This is getting more and more fun to write!

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Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

Chapter #3

"You asked her what?!"

Miroku rubbed his cheek and scowled. "I was doing you a favor, buddy."

Inuyasha cracked his knuckles threateningly. "How so?"

"I was checking to see if she's single." Miroku shook his head sadly. "I suppose you could call it a curse, but women are just naturally drawn to me."

Inuyasha nodded at the handprint and commented dryly, "I can see that."

"Anyway, she must be married or something. Why else would she have turned me down?"

Mentally remembering that to make sure to keep Miroku away from any future female visitors, Inuyasha scratched his head. "So, what's she like?" A worry line appeared on his forehead. "She's nice, right? And pretty? And smart?"

Miroku nodded. "Very pretty, and she seemed nice. Until the whole slapping-me-thing, that is. I still think she has a boyfriend."

Inuyasha shook his head. "You heard what Naraku said, and you get this whole curse thing"

"Yeah." Miroku grimaced. "Naraku. Anyway, I sent Shippou to tell her part ofâ€everything. You know. He's less imposing then either of us, and you know how chicks seem to flock to the little guy." Miroku mutter under his breath, "Lucky."

Inuyasha sighed, and then flopped down on his bed. "You really think this'll work?"

"You know it will." Miroku checked his watch. "It's going to be dark soon. Kagome's in her room."

"You can go ahead and send Shippou."

Miroku nodded, and walked from Inuyasha's room, leaving his worried boss alone.

The girl's nice enough. As long as she keeps her curiosity under control, and Inuyasha does the same with his temper, we should be fine.

Realizing this would probably be easier said then done, Miroku gloomily sent Shippou to give Kagome the tour, and retreated to his own room.

When was the last time he'd gone out at night anyway?

His eyes turned outside to the dark terraces and blackened stairways.

The castle had really gone downhill since the curse.

Stupid curse.

Stupid witch.

Miroku's lip curled.

Stupid life.

Six Flights Down, Four Rooms Over, and Inside a Very Cramped Closet

Kagome coughed.

Dust.

Grabbing a bottle of cleanser, Kagome made a face. Dust bunnies.

Dust.

Bunnies.

Yuck.

They filled every nook and cranny lining the grainy wood of her closet, and she hated it.

Not that she actually had a lot of outfits to store in here, but still. She was allergic to the stuff.

No wonder this guy needed a new maid.

But why the heck did it have to be me?

"Hello!"

The perky voice startled Kagome out of her battle with the bunnies, and cause her to jerk her head up sharply, smacking it on the low ceiling inside the closet.

"Ouch!"

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Something pricked her arm, and Kagome realized that tiny claws were helping her to the bed. "My name's Shippou. I'm supposed to show you were to work and what to do and stuff." An impossibly cute face looked up at her anxiously.

One face with cute big eyes.

And a sweet little nose.

And fangs

"Wha—what's" Kagome shook her head. "What are you?"

His tiny red ears drooped slightly. "I'm a demon." Shippou puffed out his chest. "I'm the strongest one in the castle! Except for maybe everyone else. But it's not like I chose to become one. None of us did."

"'None of us'?" Kagome's imagination gave her pictures of horrible beasts just waiting to claw their way into her room.

"Yeah, everyone here is a demon. But only at night." Shippou pointed out her window. "Everyone but Inuyasha. He's always a demon. Every single day." Shippou winked. "He doesn't get out much."

"Inuyasha?" Kagome's thoughts turned back to her conversation with Miroku. "He's the one who hired me?"

"Yeah."

Kagome stopped being scared right then, and started getting angry.

Inuyasha was the guy who'd threatened her family. The guy who'd forced her mom into signing away her daughter because of some stupid flower.

Well, she'd work, and then she'd leave.

Demon or not, this guy was a jerk who wasn't worth her time.

Plus, she thought to herself, he hired me to clean, not to talk to him. How long could he possibly have me stay here anyway?

"Come on!" Shippou jumped up. "Let me give you the tour!"

Kagome had to grin. This kid was undeniably adorable.

"Lead the way."

I'm feeling very accomplished at this moment.

Yeah for me!

Please review.

Note: I know that's a bit annoying, but an author's gotta do what an author's gotta do.