Sesshomaru was waiting on the top floor in his father's office, looking out the window. Kikyo had filled his scheduled, giving him something to work on every hour of the day. Even going so far as to schedule lunch with his father right before his meeting with Mr. Hirigashi. It was a good thing she was determined not to interact with him as much as possible; it made giving her space easier.

"Ah, Sesshomaru it's good to see you. It's amazing how we work in the same building, you're my employee, but I see you maybe once a month if I'm lucky. I was even surprised you agreed to lunch."

Agreed? This wasn't a lunch meeting? He'd have to start reviewing his schedule if Kikyo was going to start being deceptive about it. "I had food brought in for us, it shouldn't take too long to get here. I wanted to go out for lunch in the city, but I am waiting for an important email today, and I don't know when I'll get it. I don't have one of those fancy phones like you, so I don't have that luxury of checking my email wherever I go."

"Father, you act as if you couldn't afford this luxury."

"I just like to complain about the technological advances these days, you wouldn't understand what it's like. Maybe I should've raised you thinking we were poor, of course your mother would never have gone for that. Anyways, how's the accounting project going?"

"It's almost done, the attorneys are reviewing their cases and are supposed to have them back to me by end of day tomorrow. Kikyo's written up a detailed report I will forward to you after everything gets back. From what I can tell, we were correct about who was altering the billing."

"Ah yes, Kikyo. I've noticed you were able to convince her to stay."

"It was her choice; I didn't ask her to stay."

Toga started laughing. "Of course, of course, my son. As you say."

This was why he typically turned down his father's requests for lunch. He always joked and tried to tease Sesshomaru. He could think of better ways to spend his time than to be bothered by his father.

"Oh calm down, wipe that scorn off your face. Since we are on the topic of Kikyo, your mother received a very interesting call from Kagura. Which in turn, I received a very interesting call."

Kagura. He shouldn't have been surprised to hear her bothering his mother. She always ran to his mother for advice. His mother loved her. That was a good thing, it was another reason to keep his relationship with Kikyo professional. His mother wouldn't like her. "How does that involve Kikyo?" Playing dumb was the best way to go with his father. He knew better than to pry if it seemed like something Sesshomaru didn't want to discuss.

"It would seem that Kagura came to visit you one night, and didn't particularly care for Kikyo, or the way you two seemed to be around each other."

"Did she give any details as to what made her feel that way?" He was curious as to how much Kagura actually saw. He was going to kiss Kikyo, he knew that, but he thought they played it off well when Kagura walked in. He even managed to convince Kikyo it was nothing, and she was party to the act.

"She just said that Kikyo was sassy to her, and you didn't bother to correct her. She also said you seemed different with her than you did with your past help. Oh, and the fact you sent her out of the building to say goodbye to Kikyo in private."

How long ago was this call he wondered? Kagura had no room to feel concerned. It was as if Kikyo being off limits was an aphrodisiac to him. Constantly he was becoming aroused when his mind drifted off into these sexual fantasies of her. He had to find some type of release, and Kagura had been the object of that attention. Could she still have been that ungrateful? He was already choosing her over Kikyo. What more did she want? Him to fire her? That was out of the question.

"She has the most overactive imagination. I didn't send her out to say goodbye to Kikyo personally. She left, not even, a few minutes after Kagura. I had to close the office that's why I asked her to wait, you know how she gets when she must wait. Kikyo is a capable secretary, I treat her professionally which I was not able to do for the others. They lacked the skill and common sense for the job. As for the attitude, that was Kagura's own doing. Kikyo introduced herself politely to Kagura, and Kagura was just insecure. So, she tried to make herself feel better by putting down Kikyo, but Kikyo's not one to stand by and let someone abuse her."

"Yes, I've witnessed that myself…" everything Sesshomaru had said seemed highly plausible, and he would've believed him, if only his son had not defended her at all. His son may assume that he was aloof, but his father knew him better than anyone. Sesshomaru doesn't stand up for anyone, regardless of who was involved. He always chalks it up to "it didn't concern me" or "I can't control other people's actions".

Sesshomaru could feel the lecture coming before it came out of his mouth. The concerned look that Toga didn't bother to hide said it all.

"Son, I know I am no one to talk, but I wish I had taken in account everyone else's feelings before I made my decisions. I only cared about how I felt, and not about who I hurt in the process. I only wish to help teach you the lessons I had to learn the hard way."

Yes, he remembered how everything between his father and mother went down. It wasn't that different than what was going on with him and Kagura. Toga spent many nights staying late at the university, while he was a professor. Eventually, those nights he spent working turned into nights with his TA, Inuyasha's mother. When his mother found out, she put on a good act, but he heard her cry alone at night for months it felt like. For the longest he resented his father for doing that to his mother. It was one of the reasons he didn't want to be anything like him, but better.

"I've done nothing with Kikyo since she's been here, and I don't plan on doing anything with her later. Naraku has even informed me that she may be moving to another floor as someone else's secretary."

"I see, I will give you the benefit of the doubt. Are you going to come away with the family to the resort after the Christmas party? It's only a few months away, I already booked a room for you and Kagura. I know she'll be attending, and her flight was already purchased with your mothers. I just haven't purchased yours because I know how you can be about what days you can stay."

The dreaded family holiday trip. This is something they just recently started doing once both his mother and Inuyasha's mother could be in the same room. Growing up, the holidays were always difficult because each woman wanted to have everyone over, including Toga. Since Toga felt guilty about what he did to Mitsuya, he never became spiteful and tried his best to make sure she wasn't left behind or forgotten. Izayoi was never resentful, and tried her best to get along with Mitsuya, but she held onto her anger for a long time. This was the one time they agreed to spend together and that would account for all the holidays for the year so there was no animosity towards the other. Kagura loved it, and whatever girl Inuyasha had at the time loved it. Sesshoumaru, not so much.

"I'll worry about my own ticket once I figure out the dates." He wasn't actually going to worry about it at all. He was going to wait as long as possible to find work that gives him a reason to either not go or to keep him here majority of the time opposed to over there.

"Why don't you just make things simple? Very well, the food is here, let's eat. I know you have that meeting with Mr. Hirigashi after this. Let's not make you late."

{…}

"Sesshomaru, it's good to see you! I hear you're doing great down there in the corporate law world." Mr. Hirigashi was an older man in his 60s. His brown hair was turning white and the wrinkles were getting deeper along his face. This year would be his 30th year with the company, he recalled the anniversary party they threw him.

"What can I do for you Mr. Hirigashi?" Even though he was considered superior to him, he'd always address him as Mr. It's been a habit since he was a child, and anything else just didn't sound right to him.

"I have a divorce case that I'd like for you to work on with me as a GAL."

"GAL? You have a whole staff up here trained in family law, why do you want me to do it?"

"At one point in time you would have jumped at the opportunity. Don't forget you started and trained in family law."

"Yes, that was long ago, now I'm in corporate law, where I am a very busy man. I don't mean to be rude, but I must object to this offer."

The aging man sighed shaking his head at Sesshomaru, "What can I do, to convince you otherwise? I need a man I can trust, and sometimes I feel these lawyers only care about the money not clients."

"On second thought..." Kikyo crossed his mind suddenly. This would be a great opportunity for her, and a way for him to ease their tension, "I have a secretary who is studying to become a family attorney. If you get permission from the parties involved that she can assist the case as an observer, for learning purposes, then I will take your case."

"Ah yes, Ms. Hatake. Naraku has been telling me about her and how well she has been doing down there with you. Apparently, he's trying to move her around. Do you know why that is? If she's doing such a good job for you, why would you want to let her go?"

"I believe there's just a misunderstanding on Naraku's part. That we can settle at a later date. So, are we agreed on per the terms?"

"I find it very interesting, your terms, but I am willing to accept. I'm interested in what Ms. Hatake has to offer, especially if there's a chance she will be moving. Who knows? Maybe I can convince her to ditch a stubborn dog like you."

"I can most definitely assure you, Kikyo will not be leaving my services any time soon."

The old man laughed and stroked the long white beard he was sporting, "We shall see my friend. I will get with the clients and have them sign all the appropriate forms if they agree. In the meantime, I will have everything I have dropped off to your desk for you to review."

"Don't try to trick me. Just because you're sending me these files before confirmation of Kikyo's allowance, doesn't mean I'll stay on if they reject."

He laughed once more still tugging at his beard, "You're quite the stickler, aren't you? I will make sure Ms. Hatake has a spot on this case."

Not one for farewells, he gave a small nod to Mr. Hirigashi and made his way back down to his own floor. Naraku was at Kikyo's desk pestering her as usual, he didn't have to worry about Naraku. Kikyo would never have any interest in him, or so it seemed like it, hopefully.

"You should let me take you out sometime. I would make it worth your while," Naraku licked his lips lustfully as he said the last sentence.

It made Sesshomaru sick in his stomach to see Naraku gawk at her openly like that. Had he no sense of respect for himself or Kikyo. He was close enough now to put a hand on Naraku's shoulder, giving it a tighter squeeze than warranted, "I'm sure her answer is no, but if she would like to continue this conversation with you, she can on your guys' own time. For now, Kikyo I need to see you in my office."

Naraku ripped his shoulder from Sesshomaru's grip, eyeing him with malice, "You're right. I have employee allocations to move around."

Sesshomaru knew he was talking about moving Kikyo. It was the way he said it though that caught Sesshomaru's attention, as if he knew it would affect Sesshomaru and it wasn't what he wanted. He wanted to know more, but for now he'd focus on his conversation with Kikyo before delving into that. He helped guide Kikyo into his office and he could feel Naraku's eyes on him.

He motioned Kikyo on the couch where he sat next to her. He didn't care that she seemed opposed to that, or that she tried to move away. He gave her no room to get far, he purposefully sat close to her.

"I have an opportunity for you Kikyo. I'm offering this on the condition that you stay with me until you graduate school and pass the bar. That we resume studying for the bar. Then I want you to consider working at the firm under my services."

"What are you talking about?" She hadn't the slightest idea where he was coming from.

"I'm working on a family law case as a GAL. I'm allowed to have an assistant on the case if the client agrees. Pending that agreement, would that be something you can agree to?"

She wasn't sure what he meant by his terms, but she was too excited to question him about it. She was going to get actual case time in family law before having her degree or holding any legal position. Her anger for him was still there, but her career was more important than any "lovers" quarrel. "Yes, I'd love too. When will you find out if the client agrees?"

Sesshomaru was relieved she agreed, "I should know within the next few days, and I will let you know immediately. So, you're not going to leave me?"

"Leave you? What are you talking about?" She had this horrible feeling in her gut now. Did something happen between them that she didn't remember?

"I was told you requested to be moved to a different floor as someone else's secretary."

"Moved? I never requested anything like that?"

Sesshomaru could feel his blood boiling. How did Naraku know about his fight with Kikyo that he'd be able to pretend it was her request without him questioning it? Sesshomaru cracked his neck on one side and let out a deep breath to calm his nerves.

"I guess it was a misunderstanding, send in Naraku on your way out."

"Mr. Taisho?"

"Yes?"

"This doesn't change anything. I'm still upset with you, and I don't want you to take this as me forgiving you for tricking me."

"I see." His plan to stay away from her was out the door now, but he was positive this would only help to make things better between them.

Not even ten minutes went by and Naraku was walking into his office with his usual smug look on his face. It enraged Sesshomaru even more, but he remained poised and collected.

"Naraku, I've just got done chatting with Kikyo about an opportunity working with Mr. Hirigashi on a case of his. It was interesting that Mr. Hirigashi was receiving correspondence from you about Kikyo and her skills, yet Kikyo wasn't aware of the fact she had a "request" to be moved from my services. Would you care to shed any light on that?"

Naraku hadn't figured Sesshomaru would go prying about it. He usually let Naraku do as he pleased in moving around the help, without his permission, as long as it wasn't the attorney's. He raised an eyebrow to Sesshomaru, "I didn't think it mattered that much for you to confirm."

"Naraku, you can either tell me or I can have your computer files backed up by IT and your phone records backtracked this moment to find out."

Naraku pretended to weigh out his options to annoy Sesshomaru even more than he already was, "Fine. If you must know, it was a request put in by your wife, Kagura. She called me asking that Kikyo be moved because she was sure Kikyo was trying to seduce you."

Kagura. Kagura. Had he heard him right? Kagura had requested one of his employees to move another of his employees because she was insecure and untrusting of him. How humiliating. "Naraku, did my wife hire you on at this firm?"

"No…" he didn't know where this was going.

"Then I suggest you don't take orders from her, unless I explicitly say so. You will stop this search to move Kikyo, and you have your hiring and placement privileges revoked as of now. This is my office, and you report to me. Don't forget that. You may go."

Naraku growled under his breath as he walked out. Who did Sesshomaru think he was bossing him around like that? Taking away his privileges. This wasn't a total loss though, there was one common denominator in this mess. Kikyo. Sesshomaru was a simple man, and it was easy to see Kikyo was more than just an employee. He wasn't sure that nothing has happened yet between the two, but he wondered why was that. Had Kikyo not allowed it or had Sesshomaru not tried anything? From that moment on, he'd know everything about the two and their relationship. Plus, as far as he was concerned, he wanted Kikyo for himself.

Naraku stopped at Kikyo's desk, "You're so mistreated in this place. I promise one day; I'll make it all better." Without another word, he walked away. Kikyo shuddered at the thought of what he'd do to make it better.

She got up from her desk, quietly entering the office of the man she worked for, "This was dropped off for you moments ago."

To no surprise to Sesshomaru it was from Mr. Hirigashi, Kikyo was approved to work on the divorce case with him. Looking through the paperwork, he realized why Mr. Hirigashi requested him. It was his son's divorce, and instead of involving another attorney knowing his business, he wanted Sesshomaru to act as the non-conflicting party for his grandchildren considering their history with each other. Mr. Hirigashi had been Sesshoumaru's GAL during his parents' divorce.

{..}

As soon as Sesshomaru made it home he headed straight for the bedroom where he knew Kagura would be. She was coming out of the bathroom and smiling at him, getting ready to welcome him home. Before she could even speak he was quickly on her, forcing her into the wall by his sudden ascent.

"Oooh, kinky. I like it." She teased.

He wasn't having it, "Shut your mouth woman. I'm not here to play your little games. What right do you think you have to order Naraku to move Kikyo? Does it make you feel better to undermine my authority at my law firm? To try an humiliate me in front of my untrustworthy employees?"

Kagura's eyes were wide with fear, he's never been hostile with her before, "Humiliate? Sesshom-"

"Silence. I haven't done anything woman, and you know that. Requesting her to be moved might as well been you telling Naraku you don't trust me around her if you felt she must be moved. I don't care if you think Kikyo was trying to seduce me, I don't care if that is actually the case. You don't interfere with my work, and you let me handle whatever happens in my office on my own. You've been more than treated well in the last five years. I'm disgusted this is how you act."

She tried to reach out to stroke his face, but he jerked away from her touch. He wasn't upset that Kagura didn't trust him, he was upset Kagura was almost the catalyst in Kikyo leaving him. He was already sacrificing the intimacy his body yearned for from her, he would not sacrifice the mental stimulation and comfort she gave him by being near.

"I'm going to sleep in the den tonight. You'd be wise not to bother me." He could hear her crying out to him as he left her there on the ground sobbing.

{…}

Kikyo opened her door to see a surprise visitor lounging on her couch browsing through a magazine he most likely found on her coffee table. His visit was a surprise but she knew who he was.

"Koga… what… how did you get in here?"

The wolf demon turned to look at her, causing his black ponytail to swing around dramatically, "Oh, hey Kikyo. I'm just waiting on the guys upstairs."

"Guys?" Kikyo looked up to her second level loft where her room was. She saw her bathroom light on and could hear voices, but couldn't pin point who it was.

One of them rushed to the railing to scream down at her, "Hey Kikyo! Long time no see! Sango let us in!"

Kikyo's head dropped in defeat. Sango. She should have never given her a key. She looked back up to the man upstairs looking down at her, "Miroku, who is up there with you?"

"Sango, Kagome and Hojo."

Kikyo started to storm up her stairs, "Miroku go wait downstairs. Sango. Kagome. What are you guys doing?"

Kikyo walked into her bathroom to see Kagome and Sango washing Hojo's hair underneath the shower rod. Her bathroom counter had brownish-red markings everywhere, there were towels propped on the floor, and products were scattered messily everywhere. The biggest indicator Kagome was involved.

Kagome didn't look up from washing Hojo's head, "We are experimenting. We convinced Hojo to let us dye his hair red."

Kikyo glared evilly at Kagome's back and then to Sango who was shrugging her shoulders and mouthing an apology, "Why are you not doing this in the downstairs bathroom? Actually, why are you even here to being with?"

Kagome turned off the shower and grabbed a towel to start aggressively rubbing out Hojo's hair, "I don't know. This is just where we ended up. Don't worry, I will clean everything up."

Kikyo sighed in defeat and went back downstairs with the other two, "Why don't you guys stick up for yourself and stop letting Kagome boss you around? I mean this can't possibly be something fun for you?"

Both men shrugged to one another. They just liked being around the girls, so it didn't matter to them what they got into. Koga wrapped an arm around Kikyo's shoulders and leaned into her to whisper, "I'm just glad I can see you."

Kikyo felt the heat rush to her face. What was Koga doing? She pushed him off, "Why are you being weird?"

Miroku laughed at Koga who crashed into the floor, "He's always weird Kikyo, that shouldn't surprise you."

"I just want all you guys to leave my apartment, I've been working nonstop lately, I don't have time for games."

The rest of the group started down the stairs to join the others. Hojo was still drying his hair with a towel, and holding his finger up matter-of-factly, "Actually, that's why we are here Kikyo. You need to have some fun. Sango brought some games, Kagome lots of alcohol, and us guy's the food. We are going to have so much fun it'll last you days."

Kikyo couldn't believe what she was hearing. This was the last thing she wanted, but knowing them, they weren't going to leave now. They were already in the apartment, and trying to kick them out would be next to impossible. She would have no choice but to participate. It couldn't be that bad, right?

Throughout the night Kikyo noticed Koga was interested in her more than usual when they hung around. He laughed at every joke she made, he was always looking at her, offering to get her wine and food, and more odd things. When she noticed Sango leave to the kitchen she got up to join her.

"Do you think we could talk out on the balcony? Please?"

"Uh, sure, let me just pour some more wine."

Sango didn't get the full pour she hoped as she stared helplessly at her glass. Kikyo rushed her out of the kitchen onto her balcony, closing the door behind them. "Kikyo, what is your deal?"

"What is Koga's deal? He's been acting weird towards me all day?"

Sango choked on her wine, "Oh that…" Kikyo suddenly got the feeling she knew everything about it. In fact, was the mastermind behind it.

"Sango, what did you tell Koga?"

"Ok, hear me out Kikyo, before you get upset. I know you haven't been telling me exactly everything, but I know that you've been crushing on your boss big time. I know that when you casually told me about his wife, you were devastated. Sure, you may have not admitted anything to me, but I think I know you well enough to catch on. Look, he's married, and I know you know that. But I don't think you understand what that means for you. You won't let it go anywhere with him, but you won't let it go anywhere with anyone else either. Come Koga. I told him he should try to get to know you. That maybe you'd be interested in him. Nothing serious maybe just something you both can do and confide in each other with. You're so busy and so overworked, and so sexually frustrated. Don't lie. I've read that porno you drafted by "accident". Let Koga be there for you to relieve some of that stress. Sometimes it's easier to let loose with someone who isn't close like Kagome or me."

Kikyo was lost for words. Sango had just arranged a sexual bargain with the very same wolf demon, both her and Kagome had a thing with. Was she crazy? "Sango, what is your problem? I can't get involved with him. He's already been involved with you and Kagome."

"Don't worry, neither of us care. Plus, like I said, he isn't wanting anything serious and knows you don't either. Just give him a chance, one date."

Kikyo rubbed her temples, "Sango, I don't want to get involved with Koga…"

"Well I already gave him your cell number and he's coming out here right now, so too late."

Sango squeezed passed Koga back inside as he was coming out. Kikyo cursed Sango under her breath and smiled oddly at Koga. He rubbed his arm shyly, "Uh, I know Sango probably told you what she did. Uh… I don't want this to be awkward. I'm ok with you not wanting to do anything sexual, but I'm here if you need to talk. I am a good listener, and honestly I've always been into you. But you always seemed not interested in having a relationship with anyone."

Kikyo was dreading this conversation. This was beyond humiliating, and she felt like she had enough of being humiliated this year. "Koga, I don't think this is a good idea."

"Kikyo don't worry about it. Like I said, we don't have to do anything. I'd like to get to know you and to chat about anything you'd like. You can even complain to me about other men, I'll be here. One day you'll know that or one day you won't. I'm a grown man, I can handle it.

She let out a disapproving sigh, "I have an even better idea. You can hang around here as you'd like. We can go for lunch and coffee, or not, whatever. But it means nothing. We will do nothing. I just want you to keep up the ruse with me so that Sango and Kagome believe it and back off. My main priority is work and school. As long as you abide by that, then I don't mind your company"

Koga grinned ear to ear, "Yes, I'll be there, any time any day. No take backs! Let's go inside and have some more fun."