Hey guys! Thank you so much for reading

Well, I just took one of my finals today. Which means, only 6 more to go! Isn't that lovely?

Anyway, sorry for the wait. But hey, I got this out before my deadline of the 28th yeah? But I feel I should warn you since I forgot to in the first chapter. I AM EXTREMELY LAZY. So if you don't like waiting obscene amounts of time, I advise you not to read this fic.

Now, if you're still with me, here is the next chapter.

Oh wait…My name is Linh, which is quite different from the owner of Inuyasha.

Chapter 3

-I'm Not Like You-

The wait agitated him. By now, there were tracks in the floor of his study marking the steps of his pacing. What was taking so long?

At last, he heard a knock on his door. Amaya's head popped in, with a questioning look on her face. She disappeared when she saw his nod.

Seconds later, Inuyasha could hear her voice announce, "My Lord Inuyasha is ready to meet you. Please enter now."

His heart beat with anticipation and he forced him to calm down. When she entered, he was the image of coolness, except for his eyes. They swirled with gold and amber as his many emotions ran through him.

"Sit down. You will do as you're told and you will speak only when I say you may."

The girl gave a small, frightened nod and cautiously sat down.

"Now, what is your name? In case you are too dim-witted to guess, I am Inuyasha, the lord of this manor."

"My name is Kagome Hi…Kagome."

Her answer surprised him. She seemed nervous and indeed she was. But for the slight stutter, her voice exuded confidence.

"Very well. Next question. Where is my mother's handkerchief now?"

Kagome glanced around the room, desperate to escape the hard stare concentrated on her. She gulped and then answered.

"I have it with me."

He didn't speak, but he seemed to expect something. Slowly, Kagome dug through a pocket and dragged out a length of cloth.

The handkerchief was blood red, stitched with gold thread. Delicate flowers decorated a corner and the initials TH adorned another.

Hesitantly, Kagome reached over the table and dropped the handkerchief in front of Inuyasha. Forgetting his order, Kagome opened her mouth to speak.

"It's only a handkerchief. What's the big deal? I-"

"Quiet wretch. I seem to recall telling you something about not speaking unless I give you permission."

Kagome shivered and closed her mouth after she realized it was still open, interrupted in forming a word.

He carefully picked up the material, examining it for abuse while she watched silently. Finding the handkerchief still in perfect condition, he gently set it down on the table. His gaze once again returned to assess the girl before him.

"Why did you come here?"

Considering herself a goner, Kagome's feistiness returned with a vengeance. She rolled her eyes before answering.

"Well obviously, to steal the handkerchief. Who knew you were so attached to such a useless rag."

An angry gleam flashed from his eyes and all of Kagome's fear came rushing back. She shrank in her chair.

"HOW DARE YOU INSULT MY MOTHER'S HANDKERCHIEF! THIS "RAG" IS WORTH TEN TIMES MORE THAN A PIECE OF RUBBISH LIKE YOU!"

Inuyasha's careful attempt at staying calm lost to his temper. Inuyasha was not a saint, but he believed deeply in piety towards his parents. Especially his mother. Any who dared insult his mother soon painfully learned not to.

Kagome covered her ears, fearing for her hearing. Around the office, vases shook dangerously close to the edges of the shelves. He continued to yell at her until she finally burst out yelling herself.

"SHUT UP! I AM NOT WORTHLESS. I'M NOT, I'M NOT! I DON'T CARE IF THE RAG WAS YOUR MOTHER'S OR NOT. IF YOU HATE ME SO MUCH, WHY DON'T YOU JUST LET ME GO? OR BETTER YET, KILL ME AND PUT ME OUT OF MY MISERY!"

Abruptly, Kagome shut up and collapsed in her chair, her breath coming in short gasps. Inuyasha stood, glaring at her, shocked that she had the nerve to yell back at him. He was even more surprised when he saw she was shaking with silent tears.

Then she spoke again, her voice barely more than a whisper.

"I don't want to steal. It's either that or working the streets. I chose the handkerchief because it has no value! It's easily replaced. No one cares if a scrap of material is lost. They don't even remember ever owning it in the first place. I chose the item that matters least. I'm a good girl, I am."

She hiccupped before continuing. Her soft voice entranced him and he let her continue.

"I steal to survive. Not everyone is as lucky as you, born into a noble family with all your needs taken care of. Sometimes I wonder why I don't just kill myself and end all my suffering. What is the point of living if the only way I can live is by either stealing or selling myself? I'm not a whore, I promised myself I would never turn down that road.

"Please, either let me go or kill me. Just please, don't keep me here, uncertain about my future."

A few moments of silence followed her impromptu speech. Finally, Inuyasha spoke.

"I do not care about your personal life. Now that the handkerchief is returned, you may do as you please. You no longer concern me."

Kagome slowly nodded and stood up. Her head was bowed in shame. She didn't know why she lost control like that. She had always kept her pain to herself, having no one to confide in. Lethargically, she made her way to the door.

He watched her progress, his heart uneasy. There was something about her that captured him. He felt a strange desire to protect her, as if that was his only purpose in life.

The feeling disturbed him. After all, why should he bother with a weak, insignificant street urchin? It just didn't make sense.

"Wait."

The girl stopped in her tracks, her body stiffening in fear.

"You said you had only two options. One, to steal and two, to become a whore. Why did you not seek a position as a maid?"

Without turning around, she answered him.

"Because I am nobody. Why should they hire a girl with no family, with nothing to offer when there are plenty of other girls more qualified than me? I don't know how to sweep, scrub floors, wash dishes since I have never had a home to teach me. I can't sew, and I nothing about babes. So, why would they hire a girl like me?"

"Very well. You may go."

Inuyasha lowered his head, a headache building from his confusion. Looking up, he saw she had reached the door.

"You may remain here as a maid if you wish. You will not have to steal or sell yourself."

He wasn't quite sure what possessed him to offer her a position as a maid. He knew she wasn't needed, but that damned protective feeling had gotten the better of him. He now regretted offering and hoped she would decline.

"Are you serious? Or do you just enjoy tricking people?"

Her back was still towards him.

"I am serious."

She turned around, her face clearly marked with confusion, disgust and oddly, hope.

Inuyasha's hear pounded as he saw her mouth open, forming her answer.

Well then. Lame way to end, as I'm sure most of you know what she's going to say. And I don't know what possessed me to write Inuyasha and Kagome acting like this.