Well, looks like I'm back. From a really really really long break. I had some computer trouble, so sorry guys!

And if you're still reading this, you are the best

Obviously don't own Inuyasha

Chapter 4

-A New Start-

"I don't believe it. I knew you Lords were snobby and cruel, but you go beyond that! Why do you insist on insulting me? Haven't you humiliated me enough? And now, you're pretending to offer me a job. Right. As if anyone in their right mind would give me a job."

And quite suddenly, Kagome broke into sobs. Inuyasha had no idea what was going on or what to do. Kagome slowly sunk to the floor as her sobs continued to shake her body.

"If you don't believe fine. You can go back to your life of stealing and whatnot. And you're right. I'm not in my right mind. I have no idea what compelled me to offer you a position in my manor. You may leave now."

Tears still streaming down her face, Kagome looked up and then turned her face away from Inuyasha.

"I'm sorry. It's just that…I've been offered a position as a maid before when I was younger. I accepted because the Lord seemed kind. I felt I had found someone that could be my father. But he…he…did things to me."

Kagome pulled further into herself, as if she could protect herself from her memories by squeezing into as small a ball as possible.

"I don't know if I can trust you. But for some reason I feel like I can. So, if your offer still stands, may I accept it?"

Inuyasha sat there contemplating her words for a minute.

"You really are a wretch. But whatever. Go find Kaede and tell her you're a new maid. She'll tell you what to do. Now I'm sick of you. Get out of my sight."

As the door slowly closed, Inuyasha closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. He wondered why he had given her a job. He certainly didn't need any more servants. And she would probably cause only more trouble than she was worth.

'You know why idiot. It's because you want to protect her. But why do I want to protect her? She's only a street urchin.'

---

I wandered along the corridor aimlessly. I had no idea where to go and my eyes were blurry and still hurt from crying. As I was looking down at my feet, I didn't realize there was something in my way.

CRASH

I stared horrified at the broken statue. The head was now cracked and 5 feet away from the body.

Shock kept me rooted to the spot while fear allowed me only ears for my cussing. I wasn't aware there was anyone beside me until I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Ahhhhhh!"

I must've jumped up at least a foot and out far enough to land on the shards of the statue. I yelled again, but this time from pain rather than fright.

"You clumsy girl. Why did you block your hearing like that? Come come, we'll get you all bandaged up. Amaya, please clean up this mess. Oh, don't cry now girl. It was an ugly statue no one liked anyways."

Kaede's words calmed me and I meekly followed her, wincing with pain every time my feet touched the ground. Poor Amaya. She would have to clean up after me even though I was nothing more than an incompetent maid. Still, I couldn't help but think that it was a good thing I broke the statue; I would still be wandering lost if Kaede hadn't come.

"So girl, what are you still doing here? Didn't Inuyasha kick you out?"

"Well, no. He um, offered me a position as a um, maid here. And he told me to find you and tell you that. Except, I didn't know where to go. And I was crying before so my eyes were still blurry. And I kinda wasn't looking except at my feet, so I didn't see the statue. And I'm really really sorry. I'll go help Amaya clean up as soon as my feet get bandaged. Oh, I feel bad. Amaya shouldn't have to clean up when it was my mistake. I real-"

"Hush girl. This is not the time for hysterics."

"Sorry…It's not hysterics, honest. I just tend to ramble."

"That doesn't matter. Now listen carefully. We don't really need another maid, but if Master accepted you, I suppose we could take you in. I know Amaya hates sweeping and mopping the floors. You can take over that responsibility. And Ume abhors washing the dishes. There, I think that should be enough work to keep you occupied."

As Kaede was explaining, she turned into a room and I followed. It was a small room that smelt of herbs and medicine.

"Now sit here. Good, let me see you feet. Luckily, these are only slight cuts, no shards embedded."

With deft hands, Kaede cleaned and wrapped up my wounds. Thanking her, I tentatively got to my feet. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt at all.

"Wow, thank you Kaede! It feels like normal again."

"Well child, that is good to hear. Still, I advise you to stay off your feet as much as possible today lest the wounds open again."

"But um, what about my duties? Shouldn't I go help Amaya?"

"Oh don't worry about that. Amaya will quickly forget about doing extra work when she learns she no longer needs to sweep and mop the floor. Now, I will take to your room. You need your rest."

As Kaede was leading me my quarters, I reminisced about today. I was amazed that earlier, I was just an orphan relying on theft to survive. Now I was a maid, working for one of the type of people I swore I hated. Shrugging, I accepted that life was unpredictable. Anyway, being a maid with a salary, a roof over my head and safety was much more desirable than being a homeless, poor street urchin.

"You will sleep in here. Blankets and sleeping mat are all set up and ready. You will have a long day ahead of you tomorrow. I'll come and wake you up to change your bandages then I'll give you a tour of the manor. Be ready to work afterwards."

Kaede turned around to leave. Before exiting though, she spoke.

"Don't worry too much child. You'll like it here. Master isn't unreasonable so don't let him scare you. You'll do fine here. Sleep well."

With a last, friendly smile, Kaede left, closing the door behind her.

Kaede's words comforted me and I unconsciously smiled. I spotted the mat and blankets and slowly sank down, snuggling beneath the warmth. As I drifted off to the most peaceful sleep of my life, my last though before loosing consciousness was 'I could get used to this.'

Well then…I promise the plot will pick up and get more interesting very soon.