Scroll one
A man walked into the dark bar, ignoring the rest of the men. He walked toward the bar, straight for the darkest corner. He sat on the stool, his eyes closed. None paid him mind. All eyes were mostly on the young girl cleaning off tables and putting up chairs. She hummed to her music as she worked. It was her first work night and she paid no mind to anyone there. The man behind the bar was cleaning glasses, watching the drunks in the bar. He was a large man, well built, and in his early fourtys. His head was clean of hair and he had gray eyes.
She then noticed the man sitting at the bar. His wavy black hair was tied back. He wore a long jacket with jeans and fingerless motorcycle gloves. He wasn't penniless, oh no. He was wearing fashion for him. She also noticed the bar tender not getting anything for him. She looked at the clock. Nine. The bar closed in three hours. Two and a half hours till the end of shift. She walked up to the man with a small smile. She waited patiently for him to acknowledge her. He finally opened one gleaming red eye. She smiled, still waiting. "Vodka and grapefruit."
She nodded and walked behind the bar. She knew what he wanted. A glass and the whole bottle. He looked like that kind of person. Not one to be stock drunk easily either. She set the glass and bottle before him with a smile. He placed the money on the counter and she took it to the register. She grabbed her rag and began cleaning the bar and seats. Once she reached him, she noticed his blood red eyes on her. It didn't bother her. She smiled again and returned to her work.
She sat at the other end of the bar and took out her novel. It got slow after eight thirty. She read for some time until it was almost eleven thirty. She placed her book in her bag and grabbed her jacket. The manager, Doug, watched her as she got ready to leave. His eyes landed on the man exiting the bar. He grabbed her arm gently as she passed by him. "You be careful on your way home ya hear, missy?" He whispered. She nodded with a smile.
Doug knew about her single home and needed for money. She had no parents and had to take care of her little brother. He was a friend of her father and offered her the job but this was the only time open. "Thank you. I will." He released her and she exited the bar. Doug glared as three men left right after her.
Kagome walked along the dark street, her tennis shoes taping on the sidewalk. One of the streetlights blinked and before she knew it three men were right behind her. Three drunks from the bar. Kagome ducked into an ally but they were right behind her. She backed into the brick wall as they got closer. "Stay away from me!" She yelled. Not screamed, yelled.
"Now don't be like that. We just want some fun." The middle man said. They all looked like common street thugs. "Come on, hun. You chose to work for our service at the bar. Now serve me a bit of this." He groped at her breast and she yelled.
"Keep your hands off me!" She smacked his hand away then slapped his face. "Go away! Leave me alone, you idiots!" The man growled. And lifted his hand.
"Why you bitch!" Kagome cringed, waiting for the blow. It never came. She blinked and backed into the wall as a man stepped before her, holding the wrist of the man. "N-Naraku?" He released his wrist and his fist collided with his face. His blood red eyes blazed as he attacked them with his fists. Kagome watched as he stuffed his hands into his pockets and kicked the guy in the gut over and over. He glared at him as he kicked one last time.
He grabbed his collar and slammed him into the brick wall with one hand. He forced his head to look at Kagome. "You remember this girl. Remember her eyes. You see her, and you run. Pass the word that if anyone touches her I will kill them, then I'll kill you. Understand?" His voice was calm with a bit of malice lacing every word. He pushed his face into the brick to get a response. The man tried his best to nod and he dropped him.
He then grabbed Kagome's hand gently and led her past the man on the ground. Once out of the ally he released her hand and they picked up step along the sidewalk. Kagome stared at the ground nervously in thought. What's he doing? Is he a friend of Doug's? I don't think so. "Um . . . " She tried to find the words she wanted but just closed her mouth.
"What is it?" Her blue eyes darted up to him then back down. She shook her head. "You wanted to say something. I don't like it when people do that." She blushed a bit.
"Thank you . . . for that back there." His red eyes trained on her. "My name's Kagome."
"Naraku, but keep it to yourself. I'm not one for people."
"I see." Kagome faded back into the quiet. Goose bumps rose on her arms and she shivered. She felt a heavy jacket drape over her shoulders. She looked up at the calm man, his expression never changing. She pulled it tightly around her. "Thank you."
"Where do you live?"
"Shikon apartment building." He nodded and began on a new rout. Kagome followed without question. They came upon a black truck in an old parking lot. He unlocked the driver's door and unlocked the other side on the inside. Kagome climbed in as did he. The ride was silent with the exception of the radio. Surprisingly it was her favorite country station. Kagome found herself humming to the songs and staring out at the sky. He watched her from the corner of his eyes the entire time.
They pulled up to the apartment building to see a guy sitting on the curb smoking. His blue eyes darted up to the car. He stood up as she got out of the truck. She shut the door and he waited for her. She stepped up on the bar and looked into the truck. "Thanks again. Bye." She hopped off and skipped to the guy. Naraku glared at the guy and he returned it. He had long black hair in a pony with a head band and sky blue eyes. "Hey Koga. What's up?"
Koga watched the truck drive away. He turned back to the girl before him. "Hey Kag. You weren't home so I thought I'd wait for you." She frowned.
"You should be taking care of Ayame." Koga frowned as they walked into the building.
"She's being prissy tonight. I can't get near her. She can't sleep, I can't sleep, she's mad, I'm mad. I couldn't handle it so I thought I'd hang out at your place for a while."
"It's all part of the job Koga. Give her space. She'll be this way for some time."
"I know." He sighed. Kagome unlocked her door and let him in. He plopped onto the couch and she got out a bottle of water. "Man. I'm tired."
"Then sleep. I'm going to check in on Ayame."
"Go ahead. Get your head bitten off for all I care." Kagome scowled and walked out of the room. She knocked on the door next to hers and then walked in. She heard a commotion in the bathroom and ran to see what happened. She found a girl with red hair keeling over the toilet. Kagome grabbed her pig tails and rubbed her back as she vomited. Once she was finished, Kagome grabbed a glass of water and handed it to her.
"Thank you, Kagome. You're great." She sipped her water. Kagome pulled the covers back on the bed so they were at the end and helped Ayame to bed. "I love you, Kagome." Kagome smiled and kissed her friend's forehead.
"Koga's sleeping at my place tonight. I told him to give you your space. Try to sleep. It'll help the baby." Ayame nodded against her pillow and closed her eyes. Kagome locked the door and went back to her apartment to find Koga snoring on her bed. Kagome sighed and went to her little brother's room. He slept soundly in his sheets. Kagome smiled and went to the living room. She locked the door and locked the windows. She lay on the couch and prepared for her uncomfortable sleep.
Please forgive the shortness. This shall be my first submitted narakuXkagome fiction. I welcome flames as well as praise. Thank you for reading.
Jo Manta