A.N. We are so close to chapter Ten and this story is breaking all my personal records. You guys really seem to love this fic! So thank you all for the dedicated reviews!
Disclaimer: Well... I do own Sesshoumaru ('s plushie). He is in fact (only a plushie and) under my bed right now. Isn't Sesshoumaru ('s plushie) funny?
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-Tsuki-
Simply Business
Chapter Nine
-Tsuki-
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Sesshoumaru looked at Sara and suddenly took in the thinness she had taken on, and the paler than toner tone she had.
How frail she looked.
...As if she could die in the next twenty four hours.
It was such a huge possibility but he just couldn't fully believe that.
She traced the lines on her hand as if hoping they would say something to negate the situation. She had had a thing for palm reading, it always amazed her, but she never could actually read them herself. Never had the time to learn. "I'm actually scared this time. I keep thinking that Shippou will see me this way, and it breaks my heart."
She placed her hand palms down on the table.
Sara was the older sister his mother had never given birth to. Her ties with the Taisho family was ancient history.
Sesshoumaru's grandfather had helped hers in a war and from then on there had been a closeness between the men of the two families. From her grandfather to his... to his father and hers... and finally him and Inuyasha and her.
But of course she was only a rare event in his memories, since she lived miles away. But she had been the one to coo over him and Inuyasha, baby both and help his step-mother in the kitchen, the one to baby sit occasionally and right there beside them when they opened presents during Christmas and birthdays. She had visited in the hospital when either brother would happen across injury from their gruesome sport practices... when she could.
After her parents died, she was more reclusive but kept up connections on the phone. It had been the cancer that kept her away, though. It had been discovered a year after her parent's death. It had been thought clinched however, after the first chemotherapy session.
This was her first visit in five years. She had been in school and juggling physical therapy, not to mention, she had a family.
A family...
Sesshoumaru kept silent as he looked at her.
Human lives were so fragile and human emotions made life all but worse.
Sara picked a flower out of a vase in the center of the table and smelled it, her eyes closing. "I don't know what to do. If I get chemo... I can't take care of Shippou..."
Sesshoumaru looked harshly at her, "If you don't you will die... would that be better?"
Sara covered her eyes, "It just hurts so much Sesshoumaru..."
Sesshoumaru softened his gaze for once the older brother of the girl he had grown to look up to in childhood, "I know a place... oversees. Inuyasha—"
Sara shook her head, "But Shippou—"
"Will stay with me. I will care for him. You will get well."
Sara looked at him sadly, "It's not always that easy, Sesshoumaru. No one is going to snap their fingers and make it go away. You're asking for magic to happen... and I don't see any magicians here."
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(Tsuki)
Sango sat behind a table inside the café on the school's campus. She sighed. There was nothing to do. Volleyball practice had been cancelled, because the coach had come into range of one of the newbie players stray shot during a lunch game some of the players had set up and her glasses had been broken on her face, since she had been wearing them at the time.
The only real injuries, were some minor cuts around the area the glasses had been, but practice had been cancelled all the same.
But no practice meant that she had nothing to do. Sure she could get a head start on her homework (which in fact would take up at least four hours of her time), or clean up her locker (which was a mess of cluttered books and papers ...and a bag of gum balls), or even get together the clothes that they needed washed to bring home (she hated the school machines. No one ever cleaned the lint out...), but really. Who willingly wanted to do any of that? She sighed as she sipped her bubble tea. 'I wonder how Kagome's doing. I hope Kouga didn't screw up anything. I mean I went to all the trouble of setting this up for him...'
She would have been all for speaking in front of Kagome's class. She liked public speaking. Besides, it would have gotten her out of her class. But, helping Kouga out was better than missing class...only because he had promised to do her office work for two days (That she was also helping to set up her best friend with a nice guy was also in there, but the two days work was top.)
Sango had to smile, though. He liked her so much. It was so sweet. 'I mean two days for just one person is swamping.' It was work was like three stacks of paper worth of filing, twenty email to send out, thirty phone calls to answer, twenty to send, fourteen responses to emails, and just about fifty trips to different offices. From that point of view, the extra work Kouga had piled on himself for a surprise visit was extremely romantic. Sango would probably end of giving him a break and doing most of the work herself, though. All that was energy suicide.
"I just wished he liked me like that." She winced as she hear herself. She sounded like a crushing, depressed, date-less teen.
She sipped at her bubble tea.
"Oh and who is this he?" A masculine teasing voice sounded behind her, and Sango jumped, involuntarily flinging her half finished bubbled tea behind her as she whirled around in shock.
A blood chilling sound of the contents of her cup hitting a male form sounded behind her and she gasped.
..And paled, all color draining swiftly from her face as she recognized the boyishly handsome one of...
"Mirouku!"
Mirouku feigned a rueful sigh, "Next time I'd better call in advance, huh." He looked down at the mess that was his shirt and asked, "Champagne Blueberry Grape?"
Sango nodded slowly then blushed as realization struck. She had just assaulted the man with her drink! She apologized profusely, "Oh God...your shirt! I'm so sorry! I'll get you a new one ...or pay for the drying cleaning! I could lend you one of mine! You must be so mad, I'm really sorr—"
Mirouku held up a hand and stopped the torrent of words, "First," he smiled, "The good thing about shirts is that you can take them off," Sango blushed and adverted her eyes as Mirouku slipped off his stained white polo to reveal a black singlet. He picked up her plastic bubble tea cup from the floor, "And, as tempting as it is to wear your shirts, I doubt they'd fit. Besides this will come right out, so you needn't worry. And really, you don't have to apologize. I could never be mad at you." Insert one of his boyish grins.
Sango didn't know what exactly she could say. Just when she thought that she was going to be staring at him, mouth open for the rest of the evening, speech came. "At least let me make it up to you...Bubble tea, my treat."
Mirouku smiled and gave a small bow, "It would be my pleasure."
See, words can be your friends...
The small shop was near empty, but the patrons inside that were there stared noticeably at the couple and kept a two table safety distance away. The wary people kept their gaze on them from when they reached the counter and placed their orders to when they returned each armed with- erm carrying a drink.
Sango sipped hers shyly as she tried to think of something to start a conversation. Finally she settled with, "What brings you to MNU?"
She was really making progress. Soon she and words wouldn't be so ...unreceptive towards each other.
Mirouku rubbed his forehead before sighing out, "Dad," he suddenly paled and cough, "T-that...That...is a very interesting question... Um.. I came with Kouga to give a discussion in one of the Advance Business classes—" Sango looked surprised as she interrupted, "Really? I have that class. It dropped this block though."
Mirouku raised a brow, "Is that so? Well who knows... I may be asked back and have the pleasure of speaking for your class."
Sango grinned, "I'd look forward to it. But please continue." Mirouku looked amused as he recapped, "Well I had come with Kouga and we had agreed to meet up after our lectures but the ass ditched me. He took my car and everything." He let out a chuckle.
Sango laughed, "I suppose my friend is responsible for that."
Mirouku looked confused, "Your friend?"
Sango nodded, "Kouga had cast you off for my roomie, Kagome. He kidnapped and took her out to lunch."
"I think he might have mentioned that before. About Kagome having some relation to you. But," he chuckled, "that sounds like a fun kidnapping. I'll have to thank her for inadvertently causing this rendezvous."
He smiled sincerely, as Sango blushed for about the fiftieth time. 'He's so perfect! ...But it feels as if he is keeping something from me.'
The raven haired man drank his bubble tea.
Sango smiled suddenly, "You know it's funny that we've been at the same company, and yet I hadn't seen you at all, until Jakotsu introduced us."
Mirouku leaned back into the booth cushion, "Yeah." He answered vaguely before quickly changing the subject. "By the way..." He smirked at her, "You never did answer my question...Who was that 'he'?"
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(Tsuki)
Kouga drove off to Sesshoumaru's house to the babble of the munchkin that was Shippou and the occasional 'oh,' and 'really' from Kagome.
It was a ten minute drive from the restaurant, but Kagome really didn't seem to mind.
She quieted Shippou for a moment and said to Kouga, "Take a left and then a right all the way at the end of the street and we're there."
Kouga grinned wolfishly, "Or I could not and spend a little more time with you..." He turned, for a second to wink at her, Kagome pretended to way the offer, "It's such a tempting offer, but I have to get home for Rin. I will take you up on your offer though...some day."
Kouga sighed as he made a left, "Yeah...someday."
Shippou had permanently settled down in her arms, having dozed slightly. He was so adorable when he was asleep.
But the senior really wasn't concentrating on the adorableness of the red haired imp in your lamp.
Kagome leaned her chin against his head, feeling a little guilty, that she had been so neglecting to Kouga. But it wasn't like she was going out with him...But she did want to...But she never had the time! ...But..
She was making excuses, wasn't she? Tomorrow was Friday wasn't it? Couldn't she easily make plans then? She could...but, 'I don't know...' The girls were leaving for home as soon as they both were off work. Plus she needed psyching time to prep herself.
"It's the house with the porch." He nodded and Kagome took in a breath, "Next week...Friday," she fumbled a bit with her words. She wasn't good with making dates and wasn't she technically asking him out? Or something... "maybe we can see a movie, have coffee, and whatever else I passed up on then." Kagome flashed a small smile that he returned whole hearted ten fold and agreed, "Sounds like a plan."
She giggled as he pulled up to Sesshoumaru's house.
"Sounds like a plan." She repeated.
The car rolled to a stop and Kagome fumbled with her seat belt. She had never liked the things, safety or not they were extremely awkward. When she finally got it unbuckled, she opened the door and was about to step out when Kouga touched her arm.
He smiled that smile that could melt hearts, "Promise not to cancel?"
Kagome grinned, "Couldn't dream of it...Bye Kouga..."
Kouga eyes lingered on hers before he said reluctantly, "Bye, Kagome..."
"See you later," she said softly, closing his door. She waved until he drove away, before a light blush rose on her cheeks.
So she officially had a date with Kouga.
'Ahhh!'
Just as she was near the point of hyperventilation the adorable little imp, showed his true colors.
Shippou shifted in her arms and opened one eye, "oOoOohh! Kagome's gonna go on a date with Kouga. Kagome and Kouga sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
Kagome's eye twitched. He was definitely worse than Souta. Ten times worse. Pretending to be asleep? Little scamp.
"You know...you're not looking all that cute anymore." She grumbled out playfully, tapping his button nose.
Shippou's eyes lit up, "Really?" He puffed out his chest suddenly, "So does that mean I look fah-row-shous?"
Kagome could have dropped from laughter. This little guy and ferocious did not mix! He was too adorable.
She giggled and tapped his nose and said with almost a straight face. "You have me frightened."
He grinned and smirked, "What can I say; I have that effect on people."
Kagome laughed and hugged the kid, "Come one kiddo, let's get to making lunch for Rin."
She fished out Sesshoumaru's key and let the two of them inside the house.
"Why don't you go watch TV while I work my magic in the kitchen?" She giggled as she set him down and he scrambled into the living room.
It seemed like forever since she actually sat behind a television screen and watched TV. But by forever, in all actuality, she really meant last weekend. But really! That was at least four days of TV-lessness. What was the world coming to?
She groaned as she perused the fridge for the bag of carrots she had bought. "It feels like it's been forever." She let out another groan, "I'm so out of touch with the world and I have no idea what's going on on my shows! It's driving me crazy. I wonder if Rei is out of his coma..."
She suddenly changed the subject on herself, "I'm going to have to preheat and package some of these frozen meals tomorrow. I'm going to be gone for the weekend and from what I've seen, Sesshoumaru probably can't even make toast." She huffed, "Men."
Every weekend, she and Sango almost always went down to their families on the weekends and stayed for a few days. It helped when they were home sick.
But there was one problem with the plan this time... "Hmm...Did I ever tell Sesshoumaru that?"
Kagome scoffed, "Doubtful. I'll tell him tonight, so there's at least a small heads up and I don't have to drop the bomb the day we're leaving. I doubt that would be a pleasant situation. Sesshoumaru and last minute bomb droppings don't seem to mix."
She found her carrots in the lower compartments, which, of course was the last thing she checked, and while she was there, got out a stalk of celery.
"Momma's Chicken and Rice Soup." She winked in a theatric fashion, "Quick, easy, and good for half the calories and all the nutrition." Kagome laughed, then once again mused, "Maybe I can bake something for the two kids. In this house, they're probably sweet-deprived. Poor things."
It was a feat to hear Kagome ramble. Her thoughts were inconstant and jumped from one idea to another. They were like...thought frogs. However, if one didn't know her, it was very easy to assume that she was insane.
Very easy, indeed.
Kagome walked to the pantry and as she bent to get some rice and the box of cake mix, she realized something.
"I haven't seen Gome all day..."
She bit her bottom lip. "Usually she's jumped on me by now. Maybe she's asleep."
Kagome set her ingredients down and peeked into the living room. As soon as she did she made a face.
"That traitor!" Gome sat right in front of the TV watching with rapt attention. Shippou was lying on his stomach next to her, eyes wide, and elbows firmly plant on the carpet to prop up his head, as he did the same.
Kagome hmph'ed and returned to her tasks in the kitchen.
She pouted jokingly, "They have all the fun."
She quickly got to mixing together the ingredients for the chicken and rice soup. This was just about the time that she got to the house, so she was a little ahead of time. She really didn't mind though.
Extra time meant extra things she could do around the house to butter up Sesshoumaru before telling him the news. She cackled maniacally and then stopped abruptly.
"But speaking of Sesshoumaru... Who exactly was that woman?" She set a pot of chicken broth to boil next to the rice, before getting a pack of chicken she had brought those days before.
"They seemed like one big happy family..."
She reached into the cabinet for a cutting board and slapped the meat onto it, "Yuck...Raw chicken. So gross."
Kagome gingerly got a knife out of the utensil draw and started on the meat, "But Shippou looks nothing like either...But Rin ...I guess if you squint ..." She made a sharp cut in the meat and her face contorted in a grimace as she sliced into her finger that held the meat in place, "Ouuuch...!"
Kagome winced and washed her hand with soap in the sink before she reached for a paper towel. She wrapped the towel around her finger in a makeshift bandage, and finished cutting the meat without her injured hand.
She threw the square block of chicken into a small pot and rinsed water over it before going off to treat her finger.
Kagome rushed upstairs and went into the bathroom. "Ow...ow...ow!"
She scoffed, "And for the record, I blame you Sesshoumaru."
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(Tsuki)
Sango choked on her bubble tea and sputtered out, "No one!"
Menus went up in protective gestures in shelter from wayward Bubble Tea cups as the patrons scooted ever further from the two at table nine.
Mirouku lifted a brow, "I never knew that no one could merit that sort of response." Sango sniffed in response, "Well I never knew anyone could be so nosy."
The last thing she needed him to know was that she was thinking about him out on her own hours in the fashion she had. How embarrassing would that be?
Mirouku spooned one of the edible marbles into his mouth and asked with a grin. "Does, Sango have a little crush on one of her classmates?"
Sango had to laugh as she retorted, "You saw through me so easily! I'm shocked."
Suddenly her phone rang, interrupting their conversation. Sango dug into her purse reluctantly after the second ring.
She blushed, "Excuse me a moment..." Mirouku nodded with a smile.
"Hello?"
"Sangoo! Could you do me a huge favor?"
"What do you need Kag-chan?"
"Eggs...We don't have any. So do you think that before you head off to work you could drop some off? I'm baking a cake."
Today she had to be at work early, so she was ecstatic that she wasn't skipping volleyball again. Even though, no one minded since it was a practice, she hated missing a day of practice time. It made her feel lazy and out of shape.
"Sure, Kagome," she suddenly smiled, "I could probably go now...See you then."
Mirouku spooned another marble into his mouth, "Ditching me already? It took Kouga at least an hour"
Sango grinned, "Nope, we're ditching Kouga...That is if you're game."
"I'm listening..."
"My friend needs me to pick up eggs for her before I go to work. Care to tag along?"
Another smile, "Well normally I hate stepping foot in supermarkets, but with you, it'd be a pleasure."
Sango grinned and took his hand, "Then let's go. We'll have to stop by my dorm room though. I need to get my backpack."
Mirouku allowed himself to be dragged along, as Sango raced to her dorm building. Most of the sidewalks on that area of campus were empty save for the few classless people who were heading off to the café or the buildings around it.
"You'll have to wait out here. Visitors aren't allowed in the dorms until after school hours, and I can't afford another write up for that." She made a face.
Mirouku laughed, and Sango made her way into the building.
(Tsuki)
Kagome ladled the small pots of rice and the partially cooked chicken into the broth that now contained chunks of tomatoes, celery, onions, and a few leafy vegetables and lowered the heat under the pot.
"Sango had better hurry with my eggs. I need to get started on that cake. Maybe I could even give Gome a bath..."
Kagome babied her injured finger that had been wrapped with two Barney bandages. Was there irony in the fact that she had picked the box of them up and yet she hated Barney?
She stirred the pot one last time before placing the lid on it and setting the timer for to go off a full fifteen minutes from then.
Kagome had just cleaned up when the doorbell rang.
"That'd better be Sango..." She rushed to the front and opened the door.
Fortunately for both girls, it was Sango.
But there was an extra visitor.
Kagome gave a grin that could rival the Cheshire Cat's.
"Hey Sango...thanks a bunch for bringing the eggs. And goodness, you bought a guest! My, my, my...Is that the infamous Mirouku?" Sango looked a little apprehensive; Kagome might as well have been cackling behind her hand with a perverted twist to her lips for all freaky she was acting.
"And this is why I had him stay in the car...Only you can scare off a grown man, Kagome."
Her friend rolled her eyes, "Just hand over my eggs."
Sango smiled as she chirped, "Here you go...Tell Rin I said hi."
Kagome took the bag of a dozen eggs gratefully, "Likewise with Mirouku. And Rin isn't home yet. But there's a little cutie named Shippou who I'm looking after until the boss man comes back." She gave a wry grin. "He a handful to say the least, but so cute!"
Sango laughed, "Sounds very familiar. He and Souta'd get along."
"Yeah right! There's nothing cute about Souta! He was the spawn of the devil!" Kagome suddenly blushed, "But speaking of getting along, you will never guess what happened this afternoon."
Sango gasped, "You slept with Kouga!"
Kagome's face was a firework spectacle and her blush rivaled freshly painted fire trucks, "No!"
Sango looked disappointed, "But you had all afternoon..."
And the next thing she knew the door was slammed in her face and she burst out laughing.
(Tsuki)
Sara's out of the picture for the moment, but what will happen to her while she's gone? And what's this about Inuyasha? Will she recover? If Inuyasha's being introduced, who else will come into the picture? And will Kagome break her promise and end up canceling on Kouga? And will she ever watch TV again? And more importantly, will Rei ever get out of his coma? And what will happen when Kagome goes back home? Will Mirouku make any plans with Sango? But is Mirouku hiding something? And what will happen with Shippou and Rin? Why didn't Kagome get down with Kouga! And more importantly, why am I asking all these questions?
Find out next on the next installment of Simply Business—hopefully all the questions will be answered then. I'm actually itching to get Chapter 10 out. I mean I have some juicy ideas...just no motivation whatsoever.
But –evil laugh- were I to get 50 reviews, you'd have a chapter in 36 hours (...ignore me. I'm being stupid. I basically got no sleep last night.)