Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. This is for entertainment purposes only.

The Higurashi Girl

"You're a disgrace," Sesshomaru seethed at Inuyasha, who had thrown himself onto the couch, arms tucked behind his head, a smug expression contorting his handsome features as he stretched out, crossing one leg over the other. "It's embarrassing that I'm related to you at all. Your days of playing stupid are over. Get to work." "We just got home." The younger complained. "You've got to get back to your life. Little brother, you're not the one who died."

"Shut up. Don't talk about things you know nothing about."

"You'd see, if you'd just throw yourself into the internship seriously—"

"I don't see a point. I'll be out as soon as summer is over." He wouldn't promise anything. He knew the only person he was jeopardizing was himself. But, it was so easy to self-loathe, to make the rest of his life as miserable as he felt. Even his best friend, Miroku, couldn't get him out of this rut. Who was he kidding? This wasn't just some rut. His girlfriend had died. He had survivor's guilt for sure, but wouldn't let anyone in on it.

-The next day at work-

"Inuyasha?" Came a soft female voice from the entrance of the right side of his cubicle. Annoyed, he turned to face the person who'd disrupted his game of Solitaire on his desktop.

Indigo eyes shifted slightly and set on a girl who looked pretty and intelligent. She had the darkest, wavy, full locks of hair that framed her heart-shaped face. Some hair fell over her shoulders and still more hair fell half-way down her back. She wore a tight, navy blue skirt and matching blazer with a plain, pastel-yellow blouse. She wore a necklace with three blood-red stones that danced on her collarbone. He drew his eyes up to meet her dark orbs, which in this lighting was difficult to tell the color.

She glanced at his name on the cubicle wall again. "Um, are you okay?" She asked with a smile. "I'm the new intern, Kagome. Higurashi Kagome." He hadn't said anything in a while, he'd been staring, but luckily he always maintained a scowl, so it looked like he was scrutinizing her instead of checking her out. "Well, don't just stand there." He snapped. Her face scrunched up angrily for a flash of a second before she smiled and spoke softly, "you're supposed to show me the ropes." "You can't learn standing in the entryway. Sit down." He ordered. She inhaled sharply and exhaled slowly as she took the seat beside him.

"Okay, did they set you up with an online account yet to access the Drive?" He inquired impatiently, tapping his fingers on the desk. "They were supposed to." She replied hesitantly and kept her eyes on the screen. "So, you don't know." He remarked sharply and sighed. Her brows knitted together and she pouted her lips. If she weren't in the workplace, she'd have chewed him out by now and not taken any of his guff.

"Here's your temporary password. Change it once you're logged in. Anyway, you should learn by doing. I'll get you a company laptop." With that, he was up and out. She sighed and slumped in her chair. She had been excited for this position and now she was stuck with this jerk.

"Hey!" A guy's head popped up from the neighboring cubicle, startling her. "Don't mind Inuyasha, he's just that way. I'm Shippo, by the way. You can have lunch with me and a couple friends." He said. "Thanks!" She said with a smile. "Oh, he's coming back. See you!" He ducked back down. Kagome grabbed a notepad and a pen that were sitting on the desk.

The rude guy set the laptop in front of her roughly. He's such a hot-head, she thought. "So on your computer just follow what I do. You're familiar with spreadsheets?" He said, his voice a normal tone for once. "I'm a fast learner, so if there's something I don't know-" "Okay, fine, whatever." He interrupted.

"Could you please slow down, I have to remember this." She requested as she jotted some notes. He glanced down at her notepad. "I don't understand your notes. You'll learn better if you just do it. Forget the notes." He advised. Her brow twitched for a second, the corner of her mouth upturned. She pursed her lips together. There's a learning curve, she told herself. She closed her eyes and did as he said.

"Okay, now show me you know how to find the files." He said vaguely. It took her a few seconds, but she remembered. She was able to complete a few more tasks he quizzed her on.

"Fine. It's lunch now. See you back here in 45 minutes." He said and grabbed a cup noodle from his bottom drawer before going out. He disappeared around the corner. Shippo popped up again (he looked like he was only 18), "I'll show you where the nice spot on the roof is."

(-)

"This is Sango." Shippo introduced. "Nice to meet you, Kagome. I heard you have to work with Inuyasha. He's just the summer intern, so they'll need someone to take over when he's gone." She explained. "I had no idea." Kagome responded. "Oh, something else you should know. Look out for that guy. He's a lecher." She warned bluntly. "Sango! I'm hurt. You're already tainting my reputation." The young man whined. "You do that yourself. I'm surprised HR lets you work here still." She berated. "My dear, Sango, you're the only one who complains about the way I speak to beautiful women and I haven't even touched you." He stated matter-of-factly. "Speaking of, who is this lovely lady?" He asked as he leaned in next to the girl who was eating a salad. Shippo introduced her, "this is Kagome. She's training under Inuyasha." With that, even Miroku winced. "That's tough. But, he's actually cool when you get to know him." "Yeah, outside of work! He doesn't fraternize with anyone but you, which doesn't say much good about him." Sango said before biting a piece of her chicken. "You go to such lengths to insult me." Said the dark haired man. "You sure are hard on him," Kagome defended, "I think he's under a lot of pressure. It's tedious work, plus he has to teach me everything." The trio looked at her with wide eyes. "How can you be so kind?" Sango asked rhetorically. Kagome shrugged, her eyes also wide.

The rest of the day went off without a hitch. Inuyasha's bad attitude continued, but he was still helpful.

Kagome filled her water bottle at the cooler. She later forgot it at his desk on her way out. The next day, she forgot a bottle above the microwave. The following day, she forgot a bottle in the lunchroom by the sink. Inuyasha kept finding them scattered about often almost empty and he was annoyed.

She got her own cubicle and forgot a few there that week. They'd just sit there, condensate, and be half drank. She even forgot one near the Ficus at his desk and Shippo's when she stopped in.

Kagome was overwhelmed with her workload, was tired, recovering from a cold, and couldn't find the files she was looking for in the Drive. The software program wasn't updated. She sighed, exasperated, and needed to use an updated computer. As she was going to get up, Inuyasha walked in. Normally, she was chipper, talking and smiling to everyone—even him despite his constant scowl. He had no idea that today was not a good day.

Then he confronted her about the water bottles:

"Hey, would you knock it off with leaving these everywhere?" He held an empty bottle in his hand and shook it at her before setting it down noisily on her desk. It bounced off and spun on the floor. She stood up out of her chair and unleashed on him, "Well, excuse me for having a bad habit! No one tells YOU anything when you glare at everyone all the time, are rude when you do speak, and noisily tap your foot and fingers or mope around or TAKE people's paper clips AND you don't remember anyone's name! My name is KAGOME not 'hey you!'" She sat back down with a huff and started on something else, a small smile of satisfaction crossing her lips. "These are really bad for the environment! Put that energy into getting a thermos!" He shot back and stomped off to his desk, trying to hide that he was embarrassed. Shippo eavesdropped in the neighboring cubicle (so did Sango and Miroku in the surrounding ones) and were surprised. No one had ever stood up to Inuyasha, except his own brother. They were surprised Inuyasha didn't fight back more.

For the next week, she only forgot water bottles everyday at HIS desk. She strategically placed them in his cubicle while he was out and if he didn't leave, she casually rolled an empty one under his desk, so that he'd kick it and it would crunch as he'd take his place at his desk. One day, she missed and it landed at the entrance, causing him to nearly slip on it. He got pissed and the next day, a large recycling receptacle nearly blocked the entrance to her cubicle. He also placed one in the lunchroom, rooftop, and any other place she regularly went so she wouldn't have an excuse.

Now, she left a bottle on his desk just to spite him, but also because she thought he was cute and WANTED him to come find her. Besides, management had removed the obnoxiously large recycling containers and put them back in the alley where they belonged.

The next day, Kagome was working in the Drive when she realized—after copy and pasting over a file in the drive—that she'd forgotten to save the original as a PDF. She panicked internally and looked around. She saw the back of Inuyasha (the only guy in the office with long dark hair that was shiny even in the office lighting and he let it flow freely, not tying it up or anything) by the water cooler. She got up and rushed over to him. "Inuyasha!" She called, causing him to whip around, spilling some hot water from his ramen cup over his hand. He cursed and sucked in air through his teeth. "What the hell do you want!" He barked. "Please, help me!" She said as she clutched onto his arm. "After lunch." He snapped and turned to leave. She held onto him, tugging a little on his arm that wasn't holding the ramen. "Now, please. I messed up! Like, bad." She pleaded.

"Beg me to." He ordered and narrowed his eyes at her. Her eyes and mouth widened. She swallowed hard. "Seriously?" She asked, incredulously. "Seriously, you want the help? You're asking me to illegally skip my lunch. Start begging. My ramen's gettin' cold and your problem is about to get worse." He retorted. Her brows furrowed together, but she complied "Please help me, Inuyasha, PLEASE." She clapped her hands together and bowed low, almost dropping to her knees. "Heh," he chortled smugly, "And you'll get me ramen for lunch tomorrow. Not this cup noodle shit, but the good stuff from the restaurant across the way." He had the smuggest look on his face and she wanted to slap it off, but he also looked so damn cute, so she agreed, "Now, will you please help me?" "Oh, wait. Yeah, apologize for being a bitch this whole time and leaving water bottles everywhere." He added. She frowned and bit her bottom lip. But, she desperately needed his help, so she nodded with a (fake) smile (her begging and apology were sincere), "Yes, I'm sorry. Will you please help me now?" "Since you asked so nicely, I will." He said and walked over to her desk.

She stood behind him and watched over his shoulder. He fixed her problem in no time, slurping up ramen noodles as he did so. He stood up. "There, now don't-" she interrupted him by throwing her arms around him and squeezing him in a hug. "Oh, thank you! Really!" His eyes widened and he stood with his arms out at the sides and he was blushing. He shifted uncomfortably and she let go, looking up at him with watery brown eyes (he could see their color now). "Uh, yeah, no problem, Kagome." He stammered as she thanked him again. He turned and left the office quickly. She sat happily at her desk staring at the screen, thinking a bit on the hug she'd just given him. She just reacted without thinking and then he'd called her by her name! Maybe he liked her a little more now. Her heart picked up pace a little and a blush crept in her cheeks.

The next day, she had to take him out for the ramen after work, since their lunch break wasn't long enough. He waited for her at her cubicle, "ready to go, Kagome?" He removed his red blazer and tossed it over his shoulder. He didn't wear a tie to work (even though he was supposed to), he unbuttoned the collar and a few of the top buttons of his white dress shirt. She was a bit of a workaholic and relieved he'd come to get her. "Sure, let's go!" She said happily, getting up and following him out.

They sat down at the restaurant. It was a quaint place, but it was full. The host handed them menus and poured them water. She looked at the prices. "Hey, don't go too crazy on the toppings, okay?" She told him sternly. "Keh! I'll order whatever I want because I saved your ass." He said as he leaned forward towards her, jutting the menu toward her, and smiled smugly again. She leaned in and warned with a mischievous smile, "Hey, we aren't at work anymore, so I don't have to be polite to you, Jerk." "That goes double for me, woman," he added, "But, if you want me to ever help you again, you better let me have what I want." She smacked her lips and looked away from his smoldering gaze. He laughed to himself at her reaction. It was fun to get a rise out of her.

They talked about whatever came up, but the conversation rolled smoothly. They laughed, bickered, and complained about work. He wasn't so bad outside of work, she thought. He also wasn't a total ass since he didn't order too much on his ramen. It was a shame that she was finally getting to know him when he'd be gone after the summer.

"So, what are you going to do when your contract is up?" She asked before taking a sip of her tea. He shrugged and replied, "no idea. They're talking about keeping me, though, but moving me to an administrative position." He looked down at his empty ramen bowl with disdain. "Is that what you want to do?" She inquired as she leaned on her elbow, resting her cheek on her hand. He shrugged again, "I don't really care. But, if they move me it means I'll be your boss and you HAVE to be nice to me." He smiled evilly at her. She scoffed, "you'll have to be nice to me, too, or I'll complain to HR." "I'll have to give you a good reason to go to HR. They let Miroku work there, after all." He joked. His eyes flashed at her and the smirk across his face was rather suggestive, but she put it out of her mind and focused on the menu.

After dinner, she thought they'd part ways, but they ended up lost in conversation and strolling down the street. She followed him into a market. He picked up a basket and started picking up things he needed. She decided to follow suit and grabbed toothpaste. When he reached for ramen, she tugged on his sleeve and protested, "Hey! That's not healthy. I see you eat it everyday." "I'll add some vegetables to it." He said with a not-so-convincing laugh. She smacked her lips in disapproval.

"Seriously, Inuyasha."

"Seriously, Kagome, get off my back, OK? This is how I live and I don't need you judging me." She did not like the sound of her name coming from him when he was irritated. "I'm not. I'm saying care more about yourself!" She grabbed the cup out of his basket. He practically growled at her. She reached for the one in his hand and he held it out of her reach. She stood on her tiptoes and tried to grab it. "Knock it off! No one invited you to come shopping with me." He snapped with a huff. "Well, fine then. I thought we were becoming friends." Her feet flattened and she leaned back on her heels. She hung her head down and looked to the side a bit. "We aren't friends, okay? We're co-workers." He clarified. "Good to know," she said in a low voice. "Goodnight." She set her basket down, turned around on her heel and marched toward the front of the store.

She stepped through the automatic doors. Why were tears threatening to fall? She walked as fast as she could, her calves burning. She clutched her purse at her side, looking up to see which direction was home. "Kagome!" She heard from behind her. She whipped around to see Inuyasha was trailing her. She turned her head upward, closing her eyes, and stomped off with a "hmph!"

He quickly caught up, but she kept walking, so he grabbed her by the arm. She looked down at his hold on her forearm and elbow. "Let go! You are a jerk!" He grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to face him, "What'd you say?" "You're a jerk!" She repeated, louder and forcefully. He gritted his teeth at her, "What's your problem?!" "I thought we could be friendlier-at least a little- but you're an impossible jerk!" She replied and tried to squirm out of his grip. "You're overly dramatic. YOU harped on my ramen. So, it's your fault. You started it." He blamed. Her eyes and mouth gaped then her brows knit together and she got angry, "You have some nerve! I'm going home!" "It's dangerous at night by yourself." He still hadn't loosened his grip on her. "I'll start screaming if you don't let me go." She threatened. "You want something bad to happen to you out here? Don't be stupid. Let me at least walk you home." He insisted. "No, I can't stand you!" She shouted. "Oh, yeah, well, you make me RETCH, but I still don't want a guilt trip if something bad happens to you!" He shouted back. "That does it!" She opened her mouth to scream and that was when his mouth came crashing down over hers.

It took her brain a few seconds to register what was happening. His lips moved roughly against hers. She was so angry at him, yet she'd wanted this. She fisted the front of his shirt, pulling him down to her and deepening the kiss. Still, she had pride. She turned her head away and stammered, "W-wait, I thought—" "Shut up." He ordered and pulled her flush against him, closing the distance between their lips again. She hit him lightly against his chest with a closed fist that gripped his shirt, but gave in and she kissed him back fervently. He squeezed her shoulders and broke the kiss. "Do you want me to stop now?" He asked against her lips and looked into her half lidded gaze. "Shut up." She told him and grabbed him by the face to press her lips against his.

He walked her backwards. She stumbled back a few steps until her back was against a concrete wall to support her. They started open mouth kissing, almost like they were kissing out their anger, thrusting tongues as if competing in a sword fight. He broke the kiss and moved down to her neck. She threw her arms around him, her hands gripping the back of his shirt at his shoulder blades and pulled. Her skin was flushed and the feel of his lips and teeth over the delicate skin at the junction of her jaw and neck made her temperature rise further.

They were wrapped in a warm summer breeze, but it was little relief in the warm night. Sweat rolled down his brow and onto her collarbone. She was covered in a fine sheen of sweat herself. He tucked his arms under hers to his elbows and flattened his hands against the wall beside either side of her head. He pressed a leg between hers. She moaned into his ear, her breathing ragged.

Her heart was pounding uncontrollably in her chest. Her whole body felt like a livewire. He trailed her neck and jawline with his lips upwards until he filled her mouth with his lips and tongue again. "In…mmhhn..ynshmmhn." She tried to breathe, but his name was a mumbled mess. He wanted to hear her, so he broke the kissing and started another onslaught on the other side of her neck. His right hand moved from the side of her head to her left thigh. He lifted up her leg, almost wrapping it around his hip, and held it up, grinding his pelvis against her other leg, hiking up her skirt. At that movement, her eyes shot open wide and she pushed against his chest saying in a breathy voice, "wait, wait, wait." He stopped and turned a half-lidded, heated-gaze to her. He took in her disheveled appearance (such a contrast from how together she always was at work): her cheeks were rosy and she was breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling as fast as her pulse. He tried evening his own breath.

"What are we doing?" She asked, pushing him off of her and standing straight. "I thought it was obvious." He said as he released her and stood normally, running a hand back through his hair. She brushed down the font of her skirt. "We're coworkers. I'm not this kind of girl," she breathed, her voice shaking. "You! I thought you hated me." She shot him an angry glance. He crossed his arms and turned away from her, "I lied," he spoke softly almost inaudibly. "Let's get you home." She nodded and led the way. Did I hear him right? She thought. She wanted to ask him, but decided there had been enough action for the evening.

-o-o-o-o-TO BE CONTINUED-o-o-o-o-o

A/N: Chapter 2 already in the works. Idk how to explain Sesshomaru's appearance (white hair and gold eyes) if Inuyasha's human. LOL. Whatever. Feedback is appreciated. Thank you again for reading! I'm working on other fics, but seeing as how it's AU week for Inuvember, I had this idea and wanted to contribute.