A Week In New York

Steam filled the bathroom and clouded the mirrors as Sesshomaru stepped out of the shower. Grabbing a towel he dried his long silver hair and wrapped another around himself. Walking out into his bedroom he grabbed the pair of boxers lying on his bed, tossed the damp towel away, and slid them over his lithe body. He walked over to the closet and chose an Armani suit, silk tie, and shined and polished shoes.

The cloth slipped over his lean muscles with ease as he dressed for the long trip to New York. His bags already packed and in the awaiting limo, he at last looked around for anything he might have been missing. Seeing nothing more that needed to be done he picked up his briefcase, shut off the lights, and stepped into the elevator. As the elevator brought him lower he thought only of the lovely maiden who would be his companion for a week. “Why does she affect me so? I’ve only just met the woman.”

When the doors opened he made his way to the open door of the limo, sliding in once more. Clearing his thoughts for the moment, he relaxed as the limo sped off in the direction of her apartment. It was exactly 5 o’clock on when the limo arrived and Sesshomaru stepped out, to retrieve his companion. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw where he was. ‘She lives in a place like this?!’ he thought, completely appalled by the sight of it. She lived in a small, gloomy building, with very few windows (the ones that were there were mostly broken), a rusty fire escape entrance, and the smell of smoke and alcohol was everywhere. He simply wasn’t going to allow this. No employee of his was going to live in a hell hole like this, especially an angelic creature like her.

Looking up at the fire escape, he found that he would not trust even his light weight on something like that. Easily bounding up to the third floor door he knocked on the door firmly. Her sweet voice answered, “Coming!” and hearing her gentle voice again sent warmth to every inch of his body, even in the cool morning breeze. As the door creaked open, the scent of summer rain and roses flooded his senses once more and he almost lost himself in her essence.

At the sight of her, his breath hitched in his throat. Wearing a simple black skirt and dress shirt, she looked elegant. Under the gaze of his deep amber eyes her cheeks turned a light shade of red. “Umm... please come in Taisho-san I just have a few things left to put together.” He stepped inside and glanced around, observing the room. She turned, shut the door behind him, and walked back inside and quickly ran around the room, clumsily throwing things into a suitcase. He almost smiled at the sight of her quick fix.

But in his examination of the room his amusement faded. The carpet was stained and foul smelling in quite a few places. The windows were taped up where they were cracked and broken. There were even holes in the drywall. While she was preoccupied with her things he moved about the apartment. Glancing in her bedroom he saw only a cot and what should have been a “bed”-side table. ‘She doesn’t even have a proper bed?!?!’ Turning away from the simple room he looked around once more and saw nothing. That was all there was to her place. The kitchen was attached to the living room and the bathroom was an add-on to her bedroom but other than that, there was truly nothing there. A rat’s nest would have been a more suitable home.

He could tell she had tried to keep it clean but nothing would ever wash away the horrid scents, seared into the walls. Glancing at her again trying to close her overstuffed suitcase he realized, this was truly all she had. The few family mementos she had she kept with her. And nothing more in this place would be useful to her, he assumed. He silently walked over to her struggling with her bag. Picking it up, he easily closed the bag and set it down. Looking her in the eyes he asked “Is there anything left in this place that you wouldn’t mind leaving behind?”

She looked down a bit. “Not really, Taisho-san…”

“Alright then.” He handed her the suitcase and took her left hand dragging her out of the less than appropriate place to call a home.

“H-Hey, Taisho-san! What are you doing?” She didn’t struggle but she was surprised at his sudden forceful action.

“I’m getting you out of this hell-hole you used to call a home.”

“”Used to call” what?! I have nowhere else to go!” At that she started to resist going along with him.

“This Sesshomaru will find you a place to stay.” At this, she stopped resisting and he continued to pull her out onto the fire escape. Definitely not trusting two of them on the rusting metal deathtrap, he turned to her, picked her up bridal style with her suitcase in her arms and jumped down off the fire escape. She squeaked and held on to him tightly almost dropping the overloaded bag.

When he landed gracefully on the ground, she dropped her bag and held onto him tighter. “Don’t scare me like that!” He chuckled lightly and held her for a moment then set her down gently. Her sapphire eyes met his molten gold ones for a moment before she looked away blushing. Embarrassed that she had been so scared she walked around him, picked up her suitcase, and made her way over to the limo. “Should we go?” She turned back to him. “I’d hate for you to miss your flight because of your secretary,” she added in a humorous tone, mocking what he had said the day before.

He smiled, impressed by her words. Normally someone who mocked his words would be severely punished but she was simply adorable. He nodded and followed her steps, opening the door to the limo for her. She smiled sweetly and slid into the car. Stepping into the limo after her, they sped off towards the Tokyo airport.

For a long while an eerie silence loomed over the two. Kagome was worried about being too casual with her boss and Sesshomaru was simply at a loss for words. They were sitting across from each other, close but still roomy. She was shuffling about in the uncomfortable silence and he couldn’t help but notice her skirt was not quite long enough. As she moved about, little flashes of black lace appeared and disappeared when she found a better spot with her legs clamped tightly together.

She finally worked up the courage to break the ominous silence. “So… Umm… What will we be doing in New York, Taisho-san?” He hadn’t expected her question and was caught off guard, his mind elsewhere.

“This Sesshomaru will be in meetings for some time on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday in which you will be joining me. The rest of the week you will have off and you may do as you wish.” He hated to force her into meetings with him but she was still his secretary.

Dazed and looking out the window she simply nodded and all was silent again. “And what will you be doing with your free time?” She asked so quietly and softly that it took him by surprise. Normally when women asked him that it was with a lustful glare and an added insinuation of things to come, but she had asked so innocently with simple curiosity in her voice that she couldn’t have meant anything more.

“Most likely I will just relax or work on loose ends needing tying up at work.” He heard her gasp and she suddenly turned from the window. “You would work on your days off?” She seemed so surprised at what he always did. Such was his life. “What do you do for fun?” Looking up and meeting her gaze he recognized… concern? Why was she concerned about the way he spent his time?

“This Sesshomaru has no need of such trivial and pointless activities.” He lived his work and had never done any different. At his emotionless statement, she giggled slightly. Looking over at her, confused, he asked “What is it that you find so funny?”

She simply shook her head. “I don’t believe you.” Making a face between a cute smirk and a smile she added “Nobody, not even a prick like you could live without some fun.” She gasped and covered her mouth, instantly realizing she just insulted her boss.

Seeing this, he smirked. “Normally you would be punished for such insolence.” He stood up slowly and the scent of fear flooded his senses. At the same moment the limo had hit a bump in the road and caused him to lose his balance. Falling forward, he caught himself with one arm on either side of her. When he looked up they were nose to nose as amber flame met glacial ice. She was shaking. She was afraid of him? Her innocent heart had broken through the barrier of his normally stoic soul. For a moment, he stayed silent. But then… he laughed. He lowered his head and openly laughed.

She stayed silent, somewhat shocked, wondering what she had done that made him actually laugh! But after a few seconds, she started laughing with him. His deep voice resonated throughout the car as he sat down next to her. After a while the laughter settled and he leaned back against the seat. She glanced over at him with a last giggle and an adorable smile. “What is it that you find so funny?” She raised an eyebrow and questioned him as he did her only moments ago.

But for once in his life, he found he couldn’t answer her question. He just had an overwhelming urge to laugh. He knew not what this woman’s eyes did to him but her innocence touched him. “I’ve never laughed like that before…” He looked over and met her azure gaze again. “Thank you, Kagome.” She opened her mouth to say something but then the limo suddenly stopped. They had arrived at the airport.

The driver walked around and opened the door for them and Sesshomaru stepped out gracefully. Scooting over to the door she started to get out when he reached out his hand. She looked up and saw kindness in his normally cold yet beautiful eyes as she took his hand. He helped her up and she looked around expecting to have to go into a building and wait in some lines but she was shocked to see that they were in a private lot in the back. To her left she saw a jet with the Taisho company insignia. “We’re… we’re going in-?” she broke off too excited to speak.

“Yes, we will be traveling in my private jet. Now close your mouth before you soil your blouse.” She snapped back to reality and slapped her free hand over her mouth, turning a brilliant red. He chuckled slightly and led her over to the jet. Helping her up the steps, a man and woman took their things and stored them away for the flight. Walking through to the main area Kagome stopped, amazed at the sight.

“Oh… my… God… This is amazing!” She ran around to each of the black leather seats and couches testing them out. Bouncing up and down on one and noticed the kitchen. “There’s a kitchen too?!”

“There’s even a bathroom and makeshift living quarters.” He unenthusiastically mocked her childish but still somewhat cute actions. She simply ignored his remark and stared out the window, completely fascinated. He sat down next to her on one of the leather couches as she gazed out the window. “The view might be a bit more interesting once we actually take off.” She turned back to him and huffed slightly at his teasing her and plopped down next to him.

The pilot soon came over the intercom. “Welcome onboard Taisho-san, and Miss Kagome. It is about 6:45 right now and we will be landing in New York around 5:00 a.m. Eastern Standard time, so prepare for a long flight. I suggest sleep, God knows I didn’t get enough this morning.” The pilot laughed, shut off the intercom and started the jet. Sesshomaru just shook his head. The pilot was a long time friend of his and was always joking around.

Soon they were in the air and after a few minutes the man and woman came back to see if they wanted drinks or food for the moment. Sesshomaru just asked for a bottle of spring water and glanced back at Kagome. “Would you like some breakfast since I stole you away so early in the morning?”

“Hmm… Oh, yes, please! Anything?” He nodded his head slightly. “Alright, I’ll have… apple juice and a large stack of pancakes please.” She chose something so simple, it was just adorable. She was like a young girl at her grandparents’ house for the weekend. The servers surely thought the same because the man laughed a little and the woman smiled and told her she would get it right away. “Did I do something wrong? Is asking for pancakes not allowed?” She was obviously confused, and it amused him.

“You did nothing wrong, they are just used to only me and some other businessmen who never eat breakfast.”

She looked at him with that shocked look again. Why was she so surprised about the way he lived his life? “Really? You never eat breakfast? The most important meal of the day? How do you survive?!” She talked as if this meal was the very air that she breathed.

“This Sesshomaru is a very powerful tai-youkai with no need for the extra energy. Ningen like you need the energy to support your weaker bodies.” He suddenly realized how harsh that had sounded when her expression saddened. “I apologize; I only meant that the energy needed to sustain the human body is greater, that’s all.” She looked up at him and nodded her understanding with a small smile.

Soon her food came and the young man set her tray in front of her. “Will that be all Miss?” She would’ve answered him but her mouth was already full of pancake. Sesshomaru just shook his head again and dismissed the boy. As she ate, he noticed a bit of syrup rolling down her chin. Not wanting her to get her shirt all sticky, he stopped her hand from placing another fork full of pancake in her mouth.

Gently he lifted her chin and wiped away the little dribble with his thumb. “Don’t eat so quickly, you’re going to hurt yourself.” With a smirk he licked the syrup off his thumb and she flushed with embarrassment. Turning back to her food, she finished it off slowly and with great delicacy so she would not spill again.

As she was finishing off her meal, he grabbed a book off the side table to his right and had started reading. He did not notice her finish off her food, nor the young woman coming to pick up her tray. Time flew by with his head in the time of England, 1773 and suddenly he felt a small weight in his lap. He glanced down to see that she had curled up on the couch and fallen asleep. He smiled and watched the young woman, listening to her slow, deep breathing. He tenderly ran his fingers through her soft obsidian hair and set his book aside. Deciding against waking her, he laid his head back and closed his golden eyes. The week ahead was going to be a very interesting experience.

A.N.~ Thank you for the great reviews. I didn’t think you would like it so well. Well here’s the next chapter! My mojo has been kind to me and I hope to God it will stay and keep me writing ‘til my fingers are sore! I hope you like it and I will try to get the next one out soon. And I hope you like this just as much as the first! ^_^;;