A week had passed since Kagome was made CEO of Shikon no Tama Incorporated and nothing had prepared her for the changes. Her family, although relieved, feared her new position would bring unwanted publicity. So far she had only held a few small press conferences, each encouraging her further.
Today Miroku and Sango were going to meet with her. They had scheduled an appointment with an advertising and publicity firm, a decision Kagome had fought against. She didn't want more publicity, but the rest of her company disagreed. Although a profitable company, Shikon no Tama had always been small and less threatening. However, with their new computer chip hitting the market soon, their profits were exploding, thrusting them into the way of other fortune seeking companies. If they wanted to keep their head in all the media madness they would need an agent.
When Sango called to inform Kagome of their arrival, Kagome merely waited and watched as a knock sounded against her door and Sango poked her head in first followed by Miroku. The man to follow after them was every bit an advertising executive. Wearing a fashionable and brand name suit, he was matching in a masculine style. His dark brown hair was pulled back into a slick ponytail and his blue eyes flashed mischievously.
"Good morning Higurashi-san. My name is Ookami Kouga and I am the executive officer of Ookami Advertising and Publicity Management." Without even giving Sango the chance to introduce him, the tall man bowed and grinned as he spoke. His confidence astounded Kagome and he seemed quick enough on his feet when he wanted something.
His eyes although mischievous spoke of a subtle intelligence that calculated his earnings with every movement she made. His luck was with him. The rumors had been right on Kagome's beauty. This job would be a breeze.
"Thank you for coming Ookami-san." She was about to say something more, but the man interrupted again, causing Kagome to startle.
"Call me Kouga, Kagome. I prefer to be on a friendly basis with all my clients." Kagome was instantly on her guard as her lips thinned and her body straightened. Even though he sensed her hostility he ignored it blatantly.
"I do not believe we have signed any contract yet, Ookami-san. What makes you so sure I will choose your company?" Kagome asked coolly as she reached for a cup of her tea and brought it to her lips. The hot liquid relaxed her body instantly although she made sure to wear a guarded expression. Truthfully the Ookami man came highly recommended and it was a great honor that the executive himself would come to support her. She wondered seriously though about his motives.
"That strikes my heart, Kagome. But I can see you are a no nonsense woman. Kaede was said to be just as you are, it is no wonder you were chosen as her successor. But enough about that, you want to know why I am confident that you will choose me? Well simply because I am the best. Shikon no Tama Incorporated is a blossoming business and whether you like it or not, your name will be in the spotlight. It can either be good or bad, but one thing is for sure. With the help of my company the media will be controlled where you and your company are concerned." He paused briefly more out of rising suspense than anything else. Kagome raised an eyebrow at his dramatics and kept herself from smirking.
"You see your competitors are very jealous, Kagome. They will try to crush you in any way possible. So we will need to strike hard and fast first…" He emphasized his words with a clenched fist, the mischievousness sparkling like stars in his eyes.
"I do not know what impression you are under, Ookami-san but I am in no mood for oppressing other companies." Kagome cut in, upset at how this conversation was going. She was surprised however when Kouga smiled with a tilt of his lips that suggested cunning.
"You mistake me, Kagome. I do not mean to overthrow your competitors in the market. I mean that we will begin a publicity campaign that will make your image as pure and untouchable as the Kami themselves. I have already done my research on you and begun to leak through my channel of contacts of your benevolence. The only thing we are missing is a face to the name.
"Trust me, Kagome. In my hands your company will be safe from others wishing to overthrow you. I know the business game and am good at what I do. I'll tell you what, I'll even charge only half my normal fee. Now that's an offer you can't refuse." Kagome couldn't hide the shock she experienced as Kouga tempted her with his offer. She had done some research of her own and although Kouga came highly recommended, his price had also been rather stiff. She had not been prepared to do anything but hear him out on this day, but now she was considering his offer. This was not without some measure of suspicion. He was chasing after her like a wolf did its prey and she was not about to let herself be cornered.
"Why would you charge so little for a small business such as us? What are you gaining from all of this?" At that Kouga shrugged slyly and made a show of looking around seemingly uninterested before turning his blue eyes sharply to Kagome's. Blue clashed with blue like waves in a storm as their gazes met, neither side willing to break.
"I can sense potential and this company, Kagome, has great potential. You have done well for yourself so far, but I will put your name on the map. With a client such as this I too will become invaluable to other potential clients. Mutual success is expected. If you go down, so does my company's name and myself. If I go down, then it may be a little messy for you, but something you could recover from with the right leadership. So you see, this arrangement is in your favor. I merely want to ride the coattails of your success." Kagome raised a brow at that, questioning the truth of his statement. He was just a little too slick tongued to trust explicitly but somehow his soft blue eyes made her want to trust him. He made perfect sense which is why Kagome was struggling right now to accept his words. She was not an impulsive person, she never made a choice without thoroughly investigating every course of action. She didn't like taking risks, especially when the lives of all her employees were weighing down her actions.
For some reason though, she could feel instinctually that this was the right choice. She needed to spread the company's name, so that others could benefit from the technology her company offered. It would throw her into the limelight, but she was in no way a celebrity. Her face may be in some business magazine, but that would be the extent of it all.
"Very well, Ookami-san. We have a deal, but I am only hiring you for the year. After your trial is over then we can talk about more long-term arrangements." She caught the predatory grin Kouga gave off as he bowed. Instead of feeling worried, Kagome actually felt calmed by his confidence. Kouga may be brash and impatient, but he was good at getting what he wanted and sinking this deal was going to make his name.
"A year is all I need Kagome. My plan of action is simple; make your off-brand a name-brand and the only way to do that is with face recognition. I will have the information for a photo shoot ready by tomorrow. We should also begin planning a ball, perhaps circling around a fundraiser. My research on Kaede-sama stated that she was partial to such things. Well we are going to do her one better. All the who's who in business will be invited personally. That will give you the chance to network and hopefully catch the attention of a big-name buyer." Kagome did not miss the gleam in Kouga's eye. She should have known he would already have everything planned out. She just wanted to know exactly how much he had thought through.
"You seem to already have someone in mind, Ookami-san." She prodded at him to release that information and with a grin, she found out he was more than willing.
"Please, we may be in a business deal, but you can call me Kouga. I will tell you who I plan on catching. We are going for the big fish. Even if we don't get him, our ambition will intimidate and convince others that we are a fast and forward moving company. You will soon have the business world eating out of your hand." Kagome didn't miss the way he successfully left out the name of the company and she was in no mood to humor him on this one.
"Alright Kouga, but you have neglected to tell me which buyer we are aiming for." That predatory grin widened with teeth that looked like fangs showing. Kagome's eyes widened as his grin became less mischievous and more innocent.
"We are going for the biggest and baddest of them all. We will extend invitations to rivals and partners alike and then the last invitation will be hand delivered by you straight to Taisho Sesshomaru himself." Kagome's eyes widened. She didn't need a company name to know who that CEO belonged to. His name was all over the news and the business world. Sesshomaru Taisho of Taisho Enterprises was the CEO of the world leader in technology advancements. He was also a killer in the business world. He could make or break a business with ease, making Kouga's little venture very risky.
"What makes you think Taisho-sama won't want to crush us?" Kagome asked softly as she truly considered the implications of Kouga's plan.
"Oh he'll want to crush you. That's why we need to market your genius product quickly. When he realizes he can't compete with it he will try to buy you out. That's when we gain the upper hand. Don't worry, Kagome, I won't let you do anything too risky. I've worked with Taisho before and you just have to know how to handle him." Kouga winked at her as Kagome considered his words. She was very hesitant to proceed now that she knew it involved Taisho. Like her he came into his business early inheriting it from his father. However, unlike her he had been primed since he was a child in the way of business. He went to all the best schools, excelling at everything he did. He was a genius and ruthless to boot.
He was said to be very handsome too, but with a demeanor that was like ice. Frankly she was feeling intimidated with just the thought of having to meet him, but she knew it had to be done one way or another and she preferred it be on her own terms.
Kouga left some time later, smiling gleefully at the opportunities for success only he could see. Kagome was feeling drained after such a meeting, Sango and Miroku's own eyes were wide and worried.
"You don't think I got myself into a mess did I?" Kagome asked truthfully knowing her friends would answer her in the same fashion. As soon as she was promoted they became her top advisors and her eyes and ears inside the company. She wanted to make sure her employees were satisfied because in the end that is what had mattered to Kaede and that was what would matter to Kagome. It was a fact she wanted to constantly remind herself of in case she got caught up in the storm of being a businesswoman.
Her youth and even her gender would call into question her capabilities as a CEO to all who would meet her. That's why she had to maintain a strong and confident front. She was hoping Kouga would be just the man to talk her up. She only hoped things didn't get too out of hand.
"I think only you can make the right decision Kagome. I honestly don't know what to do, but his background check came up clean and he had excellent reviews." Sango shrugged as she looked at her friend a little guilty knowing she hadn't answered her question. In all honesty she couldn't. Even Miroku was just as confused.
As Kagome leaned back in her chair behind her large wooden desk she rubbed her temples as her mind tried to sort through all the new information.
At this moment though all she could do was think about her family and Shippo. They had all been so excited about her promotion, but they also knew there would be hard times to come for her. Shippo as ever was excited, not truly understanding the impact this would have on him.
"Kagome, you look like you need a little bit of a distraction." Kagome looked up from between her fingers at Sango who was blushing wildly. Her chief legal advisor had moved towards the desk and spread her hands on its lacquered surface.
"Kagome you can't tell anyone yet, not even our parents know, but Miroku and I are engaged!" A squeal that could shame a baby echoed across the walls as Kagome ran around her desk and grabbed her friend into her arms. Turning she enveloped Miroku in a hug as well, thankful for once he had ceased his wandering hands.
"I'm so happy for you. You have to involve me in all the details of the wedding." Sango and Miroku both nodded, happy to see the smile returned to Kagome's face. With her eyes glowing and her cheeks red, the stress from the past week seemed to slip from her. They only hoped they could continue to help their friend.
"We didn't want to say anything because we were worried that the new CEO would cut our pay or fire us. Now though we all have a future, thanks to you, Kagome. We would love it if you could help with our wedding." Kagome hugged her friends again as they began talking about dates and decorations with uninterrupted glee.
Kouga walked out of the small building, the home of Shikon no Tama Inc. He surveyed the condition before walking away shaking his head. Soon enough the small building would not be able to house the growing corporation. He would need to review some properties quickly so he could have a plan ready.
While he was thinking of plans though, he remembered he had to do something. Taking out his cell phone, he dialed his personal assistant and second best public relations agent, Ayame.
"Ayame, I am going to need personal invitations to a charity event, let's say in about three months. Book the Gallery and call our clients. I want the top hundred business gurus there." He waited patiently as Ayame went over the list nodding his head and giving a grunt as she detailed the event.
"Good, make the invitations and have them on my desk in two days." He stopped for a second before sighing.
"No, some of them will be delivered personally and you leave Taisho to me." He shut his phone without saying goodbye as he looked at the metal object in his hand. Sighing he dialed the number he knew by memory as he climbed into his car. For this conversation there shouldn't be any extra ears.
High in Taisho Tower, at the top floor a man dressed in black stared out of his wall to wall windows at the city below. He was like a child looking down on his ant farm as the little ants moved about their little lives.
His back was to his glass desk, so he didn't see the beeping on his phone that signaled a call was waiting. Right now he was thinking and planning his next business venture. As he looked away from the window for a split second his eyes caught the red light flickering on his phone.
He hated the sound of the phone ringing, because it was a constant sound in his profession. So he had taken off the sound some time ago. The benefit was he often missed some of his calls leaving his brother to answer them.
The business tycoon sat down at his desk and gracefully picked up the phone.
"Go." He said simply and heard the scrambling of his personal assistant as he hurriedly got his files together. Knowing the old fool, he probably dropped some important papers or others as he was startled at his boss's voice. Sesshomaru would have fired the old man some time ago except he had been with the family since his father started the company.
"Sesshomaru-sama. I, uh, Ookami-sama is on the line. He says he has a proposition for you." Sesshomaru nearly growled at the mention of the wolf. His name described him perfectly, going after anything and everything even after he had enough. Personally, Sesshomaru hated dealing with the pest but he was in a giving mood that day.
"Let him through and Myoga, clean up that mess." There was an affirmation as he stuttered over his words. Putting his phone down Sesshomaru waited until he saw a second blinking red light. He waited the customary few seconds to make the wolf sweat it out before picking up the phone.
"What do you want, wolf?" A laugh sounded on the other side of the line as Sesshomaru waited for the man to let him in on what he was doing. Kouga always seemed to be involving himself in some new venture or other. Normally he didn't involve Sesshomaru, but the wolf had a way of sticking his nose into other people's business. Sesshomaru had to respect his cunning though, which was one of the only reasons he had picked up the phone.
"I want to make an appointment for one of my new clients to meet you. I was thinking the end of this week, say on Friday around 2:30?" Sesshomaru thought about that for a second as he reached into his drawer and took out a picture of his daughter, Rin. The little girl was smiling back at him with white and yellow flowers in her hands. Her little grin was wide and carefree, the type of feature she often wore when she was the sole object of his attention.
He would have to be late picking her up from school, a thought he was highly unsatisfied with. Kouga knew this, though and was playing Sesshomaru to bend to his wishes.
"You know I can't do it. Tell your client to find another buyer." He was about to hang up the phone when he heard whining on the end of his phone. Waiting a few seconds he put the black earpiece to his head once more.
"Come now, Sesshomaru, you know I enjoy these games. Make it two o'clock then. I promise you won't be sorry you did this." Kouga was silent for an antsy moment. He knew Sesshomaru wouldn't buy into this appointment unless today was a really good day, but days were never that good with the ice lord.
"Why should I see this person? What's in it for me?" Sesshomaru finally asked after toying with Kouga's patience.
"In it for you? Ah I think I neglected to mention this CEO then. Up and coming, fresh off the market. You know those new microchips everyone has been buzzing about? Yes, my client is the Shikon no Tama CEO, the new one." At that Sesshomaru raised a brow, thankful the wolf couldn't see him or he would have a field day.
"The new one? What happened to Kaede?" Now that surprised Kouga. He should have known Sesshomaru knew the old woman somehow or had at least done some research. Sometimes though it still surprised him to learn just how much the business tycoon knew.
"She passed away. Her assistant found her dead, in her home because of a heart attack. Now the assistant is the new CEO and I am the new PR representative." Sesshomaru rolled his eyes as if he could suddenly see within the inner workings of the wolf's mind. Smirking to himself he gave the appropriate time before he spoke, hoping to keep the wolf on edge.
"Convenient." A chuckle sounded through the ear piece as Sesshomaru leaned back in his chair.
"Now don't be so morbid. The new CEO is a real gem. Together we are going to put Shikon no Tama on the map. You are welcome to be a part of it." The wolf's slick words were not enough to gain Sesshomaru's approval nor were they enough to peak his interest ever so slightly. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes and this time didn't bother to hesitate.
"No."
"Come on, man. For old times' sake." Kouga pleaded with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"No. I am not a babysitter. Let the amateur figure it out on his own." Sesshomaru retaliated suddenly becoming impatient with the way the conversation was going. He did not like to take an interest in fledgling CEO's. Mentoring was not a facet of his life that needed fulfilling and he did not perceive any need. In business you either ate or were eaten. If you could not make it on your own, then Darwinism suggested that you were not strong enough to begin with anyways.
"Come on, Sesshomaru. I got a good feeling about this one. At least set up an appointment to meet the new CEO for politeness sake." Kouga's voice was becoming tense, but Sesshomaru was done with this conversation now. He had other things to attend to besides nurturing some upstart.
"No, Kouga." He was about to hang up when he heard something that caught his attention. He wished he had not heard it, but as his hearing was impeccable and his honor intact he put the phone back to his ear.
"What was that wolf?" He nearly growled out.
"You owe me one, Sesshomaru." Eyes widening, he sat up straight in his chair as he clenched his fist.
"You would use your one favor on this upstart company?" Sesshomaru said very low and deep in his intimidating voice. The wolf however was undeterred not knowing danger when it was before him. He always had been reckless.
"I've got a really good feeling about this Sesshomaru and my instincts are rarely wrong. So I'm calling in my favor. Make the appointment for two on Friday. You won't regret this." Sesshomaru could do nothing but accept and was thankful that Kouga hadn't asked for something more outrageous. After all he hadn't agreed to anything except an appointment and no word against his honor could make him believe otherwise.
"Agreed." They ended their conversation rather quickly as Sesshomaru and Kouga both had other things to attend to. However for a few moments Sesshomaru stared at the phone pondering over the conversation that had just occurred.
Picking up his phone again, he chose the number that would put him through to his assistant. Within seconds the phone was hastily picked up with some thumping noises indicating that it had been dropped on the way to Myoga's ear.
"Yes Sesshomaru-sama?" The older voice of the longtime family friend made Sesshomaru sigh.
"I've got a project for Inuyasha. I want him to look up as much information as he can about Shikon no Tama Incorporated and the new CEO." There was an affirmative from his assistant as he hung up the phone and got to work signing some agreements and looking over some trade contracts.
Looking at his clock, he waited and counted the minutes before he heard the subtle sound on the opposite side of his door of yelling and screaming. His brother's loud vulgar words could nearly be heard through the supposedly sound proof walls. Sesshomaru made a mental note to talk to a contractor about that.
On cue, his brother bust through the door in his bright red shirt and rolled up sleeves. His nappy white hair trailed behind him, in its usual unkempt nature. Even on a bad day Sesshomaru prided himself on his immaculate appearance. His brother on the other hand was his polar opposite.
"Hey bastard, I'm not your servant. You don't just go ordering me about like…"
"Like you work for me?" Sesshomaru finished in a cool voice his deep golden eyes flickering to his brother's own murky gold. Unlike Sesshomaru the family genes had been muddied by Inuyasha's mother. Their father's second marriage had been to a woman not of the upper circle and in clear contrast to Sesshomaru's mother. Where Sesshomaru's looks were refined with hair that shone like silver, Inuyasha's hair was drier and wild, his eyes a mix between gold and brown.
"That's not funny. I'm an executive, not a private investigator." Sesshomaru ground his teeth internally, knowing Inuyasha was too dense to pick up on his brother's ire.
"We both know why you have your position, Inuyasha."
"Ya and we both know why you have yours, ass." If there was one thing Sesshomaru hated, it was when people interrupted him. His own brother was no exception and was probably the worst offender to that particular annoyance.
"You are an executive and your job is to protect the interests of this company. You are also the only employee of mine I want on this case." Sesshomaru watched Inuyasha's eyes flicker upwards with interest. If there was one thing Sesshomaru knew it was how to motivate his brother just right.
"There is a company called Shikon no Tama. They have a new CEO who Kouga is extremely interested in. I want to know what is so intriguing about this company and its new CEO. I want that information on my desk by Friday at noon, no excuses." His brother grumbled about the gig, but otherwise agreed if a little reluctantly. However, Inuyasha's interest was piqued as soon as Kouga's name was mentioned. With a sly grin he left his brother's office to give Ookami a call.
Kouga was quick to pick up his phone when the caller identification flashed with Inuyasha's name. He knew it was only a matter of time before Sesshomaru would pass on this job to his brother. If there was one thing Kouga knew, it was Sesshomaru disliked getting his hands dirty which was why having Inuyasha as his executive was a minor convenience.
"So what's the dig?" Inuyasha liked to cut to the chase just as his brother did, a commonality they both hated to admit. Kouga had to admit though that Inuyasha was crasser than his brother who although impolite and frequently blunt was honorable and sometimes respectable.
"I've got a new client. Her name is Kagome Higurashi and she is your brother's match. You want to take him down a notch, this broad is the one to do it." Inuyasha was silent for a moment, before he spoke. The grin on his features was priceless. Only in the safety of his office could he plot against his brother who did nothing but make his life miserable on a daily basis.
"I'm listening." Just like that Kouga knew he had won. The brothers wouldn't know what had hit them by the time he was done with them.
A/N: Computer being fixed. Luckily I had already posted this chapter to fanfiction. Hopefully Dokuga let's me copy and paste.