Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. I do not profit from this story.
Elevator Music
The Lion's Den
(Water)
Sango didn't seem to notice the tension in his voice. "I've moved all of your meetings to next week. There are two people that have yet to confirm but there shouldn't be a problem. I'm still tackling the paperwork but Kouga says things won't be much longer."
"Good, thank you," Inuyasha replied, eyes glued to Kagome.
Miroku laughed. "Dude, you're totally making gaga eyes at Kagome."
"I am not!" And that wasn't a yell of defence. That was a yell to protect his hurt ego. It had nothing to do with the fact that he possibly, might have been, actually making those eyes at her.
It wasn't like he was trying to. Kagome was just...smiling.
Turning away from him, Kagome sat close and put her head on his shoulder. "You should relax more."
"This is coming from the woman who couldn't breathe properly when we first got in," Inuyasha snapped back. He kind of felt like a coiled spring, ready to strike out at the first sign of attack.
Kagome laughed lightly, nodding. "Touché, I guess I deserve that. However, I am very claustrophobic."
"How are you doing now?"
Trying hard not to think about it too much, Kagome shrugged and placed her hand on his elbow. His body was like a furnace, heat radiating from him and into her palm. "I'm alright. We're going to get out of here soon so I'm holding out for that. I hope it's soon."
"Me too," Inuyasha replied, lying through his teeth. He didn't want to get out. Not ever. Not right now.
Kagome sighed. "It better be because I definitely need a bathroom break. That water from earlier was not a good idea. I can't imagine how you're not dancing."
Frowning, Inuyasha looked down at the woman resting on his shoulder. "What?"
"You drank so much water and then we played that game." Kagome smiled, thinking as to where it led and wondering if maybe eventually things could progress outside of the big metal box. "I'm okay for a while still but you must have a massive bladder."
What a strange thing to say. Inuyasha thought about it, realizing that he did have a lot of water.
And then he thought about it some more. "Son of a bitch," he murmured.
"What's wrong?" Kagome asked, lifting her head.
Inuyasha wanted to press it back down and tell her not to worry. Only, it was all her fault in the first place. "You made me realize that I have to go to the bathroom. Dammit, I was distracted and now you go and paint it in friggen neon."
Kagome looked sheepish at least. "Sorry?"
"That shouldn't sound like a question."
"Sorry."
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and finally gave in to the urge. With the hand that wasn't being held down by hers, he patted the top of her head and put it back on his shoulder. He liked it there. The weight of it was comforting, as if it drew a connection that would last outside of their miniature prison. "I think after this I'm just going to go home. You should get the day off too."
"Like I would," Kagome replied, not sounding bitter, just factual. "There's a lot to do and Sesshomaru's a busy man. Someone has to keep everything organized."
"He can live."
"Who can live?" Sesshomaru's deep voice filled the elevator and Kagome let go of Inuyasha rather abruptly.
It prompted Inuyasha to be a dick. "You, if you're lucky. Get us out of this damned thing. Get that fucking wolf to do his damn job."
Sesshomaru was quiet for a moment in silent contemplation. "You're sitting awfully close to my assistant Inuyasha."
"I can sit however close I want Sesshomaru," Inuyasha replied, rolling his eyes. "What the hell do you want?"
"To castrate you, but father wouldn't be pleased," Sesshomaru said, his voice in the same monotone in which his speech was usually delivered. "Kagome, Ms. Yanami is clearly a poor substitute for your work ethic. However, I've managed to do the miraculous, again. When you get out of here it will be like you were never stuck."
"Please tell me you didn't fire Yura," Kagome commented, looking regretful. "She was actually good at her job."
"Not yours," Sesshomaru pointed out.
"No one is good at my job but me," Kagome replied.
Sesshomaru made a noise that was almost a huff. "I won't fire her."
Kagome gave a half-smile. "Good then. I'll pick up from where she left off when this is done."
"No, not happening," Inuyasha interrupted, unable to listen to more. "Kagome and I are taking the rest of the day off, alright? This was traumatizing for her and at the very least she should get the day."
"Inuyasha–" Kagome tried but the man just put his hand up in front of her, eyes glaring at the speaker.
"Let her have the day off, even if I don't. It's bullshit that she's had to suffer with all that claustrophobic shit and then get thrown back into the lion's den with work. You can suffer alone one day, right asshole?"
"Your words astound me," Sesshomaru commented dryly. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you liked her. Too bad she's too smart for that and you're too much of a pathetic bastard."
"You wound me," Inuyasha replied, sarcasm laced in his tone. "Dammit Sesshomaru, don't be a dick."
"I'm not being anything. Kagome can have the day off, but because it was my decision and not your doing." Sesshomaru was quiet for a moment before the speaker crackled. "I have other matters to attend to. I will discuss problems with Mr. Matsuno in a moment."
"Thank you," Kagome called out. She turned to him when Sesshomaru was gone. "You two are weird together."
Inuyasha opened his mouth to say something, smirking instead. "I was the one that gave you the day off, not that asshole."
"I know," she replied, putting her head back down on his shoulder.
Comments to Acknowledge:
Kenia: You're simply adorable. Thank you very much for being so supportive and always giving such sweet feedback :)
Random-human-reviewer: You legit made me laugh. Although, you may want to rethink the plan of murdering me, because I wouldn't be able to write ANYTHING if you did that. But here is more and I can assure you that with only 4 chapters left, the story will be completed within the month. And I'm glad you enjoy all my stories!
Glitterthorn: Miroku is my favourite in this particular universe I made. He's just awesome. Deep down in your heart, I think you agree :) Thanks!
Lissa: I updated! And more will be soon. For sure by next Sunday. I plan on updating weekly, at the latest. Thank you!
IrishIndy: It's awesome people like you that make me update. My computer problems are fixed! HUZZAH! Now, it's just typing my fingers off. Which, to tell you the truth, is not as fun as it sounds. Thanks hun!
NurNur: You, as well, are awesome. Thank you so much for being so supportive and amazing :)
So my lovelies, only four chapters to go. Happiness (for those of you that are curious) will be updated within 24 hours. I, unfortunately, messed up huge on a particular tangent I wanted to incorporate (which isn't surprising since I was mostly without access to my story notes) so I need to redo a lot of it. Which is a bugger and a half.
Feedback is love. (I had a rant to add to the end of this, but then I reread it, realized I must be going at the very least slightly certifiable, and deleted it. You're welcome).