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Chapter Song:
"Come In With The Rain" By Taylor Swift
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Chapter Two:
Facing The Past
The ride to Shikon Enterprises, wasn't very arid at all with his father and brother's ways. It was rather entertaining for Sesshomaru. Whatever it took keep his thoughts off Kagome, it was worth it, because for once in Sesshomaru's life since he entered the business world at his father's side. He never once was nervous or worried, but then again Kagome wasn't ever going to be in the same room as him. Oh gods, someone kill him.
"Why are you looking so nervous, Sesshomaru?" A grinning Inuyasha, taunted.
"Nervous? What a ridiculous assumption, but then again I expect nothing less coming from a halfwit, such as yourself." Sesshomaru said, in a emotionless tone, but still was rather amused by it.
"Oww, that hurt." said a sarcastic Inuyasha.
"You'll live."
"Yeah, cus I'm a halfwit." he snorted back sarcastically.
"Ah, so you admit it." Sesshomaru amused.
"I didn't admit anything, you bastard."
"Boys." their father warned, not looking up at neither of his sons, his eyes where only on his book. Of course, like always they didn't take his warning and proceeded to bicker like little children.
"No, not a bastard, that would be you."
"Am not!"
"I believe, you are."
"Prove it!"
"Get a DNA test, that would be enough to prove you are."
"ASSHOLE!"
"Boys!" Their father once again warned them, this time he looked at both of his sons who were ignoring his' warnings and gaze, which was never a good thing.
"You know that language of yours will have to end one day." Sesshomaru replied to Inuyasha's outburst with his usual cold and cool emotionless attitude. "You're still a fuckin' ass-hole, 'You know that language of yours will have to end one day.'" Inuyasha mocked, and then yelled out, "Yeah, you think you're sooo perfect, bullshit!"
"I am the object of the perfection, that you wish you were."
"'Perfection?' MY ASS!" bellowed Inuyasha.
"BOYS!" Their father shouted out loud. Yup, this was his final warning before things got ugly. No wonder where they got their foul tempters from, not from their mothers' that's for sure.
"Your ass isn't perfection, it's far too hairy to be." Sesshomaru responded back, both clearly still ignoring their father's warning.
"You're a jackass!" Inuyasha snapped back.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" their father bellowed cause both of the brother to end their bickering. With having both of the boys attention now he asked a question, the same question he always would ask when they fought like this. "Why can't you both just behave for one day, damn you both! You're both grown male adults!"
"You're one to talk," the both replied in unison.
"I do act my age!"
"Yeah, more like your shoe size." Inuyasha rolled his eyes, as responded back to their father's outburst.
"Father, practice what you preach"
"I do on many practices, mostly with Inuyasha's mother." he teased, looking at the both ill looking sons. "I DON'T NEED TO HEAR THAT!! SHE'S MY MOTHER!" Inuyasha snapped at their father.
"Unnecessary information."
"Oh, come now. It's only natural. That is how you were conceived, after all." he told both boys in a matter-of-fact type of way.
"Leave it to Dr. Phil, to give us the sex talk"
"No, Inuyasha. You have it all wrong. Dr. Phil may help you with your inferiority complex, but not your sex issues." Sesshomaru replied coldly to his younger brother, but inside he was laughing at the shocked expression on his brother's face. "Ouch, that must hurt your ego, huh son?" Their father teased, as he ruffled Inuyasha's hair and ignoring Inuyasha dog-like growling.
"At lest, I'm not the nervous one, Sesshomaru." Inuyasha snarled at Sesshomaru.
"Nervous? Sesshomaru?"
"Yeah, he comes into my office demanding to know if he was goanna see one of his ex-students and then all of a sudden got nervous." Inuyasha amused himself, as he told their father. Sesshomaru's temper was rising with every word that came out of his brother's mouth.
"Well, I would be too, I hear she's a rather beautiful young woman." their father told them both.
"Kagome Higurashi, beautiful? Man, she was pretty in high school, I should have asked her out." Inuyasha mused on the topic of Kagome.
"She wouldn't even considering the bet you were trying to place on her that year, and besides…she already had someone." he told his younger brother sharply, but held his emotions. The only one who noticed his sharpness was their father. "Bullshit," Inuyasha snorted then continued, "I dated her slut twin sister! And I didn't hear anything about her being taken by anyone."
"She was." Sesshomaru replied coldly, but his eyes were giving too much of how he was feeling to their father.
"By who?!" snapped Inuyasha.
"By- "That's enough boys." Their father told them in a stern voice as he cut off Sesshomaru. He smiled at Sesshomaru and then turned to Inuyasha, were the smiled faded away. "What?!" Inuyasha exclaimed, then shrugged his shoulders before saying, "I can't help it if your other son is a homo."
"Is that all you can come up with as an insult? You're pathetic, Inuyasha." He replied still coldly to Inuyasha insult.
"Oh, like that's some comeback!"
"More better than using the immaturity approach, like you seem to be fond of using." Sesshomaru snapped back at his brother.
"Kiss my ass, you dick-head!"
"No thanks, too hairy."
"Boys enough, we're here." Their father told them with a relieved smile.
As three business men stepped outside of the big black limousine. Steeping closer to the large office, It rivaled that of his Western Inc's main office which was also here in Japan. With having the typical Japanese building structure, but in it's own way had it's own originality to it. Unlike the Western Inc's it had black tinted windows. Inside their was a huge fountain in the center, white stone walls, and black marble tile floors. It was beautiful, but had an emptiness to it. The receptionists desks were a dark oak wood. Coming to the greet them was a They were greeted by a plumped sized woman who looked no older than the age of thirty-five. She had long dark brown hair and a pretty face, but could not be compare to the beauty Kagome was.
"Welcome, to Shikon Enterprises, my name is Nora. The meeting will be held in Mrs. Higurashi's office, come this way please." She said politely after she bowed to them in a respectful Japanese manner. They followed her to two big black sleek shinning elevator doors. Nora reached over on the side and pressed the button for the doors to open. When the doors opened with the high pinch chime opened, and within each breath and step Sesshomaru took he felt as if as if was dying of anxiety…with the needing and feeling of running to her, or just being able to hold her within his embrace. Never wanting to let go of her again. His heart ached at the very thought, but he knew that there was a big major chance that she might not forgive him at all and at the same time was a small chance she might maybe forgive him. He could only hope at this point and time. When the doors closed, he felt like jumping off the roof.
Get a grip, Sesshomaru, He told himself.
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Breath. Breath, just keep breathing…oh, god! I'm hopeless… I don't want to do this… Kagome thought sadly to herself, as she stood in her grandmother's office alongside her cousin and great-grandmother. "What's wrong with Kagome?" her great-grandmother whispered to Sora.
"I have no clue" she lied.
"Uh-huh."
Not really paying attention, since she had much bigger things to worry about than her cousin and great-grandmother discussing about her, she was about to see the man who broke her heart. Come on, Kagome! You can do this, you can do this, you can do this; Be strong don't give in! Not now! Her thoughts shouted at her trying to build up her self-esteem and confidence, but once those dark oak wooden doors opened and reveled the last person on earth she wanted to see, Sesshomaru. All of her esteem and confidence she held within her self was gone.
No, I can't!
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When all three men, plus the woman walked through the threshold of the double doorway entrance. Sesshomaru saw her, his heart ached, she was beautiful with all time that had passed them both by, it had transfigured her into even more of a beautiful woman than she already was. Right before his every eye she only but stood five to ten feet from him, "Kagome.." he whispered her name, as if it was silent pray. Oh, gods. Don't let me dreaming or dead, but if this is death, surly do not let me ever leave this place…only with her besides me. He thought to himself as he followed in brother and father in tow.
The old woman, who was Chikako Higurashi. The proud owner of the company and a very dare friend of his' father. The old woman stood between Kagome on her right and a very well-pregnant woman on her left. Chikako stood up perfectly without any assistance from the two women, she smiled as walked over to their father and them, she bowed as and said, "Hello, and welcome. It's so nice to see you all again."
"Our pleasure, Chikako." His father bowed and kissed her hand lightly. Chikako chuckled and then gave a small wink, "Oh, Inutaisho. You're still such a Casanova. It's still a wonder why we never hooked up once, or twice in the past."
Ewww… Inuyasha, Kagome, Sesshomaru and Sora all thought in unison.
"Ah, but you see. If I haven't found the love of my life, then it would have been possible" he teased back.
Oh, god.. Dad's a dirty old man! And want's worse he's flirting with an old hag! IT'S KAGOME'S GREAT-GRANDMOTHER! Inuyasha thoughts shouted as he felt ill by the whole sight.
"Well, promise me, you'll keep your hand to yourself. Let me introduce, my great-granddaughters." She said and she turned to look at the both to introduced the oldest, "This is Sora Lupin, Sora this old Casanova is Inutaisho West," the one named Sora stepped closer to them. His father thankfully behaved himself and bowed and kissed her hand. "And this is Kagome Higurashi, my heir." She said proudly.
His father didn't behave himself this time. "My, my, my Kagome, you're such a beautiful young woman." He said with a lecherous grin, as he bowed and kissed her hand. He turned to Chikako and said with a smile, "No wonder you shipped this charming young thing overseas, but here you are. Back where you belong," -what? 'Back where you belong' I belong here?! Is he nuts! Kagome's mind screamed. He continued on with, "Kagome a true pleasure it is, to see such a beauty as yourself."
"Father, leave Kagome alone." said annoyed Inuyasha.
"You old, lecher." mumbled Sesshomaru.
"I told you, Mr. Casanova to keep your hands to yourself." Chikako smiled at Inutaisho who just laughed nervously at his two sons.
"Oh, where are my manners? Kag- "Up where the sun don't shine!" Inuyasha rudely cut off his father. Inutashio narrowed his eyes on his impudent youngest son and mumbled at him, "And where are your manners, Inuyasha?" Inuyasha being Inuyasha, what else was new? Replied rudely back, "Same place where yours are, up your- "Enough, Inuyasha!" snapped their father.
Kagome gave out a small light chuckled, which shocked all three men within the room. She gracefully like that of a small doe and walked over to Inuyasha, "With all do respect, Mr. West. I already know Inuyasha and impudent ways, as well his behavior to others." She told them softly. "Thank goodness, Chikako, I'm terribly sorry." Inutaisho apologized for his son's behavior.
"It's alright, I'll forgive you for your lecherous ways towards my Kagome." she teased. This has to be one of the oddest meetings I've ever been to, my god!… Inuyasha thoughts shouted out.
"Father.." Sesshomaru growled in a low whisper to his father. Now being more than irritated at his father he tried to control his' temper, which was much easier said than done. "Oh, my. Please forgive me, Miss Kagome. These are my sons, Sesshomaru and Inuyasha." he said with a little annoyance in his tone of addressing his sons.
Inuyasha being the first walked over to her and instead of giving her the normal 'bow and kiss' he hugged tightly, it was a friendly embrace. "It's so good to see you again, Kagome." He told her with a smile.
"You too." Kagome whispered back, but her eyes was on a less than pleased Sesshomaru. His eyes burned at them with hurt, anger, longing, sadness, but mostly jealously. What the hell was that all about, how could he feel all those things? when he was the one who didn't want her.
"Kagome." he said simply, then glared at his brother giving him a warning that said, 'Back the fuck off!' which caused his younger brother to move away from her without insulting his older brother. "Mr. West" she addressed him formally, as she would have in school, or any other businessman. He bowed to her, holding her soft ivory skin of her hand to his lips. It felt as if he was kissing cool silk on a hot summer eve's day. Feeling his lips upon her skin set waves of shivers of indescribable pleasure down her spine. When he looked up into her eyes, a spark of that was so long ago destroyed with them; Was rekindled with just a simple look and an innocent kiss upon the hand.
"Ok, least get this meeting on a roll." Sora replied happily, as she clapped both of her hands together. This causing Sesshomaru to stop looking into Kagome's eyes, and Kagome to stop gazing at him.
That…was odd. Kagome mused.
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The meeting was still inside her great-grandmother's office, but she had a conference area, which was set-up just before they've arrived. With a medium sized table that wasn't really that special, and with three black leather chairs three on each side of the table. Kagome sat in the middle between Sora and Chikako, and right crossed Sesshomaru. Who also sat in the middle between his brother and father. It was weird, Sesshomaru had not taken his eyes off her since he walked into the room. She began to worry uncontrollably about things such as; What was he thinking?; Do I have something on my face?; and Why is he looking at me like that?
Throughout most of the meeting Kagome, nor Sesshomaru had said a word or asked any questions at all it would seem as if Sesshomaru didn't care about the damn meeting, all he cared was about Kagome. As for Kagome, was felt as if she was so uncomfortable as she felt in fifth grade again, when she was going to make her first homeroom class speech. She hated when people stared at her, but she even hated more that it was Sesshomaru who was staring at her, and making her feel all hot and bothered by his eyes. Damn him! she swore within her thoughts. One thing she hated feeling most of all and that was weakness. The weakness within her heart for the bastard who wounded her beyond repair for another to come into her heart.
Wasn't that the fate of all first loves? To hurt the ones they love without a second though, in order to move on? Then why haven't I moved on? To find another? Is it simply because I still love him? Yes, but how can I forgive him of breaking my heart without an explanation, or a real one at lest? She continued to mused on the matter. Why, was it so hard for her to forgive and forget him? To be able to love and be free to another.
"I'm confused, Inutaisho. How are we going to merge our great companies together?" asked a curious Sora. Inutaisho answered with something that both knocked Kagome and Sesshomaru out of their thoughts, "Simple an arranged marriage between the two heirs our the companies."
So, was true. Sesshomaru mused simply on the matter.
OH, MY FUCKING GOD! It's true they plan to have me marry him! HIM!? her thoughts bellowed within, but was shaking on the outside with pure rage and anger. "An arranged marriage to him?" she growled out at the older man, as she pointed at her secret ex-lover. "Yes," he said simply and it even sounded a bit proudly, but ever so oblivious to the anger within her tone of voice. "You can not, allow an arranged marriage! This isn't the medieval times!" Kagome not being able to withhold her anger anymore shouted out at Inutaisho and her great-grandmother. She knew was being a impudent young woman, but at this time she really truly didn't give a damn. She wouldn't be forced into something such as this, especially to a man who broke her heart so freely.
"Kagome?!" Chikako who was very shocked at the lest with her prized great-granddaughter's rude behavior to her longtime friend. "With something such as this would be best for both companies" Inutaisho who ignored Chikako's scolding, Kagome's impudence and his younger son's hateful gaze.
"And, I'm saying I don't care! What about my happiness!?" Kagome shouted out.
"You should heiress…" Sesshomaru mumbled low enough for her to hear it. To tell the truth was a little hurt for many reasons. Not only about her not exactly telling him she was in fact an heiress, but for not wanting him. Then again, how could he blame her? He was an ass-hole, before she could say anything back to her ex-lover, she was asked by a clam Inutaisho, "Is there someone else in your life, Kagome?" This stunned Sesshomaru, who waited for her answer. Waiting felt like hours, days, months and even years had already passed them by before she had replied, "Yes, and I am engaged to be married soon."
She's…engaged? To be…married?.. No, I've lost her. Kagome… He thought sadly as he watched her, but she wouldn't look into her eyes and he wouldn't show his dismay over the fact someone already took her away. "That's fine then," He said, as he stood up getting ready to walk out the doors, he said coldly as he looked right into Kagome's eyes, "Let her be happy, she is after all nothing more than a rotten-spoiled-bratty-bitch."
"Better to be a bitch, than a heartless fuck-head!" she snarled out as she shouted back at him. As she followed him to the doors of the office, "Such language, Kagome. I wonder what would your precious fiancé would think about it." he said bitterly, as he said lowly to her.
"Why would you care, you're not him?" it was more of a statement than a question. "Thank all the gods in the world for that, my dear." he replied back, very coldly. With that said, he walked away from her but before he left the room she said bitterly, "Oh, but I do. Each and everyday, you ass-hole." Without another word he left the room and walked away from the one he loved yet again.
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(To be continued…)
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