Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha or any of the other character. They're Rumiko Takahashi's.
Chapter 5
Last time:
Sesshomaru smiled down at her, enjoying her attentions to his hair, yet a little dumbfounded at the depth of her words. She just seemed wise beyond her years. "I trust you too, Reiku. And I will not allow anyone else to harm you. I want you to trust me to that as well, which is why I would like you to know a very special secret of mine. Reizo Daiginkeiko is a name I use for business. My real name, a very big secret that I'm trusting you with, is Sesshomaru."
"I will wait alone until you come, Ses-sho-maru-sama, please return," Reiku sang softly. She smiled again and added, "Now the song makes sense. Thank you, Sesshomaru-sama, for coming."
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Later that evening, Sesshomaru tucked Reiku into her bed at the home, then wandered aimlessly through the halls thinking on all that had happened that day. He had much to do regarding Reiku's paperwork, and even more since he now determined to adopt the little girl. He had yet to ask her if this would please her, but he had no doubts that it would. He knew no one could take her by force, but he also wished to avoid any legal hassles concerning his caring for her.
"You know, I've heard rumors that you are a vicious, ruthless man who eats kids," a female voice said, startling him from his thoughts. "But judging by the time you spent with that little girl, I'd have to say that you either aren't really all that vicious and ruthless, or that you really do eat kids."
Sesshomaru glanced up, surprised to see the new woman sitting cross-legged in her swiveling chair and fanning herself absently with a folder. He couldn't help the detour his eyes took, traveling up the alluring length of legs, over her ruby painted lips that were twisted into a playful smirk, then eventually to her large, dark eyes that seemed to be laughing at him and admiring him at the same time.
His throat dried suddenly, and he had a very difficult time keeping his eyes from returning to the view they had previously been enjoying. Snarling at himself, he put several exclamation points beside his mental note to get out of the city for a while. He really did need rest, if he was starting to find human females attractive.
Summoning his fiercest scowl, he narrowed his eyes at her and said, "I am afraid both judgments are incorrect, though I can say that obnoxious new secretaries do tend to disappear when they jump to conclusions and run their mouths."
She grinned at him, uncrossed, then crossed her legs again and replied, "Well, good thing I'm not new."
Sesshomaru blinked at her, his mind still replaying the movement of her legs while he mentally underlined that note to himself. Taking his silence for confusion, she went on.
"I've worked for you for over year, in one of your corporate offices. I've just been transferred to the home."
Sesshomaru nodded, wondering how this woman still had a head much less a job for all the disrespect she had shown him. Only Kagome could get away with that, and that was because she was, well, Kagome. There was no explaining that anomaly. He had to put a stop to this behavior.
He narrowed his eyes at her and said, "Come, perhaps I should take extra time to remind you of how I expect my employees to conduct themselves around me."
"Is that a date, Mr. Daiginkeiko?" she asked coyly.
He blinked, and replied, "Date is not exactly the word I would choose, woman. I believe I also need to instruct you in the meaning of what working here is entirely about." Wait, that didn't come out right either.
"Oh I see, well, I'd love to take you up on that offer, but I'm afraid I already have other engagements for this evening. How about Friday? I'm free right after work," the woman told him, spinning around in her chair to make a note on a slip of paper.
Sesshomaru stifled a growl. How had things gotten so far out of his control? "I care not for your other engagements, woman. If you wish to keep your job, you will accompany me tonight. This is a training session on your presentation to outsiders entering the building and respect to your employer. You will conclude whatever duties you have left to perform for the evening and join me for your training immediately."
The woman pursed her lips and tapped the folder she had been using to fan herself to her chin. She swept her eyes over him in an appraising look and said, "Maika, not woman. Hmm, a very forceful and dominant personality, though. I like it. Couldn't see you any other way. And I accept your invitation. I'll call my friend and tell her I won't be coming because my boss is making me 'work late.'"
"You are working late," Sesshomaru felt the sudden need to point out. This was NOT a date.
Maika rolled her eyes, and said, "Yes, yes of course. Now, let me just grab my purse."
Sesshomaru arched an eyebrow. He may not have been a secretary, ever, but he knew they usually had to do a few things to close out the day. How had she ever been hired?
She must have noticed because she went on to explain, "Oh, I finished my shift hours ago. I was instructed to wait for you to return the kid It isn't my place to go against orders."
Maika caught his eye and quirked a half-smile as she winked at him. Sesshomaru started inwardly, but kept his frigid mask in place. Had she just winked at him! Nobody, least of all humans, ever winked at him.
"The live in staff would have been able to offer the girl any assistance she might have needed. I have no need for anyone to wait for my return. You have no obligations to remain after your shift," Sesshomaru informed her.
"But then I wouldn't have gotten to see your handsome face again," she told him blithely.
She thinks of this Sesshomaru as handsome? Sesshomaru immediately thought, then remembered what an inappropriate comment that had been. Hmph, she is not the first mortal to have thought so, and I have cast their frivolous interests all aside, as I will hers.
He opened his mouth to tell her as such, when she laughed, a pleasant sound that made his throat go dry again, and said, "Sorry, couldn't resist. As I had said, one of the night staff asked me if I could watch the front desk for a while until you came in with the girl. They had planned on having a movie night for some of the kids, and the only one who knew how to set up the equipment was the employee who does the night watch at the front desk. I am certain they were not aware how long it would take for your return or I'm sure they would have told me to go home hours ago."
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The sky was dark, and somewhere beyond the sickly orange glow of the city lights Sesshomaru knew the stars were shining. It figured that when he needed their comfort most, they were hidden. His hand strayed up to the fur he could not see or feel, and he bit back a sigh.
He had been walking for five minutes now beside Maika and had not said a word. The sidewalks were relatively empty, which meant there was no one for Sesshomaru to vent his frustrations on. He had tried glaring at a trash can, a parking meter and even the sidewalk, but it just wasn't the same without the spike of fear and the rush to move out of his way.
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye again, assuring himself that he was merely trying to assess her character and not admiring her soft curves, long, slender legs, the subtle sway of her hips as she moved along with a grace almost equal to his. She was tall, as well. Taller than any mortal female he had run across, yet she was still an enticing four or five inches shorter than himself, just tall enough for him to bury his nose in her thick, dark hair and wrap his arms around her...
Sesshomaru clenched his fist and jerked his eyes back to the front. He was doing it again. How disgraceful, to have such thoughts about a mortal woman after all these years. No matter how much he had had to adapt to this mortal-dominated world, he had always justified the changes by promising to never follow his father's mistake. And up until this woman crossed him, he had been doing a damn good job of it.
Of their own accord his eyes drifted back to her. He smirked, noticing her gaze lingering on his body as well, when she thought he wasn't looking. They passed a bar and Sesshomaru almost stopped, but caught himself. If anything would give her the impression that this was a date, going for alcohol in a downtown bar certainly would.
He spotted his favorite coffee shop across the street, cleaning up for the night, but with a few lingering customers at the counter.
"Coffee!" he barked out in relief.
Maika started and looked around, a little confused. "Coffee?"
"Yes, come. If I must forego the comforts of my own home and a quiet evening to instruct you in the proper professionalism befitting an employee of any of my companies or organizations, then I will at least have something soothing to drink," he told her, reveling in having thrown her off balance for once, and stepped out into the street.
A passing car screeched to a stop and the driver honked. Sesshomaru looked at the driver, and the honking ceased. So he hadn't lost his touch. Then why didn't Maika seem to be affected? He looked back to see her standing on the sidewalk, her mouth open and a hand pressed against her heart.
He turned to face her completely and said, "Come along. I do not wish to be uptown all night."
She blinked at him, and relaxed a little. "You know there are safer ways to cross the street. Didn't your mother ever teach you to look both ways for traffic?"
Sesshomaru shrugged and extended a hand to her. "It stopped, didn't it. Now hurry, I do not wish to test the driver's patience."
Maika laughed softly and accepted his hand with a very flattering blush. "Only Reizo Daiginkeiko would be able to stop traffic just because he wanted to cross the street."
Sesshomaru gave her a feral smile. "Oh, yes. I always get what I want."
He could feel her shiver through the contact with her hand as he led her the rest of the way to the coffee shop.
"So, is that lesson number one then, on respecting my employer? Never tell him no," she asked, withdrawing her hand and gracefully passing through the door he held open for her.
"I'm glad to see you are a quick learner," he said in all seriousness as he followed her inside.
The girl working dropped her rag and moved behind the counter when they walked in. She salvaged a weary smile, glanced at the clock, then managed a bland, "What will you have tonight, sir?"
They placed their orders, then took their teas to a table way in the back. Maika took a sip, let out a sigh and said, "God, I love tea. Just the smell of it is calming."
"Indeed," Sesshomaru agreed. He took a sip, but held back the contented sigh. "Now, that is the perfect starting point for your training. You, as an employee and a face to the public of the home should be like this tea."
"Hot and steaming?" she asked immediately, hiding a smile behind another sip. He glared at her and she added, "Sorry, but you were really asking for that one."
"Perhaps," he conceded, though he didn't smile. He was too wrapped up in watching hers. The way her lips parted slightly to show just a hint of her white teeth. "However, calming is the adjective I was referring to as I am sure you were well aware."
She nodded to show she was listening.
"When people come to you for help, for answers, for any of the services the home provides, you are the first face they will see, the first voice they will hear, and as such it must be calming, authoritative and professional."
She nodded at his list then said, "So basically the very opposite of you. Got it."
Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at her. "That, woman, is the very type of attitude that will cost you your job."
Maika gave him a very formal bow, averting her eyes politely and said, "Many pardons, Daiginkeiko-sama. I will most humbly accept your instruction and refrain from creating any unnecessary interruptions. This lowly secretary is undeserving of your kindness in dealing with her most impolite behavior."
She looked up once she had done and said, "Don't worry, your company image is in good hands. I know how to be polite. I also know when to loosen up and have fun, something that I do not think you are at all capable of, Mr. Daiginkeiko."
Sesshomaru straightened, his face hard. "That is precisely correct. So now that you are aware of this, you will conduct yourself in a more proper manner during your shift, and as your employer, you will show me the respect due. Is this understood?"
Maika's eyes flashed. "Why you pompous ass! As a little quirk your arrogance is rather endearing, but what you have is some full-blown god-complex and it is worse than annoying, Mr. Daiginkeiko, it's childish and crass."
Maika took a deep sip of her tea, then closed her eyes as though reining in her temper. "I keep trying to believe there is more to you than that since that little girl seems so taken with you," she muttered under her breath, though Sesshomaru's superior hearing caught every word. "But maybe I was wrong."
There was an awkward silence as they both steamed at one another. Finally, Sesshomaru looked down at the table and said, "You amaze me, woman. It is simply incomprehensible that you still have a job after what you have said to my face. Your predecessor lost her job for speaking much less behind my back."
"Maika. And coming from someone as arrogant as you, I'll take that as a compliment. And you know, I've quit jobs for much less than how you've treated me. I guess we're just amazing people, huh?"
The young man, who had been sitting at the counter, was now leaning against it to flirt with the girl behind the counter. His murmured words and her shy giggles filled the brief silence. Then suddenly, Sesshomaru roared with laughter. The young man jolted back to sit in his chair, but missed and ended up in a surprised heap on the floor. A stack of paper cups joined him because the girl had knocked it down when she jumped in surprise.
Maika's hands contracted at the unexpected reaction from Sesshomaru, crushing her cup and spilling the hot tea all over her hand. She cried out softly and jerked her hand back. Sesshomaru fell silent as he noticed her nursing the hand and biting one of her ruby lips to hold back tears. He had forgotten how delicate humans were.
Wordlessly, he reached out and took her hand, gently inspecting the red flesh. He was surprised and pleased with the texture of her skin, like a fine silk. He resisted the urge to lift the delicate appendage to his nose and inhale her scent.
Maika blushed at the contact and forced a smile. "Silly me, I should be more careful."
Sesshomaru felt his own cheeks warm as her words brought his attention back to the contact he still had with her hand. Not wanting her to see this sudden weakness, yet not quite willing to relinquish her hand, he stood up abruptly and dragged her towards the counter.
He felt a little bad when she had to struggle to keep up with his sudden movement and loosened his grip to make sure he did not harm her on accident. It amazed him further that such a strong spirit thrived in such a delicate form. His protective instincts flared, fueled by her pain, however slight, from the hot liquid, and he snapped at the woman behind the counter for a sink in which to bathe the wound. The girl pointed to the restroom.
"I'm okay, Mr. Daiginkeiko," Maika protested shyly as he pushed open the bathroom door and proceeded to drag her into the small, dimly lit room and hold her hand beneath a stream of cold water. He was not sure what help it would be having never had to deal with injury much thanks to his healing abilities, but if her hand had been harmed by a hot liquid it was only logic that a cooler one would relieve it.
"Really, I'm fine. I was more startled than anything," she insisted. "Thank you, though."
Sesshomaru turned off the water, but still did not release her hand. She smiled a little and looked up at him, while he kept his eyes averted from hers. "Your gratitude is not needed. This-I was simply seeing to the well-being of an employee."
He abruptly let her hand drop, surprised at the sense of loss he felt. He could feel her laughing eyes on him as she said, "No wonder you don't ever relax and have fun if you give this kind of dedication to all of your employees."
Sesshomaru stifled a growl and moved swiftly out of the restroom. Maika followed, radiating her amusement. How did a mortal woman get to him so? This evening had gone from inconvenient to disturbing in a hurry, yet worst of all, he was not looking forward to it ending.
Maika retrieved her purse from the table and tossed her cup into the trash. "Well, thank you for the training session, and the first aid. I guess I'll see you at the home tomorrow then."
Sesshomaru was not about to allow this woman to dictate this evening's schedule. Stepping in front of her, he opened the door for her, then followed her out. He shook his head as his eyes settled on her hips and he felt a very adolescent impulse to reach out and touch.
"Indeed, I shall give you another chance to prove yourself, however I must insist on walking you home as it is dark," he told her as he fell into step beside her.
She glanced up at him, arching a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, and said, "How chivalric."
"I would not like my generosity wasted were you to be maimed or killed and unable to come in to work tomorrow. It would be a waste of time to train another secretary," Sesshomaru told her.
Her eyes flashed and she turned to rant at him, but stopped when she noticed the smirk and amusement Sesshomaru allowed to show on his own face. Her anger dissolved and she just shook her head.
"I'm a big girl, Mr. Daiginkeiko," she told him. She lifted a hand to finger her necklace and smiled a little smugly. "I'll be fine walking home. Trust me. No one could lay a hand on me if I didn't wish for it."
At that moment a sudden gust of wind swept down the street and seemed to swirl protectively around the woman as she spoke, then died down to a cool whisper as she fell silent. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes in suspicion. That had seemed a bit much for coincidence. He subtly sniffed her, as though reassuring himself that she was indeed human. The youkai chuckled softly at his own thoughts.
He smirked and arched an eyebrow questioningly at her. She looked up and quickly added, "I've had a self defense course or two where I learned a few tricks on how to handle assailants."
He shook his head in disbelief. Such a delicate woman did not have a chance against a large mortal male, much less some youkai with ill intentions. Defense training! He would see to any defense she needed. Startled yet again by the thoughts his protective instincts roused, Sesshomaru added a "she is an employee after all" for his own reassurance.
As though sensing his skepticism, she sniffed. "No offense, but you seem like a more of an enticing target than me. I would be more worried about you walking around by yourself late at night. Expensive suit, polished shoes, proper grooming and that pretty-boy face just scream 'I'm a billionaire; come demand money at gunpoint.'"
At that Sesshomaru chuckled, a sound that mingled with a low growl, and a dangerous smile curled his lips. Maika shivered instinctively. "I've a few hidden talents as well," he told her in his even voice. "I am much more dangerous than I look."
He lifted his hand to touch the illusion charm as he spoke, as if hinting at the true power it concealed, though he knew he would be only one to understand the gesture.
"I see," she murmured.
They walked in silence for a little while until Maika stopped at the base of the stairs leading up to a nondescript apartment building. She fished her keys from her purse and turned to look him in the face.
"Well, this is my humble abode. Looks like we both made it safely. Do you want me wait with you till you get a cab or something?"
Sesshomaru shook his head. "It is a pleasant night. I shall enjoy a walk home."
"You live near this neighborhood?" she questioned, another half-smile forming a tempting red target for his own lips. "I always figured you for a luxury penthouse kind of guy."
Sesshomaru grunted and said, "And who says I'm not? I am capable of walking further than from my car to the door."
"Oh, I think you are very capable, Mr. Daiginkeiko," she told him in a rather sultry voice that did disturbingly pleasant things to his pulse and temperature. For a moment he started to lean in, then pulled back at the last second, looking out at the street. He thought he heard a disappointed sigh from Maika, but could not be certain as it was faint even to his hearing.
"Well, it was a pleasant evening. I will see you tomorrow," she said, pulling out the right key and putting one foot up on the step. Moving suddenly, as if it had taken a good deal of time to work up the nerve, Maika stretched up and planted a kiss on his cheek, then retreated just as quickly. She fled up the stairs and opened the door.
"Thanks for walking me home. Good evening," she told him, then vanished behind the door.
Sesshomaru stood there, his hand over the warmth from where her lips had touched. His heart was racing and he had a sudden difficulty in breathing. She had...kissed him! And he had liked it? Turning back in the direction he had come, Sesshomaru was grateful for the cool air that brought relief to his heated body.
All these years of such restraint, and he still had managed to fall for a mortal woman. He growled fiercely at the night, knowing somewhere an inu hanyou was probably laughing his ass off and his great and terrible father probably had a great and terrible smirk on his face. This was not good; he would not allow such feelings. Yet, it seemed a little late for that. His hand brushed his cheek and he couldn't help but smile. He had already allowed them.
Maika practically ran up the stairs to her floor and threw herself into her apartment. Her heart was pounding, and her legs seemed to be forgetting how to work properly. And all he'd done was insult her, then take care of her in his own warped way. He didn't even have the nerve to kiss her!
She touched her lips and smiled. Her whole body tingled just from the brief touch of his hand on hers. His grip on her arm had been like iron, giving her the impression that should the urge strike him he could snap it like a dry twig, yet at the same time it had been gentle, no more than a slight pressure and heat against her skin. She couldn't help the delighted shiver that passed through her. How she wouldn't mind to have those hands touch her in other ways!
Maika groaned and slid down her door to the floor, leaving her keys on the floor where they fell from her hand. Damn, he was hot! Maika could not remember when she had seen a such a beautiful man, and she had had a long time to observe men. With a sigh, she reached up and twisted the necklace around her neck. Instantly a breeze filled the room, as her eyes changed from dark brown to a brilliant red and the tapered tips of her ears appeared. She closed her eyes, relishing in the feel of her aura's presence again, and tapped her head against the door.
Why did he have to be a mortal! Sure, youkai were hard to meet in this day and age, but a mortal! And she had been the one instigate the whole thing. He had been checking her out, but she had made the first move to say something. It was hard to believe that someone as wealthy and good-looking as that would be so uptight around a woman. She had been able to fluster him with a simple crossing of her legs. That man definitely needed to loosen up.
Maika drew herself up to her feet and headed for the shower. She would need a cold one tonight. As she turned the spray on high and stepped out of her clothes, Maika couldn't shake Reizo from her thoughts. A mortal, though. Why couldn't he have been a youkai? Shrugging into the firm spray, she let the water wash through her long dark locks and over her body, appreciating the cold against her flushed skin.
Oh, well, she could enjoy him for a little while, anyways. Maybe help him to loosen up, have a little fun. Maika's ruby eyes glittered with joy at the prospect. Yes, and she knew the perfect place to get him to relax a little. All she needed was the help of a certain little girl, who had him wrapped around her finger.
Sesshomaru walked down the sidewalk almost in a haze. He did not notice the embracing couple he brushed between, nor did he hear their indignant shouts at his lack of manners. He had let a mortal woman kiss him. He still could not get over this, nor could he get that woman from his mind. A sudden surge of youkai aura did manage to draw him out of his musing. He halted and looked back in the direction he had come, almost wanting to go back and see her again.
He sighed and forced himself to continue. This city was full of youkai, many coming home and deactivating their concealment charms for the evening, yet he had to let a simple mortal woman catch his eye. Well, "let" did not seem an appropriate word, for he found he did not have much control over anything that woman said or did. She had practically led him about on a leash tonight, and he had not only allowed it, but encouraged it.
He growled at the night again. He needed to get home, take a very cold shower and go to sleep, where he could forget about her and all the turmoil she brought into his life. Yes, what he needed was some nice, peaceful rest.
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Sesshomaru rushed down the street. He was late, why he could not remember, but he knew that he urgently needed to be somewhere. He lifted his wrist to check his watch only to see the red stripes and the long, trailing sleeve of his old kimono. Disturbed, he looked around to see how all the humans were reacting, but to his surprise, they did not even appear to notice him. In fact, he could scarcely move for the throng of them that closed in around him.
Using his height advantage, Sesshomaru located his destination, the doorway to the home. Fighting his way through the humans, he finally burst through the door, slamming it shut behind. He inhaled deeply, frowning at the stench of human that covered him, but hesitated when he detected the most alluring and intoxicating smell.
He followed his nose to the front desk where Maika sat, typing on her computer. Her dark hair was swept up in an elegant twist that revealed her pale, slender neck which called to him like a piece of forbidden fruit. His body kindled in response, and he moved over to her. She stopped as he came around the desk and turned to face him. Her long legs crossed, causing the skirt to slide upwards and bare a tempting amount of her thigh.
"May I help you, Mr. Daiginkeiko?" she asked, but her voice was deep and husky with desire rather than light and playful.
He reached out and loosed her hair, moving closer to bury his nose in its feminine fragrance. His body burned hotter. She responded by moaning and running her hands over his chest, which had somehow become bare. Her touch sent icy heat sparking along his skin, and made him very aware of what was, in his opinion, her state of overdress. He moved his hands down her sides and back around to grip the firm flesh of her butt. She arched against him and began to trail feathery kisses up his neck and jaw.
Growling low, Sesshomaru lifted her and seated her on the desk, pressing himself between her thighs. The skirt slid up over her hips and he eagerly moved his hands to take advantage of the skin presented to him. Her body's response pleased him. Her back arched pressing the softness of her breasts against his own bare chest. He growled in irritation at the fabric that still separated them.
He moved back enough to get a good grip on her blouse to let his claws work their magic, while he bent to press his mouth to hers. He could not suppress a moan at the sensations that swept through him at the contact. Her tongue was warm and sweet, and she returned his fervor and then some. He couldn't breath, couldn't think, and didn't care. His centuries of schooled restraint vanished beneath the spell of her sweet lips, soft skin, and heavenly scent.
Sesshomaru jerked his claws through the fabric of her blouse, tearing it with ease...and received a face full of feathers.
Startled, Sesshomaru inhaled sharply, taking in a good deal of feathers as he did, and sat up. He coughed up the little white annoyances and thought, Feathers? He looked around for Maika, the desk and the rest of the home, only to find he was sitting up in the bed of his penthouse, amid a cloud of feathers, with the remains of his pillow gripped in his claws. The silk sheets had slid down his chest to pool around his hips and did little to hide the evidence of just how much he had been enjoying that dream.
Taking a deep breath, he willed his body back under control as he ran a hand through his long silver hair. That...that had been...wonderful, exciting, about time...his mind filled in automatically.
"Ridiculous," he said aloud. "This Sesshomaru will not succumb to the temptation of a mere mortal female."
Such dreams and reactions were easily attributed to simple lust. He was a male, after all, in his prime, and for a mortal she was not all that hard on the eyes. If any youkai female presented herself to him while in his demonic state, she would definitely realize he was a very fertile male. He was far from a celibate, unfamiliar with the pleasures of lustful encounters, though it had been since before his father's death, when he had come of age, that he had indulged with a female. However, after so many centuries he could hardly recall the encounter, or even if it had been pleasurable. His ego rose the occasion and quickly reassured him that it had at least been a good experience for the fortunate female.
Mere rutting was something that most youkai did to ease the pain of lust, however such base actions were beneath him as a lord. If he were to go to the great extent of searching for a female, it would result in a mating, not a simple and pathetic rutting. His long abstinence, though, had been more a result of his being a bit of a perfectionist when it came to females. Not just any bitch would be pleasured by him or gifted with his seed and permitted to carry his heir. The idea that this attitude might have had a little to do with driving away the interested modern females did not even occur to him. Though as he fought back the effects of that dream, he grudgingly admitted that maybe it had been a very long time.
Not quite as comforted as he had hoped by this inner debate, Sesshomaru got up, took another icy shower and prepared to for work. He left a little less eager than usual to make his usual visit to the home. He didn't know if he could ever get the images of Maiku from that dream out of his head and was not looking forward to the trouble they would cause him when he saw her again.