AN: I kept debating back and forth in my head what should occur next in the sequence of events according to my outline, but I really couldn't decide, so this chapter is pretty much writing itself. I know everyone is curious about a few things… and between you and I, I am too. LMBO. Hope you enjoy.

Cena (Dinner)

It was finally time to stop delaying the inevitable. Kagome and Sesshoumaru had all but set up shop at their new firm. Aside from building a reputation for themselves, there wasn't much left to do except notify Mr. Higurashi of their departure.

Kagome was found pacing back and forth outside her family home fidgeting with her thumbs and breathing haphazardly.

"Onna, should it not be I who is nervous?" Sesshoumaru said calmly.

"I don't see how you're not!?" She exclaimed. "I have two bombs to drop, the first is that we're sleeping together and the second is that we're no longer going to be working for him. I don't know about you, but I think that's two too many slaps in the face from the same person in a relatively short amount of time."

Sesshoumaru allowed Kagome her moment of panic as he silently observed her with a smirk.

"What are you smirking about? This isn't funny!" Kagome all but screamed as she regarded him.

"Oh I was just thinking how there isn't much sleeping happening when we are together." He tried to lighten the mood.

Rolling her eyes she playfully slapped his chest and said, "Glad to know you can find the hilarity in my misery."

Grabbing her hands in his larger ones he caught her gaze and forced her still. "Kagome, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Worst case scenario he's a little bit upset. At the end of the day you are still his child and he loves you. I'm sure he will respect any decision you make for yourself. He may even be proud to see how proactive you've been with establishing and securing your own business."

Sesshoumaru paused as he pulled her to him before whispering in her ear, "I wouldn't lead with my having thoroughly fucked you though."

Before she could react or be embarrassed he pulled away from her and knocked on the door of her parent's home.

"Coming!" came the distant call of the aging human male.

Upon the opening of the door, Nagate regarded Sesshoumaru in surprise. "Yukino told me to expect a male guest, I just wasn't expecting you Sesshoumaru." Remembering his manners he stepped aside motioning for the two to enter.

"Hey Dad." Kagome smiled nervously as she reached up to kiss the older man's cheek.

"Your mother said dinner will be ready within the half hour. Can I get you anything to drink Sesshoumaru? I've got some brandy and a few coronas. I know I'm drinking brandy."

Sesshoumaru didn't miss the exasperation in the greying man's voice, attempting to avoid the awkward tension he pleasantly said, "I'll have what you're having."

Nodding Mr. Higurashi looked in the direction of his daughter before she said, "I'll come with you."

"I'll be right back Sesshou." Nagate flinched at the familiarity before walking off.

….In the Kitchen…..

Shuffling through the cupboards in search of glasses Nagate avoided eye contact with his only daughter.

"Hi Mom." Kagome called as she approached the older woman near the stove.

"Hi dear." Yukino greeted giving the younger woman a side hug.

"Nagate are you going to frown all night or are you going to be a good host?" His wife scolded.

"I am being a good host. I haven't said anything out the way." Mr. Higurashi grumbled.

"Dad, be nice okay? You like Sesshoumaru fine enough on a regular basis."

"On a regular basis he isn't at my doorstep standing too close to my daughter either."

Kagome sighed as she made her way to the fridge to grab the pitcher of lemonade that looked like her mother had just finished making. Pouring a cup full of the sugary goodness Kagome walked over to her father.

"You don't even know the purpose of tonight's dinner, but you're already tight lipped."

"It doesn't take that active of an imagination to guess what it is you have to tell me Kagome." Her father retorted.

Shaking her head Kagome left her parents in the kitchen as she made her way back to the receiving room were Sesshoumaru stood awkwardly.

"Now who's being nervous?" Nagate heard his daughter say to the tall intimidating man from his place in the kitchen.

"Nagate," Yukino started, "give her a chance to talk and be open minded dear."

Grumbling and muttering under his breath, Nagate grabbed the brandy from under the cabinet in one hand and two ice filled glasses in the other.

"Did you hear me dear?" Yukino urged.

"Yes honey." He said in response. Fixing his composure he took a deep breath before he stepped into the living room where his daughter and employee were sitting on opposite ends of the couch.

"What do I owe the pleasure Sesshoumaru?" The salt and pepper headed ningen queried while handing the disguised inu a half filled glass of brandy.

Speaking with confidence Sesshoumaru responded, "Kagome and I have something to share with you, however I think she'd prefer us to wait until dinner to discuss it."

"Yes, and I want to be the one to bring it up." Kagome added.

"Dinner everyone!" Mrs. Higurashi called from the dining room. "Kagome do you mind helping me bring the last few things to the table?"

"Sure mom." The young woman called back as she eased from the couch careful not to spill her sweet drink. "Be nice guys." She said dismissively and Sesshoumaru barely hid a smirk as Mr. Higurashi rolled his eyes.

"As if I'm a child!"

Sesshoumaru could see clearly where Kagome got her attitude from now that Nagate was in the comfort of his own home. Taking a swig of the brandy he said, "Good brandy sir."

"Thank you. We should probably make our way to the dinner table before my wife begins to nag." Nagate mentioned as he proceeded in the direction Kagome had disappeared.

….

"The food is delicious Mrs. Higurashi." Sesshoumaru complimented taking another bite of his roast beef.

"You can call me Yukino, and thank you! I decided to try a new recipe. I was getting tired of having okonomiyaki almost every other night." She said cutting a glance across the table to her husband.

"There's nothing wrong with okonomiyaki." Nagate rebutted.

"No dear, nothing wrong with it at all." Yukino said sarcastically.

Kagome was on her third glass of lemonade and was having a jittering sugar high. Speaking in a relatively fast cadence she addressed her father. "Dad, there's a reason why I asked to have this dinner with you tonight-"

"Oh boy, here we go." Mr. Higurashi sighed as he took another shot of brandy. Mrs. Higurashi elbowed the older man in the side before refocusing her attention on her daughter.

"Continue dear."

"Well… as you know I've been trying to find my place in the firm for a while now," Kagome started again. Gaining her composure she continued, "Sesshoumaru's arrival at the firm made me realize that in order to find my place in law, I would have to leave from under your shadow. I love you Dad, and I'm appreciative of the opportunity you've provided for me, but I need to spread my wings. Sesshoumaru and I are starting our own practice. We will be leaving in two weeks. We've closed out all ongoing cases and I'll have a report to you by the end of the week."

Kagome finished with a deep breath and looked at her parent's expectantly. Nagate blinked in silence for a few short moments before letting out a deep breath. "Well… that explains the time you two have been spending together. Kagome, I'd hate to see you leave, you as well Sesshoumaru, but I know you must do what you feel is best for you."

Grabbing his glass of water he laughed before taking a sip then saying, "I almost thought you were here to tell me you two have been screwing each other and were expecting a baby. You don't know how relived I am to hear otherwise."

"Kagome giggled nervously while scratching the back of her head. "Well.. about that."

"Mr. Higurashi, Kagome and I do have… feelings for one another. I would very much appreciate your blessing to continue our relationship." Sesshoumaru interjected.

Switching back to his brandy Nagate said, "You're not pregnant are you?"

"Oh Kami no! At least not that I know of." Kagome said while mentally counting the weeks since her last period.

"Well you're an adult and obviously capable of making your own decisions. No point in including me now." He spoke while excusing himself from the table.

"Dessert anyone?" Yukino asked in an attempt to ease the tense atmosphere.

…

A/N: Happy Independence Day America.