A.N. Late due to: Issues in my life that needed to be tended to, and lack of inspiration.

Chapter Dedication: To my best friend & her family. Sorry for March 2006.

'Kay, I got one of the sweetest private messages ever, the other day. I was asked by, anonymous (they preferred not to be listed) a fellow authoress, if I had a P.O. Box address, because they wanted to send me a birthday card... At first I had no idea why they'd want to send me one, then I realized that my birthday is on the 16th of this month. I was a little flustered/shocked that one: I didn't even remember my own b-day and two: someone else cared to remember for me lol. So thank you very much to that person and though I don't have a PO Box of my own, my aunt volunteered to let me 'borrow' hers. It's P.O. Box 3124, West Orange, NJ, 07052. Thank you again. That really made my week lol. (this part is coming down in about a week )

Much Love to Me (alwaysbeingme) who was the 200th reviewer! Thank you for reviewing!

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Simply Business

Chapter Eight

(TSUKI)

"You know... I was serious when I said we should do this again. It has to really be unhealthy to have arteries as unclogged as yours." Kagome stated as she nodded profusely, holding in the smile that was trying to leak out.

Sesshoumaru took a sip of his drink his eyes closed, "Hn, so says the girl with the diet that will cause her to not live to see seventy."

Kagome pouted, "Uncalled for Sesshoumaru...Besides the day I go, you'll be so overwrought that you'll die of a broken heart/a huge build up of crotchetiness—which can you believe is actually a word?"

Sesshoumaru snorted, "Scratch that. Your diet and the lack of oxygen caused by your persistent chatter will kill you."

Kagome traced a line down her cheek, "Tear, tear, Sesshoumaru." He smirked.

She looked him over and suddenly smiled, "You know...I'm glad that we got out to do this."

Kagome let out a sigh as she glanced at the clock behind them. There was still so much more she wanted to talk about with him, now that he was actually acting human. Nevertheless, it was getting late, and she was pretty sure she still had some work to do around the dorm.. Like get to that nasty plate of whatever, her friend made her.

Sesshoumaru seemed to have read her thoughts and nodded towards her, "If you are finished, we should take our leave."

--

Kagome rolled onto her side, in her room, a small smile playing on her lips as she thought of that night's 'apology dinner' at Burger King.

Sesshoumaru was such a ...great person to talk to. She blushed.

Well no...

Great was definitely an exaggeration. At some points, he had done such an amazing impression of a brick wall, but when he did talk, he had an interesting way of either insulting someone or capturing their interest.

She suddenly began to giggle, as she whispered, "I am really acting like a fangirl." She had probably replayed the various conversations between the two about fifty times. At least.

However, before she could dwell on that any further, she fell asleep.

And, the time which blared on the digital clock that she had draped her Burger King crown over that behind her, was 3:05 a.m.

(Tsuki)

7:40 a.m.

"Kagome!"

Kagome turned over in her bed, as Sango shook her comforter covered form.

Sango put her hand on her hip. She had gotten ready to go already and all only to find Kagome still asleep. She had woken up at least thirty minutes earlier to braid her hair and had picked out a nice pair of black pants and a long sleeved pink knit half sweater over a black tan top, so she could leave those thirty minutes earlier to meet in a study group.

Ughhhh.

There went all of those plans. That really didn't look like it was happening now. Sango suddenly looked mischievous. She could definitely get her revenge, though.

'Mwuahaha.'

"Oi! Kagome, Kouga's outside asking to see you and Sesshoumaru is asking for you at the front desk.."

Kagome bolted awake, "Holy shit! Tell them both to wait! I'll be right there, um...crap!" She hopped into the shower, her pajamas still on and hopped out to brush her teeth, "I'm almost done!" She called as she brushed her teeth and hair.

She filled the sink with water, washed her face and hands, and gargled. She stripped of her clothes on the way to her room and pulled on a white shirt and a yellow button up. She threw on some jewelry and lip gloss and rushed out of her room. "Okay where is he?"

Sango looked up from her text book, "Who?"

(Tsuki)

The crowd that exited from morning meeting was always relentless. Morning meeting was the equivalence of a thirty minute turn off. Everyone there was almost always bored to tears. Announcement were made, speeches were given, groups were addressed.

It would have been fine and all if it wasn't for the presentation of the previously mentioned announcements, speeches, and group addressings. The way it was presented in the drone of a monotone that made even the rows of the hard core football players cringe, was unbearable.

It made you want to go insane, until you left. Once you did, the feeling went with it.

So, once the thirty minutes of ear hell, was over, and the levels were dismissed, they stampeded out of the auditorium through the double doors in the back of the room and through a short corridor to escape what had minutes before been a mode of torture.

However even with the extreme urge to get out of there as fast as humanly possible, humanly possible was about one inch per minute.

Kagome gauged her luck, 'Maybe I can get in a small hour nap before we get to class.' She rubbed her chin in thought. If she was doing her math right then, yes, yes she could.

Unfortunately, it soon became apparent that someone up there did not want to give her a break, (not to mention that coveted, mini, hour-long nap) for the blob of people began to move a whopping three inches a minute.

Kagome groaned, 'There goes that hour...Now what's sixty divided by three.' Why sixty divided by three fit in there to her, as the time that had been left to her, was beyond any normal human's comprehension. If Kagome did not get more than a certain amount of hours of sleep and then didn't have her morning cup of tea, then she was partially driven insane –or at least she acted as such at least until first period was over.

"Fifty-five!" she heard herself calling out.

The surrounding people gave her a pitying look. One of the girls whispered to another, "An all-nighter, I'm guessing."

One of the guys next to her even patted her shoulder, "That's right, Kagome-chan, that's right. Fifty-five." Then he turned and muttered, "Poor thing..."

Kagome let out a face-splitting yawn, "Nughhhh."

"Kagome-chan!"

Kagome's head swiveled left and right, "Who's there!" Sango tapped her shoulder as she squeezed in next to her.

She was holding a lidded mug. "Here you go, K-chan. Drink up."

Kagome gave her a half smile, half yawn and took a sip.

Sango seemed to be bubbling with an endless stream of energy. "Guess who gets to play guest speaker in your management class."

Kagome blinked.

She had that today?

The trickling rate they had been leaving the hall sped up another inch. Sango suddenly groaned, "Kagome...! Tell me you know what block today is."

Her friend gave a helpless shrug, "Two?" At the look on Sango's face, Kagome brushed her slightly damp hair out of her face and guessed again, "Two and a half?"

Sango wrapped an arm around her friend, "Try five, honey."

Kagome took another sip of her tea, "So..." she paused, "Run all this by me again."

Sango gave an exasperation sigh, "You have management after lunch, okay?" the raven haired girl nodded. "There is a guest speaker coming to speak to your class...'kay?" Kagome nodded once again. "Now take a guess at who the speaker is."

Kagome thought hard, "Um...you?"

The brunette laughed, "Close but no—Kouga!"

Kagome was awake instantly, "Kouga?" She blushed and quieted a bit. After a moment she asked, "How do you know that? Tell me this isn't another sick joke."

She threw her braided brown hair behind her shoulder, "Boss called up this morning and asked for reps. You were sleeping then, but I had to decline."

Sango grimaced, "Now as much as I love the company, I am not going to speak in front of a group of twenty-thirty people. And that was not a sick joke. It was very amusing, actually. You really freaked."

Kagome laughed, but abruptly changed the subject, "You have first free with me right?"

The other girl nodded, "Yup."

Kagome smiled, "Good. Let's get some breakfast in the cafeteria."

Sango laughed and teased, "I swear, Kag, one day you're going to marry food...or Kouga. Which ever proposes first."

Kagome looked scandalized. "Sango!"

(Tsuki)

By the end of lunch, Kagome found her hands shaking. She was so nervous. The student licked her lips as she opened the door to her class, annoyed that she was a few minutes early.

Really who came to class before even the first bell? Beside the teacher, no one-- that's who.

Sango had herded her to the room five minutes before lunch ended, giggling like a mad woman, before skipping off humming to her next class.

Really, Sango should not be allowed to have coffee. It was definitely messing with her head.

"And if this keeps up, eventually I'll find out I'm married."

"Married to whom, pray tell." Kagome blushed as she noted from her peripheral vision, Kouga leaned against the chalkboard.

'Oh. Shit.' She backed into a desk as one of her classmates walked it. The guy that entered silently laughed at her.

"Food?" She blushed to her roots, as Kouga let out a hearty chuckle, the sounds gruff and yet still pleasing to the ear.

She blushed even deeper and took a seat towards the back, composing herself a bit on the way.

'He's dressed very nicely today—not that that is a rare occasion, but he just looks extra, extra nice at the moment—not that in a minute he'll look a mess.' Kagome inwardly groaned. Only she could mentally offend Kouga.

But honestly he looked really nice that day. He wore a black unbuttoned polo and a pair of black jeans. His hair was up in a high pony tail like it had been that day that she had first met him.

Kouga took a seat next to her, ignoring the curious looks of the next two students that entered, "Aww. You're not sitting in the front? You'll never hear me back here."

Kagome threw her shoulders and chirped. "Oh well!"

The blue eyes man grinned toothily, showing off his pearly white teeth, "Well I suppose I'll bring my speech to you then. I doubt anyone would mind if I conducted from right here."

Kagome, smiled slightly, feeling in a flirty mood. "Oh, on contraire. I'd mind. What would happen to my popularity and reputation, were I to be seen with you? I'd be socially ostracized. Sango would disown me."

She paused her ranting for a moment to wink at him, "You're just better off in the front of the room." Kouga stared at her, with a look of amusement in his eyes.

The bell rung then.

His eyes shifted to the clock before he stood, "Maybe I'll see you your class."

Kagome blushed, "I'll look forward to it."

The rest of the class piled in, some giggling, others joking. People were typing on laptops as they walked, eating, belching, dancing, or writing in their notebooks.

There was a variety of different actions being performed that had Kouga blinking in curiosity at them. Not to mention wondering, 'Is there something in their food?'

Kagome had to smile at Kouga's expression. They were such a special class. But really, the last thing a person was after lunch, was normal. It just was not possible.

The regular teacher, Mr. Tonto chose then to walk in the room and introduced Kouga as the guest speaker on how to 'not lose' all of their money once out of college.

Kagome snorted, 'Please...Once I'm out of here, management courses or not, I'm up to my hair roots in payments. I won't have any money to lose.'

"Since I know at lot—if not all of you will benefit, greatly from this talk, I expect all of you to listen carefully to Mr. Aotama."

Mr. Tonto smiled, "So without further ado, here is your speaker."

The room was filled with wild applause (it was a very female based class).

Kouga waved, "Well first off, everyone can feel free to call me Kouga. There's no need for all that mister stuff. It's a little awkward."

There were some giggles.

"Now, I've taken courses in management which was a requirement for my job training—and I've learned a lot. Your best friend is undoubtedly—"

Not a one female was listening to him.

Kagome looked to her left, and then her right and it was like someone had placed a giant mirror in the room.

The same string of drool hung from the same corner of the same slightly parted mouth. The same starry eyes drank in every movement Kouga made. And the same hand propped up the same corner of the same chin.

Kagome frowned, 'He became a piece of meat in less than .2 seconds.'

She didn't feel jealous, it was a more that she was feeling a little scandalized for him, as weird as that sounded.

The raven haired girl suddenly found herself staring at Kouga (his face to be specific), and she started. Kagome met his eyes, to see if he saw her. The smirk in his eyes alerted her that he did.

She pouted and began to notes.

'I can't ever get away with anything...'

(Tsuki)

The four-five minute class seemed to fly by and she had fifteen minutes before her next class.

Everyone one in her grade was required to take management for a few months, and the class was only forty-five minutes while the others were either an hour or fifty-five minutes.

As soon as it was over, Kouga sauntered up to her desk and sat down on it.

"So how did you enjoy my little talk?"

Kagome put her one subject notebook and stuffed it into her bag and stood, tucking her pen behind her ear. She started to walk off; most of the class was still gathering their things.

Kagome looked over her shoulder at him and he hopped off her desk.

Kouga easily fell into step with her and she laughed, "How do you know I was paying attention?"

Kouga stretched his arms above his head, "Well I snuck a glance at your notes and didn't see any hearts anywhere near my name, and you're minus a certain puddle of drool."

His female companion laughed, "An amazing deduction, Sherlock, I am very impressed."

"As I knew you would be, my dear Watson. But I do have one question for you... Would you like to accompany me to grab a drink or something?" He suddenly looked flustered, "I didn't mean anything alcohol, by the way." He smiled boyishly, "A regular soda, maybe?"

Kagome sighed as they stepped out of the building, "I really, really would like to Kouga, but I have class in about a second..."

At his disappointed look, Kagome grinned, "But after that, I'm completely free. For an hour, though. Then I have work."

Kouga had to laugh, "Do you always have so many conditions when someone asks you out anywhere?"

Kagome nodded profusely, "Of course!"

The blue eyes man looked at his watch, "I'll just kill time making phone calls for the boss. See you, Kagome."

Kagome waved, "Bye Kouga."

(Tsuki)

Sesshoumaru looked at his watch and raised a brow. For the first time in awhile, he had finished his work hours earlier than expected.

Amazing.

He typed in a few words into his laptop before closing it and sliding it carefully to the side. He unfolded himself gracefully from his chair and exited his office.

However, it was moments like this, which gave him time to observe his workers unannounced. That was the only alternative to sitting in his office playing Solitaire until his next appointment.

He had a meeting later that day, and he did not feel like leaving just to be back in two hours. It felt a little pointless.

As he walked through the halls, there seemed to be an extra bustle, now that the major figure of authority he was, was patrolling the halls.

Sesshoumaru took the elevator to the first floor, deciding that he needed to check his mail.

As soon as the elevator landed, a red headed child a year younger than Rin, started to run up to him, "Hey Sesshoumaru!"

And that was probably one of the few voices that could make him cringe.

He looked down at the energetic boy and patted his head absentmindedly before walking off, "Where is your mother?"

A beautiful woman in her late twenties grinned as soon as she saw Sesshoumaru, "Right here." She reached out and hugged him. "Hey."

Sesshoumaru gave her a small smile, "How have you been Sara?"

Sara smiled sadly, "Not so well, Sesshoumaru. That's why I need to talk to you. Would you be willing to have lunch with me...please?"

He picked up her child, "Of course."

Sara smiled, looking a little pale, "Thank you, Sesshoumaru, for this and for taking Shippou. He's not so little anymore."

She let out a laugh, and Shippou pouted, "Momma!"

(Tsuki)

Kagome smiled, "Thanks again Kouga-kun for going out of your way to come all the way over here, but I don't want to be late to fix something for Rin-chan."

Kouga smiled, pleased that she had given him such title, "It was no problem. It really wasn't that far."

Kagome sipped her tea. They had decided to go to a small restaurant to eat, when Kouga's stomach had growled.

Now they were seated inside and just making small talk as they ordered.

Once the waiter came over, the bubbly girl decided to order a Caesar salad and a plate of fries calling it, 'balancing out.' Kouga had ordered a plate of chicken fingers, not feeling up to anything large.

Kouga suddenly whistled, "Now I wonder how in the world that happened."

Kagome furrowed her brows together.

"How what happened?" Kouga tipped his head in the direction of the source of his comment.

Kagome turned to her right and saw a child with fiery red hair and a gorgeous woman with striking features and sleek black hair.

She had dark brown eyes while her son had green eyes, and Kagome understood the backing to Kouga's comment instantly. They looked nothing alike.

She smiled slightly, "The kid's really cute." Suddenly she gave him a mischievous look, "Hmm was that whistle directed to that woman over there Kouga-kun?"

Kouga snorted, "Of course not, Kagome, she's not my type. Plus I think she's taken."

Kagome turned around and her jaw dropped, "Sesshoumaru?"

Her companion blinked, a little jealousy seeping into his voice, "You know him?"

She nodded, "He's my boss."

Kouga nodded, "Ah... "

The food decided to come then and both slipped into another source of conversation, all the while Kagome forced herself not to turn around.

(Tsuki)

Sara looked at Sesshoumaru then her son and sighed, "I wanted to have this conversation with you alone, but I couldn't find a sitter for Shippou."

Sesshoumaru looked at Shippou for a moment before turning to Sara, "How long could you hold off this conversation? If you do not want something said in front of the child, then there is a good reason for it."

Shippou growled, "I'm not a child! Momma says I'm a little man." He looked proud ay the title.

Sara smiled at her son before she answered, "I have all day." She reached over to ruffle Shippou's hair. "Found anything on the menu, honey?"

He grinned, "Yup! I want a burger with extra ketchup."

Sesshoumaru perused the menu and decided on the cheese tortellini. Sara doubled his order. Once the orders were given in to the waiter, and their food arrived, Shippou kept the mood elated by his sloppy eating and his conversation starters, while Sara tried without avail to keep him clean.

Sara Hymeh, was the daughter of a family friend, who had kept in contact with him and his younger brother constantly throughout the years, even after his and her parent's deaths. She had been considered a friend to both too, long after.

She was probably closer to Sesshoumaru, though, because they both had been in class together at one point.

And Shippou, he was a little trouble maker. He was considerably smaller than the average boy of his age, but he made up for it with his pranks.

His father, whom he resembled completely, had died a year after he was born and left Sara and Shippou by themselves. He left them, however, all of his money, which was an incredibly large amount so they had not been left to fend for themselves.

Sesshoumaru took his much larger hand and placed it on hers.

She gave him a broken smile while Shippou was not looking and thanked him silently. He nodded and removed his hand.

Shippou suddenly saw an ant on the carpet and disappeared underneath the table to follow it.

He crawled under tables to keep following it, and let out a groan when it crawled up a vacant chair. He heard a shriek and he clamped his hand over his mouth.

He sat still while he heard, "Kouga-kun! Something's under the table."

The one addressed as Kouga snorted, "I'm sure nothing's there, Kagome..."

One of them did something to make the table shake and Kagome asked, "Well do you mind if I check?"

Kouga chuckled, "Not at all, you can knock yourself out."

Shippou whimpered, "Uh ohh!"

The flap of the table was lifted up and he placed his slightly chubby hands over his eyes, waiting to be yelled out.

But it never came. Instead, the girl named Kagome squealed, "Aww!"

He found himself being gently picked up and placed in someone's lab. He took his hands off his eyes.

Kouga lifted a brow. "So somethin' was there after all."

Kagome giggled, "Isn't he a cutie? Wait!" She stared into his green eyes, "It's the boy who walked in with Sesshoumaru." 'I wonder if he's an adoptive son or something like that.'

Kouga signaled for the bill. "We'll return the kid, and I'll drive you home, okay?"

She nodded, "Alright.. Thanks Kouga-kun for taking me out."

He smiled, "It's no problem, I enjoyed being with you."

Shippou made a gagging sound, and Kagome broke into laughter, "C'mon kiddo, let's find your parents."

Shippou huffed, "I'm a little man!"

Kouga ruffled his hair, "He's cute, I'll admit. He may ruin a moment or two but he's kinda cute."

He slipped the money needed to cover the lunch and a nice tip into the bill folder and handed it back to the waiter. The uniformed man smiled and left.

Kagome hefted Shippou into her arms, reminded a lot of when she used to carry Souta around, before of course it got too embarrassing to be seen with an older sister.

She had to smile.

"So little man, do you know where your parents are?"

Shippou pointed a little ways diagonal. "Right there."

Kagome turned around only to meet Sesshoumaru's gaze. 'So maybe he is an adoptive son. I probably won't be needed to finish the rest of this year with Rin.' "Oh."

Kouga trailed Kagome as she went over to their table. "Uh...Hi?"

Sara rose to greet the trio, her hands clutched together, "Thank you two so much for bringing Shippou back. I nearly had a stroke when I found out that he was missing." She put a hand over her heart dramatically.

She reached to take her son from Kagome, but Sesshoumaru stopped her, To Kagome, he directed. "I want you to take Shippou to my house. He already ate, and he should not be any trouble." He gave a pointed look to Sara's son.

Sara hit Sesshoumaru lightly, "Oh you know Ship-chan is a good kid."

Kouga looked at his watch. He had to go back to work soon. "We have to go Kagome..."

Kagome nodded, "'Kay Kouga-kun. Bye."

Sara stopped them, "Before you go, I'd feel so rude if I didn't introduce myself! I'm Sara Hymeh."

Kagome smacked her forehead lightly, "I'm sorry, I'm Kagome Higurashi." Kouga shook her hand, "Kouga Aotama."

Sara smiled, "Nice to meet you both. Now, I can say a proper good bye!"

Kagome laughed and waved as she turned around to start for the exit.

Shippou said good bye to Sesshoumaru and Sara and the three left the restaurant.

(Tsuki)

Sara turned to Sesshoumaru and thwapped him again, "You can be so rude sometimes Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru snorted, "Sometimes?"

Sara laughed, "All the time, I meant. I missed talking to you like this Sesshoumaru."

"Speaking of which, what concerns do you have, that you had to set up this meeting?"

"You were always so proper, Sesshoumaru. That never changed about you..." Sara's happiness seemed to slowly evaporate, "The cancer's back...I'm dying Sesshoumaru. I'm dying."

(Tsuki)

I believe in happy endings!

Now I command you to review -heh- please?

But Thank You For Reviewing at all -hugs-

I love all you guys so much

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