Appreciation

Appreciation: the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something

"Sesshomaru! My Son! Congratulations! Once you finalize the partnership with Totosai's company, I want you to take over the Tashio at once!" Touga said as Sesshomaru entered into his Father's office, patting him on the back. Sesshomaru's business plan had finally reached its final month. Touga's expression suddenly gloomed.

"If you are concerned about Higurashi-san's contract, it will be extended." Sesshomaru replied noting his Father's expression and constant concern for Hirgurashi-san.

Touga's face brightened, "Brilliant! How is my dear Kagome doing?" Touga said sitting in his office chair.

"Sick" Sesshomaru responded with a slight crease forming between his brow.

Touga, worried for her health, asked, "A flu from the cold winter? Nothing serious I hope?"

Forgetting that Higurashi-san was still human, he began to rethink his decision to not call after the Taijiya reported Higurashi-san's condition.

"I guess I will give her a call myself," Touga sighed, "Though isn't the first meeting with Totosai today?" His expression became hard. "Don't you think it would be wise to reschedule the meeting to when Kagome feels better and allow her to handle Totosai? He is a hard shell to crack."

"The contract meeting will resume" Sesshomaru stated firmly.

His Father looked at him with a frown, almost disapprovingly.

Ring Ring Ringggg

Sesshomaru opened his cellphone to answer before being cut off by an urgent voice.

"Tashio-san! Totosai-sama came early to the company and is stating that he will not sign the contract! I'm trying to stall him from leaving, but you must come soon!" came a pleading voice that belonged to the accountant.

As he hung up the phone, Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the news. Walking out of his Father's office on the top of the Tashio building, he made his way towards the company board room where Totosai-sama should be in.

CRASH

Glass hitting the door could be heard. Sesshomaru opened the board room door to reveal the accountant holding on to a red faced man, that must have been Totosai-sama, and the Taijiya red faced herself from anger.

"What is going on?" Sesshomaru asked calmly with his stoic mask.

"Going on? What is going ON!? Well Tashio-sama, I will tell you what is going ON! I don't want anything to do with you! Contract? Partnership? Is that your sick way of planning to take over my company? I don't know why other companies are foolish to agree, but your company has done nothing but make our companies suffer!" Totosai-sama vented pointing his finger at Sesshomaru. "Your company is filled with greed! Attacking the weaker companies! Breaking down the one's that try to rise in power!"

Sesshomaru knew his Father's company had done so in the past to form the Tashio Company's image, yet that was how the business industry runs by.

"I don't know what you are planning to do, but I don't want any part of your cold, ruthless company!" Totosai-sama exclaimed loudly and then breathing in harshly.

Sesshomaru knew no words of promise or negotiation would work. Resorting to threat's seemed ideal at this point. He would not lose this contract signing. His business plan would not finish with success until he had Totosai-sama's partnership.

"Totosai-sama" came a soft voice behind him. Sesshomaru knew this voice to belonged to Higurashi-san, yet how? Sesshomaru turned around to see Higurashi-san walking through the board room door. He saw her in two winter jackets, a winter hat, and in a long scarf that nearly covered her whole face. He looked to the accountant and saw him flinch. Had that foolish human called Higurashi-san to come? Higurashi-san's pale face, evidence of her unstable state, said quietly to her team, "Sango-san, Hojou-san, Sesshomaru? Would you leave us alone, please?" All the while, she began to take off her winter gear.

Sesshomaru hesitated, but soon left after seeing her determined eyes begging him to listen. Closing the door to the board room, his harsh gaze landed on the accountant.

"You did not need to call a sick person to save yourself from this situation" He said coldly.

"I…I…I ddddidn't Tashio-san! She ca—ca-called me! She demanded to know Totosai-sama's state. I just told her the trrruth!" Hojou-san managed to stutter out.

Sesshomaru felt his lips twitch to smirk. He should have known Higurashi-san's stubbornness would cause her to get up and still come to work sick. He would be lying to himself if he said he wasn't relieved by her entrance though. He did not wish to base this partnership by using violence.

After a few minutes, a grunt followed by a laugh echoed from the board room. As the door opened, Sesshomaru saw Totosai-sama shaking hands with Higurashi-san and said, "I enjoy your presence Higurashi-san. Hopefully, I will only need to interact through you." Totosai-sama smiled and with a glare he gave a quick bow in Sesshomaru's direction before he turned around and left.

Sesshomaru felt an odd tug within his chest as he saw Higurashi-san smile his way with exhaustion revealed in her eyes.

"Higurashi-san, have you lied to this Sesshomaru all this time about how the meetings went?" he questioned, demanding to know if Totosai-sama was the first or the last to behave this way.

Sesshomaru saw Higurashi-san's feature slump slightly. "No, I didn't lie. I truly like our partners, Sesshomaru…" she said.

"But?" He snapped.

"But… they have all behaved similarly as Totosai-sama has."

Sesshomaru's eyes hardened and saw Higurashi-san having difficulty keeping her eyes open. He felt a stronger tug within his chest.

"Why continue?" Sesshomaru demanded.

Her blue eyes glazed with tiredness began to close and revealed a sweet smile on her lips. "Although your intentions to hire me were calculative for your own benefit, you still chose to hire me knowing the large risk it would create in your business plan. Yes, yes, you are probably thinking 'this Sesshomaru would not fail no matter the risk'". She said trying to imitate his stoic face, yet Sesshomaru found it amusing that she failed miserably due to her sick state. "I'd like to believe that you cared, somewhat, about your employees." Opening her eyes to look at Sesshomaru, her smile grew wider, "plus, our lunch rituals always kept me motivated!"

Sesshomaru felt a forceful pull within his chest. He could no longer deny that Higurashi-san deserved his respect and trust, for she proved herself worthy.

Author's note: 'What are your thought's dear readers?' the author exclaims with arms flapping up and down. The author begins to roll around on the floor wailing...waiting for someone to review.

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