Hard Luck Café
Life was always a little tough, and for a Japanese family moving to America, it got tougher. Now, add in the demons and half-demon scenario and you have InuYasha and his loving family.
New Orleans was a rather interesting town, and when they opened their own café, no one knew how much of a hit it would be. People from all walks of life wanted to come and hang out at the Hard Luck Café, if not for the food, then for the average comradery that came with InuYasha's crazy 'blended' family.
His mom, the human, would welcome everyone with a warm smile, even when they were dressed in the most outlandish Mardi Gras costumes. She was the heart and soul of the café and everyone knew it.
Staring at the framed image of his family, InuYasha brought a clawed hand up to lightly rub a finger against the cold glass where his mom was grinning from ear to ear. It was a quick and painless death, but her demise was like a pebble being thrown in a lake. The ripples of grief and loss were felt throughout the town, and they still had faithful regulars, but without her joyful spirit, it just wasn't the same, and eventually business started to slow down.
As with demon mating, his father passed at the same time, one mate never living without the other, so the business was left in InuYasha's hands.
Living upstairs made it hard to even fathom closing the place down, but he wouldn't do that anyway; his mom loved this place and he would never disrespect her by shutting it down.
"Another day another dollar, Mom. I hope you're proud of us."
He walked back over to work behind the counter when the front door flung open.
Turning around, he was about to greet the person and stopped. There in front of him was a disheveled young woman. Her dress was ripped, knees bloody, and she was dripping wet from the rain.
Instinctually, he hopped across the counter and pulled his jacket from the clothes rack, depositing it onto her slender shoulders. She hid her face behind the curtain of damp black locks.
"Are you okay? Can I get you anything?"
The girl nodded her head and squeaked out, "hot tea, please."
Setting her down on the bar stool, he made quick work of preparing the drink, and placed it in front of her.
She lifted it to her lips, hands shaking the whole way.
"Th-thank you."
"You're welcome."
Waiting a few more minutes, InuYasha felt a need to finally ask.
"So, what happened to you?"
It was that moment, she lifted her head and he gasped, before clinching his jaw in anger. The girl was gorgeous, but a giant whelp on her cheek marred her beautiful face.
Reaching down, he grabbed some ice from the freezer, and wrapped it in a wash cloth.
"Here, put this on your face. It will make it feel better and reduce the swelling."
The girl reached out and he saw the bruises on her wrists.
"Please tell me. What happened? Who did this to you?"
Looking up at him, washcloth firmly planted on her cheek, she sighed.
"I just wanted to experience New Orleans, but I was attacked. He tried to r-rape me, but I managed to get away."
"Is there anyone you want me to call for you?"
She shook her head, 'no'.
"Okay, a place I can drive you?"
She shook her head again.
"Come on, you got to have a place to sleep."
Searching his eyes, the girl shook her head furiously, "I don't want to go back there."
"Were you hurt at your place?"
"No, I just don't want to go back. My father has no regard for my feelings and I really want to be as far away from him as possible."
"Well, you can stay here as long as you like, just don't plan to rob us or murder us in our sleep."
She giggled and he found it to be as beautiful as she was.
"By the way, what's your name?"
Standing up, the girl did a deep curtsey.
"My name is Kagome Hi-…just Kagome."
"I'm InuYasha, it's nice to meet you, Kagome."
Smiling, Kagome wrapped his jacket closer around her.
"InuYasha, would you possibly have a bath or shower I can use?"
He did his best to not think of how sexy she probably looked silhouetted by the curtain, steam all around her.
Shaking his head, he smirked.
"I have both, so whichever you prefer."
Walking to a back door, he motioned for her to follow.
Kagome didn't understand why, but she just knew she would be safe with him, and walked up a flight of stairs, which led to a red door.
"Home sweet home."
Opening it, InuYasha revealed his home to her. Thankful to see her eyes go wide and a smile so genuine and excited, InuYasha showed her each room before leading her to the bathroom.
"The hot water can be a little tricky, just leave it a little past the middle line, and it will get hot without scolding you. Oh! And there are towels right here in the linen closet."
He pointed to a door right next to him. Feeling so overwhelmed by his kindness, she launched herself at him and hugged him, so thankful that God led her to the Hard Luck Café.
"Thank you, InuYasha! You have no idea how much this means to me."
Wrapping his arms around her, he reveled in her warmth.
"It's my pleasure, Kagome."
Letting go, she gave him a quick smile before shutting the door to take her bath.
InuYasha knew girls took a while in the bathroom, so he was surprised to see her out and scampering into the other room in just a towel. Looking at the clock, he was impressed; fifteen minutes was quick for a girl. Of course, he smiled sadly as he thought of his mom slapping the back of his head for such a comment.
She peeked around the corner and smiled at him, "would you by chance have something I can wear?"
Racing off, he came back with one of his t-shirts and pajama pants with a draw string.
"Here you go. I'll be closing up downstairs."
Making his way back to the café, he ran a clawed hand through his hair, "what a strange turn of events. Maybe this is my chance to do some good for someone, like she used to all the time."
Flipping the sign over at the door, he turned the open sign off as well and locked the door before going back upstairs to see Kagome sitting with her knees up on the couch.
"Hey."
Turning her head to him, she smiled shyly, "hello."
Sitting down next to her, he turned the TV on, "want to watch a movie?"
Nodding her head, she looked at their options and chose a very well-known comedy. InuYasha chuckled, "this must be one of your favorites."
"I've never seen it."
"How's that?"
She shrugged, "my father would only allow me to watch certain things. Something about making sure I wasn't corrupted."
Very strange.
"Okay, well let's put the movie on then. I apologize if you get a little corrupted from it."
Giggling, she looked at the TV screen in anticipation, "I don't mind."
They watched the movie and InuYasha found he enjoyed it more than he ever had before as he glanced over at the joy on Kagome's face, genuinely laughing and having a great time. Once it was over, InuYasha got up and stretched, "well, as much as I would love to stay up with you, I've got to open the café tomorrow."
Biting her bottom lip, she looked up at him, "InuYasha?"
He turned to her, "yeah?"
Face turning red, she tried to figure out how to say it, "could I maybe, stay here with you?"
Shocked but please, he smirked at her, "of course."
"But I don't want you to think I want to stay without paying or anything, so could I help you in the café?"
"Kagome, you don't have to pay to stay here."
Standing up, she nodded, "I understand, but I want to repay your kindness."
"Have you ever been a waitress before?"
She looked down for a second before jerking her head up, "no, but I'm a quick learner. Please InuYasha."
Gazing into her deep twilight blue eyes, he sighed.
"Alright, tomorrow you shadow me."
"Shadow you?"
"Yeah, follow me around like a shadow…it's a business term."
She looked pensive for a moment before beaming at him.
"Okay! I'll shadow you."
He knew she was older, maybe eighteen, but her mannerisms seemed more like a child sometimes…very sheltered.
"Great, you can have the guest room, and I suggest you also get some sleep."
Smiling wide, she hopped off the couch and walked over to the spare room, glancing back at him with her hands on the door frame, "goodnight, InuYasha."
When she slipped inside, he started wondering who this girl was. Her father was so strict she couldn't watch comedies, and she didn't know normal business terminology, which means she never held a job before. All he did know; tomorrow was going to be interesting.