A.N. A lot of Kagome Sesshoumaru interaction in this chapter. So enjoy! I probably would have dished this out yesterday, but I have a major paper due Monday morning and I'm like trying evaluate a dictator's rule in an LCD, which sounds easy on the surface but….kinda isn't, if that makes any sense.

Dedication: To all the faithful reviewers out there! Thank you tons!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and have not attempted to claim ownership at any point during the course of this story.

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Simply Business

(Tsuki)

Chapter Twenty-four

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(Tsuki)

"This will be a problem."

It was Friday and Sesshoumaru was calling in his request to have her assist in the packing process. He had alerted her that he would be home the whole day as a result of Inu Taisho's request. The platinum blond had briefly explained that his father, Inuyasha and a third person could run an initial inspection without interference, hence his unexpected day off.

When Kagome had arrived, then a bit after one she had found him upstairs amidst empty suitcases. The man had simply been staring at them, in a very dressed down version of his usual attire. Gray sweat pants and black under armor simply adorned his person, so Kagome assumed that he had been using his day off to work out. She had immediately felt overdressed in her black corduroy pants and her red sweater. Yet even still, it had taken all of her self control not laugh at his uncharacteristically helpless expression. But humor had left her when five minutes in to the whole thing, they ran into the first dilemma.

It was not really a 'problem', per say; Kagome simply had an itching feeling that once one thing went wrong, things would escalate from there.

Kagome looked around the guest room turned bedroom. "Should we start packing for Shippou now? I know you said that I didn't have to come in after today until you three got back, but I could stop in Tuesday or something, if you want." She sighed, 'Cause Shippou doesn't have that many clothes here. Or at least, enough to put away some for that many days and leave him with enough to wear until Wednesday. Especially since it'll be colder where you're going and we should pack just in case."

Sesshoumaru thought that over. "I suppose there would be no harm in leaving him in your custody to get clothing for him." He dug into his side pocket for his wallet.

Kagome placed her hand over his, "Now wait a second. Let's see what's in your closet in terms of clothing. You sleep with your hair wet and you suck at making tea, so I can't help but worry about how you function when it's cold. Do you even own a winter coat?"

"What exactly is wrong with my tea, may I ask?"

"It sucks! Now answer my question…"

Sesshoumaru scoffed, "I have spent time out of Japan during autumn."

Kagome grabbed his hand and pulled him into the hall before clapping her hands, "Come on. We'll start packing for all three of you, and then make an inventory list of what we need to pick up. So we're not running around back and forth, at least. Okay?"

"Hn."

Kagome looked back to throw a retort at the use of words, or rather lack thereof, but the words never left her throat. They died in favor of a shriek as she tripped on the carpet. She closed her eyes as she felt herself about to cascade headfirst into a wall.

Sesshoumaru quickly stepped forward and snaked his arm around her waist to catch her. The raven haired girl's eyes slowly drifted open to meet amused amber eyes, "I wonder which is worse…" he drawled as he brought her into a standing position, "To be challenged by gravity or by making tea."

Kagome quickly tried to regain her composure. She tried to hide her embarrassment by retorting, "Saying only tea is rather generous of you, Sesshoumaru."

And then she scurried off into his room so he wouldn't hear the sound of her pounding heart.

When he finally joined her, however, his actions did nothing to alleviate her discomfiture. As she slid open his closet and looked through his clothing he drew up behind her. He reached over her towards the back and pulled out a lengthy, thick, black cotton trench coat. "Winter coat," he murmured, before replacing it, and delving into the masses of fabric again, "Sweaters…turtlenecks…"

"Blow dryer?" Kagome quipped a bit nervously.

Sesshoumaru snorted and took a step back, "I do not fall sick."

The turned to face him, "Well you know what they say… Only idiots don't catch colds."

"Should it not be the other way around?"

"I don't know! I didn't make up the proverb, Sesshoumaru!"

The silver haired man snorted, and Kagome pulled out several of the sweaters that he had previously pointed out. She pulled each with care because if she was basing their costs off of the names of the designer, then she could not afford to replace any of them. "These will be leisure clothing. No walking around in a button up and jeans like you do here, okay? Well…Your jeans are free to stay, I guess."

Sesshoumaru scoffed, "You need not—"

"Then perhaps I should just go home?" Kagome interposed in a lofty tone and halted in the middle of pulling out an article of clothing.

She received no answer as she smugly continued to pull out one of his suits and placed it across his bed. She gestured vaguely somewhere across the room. "Now go pick out socks and your other… personals." With a slightly monotonous tone, she droned, "For socks—bring them in abundant pairs. Black socks, for how many days you'll be formally dressed, white socks for casual wear. Etc. Etc. Knock yourself out with your boxers—"

"How many thongs should I pack?"

Kagome choked on whatever she was going to say next and she didn't even have to be facing Sesshoumaru to know that he was smirking.

The bastard…

Yet, she could not help the smile that crept onto her face as she pulled out a brown long sleeved shirt and added it to Sesshoumaru's bed.

Abruptly something came to mind. "By the way, are you still keeping that inventory list?"

"Mentally, yes. Or would you prefer I write it down?" Kagome giggled and shrugged, "Either is fine. But add cinnamon toothpaste to the list for later. For Shippou," she added quickly when he gave her a look. "He doesn't like mint, right?"

Sesshoumaru paused and looked up at her. "You knew?"

"Well, it was more of a guess. When I did a candy search, he had piles of mint flavored candy strewn under his bed with a ton of wrappers," she explained with a laugh. "But he seemed to like cinnamon." Her eyes suddenly lit up. "And toothbrushes!"

"Why?"

"Because then you can pack them in today and not have to worry about them Wednesday. Plus it's less to be responsible for when you finally repack for Tokyo, considering you will have to pack for three people without my help."

Sesshoumaru cringed at the thought.

It was simpler when it was just him and Rin. Granted, he still had to pay extra for the hotels to ship forgotten clothing to Tokyo then…but now, would undoubtedly be worse.

Perhaps he should ask this girl to come along?

Improbable…

Perhaps he—

Sesshoumaru resigned himself to his fate. It was unavoidable. He would simply pay the shipping charges and be through with it. He sighed and placed an arm load of socks onto the surface of his already crowded bed.

Kagome suddenly plopped onto his bed, "I really don't understand you, you know. You seem so organized and proper, but you may be just as big a mess as I am," she laughed incredulously. "I really don't get you," she repeated.

"Matters of the house are not my métier."

Kagome giggled, "It's kind of cute, though, since you do try."

Sesshoumaru sounded a bit miffed as he said, "Cute is not something I wish to have describing any part of me." He placed several wife beaters down with a frown.

Kagome feigned repent and hopped to her feet so she could bow. "Sowwy, Sesshoumaru."

She squeaked as she suddenly felt a pillow hit the top of her head. She shot up to see a smirking silver haired man.

Kagome looked shocked and looked between him and the pillow, "You threw that?"

"I don't recall…"

Kagome huffed and picked up the black pillowcase clad pillow and hurled it forcefully back, only to have Sesshoumaru catch it. Kagome crossed her arms. "No fair… At least give me a pity shot!"

"I do believe that already was one. It was certainly one of the most pitiful things I've ever seen."

And then he had the gall to smirk at her.

Kagome stomped towards him, "Not look here—!"

And suddenly Kagome confirmed something… She truly was gravitational challenged. One second she had been rampaging towards the male, a fervent rant in mind, the next second both feet were seemingly off the ground as she careened into the chest of said male.

Sesshoumaru relinquished his pillow to catch the girl. Unfortunately for him, it was that same pillow that he ended up slipping on in his attempt to stay balanced.

Both flew to the floor with a loud thump.

Kagome groaned, her face pressed so closely to Sesshoumaru's chest that she could feel the beginning contours of his abs. "Ouch."

"Says the one who did not take the brunt of the fall." Though despite his words, his voice was still smooth and velvet-esque like usual.

The brown eyed girl opened her eyes and looked for Sesshoumaru's. She twisted her head to get a better view, "Considering how I feel, that must have hurt like hell, huh?"

Sesshoumaru scoffed, "It would have been a more pleasant experience if there hadn't been a boulder permanently attached to my person."

"I hope that's no prelude to any weight jokes."

"It is beneath me to make jokes, Higurashi. However, I would like to comment on the fact that obesity is growing epidemic in some areas. Perhaps you know places as such."

Kagome grit her teeth, "Treading in dangerous waters, there, Sesshoumaru."

"Then quite clearly at the moment, I would certainly drown."

"…"

"You may feel free to remove yourself at anytime."

"…"

"I have come to learn to be worried when you fall speechless. Have you taken offense to something I've said?" He asked the last question with a bit of sarcastic concern.

Kagome suddenly clasped tightly onto his shirt. "Hey Sesshoumaru," she said with an undertone of distress, "I think I sprained my ankle."

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(Tsuki)

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It took much effort to get Kagome onto his bed and find a first aid kit. The first for Kagome's low pain tolerance, and the latter because he had not even known that he owned a first aid kit.

But he did… and it was fully stocked with various medicinal things, most of which he never knew existed.

He was not one to get sick or injured for that matter and neither really was Rin. So this was subject area number two where he was perhaps not the best candidate for spearheading.

The platinum blonde pulled out the gauze and Kagome walked him verbally through the process of wrapping her ankle.

Sesshoumaru glanced up after each step and he immediately noticed how red and flustered she looked. With amusement, he made the assumption that it was probably embarrassment that caused her face so flame so. Knowing the girl, she would dwell more on the fact that she had fallen in front of someone (or…into someone for that matter), rather than the pain that resulted.

Well, his assumption had been half correct… Kagome of course had been embarrassed, after all, it was in retrospect that she really realized how close on Sesshoumaru she had been. Hell, their faces almost touched when he had been lifting her.

But another thing that had her flustered was how quickly her heart was racing. As Sesshoumaru pulled off her orange-red ankle socks and rolled up her pants to get a better look at her ankle, she was shocked at the amount of care Sesshoumaru used.

Every touch was light and gentle, and Kagome, in the back of her mind had to wonder if he had ever wrapped an injury before. When, he finished with the gauze and then started with the medical tape, everything was secure…but not too tight.

He gave her one final look before he stood. "The icepack will not be cold for some time now. Is your ankle paining you?"

Kagome shook her head after thanking him for wrapping her ankle and responded to his question, "No, it's not… It feels a lot better."

A moment of silence shifted between them as Sesshoumaru began picking up fallen socks and pillows. Kagome broke the span of quiet, after a minute, "What time is it Sesshoumaru?"

He took a brief glance behind him to his alarm clock, "A bit past two."

Kagome gingerly worked her way to her foot, putting the bulk of her weight on her uninjured right foot, muttering how it was good that she didn't play a sport. "What have you eaten all day?" It was a harmless question. One that she had asked purely out of reflex.

Sesshoumaru, in several easy steps moved closer to her in case she needed assistance, "Coffee…Why?"

Kagome wobbled a bit and looked as if she had not heard the man correctly. In an appalled tone, she asked, "Is that what you do every morning?"

"As of late yes..."

Kagome looked frustrated. Well that explained the lack of massacred pots. She knew that there were boxes of cereal in the cabinets that Rin and Shippou probably consumed, (though she wondered if they really could be called cereal since their sugar content was basically nonexistent and they didn't have little marshmallow shaped treats in them.) but she hadn't known that he just wasn't eating.

"Sesshoumaru…" she groaned, "Are you trying to kill yourself? That's so unhealthy. I'm sure you woke up like eight hours ago, and to just drink coffee?" She let out a disgusted grunt, "You are so helping me make you some lunch."

Sesshoumaru scoffed; he was slightly miffed that he was being upbraided on health by someone he deemed the more self-endangering of the two. He quipped with a deliberate look at her ankle, "That is, if you can get yourself downstairs."

Kagome drew her lips into a line and nodded a bit, "Touché." She revamped her tone, "Mr. Taisho-sama, can you please assist me downstairs so that I may commence to make your dumb, self-hazarding, but oh so magnificent self, something to eat?"

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes at her and with one deft motion, he had her, in all her squeaking shock, lifted and thrown over his shoulder. Miraculously, of course, without re-injuring her ankle.

"I said, help, Sesshoumaru! I'm not invalid, I'm sure I can still walk! Sesshoumaru—Hey! Are you even listening to me?! Sesshoumaruuuuu….."

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(Tsuki)

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Inuyasha rolled his eyes and said sulkily, "Leave it to that guy to be able to keep this place near perfect. I'm kind of jealous. The percentage of Japanese who have been applying to my branch has been dropping more and more each year, 'cause they'd rather stay here." He was dressed more formally, a fine pressed suit of clear Italian decent, a pristine white button up… Even the fact that he was wearing a Playboy Bunny tie and Tims still did little to ruin his professional air.

His father, business formal to the tips of his glistening leather toes, was looking through different files he had brought it. The two were currently lounging in Sesshoumaru's office, waiting for the European representative.

Inu Taisho suddenly narrowed his eyes in thought, "Speaking of which…that girl we met yesterday. Doesn't her name sound familiar?"

Inuyasha looked at his father, "Not really, why?"

Inu Taisho simply smiled, "Never mind then. I must have been imagining it."

Before either could say another word a man dressed in a fancy yukata entered the room. He had lengthy wavy hair, tied back in a high ponytail and bangs that were somewhat unruly. His intense toffee colored eyes flashed, "I had forgotten how I loved my origin of birth. This place—perhaps not as romantic as my new European home—is filled with the most alluring women, though, hands down."

Inuyasha scowled, "You've been back in Japan for weeks, Kuranosuke… You can stop raving about Tokyo, and start explaining why you left your sector so damn early, in the first place."

The man placed a hand dramatically over his heart, "I told you, Inuyasha-san. It was a lust for adventure… Curiosity… I wanted to see my dearest Kyoto again. And I do not regret any second of my trip. There was this girl—"

Inu Taisho sighed, "Takeda, please spare us of your personal accounts, and try and stay focused. What is your opinion of this branch?"

The man waved a hand superfluously through the air as he drawled, "Perfection. Absolutely immaculate. On par to operations when you were in charge. Well—if that one marketing mistake is ignored."

Inuyasha suddenly grinned, "That must have pissed that guy off so close to inspection. I noticed almost everyone involved was dismissed."

Inu Taisho mused, "I cannot help but wonder why there was no foresight in the matter. This ex-CMO of theirs—he had made mistakes in the past. I can see some of the reasoning behind keeping him on, but such incompetence, should not have been over looked this long."

Takeda interjected, "I don't believe all blame should go to Sesshoumaru. No one could have anticipated something like that. After all…it's practically unheard of."

"Which is why it is disgraceful for it to have happened to one of my companies." The older man coolly stated as his amber eyes hardened.

Inuyasha suddenly sobered, "You know…things aren't that easy for Sesshoumaru. Kikyou and I aren't just waiting to have kids just 'cause we feel like it. It would end her career, yeah that's part of it, but it would also end mine. Birthdays, school performances, first whatevers—I'm not sitting in an office while a kid of mine is growing up without me." He rubbed his temples, "Rin has been a great kid, she doesn't complain, she barely gets sick, she adores Sesshoumaru, but I feel like she's unconsciously making sacrifices she shouldn't have to. Maybe Meitsuki-san should never have—"

Inu Taisho's face softened a bit, unconsciously at the name before he shook his head, "What his mother did is irreverent, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha sighed, "I'm just thinking that Rin is growing up quickly… She's shouldn't have to lose her parents twice."

Takeda nodded, "That, I agree with."

Inu Taisho raised a brow, "Then are you suggesting I remove Sesshoumaru from this branch?"

Takeda scoffed, "Would you be able to do that without completely removing this branch with him?"

Inuyasha nodded his head, "He leaves and this place goes to hell. That is undeniable." He rubbed his arm, "I just think that being a full-time father and a full-time worker doesn't exist without consequences."

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(Tsuki)

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"Now all my theories have gone out the window… You're doing perfectly," Kagome murmured as she stopped to watch Sesshoumaru cut basil. His hands were quick and precise and he looked positively intent on his task.

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes, "This lacks the requirement of heat. How hard is it to mess up something of this simplicity?"

"True, true…" the raven haired girl was sitting at the kitchen table, spicing scallops. She stood after a moment with the plate of seafood and hobbled over to the stove.

Abruptly the girl mused, "Maybe I should start baking you muffins. You know, for the morning. Sango does that sometimes at night if we don't have time to cook or want to eat cafeteria food, so we can have something to snack before class."

She reached for a saucer and the silver haired man finished the last of the basil, "That is unnecessary. I have never been fond of eating breakfast."

Kagome snapped on the heat under the saucer and muttered, "I don't care about what you are or aren't fond of, Sesshoumaru. This is not open for discussion." She was even tempted to tell him that the only reason that he didn't like breakfast was because he had the cooking skills of an embryo. She would have said child, but even that would be giving the man too much credit.

As she worked, she grilled him on his living habits, "What time do you go to sleep?"

"It depends." Kagome took the wooden cutting board covered in basil from him and replaced it with cloves of garlic.

"On what?"

"Factors such as work," he drawled.

"Well what's your nightly sleep average?"

"Five and a half hours, I suppose…"

'Only two and a half hours less than what a human should be getting per night,' Kagome mocked him in the same blasé tone he had used. She put her hands on her hip, feeling a tic develop on her eye, "What do you eat for lunch?"

"More times than not I usually skip lunch," he answered nonchalantly as he took over filling a pot halfway with water and carrying it to the stove.

"Are you serious?!"

"Quite," he drawled.

"Jeeze, Sesshoumaru… I don't know what to do with you."

"Then why not leave me out of your range of concern."

"If something happens to you, imagine how the kids would feel, you giant idiot," she said with frustration. Neither spoke for awhile, save Kagome to instruct Sesshoumaru on what to do next.

He abruptly murmured a tad grudgingly, "I will start accompanying my coffee with toast."

Kagome laughed a bit, "I guess that's a start."

This guy was truly adorable.

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(Tsuki)

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While Sesshoumaru ate lunch, Kagome started packing for Rin. She had taken one of the suitcases for the young girl and brought it to her room. She immediately started folding in some of her more durable clothing, winter themed garments, and not too personal things, considering that she did not want to go through the younger girl's drawers. But as she rested a moment off of her ankle, on the center situation bed, she heard a rustling of paper underneath her hand.

The appendage had lightly fallen onto Rin's pillow.

Kagome furrowed her brows together, "What is that?"

She lifted the pillow slightly and saw two sheets of paper and an envelope. She recognized the envelope as the one Kohaku had asked to be delivered.

'That is none of my business.' Kagome bit back her curiosity to lower the pillow.

She did so just in time, because the door opened then and Sesshoumaru walked in. "Is she all set?"

Kagome patted the open suitcase, "Only clothes and shoes wise. I didn't feel comfortable getting any more personal than that without permission."

Sesshoumaru snorted, "I refuse to dig through her underwear drawer, if that is the only alternative."

Kagome grinned, "That would be just a tad awkward for you, huh?"

Sesshoumaru scoffed and in sarcastic tone that prompted a giggle from Kagome he inquired, "A tad?"

He inwardly shuddered. That was the only reason that he was thankful for having a sister-in-law. Though he disliked her immensely, she was rather helpful when it came to shopping for a preteen.

Sesshoumaru's thoughts were disrupted by a vibration from his pocket.

With a quick, 'excuse me.' He suddenly drew out his cell phone and glanced at it a way that implied that he had received a text message.

He slid it back into his pocket and looked at her, "My father seems currently obsessed with spending time with Rin and Shippou, so he is taking them out to lunch. They won't be back until evening, I'm sure. So if there was a prime time to get supplies, it would be now."

Sesshoumaru perused the girl shortly, "Since you are injured, I will accompany you."

Kagome shrugged, "Rin is definitely all set, but maybe I should take a second to look at the weather. Where are you three heading to?"

"We will have been in Europe and America before we return. I've already taken a look as far into future forecasts as possible, however."

Kagome nodded, "Okay, then I guess only Rin is taken care of then and it just leaves you and Shippou."

"I don't recall missing anything."

The chocolate eyed girl crossed her arms, "I'm worried about what you sleep in." Sesshoumaru snorted, "Your concern with my health is unnecessary."

Kagome smiled, "I do a lot of unnecessary things. I'm surprised you didn't know."

Sesshoumaru scoffed but did not comment. Instead he extended his hand, "Are you ready to leave?"

Kagome placed her hand in his and hobbled into a standing position. "Yeah. No carrying down the stairs this time, though," she added quickly.

He smirked and released her hand, "Where's the fun in that?"

Kagome tried not to laugh, but a giggle erupted from her lips as they started towards the steps. Sesshoumaru intentionally slowed his pace so that she could match his and Kagome flushed a bit as she worked her way down the stairs.

'It had been a lot easier to get up here,' she thought bitterly.

But eventually she made it down, with a minimum amount of help from Sesshoumaru. And outside, it was easier travelling with her shoes on and though Sesshoumaru offered to bring along the ice pack, Kagome declined it.

Sesshoumaru easily maneuvered his car out of the driveway and onto the road.

Talking was minimal on the ride there. Kagome had never been inside Sesshoumaru's car before and she was in awe of the vehicle.

It was a modern car—sleek, and comfortable with plush leather seats.

An intense concerto with a touch of melodic foreign vocals filled the interior of the car with lyrics in a language Kagome had never heard before.

It was a smoothing mixture despite its passion and she found herself being lulled to sleep as the car ride progressed. One minute her half opened eyes vaguely registered an open road, then the next they had arrived at a large community strip filled with different stores and boutiques. She distantly recalled the area was near Chibi Pets.

Sesshoumaru found a parking spot a short distance from a children's clothing store and shut off the car's engine.

He slipped out of his seat and was out his door quickly enough to assist Kagome out of her seat. It probably helped that she was still trying to return to complete consciousness.

Kagome thanked him with a bit of embarrassment as a walking couple a few generations older than them, giggled and talked about how they used to be like that.

Sesshoumaru took no notice of the couple as he locked the door and took a firm grip on Kagome's arm. The raven haired girl finally protested, "Now who's being unnecessarily concerned?"

"There is a difference between you and I, Kagome. I can manage my health. You on the other hand…" he trailed off and looked at her limping form.

The girl knew she had lost the argument.

That, however, did not mean that she would lose gracefully. She sighed and pouted, "But people will get the wrong idea."

Amber eyes lit with amusement as he opened the door to the store to allow her to enter, "And what idea is that, I wonder? Enlighten me."

Kagome turned red and he looked at her with mocking amber eyes.

She huffily hobbled past him, "Nothing quixotic, that's for sure," she grumbled out the fallacy. "I mean this looks more like I'm being manhandled."

Sesshoumaru snorted as he exited the store once she was through, before retaking her arm as he saw her teeter off balance, "And you find that worse than if someone were to see you fall flat on your face?"

The girl remained silent. In that regards, she was a little grateful for the help.

Sesshoumaru gestured towards the left of the small store towards the middle. Large white signs were posted above different sections that were listed with different size ranges, "His size, correct?"

Kagome nodded, "Yeah. He's pretty little for his age, huh?"

Her employer looked as if that was a huge understatement and the two slowly made their way passed stroller wielding couples and pregnant mothers, into a colorful sea of fabric.

Winter displays were up on child shaped mannequins and Kagome giggled, "Some of these are so cute! Things have definitely changed since I was last in here for Souta." They reached the size designated section that they needed and Sesshoumaru turned to Kagome, "Your recommendations?"

Kagome squealed a bit and touched a light blue fleece with a breast side image of a fox. The color would bring out his eyes nicely, and it certainly suited the young boy. The back of it had a little cartoon fox in the center and said 'Ferocious' in jersey like format. "He'd love this!" She took the hanger off the rack and held it up to Sesshoumaru's chest, "I'm not sure if you could pull it of though."

Sesshoumaru scoffed in a bit of a chuckle as he took the item of clothing from her and she limped along. He suddenly looked amused as he saw a miniature suit jacket hanging with black pants. "Do children actually where such things?"

He pointed it out to the raven haired girl who laughed. "You two can now do that matching thing you've always wanted."

The two spent a few more minutes bantering and pointing out particularly outrageous clothing, before Kagome got serious. Her ankle was starting to really bother her, regardless of Sesshoumaru's assistance.

The man beside her instantly took note of the change in demeanor after awhile and suggested that they leave soon, since in addition to the fleece, they had already acquired several sweaters, a coat, two turtlenecks, undergarments, gloves, a hat, and five pairs of pants.

It was while they were searching through boots, though that Kagome spotted something interesting. In the back girl's section there was a summer clearance wrack with various dresses. One that caught her eye was a rich sunflower yellow, cotton tiered dress with spaghetti straps. It had a tiny tied orange ribbon on the top center and modest v-neck bust since was designed for a child. Similarly colored, but larger, ribbons adorned the entirety of the bottom of the dress as well.

Kagome limped away from the wall of shoes and walked over to the dress. She picked it up one-handedly, as her other hand cradled what few articles Sesshoumaru would let her carry. The girl looked at it with a small smile.

Rin would look absolutely perfect in this.

It was not long after she left that Sesshoumaru came up behind her. "I think you over exaggerate your petite size."

Kagome whirled around slowly and held up the dress, "I want to pick this up for Rin as a parting present." She sheepishly rubbed the back of her head, "I had already decided on cookies for Shippou," she quickly inserted, "I know you said no sugar, but let's face it, that's the only thing that kid is crazy about. So I was just at a loss for what to get Rin."

Sesshoumaru looked at the girl, as she handled the dress with care. Her eyes were shining happily as she slipped a hand into her pockets and produced a few bills. Her excitement grew as she checked the tag and found that she had enough to make the purchase herself.

She had told him once that that she cared for both his wards, yes…

But it felt odd to see that care in her every gesture—every inch of her expression. What she noticed about each child.

He would half-seriously ponder his decision to allow her entry into their lives…his life, constantly.

Yet now, all arguments against her seemed to dissipate. Perhaps he would end up regretting allowing her to stay.

And in the back of his mind, he knew he would.

Because when it came time for her to officially leave. Would they…and he, to some extent… be able to let her?

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(Tsuki)

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"Excited for this weekend, Kagome?" Sango asked excitedly as she picked up Kagome.

"What's this weekend," Inquired the girl under question, with feigned ignorance as she slipped into the passenger seat. She tried to hide a smile as she buckled herself in.

Sango grinned, "Only one of the best possible weekends to be in Kyoto! It's finally time for Jidai Matsuri. Were you planning on wearing a kimono this year?"

Kagome scrunched up her nose, "I'll leave that to those in the procession. Besides, it's hard to keep up with Souta in that thing." Speaking of which…this year was going to be a bit difficult as well. Her ankle was throbbing up a storm. She resisted the urge to rip off her boot and start massaging her ankle.

Sango laughed, "Very true. And we probably should drink in as much of the festival as possible since we need to hit the road by five."

The drive was filled with a steady stream of conversation. Most of it was planning their attendance of the festival and a part of it encompassed flying their brothers out to Tokyo to stay the week with them.

The girls switched places when Sango stopped to get gas, and Kagome was thankful that she hadn't injured her right foot. Driving for almost an hour on her ankle would have undoubtedly been more than she could tolerate.

She was hoping, though, that by staying off it, it would get better. She barely had had a reprieve since she had injured herself. Once Shippou's clothes were purchased, a drug store was their next stop to pick of their dental needs. By that time though, Sesshoumaru had been able to use her injury as an excuse to head straight back to the Taisho residence. Yet even after she had arrived back with Sesshoumaru, they had had to finish packing and place some of what they bought Shippou away.

Out of courtesy for her, though, Sesshoumaru took on the bulk off the work. Yet that had been enough time for Inu Taisho to return with Inuyasha and the children.

Kagome one handedly rubbed her eyes as Sango drifted to sleep.

In the silent of the night her thoughts drifted to what she would do with her temporary unemployment. After all, with her reasons for being employed in another country, she couldn't actually work until they returned.

She would probably end up going back to Chibi Pets and helping out there. She missed the store even more now that she had stepped back in there.

Memories of her previous employment occupied her thoughts as she finished up the drive and arrived in front of her house. The only downer perhaps to arriving at the Higurashi Shrine after a long drive was the expanse of stairs that met their arrival.

Sango groaned as she took in the sight, "I'm guessing jii-chan hasn't gotten around to installing an escalator, huh?"

Kagome would have laughed if she hadn't been inwardly cringing at the prospect.

In her mind she cursed the very core of the existence of pillows.

(Tsuki)

"How was testing, girls? I hope you two weren't staying up too late, studying," murmured the soft voice of Kagome's mother as she placed breakfast filled plates in front of them.

Kagome thanked her mother and picked up her fork. With a little twirl of the utensil, she answered, "I can say with an utmost confidence that we both conquered our exams."

The girl shot an inconspicuous smile at Sango, who was grinning at the prospect of what Kagome's answer to the latter half of Mrs. Higurashi's question would be. A cheerful tone colored her words as she chirped, "And we went to bed promptly as well."

Mrs. Higurashi placed down a cup of tea for herself before joining the girls. It was only the three women for that meal, seeing as how Souta had wanted to watch a sports event at his school. He had taken his meal earlier than the nine o'clock rising college students along with Jii-chan. Kagome's grandfather, rose as soon as the first rays of sunshine hit the earth—or at least, that was what everyone in the household was convinced of. And though Mrs. Higurashi had eaten when her son and father had, she did not want to miss out on a chance to catch up.

The short haired woman looked between the two females and laughed, "Trying pulling that on someone who hasn't known you for as long as I have! I'm guessing 'prompt' translates out into 'we fell asleep three hours before our exam.'"

Sango giggled and rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. With a wry smile, she admitted, "Give or take a few minutes." She took a sip of her raspberry tea and the elder woman shook her head. "I suppose I'll never be able to change seven years of testing habits."

Kagome spooned a spoonful of eggs into her mouth, "But it's been working so well so far…why changed habits?"

Though, she probably should. The late night binging had undoubtedly gone straight to her thighs. In fact, she was a little afraid to check her weight on the bathroom scale, because she knew all those cookies, pizza, and fudge would come back to haunt her in the form of an extra few pounds.

Maybe she should have done a competitive sport like Sango.

She threw an envious pout at the brunette.

"Oh, girls," her mother suddenly began and Kagome snapped back into the present attentively. "I meant to ask, how is that adorable young man? Sesshoumaru-kun, was it?"

Sango nearly choked on her tea as she laughed. "Adorable young man? That guy?"

Kagome defensively murmured with a shrug, "Maybe it's not so much of a stretch… Sesshoumaru has been having a few nice moments lately." A light smile drifted onto her face and her eyes danced a bit with the memory.

Sango opened her mouth and stared at the girl as if she wanted to say something. But after a moment she closed it.

Mrs. Higurashi bubbled, not having the caught the beat, "I hope you girls are treating him kindly. I worry about him." She paused to take another sip of her tea. "Do you think he'll be visiting with those darling children of his anytime in the future?"

This time Kagome snorted, "After last time? I doubt it."

Mrs. Higurashi pouted slightly, "What a shame. I've been digging up new recipes just in case of another visit."

"Hey! You never get that excited about when Sango and I visit!"

"Oh, Kagome-chan—"

Sango's mind drifted as she began to rewind what had just happened. Kagome told her everything. But a part of her could not help but wonder if there was more to these 'nice moments.' She thought back to her conversation at the bistro…

She looked down at her half touched breakfast.

Yes.

It was a good thing that Sesshoumaru was leaving next week.

(Tsuki)

A.N. Uh Oh… An indication of dark clouds in the future? After all, Sango is clearly in Kouga's corner. I'm sensing a Kagome/Sango confrontation sometime in the near chapters. (Well.. maybe not near, near. But it's coming.)

But what isn't coming for awhile is chapter 25. I decided last minute to add two sections to it and now the entire chapter needs revamping and my editor is freaking out at me. (Probably because I send her chapters, get stuff edited…then decide to add about 500 more words after the fact. Poor thing. I'm sensing a Mika/Ikarii confrontation in the near future too…)