Brewed For You by Sereia

Chapter 1

Kikyou stifled a curse as she slammed a folder down on the counter, managing to keep the papers from flying onto the floor.

"What the matter with you?" Kagome asked, retrieving the report from her place in front of her computer.

"The stupid driver forgot my coffee." There'd been a car accident on the freeway—some jack-off had decided to show off his new sports car, forgetting there was a solid three inches of snow on the ground that hadn't been paved yet—so Kikyou had been called in early.

Too early to remember to brew her own coffee beforehand. And now a quick order through the local delivery app had also left her wanting.

"Didn't you say something to him?" Kagome asked, initialling a few lines on the top paper.

"Of course I did!" Kikyou ground out. "He looked at me like I had two heads, handed me the rest of the order, and walked off." She wouldn't be so sour about it, but due to the perilous road conditions, none of the coffee shop employees at the hospital had made it in, which was why she'd tried to order a cup from down the street in the first place.

"Should I warn your patients that the claws are out?"

Kikyou narrowed her eyes. "I will murder you."

Kagome finally looked up from her computer screen, blowing her cousin a kiss. "You could always unwind with me at the party later. It'll have stronger stuff than coffee."

Kikyou gave an incredulous look. "You're not actually still planning on going after a full shift?"

She shrugged. "Sesshoumaru has everything set up already. I just have to show up."

"Must be nice being married to a chef."

Kagome grinned, automatically fingering the ring on the chain around her neck. They'd only been married a few months, but Kikyou had known from the beginning that her cousin was in it for the long haul. She'd been almost giddy after meeting him for the first time, having stopped into a specialty bakery while visiting her mother.

The shrine was throwing a charity benefit, and Kagome had thought it would be hilarious to hand out cookies shaped as good luck charms to the children. Sesshoumaru was an artist turned pastry chef and had jumped at the chance to incorporate his painting skills into his new business.

Kagome had claimed they'd only swapped numbers to confirm details for the event, but Kikyou had known better, pestering her until she'd finally confessed to stealing a kiss after their second meeting.

"I've got a break coming up," Kagome said, pushing away from the desk. "I'll go grab us some—" Two extra-large tumblers were set down in front of them, steam escaping from the metal lids. Kikyou turned and found herself staring into a pair of amber eyes, silver ears twitching on top of his head, which stood high enough above her that she had to tilt her head up.

"Delivering drinks along with your lab results, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked, a smile tugging at her lips.

He shrugged both shoulders, handing her a packet of alphabetized reports. "It's been a busy morning. I figured the extra caffeine boost was needed."

"And that's why you brought some for everyone on the floor, right?" she said, grabbing the one closest to her, the scent of jasmine tea wafting past them as she opened the lid.

Inuyasha flushed, scratching the back of his head. "It's a shit show down in the lab too, so I took a walk. Everyone's bitchin' about deadlines and thinkin' I'm gonna wave a magic wand."

Kikyou frowned and grabbed the second tumbler, inhaling deeply before taking a long swig. She groaned in relief, raising it in a silent toast. "Thanks for this. Now I won't commit murder."

Inuyasha chuckled, shoving his hands into the pockets of his scrubs. "If you're planning on still following through on that, let me know. I'll have the clean-up crew ready."

"Buttering up the boss isn't going to get you off early," Kagome mused, taking a sip of her tea. "Or a date to the party tonight."

Inuyasha's entire face turned red, and he smothered a curse. "I'm puttin' all of your rush orders at the bottom of the list, ya ungrateful wench." Kagome only laughed, thanking him for the drink and the reports. He nodded stiffly, shifting his weight as he stole glances at Kikyou.

She could feel his eyes on her, fidgeting with her nametag as she took another sip of her coffee. Was it just a coincidence that he knew what her favourite brew was? Had Kagome said something? There was no way that he had just—

"Take it easy today," he said. "The crazies always come out on days like this." His voice was warm, sincere, and Kikyou found herself nodding and returning the sentiment, cheeks warming when he smiled and one of his fangs poked out over his bottom lip.

He lingered for a moment, making a face when Kagome giggled behind her cup, then turned away, heading back toward the elevator. Kagome nudged Kikyou in the ribs, giving her a meaningful look.

"I don't even know him!" Kikyou hissed.

"Yes, you do. He's the one who goes on walks during his breaks and somehow ends up in the cancer unit, teaching the kids how to sword fight."

Kikyou's eyes widened. "That's him?"

Kagome leaned closer. "He's also Sesshoumaru's brother, so I can vouch that he won't be an ass the whole night."

Pursing her lips, and fighting off another poke in the ribs, she caught up with the tech, asking him if she'd see him at the party before the doors opened, unable to stop herself from matching his smile when she agreed to drive over with him.

The feel of his lips on her cheek might've given her more energy to finish her shift than the coffee.