A First for Everything
Chapter 16
Kagome's eyes went wide, turning into saucers. The coffee that she had raised to her lips caught in her throat. Caught in the wave of air from her sudden gasp, the brown liquid slid back up her throat, erupting from her lips. The liquid flew through the air, seemingly traveling in slow motion, each drop personified to their naked eyes. Inuyasha's own eyes went wide as he realized what was happening. In a vain effort, he tried to shift, but it was too late. He closed his eyes in one last chance of defense.
Coffee landed directly upon his smooth face, the warm substance coating all of his features. Grunting, he brought his hand up to wipe away the drink that rested upon his eyelids. He could feel hot drops drip from his chin, falling onto the fabric of his shirt, seeping through to his skin.
"Oh Kami!" Kagome yelled, rising up out of her chair. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean for that to happen!"
Quickly darting from the table, Kagome made her way back over to the counter. Fishing through some drawers, she pulled out a white cloth. Running back over to Inuyasha's side, she held the towel out before him.
"Here," she said. "Use this."
Peaking open an eye, Inuyasha peered up at the woman. Her face was skewed in shock, her mouth hanging partly open. Snorting, Inuyasha grabbed the towel from her hands. Bringing it up to his face, he carefully dabbed away the liquid. He could still feel it's residual on his face as well as the lingering smell that filled his nostrils. Inuyasha watched Kagome fidget before slowly making her way back over to her seat. She would not look him in the eye. He held no doubt that Kagome was embarrassed about the incident.
"I'm sorry," Kagome repeated softly.
"Feh," Inuyasha grunted out. "I guess I'll let it pass this time."
Kagome's head shot up. Her crystal eyes glared into him, almost making Inuyasha flinch. "You guess?" she dared.
"Feh! Fine! I forgive you, woman!" Inuyasha yelled, raising his hands in the air in defeat. His eyebrow twitched once in agitation. "Don't get your panties all in a bundle."
"Well, excuse me but who really asks those sorts of questions while someone is drinking coffee. You had it coming," Kagome shot back defensively.
"What do you mean? How was I to know that you would spit on me?" Inuyasha shouted back, his dark eyebrow twitching some.
"I didn't spit!" Kagome retaliated. "I choked!"
"Feh! Why won't you answer my question, you stupid wench!" Inuyasha growled.
"Because I don't know the answer!" Kagome said, her blue eyes narrowing in anger.
"How could you not know?"
"Why do you care?" Kagome shot back, her small hands clenching into fists.
She was angry. She did not know what she was feeling and she did not like the fact that Inuyasha was pushing her into an answer. Kagome's mind reeled in confusion, trying to sort out the strange events that made up her and Sesshomaru's relationship. It was weird for her to talk about this with the man's brother, especially because Inuyasha was so short tempered. She knew that he would not leave her alone until he was satisfied with the answers.
"I don't care!" was Inuyasha's angry answer.
"Then why are you asking?" Kagome dared, lowering her voice some. Could this situation get any more confusing?
"Because I want to know if that fucking fluff ball hurt you!" Inuyasha roared angrily.
Kagome's mouth dropped open once again, her large eyes blinking rapidly. "What?" she babbled out.
"I said I want to know if Sesshomaru hurt you or not," Inuyasha replied. He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest defensively as he glared at the raven haired woman before him.
"Oh," Kagome softly whispered, averting her eyes from Inuyasha.
"Well, did he or didn't he?" Inuyasha prodded.
"Well, not really…" Kagome began hesitantly.
Inuyasha snarled lightly. "Not really? What happened between you two, huh?"
"Inuyasha! I am not telling you that!" Kagome squeaked, finally raising her eyes to look at the man before her.
"What!" Inuyasha shot back, his eyebrows now twitching on a frequent basis. "I already know that that bastard fucked you, so why won't you tell me?" His eyes softened a little, as if he was offended that Kagome would not share this information with him.
"You know WHAT!" Kagome screamed. Her eyes flashed with anger, the flames almost visible in her expressive orbs. "How did you find out?" she growled.
"Fluffy told me. Why does it matter?" Inuyasha asked with confusion lacing his voice.
"I'm going to kill him!" Kagome muttered to herself. "And you," Kagome said, pointing her finger at Inuyasha, "don't tell a soul!"
"Feh," Inuyasha grumbled, holding back a shudder of fear. "Why does it matter?"
"Is what you told me yesterday true?" Kagome asked seriously, her eyes losing their anger and taking up sincerity. She leaned forward over the table, causing her dark hair to spill over her shoulders.
Inuyasha cocked his eyebrows, pure bewilderment showing in his features. "What did I say?" he asked slowly.
Sighing, Kagome replied, "About Sesshomaru just using me for sex; that he is only going to get rid of me when he slept with me."
Inuyasha looked away for a moment, his mouth turning into a frown. "That's the way that the bastard usually treats his women. But then again, he has already slept with you. That's why I want to know, Kags," Inuyasha said seriously. Looking back at her, he continued seriously. "Look, I don't know what's going on. He's acting strange and I don't fucking like it. I just don't want to see you get ruined."
Tearing her eyes away from his, Kagome sat quietly, taking in the information. She stared at her hands, looking at the small limbs upon the larger table. Wetness started to form in her eyes. She did not want to cry, but she did not like the fact that she was probably being used by Sesshomaru. 'It's my fault for letting this happen,' she thought. 'I was the one who gave in.'
It was a while before she softly replied, "I've slept with him two other times, the most recent one being last night."
"Kagome…" Inuyasha started.
"I know I am probably being used, Inuyasha, but I just can't seem to help myself. I don't know what to do. He's in charge of my life now. I don't think I can do anything anymore," she finished in a near whisper. She could not help the tears that now came down her face.
Shoving away from the table, Inuyasha quickly made his way over to Kagome. Kneeling down, he wrapped his arms around her comfortingly, hoping to ease her tears. 'I will kill that fucking asshole. What the fuck did he do to her?' he thought to himself as his arms wrapped themselves tighter around Kagome's sobbing form.
Two days later, Kagome stepped proudly into the sleek, intimidating towers that made up Tokyo Productions. Her determined face and confident stride was no indication as to how she was feeling. Inside she trembled, fearing an encounter with Sesshomaru. After her talk with Inuyasha, she was now certain that she would try to stand up to his ways. She would not allow him to use her anymore. If she would be threatened, so be it. Kagome knew that she would at least have Inuyasha on her side if she needed support.
Setting her chin firmly, she strode past the office doors, not allowing anyone the opportunity to encounter her. She made her way into a large office at the end of the hallway, hesitating slightly as she read the golden nameplate on the door. Hojo Takimida. Kagome did not fear this man. 'He's not an asshole like some people here,' she thought to herself.
Entering the room, the brown haired man behind the desk looked up at her. A large, warm smile graced his face as he rose from his seat to greet her.
"Good morning, Miss Higurashi," Hojo said, holding out his hand to her.
"Hello, Mr. Takimida," she responded sweetly, shaking his hand lightly before sitting down in a plush chair before the desk.
"Please, just call me Hojo," he said, his bright eyes shining happily.
Smiling lightly, Kagome nodded her head. "Only if you call me Kagome."
Hojo laughed, flashing her an even brighter smile. "Of course, Kagome."
"What did you want to see me about, Hojo?" Kagome asked, titling her head slightly to the side.
"Ahh, yes," Hojo began. He turned his eyes away from her, shuffling through a pile of papers that rested upon his desk. After a few moments, and a few mutters to himself, Hojo held up a slip of paper. "Here it is!" he exclaimed triumphantly.
Handing the paper to Kagome, he waited until she took the paper before explaining. "This is all of the information about the book interview that has been arranged for you. Basically, you just need to sign the paper for our records, saying that you consent to the interview and that you will actually show up. If you are still interested, just sign at the X on the bottom."
Quickly scanning the document, Kagome nodded her head. "It sounds good to me," she said.
Reaching into her purse, Kagome searched for a pen to sign the paper. Her slender fingers fell upon a smooth pen and she pulled it out. Kagome almost gasped aloud as she saw what she had retrieved. Before her eyes was an elegant golden pen. It was the same pen that Sesshomaru had given her on their first meeting at the office. She held back a shutter, pursing her lips into a thin line.
"Are you alright, Kagome?" Hojo asked with concern.
Glancing up at him, Kagome replied, "Yes, everything is fine. Don't worry about it."
Hojo stared at Kagome in confusion, but just ended up shrugging his shoulders. As Kagome signed the form, she did not notice Hojo's nervous glances at her. He ran a hand through his short, dark hair. Something didn't quite seem right, but he wasn't about to push her about it. 'She will tell me when she is ready,' he confidently thought to himself.
Kagome flipped her raven hair over her shoulder as she finished signing. Flashing a smile at the concerned man, she pushed the paper over to him. "Here you are," she said. "Is that all?" she asked cheerfully.
"Well, yes…" Hojo began hesitantly.
"Good! Then I will be going then," Kagome said, beginning to stand up from the chair. Shoving the gold pen back into her purse, she pulled the strap over her shoulder. She did not notice Hojo's shocked face. "Have a good day, Hojo," she said as she started to walk towards the door.
"Kagome, wait," Hojo called out to her.
Stopping, Kagome looked back over her shoulder. In actuality, she just wanted to get the hell out of the building. The longer she was there, the more of a chance she had to run into the one man that she did not want to see. She sighed in annoyance, but the sound was so low that Hojo did not hear.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Well, umm, I was just wondering if you wanted to go to dinner sometime," Hojo asked slowly. His eyes darted down to the desk, tracing the fine grains of the wood with his eyes as he patiently waited for Kagome to answer.
Kagome's mind went blank. She was not expecting this to happen. 'Is there something in the water in this office?' she thought. She shifted slightly, so that she was half facing Hojo. Her eyes ran over his tense form as she contemplated his offer. Should she go to dinner with him? 'He would probably be a gentleman,' she thought. 'I doubt that he would try anything. Even if he did, I know that I could fend him off. Perhaps it is time that I tried to go out with a relatively normal person.'
"That sounds nice, Hojo," Kagome replied, smiling at him.
Hojo's eyes immediately sprang to her face and he flashed her a warm, satisfied smile. His body relaxed as the pressure of waiting was taken off of his shoulders. "Great! How does Friday sound? Can I pick you up at 8?"
Kagome nodded her head. "That would be great. I will see you then," she told him, turning to walk out of the office.
"Goodbye!" Hojo called out.
However, Kagome did not respond or turn around. She was too concentrated on getting out of the office. Once she had safely made her way into the elevator, she couldn't help but recap what had happened. She now had a date with Hojo, Sesshomaru's CEO. 'Oh crap,' she thought. 'I hope that this won't make things weird.' Sighing, she allowed her head to fall against the cool steel of the elevator walls, briefly closing her eyes. 'Maybe things would be easier if I just became asexual.'
Sauntering into the large conference room, Miroku smiled evilly. Closing the heavy oak door partially, he paused beside it to glance over the other male in the room. He laughed knowingly, his eyes sparkling in mischief and amusement. The sitting male looked up, now acknowledging the presence of another. He smiled lightly at Miroku, not understanding what the perverted man found so humorous.
"Well, well, well, Hojo," Miroku said as he began walking away from the door.
Pacing slowly around the table, he moved to take a seat near Hojo. Miroku placed the files that were on his hand upon the glass table before pulling out a chair. Sitting down, he leaned back in the comfortable leather chairs, crossing his legs across his knee and folding his hands in his lap. One dark eyebrow quirked up and his smile grew even wider.
"Good afternoon, Miroku," Hojo replied. "What are you so happy about?"
"And I should be asking why you aren't acting happier," Miroku replied suggestively.
"Huh?" Hojo replied, his face taking up complete stupor.
Miroku sighed. Was the man really that dense? "I heard you have a date on Friday."
Neither Miroku nor Hojo sensed the presence that was now lingering outside the conference door. The tall figure was on his way in for a conference, but the conversation had intrigued him. He now stood still, waiting for the men to continue. He knew that neither would discuss the topic in his presence. Well, at least Hojo would not. 'This should prove to be entertaining,' he thought to himself.
"Yes. How did you find out?" Hojo asked, glancing at Miroku.
"That doesn't matter," Miroku explained. "I have my ways. So tell me, what are you planning to do with the lovely Miss Higurashi," Miroku asked, clearly indicating that he wished to hear sexual plans with the woman.
Hojo did not get the chance to answer. The door to the conference room slammed open. Both men jumped slightly, quickly looking over to see who had entered. Sesshomaru stood in the doorway, his golden eyes piercing and violent. Stepping into the room with the grace of a predator, he closed the door. His silver hair was tied back from his face, but the strands still swayed gently behind him. He truly looked intimidating in the elegant black suit he adorned. Tension pierced the air, making Hojo and Miroku uncomfortable.
Mirkou's eyes flashed with thought as he regarded his now furious superior. When he had seen Sesshomaru earlier, the man had not been nearly as angry. He had an idea what had caused the mood change. Looking over at Hojo quickly, a blank look graced his eyes. Hojo clearly had no idea what was occurring. Actually, Miroku did not know if Sesshomaru was fully aware of the situation. Smiling slightly, he turned his attention back to Sesshomaru.
"May I remind you that I do not pay you to gossip? Let us begin," Sesshomaru commanded in a harsh, low voice that sent shivers through the others spines.
A/N: Thanks for all of the reviews! I am so glad that everyone enjoys this story so much. Please continue to let me know if I am doing a good job. Let me know if you have any ideas or thoughts, maybe you will see them in the story ;). Classes are done for the semester, so I should be able to start updating at my normal one week speed. Keep reviewing!
-Formerly RurouniNikkitch13