Working from home, Sesshomaru learns, is a whole other experience.
"—therefore, we must seriously consider other alternatives," Director Minamoto concludes his lengthy explanation just as Sesshomaru's office door cracks open.
Sayuri, Kagome's new rambunctious kitten, sneaks in, but as she is the quieter of her siblings, Sesshomaru pays the calico little heed.
"I concur," one of the company officers speaks up, leaning back on his chair as he strokes what little beard he can grow. "It is at least worth considering the alternative when computer chips are so scarce. If we do not find an alternative, our competitors will likely do so and take on more of the market share. What do you think, Ito-shacho?"
Sesshomaru is prepared for the question. He lifts his cup of tea to his lips to take a sip. "I believe," he says after a moment, "that we should consider—"
His chair is suddenly jolted forward, sending Sesshomaru with his nearly full cup of tea forward—
Right into his desk where his computer is set up and the webcam is placed. Tea splashes everywhere, drenching both the webcam, which immediately makes a static noise, along his keyboard and mouse.
Sesshomaru turns to glare at Sayuri's two siblings, Ume and Sakura, freeze mid-brawl. "Out," he snarls, furious they have damaged both his equipment and interrupted his meeting.
Ume and Sakura just blink at him. Nearby, Sayer cleans herself as though the altercation had never taken place.
"I beg your pardon, Ito-shacho?"
Sesshomaru whirls back in his chair, astonished. He had thought the webcam damaged beyond use, but he finds, to his chagrin, that everyone is staring right at him with varying expressions from concern to outright alarm. "I apologize," he manages stiffly. "I was not speaking to you, Okawa-san."
His officer, a fox yokai of Shippo's lineage, inclines his head, but not without the same telltale smirk Sesshomaru has seen on Shippo's own face before. "Please continue, Ito-shacho."
Clearing his throat, Sesshomaru says, "It is worthwhile to explore other alternatives, so long as we do not run into anything cost-prohibitive. It would be better to take a short hit to the market than be able to provide our usual products at far too high a cost. Such would damage the trust of our—"
Ume suddenly leans up, showing her rear to the entire meeting as she attempts to nudge Sesshomaru.
Someone chuckles, though the sound is quickly muted.
Sesshomaru plops Ume on the ground. "—customers, clients, and business partners alike," he continues as though the interruption never occurred. "It is not worth losing the reputation we have spent over a century building."
There is a murmured consensus.
"I would like a plan in hand for each of the viable alternatives that details out the associated costs." Sesshomaru moves to drink from his cup, belatedly recalling it is now empty and running down his desk. "WE can reconvene once such has—"
Sakura suddenly lets out a shriek that is more appropriate for an owl than a kitten just ten weeks old.
"—been prepared," Sesshomaru continues doggedly, attempting to shoo Sakura away. "From there, it would be best if—"
From across the room, Ume suddenly pounces on Sayuri, causing her yelp and jump on the desk to escape. Her flight sends her careening straight into Sesshomaru's monitor, causing it to tumble to the floor with an audible crash.
"Perhaps we should reconvene later to discuss the particulars," Okawa notes, amusement still heavily laden in the fox's voice.
"Perhaps it should be over email," another officer says.
"I believe we should hammer this all out now," Minamoto insists.
Ume, following Sayuri onto the desk, bites down on the webcam, and Sesshomaru loses what patience he has left. "We will discuss this at a later date. My secretary will send out the invite." And, before there can be any protest, he ends the meeting.
He then scoops up all three troublemakers and drops them unceremoniously beside the kitchen table where Kagome is attempting to help their younger son with his math homework. "Meeting not go as planned?"
He gives her a dark look. "All three felines are banned from my office effective immediately."
"Sesshomaru." She gives him that long drawn-out sigh that tells him a lecture is incoming. "You can't just keep cats out of parts of the house. It's their home, too, and—"
"Immediately," he growls. "Now deal with them while I figure out how to order new office equipment.
"Oh dear." Kagome settles back on her chair. "Hiroshi, why don't you go and play with the cats for a bit, hmm? I think your father needs a break." She has an impish smile as she adds then, "It seems like he's having a bit of a cat-astrophe."
Sesshomaru shoots her a dirty look as he heads back into his office and closes the door. First, he needs to give his secretary instructions for new equipment and another meeting but then—
Oh, then he'll deal with his mate and her mouth. After a pleasurable interlude, he can decide what he will do about the cats.
.
.
A few days later, Kagome sets up a cat tree in his office, promising it will help curb their behavior.
It does absolutely nothing of the sort.