Kagome hastily drops her bags of groceries onto her counter top and reached for her ringing cell phone from her pocket. A loud groan escapes her as she tries to save a bag from tipping over. Today, was a very long and right now all she wanted to do was curl up in a corner of her sofa with some ice cream and a good movie. But that was not to come. With a exhausted "Hello?" She answered her phone. "Kagome? It's me Sango. I wanted to know if you can please give me a hand at the restaurant. Pretty please?"
Kagome looks at her watch then her groceries on the counter. She really wished she could say no. But Sango has been her best friend since grade school. She has always been there during her time of need. "Okay, I'll help" she said finally "what time do you need me to come by?".
Sango lets out a sigh of relief. "oh my gosh, thank you so much little Bird. You're a life saver… could you come by within an hour?. Kagome nodded, then remembered that her friend couldn't see her.
"Sure, I'll be there. So what's the occasion?" . Kagome leans over her kitchen counter, closing her blue eyes.
"One of my employees called out today or all days. I gave everyone a heads up a week ago that there is a large party of really important politicians and businessmen that are supposed to be coming tonight" .
"Interesting." She said, but she really didn't think so. In fact , she wasn't the least bit interested or curious.
"tell you what, I'll give you the bar tonight. Easier work." Sango said beaming with laughter.
"yeah, okay" she replied unenthusiastically. "see yeah in an hour".
"You're an angel! Little bird" she exclaimed and hung up.
The last thing Kagome really wanted to do after a full week of work in the office was mind a bar, pouring drinks for spoiled, wealthy, clientele who tend to try and get in her pants after a few drinks. Just the thought alone caused her to shiver in disgust. But, she did need the little money she would make in tips. Every penny counts.
Its only been a few months since she got out of a relationship. Hojo was a great guy, he was such a gentlemen. But their relationship just wasn't going anywhere, it was just settling for the both of them. Here she was, 23 years old, he was 24 and haven't even lived . Both pressured by family to get married, settle down and have kids. So, the decision was made by the both of them to end things. They still speak to each other on occasion.
Kagome finished putting away her groceries and began changing her cloths. She pulled on a pair of black jeans and a white oxford short sleeve shirt. With a click of her front door Kagome made her way to the train station to her friends restaurant.
"Thank goodness you're here" Sango said hugging Kagome as soon as she walked through the door. "Some of the guests are already here, so you'll have to hurry. The bar is stocked with supplies "Sango pulled her friends arm towards the bar. "Sango, you really owe me for this" she said with a smile back to her flushed faced friend.
"I know little bird, I'll take you out on a date with ice cream at the end" she laughed out.
With a chuckle "oh, I get ice cream this time?" Kagome raised her eye brows. "I think we're getting seriously fancy".
"So, who is it that is coming to this shin dig?" Before her questions could be answered she saw him, a tall, serious man standing by the hostess. Whom, seems to be unable to utter a coherent sentence. Who could blame her, from a distance Kagome could feel it. This man was a Demon. But it wasn't just him alone his entire entourage were demons. Demons in black suits. The poor women was like a guppy in the mist of sharks.
"let me go help her" Sango said with a sigh. Sango had no fear what so ever of demons. Sango came from a long line of demon hunters. While Kagomes linage were priests and priestesses. That's probably why they get along so well. In fact her family are now diplomats for human and demon relations.
Within minutes of getting behind the bar, she had several men lined up demanding drinks. She quickly and efficiently served them their cocktails, this continued for several more hours. Some of the men were speaking in different languages and she was sure somethings were being said about her. Kagome kept her head bent most of the time searching for bottles anyway.
She was busy searching for a mixture when silence fell over the room. All the men that were at the bar and elsewhere went towards one focal point. Shaking the hand of one specific individual. Kagome stood up victoriously as a large grin spread across her rosy lips.
Her blue eyes looked around trying to piece together what was happening and why it was so silent. Then she made eye contact with the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen. Kagome's smile of victory quickly dissolved and the man raise an eyebrow and he looked over at her. She felt paralyzed, as if his eyes were stripping her naked down to her soul. Was the world moving in slow motion? She asked herself.
His eyes were taking in all of her form. His eyes wondered from her head of jet black hair down to her shirt that were pulled tightly across her voluptuous breasts, her arms , then back up to her neck, lips making its was right back to her eyes.
Kagome didn't know it but she was doing the exact inventory, and he did not come up lacking. What stood out to her the most was his beautiful silver hair and his unique amber eyes. Every line of his body showed his arrogance, his absolute command. His stern mouth turned up in a half smile, then his eyes sharpened with interest. The hunter had found a prey .
She quickly turned away, as a blush creeps across her face. Another gentleman steps in front of the silver haired man blocking her view. Then slowly, the rooms began to get back to normal. Something she was grateful for. A shudder went through her as she shook her head. The men who were waiting on their drinks came back to the bar and continued on with their conversation.
It was almost two o'clock in the morning when the business men, and politicians finally start to leave. Kagome could feel the fatigue making its way through out her body. Her brain was on the verge of shutting down. She had been up from 5am that morning. Her feet were ached and her eyes felt as if there was sandpaper in them. Thank goodness it's a weekend.
"You've done well" a deep voice said.
Kagome glanced up and all her fatigue went away in an instant. Here he is, the man, amber eyes…
"Thanks" she said while trying to avoid looking directly into his eyes. " Is there something you would like to drink?" she asked politely .
"Only if you'll join me," he replied. His eyes were fixated on her movements.
Kagome's eyes shot right back to his. "Sorry, no thanks. Besides I am working, can't drink on the job."
"Of course you can" he countered. "just pour yourself a glass and come around the other side" he said as he adds his devilish smirk.
Her stomach fluttered a bit. "No, sorry. But I can gladly serve you anything you'd like" she said still trying to smile.
After a long moment the man replied, "And if it is you I would like? Would you serve me?"
Kagome took a step backwards and gasped "excuse me?!" If he's trying to win me over he just lost any chance he had. Her blue eyes narrowed defiantly.
"I apologize if I offended you, come sit" he said patting the bar stool beside him.
Everything inside of her was screaming for her to run for the hills. Find an excuse to leave. But for some reason she found herself obeying his order. She plunked herself down on the bar stool and glared at him. The effort only caused him to release a deep chuckle and the sound almost soothed her ruffled feathers more so than his apology.
"What is your name?" he asked.
"Kagome" she answered "and yours?"
To say that he was surprised was an understatement. There is not a human or demon who do not know who he is. Everyone knows the name of the great Sesshomaru Taisho, Just his name along struck fear. He has never really been fond of humans, only dealing with them when he need to. But the moment he laid eyes on this slip of a women he had made his decision. After a stressful week, he needed a good rut. He would have his night with her, human or not. There was something about her, behind those blue eyes that intrigued him.
"You may call me Maru" he finally answered.
"Okay… Maru. It was a pleasure speaking with you, but I must finish cleaning up" Kagome said trying to dismiss him.
She moves to make her way back to the other side of the bar, when his hand moved to touch her forearm. Kagome's indrawn breath was audible and with a snap she turned back to look him in the eyes. She quickly moved away from his touch, but it was too late. She looked at the palm of his hands seeing little scorched marks that were quickly healing. Oh no, she thought.
"You're a priestess…" Maru said. It wasn't a question, more of a realization. His amber eyes turned cold.
"Yes, I am" she answered. Looking him directly in the eyes. What will he do? oh kamis help me.
The moment was broken by one of the few dignitaries that were still left in the restaurant. There was a quick exchange of words between Maru and the man.
Maru slowly gets up from his seat. "wait for me I will be back…" was all that was said to her by him.
Wait for him to come back? She thought not! Kagome quickly ran behind the bar counter collected her purse. With a quick good bye to her friend Kagome made her way to the back entrance of the restaurant to make her escape.
It was cold out, and on top of that the sky began to release a dreary rain. Great Kagome mumbled to herself as she pulls out her umbrella from her purse. The distance from Sango's restaurant to the subway station was about a 10 minute walk, for some reason it felt extra-long tonight. Probably because her mind kept wondering back to Maru. The man with the face and body of a god, but everything about him made her miko powers scream danger. Then when she had accidently burn him, That look on his face, his eyes changed with a darker more dangerous intent.
With a shake of her head to clear her mind, Kagome breathed a sigh of relief. Because now she'd go back home, soak in a warm bath, and snuggle with her warm bed. Everything will be back to her wonderfully boring, normal life with a few hours of sleep.
Headlights shined from behind her pulling her from her thoughts. Kagome pulled her purse closer to her body walking closer to the buildings for safety. She took a quick glance at her watch. 2:45am, she really didn't like being out this late at night. Thanks to her father and grandfather, Kagome was well versed in self-defense and how to use her miko powers. But that doesn't mean she doesn't get scared.
Her heartbeat raced when the car stopped beside her, she refused to acknowledge the vehicle. Then, she remembered the current news stores of women getting abducted from the streets by passing cars. She still had one block left to the train station, if she makes a run for it she might make it. Her body breaks out in a cold sweat, it was fight or flight .
"Miko… Kagome" A deep voice said from behind her.
Kagome visibly jumped at the hearing of her name. She looks around, and saw the man from the restaurant step out from the back of the car.
"Maru.." she said with a whisper almost relieved.
He held the passenger door open gesturing for her to get in.
"No, thank you" she said as she turned to start walking.
She'd only made it a few steps before a strong hand clamped around her elbow, pulling her gently but firmly towards the car " I will drive you home" he said and followed her into the car.