"May I inquire your name, young lady?" the white haired male asked with a low tone that immediately soothed her frayed nerves. A soft smile spread over his lips, and he offered her a hand.
"I apologize for my staring." she blurted automatically.
"It's quite alright, Miss..?"
"Higurashi Kagome." she supplied meekly, still embarrassed about blurting the first thing that had crossed her mind.
"A pleasure, Miss Higurashi. I am Taisho Toga, owner of this fine establishment."
She barely managed to keep her jaw from dropping. This man was Inuyasha's father!
"Miss Higurashi," Toga continued, "I couldn't help but wonder why such a pretty young woman was all alone over here. Who is your escort for the evening?"
Kagome felt her smile become a little forced.
"Inuyasha." she stated simply. "Your son, if I am not mistaken."
Toga's eyes widened, and he turned, no doubt searching his son out. Panic welled in her chest. Grabbing his arm, she pulled him into the shadows.
"Please don't." she pleaded. "It will only be worse later."
Toga's brows furrowed in confusion at the woman's words. What on earth did she mean by 'worse later'?
Kagome cautiously glanced around Toga, making sure that Inuyasha hadn't noticed the event.
"All I can say is that I've been asked not to speak with anyone tonight." she said miserably. "If he finds out.."
Toga grasped Kagome's hands, looking her in the eye.
"I promise I will not speak of it." he replied solemnly, unable to help himself from noticing her shoulders sag in relief.
"Thank you, Taisho-sama."
"Please. Just call me Taisho-san. Sama makes me feel old." he made a face.
A weary smile crossed her features. "Very well, Taisho-san. But please, remember not to speak of this."
"Of course, Higurashi-san." he returned before turning, as he was being called by one of his associates.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Taisho-san." Kagome murmured under her breath as the male walked away.
Now she could only hope that he wouldn't investigate the reasons behind his son's actions.