InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Close Your Eyes ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Close Your Eyes: Chapter 3

By: Scarlet_fears

 

They had been in each other's company for two-hundred and sixty seconds approximately, or so Kagome had counted, and already there was a thick tension set. That was one thing she was very meticulous about. She was always nervous, insecure, and with the attitude of Sesshoumaru Taisho, Kagome was positive that her bi-weekly psychiatrist appointments were going to occur more often than necessary.

 

There was definitely no way that she could back out of this. Grandfather was aging quickly, and with his health on the roller coaster of life and death, he could sparsely run the quaint shrine gift shop. Her mother was currently working double shifts. It was taking toll on the once jubilant woman. Kagome, although doing alright with herself financially, tried to help around the shrine. It had been with her family for ages. With all that had happened in the last four years, she wasn't sure how much more the Higurashi family could put up with.

 

Here she was signing a contract that bound her to a man of whom she could already tell would bring her to hell and back. The contract could be easily breeched, and she could quit at any time she wished, but Kagome was desperate--a little too desperate for her liking. With her limited schooling, there was only so much that a college drop out could do. If it were not for some old high school connections she had, she could be in a fast food joint flipping burgers. It seemed as though her hand moved of its own accord and signed the contract that she was sure would be regretted.

 

Traitor! Her own hand was betraying what her mind was screaming at her to reconsider.

 

“Very well,” Kaede clapped in relief “All of the finalizations shall be taken care of at the end of the day and Kagome will be able to start assisting you tomorrow!”

 

With a curt inclination of his head, Kaede had left the office in pursuit of other things to be done. Once again they were alone and the silence was dreadful.

 

“So…” Kagome at once started, “I'll see you tomorrow.” Not too sure what else was to be said she started to the door and soon stopped mid-track.

 

“I suppose you know tomorrow's schedule?” Sesshoumaru asked. He wasn't amused by her lack of proprieties.

 

“Eh, not exactly but-

 

“You are to meet me at my current residence at exactly six-thirty in the morning.” He explained as she took notes and Jaken gave her the address. “From there we will be driven to where I work and you will help me with whatever I wish. It would be recommended that you can take efficient notes, touch-type, handle yourself with calculations, and hold your tongue unless instructed otherwise.”

 

Why was it that everything coming out of her new employer's mouth had to do with her attitude and behaviors and he didn't even know her? This would not do. There was no way that she could put up with this.

 

“Now you listen here!”

 

“Do not presume that you can tell me what to do girl.” Jaken shook his head in a disapproving manner when he had reprimanded her. “There will be many more pressures in the working area and I will not have you embarrass me with your constant outbursts.”

 

“Anything else I may require after work you will attend to. Your work-day will end at six fifteen.”

 

The short man proceeded to tug at the man's sleeve as they left. “Wear something presentable.” Sesshoumaru called over his shoulder.

 

Kagome bit her lip and tried to reason with herself. He couldn't always be this uptight. He had recently lost his eyesight. Surely this was a plausible cause for his somewhat arrogant demeanor. Right? Maybe she was be overly-sensitive. She had a lot going on for her right now, maybe she misinterpreted his gestures.

 

Whatever the reason, she was determined to completely wipe the slate clean. They would both start tomorrow fresh and carefree. She wasn't going to let today tarnish her belief of who he truly was. This job was her opportunity to make a difference in not only her life, but his. With her company, she was positive that they would be best friends by the end of the week.

 

“Yes, this is perfect.” She said to herself smiling. “It'll be just like babysitting! Except…without the baby.” Kagome gave up trying to make sense out of it. Shaking her head she went home in hopes of getting ready for her first day of work.

 

~*~

 

After departing, Sesshoumaru requested to be driven home. There was no way that he would get any work done with that incompetent old man Jaken. He wasn't sure if this was responsible, skipping a day of work, with Inuyasha out of the country that is. It was like telling children to take care of themselves. Jaken helped him to the elevator and Sesshoumaru assured him that he could take care of himself the rest of the way.

 

Out in the hallway he could hear the neighbors arguing, again. It was that Ayame girl who sought to bring home a new boyfriend each week. He could only guess that she was breaking up with another sorry sap. She lived down the far end of the hall, so it was something when he could make out every word she was saying. They had exchanged drinks and had dinner together every once in a while although it was nothing serious. From what he had gathered, she wasn't ready for any long-term relationships and was testing out the possibilities. She had been “testing out the possibilities” for three years. He normally didn't care about such things, but he sure wished that they would keep it down.

 

Fumbling with the keys for a bit, he managed to let himself into the apartment. He leaned against the door with a hefty sigh. Today had gone better then expected, but why did he feel so exhausted? He stopped running his hands through his hair and felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. He heard some rustling coming from the living room. Sesshoumaru wasn't alone in the apartment. Never one to cower down in a dangerous situation, he made his way to the living room.

 

“Leave.” Short, simple and to the point, just the way he liked it. Whoever was there would in no way misinterpret the forceful command.

 

“Holy shit!” The intruder fell off the couch and onto the coffee table in a less then graceful manner and heavy breathing could be heard. Now…the intruder didn't sound so much like an intruder, it sounded an awful lot like... “It's just me!” …his co-worker Miroku.

 

“How'd you get in here?” Sesshoumaru asked coolly as he found his way to the chair and sat down. The chills he had experienced earlier had gone down. “I have my ways.” Miroku grinned to him also plopping down onto the sofa.

 

“You found the key under the mat.”

 

“Psh! Whatever man.” Miroku pouted. “Anyways, Inuyasha called yesterday. We went down to the local pub to catch up. I haven't seen him since high school!”

 

Drawing his eyes over to Sesshoumaru who was leaning his head back staring up at the ceiling he continued. “He told me what happened.”

 

“Hn.” Was the only response he got from the relaxing man. “Yeah, he also told me about your food problem. I brought Chinese for lunch and dinner, and a pill box that'll last you for about two weeks. Sango will stop by tomorrow and bring dinner for you.”

 

“This Sesshoumaru does not want your pity.”

 

“C'mon, don't be like that. We're friends, and it's what friends do. Plus, Sango will have my head before she sees anyone malnourished especially you.” He laughed.

 

Detecting nothing but honesty in his voice Sesshoumaru caved into his wishes. He was always one to search for emotions on one's face, but now he had to listen to their voice. It wasn't as easy as it seemed. He could have been easily deceived, but Miroku and Sango were long-time acquaintances, and that in itself was rare. Sesshoumaru wasn't known as being the most social person.

 

They chatted for a while on different topics. It was the same old stuff they discussed: politics and business. It wasn't common that they talked on personal subjects such as their love life, family, or anything of the sort. It sometimes drifted off to that, and it wasn't that they didn't know each other that well; it was just something that was awkward for them to talk about.

 

Sesshoumaru was two years Miroku's senior. Miroku and Sango had actually been Inuyasha's dearest friends throughout high school and that was how they were acquainted with Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha decided to study abroad and explore his opportunities before settling down in the family business. Sesshoumaru, Miroku, and Sango, attended the same college and over time developed a deep understanding. One would call it friendship. Miroku and Sango majored in business, and Sesshoumaru's father was all but ecstatic to open his arms to friends of the family.

 

“How is Mushin doing these days?” Sesshoumaru asked. Mushin was Miroku's foster parent. He was getting old with age and was being taken care of by Miroku.

 

“Ah, the old fart still hasn't kicked the bucket if that's what you mean.” He replied taking another swig at the beverage in his hand. “I really don't think that he will be anytime soon actually. He's in pretty good condition for a man his age.” Miroku chuckled as he reminisced. “You'll never believe it, but he went and bought himself a Harley. He said that he enjoyed the feeling of the wind in his hair. I told him that he could've just stuck his head out the car window.”

 

Sesshoumaru allowed himself an abrupt laugh. He remembered Mushin from the company Christmas parties. Mushin was quite the character. Although Miroku would never admit to it, he picked up a lot of old habits from the old man. Some of them were good, and others were not so gentleman like.

 

“Whatever became of that Rika girl?” Miroku finally asked.

 

“The usual, slept with her, thanked her for a good rut, kicked her out and told her to never come back.” Sesshoumaru said as though it was nothing.

 

“You take too much for granted.”

 

“And you're one to talk? You've been fawning over the same girl for years on end and have settled for everyone but her.” Sesshoumaru snorted in response.

 

“Yeah well,” Miroku stammered, obviously flustered by his statement. “I have my reasons, but you on the other hand, if you keep doing what you're doing, eventually you'll have to take Viagra just to stay up. If you catch my drift…” He finished quite satisfied with how he managed to keep his composure.

 

“That may very well be, but I do believe that Sango and I have some chemistry. I could easily play the downtrodden blind fool tomorrow when she comes and have her in bed before ten.” Sesshoumaru said his façade never wavering.

 

“You wouldn't.” He bit back. “Sango is not just some girl that you can use! She's not like that. It wouldn't be that easy. She'd give up one hell of a fight before getting in bed with you! She's mine!” His eyes widened at the declaration he had just made. Narrowing just as quickly as they opened he realized the trap he had just fallen into. That was exactly the response Sesshoumaru was hoping for and he had just walked in and laid his cards on the table.

 

“I see.” Sesshoumaru smirked. “You should have said something earlier. I now know to keep my hands to myself.”

 

“Speaking of keeping hands to oneself,” Miroku smiled sheepishly. “That lovely secretary of yours, Yura I believe her name is, I couldn't help but touch her today at work.”

 

“And speaking of work, why aren't you there?” Sesshoumaru questioned.

 

“Hehe, I was getting there.” Miroku laughed guiltily. He explained how Yura's new boyfriend showed up and caught Miroku, and was now looking for blood. He needed tightened security on that level and only Sesshoumaru was allowed to request it. “It was barely a feel. I mean it was more like an occasional brush.”

 

The rest of the day went by uneventfully. Before Miroku had left, he was sure to tell Sesshoumaru that he had picked up his dry cleaning for the week. As Sesshoumaru lay there on his bed, he couldn't help but feel pathetic. It wasn't like him to just stay home. He couldn't drive, go to the movies, watch television, or go clubbing. He had to have other people do his bidding for him, which in any other case wouldn't be so bad. It was times like this that made him wish that he and his brother got along better, or that his dad was still around, or that maybe he was in a serious relationship. Sesshoumaru didn't have anyone who genuinely cared for him and his feelings. The only people he did have either felt a sense of responsibility towards him, or just wanted material things.

 

~*~

 

“Yes, I'm looking for the room number of Mr. Sesshoumaru Taisho?” Kagome asked the lady at the front desk.

 

“There's no need for that Miss,” the woman explained monotonously, “Here he comes right now.”

 

True to her word Sesshoumaru stepped out of the elevator and sidestepped his way to the side of the room waiting for her. Kagome muttered thanks as she made her way across to him. If he had made his way thus far, than he wasn't too bad off on his own.

 

“Good morning Mr. Taisho.” She chirped merrily.

 

“Let's go.” was her only response. It wasn't exactly what she was hoping for so early in the morning. He got a tight grip on her shoulder as she led him out to the limo awaiting both of them.

 

It was a fifteen minute ride to the company. That meant it was nine hundred seconds spent in complete and utter silence. Kagome felt uneasy and extremely nervous. Sesshoumaru's attitude towards him didn't help matters much. The car soon came to a stop.

 

As she prepared to open the door he spoke to her again. “I hope that your choice in clothes is appropriate. I wouldn't want to be embarrassed by someone who dresses like a tramp.” She tightened her grip on the door handle and glared angrily back at him.

 

“I don't know what your problem is, and honestly I could care less.” She stepped out of the car and waited for him to appear. “Also, I don't plan on making a fool of you. All I ask is that you treat me in a respectful manner, and I'll do the same for you.”

 

Sesshoumaru quietly accepted this and chose not to speak on the topic anymore. What really surprised him was when she intertwined arms with him and made it look as though it was he that was leading them into the building. Her steps were short, quiet, and medium paced.

 

“Several steps coming up in about five, four, three, two, one.” She voiced under her breath. True to her word, they made it without effort.

 

Interesting. This might not be as bad as I thought. Sesshoumaru finally concluded.

 

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A/N: I think it's safe to say that we are out of the exposition. *does victory dance*

 

Unfortunately, for you that is, but fortunate for me—I am going on a five week vacation. Due to the lack of computer resources though, I'm not so sure if I'll be able to update in that time. It all depends. Thanks to all my fellow readers, and until then…

 

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