OXOXOXO

"Mr. Sesshomaru," Shirly, his blonde, bubbly, and much too forward secretary came in. He made a mental note: next time he needs a secretary, hire a dowdy old lady that won't be tempted by his name or bank account. "I have that file you wanted." She laid the manila envelope on his desk.

"I told you it wasn't important I have it until tomorrow."

"I know, but I thought you might want to over it before the meeting."

"I have other business to occupy my time until the meeting."

"Well, if you have time, I'm sure it would help to go over it."

"I'll remember that," Sesshomaru said, standing to use his height, "when we exchange desks. You're dismissed." Her lips clamped together and her chin went up.

"Yes, sir." Had Inuyasha still been there, Sesshomaru was certain he'd have made childish faces at the bimbo's back. A shame Sesshomaru was too mature. The door wasn't shut an entire minute before Miroku was opening it again.

"You don't need to tag-team me," Sesshomaru growled. "And have any of you heard of knocking?"

"Ah, so Inuyasha has been to visit you," Miroku said, completely ignoring the second question.

"Yes, and he was just as unsuccessful as you will be. I won't be swayed."

"Swayed how?" Miroku tried. Sesshomaru splayed his hands on his desk and leaned over into Miroku's face.

"I will not be fooled into dating, Rin or anyone else, because I am not, nor ever have been, in love. And I'll thank you and Inuyasha to butt the Hell out." Miroku pulled out his innocent face. Sesshomaru would love to slap it sometimes.

"I don't know what Inuyasha said to you, but I had nothing to do with it. I simply wanted to tell you to clear your lunch for one week from today. You remember, don't you sir? Your birthday?"

"I remember my own birthday, Miroku. And for your information, my lunch is free. I keep it that way every year to use it as I please."

"Ah, not this year, sir. Inuyasha and I are treating you."

"No thank you."

"Well, it's a good thing I didn't ask you then, isn't it?" He winked and slunk to the door. "See you one week from today at 12:30 out front. Let's dress nice, shall we?" Sesshomaru rubbed his pulsating temples and pressed the intercom button.

"Shirly, the next time Inuyasha or Miroku tries to come in, call security. Then have them hog-tied and gagged."

Oxoxoxo

"Come on, Rin," Kagome said pulling on her arm. "You've sulked for a week, that's pleanty long."

"I'm not sulking. And I don't need anybody to cheer me up, so you guys go on ahead."

"Wrong," Ayame said moving to grab her other arm. "You obviously need somebody to knock some sunshine back into you. Besides, Sango's treating."

"I'm not hungry."

"We know," Sango said from the doorway. "You haven't eaten anything except junk food in a week. That's why we're taking you out to lunch. Now for God's sake, get up, rinxe off, put on something clean, and run a brush through that rats' nest on your head."

"I said no!"

"Look," Kagome said. She backed up huffily and put her hands on her hips, "one lunch. If this doesn't pull you out of the mopes then we'll quit and leave you to die quietly by drowning in your ice cream. Deal?" Rin looked around at all the stern faces and sighed.

"Deal."

Oxoxoxo

"Into the cab, Sesh," Inuyasha said and pushed his older brother. They were standing in front of the offices just before lunch was supposed to start, so the traffic was fairly slim. Miroku was already in the cab's front seat.

When Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were crowded into the back seat, the elder brother leaned in to the younger. "I don't feel like celebrating today, Inuyasha. I need to used my time to set up the protection measures." The Tashios were used to death threats, but this one was one of the worst.

"They can handle it, besides, you'll be in the open public." It had come from one of the recognized mafia-wannabe groups that had already taken out two or three lower level political figures.

"But I can do better." There had only been one other instance as dire as this one.

"What you can do is chill and take out one hour." He'd been in college during the last one. "I swear to you, if any part of this goes badly, I'll eat dog food for dinner with the parents tonight." The cab pulled up in front of the bar and deposited its load. Two seconds later a burst of giggles drew the men's attention to the end of the row of stool. Miroku beamed when he saw his wife. Rin spotted him and, knowing the inevitable, looked beyond him to see the Tashio brothers. Her face blanched immediately. Not that Sesshomaru could blame her…

"I'll have your bowl ready tonight, Inuyasha." It was Inuyasha's turn to blanch.

Oxoxoxo

"I'm going to kill you guys."

"I swear to you Rin, we really didn't plan this!" Kagome said emphatically. "Trust me, I wouldn't plan anything with the whiney mutt." Rin narrowed her eyes disbelievingly. Sango headed back over from where she'd been conversing with her husband.

"So, some to find out, they've been coming here for their birthdays for years," she said, practically chirping in her anxiety. Rin narrowed her eyes further. "I am so sorry, Rin. I really didn't know."

"What about you?" Rin asked looking at Ayame.

"I don't have any connection to them, how could I do it? Besides, I'm the one that told you to say screw it to the whole thing, remember?" True. Very good point.

"So it really was just a-?"

"Coincidence?" Kagome supplied.

"Seems so," Sango input.

"So let's go somewhere else," Kagome suggested.

"No!" Ayame's reaction was a little stronger than any of them were expecting. "You can't, Rin. Don't let him think he's got you scared. You can't let him believe he's running you off."

"So what do we do?" Kagome smarted.

"We join them," she said like it was painfully obvious. "Make him think she just doesn't care."

"That might be hard," Rin said downcast.

"Oh well," do it anyway."

"But-"

"Now!" Ayame grabbed Rin's and Kagome's hands and hauled them over to the guys' table. "Mind if we join you?"

"Not at all, Lady Ayame," Miroku said genteelly. "Please, do be seated." He helped a waitress pull up four more chairs. It was silent for maybe a nanosecond when Miroku took it upon himself to save the situation. "Lady Kagome, is it true you've taken up archery?" She jumped and then blushed.

"Well, yes. It's tons of fun. I'm not very good yet, but I'm improving."

"Well, that explains something to me," Inuyasha said leaning towards Kagome on his elbows.

"Oh really?" she said. "What exactly would that be?"

"Why my tire had an arrow sticking gout of it the other day." Everyone except the Tashios and Rin busted out laughing. Although, Rin and Sesshomaru did have faint traces of smiles playing.

"Inuyasha, I wish I could take credit for that, but alas. Great idea, though." He glared daggers at her.
"Inuyasha, if memory serves," Miroku began with a finger on his chin, "Kikyou was also proficient with a bow and arrow."

"Don't be dumb, lecher. Kikyou doesn't have a reason to be mad at me."

"Trust me, Inuyasha," Ayame said wisely, "a woman doesn't necessarily need a reason to get revenge. All she has to do is want it."

The good-natured banter and bickering held up for close to twenty minutes. All parties gradually began to loosen up until Rin was quietly commenting and cracking jokes to the girls and Sesshomaru was whacking Inuyasha upside the head for his detrimental input. Lunch was almost over before Sesshomaru got the call.