Time Floats On by Smortz

The Collapse

A/N

This is my story for TheLovelyMiko's Weekly Prompt and Quote Challenge. It is slowly and surely coming back to life. HEHE. 

I just want to give a shout out to LovelyMiko. ^_^ I hope everything gets better in the RL. 

Now for the story. I apologize for not getting back to my reviewers. I swear it is on my list to do. Also, I just want to shout out to all the wonderful authors that read this and helped make this chapter what it is. Also, >.> I hope you continue to read this story after this chapter.

Enjoy and Review

~Smo:3

Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own any characters associated with InuYasha.

Quote: You were born an original, don't die a copy.

Prompt: Left Behind

Chapter 6

Kagura jumped. She couldn't help it. She had never seen Sesshoumaru in such a frenzy. Another lamp fell victim to his rage and was thrown against the wall, shattering into tiny pieces along the carpet. The scent of blood began to assault her senses but she didn't worry. Maybe he needed a bit of blood to wake him up from his rage.

Still, she knew that human had caused this. Kagome was stepping on his toes, poking him, getting under his skin in a way she couldn't allow. “Sesshoumaru,” she called out casually from her spot on the couch. Her legs were curled beneath her as she leaned against the arm of the leather piece of furniture. “Why did she upset you?” She prodded as if to awaken him. He needed to realize that the relationship would never work. A demon and a human could not control anything. They were not fit to be together.

“Is it because she is becoming something? Are you doubting your decision to mate me?” She continued, seeing the way his golden eyes flashed and ignoring the hurt that passed through her. It was only a fraction of what she felt. Hurt, shame, doubt, filtered through her. “She will not make it through, Sesshoumaru. She is playing a game she could never win. You know this deep down. Kagome will never cut it in the demon world. She is too emotional.”

He finally paused. The white button up and black slacks loose against his being. A few buttons had gone missing from the formal shirt and the slacks were ripped in parts where he had gripped them with his elongated nails. “You don't understand, Kagura,” he whispered dishearteningly. “Kagome is unlike any human you have met. She can do anything she wants.”

“Nonsense,” Kagura declared waving her hand in the air to dismiss his accusations. “She is a human. Do you remember what happened after Daitaro took in Izayoi? Izayoi is a weak human that caused so much unnecessary war. Do you want to cause that, like your father? You were born an original, Sesshoumaru. Do not die a copy. Learn by your father's mistakes, demons will not stand for a human poking around in their bodies and heads for long, Sesshoumaru. One of them will get her.”

She saw his back tense. There was something about this woman that he couldn't let go. She realized that, and still she didn't quite know how to cure it. He still worried about her, even as she threatened to overtake the spotlight in the demon world.

“What are you talking about?” The growl was threatening. For a moment, Kagura felt fear but forced it to go away quickly. She sat upright and waited for him to turn. When he did, the red eyes pierced her to the core. Teal, dilated orbs displayed a warning that she should not get involved. Still, she was tempted.

“Well, there are numerous demons that will realize that she is, in fact, the last priestess. No one wants that around. She could literally get away with murder with skills like those. I am sure that these demons will cause something to happen, an accident, I'm sure. Hm, but then again, that wolf is bound to keep her safe,” she rattled on, expecting him to attack at any moment.

The snarl ripped itself from his throat. His heart was thrashing in his chest. His entire body was pulsing as his demonic energy continued to grow more and more out of control. Kagura's voice entered his head once more. “My father seems to enjoy her as well.”

The mere reminder that Naraku had invested time and money in her already made him see red. After the charity he had then donated a more than handsome amount of money to support the half-breed research. Now, his company name was on that damn research facility. Sesshoumaru's eyes widened slightly as he stared at Kagura. “What does your father plan to do to her?” He asked in a voice that held no room for play. He was demanding the information. A chill ran up his spine when she smirked.

~Time Floats On~

Kagome cleared her throat once more as she cast a sidelong glance to Koga. “He is late,” she muttered briskly as she readjusted her suit skirt. The tight, pinstripe skirt was currently trying to crawl up her thighs in the tacky wooden chair she sat in. Her elbows dug into the white tablecloth as she checked the silver watch wrapped around her wrist once more. “A half hour late, Koga. Didn't you say this is an important guy? Are his priorities straight?”

Koga snickered from beside her. Reaching his arm out to wrap his fingers around her wrist, effectively covering her watch so she could no longer check the time. “I told you that he is coming a long way to do this, Kagome. If you make a good impression on him then we can expand the facility. He has already heard of you because of the charity last month. Seeing that he was the one to set this up means that this could be some kind of test.”

Kagome's eye twitched at that. It seemed that her entire life had been filled with tests so far. Since she had started this new path she had been tested numerous times. Other researchers at the facility had gotten hold of her and tried to take the material. She had even invested in a nice vault-like safe in her apartment to keep the documents protected. Several companies were already trying to recruit her and mold her into their own researcher, but she knew she would never be able to climb the ladder if she was in the hands of another snobby male. Now, this was another test by someone who had gotten to Koga. Kagome wasn't quite sure if she wanted to go through with this, but Koga spoke highly of this demon.

That was the key. If she could get a strong demon alliance, one of equal power to Daitaro, then she would be able to overwhelm them. They would be forced to recognize her. The mere thought made a devilish smirk cross her lips. A finger tapped her, jerking her out of her deviousness. She looked up at Koga, who was now standing and giving her a look to do the same. She pushed herself out of the chair and stared at the entrance of the small restaurant.

Her priestess energy began to sizzle with the amount of demonic energy she felt nearing her. The demon was in a gray suit. A red shirt and black tie framed his broad shoulders and muscular neck. His eyes were dark as night and his hair was cut into a bob that framed his face. A small, jagged scar ran over the left side of his face. There was a sparkle of something in his eyes. She knew that this man was wise almost instantly, could feel the knowledge almost coming off in waves and that this was a demon that is respected.

He walked passed her, not even casting a glance in her direction. He gave a sly grin to Koga, patting him on the shoulder before sitting next to him. Kagome, then, took her seat and watched the two males in front of her. “Koga!” He greeted with a toothy grin, not bothering to conceal his canines. “It has been quite a while.”

The wolf in question smiled in return, bowing his head slightly to show the older demon respect. “It has. I trust everything is going smoothly in your company,” he questioned, although it sounded more like a statement.

“Yes, yes, it has,” the demon returned before finally looking in Kagome's direction. “Introductions, Koga.”

The wolf cleared his throat and smiled reassuringly, attempting to calm what he perceived to be her nerves showing through. Instead, she was quite angered that the demon had not acknowledged her in the least bit and spoke up. “I am Higurashi Kagome,” she greeted, bowing her head slightly to the demon.

He sat up straighter, clearing his throat and narrowing his midnight eyes on her. “You are young and inexperienced,” he grumbled. “Why are you causing such a commotion in my world.”

“I did not realize it was yours,” Kagome returned just as quick. She then smiled sheepishly, almost daring him to yell at her. “Sir.”

His right eye twitched, before he barked out a laugh. “I like her, Koga; she has spirit!” He cheered, clapping his hands together and waving over a server. A young woman scampered over and took his order, requesting a round of shots to be served. Then, his focus was back on Kagome. “You have been a lot of talk, priestess. Some think you are a danger, others think you can cure the half-breed's curse.”

“I was unaware that they called it a curse,” Kagome lied. She remembered dealing with Inuyasha on the new moon night. He was antsy, completely unlike his normal self. If anything it was more of a neurotic-disorder that caused a complete change in chemical balance and made the victim act completely different than their usual self.

Something dawned in her. Maybe, that was it. Jumping up slightly, she slammed her thighs and jolted into the table. It snapped her from her sudden realization. The two wolf demons stared up at her in confusion. “Is everything alright?” Koga asked, moving to stand up with her.

Kagome flushed slightly in embarrassment. Her heart was thumping wildly in her chest as she fell back into her chair. “I apologize; you just made me think of something I will have to investigate later,” Kagome explained with a thoughtful smile. “I am afraid I still don't have your name.”

His eyes widened and rough laughter spilled from his lips. “How incredibly rude of me. I am the CEO of Kusuri Pharmaceutical Company. I am also the daiyoukai for the Russian Demon Ambassador. You can call me Christopher Basille.”

Kagome's brow arched curiously. The man didn't look very foreign. Still, she didn't press on for more information. She knew when to inquire more and this was not the time. The demon in front of her had ended the introduction with a tone of finality that warned her against it. “I am a fan of your company. You have introduced several world-changing drugs in the pediatrics branch of medicine. I was a children's psychiatrist before I became Koga's intern and often prescribed some of your chemical balancing drugs.”

The demon bowed his head in recognition. “I owe most of my success to my own team of researchers. It would be an honor to have you on their team, but Koga warned me that offering such an opportunity is useless. He says that you are in this industry for personal reasons that cannot be halted by being restricted. I am interested in this,” he explained, gesturing with his hand for her to answer his unspoken question. Why was she being so wild in the demon world?

Kagome cracked a smile, glimpsing at Koga but returning her focused gaze on the foreigner. “I will not dally with trivial facts then,” she reasoned, crossing her arms and leaning closer against the table. “I want to climb to the top in the demonic world. I want to be on equal ground to … say.... a taiyoukai?”

“May I inquire as to... which one?” Christopher inquired with a sly smirk. She liked the devious glint in his eyes. The way the corner of his lip turned upwards was almost as if he was already aboard the plan. It send a shrill tremor of what she suspected was excitement.

She felt her own facial expression contort into one the demons could only describe as being vengeful. Once more, she glanced at Koga. Then, she resumed to look in his eyes. “My goal is to have the same status as Taisho Sesshoumaru. I want to be able to be looked at like an enemy or ally. The choice is up to them,” she added the last sentence under her breath, but watched as Christopher's eyes widened.

“You want to take on Daitaro and his son? My god, woman, that is goal even I haven't tried to compete with,” he warned her. Shaking his head, she watched as disbelief filtered into his eyes. “Why? I have dug into your past. Daitaro raised you like his own.”

Kagome flinched, understanding that. It wasn't her goal to harm Daitaro, yet she wanted to prove herself. “I never took his money or his help. I always tried to prove my worth by hard-work, but he was always turning to Sesshoumaru, who took all his handouts and then improved them. Now, even now, he does not want me to match Sesshoumaru because I would become a threat. I want to show him that he never gave me a proper chance. Neither of them allowed me to try. They threw me aside without a second glance. It is my turn to prove my worth. Will you help me?”

The challenge in her sapphire eyes sparkled. Both Koga and Christopher couldn't quite look away. Her energy was swirling around her, threateningly and hurt all at the same time. It was like a wounded animal striking at everything that could possibly harm her. This woman wanted to attack but she was still worried about the outcome. Koga knew she was frightened about losing it all. She wanted vengeance, but more than anything she wanted to prove herself. She wanted the people that raised her to be proud and give her the respect she deserved.

“Congratulations,” Christopher suddenly exclaimed drawing them from their thoughts. “I will host a banquet in two weeks in honor of your next discovery. You have one right?” He asked jokingly.

Kagome flushed, but nodded quickly. “Yes, I have something I am working on,” she lied flatly. She actually had nothing, but the idea she'd thought of earlier had given her something to work with. She would need to call Inuyasha again. “Thank you for your time and support,” she cheered as they all stood to depart. Koga slapped a large bill on the table, waving them to continue.

Christopher grabbed Kagome's arm as they walked out of the elegant cafe. “I don't know exactly what you're thinking of doing against those dogs. You don't seem to fit in with them. You have a head on your shoulders, and a brain in it. Which is more than they have and plus some. Still, they have more allies than you could possibly grab in your lifetime. I will make a few calls, expect visitors at the lab in the next week or so.”

Kagome nodded once more before Christopher leaned down to give her a dismissive kiss on the cheek. It was small and chaste, simply for mannerisms. “I am going to be moving you up quickly, Kagome. Don't lose sight of your goal. Most importantly, don't lose sight of your heart and your brain. Koga talked fondly of you. Said you were unlike any woman he'd ever known, and I can believe him a little now. So, make me a promise,” he paused to catch his breath as he lit a cigarette that hung loosely off the corner of his bottom lip. “Don't get left behind.”

Kagome grinned at the warning in his gaze. It was worry and concern, but most importantly he was giving her an opportunity that she couldn't afford to miss. She stuck out her hand and waited for him to shake it. “As long as you make the same promise,” Kagome returned wryly with a smirk.

Christopher barked out a laugh, shaking her hand. Then, he turned around and walked the rest of the way to his car, leaving her to wait for Koga. The sporty car revved to light, obviously a European import as it raced down the parking lot and then out onto the street. Kagome shook her head, turning to await her friend.

Koga came out, smiling grandly at her. Kagome instantly jumped into his arms, releasing an squeal of excitement. “We got it!” She cheered, clinging to him. She began to laugh uncontrollably when he picked her up and twirled her around.

Koga set her on her feet again, but his fingers remained on her arm as they began to walk out of the cafe. They had both walked there from their small homes, knowing that it was only down the street from their home. Thankfully, he had not wanted us to go into the city. Although Kagome would have if it meant getting this ally. She felt triumphant over earning such an important partner. This would definitely prove that she was capable of climbing, and quickly.

Kagome slid the key into the lock of her front door. She pushed the door open with her hip and smiled once more at Koga. “Are you coming back over? We could grab a movie or something,” she suggested shyly. To be honest, Koga usually slept on her couch most nights. They were almost together either going over research or watching classic movies.

Koga snorted, waving over his shoulder. “I don't have much else to do, Kagome,” he reminded her as he disappeared into his own home. Kagome rolled her eyes as she entered and immediately took off the heels she was wearing, sliding them out of the hallway and against the shoe wall. She then began to undress as she walked into her bedroom, stripping down to the red, cotton undergarments she wore beneath the lab coat and black and white dress. She shrugged them off and pulled her hair out of the bun, collapsing on the bed for a moment.

Her thoughts began to overwhelm her as she thought about his last words – his promise. The way he had looked at her was as if he wasn't really seeing her. It was as if he was talking to a memory, haunting him and making him want a vow that she wouldn't be left behind, that she wouldn't change who she was for this.

Then again, hadn't she already changed? She had once been a passive woman who took everything given to her and made it positive, if possibly. She had never wanted to anger anyone, always wanted everything to be tranquil and happy. Now, she wanted to make them see her even if it meant trampling them in the process. If the only way they could see her was as their enemy, she would do it because it meant they would recognize her for something.

Still, the mere fact that Christopher hadn't picked up on her change already made her wonder if it had really happened. What if she really was still the innocent, meek woman that was always being taken for granted? Quickly, she stamped that thought into the box of things she would never turn back to. She would never openly admit that she still felt doubtful. She needed to appear confident. Sighing, she collapsed against the bed, lying flat as she stared at the ceiling, as if the fan above her rotated to create a breeze that she welcomed.

Her eyes fluttered close as it hit her. The cold wash of air passed over her bare skin as if throwing away the devilish charm she had washed herself with. Grumbling, she sat up and ignored the feeling of guilt. Those dogs had brought it on themselves and deserved a good defeat. She reached for a large, baggy shirt and shrugged it over her being when the phone began to scream for attention.

The black, cordless receiver felt cold against her ear. “Hello,” she greeted tiredly as she walked back into the kitchen, wedging the phone between her head and shoulder.

“Kagome,” the smooth voice returned, halting her in her tracks. Her eyes widened, for a moment her whole body seemed to stop working. Her heart jumped against her chest.

“Daitaro,” she whispered, disgruntled. She had not been expecting a call from him, especially after his blatant disapproval he had shown at the charity event. “You are calling late,” she whispered worriedly, maybe something had happened in the family. She paused, was she still apart of it? “Is Izayoi alright?” She asked.

“Everything is fine,” he chirped quietly, almost nervously. It was her way of finding out that he was uncomfortable with her now. “I have thought long and hard about what happened last month.” The words were forced, she knew this. It sounded as if he had a bad taste in his mouth. Still, she waited and listened for his explanations.

“I would like to invite you home for lunch.” The way he said it sounded so foreign. It was as if he had waited to say it, as if he had built anticipation. She felt tears begin to prick at her eyes. A silent fear had gathered in her that she was no longer considered part of the family. Quietly, she waited. “Izayoi and I wish to speak with you. It will just be the two of us.”

In other words, Sesshoumaru would not be there. Kagome was silently thankful, not quite sure how she should handle him now. “When?” She asked. She cleared her voice when she found that it was hard to speak.

“Tomorrow, please. Say around two,” he added quietly. “I hope it is not too soon.”

It was. She had to start gathering research for her next discovery. After all, Christopher was going to work hard to give her another debut in a different branch of the world. Still, this was something she wouldn't miss. “Yes,” she whispered in response. “I will be there at one, Daitaro.”

The phone clicked, and she knew he had hung up. Strangely, she shrugged it off and set the phone back on the charging port. Her door opened. Koga entered the apartment with a bowl of popcorn. Loose pajama pants were hanging low on his hips. His chest was bare, a habit she would never even think of trying to attack. The bowl tactically covered the V shape of his pelvic bone, teasing her with what was below.

“Who was on the phone?” He asked curiously as he padded over to the couch, collapsing on the cushions and flipping on the television. The screen came to life in the darkened room, only her kitchen light was illuminating the apartment.

“I am going to be late for work tomorrow,” Kagome explained. “I am meeting with... family.”

Koga turned to look at her strangely, and she suddenly felt sad. Did he think she had none? “Is everything okay?” He asked wondrously. “You hardly ever mention them.”

Pain stabbed through her, but she shrugged it off. “Yea,” she answered, sitting next to him and leaning her shoulder against his chest, letting her hair fan across his torso and thighs as the action movie began to thunder to life. “Don't expect me at the facility until later though.”

Koga simply shrugged his shoulders, laughing when she grabbed a handful of popcorn. “What are we going to do without Intern Wonder?” He teased in mock fear. Kagome only rolled her eyes, but her thoughts wavered to the lunch scheduled for tomorrow.

~Time Floats On~

Nerves prickled at every pore of her being. Sweat began to thicken along her hairline as she knocked on the door. This was ridiculous. Never had she knocked on the door before. Usually, she simply opened it with her key and let herself in. Now, she felt as if she were an intruder. She idly began to finger the jewel pendent around her neck, tucking it into her shirt when she felt the familiar demon energy near the door.

Izayoi was already smiling welcomely at Kagome when she opened the door. Almost instantly she was being hugged and she felt nostalgic over the sensation. “Kagome, it is so nice to see you again! We haven't spoken since the engagement party!”

Kagome knew the reminder wasn't meant to rub salt in open wounds, but Kagome couldn't resist feeling slightly hurt at the reminder. “It has been a while,” Kagome returned before she entered the house and shrugged off the light coat she had worn. She draped it over her arm as she followed Izayoi into the large home. The retirement home was definitely their own little slice of heaven. It was located on numerous acres.

She felt the presence of two demons. Her nervousness spiking when she couldn't identify the other other. Still, she remained trusting as she spotted Daitaro just around the corner. As more came into sight, she began to feel a bit of anxiety. “Daitaro,” she greeted, not looking at his company for a certain reason. “Am I early?” She asked, referring to the guest. He had stated that it would only be him and Izayoi.

Daitaro glanced at the expensive watch that glistened gold in the sun. “No, you are right on time,” he stated. He then turned back to his guest, standing up and bowing to tell the demon his time had come. Said demon began to look confused. “Kagome, I did not realize you and Daitaro were partners.”

Kagome tried to figure out what was going on. She usually sided with the benefit of the doubt, but could she really rely on that after all her life experiences. The answer was no. “Doctor Jinenji, it is good to see you again,” Kagome greeted, bowing slightly. “Daitaro is a family friend,” she returned harshly, trying not to glare at the dog who had once again caught her off guard.

Kagome quickly cut to the chase. Jinenji had been one of her sponsors on her new project involving half-demons. “Will you show up to the new branch opening this weekend?” She asked, hoping to hear the answer wanting. Hopefully, Daitaro hadn't poisoned the well already.

The way he gave her an apologetic smile told Kagome all she needed to know. “Actually, Daitaro has made a generous offer that I just could not turn down, Kagome. I apologize, but it happens in business sometimes,” he explained as he bowed to her and followed Izayoi, who led him towards the door.

“Is this why you invited me?” Kagome seethed angrily, turning sharply to glare at Daitaro. She felt her energies pulse with the betrayal. Her necklace began to flutter, float away from her skin as humiliation seeped out of her. “You wanted to show me that you can stomp whatever hope I have?!”

Daitaro actually had the decency to cringe, but Kagome didn't show any sign of backing down. “I know I wasn't your real child. You only took me in because my mother was scared of me. Still, I thought of you like a father. I worked hard for you to recognize me as your own. I didn't want handouts – I wanted to earn your approval. Now, I am finally climbing and you are still refusing to look at me. Now, I am your enemy!?” She shouted, her voice growing louder and louder as the two competing energies flowed freely throughout the room, silently battling each other for dominance.

“Stop it, Kagome,” the voice jolted her from her thoughts. Shock overwhelmed her. The voice seemed to penetrate her being as if she were the small little girl that had no idea how strong she was. Almost animatronically, she turned around in horror, staring at the older woman who mirrored her.

Curly, ebony hair was cut short in a bob. Thick glasses framed her wrinkly face. She wore a beige dress and small pumps, but Kagome saw the way she bent forward like the usually sign of elderly people. “Mother,” she croaked out, her powers diminishing almost instantly. Hurt, pain, complete anguish filtered through her.

Izayoi stepped into the room with a look that told Kagome this was not her plan. Izayoi had been the only one that had treated her as if she were blood. “What are you doing here?” Kagome asked, forced through her clenched teeth as her body began to shake. Tears threatened to spill as she stared at the woman who had given her up out of fear – out of terror.

“Daitaro wanted me to come here and try to talk sense into you, Kagome,” her mother reasoned. Izayoi neared Kagome, shrugging her arm over her shoulder and guiding her over to one of the chairs on the patio. Kagome smiled drily over the finger sandwiches in the center of the table, as if she would actually eat anything in this situation.

“H-he wanted you to talk sense into me,” Kagome repeated. “The woman who was scared of her own child, thought it would be better if I just rotted in a gifted place for special children wants to tell me what senses are?!” She whispered out.

“Yes,” she answered firmly, in a tone with such confidence and maternal power that resurrected a feeling of being a punished child in Kagome. “These are the people who took you in, and you are threatening their family. What you are doing could potentially tear them apart!” She exclaimed.

Kagome snorted. It was their family. She could tear them apart. Yet, her mother hadn't expressed how she missed her own daughter yet. Kagome laughed wryly, belly laughs that were accompanied with tears. The fears that Christopher had brought out of her the night before, of not changing and remembering who she was, were all suddenly there. She truly was not family here, in Daitaro and Izayoi's household. She was also not family to the Higurashi clan. She was an outcast.

“Tear them apart, huh?” She whispered, leaning back in the chair and staring at the ceiling of the white, polished patio. “I apologize,” Kagome whispered as she stood up.

“Kagome, don't go,” Izayoi pleaded. “W-We should try to talk through everything,” she begged, hoping to remain in her good graced.

Kagome didn't want to glare at her. Izayoi was only Daitaro's mate. A woman she had thought of as a mother. She would never hurt this woman. She gave Izayoi a smile and nodded her head politely to her. “I apologize,” she bowed lowly, showing how bad she felt over the situation.

When she stood straight up, her fierce gaze penetrated Daitaro. “I understand now, Daitaro. I was never blood. I apologize that you feel as if I am destroying your family,” she paused to gather her confidence, her new source of motivation. “I also apologize because I will not stop until you recognize me. Until you realize that I wasn't just the poor little girl you took pity on because she threw me away, until you realize that I could have been something too, I will not stop. If your family falls apart because of it, then that is not a true family,” Kagome whispered, turning on her heel to leave the house as quickly as she came. She threw her shoulder against the door, avoiding the stream of silver hair that was on the other. The molten orbs that were instantly filled with golden worry.

“Kagome?” Sesshoumaru asked. She was already gone though. She tripped over the gravel driveway as she turned around in surprise.

“Y-You came to watch the show too!?” She shouted angrily. “I-I just wanted you to realize that I could have been her! I would never hurt your family, Sesshoumaru! I would have never thought that you and your father would sink so low!” She yelled as her tears began to cascade across her cheeks. Later, she would question the confusion that was written on Sesshoumaru's face. Now, he was apart of it, collateral damage.

“What are you talkin-?”

Kagome cut him off the moment he opened his mouth. “I-I hate you!” The words caused his heart to stop. The venom, the pain, that covered them made him feel as if he had been stabbed through with a serrated knife. He watched as she ran, practically diving in her car and slamming on the accelerated. The stench of burning rubber filled his nose. The sound of tires squealing made him flinch, and still it was nothing to hearing the word hate come from her lips.

Quickly, he turned and stared at the still open door. Izayoi was staring at him with a tearful gaze. “I-It all went wrong, Sesshoumaru,” Izayoi whispered in defeat. “I thought that if it was just the two of us, and you came in to surprise her, it would all work out, like back when she was in high school! The lunches we would surprise her with...”

Sesshoumaru quickly pulled her into a hug, even as he dragged her into the kitchen to meet his father's glance. “What happened?” He growled out, ignoring the woman who was an older model of Kagome.

“Your mother brought you as a surprise. I brought her mother as a surprise. I was hoping her mother would be able to talk-.” Daitaro stopped when Sesshoumaru's eyes flashed red. Then, he continued. His son was not going to put him on the defense. “I figured her real mother would be able to talk to her about her recent actions.”

Sesshoumaru stared at the older woman. There was no emotion. There was no worry or concern, even though her own flesh and blood had left in tears. Her raw emotions had transferred through him when she passed him in the doorway. He had felt her tarnished heart that had been torn in all sorts of direction that day.

“We are no longer going to interfere in her life,” Sesshoumaru forced out, remembering the venomous words Kagome had spat at him before her departure. “We are going to leave her alone and let her heal. I will apologize to her on both cases. Do you understand?” He asked, eying his father and then Izayoi.

They both gave a small nod, before he eyed her real mother. “I will guess you need a ride home?” Sesshoumaru asked quietly. The older woman gave an uncomfortable nod. Sesshoumaru sighed, shaking his head as he began to lead the older human out of the house.

He opened the car door for her, watching as she achingly got into the car. Her knees cracked and he realized she probably had some sort of arthritis. He quickly started the car once he got in and left the property. “We were both set up today,” he mumbled.

“To think that so many things could be done in ten minutes,” her mother quietly whispered.

“She never liked you,” Sesshoumaru growled out. “You should have known better.” He ignored the harshness of his words. This woman had given her up. He had always talked bad about her to Kagome. Still, Kagome had said that her mother had supported her and tried her best.

“When I was in high school, I used to walk Kagome home,” he explained quietly. “I would tell her that you didn't deserve her,” he rehearsed the words he'd spoken so many times. “Kagome would always say that you tried your best, that you supported her even though you were afraid. That you tried.”

The elder woman laughed. “I don't think she believes that now. She spoke ill of me. Tell me, what did you do to her?” She asked quietly. “Your father kept changing the subject.”

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Even though he had never met this woman, that she was never really Kagome's mother, he still felt the maternal feeling from her. “I hurt her,” he allowed.

Her mother snorted and laughed. The sound made him do a double-take. He felt as if Kagome was in the car, sitting beside him in the passenger seat. Their laughs were almost identical. “I think,” she paused, shaking her head as she stared at the window. “I think that is the understatement of the year.”