The Fires of My Heart

A.N.: WOO HOO!! It took me until 5 in the morning but I finally finished my final paper of the semester! *victory dance* Anyway...I would like to extend my deepest thank you to four amazing reviewers: TricksterGoddess, Erica, Kuroi Neko, and Dark Child. Thanks to your reviews I will continue to post the story. I really do appreciate the feedback! Hope you guys like the chapter!

SIDENOTE: Kagome is still pregnant but doesn't realize it yet. When she was still with Sess, she knew right away due to their bond, but without a mate or anyone in her life she has no reason to even look for it. The rest of this story will take place in the future, except for the occasional flashback. This probably won't be as long as the first story.

**Last Chapter**

The daze of her dream still clung to her as the elevator doors opened. Kagome entered the box and pressed her floor number, ignoring the other occupants as she thought back to the prince who haunted her. The demoness was so lost in her own thoughts that she never acknowledged the amber eyes that stared after her in longing as the elevator doors closed.

**On with the story.**

Chapter 3
Kagome...meet Mr. Tashio.

A sudden burning sensation flared to life and Kagome clamped her hand down on her shoulder with a hiss. Her obsidian fingertips glided across the flesh of where her neck and shoulder met. Kagome's eyes widened as her fingers continued to probe the skin tenderly, careful not to irritate the skin further.

"What the hell..." Kagome growled to herself as she pulled her compact mirror from her bag. Her dark eyes flashed in anger as her eyes fell on the pulsing scar beneath her fingers. "˜I don't remember getting injured. It sure as hell isn't a tattoo.' Her annoyance rose as the elevator door opened, letting off various people. She leaned against the cool steel of the elevator and put away the mirror. "˜What a weird day...'

The doors opened with an annoying "˜ding', jarring Kagome from her disgruntled thoughts. With a scowl, she stepped from the box and made her way down the dark hall towards her office. Ignoring her secretary's frantic babbling of morning meetings and phone calls; the demoness entered the spacious office and sat at her glass desk. Kagome leaned back in the black, leather recliner and kicked her heels onto the desktop.

"So tell me, Hikari." Kagome spoke in a bored tone. Her brows tightened as the woman's name bounced against the caverns of her mind. Images of a kind smile and a servant girl in a large hallway tore at her heart. "˜What is this feeling? It's almost as if I'm homesick. Impossible...' Her hand flew to massage the tingling scar on her shoulder as she held her cold gaze on the stuttering woman. "What exactly am I up against today."

"The consultant and his associates for the newest samurai picture we're working on are in the lobby. You are set to meet with him in five minutes." Hikari chirped as she brushed her neck-length blonde hair from her emerald eyes. She eyed her boss with concern as Kagome pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance. "Um...Miss Higurashi?"

"What is it, Hikari? And haven't I told you not to call me that?" Kagome reprimanded her secretary, fighting the migraine forming behind her eyes.

"Is something wrong?" Hikari whispered as she clutched her notebook to her chest. Everyone knew how notorious Kagome was for being a cold bitch when it came to business; there was always something of a predator in her. When it came to playing the game of money, there was no one stronger or more frightening than Kagome Higurashi. The receptionist felt that she was one of the few to see the other side of the frigid woman.

"I'm fine, Hikari. Give me five minutes and then send them in." Kagome replied, the coldness in her tone had lightened slightly. She dropped her feet from the glass and stood, walking to her mini bar to grab some aspirin and a glass of water. With a heavy sigh, Kagome plopped onto one of the black, leather love seats in the center of the room.

"Very well, Miss Kagome." Hikari murmured before bowing slightly and leaving. A sympathetic smile on the woman's lips; she wasn't a fool; her boss was definitely not herself today.

Kagome rose from the couch and stood before the glass wall that was her office window. The city thrived on as she watched from the window. The dream plagued her thoughts, a darkness spreading in her heart. "˜Something is missing.' Kagome could hear her heart whisper again and again. It had felt worse when she had seen the children this morning. A scowl slid across her red lips as her forehead touched the cool glass.

"I have no time for such emotions and foolish dreams." With the frost back in her tone, Kagome sat at her desk. Legs crossed, and vest straightened she sat waiting while toying with the sakura blossom pendant at her throat. Ever since she could remember she had the pendant; it was a source of comfort to her at times. The doors to her office suddenly burst open to reveal Hikari escorting two men and a woman into her office.

Kagome let the cold mask slip back into place as the group approached her desk. She couldn't help, however, feel a bolt of electricity strike her spine as the tall man of group turned his gaze on her. His back-length silver hair swaying with his steps as his amber eyes locked on hers. Kagome could have sworn she saw emotion flicker across the eyes but they returned to their stone-like appearance. He was handsome...no doubt about that.

"˜More like a God amongst insects!' Her mind hissed at her. "˜Wait! He reminds me of...' The realization of his startling resemblance to her dream prince made her catch her breath. The mark on her shoulder flared to life as he held her gaze. "˜He can't be. My prince has knee-length hair, magenta stripes, a blue crescent moon....oh! And he's a demon!' Disappointment plucked the cords of her heart as she returned her focus to her guests.

"May I introduce Mr. Sesso Tashio and his associates, Mr. Kouga Wolf and Mrs. Ellie Wolf. Mr. Tashio is the history and myth consultant for our writers, actors, and director." Hikari spoke up, noticing her boss's distraction. She withheld a giggle as she remembered her own reaction to the handsome man's appearance in the office. "˜Can't blame her!' "Well...I'll leave you then. Will there be anything else, Miss Kagome?"

"No, thank you." Was Kagome's curt reply as she stood from her desk to greet her visitors. Careful to keep her tone in check, Kagome reached out her hand to shake Sesso's. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Tashio."

"Please...call me Sess." His deep, velvety voice sent chills through her to the very core of her soul. She raised a brow at him when she found his gaze had landed on her throat to stare at her choker, a strange expression on his handsome face. "Is something wrong, Sess?" The man visibly tensed and shook his head firmly as he released her hand.

"No. I was simply admiring your necklace. Where did you get it?" Sesshomaru mentally kicked himself for letting his emotions slip in her presence. If he was going to get her to remember, he had to do it gradually. Kouga had spent the better part of the hour drive there reminding him. He already missed the softness of her touch when he let go of the delicate hand.

"I don't remember actually. It's always been with me so I couldn't really tell you." Kagome laughed lightly as she replied, her fingertips lightly brushing the pendant absentmindedly. "Why do you ask?"

"My...my wife owned a necklace just like it a long time ago." Sesshomaru answered slowly. The sadness crept back into his voice.

"Oh!" Kagome swore mentally. "˜Of course he's married! Just my luck...' She forced a smile and met his sad eyes. "Is she joining you here?"

"I'm afraid my wife was taken from me many years ago." Sesshomaru growled out, careful of his tone. Kagome caught the sadness and decided it would be best to end the discussion.

"I am sorry to hear that, Sess." Kagome murmured softly. She smiled at him lightly.

"It's quite alright, Ms. Higurashi." Sesshomaru offered a small smile of his own before turning from her to walk to the window. It took all of his control not to crush her form to his and kiss her senseless. "˜Kagome....koishii.' Pain tore at him as he glanced out at the Tokyo horizon. He smiled as she spoke to his turned form.

"Please call me Kagome." Kagome called to him as he held his gaze on the pulsing city beneath them. She could smell the pain on him and it killed her. A cough dragged her gaze from Sess's silent form. "Oh! How terribly rude of me." Kagome extended her hand to the handsome, dark-haired man who had grabbed her attention.

"It's a pleasure! Call me Kouga. This is my beautiful wife, Ellie." Kouga grinned charmingly as he released Kagome's hand and gently pushed his wife forward.

"Pleased to meet you as well, Kouga." Kagome nodded curtly before gently shaking Ellie's hand. "You too, Ellie. Shall we?" Kagome motioned for them all to sit on one of the loveseats. "Can I get anything for you?" The couple shook their heads and Sess gave no reply so Kagome sat on a couch and fixed her eyes on the quiet man.

"It really is a pleasure to work with you, Kagome. You're quite revered in the film industry. Producers with your flare for honesty in the business are a rare find." Ellie said, her voice friendly and light. "The writers and director wish to use Sess's manuscripts on the Feudal Era through modern day Japan. We were hoping that you would lend a hand in making sure the writers and director remain as true to his work as possible." Ellie finished her speech and turned to Sesshomaru. "Wouldn't you agree, Sess?"

"Indeed." Sesshomaru replied as he turned from the window and sat on a couch across from Kagome.

His eyes scanned her profile, but found he had to hold back a laugh as his gaze fell on her Chuck Taylors. Flawless skin, perfect form, more than satisfactory taste in dress.....and then the sneakers fall into view. It was almost too much for him. "˜Deep down...she hasn't changed a bit.'

"I will do my best." Kagome assured them. Her eyes would flicker to Sess every so often, a subtle blush fanning across her cheeks at his fixed gaze. The sheer heat of those molten gold eyes was enough to burn her through and through. A tug of familiarity rang in her mind as she returned the gaze.

"So, Kagome, what are you up to tonight?" Kouga spoke up, a smile tugging at his lips.

"I have to pick up my kids from their school and take them to the Shrine to visit the family. Why?" Kagome raised an eyebrow at the smiling man, a sinking feeling in her gut.

"Well...it would only seem proper to invite you for drinks with me, the Mrs., and Sess here. As a thank you..." Kouga offered lightly. He smirked slightly as Sesshomaru stiffened. Kagome thought it over a couple of times, weighing the pros and cons. The kids could hang with her friends and family at the shrine.

"What the hell? Sounds like fun." Kagome said, sighing as the phone on her desk began to ring. With slight hesitation on her part, Kagome picked up the phone with noticeable hostility. "What is it? I'm busy!"

"Sorry to bother you, Miss Kagome. There is a call for you from you mother on line two." Hikari's panicked voice rose in the air. Sesshomaru smirked slightly at the fear that Kagome seemed to produce in those around her. She almost reminded him of himself.

"Put her through." Kagome groaned slightly as her foster mother's voice rang into her sensitive ear.

"She seems darker...colder." Ellie whispered lowly, taking care not to catch the demoness's hearing.

"A bit of Sesshomaru in her I see. She may be a match for him yet." Kouga chuckled lightly as Sesshomaru shot him a glare promising castration. "How you holding up, Sess?"

"Five centuries have passed...the love, pain, and relief I feel is indescribable." Sesshomaru murmured as he glanced up at his beloved. "I can only hope we can fix the damage Jaken has done."

"You finally end it for him?" Ellie's voice held an underlining tone of pity. It was faint but it was there. She sighed heavily when the Taiyoukai nodded.

"Five hundred years of torture, death, and then to be brought back to life only to be tortured again...Hell must seem like a vacation to him right now." Kouga muttered; his lip curling in disgust. He had personally attended many of the "˜sessions' of Jaken's punishments. The bastard had earned every lash, scratch, and gaping wound. If he and Ellie hadn't of gone to Sesshomaru the minute they had felt the presence around them, there's no telling what the Inuyoukai would have done.

"Would you mind watching the kids tonight, mom? I'm going out with some clients." Kagome spoke into the phone, oblivious of the group's ongoing discussion. "Thanks, mom. I'll see you later this afternoon then?"

"Don't worry, Sess. I doubt it will take long for her to remember you. The mating mark must have emerged already so just let nature do the rest." Ellie said soothingly to the depressed demon.

"When should we tell her about us being demons? The spell will only last so long." Kouga added.

"Tonight I suppose. Doing this in pieces is the best way to go." Ellie shrugged as she patted her mate's knee.

"Silence." Sesshomaru growled as Kagome bid her goodbyes and hung up the phone.

"Well...I'm set for tonight. Shall we go over the materials the film crew will be using?" Kagome offered. The group nodded and got down to business.

Time flew by quickly as the meeting progressed into the evening. Every once in a while, Ellie would catch Kagome and Sesshomaru staring at each other secretly. It was just like old times. Kagome glanced at her watch and stretched.

"Terribly sorry, but I must be going. My kids are just about ready to get out of school and I should be there to pick them up. When do I meet you at the club?" Kagome asked as she stood and picked up her various notes.

"No need. I will pick you up at eight." Sess interjected.

Kagome raised an eyebrow again but said nothing. A god of a man wanted to pick her up and escort her to a club. Who the hell would fight that? She quickly wrote her address on a slip of paper and handed it to him, their fingers brushing against one another's briefly. Kagome shivered at the contact and let her hand drop.

"We must be going then. We will see you tonight!" Ellie smiled and let Kouga lead her out of the office and towards the elevator.

"I will see you tonight then, Kagome." Sesshomaru whispered before taking her hand and lightly brushing his lips against it in a tender kiss. "˜I've missed you so, my Kagome.' He smirked as chills ran up the demoness's spine. It was good to know he still had that effect on her regardless of her lack of memory.

"Um...yeah. See you tonight, Sess." Kagome managed to choke out before smiling brightly at him. He smiled slightly at her and left. Kagome stood frozen to the carpet for several moments after he had left.

"Sesso Tashio..." Kagome could feel her heart surging against her ribs as she fought for breath. She had lost her composure and that annoyed her...but the way his eyes bore into her, she couldn't help but drown within those amber pools. "˜Tonight is going to be very interesting...' Kagome smiled to secretly as she grabbed her things, locked her office and left to pick up Shippo and Rin.

Sesshomaru smiled as Kagome climbed into her car and drove off. She had felt it, he was sure of it. Very soon he would have his mate and children back. Speaking of children...Sesshomaru couldn't fight the frown that bloomed on his features. "˜What will do when she finds out she's pregnant?' Fighting the wave of emotions and cluttered thoughts, Sesshomaru climbed into the limo with Kouga and Ellie. He couldn't wait to see her that night.

TBC

Well.......I'm tired. Thanks again for the reviews guys. I really do appreciate them! Hopefully others will take your lead. Hope you liked the chapter. REVIEW!!!! See ya later! Cheers! "“ G.S.