At What Price by DarkShadow

Fatal Decision

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The tall ominous figure cloaked in the shadows stood looking outside the window. His golden eyes gazed out onto the busy streets of Tokyo with disinterest. He's clawed hands clenched and unclenched with a loud crackle which echoed off the walls in his office.

"Are you sure Jaken?" The cold voice asked. "There is no other way around it." Sesshoumaru already knew the answer to the question. His father always made sure there were no loop holes to escape from. From anything. InuTaisho was ruthless in everything that he did, especially when it came to his sons. That was why he was one of Tokyo's most successful business men. Sesshoumaru learned from the best.

"No, sir. It is an air tight will..." choked the little man in the shadows. Jaken trembled, as he thought he felt someone squeezing his throat making it difficult to breath. His boss was not taking the new well at all. The atmosphere in the office was charged. With hate and annoyance.

"That is all, Jaken." His tone dismissed the cowering man behind him. Sesshoumaru heard the sound of footsteps retreating then a door opening and closing softly in the background. His chiseled features showed no emotion at what he had just heard. His father was dead, and in the will, he left half of his possession to him while the other went to his half brother. Hatred started to swell deep within is blood at the stipulations read to him a few hours ago. The fact that there were contingences on him receiving his share of his father's estate made a low growl escaped his throat. "Always trying to have the last word aren't you, father."

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Two hours later....

Kagome Higurashi watched Inuyasha as sorrow flashed deep in his hazel eyes. "I'm sorry Kagome. I don't want to hurt you but I have made my decision."

She grimaced as she felt her heart breaking into tiny pieces. Kagome blinked furiously trying to keep the tears back that were stinging her eyes.

Inuyasha watched her blue-gray eyes turn almost silver from the tears welling up. "Kagome? Please, say something." His voice was so tender and caring when he spoke to her. It hurt her even more.

Kagome struggled to take a deep calming breath. "I will have my desk cleared by tomorrow then." Her voice was just above a whisper. Kagome's head lowered in defeat. Her onyx colored hair fell in front of her face shielding her from view. She was glad that Inuyasha's desk separated them because she was sure he would try to comfort her, however; right now all she wanted to do is to sink into the darkest recess of the world and cry. The heart ache was becoming too much to bare. It was like a huge weight was pressing against her body.

"I didn't fire you Kags." His voice now was rising in volume. "You still have your job. Besides you're the best secretary and....." He hesitated for a moment. "Friend I have." Inuyasha got up quickly to move away from his desk to console her, but stopped when he saw her flinch.

Kagome felt physical sick at the word, "friend," it made her shudder violently in reaction. She saw Inuyasha move from behind his desk coming at her.

"Stop!" Kagome shot her slender hand out in front of herself in an attempt to ward him off. "I...I" she stammered. "I want to wish you and Kikyou the best then." She struggled to regain some composure before she turned away from him and started walking to the front door of the office. Kagome's head was held high as she made her way to the door. Her hand was shaking as it went to the handle and turned it to open the door. 'I have to get out of here. I can't let him see me like this. Please, oh please, just make it outside the office with out crying.'

Kagome's mind was a whirl wind of thoughts and her heart a tidal wave of emotions that seemed to play tug-a-war at her soul. The large wooden doors opened slightly and continued until she heard Inuyasha's voice again. Kagome turned ever so to glance back at the handsome hanyou what was now becoming a part of her past. But, by his choice, she told herself.

"Kags, I know this isn't..." He said out loud in a pained voice, but he was cut short by her sorrowed angry words.

"No, you have no idea how it is!"

Inuyasha heard the bitterness in her voice before she continued talking again. She slowly turned her whole body from the door to look at him. "I will always love you Inuyasha and I will always be your friend." Gradually her dignity and pride was falling to pieces around her feet as she looked up the man she loved more then life itself. "Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go. Sorry, I won't be able to attend...." A hot tear rolled down her cheek. "your....en-" She felt the lump in her throat tighten at the next word. "engagement party. I have found that I am not feeling up to par at the moment." With that she threw open the door open the rest of the way and ran out of his office.

Inuyasha sighed as he watched one of the women he loved in his life run out of his office. He made a fist with his right hand and cursed himself. He turned back to his desk and leaned into it then slammed his fist down hard on mahogany wood. I can't let her leave like this. I have to go to her, Inuyasha thought as he turn from the desk at ran out of the office after Kagome.