"You got your therapist hat on today, boss?"

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow, turning away from the bartop after placing the last of the garnishes in the cocktails he'd been making. "Male or female?" he asked.

Kagura sighed, arms crossed. "Male. Definitely on the edge. Nothing I say is making a difference." He found it strange that the wind witch had survived her altercation with Naraku—stranger still that his mother had personally brought the woman back into existence. His mother never raised a hand for anyone.

It had taken Jaken's blubbering to use the meidou stone on Rin, a charm she only returned after a long and happy life with Kohaku. It would have given her the longevity of a hanyou, but the slayer's honour had rubbed off on her, and she'd chosen a mortal life with her husband.

His visits to the village had increased at the end as he leant an ear to her troubles. She'd always claimed he was a good listener and had encouraged him to use that skill to help others, but the idea of sequestering himself in an office while people laid the burden of their woes at his feet had his fur standing on end.

So, he'd decided on a bartending job instead. He technically owned the bar, along with one in every major city in Japan, but there were others whose skills lay in organizing orders and paperwork. He'd rather be behind the bar, mixing drinks and offering an ear to those who needed it.

He hoped Rin would be proud.

"Is he a danger to anyone?" he asked, drying his hands on a rag.

"Only himself," Kagura replied, motioning to an older man hunched over in a booth. "Sounds like he lost his job today, and it was kind of a tipping point."

Sesshoumaru inclined his head. "Comp his bill—"

"Already done."

"—and alert the kit to be on standby." He took in the man's dishevelled appearance. "Origins?"

"Human." Kagura pulled out her phone. "Shippou's not going to be happy I'm texting him on his day off."

"He will understand when you explain the situation." Sesshoumaru checked his watch. "And it is already past his usual wake-up time." Shippou was a paramedic, so he worked in rotating shifts, but he was their contact to every hospital in the vicinity—and would alert his colleagues if the man decided to take his fate into his own hands.

Another reason he preferred to work the floor was to monitor customers. Whether it was a spiked drink or rowdy college kids, it was easier if he was in the middle of it. More often than not, the louder patrons overshadowed those in need of real help—like the unemployed man in the booth.

"Sweep the room," he said, already ducking around her. "Everyone here has just been refilled."

"You got it, boss." She was still looking at her phone, but he knew it wouldn't be long before she refocused on the task at hand. Luckily, it was a weeknight, so the usual late-night crowd wouldn't be making their appearance. It would give him more time to speak to the man in question—and, hopefully, talk him off the edge.


It didn't take long for him to get the man talking. His wife had just had a baby a month prior, so he'd been hoping for a promotion, not a pink slip. They had savings, but they'd intended on using it as a downpayment for a larger house, not to hold them over until he found a new job.

Sesshoumaru knew he'd have something lined up for the man by the following day, but he had to change his mindset on the world being a better place without him first. It wouldn't do to stabilize his finances without stabilizing his mind.

The fact that he'd ordered a whiskey on the rocks, but it remained untouched on his table, was telling.

Sesshoumaru sat down, knowing Kagura could handle the customers currently residing within the bar, subtly moving the glass further away from him. "When was the last time you drank?" he asked.

The man slid further down into the booth, shame written all over his face. "Two years ago. Chiaki—my wife—helped me quit."

"Then it would not do you any good to scorn all her hard work," he advised. The man dragged his hands down his face, shoulders shaking, and Sesshoumaru leaned back against the leather seats. "I knew someone like Chiaki once. She was determined to see the good in people, no matter how much she was faced with the contrary."

That caught the man's attention, and he peeked through his fingers. "Were you a drinker too?"

He shook his head. "No, but she saw the worst side of me. A side that I had always thought was the only side of me. Yet she was hellbent on forcing me to see that there was more—that I could be more, even when I had no reason to be."

The man chuckled at that, a deep sigh causing him to slump against the table. "The best women are always the most stubborn."

"Indeed."

Staring out the window, they sat in silence, clinking glasses and idle chatter allowing the man to think about his next move. And Sesshoumaru had no doubt he was thinking about it.

"The first choice is not always the best one," he said softly, hands clasped together on the table. "Instincts do well to help us survive, but there is no point in living if we are not enjoying it." He gave the man a pointed look. "What about Chiaki and your son do you enjoy the most?"

The customer let out a warbled laugh, tears filling his eyes. "Coming home to them every day."

"Then that is what you must do." He emphasized the point by placing a napkin in the untouched drink. "Do not take that pleasure away from them. Or yourself. Some of us will never have the chance to do the same."

The man's expression was painful as he lay a shaking hand over Sesshoumaru's. "Thank you." It was barely above a whisper, but it was heartfelt, and Sesshoumaru had no doubt he would make it home. He inclined his head then slid from the booth, allowing the man to collect himself before he left. He checked in with the remaining tables, then returned to his place behind the bar, raising an eyebrow when he found Kagura's eyes on him.

"Who is she?"

"Who?"

"The woman in your story."

He shrugged a shoulder. "A figment. It was needed to create a connection. A lifeline," he emphasized.

Kagura shook her head, undeterred. "Nice try, but I know when you're lying. Kimi thinks she does, but you've mastered that particular tell. Especially when she's around." The receipt machine to her left whirred to life, signalling a server would be by soon for a round of drinks, and she started mixing ingredients. "Is it someone I know?" she asked.

Knowing she wouldn't sleep and, therefore, not allow him to sleep until he answered, Sesshoumaru sighed. "There is no reason to speak of this. It is a fruitless endeavour."

"Maybe to you," she said, measuring out shot glasses. "But those of us who step out of our comfort zone now and then require a little more spice to our tea."

He frowned at the euphemism, tucking the receipt under the tallest glass. "I will not have her name dragged through the mud."

Crimson eyes widened in shock. "So she actually exists? Does she know you hold her in such high regard?" She spun around, arms crossed. "Don't tell me it's one of the harpies your mother set you up with."

He snorted. "Certainly not." He paused, hand hovering over a blue liqueur bottle. For a moment, he went back in time, the edges of the bottle softening into a pair of sapphire eyes. They never focused on him, no matter which memory he recalled, and he shook himself, willing the claws of nostalgia to release him.

Kagura whistled low under her breath. "Damn. You've got it bad." She smacked his arm. "Why didn't you tell me? I would've helped set you up! Is she a regular?"

"She has never set foot in here."

"Out of choice?"

"She is too busy studying to waste her time dawdling in a bar." There was no bite to his tone, just calm acceptance. "And it is unlikely she would do so if she knew I had invited her."

"Unlikely but not completely out of the realm of possibilities." Kagura tapped her chin, eyes flickering around the bar. "What does she study? She has to have some time off."

"Medicine." He hoped she would leave it at that. There were a multitude of fields that lay within the spectrum of modern medicine, but even the lowest-level jobs required increased focus. However, he realized his mistake when Kagura grabbed the blue bottle, wheels turning in her head as she connected the dots.

"Are you serious?" It wasn't a screech, but it was enough to grate on his nerves—and catch the attention of the customers sitting at the bar. They looked at her in question, and she joked about the owner wanting to try out a new line of food-related shots, leaving them all cringing before they returned to their drinks.

Sesshoumaru tried to escape, but she followed him back to the kitchen. "As I said, a figment."

"It is not," she said, mirth shining in her eyes. "I thought you had a thing for me back then because I was one of the few who told you to get bent, but if I'd known she was the one on your radar—"

He backed her up against the industrial dishwasher, eyes hard and dangerous. "She is to remain untouched—by you or anyone else."

Kagura held up her hands. "Wouldn't think anything of it, boss. I actually liked her back then. You knew where you stood with her." He eyed her warily, then controlled his youki, the oppressive power receding. The air grew warmer, and she rubbed the back of her neck. "I don't suppose you plan on talking to her anytime soon?"

His long silver braid swayed as he sorted through a tray of clean cutlery. "Why would I do something as foolish as that?" He checked in with the chefs, letting them know they could begin their end-of-day duties, and Kagura watched him with a pensive expression.

"Why indeed?" They didn't speak another word on the subject for the rest of the night, but she wasn't about to let it slide. If he wasn't going to do anything about it, then she would.


"What is the meaning of this?" he seethed, slamming the piece of paper down in front of her.

Kagura didn't look up, continuing to file her nails as she tried not to smirk. "Looks like an application form," she replied in a bored tone.

"I am speaking about the name on the form," he snapped. She'd never seen him angry before—even Kimi couldn't say what his triggers were, as he kept them well hidden. But apparently, interfering with his love life was one of them.

"Oh?" she said, blinking owlishly. "Is it someone you know?"

His eyes narrowed. "You know full well—"

"What I know," she said, slowly getting to her feet, "is that I'm tired of you burying yourself in your work without the slightest inclination of a hobby or a life in general." She pointed to the name printed legibly across the top of the paper. "I also know that she'd been looking for a part-time job, but she hasn't found one that will accommodate her class schedule and that she's currently single."

"She was to remain untouched."

"I'm not going to attack her," Kagura assured him. "But she seemed happy enough to see me and is willing to learn the tools of the trade to bring in some extra cash. Who was I to say no?"

"Kagura—" Her name was said in warning, his teeth grinding together, but she checked her watch, then patted his shoulder.

"Better make yourself presentable, boss. She'll be here in less than an hour." She sidled by him, hips swaying. "I figured getting her started on a slow day was better. That way, she'll be all up to snuff when Spring Break hits." His resulting growl had her stifling her laughter, relishing the moment when Kagome Higurashi would walk through the front doors.


"You're a quick learner," Kagura mused, watching as Kagome mixed three different drinks simultaneously. She wasn't sure how well she'd do considering the lack of experience, but the woman was just as hardworking as she was back then, and if she wasn't careful, she'd put Kagura out of a job.

The demoness smirked. If it meant Sesshoumaru was forced to work with her more often, she was all for it. So far, he'd been avoiding the floor at all costs whenever Kagome was on shift—and it hadn't gone unnoticed.

"I might've cheated and watched a bunch of YouTube videos before coming in," she replied, grinning guiltily as she bounced the bottle in her hand, effortlessly stopping the flow of liquor. A few drops landed on the bartop, but it was quickly cleaned up, and she slid the drinks toward the waiting customers.

"Why am I not surprised?" Kagura asked, shaking her head.

Kagome shrugged nonchalantly. "I didn't want to look bad."

Chuckling, Kagura wiped down the rest of the counter, then restocked some of the garnishes. "You're a bartender, not a surgeon."

"Not yet," she countered. "And all this mixology is helping me study for my chemistry final. I'm going over the chemical compounds of the ingredients every time I make a drink," she clarified at Kagura's questioning look.

Kagura made a face. "This job was supposed to help you relax."

Kagome grinned, the expression mature yet impish. The image of her running around in her school uniform had been the only thing she'd had to go off of, so Kagura hadn't known what to expect. She'd floated the idea of hiring a student past Inuyasha, and it had been his idea to hire Kagome. She hadn't interacted much with the hanyou, even with her being mated to Sesshoumaru's mother, but they had one thing in common.

They both loved to get under Sesshoumaru's skin.

She was sure Inuyasha didn't know about his brother's centuries-long infatuation, but it would make it all that more delicious when something did happen. If only the stubborn stick-in-the-mud would show his face long enough for them to actually have a conversation.

The fact that Kagome had matured in both mind and body was a step in the right direction. The only uniform requirement was for them to wear black, and everyone knew that if you showed a little bit of skin, you were more likely to get a better tip. Sesshoumaru made sure all of the customers knew that if any of them harassed the servers in any way, they'd be thrown out, so they didn't have to worry about unnecessary touching, which was a perk.

Kagome wasn't one to show off her obvious assets, but her clothes always clung in the right places, leaving much to the imagination. And from what Kagura had seen, Sesshoumaru liked to imagine a lot.

It was too bad he was a coward. Maybe she could lure him out by feigning another emotional emergency. The bar was an established place for guidance, and though he didn't officially have a licence, the amount of therapy he gave out could've doubled his annual salary.

"I was surprised when Inuyasha told me you were working here," Kagome said, drawing her attention back to the new hire. "You always struck me as the loner type."

Grateful she hadn't lost her intuition over the years, Kagura flashed her a grin. "I am, but the pay is good. Plus, I get to needle the boss without fear of getting fired."

Blue eyes flickered toward the office, the large wooden door currently closed. "I didn't peg him for a bar owner, either."

Kagura leaned against the counter. "Yeah, he enjoys torturing himself with muddling drunks and listening to everyone's life stories for some reason."

Kagome's eyes remained on the door. "You made it seem like he'd be out here more. Isn't the manager in charge of the payroll and inventory?" Kagura hadn't divulged Sesshoumaru's role in the establishment, hoping he'd pull his tail from between his legs and talk to her now that she was within reach.

Maybe she'd talk to Kimi about it. He wouldn't like it, as she interfered in his life enough, but if he was going to hole himself up in the office every time Kagome was on shift, there wouldn't be any point in hiring her in the first place.

"He's got an eye for detail, and it's just easier for him to do it considering how long he's been working here," Kagura replied. The subject was dropped as a round of shots was ordered, and Kagome nudged Kagura when she noticed two of the men hounding a woman as soon as her friends left for the bathroom.

Kagura took her cue, pretending the woman was her cousin and draping an arm over her shoulders. The men immediately backed off, and she had a small chat with her friends once they returned, making sure they didn't leave her alone again—and to let them know if there was any more trouble.

Kagome gave her a thumbs up, then headed to the kitchen to pick up a few orders, giving Sesshoumaru the chance to slide behind the bar without their paths crossing. "I basically gift-wrapped her for you, and you're hiding out in your office like a pup," Kagura chastised.

His scowl was permanently etched into his features, golden eyes darting between the bar and the kitchen. "It is your own fault for being so meddlesome."

"Someone has to," she retorted. "You're too chicken shit to do anything about it yourself. You know she lives down the street from here? You could've been walking her to and from classes if you'd grow a pair."

He printed out the current subtotals, not bothering to contradict her as Kagome reappeared from the kitchen, a tray of dishes in tow. She greeted each customer with a smile, Sesshoumaru's gaze soon following her movements across the bar, and Kagura thought she had him until the woman turned around, their eyes meeting. Her face brightened, and she made her way back to the bar, but that seemed to make things worse, and he slunk away before Kagome could make contact.

He muttered something under his breath as he passed, and Kagura threw her hands up in the air, an aggravated groan escaping before she put in her latest order, fingers slamming against the screen.

"Did I make a mistake?" Kagome asked, putting her tray away. "He left awful fast."

"It's nothing to do with you," Kagura replied, eyes flashing. "Mr. High-and-Mighty just thinks he knows everything and refuses to have any fun."

There was a pause, and Kagome bit her lip as she leaned against the counter. "Does he normally have fun when he's working?"

Kagura sighed. "Usually. But the stick that he's got permanently wedged up his ass has gone deeper lately." She separated a few receipts, sliding them into a billfold before handing them to the customers.

"How long have you been working with him?" Kagome asked after restocking the ice. "You seem to get along for the most part. Which, again, is weird, considering the circumstances."

No humans were sitting at the bar, though it wouldn't have mattered if there were. Youkai and hanyou were commonplace in everyday society, but being out in the open came with its own dangers, and not everyone felt comfortable doing so.

Sesshoumaru's line of bars was a sort of safe haven. It didn't matter what percentage ran in your veins, just as long as you respected the rules of the establishment. Kagura had certainly had her fair share of times when people had been thrown out on their asses. She quite enjoyed the look of bewilderment when they were lifted off their feet and deposited on the pavement. She never had to lift a finger, and Sesshoumaru never questioned her authority on the matter, either.

"A century or so," Kagura replied. She'd lost track after the first decade. She knew the other locations had taken off in the last fifty years—prohibition only increased their sales—but Sesshoumaru had established a safe space before booze was even a factor. And now that she knew about his dirty little secret, she had no doubts as to why.

This was the perfect opportunity to show that he'd changed from the menacing warlord she'd known back then. Why was he cowering in his office instead of flouncing around the bar? Kimi certainly had no issues showing off; she would've assumed the same could be said for her son.

"You must be close." Something in Kagome's voice gave her pause, and Kagura slowly turned around, eying her directly. Kagome had never backed down from a confrontation, even as a teenager, but little things were starting to add up to big things.

Like how she'd held out her hand to shake Sesshoumaru's the first day she'd shown up. The daiyoukai had stared at her like she'd had two heads, refusing to return the gesture. Kagura hadn't been surprised—she was more focused on getting the miko into his bar without his knowledge—but Kagome hadn't pressed the matter.

The Kagome Kagura remembered would've blasted him for being rude—or at least grabbed his hand and forced the handshake to happen. Instead, she'd simply smiled and asked Kagura for a tour—Kagura, not Sesshoumaru.

"As close as people can get working together, I suppose." There was nothing notable in her expression, and Kagura thought she might've imagined it at first, but Kagome's eyes eventually flickered toward the office again.

"Does me being here make him uncomfortable?"

"Why would you say that?" Kagura probed.

Kagome shrugged. "You keep telling me how well he gets along with customers, and a lot of the regulars have asked about him, but I've barely seen him since I was hired."

Kagura gave up trying to be subtle. "Are you wanting to see him more?" A delightful blush spilled onto Kagome's face, and Kagura nearly jumped for joy. The mongrel was hiding in his office, wallowing, while the object of his affection was right here, doing the same thing.

Locking them in the freezer was sounding more appealing by the minute.


As it was, she didn't have the opportunity to get them into the same room that night—or even that weekend—as Sesshoumaru had conveniently planned a trip to check on the other locations. He was gone for two weeks, leaving Kagome to question her abilities to tend bar.

The light had dimmed in her eyes, and as a result, Kagura was ready to try out a new set of carving knives on her boss by the time he returned.

She knew he was supposed to show his face tonight, but he'd yet to do so, so she turned her attention to her new friend, cornering her between orders. "Why did you agree to work here?"

Kagome stiffened, water sloshing out of the pitcher she was holding. "Because it's close to my apartment, and the hours work for schedule," she hedged.

Kagura pointed a finger in her face. She wished it was her fan but didn't want to get carried away. Not yet. "That's the story I made up. What's the real reason?"

"It's the truth!" she argued.

"But not the only reason," she probed.

Shoulders slumping, Kagome placed the pitched on the counter. "There's no point, Kagura. He doesn't see me that way."

"Explain the point. Thoroughly. And then we'll deal with how he sees you." She already knew the answer, but she needed it from her directly before she threw them both to the wolves.

Kagome flushed, playing with the tip of her ponytail. "I thought it would give me the chance for something that didn't happen before," she mumbled.

"Which was?"

She busied herself by refiling the drinks at the bar, but Kagura stood in her way when she tried to escape to the fridge, dark brows raised expectantly. Kagome wrang her hands together, and Kagura could sense her panic before the words bubbled over. "He saved more than once back then. He didn't need to; it wouldn't benefit him in any way, but he did. I wanted to ask him about it when I got back, but the well never let me through."

She'd gotten the lowdown about Kagome's time-travelling abilities from Inuyasha after Sesshoumaru had remained frustratingly tight-lipped about her in general. She'd had to be very careful when questioning Kimi about it, as any revelation that her son was interested in anyone would've been grounds for personal interference. Kagura knew nothing would come of it then.

Kimi had confirmed the trip was possible, but it would involve a power beyond anything she'd witnessed, so it would likely be a one-way trip. From what Inuyasha had told her, Kagome had done it several times a month.

Kagura had then questioned Sesshoumaru about his interest in the miko, wondering if it had anything to do with her power. He'd long since given up his quest for supreme domination, but she had to be sure it wasn't for nefarious reasons.

The sap hadn't mentioned her power at all, going on about her stubbornness and compassion, all while getting a faraway look in his eyes as he strolled down memory lane.

"What would you have done if you'd gone back?" she asked, hands on her hips.

Kagome let out a strained chuckle. "I would've given him a piece of my mind, first off. Who saves someone without an explanation? And after going out of his way to kill me in the first place?" Kagura started listing off all the other people who'd done the same thing. Adding in her name had Kagome laughing again as she shoved her out of the way. "You know what I mean! I'd have followed him around until he gave an answer. A real one."

"Yet you haven't so much as knocked on his door since you've been hired."

Her shoulders hunched and Kagura was getting really tired of her dejected expression. Where was the warrior from before? The one who went up against daiyoukai and vermin like Naraku with only a single arrow?

"It's different now," she said, turning away.

"It's really not." She grabbed her arm, forcing her to face her. "March up to him when he gets here and—"

Kagome shook her head. "He doesn't want anything to do with me. I can't face him—" The front door to the bar opened, and blood drained from her face, but a group of giggling co-eds stumbled through the doorway. Kagura rolled her eyes, intent on dragging more information out of her friend, but Kagome gave her a panicked look before burying her face into her hands. "I can't…"

She'd been expecting something, but not this.

Kagome was already in love with the bastard.

Kagura cursed under her breath, pulling her into a fierce hug. Enough was enough.


Sesshoumaru thought he was being surreptitious by using the back door, but Kagura found him anyway, a gust of youki setting his teeth on edge. "I won't be here long," he said, scanning the inventory sheet. "The Hokkaido location wishes to add—"

"I don't give a shit what they want," Kagura ground out. "You're going to have a conversation with Kagome if I have to tie you up to do it."

He bristled. The business trip had been necessary and something he'd been putting off, so it had come at the perfect time once the miko had been hired. She was an ideal employee, making sure everything was stocked and running properly, and as a result, her scent was everywhere.

It permeated every booth, and by the time he returned home, his clothes were saturated with the sweet, forbidden scent. It had taken every ounce of his control not to collapse in his bed without changing and dragging the smell into his lungs.

It was intoxicating, as it had always been, though it had taken until she'd disappeared for him to realize it. He was drawn to her for so many reasons, most of which his mother would laugh at, but having her so close was more than he could handle, and like a coward, he'd retreated to a place she couldn't follow.

He'd thought the time away would help prepare him for his return. He could focus on work and slowly build up a tolerance so that he could mingle with customers again—perhaps even alongside her during a shift. But he'd been foolish to think a mere two weeks away from her would suffice when he'd been dreaming of her for centuries. He was doomed to be a paper-pusher for the rest of his days—or at least the rest of hers.

That thought had sent him spiralling. He'd avoided her after their first meetings, as he'd held onto the image of a wayward teen trouncing around Japan in the feudal era. In their time apart, she'd grown into a woman, curves and confidence for days, and it had only made things worse.

Now, he could imagine her as his equal, as a partner.

As a mother.

If alcohol worked on him, he'd have drowned his sorrows in sake.

Steeling himself, he looked back at his inventory list. "If you have any complaints about her work ethic, you are welcome to fire her. She is still within her probation period and was your hire in the first place." He barely got the words out before Kagura grabbed him by the braid, manhandling him toward his office.

"Don't even start on that shit," she snapped, yanking his office door open with a bang. The woman sitting inside was still wiping her eyes, a poor excuse for a napkin crumpled in her hands.

Sesshoumaru's legs shook with the force it took to stay upright. Her scent was everywhere. She was sitting in his chair, and he knew he'd have to dispose of it now. "What is the meaning of this?" he seethed, trying to cover his reaction.

"You're both being stupid, and you're going to stay in here until you stop being miserable and making her cry!" She shoved him further inside, then turned on the miko. "Tell him why you're upset."

Blue eyes were blown wide with panic, her distress souring the sweet honeysuckle he was used to, and she shook her head. "I told you that in private, Kagura."

Kagura snorted. "You told me that because I was too stubborn to take no for an answer, and since he's more stubborn than me, you're going to be the one to tell him." She turned on her heel. "Neither of you is allowed to work until you sort this out." The door slammed behind her, the only sound in the office being the miko's soft sniffles.

He should leave. Let her continue to think he hadn't changed from the asshole she'd known back then. But he made the mistake of meeting her gaze, the watery expression forcing him to his knees in front of her as he wiped away her tears. "I apologize for her behaviour."

She stiffened at his touch, anxiety still simmering under the surface, then shook her head. "It's not your fault. I said something stupid, and now she's got in her head that—" She met his questioning gaze and scrunched her eyes shut. "How was your trip?" she asked, clearly deflecting.

He latched onto the change of subject. "Productive. We will be adopting some of the northern delicacies."

"New drinks?"

He nodded. "As well as dishes, as long as the chefs are on board." He glanced at the inventory sheet. "There will be a trial menu for the new items to see how they fair with customers."

"I'm sure it'll be fine," she assured him. The spark returned to her eyes as she smiled. "You've done really well for yourself. Everyone loves coming here, and the drinks are easy to make." He'd been attempting to stand up, to distance himself, but the warble in her voice had him stalling as her smile was forced wider than what she was ready for. "I'm proud of you."

A tear escaped, and he reached to brush it away, using the pad of his thumb instead of her crinkled napkin. He had to cup her face to do so, and her eyes fluttered shut as she leaned into the touch.

Sesshoumaru stopped breathing.

Given all of her dealings with youkai culture, she had to know what that meant. Humans were warned about specific actions, which, if done in specific ways, had hidden meanings.

Her hand came up to cover his, though he couldn't be sure if it were of her own volition. It might've been a few seconds or an hour, he couldn't tell, but every moment that ticked by had his head leaping into his throat.

She finally collected herself, sucking in a shuddering breath before her eyes opened, and the smile she gave him spoke of so many things he'd never dared dream of until that moment. He continued to stare at her in shock, and she suddenly realized how close they were, tearing his hand away from her face.

"I'm so sorry! I shouldn't have done that!" She leaned back in the chair, looking like a flipped turtle as she scrambled to get out of it. "That was so inappropriate. I shouldn't even be in here." She trailed off as she looked around, as if she'd completely forgotten where she was, but the only thing that mattered was that she knew what it meant.

She knew, and she'd still done it.

Sesshoumaru gripped the armrests of his chair, the force of it rolling her back until it hit his desk. She looked up at him with wide eyes, body trembling, but he refused to let her leave until he confirmed it. Fingers flexing, he cupped her face again, amber eyes intense as he watched her.

She was tense under his hand, the beat of her heart irregular as she continued to stare, but she eventually relaxed, head tilting as she leaned into his touch. Sesshoumaru couldn't remember moving, but the taste of honeyed citrus exploded on his tongue as his mouth covered hers, her squeak of surprise quickly shifting into a desperate moan. Her nails dug into his wrist, but her cheek never left his palm as she responded.

She responded.

His mouth left hers, the soft whine that followed nearly his undoing, but he brushed away the remaining tears, new ones following as he trailed kisses over her entire face. They were soon replaced with laughter, and she tried to push him away to get a breath in, but he wasn't having any of it. Her subtle acceptance of his touch was more than he needed, and he would not be letting go of her any time soon.

"I'm not dreaming, right?" she asked, breathless.

He kissed her again, body arching off the chair as he tasted her fully. It would never be enough. "If you are, so am I, and we will never wake."

She shivered at the promise in his tone, and soft hands came up to cup his face. He immediately leaned in, fangs teasing as he kissed her palms. The scent of salt cut through the serene sugar that had been soothing his soul. "Why do you cry?" he asked.

"I should've looked for you sooner."

He shook his head, nuzzling her hand. "I have known where you resided since you reunited with my brother."

"But?"

A sigh had his body shuddering, and he kissed her again to keep himself steady. "I could not bear it if you denied my suit."

A choked laugh escaped as she wrapped her arms around his neck. They were at an awkward angle, and he switched their positions, her head tucked under his chin as he held her close. She relaxed in his hold. "That's the same reason I hadn't approached you since I started working here."

"It would have been difficult to do with how much I was avoiding you."

She rubbed her face against his chest before brushing a kiss along his jaw. "We were both stupid."

"Very."

Her head tilted as she looked toward the door. "Think Kagura will ever let us get over it?"

"Not in the slightest."

She leaned back, the beginning of a smile tugging at her lips. "How far do you think we can push it before she regrets it?" They shared a laugh, both feeling drained and content to bask in each other's arms. She stroked the marks on his arm, hoping that it was a slow night, as there was nowhere else she wanted to be.


Kagura finished off the rest of the shift by herself. It was a trial, and she had to apologize to several customers for the delay, but when she told them being short-staffed was due to the boss finally getting his happy ending, everyone understood.

"About fucking time, too," she muttered before finally closing her final table. She'd been tempted to shove a chair under the doorknob to keep them in his office, but when they hadn't emerged after several minutes, the hope that they'd finally figured things out started to increase.

She wasn't about to deal with the aftermath if they decided to get naked—she knew Kagome wasn't into that sort of thing anyway—but she'd made a few passes by the door to make sure her friend had stopped crying.

If Sesshoumaru knew what was good for him, he'd have her mated before the end of the month. And if he didn't, it wouldn't be her fault if she let it slip to his mother that he'd finally started seeing someone.

Kimi was better at locks at her, anyway.