A/N: Thank you SO much for the reviews and support everyone! I write in multiple fandoms for a variety of ships, and Sesskag, BY FAR, has the best readers. Whenever I feel uninspired or encouragement-starved, I know this is the harbor to take refuge in :).
Chapter Seven – The Plan Needs Tylenol
Kagome plunked down at her desk, glaring in ire at the bright sunlight flooding her workspace with audacious, merry enthusiasm.
Why didn't we go out on a Saturday? She wondered. And WHY did I have so much wine?
Her head was pounding, a sharp throb that spread from her temples down either side of her face. Harsh rays distorted the colors of her desk to near-neon and lit up a foreign object marring its center. She picked it up, slow to comprehend.
It was a bottle of Tylenol, and she blinked dumbly, taking a long moment to realize who must have left it there. When she did, she scowled and threw it in a nearby trashcan, pills knocking together as they hit the bottom.
The action made the room spin, and Kagome clutched her forehead, fighting back a wave of nausea.
And here I said I wasn't petty, she thought ruefully, bending over and retrieving the bottle, only daring to breathe through her nose as the world swam anew. Snapping it open, she downed two pills dry, closing her eyes and swallowing hard.
It was going to be a long day.
Kagome had not known quite how long it would prove to be. The hours crawled by, and Sesshoumaru didn't leave his office, communicating with her exclusively through email, a medium she knew he loathed.
She had zipped off her latest response, promising to uncover the modern-day site where Saya had last been seen seven hundred years prior, when a familiar jangle entered the air. The medicine had proved invaluable in her ability to function, and Kagome rallied a weak smile for the girl approaching with determined strides, keychains dancing wildly.
"Good afternoon Rin," she called. "Your father is free if you wish to see him."
The girl didn't stalk past, stopping in front of her desk instead. "I'm here to talk to you," she said grudgingly.
Mild surprise lifted Kagome's features. "What can I help you with?" She asked.
Rin cast a glance at the oak door at the room's end. "How'd your date go?"
Her smile grew serene. "Fine."
"That's what he said," she shifted her weight in impatience.
"Well," Kagome said slowly. "Now you have corroborating stories."
"What about it was 'fine'?"
Kagome knew Rin knew her father could plainly hear them both. Either she was going to another source on purpose to prove a point, or she was curious enough not to care.
"The food, the company," she leaned back from her computer. "We had a nice time."
"That is so vague," Rin griped. "A few details wouldn't kill either of you,"
"Perhaps your dad wants to keep some things to himself," she murmured, looking away. "You should try respecting his privacy."
Rin's gaze grew discerning. If she noticed Kagome's dramatic personality shift from the one presented yesterday, she gave no indication. "Oh," she let dawning enter her voice. "He did one of his 'leave me alone, human' routines," she crossed her arms, looking to the large door again. "He only gives those when—."
The door swung open, revealing a glowering daiyoukai. Kagome peeked over out of reflex and almost fell out of her chair. No tie graced Sesshoumaru's front, and he'd left the top button of his gray shirt undone. His hair was back in a hasty, high ponytail, which he only did when he was working furiously on something and knew most wouldn't disturb him.
"Rin," her name was a warning. "Kagome is right. I'm allowed to have business you're not privy too."
Unfazed, she huffed her way through a nod. "Fine, fine," she acquiesced. "Am I at least allowed to know if you guys plan on going out again?"
Kagome felt golden eyes meet hers and whipped back to Rin. "Maybe," she hedged, forcing false-cheer into her tone. "I'm still recovering from our enchanting dinner."
"Swept you off your feet, did he?" The girl cracked a sardonic grin.
"Your father was quite the gentleman," Kagome chided gently. "I just got caught up in the fun and had a bit too much wine," she rubbed her temple. "My recovery is for my head."
"Which is business you shouldn't have had to share either," Sesshoumaru stated, holding the door wide. "Come start your homework, Rin."
His daughter flicked back and forth between them, brown eyes going wide. "You really did go to Iris, didn't you?"
Sesshoumaru left the doorway, a low growl following his steps. "Enough," he ordered. "We don't have to explain or elaborate on anything."
Rin's mouth fell open at his use of 'we'. "S-Sure," she stammered. "Okay," ducking past, she traveled down the hall without looking back.
Kagome watched her close the door with a click and frowned; she definitely should have taken her father with her. The length of this unending day was about to multiply exponentially.
Sesshoumaru neared her workspace, sliding hands into his pockets. Another dramatic difference. She knew he found pockets pedestrian and didn't like how they pushed at his shirt sleeves.
"How are you?" He asked. The baritone that had entranced last night – only under wine's influence, of course – was subdued.
"Better now," Kagome answered, swiveling her chair back to her computer screen. "The Tylenol helped. Thank you," she was careful not to use 'sir', not wanting to start a fight. She may have had a lapse in judgement last night, complacent and nearly-cozy at the prospect her cold boss had a caring interior, but she vowed it would be a lone oversight. If she was anything, it was a quick learner. Irking men she thought she could trust was not something she planned on making a habit. History had shown her men were dangerous when their irritation ratcheted to anger.
Warmth appeared at her side, and Sesshoumaru crouched down, resting elbows on his knees. "Miss Higurashi?" He ventured.
Kagome looked over her shoulder, jolting at the image he made. His long ponytail grazed the floor, and dark socks were on full display below the bottom cuffs of his pants.
"Y-Yes?"
"I'm sorry for my behavior on the curb," he said. "I spoke thoughtlessly – my anger was only for myself."
"You don't have to apologize."
Golden eyes held hers, their intensity saying otherwise.
Kagome swallowed, staring down into her lap. "It's fine. You don't owe me anything."
Starched clothing rustled as Sesshoumaru balanced on the balls of his feet, making no move to rise, willing her to meet his gaze. She resolutely refused, catching coils of silver sink into carpet.
"You can get up," she continued, stifling down a rising surge of temper. He was only doing this because he worried she wouldn't fake a second encounter. "I'll still help you with your little charade."
"That's not why I'm here."
She kept her face glued to her thighs. "It ought to be. Colleagues don't need to overshare, as you've pointed out."
Kagome heard another click from down the hall, and lifted her mouth in a mirthless smile. "And there you go. One more box ticked in your plan," she muttered. "You can leave me alone now, sir. Rin's seen our latest display."
Sesshoumaru barely felt his limbs, a passenger in his own body as they unfolded and straightened from his undignified crouch.
What am I doing?! Why do I care I hurt her?
He withdrew with a slight nod, trying to gather up the self-respect he'd splayed everywhere. The urge to reveal the reason he'd been so callous was overwhelming, and he had to bite back words pushing to get past his teeth.
I'm still thinking of myself, he reprimanded silently. I only want her to know I'm different than her hanyou, not actually consider how casually I flung spite to push her away.
Kagome immediately hunched over her computer without sparing him a glance, opening a new window in her browser. She wore a double dose of perfume, and its sting almost made his eyes water.
"I am sorry," he uttered. "I lack practice… conversing with…," he'd been about to say women, but knew his tattered dignity wouldn't hold up under further battery.
"'Lesser individuals'?" Kagome supplied, coining his phrase from the restaurant. "Ones prone to bouts of hair braiding and chatter?" She palmed her chest. "No problem, sir. I get it."