Since Kikyo's appointment on the case, they immediately resumed their regular nights together staying late in the office. He began to notice she started carrying around another scent on her, different from the normal ones he was accustomed to. It wasn't Manten's, but it was another man's. She'd come in the mornings smelling like herself, and sometimes after lunch she would have this intruder all over her. While he tried his best to remedy their relationship with this case, she still wasn't ready to accept him back into her life as before. So, it wasn't appropriate he asked her about why she smelt like another man and Manten. Even if they were back on that level, would she have told him? Should he even ask? He's married so he can't comment on her private affairs.
"This is just a simple divorce. Our main goal is to interview the children and determine what we believe to be in their best interests. Mr. Hirigashi is just representing his son, it would be unethical for him to try to determine what would be the best interest of his grandchildren, so this is where we come in to play. We can go interview them at school today, without either parents present. We can also interview a few of their teachers and collect their school files. We don't have much to do, but we are an important part of this. Mr. Hirigashi's son is requesting full custody, because of the issues surrounding their divorce. His wife was an alcoholic years ago, in which during, she got charged with 3 counts of child abuse and neglect. She cleaned herself up, and was sober for seven years. Her husband is alleging that she has resumed her unhealthy habits and fears the safety of the kids. Hopefully, the interviews can help us in determining if it's true or not."
"That's very unfortunate. I'll do anything I can to make sure these kids end up safe and in the most capable hands."
"We are going to leave in about an hour. You are going to have to skip any lunch plans you may have, we will be out for a good portion of the day." He may not be able to ask who she goes to lunch with, but he'd damn sure could make sure she didn't go to lunch at all with this stranger. Whoever it was, he wasn't worth her time.
"Very well, I will make sure I clear all my plans for the afternoon. I must go settle any work that may need tending to before we leave. I'll see you in an hour, sir."
To his liking an hour went by quick and soon he found himself in his car alone with Kikyo. "I'm sure you're aware, or I hope you're aware, that GAL's have to meet certain requirements and can't be just anyone. So, during any point refrain from asking questions or interacting with the children. It could affect the outcome of this case. You are here to observe, and only observe. There's typically no standardized set of questions you ask the children, but you don't ever want to ask questions that makes them feel as if they must answer how you want them to answer. You don't want to lead children. If you have any questions just write them down and you can ask me after the fact. We will ask their teachers some questions as well, and then collect all their records from the office."
"Ok, I will keep quiet and on the sidelines. Do you typically take family law cases?"
"No, I am doing this as a favor to an old acquaintance."
"Acquaintance? Do you not like to address people as friends?"
Friends? Sesshomaru didn't have friends, and if he did, it was certainly one sided. He didn't consider anyone his friend, "I don't need friends."
"Oh, I see…" She seemed disappointed in his answer. Could she possibly be curious if they could ever be friends? Or possibly she wondered where she stood in his life.
"We are here. This shouldn't be too long; we will grab some lunch after. Remember what I said about interacting with them."
Staying quiet during this whole process was a lot more difficult than Kikyo anticipated. When her parents passed, she was assigned a GAL by the judge of her case. That's when she realized she wanted to be in family law, when this attorney looked after her and made sure she didn't end up lost in the system. Seeing these kids being confused about Sesshomaru asking them questions brought back all the sorrowful feelings she felt during this process. She just wanted to comfort them and tell them everything would be alright. They wouldn't lose their parents, that everything works out in the end. It was even upsetting to hear the teachers remark on their behavior. Kids were receptive about the things that happened around them, they both probably knew more than they would let on, but showed it in their behaviors unknowingly.
Even during lunch she couldn't shake the negative feelings that all flooded back. She barley listened to anything Sesshomaru had to say about the case or about anything else for that matter. He seemed to catch on because he stopped asking questions or trying to get her to converse with him. She didn't plan to be so off putting towards him.
"I'm sorry for being so silent. I just wasn't expecting to be affected this way," she decided to apologize back in the car.
Sesshomaru kept his eyes on the road making a sound she took for "whatever." Or maybe he just respected the way she was feeling. Yet, she felt she owed him some type of explanation. She had decided to resume a professional relationship after everything with Kagura, and she didn't want him to think she was going to constantly treat him as trash.
"It just reminded me of when my parents passed." A slip of personal information she wasn't expecting to reveal. She was always a closed and reserved person, but clearly her mind was not in a position of stability.
"I see. You need to quickly learn to get over it. You must pull your emotions out of it to make sure you're not swaying any decisions based off how you feel. There's a chance that despite all our work, those kids will end up in an unfortunate position, and there's nothing you can do about it. You have to learn to see the facts, deliver your best argument, and accept that you lost that battle if you do." Always stating things as they are, regardless of others feelings. He didn't function any other way, and while he admits that he may have a somewhat soft spot for Kikyo, it wouldn't change how he handled things such as this.
"I understand that, but I'm still new to all this. You can't expect me to be a robot and shut off all my emotions. Similar to you, who doesn't care for anything."
Is that what she thought of him, as a robot who cared about nothing. Fair enough, he'd give her that. He didn't care for much besides himself. She didn't know though, that it wasn't just himself he cared about anymore. He cared about her and her future. A future he knew very well he probably wasn't going to be a part of, but he saw potential in her. He would help her rise to the occasion.
"You don't think very highly of me, do you?" He asked, even though he already knew the answer. She wasn't subtle over things such as this. Not that he blamed her. He was well known for this as well.
"I respect you as a lawyer and you've done amazing things, professionally. Personally, you could use some work…"
He smirked. True. He'd let her think what she wanted, sooner or later she'd learn there was more to him than just a lawyer whose done amazing things, "Did you want to study at your place?"
Kikyo hesitantly watched him, "My place?" They haven't been back to her place in a while. Would it be wise to be alone with him, "Would your wife care?"
"Kagura will be ok with it," she probably wouldn't be, but it didn't matter. He wasn't going to tell her. If he was being faithful, then it was nothing he had to clue her in on.
"Very well, we can go study at my place. I need new books to study anyway, you've already drilled the book we have at the office, in my head."
Any spare second he had when they weren't working, he made sure he was studying with Kikyo. The real-life experience helped her on remembering a lot of the laws and paperwork part of it. She was doing good so far, but he'd make sure she was fully prepared by the end of the year. Being able to make Kikyo almost as qualified as him spoke a lot about his abilities as a lawyer. This would only help further advance him in his career, hopefully level the playing field with his father. Sesshomaru already believed he was equally rivaled to his father, but long as he had all the prior years' experience over him, he'd need to work harder to compete.
Pulling into the lot back at work, Sesshomaru's phone started to ring. He had ignored the first two calls coming in, but a third one most likely signified something important. In an effort to try and retrieve it from his pockets while parking, the phone slipped from his hands and onto Kikyo's seat between her legs. Sliding into the mid-thigh skirt she so conveniently wore today in the middle of winter. Before the phone had fallen, he was able to notice it was his father calling vigorously. Without thinking of the location of his phone he reached to grab it. The moment his hands glided against Kikyo's smooth skin she let out a provocative subtle moan, that seemed to even catch her off guard and instantly ignited a fire within him.
He kept his hand on the phone but hadn't moved. Her sound had stopped him in his tracks, and his eyes locked with hers. In a soft streak across her cheeks, red graced her face. He wasn't sure if it was arousal or embarrassment. He could feel the fabric of her underwear and the heat coming through on his fingers. She opened her mouth to speak, but another moan escaped her lips when his ringer went off once more along with its vibrating feature. It snapped him out of the moment. There were not many things that he would ever consider more important than the arousing sounds coming from Kikyo at that moment, but its far and few between when his father continued to call like this.
He pushed the phone against her underwear and dragged it up slowly while it was vibrating before pulling it out to answer. He knew he had to answer, but he wasn't going to let that opportunity slip away easily. Kikyo took the opportunity to rush out of the car once he had removed his phone. He watched her figure leave, passing by his father after a short bow who was walking towards the car now. Aggravatingly, he hung up the call as his father made his way to him. There were two things Toga was great at. Law and bad timing. He exited his vehicle to join his father's side.
"I've been calling you son, why haven't you answered? And what's wrong with Kikyo? She seemed upset. Was it because of the divorce interviews?"
Sesshomaru felt more at ease that Toga hadn't been close enough to notice what happened. Not only a few moments ago, Kikyo had been upset about the interviews, so it was best he went with that, "Yes. I had my phone in my pocket. It was hard to reach while driving. What do you need father?"
"The police are here. He's still not here, but we both need to be up there quickly to sit with the detective before he makes a formal arrest."
When Kikyo arrived at the office she was stunned to see two cops and another man in Sesshomaru's office. Since she was in the loop about the accounting fraud going on, she connected the dots about their business here today. She was intrigued to learn who the culprit was. She had her suspicions but wanted to know if she was right.
It wasn't shortly after that both Sesshomaru and his father stepped off the elevator straight to the waiting gentleman. Manten casually came over to her desk, "What's going on? Did Sesshomaru finally murder someone?"
Kikyo let out a chuckle, if he was to be the persecuted of a crime, she could certainly see murder being the one. "I'm not sure. They were here before I was. Sesshomaru or Toga haven't said anything to me when they walked in."
The ring of the elevator brought both their attention to Naraku creeping in late from lunch. Once his eyes caught sight of the men in uniform, he seemed to lose all interest in sneaking back into the office. Kikyo being his normal stop anytime he came in, "Manten. Get back to work. Kikyo, what happened?"
Kikyo waved to Manten as he drudged away, after, she directed her attention to the monitor other than Naraku. "I don't know. They were here when I got in. They're all headed out now, why don't you ask them?"
Naraku corrected his slouched posture and dusted off his suit, "I'd love to, but I just realized I've forgotten something in my car. If you'd excuse me." Naraku hastily walked back towards the elevator, clicking the button rapidly. When the doors open, two more men in police uniforms exited, blocking the way in.
Naraku turned to try and head towards the stairs, but was already greeted upon by the other two officers leaving the office. The detective walked up, "Naraku Iwuzaki, you are under arrest for money laundering, fraud –"
Kikyo faded out the rest of the police jargon of Naraku's arrest and Toga ushering everyone back to work. She was glad they finally did it, he was her guess all along. He had been the single connected factor in all cases. Sesshomaru and Toga stayed on the outskirt of Sesshoumaru's office to watch Naraku be cuffed off. Toga gave a quick slight pat to his son's back and continued to Kikyo.
"I am forever grateful to your help in settling this with us. Your work is always exceptional; I expect great things in the future Ms. Hatake. I also hope to see you at the company picnic in a few weeks."
She said her proper parting to Toga, but could feel Sesshomaru still standing at his office doors staring at her. She didn't want to look up and make eye contact with him. She was beyond humiliated after the accident that happened in his car. She should have been furious with him, that he reached down her skirt to collect his phone. Yet, instead of the lecture that she was prepared for, a moan escaped her lips instead. Was she truly this sexually frustrated because of him?
"Kikyo, I know you know I'd like to see you in my office. Do not keep me waiting much longer."
At least he didn't seem embarrassed about what transpired. He remained loyal to his arrogant demanding demeanor. Kikyo took a long inhale to help calm her nerves before she walked into the uncomfortableness of that conversation. Slowly, she pushed herself away from the desk and confidently strode in. Securely, shutting the door from prying ears. She walked straight up to his desk.
"Yes, Mr. Taisho? If you called me in here to talk about what happened in that car. I'd rather we just forget it happened. I'm sure you rather me forget that you so forwardly reached into my skirt without thinking. I reacted out of line as well as you did. Now, unless there is something work related you'd like to discuss then I shall be on my way."
Kikyo confidently walked out, not letting Sesshomaru speak a word. A common occurrence within the relationship. He let the smile that encroached his lips break through. At least she acknowledged she acted out of line, which would imply she enjoyed it. He only wished that she did want to talk about it. While, it had started as an accident, it did not end in such a way and it was most certainly not something he was ever going to forget. She held his gaze longingly and didn't jerk away or push him out. His hand stayed longer than anticipated. If only this absurd arrest didn't have to happen today. He could only imagine what could have happened next. Maybe if it wasn't his father calling, he would have left his phone there. To watch her squirm under the vibrations.
Sesshomaru spun around in his chair to face the glass walls to the outside. He had decided that it was ok to fantasize about Kikyo. It wasn't cheating, and he could guarantee he wasn't the only man on the planet to have adulterous fantasies. For now, he'd let all his principles and morals slip away and his mind was corrupted with filth.
{…}
It was the day of the company picnic. Kikyo hadn't the slightest idea why it was called a picnic. It was the beginning of December and the snow just started to fall within the last few days, making it too cold to be outside. It was a casual American restaurant they rented out in the middle of the day. This should be something held in springtime, considering this wasn't the only event within the next few weeks before the holiday break. Toga was fascinated with American culture, and Christmas is a tradition he shared with his employees. She couldn't complain about the free food and paid days off. She also got to bring Koga with her, in order to keep up with appearances. He wasn't able to stay long, but it was long enough until Manten could show up.
In the spirit of free booze, Koga was not hesitating on bringing Kikyo drink after drink. She was careful to not drink past the point of a light buzz, because she wasn't fond of the drunk her she was accustomed to. Normally, this isn't something she would do, but she could feel the evil stare of Kagura on her back. Hell, even Sesshomaru was glaring at her. She was over his bipolar personality, so the alcohol definitely helped.
"Koga, are you even going to be ok to leave after drinking like that?" She watched him down what had to be his 10th sake within two hours.
"Oh Kikyo, you're so adorable. You humans and your low alcohol intolerance. This isn't even enough to get me buzzed. I'll be good to leave, but are you sure you'll be ok without me. That broad hasn't stopped eyeing you down since we got here. I think she's waiting for me to leave to mess you up."
Kikyo turned to see who he was talking about, even though she didn't really need to, "So, you've noticed too? That's my boss' wife. She's not too fond of him having female employees. Being that I work directly with him, she's keen on me being a homewrecker."
"You? A homewrecker? In my dreams! Kikyo if you ever go to the dark side, you could come wreck my home."
Kikyo laughed. At first she dreaded this arrangement with Koga, but he proved to be decent company. He knew how to lighten the mood or even just listen when she had to vent. If he hadn't been well-known to a lot of her female friends and acquaintances, she could have possibly considered him a decent man to go on a few dates with. However, not end game.
"Well Kikyo, I've got to take off. Let me know when you wanna meet up again." He gave her a tight embrace and a kiss to the cheek, "Oh, by the way. I believe your boss is headed straight over here."
With that he took off, just in time for Sesshomaru to sit at her table, "What a shame. I was looking forward to meeting your boyfriend."
Kikyo rolled her eyes at his obvious indifference towards Koga, "You need to learn to stop being so judgmental and hateful of people you don't even know. He's not my boyfriend either. Stop being so concerned with my love life. It has not and will not interfere with my work."
"I have a sensitive nose, Kikyo. It's hard to lie when his scent is constantly all over you, as it has been for the past few months."
Kikyo couldn't stand his overbearing ego. She chugged the rest of the drink Koga had last gotten her, "It's highly inappropriate that you're sniffing around me, dog man." She couldn't fight the smile trembling at her lips. She knew it was the alcohol talking, and if his keen sense of smell was so great then so should his ability to interpret her non-existent relationship with Koga.
"Dog man… perhaps you've had too much to drink?" She wasn't slurring her words, but her childlike banter was a bigger indicator of her looming state. A few more and she possibly would turn into a wreck. He ushered the waiter to remove the rest of the alcohol at her table and cut her off.
She pouted at him, pushing his shoulder slightly, "You're no fun."
Seeing Kikyo be anything but composed and confident was different. He wasn't put off by it, but he was concerned. He's never experienced her like this, and wasn't sure how she'd act. Or if she could handle herself. He felt a little comfort in the idea Manten was showing up soon, and knew that'd he be here to care for her. Something he wish he could do. He'd love to just let all inhibitions loose with her knowing they were both in capable hands.
"Your wife is two minutes from dragging your primped ass away from me." Kikyo pointed beyond him at the violet eyes leering at them.
"She knows her place. She won't come over here and start a scene. You shouldn't worry about my marriage, if I shouldn't worry about your suitors."
Kikyo scoffed at his little remark. He loved to throw back anything she said to him right back at her, "I guess we should take a lesson from each other's books."
Her growing inebriated state was interesting to him. She seemed open and interested in holding a conversation. If there hadn't been too many of their co-workers around, he would try to see how much he could get out of her. Instead, he decided to play it safe with other less suspicious questions for spying ears.
"Who exactly was that man you were with?"
"Koga? He's my friend and cousin's solution to my stress, if you know what I mean…" she said nonchalantly. As if it wasn't a big deal that her friends thought it ok to set her up with a sex boy. That wasn't what he wanted to hear. It only put him in a fouler mood than being at this work function already did.
"Elaborate."
"He's here to release the bent up sexual tension that I "obviously" have. I mean the nerve of those two. Who are they to say I have sexual tension anyways? It's not like they've ever seen me in any intimate position to possibly know. Luckily, he was up to just pretending he's doing the job to get them to back off. Besides, it's not like they don't all know there's someone else…"
His jaw unclenched slightly when he seemed to deduct that Kikyo and Koga hadn't taken any steps to relieve her stress. However, this "someone" else was still up in the air. Kikyo looked at him, her eyes wide. It seemed she suddenly realized whom she was speaking to.
"I'm so sorry sir. I don't know what overcame me. I feel you've seen me in unbecoming states frequently, and I hope that doesn't affect the way you see me professionally. I swear, I never drink like this. If you excuse me – Manten!" Kikyo's eyes lit up as she saw one of her closest confidants finally arrive to the picnic. Perhaps he could keep her from tarnishing her reputation any farther.
Sesshomaru picked up on her sudden glow up upon seeing him. Is it possible Manten was her someone else? Long ago she denied any relationship with him, but maybe that was because it wasn't anything official. Why couldn't Kikyo just stay a single woman? Was his company not enough for her? He's been beyond pleasant with her, only occasionally treating her to his attitude. An occasion such as today where she dared bring another man to his office party, and then most likely leave with a completely different man. She did not know how to pick capable men, but who was he kidding. No one would ever be capable for her.
"Hey Kikyo! Oh, and Sesshomaru. Hello!" Manten kissed Kikyo on the cheek, coming in between Sesshomaru and her.
Sesshomaru had heard enough, and seen enough. He didn't bother to return Manten's greeting and left the table back to his wife's unwavering gawking. Any second more he spared there may have ended horribly for Manten. Yes, he admits that it is indeed silly that he now loathed a man whose never done him or his family wrong. A man whose been rather faithful and obedient to the Taisho family. Not to mention the tenure he held over Kikyo, who only barley holds a year under her belt. It couldn't even compare to Manten's experience and sacrifice. Yet, here he was. Dreaming of ripping out his throat, because the first time Manten had finally decided to show interest in any woman at the office, it had to be the very woman who's caught Sesshomaru's interest as well.
Manten rubbed the back of his head nervously, "You know Kikyo… you need to hurry up and do something about that. Either bone the guy or turn him off you somehow. I'm getting more worried about my job every day. He's eventually going to rip me to shreds the more possessive he becomes of you."
"Possessive? What are you talking about? He doesn't think like that about me. I told you, everything has always been professional, he just doesn't like things that could possibly distract me from work or school. He made it very clear in the beginning, that if he was going to waste his time to help me, then I have to be entirely dedicated as to not shame him."
"Yea, sure… Whatever you say Kikyo… So, where's my drink?" Her reason would have been more than enough; it did fit the Sesshomaru he knew. The focused and successful Sesshomaru always had the cleanest reputation and winning streak. He wouldn't dare waste his time on an obvious losing hand. Sometimes, Manten was positive Kikyo was right about Sesshomaru only being concerned in a professional manner. Unknowingly to Kikyo though, Manten would catch the longing stares and horribly hidden smiles. All occurring whenever Kikyo was involved. He wouldn't tell her, eventually one of the two had to be tired of the games.
"Oh, Sesshomaru cut off our table from alcohol. He said I have had too much to drink…"
Manten slapped his hand against his forehead, "Kikyo my girl, you don't make things easy for me. I'm going to head to the bar really quick, I'll be back."
Only a few seconds passed and she heard a chair sliding out by her, "Manten that was quick…" When she turned to face the new party to her table, it was a woman she had never seen before. Her ancestry was not hard to guess, her ethereal demeanor and celestial markings linked her to the Taisho family. Whom, in particularly, she wasn't sure who she was speaking to. The Taisho's all had amazing genetics, this easily could have been a mother, grandmother, sister, niece, etc.
"So I finally get to meet the homewrecker." Her voice was sharp and stern.
"Hello, my name is Kikyo Hatake, and who might you be?" she wasn't drunk enough to where she'd lose all her manners.
"I am Mitsuya Taisho, Sesshomaru's mother."
There was no doubt about that. She may have been beautiful, just like her son, but that's not what confirmed it for Kikyo. It was her rude arrogant attitude, just like her son. Kikyo smiled politely, "It's very nice to meet you. I'm afraid you have me mixed up with someone else. I have no relationship with anyone in the Taisho family. I'm also not sure what you've heard of, but I assure you it's farthest from the truth. The man here with me tonight is my companion for the evening and most evenings."
"Listen here, I'll make this quick. My son or my ex-husband has no intentions of letting you go. So, it seems the only way to get you out of our lives, is for you to choose to leave on your own. You may not care stealing another woman's husband away, but what about a father?"
"Father…?" Kikyo may have been intoxicated enough to not know if they were talking about Sesshomaru or Toga. She hoped they weren't talking about Toga. There have only been two-maybe three times they met in person. Everything else was email or phone, but nothing said could have ever been construed in a way that meant a scandal. Why else would his mother be upset with her if it wasn't about Taisho? She heard the "ex" very clearly, but for some women that wouldn't stop the jealousy if they believed another woman involved.
"Kagura is pregnant, I hope that is reason enough for you to be on your way. I urge you to make the right choice Miss Hatake. I will result to other means if you fail to heed this request."
Kikyo's breath hitched in her throat, 'Pregnant…'
It has been weeks since the last moment between Sesshomaru and her, even longer since their conversation of being just co-workers to each other. Yet, it didn't make the pain any less. There had been mixed signals here and there throughout this whole year between them. Kikyo was always bad at knowing what were true advances and flirting. She couldn't possibly understand why she felt this way. Her simple crush shouldn't have left her so broken from this news, in fact, it should have instantly quelled any desires she had. Kikyo was a moral and honorable woman. Adultery was always off the table, but once a kid was involved, there was absolutely nothing to even joke about.
"Ah, Lady Mitsuya, it's great to see you again." Manten's voice interrupted the intense conversation.
"Manten, yes, it's lovely to see you. I am taking my leave though, please enjoy the party."
Manten waited until he was sure Mitsuya was far enough away. She may be a demon, but the constant chatter of the guests, sounds of the dishes, and the music were enough to block even the most sensitive ears. "That looked rough, everything ok?"
Kikyo just stared down at her plate, "Yes, I think I should head home soon. I want to sleep this alcohol out of my system." She forced a smile at Manten, and prayed he didn't catch on. Today may not have been a good day to drink at all.
{…}
Sesshomaru had rang Kikyo only twice the next morning. Neither time did she answer. He noticed she left rather abruptly after his mother took a stroll to her table. Manten left with Kikyo and neither came back later. He was worried if Kikyo had made it home safely, or how she was doing this next morning. If it wasn't inappropriate he'd call Manten to check, but he didn't want to blow up Kikyo's phone either. One call in the morning and one call in the afternoon. It was now evening; he'd call once more and if she hadn't answered he'd have to go see her himself.
The phone went straight to voicemail which didn't sit well with him. She wouldn't possibly turn her phone off. It could have only died, and if it had died then why hadn't she charged it? The possibilities of what could have happened, plagued his mind. Instead of suffering, he'd just leave to find out himself.
"Where are you going? It's getting late, I have dinner arriving soon." The unwelcoming chime of his wife always bringing him to a halt.
"I need to go check on something, I won't be gone long." It wasn't a lie. He was going to check on Kikyo. He doted on his wife all day, there shouldn't be a reason she could argue it.
"I hope you won't be. I rented a movie and got your favorite wine and dinner. I wanted all day to be for us. This is the first day you haven't worked all day in a long time."
Sesshomaru wasn't in the mood for this. She always had something to say about how he's working. He just gave her a curt nod and left as quickly as possible. It's not like he'd be staying overnight at Kikyo's. What if she wasn't home? Then what? Would he go out looking for her, or return home to his wife? Or more importantly, what if she asks him to stay? There were too many questions on his mind lately. Most likely the result of his conflicted morals. If he'd been doing what he thought was right, he wouldn't always be questioning himself. He never questioned himself.
When he arrived at her door, he could smell traces of Manten. He knocked on the door, and was strongly preferring that he didn't interrupt anything Kikyo and Manten might be doing in the moment. Something he'd usually be able to pick up by smell, but from the outside of the thick doors and walls, he couldn't get much of a grip on it. No one answered, but he could hear muffled noises inside. Without a doubt, he grabbed her handle to try the door, and to his luck it was unlocked. Entering the room alleviated any fear of Manten being there currently or any sexual encounters within the last day at least. He was here recently, but his presence was quickly fading.
No one was in the living area of her apartment, and the only thing upstairs on the loft was her bedroom. He found himself heading up there, not in his right sense of mind. He should have stayed downstairs and called out her name. He's never seen her room before, and it was more welcoming then the rest of her apartment. She had books of varying genres piled around her desk, on her bed, and bookshelf. The only messy thing about it was that she had books, papers, pencils, and such scattered around. His attention was brought back to the matter at hand when he looked over to the corner of her room where he could hear running water. The door was open, and from where he was standing he could see that the wall length glass of her apartment included her bathroom. He figured it was one way, so the onlookers from outside couldn't see in. In the reflection of the glass he could see Kikyo showering. The glare and fog still left much to the imagination, but it was still a sight for sore eyes.
Using all the self-control he had left, he decided to turn away, "Kikyo."
The shower instantly stopped, and he could hear her reach around for a towel, "Is someone there?"
She sounded slightly frightened, it was to be expected, "Yes. It's Sesshomaru."
"Sesshomaru…? What? Sesshomaru. What are you doing here?"
She poked her head out from around the corner of the door, "How did you get in here?"
"You shouldn't leave your door unlocked… You hadn't returned any of my calls."
"Please wait downstairs, I must get dressed."
He did as she requested, hesitantly. Catching a glimpse of her body wrapped only in a towel gave him more for his sexual fantasies than he had anticipated. If she would have asked him to take her at that moment, he wouldn't have said no.
Kikyo was now fully clothed and headed down to join him at the couch, "Manten just dropped my phone off. It died. I had mistakenly left it in his car yesterday. I didn't look at it. I'm sorry to have left you unanswered. Is there something important going on?"
A logical explanation. Suddenly, he felt foolish coming all the way down here. Entering her home uninvited. She's never made any advance at him, and right now she was probably unnerved at his actions. He's never had to explain anything he's done before, but he wanted to with her.
"I was only checking to make sure you were home safe from last night. I shall leave you to your evening."
He rose from the couch and she followed suit, guiding him towards the door, "I appreciate you being concerned for my safety. It's always nice to be on someone's mind."
She was giving him her signature genuine smile. A smile she gave him often. Only ever making him feel unworthy of it, "Yes, I suppose. Goodnight Miss Hatake."
"Wait, Mr. Taisho…" she suddenly reached out to stop his arm from opening the door, "Before you go. There is something I'd like to discuss. It's better to not put these things off."
He momentarily studied her hand on his arm, eventually giving into her wishes. He dropped his hand from the handle, "Yes, what is it?"
"Do you have time? If you're busy than I can wait."
"Clearly Miss Hatake, it's important to you we talk now. I have allowed it, now let it out."
"I was thinking, with my last year coming to an end this month and my bar exam… Maybe it would be best if I sought out a Family Law Firm…"
Leave? She wanted to talk about leaving? His cool demeanor remained but his inner persona was enraged, "Miss Hatake, let you not forget your word you made to me."
Her promise. Yes, she didn't need to be reminded of that. In exchange for his help, she'd stay at Taisho Law under his direct report. "I remember, and I was just hoping you would understand that I want to work in Family Law and not Corporate –"
"Taisho Law has a whole floor dedicated to Family Law, Miss Hatake. Have I not taken you on a case already pertaining to it? While, I do work the Corporate floor I oversee everyone who works at Taisho Law. I review multiple types of cases, and consult on more than just Corporate. I'm sensing more that you want to abuse my help and go back on your word."
Kikyo felt shame and guilt, but she didn't know what else to do. "No, of course not. I am more than grateful and indebted to you. It's just…"
"Just what woman? Spit it out."
"I think it would –" he cut her off. He could tell she was going to run him in circles.
"Woman. Tell me now. I want the truth. If I feel you're lying to me then you can come in and pack your desk tomorrow."
"Your baby!"
"Baby?" He was not expecting that. He was thinking more of her wanting to get away from him. He was under the impression she had enough of his ego.
"I fear that when your child is born you will lose sight of your side of the deal. That you'll be so overwhelmed with a new born plus your work, you won't want me to leave as your secretary to join as an attorney." It was half the reason she wanted to leave after pondering the whole day. The other reason being she was clearly unwelcome by his mother and wife who seemed as if they'd do anything to rid of her.
He had to take a second to replay what she had said in his mind. Regardless of his rough interrogation, he didn't pick up that she was lying, "Woman, what god awful story have you convinced yourself is reality?"
She didn't appreciate his tone, "I know Kagura is pregnant, your mother told me."
Suddenly it made sense, and his anger at Kikyo was now deviated towards his mother and Kagura. He wondered what his mother was up to last night. "My mother told you I was having a child?"
"Yes."
"What else did my mother tell you?"
"She didn't say much else… She was just sharing the good news…"
Sesshomaru could sense her hesitation about the topic. Most likely a threat, as he imagined Kagura had filled his mother's mind with horrid stories about Kikyo. It was bound to happen that she'd eventually try to scare Kikyo off. He hadn't pegged her to be the type to back down, but given her affections towards children, it was probably the logical plan of action for her.
"I'm not going to bother to force out of you what nonsense my mother has filled your head with. Listen to me, and listen to me very closely Miss Hatake. No one else has a say about my employees. If you truly do not believe your best chance in this profession is at my law firm, then I'll expect your things packed tomorrow. Heed my words, Kagura is not pregnant, nor will she be. Whatever threats my mother has made towards you, are false. You will keep your promise, or the only hard comings to your career will be from me and me alone."
With that he left her apartment, slamming the door on the way out. He didn't mean to be so harsh with her, but it hurt his ego to know that she'd easily leave his side over his mother. His threats were also empty; he wouldn't go after her career if she left. He only hoped to scare her into staying. Her best chance was with him regardless, she just had to believe that herself.
Grabbing his phone from his pocket, he had one more conversation to have tonight. Two, if he found out Kagura had set the plan in motion.
"Helloooooo my darling son. How wonderful it is, that you decided to call me."
"Cut the novelties mother. I've just come to be informed that you've deluded Kikyo into thinking that she had to leave the company because Kagura was pregnant."
"Does that woman have no self-respect that she'd run to my son to tell on me? How unseemly of a woman."
"Hold your tongue. Kikyo didn't come running to me about your wrong doings. She tried to resign and made a preposterous story up about how the baby affected her career. However, if she had come to me with intentions of revealing your ulterior motives, I wouldn't have thought any wrong of it. Mother, both you and Kagura need to stay out of my work. I've already made it perfectly clear to her, and now perfectly clear to you, that I am not having an affair. Do I make myself clear?"
Mitsuya wasn't accustomed to Sesshomaru's indignant side. She hardly recalled the times he lashed out at her to put her in her place. With that, she knew it best to stay away from Kikyo. "Yes, son, you've made yourself perfectly clear."
He hung up the phone once she confirmed she understood how things would be. That would also add to the sting of his lecture. His mother hated when he didn't properly say goodnight. He hoped that when he returned home, it would be the end of his anger. All he had to do, was make sure Kagura had no part in it all.
Upon arriving home Kagura was already passed out asleep in their bed. He hadn't been gone that long as he'd said. So much for her date night she planned. If he had been another man, he'd left her sleeping comfortably, but he was not another man, "Kagura."
Her unconscious body let out a ghastly groan and rolled from her back to her stomach. Sesshomaru removed the covers from her and once again called out her name, with a little more volume. It seems to have done the trick because Kagura groggily opened her eyes, "Sesshomaru? You were gone so late; I must have dozed off…"
Sesshomaru eyed the clock and the empty bottle of wine on the stand next to the bed. Not so much that he was late as it was she drank a full bottle of wine within the time he was gone, and fell asleep. He began to loosen his tie and undress as Kagura repositioned herself upright in the bed. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes to get a better look at the sculpted body of her husband.
"Kagura, have you told my mother you were pregnant?"
Her eager face dropped, "Pregnant? No, of course not."
"Very well, then did you tell my mother to tell Kikyo you were pregnant?"
Kagura could feel her heart racing, "No…"
Her cowering reply and fluttering heart was enough of confession for him. "Not exactly, Sesshomaru. Please listen to me. Your mother was just worried about our relationship, and I only said that Kikyo being gone would be in our best interest. You weren't supposed to find out…" He didn't need to hear anymore, and suddenly he lost all the will to fight with her. Kagura's calling of his name rang through his ears as he made his way to leave his room, to retreat to his den once more. For the second time in his marriage. For the second time, about Kikyo.