Weeping Willows

By Dragonessclaw

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. They are the product of the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi. Only the story is mine.

Chapter 21 A Fathers Regret

"So let me get this straight. Inuyasha was there at the park?" Sango asked incredulously.

"Yeah weird I know," Kagome said as she tucked her feet more firmly under her. "At the time I didn't give it much thought but now I wonder."

"If I may," interjected Miroku. "This is a little too coincidental for Inuyasha to show up there just when you were having a serious conversation with Sesshomaru. It doesn't sit well with me. Then around the same time a mysterious man just happens to be running through your yard half dressed." Miroku finished shaking his head.

"And what about not calling for help?" Sango interrupted. "If you fainted why wouldn't he get help? I don't buy his sorry excuse for one second Kagome. After all, when has Inuyasha ever tried to help anyone unless there was something in it for himself?"

Nodding in agreement Miroku then spoke up, "I hate to admit it Kagome but Sango is right. Inuyasha is definitely up to something. It would be wise to stay on your guard."

"Incidentally," Miroku said his eyes sparkling with mischief, "What about Sesshomaru. Have you decided how you are going to approach him? Maybe he should also know that Inuyasha is around. I bet it was Inuyasha he saw in your yard trying to stir up trouble. Once you do sort some things out maybe you should show him an old picture to see if it was him."

"I really don't have any. I burned all of those a long time ago. My mom might have one or two stashed away somewhere. You know her. You never know when you might need to look that person in the eye again. Things can be resolved by talking face to face and sometimes a picture is well enough. "

Sango laughed, "Does she still say that? That used to be one of her favorite sayings when we were younger. You would get mad and tear all the pictures you had of the offending person to shreds, remember?"

Clearing his throat to get their attention Miroku took on a serious tone once again.

"You know that if in fact it was Inuyasha in your back yard there is a good possibility he has been watching you. I would suggest you check all your windows and doors to make sure everything are secure," Miroku said solemnly.

Eyes widening at the implications Kagome nodded. Suddenly she was feeling very uncomfortable. This whole thing had taken one wrong turn after another and Kagome wasn't sure she was ready for any more surprises.

"Ok what do we do first?" Kagome asked in a determined tone.

This was a waste of time. There didn't seem to be anything to learn about Sesshomaru Tashio. Apparently he was the poster boy for decency. Hell, even his credit score was perfect. Not many relationships and the few he'd had all seemed to end amiably with no problems. He also seemed to be picky as hell. Just why he decided on Kagome Inuyasha was not sure but he would make him reconsider. He just had to look closer. Everyone had a skeleton or two in their closet, Inuyasha just needed to look closer.

It was then his eye caught on an old newspaper clipping. The headline read The Two Heirs of the Most Prominent Empires. Is There A Merger in Their Future? His hopes rising Inuyasha read the article twice to make sure he didn't miss anything. After the brief article nothing else was mentioned about the two apparently it didn't go through. There was no word on why. Maybe there was something there; at least it was worth a shot. Kagura Onigumo. Maybe he would arrange a meeting. Smiling Inuyasha picked up the phone and started dialing.

Hearing the door open behind him Sesshomaru tensed. "What are you playing at old man? I sincerely doubt that your meeting ran late and Ms. Onigumo just happened to be still with you at the exact time I was to meet you.

Coming to sit down at the conference table across from his son Inutaisho sighed loudly.

"Maybe I dragged the meeting out a little but I was just curious to see her reaction to seeing you. Back when Naraku and I first started discussing the merger between you two you both were much younger. Looks change, people change, circumstances change. You know how it is. Really I think we lucked out she could have been butt ugly," Inutaisho stated trying to lighten the mood.

Sesshomaru didn't say anything for a few moments; he simply observed his sire and let the old man ramble on. However, it didn't take long for his patience to wear thin.

"Only you would refer to a marriage as a merger," Sesshomaru chastised. "I have no use for a wife and the entire emotional headache that ensues but neither do I want a leach that will just hang around sucking the life from everything."

Realizing the direction this conversation was taking Inutaisho interrupted, "Now wait a minute you don't know that is how it will be. When you came in you hardly even gave her a glance. How is she supposed to impress you with her wit and charm if you don't even give her a chance to talk to you?" he admonished.

At Sesshomaru's hesitation Inutaisho pushed a little further. "She is your match Sesshomaru. She has a head for business and was raised in this world. There is no woman better suited to run the business by your side and that can withstand the various pressures that it will entail.

"After thinking about it more you know I am right, that Higurashi girl couldn't cut it could she?"

The room temperature dropped ten degrees from the look Sesshomaru gave his sire. For one brief moment Sesshomaru's control slipped and Inutaisho was able to see everything. The emotions he could see the clearest was the intense rage, hurt, and sadness in his son's eyes. It was only there for a moment but that was long enough.

Inutaisho's eyes widened in enlightenment. His son was in love. Just the thought almost made him want to laugh at the absurdity. He knew Sesshomaru would settle down eventually even if he did not push him but the thought that he would ever feel anything even close to love. He took too much after his mother.

His whole demeanor suddenly changed with the thought of his wife. Theirs was an arranged marriage and it had not been easy in the slightest. Even now they were barely stand friends and that was only due to their history together. Is that really what he wanted for Sesshomaru?

All the years of anguish, spite and loneliness had greatly diminished the bubbly person Inutaisho once was. Maybe if his father had….Inutaisho shook his head to rid himself of those thoughts. He would not go down that could have, should have, would have road again. Not now anyway.

Inutaisho was so lost in his thoughts that he had not realized his son had gotten up and was at the door. Standing quickly he tried to at least do something for the boy he loved more than life itself but had never been able to show him properly.

"Sesshomaru one minute more, please."

Sesshomaru froze, his hand on the door. Normally he would have just kept walking but his sire was not one to use the word please very often and so although irritated he could not deny the fact he was intrigued.

"You have never been one to let what anyone else thinks ever dissuade you from what you want. Did you know your mother and I hated each other for the first five years of our marriage? We only learned to tolerate each other when you came along. Sometimes I wonder how different you or your relationship with me, for that matter, would be if you grew up surrounded by all the love and warmth a family should have."

Looking down at the table in front of him Inutaisho closed his eyes and leaned on the table with his knuckles sighing loudly.

"Even now after thirty years of marriage we are just becoming friends. I have done many things wrong in my life and in my dealings with you. I would not wish parts of my life on my enemies much less my son. If you truly feel the way I suspect, tell her. Don't let your pride or anything else get in the way."

Sesshomaru was truly shocked at his sires words and admissions. They had never had the kind of close relationship his peers often seemed to have with their parents, not that he associated with them to find out first hand.

Inutasho's infuriating personality and jokes sometimes made him forget just how astute the old man was, not that Sesshomaru would ever tell him so.

"Hn, it is difficult." Sesshomaru replied as he left the room.

Inutaisho sat down heavily once Sesshomaru left. Whether he had managed to maybe bridge the gap a little Inutaisho wasn't sure. His thoughts then turned to his son's anwer. Sesshomaru said it was difficult but whether he meant to tell Higurashi, Kagome his feelings, to deal with having them, to admit to having feelings, or none of the above he wasn't sure. Truthfully he hadn't expected a response at all.

Going over to the intercom button Inutaisho pushed the small round button and waited for the beep.

"Kaede-sama please cancel the rest of my appointments for today and reschedule them for next week. Also get Izayoi on the line for me. I'll take it in my office."

Not even listening for an affirmative response from Kaede knowing it would be done Inutaisho walked into his office. A contemplative look adorned his face as he waited for his phone to ring signaling that his wife was on the line.

Kagura leaned back in her chair crossing her legs, smiling when she noticed her visitor openly admiring the view she afforded him. She had been trying to get a feel for just what this Inuyasha wanted but couldn't seem to. He had a dangerous feel about him that was for sure, but Kagura had always loved bad boys.

He wasn't bad looking either. Inuyasha was muscular, a little thick, and had long black hair down his back. Definitely her type but something was still off.

She had never met him before today so why he said this meeting was urgent was still a mystery to her. He had already denied having any affiliation with her competition and even claimed not to be interested in the business world so what was he after.

"I love a good mystery but I am afraid I must cut to the chase. Why was it so important I meet with you?" Kagura said still eyeing the man across from her.

Inuyasha smirked as her eyes roamed his body zeroing on his chest and biceps. He silently applauded himself on his choice of clothes. With her being a business woman Inuyasha made sure to take time with his appearance, making sure to wear slacks and a dress shirt. The shirt he put on while by no means too small, did fit him snuggly showing off his time spent in the gym.

This was going to be almost too easy.

Catching her eye, making sure to lick his lips very deliberately he started to speak.

"Actually I have a proposition for you. I believe we can be of help to each other."

That's it for now folks. Please, please, pleeaaase review. ^_^ Let me know what you think.