A/N: Happy Independence Day Everybody! Here's a chapter to celebrate!

Full Summary: "I wish I will, I wish I might, have my Cinderella story tonight." Kagome was an orphan, adopted by the Chung's, a wealthy family she thought would treat her with kindness and care. Little did she know, she was only adopted to be a slave. Poor Kagome would always be shoved, kicked, whipped. She was treated unfairly and was at most times, starving and left to fight for her life. One day, a mysterious man, Inuyasha comes to her care. Days after, she begins to fall for him. Will her love for him bloom? Will Kagome have her "Cinderella Story?"

Key:

Bold Author's comments

Italic Person's thought/Emphasis (if only one word is there)

Underline Next Scene/Change of time

"Miss? Miss? Are you alright?" said a man, touching me gently on the arm to comfort me.

I tried to get up, but caused my aching body to hurt even more. My vision was very blurry when I tried to open my eyes.

"Ow!" I replied. I winced at the pain, however I managed to squeak out a "Where am I?"

"You shouldn't try to stand, your wounds will get worsen," the man answered. "Your at the Taishou Residence." "You collapsed and I brought you here."

"I did?" I said with such surprise. I touched my head and tried to recall the past few moments.

'I do remember getting kicked out of the house, and then collapsing.'

"W-who are you?" I managed to stutter out.

"Oh, forgive me, for I did not introduce myself properly," the man said. "My name is Inuyasha Taishou."

'Where have I heard that name before?'

My vision started coming back, and when I opened my eyes to take a look at my "rescuer," I was shocked, not only by his looks, but who he was.

My hazel eyes met with his golden-orbed eyes, staring straight at me, sending me chills. I could see a red t-shirt, dark-colored jeans, and sneakers that looked brand new. Before I could carefully study this "Inuyasha," my vision began to backfire on me again. 'Crap.'

"So, your saying, your t-t-the Inuyasha Taishou?" I blurted out, stuttering again. "The Inuyasha Taishou in the tabloids?"

" The one who is the heir to own the Taishou Corporations?"

"In the flesh," he said calmly, his face showing off no sign of emotion.

"I-I'm sorry for troubling you Mr. Taishou," I said, standing up, and trying my best not to lose my balance. "I should go."

I started walking away, but my body, being weak as it is, caused me to drop to the floor.

Inuyasha bent down, and picked me up, bridal style. I could do nothing but blush in embarrassment.

'He has nice arms. They're strong.'

"I highly suggest you stay at my place until you get better," Inuyasha said. His hypnotic eyes looked at me, as if he could tell what I was thinking.

"Um, if you insist," I murmured.

In a few minutes, I fell asleep. I wasn't sure what happened next, but all I thought about was resting off the rest of the day.

(T: Now we go to Inuyasha's point of view)

I stared down at the face of the beautiful girl before me. She had fallen asleep in my arms. Holding her gently, I carefully walked up the stairs into my bedroom, and placed her under the covers on my bed.

I noticed she had many scars on her arm, and a hidden black bump on the left side of her head.

'I wonder how she got those scars.'

Looking at her face, so serene, made me feel peaceful.

'She looks like an angel from heaven.'

I didn't know the girl, but something gave me a feeling that we were meant to meet each other, that I was meant to protect her.

I closed my eyes to take a while to think. When I opened them, I saw a tear falling down the "angel's," cheek. I wiped the tear away, and before I knew it, I kissed her on the cheek.

Realizing I had just kissed a mere stranger, I flinched away from her cheek, surprised by my own actions.

'What am I doing? I don't even know her name.'

I frustratingly shook my head to clear away any thoughts, perverted or not. When I was sure that I'd be a "good boy," I allowed myself to look at the girl again.

I cuddled the girl's cheek. They were rosy and warm. I was about to investigate the cause of the bump on her head until, she started shaking, and flailing her arms. Afraid that I had hurt her, I stopped touching her cheek.

"No! Stop! I'm sorry, Stephie, I didn't mean to come home late! Please stop!" said the girl.

'Who's Stephie?'

When the girl calmed down, and drifted back to sleep, I shook my head. This girl must be going through a bad time. Thinking too much was making me sleepy. My eyes drooped.

'I'll just take a little snooze for a while.'

Ten Minutes Later

(T: Back to Kagome's point of view)

"Ugh, I feel terrible," I said, using my arms to support my weight to help me get up.

Instead of touching the soft sofa leather I was sleeping on before when I last woke up, I felt silky bed sheets, and a soft hand.

I looked up, and saw a sleeping Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, wake up," I whispered softly, shaking his shoulder gently.

"Huh?" said Inuyasha, his eyes opening slowly. "Oh, it's you."

"Oh, sorry, I never told you my name. It's Kagome," I told him, smiling.

"Nice name," said Inuyasha.

'Man, she has an awesome smile.'

'I could've sworn I just saw a light shade of red appear across his cheek.'

"Well, err, anyway," Inuyasha said, trying to start a conversation. He stopped to think about something, and continued. "Who's Stephie?"

I flinched at the name of the cold-hearted hag. "She's no one."

"Oh, okay," Inuyasha said, disappointingly.

'Well, I guess she doesn't want to talk about. I'll just ask her later.'

"Are you feeling any better?" he asked.

"Why yes, I am, thank you for going through the trouble to save me, but I must go back home now," I told him.

"I can drive you back home, where do you live?" Inuyasha offered.

"No thank you, it's really unnecessary, I can walk home," I declined.

"I insist I drive you home, what if you get injured again?" said Inuyasha.

For the first time in my life, I was embarrassed. Not only did I lose against wanting to walk home, but the memories of Inuyasha holding me bridal style were stuck in my head.

'I'm such a pervert.'

"Is something wrong?" Inuyasha asked, noticing bright shades of red appearing on my cheeks.

"Huh? Oh! No! Nothing's wrong," I quickly replied. "Well, shall we go?" I said, gladly allowing myself to hastily trot outside.

Outside

I thought that I was dreaming when I walked towards a shiny, white, shiny, --did I mention shiny? Anyway, moving OUT of my imagination, I saw a shiny, white, limo. Through my whole 15 years of living, I have never touched or actually sat in a limo, so I was really surprised to have the chance to see one up close. It's not like the Chung's would let me.

"WOW! A Limo! I can't afford to ride in a limo!" I exclaimed aloud, sounding a bit sad.

"Well, you don't have to pay, it's a free ride for you," Inuyasha said.

"Are you serious?" I exclaimed again, this time I flung my arms out to show my surprise.

'I'm getting this weird feeling, could it be…happiness?'

"Yes, it's really fine," said Inuyasha, placing his hands on my shoulders, reassuring me.

"Thank you, that's really kind of you," I said, tilting my head over to the side a bit, and a big smile appeared on my lips.

"Anything for an angel," Inuyasha whispered.

"Excuse me?" I asked, wanting to know what he said.

"Um, I meant, anything for an ankle?" he said.

"Wierdo, that doesn't make any sense," I spoke, giving Inuyasha a playful punch on the arm, and stepping inside the limo.

Sure, I was having fun now, but the fun was soon to be over..

Back at home

Sitting inside the limo was great. Inuyasha and I shared a lot of jokes. However, time wasn't by our side. 10 minutes later, I was at home. Inuyasha dropped me off, and there I was, standing at the entrance to hell, again.

"Kagome Higurashi! You stupid hag! Where were you!?! You were supposed to do your chores! Get to work now!" Stephie said.

I guess she noticed me coming from the window.

"Do the laundry, get breakfast, sweep the floors, wash the dishes, clean the toilet! Do it all now, or else you'll have to use your tongue to clean everything!" Louis said, following along with Stephie's horrid commands.

"But--,"I said, ready to protest, but was interrupted.

"But? I'll give you something to "but," to, said Louis, taking an iron stick that Stephie gleefully handed to him.

'Here it comes.'

Whack

Whack

Whack

The iron stick was smacked against my stomach more than once. I could almost feel the mark it would leave on my body. This was no more than another punishment to Louis, but it felt like a knife being jabbed into my body.

I winced at the unbearable pain. I knew no matter how much I pleaded, begged, Louis would never stop until I learned my lesson. That was the job of a slave, to obey. I on the other hand did not.

"Stop!" said a voice out of no where.

Camouflaged by the shadow of trees, Inuyasha came out from his hiding spot, his face full of anger.

"And just who do you think you are to tell me to stop, young man?" Louis asked, an evil smirk appearing across his pathetic face.

"Young man?" Inuyasha said, showing surprise on his face. "This is what you call the heir to the Taishou corporations?"

Although I was in pain, I had to admit. If I wasn't, I would roll on the floor and start laughing until I peed in my pants. It was always a rare opportunity to see Louis in a situation such as this. But then again, that's still only in my imagination.

"Oh my! Mr. Taishou, I am so sorry! Forgive me! I didn't know it was you!" said a pitiful Louis. "This is my servant, I'm so sorry to bother you. How may I be of service to you?"

I turned my head away in shame when Inuyasha looked at me. I was afraid, afraid that I wouldn't be accepted, moreover, neglected.

"Why do you hit your servants?" Inuyasha asked.

"Well, sir," Louis said, trying to think up of an excuse that would get him out of the situation he was in. His face was full of perspiration. "She stole my money and attempted to run away with it."

"Oh, really?" Inuyasha asked, his brows lifting up in curiosity.

"Y-Yes!" Louis said, stuttering.

"Check her pocket then," he whispered, sounding very ghost-like.

'Wow, he's got the looks of a movie star, and the brains of shark.'

Louis reached into my tattered pant pocket, and found nothing, nada, zip, zero.

'Oh boy, your done for Louis.'

"There we go, no money, you see?" Inuyasha said, his face, fox like now. A wide grin escaped his lips. "The Taishou Corporation will surely hear about this."

Leaving a speechless Louis behind, Inuyasha grabbed my hand, and held it tight.

"Let's go Kagome," he said.

I nodded and followed him. I turned my head around to take one last look at the man I once thought of as "father," when I was a mere child.

'Goodbye.'

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