Thanks for reading. In response to a guest, I feel the need to clarify. In my story, demons and humans harmoniously. Half-demons are not discriminated against and there isn't a class system in place that would give them an advantage or disadvantage. This simply isn't the focus of my story. I mainly need the characters to still be able to use some of their powers for the plot of this story. Ok thanks!
Tease
Ch. 3
"Mai, table 3 ordered another round. Are you still on break?" Ami asked.
She ducked her head in the dressing room. Kagome sat in a chair, watching the news. It featured Hanzo Yagyu, being led away in handcuffs, charged with fraud.
"I guess the Genoka family got their payback," she murmured.
Kagome turned to Ami with a smile, "I was coming back from break now. How is it out there?"
"Pretty slow today, even for a Wednesday. Most of the girls have gone home already."
Kagome grinned, "Good. More money for us then," Kagome yawned and staggered toward the door. These different jobs were ruining her sleep schedule, but soon her sleepless nights would pay off.
"Speaking of money, how close are you to your goal?" Ami asked sweetly.
"I'm halfway there. Another two months here and I'll be through!"
"That's-that's great Mai," Ami's voice quivered, "It really won't be the same when you leave. You're like everyone's big sister."
Kagome's lips tugged in a small smile and she pulled the girl into a hug. Ami didn't know much about Kagome, not even her real name, but she emitted a genuine sweetness that Kagome couldn't help but love. She was almost tempted to tell the girl who she really was.
"I'll still come around," Kagome lied instead. Ami looked skeptical.
Kagome smirked, "You know if anyone ever gives you trouble, you can call me and I'll beat the crap out of them."
Ami laughed and Kagome grinned, "Ah there's a smile."
Kagome's phone buzzed. She picked it up and checked the caller id. She frowned.
"Um Ami, sorry about this, but can you look over my tables a little longer? This is an important call."
Ami agreed and Kagome slipped outside for some privacy.
"Shippo? Honey, can you hear me?" Kagome asked.
The young woman couldn't make out his words at first; the little boy was crying too much. She heard a woman and man screaming in the background.
"Shippo, where are you?"
"36 Aikki Lane Apt 4B, I'm scared," the kit whimpered.
"Get somewhere safe. I'm coming!"
Kagome's adrenaline rushed like it never had before. If she got there too late… Kagome pushed those thoughts away and pressed on the gas. She barely parked her car when she darted out and up the stairs of the apartment complex.
"Shippo! Shippo!" Kagome screamed as she pounded her fists on the front door of 4B.
The door creaked open, "Do you know how late it is?" a man asked.
"Where is Shippo? I'm not leaving until I know he's safe!"
The door opened and the man roved his eyes over Kagome's body, before those red eyes were searing into her.
The unknown male, a demon by Kagome's deduction, propped himself against the doorframe.
He smirked, "And who might you be?"
Kagome steadied herself against the towering demon, "I'm Kagome, Shippo's 2nd grade teacher and you?"
"I'm Hiten, Shippo's stepfather. What is a sexy woman like you doing here, especially in that outfit?" Hiten asked, touching the strap of her skimpy black dress.
Kagome squatted his hand away, "Keep your hands off me. I received a call and if I'm not allowed to see Shippo, I will be contacting the police."
Hiten stepped aside, allowing Kagome in, "Well since you asked so nicely," he mocked.
Kagome called out to Shippo. On the couch sat Shippo with a fox demoness, presumably his mother.
"Hi Ma'am. I'm-"
"I know who you are. My son speaks quite frequently about his teacher, Miss Kagome. I'm Sachi, Shippo's mother."
Shippo sat on his mother's lap, avoiding eye contact with Kagome. She nudged her son.
"Shippo, don't you have something to tell your teacher?" Sachi hinted.
"I'm sorry for calling you for no reason. I was just playing a trick," Shippo mumbled.
Kagome's eyes shifted over to Hiten leering in the background. She touched the kit's hand and he flinched. Kagome knew something was wrong, but there was no way Shippo was going to tell her now. Kagome grinned, rubbing his hand gently.
"It's alright Shippo. I understand kids pull pranks. I'm just glad you're safe."
Shippo couldn't hide his disappointment as his mother ushered him to his room.
Kagome called out, "I'll see you tomorrow Shippo!"
Hiten grabbed her arm, "Well, Miss Kagome thanks for stopping by, but it is late. Sorry 'bout the brat. Foxes are known for playing tricks though. He's been acting out since I came in the picture. I don't think his mom is hot enough to have me putting up with his shit. The kid puts me in a bad spot."
Hiten escorted Kagome out the door. She folded her arms, cross, and ignored the throbbing his grip caused her, "Listen, I know you think you're in a bad spot, but there's bad and then there's worse."
"Oh yeah, what's worse girlie?" Hiten smirked.
Kagome glowered, "Seeing me again when I'm not feeling so charitable."
She marched down the hall and turned back, "And I better see Shippo tomorrow, at school, safe and sound!"
"Shippo come on!" yelled Rin. The recess bell had rung and almost all the children had left. Shippo remained in his seat, despondent.
"I don't want to play," Shippo said quietly.
Rin scratched her head and ran back to the boy, "What's wrong Shippo?"
"My tummy hurts," he responded.
"Rin, how about you go play and I'll take Shippo to the nurse? We don't want to upset his stomach more," Kagome suggested.
Rin nodded. "Feel better soon, Shippo! We'll play later!"
She left and only Kagome and Shippo remained in the room. Kagome sat down next to him.
"Shippo, do you want to tell me what's really going on?" Kagome asked softly.
"It's my stomach. It hurts," he squirmed under her watchful eyes.
"Okay, where else? What else hurts?" Kagome coaxed, understanding his hidden plea.
Shippo started to cry, "My arms and my legs and my head."
Kagome rubbed calming circles on his back, soothing him, "Shippo, be truthful. Are you using your fox magic to hide the fact that someone is hurting you?"
Shippo nodded and released his magic. Suddenly bluish bruises and angry red hand marks, splayed across his body.
"Oh my god. Shippo…" Kagome didn't know what to say.
Someone had been using the poor boy as a punching bag. Kagome's hands lit up in a soft pink glow. She ran her hands over his bruises, healing the worst of the injuries. Shippo gasped.
"You're a miko, Miss Kagome?"
Kagome concentrated on keeping her power steady; she didn't want to risk purifying Shippo.
"I was raised in a shrine and my grandpa taught me a few things. I even trained to be a proper shrine maiden, but I left early to attend college." She stopped, inspecting the boy.
"I knew something was going on. Wait a moment," Kagome stood up and pulled an envelope from her desk.
Kagome handed Shippo a folded-up sheet of paper.
"Give this to your mom when Hiten isn't around," Kagome stated sternly, "And don't hesitate to call me again, Shippo. I swear I will protect you.
Okay I said that Kagome and Sesshoumaru would meet in this chapter, but once I wrote it out, I decided to break the chapters up. I didn't want something serious to be overshadowed by the couple pairing. Anyway, let me know your thoughts and the next chapter will be out this week, sooner if I get good reviews lol. Thanks for reading!