Moonlight

Recap: Kagome felt like thunder had struck her ears and she was going to enter Hell in any second. Her heart stops and the room begins to spin.

“I’m pregnant with your pup.” Kagura’s voice rang out in her ears again and again.

Chapter 11

Who is Kagome Higurashi?

He felt Kagome’s heart stops for a second and he could hear her knees knocking against each other. Her body begins to tremble.

“Nonsense.” He retorted flatly.

“Oh?” Kagura changes her voice sweetly, just like the way she sounded at the fundraiser. “Did you forget Sesshoumaru? The time that you barged into my house in the middle of the night? And you took me twice in a row? The second time, you were inside, it was too good and you forgot to pull out, and I’m pregnant as a result of that.” She tosses a positive pregnancy test at him; it bounced once on the floor and lands right side up showing the two plus signs. Sesshoumaru glances at the test briefly, moving slowly towards Kagome. Kagura smiles placing her hand on her stomach, toying with him. Kagome felt her innards twist in the most painful way while she stares blindly at the test on the floor. Kagura could sense Kagome’s reaction and she was enjoying it to the fullest.

Kagome stumbles backwards, not knowing, she bumps into his desk and leans on it for support. Tears were already streaming down her face.

How could he? When last night he just asked me to have his pups? What have I done? How did I end up here again?? Oh Kami, I went out with yet another guy - brothers! who's already 'attached'...I'm...I'm the 'other woman'?!

Watching the tears streaming down Kagome’s face, Kagura continues her malicious taunting.

“Aww…don’t feel so bad. You were just his little boy toy, honey.” She looks at Kagome with a sarcastic sad face. “Aww…you didn’t think he was going to set up little white picket fence and settle down with you did you?” She gasped gleefully at Kagome’s desperate face. “Oh, look at that. You did! How cute!” She continues her torturous ranting.

“KAGURA!” Sesshoumaru roared. He was ready to snap her in two. The only thing holding him back was the fact that she 'may' be carrying his pup. She was carrying, he could smell it in her blood. The question for him, was is it really his?

Having had enough of Kagura’s taunt, and her heart being crushed, Kagome finally manages to find some strength and her legs starts to carry her towards his office door to leave. She had to get away.

“Kagome,” Sesshoumaru steps in front of her to stop her, only to be blast away by her sudden barrier. She continues towards the door without glancing back. Without needing to use her hands, she swung the double doors to his office open with her miko powers and steps out. Sesshoumaru runs after her, only to have the doors slams in his face by Kagura’s wind fan.

“Nah-uh. You and I need to talk.” She scoffed at Sesshoumaru.

Livid, he turns to face Kagura, his demonic youki flaring at her full of anger and hatred. She slowly backs away as he proceeds towards her.

Kagome picks up her speed and runs through the lines of offices, tearing running wildly down her face. Shaking her head while she passes by Kanna’s desk, thus, the hair resting on her shoulder flew behind her, exposing his mark on her. Kanna caught a glimpse of her shoulder and inhaled. He’s mated her? When? Naraku must know of this new development! And why is she crying? He couldn't have mated her unless she consented...could he?

Kagome ran into the ladies’ room and locks herself inside a stall. She let the hurt and the pain flow out from inside of her. Something grips hard inside of her heart and she just wanted it to explode and let herself die. Perhaps, dying would be much less painful than this. I did this to myself. I knew I’d get hurt, but I threw myself at him! Sitting in the stall, she cries as she continues to blame herself for her misery. I have only myself to blame for this! How could I be so stupid?! How could I want him so badly that I ignore the fact that I knew they were together? Obviously, he was already attached to her!

After several minutes she gets up, wipes her tears away and made sure she looked decent, before she steps outside to leave. Deciding it was over between her and Sesshoumaru. She couldn’t take the heartache and his vague responses towards her anymore. Especially with Kagura being pregnant, she couldn’t deal with that, she couldn't be the 'other woman' anymore, she finalized.

Everyone was quite, pretending to be preoccupied with their work as Kagura finally storms out of the office. They had never seen such a ‘personal’ side of their boss. He was always all business and they knew nothing of the company he keeps – and apparently, it was more than one at a time. This was an astonishing side of his personal life that only made them starve for more.

With a disinterested angry voice, he lets Kagura know that he will, of course, take care of his own, if she chooses to keep the pregnancy; however he still refuses to have anything to do with her. She storms out of the office angry. I'll change your mind just yet Sesshoumaru!

He calls for Jaken to cancel the rest of the day’s appointment and he leaves trying to pick up Kagome’s scent. By the time he gets to the front of the building, her scent had faded away. He decided that he was going to go see her at her office, hoping she had returned to work, knowing that he was probably wrong, but he’ll give it a try. He’s going to find her and talk to her. She was his mate no matter what and Kagura’s pregnancy isn’t going to stop him from being with her.

Moments later, Kanna takes her lunch and decided that the matter cannot wait until she sees Naraku tomorrow, for their usual rendezvous. No, this matter was too important and too serious.

………

“Mr. Onigumo, there is a Kanna Munashii here to see you. She says it is very important.” His secretary’s voice sounded over the speaker.

“Send her in.” Naraku ordered, chafed by the fact that she’d shown up in the middle of the day.

Kanna comes into the office in her plain white skirt suit, her hair tied to a ponytail this time.

“Kanna. Why are you here? I told you not to intrude while I’m at the office!” He was looking out the window, his back to her.

“I know. But I have very serious news.” Her heart thumping excitedly, knowing the news will please her lover greatly.

“Oh? It better be, if you value your life, Kanna.” His tone lacked interest.

“Naraku, Sesshoumaru has mated.” She bursts out.

“What? Who?” He turns around to face her.

“That girl. Kagome Higurashi.” She reports.

“Are you certain?” He inquired suspiciously.

“Yes. I saw it with my own eyes. She has the demon markings on her shoulder.” Proving to him that she knew what being mated to a demon means.

“When?”

“Today. I thought the news couldn’t wait. And you mustn’t worry about me being here. I’ve already made sure that this seems to be about the new merger contract.” She reassures him.

“How did it happen?” He was quite interested with the unexpected news.

“I don’t know, but she came into his office today. He actually greeted her at his office door, holding it open for her. I believe he was very happy to see her. Anyway, thanks to your daughter who came and barged into his office, I was able to catch a glimpse of him being jovial with the girl. I don’t know what Kagura said to him or her, but she ran out the office, tears streaming down her face and that's when I saw the markings on her shoulder when she passed by.” She recalls incident today.

“You are sure of this Kanna? A Youkai’s mate is a very serious matter.”

“Yes. I swear it. He’s mated her!”

“Who is this girl?” Naraku asked under his breath.

“She’s…I don’t know, but she’s extremely beautiful.” Kanna said with envy in her voice. “I don’t know what Kagura could have said to have made her so upset.”

“No matter, I can confront Kagura of her relations with that mutt later. You’ve done well, Kanna. Now, I want you to find everything you can on this ‘Kagome’ for me. And put a few private investigators on her. I want to best ones, and make sure they are good and stay clear. Sesshoumaru is very acute and clever, he’ll be able to sniff them out if they are not careful. I want to know everything about this girl. Down to what size underwear she takes!” Naraku orders.

“Yes, sir. I’ll get right on it!” She readily accepts his orders.

“Good, now take your leave, before anyone can suspect why you’re here.”

“I will see you tomorrow night still?” She purposely changes her voice to a low sultry tone.

“Very well. Bring me information on the girl tomorrow night.”

“Yes, Naraku.”

The news was a shocker to him. Who is this Kagome Higurashi? How did she manage to sway Sesshoumaru’s heart? Sesshoumaru wouldn’t succumb to having a hanyou as an heir, has he? Naraku ponders.

He pulls up the web and searched for Higurashi International and all known associates, and families. Her name was listed, as the eldest daughter of Higurashi International however, there was no picture of her. Very peculiar. He thought. I should enjoy myself greatly learning about her.

……

The cab drops her off at her apartment, and she walks slowly up the stairs. She’d taken the rest of the day off, deciding she needs time to herself, since she couldn’t concentrate on anything at work.

Heading into her room, she changes her clothes. Why is this hurting so badly? Grabbing her shoulder in pain as her stomach churns. How had my world crumble so fast? I guess I just never learn in love...She sighs.

She curls into a little ball on her bed and rests her eyes. Sango came by a little later with groceries to tow.

“Hi!” She first beamed brightly, excited she was going to spend time with her friend.

Not again! Seeing the look on her face and her red bleary eyes, she didn’t need to ask, she knew something had happened between her and Sesshoumaaru.

“Sango!” Kagome called out, throwing her arms around Sango’s neck and starts to wail loudly. She drops the bags of groceries she was carrying in her hand and wraps her arms about her friend.

“Kagome. What happened?” She asked stroking Kagome’s hair.

Kagome shook her head furiously on Sango’s shoulder. Still crying uncontrollably.

“Come. Let’s talk inside.” Sango leads her in. Setting her friend on the couch, she goes to retrieve the groceries and setting them aside, she takes her seat next to Kagome, pulling her in for a hug.

Kagome’s crying subsequently slows down to sobs and still Sango said nothing. She sat there, comforting her friend in silence letting the hurt flow out of the girl. Finally, Kagome pulls away from her friend, blinks and wipes her tears away.

“What did he do to you?” Sango asked softly knowing it could only be Sesshoumaru to make her this upset. She felt so sorry for Kagome. The Tashio brothers really know how to get the best of her..Sango sighed to herself.

Looking down, she twirls her fingers together. A habit when she’s nervous or deep in thoughts. She finally spoke after a few minutes.

“His ‘girlfriend’ is pregnant with his pup.” She stated flatly, followed by a long sigh.

“WHAT? He was two timing you? That dog!!” Sango screamed. What is with this family? Were they just breed to cheat?

“Well, I don’t know. I think in this case, I was the 'other woman'. All I know is that, she came into his office today, while I was there, and threw her positive pregnancy at me.”

“What the hell?” Sango asked shocked that someone could actually do something like that.

“I don’t know. I just…” Swallowing her tears she continues, “I think I just need some time to forget. It was a mistake, Sango. I guess I was so eager and way too infatuated with him that I must have just thrown myself on him. I should have learned my lesson the first time with InuYasha. How stupid of me, huh?” A tear rolls down her cheek against her will. It's going to hurt like hell, but I'm going to get through this. Time heals everything. Kagome wills herself.

“Kagome, don’t say that about yourself. I know you, you’ve been very careful. I think you took a chance for love and it didn’t turn out well. But, you shouldn’t let that crush you. You’re beautiful, there are men lined around the block waiting to be with you!” Sango soothed.

“Yeah. Well, I think I’m done with men for a while.” She lets out a sarcastic laugh.

“Don’t go into that state again! You’re stronger than that. You don’t need him, but you don’t have to bury yourself in a hole again!”

Silence. Sango knew her mind was made up. Shy and sweet as Kagome is, she was stubborn, it would take a lot for her to change her mind about the matter. She was going into her self-defense state and she was going to keep everyone at arms length again. She wished there was something that she could say to her friend, to make her change her mind, but being friends since they were little kids, she knew Kagome too well. Hell will freeze over before she's going to change her mind about this. She knew her friend was going to hurt in the healing process, but like always, Kagome was going to need time to settle the hurt and damage to her heart. She'd witness it with InuYasha and now she has to witness it with Sesshoumaru.

“Well, did he at least explain anything?” Sango finally thought.

“What’s there to explain? I can’t be with someone who’s with me while someone else is carrying his…his…pup! It's just not right!”

The door bell rings. The girls stare at each other.

“I don’t want to see him.” Kagome gets up and goes into her room and shuts her door.

The bell rings again, twice this time. Sango can tell the impatient-ness seeping through the door. She was angry and she was going to him a piece of her mind or two.

Opening the door, she shouts. “WHAT!?”

“I need to speak with Kagome.” Sesshoumaru’s voice irked and stern.

“I don’t think this is a good time.” She begins to close the door but was pushed back by his force.

“Hey! You can’t just barge in here!” Sango cried after him.

“I must speak to my mate.”

“Mate? What?” She asked confused. She'd have to speak to her husband about this and find out more of what it means.

Ignoring Sango’s questioning, he proceeds towards Kagome’s room.

She runs in front of him and spreads her arms wide open trying to block him.

“Go home Sesshoumaru. She doesn’t want to see you! After what you’ve done, I can’t believe you have the audacity to show your face!” Sango degraded.

Growling angrily at her, he moves with demon speed to Kagome’s door. He knocks softly. She didn’t answer.

“Kagome…” he begins, his voice solemn. Sango stayed back to let the two work it out. She knew she wasn’t going to be able to stop the Youkai.

“Go away.” Her voice came softly through the door.

“Kagome, I need to speak with you.” His voice pleading.

“There’s nothing for you to say. Leave me alone.”

“Kagome, this is foolish."

"Go back to your 'baby mama'" Her voice irked with jealousy.

"Kagome you are being childish.”

Her door swings open. Her miko powers glowing in anger.

“CHILDISH?! Last night, you asked me to bear your pup, like you were all romantic! And this afternoon I find out that you’ve already impregnate someone else! What’s there to say Sesshoumaru? What you just go around knocking people up? Are you afraid that your bloodline will end so you’re making sure that you get as many out there as possible?!” She accuses.

“Kagome…” He tries to speak to her in a reasonable manner. He was impatient and his anger about the manner wanted to consume him whole.

Not letting him finish, she continues, “All that talk about ‘not having an heir’ was just bullshit! If you wanted to get me in bed, just say so Sesshoumaru! I’d be glad to. But I can’t deal with you toying with my emotions! I’m human! I know you have your low opinions of us humans but I have feelings!”

“Kagome, with Kagura, I was drunk…” and I was actually fantasizing about you…He was never very good with his words. He had always known how to communicate in forms of ordering and commanding people about. This was most difficult for him.

“Oh, great! That’s even better Sesshoumaru! You and InuYasha are one of the same. I should have known better! Hurt them and leave them. So leave Sesshoumaru! I don’t want to ever see you again! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!! I wish I have never even met you!” She slams the door in his face, dives into her bed and cried. Sesshoumaru, please stay away from me. I can't bear to look at you. This is all too much, too fast for me.

Sesshoumaru stood there in disbelief.

Sango made her way over towards him. Even though she knew he’d done wrong she couldn’t help but feel bad for the Youkai. Somehow she didn’t feel like it was his fault, that he didn’t do it on purpose.

Touching his shoulder softly, he turns and growls at her. She pulls back startled but not surprised with his reaction.

“Sesshoumaru. Give her some time. If you want to explain yourself, do it another day. She’s in a bad place right now. Nothing you can say right now will make it right for her. You have to understand, she’s hurt. She feels betrayed yet again.”

Without saying anything he left. How can Kagome compare me to that low life half-breed? HOW?

Giving Kagome some time to herself, Sango went into the kitchen to make dinner for them. Although she made a grand dinner, Kagome had no appetite to eat. She stares at her food, while her mind and heart was elsewhere. Having just a few bites she apologizes to Sango for such a horrible visit.

“It’s okay Kagome. Don’t worry about, I just wish there was something I can do for you.” Sango sympathized.

“Do you want to do something? Watch a movie or…” Kagome tries to offer her friend some attention.

“Kagome, don’t worry about me, right now I’m more concern about you. I have to leave soon and I want to make sure that you’re okay.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“Do you think you’ll be okay by yourself tonight? I have to pack and leave early tomorrow. Miroku called this afternoon, one of the kids is sick and I have to head back to the States.” She has three kids Daichi, Goro and Haru all boys with Miroku but looking at her, no one would think that she has had babies. Her body was in perfect shape!

“Oh no! Which one?” Kagome exclaimed, worried about the little one.

“My youngest son. He’s hospitalized. His asthma is serious this time.” Sango explained.

“Oh Sango, I’m so sorry!” Now, it was Kagome who empathized her good friend.

“Don’t worry ok? I’ll be back with Miroku next month, for some other business deals. I’ll bring the kids along for a short vacation. Perhaps we’ll be able to spend more time. This visit was a little unexpected and you didn’t get enough of a heads up.”

“Please, tell me the dates when you get them. I’ll make sure there will be NO drama.”

They both laugh at the ironic situation.

Sango left shortly after and she got into bed to get some rest. Sleep eludes her at every try. Tossing and turning all night, she felt drained.

The next morning she was tired and exhausted. Making her way to work, she vowed that she was going to be strong and make the best of the situation. She was going to get over Sesshoumaru.

She went about her business of work and home. It was the longest and coldest week for her. Kagura went out of her way to ‘run into’ her and rubs her stomach each time they meet. Rolling her eyes out of irritation she takes off never saying a word to the woman with each run-ins.

Each day was harder for her. She tried her best to forget about him, but she couldn’t. It seems like everything she did, everywhere she turned, there was something that would remind her of him. Elliot stopped by to see her. She pulls him inside and sat him on the couch. She told him she was sorry, that it was time for him to move on to someone new. She was never going to be physically and/or emotionally available for him and she didn’t want him waiting around for her. He protested, his heart breaking, but she pressed on. It was time she straightens things out with him and not let him continue to just wait for her. She didn’t know when she’d get over Sesshoumaru and she cared too much about him as a friend to see him continue to be hurt by her.

Sesshoumaru watches from the rooftop as she sat and talked solemnly to Elliot. He was too far to hear the conversation over the noisy streets and honking cars, but from Elliot’s facial expression and physical demeanor, he concluded, that she was telling him to move on. That made his heart skip a beat. He was relieved that she was moving on from Elliot. Now, if only he can figure out a way to win her back.

He watches her each day. Sometimes, he’d see her get up from her seat and opens the door, staring out for a moment before she closes it again. Is she expecting me? Other times, it was something delivered. He noticed that most of the time, she had ordered food and didn’t bother to cook. Although, she rarely eats what she ordered. Just stares at it for the most part after taking a few bites and then looking over some paperwork before she goes to bed. He also noticed that she lost a little bit of weight. He didn't like that. He wanted her to take better care of herself, but at the same time, she refused to let him near.

Getting out of the shower on a Saturday morning, she slides on her robe and thought she heard a knock at the door. Sesshoumaru? She goes to open the door, only to once again, stares out at the empty scenery surrounding her apartment. Slumping her head down in disappointment, she closes the door and notices the lock that he had install for her. She stares at the lock and a brief memory of him fidgeting with the lock made her melancholy. She decides to find something to distracts herself and turns on the television. She changes the channel to CNBC for the week-end market reports.

“As you can see Ayami, Tashio Inc. is continuing to rise in stock prices….”

She flips the channel. “Today on our ‘Greatest Dog contest’ we have..”

She flips the channel again. “Come to ‘ALEX’ and have a taste of heaven.”

She changes it again, “..The CEO of Italy International is getting ready to greet Mr. Tashio ….”

She turns the TV off, throws the remote on the couch and slumps into it. She lets out a long sigh. Why does everything have to remind me of him? !I can get over this! I can do this! I can forget him! I can move on! She wills herself.

How can you forget him after all you’ve been through? He other conscience reminded her.

I have to. I don’t have a choice! I have to forget him so that my heart can be free. She argues with herself.

You'll never be free from him. You love him too much! You can’t live without him, admit it! It screams in her head.

I can and I will!

Why don't you just give up and go see him? You know you miss him. This healing process is hurting you too much!

No, I have to stay away from him! I WILL stay away from him. I WILL forget him! It'll all get better in time!! It always does!

Shaking thoughts of the Youkai off her mind, she gets up. She couldn’t take her little conscience fighting anymore. Grabbing her coffee with her, she goes downstairs and steps into her dance studio.

Maybe I’ll feel better after a work out. She enters the studio below her little apartment. She had bought the place, even though the neighborhood wasn’t the greatest or high-end. The builder had accidentally built a studio beneath the apartment and it was perfect for her. She converted the studio into her little dance haven. She bought mirrors and lined the four walls and ceiling with them. She added two poles in the room as well as fabric for her aerial rehearsals. She made it so it had all the amenities she needed for practice so she didn’t have to rehearse in a public place.

She turns on the music and did a few stretches to get her going. After her warm-up she starts a few spins. Pulling herself up the pole, she tries to do an upside down trick but slips. Luckily, she wraps her ankle around the pole in time and was able to slide to the floor without breaking her neck.

That’s it! I can’t concentrate on anything! She storms out the studio and back into her apartment. She grabs her phone and made a few phone calls. She decided she was going to get away. She went and sent an E-mail to Stacy and to say that she was taking her vacation again. She did not leave a forwarding number or mention where she was going.

………..

Naraku shifts through the stack of papers, documents and photos Kanna gave him, from the PIs. Picking up a photo of Kagome he stares at her. Her deep brown eyes, her beautiful face, and her long black hair.

Kikyo.

But something else strange about her that boggles his mind. Taking a blue marker he colors her eyes and ignores the hair. And then it all became clear to him. Kagome and Eden were one of the same. He had never met Kagome before, but Eden, oh Eden, he’d been around plenty of times. Her body, her voice.

How did that mutt get his hands on her?

He chuckle to himself of the discovery. The wheels in his mind starts to turn as he was coming up with ways in which he can make the information useful. He sets her picture down and looks through the other papers. Her finances, her past school records. Everything was there. Copies of contracts she’d sign for dance lessons, the mortgage on her apartment, as well as receipts for mirrors. Lots and lots of mirrors. Anything that she had done, purchased, places that she’d been with a record, he had them all. And they were going to be very very useful to him. He snickers in delight and picks up another file filed with some kind of large purchase. He scans through the lines.

Owner: Kagome Higurashi The line held her little scribble signature and dated two and a half years ago.

And then Naraku gasped in utter shock and amazement but not without an evil merriment. This is going to be a very valuable advantage for me. Sesshoumaru, by the time I’m done, everything of yours will be mine. Including your mate.

…………