A/N: It's been a while since I've update...sorry about that! I've been falling behind in most of my stories, since senior year and AP classes are dragging me down right now. But, I finally was able to finish this chapter, and it's a good one! Some plot development can be found herein ("what plot?" I hear the masses intone XD)
ENJOY....then review....
"A Match Made in Heaven"Chapter 6: Runner in the Night
Inuyasha laughed softly to himself, remembering how angry Kagome had become at his little joke in the elevator. She was far too fun to tease. He pushed to the back of his mind, though, how comfortable he had felt standing so close to her. He rolled his eyes at his own thoughts, wondering how he let his mind wander so.
He headed down the hall towards his office, a file clutched in his hand.
He was greeted with a not-so-pleasant view when he arrived. A certain dark-haired pest was already sitting behind his desk, his feet propped up, and his fingers laced behind his head in the most relaxed of poses.
One of Inuyasha's eyebrows twitched dangerously. "So, what gullible dimwit did you weasel into letting you into my office, huh?"
"None other than your own secretary, Inuyasha." Miroku grinned widely.
Inuyasha snorted. "Looks like she needs more training, then."
"What can I say- the ladies just can't resist me!"
"I think I'll call security..." Inuyasha made a mock grab for the phone, and Miroku finally got out of his desk chair.
"Touchy, touchy. Are the security guards female, perhaps?" A mischievous glint appeared in his dark eyes.
"You only wish." Inuyasha plopped down at his desk. "So, why are you here?" He studied the file in his hands, him and Miroku falling into their normal morning banter.
"Just wanted to know how you and your lady friend are getting along." Miroku looked half-interested at the moment though, seeing as though he was leaning out of his chair to catch a glimpse of the secretary's short skirt.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Close the door, you pervert. We're doing fine...great, in fact. She's....really...very different." His voice warmed and softened slightly, and Miroku raised an eyebrow, becoming more intrigued.
"...Different, you say?"
"Well, I can actually hold a decent conversation with her, and she's so interesting...cute...funny. I really feel like she's opened up to me...that she's been able to reveal a whole new part of herself. In fact..." A small smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. "I was planning to ask her to dinner soon."
Miroku looked pleased. "What did I tell you about that dating service place? Those girls work magic!"
"It's not the girls there that work magic...it's this woman, whoever she is. It's almost like pure luck that we were matched....but something about it feels so right."
Miroku felt happy to hear his friend talk like this. It was so rare for Inuyasha to voice his personal thoughts, that it was completely plausible that more than one ice age had passed between admissions. It was a relief to see that the stubborn Inuyasha was finally able to find a woman that suited him.
"Are you sure you want to meet her in person?" Miroku's voice reflected worry.
Inuyasha's eyes shot up for a moment, a glimmer of doubt appearing. "...Why shouldn't we?"
"I'm just afraid when she sees your face, she'll run away out of fright!"
Miroku left Inuyasha's office chuckling, even in the midst of various unrepeatable profanities that issued from his friend's mouth.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Kagome felt numb, her mouth was dry.
There it was staring back at her from her computer screen- the thing that she had both dreaded and dreamed about.
"Would you like to meet in person?" the letter had read. She had scanned over the line at least ten times, convincing herself that it was really true.
She chewed on her lip, worriedly, knowing that the card house she had been relying on was about to tumble. If she accepted the invitation, she'd have to explain to him what had happened....and, even if she didn't accept, she'd have to tell him why. Kagome scolded herself inwardly, wondering why she had been so heedless of all the warning signs. It was inevitable that this little charade of hers was bound to fail, but she had kept on with it out of blind hope.
In fact, once everything was said and done...what would happen to her? She had just violated one of the main rules of their business- not to interfere with the clients and their relationships....now she was IN a relationship with a client. Most of all, she feared what he would say if he found out she had deceived them. How could he trust her, if she had lied to him the entire time?
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard hesitantly, as she struggled with how she should respond. Minutes passed, as she looked like a stone statue behind her desk. Finally, after a long moment of deliberation, she settled on the words.
Dear Friend,
I would love to meet you in person, perhaps for dinner later this week. It is important we meet as soon as possible, though. I have something very important I need to tell you.
-Your Faithful Pen Pal
Kagome sighed loudly as she sent the message, and she pushed her chair back from her desk. Moving shakily, she went to continue her work for the day.
I got myself into this mess....now I'll have to find I way to get out of it.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Inuyasha flashed himself a smile in his hallway mirror, adjusting the collar of his shirt. He hadn't been on a date in a while, at least not one that had caused this much havoc on his nerves. He had thought about it all day, every waking moment. Tonight he would finally meet her! It was a moment he had been waiting for, for what felt like a lifetime.
He reached down to gently pluck off a budding white rose from the vase on the table. He had told her that was how she could identify him- black coat with a white rose in the buttonhole. Inuyasha had never really been one for mushy romantics, but to do something so subtle had sounded appropriate to him. They didn't need fanfare in their first meeting, since it already felt like they were old friends being reunited.
After checking his reflection one last time, Inuyasha grabbed his coat and made his way to the door.
They had agreed to meet at a small, corner Italian restaurant down the street. It was so fitting. Quiet, warm and intimate. It was dimly lit and cozy, with a long bar and a small room of booths and tables. Inuyasha sighed contentedly to himself as he entered. He was quickly ushered by the friendly host to the small booth that he had reserved in the back of the restaurant. Now he would only have to await her arrival.
His mind began to wander over the possibilities. What would she be like? So far, he had a hazy view in his mind of what she would look like- the perfect woman. A mishmash of wonderful features- nice figure, bright smile, shining eyes, long legs. Of course, she could have had none of these features....and he still would be pleased with her. Dark hair? Blonde? He didn't know what to expect.
Inuyasha's eyes strolled across the people in the room, the couples absorbed in themselves, the lone businessman in the corner, the large family crowding one booth, and a scattered few women at the bar. He suddenly chuckled a little to himself, as he noticed one of the girls at the bar. Fancy that she would be here the same night as me. It was Kagome, sitting alone on one of the barstools, a distressed expression across her face. I wonder what she's doing here all alone?
He stared at her for a while, hoping to catch her eye. She looked so forlorn, almost beautiful, her dark hair framing her sweet face. Finally, her eyes shifted in his direction, and she noticed that he was sitting across the room from her. She rolled her eyes at him, indicating through their private joke that she was sick of seeing him everywhere. Her brows then knit into a frown.
Inuyasha snickered under his breath. I guess she still hasn't forgiven me for my little prank.
Regretfully, Kagome slid off her seat, moving lazily across the room to greet Inuyasha. He noticed that she was dressed nicely- a tight-fitting black cocktail dress and heels. She had obviously not come straight from the office.
"Now this is just getting weird," she said flatly, giving him a smirk.
He grinned deviously, and his eyes shined. She blushed a little at the open way he smiled, though she didn't really know why. Maybe it was because he was usually so taunting towards her, that she didn't know how to react when he was being kind. His lips were curled into an amused smile, and his mood felt light and welcoming. "So, what are you doing here all by yourself?"
She frowned in mock disapproval. "Shouldn't I be asking you the same thing? I'm waiting for someone to show up..."
He laughed aloud. "For your information, I too am waiting for someone- my very hot date!" He looked pleased with himself.
"Yeah...you have a hot date? I'd have to see it to...." Suddenly, Kagome trailed off, her face losing all of its color. Inuyasha raised an eyebrow, confused at how her face suddenly became so pale.
"I....I have to go!" Without warning, Kagome spun on her heel, and darted through a group of patrons to make it to the door.
Inuyasha sat, stunned, his eyes following the girl out the door.
Now that's strange...I wonder what's got into her....
He shrugged dismissively to himself, although he was somewhat disappointed to lose her company. She was the only person in the world he really could tease, and get such a fiery reaction from. He sat back in his chair, sighing and fixing his eyes on the doorway again. Soon, his girl would be here....
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Sango moved around the main office, straightening up the work areas. It was eight o'clock already, and since Kagome had had to leave early, Sango had been in charge of closing up the week's assignments. She clicked off the computer monitors one by one, pushing in all the files to their appropriate spots.
She smiled quietly to herself, and wondered what had caused Kagome to leave in such a hurry. She had seemed in a weird state of excitement the entire day. Could it have been a date? Sango also had been secretly worried that something else had been pressuring Kagome lately. Every day for the past few weeks, she had seemed alternately happy and drained. Her intuition told her that there was something Kagome was hiding.
She yawned and stretched, and noticed that there was a faint light shining from Kagome's office. Sango moved to turn off whatever light had been left on.
"Careless Kagome..." she saw that her friend had accidentally left her computer on, in her haste to leave the office.
Sango crossed to Kagome's desk, seeing that the blue light of the monitor cast pale light on the wall that faced it. She was about to turn off the monitor, when she noticed a letter was open on her e-mail. It was normal for Kagome to leave things open and running on her computer, but Sango usually never read any of it. She couldn't help, now, that her eyes were caught by the words on the page.
She at first assumed that Kagome had been reading the letters of the clients again, and prepared to talk to her about it on Monday. But, as she read further, Sango realized the true intent of a letter, and the air had rushed out of her. This letter was addressed to Kagome, from one of their clients. Everything that had been happening lately suddenly fell into place...Kagome's actions, her moods and her excitement. And this was where she had gone tonight.
Kagome- what have you done?
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
A/N: Ack! I'd say poor Kagome, but I feel even worse for Inuyasha....he's probably going to sit in that restaurant alone for quite some time, thinking that the girl he was waiting for stood him up. If only he knew that she had already run out on him (It looks like Miroku's prophecy came true! Hahaha)
Please tell me what you think!