Here you go. Another chapter up! Hope you like it.
(2nd shot)
What's your name?
Day, one millionth. Time, gimme a break!
"I'm tellin ya Kagsie…..You never ever ever ever ever ever…" Ayame rambled on.
"Enough with the alliteration, repitition or whatever that is Ayame!"
"Take a break!" she ended. "I did not alliterate!"
"Is that even s'posed to be a word?" Kagome muttered.
"Oh Kagsie, you hurt my feelings! You know I never even managed to clear my eighth grade….and just because you….."
"Would your generous highness be kind enough to QUIT IT!" Kagome boomed.
"Since when did I become the king?" Ayame tossed a tic tac in her mouth.
"More like a tyrant! And it's 'Queen' you gender confused dope!"
"How dare you call me that? I'm not gender confused! I'm a girl and you know I love a man! And besides….." Ayame stated proudly.
"Poor Kouga! I already feel sorry!" Kagome cut in rolling her eyes as she got back to washing the dishes clean.
"Unlike somebody else who's foolish enough to lose her guy!"
Kagome's eyes softened "So you know about it too?"
"Hell yeah Kaggie! You are the only good friend I have, so isn't it obvious?"
"Would you mind not bringing up that topic of discussion every time?" the raven haired girl spoke soft yet sternly.
Ayame's eyes widened and a small gasp escaped her mouth, "Oh Kagsie….I din't mean to! Oh man I'm so sorry! Oh man I'm such a….."
"Ayame!" Kaede spoke from behind. "What are you doing playing around, girl! There are tables to clean!"
Ayame let out a frustrated groan and turned towards Kagome.
"You'll be okay Kaggie?"
Kagome nodded.
"Kagome?" Kaede called.
"Yeah?"
"I want you to take the day off tomorrow!" said Kaede observing the hard-working waitress with interest.
"W-what? A day off?" Kagome blurted out. "B-but it's a Sunday tomorrow….and you guys won't be able to handle everything on your own, you know you need me….and…."
"I'll give you half of my share of tips. Will that do to keep you away from work for a day?"
"Y-yes…oh no…I mean no! I mean why would you…."
"Ayame and the others are right you know! You never take a break." The woman stated.
"But I don't need a break! I love to work and…." She left the sentence hanging.
"And?" Kaede enquired predicting the answer she'll get from Kagome.
"And….and….It helps me forg…..I mean, keeps me busy all the time! Keeps my sanity in check." Kagome turned away to avoid eye contact.
"You can't throw your life away for him, Kagome." Kaede placed her palm on the girl's shoulder comfortingly
"I wasn't talking about….."
"He was your past, and this is the present. All you need to do is move on Kagome…just the way you moved on in the past two years."
"…." no answer
"You were progressing Kagome. You had even gone out for holidays! What happened now? Summer's almost ending and here you are still working in this blistering heat!" she just wouldn't stop.
The girl in the opposite side sighed.
"It's not that easy Kaede. I've tried my level best to quit pondering over my past but…."
"But nothing! You are taking a day off tomorrow and that's it. Go shopping, go out with friends, visit your family, and go to the beach, party a little….that's life. I want you to live, Kagome. Live that life. Not the way you are living right now!"
Unable to absorb anymore of Kaede's 'Philosophy of life' she decided to give in. After all, what harm could it possibly do? Moreover, her wardrobe needed to be updated, there was some cleaning to be done in her apartment or maybe she could just visit her family at the shrine.
It had been quite a long time since she had met her family. She hadn't seen Souta in years since he had gone overseas for his studies. Hopefully he'll be at home.
"Okay. I'll do as you say!"
The day rolled by and her shift ended finally. Kagome took off her apron and tossed it over the hook. The heat was unbearable and the kitchen was claustrophobic with all the strong smells hitting her nose.
The outside air felt like a blessing against her skin even though the heat failed to subside.
"Better than the kitchen at least! It's mad in there especially with Ayame!" Kagome said exasperated.
The hour of dusk had fallen in. She let her eyes wander off to the splash of colors around her. Her busy schedule, made her oblivious to the hues of nature.
All she would do every day was rush to the café, work her ass out and rush back home.
The place had changed a lot. Sky-scrapers ruled the sky. More trees were planted. Old and hackneyed buildings were replaced by polished and new proud ones.
"Wow!" she whispered amazed.
The heat had fairly simmered down by then. The park nearby seemed so green and inviting, she couldn't help but take a stroll.
"Ah!" she took a deep breath "All those memories with dad here!"
She was too drunk in the beauty and her memories.
"Hey!" a little girl bellowed.
Kagome looked for the source and her sight landed on a little raven haired toddler and a half-eaten
Ice-cream cone fallen flat on the grass.
"Oops! I'm so sorry darling!" Kagome pleaded clicking her tongue. "Care for another one love?"
The little girl's pout automatically transformed into a beaming smile. The waitress yanked the little girl up and pecked on her cheek.
"So, what'll it be? Madagascar chocolate or strawberry soprano?" the ice-cream vendor asked.
"Strawberry! Strawberry!" the girl chirped.
Kagome paid for the ice-cream and knelt down to reach the little girl's level.
"So sweetheart, where's your mum?"
The little girl, engrossed in enjoying the blob of pinkish sweetness pointed her index finger towards the sky.
"There." She said with her mouth full. "Daddy says she's there. And she sees me and takes care of me from there."
Tears welled up in the young woman's eyes. She tucked a strand of the child's hair behind her ear and smiled at her comfortingly.
"So you're here with daddy huh?"
The child nodded as she noisily slurped at the half ice-cream.
"Okay then. Shall we look for him?"
Another nod. Kagome sighed. "You seem to like strawberry a lot, don't you?"
"Yeah!" The little girl replied finally finishing with her delicacy "My fav!"
"So where is your dad?"
"By the fountain. Reading."
They slowly walked towards their destination and the fountain came into view.
"What's your name?" the little girl asked.
"I'm Kagome. And what's your name?"
"Kikyou."
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