Hello again, it´s been a while. I´m finally able to update. I´d love to have more free time to write. I hate promising to do it more often and not being able to deliver. Anyway, let´s see what life has in stock for me.

In this chapter Kagome is starting to get stronger, hopefully I can convey that. She´s had a few tough days and is getting more confident.

DISCLAIMER: I don´t own any of the characters, they are the property of the very talented Rumiko Takahashi.

16- Dignified Girls

"I didn´t mean to lie, mother, I just didn´t want to upset you anymore than necessary."

Kagome saw the tears running down her mother´s eyes while the older woman tried stoically to contain them while she had to steel herself not to give in to sobbing too.

"Kagome, I´m your mother." With these words, the damn finally broke together with Mrs. Higurashi´s voice. Sobbing openly now, she tried to continue anyway. "It is my job to worry about you." Using the back of her hand to wipe away at the uncontrollable flood, she added. "I feel like I pushed you into an unhealthy relationship. How messed up is that?"

"Mama..." It was unusual to find herself in the comforting position, Kagome thought. But she had assumed the responsibility for her family´s wellbeing and it included comforting her mother. "I´m sorry I´m such a disappointment." She Gave out a melancholic sigh and spread her arms around her mother´s hunched form on the couch, her head resting on top of the other female´s.

"Oh no, sweetheart. The only disappointment for me is that you couldn´t find happiness."

"Trust me, mom. From now on, I´ll never make that mistake again."

The next day Kagome arrived at the office an hour earlier hoping to find Inuyasha already there. She had been rehearsing what she wanted to tell him all night, hardly getting any sleep. Another change in her life with Inuyasha in it, she had only slept well when they had spent the night together.

Arriving on the 6th floor, she was surprised to discover she had been the first person there today.

"Ok, I´ll be patient. I can do this."

To distract her mind from the clock, she resumed the work she and Inuyasha had done last week. She was so immersed in it that she didn´t notice Miroku arriving and almost making her jump out of her skin.

"Wow, I´m impressed Miss Higurashi, you have done a lot of research while I wasn´t around." He said bending over her shoulder to have a look at her laptop screen.

"Miroku-sama! You scared me." She found herself standing now, thanks to the stealthy arrival of the young man.

"Good morning Kagome!" A cheerful hippo joined in; his hands full with the breakfast trays. "Good to see you Miroku-sama. I have your breakfast too. Inuyasha texted me earlier and told me you would be joining us today."

"Oh, our gracious boss, always thinking of ways to improve our productivity. Thank you, Shippo." He said extending his hand to take the coffee cup the young youkai was offering. "And good morning to you too." He added.

"And where is Inuyasha?" Kagome inquired. Maybe she was too caught up with the job at hand that she hadn´t heard him arrive.

"Oh, didn´t he tell you? He´s not coming in." Miroku offered, his eyes fixed on Kagome´s expression. "He decided he won´t be working with us anymore."

"What?" Kagome could not hide the shock after hearing this. "Why? I mean, I know he is the boss and he can do as he pleases, but did he tell you a reason to do so?"

"No, I´m afraid he didn´t. He just sent me an email informing me of his decision and leaving you and me in charge of the project."

Feeling her legs getting weaker every second, Kagome sat down and let out a sigh, disappointment now showing plainly in her features.

Oblivious of the turmoil in Kagome´s inner self, Shippo went on with the breakfast preparations.

"I brought you some peaches Kagome, they smelled sweet and ripe, you should try them." When the young woman didn´t answer, Shippo turned to Miroku. " Is she alright?"

"Kagome-sama? How are you feeling? Is everything fine?"

Focusing her vacant brown gaze first on one man and then on the younger, Kagome finally managed to snap out of her trance.

"I´m fine guys, it just took me by surprise. Inuyasha has been working with me since day one." Kagome stood right up again and took her computer from the other side of the table, rebooting it in a second before sitting back down, a mask of composure covering her features. "There´s a lot to do if we want to keep the schedule Dr. Ikeda gave us. We should start immediately."

"But your breakfast..." Shippo was about to say it was ready but Kagome didn´t give him any chance.

"It´s ok, I can nibble on a biscuit while I work, we already wasted too much time."

The pace was set for the rest of the day. Miroku and Shippo had to keep up with Kagome´s restless program. She hardly stopped for eating or allowed any breaks for the team.

By the end of the second day, they had started to make phone calls and appointments, trying to interview as many of the partners as possible. Getting them to disclose their views on the project and trying to secure their vote in the next meeting demanded some fine subtlety, something Miroku and Kagome both seemed to understand perfectly.

Shifting her focus to the job, at least during office hours, was the plan Kagome had come with to avoid thinking of Inuyasha. As soon as she left SNT´s building, her mind would be plagued by thoughts of him. He hadn´t called her back, or even read the emails she sent him, even when they were all work-related.

She had tried every means of communication and failed. She had even noticed how her feet would carry her to Shiori´s desk whenever his name was mentioned, only to discover that Inuyasha had not been in Tokyo since Sunday. Where was he gone? It was a mystery no one could help her decipher.

She was starting to feel like a stalker, was this a sign she should give up? Let it all be and forget about the hanyo? It had become clear he had no intention of seeing her, or at least listen to her.

If this is what he wanted, fine by her. She would not bother him anymore, she had her pride too.

"Ok Miss Higurashi, we have finally made some progress." Miroku presented her with a folder with several pages inside and kept talking. "These are the shareholders willing to see us. I thought that we can start with the junior members and move our way up the ladder until we can finally get to Mr. Takahashi himself."

Kagome looked up from the list at the mention of that name. She hadn´t heard it since Inuyasha refused to get in touch with her.

"We have to interview Inuyasha?" She tried to hide the excitement in her voice, unsuccessfully.

"Ha, I wish!" Miroku slapped the table and smirked. "I meant Lord Sesshomaru Takahashi."

"Oh, Lord Sesshomaru." The disappointment was also plain when she uttered the words. But then, an idea started to form in Kagome´s mind. "I think we should do it the other way around, start at the top and work our way down the ladder."

"You mean you want us to start with Lord Sesshomaru?"

"No, I meant I should start with him. Get the tougher demon on the list first and the rest will follow him."

"Mmm, interesting thought. It could work. Let me call his assistant and ask him to receive us as soon as possible."

"I would prefer to go by myself, Miroku-sama."

The young man gave her a suspicious look. He had met Sesshomaru before and found him a bit intimidating, the fact that Kagome asked to see the daiyoukai on her own was a bold plan. It could be a smashing success or a huge disaster. Either way, he´d rather be near Kagome for back up.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

A small flea demon opened the door of the Takahashi manor and Kagome couldn´t help but gape in awe. She had gone shopping with Inuyasha, she had ridden in his car, it has given her a sense of how well off he was. His family´s house, on the other hand, could rival any of the emperor´s summer residences, she had no idea someone could be so rich.

The gardens were a large collection of trimmed trees and flower beds, all of them perfectly kept. The manor itself was a couple of centuries-old, at least. Its white brick facade shining in the early morning light.

"We were not expecting Inuyasha-sama´s mate to visit when he´s not here. Lord Sesshomaru will be greatly surprised."

"I am not..." She had started to deny her relationship with Inuyasha once again when she thought better about it. "I´m not here on a personal visit." She told him. And it wasn´t a lie. She was getting more comfortable with the idea, if she was honest with herself.

Kagome walked up the steps that led to the double doors and waited to be guided by the old little demon through vast, silent halls decorated in antique furniture, her heel clicking loudly on the marble floors.

They reached what looked to be a small library and was offered a seat while Myoga, that was the old demon´s name, announced her presence to an even smaller, older karpa-looking youkai seating behind a desk.

"This lady has an appointment with the master, Jaken-sama." The first demon told the second one before turning to her and bowing his head politely on his way out.

"Miss Higurashi, I presume."

Kagome just nodded her head.

"My lord is busy with his daughter. It will only take a few minutes." The frowning green creature announced. "You can have a seat."

Kagome did as instructed, taking out her phone to check on her messages. Still, nothing from Inuyasha. She shouldn´t be disappointed by now, she had already decided to let things be, then why did she keep checking her phone every chance she got?

She was about to answer Sango´s invite for dinner when the door of the office opened letting a young girl out while the green imp entered closing it behind him. She looked to be around 18 years of age, the flower pattern of her dress and the long, wavy dark hair framing her face gave Kagome the impression of a free spirit behind the casual look.

"Hi, sorry to bother you. I´m Rin." The girl´s lovely features brightened in a sweet smile as he addressed her. "I heard my dad saying you were Inuyasha´s girlfriend. Is that true?"

Kagome´s smile froze on her lips.

"I´m Kagome, nice to meet you. I´m sorry, I am not Inuyasha´s girlfriend." Though I really want to be, she wanted to add.

"That´s too bad, you have a nice smile and you are very pretty, I like you. Inuyasha needs a girlfriend that makes him smile, you too would make a nice couple."

Letting out a sigh, Kagome look down at the phone on her lap and then back into the smiling girl´s face. She couldn´t find a logical reason but something on her demeanor made her want to answer in all earnest.

"I would have liked that too if only I could talk to Inuyasha maybe I could make things work between us."

Rin put a small hand on top of hers and squeezed her fingers.

"Don´t you lose hope Kagome-"

"Miss Higurashi, Sesshomaru-sama is ready to see you."

Kagome had the feeling Rin had more to tell her before they were interrupted, now she´ll probably never know.

Walking on wobbly legs, Kagome crossed the threshold and walked the distance to the huge mahogany desk occupying one-third of the room. Behind it, a white-haired demon surveyed her from head to toe. He must be at least two inches taller than Inuyasha, the same strong built, same broad shoulders covered in a gray suit, black shirt, and red tie. Twin ponds of molten gold, so much like Inuyasha´s and yet so different, locked with her own chocolate eyes.

"Higurashi-sama, finally I get the opportunity to put a face to your name. And your scent."

Kagome was bowing her head in polite submission when her head jolted right up.

"My scent? How is that even possible? We haven´t met before."

"Oh, no, we haven´t met. My younger brother would carry your scent around, same as you carry his stench with you. That´s how I "smelled" you before."

The cold underline to his words made the hair on the back of her head stand. The powerful demon lord could not hide his disdain for his own brother.

"That can´t be possible, I haven´t seen Inuyasha in more than a week."

Lord Sesshomaru just arched a single eyebrow, his mouth curving slightly up in a cold smirk.

"Your connection to him must be more powerful than you even know. Has my little brother sent you to do his job?"

"As I said, I haven´t seen your brother in a few days, I came here to do my job."

"Have a seat please." He seemed to order her, and she obeyed mirroring his actions on the other side of the desk. "According to my assistant, you have come as a representative of Dr. Ikeda´s interests. What do you expect to gain from this?"

"I´ll be honest with you. I was promised a nice large bonus if we get the majority´s support for the next meeting."

"Now, since you are being honest, what about your relationship with my brother?"

"Excuse me?"

"What do you expect to gain from it?"

She saw red, a hot rage suddenly boiling within herself. What was this conceited lord demon implying?

"I´m sorry, but even if I had a relationship with your brother, I don´t think you should ask me about it. Talk to your brother, I´m sure he will let you know everything there is to know."

"I already asked him, I am asking you now." Sesshomaru clearly remembered mentioning the human scent clinging to Inuyasha. He also remembered his brother´s refusal to discuss the matter, not unlike the human female.

"Is that true? Didn´t your brother tell you what happened between us?"

"Are you calling me a liar?"

"Well, you called me a gold digger. I guess we are even now." Kagome saw the way Sesshomaru´s thin lips tightened and held her breath fearing some kind of physical retaliation. "However, this is not the matter I came to discuss. Can we please focus on Dr. Ikeda´s project?"

"I don´t see why it should matter to me. This Sesshomaru sees no utility for such a project. The mighty demon blood of my race doesn´t need healing of any kind."

Now that he went back to his cold behavior, Kagome felt bolder.

"I can see two flaws in that statement," Kagome spoke confidently, finally getting on more comfortable grounds. "First of all, there are millions of humans in this world that would be willing to pay a fortune in exchange for their health. SNT would profit enormously from the outcome of this project."

"That sounds appealing indeed. Most of the council won´t hesitate to the prospect of a huge profit." Sesshomaru nodded his head. "And what is the second point?"

"As I was waiting outside your office, I made the acquaintance of Rin." Kagome smiled sweetly knowing by the paleness on the demon´s stern face that she had struck a nerve. "You have a human daughter Lord Sesshomaru. I am convinced that you would do anything for her wellbeing, am I right?"

Kagome inhaled deeply, a slow smirk playing on her lips as she saw a cloud passing through Lord Sesshomaru´s momentarily distraught features. She could almost taste the victory.

"Fine." He eventually regained his composure breaking the silence after a few seconds. "I will get behind Onigumo´s project on one condition. I want my brother to be working on it too."

And with that, the tables were turned to leave Kagome gaping at the now very calmed and collected youkai.

"But Inuyasha... he´s not... he doesn´t want to..." She couldn´t even form a coherent sentence.

"What he wants is of no importance to this Sesshomaru. It is my brother´s duty. He must join your team and take this project to a successful end. That´s all you need to have my support."

After a few seconds breathing deeply to regain her strength, Kagome finally made it out of the front door. She couldn´t tell how she managed to get this far before she allowed herself to let some of the anxiety out.

There was no sign of the two small demons that had let her in, so she walked through the garden path by herself, thanking there was nobody to witness her display of weakness.

"Kagome-sama!"

At the mention of her name, Kagome turned to meet the smiling girl from before sitting under the shade of an ancient maple tree with a book on her lap which she soon discarded to catch up with Kagome.

"Rin-chan, I didn´t see you there. I´m glad I get to say goodbye."

The girl had approached Kagome in a few steps, and she could see the rich tone of her coffee-colored eyes as she stepped closer.

"Me too! Before you leave, can I ask why haven´t you talked to my uncle Yash? You mentioned earlier you wanted to talk to him but you couldn´t."

The sheer bluntness of the question caught Kagome off guard. The girl looked like she sincerely cared about Inuyasha and that connected with Kagome´s feelings somehow.

"You are right, I would like to talk to him, but I don´t know where to find him. He left before I could make things right between us, he´s probably very disappointed with me right now."

"Oh, that´s so sad. I can tell you care for him; I can see it in your eyes." Before she could react, Rin was taking Kagome´s hands in hers. A warm affectionate feeling began growing in her chest for this almost stranger, taking Kagome by surprise. "Yash can be very stubborn, you have to talk to him, make him see how you really feel about him."

"I want to do that so badly!" Kagome´s eyes were becoming moistened by the tears she had kept at bay all these days.

"Then go get him."

Rin let go of one of her hands to dig in her pockets for something. She then slipped a piece of crumpled paper in her palm and with both of her hands closed Kagome´s fingers around it. She then squeezed her closed fist and stepped back.

"Next time I see you I hope it´s by Yash´s side. Good luck, Kagome-chan."

She went back to the book she had been reading before Kagome showed up while the older woman carefully unfolded the piece of paper and smiled, tears of relief finally being freed from the prison of her lashes.

There you have it, Rin made her appearance. I love her character; she is so happy and carefree it´s refreshing to write her. If you hadn´t caught it, the title makes reference to the meaning of her name, one of the meanings of Rin in Japanese is dignified.

Next chapter will be an Inukag reunion, I´m hoping to post it soon (don´t hate me if I don´t, shit always happens.)

Thank you so much for reading and leaving such nice encouraging comments.

Love,

ALP