Kagome

Pushing at a rebellious lock of hair, Kagome shifted nervously in her lush seat. She felt out of place here, too ordinary. And she cursed herself again for not just calling instead of coming here to meet her friend. Still feeling a little violated from the amount of security she went through to make it to the CEO wing, Kagome held her purse close to her side for comfort. The bright yellow material didn't match her current outfit of simple sea green colored summer dress, and she was quite certain many of those around her would classify it as 'tacky'.

Large, expensive looking paintings hung on the walls. Natural light flowing through the picture window, giving the waiting guest an epic view of the city below them. Kagome had been here once before, when Inutashio had still been alive. Sesshomaru had needed to make a stop to drop something off to his father and Kagome refused to stay at the bottom of the tower. Her eyes had lit at the lux innards of the building, too wrapped up in the sights to notice the raised brows of those that saw her trailing behind the oldest son of Tenzo. The tower had been updated and modernized since then, whispering class and money. Everyone was oddly attractive, like it was one of the requirements to be employed.

The secretary on this floor - Kagome wondered if there was one on all the floors - had told her her name was Kagura and had been extremely amused at the request to see Sesshomaru. Kagome suspected the giggling secretary had sent for her boss just to see his reaction to her being there.

It was quiet here. Aside from Kagura's desk directly outside of what she assumed were Sesshomaru's doors, Kagome guessed that there were only 5, maybe 6 others that were stationed here. There could be others behind the doors of what she thought might be conference rooms, but what did she know? The quietness of the room made her very aware of the sound of footsteps coming from down the hall.

"I'll ask again for you not to accompany me," she heard Sesshomaru say. And then an unknown voice replying, "Dully noted."

They came into her vision then, Sesshomaru leading the duo. His long silver hair pulled back into a low pony tail that hung over his shoulder. His suit was flawless, dark and paired with a deep red tie. He was abnormally tall, his 6'5 frame towering over his companion's, though the other still had to hit 6'0. Kagome had a moment of shock before registering completely who it was, the biggest clue being the similar silver locks. Of course, she knew Inuyasha existed. She had known Sesshomaru for close to 10 years and he mentioned him occasionally. And Inuyasha was always on the front page of some tabloid, wasn't he just voted Hottest Catch of the Year in some magazine? Kagome was sure of it. She had never met the younger Tenzo in person, remembering Sesshomaru didn't get along with him too well. And Inuyasha had been absent from the few gatherings she had attended with Sesshomaru.

There were similarities, definitely. The hair, for one. He didn't have it tied up, Kagome doubted he hardly ever bothered to. It fell in thick heaps down his back, reaching his hips. But at the top of his head.. puppy ears. Two fuzzy white triangles. And his eyes, like Sesshomaru's in color but the depth and fire there.. Kagome had never seen that look in Sesshomaru's eyes. The amber orbs caught her in their snare, drawing her in. For a moment, they were all that existed. He blinked and the spell broke.

Kagura came around to Kagome. "Thanks for waiting, Ms. Higurashi. It looks like you're getting both the brothers for the price of one." She laughed, bringing her hand up to muffle it a little, then bowed as the two approached. "Can I bring you all refreshments?"

"Water." This was from Sesshomaru. Kagura disappeared without a sound.

Kagome could only gape. She was not used to seeing demons use their powers so openly. She was still recovering when Sesshomaru took her hand to help her from her seat. "Thanks for making some time," she managed to get out.

Still holding her hand in his, Sesshomaru flashed a smile grin. "Of course. Kagome, this is my half brother, Inuyasha. I'm sure you remember me mentioning him."

Their eyes met again. His eyebrows were black, Kagome noticed, and his lashes. Such dark features contrasted completely with his light hair. Bone structure she had known some of her company to surgically acquire. He looked a little tired but beyond handsome. Kagome let her eyes wonder over his mouth for a moment. She noted the lopsided grin, a sharp fang poking out.

"Nice to meet you," Kagome whispered. She traded Sesshomaru's hand for his. And jolted at the heat that stabbed into her.

Inuyasha's thumb rubbed over the top of her hand, gently, curious. His eyes holding hers again, and they seemed to accuse her of something. "The pleasure is mine." He dropped her hand then, almost roughly, and strode ahead into Sesshomaru's office.

Sesshomaru sent Kagome an apologetic look and guided her into the room.

This was an office Kagome remembered. Sesshomaru had taken over his father's office and had left much of it the same. Ancient artifacts and scrolls were displayed on various shelves. There was a sitting area with an angled couch and large tv just beyond the workspace. Inuyasha was already sitting on the couch, his long legs stretched out and linked at the ankles. Kagura was handing him a bottle of water. Kagome tried not to think too hard about when the demoness could have gotten back in the room.

"What bring you here, Kagome?" Inuyasha asked when she settled on the couch aways from him.

"I've just come back from the States recently and thought it would be a good idea to walk around the city some. I went to see your father's headstone while I was out today. I was sorry to have missed the funeral."

Sesshomaru handed her a bottled water. "We appreciate your respect. It's been a few months now but I'm sure he would have understood your absence."

"If not, I hope the gifts I left out made it up to him." Kagome smiled a bit but could not help noticing the tension rising in the air. It was faint but building steadily. She turned to Sesshomaru. "Anyway, I thought I would drop by and invite you to dinner. I was able to get a table at a great place that just opened up. I passed it on my walk earlier and wanted to try it out."

"Oh, um-"

"Sesshomaru has a meeting tonight," Inuyasha interrupted before he could say anything. "I'd be happy to take you."

Kagome bit into her bottom lip. She felt the blush pinking her cheeks and willed them to stop. "You don't have to go out of your way just for me, Inuyasha-sama."

"I volunteered, didn't I? And there is no way your buddy here can go tonight, right?"

Sesshomaru nodded stiffly.

The lopsided grin came back onto Inuyasha face. "See? I can take you, I don't mind."

Kagome's cheeks only darkened. Blue eyes wide as they flipped from Sesshomaru's rigid form to Inuyasha. Total opposites, she thought. It might be rude to decline now. "If you don't mind, that would be fine," she heard herself saying.

The grin widened. "I hope you'll find I'm not so bad."

"Inuyasha," Sesshomaru ground out. "A word, please." The two stood and walked to the desk, Inuyasha shot her a wink behind Sesshomaru's back. They mumbled at each other out of Kagome line of hearing.

She watched them from her seat. Was this really such a good idea? she wondered. Inuyasha did not have much of a reputation between what she knew from Sesshomaru and the news. She knew the brothers fought constantly, and that Inuyasha was rarely seen with the same woman twice. But that was the extent of her knowledge. It wasn't in her character to judge someone based on such shallow presumptions, Kagome decided not to start now. They were coming back to her.

Inuyasha looked bored from the short exchange. Hands shoved into his pockets, he looked like he had just been given a stern talking to.

"It seems I will have to turn you over to Inuyasha tonight, Kagome." Sesshomaru was saying. "I do apologize, I have to meet with a client."

Kagome nodded. "It was very short notice, Sesshomaru. Maybe next time, if this place is any good?"

"Yes, next time. I'm afraid I must head out to make my appointment."

They said their goodbye's and only Kagome and Inuyasha were left in the office. The tension was building up again in the silence. It had been easy to believe that the two brothers were causing it before, but now.. now there was no denying it. The air seemed to spark between them. Her blood hummed under her skin. It unsettled her.

"I should go." She blurted.

Inuyasha only grunted and pulled out a card. Taking a pen from the inside of his coat pocket, he scribbled something on the card and held it out to her. "Call me here, and I'll come pick you up." Without waiting for a response, he shoved his hand back into his pocket when she took the card and left.

Kagome let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding and walked back to say her goodbyes to Kagura.