AN: Well…I'm glad y'all like that last chapter (good Lord. 'y'all'? I've been spending way too much time in South Carolina). Any-a-ways, I'll try not to disappoint all you reviewers and readers with the outcome of this fic. Because seriously, I've been doing major work on the yearbook, typing up grad comments. It has totally drained the creativeness out of me. (BTW I'm only 14 so I'm not graduating from high school just yet…) That wasn't really necessary but whatever.
Disclaimer: No own = no sue = no money for lawyers! Take your fancy business elsewhere!
Every now and then
When I'm all alone I've been wishing you would call me on the telephone Say you want me back But you never do I feel like such a fool There's nothing I can do I'm such a fool for you----------------------------------------
Chapter 3
Hello, Smart Cookie
It was 8:30 as Rin stood in front of the building. A regular downtown office that you'd find in you everyday regular city. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside the rotating doors. It was a long foyer that reminded someone of a hotel. It was full of open cubicles that several people were working in. not knowing exactly where she was going; she stopped at the receptionist. "Good morning, young lady," she smiled cheerfully, "how may I help you?"
Now Rin, no 'ums' from you today. "Starting today, I have a job here. And frankly, I have no clue where I'm supposed to go." Everyone on the floor stopped their work and stared at the new girl. Some ladies began to giggle quietly amongst themselves. Personally, Rin didn't see what was so funny.
"I see. Mr. Keiyoukai told me you were coming. He would like you to go up to floor 27. Someone will meet you there."
"Thanks." She picked up her case and walked down the hall towards the elevator. She tried her best to ignore some whistles coming from the men. Other ladies kept giggling. One said, "So you're the new one to try and win the boss?" Ignoring that, she walked on. A girl in about her mid twenties made a comment as well, "So you're an intern? Gonna try and seduce the boss now? Good luck with that."
Anger getting the better of her yet again, she marched straight up to the last girl. Slamming her fist down on her desk, she looked into the blonde's eyes. "Listen. I'll have you know I'm no intern. And I have no intention of seducing your precious boss, even though I know you've tried at one point. So it's in your best interest to stay out of my way. Got that blondie?" she didn't wait for an answer and marched into the elevator. Not a great way to start a morning.
It seemed to take forever for the elevator to go from the lobby to the 27th floor. The last floor seemed smaller than the bottom. Sango was sitting at a rather large desk in the center of the room. Mr. The-Great-One didn't seem to be around. "Rin! I'm so glad you're here. You get to work next to me! Isn't that great?"
Rin sweat dropped. Someone was a bit too enthusiastic about her job. "Sure…great…" she said sitting down at the somewhat empty desk next to Sango's. It already had a computer and the recap of her daily routines that Mr. Big-Boss had already explained. It took no more than fifteen minutes with Sango's help to get everything comfortable. "So…anything special that we're doing?"
Sango shrugged, "Not really. Some people are trying to do this payroll thing but it's not working so far. Others are designing HR related software. Me? I do what ever the Great One tells me to do. And so will you. But right now, you have to wait until he decides to show up." Okay, so much for ideal job. Well there were always things to do on the computer. Rin turned on the switch and waited for it to boot up. Then the password screen came up.
"Hey Sango. What's the password for this thing?"
All she did was laugh. "Poor you. You have the computer from hell. No one could figure that out. Someone hacked it and totally changed the password. Good luck with that."
Hacked? Hadn't anyone ever heard of a firewall? But Rin didn't have a degree in computer science and engineering for nothing. Simple problems like this were child's play. So there she sat, typing away at the computer. She was so busy that she didn't even notice him walking past her. "Someone's eager." He commented to Sango and walked into his office. She was entranced by that contraption.
"Hello? Anyone there?" Sango waved her hand in front of Rin's face.
"I'm sorry, you say something?" she looked away from the screen. Sango rolled her eyes.
"He wants to see you." Rin nodded and slowly walked up to his office. Her legs felt like jelly, but…this was something that had to be done. If she was ever going to stay here, the first thing to do was create a mask. She lightly knocked on his door and let herself in.
"So I see you came, Smart Cookie." She managed a small smile. God, that was annoying. Sesshomaru smirked at the reaction on her face. "The name I gave you is bothersome, is it not? You can tell me," he said leaning forward on his desk. Again, she forced herself to shake her head. "Good. Because that will be your name as long as you work for me." Keep hands away from neck…don't do anything stupid. "Well enough of that, Smart Cookie. Your first task is to get that computer of yours working. One thing the past two people have failed to do. But I think you'll pull this one off. Have fun Smart Cookie."
Rin walked calmly out and shut the door quietly. Walking back to her desk, she drilled her fist into the wood. Pain shot up through her arm. Note to self, must find a better surface to let out stress. The noise had made Sango jump. "Good Lord, woman. What was that for?"
"Ask the man who enjoys torturing me." She sat down and rubbed her aching hand.
"But he asked you if you minded the name." Rin looked at her friend with a well-what-was-I-supposed-to-say look. "If you said it bothered you, he'd call you by her actual name." She gave another thanks-for-telling-me-now look. "But it's too late now. So you'd better live with it."
Rin sighed and went back to her computer. In an hour, the computer was back up and running. Sango just stared over her shoulder, gaping. "How'd ya do that? And so fast too?" she asked stunned.
"Hey, I didn't waist nine years of my life studying and not know how to fix a simple system like this." She patted the machine proudly as if it was a dog or something.
"Well go see the Great One…he'll always have something for you," Sango sighed.
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It wasn't more than a week since her first step into the building. Already all of the people in the lobby knew her name, including the blonde…who wasn't as, well, blonde as she was before. But no one ever called her by her real name…they'd all call her what the boss did. So every morning, she'd hear her familiar name. "Hello, Smart Cookie." That or, "Good morning, Smart Cookie." After awhile, it could really get annoying. It's bad enough having one person call you that…
So it was one particular morning that Mr. Kindly wasn't looking his best. It was one of those days were stress seems to get the better of people. "What's up with him?" Rin asked, taking her usual spot next to Sango.
"When he gets like this, I usually don't ask," she said getting back to her work. It looked as if he'd been up all night. His hair was completely covering his face and the top two buttons of his white shirt were open. It, however, made him look surprisingly hotter…if that was even possible.
"Damn this thing to hell…" he muttered flexing his claws, "if these things weren't so damn expensive… mark my words…it'd be in about eleven pieces right about now." He ran his fingers back through his hair, making it somewhat neater. In about three swift movements, he had gone from office to elevator and disappeared behind their double doors.
Everyone else found this behavior normal and carried on with their work. But curious, curious Rin had to see what the big deal was about. So she casually waltzed in to the office…after all…it was open…and a peak couldn't hurt, right?
It seemed that he'd been yelling at his 'death trap' a.k.a. computer. So what was the big issue here? Rin saw none…everything looked fine. Being the curious one, she looked around his desk. On it a memo: problem logging in. Get someone to fix.
What kind of big deal was that? It was all a simple measure of…fine, fine…I won't explain it. Anyway, in a few minutes, it was all good. Satisfied with her work, she turned the chair around to leave. Slight problem there…it turns out that our dear Sesshy had been standing there.
"May I ask what you're doing here?" he asked calmly, an unreadable expression on his face. No actual words came as a response. "One would think, that it is believed that another should not be in one's private area without permission, correct?" She nodded her head slowly. "Then what are you still doing here?" Bowing quickly, she left his office, heart beating faster than normal.
"What happened?" whispered Sango. She had watched the scene from her desk, but heard no actual words.
"Never mind," Rin sat down, getting back to her work. Only trouble was, she had no work. But now probably wasn't the best time to go see Sesshomaru.
'Stupid girl. What does she think she is? Having rights to look into other peoples property.' Turning back on the monitor, it seemed to work. So all she really did was fix the damn thing. Guess someone owes another an apology…or at least a thank you. HA! That would be the day…when Sesshomaru thanked someone. Pfft! Ya right.
"Hey Smart Cookie. Come here for a minute," he said in his naturally monotone voice. Rin cussed under her breath, damn was she gonna have it. Sango gave her a weak smile…at least she had some friends left in this cruel world. She stood at the door, waiting. "You going to stand there all day?"
"Do I have permission to enter?" she asked in an annoyed tone, avoiding adding 'your highness' in her words.
He gave a small smirk. "So you've learned. Very good. And yes, you may come in." she sat in a chair and waited for him to fire her. It would have been for the best. Well, if he was planning on booting her anyway. "So…do you know why I called you here?"
"I have a vague idea." Her face was serious, but inside was afraid and somewhat ashamed.
"Think I'm going to fire you?" he asked. Rin said nothing. "That's what you're thinking, is it not?" She slowly nodded her head. "But why would I fire one of my smartest employees?" Could he just get to the point already?
"I don't see what's your point."
"I intend for you to keep your job. Only, I would appreciate that you tell me before you go through and fix my belongings." So basically this was the Sesshomaru way of saying "sorry, my bad. I shouldn't have yelled."
She smiled. It wasn't everyday you saw him apologize. "Thanks." She turned to leave, but he stopped her.
"I have one further question." She raised an eyebrow. "How in hells name did you fix this?"
Sesshomaru? Asking for help? Things never cease to amaze me. "I'll show you. Here, it's all simple really."
"For you, maybe. I'm not the one with the degree from Yale in technology. So explain on, Smart Cookie." He looked over her shoulder as she started to explain about some computer malarkey. This would go in one ear and out the other. It didn't matter though, his proper thoughts were more important.
While speaking, Rin was also thinking on the situation. 'I guess he doesn't hate me. But boy can he ever annoy me to hell. Funny, they always say that annoyance is a way of showing feeling. But Sesshomaru? Feelings of enjoying to toy with me. Where do I get my crazy thoughts from?'
'I have to admit, this girl is unique. I've never met someone like her. She's got spunk, which I'm glad for. And I wonder why? Spunk…hmm? I've never said that about someone before…'
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Hmm…who has messed with Sesshy's head? Not me…really…I'm serious! You want more? I say review… the more reviews…the faster update! C ya!
