Simply Business Chapter 28, an inuyasha fanfic

A.N. This is Halloween part II! Don't underestimate my excitement when it comes to my Halloween chappies. There so long 'cause I worked on them for days and had it planned out for ever. So I'm so glad they're going over well with reviews! Thanks for following and here's chapter 28!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Inuyasha and never claimed ownership at any point during this story.

(Tsuki)

Simply Business

Chapter Twenty Eight

(Tsuki)

Sunday evening after Kagome and Sango had purchased their costumes and were dropped off, the drove immediately to the airport.

Souta and Kohaku had had a night flight and would be arriving in fifteen minutes if their flight was on time.

The girls waited in front of the boys' gate with anticipation.

In the middle of waiting, Sango abruptly scrunched up her nose and joked, "You do realize that we're going to have a week of testosterone and video games, right?"

Kagome ran a hand through her hair and bit her bottom lip with feigned worry, "Do you think it's too late to turn back and drive home?"

A sandy haired boy accompanied by a freckled brunette came into view. The two were carrying duffel bags.

Their sisters groaned and in unison murmured, "Apparently!" They giggled and dropped the act and rushed up to their brothers to engulf them in hugs.

Souta looked somewhat victorious and Kohaku looked oddly flustered. Sango furrowed her brows, "What's with you two?"

Kohaku murmured, "It's nothing, Sango. Where's your car? I'm beat…"

The two walked ahead mostly in quiet and Kagome raised a brow, "What's up, Souta?"

Souta beamed, "That guy finally told me what was bothering him—after two frikkin' weeks!"

Kagome hit him lightly "Language, half pint." He stuck his tongue out at her and muttered, 'You're the one to talk.' His sister ignored that in favor or questioning in a low voice, "What's bothering him? Is it the same thing from the festival?"

Souta nodded and he lost his cheerful expression, "It's been bothering him for way longer than that, sis."

Kagome frowned and looked at the somber boy some distance ahead of her. She did not comment so her brother could continue talking.

He looked up at her, "You know that cool chick from awhile ago who like beasted at vid-games?"

The raven haired girl ignored her urge to question what exactly he was learning in school. Instead she gave in it to her surprised response. "Rin-chan?"

Souta nodded furiously and whispered, "He likes her."

(Tsuki)

As Kagome and her roommate helped their brothers unpack their major essentials for the night, her mind was reeling.

Her Kohaku…. Liked her Rin?

'Shut up,' she thought incredulously. But it was most certainly cute. Now, though it made her wonder what exactly that note Kohaku had handed over had said.

And she had to also wonder how Rin had taken the news.

Or if she even knew that he liked her, liked her.

Dare she play Cupid with Sesshoumaru's daughter?

Kagome looked at the freckled boy who was like the brother she already had but secretly wanted two of.

Of course she did.

But she would most certainly play it cool. There was no need to push love where it was not meant to grow. After all, what kind of person would she be if she did?

From across the room, Sango sneezed.

(Tsuki)

Monday morning was a classless day.

The four had spent all night watching cheesy action flicks and comedies until they one by one toppled off to sleep on the king sized inflatable mattress that the girls had set up.

It was oddly enough though, the two boys who woke up first and decided to make breakfast for the girls.

Kohaku was the head chef of the masterful breakfast as the boys combed through cabinets and the fridge for ingredients.

The girls woke up to the smell of French toast and warm syrup and grinned to themselves.

The one meal that the boys could cook: breakfast.

The two not only loved Western styled morning foods, but they had a flair for making it too. French toast was Kohaku's specialty. For a teenage boy it was somewhat impressive.

Sango and Kagome eagerly rose and after greeting the two, they took turns in the bathroom. They each donned robes over their pajamas and slipped back into the kitchen when they were done.

Kagome grinned and strode over to the fridge to set down drinks, "We should kidnap you two for the week more often. It's been too long since we've had you boys make us something."

Souta teased, "Believe me, this is a small price to pay for no school and no rules. Kidnap me anytime, sis."

Sango sat down at the table. She propped her elbows on the table and leaned her head against it. "No rules? I don't think so, kiddo. Rule number one: extra powdered sugar on the French toast!"

Kohaku laughed, "I second Souta then."

The four continued their bantering throughout the meal and all the worries of the world seemed to diminish with each soft fluffy bit of the French toast.

(Tsuki)

Tuesday was quick to arrive.

It was an anticipated moment on everyone's mind and everything they did seemed to just be a time passer for that day.

From Sango's job, to Kagome's, to humoring the boys, and cramming for tests. Everything was made the time fly.

And soon it was Tuesday afternoon and school was out for the evening.

Rin smiled cheerfully as soon as she saw the raven haired woman that now highlighted every essential moment of her life. She had been quick to open the door for the two children and soon stood in front of them, the epitome of the Western holiday that was Halloween. Kagome was dressed festively in an orange skirt that had black pinstripes and a black sweater that had cuffs decorated with wisps of synthetic orange fur. Pinned to her top were also small pumpkin pins.

To finish off the look, though, Kagome had orange and black knee socks and black flats. A witch's hat in the tradition Halloween colors was on top of her head and small purse was slung on her shoulders.

"Happy Halloween!!" She opened the purse and picked out two pieces of candy. "Hands out!"

Rin squealed at the get up and complied with the request. As Kagome placed the sugary confections in the girl's hand the brunette replied, in return. "Happy Halloween, onee-chan!" Shippou waved distractedly as he popped candy corn into his mouth. "'Appeh Awllou-eeen," he managed eventually, with his mouth full of candy as he stuck out his hand.

Rin suddenly exclaimed, "Look it!" In her small hand she held a plastic jack-o-lantern basket by its handle. It was filled with candy she had gotten from a small party in class.

Kagome leaned down to engulf her in a welcome back hug, "Wow, Rin-chan! That's such a lot of candy!" She grinned. "Go inside and wash up and then I want to hear about your day, since I'm guessing it was pretty exciting." Kagome gently tapped the lantern and then Rin's nose which had been painted to resemble a kitten's. Her cheeks sported whiskers to finish off the look.

Rin headed upstairs as Kagome picked up Shippou. She draped his backpack from her arm and closed the front door. "Better not let Sesshoumaru see you gorging down all that candy. I mean really, you're just asking for another dentist's appointment."

Shippou's hand wavered between putting a strip of taffy in his mouth.

Kagome giggled and whispered slyly, "But then again, they're only baby teeth. They have to fall out anyway…"

She put him on the ground, "Now head upstairs too, Ship-chan! I made a very special Halloween lunch and it's getting cold."

Shippou gave her a pat on her leg before walking off, "Honestly at first, I didn't think I'd like you….but hey, you're alright, Kagome."

Kagome's smiled waned a bit and called after him, "Don't push it, kiddo! I doubt you expect Sesshoumaru to take you Trick-or-Treating tonight!"

From the top of the stairway she heard, "I was just kidding!"

Kagome laughed a bit before returning to the kitchen. She had, as she previously stated, prepared a special Halloween lunch. And she was quite proud of it…

She had made Halloween inspired mashed potatoes, which were essentially regular mashed potatoes, only she had swirled in orange food coloring. She had placed next to each bowl of mashed potatoes, a saucer of gravy, which although was not Halloween-afied, the saucer, was at least black—a color of Halloween. In a congruent bowl, she had that filled part way with fruit something she really couldn't do much with, but again, choose a black bowl.

Next she had a plate of chicken nuggets set out for them. She had bought special edition Halloween chicken nuggets that were shaped to follow the crazy holiday motif. And to finish everything off, she had painstakingly shaped their ketchup into the shape of a bat.

For them to drink, Kagome had decided on fruit punch, since "from a certain angle, with the right amount of lighting—it looked like blood."

And finally, there were cookies. The night before, she and Sango had baked cookies. Originally, they had just needed something to get them through the major cramming for the exam they had that morning. (And the baked goods served as an incentive for Souta and Kohaku to help out with their studying too). However, once Sango found the cookie cutters….

Really who wouldn't be tempted to make little sugar cookies that looked ghosts and bats?

Plus they had a jar of frosting just sitting there and Kagome had purchased the orange food coloring that afternoon before too.

Kagome grinned and looked at everything. She taken chairs from the dinning room and had set the table for six since Sango would be swinging by with Souta and Kohaku. "It's perfect!"

When she was younger, her mother would do a similar thing. Starting from breakfast, there would be Jack-o-lantern pancakes with jam filling the areas her mother cut out for the eyes, nose, and mouth. For lunch one year they had rice that was speckled orange with food coloring and her mother had crafted the flank of fish into the form of a ghost. The excess had gone into making the soup.

Dinner would be something parallel to that. The only difference would be whether her mother decided to go tradition with the menu, or take a Western approach.

Kagome smiled fondly at the lunch. She really missed home. Even though some of the quirks of her household were easy to take with her, she still missed those irreplaceable. Like her family, the scent of her house, Buyo (who incidentally, had gained all the weight he lost back, according to Souta), the shrine, the Goshinboku—the list was endless.

With a deep intake of breath Kagome smiled. She would just have to get used to that homesickness though, because it would only get worse after college if she continued on the way she had planned.

She pasted on a smile as she heard Rin and Shippou bounding down the stairs, faintly catching the fiery red head's call of, "Last one down has to try and scare Sesshoumaru tonight!"

She snickered, "That'll be interesting." Her grin widened when she saw Rin leap into he kitchen first, Shippou trailing a few feet behind.

Shippou panted, "Wait! Do-over! You had a height advantage!"

Kagome put up a hand to stifle a giggle. It was true that the girl having almost two feet on Shippou probably had aided in her victory. So a do-over would do nothing to solve, what would take years of growth spurts to fix.

She reached over and herded both kids to the table, "Alright, alright, no time for do-overs. Hurry up and eat so you can get dressed and be ready to score some candy." As they sat down, she added in after thought, "Which you will of course share with your beloved onee-chan, Kagome." She still did not know whether or not she was still planning to brave out Halloween as the only person in her twenties still trick-or-treating.

But then again…she didn't really look her age so maybe she could get away with it. She could not help the overflow of maniacal laughter that flooded her thoughts as she imagined herself basking on top of a pile of candy. She shook her head to clear the silly thoughts and went to go play with Gome.

Rin suddenly tugged on Kagome's skirt.

"Wait nee-chan! Rin wants to give Kagome-chan a present!"

Kagome knelt, "A present Rin-chan?"

The brunette nodded and suddenly produced a clear wrapped caramel colored confection. Kagome blinked, "What is it?"

"Rin's class has an exchange student from Texas who gave us these candies from his homeland. He talks with a funny accent, but Rin thinks he's really nice. He called them Pralines."

Kagome smiled, "They're those candies made with nuts and a kind of syrup right? Like the kind they make in Europe?"

Rin smiled sheepishly, "Rin never had Pralines until today."

Kagome ruffled the girl's hair and grinned, "Well thank you. I love Pralines." The raven haired girl was just about to unwrap the candy when the doorbell rang, "That would be Sango with the boys!" She exclaimed excitedly. The girl pocketed the candy in her purse and rushed to open the door. There as she predicted, stood the two boys and Sango each carrying a bag of some sorts. Even though they had been there since the Sunday night of their Halloween shopping, she engulfed them in huge bear hugs.

"You three came just in time! Rin and Shippou were just about to start lunch. Now we can all eat together."

Sango grinned, "Great. What's for lunch? I'm half starved."

Kagome laughed mischievously, "You'll see, I definitely outdid myself with this."

The three followed her into the kitchen and there were various exclaims as they saw the lunch. Souta patted his sister on the back, "Mom would be proud, sis."

The raven haired girl smiled and gave a mock bow, "Now hurry up and eat so we can get dressed and ready to head out for Onigumo."

Sango took a seat, "The ketchup is my definitely favorite."

Kohaku seated himself next to Rin which did not escape the attention of the elder girls in the room as he laughed, "It wouldn't be Halloween without the Higurashis. Mom said she's going over to your house with dad for dinner, by the way."

Kagome slid into a seat next to Sango and Souta took the last remaining seat. The girl replied, "Again?" She giggled, "That's starting to become a tradition. Sango, maybe we should skip Onigumo next year and head home?"

Sango snorted, "That is if you can pull yourself away from your busy corporate life long enough to hang out in little ole Kyoto."

Souta held up a hand, "Okay, okay, it's Halloween. No serious talk until midnight. Then we can berate Kagome all we want."

Kohaku lifted up his glass in toast form, "So until then, Happy Halloween everyone."

(Tsuki)

Kagome and Sango helped Rin into her costume first because they weren't looking to spend that much attention on their own costumes. All the girls were in Rin's room, while the boys were in Shippou's room changing. They agreed that they would help each other with their costume makeup.

Sango would assist in doing Rin's make up while Kagome covered the hair. And after fifteen minutes of work, Rin looked like the epitome of the word angelic.

With her hair tamed and braided and pushed back neatly into a half ponytail, Rin looked more mature and the light curls and straightened bangs made her attention grabbing. The make up served to highlight her strongest features like her eyes and lip gloss gave her vibrant smile a glow.

Sango giggled as she gently wiped off a smudge of mascara and thickened up the ice blue eyeliner, "Sesshoumaru's certainly going to have a handful when this girl grows up. She gorgeous!"

Rin blushed lightly, "You think I'm pretty, Sango-nee-chan?"

Sango gushed, "You're adorable!"

Kagome smiled, "If I ever have a daughter, I hope she looks exactly like that." Sango nodded and again the younger girl flushed.

Kagome and Sango then worked themselves into their costumes.

Sango wore a silver tank top under costume along with a pair of shorts since the weather was cool.

For her hair, she amply sprayed it with a combination of water and liquid mousse and braided her hair in various sized, tight, braids before spraying her hair again and doing her make up.

She simply settled for a light touch of lip gloss and a bit of silver eyeliner and glitter eye shadow.

While she was doing that, Kagome slipped her costume over a red tank top and a pair of rolled up khakis that wouldn't show under the dress.

All three had opted to wear something underneath their costume and that they would keep light jackets in the car in addition. But past experience told the elder girls not to bring too much since they would be running around a lot.

Kagome had merely straightened her hair for the costume, pulled back enough strands to make a messy bun and put it up with glossy rouge chopsticks. Rin prodded her into allowing the brunette to curl a few of the stray strands. And finally the raven haired girl slipped an artificial lotus behind her ear. Her make up use was the equivalent of Sango's, sans the glitter eye shadow and she had opted for Sango's favorite magenta toned liner.

Sango lightly blow dried her hair for a minute before carefully taking her hair out it the braids. She took a bottle of hair glitter and sprayed it lightly into the chocolate locks.

The effect was dazzlingly and the process gave her hair more body. It fit perfectly with her which costume as strands curled and looked crimped at the same time, looking wild and bold.

Kagome grinned, "I think we ladies are ready to hit the streets of Onigumo, what do you think?"

She was met by two equally eager grins as the three grabbed their things and exited the room.

(Tsuki)

The boys walked out of Shippou's room simultaneous to the girl's exit from Rin's.

And six pairs of eyes widened in unison.

That was probably the best part of Halloween. Seeing the transitions.

Souta and Kohaku had done a masterful job in dying Shippou's hair black and all were convinced that at least a tub of gel had gone into slicking his thick hair back and into a braided ponytail at the nape of his neck. They had also applied white cream to his face and darkened his eyebrows and eyes with eyeliner.

The fangs fit decently, and overall the costume looked even better now. Shippou had picked up a cute pair of white gloves from the accessories department of the costume shop and a cane with a faux jeweled tip. Once upon a time that cane probably went with a pimp costume, so of course Shippou had had to coerce Sesshoumaru into snapping the cane in half, so that it would be a perfect height.

Souta had opted to be policeman. He looked handsome and professional in the light blue uniform and had placed a blue water gun and a flashlight at his side as a prop. His blue and navy cap was off because he had used gel to push back his bangs and was still waiting for it to dry. He finished the look off by carrying a plastic night stick that he got in Kyoto. Even the glued on mustache over his upper lip served to aid the overall appearance.

Lastly was Kohaku, dressed as a feudal era warrior. He wore a black fitted mock uniform with yellow accentuating features. The neckline of the outfit was high and intricately decorated. He had slid on black high top steel toe boots and a gray metal mask was tied with green ribbon around his neck. He had gelled back his hair into a tight and neat pony tail that made him look like a certified assassin. If it had not been for his freckles, he would have looked years older.

It was the boys however who had to have been the most shocked.

Souta was the first to speak, "Kagome…I never knew you could actually look pretty."

Of course, he would come to regret uttering those words.

(Tsuki)

All that was left now was waiting for Sesshoumaru to get home. He promised, or rather said he could come home early.

Kagome held that to the equivalent of a promise though, since Sesshoumaru did not seem to go back on anything that left his mouth.

So when the six finished at four and after Sango made use of her digital camera for a good ten minutes, Kagome wasn't surprised when she heard the sound of someone using a key to get into the house.

Rin quickly asked if Kagome could help her downstairs so that she could greet Sesshoumaru and Kagome smilingly complied.

The businessman was placing down a briefcase in the living room when the two found him.

"Papa!" Rin cried as soon as she saw him. Kagome placed the young girl down and the brunette rushed over to her father.

"Make sure to mind your make up, Rin," she laughed when the girl stopped, seconds away from attacking Sesshoumaru's leg. She settled reluctantly for patting the appendage as he did so many times to her head.

The action incited a small chuckle in Sesshoumaru who knelt down to peruse the girl, "What have we here?" he murmured as he gently took her chin and examined her face.

This would not do…

Makeup worked too well on her.

Sesshoumaru make a mental note to ban the purchase of the products during Rin's high school years. Maybe if he was lucky, he could even do so until she was out of college.

Rin shyly smiled, "Rin had so much fun dressing up. Can Sango-nee-chan put make up on Rin more often, Sesshoumaru-Papa?"

Sesshoumaru graced her with a smile. So maybe he wouldn't deny Rin this new love. It would be so much easier to deny those wolves after his Rin what they wanted. Threats of castrations for those in high school …threats of financially crippling families for those in college. Yes, he liked that better.

He nodded and resisted the urge to pat her head seeing that her hair was too flawlessly set. "As often as you wish."

Rin threw her arms around the man's neck in a hug and he gently patted her on the back.

With that Rin hiked up her skirt and ascended the stairs slowly and Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru coyly. "I think you're getting easier to read, Mr. Dad."

He raised a brow as he stood, "Oh?"

Kagome grinned, "You were definitely just thinking how you were going to ban make up from her life for the next decade."

Sesshoumaru scoffed and began removing stacks of paper from his briefcase indifferently. "Hardly."

Kagome smirked, "Only because you moved on to thinking that it would be easier to threaten her suitors instead."

Sesshoumaru returned her arrogant look, refusing to admit that she had been correct. "And what makes you think that?"

She giggled, "It was all over your face." Her smile softened. "You care for her so much, Sesshoumaru. It's touching."

He did not respond to the comment and merely began taking off his tie. "I suppose you all are waiting for me to don that wretched costume so that we can leave?"

Kagome nodded. "Yup. Do you want help?" she asked after a moment. She winced as her tone came out more eager than she had wanted it to.

Sesshoumaru looked suspiciously at her, "With what, pray tell?"

Kagome opened her trusty purse that still hung off its dainty silver chain and produced something that made Sesshoumaru cringe, "Costume makeup! I was thinking we could totally do a—"

"No."

"It's only for a few hours! It'll be fun, okay?" Kagome grasped his hand and looked at him with pleading eyes, "Please, Sesshoumaru? You'd make this the best Halloween ever…"

He removed her hands and walked past her with an air of dismissal.

Kagome dejectedly kicked the carpet, "Phooey." She leaned against the wall and opened her purse. "I thought that would work for sure," she murmured as she reached for a piece of candy.

She found Rin's praline sitting on top. "Ah! I completely forgot about that." The raven haired girl opened the candy and took a bite of the nut filled confection.

Her brows furrowed. It was a lot sweeter than she remembered and this one certainly had a different texture as well. It wasn't bad of course…

But it was different and oddly familiar at the same time.

She did not have time to question it for she suddenly heard, "What are you waiting for? Do you retract your offer to assist me with my costume?" Kagome suddenly giggled and popped the rest of the candy into her mouth.

"No way!"

It was that kind of personality a girl could fall in love with…

(Tsuki)

The ride to Onigumo would be over half an hour long. Unfortunately the seven had to split into two groups. Sesshoumaru was driving Rin and Shippou using Kagome's car and Sango would drive the rest in hers.

Rin and Shippou seemed to reject the idea, but Kagome was quick to remind them, "We're all going to the same place and with you guys following us, we'll arrive at the same time. So just deal with that demon for half an hour, okay?"

She had said the word demon with a mocking tone since, that's what Sesshoumaru looked like. A demon lord of Kagome's grandfather's tales.

Kagome had adorned the man's immaculate skin with deep magenta markings on both sides of his cheeks and above his eyes. She had French braided his hair back and drawn a midnight blue crescent moon onto his forehead.

It added all for a striking appearance when coupled with his natural honey eyes and the overall look of his costume on his person.

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes at her before slipping behind the wheel of Kagome's car. Before he fully closed the door, Kagome handed him three tickets, "These are your admission tickets. Flash them at the front gate to get tagged for access to all the rides."

He nodded and Kagome went back to Sango's car, "Is Mirouku meeting us there, Sango?"

The brunette nodded, "He needs to take his own car since he's leaving early. He has his ticket though, so he'll meet us inside."

From the back seat Kohaku grinned, "So I'll finally get to meet this guy, huh?"

Souta leaned up as far as his seatbelt would allow, "Better hope we like 'im, Sango."

Sango put her car into drive and took off in the direction of Onigumo. "Or what, munchkin?" She let out a laugh, "I'm curious to know what would happen if you don't like him—which will be impossible, just so you know."

Kohaku scoffed, "We can't tell you the 'or what.' That stays a secret so he'll be caught off guard, sis. After all, I think we're entitled a say in who our brother in law is."

Kagome snickered, "I hate to break it to you boys, but Sango and I—we're not sisters. So unless Momma enters some polygamous relationship with Sango's dad, you won't be siblings either."

Sango scrunched up her nose, "And no offense Higurashis, but I am very glad to not be related to you if that's what it takes."

(Tsuki)

The two cars pulled up just as Mirouku got there. The violet eyed man was dressed in a suit and he had been talking on the phone. When he saw Sango he instantly ended the conversation and chuckled, "I feel more and more tempted to just catch that five a.m. flight like Jakotsu keeps insisting."

He greeted Kagome as she exited the car and when the two boys in the back slipped out Mirouku grinned, "Kohaku," he turned to Souta, "and Souta—it's nice to meet you both. I've heard a lot about you two." The two were a little caught off guard that he was able to distinguish who was who. They were hoping to you that to their advantage.

They decided to just take a cool approach to everything. Kohaku stepped up to shake his hand, "All good I hope."

The raven haired man smiled disarmingly, sensing their unspoken challenge but not responding to it, "Of course."

Souta followed suit with a handshake and both boys stepped back to stare down Mirouku. Sango and Kagome watched with amusement as Mirouku kept his composure and reached into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He let out a mock sigh, "I guess, I will need to break out the icebreakers."

Souta and Kohaku looked at each other as Mirouku pulled out two brand new, yet to be released, guaranteed carnage containing, action games.

Souta cursed under his breath, "Damnit Kohaku, he's likeable."

Kohaku scowled and took the proffered present. "Welcome to the family."

Sango blushed, "Hey! Don't marry me off just for a video game!"

Kagome patted her on the back, "Oh don't pretend you're not completely gushing inside! Now come on. Sesshoumaru just found parking. Let's head into Onigumo!"

The group headed towards Kagome's car. The raven haired girl however lagged behind a bit. She rubbed her stomach and fought the urge to double order as a wave of pain ripped at her stomach. "Ugh…"

It passed after a moment and Kagome quickened her pace.

She found Mirouku and Sesshoumaru exchanging pleasantries when she finally caught up. Sango looked a bit put out, "The corporate network never ceases to amaze me! They know each other."

Kagome rolled her eyes, "Well then, that makes everything a little less awkward. Now shall we go?" Rin and Shippou bobbed up to her side and chatted instantly about what they were going to go first.

Kagome smiled and took their hands and with a purposeful glance at Sango, she headed towards the gate, "Tickets out, everyone!"

(Tsuki)

Onigumo was certainly a fascinating place. There were fog machines nearly everywhere and they cast an eerie, but fitting blanket onto the entirety of the ground.

'Cobwebs' covered gnarled tree and pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns littered the ground. Skeletons poked out from different places, and costumed workers for Onigumo were among the crowd, handing out candy and advertisements. As they weaved through, they could see Halloween themed rides, a 'Haunted House,' and the booths that allowed the customers to going Trick-or-Treating.

Kagome ignored the rising discomfort in her stomach and clasped her hands, "Our tickets let us go anywhere and do anything here, so who what should we do first?"

Souta and Kohaku immediately shouted, "Haunted House!"

Shippou was partial to acquiring candy and Rin seemed to want to go on the Witch themed Ferris wheel.

Sango looked between her and the other adults, "I suggest we split up and meet back here at the entrance in half an hour."

Mirouku grinned, "I'll take the Haunted House if you guys don't mind," he said to Souta and Kohaku who grinned and the freckled boy snorted, "Don't expect Sango to go along with that though—she's a bigger coward than that one," he pointed at Kagome who looked affronted. "Hey! Onigumo is scary you jerks!"

Sango was too flustered and busy sputtering to respond.

Souta grinned and grabbed Mirouku, "Come on, before a line builds up."

Shippou tried to inconspicuously wink at Rin before he grabbed Sango and pulled her in the direction of the candy, "Then I choose you, nee-chan! Get me candy," he pouted.

Sango looked back at Kagome and Sesshoumaru with surprise, "Woah! Wait a minute, Shippou!" But the boy relentlessly pulled her along and Sango had no choice to follow.

Rin hid a smile, "Then Rin has Papa and Kagome-nee-chan!" She twirled, "Ferris Wheel, please!" She reached up and grabbed a hand of each adult and looked up at Kagome, "Lead the way, nee-chan!"

Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru and giggled, "Are you up for this, Taisho?"

He stared back at her, "Do I have a choice?"

Rin chimed in with an enthused, "No!"

(Tsuki)

The Ferris wheel was an intimidating structure. The carts were painted purple and black with frighteningly grotesque faces painted on the side. The metal parts of the wheel were constructed to look like a spider web and at the very center, there was a large broom stick.

There was a small line in front of them when the three got there. Rin squealed as she saw people getting off and receiving witch hats.

Kagome giggled, "Looks like we got here at a good time!"

The line started moving and after a five minute wait, the three were able to slide into a cart. Kagome slid in first and Sesshoumaru was about to help Rin in, when she abruptly shook her head, "Rin wants to sit on the edge like nee-chan!"

Sesshoumaru raised a brow at how ridiculous that sounded and Kagome giggled, "Rin, it's safer in the middle since you're the smallest."

Rin shook her head as Sesshoumaru lifted her so that they would stop holding up the line. He sat down next to Kagome and placed her on the edge.

Rin held a victorious smile, "Thank you, Papa!"

He simply gave Kagome a look as the runner of the ride came over and placed down the safety bar. "Do know that I blame you for teaching her how to give attitude."

Kagome scoffed and asked incredulously as she took hold of the bar in front of her, "Attitude? That's not attitude—what Shippou has, that's attitude!"

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes as the wheel started rotating and Kagome let out a squeak. The raven haired girl instinctively clutched his arm. Their mini-argument was forgotten as he asked in an amused tone, "Is someone afraid of the scary Ferris wheel?"

Kagome hesitantly let go of his arm and in an unconvincing tone said, "Hell no! How old do I look? Heh…heh… Such a ridiculous question, right Rin?"

Rin leaned forward so that she could see the other girl, causing the cart to rock. "Right, nee-chan! Rin's nee-chan is super brave, Papa!"

The swinging of the cart back and forth only helped to worsen the nausea that had been plaguing the girl for the past hour or so.

She leaned onto Sesshoumaru and closed her eyes. With a groan she said, "Just tell me when it's over."

Sesshoumaru rotated his torso so that he could lean her up. He chuckled, "It's not even that bad."

Kagome suddenly realized how nice the platinum blond always smelled. It was always an alluringly suave and subtle scent that she always had to be thisclose to him to pick up.

It wasn't overpowering, but it was a commanding, dare she say, sexy scent.

He took her chin once they were nearly at the top and directed her face towards the sunset view.

"Open your eyes, Higurashi."

With her heart basically beating in her throat, she gingerly opened her eyes and drank in the breathtaking view.

After a moment, she looked at Sesshoumaru with a smile, "It's absolutely gorgeous up here…"

Rin kept absolutely quiet. In her heart though, she whispered a small prayer that her nee-chan and her btou-sama would have some Disney inspired realization that they were absolutely perfect for each other as her parents.

Sesshoumaru smirked, "Would I ever lead you astray?"

For some reason all possible sarcastic responses had left Kagome's range of thought. All she could think about were the molten pools of amber that she was staring into and how completely intoxicating he smelled.

Kagome broke gaze and shrugged. "I don't know," she said honestly. She was tempted to ask, "Would you?"

But she held it in. She knew how it worked. Sunset plus Ferris Wheel plus companion of opposite sex always equaled the right conditions for romantic occurrences even if there were no romantic feelings whatsoever!

And if he kept saying the right things, the cocky bastard, she'd end up mounting her great smelling, nice hair having, suddenly irresistible boss in the middle of a carnival….

She groaned and dug her head into the crook of her elbow. "Maybe Harry was right," she murmured as the wheel began its downward descent. Sesshoumaru and Rin looked at her in confusion.

Men and woman couldn't be friends…

At least not at carnivals.

(Tsuki)

On ground, the eight began their rendezvous at the entrance. Souta and Kohaku were talking up Mirouku in a manner that had Sango grinning. Shippou skipped along her side swinging a half full plastic jack-o-lantern. He abruptly addressed her with a mouth full of candy, "Can we head to another candy place again? They were kinda skimpy on this side…"

Kohaku nodded, "I think I'm about ready to head there too, sis. We can hit the real rides after a sugar hit, right Souta?"

"Definitely! We haven't been on a single rollercoaster."

Sango grinned, "Then that's the plan of action…"

They shortly met Sesshoumaru, Kagome, and Rin, the firsts to arrive at the meet place.

Mirouku chuckled as he saw Rin. "Your costume is going through some conflicting interests," he joked as he saw the witch hat that now adorned her head.

Rin shook her head, "Nuh uh! 'Cause not all witches are bad!"

Sango nudged Mirouku, "Getting outsmarted by a preteen, eh Mirouku?"

Kohaku chuckled and pointed out, "In addition to being ganged up on by a pair of witches."

Kagome pulled on her courtesy hat and altered her voice to sound like a witch's, "Two? Aren't we forgetting someone?"

Souta shook his head and placed a consoling hand on his sister's arm, "We all knew you were a witch from the get-go, sis."

Shippou snorted in laughter and took a hold of Souta's pants, "I see now where all the funny went in your family!"

Sesshoumaru lifted Rin onto his shoulder and nodded his head towards Souta, "If I had to choose, I definitely would say that I liked that sibling the best."

Kagome huffed, "Yeah well, Rin's my favorite Taisho!" She gave a scathing glance at Souta, "And you?! Well, I'm telling mom!"

Souta ran ahead to join Sesshoumaru after sticking out his tongue at her.

"Don't forget that I know where you live!" She called after him, forgetting that she was among a crowd.

People around her stopped to stare at her and Kohaku inconspicuously shrunk away to join Souta.

Mirouku gave her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder, "We've both been ostracized, Kagome-san."

The girl sighed, "So it seems!"

Sango laughed and put an arm around the two, "Rest assured, it's all in good fun."

Mirouku planted a kiss on her cheek, "I hope so, love. I'd hate to have to tell to father that I really can't keep a girl for more than a month."

Kagome abruptly felt a pain course through her stomach and she doubled over, causing Sango to shriek her name.

Mirouku looked at her in concern, "Kagome-san… are you alright?"

Kagome bit down the pain and straightened up with a feigned giggle, "Y-yeah… I'm totally fine. I just… tripped."

Mirouku released Sango but before the two could ask anymore hospitable questions, Kagome skipped ahead and called back over her shoulder, "We're missing out on some prime Trick-or-Treating time!"

Sango giggled after a moment and pulled Mirouku along, "Very true… C'mon!"

Mirouku stopped allowing himself to be pulled after awhile. "Actually Sango, it's about time that I headed to the airport…"

Sango looked crestfallen, "…Already?"

He planted a kiss a short and sweet kiss on her lips with a groan, "I have to." When he released her he said, "You'll see me at work next week and I'll make this up to you though."

Sango grinned, "You better." After saying her good byes she winked, "I'll save you some candy."

He blew her a kiss as he headed back towards the exit and after a moment of lingering Sango ran off in the direction Kagome had gone to.

She found Kagome walking with Sesshoumaru and Rin. The boys were no where in sight. They were though, loud enough to hear. Sango put a hand on her hip, "Kagome Higurashi, I'm shocked you're not out there with them."

Kagome gave her a weak smile, "Yeah well, I'm getting old. I can't keep up with teen boys…and Shippou."

Sango took a hold of Rin, "Well don't make this one suffer. I barely see any candy in her pumpkin thing."

Rin corrected her, "Jack-o-lantern, nee-chan."

"Her Jack-o-lantern, Kagome!"

Sango picked the brunette up and hurried to catch up to the sound of the boys' voices.

As soon as Sango and Rin were out of range, Kagome crumpled and groaned, "I can't take this anymore…" She leaned over to hug her knees and let out a curse.

Sesshoumaru immediately stopped moving and with barely veiled alarm, he kneeled down to her level, "Higurashi what's wrong?"

Kagome shakily stood with his assistance. Tears pricked her eyes and she scrunched up her face, "It hurts…"

"Is it your… thing?" His eyes no longer focused upon hers but pointedly gazed downward... At uterus level.

Had it not been for the knotting pain that now wrenched over her stomach, Kagome was pretty sure her cheeks would have turned the same color fire trucks sport. "N-no…this is different. It's my stomach"

She wobbled a bit, forcing Sesshoumaru to take a swift step forward and grasped her arm in support.

Kagome doubled over in pain and her eyes snapped close, "Nugh…"

Sesshoumaru's mind instantly became calculating as he examined her face. Her lips looked a bit swollen and her forehead was covered in a light blanket of sweat, "Name everything you've eaten today. Can you call anything out of the ordinary?"

"No…for lunch it I had a sandwich from the school deli and a bag a chips. I just drank a bottle of water with it. Then—" She suddenly gripped his arm and looked as if she were going to vomit.

He lifted her head, so that she was looking at him.

"I suspect food poisoning…What else?"

Sango noticed the lag in the two other adults then, particularly since Shippou chose to show up and scream, "Ewww! They're about to kiss!"

Sango blinked. What the hell? She hadn't even been gone for five minutes… "Um…?"

Kagome crumpled even further down and Sango quickly reanalyzed the situation, noting with alarm the pained look on her face. Shippou immediately shut his mouth in concern, murmuring, "Nee-chan!"

Sango quickly told Shippou to call back everyone else and she waited a moment to for him to return.

Sesshoumaru bent down and soon had the raven haired girl draped over his back, her arms loosely around his neck. He took hold of her legs, "Takinama," he called, "Do you know if she's allergic to anything?"

Shippou came back with Rin immediately but had not been able to get to the boys.

Sango scooped up Shippou and grabbed Rin's hand. She rushed over to Kagome and nodded. "Only pecans…" Sango paled and it all became a bit clearer to her, "Kagome tried a bit of my mother's pecan pie last year once and was the same way. She can take something for it though!" She cursed, "But her medicine's in the dorm."

Rin quietly looked up at Sango, "Pecans, nee-chan?"

Sango nodded quickly before murmuring, "I'll drive her back and get it."

As Kagome tightened her hold around Sesshoumaru as a spasm of pain made her writhe in anguish, he questioned somewhat edgily, "Would you be able to carry her inside?"

The tone was not meant to insult her; it was curious and not incredulous. It merely wanted a truthful answer.

But still, Sango blushed. In all honesty, her friend was a bit on the heavy side. And had the situation been a bit lighter, she would have mused as to where the girl kept those hidden pounds since they did not visibly show.

"I'll manage." Sango wanted to say, but now wasn't the time to let her pride take over. So in stead she responded, "Probably not."

Her friend was hurting, now was the time for reason, "She keeps the bottle a top of our fridge in the kitchen." She let go of Rin's hand in favor of digging in the pocket of her jacket, she lifted up an ID pass card and a ring of keys solely by a small silver one. The key she held had a dab of lime green nail polish. "Top lock." She held up a bigger silver key. This one sported a bright yellow glob, "Bottom lock."

Sesshoumaru was ready to grab the keys, when she sheepishly interjected with another key, gold in stature, "Dead bolt…"

Again…had it been any other situation, surely he would have commented. But he merely nodded.

"I'll drive the kids home with Kagome's car. Take my car to get back. The key for that has pink nail polish."

Another swift nod before Sesshoumaru took off, with Kagome on his back.

Sango sighed as she watched them left. She could see Kagome shudder with pain still from her position. "She's always so careful…How did she get her hands on pecans without knowing it?"

Kagome had usually made it a habit to ask about when she was around desserts. But oft she let her guard down such as with dealing with people she knew. That's how she had been put in the situation with the pie. One forkful and she was bedridden for five days. Although it was not a severe enough allergy to be fatal upon consumption, her body treated it like a bout of food poisoning…

Rin suddenly broke down in tears.

"It's all Rin's fault!"

(Tsuki)

Sesshoumaru made good time getting to back to the dorm, but every time he heard an anguished whimper, he felt unnerved and unconsciously placed more pressure on the gas pedal.

Once in the parking lot, he picked up the girl and gently coerced her so that she was on his back. A slight sheen of sweat and tears noticeably blanketed her face and she tightly gripped his neck and whispered, "It hurts…"

He quickened his steps into the dorm and used the card to enter the stairway for the apartment rooms. Sesshoumaru took the steps hurriedly, finding the room's key as he moved.

The silver haired man had the door open in fluid motions as soon as he arrived at it. He moved the girl to her living room couch and as he did, she mumbled deliriously, "Sorry everything's so messy."

Sesshoumaru snorted, "That should be the least of your concerns, Kagome." He proceeded to head towards the kitchen to get her medicine.

Kagome held tightly onto his arm and she murmured hoarsely in a pained tone, "P-please…. don't leave me…."

Sesshoumaru took her chin and turned her head in his direction. In a firm voice he said, "I am not leaving until you're better. But you need to eat something before you take your medicine."

"No food…I… feel …throw up…"

He ran a hand through his hair and gently detached her arm, "I will be back soon."

Sesshoumaru quickly rushed into her kitchen. He threw open her cabinets and looked for something…anything he could give that she wouldn't throw back up. In one of the cupboards, he found a small tin of peaches.

He grabbed it and a fork and after picking up Kagome's medicine, he moved back to said person's side. The man sat down next to her on the couch ignoring the games and clothes that littered the floor at his feet. He opened the peaches and forked a piece of fruit. He opened the bottle of medicine and shook a pill into his hand. He shoved it into the peach slice. "I need you to eat this."

Kagome writhed against the couch surface, her mouth firmly closed, "…Nuuhh…"

He let out a frustrated grunt and took her chin firmly in his hand, "Open your mouth, Kagome."

He poised the fork above her mouth, "You're spiking a fever and you're in a considerable amount of pain—it's in your best interest to take this."

Kagome rolled her face out of the reach of his hand, "It'll…pass."

"…Please?"

Kagome opened tear shrouded eyes and rolled back over despite the pain, "You… never say….please…"

He rolled his eyes, "Will you take this?"

Kagome blinked away tears and nodded. She opened her mouth and Sesshoumaru pushed the fork in. "Try not to chew it. Just swallow it down."

She did as told and after a few dry heaves, she settled down and curled up away from Sesshoumaru on the couch.

Sesshoumaru moved back to the kitchen and sought the fridge out again. He grabbed the ice cube tray and threw ice in a plastic baggie and wrapped it in paper towels. He moved back to Kagome's side. He sat on the arm of the furniture and placed the makeshift ice pack on her forehead. Knowing that it would slide off due to the angle she was curled in, he held it in place.

"Try and get some sleep. I'll take you to the doctors in the morning."

Kagome looked up at him, her tears slowing down, "…Are …you… Are you staying, Sesshoumaru?"

The man looked at her and said lightly, "Taking into consideration all the times I woke up to deal with Shippou, this is only a minor compensation."

Kagome tried to smile. "Thank you."

"Shall I move you to your bed?"

"And let you make fun of my room?" She questioned joking. In a whisper she murmured, "I'm fine here, thank you. After all, I don't want to break your back for lugging me around. That would be one helluva thank you."

"Make fun of your room? Even I am not that cruel as to mock someone as ill as yourself," Sesshoumaru scoffed. "Besides, you do realize that I exaggerate when I mock you weight."

"Yeah I know… But really, I'm fine here."

Sesshoumaru nodded and placed one of the blankets on the floor onto the fetal-positioned girl. "Then go to sleep. I'll make myself some tea."

Kagome felt her discomfort slowly ebb away to the sound of Sesshoumaru's voice and the scent of raspberry tea as she drifted to sleep.

(Tsuki)

A.N. This chapter paid kinda tribute to one of my all time favorite manga, Help! as well as a classic rom-com, When Harry Met Sally.