ONCE AND AGAIN

By Jodie-chan

Chapter 14 Old Rivalries

"Hey Sango-chan! Cheer up! Haven't you had enough sleep last night?" Kagome asked her best friend while taking some folders from the filing cabinet. She noticed her friend's temper and she perfectly knew why. What happened last night at party was the cause of her friend's irritated mood today.

"Hump! I haven't had enough sleep and that stupid pervert is making me sick! I don't why he can't keep his hand to himself even for just one night. It was almost… almost…" She sighed and shook her head while sorting alphabetically all the files.

"Almost what?" Kagome sat in her swivel chair and eyed her friend curiously. A suspicious looking smile never left her pretty face.

"Nothing…" Sango stopped what she's doing and frowned. "What? Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Romantic isn't it? I knew it Sango-chan, you're attracted to him and the only problem is his attitude towards women."

"I am not attracted to him! I am furious!" Sango closed one of the cabinets a little harder.

"So you say." Kagome waived her hand to disregard the topic. Her friend is not the type of the person who would admit her feelings even if it were too much obvious. Sango never had a boyfriend before but she used to date some guys. She remembered when they were still in Junior High; her best friend had a crush with one guy who's a year ahead of them. They're in 2nd year and the guy was in 3rd year; Sango liked the guy so much that they even joined the cheerleading club so she could always catch a glimpse of his face because he's a player of their school's soccer team.

She became closed to the guy and they've been going out once in a while but Sango's heart was broken on the night of their Prom when her crush didn't ask her to be his date. It was another girl who turned out to be the Prom queen of that night, since then she never talked to him again and even quit the cheerleading club. Kagome comforted her friend, best that she could; she never quit the club as she'd learned to like it but the guy always asked for Sango. She completely shunned him until he stopped asking for her. It was already too late when they found out that the girl with him on the Prom night was his cousin. It was the day of the guy's graduation when Sango decided to talk to him but the guy was already leaving Japan; his whole family will be migrating to Canada and he's not coming back at all. The saddest part of the story was; they found out that he really liked Sango and that he felt the same for her. Sango's heart was broken once again.

Kagome snapped out from her reminiscence when Aya, her secretary called out for her. Sango already left her office when she's in deep thought.

"Ms. Kagome, the representative of United Jewel is here but Mr. Takagi isn't here yet, Kaoru told me. Who's going to talk to him?"

"Let him come in here, I'll accommodate him until the boss arrive." Aya nodded and complied with her.

Sango entered her office again carrying the contract needed for the signing since the client's representative arrived. She put down the contract in Kagome's table. "Here's the contract Kagome-chan, it's all complete and everything…" She looked at her intently as she noticed her friend wasn't paying attention to her at all. Kagome was sketching some layouts in a sketchpad but she had a dreamy look and an unfading smile on her face. She waived a hand in front of her face but no luck, so she clicked her fingers and then she snapped back from the current state of mind loss.

"Huh?" Kagome glanced up to her with a baffled expression.

"Hmmm… I see you're a bit preoccupied today…. You really had a great time last night, ne Kagome-chan? So how's the feeling of dancing with your jerk boss?" She winked teasingly. Kagome haven't got the chance to hide her blush.

"Hey! You're trying to get even at me!" She made a face. Sango sat on of the chairs in front of her desk and stared at her.

"Tell me? How was it?" She had an exciting look but Kagome only widened her eyes but she couldn't help but smiled as she remembered the way Inuyasha held her last night as he ran his fingers in her hair while they swayed smoothly with the slow song.

"Nice… just nice." She stretched from her seat. Sango looked at her suspiciously.

"What?"

"It doesn't look like its just nice, it looks like you had the greatest time of your life last night…"

"Get a life, will you?" Sango laughed and she just frowned when Aya peeked on the door.

"Ms. Kagome? Mr. Kouga Ookami is here."

"Oh! Let him come in." Kagome and Sango exchanged excited looks.

A tall man about 5'10'' with long black hair tied in a high ponytail entered the office. He had a deep blue eyes and a slightly angled jaw line wearing a black expensive looking business suit. His handsome face showed a proud smirk that added to his manly appeal.

Sango and Kagome stood abruptly, slightly caught by the charm of the man in front of them. He glanced around the room until his gaze fell to no other than Kagome.

He stared at her for a moment and then a heart-pounding smile crept his face. He held his hand to Kagome. "Ookami, Kouga, Executive Vice President, United Jewel." Kagome shook his offered hand.

"Higurashi, Kagome, Junior Creative Director. It's nice to meet you Mr. Ookami." She smiled but it faded gradually when Kouga took her hand in his lips and kissed the back of her palm. A faint blush tainted her face; Sango lifted a brow.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Kagome. I never thought that a pretty and gorgeous lady like you is working here." He eyed the curves of her body that showed in her a bit skimpy clothes. "And by the way, just call me in my first name, I prefer it that way." He wasn't letting go of Kagome's hand until Sango made herself known to the guest by clearing her throat.

"Mr. Ookami I mean Kouga, this is my Executive Assistant, Taijiya, Sango." Kagome took her hand back and introduced her friend to the guest who shook his hand and smiled. "Would you like to take a seat? How about a cup of coffee?" Kagome offered while sitting.

"No it's ok Kagome, I just had my breakfast a while ago." He took a seat in front of her table. "So are you married?" He stared at her intently studying her face.

"No I'm not and I think it's not the reason why you're here. It's the contract I think?" She tried to change the topic.

"We can talk about that later, besides you're President isn't here yet. He's the only one who can sign the contract."

"Uhmm, Kagome-chan, I'll be just outside if you need me. I have some important calls to make." Sango left them that made Kagome to be more uneasy of the situation.

Inuyasha was late again because of the party last night at his brother's; he overslept as usual. He went directly to his office and took the two folders of the ad concept Kagome handed him last week. He wasn't aware that the new representative from the client's company was there since his secretary was out of sight. He passed by the employees who greeted him and he greeted in return. He was in a good mood today, but he didn't know why. Sango greeted him enthusiastically.

"Hi Mr. Takagi! We have a visitor today but since you just got here, Kagome met him first."

"Visitor? Who?" He asked curiously.

"Kaoru didn't tell you?"

"Unfortunately she's not in her table when I arrived." He started to open Kagome's office' door when Sango spoke.

"The representative from United Jewel is here today for the contract signing Mr. Takagi."

"Who?" He questioned her while lifting a brow.

"I think he's the son of the owner of United Jewel. His name is Kouga Ookami." Sango noticed how their boss' expression changed into complete annoyance. He tightened his grip to the doorknob and opened it quietly. Sango followed him inside since she was a bit intrigued from his reaction when she mentioned the guests' name.

Inside the office Kouga was asking Kagome if she could go out with him while she tried to be friendly although she'd been a little ticked off.

Kagome put her hands in the table, smiling while listening to his rambling. She was unaware until Kouga tried to hold her hand again but Inuyasha put the two folders in Kagome's hand before he could ever lay a finger in her hands.

"She doesn't have a time and she's working!" He forcefully said and glared at him.

"What a pleasant way to meet, Inuyasha!" He stood and smirked at him.

"Keh! You never change wimpy wolf!" He folded his arms and crossed it over his chest.

"And so are you dog face!" He glared back furiously. He hated it when he calls him wimpy wolf.

Kagome and Sango both had dumbfounded looks as they stared at them. Both men were standing nose-to-nose with the same mad expression on their faces.

"Excuse me, Sir, but do you know each other?" Kagome asked curiously as she glanced back and forth to both men.

Kouga darted his attention back to Kagome and hold her hands before she could even protest. "Yes Kagome, we've been 'friends' before."

Inuyasha's brows were twitching while veins popping on his head. He snatched Kagome's hand from his grasp. "We're not friends! And don't ever hold her hand like that!"

Sango gaped as she watched what's happening in front of her. Kagome looked down to her hand that Inuyasha's holding then glanced upward to his face. He noticed her looking and then he let go of her hand.

"Same taste in women, aren't we Inuyasha?" Kouga said in a teasing grin while Kagome blushed.

"Shut up!" Once again the battle of death glare begun.

Miroku rushed inside Inuyasha's office since he was the latest to arrive but he didn't find his boss-friend inside. He walked out of the office and spotted Kaoru.

"Hey Kaoru! Where's the boss?" He asked while panting.

"Aya told me he went to Ms. Kagome's office. I think the representative of United Jewel already arrived."

"Really? What's his name?" Kaoru looked at appointment folder she was carrying.

"Ookami… there, Ookami, Kouga." Miroku's face paled while the smile on his face faded gradually when he heard his name.

"Holy shit! I have to be there before the blood bath!" He bolted like a gushing wind in a split second. Kaoru gaped like an idiot.

"Blood bath? And what's holy with shit? What's with Mr. Kazaana today? At least he didn't touch me, well I wish he did." She talked to herself and giggled.

Miroku reached Kagome's office with in 30 seconds flat and burst inside the room where he witnessed how Inuyasha controlled his self not to strangle a smirking Kouga. He inserted himself between the two. "Hey! What do we have here! Oh! It's you Kouga! Long time no see! So how are you?"

"Heh! So the lecherous friend is here too?"

"At least I didn't go in a bridge, trying to kill myself by jumping on that muddy lake because some girl dumped me." Miroku laughed mockingly while Kouga blushed beet red of embarrassment.

"Can't forget that incident." Inuyasha joined Miroku in laughing.

Kagome was beginning to get really irritated, 'What are they doing, they're not being professional at all.' She glanced back to Sango and she nodded.

Sango took the contract and pulled Miroku out of her way. She stood between the two. "Mr. Takagi and Mr. Kouga." She motioned with her hand. "Please take your seats." Then she put the contract on top of Kagome's table. "Now Miroku it's your turn." She turned to look at him threateningly.

"Ah yeah, we can do this in a very civil manner, can't we?" Miroku forced them to sign the contract because he knew perfectly that his friend would be more than willing to back out from the project knowing that his 'old friend' Kouga is their client. After a few minutes everything was been signed and explained.

"It's done. You can go now wimpy wolf!" Inuyasha stated pompously.

"I know dog face!" He stood and turned to Kagome. "I see, I have to go now Kagome, but I'll still be seeing you, from now on. Expect the unexpected." He took her hand once again and kissed the back of her palm. Miroku gaped with his action but Inuyasha started to get furious and ready to grab back her hand when he heard her spoke.

"I agree with you Kouga, since we're making a commercial here, we have to set another meeting with you, maybe with in this week so we can settle everything and start the shooting by next week." She took her hand back and smiled.

Kouga left her office ushered by Sango but Miroku followed so he could have time to talk to her since she was still mad at him because of what happened last night. Inuyasha and Kagome were the only ones left and silence engulfed the room.

"So you really knew each other don't you?" Kagome broke the silence.

"You can say it that way. High school days and stuff…" He drummed his fingers on her table. She looked at his hand and smiled at herself.

"Did you find anything I have to change here?" He looked at her; she's flipping the pages of one of the folders with the new ad concepts she asked for him to study.

"No." She looked upward and glanced at his face.

"Really?" Kagome had a doubtful look.

"Yeah. Everything is fine, but I just made some suggestions. I wrote it down on a piece of paper I slipped between the pages. I don't know if it could help but, you can take a look."

Kagome found the piece of paper; she read the suggestions he wrote down on it. When she finished reading the whole thing, she suddenly squealed happily holding the piece of paper in her hand.

"This is so great! I never thought about this! This is perfect! We can put this suggestion exactly to make the over all impact of the commercial!" She's been too excited while a sweet smile never left her face.

"Really? Did that make sense?" He was also smiling to her although he's been doubtful about the suggestions he made.

"No, it's perfectly right and it fits the whole concept."

He looked intently at her; his mouth slightly open, 'She's even prettier in casual clothes… maybe even after she gets out of the bed… What would she look like? Heck! Where did that come from? Crap I'm beginning to sound like Miroku!' He mentally smacked himself when she heard her and he snapped back.

"I did have great time last night… I just forgot to mention when you drove us back to the shrine." She looked down and started to flip the pages of the file on top of her table to avoid his gaze.

He followed the movement of her fingers as she carefully held each pages and flipped it over one by one. "So am I." Kagome glanced back to him as she remembered her promise to her son.

"Mr. Takagi can I ask a favor? But don't worry I'm not going to absent or anything like that. Uhmmm…" He cut her off before she could start.

"Can I ask the favor first before you ask me? I promise it's not hard to do." She nodded. "Ok, can you just call me Inuyasha? I prefer to be called by my first name, it's not that I hate my family name but it makes me feel old most of the times." She laughed a little.

"Only if you call me on my first name too."

"Now I did two favors for you." He smiled proudly.

"I haven't said the last one yet." He lifted a brow and listened to her. "You see, I made a promise to my son and he reminded me again just this morning, about the vacation and the fishing thing. The only problem is I don't have any idea where to go and I don't want to disappoint him at all. Do you know any place?" She trailed off.

"That's it? That's not so hard… Ahh…" He looked thoughtful for a moment. "I know a place but it's a little far from the city but they have cottages for rent there, so you can stay overnight or even longer if you want.

"I know that place! We used to go there when we were teenagers. We go fishing and camping and hiking!" Miroku appeared in front of them like a sprouting mushroom. Sango was trailing behind him with a disgusted look.

"You really know how to ruin a good scene, aren't you?"

"Sorry… did I mess up a 'scene'?" He said innocently while scratching his head.

"No!" Kagome and Inuyasha both shouted at him.

"Hey Inuyasha! Why don't we come with them, besides we're the ones who know that place? At the same time we can relax and have fun. Right Sango?" He batted his eyelashes to her. Sango gawked at him.

"Well, if you want to. It's fine with me. Is that ok with you, Inuyasha?" She turned and waited for his approval.

"A break is not bad. Sure, why not Kagome." Sango and Miroku exchanged accusing looks upon hearing the two addressing each other in their first names. Miroku broke into a wide grin.

"The more the merrier!" He squealed like a child while the three sweat dropped.

Sesshoumaru waited patiently to the man he's been expecting in his office. He's been typing on his laptop when his secretary called from the intercom. His guest arrived. He told the secretary to let the visitor come into his office.

A not so tall lean old man, around in he's 50's entered Sesshoumaru's fully carpeted office. The old man has big ears and slightly bulging eyes. He wore a trench coat and a hat suited for a real detective. He had a gun on his holster and a pipe in his mouth. Sesshoumaru motioned for him to sit down.

"Your business is still flourishing, Mr. Takagi, I can see." He looked around the room and blew his pipe.

"It's not about my business why I called you here Detective Totousai." He pulled an envelope in his desk drawer and handed it to him.

Totousai pulled out the contents of the envelope. Kagome's address and some information about her family were inside the envelope including a picture of her taken in the last night's party. The Detective looked carefully at the picture in his hand and put it back inside the envelope.

"I want you to investigate everything about that woman especially her son. I don't want assumptions; I want factual information with valid evidences. Money is not a problem."

"I see. May I know the reason why?" He took the folder and put it inside his coat.

"I can't tell right now. And don't let my father knows about this. This is only between us. Did I make myself clear?"

He nodded silently. "I heard that you're brother came back. Divorcing his famous wife. Is this woman has something to do with him?" He asked curiously talking about Kagome.

"As sharp as ever, aren't you Detective Totousai?" He said while signing a check from his checkbook.

"I perfectly knew you wouldn't have another woman besides your young wife." He laughed a little.

Sesshoumaru handed him the check. He's aware of his service fee. And the old Detective knows how his mind works as he had worked with him in many investigations through out the years ever since his father handed down to him most of their businesses.

"Yes, you're right, this has something to do with him as he is very stupid to notice everything around him. But don't tell him yet about this until we're sure of the results."

Totousai nodded and he stood to leave his office. "Give me a maximum of 3 weeks to work on this one. I have a feeling that I can find satisfying results in this case."

Sesshoumaru knew that his trusted detective wouldn't fail him. He had so many investigations before with outstanding outcomes. Most of the cases he worked out with the Takagi's were business related. This is the only time Sesshoumaru asked him to do that kind of investigation. He was hoping for satisfactory results.

He stretched in his swivel chair and thought deeply, 'If my memory is not mistaken me, the kid… Higurashi's son… is probably Inuyasha's son too… but what if not… but I will never forget that face… the girl who looked like Kikyou, 5 years ago… is she? Is she the one?'

to be continued...