Temptation by Dandie

Happy Birthday To Me

For Katlady's turning 30 challenge!

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Sesshoumaru rubbed his forehead, staring at himself in the mirror. He couldn't believe that he was already turning thirty. The years had gone by so fast... And all he'd been concerned about was his career. He shook his head, staring into his blank eyes in the mirror.

          But... Now that he was turning thirty, he realized how much he wanted a family. He wanted to have kids, and a loving wife to talk to when he came home from a long day at work. He just had to face it, he was lonely.

          Success was great, so was the money. But how could it compare to a loving family?

          He watched his reflected self roll his eyes, then turned away to finish getting ready for work. These thoughts were just ridiculous. He didn't want to be like his brother who was sappy idiotically happy with his wife Kikyo. Yuck. He didn't even like to be in the same room with those fools.

          Kikyo didn't even have an opinion on anything; it was always "Yes dear," "Anything for you dear." It was enough to make him sick. How could life be challenging and fun when your mate didn't even argue with you once in a while?

          He picked up his keys to his car and walked out the door, immaculately dressed in an Armani tailored suit. His white/silver hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, not a hair out of place. And that was something that he prided himself on, was the fact that everything and anything was organized in his life. If he were to marry, that would just mess up his plans of climbing to the top of the proverbial business ladder.

          He started his Jaguar convertible, and carefully backed out, cautious of other drivers. Hopefully today at work would be blissfully uneventful.

"Happy Birthday to me." He murmured.

Taido Law Firm

~Intercom Buzz~ "Mr. Taisho, you have a phone call on line one."

"Thank you Megumi, and who is the call from?"

"She wouldn't say sir, just said it was important."

"Ok, thank you."

          Sesshoumaru pressed line one and picked up the receiver, "Hello, this is Sesshoumaru."

          There was silence on the line for a moment, then a sob. "Sesshoumaru! I think Inuyasha is cheating on me!" Kikyo wailed into the phone. Sesshoumaru covered up the mouth piece and groaned. Would she never cease calling him to tell him that?!

          "Why do you think he's cheating this time Kikyo?" he asked, trying to mask his annoyance at the fact that she was calling him at work.

          "Because he's been hanging out at the bar more, and he mentioned the name Kagome a few times in passing. And I think he is cheating on me with the bitch."

          Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes to the ceiling and tilted back in his chair. "Kikyo, can't you call me at a better time. It doesn't seem like you have much evidence that he's cheating on you. If he just said her name, it doesn't mean anything. And you really need to stop calling me at work. Maybe try asking Inuyasha yourself."

          Kikyo wailed into the phone, making Sesshoumaru cringed and hold the phone away from himself. He truly disliked his sister-in-law.

          "Can you just go to the bar he goes to for me tonight, and just confront her? Please Sesshoumaru, do it for your lil ol' sister and law," her whiny voice squealed.

          "Fine. Only as long as you promise not to call me at work ever again."

          "I promise."

          "Hn. What bar is it?"

Smokey's, 9 hours later

          Sesshoumaru's lip curled when he saw the establishment. Truly, any woman who frequented this establishment could not be called a lady.

          Why the hell was Inuyasha even wasting his time with this place? He had no doubt in his mind that Inuyasha was probably cheating again, but that was not something that he was going to tell Kikyo. She most likely had no idea how many times Sesshoumaru had had to pull Inuyasha out of his most current love scandal.

          He walked into the bar, and had to top the urge to cover his ears. Obnoxious music blared from the Juke box. And there he spotted Inuyasha, who was mooning over the bartender, who didn't look she had any interest in him what so ever. Could she be the infamous Kagome?

          He maneuvered through the crowd and finally placed himself on a stool next to Inuyasha.

          "What are you doing pup, here at the bar instead of with your wife?" Inuyasha's head whipped in the direction of his brothers voice.

          "Just enjoying life, brother. Why you here, a birthday are lay in mind?" he growled.

          "Hn. I'm surprised you even remembered it was my birthday today. And the reason I'm here is because YOUR WIFE called and said that you are cheating on her again. Is it true?" He had raised his voice to notify the bartender that the man wooing over her was married.

          He glanced over at her and saw that she didn't seem surprised in the least, she was most likely used to dogs like his brother.

          "You want anything to drink?" she asked quietly, a little fire flashing in her eyes as she glanced over at Inuyasha who was definitely deep into boozing already.

          "Rum and coke please."

          She nodded, made the drink and slipped into over the counter to him. When he tried to pay her, she waved it away.

          "Happy Birthday, Hun," she murmured and winked, walking away to help another customer.

          Sesshoumaru almost gaped. She had winked at him! And she was the first person to say Happy Birthday to him. He shook his head thoughtfully. A complete stranger had overheard his brother and still wanted to wish him a happy birthday.

          "Inuyasha, we are going home now. You will leave this poor girl alone, and start spending time with your wife instead. Got it?" He took the collar of Inuyasha's shirt and gave him a good shake.

          "Whatever, jusst taake me hoeme," he slurred, stumbling to his feet, giving the girl one last longing look. Sesshoumaru shoved Inuyasha to the door, and then went back to the counter to thank the girl. But she surprised him yet again.

          She slipped a napkin forward with her name and number on it. "Give me a call sometime Sesshoumaru." She smiled, letting him know that she'd heard his brother say his name.

          "Oh, I will Kagome," he said back. Tilting his lips up in a slight smirk. And with that, he walked out the door. Maybe being thirty wasn't such a bad thing... if a girl like that wanted you to call her. He smiled in earnest. He would most definitely call her.

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Hope you like it! Let me know what you think!