Lest the Past Haunts Me

by mauigurl808

The past can be a haunting memory or a terrifying reality. For Kagome, she just wanted to pursue her love for dancing while trying to hide from her past finding her. Inuyasha, Kikyo's choreographer, would be the only one who would break down her walls and find his way into her heart. But would it be too late? Can anyone run from their past?

31. C31- Save Me From Myself Pt2

Author's Note: Here's the promised part 2 before the end of April! :) Still pretty long... what can I say? I just couldn't stop. I hope I caught all my grammar mistakes since I'm excited to get this one out and move on to the next. Hope you like this one. I surely loved writing it... things went all sorts of directions in this one. Hang on to your seats!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Read at your own discretion - rape, abuse, sex *lemon*

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R2R - I'll respond to last chapter's reviews now that I'm back on track and caught up.

hive-chan: Open relationship? Mmmm... wow. Very interesting POV on Kags. I can say: "No" lol. But like I'm sure many have seen... she definitely has unhealthy relationships with men (father, Koga, Onigumo, clients). She just doesn't know what it's like to have one man who treats her like a queen and treats her right. Thanks for your review. Enjoy this next one!

susu-anon: Hehehe... thanks for your review. Your second review made me feel like an evil mastermind lol. I hope this chapter doesn't take you too much on a whirlwind of a ride. And I'm excited for all of what's to come with Vegas and how Blue Lightning will grow after that.

anime-geek: Awww... thanks for your review. I missed you guys too. All this time I thought no one cared if I updated when in fact people kept asking where I was and I didn't get any notifications because of the new settings lol. Dang it. Anyways... I had fun with part 2. And as to your question... his birthday might be the next one or at the latest, 2 chapters from now. I hope you enjoy this one!

val-rommel: Thanks for your review and yay to finishing school! Yes, a huge cliffhanger. Oh, as for Ken, he's just a business associate. No other reason to bring him in but as a means for Inuyasha to get in to Midnite. It just shows how many rich and powerful men go to Midnite, and some of whom probably work with the Fujimotos. Anywho...enjoy part 2!

Rosie B: Thanks for your review. Yes, those two trying to understand what Midnite means to Kags... I feel a therapy session coming very soon (hint hint). Anyway... I think this chapter will throw this idea for a loop. But I did think about you because there is a song in this chapter... I wonder if you've heard of it. It used to be my favorite and now I've just worn it out after listening to it for so many times. But I couldn't stop myself for thinking of this immediately when I wrote this chapter. Your guess is correct by the way ;) Enjoy the chapter!

xsophiex: Thanks for your review. Yes, the dynamic between the 3 is changing, and I'm trying to feel out the waters with the three of them. It won't be the three of them for long... but I definitely see them being friends. At least Kags and Kik. Soon, maybe, once the jealousy and envy gets out of the way (if ever). But I definitely think that Inu's love for Kik as his friend will get Kags/Kik to have a friendship. Hopefully. Anyway... enjoy part 2

My Mind and Me: Thank you for your review. I appreciate you liking this story and the characters. I did read your review to chapter 24. I'm glad he is your "ex" husband now and I hope that you are now happy and living the best of life. As for your review to the last chapter, yes I agree with Kags/Jinenji's bond. I think it is adorable and I personally just love Jinenji. He truly is like a soft teddy bear with her when he looks so intimidating. Oooo... I will say you have one guess correct ;) Anyway... don't wanna give away too much :) Enjoy part 2!

MinxieXCX: Haha! Well... I can always add a love scene between the two any time... I love love scenes and lemons... especially with these two. Maybe I'll make that happen for you :) Awww... thanks for your review and for waiting for the updates. I know it was a long time coming with the last one. That's my bad. You will see in part 2 whether or not Onigumo knows Inu is there... and what happens with that :) Enjoy part 2

one-note: Well... that is something that will come out later. And something I just hinted at a while ago... but only a hint that needed a lot of interpretation and imagination. But that is a very thoughtful observation :)

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"Sapphire."

She turned at the sound of her name and smiled, looking up at Jinenji. Sitting on the couch with a bunch of men wasn't very fun, especially when all they talked about was money, investments and stocks. These men were fame and power hungry, and all they wanted to do was grumble and argue about the next best thing. But it wasn't her job to make conversation. It was her job to please her client and tend to his needs. So that she did for hours. And now, finally, Jinenji is taking her away to her next client. 'Bless you, Jinenji. I think I would've died from boredom.'

"Your next appointment is ready."

Kagome nodded and smiled at the men, especially at her client, patting him on the arm and catching his attention, which was not on her. "Thank you, gentlemen, for a lovely evening. I do hope you're able to come to an agreement on your next plan of action." The men all grunted and smiled at her as she stood, all of them standing with her. She bowed and took her leave as they sat back down.

She sighed. 'What a night.' Yes, it was busy. The lounge was packed with clients for the hours she was there. It was a Saturday and being a weekend always meant being busy. As she was just getting out of the lounge area, she felt Jinenji lightly grab the back of her arm.

"Your client waits in the Skye," he said, making her turn right to look up at the stairs ahead. She nodded and went first, heading straight for the stairs. She had to hold up her dress so she wouldn't trip on it, all the while thinking about how this was going to be her last night doing this.

Yes. She finally made up her mind. Tonight would be the last night she would work here. And as she looked down at the club floor while climbing the stairs, she knew that a small part of her would miss this place because it held so many memories, both good and bad. She truly wanted this part of her life to end, for the door to finally close. She wanted to move on, to continue with her dreams of being a professional dancer. Most importantly, she wanted to move on with Inuyasha and create a life with him with no more secrets. And if he wants her to leave this place, then she'll do it for him. Kagome smiled as she watched people walk around, some escorted by a working girl. She would miss the girls too, especially the two who had become her friends, the first friends she's ever had who have been constant in her life. She hoped that they would still want to remain friends after she left this place.

"Sapphire," Jinenji called, making her turn to look at him as they stood in front of the door. "You have one hour with your client." She nodded her understanding as they went through their normal briefing.

"His name?"

"He wishes to remain anonymous." He watched her expression change before she nodded and brushed it off. He knew that she wouldn't ask questions because that was a normal occurrence here with some well-known clients who might not want to tarnish their reputation.

"Okay. One hour," she repeated, and he nodded, before turning toward the door. She reached out and grabbed the handle, giving herself a second to compose herself before she opened the door and walked in.

The moment she walked in and caught a glimpse of her client standing at the bar, she froze and gripped the door handle tighter. It was the silver hair that caught her attention first, causing her heart to race and her throat to suddenly feel dry. 'Inuyasha?' She had to quickly scan this man from head to toe, realizing that it was him without him needing to turn around to look at her. It was him. Inuyasha is here!

Kagome turned around, panicked, and caught Jinenji's eyes. He stood in the doorway, close to her, waiting for her to walk in. She couldn't think because she was just so shocked that Inuyasha had found her. He was here. 'What is he doing here?!' It was the sound of Inuyasha's voice that called her back to reality.

"Sapphire."

Her mouth fell open and her heart sped up. The sound of her name from his lips, the way he said it, it hit a chord in her. It made her want him. She turned to face him and it felt like a punch in her gut when she looked at him across the way. Their eyes met and she could've sworn that she melted into a puddle of goo right there. His golden eyes were blazing, piercing, and his face was set in stone. He looked so sexy, so powerful and confident, leaning against the bar facing her. She took in his appearance, noticing with appreciation how sexy he could make a long sleeve shirt and pants look. His hair was down and she could see his rosary beads from here, sticking out from under his collar.

"One hour, Sapphire," Jinenji said, making her jump. She had forgotten that he had been standing right behind her the whole time.

Kagome gulped and took a step forward, allowing Jinenji to grab the door handle and close the door. When the door shut, she felt the electricity between her and Inuyasha, almost like a pull towards him. But for some reason, she couldn't get her feet to move.

"Are you going to make me come to you?" he asked, his voice like silk. It was amazing how this place, being her alter ego, just set off an indescribable desire she felt for him. She wanted to rub up on him like a cat and make him crave her touch. She wanted to dance on the pole and show him how hauntingly sexy she can be. All those things that she for her clients, she wanted to do for Inuyasha and more. Here, in Midnite, where fantasies come alive, she wanted to make those fantasies come true for him and her. He was the only man she ever had fantasies of.

"Fine. Then I'll come to you," he said after a long silence.

"No," she found herself saying, her voice higher than she thought. She was still shocked and surprised by him being here, even with all her imaginations running through her mind. Kagome walked towards him, all the while channeling as much of Sapphire as she could. Inuyasha made her weak in the knees and she couldn't think straight, let alone work, if he was here as her client.

Inuyasha's eyes stayed on her the whole time. He looked her up and down and she hoped he approved of her simple dress. She chose to wear one of her favorite outfits for her last night working here. A black dress, how befitting. The velvet mermaid dress clung to her figure, along the bodice and down to her hips before it fell loosely down at her ankles. There was a high slit up the front of her right thigh, and she caught him looking at her leg several times. The dress had a sweetheart neckline, dipping between her breasts, with off the shoulder sleeves. The only exposure on her back was right below her shoulders, teasing men with what most men desired: that arousing flesh at the back of a woman's neck. A simple dress, yet on her, she could stop the conversation in a room. And as she approached Inuyasha, she saw his nostrils flare before he moved to meet her, unable to keep himself from her. They stood facing each other, but they did not touch the other.

Kagome looked up at him, feeling shy and she didn't know why. In all her nine years of working here, the only time she ever felt shy was on her first day when she was green and had no knowledge of what to do. But working here felt so natural to her that she learned quickly and found her femininity and power here among the men. And yet, standing in front of Inuyasha, feeling his heat, watching the way his chest rose and feel, the way his eyes bore into hers with love and lust... she felt so feminine, yet in a different way. She felt... submissive.

"I know your rules, Sapphire." His voice alone sounded strained, and that pulled on her lust. She craved his touch. Unlike any of her clients, she needed Inuyasha to touch her. "I won't touch you unless you give me your permission."

Her eyes went to his hands that were clenched at his sides, almost as if he was holding himself back. And her eyes also found the bulge in his pants, smiling softly to herself. She knew he saw her notice, but he didn't move an inch.

She looked back up at him. "Touch me."

He had her against him in less than a heartbeat, his hands on her waist, holding her body against his. She felt his erection against her stomach and she ran her hands up his chest to place her hands on his shoulders.

"Why are you here, Inuyasha?" she asked softly, almost afraid that this wasn't real.

He brought his head down towards hers and she gave him her lips, moaning into the kiss. She was thankful she chose to wear a clear lipgloss. He kissed her like a desperate man, his tongue demanding entrance and she submitted to him. She lost herself in him, to the only man who held her heart, her soul, her love. She wrapped her hands around the back of his neck and pulled him closer. His hands wrapped around her and held her tight against him, moaning. She lost track of time until she noticed a soft growl in his throat, and he pulled back first, making her blink up at him in a daze.

"You smell like men," he said with a soft growl, his eyes flashing his disapproval.

Inuyasha grabbed her hair, holding it to the side, as he bent to smell her neck. "I don't like having male scents on you. Not to mention more than one," he growled.

She swallowed. "I'm sorry." She didn't like that he could smell them on her. "They didn't mean anything," she tried to reason, though she didn't understand why. He knew this was her job. He was here, witnessing this place first hand. She didn't know how long he had been in Midnite or how long he could've been watching her while she serviced her client. She didn't like the idea of him watching her do that and she hoped that he hadn't been watching her the whole night.

"Inuyasha... why are you here?"

He pulled back and dropped her hair. "I wanted to meet you, Sapphire."

Kagome closed her eyes, pained. "Don't call me that."

Inuyasha frowned. "You told me that's who you are. That she's the person you can't be because people don't understand her."

"Yes... but... I don't like hearing you say that name." She looked up at him, wiping her lip gloss from his lips. "Sapphire is... not the person I gave you."

"But she's you. And you gave me all of you. Even the part you don't want me to see."

She shook her head, placing her hands on his neck. "It's not that I don't want you to see her. It's more like I'm ashamed of her."

"Don't be," he said sternly. "I'm not ashamed of her." He took a step back, breaking their tight embrace, so that he could look her over again. "In fact... I want nothing more but to lay you on that couch and take you... hard."

She felt butterflies in her core and she marveled at how he can spark such intense desires in her so quickly. "I see that," she said, glancing down at his erection again. "So you approve of my outfit?" she asked with a twinkle in her eyes. It thrilled her that Inuyasha approved of her appearance. She's always had to dress to please her clients. But Inuyasha being pleased, pleased her more than anyone else could. She wanted to make him happy, to make him look at her and only her. For some reason, standing there in front of him, she started to feel a sense in her that urged her to service him the way she would any normal paying client. And she was excited by that idea because now she could do more with him than she could with any other client. That's what made him so different. She was his, and he was hers. He belonged to her. And she found so much freedom and empowerment in that. She could service him the way she wanted to with no limits.

Inuyasha smiled. "I approve." He moved, releasing her and grabbing her hand as it dropped from his neck. "Let's get you settled. You're too wound up." He could sense her nervousness the minute she walked into the room. But he could also sense her growing excitement, the smell of her arousal, which is why his body reacted so strongly to her, his demon matching its mate's calling.

He walked her to the bar and moved a stool out for her to sit, but she pulled her hand out of his, and he looked at her with confusion.

"I'm the one who's servicing you," she scolded, a wicked gleam in her eyes. He smiled at her and watched as she walked around him and headed into the bar.

"Sit," she said, putting on her sweet voice. It felt so strange and yet so right, to have her boyfriend here. Then again, she had never thought she'd fall deeply in love with a man.

Inuyasha obeyed and sat with a smile, his eyes tracking every movement of her hands.

"What would you like to drink?"

"Whiskey." He tipped his chin towards the shelf behind her. "I had a few glasses of that one behind you."

She looked up and turned, noticing the one he spoke of. She went for it and returned to pour him a drink, knowing he liked his drink strong so she didn't put ice, and then pushed it forward on the bar towards him. He deliberately reached for it to wrap his hand around hers. Their eyes shared something that they didn't have to say, and she smiled. 'I love this man.'

"You have one hour with me," she said, pulling her hand back to put the bottle back on the shelf. "What would you like to do?" she asked, coming around the bar to stand just out of his reach. She held her hands in front of her, not trusting herself to keep her hands to herself. He looked too good not to touch. He was so finely dressed, so handsome and built, that she couldn't keep her hands off him. So she resigned to staying out of his reach, for both their sakes.

Inuyasha turned his head to give her a look, bringing the glass to his lips. "Dance for me," he said, taking a sip. She smiled sweetly and bowed slightly.

Kagome turned and took the few steps towards the stage, right next to the bar. She walked the perimeter of the elevated stage until she got to the wall, pulling down a part of the wall to reveal a panel and a hidden compartment. She touched the screen and found a song that she wanted to dance for him. She smiled to herself, taking a deep breath. 'You can do this, Sapphire. You know you want to. Make him desire you. Make him lose control for you.' She was good at that. Whether Kagome or Sapphire, or perhaps both were one, she was good at making men lose their mind for her. And she would do the same to Inuyasha.

The music started, the pulsing beat of the bass filling the silence, as she turned around to lift herself up and sit down on the stage. She stood and walked to the beat towards the pole, feeling his eyes as if they burned through her dress and into her skin. The feeling was heady and she weaved that tingling excitement into her dance.

The mood is set (uh huh)

So you already know what's next (uh huh uh)

TV on blast, turn it down, turn it down

Don't want it to clash with my body screaming out, nooo

I know you hearin' it (oh)

You got me moanin' now

She grabbed the pole with her right hand and let her body fall away, dipping down and using the momentum to bring herself back up to walk around the pole. She did it a few times to the beat, feeling the song, moving her head around while closing her eyes. Then she placed the pole against her back and faced him, his golden eyes like liquid gold. She grabbed the pole with both hands above her head and swayed her body side to side, all the while keeping her eyes on his.

I got a secret that I wanna show you, oh

I got secrets I'mma drop 'em to the floor, oh

She turned to face the pole, whipping her hair to the side as she spread her legs, hung on to the pole above her head and allowed gravity to take her down. Thankfully, her dress had the long slit in it, which allowed her to go rather low, but she didn't go to the ground. Instead she balanced herself on one foot with the pole and kicked her leg between her body and the pole, giving her momentum to twirl around. She cast a glance at him to see him sitting at the bar like a statue.

No teasin', you waited long enough

Go deep, I'mma throw it at you can you catch it?

Don't hold back, you know I like it rough

Know I'm feelin' you (huh), know you liking it (huh)

She did something that she would have never done with her other clients. She stood up and walked around the pole, grabbing on with both hands. Then, she lifted herself up and used her legs to propel herself higher, wrapping them around the pole to climb until she got close to the top. She used her abs to bring her legs up and over her head, wrapping one leg around the pole while the other was extended out. Her dress piled around her waist and she knew full well that her black thong was exposed to him as she slowly slid down while twirling around the pole. She would've never exposed herself like this to her clients. Only Inuyasha. She moved her hands back and forth to the beat, feeling her body and her breasts as her legs held her weight.

So why you standin' over there witcha clothes on

Baby strip down for me, go on take 'em off

Don't worry baby, I'mma meet you half way

Cause I know you wanna see me

She bent her other knee and grabbed a hold of her heel, sliding down while arching her back and holding onto the pole with the other hand. When she got near the bottom, she released her heel, grabbed the pole with both hands and cartwheeled her legs forward so that she went right into a split. She held onto the pole with one hand, moving her hair back and out of her face with the other. When she looked at him, his eyes were still on her but the intensity of his gaze made her hot for him.

Almost there (uh huh)

So baby don't stop what you're doing (uh huh ah)

Softer than a motha- boy I know you wanna touch

Breathing down my neck, I can tell you wanna (ah, nooow)

And now you want it like (oh oooh)

Want you to feel it now

She brought her legs beneath her and stood up sexily, swaying her body to the music. She touched her body, whipping her hair, tantalizing him the way she knew how to tantalize a man. She wanted him to crave touching her skin as she twirled around the pole, thinking that it was his body she was rubbing herself against. She closed her eyes, picturing the way his body looked as she let the music take her over. Her movements came naturally, as they always did, as she worked her body in time to the music. The pole was always a guide, helping her to find speed and air whenever she needed it, expressing herself with the use of the pole. She lost herself in the lyrics and in the thought of Inuyasha's hands all over her body.

I got a secret that I wanna show you, oh

I got secrets I'mma drop 'em to the floor, oh

No teasin', you waited long enough

Go deep, I'mma throw it at you can you catch it?

Don't hold back, you know I like it rough

Know I'm feelin' you (huh), know you liking it (huh)

Movement caught her eye and she twisted to see that he had stood, taking a long sip of his whiskey, downing its contents while his eyes never left her. Her heart sped up at the fact that he didn't want to miss a single second of her dance, even while drinking and tilting his head back. He kept his eyes on her the whole time. She inwardly smiled, turning to face the pole as she walked around, gaining speed. She lifted herself up again, helicoptering her legs around to gain speed and momentum. With her speed, she was able to quickly move into a plank, facing the ceiling, as she tightened her thighs against the pole while she spun around. The movement brought her sweet spot right up against the pole and she stifled a moan as the pole slid against her panties. She flipped over, facing the ground, and held the pole below her while holding her right foot above her, upside down again. She was spinning a little fast but she kept her eyes on a spot on the floor so as not to get dizzy.

So why you standin' over there witcha clothes on

Baby strip down for me, go on take em off

Don't worry baby, I'mma meet you half way

Cause I know you wanna see me

No heels, no shirt, no skirt, all I'm in is just skin

No jeans, take em off, wanna feel your skin

You a beast, oh, you know that I like that

Come here baby, all I wanna see you in is just skin

(Oh, oh) Your skin (Oh oh) Just skin

(Oh, oh) I'm lovin' your skin (oh oh)

Slowing down, she twisted so that she was now wrapped facing the pole. She held tight as she released her legs and stood, walking around the pole and turning to see where he was. Her grip tightened when she realized that he was standing right next to the platform. His closeness made her shiver, like a predator stalking his prey. She stopped in front of him, spreading her legs for support and leaning back with the pole between her shoulder blades. She let her head fall back next to the pole, closing her eyes as she imagined his hands on her body while her lower body swayed to the music. She released the pole above her and let her hands roam her body, picturing it was Inuyasha's hands. She moaned, getting turned on, knowing he was close and watching her.

All in baby don't hold nothing back

Wanna take control, ain't nothing wrong with that

Say you likin' how I'm feelin' gotta tell me that

Just put your skin baby on (my skin)

She gasped, jumping when she felt hands on her. She brought her head up, leaning it against the pole, and stared straight into the demonic eyes of her lover. Her excitement and adrenaline spiked at his demon's appearance, knowing that the only reason why his demon showed was because Inuyasha was filled with dark lust. For her.

"Are you picturing me touching you?" he asked, his voice deeper than normal, almost guttural.

"Yes," she whispered, panting. His voice alone turned her on. She needed his hands on her, his body in hers. She needed him with that same desire she could see etched on his face. His face, painted with a purple lightning mark on each cheek, was etched in beauty.

She reached for him the same time he grabbed her body against his, taking her mouth with aggression. She matched him in his need, his aggression feeding her lust and desire for him. She was wet, needing him with every stroke of his tongue and every feel of his fangs against her tongue. He cupped both butt cheeks and squeezed, pulling her against him as if she could become a part of his skin. She moaned, too turned on to stop. She grabbed for his shirt, finding the buttons and fumbling to undo them. The feel of his fangs against her tongue brought on the erotic pleasure of it all, remembering that he could kill her so easily with his strength.

"Kagome..." Inuyasha growled out. "Don't be afraid of me," he whispered, kissing her like a drunk man needing to relieve his pain.

No heels, no shirt, no skirt, all I'm in is just skin

No jeans, take 'em off, wanna feel your skin

You a beast, oh, you know that I like that

Come here baby, all I wanna see you in is just

"I'm not," she moaned. He kissed her passionately as she undid his shirt and yanked it over his shoulders. They got it off him and her hands were all over his skin, skimming his shoulders, his chest, his abs. He growled, pressing her back against the pole and lifting her in one easy move. She wrapped her legs and arms around him, feeling the hard pole against her spine as he pressed himself against her.

Inuyasha moaned and she broke their kiss. "Take me," she whispered the temptation.

"No," he said, quicker than she'd like. But before she could object to his denial, he was moving her away from the pole, taking them down to the ground, being sure to gently place her down. He kissed her again because he had to.

"Inuyasha," she said frustrated, breaking the kiss. She hooked a finger around his rosary, pulling him down to her, needing him more than air.

"I need to get you ready, Kagome."

His deep voice struck a chord. She was touched and pissed both at the same time. The fact that he still had enough control over his demon to take care of her and to make sure she wouldn't hurt was endearing. He always made sure she was ready for him before he entered her. She came to realize that him going down on her was as much for her as it was for him as he enjoyed giving her that pleasure. But right now, it was pulling at her need and control. She was straining with unfulfilled need, too wound up and ready to explode if he didn't do something. She just needed that one touch, that one flick of his skilled tongue, and she knew she would lose it.

"Then hurry!"

No heels, no shirt, no skirt, all I'm in is just skin

No jeans, take 'em off, wanna feel your skin

You a beast, oh, you know that I like that

Come here baby, all I wanna see you in is just

All I wanna see you in is just skin

All I wanna see you in is just skin

All I wanna see you in, all I wanna see you in is your skin

He growled in response and released her. She squirmed as he lifted her dress just above her hips so that he could grab her thong and easily cut it with his claws. She felt the material slide between her skin and soon his hands had her spread open to him and his head was at her core, feasting on her. She cried out his name when his tongue flicked her clit, making her see stars behind her eyelids. The pleasure was overwhelming. She was so wound up and he was working her so good and so fast. The noises his mouth made against her cunt as he ate her, sucked her clit into his mouth noisily, and tongued her core, lapping up against her lips as he ate at her like a wild animal. She always felt so animalistic with him, as if their needs matched each other's. She loved him so much and she exploded for him, crying out his name as she raked her fingernails against the hard surface of the stage. She felt him leave her and she opened her eyes enough to see him move towards the edge of the stage, rolling off.

"Come here," he demanded, standing to face her. She swallowed, her throat dry.

She obeyed and scooted towards the edge, draping her legs over the edge of the stage as she sat, looking down at his pants in anticipation. His fingers were working deftly on his button and zipper, pulling his pants and briefs down so that his erection sprung free, pointing at her. His tip was dark and she wondered if he was in pain from being turned on. She licked her lips, wanting to go down on him.

"No."

She frowned, blinking up at him when he read her mind.

"Turn around." His voice held no room for argument.

As she planted her feet, she turned and bent over onto the stage, resting her torso down on the cold surface. Her dress was thrown over her back, an unwanted piece of fabric.

"I'm going to be rough. And I won't last long," he warned.

"Just hurry, Inu..." He grabbed her hips and in one swift move took her from behind, pinning her hips against the stage with his as she screamed out in the pleasure-pain. The music had changed over but she couldn't register what it was over the guttural growls and sounds that Inuyasha was making. His sounds only turned her on, as they always did, and his hips pounded into her like a well-oiled machine. He was relentless, using his hands on the stage to hold himself up over her, and using his legs and hips as a cage, keeping her still as he had his way with her. He pounded into her, over and over. It wasn't until the pain came that she realized how hard the edge of the stage was against her hips, but she didn't care. The pain only added to the pleasure. She tried to squirm so that she could get her hand under her to play with herself, bringing her orgasm quicker so that she could come with him.

But Inuyasha grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head. He held them there with one hand, leveraging himself over her with the other, and the sound of their flesh grew as loud as their moans.

"Inuyasha!" she said, trying to fight his hold on her.

"This is for me, Kagome," he said, using his nose to nuzzle her hair off to the side. He licked the back of her neck, making her shiver. "You are to serve me. Your body is mine. And I'll take from it what I want."

"Yes..." she moaned. Even though his words sounded harsh and selfish, she knew that Inuyasha would never treat her like a whore. She knew that the Inuyasha she loved would always put her needs above his own, and she trusted him to take care of her. Her love and her trust in him helped to remind her of her duty. He was right. Right now, it was her job to service him, in whatever way her client wanted. He was her client and she was his mistress. She would give him whatever he wanted because it was her job. Because she loved him.

Inuyasha came with hard thrusts, slamming into her and groaning out his orgasm, saying her name over and over as if it was his talisman. She took it. She took his deep thrusts and the pain of the stage against her hips. She laid there breathing hard as Inuyasha released her wrists and tried to hold up some of his weight as he laid against her back, catching his breath. After a few shudders, he was the first to move, pulling out of her, but remaining over her.

"Kagome..." he said softly, his breath against her cheek. He kissed her cheek tenderly as he tucked her hair behind her ear, making her smile. "Are you okay, my love?"

All she could do was moan in response. "Mmmm-hmmm." When she finally cracked an eye open, he was leaning against her, looking over her shoulder at her with humored, red eyes. She chuckled. "That wasn't what I was expecting."

"Did I hurt you?" he asked, his voice now concerned as he noticed her discomfort.

"No... not really." She winced when she tried to move and heard his growl. He moved off her then, half sitting on the stage next to her. She looked at him with a sad smile. "Maybe just a little. My hips... the stage was a little hard."

"I'm sorry." She frowned, seeing his regret and sadness. It was such a drastic change of mood that she didn't expect it. "I... I should've controlled myself better."

Kagome pushed herself up onto her forearms. "Inuyasha... I'm okay. I'm just a little tender." She thought it over, not wanting to lie to him while he looked at her like that. It broke her heart. "I might bruise a little but I'll be fine. I enjoyed every minute of it."

She moved her hips and found that the pain was going away the more she got off the stage. She grunted as she pushed herself up to stand and that's when she saw Inuyasha still had an erection. He was sitting on the stage with his pants gathered at his ankles, shirtless, but with a very stiff erection. She was confused.

"Inuyasha... did you not come?" she asked, wondering if she failed to please him.

He smirked, though it wasn't from his heart. "I did. I'm just... I want you again. But... I don't want to hurt you again."

She frowned, hating that he was regretting the beauty that they just shared. "Inuyasha, you didn't hurt me. Please stop being so hard on yourself. Don't ruin the moment that we just shared. I loved every minute of it."

He didn't look at her, so she moved and grabbed his hand, pulling him to his feet. "Take off your pants before you fall." He smirked at her and she smiled, hoping that he was starting to let it go. He kicked his shoes off so that he could get out of his pants, now standing before her naked with only socks. She inwardly smiled, a pure, feminine satisfaction.

Kagome grabbed his hand and pulled him with her, heading to the couch. "This time... I'll service you the way I want." They walked to the couch and she stopped him so that he could help her out of her dress. He brushed her hair aside and unzipped her dress, giving her shoulder a kiss before she wiggled and stepped out of it. He helped her with her bra and let that fall on top of her dress. Now they were both naked, except for their feet.

"Sit."

He obliged her, sitting with his legs spread open, his erection heavy as it rested against his lower stomach. He knew what she wanted. His eyes roamed her body as she stood in between his legs.

"Why don't you like me giving you head?" she asked as she was lowering down to her knees, using his knees for support. She moved closer against the couch so that her knees touched it while Inuyasha watched her. His red eyes were now mixed with flecks of gold as his demon side was a bit pacified after having an orgasm. The purple marks were still there and so were his claws as one hand reached out to stroke her cheek.

Inuyasha didn't answer for a moment, and she wondered if he had told her before. "I don't like treating you the way I treated those other women. You're nothing like them. But the way I used them just for oral sex and then toss them aside as if they were nothing..." She watched him close his eyes in shame, dropping his hand. "I don't want to ever make you feel that way. So I won't ask you to do this for me. I don't need it. I prefer your body," he said sincerely, looking at her.

Kagome smiled, adoring this man even more. First, he was beside himself that he had hurt her. Now he didn't want her to demean herself. She was sure that those women who gave him oral weren't forced to do anything against their will. She knew Inuyasha was not like that. She ran her hands from his knees up his hard thighs. He was all muscle and strength beneath her fingers, and she had such a strong urge to rub herself all over him. She knew that she wasn't as firmly built as him, and she knew she had curves and soft places, especially on her belly and thighs, which made her want to rub herself up on him even more. Her softness fit his hardness perfectly.

She wrapped her right hand around him and felt his thigh stiffen under her other hand. She looked up at him to see him staring at her intently, watching as she lowered her lips to his head, using her tongue to circle around the rim. She looked up at him and felt butterflies in her core at the look he gave her. She sank her mouth on him, taking him as deep as she could, which wasn't much. He was bigger than Koga or her father, and yet he never hurt her during sex, whereas they always, always, hurt her. Inuyasha loved her, and he loved her body, and her body loved his. She moaned as she worked him, earning her a moan from him. She tilted back so she could look up at him and saw that his head had fallen back against the couch, enjoying the pleasure she was giving him. She smiled and bobbed her head, coming up for air when she needed before she went back down on him. She loved giving him pleasure and loved the way he moaned and said her name. She loved the way his hands went into her hair, guiding her gently, controlling her depth.

She stood and licked her lips while his eyes watched her every move, roaming down her body hungrily. She mounted him, kissing him as he wrapped his arms around her and ran them up her back, feeling her soft skin. His erection was just against her butt, waiting to enter her. She needed him and wanted him her way.

"I want to do that more often," she said with a smile, breaking their kiss. His eyes were dazed as he looked at her and she grabbed him and guided him into her entrance, lowering herself onto him.

"Ahhh..." she moaned, the feel of him stretching her was too good. She placed her hands on his shoulders while his arms went to her butt, both of them quick in their movements as their bodies finally became one. She gasped as she took all of him into her, scooting her knees forward to get better leverage. The move only brought her closer to his chest, looking into his eyes as she rode him. The position was highly intimate and very vulnerable.

"Ohhh, Inuyasha..." she said, moaning as she threw her head back. His hands massaged her butt and her body was stimulated. The feel of him in her felt too amazing, especially in this position. She could control the angle and the pace, and right now, her mind was too full to think of anything else but him and the pleasure he was giving her.

Kagome rode him exactly the way she wanted, losing herself on him. She gripped the back of the couch behind him, bringing her breasts against him, and lifted herself enough so that she only rode the tip of him. The feeling of him in her like that rubbed against a sensitive place in her that made her cry out in pleasure and tighten around him.

"Ahhh... dammit! Kagome..."

She heard his growl and knew that she had him. His hands left her and gripped the back of the couch over his shoulders. The sight of him like that turned her on and made her wild, with his muscular arms gripping the couch, his chest lifting and his neck muscles tensing beneath the rosary against his collarbone. She wanted him wild. She wanted him crazy because he made her crazy. She slammed herself back down on him and his growl ripped through the air as he bared his fangs. She brought her head to his neck and rode him hard, the sound of their skin slapping against each other louder in her ears than the music. The music they played together, their skin, their heavy breathing and their moans, was music to her ears.

"Inuyasha..." she breathed against his neck, feeling herself tighten around him. He growled again, knowing she was close.

"I feel you, my love," Inuyasha said, digging his claws into the back of the couch in a deadly grip. He gave this to her. He allowed her the freedom of using him the way she wanted to get what she wanted. And he had no complaints. "Grind yourself on me."

The sound of his voice against her ear snapped her out of her wild haze. She reared back to look at him and threaded her fingers behind his neck, giving her leverage as she sat on him and rocked her hips back and forth.

"Ah!" She threw her head back as the motion rubbed her clit against his pelvis.

"Yes..." Inuyasha ground out between teeth. "Your cunt feels so good..." The muscles in his arms bulged and tightened as he gripped the back of the couch, trying hard not to touch her. He wanted her to be in control, to take from him what she wanted, to feel empowered. Not just because she needed it, not just because this was his Sapphire and he was following her rules, but because he wanted her in control. He needed to be the one to give her this mind-blowing pleasure. He was the one she chose and he would give her anything and everything she needed. This was as much for her as it was for him.

Sweat started to bloom on her forehead. The pleasure was nearly too much for her. She could feel herself tighten all around him and she lost herself in the pleasure his body gave her. Her hair tumbled around her as she rode him, losing herself in the sensations. All the while, Inuyasha watched her. He watched the way her breasts bounced up and down as she rode him, the way her face strained in bliss, chasing after her orgasm with an urgency that he felt too. But this was for her. He held himself back, gripping the couch behind him to help keep him in control, concentrating on the way he was making her feel. He felt her tighten around him and the first shocks of her orgasm rippled through her body. He was in awe as he watched her come, knowing he was the one who gave her that look on her face. She planted her hands on his chest, pushing against him. The second wave came much stronger and he had to grit his teeth and concentrate on her to keep himself from coming with his mate.

"I love you, Kagome," he whispered, watching as the orgasm ripped through her and she threw her head back, moaning loudly and calling out his woman that held his heart and soul. She would never understand what she meant to him, but he would spend his life trying to make her understand.

"Ahhh... Inuyasha..." Kagome said out of breath, a smile on her lips as her eyes opened and she looked at him shyly, her body rippling with aftershocks.

Inuyasha smirked and wrapped her into his arms. "Hang on to me." He stood, supporting her under her butt, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him. He walked over to the bar and easily lifted her up, dislodging himself in the process, and sat her on the bar.

"Lie back."

Kagome's eyes widened in her blissful state, coming to full understanding. "Inuyasha..."

He didn't give her time to think or ask. He simply pushed her knees apart, bent his head and licked at her, tasting the sweet taste of her orgasm. He could taste himself too from earlier, but the taste of Kagome was the sweetest thing he's ever had. He heard her call his name and he looked up to see her lose her strength and lie down against the bar, her hands running along her breasts and stomach.

"I can't... Inu... yasha... It's... too much..." she said with every plunge of his tongue.

He drove his tongue deep into her, trying to get out as much of her juices as he could, desperate for her taste like a starving animal. The demon in him was free of its chains, clawing its way to its mate, claiming her the way it knew how. The taste of her brought out his animalistic nature, and he couldn't get enough of her moans, or the way she said his name with such ecstasy. He ate at her noisily, running his nose against her clit before sucking her clit, hollowing his cheeks, making her moan louder. Her hands went to his ears, rubbing them the way he liked, and she looked down at him, placing her feet on his shoulders.

"Inuyasha... Ahhhh... you're so good at this..."

He growled and delve back into her, stabbing her with his tongue while his nose rubbed her clit. He was intoxicated with her scent and her taste. He drove her to another orgasm and was up and moving again, needing to be in her.

Kagome groaned as Inuyasha grabbed her under her armpits, as if she was a child, and draped her over him so she could wrap her arms and legs around him. He was her lifeline now as he held her up. Her entire body felt like jello. Three orgasms later and she felt like mush. Inuyasha was so good, and by the feel of his erection against her butt, she knew that he wanted more as he took her back to the couch.

"Inuyasha..." she moaned tiredly as he laid her down gently. "I can't." She was tired from all the orgasms he gave her, as much as she enjoyed them. But even as she said that, he settled over her and entered her in one easy movement, joining them together as they cried out at the connection. And all her thoughts of being tired were wiped away just like that. All she could think about was his body in hers and the pleasure he gave her.

"I know," he said, holding himself up and bending his head to kiss her tenderly. "For me, Kagome. One more request."

"Anything..." she moaned out, closing her eyes as he slowly moved in her. His movements felt so tender compared to earlier, compared to how she took him. She brought her hands up and looked up at him, framing his face. His hair fell over his shoulders and onto her sensitive skin.

"Love me," he said, capturing her lips. She whimpered, wrapping her legs around his waist.

"I do, Inuyasha..." she said, tears springing to her eyes at the desperation in his voice. "I love you so much," she moaned, arching her back as he hit a spot that only he knew.

"No one will ever love you more than I do," he whispered, looking down at her with fierce love and adoration. She smiled, touched by his words.

"Yes... yes..." she said, moaning at the feeling of him. She let him have his way with her, let him take her body on another pleasure-filled ride. He built the excitement for the both of them, knowing just what they needed. His slower thrusts made it easier for him to find her sweet spots with an intimacy that only he knew, and commit every stroke and every angle that drove her wild to memory. He committed the look on her face when he felt her clamp down on him, feeling that ripple of pleasure course through her.

After slow, intense, burning pleasure, Inuyasha brought them both to climax together, swallowing each other's names with tender kisses and sweet whispers of love. They both needed rough and sweet. And as their breathing and heart beats settled, Kagome remembered that she was still working.

"Inuyasha... I fear our time is almost up."

Inuyasha brought his head up, keeping most of his weight off her. The leather couch protested and clung to their sweaty skin. He bent his head to place a kiss on her breast before he shifted and moved out of her to stand, his demonic traits now gone. She turned her head to watch him walk away, every muscle in his legs and butt catching her eye, making her smile with satisfaction and gratitude. This man that was so desired by most women in all Japan had chosen to love her.

He went to his pants, bent and picked it up, digging out his phone as he threw his pants over his shoulder. He turned to her with a frown, checking his phone. "We've got ten minutes left."

Kagome smiled, giggling, as he looked her way curiously. "I can't believe all we did for almost an hour was have sex."

"Why? We've done it before." He walked towards the bar to grab some paper towels and wet them with warm water.

"I know," she said, sitting up and feeling her entire body, mostly her lower body, feeling very heavy and tender. "I don't think I'll be able to do much for the rest of the night."

Inuyasha ignored the immediate resistance he felt to that statement. He walked back towards her with wet and dry paper towels, remaining silent. What could he say to that? They just shared an intimate time together, as mates, and now he was going to release her to go out and be with other males. Every cell in his being rejected the very thought of it. He wanted to demand her to leave with him, that she belonged to him and no one else. Not even if it was her stupid job. But then the human part of him tried to rationalize it, tried to give her what she wanted. If she had wanted to leave this place, she would've done it a long time ago. As much as he wanted to protest, he knew that she had her reasons for staying in this job. 'Still... I can't share her. She's mine. My scent is all over her and every demon in here will know that she belongs to a male.'

"Inuyasha..."

He blinked and noticed her staring at him with concern when he got back to the couch. He tilted his head. "Lie back so I can clean you up. We're running out of time."

She frowned at the tone of his voice. Even his demeanor had changed. He sat on the couch next to her and stared at her, waiting. She obeyed without a word, wondering why he was upset, and laid back to spread her legs for him. They had become very accustomed to this. When they started having sex, she had shared with Inuyasha what Koga did to her with his semen, and that she still had trauma from that. So he had grown used to cleaning her up after he ejaculated in her, making sure she was't triggered. And after the many frequent times they've had sex, she's gotten used to having his semen in and on her that it no longer triggered her. Koga had used it as a form of punishment and discipline. But Inuyasha used it as a sign of his love and his devotion to her.

Yet now he cleans her with care because she had to go out there soon and continue working.

"Inuyasha," she said, placing her hand on his wrist, stopping him. "What's wrong?"

She watched him take a deep breath and shake his head, wiping her dry before he stood and walked back to the bar to throw the towels away. "Nothing. I need to leave and you need to get back to work."

She watched him behind the bar bend to put his boxers and pants back on. She frowned and moved to stand slowly, feeling her legs before she moved towards him. Inuyasha came out with his pants and his rosary being the only things he wore. She met him as he went to grab her torn panty and his shirt off the ground, and stopped him. She was butt naked and his eyes looked down at her body with a frown.

"Inuyasha... I'm quitting tonight," she said, reaching up to place her hands on the sides of his face. "Tonight's my last night. I'm going to tell Onigumo after work." His golden eyes still were filled with something that she couldn't name. "Tell me what's wrong?"

He placed his hands on hers, taking them off his face. "Every part of me wants to take you out of here and take you home with me. After what we shared... I don't want to share you with any other males. I can't. I don't share, Kagome."

"I know," she said firmly, moving back to her bra and dress.

"But you want me to let you go out there and continue working as a gentlemen's girl?"

She turned to look at him while putting on her bra, watching him put her panty in his pocket. "I'm asking you to let me finish the last night of my job."

Inuyasha shrugged his shirt on, keeping his eyes on her. "Kagome... what you're asking is not easy for me."

"I know. It's not easy for me too, Inuyasha. What we shared tonight... I've never had that in all my nine years of working here," she confessed, watching as he finished buttoning up his shirt. She picked up her dress and stepped into it as he came up towards her, helping her to zip it up. She turned to him with a grateful smile and grabbed him around his waist.

"This place... it isn't for me anymore. This was once my safe haven from myself and from my past. But having you in here... you mean more to me than this place. You're my safe haven, Inuyasha. There's nothing for me here." She needed him to understand that where this place was once her entire world... now her world was shattered, only to be replaced by a new world with Inuyasha being her entire world. This one man in her arms was everything that this place could never be for her. "Please... understand that I'm only doing this because it's my last night and it's out of respect for Onigumo that I finish and talk with him. I need to thank him for all he did for me before I leave."

Inuyasha sighed, listening to her arguments. "I just... I can't bear thinking of you in another man's arms." He wrapped his arms around her, making her smile and she planted a kiss on his chin.

"Well, no other man will have me in his arms. I make my own rules, remember. I smell like men because I'm close to them and touching them. But they need my permission before they can touch me or hold me. So don't worry about me being in another man's arms." She squeezed him. "Your arms are the only ones I want to be in."

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. And the knock at the door startled them out of their world. Kagome smiled up at him, releasing him and stepping back.

"That's Jinenji. It's a courtesy call signaling I have three minutes left before I need to leave for my next client." She walked towards the stage so she could stand in front of the mirror to check her face and hair. Her lip gloss was all gone but her eye makeup was still there and not smudged. Her hair, however, was a mess. Like she had just had sex.

"Ugh... my hair's a mess," she complained, running her fingers through it to try and tame it a bit.

Inuyasha came up behind her, catching her eyes in the mirror. "I love your hair. You look like a female who's been pleased very well," he said with a gleam in his eyes and a cocky smirk.

She turned to look at him over her shoulder, feeling that warm feeling inside at his joke. "Well I was... multiple times, thank you." She turned so that she could go into his arms, feeling him one last time. She didn't want to leave him.

"I have to go."

Inuyasha nodded, kissing the top of her head. "Let's go, then."

She smiled, letting him lead the way as he grabbed for her hand and walked them to the door. She turned to look at the room, now sharing something with Inuyasha that's she's never had in this place in years. She smiled to herself, thankful for him. He was giving her a new life that she thought she could never have. A life that was out of this place, out of the darkness that she's always lived in. A life that was with him and by his side.

Inuyasha opened the door and Jinenji stood across the door, against the railing where he always waits for her. They walked out and Inuyasha kept her hand until they got to the beginning of the stairs, where he turned around to face her. With the darkness and the dimly lit lights roaming the room, his golden eyes were bright and focused on her.

"Call me when you're done."

She nodded with a sweet smile. "I will."

He nodded and pulled her into him, bending to give her one last kiss as he held her tight against him. He made sure she knew who she belonged to, deepening the kiss to make her want him again. He had to stop himself from smiling when she leaned into him because her knees grew weak. He knew his woman too well.

"I love you, Sapphire."

"I love you more, Inuyasha."

With that, he released her and left, heading down the stairs. She marveled at how he looked so kept and poised when she felt still weak in her knees and tired after all those orgasms. Orgasms were tiring, especially when given by a hanyou who knew how to make her scream. She bit her lip, trying to hold herself back from thinking too much of him. She needed to get her head in the game to finish the night.

"Where's my client?" she asked, her eyes still on Inuyasha but knowing Jinenji was right behind her.

"He's down at the bar waiting for you."

She watched Inuyasha go to a table where Ayumi and her client were seated and he bent down to whisper something in the man's ear. The man stood and bowed towards Ayumi, then the two walked towards the bar and then headed towards the door, out of her sight. She inwardly sighed in relief. She knew that she wouldn't be able to work if Inuyasha here, watching her every move. She needed to be able to do what Sapphire does best without distractions. Plus, she knew that Inuyasha didn't want to be here watching her do those things to someone else other than him. She would've felt the same way being in his shoes. 'Last night, Kagome. You can do this.'

"I need to head to the dressing room first to touch up my makeup."

"Sapphire," he said, his voice making her turn her head to her shoulder. "You need to compose yourself. You seem... unsteady."

Jinenji was a hanyou. He would know that she and Inuyasha had been together. But he was right. She was shaky because all her energy was gone, thanks to those four orgasms. She squared her shoulders and walked down the stairs, trying her best to compose herself. She couldn't get mad at Inuyasha for interrupting her at work. If she had been like some of the other girls, having sex with a client was natural, and they would jump right back into work with another client. But she wasn't like the other girls. And Inuyasha gave her a precious gift. She wasn't mad at him for coming here, nor could she be mad at him for giving her the best orgasms she's had in this place, maybe ever. She was just a little off her game and she needed a few minutes to compose herself.

"Tell him I will be a few minutes," she told Jinenji over her shoulder when she got to the bottom of the stairs. Making her way to the side of the bar, she walked over to Manten who guarded the girl's dressing room door. He smiled at her, as much of a smile a brute youkai like him could muster, and nodded his head as he opened the door for her. She smiled and walked in, heading down the hallway to head back to her makeup desk.

Making quick work, Kagome touched up her grey smoky eyes, and applied more clear lip gloss. 'Hmmm... even my lips seem swollen.' She felt her core tingle at the thought of her and Inuyasha being animals together. Their desire for each other was insatiable. Even now, the thought of him and the feel of him in her only stirred her arousal once again. She shook her head. 'Get the night over with, Kagome.'

Ready to head out, she turned and jumped when she saw Onigumo standing a few feet away. "Geez! Onigumo..." she gasped. "Don't scare me like that. I didn't even hear you come in."

"No, you didn't. You seem lost in your thoughts," he scolded.

She took a breath, knowing she didn't have time to talk with Onigumo now, but she could tell that something was bothering him. His body language said it all. He looked angry, yet he remained still with his hands in his pockets, staring at her.

"I need to go. My client is waiting at the bar."

When she moved to walk past him, he snatched her arm tightly, making her gasp as he pulled her close to him. "Why the hell did your boyfriend come here tonight?!" he snarled.

Kagome tried to back up, but he was in her face, shackling her arm.

"Answer me, Kagome!"

"I... I don't know."

"You don't know?! You don't know why he came here?! How the hell does he know you work here to begin with?" As far as he knew, Kagome never wanted to tell Inuyasha where she worked, which was why she asked him for his help to give her a cover job and he enlisted his friend's help at Starlite to be her reference. He helped to cover for her. And now she was telling people where she worked.

"I told him a couple nights ago," she tried, flinching when he yanked her arm again. "I didn't plan it. It just came out."

"And now he wants to see you at work? You know the rules!" The rules were that his girls were to be single for the very reason of not having any conflict of interests, so that they can do their jobs without any male jealousy or interference. On top of that, if by chance his girls did have boyfriends, he for sure didn't want their boyfriends coming here and causing a scene. But by the looks of Kagome, he knew why that boy came here to begin with. She looked and reeked of sex.

"You slept with him. And you caused a scene in front of the entire club when he kissed you."

She flinched at the way he said it. Then, she felt herself get angry. Angry at him for treating her this way, once again. After all she's done for him, this was how he treated her. Angry at him for his jealousy, the way he saw Inuyasha as her 'boyfriend' and not as her client.

She yanked her arm at the same time she pushed him with her other arm, getting herself free. "Inuyasha was my client! He paid for me, didn't he?! I serviced him the same way I serviced my other clients!"

Onigumo, shocked by her outburst, glared at her. He marveled at the way Kagome's anger made her blue eyes look darker, almost purple, and her skin was flushed after just being with that boy. The thought of Kagome being naked, here, in his club, and the way she looked right now, his blood heated and he swallowed. He wanted her, but he also was very, very pissed at her.

"You never had sex with any of your other clients. Ever," he seethed, his voice going low, trying to keep his composure. Yes, he was aroused because of his anger and the sight of her. But he was more furious than anything.

"That is my choice! You told me I could make my own rules. It's my choice if I want my clients to touch me or not. Inuyasha was my client. If I wanted to have sex with him, then that would've been my choice!" She squared her shoulders, feeling strangely powerful and aware of herself and the way she talked back to Onigumo. She had had enough of his little games and his petty jealousy. He wanted his girls for himself, yet they weren't his to claim, not in the way he thought. She never signed up to be his play thing, or his lover, or whatever the hell he thought her to be. The only thing she signed up for was to be his paid employee.

"I'm leaving. My client's waiting."

Onigumo moved to grab her again as she began to walk away but Jinenji's voice cut through.

"Sapphire... your client is waiting for you." Jinenji stared at Onigumo even though his eyes glared at Onigumo, and she never once looked back at him. Jinenji waited for Kagome to pass him, watching Onigumo and daring him to touch Kagome while he was here.

Kagome didn't realize it until she was walking back down the hallway that she forgot to put on underwear. At this point, she didn't care because she didn't want to go back to see Onigumo.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

The night went on, and as the hours passed by, she realized more and more how much this place didn't suit her anymore. And it only took one night with Inuyasha here, in this dark world she thought she was meant to be in forever, one night for Inuyasha to come in and become her light. He showed her what it meant to love and to be loved. Kagome smiled as her client looked her way and said something she didn't catch, but he beamed at her lovely smile. Yes, these men who paid for her, knew nothing of her past, or of the sick things that she had done and that had been done to her. If they knew, she was sure they wouldn't pay half the amount they did for her, let alone praise a simple smile. These men who came here looking for a good time, looking for a woman's presence or touch, they didn't have the love that she shared with Inuyasha. If they did, they wouldn't want to come to a place like this. Love made her see that. And she didn't want to be here any longer than she truly had to.

"Sapphire." She turned at the sound of her name, looking up from the couch where Jinenji stood. "Your next client is waiting."

She smiled up at him, holding in her sigh. "Thank you, Genta," she said, looking back at her client comfortably relaxing on the couch.

Genta smiled at her, forgetting about the business meeting he was in for a moment, to give her his full attention. "Thank you for tonight, Sapphire. I hope to see you again soon."

Kagome smiled sadly, shaking her head ever so slightly, and leaning in to whisper in his ear. "Forgive me... but tonight will be my last night."

When she pulled back, she saw the shock on his face. She was certain that even he thought that she was made for this dark world. Why would she leave such a place that became her? She wondered if she could ever be rid of this place, or if this place had become such a part of her that she would never escape it, even if she quit Midnite.

Genta frowned, turning so that he faced her a little more, brushing his thigh against hers and keeping his voice down. "You are leaving this place? For good?" She nodded, taking in his fine appearance with his salt and pepper hair and a crisp suit. She would miss him as Genta was a tender soul, always soft and very kind to her.

"Well... if I may ask to touch you... one last time?"

She nodded and he reached out to place his palm on her cheek. She smiled and tilted her head into his palm, closing her eyes. Nine years of working here, knowing her clients and everything that made them happy. Nine years of living for these men. Now she wanted to do something for her. She opened her eyes when she felt his breath and realized that he moved to place a kiss on her other cheek.

"May you find happiness, Sapphire."

She smiled sadly, her eyes tearing at his unexpected sincerity, and placed a hand over his. "Thank you, Genta."

"Sapphire," Jinenji called again, not wanting her to keep her other client waiting.

"May you find happiness, as well, Genta. You are a good man. And you deserve to be happy with a woman once again." She took his hand off her cheek and placed a kiss on his palm. "The hardest part of love is knowing that it could be lost. And after losing your wife... you deserve to be happy and in love once again." She watched his face go neutral, his eyes holding so much emotion whenever they talked about his wife whom he lost from a long battle with cancer. He was by her side through the many days until she finally lost the battle. He had vowed that he would never love someone as much as he loved his wife. He closed his heart to the possibility and came to Midnite for solace and a woman's touch, but never her love.

"Open your heart again, Genta. Don't be afraid to get hurt. You will find life has more meaning when you're in love... I know." With that, she placed his hand back on his thigh and smiled at him as she stood. She bowed to him and the other men next to him all bowed to her as she took her leave, leaving Genta speechless and looking after her in yearning.

Kagome followed Jinenji, feeling her heart bleed for Genta. It was bittersweet to say goodbye to him, but she was hoping that he would take her words to heart now that she had found a better life outside of this place. She walked out of the lounge area with Jinenji and headed to the bar.

"How long?" she asked him, looking up at the back of his head. Another client. 'When will this night end?'

"One hour," he told her over his shoulder.

It was already midnight. The crowd was starting to thin out, being a couple hours away from closing at two. Most people left the club around one, with the stragglers and drunkards sticking around until they were kicked out before two. At least she had one final client for one more hour. Then she could talk with Onigumo and tell him about her decision.

As they neared the bar, she recognized her client immediately. He was sitting at the bar, facing the club and her as she approached, looking very casual and tired. 'Sai.' He reminded her of Inuyasha in a sense. Sai wore a white dress shirt that was rolled up at the sleeves and a black pants with tan shoes. He was simple and elegant, and she was once again reminded of how attractive he was. A young, rich, good looking man like him was in his prime. He shouldn't be in a place like this where the girls were unattainable. She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath, fixing her dress before she approached him with a genuine smile.

"Sai. It is good to see you."

Sai tilted his head, smiling softly as if he was holding himself back. "Sapphire..." He got off the barstool and opened his palms up to her, waiting for her to make the first move. "Can I hug you?"

She waited a moment, wondering what it was about him that always shook her. She felt something with him that she didn't feel with Genta or with any other client. They were all different and the same in their own ways, but Sai was completely different and set apart. She frowned, remembering what she told Inuyasha earlier, being haunted by his pain of having to let her go to be in another man's arms. She would hate to do that to him, to so quickly go from his arms to another man's arms, even though it was just Sai.

She smiled apologetically and stepped up in between his outstretch arms. He didn't make a move to hold her, but his hands went down to his sides, realizing that she was saying 'no' without having to say it.

"I haven't seen you in a long time," she said sadly. Tonight would be the first time she's seen him in a month or so, and tonight would be the last. She placed a hand on his cheek while the other went to his chest. "What has kept you away?" She hoped that his absence meant he had moved on with his life, either finding a new relationship or realizing this place wasn't for him anymore. She hoped that he would never return to this place. Yet here he was, his woodsy cologne reminding her of the times they had been intimate together, much to her regret. She should never have played with his feelings like that. She was the one being selfish for using him during her most vulnerable times and making him believe she wanted some more with him.

"I had to go to the States for some business... with the Fujimotos." He added that extra bit to see her reaction, and he got one. Her hands left him and he wondered what had happened with her relationship with Inuyasha in the long days that he hasn't seen her. "I just landed tonight. I couldn't stop thinking of you the whole time I was there. I had to see you as soon as I landed."

She frowned and went to sit on the stool next to his. "Sai..." What could she say? Stop thinking about her? Stop dreaming things that will never be? She had tried to warn him early on that she didn't need a white knight to save her from this place, tried to warn him not to fall in love with her because she was messed up with lots of baggage. Yet after all those warnings, she was also giving him mixed signals that she knew confused him and probably gave him other ideas. It was all her fault. And she needed to make things clear to him before she left and he would forever be wondering 'what if'.

"Sai... we need to talk."

The two of them sat and she looked down the bar, catching Hojo's eyes and raising a finger. He immediately understood with a nod.

"Sai... the last time we saw each other... you couldn't stand being around me and you left." Sai frowned and bowed his head, resting an arm on the bar. "I don't blame you for leaving. And I know why you left."

"Sapphire... I don't regret anything I said that night. I meant every word." His eyes came up and stared at her fiercely. "I care about you and love you."

Hojo chose that moment to break in, pushing Kagome's drink towards her, and quietly excusing himself.

"I know," was all she could say.

"But you don't love me." She looked at him sadly, slowly shaking her head.

"I am sorry, Sai, for what I did. My intention was never to hurt you or to take our business relationship into a personal relationship. My intention was to use you to forget the pain and the heartache I felt at the time. It was selfish of me to use you that way without considering your feelings. And I'm sorry for that." She truly was. She placed a hand on his knee, waiting for him to say something.

"You love him?"

"I told you I do," she said with a sad smile, knowing that it was hard for him to hear this. "I love him more than my own life."

Sai turned to face the bar, toying with his drink in both hands. They sat in silence for a while, both of them sipping from their drinks. Kagome waited, feeling uneasy in the silence. She stayed facing him, watching him in deep thought. Finally, he smiled to nothing in particular.

"You know... I thought about you day and night for months. You were always on my mind. I think a part of the reason why I took up my father's company was because of what you told me that night when I first met you." He turned to look at her. "And the other reason why I took my father's place because I wanted to prove to you that I could be what you needed, that I could save you from this place and give you a good life. The reason why I got a membership here was for you. I thought of you constantly and I came to see you as much as I could. You have been my reason for living."

She smiled sadly, saddened by his words. She never meant for him to have fallen for her so hard and fast on the first night.

Sai looked back at his drink, swirling the ice around noisily. "I even planned out what I was going to tell Onigumo. I was ready to offer anything he wanted if I could pay for your freedom. I was ready to give you everything you could ever ask for if you would leave this place and be with me. I would promise you happiness, that you would never have to worry or be in need..." He chuckled to himself. "I had all these plans... and you immediately destroyed them all."

She suddenly frowned, hurt by his pain. Kagome sighed and reached to place a hand on his arm. "Sai... I told you in the beginning..."

"I know," he said, cutting her off. "Perhaps I was foolish to not heed your warning. Perhaps I was overzealous in thinking I could prove you wrong and give you more than you thought you deserved. Sapphire... I won't try to explain myself or to prove myself to you... quite honestly... I don't think I stand a chance. Am I wrong to assume that?" he asked, turning his head to look at her. She shook her head, looking down at her drink.

He smiled with a nod. "Figured. I lost my chance a long time ago."

The two stayed in silence again, drinking and taking comfort in the other's presence being there. The club was playing tracks now, a pumping beat that had some of the girls up on the two poles, dancing for entertainment to the remaining guests.

"Sai... I'm leaving."

Sai looked towards her, confused. "Leaving?"

She nodded, looking around, making sure none of her coworkers were around to hear her. "I'm leaving Midnite. I'm quitting tonight and never coming back. You should do the same."

Sai straightened and faced her. "Why? Is it for him?"

"Yes and no. I'm leaving for me." She squared her shoulders, feeling more sure in herself now that this was for her, that she deserved something more. "I've come to realize the harm this place is to me. I've had many episodes here where things men did to me triggered unpleasant memories from my past. It's not who I am or what I want to be anymore. This place keeps me chained to my past in so many ways that it's time for me to break free. I don't want to work here anymore. I don't want to be what men wants and needs me to be. I just want to be me. I just want to be loved for being me," she said sadly.

"I've realized that he gives me everything that I never thought I could ever have. The way I grew up, I always thought that a place like this was all I ever deserved and would ever get. But he's helped me to break free from that belief. He's helping me to see that I deserve more." She smiled to herself and looked down at her hands in her lap, thinking of Inuyasha and the love he gives her. "His love is healing my past. I know it's hard for you to understand..."

"He is loving you as you deserve," Sai interrupted. He took a deep breath and sighed loudly. "Well... I guess I have no chance then."

She looked at him with an apologetic smile. "I truly am sorry, Sai."

He waved his hand, cutting her off. "Enough with that. I don't regret any of our time together. And I don't want you to either."

The two remained in silence again. Kagome was hopeful that they would part on good terms. She hadn't seen him in so long that she thought he would never come back because of what she did, because she had hurt him. She was glad that they could have this one last time together to talk and part on good terms.

"Well... I guess I'll take my leave too."

She whipped her head to look at him. "You're leaving now?"

Sai chuckled. "No. Don't sound so sad when I know you're not." He took a sip of his drink, looking down at the bar until Hojo caught his eyes and he signaled for another. "I meant that I'll be leaving Midnite too. If you're leaving, then there's no reason for me to come back. I only come here to see you."

"Sai... this place was never for you. You're a good man."

"Nor was it for you," he said, looking over at her. Hojo slid him another glass and took the empty one with him. "You never belonged here."

"I would argue otherwise..."

"No, Sapphire. You are too good to be in a place like this. You don't deserve to have men looking at you with lust in their eyes and you don't deserve to be tossed back and forth like a piece of meat. You're not property to be bought and used."

Kagome shook her head. "That's not how I saw it."

"But that's how I see it," he said adamantly. "I know a lot of men in here see it that way. They don't see these women as 'women'. They see them as close to fodder, easily bought, used for their enjoyment, and then cast aside until they were needed again. Trust me on this, Sapphire. These type of men... they only think of themselves, how to elevate themselves, how to gain more power and money, and how to pleasure themselves. I'm sure your boyfriend would understand."

She smiled softly. "He was here tonight."

Now it was Sai's turn to stare at her, shocked. She giggled and took a sip. "I think I might have had that same expression on my face when I saw him in the Skye."

Sai frowned, looking down at his drink. 'In the Skye?' He could only assume what they were doing up there. He closed his eyes and sighed, wondering how he got so involved in this woman who felt nothing for him. He yearned for her to look at him differently than just as a paying client. Yet, she never felt the same way for him as he did for her, and he would be okay with that. He had no other choice.

"Why did he come? Does he support this lifestyle?" he asked, drinking again.

Kagome shook her head. "Of course not. I told him about me working here a couple of nights ago, and it went badly. But we talked things out and I explained to him why I started in this place to begin with and why I felt like I couldn't leave."

"Why? I mean... why can't you leave?" he asked, wondering himself why she stayed when she could've quit.

Kagome sighed. "At first, I told myself it was because no one would hire someone like me. I have no formal education, no history in employment. Who would hire someone like me? This place was my only means of taking care of myself and it gave me a sense of self-worth. That is... until I started working... outside of here."

Sai nodded. "The dance group," knowing her real name and who her boyfriend was because of her fame as Blue Lightning.

"Yes. When I got that job, and the pay was great, though not as great as this place, I realized that I had another means of taking care of myself and I could quit this place. But I still didn't. It was then that I realized the reason I stayed is because I feel obligated to Onigumo."

That piqued Sai's curiosity and he turned to look at her. "Why him?"

"He saved me," she said with a sad smile. "When I came to Tokyo after leaving my past behind... I had nothing. And he gave me everything I have now. He saved me..." She frowned, thinking of all the times he's hurt her physically and how he has changed in the past months, ever since she started working for Kikyo. "But... Onigumo has changed. He's not the same man I knew nine years ago. And neither am I the same woman from nine years ago. Inuyasha helped me to realize that I paid Onigumo back for all that he's helped me with and then some. That I have no obligation to him anymore."

Sai stared at her thoughtfully. "You stayed because you felt like you owed him?" He watched her nod and he shook his head. "Sapphire... you owe no one anything. If Onigumo helped you financially, then you paid him back when you worked for him and started bringing him in money. I'm sure he's made a lot of money over the past decade from you." He felt angry that Onigumo would make her feel this heavy burden and sense of obligation. "Did he say that you would have to pay him back?" he asked, wondering how much of a hold Onigumo had on her.

Kagome shook her head. "No. But I feel like I should. He's done so much for me, you know?" she said, not expecting a response. "I know, financially speaking, I've paid him back. I've brought in more customers for him than any of his other girls. I am his favorite," she said with no pride or boastfulness.

"If he didn't say that you need to pay him back, then when is it good enough for you?"

She thought about it, staring at her drink in deep thought. 'I don't know...' She didn't know what Onigumo would be satisfied with. Rather, she didn't know what she would be satisfied with as the price for her freedom that he paid for nine years ago. What would be the value of that in her eyes? How could she ever pay Onigumo back for that?

"I don't know, Sai."

"I'll tell you..." he said, waiting for her blue eyes to look at him. "Nothing. Sapphire... nothing will be enough in Onigumo's mind because a man like that only sees you as his property. To him, you're nothing but an asset. You made your commitment to him when you worked for him and took his gifts, and now he feels like he owns you and you have a debt to fulfill." Sai felt himself grow angrier at Onigumo. He hadn't known this was going on with Sapphire, and had he known, he would've done something about this a long time ago.

"I know what Onigumo thinks because he's a businessman, just like me. Everything is about numbers, money and power. All the girls in here are simply an asset to him. And until you realize this... you will never be able to pay back the debt."

Kagome frowned, listening to his words. 'Is that how Onigumo sees me?'

"Onigumo won't ask you to leave for your sake because he can't lose you. You have to be the one to leave... for your sake, because you deserve better and because you have paid off your debt to him years ago." Sai watched her take in his words, remaining quiet and unsure. "Does Inuyasha know about this?"

Kagome nodded. "He made me promise that I would quit this weekend."

"But does he know how much of a hold Onigumo has on you?" She shook her head. "Sapphire, Onigumo has no power against the Fujimotos. If you're afraid of leaving here because Onigumo might retaliate, then you need to let Inuyasha know. I'm sure Inuyasha's family could take this place down with a snap of their fingers." She looked at him unsure and he wondered how much she knew about the Fujimoto family. "They have more power and money than you could know."

She nodded her head. "I'm sure. But still... this is my problem, not Inuyasha's. I can deal with Onigumo."

Sai was unsure about that. Judging by the way she looked, she didn't look like that intelligent, strong woman that he knew Sapphire to be. The one who seduced him with her feminine strength and appeal. Right now, she looked unsure, timid even, not anything like the woman he fell in love with. And it seemed like Onigumo had more power over Sapphire than he realized.

"What if Onigumo doesn't let you quit?" he asked slowly, starting to feel very tense and on edge. If Onigumo would go against her wishes to leave and keep her imprisoned here to work for him against her will... then he would step in. He would use everything at his disposal and take Onigumo down if he had to. Sai knew that Onigumo had lots of friends in high places, friends that he allowed here at Midnite because of business deals so that he could benefit off of them as well. But he couldn't care less how many friends Onigumo had. He would do whatever he could to get Sapphire out of here if that was what she wanted. His own financial future be damned.

Kagome shrugged, taking the last sip of her drink and pushing it towards the bar. "I don't know." Quickly, as if she switched back to her normal self, she got off the chair and walked up to him, placing her hands on his thigh. "I don't want to talk about him anymore. Let's talk about you and enjoy our time together, hmm? The club will be closing soon."

'And you're leaving...' he thought to himself. He tried not to think about it, so he took in her hopeful expression and obliged her. "What do you want to do for our last night together?"

Kagome smiled at him. "Let's go sit at one of the tables and watch the dancers."

She offered him her hand and he took it, standing up and leading the way towards the main floor.

-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-'-

Every step she took made her nervous. This was it. She would face Onigumo and tell him that she was quitting. She had made the decision in her head and in her heart, and tonight would be the night. Not only because Inuyasha made her promise to quit, but also because she didn't want to work here anymore.

Kagome had left Sai at his table after a bittersweet goodbye. She expressed to him how much she appreciated his business, but mostly his time, his attention and his care for her. She hadn't reiterated how sorry she was for using him, because he made it clear that it was over and done with, but she wanted him to know that he had been her favorite client because of how down to earth and kind he was. They'd known each other for only a few months and she told him that he really touched her heart with his kindness in a way no other client had. He also spoke of how she impacted him, not just with her beauty and sexiness, but also with her intelligence, with her kindness and with her heart. He was sad that she was leaving because then he wouldn't see her again, but he was also happy that she was leaving because then she would be free of this place.

'Thank you, Sai.'

She smiled, thinking of Sai as she climbed the stairs, trying to focus on something good and positive as trepidation crept in. She was calm when she got to the top and knocked on the door. But all calm left her when she opened the door to see Onigumo standing at the mini bar in the center of the room, right under the chandelier.

"Onigumo?" Even her voice sounded nervous and small. She took a breath and squared her shoulders, closing the door behind her to walk in.

"Can we talk?"

He didn't answer or make any acknowledgement towards her. He simply faced the bar, also facing the club outside, and kept his focused attention on making his drink. So she went to the right on the other side of the bar where the couch was facing the club. She stood in front of the couch, facing him.

"Onigumo... I'm leaving."

Still, he didn't answer her or look at her. She started to get worried. It wasn't like him to be silent, especially after her saying something like that. But his quietness and him ignoring her was what brought on more fear. Something was wrong.

"Onigumo?" He poured himself a dark liquid drink until it got near the top of his glass, his eyes focused on the level of liquid. She frowned. "I want to thank you for all that you've done for me. If it wasn't for you... I... I don't know where I'd be. Maybe I'd be dead by now, or worse. But it's because of you that I was able to escape my past and gain this new future. You've done so much for me, and I appreciate everything you've done. But..."

"Everything I've done for you?" Onigumo said softly with a chuckle, grabbing the ice pick to stab at the ice block aggressively, while shards of ice flew past his face. She clasped her hands behind her back, nervously playing with her fingers as she watched him take out his aggression on the ice block.

"Kagome... I have done more for you than your parents, your husband, or your boyfriend ever has. And this is how you repay me?" he asked, dropping a piece of ice into his glass, making the drink overflow. He brought it to his lips to take a long sip while his eyes fastened on her straight ahead.

She froze, like a deer in headlights. He never once rose his voice, but she felt his anger through his eyes. "Onigumo..." she said, feeling her throat dry up. "I worked for you for nine years..."

"And you think that nine years is enough?"

She flinched. "You never told me I had to work here for a number of years."

"I figured you were smart enough to figure it out," he said with a shrug, walking around his bar towards her. "You're a very smart woman, Kagome. You knew that I was a man who made business deals." He came to stand in front of her, taking deep gulps of his drink that was now half full.

"When I first saw you, I knew that you were more than just that pitiful person you looked like on the streets."

She flinched at his words, remembering the night he found her in the alley. Onigumo was the only one who saw her that night and cared enough to help her.

"I saw you that night and I offered you a better life. I gave you a roof over your head, food for your stomach, and I helped you to escape your past," he said, his voice getting louder and louder.

She took a step back out of fear, but he only took a step forward towards her. "I know, Oni..."

"I gave you a new identity," he interrupted her. "I paid for your past to be erased so that you could have a new life. The life you have now! I made you one of my top three girls. I gave you all that money in your bank account. And you think that you can just quit?"

She put her head down, listening to his words. "Onigumo... I'm very grateful for..."

"And... you had the audacity to bring your little boyfriend here," he said with a snarl, throwing his cup clear across the side of the room. It smashed and shattered against the wall, making Kagome jump. She took a few steps back now, staring at him in shock and horror.

This wasn't the Onigumo she knew. The Onigumo she knew, the one who had saved her off the streets and offered her a new life... that man was kind, warm and welcoming. Had she judged him wrong? Was he like all the other men she's had in her life? He had changed. Ever since she applied for the job with Kikyo, she had seen him change. He slowly became more and more aggressive, even hurting her at times, and his mental games reminded her so much of what Koga used to do to her. Onigumo was different. Onigumo was the same as them.

"Onigumo... please," she said, backing up again. This time, he followed her. "I didn't know Inuyasha was coming. I didn't know he was my client until I went in the Skye."

"I only let him in because he paid more than your rate. I let him in because Sai was also your client tonight and I would've loved to have seen your boyfriend's face after meeting Sai," Onigumo said with a smirk. Kagome hit the glass wall that faced the club, pressing herself back against it.

"And then you went ahead and made that public display right at the top of the stairs for everyone to see..." he seethed, coming to stand right in front of her.

"Why are you so mad? You let him in," she said, trying to understand Onigumo. But she knew he wasn't so mad as he was jealous. And his jealousy was throwing him into a rage. She gasped as his hands came up swiftly and gripped her arms, shaking her and pushing her back against the glass.

"I own you, Kagome! I gave you everything when I could've taken it all away! I decide what you do and who you see!"

Kagome suddenly felt her anger give her enough strength to say something back. "No, Onigumo. You're my boss. You decide who I see here, at Midnite. But you don't decide what I can and can't do outside of this place. You don't control my life!"

He glared at her and gripped her arms tighter. "I control your life because I gave you your life!" He released her and grabbed her face with his right hand, squeezing her cheeks. "Last week you asked for a favor, and it was the last favor I'm ever going to give you. I am not giving you the night off to go to your boyfriend's birthday party next week. And I am not giving you the time off to go to Vegas. You won't be going!"

She moved her head and pushed his hand to get him to release her face as she stumbled away from him. "Just who the hell do you think you are, Onigumo?! You don't own me! And if you won't give me the time off, then even better reason to quit! I'm leaving and I'm never coming back!"

Onigumo suddenly lunged for her and she cried out in fear, staying out of his grasp. She went to the table close to the window, keeping it between them. She watched him with fear, watching him become this person she's never known before. He stood on the opposite side, gripping the back of one of the chairs, glaring at her with his blue-green eyes. She held the back of one of the chairs and felt like her heart was in her throat, her eyes darting to the door as her only means of escape. He took that moment to lunge at her from the side of the table closest to the door, cutting off her escape. She tried to run around the opposite side, but with the dress she wore and her heals, she wasn't as fast as she needed to be.

Onigumo grabbed her arm and she screamed as he tugged her back against the table, knocking a chair down on its side. She tried to tug her arm out of his grip but he was too strong. He turned her so that she was facing the table and released her so that his body pinned hers against the table. With a hand to the back of her head, he slammed her head down against the glass table. Immediately, pain exploded against her temple, giving her a slight disorientation.

"I own you, Kagome," he whispered, his body pressing down against hers as his other hand began to pull up her dress. "You owe me everything. You owe me your life. If I can't have you... no one will," he promised.

Kagome moaned, starting to come out of her dizziness. Her head was throbbing as she opened her eyes and realized that there was blood on the table. Her face was covered in it where he held her down but there was a stinging sensation from where he slammed her head, as if something had cut her. Onigumo's hand was keeping her head down, pressed hard against the table, as she came to full realization as to what he was doing. Every cell in her body went into 'fight or flight' mode.

'No... not again...' "Daddy, please stop!" First her father. "Koga, please! Don't do this!" Then, Koga. Now, Onigumo. Was she forever fated to be raped by men all her life? For a moment, she laid there and the weight of her past that she could never escape from came flooding back into her, paralyzing her with an overwhelming sense of defeat. This was it. The past always came back to haunt her in its damning way. And for once, Kagome felt so tired. She was tired of running only to be found again by the same kind of man that she was running from. She was tired of fighting. She was tired of her life.

Onigumo yanked at her dress so that it was now over her butt and his legs were in between hers, kicking hers apart. He used his weight to hold her head down and leveraged himself above her, looking down her body. His hand smoothed over her butt cheeks and then he touched her clit, finding her lips and running his finger up and down her entrance.

"You've changed..." he said with a growl. "You don't wear underwear, you talk back and yell at me, and now you think yourself better than us because you have a rich boyfriend and a popstar of a new boss." He looked at her and saw the defeat written all over her face. He smirked and spread her open, inserting his middle finger into her, groaning as he did so. He had wanted her for so long. For years he watched her service other men, and all the while, as her boss, all he could do was watch, guide and protect her. No more. She pushed him too far this time. This time, he would have his way with her. This time, he would make her his, something he should've done when he first took her off the streets and made her his investment.

"Kagome..." he said, his breathing getting more rapid as she felt his excitement increase within her. Kagome closed her eyes and felt tears fall, though she didn't know that she had been crying. She could feel what his finger was doing but vaguely. She was numb. Her body had once again become nothing but an empty vessel, detaching herself from it the way she's always done. It shocked her that he would go this far, that he would hurt her this much. Onigumo had been the one who saved her. And now he was the one enslaving her once again, back to the hell that she had known all her life. How she felt so empty and so defeated.

"Such a good girl," Onigumo whispered, rubbing himself against her butt cheek, feeling the rush of blood pool in his loins at the feel of her beneath him. "You're mine, Kagome. You always were and you always will be. You're going to quit that job because you're never going to leave me. And you're going to leave that stupid boy, Inuyasha." He moaned, getting hard at the thought of being inside her. Soon. He hastily withdrew his finger so that he could free himself from his trousers, greedy to be inside of her and to have his seed in her. The thought drove him wild as he fumbled with his button.

'Inuyasha...' She could see him, every moment she spent within that one hour they were together tonight, she could see his face. The way he looked from the pleasure of their joining. The way he looked at her with so much love, adoration and devotion in his eyes. 'You're my safe have, Inuyasha...'

Kagome opened her eyes and suddenly felt... rage. She felt a deep anger and resentment towards Onigumo. No longer was he the kind, helpful stranger who gave her a better life. No longer was she willing to pay him back any way she could for the help and kindness he'd shown her. Not after this. And thinking of Inuyasha, what they just shared together and what they both felt for each other, how dare Onigumo think that he could demand her to leave Inuyasha. She felt a sudden rage and something inside of her snapped. If she wouldn't fight for herself, then she would fight for Inuyasha. Because she belonged to him and to no one else.

"No!" She suddenly hit his hand on top of her head with both hands, making him lose his balance since most of his weight was on his hand. He fell on top of her and she used the momentum and distraction to elbow behind her, hitting him in the face as he yelled out in pain. She pushed him off her and stood, briefly realizing that all the lights were on outside in the club, and turned to run.

Kagome barely made it to the coffee table near the couch when Onigumo pushed her towards it and she screamed. The glass shattered when she hit it and she went right through, falling onto the broken glass. She had blood dripping down the side of her head and she tried her best to keep it from getting into her eye. But now she was lying on broken glass, and when she tried to push herself up, the glass cut into her hands. Kagome winced at the pain, but turned when she heard Onigumo come up to her, breathing hard. She turned to look at him and his fly was down but his pants were still up. He still had an erection, and he was pissed.

Without a word, he bent to pick her up by her arms, getting her out of broken glass and pushing her back. She stumbled over the broken glass and the table, falling back onto the couch.

"Onigumo... please. Please stop!" she said breathless.

He was on her fast, both hands wrapping around her neck, pushing her down on the couch as he came up over her, pinning her down. Her eyes bulged as she realized what he was doing when he squeezed.

"If I can't have you, Sapphire... no one will."

Onigumo's eyes were empty, and she realized that he had no intention of letting her go, so she fought. She fought him like she fought Koga. Her bloody hands came up to claw at his face, but he kept dodging her hands since his face was just out of her reach. She tried to use her legs to kick him, but his knees on either side of her legs helped him to restrain her and he sat on top of her, pinning her down. Still, she tried. She kicked. She scratched at the air. And she tried to buck her hips. But he was too strong. Onigumo squeezed her neck again, shaking her and pinning her neck back down. His grip was too strong and she felt lightheaded, dizzy, getting tunnel vision.

"Ahh... ahh... On... i..." she gasped, losing consciousness. She grabbed at his shirt, scratching at his chest, and found that she could reach that part of him. But after a few attempts, he was cutting off the last bits of oxygen she had left, and all fight in her left. She closed her eyes as the darkness overtook her and her hands fell from his shirt.

Suddenly, Onigumo's weight was off her and her burning lungs screamed for oxygen. She gasped, coughing, choking on air. She took in gulps of air as she rolled over and fell face down on the floor. She struggled to breathe, trying to get oxygen back into her lungs and body. When she brought a hand up to touch her neck, she flinched at the pain. Slowly, her breathing became less erratic and she tried to focus on what was happening around her. She looked around for Onigumo and all she heard were the sounds of crashing, like glass being shattered and something hitting the wall several times.

When she finally looked up, she saw that Jinenji had Onigumo pinned against the wall and he was laying punches into Onigumo's stomach. She heard the sickening thud of Jinenji's fists impacting Onigumo's torso and Onigumo grunting at the pain. She could barely see with the blood on her face and in her eye now. She took her time, trying to push herself up but then remembering the hard way that there were shards of glass still in her hands.

The sounds of the men grunting gave her the strength to get up to her hands and knees, and turn to look over her shoulder. Jinenji had Onigumo pinned to the ground now but Onigumo had swiped up at Jinenji's face with a piece of glass, cutting him on his cheek. She looked around and saw it was the glass that he broke from his drink, but the cut didn't stun Jinenji one bit. Jinenji punched Onigumo in the face, using his other hand to hold him down by the neck the same way he held Kagome down, and went for Onigumo's face with the other over and over. But Jinenji was pulling his punches. And Onigumo got enough strength to stab the glass into Jinenji's chest, still not fazing the hanyou.

Suddenly, movement caught her eye and she saw Hiten and Manten appear out of nowhere, each grabbing one of Jinenji's arms and pulling him off Onigumo.

"Enough, Jinenji!" Manten yelled, as he and his brother pulled Jinenji to his feet, backing him away. The hanyou still struggled to get at Onigumo, trying to break from their grips so he could tear into Onigumo some more. His face was a mask of pure rage.

"Let go of me!" Jinenji yelled out.

"You'll kill him, Jinenji," Hiten reminded, taking a glance at the shape Onigumo was in.

"It's what he deserves!" Jinenji yelled, taking a few steps forward before the two brothers were able to pull him back again.

Kagome sighed and turned to sit on her side, bringing her legs under her as she bowed her head. Her hands, her head and her throat hurt. But it was over. Jinenji had saved her life. Again.

"Kagome! What the hell is going on!"

The sound of Ayumi's scream flooded into the room but she didn't have the strength to look for her. Ayumi came running to Kagome and went to her knees next to her, being careful to avoid all the glass everywhere.

"Kagome! What happened?!" She reached out to touch Kagome, wanting to help, but then realized that touching her might make it worse.

"Sapphire?! What the hell happened?!"

'Sai?' That was Sai's voice, and yet she couldn't look up to see if it was him. A few moments later, there he was, kneeling next to Ayumi. She finally had the strength to look up at them, and saw Sai, his face full of concern and disbelief. She opened her mouth to speak, but as she tried to push air through, her throat burned at the sensation and she stopped herself. She went to touch her throat gently, her eyes pleading with them as she showed pain.

"Your throat? What happened?"Ayumi asked, angling to get a better look. "Oh my gosh. Your throat is bruised..." It looked like she could make out finger markings on Kagome's skin that were turning pink, almost red.

Kagome frowned and looked to Onigumo, noticing him sitting up and hunched into himself from the pain that Jinenji had inflicted. He coughed up blood and spat it out in disgust, looking up at Jinenji. He pointed at him, cursing at the hanyou as the two youkai held him.

"You're fired, Jinenji! Get out of my club! I don't ever wanna see your face here again or I'll have you arrested!" Onigumo spat blood at him and it landed on his shoe.

Jinenji growled. "If I ever see you again, Onigumo... you'll regret it. I'll finish what I started here." Jinenji yanked at his arms, turning to look at Hiten. "Let me go."

The two brothers looked at him and then looked at each other, releasing him at the same time. He shook them off and went straight for Kagome.

"I'm taking her out of here," he said to no one in particular. He picked Kagome up bridal style and both Ayumi and Sai stood with him, following him to the door. Ayumi followed Jinenji down the stairs but Sai stayed back in the doorway, turning to look back at Onigumo.

"Did you do that to her?" he asked, his voice neutral though inside he was vibrating with rage. Sai watched as Onigumo fumbled his way onto his hands and knees, coughing up more blood and spitting it out on the floor. He tried to stand but didn't have the strength to, so both bouncers had to help their boss rise to his feet and hold him steady.

"Onigumo... did you hurt Sapphire?" he asked once more.

"Sai... know your place. What's between us is business. Keep it that way," Onigumo said in a hoarse voice as the two bouncers helped him back to his desk.

Sai glared at him. "You think you're the most powerful man in all of Tokyo? You're dead wrong, Onigumo."

Onigumo chuckled. "I have lots of friends, Sai. You don't want to go against me."

"So do I. And I know a few people who would do anything for that young woman. If I were you... I would get out of Tokyo. Hell, I would leave Japan as soon as I could."

"You threatening me now?" Onigumo spat, stopping to look at Sai. "You're in no position to threaten me, Sai. You are nothing."

Sai took in Onigumo's pitiful appearance and chose to say nothing. The man had bruises already forming on his face and his mouth was bleeding. He had a swollen eye that Sai was sure to leave a horrible bruise, and by the way Onigumo was walking, he could tell Jinenji must've done some internal damage. By all accounts, he was satisfied by what he saw, physically. Onigumo deserved that much, at least. But he would make sure that Onigumo would get what was coming to him.

With that, Sai left him in his misery and headed down the stairs. By now, all the patrons had left the bar as the rest of the bouncers had cleared and closed the club while all the commotion happened upstairs. Even the working girls had disappeared. He found the others at the bar with Kagome sitting on the countertop. One of the bartenders was next to her, cleaning her hands with a wet towel while Ayumi used another towel to wipe at the blood above her eye. He came up to them as Jinenji turned to look at him.

"You should leave, Sai. You don't want to get involved in this."

"I'm already involved. I'm not leaving." He looked at Kagome, frowning at all the blood on her face, chest and hands, not to mention the red marks around her neck.

"He tried to kill me..." Kagome whispered, her head down and staring at the ground in disbelief.

They could tell she was in shock. Ayumi scowled as she folded the towel, dabbing as gently as she could. "That bastard! I can't believe he would do that."

"Believe it," Jinenji said, his voice cold and neutral. He had his arms crossed, standing close to Kagome but letting Ayumi and Hojo help to clean her wounds. "I went to check on Kagome and all I saw was Onigumo over her and my instincts kicked in. By the time I had him in my hands and pinned against the wall, that was when I could smell Kagome's blood on him and I snapped. I tried to pull my punches because he's just a human... but my demon wanted to kill him."

"Demon?" Sai asked, but no one offered him an answer. Instead, Ayumi frowned and looked up at Jinenji as if he hadn't said anything.

"Jinenji..." Ayumi knew how close Kagome's bodyguard was to her. He was like an older brother to Kagome and he cared about her, more than just business. "I'm sorry you got fired."

Jinenji shook his head slightly. "I'm not. I don't want to work for a man, no, a lowlife who puts his hands on women. He's done it to Kagome before and I've turned a blind eye to it for Kagome's sake. But not this time. He crossed the line this time."

Ayumi frowned, nodding in deep thought, as she went back to cleaning up Kagome's face. When Hojo was finished with her hands, he started to clean up her shoulders and chest where blood had dripped everywhere.

"You need to go to the hospital, Kagome," Ayumi said, seeing the cut on her head now that the blood had coagulated. "This cut is deep and I can see glass still in the wound. You should get it removed and disinfected before it leaves a nasty scar."

Kagome shook her head, but Ayumi could tell that it was as if Kagome was barely there with them. Her eyes were so distant and empty as she stared at the ground, saying nothing.

"No hospitals," Jinenji said.

"Why not?" Sai asked, confused.

"No records," Jinenji said, looking at Sai. "She can't go to the hospital because she can't have any paper trails."

"What?" He didn't understand what Jinenji was talking about. But he could only guess that Kagome didn't want a paper trail because she must be hiding from someone. Before Sai could ask what that meant, there was a sudden noise of women talking and he turned around to see a secret door open up from the wall near the bar where the working girls were coming out of. One of them, whom he knew as Mystique, gasped and ran from the group of girls towards Kagome and the others. The rest of the women stopped and stared in shock at Kagome.

"Oh my gosh! Kagome! What happened?! Who did this to you?!" Midoriko asked, standing in front of her between Hojo and Ayumi, her green eyes wild and worried. Kagome didn't look up at her, and she turned to look at the other three around her instead. "What happened!"

Sai remained quiet, watching as the other women slowly made their way to the bar to hear what happened to Kagome. Jinenji was the one to retell the events again since Kagome obviously was in shock and wouldn't talk about it. But Sai didn't want to hear a retelling of what she had gone through. He turned from them and took a few steps to the door, grabbing his cell phone from his pocket and pausing, doubting himself.

He thought this would be the safest thing to do. If Jinenji says she can't be found, for whatever reason that was, but she still needed to go to a hospital and get stitches, then the only thing he could think of was to ask the person he knew who owned and worked in a hospital. Not to mention the close connection Kagome had to them. Sai was sure that they would do everything in their power to help Kagome. Without waiting for more doubts to creep in, he dialed the number saved to his phone, praying that he answered. After three rings, he was met with a voice that was roused from a deep sleep.

"Why are you calling so early in the morning?"

"I need a favor from your wife."

"My wife?"

"Yes. I have a medical emergency and I can't have the doctors there make any records or paper trails of her admittance."

"Why are you bothering me with this, Sai? My wife is not the only doctor on the planet."

"No... but you and your wife should know this friend of mine and I need your wife's help to give her treatment in secrecy."

"Who?"

Sai paused, turning to look over his shoulder at Kagome. All the women were around her now, worried and asking questions, while Jinenji stood a little further away to give the women their time. One woman chose to break from the group and instead went upstairs as Sai watched her leave.

"Kagome."

The call went silent for a long time, long enough that he thought Inutaisho had hung up on him.

"Kagome is hurt?" Now he heard a female voice, drowsy and sexy, in the background as if she had just woken up. "Tell me what happened."

"I can't say much. I didn't see all that happened. All I can say is that she has a laceration above her eye and cuts in her hands. She needs stitches. But she doesn't want to go to a hospital because she can't have a paper trail," he said, using Jinenji's words even though he didn't fully understand.

"I know," Inutaisho said. Well, at least one of them understood what that meant. "We are staying at our penthouse in the city. We're getting dressed now and we'll meet you at the hospital."

"Thanks."

"Does my son know?" Inutaisho asked before he could hang up.

"No. You were the first I called. She needs medical attention first."

"My son needs to know. If you won't call him, I will." With that promise, Inutaisho hung up the phone.

Sai let out a huge sigh of relief. He made his way back to the others with his phone still in his hand. "Let's get Kagome to the hospital." Saying her real name was different but it came out without him thinking.

However, everyone looked at him with shocked faces. For one, it was after hours and he was the only client left. Two, he called Kagome by her real name and they were all using each other's real names because it was after hours. They weren't planning to have a client still here, yet with all the commotion, they didn't really notice until Sai said Kagome's name.

"I told you, Sai. We can't take her to a hospital," Jinenji repeated.

"I know. But I made a call and we can take her to the Fujimoto Hospital. Inutaisho and his wife will personally see to Kagome's protection."

Kagome's eyes came up, for once showing some sort of recognition, but she still didn't say anything. She just stared at him and his heart broke for her. She looked so broken and fragile that he just wanted to grab her and take her into his arms, to protect her and shield her from anyone and anything. She looked like she fell and broken into a million pieces. No longer was she the strong and beautiful Sapphire that he knew. No. Now she looked like she did that night she had broken down with him in the Skye. No. She looked much worse than that night. She looked... empty.

Jinenji nodded his head and moved to stand next to Kagome, trying to shoo the women back to give them space. "I'll take her to that hospital. It's about thirty minutes away but since it's still late out, there shouldn't be traffic." He went in front of Kagome and scooped her into his arms. Hojo and Ayumi moved away and Hojo took the rag from Ayumi as she followed close behind Jinenji with Midoriko on her heels.

Sai turned to let them pass and then followed behind them, heading for the door. Once they were all outside, Sai told them he would meet them at the hospital and Midoriko waved at him as they headed down a side alleyway. He took a breath, breathing in the cool, morning air. The streets were dead at this hour of the night. He looked up and stared at the stars, thinking about his next move. A part of him didn't want to make the call. He wanted to be the one to be at Kagome's side. He wanted to be the one she leaned on, to help her through this. He wanted to be the one to avenge Kagome and what Onigumo did to her. But...

'It's not my place...' As much as he loved her, he knew that her heart was for another, and someone else loved her too. 'Inuyasha.' If he was in Inuyasha's shoes, he would want to know. The same way that he wanted to be the one at Kagome's side, the one she leaned on to help her through this, the one to avenge her... he knew that Inuyasha would feel the same way. He would want to be there for Kagome. With a sigh, Sai opened his phone and looked for Inuyasha's number. He never called the man. He never had a reason to. But because he did business with their family, he had all three of their numbers, along with Sesshomaru's sons' numbers, just in case he needed any of them to conduct business with. Now was the only time he was grateful for Inuyasha's number.

The phone rang and rang until it hit voicemail. He tried again, and this time it picked up on the first ring.

"Who is this?" the voice said, sounding sleepy as if just waking up.

Sai could barely muster a smirk, his jealousy of the man making him bitter. Inuyasha had everything Sai wanted. He wondered if Inuyasha knew how lucky he was.

"Hello?" Inuyasha said, now sounding irritated.

"You should go to your family's hospital right now."

"What? Why? Who the hell is this?" Inuyasha asked, now sounding more alert.

"Go to the hospital. Your parents will be there as well."

"I ain't going nowhere until you tell me who you are," Inuyasha demanded.

Sai sighed. "You don't need to know me. Just know that Kagome is headed to the hospital right now."

"What?! Kagome?" Now Inuyasha sounded fully alert and surprised. "What happened?"

"You'll find out when you get there. You should hurry. She needs you." With that, Sai hung up, unable to stand Inuyasha's questions. He was jealous, yes. He was envious, yes. And that made him hate Inuyasha... only for the fact that Inuyasha had what he wanted. Sai went to the wall of the building and sat down with his back against the hard stone, staring up at the black sky through the city buildings. He closed his eyes and took some deep breaths, collecting his emotions and thoughts before he went to go see Kagome.

---

How was it? I hope I didn't lose you now that the rollercoaster ride is coming to an end. We'll get off the ride soon (at least this ride) in the next chapter. I know this one was a doozy but I LOVED writing it from start to finish. LMK your thoughts.