Work and Play
"Crap!" Kagome yelled as she jumped out of bed and ran into the bathroom.
Sesshoumaru opened his eyes groggily and looked in the general direction of the alarm clock. "We are late," he said as he rolled over and closed his eyes.
"Ya think?" she grumbled as she pulled a shirt over her head. She crossed her arms over her chest as she stepped back into the room. "Oh no mister, you are NOT going back to sleep! Get your youkai ass out of my bed right now!"
Sesshoumaru growled as he looked up at her. "Who's going to make me?" he asked, grabbing her arm and pulling her down on top of him. She opened her mouth to protest, but he pressed his lips against hers. She fought for only a moment before she gave in and kissed him back. He pulled away and smirked.
"You're impossible, you know that?" She climbed off him and grabbed a pair of jeans out of her closet. "Get dressed, we gotta go."
"Am I to wear the same clothes again?"
"Well, what choice do you have?"
"I refuse, we will go to my home and get me fresh clothing."
"Ugh! That's on the other side of town! Quit whining and get dressed, some of us can't afford to miss class."
After getting dressed and putting on a pair of shoes she stood by the door tapping her foot. When he walked into the room she glared at him for taking so long. "I could not find your hair brush."
"It was right there on the dresser!"
"I know that now, I was looking for it in the bathroom."
"Well I keep mine in the... Don't start another conversation! We have to leave like an hour ago!"
He slipped his shoes on. "Well if someone had remembered to set the alarm clock..."
"Don't even blame this on me! You're the one who got all up on me last night!"
"I didn't hear you complaining."
She opened her mouth to say something, blushed and closed it. "Let's just go." Once they got to the school he walked around, let her out, and got back in. "What are you doing?"
"I told you, I am not wearing the same clothes twice."
"You're going to be in trouble."
"My father donated the money for most of the buildings on this campus, not to mention the administrators are afraid of me."
"So you'll use your power to stay out of trouble? That's a bit pompous don't you think?"
"Call it what you will, but it works. You have to remember this isn't my first stint in university."
"Yea, yea, I know, you're like a hundred years old or something, that doesn't make you all powerful."
He smirked as he put the car in drive. "Oh but it does miko, trust me it does."
--
Kagome tapped her pencil on the table in front of her. It was 3:05, they had been done for at least a half hour yet the professor still hadn't released them. She sighed, she needed to go back to her apartment and get changed for work and she had to be there by no later then four. It was a 20 minute walk to her apartment from the school then a 10 minute walk to work, figure in about 5 minutes to get changed and... she dropped her head onto the table, she was going to be late for work.
"Is there something I can help you with Ms. Higurashi?" Professor Kaminari asked from his seat in front of the class.
"Well, since you asked, I have to be at work by 4 and I still need to change my clothes. Is there a reason we've been sitting here for the last 30 minutes doing nothing?"
"If you had listened to your instructor this morning you would know that there is a speaker coming in at 3:30 and everyone is required to attend."
A group of girls giggled from the front of the room. She glared at them then turned her attention to her professor. "As thrilling as that all sounds, some of us don't have a mommy and daddy to pay our tuition and have to work for what we have."
"In my office, now."
She pulled out her cell phone out of her pocket as she walked into his office. "Sesshoumaru, is there anyway I can call in a favor?"
"What do I get out of it?" his cold voice echoed through the phone.
"We will just say I owe you one. I need you to come down here and bail me out, Professor Kaminari has me in his office and I have to be at work by 4, if I'm late I'll get fired for sure."
"So it's ok to use my power to help you but not myself."
"I'm sorry I called you pompous, now please come help me."
"I am on my way, but remember miko, you owe me."
Kagome snapped her phone shut as her professor walked in the room. "Higurashi I'm sure it comes as no surprise that you are one of my best students, but I cannot allow that kind of outburst in my class."
"I'm very sorry Professor, it's just that I started a new position at work yesterday and if I'm late my boss is going to can me and I really can't afford to be fired! And it's not just work! My personal life is a roller coaster from hell! I mean honestly what does a girl have to do to get a break?"
"As your professor I hope you know if there is anything that you need to talk about I am here."
"Thank you, but unless you can magically make me appear at work without Mr. Hyoga realizing I'm late then I'm pretty well screwed."
"You work for Menomaru Hyoga?"
"I'm his personal assistant as of yesterday."
A knock rang through his office and he walked over to the door. "Sesshoumaru Takahashi, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Kagome Higurashi has a call in the office, I was headed this way so I told father I would send her," Sesshoumaru said looking between the two. "Am I interrupting something?"
Professor Kaminari shook his head. "I was just about to dismiss Ms. Higurashi." He turned to Kagome. "Remember, if you need anything my office is open."
Kagome nodded. "Thank you sir," she replied, bowing and following Sesshoumaru out of the office.
Once they got to the hallway, he turned his cold eyes on her. "You two looked cozy in there."
She raised an eyebrow. "Cozy how?"
"You two seemed to be talking as friends."
"He just offered his ear if I needed someone to talk to."
"Well do you?"
"What's with the third degree?" He looked at her then started walking away. "Hey! I was talking to you! Don't walk away from me!"
"What do you want?"
"I want to know why you're asking all kinds of questions, what does it matter if I talk to my professor?"
"It doesn't," he said walking away.
Kagome threw her hands in the air. "What the hell is your problem!?"
By now a few people had stepped out of their classrooms to see what the commotion was.
He turned around and looked at her. "I have no problem miko, what you do it your choice."
"Then why are you being such a complete asshole?"
In a blink he was in front of her, his eyes flashed red. "Hold your tongue woman. Nobody talks to this Sesshoumaru that way."
She stared back into his eyes defiantly. "I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. I don't know what crawled up your ass all of a sudden, but I can do as I please, remember. You're the one who keeps telling me it's my choice."
He hadn't even realized that he had her up against the wall. He backed away and looked at her, his eyes back to their typical cold, emotionless demeanor. "It is your choice miko."
Kagome watched his retreating back and looked at a clock hanging on the wall. "Shit!" She ran all the way home and jumped in the shower, taking all of two minutes to get herself clean and dried. Grabbing one of her pant suits she got dressed and brushed her hair as she slipped her feet into her work heels.
She cursed herself in the elevator for running to work. At least once she got upstairs she'd get to sit down. She walked into her office and signed into the computer as she sat down. "Higurashi, is that you?" her bosses voice crackled through the intercom.
"Yes Mr. Hyoga."
"Good, my cousin, Gatenmaru will be arriving shortly, will you call and reschedule my appointments? Tell them I apologize for doing so on such short notice, but he is dropping in for a 'surprise' visit."
"Of course sir."
"Thank you."
She pulled up his schedule and looked up his five o'clock. 'Naraku Onigumo of Onigumo and Associates' it read. The name was enough to make her feel uneasy, but it was her job and she had to call to notify him.
She picked up the phone and dialed the number and extension on his schedule. "Hello, is this Naraku Onigumo's office? ... This is Kagome Higurashi from Menomaru Hyoga's office. ... Yes, Mr. Hyoga asked that I call and reschedule his appointment this afternoon. ... We are very sorry for such late notice, there was an unavoidable disruption in his schedule. ... His next free appointment is a 3 o'clock tomorrow. ... Ok, thank you, have a good afternoon." Kagome sighed. Thank goodness for secretaries, she didn't think she could have made it through the call if Naraku had answered the phone.
She sat back and sighed after she'd made all the calls. Thankfully he only had four more appointments today, she thought one more cheery secretary would make her gag. A ring of her phone caused her to jump. "Menomaru Hyoga's office, how can I help you?" she answered politely.
"This is Kagura Onigumo. My brother was supposed to have an appointment today."
"Yes, I just called and rescheduled for him. As I told his secretary there was an unavoidable disruption in his schedule."
"Menomaru must not have realized who the appointment was with, is there anyway we can get in today, it is of the utmost importance."
"Let me find out." She pressed the hold button, then turned on the intercom. "Mr. Hyoga, I'm sorry for the interruption, but Naraku Onigumo's office just called back and said they need the appointment today."
She could hear a sigh. "Tell him if he comes in right now I may be able to squeeze him in before Gatenmaru arrives."
"Yes sir." She turned the intercom off and picked the phone back up. "Ms. Onigumo are you still there?"
"Yes," the woman snapped.
Kagome mentally groaned. "Mr. Hyoga said he may be able to squeeze you in before his emergency meeting, but you have to hurry."
"We will be there shortly."
The other end of the line went dead. Now she was going to have to come face to face with one of her worst fears. Maybe if she kept busy they wouldn't notice her. She sighed, that was unlikely. Now she was going to have to come face to face with not only her almost rapist, but her... whatever-Sesshoumaru-could-be-considered's ex. It seemed fate had it out for her today. After a few minutes passed Kagome couldn't concentrate on her work. Suddenly a thought popped in her head. If I'm not here I won't have to see them! She patted herself on the back and smiled, some days she could be a genius.
She pressed the intercom button. "Mr. Hyoga, would you like a coffee?"
"Is Naraku here yet?"
"No sir, Kagura said they would be arriving soon."
"They know the way into my office, you should be fine to leave as long as you return as soon as possible."
Kagome nodded before realizing he couldn't see her. "Of course sir."
She turned it off and stood, adjusting her form fitting white button up and hip hugging black pinstripe pants. As she stepped off the elevator she bumped into Kaede. "Kagome child! You almost scared the wits out of me!"
"I'm so sorry Kaede, I'm just in a hurry, Mr. Hyoga has a sudden change in schedule and I'm trying to hurry and get his coffee."
"I see your new job is keeping you busy."
"Very, I almost miss the legal office!"
"Almost?"
"Well, the pay increase makes the transition a little easier."
Both women laughed. "Well, just don't overwork yourself child and remember to keep a life outside of here or you'll end up like me."
Kagome smiled. "Of course Kaede, well I should hurry, goodbye!" She ran over to the coffee pot and quickly poured her bosses coffee, which was simple since he drank it black. She snapped on a lid, walked back to the elevator, and waited for it to reach her floor. There were four separate elevators, but only one went to the top ten floors for security reasons. Her foot tapped unconsciously and she straightened up as the doors opened. Suddenly she felt sick to her stomach, staring back at her were two pairs of nearly identical red eyes. She contemplate taking another elevator then walking the extra two flights of stairs, but Menomaru would be waiting and would be displeased if she were to take too long. A sly smile crossed Naraku's face as he recognized her. Kagura pointedly glared at her. Her heart rate doubled as she stepped inside and the doors closed, fate really did have it out for her. She concentrated on keeping her breathing even as she stared straight ahead. A shudder escaped and she silently cursed herself as she felt his eyes roam her body.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the doors opened and she resisted the urge to bolt out and lock the office door. She walked into her office with the siblings right behind her. She knocked softly on his door then walked in after a muffled 'enter.' He looked up as she sat the cup on his desk. "Here is your coffee Mr. Hyoga, and Mr. Onigumo is here."
"Please call me Menomaru-sama."
"Yes Mr-- Menomaru-sama."
He nodded in approval and handed her a folder. "Can you please look over these documents and make the necessary changes?"
"Of course sir," she said taking the folder. She bowed to Naraku and Kagura as she left his office and pulled the door closed behind her.
"A new girl, what happened to the other?" Naraku asked knowingly.
"She had an 'accident.'"
Kagura's cold laughter filled the room. "Well in her next life she'll know to mind her own business."
--
Kagome leaned back in her chair and stretched, cracking her fingers. She'd typed up and edited 10 of the 30 documents Menomaru-sama had given her and he was still in a meeting with Naraku and Kagura. She looked at the little clock on her computer. It was 5:30 and Gatenmaru still hadn't shown up. She sighed to herself, as she started typing another document, she tried to focus, but her thoughts kept going back to Sesshoumaru, more specifically the split second change in his cold eyes. If she didn't know any better she'd say he looked almost... hurt. She shook the thought from her head. Sesshoumaru would never be hurt by anyone, especially not a pesky human girl, and he always made it clear that she was nothing more then that. How did she always end up like this...
Menoumaru's voice over the intercom brought her out of her musings. "Kagome, can you please come in here?"
"Yessir."
She adjusted her outfit once again and stepped inside, very aware of the lust-filled eyes on her. "Have you finished the documents I gave you?"
"No Menomaru-sama, one of them had many legal loop-holes so I fixed it to the best of my ability."
He nodded. "That is fine, I will have Naraku go over it again to make sure you didn't miss anything. Speaking of which, I am involved in a court case having to do with some silly extortion charge. Naraku here is going to help use make this go away, which means you two will be working very closely for the next month." Kagome unconsciously gritted her teeth. "Is there a problem?"
"No sir," she said through a clenched jaw.
Naraku licked his lips. "It will be a pleasure working with you Miss Higurashi." He stood and shook Menomaru's hand, Kagura followed suit. "Thank you for meeting with us Menomaru, I am sure we can get this all worked out in no time."
"I expect nothing less." Kagome stood waiting as Naraku and Kagura left. Once they were gone Menomaru turned to her. "For your jobs sake I hope you do not have a problem working with Naraku Onigumo. He is one of the best lawyers in Japan and his firm has been representing my company for several years, he may seem a bit... odd, but he never fails."
She nodded. "Is there anything you need before I get back to my desk?"
"No, I do not and once you have finished those documents bring them to me and you are dismissed for the evening."
When she got back to her desk she got to work on the rest of the documents. She jumped when a wave of strong demonic aura rushed through her. The sound of the door opening caused her to look up and see a demon walk through. He threw a glance in her direction and walked into Menomaru's office. That must be Gatenmaru she thought to herself. Funny, I never knew Menomaru was demon. She shrugged and went back to her work, it didn't matter if he was demon or not and if he wanted to keep it hidden she would keep his secret.
She finished the documents and gathered them up. Just as she was getting ready to knock on his door she heard yelling from inside. In her mind she knew she shouldn't listen to them, but something told her she needed to hear what was being said.
"What gives you the right?" she heard Menomaru yell.
"You have been slacking in your duties to the family, therefore the council has decided to replace you," Gatenmaru replied simply.
She heard him slam his hands on the desk as he stood. "You can't! My father started this company goddamn it!"
"At the family's request and as a cover for our... business. You have been drawing too much attention to us."
"It's not my fault! There is someone in the company trying to sabotage me, give me time to find them. I am getting close."
"The decision has been made Menomaru, the council wants to see you removed from your position as CEO. My saiko komon is already preparing the press conference where you will step down and allow him to take over."
"I can do this job kumicho, please give me one more chance."
"I will speak to the council in your defense, if someone really is trying to sabotage you then I suggest you take care of the problem. You will be given one month to find the rat and make him disappear."
Kagome ran back to her desk and sat quickly right before the door opened. She used her miko abilities to mask her rapid heartbeat. Gatenmaru glanced in her direction then exited. Once she felt his aura disappear down the elevator she knocked on her bosses door, documents in hand.
She set them on his desk and turned to go. "Higurashi... I know you were at the door, what did you hear?"
--
"I want him out of my house Toga," Izayoi said, her back to her husband as she washed a plate.
"Izayoi, he's my son and my heir, I can't kick him out any more then I could Inuyasha," Toga replied.
She turned and faced him, her eyes covered by her black hair. "He goes or I go. I have tried to get close with your son and I get shot down every time! A woman can only take so much, and now he brings that whore into our home."
"Kagome is not a whore," came Sesshoumaru's cold voice from the doorway. Izayoi dropped the plate she had in her hand. "Your son cheated on her, she stayed faithful even though she had an idea of what was going on, you tell me who the whore is."
"Sesshoumaru," his father growled.
"Do not worry father, I was already in the process of moving. I've arranged to live in one of your apartment buildings."
"Are you sure?"
"Do not feign concern father, it does not suit you."
--
Angel: Ok, I have to end this one here, I had a job interview and I'm waiting for a call back for a second one so I've been really busy and will probably be busy all this next week. As always review, let me know what you like, don't like, or think I can fix.