Hey, second fic
Oh yah! I got style! I got looks and I got Inuyasha! I own him! Well, I don't really own him... Okay fine! I didn't even make the show... What ev... ON with the story!!
With his legs in front of him, he stared into her violet eyes and watched her with no expression as her bruised but fit body curled away from him, a response he did not expect from one of Inuyasha's bitches. His calm cold stare made her even more frightened and she gathered up the covers and started to get up slowly, heading for the door.
She was inches from the door when he was suddenly in front of her, all the while glaring at her and causing her to hit into his chest, her body falling to the floor as her violet irises exposed her raw fear of his actions. She gasped inwardly and was about to scream when he placed his hand over her mouth. She began to fight tooth-and-nail to get out of his grasp, but he firmly picked her up and deposited her on the bed with a thump.
"Who are you?" They both said in unison
Chapter 2
Suddenly, everything that happened the night before dawned on Kagome. She visibly calmed down somewhat and looked around, the frightened look on her face disappearing, and turned to the Youkai in front of her, whom she supposed was Sesshomaru. Her face hardened and she looked at him with contempt.
"You didn't have to throw me on the bed." She snapped, adjusting herself on the bed to face the individual in front of her.
"Who are you?" Sesshomaru repeated, hoping that he wasn't conversing with one of the idiots that his brainless brother brought in. He eyed her when he noticed the shifting look she gave towards the door, as if she wished to leave.
"Kagome..." She said and started to get up, watching him all the while. He reached out and attempted to grab her hand. She jerked away at the last second and for a fleeting moment, he noticed the stark fear in her eyes before she turned to her stony, ignorant self. He grabbed her hand again, this time faster, and she gasped for air, feeling pain shoot up her arm.
Her arms ached from the bruises she had attained, and though he held her gently, as if holding a baby, she still felt a torrent of pain anytime she moved her wrist, so having someone grab it was like having someone push a dozen pins up her arm. She tried to jerk away from his grasp and he immediately tightened his hold, careful not to hurt her, but not willing to have the stranger run without some sort of explanation. He lifted her to her feet. "Let go!"
"No." He said firmly and noticed the fear return to her eyes, "Did my half-brother do this to you?" He said as he lifted her shirt partially to reveal the repulsive bruises and blemishes that tarnished her skin and covered her beauty. Her entire body was a black-and-blue canvas with splotches of red scars running down her arms and legs, her long legs, though covered in the thick cloth of her nightgown, were discolored and swollen.
As he lifted his perfectly sculpted eyebrow in confusion and curiosity, he lifted her arm and she groaned from the pain of stretching the overly worked muscle and whimpered uncharacteristically when he attempted to lift it up again. She begged with her eyes for him to stop the tortuous exercise, knowing that words would nothing to change his mind as to what he would do next.
"I don't-I don't know your half-brother." She said confused yet hurriedly, her frightened stance showing him obviously that she was not lying.
"Then how did you get these bruises?" Sesshomaru said gruffly as he let go of her hand. She jerked away from him and fell onto the bed, gathering up the pillows and blankets as if for defense.
When a long pause filled the room, the Youkai lowered himself onto the edge of the bed gracefully, causing Kagome to cringe, thinking he was going to grab her again for not answering. He lifted his eyebrow again, as if astonished that she would not answer his question in full knowledge of how he could get it from her otherwise, and continued to stare at her, awaiting her reply.
"I-It's nothing." Kagome stuttered as she looked away from his questioning stare. Though she had been through hell, she still didn't want anyone to pity her. Everyone she had ever come to know began to pity and talk about her after she let them know of her story, so wishing not to have an almost complete stranger pity her was not the way she did things. She wished he would just drop the subject.
"Those are not just nothing." Sesshomaru said slowly. He wondered if she was a runaway. The clothes he had gathered from the night before were torn and looked like they had been ripped to pieces, he had thought she was a homeless human, looking for a place to stay, but the bruises told him there was a whole other story behind the intrusion of his floor.
"Sango let me stay here for a while," She said quickly, as if sensing that his very thoughts.
"And the marks?" He asked, knowing that if he dropped the question she wouldn't tell him. He noticed her tense when he brought the conversation back to her injuries.
"I-I fell down the stairs when I got here a-and then I took a shower and while I was changing into my pajamas, I hit my stomach into the sink." She lied, hoping he didn't catch the fact that she didn't even remember what happened after her shower.
"No, you did not." Her eyes widened like a deer caught in the headlights of a car, "I took you out of the shower and changed you into those clothes. Now tell me the correct story. I do not appreciate lies."
She blushed about ten shades redder than beetroot red and looked down at the thought of him changing her. That's how he knew about my bruises, She thought.
"Sesshomaru, drop it..." She whispered as strongly as she could. Her eyes began to water and she got up to go to her closet, moving so he could not see them.
"And why the tears then?" He said as he appeared in front of her, blocking her way to the closet. Her eyes shifted to the knob and he pretended to grab her wrist, showing that he would get the answer out of her one way or another. A battered woman did not just use his room and not give an explanation so as to why she appeared in the state she was in.
She glared at him, "My ex-boyfriend, Kay?" She averted her eyes again when she thought that what he was going to say next was another 'sorry' or 'can I help' phrase that she was so familiar with. She was tired of her friends who thought that they could help. Tired of being gawked at when people saw her in her torn outfits, running away from Naraku. Tired of being the outsider when talking about relationships, guys, or anything that had to do with her old home. In general, she was just tired of the same old thing.
"Alright. Breakfast is probably cold, but if you change you may join us." Sesshomaru said with his own eyes averted to the door, signaling that the conversation was over.
She could tell that even though he heard her, that was all he had wanted to know. She relaxed and almost smiled when he said 'Alright', it was the first time someone had just accepted her situation and not tried the puppy dog and serious look.
"Okay... I'll be down in a second, if they are willing to wait for me. Unless they have other plans."
'Hn.' was the response she got from him as he looked at her once more and walked out of the room with as much elegance as one could possibly muster up to get out the door. She noted that his whole appearance seemed rather regal, but not in a snottish or over the top way, but as if his presence just demanded dominance. Taken aback, Kagome changed and was still pondering about the response he gave her when he opened the door.
"Hey! Knock!" She yelled at him.
"You said you would be down in a second yet you are pondering most likely ridiculous thoughts that are making you later than necessary for breakfast. Everyone is waiting so get out." He said mockingly, ignoring her plea for the knock and knowing he did not care to knock anyway. It was his room, no matter who slept in it.
"Fine. Wait. What if I didn't want to hurry up?" Kagome asked bravely.
"You would be holding up my breakfast and This Sesshomaru does not appreciate such unbecoming behavior, even from a guest as lowly as a human. I would advise against it." He said and raised a delicate yet demanding eyebrow as if to say 'Do you wish to test this one?'
"Fine, Sesshomaru."
"You may call me Mr. Taisho or Sesshomaru-sama. We will dine now."
"It's just breakfast, Sesshomaru-sama." Kagome muttered emphasizing the 'sama' part with as much sarcasm as she could.
"Hn." He replied with as much interest in what she said as a child might when dealing with homework.
"Kagome!" Sango said a bit too loud, causing Inuyasha to wince and Sesshomaru to glare disapprovingly her way as he sat at head of the table after showing Kagome her seat.
"Hey Sango." She said while seating to the left of Sesshomaru and looking at the breakfast with some interest.
She hadn't had food that good since, well, her mom had died. She was about to tear up at the painful memory when she realized where she was and she held her posture as much as she could, hiding the tears from everyone except Inuyasha and Sesshomaru, whom both could smell the salty scent. Kagome looked up and realized that Miroku was serving more food, an occurrence that she was not used to.
Though she ate sparingly, she felt full and was able to speak with Sango about normal girl stuff as if she were just a normal guest. She felt like she was supposed to feel, at home. Then she heard something about a job opening in Sesshomaru's office and began listening in on his and Inuyasha's argument. Inuyasha seemed to be yelling with much gusto and Kagome found herself listening to him try to piss off his impassive brother, but seemed no where along the line as Sesshomaru merely looked at him with a bored expression.
"-You FIRED her?" Inuyasha fumed in disbelief, "Kagura? She was your only secretary! Why did you have to fire her this week of all weeks! Don't you remember-"
"-That father is coming? Yes, I am aware of the circumstances we are in and perhaps we can get a new secretary-"
"-A new one? She was one of the BEST! She knew the job like the back of her hand! Jeez, and you call me an idiot!-"
"-And you still are one. The fact that she was a tolerable secretary and knew the job well did not suffice for the disrespect she has shown us and others as a representative of my stature and of our company. She was an embarrassment. There will be no more discussing this subject on my ability to fire someone since you have neglected even that part of your job and that's the only thing you have to do. Just hire someone to replace her by Monday, there has to be someone who wants the job offer."
"Whatever. But how am I supposed to find an exceptional secretary with typing skills, an excellent way with words, public speaking abilities, and someone who can tolerate you AND father? Who the hell would be crazy enough to want the job anyway? It's not like there are many secretaries better than her!" Inuyasha spooned what little milk there was left in his cereal and dropped his bowl on the table, making a slamming noise that made Kagome recoil.
"...Can I apply, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked with an earnest voice. "I applied for the job a year ago and didn't get to make the job interview because... well, I can do it now, so can I apply?"
Inuyasha looked at her with surprise. He had hardly noticed her at all except for slightly noting that she reminded him of Kikyo. He knew she was going to be staying for a bit at the house and thought, 'Why not?'
"Okay. You got the job." He said with a shrug and got up to get more cereal.
"Wait." Sesshomaru said and questioning eyes fell on him, "You didn't even interview her. How do you even know she's qualified, if there are any better contenders, and if I even interviewed her?"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes, "Okay fine. Kagome, or whatever, what would your résumé say? If you were to hand me one?"
"Well, I finished high school in 2 and-a-half years and went to Harvard University for another 2 years, finishing the four year requirement in that time. I majored in accounting and computer skills. I have a bachelor's in computer engineering and I worked at a local computer store for another year, getting a degree in psychology and accounting online. I have worked in two banks and had a secretarial position for the mayor and a private business this past year. I was never fired from any of these jobs, if you were wondering, it's just that my..."
She paused and pushed the rough memories of Naraku dragging her out of whatever job she could get. She cleared her throat and began again, "Well, my boyfriend at the time didn't believe in women working for money. Um... I'm 21 now and can work on any schedule. I currently am unemployed and am seeking a job of this exact position, so I would like to apply. " She took a deep breath from the long speech she gave and looked up hopefully to see if she might try for the job.
When she did, she saw that everyone, except a stoic Youkai, was staring at her with the jaws wide and their eyes bulging. Sango nodded her head in astonishment when she figured out that that was the reason Kagome had left school so early. Inuyasha smirked after a long pregnant pause, causing Sesshomaru to clear his throat and get everyone up from their trance-like state of mind.
"And?..." Sesshomaru asked her, causing everyone to look at him instead with confusion. They all seemed to think she was overly qualified, knowing she could get any secretarial position in the city.
Inuyasha spoke first, "And what, Sesshomaru!? She's perfect for the job and her decree, or whatever in psychology makes her more than capable to deal with your arrogant and pompous ass, not to mention Father's hostile attitude toward anyone and everyone! You know she is right for this job and we don't have the time for you and your-"
"I am not about to hire an incompetent human that perhaps has no values or knows what our company is about. Tomorrow I will examine your skills at typing and organizing. Also, please give me an actual résumé, one that I can look at and not have to cite for my father, he will not be pleased otherwise." He looked at Inuyasha to see if he wanted to interrupt once again and stood and cleared his place at the table, returning a few moments later to gesture to Sango that he wished to speak with her.
"You wanted to speak with me, Sesshomaru?" Sango asked politely when they were out of earshot from even Inuyasha's perceptive hearing. She padded lightly next to him, eyeing him with curiosity since she had only been once summoned privately before.
"Yes, I wanted to know who is this Kagome and why she staying in my guest room and not perhaps the one next to Inuyasha's room. I would have preferred to arrive without that surprise you left in there." Sesshomaru inquired and stopped walking to turn towards the demon slayer beside him. His golden irises pooling into hers, causing an undesirable shudder to pass through her, as if he radiated authority over his domain, namely his floor.
"I'm sorry Sesshomaru, I was going to put her there, but wasn't sure if Inuyasha's 'ladies' were going to show up in the middle of the night like they usually do. And I can't change her there now, you know he will try her patience and though what's happened to her has changed her substantially, she's still tough, and won't appreciate his perverted ways." She looked away from his piercing stare to study the threadbare hall wall. Thinking, she returned her gaze to the Youkai and held it, not letting him intimidate her into letting Kagome even semi near the Hanyou that threatened to destroy the trust she had gained from her beloved friend.
"Your guest room is the only other option, and I know you've seen the bruises, you were staring at her clothes as though you knew they were hiding something. She can't take another guy taking advantage of her like her old boyfriend did."
She watched him as he studied her, a familiar silence filling in between them, neither caring to break it as they contemplated the situation and outcome that may result from their conversation.
O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O
Miroku sighed, realizing Sango had left him with all the dishes. He hated dishes and was all but ecstatic when Kagome offered to do them. Being gentleman-like, he said that he would do some also and went to the sink whistling. It was only Saturday and no one had to do anything for the entire day, so he was bored already when breakfast was finished and company seemed good for both their moods.
"Kagome, wanna do something other than watch TV? I'm already bored and Inuyasha went to his room to well, talk with Kikyo."
"Sheesh! Didn't they talk enough last night? I heard them even after we passed their room and were heading upstairs! Don't they ever just quit?" She smirked a bit and forced a phony smile to him and he saw right through it.
"I know that smirk was real, but you don't have to pretend you're okay, alright? I remember you from high school and you always did that, you barely even opened up to Sango and she was and still is your best friend. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable here, I want you to smile on your own account, not ours. We want this to be your home."
O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O
Miroku smiled as he finished the last dishes and looked at Kagome to see her smile fail and the sadness he knew she was holding glazed over her eyes and features at what he had just said. When he was finished, though, he saw her look down and blush ever so slightly, a smile gracing the corners of her lips. He smiled to himself and dropped the subject.
"Let's go to the shop! I'll teach you some cooking lessons!" Miroku said suddenly, the idea popping into his head. "I'll teach you how to make a dessert that everyone will love!"
Kagome looked up, and for once Miroku thought he saw a smile on her face and the glimmer of hope in her eyes, she was still thinking about the 'home' part in their previous conversation. It quickly faded when Inuyasha came into the room smelling like the pimp he was and he smirked as he towed Kikyo to the fridge, his shirt hanging loosely over her shorts.
"What's up?" the Hanyou said lightly as Kikyo left the kitchen to get some 'fresh air'.
"Nothing." Miroku answered back, looking at Inuyasha disapprovingly.
"Hey Kagome." She looked his way, "Wanna have your turn?" He suggested, smirking provocatively. His face changed to confusion when the color of her face drained and she backed away from him faster than he thought humanly possible. He smelled her anger boil, and looked puzzled when Miroku turned towards the frightened girl and she jerked away from his touch, her eyes never leaving Inuyasha.
"Damn it, Inuyasha! What the hell's wrong with you!" Miroku yelled in his face, making the confused Hanyou back up and defensively put his hands up in surrender.
He had never seen Miroku yell at anyone, especially for something as stupid as his morning phrase 'Wanna have your turn?' He even said it on a daily basis to Sango and they just ignored him. Now he was curious.
O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O
Sango cast her eyes down, "Sesshomaru, You're no idiot. You know that if she stays there and even remotely allows Inuyasha to kiss her, he'll be all over her in no time, with or without her permission."
Sesshomaru stared at her for a bit longer and walked away, "Hn." He said over his shoulder.
She took that as a yes and smiled, laughing lightly knowing that Sesshomaru had a somewhat good side, even if he would rather die than admit it. As she walked into the kitchen, she heard some hustled movement and the voice of Inuyasha as she swept past the grinning Kikyo. "Wanna have your turn?" "Damn it, Inuyasha! What the hell's wrong with you!"
"Miroku?" Sango inquired as she entered the now anger filled kitchen. The air tingled with relieved frustration and Inuyasha was sprawled on the floor, his hand clutching his reddened face with a shocked expression on his face. "Inuyasha?"
Sango glanced at the now fuming Kagome, who was apparently the one who caused the Hanyou to be on the floor. She noticeably calmed down, but she seemed distracted by Sango. Their eyes met and the girls clicked, an understanding passing through them as if they were twins, Kagome was just defending herself in the only way she could think of.
Miroku, on the other hand, seemed slightly bemused that the six-foot tall half-demon was knocked to the ground by a 'mere human', as the Hanyou would say. He looked angry and seemed to be studying a speck on the ground as if it would teach him rocket science and launch him into space.
Suddenly Kagome and Miroku burst out laughing, the first that she had heard from the abused girl since long before her mom's death. They had started out slowly, Miroku suppressing a grin as Kagome put a hand over her own. Then a giggle emanated from her closed fingers and hers eyes blurred with a form of tears almost foreign to her memory.
Miroku looked at her with surprise, thinking he would have been the first to explode and maybe get another smile from her, but quickly joined in with her nonetheless, the laughter escalating to such a loudness that Inuyasha covered his ears with a harsh slap and walked out the door, cursing something about "the bitch needing therapy."
Kagome gripped the edge of the counter and held her stomach, tears streaming down her face in laughter as she realized what had happened. On the edge of her consciousness, her mind dwelled on the situation seriously, but the rest of her felt happy, giddy even, that she had actually hit him, and she was laughing!
Sango quickly followed suit, laughing until they quietly sat on the kitchen chairs, giggling every time they looked at each other. The moment finally passed and they smiled bright, happiness apparent on each of their faces for a flicker of a moment before Kagome sobered down and smile, her sadness showing through it. They both looked at her, appreciating that she had even shared the moment with them, and gave her understanding smiles, exchanging knowledge in an instant of a second.
"Now, how bout that dessert?" He announced brightly as they headed towards the shop downstairs, each absorbed in their own thoughts.
Oh Yah! Done! Well thanks for the reviews people, I hope I get more though cuz I really like them! I mean who doesn't like praise, hehe just kidding. Anyway, thanks Ayame15, Kate, Eternallove495, and Kandy123654 for the great reviews!
I hope you liked the chapter! But the next one will not be tomorrow, but the following day, I do have H.w. you know.