was not answering questions her thoughts would wonder back to Inuyasha and how his father asked if they were together. They had never really talked about what their relationship was. She was as good as dead when all this was over so why would he waste his time? So maybe they weren't together, maybe she was just a toy for him to pass the time. The part of her that had self respect fumed at that thought, but the other part of her that knew her days were counting didn't seem to mind. At least she could have a nice distraction every once in while. "Kagome, we're here." Kagome snapped out of her daze and exited the car. "I know the perfect store with the most beautiful dresses."
No doubt it was going to be one of those high end stores so this time Kagome was glad to have dress like some one that would normally shop there. She looked around the store and noticed how well organized everything was. "Wow." Each corner of the store was dedicated to a designer, from there all of the dresses were meticulously organized by color. And once Kagome began to go through them she noticed they were in order of shortest to longest.
"How about this one?"
Kagome looked at the white gown she held. "It's beautiful."
"Well let's pick out more and then you can try them on."
They began to look through countless dresses and Kagome picked some she liked but when she tried the first few on she didn't like them on her. But the last one she tried on was perfect. She stepped out to show Izaiyo. "Well?"
For a moment she was quiet and that made Kagome nervous. "It's beautiful!" She swore she saw tears in Izaiyo's eyes. The dress was a rose red and fit her perfectly. It strapped around her neck and criss-crossed down in front of her chest and around her body meeting at her lower back. The bottom sat perfect on her hips and hung loose around her legs.
"I love it." Kagome agreed. "But you don't think its too much?" She turned in the mirror, her whole back was showing, there was a slit that went almost to her hip, and even though the open space on her stomach was covered by a sheer fabric it wouldn't do much to keep her warm. "It's still cold out."
"Here," Izaiyo grabbed a black sash and wrapped it around her. "Problem solved." She smiled "Now you need jewelry." As they paid for the dress Kagome had to force her self not to look at the price so she would not send her self on a guilt trip. After all, she was pretty sure most of these dresses were featured on a runway in Paris. They went to several stores before they found what they were looking for, but all they ended up getting were earrings and a pair of heels.
"Then we're done?" Kagome looked hopeful.
"How does something to eat sound before we head home?"
"Sounds good" Kagome smiled.
"Cake? I have a bit of a sweet tooth." She winked
"Cake." They both got a strawberry vanilla cake from a pastry store and simply enjoyed each others company. After they talked they found out how much they had in common.
"I can't tell you how nice it is to have another woman to talk to." Izaiyo sighed.
"What do you mean, don't you talk to the other wives?" Kagome asked.
"No, Taiysho likes to keep work and personal life separate in case any one has to be 'taken care of.' " She quoted. "And of course due to the family business it's easier to not even make friends outside the circle." Looking at her Kagome couldn't believe a woman like Izaiyo would choose this life. "Sesshomaru is too wrapped up in the 'family business' to even notice a woman and well Inuyasha hasn't really ever been serious enough with a woman." She sighed. "Sometimes I wonder how Sesshomaru's mother did it." Kagome could hear the sadness in her voice, the loneliness.
How ever she had touched on the one question that had been weighing on Kagome's mind all day. "What is the rest of the story behind his mother?" Izaiyo looked to Kagome. "I'm sorry it's just that I can't ask him. And Taiysho seems like a nice guy but-"
"I understand, but why are you so interested in her?"
"Well-" she blushed.
"Perhaps you should speak with Sesshomaru first." Izaiyo laughed.
"I ask about her because I want to understand him. However, I found that if I ask Sesshomaru he either, ignores me or the answer he gives, it's like he's talking in circles."
"What do you wish to understand?"
"Why he pushes you away, you and every one else?"
"I'm afraid I cannot answer that for you." She sighed. "You will have to ask him."
"Believe it or not I did." Kagome answered.
"Oh, and what did he say?"
"The same thing he always says. Nothing."
"What did you tell him?"
"What we talked about, how you were not tying to take his mother's place, and I asked him to give you a chance." Kagome twirled her fork on an empty plate.
"You have such a warm heart Kagome, maybe you can change him."
"But how-" Kagome was interrupted by a cell phone.
"Hello?" Izaiyo answered her phone. "The mall… We finished shopping so we thought we would sit a have some girl talk before we came back…Are they now?… Okay we'll be there in a few."
"What was that about?" Kagome couldn't believe she would be on the same leash as herself.
"The boys are getting worried about you."
"But why didn't Sessho-" Kagome started to fell around her pockets. "Oh no I forgot the cell phone, maybe it is a good idea we go."
"We're back!" Izaiyo called as they walked into the house.
"Izaiyo dear," Taiysho kissed her cheek, "Inuyasha had to leave on a work call but he told me to tell Kagome he would see her later." He looked back to Kagome.
"Okay." Kagome looked up and saw Sesshomaru coming down stairs, she couldn't tell if he was angry or not. But she did not look at him long enough to find out, she diverted her eyes' back to the floor.
"So your back?" Kagome nodded.
"Well Kagome we have had a long day, perhaps you should go rest for the night." Izaiyo suggested.
Kagome nodded and turned for the door. The whole way back she wondered why he didn't say anything. Was it because his father was there, or was it because she was with Izaiyo? That could not have been it because Izaiyo had said the boys were worried about her, then why? When she got to her garden house she went to the room to get the phone off of the night stand. She picked up her phone but she had no missed calls!"I don't get it."
"Don't get what?" Kagome took in a sharp breath of air as she jumped to her feet. "Why I didn't call?" She swallowed the nervous lump in her throat, he sounded mad but he always sounds like that. Kagome took a step back as he stepped closer. Kagome tensed up as he grabbed her hand. But nothing happened, he simply took the phone out of her hands. "You are free. You may leave if you want." Sesshomaru turned to leave the room.
She took a moment to process his words. Free? Could she really leave this behind? The thought engulfed her for a moment, she would take Sota and leave New York. She would take him far away from all this, but would that really work. Their father hasn't been in the picture for years and yet his reach has still extended over them. No, Sota would never be safe if she walked away now. "Why are you doing this?" She caught him just as we was about to leave.
"It would be better if you were to leave."
"Well I'm not."
Sesshomaru turned and faced Kagome. "You have exhausted your usefulness. You have not given me any information that I do not already have."
"I'm not leaving." She see his patience thinning, but she had to stand her ground about this.
"I am doing you a favor by letting you walk out of here with your life." He slammed her into a wall by her throat. He lifted her just high enough for her toes to touch the ground. "Would you rather I kill you here?"
"Just...hear me out..." Tears swelled in her eyes. He lowered her a little more. "I have my own reasons for being here." She gasp. "I will do anything for my little brother. Just let me do this and when it's all done you can put a bullet in my head without a fight."
"Don't you wish to return to Sota?"
"I can't do that until I know he will be safe, until I know that he doesn't have to go through life wondering if some one is trying to kill him, I won't let him live like I have." She had never been more serious about anything.
"You surprise me. I remember him saying the last time he saw you cry was over your mother, but I have seen you shed many tears over him many different times. You are even willing to die for him." He completley lowered her to her feet.
"Can I ask you something?" He was silence. "What really happened to your mother?"
"I told you, she was killed."
"By who?" She wasn't going to waiver on this. She wasn't sure why, but something was telling her that she needed to know.
"A close partner of my fathers."
"That's what I'm tired of!" He looked up at her with questioning eyes'. "Those half ass answers, damn it Sesshomaru!" Kagome stopped her self. "I'm sorry, I- I'm just tired." she sighed. It surprised her that he made no comment on her lack of temper control. "Can I just have my phone back please?" She held out her hand to see if he accepted her deal.
"Very well." He held out the phone. She remembered what her and Izaiyo talked about and she was right, he was filled with regret and sadness and killing her father seemed to be what he thought would get rid of it. Then so be it.
"Good night."
"Good night."
Over the next week no one saw much of Kagome. They all thought she was in her house but when they went back there they rarely found her. They would sometimes see her at dinner if she was not sleeping. It was like this all the way to the day of before for dance.
"Hey." She bounced in, the last to arrive.
"So you made it to rehearsal." Inuyasha laughed, "Where have you been these last few days?"
"Oh, here and there." She smiled. They spent the whole day rehearsing. After dinner Kagome and told Izaiyo and Taiysho good night.
"How about I walk you home since I have not seen you for who knows how long." Inuyasha smiled.
"Okay. Good night everyone." Kagome and Inuyasha walked back to her house. "So really, were have you been these past few days?" He asked while Kagome changed in the bathroom.
"Like I said here and there." She came out putting her hair in a pony tail. She let out a scream as Inuyasha picked her up and dropped her on the bed playfully and laid next to her.
"'Here and there' does not work for me."
"It's going to have to." She smiled as he captured her lips in a kiss. She loved how they gave her butterflies every time. Inuyasha was the first to pull away and laughed as a dissatisfied Kagome whined.
"Sorry, we have a big day tomorrow, we should get some sleep."
"Are you leaving?" She asked
"Are you giving me permission to stay?"
"Maybe."
"Then maybe I am leaving." Inuyasha lifted him self off of Kagome but she pulled him back down by his shirt.
"Yes you can stay, since you asked so nicely." She added, as she kissed him.
"I love my charm." He laughed. Getting up he went to the bathroom to change and left Kagome in aw when he cam out in a pair of shorts and nothing more. His body was very tone. Every move he made showed a muscle. Kagome smiled as he crawled into bed next to her. She turned out the light and drifted to sleep in his arms.
As she looked at the dress should couldn't help but think about how eventful the past week had been. She let it fall when she felt arms wrap around her waist and a head laying on her shoulder. "So that's what you're wearing tonight? Sexy."
"Inuyasha!" Kagome tried to hide the dress. "You're not supposed to see it until tonight."
"Well to bad." He laughed. "Besides, that rule only applies for a wedding dress."
"I was going to have breakfast ready for you but-"
"You were thinking of the quickest way for me to get that dress off you." she elbowed him in the gut. "What?" He laughed
"You know what just for that no breakfast."
I have such a good girlfriend." He laughed as he left the room.
Which reminded her. "We never really talked about that." She followed him down the hall.
"About?"
"Us."
"What's to talk about?" The fact that she was pretty much a dead woman is what she wanted to say.
"Well I just want us to be on the same page." Seemed more tactful.
"Okay, were dating." He answered.
"Is that some half ass way of asking cause I need the real thing."
"Okay, Kagome will you be my girlfriend?"
"Took you long enough."
"So that's a yes?"
"Do you even have to ask?" She laughed as Inuyasha pinned her against the wall trailing kisses down her neck, but just as she was getting into it there was a knock at the door. When she tried to answer it he stopped her.
"Don't answer that." He pinned both of her tiny wrist with one of his hands above her head. She giggled as he nibbled at her neck.
"Inuysaha, it's probably Sesshomaru." She whispered.
"All the more reason not to answer." He pressed his body against hers and ran his other hand up her shirt then back down along her waist slipping it into her shorts and resting it on her butt. She thought to herself that maybe Inusyasha was right, Sesshomaru knew about her and Inuyasha so surly if she didn't answer he would leave. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of him on her skin, his body pressing against hers as he gripped the cheek of her backside.
"Am I interrupting?" She was totally wrong. When she opened her eyes Sesshomaru was standing there in front of her, she didn't even hear him come in.
Inuyasha groaned as he dropped his head "You are actually."
"Oh?" Inuyasha may not have been able to see Sesshomaru's face but his voice alone was very menacing.
"No, no!" Kagome answered pulling away from Inuyasha, "We were just going to make breakfast. Would you like some?" She pulled her shirt down.
"No."
"So then why are you here?" Inuyasha glared.
"To get you. I saw you car outside, but you were not in the house so I figured there was only one other place you could be. But from the looks of it, you never left."
"Well you found me." Kagome got the feeling Sesshomaru's presence wasn't the only reason Inuyasha was frustrated.
"Father would like you to help set up."
"You don't have a change of clothes do you?" Kagome asked trying to lighten things up.
"Actually I have some in my old room." He kissed Kagome on the cheek and stormed passed his brother.
Sesshomaru turned his attention back to Kagome. "So he never really left?"
"No, we figured it would be convenient for him to stay." She shifted on her feet. Now that it was the two of them she couldn't really figure out which situation was more awkward, what he walked into or this very moment.
"You seem cheerful." He inspected her.
"I try to be, it's kind of early." She decided to go with it.
"So where have you been for the past week?"
"You will see tonight." She could feel him looking at her. She let the silence settle around them. She was't sure what he was thinking but she didn't want to ask.
"I should go." He looked at his watch.
"Right."
The family spent the whole day getting ready and when it was almost time Izaiyo went and help Kagome. "Well, are you ready?"
Kagome smiled nervously "I think so."
"Okay we don't need anything happening to our guest of honor." That didn't help Kagome feel any better. "You won't get ready here, there is a room just for you back at the house." She helped Kagome take her things to the room.
As the sun began to set limos upon limos began to arrive. The house poured with family and friends and even the head family members from other mobs. Kagome's nerves kicked in as the noise from down stairs filled her ears. She stood in the mirror looking herself over once more trying to calm her nerves."Are you ready?" A voice came from the other side of the door. Kagome opened the door for Izaiyo. "Oh you look beautiful, you will be the belle of the ball." She pulled Kagome into a hug.
"Isn't this just mainly a business thing?" Kagome asked
"A little business and a little fun." Izaiyo led Kagome to the stairs. There was the sound of tapping glass and Mr. Taiysho's voice rang through the hall.
"I'm a very glad you all could make it, and bring in the new year with family and friends, even if it is a bit late. I would like to introduce to those that are new my two sons, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha." He pointed them out, and both waved while some women could be heard cooing. "And my beautiful wife Izaiyo." There Izaiyo stood with all her grace and beauty. She slowly began to descend as the crowed clapped. She stepped by her husbands side. "And last, but not least our guest of honor, Kagome Higurashi." Kagome did as she was told and followed every thing Izaiyo did step for step. As she did so she could here the whispers. "Yes," Tayisho laughed "a Higurashi in my home, who would have thought? But please do be kind to her. She is a sweet girl and I want her presence here to mean something. I want you all to see this a sign for the new year, a sign of new friends and good things to come!" He held up his glass to toast. "Cheers!" Every one followed his lead. As she stood there she noticed Inuyasha push pass Sesshomaru and make his way through the crowd stopping just short of the stairs he offered her his hand with a smile resting on his face. Kagome took it "Now let the good times begin!"
"That can't be the same dress I saw this morning." Kagome blushed as he touched her hair.
"I'm glad you like it." She smiled.
"So this is your dress?" Sesshomaru walked behind Kagome.
"I'll take that as your compliment." She eyed him.
"I'm glad you could come Kagome." A voice came from behind Sesshomaru.
"Rin, it's been awhile. I love your dress." She decided on a soft yellow princess dress. Fitting for her really.
"I love yours!"
Inuyasha turned to Kagome when a slow song began to play. "May I have your first dance?" He asked.
"Yes." Instead of dancing once, they danced through about three other songs with out realizing. They talked and laughed like the other couples on the floor. Every one seemed to be having a good time, laughing and talking. No one was too loud but every once in awhile there would be a burst of laughter from a big group of people. Occasionally she would see some one she recognized from her childhood and once they were done dancing she made rounds with Inuyasha greeting and catching up with those willing to talk to her. Those who were weary of a Higurashi's presence kept a stiff formality only out of respect for the man of the house. After awhile Kagome took a deep breath. "Do you think I could get a break? This a bit overwhelming."
"I guess. You do have a big duty as the guest of honor." He smiled. "But hurry back." A few gasp were heard when he leaned down and kissed her.
"Will do." Kagome took in a breath as she turned around. Once up stairs she went for Sesshomaru's office. She looked down both directions of the hall before trying to open the door, but it was locked. She wasn't really surprised by this, she came prepared. She pulled a pick out of her hair. She played with the lock for a moment before she heard the click she was trying for. She entered his office closed the door and got to work. She reached under her dress for the carrier she strapped to her leg and pulled a memory drive and transmitter. She inserted the memory drive and copied all the content on his computer. While it was loading she took apart his desk phone and wired the transmitter into it.
Now not only could she listen to his calls but she would be able to hack his computer and stay virtually invisible. She put everything back into the carrier on her leg, locked the door from the inside and left. As she turned the corner she hit Inuyasha.