A.N. If you're a Captivated Amber reader, then expect the same kind of note. THANK YOU! Simply Business has been nominated for Best AU on ASSKS and I'm jumping off the walls right now and on an emotional rollercoaster that only goes up lol. I encourage you to take part in the voting. I noticed a few of my favorite fics on the list, so you may too.

Thanks to the nominators, though! It made my day. And thank you to everyone who reads my lil' SB. You can tell I love you guys because I'm taking time off from writing up a Prelab and a formal lab report to edit this chapter and type up loose strings.

Dedications: CobaltHeart because she has the same name as an IY character and it's spelled the same way lol, marufan because her review, especially her comment about Sess' vision made me lol and lastly darkdemoness41791 who laughed so must that even her cats had to stare! Lol much love!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

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Simply Business

(Tsuki)

Chapter Fifteen

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Sango felt a bit guilty as she walked into the apartment, a little later than she had promised. As she saw Kagome dejectedly packing, her guilt increased. She had spent an hour with Mirouku celebrating the game.

She took off her dripping raincoat and gingerly called out.

"Kagome-chan?"

The raven haired girl having seemingly been in her own world, snapped back to reality and pasted on a smile, "Hey, Wonder Woman," she joke as Sango walked into the room carrying a heavy bag of volleyball things, positively glowing as she walked into view.

Sango sheepishly rubbed her arms, "Sorry for being late!! There had been a tie, but after a nice little spike-forgive my bragging- on my part, the score was 31-30. I had been pulled into a small celebration and—"

Kagome rushed up and hugged her friend, "Nice!" Suddenly Kagome scrunched up her nose, "Um…but as a friend, I think it's my duty to tell you that you reek. Go on and take a shower. Whatever left that you need packed—count on me for it."

Sango laughed sheepishly, "Yeah it was a long game… And thanks! I definitely owe you. I'd hug you again, but you might just pass out," she exaggerated.

Kagome giggled and pushed her friend off to her bedroom.

And then dropped her façade and she clasped her suitcase close. "I hope Sesshoumaru's feeling better about the whole 'joke'."

Kagome let out a hefty groan.

Once again, she was brooding about her day's mortification.

She rubbed her eyes and went over to the coffee table in the middle of the room, where their bags were piled on.

A duffel bag sat next to the table. It was Sango's. If the fact that the girl's name was on it in silver Shaprie did not scream ownership, then the pinned self picture was. Kagome moved over to the pile Sango had placed next to it and started putting the articles inside the black brand name bag.

The raven haired girl let out a sigh. She had been thinking nonstop on the subject ever since she had gotten into her car and for the half hour that she had been waiting for Sango to come home.

"Would he honestly," she leant against the couch and crossed her legs as she put a shirt into the bag, "hate me for what happened?"

Her hands tightened on the shirt.

Kagome groaned, "There goes a double pay check."

Speaking of which, he was owed her for the week. She had planned to use it to get several ceramic heaters Sunday, seeing as how the ones they had gotten last year for the cold weather, were prone to getting covered with clothing…

So they needed ones that alerted them of their self endangering stupidity.

"And I found the perfect ones too. They're called "SafeHeat" for God's sake."

If anything though. There was one perk to the whole thing. 'Not only did I de-man him, I was indirectly responsible for baring it all to the world. Hopefully that scarred him enough to be knocked down at least fifty pegs on the ego meter.'

Kagome tapped her index finger on her leg. She had changed into a normal set of pajamas for the ride since they would be too exhausted to change and everything.

It was composed of a pair of red self cut sweats and a blue and white cloud covered polo. Her bangs were pushed back with a red head band and her newly orange painted toes were shoved into a loose, but lengthy pair of striped furry socks, which she was quite fond of.

Noticeably… her definition of normal was slightly off.

It was just a bit past eight o'clock, and she was tired. She was definitely ready for a few death-grip hugs and bed. She had taken a quick five minute soak with due to the chill she had received from the rain, and so she was feeling comfortably relaxed.

Kagome ran a hand through the tips of her hair and wrapped up a blow drier before neatly tucking it into the duffel bag.

Things like hair bands and small amounts of jewelry went into the bag along with a few more articles of clothes.

Sango had a different method of packing than Kagome. She randomly threw into clothes and items from the apartment and when she found herself missing something, she would walk over to Kagome's house and borrow it since they lived fairly close by.

Kagome never understood how Sango's actions sometimes hugely contrasted her appearance.

The subject of Kagome's thoughts exited the bathroom and reentered her room soon after Kagome finished packing for her.

Hopefully they were all set to put everything in the car.

Sango quickly dressed to match Kagome's eccentricity. She put on a blazing salmon pink off the shoulder sweatshirt over a lime green tank top. She slipped into a pair of self tie dyed pink and orange khakis. She found a matching pair of green socks and shoved her feet into them.

She was brushing her hair as she exited, "I wanted to pull a Kagome, but I really don't think I have the ability to not feel just a tad self conscious…"

Kagome stuck out her tongue, "Do you want to go now?"

Sango stuck hers out as well before she tossed the brush into her bag, "Sure. Whose house are we staying at this time? Yours or mine?"

Kagome tossed Sango her phone, "Go call and see. I think it's your house."

Since they both took the same car, they slept at the same house and went to their own house the next morning, unless they got to Kyoto before nightfall-which was extremely rare.

Sango placed the call and Kagome grabbed Sango's volleyball things and moved them to the side.

Sango spent a few minutes talking before turning back to Kagome, "Yep! My house. Mom wants us to bring our dirty laundry by the way."

She grinned in the way only a child can when in thinking of their parents.

Kagome let out a laugh, "Her and mom always say that—not that I mind of course. I always forget how helpful fabric softener is, so they come out a flexible as rice paper."

Sango snorted in agreement and quickly scoured the entire apartment for dirty clothes and shoved them into a bag. Kagome grabbed their raincoats. "Do you want to split the drive half and half to Kyoto?"

Sango nodded, "Sure, if it's fine with you. I'm a bit tired from the game. Do you want me to take the first half?"

Kagome shook her head furiously and mouthed a 'no.' Vehemently, she explained, "Are you kidding? Even I don't trust myself behind the wheel of a car after nine."

Sango giggled, "If you insist."

"Besides, last time, I remember distinctly, you not waking me up for my shift…"

Sango blushed, "I don't recall that happening."

She turned around and started whistling, pretending to be preoccupied with something.

Kagome slipped on her coat and put on a pair of sneakers. Sango followed suit, and both girls grabbed their slung their bags on their shoulders and Sango took hold of the laundry bag, while Kagome took hold of the joint bag both girls had put equal needed essentials in, along with a few snacks.

Sango told Kagome to start down for her car, "I'm low on gas, and besides I like driving your car home. Maybe I should have gotten a Volvo S60…" she added the latter comment under her breath in a contemplative murmur.

Despite her extreme love for her own car, she was constantly making that comment.

Kagome nodded, "Alright."

The raven haired girl quickly hurried down the stairs and soon was out in the parking lot, unlocking her trunk.

She carefully tossed her duffel bag into the trunk and against the partitioning screen she had left down when she had gotten Sesshoumaru's groceries. She left the door ajar for Sango. She moved to the passenger seats to put in her other bag just as Sango trotted out quickly, her yellow rain coat not only clashing with her sleepwear, but causing her to resemble a banana.

Sango hurriedly placed her bag with Kagome's and then put their laundry in the passenger seat, since she was not sure if it would fit into the trunk.

Kagome was seated in the driver's, shivering slightly as she started the car. Sango turned on the heat and buckled up. The brunette reached into the passenger seats and got out a packaged box of cookies from their room.

She proffered one over to Kagome who grinningly stuffed it into her mouth before shifting the car into drive and backing out of the parking lot.

They rode off in that comfortable silence that only best friends could produce.

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(Tsuki)

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Sango jumped into Mirouku's arms, her heart beating wildly from the adrenaline. Her legs wrapped around his waist. "We won! Mirouku we won!" Mirouku swung her around a bit, neither realizing how close they were, "That was an awesome spike…I can definitely see why you're captain!"

They continued to gush for a few more minutes before Mirouku grin, "That was probably the best game I've ever seen. You were amazing."

Sango blushed, "Thanks." Suddenly Mirouku's face flamed up as well. "Do you mind if I put you down?"

The raging blush on her cheeks intensified, "Oh! Sorry! I was just so excited…I hadn't meant to maul you just now."

She gave a sheepish laugh and Mirouku smiled softly, fully prepared to gently place her down. However…that did not quite happen.

Her team suddenly turned their attention on her. "Sango where—?"Her co-captain let out a loud whoop. "Ooooh! Sango's getting a little after game action." A blonde who had been the server in the tie breaker, cupped her hands over her mouth and yelled, "Yeah, Capt.!"

Mirouku let go her then his hands waving away the accusations dismissively, and Sango fell unceremoniously to the floor, her mouth open ready to reprimand her team.

Her face was priceless as she hit the ground, "Gaa!"

Said team suddenly found interest in their fellow classmates who had ventured out as support, and their family.

Sango and Mirouku heard some stifled giggles and both were completely embarrassed.

Sango looked up at him and laughed as he helped her up. "Don't drop me again."

Mirouku burst into laughter against her shoulder. "Sorry."

Sango giggled and rubbed her butt, "It's fine."

Mirouku rubbed his head, "So… how about I take you out for a victory pizza? I know this great place near a park."

Sango grinned, "Sounds great!"

The same blonde suddenly gasped, "Girls! He asked her out!"

A petite assist squealed, "How cute! They're blushing!"

Kagome's forty five minute shift seemed to fly and Sango was soon behind the wheel, still reminiscent. A smile was glued to her lips…

'Mirouku.'

Kagome was dozing off in the front seat, cozily hugging her seat belt, her raincoat scrunched up in her lap, long dry.

Suddenly her phone went off.

Kagome bolted upright, "Wha—!"

Sango put her hand on Kagome's shoulder, but kept her eyes on the road "It's your cell phone, Kagome-chan."

Ring!

Kagome quickly searched her rain coat and removed her phone. "Do you think it's mom?"

Sango shrugged, "Only one way to find out." She nodded towards the phone, "Pick it up."

Ring!

Kagome flipped open the phone. "H-hello?"

"Did you take them?"

Kagome stared at her phone, "Sesshoumaru?! Take what? …The thongs?" She looked at the phone in abhorrence. That was the only 'them' she could think of.

"Do not even dare try and act stupid. My daughter is missing. Where is she?"

Kagome paled and covered the mouth piece, "Sango stop the car….Pull over." She ran a hand through her hair before readdressing Sesshoumaru, "Repeat that!"

Sango shook her head, "There's no where to possibly do that for a few minutes."

Kagome rubbed the bridge of her nose.

"My daughter is missing," He stressed every single word and Kagome could feel his anger radiating with each syllable. "Where did you take her?"

Kagome rubbed her temples, "What?! Are you honestly sitting there and accusing me of kidnapping Rin?"

Sango looked at her sharply. "What the hell?"

Sango suddenly sharply jerked the car into a parking spot in a small diner. "Sorry…I take that back…Here's someplace." Kagome's shoulder dug into the door, despite her seatbelt. She ignored the slight twinge of pain.

"No. I am standing, for your information."

Kagome's cheeks flamed up and tears threatened to fill her eyes, "I d-didn't—"

"Where are you now?"

Sango's jaw clenched, "Kagome-chan?"

"We're on our way to Kyoto. Sango and I, that is. I told you we would be going back home. Hold on!"

Sango got out of the car uncaring of the drizzling rain. Her rain coat was draped over her head by the hood. She threw open the back seats and searched them carefully.

Kagome walked out to join her, her skin feeling chilly and clammy.

When she found nothing, she rushed back out to the trunk. She popped it open and heaved out the bags. She looked blinked when she did not see anything. Over the slosh of cars and the light hum of the rain, she called, "Rin Taisho if you're in here, you have until the count of three, before Kagome gets mad. Your father is on the phone chewing her out."

Suddenly there was movement. Behind the grocery partition, popped two small heads.

Kagome let out a shriek and Sango put her hand over her heart.

There sat Rin and Shippou both clutching to a respective backpack.

Sango rubbed her brow and lifted each out of the trunk before draping her jacket over them. "You two are in a butt load of trouble."

They looked at their feet sheepishly.

Sango led them away to the back seat.

Kagome sighed and shook her head. She asked her self in disbelief, "Shippou was there too?" Apparently Sesshoumaru did not mind the disappearance of the red haired prankster….

She rolled her eyes heavenward. How she felt like an ass. Her voice cracked a bit as she sighed, "Sesshoumaru… They were in my trunk. I'm heading back to return them. But I didn't know! I-I honestly didn't—"

"How close to Kyoto are you?"

Kagome felt like crying from frustration once realization hit, "We were half an hour or so from Kyoto." She mentally cursed, "I'll call home and tell them about the delay."

'All that driving for nothing…' She blew out a breath.

"I will come to pick them up in the morning. Address?"

"I live at the Higurashi Shrine on the intersection of Tsukimora and Krishi." Kagome blinked, "…Are you sure you want to drive out there?"

Her only answer was the dial tone.

Kagome slammed the trunk shut and filled into the front passenger seat. After a moment of stressed silence both girls turned towards the two and Sango hissed, "What exactly were you two thinking?"

Kagome was right behind her, "You can't j-just slink into my car—Pranks can only go so far!"

Shippou's face reddened, "It wasn't a prank!"

Sango smacked her hands against the steering wheel, "Then what was it? A game of hide and seek?"

Rin shook her head and rubbed at her eyes, "We just didn't want to miss Kagome-chan... We wanted to go home with her!"

Both girls noticed the bags they held and Sango sighed and started the car. She tried to calm herself down before going to make an attempt to drive. "Kiddos, there's something called, 'asking.' We're not mad, but we are frustrated that you pulled that stunt."

The hum of the engine was the only noise as they sat in the parking spot.

Kagome looked at both, "Do you know how worried all of us were? I love you both, but that doesn't mean that I'm not going to scold you or get upset!"

Shippou bowed his head and twiddled his thumbs, "Sorry Kagome-nee-chan."

Rin felt a few tears roll down her cheeks, "Rin won't apologize! Rin got to spend time with nee-chan, so I'm not sorry."

Shippou suddenly shook his chubby little fist, "I agree!"

Kagome and Sango looked at each other and suddenly squealed as they reached over their seats to hug each of the kids.

"Soooo cuuute!"

"They're so adorableeeee…."

Both let out a loud, "Awwww!!"

Shippou and Rin looked at ach other, squished in their respective holder's arms and secretly gave each other a high five.

Sango sighed as she squeezed the life out of Shippou, "C-can we keep them, Kagome?"

Kagome engulfed Rin in a bear hug, "What happened to being Ms Mom?"

"That was before I found out why they did what they did. I had thought they did it just for fun." Shippou and Rin immediately declined that notion and Sango slunk a hand onto Kagome's seat and took her phone. "Hold on for a second. I'm making a call."

Kagome blinked half out of her seat and half supported on the armrest in between the two front seats as her arms wrapped around Rin, "To whom?"

Shippou found himself in Sango's lap, playing with the steering wheel as Sango one handedly petted his head and punched in buttons on Kagome's phone.

He made a sharp turn, "Vroooooom!"

Sango grinned as someone picked up.

Before they could slip out any crisp form of a greeting, Sango chirped, "You can forget about picking up the kids. We decided to keep them."

She then hung up.

Kagome completely fell into the back seats, "Sango! We? What?! Tell me that wasn't—Ah!!"

Sango jokingly pushed Kagome's legs so that she was completely in the back rows, and gently placed down Shippou before buckling him up, "I think I found a new little buddy."

Shippou beamed, "You're letting me sit in the front all by myself?"

Sango grinned and drove out of the diner, "Yup!"

Kagome pushed herself up against the bag of laundry and moved into to the floor to take its place.

Rin suddenly looked at Kagome, "You and Sango-nee-chan are not mad at Rin and Shippou are you?"

Kagome hugged her, "Not at all, sweetie!"

Sango gave both a smile. "Consider yourselves forgiven."

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(Tsuki)

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If anything, they were only thrown off their time by only fifteen minutes.

And once they arrived, the feeling of home overtook them.

A modest sized dandelion yellow house with glistening red shudders and a large garden peered out at them. Two cars were parked in the driveway and the lights were on.

Rin and Shippou rushed to the front doors splashing in puddles as the last few drops of rain fell.

Kagome half heartedly scolded both and looked at Sango who locked the car door and hefted her bags. Kagome grinned, "Home sweet home, huh?"

Sango winked and started walking, "You know it!"

And then the door opened and a brunette woman with a cute brush of freckles opened the door. Her cinnamon eyes sparkled as she wiped her hands on her cherry red apron and waved.

Home sweet home…

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(Tsuki)

A.N. I quickly edited that and now I'm off to post!