A.N. Please Note: This is an A Single Spark Challenge answer. The Challenge was issued by kiltykat: The basic "Rin sees dog, Rin wants dog, Kagome sees Rin, Kagome learns Dad's a stiff, Let's take dog home for a trial, Dad comes home, He's a business man, He gets mad when he sees dog, Kagome's in for a lot of trouble," idea is thanks to her, and I take off from there. I just want to made sure credit is given where credit is due lol. So thanks for R and R- ing!
Disclaimer: I do not own this anime and half of this plot...
Summary: A cold and ruthless businessman? What are the odds he would fall for a simple pet store worker?
Rating- PG-13
Simply Business
Chapter Three
Kagome found her self looking uncertainly into the amber eyes of a very enraged father, "Um..." She cleared her throat nervously and tried to think of what she could have done to make him practical seethe with rage. She found nothing.
"Is something wrong?"
Sesshoumaru encircled her, his flashing amber eyes never once leaving the form of the girl sitting timidly next to the sleeping puppy. "Yes, something is very wrong." He stopped for a moment, and his voice became sharp and frigid, "I have a dog."
Kagome blinked cocking her head to the side, "I'm sorry but I don't see how that is much of a problem. Well I guess if Kagome was sick," she trailed off slowly, "That would be bad, but she isn't is she?" She cast worried eyes to Kagome who was resting and breathing easy. She frowned, "As far as I can tell, Kagome is complexly fine. What's the problem?"
Sesshoumaru frowned, "Do not play dumb with me- it will not get you anywhere." Kagome made an exasperated noise, "I'm not playing dumb. I am being clueless! Can you please fill me in on what you are talking about?"
Sesshoumaru lips turned downward with spite, "I believe you were the one who pushed my daughter into bringing home this horrible mutt?" His eyes shifted their chilling gaze at the pup who then whimpered softly as if she knew what had been said, before it returned and rested on Kagome's blazing milk chocolate eyes.
The raven haired woman suddenly found her voice. Where did he come off calling the dear dog a mutt? 'Kagome' was one of the best pups she had ever had the pleasure of seeing and caring to.
Hell she would have bought her had the dormitories dropped their darned, 'no pets' rule. And hey! She did not such thing to force Rin to get the dog. It was a trial thing to see if they wanted the pup. Apparently they didn't –well at least he did not. "Look buddy," she rose to her full length, not caring if he was about a foot and a couple of inches taller than her.
He was what though? Thirty? He was supposed to be that tall. She was by no means short she cringed at the word. Kagome unconsciously pushed herself up to stand on the tips off her toes. She jammed her pointer finger into his chest as she continued her ranting speech and met his glare.
"I'll have you know your accusations are totally off base! Kagome is no mutt! ...And I did not push Rin-chan into getting the dog," she added with a frown. "It's not even permanent either so don't get your panties in a bunch."
Kagome winced. By now she could actually feel the waves of anger washing off him. "I didn't mean to say that." She rubbed her forehead with a groan.
She could never hold her tongue. Especially when mad. There were times when she just lost it and said the most inappropriate things— this was an exemplary instance. She groaned, 'Just open mouth... then insert foot.' She smacked her forehead, continuously, "Kagome! Idiot, idiot, idiot!"
She took a cautious peek at Sesshoumaru, and gave a nervous chuckle. "You know you might as well close your eyes, they're so narrowed..."
Kagome cleared her throat, cursing her tongue, "I mean... stop glaring at me!" She prayed he did not happen to catch her slipping words. She could not help it. Kagome let out another nervous laugh.
Sesshoumaru was by no means amused. He continued to stare her down, steel covered his every word. "Do you know who I am? If you do not stop your little 'bouts of intelligence' I will make it so you will never be able to get a job, and if you do manage to- it won't be for long."
Kagome paled at that. She needed the money. College books were not cheap and she was by no means wealthy. She had spent over five pay checks just to get them and plus there was the matter of her and Sango's weekly expenses.
'He's bluffing.' He had to be. That fear turned to rage, "How dare you make those idle threats? I'll admit though, I don't know who you are." She flipped her hair over her shoulder, and asked with clipped tones. "So who are you, Mr. High and Mighty?"
Sesshoumaru stopped encircling the girl and instead bared his teeth and said with a hearable harsh gloat, "You are truly as idiotic as you claim. I am the owner of Taisho Tech."
Kagome paled. She had just dug her grave. Well she did not know exactly what Taisho Tech was, but it sounded big... Her lack of knowledge was beside the point, though. She was dealing with a business man and from the looks of him- he carried out his threats.
"Well it's not like you can doing anything." Her voice sounded uncertain to even her, as she ignored logic. She might as well have added a 'Right?' to the end of that sentence for it sounded more questioning than stating. However, Kagome would not give the jerk the satisfaction of seeing her lost composure ...again. She kept her back straight and lifted her chin in defiance.
"You can't do anything." She repeated, with a confidence she did not feel, "I'll just take Kagome back, okay? I paid for the pup so it's no cost to you. Just let this drop."
"Where would the fun be in that?" Kagome wet her dry lips willing her stomach to stop churning at the tone of his voice. 'He's sadistic in addition to being a jerk? Wow this guy's a keeper.' Kagome mentally rolled her eyes as she licked her lips again, "There's fun in the satisfaction that comes when you realize, "Hey! I didn't create a college dropout."
"I'm sure there would be more benefit than harm should you be forced to drop out." A shrill ringing sounded in the room, and whatever else that would have no doubt been a scathing remark, never came but instead a command of, "Stay where you are, I am by no means done with you," took its place.
Kagome's eyes grew with disbelief, saying a silent prayer of thanks that she had decided to drive, and that the phone chose then to ring, as she bolted for the foyer. He had to be mental if he expected her to stay! He looked ready to kill her and she had no death wish just yet. Plus her ego was not fairing too well.
She was thankful for her lack of footwear for it allowed her to silently –if you don't count the small end table she managed to tip over- make her way to the front door and throw it open. She pounded down the steps with a speed she never knew she possessed and ran to her car.
Quickly she inserted her car key into the lock with a slightly shaking hand and yanked the door open. Kagome slid into the seat and with hurried movements and soon had the car started.
Her car sped down the slick streets. She ignored the feel of the oversized men's shirt she wore being splattered with rain and slightly damp. Or how her pants were falling off her butt from their size and matching the shirt's condition. She let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you what ever deity that made that phone decide to ring."
Her heart kept a racing beat until she was safely a good distance from Sesshoumaru. She made her way to her dorms. She was exhausted and cold and wet and she still had not finished all of her homework...
She groaned, "Can today get any worse?"
(TSUKI)
Sango combed out her long hair, the strands long and silky as they cascaded down in waves after being combed through. She had just come from the shower. A day of work and school always made her feel grimy. Sango leaned over to unplug the hair dry. She wrapped the cord up and set it back in its previous place in the bathroom. Sango was athletic and tall- and held the desirable title of captain of the volleyball team. She, like her long time roommate and friend, Kagome, also held up enviable grades.
Speaking of Kagome, Sango sighed. "It's pouring so hard. I hope she's alright. Kaede should have closed up because of the rain already. It started this bombardment over an hour ago."
She bit her bottom lip and put down her comb. Sango was very protective of her friend, even though she knew the girl could hold her own if need be- she still worried. The tall woman sighed, "I wish she could have at least called or something. She knows how I worry."
To ease her worrying mind, she began to clean up here and there. She had finished her homework long ago so that distraction was lost to her, unless she wanted to go ahead in her lessons, but she did not need so much a distraction to resort to that.
She let out a giggle that turned to full out laughs. She hated doing her homework though everyone else around campus thought otherwise. Her tinkling laughter drowned out the sound of the door opening.
"Having a party without me, Sango?" came a wry voice at the door.
The previously mentioned brunette whirled around with a smiled, "Kagome-chan!" She raised a delicate brow, "What on earth are you wearing?"
Kagome realized she must have been some site, she was falling out of her drenched clothes, and her hair, she gave a small sigh, was not something she felt up to untangling. "It's a very long story, but if you could make some tea while I change and shower and order something, I'd be happy to tell you while we eat."
Sango nodded, "But hurry into the shower before you catch a cold, and I'll have everything ready by the time you come out. And I expect a full story!" she called out as Kagome went into her room for bathing supplies. She picked up the dorm phone and pressed a button. She smiled as the familiar, "Hello this Panda Palace how can we help you?" was uttered.
Fast food was a college student's best friend, or at least theirs. She had Panda Palace- a Chinese restaurant, Pizza parlors, Italian and Japanese places, bakeries- everything on speed dial.
Whenever they had a long day and it was just plain hell, they were dead tired to cook, or just because, they would mutually agree to order out.
So by the time Kagome stepped out, her raven hair wrapped expertly in a fluffy blue towel, and had pulled on a robe over her pajamas, the food had arrived and was being set on their coffee table in the center of the 'living' room. Soothing and comfortably warm tea was set beside the take out.
Sango took out a pair of chopsticks and dug into a small carton of shrimp lo mein, "Now spill." Kagome took a sip of tea with a contented sigh, she took a second to put some noodles in her watering mouth. "Well see I was at Chibi Pets when this girl named Rin came in," she began telling the story. It took about ten minutes to get through the whole thing.
"And thankfully the phone started to ring and he said, "Don't move, I'm by no means done with you" she mimicked his cold deep tone, causing Sango to giggle, "He left and I bolted and here I am."
Sango laughed herself breathless, "Only you Kagome-chan." Kagome pouted and popped a bit of brocilli in her mouth, "It's not funny! And he still has my clothes." She groaned, "And he knows where I work... Do you think Kaede-sama will let me take sick day tomorrow?"
(TSUKI)
If you so happened to be with in a five mile radius of the MNU dormitory building at two-forty five the next afternoon, you would have heard vivid cursing and shouts of, "How could I have use all my sick days!"
Then she remembered, the bad case of the flu she had gotten earlier on. "Why me?" Kagome banged her head against the wall above the phone, "Damn you influenza! Damn you to hell."
So she had to go to work? It was a public place. In the open public! Sesshoumaru- I'm a business man hear roar- Taisho couldn't mar his public image if he was as great as he made himself out to be. She took in a deep breath. "He will not be in that store. He probably even forgot."
Kagome tied her hair quickly in a bun and straightened her deep salmon pink shirt and baggy brown pants, as she stepped out and locked her car, her backpack in tow. And if Sesshoumaru did show, she would be in the back room counting supplies. It was her week to take maintenance and for once, she was happy to.
She grinned, "Take that, Taisho." With a triumphant grin she walked into her place of employment and immediately went to the back room, not really taking note to the handful of people who happened to be in there. She paid them no mind and went to get a replacement work vest. It would seem she had left that too at Sesshoumaru's home.
She waved to one of her visible co-workers, "Hey Reika!" The auburn haired woman looked to see who called her name. When she saw that it was Kagome, she smiled, "Hi, Kagome. How are you?" Kagome returned the smile half heartedly, "Good I suppose, you?"
"I'm doing fine. By the way, Kaede reassigned you to work the counter while I take down the supplies." Kagome paled, and laughed nervously, "You sure about that?" She prayed that there was some mistake.
Her stomach sank when Reika nodded and said, "Yes, why?" Kagome shook her head and ran into the back room, squeaking, "No reason!" Reika smiled softly shaking her head.
"That girl..." She was about to return to her work when she was approached by a pristine haired man with amber eyes. Her breath caught in her throat at the beautiful man. She smiled engagingly. "Hi, can I help you?"
"Excuse me. I'm here about one of your employees. A certain Kagome, I believe." Reika smiled at the silver haired man, "Kagome? She's in the back room. May I ask why you need to see her?" The man smiled composedly, "She's a friend that I found out was in the area. I am on a business trip and I stopped by to pay her a quick visit and maybe ask her out to lunch to catch up?"
Reika gushed at how charming he was, "Well since you came such a long way I'm sure Harii would not mind covering for her. He loves working the counter." Reika smiled brightly and called Kagome out, and missed the victorious smirk that graced the silver haired man's features.
Kagome came out scowling slightly, "Yes Reika?" She froze when she saw the person behind her, "Sesshoumaru!"
Reika grinned and whispered to Sesshoumaru, "She must be so happy to see you." She winked at Kagome who stood mouth agape, "Have fun!"
Kagome did not answer. She just stood gawking at Sesshoumaru, whom took advantage of her confusion to give a small smile to Reika for appearances sake and pulled Kagome out of the store. It wasn't until he had placed her in his car that she realized who she was with, "Sesshoumaru! What the hell?"
His cold attitude returned, "It would do you well to be silent, girl."
Kagome fumed, "I will not! You're kidnapping me!" Sesshoumaru snorted, "I merely took advantage of the situation. There was no 'kidnapping'."
"Whatever! I'm not here willingly so it is. What do you want with me? I want to know what to tell the police."
"I have a simple proposition; one that I am certain you will not refuse."
Kagome snorted, and Sesshoumaru cringed at how un-lady like she was. "We'll see about that." She turned to look out of the window at the passing scenery. She could not help but feeling disgusted at herself for how easily she was giving into him. It was probably because Rin was his daughter.
She sighed, 'I wouldn't be too surprised if that was the case.'
Sesshoumaru drove to a simple not to mention quiet and quaint restaurant a slight distance from the pet shop. He parked and slid out of the driver's seat and gave an expectant glance at Kagome. Once she was out of the door, he picked out a small bag and locked the sleek convertible.
Kagome crossed her arms, and just followed behind Sesshoumaru as he brushed past her, and into the restaurant. It had more western appeal than it did Japanese and had an outside seating area. Large windows allowed viewing into the restaurant, and the people eating and laughing happily inside.
Pots of flowers and bushes added a cozy air, and Kagome was surprised she had not noticed the place before. She had prided herself on knowing any place that made food. She pouted and muttered. "Mr. Always Has to Prove Me Wrong."
Sesshoumaru gave her a look as they were approached by a tuxedo wearing maître d' who was bustling about checking for reservations and seating couples and groups. He was the head waiter and greeter. Everyone once and awhile he would return to a podium in the foyer to check names and order around waiters. Once told a name he seated the pair outside on request and gave them menus.
Kagome was flushed red with anger, "So you knew I'd come with you, huh?" She could not believe he had made reservations before hand. How conceited. 'The arrogant jerk!'
Sesshoumaru shrugged and picked up a menu to glance at, "Willing or not, yes." Kagome shook her head incredulously with a frown marring her normally cheery features, "What do you want from me?"
Sesshoumaru did not look up at her, "Shouldn't you be looking for something to order?" Kagome narrowed her eyes and skimmed the menu, finding some appetizing sounding meals. 'Well since you are paying.' She grinned behind her menu.
A waiter came shortly to take their orders. Sesshoumaru handed his menu back, "Green Tea, and today's special."
Kagome smirked, voicing her previous thoughts, "Well since the business man over there is paying, I'll take the pastrami sandwich, two orders of shrimp tempura to go, a glass of raspberry lemonade, two orders of garlic bread to go, and two orders of your most expensive whatever to go..."
She smiled coolly at Sesshoumaru as she handed over the menu. Sesshoumaru said nothing but frowned. The waiter slunk away quickly from the two as quickly as possible. The tension was sparking thickly between the two.
Kagome put on an innocent face, "What? I'm in college. Do really think I have time to cook? My roommate is working over time tonight and I have a class tonight. I don't think any food will have a chance to get made."
Kagome rolled her eyes, when Sesshoumaru gave her a look, "Just tell me why I'm here." She had to get back to work. Half so she would not get in trouble with Kaede and half so she could kill Reika. Even though the woman was happily engaged she was still a sucker for a pretty face.
Sesshoumaru grunted, "As I said before, I have a proposition for you." The food was brought over. The house special happened to be Chicken Teriyaki with a side order of baked potatoes. Kagome's extra orders were enclosed in a Styrofoam container. She smiled at the young man who brought everything over, "Thank you."
She stacked her containers on the side of the table and sipped her lemonade, "And the proposition is?"
Sesshoumaru looked her dead in the eye, and Kagome had a sinking feeling that she wouldn't be able to refuse what ever he had to ask.
(TSUKI)
A.N Chapter three is complete! Thank you for the wonderful reviews. I'm sorry these chapters are so short, but they will get longer in the future!
Reviewer Responses: See Live Journal under user: MikazukixTsuki (they'll be up by today at seven)