Simply Business Chapter 29, an inuyasha fanfic

A.N. Anyone having a problem with the long ass chapter updates? Haha I hope not, cause this most definitely takes the cake. We have hayrides, and awkward conversation and …Naraku? Hm. Well just sit back and enjoy because this is Halloween part three! (Quite clearly I had the most fun with this chapter.) Thank you all for reviewing, you guys say such wonderful things and yes, I am trying harder and harder to work on edits, but I am like Mika the Beta Slayer.

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

(Tsuki)

Simply Business

Chapter Twenty Nine

(Tsuki)

Kagome awoke around six the next morning with a slight headache and a dull throbbing of nausea. Her eyes felt heavy and her muscles were fatigue.

She was facing out, her face away from the back of the couch, still curled against herself. She found her raven head against her pillow and her comforter had been brought out as well.

The raven haired girl felt a bit disoriented as she tried to remember what had happened.

For some reason, she felt frightened, despite the fact that she was not completely oriented. The living room had been stripped of the boys' things and now it was bare. As she looked around she noted everything was neat as it had been before the boys' arrival.

But that's not what was bothering her.

Not in the least.

She opened her mouth. It was dry and her tongue felt as if it had doubled in size over night. In a hoarse voice, she called, "Sesshoumaru?"

When she got no response, she felt a wave of sadness come over for some reason. She closed her eyes and mentally berated herself, 'Of course he hadn't stayed… It's Wednesday. He has work and—'

"You're up?"

Kagome sat up quickly in shock. Sesshoumaru was instantly at her side when she vaulted forwarded due to vertigo. "Idiot," he murmured.

The girl looked into his amber eyes with pure shock and an un-ignorable touch of relief, "Why are you still here?"

Sesshoumaru scoffed and answered, "You asked me to stay or have you forgotten?" Kagome continued to look his over in incredulity. He was no longer in costume, though. He had changed into a black wife-beater and pajama bottoms.

And, of course, the make up was gone. "How are you feeling?"

Kagome smiled and prodded her face. It was slightly swelled but hopefully not that noticeably, "So much better, thank you."

Sesshoumaru disappeared into the kitchen for a moment and when he returned, he was carrying a mug of tea. "This should calm your stomach further. However, I insist on taking you to see a physician immediately."

Kagome shook her head slowly as she sipped, "I'm fine, really. I'd rather not have to go anywhere near a doctors office." She scrunched up her nose, "They don't really bring up the best of memories."

The silver haired man refrained from commenting, remembering the circumstance under which she lost her father.

After a pregnant silence, he murmured, "I need to go wake up your roommate. She asked me to do so as soon as you woke up."

Kagome suddenly stopped drinking. She groaned, "Oh my God… did you stay up all night because of me, Sesshoumaru? Please say no."

He cast her smirk as he turned to leave, "Drink, Kagome."

She felt a bit of guilt rise up in the pit of her stomach and moved into a better sitting position. But as her comforter fell off her form, she noticed something….

She had been completely removed out of her costume and everything she had worn in it. She was in her pajamas.

Her face flamed up.

When Sango entered the living room, Kagome's first words were, "Tell me you changed my clothes last night."

The brunette engulfed her in a hug and giggled, "And I removed most of your make up too. Now don't ever scare me like that again! You kept crying and groaning; I nearly freaked and called your mom."

Kagome winced, "Sorry for the scare. I don't even know what happened."

Sesshoumaru abruptly returned with Rin in his arms. The young girl's eyes were puffy and red and she looked as if she was still crying.

Kagome shakily stood, alarmed, "Rin, hunny, what's wrong? Nee-chan's fine!"

Sango stood to support her friend and Rin shook her head, "It was all Rin's fault that nee-chan was sick! Rin gave you the pecans."

Kagome shook her head and smiled, "You gave me pralines, Rin-chan. They're made with almonds…"

Sesshoumaru placed the girl down and explained, "Only in this hemisphere. Southern states in the West traditionally use pecans instead."

"Rin is so sorry!"

Sango eased her friend down onto the couch and Sesshoumaru placed Rin down. Kagome laughed, "It was an accident. Besides, if anyone's at fault, it's me for never mentioning my food allergies…"

She planted a kiss on the girl's forehead, "I'm fine now. No more crying, okay."

Rin tearfully rubbed at her eyes, "Rin isn't crying!"

Kagome and Sango giggled and the brunette rose. "I'll make breakfast. No one leaves until they've eaten," she glanced purposefully at Sesshoumaru and Rin.

Kagome leaned back against the couch and looked at Sesshoumaru, "So you guys all slept over?"

Sesshoumaru leaned against the side of the couch, "I could not very well leave them home. Your friend drove back here immediately after she left that zoo." He looked at her, "Regardless of what I was doing, they wanted to stay anyway, so I merely went home, dressed down, fed your dog, and brought back clothes for them."

Kagome chuckled and joked, "I guess this apartment is bigger than I thought."

Rin slowly crept into Kagome's lap and the raven haired girl wrapped her fatigued arms around her. The brunette nearly instantly drifted to sleep in the girl's arms, so she was basically left alone with Sesshoumaru.

The raven haired girl looked at Sesshoumaru, "Was Souta freaked?"

Sesshoumaru scoffed, "That's an understatement. He fell asleep less than an hour ago, in fact. I brought him to your room shortly before you woke up."

Kagome winced, "I've been a pain these last few hours, huh?"

"I disagree; unconscious is your most tolerable state of being."

She smiled a bit, but it did not quite reach her eyes as she whispered, "I feel like I ruined everything. I worried everyone… I made Rin feel guilty and let's not forget that I mess up Onigumo." Her eyes drifted over to him, "Plus! You skipped work for probably the first time in decades…" She sighed, "God…"

Sesshoumaru said in a low, but firm voice, "Just as you don't blame Rin for last night, no one blames you either."

Kagome did not respond to that comment, but internally, her mind was concocting a way to make everything up to everyone.

(Tsuki)

Sesshoumaru's desk was a meticulous example of corporate organization. The desktop was occupied with one neat stack of papers waiting to be reviewed and subsequently signed, his gold plated name plate, a stapler, exactly six pens—three blue, three black, his top of the line laptop accompanied by a wireless mouse and solid colored mouse pad, and his office phone. And usually that's how it was kept. But today….

Something was amiss.

A carefully cut magazine advertisement was sitting in the most mocking manner atop his once pristine desk.

A finely sculpted brow rose, uttering the 'What the hell?' Sesshoumaru had too much pride to let slip from his lips.

He picked up the glossy sheet, and incredulously perused the ad.

It featured a Western styled farm that was surrounded a pumpkin patch and a small apple orchid. In kanji it also listed how they served traditional Japanese and Western fall treats during visits. It also advertised for the mock Halloween event that he had grudgingly attended, since the farm was owned by same Japanese-American.

"'Apple, Pumpkin Picking, and Hayrides'?" Sesshoumaru snorted to himself as he read. "To think I would degrade myself with such a ridiculous activity."

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

Not a second later, Kagome poked her head through the doorway with Rin and Shippou, "I see you found our flyer!"

Sesshoumaru deadpanned, "I suppose I should have known." Despite his stoic appearance, though, he was contented to see that Kagome had returned to her normal state of being. Her skin was no longer pale and tinged with green and her eyes were now vibrant and warm.

Kagome grinned, "We decided to take a field trip because Shippou wanted junk food and I'm so very weak to those eyes of his."

Rin rushed up and hugged Sesshoumaru's leg, "Btou-sama!"

Shippou waved, still holding a carton of fries in his chubby fingers, "Hey old man!"

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and absent-mindedly patted Rin's head as the scent of trans-fat saturated oil clogged fries hit his nose.

When he opened his eyes he asked, "If I remember correctly, one of the reasons I pay you is to cook wholesome meals…at my home."

Kagome pointed her index fingers together guiltily, "I know, but I didn't feel that creative today and Shippou mentioned kids meals! I was planning on never breathing a word, but then they found this ad for this event in my purse and Rin seemed so excited and Shippou's eyes—! Sesshoumaru, with those two together, I stood no chance!"

Yes… undoubtedly he had been drinking when he hired her. There was no way he had been sober. That was perhaps the most incomprehensible jumble of words he had ever heard.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes, "I refuse to go to this."

Rin looked downcast and detached herself from her father's leg, "Rin wanted to see the pumpkins….Kagome-nee-chan said she'd teach us how to make the jack-o-lanterns we saw at Halloween."

Shippou had long since moved to sit in Sesshoumaru's black Italian leather office chair. He pouted as he spun around, "Don't be such an old geezer, old man!"

Sesshoumaru scowled at Shippou but any retort he would have made was interrupted by Kagome's exclamation of, "Let me take them, then! I'll drive them up Saturday… I don't have class in the evening. Sango and I were planning to go anyway to take our brothers since it's our final weekend together."

The platinum haired man who was in the middle of lifting a certain red haired boy off his seat, only had to hear "I'll drive," to make up his mind.

"I refuse to have Rin driven in a car with you behind the wheel."

Kagome huffed, "God, Taisho! Why are you being so difficult! Halloween already was a disaster, so let me at least make this up to them! I mean how often will they have the chance to visit another farm like this?"

Rin plopped to the ground and looked up at Sesshoumaru with watery eyes, "Pumpkin…"

Shippou pulled at a lock of Sesshoumaru's hair, "Can we make my hair this way too, old man?"

Sesshoumaru scowled and dropped a giggling Shippou onto the chair before turning and in a graceful fashion, lifting Rin into a standing position.

"Fine. However…. I am driving."

Rin and Shippou cheered and they rushed to hug Sesshoumaru before moving over to assault Kagome with hugs.

Said girl let out a relieved sigh, "Great! I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't agreed… My car can't hold Rin, Shippou, Sango, you and our brothers."

Sharply, he asked, "And what makes you think mine can?"

Kagome began inching towards the door, children in tow. "Um…well if you flip that over," she laughed sheepishly, "there's another ad—for car rentals. So…"

By this time she and subsequently Shippou and Rin were out the door.

She gave another awkward laugh, "Thanks Sesshoumaru! See you tomorrow!"

Sesshoumaru watched her slowly close the door and as the noise of the trio gradually wafted out of hearing range he folded the magazine page and placed it on his desk. "I am growing too soft."

But as he stared at the colorful folded page that on his desk had originally seemed so out of place, he noticed how it seemed to animate everything around it. It had a certain quality that seemed to make it blend in and stand out at the same time.

He sat down in his chair and unfolded the page and with an unexpected realization he noticed it no longer felt obstructive. It felt almost natural.

A small smile graced his lips as he punched in numbers on his phone.

Suddenly it was like he was talking about more than that mere slip of paper.

(Tsuki)

Kagome groaned as she read through Sango's grocery list. It was basically a giant list of feminine products and cookies. Kagome grumbled, "Sango could have at least taken pity on me since I was couch-ridden for two days…"

She hated being on store duty when Sango made the list. She was never comfortable watching the cashier's face when they—or he rather, seeing as she always got a male whenever she had something embarrassing in her cart—rang up her purchase.

She was hoping, however, that that early morning Saturday shopping meant that no one would be around to witness her upcoming mortification.

And so far, she was doing well. She had only seen one other person in the store and they had been heading to check out.

Kagome got a basket for the purchases and made her way down the aisles towards her first claim.

She went with the only gender neutral item on the list: cookies. She picked up her and Sango's favorite brands and as she turned to leave the aisle someone addressed her, "I am, in all honesty, surprised that you would be up this early on the weekend."

Kagome whirled around with a grin, recognizing the voice instantly, "Sesshoumaru!" The man was dressed in a pair of black slacks and a leisurely buttoned white shirt. She glanced at the dainty purple watch that adorned her wrist, "It's not that early. It's only eight."

Sesshoumaru looked at her shopping basket and commented, "Rather wholesome."

Brown eyes narrowed, "You the one to talk! Why are you, of all people, in this aisle?"

He snorted, "Being with his mother allowed Shippou to return to getting spoiled. I decided to be nice and slowly wean him off of sweets."

Kagome uncertainly nodded, "I see." She looked around, "Where are the little ones, any way?"

Sesshoumaru picked up a pack of cookies and placed them in his somewhat, though neatly filled cart.

'OCD,' Kagome couldn't help but think as he answered her question, "Sleep over." He scrunched his nose, and Kagome grinned, "How cute! Whose house?"

Sesshoumaru continued his explanation, "One of Rin's companions at the orphanage was adopted and that is how they celebrated yesterday. I let them have Shippou as well to expand his social network…"

He coughed subtlety as he read the ingredients label of a pack of cookies and Kagome giggled, "No matter your actual intentions, that's still adorable." She took another glance at her watch, "I have to run though; I have to finish up here, get gas, and drive out to the farm and book the hay ride for tonight."

Sesshoumaru raised a brow, "You never told me the cost of that by the way."

Kagome grinned, "This is all on me since I totally wrecked Onigumo."

"You never told me those expenses either," he drawled. In after thought he added, "Besides, I thought we decided that that was no one's fault."

Kagome shrugged, "Still…"

Sesshoumaru shook his head, "I have nothing immediately perishable here and I don't have to pick up Rin and Shippou until two. I'll join you."

Kagome smiled and laughed a bit, "I feel really guilty for accepting you offer, but thank you." She ran a hand through her hair, "I was actually a bit nervous to go alone, since I haven't been to the farm before and Sango has class."

Sesshoumaru gestured towards her basket, "Is that all you're here for?"

Instinctively Kagome answered, "No I—" She looked down at the list atop the cookies she had picked up. In a quiet voice she murmured, "I still have a few more things…"

Sesshoumaru took a step towards her, "I am basically finished, I can accompany you."

Kagome face turned a bright red. "Sango's list is kind of personal. I only have a few things left so I'll just meet you at check out," she squeaked out.

Sesshoumaru only smirked.

(Tsuki)

Kagome and Sesshoumaru ended up making a stop at his house so that he could drop off his car and while he was there, Kagome advised him to put away his groceries then rather than wait until they returned. To assist the process along, she gave him a hand.

She then proceeded to get gas as she had originally intended. She had taken Sango's car since it was nearing empty and Sango was going to fill it up later that afternoon any way.

As Kagome pulled into the gas station, she had to wonder… What did Sango's car usually take? For some reason she was completely blanking.

She had been with Sango multiple times when she was getting gas.

The brunette would always say, "Forty dollars …something… unleaded," when she wanted to fill up the tank.

But just what the hell was that something?

She groaned, "Hey Sesshoumaru?"

He looked over, "Hn?"

"What type of gas goes in this car? I know one of them is an uh-oh gas, one's an okay gas and one's absolutely perfect… But which one?"

Sesshoumaru snorted, "Are you serious?"

Kagome blushed, "I know three things: home management, business, and food. That's basically it, Sesshoumaru. It was up to me, there would only be one type of gasoline and gas stations would be a monopoly."

Her companion raised a brow, "What model is this?"

"I think it's a Ford Taurus. Year… two thousand."

"Go with the premium, then. At the least, that's the 'okay' gas as you put it."

Kagome looked as if Sesshoumaru had saved her life, "Are you positive?"

"Quite."

(Tsuki)

Kagome sighed, "I'll leave the engine running because this will only take a minute." She unbuckled her seatbelt, "Would you like to stay in the car?"

"I have never actually seen the interior of a barn. It might an interesting idea to join you."

Kagome stepped out of the car and as she took in the large red structure, she instantly knew why Sesshoumaru would be curious. It was a formidable building with fading red paneling and deep gray roofing. Hay stuck out from various orifices and the two black wooden doors that served as an entrance were swung open. Beyond the barn the two could see mileages of acreage of orchids and vegetable patches.

A chicken bobbed down their path and Kagome giggled, "I guess there's a lot of first time sights to be had here. I've never seen a live chicken before. Not even in Kyoto…"

Sesshoumaru took the lead into the building mindful of his black boots and what any step across the dirt floor could bring.

Although it was a large barn, it was not long before the two saw a pigtail sporting woman. Both looked amused as they noted that she was dressed in a plaid red shirt that exposed her lower back, and her midriff too, they presumed, was she to turn around. She was leaned onto an out of place looking receptionist desk and had not taken note of their presence yet.

They took advantage of the fact, or at least Kagome did for that matter, to completely gawk at her attire. She was in a pair of Daisy Dukes with frayed edges despite the cool morning weather. But that was probably why she was inside in the barn. The barn's interior was decidedly cozy and warm.

Her dark hair was in two thick plaits, rather than hanging out in un-plaited strands, they noted as they got closer.

Kagome cleared her throat, "Excuse us; this is where we can get more information about the hay ride package, right?" She suddenly caught sight of a nail file in the girl's hand as she wearily responded in a familiar cool voice, "However did you know? Oh right," she drawled, "the conspicuously large sign posted out front."

The woman started turning around and two pairs of eyes widened at the same time. One solitary eye brow rose.

Kagome inwardly groaned, 'Not her again.'

Kagura flushed slightly and bowed, "I apologize for the rude statement from earlier."

Kagome gave her a tight smile, "Apology accepted. Now could we please book the hay ride for tonight for a party of seven?"

Sesshoumaru smirked at the clear agitation of the girl beside him and Kagome glared at him. What really was so damn amusing about female animosity?

Kagome glared even harder as she tried to read his thoughts. It didn't take any psychic powers though to realize that he wasn't thinking anything positive. 'I bet this prick is getting a good laugh.'

She huffed. It certainly wasn't the enviably gorgeous but irritatingly infuriating woman in front of them that was pissing her off—it was the… time! Undoubtedly. She was not a morning person and being out at, Kagome took a quick glance at her watch, eleven o'clock was enough to make her crabby.

Kagura, missing the platinum blonde's amusement and the raven haired girl's internal wage of bad excuses, walked closer to the two and mused, "I know for certain that two of my brothers were not booked for tonight, so that should be fine. Would like to pay now or later tonight?"

Sesshoumaru frowned at the wording, "As in they each would split the group?" Kagome bit down her annoyance with Sesshoumaru to silently thank him. She never would have picked up on that separation until it was too late.

Kagura shrugged, "Or would you prefer to all go together?"

Kagome nodded and muttered, "That is the intention."

The woman, who was still sporting her now eerie pink contacts smiled a bit, "I am sensing a bit of hostility from you. I wonder why."

"There's no hostility." Kagome turned her head away from the woman as she said that with a lofty, flippant, but unconvincing tone. 'I'm just not a morning person,' she mentally insisted.

Kagura smiled and purred, "Good." Her eyes abruptly shifted from her to Sesshoumaru and Kagome frowned as Kagura continued. "After all, the two of you seem awfully close."

"What does Sesshoumaru have to do with anything?" The brown eyed girl asked in irritation.

Kagura indirectly answered the question by suddenly turning to the silver haired man, "I want to go out with you, Sesshoumaru-san. Please give me your answer after your hay ride."

(Tsuki)

"I can't believe she's still making us pay for booking the hay ride," Kagome grumbled as she drove along the tree lined rode that would bring them home. After asking out her boss the woman then seemed to remember the two hadn't established a payment time. Kagome gripped the wheel tighter in thought of the woman.

"Yes it was quite appalling. After all, she is only running a business."

"No… I mean, she could have added more incentive to the whole dating her thing. If she's only asking based on her looks, then she doesn't have much hope."

"How do you figure? Please note, though, that it is taking quite a bit of will power for me to refrain from making a comment about your 'abilities' in that area."

"As long as you note who is driving." She grumbled under breath before saying, "Sure she's insanely gorgeous but both times we've seen her, she hasn't really dressed very…sanely."

"I doubt that that is a matter of choice, Higurashi."

The girl rolled her eyes, "But you don't know that!" She sighed, "Are you even considering what you're going to do?"

After a moment the man chuckled and asked incredulously, "Why this sudden interest in my love life. Are you perhaps jealous?"

"Of what?!" She shook her head, "You know what, I don't even want to hear your answer to that. I'm not jealous. I just don't like…" She stole a glance at him and saw the corners of his lips curl up. No way she was going to admit that she did not like the girl now. With a determined tilt to her chin, "I just don't like the mornings…."

A chiseled brow rose, "What?"

Kagome cleared her throat and repeated cheerfully, "I'm not jealous… I'm just worried about you. Since you don't deal well with people and all," she said in a nonchalant tone.

"How kind." The words dripped sarcasm. He drawled, "Any more words of advice?"

The car suddenly moved to the edge of the road and slowed to a halt. Kagome placed it in park and shut off the engine, "Look Sesshoumaru, seriously speaking, I think," she looked at him. Brown eyes widened minutely, 'I think you should go out with her.'

That's what she wanted to tell him. Why the hell not? Who was she to restrain him? She didn't have that kind of relationship with him.

But the words would not leave her throat.

Her mouth opened, "I think…"

'Go out with her….'

"Are you alright?" His voice broke through the spell she was under. She broke contact with his eyes.

"Yeah," she said shakily, "I was just saying that I think that you should just do what you want."

She clapped him on the back, "You're a grown man after all."

Sesshoumaru smirked, "Hn." He leaned back in the passenger seat, "Now if you'll please: drive. I miss seeing buildings."

Kagome giggled and nodded, "Yeah."

She turned the key in the ignition. Her face paled as her car gave a pitiful, stuttering start and wheezed, "What the hell…"

Her companion very calmly turned to her. He did not utter a word.

Kagome turned the key again but the second time was more horrid then the first. Her voice held a twinge of panic, "Sesshoumaru?"

"Hn."

Another try and Kagome shook her head, "I don't know a thing about cars, what do I do?! I can summarize my car knowledge in two sentences: You have a key. Key makes car start. Mechanics?—High school physics did nothing for me!"

"Calm down, Higurashi."

Kagome breathed in raggedly, "I can't!" She tried the key again, "Car not start! Premium was the uh oh gas, wasn't it?"

Sesshoumaru rubbed his brow and took her hand off the key, "You have a cell phone. Use it. This problem is fixable."

Kagome pulled out her phone and gave a nervous giggle, "Yeah sorry…You're right." She flipped it open and her hand froze, "It's dead…"

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and pulled out his sleek black cellular. Kagome tossed her phone into the back seat and unbuckled her seatbelt.

Any hope she had died at the sight of the light twitching of her companion's brow. His next words proceeded to conduct the funeral for said hope. "No signal."

Kagome groaned. It was an hour long drive back to Tokyo and they had only driven twenty minutes. "Should we walk back and try to use a phone or should we wait here until a car passes."

Sesshoumaru sighed, "I propose we attempt to head back to the barn. There should undoubtedly be a phone there. The latter option would simply be a waste of time."

Kagome ran a hand through her hair and grumbled, "I guess I'm fine with that."

"It's the only plausible option we have that I can sure you."

The girl opened her car door and stepped out, "Maybe we should split up—you head back to the barn, I'll try and walk to the town."

Sesshoumaru hurriedly unfolded himself from her passenger seat, made his way to her side of the car, and took her wrist. After closing her door and taking her keys so that he could lock the car, he wordlessly pulled her along.

Kagome grumbled, "She pushed me into a shelf, Sesshoumaru. Where will I end up next? A pile of animal poo?"

"I'm sure you're only imagining her aggression. Let us not forget that you do have an extraordinarily vivid imagination."

The raven haired girl stopped allowing herself to be pulled along, "Really! I insist on staying here… I'll give you two some alone time and stay behind with the car. I do have groceries in the trunk, after all, and I don't want my car broken into for bag full of tamp—."

Her eyes suddenly widened and her cheeks reddened. Sesshoumaru smirked, "A bag full of what, I wonder?"

Kagome shook her head, "Nothing!"

"Perhaps that explains your 'hostility.'"

"Let's just go! I said I would be back by now so Sango's probably worried out of her mind. Besides," she added with a glance at him, "you have to get back to Rin and Shippou, right?"

He commenced walking, but shook his head, "I was told to pick them up around three since it's been awhile since Rin has gone to the orphanage. There's no rush."

Kagome snorted, "I thought you missed buildings?"

"Hn."

"That's not a go-to answer you know. You can't just say 'hn' and all of a sudden you're exempt from speech."

Sesshoumaru looked over at her and with a snide look, he said, "Hm?"

Kagome feigned a laugh, "Hysterical."

The two continued on the unpaved road in light occasional banter before Kagome abruptly inquired, "Hey, Sesshoumaru… I have a question."

He looked over at her, "Should I shocked? That's not really a rarity."

Kagome lightly hit his arm, "I'm using my serious tone here so try and follow suit, okay." She took in a deep breath and breathed out, "What do you think about Kohaku?"

Sesshoumaru raised a brow, "Your roommate's younger brother?"

Kagome nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah!"

"He seems rather socially… inept…"

The raven haired girl rolled her eyes, "It's called being shy! He's a teenage boy! What were you like when you were that age?"

Sesshoumaru gave her a roguish look, "Do you really want to know?"

The girl half shook her head and half nodded with a hesitant look, "I'm not really sure since you're giving me that look...." She laughed, "To be honest, I can't even imagine you as a child. It doesn't seem possible."

"Yes," he drawled, "I just sprouted from my mother, fully grown and dressed in a suit. It was a medical wonder, I can assure you."

Kagome laughed a bit, "Okay Mr. Comedian! Back to my question! What do you think about him?"

"Let me guess, Higurashi. He has a 'crush' on my daughter and you're indirectly seeking out my approval of him. Correct?"

The girl nearly tripped. How exactly did he know that? She contemplated the theory that the man could quite possibly be psychic. "Yeah," she murmured slightly sheepish.

He looked at her, "What is your take on the situation? I suppose I can trust your opinion on this matter since you are well acquainted with both parties."

Kagome smiled softly, "I think it's a positive thing. If the Takinama family is anything, they're …perfect. Take Sango for example," Kagome counted off the qualities on her fingers, "she's gorgeous and smart and her abs are like sports magazine cover page quality."

Sesshoumaru raised a brow and drawled, "Always one of the more important traits…." His eyes held amusement, "But your crush on your roommate aside, I do believe Sango is not the one who wrote that letter to my daughter."

Kagome blushed, "I don't have a crush on her! It's more admiration if anything." She continued to look flustered for a moment before she really processed what he had said, "Wait a second… You read Kohaku's letter?"

"Yes, Rin showed it to me."

"So you're not psychic?" Kagome instantly regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth.

The man scoffed, "I really hope you're not expecting a response to that Higurashi." She let out a sheepish laugh and squeaked out a 'no.' After a moment though, she had to ask, "What did the letter say? Sango had me give her the letter, but Rin never brought it up again after I gave it to her. For awhile, I had thought that she hadn't even read it."

"It was… interesting. But to summarize, he apologized for his brusque treatment of her and asked if they could be friends, for he, and I quote, 'truly liked her.' I must admit though that that boy has a pretty advanced vocabulary for a boy his age. I was almost impressed."

Kagome laughed, "Kohaku is definitely a card. He's the biggest bibliophile on this planet. He's wanted to study at Oxford since he was seven."

"Ambitious."

Kagome smiled softly and stopped walking. Sesshoumaru paused too and looked back at her, "If they did end up being the kid equivalent of a couple, he'd be an enviable 'boyfriend.'"

Sesshoumaru let a coy smile tease his lips, "You sound rather jilted there. Did you two have a history together once upon a time?"

The girl sputtered, "I was giving you my serious opinion! I thought you wanted it!"

"That sounded more like a review than an opinion, Kagome."

Kagome hit him lightly, "Yeah well, I wish more guys were like that kid! He's keeping chivalry alive—eek!"

Sesshoumaru grabbed her hand as she went to strike her again and she lost her footing. The silver haired man caught her easily though since he already had a hold on her.

She blushed as she was placed in close proximity of the man, "Okay, okay, let go."

Her merely smirked instead of complying. "While you're here, I might as well ask you a question."

"I can answer whatever you want from a two foot distance! We have been carrying on a conversation like that for the past ten minutes in case you forgot…"

Sesshoumaru smirked and said in his velvety voice, "But you seem fond of dodging this question, Higurashi."

Kagome inwardly groaned as his eyes pierced hers, 'He's like a hypnotist….'

"What exactly had you so upset this morning?"

'Road rage!' her mind suddenly screamed at her to answer but even she knew that that was a flaccid excuse. They barely saw any cars on their drive.

'Run with the whole 'time of the month thing,' Kagome! Take it and run!'

Another part of her mind, the growing traitor within her skull just advised, 'Own up to the fact that you think Kagura is not so secretly a bitch! Let Sesshoumaru have his fun and own up to it!'

Under the pressures of her own mind and her nearness to a certain nice-smelling man, she blurted out what was on her mind. "Ragmonbitch!"

Sesshoumaru face shown with pure, unveiled confusion and he would have verbally pointed out her incoherency had not a car honked from their right side.

Whether it was because they were in the middle of the street or because it, from the outside, looked as if Sesshoumaru was violently mugging his female companion—a man stepped out from the vehicle and asked, "May I ask what's going on here?"

Kagome looked over with wide eyes, "Oh my God, Sesshoumaru! It's a car!" She released herself from his grasp and turned to their soon to be savior. Sesshoumaru too, turned to look over the male.

He was a wavy haired man, with crimson eyes and skin that rivaled Sesshoumaru's in categories of perfection and pallor.

And he was quite… elaborately dressed.

He wore a purple and gray, silk top that was kimono like in design and his pants were rather… poufy.

Sesshoumaru inwardly snorted at how utterly unscrupulous the man looked. Kagome however was moments away from kissing the very ground he walked on.

In his somewhat low, composed, voice that was somewhat cool, he questioned, "Do you need some help miss?"

Kagome nodded, "Yeah—we had car trouble and Sesshoumaru and I need to get back into town so we can call a tow—" Her stomach abruptly growled and she giggled with embarrassment tinted cheeks, "And I guess, get some food. Where are you heading?"

The man walked up to her and smoothly extended his hand, "Please, introductions first! My name is Naraku, may I ask yours?"

Kagome blinked, "Naraku? As in the forerunner of Onigumo, Naraku?"

He nodded with a smile, "Have you been?"

"Four years straight!" She took his still proffered hand and eagerly pumped it, "I'm Kagome by the way and this is Sesshoumaru." She gestured behind her towards her brow raised companion.

Sesshoumaru unenthusiastically murmured, "Charmed…"

Naraku did not spare him a glance and placed his hand on the small of Kagome's back, "I would be delighted to give such a fan a ride into town. I know the perfect little bistro to suggest for you too."

Kagome grabbed Sesshoumaru's arm, "I guess it's our lucky day, Sesshoumaru."

Naraku gave the silver haired male a glance over finally. In a barely concealed tone of annoyance, he inquired, "Oh, is he coming too?"

Sesshoumaru spared him a smirk, "Of course. I wouldn't dare leave this one by herself. The amount of trouble she would get herself into is too staggering for thought."

Kagome broke free of Naraku's hold to hit Sesshoumaru, "I don't appreciate those comments you know!"

Naraku gave a tight smile, "Hm. Well." He cleared his throat as they reached his car. "Kagome, would you like to ride in the passenger seat?"

Sesshoumaru opened the seat to the back row, "I'm afraid she gets car sick. It would be best for her to be in the back." He inconspicuously pulled Kagome towards the opened door and before she could protest, he asked with feigned sympathy, "Isn't that right?"

Kagome gave him a look and simply agreed, "Yeah… wouldn't want to throw up all over your nice upholstery," she nervously giggled as she slipped into the back seat silently wondering, though why Sesshoumaru didn't want her sitting in the front.

Naraku gave Sesshoumaru a chilling glare as the silver haired man followed suit, and fluidly entered the back of the car. Despite his clear put out features, the wavy haired man slipped behind the wheel after a moment as if nothing was wrong.

As he drove, he asked, "So Kagome-chan what brings you to this area?"

Kagome was a little taken aback by the additive of 'chan' but she shook it off and ignored Sesshoumaru growing smirk, "Um, we're coming back from booking a hayride for tonight."

Their driver beamed, "So you're a fan of my farm as well, I gather."

The raven haired girl snapped her fingers, "Oh yeah! I keep forgetting that the farm is also yours. This is my first year doing the whole hayride thing."

Naraku smiled and turned around, despite the fact that he was driving, "Then tonight will be on the house on me."

Kagome smiled, "Oh you don't have to do that…"

"Kukuku…Oh, Kagome-chan. I'm a very affluent man. So, I insist—I'll tell Kagura as soon as we reach town. The reception here is horrid."

Kagome lost her smile at the sound of the name, "Kagura?"

"Yes, she's my eldest daughter. Such a little business tycoon that one…A bit of a spitfire, but you know how kids are. I think she would like you, Kagome-chan."

"Y-you're daughter?" It didn't even take a sideways glance next to her to know that Sesshoumaru was getting quite the kick out of this.

"I have pictures of her and her siblings if you're interested." Before she could respond, Naraku had handed back a photo that had been sitting on the dashboard.

Kagome took it with a grimace. She blinked and asked incredulously, "How many kids do you have?"

"Seven—all different mothers, I can assure you."

Kagome hid a disgusted look but asked with slightly unveiled revulsion, "What is that supposed to mean exactly? How is that suppose to 'assure' me?"

Naraku shrugged, "Just putting that out there."

The shaking beside her indicated that Sesshoumaru had taken to silently laughing at her. The bastard was laughing his ass off at her expense.

Kagome was abruptly tempted to hop out of the car, but they had only just passed Sango's car and they still had a good fifteen minutes before they were out of the woody area. Besides, James Bond-eque movements like jumping out a moving car probably weren't Sesshoumaru's cup of tea.

The girl gingerly handed the photo back and commented, "You're shockingly young for being a father of …seven."

The man chuckled, "I know… Plastic surgery does wonders, doesn't it?"

Kagome grasped Sesshoumaru's arm and feigned a laugh. She eventually squeaked out. "Sure does!"

Naraku abruptly looked at Sesshoumaru in the rear view mirror. He clenched his jaw at their contact, "So, Kagome-chan... I've been meaning to ask. How do you know this guy?"

Kagome snaked closer to Sesshoumaru and chirped the words that stopped his amusement cold in its tracks, "We're happily married."

Amusement suddenly reversed and made a sharp turn. Into the realm of mischief. Cruel, cruel, Sesshoumaru concocted mischief.

With a smirk on his face he pulled Kagome into his lap, "Could you not tell Naraku-san?"

Kagome tried to discreetly kick the obnoxious man to signal that she wanted to be released and cursed herself for not wearing a seatbelt. "Yup," she grunted, as her foot connected with calf, "Happy, happy!"

Naraku put on an amused look, "You didn't look so happy when I found you… Domestic quarrel?"

Kagome tried to free herself from Sesshoumaru's arms but all struggles ceased when he replied with a sigh, "I suppose it had been a bit of a quarrel. She had been trying to coerce me into having wild, passionate sex in the woods but I had been morally opposed to the idea of public fornication."

Kagome's face flamed up and she turned to look at the smirking man. Her mouth hung open and Sesshoumaru insincerely gasped, "Forgive me, honey; I forgot that you dislike me speaking of our love life."

Naraku was silent for a moment before he inquired, "So Kagome-chan… Are you familiar with the idea of polygamy?"

(Tsuki)

"I will absolutely kill you!"

As soon as they were in the bistro, Kagome fisted her hands and began assaulting the chuckling man.

"I was getting hit on by someone old enough to be my father and what did you do? You exacerbated the situation to hell!"

She slipped with frustration into a two-place table. "I will so get even, don't you worry."

Sesshoumaru leaned his head onto his propped up arms and drawled, "Worth it, Higurashi. Completely and utterly worth it."

Kagome shuddered, "God, I need a shower…" She suddenly returned his smirk, "But I'm glad you got to meet your father-in-law, though! And your siblings to be! That must have been an enlightening experience, huh? You got to meet your whole damn family!"

Sesshoumaru snorted, "One date would not make her wife material. You can go ahead and tell that to your jealousy."

"Jealousy? I'm not jealous!" She narrowed her eyes, "I can't even think of one possible reason to get married to you!"

"Not even with all the passionate forest sex we would have?"

(Tsuki)

Kagome called her towing company and made a call to Sango before ordering. So after a lunch of a grilled chicken sandwich and Sesshoumaru's shrimp and gnocchi scampi (for she had very amply helped herself to his plate) Kagome was better suited for the wait for the tow truck.

She still refused to speak directly to the silver haired man, though. Her mortification had yet to ebb away so she felt she was justified in that.

It had paid paying for their lunch a tad difficult for the poor waitress who had served their meal, though. Between Kagome telling the girl to tell Sesshoumaru that would cover her own meal and Sesshoumaru, in mockery, telling that same unfortunate waitress to tell Kagome that he would in fact cover the full bill, the confused girl had no choice but to go with the easier of the two payment methods.

Kagome crossed her arms in indignation of the memory. Kids were getting lazy….

It took all her energy to keep herself from voicing that thought aloud. She closed her eyes and inwardly groaned. She wasn't sure who the silent treatment was harder on. Her or him.

Sesshoumaru smirked when he saw that she was diligent about continuing to give him the silent treatment. "Yes," he commented, rather unhelpfully, "Let us see just how long you can stay silent before you give into that urge of yours that makes you vomit words."

Kagome gave him a glance that clearly read, 'Was that really necessary?'

He matched it with a raise of his eye brows, "Did you dislike my choice of wording Higurashi?"

Kagome broke down after several more minutes of baiting, "You could have at least apologized by now! That was so uncalled for! What happened with that Naraku guy was disturbing enough with out your commentary!"

"It was less commentary than it was …assisting the situation. But if you want an apology, then I suppose I could comply. I apologize for my juvenile behavior earlier. I am deeply, deeply remorseful that my actions caused you discomfiture."

Kagome smiled, "Thanks."

After a moment she started laughing. Sesshoumaru gave her a look, "What is it now?"

"You do realize that I could have become your mother-in-law?" She snorted, "He just about proposed to me in the car and what with you and Kagura now…" She let the sentence hang in the air.

Sesshoumaru cringed, "What a dysfunctional family that would be. It's more disturbing than humorous."

"It's already dysfunctional—that scenario would be a level beyond dysfunction." She shuddered, "But I think I've had enough of kids for a lifetime."

"Surely that's an exaggeration considering you've only met one."

"Technically I met two. One of them had lavender hair just like this freaky kid my friends and I met one night…"

Sesshoumaru gave her a look and she gave a dismissive wave of her hand, "Long story." Kagome abruptly looked him over. "By the way… Have you ever been on a hay ride? Or pumpkin picking for that matter?"

Sesshoumaru gave her a look and drawled, "All the time."

Kagome rolled her eyes, "Well word to the wise, they're kind of messy so I hope you that all your clothes are… Well I hope you don't mind a little dirt and hay here and there." She gave a remorseful glance at her own clothes. She had on her favorite jacket—a gray and bright blue plaid wool trench affair—over a pair of jeans and white sneakers. Or sneakers that once upon a time had been white considering their mini trek over the unpaved road.

Sesshoumaru grimaced and looked at his own attire, "Would Takinama be able to bring a change of clothes?"

Kagome eyes lit up, "Smart! She probably wouldn't have left yet because it's not even two and my key to your house is still at the dorm. Can I borrow your phone again?"

Sesshoumaru slipped into his pocket and pulled out the device. Kagome quickly made the call and her request. Sango had made a joke about how honored she felt that Sesshoumaru trusted her enough to let her enter his bedroom, but was fine with complying otherwise.

The brunette on the other line then outlined the game plan for the evening.

As soon as Kagome got off the phone, she repeated it to Sesshoumaru. "Here's the schedule for tonight. Sango will drive in around five thirty. Hopefully her car will be out of service so we can get there before then. But at five thirty you and Sango will supervise pumpkins; I'm taking apples. We stop around six to load what we have in the car and grab food. Seven o'clock: we go for the hay ride. How does that sound?"

"Why split into groups?"

Kagome scrunched up her nose, "Souta's allergic to pumpkins, Kohaku hates apples, Rin really wants a pumpkin, and Shippou told me he likes to climb trees…."

Sesshoumaru snorted, "Pumpkins and pecans?"

Kagome laughed, "We get it from our dad." She closed her eyes and ticked off on her fingers, "Pecans, peanuts, pumpkins, bananas, strawberries, and shellfish."

Sesshoumaru raised a brow, "How odd."

Kagome nodded, "Souta and I got off pretty easy though. It could have been way worse." She looked over at him, "Do you have any allergies?"

"Not that I know of."

"Hmph and here I was hoping to discover your kryptonite."

Before Sesshoumaru could comment, the tow truck arrived in front of the bistro with Sango's car.

Kagome clasped her hands together, "Now all that's left to do is find a mechanic. Hopefully it will be close by because I'm paying this guy by the mile."

"I insist that I cover the charge. This is partially my fault, after all."

"Just like you insisted on paying for my lunch?" She quipped. She placed a hand on the silver haired man's shoulder. "I got this covered, Sesshoumaru. I went back to my old job while you were away so I'm fine on cash if that's what you're worried about."

She walked up to the tow trunk driver as an end to the argument. "Hi, this is my car. Where is the nearest mechanic in this town? That's where this needs to go."

The friendly looking man punched in a few things in his GPS and nodded, "Alright. You two hop in and I'll take you there. It's only a quarter mile away."

Kagome and Sesshoumaru went into the truck. It had only one continuous row of seating so Kagome had to slide in the middle of Sesshoumaru and the driver. It wasn't a tight squeeze, but when the vehicle reached the garage, the raven haired girl was glad.

The girl thanked him as he backed their car into the garage. "Just charge my account and I'll make payments when I get home."

The man nodded and he unhooked the front of her car. While she was giving her account number and information to the tow truck driver, Sesshoumaru clued the mechanics in on what had happened to the car.

Kagome walked over to him, once her task was finished. He seemed somewhat irritated as he relayed the mechanics diagnosis, "It'll take an hour to finish."

The raven haired girl tried to stay positive, "That's better than I expected!" Kagome looked sadly at Sango's car as someone popped open the hood of the car, "I guess you won't need to go through with that car rental huh." She shrugged, "We can look around the town to kill time. I've never been in this area before so if wouldn't hurt to take a look."

Sesshoumaru did not seem as enthused as she was and Kagome shrugged and said in an intentionally deeper than normal voice, "Or we can stay here and watch them work on cars." She scrunched up her nose, "That is of course if we can find somewhere that isn't covered in oil." She glanced around and saw only tires and empty crates as possible 'seating' objects.

"Hn… Perhaps it would be cleaner to enter town."

(Tsuki)

The walk into town was utterly uneventful. It was a rural setting with a few interesting shops, but nothing really was eye-catching.

Both parties were enthused to finally be able to retrieve their car, though. As they slipped into Sango's Ford, Sesshoumaru murmured, "Remind me never to drive with you again, Higurashi."

"No problem. You were like a bad luck charm this entire trip!" She laughed, "But at least tonight is on the house after spending a fortune on car trouble."

Sesshoumaru buckled his seat belt, "As I said, I will gladly reimburse you the garage fees."

As Kagome turned onto the dirt road that would bring them to the farm she smiled, "Hey no worries. I'm not serious when I complain, so don't think anything of it, Sesshoumaru."

She shrugged, "It was my fault for not knowing what gas my best friend drove anyway." She sneaked a quick glance at him. "And don't try and over pay me for the week. Trips and sheer stupidity don't count as legitimate expenses."

Sesshoumaru smirked, "I've been meaning to bring that up as well. How do you even know what I pay you considering that you have a growing stack of your payment envelops on your kitchen counter?"

Kagome's mouth hung open and she floundered for words. She finally settled lamely on, "I haven't had time to go to the bank…"

But even she didn't know why she never made time for her checks so in those regards any excuse she had would sound on the spot concocted.

However, Sesshoumaru left the matter alone and as they pulled back onto the farm grounds.

They waited in a somewhat comfortable silence until they saw Sango drive up in Kagome's car. The brunette stepped out of the car and moved to the trunk to grab a duffel bag, "Alright kiddies! Wakey, wakey! We're here," they heard her call and as they approached the car, they saw everyone waking. Or at least attempting to.

When Sango saw Kagome she smiled, "I don't know whether to hug you or smack you upside the head! I was so worried!"

Kagome made up the brunette's mind as she engulfed her with a hug, "I am never putting gas in your car ever again!"

Sango returned the hug, "How many times do I have to tell you, my baby's a regular girl." She grudgingly looked over at Sesshoumaru, "Thanks for taking care of her, Sesshoumaru. Guessing from the fact that she called me from your phone, hers was probably dead."

The brunette handed over the duffel bag, "Who knows what trouble you'd have gotten into alone? You probably would have gotten picked up by some old pedophile or something!"

Kagome gave her a tight smile and ignored Sesshoumaru's arrogant smirk, "Me? Please! I think I'd know a weirdo if I saw one!" She cleared her throat and changed the subject, "These are the clothes right?" Without waiting for an answer, she continued, "We'll go change then. I saw a rest house when we were driving up." She was about to walk away, but she paused for moment, "Do you mind confirming the reservation? The owner said we're here for free so if the girl in there gives you trouble—and she will—mention my name and tell her that the owner insisted."

Sango nodded and thumbed backwards towards the car, "I'm with going, but do you think the logs will be fine alone in the car?"

"…Just lock the doors and don't take too long," Kagome said with a nervous laugh and pulled Sesshoumaru with her towards the direction of the restroom.

Sango shook her head and headed into the barn, "That girl is so crazy sometimes…"

(Tsuki)

Kagome stepped out of the 'restroom,' and as she did, she slung Sango's duffel over her shoulder. She was now dressed in a pair of looser stone wash jeans and a pair of mock cowboy boots. Sango had picked out a thick gray, long sleeved, wide neck shirt for her also.

Kagome redid her ponytail and with a quick dusting off of her pants she huffed, "I never knew 'chicken coop' was a style of décor." She laughed to herself, "I was hoping to wait until the hay ride to get covered in hay."

She walked over to the men's section and knocked, "Sesshoumaru are you finished?"

The silver haired man emerged a moment after her inquiry dressed in a pair of light blue jeans, black ankle boots, and a black sweater. He was carrying his clothes and shoes in a neat pile in his arms.

Kagome had to laugh though. Hay had taken up residence in the silver haired man's locks and he seemed completely oblivious.

"What were you doing in there? Rolling around in the hay?"

Sesshoumaru raised a brow, "What do you mean?"

Giggling, Kagome stood on her tippy toes to remove strands of hay from his hair, "What I mean, is you have hay everywhere!"

While from Kagome's point of view, it seemed like a harmless gesture, just like during their roadside wait, it was one action that looked completely different from afar.

(Tsuki)

It was the final night of her time with her brother and it could not have gone more perfectly.

From the decidedly paternal yet somewhat affronted look on Sesshoumaru's face when the two picking groups met up again, Rin and Kohaku must have bonded some. Plus, they had enough apples and pumpkins to last a lifetime over from the trip.

As Kagome slipped under the sheets in a pants-tank pajama set, she had to smile in remembrance.

The hay ride had gone smoothly as well—Sesshoumaru hadn't found it too mundane and Rin and Shippou had completely loved it since they gushed about the experience nonstop when Kagome drove them home.

But her excitement over the night's success was perhaps the reason why she hadn't noted a certain coldness that had been directed towards her the entire night from a member of their party.

Souta stepped into Kagome's room then, further inhibiting her from delving further into what had happened that night.

Kagome grinned and moved into a sitting position, "And here I was thinking you wouldn't pay me a visit!"

Souta grinned and sheepishly scratched the back of his head, "I'm still not at the age where it's too weird to want to talk to my sister." He climbed onto the bed with her.

Kagome let out a small chuckle, "Good to know, kiddo."

Souta pulled the covers over his lap and leaned again her headboard, "This entire week was awesome, Kagome. Thanks for bringing us out here."

His sister giggled, "It was just what I needed too—believe me. So thank you for coming. It's all going down hill next year with all the work I have to do so I'm glad we got to spend this time together before that."

He groaned, "Hey, hey, don't bring that up! You're such a kill joy!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" The girl feigned being apologetic, "I always forget how you never like the talk."

"Well can you blame me? That's depressing territory! You've been in my life all of my life! What do you expect?"

"Yeah…" Kagome murmured sadly and quieted.

Souta sighed and changed the subject, "That Sesshoumaru is the coolest guy, sis. He and Rin need to visit home again," he laughed. "Only without the kidnapping though."

Kagome giggled, "Since when did you and that guy become buddies?"

"We bonded staying up when he was over here the other day."

"Bonded?" She questioned incredulously and drawled, "My brother and my boss bonded? Oh my God, should I be scared?"

Souta nudged her, "Please! We weren't about to say bad things about someone who looked like they were dying! Who'd be that cruel?"

"After today, I'd have to say Sesshoumaru," she muttered to herself but in a louder tone she said, "But that's so weird that you two get along."

Souta shrugged, "Like I said, he's a cool guy! Plus he's Rin's dad and she's pretty cool too and that's like super genetic."

Kagome jokingly sighed, "Then I wonder what happened with you then. That gene must have totally just skipped you over."

"Ha, ha." He rolled his eyes, "You're hysterical."

She reached over and ruffled his hair, "I'd like to think so."

He was quiet for a moment before he gingerly asked, "Are you two dating?"

Kagome giggled, "Why does everyone think that? We are not dating," she said firmly. "Half the time he isn't even convinced I'm sane."

Souta groaned, "That's a shame."

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Nothin'…"

He yawned and Kagome gave a soft laugh, "Okay kiddo, I'm sure you're exhausted after a week of staying up like crazy and I'm not sending you home with bags under your eyes. I'll get the lights." She moved to the end of the bed and climbed off. She flicked off her desk lamp and Souta rolled over until he reached the wall. Kagome slipped under the covers.

"Good night, Souta."

"G'night, sis."

Unfortunately for her though, unlike her brother, she didn't fall asleep instantly.

The question she had asked earlier, for some reason deeply plagued her.

Why does everyone think that?

Why exactly did everyone think that she was head over heels for Sesshoumaru?

(Tsuki)

A.N. This chapter made me way tempted to like pre-type descriptions of places for future usage. It really is pretty frustrating when I suddenly have characters switch locals, cause I felt obligated to make some descriptive paragraph up about where they are, but the chapter was already so long and I felt like I was tiring it out. Totally just made me go crazy. But if I just had a go-to glossary of places it would make life way easier. Oh…They've entered a barn? Well no worries I already have something for that! Copypaste, yay!

Am I lazy or what?

R&R s'il vous plait!