CHAPTER 3: Philadelphia freedom...

It was hot again, but still a bit since it was before noon. And to Inuyasha, that was way too soon to be up. Of course, any time before one was too early, but then again, he did have a shop to run. So it happens that Miroku decided to risk death and wake him before noon to discuss some business. Which they still needed to do. But Miroku wanted some breakfast, so they hopped into his custom painted Honda, that was dark purple and had a giant Houshi's staff head painted on the hood. The purr of the race car's engine was heard down the street, and being the speed demon he was, miroku put a little too much gas on it.

But that wasn't nearly as bad as where they went. Inuyasha quirked his brow at the little dinner Miroku stopped in front of. He watched as a snake demon walked out and down the street. No surprise there. You found demons everywhere nowadays. Ever since the Demon Conservation Act of 1963, demons have grown in numbers at not a rapid rate, but pretty fast. It wasn't like the old days, where if a demons was found, it was treated like a witch but so much more horribly. Many were slowly dipped in acid, while others were torn limb from limb. Then it was discovered that demons had been hiding as humans for some time, and most of them came out to be good doctors or lawyers, and therefore, could learn. Now they were no longer looked upon with scorn, expect for the old who still remembered the Days of Death as the old demons called it.

But no matter, back to the situation at hand. Inuyasha slipped from markup's car and gave the diner a once over. It was clean, something you'd see from the 1950's but in way better condition. The aluminum railing along the side of it shined brightly, almost blinding him, but he turned instead to his partner.

"How did you find this place? I've never seen it before," Inuyasha asked.

"I was on my way back to the shop with a part, and then hello, I saw it. Thought I'd keep it in mind in case I was hungry and happened to be near by. Come on, I'm dying for some eggs," Miroku made his way up the two steps and opened the glass door, holding it for Inuyasha as he followed. Surprisingly, it wasn't hotter than outside, but cooler as three different fans on the ceiling circulated the air. There was a counter, and at least twelve booths, most occupied by demons or humans, some together. They saw a cat demon talking seductively to a leather clad man, but when she spotted them, she nodded. They nodded back; they knew who she belonged to. She was a member of Dominick's group. Inuyasha's boots thumped as they made their way to an empty booth, and lunged back to wait for a waitress. But for some reason, there seemed to be none.

"I told you already Kyle! She's not coming in, she's in no condition!" their heads whirled in the direction of the kitchen as a hot tempered woman came out, her dark tan hair flaring in its ponytail, maroon eyes heated, and long legs that attracted Miroku's eye immediately.

"then you're to work double shift to make up for your stupid sister!" a bulky man with black hairy arms came next and waved a spatula at her menacingly before going back to the kitchen. The woman grumbled to herself as she put the pink apron, a part of her uniform that had a skirt she considered too short, but hey this job paid pretty good. She took a breath, and straightened her shoulders. Grabbing a pad, she stalked over to their table, smiling brightly, which Inuyasha knew made Miroku giddy at the prospect. She came up and Miroku sat up smiling charmingly at her. She looked as if she didn't even notice it.

"Hey, boys, you look new here. What can I get you?"

Inuyasha watched as Miroku's arm shifted, and undoubtedly his hand. Miroku put down his menu and smiled at her again. She quirked a brow. "Yes, miss...?"

She pointed at her nametag that read 'Sango'. "Miss Sango, I would like some fried eggs, sunny side up, bacon, toast, and...a side order of cinnamon bun."

All the while Sango wrote this down, Miroku's hand had been inching closer till it was smack-dab on her ass, giving it a good squeeze. But she didn't squeal or blush like any other girl would, she merely flicked her eyes to his and tucked her tongue in her cheek. Inuyasha smirked, and counted back in his head. 3...2...1...

Wow, he never knew a waitress's order pad could knock a man to oblivion. As Miroku lay on the ground groaning, Sango turned to Inuyasha with a dangerous smile. He merely tried to hide his grin.

"And you would like?"

"Coffee's fine, thank you."

"Okay, be back in a minute." She flicked her wrist as she wrote the order, and gave Miroku one last glare as he got back up on the booth rubbing his head. She turned, giving Miroku a good swing of her hip, and yelled their order to the kitchen. Miroku sat there dumfounded, and blinked. She...she actually resisted him. But why? He was handsome, charming, and not to mention down right sexy, so what's the big deal? She should be flattered he decided to grope her. He heard Inuyasha's chuckle and looked up to find his friend trying to hold it.

"Man, she got you good."

Miroku glared, "shut up."

But just as Sango was going to another table, the door busted open, making their heads swing that way. Inuyasha froze. He had to be seeing things. Because there is no way angels have fallen from heaven to grace the earth.

"Sango! Why didn't you wake me up?!" the beauty yelled at Sango, who was shocked too. Then she reddened in anger.

"What the hell do you think you're doing here Kagome?" she hissed, "I already told Kyle you weren't coming in. just go home."

"Go home my ass! I have to make money too! I can't just there on my ass anyways, and I'm sure as hell you wouldn't want me to clean your apartment."

Sango grimaced and shuddered visibly. "Just go home Kagome! Please, as your wiser older sister, go home!"

Kagome bristled. She hated that threat. "No! I can work, I'm fine!"

Sango sighed, and rubbed a temple. She threw up her hands and slapped them on her thighs. "All right! But if you hurt yourself, I'll kill you."

Kagome laughed and slipped on her apron, putting a pad in it. She then turned and looked up. To lock gazes with gold. Her eyes went wide in fear and she took a step back. He couldn't be here, no, it was impossible. But then she noticed how those eyes notched with worry at her act, and she relaxed. No it wasn't him. He had no emotions to begin with. But for some reason, she couldn't look away. There was just so much gold, so much sunlight in them...

Sango smacked the back of her head, bringing her back. She glowered at her older sister. "Stop having staring contests with the customers, that's not what you're paid to do."

Feeling childish, Kagome stuck her tongue out at Sango, and avoided another smack. Trying her best to hide her limp, Kagome walked over to a table for orders.

Inuyasha's brows hitched. She's limping. That's when he noticed her bandaged knee, and cased hand. How did she hurt herself? Wait, why was he asking? He didn't even know her.

"Like what you see?" Miroku's light tone asked, and Inuyasha brought his attention back. He snorted in return. Miroku grinned. "I have to admit, she is a good looking, no wait, scratch that. A great looking piece. Just imagine Inuyasha, if you could have her. Raven hair, stallion body, brown eyes..."

"How do you know her eyes are brown?" Inuyasha growled.

"I don't, but I know you do. You stared at her long enough." Inuyasha growled again, and Miroku held up his hands for peace. "Hey, only stating the obvious."

"So what are we here for Miroku? You said we had business."

"Right," Miroku pounded a fist, "business. We have an order from Leo, a big order of some good parts. Problem is, we don't have enough money."

"So why doesn't Leo pay for it?"

"He doesn't either, so I was thinking if we combined the cost of the parts, Leo might be in some debt to us." Inuyasha quirked a brow, "Miroku, you know we don't do that, either we pay or they do."

"Exactly my point, neither of us can pay, so why not just pool it together, and Leo can pay back what he owes?"

Inuyasha shook his head and sighed. And he thought last night's profits was enough. He ran his hand through his silver mane, careful of his bandana. "All right, but I want Leo to pay back, other wise no deal."

"Fine with me. Now time to eat."

Meanwhile as the boys talked, Sango and Kagome walked up to take orders from Kyle.

"Sango, " Kagome whispered lowly, "who is that guy at table four?"

Sango raised a brow and looked past Kagome to find that table talking. She shrugged. "Don't know, first time here for all I know. Why, like him?"

"Well yeah, have you seen him? Can you say 'hot wild sex'?"

She laughed as Sango shoved her, "I'm you're sister! Don't tell me that!"

"Aw, come on. I know you can say it. Cause I seem to remember one night when I came home...'oh my god! Adam, don't stop!'"

Kagome almost tripped as she backed away quickly avoiding Sango's death hold. She giggled as her sister mumbled under her breath about something like 'sister' and 'bridge'. Sango shoved a plate into her hands with a mug and pot of coffee. "Here take this to your 'hot wild sex' man."

Kagome sniffed and straightened, a smug grin set in place. Swinging her hips mockingly at Sango, Kagome took the order to table four. But Inuyasha looked up to see her leave the kitchen in good spirits and almost choked in his tongue when he saw she was heading their way. He swallowed the drool that wanted to pool.

She came up and smiled brightly at them. "Okay, who has the eggs?"

Miroku raised his hand, and she set it in front of him and set Inuyasha's coffee down. Inuyasha gulped the hot drink once, not minding how the searing liquid helped clear his throat. Kagome raised a brow.

"I take it you like coffee?" Inuyasha nodded, trying hard not to look at her long tan legs. Kagome turned her gaze to a moppy Miroku, and noticed the distinct shape of a note pad. She sighed.

"And what exactly did you do to call upon my sister's wrath?" Inuyasha snorted and sipped, and Miroku smiled sheepishly.

"He groped her," Inuyasha said over his coffee. Kagome shook her head.

"Well, I wouldn't do it again. She had the same problem before and sent the guy to the emergency room."

Miroku gulped down his toast before he choked on it. "So uh...Miss Sango's your sister? And what is your name fair lady?"

Kagome blinked before answering. "Wow, no one's called her Miss Sango since grade school. And my name's Kagome, and don't dare call me 'miss'."

Miroku chuckled good naturedly. "Well okay Kagome, I'm Miroku, and this is Inuyasha."

"I can't introduce myself?" Inuyasha growled, bringing Kagome back to his mouth and her earlier comment. Miroku shook his head.

"No I'm afraid you can't, cause it takes a brain to do that. Ow! Damn it Inuyasha!" Miroku yelled as Inuyasha's foot connected with his shin. Kagome giggled.

"You okay?" she asked, leaning towards him.

Miroku gave her a grin, "don't worry, I'm use to it."

But Inuyasha started growling again, and Kagome had no idea why. He kept on growling with his eyes on Miroku, his fist tensing. Kagome blinked. What's with him? But then she felt, a light squeeze and tap on her backside. A 'kong!' was heard, and Miroku was flat on his face again, a lump forming right where Kagome hit him with a empty tray that had some how magically in her hand. Sango grinned when she saw the lecher on the ground, proud her sister showed him what's what. Inuyasha blinked.

"Yep, definitely sisters." But he looked up as Kagome walked away, or more limped away. He still had to ask.

"Hey Kagome," she turned. He raised his mug. "Want to leave the pot? I think I may need it."

She smiled and turned back around. But just then, Miroku thought this would be a good time to get up, and bumped into her bad knee. Kagome froze as waves of pain swept her leg, and she buckled. And it happened to fast fro Inuyasha to stop. Kagome was falling, the pot of coffee flying from her hand. To land right on Inuyasha. Kagome went down to the floor, flailing with her bad wrist and banging it on the table edge. She looked up and gasped. Inuyasha was covered head to foot with coffee. Hot boiling coffee. And he just sat there, breathing slowly, and gently pried the front of his shirt from his chest. His hot golden eyes switched to her, making her color pale. Oh she knew that look to well. He had given it to her every time she lost. But Inuyasha ignored the nervousness that entered her gaze, and slide from the booth.

Sango looked back and forth from her sister to Inuyasha, and her eyes went wide as she saw the look on her sister's face.

"You stupid wench, can you watch where your fucking going?" Inuyasha hissed, and didn't notice when Kagome backed from him. Sango was instantly there. She glowered at the hanyou.

"Just pay and leave. Just go." Inuyasha rounded on her, but saw that Sango was half holding, half cradling Kagome's slightly shaking form. His brows knit with concern and he went to bend. "I said leave!"

Inuyasha flinched back from the protective sister, and picked up Miroku, letting his partner pay for the meal. He pushed Miroku out the door, grumbling about his wandering hand and the trouble it causes. But he paused, and looked back one more time. He was met with troubled chocolate orbs. It made him want to hold her somehow, but he resisted the urge and walked out.

The minute inuyasha and Miroku left, Sango turned to her sister and framed her face gently. Kagome looked up at her teary eyed. "Are you okay Kagome?"

Kagome stared at her and blinked. "His eyes Sango...his eyes."

::::::::::::::::::well, im sure you've figured out who 'he' is now, and if you haven't, you're a dumbass.

SO's:

Rome34: okay...I didn't need the lyrics, but that's just dandy. Glad you know it, it one of my favorites.

Lovin-sesshomaru-isnteasy: how dare you say THAT name in my presense! I should beat you senseless1 if you going to have profanity while talking to me, then leave!

Suzy: thank you!

eMeLyHoOoPeE: no sorry, can have it that easy. Besides, I find it cliché, but oh well!

My secret: who said anything about naraku? Sorry, again with the cliché, thought I'd mix it up a bit.

WitchChild425: im back, enjoy!

Kitaru-inu-lova: wow, ive seen you everywhere. I have a true fan!

Pug: are you kidding? Ill finish my stories to the end!