I can hear you grumbling from here

And I'm miles away by now

Kagome was cruising down the interstate in her sleek new company car. Really she should return it, but that would be like refusing a rather expensive gift. She saw no point in it, that is of course until some company representative comes hunting her down for it. Then maybe she'd give it back. Right now though, as she's watching the sun come up on the horizon and the wind blowing in and out of her lowered windows, she felt absolutely wonderful. No ungrateful boss or busy schedule could reach her now.

"Hmm, I suppose I should say 'ex-boss' now. No more awkward moments or snippy comments for me, thank you!" She put her car into gear with a smile on her face and sped onward.

After working for Sesshoumaru for almost a week and a half his previous secretary had come back from vacation a new woman. She was punctual and efficient; after effects of too much relaxation, supposedly. There was a small betting pool on the executive floor over how long it would last. Being the kind person she was Kagome had stopped by on her way home and put 5 dollars on two weeks. It was the longest bet placed. She had no expectations of winning any sort of prize from that gamble.

I got so used to my own "shortcomings."

You told me everyday, I only drown them out.

Spending 10 agonizingly long days in that office was all Kagome could take. She owed Sesshoumaru's old secretary her peace of mind. All of the mess in the office left her something to occupy all of her spare time. It saved her from those odd little chats with her boss.

Everything she had attempted to accomplish while there was either faulty in some way or completely unnecessary and a waist of funds. She knew this to be the opinion of Mr. Taisho at least. He had no qualms in telling her exactly just how horrible her work ethic was. When asked what she could possibly do better, he never replied.

Oh she knew exactly what he was really upset about. She would never give him the time of day when they met outside of the office; she had in fact started to take the subway again. After all, now that she saw him every morning anyway there was no point in wasting money on gas. The second they stepped into the building together she would greet him with the customary, "Morning, sir." and then move toward the cafe to meet up with some acquaintances. Any conversation not business related was immediately rebuffed. Knowing this was most likely the source of his ire, she ignored the harsh insults and barking commands with an almost inhuman patience.

Now that she was gone however, she could sit back and ignore his entire existence again. She was going on sabbatical and had withdrawn herself temporarily from the Kyoto temp agency. It was doubtful how she would handle another job after the recent pandemonium. She was off to the coastal regions, and planned to stay for quite some time.

It surprised the hell outta me,

When I heard that you were missing me.

--Hear the sounds of a cheesy childhood song--

Kagome picked up her phone with a pleasant, "Moshi moshi, Higurashi Kagome."

"Kagome! Why have you left me all alone?! Do you not love me anymore?"

With a roll of the eyes Kagome replied, "Miroku take a breath I'm sure you'll be fine. I'll come and visit you in a few weeks, ok? We'll do lunch or something."

"A few weeks? Where on earth are you? "

"...Vacation..."

"Ah, I see. Getting rid of the tension from work? Well that's all well in good Kagome, but in all seriousness I was calling you to ask you to come back to the office."

In a sudden burst of emotion Kagome pulled the phone away from her face to save Miroku from hearing her loud obnoxious laughter.

"Miroku that was hilarious! You always did know how to make me laugh."

"Kagome, I'm not joking this time. I've also been asked to request the company car be returned as soon as humanly possible. You've been racking up charges on the company account from all of the tolls you've gone through."

"You can tell the silly people who work the garage that they can come and get the car for themselves if they want it that badly. I'm feeling particularly rebellious this week."

"Please come back Kagome! We don't know how to work your new systems of management in the office. It ran so much more smoothly with you here! I've even been told to offer you the full time version of the position you previously held."

"Oh yeah right. Like Mr. Taisho-stuffy-picky-man would want me anywhere near his paperwork again."

"Hahahahaha, that's a cute little nick name for your boss Kagome. He was actually the one who had me make this call; he knew that I'd probably have your number."

"..."

"Kagome?"

"I'm sorry the number you're calling is unavailable. Please hang up and try again."

Back at the office

"She hung up on me sir."

"Miroku. Find her or find her notes on the filing system. The first would be preferable. Go now, before I hurt you."

"About the nick-name thing, sir, uhh I umm... I'll see you later sir!"

Miroku made a direct bee-line for Sesshoumaru's door.

I up and left that day.

Gave you no time to shout out "Stay!"

I doubted you'd do it anyway.

The day his real secretary came back from vacation was horrible for Sesshoumaru. He simultaneously was losing the woman that he was greatly attached to, the best assistant he'd ever had, and gaining the most ineffectual secretary and a large head ache. The moment she had been let go officially she had grabbed the small photo of her family that sat on her desk, took her purse and coat and flounced to the elevator. It was utterly unsettling how happy she seemed to leave him. A sort of weight settled on his chest at the thought.

That momentary lapse however was soon recovered from. All emotions were diverted to anger when he realized that her filing and storage system was so efficient that his current staff couldn't fully understand it. He had called the temp office to inquire about it and found that Kagome in fact had a patent on her system, it had some horribly girly name along the lines of "Simple makes easy" or something like that. So technically having it in his building made him liable to one hell of a law suit if she ever felt the need to be spiteful. He was aware of just how rude he had been to her over the past week, so he wouldn't risk it. Before he tried to re-file again, however, he'd try to get her to come back and fix everything. That's what the woman seemed to love to do. Come into your life, scramble things up and come back later to make all your issues look so trivial.

I can hear your grumbling from here,

And I'm days away by now.

Your idea of romance was liquor and loud music.

At one time, it had me like putty in your hands.

But your apathetic ignorance lost its charm months ago.

I cried for days over this; don't treat it like some game.

Kagome couldn't help reminiscing over the meeting between her and that irresolute man. That bar, Sex on a Beach had been on her proverbial black list ever since. She couldn't even walk by it without sinking into her mind in deep and painful contemplation. She really had felt something for that man. She tried to keep from saying his name as much as possible. You see, she was endeavoring to forget him and their connections. She knew he felt nothing for her though, so she kept herself moving and occupied. Forgetting was harder than her therapist said. Well, not her therapist per say, but her best friend who was a Psych. major at a near by university. Sango was letting Kagome stay in her apartment while she 'recovered.' As lovely as Sango was though, nothing could put a balm on the pain she had deep inside.

I'm free from you.

Free to be my own me.

No shadows across my face in this light,

Only stars shining bright above me.

Another two weeks had gone by for Kagome and she was in fact tolerably improving, little by little. She could say his name without collapsing into a pile of intelligible goo. That was a definite plus. What Sango knew, but had no heart to tell Kagome, was that she was in fact not improving. She was compartmentalizing; boxing away her problems in her mind so they won't bother her continually. As well and good that this may make her life now, it could seriously damage her self esteem, and possibly her mental state in a few years. There are only so many times in life that a person can stack boxes of pain away in their mind, before it all comes tumbling down on them.

But Sango wouldn't tell this to her friend for the world. She finally understood how therapy patients felt. Why ruin something that makes life so much easier, even if it will hurt you later on in life? So Kagome went through the motions and enjoyed a relatively peaceful life in Sango's apartment.

So it surprised the hell outta me.

When you tracked me down one day.

Kagome put on her sandals and headed to the front door. Turning the deadbolt she twisted the handle and pulled in the door. The standing in front of her, with a hand posed for knocking, was Sesshoumaru. Decked out in casual business wear, even in the heat, and looking beautiful as ever. Without a moments hesitation she slammed the door shut again, and turned every lock she could find on the door. Even the broken one that Sango was currently looking for a replacement for. She felt very alone and very excited at the same time. She turned the cover on the peek hole slightly to the side and managed to say, "Sesshoumaru what are you doing here? How did you find me?!" in a reasonably steady voice.

"I had the GPS system in the company car hacked and tracked."

"I thought I turned that stupid the off!"

"You may have, but that doesn't make it any less active in the network. That is trivial. Where is the car Miss Higurashi? I believe you required someone to come get it from you in order to return it."

"That...that...is what you came barging into my life for? A stupid CAR? Couldn't have just some nice underling, I would've preferred Miroku or even Jaken to you!"

"I'll keep that in mind if I ever have need for you again."

"You better not ever try and contact me again after this mister!"

Kagome ripped the car keys off of her keychain and pushed them violently through the mail slot. "There are your stupid special CAR KEYS. Now please leave!"

"As you wish. Before I depart, however, I need the key stone of your filing system. It is wreaking havoc on my offices. I also trust that you will not be pursuing any legal action for us using your product after you've left?"

"What do you mean? I e-mailed Miroku the details days ago. Of course I won't sue you! I put that system in knowing I would be leaving again, I'd have absolutely no grounds for trial. Look, I don't know what you're up to Sesshoumaru, but I really need you to leave now."

Without further pretense he turned and did as she asked. She noted that he immediately took up his cell phone and speed dialed someone; most likely Miroku to yell at him for his slow work.

Not to say you loved me and you wish I hadn't gone.

No. You yelled about the car I borrowed! I swear I'd have paid you back some day.

She slid down the back of the door. Dressed in her best with absolutely no wear to go. She had no car, very little money left in her travel account, and now she was an emotional wreck. Giving in to the temptation that sorely poked at her from his announcement of his wanting the car, Kagome laid her head on her knees and let the tears fall down.

So when you walked straight up to me.

You were sayin' nothing that I was willing to hear.

It's disturbing me how much I missed you.

I must be going crazy thinking this.

After spending a good half hour in front of the door Kagome stood and unlocked everything but the one that was accessible from outside. If Sango came home she'd probably want to be able to get in. It was her house any how. Almost dragging herself away from the walls loving support she pulled herself into her room and onto her bed. She had kicked the door closed on her way through and now sat in partial darkness. She couldn't believe just how much that meeting had hurt. She had disappointed herself. She was still just as in love as she was a few weeks ago. What hurt more was that she knew it would turn out this way, and she would now have to inform Sango of her departure. There was just no way she could stay any longer if he knew where to find her.

Seeing you in front of me, just simply made my day.

What you're saying didn't matter anyway.

It's what you did that always had me reeling.

You could always take my breath away.

Kagome had moped around at her mother's house for almost three days. Her mother's voice rang up the stairs in a comforting alto, "Kagome you have a visitor!"

At this she froze, she'd been terrified of opening front doors and seeing people ever since Sesshoumaru had shown up at Sango's. Now that he had the car though, she doubted he'd just show up again. Why would he? He could just have Miroku call me again like he's been doing all month. All of which she never picked up on, but still, coming here would be a waste for him. She had nothing he wanted, or so she thought.

Coming around the corner in her flannel pj pants and a white tank top Kagome was horrified to in fact see Sesshoumaru standing next to her mother. Seeing her in her pajamas; the humiliation kept coming for her with this man. Even more shocking was when she realized that they were so absorbed in their amiable chat that they didn't notice her until she had gasped in surprise.

"Oh! Kagome your friend Sesshoumaru is her. "With a sly wink she said, "I think you're going to want to hear what he has to say."

With a huff Kagome walked up to her old boss and continual love interest and said, "The car had no scratches on it, it even had a full tank of gas when you came, and I know Miroku has the system information. So what could you possibly gain from coming here?"

"I actually came to speak on non-business related matters with you, Kagome."

She wasn't insensitive; she knew he was tense and worried. She had definitely noted the use of her name so informally. That led her to only one conclusion. He wanted to talk about their little tryst from the bar. Well to bad for him that she had absolutely no inclination to hear what he had to say on the subject. Everything he hadn't said weeks ago was enough for her to get the picture. With a slightly snide expression she spat out her first thought.

"You don't have to worry, I won't tell the tabloids. I'm not much of a gold digger ya know, but thanks for the faith."

"You can be rather dense at times you know that dear?" Her mother had come in with some tea and cookies, but after that statement abruptly left again.

"Huh?"

"She means to say that you're entirely incorrect Kagome."

"And how would she know that? You guys pen pals!?" Sarcasm and rage were dripping from her voice.

With a small chuckle at her defiance Sesshoumaru swept her up into his arms and kissed her quite thoroughly. He knew that getting back into this girls life wouldn't be a smooth ride, but after an apparently over due tongue lashing from Jaken (ironically) he decided it wasn't worth his pride. Getting ready for the fight of his life he tracked her down again. He went back to the woman, Sango's house. She was completely close mouthed about her friend's location, that is, until he told her that he wanted to tell Kagome he was in love with her. Help was expedient after that.

It's not so shocking anymore.

So should I be surprised that I let you back in my door?

I finally took the time to hear what you say.

You really missed the way I smile each day.

Even when I had no reason to be that way.

I was your eternal optimist,

That always ran away.

You took me in your arms.

Where I'd been longing to be.

Sesshoumaru placed her back down in front of himself and gave her the charming smile he had used before he had ever known her name. That was it. She was done for, this man could melt her like butter; she wasn't upset about it at all.

You finally looked my right in the eye.

And said absolutely nothing to me.

Kissing me, kissing you.

All these silly things we do.

I think they're worth it to go through.

Now that you can finally tell me, "I love you."

And I finally heard you.

Okay folks, this really is the real last finished chapter. It is finally complete, and the rest I will leave up to your beautifully active imaginations.

"May your pen forever flow on paper, and your imagination soar above the clouds."

Thank you all for sticking with me through the very unregulated updates. A special thank you to LadySafire, Dangerous Haven, Serenity Gonyeau, and Sessh.lova.

"I hope life continues to give us all lemons, so we may always have fruit to put in our beverages as we sit in peace and relaxation."

Don't count me out quite yet though, I might always surprise you and come out with a sequel sometime.

Ko Torii