In With the New
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, it was completely created by Rumiko Takahashi…moving on…
A/N: This is the MOST hits & reviews I've ever gotten for a story! Also, thank you to my boyfriend for letting me borrow his laptop, otherwise I wouldn't be able to update this story!
Thanks to all my readers & the following reviewers:
InuKag909
BabyD4Lyfe
Angel-Assasin
Harai
Carley
InuKag101
Thank you all for reading and reviewing; I keep what you say in mind when I write. Here is the next chapter you were anticipating…and for the record I am a fan of Inuyasha and Kagome pairing! ;-) Kikyo can go to hell for all I care.
The beginning part of this chapter is a little boring, but it's necessary to understand how things at the restaurant work…
Chapter 7: Silence Is Loud
Who would've known that Kikyo had all the experience to become a server (a.k.a waitress/waiter in case that was unclear.) Kagome as a hostess was two levels lower than Kikyo. For Kagome to become a server she would have to be promoted to To-Go; where customers pick up the food they order, so they don't have to dine in the restaurant-then moved up to server. Although Kagome was paid slightly higher than minimum wage, which the servers were paid hourly, the servers made their money of tips. But, when one thought about it, Kagome had the upper hand. This is because the hosts controlled the flow of the restaurant by seating the customers at the tables to their respective server. She could give one particular server more or less tables if she decided to, thus the server would make more or less money on tips. A group of 4-5 tables were in what is called a station. Each station had one server.
After three days of training in the ways of the restaurant, Kikyo was on her own as a server. The rule as a hostess was to seat if there were open tables because the customers didn't like to wait, making sure the server had some time between seating to greet and get drinks for each table they were sat, and the host(ess) decided when a server would stop being sat and eventually cut (i.e. telling the server once he/she finishes with the customers they have, then clean up the station, the server could go home. Stations were cut based on how busy it was up front. If the host thought they could do without the tables in a station, they cut the server.
As Kagome had quickly learned as a hostess, servers were usually moody people. Kikyo was no different; in fact she acted like she had been working at the restaurant for a while. On this particular Friday night at work…
"We close at midnight, Sir." Kagome said, answering a customer's question. It was 9 PM. Kikyo came up to Kagome and said, "You're not seating me enough. I'll take them, they're cute." She picked out one party of four guys to take without looking at the waiting list. Kagome furrowed her eye brows in annoyance and thought; she took those customers because she thought they were attractive! Now these other customers are going to get mad at me because they were sat ahead of everyone else!
At about 10:30 PM Kikyo came up to Kagome again. It was still busy with a 15 minute wait for customers to be seated and Kikyo had the nerve to ask, "Do you think you could seat me cute guys only? They're easier to flirt with, so they tip better." Kagome was stressed and pissed off now and was about to tell her off, but Kikyo had already gone into the bar to flirt, (the restaurant they work at is a bar and grill, so the bar is behind the host stand) she was practically on one of her male co-worker's lap. Kagome thought that if Kikyo flirted for tips, then why was she flirting with a co-worker? It panged her heart to think how Inuyasha would feel if he saw her behavior.
Each time Kagome sat her non-cute guys, Kikyo moved the customers to another table. When Kagome asked her about why they moved, she claimed they didn't like that table and asked her to move them. I am not taking that crap from her. Kagome thought and said, "Well, if they want to move, then tell me first, so I can put them in the right place because you don't know the system!" Kagome could've easily complained to the manager that Kikyo was being difficult, but she didn't want extra shit to deal with from Kikyo chewing her out for getting her in trouble with the manager. Kagome saw Kikyo's station was pretty empty-since not many guys she deemed cute came in-and Kikyo was busy flirting with the one table she did have. So instead of complaining to the manager, Kagome sat Kikyo four tables-not one "cute" guy -at once and it felt good.
"What did you seat me so much for! There wasn't another station you could've sat them at? Now, help me get them drinks." Kikyo complained and demanded. Kagome's arms were full of menus and had to stop what she was doing to confront Kikyo, "Can't you see I'm busy? Get someone else to help you. We're way too busy to be picking and choosing what to seat!" Kagome then turned on her heels and walked away to continue doing her job. Kikyo seethed and went to deal with her whining, unhappy customers.
Eri approached Kagome, "hey, I was watching you just now. Don't you think you were being harsh? I think you need to slow down, Kagome, you're stressed." "She just irritated me. I mean, here I am just trying to do my job and she's too busy flirting to take care of her tables." Kagome said with a sigh. She thought about what Eri said though; I must've come off as horrible. It's not like me. What's wrong with me? She looked down with a sad look on her face. Being bitter to Kikyo didn't end up making her feel any better.
After a long hard night at work, Kagome came home and plopped on her bed. She heard a knock on her door. She covered her head with a pillow and grumbled. She was not in the mood. She mumbled, "come in." It was Koga, "Hey, Kagome. Did you have a rough night?" He asked. She sat up and sighed, "yes." "How about I take you to lunch tomorrow? My treat." He offered. She didn't have any money, so it sounded like a good idea. She could have some food left over. She was short on groceries and her paycheck wasn't for another week, so she agreed. He made another offer, "would you like a massage?" She would've liked one, but decided against it. She knew Koga liked her and didn't want to give her the wrong impression. "No, thanks." She kindly answered. He seemed a little disappointed, but respected her and left.
Kagome awoke at 10AM. She walked down the hall to the bathroom and was walking back when she turned the corner and had to literally jump out of Naraku's way. He just came walking briskly down the hallway and nearly mowed her over, acting as if she wasn't even there. Kagome stood wide eyed, then went straight to her room. Every time she went into the kitchen and he was in there, he would leave-even seem to bolt-out of the kitchen, like he was avoiding her. She had already stopped trying to smile or make any kind of attempt to be friendly with him. He just wasn't receptive nor reciprocated her friendliness. He was just a flat out creep.
Kagome showered and changed into a comfortable, yellow sundress and went into the kitchen. Kaede sat at the dinner table. "Hello, Kagome. How have you been?" She greeted. Kagome sat across from her, "I've been great, thank you." It was silent for a bit, then Kagome decided to ask, "Why did Kikyo get kicked out?" There was a long, awkward silence, then Kaede finally spoke:
"Kikyo and Naraku actually used to spend time together "hanging out" as you youngsters like to call it. Well, I believe Naraku developed feelings for Kikyo and became jealous of Kikyo and Inuyasha's relationship. He desired Kikyo for himself. Rather than deal with his feelings, he thought it easier to get rid of the source of his feelings. I'm not quite sure what happened between them, but they didn't get along. After what happened with Kikyo, Naraku probably decided not to interact with any of his roommates ever again." But, did he have to be so despicable? I mean, it's the only way to remain anti-social, I guess. Kagome contemplated silently. Koga came up to Kagome at the dining table. Then, they went out and walked up the street to a small café around the corner up the block for lunch.
Kagome sat sipping on lemonade while she listened to Koga talk about his group of friends. Suddenly, a reddish haired girl with turquoise eyes came rushing up to them shouting, "KOGA!" She stood next to him, arms at her sides, hands balled into fists, and tears developing in her eyes. "Ayame?" He managed to choke out. She had caught him off guard while he was shoveling sushi into his mouth. "You said you would take me out to lunch today and to meet you here!" She cried. He looked at Kagome, then at Ayame. He was confused. "Koga, is that true!" Kagome scolded. "You didn't remember did you, that's why you're here with her?" Ayame said pointing at Kagome. "How could you forget something like that?" Kagome asked him. "You promised." Ayame pouted. Koga remained silent with both girls just staring at him. "I don't remember saying anything about lunch with you, Ayame because I invited Kagome out." He simply said. "You did though! I even wrote it in my day planner, see!" Ayame said shoving the pocket book in his face. "I guess I did then." He uttered, more thinking aloud to himself than admitting. "Okay," Kagome said as she stood up, "I should go anyway. Hey, Ayame, why don't you finish lunch with Koga?" "Really? SURE!" She happily exclaimed and sat down in Kagome's place. "Kagome." Koga pleaded, but she ignored him and left. Kagome was relieved to be out of there. She was tired of being in the middle of relationships.
At work later that night, Kagome was glad to see Kikyo wasn't working. On break, she took advantage of her 50 percent discount and ordered some food from the restaurant. When she came back, she saw Kikyo and Inuyasha walk in. Kagome's stomach twisted as Kikyo came up to add her name on the waiting list. Since she worked there, Hojo put her as a call ahead on the list, that way she would be sat next and the other waiting customers couldn't complain. "At least when I come in, my name on the waiting list is legit. She can't use a freakin' phone." Kagome thought aloud, under her breath. And at least I could've prepared myself for this…How can she bring Inuyasha here when she practically flirts with every guy here. Kagome's thought trailed off as Hojo handed her menus and said, "seat Kikyo at table 80 please." Table 80, Kagome thought, and the corner booth with the dimmest lighting…she wanted that table as a romantic setting. Couldn't she have seated herself she works here now and knew where the table was. Kagome wore a half-hearted smile as she said, "right this way." Inuyasha was looking at Kagome, not smiling nor frowning, as he and Kikyo followed her to the table. Her back was facing them, so he couldn't see the slight frown that graced her lips on her otherwise expressionless face. It was time for Kagome to look at the two of them as she stood aside so they could take their seats at the table. She placed their menus in front of them and forced out, "enjoy your meal" then went back to the host stand. Her face was pained and a tear managed to slide down the side of her cheek. She cursed at herself for letting her heart get the best of her and quickly wiped it away, what the hell was Inuyasha doing with Kikyo anyway?
Hojo noticed the hurt look on Kagome's sweet face. "Are you not feeling well, Kagome?" He asked. She just nodded silently. "Would you like me to close for you?" He offered. She nodded again. She really must be sick. He thought.
Around 9PM Kagome was sent home because they only needed one host on. At that time, Kikyo and Inuyasha had finished eating and had ordered desert.
At home, Kagome sprawled out on her bed. She stared up to the ceiling. It was much too quiet for her in her room. The silence was so loud; she could only hear her heart beat. (A/N: I must give Michelle Branch, singer/songwriter credit for the idea for that line, thanks to her lyrics from "Here with Me:" "You know that silence is loud when all you hear is your heart" from her album "Spirit room.") Kagome decided to play some music, something melodic, mellow, and comforting; she put on Every Heart by BoA.
Back at the restaurant, Inuyasha told Kikyo he was going to use the restroom and walked up to the host stand expecting to see Kagome. Instead it was this stupid-looking, light brown haired guy. Inuyasha approached Hojo and asked, "where's Kagome?" "She went home, can I help you?" He said with a smile.
"Why'd she go home?"
"She felt sick."
Inuyasha had this "what the hell?" look on his face and couldn't understand why she left without telling him. Maybe she really did feel sick. He looked down at the floor then went back to Kikyo.
Kagome stirred. Her lashes fluttered and her eyes shot open. She sprang out of bed, it was morning already! She had fallen asleep. She panicked and looked at the time. It was 9AM. She jumped up to get dressed for school, thinking she was late. Then, she realized it was Sunday and felt like a total idiot. She sat and sulked for a bit. She was unsure if Inuyasha had gone to his room alone last night. Frankly, it worried her. There was a knock on her door. She answered. It was Sango, "want to go out to breakfast?" Kagome sighed with relief. She looked at herself in the mirror; she was already dressed and said to Sango, "let's go." "Wait, Kagome, you have a note on your door." Sango pointed to a piece of line paper folded in half, taped to the white door that read Kagome.
Sango eyed Kagome curiously. She motioned for Sango to step in and shut the door. Both young women sat on the bed, Sango read over Kagome's shoulder. The letter read:
After Kikyo dropped me off at home after desert, (she drove cuz she doesn't like my motor cycle.) I knocked on your door to see how you were. Your co-worker said you had gone home early cuz you were sick and I guess you were cuz you didn't open your door. That, or you're really mad at me. Either way, I hope you're feeling better.
Inuyasha.
Kagome blushed slightly. "Oi, Kagome, is he two timing you with Kikyo!" Sango said firmly as she shook her friend by the shoulders slightly. "What? He and I aren't even together!" Kagome retorted. "I can have Miroku knock some sense into him." Sango suggested. "Speaking of you and Miroku, when did you two become buddy-buddy?" Kagome asked with a hint of teasing in her voice. Sango turned red and said, "don't change the subject!" Kagome giggled and said, "let's go eat already."
Inuyasha heard Kagome and Sango returning. He opened his door and caught Sango and Kagome walking passed his room. "Kagome." He said, looking at her softly. Then, he turned to Sango who was glaring evilly. He narrowed his eyes at her and growled, "Sango, don't you have something else to do?" "Sure, two timer," She muttered under her breath, "I guess I will see what Miroku is doing." She walked away, but not before saying nicely to Kagome, "Miroku and I are right down the hall if you need us." Kagome smiled and Sango went to Miroku's room. Sango entered without knocking and when Miroku saw her, he opened his arms and said, "Sango, I had no idea. You don't have to surprise me to catch me with no clothes on." She turned a fierce red color, slapped him for being a pervert-even though it was her fault for not knocking- and slammed the door behind her, dashing into her room, and locking the door.
Kagome stepped into Inuyasha's room. He closed the door softly behind him. She stood silently looking at him. He just stared back with his piercing amber eyes. Without saying anything, he took her into his arms and held her against his chest. Kagome trembled slightly in his embrace. She was unsure, confused, and flustered. One hand was on the back of her head, gently holding her against him, and the other rested on her back. He just held her like that to comfort her. He could sense that she was sad and instead of saying something to try to make it better, he just decided to stay holding her until she said or did something to end the moment. It was deafly quiet in the room and he could only hear the rhythm of their hearts. She turned her head to place her ear against his chest to listen to his. She felt content, peaceful, and sad all at once.
A/N: This chapter was long to write. I got the idea for the last part of IY just being there for Kagome because he is a half-dog demon after all and I thought about my dogs and whenever I'm feeling down, they just sit with me and stay with me, leaning against me and being affectionate. Dogs don't try to make you feel better like people do by trying to work things out right away and making things worse, so I just used it to my advantage that IY is half dog. I hope he wasn't out of character lol. Anyway, I have this laptop for the next 6 days so you can bet the next chapter will be coming real soon! Also, I start another semester at college at the end of the month, so I do need to end this story before then because between work & school work I won't have any time! This story will be 10 chapters long for sure. THANK YOU FOR READING….and thanks in advance for any reviews I get! Chapter 8 will be titled: Standing in Your Eyes. Kagome: "SEE YOU SOON!"