Sesshoumaru sighed as he adjusted himself in the waiting room, his hand tightening around the bright green leash. The dog next to him whimpered, putting his head in his master's lap, pawing at the muzzle around his jaws.

"I do not have a choice. You are the one who continues to snap at strangers when we leave the house." He'd had the husky for a few months, but the beast acted strangely every time he got home from work and took him for a walk.

His demeanour was usually calm and collected, much like his owner, but those walks in particular, had him growling at anyone who came near, and Sesshoumaru had had enough.

"I swear if this is some sort of ruse to—"

"Masa-kun?"

Sesshoumaru rose to his feet, stepping forward as a raven-haired woman greeted them both. She bent down, not even acknowledging him as she held out her hand. "Hello, Masa-kun. How about we take you into the back and get you checked out?"

"It is pronounced Masamune," he sniffed, his grip on the chartreuse leash tightening to keep his pet from attacking, but the husky simply nuzzled the woman's hand.

"That's much too serious of a name for such a beautiful dog," she replied, blue eyes twinkling as she opened the door behind her, motioning for him to follow.

"It is a warrior's name," he argued as she led him into the back room, Masamune obediently climbing into the table.

"Any allergies or special diet?" He shook his head, and she reached into her pocket, pulling out a small treat. "Here you go. Let's be friends for the next little while, okay?"

The dog tilted his head to the side, tongue lolling out between the confines of his muzzle to collect the offering. Sesshoumaru pursed his lips.

"He has done nothing to warrant a reward," he said.

The woman chuckled. "Everyone deserves to be spoiled now and then. Besides, he got right up on the table without being asked." Masamune nuzzled her hand, looking for another treat, and she scratched his ear. "What seems to be the problem?"

"His personality changes each time I take him for a walk in the afternoon. There are no issues before I go to work, but after I get home, he is agitated and often snaps at strangers. I have even changed the route." He ran his hand through his hair.

He adored the animal—Masamune provided the companionship that had been slowly gnawing at his heart—but he would not keep him if it meant keeping him in a muzzle.

It was no way to live.

"What's the matter, buddy?" she asked, unclasping the muzzle around his mouth. "Don't you like going on walks?" Sesshoumaru opened his mouth to protest, but Masamune licked her hand and then her cheek, bumping their noses together.

"Perhaps it is because you gave him a treat," he said, not wanting to sound like he'd made everything up.

"What do you do for a living?"

The question threw him off guard, along with the soft smile she offered him, and he stared at her for a moment, her eyebrow raising when he didn't answer right away.

"I am a chef," he said, finally finding his tongue.

Her smile widened. "And you probably work with a lot of spices, right?"

"Hnn."

"Fresh herbs, too?"

"What does that have to do with—"

"And," she said, cutting him off, "you probably don't shower before taking him out when you get home."

Sesshoumaru's brow furrowed. "I prefer to do it right before bed."

The woman chuckled, then tapped Masamune's nose. "Which is why he's having issues. There are a lot of scents that are overstimulating to dogs. Ground spices, herbs, vinegar, alcohol, citrus—"

"But he has been fine with you, and your scent is—" Heat bloomed on Sesshoumaru's cheeks. The woman's scent was an enticing mixture of honey and lemon, one he'd been inhaling it since she first stepped into the waiting room.

She raised an eyebrow at him again, and he cleared his throat. "I will make sure to bathe before taking him for his afternoon walk." She stared at him a moment longer, then patted Masamune's head and turned away.

"I can give you a list of pet-friendly brands for shampoos and soaps," she said, clicking her pen. "I'm sure your food is wonderful; just be mindful of the ingredients with pungent odours." She ripped the paper off the pad, then handed it to him.

"I shall do so in the future."

"Great!" She patted the dog's head again, earning her another lick to the face. "He should be back to normal in a day or so. Make sure you wash your clothes too. I put some laundry detergent on there, as well."

Sesshoumaru pocketed the list, giving her a curt nod. "I appreciate the insight. I was worried it was more serious, and we would have to part ways."

Masamune hopped off the table, giving his master a pointed stare as Sesshoumaru slid the muzzle back into place, just for precaution.

"The fact that you were worried makes all the difference," the woman sighed. "We get a lot of abandoned animals here. People just don't take the time to understand their pets anymore."

He tugged on the leash, Masamune looking between the two before whining softly, refusing to leave. The veterinarian chuckled, then held out another treat. "Tattletale. But that's your last one." Satisfied, the dog padded towards the door.

"Where do I settle the bill?" Sesshoumaru asked.

She waved him off. "Don't worry about it. I didn't even give him anything." Continuing to refuse payment, he eventually pulled a business card out of his pocket.

"A trade then. Come to my restaurant."

"You want to cook for me?"

The flush returned. It sounded much more intimate when she phrased it that way.

"I am honour bound to repay you for your help," he said, hoping to leave it at that.

Her lips curved up into that delightful smile again. "It's a date."