Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, Armani, or Voldemort.

If you had asked anybody about her, they would have said Kagome Higurashi was too over-worked for someone as nice as her. Though she never complained, those who knew her could tell that all the stress was building up, and that one day it would all come out. This morning to be exact.

"YOU ARE SHITTIN' ME!"

People poked their heads out of cubicles to see who was causing the disturbance, only to stare in disbelief at the scene playing out before their eyes. Kagome had an intern by the scruff of his shirt, nearly hauling him off the floor, anger blazing in her azure eyes.

"I-I'm not ma'am. It's true. Kikyo got a promotion and I was told to tell you." The intern was pale with fright. He had never seen Higurashi-san like this before. She had always been so nice.

"How!" yelled Kagome.

"I-I believe the committee board-"

"I know how she got promoted! I meant how could she have gotten promoted above me!"

Kagome didn't want to seem cocky, but she had been working so hard. Then again, it seemed no matter how hard she worked she just could not seem to catch up to Kikyo. Growling, Kagome let go of the intern's shirt, grabbed her briefcase, and left the crowd staring after her. Heading towards the elevator, she allowed the thoughts to fly through her head, as she attempted to straighten her ebony hair.

I just don't understand. Why Kikyo? She hardly shows up for the meetings anymore! I have done so much these past few weeks. I've been to every get-together, I have all of my business degrees, and I know at least two different languages! How is it that she barely has to try and she gets it?

Smoothing the black skirt that went with her suit, Kagome continued to grumble as she waited. Finally the doors opened and with a sigh she entered, gasping slightly when the elevator shook. After a moment she pushed the button to the garage floor.

"They really need to fix these elevators." Kagome said as she watched the doors struggle to close. "This sucks."

Just as it looked as if they were going to close, Kagome heard footsteps. She looked up from where she had watched the elevator doors and swiftly inhaled. Coming towards her was the man of her dreams. Sort of. She had never quite forgotten him after he had helped her. He had left so suddenly, Kagome had not been able to ask his name. He probably didn't even know what had happened to the puppies.

flashback

Kagome broke every speed limit on her to the vet's office. Coming up to the place, she slammed on her brakes and jumped out of the car, basket in hand. Racing, Kagome threw open the door. The secretary behind the desk looked up in surprise, then smiled.

"Miss Higurashi. How is Buyo?"

Kagome immediately ran up to the desk.

"I need to see the vet, right now!"

The secretary blinked in confusion. "What?"

Placing the basket on the counter, Kagome threw back the sleeves of the jacket.

"They need help! NOW!"

The secretary's face grew grim as she looked at the pups.

"Follow me."

end flashback

Later that night Kagome was told that two of the pups had died. The news had devastated her, but at least five had lived. Shaking her head, Kagome returned to the present time.

He seemed different now. Instead of blue jeans and a red t-shirt, he was dressed in a black suit with a red tie, which Kagome was willing to bet was nothing but Armani. Reaching out a hand, she held the shuttering doors for him. Entering the elevator he gave her a small nod. Realizing she was staring, Kagome shook her head, blushing slightly. The last time she had seen him, he didn't look so...Grumpy was the only word that came to mind. He probably didn't even remember her.

Just as she started to release the doors, Kagome heard a voice call out from the end of the hallway. Walking quickly towards the elevator were five men.

"Sir! Sir! Please wait!"

Letting out a small sigh, Kagome patiently held the door.

"Let go."

Startled by his voice, Kagome looked at 'Mr. Armani.' "What?"

"Let go of the doors."

Hesitating for a moment, Kagome finally allowed the withered doors to close, all the while wondering who the heck this guy really was.

I don't remember a memo about any new people. Oh, well. I wonder if he's married? Not that it matters, it's just... Kagome blushed at her thoughts. What's wrong with me? You'd think I was still in high school or something.

Upon closer inspection, from the corner of her eye, Kagome determined that he was, indeed, not married. She continued her discreet study of him, noting his strong jaw line, his broad shoulders, and most notably his ears. They were white and fluffy.

So he's a hanyou? Kagome could have hit herself upside the head. How else could he have lifted that log? I thought I had just imagined the ears.

Just as she was looking at the claws on his fingers, Kagome heard a low growl and watched as the hand closed into a tight fist. Her eyes flew back up to his face, connecting with his own amber pools.

Immediately Kagome turned forward, her face a deep red. Oh crap. I just got caught staring by the guy I was staring at! Figures…the only time I actually look at a guy. Then it hit her. This must be that business associate that was here today. Some top notch guy who came to offer us a huge deal! Then another thought occurred rather belatedly. And I just got caught staring at him by him! I don't believe this!

The rampant thoughts going through Kagome's head were interrupted by the sound of her cell phone belting out the theme song of Pokemon. Blushing once again, Kagome dug frantically in her purse, all the while cursing her brother. She would get him back for this. He was always messing with her phone! Finally she found it. Glancing at her "companion" she saw the side of his mouth quirk up. Letting out a small groan, she answered it.

"Hello?"

"Higurashi?"

Kagome's breath left her in a whoosh. It was Kikyo. "Y-yes?"

"Don't forget to have those reports for me by Monday."

Kagome gritted her teeth. She would not be rude. Kikyo was simply reminding her of her job. That was all! "Yes, of course."

"Good."

With that, Kikyo hung up. Closing her phone, Kagome sighed. Kikyo always made Kagome want to act like a horrible person. Kagome was never to be mean to anybody for any reason, but Kikyo just seemed to have this effect on her. Their "rivalry" had started the day Kagome had first started. It had been Kikyo's first day as well. There had been a problem with one of the computers and Kikyo had gone to fix it, but once she was done Kagome came by and redid her work…..better. Later at their first meeting though, Kikyo helped solve a marketing problem where Kagome had not been able to, proving Kikyo was better in that regard.

Feeling an ache grow between her temples, Kagome gently rubbed her head. Was it just her, or was the elevator even slower that usual? This had to be one of the most high tech buildings around and they still could not fix the elevators. Of course she had been on the sixty-eighth floor, but still. Once again, silence reigned, and then Pokemon was heard again.

"What!" Snapped Kagome as she answered. "Hello!"

"Hey Kagome!"

Glad to hear a friend's voice, Kagome instantly cheered up a little. "Hey Sango."

"What's wrong?" Concern etched Sango's voice.

"You won't believe it."

"What?"

"You-know-who's been promoted."

"Voldemort?"

"Not the dark wizard, but the dark witch."

"No way!" Sango's concern turned to anger. "That's not fair! You've waited forever for a promotion!"

"I know." Groaned Kagome. "This has been a crummy day."

There was a slight shuttering, then the elevator stopped. They were now on the tenth floor. When the doors opened no one was there. Poking her head outside, Kagome saw two kids running down the hallway. "Little brats." She muttered. Turning her attention back to the conversation at hand, she came just in time to here Sango say:

"-times like these you need a man. You should just grab whoever is on the elevator with you and kiss him. If there is anyone."

Kagome's mind went completely blank before she comprehended the words her usually stoic friend had said.

"Where in the world did this come from?"

"Oh," said Sango. "I know I don't usually spout that kind of stuff, but I thought that maybe you just needed a bit of stress relief."

Kagome rolled her eyes and hissed. "And where does doing that come into this?"

"Kissing can be a form of relief. I read in Fame that it works."

"Yeah right." muttered Kagome. Though I kind of wish—...Get a hold of yourself! You don't even know him!

Suddenly the elevator shuttered heavily and stopped, but this time it didn't open.

"What the heck" said Kagome.

"We've stopped." said Mr. Armani.

Kagome gasped. "Sango! The elevator just got-" She stopped. The line was dead.

"Great," muttered Kagome. "Just great."

Mr. Armani tried different buttons, but nothing happened. Growling, he punched the side of the elevator. "Fuck! Could this day get any worse!"

"More than likely." said Kagome.

Glancing at her, he smirked. "I have half a mind to try out your friend's 'stress relief' advice."

Kagome turned crimson. "You heard our conversation!"

"Of course," he stated matter-of-factly. "What do you think these things on my head are used for?"

"B-but, I didn't think you'd actually listen in on my call!" stammered Kagome in disbelief.

"Couldn't help it." he said with a smirk, as he gave her a once over. "I could use a little distraction from my bad day."

Kagome backed up against the wall as he stepped closer. She wasn't scared of him, just overly nervous.

"And you think that makes it OK for you to just make out with me! A total stranger!"

"Why not?"

"Why not? Because it just isn't done!" yelled Kagome.

"So? We're not exactly strangers. Besides, don't you need a little distraction too? 'Cause I can guarantee that you won't be thinking of anything else."

"Well aren't we arrogant!" said Kagome. Then she paused. "Wait a minute. You are that guy!" He simply smirked.

"There could be an advantage to this." a little voice in the back of her head said.

"Like what?"

"You would get to make out with a really hot guy, something you haven't done in ages."

"What do you mean ages? What about Kouga?"

"Who cares?" said the voice. "Are you so sure that he is totally loyal to you and doesn't give special performances for his groupies?"

"Yes!"

"Come on. You know you want to. You've been doing stuff for everyone else, why not do something for yourself? It's always about someone else, never about you."

Kagome froze. She wasn't sure what she should do, but suddenly she did not care. All of the stress from the past few weeks just built up. For a few moments, she wanted to do whatever she wanted and not worry about what others would think. Besides, if she thought about, it was all for the sake of science. How else would they figure out how to release stress, if someone didn't test it?

"Well?" said Mr. Armani.

Taking a step closer, Kagome dropped her case and let out her breath. "Not like anybody else is going to find out."

"My sentiments exactly."

For the second she was allowed, Kagome wondered it she should do it, but soon the thought left her mind. Immediately, he closed the distance between them. Reaching out, he encircled her slim waist with his arms. Kagome had a moment to gasp before the arms around her waist tightened, drawing her up against her him. His lips descended on hers.

Instantly her breath left her. Kagome was aware of every spot they touched. She had never felt like this before, when she had kissed someone. Ever. Not even her first kiss was like this one.

Kagome felt her knees weaken, but she didn't want to be the only one left breathless. Rising up on her toes, she firmly linked her arms behind his neck, fitting her body perfectly to his. Feeling his surprise, she took full advantage of it. Kagome raked her tongue slightly over his sharp fangs, while one of her hands reached up to massage the base of his ear. He wavered slightly. Kagome had to smile. She was pretty sure he wasn't thinking of anything else either.

As they both continued their exploration, there was a slight shuttering, but they both ignored it. Then there was loud laughter.

"PDA! PDA!"

Breaking the kiss, the two looked out the now open elevator, at the two kids who had been playing with the elevators before. Kagome stepped away from the man, blushing furiously. Mr. Armani smirked, his breathing a bit labored.

"I think we both go the distraction we were looking for." he said as he stepped outside the elevator. Looking up, Kagome saw a perturbed expression cross his face before it left, leaving her to wonder it she had imagined it.

Turning back to the flustered young woman, he smiled, showing his fangs. "And I must say you were certainly a good distraction." With a wink he walked away. The doors to the elevator slid smoothly shut.

Kagome stared unseeingly for a few moments before shrieking.

"WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPENED!"