A/N: Thank you to everyone for the wonderful support of this story. I never would have thought that it would turn out to be this popular.  I have the next chapter outlined, so I should be able to get another update up within a week or so (as long as my professors don't decide to pound me with any more work!).  The next chapter will contain a lemon, just to warn you.
Enjoy!

A First for Everything

Chapter 13

Smirking evilly, Sesshomaru had to hold back a laugh from Kouga's response. Taking another step forward, he positioned himself so that he would move next to Kagome. From the corner of his eye, he could see her eyes widen and lean her body back from him. With the occasional tremors of her body, he knew that he was having an effect on her.

"I...I..." Kouga muttered, his eyes going wide.

"I do not appreciate the scene that you are creating here," Sesshomaru responded unaffectedly.

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Kouga straightened his position. "I apologize, sir. However, if this mutt here..."

"Had your eyes been open, then you would have been able to recognize the incredible resemblance that we bare. This mutt, as you call him, happens to be my half brother and Miss Higurashi's agent," Sesshomaru calmly informed him.

Swearing under his breath, Kouga shifted uncomfortably. This situation was not turning out in his favor. Of all his luck, he had to start something with the damned owner of the company and his brother.

"Furthermore, I do not appreciate referred to as a pretty boy. I feel that we are both capable of understanding that I am far from a boy. I do not understand who you managed to attend this event. Usually someone of this low intelligence and mannerism is discouraged from attending."

"I invited him," Kagome spoke up quietly.

Looking over at Kagome, Sesshomaru ran his eyes over her. Her head was bowed, allowing her dark bangs to prevent him from seeing which emotion was currently resided in her eyes. He could hear Inuyasha's snickering in the background. There was something amidst, and he did not like it.

"I beg your pardon?" Sesshomaru inquired.

Raising her head slightly, Kagome replied with the same low tone, "He is my date. I was the one that brought him here."

Frowning, Sesshomaru turned back to evaluate Kouga. So this was why he was claiming Kagome. He was with her. Were they dating? A slight pang hit him, although it was so small that it was almost overlooked. Why was it that he was so unhappy about this situation? But it did not matter. He would rid of this man now.

"I think it would be wise if you left the premises now," Sesshomaru ordered sternly.

"I don't think so, Sir. I am here to escort Kagome, and that is what I will do," Kouga heatedly replied, stepping up to Kagome.

His arm snaked out to wrap around Kagome's waist. However, it never reached its location. Instantly, Kouga felt a slight pain upon his wrist. Looking down, he noticed the large, smooth hand that had caught his arm. Startled, Kouga tried pulling back, but the pain only increased. He let out a small whimper of pain, his eyes wincing in pain.

"That is not an acceptable answer. Miss Higurashi will be properly taken care of this evening. I will personally see to her well being this evening. You will not be needed," came the cold reply.

Snorting, Kouga pulled his hand from Sesshomaru. "Fine," he muttered. "But don't you dare lay a hand on her or I will come after you."

"I highly doubt that that is possible," Sesshomaru shot back, moving even closer to Kagome. "Leave before I have to remove you by force."

Whirling, Kouga strode through the crowd, mumbling curses the entire way.

Inuyasha's laughter brought Sesshomaru's attention away from the retreating man. He turned to his brother, glaring at his in annoyance. His body was still stiff, his chin tilted upwards so that his golden eyes glared down upon everyone.

"And what is so funny, dear brother?" he asked.

"That was! Somebody's getting jealous, aren't they?" Inuyasha blurted out, only to be responded with Miroku's muffled laughter.

Snarling lightly, Sesshomaru glanced at Kagome. Her blue eyes were wide, her mouth hanging open in shock as she stared at Sesshomaru in disbelief. Turning away from her, he began to walk off.

"Come with me please, Miss Higurashi," he called out to her as he strode off.

"No!" she retorted, snapping out of her daze. Her eyes glared angrily at him. Her hands came up to rest upon her hips, giving her an insubordinate appearance.

"Kagome, come," he lowly responded without even looking back at her.

Giving a huff, Kagome tossed her hands lightly in the air before following after the man. She did not even notice the shocked and confused faces of Miroku and Inuyasha.

"What are you trying to prove?" Kagome hissed as she lengthened her stride to walk next to Sesshomaru.

"I do not have to prove anything," Sesshomaru replied stoically, not even turning to face the angered woman beside him.

"Then why did you have to send Kouga away? I think you made it quite clear that neither of us quite enjoy the others company," she stated, tossing an angry glare in his direction.

"I did not appreciate his behavior towards you," Sesshomaru stated.

Stopping dead in her tracks, her mouth fell open as she stared at the taller man in disbelief. 'Did he just say what I think he did?' she thought. Sesshomaru noticed that Kagome was no longer walking beside him. Halting his actions, he craned his head around to gaze at her.

"Is there a problem?" he inquired with slight amusement.

"Yes, yes there is," Kagome demanded, her voice rising in volume.

After a long moment of silence, Sesshomaru quirked his pale, fine eyebrow. "Well, what is this problem?"

"Don't you find it rather ironic?"

"What are you implying?" Sesshomaru asked, his voice dropping an octave while he glanced at her.

Huffing, Kagome tossed her chin in the air. "Haven't you even considered that Kouga's treatment of me is very similar to yours?"

Snorting lightly, Sesshomaru half turned to Kagome. Grasping her wrist in his tight grasp, he pulled her along as he began to stride away, weaving his way through the crowd of people. Kagome narrowed her eyes at his back before she tied to pull away from him. In response, his grasp tightened further, dragging her up to his side.

"I highly doubt that that is the case," he replied calmly.

"What are you..." Kagome began, but was cut off by Sesshomaru's voice.

"Mr. Tamikia," Sesshomaru greeted to an aging man.

The man was short, barely clearing Kagome's head. His graying hair was wildly kept and his hand clutched a large tumbler of alcohol. He held a bright expression on his features as he bowed slightly to the pair.

"Good evening, Mr. Tashio. This is quite a lovely event that you have put together. And who is this lovely creature?" Tamikia asked as he turned his attention to Kagome.

"May I present you with Kagome Higurashi," Sesshomaru stated. "She is the newest author to be added to our corporation. Miss Higurashi, this is Akito Tamikia, the prized literary critic of The Tokyo Review."

Kagome's eyes widened as she stared at the man before her. Her heart beat a little faster with nervousness. Never in her life would she imagine that she would be meeting this important literary figure. The invitation had not been lying when it had said that important figures would be attending. Smiling timidly, she bowed to the man.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Tamikia," she said quietly.

Laughing, the man replied cheerfully, "Oh, the pleasure is all mine. If Mr. Tashio here signed you, then you must be quite the rising talent."

"You will be able to judge that for yourself. My associates will be sending her first effort to your magazine for review. I hope that it will be pleasing," Sesshomaru informed the man warily.

"I will be sitting on the edge of my seat to read this," Tamikia said.

Soft music began to fill the room. Closing his eyes slightly, Tamikia gently allowed himself to sway to the music. Opening his eyes, he raised his glass in the air.

"This is a beautiful song," he stated. Focusing his eyes on Kagome, he asked, "Miss Higuarshi, would you like to dance? It would be an honor to have a partner as lovely as you."

Blushing, Kagome laughed nervously. Kagome did not know what to say. She did not want to dance with this man, but turning him down could bias his opinion of her work. This man's good review was vital to her career. She silently thanked Kami when Sesshomaru intercepted.

"I am afraid that I was promised this dance," Sesshomaru said, his voice challenging. "We were proceeding to the dance floor when we noticed your presence. Perhaps she will be available later this evening."

Turning his gaze to Sesshomaru, Tamikia shivered slightly. He knew that there would be no later for Kagome and himself. It seemed to him that Sesshomaru had interest in keeping the woman to himself tonight. He knew better than to challenge such a powerful figure. It would only destroy his career.

Bowing, he replied, "Yes, perhaps. It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Higurashi. Have a wonderful evening."

Kagome and Sesshomaru watched the short figured man walk away. Sighing in relief, Kagome allowed herself to relax. This action brought Sesshomaru's attention to the woman. He raised an eyebrow at the woman, letting amusement to shadow his expression. Turning her face to the tall, silver haired man, she smiled weakly at him.

"Thank you," she mouthed.

A small chuckle rumbled through his throat. Turning his gaze to the dance floor, he once again tightened his grip upon Kagome's wrist.

"Would Kouga save you from the clutches of that man in such a way?" he asked arrogantly.

Pondering for a moment, Kagome shook her head. "No, he would most likely use a more...aggressive approach."

"Come, I do believe you owe me a dance," he proclaimed, beginning to drag her through the crowd.

Allowing his hand to loosen, his fingers traced lightly over her skin, only tightening when they reached her hand. He smiled slightly when he felt her shudder under his touch. It seemed as though he still had an effect upon her. Swinging her out light, he led her at arms length onto the marbled smoothness of the dance floor. Pivoting on his foot, he stopped, facing the woman before him. With a flick of his wrist, she turned and was dragged towards his body. As she fell into his chest, he wrapped a long, lean arm around her delicate waist. In attempts to hold herself up, her free hand came up, placing itself along his muscled chest. Looking up, her eyes locked with his. Molten gold connected with midnight blue, each rendering the other temporarily still.

Sesshomaru gazed upon Kagome, satisfied with the way that she felt within his arms. He had forgotten how soft her body was against his. His arm tightened around her as his body began to move gently to the sounds of the orchestra. He felt her body stiffen as she began to follow his lead.

It was Sesshomaru who interrupted the silence. "What is Kouga to you?" he asked quickly, his voice tight.

Furrowing her eyebrows in confusion, she tilted her head slightly. "What?"

Sighing inaudibly, he repeated himself. "What is Kouga to you?"

"Does it matter?" she shot back

"Answer my question," he stated, his arm tightening even more upon her body.

Smirking in amusement, she answered him vaguely. "He is Kouga."

Holding back a growl, he pushed her to answer him. "And what exactly does that signify?"

"He's just someone I know. Are you happy now?" she retorted, entertained with his childish behavior.

"I assume," Sesshomaru replied.

"Sesshomaru?" Kagome questioned calmly.

"Yes?" he responded as they twirled around the floor effortlessly.

"Why did you send me that package?"

Raising a thin silver eyebrow, he grunted slightly. His arm slipped from her waist as he spun her out away from him, only to draw her back in. Her midnight silk hair brushed against him, reminding him heavily of the last time they had danced. 'That was a pleasant evening,' he thought to himself. As she returned to him, his arm looped around her body again.

"Did you not enjoy it?" he inquired evenly, almost uninterested.

Blinking, Kagome's eyes fell away from Sesshomaru's. "No, it's not that," she began. "I just don't know why. After what you implied the other day, I had no intentions of receiving anything from you."

Leaning forward, his lips moved close to her skin. "Well, Kagome, perhaps you shouldn't be so quick to assume. Do you enjoy it?" Sesshomaru asked into her ear.

With her breath barely above a whisper, she responded instantly. "Yes."

Brushing his lips against the shell of her ear, he pulled away. "Good. It's quite the honor to possess the first copy of your novel ever to be made."

Gasping, Kagome's head snapped up. Her eyes locked into his, trembling slightly. 'Why did he...?' she thought to herself. Opening her mouth, she tried to find something to say, anything. However, nothing would come to her. All that she knew was that she was staring into Sesshomaru's eyes, just as he was staring into hers.

The calm music stopped. Enormous applause broke the moment they had been sharing. Startled, Kagome tore away from Sesshomaru's grasp, unable to hear his low growl over the noise. Looking around, Kagome noticed that most of the quests had stopped to watch her and Sesshomaru dance. Blushing in embarrassment, Kagome searched for a way out of the lime light. A large hand placed itself upon her shoulder. Glancing up, she saw Sesshomaru behind her.

"Follow me, Kagome."

TBC...