Cold Winter's Depth – Chapter 2: Under Those Circumstances

A house isn't automatically a home, as many are told early on. A home is where one is comfortable and has a piece of oneself in every nook and cranny. A home can be a house, a loft, a penthouse, an apartment. In short, a home is a comfortable place of living. Kagome had chosen hers particularly for the peace that surrounded it. For a single woman, she lived comfortably in her penthouse overlooking the lake her parents used to visit. It held personal value and she could not help but to stick to it when she was left with no choice than to stay close to her company. From the door onto the frame of her bedroom door, the entire house was decked out in white. In the early morning and during the sunset, the sunrays would give the walls an iridescent glow that she could only compare to falling diamonds. Her room lay in the richer colors of crimson and gold with soft lighting from tall lamps. Her bed engulfed her small form in a plush down comforter and four large pillows.

The soft sounds of a guitar drifted to her dozing ears and her eyes fluttered open, squinting against the sunlight that filtered in through her drapes. Lost without you, can't help myself-.

"Hello?"

"Kagome? Where are you? You do remember that the representative from Japan is coming today right? He's due here in fifteen minutes, if he's early."

"Sango? What time is it?" she groaned, and turned over in her bed looking for a digital clock.

"It's almost eight thirty."

Kagome's eyes snapped open. She hadn't slept in for months, her biological clock was sharp and on time every time. She should've been awake by six and ready to go half an hour after. She was an hour and a half late, her ongoing example of the value of punctuality was shattered.

"Damnit!"

She was sorry for hanging up on Sango, she really was. But even so, she threw her cell phone across the room, landing without a noise in the plush carpet, and ran into the shower. Fifteen minutes later she was locking her door and hoping to all existing Gods that she had applied her make up on correctly. She slammed her car door shut and sped across the streets like a bat straight out of the fiery depths of hell. The representative from Japan was their tough break. If they could convince him to buy into their product, they'd almost be number one in their market. InuYasha, her financial advisor, had confided in her his great faith in the company. She'd thought it somewhat strange that the last names had been the same, but concluded that they may be related and would only prove to be in her favor.Lost without-.

"Hello?"

"Kagome, the representative from Japan is on his way from the airport. He should be here within the hour. Should I prepare the Costanzia Room for a presentation?"

"Yes, thank you Sango. Make sure InuYasha and Hojo are ready to go. Tell them to run through to make sure that there are no glitches in their presentations and that they have all the answers to any possible questions."

"Will do, coffee?"

"Loaded. Have you found out what this representative prefers?"

"He likes cappuccino in black mugs, there is one ready to go for him."

"Good. Thank you Sango, I appreciate your work."

"Thanks Kagome, I know you're under pressure."

"You've no idea," she paused for a second to zoom past other cars through the E-Z tag lane and ignored the honks from other cars as she crossed the highway towards the familiar exit.

"Make sure Mark and the other guys are ready to take the car, I don't want to deal with the traffic of other workers being late."

"They're already down there."

Kagome smiled as she saw her personal favorite valet parker ready at the front of the crystal building. She snapped her phone shut, sadly Sango must have been used to it, and grabbed her briefcase. She jumped out of her car after waving at Mark and jogged into the building.

"Good morning Ms. Higurashi."

"Morning Mr. Alabaster."

Normally she would've stayed to chatter a bit with her security guard, she wanted loyalty above anything else, but this morning she was bit off schedule. She punched the elevator button and waited anxiously as the glass cube lowered itself all the way down to the first floor. She stepped in, pressed nine, and jammed the 'Close Door' button with everything she had. The oncoming crowd of employees stood outside of the closing doors knowing better than to try and squeeze in with the owner. From her glass cage, she could see a rather young and handsome Japanese man, flanked by four men in suits, reaching the lobby and bowing in respect to the receptionist. She couldn't help but giggle at Kikyou's flushed appearance. A minute later she watched the glass doors slide out and give her a complete view of the hustle and bustle of work. Sango greeted her and took her suitcase, handing her a portfolio.

"It is the exact copy of what InuYasha and Hojo gave you earlier, they knew that they were not to make any last minute adjustments without your consent. Also, Kikyou has made us aware that the representative, Miroku Takahashi, has arrived and will be escorted to the Costanzia Room. Your coffee has been placed at the head of the table and his cappuccino has been placed on the seat adjacent to yours on the right."

Kagome stopped and placed her free hand on Sango's shoulder, effectively stopping her mile-a-minute speech.

"It would seem that you are more nervous for this presentation than the people directly involved."

Sango sighed, "Kags, I know how hard you've been working on this."

Kagome smiled, "You're the best Sango. I'll make sure you take a break soon."

Sango nodded her head in acceptance and they parted ways. Kagome's stride was quick and full of energy. The anticipation of a deal made her anxious. She sighed in relief when she found both InuYasha and Hojo going over their presentation.

"Ms. Higurashi!"

Hojo's excited greeting cut InuYasha's speech short. Kagome noted the frustrated look InuYasha shot his current partner. She's make it a point to never have them in the same room for more than an hour.

"This is your audience's profile, picture and all," she stated confidently, waving the portfolio at them. "Miroku Takahashi is the Vice president of Amisai Corporations and has made the trip in his father's stead, Mr.-."

"Touga Takahashi," InuYasha inserted, his body tense.

Kagome looked his way with dread filling her. She realized that InuYasha must know of the family or the corporation in some way other than through this meeting. It obviously wasn't good knowledge either.

"InuYasha, listen to me carefully," she ground out, suddenly livid, "I don't care what information or ties you have to the man that is coming today but make sure that you present your work professionally. I've made it clear from day one that in a work setting I don't care who your family is, who your friends are: This is your job."

Sango walked in at that moment, speaking impeccable Japanese in polite, hushed tones to a good looking man. She bowed as he entered the room and he seemed pleased…until his eyes met with InuYasha. His smile seemed to disappear into thin air as he tensed into an angry, stiff posture.

"I'm afraid that before any of this began you have lost some credibility in my eyes Higurashi-sama," he said, slowly turning to face her.

"I would have thought you a bit more professional Takahashi-sama, whatever your personal problems may be with any of my staff, that shouldn't stop you from seeing the integrity of my company as a whole."

The man seemed to look at her in a new light, as his smile slowly returned.

"You are right, and for this I will honor you and stay for your presentation."

Sango quickly pulled his seat for him, "I hope you enjoy your cappuccino."

He looked at her with an appreciative smile, "I should hope so."

Sango's face slowly reddened into a blush that only made him smile more, and she had no choice but to bow once again and leave as soon as possible. Kagome caught the slight widening of his eyes when Sango bent low, low enough for him to catch a glimpse of her cleavage. She let it slip and would call the situation even.

The presentation continued and, thankfully, InuYasha got too involved in his presentation to feel tense or to exude any more nervousness. Hojo complemented InuYasha's ideals with research and everything went over smoothly.

"I am satisfied with your level of work and would be most pleased to have you present your ideals for our company in the presence of my father in Nihon."

Kagome looked at him incredulously, "You want us to go to Japan, Nihon, to present perhaps the beginning of our project for your company?"

"Yes, if my father finds you have great potential, then any of your competitors for this contract will be null and void. It is my greatest joy to tell you that none so far can compare."

"But-."

"Unless of course you are unable to make the trip?"

"I am, it's just that-."

"Then I'm sure within the month I should expect you. Perhaps you'd even consider opening an extension of your company there so that we may work closely together, of course this is if and only if you meet my father's expectations. I must warn you they are quite high, some have found them rather hard to meet."

Kagome followed his eyes to InuYasha, who looked away with a hardened expression.

"I will make sure to send you information about our company as soon as I reach my homeland tonight."

"You have a flight tonight already?"

He smiled and chuckled, "I was here merely on business Higurashi-sama. Tonight I return and tomorrow I return to my father's company."

Kagome smiled, "Let me escort you to the front Takahashi-sama."

They left then, together, with his body guards following them closely. She found him to be honest and amusing, traits to add on to his perverseness. They bowed to each other once again and she watched him leave in a black car, she'd secretly been expecting a limousine. She steeled herself and returned inside and back to her office. There she let herself be consumed by her thoughts on InuYasha and his relations to Takahashi Miroku. She was torn. InuYasha and Kikyou were employees, friends, and (above all) family. The fact that they seemed to have held something back left her emotionally hurt and professionally weary. Leaning back into her chair, she realized that she couldn't expect them to divulge all of their secrets either.

"Kagome?"

Her stormy blue eyes snapped to her door, where Sango stood indecisively.

"Come in Sango," she invited softly. "It's been a long day."

"Actually, I was letting you know that Kikyou and InuYasha are waiting for you."

Kagome nodded, "Might as well get it out of the way. Send any other appointments to Souta."

She admitted that it had taken a while before she'd integrated her brother into his rightful station in the company, but it had been well worth it. Her workload has typically smaller now that she could delegate half to him. Also, during that time, Souta had taken it upon himself to work his way up in the company. Thought it may have been unconscious, Souta had gained the respect of his coworkers, whom he now led with upmost confidence.

"Kagome?"

"InuYasha. Kikyou."

They both sat down, InuYasha looking mildly uncomfortable. Kagome leaned back in her swivel chair and let herself come out of her business character, if only to listen to her friends.

"Give me the story guys."

Kikyou crossed her arms and stared ahead. InuYasha cleared his throat and attempted to loosen his collar and tie.

"Miroku Takahashi is one of my brothers."

Kagome's eyes snapped open, her mouth agape in shock. Old enemy she'd been ready for. Family, however, was a great shock. True, she'd been careful to avoid the subject at Kikyou's insistence, but to hide something like that in business was akin to betrayal.

"A-Are you a-?"

"I'm not a spy," InuYasha ground out, clearly offended. "I left my family a year before Kikyou and I married each other. Long story short, certain circumstances would've landed me with Miroku's job and an arranged marriage that would've been more profitable than my current one."

"Miroku is married?" Kagome questioned, aghast at his previous actions.

"Not willingly. Perhaps he's never seen his wife aside from the wedding, which must've been a huge business convention if anything."

Kagome looked at him strangely, "So you ran away to be with Kikyou and left the youngest to take the heavy burden for you."

"I wouldn't quite put it that way, but yes. The oldest of us is… indisposed."

"Be it as it may, I would ask that both of you prepare your bags and reports," she warned, waving a file at InuYasha. "Your assignment is to create advertisement samples for Amisai in two weeks. Kikyou, draw up sufficient orientation for your assistant so that she may have the proper tools to take over for you."

"Kagome…" InuYasha pleaded.

She glared and he knew he'd lost as she quickly reverted to her business persona.

"Youwill go and you will make amends. You are an adult and as such you should realize that you can't leave a family behind when things don't work out. I'm sure Kikyou understands this quite clearly."

"Kagome," Kikyou warned.

"No, there will be no men in my family that will ever run out on a family again. He was selfish enough to leave the burden to them. Your children and you as well Kikyou should know who you are related to and who your family is. Families aren't one sided. You are both dismissed. Kikyou, get a hold of Souta for me and get him in here. InuYasha, Hojo's afraid of planes. You may find yourself a suitable replacement. Sango?"

The door to her office slowly edged open with Sango's sheepish smile greeting her, "Hai Kagome?"

"Book five tickets to whatever airport in Japan two weeks from now. Also, round up the bulk of the research team for a meeting at two. It's also nearing noon."

"No lunch dates have been set," she contributed, watching InuYasha and Kikyou squeeze past her. "Your younger brother, however, wished to extend an invitation."

Kagome smiled, 'I'll be more than happy to accept. As for you, I'd suggest you go find Kikyou. I know you're itching for gossip."

"Yes ma'am!"

Sango promptly left the room, leaving Kagome to her own devices. She picked up her purse and sunglasses and shut the door with force. Everybody in the small lobby jumped. After fumbling with her keys and managing to lock the door, she turned to find Souta waiting for her.

"Such a gentleman, to not make a big deal out of tardiness."

"It's a known fact among males that we are to wait on women and never the other way around," he explained with a grin.

He offered his elbow and they walked to the elevator together. They had a three year difference between them. While Kagome was twenty-four, Souta had barely hit twenty-one. Most had found them too young, but their energy and innovation made up for the lack of experience that came with age.

"So how'd that meeting go today?"

Kagome gave Souta a dead-pan look, "It was good enough for the midnight soap opera broadcast."

"That bad, huh?"

Souta chuckled as they made their way across the main floor towards the double doors. Understanding that the meeting was a topic for lunch, he gave her an update on statistics and different courses of actions.

"Oh, Mom wants you to call."

They walked to their destination, shoving through the crowds of New York. They almost sighed in relief at the appearance of the small Blooms & Berry restaurant. The hostess' face lit up and led them to a table. She giggled at Souta's greeting with the much over-exaggerated smile of one who is flirting with an accompanied stranger.

"Can I get you anything special to drink?"

"No," Kagome snapped, "but you canget me a change of attitude."

"I'm sorry Ms. Higurashi, did I displease you in any way?"

"I don't appreciate your friendliness towards my younger brother. Perhaps you'd like to do your job without having the need to try and get a date on the side?"

The waitress turned bright red and nodded, "Yes ma'am, anything to drink?"

Souta hung his head in defeat; Kagome could be intimidating when she felt threatened. To her, he was still too young to be getting girls out on dates, and definitely no girl could hit on him.

He glared at her half-heartedly, "I won't be surprised if she sends a different waitress over here after that verbal abuse."

Kagome smiled, "And how could that possibly be a bad thing?"

"Kagome, it's important that you understand that I am an adult."

Kagome looked at her brother with sympathetic eyes, "I know you are Souta. That is why I've decided to pursue the change of opening a branch abroad and letting you handle the business here for a while."

Souta rolled his eyes, "You leaving for a week-."

"Month. Months. Year. I'm not sure yet."

Souta's eyes widened. In return, Kagome smiled at his expression with endearment.

"So what made you decide to go? Is it the new contract?"

"It was somewhat of a suggestion, stipend, demand."

Souta nodded, "So I'll be left with the company on my own."

"Yep, I'll leave you the year's expectations and current project progress. Also, you have a meeting with one of the Playstation® representatives over a new game's advertisement for December."

I hope it was worth the wait, but it's written way in advance… on paper. Oh well, happy holidays and bring in the new year with safety in mind. InuYasha & Co. are all property of Rumiko Takahashi and the Playstation trademark belongs to it's respective owner (who's name escapes me at the moment).