Author's Note: Here's chapter three.
Disclaimer: See chapter one. Or ask Rumiko Takahashi (since she's really does own him).
A Country Life
Chapter Three
Life on the Ranch
*****
This is just a brief explanation of what's going on. Kagome is not fifteen, in fact she's twenty-five and Souta is about twenty. I definitely am planning on putting Miroku, Kouga, and Shippo into this story. In fact you'll see them in this very chapter. The characters here are going to be a little different from the anime and manga series; relationship wise (for example Kikyo and Kaede are not going to be sisters). Also Souta will be playing more of a role later into the story. I think that sums it all up. Oh and if the conversations are to hard to read then you should read them more carefully, the way they respond to each other tells you who is speaking to who. It really isn't that hard. I'll only break it up if the conversations are getting long. Well anyways thanks for the reviews, each and every one of them are very important to me. I enjoy reading the feedbacks you guys give me. Thanks so very much. I really hope you like this story; it's personally the most fun I've ever had writing this chapter, out of all the chapters I have written in any of my stories. Oh and one more thing, check out my other stories (please). That's about it...
*****
Kagome looked around her room. It was fairly large and decent. She put her bags on the bed and sat down. This was going to be her room for the time being.
The bright sunlight filtered through the curtains and shone on the wooden floor. In the room there was a white armoire in the corner accompanied by it was a table with a large mirror hanging over it. There were two chairs in the room. One in front of the table with the mirror and the other in the opposite corner of the armoire, a couch more so than a chair. Then in front of the bed was a red rug thrown as a last minute decoration. Over all the room was very home-like. She loved it.
She laid back on the bed. It was an old bed because she could feel the mattress sink in when she laid down. But that was all the better, sometimes old was better than new.
She buried her face in the pillows in which she could smell country apples. It was very faint but it was there. She turned back this time lying on her back and closed her eyes for just a moment to absorbing it all in. Her new life...
Meanwhile someone was heading to their own room when he caught her lying down on the bed through her open door. Her tank top had ridden up a little and exposed a perfectly toned and flat tummy. It was very inviting.
Unable to resist he went into the room and watched her. She had fallen asleep. He looked closer and saw that she was indeed pretty as she was far away. He lowered his face near her... When her eyes opened.
She was about to scream but he put his hand over his mouth. "Shh. Don't worry I wasn't going to do anything I was just umm...Removing the dust bunny off your face?" Kagome removed the hand from her mouth and said "Yeah right, I'm not stupid you know, would mind telling me exactly what you were trying to do?" Her eyes glared with daggers.
Miroku scratched the back of his head thinking of an excuse and then suddenly had a sly smile. The light bulb in his head had gone off. He got down on one knee and held one of Kagome's hands in his hands. "Miss Kagome I have tell you something..." Kagome rolled her eyes and said "What is it?"
Miroku tried to put on his sad face and said "My family has an illness that kills you at the age of twenty six. My birthday is coming near... And... I have a favor to ask you...Will you do the honor of bearing my child for me?"
A loud sound of a hand smacking the side of a certain perverted man's face echoed throughout the house. Inuyasha and the other hired help were washing up for dinner in the kitchen when they all heard it. They all cringed except Inuyasha who shook his head and muttering how much of an idiot Miroku could be at times.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and sighed as he wiped his hands on a clean towel. "I bet Miroku found our newest member of the ranch..." The men that were seated at the table in the kitchen started to laugh. Inuyasha rang the cow bell signaling it was time for dinner. Usually Kaede rang the bell but she was nowhere to be seen, and it was close to time for dinner...
Kagome came down first then Miroku who had a red hand print on the side of his face. The men around the table were sniggering at the mark on Miroku's face.
Kagome pulled out the chair next to Inuyasha and sat down. Inuyasha commented on Miroku's latest addition on his face. "So how did you get that on your face there buddy?" Miroku glared at him and looked down at his plate avoiding the question.
Kagome looked around "Where's the food?" Inuyasha answered her question "Kaede's cooking it outside I think? She should be here with the food in a moment." Kagome put her napkin on her lap and looked around.
There were twelve hired help that worked on Inuyasha's ranch. Five of them lived on the ranch in the extra rooms and paid rent, including Kagome. The five that lived on the ranch was Kaede, Miroku, Kouga, Shippo, and the newest addition Kagome.
Kagome all remembered the men's names and faces, especially Shippo. He stood out from the rest. He was shorter, younger, and had a vibrant and loud personality with a matching flaming red hair to top it off. This was why she liked him as a friend.
As for Miroku...
The men were all chatting around while Kagome continued to observe the kitchen. The kitchen had a very old black stove, but it was conveniently large. It was large enough to cook a certain pervert in for that matter. Over the stove hung all sorts of pots and pans on a rack. And to the side was a countertop, clean as a whistle. On the countertop was a spice rack, a slim clay pot holding utensils such as a whisk to a spatula, a toaster, and a blender. On the clay pot she saw Shippo crudely sketched on the side with drawings of farm animals which she could tell were done when he was at least five or six. Kagome smiled it had reminded her of her father who used to keep all of Kagome's paintings and drawings that she would bring home from school when she was little. He would brag to all his friends about what an artist Kagome was.
Next to the countertop was a white refrigerator which had dirty handprints around the handles of the fridge. Kagome guessed that it was from the workers. Across from the fridge was the kitchen island and alongside the kitchen island there was a sink connected to it.
The sound of the door opening caught the men and Kagome's attention only to be disappointed when they saw it was Shippo. "Hey everybody...So where's the food?" he asked as he pulled out an available chair across from Kagome.
The men ignored him and started talking, this time about how late Kaede was. Shippo just shrugged and poured himself a glass of water. He set the pitcher of water back to its original spot on the table and took a sip. Then another and another.
His feet was lightly tapping on the linoleum floor to a beat that only he knew. Then it became silent, except for the stomachs that were growling in hunger. It was so silent that it became a game of who could be quiet for the longest.
Slowly they grew weary of the game. Kagome exasperated out a loud impatient sigh. Shippo now drummed his fingers on the table. Then they heard footsteps coming up the steps. They waited in anticipation as the doorknob turned. Slowly the door turned and revealed...
Kouga. The men grumbled angrily and Kagome put her hand on her stomach which was growling for food. Kouga pulled out a chair from the other end and sat down. He winked at Kagome while doing so. Kagome rolled her eyes for what was probably the hundredth time that day. It was giving her eyes a good exercise.
After a few moments, Kaede finally came through the door with McDonald's?
Inuyasha looked at her in confusion. "What the?" Inuyasha asked and Kaede put her hand up to silence him. "Let's just say while I was barbequing in the backyard I went inside to go get some spices to flavor the meats when I came back they were all gone. And since there wasn't enough time to go to the store and re-barbeque I went to the city and bought McDonald's. Eat it or starve." Kaede added as a final note.
The men all shrugged and grabbed a bag and started to eat. Actually it was more like attacking the food. Kagome pushed her bag back and muttered "I think I lost my appetite..." Inuyasha grabbed her bag and pulled out the hamburger, peeled off the wrapper, and shoveled it into his mouth. He mumbled something incoherent. Kagome thought it was "Well more for me then..."
Kaede shrugged at a shocked Kagome and said "First come first serve at this ranch of animals and I'm not talking about the actual animals, if you know what I mean..." Kagome stood up and excused herself. She went outside and sat down on the porch.
The dog that was sleeping on the porch came trotting to her and put her head on her lap. Her name was Lady. Kagome stroked her head and smiled. It was a smile that she was expressed from the bottom of her heart. She smiled because she was truly happy. Last time she had smiled like this was at the Christmas party when she was fourteen, before her dad had died.
Lady now rolled on her back begging Kagome to give her a belly rub. Kagome did what the dog was silently begging for. She saw that the Border collie's fur was matted and asking for a good wash.
On the ground across from the porch was a hose and the leash was next to the porch stairs. Kagome looked at the hose to the lease to the dog in her lap. She smiled. It was time to go to work.
After wrestling with the dog, Kagome finally managed loop the lease onto the hoop in the ground and on the dog's collar. Kagome went to turn on the hose and out came the water, spurting out of the hose. The dog whined loudly. Kagome advanced with the hose in her hand.
Ten minutes later both the dog and Kagome were soaked. Kagome looked at the dog that was now creeping away from Kagome. Kagome squeezed the water out of her hair.
Inuyasha stepped out and spotted Kagome. He fell down on his knees and started to laugh. Hard. Kagome's left eye started to twitch involuntarily. Inuyasha was too busy laughing to notice. Because if he did he would've run away then.
Kagome smirked as she picked up the hose and faced the nozzle towards him. She pulled back the nozzle's handle and aimed at Inuyasha.
A bloodcurdling scream was heard from the inside. It wasn't Kagome's either. The resident's of the house that were occupied in the living room that were watching sports on TV went to the window. They all crowded around the window watching Kagome chasing Inuyasha around the front yard with the hose.
The TV was abandoned for the event that was happening outside. This rarely if ever happened at the ranch. Miroku added "This is better than any soap opera I've ever seen." Shippo looked at him with a confused look on his face and muttered "What a weirdo..."
Kaede smiled on the inside. 'This is going to be interesting...' Kaede thought. She nudged her grandson Shippo on the ribs with her elbow. Kaede winked at Shippo and Shippo winked back. The message was obviously clear.
Kagome stepped out of the shower and put on her robe. And wrapped her wet hair in a turban style. She gathered her dirty clothes and opened the door and went across to her room. She deposited her dirty and very wet clothes in the hamper. Then she went to her bags and unzipped them, digging through to find decent pajamas. Kagome hummed as she was looking for them.
Only to pause when she noticed she was humming. She only hummed when she was really happy. And it had been awhile since she hummed like this. She smiled and shrugged and pulled out blue cotton shorts and a comfortable worn out T-shirt.
Seeing that her door was closed she dressed into her pajamas. Afterwards she closed her eyes while in her bed and went into a deep sleep with ease. It was one of her most rested nights that she had ever had.
Meanwhile Inuyasha laid back on his bed looking out of his window. He held a smile on his face that he didn't know was there. His mind was on Kagome. At first he thought it would've been a mistake to hire her. She was a full grown woman, and she would be surrounded by men constantly. She would be the only female on the ranch besides Kaede.
Kagome...Even her name was pretty. Whatever it was she made him feel happy. It was the opposite of what he had thought previously. She was going to be a handful, she was going to make things happier, more fun, and that was why he was smiling. His last thought was before closing his eyes to go to sleep was 'There's something about her that makes her different from the rest of them. Don't let her get away...'
Of course the next morning his previous thought from last night was all forgotten. It wouldn't be remembered for a long time. Till he realized it was the truth.
Kaede hummed happily as she watched the frying pan sizzle in strips of bacon smothered in cooking oil.
Fresh squeezed milk was set on the table thanks to Shippo. Kaede turned off the fire on the stove and transferred the bacon that was on the frying pan to the big plate next to the stove.
She set the plates of bacon, eggs, toast, pancakes, and muffins on the table. The muffins were for Miroku who dislike pancakes for some reason. He said it had to do with a girl, which was typical. Miroku also disliked mints, eggnog, and yogurt. This also had to do with girls...
The spoons, forks, knives were set aligned next to the empty glasses that were waiting to be filled with fresh milk. Kaede finished setting the table and grabbed the cow bell that was on the kitchen island.
She rang the bell once and counted out loud "In three...Two...One..." Suddenly a loud stampede could be heard outside as the men ran inside the house and into the kitchen.
They all sat in their usual seats and started piling food on their plates. Miroku was about to eat first when Kaede cleared her throat. "Ahem... As you can see not everyone is at the table, therefore we wait. Unless someone wants to fetch Kagome." Miroku raised his hand; Kaede looked at him and said "Besides Miroku."
Miroku put his hand down and sighed. He wondered why nobody trusted him. Kaede put her hands on her hips and said "Anyone?" No one raised their hands and Kaede did meeney, miney, mo in her head and it landed on Inuyasha.
Kaede pointed to him and said "Go on..." Inuyasha rolled his eyes and went up the stairs. He wondered if Kaede thought she was the owner of the ranch instead of him. She did boss him around a lot...And always got her way, now that he thought about it.
Several of the hired help whistled. Inuyasha shouted "Shut up it's not like that cow turds." He went down the corridor and knocked on the third door to his right.
He could hear some rummaging in the room. He knocked again and this time the door opened. Kagome smiled and stepped out and closed the door behind her.
"It's a little messy in there. I was trying to organize and yeah..." Inuyasha smirked and replied "Kaede can help you with that today then, then later you can check on Bess our cow, you know the big brown one? She seems a bit under the weather today."
Kagome nodded and said "I feel so bad for sleeping in, I should be helping and instead I'm you know relaxing." Inuyasha shook his head no and said "No it's fine your new here so I'm giving you a week for you to break into the farm life. I know it's hard so I'll cut you some slack for this week only. I give all of my new employees a break on there first week."
Kagome's face lit up "Really? Thank you so much!" She then put here arms around his neck and hugged him. Inuyasha confused slowly put his arms around Kagome and hugged her back.
Actually it wasn't as bad as he thought it was. The hug was actually comforting...
It was abruptly ended when a voice downstairs screamed "What is taking so freaking long? Are you guys sucking faces or what? We're getting hungry down here!" Kagome shyly pulled back from the hug and blushed.
Inuyasha however focused on the painting on the wall behind Kagome and devising a plan on how to kill Shippo.
They both went down to join the so called family for breakfast. Inuyasha cracked his knuckles rather loudly. Shippo started eating his food very fast, not because he was hungry.
After breakfast Kagome was in the barn checking up on Bess. She was in the corner looking droopy. Kagome pulled out a mini flashlight from her kit and flashed it in her ears. They were fine. So she checked the hooves and saw they were also fine. She looked at the eyes and saw that they were also healthy.
She placed the stethoscope on the side of the cow's stomach and listened. The stomach sounded a bit less than normal. She nodded understanding the situation and pulled the stethoscope off her ears and placed it back in her kit. She pulled out a bottle of medicine and unscrewed the cap and poured a capful into the water trough and watched the cow lapped up the now medicated water.
Shippo came into the barn and saw Kagome. "Hey how's old Bess doing?" Kagome smiled at Shippo and said "Pretty good actually, she just ate something that upsets her stomach. So I gave her medicine for it. She'll be fine tomorrow."
Shippo nodded showing that he understood and patted Bess on the head. "Good. I'm glad it's nothing serious. Bess is one of the best cows we have here. She produces pretty if not darn good milk."
Kagome screwed the cap back on and placed the medicine in a pouch of the kit. She grabbed the kit in one hand and said "Well best be going I have to check up on the horses and the cows in the pasture, and then I have to check up on the sheep and lambs, and the dogs. See you at lunch?"
"You bet Miss Higurashi." Kagome turned around to head out of the barn just as she was at the doorway she turned around and said "One more thing Shippo, you can drop the formalities. Call me Kagome."
Shippo saluted her as a joke and said quietly under his breath "Will do Kagome, will do."
After Kagome checked up on all the animals, including Lady who ran away from her. Kagome having a heck of a chase with her. She checked her out and only to find several burrs in her furs and a case of horribly bad breath.
Kagome brushed the dog's teeth and removed the burrs. The dog gave Kagome's cheek a big sloppy wet kiss as a way of saying thanks. Lady than ran off to play with her other canine friends.
Kagome headed back to the house ready for lunch.
Only to see a line of men already waiting. Kagome sighed and waited in line. Men and food were slowly becoming an issue at the ranch with Kagome.
Except Kagome wouldn't trade her job for anything at the moment. It was much fun than her office job. And so much different. Very different. It was a good thing at times.
Kagome called Sango that night. "Hey Sango how are you?" Sango answered "Good, we all miss you up here but it's good to know you're happy Kagome."
"Yeah I'm loving every moment of it. I really wish you were here though." "Well...Kagome do you remember about that break my boss was planning on giving me? That break starts...Tomorrow."
Kagome jumped up from her bed and squealed into her cell phone. "Are you serious? Sango does that mean you can come here? To visit?"
"Yep and for a week too. In fact right now I'm starting to pack. Are you sure it's all right with what's his face?"
"Yeah I asked him yesterday night he said it was fine; there are plenty of rooms in this house. It's great here. I know you'll love it."
"Well of course... Look I have to go but I'll call you tomorrow?" Kagome answered back a "Yes" and a "Goodbye" on the phone and closed her cell phone.
She put the cell phone on her bedside stand and pulled the covers up to her chin. She stuck one arm out and clicked off the lamp light and closed her eyes shut. The moment she did, she fell fast asleep with ease for the second time.
Sango stepped off the train and looked around. She saw that the sun was slowly setting, casting an orange and pink afterglow on the sky. It was beautiful alright.
Kagome was nowhere in sight. She continued looking around when she felt a tap on her shoulder she turned around and was face to face with a man.
Sango stared at his face and found that he was rather good-looking. He had deep purple eyes that held a hint of mischief and his hair was tied back into a small ponytail. He held out his hand and said "Hi I'm Miroku. Kagome couldn't make it out here to meet you. She's currently treating one of our night watch dogs, Kipper. It seems we found out who ate our dinner two nights ago. Poor thing consumed a bit too much meat. So she's pumping out the contents out of Kipper's stomach."
Sango smiled softly and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Miroku. Well let's get going then." Sango stared at Miroku who grabbed Sango's bags. She slowly turned around and walked towards the truck. 'He's nice, not bad looking either. I wonder what Kagome meant this morning she was warning me about him. Now if I could only remember what that was...'
He watched her retreating figure go into the car.
'Very nice backside and a nice face... This can definitely work out.' Thought Miroku as he placed the bags in the trunk. He climbed in the car and started the car. The drive there would be long.
Which was very convenient for Miroku. That gave him more chances for him to get to know her and charm her. Or that was what he thought.
Kagome washed her hands under the running pipe that was located outside. Another hard day work had gone by quickly. She wiped her hands on her shirt and grabbed her kit.
She was about to head inside when she passed by the 'sitting area' as the men called it. It was a bunch of large and heavy haystacks placed in the front yard of the house where the guys sat and talked during their break.
She heard snippets of their conversation. "Isn't the Fall Ball this weekend?" "Oh yeah that's right Ken, its Saturday I think?"
Ken replied "So who are you taking?" "I have no idea yet...Well we better get back to work you know how Inuyasha can get." The men jumped off the hay and were walking around only to meet up with Kagome.
"Nice day isn't Miss Higurashi?" Ken commented Kagome nodded a yes and gave a small smile. Isaiah added "Well good day now miss." They both tipped their Stetsons to the side as a greeting and retreated back to their work that needed to be done.
Kagome kept thinking about the Fall Ball that she just heard about. She wondered who she would ask to go with and what she would wear. She headed inside thinking what she would do.
Saturday was four days away from now. That was hardly any enough time at all.
Sango got out of the car and glared at him. He rubbed his cheek and got out of the car. "What was that for?"
Sango grabbed her bags out of the trunk and then faced him. "What was that for? You tried to grope me you...You leech!" She turned around and started walking towards the house.
Miroku ran to catch up with her only to have the door close on him barely missing his nose. He shook his head and opened the door and saw Kagome and Sango hugging.
"Oh! I've missed you so much!" said Kagome. Sango added "I know, but Kagome you need to stop hugging me so tight...I ...Can't...Breathe..."
Kagome stepped back and said "Oops I got carried away didn't I?" Sango nodded and said "Yeah you did...Well come on you need to show me my room and help me unpack..."
Kagome grabbed one of the bags and saw Miroku...And his red slightly swollen cheek. Kagome turned back to Sango and added "So I see you met Miroku...And his two unholy friends."
Sango headed up the stairs and Kagome followed. Sango answered loudly to Kagome "Yes I did and if it happens again, he'll be sure to have them decapitated by me personally." Miroku decided to comment on that and said "Good! As long as it's done by you personally." Sango exasperated an annoyed sigh.
Miroku smiled and grabbed an apple that was on the table in a bowl and took a bite out of it. "Oh yes sir, she's one feisty woman." He mumbled on account of the apple in his mouth. He headed outside to go back to work. He liked her already.
Kagome watched as Sango muttered under her breath while folding her clothes into the dresser. Kagome looked at Sango's face and saw that it was flushed.
Kagome pulled out the folded bundle of clothes and handed it to Sango who placed it in the dresser. "So, what do you think of him?" Kagome asked.
"Who?" Sango questioned. "You know... Miroku?" Kagome smiled as she saw Sango face getting rosier around the cheeks at the mention of his name.
"Well he's a disgusting-filthy-can't-keep-his-hands-to-himself-egotistical- male-chauvinistic-pig!" Sango thrust the next bundle of clothes in the dresser and slammed the dresser quite violently.
Kagome smiled even wider. She knew very well that Sango only was putting on an act. "Really?" Kagome threw in.
Sango turned around and looked at Kagome who was looking at her and smiling in a weird way... "Yes, he is all of those things... Why are you looking at me like...NO! NO! And NO!"
Kagome got of the bed and stood in front of Sango. "What? I was just thinking..." Sango cut her off. "Kagome Higurashi I know you better than that to be only just thinking, you're thinking of a plan aren't you? Well the answer is no, no, no, and never!"
Kagome shrugged and said "I don't know what your talking about...I was just thinking you should...Oh never mind." Kagome headed out of the door and winked at Sango who looked at her dumbfounded.
Kagome headed downstairs and saw Kaede preparing for dinner. "Hello Kaede. Want me to help you?" Kaede smiled and handed her a knife and an onion. "Peel it and cut it into nice even pieces."
Kagome started doing what Kaede asked her to and then asked her "What's this I hear about a Fall Ball?" Kaede smiled and said "Well that's at the town Saturday, but it's a tradition here. It's a ball or I should say fancy- smancy gathering. It's just another excuse for a good time. I think you'll love it. You young ones always do."
Kagome smiled softly as she concentrated on the onion. "So what should I wear then?" Kaede thought for a minute and snapped her fingers. "I know there's this dress that I saw at the town's mini boutique shop last time I went to go buy groceries. I have a friend that works there; you can go into town tomorrow during break and check it out. I'll have Rumi put it on hold for you."
"Thank you." Kaede looked at Kagome and said "Of course." Kaede knew Kagome wasn't like that Kiki or whatever her name was. She was different and she knew she was good enough for Inuyasha.
"I'll have Shippo take you tomorrow then." Kaede added and took the pieces of onions that Kagome had cut on the cutting board and slid it into the bowl and poured the other ingredients in.
The two women continued to work together making dinner for the hungry men that were waiting for that darn cow bell to be rung. Literally.
AN: Yeah here you go Ch. 3. I don't know when Ch. 4 will be up it depends on my schedule. Okay that's about it and you should review! Oh come on you know you want to... Continues to poke the reader with her finger. Poke, poke, poke...
Disclaimer: See chapter one. Or ask Rumiko Takahashi (since she's really does own him).
A Country Life
Chapter Three
Life on the Ranch
*****
This is just a brief explanation of what's going on. Kagome is not fifteen, in fact she's twenty-five and Souta is about twenty. I definitely am planning on putting Miroku, Kouga, and Shippo into this story. In fact you'll see them in this very chapter. The characters here are going to be a little different from the anime and manga series; relationship wise (for example Kikyo and Kaede are not going to be sisters). Also Souta will be playing more of a role later into the story. I think that sums it all up. Oh and if the conversations are to hard to read then you should read them more carefully, the way they respond to each other tells you who is speaking to who. It really isn't that hard. I'll only break it up if the conversations are getting long. Well anyways thanks for the reviews, each and every one of them are very important to me. I enjoy reading the feedbacks you guys give me. Thanks so very much. I really hope you like this story; it's personally the most fun I've ever had writing this chapter, out of all the chapters I have written in any of my stories. Oh and one more thing, check out my other stories (please). That's about it...
*****
Kagome looked around her room. It was fairly large and decent. She put her bags on the bed and sat down. This was going to be her room for the time being.
The bright sunlight filtered through the curtains and shone on the wooden floor. In the room there was a white armoire in the corner accompanied by it was a table with a large mirror hanging over it. There were two chairs in the room. One in front of the table with the mirror and the other in the opposite corner of the armoire, a couch more so than a chair. Then in front of the bed was a red rug thrown as a last minute decoration. Over all the room was very home-like. She loved it.
She laid back on the bed. It was an old bed because she could feel the mattress sink in when she laid down. But that was all the better, sometimes old was better than new.
She buried her face in the pillows in which she could smell country apples. It was very faint but it was there. She turned back this time lying on her back and closed her eyes for just a moment to absorbing it all in. Her new life...
Meanwhile someone was heading to their own room when he caught her lying down on the bed through her open door. Her tank top had ridden up a little and exposed a perfectly toned and flat tummy. It was very inviting.
Unable to resist he went into the room and watched her. She had fallen asleep. He looked closer and saw that she was indeed pretty as she was far away. He lowered his face near her... When her eyes opened.
She was about to scream but he put his hand over his mouth. "Shh. Don't worry I wasn't going to do anything I was just umm...Removing the dust bunny off your face?" Kagome removed the hand from her mouth and said "Yeah right, I'm not stupid you know, would mind telling me exactly what you were trying to do?" Her eyes glared with daggers.
Miroku scratched the back of his head thinking of an excuse and then suddenly had a sly smile. The light bulb in his head had gone off. He got down on one knee and held one of Kagome's hands in his hands. "Miss Kagome I have tell you something..." Kagome rolled her eyes and said "What is it?"
Miroku tried to put on his sad face and said "My family has an illness that kills you at the age of twenty six. My birthday is coming near... And... I have a favor to ask you...Will you do the honor of bearing my child for me?"
A loud sound of a hand smacking the side of a certain perverted man's face echoed throughout the house. Inuyasha and the other hired help were washing up for dinner in the kitchen when they all heard it. They all cringed except Inuyasha who shook his head and muttering how much of an idiot Miroku could be at times.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes and sighed as he wiped his hands on a clean towel. "I bet Miroku found our newest member of the ranch..." The men that were seated at the table in the kitchen started to laugh. Inuyasha rang the cow bell signaling it was time for dinner. Usually Kaede rang the bell but she was nowhere to be seen, and it was close to time for dinner...
Kagome came down first then Miroku who had a red hand print on the side of his face. The men around the table were sniggering at the mark on Miroku's face.
Kagome pulled out the chair next to Inuyasha and sat down. Inuyasha commented on Miroku's latest addition on his face. "So how did you get that on your face there buddy?" Miroku glared at him and looked down at his plate avoiding the question.
Kagome looked around "Where's the food?" Inuyasha answered her question "Kaede's cooking it outside I think? She should be here with the food in a moment." Kagome put her napkin on her lap and looked around.
There were twelve hired help that worked on Inuyasha's ranch. Five of them lived on the ranch in the extra rooms and paid rent, including Kagome. The five that lived on the ranch was Kaede, Miroku, Kouga, Shippo, and the newest addition Kagome.
Kagome all remembered the men's names and faces, especially Shippo. He stood out from the rest. He was shorter, younger, and had a vibrant and loud personality with a matching flaming red hair to top it off. This was why she liked him as a friend.
As for Miroku...
The men were all chatting around while Kagome continued to observe the kitchen. The kitchen had a very old black stove, but it was conveniently large. It was large enough to cook a certain pervert in for that matter. Over the stove hung all sorts of pots and pans on a rack. And to the side was a countertop, clean as a whistle. On the countertop was a spice rack, a slim clay pot holding utensils such as a whisk to a spatula, a toaster, and a blender. On the clay pot she saw Shippo crudely sketched on the side with drawings of farm animals which she could tell were done when he was at least five or six. Kagome smiled it had reminded her of her father who used to keep all of Kagome's paintings and drawings that she would bring home from school when she was little. He would brag to all his friends about what an artist Kagome was.
Next to the countertop was a white refrigerator which had dirty handprints around the handles of the fridge. Kagome guessed that it was from the workers. Across from the fridge was the kitchen island and alongside the kitchen island there was a sink connected to it.
The sound of the door opening caught the men and Kagome's attention only to be disappointed when they saw it was Shippo. "Hey everybody...So where's the food?" he asked as he pulled out an available chair across from Kagome.
The men ignored him and started talking, this time about how late Kaede was. Shippo just shrugged and poured himself a glass of water. He set the pitcher of water back to its original spot on the table and took a sip. Then another and another.
His feet was lightly tapping on the linoleum floor to a beat that only he knew. Then it became silent, except for the stomachs that were growling in hunger. It was so silent that it became a game of who could be quiet for the longest.
Slowly they grew weary of the game. Kagome exasperated out a loud impatient sigh. Shippo now drummed his fingers on the table. Then they heard footsteps coming up the steps. They waited in anticipation as the doorknob turned. Slowly the door turned and revealed...
Kouga. The men grumbled angrily and Kagome put her hand on her stomach which was growling for food. Kouga pulled out a chair from the other end and sat down. He winked at Kagome while doing so. Kagome rolled her eyes for what was probably the hundredth time that day. It was giving her eyes a good exercise.
After a few moments, Kaede finally came through the door with McDonald's?
Inuyasha looked at her in confusion. "What the?" Inuyasha asked and Kaede put her hand up to silence him. "Let's just say while I was barbequing in the backyard I went inside to go get some spices to flavor the meats when I came back they were all gone. And since there wasn't enough time to go to the store and re-barbeque I went to the city and bought McDonald's. Eat it or starve." Kaede added as a final note.
The men all shrugged and grabbed a bag and started to eat. Actually it was more like attacking the food. Kagome pushed her bag back and muttered "I think I lost my appetite..." Inuyasha grabbed her bag and pulled out the hamburger, peeled off the wrapper, and shoveled it into his mouth. He mumbled something incoherent. Kagome thought it was "Well more for me then..."
Kaede shrugged at a shocked Kagome and said "First come first serve at this ranch of animals and I'm not talking about the actual animals, if you know what I mean..." Kagome stood up and excused herself. She went outside and sat down on the porch.
The dog that was sleeping on the porch came trotting to her and put her head on her lap. Her name was Lady. Kagome stroked her head and smiled. It was a smile that she was expressed from the bottom of her heart. She smiled because she was truly happy. Last time she had smiled like this was at the Christmas party when she was fourteen, before her dad had died.
Lady now rolled on her back begging Kagome to give her a belly rub. Kagome did what the dog was silently begging for. She saw that the Border collie's fur was matted and asking for a good wash.
On the ground across from the porch was a hose and the leash was next to the porch stairs. Kagome looked at the hose to the lease to the dog in her lap. She smiled. It was time to go to work.
After wrestling with the dog, Kagome finally managed loop the lease onto the hoop in the ground and on the dog's collar. Kagome went to turn on the hose and out came the water, spurting out of the hose. The dog whined loudly. Kagome advanced with the hose in her hand.
Ten minutes later both the dog and Kagome were soaked. Kagome looked at the dog that was now creeping away from Kagome. Kagome squeezed the water out of her hair.
Inuyasha stepped out and spotted Kagome. He fell down on his knees and started to laugh. Hard. Kagome's left eye started to twitch involuntarily. Inuyasha was too busy laughing to notice. Because if he did he would've run away then.
Kagome smirked as she picked up the hose and faced the nozzle towards him. She pulled back the nozzle's handle and aimed at Inuyasha.
A bloodcurdling scream was heard from the inside. It wasn't Kagome's either. The resident's of the house that were occupied in the living room that were watching sports on TV went to the window. They all crowded around the window watching Kagome chasing Inuyasha around the front yard with the hose.
The TV was abandoned for the event that was happening outside. This rarely if ever happened at the ranch. Miroku added "This is better than any soap opera I've ever seen." Shippo looked at him with a confused look on his face and muttered "What a weirdo..."
Kaede smiled on the inside. 'This is going to be interesting...' Kaede thought. She nudged her grandson Shippo on the ribs with her elbow. Kaede winked at Shippo and Shippo winked back. The message was obviously clear.
Kagome stepped out of the shower and put on her robe. And wrapped her wet hair in a turban style. She gathered her dirty clothes and opened the door and went across to her room. She deposited her dirty and very wet clothes in the hamper. Then she went to her bags and unzipped them, digging through to find decent pajamas. Kagome hummed as she was looking for them.
Only to pause when she noticed she was humming. She only hummed when she was really happy. And it had been awhile since she hummed like this. She smiled and shrugged and pulled out blue cotton shorts and a comfortable worn out T-shirt.
Seeing that her door was closed she dressed into her pajamas. Afterwards she closed her eyes while in her bed and went into a deep sleep with ease. It was one of her most rested nights that she had ever had.
Meanwhile Inuyasha laid back on his bed looking out of his window. He held a smile on his face that he didn't know was there. His mind was on Kagome. At first he thought it would've been a mistake to hire her. She was a full grown woman, and she would be surrounded by men constantly. She would be the only female on the ranch besides Kaede.
Kagome...Even her name was pretty. Whatever it was she made him feel happy. It was the opposite of what he had thought previously. She was going to be a handful, she was going to make things happier, more fun, and that was why he was smiling. His last thought was before closing his eyes to go to sleep was 'There's something about her that makes her different from the rest of them. Don't let her get away...'
Of course the next morning his previous thought from last night was all forgotten. It wouldn't be remembered for a long time. Till he realized it was the truth.
Kaede hummed happily as she watched the frying pan sizzle in strips of bacon smothered in cooking oil.
Fresh squeezed milk was set on the table thanks to Shippo. Kaede turned off the fire on the stove and transferred the bacon that was on the frying pan to the big plate next to the stove.
She set the plates of bacon, eggs, toast, pancakes, and muffins on the table. The muffins were for Miroku who dislike pancakes for some reason. He said it had to do with a girl, which was typical. Miroku also disliked mints, eggnog, and yogurt. This also had to do with girls...
The spoons, forks, knives were set aligned next to the empty glasses that were waiting to be filled with fresh milk. Kaede finished setting the table and grabbed the cow bell that was on the kitchen island.
She rang the bell once and counted out loud "In three...Two...One..." Suddenly a loud stampede could be heard outside as the men ran inside the house and into the kitchen.
They all sat in their usual seats and started piling food on their plates. Miroku was about to eat first when Kaede cleared her throat. "Ahem... As you can see not everyone is at the table, therefore we wait. Unless someone wants to fetch Kagome." Miroku raised his hand; Kaede looked at him and said "Besides Miroku."
Miroku put his hand down and sighed. He wondered why nobody trusted him. Kaede put her hands on her hips and said "Anyone?" No one raised their hands and Kaede did meeney, miney, mo in her head and it landed on Inuyasha.
Kaede pointed to him and said "Go on..." Inuyasha rolled his eyes and went up the stairs. He wondered if Kaede thought she was the owner of the ranch instead of him. She did boss him around a lot...And always got her way, now that he thought about it.
Several of the hired help whistled. Inuyasha shouted "Shut up it's not like that cow turds." He went down the corridor and knocked on the third door to his right.
He could hear some rummaging in the room. He knocked again and this time the door opened. Kagome smiled and stepped out and closed the door behind her.
"It's a little messy in there. I was trying to organize and yeah..." Inuyasha smirked and replied "Kaede can help you with that today then, then later you can check on Bess our cow, you know the big brown one? She seems a bit under the weather today."
Kagome nodded and said "I feel so bad for sleeping in, I should be helping and instead I'm you know relaxing." Inuyasha shook his head no and said "No it's fine your new here so I'm giving you a week for you to break into the farm life. I know it's hard so I'll cut you some slack for this week only. I give all of my new employees a break on there first week."
Kagome's face lit up "Really? Thank you so much!" She then put here arms around his neck and hugged him. Inuyasha confused slowly put his arms around Kagome and hugged her back.
Actually it wasn't as bad as he thought it was. The hug was actually comforting...
It was abruptly ended when a voice downstairs screamed "What is taking so freaking long? Are you guys sucking faces or what? We're getting hungry down here!" Kagome shyly pulled back from the hug and blushed.
Inuyasha however focused on the painting on the wall behind Kagome and devising a plan on how to kill Shippo.
They both went down to join the so called family for breakfast. Inuyasha cracked his knuckles rather loudly. Shippo started eating his food very fast, not because he was hungry.
After breakfast Kagome was in the barn checking up on Bess. She was in the corner looking droopy. Kagome pulled out a mini flashlight from her kit and flashed it in her ears. They were fine. So she checked the hooves and saw they were also fine. She looked at the eyes and saw that they were also healthy.
She placed the stethoscope on the side of the cow's stomach and listened. The stomach sounded a bit less than normal. She nodded understanding the situation and pulled the stethoscope off her ears and placed it back in her kit. She pulled out a bottle of medicine and unscrewed the cap and poured a capful into the water trough and watched the cow lapped up the now medicated water.
Shippo came into the barn and saw Kagome. "Hey how's old Bess doing?" Kagome smiled at Shippo and said "Pretty good actually, she just ate something that upsets her stomach. So I gave her medicine for it. She'll be fine tomorrow."
Shippo nodded showing that he understood and patted Bess on the head. "Good. I'm glad it's nothing serious. Bess is one of the best cows we have here. She produces pretty if not darn good milk."
Kagome screwed the cap back on and placed the medicine in a pouch of the kit. She grabbed the kit in one hand and said "Well best be going I have to check up on the horses and the cows in the pasture, and then I have to check up on the sheep and lambs, and the dogs. See you at lunch?"
"You bet Miss Higurashi." Kagome turned around to head out of the barn just as she was at the doorway she turned around and said "One more thing Shippo, you can drop the formalities. Call me Kagome."
Shippo saluted her as a joke and said quietly under his breath "Will do Kagome, will do."
After Kagome checked up on all the animals, including Lady who ran away from her. Kagome having a heck of a chase with her. She checked her out and only to find several burrs in her furs and a case of horribly bad breath.
Kagome brushed the dog's teeth and removed the burrs. The dog gave Kagome's cheek a big sloppy wet kiss as a way of saying thanks. Lady than ran off to play with her other canine friends.
Kagome headed back to the house ready for lunch.
Only to see a line of men already waiting. Kagome sighed and waited in line. Men and food were slowly becoming an issue at the ranch with Kagome.
Except Kagome wouldn't trade her job for anything at the moment. It was much fun than her office job. And so much different. Very different. It was a good thing at times.
Kagome called Sango that night. "Hey Sango how are you?" Sango answered "Good, we all miss you up here but it's good to know you're happy Kagome."
"Yeah I'm loving every moment of it. I really wish you were here though." "Well...Kagome do you remember about that break my boss was planning on giving me? That break starts...Tomorrow."
Kagome jumped up from her bed and squealed into her cell phone. "Are you serious? Sango does that mean you can come here? To visit?"
"Yep and for a week too. In fact right now I'm starting to pack. Are you sure it's all right with what's his face?"
"Yeah I asked him yesterday night he said it was fine; there are plenty of rooms in this house. It's great here. I know you'll love it."
"Well of course... Look I have to go but I'll call you tomorrow?" Kagome answered back a "Yes" and a "Goodbye" on the phone and closed her cell phone.
She put the cell phone on her bedside stand and pulled the covers up to her chin. She stuck one arm out and clicked off the lamp light and closed her eyes shut. The moment she did, she fell fast asleep with ease for the second time.
Sango stepped off the train and looked around. She saw that the sun was slowly setting, casting an orange and pink afterglow on the sky. It was beautiful alright.
Kagome was nowhere in sight. She continued looking around when she felt a tap on her shoulder she turned around and was face to face with a man.
Sango stared at his face and found that he was rather good-looking. He had deep purple eyes that held a hint of mischief and his hair was tied back into a small ponytail. He held out his hand and said "Hi I'm Miroku. Kagome couldn't make it out here to meet you. She's currently treating one of our night watch dogs, Kipper. It seems we found out who ate our dinner two nights ago. Poor thing consumed a bit too much meat. So she's pumping out the contents out of Kipper's stomach."
Sango smiled softly and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Miroku. Well let's get going then." Sango stared at Miroku who grabbed Sango's bags. She slowly turned around and walked towards the truck. 'He's nice, not bad looking either. I wonder what Kagome meant this morning she was warning me about him. Now if I could only remember what that was...'
He watched her retreating figure go into the car.
'Very nice backside and a nice face... This can definitely work out.' Thought Miroku as he placed the bags in the trunk. He climbed in the car and started the car. The drive there would be long.
Which was very convenient for Miroku. That gave him more chances for him to get to know her and charm her. Or that was what he thought.
Kagome washed her hands under the running pipe that was located outside. Another hard day work had gone by quickly. She wiped her hands on her shirt and grabbed her kit.
She was about to head inside when she passed by the 'sitting area' as the men called it. It was a bunch of large and heavy haystacks placed in the front yard of the house where the guys sat and talked during their break.
She heard snippets of their conversation. "Isn't the Fall Ball this weekend?" "Oh yeah that's right Ken, its Saturday I think?"
Ken replied "So who are you taking?" "I have no idea yet...Well we better get back to work you know how Inuyasha can get." The men jumped off the hay and were walking around only to meet up with Kagome.
"Nice day isn't Miss Higurashi?" Ken commented Kagome nodded a yes and gave a small smile. Isaiah added "Well good day now miss." They both tipped their Stetsons to the side as a greeting and retreated back to their work that needed to be done.
Kagome kept thinking about the Fall Ball that she just heard about. She wondered who she would ask to go with and what she would wear. She headed inside thinking what she would do.
Saturday was four days away from now. That was hardly any enough time at all.
Sango got out of the car and glared at him. He rubbed his cheek and got out of the car. "What was that for?"
Sango grabbed her bags out of the trunk and then faced him. "What was that for? You tried to grope me you...You leech!" She turned around and started walking towards the house.
Miroku ran to catch up with her only to have the door close on him barely missing his nose. He shook his head and opened the door and saw Kagome and Sango hugging.
"Oh! I've missed you so much!" said Kagome. Sango added "I know, but Kagome you need to stop hugging me so tight...I ...Can't...Breathe..."
Kagome stepped back and said "Oops I got carried away didn't I?" Sango nodded and said "Yeah you did...Well come on you need to show me my room and help me unpack..."
Kagome grabbed one of the bags and saw Miroku...And his red slightly swollen cheek. Kagome turned back to Sango and added "So I see you met Miroku...And his two unholy friends."
Sango headed up the stairs and Kagome followed. Sango answered loudly to Kagome "Yes I did and if it happens again, he'll be sure to have them decapitated by me personally." Miroku decided to comment on that and said "Good! As long as it's done by you personally." Sango exasperated an annoyed sigh.
Miroku smiled and grabbed an apple that was on the table in a bowl and took a bite out of it. "Oh yes sir, she's one feisty woman." He mumbled on account of the apple in his mouth. He headed outside to go back to work. He liked her already.
Kagome watched as Sango muttered under her breath while folding her clothes into the dresser. Kagome looked at Sango's face and saw that it was flushed.
Kagome pulled out the folded bundle of clothes and handed it to Sango who placed it in the dresser. "So, what do you think of him?" Kagome asked.
"Who?" Sango questioned. "You know... Miroku?" Kagome smiled as she saw Sango face getting rosier around the cheeks at the mention of his name.
"Well he's a disgusting-filthy-can't-keep-his-hands-to-himself-egotistical- male-chauvinistic-pig!" Sango thrust the next bundle of clothes in the dresser and slammed the dresser quite violently.
Kagome smiled even wider. She knew very well that Sango only was putting on an act. "Really?" Kagome threw in.
Sango turned around and looked at Kagome who was looking at her and smiling in a weird way... "Yes, he is all of those things... Why are you looking at me like...NO! NO! And NO!"
Kagome got of the bed and stood in front of Sango. "What? I was just thinking..." Sango cut her off. "Kagome Higurashi I know you better than that to be only just thinking, you're thinking of a plan aren't you? Well the answer is no, no, no, and never!"
Kagome shrugged and said "I don't know what your talking about...I was just thinking you should...Oh never mind." Kagome headed out of the door and winked at Sango who looked at her dumbfounded.
Kagome headed downstairs and saw Kaede preparing for dinner. "Hello Kaede. Want me to help you?" Kaede smiled and handed her a knife and an onion. "Peel it and cut it into nice even pieces."
Kagome started doing what Kaede asked her to and then asked her "What's this I hear about a Fall Ball?" Kaede smiled and said "Well that's at the town Saturday, but it's a tradition here. It's a ball or I should say fancy- smancy gathering. It's just another excuse for a good time. I think you'll love it. You young ones always do."
Kagome smiled softly as she concentrated on the onion. "So what should I wear then?" Kaede thought for a minute and snapped her fingers. "I know there's this dress that I saw at the town's mini boutique shop last time I went to go buy groceries. I have a friend that works there; you can go into town tomorrow during break and check it out. I'll have Rumi put it on hold for you."
"Thank you." Kaede looked at Kagome and said "Of course." Kaede knew Kagome wasn't like that Kiki or whatever her name was. She was different and she knew she was good enough for Inuyasha.
"I'll have Shippo take you tomorrow then." Kaede added and took the pieces of onions that Kagome had cut on the cutting board and slid it into the bowl and poured the other ingredients in.
The two women continued to work together making dinner for the hungry men that were waiting for that darn cow bell to be rung. Literally.
AN: Yeah here you go Ch. 3. I don't know when Ch. 4 will be up it depends on my schedule. Okay that's about it and you should review! Oh come on you know you want to... Continues to poke the reader with her finger. Poke, poke, poke...