Strictly Business by Agustina Kazuyo

Strictly Chaste

Eight months previously

Chapter Two: Strictly Chaste

Kagome's phone rang and she sighed heavily before sliding a finger across the screen to answer the call.

"Yes, Miroku?" She said absentmindedly, although she did sport a smile.

"Kagome, dear! A customer requests your services the day after tomorrow. Show off, no happy ending, some important charity gala, you in?"

Knowing the man wasn't expecting to have sex with her was a relief, so she sighed and nodded to the devise. "Yeah, of course. Clothes?"

"And shoes and a bag, on him. He also pays for your nails, the make-up, and the hair. Jewelry is on you, though."

"I can work with that," she said with a grin. "Any specific request?"

"Elegant and clean, the most attractive one we have."

"Oh, I'm your prettiest girl now?"

"Don't tell the others, sweetheart. You're my favorite."

"Who's the guy anyway?"

"Ugh! His name's a tongue-twister… It would be Doctor Sesshu- Sesshomaru Taisho, owner to Taisho Bioresearch S.A. We're talking a big customer here, doll, so don't disappoint."

"Won't do, boss. I'll call you later."

~O~O~O~Strictly Business~O~O~O~

Oh, he hated it. He detested having to deal with a mass of people he didn't give two fucks about. But it was a gala sponsored by his company, and it would have been noxious for TBSA's image if he didn't assist his own event.

There, of course, needed to be some bitch to tag along. He was extremely uninterested in picking up some woman who would follow like a lap dog all night long, especially if he was forced to listen to her babbling.

He was practical, so an escort would do just fine. Not that it was the first time he hired one for these things, anyway. Of course, he was also principled, and would never scoop so low as to fuck a hooker.

A pretty accessory to make him look good would suffice.

He checked the clock around his left wrist. The whore had exactly two minutes before being officially late. As if being forced to this indignity wasn't enough…

He was about to give up on the whole idea when his doorbell rang.

No escaping now.

He walked to the intercom and the image of the teenager in front of the security camera almost made him choke on his own tongue.

He stared for a moment. She couldn't have been older than nineteen. Her dark blue cocktail dress matched her stunning eyes, and her raven black wavy hair was held in an updo.

She was gorgeous, but a child, and he wondered how someone so pretty had ended up doing what she did. The second time she rang the doorbell, however, snapped him out of it.

"Yes?" He purred into the microphone.

"I'm being expected by Mr. Taisho… I mean, Dr. Taisho."

His eyebrow rose, but he didn't answer. After pressing a button, he saw the girl disappear past the front door and a minute later, there was a soft knock on his door.

He led her in, taking in the perfect curves hidden under blue fabric, and smirked. She didn't look like a common street whore, that was for sure, and was far more appealing than your normal escort.

The exotic beauty smiled at him, and he motioned her to sit in the black leather couch. "Your name?" He inquired.

"You can call me Higurashi," when his eyebrow arched in question, she answered the unspoken inquiry. "We use pseudonyms. I prefer Higurashi, although you can call me whatever you wish."

"Whatever your client wishes? Really? Would whore do? Servant? Filth?" He asked with a bemused expression.

Ah, so he's an asshole. "Yes, of course, but imagine how it would look in your precious gala. I think you should give me a nice, sophisticated name now, also that way press can't track me down, don't you think?"

He smirked. "I suppose you are correct. You are called Higurashi Mitsuru, then."

"That's fine by me."

"The car will be ready to pick us up in fifteen minutes. So," he began to kill the time they had before departure. "How does one successfully gets involved into the prostitution business without losing her virginity?"

What a way to make small talk.

She took a calming breath, her smile never wavering. "You are lashing out against me, too angry I'm your only option besides showing up unaccompanied to this event. It's ok, I get it. But I'd be kinder if I were you. After all, all I should reimburse you would be the charge for the night, and I could go home with my hair, make-up, and nails done, not to mention a cocktail dress that accentuates my ass, shoes, and a bag, all brand new. I win either way. So, I'd be very grateful if you let me do my job instead of trying to push my buttons just because you think I'm too inferior to be in your presence."

He smirked. The hooker at least didn't have a sheep-like character. "Good. A bimbo would not do. I needed to know if I should keep you quiet and on a short leash or if I could allow you some freedom."

"Oh, Dr. Taisho… you have absolutely no power over my freedom, be sure of that," she answered with a smile.

"Would you like a drink?" He asked, walking towards the bar in his living room.

"I'm not old enough," she said with a seductive smirk.

"Hnn," the expensive scotch slid down his throat. "Higurashi, you have not answered my question."

"How am I a virgin? Well… I choose my customers prudently. Did my boss spill the beans or you guessed? "

"Neither," he answered, sitting on the couch in front of her. "I can smell latex and at least half a dozen men in your body, especially your mouth. But all the way up between your legs… that is no one's scent but yours."

"I had heard of the sense of smell of dog demons, but I never knew how specific it could be," she leaned back and crossed her legs, revealing a pair of black heels that followed the curve of her calves perfectly. She didn't miss the way his eyes followed the trail of milky skin. "I was told you had no interest in what was between my legs, though. Pardon my boldness, but you seem… drawn."

"To you?" He inquired with an entertained expression.

"To sex."

"I am male, Higurashi. I am not above sexual desire."

"Yes… but I am human… and you noticed anything but that until now." Only then it dawned on him, and she smiled again. "I take it you didn't ask for a human… Miroku, that shameless man… Oh, it will be scandalous, everyone knowing Dr. Sesshomaru Taisho, master of the universe, is kinky enough to tell the world of his interspecies relationship. So I cannot be your date. I will be… the newest addition to the PR department. Because you are a smart boss and brought someone who will make you look good and who can tell the difference between a well-intended question by the press or something to trick you into saying anything politically incorrect."

"Do you believe you are up to the task?"

"If I may tell you a secret, Doc… When I'm not busy with men like you who adore undressing me with their eyes… I actually am into interspecies protocol and diplomacy."

"That explains why you service demons."

"And I make twice as much money… Besides, I see nothing wrong in interspecies relationships, and it's my goal to someday impulse the law that will grant humans and youkai the right to marry each other if so they wish… A human escort willing to take demon customers is rare, same case the other way around. It counts as a fetish. So, why bother sending me human clients when there are youkai ones who are almost literally waiting in line?"

"And your boss considers me one of these demons," he stated more than asked.

"I think he sent me more because of what I do by day than what I do by night," she smiled.

Sesshomaru nodded. "I approve of you. Still you need to calm down."

Her right eyebrow rose. "Do I seem anything but calm?"

Before she could blink, the demon was perched over her, caging her frame against the couch, his nose a mere inch away from hers, and she yelped, her hand looking desperate for her purse.

"I can smell more than the men you have serviced during the last two weeks. I can also smell your fear, your nervousness, your powerlessness, your desperation, your anger… I can also smell the pepper spray you are trying to retrieve from your purse so desperately."

She looked up at him, bright eyes wide and petrified, and his cheek brushed hers.

"This is your way to calm me down?"

She muttered a whimper, terrified, but he extended the contact for a minute. "We need to do something about the way you stink. There will be other inuyoukai at the gala, after all. Anyone with a good nose will know you are an escort."

He stood, offering his hand and guiding her away of the living room. "You are shaking, Higurashi. Do not fear me. This Sesshomaru has no interest in cause you harm."

"I hope you don't feel offended I cannot simply trust your word, Doc," she said while holding the pepper spray tightly in her free hand.

They entered a large bathroom made mostly of black marble. He handed her a green soap bar. "As you probably know," he began, "I am a chemist. This soap is specially made to neutralize the stench I carry in my hands after a day of working with different substances…"

She gave him a guarded look and nodded. "My breath?"

"I cannot suggest anything but the drink I offered earlier. Would you reconsider?"

She agreed again and kept on staring at him. "Would you leave? I'd rather using the bathroom alone."

Sesshomaru smirked, turned, and left.

As soon as the door clicked, Kagome felt tears stream down her face. It had been months since she felt so dirty and disgusting, and she thought she was well past that point. The girl clenched her fists in fury because she knew there was no way he wouldn't smell the salt of her crying. She felt weak.

She wanted to believe she was in control, that she had power over the customer but she was wrong. She wanted to storm out, slam the door and leave forever, but didn't want to give him the satisfaction to know he'd hurt her. So, fuck that guy! To hell with his opinion! She would regain control over the situation, and demonstrate she was not inferior to him.

When she exited the bathroom, the demon was pouring her a scotch on the rocks. He offered her the wide mouthed glass next to the check that paid for her services in advance, and his right eyebrow rose. "You were crying," he purred.

She accepted the drink with a smile and kept it in her mouth for a second before swallowing. "Can you also smell how much I despise you?"

He almost looked surprised. "I can smell your anger, not its object."

She giggled and sat again, crossing her legs once more and treating him to a sight of her creamy thigh. "And you thought it was directed towards me? I am not ashamed of my job, Dr. Taisho. Heaven knows I've worked hard to make my living. There was no rich daddy to inherit me his millions so I could chase my dream job and white whale of an investigation. After my father died, he only left us a mortgage we couldn't afford and an empty spot in the family table."

He stared, shock almost evident in his cold façade, and smirked at her after a while. "You believe you know me."

"I read everything I could find about you, Doc. I know more about you than you know about me."

"Then why do you not tell me about yourself?"

She smirked back. "I'd rather have the upper hand, thank you very much."

~O~O~O~Strictly Business~O~O~O~

The black long car shimmered under the streetlights. She stared out the window, seeing people pass like they didn't have a care in the world.

"Higurashi," he called softly. She hummed and turned. "I would like to apologize for my behavior earlier. You did not deserve my coarse aggressiveness, and for the way I have treated you, I am sorry."

Kagome blinked and burst in laughter. "Oh, you're terrified I'll take vengeance and make you look bad!"

"I am not…"

"Don't worry, Doc. Taisho. You can apologize with cash later. I am not interested in the slightest about what you have to say about me. You are irrelevant and so is your opinion. I am a professional, and I will perform flawlessly the job I've been paid to do. Don't be so scared of this dirty little whore."

The chauffer of the car couldn't contain his soft snort, and Sesshomaru snarled.

~O~O~O~Strictly Business~O~O~O~

She was perfect in every sense of the damn word, and she was a kid. She could have looked younger than she was, but still she had said she was below twenty, which was the legal drinking age in Japan.

The girl spoke elegantly and commented the investigation of interspecies reproduction with other guests, which was the star project of TBSA like she was actually involved in the research; she mentioned several essays by him that could be found in renowned scientific publications. She joked, was flattered on her beauty and keen opinion, and Sesshomaru found himself being complimented on his choice of employees.

At some point through the night, however, he cursed her faultless performance. An investor actually asked her about the PR model of his company, and just when he was ready to answer for her, she responded the investor graciously, like she actually was an employee of the division, and for a moment he mentally revised the list of employees in the Public Relations department just to make sure this girl didn't really work for him after all.

As long as no one would expect her presence in any other public appearances he made, everything would be fine. He really didn't think the girl would be interested in taking him as a client anymore, and it would only complicate things.

With her hand hooked comfortably with his elbow, they roamed the lounge, greeting guests, talking lightly with them, but completely mute as soon as they were left alone. They didn't cross a single word if it was not in front of other people, but after a few hours, Kagome tensed palpably in his hold.

"Higurashi?" He inquired softly.

"Let's go outside to have some fresh air." He nodded, and was surprised when in passing she snatched a slim glass of golden pink champagne.

When the cool air of the night brushed their faces, Kagome stared down at the city lights stretching far below the decorated terrace they were at.

She leaned against the railing and sighed before sipping the beverage.

"Higurashi, was there anything you needed?"

"Huh?" She turned, and the golden street lights shimmered in her blue eyes. "Ah, no, you can go back inside. You just don't want me in there right now."

"I believe you were doing fine," he asked, placing his hands in the pockets of his tux.

"There's a guy in there. He's hired me before."

Sesshomaru's eyebrows rose. "Are you sure?" A nod. "And he did not recognize you?"

"Pretty sure he hadn't seen me, yeah. It might be better if I just call it a night before he ruins everything."

Sesshomaru nodded. "Who was it?" He asked casually after a moment.

She gave him a sly smile. "Professional confidentiality, Doc. My lips are sealed."

He smirked and offered his arm again, guiding her inside.

He exchanged a couple of words with some people and returned to her, accompanying her outside while typing quickly in his phone. As soon as they exited the lobby, his car parked outside.

"You…? I was thinking of taking a cab," she said guardedly.

"Is there not a company car to pick you up?"

"Yes…"

He walked and opened the door for her, but she continued to stare. He sighed. "Higurashi, the chauffer can pick you up at my place."

Her eyes narrowed. "This is not what you hired me for."

His eyebrow quirked. "My intentions remain the same, although I believed it was within my rights to change my opinion as it was within yours to decline. I cannot remain here without escorting the woman I brought, it would not be chivalrous."

She released a slow breath through her lips and nodded. She was very far from her apartment and a taxi would have cost a fortune either way. While she slipped into the back seat, she shot him a warning glare, and commented in passing, "You gave me the impression your manners weren't your first worry."

She closed the door herself, and Sesshomaru held back the need to snarl again while he entered through the other side.

The trip was long and Kagome hoped it would be a silent one. She sighed when she realized it would not be so.

"You did a good job, Higurashi."

"I always deliver, Doc."

"I was wondering," she rolled her eyes with her back turned to him, "how did you know so much about TBSA?"

"I did my homework. I told you about it."

"I understand the practicality of studying your customer, to know if he is dangerous, has charges on sexual assault… But the internal functioning of my business?"

"Oh, no, don't put me in a pedestal just yet. I studied nothing but your PR department. I knew I'd need an alibi to be there, so I had it all planned."

He smirked. "You clever little thing."

~O~O~O~Strictly Business~O~O~O~

They descended the vehicle and he walked by her side, placing his hand on the dip of her back. "Join me upstairs."

She almost jumped away at the contact. "Taisho, I told you this is not what you hired me for. Besides, the company car should be here any minute now."

"I was sure I had already made my intentions clear. I do not wish any physical favor from you."

"Then what do you want up there that can't be done down here while we wait my ride?"

"My checkbook is upstairs, woman. I have to apologize with cash, remember?"

She felt a drop of sweat roll down her nape across the center of her back, but she nodded anyway.

When the elevator doors closed, she felt tenser than ever, and she shivered.

"Are you cold?"

"You pay too much attention to me."

"It is hard not to." Her eyes darted to his face and she saw a bemused expression. "I believe any male with interest in the female form would find it impossible to look away from you for too long."

"You. Are. Not. Getting. Me. Into. Your. Bed. Capisci? You're creeping me out!"

He whirled and scowled, and she backed up, trapped against the mirror-covered silver wall. "I was merely delivering a complement!" Although his words were tender, his tone was fierce.

She gulped. "Why would you do that? It's not like you were interested in making me feel good before!"

"I explained my reasons and apologized, Higurashi! Why do you lack the capability of accepting a man could not want sexual favors from you?"

She stared, noticing how he had perched over her again, and she felt small and trapped, and tears shimmered in her eyes again. "Because that's the only thing anyone has ever wanted from me!"

Sesshomaru sighed heavily, a hand pressed against the cold mirror to hold his weight. "How can a female so intelligent and well-spoken take a job so below her, especially when she is so terrified of doing it? You dread this profession, why have you not sought an alternative?"

That touched a nerve, and Kagome growled, her tears falling freely this time. "You don't know shit! You're a rich boy who's never been hungry, or cold, or scared out of his right mind! I tried to find an alternative, I really tried, I really worked hard to the point of barely sleeping, and they kicked me out from my school because I couldn't pay my tuition… I was so poor I couldn't even qualify for a loan! I flipped burgers with an empty stomach for a year, and do you think anyone ever noticed? Without an embellished curriculum no one took a second to hear what I had to say, to know what I had to give…! All those years of studying only to ask 'do you want fries with that?'… It was fucking humiliating, knowing I was enough but lacking the experience, the connections… No one gave me the chance…"

She whipped the tears away angrily, smudging her liner and not giving a shit. "A guy offered twenty bucks for a blowjob… and I was so hungry… All my job could afford was the rent of a room, crackers, and the electricity bill… I was so scared, Sesshomaru… He could have killed me, raped me, made me sick… I hadn't even been kissed before…!"

Her shoulders shook and she looked down, unable to hold his gaze anymore. "Don't ask me why I do what I do, because I tried… In this… I'm good at this, I can pay my tuition, and dress nicely, and pay the rent of a good apartment in downtown Tokyo with no rats and no leaks… and no one owns me. I have to take care of myself, but it's not like I didn't have to do that before… But no one is more dangerous than people like you, oh you master of the universe, owner of the future, I know I'm lowly scum, a filthy hooker, I don't deserve to be in your magnificent presence but still…" She looked up at him with anger so fierce it sent ice down his veins. "I'm still stronger than you."

Sesshomaru was breathless, and his chest constricted at the sight of her pain. He had done that, he had harmed her. "Higurashi… I didn't mean to…"

"Oh, go fuck yourself. You're not sorry; you just want to be able to look at yourself in the mirror. Pay the whore and leave me alone. I just wanna go home."

She wouldn't look at him. Sesshomaru stepped away, realizing the door of his private elevator had been open for a long while now, and he entered his apartment. As soon as he started scribbling the check with a sum large enough to clean his conscience, he heard a ding and the slide of the contraption as it made its way to the ground floor.

He hurried to the door and pressed the intercom, knowing the voice would be heard as soon as she exited through the front door of the building.

"Higurashi, where are you going?" He practically howled.

She stopped her stomping and whirled, screaming at the microphone. "I DON'T NEED YOUR TIP, YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE. I WANT NOTHING FROM YOU."

She disappeared from the range of the camera, and he heard a car driving away.

~O~O~O~Strictly Business~O~O~O~

As if his sleepless night hadn't been bad enough, the next morning, as he sipped his coffee cup in his way outside, the doorman called his name softly. He procured a pink paper bag with the inscription of 'NOTHING' in bold, black marker, explaining a delivery boy had brought it about an hour ago.

Sesshomaru didn't have to open it to know a pair of shoes, a bag, and a blue dress were inside.

~O~O~O~Strictly Business~O~O~O~

A/N: I might as well leave you guys with one more chapter XD  http://www.dokuga.com/gallery?func=detail&id=10780 HERE YOU CAN FIND THE COVER ART OF THIS STORY!!