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.

Thank you for all your reviews. It really makes a girl feel special.

Chapter 22 A Surprise Visit

Sesshomaru stepped into the large office and fought the urge to grimace as he took in the surroundings. The office was spacious but hard to maneuver because it was cluttered with knickknacks of one type or another. The furniture was a deep mahogany, while the walls were a deep red with splashes of purple and yellow throughout. Sesshomaru's overall impression was that it reminded him of his associate's makeup, loud and overdone.

Stepping up to the desk Sesshomaru nodded his head in greeting, "Kagura."

Smiling Kagura answered, "Sesshomaru, thank you for coming please have a seat," as she gestured to the chair in front of her desk.

Shaking his head Sesshomaru declined. "I'll stand."

Ready to get this over with Sesshomaru stated, "You said it was imperative you speak with me in person. Speak."

Kagura regarded Sesshomaru silently for a moment before she sighed, "Ever the conversationalist I see."

Sesshomaru continued to stand and stare down at her. The only indication he even heard her was his eyebrow that was raised questioningly. Realizing a lost cause when she saw one Kagura pursed her lips and then started explaining.

"Do you know someone by the name of Moyimoto, Inuyasha?" Kagura inquired.

After a moment of silence Sesshomaru shook his head. "No, should I?"

"Well he appears to know quite a bit about you and is currently searching for any other little tidbits he might be able to acquire."

Sesshomaru was in no mood for games. "Explain," he commanded in a bored tone.

"Just this morning a gentleman by the name of Moyimoto, Inuyasha came by my office inquiring about the nature of our relationship," Kagura stated. One look at Sesshomaru and she knew she finally had his full attention.

Not liking the direction this conversation was turning Sesshomaru chose to indeed have a seat. "And?" he questioned.

"Apparently he has been checking up on you. When he came in he had papers on you, the envelope read Teikoku Detective Agency. He also made mention of that article that ran a few years back when our fathers first started to push for the merger. It was actually quite funny. He spoke of how much more influential I could be if the merger would take place, speaking about the new plateau I would reach as if he had a clue.

Actually, that and the pride of knowing I had accomplished what my father had not was enough for me to think about it for a few moments. However, I told him we were business associates and anything else he would need to speak with you personally about." Kagura said leaning back in her chair.

"Is that all he got from you?" Sesshomaru questioned skeptically.

"Well, that and a bad case of blue balls," Kagura added with a smirk.

Sesshomaru chose not comment since he had nothing to say that would make the conversation any better. While Kagura was not without class she was very crass. For some reason incomprehensible to Sesshomaru, Kagura either did not know or completely chose to ignore proper business etiquette. Knowing how his own sire was Sesshomaru was sure it was the latter.

Sometimes the topics she mentioned where way too personal or just not appropriate for that particular setting. It had always been something that irritated Sesshomaru to no end. Even her last comment bothered him. They were not good associates; it was hardly something Sesshomaru felt needed to be voiced.

At his reaction and total lack of a sense of humor Kagura stated, "Look he told me what he was after and then the rest of the time I turned the conversation back on him so I could figure out exactly what he was about."

"Anything else?" Sesshomaru asked in a cool voice, not liking the sly smirk on Kagura's face.

"Well he was quite the gentleman," Kagura stated her eyes sparkling with mischief. "He offered to remove any obstacles that may be in the way, namely a Higurashi Kagome. He wanted absolutely nothing in return save a few stocks in the company. He was even nice enough to offer his services farther down along the line in case you weren't particularly up to par," Kagura finished the last statement by slowly looking Sesshomaru over from head to toe.

Fighting the urge to strike out at her because of the way she was eyeing his person Sesshomaru continued his interrogation.

"And why would you help this Sesshomaru?" he asked suspiciously.

"Wow how do you stay single with so much charm?" Kagura asked facetiously. At Sesshomaru's expression Kagura decided it would be better to stop taunting him and get serious. Really, if looks could kill, Kagura mused.

"Look, it is our fathers wish that the two companies be merged. I have no problem with that but it needs to be mutual. That is what I was speaking with your father about. These are not the times our fathers grew up in.

We both have a duty to fulfill. I must marry, that has been made perfectly clear to me, I cannot change that. However anything that I can change I will."

Seeing that Kagura was finally ready to have a serious talk Sesshomaru took the before offered seat. Nodding at this Kagura continued.

"I will not agree to a loveless marriage. I don't need more power or prestige at the cost of my own happiness and freedom. It is pretty clear that you and I are not a good match. I think we both know that."

Nodding his agreement Sesshomaru motioned for Kagura to continue. She was at least saying something worthwhile but he really wished she would wrap things up and get to the point.

"If I have to marry then I will be at least reasonably happy. Not hating the thought of going home or being able to stand the person I have to share my life with.

Watching your reaction to my presence told me you haven't changed at all since we last were acquainted."

Sesshomaru was getting bored. "You still haven't answered my question," he stated.

"Haven't I?"

"Obviously the two companies will not be merged. However, we both must marry and either way we will be running the two of the most powerful businesses in the world."

Smiling predatorily Sesshomaru finished the statement. "And instead of being business rivals if we start a kind of truce now between the two of us."

"Who knows what will happen in the future. Allies are hard to come by, especially trustworthy ones," Kagura finished.

Sesshomaru smirked now understanding where she was heading "So this would be the first step in a treaty of sorts. A gesture of good will?"

Taking a moment to think over the possible consequences of such an agreement Sesshomaru finally spoke, "Very well, it is acceptable."

"We will convene in three weeks time to have a contract drawn up to outline the rules of such a treaty," Sesshomaru stated as he stood to leave.

Kagura also stood and proceeded to walk him to the door. Once they were at the threshold Kagura half joked. "Who knows maybe it will be our children that will finally bring about the merger that has been in the works for so long."

Fighting back the shudder that was trying to force its way through his body Sesshomaru made a non committal "Hn" and exited as quickly as possible.

Once outside Sesshomaru stopped and took a deep breath. For some reason whenever he was in Kagura's company the air around him felt stifling. He had thought that it would not be the same since they had both grown but it only seemed to get worse.

As he walked towards his car Sesshomaru thought over all the new information he had obtained. So this Inuyasha thought he would interfere in his business.

He was terribly mistaken. Pulling out his phone Sesshomaru made several quick calls before finally depositing the phone back in its holder. He wanted to rid himself of the nuisance quickly. He had far more important things to deal with. (Like Kagome)

Thinking over Kagura's words Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed and his fists clenched unconsciously. Insect, did this Inuyasha presume to know anything about him? As if he, Sesshomaru, could be summed up by a handful of papers. And what did he mean by removing the obstacle? At the thought of anyone even coming near Kagome Sesshomaru felt a surge of protectiveness he'd never experienced before. So enraged was he with the thought of someone putting even a finger on Kagome that Sesshomaru did not even stop to question just why he was having such feelings towards Kagome even now. It didn't really matter however, his heart knew the truth and no matter what had happened between the two of them it knew it belonged to Kagome.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~fin~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That's it for now. Sorry it took so long. I was on heavily drugged with medication and was trying to finish the chapter anyway. I'll never do that again. I ended up deleting the whole thing and had not backed it up so I had to start from scratch. I hope you like it. Let me know what you think guys.