A/N

Read and Review?

~Smo

Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own any characters associated with InuYasha.

"One moment...
One look...
One word...
Can change everything."

Chapter 20

Kagome did not miss this. Sitting in the chair outside in the reception lobby, she decided to never make someone feel so unwelcome. She was fully aware of two beady eyes leering at her over the granite top desk. Jaken had never liked her. In fact, she'd been verbally insulted by him numerous times. Apparently, the toad demon was still stuck in feudal time thinking love was useless and relations should be forged on strength or rich dowries.

Once more, she leaned over to glance into Sesshomaru's office. It was barely visible behind the wall Jaken sat in front of. The pure glass door made it a bit easy to see into it, but the rest had blinds that were closed. She could see a phone dock. The phone was missing. Sesshomaru was in the middle of a phone call while she sat in the waiting room being glared at by a toad.

Her focus dropped into her lap. Her fingers clutched the paper envelope tightly, causing the brown covering to crease. Christopher had delivered it to the lab personally. Her receptionist had loitered in the hallway with seductive eyes burning holes into Christopher's back. Kagome had asked Koga what was wrong with the secretary, but the wolf had only laughed her concern away.

At first, Kagome had wanted to wait for the test results of their recent theory to show. However, patience had never been one of her specialties. Borrowing Koga's car, she had left Sango and Rin back at her condo to deliver the papers to Sesshomaru.

The dinner they'd had a little over a week ago had replayed itself in her mind over and over again. He was actually going against his father. Kagome let a smile spread across her lips, causing Jaken to scoff. She was too far in her own mind to care. It made her happy to see Sesshomaru finally going through with something he wanted. She only hoped he wouldn't give up. Shaking her head, she stomped down the concern. Sesshomaru was not someone who did something without thinking of all the pros and cons. He had definitely thought this through.

"He'll see you now," Jaken croaked out from behind his desk, not even bothering to stand up and open the door for her. Kagome nodded, offering him a tight but forced smile. Her legs wobbled at first when her fingers wrapped around the cool metal of the door handle. Why was she suddenly so nervous to see him? Letting out a deep breath, she pushed open the door and smiled in greeting to Sesshomaru. Instantly, the smile fell.

He looked angry. His golden eyes were narrowed on the phone he had just put back onto the hook. His fingers were folded into his other hand and propped under his chin. "You look as if someone just threatened to blow up the building," Kagome joked, sitting in the cushioned chair across from him. Gently, she laid the manilla folder with Christopher's business documents in it. "Everything should be in there."

Finally, he jerked his head to her. Sesshomaru looked uncertain. She could see it in the way he clenched his jaw. There were slight lines of exhaustion under his eyes. She wondered vaguely how uncomfortable it had been to go home to Kagura knowing he was about to ruin her future plans. She stomped on the need to comfort him though. Sesshomaru needed to do this on his own to understand he didn't need his father.

"Thank you Kagome." The way he spoke those words so softly told her he meant more than just for the papers laying on the desk. Still, she only gave a firm nod and stood up to leave. However, when she made it to the glass doors, her feet could not carry herself over the threshold. Sesshomaru was trying, wasn't he?

Releasing a breath in frustration at her weak resolve, her conscience already telling her this would be a mistake, she turned on her black pumps to give him a gentle smile. Already, he was lost in the paperwork she had brought to him, still looking lost and lonely. "Sesshomaru," she called, waiting for him to look at her.

When his golden eyes met hers, she felt scared again. The way they lightened when he looked at her made her feel a small thing of hope. Fear ran through her blood. She could not make the same mistake again. Her life would be meaningless if she tripped over the same thing so many times. "It would be foolish," she told herself. "S-Sango and I are going out tonight to celebrate. Rin was accepted into one of the top middle schools and they agreed to offer her late enrollment because I was able to blame her tardiness on some medic-." When she realized she was rambling, she shook her head and took a deep breath. Why did she feel like a young girl again? "Since you also pulled some strings to get Rin to stay with me, would you like to join us? I mean, we're going to a club. It's not your scene. I get that. I just figured I would ask..."

"What time?" Sesshomaru asked cutting her rant short. Kagome almost breathed a sigh of relief before she actually realized she needed a plan. Sure, Sango and her were going to a lounge where dancing and drinking took place, but she hadn't decided on when. Chewing on her bottom lip, she mentally thought of her schedule. She was due in the lab until after dinner. Rin was going to see a small girl in the following building for a movie and slumber night, but she figured it would be whenever she decided to get home after that.

"I suppose around ten," Kagome decided with a nod of finality. "It gives us time to drive into the city, since you are already here. Will that be okay?" There was now a small tilt to his lips and a twinkle of amusements in his eyes. Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms defensively. "Yea, you know what, now that I think about, I should make it a girls' night out."

His lips tightened as he refrained from laughing, and although Kagome was trying to be serious and annoyed by his humor, she felt success over the positive expression. "I will be there at ten," he stated, tone lighter than before as he reached for the envelope she had brought. Kagome gave a nod, but her feet did not move.

An awkward silence followed. Sesshomaru played with the edge of the of the envelope while Kagome stood just before the door. "Have you told him yet?" She didn't need to say his father's name. They both knew who she was talking about. Daitaro would probably see red when Sesshomaru's plan came to light. "What about Kagura?" Kagome wondered. The second name made her want to cringe after mentioning it. "What happens to your loft? I mean, do you have to kick her out? That'd be awkward."

"Why are you still here?" he grumbled, obviously not liking the questions she had for him. Kagome listened to his words. Nodding, she turned toward the door, reaching for the handle. "I will tell Kagura tonight after I send these back to Christopher. The loft is in my name only. She will have to leave. As for my father..."

"Yea, that may be a bit more difficult," Kagome whispered under her breath as she thought about it. Izayoi might be the only way to tell Daitaro without having the old general freak out. "You should tell Izayoi first."

"I will not hide behind her," Sesshomaru argued instantly. Kagome had expected that, giving another nod. Turning on her heel, she pulled open the door and stepped through it with a faked air of confidence. Sesshomaru watched with an aloof smile on his face at her nervousness.

He pulled the files from the folder. Like promised, Christopher had offered him the job of looking over her project as a supervising consultant on the board. He would have access to the accounts as well as the research. A sigh of relief left him that at least this part had been taken care of. Now it was time to give Kagura and his father a call. "Jaken, I am going home early today," he mumbled on his way out, having something to both dread and look forward to.

~Time Floats On~

Kagome groaned in frustration, smacking her head against the window once more. "It's going to be so awkward now!" she shouted angrily. Sango chuckled at her, flexing her fingers against the steering wheel. Her eyes never looked away from the road before them. They could see the skyscrapers in the distance as they neared downtown, already the traffic was holding them up as others retreated home from a long day of work.

"I am sure it will be fine. You say he is changing."

"I did not say it was for the better. I have no idea what his change is," Kagome added, pulling down the overhead mirror and wiping a stray hair from her face. The long waves of curls had taken longer than usual to perfect. She'd forgotten to put on makeup after conquering her hair. The dark purple spaghetti strap she wore had a low V-neck. The pink sphere chained around her neck. A pair of black shorts completed her look with a pair of wedge sandals. "I'm sorry Sango. He just looked all sad - like a puppy you find stuck in the mud."

Her friend snorted at the analogy before turning the car into the nearby parking garage. "You shouldn't sound so scared," Sango teased as they glanced around the structure for a parking spot. "Plus, he's on your side now isn't he?"

"No," Kagome quickly shot back. She didn't want to think of it like that. If she thought like that, she was no longer doing this on her own but with his help. Kagome had promised herself this was her time to shine, not from behind his shadow. If she were to put his last name on any part of her research, even his first name, people would look to him and not her. She would not allow that to happen.

With that in mind, she slammed the door with a bit more force than necessary, shooting Sango an apologetic look. Her friend only rolled her eyes, honking her car to lock it. Her heels clacked against the sidewalk as she listened to the familiar noise of the city. She heard honking, people conversing, doors slamming and bells jingling as new customers entered business. It was busy. Kagome didn't know if it was better or worse than living in a quaint town owned by a corporation and used mostly for researchers. She had time there. There was no busy commute in the morning and evening or the need to buy food on the way home. Yet, there was the variety of businesses and social life here that would never isolate her. She heard the train pull into a nearby station and remembered taking it to school every day when she was younger from Daitaro's home on the outskirts into the bustling city. Why did it seem so foreign now?

The light up sign outside the club flickered. Kagome chewed her lip as the pounding music already throbbed in her head. There was no way Sesshomaru would like it here. Kagome felt silly for even inviting him. "Identification please." Startled, she dug around her wallet and revealed the ID. Sango was grinning with excitedly. Kagome still frowned, feeling nervous about what the night now held.

"Mr. Taisho is waiting for you in the VIP lounge," the man said politely, bowing his head to her and Sango as he held the door wide open and waved for someone to escort them. Kagome's initial reaction was shock, even as Sango squealed in anticipation.

"The VIP lounge?" she exclaimed. When she saw the weariness in Kagome's eyes, she cleared her throat and gave an apologetic smile. "Sorry."

Kagome only nodded as her mind tried to make sense of it. Of course Sesshomaru would come and then plug them into the best area possible. She didn't know if she was happy because of it or not. Sure, it was an exclusive area of the nightclub, but it felt as if she was no longer hosting a celebration. It felt as if Sesshomaru had now invited her to tag along in his exclusive booth. Grumbling under her breath, she followed the woman in a leather micro mini skirt and golden spaghetti strap. "You know him, he has to have the best wherever he goes."

Sighing, Kagome tried to decipher Sesshomaru's brain. He probably didn't have a clue to what his actions had made her think. This was probably his own way to feel comfortable amidst a loud and crowded place. With that in mind, when the woman opened the double glass doors, Kagome put a grin on her face.

Sesshomaru turned around from his position of staring into the dancing crowd below him. His golden eyes were narrowed, but he seemed to relax. The color to his eyes lightened and a corner of his lips turned upwards. "You made it."

"I should be saying that to you," Kagome shot back, feeling suddenly defensive as she crossed her arms. Sango nudged her, causing Kagome to gasp. "Sesshomaru, this is Sango, the super cool woman that watches Rin while I have fun at work."

Sesshomaru bowed to her, gesturing to the woman still at the door to get drinks. "I've never been in a VIP section before," Sango sighed in admiration. "You almost can't hear the music at all."

Kagome took in the lounge, with plush sofas and glass walls anchored below the ceiling above the bar and directly across from the stage. There was a small pager on the table to demand service and a few speakers to pipe in the song currently playing. Of course, it seemed that Sesshomaru had silenced it. The dull red light symbolizing its current off position. The same woman that had guided them into the room entered once more. This time she held a tray of drinks. Kagome swiped a liquored beverage off the tray, knocking it back with ease. Sango gave her a questioning look, but as the liquid bravery burned its path down Kagome's throat she felt better.

"This lounge is really nice. Is this a company booth?" she asked, collapsing on the sofa with a sigh of release. "Damn, the couch is really comfy." Her whole body felt relaxed already.

"No." His answer was curt. Kagome frowned, wondering how much pull he had to get this lounge for a night with such short notice. "This is Christopher's club. I called and told him you were using it to celebrate. Did you not know this?"

The shock and surprise on her face was quite obvious. "He owns a nightclub?!" Sesshomaru handed her another drink, which she took easily. Sango quietly sat down and grabbed a drink when Sesshomaru also offered her one.

"He is in more businesses than one. Nightclubs, magazines, television, pharmaceuticals... If you can think of it, he probably has his hands in it." He spoke the words as if they were a curse. Quickly, Kagome remembered they had been competitors. She remembered Daitaro always complaining about an international firm. The Taisho's may rule most of Asia, but Christopher had his stronghold on most of Europe and stronger ties in the US from what she could remember.

Kagome took a sip of her drink, nodding her head as she took in the information. It was nice to know. "Did the papers get back to him safely?" she wondered, eying Sesshomaru as if she could ever read him accurately. He only gave her a curt nod before she jumped up from her seat. She'd be damned if she'd go to a nightclub and not dance to one song. Looking back at Sango, she gave a grin. "Want to go to where the music is?"

Sango seemed to sigh in relief at the question. Kagome realized her friend was suddenly worrying she would become a third wheel. Grinning, she grabbed onto the woman's arms and pulled open the glass door, not even bothering to wave to Sesshomaru. He seemed happier than he had been earlier, but she had promised this night to Sango.

"Are you sure you want to leave him?" Sango asked loudly, now having to shout over the loud beat of the music. Kagome's lips fell for only a moment into a frown at the thought of Sesshomaru being left alone before she forced herself to shake her head.

"No, his ears are sensitive so I don't think he likes the loud music. I can check in on him later," she added, still holding her drink in one hand as they sashayed onto the dancefloor. She remembered the last night she had gone to the club. It had been with some college friends just after they had graduated. After that, she had been busy between Sesshomaru and work.

With the music sending vibrations of adrenaline, Kagome couldn't help the calm smile that came over her. Her body felt alive, as if there were no more worries in the world. She was on her own for the first time, and now she could finally enjoy it.

She heard Sango's laugh when she flipped her hair to the side and threw her hands in the air with a squeal of delightful freedom. Kagome grinned at her friend, pausing in her dancing to balance enough of herself and take another sip of the drink in her hand. A giggle escaped her, wiping her the corner of her lips as some liquid escaped.

The songs began to change. A new beat changed the way she danced. Sango laughed every now and then in amusement. Kagome had her eyes closed as she tried not to think about anything. There was no research; no thoughts about Sesshomaru; no thinking about why Daitaro was so irritated with her newly released independence.

When her eyes opened, Sango was nowhere to be found. Her heart sped up in panic at first before she scanned the club and found her leaning over the bar. Kagome shrugged her shoulders, turning away to take in the stage. Multiple lights, different colors, a screen with different patterns being projected on it, filled her eyes. Her senses were overloaded. Her body tingled with her energy, but she kept it controlled. There was too much stimulation.

So caught up, she didn't feel the hand on her hip or the sudden presence of another man. For a second, she faltered not knowing what to do. As she thought about what to do in this situation, she realized she'd never been in a situation like this. After high school and through college she had been close to Sesshomaru and any male after that had just been useless. Biting her lip, her lip she continued to dance as her brain tried to work a solution out. Turning her head, she gave a shy smile.

Her eyes connected with green eyes and something within her seemed to go cold. They were dull and flat. They seemed to be missing something. "They're not gold." The startling realization made her pause on the dancefloor. Her lips fell into a frown. There was no aura surrounding him. He didn't have a presence. It was as if she were facing a boy. All she could do was shake her head and hold up a hand before she made a straight line for the bar.

Sango nudged her, grabbing the glass from her hand and shoving a new one in it. "This is amazing! He calls a Chocolate Martini!" Kagome forced a laugh out around the lump of sudden nerves in her through. Tasting a sip, she couldn't help the moan of deliciousness from the chocolaty taste. She turned back to the crowd, leaning her elbows on the bar and giving a depressed sigh. Why did he have to have such a strong impact on her lift? Couldn't she just go on without him?

Grumbling, she took another drink before reaching into her pocket to pull out a few bills of paper. "Please give me something stronger," she begged. The bartender and Sango both shot her a look akin to curiosity.

Sesshomaru watched with something a bit closer to frustration. His head was throbbing, even with the dimmed music. He could feel the bass with every fiber of his being. He stared at her through the glass, happy she had dismissed the man and retreated to find her friend. Still, that didn't wipe the memory of watching her dance. It looked so natural, her body moving fluidly. Each curve wiggled and teased him. "You once had this," it taunted. His nails gripped his slacks as he watched her go through what had to be her fifth drink.

He could see it in the way she moved that her judgment was now off. She spoke with her arms. Her fingers wiggling with each word as she held onto Sango. Something was off in her aura though. Sesshomaru allowed his youki to reach out and caress it, releasing a low growl as a feeling of possession took over. It felt so right. However, he could feel it in the aura. There was something off.

As soon as he opened the door he felt the wall of noise hit him like his father's training blade in the dojo so long ago. Taking a moment to get used to it and adapt, he set out for the woman who had invited him. He could smell the perfume she had put on coating her natural scent and felt a grim frown on his lips.

"You know, Sango, there's a completely good reason for this night out. Yet now, I can't think of it." He could hear the slur of the words as he approached. Sango had an amused grin on her face as she listened to her friend's rant. Sesshomaru could tell by the red hue on her cheeks they had both not thought about the amount they would be consuming. "Humans..." he wondered inwardly.

He pulled his phone from his pocket to check the time. "We should get her home," he mumbled over her shoulder to Sango. Her friend gave him a nod with an amused gleam in her eye.

Sesshomaru wasn't ready for the fury that came off Kagome. "You can't just tell me to get home," she shot out, poking at his chest with a pointed finger. Sango snorted, hiding her laughter behind a cough.

"It was a suggestion - one you should listen to," he added. Kagome pushed herself off the bar. Her eyes closed as she focused on catching her balance. Sesshomaru gave her a worried look. "Come on."

"We can get to the hotel ourselves!" she whined. Sango wrapped an arm around Kagome, stumbling at the added weight before nodding to Sesshomaru.

"I know. Think of him more of a VIP escort," Sango muttered beneath her smirk.

"VIP my ass. Sesshomaru is nothing but trouble. Golden eyes and sparkly hair. He's like a unicorn. After you see him, nothing is the same - completely ruined," she stammered, hiccuping between words.

"What hotel are you two at?" he asked.

"That was a lie," Sango returned easily in a whisper. "We talked about it, agreeing we would make the final decision when we were finished for the night and go to one of the cheaper motels just off the motorway."

The mere thought of Kagome wanting to stay in a poor motel made him grimace. He could imagine just how the two women beside him would look as they drunkenly tried to make their way up the stairs. Shaking his head to disperse the image, he waved for a taxi outside and ushered them in. "Where to?" the driver asked impatiently.

It was the question of the evening in Sesshomaru's mind. He had not gone home to Kagura yet, and something told him bringing Kagome and her friend into the loft where his soon-to-be ex lived was a bad idea. Taking her home was an hour away, and - selfishly - he was not ready to part with her just yet or leave them in this condition. He could tell from her aura something wasn't right. The orb around her neck held a faint glow of upset. No, it would be a dumb decision to leave her in the care of a slightly less intoxicated woman and a wolf demon. Sesshomaru's eyes widened at the thought of Koga. HIs upper lip curled upwards and he growled. Koga, the wolf would probably take advantage of her. With a final idea in mind, he gave the driver the desired address before turning to Sango. Kagome was asleep against the woman's chest, her fingers tangled in Sango's beaded shirt. "What happened?"

Sango gave him a tired smile. "Kagome just realized a few things I think. Is it true? Was it too loud for you in there?" Sesshomaru waited a moment before finally nodding, trusting the woman with his answers. "Then why did you come?"

"Kagome asked me to," he returned, eying said woman. Her hair was slightly mussed up. The red lipstick had faded. One of her shoes had been kicked off. A faint smile graced his lips when he remembered the way she would look asleep. Sometimes her hands would clutch the pillow and cradle her head, curling her knees towards her chest with one leg over the covers. She chewed her lip, eyebrows creased when a dream filled her with a strong feeling. Now, she was completely passed out.

"Is that it?" Sango wondered. Sesshomaru raised a brow at the woman's inquiry. How much did she know of their relationship?

"If she allows me time to spend with her, then I will not waste it," he explained easily. She seemed to be somewhat content with the answer. He watched as she leaned her head against the window and fell asleep. It was as if she had strained herself by staying awake to ask him the questions.

His answer was as honest as he could get though. Kagome still needed time to forgive him - if she could forgive him. He would wait, fight, or push if he needed to, but he would not waste an opportunity if she gave him one. Gently, he pulled a strand of hair from out of her face and tucked it behind her ear, holding her cheek and relaxing in the warmth that spread through his body. Regret filled him when he thought of what she had felt all the times he had left while she slept. Kagome would wake up alone in the morning, pushing herself through the next day to welcome him with the brilliant smile and shining blue eyes. "Did you know you were an idiot?" he reminded himself.

It would all be fixed though. Everything could be fixed, he vowed. He had an eternity to earn Kagome's love again. All he could do was keep trying until she finally opened for him. His thoughts were stopped when the car pulled to a stop and he stared up at the large home with a look of worry. He paid the taxi driver before nudging Sango. The woman batted away his hand. Grumbling, he hurried and knocked on the door, awaiting the answer.

"What are you doing here at this time of night?" Izayoi was already worried when she opened the door, looking past him at the taxi. His father was standing in the back along the staircase, already looking intimidating. Just what he needed. Quickly, he grabbed Izayoi's wrist and pulled her out of the house, leading her over to the taxi and pointing into the backseat. "...Oh... Well, this is quite a situation. Come on, if you get Kagome I'll be able to handle the other one."

Sesshomaru gave her a thankful nod, already reaching into cradle Kagome's unconscious form against his body. Izayoi swung Sango's arm around her shoulder, slapping her cheek lightly and dragging her from the cab. She gave a grunt as she resituated the woman before making the trek back into the house. "Daitaro, pull down the sheets in Kagome's room."

Her tone left no room for negotiation. It was stern, even though they both knew he would have wanted to say something. Sesshomaru's father opened his mouth to argue, but Izayoi shot him a narrowed stare that shut him up quickly. Growling, he set off in the hallway while the four followed. "Sesshomaru, come to my office afterwards," Daitaro growled as he threw the sheets back and stomped back into the hall towards the master bedroom.

"Don't worry. I will talk to him, just get her settled," Izayoi added as she tucked in Sango. Sesshomaru laid out Kagome beside her friend, lifting her head gently to situate the pillow. Izayoi set a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it lightly. "I'm glad you brought her here. Now get some sleep and you can talk to your father in the morning," she ordered.

Sesshomaru watched her leave with a look of curiosity. How had she ended up with Daitaro? What had been their secret way to get along and what had changed? Shaking it off, he turned back to Kagome and chewed his inner cheek. Staring down at her sleeping, it was just like all the times when they were younger. He would be getting ready to leave, the apartment filled with the scent of their lovemaking. A happy smile would grace her face and he would feel as if he could conquer anything. Just like old those times before he would leave, he leaned down and pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek, relishing in the soft skin.

Kagome's brows furrowed at the touch. Her hand reaching out to clutch for something. It fell just short of him though and a feeling of disappointment filled him. "Goodnight," he murmured against her skin, forcing himself to leave the room. Somehow, he just knew he wasn't prepared for whatever the morning would bring.