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Chapter 5

So close and yet so far...

Kagome stretched out in her bed and yawned. The aroma of her coffee lured her out of bed and sliding on a robe she went into the kitchen to retrieve her morning caffeine.

Well, time to start the day! She thought as she finished her coffee and went into the bathroom to get ready.

She took her time leisurely and went to the grocery store to pick up a few things for the week. She had moved out of her apartment and into a new home. A two bed-room, 1 and a half bathroom, she found it cozy and relaxing. She had even taken the time to plant jasmines and hired a gardener to set up a little miniature 'Japanese garden' in the front of her house, complete with a tiny red bridge and flowing water. After grocery shopping she went to the house-ware store to pick up a few necessities. She was really making her little house a home for herself and it was a nice solitude. She didn't have to deal with the large mansion, maids and such. She was quite contented being by herself and regained the discovery of being a single, carefree woman.

Except tonight, she will be going on a date. And it made her anxious. She hadn't been on a date for years since being with Naraku. She felt the butterflies in her stomach at the thought of it. Although it wasn't the particular Youkai she'd hope, but hell, a little fun out with a man wasn't going to hurt. Especially since she knew Koga and was comfortable with him, which took the edge off of the 'dating' experience. She decided that she was going to look forward to her date with Koga, instead of being disappointed at the fact that Sesshoumaru had made no attempt to get to know her yesterday.

........

Sesshoumaru, out of habit had always risen before the sunrise. He sat at the edge of his bed and glanced over his shoulder at the young Yokai sleeping. She was sound asleep and his demonic movement so swift and quiet, it did not wake her. He sighed rubbing his face to clear his mind. Why didn't it feel right to him what he had done last night? It wasn't just the fact that she was his servant, but it was the images of a certain miko that kept invading his mind that bothered him. He left Yura in his bed and went into the shower. He decided he was going to forego any business or work today. He was just going to take a long drive into the countryside and relax. Clear his mind, and just get away from people. Away from it all before he was going to buried under the duties of being best man while dealing with the companies by himself.

Getting dressed, he left Yura sleeping on his bed as he left the house and drove towards the countryside and near the shores to one of his favorite restaurant. The windows of his car down, the wind dancing with his hair as the clear air of the ocean helped him relaxed his spinning head.

........

Kagome had just finished her shower when the house phone rang. She wrapped herself in the towel and dashed out to get the phone when it was Kikyo's voice booming over the loud speaker. Grabbing her home phone she knocked over her handbag onto the floor. Ignoring it she held the phone between her shoulders and face, not knowing that in the process of knocking her handbag it had hit the 'dial' button and called Sesshoumaru.

"He..Hello!" Kagome answered.

"Hey! You are home! Great!" Kikyo said excitedly.

"Yep, what can I do for you Ki?"

"Well, I wanted to tell you that there are two days in which we all need to go get fitted for tux and dresses." Kikyo announced.

"Okay, well, hold on, because I've just literally gotten out of the shower and I'm dripping wet!" Kagome giggled.

"Ooohhh that means you're naked." Kikyo teased.

"Of course I'm naked Kikyo! I'll have to call you back once I get dressed. That way I can pull up my calendar."

"Oh, it's so easy. Wednesday at 11 am, we'll come get you at your office and then Saturday at 1PM. And oh, can you please pass the message onto Sesshoumaru?" Kikyo asked innocently.

"Er…Sesshoumaru? Why me? I…I…" Kagome whined and started to trot in place as her body burned at the mere mention of his name.

"Well, you are my maid of honor, and he is the best man so you two are supposed to be talking so get used to it already! If I didn't know better, I'd say you have a thing for my fiance's brother Kagome." Kikyo grinned over the line.

"Hey!....I do not have a thing for your fiance's brother! For your information you interrupted me as I was showering and getting ready for my date with Koga!" Kagome protested, trying not to let on about her crush over DaiYokai.

"If you say so." Kikyo baited.

"Come on, stop teasing! Besides, it's not like he has any interest in me anyway! And don't forget the fact that you are marrying his brother!" Kagome retorted matter-of-fact.

"So?"

"So…? So….SO…." Kagome's mind whirled. Of course she liked him. Perhaps even more than like. But what the hell was she supposed to do? "So, I have a date tonight and I look forward to seeing Koga again thank you very much!" Kagome nodded at herself to reaffirm her words.

"Well, since you have no interest in him, just call him for me then! Thanks sis. I love you! Bye!" And before Kagome could get another word of protest in, Kikyo had hung up the phone.

She stared at her phone as the dial tone began to blare in her ears. Sighing, she went to get dressed before looking for her phone to call Sesshoumaru.

..........

Sesshoumaru sat outside a bistro having an afternoon espresso when his phone rang. Looking at the caller ID he saw that it was from Kagome. His hand hesitated a few seconds before he pressed the green button. "Tashio" he answered casually. But rather than her having a conversation with him, he heard her talking to her sister instead. What the hell? He thought and only after a moment he realized that she was on the home phone and the cell phone had called him. He dubbed it must have been an accident of some sort since she had dialed his number last night to make sure that she'd entered it correctly. It must have hit redial somehow.

And as he listened to their conversation, it confirmed that she had no interest in him. And she was happy about dating the wolf. With that, he didn't need another reason to keep away from her. Their meeting at the jazz club was by chance. She'd occupied his mind since then, and now, they will be working together to plan this wedding out. After which, he will make sure that their paths will never cross again.

He hung up his phone after her conversation with her sister had ended. When his phone rang the second time, he selected the 'busy' button to send it straight to voicemail, slid the phone into his pocket and headed home.

..........

Koga showed up at her door slightly before six. They went to a casual dinner and caught up on old times. Kagome learned that he'd met InuYasha during one of their business meetings abroad and they became good friends.

"And what are you up to these days Kagome? Any other men or Yokais, hanyous or humans I have to beat off with a stick this time?" Koga half-joked.

"Oh, stop it Koga. I've only been divorced for a little over six months. You know me, I don't particularly like the 'dating' scene." She chuckled unconsciously.

"Mmmm-hmmm. I'm surprised you're still available though, I thought for sure someone would have snatched you up by now!"

"Oh no no no.." She shook her head taking another sip of her wine. "I want to enjoy the time I have by myself. It's a nice change from…" Kagome hesitated. Who was she kidding? She wanted nothing more than someone special in her life. Her marriage to Naraku had been nothing but solitude and loneliness. "you know, being attached." She added softly.

Koga could see the pain in her eyes. The loneliness in her voice. How he wanted so much to reach out and kiss her, cradle her in his arms. He wondered if she still tasted as sweet as she used to when he kissed her years ago. I bet she's like fine wine. So much better with age. He concluded to himself.

"What?" She asked disturbing his thoughts as she saw that he was staring deeply at her.

"No..nothing. Just admiring your beauty and thanking heavens for letting me run into to you." He answered and she blushed.

The rest of the night she steered him away from flirtacious conversations as they started to speak of business and the way the economy was going. Then as promised, he drove her home before 10PM. Standing in front of her door she thanked him for the lovely dinner which he made her promised to allow him to take her out again. She agreed with a smile. Knowing how reserved she was, he only placed a kiss on her cheek and bid her goodnight. As a gentleman, he waited to hear the click of her deadbolt before turning around, hopped in his car and drove home. He too, had early meetings to deal with in the morning.

Over the next few months, Koga was away on business trips a lot so they communicated via E-mails and phone calls as they started their casual relationship. Kagome was swamped between work and helping her sister with the wedding which sometimes included shopping trips with Sesshoumaru. Kagome noticed that he for some odd reason, he was completely different than she'd hope since the first night they met. She thought that he was interested in her that night but resolved it to be a fluke of the moment. Perhaps he was shopping for a one-night stand she reasoned with herself.

…..

"Can I help you ma'am?" The secretary asked.

"I'm fine. I'm waiting for Mr. Tashio, thanks." Kagome answered with a bow.

The secretary nodded as she went back to her work and Kagome settled into a chair and picked up one of the office magazines to keep herself occupied. Sesshoumaru exited his office 20 minutes later, irritation written all over his face.

"Ahem." He cleared his throat.

"Oh. Hey!" Kagome greeted, putting the magazine back down.

"Shall we?" He asked, not even bothering to apologize for being late. It wasn't the first time, and she had grown accustomed to it.

"Yes. Of course." She answered. Her heart doubled and her stomach churned. It had been three months since their meeting at his father's estates. They had seen each other on several occasions after that with dress shopping, picking out various décor for the wedding as well planning the rehearsal dinner together, but she was still a nervous wreck each and every time she saw him.

She walked side by side with him as they went to meet Kikyo and InuYasha for the final fitting of the dresses and tux. Kikyo was a total brides-zilla because she insisted that Sesshoumaru and Kagome had to be there at the same time so she could see them together to make sure that she approved of their outfits.

Kagome knew his parking space by heart now and led herself casually along his side to his car. Her heart was still beating fast and she was flustered and fought furiously with herself to remain calm. She began to fumble through her handbag for the bottle of water, feeling her throat had gone dry.

Sesshoumaru already unlocked his car and was holding the door for her, as he did each and every time they went together to cater to her sister's demands. Nervous she didn't noticed a small pot-hole and her left heel was caught which sent her flying forward. Demonic senses sent him running and caught her thus the water spilled all over him.

"Oh my gosh, I'm….I'm so sorry!" She began to apologized profusely and without really thinking about it she held onto the large obi style sleeve of her shirt and started wiping him down. "I don't mean to be so clumsy. I'm sorry, I'll replace the suit for you if it's ruined…" she continued to blabber nervously while he stood and stared at her frantic state.

"That won't be necessary," he finally said and took hold of her hand. His arms still wrapped loosely around her, she was close to leaning into his chest. She stopped and froze as she slowly lifted her lids to meet his eyes. He held her captive just like he'd done many times before and the heat from his body made her want to melt into his arms. Kagome wished that she had the courage to lean in and kiss those succulent lips of his. But she didn't want to come off desperate, or trashy. He had always been a gentleman toward her, and kept his distance. He also knew she was seeing Koga.

Minutes went by as they stared at each other, hearts beating nervously, guts churning in anticipation, waiting for the awkwardness between them to pass. His demonic powers allowed him to hear the beating of his heart in perfect tune with his own. He wondered why that was.

"Kagome," he called and she looked up at him, eyes as if pleading for something. But he dismissed it quickly as nothing.

"I'm sorry…" She apologized once again backing away from him and then slid into the passenger's seat. He stood for a few seconds before closing her door and getting into the drivers seat to go meet her sister and his half-brother.

…..

"Finally!" Kikyo jumped up from her seat and ran toward her sister. "Come on! I've been waiting like crazy to see you guys in your outfits!!" Kikyo shrieked excitedly. She ran over toward Sesshoumaru and dragged him inside. He gave the hanyou a questionable look and InuYasha shrugged his shoulders.

Kikyo shoved him into a large dressing room, his tux already hanging for him to try on. At the same time she ran into the dressing room with her sister and helped Kagome into the maid of honor gown.

Kikyo took a step back and stared at her twin. "Wow" she whispered softly. "I think you're going to look much better than me!" Kikyo pouted.

"Nonsense! I will never look better than you!" Kagome soothed.

"I know! I was just kidding." Kikyo swung her hip at her sisters and Kagome stumbled a little. Kagome smiled knowing that her sister was happy. Finally she was dragged outside to present herself with Sesshoumaru to be approved by the frantic bride-to-be.

Stepping outside her dressing room she was utterly taken by the Dai in his tuxedo. A black sleek tuxedo, white pressed shirt, silver tie and the red hexagon, white cherry blossom center embroidered on both lapels of the tuxedo shirt. Sesshoumaru stood tall and elegant staring at the miko who was staring at him. Kikyo dragged her frozen sister to stand next to Sesshoumaru so that she could see them together in their outfit.

"Stop fidgeting! I can't decide!" Kikyo scolded her twin, who was shifting from one side to the next. Kagome looked up shocked unaware she'd been moving, so she stopped and stood still; which she found hard to do. Her skin felt burning hot and she swallowed hard.

"Oh wow! Look at the both of you! You guys look so perfect! I can't wait!!" Kikyo announced excitedly as Kagome blushed beet red. She stood there in her strapless burgundy gown, hugging every curves on her body with a three layered mermaid train. It was a long length gown but the strapless, revealed her lean soft shoulder and she felt completely naked under Sesshoumaru's gaze.

"I'm so glad everything turned out perfectly!" Kikyo continued to speak and thanked the dressmaker for making such exquisite clothes. InuYasha looked bored and out of place as none of it mattered to him. He'd already tried on his tux and had already been approved by his mate. Shortly after, she shuffled her sister into the dressing room and got into her own wedding gown.

Kagome surveyed her sister up and down in her gorgeous gown. They didn't leave the large dressing room as so that InuYasha couldn't see his bride before the wedding day. The dressmaker took notice of the things that Kikyo wanted to fix and change on her dress.

The two men sat outside waiting for the ladies to finish. Sesshoumaru's mind raced back to the images of Kagome in the long gown, just how elegant she looked, the curves of her body, her perfect, perky breast spilling out of the strapless gown. Instantly Sesshoumaru switched his brain back to work instead feeling the heat already rising in his body. She's not interested, she'd made that clear. He wasn't going to indulge in a fantasy of a woman he knew had no interest to him and clearly quite uncomfortable around him.

The two began discussing the fussy business of women and their irrational motivation for such rituals. Sesshoumaru wanted to cringe while InuYasha laid out stories after stories of Kikyo's changed behavior after he'd agreed to have a 'traditional' wedding with her. The ridiculous demands she made and the incessant freak-out episodes when things didn't match or the colors were off. Thirty minutes later, Kikyo and Kagome bid goodbye to the tailor and the four headed off to dinner together.

Kikyo knew that Kagome had a crush on Sesshoumaru but she was either too 'primed and proper' or 'too nervous' to admit it. So she thought that to loosen Kagome up with a little alcohol. Besides, she figured that her twin needed it. She was convinced that since married to Naraku her sister had been such a goodie-goodie and she's wound up so tight, Kagome's pee probably came out in spiral! But she was going to help with that tonight. Kikyo ordered several different wines and martinis then encouraged her sister to share them with her.

Kagome sighed when she saw the alcohol being brought out. She didn't want any part of it. She had so much work to do tomorrow still and the dress fitting had already taken up half of her day! But her sister's guilt trips of Kagome missing their last shared birthday won her over. So succumbing to her sister's nudges and puppy eyes she caved in and drank along with the group.

After dinner, Kikyo had Sesshoumaru drive her twin home, saying she was too intoxicated to drive herself. Kagome tried to protest that her car was still at work but Kikyo waved it off, saying she could take a taxi or they could have one of their drivers come pick her up. Kagome opted for the taxi.

Sesshoumaru drove her home and like a gentleman, he was already at her passenger door and opened it for her as she gathered her handbag and things. Sesshoumaru extended a palm to help her out of his vehicle and she took it gratefully, feeling a little tipsy from her drinks. He followed softly behind her staggering steps. She reached her front door and fumbled through her handbag for her house keys. Frustrated she let out a grunt after minutes of digging. Sesshoumaru stood a few feet away watching the woman as the heat eminate from her little form making his groin ache. He pulled on the collar of his shirt and swallowed hard.

His gaze followed the clattering of her things being dumped out of the handbag. Then his eyes slowly moved up her never ending legs, those perfect calves, and then he settled them on her nice round ass. He lingered his eyes there until she sat down and fumbled through the strewn items looking for her house keys. Annoyed and exhausted she gave up and lifted her front porch plant for her spare keys. Kagome quickly put the things back into her handbag and stood up to open the door. Her shoulder pushed against her door at the same time she turned the handle. Tipsy, she stumbled inside and Sesshoumaru moved quickly to catch her before she met the floor.

"Oh." She giggled. "Sorry." She placed her hand on his shoulder and balanced herself until she was on her feet again. "Well, come on in." She said casually as she started to strip her jacket and headed into her bedroom. Sesshoumaru closed the door behind him, not really wanting to stay, but didn't have the heart to leave.

"Can I get you something Sesshoumaru?" She asked, coming out of her bedroom with just her silk blouse which she untucked from her skirt. Then reaching behind her she pulled the pair of chopsticks holding her hair in a bun and shook her tress loose.

"No" he muttered finally, looking around her house. He decided that she had exquisite decorating taste. He liked very much the clean lines of the house and the few art pieces she hung on the wall. He noticed the set of bow and arrow hanging above her mantle. He wondered if that was part of the décor or if she actually used them. Golden orbs surveyed the room and settled on a large painting hanging over the couch. A collage of sunsets and sunrises born from golden colors and vibrant rays. The painting sucked him in, as if he really was standing in front of each and everyone of the scenes depicted over the sea of water. It was a majestic piece of work and the edges painted as if they were cut out and laid onto the frame. He was enthralled by such talent.

"Do you like that?" She asked standing very close to him as she sipped on another glass of wine.

"It's somewhat captivating." He answered.

"I see…" She turned and walked toward painting.

"Where did you find the piece?" He asked.

"Are you interested?"

"Perhaps."

"Very well, you should take it home." She proceeded to lift the painting off. He moved to help her before it fell.

"Kagome, perhaps you should have some water instead." He reached for her glass of wine but she quickly snatched if off the table and chugged the rest before he could stop her.

"Nah-uh. I'm so stressed out! This is the most relaxed I've been for months!" She protested. "And, the painting is a present for you, Sesshoumaru." She added nodding at the framed artwork.

"That's generous of you, but this Sesshoumaru is capable of finding another piece if you'd only tell me the artist's name."

She giggled. "It's one of a kind. There is not another one like it." She held the empty wine glass with both hands close to her chest. She didn't know why but she wanted him to have it. Perhaps it meant he would have a piece of her somehow. She stared at the painting she'd done while in college. She hadn't touched a paintbrush since she married Naraku.

"Hmm…perhaps I may be able to request the artist to make another." He said with a half-smile.

She laughed at his statement. "Just take it if you like it will you? I haven't touched a paintbrush in ages. No way I can paint another!" And then she walked toward the kitchen while he whipped his head around to stare after her. She painted that? He wasn't necessarily shocked, but he was surprised as to why she wanted to give him the piece. It was too exquisite to give away on a fluke. A knock on the door had both of them raising their eyebrows. Before Kagome could move to open the door another impatient knock came out.

"Coming!" Kagome called as she ran toward the door. "Really Sesshoumaru, please take it home. It's the least I can do for all your help with Kikyo." She said over her shoulder as she opened her door. When she turned her head toward her door she wanted to swallow herself up whole. There stood her ex-husband eyes half open. She knew the look too well. He was drunk. She moved to slam the door in his face but his hand stopped her and he flung the door open making her stagger backwards. Sesshoumaru caught her before she fell.

"What the fuck are you doing here Sesshoumaru?" Naraku shouted. "This is who you've been fucking and left me for? My friend?!" He charged.

Both Sesshoumaru and Kagome could clearly smell the alcohol on his breath. He smelled like a walking still!! Kagome straighten herself off of Sesshoumaru and glared at her ex-husband.

"Naraku, I think you should leave." She said moving toward him.

Naraku glared at Sesshoumaru who was shaking his head silently. He thought to tell Naraku that it wasn't what he thought, but decided that he didn't need to explain himself to the drunken hanyou. He realized all the times they've met for lunch and dinner and Naraku's boast of fucking around and his 'too good wife' had been the woman he wanted and fantasized about since meeting her at the jazz club. How twisted the Fates are!

"Don't you tell me to leave!" Naraku retorted. "You tell me how long you've been fucking the mutt!" He demanded.

"I don't have to explain myself to you!" Kagome spat back.

"Naraku that's enough!" Sesshoumaru cried out. "It's time we left." Sesshoumaru suggested, thinking he'll talk to his friend when the man was more sober.

"Fuck you Sesshoumaru! I can't believe you've been fucking her behind my back! Is that why you've been my friend?!" Naraku accused.

"I have not been fucking anyone!" Kagome interjected slapping him across the face. Naraku turned his face around slowly and his hand met with her face. He slapped her so hard, she flew half way across the room and stumbled, slamming herself into the painting they'd taken down earlier. The glass cut through her shirt and her blood began to ooze. Instantaneously, Sesshoumaru was in front of the hanyou and grabbed his claws around Naraku's neck. "Naraku, I won't say it again. Leave!" He roared into Naraku's face. Carrying the hanyou by the neck, he tossed him outside and slammed the door.

Kagome got up from her feet, angrier than Satan himself. Her blood was dripping as she carried herself toward the door and swung it open without using her hands. Naraku was just staggering himself up and was about to break down her door when he saw the face of the irate miko. Oh fuck! he thought as his heart began to pick up pace.

"How dare you Naraku?!" She blasted an energy ball at him. Drunk he was too slow and it got him on the side of his right arm.

"After all the times I let you roam around and do what you want. After all the times you whore around on me, and after the fact that I AM NO LONGER YOUR WIFE, you dare barged into my house, making ludicrous accusations and you dare injure me?!" She roared and wind started to pick up around her as her hair flew upwards and her eyes glowing red matching the miko glow behind her. Her right hand went from her shoulder and slashed downward causing another energy attack in a form of a knife to slash through his chest.

"Kagome…" Naraku began

"Don't you ever say my name again, after all I've done for you. After all I've given you! You are not worthy!!" She screamed and with both hands, carried a large blast of power and blasted against him. It hit him dead on, and he began to spit blood. She called for her bow and arrows resting above the mantel and they flew to her hands.

"Kagome, No! Please, your heart can't take this!" Naraku begged. She drew her bow and aimed her arrow. My heart? You don't care about my heart!! She cried silently. In an instant, memories of her and Naraku flashed through her mind. The way he had kissed her, touched her, made love to her. His caring worried face when she was lying between life and death in the hospital while having her heart surgery. It brought tears to her eyes. She couldn't believe that it had come to this.

A gentle hand on her shoulder brought her back to her senses and she lowered her bow and arrow. "Leave Naraku. I don't ever want to see you again." She commanded softly, turned her heels and walked inside.

Naraku strewn on the ground brushed off Sesshoumaru's helping hand as he coughed up more blood. Hearing a loud thud inside the house, Sesshoumaru ignored the wounded hanyou and rushed inside to tend to Kagome.

Coming into the house, he saw that she had collapsed on the floor of her house. The sound of her heart beating loudly as blood continued to spill from her wounds.

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