At What Price

SUMMARY: Kagome felt a little baffled. ‘Whatever I want? Is he just going to show up for the wedding then and leave me to do all the planning.’ She was fuming at this thought, but it quickly dissipated. ‘Well, if that is how it’s going to be, so be it.’

Author's Note: Yes, it is one of those plot development chapter that is slow. Next will be better. Plus, for those you who haven't figured it out I don't own Inuyasha. Hahaha! Until then.

CHAPTER 18: AWAITING
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Next day…

Kagome stared at the engagement ring on her finger in utter disbelief. “I can’t believe I did it.” she muttered under her breath as she sat at her desk.

Inuyasha had been in meetings ever since this morning and Kagome knew that the moment she’d agreed to marry Sesshoumaru, he made the backing for Inuyasha company that same night.

*Flashback*
Sesshoumaru pulled out a small box out of his coat pocket and opened it. Kagome’s jaw dropped when she saw the ring, just out of pure astonishment. “Wow!” she said in amazement.

Sesshoumaru took that out burst to mean that Kagome like the four carrot, three emerald cut diamond ring, set in a platinum band. But, he was quickly rid of that notion, at her next statement.

“What!” Kagome bellowed. “Were you that confident that I would agree?” she said in a half accusing, half teasing tone. She gave him her left hand.

Sesshoumaru slipped the ring on her fourth finger before answering. “I am always sure about everything I do. Even in a business deal.” He looked displeased with her for a moment, as he left one thought unspoken. ‘I’m also confident about you. You are to kind heart and giving Kagome.’
*End of Flashback*

The phone rang which startled her out of her day dream. Kagome leaned over and answered it. “Inu-Search Inc, this is Ms. Higurashi. How may I be of assistance?” Kagome answered in a sweet voice.

“Yes, Ms. Higurashi, I believe you can.” Came a silky voice, laced with underlying deceit. Kagome immediately wished she hadn’t answered the phone and that she would never have to hear this voice again. He was mad, Kagome could tell from his tone. But, she knew what had caused his upset, and that made her smile.

“Tell me Mr. Naraku, what is it that I can assist you with?”

“Besides entertaining me with your beautiful voice,” he said with a wicked smile on his handsome face. “Put me through to Inuyasha.”

“I’m sorry, but he is in a meeting for another hour." ‘Hahaha!’ she laughed at him silently. ‘You will never get this company.’ Kagome tried to compose herself as she continued talking to him. "Is there anything else, Sir?”

He chuckled. “There is something you could do for me.”

Kagome swallowed hard. ‘Don’t ask! Don’t do it!’ “What is it?”

“I’m so glad you asked.” His voice became enthralling and luring. “Go out with me.”

Kagome almost vomited at the thought of her even being in the same room with him; let alone being seen with him. “Oh, I am sorry I can’t.”

“Can’t, or don’t want to?”

’I really don’t want to,’ she screamed mentally. “No, Mr. Naraku, I can’t. I am engaged.”

Naraku listen to her explanation. ‘She lying,’ he thought angrily. ‘Inuyasha is going to marry Kikyou. So, who else would she be engaged to within less then a month time period? Besides, Kikyou would have said something by now.’ He only offered her a polite, ‘hmm.’

Kagome knew that he was going to start asking question, and that spurred her to rush on before Naraku could even say anything. “I will leave Mr. Masurau a note that you call. Have a good day.” With that she hung up on him, and shuddered.

The phone rang again, and Kagome felt physically sick. ‘Is he calling back?’ she pondered nervously. “He-hello?” Her voice squeaked.

“Kagome,” Sesshoumaru drew out her name “at your lunch break, there will be a car waiting for you down stairs. It will take you to a friend of mine, Lynne Wiess, she is a wedding coordinator that will be working with you. Get what you need and I will see you at six this even.” He didn’t even wait for her to say something before he just hung up the phone.

‘I'm doing well, honey!’ she thought sarcastically. ‘What about you, jerk?’ Kagome listened in disbelief as the line went dead. Her temper was rising, ‘That, that taiyoukai! Just wait until I give him a piece of my mind.’

She set the phone back down on the receiver, and made a fist in frustration. All of sudden, Kagome thought about what time it is. Her silver-blue eyes widened when she realized it was already her lunch. Kagome squealed, then vaulted out of the chair and ran for the elevator.
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Sango saw Kagome race like a bat out of hell from the building and get into a limo, as she got into Miroku’s car. “Did you see that?!” Sango shrieked in disbelief.

Miroku shook his head. “I do believe that our Kagome ran out of the building into that awaiting limo.”

The pair continued to stare as the limo began to leave the curb and pull into the lane to driving away.

“Follow that limo.” Sango barked as her thoughts then became frantic. ‘I knew she was keeping something from me. The question is what?’

Miroku revved the engine into life and took off following the limo that his friend occupied.
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The limo pulled into a quaint shopping center in downtown Tokyo. Kagome looked out the window of the limo and shook her head when she realized there was a bridal boutique in the center of the other shops. ‘Oi, it's happening. I am really going to marry him. This solidifies things even more,’ she thought sadly. ‘Well, here go everything.’

The chauffer opened the door for Kagome to exit the limo when a lady, Kagome had seen early, came into view when she stepped out. Kagome took a badly needed deep breath then a thought struck her. ‘What if she starts asking questions. Ones I can't answer.’

“Hello, you must be Mr. Masurau fiancée, Kagome.” Came a friendly voice.

Kagome just nodded. She bit her tongue when she thought about correcting the lady about being his fiancée, and then thought the better of it. ‘More like business partner,’ she commented dryly to herself.

“Nice to meet you.” Kagome stuck her hand out to the lady who shook it. She was pretty. Kagome thought this must be the lady Sesshoumaru told her about.

“My name is Lynne Weiss.” The woman with short curly red hair and brilliant green eyes said. She was dressed in a black dress with pearls around her neck, very classic. “I will be assisting you in your wedding planning.” She smiled before she continued. “Mr. Masurau instructed me to let you have whatever you wish.”

Kagome felt a little baffled. ‘Whatever I want? Is he just going to show up for the wedding then and leave me to do all the planning?’ She was fuming at this thought, but it quickly dissipated. ‘Well, if that is how it’s going to be, so be it.’

Lynne watched as Kagome’s face scowled for a moment, then went back to its serene look. Making her look very much like an angel. ‘Sesshoumaru picked well,’ she mused to herself.

“All right, Miss Weiss, please lead the way.” Kagome offered with a polite smile, but inside she cringed. ‘Let’s get this over with.’ Kagome was going to act the part of the blushing bride, however not just any bride, Sesshoumaru’s bride. Kagome was consciously going to mirror him. Become what other’s expect him to want in a woman, but she would not be cold. Kagome couldn’t. She would be regal and distant. Act like a queen.
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Sango and Miroku watched in astonishment as Kagome was lead into a bridal boutique.

Miroku whistled. “I do believe she has been up to something, and did not tell us a damn thing.”

Sango felt hurt that Kagome was lying to her. Her best friend! Sango felt the fury building insider as she got mad. And before she knew what she was doing, Sango had got out of the car and went charging after Kagome; leaving Miroku yelling after her.