Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, unfortunately.
UPDATE: After a long absence, here's another chapter of Forgotten Memories!
(}-} FORGOTTEN MEMORIES {-{)
4
Kagome awoke with a gasp. "What happened?" She mumbled to herself, rising up off the couch as she glanced around the empty office warily, wondering how she ended up there. Kagome frowned and recalled meeting her new boss, Inuyasha Taisho. But what had happened after? 'Did I faint?' She suddenly thought, and her cheeks flushed as she remembered blacking out. 'I did! I must've looked so foolish to him!'
But then, her embarrassment melted away as she recalled him promoting her. 'Oh, that's right…I completely forgot. Hojo is going to be thrilled!' Rushing out of the room, she hurried in the direction of Hojo's desk, eager to tell him of her new promotion.
Inuyasha watched her from his office doorway, satisfied that she did not seem to remember anything that had transpired in their first encounter. He kept a calm, straight face as he watched Kagome grab hold of Hojo, the company's top salesman. Inuyasha noticed that the two were obviously in a close relationship, from the way Kagome kissed him happily and the man obliged her. He turned away swiftly, not wanting to witness anymore, and walked back to his desk. Sitting down comfortably, he awaited her return. 'I have waited this long for her, I suppose I can wait some more.'
{-{}
It was noon, lunch time, and Kagome and Hojo sat at their usual table in the break room. As Kagome went on and on about her promotion, Hojo was making it obvious that he was less thrilled. She hadn't caught on to his foul attitude, because she was in such a state of bliss as she informed her boyfriend of everything she would be doing in her new position. Kagome couldn't stop smiling, but when Hojo slammed down his coffee mug onto the table, her happiness quickly evaporated.
Scowling, Hojo muttered, "I can't believe this bullshit!"
"Hojo, what's wrong?" Kagome asked him nervously. 'Why does he seem so upset? He should be happy for me! I've been stuck in the same position for such a long time, dealing with that horrid Mr. Kato. I deserved this!'
Hojo's scowl deepened as he replied, "Mr. Kato's predecessor is some clueless dope. I checked him out, Kagome. He only had one job before this one, with no management experience whatsoever! None! What did corporate do? Just go find somebody off of the street?"
Kagome frowned at his comment. "I'm sure Mr. Taisho is highly qualified…"
"Are you not listening to me?" Hojo shook his head in annoyance as he dragged a hand through his hair. "I just can't believe it…it's insanity!"
She was waiting to hear him congratulate her, but Kagome realized, as she watched him pick angrily at his lunch, that it was never going to happen. "Hojo, aren't you a little happy for me? I mean, I'm going to get a raise…that'll help us out, right?"
He was too consumed by anger to feel anything but jealousy towards her, and so his rant continued. "I've been busting my ass ever since high school, trying to move up in this ridiculous company. But, instead of promoting Oshimoto's top salesman, you get a promotion? You're just a fucking secretary! When the fuck have you ever done anything vital for the company? All you do is take notes and mark up calendars. Big friggin deal!" Hojo snapped at her.
Kagome's jaw dropped from surprise, and she stared solemnly at Hojo, his insult similar to a slap in the face. "I can't believe you just said that to me," she whispered painfully. She was heartbroken by his words, unsure how he could say such a thing. Hojo was always praising her for doing a good job. 'Maybe he was only telling me what I wanted to hear. Maybe Hojo really does think I'm useless…' She thought sadly.
Hojo's anger melted away as he gazed into Kagome's wounded eyes. Realizing he had caused the pain within them, he shook his head from shame. "Oh, Kagome…I'm so sorry, honey. I didn't mean it, really. I'm just upset, that's all. You're wonderful at what you do."
Kagome frowned. "What you said really hurt, Hojo."
"I know...and I'm really sorry." Hojo offered her a slight smile as he took her hand in his, squeezing it gently. "You know I didn't mean it, right?"
Shrugging, Kagome removed her hand from his grasp and stood from the table. "This was very exciting for me, Hojo. I hadn't been that happy in a long time…but you ruined it, and now, I'm not sure if I even want the job any more." She moved away from him abruptly and hurried out of the break room, remaining strong and refusing to cry.
"Kagome, wait!" He called after her. But it was no use, she was already out of the door. Sighing from frustration, Hojo stabbed his fork at his noodles, unaware that man had crept up behind him.
"We need to talk," the man told him sternly.
There you go! Chapter 4! Okay, if you want to read on, review, review, review!