InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Close Quarters ❯ Stress Level ( Chapter 7 )

A/N: Here's your next chapter!

 

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Kagome had lost all ability of speech and simply stared at Kouga for a moment and then back at her boss. She could not have just heard him right. It sounded like he had condemned her to work with Kouga on a project that involved one of the biggest clients they'd ever had. And Sango had just left her to this fate?

 

`No, something must be wrong because Sango wouldn't just abandon the project like this…'

 

“I'm sure you two will do an excellent job together,” her boss said.

 

“Yeah, it'll be no problem. Kagome and I are friends outside of work so we'll get along very well,” Kouga said, reassuringly.

 

Her boss smiled and nodded before leaving the small office. She was still just sitting there, only she was staring at the floor now. She had hoped she could avoid him after the disastrous date. After all, he worked all the way on the other side of her floor; he would have no legitimate reason to venture near her. This was going to be too awkward to deal with. She had just found out that he had a fiancée that he never even mentioned and was in fact cheating on the poor girl. Kagome did not like that one bit, and even less so because he had gotten her involved. He had lied to both of them and now his girlfriend probably thought she was some vindictive person who knew the whole situation and was trying to steal her man. Kagome did not like the thought of someone thinking of her as “the other woman”. How could she possibly even speak to him after what he had done?

 

If the date had gone horribly wrong some other way, maybe she could have still held a friendship with the man but now that was even hard to think of. Had he broken it off with his girlfriend? If he had, did he expect her to forgive him and give him another chance? And what if he hadn't and the girl found out that they were working together? What would happen after that, another big, humiliating scene? And would it happen in the office this time in front of everyone who respected her? Would she loose her job over it?

 

And if Kouga had given up on her, would he just find another woman to cheat on his girlfriend with? And would she be expected to keep quite about it? And what if her boss told the Tohomiko Company that he'd replaced Sango with Kouga? Then would Inuyasha find out and blow up? Would he come to her job and try to kill Kouga? Would their personal problems cause her agency to loose the Tohomiko account? Would she have to listen to Inuyasha rant and rave over it until the project was over?

 

This was very, very big. They could not loose this account, and further more, she could not be the cause of it. They were already the best Advertising agency but this project would set it in stone. If it succeeded, she would get a huge raise and maybe even, one day move up to be partner in the company. But now she was working with Kouga and it wasn't going to happen if any of her fears came true. Where was Sango? Was she all right? She hadn't gotten any calls from Sango or Miroku.

 

`What if something bad happened?'

 

What if her friend was hurt and she knew nothing about it? What if Sango was in the hospital right now while she was just sitting here worrying over stupid stuff like: raises, cheating boyfriends, and over-protective roommates?

 

She couldn't take it; she really couldn't take it. All the possibilities and all of them negative. She was getting a headache, and her stomach was starting to hurt. Distantly she could hear someone calling her name. But it sounded so far away and she had already blacked out.

 

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Kouga was standing there searching for the best thing to say to her at the moment. She didn't look happy when he walked in and it was announced that she would be working with him. He had jumped at the chance to take Sango's place with her when he heard their boss discussing with his secretary about it. He saw it as a chance to patch things up with her. He was just about to make some lame comment about it being a small world when he took a good look at her.

 

Her eyes were wide and she was panting, more like hyperventilating. She had started to sweat and shake and he just looked at her confused. He called her name to ask her what was wrong but then she slumped over and slide out of her rolling computer chair onto the floor. He kept calling her name and when that didn't work he called for help. Other employees immediately came to see what was happening and when none of them could revive her, someone was sent to get the boss and some cold water. People parted to let the man through and he immediately asked what happened. Kouga explained the young girl's sudden collapse while cradling her in his arms.

 

A guy who appeared to be around the same age as Kagome came carrying a small glass of water which was splashed lightly onto her face. Kagome sputtered and wake up gasping for air and everyone let out a relieved breathe. Kouga was told to her carry her, and follow their boss back to his office. It was bigger of course and much nicer with its large windows, fluffy carpet, couches made of black Italian leather, and the large handcrafted mahogany desk.

 

Kouga sat a still woozy Kagome on one of the couches and stood off to the side while their boss seated himself behind his desk.

 

“Higurashi are you alright? Can you tell me what happened back there?” He asked her with concern.

 

“I'm a little dizzy but fine. I don't really remember what happened,” she said, running her hand through her hair.

 

“Ookami said you just fainted,” he said, pointing at Kouga.

 

“She looked very distressed before it happened, sir,” Kouga said. His concern was visible even though he was trying to maintain his manners, and not go rushing to her side.

 

“Is work stressing you out Higurashi?” Her boss asked. It would not be good to have another of his best employees out sick.

 

“No, it's just some personal problems. But it's nothing to worry about, it won't affect my job,” She said.

 

“Well just the same I'm giving you the rest of the day off. Go home, rest and please take it easy from now on. You gave us all quit a scare,” he said, smiling at her.

 

“Okay, I will. Thank you for the time off,” she said. She stood and bowed before leaving.

 

“She and Ganjou are both having personal problems. I hope everything is fine with you Ookami,” he said, looking at Kouga.

 

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“Miroku I just feel like something bad is going to happen.” Sango whined as she and her boyfriend walked through the park.

 

“Sango the world is not going to fall apart simply because you are not at work.” He told her.

 

“I should at least call in to check up on Kagome and see who's going to be replacing me.”

 

“Sango…” Miroku said in a warning tone.

 

“But I didn't tell her that I was taking time off she has no idea what's going on, it's not fair to her.” She continued.

 

“Kagome is a big girl; she can handle herself and her job. Sango remember you decided to take this time because you needed it. I'm sure Kagome doesn't want to see you end up in therapy.” He chided.

 

They had consulted a doctor and when they explained Sango's behavior he confirmed that she was borderline work-alcoholic but her case was very mild compared to others he'd seen. He suggested she take some time off to get a sense of balance back in her life and if that didn't work she would need to enter therapy.

 

Sango pushed her worries away and focused on enjoying her walk. Miroku had such a calming effect on people and she felt if wash over her. Miroku was a teacher of meditation and yoga most of the time; he was also a masseuse which is how Sango met him. She and Kagome had decided to have a girl's day out two years ago back when they were fresh out of college. They had been searching for jobs for weeks and when they both finally landed an interview at the company where they now worked, they had decided to relax and get unstressed before the big day.

 

They went to get massages and Sango nearly killed the young man who was giving her's when he decided to massage her butt too. He apologized after her beating and asked her out. She wouldn't accept at first but Kagome pushed the matter and soon she was completely in love with the pervert. Over the years they had their ups and downs because he was a lecher and when he couldn't grope her, his hands would find the next nearest set of female buns to caress. But she finally tamed him and they moved in together, so now she was the only girl he groped so long as they weren't in public. Any other guy would laugh at the idea of a man being a meditation and yoga teacher, but Miroku saw it as pure logic since it was mostly a female attended study.

 

She would joke with him at times that if he didn't teach he should be a monk because of his calm demeanor. He would laugh and say that giving a vow of chastity sounded like a fate worse than death. And that he would end up in hell because he would break it…frequently.

 

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Kouga had returned to the small office only to find Kagome running around and gathering papers.

 

“Kagome?” He began

 

“Here, you'll need to look over all of this stuff to see what Sango and I have already done on the project.” She said dumping the stack of papers into his hands.

 

“The designs for the billboards and magazines are one this disk.” She said adding a CD enclosed in its case to the stack.

 

“They're just ideas and rough drafts right now but you can look over them and see if you want to add or change anything and then we can decide together when I come back tomorrow.”

 

“Okay…”

 

“And don't set a date for the model shooting until we know when the prototypes arrive.” She said picking up her purse and briefcase.

 

“I'll see you tomorrow.” She said breezing passed him.

 

Kagome exhaled as she exited the room and headed for the elevator. She wanted to get as far away from him as possible and fast but she couldn't just leave him to do whatever he wanted on the project. She pressed the first floor button and watched the doors close and took several more deep breathes. She would just have to hope that Kouga could handle the job and not mess everything up.

 

And back in the office Kouga was still standing in the doorway holding the papers and disk. He sighed and shook his head.

 

`Can't expect her to be nice to me…'

 

He walked over to Sango's work station and sat down. Dumping the stack on the table and putting the disk into the computer. He would just start with the easiest thing first. He was about to eat some of the candy Sango kept in the crystal dish on her computer table when the phone rang. He realized it was Kagome's phone and stood up to reach over the desk and answer it.

 

“Hello?” He asked.

 

“Kagome?” A voice asked

 

“Is this Inuyasha?” Kouga asked getting angry.

 

“Who is this!?” Inuyasha yelled

 

“It's Kouga, what do you want?” He asked rudely.

 

“Where is Kagome!?” Inuyasha asked angrily.

 

“She's been given the rest of the day off dog breath.”

 

“Why are you answering her phone!?” Inuyasha demanded.

 

“Sango took some time off and I'm Kagome's new partner on her big project.” Kouga said arrogantly.

 

“What!?”

 

“Don't get bent out of shape. You need a biscuit to calm you down?” He teased.

 

“You had better not touch her!”

 

“I'll bet you're the one who's been stressing her out and causing her to faint all over the place!” Kouga yelled into the phone.

 

“I'm not the one who took her on the date from hell you flea infested son-of-bit-!” Inuyasha never got to finish the sentence because Kouga hung up on him. He turned the ringer off and flopped back down into his chair.

 

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It wasn't near lunch time yet so the streets were pretty clear of traffic and Kagome made it home faster than usual. She had just unlocked the door and entered when the phone rang.

 

“Hello?” She answered.

 

“Kagome why are you working with Kouga!?” Inuyasha's angry voice interrogated.

 

“How did you know?” She asked confused.

 

“I called your office and he answered the phone!”

 

“My boss chose him to replace Sango I had nothing to do with it! Wait! Why are you calling my office!?” She asked

 

“I was calling to tell you that the prototypes will be there tomorrow!”

 

“Well thank you.” She said hanging up. She let the phone stay off for a second before picking it back up and dialing Sango's work number.

 

“Hello?” Came Kouga's irritated voice.

 

“It's Kagome. Inuyasha just called and told me that the prototypes will be there tomorrow so go ahead and schedule the shooting.”

 

“Kagome wait!” But she had already hung up on him too.

 

Kagome walked over to the couch and picked up a pillow, burying her face in it she screamed as loud as she could.

 

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A/N: Poor Kagome…