Disclaimer: All Inuyasha goodness belongs to the amazing Takahashi-san!

Behind the Curtain

By MissKatt

The Newspaper

"Make sure you get a full nights rest on a comfortable pillow. Also, do try to avoid hitting your head against anything or moving too abruptly." Jinenji stated, finishing up his take-home instructions to the small girl standing before him in the hospital lobby.

"Thank you so much, Jinenji-san," The fully recovered miko said, bowing a little to the surgeon who had taken such great care of her the past few days. "I feel so much better now."

The large hanyou flushed embarrassingly and nodded. "You are very welcome, Higurashi-san. I have prescribed you Motrin-800 for headaches in case you get some. It won't be uncommon for you to get a few, but if it seems like they are excessive or lasting too long, do not hesitate to call; I will get you in immediately."

She nodded and smiled at him. "I will do just that."

"Doctor, what about her work? Should she be taking time off?" Sango asked, standing by her friend's side and carrying a hospital bag containing the 'outfit' she had arrived in.

Only knowing that she worked for Sesshoumaru, he answered honestly. "I do not see any issue with clerical work as it doesn't involve much strenuous activity. However, if you start to get a headache, take a break and tilt your head back to relive the pressure."

"That shouldn't be a problem." Kagome replied, not willing herself to ask about working at Shikon. She would assume no strenuous activity meant no upside down pole tricks, not that she would ever attempt to do one again.

"Any other questions?" He asked, looking between the two girls.

"Actually, what about flying?" The miko asked, suddenly remembering what tomorrow was. "I am supposed to go on a trip with Taisho Corp to Las Vegas for a convention. Will that be okay?"

Jinenji hummed to himself as he thought about it. "I don't recommend it, Higurashi-san, since sometimes flying above an altitude of 4,500 can cause swelling in the brain. Also, you literally had the surgery three days ago."

"But, you said all my test results came back fine; that I was fine. Isn't that true?" She asked almost desperately. She did not want to miss the trip; she had really been looking forward to it.

"Yes, it is, but that doesn't mean something can't happen," Seeing her defeated look, he sighed. "I can't stop you, Higurashi-san, only advise you not to do it."

Kagome nodded at him and gave a sigh. "Yeah, I know. I just hoped you would have said I would have been completely okay no matter what."

He gave her a small smile and put his hand on her shoulder. "You will be okay in a little time."

She bowed to him again as they said their good-byes and then followed her friend out of the hospital to her car. Her car was still parked at Shikon, Bankotsu promising that nothing would happen to it while she was gone; and she really hoped that was true. "Thanks again for picking me up, Sango."

"Of course, Kagome." She buckled herself in and then started the car, turning the heater on full blast to try and rid the car of the icy cold. "So, where to first? Your car?"

She shook her head. "No, I was actually thinking of stopping by the office. I know my work has been piling up since Sesshoumaru fired my temporary replacement. I figured I would pick up the files and take them home to work on them for the rest of the day to try and finish them."

Sango stared at her intently, eyes narrowing a fraction. "Oh, yeah? Why do you need to finish them so quickly?"

Kagome blinked and avoided her friend's gaze. "What do you mean?" She asked innocently. "It's my job…"

"Bullshit," She replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "You're planning on going to America anyways, aren't you?" When her friend remained silent, she snapped, "Kagome! Are you kidding me?! You heard what Jinenji said!"

"I heard a lot of advice," She corrected, now turning to look at the brunette. "I really want to go, Sango. After everything that has happened recently, I would really like a small vacation."

Sango frowned at her. "What if your brain swells again when you're flying, Kagome? What if you pass out or die on the plane?"

"That's the worst case scenario. I really think I'll be fine, plus it's not a straight flight. There is at least one stop so I'll make sure everything is okay when I land and before I go on. I'll be okay, really," Seeing her friend about to protest, she firmed her resolve. "Sango, you can't talk me out of this."

The woman sighed heavily before putting her car in gear and driving off towards Taisho Corp. "Well, I guess I can only hope one of the others will talk you out of it," She commented with a defeated tone. When she received a doubtful look, she shrugged. "I can hope."

Kagome only shook her head and looked out the passenger window as they headed towards the office. Once they arrived, she had her park along the curb outside the building and grabbed her badge from her work bag out of the back seat. "Thanks again for bringing my bag and a change of clothes," She said, gesturing to her black yoga pants and baby pink hoodie. "I wouldn't have been able to show up in the same clothes I wore Monday."

"Oh gosh, Kagome, I really doubt anyone would have noticed. But the post-gym workout look really suits you." She replied, waving her hand with a smile. "I'll wait here while you get your files, just in case someone tries to tow me away."

"Okay, I'll be quick!" She answered and shut the door before hurrying inside her office building. She smiled at the receptionists behind the counter and went to wave at them, but stopped when she noticed them scowling at her. "Umm, good morning you guys…" She greeted.

"You have some nerve showing your face here." One of the girls snapped at her while the other two nodded their heads, giving the secretary judging glares.

"What are you talking about?" Kagome asked, brows furrowing at their rude behavior towards her.

"You-"

"Don't even bother with her," The middle one cut her off before sneering at Kagome. "Touga-sama will handle her for lying and seducing his son. Good luck, bitch, you're going to need it."

The miko glared back at them, but chose to bite her tongue instead of lashing back out at them. She didn't really have the energy to deal with them at the moment. Still, she couldn't help but wonder what in the hell they were talking about. Touga would deal with her? Deal with her how?

She contemplated all the possibilities as the elevator took her to her main floor. When the doors slid open, she smiled at the few floor employees who were walking around. Her smile slipped off her face though when they all regarded her with guarded expressions, mistrust in their eyes. She lifted a brow at them before walking over to her desk. She looked at the stack of files and let out an exasperated sigh before she heard a growl echoing from Sesshoumaru's office, followed by muffled shouts from Inuyasha and Touga.

Curious, she walked over to the double doors and knocked on it once before opening the door enough to poke her head in. "Um, hello? Is everything alright?" She blinked when three sets of amber orbs fell on her.

"Ah, Kagome-san," Touga greeted her, trying to push away the awkwardness that came with the interruption. "It is so good to see you out of the hospital! When were you discharged?"

"This morning," She responded, looking around the company owner to see the fuming Sesshoumaru sitting behind his desk. "Sesshoumaru, are you okay?"

"He's fine," Inuyasha answered for him, stepping in front of her view. "Well, since you're out of the hospital now, why don't we go get lunch?" He suggested, taking her by the arm to try and lead her from the office.

Her brows knitted together at the obvious attempt to distract her. She pulled her arm from his hold and put her hands on her hips. "Obviously, there is something wrong. Everyone is here treating me really oddly; does that have something to do with what's going on?"

Touga and Inuyasha exchanged a look as they fell silent. Finally Touga sighed and nodded once. "She deserves to know," He finally said, turning towards Sesshoumaru. "You should be the one to show her."

The taiyoukai's eyes slid shut for a second as he took a deep breath to calm himself. When he reopened them, he focused his gaze on her blue depths. "Come and look at this." He commanded, throwing a newspaper down onto the desk.

Frowning, she walked over to the desk and picked up the newspaper. She tried to smooth out the crinkled paper before she looked at the contents of the front page. She instantly recognized the emblem of the paper as F.E.E.; Z Entertainment's magazine regarding other entrepreneurs. She already had a bad feeling about this article if Kouga was somehow involved with it.

She opened up to the first page and sucked in a breath at the very large picture of her lying unconscious on the hospital bed, Sesshoumaru sitting next to her as he held her hand. Above the picture was the headline 'Scandal at Taisho Corporations!' and then in smaller letters below that: 'Taisho Sesshoumaru Involved with Secretary!'

Kagome paled and glanced up at Sesshoumaru, his golden pools staring at her attentively, his expression unreadable. She swallowed as she continued to read the article. She glared at the printed words as it claimed that she and Sesshoumaru were in a secret relationship. It 'stated' that they had first heard word of their relationship at the CCCB when he protected her, but didn't have any evidence until now. The reporter said they had followed Sesshoumaru, Touga, and Rin to the hospital and managed to snap the picture above. It continued on to say that Sesshoumaru had been in such a state of depression during her hospital stay because she had apparently been hospitalized due to a horrible miscarriage involving their illegitimate child.

"This is so stupid," She murmured, skimming the rest of the article as it went on about the specifics of their imaginary relationship. "Kouga can't be serious about this…"

"It seems he is serious enough to publish it," Sesshoumaru replied bluntly. "He is seeking revenge."

"Apparently," She sighed and put the paper back on his desk, but not without taking another look at the picture of Sesshoumaru holding her hand. "I'm so sorry about this, Sesshoumaru. If I knew he would have been this much trouble, I would have never gotten involved with him."

"I believe I chose to get involved when I stopped him from advancing on you." He stated and leaned back slightly in his chair as he glanced down at Kouga's attack on them. He expected her to be more upset about the article and the fact that she wasn't made his anger reside slightly. He wasn't sure he could handle her crying about it.

"Still…" She trailed off, looking back down at the paper as well. Her eyes moved to the picture once again and she took in the way his eyes stared at her, almost as if he was asking her to wake up without voicing it. She then blushed when she remembered their heated kiss, but then frowned when she read the second line again. What would happen if she and Sesshoumaru ever really did become a couple? Would it be all over the papers like that?

The company Vice-President was watching her face carefully. What was she thinking when she blushed? When she frowned in disappointment? Why couldn't she be so easily read like the others? He decided to not ask since both his father and half-brother were still in the room. "Let us discuss how we will move forward with this article." He suggested, looking at his father.

"It is best to claim it not true and then ignore the press after that. They will eventually get bored from the lack of reaction from you and leave you alone." Touga replied, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned against the door frame. He himself had been involved in many scandals and almost all of them were made up except for Izayoi. They had agreed to keep it a secret only so that they could have their wedding and Mating ceremony in peace.

Kagome nodded once in agreement. "It's like a rumor in high school. Everyone feeds on it and plays into it as they spread it around and twist it, but as soon as the victim stops reacting to it, it just dies out. I guess the business world is just a big school, huh?"

Inuyasha snorted. "That's for damn sure."

"So, do we make a statement together?" She asked, turning fully towards Touga now.

"No, that would make it worse. It is best if you two continue on in a professional matter and try not to be seen too close together until the media calms down." He answered her and tried to hide the way his claws dug into his skin. First it was Rin, and then the media. Why was everyone interfering with his plan to get the two together?

"What about tomorrow when we leave?" She asked curiously. "Won't the press see us at the airport together?"

"Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha will walk in before us, Izayoi and I will be behind them, and then you and Kikyou will take up the rear. That way Kikyou is also exempt from the media. They won't have any 'proof', as they call it, that her and Inuyasha are together either. For all they know, she's just another secretary." He stated, nodding at his logic.

"Oh, Kikyou is going?" Kagome asked, her face falling a little. How the hell was she supposed to get on the plane without her sister making a big deal about it? How would she convince her sister to let her fly?

The hanyou blinked down at her best female friend. "Yeah, she's fillin' in for my assistant. I thought it would be a nice little get away for us."

"I see." She responded quietly.

Sesshoumaru's eyes rested on her once again and he had to stop them from taking in the curve of her ass in her yoga pants. "Is that a problem?" He questioned seriously. Did her and her sister have another fight?

She blinked when she realized how she was coming off. She quickly raised her hands and shook them. "No, no! That's fine! I just didn't know she was coming! It'll be fun!" She answered quickly with a forced laugh.

The two older Taisho men weren't convinced, but she managed to sway Inuyasha as he gave her a fangy grin and replied, "Fuck yeah it'll be! Drinking and gambling! It'll be one big party!"

"Inuyasha, there will be some work to do when we arrive," Touga scolded and then gave Kagome a smile. "Well, if there are no qualms, then a driver will arrive at your house at 12:30pm to take you to Tokyo Airport by 2pm; that way we will arrive around 2:30pm in Las Vegas."

"Um, Touga-san, wouldn't it be less conspicuous if I just drive myself or have Sango drop me off?" She suggested. "I don't want to feed into the rumors more."

"That will be acceptable," Sesshoumaru replied for his father. "Just make sure you are on time; airport security takes a while to go through."

She nodded and gave him a smile. "I will be on time!"

"Well, I will see you two tomorrow. Come, Inuyasha, I wish to get your opinion on a club for Saturday." The father stated, beckoning his son to following him from the room.

"Fuck yeah! I know just the one we should go to! It's called TAO and it's at the top of the Venetian and they…" His voice trailed off after the door was closed, leaving Kagome and Sesshoumaru alone in his office.

"Um, did you want to speak with me before I left?" She asked quietly, suddenly a little nervous that they were alone in his office together when they ended on somewhat awkward, if not bad, terms last night.

"I did," He responded, rising from his chair to walk over to her. He heard her heart hammer harder in her chest as he approached her. Was that a good thing? Or was it bad? Was she scared he was going to punish her for what Kouga had done? How preposterous. "How are you feeling?"

She blinked at the question. "I-I'm fine. No pain whatsoever."

"That is good." He commented before the two fell into an awkward silence. He didn't know what to say. He had so many questions for her and yet could voice none of them. Was she mad at the so-called scandal? What was her debt with Bankotsu? Was she still angry at him for asking about it? Why was she unhappy about Kikyou going on the trip? Did she want him to kiss her again?

"Yeah, it is." She agreed. "I'm really lucky I didn't have any permanent damage." Kami did she have a million questions for him! Why couldn't she just spit them all out and get her answers? Was he pissed at her for not telling him about the debt and snapping at him? Would he let her fly if she told him why she didn't want Kikyou to go? Was he blaming her for what Kouga had done? Did he think the whole thing was utterly ridiculous? Or did he want her? Why did he kiss her? Would he kiss her again?

She knew he would answer them if she asked, but she couldn't muster up the courage to do so.

Sesshoumaru had never been hesitant to act on anything in his life before, and yet he couldn't ask the questions he wanted the answers to. He always knew what he wanted and he would always end up obtaining it. But, that was the problem. He didn't know what he wanted from the little miko in front of him. He had kissed her on impulse, but it had made him want to plant many more on her plump lips whenever he saw her. He knew he wanted her body when she gave him a lap dance, but the longer she was around him, the more he wanted…more.

But, wanted more of what?

The way his liquid suns stared at her so intensely made her stomach tighten in desire. She had a taste of him and now she selfishly wanted more of him. Kami, what was he thinking as he stood there staring at her like that? Did he know what he was doing to her? Feeling moisture begin to slick her folds, she blushed in embarrassment. "U-umm, I have to go! I'm taking the files home with me to work on them! I'll see you tomorrow!" She rushed out, turning from him and all but running out of his office.

He was thoroughly confused at her actions until the tangy sweet smell of her arousal swam around his head. He put a hand down on his desk to stabilize himself as the scent intoxicated him. He was helpless to stop the deep, needy growl that rumbled through his chest and escaped past his lips.

What did he want?