Legal Justification by Trynia Merin

Tsuki, Lupin and Associates

Disclaimer: I don’t own Inuyasha, it was created by Rumiko Takahashi and is owned and licensed by Viz.  I make no money writing this fanfiction.

Being a shrine maiden part time did not pay all the bills, but an job as legal assistant did. The night classes for a paralegal certification helped also. However, what her boss was expecting of her Kagome Higurashi thought didn’t seem exactly in her job description. Inside Tsuki and Lupin Associates, the senior partner's word ruled the office. Rule the man did. Inside his office lined with floor to ceiling bookcases, Kagome sat across from her boss, frustrated. Daylight shone through the vertical blinds turned to the exact angle for her to glimpse the glass towers and distant skyscrapers.

If you could call him a man. Unearthly silver hair tied up at the nape of his neck to trail down his back. Crisp immaculately ironed three-piece suits and starched collars. An eye for the kill. His latest target was Kagome, his new legal assistant, who was attending classes for a paralegal career. This meant endless hours of case files.

"You will do exactly as I say. Only five minutes for coffee breaks, no longer," he ordered in that smooth tone. It reminded her of a low growling dog. Perhaps priestess powers gave her the ability to see past his human guise. 

"That didn't include fetching your coffee," Kagome said, glaring at him. “As well as the case files!”

"Did I hear you correctly? Don't forget the reason why I no longer have a secretary..."

"Fired for insubordination?" Kagome remembered, turning her gaze slightly away. However, she could not allow him to smell any fear on her. She would obey, but not at the price of humiliation.

"So, let's try again. What did you say earlier when I asked you to bring some coffee along with the case files?"

"I'll be a minute, sir," she answered, turning away.

"That is what I figured," he said with a satisfied nod. In reality, his personal assistant had been insufficient for his needs. He wanted a bigger challenge. Therefore, as soon as he had fired his assistant Jaken he had rehired him to oversee another branch.

Angrily Kagome brought the stack of files balanced on one hand and a pot with a mug in the other. She placed the mug and carafe on his table, and then brought the files to rest on his desk. Sesshoumaru glanced up at her stern dark blue eyes glaring towards him. She had guts, he had to admit.

"Remain. We must prepare for this case before this Friday. I hope you have no plans tonight."

"Working here would I?" she asked. Quietly.

"Pardon?” Sesshoumaru inquired, reaching for his own coffee. She noticed she could easily see twin stripes across the back of his right arm just like those on his cheeks few others could see.

"With the hours I put in, there's no such thing as a social life for me," Kagome said.

Her green blazer was left unbuttoned from her white blouse, decorated with small stitched flowers across the top. The black pleated skirt came to her mid knees, a bit longer than the one she had worn in high school. Though now she wore garter stockings instead of knee socks. Mainly because they made her feel more confident because she knew she was ‘sexy’. Just whom she was sexy for was beyond her. Perhaps it was her boss even though he had a pole up his ass.

"Such frivolity is wasted when work can be achieved. Even a social gathering can be used for a business purpose," he informed her. 

"Useless to ask you if you've ever been out to dinner for anything but work?"

"Indeed. Now, let us get to work," Sesshoumaru said in a very controlled manner. Kagome was half-sarcastic, but she really needed this job.

As much as he drove her mad with his demands, she was learning a great deal. Sesshoumaru Tsuki did not take just anyone for his legal assistant. All the long hours were paying off because he would often ask for her assistance when going to court. Their field was bankruptcy law, which was flourishing in the wake of a recent economic crash. Kagome leaned near, but Sesshoumaru thought nothing of the fact she dragged her chair around to peer at the case files.

Unknown to her Sesshoumaru already had the work done. He was just interested in seeing how persistent she was. When someone knocked on the door, he inhaled with an annoyed snort. Kagome mumbled, "What now?"

"Who is it? I'm unavailable," he called back.

"Sorry sir, but it's a client," said his receptionist. 

"Send him in," Sesshoumaru said with a labored sigh. Soon the doorknob turned, opened by Kagura who inclined her head. Just outside the doorway stood someone who gave Kagome the creeps.

"Have I come at a bad time?" Byakuya asked smoothly. His own navy blue suit was equally immaculate but of a much more flamboyant cut. Behind him, a pale silent woman strode, carrying a briefcase.  Her petite form was clothed in a white business suit, her hair hanging around her shoulders but pinned up on the sides.

"You could have timed your visit better. I'm in the midst of a case," said Sesshoumaru.

"It won't take but a few minutes of your time. It seems as if someone is trying to use my company's circumstances to buy me out," Byakuya said quietly as Kagura shut the door on them. Kagome rose, but then felt a hand touch her wrist. His clawlike nails only lightly grazed her skin, the energy from his demon aura tingling perceptibly. Around other clients who were ‘otherworldly’ he could relax his guise.

"Remain, Higurashi," said Sesshoumaru. Kagome sat down again, strangely thrilled to sit behind Sesshoumaru's desk.

Byakuya sat down as Kanna pulled up a chair for him. He sat on it with crossed legs, regarding Sesshoumaru with a strange smirk. For a man who was in trouble why he seemed happy, Kagome wondered.

Sesshoumaru must have smelled something foul too because he sat on the edge of his chair slightly. "Explain your situation in more detail."

Smoothly Byakuya explained, "Well, a parent company Naraku Enterprises is attempting a hostile buyout. It seems that my company had a small clause allowing for such a circumstance. If our profits plummeted. However the reason for the bankruptcy was because one of my employees, Mister Hakudoshi skimmed our funds."

"So you are saying that your circumstance does not meet the clause's specifications?" Sesshoumaru said.  His gold eyes analytically took in his client's appearance as well as his ears listening to each word.  Kagome recognized the expression on his face, seeing him mentally disesection and probing each statement for any falsehood.

"Correct. I need your expertise regarding bankruptcy and financial affairs to make a case against him."

"We are bankruptcy. We are handling your chapter 11, and this would fall under that category. I will take on your case, but I am inundated now. I'll refer you to my junior partner," said Sesshoumaru.

"Is that the best you can do?" asked Byakuya with a labored sigh.

"Miss Kagura, send in the younger Mister Tsuki," said Sesshoumaru, pressing a button.

"At once sir."

"Isn't that your younger brother?" asked Byakuya with a look of distaste

"My younger brother is capable even if he is a bit unconventional," said Sesshoumaru.