Chapter 20
Sango was enjoying a rare moment of peace before her rounds at the hospital when Kohaku called. She smiled, already prepared to tease him about the elevator scheme Miroku had roped him into, interested in knowing all the details.
"Hey, Kohaku! Did Miroku finally succeed?"
"Uh…yeah, about that…Kagome fainted."
Sango nearly dropped her phone. "What?!"
"Yeah, it was kinda wild. She hit her head in the elevator and passed out. She was bleeding and everything."
Sango's brain short-circuited. "SHE WAS WHAT?!"
"Oh yeah, and Sesshoumaru caught her," Kohaku added, still sounding far too casual. "Actually, I sort of trapped them in there together because of Miroku. Funny story—"
Sango didn't even let him finish. She was already switching calls.
"I'LL DEAL WITH YOU LATER."
The second Miroku picked up, she unleashed hell.
"YOU ABSOLUTE MENACE TO SOCIETY, WHAT DID YOU DO TO KAGOME?!"
There was a brief silence. Then, ever so cautiously, Miroku asked, "…I beg your pardon?"
"DON'T PLAY DUMB WITH ME! Kohaku just told me Kagome hit her head, SHE WAS BLEEDING, AND SHE FAINTED. ARE YOU INSANE?! I "
Miroku cleared his throat. "First of all, I'd like to commend Kohaku for his excellent dramatic storytelling. Second, I—"
"DON'T EVEN TRY IT, MIROKU."
"Sango, my fierce and stunning queen, please, let's be rational—"
"I AM BEYOND RATIONAL RIGHT NOW."
Miroku sighed. "Fine. Yes, I may have orchestrated a slight elevator malfunction. But in my defense—"
"DEFENSE?! DEFENSE?! MIROKU, SHE WAS BLEEDING. WHEN YOU ASKED ME TO TEXT HER, I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING SIMPLE—NOT INVOLVING HER GETTING HURT."
"She's fine now! Sesshoumaru took care of her, and she's resting."
Sango was practically vibrating with rage. "Miroku, if Kagome is not okay, I will personally ensure you regret every life decision that led you to this moment."
Miroku gulped. "Noted."
"And for the record, I am NOT your queen. You need to tone it down with your ridiculous matchmaking schemes. I cannot believe you."
There was a pause before Miroku, ever the shameless flirt, muttered, "So… you're saying there's a chance?"
Sango inhaled sharply. "I would threaten your actual stability, but I don't want to go to jail."
Miroku chuckled nervously. "You're so thoughtful."
The call ended with a sharp click.
Miroku sighed, rubbing his temples. "Well. That could've gone worse."
Then, his phone buzzed. A new message.
Sesshoumaru: We need to talk.
Miroku stared at the screen, his entire body going cold.
"Okay. Maybe it did get worse."
As Sesshoumaru lowered Kagome's phone, his grip tightened for a fleeting moment, the pressure a subtle reflection of the storm raging inside him. Kagome's expression remained peaceful, untouched by the tension that surrounded them—her calmness only heightening his own simmering frustration.
The audacity of the man on the other end of the line had stirred something in Sesshoumaru that he wasn't accustomed to feeling. Whoever he was, he had made a grave miscalculation. Sesshoumaru did not tolerate threats.
His fingers flexed with quiet resolve, his jaw tightening in response to the anger that still simmered beneath his calm exterior. With a smooth motion, he reached for his own phone, the weight of his decision clear in his mind. Within seconds, the words appeared on the screen, typed swiftly but with chilling clarity.
Kagome stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Disheveled hair framed her face, as she slowly sat up, blinking the sleep away. For a moment, she took in her surroundings, then her gaze settled on him—golden eyes meeting her own.
"I... I hope I didn't bother you," Kagome murmured softly, her voice laced with genuine concern. "I never expected the elevator to stop like that, and that music, it was awful…I—I'm sorry if I'm rambling. I just need to get back to the hospital… the patients…Sango." She stood, brushing off her business suit, her movements rushed as she glanced around, only to realize her cellphone was nowhere to be found.
Sesshoumaru, still seated, did not move for a moment. "It's with me." His voice was steady, unwavering as he held her phone in his hand, his fingers wrapped around the device with a sense of quiet authority.
Kagome paused, her brows furrowing in surprise as she turned back to him. "Oh… well, thank you," she said, reaching for it. Sesshoumaru held it out, his fingers brushing hers briefly before he allowed her to take it back.
Her gaze flickered down to the phone, and then back to him—an inquisitive look in her eyes. "You had an interesting caller." Sesshoumaru stated.
Kagome's heart skipped a beat as she unlocked her phone. Unknown number. A flash of concern rippled through her. She couldn't help but wonder what kind of conversation he might have had. There was something off about this entire situation, something in the way Sesshoumaru's gaze had hardened when she'd woken up, something in the stillness of the room—it all told her that the call was far from routine.
"Who was it?" she asked, her tone steady but tinged with an edge of curiosity.
Sesshoumaru remained silent for a moment, his golden eyes locking with hers. His voice was quiet, almost too controlled. "It was nothing you need to concern yourself with, Kagome."
Kagome's eyes narrowed, her arms folding across her chest. "It was on my phone—therefore, it is my concern. Who was it?"
Sesshoumaru stood, his movements deliberate and unhurried, and took a step closer to her. The room seemed to tighten around them as his voice lowered, a hint of steel beneath the calm. "He did not mention his name. It was the person you reported. He threatened that you must retract the report, or he will ensure your life falls apart."
Kagome's expression hardened, her voice quiet but filled with a sharp edge. "I would like to see him try."
Kagome's response, sharp and confident, seemed to stir something within him—a rare flicker of admiration for her resilience. Without breaking eye contact, Sesshoumaru reached for her phone again, his fingers brushing against hers once more, the contact brief yet loaded with unspoken meaning. His movements were fluid, deliberate, as he tapped at the screen.
Kagome's brow furrowed slightly as she watched him, her curiosity piqued. "What are you—"
"Take my number," Sesshoumaru interjected, his voice steady and unyielding, his eyes still locked with hers. His fingers moved with purpose as he saved his contact information in her phone. "If he tries anything, I will handle it."
Kagome hesitated, her gaze flicking from the phone to him. She had always been fiercely independent, but something about the way he spoke, the unwavering certainty in his voice, made her pause. For a moment, she considered the implications—what it would mean to accept his offer. But she quickly brushed the thought away, focusing instead on the action in front of her.
Sesshoumaru finished entering the information, and with a final tap, he handed the phone back to her. "Don't hesitate to use it," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Kagome took the phone, her fingers lingering on the screen as she glanced at his contact entry—no name, just a single, cryptic number. She felt a strange sense of reassurance, mixed with a hint of unease. But it was undeniable that in this moment, she had an ally. The question remained, though—was she willing to trust him completely?
She met his eyes again, her voice steady. "I'll keep it in mind."
Sesshoumaru gave a small nod, his expression unreadable as he stood a little straighter, his presence commanding. "I will help you no matter the circumstances."
Kagome's eyes softened, a flicker of warmth breaking through her exhaustion, but she didn't allow herself to fully relax. She couldn't—not with everything at stake. "Thank you, Sesshoumaru," she murmured, wincing as her fingers grazed the bandage on her head.
"You hit your head in the elevator before you fainted." His voice was calm. He gestured slightly. "The medic suggested rest and hydration."
Kagome sighed, her stubbornness warring with the deep fatigue settling in her bones. "I know… I should, but I need to keep going…" Her words trailed off as her gaze caught something—a dark stain on his sleeve.
Her breath hitched. Blood.
Her blood.
The realization settled heavily in her chest. He must have applied pressure to the wound. He was with me the entire time…and then he let me sleep in his office…was he here the whole time?
A lump formed in her throat, her fingers curling slightly as she forced herself to meet his gaze. "You…" Her voice was barely a whisper. "You stayed with me."
Sesshoumaru held her gaze, unwavering. "Of course."
She lifted her gaze to Sesshoumaru, searching his face, as if trying to understand something unspoken between them.
A small, tired smile curved her lips. "You didn't have to do all this… but I'm glad you did." Her voice was quiet, sincere. "I must go now…" Kagome whispered gesturing towards the door.
Sesshoumaru stood, his presence unwavering as he watched Kagome prepare to leave. The tension that had hung in the air seemed to ease just slightly, though his concern for her safety remained clear. He noticed her quick movements, the way she rushed to gather herself despite the lingering fatigue.
Before she could turn to leave, he stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "I'll drive you to the hospital."
Kagome paused mid-step, surprised by the offer. "You don't have to—" she began, but Sesshoumaru's expression remained unchanged.
"It's no trouble," he interrupted, his tone smooth, as though it was the most natural thing in the world. "You've had a long night. You shouldn't be driving in your condition."
Kagome hesitated, her hand still on the door handle as she considered his words.
After a brief pause, Kagome exhaled, letting go of the door. "Alright. Thank you, Sesshoumaru." Her voice was quiet, but genuine.
Sesshoumaru closed the door gently behind her, then moved to the driver's side. As he started the engine, the car hummed to life with a soft purr, and the world outside seemed to blur as he drove through the quiet streets.
The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable. In fact, there was a strange calmness in it. Sesshoumaru drove with a quiet confidence, his focus on the road, and for the first time that evening, Kagome felt a subtle sense of ease. The hum of the engine and the rhythmic motion of the car seemed to lull her into a more relaxed state, the stress of the day beginning to ebb away.
She found herself stealing glances at him. At first, it had been respect she'd felt—that moment in the hospital when he had stood his ground, his words cutting through Hojo's nonsense with unwavering conviction. But now… now, it was something deeper.
Admiration. Adoration.
He took care of me. He stayed, even when he didn't have to.
Her fingers lightly brushed over the bandage on her head, her chest tightening with quiet realization. He had so much to do, two companies to run, a life that didn't need to be interrupted by her problems. And yet… he hadn't hesitated.
Kagome bit her lip, warmth blooming in her heart. "I must've wasted so much of your time," she murmured, half to herself.
Sesshoumaru didn't take his eyes off the road, but his voice was firm, steady. "Time spent ensuring your well-being is not wasted."
Her breath caught at the simplicity of his words, at the quiet weight they carried. She turned fully to him now, watching the way the soft glow of the dashboard lights traced the sharp angles of his face.
And for the first time, she let herself feel it.
A soft warmth crept up her cheeks, pink tinging her skin at the sincerity in his tone. She wasn't used to this.
As the hospital came into view, a pang of reluctance settled in her chest. She didn't want this quiet moment to end. But duty awaited, and she had never been one to turn away from it.
The car slowed as Sesshoumaru pulled up to the entrance, the soft glow of the hospital lights cutting through the night. With a smooth motion, he stopped the car and turned off the engine, his gaze finally shifting to her.
"Take care of yourself, Kagome." His voice was low, steady—but there was something beneath it, something unspoken.
Kagome met his gaze, her tired smile small yet genuine. "You as well, Sesshoumaru," she said softly.
For a moment, neither of them moved. Then, with the same quiet grace that defined him, Sesshoumaru stepped out and opened the door for her.
Kagome hesitated before stepping out, her movements steady yet reluctant. She turned to face him once more, her eyes searching his, as if memorizing something she wasn't quite ready to name.
Perhaps it was the wind that whispered the words neither of them were ready to fully understand.
Even though it was pre-planned by one of them initially in the beginning, even though others so desperately wanted to play games to bring them together, it felt more and more like destiny—a chain of events drawing them closer, gently steering their paths to cross. And perhaps, just perhaps, there was a quiet, tender love waiting to bloom between a man who kept his emotions locked away and a woman whose stubborn heart had always been her strength.
It was a love neither had fully understood, but for now, it lingered in the space between them, unspoken but undeniably real.
Kagome's heart raced as she pressed a hand to her chest, feeling something shift in the air, as if the moment itself was too fragile to hold. She quickly turned away, her heels clicking softly against the pavement as she disappeared into the hospital, her pulse still thrumming.
Sesshoumaru stood by the car, watching as Kagome disappeared through the hospital doors. His sharp golden gaze, so often unreadable, softened just slightly—an emotion flickering in its depths.
A quiet exhale escaped him, almost like a sigh, though he'd never admit it. She was far too stubborn for her own good. Even now, exhausted and injured, she still pushed forward, refusing to pause, refusing to let herself be taken care of, refusing help when it was offered.
His jaw tightened, and his fingers flexed slightly at his sides. She had others who cared for her—her family, her friends—but were they watching closely enough? Would they notice when the weight of her responsibilities became too much?
Sesshoumaru had noticed. And he would continue to.
A ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips, almost imperceptible, but there nonetheless. Perhaps Miroku's meddling hadn't been as foolish as he had once thought, after all -without his meddling Sesshoumaru would have likely never answered her phone, the audacity of that bastard on the other end.
"For you, Kagome… I will do anything."
The words were quiet, meant for no one but himself, yet they carried a weight he could not ignore. A promise. A certainty.
Sesshoumaru had always been a man of logic, of control, of carefully measured choices. But with her… things were different. She made him notice, made him care in ways he never intended.
And he did care.
More than he should.
More than he was ready to admit.
With a final glance toward the hospital, Sesshoumaru slipped back into the car, his expression smoothing into its usual composure. His mind turned toward the responsibilities ahead, the countless matters demanding his attention.
But deep down, beneath all of that, a small part of him lingered on her.
Miroku stared at his phone, feeling a distinct chill crawl down his spine.
Sesshoumaru never needed to talk. Sesshoumaru commanded when he wanted something. The fact that he even texted those four ominous words instead of showing up in person meant one of two things:
He was busy at the moment but would absolutely be making time to deal with Miroku soon.
He was so angry that he wanted Miroku to stew in fear before the inevitable reckoning.
Neither option was good.
He considered ignoring the message—maybe pretending his phone had tragically fallen into a storm drain? But before he could fully commit to this survival plan, his screen lit up again.
Sesshoumaru: Now.
Miroku swallowed thickly. Oh, this is bad.
Taking a deep breath, he hesitantly typed out a response.
Miroku: Dearest cousin, I sense tension in your text. Is this about the elevator? Because I'd like to state for the record that while I accept full creative responsibility, the execution was a joint effort—
Sesshoumaru: I am outside.
Miroku almost dropped his phone. He whipped his head toward the window—
—and there he was.
Sesshoumaru stood by his car, dressed impeccably as always, hands in his pockets, looking up directly at Miroku's apartment window.
Miroku let out a strangled sound. Oh, that is terrifying. That is pure horror movie material.
His phone buzzed again.
Sesshoumaru: Come down. I will not repeat myself.
Miroku considered his options. Running? No, Sesshoumaru would catch him. Hiding? No, Sesshoumaru would find him. Faking his own death? Tempting.
In the end, he had no choice but to accept his fate.
With the grace of a man walking toward his own execution, Miroku grabbed his coat and made his way outside.
The second he stepped out, Sesshoumaru turned to him, gaze unreadable.
Miroku forced a smile. "Sesshoumaru! What a delightful surprise—"
Sesshoumaru took one step forward, and Miroku immediately threw up his hands.
"Before you do anything rash, please consider Kagome and how much she would not want violence she is a healthcare professional—"
Sesshoumaru's expression didn't change. "Get in the car."
Miroku hesitated. "You're not going to drive me somewhere remote and bury me in the woods, are you?"
Sesshoumaru gave him a flat look.
Miroku sighed. "Okay, okay. But for the record, if I do disappear, your parents will burn the city down looking for me."
Sesshoumaru did not respond.
Miroku muttered a quiet prayer and got in.
Thirty minutes later, he sat in the back of a high-end café, across from Sesshoumaru, who had yet to say a single word.
The silence was unbearable. Miroku shifted uncomfortably, clearing his throat.
"So. Uh. How's Kagome?"
Sesshoumaru finally spoke.
"You put her in danger."
Miroku winced. "Okay, that is a very dramatic way to phrase it—"
Sesshoumaru's gaze sharpened, his voice cold. "She was injured. Because of you."
Miroku raised his hands in a defensive gesture. "I didn't plan for her hitting her head! It was an accident—an unfortunate one!"
Sesshoumaru's expression remained unreadable, his gaze never wavering from Miroku. "Do you have any idea how many ways this could have gone worse?"
Miroku's stomach churned. He had a sinking feeling this wasn't a rhetorical question. "...Many?"
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed, a steely determination settling into his features. "And do you understand what will happen if she's ever hurt again because of your incompetence?"
Miroku swallowed hard, the weight of Sesshoumaru's words settling heavily on his chest. "...Many?"
A brief pause, then Sesshoumaru leaned forward, his voice quieter but carrying an unmistakable threat. "Pray you never find out."
Miroku nervously chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Haha. You're so good at this whole 'scary intimidation' thing, it's almost impressive—"
Sesshoumaru didn't budge, his expression unreadable as he leaned back. "You will make it up to her."
Miroku blinked in confusion. "Wait, what?"
"Your recklessness has consequences," Sesshoumaru said coolly. "If I find your efforts unsatisfactory, I will be... very displeased."
Miroku felt the weight of Sesshoumaru's words sink in, and a thousand questions flooded his mind. "Okay... so, hypothetically speaking, what kind of 'compensation' are we talking about?"
Sesshoumaru slid his phone across the table, the motion cutting off Miroku before he could speak. Miroku hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowing as he picked it up. His eyes narrowed at the number displayed on the screen.
"What is this?" Miroku asked, his voice dripping with confusion and a touch of suspicion.
Sesshoumaru took a deliberate sip of his coffee, his gaze unwavering, and then answered in his usual, unflappable tone. "This is Kagome's phone number."
Miroku blinked, processing the implications. "And what do you expect me to do with it? Call her up and apologize for the elevator incident?"
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, a barely perceptible smirk playing on his lips. "The hacker you hired to help with the elevator—have him trace the unknown caller. I want to know who's been contacting her."
Miroku's mind raced. The realization hit him like a slap. "Wait—hold on a second! What the hell is going on? How does everyone know everything I do? Am I that obvious?!"
Sesshoumaru didn't even flinch at the outburst. His gaze remained steady, but there was the faintest hint of something—whether it was amusement or mild irritation, Miroku couldn't tell.
"You really think I didn't have a clue?" Sesshoumaru's voice was low, but there was an edge to it. "Figure this out."
Miroku's stomach dropped as the weight of the situation settled in. "Great. I'm being watched, set up… this is perfect," he muttered under his breath, sarcasm masking his growing concern.
Sesshoumaru leveled him with a hard look. "You are already in trouble. Do not make it worse."
Miroku held up his hands in surrender. "Right. Right. I got it. Message received."
But the question lingered in his mind, gnawing at him. "Why do you want to know who's calling her, Sesshoumaru? What's going on here? You're making this sound like it's more than just an elevator incident."
Sesshoumaru's expression didn't change, but his eyes flickered for a fraction of a second, an unreadable glint passing through them. "You'll find out soon enough. Just do your job."
Miroku leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair, still processing the sheer weight of everything that had been thrown at him. "Fine. But I'm expensing this to you-that kid charges alot."
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, his gaze piercing. "You are assuming you will survive long enough to submit an invoice."
Miroku shut up and got to work, though the nagging concern over Kagome—and now Sesshoumaru's cryptic behavior—kept him from focusing entirely.
"…And by the way," Sesshoumaru said, his gaze flicking toward Miroku for a fleeting second. "The romance music in that elevator? Abysmal. It was borderline offensive."
Miroku's eyes widened, taken aback by the sudden shift. "Wait—are you seriously critiquing elevator music right now? What, did it ruin your mood?"
Sesshoumaru, unfazed, leaned forward slightly. "It was horrific. But, then again, I shouldn't expect anything less from such a dramatic situation." His voice was sharp, like he was daring Miroku to disagree.
Miroku snorted, too overwhelmed to keep his composure. "You're ridiculous."
"Don't let it happen again," Sesshoumaru said flatly, his gaze narrowing just enough to show that it wasn't a joke.
Miroku sighed deeply, shaking his head as he muttered under his breath, "If I'm stuck dealing with this mess, might as well add my own flair to it."
As the final bell rang, signaling the end of another school day, Kanna felt a surprising sense of determination bubbling inside her. It was like a little voice in her head had just whispered, today's the day.
With the classroom slowly emptying, Kanna sat still in her seat, hands neatly folded on the desk, legs swinging under the table like a tiny pendulum. She watched Mrs. Takeda bustle around, picking up papers and organizing the room. Normally, Kanna would quietly slip out and leave, but today, something felt... different.
With a deep breath, Kanna stood up, her little shoes clicking on the floor in the most dramatic way possible for someone so small. She took a few slow steps toward the teacher's desk, her heart pounding like it was about to explode.
She hesitated for just a second, then went for it. "Excuse me, Mrs. Takeda," Kanna said, her voice steady but as soft as a whisper. "May I have more crayons, please?"
Mrs. Takeda looked down at the shy girl, her face breaking into a warm, kind smile. "Of course, Kanna," she said, reaching for a new box of crayons.
Kanna's face brightened a tiny bit. She felt like she'd just conquered a mountain. With a swift, silent victory fist-pump to herself, she took the box and made her way back to her seat, her tiny hands clutching the treasure. She sat down with the box of crayons in her lap, trying to hide the grin creeping across her face. I did it, she thought, like she'd just completed an epic mission.
Meanwhile, her thoughts were interrupted by the crayon box squeaking slightly as she tried to open it. Kanna froze, then casually glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one had noticed her tiny victory.
Kanna blinked. "Mission?"
"YES," Shippo said, nodding like he was about to take over the world. "We need to find out what your brother and Kagome are hiding!"
Kanna tilted her head, clearly unbothered. "Really? You want to know?"
Shippo crossed his arms, nodding with the kind of confidence only a third grader could have. "I don't want your brother holding Kagome's hand. That's not allowed. He's not her boyfriend or anything. It's just weird."
Kanna stared at him for a long moment. "How will we find out?"
Shippo grinned and gave her a big thumbs up. "Simple! You invite me to your house, and we'll pretend to play games, I will check Sesshoumaru's room. It'll be a perfect cover!"
Kanna raised an eyebrow, completely unphased. "I want Rin to come too."
Shippo's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "WHAT?! That's not how this works, Kanna! You can't just invite Rin like it's a party!"
Kanna blinked again, her face completely serious. "Why not?"
"Because!" Shippo threw his hands in the air like the whole world was against him. "It's just supposed to be me! I'm the detective here!"
Kanna thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Okay. Invite Rin. But we still solve the mystery."
Shippo grumbled but then sighed dramatically. "Fine! I will invite Rin. But no more interruptions! We're on a mission, Kanna! A serious, life-or-death, no-crayon-until-the-mystery-is-solved mission."
Kanna's eyes twinkled as she pulled out a crayon from her bag. "You sure?"
Shippo's jaw dropped. "You already have crayons?!"
"Of course," Kanna said, so calm, it was like she was handing over a million dollars.
Shippo stared at her, completely taken aback. "You actually did it." He slowly started to smile, the kind of grin that spread from ear to ear.
Kanna nodded slowly. "Yes."
Inukimi looked at Inuyasha, her eyebrows arching so high they nearly disappeared into her hairline. "You are suggesting we disguise ourselves before leaving for your tournament, because this time they'll record it—all to hide it from your father?" She couldn't help but shake her head in disbelief.
Inuyasha nodded earnestly, like this was the most logical plan in the world. "Yep. Obvious, right?"
Inukimi stared at him, her expression a mix of amusement and mild exasperation. "Inuyasha, you must be honest with your father. You can't just pretend you're going to a... a dinner party every time you want to play soccer."
Inuyasha slumped his shoulders, clearly defeated. "It's not that easy, Mom. He won't understand!"
Before Inukimi could respond, Toga strolled into the room, his voice booming with authority as he spoke about a meeting with the Higurashis. He stopped mid-sentence, his gaze zeroing in on Inuyasha, who was dressed in his finest "going to a business meeting" attire.
"Where are you going, Inuyasha?" Toga's voice had a suspicious edge to it, like he could smell the soccer ball from a mile away.
Inukimi, without missing a beat, calmly interjected, "He's heading outside with his friends for the moment."
Toga eyed her, then eyed Inuyasha, who was clearly trying to suppress a nervous twitch. "With his... friends?"
Inuyasha, clearly taking his cues from his mom, nodded vigorously. "Yep! Totally! Food, drinks, games… all the usual stuff. Very... social. Teenagers are all about that now. Nothing to see here!" He flashed his "I'm a responsible son" smile, which looked more like a deer caught in headlights.
Toga's eyes narrowed, suspicion radiating off him like a heatwave. "Oh, please. Sesshoumaru has about as much interest in romance as he does in casual conversation, and you, Inuyasha—" he gave his younger son a once-over, his expression bordering on pity, "—you still think throwing a ball around is a personality trait." He crossed his arms. "Honestly, my two sons are a social disaster. Sesshoumaru's got more chemistry with Miroku than I've ever seen him have with a woman, and you—you'd probably trip over your own feet before managing to flirt."
Inuyasha's eye twitched, his face turning red. "I do social stuff, Dad! I—"
Toga raised a hand to silence him. "If by 'social stuff' you mean running around in from one place to another like you did at our annual team building event then sure."
Inuyasha sighed, slouching even further. "I'm telling you, it's just a dinner party..."
Inukimi, glancing at Inuyasha with barely-contained amusement, couldn't resist. "Yes, a very sophisticated dinner party," she added dryly. "Where no one will be running from place to place, I'm sure."
Toga waved a hand dismissively, clearly trying to act like he wasn't too concerned. "Very well. But don't be late, or I'll personally come find you and drag you back." He paused dramatically, eyes narrowing with a touch of confusion. "It's a miracle if he even gets a girlfriend at this age... not even Sesshoumaru can accomplish that."
Inuyasha's head snapped up at that. "Hey! I'll get a girlfriend! I'll show you!" he protested, though it sounded more like a promise made to himself.
Toga, still muttering to himself, barely acknowledged Inuyasha's protest. "Both of them are so painfully awkward. Honestly, it's like watching a couple of rocks try to dance at a ball." He continued, shaking his head. "How do I raise two sons who are allergic to socializing?"
Inuyasha stared at his father in disbelief. "Are you serious right now?!"
Toga, completely ignoring him, waved a hand in the air as though trying to clear away the discomfort. "The day either of you actually talk to a girl willingly, will be the day I retire from everything and move to an island. With no wifi. And no one around to witness your awkwardness."
Inuyasha groaned, sinking further into his shoulders. "Thanks, Dad. Really boosting my confidence here."
As soon as Toga left the room, Inuyasha exhaled dramatically, wiping a nonexistent sweat from his brow. "See? Easy! All we had to do was lie with the most minimal effort!"
Inukimi shook her head, her voice filled with mock-seriousness. "Yes, because nothing says 'trustworthy' like pretending you're going to a dinner party... for soccer practice."
Inuyasha grinned. "Hey, it worked, didn't it?"
"I suppose his retirement is near it's date." Inukimi stated her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Inuyasha glanced at his mother quizzically.
The hospital corridor was eerily silent, the usual bustle of doctors and nurses absent in this isolated stretch of the building. The fluorescent lights above flickered slightly, casting an almost sterile glow over the pristine floors.
Kagome had just finished checking on a patient when she stepped into the quiet hallway, only to freeze as a familiar presence blocked her path.
Hojo.
He stood there, leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest. But there was nothing casual about the way his eyes darkened the moment they locked onto her.
Kagome's fingers twitched at her sides, her heartbeat steady but alert. "You are not supposed to be here Hojo. What do you want?" she asked, her voice calm but firm.
Hojo pushed off the wall, taking a slow step toward her. "I think you know exactly what I want, Kagome."
She held her ground. "If this is about the report, then you're wasting your time."
His expression twisted into a sneer. "That report could ruin me." His voice was smooth, but the barely restrained anger beneath it was razor-sharp. "Do you really think you can go against me? That you can drag my name through the mud and walk away unscathed?"
Kagome lifted her chin, meeting his glare without an ounce of hesitation. "I didn't drag your name anywhere, Hojo. You did that yourself when you put patients at risk."
His jaw tightened, a dark chuckle slipping from his lips. "You're playing a dangerous game, Kagome." He took another step closer, forcing her to tilt her head slightly to keep eye contact. "Retract the report. Make this all go away."
Her lips curled in disgust. "No."
Hojo exhaled through his nose, his frustration barely contained. "Then you and your little boyfriend are going to regret this." His eyes flashed with something ugly—jealousy, bitterness, something far more dangerous. "He thinks he can threaten me? That he's untouchable."
Kagome's blood ran cold, but she refused to let him see even a flicker of fear. "He doesn't need to threaten you—your own actions will be your downfall."
Hojo scoffed, his smirk curling at the edges. "Two can play this game." He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "I'll be submitting my own report about you. Let's see how perfect the soon-to-be Dr. Higurashi looks when she's the one under investigation."
Kagome's fingers clenched into fists, but her voice remained unwavering. "Go ahead. Unlike you, I have nothing to hide."
Hojo's smirk twitched, his expression flickering with something unreadable before he took a step back. "We'll see about that," he muttered before turning on his heel and disappearing down the hallway.
Kagome let out a slow breath, forcing the tension from her shoulders. The battle had just begun—but she wasn't backing down.
Kohaku sat cross-legged on his bedroom floor, laptop open, fingers flying across the keyboard. The dim glow of the screen illuminated his face as he muttered to himself.
"Okay, okay… almost got it," he whispered, eyes darting between lines of code.
He hadn't meant for Kagome to get injured-after all she was Sango's best friend and Shippo's sister, thus making her an older sister too-and the elevator incident made him uncomfortable.
And now, he was desperately trying to undo the mess, because Sesshoumaru had found out, and Miroku wanted him to figure out who the unknown caller was-which could take a very long time.
In the meantime, he needed to figure out a way to stop the recording of Kagome's phone. Staring at Sesshoumaru's face glaring into the screen was not the most calming thing at night when he was trying to game-his expression terrified Kohaku so much that he had fallen out of his chair. Never again Kohaku swore.
he was about to override the script, the audio feed—still connected to her phone—suddenly crackled in his earbuds. He barely glanced at it at first, assuming it was just random hospital background noise. But then—
"What do you want?"
Kagome's voice.
Kohaku's hands stilled. His stomach twisted when another voice answered, one that made his skin crawl.
"I think you know exactly what I want, Kagome."
His fingers clenched into fists.
Kohaku's pulse spiked as he listened, his wide eyes locked onto the sound wave patterns flickering across his screen.
"That report could ruin me."
"Do you really think you can go against me? That you can drag my name through the mud and walk away unscathed?"
His blood ran cold.
He knew Kagome was fearless, but this—this wasn't just some workplace drama. This was a threat. A real one. And then—
"Then you and your little boyfriend are going to regret this."
Kohaku ripped the earbuds out, his heart hammering. He scrambled to grab his phone, hands shaking as he fumbled to call Miroku.
The moment Miroku picked up, Kohaku's voice was urgent, almost frantic.
"Miroku, we have a problem."
Sango and Kagome locked eyes, the weight of the situation settling between them like an unspoken storm.
"He's going to report you?" Sango asked, her voice sharp with disbelief.
"Yes," Kagome exhaled, running a hand through her hair.
Sango let out a low whistle, shaking her head. "He's lost his damn mind."
"Yes."
"This is insane."
"Yes."
Sango studied her for a moment before leaning in. "Are you okay?"
Kagome hesitated, then looked up, her expression conflicted. "On one hand, I was expecting something like this… I knew he wouldn't go down quietly." She sighed, pressing her lips together. "But on the other hand… I don't want him to get hurt."
Sango's eyes flashed with disgust. "You don't want Hojo to get hurt? Are you serious right now?"
"No." Kagome shook her head, her voice quieter but no less firm. "Not Hojo… Sesshoumaru."
Sango stilled. Her anger faltered, replaced by something far more telling—understanding.
Because now, she knew.
Kagome wasn't just worried about the fallout of this mess. She wasn't just bracing for impact.
She was protecting him.
Hi all,
Thank you for taking the time to read this story; I would try to update several times a week but I have a full time job as well as some other hobbies on the side. Even though there is a small number of you-it means a great deal to me that you are taking the time to support my work.
Have a great week ahead
-Toast32