Chapter 2 - Be Prepared

"To be prepared is half the victory" - Miguel de Cevrantes Saaverda

So here she was, standing in front of the door belonging to whom she fondly ... and silently referred to as Mr. Youkai Boss. And the youkai wasn't in reference to his species. Slave driver didn't even begin to describe him. He'd probably been the one to invent the term. She had no idea how old he truly was, but she suspected he fell into the category of "very". And for him, maybe working five years straight without a nice relaxing vacation was the equivalent of a day, but for her ... well lets just say Sesshomaru Taisho had been the centerpiece in several dreams lately ... in it she was caring an uzi and he had a big, red bullseye painted on his forehead.

And that wasn't the only problem. She had a very big secret. She was an endangered species. Yep. Kagome Higurashi was one of only a handful of remaining mikos. And while she as a general rule didn't have any problems with youkai, that didn't work both ways. From a very young age, she had been trained in the near-dead arts of the miko. Kaede had been her instructor and had ensured that, above all, Kagome knew how to conceal what she really was. In fact, she had learned to bury it so deep, that until a few months ago, she had, had no problem keeping it hidden. Kaede had warned her that it would eventually happen. 'Power can't be bottled up forever', she'd said. And she was right.

A vacation wasn't just a desire now, it was a necessity. She needed the time to 'let loose' so to speak and then rebuild her barriers. She shivered every time she thought about Sesshomaru finding out her secret. If she couldn't get herself together, she would have to leave Taisho Corp and find a very big hole to hide in away from any youkai. And for some reason, abandoning her contrary boss caused a slight pang in her chest. Frowning, she shook her head. Best not go there. Firming her lips, she tightened her grasp on the paper in her hands, ensured that the required object was in her coat pocket, and knocked on the door to the lion's den.

"Enter."

Oh boy. He was in a foul mood today. He only had that tone when someone did something really stupid. She sighed. This is going to go well.

Sesshomaru was irate. The fool on the other line had the gal to accuse Sesshomaru's business of not adhering to a contract. He was questioning his honor. Had the man done so a few hundred years ago, he would have not lived long enough the realize his error. As it was, the best Sesshomaru could do at the moment was only picture the man dissolving into a green puddle instead of actually being one.

Standing in front of the huge panes of glass overlooking the bustling city, he turned to glance briefly as his assistant strode into the office, closing the door firmly behind her. She waited calmly as he finished his call.

"I do not care for your accusations. I suggest that in the future you read the contract before signing it. The deal was twenty-five million. I take no blame for the incompetencies of your staff. That they drew up the contract not fitting your specifications is your own fault. Let this be a lesson to you." He growled. Glaring at the cellular, he clenched his fist around it. A loud crack filled the air as plastic and small parts fell to the floor in pieces. For a single instant, a look of satisfaction crossed his face before he strode back to his desk.

"What is it Miss Higurashi?" He asked in a bored tone.

Unfazed, she walked over to the door of a small closet. Pulling out the broom and standing dustpan, she made quick work of the mangled phone.

"That was a $1,000 dollar phone you know. I even ensured that the latest software was on it."

"Hn. How unfortunate." He said, eyes gleaming with a flash of deadly amusement. She did not see it of course, as her back was turned. And by the time she was facing him, his usual cool mask was back in place. He waited for what he knew was coming with hidden anticipation. It was a game they played, although he didn't think she knew it, and he refused to acknowledge it.

She sighed, throwing her hands on her hips and cocked an eye-brow. "Thats six in four months." She narrowed her eyes. "I think you just like getting a rise out of me. You do this on purpose don't you?"

Hn. Perhaps she was more observant than he thought. But then again, he would have never hired her had he thought she had nothing but air behind those lov... those eyes.

"You speak nonsense. I merely did to the phone what that fool was fortunate I could not do to him."

"Mhm." She said as she absently straightened out the papers on his desk. He inhaled as he caught a whiff of her delicate scent... and along with it the almost nonexistent scent of nervousness. He frowned mentally, somehow irritated by that.

"Why are you here Miss Higurashi?" His voice slightly more cold than usual. He did not like the direction his thoughts had gone.

Sticking her chin out, she looked at him sternly. "I am here to submit my request for my paid time off."

"Denied." He clipped out. Dismissively, he grabbed a stack of papers and began perusing them.

She continued as if he hadn't spoken. "All of the tasks have been completed for the next three weeks. There are no business trips planned, no major investors scheduled, no events, no charities, functions or anything else that requires me to be here during that time. I have even spent the last few weeks assuring that Ms. Kagura is up to speed on what you will need in my absence."

"Oh?" He arched an eyebrow. "And how do you expect me to work without --"

With a flourish, she pulled out a shinny, metallic object from her pocket and set it on his desk. Glancing down he noted what it was. Casually he picked it up, inspecting it critically, but knowing there would be absolutely nothing wrong with it.

"Not only is it the latest in technology, with all of your contacts and data, including high-speed satellite connection, it's also made of the very same material used by the military all over the world. It cannot be damaged by water, stands up to extreme heat and cold, AND..." She leaned forward, placing a palm on his desk. "... is very, VERY resistant to physical damage." She raised a hand as he was about to speak. "But just in case anything does happen to G.I. Joe Number One here, I have three others on my desk ready to report for duty should there be a need." She said teasingly.

He was impressed. She always seemed to be just a tiny bit ahead of him... at least sometimes. That's probably the only reason he had been able to work with her so long. Anyone else, just wouldn't do.

"You would be gone in June."

"Yes, and no, you won't be able to use that as an excuse this time. I've already got your mother's birthday gift ordered. It is to be delivered to her 'surprise' party. I have made arrangements for it to be held at the Western Castle. All of the invitations have gone out and all have replied with an affirmative. The food will be catered by the best food service. The decorations have been chosen, everything is done... all you need to do is show up."

Damn her, he growled mentally. She could see the refusal on the tip of his tongue and was quick to cut it off.

"Mr. Taisho, I have been working here for FIVE years. In all that time you have denied, canceled and even gone as far as dragging me of my plane! I have never shirked my duties and have willingly done everything required of me. I enjoy working here...truly ... but I need some time to myself. And sir, if you say no again, I am prepared to do something very drastic." She said, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Miss Higurashi, as you very well know, I don't respond well to threats." He said silkily.

"That is just as well Mr. Taisho as I am not in the habit of making them... I do however, always keep my promises."

He leaned forward. He knew she was right... she had more than earned her vacation. Yet still ... he didn't care for 'breaking in' an new assistant...even if only for a few weeks. He shook his head. Leaning back, he steepled his fingers. "I'm afraid that I cannot agree to your request."

"Very well then." Leaning over, she placed a sheet of paper on his desk.

His eyes not straying from her face he asked, "What is this?"

"This is my letter of resignation Mr. Taisho. Consider this my two weeks notice." She said formally. She kept her eyes firmly planted on his, determined to show how serious she was.

For one moment, his heart skipped. His eyes jerked down swiftly to the seemingly innocent piece of paper. Quickly he scanned it's contents. Standing, his fierce gaze moved back to the woman before him.

"Perhaps I will just find another, you position will be easy to fill." He bit out.

Oh, that stung. Nodding sharply she said, "I will make sure that a copy is given to personnel by then end of the day." Turning, she began walking to the doors, only to be stopped by a firm hand on her arm. She stopped, startled. There had been almost no physical contact between them these past five years with only a few exceptions. All of them unintentional and all of them left an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach.

Today was no different. Her eyes widened as he turned her to face him. His gold eyes glittered as he gazed at her, assessing. "You are not bluffing." He said abruptly.

"No."

There was a long pause. Sesshomaru was confused. He did not understand why he did not just let her go. It should be easy enough to find someone as efficient as her. He did not need someone who caused him so much conflict. But still... it would be such a waste of ... talent to let her go. Realizing his hand was still grasping her arm, he released it and returned back to his desk.

"You have your three weeks Miss Higurashi. No more. I expect your return with no complaint."

"Of course Mr. Taisho. Thank you." She hurried to the door and closed it softly before he could change his mind.

He stared broodingly at the paper on top of his desk. He did not notice his claws lengthen, nor the poison dripping from them onto the hapless stationary until there was nothing but a hole in the wood.

Author's Drabble:

Well, I know some of you are thinking that maybe Sesshomaru is slightly OOC. Well, I did it a bit on purpose... yes he's still our 'emotionally constipated' Taiyoukai, but I wanted to try to write how I thought he would be being influenced by the modern world. It IS 500 years later after all and everyone changes at least a bit. Some may have a different point of view, or maybe your a die-hard "Sesshomaru Classic" and thats okay, but I hope you are enjoying the story anyways. PS: I had no intention of writing/posting the next chapter this fast, but the muses go at their own speed I guess... I didn't want to turn them away in fear of them deciding not to come back ;)