Author's notes: YEY! I got so many encouraging reviews! Brightened my week considerably. So this chapter is for all of my first reviewers! Sorry it wasn't out sooner but I got bogged down with ACTs.
Disclaimer: Sadly, they aren't mine.
Stepping Off the Street
Chapter 2: Getting to know thy enemy
My mother always used to tell me that if I worked hard and was always honest, good things would come to me. It's been 20 years of working hard and being honest and I'm still yet to see one good thing. Stupid karma.
Kagome closed another manila folder and tossed it irritably onto her "done" pile, which was now twice as tall as her "still to do" pile. She flopped her head back as she twisted in her chair a few times. Glancing at the clock, Kagome decided it was definitely time for a break. Grabbing her coffee mug she started her trek to the break room. As she walked up to the counter, she collapsed onto her elbows and wearily rested her head in the palm of her hand. As she started to pour her self a cup of joe, a squat little man walked up beside her. She turned her head disinterestedly until she saw whom it was.
A smile lit her face as she straightened and fully faced the new comer. "Myouga, how have you been?"
Myouga's balding head tilted back to respond, "My my, if it isn't Kagome. I've been better I must say. With this new merger, Taisho-san is really cleaning up all the sections." Myouga paused as he sighed. He wiped his brow before continuing, "While I understand the benefits this merger will bring, the work we have to do right now is quite tedious and time consuming."
Kagome nodded in agreement, "Yeah, I know what you mean. Inuyasha just dumped a weeks worth of work on me and expects it done by tonight. But I was going over the proposal and the merger will benefit both our companies." Her eyes sparkled, "I can't wait to play with some of the equipment Takamura is going to bring."
Mouyga laughed good naturedly at the excited young woman before him, "That's right, you're in charge of the science section. Quite an achievement for one your age."
Kagome's cheeks tinted red in an embarrassed blush. She nodded before going back to pouring her coffee. She was going to need it for the upcoming meeting. Speaking of which…Kagome glanced down at her watch only to realize she was late. "Oh, no! Sorry Myouga, I have to go but I hope to talk to you soon" She waved at the man before dashing out the door.
Inutaisho was sitting at the head of the conference table with Inuyasha and Sesshomaru on his right side and Mr. Takamura and his son on his left. He glanced at the clock again before turning to his youngest son. "You did tell her we were having a meeting, right?"
Inuyasha growled in annoyance at having been asked the same question…again. "Yes, dammit. I told her to be here. Feh, not my fault the wench can't tell time." Suddenly, he was smacked from behind. He yelped before turning to the offender with murderous intent.
Kagome glared down at Inuyasha, "This wench can tell time perfectly thank you." When she realized that the Takamuras were seated directly in front of her and had seen her little display, she flushed in embarrassment before slipping into her seat. She turned to find Inutaisho grinning at her. His deep voice filled the room.
"Now that we are all here. Let's make introductions and conduct final preparations for the merger. Mr. Takamura, this is my Vice President and eldest son, Sesshomaru." Inutaisho gestured to said person who gave a respectable if not cold nod in turn.
Kagome's eyes widened as she took in the Sesshomaru's appearance. "That's Rin's father," She whispered to herself, but got an odd look from Inuyasha none the less.
Inutaisho went on to gesture to Inuyasha, "This is my youngest and Chief Supervisor of public relation divisions, Inuyasha." Inuyasha grunted in response.
Finally, Inutaisho's hand swept to Kagome. "And this is Kagome Higurashi, in charge of too many things to name."
Kagome smiled politely and said hello.
Inutaisho then turned to his business associates, "And this is Mr. Takamura and his son Koga."
Koga flashed a boyish grin in Kagome's direction before nodding to the rest of the men present, "I'm happy to meet you all and hope that our companies will benefit tremendously." Kagome heard Inuyasha huff beside her.
"Well then, now that we are all acquainted, let's get down to business. Kagome?" Inutaisho gestured for the file in front of her.
Kagome stood before opening the file and handing each man a copy of the merger proposal, "As you all can see, the merger will not change much. The main differences will be financially and employee wise. Both companies will have to cut back on the number of employees for the time being as the companies will need time to get situated with the changes. Both companies will be, well… swapping employees." Kagome gestured to Mr. Takamura, "Mr. Takamura will be donating some new equipment as well as facilities to our science division." Takamura nodded. Kagome then motioned to Inutaisho, "We, in turn, will be helping your company with public relations and manufacturing. Both companies should benefit exceptionally from this proposal." Kagome smiled again before sitting back down.
Inutaisho's commanding voice filled the room once more, "Well said Kagome. If everything is in order, please sign the contract and we will have ourselves a deal!"
Sesshomaru sat at his desk and thought over what had just occurred in the meeting.
His father had dropped by his office that morning to tell him of the meeting. Sesshomaru frowned at his father's lack of forethought. 'How does he expect me to be prepared for the meeting if he tells me about it not but three hours before its occurrence?'
He had grumbled to himself for the rest of the morning as he scrambled to prepare himself for any discrepancies that might occur in the meeting.
He was jolted out of his preparations when his secretary paged him, "Sir, it's 11:45."
Sesshomaru neatened his desk before stepping out of his office, thanking his secretary and heading to the board room. He stepped into the room to find his father and his associate, Takamura, in a light conversation. The two men turned to look at him and he nodded in acknowledgement. The two men returned to their conversation as Sesshomaru walked to the chair on his father's right and sat down.
He was glancing at his notes as he listened half-heartedly to the conversation. Takamura was currently speaking, "My son should be here shortly. He had to see to an issue in our computer department."
Inutaisho nodded in understanding, "He has time. My other son will also be joining us as well as one of our other employees."
Now this peaked Sesshomaru's attention. 'I was unaware anyone other than stock holders were to be present at this meeting.' He was about to ask his father of this mystery employee when the door was thrown rather unceremoniously open and Inuyasha and another man walked into the room, arguing rather heatedly.
"You took my fucking parking space!" Inuyasha's vulgarity never ceased to amaze.
"Not like your name was on it." Koga looked disinterested of the fuming man beside him.
"Yes it did! Right where it said, 'Inuyasha Taisho' you mangy wolf!"
"Back off puppy."
"Make me you mutt."
As Sesshomaru watched the two raise their fists, he heard his father's angry voice startle the entire room. "Both of you will stop this incessant fighting now! We are all here for a reason and your bickering is ruining my good mood."
Sesshomaru snorted to himself. Figures his father would change form commanding figure to contemptuous comedian. But it seemed to do the trick as the once fighting men released each other's collars before straightening themselves out and sitting down. The group waited silently for the final member.
Fortunately, they didn't have to wait long. Sesshomaru heard the distinct clicking of high heels before the door handle twisted. He could barely hear his father and brother speaking as he took in a deep whiff of the stranger's scent. 'I know this scent. But who…'
A familiar woman walked into the room before smacking his idiot brother upside the head. "This wench can tell time perfectly thank you." His eyes widened as he realized whom the woman was. 'She's the one who saved Rin this morning.'
He cursed himself for not making the connection sooner, especially after hearing her talk to his brother.
His anger quickly turned to amusement as he watched her cheeks burn when she noticed their guests. The woman had no qualms over broadcasting her emotions to the world. Sesshomaru found it rather interesting how quickly her emotions changed. she reminded him of Rin in that respect. Sesshomaru quickly shook himself of that train of thought. He already had one human, he wasn't looking for another. Besides, of what he had seen of this woman, she seemed undisciplined and unruly. Something he did not need in a girlfriend.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened imperceptibly. 'Girlfriend? Where in the hell did that come from?' Yes, he admitted, she intrigued him. It wasn't everyday a ningen woman came barreling into the street to selflessly save someone else. Child or not.
Sesshomaru quickly focused his attention fully on the paper the woman was handing to him. Anything to derail that train of thought. He listened as she explained the details of the merger. He diverted his attention anywhere but at Kagome for the rest of the meeting, before hurrying back to his office.
And so he found himself, sitting in his office thinking of the girl in spite of himself.
He glanced down at a pile of papers on his desk. Realizing it was nearly 5:00 and consequently time to relieve Ah and Un of babysitting Rin, he sighed and slipped on his jacket. He put the files away in their proper place before walking out the door and clicking off the lights.
Twenty minutes later, he walked into his house and was greeted with the delighted squeals of his adopted daughter. Rin leapt off the last two steps of the stair case and right into Sesshomaru's arms.
"Sesshomaru-sama! We were having so much fun! Ah, Un, Jaken and Rin were playing hide and seek and Rin won!" She emphasized her point with a slight jostle and another delighted squeal.
Sesshomaru looked fondly at the girl in his arms before turning his attention to his two servants. Most people found the two twins eerie. The two had been working for Sesshomaru for a long while. They were the sons of one of his father's friends. Sesshomaru had quickly found the two to be quite competent and capable. They had a slyness to them and an inviting personality that Sesshomaru lacked, and therefore made them quite useful when dealing with corporate competition. It was by chance that the two became Rin's unofficial babysitters, of course that being a very minute part of their job. Currently, both men were dressed in navy suits with emerald colored ties. Their hair was slightly disheveled and their once pristine suits wrinkled from, no doubt, hiding in cramped spaces.
"I see Rin." He nodded his head in a dismissing manner as the twins bowed before leaving. He then placed Rin on her own two feet before walking off toward the dinning room. Rin skipped beside him.
"Rin was wondering when she can see that nice lady again"
Sesshomaru's steps faltered for a second as Kagome's face flashed in his mind. "We shall see."
"It's just that the lady was so nice to Rin and helped her get her hat back. And Rin never got to thank the lady and Rin wants to show her my dollies and maybe we could play together because Jaken never wants to play and says that dollies are for weak little girls. But Rin told Jaken that they aren't and Jaken said-"
"Rin. That's enough. Now it's time for dinner." Boy, the girl could talk.
Rin nodded before skipping ahead. Leaving Sesshomaru to his thoughts. 'So Rin wishes to see the woman again. Hmmm…I believe I need to learn more of this Kagome Higurashi.'
There, in the empty hallway of his house, away from prying eyes, Sesshomaru's lips tilted in the barest of smiles.
Uh-oh. Sesshomaru admited he has an interest in Kagome. Could this be his down fall! Read on and find out! Oh, and please reveiw!