We Would If We Could by kotorii

Done & Gone

Alright! So I'm back, and with new material too! For any new readers to this story, you may want to go back and read the prequel of this story called "You and Me and What We Could Be." It may help fill in any plot gaps that I failed to notice while writing this up. My writing style may be a bit different but hopefully still good! As always, I have separated the story so that you can skip the poetry if you're not big on that kind of thing in a fanfic. The story picks up only a few short hours after the last one ended.

"Speaking" , 'Thinking' , ~*~*~*~*~*~= poetry to story separators

Ko Torii

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Bring it all back;

That pep in my step,

The wind in my sails.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Oh...wow..."

Those were the only two, singular, non-gibberish words that Kagome could fully express for almost an hour after Sesshoumaru had left her mother's home that morning. Or more correctly; he had come that morning, and had left during the late afternoon. Her mother's constant knowing smile were absolutely lost on the poor day-dreaming woman.

Mrs. Higurashi had watched the couple's interaction discreetly from under the kitchen door. Her justification for this blatant case of eavesdropping; 'It's what any responsible, caring mother would do.' She worried sometimes, for her daughter's love life. She wanted grand babies; Souta was far too young to be nagged, and Kagome was producing less than favorable results thus far. So to see her favorite daughter in such a love sick state was cause for a celebration, even if only in her mind.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Put it out in the open

Busting out from where I'd stolen it away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kagome continued towards the stairs, hardly aware of anything outside of her happy, Sesshoumaru filled world. She and Sesshoumaru had another real chance at their relationship. He had finally come to her with the eyes of a man in love, and a mouth smart enough not to talk about it. For if he had tried to reason with her in any other way than how he did (by kissing her senseless) she may well have ignored him. But those eyes said so much to her.

With one last, "Wow," Kagome plopped onto her bed. Still clothed in the PJ's from last night and with a goofy smile slapped firmly across her face, she fell to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Like one giant explosion,

Flooding out in expanse,

Crashing into us.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

He was still reeling over what he'd just done. He, the proud, arrogant, cold, business tycoon, had just talked to a woman's mother about how much he loved her daughter and then went on to kiss said daughter to oblivion in the living room. Any one else would have laughed in complete disbelief if he had told them. This was absolutely true though, and he was absolutely thrilled. He had finally sent his message through that thick skull of hers! He could finally be with the one woman he cared for; Kagome Higurashi. Or, if he had his way and all went well, the future Mrs. Taisho. Although she didn't know it yet, Sesshoumaru had serious, long term plans for his newest girl friend.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This weightless feeling

From you, unto me.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Parking his car at the garage, Sesshoumaru took the elevator to his prestigious office in the Tai Collaborative Offices. Walking at a slightly more brisk pace than usual, he went passed his secretary's desk, and into his own office. In this room, after working hours, Sesshoumaru felt at home and completely comfortable. The security videos were monitored by only him, and that meant that no one was watching. So, allowing himself this one moment of reprieve from his cool stature, he proudly shlumped down into his cushy leather couch. Flinging his shoes to the other side of the office with little regard Sesshoumaru laid back and relaxed, with a contented look about his face.

He exhaled, "Soon," on a sigh and drifted off.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It couldn't be that easy.

Could it?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Back at the Higurashi household the once peaceful dreams of a woman in love had begun to morph into horrible, life-shaking nightmares. Visions of Sesshoumaru walking up to her in the work place and announcing his mistake of loving her to the world was one of the more graphic she experienced. Luckily enough, her next nightmare took her from her resting state. It was a dreary image of her fifth grade, menace of a teacher ardently confessing her love for Sesshoumaru...and worse yet; him accepting it kindly. This made her start in an actual fit of coughing, brought on by nervous giggles.

" I'm just being paranoid," she said to the empty air. 'Right?' Leaving her last thought to wither away in her mind Kagome got up to get a drink of water.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

One big bang;

And the universe will suddenly rearrange?

Well...that's good enough for me.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Getting up and actually walking passed the place where Sesshoumaru had confronted her with his feelings comforted her over active imagination once again. Quietly laughing to her self, Kagome went to grab a soda out of the fridge, before heading back upstairs. The chill on her arms stayed with her though, and for some reason, she just couldn't shake this feeling of horrible dread. So once again climbing into bed Kagome fell back to sleep; with a frown where a peaceful smile used to sit.

-----------------------------------------

Dressed quite sharply, if she did say so herself, Kagome all but strutted into the Tai building. Nothing was going to keep her down today. Or at least, she really hoped not. To those standing by she looked like she was on the war path. With eyes narrowed and steps calculated, Kagome was positive that she must look beastly. All of this was due to a rather restless sleep last night. Brought on by both terrifying and...ahem...happy dreams. All in all, Kagome had only one thing on her mind at that moment, and that was making it to the coffee room with absolutely no interruptions.

"Coffee's a girl's best friend!" Kagome let out this statement with an unadulterated sigh of relief when she smelled what could only be a fresh pot of coffee coming from behind an unimportant door with small gold and black script across the front:

-BREAK ROOM-

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Give me some space.

I have a need to sort this all out.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So the tabloids have been lying to me all these years? I knew it! Everyone always said it was diamonds." With a smirk too sarcastic to be hidden, her friend, Miroku Hanaka, deftly moved to intercept Kagome before she could enter the heavenly place of coffee.

"If you don't move Miroku, great to see you again by the way, the only thing the tabloids will be writing about will be how I hid your body!" Barging passed the scared man Kagome swung through the push door, making sure that it hit Miroku on her way in. Practically gliding to the coffee maker Kagome reached to get herself a mug before she was cruelly diverted once again.

"You really shouldn't do that Kagome. That's the boss' good brew right there. He never lets anyone have it. No matter how nice your legs may be--" Miroku never got to finish that statement because he was once again hit by the swinging door. Although this time it was much stronger. Sesshoumaru came through the door with a dour look on his face, a look which was solely pointed in Miroku's direction.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Call it OCD if you have to,

But it's the gospel truth.

Let me go so I can hold on.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"The lech was right on one point only, that I would most definitely not be sharing this coffee with anyone." Unknowingly slighting Kagome's pride at this, Sesshoumaru went to lean above her to reach his own mug. Leaning in towards her minutely his mouth brushed against her ear as she stood rigid.

"A lovely morning is it not? Perhaps you would better enjoy it when paired with the view from my office?" In a whisper so sinful that only Sesshoumaru could possibly posses; these words were spoken. Kagome gave off a small shiver and then turned to him in a rebellious, though similarly whispering way.

"Perhaps that is true, sir. But I really think I would much rather have my coffee." Quickly snatching Sesshoumaru's coffee for herself she composedly shot through the break room door and back into the growing throng of arriving business peoples. This left Miroku still recovering on the floor, nursing a rather unfitting black eye, and Sesshoumaru simmering in barely contained anger at the audacity of his woman. Sure they were together now, yes, he may even love her, but there was no way in Hell she could take his coffee. That was crossing a seriously obvious, dark, fat line.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hanging on by a thread.

Wanting to hold on tight and never let go.

Then you'd come running through.

I really never had you pinned as the type,

To go running with scissors.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sesshoumaru, after getting a second cup of his precious coffee for himself, managed to glide into his office at a prompt, but respectable 7:15 in the morning. To see Kagome trying to get rid of a nasty coffee stain on her blouse just gave him that extra glow of contentment. Oh yes, even his famous Brazilian coffee had a temper, and she had provoked it. It wasn't that Sesshoumaru took any pleasure in her pain, per say, just that this early in the morning caused certain parts of the brain to shut down. Such as the part that housed common decency. 'My perfectly wonderful day, topped of by a perfectly contented sleep was beginning to go sour at such an early hour, all caused by one small, feisty woman sitting at her desk outside of my office. And wonderful...now I'm starting to rhyme...'

With a disgruntled noise Sesshoumaru rose once again and made his way to speak with his lovely secretary. 'Let the games begin.'

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While looking for all the world like he was walking with purpose to the elevator area Kagome's wonderful boss came to an abrupt stop by her desk. Thinking that he, of course, would be coming to apologize for his rude behavior over the coffee Kagome greeted him levelly with a quiet, "Sir." To her shock however, she received a completely different greeting.

"Miss Higurashi, I would greatly prefer it if my staff did not represent my prestigious company while sporting large brown stains on their shirts. It makes business that much easier for me, you see."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

You've done it now, boy.

Got me spinning through the air.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Barely able to hold in her cutting reply Kagome simply picked up her, previously Sesshoumaru's, mug and smiled a devious smile. In a move slicker that butter, Kagome got up and 'tripped' towards her boss, and boyfriend.

"Oh sir! I think the brown spots might be contagious! You have one too now. Oh think how bad it'll be for business!" With the corniest face of horror she could command Kagome played her part.

"Maybe you should stay away from me for a while, unless you'd rather 'catch' more...?" Sesshoumaru, still clearly in shock over her audacity, had yet to reply. Catching on to her veiled threat of more coffee stains in his future should he tempt fate, Sesshoumaru nodded rigidly and did an about face back towards his office. Luckily he had one advantage that she did not; a closet filled with extra shirts built specifically for times like this. For angry, silly secretaries!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Wonder if someone will catch me?

When I land will you even be there?

Sad, I know, that I think of you in these moments still.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

That look in your eyes

Just wasn't meant for me.

I think it just took time for you to see.

That you'd never be happy with me.

I'll be alright...I guess...I suppose.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

With a long suffering sigh Kagome sat back down to work. Pulling on her sweater, although it was perfectly temperate in the office, she attempted to cover the offensive stain. That coffee was darn hot! She'd learned her lesson; 'Don't go near the coffee, unless you're looking to get burned!'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Oh, Heaven help me, you're beautiful.

No lies; inside an out.

So why,

Why can't you let me in?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There was just one thing troubling Kagome, all through her morning shift. Why? Why had Sesshoumaru been so upset this morning about the coffee? It wasn't like she had stolen the entire pot from him, just one glass. What she was failing to comprehend was that Sesshoumaru didn't mind, simply that he preferred she'd ask. However, for this, Sesshoumaru was to blame. For her never took the time to tell anyone about this fact, let alone her of all people. It was up to her to figure him out, he thought, if she loves him she could do it. To most people this would be an odd and assuming estimation, but for the business cut throat that Sesshoumaru was, it was simply common sense.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Catch me when I'm falling.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A few hours later the sounds of two rings go through the air before a click and and a cheery greeting also come forth.

"Good Morning! This is Tai Collaborative, CEO Sesshoumaru Taisho's office. This is Kagome Higurashi speaking. How may I help you?

"Good Morning there! This is Sesshoumaru's father, is my son around?"

"Not at the moment sir, your son is about half way through his mid week meeting. Can I take a message for you? I'll be sure to give it to him first thing when he comes back."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jingle jangle.

It shimmers in the light.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Oh, that would be fine I suppose. Just let him know that I was calling about his wedding arrangements. He needs to pick out a ring by Tuesday." Kagome had paused in her diligent writings upon an innocent post-it note. Her pen had begun stabbing and searching through to other layers.

"...Uhh...oh! Yes sir, F-Find a ring by T-Tuesday...I-I'll tell him first thing when he gets back, sir." Her anger was almost tangible, thankfully, over the phone, Mr. Taisho II could not hear it beyond her few stutters.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

What a quiet injury...

Blood's invisible.

The pain's still there.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Thank you. That will be all."

"Alright, have a good day sir." With a false cheery voice and a smothered sigh Kagome hung up the phone. Getting up she turned and slammed her evil post-it note onto Sesshoumaru's office door and sprinted to the ladies room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

So run, run, run.

As fast as I can.

Don't catch me,

I fell down; crashing past.

You missed your chances.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

That look in your eyes

Just wasn't meant for me.

I think it just took time for you to see.

That you'd never be happy with me.

I'll be alright...I guess...I suppose.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kagome had circled back to her desk momentarily to grab her purse. Although it would be extremely unprofessional, especially since it was her fist day back, she just had to head home. She couldn't stop crying and she felt like a fool over it. So the love of her life, a man she had just started to trust, was getting married to someone else? There was no other alternative, Mr. Taisho had been clear; his son had to pick out a ring. A RING. Unfortunately she had returned to her desk right as Sesshoumaru was coming out of her conference. He had seen her going back to the elevator area, but had dismissed it as going to her break.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Door's closing.

Going up, or going down?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

By the time he had seen the hasty, ripped up note on she had left on his door, the elevator doors were beginning to close. Yelling her name for all he was worth Sesshoumaru ran at the elevators, hoping that he could make it in time. Kagome was obviously pressing the 'Door Close' button with fervor. So he was steadily losing hope. That hallway never looked so long to him as it had at that moment.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I've got a one way ticket,

To absolutely anywhere but here.

Hopefully no one can find me there.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In a stunningly cliché show of dramatic flair; Sesshoumaru slammed into and then slid slowly down the unyielding metal doors. Kagome had gone, without even leaving time for him to dredge up a small explanation. Although, on some small level, he couldn't blame her. She probably felt very betrayed. The fact of the matter was, that no matter what she thought, she had taken it in a horribly wrong way.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sweetly liberating my heart.

Would be killing my life.

Letting go I've done.

But giving up?

I'm not quite sure how.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Not quite willing to let her get away that easily, Sesshoumaru picked up his personal cell phone and dialed her number. After dialing and dialing, for what seemed like hours, all Sesshoumaru got was her voice mail. Leaving a vague yet apparently loving message he dialed again, only this time he received an immediate response. Her phone had been turned off. After banging his head several times on his desk, the poor dejected man gave in and called Jaken.

"Jaken, I'm going to need some scotch."

After hanging up after the quick order Sesshoumaru settled himself in for an anxious night. He would try again tomorrow, maybe even call in Sango for aid. For now he'd let her cool off.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

So shut the hell up!

I'm not finished with you yet.

No way, can I stop now.

Too much is resting, pushing, on me.

I won't be afraid of you.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

That look in your eyes

Just wasn't meant for me.

I think it just took time for you to see.

That you'd never be happy with me.

I'll be alright...I guess...I suppose.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We were perfect.

Perfectly dysfunctional.

That was enough for me.

Now though, I've simply had enough.

Trying to make you see.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Now we're broken.

And that's how it will stay.

Pay attention idiot!

I'm only telling you this, once.

Once I've done; I'm gone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

That look in your eyes

Just wasn't meant for me.

I think it just took time for you to see.

That you'd never be happy with me.

I'll be alright...I guess...I suppose.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I'm only telling you this, once.

Once I've done; I'm gone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Okay, so I know it's not the happiest way to begin a story...buuuut...I felt that it was the way to go. So I hope you'll stay tuned for the next chapter! Review if you have the time :)

As always reverently yours,

Ko Torii