Okay, just bear in mind that this is not the usual me. I am only updating so fast because I got 100 visitors on the first day I posted this fic ^o^. Its not that I have a set schedule or anything but if I keep updating this story constantly, I'll never get to work on any of my other fic. '~' If you want to change that though, you only have to vote on my poll. You'll find it on my profile page!
Disclaimer: No, I do not own InuYasha. It belongs to its respective copyright owners.
Selfless
Chapter 2: Nekomata
By: ishala8
"No, Takumi. I know the bags you choose will match my clothes perfectly but I need the cheapest one you can find. I don't need a coat or scarf Katsumi, a simple jacket will suffice. There is absolutely no need for you to fix my make up Jakotsu since I'm not wearing any to begin with."
I fired the orders one after the other, knowing that no one would listen to me if I used a lighter tone.
"But Kagome-sama…"they whined.
I hate it when they all team up against me. The only time they ever agree on something is when I'm around. I guess I should be glad that I give them a reason to get along but it really annoys me to have all my choices looked upon like that.
"No buts," I said sharply raising my hand – palm forwards as if stopping traffic – to silence them.
They bowed gruffly. "Right away, Kagome-sama."
Takumi was back in record time with a tan, leather handbag that matched my shirt and shoes perfectly. Katsumi followed close behind to grudgingly hand me a plain, jean jacket that completed the ensemble. I was happy to see that there were no visible designer names on either piece.
Done with my quick inspection of apparel, I hurried out the door before anyone else noticed my presence in the entry hall. There were still the hair stylist, nail artist and colour consultant lurking somewhere around and I definitely didn't want to attract their attention. We each have our own, personal staff for such jobs but the entry hall is what my step-mother calls our 'front line troops'. They are responsible for making the last minute checks as we make our way in and out of the house. After all, 'ladies of high importance have to look their best at all times'. Does that mean in the bathroom too?
Sometimes I get really fed up with my family's philosophies. The old housemaid, Kaede, tells me that it hasn't always been like this. It was different when my mother was still around. I don't remember her all that well since I was but seven at the time, but I've heard that she put family over wealth and was a sweet, loving mother and wife.
Beating Sango to the taxi was hard work since she was so determined to reach it first and open the door for me. Even though I've gone over it a thousand times, no one seems to understand that I hate being waited upon. It makes me feel alien and all alone. It's weird how Kikyo and my stepmother seem to enjoy that feeling that comes with being viewed as being above all others in the world.
"Thank god there are automatic doors at the shopping centre," I sighed once I was safely in the car. "You really need to understand this Sango. Right now you are my friend, accompanying me on a shopping spree. We are equals."
"Yes, Kagome," she said pointedly before turning to give the driver the address.
I rolled my eyes at her but didn't say anything and turned to look out of the window. The ride was quiet and soothing if I ignored the driver's intense stare. He was looking at me through the rearview mirror as if expecting to see wings sprouting out of my back. With so many hanyou around, it amazes me that they still care for such things. After a while, I gave up – the man was impossible.
"What is your name?" I asked with one of my diplomatic smiles.
"Ugh… it… K- Kunio."
He seemed disoriented. That was the problem with people who know my true identity; they can't treat me as an equal.
"Kunio-san," I smiled encouragingly, "have you been doing this job for a long time?"
"Two years," he mumbled.
"I expect you've met many interesting people," I commented with a hint of sullenness in my voice.
Maybe I should take a part time job as a taxi driver, or a waitress, or a… Okay, bad idea. As if I could ever do that without being dragged back and locked into a room for all eternity.
At this moment, I wasn't fishing for information but simply trying to be polite. However, the conversation was taking an interesting turn as stories of the outside world always interest me. For the rest of the drive, Kunio entertained me with stories of bat youkai, drunken old men and young hanyou.
"Which entrance would you prefer?" he asked once we were approaching our destination.
Promptly, I directed him to the one farthest from the main entrance. I wanted to stay inconspicuous and no matter what, someone was bound to recognize me if I went through the obvious route.
Once again, I had to pay the driver and wrestle my door open before Sango had time to come around. Hard work, trust me.
"Sango," I groaned exasperated.
"Sorry, Kagome-sama."
One of these days I am definitely going to strangle her. I just wonder how much longer my poor nerves can take it. Composing myself, I placed a pretty smile on my face and linked arms with her.
"Let's go!" I sang pulling her inside.
"Kagome-sama, the mistress would never approve," came Sango's strained voice from beside me.
"Did I hear someone talking? It was probably for someone else. I wonder who this Kagomesama is."
Sango's soft groan gave me satisfaction. Even though she was nearing twenty, she still seemed to act my age!
Once inside the bustling shopping centre, I made a quick decision and dragged Sango to one of the most expensive clothes shops since I would never be allowed to set foot in the cheaper ones. I didn't really have anything to do here. The only reason as to why I came was so that I could get out of the house, now I just had to find something to do.
The shop keeper did a double take upon seeing me; apparently she knew who I was. Placing a finger over my lips, I cautioned her with my eyes, praying that she wouldn't make a fuss. She nodded in understanding and I turned to look at the closest rack.
"Do you need any help, miss?"
I jumped. If the shop keeper thought that sending five people to serve me instead of doing it herself was inconspicuous, then she was dead wrong. With some extra effort, I placed what could be considered a sweet smile on my face.
"I'm just looking around. I'll let you know if I need anything."
They kept hovering way too close for comfort but since they weren't house staff for me to order around, I could simply cross my fingers and hope that they wouldn't attract unwanted attention.
I took care to go through all the racks and select a few pieces to buy. Though I didn't really need anything, I felt kind of bad not to buy anything after causing such mayhem.
Leaving my purchases at the shop with strict instructions to be delivered to either me or Sango, I dragged my bodyguard outside once more. If either Takumi or Katsumi saw the clothes they would have a field day. It was a rule that at least one of them had to be around to advise us on our shopping. Too bad.
All the stress had left me thirsty so I made my way to the food court. Poor Sango just about had a heart attack when she caught sight of the cramped area full of tiny tables and metal chairs.
Catching a whiff of oil and greasy meat coming from the fast food stores, I fought to keep from blanching. Yeah, I admit that I had wanted to mingle with people but this was simply too much. I didn't want to enter the sea of people in the sitting area so my eyes scanned the perimeter for a juice bar. Spotting one close to me, I got in line and made my order.
As I waited, I could see Sango's eyes darting around as they carefully examined each and every ingredient that went in my drink. I would have hated it if I ever had to do her job. Sometimes I wish I could make her life easier but that would mean never taking a step out of my room.
The tired looking girl that went to hand me my drink looked confused when Sango snatched it out of her hand. She opened the lid, sniffed and took a small sip before handing it to me. I rolled my eyes at her. Really, why would someone bother to try and poison me?
Suddenly, just as I was savoring my drink, I saw some very excited children with their eyes glued on a window display. My curiosity piqued, I went to see what captivated them so. Reaching the store, I smiled. It was a pet shop!
The whole window was covered by a huge wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling fish tank. For a moment I stood mesmerized by the hundreds of tropical fish swimming around and colourful sea weed swaying with the current before managing to snap out of it.
Making a minute decision, I went to enter the store with determined steps. Realizing that something was wrong, Sango grabbed my arm.
"What exactly do you think you are doing?" she hissed in my ear.
I smiled up at her radiantly. "Buying a pet!"
"A PET?" she exploded.
"Yes, a pet," I replied excitedly, "it will give me something to do and someone to keep me company."
"But there are so many things to do and so many people to talk to like–"
"Don't you dare mention any politician's children," I cut darkly.
"There are your siblings and school friends."
I gave her an incredulous look. She knew in what bad terms I was with Kikyo, how I never got to see my brother and how school friends were forbidden outside of school times and still dared to mock me. I didn't have time for this! I had to be back home within the hour. Ignoring her next flow of protests, I entered the shop.
As I walked in, a middle aged woman with a bright smile popped her head from behind the reception. Behind her energetic employees were typing frantically on computers, searching through papers with inhuman speed or wrestling with small animals, trying to fit ribbons around their necks. The woman followed my inquiring gaze and smiled.
"Birthday presents," she replied. "Now, how may we help you?"
"I'm looking for a pet–" I started but she cut me off.
"Then you are in the right place! Chika, can you help the lady here for a moment?"
An eager looking girl was dispatched to lead me through the shop.
"What exactly are you looking for?" she asked gaily.
"Well, I was thinking of a puppy, maybe a kitten…"
With a nod, she ducked out of the way of two men carrying a dog house and proceeded to lead me down corridor after corridor until I was irrevocably lost.
"Kagome," Sango whined from behind me but I ignored her.
There, at the end of the corridor, I could see a wall of glass cages pilled one on top of the other. Many cages were empty, waiting patiently for their next inhabitant, while the full ones provided an exclusive spectacle. German Shepards, Huskies, Labradors, St. Bernard's', Malteses and Toy Poodles yapped, wagged their tails and nipped at the air playfully, providing first class entertainment.
I took my time walking up and down the display noticing that there were only a few kittens. Coming to a halt in front of one of the last cages, I stared at the three adorable white puppies mock fighting inside.
"Goldenoodle", announced a small tag stuck at the window, "a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle."
I was seriously considering buying the one with a curl falling over its left eye when a loud curse pulled my attention to an open door towards the end of the display. Making my way towards it cautiously, I ignored both Sango and Chika who tried to stop me.
When there, I saw three men looking down at a small, metal cage in distain. Inside the cage, there were two cats, or at least of the cat genus. They were both tiny, though one was twice the size of the other. Their eyes were red, their fur cream, ears black and they were sporting two tails instead of one. Two black stripes adorned each tail and small, diamond shapes each of their foreheads.
"What are they?" I asked in amazement and the men turned to look at me.
"Nekomata," said one with such hate that I wondered what the cute little animals had ever done to him.
"Well, what's wrong?"
"The stupid thing won't let us get it out!" complained one a bit younger than the rest.
I glanced back at the nekos. It was rare to see demons such as them without an owner. Looking closer I realized that the bigger one was trying to shield the other from the world.
"Oh, you poor, poor thing," I murmured kneeling in front of them, "you are afraid that we'll take away your baby."
As I reached for the latch, one of the men caught my hand to stop me.
"Are you out of your mind?" he asked incredulously. "The thing will kill us all if we let it out!"
"No, it won't its just afraid."
Unlatching the door, I sat back and waited patiently for the two to come out. The larger one sniffed the air cautiously and took a hesitant step forward.
"Don't worry, I wont hurt you," I crooned as it went to turn around.
She nudged her baby with her nuzzle and looked back at me. After a lot of urging and waiting, the two finally stepped outside and onto my lap. I smiled patting their heads.
"I want to buy them," I stated after a while.
The three men and two women next to me who had been gapping at the scene playing out in front of them unfroze and stared at me in horror.
"Absolutely not!" they all shouted as one.
Glaring at them, I turned to calm the hissing nekos.
"Demon pets are to be bought by demons," Chika explained quietly. "They are too unpredictable and dangerous to stay near humans."
"Do they look dangerous to you?" I protested looking down at the two who were snuggling in the crook of my arms.
"Well…" she looked away.
The scene truly was a profound one. As a rule, demons didn't snuggle, it was unheard of!
"Good!" I beamed. "Now that no one has any more protests, will you tell me what procedure I have to follow?"
Chika looked at me from head to toe and shook her head.
"You can' buy them," she stated plain and simple. "Even if our manager allowed them to go to a human's possession, you – excuse me for saying so – would never manage to find the money for one, let alone two. They are nekos, they cost thousands."
I rolled my eyes and Sango shook her head in despair. From the way she was looking at Chika, she had been expecting her to produce a more valid argument as to why I should not buy them. Money was of such little value to the Higurashis that millions could be spend with no one being the wiser.
"Money is of little consequence," I said leaving her dumbstruck.
I stood up with the two nekos in my arms and turned to Try and find my way back to the reception desk.
"Kagome-sama, please," begged Sango.
I closed my eyes to calm myself and prayed that the others in the room hadn't caught her little slip.
"Sango, I promise you that you are no going to loose your job simply because you couldn't stop me from following through with my whims. Now, please just drop it."
My burning glare was enough to silence her. Turning around I looked at the dumbstruck expressions of the others and fought to keep my temper in check.
"Kagome-sama?" asked Chika with wide eyes, "as in Kagome Higurashi?"
I smiled at her, ignoring the warning bell ringing in my head. "Shall we go?"
Without any further prompting, she led me straight to the shop's manager. Not wanting to spend ages in her office arguing my case, I made it quick.
"Your staff has already informed me of the shop regulations and I know that you don't allow humans to buy demons but I'm here to ask you to make an exception. I'm Kagome Higurashi, by the way."
My voice held authority and noble bearing throughout the short speech and the woman could do nothing but nod dumbly and sign all the required papers.
In record time, I was done and walking down the shopping center's long corridors, heading for the exit. Finally, I had someone who would stay with me, a friend, a companion!
Takumi – skillful
Katsumi – victorious beauty
Kunio – countryman
Chika – scattered flowers
Yes, I have changed the age of the characters around as to suit my purposes. Here is a list:
Souta/Rin/Shippo – 7
Kohaku/Kanna - 15
Kagome/Kikyo/Ayame/Inuyasha – 17
Kagura/Bankotsu – 19
Sango/Miroku/Kouga – 20
Sesshomaru/Naraku/Jakotsu – 21
Oh, yeah! I planned out a few of the latter chapters today and if everything goes as planned, Sesshomaru appears somewhere around chapter 12. Sorry to all the eager Fluffy fans but you have to understand that Kagome still hasn't met quite a few of the main Inu cast in this fic. She is getting there step by step.
Also, a big thanks to all my reviewers for the last chapter. I love you guys! I've also sent you a gift that I hope you all enjoy (sorry Yana ano Baka '-'() but you haven't given me a way to contact you).
By the way guys, the action starts next chapter!
ishala8