A False Start by Harlecorn

Chapter 1

I posted this months and months ago on AO3 as a birthday gift for chocochip, and then completely forgot to post it here lol

Gonna use this story to do a quick update! I'm sorry to those who are waiting on the next chapter of Order! I'm trying to work through the next part of the story to have it finished before posting as it's the big climax, & I don't want to end up retconning chapters while I'm still writing it. But as soon as it's done, I'll be posting new chapters again! I also had a really rough end of 2021/start of 2022, which forced me to take a break from writing at all, but HOPEFULLY I'll finish with Order so I can start posting that again (especially since I'm nearing the end of the story and I want to have it finished so folks can read it in its entirety)!

ADDITIONALLY- If you haven't heard, there's a new SessKag website called the Pink Moon Observatory launching on April 1st! A very dear friend of mine, ForgettableFox, has been working tirelessly to bring this to fruition. It'll have everything SessKag on it (fanart, fanfics, blogs, awards, etc). We're all super excited and hope to see all of you guys on it when it launches!

xXx

Sesshoumaru's phone rings just as he slumps into his wingback, exhausted after a long day at work- and it's only Tuesday- and groans as he sits up to dig it out of his pocket. He looks over at Kagome on the couch, her laptop sitting on her crossed legs as she types with her books spread out around her with sticky notes and loose papers stuck between pages. She has her hair thrown up in a messy bun with a highlighter shoved in it, her glasses on, and a pen held between her teeth.

They'd decided to rent together a year ago and at the time, it had been fine. They were friends, best friends, and already spent almost all of their time at each other's places, so just sharing space was fine. It was fine. Until it wasn't so fine, and the things he'd been ignoring started making themselves impossible to ignore. When those warm affectionate feelings for his best friend started to turn into more. When jealousy and want began to weave their way into things.

He looks at his phone and groans when he sees it's his mother. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he answers.

"Sesshoumaru! My darling boy. I'm going to be in your city for a few days, starting tomorrow. I wish to see you and I have someone for you to meet. You remember Akemi, Masami and Takuma's daughter? She'll be with me, and I think you will get along well with each other," Kimiko says, making Sesshoumaru hang his head, hand falling away into his lap as he internally curses his mother. Of course, she's calling to set him up.

"You okay, Sess?" Kagome asks quietly from the couch, her brilliant blue eyes meeting his when he looks up. Sesshoumaru holds his phone out for Kagome to see who's on the line. Her eyes widen in understanding before she grimaces and nods. "She's trying to set you up again?" she whispers, despite knowing that Kimiko can still hear her. He nods in answer, and then suddenly Kagome is moving.

"You haven't told her yet, babe?"

Sesshoumaru stares at his friend. This is the friend he's known for almost a decade. The one person who truly understands him, and knows him. The one person whom he thought he fully understood and knew. He stares at her in blatant confusion, as she evidently has lost her mind.

"Sess, it's been a year. It's a little silly to not tell her at this point," Kagome continues, a wicked smile on her face, and it's then that it clicks. She's offering him an out. He has no desire to go on his mother's blind date- not when he's harbouring feelings for the woman now sitting in his lap- and Kagome knows this is a pattern with Kimiko and is offering him a way to get out of it with minimal damage. At least, minimal damage to his relationship with his mother and her relationship with Akemi's family. Damage to his own emotional wellbeing is another matter entirely.

"I did not intend to hide it. It merely never came up," Sesshoumaru answers evenly, closing his eyes against the sharp stab of want that rips through his chest.

"Sesshoumaru? Are you still there?" he hears his mother ask over the line, confusion clear in her tone. He hasn't seen the woman since before he and Kagome had moved into the condo together, and while she's heard about Kagome here and there- hard not to have mentioned her at all in the nine years he's known her- she's never actually met Kagome. She doesn't know that he and Kagome live together. She's never called when he and Kagome were in the same room, as she normally calls him at work instead.

"Yes, mother, I'm still here. I apologize, Kagome came in."

"Kagome. That's your little friend from school, isn't it?" Kimiko says with a tone of judgement that even Kagome can hear from her spot on his lap. Kagome pulls a face that nearly makes him laugh. Nearly.

"Yes, mother."

"What have you been hiding from me?" is her next question, and it's here that Sesshoumaru has a choice. He can play along with Kagome, avoid the date, keep from offending anyone, and merely tax his own heart, or he can be honest and be forced to play at dating whomever the woman is that his mother has picked out this time. He looks at Kagome as she twines her fingers with his, giving him silent support.

"That the date is unnecessary because I am already seeing someone who is living with me," Sesshoumaru announces, closing his eyes when Kagome wraps her arms around his shoulders and pulls him into a hug. She's the only one he's ever allowed to have that form of affection, one she uses sparingly, but somehow always knows when it's exactly what he needs, and yet it's never hurt so much before.

"How long?" Kimiko half asks half demands, her falsely chipper tone barely hiding anger.

"We've been living together for a year now." He refuses to make up a story about it. If he's going to go through with this, it will be with as little deviation from the truth as possible. It has to be, or he may not survive it.

"I am meeting her tomorrow," Kimiko says before the dial tone rings through the line. Sesshoumaru hangs up as he slumps back into his chair, clenching his fists as Kagome slides out of his lap to keep from grabbing her to hold on to.

"So, meet the parents tomorrow. How long is she staying in town?" Kagome asks as she moves back to the couch, pulling her previously abandoned laptop back into her lap.

"She said a few days. She may cut it short with this news, but she may also stay longer." Sesshoumaru stares at the ceiling, wondering if he shouldn't call his mother back and be honest. Surely his mother wouldn't- no. She would hold it over him, and it would be painful. He scowls before he looks over at Kagome again. "Why?"

Kagome looks up from her screen, eyes flickering over his form and tongue wetting her lips. "Because I know how much you hate those dates, having to put up with them fawning over you without having any actual interest in you. I know you don't want to offend your mother, or the families of the women she brings to meet you. We already live together, so our scents are entwined, which I know you've used to turn down offers of other women- and men, when it happens." Kagome shrugs and looks down at her lap in an uncharacteristically shy move. "You're my best friend and I don't mind doing this to help."

Sesshoumaru watches her, trying to parse out why she suddenly shuttered her expression. He knows what the little voice in his mind wants it to mean, but nothing else that she's done supports it. She's just being a good friend. And he's clearly a masochist for going along with it.

"Very well," he murmurs as he stands, brushing his hand over her shoulder and neck before leaving for his room to mope and pine. Gods, if his brother could see him now.

xXx

"Sesshoumaru, darling!"

Kagome groans in the living room when she hears her roommate's mother's lilting voice travel from the front door of their condo. She sits up on the couch from her previous sprawl and sets her laptop down on the coffee table, saving her dissertation. Looking down at her clothes, she wonders for a moment if she should change quickly since she knows Kimiko is likely to want to stay for at least tea, if not cajole them into a full meal. Hearing the footsteps get closer, she shrugs. Her oversized, stolen sweater and leggings will have to do. It'll help sell this little charade of theirs, anyway.

"Hello, you must be Kagome," Kimiko says as she primly sits on the spare armchair, Sesshoumaru taking his place in his usual wingback.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you," Kagome greets, leaning over to offer her hand to the elder youkai. Kimiko takes her hand in a light grasp, looking at her son, who sits silently in his chair.

"My son tells me you're continuing school for your doctorate in Magical History," Kimiko broaches, apparently attempting to be civil, despite what Kagome heard on the phone yesterday.

"Yeah, I am. My dissertation is on the comparison of youkai versus miko versus human historical accounts. How they differ, how they're the same, how to parse reality through the bias of the records. It's fascinating how a single event can have such wildly different historical accounts of it purely due to who wrote the record," Kagome rattles off, grinning widely. "I was just telling Sess yesterday about a miko's journal I found that recounted a battle that-"

"Yes, fascinating. I believe you both met in school, then. How long has this been going on?" Kimiko interrupts, her smile pinched as she schools her expression, clearly attempting not to roll her eyes.

"Uh, yeah. We met freshman year in undergrad. We moved in together almost a year ago," Kagome answers carefully, not comfortable making up a story on the spot and lying. The less they had to say, the less they had to take back.

"I see. Sesshoumaru, could I speak with you in the kitchen?" Kimiko stands and all but marches out of the room. Kagome meets Sesshoumaru's eyes as he sighs and rises from his chair. He reaches out and gently brushes his hand over her shoulder, his fingers trailing her neck, as he always does, making Kagome relax.

"It will be okay. She is only here for a few days," he murmurs as he follows his mother. Kagome heaves a sigh as she slumps on the couch. She's still not sure why she agreed to this scheme and is pointedly ignoring the fact that she was the one that started it in the first place since it's clearly one of her worst ideas. She should know better. This was going to change things and drag out the feelings she'd stashed in that box in the back of her mind to be ignored forevermore, and she's an idiot and a masochist and she apparently hates herself. That's the only explanation.

xXx

"She's rather plain," Kimiko drawls from her perch on one of the stools at the kitchen island when Sesshoumaru steps into the room, making him pause mid-step.

"Perhaps your eyes need to be checked, mother," he states flatly. He knows it'll only rile her up, but if she thinks Kagome is plain, she's evidently going blind. He ignores Kimiko's critical gaze as he moves to the electric kettle, filling it with water before clicking it on.

"I do not approve," she says finally.

Scoffing, Sesshoumaru merely rolls his eyes as he leans back against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. "I do not believe I asked your opinion, mother. This is not the past where breeding matters or political arrangements are required."

"How- You wish to have hanyou?" Kimiko spits out, her face twisting with disgust. "I suppose I should have known this would happen. You are your father's son, after all."

"Do not. There is nothing wrong with InuYasha, and I will not stand for your bigotry. I did not ask, nor do I care, for your approval. I am not a tool for you to use in your schemes, mother." He straightens, advancing towards his mother, fury settling into his frame before he pauses, an idea sprouting. Forcibly relaxing his shoulders, he smirks at his mother. "You always say that I should meet new people and gain a new perspective from them. Perhaps you should take your own advice, mother. We will meet you for dinner with Akemi tomorrow, as planned. If you'll excuse me, it's been a long day, and it is late." He motions towards the door for his mother, a clear dismissal.

Enraged, Kimiko stands and sweeps from the room, leaving without a word. The only sounds following her are the clicks of her heels on the floor and the door slamming behind her.

"You okay, Sess?" Kagome asks from the living room couch, her arms folded over the back of it, chin resting on them. Her blue eyes watch him as he sighs, the rigidity of his frame going slack as he walks over and lets himself be pulled down next to her. "Can't say she didn't live up to expectations," she jokes as she maneuvers him to rest his head on her lap, carding her fingers through her hair.

"Hn. I assume you heard."

"Hard not to. Not that big a place," she replies with a smile. "Nice dig on her eyesight."

"I am glad you found it amusing." He lets his weight sink fully into the couch and her lap, pushing back thoughts that clamber to be heard about how right this feels. He hears her hum in agreement before her attention shifts back to her dissertation. "Read me what you've done today," he murmurs, his eyes closed in contentment, smiling when he feels her sit up straighter in her excitement. He lets her words settle over him in a wave of quiet peace, wishing not for the first time that they were more.

xXx

Kagome looks at herself in her mirror, straightening her dress out. It's one Sesshoumaru had purchased for her years ago, and one of her favourites. A solid burgundy bodycon with a sweetheart neckline that met lace that covered the chest and low back-line, and long sleeves. It was modest while still teasing at revealing, and the colour did wonders for her complexion. Her matching burgundy closed-toed pumps sat by her door as she fluffed her hair and checked her makeup again.

It's silly to be this nervous. It's not an actual date. They're not really together, and it's just one dinner with Sesshoumaru's bitchy mom. She just needs to make it through one dinner and ignore the invasive pining that's been nagging at her for the last two days. It's one dinner, and then they can go back to normal. One dinner. She can do it.

A knock startles her out of her internal pep talk. She turns with a smile as her door opens and her breath catches in her throat. Fuck. One dinner pretending to be his girlfriend when he looks like that isn't fair.

She knew he was going to coordinate their outfits so that they didn't clash, but kami. She'd forgotten about his charcoal suit, and damn if it didn't make the burgundy tie stand out beautifully. One of the benefits of coming from a youkai family is that he has money to burn, and while normally a bit miserly, he didn't go by halves when it came to his clothes. It just isn't fair.

"Are you ready?" he asks, his gilded eyes meeting hers as she feels her cheeks heat slightly at having been caught staring.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah. Just need my shoes," she says as she points to his feet, where her heels lie next to the door. Grabbing her clutch, she lets him steady her with a hand as she slips into her heels before they head out, internally cursing herself for having such a torturously stupid idea.

The ride to the restaurant is silent, quieter than it usually is with them. Sesshoumaru may be a man of few words, but when it's just them, usually they can speak freely, joking and chatting. Normally, Sesshoumaru is chatty with her, and the silence is awkward. Fighting back fidgets, she sighs when she sees him pull up to the valet. She waits for Sesshoumaru to round the car to her side, opening her door and helping her out, his hand closing warmly over her own as she steps out of his Maserati.

"You are okay?" he asks her quietly as he drapes her hand over his arm and leads them to the doors.

"Yeah. She can't be that bad in public, can she? And it's only one dinner," Kagome murmurs, leaning against him a bit.

Sesshoumaru smirks when he looks down at her, making her scowl a bit. "You did listen when I spoke of her, did you not?" he teases, prompting her to smack his chest lightly with her clutch.

"It's one dinner, how bad can it-"

"Sesshoumaru! You've made it. Come, I wish for you to meet Akemi," Kimiko announces as soon as the pair step through the door, reaching to drag her son over to a table where a prim woman with startlingly violet eyes, mahogany coloured hair done up in a french twist, and blood-red lips twisted into a barely concealed sneer, sits. Her dress is white and clingy with a neckline plunging almost to her navel. Her long pointed nails match her lipstick, shining in the dim light of the space.

Kagome smiles brightly as she steps forward, extending a hand to the other woman. "Hi, I'm Kagome, Sesshoumaru's girlfriend. His mother mentioned you. It's nice to meet you." If looks could kill, Kagome would be dead twice over from both women. Sesshoumaru's bare twitch of his lips and the short clench of his jaw are her only indications that he's enjoying her show so far as they take their seats.

Of course, Akemi is sitting next to Sesshoumaru and Kagome has to bite the inside of her cheek to stop from laughing at Kimiko's expression- an interesting cross between being put out and furious- when Sesshoumaru pulls out the chair on his other side and leads Kagome to it, forcing his mother to sit across from him.

Their waitress brings water and menus, side-eyeing the group as Kimiko and Akemi glare at Kagome, who has her hand in Sesshoumaru's, lacing their fingers together on the table as they talk.

"How's Kouga handling being lead on the new project?" Kagome asks, leaning back a bit in her chair as she sips her wine, eyes flickering to the other two women, who are still silently glaring daggers at her as they speak. Normally, she'd be worried about appearing rude, but neither of them has made any effort to converse with them, and there's no reason for them to all sit in an awkward, tense silence, so she's going to do what she and Sesshoumaru normally do over dinner- discuss their day. It's not even unusual from how they would normally be at a restaurant, as opposed to at home, other than the hand holding.

"He is enjoying it. The clients like him and are excited to see what he comes up with. I should receive mockups next week for the campaign. It will be interesting to see what they decide on," Sesshoumaru answers, his eyes crinkling just a touch in the corners in an almost unseen smile when he looks at her. It's one of her favourite expressions of his. That secret little smile that no one but her knows about. Of course, it's not as good as his actual smile, but he rarely ever allows for those in public.

"That's good. He's been so excited to get the project. It's been driving Yash and I nuts," Kagome chuckles, turning slightly when the waitress returns for their orders.

"Your dissertation?" Sesshoumaru asks when the poor woman leaves, having endured Kimiko and Akemi's acidic tone when they snapped out their orders. Kagome knows Sesshoumaru will be sure to leave her a large tip for putting up with them, so a silver lining for the waitress.

"Good. I wrote another couple of pages, and I found another scroll I can use as a source to corroborate my theory. It's from a kitsune. It's not terribly long, but it supports the bit from that record from the miko temple, and it's fascinating, really. Apparently, the kitsune was masquerading as a travelling merchant, selling herbal remedies and liquors, so he was at the temple when it all happened as an outside observer-"

"What is it you do, exactly?" a sharp, nasally voice asks, cutting off Kagome mid-sentence. Kagome freezes, her hand tightening in Sesshoumaru's as the hand holding her wine glass that she was mildly gesticulating with pauses in midair.

"I teach at the university and am working on my doctorate," Kagome says slowly, her eyes sliding sideways to meet with Sesshoumaru's, whose brow merely cocks as he sips his wine, settling into his seat further.

"I see. And this supports you? Or do you merely use him to live comfortably?" Akemi sneers, sharing a look with Kimiko, whose own expression is filled with haughty superiority.

"I don't believe my paycheck is anyone's business, but I'll answer anyway, despite how rude you're being. Yes, I don't make as much as Sesshoumaru, but I'm also not a corporate head of a major marketing firm that I inherited from my father. No offence, Sess," Kagome says as she sits up, setting her wine down on the table and meeting the snotty bitch's eyes. Sesshoumaru merely nods and waves a vague dismissal. "Do you want to see my paycheck next, or should I whip out my pedigree instead? Do you need to hear about how my family has owned and operated one of the city's most prominent shrines for the last five centuries, since its inception, or is my being human all you can see?" Kagome questions, eyes steely as she stares down the woman. "What about you? What do you do?"

Sesshoumaru snorts quietly behind his wineglass, giving Kagome's hand a squeeze, telling her silently that Akemi doesn't work, which she didn't honestly expect the woman to, but she didn't want to be rude and assume like the bitch did.

"I spend my time networking," Akemi says with a flip of her hair, looking over at Kimiko, who barely conceals a grimace.

"I see. Do you represent anyone? Or work for a firm?" Kagome prods, cocking a brow as she leans back in her seat.

"Akemi has helped me at several events," Kimiko interjects, her golden eyes piercing the miko as Kagome leans over a fraction towards Sesshoumaru, into his space as easily as she ever does, though it helps drive home a point to both of the other women.

"Really? What does she specialize in? Perhaps we could use her talents for the next banquet for the firm," Kagome remarks, knowing full-well that Sesshoumaru has already hired an event planner for the next three scheduled events the firm is planning. Kagome also knows that Kimiko herself doesn't work. She merely lives off family money and arrives at events to talk to people, still playing the political noblewoman of days long passed.

"She is rather personable," Kimiko dodges, shifting in her seat slightly.

"I… see. Well, it sounds thrilling," Kagome says, earning a quiet cough from Sesshoumaru as he hides a laugh.

"How are your students this semester?" he asks, steering the conversation to a safer topic, just as the waitress brings their food.

Kagome is halfway through detailing a discussion that her students had had during class that day when Kimiko interrupts again with, "How did you two become involved?"

Kagome exchanges a quick look with Sesshoumaru, cocking her brow in silent question. She knows he loathes lying- honestly, she's surprised he went along with this at all, given how much he detests untruths- and after a quick exchange, she keeps with what she'd done the night before. Sticking to the truth but keeping it vague enough to allow them to draw their own conclusions.

"Well," Kagome says as she sets her utensils down, "we've known each other since freshman year of school. I guess, things just sort of… happened." Sesshoumaru concurs with a brief nod, turning to catch Kagome's gaze, giving her a tiny smile- just the barest lift of the corner of his mouth.

"I see. Why did you not share this with me?"

"Because you do not care. Or approve. As your behaviour since meeting Kagome has shown. And I do not desire to hear your opinions on matters that are of no concern to you," Sesshoumaru answers blithely as he continues to eat.

"But she's human," Akemi says, her tone whiney and her expression incredulous.

"She is." Sesshoumaru sets his utensils down to reach over and clasp Kagome's hand, making her stomach flutter at the easy affection. She has to remind herself that it's not real, they're not together, it's an act to get his mother to leave him alone. But gods dammit, she wants. "And she's amazing." Kagome looks down at her lap, feeling a flush flood her cheeks, biting her lip as she smiles. "Kagome accepts me as I am, and yet challenges me to be a better man. She doesn't care about my lineage, nor my money, she cares about me for me. She's the kindest and strongest person I've ever met."

Kagome looks up at him, ignoring the scathing scoffs from the other two women, and sees how open his face is, his eyes crinkling slightly, a small smile on his lips. His gilded gaze captures hers and she can't help but see the raw affection he's expressing and- she can't handle this. It's not fake for her, and it isn't fair.

Kagome closes her eyes and gives his hand a single squeeze before standing and quietly excusing herself, hearing the women laugh at her on her way out. She makes her way outside and stands, holding herself off to the side of the doors as she swallows thickly.

This was supposed to be one dinner. A single dinner. A few days of pretending to help her best friend. It wasn't supposed to shatter that box of carefully buried emotions and let them spill out all over the place, making a mess of things. It wasn't supposed to be painful.

xXx

Sesshoumaru watches Kagome duck outside, staring after her in confusion. He knows he said a bit too much, was a little too honest, but he didn't think she'd be upset. He should've known better. They aren't this, as much as he wants it. They're just friends.

"She's apparently too delicate to handle judgement. Clearly, she's-"

"Enough, mother. She is who I want. Whether or not you like it. She means more to me than anything else. She is my favourite person. I look forward to seeing her every day, knowing I have her at my side. I love her," he snaps, cutting off the woman's hateful words, despite his eyes not leaving the door where he can just see Kagome standing with her arms around herself, shoulders drawn in close. He needs to speak to her, find out why she's upset because he knows it's not due to his mother and her lackey. "Dinner is paid for. Enjoy your evening," he says flatly as he stands, doing up the buttons of his jacket before following Kagome. He can hear his mother's indignation as he exits the building.

Kagome turns and sees him before looking away quickly, wiping a hand under her eyes. Sesshoumaru hurries over to her, resting a hand on her shoulder and stepping in close.

"Kagome?" he asks quietly, ducking his head to try and catch her eye, which she resolutely ignores, looking down at the ground as she clenches her jaw tight. "I am sorry if I pushed it too far, I-"

"Did you mean it?" she whispers, closing her eyes as she grips her arms tighter.

"I- yes. Every word," he answers honestly. He meant it all, even, and especially, what he told Kimiko after Kagome had left. He knows it will complicate things and perhaps spell the end of their friendship, but he can't hide it anymore. Tonight felt too good, too right between them. It was their usual easy camaraderie, but the touches, the looks, he didn't want to not have them. It was selfish, but he couldn't pretend otherwise anymore.

Kagome finally looks up at him, opening her eyes and letting tears spill down her cheeks. "I can't do this," she says and Sesshoumaru rears back, the words like a slap as his heart clenches. Of course. If she felt even remotely similar, she would have said something before now. He steps back, lowering his hand from her shoulder. "If this is fake. It's too painful."

Sesshoumaru freezes mid-step and looks at her, really looks at her. He takes in her sparkling cerulean eyes, the slight blush on her cheeks, the way her hands are gripping her arms so tightly that her knuckles are white, the tension in her shoulders. The tiny, hopeful smile of her lips.

"I need to know if what you said is how you really feel, if how you looked… do you want this to be real?" she asks tentatively, turning to face him fully.

"Yes," It's all he can say. He despises lying anyway, and he won't lie to her. Can't. Not now.

"So, if I wanted to kiss you," she starts, and his reply is simple. It's what he's been wanting for so long. He revels in her tiny surprised squeak before he feels her go slack, her arms twining around his waist tightly. He can taste the wine from dinner on her lips. His hands slide into her hair from where he'd gently cupped her jaw when he first lent in to answer her question with action.

Her lips are soft and warm against his, gently as they move, and he's an idiot for waiting this long to just tell her. It isn't until they hear a throat clear behind them that they pull apart, though only by the barest inch.

"Sir, your check," a quiet female voice sounds behind him, making him turn to see their waitress holding a card book, with the host at her side.

"Go on, pay and then we can go home and finish this," Kagome murmurs, pressing a gentle kiss on his lips before stepping back from his hold. Sighing, he brushes his knuckles down her jaw as he turns away to follow the waitress back inside to the host podium. He hands over his card and signs the receipt quickly before ducking back outside. He takes a chance and wraps his arms around Kagome from behind, smiling into her hair as she startles a bit before laughing brightly and resting her arms over his.

"All set?" she asks as a valet approaches them.

"Hn." He reaches into his pocket and hands the parking stub to the man who goes off to collect his car.

"What happened with them? You came out pretty quick after I left," Kagome says, turning her head to look at him.

"I told them how I felt. How important you are to me. How much you mean to me," he answers quietly, pressing a kiss to her temple. "That I love you."

He can hear Kagome inhale sharply, feel her hands tighten on his before she turns in his hold quickly, her arms wrapping themselves over his shoulders as she kisses him hard. Warmth spreads in his chest as he reciprocates, hands settling on her waist as he holds her closer, aware that they're in public, but only enough to keep the kiss from becoming indecent. He revels in the feel of her against him, her hands tangling in his hair, the quiet groan when he nips her lip. They're panting when they finally pull apart, eyes shining as they gaze at the other before Kagome beams and peals of laughter erupt from her.

"We're both idiots," she says, tucking her face into the crook of his neck, still laughing. He huffs out his agreement as he holds her closer, watching as his car pulls up to the curb.

"That may be," he starts as they make their way over to the Maserati, "but the results are pleasing." He smiles at her as he opens the passenger door, drinking in the bright grin that she returns.

"Damn straight, they are. Now, take us home so we can continue this discussion without worrying about prying eyes," she teases, her smile twisting into something wicked.

"As you wish."

xXx

"Always fuckin' does this. Never fuckin' answers me when shit needs doing. His own damn meeting and he doesn't show up. Even after making my life hell for the last week to make sure I was there for it. Fuckin' bastard."

Jamming the keys into the lock and shoving the door open harshly didn't make him feel any better.

"Yo, asshole! I know you're home. Where the fuck were you today? The Yukimura project meeting was an hour ago, and I had the immense pleasure of rescheduling with their rep- who's a bitch by the way." He looks at the clothes littering the floor and snorts. "Who knew he was a slob," he mutters to himself before shoving open the bedroom door and yelling, "The fucks the point of a phone if you're not gonna-" InuYasha freezes in the doorway to his brother's room, his mouth open as he slowly processes the scene before him.

"Must you be so loud?" Sesshoumaru grunts from his position on the bed, or more accurately, on Kagome. All you can see of the woman was a wave of black hair draped over Sesshoumaru's arm as he lies almost entirely on top of her, the sheets around their waists. Sesshoumaru shifts slightly, tugging the sleeping woman closer to him and tucking her further beneath his own body, pinning a glare to his brother's dumbstruck form.

"Yukimura meeting. Missed it. Didn't answer. Know why now. Rescheduled. Leaving now," InuYasha stumbles out brokenly before turning around and walking away.

His mind is hazy as he walks back out to the front door before a thought hits him.

"Gods dammit, now I owe Kouga a hundred bucks. You guys couldn't have waited until after Christmas?" he shouts back through the house, earning a snarl from his brother. InuYasha heaves a sigh as he leaves, a grin spreading across his face. "'Bout damn time, though."