A.N. When I saw the amount of reviews I got (for SB Chpt. 5), I was a bit shocked. If only you guys could review like that all the time...
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha nor do I own any songs by Wilson Phillips, or Westlife (If I hadn't listen to these to songs, this chapter would not have been out. I feel crappish)
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Simply Business
Chapter Five
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Kagome smiled at a sleeping Rin. They had just finished watching Lilo and Stitch. It was a cute movie and at the end after having taken a bath and dressing down, the small girl had dropped off to sleep. With gentle care, she tucked in the ten year old with the freshly washed blankets and whispered a good night.
Promise you'll stay with Rin.
Kagome sighed, "I wish I could Rin... but I don't want to make any promises I can't keep." She wasn't going to be in the area forever. Next fall –since over the summer they were going to take night courses- she'd be going home with Sango–an hour and thirty minutes away, or if she chose to, she'd be a plane ride away in America.
If there anything that she couldn't do was break a little child's heart.
It was just about eight o'clock and that left her an hour to do some homework before Sesshoumaru came home. Kagome descended the stairs and went into the kitchen. After scribbling a quick note to Sesshoumaru, she searched for a snack.
She reached for an apple one of the many fruits that was she had previously put away in a large bowl on the table, and got her backpack. Kagome plopped on the couch with her things and began to pull out a book. She had basically a full day of school tomorrow, so she actually had to work a little harder than last night.
Rubbing her brow, she started with Math.
She stared at her assignment sheet and the numerous amount of things due for the next class, "Hey... you know what? I think I'll start on my science assignment." She pushed aside her math text books, her exhaustion from last night's lack of sleep suddenly catching up with her.
"I have never in my entire life wished I was an ant more than now... They don't need sleep..." Her bottom lip jutted out in a pout, "Damn ants."
A thick text book was brought out of her bag, along with a slightly thinner work book. Again she glanced at an assignment sheet. "I'd be so lost without these," she laughed. They were given planners to write their homework, but the planners were small and couldn't hold a lot, so she merely wrote 'See assignment sheet,' if she had any homework.
Homework assignments and their due dates were posted neatly in a page long chart with quiz and test dates at the bottom.
She smiled, "Not too much, thankfully."
Kagome only had a page of work to be done in the work book which was completed in a matter of minutes with the help of her text. She put her things away, save for a paper back book.
She curled up on the couch and started on her Lit. homework.
"Alright I just have to read the first thirty pages of 1984..." The course she had taken dealt with worldwide fiction- not that Kagome minded. She found that her mind would drift during historical readings.
Kagome sighed, "My mind is drifting even right now, c'mon girl, focus!"
She made herself more comfortable only for her reading to be interrupted.
"The first sign of insanity is talking to one's self."
(Tsuki)
Sesshoumaru parked his car into his garage, a scowl set firmly in place. If possible, he would have ripped the heads off of every single worker under a certain board.
It was not enough that he had fired the lot of old bastards; no, he wanted them slaughtered and six feet under, or at least castrated...
The company was a mess.
Fifteen percent of sales were being lost to incompetence. Fifteen.
If that wasn't a kick in the ass, it would take at least a month to sort out every problem they left.
Maybe that was the reason his hair was such a silvery white color. Stress. He could have sworn that when he was a child, it was blonder and less platinum.
He mentally shook his head. He was twenty five- company voted sexiest man alive -there was no way he had premature grey hair.
Sesshoumaru let out a growl that was surprisingly realistic and let himself into the house through the kitchen entrance in the garage.
The first thing he noticed was that instead of flood of trash that was his garbage can, there was an empty bin. His recycle bin – something surprisingly influenced by Rin, one day when she came back from school one day – was missing.
He didn't remember putting it on the curb. He hadn't the time.
A frown lit his face, and his eyes narrowed.
What the hell? Disappearing recyclables. That was new.
Your hundred dollar watch or your entertainment system will still be there. But trash? Loong gone.
Sesshoumaru continued his trek inward, his eyes narrowing further, the sink was empty, and with a flick of his wrists, and a check out the cabinets, the missing dishes were found spotless and neatly stacked.
The scent of rice and some familiar meat he couldn't exactly identify, replaced the stale scent that had been previously filling the whole room.
Kagome.
He went into the living room, in time to hear her say something. "My mind is drifting even right now, c'mon girl, focus!"
He sneered, "The first sign of insanity is talking to one's self."
Kagome shrieked, falling off of the couch, her book flying at the intruder.
Her aim was better than she could have ever thought; it hit the center of Sesshoumaru's head. His mood soured even more.
Kagome pulled her self up, rubbing her rear, "You! What are you doing here?"
Sesshoumaru picked up the book, glancing at it with disdain, before stating curtly, "I live here."
Kagome ran a hand through her hair, "I meant so early..." Sesshoumaru gave her a look, "I never said when I'd be back."
The raven haired girl smacked her forehead. 'That was Sango who's coming home at nine... whoops.' Had she had gotten some rest, maybe she would have remembered that.
'Damn ants!'
She smiled apologetically, "Sorry about that... and the book," she added as he set it on the couch, "I'll leave now, but there's dinner on the stove and Rin's in bed. I took the liberty to take care of some other things. I hope that's okay..."
Sesshoumaru glanced at her coldly, "Why?"
Kagome stuttered at the icy look, "I –I just thought ...that maybe you needed the extra the extra help... I don't know." She shrugged helplessly, rubbing her eyes.
Sesshoumaru frowned at her, "What do you know?"
Kagome felt a bit put out, softly she said, "I just wanted to help... I-"
"You were asked simply to go shopping and watch over my daughter. I never asked you to do anything more." He sniffed with contempt, "I'm surrounded by inept idiots. Learn to do as told, girl."
His anger rolled onto her in waves.
Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, "I didn't think you get so upset over something so stupid! You're such an asshole Sesshoumaru! I was just trying to help..."
With a sob she ran out of the room, her bag in tow, but her book forgotten.
Sesshoumaru glared at her exit. He would have been there for quite a bit, steaming, but a creaking noise behind him made him turn.
On the staircase, Rin stood in her night clothes clutching the railing with a look on her face that made Sesshoumaru sigh, his anger dissipating.
"Rin?" He almost winced at the biting tone that he used.
Tears welled in her eyes, and she quickly ran back upstairs.
Sesshoumaru let out another sigh, so now his daughter was mad at him. Wonderful.
He walked into the kitchen, removing his tie and tossing it onto his brief case, so he would remember to bring it up later.
His eyes roved to the refrigerator, where a note was taped to it. Apparently he had missed it on his little vent out on the Higurashi girl.
Sesshoumaru plucked it up automatically noting the flowery, neat script that made up the message. It was Kagome's handwriting.
Sesshoumaru,
Rin is probably in bed now, so you don't have to worry about her staying up late, her homework's all done. I went shopping like you asked and after dinner, we watched a movie, and Rin took a bath and stuff... Dinner was simply rice with beef and broccoli.
I left some for you to eat in the microwave so it should still be warm. I did some work around the house 'cause I thought you might need the extra help. (Don't worry I'm not expecting anything in return.)
I hope you like what I prepared and don't work yourself too hard,
Kagome
Sesshoumaru rubbed his brows.
You truly are an asshole.
Everything seemed to be screaming that at him. Kagome walked in and whimpered pitifully.
Sesshoumaru looked at her, "I ...suppose I should not have taken my anger out on her."
The dog yipped in agreement, shaking its head.
Raising a brow, "I suppose I should also...apologize?" Another happy yip sounded.
He definitely was not asking Rin's puppy for advice. He was merely speaking to himself out loud.
Yes. That was it... Speaking out loud...
But as if satisfied with Sesshoumaru's resolve to apologize to her name sake, Kagome bounded out of the room and off to sleep.
Sesshoumaru folded the note unconsciously, "I'll take care of it tomorrow."
And though for the first time that month, he had sat down to a meal that was actually home made.
That did not mean, however, that he put a heartfelt enjoyment into eating it.
-Don't let me go when I'm this low
Why can't we talk about it? Why can't we figure it out?-
(Tsuki)
Sango wrote another self reminder on a post-it note. "Foreword Fujii email to superior." She muttered to herself as she wrote.
Suddenly there was a knock on the room door. Ryuu, the kind soul, had set her and Kouga with their own office, so they would have a 'home base', as he called it, to stop off at. "I wonder who that could be.." It obviously wasn't Kouga. He did not have a reason to knock. It was as much his room as it was hers.
Plus, it was past eight o' clock and many people were leaving.
"Come in."
The door opened to reveal the same man from the dinner. The one Jakotsu introduced to her- Mirouku wasn't it?
He smiled, "Hi, I'm hoping you're not busy."
Sango posted the purple post-it to her computer monitor, "Hello Mr. ...?"
He hadn't given a last name, and she wasn't even sure if she new the first one either.
"Please, just call me Mirouku." Sango smiled, "Alright, Mirouku, then in return it's simply Sango."
Mirouku nodded, his hand starting to fidget at his side.
"And in answer to the original question, I just finished up."
He seemed to let out a sigh of relief, but with the air of confidence that seemed to permeate from his body, Sango thought she was imagining it.
"Good. Then Sango, would you mind accompanying me to dinner?"
Sango's face flamed up, "Me? I um... Well, my roommate expects me back at nine," she noted the disappointment in his eyes, "But I can give her a call and I'm sure she won't mind."
Mirouku ran a hand through his hair chuckling, "Alright, great!" he cleared his throat and hid an excited grin, "I'll meet you in the parking lot, okay?"
Sango smiled brightly, "'K." For once she was glad that she and a couple of other girls decided to start a car pool.
She wouldn't have to go back for her car, since it wasn't her week to drop anyone off.
Her long, slender fingers quickly ran across the number pad of the desk phone. She caught their answering machine.
'Hey this is Kagome and Sango, we're obviously not here, or else one of us would have picked up...'
'... So, since, you had some reason to call, at the tone please leave a message so we're not greeted by silence when we check our messages.'
'Sango!'
'What? You cannot tell that that doesn't piss you o—'
BEEP
Sango laughed, slightly embarrassed, 'We really have to change that...' "Hey Kagome, this is Sango... I might be an hour or so later than expected. So I'll see you later, hon, bye."
She replaced the phone on its cradle and with an excited grin, she grabbed her coat and purse and left.
(Tsuki)
"Hey, Takinama! Great job yesterday! Your team did amazingly." A guy with blonde hair grinned over at her as he passed the lunch line.
Sango smiled, "Thanks." She had to swift her shifts from afternoon to night, so she could play in the afternoon game yesterday, but it had been worth it. Even if she was awake solely because of caffeine thanks to homework, she would never have ditched her team.
She nudged Kagome who had been quiet all day or at least in the two classes she had her in, "Buyo travel all the way over here to get your tongue?" She referenced to the Higurashi's lazy, over weight cat, that Kagome had not been allowed to bring with her.
Kagome giggled, her down cast mood broken, "That cat come here! He can barely make it to his food bowl. Your cat, Kirara though, that kit is like Wonder Woman turned cat."
Sango laughed with her, "Well you've been oddly quiet. Don't tell me you're still dwelling on that jerk."
The two had caught up last night over a pot of coffee and the leftovers from the restaurant, Sesshoumaru had dragged Kagome to, on everything minus Sango's date, since the chance never came because they had homework to finish.
Kagome sighed, "I don't know why his attitude stung. I guess all this stress is getting to me."
The brunette placed her tray on the metal counters. To Kagome, she said, "Haven't you ever heard the song, Hold On by Wilson Phillip? You have? Good learn from it. Cheese burger, hold the cheese, please."
Her friend laughed, "That makes it a hamburger, hon." The lunch lady merely handed over the hamburger, as Sango blushed grumbling, "I'm running on coffee alone, dear, give me a break."
Her brow twitched in annoyance as Kagome asked, "A cheese burger with cheese please."
Sango lightly smacked her on the arm and moved on, grabbing a paper plate filled with fruits, and a few ketchup packets.
Kagome did the same minus the ketchup and the two of them grabbed water, and sat down at a table by them selves.
Kagome gave her a sly look, "Why no cheese? On a diet?"
Sango scoffed, "Dream on! I'm not a fan of cheese on my burger. Don't ask why. And if anything I should be on an un-diet." Kagome gave her a look, "I'm impossibly thin."
Her friend simply laughed.
She was glad that the two of them decided to eat lunch by themselves. Talking to Sango made her feel tons better and even though had a lot of friends at MNU there were times when said friends were a bit suffocating. Constantly squishing fifteen people at a table that only fit six was a bit...tight.
Sango took a sip of her water saying suddenly, "I'm off of work today do you want me to come with you to that ass's house? For moral support cha know... and so I can make sure you do your homework. Don't think I didn't know that you've been slacking."
Kagome smiled, "I'm ignoring the last statement, Mrs. Mom. But would you? Rin's so sweet, you'll love her."
Sango grinned, "Then she probably takes after her mom, from what you've been telling me. And, of course I would. What are friends for? I'll let Yume cover for me... I have to keep my second in command in shape just in case I'm knocked out of commission." She added when she noted the look of protest on Kagome's face.
Kagome smiled, "Thanks, Sango..."
(Tsuki)
Today was one of the six days (MNU operated on a six day schedule, within the five day school week) that Kagome and Sango had similar amount of classes, and so they met at their room to change and leave.
They would have been out quickly if it was not for, a certain bouquet of floors on the inside of the door.
In unison both sighed wistfully, "You lucky girl!"
They looked at each other and started laughing. Sango picked the flowers up, "I'll look for the card, could you please get some water for them?"
Kagome nodded, "On it."
She returned with a vase filled with water only seconds before Sango found the card. Kagome placed it down of their coffee table and went over to her friend, "What does it say?"
Sango giggled, "Well first of, it was for you..." Kagome blushed, "Who sent them?"
"Get this— Mr. I'm-an-ass."
Kagome looked incredulous, so Sango gave her the card, and a book, "And, I'm guessing this is yours too? Unless he also stopped by the school book store."
Kagome soundlessly received the book.
Shocking, much!
Sango looked at her, "He sounds kinda sweet...if not a bit proper. How old is he again?"
Kagome absentmindedly shrugged and read, "'I send my apologies for my behavior last night. If you will allow me, I will make it up to you.'"
Sango laughed, "Come on, if we don't hurry up, then poor little Rin will be stuck lunch-less."
Kagome snapped out of her daze, and smiled, "Alright, alright I'm moving!"
'Sesshoumaru... sweet?'
-I wanna know...-
(Tsuki)
Kagome and Sango entered the Taisho house, with thirty minutes to make lunch. They deposited their things.
They were greeted by Kagome.
Sango giggled at the puppy, "Aw! So cute! What's her name?"
Kagome gave an awkward laugh, "Kagome..."
Her friend scrunched up her nose, turning to look at Kagome. "Unoriginal aren't we?"
"Hey! It wasn't my idea... It was Rin's and I think it's cute. If it's too complicated for your feeble mind, then call her 'Gome."
'Gome was what her little brother used to call her when words were knew to him and his pronunciation wasn't that great.
Sango stuck out her tongue, in a childish retaliation at the barb, "No need for insults, and I'll call you 'Gome," she coo'ed the latter at the pup, and started for the kitchen, "but not because it's too complicated for me. I am quite intelligent thank you."
Kagome petted the pup once more before she followed her laughing.
She found Sango with her head in the fridge.
"You really went all out, Kags." Kagome snorted, "You should have seen it before I went shopping. I think there were a few moths in the thing!"
Sango giggle, pulling out two packs of oven-able chicken nuggets, "This will have to do for Rin. We don't really have a lot of time to make a real meal."
Kagome nodded, "Then that'll do. I'll cut some fruits. Sesshoumaru said to keep it healthy, so if we spoil her then we need a least something good."
Sango snorted, "Uh huh. I never knew giving a kid chicken nuggets was spoiling. We must be rotten."
Kagome threw a grape at the back of her head, "Stop quipping and get to work!"
After the two had set the table for three, they brought out ketchup and juice. Sango snagged a nugget off her plate and dipped it into a glop of ketchup on her plate. Taking a bite she grinned, "Spoiling never tasted so good."
Kagome's phone rang and she excused herself to answer it, "That's mine." Sango rolled her eyes, "Definitely yours. Only you'd have the Sailor Moon theme as your ring tone."
Kagome stuck out her tongue.
Sango finished up the remainder of the nugget, and started to reach for another, but the door bell buzzed.
Seeing as Kagome was preoccupied with whoever was on the other line, Sango walked to the door they had come in from.
She opened the door, "Hi, there! Are you Rin?" The girl nodded, and listlessly, entered. "Hi. Did Kagome-chan quit being my sitter?"
Her lower lip was unfittingly pulled down in a dejected frown.
The look on her face almost broke Sango's heart. She frowned, kneeling down, "Is that what's got you down?" She chuckled softly at the nod, and said, "No, honey. Kagome-chan is in the kitchen."
She instantly brightened, "Really!"
It oddly reminded Sango of flicking a switch...
'On...
Off...
On...
Oh right... she asked a question...'
Sango winked, and grabbed her tiny hand, "Yep! Come on." She brought the younger girl into the kitchen where Kagome was laughing on her cell phone. "Alright, Kouga, I'll pass along the message. No problem... Bye."
The black haired girl looked up and saw Rin, "Ri-Omph!"
The small girl ran to hug Kagome, much to Sango's amusement and had knocked the unsuspecting Kagome down.
Sango winked, "You keep that up Rin, and you'll have to play football." Kagome laughed at Rin's sheepish expression and ruffled her hair, "I definitely think she'd make the cut. But every football player needs to eat, so wash up so you can join us. "
Rin nodded happily and hopped off upstairs 'Gome following her upstairs yipping all the way.
Sango smiled softly at her friend as she helped her up, "She's definitely smitten with you. When I open the door, and she saw it was me, I nearly thought that she had lost her best friend..."
Kagome said nothing but looked in the direction she had gone.
Her friend continued, as if knowing exactly what she was thinking, "Worry about it later, Kagome, you have a whole year with her ahead of you- summer included. So," she changed the subject, "What did Kooouuuga have to say?"
Kagome blushed shying away from her gaze, "Nothing, just asked if we could get see a movie maybe and I agreed. After that he told me to tell you that Mirouku says he 'had a wonderful time.' Apparently he was in there as Kouga's moral support to call me, but what was all that about, hmm?"
It was Sango's turn to blush, "Well we kinda had dinner last night... He's so sweet, and –Oh! Rin you're back! Let's eat."
Kagome snickered as Sango quickly pulled the girl over and started asking her about her day. She, herself, took a seat at the table, and half heartedly listened in on the conversation.
Sesshoumaru apologizing and a movie with Kouga...
Oy vey!
(Tsuki)
Four o' clock found the three girls doing homework. Rin dealt with her Science questions, her class was currently study space, while Kagome nearly ripped out all her hair doing her Math homework.
Sango had put up her 'Mother' plaque and was supervising and helping both girls, having finished her homework before either of them could blink. If anyone described Sango at that moment, they would say, 'smart in a scary way.'
"Sango, what's the answer to number twelve? It's like impossib—"
"Answer's fifty two."
"Sango, what is a ball of—"
"A comet."
"Sango, did you get number—?"
"Nine."
"Sango, is the—"
"Yep!"
Kagome shut her book, "That is—"
"Scary?"
Rin laughed as Kagome let out a groan, "Yes!"
The front door opened and Sango mouthed, "Is that him?" Kagome shrugged and rose. She really wasn't expecting him before dinner.
Rin's squeal as she ran into the next room was enough to alert the two that it was in fact Sesshoumaru.
Sango smirked and muttered, "Come on...Let's see this guy."
Kagome nervously nodded and went with Sango to the foyer. Sango's eyes met Kagome and there was a look passed between them.
Kagome had mentioned that the guy looked okay, but okay did him absolutely no justice! He was drop dead gorgeous.
Sesshoumaru stood there, Rin latched to his leg. Apparently, Sesshoumaru noted, he had been forgiven.
Kagome without meeting his eyes introduced Sango, "This is my roommate, Sango. She had off work, so she came with me."
Sango met Sesshoumaru's gaze easily, her job giving her the ability to somewhat keep a reign over her what played over her face, so Sesshoumaru was little aware that she had been shocked to the core. "I hope you don't mind."
He looked as nonchalant as ever. "Not at all. I am glad actually." To Kagome he asked, "May I have a word with you, Higurashi?"
Kagome's head shot up so fast, that it made Sango wince. "Me?"
Sango gave her a deadpan look, that said, 'no your brother' but refrained from commenting on her friend's sudden denseness, "I'll take Rin upstairs."
She hefted the little girl in her arms, carrying her upstairs, "How spending some time with 'Gome?" As if knowing that she was being talked about, the little pup appeared at the top of the steps, and her father for the moment was forgotten.
Once sure that Rin was preoccupied, Sango grinned wickedly.
She dropped on all fours, and planted her self on the floor. Since the stairway was slightly curved at the top, she could eavesdrop easily without being seen.
So she was just a bit curious?
There was no harm in it and she was merely looking out for her friend, "Yeah! That's it... looking out for her."
-
Kagome nervously toed the carpet, "You wanted to talk to me?"
Sesshoumaru nodded, "I wanted to apologize for yesterday's behavior." Kagome gave a small smile, "You already did, and I forgive you."
Sesshoumaru shook his head, "In person," he continued, "My behavior was inexcusable. Allow me to take you out tonight."
Kagome blushed, "You don't have to... Like I said I forgive you."
There was a muffled thumping sound, as if someone were banging their head on something upstairs.
Was it coming from the staircase?
She shook her head, and decided she was hearing things. Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru.
'Aw hell!' "Alright... I'll go..."
(Tsuki)
A.N. I am feeling a tad sick-ish, so I won't continue any further. How was it?
Happy New Year! Be sure to check out my newest fics. Captivated Amber, and Underneath the Brown Wrapping