Simply Business Chapter 39, an inuyasha fanfic

SB May

"Our year began with the awkward realization that we were now the top of the top. The first day back here, everything almost felt like it new again even though we were seniors. We had climbed our way up in high school only to have to do so again. That's all we've done all our lives. Our journey has only gone up. And that's where it will continue to go. We haven't reached the summit yet, by any means. While it may have seemed like this was the end all, when we arrived as awestruck seniors, it wasn't then and it isn't now. This is only where we realize how much further there is to go. It won't always be easy… There'll be times where we will need to stop or feel it impossible to keep climbing but in those times what we should really be doing is looking back at our progress. Even the smallest achievements can look beautiful and inspiring from afar.

MNU's class of 2007 has been my second family, my greatest friend, and a driving force behind the person you see standing before you. This university has given us all so much. We may not have appreciated that or thought so one hundred percent of the time, but we should have. Although we leave each other from today forth, this will always be our common home to return to.

Thank you…"

Kagome and Sango looked dazzling that May afternoon for their graduation ceremony. They were garbed in white caps and gowns and as they walked down the grassy aisle, flanked by the family and friends of the hundreds of men and women in their grade, they seemed to stand out.

MNU was a school of over ten thousand students, so the graduations were separated by school. The overseer of the school of business school held the proceedings, outside, in front of the building where the bulk of their classes were held.

Three students spoke that day, the class president, a thin male with an ambiguously sexed voice with short brown hair, Sango as the summa cum laude speaker, and Kagome with the closing testimonial.

The class president spoke of how it had been an honor to serve his body of students and the diplomas were handed out.

Each name was called in its entirety and slowly but surely the name was uttered and everyone had a sense of accomplishment never felt before.

"Everything from now on is not a matter of failing or succeeding. It's about proving that we are a class of leaders. We have not spent four years of our lives in the school with arguably the most intimidating professors on MNU's campus to be anything but that. We have struggled to never settle, we have struggled to finally get the chance to wear these caps and gowns. While we stand here together today, let us be grateful for this guidance, drive, and knowledge. Let us recognize the opportunities that come with it. We have been imparted with a legacy that is something to forever cherish and use. So use it well and go as far as your life can take you. I wish each and every one of you the best in your chosen paths.

Let us now turn our tassels proudly as we join the ranks of Motoori Norinaga alumni."

Those were the words that closed the ceremony before the caps were thrown the graduates proceeded to march after their professors into the crowd.

Kagome stepped out of line as soon as she saw her mother. The girl grinned and waved her diploma.

The tearing dress sporting woman handed her a colorful bouquet of flowers and embraced the girl tightly. "My first college graduate! I'm so proud of you."

Kagome laughingly thanked her and let out a breath that seemed to release all the academic stress that had built up over her four years.

She was a college graduate…

Souta, dressed up in off white slacks, a button up, and a tie, gave her a hug, "Congrats, sis! You were amazing up there."

Kagome thanked him and ruffled the boy's hair before she moved in to hug her grandfather, "I hope I didn't put you to sleep there Jii-chan…"

The elderly man smiled and joked, "Granted there was no talk of youkai, I hung in there pretty well. Commendable job, dear."

Kagome grinned. "Where are the Takinamas?"

Souta gestured vaguely to the other side of the line of graduates. "Somewhere over there. We arrived here kind of late so we couldn't all get enough seats sit together."

Mrs. Higurashi took Kagome's arm as people began dispersing, "That wonderful young man and his children are with them."

Souta and jii-chan followed the two as they crossed over to the other side and Kagome instantly smiled as Sesshoumaru silver hair caught her eyes.

Sesshoumaru was wearing a nicely fitted pinstripe suit that accented his lithe body and contrasted nicely with his skin.

Rin, dressed in a flowing light blue, spaghetti strap sundress, called out Kagome's name and the crowd that was composed the Takinamas and the Taishos turned around. As the three families became a crowd, Sango instantly went over Kagome to congratulate the other girl. Kagome tossed an arm around the girl, mindful of he flowers, "We did it!"

The two laughed and Kagome sighed, "I can't believe we're here…"

Sango smiled sadly, "I know."

Kagome suddenly giggled and winked, "Here comes your boyfriend…" The brunette whirled around and saw Mirouku with his father coming in the direction of the two.

The raven haired girl slipped away after exchanging greetings and hugs with Ryuu and Mirouku to find Sesshoumaru again.

She found the male conversing with her mother.

Kagome nervously cradled her flowers a little closer as she approached him. He graced her with a smile when he saw her approach, "Enjoyable testimonial, Higurashi."

Mrs. Higurashi smiled suddenly and took out her camera from her purse, "You two stand together… I barely took any pictures, today!"

Kagome slightly flushed as Sesshoumaru drew in closer but smiled as her mother snapped a picture.

Rin and Shippou rushed over, each wishing to be in a picture with the girl and both determined to have their way. It was not long before the brunette mother pulled Sango into the impromptu photo session. By the time Kagome and Sango finally went to return their caps and gowns to the building, they had been in more photos than they could count.

As the two walked together, in the white dresses they had worn beneath their gowns, Sango smirked impishly, "By the way, Kagome, where's Kouga-kun? You would think he would make time to be at one of the most important events of your life."

By the sardonic note to her tone, Kagome deadpanned, "How long have you known?"

"We work together—in the same office! I've known for awhile, now." Sango shrugged, "Besides, Mirouku and Kouga are really close friends too."

"Why not say anything?!" Kagome asked in exasperation and laughed, "I would literally sit up at night and think of ways to tell you."

Sango rolled her eyes. "I was waiting for you to tell me. I didn't want you to think I was going relationship-nazi on you or something now that you two are 'friends' and all now. But since you're leaving in two days, I figured you were planning on taking that to your grave."

Kagome giggled, "Get serious."

Sango stopped walking and looked at her, "Okay. Here's me being serious: You like Sesshoumaru, I think he likes you too. Tell the idiot or you'll both regret it…"

The raven haired girl blushed intensely, "You don't know that for sure, Sango—there would have been signs or something." She shook her head slowly, "Yes, I like him, but I don't want to leave with his rejection clouding up my thoughts."

"But you're fine with living with not knowing?"

"…Slightly…"

Sango groaned and hugged her, "Whatever you do, I support you and love you. But that doesn't mean I won't worry about you."

Kagome slowly hugged the girl back, "Don't start saying your good byes, now! I barely made it through our speeches—I don't think I could handle any more today."

The brunette sniffed a bit and laughed, "I really don't want you to go, you know that right?"

Kagome's eyes pooled with tears, "I know…"

(Tsuki)

Ryuu catered the festivities for that night. He invited everyone back to his home for dinner and dancing for the evening.

Kagome felt as if she was heading to a somber event as she rode with Sango and Mirouku. Mirouku murmured, "Mon Dieu; une sourire, s'il vous plait!" Sango couldn't help but notice to that the man reverted to French at random times. Like in the mornings when he was half asleep or when he was anxious that he'd have two sobbing females on his hands.

But the male was right.

It was a happy occasion.

The brunette smiled softly, before pretending to pout. "Happy? That's all you get."

Kagome giggled and leaned back against her headrest, "No more frowns, okay, Mirouku? I'll try extra hard tonight."

Mirouku chuckled softly at both girls, "You both act as if this is the end of your seeing one another."

"This is the end of us sharing most of our lives together. We don't exaggerate if we say, 'we've been through it all,' because we have," Kagome murmured.

Sango shut her eyes tightly, "Ugh…Quick! Subject change or I am breaking the smile rule."

Mirouku smirked a bit, "So Kagome, do you think we should try to hook up my dad and your mom? I think I could get use to you calling me 'onii-chan.'"

The two girls burst into a fit of laughter that Mirouku managed to keep going until they arrived at his home.

(Tsuki)

There wasn't really as much dancing as there was dining, when they reached Ryuu's outdoor patio. Sango's parent's hit the dance floor during a slow song. Kohaku and Souta were the only ones left to hear another of jii-chan's tales as Ryuu asked Kagome's mother to dance after a while.

Mirouku and Sango had a laugh at the look on Kagome's face, when her mother accepted the offer with an embarrassed giggle. The raven haired girl gave them an incredulous, 'there's no way!' glance and nervously sipped her glass of wine as she watched the two closely.

The violet eyed man shook his head, "I don't know why she seems so opposed to us being siblings, love…"

Sango scrunched up her nose, "Because it's way too weird to think about! That's why. The three of us would be legal siblings!"

Mirouku smiled coyly, "Is that a proposal, love?"

Blood rushed to the brunette's face as she realized what she had implied and she looked for Kagome for a rescuing remark.

Instead the girl stood and excused herself with a wink, "I'm going to go talk to Rin and Shippou. I think I'm going to get my good byes done with today before I have the chance to really let everything settle in."

Although Sesshoumaru had looked as if he wanted to pass on Ryuu's invitation, Shippou was irreparably attached to the idea of free food. So the trio had attended, following a safe distance behind Sango's car.

Kagome walked up to them and thanked them for coming to her graduation. Rin beamed, "Rin can't wait for college. Nee-chan looked like an angel in her gown!"

Shippou nodded, "You're speech was pretty good too, Kagome."

The raven haired girl was tempted to leave and down a glass of wine and trying her attempt over. She shakily said, "T-thank you."

Looking into their faces, her resolve broke.

Sesshoumaru seemed to sense her original intent and said to her, "Stop by tomorrow. I will have spoken to them by then."

Kagome paled slightly but thanked him. She tried to chat with the two children as if all was alright, but she knew that after tomorrow… Nothing would be…

(Tsuki)

Kagome arrived around noon to the Taisho house. She and Sango had spent the morning stripping their apartment bare so that a new group of seniors could move in for next fall.

It probably hadn't been the best thing to do before heading over to the Taisho house.

She could feel the tears already behind their ducts, poised and ready.

Kagome sucked in a deep breath and rang the doorbell. Sesshoumaru gave her a soft smile as he opened the door for her.

And the dam controlling her tears broke.

Just as she had done twice before, the foyer and living room held signs of farewell. Kagome fell into Sesshoumaru's chest sobbing, "You huge inconsiderate, jerk! I'm not even in your house yet and I'm crying."

Sesshoumaru managed to coerce her inside before he closed the door. Gome barked excitedly as the raven haired girl came into the pup's view. She was followed closely by Rin and Shippou who looked devastated.

Kagome furiously rubbed her eyes, "This sucks!"

Rin wordlessly wrapped her arms around the older girl, "Please come and visit, nee-chan."

Kagome calmed down and said, "I'll try, Rin-chan."

Abruptly Shippou refused to look at the girl. In an angry tone, he yelled, "I hate you! You're a stupid liar!"

Sesshoumaru sharply reprimanded the boy, but he ran upstairs with wailing sobs, ignoring every voice that called to him.

Rin looked up at Kagome and then told Sesshoumaru, "Rin will to talk to him."

Kagome ran a hand through her hair, "I'm sorry that I couldn't handle this better and that I couldn't find my replacement."

"Are you sorry that you're leaving?"

Kagome shrugged and gave him a tear stained smile, "I don't know…"

Few moments in her life had been sadder than those fives minutes.

(Tsuki)

Sesshoumaru smiled wryly as he stood outside the dorm room and waited for her to return with her luggage. He would have stepped inside, but Sango was reaching decibels he had never before heard with her tears. The brunette had been in far to depressed a state to drive Kagome let alone herself, so the raven haired girl called the one person who would be able to. "You're still leaving, I see," he murmured as Kagome opened the door.

The girl nodded with a fake amount of cheer as she rolled along a large red duffel that matched the color of her eyes, "Yeah… I can't miss my flight. I don't want to be late for my interview. After all," She scrunched up her nose, "I'll be cutting it close even if nothing goes wrong."

"So your decision is final?" Though it was less of a question than it was a statement, Sesshoumaru appeared irked that he was basically repeating himself.

Why was he stalling her so much? Kagome felt a few new tears prick at her eyes. "Y-yeah, I mean there's nothing really keeping me here, now that I've graduated." She instantly regretted those words as soon as they left her mouth.

Sesshoumaru shot at her, "Family? What of them?"

"They understand my choice," Kagome could only reply evasively.

"Even with Sango and Shippou?"

Why was he trying to give her a reason to stay?

Kagome laughed shakily, "Sesshoumaru, why are you doing this now? My flight—?"

"And Rin?"

Tears ran down Kagome's cheeks and she looked away. In a soft whisper, she said.

"You're being so unfair right now, Sesshoumaru." She tensed up abruptly. She suddenly feared that he would ask about himself.

She had once described herself as someone who had known what direction that she wanted to head into since high school. But with those words, she had also thought that perhaps she was simply moving just because she was too afraid to turn back.

This job had been her motivation for years. But one word from him and she felt like none of it would matter anymore.

Every since November, he had suddenly become someone that she could only think about. He was the something more important than the planned out future she had had for six years.

Her tears increased when his mouth opened. But the, "and myself?" never came.

Kagome closed her eyes as he instead said, "You're right. My apologies. Are you ready to go to the airport?"

And she felt cold. It was as if her heart had ceased to beat as realization struck.

She gave an inward rueful laugh. 'Why would he include himself… After all, he was just an employer. Our relationship was just… It was simply business.' She wiped her eyes and took in a deep breath.

"Yeah." she managed finally, "Thanks for offering to drive me, by the way."

The drive there was silent, filled solely by the sound of the engine and an occasional sniffle from Kagome.

He helped with her luggage until she arrived at the baggage claim and both the bags were handed over.

Her last words to him were, "I'll call you when I get there."

And then she had awkwardly stuck her hand out for a handshake. "Thank you for everything."

That brief moment replayed in his head and he wondered if it was unavoidable to feel the way he held… He even wondered if he could have changed that moment.

Sesshoumaru watched Kagome's plane leave by the window of the food strip of the airport. He sat there, sipping a steamy cup of tea, he couldn't remember ordering.

When had she become such an inimitable force in his life?

Was it so long ago that he couldn't even remember?

He closed his eyes, finished the rest of the contents of the cup and walked away.

(Tsuki)

Inuyasha chewed Kagome out the second she walked through the door, "That's how you let things end?! You had nothing to stay there for, my ass! Bullshit! I can't believe you're even trying to pull that on me!"

Kikyou tried to calm her boyfriend down but the male was relentless in his exclaims, "I mean he trusted you with Rin—a living breathing person that he didn't resent! I wouldn't even trust you with my plants and I don't even like half of them! If you needed any proof that he's head over heels for you then there it is!"

Kagome sighed, "My interview is tomorrow; I won't risk all of this for because of your plant theory, Inuyasha."

Kikyou placed a hand on the girl's shoulder and said consolingly, "Though he could have worded it better, Inuyasha is right. You should have taken a chance. Sesshoumaru doesn't exactly wear his heart on his sleeve."

Inuyasha sniffed, "The man keeps it in Fort Knox for Christ's sake."

For the first time, since Sara had been there, she exited her room without being forced, "Do you even love him, Kagome?"

Kagome face flamed up, "Sara?!"

Kikyou cursed under her breath, "Did we wake you?" Though by the tone of her voice and the look she gave, Inuyasha, that 'we' was all completely pinned on the blond.

Inuyasha gave a frustrated throw of his arms and went into the kitchen to get a soda.

Sara smiled and slowly took a seat on the couch, "Don't worry about it Kikyou. This is important." The woman looked at Kagome and said softly, "Answer the question, please."

Kagome nodded her head and said sheepishly, "Against all reason, I do…" She looked flustered, "He's the only person I know who can be a complete prick and still make me this crazy…"

Sara looked at her, "Then why are you hesitating?"

"I owe this to my family."

Kikyou sighed with exasperation, "But don't you owe this to yourself to at least tell him how you feel?"

Shippou mother stood up again as Inuyasha stepped back into the room, "If you don't get this job, take it as a sign that fate knows what more important to you than the things you have yourself believe."

Inuyasha took out his phone and muttered, "If she doesn't get the job huh?" He looked up at Kagome, "Where are you going again?" He took a swig of his soda as Kagome answered, "I'm interviewing with Izayoi Industries—but I want you having no part in anything!"

The silver haired man sprayed a mist of soda over the living room floor and the two females in the room paused.

Before they could say anything Kagome smiled and shrugged sadly, "Sesshoumaru doesn't feel the same way, so why even bother? I'm fine with this. Please don't worry. Really…"

She sucked in a deep breath and nodded, "I'm fine," she repeated.

And a part of her truly believed that.

(Tsuki)

Kagome hopped out of the shower the next morning and immediately got dressed in a black pencil skirt and a white button up. She threw a matching blazer on and after sliding into a pair of sheer stockings, she put on black heels.

She planned on skipping breakfast that morning, but Sara caught her on the way out of the bedroom and murmured, "It's been awhile since I've had to force someone else to eat, so I'll keep this brief: head to the kitchen. No one will bother you, Kagome. I promise." The woman smiled, "You haven't said a word about my son since you arrived and that's all I've wanted to hear about."

It was only the three women for breakfast that morning and as Kagome ate scrambled eggs and Turkey bacon, she could help but feel her nerves settle. Talking about her time with Rin and Shippou, no matter how things ended, just felt good.

The feelings lasted even on her drive to Izayoi Industries.

When she stepped into the luxurious office, a secretary greeted her.

"Kagome Higurashi?" Kagome felt a bit surprised that the woman knew her name but with a slight nod she acknowledged her presence. The woman smiled and said, "We will see you now."

The girl led Kagome to a large office. The heavy looking door was closed, so the woman, opened it for the raven haired girl and gestured inside, "Good luck."

With a smile the woman waited until Kagome was inside before she closed the door. Kagome jumped at the loud noise and looked around.

The room was spacious and lit solely by the ceiling length panels of windows that took of the entirety of a wall. There was a sole desk, slightly cluttered and covered in… wrappers of candy bars. A tall leather chair was facing away from the desk as if someone had left in enough of a hurry to spin it around.

There were two filled book cases in the room and a file cabinet, but Kagome did not find any of that to be important.

What was important was the fact that she was alone.

"Did the guy step out?" She groaned and rolled her eyes heavenward, "Just my luck!" She went back to the door and turned the knob.

Only to find herself locked in. "What the hell?"

The chair abruptly rolled around and Kagome's heart nearly flipped into her throat as she saw someone who she never imagined that she would see again.

His silver locks glistened under the rays of sunlight and his painfully familiar smirk adorned his face. Sesshoumaru was dressed in one of the suits, he knew so how to so impeccably pull off and he was sitting right in front of her.

He picked up something from the desk and read from it. "Kagome Higurashi: age twenty one. Applying for a junior executive position. Graduate of the class of two thousand seven with an impressive business school rank. Recommendations from very respectable professors—"

"What are you doing here?" Kagome finally found the words to voice the question that her mind had been screaming at her to ask ever since she saw his face.

"Apparently thorough research is not something you can add to your resume." He leaned back in the chair and chuckled a bit, "Izayoi is the sister company to Taisho Tech. This is Inuyasha's company."

Kagome leaned against the door, "But why are you here?"

Sesshoumaru stood and scoffed, "Perhaps I took this as a sign that I will not be able to get rid of you."

The raven haired girl blushed, "But how did you know I applied?" She laughed a bit, "I know I'm asking a ton of questions here but Sesshoumaru I'm confused as fuck..."

"My father decided to remember why your name sounded so familiar. He was the one who proposed your name to Inuyasha's Human Resource department. He called me with that information after you left. And if the silent treatment from Rin and Shippou wasn't enough, Inuyasha left quite a few messages for me as well."

Kagome opened her mouth and Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes, "But that does not answer why I am here, correct?"

The girl nodded furiously and as he advanced she sank lower. She had wanted to keep the upper hand in the conversation but with each word uttered from his mouth, she knew she who would stay in control while they were within that office.

The man squatted down in front of her as if he were mocking her. He drawled, "You tell me, Higurashi. Why am I here? Guess"

Kagome shrugged. Was she actually supposed to know the answer to that? After all, she was so genuinely confused. In a blatant guess, she asked, "Did Inu Taisho decided to make the company checks biannual?"

Though he said nothing to affirm or dismiss her answer, she knew she was incorrect. "You know, I spent half of the nine months you were under my employ thinking that you were certifiably insane."

Kagome looked affronted, "I've never threatened to financial cripple you pal! Don't get me started on some of the stuff you've said to me! You were—and still are—a very sadistic man, Sesshoumaru." Kagome threw a punch from where she sat, but the silver haired man caught the appendage and refused to relinquish it.

Sesshoumaru continued, "You managed to turn the entirety of my existence upside down." He scoffed, "I've never been confused about anything in my life—yet you barged into my home with your dog and suddenly I was confounded almost every time you opened your mouth. Your personality alone would have made me fire you numerous times had you stepped foot in my company. For some reason however, you ended up stepping into my home and now I cannot imagine it without you."

Kagome closed her eyes and said shakily, "I know I'm goofy and loud and sporadic… I get carried away a lot, and sometimes—well almost everyday I make some sort of mistake—fee free to stop me at anytime here, Taisho."

Sesshoumaru smirked at her and asked, "But what, Kagome?"

She looked at him sadly, "But I'm not a toy or a perpetual maid… I'm not some ornament for your home, Sesshoumaru!"

"I am not asking you to be any of those things..."

Kagome shook her head exasperatedly, "What are you doing here, Sesshoumaru?" Don't get my hopes up!

"I am here, Kagome, because Inuyasha took something very important to me that I came to get back."

He took her chin gently and turned her face towards his.

Kagome suddenly met his gaze and asked almost in a whisper, "If it was so important, why the hell did you let it spend an ass load of money on one helluva long flight?"

He said to her with a soft but grim smile, "It took some time to stop being stubborn and admit to something I've probably known for awhile now." Before she could say anything, he smirked, "Realizing that you're in love with a neurotic wreck is pretty hard to swallow. Perhaps your insanity is contagious."

"Would you believe that I waited eight months to hear you say that?" she murmured in a breathless whisper.

Sesshoumaru used the door as support as he closed the distance between them.

Before their lips connected, Kagome grinned and murmured teasingly, "So I'm guessing I didn't get the job, then…"

Her only answer was Sesshoumaru's mouth pressed against hers.

(Tsuki)

A.N. -Giggle- Our little Sesshoumaru is all grown up! He's finally admitted his feelings for our favorite heroine.

Should I end it here or post the epilogue? There are almost 6 hours still left in SB's B-day farewell so I'm weighing my options.

R&R