A/N: Hugs and cookies for my wonderful reviewers! You are few but loved. Ok, here we go, the big reveal!
DISCLAIMER: I Do Not Own Inuyasha, The Nippon Steel Company, The Gratte Ciel, Fiesta International Karaoke Bar, or Baskin Robins.
Dealing with It
Kagome sat on the couch in Miroku's apartment staring blankly at the photos in her lap. She had cried like a brokenhearted child for hours, and fell asleep with her head on Sango's lap. She awoke a few hours later in a daze. She picked up the pictures that had been left forgotten on the floor and gazed at them vacantly trying to sort out her turbulent thoughts.
A part of her had still been clinging to the hope of a happily ever after on her way to see Sango, but that little bit of faith had been crushed. The proof was in her hands staring her right in the face. There were four pictures. Inuyasha walking into a restaurant with an unknown female. Inuyasha holding unknown female, whispering with a tender smile in the booth where they sat. Inuyasha kissing strange woman on the street outside. Lastly, Inuyasha and said female entering an unfamiliar apartment.
As she studied the woman in the photos, she couldn't help but notice the similarities between the woman and herself. The woman had a slightly longer face, immaculately straight hair, and shining brown eyes, while Kagome's rounder face still held slight traces of adolescent baby fat. Her hair was wavy and somewhat wild, and her eyes were a pale blue. Despite those differences, though, the resemblance was startling.
Tears began to trickle down her cheeks once again as she looked at the damning evidence in front of her. "How could this happen?"she thought miserably. "What did I do wrong? Was I not enough?"
She thought back on their relationship desperately trying to find some fault in her actions that could be the cause, but try as she might, she came up with nothing. She had done everything he had asked, given herself to him completely without a second thought, and done everything she could to make him happy. She had truly believed they would be together forever. What had gone wrong? What was she to do now?
She sighed and set the photos on the coffee table next to her. It was 7 in the morning. She had been out all night and Inuyasha hadn't even bothered to call looking for her.
She stood up and started toward the door to leave when Sango and Miroku emerged from his bedroom hesitantly.
Kagome looked at them with pain evident in her once vibrant blue orbs.
"I… Are…" Sango faltered. "How are you doing?" she asked.
Kagome kept staring hollowly for a moment before shaking her head and forced a smile.
"I'll be ok." she replied in a neutral tone. "I'm just gonna go for a drive and figure out my next move. I will call you later alright?"
Sango nodded, and Kagome turned to leave.
"I know this probably doesn't help right now, but Inuyasha is a fool." Miroku said simply.
Kagome gave a small smile. "Thanks Miroku." she called over her shoulder.
Kagome pulled over to a scenic over pass on the side of the highway and parked. She got out and seated herself on the hood of her black Honda civic and gazed out at the view of the city. She knew Inuyasha would be home, and tried to gather the courage to see him again. It was Sunday, and they had promised to visit his father later in the day. She knew she would have to return soon, but she couldn't bring herself to leave just yet. The ache in her heart was almost unbearable. She lay back and closed her eyes. What would she say to him? When she found no answers, she sighed and decided to just go back and see how she felt when she arrived.
The drive home seemed to have taken longer than normal, and she stood outside the door for a moment before taking a deep breath and walking in.
Inuyasha was sitting at the dining room table drinking coffee. He looked up at her angrily.
"Where the hell have you been?" he shouted.
Kagome stared at him disbelievingly. Anger welled up inside her, she narrowed her eyes and pushed her grief away.
"That, is none of your business." she replied scathingly. She didn't give him a chance to respond as she strode by and locked herself in the bathroom. She splashed cool water over her face and sat on the edge of the tub. "That baka! How dare he!"she thought furiously. It was then she decided that, instead of confronting him and throwing all the evidence in his stupid face, she would act as though everything were normal until the opportunity presented itself to exact revenge. Oh yes, she would make him pay for his infidelity, and all the hurt he had caused her. She would not spend her time despairing over someone who clearly didn't deserve it.
With that, she slowly started to let go. She exited the bathroom and went to their room to change her clothes, and get ready to go to his father's estate.
Inuyasha stormed in as she pulled her top over head, and reached for the modest black skirt she had chosen for the occasion.
"Just what the hell is your problem? You're out all fucking night and you wanna get an attitude with me?" he yelled.
She turned her back to him and smirked as she dug in her closet for the comfortable black flats to match her outfit. Time for her high school acting lessons to pay off.
She turned back and smiled at him warmly. "I'm sorry Inuyasha, I guess I'm just a bit tired. I was at Miroku's watching movies with Sango. You know, girl time. I didn't mean to snap." She pulled on her shoes and stood in front of him. She pulled him close, and placed a chaste kiss on his frowning mouth.
"Keh." he replied more calmly. "Next time call or leave me a note or somethin. I don't like not knowing where you are."
Kagome scoffed inwardly at that. "Hypocrite." She thought sourly. She smiled and nodded. "Of course, I didn't mean to worry you." she replied sweetly.
Anger disarmed, Inuyasha yawned and turned to the dresser to grab a red t shirt and baggy blue jeans.
After they had changed, they left for the Taisho estate on the other side of town. The drive was quiet, and Inuyasha shifted in his seat.
"What's with you?" he asked irritably. "I usually can't get you to shut up, and you've barely said two words since we left the apartment.
She shrugged nonchalantly. "Guess I just don't have much to say. I'm enjoying the scenery. Was there something you wanted to talk about?"
Inuyasha glanced at her and thought he saw a flash of a foreign emotion playing in her icy blue depths. He shook it off, responded with a 'keh' and concentrated on the road.
As they pulled into the ridiculously long driveway, Inuyasha began to growl low in his throat.
"What's wrong?" Kagome asked curiously.
"Sesshomaru." he spat fiercely.
"Oh." Kagome said quietly. As she noticed Sesshomaru's sleek silver Saleen S7 parked at the end of the drive.
This was not good. Sesshomaru was Inuyasha's older half brother, and they hated each other with a heated passion.
Sesshomaru was the owner and CEO of Nippon Steel, the world's largest steel company. Sesshomaru had built it up from nothing after the passing of the Warring States Era, and had been an instant success. The company operates 11 principal plants throughout Japan and sells its products throughout the world. The corporate building was here in Tokyo, but Kagome had only met Sesshomaru a handleful of times. It always ended the same. Insults were tossed around, and Inuyasha would lunge at his half brother only to be beaten to a pulp. Their animosity was a mystery to Kagome, but every time she had brought the subject up, Inuyasha would tell her to mind her own business and stomp off.
She sighed. It was gonna be a long day. Kagome absolutely adored Inuyasha's father Toga. He was sweet, kind and had a great sense of humor, but Sesshomaru was another matter completely. Kagome had taken to referring to him as the Ice Prince. Sesshomaru was as full blooded as his father , but his stoic demeanor and frigid attitude sent shivers down her spine by merely being in his presence, while Toga's presence was nothing if not comforting. And Sesshomaru hated humans. He was respectful for the most part and worked with them when he had to, but he was always cold and calculated.
He was the Lord of the Western lands in the Sengoku Jidai and still held the title today to a lesser extent. He may not have all the authority that the honorific once maintained, but it demanded respect in the community nonetheless. Be that as it may, Kagome didn't think that entitled him to be such a snobby jerk.
Inuyasha parked the car and they walked into the mansion. The interior took Kagome's breath away every time she saw it. Pristine white walls sat upon dark brown hardwood flooring with intricate area rugs laid out every so often. The walls were decorated with paintings from all over the world along with portraits of the Taisho family.
"Dad!" Inuyasha barked loudly.
Toga poked his head out of the living room door, and smiled. "Hello there, I didn't expect you so soon. What a pleasant surprise!" he said coming over to embrace Kagome and nod at his son.
"Hello Toga, it's so good to see you." Kagome said with her first genuine smile of the day.
"Keh, what the fuck is Sesshomaru doing here?" Inuyasha asked.
Toga sighed. "I invited him to have lunch with us, and I expect you to behave yourself while in my home Inuyasha." he stated firmly.
"Hmph!" Inuyasha said walking into the dining room.
Toga and Kagome exchanged a wary glance and followed him.
Inuyasha sat himself at the far end of the mahogany table and glared at Sesshomaru, who stared back impassively.
"Kagome!" a little voice screeched excitedly before its owner attached itself snugly to her leg.
"Hi Rin, how are you?" Kagome said dropping to hers knees to hug the little girl.
Rin was a 10 year old orphan that Sesshomaru had found hiding beside a dumpster behind his company 3 years ago. He had taken her to the orphanage, and everyone assumed that would be the end of it. Shockingly, however, he had gone back once a week to check on her and bring her a new outfit , toy or some other gift. Even more surprising, a month later, the stoic youkai had gone back and adopted her. She had been with him ever since, and loved him more than anything in the world.
Needless to say, it shocked the community when they had learned of the new addition to the Taisho family. It was more than strange when a youkai who was known for his disdain of the human race to accept one into his home, and even more so that he obviously cared for the child.
"I'm great! I am so happy you're here, I wanna show you Tora! Lord Sesshomaru just bought her for me. It was the best surprise ever!" she squealed happily.
She started pulling Kagome toward the living room when Sesshomaru stopped her.
"You can introduce the miko to Tora after you have eaten, Rin." he said impassively.
Rin smiled at her father figure, nodded vigorously and settled into the chair next to him, rambling on about school, Tora, and Sesshomaru's greatness.
Kagome seated herself between Inuyasha and Toga and smiled absently at the chattering child.
Lunch was set on the table moments later by the kitchen staff, and they ate in silence accompanied by Rin gibbering about this and that.
After lunch, Kagome followed Rin to the other room to meet her new kitten, and left the men at the table.
Toga glanced at his son for a moment. "So Inuyasha, how are things between you and Kagome?" he inquired.
"Fine. Same as always." he answered not taking his hateful stare from Sesshomaru.
"Hn." Sesshomaru asserted.
"What the fuck are you gruntin at, bastard? You got somethin ta say?"
Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose almost unnoticeably. "You reek of a human woman."
"Well, duh. Kagome is a human. I would have thought you of all people would have noticed that by now." Inuyasha replied sarcastically.
"The stench emanating from you does not belong to the female you have with you today." he said with an annoyed tone.
Inuyasha paled slightly, but remained silent.
Toga sighed. So he wasn't the only one who had caught the foreign scent of a strange female.
"Inuyasha, what have you done?" Toga asked rubbing the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb.
"Keh, I ain't done nothing wrong." he responded defiantly.
Toga stood up and moved to join the girls in the other room.
"You will regret your actions, Inuyasha." he said sadly as he left his sons at the table.
"What the fuck are you lookin at asshole?" Inuyasha bit out.
Sesshomaru raised a perfect silver brow, stood silently and left the room.
Inuyasha stared at the spot where his brother had been. He shrugged and went to join them. "Everything will be fine." he told himself. Let his father and bastard brother think what they want, as long as Kagome remained clueless, he could have them both.
Kagome played with Rin and her kitten for the remainder of the day. They had dinner, said their goodbyes and left.
The drive home was laconic. When they arrived at their apartment, Kagome went straight to the bathroom and took a bubble bath. When she felt like she had soaked long enough, she washed her hair and climbed out. She entered their bedroom with a towel wrapped around herself and dug in her dresser to find her pajamas. Arms wrapped around her waist and lips began dragging soft kisses on her neck.
Kagome turned to face him. He kissed her fiercely, pulled her towel away and pushed her down onto the bed.
Kagome had to suppress the urge to vomit as thoughts of where his mouth had been flooded through her. She wanted to pull away, but knew she had to keep up the act so Inuyasha didn't start to suspect anything. So, she surrendered to him, and responded to his touch as best she could.
If Inuyasha noticed her performance was lacking its normal enthusiasm, he kept it to himself. When he was finished, Kagome rolled over and let him pull her close as they fell asleep.
The next day, she called Sango on her lunch break and informed her of the decision she had made. Sango listened quietly, and told her that she would help in any way she could.
The next couple weeks went by uneventfully. Inuyasha continued 'working late', and Kagome kept looking for a means exact her revenge.
It was 6:57 p.m. on Friday night, and it had been a trying day.
"Blah!" Ayame cried dramatically. "I thought this day would never end."
Kagome chuckled wryly at the wolf youkai. "I know what you mean. Thank the Kami's the weekend is finally here."
As Ayame moved to the front of the office to lock the door, it flew open causing Ayame to stumble in surprise.
A little girl came rushing in holding a small ball of fur in her arms. Tears streaked down her desperate face.
"Please." the little girl cried. "Please help my kitten." she sobbed despairingly.
"Rin?"
"Oh Kagome, Tora is sick!" Rin wailed as she threw her tiny form at the older girl.
"Calm down, Rin. I'm sure Tora will be fine."
"She needs to see the doctor!"
Kagome smiled gently. "Well, you're in luck. I would be happy to look at Tora for you."
Rin's teary eyes widened. "You're the doctor?"
"Sure am. Let's take her to the exam room and figure out what's bothering her, ok?"
Rin nodded quietly, and followed Kagome into the room.
Kagome set Tora on the table and was about to begin, when the door burst open and Sesshomaru walked in.
"Lord Sesshomaru, did you know this is Kagome's office? I didn't know she was a vet. She's gonna fix Tora!" Rin said sounding less worried now.
"Hn." Sesshomaru was a bit surprised by this information, but did not let it show.
Kagome glanced at him for a second, and turned her attention back to the sickly little cat on her exam table.
A few minutes later, Kagome looked at Rin and smiled. "Tora will be just fine Rin. She's got a calicivirus. It's a kind of feline flu. She just needs some antibiotics and she'll be good as new."
"Really?" Rin asked happily.
"Really. I'll be right back, I am going to get the medicine."
Kagome returned with the antibiotics and handed them to Rin.
"Now you need to make sure you give her one in the morning and one before bedtime until the pills are all gone even if it looks like she's better before you run out. It's very important that you don't forget, because they won't work anymore if you miss one, ok?"
Rin nodded enthusiastically.
Kagome smiled. "Take this too." she said handing the girl a dropper. "You are gonna have to give her some water every hour so she doesn't get dehydrated. You can stop doing it in a couple days if you notice her drinking on her own."
Rin hugged Kagome tightly. "Thank you so much Kagome, you're the best!"
Kagome blushed lightly at the girls praise. "Of course Rin. I want you to make an appointment with Ayame on your way out. I want to check up on Tora in 4 days to see her progress alright?"
"Okay!" Rin said as she scurried out to talk to Ayame.
Kagome smiled and looked back at Sesshomaru. She almost jumped out of her skin to find that he was staring at her intensely.
"Hehe…" Kagome laughed nervously.
"Miko, how much do I owe you for this visit?" he asked in his typically bored tone.
Kagome shook her head to clear it. "Umm, don't worry about it. It's on the house."
Sesshomaru raised a brow. "Will you not get into trouble with your superiors?"
Kagome smiled. "I don't think so, being that I own this clinic. See?" she pulled out her card.
Sesshomaru glanced at it briefly. It read : Dr. Kagome Higurashi Higurashi Animal Hospital 1822 West Tokiwa St. 090 -5111-7311.
"Hn."
She barely registered the movement as he moved past her.
Kagome sat staring stupidly for a moment. His hand had brushed hers when he walked by, and it sent electric tingles through her fingers that spread up her arm, down to her lower abdomen. She shook herself thoroughly.
"What the hell was that?" she wondered out loud.
Sesshomaru made his way to the front where Rin was making an appointment for her kitten, and babbling nonstop to a patient wolf demon. He stood by the door quietly waiting. Had is mask not been in place, he would have appeared quite perturbed. He had accidently touched the human woman's hand on his way out. The contact had been brief but the sensations it had left in its wake were disturbing. He found that he had been slightly captivated by her scent while waiting for the young doctor's diagnoses of his daughters pet, but he was able to ignore it. When his hand had grazed hers, the feeling had become uncomfortable, and for a fleeting moment, he had the impulse to …
He shook his head when he realized where his thoughts were going. The idea was absolutely preposterous, so he dismissed it immediately.
Kagome emerged a moment later refusing to look at Sesshomaru. "All set Rin?"
"Yep, we'll be back Wednesday evening. We're your last appointment of the day." Rin said cheerfully.
"Great, I can't wait to see you and Tora again." she said giving the girl a quick hug.
"Rin, we are leaving." Sesshomaru announced abruptly.
"Bye Kagome!" Rin said as she followed her adopted father out the door.
Kagome sighed with relief, and turned to see Ayame looking at her with a strange expression.
"What?"
Ayame started slightly.
She had smelt the almost in decipherable scent of arousal following her friend and the stoic youkai lord out of the exam room, and she had had to hide her surprise. She knew what was going on with Kagome and Inuyasha, but this was completely unexpected. Was Kagome attracted to the steel tycoon?
"Hmmm? Oh nothing, I was just thinking that's all." Ayame replied evasively.
"Alright, well, I am outta here. See you tomorrow Ayame!" Kagome called as she exited the building.
"Sure thing boss lady." Ayame said smiling.
Kagome thought about the weirdness between Sesshomaru and herself the entire drive home. In the end, she decided that the odd feelings his touch inspired was a fluke due to the fact that she hadn't had a decent rut since she had found out about Inuyasha's infidelity. That thought, in turn, caused her to wonder when she had turned into such a horndog. This led to thoughts about how providing pleasure to one's self was far less satisfying. She had to take care of her own urges lately as Inuyasha had stopped asking for sex all together, and she sure as hell wasn't going to beg.
The instant she walked into her apartment she found herself pinned to the wall. She looked at Inuyasha curiously, wondering what he was doing home so early.
He sniffed her suspiciously. "Why do you smell like Sesshomaru?"
"He came in with Rin tonight because her kitten was sick." she answered.
He looked at her for a moment longer. "Keh."
"You're home early." she stated.
"Didn't have anything do to at the office." he replied.
Kagome turned to hang up her coat and rolled her eyes. "Meaning your other girlfriend couldn't see you tonight." she thought bitterly. She sighed mentally and went to take a shower.
The weekend came and went, as did the next couple of days.
Wednesday rolled around, and Kagome glanced at the clock apprehensively. It was almost 6, and Rin and Sesshomaru would be in soon. Butterflies began to flutter around in her stomach. She just couldn't understand why she was so nervous to see him again. It made no sense. He didn't mean anything to her, hell she didn't even like him most of the time. So why was she so uneasy?
"Kagome, your 6 o'clock is here." Ayame called to her.
"Send them back!"
Kagome's insides were doing back flips as she walked into the exam room.
"Hi Kagome!"
"Hello Rin. How are you today?"Kagome said with a smile. She tried desperately to hide her nervousness because she knew he would be able to smell it on her. She glanced at him, he raised a well sculpted brow letting her know she was failing miserably.
Kagome blushed and looked away.
"I'm great! And look, Tora is much better already just like you said!" Rin exclaimed pointing at the kitten that was currently rubbing its tiny body against her leg.
"That's great. Let's have a look at her."
Kagome performed all the necessary checks and found that the cat was indeed fairing much better today.
"She looks real good Rin. I don't think you'll have to come in again for awhile."
Rin frowned slightly. "But can I bring her in anyway? I like seeing you."
Kagome smiled softly. "You'll see me at Toga's next month." Kagome said.
"But I want to see you more than that. I like spending time with you, and that's not enough!" Rin pouted. Suddenly her face lit up. "You get off soon don't you? Why don't you come with me and Lord Sesshomaru to eat?"
Kagome choked. "I.. I don't know sweety." she replied lamely.
Rin turned to Sesshomaru with pleading eyes. "Can Kagome come with us Lord Sesshomaru? Pleeeeaaase?"
Sesshomaru regarded the miko for a moment. She had been dripping with agitation during the entire visit, and he found he was curious by her obvious agitation.
He looked down at the little girl beseeching with him, and gave a curt nod.
Rin squealed delightedly and turned back to Kagome. "Will you come? Oh please say yes."
Kagome smiled, knowing she was defeated. She mentally cursed her soft nature and nodded wearily.
Rin clapped her hands ecstatically.
Ten minutes later, she was following Sesshomaru's silver car to an Italian restaurant called Gratte Ciel. She tried to get a hold of her nerves on the way. After all, how bad could it be? She could have dinner, and spend some time with Rin. She doubted Sesshomaru would say much, so really, she had nothing to worry about right? Right.
They were seated in a booth in a quiet corner of the restaurant, and Rin instantly started talking her ear off.
Sesshomaru watched the interaction between Inuyasha's wench and his daughter indifferently. At least, that's how he appeared. His mind was in a state of disquiet.
He couldn't understand why he had allowed the miko to join them. She talked too much, had a defective brain for lowering herself to be with the hanyou, was undeniably human, and smelled wonderful…
Sesshomaru growled low at that thought. He looked up and saw said miko looking at him in a mix between apprehensiveness and curiosity.
Thankfully, the waiter came by to take their drink orders, and inadvertently distracted the adults at the table.
"I want a pink lemonade please." Rin requested politely.
"I'll have a glass of Brunello Di Montalcino please." Kagome said.
"And for you Lord Sesshomaru? Would you like to take a look at our wine list?" the servitor asked.
Sesshomaru shook his head slightly. "I'll have the same." He replied curtly.
The garcon nodded and went back to the kitchen. He returned shortly with their drinks, took down the rest of their order and left quietly.
Sesshomaru took a sip of his wine. He closed his eyes as the liquid washed flowed smoothly over his tongue. It was quite good he admitted to himself. "The little miko knows her wine." he thought, slightly impressed.
He was staring again. Kagome could feel his eyes on her, and she shifted uncomfortably. She gathered her courage, and met eyes for a moment. She tried to hold his gaze, but she felt her face get hot. She grabbed her glass and took a small drink and examined its contents with feigned interest.
Kagome was completely flustered. It had been hard to concentrate on anything during the rest of dinner. Sesshomaru watched her practically the whole time. "What the hell is going on in that head of his?" she wondered absently. "And why am I letting him distract me so badly?"
"So when do I get to see you again Kagome?" Rin chirped as they walked to their cars.
"Umm, I don't know sweety." Kagome replied lamely.
"Can you come over on Friday when you get off work? I wanna show you my garden."
"I'm not sure, but call me at my office that day and we'll see what I can do ok?"
"Alright, see ya Kagome!" Rin said waving as she hopped into Sesshomaru's car.
"Bye Rin."
Kagome looked over at Sesshomaru. "Well, thanks for dinner."
He nodded but did not make a move to get in the car.
Kagome fidgeted under his intense gaze. "I better get going." she said uncomfortably. "Have a nice night Sesshomaru." she said opening her car door.
"Goodnight miko." he uttered so quietly she almost missed it.
She hadn't expected him to respond. She looked up sharply but the car had already moved to the exit. She shrugged and went home.
She scrubbed her body thoroughly in the shower and threw her clothes into the washer immediately so she wouldn't have to deal with Inuyasha smelling Sesshomaru on her again. She almost felt guilty that she was hiding it from him. There was no real reason why she should. After all the dinner had been completely innocent, it's not like it was a date.
She blushed as that thought crossed her mind. Not that he would ever date her, and she didn't want to go out with him either. It was all just to keep Rin happy. In the depths of her mind, a small voice told her that she wanted it to have been a date. But she banished it as soon as it surfaced. The idea was laughable. Wasn't it? She shook her head, deciding that her current line of thought was pointless and went to bed.
She woke in the middle of the night to her cell phone ringing. It was Inuyasha.
"Hello?" she grumbled sleepily.
"Hey, there's been an emergency at the office in London and I have to get there asap. My flight leaves in 20 minutes." he responded.
"What?! What do you mean, how long will you be gone?"
"A couple of weeks, a month I don't know yet." he replied vaguely.
Kagome was speechless, mostly because she was fairly certain he was taking a trip with that woman.
"Ok, well I gotta go, I'll call you when I get there." he stated. "I love you." he threw in as an afterthought.
Kagome sighed. "I.." click. "Hello? Hello?!! He hung up on me!" she shouted at the wall. "That son of a bitch!" She fumed.
The next morning, Kagome woke up in a sour mood. She was angrier than she'd ever been.
On her way to work, her cell phone rang and she looked down expecting it to be Inuyasha. Grumbling to herself when she saw it wasn't, she answered it.
"Hello." she snapped more harshly than she meant.
"Someone's cranky. What's going on?" Sango asked.
"The bastard took her to London!"
"What? When?"
"He called me at 12:30 to tell me there was an emergency in London, he was on the first flight out, and he'd be back somewhere between two weeks and a month. Then he hung up on me!" Kagome yelled.
"Are you sure he brought her? I mean maybe he's telling the truth this time." Sango asked blandly.
"Well, I don't for sure, but that's where you come in."
"Oh oh."
"Hey you offered to help whenever I needed it, and I need it." Kagome said.
"Did I say that?"
"Sango." Kagome replied dangerously.
"Alright, alright. Sheesh, I was joking. What do you want me to do?"
"I need you to call the corporate office there and find if he's really there."
"That's all?"
"That's all. Let me know as soon as you know."
"Yep, talk to you later." Sango said.
"Bye." Kagome replied shortly.
Kagome stopped the car in front of her clinic. After a moment she pulled out of the parking lot and started driving back to her apartment. She picked up her cell phone and called Ayame.
"Higurashi Animal Hospital, this is Ayame how can I help you?" Ayame answered politely.
"Ayame, its Kagome."
"Hey did you just pull up and leave again?"
"That's beside the point. I need you to call in a favor for me."
"Umm, ok."
"Call Dr. Aichi and tell him I am sick, and taking some time off. He owes me for all that time he took off in January, so he shouldn't give you any trouble."
"Are you really sick?" Ayame asked.
"Of course not." Kagome responded exasperatedly. "All that matters is he will think I am and fill in for me."
"Whatever you say boss, I'll take care of it."
"Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your day."
Ayame chuckled. "You too, Kagome. I'll see you Saturday at Fiesta, right?"
"Most likely."
"Alrighty then. Talk to you later."
"Goodbye."
Kagome sighed and decided she didn't feel like going home and sitting on the couch like a lump. So she headed to her favorite ice cream parlor instead.
Two hours later, Kagome was still sitting in the corner booth at Baskin Robins, surrounded by empty ice cream cups. She was currently working on her second helping of Gold Medal Ribbon, when her phone rang.
"Hey Sango, you find anything."
"Yeah, and it's a bit worse than you thought."
"How could it possibly get worse?" Kagome asked.
"Because now we don't know where he is."
A/N: And the plot thickens, muahahaha! Ahem. Anyway, I will update tomorrow, but I would like to try and get 10 reviews tonight. I'll post tomorrow regardless, but it would make me very happy. So, yeah. Please review. X).