Chapter 31: Where the Shards Fall
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The tension broke in an array of nothing as the door was carelessly opened. Fujimoto kept her pace, bypassing her entirely, she headed towards the chair on her side, making it clear that was her intent all along.
Kagome felt the air woosh out her lungs, the tightness of her muscles relaxed all at once. Now in the presence of the Nurse, Kagome could see how foolish she had truly been.
"Are you alright Dear? You're looking paler than you were before," Ano-sama placed her hand over Kagome's forehead, concerned when she appeared to be cold and clammy as well.
"Yes; of course, I'm fine." Kagome insisted, more for herself than those around her.
'Mou! Inuyasha got in my head after all!'
"Well, if you say so, I suppose you two better make it back to class; I'll write both of you a slip. You're lucky testing was already over when you two came in, or else we'd have different paperwork to fill out."
Kagome nodded absently, sparing a glance to the girl who sat innocently beside her.
Shaking her head to dispel the last remains of doubt in her mind, Kagome offered the girl a bright friendly smile.
"I can't thank you enough for being so patient with me, Fujimoto-san."
The girl looked momentarily shocked, but recovered quickly, "Think nothing of it, Higurashi-san."
They shared a moment of kindred friendship, pulling away from her suspicions and fears, Kagome could see herself making easy friends with Fujimoto. Both slips signed and accounted for, the two girls made their way out of the small space, heading down the hall in mutual calmness.
Attempting to fix whatever she had done with her slip of judgement, Kagome hoped to gain the girl's favor by striking a conversation, "You were amazing on the beams, Fujimoto-san."
"You think so?" Fujimoto asked, glancing at her from the corner of her eye, "You didn't find it to be a bit... much?"
Kagome knew why she asked that, having been stuck behind girls who both praised her performance, and those who bitterly claimed she had done it all for attention.
Rolling her eyes, Kagome blew hot air towards her bangs, "You did great, it's not your fault others can't measure up. If they wanna be babies about it, let them; you already proved you're better than them."
Fujimoto averted her eyes, but the small shy smile had been Kagome's reward.
By the time they had to split up, the air had been succesfully cleared.
"Maybe we can get together sometime, nei?"
Kagome's smile widened, "That sounds great, catch up with me later, my friends and I might be going to WacDonalds after this."
"I would like that" Fujimoto bowed formally, making Kagome laugh lightly before proceeding to do the same.
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The last free period flew by within minutes, and shortly thereafter, Kagome felt all the day's previous worries melt away. She had survived her first round of tests, done the impossible and managed to salvage what she could out of her physical exam.
Now, all Kagome wanted to do was meet up with her friends and enjoy the day's end.
Their reunion was an affair of hugs and excited chatter. Yuka, her third best friend, completed the picture. Demanding adamantly for an explanation as to why she wasn't one of the first to hear about this 'accelerated program.'
"Seriously, Kagome, how long have you been holding out on me?!"
"What are you complaining about, Yuka? You're not smart enough for any accelerated program, you're barely passing the regular program." Eri taunted, throwing an arm over the fuming girl.
Kagome laughed through the whole ordeal, delighted to feel so normal after so much craziness. Exiting the school, Kagome caught sight of Fujimoto, waving her over, she quickly told her friends.
"That's Fujimoto, you guys, she's going to be tagging along with us."
"Ah, but why?" Yuka complained, folding her arms over her chest, "If the new girl tags along you won't share any of the good bits, I know it."
"Be nice, besides, I don't think she's new. All the teachers seem to know her, I think she's just shy is all."
"What's there to be shy about?" Eri grumbled under her breath, Kagome silenced her in time by elbowing her side.
The fifth and final girl joined them, she was taller than they were, sticking out like a white peacock among their flock. After quick introductions, the group traveled as a pack towards the main gate. Kagome kept her eyes and ears on her friends, making sure everyone played nice, if only just at the beginning.
She missed the immobile bodies of several students they passed, the wide appreciating eyes of both the male and female student body.
Not bothering to look up until Yuka very clearly exclaimed, "Who's the stud in the money suit?"
Glancing quickly, Kagome couldn't blame the slack-jawed individuals; leaning coolly against the shiny black stretch of vehicle, was none other than Inuyasha at his finest.
Sometime during the day, he had ditched his comfortable slacks and form-fitting shirt, to be replaced with a three-piece gray suit. A charcoal gray pant suit, with a matching jacket and vest. A white and gray charted tie tucked into the vest, along with his shining silver chain, he made quite the image.
And while others were marveling at his clear status and beauty, others were transfixed by the monstrous limo. Her on the other hand, could only see that frown that marred his face, and the tightness around his jaw.
Remembering herself, Kagome turned apologetic eyes to her excited friends, "Uh, I just remembered I can't go to WacDonalds today."
"What? Why not?" Eri complained, she clearly had too many questions for her, making Kagome glad she wasn't going to be reduced to her forms of interrogation.
"Oh, just forgot I had to do some stuff- you know, for the accelerated program and all that. But you guys go, have fun."
"Okay, we'll call you later Kagome-chan" Yuka called after her, forcing Kagome to answer back.
"Uh, I'll just see you guys tomorrow; I might not be home later."
Ignoring their shocked faces, Kagome moved away from the too-curious girls before anyone else could air out their own complaint, Kagome jogged the small distance that separated the two, ignoring the ignited chatter when she approached him.
"Hey" she greeted tentatively, aware that his eyes were scouring the masses, his nose doing the subtle twitching that showed when he was occupied with something he smelt.
"Get in."
Inuyasha didn't say anything else, taking the harshness away from his words, he opened the door for her to smooth his bark. Once inside, his focus switched solely to the girl before him.
She sat, patiently waiting for him to break the silence.
The limo pulled forward as it moved to take them away, and just as Kagome was growing tired of his deep searching stare, he moved to crouch directly in front of her. Taking a knee, his hands grabbed her shoulders, and his stare intensified.
"Will you just come out with it already, you're making me tense!"
"Tch! Wench, you should be tense, would be the first time you acted accordingly too."
Her hand came up to blanket over his own, her soft blue eyes peering deep into his own, "Inuyasha. What is it?"
It was hard to remember why he leaned into her touch as he did, or why he felt the need to grip the hand that held his, but with serious intention behind his chocolate yes, Inuyasha let out a mirthless ghost of a laugh.
"Well, you got what you wanted Wench. Sesshomaru managed to crawl out whatever hole he was sitting in, and now the Big Dog wants to have a sit down, with you."
For once the message delivered as intended, Kagome pulled away to sit back against her seat, her hands folding neatly over her lap. The girl looked deep in thought, her scent carrying that tart trace of fear, leaving him battling the need to shield her from this too.
But Sesshomaru would not be moved twice, and what little human decency he had shown previously, would surely not be present this time around. The only chance of keeping the girl alive had been to hide her away, fly her just underneath the radar, lot a good that plan did.
Whether she meant to or not, Inuyasha was beginning to see this girl for what she truly was, a beacon of trouble. He did what he could, helped in whatever way he could think of whatever happened now would be out of his hands.
Their silence stretched, Kagome deep in contemplation, and Inuyasha, focusing his energies on his own inner battle. No more would be spoken until they arrived at the National bank, the secret home base for Inuyasha and many more.
The limo followed the building's natural roundabout, entering smoothly into the private underground car park. After all that time of deliberation, Inuyasha barely managed a soft, "You ready?"
Kagome was once again white, her pulse could be heard, as well as seen, jumping just under her fair complexion.
"And if I say no?"
Inuyasha exited the vehicle, turning to hold the door for the girl, "I'd say 'tough.' Come on, get out."
Straighten her spine, hoping it would do the same for her resolve. Kagome made her way back inside this concrete monster, this time, willingly.
All this reminded her of the first day here, of the way the looming entrance to the elevator had seemed haunting. Not much was different, other than herself, and with the company of Inuyasha, she felt almost untouchable.
"Okay, let's do this."
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Walking back inside, Kagome felt eyes on her as soon as they had entered the main bank lobby. Although every time she turned to look, no one seemed to be paying her any mind. Same as the first day, so why now did her body tremble?
She couldn't describe the sensations all around her as she marched on, even if she took the time to jot it all down in detail, it wouldn't be enough.
Blindly following the brown-haired man, it was all she could do to hold herself together. Nothing came close to describing this feeling, and if she really tried, the closest thing to it was not close enough.
It was as if someone had locked her into a room with just disembodied hands.
Each one just barely reaching out, a slight tug on her form, before slinking back into the abyss where they came from.
Every tug had her turning, only to find no one near her.
"Oy. Don't drag your feet."
"R-Right."
Inuyasha led her back into the private sector, with the button-less elevators. No sooner than that, she was back in the high tower they called an office.
"Lord Inu-"
The woman he kept as a receptionist was once more dressed in another low cut, short dress. She looked stunning in the white painted-on ensemble, but it wasn't really office friendly attire. Making it a great surprise when Inuyasha blew straight past her, barely sparing the pixie beauty a second glance, while purposely cutting off her warm greeting. So that when Kagome walked past the girl; she was nothing, but sour looks aimed at her.
Just as Inuyasha had done, Kagome paid no mind to her. Instead, she focused on the icy presence she could feel, even from outside his office.
Her second impression of the Grand Daddy CEO was just as intimidating as the first time around. Settling back into the leather seat, she had sworn never to see again, facing off against the man that could freeze with a single glare.
"Miss Higurashi, welcome back."
Kagome took in his appearance, the same gracefully frighting man, gazing at her in the same taunting way as before. So that to change the narrative, Kagome lifted her chin, and met his cold gaze with her own confident stare.
"Thank you for having me back-" then, almost as an afterthought, Kagome added- "Sesshomaru."
His gaze narrowed, but otherwise said nothing more to her regarding her casual call. Rather, his face broke into an unsettling grin, at least, in her regards.
"Of course, I presume you are well?"
"Very. Inuyasha keeps me quite safe."
As if her words needed backing; Inuyasha, who had simply been standing by the door, picked that moment to approach them. Walking up behind the girl, his shadow fell over her sitting figure, he chose to stand directly behind her.
Unbeknownst to both, they created an interesting image.
With Kagome, sitting with one leg crossed over the other, hands resting on either arm rest. And Inuyasha, looming past her figure, glaring daggers, and flexing a single fang.
"Not accounting the night of your capture, I'm sure. I can only presume that was an isolated incident, with a lacking in oversight."
They both tensed, he could see their mirroring expressions clearly. Though the two did not look at one another, they reacted much in the same way, identical expression flashed over both. The wash of guilt, the self-blaming, then the anger at the idea that the other was to blame.
Sesshomaru could see what this was becoming, even before the two in front of him could even think it through, and although the potential for gain was great, he could not allow for any weaker blood.
"Nevertheless, it is of no importance; I have decided to let you go, Miss Higurashi. You may gather your things and we will take you back home at once."
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Stunned into silence, it was the dog demon that spoke first, snapping back from his haze with a sharp barked-out, "What?!"
"Surely you must have known something along these lines was coming, Inuyasha. The girl has barely been on our estate for a month, and already she has become a liability. Now, people are chattering on about the human captured by Naraku, it is all very... tiresome."
Glancing between the tense half demon, and the girl who looked at a loss, Sesshomaru simply lifted a perfect eyebrow in response to their reactions.
"What's the matter Inuyasha? Was this not what you had been asking of me for days now?
Well, ask and it shall be received; the girl can go pack, and no sooner will all this be but a terrible nightmare. For all parties involved."
Inuyasha opened his mouth, then shut it, then proceeded to repeat that action several more times.
Feeling as though he wasn't processing what the man was saying, while at the same time, dealing with the fluctuation of emotions that rose with the idea of her leaving. But Sesshomaru was right after all, this was what he had been pushing for. In hindsight, having the girl walk away, back into her normal life no less, was nothing short of a miracle.
He was preparing himself to take her back down, get her ready, and deliver her to the shrine himself. But the girl sitting silently, didn't look as pleased as he assumed she would be.
"Okay..." Kagome wetted her dry lips with a quick swipe of her tongue, mulling over her words inside her mind, and only after careful consideration, did she lift her gaze to lock with the tycoon.
"That's option A, what are my other options?"
"Excuse me?"
Kagome took his question for what it was, a way out.
Too bad she had decided to stay a long time ago.
"I assumed, being a businessman, there would be more than one draft. Option A is enticing, it is, but what more can we do here?"
"More?"
Sesshomaru repeated, his way of calling out the ridiculousness that there was more to be done. Hadn't she been the one to demand her release, used the first opportunity that had risen, just to escape their clutches for a few hours?
Glancing behind her, Kagome took Inuyasha's shocked face into consideration, he no doubt had a hand in Sesshomaru's sudden change of heart. But what neither had expected was that despite the kidnappings, the constant fighting, and the threats to her life.
This was exactly what she had been looking for.
"I was thinking along the lines of... Oh, I don't know. Say, employment?"
The grin on Sesshomaru's face grew, to where the man had lifted his hands, placing them vicariously under his chin.
"Why would I ever, need to employ you, Miss Higurashi?"
"It's simple really, Naraku wants me dead. So much so, that I'm willing to bet he'd do anything to get to me, even be led into a trap. You can use me as bait, or collateral. Honestly, the possibilities are kinda endless here."
She knew she had him when he flashed those pearly whites, his eyes were amused, and amusement meant interest. All she needed was to interest him enough so he'd consider her request, work wasn't what she aimed for, but Kagome would scrub floors if it meant staying in this world.
"Well, you certainly spin quite the image, Miss Higurashi. I can see the usefulness of having-"
"NO!" Inuyasha's shout had surprised them both, Kagome had jumped in her seat from his volume, and Sesshomaru had snapped his attention to him.
"Inuyasha-"
Recognizing the start of a debate, Inuyasha snarled in Inu-language his displeasure. If that hadn't driven his point across, he stepped out from behind the girl, slamming both palms down on the charlatan's expensive desk.
"I said- NO! How else you want me to say it, huh? FUCK. NO. Want me to spell it out in English, too?"
Sesshomaru's smile dropped, the hardness in his eyes warned Inuyasha off, but for whatever reason the man was too angry to back down.
"Like Hell you're going to straddle me with this girl, you swore it was only temporary, just biting time until you killed her off. That was the deal!"