I wake up the next morning to the smell of waffles and bacon, some slight noise coming from the kitchen, and quiet whispering. A glance at the clock on my bedside table tells me that it is still early and there is no need for anyone to be getting ready. I run a hand through my long hair as I walk out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen. On the way, I establish the two whispering voices are Kagome and Rin, Jaken is chastising her for making so much noise, though there is hardly any, and quietly yelling about how outrageous it is that a human is staying in my home. Leaning against the door frame, still unnoticed, I watch Kagome cross the kitchen several times, keeping an eye on the bacon on the stove and opening the waffle iron before it beeps, all with a smile on her face as she and Rin talk about school. I smile to myself, briefly, before clearing my throat and walking into the room.
"Good morning Sesshomaru-sama! Kagome has made Rin breakfast!" Kagome looks over her shoulder at Rin's exclamation and sends a smile in my direction before flipping over the bacon.
"Good morning, Sesshomaru. We didn't wake you, did we?" She turns around in time to see me shake my head as I open the waffle iron and take out the last one before unplugging the device. "Thanks for that. Good, I was trying to be quiet." She walks over next to me and gestures in Jaken's direction with her head. "That one wasn't exactly helping." She adds, laughing softly to herself. "He gets here so early, is Rin usually up at six?" I quirk an eyebrow at my daughter and notice her pointedly not looking in my direction. "I'll take that as a no. Here sweetie, eat up." Kagome passes a plate to Rin, who starts eating almost immediately. "Would you like some, Sesshomaru?"
"Insolent girl! Lord Sesshomaru would never eat something so disgusting, and prepared by a human no less! How dare you-"
"Jaken." My voice effectively silences him, a subtle warning in my tone. "Yes please, thank you, Kagome." The imp's mouth falls open, a shocked expression on his face as I accept the plate Kagome offers me, and sit down. After just a second, she fixes herself a plate and leans on the counter across from me.
"Thank you so much for letting me stay here even though we don't really know each other that well, I really appreciate it. I don't want to be a burden, so I've already found a bus that can drop me off about a mile from my studio which is awesome, they have a couple of routes that are right around my normal hours which is super convenient, and if you need anything, you know I'm pretty centrally located so I can pick up whatever you need before coming back, whether it's food, office supplies, stuff for Rin, just name it and I'll have it ready. Also, I was thinking we could talk about rent, I know I'm only staying for a couple of days but I would just hate to be a total freeloader, so what do you think would be-"
"Stop." I interrupt her, putting an end to her babbling. She looks at me in surprise, her large brown eyes widening ever so slightly. "There will be no rent, you will not run errands for us, that is what Jaken is for, and you will not take the bus. I am perfectly capable of taking you or having one of my drivers drop you off separately."
"Isn't it in the opposite direction of your office though? It would be putting you completely out of your way."
"I assured the officers that you would be completely safe while in my care, and I can't very well guarantee that if you are not in my care, now can I?" Her eyebrows draw closer as she slowly shakes her head. "I have already told you it is no trouble at all. I will take you to work and pick you up after. Are we clear?" Giving only a moment's hesitation, she nods her head. "Good. Speaking of your safety, I wanted to know your feelings about having one of my men at the studio with you. As a precaution." She looks at me in complete shock, nearly dropping her fork.
"That's definitely not necessary, don't you think you're taking this a little too seriously?" I lean across the counter and lower my voice so Rin does not hear.
"Kagome. Someone broke into your home, went through your personal effects, and tore it apart. There is no reason to believe they would not return. It is also highly possible that they know where you work. As you are no longer in your home, what is stopping them from doing the same to your studio? Or you in it?" That look in her eyes returns, she clearly knows who it is, but is unwilling to say and is therefore caught by logic. "Now, I'd like your permission to place one of my security guards at your studio. If you are genuinely uncomfortable with the idea, then I will not bring it up again, but I feel it is in your best interest. Is that alright?" After a moment, she nods again. "Very well. I'll have someone waiting upon your arrival. What time do you typically open?"
"Noon, but I always get there early, usually around 8, to handle the business side of things, check emails, call people back, and practice during competition season." I nod my head.
"Seven days a week?" She shakes her head, quickly swallowing the bite she'd just taken.
"I have Saturdays off unless there's a special appointment." Checking the clock on the microwave, I see the time as 7:20. I finish eating and quickly excuse myself to get dressed and call one of my security members about watching Kagome's studio. He assures me he will be there before eight o'clock. Returning to the kitchen, I find Kagome doing the dishes, talking with Rin.
"Do not worry about those, as Jaken is here he may finish them. We need to get you to work. Rin, stay here, be good. After breakfast, begin your homework from Friday. I'll be back shortly."
"Sir, yes sir!" She yells, mouth full of waffle. I shake my head at the eight-year-old and meet Kagome at the door, leading her to the car. After several minutes in silence, her quiet voice reaches my ears.
"Thank you for taking me in on your day off. I'm sure you would have much rather slept in." I glance over, taking in her hands fidgeting in her lap.
"It is no trouble, I am not usually one for sleeping in." I notice her head shoot up as she looks at me in shock from the corner of my eye.
"Even on the weekend?" I shrug. "You sure you're not a sociopath or something?" I chuckle, shaking my head no. "No, you're not sure or no you're not a sociopath?" Rolling my eyes, I glance at her teasing countenance, more than a little glad she has stopped fidgeting.
"No, I'm not a sociopath, I am quite sure." She smiles.
"Good, it wouldn't really bode well for me otherwise, staying with a sociopath."
"No, I should think not." We arrive at her studio shortly after to find a rather irate woman leaning against the wall by the door, where the man I had called, was already waiting. She turns to me, a questioning gaze in her eyes. "That is Royakan, I felt that he would be best suited to guarding your safety in my absence." She took in the large, burly man, and chuckled a bit. I smirked a bit at her nervous energy. "I will introduce you," I inform her before turning off the car and helping her out. As we approach the two waiting, Royakan's expression changes to a large smile, an odd expression on such a man but I feel Kagome relax a bit beside me.
"Sesshomaru-sama, I thought that was you. I assume this is Ms. Higurashi?" I nod my head as he steps forward, hand extended. Her hand seems so much smaller than his in comparison. "A pleasure to meet you ma'am, I was sorry to hear of your troubles, but you have no need to worry. So long as I am here, no harm will befall you or your place of work." She laughs, nervously, but smiles at him.
"I'm not the one that was worried about it, but thank you so much, I'm sorry for the short notice, and to disturb your weekend."
"No trouble at all! The family completely understand, I am indebted to Sesshomaru-sama after all." She sends a confused look his way, but before she can ask either of us about it, the woman leaning on the wall interrupts.
"Listen, I don't know what's going on, but can I just get his money and leave? I've got better things to do with my day." Her tone is clipped, irritated at having had to wait at all, and outside at that. Something tells me she's used to letting herself in to take what she wants. I am immediately reminded of the phone call I heard from Kagome's apartment last night.
"Of course, Kagura, sorry for the delay. There was an issue last -"
"Yeah, yeah, I heard all about it, I don't care. Can we get a move on?" Kagome nods and turns to face me.
"I should get going." I nod my head once, arching an eyebrow at the woman behind her. "It's nothing, she'll be gone in a few minutes. Rent." She adds with a forced chuckle, looking nervous again. "I get off at six today, bus home?" She tries.
"I will be here to pick you up." She rolls her eyes at me but nods her head anyway. "Call if you need anything." She smiles up at me, nodding again as I walk back to the car, keeping an eye on the rude woman, Kagura. I look back at Kagome, who is unlocking the door to her studio, her expression sad. Grimacing a bit, I call her name, forcing her to look at me, eyes wide in surprise. "Have a good day." Her surprise grows a moment before she flashes me a genuine smile.
"You too!" Once she and Kagura disappear into the studio, I turn my gaze to Royakan, standing vigilant by the door.
"Keep an eye on her. That woman is involved in the phone call I told you about. Something is not right." He nods, tightly.
"I feel it too, sir. You have nothing to worry about." With his confirmation, I return home where Rin has, as instructed, begun her homework while Jaken straightened up the house. I go directly up to my study. It is time to see just who this Kagura is and who owns the building Kagome works in.