InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Demon's Blackmailed Bride ❯ The Decision ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: No I do not own Inuyasha! If I did, my fiancé would be very unhappy with me!

 

Chapter 2: The Decision

 

Kagome didn't sleep well at all that night. She continued to toss and turn long until the morning hours. Waking up before her alarm clock she drew back the covers and walked to the bathroom, took a shower, and got ready for work.

 

Maybe once I'm at work I'll feel better…

 

Inuyasha's words still ran cold through her thoughts making her blood freeze.

 

“Twenty-four hours Kagome…”

 

How can he do this to me? How can he put me through such torment? A part of her mind asked…Then she realized…Because he can!

 

Last night as soon as she came home, she immediately ran to her bedroom closing the door behind her and sank to the floor in tears. She had so many dreams to fulfill, so many things she wanted to see and do before even thinking about marrying and becoming a mother! Besides, she always figured she would marry for love…Everything would be like a fairytale; but reality hit her hard once again…There are no such things as fairytales or happy endings…

 

The phone immediately rang and she instantly sprang to her feet, wiping her face clean before picking up the receiver.

 

“Hello, Kagome speaking.”

 

“Sweetheart! Are you all right? You sound as if you've been crying! I hope the meeting with Inuyasha wasn't too bad.”

 

“Oh well…” What could she say to her mother? Yes Mom, it was bad…You're daughter could very well lose her virginity as well as her life to a horrible dog demon!

 

“Kagome?”

 

“It went rather well Mother…” A lie…

 

“As long as you're all right Sweetheart. What did he have to say?”

 

Kagome contemplated on what to tell her mother and said,

 

“Um, well, he's of course driving a hard bargain for a loan extension.”

 

“Oh dear, well, whatever he asks tell him we'll do it Kagome!”

 

“I don't know if it's anything you necessarily have to do just yet mother.”

 

A silence fell over the phone, in which Mrs. Higurashi said,

 

“Your father and I both want you to know how proud we are of you Kagome. Thank you so much for doing this for our sakes. We know how hard it was for you to go to him and plead for an extension.”

 

“Don't think about it mother. Of course I'd do anything for you guys. You're my parents!”

 

“We know Kagome; we just thought it was only right to tell you how much we love you.”

 

Kagome felt more tears spring from her eyes and she did her best to maintain her calm composure.

 

“Um, mother, it's late and I have an early day tomorrow. We'll talk more later.”

 

“Of course Sweetheart, good night, and sweet dreams.”

 

“You too mother.”

 

With that she put the phone down and sank onto the bed covering her face with her pillow as she cried herself to sleep.

 

Another Friday fighting long roads and traffic delays awaited her and she met all the obstacles head on. Finally arriving at school thirty minutes before class started she met up with her friend Sango Miroshi, the physical education teacher, and friend for five years, in the teacher's lounge. Once again she figured her friend had suffered another long night arguing with her husband because she was putting several packets of sugar in her morning coffee with no cream…And from the looks of it she was going on nine packets of sugar.

 

Noticing Kagome walk through the door, Sango's mood instantly brightened.

 

“Oh, good morning Kagome. Damn girl, you look horrible. Some guy keep you up last night,” she joked putting her tenth packet of sugar in her coffee?

 

“Now wouldn't that be something to talk about,” she began, sitting next to her friend at one of the round tables in the middle of the room, “but no…Sadly once again, my bed was reserved for me and me alone.”

 

“That's a shame,” said Sango shaking her head, “you're wasting that gorgeous body of yours. Someone like you should really get her priorities straight.”

 

“Oh, so I can go home to a man that I argue with every week and come to work drowning my sorrows in enough sugar packed coffee ready to give me a heart attack? No thanks, I think I'll pass.”

 

Stirring her coffee, Sango took a sip and huffed at her friend's comment.

 

“Well, I guess you've figured out Miroku and I had another argument.”

 

“No question about it. This is the only time you try to use caffeine as an escape.”

 

Putting down her mug she began, “That husband of mine,” saying the word with such distaste, “thinks that I am nothing more than a woman who can be pawed at any time day or night. He thinks only about one thing and I am not always prepared to give him that one thing!”

 

“But I thought you two were trying to have a baby?”

 

“We are Kagome; it's just there are times when a woman just doesn't want to be used for mere sex. I just didn't feel like it last night!”

 

“Why not? You and Miroku are always going at it, at least I thought. He makes it seem like you guys are.”

 

“Oh of course he does! He's a guy! He has to make everything look good in front of people.”

 

“So, you were just tired last night and didn't want to have sex?”

 

She sighed saying, “It's more than that.”

 

“How so?”

 

Sango paused and leaned closer to Kagome whispering, “I think Miroku might be cheating on me Kagome.”

 

Hearing this from her friend she leaned back to get a look at her friend's face. Sango's appearance was pale and bags darned underneath her eyes.

 

“Sango? Are you sure? I mean, this is Miroku! He's crazy about you!”

 

“I know what you think Kagome. But it's true! I heard him talking with another woman over the phone! He was whispering to her and told her to meet him someplace. And when I walked into the room he immediately put down the phone and acted as if it were a crime for me to be there!”

 

“Well, maybe he was working on a surprise for you?”

 

“A surprise? I highly doubt that Kagome! The man is definitely not smart enough to put something of thought into our marriage! The only thing he's good at is-

 

“Fucking hell,” cried a red haired young female demon entering the room!

 

“Well, in a sense,” finished Sango giving Kagome a laugh.

 

The red haired girl noticed them and smiled saying, “Oh! Hey guys! Damn, that traffic out there is horrible! Everyday it's always the same!”

 

“Well, good morning to you too sunshine,” said Kagome as the girl sat next to her.

 

“Shove it Kagome! I ended up having to fix a flat tire on my way to work this morning. Kouga kept telling me to go get a set of new tires; but I told him my tires were as good as new. He's gonna have a field day when I tell him! And I can give you one guess as to what he'll want as payment for being right!”

 

“Oh Ayame, good looking husband like yours and you bitch about having sex,” said Sango taking another sip of coffee.

 

Noticing the strips of empty sugar packets on the table Ayame began, “You're one to talk Sango, you have a handsome hubby as well and yet all you do is bitch at him!”

 

Sango huffed once again with a glare at her friend as she smiled in triumph.

 

“And what are you mad about this morning Sango? Miroku forget to gas up your car again?”

 

“I wish,” sneered Sango once again taking a swig of coffee.

 

Looking at Kagome Ayame asked, “What's up with her?”

 

“Ayame, please try and help me tell Sango that Miroku is not having an affair with another woman,” pleaded Kagome.

 

“WHAT? You think Miroku, that lusty bastard who is always all over you is cheating on you? Are you crazy Sango?”

 

“Well, he could be! I overheard him talking with another woman on the phone! And he was being too secretive Ayame! What am I suppose to think?”

 

“Maybe it was some business deal, I mean; your husband is a lawyer Sango!”

 

“And yet she still manages to win all the arguments,” pointed out Kagome instantly bringing a laugh to the table.

 

The first bell of the day immediately rang bringing a groan from the rest of the teachers lounging about. It was Friday after all and what person wants to learn on a Friday? Still, the teachers walked to their rooms waiting for their students to trudge in. Ayame, Kagome, and Sango bid each other a farewell and decided to meet up during lunch time.

Kagome made her way down to the music room where she was instantly greeted in the hall way by one of her students, Shippou Kitsune, a bright student who loved mischief; but always loved to be around Ms. Higurashi. Out of all his teachers, he preferred her best because unlike everyone else, she would always listen to her students and make time for them.

Today Shippou brought her a red apple just to make sure she ate something. Sometimes he would stay in her class during lunch time finishing work and eating a sack lunch his mother prepared for him, while he watched her sitting at her desk grading papers…Without lunch! She said she didn't have time to go buy anything and for the whole day she went with nothing in her stomach. She's too beautiful not to eat, he thought, so everyday since then he made sure to bring her something from his house as a gift so she wouldn't get suspicious. So far she hasn't caught on yet.

 

“Well hello Shippou! How are you this morning?”

 

“Oh I'm fine Ms. Higurashi, how `bout you?”

 

“As well as to be expected on a Friday morning.”

 

“Yeah, I hear that, um,” he instantly rummaged through his bag grabbing the apple and handed it to her, “here. Thanks for being an awesome teacher.”

 

Kagome's heart warmed and tears nearly sprung to her eyes.

 

“Oh thank you so much Shippou. This is so sweet of you. I know you bring me fruit everyday as a gift; but it still makes me happy when you do this for me. You know you don't have to.”

 

“Well, I just wanted to make sure you know how much we, you know, the students appreciate you is all.”

 

“Well thank you Shippou; but you better run on to class. You know how Mr. Shin hates for students to be tardy.”

 

“Yes Ms. Higurashi, see ya fifth period!”

 

He waved good bye to Kagome as he rounded the corner to his class and she opened the door to the music room with the choir already standing on the risers waiting for her as they were every day. The first part of school so far was uneventful. Lunch came fairly quick and she met Ayame and Sango right back in the teacher's lounge as they were just sitting down to their meals.

 

As Kagome joined them Ayame instantly began, “So, Sango informs me you had a rough night…Wanna talk about it?”

 

Taking in a huge sigh Kagome said, “I don't wanna sour lunch for everyone.”

 

“Sour lunch? Oh come on Kagome, I wake up to see Miroku everyday…If that doesn't sour me, nothing you say will!”

 

The three had a round of laughter until Kagome finally decided to spill the beans…

 

“Well, you know how my parent's restaurant was going down pretty fast?”

 

“Oh right, the bug thing huh,” replied Ayame taking a bite from her tuna sandwich.

 

“Yeah, and you know how Inuyasha Takahashi gave my parents a loan to cover everything right?”

 

“Yeah…”

 

“Well, he was asking for the money about a week ago and wanted to speak directly to me.”

 

“That snake!” cried Sango eating potato chips.

 

“You haven't heard the worst of it yet Sango! He asked me to-,”

 

An office aide from the front office knocked on the door saying,

 

“Um, Ms. Higurashi?”

 

“Yes Keiko?”

 

“You're needed in the front office.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened and she quickly said, “Thank you Keiko, tell them I'll be there in a minute.”

 

“Yes ma'am,” and she returned to the office.

 

Kagome stood up from the table walked to the door when Sango said,

 

“Ooh! What did you do now Kagome?”

 

“I don't know; but I guess I'm about to find out!”

 

Kagome left the lounge and made her way down to the front office to be told she had a phone call on line 1 from her mother. This shocked Kagome to her core. The only time her mother ever called was either for a special occasion or something terrible happened. Like the time Buyou, her big tabby, fell down the well of her Grandpa's old shrine.

 

That darn cat better not have fallen down the well again!

 

Picking up the phone on the counter Kagome said,

 

“Hello, Mother?”

 

“Oh Kagome! Oh my goodness Kagome!”

 

“Mother? All right, calm down, what's the matter?”

 

Mrs. Higurashi was in hysterics over the phone, obviously crying and trying to calm herself down whilst talking to Kagome.

 

“Your father Kagome! You're father's had a heart attack!”

 

Just when Kagome thought her world couldn't get any worst…Her father ends up in the hospital! If only she could crawl under a rock, cry first, and then die! She took a moment and began,

 

“Ok Mother…It's going to be all right. Where are you right now?”

 

Mrs. Higurashi told her they were staying at the Pensacola Hospital in downtown Pensacola adding that Mr. Higurashi has already been taken for testing and should be back in his room within the hour to rest. Kagome said she would be there in a bit and placed the phone down telling Mr. Shin she would be out for the rest of the day due to a family emergency. He understood and off she went into the parking lot to her car. While on the road she called Ayame and Sango telling them what happened and each said they would be there for support once school let out.

As she approached the designated waiting room she saw her mother sitting down with her hands covering her face with Grandpa Higurashi and Sota, her kid brother, sitting next to her, each trying to console her. When she walked up all three of them looked up; but it was Mrs. Higurashi who shot up and hugged her with such vigor.

 

“Oh Kagome, my baby, I'm so glad you're here,” she said crying into her daughter's hair.

 

“Of course I'm here mother! Have you heard any news of father?”

 

“The doctor hasn't been by yet. No one's been by. We're completely in the dark on his progress!”

 

“Its ok mother,” said Kagome patting her mother's head and back, “I'm sure he'll be out before you know it! And he'll be just fine too!”

 

Finally able to look into her daughter's face she lifted her hands to cup her face.

 

“Darling Kagome, my brave little girl. You've always looked on the bright side of things even when you were very small.”

 

“That comes from proper upbringing mother.”

 

One again Mrs. Higurashi's eyes filled with tears and hugged her daughter even tighter.

 

As Kagome was seating her mother next to her grandpa and Sota she heard another voice from behind saying,

 

“All right Sarah, who's next?”

 

Kagome turned around at the familiar voice to reveal none other than Kouga Kanzaki, Ayame's husband, and a very old friend for several years. As he was flipping through his daily schedule on a silver clipboard Kagome walked up to him saying,

 

“Kouga?”

 

The busy gynecologist looked up with his piercing blue eyes and flashed her an award winning smile,

 

“Kagome! How are you?”

 

“I'm fine; I had forgotten you worked here.”

 

“Yeah, actually, I just transferred here not too long ago. Goodness Kagome, you're looking as beautiful as ever,” he said surveying her.

 

“Thank you Kouga,” Kagome said with a blush staining her cheeks.

 

“If I weren't a married man,” Kouga laughed instantly turning her cheeks an even darker crimson.

 

Looking around the waiting room once again, he couldn't help; but notice her family sitting on the nearby couch.

 

“Um, Kagome, for me being a well educated physician I just realized something.”

 

“And what's that?”

 

“That you're here. May I ask why?”

 

Kagome looked down at the floor for several seconds before looking back up into his eyes, “Well, um, my father; he's had a heart attack.”

 

For just a moment the delicate blue eyes went wide with shock. Instantly his arms came around pulling her into a tight bear hug knocking the breath from her lungs.

 

“I'm so sorry Kagome, please let me know if there's anything I can do to help.”

 

“Thank you Kouga,” she began, “but right now if you don't mind, it'd be nice to breathe,” she panted out.

 

In shock, Kouga quickly let go of her giving his apologies. As he continued to talk to her a nurse came up saying,

 

“Dr. Kanzaki, Mrs. Taichi is waiting in room 111.”

 

Looking her way he said, “All right, thank you Sarah.”

 

“Well, I guess you gotta go,” said Kagome timidly.

 

“Yeah, but don't worry, I'll be by as soon as I can.”

 

“Thanks Kouga, Ayame and Sango will be here right after school.”

 

“I wouldn't expect anything less from my woman. I promise I'll be back, Kagome.”

 

With that he gave her a light kiss on her cheek and descended down the hall towards his next patient.

 

For just a moment it felt nice having someone there to hold on to. She couldn't very well go to her mother, nor grandfather, and especially not her kid brother Sota. No, it was good having Kouga here. Just thinking about him brought back memories of college.

 

She had just met Ayame and Sango when Kouga and Miroku showed up. Sango and Miroku were already engaged by then; but Ayame and Kouga were another matter. Ayame was in love with him; but he never really paid much attention to her. His eyes were set sourly on Kagome Higurashi.

 

He tried persuading her to go out with him; but she refused him as always, especially when she first saw a glimpse of Inuyasha Takahashi…

 

Why am I remembering him at a time like this? Why am I even thinking about him at all?

 

But she couldn't seem to stop herself…

 

She remembers it as if it were yesterday. Class was in twenty minutes and she was already running late as it was. Kagome didn't even have time to eat a bagel before her first class, English with Mr. Tanzunuki, one of the most vicious teachers in all of teaching. Everything had to be as neat and as perfect as possible when presented to him. Essays had to at least be five pages long, double spaced, and handed to him at the door upon entering the classroom.

 

As soon as she finished typing the paper and printing it out from the printer in her room, Kagome immediately ran to her dreaded English class. Unfortunately, as she was passing the fountain in the foyer of the university she noticed her shoe laces were untied and bent down just for a moment to simply tie them. Being Kagome, she's very accident prone and falling on concrete was not on her lists of `things to do' for the day.

 

With her shoe laces tied, Kagome picked up her satchel; but not before a young man rolling on a skateboard bumped into her side knocking her book bag into the middle of the splashing water fountain. The young college student was in such a hurry he didn't even turn around to help her; but kept on going as if nothing happened.

 

Kagome's jaw nearly hit the ground upon seeing the bag in the water with her things…Especially her essay which was due in another fifteen minutes!

 

“Oh no, this can't be happening! Not this, not now!”

 

Without even thinking about it, she took off her shoes, hiked up her long white skirt, and jumped into the freezing water to retrieve her satchel, praying to God her essay was fine!

 

Unknown to Kagome, she just so happened to have an audience of one watching her, when she finally grabbed her book bag, Kagome immediately turned around revealing a snickering yet strikingly handsome young man watching her.

 

“If you need money that bad miss, I'll be more than happy to give you however much you need,” replied the young man with a smirk.

 

Feeling her cheeks beginning to burn and watching as the young man continued to study her from top to bottom, noticing how he lingered at her wet breasts, Kagome hoisted her satchel on her shoulder and crossed her arms drawing his attention away from her wet sky blue blouse.

 

“I only jumped in here to retrieve my back pack, nothing more sir! And I would appreciate it very much if you would not look at me as if I were some piece of meat ready for you to eat!”

 

Kagome could sense the obvious strike as his eyes widened; but he quickly recovered saying, “Well, I wouldn't be surveying you all over if you didn't look so ridiculous! Honestly woman, wouldn't it have been wiser to ask for help?”

 

“Not when your grade depends on what is in this back pack,” she said pointing to it for emphasis, “If I don't give my essay to Mr. Tanzunuki in fifteen minutes my grade will be sunk!”

 

“Hmm, about as wet as you look right now?”

 

Again, another smirk; but Kagome had had enough of his sarcasm to last a long time. Fuming from head to toe she walked back to the end of the fountain and hoisted herself up refusing the hand the young man offered and slid into her shoes. Finally getting her mind back on track she looked through her bag to find all the contents soaked, including her essay!

 

“Oh no! My essay! It's ruined as well as my grade!”

 

“Well, would ya look at that…?”

 

“Don't you have anywhere else to be?” she asked with venom.

 

“Besides rescuing damsels in distress?”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“You wouldn't happen to have a back up file on hand would you?”

 

“A what?”

 

“A floppy disk woman!”

 

“Oh, yes, in my purse,” she immediately began looking through her purse finding a purple floppy disk and showed it to him.

 

The young man took it from her and grabbed her hand ushering her with him.

 

“Wait! What are you doing? Let go of me! Where are we going?”

 

“You said you were going to Mr. Tanzunuki right?”

 

“Right.”

 

“Well, I had him about two years ago…I know what he's like.”

 

“And?”

 

“I'm helping you all right.”

 

With that he ushered her into one of the nearest buildings, took out a staff card bearing his photo as other various information about himself, slid it through a card reader and opened a door revealing several working computers and printers.

 

“You work for the university?”

 

“Yeah, I'm a student aid…Business management.”

 

With that, he took her floppy disk, injecting it into the A-Drive, asking for the file's name, and viola, a new essay was printed and ready to go in under two minutes, leaving ten for Kagome to get to class on time.

 

“Oh my gosh! I can't believe this! Why did you help me? How can I ever repay you?”

 

“Well, let's just say I have a soft spot for pretty faces, and if you really want to repay me, how `bout letting me takes you out to dinner tonight?”

 

“But we don't even know each other!”

 

“Hmm, I guess we're just gonna have to fix that won't we? My name is Inuyasha Takahashi,” he said extending his hand, “And you are?”

 

Accepting his hand she replied, “Kagome Higurashi.”

 

“It's nice to meet you Kagome, now since we know each other, how `bout you meet me at the fountain around seven and I'll take you out?”

 

She nodded her head in approval and Inuyasha said, “Good, well, you better get off to class Kagome, Mr. Tanzunuki doesn't accept tardiness. I know that first hand,” he said with a wink.

 

Kagome gave him another smile and happily left his sight until that night…

 

(End memory!)

 

That was so long ago; but it seems like just yesterday we were together and happy…

 

Awhile later after everyone was seated and full of cafeteria cuisine, Ayame, Kouga, Sango and Miroku entered the waiting area much to Kagome's delight. She jumped up and hugged each of them individually saying,

 

“Thank you guys so much for coming.”

 

“Of course Kagome! How's your family holding up?” asked Miroku as he let go of her.

 

“Everyone seems to be doing all right so far.”

 

“What about your father,” asked Sango?

 

Sniffling and drying her eyes she replied, “Um, we don't know. None of the nurses or doctors have come by yet. We're completely in the dark.”

 

“Oh Kagome…” sighed Ayame putting a hand on her friend's shoulder.

 

“I'm fine,” she said sniffling again, “really, I am.”

 

Each of them sat down in the waiting area while Kouga went to the cafeteria to bring tea and coffee for the long haul. Dr. Suikotsu did not come out of the testing area till around five in the evening. When his presence was known Mrs. Higurashi was the first to jump up, followed by Kagome who was instantly at her side.

 

Trying to keep calm and clasping her hands together in order for them to stop shaking, Mrs. Higurashi asked, “How is he doctor?”

 

“He's doing fine Mrs. Higurashi. Your husband is back in his room resting. We won't need to do more tests till in the morning. It seems he suffered a mild heart attack. Any number of reasons could have caused this…High blood pressure due to stress, high cholesterol, you name it. We'd like to keep him longer and run more tests just to be sure he's out of the woods.”

 

“Oh…Yes…That is safe doctor. Can we see him now?”

 

“Well, in his present state I think only one person should see him till tomorrow, I'm very sorry.”

 

“Oh…Thank you doctor, I'll be in to see my husband shortly.”

 

“Just doing my job Mrs. Higurashi. But please, don't worry yourself, from what I've seen from the testing results so far, with the proper treatment he'll be just fine. There is always the possibility for a relapse; but we'll do all we can to prevent it.”

 

“Oh, yes, thank you again doctor.”

 

“My pleasure, I'll see you tomorrow.”

 

Dr. Suikotsu left the waiting area to return to his patients while everyone began feeling relief at the fact of Mr. Higurashi's status. You could literally feel the tension release and hear the deep breaths taken from everyone involved. Mrs. Higurashi turned to everyone saying,

 

“Thank you all so much for coming to support us today. I don't know how I could ever repay you.”

 

“Oh Mrs. Higurashi, don't even think about it. We love you very much and of course we'll always stand by you,” said Sango giving her a warm smile.

 

Returning her genuine smile, Mrs. Higurashi said, “Thank you so much. Well, I should go check on Mr. Higurashi and all of you I know must have things to do. I'm so sorry for keeping you.”

 

The crowd began to simultaneously tell her to quit worrying and to go to her husband. As she was beginning to leave she hugged Kagome once more.

 

“Don't worry about a thing mother. I'll make sure Grandpa and Sota get home safely and I'll pack an overnight bag and bring it to you.”

 

“Oh Kagome, what would I do without you?” She kissed her forehead and went down the hall to her husband's room once again bidding everyone thank you and good night.

 

Everyone began picking up their belongings and following each other out the door. Ayame and Sango put their arms around Kagome during the long walk out to the parking lot and watched each of her friend's leave, each of them telling her to call if there's anything else they could do to help.

 

Afterwards, Kagome followed Grandpa Higurashi and Sota home, making them supper, saying good night to each of them, and then began packing her mother's duffel bag for the night. She did not return home until 6:45 in the evening, giving her only fifteen minutes till Inuyasha supposed “ultimatum call.”

 

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A knock sounded at Inuyasha's office door.

 

“Come in,” he called from behind his desk.

 

Hojo Akitoki waltzed into his office producing a folder, his report over Kagome Higurashi for the day, on Inuyasha's desk.

 

Waiting patiently for Inuyasha to look at his report he stood at attention like a soldier awaiting orders.

 

He didn't have to wait long, when news of Kagome came everyday, Inuyasha was always eager to know how she was doing. Ever since she cut all connections to him off he decided to hire a private detective to monitor her activities. He couldn't have his woman without his protection and sense then, Hojo Akitoki has watched her from afar.

 

Picking up the folder and examining its contents, everything seemed as normal as usual…She wakes up, takes a shower, and leaves for work, until he reads about what happened midday…

 

Immediately looking up at Hojo with an annoyed expression he says,

 

“Hojo…Is it true that Mr. Higurashi is in the hospital this very moment?”

 

“Yes sir, he is.”

 

“And why didn't you call to tell me about this matter Hojo?”

 

“Well, I didn't see it as something that would concern you, sir.”

 

“Did you now? Well let me enlighten you Hojo…Everything concerning Kagome Higurashi concerns me! Reason being because she is my future wife! If ever you screw up like this again Hojo I'll have your license! Do you understand?”

 

“Yes sir, absolutely.”

 

“Good, now get out.”

 

Hojo simply nodded his head and fled the room in a dignified manner leaving a fuming Inuyasha behind. Waiting for the young man to close the door he sprung into action making a few phone calls for the Higurashi's benefit.

 

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A knock sounded from Kagome's apartment door right at 7 `o clock. This struck her as odd considering Inuyasha should be calling any minute; but she opened the door anyway to find Inuyasha standing in front of her holding a dozen long stemmed red roses.

 

“Hello Kagome, how are you today?”

 

Kagome froze in place just starring at the man in front of her. He was wearing a handsome navy blue Armani suit with a red silk tie and hand stitched black dress shoes. Every inch of him said “wealth and power,” and there wasn't an inch of him Kagome didn't feel strongly attracted to. Gulping she replied,

 

“As well as to be expected, being a long day and all.”

 

“I see…Well, if you've had a long day at work, you still look as beautiful as ever, if it's any consolation.”

 

Kagome merely blushed and tried not to seem as if she welcomed his flattery.

 

“May I come in,” asked Inuyasha gesturing towards her living room?

 

“You'll be on my battle field if you come in. You do realize that right?”

 

“May be your battle grounds; but my rules still apply,” he said rather silkily.

 

Waiting a beat, Kagome moved out of the doorway allowing Inuyasha to enter much to her discontent. Once they were in the living room, Inuyasha handed Kagome the red roses which she took and deliberately dropped on the coffee table as if not caring about them at all. Inuyasha acted as if he didn't care about her crude gesture and extended a hand gesturing for them to sit on the crème colored sofa.

 

Once seated Inuyasha began,

 

“How are you really feeling today, Kagome?”

 

“I said I'm fine,” Kagome said haughtily.

 

“It's fine if you're not ready to confide in me just yet. I thought I'd be a gentleman and ask.”

 

“We both know why you're here Inuyasha, so get to the point.”

 

Taking a moment to look around at his surroundings and see how well she decorated the place he said,

 

“Isn't it customary to offer your guests suitable refreshments?”

 

“If you were a guest Inuyasha,” she said coolly.

 

“I see. Well, if you're that eager to get down to business, I'm more than happy to oblige.”

 

“I'm sure you are,” Kagome added sarcastically.

 

“Have you thought about my proposal,” pressed Inuyasha?

 

“Yes I have.”

 

“And?”

 

“My answer has to be `no', Inuyasha.”

 

He took a moment and stared at Kagome before replying,

 

“You are refusing to marry me?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“How do you plan on paying your loans?”

 

“I'll work, even two jobs if I have to; but I won't marry you Inuyasha. I won't let you take my freedom from me.”

 

“And you call working two jobs to make ends meet freedom? I must say I'm rather hurt that you would work yourself to death rather than marry me.”

 

“Death is a far better option than spending a life with you, or gifting you with one.”

 

“Do you think I'll sit back and let you ruin your life?”

 

“I would be ruining my life if I made a commitment to you.”

 

Resisting the urge to shake some sense into her Inuyasha settled for,

 

“Making an enemy of me is the worst thing you can do Kagome.”

 

“No, marrying you would be.”

 

A hushed silence fell over the room as Inuyasha and Kagome stared with fierce determination at one another. Before Inuyasha could get another word in, the phone rang giving Kagome the excuse she needed to break the contact. Rushing over to the phone she answered only to wish she hadn't…

 

“What do you mean he's had a relapse?!” Kagome cried into the receiver, thus gaining Inuyasha's attention. He immediately left the sofa and was standing at Kagome's side listening to the conversation with his demon enhanced ears atop his head.

 

“You said you were trying to make sure this wouldn't happen! What do you mean that's not the worst part? How much worse can it get?”

 

And that's when Dr. Suikotsu relayed the message to her…Kagome out of utter shock dropped the phone with tears running down her face. She collapsed; but before dropping to the floor Inuyasha held her in his arms and picked up the phone talking to the doctor himself getting all the information he could. Once he was finished he put the phone down and carried Kagome to the couch and held her as she cried into his shirt.

 

Not caring that he was the enemy, Kagome latched on to Inuyasha for dear life. She needed to let out her emotions and it didn't matter who was there. She just needed this right now. Then she remembered…

 

“Oh my God…My mother Inuyasha, Sota, and Grandpa…” she said looking into his eyes.

 

“It's ok Kagome…They'll be fine…We have to make sure you're all right before we do anything.”

 

If Kagome hadn't been truly emotional she would have caught the “we” in his phrase, or the fact that he was holding her back just as tightly as she was holding on. But one in a state of utter shock can only comprehend a few emotions at a time…

 

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“It was a lovely service,” Kagome heard one of the visitors say to her mother as people were leaving the cemetery.

 

Ayame, Kouga, Sango, and Miroku paid their condolences and did as she wished…Left her alone…She couldn't seem to make her legs move from their spot. There she stood in front of her father's casket being readied to be buried and laid to rest. Kagome couldn't take her eyes off the scene…She constantly remembered the last conversation she had with her father on the night she went to go see Inuyasha…

 

“Kagome…Whatever you choose to do in your life, I want you to know I'll always be proud of you.”

 

“Father…”

 

“It's true. I've always been proud of you; but I just want you to be happy. Do what you feel is right. Don't ever think that your mother or I are ever going to doubt your decisions. We trust you Kagome.”

 

“Thank you, father.”

 

“You know there is nothing in this world I wouldn't do for you, your mother, Sota, or Grandpa. I would lay down my life to make sure each of you is secure and well. I know you would do the same for us too and I just wanted you to know how honorable it is. Knowing you can help so much, knowing that you would help if need be. I love you Kagome.”

 

“I love you too father.”

 

And then he hugged her for the last time…

 

After saying good bye to everyone Mrs. Higurashi walked over to her daughter and placed her arm around her shoulders.

 

Taking a sigh and looking at her husband's burial she said, “You know, your father's last thoughts were of you and Sota.”

 

Turning towards her mother she said, “Were they?”

 

“That's right, he said he was proud of you both and he loved you very much. He also said he wished for the both of you to be happy. His last words were, `I could not have asked for better gifts.' And that's when he whispered his love to me one last time and I felt his hand slacken and he was gone.”

 

Kagome couldn't find any more tears to shed, they were all gone and even if she wanted to cry, she was far too tired to let it happen.

 

“I'm so sorry mother. I'm sorry for everything.”

 

“Don't be Kagome. Things like this happen. It's a part of life, one we must accept. There's nothing else we can do.”

 

Taking a moment to contemplate what her mother said she started to glance around her surroundings and noticed how beautiful everything really looked. The flowers all matched, nothing was out of place, and she wasn't quite sure; but even her father's casket looked much more expensive than she guessed her mother could ever begin to afford…

 

“Everything looks really…Amazing. You did a wonderful job mother.”

 

“I can't take credit for this Kagome.”

 

“Then who did all this?”

 

“Why, Inuyasha of course. I thought he told you,” her mother said with a hint of surprise matching Kagome's.

 

“No, he never said anything.”

 

“I'm surprised, I thought you knew. He's the one who arranged everything. I didn't have to lift a finger. After he found out what happened the next day he came to our house with everyone he could round up. We never even had to leave the living room. He told me I could have anything I wanted and he took care of it, just like that,” she emphasized by snapping her fingers.

 

“Just like that?” asked Kagome still trying to get over the shock of it all.

 

There's no way he would have done this out of the kindness of his heart. He'd have to buy one before he could have any such feelings!

 

“Oh Kagome, there's no way we could have afforded all this on our own. I don't know if this is the best time or place to tell you this; but we're in a bit of a more financial crisis then we thought.”

 

“What are you saying mother?”

 

“Well, as you know we've tried everything your father and I could do with the money Inuyasha gave us to expand business after the court trials; but we lost quite a bit of it playing in the stock markets. Your father thought he was doing the right thing by buying stock in several products he thought were for sure to take off. Besides having to pay for extra debts we had besides the restaurant, combined with his stock market dealings…We have a very slim amount of money. Enough to keep our head's out of the water. Your father and I didn't want to tell you or Sota; but things aren't looking so good right now. It's a blessing how Inuyasha came in and took charge. We must all be very grateful towards him.”

 

Hearing this news from her mother took on a whole new meaning. Just what was Inuyasha's game anyways? Was he trying to make her feel guilty in a sense that would have her running flinging her arms around his neck? Or was he possibly trying to be a down right nice guy?

 

Why didn't I see my parents anguish over money issues? How could I be so selfish? I complained about small things for the longest time; but my parents had larger issues and didn't say not one word…This changes everything…

 

“If you'd like to talk with him, he's standing over there by Grandpa and Sota,” she said pointing towards them, all three in deep conversation holding solemn expressions.

 

Kagome nodded and they made their way to the socializing males. Once there, Mrs. Higurashi motioned for Grandpa and Sota to follow her to the car leaving Inuyasha and Kagome to talk.

 

“Did you really arrange all this,” asked Kagome waving her hand at all the floral arrangements and such?

 

“No, your mother arranged all the decorations, I just paid for it,” Inuyasha replied coolly.

 

“Why? Why did you do it,” whispered Kagome?

 

“Let's just say I was paying my respects.”

 

Turning to watch as the casket was being lowered into the earth Kagome distinctly heard her father's words,

 

“Iwould lay down my life to make sure each of you issecure and well. I know you would do the same for us too and I just wanted you to know how honorable it is. Knowing you can help so much, knowing that you would help if need be.”

 

Pausing to think about these words Kagome asked, “Does your offer still stand?”

 

Taken back by her question Inuyasha indulged her, “You mean the marriage bargain?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Are you willingly submitting to me…In more ways than one?”

 

“…I am…”

 

“Good. We can start the paper work next week. I'll be in touch.”

 

With that he lightly kissed Kagome's cheek and left her side returning to his red Porsche. Before he could leave she turned and called,

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

Without hesitating he turned to her voice saying, “Yes Kagome?”

 

She looked hesitant at first closing her eyes once before asking, “You will take care of my family won't you?”

 

Inuyasha studied the girl for a moment. She didn't look like the woman he had come to know; but a young girl worried about the safety of her family. A girl who he knew would do anything to make sure they were well taken care of. This struck him at first, causing a pang to touch at the deepest point in his heart. After all, he was partly responsible for the pain he saw in her eyes. A pain he soon realized he would make sure went away with every ounce of strength he could muster. This was Kagome…His Kagome. No matter how much she infuriated him, she was still his and he still cared about her regardless of everything.

 

Seeing as how she needed reassurance on his part and noticing the girl about to break down he did his best to look like her gallant knight she needed when she was in such distress. So he finally replied, “With my life.”

 

Giving a slight nod of his head he turned and walked away leaving Kagome alone with her father and her prayers…

 

End Chapter 2!

 

Thank you everyone who has read and reviewed! I enjoy hearing from all of you and it makes me glad to know you guys are interested! Thank you so much! I would also like to say thank you to my sis, Jess, for helping me proof-read this chapter! Thank you guys and I love all of you! Hugs and kisses for all and see ya next time!