J: This is one of those chapters where I didn't intend for it to take forever, I also wrote this to be one huge update but I found that it was easier to cut it off where I did. It will make it easier to digest I think. You can expect the second half of this chapter in a day or two depending on how much typing time I get in.

THANKS TO: mromero18, Redglade, LoveInTheBattleField, DancingFingers, Kagome Past and Present, OrihimeKurosakiInoue, Firefox1102, Tanoshii Shurui, Guest, UnknownBeauty, and Azumigurl

Disclaimer: I do not own any Inuyasha characters

Chapter Eighteen

His hand arced and slashed, a trail of red followed the movement covering what was once pristine. Disguised black eyebrows remained furrowed; another flaw was removed in red.

No longer in an era where it was acceptable to kill any who were not welcome in his presence Sesshomaru found he could minutely satisfy his predatory instincts by dissecting and destroying other people's written work. The first half of the final rough draft for the Kaiba Corp. contract sat on his desk covered in red ink.

'Has she always been such a failure?'

This was not the first contract she'd entrusted to his assistant, so why was it that the first of supreme importance was being botched left right and center.

Putting down his red fountain pen Sesshomaru leaned back in his chair pinching the bridge of his nose. His assistant was a hard working loyal woman; if not for these qualities Sesshomaru would have let her go by now. 'I will give her one chance to redeem herself.' He was a fair business man; giving her another chance was the sensible thing. For all he knew her home life was stressing her out and affecting her work. Sesshomaru also could not afford to go through the tedious hiring process that normally took precious weeks of work time.

The intercom buzzed, "Mr. Taishou there is a Ms. Higurashi on line three for you?" Her voice sounded uncertain; which didn't surprise him. The only females that called his office were married to his business partners. There had been times in the past when women would call and try to claim that they carried his child for some kind of foot hold, but that had stopped once he'd adopted Rin and changed his office number to one that couldn't be found through the internet.

Curious as to why Kagome would be calling him in the middle of the day when she was supposed to be working Sesshomaru picked up the call, "Ms. Higurashi."

"Hello Mr. Taishou, I apologize if I'm disturbing your schedule."

His eyes slanted to the papers he'd saturated in red ink, "You are not."

"Oh good! Um, well, I was wondering if it was possible for us to meet in person sometime today before the children are done school? There's something I want to talk to you about that should be discussed in person." Sesshomaru could hear nervousness in the request.

'Nervous about meeting me in person or nervous about this topic of discussion?'

Curious to learn the answer and eager to glean more information about the woman and her mysteries Sesshomaru checked his schedule on his computer, "I have an opening at one o'clock. Would it be suitable for you to come to my office?" One o'clock was when he took his lunch break, normally he wouldn't stay in the building to eat but perhaps the sight of him eating her sushi would encourage her to reveal the secret ingredients.

"That will be perfect, thank you Mr. Taishou, I will see you then."

"Hn."

Sesshomaru hung up and buzzed his assistant, "There is a change in my schedule. Ms. Higurashi will be meeting me at one o'clock."

"Y-yes sir." His assistant was again surprised, the only females to be granted a lunch date with him were Rin and his mother.

He paused at that thought, could his meeting with Ms. Higurashi be considered a date? He shook his head, this would be nothing more than another meeting between…

He frowned uncertain as to how he should label Kagome Higurashi. Acquaintance was no longer fitting since someone did not pay for the medical bills of an acquaintance. She was certainly not a business assosciate for this would be the first time they would have a meeting in a business setting.

'Perhaps 'friend' would be fitting?'

He mulled the word over, there were only two others that were granted the title of friend. Miroku, though loosely, and his long time confident Bokuseno.

Although their time spent together was limited Sesshomaru could admit that he had never felt uncomfortable in Kagome's presence. If he was entirely honest he enjoyed being with her. Her natural scent was refreshing, and her pure aura tingled when it brushed against his youkai. Other demons would be quick to jump from the contact, he in turn welcomed it. It was different, teasing of someone that could nearly match his own power.

"Hn, a friend she is."