Chapter Two: Shine
Kagome fiddled in the back with the new arrivals, trying to figure out which would look better in which showcase, which could be showed together, and so on. Absently she smoothed her dove grey dress, wondering if perhaps it was better to place the tiger's eye necklace as a centerpiece or to just lay it flat like the others.
"What if I-" The door jingled as she mumbled to herself, and she started in surprise. It was early in the morning for a customer. Usually they frequented in the afternoons or right before lunch. Nine was significantly earlier than lunch.
Her stomach grumbled on cue at the thought, and Kagome smiled sheepishly. Nine was, however, early enough for breakfast, which she had forgotten in her haste to open the store in time. Ginta, one of her employees, had called in sick and she had simply taken over his shift. No need to call in another when she could do it herself.
"Hello?" A baritone voice filled the store, and Kagome blinked. She recognized that voice. It was the really handsome, very terse youkai from a few days ago! Kaogme moved to the storefront and reveled in the way the sunlight played with Taisho-sama's beautiful, iridescent locks. She really wanted to touch it. Maybe in another universe. She scoffed at herself. He was married! Hair privileges reserved for the mate! Tch.
"Hello again, Taisho-sama!" He would look really nice with something leather on him. Maybe that braided wristlet over there? She could discount it-no! Must restrain herself!
"How may I help you?"
He slid a bag, one that she recognized, over the counter towards her. "Hnn. This one would like to return the item bought."
Dismay settled in her chest. He didn't like it? But she had thought that it would...No matter. If the customer wasn't happy, she wasn't happy. "Hai, Taisho-sama. Would you like store credit or would you like to return it for something else?"
He looked at her inscrutably, and she patiently waited while he decided. Maybe he was having an inner monologue? What if he wanted to take his business to another store? She didn't want the God of the Moon-because he looked like a moon god, not a youkai-unhappy with her store. However, it was his decision. His. Not hers.
Kagome restrained herself from begging him to stay with her so she could keep looking at him.
No! Bad Kagome! He's married. No being attracted to a married man!
Taisho-sama nodded, seemingly decided. "Store credit."
She just about wilted in relief. "Excellent, Taisho-sama. Now, what did you dislike about the crescent pendant? I can show you things that have no similarity to the trait you disliked. Perhaps a bracelet? A pair of earrings?"
"Sesshomaru."
Her train of thought ran into a brick wall. "Hm?" What?
"Sesshomaru." He looked at her expectantly.
"You want me to call you Sesshomaru? I couldn't! You are an honored customer." She shook her head.
Sess-no, Taisho-sama, continued to stare at her until she fidgeted and finally gave up, throwing her hands in the air. "Fine! Sesshomaru-sama," she made clear she wasn't going to budge, "What would you like to look at? We just got in some flower-themed gold bracelets. Gold stands for wisdom and is reputed to strengthen the heart; I think it would be a good message to send to your wife." His wife. ... She already didn't like his wife.
No! Bad! She always liked everyone! What was this irrational jealously eating at her?
"Flowers," he mused. "Rin would like that."
"Rin? Is that the name of your wife? It's beautiful." Kagome almost snarled. Was she a perfect wife? She had to be in order to snatch Sesshomaru up.
Her thoughts horrified her. She sounded like a money-hunting woman! Snatching him up? Kagome wanted to punch herself. She wasn't even looking for a husband, let alone snatching one!
He raised an eyebrow. "My daughter."
Oh. He had a daughter? A happy family. Kagome frowned. Maybe she was destined to be forever alone, unless she agreed to marry Hojo. How boring was that? Hojo was no fun. Maybe she just needed to get laid.
Kagome nodded. That was it. This stupid attraction was due to her not getting laid. Well, she'd fix that right quick. It was no good for her to want a married man. It went against all of her principles.
With that thought in mind, she determinedly shoved all thoughts of attractive, moonbeam-haired men and got to work. In the end his left with a new bracelet for his daughter but no anniversary gift.
Maybe he'd come back?
No. Kagome squashed the thought. She didn't want him to come back. He made uncomfortable feelings arise in her.
Yeah. She definitely needed to get laid.
Words: 781
Prompt: Gold
