A/N: I'm really sorry for the delay in updating. I have been working on my other stories. Please R&R, and oh , I do not own Inuyasha.
"Wake up, Kagome. We're home," a gentle but insistent voice broke into Kagome's dreams. Kagome opened her eyes and saw the stairs that led up to the shrine. Finally, after three long years, she was home.
"Come on, Kagome," Souta called from outside carrying a suitcase. "Come and see what we did to your room."
Kagome rubbed her face and groaned, she wished that she had her brother's energy. She dragged herself out of the car and went around to the trunk to see what she could do to help. Seeing her tired face, Kilala waved for her to go on ahead and not worry about the luggage which Kagome was more than happy to comply.
Kagome lumbered up the steps sleepily, the stairs just seemed to go on forever. At last, she reached the top and the lights from the house beckoned invitingly to her. With the prospect of a warm shower and more sleep to spur her on, Kagome picked up her pace. She reached her old room without further ado, deciding to forego the shower until tomorrow, Kagome changed into a set of clean clothes that had been laid out for her, climbed into bed, and promptly fell asleep.
Kagome woke up with the thought that she was home and leapt out of bed. Afraid that she might wake up her family if she used the shower now, she looked around her room to see what her family did to her room during her absence. The walls have been repainted and the furniture changed. The frilly pink theme of old had been replaced by a light blue theme instead giving the room a more grown up feel. She opened the drawers and found, to her delight, that her mother had unpacked some of her clothes and placed them in the drawers just the way she liked it while she slept last night.
Kagome headed to the bathroom when she heard footsteps coming from the other rooms. Feeling refreshed after her shower, Kagome bounced downstairs as the heavenly smell of her mother's cooking wafted up the stairs.
"Ohiyo, okaa-san, breakfast smells good this morning," Kagome chirped.
Mrs. Higurashi smiled, it was good to have her daughter home again. The house just seemed empty without her presence. "Ohiyo, Kagome, did you sleep well?" she asked.
Kagome nodded and went to help her mother set the table for breakfast. She wanted to get some bowls, but realized that she did not remember where they were kept.
"It's the cupboard to your left," her mother said before Kagome could ask.
Kagome grinned sheepishly and collected the bowls from the cupboard that her mother had indicated. Meanwhile, Souta had come downstairs still wearing his pajamas while her grandfather came in from the shrine grounds after making his morning devotions. The family sat down at the table and had breakfast together. Kagome took a bite of her breakfast and closed her eyes to savor the flavors of her mother's cooking. Her mother's cooking was one of the things that Kagome missed the most during her years abroad. Nothing seemed to speak of home more than the food that her mother made.
"Do you like what we did with your room, Kagome?" Souta asked in between bites.
Kagome nodded assent for her mouth was full of oden. Seeing her nod, Souta let out a whoop of triumph. "Yes, I win!" while Kagome looked on in confusion.
Seeing his sister's confused look, Souta grinned sheepishly and explained, "You see, when Shippou and I were deciding on the color scheme of your room, we had a disagreement. He wanted green, but I said that you would like blue better. In the end, we used rock, paper, and scissors to decide what color to use. I won, but Shippou still thinks that you'll like green better."
Kagome sighed, she could just imagine the five hundred and fifty year old kitsune arguing like a teenager with a teenager. Mrs. Higurashi just smiled and gently reminded Souta that he will be late if he doesn't hurry up. Looking at the clock, Souta gave a little yawp and wolfed down the remainder of his breakfast. Kagome giggled as she watched her brother frantically raced up the stairs to change. He came thumping back down and ran out the door yelling his good byes. Her grandfather just shook his head muttered about the foolish youths of today as he headed out to the shrine grounds again.
"Was I like that at back then, okaa-san?" Kagome asked eyes lighting up in amusement as she carried the breakfast dishes to the kitchen sink.
"Very much so," Mrs. Higurashi said smiling, "he takes after you."
"I was afraid of that," Kagome joked as she went to finish collecting the dishes.
Mrs. Higurashi sent a small prayer of thanks to Kami for allowing her to make the right choice in letting Kagome go study abroad three years ago. At first, she had some doubts about the venture fearing that she would not be able to adapt to a completely different culture. But then, she realized that, perhaps, her daughter needed a completely different environment to forget her past. Three years of absence was a small price to pay to see her daughter's spirit restored.
"Do you need any help here, okaa-san?" Kagome asked.
Mrs. Higurashi looked up hastily, "Oh no, I'm alright. Why don't you go finish unpacking your things and look up your friends? I'm sure that they are more than happy to see you again."
At the mention of her friends, Kagome brightened. "Arigato okaa-san, I will look them up. I should also email to my college friends as well to let them know that I have arrived safely," and headed up the stairs in rush.
Watching Kagome's headlong dash up the stairs, Mrs. Higurashi just sighed and shook her head. There are some things about Kagome that would never change.
Shippou hummed along with the radio as he drove to Kilala's clinic to pick her up for their weekly dinner. Kilala suggested it when Shippou threw himself into his work to stop himself from missing Kagome that he nearly forgot to eat or sleep. When Kouga, Ayame, and Hakkaku found out about their get together, they decided that a weekly meeting of friends was exactly what they needed and joined Shippou and Kilala. So it became their tradition, since it was a time for them to relax and just be themselves.
Shippou parked the car in front of Kilala's clinic and walked briskly up the walkway to Kilala's door. Knowing that the clinic was already closed, Shippou rang the doorbell and waited for Kilala to come out. To his surprise, it was Kagome who came to open the door for him.
"Surprised?" Kilala teased coming out from the surgery.
"You know I am," Shippou retorted making a face at Kilala while Kagome laughed. "Why don't you come and have dinner with us, Kagome?" he said to her.
"I already am and we're going to be late if we don't hurry," Kagome said glancing at the clock.
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" Shippou exclaimed and made gestured dramatically for the two women to leave first.
Kagome and Shippou headed to the car while Kilala locked the front door of the clinic. "Why didn't you tell me that you were coming, Kagome?" Shippou complained.
"Because," Kagome teased, "we all know how much you like surprises."
Unable to argue against Kagome, Shippou just sighed and open the car door for her instead. "Why is it that Kagome always gets the better of me?" Shippou grumbled when Kilala came into the car.
Kilala twisted around to look at Kagome, who only shrugged and said, "Because she's your mother, that's why," while Shippou groaned.
"I hate it when you say that," Shippou growled while Kagome and Kilala burst into laughter.
The three of them arrived at the restaurant with time to spare, and as it turned out, they were the first ones there. But they didn't have to wait long for the arrival of their friends. There were hugs all around before everyone settled down in their seats. When everyone sat down, Shippou noticed that there was still an empty seat.
Kouga spoke from the other end of the table, "Ginta is coming in a bit, he just went home to change first."
Shippou nodded in understanding for Ayame was asking about Kagome's plans for the future. Kagome was about to answer the wolf when Ginta appeared.
"Sorry, I'm late, everyone. So dinner tonight is on me," Ginta said as he sat down and a waiter handed him a menu.
"In that case…" Both Shippou and Kouga immediately signaled for the waiter to bring them the menu.
"Kouga!" "Shippou!" Ayame and Kagome admonished together.
Ginta chuckled, "it's alright, ladies. I'll just have Kouga and Shippou cover me at the end if I couldn't pay the bill," and winked at Kagome.
"Hey, Ginta, why are you winking at Kagome? Is there something that you are not telling us?" Shippou asked suspiciously.
"Yeah," Kouga chimed in, "on the phone, you said that you have some good news for us. What is it?"
Kagome and Ginta exchanged a look and Ginta nodded. "Starting next week, Kagome will be working as my interiors design assistant," beaming at her while Kagome blushed.
With that happy note, the group spent the remainder of the evening in words and laughter.
Mrs. Higurashi opened her eyes when she heard sounds coming from the kitchen and looked at the clock beside her bed. It was three o'clock in the morning, 'it must be Souta waking up to get a midnight snack' she thought fondly as she pulled on her dressing robe and headed downstairs to see how he was doing. But to her surprise, it was Kagome whom she found in the kitchen.
"Can't sleep Kagome?"
Kagome spun around when she heard her mother's voice. "Sorry, okaa-san, did I wake you?"
"It's alright, still getting jet lag?" Mrs. Higurashi asked pulling out a chair and sitting down.
"No," Kagome answered bringing over a glass of water and a cup of cocoa to the table. "I just had a lot on my mind."
"About your new job?" Mrs. Higurashi asked smilingly.
Kagome looked up startled, "How did you know?"
"I'm your mother after all," Mrs. Higurashi reminded gently. "Now what are you worried about?"
Kagome traced the top of her cup with a finger before answering, "I'm just worried that I'm not good enough."
"Kagome, I don't think that Ginta would have hired you as his assistant if he did not have confidence that you would exceed his expectations. From what Shippou said, Ginta doesn't easily take on an assistant unless the person showed great potential which I'm sure he has seen in you. You have been through things harder and more dangerous than this, have some confidence in yourself," Mrs. Higurashi said.
"Well, I guess it couldn't be any harder than piecing the shikon no tama together," Kagome said sheepishly, her hand automatically going to the crossed shape scar on her hip.
"That's the spirit," Mrs. Higurashi said encouragingly. "You should get some sleep, you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow," and headed upstairs.
"Thanks, Shippou," Kagome said as she got out of the car.
"Good luck," Shippou said gave her an encouraging smile and drove off.
Kagome took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and marched into the building to start another phase in her life.
"Kagome, are you ready to go yet?" Ginta asked popping his head into her office.
"Yes, give me a minute to make sure I've gotten everything," Kagome called out as she flipped through the folder to make sure that she had everything she needed. When she was certain that everything was in order, she changed into a pair of plumps and pulled on a suit jacket. Grabbing her briefcase and her portfolio, she went to find Ginta.
The two headed to the elevator and Kagome fidgeted nervously while waiting for the elevator to arrive.
"Calm down, Kagome, it's going to be alright," Ginta said reassuringly.
"I'm just worried that the investors won't like my designs," Kagome said stepping into the elevator with Ginta.
After eight months of hard work, Ginta was going to reveal the new design for the new real estate project to their clients. Kagome had poured her heart and soul into this project for she knew the success of her career depended on it. She couldn't help but worry about the reaction of their clients to her designs. Kagome was so intended on her own thoughts that she did not notice where they were driving to, until they were almost there.
"Wait, why are we here?" she asked, recognizing the landmarks.
"I thought you knew that Sesshoumaru's company is a major investor for this project," Ginta answered. "Didn't Shippou tell you?"
"No…" Kagome hissed now understanding the sly looks and comments that the kitsune had been dropping for the past few months. But it was too late to turn now, since Ginta have already headed into the underground parking.
Kagome took many deep calming breaths as they rode the elevator up to the meeting room. When the doors slid open, both of them stepped out and headed down the hallway to the designated meeting room.
"Ready?" Ginta asked once more pausing at the door.
"Can I say no?" Kagome grumbled as she hoisted the strap of her portfolio.
"Too bad for you then," Ginta grinned and pushed the door open.
Luckily for her, there was no one waiting in the room for they were early. Kagome looked around, pleased to find that the projector had already been set up. All she needed to do was to connect her laptop to the projector and run a few tests to make sure that it was working properly.
As they were setting the room, a secretary carried in pots of coffee and bottles of water placing them around the table. Once the both of them were certain that their equipment was in running order, Ginta motioned for Kagome to take a seat beside him. Just as Kagome had settled down in her seat, others began arriving.
The first to arrive was Hakkaku and Ayame. The two of them shook Ginta's and Kagome's hand heartily and took a seat at the other end of the table. Then, several other men and women representing their employers came into the room and settled themselves at the table. Finally, Shippou came in with Jaken and a secretary. Kagome noticed that when Jaken came into the room, Ayame surreptitiously wrinkled her nose and wiped her hands under the table, with a wet nap after shaking hands with Jaken.
Once the greetings were over, Ginta signaled for the secretary to turn off the lights and the meeting began. The audience listened attentively while Ginta presented the designs that he and Kagome have worked hard to come with. Kagome looked at the faces of the people there and was glad no one frowned at her designs.
"Any questions?" Ginta asked when the secretary turned back on the lights after the presentation.
"Won't these environmental friendly designs drastically raise the cost of the building and the price that the consumers have to pay?" someone asked while other murmured assent.
"I believe this is a good selling point," Shippou interrupted before Ginta can answer. "With preserving the environment being all the rage these days, we can advertise that this is the first completely environmentally friendly building."
"Also, if we show the consumers a cost breakdown of how much they would save in the long run, they would be willing to pay the higher price," Ayame added.
There were further murmurs as the people around the room talked it over. "I understand that all of you would have to discuss the increase in cost with your employers," Hakkaku called out. "But this is an unique opportunity to become one of the forerunners in environmental design."
"We will do our best to persuade our employers to approve the use of these designs," one of the representatives said as they all got up to leave. Shippou and Jaken got up to thank them for coming and escorted them out of the room while Hakkaku and Ayame remained in their seats.
"I don't understand why humans never seemed to care what they do to the land, all they ever seemed to care about is the cost," she huffed.
Hakkaku patted her shoulder comfortingly, "not everyone can see things long term," he said.
"At least our Kagome could," Shippou chirped in, having to return from escorting the others and hearing the tail end of that conversation while Kagome blushed. "Cheer up, Ayame," Shippou continued. "Let's all go out and get some lunch to celebrate," and ushered the group out of the room.
Meanwhile, Jaken was in Sesshoumaru's office reporting to him about the meeting not knowing that Sesshoumaru had watched the whole proceedings via camera.
"The design that Ginta had proposed is certainly unique, but it would also increase our costs at least 10," Jaken croaked.
However, Sesshoumaru's attention was not on the presentation Ginta's assistant, Kagome. Sesshoumaru was surprised that she would be here as well, even though he knew that she had become Ginta's assistant, courtesy of Ah and Un. Those two, Myoga, and Shippou never seemed to get tired of talking about her, whenever Shippou comes to visit. They also happened to forget that, as an inu taiyoukai, he had exceptional hearing. So naturally he heard everything that there was to be known about Kagome.
But today was the first time he saw her in three years. One of the first things that he noticed was that she now looked more mature. He had also noticed the look of relief on her face when Ginta had finished presenting and realized that it was Kagome who was designer behind the new concept. He should have expected that she had some talent or else that wolf would not have made her his assistant.
"My lord?" Jaken's voice breaking him out of his reverie, "about the new project?"
Sesshoumaru pondered for a moment, "have Shippou come to my office when he returns," he ordered and dismissed Jaken.
The group went to Ayame's favourite restaurant for lunch where they discussed what changes must be made before the project could actually be finalized. Kagome excused herself when her cell phone rang, and to her delight, it was Kilala who had called to see how did the investors liked her designs.
"Kilala just called," Kagome announced when she returned to her table. "She wanted to know who else is coming to the get together this weekend?"
"Count me out," Shippou grimaced. "I have some things that I need to follow up on."
"Sorry Kagome, I'm going to have to go over some stuff with the suppliers," Ginta said.
"Kouga and I are going to attend a meeting out of town," Hakkaku explained.
Ayame looked around the table and turned to Kagome, "I guess it's only us girls then."
"Fine by me," Kagome chirped happily for she had hoped for a girls' night before, but never gotten realized until now. "I'll call Kilala later and we'll discuss the details."
"We should come here more often," Ayame said as the three of them sat on the benches underneath the Goshinboku. "It's so peaceful here."
"It's surprising, isn't it?" Kilala asked as she looked around the yard. "Imagine this was all forest back then."
"I think that's one of the reasons why my ancestors decided to build the shrine here," Kagome said.
The three of them decided to gather in Kagome's yard after their dinner to enjoy the evening breeze. Souta had gone to visit a friend and her mother had taken her grandfather to the hospital for his yearly check up.
"Kilala, you like Shippou don't you?" Kagome asked suddenly.
"Why, Kagome. What made you say that?" Kilala stammered caught off guard by the question while Ayame tried to hold back a smile.
Ever since she had gotten to known Kilala, Ayame could tell that she had feelings for the kitsune but was afraid to show it. She had hoped that after fifty years of absence, the neko youkai would come to her senses and admit her own feelings. They were, after all, youkai. So there was no stigma for a female to find a mate. Kouga and Hakkaku have even began placing bets as to how long it would take the two of them to acknowledge their own feelings.
"Because I can tell that Shippou acts differently when he's around you," Kagome explained smilingly.
"What ever do you mean, Kagome? He treats everyone more or less the same," Kilala said getting flustered under Kagome's unwavering look.
"Kilala," Kagome said gently. "It was you who always stood by him on the quest for the shikon and through the worst parts of his life. You know I won't live forever, so I'll need you to take care of him for me."
"You've been alone for too long," Kagome continued coming to sit beside the neko youkai. "You have made many people happy by healing their pets. It's time to give yourself a chance at happiness," she said giving Kilala's hands a squeeze.
"But you might have to resort to a certain amount of force to get your point across, Kilala. Since Shippou was practically raised by the great icicle," Ayame joked standing up. "I don't know about you two, but I am craving some green tea ice cream, race you both back to the house," and took off with a grin.
Kilala laughed and sprang after the wolf while Kagome yelled from behind them, "HEY, NO FAIR. YOU'RE USING YOUKAI SPEED"
Kagome paused outside the washroom door to get her bearings straight. She honestly hates going to other people's office buildings for meetings, especially one as big as Sesshoumaru's.
"They really need some signs around here," she muttered under her breath as headed back to the meeting room where they were finalizing the details for the media conference that Shippou wanted. She was so engrossed in her own thoughts that she screamed when someone grabbed her shoulders from behind her.
She spun around to face the person with a hand pressed against her heart breathing heavily, ready to give whoever it was a piece of her mind.
"We're sorry, Kagome," Ah and Un apologized looking stricken. "We didn't know that you didn't hear us."
"Kagome, are you alright? What happened?" Shippou asked coming to a stop beside her with Ginta, Hakkaku, and Ayame behind him. They had rushed out of the room at top speed when they heard Kagome's scream.
Kagome dredged up a trembling smile for her concerned friends, "it's alright, Shippou. Ah and Un just surprised me that's all," while Shippou sent a glare at the dragon youkai.
The two raised their hands in unison, "we didn't mean to, honest. We didn't know that she couldn't sense us."
"I'm really alright, Shippou," Kagome reassured her adopted son patting him on the arm. "It's my fault really for not paying attention to my surroundings. What are you two doing here at the office?" she asked turning to speak to the dragon youkai.
"We're here because," Ah began when he was interrupted by a cold voice.
"What is all this commotion?" Sesshoumaru asked dressed in a tailored business suit coming towards the group.
Kagome heard the three wolves gulped and saw Shippou gave himself a little shake before answering Sesshoumaru.
"We were just heading back from our break and happened to meet up with Ah and Un that's all," Shippou lied. "We will return to our work now, Sesshoumaru-sama," bowing to the taiyoukai, grabbed Kagome's arm, and all but dragged her away.
Kagome looked up at Shippou in confusion. She really wanted to know what was it about Sesshoumaru that made people want to get away from him? Unable to help herself, Kagome turned her head to look back at the taiyoukai, still standing there with Ah and Un behind him watching them leave.
Shippou let go of Kagome's arm when they returned to the meeting room and Kagome felt her jaw dropped at the sight of the broken door.
"Oh yeah," Shippou said sheepishly rubbing his head. "We were in such a hurry to get to you when we heard you scream that this," gesturing to the broken doors, "happened."
"Is that why you dragged me away so quickly?" Kagome asked, "because you don't want Sesshoumaru to find out?"
"Partly," Shippou admitted, "but Sesshoumaru had the tendency to overawe people with his jaki."
Kagome looked around to see nods of affirmation from the wolves and frowned. "If Sesshoumaru's jaki was that strong, how come I didn't feel it?"
Shippou and Ginta exchanged looks with each other. "You're not used to Sesshoumaru's jaki signature, we are. Besides you're a miko, it doesn't affect you the way it affects us," Shippou explained.
"I see…" Kagome responded looking thoughtful, but ruefully shook her head and went back to her seat to begin working again.
The others let out a collective sigh of relief that Kagome didn't notice she was having trouble recognizing all jaki, not just Sesshoumaru's. With a jerk of her head, Ayame indicated for everyone to return to work which they all did.
'Odd,' Sesshoumaru thought as he made his way back to the office after watching Shippou and the others leave, his jaki seemed to have no effect on the girl. But she was a miko, but she responded to it like any ordinary mortal would.
But his train of thought was disturbed by the dragon youkai whispering behind him.
"I told not to do that," Ah whispered.
"How was I supposed to know that she couldn't sense us," Un retorted. "She used to be able to."
Hearing this tidbit, Sesshoumaru's ears perked up. No wonder the miko did not notice his presence whenever Shippou brought her to his estate, he did not trust the girl to wander around by herself. So he kept a close watch on her, but unlike five hundred years ago, she did not show any sign of sensing jaki. Once or twice, he even managed to surprise her when he appeared right in front of her. Whenever that happened, she would just smile and apologized to him and left without a backward glance.
"Ah-Un"
The dragon youkai jumped at the sound of Sesshoumaru's voice and looked guiltily at each other. "Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Have Shippou come to the estates this weekend and bring the girl," Sesshoumaru ordered and dismissed the dragon youkai.
Ah and Un looked at each other, 'That was odd' Ah thought to Un.
'Indeed,' Un nodding his head in agreement. 'I wonder why."