InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dashed Hopes ❯ Loose Ends ( Chapter 22 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Sorry it took so long to get this out! But it's here! And ::sob:: it's the last chapter, and I'll miss this story so very much! And before you come at me with pointy, sharp objects, remember there is still a sequal! And, personally, I rather like the ending to my story.

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Disclaimer: For the last time on this story, I do not own Inuyasha. T.T

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Dashed Hopes

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--- Last Chapter ---

“Um, Kagome?”

“Yes, Inuyasha?”

“Would you...would you...”

Kagome turned her stormy blue eyes to his lavender ones. “Yes?”

“Would you stay with me?”

--- End of Last Chapter ---

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Chapter 22: Loose Ends

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“Wha?!” Kagome whispered as she looked deeply at him.

His lavender gaze flickered over to the left for a mere moment, as though in thought.

Inuyasha turned to her to look her in her eyes. He looked at her oddly. “I said, ‘Would you stay with us?’”

Inu leaned back slightly when her startled face frowned softly. It normally wasn’t a good idea when you ask someone to live with you and your friends and she frowned. Not that he’d ever been faced with that situation before...

Kagome’s frown passed quickly and a small smile lit up her face. “Sounds good. I’d love it.”

‘Didn’t he- but I thought- maybe I replaced the ‘us’ with ‘me’. I think I’m losing it.’ She gave her head a small shake and stood up. 'Maybe I wanted him to ask me to stay with him that I imagined that...but I'll take what I can get..."

“I’m going to head in to talk with my family. We need to figure a few things out.” She slunk away to the ladder, still wrapped in the blanket, and crawled down.

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Once her ebony head was gone, Inu let out a deep breath he’d been holding.

Falling backwards onto the palms of his hands he looked back up at the night sky.

That had been close.

That had been too close.

“Damn! Thank Kami I can keep my voice steady and calm in situations like that. Probably Sesshoumaru’s fault...”

How could’ve he let that ‘me’ slip?

Kagome seriously wouldn’t have considered living in Tokyo if he suddenly started getting all...mushy!

He really needed to stop watching Lifetime.

Not that he did watch Lifetime, but if he *did* than he would have to stop.

Right.

Back to the matter at hand.

What if she’d heard him the first time? It’d been easy enough to slip the other word in, but she had ears. She could’ve heard.

Grrr.

He’d just have to hope she didn’t hear. He really didn’t want her bothering him about it and questioning about things he didn’t want her to know.

Damn attraction!

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“Um, what ‘bout work?” Sango asked.

Kagome looked pleadingly back at her for a suggestion. They’d been working out the kinks in the new plan of staying in Tokyo, but she’d completely forgotten about the major things. Like money, shelter, and a job for example.

“What you mean ‘what ‘bout work’? Kagome’s already has work!” Inuyasha growled from his position in the chair.

“You mean I can stay at the Inutaisho Company?” Kagome asked hopefully.

“Damn, woman! Did Sesshoumaru fire you or something? I told you not to put that fake spider in his coffee!” Inu glared.

“No...Sesshoumaru didn’t fire me. But I thought that now that the whole Naraku thing was over, you’d let me go since I didn’t need the cover anymore,” Kag said slowly, looking down at her feet.

Inu rolled his eyes. “You’re a hell of a lot better than a lot of people who think they can work at the-!”

“-Great, magnificent, wonderful, amazing, perfect Inutaisho Company?” Kagome finished, suddenly all smiles.

“Sure,” Inu commented, eyes slightly wide in fright.

“So, what about a home?” Sango asked a second question.

“Do we have to do this every time, Sango? Kagome has a home, with me---and my brother!” Damn those slip-ups! Inuyasha mentally cursed.

Kagome rolled her eyes slightly. “Actually...” she dragged the word out, gazing at wall above Inu’s head.

“Yes, my lady?” Miroku asked pleasantly, sipping his herbal tea.

“I just got back from my meeting with Detective Yagi yesterday. It’s been a week since Naraku’s death,” Kagome could now proudly say this without paling. “It turns out that...” Kagome worried her lip, lost in thoughts.

“What?” Inu bit out sharply.

“Naraku...he kind of...”

“Yes,” Sango rubbed her friend’s back soothingly.

Kagome sighed. “It seems Naraku put me as the only person in his will. I get every thing.”

“Every thing?”

“Uh huh. The police shut down Naraku’s several companies, paid off the workers, and sold the buildings. They also used his money for taxes and to pay off all the debts made to society by my lovely dead boyfriend. In other words: they’ve run out of reasons to keep taking more.” Kagome gave a small grin.

“So?” Miroku asked gently.

“So, I now have enough money to live off of comfortably. Also a completely furnished flat in Paris and the apartment we lived at here in Kyoto, both of which I’m selling. I’ll also sell off the cars...” Kagome trailed off vaguely as she thought harder about her plans.

“Sounds like the bastard was actually good at something,” Inuyasha commented lightly.

“Inuyasha! You can’t speak of the dead so horribly, even if it was Naraku!” Without the constant stress on her life, and after most of the shock had faded, Kagome showed to be extremely lively. Her sympathies bothered Inu the most, especially when they were directed at Naraku.

“Anyway,” Sango pressed, frowning at Inuyasha.

“Right! I’m going to get rid of all the cars, and just keeping my Vespa. I love that thing,” Kagome mumbled. “Oh, and also the pickup. Why Naraku had it, I’m not sure.”

Sango scrunched up her nose. “That covers work and transportation...there’s a lot more to living on your own.”

Kag sighed. “I know. But there is even better news.”

“Really,” Inuyasha asked dully as he balanced a pencil on the tip of his nose.

“Yes, really,” Kagome reached over and shoved Inuyasha out of his seat. As he toppled to the floor he shouted something about ‘bitches’ and ‘stupid ass unbalanced pencils’.

“And that would be...?” Mrs. Higurashi asked as she stepped over Inuyasha's body lying on her living room floor.

“Hey mama!” Kagome smiled at her mother. “Anyway, there is one more property owned by Naraku. Only about two blocks away from work, it’s a penthouse sweet. I’ll be living there, but that’s not the good news.”

“Hmm?” Inuyasha looked slightly hurt at the fact that Kagome was talking about moving out so simply.

“Well, it’s the largest apartment complex in all of Tokyo, and the penthouse takes up about a third of the entire top floor. Serious luxury we’re talking about. Three bedrooms, living room, family room, kitchen, two bathrooms complete with Jacuzzis, and a mini bar.”

“Sorry to burst your dream filled bubble, but that has to be hell to keep up.” Inuyasha grunted.

Kag continued on as if she hadn’t heard him. “It seems Naraku bought the home two months ago and hasn’t even set foot into it. But here’s the best news, Kagura’s brother, some guy with purple hair, just bought out the apartment housing. I seriously don’t know how a technology teacher could afford it, but whatever.”

“How exactly is this ‘great’ news?” Mrs. Higurashi wondered out loud.

Kagome beamed. “He’s promised me free electricity and water for as long as I live there! I’ll still need to pay for phone and cable and junk, but with those major two things off my back, I’ll have less to worry about. Especially with a job and all that money from Naraku.”

“How much exactly was there?” Sango asked.

Kagome shrugged. “Don’t really know, but I’m donating most to the SHA. You guys really helped me out! I’ll manage...”

“Are you serious?” Sango leaped up, her grin couldn’t possibly become any larger.

Kag looked startled. “Of course! After, that is, I pay you back for the clothes.”

“Oh Kag-chan!” If Sango were the squealing type, she would have squealed.

Kagome gave a small delighted giggle. “I should donate more often if I get this kind of response!”

Inu rolled his eyes. “Nah, I’d keep the money.”

Kagome smacked his leg with the tip of her foot. “And I remember someone saying I was insensitive!”

Inuyasha smirked. “Well, if the shoe fits...”

Kagome scowled and sat back into her seat next to Sango.

Sango laughed merrily; she was a little off by the fact that the place she volunteered to work at was about to get even better. Leave it to Kagome to find a way of making her dead abusive boyfriend a good thing...

“Oh you two!” her pink tinted eyes flashed as she playfully smacked the ‘two’s arms. “Be nice.”

Kagome cracked a small grin. “Yes, mother.”

Sango’s smile slipped and her eyes narrowed with a playful glint of fury. “Are you...by any chance calling me old?”

Kagome mock squealed and leapt up from the couch to dart out. Her faint cry drifted back to her three friends, “Yes...?”

Sango sprang up and gave chase. “Get back her you ungrateful little GIRL!”

“No, mother!” Kagome shouted as she laughed and raced down the hall.

Miroku, head tilted slightly after watching the females race off and giving him a good view, turned back to Inuyasha. “How exactly is Sango ‘old’?”

Inuyasha shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. Those two are far past insane.”

Mrs. Higurashi, who was standing beside Inuyasha’s chair, gave a scoff at her daughter being insane. Quickly stepping from the room, she threw an oven mitt at the back of Inu’s ebony head before disappearing.

“What was that?” Inu asked, rubbing his sore noggin.

Miroku shrugged. “A bee?”

“Right, a bee, almost in winter, stung me on my scalp, under all my hair.”

“Right,” Miroku went back to sipping his tea, ignoring his scowling friend.

Some people just didn’t understand sarcasm when they hear it.

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“What about me?” Shippou asked with a small sulk in his voice.

Kagome paused in her packing. She had been gathering all her old clothes at home to give to the SHA. All her outfits from when she was 17 didn't really fit her anymore, and the girls as the shelter would get better use out of them.

“You’re coming with, Shippou, and we’ll live happily together!” Kagome said cheerfully, resuming her activity.

“What about me?” Souta asked from his position leaning against the doorway.

Kagome paused a second time and slowly turned around. “Its up to you, Souta.”

“Huh?”

Kagome sighed. “You’ve been away from Mama for almost a third of your life. Don’t you want to spend time with her? Go back to your old school and see your old friends?”

“Do you want to get rid of me?” Souta looked pretty pathetic.

“No, of course not! I love you, Souta, and I’d never want to get rid of you! I just want you to be happy...” Kagome took a step forward to her little brother. It scared her when Souta went from being a pest to being so depressed, it wasn’t like him.

“Well...I want to stay with you,” Souta said slowly. “We’ll visit Mom every holiday and talk to her every night, right? What’s the big deal?”

Kagome smiled. “I’d love it if you stayed with me Souta. Who’d get me up by pouring a bucket of ice water on my head on slow days?” Kagome frowned, but also laughed a little. “But what about school?”

Souta perked up instantly. “Can’t I just...not go?”

Kagome smiled playfully and scrunched up her nose. “If I had to suffer through all those years, you are so not going to miss them!”

Souta frowned, and then smiled. “If I can talk Kohaku into going to a public school in Tokyo, could we go to the same one?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“Yay!” Souta cheered, doing an odd little happy dance.

“What about me?” The redheaded boy asked.

Kagome turned to her son. “Shippou, you’re just beginning school. You’re stuck in a different grade. But don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll make friends!”

Shippou nodded. “I’m going to go...play with my top.”

“Have fun,” Kagome shouted over her shoulder as she turned back to her packing.

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Inuyasha stumbled a little when the two boys raced out and past him. “Whoa! HEY, watch it!”

“Sorry,” their faint apology reached his extremely sharp hearing.

“Feh.”

“Hello, Inuyasha!” Kagome said cheerfully as he stepped in.

“How’d you know it was me?”

“Oh I don’t know...maybe I can sense you or something?” Kagome said sarcastically. “Actually,” she added seriously, not turning around to greet him, “I think the shouting and the ‘feh’ gave it away.”

“Oh...right.”

Kagome sighed and quickened her packing. “Before I head back, I think I’ll go shopping.”

“When’s that?”

“When’s what? Me leaving? Well,” Kagome dragged the word out, finally turning to face him. “You can leave any time.”

“Wha?!”

Kagome frowned at his lost look. ‘Just like a little puppy...’

“You, Sango, Kohaku, and Mirkou can leave whenever,” she shrugged. “I can drive back in the pickup with my vespa in the back. I’ll stop by your place to gather my things. You don’t need to just stay here on account of me.”

“Feh. If I stayed it wouldn’t be because of you, it'd be a vacation or something.” Inuyasha crossed his arms and then winced at her hurt expression. “But I think we’ll stay.”

“Hm.” Kagome turned back to her packing.

She noticed, then, that her and Inuyasha had gotten in more fights since Naraku’s death. They were getting along less and less.

‘And I was going to ask if I could stay with him and Sesshoumaru for a week or two while I got the apartment ready. Maybe Sango wouldn’t mind.’

“Hey, Kagome?”

“Yeah?” she asked, not turning around.

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“Never mind.” Inu sighed.

“Sure.” Kagome scowled. They seemed to be so tense they couldn’t even have a conversation without a strained pause!

“See you.” The man grunted.

“Yeah, till later.”

Inuyasha turned around and walked out. Pausing just outside, he scowled.

For some reason he just couldn’t ask to borrow the vespa! Wrong time maybe...?

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“Sango?” Kagome asked as she glanced around the shrine’s yard. Spotting her friend over by the top of the stairs, the blue eyed woman made her way over. “Hey!”

“Hm? Oh hello, Kagome,” Sango murmured, not even taking her magenta orbs off the passing cars below them.

“I have a favor to ask, sorry.”

“Go on Kagome, I don’t mind.” Sango looked over for a second before flicking her eyes back to in front of her.

“Can we stay over at your house for a few days? You know, with my psychotic ex no longer hunting me down, I doubt you and Kohaku have much to worry about.” Kagome rambled.

“No problem. It’ll be good to have you around. I liked it when you were there before. Don’t get me wrong, Miroku and Inuyasha are ok, but if you mention the words ‘pantyhose’ or ‘bikini wax’ or even ‘nail-polish’ they’ll be out of the room so fast you can feel the wind.”

Kagome laughed. “I can just see them slinking out with their tails between their legs. They act so tough but they’re really just softies.”

Sango joined in with the giggling. “Do you have the clothes for the SHA all packed?”

“Uh huh. I haven’t worn them for four years, I really think my tastes have changed. I also have my little things packed up and my vespa is out front. A policeman is delivering the truck from the compound for me tomorrow.” Kagome informed while leaning forward and wrapping her sweater tighter around her.

“The nights are getting a lot colder. I can't wait for winter. The first frost makes everything so...beautiful. Things look so brittle and they sparkle like glass,” Sango whispered. “My parent’s died in the winter time.”

Kagome reached out and hugged Sango closer. “I’m sorry.”

“I hate those words. They’re empty of meaning if you don’t understand the situation completely. I don’t mind that you tell me, you lost your dad so you get what I’m going through.” Sango shivered since her jacket was still inside.

“Hm. It’s alright. You have Kohaku. Why don’t we visit the cemetery when we get back? I’d like to see your parents’ final resting-place if you don’t mind. I’d feel closer to you and understand a little better.”

Sango nodded. “Sure Kagome that sounds nice.”

“Well,” Kagome turned a bright smile on her friend; “I’m heading in. Tomorrow I have something I need to get done, and then we can head back to Tokyo. I’m sure the boys are getting impatient with me...”

“Night Kagome, I’ll see you in the morning or something,” Sango called over her shoulder as Kagome walked back towards the house.

‘Now that I think about it...I’ll go. I have time and it’s only fair if I get it done.’ Kagome thought as she pushed open the door and started up the stairs to her room.

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Kagome knelt down on the solid ground. She could hear the dead grass brush against her floor length black skirt as she leaned forward to place the bunch of bright flowers next to the stone slab.

“Hi, Daddy,” the young woman whispered as she looked lovingly at the expensive marble. She didn’t even stop the tears that welled up in her stormy eyes; it still hurt no matter how much time passed.

“I...made a mistake a little while ago. I befriended someone that put my loved ones in danger. That someone ended up losing his life during all of this. But we made it out all right I guess- Souta, Shippou, and I. You never met Shippou...he’s a ball of energy. Sweet and innocent, maybe a little annoying at times, but aren’t we all? I love him like my own.

“So...Naraku, that’s the guy’s name, is dead. I wouldn’t wish that kind of death on anyone, but I can't go back and change the past. But some good things happened because of all of this. I wont take my friends and family for granted anymore, and I even made some new friends.

“You’d like Sango. She really strong and stands up for herself, but at the same time manages to stay nice and gentle. She has a little brother, Kohaku, who’d she’d protect with her life.

“Miroku is very...interesting. He has his share of problems but he’s always so wise and calm and understanding. You just know you can trust him...Of course that ends up coming back and biting you in the ass later on...

“And Inuyasha? I don’t know how to explain him. He’s always changing. At one point he’s sarcastic and rude, and at others he’s quiet and thoughtful. Not all that often though. Lately he’s been so...different. I catch him watching me with soft eyes and glancing at me all day. He tries so hard to be nice but always ends up sticking his foot in his mouth. It’s funny when you think about it. I don’t know why he’s been so distant for the last few days, but it doesn’t matter. I just hope he doesn’t push me away, I’d like to get to know him better...

“We all met under strange circumstances and, oddly, I think it brought us closer together. I’m going to do everything I can to learn more about them. If I ask questions I might understand them more, like how Sango said it.

“I miss you Daddy, and I hope you’re doing all right. When I see you again, we’ll spend time together and talk for hours. I’ll come and visit more often now that I can, I promise. I love you, and I miss you. Bye Daddy, I’ll come back soon.”

Kagome sniffled a bit and cleared her throat. Blowing a soft kiss to the grave she turned on her heel and began to walk off of the grassy hill that sat in a clearing in the woods not too far away from her home.

At the edge of her vision she caught glimpses of the tombstones of her ancestors that had guarded the shrine for generations. Soon, sadly, Jiisan would be buried there, and then her mother, and a long time after, her as well.

But all that mattered would be that she would be near her loved ones for all of eternity.

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“Good bye, Dear, I’ll see you soon. Call as soon as you get in to tell me you arrived safely. I love you and take care of your self,” Mrs. Higurashi hugged her daughter tightly.

“I will Mama. It isn’t that far and Souta and Shippou and the others already started off a little while ago. We should hurry up. I love you too,” Kagome pecked her mother on the cheek. “Bye Mama!”

“Bye, Dear!” Mrs. Higurashi called as she waved from the doorway. Her daughter climbed into the cab of the monstrous vehicle and then her black haired friend climbed in beside her. “Bye Inuyasha! Glad to meet you! You’re like a son!”

“WHAT THE-!” Inuyasha stuck his head out with his purple eyes wide.

However the rest of his question was cut off as Kagome’s engine roared to life and they turned down the old path that could be used as a makeshift driveway.

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“You really lucked out you know. It’s not fair that some people get so many things served to them on a silver platter like you just did.” Inu ranted to the petite woman sitting next him.

Kagome rolled her blue eyes, “Oh yeah, and getting a major company in your care just by inheritance doesn’t count? Face Inuyasha, with the large house, extreme money, good looks, and the Inutaisho Company, it’s about time Karma got around to giving some of us a chance.”

Inu snorted. “Oh yeah. I’m so lucky...”

“Well you are,” Kagome said quietly while keeping her eyes on the road as she steered the large pick up through all of the tiny Japanese cars.

“Feh.” But after thinking over what she just said, Inuyasha finally concluded that maybe she was right. He did tend to go the easy way in life and he had a tendency to always come out on top.

“By the way, I know I’m lucky with all that I got after all this. But don’t you think it’s a little fair?” Kagome bit her tongue thinking she sounded too vain. “What I mean is...after Naraku and what I went through with him, don’t I deserve a chance at happiness too?”

Inu glanced at her with his lavender eyes. “Yeah, I guess so.”

Kagome sighed and starred harder at the pavement. She had sounded too selfish, but she believed it. So many bad things seemed to follow her around and she thought it was about time she got a shot at straightening out her life.

“Are we almost there?”

Kagome shrugged. “We should be in Tokyo soon. These two cities are closer than I thought. Sorry Inuyasha.”

He flicked his gaze to her again, “What about this time?” He asked gruffly.

“I don’t know. I just feel like I should say it.”

“Keh.”

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Four days later, Ayame starred wide-eyed at Kagome. “Shit.”

“Heh, heh.” Kagome rubbed the back of her neck and looked away. “Yeah...”

“That really happened?” her green eyed friend whispered.

“Well...yes, it did.”

“Kagome,” Ayame’s voice was strained. “You could have told me...”

Kagome jumped a little. “Almost no one knew, I’m sorry Ayame.”

The redhead shrugged. “Don’t worry about it.”

Kagome nodded absently. “Thanks.”

“So~” Ayame drawled. “Your last name is really ‘Higurashi’?”

Kagome nodded.

“Very sway.” Ayame smirked.

“Thanks!” ‘I think’ Kagome added.

Ayame paused in their stroll down the sidewalks of the park to lick her vanilla ice cream. “How’s yours?”

Kagome smirked as she took in a mouthful of the chocolately goodness. “Very...sway?” Kagome tried the word.

Ayame cocked her head at her friend and then burst out laughing.

Kagome blushed and shrugged. Hey, it had been worth the try.

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“Good to see you looking so well, Ms. Higurashi.” Sesshoumaru told the young woman in the elevator that was being lifted up to his office.

“Thank you.”

Sesshourmaru was right, Kagome did look better. Her ebony hair seemed wavier and bouncier and blacker. Her blue eyes seemed bluer and her smooth skin positively glowed.

Of course, even with that great head of hair, Kagome couldn’t help but envy his perfect, silky, silver tresses. Damn, what did a *guy* do to get that? *He* had no right!

Oh well.

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“Hey wench!”

“Hey jerk!”

“How’s it going?”

“Well it was going good...but, now?”

“Yeah?”

“I saw you!” Kagome gave a mock shriek as her male friend lunged at her.

“WENCH! That was just rude and mean!”

“And you’re not always those?”

Inuyasha smirked proudly. “You forgot petty, I’m petty too. And devilishly handsome.”

Of course Kagome didn’t argue with that and looked away, blushing slightly.

Inuyasha’s smirk only grew wider. “So...” Inuyasha walked over and wrapped an arm around her waist.

Kagome blushed even more and tried to pry the arm off, but it only tightened. “Inuyasha?”

“Huh?” Inuyasha seemed to have zoned out, thinking about how perfect it felt with his arm around her.

Kagome sighed in defeat. “Never mind,” she stated exasperatedly. ‘You’re stubborn too!’

“OH! Any news from Kagura?” Inuyasha finally asked, snapping out of his dreamlike state.

Kagome smiled brightly. “I talked to her the day after we got back. That would have been...yesterday.” Kagome frowned at the fact she’d had to think about what day it had been.

Inuyasha’s arm was making her a little light headed.

“And?”

“She’s doing alright. At my insistence, they, Kagura and Kanna, are now staying at the flat in Paris. I decided not to sell it until they are in the clear and don’t have to worry about the cops searching for accomplices.”

“Sounds good.”

“Yeah, it is. Inuyasha?”

“Huh?”

Kagome struggled to find a reason for him to let go. The feeling of her heart being sucked up through her throat by a vacuum was starting to get annoying.

Finally her gaze fell on the clock.

“We should get going! We’ll be late for yours and Sesshoumaru’s announcement!” Kagome paused and then added slyly, “What is your announcement, Inuyasha?”

Inu retracted his arm and began to head towards his doorway. “You’ll see,” he smirked playfully.

Kagome sighed, a second time in the last few minutes, in defeat.

“I guess I’ll have to.”

“Good girl. Now lets get going!” His arm now rested across her shoulders and Kagome’s eyes narrowed.

Inuyasha had been draping his arms all over her for the last two days. Not that she really minded, but, well, Naraku’s words kept coming back to her.

--- “And Inuyasha? He doesn’t care for you, in any way at all. Ever since his mother and father died he’s refused to get close to anyone at all. I’ve seen the way he eyes you, Kagome, you’re just something he’d use and throw away.” ---

What if Naraku had been right? Inuyasha had seemed to suddenly want to become closer to her, but what if he’d be like Naraku warned?

Kagome shook her head slightly to clear the unwanted thoughts.

She shrugged off Inuyasha’s arm and sped up ahead of him to the elevator. She missed the look of hurt that crossed his face at her rejection.

‘Inuyasha isn’t like that! Plus, he isn’t even interested in me like that! We’re just friends after all.

Even in death, Naraku has me acting paranoid.

I’ll just have to take every thing in stride---not worry about it 'till it crosses my path. And Inuyasha and me being...more...that’s not something I’m planning on ever happening.’

Inuyasha watched as she nodded her head determinedly before pressing the for the bottom floor.

With one final ‘ting’, the elevator began its slow trip downwards.

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“You all know Kagome Higurashi,” Inuyasha started.

Watching all the heads of the hundreds upon hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of his employees, he scowled.

“FINE! You all know Kagome ‘Shashu’,” This time he got nods from almost all the workers; Many of them over eager ones from the young male population. This made him growl slightly in anger and jealousy.

“Well now she’s Kagome *Higurashi* and don’t ask why or you’ll regret it!” Inuyasha threatened to the confused looks on the sea of faces in front of him.

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Kagome began to mentally slam her head into a brick wall.

Inuyasha...

...Was...

...An...

...Idiot!

At least he was trying to respect her wishes of few people knowing her secret. But this...this was just PATHETIC!

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Sesshoumaru noticed the pained look on Aunty Kag and decided to save her, and his half brother, from further embarrassment.

“Anyway...” his calm voice broke through.

Inuyasha scowled but secretly welcomed his brother in the situation.

“Kagome Shashu, who’s name shall now be Kagome Higurashi for personal reasons,” most of the people seemed to accept this, “has been...” Sesshoumaru paused, searching for the right word. “Rewarded,” yes that sounded correct, “For her determination and hard work.”

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Kagome scowled from the front row of the crowd standing before the Youkai brothers. The two youths were on a platform facing the people under their employment to make this ‘emergency’ announcement.

What were these two playing at? Kagome wondered.

She’d expected them to clear up, with a lie of course, the problem with the police. There was a rumor circulating that a drug ring had been run out of the corporation and the worker had been caught and arrested.

Kagome thought that the cops had done a good job at keeping the whole Naraku situation under wraps, but this rumor showed the public knew it had something to do with drugs.

But it looked like the Youkai brothers were leaving the rumor, but why did they call the meeting?

And what did it have to do with Kagome being a ‘hard worker’?

.

“A few of you might not know of whom we are speaking of. Kagome Higurashi is the secretary and personal assistant to both my brother and myself. Some of you may not know this, but Kagome has helped out with most of the publicity jobs in the month she has been with us. She’s also been working hard for me on the other aspects of the company.” Sesshoumaru carried on.

“While here, she has shown to have a perfect idea on how to run a company of this size. Not only is she a marketing genius and can pick out and create slogans at the drop of the hat, but she also has several major degrees in business. Although it is not recorded anywhere that this has ever happened so quickly, it is not surprising if you have ever watched her at work.”

.

Inuyasha smirked. Now that Sesshoumaru had gotten the hard part out of the way, he’d take over.

He couldn’t wait to see the look of Kagome’s face when he told her. She’d just have to *love* him for it...

Or at least he hoped that she’d enjoy it.

He really wanted to be closer to her. He just didn’t know how to do it.

.

“So,” Inu said, stepping forward. “Because of Kagome’s solid loyalty to the Inutaisho Company and her impressive knowledge to the many stems here, we have an amazing announcement!”

Smooth, Inuyasha, very smooth.

His lavender eyes locked with her cobalt blue eyes.

“Sesshourmaru and I have discussed this thoroughly, and have come to the conclusion...”

Inuyasha paused. ‘Maybe growing up with a lord and a distant relative of a Japanese princess did teach me how to talk. And I always scoffed at those grammar teachers...’

“Kagome Higurashi, as a irreplaceable part of the company, you can now be called the Vice President of the Inutaisho Company. First one since this company was created.”

.

Kagome squeaked.

And then looked at them gaping.

An irreplaceable...?

Where she worked when she was with Naraku they had told her that she was a genius in the business world. Her people skills made it hard for anyone to dislike her. Her dedication to her work and sharpness of mind gave her final product almost perfection.

She’d been told that she had the business mind of someone who’d been working for years.

But she never thought it’d be noticed.

But a Vice President?

“Whoa.”

Slaps and shouts of congratulations brought her crashing back.

Her fellow coworkers were showing their support and their approving of their new boss. Those who weren’t friends of Kagome had heard rumors from others about how kind and sweet she was.

And how close she seemed to the two brothers.

Plus, maybe having her up at the top might help the company. If it didn’t, she could always be fired, right?

.

Kagome thanked the crowd and turned to beam up at Sesshoumaru. She mouthed ‘thank you’ and he responding with a dignified dip of his head.

Turning to the second Youkai brother, she smiled.

Inuyasha practically melted at that grin. Just like the first time they'd met.

She winked at him and he swore right then that someday he’d finally be able to confront his odd feelings about the woman.

Who knows, maybe she returned them?

Ayame, Hojo, and Nobunaga pushed their way through the crowd.

“Hey Kagome!” Ayame shouted.

“Yeah?” Kagome turned toward her friend.

“Let’s go celebrate!” she yelled back.

Kagome grinned, “Sounds fun!”

She softly made her way toward them and the other gathering employees.

.

Inuyasha shook himself out of his thoughts to watch his love interest heading out with some friends.

“Hey Kagome!” he shouted over heads to her’s.

Kagome turned instantly at his voice and smiled back at him. “Yes, sir?”

Inuyasha smirked before calling something back to her.

“You still owe me an ice cream!”

.

.

.

Sorry, but I just couldn’t resist putting that ending. Yes, that was the ending. BUT the sequel will com out in ONE WEEK [as long as I don't forget...] Its called Aftermath's Destruction. ^-^

Thank you to Ev for being my beta reader [sorta] and Catty for not killing me when I didn’t further the inu/kag relationship.

And thanks to everyone else for all their support and for reading my story! Ja ne! Fay/N.T./Day