Weeping Willows

By Dragonessclaw

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. They are the product of the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi . I also do not own the song Life Goes On or have any affiliation with the group Poison. Only the story is mine.

Hello again sorry for the delay I have been really sick. I finally was able to pull myself together enough to get this chapter done. You all really know how to make a girl feel special, with all the reviews I couldn't let you wait any longer. Thank you all for staying with me this long, you encouragement and help has truly been invaluable.

Chapter 20

I've felt this before, now I feel it again

No matter how hard I try, this feeling won't end

So I pretend you're here by my side, on this lonely ride

I keep telling myself that

Life goes on while your miles away and I need you…..

If you only knew how much I miss you

Kagome was at a loss. She knew what she needed to do but just how to go about it wasn't clear to her yet. An old Poison song was playing on the radio but she hardly paid it any mind. If she had Kagome might have come to the conclusion that it was mocking her. She was sitting in the windowsill knees drawn up to her chest, arms wrapped around her legs, and her chin resting on her knees.

She had been there for hours just staring out the window looking at nothing in particular. She needed to talk to Sesshomaru but what was she going to say. I'm sorry I went psycho on you, let's make up. Nope that definitely would not work.

Then this thing with Inuyasha was bothering her. She was mad that she had let things go so far but relieved she came to her senses before she made an even bigger mistake. Now that she had time to review things clearly how is it that he happened to see her just then? He had said he saw her talking to someone and then she fainted. If that were really the case why didn't he call for the person she had been talking to or at least call out for help.

Taking all of that into consideration Kagome was skeptical. Then he'd moved her. I wasn't until later the next day when she was going over things in her head that she realized how far she was from where she had spoken to Sesshomaru. She could understand Inuyasha wanting to get her under a tree and out of the sun but instead of taking her towards the front of the park where he would be able to find help he took her far into the back.

Not many people used that part of the park especially later in the day because of all the bushes and trees. Towards the back of the park there was also very little light due to the overhanging tree branches. Thinking about it now, that used to be the make out spot when she was in high school. Kagome herself had never made a trip back there but she'd heard plenty of stories about the different things that had gone on in that section of the park. Kagome shuddered at her own stupidity. How could she have thought for one minute Inuyasha was looking out for her? Furthermore, how could she let him touch her?

This was getting her no where she needed a fresh brain to pick. Heading for the bathroom to get washed up, Kagome decided to check up on Miroku.

Sesshomaru was taking the rest of the day off. He had been in a foul mood for the last two days and it was only getting worse. He often caught Sango giving him quizzical looks but chose to ignore her. He would not discuss anything with her about the previous events with Kagome. After all, she was Sango's friend it wasn't his place. He knew he owed Sango a dept but could not find it in himself to care. In a few months it looked like he wouldn't be there anyway.

She wasn't at work today and for that he was glad. He didn't want to have to talk to her but he was a man of his word and he had stated he would help her and protect her in the absence of Miroku. Technically this was treading the line but he would not lie to her if she asked what was wrong. After organizing his desk and locking his cabinets Sesshomaru headed for the door, his co-workers giving him a wide berth.

He really wanted to go home, have a drink and forget about everything for awhile, however that was not going to happen. He had been summoned, so leaving the building he headed for Tashio Inc. to see what his sire wanted this time.

Sesshomaru walked swiftly towards the office with his back straight. He refused to look anywhere but ahead of him to avoid seeing the multiple women in the cubicles he passed trying to get his attention. Sesshomaru had always hated how the women at his father's company always fawned all over him as though he would even interact with a woman desperate enough to use her body and looks to get what she wanted. He was never that superficial.

Moving into the larger area Sesshomaru passed Kaede sitting at the receptionist desk. She smiled warmly, her salt and pepper hair pulled back in her telltale bun. She was always well kept, something Sesshomaru could always appreciate. She was a handsome older woman who had been with the company for many years and was still one of the most hardworking there. Motioning towards the large cherry wood doors she spoke in a quiet but firm voice, "Go on in young Tashio he is waiting for you." Sesshomaru nodded as he passed, his eyes the only sign of the warm spot he held for her. Kaede was the only person who could get away with calling him that. She had been around so long she had given him the nickname and treated him like a nephew of sorts. Of course, she would never call him that in front of others but if they were alone she would always indulge and he always let her. Kaede was one of a small handful of people that had ever glimpsed anything other than the cold rough exterior Sesshomaru projected.

Opening the door Sesshomaru fought the urge to growl upon seeing what awaited him.

His sire was there but so was another, Kagura Onigumo. His father was as subtle as a brass band at times. Sometimes Sesshomaru wondered how his sire had managed to build such an empire considering some of the less flattering qualities he had to deal with.

"Sesshomaru my boy!" Inutaisho greeted heartily. "Please have a seat. I was just finishing up with Ms. Onigumo.

"Kagura please, there is no need for such formalities. You have been one of my father's oldest associates for as long as I can remember." Kagura interrupted.

"Kagura," Inutaisho repeated. "I'm sure you remember my son Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru nodded his acknowledgement. The only sign of his displeasure a slight tightening of his jaw. His father knew how he hated being addressed so informally, especially in front of others.

"Seeing as you are still conducting business I leave you to it. I will be in the second conference room." Sesshomaru stated as he detoured right to the large oak doors at the far end of the room.

"You don't have to leave Sesshomaru-sama. We are almost finished. Please stay and let us get reacquainted. Besides, it has been so long since I have had the pleasure of your company," Kagura purred. She scooted forward a little in her seat, just enough for her kimono to shift slightly, giving Sesshomaru a better view of her cleavage.

Eyes narrowing as they looked from his forearm to the offending appendage that had wrapped around it Sesshomaru responded icily.

"I must decline there are matters that need attending to. If you'd kindly remove your hand off my person I will take my leave."

Pulling her hand away as if she'd been stung Kagura tried to ignore the venom that laced Sesshomaru's words. "Of course," she smiled as she inclined her head, "some other time perhaps."

Nodding in her direction Sesshomaru turned and headed for the adjoining door.

Inutaisho shrugged his shoulders in apology, "That boy, I tell you. I love that he's so focused but it would be nice if he would take a little break now and then." He stated with a thoughtful look.

Inside however, he was cringing. Sesshomaru did not look happy. In fact he looked downright pissed. He had hoped to gauge Sesshomaru's reaction to Kagura to see if he could give his son a push in her direction. By the deadly look he'd given them both maybe he would give it a little more time. He would like to retire with all his parts in working order.

Kagome was chewing on her bottom lip as she waited for the door to open. Still getting no response she raised her hand to knock again when the door swung open to reveal a surprised Miroku.

"Kagome, what are you doing here?" he said a little too loudly.

"I haven't seen you in a while. I thought I would see how you were," Kagome said looking over his shoulder. Usually he would have invited her in by now but he seemed to be stalling.

""Uh, Miroku," Kagome asked questioningly, "Can I come in?"

"Of course you can come in," he replied again a little too loudly and stepped back for her to enter.

Heading straight for the main area to have a seat Kagome paused, surprised to see a flustered Sango.

"Hey Sango, I didn't know you were here. I can leave if it's a bad time," Kagome said with a smirk looking between the two.

Rubbing the back of his head, his cheeks starting to tint slightly, Miroku answered "No it's not a bad time at all. Sango and I were just working some things out."

Taking in Sango's mussed appearance Kagome smirked wider, "Yeah, um I can see that."

Changing the subject that neither she nor Miroku were ready to broach yet Sango suddenly inquired, "So, Kagome you what brings you here? I haven't spoken to you in a few days, ever since you went M.I.A. actually."

"I haven't been M.I.A.," she said with a huff. You two needed some time to work things out and I had to figure some things out as well."

"So what's going on with you two?" Kagome prodded.

Sango usually the first to tell all held up her hand palm facing Kagome. Looking at Miroku she said calmly, "We are as we were. Still working things out and taking things slowly and that's all there is to say about it right now." She finished nodded at Miroku.

Kagome was impressed. She was really trying to make a change for the better and it was working as far as she could see. Looking over at Miroku she could see the love in his eyes as he looked at Sango. He also looked again like the Miroku she had known all these years. The split had taken its toll on the both of them but Kagome thought it just might have been for the best. At least everything was now out on the open. There was no way a relationship could work if one of the parties involved was holding something back or if there were issues still unresolved that weren't being addressed.

Thinking about that made Kagome's heart start to ache. A pressure that was not previously there had taken root.

Sango being more in tuned with Kagome noticed her mood shift immediately. "So, Kagome? You never did say what you came over for," Sango stated quietly.

There was obviously something on her mind but Sango would not push. Either Kagome would tell them or they would just have to wait until she wanted to talk about it.

Hesitantly Kagome looked up from the plant she had been staring at. "I don't want to bother you. I can always come back another time. There were just a few things I had on my mind that I wanted to discuss.

"Fucking bitch!" he said to the empty room as he slammed the door. She had some fucking nerve. Apparently she was still holding on the hope that Mr. Wonderful would change his mind. Not if he had anything to do with it.

Kagome was his. She had just forgotten that fact but he would remind her. There was more than one way to skin a cat. Inuyasha had in fact found three different ways when he was younger. He was sure there were more but it was too tedious.

If he had to get all bloody and scratched up he would much rather it be a woman he was cutting on. A begging, pleading female was better than a hissing and moaning cat any day. Just thinking about Kagome all bloody and bleeding lightened his mood a bit as Inuyasha moved his hand to stoke his member. It had awoken at his string of thoughts and was now demanding attention.

Business first, Inuyasha reminded himself, he could always make a phone call later. Going to the pile of things on the table Inuyasha reached for the envelope he'd lifted from Kagome's place. He hadn't went through it thoroughly yet, only skimmed it to figure out the contents. He truthfully hadn't thought he would need it, he had been wrong. Kagome had gotten uppity in his absence. Now to learn all about Mr. Sesshomaru Tashio.

Hope this chapter was o.k., my brain is still a little fuzzy. Until next time.