Never before had Sesshoumaru regretted a decision so much in his life. So much in fact, that he briefly contemplated dragging his secretary away from this place—several times. But no, apparently, the gods were not so kind. Instead, he sat and endured the conversation between his father and secretary.

"And then, she warned me that he was gay. As if I'd care about such a thing."

Laughter erupted at the table and all Sesshoumaru could do was narrow his eyes in warning at the vixen before him. Yet even his warning was ignored, or unnoticed. Either way, the woman continued to joke with his father and drink yet another beer.

"She didn't! How scandalous!"

Yes, yes. How scandalous indeed.

Sesshoumaru fought the urged to roll his eyes at how friendly the two had become. Apparently, the business meeting was now one of gossip. Or, at least one of entertainment pertaining to his last secretary. Still, the laughter from father, and giggles from Kagome continued nonetheless.

"Oh, it gets better!"

Could he drag her away now? Would it be too much a scene? Would father prevent him from such an action? Begrudgingly, Sesshoumaru admitted that none of those actions would be acceptable. At least not by his father. Having approached such a revelation, he reluctantly allowed both of the parties to laugh at his expense. For now.

"She actually gave me words of wisdom in the form of, don't try to bed him."

Perhaps, she had expected more laughter from her father, or even a chuckle from himself. Yet, none of those things happened. Instead of the laughter that had followed his father all night, only a small snort surfaced—with a knowing twinkle in his eye. Sesshoumaru all but glared in annoyance when their gazes locked and Inu Tashio raised his brows in amusement. Apparently, Higurashi finally caught on to the sudden change of atmosphere, for she looked at both of the individuals with the deer in the headlights look.

"I didn't mean—"

Turning his attention to the woman beside him, he waited for her justification and explanation. She didn't mean to what? Now this should most definitely prove to be a source of amusement. Smirking at such a thought, he allowed her to finish her thoughts.

"I like my job, and I would never risk it like that. Or insult you by throwing myself at you—"

The scent of embarrassment nearly over covered her normal one of jasmine, and with that thought, he interrupted her ramblings.

"Insult me?"

Perhaps his voice was too smooth, or too suggestive. Whatever it was, it just made the raven-haired beauty blush harder. Watching her, he all but smiled as she closed her eyes in embarrassment, and attempted to calm herself down. Once more, his actions did not go unnoticed by father. Still, Sesshoumaru ignored the suggestive looks that the pack leader was displaying. He would deal with him later.

"Uhhhh."

It appeared that Kagome Higurashi had no coherent words to justify the awkward situation that she had placed herself in. Insult him? Truly? Surely, she did not mean such a thing. What part would have insulted him? Her natural beauty? Her wits? The sass of the woman? Or perhaps her enticing appearance—and scent?

Obviously, the woman was delusional for such a thought.

"Can I get another beer, pleeeese?"

The mild slurring of her words quickly drew his attention to her. Sniffing her scent, he mentally reprimanded himself for not paying better attention to her alcohol intake. The woman was clearly intoxicated—not tipsy, dizzy or on the way to being drunk…but definitely already there. In fact, it wasn't until now that he noticed her struggle to keep her balance on the chair that she sat in, or the constant swaying of her head. As if reading his thoughts, father interjected.

"Well, this dinner has been nothing short of pleasant, but I suppose it is time to take my leave. Do behave—both of you."

The way he gave Kagome a playful smile only resulted in renewed irritation at their almost instantly formed friendship. Yet again, his secretary ignored the clear look of disapproval on his face and let out a giggle at the suggestion of his father. As father stood from his chair, a beep of his phone caused him to freeze. Clicking at a few buttons, his brows furrowed.

"Kagome dear, you live right outside of Tokyo, correct?"

When the young woman allowed a rather enthusiastic nod, Inu Tashio frown while all but lost in his thoughts.

"Where are you staying then? With the flood warnings and all taking place in your residential area."

Inu Tashio had said it so nonchalantly, that for a moment, even Sesshoumaru's thoughts did not click at the issue at hand. It wasn't until his secretary voiced her confusion that the issue registered in his mind. Floods. Grabbing his phone off the table, he glanced at the weather app. Sure enough, a flood warning for her area was in effect.

"Oh, I'll be fine. What's the worst that could happen?"

The naïve secretary had said it in such a carefree and intoxicated manner that both Sesshoumaru and Inu Tashio narrowed their eyes at her in worry. Worst that could happen? Drowning? Death? Vehicle collisions? The possibilities could go on and on, at least for humans.

"Kagome Higurashi!"

The scolding tone in father's voice even surprised Sesshoumaru with how much emotion it held. Reprimand, worry, and need for protection all laced in his words—something that was all too familiar to him. The tone of an alpha, one whom was protecting his pack. Unable to control himself, he waited for fathers demand. Sure enough, it was voiced rather quickly.

"Sesshoumaru."

Words did not need to be spoken, but his name was used as an announcement nonetheless. Nodding curtly at fathers demands, he turned his gaze to swaying vixen. Oddly enough, he was not at all unpleased by such demands.

"I shall ensure her safety, father."

While his tone held one of mild annoyance, it was not due to the fact that the vixen would once more be residing in his home, but pertained more to the fact that he had somehow nearly placed the woman in unknown danger. Danger of weather, but it was danger nonetheless. For humans, almost everything could result in their demise. A thought that not sit well with him at all. Especially pertaining to her.

"At this point, I may as well just move into your house, Sesshoumaru-sama." The childish woman had said the statement in a manner of annoyance and pouting, but if anything, it merely addressed the fact that the alcohol in her body was beginning to take effect. Without the effect of the alcohol, he was sure that his secretary would never have said such a thing. Shaking his head at her inability to consume alcohol, he ignored the curious look coming from father.

"Yes, how annoying it must be for you to deal with my constant requirement of your safety, Higurashi."

When the woman snorted at his response, father merely chuckled.

"Move in, huh. I suppose that tale shall be for another day?"

Father did not need to ask the question that was clearly in his mind. They had both heard it. This was obviously not the first time the his secretary had resided in his home. But not at all in the way that father suggested. Still, he had to have known. He had to have smelled it. Her innocent. So why make such a suggestion?

Unknown to him, he would soon find out.