Chapter 4
"I only came back because I have nowhere else to go, bitch." he said irritated.
"Wow. Ok, I guess I deserved that. Minus the 'bitch' comment." she replied matching his tone. "Well sit down and stay a while if you want. I'm making dinner." She then left him to brood.
He followed her to the kitchen and sat at the breakfast bar, watching her cook. She decided to make her own special chicken nuggets and loaded baked potatoes.
"What was the bastard like?" He asked.
"Oh. Speaking to me on civil terms now?" she shot back. "He was the biggest egotistical prick on the face of this Earth. He was rich, he was powerful, and he kept a perfect house with a perfect family. Granted he didn't get the son that he wanted, he got stuck with one disappointment of a daughter, me."
"So why do you hate him so much? Sounds like you were just a spoiled brat." He said tilting his head to one side.
Kagome put the food in the oven and flinched at that statement.
"He was abusive, Inuyasha. Physically, mentally." She replied quietly, hesitated. "And sexually."
Inuyasha's ears perked up at that last part. "Oh. Sorry." He said quietly, unable to think of anything else to say.
"It's fine, you didn't know. The abuse started when I was six and continued until I decided to go to college as far away from home as possible. I had to have a degree in something useful to him so I studied to be an accountant. Turned out to be useful, since I found out he was skimming off the top at the CDF, which pissed off his high roller patrons. This may or may not have contributed to his death, unfortunately my Mom died along with him." She explained. "Don't you see now, how I need to destroy the CDF? It's horrible what you've gone through during your life but blaming me isn't going to help make the pain go away, unless you forgot, I got you out." She explained.
"I haven't forgotten, I'm still pissed though." He said.
"So the daughter can be held responsible for the sins of the Father?" she asked. "Doesn't seem fair to me considering how much of a colossal prick he was to me."
"Feh. I suppose." He shrugged. "So why save the demons?"
"Why not?" She started. "I rescued my first two demons a little over a year ago. They went with my friend Sango. Kirara and Shippo are their names, they are adjusting still but have made amazing progress."
"So we're pets now?" he asked incredulously.
"Of course not!" she yelled, offended. "Since walking through that door have I treated you like a pet? Did I hit you over the head with a rolled up newspaper when you used your claws on me?"
His ears flattened against his head at the questions. "No."
"Exactly. It's horrible what's been done to you and I'm trying to give you and the other demons of the CDF a new start. It's just hard finding homes for them all. " She said calming herself.
"Can I ask you something?" he said softy.
"Sure." She checked the chicken and potatoes pleased that they were almost ready.
"Could I stay here and help you take that place down?" he asked.
"Of course. I need to wait for the dust to settle since I pretty much kidnapped a piece of their equipment but once the coast is clear we'll get more out. I've been looking into the legal terms of the CDF and I'm hoping to find a loophole in my Father's contracts." Kagome said.
"One more thing? Why do I smell another female here?" he asked.
"Oh. My friend Sango was here earlier." She replied not thinking anything of it.
"Where did you meet her?" he asked.
"Uh. Sango and I met in college. She knows everything about me, what I am trying to accomplish. She's actually who has Shippo and Kirara, she became my sparing partner and taught me to fight, to control my rage against my Father." She said with pride. "If you stick around you may meet her."
The two ate and Kagome cleaned up from dinner. She then went about her normal night routine. Inuyasha was at a lost of what he should do, when he questioned Kagome about this she merely replied. "Whatever you want, Inuyasha. This is your home now, if that's what you want."
Kagome made her way back to the music room and practiced on the piano for a bit all the while Inuyasha perched on the couch.
"Still observing Inuyasha? Or, are you convinced I'm not going to hurt you now?" she asked while playing.
"Listening" he said.
She could not help but smile at this. She finished the song she was playing and closed the piano, and rose to leave. "Well good night, Inuyasha. I have another early meeting with a client tomorrow."
Kagome went to bed thinking that had gone well. They were on somewhat equal footing now. A long way from complete trust but there was a foundation. She would need to be content with that for the time being. She snuggled down into her bed and drifted off to sleep.
Inuyasha, on the other hand, was deep in thought. This woman had turned his world upside down. He had a simple life, kill to survive. It was easy to let his instincts take over and take the thought out. Now, he didn't need to rely on instincts. He was able to make his own choices. It was terrifying to say the least. He made his way up to the room he had used the night before noticing the bed had been made for him. He got into the bed, relishing the softness of the mattress and the warmth of the blankets. For the first time in years, he managed to sleep with no nightmares.
The following morning, Kagome woke up, showered, and dressed. Making her way down the hall again she entered the office, and set up her computer. Logging into iChat, she awaited her clients to log on. She figured she had about ten or so minutes before her meeting was to begin. She opened iTunes and played a few songs, humming along while she caught up on emails and paperwork.
Finally, her client logged on and she began the video meeting.
"Good morning gentleman. Thank you for meeting with me this morning. I have reviewed your files and I am pleased to inform you that everything is in order now. I have also found several tax write offs for this year's tax return for your business. " She began.
"Amazing news, Miss Kagome." The CEO began. "I am surprised you were able to make sense of everything we sent you."
Kagome laughed politely, "Oh it's not a problem. There was just so much to go through."
"Well you are the best in the area so there was no doubt of your professionalism and work ethic." The CEO said.
"Thank you very much Sir. I'm pleased you have so much faith in me," she smiled.
"That seems like everything is in order. I think this concludes the -"
"KAGOME!" a voice ripped through the house.
"Oh my. I'm so sorry." Kagome blushed deeply. "I'm afraid I'll have to conclude the meeting here."
"Thank you Kagome. I hope things are alright there." The CEO said concerned.
"I assure you things are fine. My friend from college is visiting and I must have neglected to say yesterday that I had a meeting this morning. I apologize again. Have a great day and I'll take care of everything." Kagome lied quickly, and then closed down iChat.
"What?" she yelled heading down to Inuyasha's room.
Opening the door, she saw that his room was empty. She searched the rest of the house, finally finding him outside. He was standing in the grass looking out towards the tree line.
"Inuyasha I was in a meeting with a client of mine. You can't just yell for me like that." She said scowling at him.
"I'm bored." He almost whined.
"Seriously?" she shot back annoyed. "Well what do you want to do?" she asked. "You can do anything you want here, I just wouldn't suggest leaving the grounds just yet. The CDF may try to take you back."
"That's the thing, I only know to fight. Or just sit there and wait for the next fight." He said softly.
"Ok. I have an idea but you need to agree to some terms." Kagome said seriously.
"Like?" he shot back.
"I'll spar with you daily but you have to not use your full demon strength on me and you can't interrupt me when I'm in a goddamn business meeting!" she said finished hotly.
Inuyasha took a defensive position then smirked at her, "Ready when you are."
Kagome yelped, "No not yet! I need to change into my sparing clothes, I can't fight in my business stuff."
"Well hurry up then." Inuyasha crossed his arms and sat on the ground.
Kagome made her way to her bedroom and changed into another pair of black yoga pants and a crimson tank top. Heading out she stopped in the kitchen and grabbed two bottles of water. Placing the water on the patio table, she crossed the grass, stood about twenty yards from Inuyasha, and got into her sparing pose.
"Alright, come at me." Kagome said smiling.