A First for Everything
Chapter 8
Kagome pushed the door to her room open. She stepped inside, tossing her purse carelessly to the floor. Her hand gently pushed the door closed, her back coming to rest upon it. Bending her head, she stared lifelessly at the floor. The black mane fell forward to hide her dulled eyes. Her open hands trembled lightly at her sides.
She was trapped. What made it worse was that it was all her fault. The pit in her stomach turned uneasily, making her feel worse than she already did. Why did she have to fall under Sesshomaru's spell?
She had slept with a complete stranger, and this was the reward that she had gotten. The situation was awkward. How many times do you have a fling and find out that they are your publisher? But then again, she had slept with him a second time.
A tear rolled down from her eye. Kagome's hand reached up to wipe it away from her pale face. 'I'm so stupid!' she thought, allowing her body to slide down the door and to the floor.
There was no denying it. She had simply been used. To go into work everyday and hear his name would be unbearable. Kagome could not believe that she had been so easily manipulated. Yet, did she really think that there was any chance for a relationship with the stoic, but beautiful man?
She shook her head, unconsciously answering her own question. Both her body and mind felt dirty. Despite her attempts, she was not able to escape this man. He kept her caged, only for his twisted amusement.
What would happen next? How would she react to seeing him-to know that that man stole her innocence, but did not care? But Kagome could not blame him. She did not fight hard enough.
The tears that had been flowing down her delicate face did not stop. Her head raised, displaying her angry and sorrowful eyes. The sight of the room she was in made her sick. He had taken her here. She chocked back a sob. Was she a whore? What she had done was not right, surrendering herself so shamelessly.
But she would fight now. Sesshomaru Tashio would not receive the pleasure of defeating her. Two could play at this game. He might have used her, but she would strip away his pride when he least expected it.
"Well, that went well," Inuyasha declared, the sarcasm ripping through his voice.
Sesshomaru glared at his brother, his golden eyes flashing dangerously. He turned around, wanting to move away from the annoyance.
"Don't you dare turn your back on me now, Fluffy," Inuyasha growled. "This isn't over yet."
Sesshomaru slowly turned back to face his brother. The simple action reeked of danger. This alone should have been enough warning for the silver haired fool.
"You dare threaten me? Must I remind you of your place, fool?" Sesshomaru asked, his voice low.
But Inuyasha did not heed the warning. His own expressive eyes flattened, his mouth twisting into a scowl.
"Why do you keep doing this to her?"
"I don't know what you are speaking of, dear brother," Sesshomaru replied, his voice dropping even more.
"Feh, and I'm the Queen of England. Why do you keep fucking with her like this? She doesn't deserve it!" Inuyasha said, taking a step closer to his brother.
"And why do you care? You only met her a few days ago," calmly came the reply from the godlike man. He straightened his back, leaving his figure imposing.
Inuyasha faltered slightly, his eyes widening lightly. Why did he care?
Catching his bearings, Inuyasha spoke calmly. "I like Kagome. There's no need to act like this. At least think of it like this, you're threatening a client. You're playing with fire. She won't sit back and mope like those fucking whore you mess with."
The corners of Sesshomaru's mouth twitched slightly. So he liked Kagome, did he? Besides, the idiot had a point. The incident that had occurred this morning was proof enough. But he would not back down, he could not back down.
"I doubt that she could prove to be any match for this Sesshomaru," his aloft voice said.
"You slept with her, you stupid ass! Don't you know how much leverage that gives her?" Inuyasha shot back.
"In case you were misinformed, she was a willing participant in all of our activities. She has nothing," Sesshomaru snapped, his eyes flashing with annoyance.
Sesshomaru sighed, bringing his hands up to his face. Delicately, his fingers messaged his tender temples. He was developing a headache. He wanted nothing more than for Inuyasha to leave...and perhaps have a cup of calming tea. This topic was pointless; it only served to anger him. This annoying wench could not keep quiet and even worse, has successfully gotten his brother on her side.
"She might have been willing to the sex, but I doubt that she is willing to this treatment," Inuyasha mumbled grouchily.
He eyes his brother warily, his long hair hiding most of his expression from being seen. He had a bad feeling about the entire situation. If things kept progressing at this rate...who knew what would happen. He shook his head lightly. There was something out of place. Some piece of the puzzle was not quite right.
Sesshomaru had slept with her twice, if he had figured correctly. That was very unlike his brother. Matter of fact, it had never happened before. Was it possible that something would grow from this whole ordeal?
"Did you say something, mutt?" Sesshomaru growled, pulling his brother out of his thoughts.
'It looked as though he was thinking,' Sesshomaru thought. 'If that's true then hell will be freezing over right now.'
Inuyasha snorted in response, bringing his annoyed eyes to glare at his almost mirror image. "Nothing that you would listen to."
"I do believe that you are catching on. And to think that it only took you 25 years," Sesshomaru replied, his voice biting into the air.
Inuyasha scrunched his nose, clenching his hands into fists. He turned away, heading to the office door. As his hand pulled the door open, he paused, throwing a glance back over his shoulder.
"I wonder if you realize that she is going to be in close contact with Miroku from now on," he said calmly, almost sadly, before he continued his way out of the door.
"Ahh, the beautiful Kagome. Please step inside my office," Miroku chimed pleasantly.
He smiled wide, allowing his eyes to roam over her figure. Taking her hand, he led her through the door.
Kagome looked at him suspiciously, her body tensing when he took her hand. 'He better not try anything,' she thought angrily. As she walked past the man, she felt a hand brush over her ass, squeezing the flesh tenderly. Kagome's eyes shot open wide. She spun around instantly.
SLAP!
She stared angrily at the man that she had just slapped across the face.
"Don't do that!" she yelled.
Miroku, who had his offending hand covering the growing red mark, smiled sheepishly. "I apologize. I cannot restrain myself when I am around such a beautiful woman."
Kagome rolled her eyes. Was everyone in this company trying to get into her pants? She turned away, moving to sit in a nearby chair.
"You better leave that door open, too," she called out.
After a moment, Miroku stepped before her, positioning himself behind his desk.
"Where's Hojo?" Kagome asked, shifting nervously under the gaze of the lecherous man. She didn't like having to be in a room alone with such a pervert. Perhaps requesting this man wasn't such a good idea.
"I'm afraid that he could not make it. He had previous engagements. It will just be you and I, Miss Higurashi," he responded, smiling openly at the woman before him.
Kagome swallowed, her eyes showing some of her worry.
"Soo...uhh...what am I here for?" she asked, hoping to change the topic.
Miroku blinked, his smile fading some.
"Ahh, yes. We are supposed to discuss your promotional plans," he began, looking down to the folder in front of him.
Kagome let out a sigh of relief, thankful for the diversion that seemed to be working.
"So far we want to have your book sent to a few critics to be reviewed. If that works out well, then hopefully you will be put on a critic's readers list. Hojo and I have a few other ideas as well," Miroku said. He leaned slightly forward, bringing his large eyes to gaze at Kagome. His voice dropped low, trying to become seductive. "Perhaps you would like to discuss them with me over dinner tomorrow night?" Miroku suggested, winking at Kagome.
Kagome paled, her mind panicking. 'How am I going to get out of this?' she thought. Thankfully though, someone saved her from the awkward situation.
"It doesn't seem that you are working very hard, Miroku," sounded a dry, hardened voice.
Kagome straightened her position, the familiarity of the voice striking very close to her.
"Mr. Tashio, what a pleasant surprise to see you!" Miroku exclaimed, his eyes darting to the form standing behind Kagome.
Her head turned back slowly, almost in disbelief. 'Doesn't he ever listen? What the hell is he doing here?' she thought. Her expressive blue eyes showed her immediate displeasure in his presence.
Heeding no attention, Sesshomaru sauntered into the room, moving to stand dangerously close to Kagome's sitting form. He did not approve of Miroku suggesting such things. That was his place.
"And how may I help you?" Miroku asked, his eyes thoughtful as he regarded the pair before him.
"I merely came to see the progress of this account. Instead, I found you trick Miss Higurashi into a date," he replied calmly, his velvet voice rolling over Kagome like waves.
"I think you have misunderstood my intentions, Sir. I merely wished to discuss our options over dinner, since our other meeting was cut short," Miroku stated. His voice implied curiosity to the situation. 'Why is he so defensive?' Miroku thought.
Sesshomaru's golden orbs hardened slightly. He reached out, his large hand falling upon Kagome's shoulder.
"I do not think that Miss Higurashi would enjoy that," he said, his voice deadly.
Kagome stiffened at the contact. Her eyes searched the tall elegant man, before moving back to Miroku.
"I do not think that you should answer for me, Mr. Tashio. I would enjoy accompanying Miroku to an informal meeting," she said simply.
Sesshomaru's head bowed to glare at the woman. His hand tightened slightly before releasing her. Set into a firm line, his mouth showed his irritation. But he did not say a word.
And Miroku watched on, his eyebrow raised in interest.
TBC....
A/N: Thank you so much for all of the wonderful reviews. You are all great, and i love you all. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as you enjoyed the others. I am working on chapter 9 as we speak, so keep an eye out for it!