As Love Falls

Prologue

The Interview


A happy tone was vibrating from a smiling woman typing away on her computer. Her nimble fingers were fast and precise as they flew over the thin keyboard. The woman was a sight to behold with her dark hair that hung to her mid thigh and with even bangs that split elegantly down the middle, revealing four delicate lines in the center of her forward in the semblance of a cross.

Smooth, unblemished ivory skin was complemented by her soulful brown irises. The soft amethyst color eye shadow she wore enhanced her brown irises that was accentuated further by her long dark lashes. The woman always seem to carry an air of mystery and strength about her. It was no wonder her co-workers and employees admired her from both afar and near.

All in all, Midoriko was a striking woman who caught many people's eye. Some sparked with interest and others with envy, but Midoriko took it all with a grain of salt. Letting out a happy sigh, the dark haired woman stretched her back and arms as she happily reviewed her work. She was aware to make sure none of her employees were around to pry through her office, which walls were made up of thick glass, essentially creating a rather soundproof room. The information she had displayed on her screen was not meant for human eyes. She was thankful she moved her desk by the window so that the back of her computer screen faced her employees and intern's cubicles.

Midoriko usually completed special cases like the one in front of her in the privacy of her own home, but since she was running behind on her cases she figured she could work on some during her lunch break at work. Most of her cases were easy to handle, but every now and again she would get that one special case that required more attention and focus. And such a case arrived two days ago.

Now that she was caught up, Midoriko could now draw her attention onto the case that needed the most work. It was client initialed U.S., and she was mildly impressed with his file. It was rather long and disturbing to say the least. Midoriko knew she would have her hands full with this client just from his picture alone, his smug smirk and challenging irises told her as much.

The head S.W. smirked at the challenge presented to her. It wouldn't be the first time she dealt with a difficulty and challenging client.

"I have a feeling you're not going to be as compliant as your older brother." Midoriko muttered to herself, her words laced with some amusement and challenge. Midoriko was confident in her abilities to handle the toughest cases sent her way from her superiors. She was aiming to climb up the ranks, and join the council someday very soon, but until that time came the woman was going to keep working hard towards her goal.

A soft knock from her door came, and her secretary appeared. "Hotaru-san, you're one o'clock appointment is here early. Would you like for me to send Higurashi-san in now?" Midoriko hummed in thought before deciding to get the interview over with sooner rather than later. She gave the potential interviewee credit for arriving twenty minutes before schedule. If there was one thing Midoriko appreciated most it was punctuality.

"Send her in now." Midoriko announced with a small smile. She waited until her secretary left before saving her cases, and logging out of her special program on her computer. She would review U.S.'s case later on tonight where she wouldn't be interrupted. The dark haired woman had an appeal case already in mind for her new client.

As she straighten herself up a little before her interviewee arrived, Midoriko retrieved Higurashi-san's file. The young woman was fresh out of college with her degree in Social Work, so working for a firm like hers would no doubt make her growing resume stand out from others. She assumed the young graduate would want to work here for a year or two to gain experience before moving up in the world.

The woman's grades were impressive along with her extracurricular activities. If her grades weren't impressive enough, the young woman's reference letters did the job. Midoriko thought she would fit right in with the company for many reasons. A smile spread across her lips as she looked up from the file, and saw Higurashi walking through her door. She swiftly took in the young woman's appearance. It was just as she expected, beautifully polished.

"Ah, Higurashi-san, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." Midoriko greeted warmly as she stood up to shake the young woman's slim hand. The moment her skin made contact with the other woman's, Midoriko felt a strong spark of spiritual energy crackled against her skin, forcing their hands apart. Higurashi brought her startled azure irises to the older woman, and laughed out loud in nervousness. "Sorry about that, sometimes it happens." She said nervously, hoping that minor mishap didn't affect her chances of working here.

Midoriko, however, felt her eyes narrowed marginally in recognition of the small incident, and a tiny knowing smirk spread on her lips. She had a feeling she was going to get along very well with Higurashi. The young graduate just didn't know it yet. Taking their seats, Midoriko crossed her legs and leaned casually into her seat. She exuded an air of ease and confidence while Higurashi was stiff and uncomfortable despite her efforts to remain unnerved by the interview process.

For a full minute, Midoriko just watched Higurashi carefully. Her brown irises were reading every expression that crossed the young graduate's face. When she was satisfied, the head S.W. sat upright and opened Higurashi's file. She scanned through it briefly before bringing her piercing, soulful gaze to her interviewee.

"Your college transcript is very exceptional, as well as your hours of volunteer work at varies shelters for women and children." Midoriko began with an air of professionalism, and she saw Higurashi-san let out a pleased smile. The anxiety was still present in her azure orbs, but it made the woman relax just a little bit.

"Thank you, Hotaru-sama. Helping people is something I love to do." Higurashi stated as calmly as she could muster as Midoriko asked her varies questions about her experiences and skill sets, and before they knew it fifteen minutes had passed by. The end of the interview was upon them and Midoriko was ready to close the meeting.

"From your resume, reference letters, and college transcripts I believe you will make a great addition to the company, but unfortunately you are overqualified for the position you seek." Midoriko told her bluntly. The corners of her lips twitched slightly as she tried to suppress her smile. She clearly saw the crestfallen expression on the young woman's face, but she knew there wasn't much disappointment. It seem the graduate received the same response before from other interviews in the past. It was difficult getting a job straight out of college, but it was not impossible.

"However, I do believe I have another position that will put your skills to better use, and allow you to help people." Midoriko knew her proposal caught the young woman's attention, because her irises widen in curiosity and interest. "I'll take it!" The younger woman blurted out eagerly as she stood up from her seat to bow in gratitude.

Midoriko smiled before standing to show her new employee out. "Nara-san, will give you the necessary paperwork to fill out so we can get you started as soon as possible. The sort of position you will fill is unlike any other in this department. I will be training you personally and overlooking your progress here. I hope you don't mind some field work." Higurashi nodded in understanding as excitement washed over her.

"Be here Monday at six sharp!" Midoriko waved before returning to her office.

As Midoriko went back to work she thought back to her new hire. The dark haired woman was excited and for good reason too. She had a really good feeling about Higurashi Kagome. The twenty one year old was unlike many of the other people she has interviewed in the past two weeks. This young graduate was the person she was looking for, and it seem fate was playing her hand in her favor.

She hasn't seen anyone with such strong and pure spiritual energy in a very long time. Midoriko was certain Higurashi would fit right in, especially considering her family background. Her grandfather was a strong monk, and just from her surname alone she knew Kagome came from a long line of monks and priestesses.

Towards the end of the day, Midoriko packed up and met with her secretary. "Mei-chan, I want you to distribute these cases to these four. I've already assigned each case to the appropriate S.W. and I expect them to be completed and closed within the month." Midoriko explained, knowing Mei will deliver her message to her special workers.

"I've decided to share the load around here. I'll be too focus on this new case I have anyway." The older woman added. Mei nodded in understanding.

"If anyone can appeal this case and win, it will be you Midoriko-sama." Mei booster proudly. It was clear to anyone that Mei admired her boss.

Midoriko appreciated the confidence Mei had in her. "Thank you, Mei-chan. I'm hoping this case will be my ticket into the Council." She gushed happily and Mei nodded in agreement. "I haven't read his entire case file yet, but I've heard rumors about him from the other departments. He has quite a notorious reputation behind him." Midoriko nodded in agreement. "It won't be easy, but I know I can win this appeal." The dark haired beauty winked playfully before waving farewell and heading home.

There was a lot of work to do tonight and it wasn't as if she needed much sleep anyway.

Sleep didn't matter when you were the head spiritual worker at Shikon & Co.


A/N: Hey everyone, I have a new story that I had to put up. Let me know if you like it, and would like to read more. This story will be different from my other stories. It's going to be fun with medium drama, and some humor. There will be a lot of love interests for Kagome along the way, too. Hope you enjoy it!

Read and Reivew

Lady Manami