Disclaimer: I do not own any of the following characters.

Chapter 3

Sesshomaru smelled her on him. And he on her. To say he was working hard to not rip his brother a new one would be an understatement. More than that, though, he wanted to suffocate the miko with his own scent. To rub off that embarrassing hanyou smell from her and mark her with his pure youkai.

"...we'll go from there." He forced himself to hone back into the conversation that Kagome had led. Surprisingly, he noted, his hanyou brother hadn't interrupted once. But, also of notice, the miko had seemed to distance herself from the half demon. At least there's that, Sesshomaru smirked to himself and nodded to the miko he was becoming possessive over.

Kagome's mind was clouded. The only thing she could grasp onto was work. Anything else and she would turn into some inconsolable child.

Lunch had gone...okay. Yes, she agreed with herself. It did go okay. Just okay. And they both had ignored what happened in the car after Inuyasha's nearly fatal experience. The drive back had been in silence with nothing spectacular happening between the two.

Bravely looking his way, she wondered if he knew just how close to a void-like death he had been to. Averting her gaze, she marked something absentmindedly on the schedule Rin had gathered for her, not really paying any attention to the names or numbers splayed on the sheet. It was all a distraction from what she really wished to dwell on: his touches.

The miko could still feel him against her. Could still feel a phantom tongue run along her lips. Could feel phantom hands tighten around her thighs, pulling her heat towards his hardened cock.

The grip on her metal pen tightened, and she moved to cross her legs.

Both demon and half-demon held their breath. The movement of her legs had allowed for a gust of her sweet arousal to waft their way. If Kagome had been thinking straight, she would have used her magic to harbor all bodily scents. Not that it was always easy for her to do in confined spaces, but the distance between her and the two men would have been enough to keep the smell at bay.

But she wasn't in her right mind. She was somewhere else, and the youkai and hanyou were doing everything they could to refrain from taking her then and there.

Inuyasha, unlike his brother, knew exactly what caused her lustful state. And he was enjoying it. Lunch had gone on quietly and professionally. Kagome had refused to acknowledge what they had both done to each other, and he didn't push it. Besides, he had been entertained watching her struggle with herself. I can't wait for dinner, he thought, his eyes glancing down to the desk separating her from him and he licked his lips. Or dessert.

Sesshomaru was having, surprisingly, a harder time containing himself. He could feel his claws dig into the cushion of the armrest. And the blood in his body hotly rushed to the throbbing dick between his legs. I have to do something.

Glancing to the hanyou, Sesshomaru wondered why his brother wasn't having just as much of a difficult time. Suddenly, the demon in him answered: Because the half-breed has already marked her. To him, she is his.

His amber eyes rolled to Kagome in a slow motion. She sat there, appearing to be calm, but her scent gave her away. Her head was ducked and she was moving her pen across the paper lying on her desk.

She isn't his, Sesshomaru's demon spoke. And the youkai's eyes tightened at the corners.

No. She isn't, he responded, setting into action the beginning of a dangerous game.

"Kagome, maybe we should discuss this over dinner," Sesshomaru smiled her way. He was all demon in that moment, his eyes piercing, his inu-blood sending out undertones of domination.

The miko perked her head up and looked over at him. She wasn't sure how to respond to that, when she normally would have had an answer. Luckily, and thanking him quietly to herself, Inuyasha spoke up.

"Funny you mention that, brother. She's taking me out tonight." He gave his half brother a lopsided grin. It wasn't what Kagome needed him to say, but at least he gave her a way to stay silent as she calmed herself.

Sesshomaru didn't hesitate, "Then we'll continue this discussion later. When will we be leaving?" He noted Inuyasha's angry frown but purposefully ignored it, his eyes on the miko.

Kagome blinked, and she suddenly wanted to crawl under her desk. With a controlled smile she nodded and answered, "In three and a half hours."

The brothers exited the room after she turned back to her paperwork – the one she had only been doodling on – and made their way to Sesshomaru's office in silence. Both in their own thoughts and both attempting to out stride the other.

"What the fuck was that about?" Inuyasha demanded after slamming his brother's door shut.

Sesshomaru took his time in answering. He settled into his large leather chair, shut his eyes and reclined back. Now that they were away from Kagome, his mind was clear from her addicting scent. He was going to be better at controlling himself, at least he hoped.

Inuyasha slumped into the chair in front of the desk and waited. When they were children, Inuyasha learned quick to not rush his brother. Sesshomaru had a tendency to make a person wait longer if they pestered.

So the hanyou idled his thumbs, pulled out his phone to send a few emails, and then began thinking about that damn wench up above them. Devilish thoughts and images of what she could do on top of him fastened a leisure smirk on his face.

Unbeknownst to him, his older brother was watching him carefully. Wondering how to approach his brother about Miss Higurashi. Wondering how to make sure the hanyou stepped aside for his older sibling. It was when Sesshomaru saw the telltale smile that a burst of anger forced his words out, "What are you doing?" It was a double-edged question.

The younger of the two Takagi sons lost the hazy look in his eyes and that damn smile drooped down. Sesshomaru hid his pleasure.

"What am I doing? What are you?"

"I smell her on you, Inuyasha." He shot the words out to the half demon, a growl emitting at the end of it.

Inuyasha was quick, "So that's what it is." He stood and flattened his palms on the desk, bending the slightest to examine his brother's expression. Widening eyes, Inuyasha stood straight up. "You're jealous."

Sesshomaru's narrow gaze tightened. "Don't be ridiculous. It's only embarrassing." He wasn't about to have such a childish conversation with his brother.

The hanyou folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in a relaxed gesture. "And what's so embarrassing?"

Sesshomaru's malicious smile settled itself across his mouth as he spoke, "Why on earth would that miko want a half demon?"

The words stung. Not that they hadn't had any brotherly fights in the past, physical ones included. It was the disgust in Sesshomaru's words that pummeled Inuyasha. His brother had said similar things before, but always with a teasing glint in his eyes. Never, though, had he said it with such certainty.

Show him how much of a demon you are. The snarl came from the youkai within him. He ignored it. No matter how much he would like to kick his brother's ass, Inuyasha wasn't about to go into combat. He also didn't plan on backing down from his claim on her. She already carried his scent, and he wasn't going to let anyone – especially his brother – rub it off of her. However, in order to maintain the claim, he needed to be in one piece. He knew he could handle Sesshomaru, but he also knew the youkai could damage him.

Inuyasha sat back down, not once breaking the stare of his brother.

They were like that for what seemed like minutes. Each one sizing up the other. Each one wondering what the other would do. And how they would counteract it.

It wasn't until they were interrupted that both realized they had been in the silent office for over three hours.

"Miss Higurashi is waiting in the limo," the voice echoed through the office from the intercom.

The brothers glanced at the small device, and then to the clock on the wall. Yes, over three hours. They hesitated in standing. But when they finally moved to exit the office, the younger brother caught the older by the arm.

"Hey," Inuyasha started. Sesshomaru glanced at the clawed hand then up to meet his brother's stare. The look in the hanyou's eyes reminded him of when they were children. It was the same look that Inuyasha gave when he needed reassurance that they were still close. It shocked the youkai, but he kept the regal expression in place. "We're brothers, Sesshomaru. No matter what."

The older of the two took his time, but he finally nodded and settled a hand on Inuyasha's shoulder. "That isn't the question. The question lies within the miko."

Inuyasha nodded, getting the meaning, before following his brother out.

What he wasn't going to tell his brother was that he already knew with whom she belonged with.

Me, the hanyou thought, closing the door slowly behind him.

The CEO was sitting apprehensively in the limo. She didn't know where to sit. Kagome could have laughed at herself. A corporate leader and her concern was where she should sit in her own vehicle.

"Everything alright, miss?" The young youkai asked her. Kagome looked towards the partition and smiled softly to the fox demon that was watching her through the rearview mirror. Shippo was a good kid. Young, bright, and protective over his employer. He had, more than once, protected the miko. And he had never seen her as something to obtain, something to dominate or force to submission. At that little thought, unwelcomed tears formed in her eyes.

"Oh! Miss! Please don't cry!" Shippo hurried himself out of the seat and to the back of the limo. The doors were open, and he climbed in to rest a hand on the woman. He felt comfortable with Miss Higurashi. And he knew she felt comfortable around him. There had been many times where he had watched her shift from the strong and unstoppable CEO miko to a young woman attempting to save the world one investment at a time.

Shippo trusted her, too. Unlike other mikos he had encountered in his life as an orphan, she was the only one that saw him as a person. Sure, in the beginning it was all about looking past her strong facade, but he had learned quick to see a person for who they really were on the inside. It also helped that his youkai linage allowed for him to look through a person's aura. Kagome's was beautiful. There were dark spots in it, swirling and attempting to taint the brilliant white that it was, but she had always controlled it.

The fox demon sat silently still, rubbing circles on the woman's shoulder. Finally, Kagome sighed heavily and looked at – who she considered to be – her friend. She offered a tear filled smile, and Shippo's eyes widened.

"Please don't cry, Kagome. Please. Whatever it is, it'll be okay."

Before Kagome spoke, Shippo smelled that ever-knowing scent of dogs. He ignored it and gave the miko his full attention.

"Thank you, Shippo," she spoke softly; reaching up she placed her hand over the one he rested on her shoulder. She sighed again and shook her head, "I have always appreciated how sincere you are."

And he saw her do it. Right before his eyes, the tears receded and the red tint on her cheeks faded away. Her back straightened, forcing his hand to drop to his side, and the passive expression settled on to her face.

Shippo smiled knowingly and nodded at her. "Miss Higurashi," he acknowledged the miko and exited the back of the limo.

The young fox demon came face to face with the Takagi bothers. One he knew to be Sesshomaru. He was always a little apprehensive about the dog demon. Shippo stood there, looking at the man up and down. I could take him, he thought to himself and raised a brow when he turned to the younger of the Takagi brothers.

Inuyasha stood in a more relaxed stance, but Shippo could see that the half demon was ready to spring if need be. Narrowing his eyes, he took a step towards them and leaned in enough so that Kagome wouldn't hear.

"Whatever game you two are playing, cut that shit. She's a person, not a fucking prize." He growled low in his chest and the inu-demons each gave two differing reactions.

How dare a little rodent like creature speak to us like that? Sesshomaru wasn't impressed. In fact, he was restraining himself from pummeling the young youkai. He deserves to learn a lesson.

Inuyasha was, what he felt, ashamed. He smelled the salty tears when he and his brother were making their way towards the limo, but he didn't really think they were coming from the miko. That was until he had caught the final few words of the conversation between the fox and the woman. He let the words of the driver sink in before nodding and looking down.

Shippo didn't like the way the eldest brother reacted. But the fox demon did appreciate the younger of the two. Judging by his shameful look, the younger one had actually heard what the fox had to say. Good. Nodding, he pulled the door wider and looked at Inuyasha expectedly. Like hell he was going to hold the door open for the dog youkai.

The hanyou climbed in. At first he was ready to settle himself next to the miko, but looking at her for the briefest of moments, he found there to be a more comfortable spot a few seats away from her. Before Sesshomaru stepped in, Inuyasha caught her eyes with his and he smiled gently. She blinked and he noticed the corners of her eyes soften at him.

It's all he needed. If on that night she didn't wish to speak to him about anything else other than business, he would respect it.

Sesshomaru made his way in and Inuyasha glanced at him, praying his older brother would follow his lead.

The older Takagi glanced at the miko and made a move to sit beside her. The immediate reaction she elicited was a stiff posture. He rethought and moved to sit besides his brother. Both men noticed how much more relaxed the miko had visibly become with them both a good distance away from her. And so they rode off in silence, lack of acknowledgement all around.

"Hello how may- Miss Higurashi, so good to see you." The host smiled joyfully to the CEO, and Kagome returned it with a nod.

"Regular area, please. Five seats."

Five? Both brothers thought, one with furrowed brows and the other with a blank stare.

"Actually, two of your guests are already here. Regular area, of course. Care for a guide?" The young host already knew what she would say, but he asked nonetheless out of respect.

Kagome smiled at him and shook her head, "No, thank you, Hojo. We'll find our way."

Kagome sent a silent prayer of thanks to whatever god had been on her side as she made her way through the five star restaurant. She made short eye contact with the owner, who was busy speaking to an important guest, and nodded.

The owner's grin was huge as she saw the powerful miko glide through the tables, followed by two gorgeous men. The woman sighed wistfully. If only men would follow her like puppies.

"Miroku?" Inuyasha glanced at his assistant, who was in a precarious situation with his fiancée at the large table.

The scientist disentangled himself from the woman, who was attempting to catch her breath. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes hazy.

Kagome's breath froze in her throat as she stared at the woman. She had known Miroku Sohei was with a Taijiya, but she hadn't known the woman to be Sango Taijiya.

"Sango?" Her voice was quiet, but the lawyer looked up to see Kagome Higurashi staring at her.

"Oh my god. Kagome?" Sango pulled away from the table and both women walked to each other only to throw their arms around one another with identical smiles from ear to ear.

The two dog demons tensed. Inuyasha fought back the instinct to step between the two. Jesus, what is wrong with me? But he stayed close before both women pulled apart to sit beside each other.

Miroku was forgotten by Sango, and the two puppies were forgotten by Kagome.

"It's been so long."

"I know. I'm so sorry," Kagome looked down, as if embarrassed. "I didn't think you'd want- I mean." And as if on cue she realized where they were and who surrounded them. She fixed her posture in her chair and smiled to Sango. "I'll have my assistant call your office to make an appointment. Lunch while we catch up sounds good."

Sango was impressed to see her old friend collect herself so quickly. She smiled knowingly. I can only imagine what was on her mind. And with that thought the lawyer nodded to her and squeezed the CEO's hand comfortingly.

The miko squeezed back and turned to the rest of the table, seeing that Sesshomaru had chosen to sit closest to her, putting himself between her and his brother.

"I asked for Miroku to come, thinking it would be best to discuss our plans with the main minds behind the project." Kagome's soft yet commanding voice carried its weight. It was going to be nothing but business.

Inuyasha was disappointed. He would respect it, but he suddenly had so many questions for Kagome. For a few minutes, watching her with Sango, he saw a young woman. It was so raw and so human, the hanyou had wanted them to sit and eagerly chat with one another. He wanted to watch Kagome's emotions on her face. Happiness, joy, confusion – all of it. Except pain. That was definitely something he never wished to see on that beautiful face of hers.

"Miss Higurashi?" The waitress smiled at the woman when Kagome turned to give her attention.

The CEO immediately spoke, "Yes, we'll start with hors d'oeuvres. And please let the chef know we would like something surprising for the main course. Sparkling water for my guests and I, along with a bottle of your finest red wine – your choice." Kagome smiled and turned back to the table.

She's so commanding, Sesshomaru admired silently. I want to smother it, the demon snarled inside and Sesshomaru's jaw clenched tightly. Yes, he wanted it, too.

The dinner had gone exactly as she expected it to. Kagome ran it as a business meeting. Not being alone with both Takagi brothers helped. Inuyasha made thinking difficult, and Sesshomaru's knowing glare was too much to handle alone. It had helped seeing Sango and meeting Miroku.

Sango...

Guilt riddled Kagome down to her bones. The miko had only assumed that Sango would have never wanted to speak to her again after the incident with Kohaku, the lawyer's younger brother. It had been so long ago, during college, but still so fresh in Kagome's mind.

The loud doorbell of her home broke through her thoughts. Slowly, she moved from her home office to the hallway and looked down it to see her front door. She furrowed her brows, wondering who it could be.

She wasn't expecting any company. And she knew no one from her staff was returning back since she never kept anyone over night at her home.

It rang again and she glared, moving swiftly to see who was at the door. She reached out with her magic first, probing the solicitor when her hand reached the doorknob.

Her eyes widened when she recognized the aura and she slightly pulled back before steeling her nerves and flinging the door open.

"Sesshomaru?"

A/N: Hey all. I'm sorry for the late upload. A lot of things coming up this week. Anyways. Hope you're ready for what's to come with the sexy older brother! But, also, I kinda need to know how everyone is responding to it. Anything at all would be nice. Even if you hate Kagome (like Lululala did in Chapter 1), or if you want more of smut or something. haha! Let me hear your voices! ^_^ Peace and love!