Torn Between Two Brothers
Change Of Scenery
Chapter 23: Change Of Scenery
A/N: Kagome leaves Lyrie with Inuyasha and her parents so that she can attend a research seminar. At the seminar she meets a handsome young business man named Kouga Komyoji. What will happen?
Kagome packed the last few personal items in her small black leather travel bag. She zipped the bag up carefully and then turned to check on her baby girl. Lyrie had been able to be released from the hospital because she was in remission from her outbreak of Aplastic Anemia. Kagome carefully picked Lyrie up and cradled her against her chest. “Oh my sweet baby girl, I love you so much!” Lyrie cooed and gurgled drooling a little on her mother’s neck. “Mommy’s going to miss you while she’s gone Lyrie. But don’t worry, you’re going to stay with Nana and Papa, and Daddy will visit you too.”
Just a k a knock on the door startled Kagome. She padded quickly towards the front door of the small apartment that she now called home. Standing out in the hallway was Inuyasha. He grinned at Kagome as he came inside the apartment. “Hey Kagome.”
“Hi Inuyasha.”
“How’s my baby girl?”
“She’s fine and wide awake too as you can see.” He chuckled and held out his arms.
“Can I hold her?”
“Sure.” Kagome handed Inuyasha his daughter. Inuyasha cradled Lyrie close to his broad chest and glanced at Kagome. “Thanks for taking her to my parents Inuyasha.”
“No problem Kagome. So what’s this seminar about anyway?”
“It’s about some new experimental drug that is supposed to be quite effective against Alzheimer’s disease.”
“Oh sounds interesting.” Kagome laughed out loud at his comical expression paired with his sarcastic remark.
“Right. I’ll bet it’s just your cup of tea isn’t it?” Inuyasha grinned broadly.
“Right up my alley princess!” She rolled her eyes and grabbed her purse as she headed back into her bedroom to grab her black leather travel bag. Kagome walked back into the living room with her travel bag slung over her left shoulder and her purse on her right. She picked up Lyrie’s pink and white plaid diaper bag.
“I put plenty of diapers and baby wipes and formula in here for her. And I put in some clean clothes, her favorite blanket and some Desitin diaper rash cream just in case Lyrie gets diaper rash.”
“Okay Kagome, just relax would you?”
“I’m sorry, this is just the first time I’ve been away from Lyrie.”
“I know but don’t worry. Lyrie will be just fine with her Daddy.” Kagome smiled at Inuyasha as he walked her toward the front door. He walked over to his car and opened the back passenger door. Inuyasha placed Lyrie in her car seat in the back seat and then placed her diaper bag in the floorboard behind his seat. He turned to face Kagome. “Well Kagome, you had better get going.”
“Yeah. Inuyasha?”
“Yes?”
“Do something for me?”
“Sure, what?”
“Don’t let Sesshomaru see Lyrie.”
“Okay.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. See you when you get back Kagome.” Kagome leaned down and placed a kiss on Lyrie’s forehead.
“Bye angel, you be good for Daddy.” Kagome then hugged Inuyasha before he climbed into his car. She watched him drive away and then climbed into her own car. She had gotten halfway down the road when her cell phone rang. Thinking it could be Inuyasha Kagome answered it quickly. “Inuyasha?”
Sesshomaru’s elegant but unmistakably baritone voice rang in her ear. “Expecting my bastard little brother’s phone call are you?”
“What do you want Sesshomaru?”
“Now now kitten, is that any way to speak to your beloved?”
“Whatever. Now what do you want Sesshomaru?”
“I was just wondering when you were planning on telling me about the seminar that you’re headed to?” Kagome sighed heavily letting Sesshomaru hear that she was quickly becoming annoyed with him.
“Look Sesshomaru, I don’t have time for your games.”
“Where is the seminar being held Kagome?”
“In Tokyo at the Hilton Hotel. Why?”
“Well then I shall see you there.” Kagome groaned loudly before replying.
“What? I simply want to learn that’s all.”
“Bullshit! You just want to keep tabs on me and it’s not happening!”
“Relax Kagome you wouldn’t want to upset Lyrie would you?”
“She’s not with me.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s at my parent’s house.”
“Are you telling me the truth kitten?”
“What are you talking about Sesshomaru?”
“Are you sure that you didn’t leave Lyrie with Inuyasha?”
“Why are you so worried about it Sesshomaru? Lyrie isn’t your baby! Just leave it alone!”
“Don’t talk to me like that you little bitch! I’ll take Lyrie away from you for good if you don’t watch how you talk to me!” Kagome was infuriated by Sesshomaru’s callous words.
“Go to hell you jerk!” She then hung up the phone angrily before he could say anything else. She was seething with anger as she drove towards the Tokyo Hilton Hotel. ‘Damn that jerk! Why does he have to be such an asshole?’ Her phone rang again and she grabbed it. Kagome saw Sesshomaru’s name on the screen and scowled at it. She clicked the talk button and screamed into the phone. “STOP CALLING ME ASSHOLE!!”
Dial tone echoed in Sesshomaru’s ears before he could even get a word out of his mouth. ‘That stupid bitch! I’ll teach her to fucking hang up on me! Just wait until I get my hands on that little whore!’ He quickly packed his overnight bag and climbed in his car. Sesshomaru called and reserved a room in the Tokyo Hilton Hotel as he headed towards the city. Arriving at the Hilton Hotel Kagome quickly checked into her reserved suite. She decided to take a relaxing bubble bath to try and unwind. Kagome filled the huge spa tub to the brim with gardenia scented bubbles. She quickly undressed and eased her nude body into the warm water. Kagome’s eyes were just about to slip closed when there was a knock on the door of her suite.
Groaning in annoyance she quickly climbed out of the tub and wrapped one of the large white cotton towerounround her naked body. Kagome hurried to answer the door nearly tripping over her own feet in the process. She flung open the door only to be greeted by Sesshomaru. “Hello kitten.”
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“I told you I came for the seminar.”
“Look just leave okay?”
“Why? Aren’t you happy to see me?”
“Not in the least. Please leave now Sesshomaru.”
“Or else what?”
“Don’t make me call security.” Sesshomaru chuckled at Kagome’s threat.
“Come now princess, you’re not going to call security on me.” He forced his way into her hotel suite and shut the door behind him. He advanced on Kagome making her stumble backwards.
“Get away from me now Sesshomaru!”
“That’s not what you want. On the contrary, it looks as if you were expecting me kitten.”
“Because I happen to be naked? Don’t flatter yourself I was just taking a bath!” Sesshomaru reached out and grabbed Kagome’s arm and yanked her closer to him.
“God you’re so beautiful Kagome! You’re like a poison seeping into my body weakening me with each passing second. I can’t stay away from kittkitten, you know that don’t you?” Kagome nodded as she stared up at him. “Please don’t send me away Kagome, let me stay with you tonight?”
“Why are you doing this Sesshomaru?”
“Because I love you. Let me make love to you tonight Kagome?”
“Sesshomaru I....can’t, we can’t. We shouldn’t, it isn’t right.”
“Why?”
“Because it will only serve to complicate things more in the long run.”
“Please kitten, all I ask is just this one night with you. Let me make love to you?” Kagome shook her head.
“No Sesshomaru we can’t. I won’t do this anymore now please go.” Sesshomaru sighed heavily as he turned to leave.
“Then it’s truly over between us?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“Then you do still care for me Kagome?”
“Of course I still care, Sesshomaru Ill lll love you. I just need time to clear my head. Can you do that for me?”
“I can do anything for you Kagome.”
“Thank you.” He nodded and headed for the door.
“Goodnight kitten.”
“Goodnight Sesshomaru.” Kagome smiled to herself as she locked the door to her suite once more. She went back into the bathroom and was pleased to find that the water in the tub was still warm. Finishing her bath she dressed in her white cotton pajamas and went to bed. Kagome was relieved that she had been able to avoid conflict with Sesshomaru. She set her alarm for seven thirty and went to sleep almost immediately.
The next morning her alarm sounded loudly making her jerk awake. Kagome quickly shut off the annoying alarm clock and hauled herself out of bed. Taking a quick shower she thenled led out her clothes that she had decided to wear that day. She pulled on a pair of charcoal gray slacks and paired them with a three quarter length sleeved white cotton button down shirt. Kagome stepped into a pair of black zip up leather boots. She curled her long ebony locks and then sprayed some hairspray over it to make sure they would stay in place. Kagome finished putting on her make up and then brushed her teeth. She grabbed a notebook and her purse before leaving her room.
Quickly locking the door Kagome headed to the hotel’s large conference room where the seminar was being held. She sank down into one of the many chairs that had been set up in the conference room. Kagome glanced up when a silky smooth baritone voice interrupted her. “Is this seat taken?” She was greatly surprised when she discovered the voice did not belong to Sesshomaru.
“Oh uh no.” He grinned and sat down beside her extending his hand.
“My name’s Kouga Komyoji, and you are?”
She took his hand and shook it. “Kagome Hig- uh Nobunaga.” He raised an eyebrow in confusion at her introduction.
“Kagome Hig- uh Nobunaga, hmm that’s an interesting last name.” She giggled nervously.
“Well my last name was Higurashi and then it became Nobunaga.”
“I see.” She studied Kouga taking in his handsome features. He was tall with a muscular build, sapphire blue eyes and bronzed skin. His hair was ink black and was pulled up into a ponytail. He was dressed in light gray colored slacks with a white button down shirt that had thin gray pinstripes on it. Kouga grinned at Kagome letting her see just how gorgeous he really was. She felt a slight blush creep onto her cheeks as Kouga continued to stare at her.
“So Kagome, you are here representing what company?”
“Shikon Tech, what about you?”
“Togenkyo Pharmaceutical Corporation.”
“You own that?”
“That’s right.”
“Wow that’s amazing!” He flashed her an impish grin that made her heart flutter nervously in her chest.
“So Kagome, you don’t mind if I call you Kagome do you?”
“Oh no not at all Mr. Komyoji.”
“Please, call me Kouga. Now, Kagome, after the seminar how would you like to go grab a bite to eat?”
“That sounds wonderful.” Sesshomaru entered the conference room and began scanning it for Kagome. His amber eyes narrowed and a scowl twisted his handsome features. He was none too pleased to find Kagome chatting away with a rather attractive dark haired young man.
‘Look at her acting as if she is single. Chatting it up with that man! Well then I shall just have to crash their little party.’ Sesshomaru strode over to where Kagome and Kouga were sitting. “Hello Kagome, do you mind if I join you?” She glanced up at him nervously and then back at Kouga who looked at her with concern.
“Oh hello Sesshomaru.”
“Yes hello indeed, you didn’t wait for me.”
“Sorry.”
“Who’s your friend Kagome?”
“Oh this is Kouga Komyoji of Togenkyo Pharmaceutical Corporation. Kouga, this is Sesshomaru Nobunaga of Tenseiga Corporation.” The two men frowned a little at each other as they cautiously extended their hands.
“So Kagome, is this your husband?”
“Oh uh no, Sesshomaru is just a good friend that’s all.” Sesshomaru glared at her angrily at what she had just said. Soon the seminar began and everyone fell silent. At eleven thirty the seminar was wrapped up and Kagome stood stretching her legs. Kouga stood and turned to Kagome.
“So ready to go eat?”
“Yes please, I’m starved!” Sesshomaru grabbed her hand quickly.
“Where are you headed Kagome?”
“Oh Kouga invited me to lunch.”
“I see.”
“I’ll just catch up with you later okay Sessshomaru?” He nodded and let go of her arm. Watching her walk away with Kouga he scowled angrily. Kouga took Kagome to an upscale Japanese restaurant and they sat at a cozy table for two.
“So Kagome, what was with that Sesshomaru fellow? He didn’t seem too happy about you coming out to lunch with me.”
“Oh well it’s complicated.”
“How so?”
“Well you see Sesshomaru and I were a couple for a little while.”
“Uh huh that explains the way that he was glaring at me.”
“I’m sorry.”
“So you never did tell me how your name changed to Nobunaga since Sesshomaru isn’t your husband.”
“Oh yes that, well you see I was married to Sesshomaru’s younger brother Inuyasha Nobunaga for a while. We divorced and then Sesshomaru and I began seeing each other soon after.”
“Wow that sounds complicated.”
“Very.”
“Well Kagome, how would you feel about seeing me again after the seminar is over?”
“You mean dating?”
“Yes. Are you okay with that?”
“Well there’s something you have to know Kouga.”
“What’s that?”
“I have a little girl.”
“I don’t mind, I like children.”
“Her father is Inuyasha so he is still very much a part of my life because of her.”
“Listen Kagome it doesn’t matter to me that you have a child. I would still like to see you if you would like to see me again?”
“Yes Kouga, I would like that very much.” He pulled a business card out of his wallet and handed it to her.
“This is my cell number so that you can reach me whenever you need to.” Kagome handed him one of her business cards as well. “Can I walk you back to your hotel room?”
“I would like that very much.” Kouga paid their tab and escorted Kagome back to his car. He drove quickly back to the hotel and escorted Kagome back to her suite. “Thank you very much for lunch, I had a wonderful time Kouga.”
“I had a great time with you Kagome.” He leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. “Call me later?”
“Okay.”
“Bye gorgeous.”
“Bye Kouga.” Kagome felt as if her entire body was on fire from the innocent kiss that Kouga had planted on her cheek. She couldn’t wait to see him again. ‘Oh my god! Kouga is such a gentleman! I want to see him again but I want to do things right this time. We can’t sleep together until the time is perfect.’