Chapter 3 Reflections

The fluorescent lights of the hospital corridor buzzed faintly as Kagome adjusted her stethoscope around her neck, her thoughts drifting back to the encounter at the café. Her caramel macchiato had long since been drained, but the image of that man—impeccably dressed, golden-eyed, and insufferably smug—lingered in her mind. She hadn't planned on bumping into someone who looked like he walked straight out of a luxury magazine spread, let alone sparring with him in public.

"Earth to Kagome!" Sango's voice jolted her from her thoughts. Her best friend, dressed in similar scrubs, was holding a patient chart and giving her a teasing look. "Where did you go just now? You've been in a daze since we started rounds."

"Nowhere," Kagome said quickly, adjusting the clipboard in her hands.

Sango arched an eyebrow, a smirk forming on her lips. "Uh-huh. Spill it, Higurashi. You're never 'nowhere.' Did something happen?"

Kagome sighed, knowing Sango wouldn't let it go. "Fine. I ran into someone at the café earlier. Literally. He was... well, annoying."

Sango's grin widened. "Annoying? That's not like you. Who was it?"

"I don't know," Kagome admitted, glancing down at the patient chart as they walked toward the next room. "He was tall, well-dressed, and had this air about him like he owns the place. You know the type."

"Arrogant?" Sango guessed.

"Exactly," Kagome replied with a hint of exasperation. "I accidentally bumped into him because I wasn't paying attention, and instead of just letting it go, he made some comment about how walking distracted is dangerous for someone in scrubs."

Sango stifled a laugh. "He's not wrong, though."

Kagome shot her a look. "Whose side are you on?"

"I'm on the side of entertainment," Sango replied, clearly enjoying the story. "What did you say back?"

"I told him I was perfectly capable of multitasking," Kagome said, her tone defensive. "He just smirked like he knew better."

"Sounds like he got under your skin," Sango observed, her grin softening into a thoughtful expression. "That's rare. Most people can't faze you."

Kagome paused, realizing her friend was right. She prided herself on keeping her composure, even in high-pressure situations. Why had this random stranger unsettled her?

"Maybe I was just tired," Kagome said finally, brushing it off. "He's not worth thinking about."

Sango nudged her shoulder playfully. "Sure, but if you run into him again, let me know. I want to see this guy who managed to get a rise out of you. He must be something else."

Kagome rolled her eyes but smiled despite herself. "Let's just focus on the patients, okay?"

"Whatever you say, Dr. Higurashi-to-be," Sango teased as they stepped into the next patient's room.

Yet even as Kagome shifted her focus back to work, a small, nagging voice in the back of her mind wondered if their paths would cross again. Something about that man lingered—whether it was his sharp wit or those piercing golden eyes, she couldn't quite say.

Shippo slung his backpack over one shoulder, a little lopsided as usual, and made his way to the pickup area. His steps were a little lighter after his time with Kanna.

As Shippo reached the pickup zone, he spotted the familiar sleek black Mercedes rolling up to the curb. The window lowered, revealing Kagura Higurashi, her poised elegance radiating even as she leaned slightly over to wave at him. She wore her usual immaculate outfit—today a tailored cream blouse paired with gold hoop earrings that caught the afternoon light.

"Shippo!" Kagura called, her voice carrying a mix of warmth and authority. "Let's go, darling. We have to beat the evening traffic."

"Coming, Mom!" Shippo called back, hopping into the car and buckling his seatbelt before the door had fully closed.

Kagura glanced at her son, a small smile tugging at her lips as she noticed his hair slightly tousled and his uniform tie askew, as always. "How was school today?" she asked, merging back onto the road with practiced ease.

"It was great!" Shippo started, his hands animated as he launched into his recounting. "Kanna and I had cookies, and I taught her the Shippo Method for getting the swings. Well, I tried to teach her. She's super patient, Mom. Like, way too patient for a kid."

Kagura chuckled softly. "She sounds like a lovely friend. I'm glad you two get along."

Shippo nodded enthusiastically. "She's awesome! But I think she might be smarter than me. She knows all this stuff. I told her I'm working on being the smartest and the coolest, like Kagome."

Kagura's smile widened, her eyes briefly meeting Shippo's in the rearview mirror. "That's a wonderful goal, sweetheart. And don't sell yourself short; you're clever in your own way."

"Thanks, Mom!" Shippo beamed, then grew quieter for a moment, fiddling with the straps of his backpack.

"Everything okay?" Kagura asked, glancing at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, just…" Shippo hesitated, looking out the window at the passing streets. "I kinda miss Dad. He's always so busy, and I don't get to see him much. I wanted to show him my new drawing from art class today."

Kagura's expression softened, and she reached over to gently touch Shippo's hand. "I know, darling. Your father works very hard, but he loves you and Kagome more than anything. He's proud of everything you do, even if he can't always say it in person."

Shippo nodded, his little shoulders relaxing. "I know he loves me. I just wish he could come to school stuff sometimes, like when we had Family Day."

Kagura's heart ached a little at his words, but she kept her voice steady. "He'll try, sweetheart. And maybe tonight, after dinner, you can show him your drawing. He might not always be around during the day, but he always makes time for you at home."

Shippo brightened at the suggestion, his earlier energy returning. "Yeah! I'll make him guess what it is first. It's a spaceship, but he'll probably say it's a pickle or something."

Kagura laughed lightly, her melodic voice filling the car. "I think he'll know it's a spaceship. But you can tell him all about how you drew it after dessert."

"Can we have ice cream?" Shippo asked, his eyes lighting up.

"Only if you eat all your dinner," Kagura teased, her voice playful. "And no sneaking cookies before dinner like last time."

"Aw, come on, Mom," Shippo groaned, but the wide grin on his face betrayed his joy.

As the car turned into the long driveway of the Higurashi estate, Kagura glanced at Shippo again, her heart swelling with pride and love. "You know, Shippo, you're growing into such a wonderful young man. Your dad and I are both so lucky to have you."

Shippo blushed, rubbing the back of his head. "Thanks, Mom. I'm lucky to have you guys, too."

When they stepped out of the car, Shippo raced ahead toward the front door.

Kagura watched him with a fond smile, savoring the precious moments of his childhood.

The soccer field was buzzing with energy as Inuyasha, Koga, and Sota prepared for their usual after-school practice. The weather was perfect for it—sunny, with a light breeze that made the game even more exciting. The trio had just finished their last class, and now it was time to let off some steam, with a healthy mix of competition and ridiculous antics.

Coach Takeda, a no-nonsense guy with a thick whistle and a stern demeanor, was standing by the sideline, arms crossed and giving the team a disapproving look. He knew what was coming, but he wasn't going to let them get away with too much nonsense.

Inuyasha, of course, was the first to kick off the practice. He stood there with his usual smirk, ready to show off, while Koga was bouncing on the balls of his feet, clearly eager to get started.

"You ready to lose, Koga?" Inuyasha taunted, dribbling the ball between his feet and making exaggerated moves, just to mess with his friend.

Koga shot him a playful glare, his confidence unwavering. "You wish. Watch me score with one hand tied behind my back."

Sota, who was standing a little off to the side, adjusting his glasses and looking slightly out of place, sighed. "You guys are ridiculous," he muttered under his breath, but there was a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "You know, maybe if you both focused on actual strategy, you wouldn't spend so much time making ridiculous bets."

Coach Takeda, overhearing the exchange, blew his whistle. "Alright, enough chatter. Let's get some actual practice in! We're not here to watch you two goof off. Sota, stop daydreaming and get in position."

Sota jumped, startled. "Yes, Coach!" He quickly got into position, though he couldn't help but glance at his friends as they continued their playful back-and-forth.

The ball was kicked into play, and suddenly, it was chaos. Inuyasha, with his usual mix of speed and recklessness, zoomed down the field, the ball sticking to his feet like he was glued to it. Koga was hot on his heels, calling out taunts and trying to shove him off course, but Inuyasha was too quick, dodging Koga's attempts like a pro.

Sota, meanwhile, was carefully running in the background, occasionally looking around and trying to stay out of the way of the two who were clearly obsessed with trying to outdo each other. But there was one thing Sota didn't expect—his friends might be reckless, but they actually knew how to play soccer.

With one swift kick, Inuyasha sent the ball toward the goal, but Koga was already there, anticipating the shot. In one fluid motion, he blocked it with a perfect kick of his own, sending it flying into the air.

"Nice try, Inuyasha!" Koga shouted, grinning. "But you're gonna need more than that to beat me."

"Pfft, just you wait, Koga," Inuyasha grumbled, brushing dirt off his uniform. "You won't know what hit you."

Coach Takeda's whistle blew again. "Inuyasha, Koga! Focus! This isn't a game for your egos, it's practice!"

The two exchanged a quick look before getting back into position. The ball soared back into play, and this time, Sota actually saw an opening. With a deep breath, he sprinted toward the ball, deciding it was his time to shine. He wasn't as fast as Inuyasha or as flashy as Koga, but he knew how to make the most out of every pass.

"Get it, Sota!" Inuyasha shouted, though he wasn't sure he meant it. He was too busy trying to show off his own footwork.

Sota, with a determined look, used a quick pivot and knocked the ball straight toward the goal—only for Inuyasha to dive in front of it at the last second, blocking it with a dramatic, exaggerated movement.

"Ha! Not gonna happen, Sota!" Inuyasha yelled, a little too loudly, as he slid across the grass to make the save.

Koga laughed and jumped in to grab the ball again. "Okay, okay, enough with the dramatic moves. You're not auditioning for a movie."

"Just wait for this," Inuyasha muttered, grinning. With lightning speed, he darted around Koga, making an elaborate move that had both of his friends shaking their heads in disbelief. "The Inuyasha Special."

In the blink of an eye, Inuyasha kicked the ball with all his might, sending it flying toward the net. But before anyone could say anything, Sota had raced across the field and jumped to intercept the ball. With a smooth move, he redirected it away from the goal.

"That's it! I'm taking over!" Sota shouted, a huge grin on his face, as he did a victory lap around the field.

Inuyasha was left standing there, stunned. "Hey! That wasn't supposed to happen!"

Koga slapped his hands on his knees, chuckling. "I think you've got some competition now, Inuyasha."

Coach Takeda let out a low whistle. "Okay, you three, enough with the theatrics. I didn't sign up for a circus, I signed up for soccer practice! Let's finish strong and stop playing like it's a comedy show!"

The game continued with the same ridiculous energy—passes that went nowhere, dramatic dives that looked more like gymnastics, and playful bickering. By the time they finally called it a "draw," all three were laughing and out of breath, but the lighthearted chaos had turned into genuine fun.

"Okay, okay," Koga said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Next time, we need more snacks before we play. I'm starving."

Sota, still trying to catch his breath, nodded in agreement. "You guys have no idea what you're doing half the time, but at least it's fun."

Inuyasha slapped Sota on the back, a grin still plastered on his face. "See? You just gotta get in on the action. It's not all about strategy—it's about having fun."

"Yeah, and maybe not dying in the process," Sota added with a smirk.

Coach Takeda shook his head, but even he was fighting back a smile. "Alright, I'll let you off this time. But next practice, no more clowning around, understood?"

The trio laughed again, the sound echoing across the field as they made their way off the grass, already making plans for their next ridiculous soccer practice.

As the sleek black limousine rolled smoothly up the Taisho estate's long driveway, the afternoon sun cast a warm golden glow over the grand house. Inside the car, Kanna sat quietly, her small frame nestled against the plush leather seats. Her fingers traced the patterns on the armrest as she watched the world pass by through the tinted windows. The quiet hum of the car's engine was a soothing background to her deep thoughts.

The car came to a gentle stop in front of the entrance, and as the door opened, Kanna gracefully stepped out, her delicate shoes barely making a sound on the stone driveway. She looked up at the grand house, where her mother, Inukimi, was already waiting by the front door, her silver hair shimmering in the sunlight.

"Welcome home, Kanna," Inukimi greeted with a warm smile, her voice soft yet commanding. "How was school?"

"It was fine," Kanna replied in her usual quiet tone, her voice betraying little of the bustling energy around her. "But I have a question."

Inukimi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's on your mind, sweetie?"

Kanna's gaze was thoughtful as she looked up at her mother. "Do cookies make children smart?"

Inukimi chuckled softly at the unexpected question, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I wouldn't say that cookies make children smart, but they can certainly make them happy and give them the energy to think better. Why do you ask?"

Kanna paused for a moment, her small fingers clasping together as she continued. "Shippo gave me a cookie today. He said that smart people share snacks. I thought... maybe cookies help you get smarter."

Inukimi smiled warmly, her gaze softening. "It's the sharing that matters, Kanna, not the cookie itself. Sharing and caring for others—those things help us learn and grow. But if you'd like to be smarter, there are better ways to do that."

Kanna nodded slowly, absorbing her mother's words. "I want to learn more," she said softly, her voice serious for one so young.

Inukimi's smile grew, touched by her daughter's curiosity. "Well, you are in luck. This weekend, we're going to the science museum. And guess what? The entire family is coming along, too."

Kanna's wide eyes lit up in surprise and delight. She hadn't expected this at all. "The whole family?" she asked softly, her voice full of wonder.

"Yes, everyone," Inukimi confirmed, her tone warm and affectionate. "Your father, Sesshoumaru, and even Inuyasha—everyone's looking forward to it. We'll make it a family outing, and you can show them all what you've been learning."

Kanna blinked, her calm demeanor melting into a rare, full smile. "Really? We'll all go together?"

"Absolutely," Inukimi replied, her eyes gleaming with affection. "You're the one who sparked this idea, Kanna. You've been so curious, and we want to nurture that. We'll make it a day full of learning and fun."

Kanna's heart swelled with excitement. For a moment, the usually quiet little girl seemed to glow, her face lighting up with joy. "I can't wait," she whispered, her voice filled with anticipation.

"I'm glad," Inukimi said, brushing a strand of silver hair from her daughter's face. "We'll go this weekend, and maybe you can teach us all a thing or two."

As they entered the grand foyer of the estate, Inukimi placed a hand gently on Kanna's head. "Now, why don't we go inside, get you settled, and start planning for the weekend?"

Kanna nodded enthusiastically, her heart racing with excitement. The quiet moments of her day had shifted into something much bigger, a promise of a family adventure full of knowledge and new discoveries—and perhaps a few cookies along the way.

Toga Taisho stepped into the sleek glass lobby of Taisho Innovations, his presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room. Employees nodded respectfully as he strode toward the private elevator, his polished shoes clicking against the marble floor. As the CEO of one of Japan's leading tech conglomerates, Toga's day was a whirlwind of decisions, meetings, and innovations.

By the time he reached the top floor, Jaken was already waiting, his sharp eyes scanning through a tablet loaded with the day's agenda. The office floor, a sprawling expanse of minimalist design and cutting-edge technology, buzzed with activity.

"Taisho-sama, your morning briefing is ready," Jaken announced, hurrying to match Toga's pace. "The research team has the prototype schematics ready for review, and the finance department needs approval on the updated budget projections for Project Nexus."

"Schedule the budget review for later this afternoon," Toga instructed. "I want to see the prototype first. If it's not viable, there's no point in approving funds."

Jaken nodded, making a quick note on his tablet as they entered the executive conference room.

Inside, Totosai and Hosenki were already waiting. The room was a blend of practicality and elegance, dominated by a long table surrounded by high-tech displays. A holographic model of the latest chipset hovered in the center of the room, rotating slowly.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Toga greeted, his tone brisk but not unkind.

Totosai, the chief engineer, stood up, his slightly disheveled appearance contrasting with the precision of his work. "Taisho-sama, the prototype is operational. We've improved its thermal efficiency by 15%, and initial tests show it can handle over 1.2 teraflops without overheating."

Hosenki, the financial strategist, adjusted his glasses and tapped on his tablet, bringing up charts and projections on a nearby screen. "If the prototype performs as expected in real-world applications, we're looking at a 20% increase in market share. I've prepared a cost analysis for scaling production once it passes all compliance checks."

Toga examined the data with a critical eye. "Totosai, ensure the engineering team conducts stress tests under extreme conditions. I won't greenlight production unless I'm certain this chip can outperform our competitors in every metric."

"Understood, sir," Totosai replied, his usual absentminded demeanor replaced by a rare moment of focus.

Jaken chimed in, his voice eager. "Taisho-sama, there's also the matter of the investor meeting tomorrow. They'll want a preliminary demonstration of the chipset's capabilities."

Toga leaned back in his chair, his sharp gaze shifting to the holographic model. "Prepare a controlled demo. Highlight its efficiency and adaptability but keep the performance metrics understated. I'd rather underpromise and overdeliver when the product hits the market."

As the morning progressed, Toga moved seamlessly from one task to the next. After reviewing the prototype, he met with legal advisors to discuss patents, ensuring their innovations remained protected from competitors.

By mid-afternoon, Toga convened with the marketing team, reviewing their strategy for the chipset's launch. He emphasized the importance of positioning the product not just as a technical marvel but as a transformative tool for businesses and consumers alike.

As the day wrapped up and the cousins made their way out of the conference room, the atmosphere between them was still light, though Miroku's mind buzzed with a certain bit of mischief. Sesshoumaru, ever the epitome of composure, walked beside him with his usual quiet grace, but Miroku couldn't help but notice the subtle shift in his cousin's behavior. He was a little quieter than usual, a little more distracted, and Miroku was sure it had something to do with a certain woman named Kagome.

"Let's take the back exit," Miroku suggested with a grin, nudging Sesshoumaru as they approached the elevator. "You know, get ahead of the crowd and all that."

Sesshoumaru gave him a brief, noncommittal nod, but Miroku noticed the slight clench of his jaw—his cousin was clearly holding in something. It was as if Sesshoumaru was trying to ignore the fact that his mind was still lingering on the coffee shop incident.

Miroku casually leaned against the elevator wall, casually flicking his hair back, though a sly grin played on his lips. "So, Sesshoumaru, I've been thinking…"

Sesshoumaru turned to face him, his eyebrow arched in the familiar, unimpressed way that only he could manage. "About what?"

"You know," Miroku began, pretending to be serious as he glanced sideways at his cousin. "The incident with Kagome. The woman who bumped into you, argued with you, and somehow got your attention without even trying."

Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "I've already told you, it's irrelevant."

"Oh, really?" Miroku said, grinning even wider as he pushed himself off the wall. "That's funny, because I could have sworn you were staring at her picture a few minutes ago. You know, the one I found online?"

Sesshoumaru stopped mid-step, his golden eyes flashing with a mix of annoyance and something else—a barely-there flicker that Miroku didn't miss. "Miroku, I swear..."

"Oh, I know," Miroku interrupted, trying to keep a straight face. "You've got it all under control. She's just a passing encounter." He mimicked Sesshoumaru's earlier words in a near-perfect monotone. "No need to dwell on her at all. Just another woman who bumped into you and… argued with you. Nothing to see here, right?"

Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth but said nothing. They stepped into the elevator, and Miroku couldn't resist. He stepped closer to Sesshoumaru, lowering his voice dramatically, "But... what if she's the one?"

Sesshoumaru's eyebrow twitched as Miroku leaned in, his grin barely contained. "The one who'll make you finally smile—not just that cold, disinterested look you always wear. The one who'll break through that wall you've built around your heart and…" Miroku leaned even closer, practically whispering in his ear, "...maybe even get you to laugh."

Sesshoumaru's hand clenched into a fist at his side, and Miroku had to bite his lip to stifle a laugh. "Miroku, don't."

Miroku straightened up, putting his hands behind his back, pretending to be serious for a moment. "I'm just saying, Sesshoumaru," he said with mock sincerity, "you can't hide from destiny. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. Maybe you should consider actively finding her again."

Sesshoumaru didn't answer, but Miroku could practically feel the tension radiating from him. As the elevator descended, Miroku leaned back against the wall, his grin spreading even further.

"Imagine it, cousin," Miroku mused, tapping his fingers thoughtfully. "You and Kagome—The Miss Kagome Higurashi—what a power couple you'd be. You could join forces, build an empire. Maybe even get married."

Sesshoumaru shot him a sharp look, his usually steady face betraying the faintest crack of unease. "Miroku…"

"Alright, alright," Miroku said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I'll stop. But you have to admit, she's a fascinating woman, isn't she? Beautiful, intelligent, successful…" He paused for effect, eyes twinkling with mischief. "And she already knows how to handle you, apparently. I'm sure she could teach you a thing or two about arguing."

"Miroku," Sesshoumaru growled, but it was more in resignation than anger now. He wasn't getting out of this one.

Miroku chuckled, clapping him on the back as they exited the elevator. "Hey, I'm just trying to help, Sesshoumaru."

As they walked toward the parking garage, Miroku tossed a look over his shoulder. "And who knows? Maybe next time, you won't need to pretend it's irrelevant."

Sesshoumaru said nothing in response, but there was no denying the subtle shift in his posture.

And as much as Sesshoumaru wanted to pretend that the encounter with Kagome had been nothing—irrelevant—a small part of him, deep down, knew that he wasn't fooling anyone.

Toga leaned back on the couch, letting out a deep sigh. "I don't understand how Naraku Higurashi's ego fits into a single room. Last year, he came alone to the gala, didn't he? I remember he spent the whole evening circling the room like he owned it."

Inukimi, perched elegantly on the armrest of her chair, gave a faint smile as she swirled the tea in her cup. "Yes, I recall. His family was on a trip abroad, and he came with Myoga as his only ally. It was... amusing. You spent most of the evening avoiding him, if I remember correctly."

Toga chuckled. "Avoiding him? Hardly. I just didn't want to waste my night sparring with someone who can't resist making everything a power play. He cornered me at the bar and launched into some monologue about the future of pharmaceuticals and business strategy."

"And?" Inukimi asked, her tone lightly teasing.

"And I had to remind him that not every industry revolves around mergers and hostile takeovers," Toga said with a wry grin. "I think I managed to derail his speech by asking how he keeps his shoes so polished."

Inukimi laughed softly, setting her teacup down. "That does sound like you. Though I'm surprised he didn't retaliate with a jab about your so-called 'bold fashion choices.'"

"Oh, he tried," Toga said, leaning forward with a smirk. "He made some comment about my cufflinks being too 'traditional.' As if I'd let someone with his sense of self-importance lecture me about accessories."

Inukimi's gaze turned thoughtful. "Despite his arrogance, you can't deny that Naraku is meticulous. He's deliberate in everything he does, from his business decisions to his personal image. It's part of what makes him so formidable."

Toga scoffed lightly. "Formidable, perhaps. But exhausting. The man treats every interaction like a chess game, always calculating his next move. I wonder if he's even capable of relaxing."

Inukimi's smile turned knowing as she glanced at her nails. "Perhaps his wife keeps him grounded. Kagura Higurashi, wasn't it?"

Toga raised a brow. "You've met her?"

"Briefly," Inukimi said with a faint smirk. "Today, in fact. We had a... minor disagreement over a coat"

Toga leaned forward, his curiosity piqued. "Let me guess—she fought you for it?"

"Not quite," Inukimi said, her eyes gleaming. "But that is a story for another time."

Toga leaned back thoughtfully. "Naraku Higurashi... I've always been curious about him. but I wonder—what's he like when he isn't playing the part of the untouchable businessman?"

Inukimi arched a brow. "Are you implying he relaxes?"

"Maybe not relaxes," Toga said with a grin. "But even the most calculated people have their cracks. I wonder what his are."

"I imagine you'll have plenty of opportunities to find out," Inukimi said smoothly. "You seem quite interested in him."

Toga shrugged, his grin widening. "I'm always interested in figuring out my competition."

"Competition?" Inukimi echoed, amused. "Toga, you don't even work in the same industry."

"No," Toga admitted. "But Naraku Higurashi operates like he's playing a game no one else is aware of. I find that... intriguing. Besides, it's not every day someone like him calls me 'incompetent.'"

Inukimi gave a soft laugh, shaking her head. "You're impossible. Just try not to provoke him too much at the event. Kagura seems like the type who won't hesitate to defend her husband."

"I'll keep that in mind," Toga said with a grin. "But I make no promises."

Inukimi sighed, rising gracefully from her seat. "Well, just don't embarrass yourself—or me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to help Kanna pick something suitable for the charity event, since children are also invited".

As Inukimi swept out of the room, Toga leaned back with a thoughtful expression. "Naraku Higurashi," he muttered to himself. "Let's see what makes you tick."