InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Not Soon Forgotten ❯ Meeting at the Top ( Chapter 9 )

Kagome stepped into the awaiting cab with a nervous smile. She had not slept at all last night, but no one would have been able to tell. The entire night she was up thinking about him; what he would look like (although she was pretty sure he would look as if he had not aged a day), the sound of his voice, the feel of his hands; everything about him. For the past six months, he never left her mind.

 

“Where to?” the driver asked.

 

“Midtown Manhattan please,” Kagome answered. “Three-hundred fifty, Fifth Avenue.”

 

The driver nodded his head and took off in that direction. Kagome watched the buildings all pass before her with a far away gaze. Street after street they passed, but Kagome saw none of it. Her thoughts were solely on one man: Sesshoumaru. Even if she wanted to stop smiling at the thought of them finally being together, she could not. The smile on her face was going to remain their forever.

 

They would live a humble life together, having breakfast together, watching television together, and going to bed together. It would be the two of them against the world and it would be perfect.

 

When they came to a red light Kagome was shaken out of her day dreams. She noticed a small boutique that she had been to a few months ago and she asked the cab driver to pull over.

 

“Thank you, but do you think you could drop me off here?” Kagome asked him. He pulled over to the side and she paid her fare.

 

She walked into the small store and noticed that besides herself, there were only two other shoppers inside. She looked around a bit more and noticed a middle-aged woman wearing a bright red hat and smiled. Kagome cleared her throat to gain the woman's attention and when she did so the woman was instantly at her side.

 

“My dear Ms. Higurashi! It has been months since we've last seen you in our store; how are you?” the woman bellowed.

 

“I'm doing quite well thank you Diane. I was wondering if you could help me?”

 

“Are you kidding? Anything I can do to help you, you just let me know; don't think I don't repay acts of kindness. My son had a great time at his prom because of you!”

 

“Yes, well,” Kagome began nervously, “he was truly something.”

 

The woman in the red hat, Diane, beamed at Kagome then grabbed her hands. “Now, what can I do for you Ms. Higurashi?”

 

“I'm looking for something simple, but beautiful. It has to capture attention,” Kagome explained to Diane.

 

“Of course, I'll see what we…Oh look there's Terry! Terry,” Diane shouted to one of her salespersons. “Look who it is, it's Ms. Higurashi!”

 

“Oh hello Ms. Higurashi!” the woman named Terry shouted.

 

“Hello, how are you Terry?” Kagome politely replied.

 

“I was just asking Diane what had happened to you since we haven't seen you in so long, and well, here you are!” Terry said instead of answering back.

 

“Isn't it wonderful,” Kagome said dryly.

 

“So what are we helping you find today Ms. Higurashi? Ball gown? Cocktail Dress? Pajamas?” Terry asked.

 

“Well, you're getting warmer,” Kagome played with her a bit.

 

“A nightgown?” Terry asked. At Kagome's slight blush Terry took that as a yes and motioned for Kagome to follow her.

 

“I'll be right back ladies,” Diane said to Terry and Kagome.

 

Diane walked to the back of the store to enter a small office. She walked to the desk in the corner and picked up her phone. After a couple of rings, someone finally picked up.

 

“Hello? Is this…” she trailed off as she looked at a piece of paper. “Is this Inuyasha Matsumoto?” Terry asked.

 

“Yes it is. Who is this?” Inuyasha asked.

 

“This is Diane Foster of Foster's boutique. About a month ago you said to call if Ms. Higurashi came back into our store.”

 

“And?”

 

“Well, she's in here now-”

 

“She is?! Well, please, give her anything she wants in your shop, but please keep her there until I arrive. I've waited too long to find her and I'm not going to lose her so soon. Will you do that for me?”

 

“Yes of course Mr. Matsumoto, I'll do what I can,” Diane said before she hung up the phone.

 

She walked back out into the store and found Kagome and Terry searching through the nightgowns. Terry was holding up a red one and a white one for Kagome's inspection while Kagome also held a black one in her hand.

 

Kagome sighed loudly. “I don't know which one to get. What do you think?” she asked Terry.

 

Terry looked at them all and shook her head. “I honestly don't know, I don't think you could go wrong with any of them.”

 

Terry looks at Diane who is giving her an `okay' sign and Terry smiles. “I'm sorry Ms. Higurashi, if you'll please excuse me for a minute…”

 

Kagome nods and takes the two other nightgowns from Terry as she walked away. Not too long after Diane approaches Kagome to see what she has chosen. Kagome looks up at her and asks the same question.

 

“So, which one do you think? Do you like the red one?”

 

“Why don't you take all of them Ms. Higurashi,” Diane said as she smiled. “And what about shoes? A girl can never go wrong by having a good pair of shoes or two.”

 

“Well-” Kagome began.

 

“Hey look what just came in!” Terry said as she walked back into the store with an armful of clothes.

 

“Let me guess, you were just hiding those until the next time I came to your store?” Kagome asked them.

 

“Yes,” Diane said.

 

Kagome shook her head and the girls laughed. For the next hour they helped Kagome pick out several outfits to her choosing, as well as a couple new purses and a pair of sunglasses. By the time she was ready to leave, Kagome was carrying five bags in her arms.

 

“Are you sure we can't help you find anything else Ms. Higurashi?” Diane asked.

 

“Um, no I'm pretty sure even if I wanted to buy more I wouldn't be able to carry it,” Kagome said with a small laugh.

 

“We could have your purchases sent to you if you'd like,” Terry offered.

 

Kagome smiled at the two women then. “I think that would be great, thank you!”

 

“Where would you like us to send it?” Terry asked.

 

Kagome thought about it for a minute before she replied. “You know, I'm not exactly sure yet. Can I call you and let you know?”

 

“Of course,” Diane said.

 

Kagome started to hand them the money to pay for her items when Diane held out a hand to stop her.

 

“There will be no charge today Ms. Higurashi.”

 

“No charge?” Kagome asked disbelievingly.

 

“Nope; no charge,” Diane reiterated.

 

Kagome slowly put her money back into her purse and then shrugged. “Alright then, suit yourselves. Thank you for all your help today.”

 

The two woman smile at her and followed her quickly when she began to walk out the door. Kagome looked back when she thought she heard them running after her, but they were standing at the doorway with huge smiles plastered on their faces.

 

“We hope you come back soon Ms. Higurashi!” Terry said.

 

“Don't make it so long in between visits this time,” Diane added nicely.

 

Kagome nodded a bit and then waved at them. “Good-bye Diane, good-bye Terry.”

 

The two women smile triumphantly and quickly push back into the store. Kagome raised one of her eyebrows at their antics. She started to turn around but ran into someone.

 

“Oh I'm so sorry! I guess I should—Inuyasha?!” Kagome shouted as she saw who she ran into.

 

“Hi Kagome,” Inuyasha replied.

 

“What are you doing here? How did you know I was--oh I see” Kagome said as she looked back at the store she just left and the two women who were peaking out the window from inside. She shook her head at them and their eyes widened before they disappeared form sight.

 

“What time is it Inuyasha? I'm late,” Kagome asked him politely.

 

Inuyasha looked at his watch. “It's five minutes to five,” he answered her.

 

Kagome smiled at him. “It's really good to see you Inuyasha.”

 

“It's really good to see you too Kagome. You know, we have a lot to talk about,” he told her.

 

“I know, but I really can't now, I'm in a bit of a hurry,” she rushed.

 

“Can't we just go somewhere and have a drink?” Inuyasha bargained. “I have a lot I need to speak to you about.”

 

“I'm really sorry Inuyasha, but I can't. Why don't you call me sometime-no, I guess you can't do that when I'm going to be mar-” Kagome stopped short of what she was going to say and closed her eyes not wanting to see his face after her confession.

 

“Oh, I see. So, you're getting-”

 

“Yes I am Inuyasha…and I'm late,” Kagome said softly. “What time did you say it was again?”

 

“It's now four minutes till five. Funny, I guess I came all the way here just to give you the time,” Inuyasha said down heartened.

 

“I'm sorry Inuyasha; really I am. Now, I have to go,” Kagome said as she walked away.

 

“Good-bye Kagome. Good luck!” he yelled after her. He put his head down and looked at the sidewalk. When he looked back up Kagome was walking past him.

 

“I guess you can tell how nervous and excited I am; I thought the Empire State building was this way, but it's really that way,” Kagome said quickly as she walked by again.

 

Inuyasha shook his head and gave her a small smile. He watched as she hailed a cab and got in before he sighed to himself. Kagome looked amazing; he could have sworn she was glowing.

 

For six months he had tried tracking her down to make sure she was okay. He found out that she had moved to New York, and with some help from different connections he had made, he had tracked her down to the boutique. She looked absolutely wonderful, and he was happy for her.

 

 

****

 

 

Kagome watched as the Empire State building came close into view. There were many people surrounding it as well as going in it. The street was crowded and traffic was at a standstill. The cab driver insisted that she stay in the cab so that he could drop her off in front of the building, but when she saw that it was so close she decided she could not wait any longer.

 

“I think I'll get their faster if I walk from here,” Kagome told the cab driver. “I'm in a hurry.”

 

Kagome handed him the fare and stepped outside of the cab. Before she got out completely the driver asked, “What's the hurry?”

 

Kagome turned towards him and gave him a great smile. “I'm getting married, and I want you to be the first to congratulate me!”

 

The driver smiled back and held out his hand for her to shake. “Congratulations.”

 

“Thank you!” Kagome shouted as she shut the door.

 

The cab drove off and Kagome turned around to face the building across the street. She looked up towards the top of it and sighed. Six months of waiting finally at an end; she was finally going to be with Sesshoumaru. It had been six months since she had seen his gorgeous face and felt his inviting lips, or heard his deep, wonderful voice. She truly hoped that he would be there waiting for her, although she had no doubt he would be.

 

Kagome gave herself a mental shake and she started to push her way through the crowd in the crosswalk, trying to get across so she could meet with her destiny. She was almost across when someone gave her a hard shove which caused her to fall back into the street with a stumble.

 

She turned to glare at the person who pushed her, but instead turned just in time to see a car headed straight toward her. Time seemed to still in that moment and everything afterwards felt like a dream. She gave a small jump to protect her legs and avoid being dragged under the car and was propelled upwards and into the car's windshield. Kagome was tossed over the car like a rag doll and the people on the sidewalks looked on in horror.

 

Kagome could hear screams and the sounds of horns honking, but all she could think of before her head hit the unforgiving cement was that Sesshoumaru was waiting for her, and that she was sorry she could not make it. Flashes of his silver hair and amber eyes danced through her head; and then, unconsciousness took over her.

 

 

****

 

 

Sesshoumaru was, for the first time he could remember in his life, a nervous wreck. He had been waiting for six months to see Kagome again, and today he would finally get his chance.

 

In his excitement, Sesshoumaru showed up at the Empire State building a half-hour earlier than their scheduled agreement, just in case. Every night for the past six months he dreamt of Kagome. And every morning for the past six months he awoke disappointed that she was not next to him in bed, wrapped securely in his arms and smiling at him with that mesmerizing smile.

 

So now he waited.

 

He almost damned himself for showing up early, for now; every time the elevator doors would open he was looking for her, just to be disappointed when she was not in there. Sesshoumaru never thought himself a patient man, and this was killing him. He looked over from his spot against the wall and saw that the elevator was coming up.

 

Sesshoumaru watched as the next elevator lift opened and he walked over towards it. There were only two people in the car and neither of them were Kagome. He scowled a bit and checked his watch; there were still twenty minutes before five.

 

“Are you going down sir?” asked the elevator boy.

 

Sesshoumaru looked at him and shook his head in the negative. “No.”

 

Sesshoumaru watched as a couple of people got into the elevator and then the doors once again closed and then sighed. He walked over towards a window that looked out over the city. His face is set seriously as he contemplates how he reached this point in his life.

 

For most of his lifetime he was known as a ruthless businessman with an iron fist and a thirst for the blood of his rival companies. When he had gotten engaged to Kagura Wind he thought for sure it was what he wanted; a strong ally in the brutal business world. Her and her father's company would have given him wealth beyond imagination, and more power than anyone should ever have. And then, with no less than a look from a petite Japanese woman with a spitfire attitude, his entire perspective on life changed as he knew it.

 

And now here he was, waiting like a love-sick schoolboy for the woman that had turned his world upside down. He allowed a smirk to cross his features at his own thoughts.

 

He looked back over to the elevator and noticed that the car was coming back up. Sesshoumaru casually made his way over towards the elevator once more and leaned against a wall close by.

 

Another couple of people step out of the car, but there was still no sign of Kagome. A few more people replaced the ones that had come up and he watched them without emotion.

 

“Going down?” the elevator boy asks Sesshoumaru again.

 

“No,” Sesshoumaru started. He looked at his watch again and stops the doors of the elevator from closing. “What time do you have?”

 

The elevator boy looks at his own watch and then answers. “I have ten minutes after five.”

 

Sesshoumaru nodded his thanks and watched again as the elevator doors closed. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. `She could just be running late' he told himself as he walked back over to the window and looked out over the city again.

 

He watched as couple after couple came off the elevator, and still no Kagome.

 

The darker the sky got, the further his hope sank in thinking that she was going to show up. As if the heavens were sharing in his pity, the skies then opened up and let loose the rain. Sesshoumaru watched from the warm confines of the building, which suddenly felt very cold, as the world became blanketed with water from above. Every now and then a flash of lightening would light up the night sky and startle him from his thoughts.

 

The elevator came up again and the elevator boy announced allowed. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is now 1:45am and the Empire State building will be closing in fifteen minutes; please stand in line for the elevator.”

 

Sesshoumaru heard him, but could not bring himself to enter the elevator; not just yet. The crowd grew smaller and smaller and Sesshoumaru had not moved from his position on the top floor against the window. He felt his world grow small and cursed the fates. Kagome had not come to meet him; he could only hope that she was happy with her decision, and he wished her the best.

 

For the final time that night the elevator made its way up.

 

“Going down?” the boy asked once more.

 

Sesshoumaru took one last look out over the city before turning towards the elevator. “Yes,” he answered.

 

“I'm sorry sir,” the boy tells him while the elevator doors close.

 

“So am I,” Sesshoumaru stated.

 

The ride down was incredibly too long and the silence was deafening. Sesshoumaru could do nothing but stare at his reflection in the mirrors of the elevator and wish that he was somebody else at this point in time; preferably the person that may have Kagome with them now.

 

The cart came to a halt on the bottom floor and Sesshoumaru tipped the boy. He did not even bother to call a taxi cab, but would find solace in walking in the rain tonight. The `city that never sleeps' lived up to its name, as there were still many people out and about even at this time of night, and even in this type of weather. Sesshoumaru walked silently along the sidewalk; not seeing anyone for his mind was blank.

 

Within the hour he found himself back at his small apartment completely soaked from head to toe because of the rain. He trudged up the small staircase and opened his door. No lights were on in his place, but it mattered not to him tonight. Sesshoumaru did not bother to turn on any lights as he walked across the room to his chair.

 

Here in the darkness and the silence with only the rain and thunder to keep him company, Sesshoumaru gave a sardonic smile to himself. For him, this was the way of life. He met someone beautiful, intelligent, funny, and full of life; someone he fell deeply for and who he thought had fallen deeply for him. Now he was left with nothing but bittersweet memories of her and a houseful of paintings of her to remind him of what he could have had.