"Want some scotch?" Miroku asked, the square glass container in his hand. "Might make you feel better." he poured out the amber liquid into a glass with ice.
Sesshomaru's head rested on the magnificent desk he owned. "No, I just want water." he said. "I can't even remember anything after we left the bar. I just woke up this morning in my bed and with a hangover." he squeezed his forehead and groaned. "Maybe I should drink tomato juice, my head is going to fucking split."
"Inuyasha is worse. You know he can't take in a lot of alcohol. I was impressed you stayed up so long."
"And where is my car?" Sesshomaru asked, his long silver hair trailing down his back.
"I took it and drove both Koga and Inuyasha home. You were too drunk to drive."
"Thank you for caring." Sesshomaru brought his head back onto the surface. "Did you call Jaken?"
"Jaken?" Miroku asked pouring him a glass of water. "Oh yeah! Your butler...no I didn't call Jaken. I had a friend drive you home."
"You let someone drive me home?" demanded Sesshomaru angrily. "Get my secretary, I need her."
"Sorry I can't."
"What do you mean you can't?" Sesshomaru asked.
"You told me I could have her so she's on my floor right now and damn Sesshomaru, you're going to regret ditching her. She was so good she made the cabinets rattle!"
"Pervert. Stop having sex in my building."
"Here or there, it doesn't matter." Miroku commented quietly, he pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He spewed out smoke and sighed. "Although there is that one secretary of mine."
"Who?"
"Sango Tsubaki. I've tried to take her on dates and everything but she's damn stubborn and won't."
Sesshomaru chugged down the water and adjusted his thousand dollar tie. "You're hurting my head with all your pervertedness."
"Damn." Miroku laughed. He exhaled smoke again. There was a knock on the door. "I'll get it and tell anyone to fuck off and not to disturb the ice prince, eh?"
"Go to hell."
Miroku crossed the extensive office and yanked open the heavy door, immediately the cigarette in his mouth fell. "Kagura?"
Sesshomaru looked up to see the stripper from last night standing in the doorway of his office, her raven hair in a messy bun. She smiled at Miroku, "I've never seen you so stiff Miroku, do they actually pay you to show up in that?" in her hands was a dry cleaning bag.
"Well you know, this is the most clothes I've seen on you so we're both strange looking." he led her into Sesshomaru's office while Sesshomaru continued to stare. She wore jeans and a sweat shirt, her hair wildly thrown up giving her a carefree look. "Now, why are you here?"
She pointed to Sesshomaru, "I'm returning Steve's jacket."
"Steve? That's Sesshomaru Otonashi."
"Yeah, well he refused to get out of my car until I called him Steve." answered Kagura looking slightly disgusted at Sesshomaru. She tossed him the bag and said, "You owe me a hundred thirty-six dollars, stiff."
Sesshomaru looked inside the bag to see his jacket from yesterday. "How did you get my jacket?"
"You threw up on it last time and left it in my car last night so I took it to the dry cleaners. A simple thank you would be nice."
"And why do I owe you money? I didn't pay for a prostitute last night, did I?" he stood up and crossed the room and opened the door signalling for her to leave.
The woman in his office looked angry. "First of all, you bastard, I'm not a prostitute. I don't sleep with dirty perverts like you."
"Pervert?" Sesshomaru snapped angrily. Miroku stared at Kagura, shocked. No one dared insult Sesshomaru Otonashi. Miroku could tease Sesshomaru but what Kagura was saying was down right offensive.
"Second, I had to fucking pay for your ugly jacket to get dry cleaned because I was trying to be nice and return it clean instead of returning it with all your throw up on it. Thirdly, it was damn expensive because the dry cleaners wouldn't take it because it was too nice of a jacket and the price would be high if they rushed the cleaning." Kagura answered, not even letting Sesshomaru interject. "So the final bill is one hundred thirty-six dollars." she held out her hand and stared at him with her maroon eyes.
Sesshomaru smirked, and pulled out his wallet. He reached inside and took out seven one hundred dollar bills. He handed it to Kagura and turned back to his desk.
Kagura stared at the money in her hand. She was quiet for a moment then said, "I asked for the hundred thirty-six dollars. Learn to count dumbass."
"I gave you extra." Sesshomaru said sitting on his desk.
"Disgusting bastard. I liked you better as a drunk. You were courteous then."
He looked up to see Miroku standing alone by the door. In his hand was the seven bills. He stared at them then walked over and handed them to Sesshomaru. "She didn't take it?"
"I think it's the principles of it... You know maybe she has pride."
Sesshomaru snapped. "That's nice... A stripper with principles."
"And guts. Hey Sesshomaru. I think you should make her your secretary! You'd never get bored with her around!"
"I don't need a secretary. I have Maria."
"One, it's Mary, and two, she's in my department now." Miroku said.
Sesshomaru scowled, "What the hell. Marge was my secretary."
"It's Mary."
"Hello?"
"Hey Kagura, it's me Miroku."
Kagura's laugh was heard over the phone, "Ah! Mr. Shogo, I am delighted to hear from you."
"Cut the formalities." Miroku said smirking as he sat in his office the next day. "I was calling to see if you were interested in a job."
"A job? Like a favor or part-time?"
"Actually neither, it's a full-time job. Mondays through Saturdays, ten to nine at night."
He heard her whistle over the phone, "That's pretty long. I might have to quit my job. How much are we talking about?"
"We start you out at thirty-four dollars an hour."
Miroku smiled as he heard her drop the phone. "Yes, yes! Of course! I'll take the job!"
"Well, there is a catch. So you actually won't be working for me exactly..."
"Yeah...?"
"You'd have to be working for Sesshomaru Otonashi."
Silence.
Miroku quickly continued, "He seemed okay with it, so you're starting on Monday so look pretty, and wear formal attire."
"Damn." she quietly said. Kagura heard his chuckle over the phone.
"And that also means no insulting Sesshomaru."
Miroku escorted Kagura up two hundred floors and to the top floor. He politely showed her where her desk was (a wooden desk right beside of the doors to Sesshomaru's office) and told her what to expect as a secretary and when to answer the phone and vital numbers she was expected to memorize. On the corner of her desk was a medium fish tank with only a single fish in the bowl.
Miroku smiled confidently and then said, "You'll do fine. Besides if you ever feel like quitting, just tell me and I'll possibly let you work in my department. Now there are some things you must really know about. Sesshomaru is allergic to papayas and coconuts along with violets and lavender. Make sure that there are none present at any meetings, parties, et cetera et cetera et cetera. With that in mind I'll tell Sesshomaru that you are here."
Kagura nodded and adjusted the pencil skirt that hugged her curves tightly, the top a lovely coral color. She wore black heels and around her neck was a simple chain with a ring hanging delicately. She sighed. She abandoned her pride in taking the job. Kagura needed the money badly, and even if it was for some rich prick, she was determined to work her hardest.
Sesshomaru and Miroku came out of the office, the biggest smirk on Sesshomaru's face. "So you won't take money given to you but you'll work for it? How interesting."
Kagura turned beet red then forced a smile, "Anything else Mr. Otonashi?"
Sesshomaru smirked and walked back into his office. "Keep up the good work, stripper. And try to keep me pleased."
"Directions: place fish in water." she read the instructions the pet store had given her. So far, one of the only things Sesshomaru had asked her to do was go to the pet store and purchase a fish, and to put it in the tank. The other was to tell any small businesses that "Mr. Otonashi is not here." and to major companies to listen politely and write down everything that is said, and if Sesshomaru found it important, he would the receive the phone call. Kagura looked at the confused fish as it swam around in the clear bag. "Happy swimming my friend. I'll name you Prince Harry." she opened the bag and dropped the fish into the tank.
She then bent down to examine the bowl when the larger fish began to tear at Prince Harry. Kagura screamed and dropped the bag.
Sesshomaru came out of his office and looked immediately annoyed. "Is there a problem, Ms. Nanahara?"
"That fish just ate Prince Harry-the fish I had just bought!" she stared at the fish as it finished off Prince Harry completely, only leaving the bones behind.
"Of course it did." Sesshomaru snapped. "It's a dwarf piranha."
"Why-why is there a dwarf piranha on my desk?" Kagura finally managed to say as she stare horrified at the fish.
"Because I wanted there to be one. Now sit and shut up. If I hear you scream like that again and without a real reason to scream about you'll be gone." his cold golden eyes turned back to the piranha on her desk and smirked, "Prince Harry is a stupid name for a fish." he turned, his long silver hair trailing behind him, and walked into his office again.
"Yes, Mr. Otonashi."
Kagura scowled and looked away from the fish quickly. "Damn disgusting." she finally said.
"I'm sorry Mr. Clark, but Mr. Otonashi is out. And according to his schedule, he won't be back into the office until after office consulting hours. However, if you would like to schedule an appointment with an Otonashi Incorporate spokesperson, we can gladly write you in."
"When is the soonest I can meet him?"
Kagura crinkled paper in front of the phone, then brought it back to her lips. "Judging by the schedule I'm afraid the soonest you'll be let in is in two months. Thank you, goodbye." Kagura hung up the phone and sighed. She didn't like lying to people like Mr. Clark, even though he annoyed her with ceaseless questions.
Kagura looked at her desk and the clusters of paper on it. She didn't even know where to begin with even half of it. Kagura slammed her head on the desk and groaned, "I need the money. I need the money. The job gives me the money. The job gives me the money." she repeated over and over.
In Sesshomaru's office, Miroku sighed and lit a cigarette as he reclined on Sesshomaru's couch. "She's not bad at it-for a person with very little experience-she's not half bad."
"Ms. Nanahara hasn't impressed me, yet. I do not see why you praise her so willingly."
"You know, she's damn clever. And witty, too."
Sesshomaru growled, "I haven't seen this side of her."
"Of course you haven't. I have forbidden her to say anything relatively harsh or rude to you." Miroku answered. "When is Inuyasha going to be here? He hasn't shown up to work since the bachelor party. Life has been so dull since then." Miroku sighed and walked to the alcohol cart. "Scotch?"
"Drink your own alcohol."
"Generous friend. I wonder if Kagura drinks scotch. Probably does, she can take anything."
"You're wasting my time." Sesshomaru said as he looked at his computer.
"Memorize every face in the binder and every name." Sesshomaru threw a binder onto Kagura's desk. "They're the guests invited to a very important wedding. In all, there are four hundred seventy-two guests coming. You must memorize all of them. Do a good job and I will raise your salary. Disgrace me, and you will be gone. You have ten days."
"That's impossible." Kagura cried looking at the large binder.
Sesshomaru smirked as if he was enjoying this. "Then why are you here?" he walked back into his office and closed the doors behind him. Kagura dragged the large binder toward her, then flipped open the cover. She swallowed and then looked at the first face. She sighed with relief. It was only Miroku. Underneath his picture was the name, Miroku Shogo. Kagura flipped to the next page and looked to see a man who had long black hair in a pony tail. Koga Ayashi. She studied the face for a long time, then flipped the page to see a young woman smiling shyly. Underneath was written Kagome Higurashi. She smiled at the shy face she wore. Kagura studied the face and continued. She flipped the page again and saw a woman who looked almost identical to the Kagome woman. Kikyo Toinji. Instead of the shy smile Kagome had worn, it was replaced by a look of indifference. Showing neither like or dislike. Kagura turned the page and continued studying the faces and names.
"Your coat," Kagura said helping him into Sesshomaru into his jacket. She then picked up his brief case and handed it to him. "Your chauffeur is waiting outside for you at the front."
"Are you working tonight?" he finally asked.
Kagura looked up, her maroon eyes meeting the golden ones. "Erm..." she began to stack papers and sort them into file cabinets.
"Do I not pay you enough? Or do you get your "kicks" at the club. I'm sure it is exhilarating."
Kagura inhaled sharply and in an instant, her hand was on the stapler and the next moment, she had chucked it at Sesshomaru's head.
Ducking, he laughed, "Watch that temper, Kagura. No, don't give me that look. You're angry, and now you're frustrated because you would never get such a high paying job as this, and you almost killed your employer. Perhaps you could become a prostitute... That is right up your alley."
She was about to whip a clip-board at him when he grabbed it and freed it from his grasp. "Well you aren't fired. Not yet. You entertain me too much. Now,we skipped the interview part of the job application and everything, I literally hired a stripper from off of the streets..."
"Make your point." she snapped.
His eyes widened in shock, then smirked. "You are subject to answer questions."
Kagura scowled then sighed and sat on the desk, her slender legs unintentionally taunted Sesshomaru as she folded them. "Fire away."
"Where were you born?"
"Illinois."
"When did you move to New York?"
"Three years ago."
"And you lived where before?"
"Chicago." answered Kagura, coolly.
"Purpose of leaving Chicago?"
Kagura tensed up slightly an then answered, "None in particular. Just wanted to get away from the city life."
"So you moved to New York City? That makes the most sense."
"Next question." she snapped.
"Is there a Mr. Nanahara?"
Kagura stared at him, then quickly looked away and continued, "No."
"Date if birth?"
"October 31st,19-"
"Twenty-three years of age, correct?"
"Correct."
"Why is the sky blue?"
"Because the question was irrelevant."
"Do you smoke?"
"No."
"Do you drink alcohol?"
"I prefer not to. You of all people should agree with me."
Sesshomaru smirked and continued. "Any tattoos?" he stopped then laughed, "Wait! I actually remember seeing you have a tattoo. Are there any others I should know about? Probably not...there is little that that lingerie could hide." he looked away from her legs, and tried to look at her face, but the sight was also as enchanting. She had a strange effect on him and he didn't like it one bit. Was it because he hadn't had sex in a while? It hasn't been that long. He thought to himself as he finally focused.
Kagura sighed and then smiled. "My occupation seems to be highly entertaining to you. Perhaps you are not aware of the middle-class citizens of New York who take whatever job they can get. The job fell into my lap when I needed it. It's not my ideal job, and neither is this, but its a stepping stone." he watched her cheeks flush pink and he smirked. She was getting excited.
"You always bring up the fact that you need money, yet you refused to take the money I tried to give you. You have false pride."
"False pride?" she cried angrily. "My pride is what keeps me going." the urge was much too much for Sesshomaru. Her cheeks were still flushed, and Sesshomaru smirked. Was this what made her so popular at the strip clubs? She was feisty, that was for sure. She folded her arms and Sesshomaru got a nice view of her clevage. Even with all her clothes on, she was seducing him! And unintentionally! "God is punishing me" Sesshomaru thought.
"No? Who would have pride in selling herself?" her lips looked soft and sweet. But no. Sesshomaru would never kiss a secretary. No sexual relations in the office. But Miroku did it all the time! How unfair!
"I don't sell myself! And you wouldn't even know what hardships are because you're damn spoiled rotten-" Sesshomaru grabbed her and then kissed her on the lips.
He smirked and left her speechless. "You left yourself open." he said carelessly and left the floor on his private elevator.
Kagura stared speechless then mindlessly began to play with the ring that was hung around her neck. No. Kagura wasn't engaged to anyone. She swallowed and closed her eyes.
"You left yourself open." it wasn't the first time Kagura had heard someone say that. It was her first kiss when she had heard it.
Sesshomaru clucked his tongue as the elevator descended. If Kagura was as clever as Miroku had insisted she could probably charge him for sexual harassment. But he had publicists for this sort of thing, hell, there were teams that would stay working twenty four hours a day, seven days of the week to maintain Oto Inc.'s perfect reputation. Miroku kept them occupied with half the sex scandals. He smiled slightly and ran his finger across his lips. Work was going to be a lot more interesting. Maybe hiring Kagura was not a bad decision after all. She probably wasn't actually good at working, but this would keep him entertained for a while.