Author's Note
Can't…stop…writing. I think it's love.
Lead Me Down the Garden Path
Patio Furniture
Sango was by Kagome's side before her friend toppled over unconscious into a small pile of dirt Kouga had gathered.
"Kagome!" Sango shouted.
Kneeling down and being mindful of her pulsing thumb, Sango wrapped her arm under Kagome's neck and pulled her onto Sango's lap. Sango could see that her thumb was already beginning to discolour from the hammer's blow. She felt so stupid for allowing such a minor but annoying injury, and on her first day of the job even. But turning her eyes to her friend's face, she quickly cast that thought aside. Her brow felt tight with worry.
Even though she suspected that Kagome fainted because of heat exhaustion, Sango felt guilty. She should have paid more attention to her friend. Despite Kagome's constant assurances, Sango should have known better. Kagome wasn't as hard or rough as she tried to let on, and from years of knowing Kagome, this wasn't the first time Sango had to look after Kagome after she pushed herself too hard.
Kagome knew that she wasn't sporty, or athletic, or overly strong, or coordinated. She was a bookworm who tended to spend most of her time indoors. But, even though she wasn't prone to taking risks, Kagome was terribly stubborn, and she would try to mask her innate gentleness sometimes. Being friends with Sango, Kagome wanted to try new things, explore beyond her comfort zone.
Sango was amused at the tasks that Kagome would take on; however, she felt proud of her friend for her determination to keep up and prove herself. Sango smiled in memory of those few times when Kagome showed up to Sango's kickboxing classes. She was always pushing herself, trying to prove that she could persevere and overcome her own barriers and limits. A few classes in, and seeming to like it, Kagome had eventually stopped going after she accidentally kicked one of the regular's in the back and felt too ashamed to attend any more sessions.
Knowing how sensitive Kagome could be, Sango felt guilty that she didn't see the signs this time. She should have noticed that Kagome was quickly approaching, and then surpassed, her limit.
Kagome's bangs were streaked and matted with sweat. Her skin felt warm to the touch. With one arm around Kagome's neck and the other wrapped protectively around Kagome's arm, Sango tried to gently rock Kagome awake.
"Is everything alright, miss? I thought I heard a scream."
With Kagome's weight on Sango's thighs, she tried to turn as much as she could in response to the masculine voice behind her. Out of the corner of her eye, Sango saw a tall black-haired man approach her.
"It's my friend," Sango said, her eyes turning back to Kagome, "I think she fainted from the heat. My boss just left to get more water and she's completely out cold."
Sango gulped back a mouthful of saliva when the man crouched down in front of her. For a moment, she was speechless. He wore a tight white button-up shirt tucked into khaki shorts and boating shoes. His sleeves were rolled over his muscular forearms and Sango's eyes immediately noticed the veins that pulsed and danced as he moved his arms. Just from this brief examination of him, Sango could tell he was in very good shape.
"Has she had much water today? Has she eaten? It is a scorcher out here."
Feeling her face begin to warm from the man's proximity, Sango diverted her eyes downwards.
"She's had some. Honestly, I'm not even too sure how much water she's had. In the past hour, she's had a bit because she said she was getting light-headed, but I don't know. Gosh, she's never fainted before."
"It's quite alright," the man said, his eyes still down-turned towards Kagome. "This isn't the first time I've encountered a fainted woman." Standing to his feet he said, "Let's bring her over to the sitting area around the back of the house. The shade and the fan might be just what she needs to cool down."
Before Sango could agree or disagree, the man scooped Kagome off Sango's lap and lifted her up as if she weighed no more than a sack of potatoes. Sango scrambled to her feet and was quick to follow the man around the house to the canopied area with the plush cushioned wicker chairs.
Up close, the patio was gorgeous. The wicker was the colour of rich mahogany and the cushions were cream-coloured and looked like they would swallow you whole. The furniture was arranged in a large circle, a round glass table with iron legs in the middle. There was a ceiling fan in the centre of the canopy above that instantly cooled Sango the moment she stood underneath it. Sango smiled when noticing that the fan's blades were shaped like large palm leaves.
Hearing the man grunt quietly, Sango turned to watch him lay Kagome down on the chaise seat. He sat himself down on the glass table-top surrounded by the lavish furniture. This was the first opportunity Sango had to take in the full sight of him.
Jesus Christ, Sango first thought, not able to take her eyes off him. Then, her eyes absorbing his presence, head to toe, she thought, He's actually delicious.
His jaw was firm and his eyes were wide amethyst orbs, piercing and emotive. His physique was not 'in your face' beefy; however, he was, as Sango would have put it, "ripped." His biceps carved themselves out of his shirt, and his neck was thick and tanned. She could make out part of his collarbone in the gaps of his shirt and she felt little shame in objectifying him ever so slightly. He seemed like the kind of man who wanted to look good, and he carried himself with an air that suggested he knew he looked good. He also looked like the kind of man with enough charisma to woo any woman into bed.
Sango smiled at the thought. She had never been one for a man who tried to charm her into sleeping with him. However, she did like her men strong, muscular, and able to give her a challenge.
Sango blushed slightly when he caught her eye. She worried he could tell from the look on her face what she had been thinking. When he turned his sights on her, though, it felt as if someone had pointed a spotlight in her direction.
"Let me go grab a damp cloth for her forehead," he said, pulling his hand away from Kagome's forehead. "She still feels quite warm. Please rest, miss. I'll be just a moment."
Then he got up and disappeared through a set of French glass doors a few feet away.
Sango moved over to where Kagome was laying down. She adjusted herself so she could sit down onto the chaise beside Kagome's body.
"Kagome?"
Sango gently shook Kagome's arm, hoping her friend would snap out of it. She felt afraid of what Kouga would say when he returned. Sango couldn't believe it was only mid-afternoon and she still had a few hours left in this day. This was the longest first day on the job ever.
A small part of her wished that Kagome hadn't been so rash to pick up this job. Sango didn't mind dipping into her savings while she had job searched for something in her field. However, Sango also wished that she hadn't said yes to this job as quickly as she had. She didn't mean to veer her future off course by taking something on that was so unrelated to her education. Sango sighed at the realization that she had the tendency to bend over backwards for her best friend. When Kagome seemed so excited about this job opportunity, Sango responded with equal parts enthusiasm.
That, and there was also the wine to blame.
"Who the fuck are you? And what are you doin' on my property?"
Sango jumped at the course voice and turned her head to look over her shoulder. Standing opposite her on the deck was a furrowed brow, intense golden eyes, and dripping wet silver-coloured hair draped over a brawny shoulder. The man to whom the uncouth voice belonged was tall, muscular, and shirtless with a towel wrapped around his waist. Sango struggled to find her voice as she watched water droplets dribble down his painfully well-defined pectorals.
"I—uh—I'm Sango. I'm one of the landscapers you hired for the tiered garden. Um—" Sango swallowed and turned her eyes away from him, feeling anxious. She really wished that the black-haired man hadn't been so inviting before leaving so quickly. "My coworker—my friend—fainted from heat exhaustion, and that guy with the black hair? I'm sorry, I don't know his name, he uh—"
"Inuyasha! I see you've met our guests."
Sango turned her head to watch the attractive black-haired man reappear through the French doors with a bottle of water and a small white towel.
"What the hell are you doing, Miroku? I'm not paying you to play house, you know."
Sango's eyes slowly trailed back to the half-naked man who had been identified as Inuyasha. Her stomach flipped with uneasiness. Then she turned her gaze back towards the man who Inuyasha called Miroku.
Sango inwardly rolled her eyes and sighed. Even his name was sexy.
"You surely can't expect us to just ignore an injured woman on your property, Inuyasha. This woman needs shade, water, and rest until she awakens," Miroku chided, walking towards Kagome. With delicate fingers, he brushed back Kagome's bangs to place the wetted cloth on her forehead.
"Yeah, well—be quick about it, alright? Get her on her feet then get her back to work."
With that, Inuyasha disappeared through the glass doors, and Sango was left in stunned silence.
Until Inuyasha stuck his head back through the patio door.
"Oh—and tell Myoga to get his fucking ass in gear and fix the god damned heater in the pool. It's a million fucking degrees outside. How am I supposed to cool off when the pool is hotter than the god damned hot tub!?"
Then he was really gone.
Sango sat in introspective silence as Miroku pulled a phone from his pants' pocket and began typing away on the keypad.
Sango couldn't believe she met Inuyasha.
She couldn't believe that was Inuyasha.
She had seen pictures of him before; but, after meeting him in person, she hadn't expected him to look so young. She also didn't expect him to be so rude. After this initial meeting, she wasn't really sure what to expect from this job. Hearing him cursing about this Myoga person made Shippou's and Kouga's earlier comments seem plausible. She understood why they called Inuyasha a dick. He didn't leave nearly as good of a first impression as Miroku.
"Apologies about him," Miroku said turning his attention back towards Sango and dropping his phone into the breast pocket of his shirt. "He's not used to having company. And should I say such beautiful company."
Sango snorted at his flattery and adjusted the cloth on Kagome's forehead.
"May I ask your name?" he said, leaning forward from his perch across from Sango.
"It's Sango."
"..Sa—Sango?"
Kagome's voice was a welcome one and Sango quickly turned and grabbed her friend's hand.
"Hey, you're awake! How are you feeling, Kagome? You fainted."
"I did?"
Sango nodded, "Miroku here came to your aid and brought you a cool cloth and somewhere shady to rest for a few minutes. Are you able to sit up?"
"Kagome!"
Both girls and Miroku turned to see Kouga running over with a large cooler hanging off his shoulder. He sprinted the last few steps before dropping the cooler to his feet and puffing his chest.
"What's going on here?" Kouga demanded, "What happened to Kagome?"
"She's fine, Kouga," Sango called, getting to her feet. "I think she was just a little too enthusiastic today and overdid it a bit. She'll be fine, though."
Kouga nodded, relief on his face, and then turned a sceptical eye towards Miroku.
"And who are you?"
"Ah," Miroku said, rubbing his wet hand on the leg of his pants and then extending it towards Kouga. "We've spoken on the phone previously. I'm Miroku Houshi, personal assistant to Inuyasha. You must be Kouga, the owner of RT Landscaping. Pleasure."
"Yeah, that's me," Kouga responded, staring distrustfully at Miroku's outstretched hand before accepting it.
"Well, I assure you—Kagome your name is?" Kagome nodded, "—Kagome here is just fine. I was just opening the patio door for some air circulation when I heard a woman's scream. Fortunately, everyone seems to be in adequate health."
Kagome tried to sit up and Sango helped.
"Why don't we call it a day today, Kagome?" Kouga offered, taking over for Sango to help the girl to her feet. "I think an air-conditioned truck is just what you need right now. Whadduya think?"
Kagome just nodded then turned to look over her shoulder as Kouga led her away.
"I'm sorry to have burdened you, Miroku. But, thank you for helping me," she called, the bridge of her nose and cheeks a bright pink from embarrassment.
Miroku waved away the apology and the gratitude and wished Kagome a good day.
Once Kagome and Kouga were gone from his sights, he turned to feast his eyes on Sango.
And feast they did.
She was a vision. He could clearly make out the muscles in her legs from the tights she wore like a second skin. He couldn't subtly angle himself in a way to be able to appreciate her from a rear view; however, he was sure from the tone of her legs that a certain area would be in just as miraculous shape. Her skin was somewhat flushed from the weather and likely the worry for her friend; however, her makeup was light and natural, and her long brown hair gave him goose-bumps that only rivalled the lump in his throat developing when he observed her other…assets.
"Thank you for your help," Sango said, turning her attention back to Miroku. With a slight bow of her head she said, "I really appreciate you taking your time to help us. I apologize for any burden we may have caused you."
"Oh, nonsense, Sango, nonsense," he cooed, waving his hand again with a closed-eye smile. "I'm happy to help. Is there anything else I could do for you? A glass of lemonade, perhaps? My phone number?"
Sango laughed awkwardly, but shook her head and said that she should go check on Kagome and then get back to work.
"It was nice meeting you, Miroku."
"It was a pleasure, Sango," he responded.
As he watched her walk away, he bid unspoken thanks to whatever godly influence caused Sango to disobey the rules and wear yoga pants. His eyes soaked into the voluptuous and firm bottom until she was no longer in his sights. He was pleased, excited even, that Sango would be working on the property.
Inuyasha's desire to suck the fun out of all things Miroku enjoyed led to that stupid rule about the yoga pants. Miroku did enjoy the curvature of the young ladies on the property, he wouldn't deny that. However, when Inuyasha caught Miroku ogling the workers when he should have been working, Inuyasha imposed the rule that yoga pants were no longer permitted; he had been keen to ensure Kouga enforced the rule.
Miroku sighed, walking back into the house. The jeans that those lovely creatures wore to fuss around in the dirt just didn't do them justice. It wasn't fair, he thought, that Inuyasha should punish him for being so appreciative of the female figure.
"Yo, Miroku."
Miroku looked up from his thoughts to see Inuyasha entering the sunroom where Miroku stood.
"What can I do for you, my liege?"
"Oh, can it," Inuyasha replied with a sneer, "Did the girls go?"
"Unfortunately," Miroku sighed, resting a hand on his heart. "I think, because of the heat, Kouga decided to call it a day earlier than usual. I'm sure he'll make up the hours when it's cooler, though. I'll make a note of it."
"Yeah, well, he better," Inuyasha grumbled. "That gardens not gonna build itself."
The two men stood in silence for a few seconds before Miroku chose to break it.
"I don't suppose you happened to get a good look at Kagome?"
"Ka—who?"
Miroku rolled his eyes, "Kagome. The girl who fainted."
"Feh, not really. Why would I?"
"At first, I thought she was Kikyou."
Inuyasha barked out a laugh, "Yeah, right! Like she'd leave France to come here. That ship has sailed, Miroku."
"Her face bore somewhat of a resemblance, though. Didn't you think?"
"I didn't get a good enough look at her to notice," Inuyasha commented absentmindedly, narrowing his eyes to watch one of his maids take a basket full of laundry to hang up outside. She scurried away from his scrutiny, gripping the basket tighter.
"Well, perhaps you should the next time she's working. She's quite lovely. Similar face-shape to Kikyou, but different features. A gentler loveliness, in my humble opinion."
"Yeah, well, I didn't ask for your opinion," Inuyasha grumbled. "Did you tell Myoga about the pool?"
Miroku sighed, "Yes, he should be in the pool house now, if not very soon."
"Good," Inuyasha mumbled, peering outside distractedly.
Miroku's phone dinged and he pulled the device out of his pocket. "Oh yes, don't forget that we need to leave at six o'clock in order to make it to your brother's interview."
Inuyasha groaned and rolled his eyes, "Why the fuck do I have to go to that thing? It's about Sesshoumaru."
Miroku returned Inuyasha's grumbling with a patient smile.
"Ever since the band—" Miroku began, but quickly cleared his throat and changed his wording due to the look he received from Inuyasha. "—Any time your brother has a media appearance there tends to be questions about you. It's best if you're there to circumvent those questions to ensure nothing that should stay off the record, ends up on the record."
Inuyasha sighed, "And you can't just go for me? You're my PA, isn't that the sorta shit I pay you to do?"
"It's a good idea to remind the people that you're around, Inuyasha," Miroku articulated, "You don't want to just disappear from the fame, do you? You still have fans, you know. It's good publicity."
Inuyasha didn't like where this conversation was going and headed for the patio door to end it. Miroku took the hint and nodded his head at his employer before walking away.
Sitting down on the loveseat, tossing his feet up onto the cushions, Inuyasha reached for the ceiling fan's remote to increase its oscillation. It really was too fucking hot, and his typical swim did nothing for him. He swore that if Myoga didn't get his ass in gear and do the maintenance work he was hired for, Inuyasha was gonna—
His train of thought was interrupted when his eyes fell upon the chaise where that girl—Kagome, apparently—had lain.
He did notice that she was sort of nice to look at; however, he didn't like the fact that a girl he was paying to work was taking a nap on his $8200 patio chair.
He was glad, though, Miroku had made that comment about her similarity to Kikyo. His quick glance of the girl had made him question if he knew her; she had looked so familiar. But the resemblance was what that was. She could have been taken for a cousin of his ex-girlfriend's, but the similarity wasn't great enough for them to be mistaken for twins.
Inuyasha sighed and sunk lower into the cushions, crossing his feet at the ankles. He still had a couple hours before he needed to get ready to crash Sesshoumaru's interview, and a nap sounded like a great idea.
Author's Note
Inuyasha appears! What a shame that he saw Kagome but Kagome didn't see him. Oh, well—don't you worry! There are lots of InuKag moments ahead! :D
I'd love to know your thoughts/feelings/premonitions! Please review!