SM: Wherein I try to further the plot, and thus bury it beneath filler.
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Chapter Two
Work was fun. There was no other way for her to express herself than that of sheer joy. She loved working with Ayame and Kouga! They were two of the nicest people she had ever met. And then there was Ginta and Hakkaku, the funniest waiters ever. They would often trip over each other or themselves in their zeal. And yet, they never once spilled or broke a dish. In fact, it seemed each member of Howl's employees possessed some kind of unnatural grace. It was amazing. And they were so cute!
She smiled as she whirled through the café. One part of Howl that was essential was expedient service. Kagome never knew she could move so fast or well, but she was able to accomplish her tasks just as Kouga had trained her. He was really a good teacher, and Ayame couldn't help but be impressed as well.
The redhead would often throw her a wink when some of the male patrons vocally showed their appreciation toward the waitresses. Ayame had said it was part of the job to be 'friendly.' It was all in good fun and seemed innocent enough, so Kagome flirted back. Her brother would kill her for sure if he found out, but she liked this job too much. So, she was going to do her darn best to keep it from him. She had already sworn Bankotsu to silence, despite her initial fear that Naraku would find out right away.
It was strange and lucky at the same time. By the time she had made it home with Bankotsu, her cake, and her uniform in tow on the day she had gotten her job, her elder brother had already been completely hammered. She wasn't sure what he was thinking for noonday drinking, but she wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. She had gotten a job, and now a means to keep the specifics somewhat a secret. She relayed an abridged version of the job hunt to her brother, who seemed more interested in glaring at Bankotsu than paying any attention to her.
Still, she had received a jerky nod of approval before he dove at the cake. Incidentally, he knocked Bankotsu off the bench he had been sharing with Kagome, and took up his friend's place, seemingly not noticing the man now sprawled on the floor. She was sure that Naraku would get an earful from Bankotsu later.
She had gotten away with her little fib, and she couldn't have been happier. She was employed with a well-paying job, to a friendly boss, and a great work environment, and her brother had approved!
Her grin brightened. This summer was looking up.
-:- -:- -:-
Naraku glared at Bankotsu. His friend tried to ignore him, but Naraku's piercing crimson glare was not one that could be avoided for long. Bankotsu shifted his dark colored eyes toward his friend before darting them away quickly. Naraku was suspicious, and he was pissed. Not a good combination. But he couldn't keep pretending he didn't notice. Finally, he gave a resigned sigh, and met his friend's gaze evenly.
"You got me drunk yesterday." Naraku accused, his voice as smooth and level as always.
Bankotsu did not allow himself to be swayed by Naraku's even tone, he knew his friend far too well for that. "No." He answered, his own voice careful.
Naraku's expression relaxed, his gaze fixing on some idle place. "Yesterday, before Kagome returned with you, Jakotsu paid me a visit. Apparently he had just returned from a scuffle of some sort from which you aided Renkotsu and himself." He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the chair he was sitting on.
"He said that he was dropping it off a bottle of bourbon for you, but we drank it instead. I know my limits Bankotsu, half of the tiny bottle of booze would do almost nothing to me, but instead I was as drunk as a sailor. What are you keeping from me?" His sharp gaze pinned his friend with their intensity.
Okay, Naraku was serious. That was bad. He had only meant to stall Naraku a bit with the booze as he didn't want him to know that he had taken Kagome out to lunch at Howl. Not only did Naraku and Kouga hate each other's guts, they were veritable rivals, professionally. But things had escalated, and now how the hell was he supposed to explain that he allowed her to get a job at Howl? Naraku would make sure that he somehow had an accident sometime this month. It wouldn't be fatal, but it would be no less pleasant, he was sure.
Kagome was Naraku's treasure, and he made sure his 'friends' knew it.
But there was no other way he could weasel out of this, Bankotsu knew. He was supposed to have watched Kagome, and he had neglected her. Might as well face the firing squad.
Sorry Kagome.
He grimaced slightly before relaying the answer Naraku wanted. Needless to say, he was far from happy.
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The house was dark when Kagome returned home. It was a bit odd, since Naraku usually left a light on or so somewhere in the house, even if he had not come home from work yet. It made her a bit suspicious. But, she was tired, and assumed that maybe her brother just forgot this time. Her apron was hung over one arm, and she was half changed out of uniform, too tired to change fully before coming home. She had changed the skirt to her more durable jeans, but her top was still the lacy blouse of Howl. She rubbed her eyes carefully as she was wearing her contacts, quietly flicked on the living room light and almost screamed.
Her brother was seated directly before her, facing her.
He looked none too happy.
Kagome wilted, her mood withering. "Um…" What had she done wrong now?
Then his expression softened. "You're home late." He said quietly.
"Kouga-kun had me work an extra shift since Ginta-kun got into an accident." She replied softly, slightly wary of her brother. He had such a protective streak sometimes. "I volunteered for it." She informed him quickly, hoping that he wouldn't get the wrong idea of Kouga working her too hard. She really liked the job, and it was fun. She didn't mind the extra shift on her first day at all, and Ayame said that she was a quick learner.
He gave a slow nod. "I see." Then he stood up and was suddenly behind her, removing her things from her arms. "Kagome, you've worked too long today. Have a seat." He gently pushed her toward the couch, his tone concerned.
She relinquished her things without a fuss and allowed herself to be seated on the couch. "Um…you're not mad at me?" She asked so quietly, her voice was a tiny squeak.
She could almost feel his smile. "Not at all, Kagome. I was just worried. It's not like you to not call in when you're coming late."
Oops! She could have smacked herself. She just got too carried away with work. The café had excellent business, and there was almost no down time. She was always on her toes there.
"Sorry." She replied meekly. "Were you waiting up for me?" Guilt was eating steadily away at her conscience. She was already keeping her work habits a secret from him, and having her forget to call, and then him waiting up for her…
Naraku sat down beside her. "Yes. I was sad that you didn't call me. I came home from work early hoping to do something with you today."
The knife of guilt twisted in her gut.
"This isn't like you Kagome." He said softly. "Are you really that mad at me, about the trip?"
"No!" Kagome almost shouted. She had forgotten about that already. Her summer wasn't so bad here, and she could go on a trip another time, with as well as Kouga was paying her. It was nothing like that. She had just gotten careless. "I…" She wasn't sure what to say. "I'm sorry, Naraku. This has nothing to do with that. I just got carried away I guess. I'm sorry." She bowed her head, her hair shadowing her face so she was unable to see his expression.
"Do you really have that much more fun away from home than with me?" Naraku asked.
"No! I love spending time with you, but it's just…you work long and odd hours sometimes, and I get lonely. I wanted a job to occupy my time and…I kind of want to make money…" She finished weakly.
His arms snaked around her, drawing her into an embrace. "I work so you don't have to." He said quietly into her hair.
"But-" She was cut off as his arms tightened about her midsection.
"Kagome, you don't have to work. I work enough for both of us, and make more than enough money. This isn't your responsibility, you know. Just staying here with me is enough. Don't work if you don't have to." He said gently.
Her face flushed. Her brother was earnest, he really didn't want her to work. But she knew that he knew that she wanted to work. She wanted to work to be independent. She didn't want to have to be a burden to her brother for her entire life. He deserved free time and fun too. But for the moment, she nodded.
"Just this summer." She said quietly. "Let me work this summer, and I won't work during the school year, or next summer." She promised.
Naraku was silent for a moment, considering. "Just this summer?"
"Yes." She nodded her head vigorously, her face still buried into his shoulder, her voice muffled by his shirt.
She would do as her brother told her, and when it looked like he was growing tired of it, she would go look for a job. She didn't want to drag him down. Naraku worked hard, and deserved whatever benefits he earned. She couldn't be the one to hold him back. Whenever she had enough money, she would move out, she planned silently.
"All right." He agreed.
A sigh of relief escaped her and she fell into her brother's embrace, not noticing the smirk which crossed his features.
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An application was slid across the desk, slipping from the fax machine and across the smooth surface of polished mahogany. Sounga picked it up and skimmed the information. Most of it was a note in very familiar handwriting. That flowing script was impossible to not recognize. He took special note since it was the first time the person had ever made such a request. He eyed the picture. It was a candid photo of a young woman leaning against a rail. The girl was attractive. Her body was young and shapely. Her face held the innocence and charm of youth, and her expression was untarnished by hardships, but still compassionate.
She was a cutie, though that true innocence didn't seem like it truly belonged in his institution.
But those blue eyes were especially captivating. Added to the fact that she was recommended by his highest paid employee cinched it.
He would hire her.
Come next week, Higurashi Kagome would be working for The Beach.
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Ayame skidded to a stop in front of Kagome, green eyes wide.
"Kagome! Oh, I'm so glad you're here!" She threw her arms around the startled girl.
"Did I miss something?" Kagome asked.
Ayame held Kagome's shoulders, pushing her out at arms length to study the other girl. "I heard from Hakkaku that you were in biiiiig trouble yesterday cuz we kept you out late. Ginta's moping about because he thinks it's his fault, and Kouga's in a sour mood. I had no idea if you would be coming in today or not." She explained.
Kagome looked bewildered. How had Hakkaku learned of that? Naraku was a private man by nature. He hardly allowed his temper to show, but if he was ever angry, boy would they be sorry. But he didn't seem too angry last night, and it was only because he worried.
"I cleared it up. I just forgot to check in, but why should that bother you guys? My brother is just a little over-protective sometimes." Kagome replied with a wry grin.
Ayame's mouth made a small 'o,' her eyes slightly wide. She stepped back, releasing the dark haired girl. "My bad I guess. I have a tendency to overreact sometimes." She gave a nervous laugh. "Well, it's good to see you here." She gave Kagome a quick hug. "Suit up, we open in fifteen minutes!" She flashed five fingers three times and grinned, pushing Kagome into the back to change.
Ginta and Hakkaku were just stepping out as she stepped in.
Hakkaku grinned brightly and slapped her on the back. "Hey Kagome! Great to see ya!"
Ginta blushed slightly and managed a shy smile. "H-hi Kagome."
Ayame hadn't been kidding when she said that Ginta blamed himself. Kagome couldn't take it, the boy was so cute! She pounced, hugging the startled teen, squeezing him tightly and reassuring him that it was nothing.
Ginta stumbled off, his face on fire, and Hakkaku laughing at his friend's predicament.
"No hug for me?" A low voice intoned.
"Kouga-kun!" Kagome greeted happily, running up to give him a friendly hug. "Morning!"
"Good morning Kagome-chan." He replied sociably, returning the embrace. He released her slowly, keeping his hands on her shoulders. "Are you alright?" He asked worriedly, his brows knit in concern.
"I'm fine!" She cried out. So many people worried over her. It wasn't like her brother was that scary of a person. "I was just a little careless with my brother. It won't happen again." She assured her employer. When his worried gaze wouldn't leave, she sighed and took his hands in hers. He was really sweet to worry about her, but it wasn't his problem. "I already told him, and we came up with an agreement. Everything is fine." She said confidently, giving his hands a little squeeze.
He nodded slowly. "If you're okay with it then." He replied softly.
She grinned brightly. "I knew you'd understand." She stepped up on her toes and gave him a small peck on the cheek. "Thank you so much, but now, out! I need to change." And with that, she ushered her boss out of the changing room, and closed the door.
He stood frozen outside for a moment, his a slight blush rising on his cheeks. He rubbed the kissed cheek absently before shaking the daze from his head. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Her brother? Naraku?" He cast one worried glance at the closed door before walking away. No matter what, he'd watch over the girl. She was far too sweet and innocent a thing to be related to that monster.
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Naraku lounged casually at the beachside bar. In one hand he gingerly sipped at a chilled fruit soda. He wasn't kept waiting long before he was met by another dark-haired man.
"Boss says you've got another girl for him." Takemaru greeted.
Naraku sneered. "She's not for him. She's for me. And I intend to carry out her affairs by myself." He pointed out.
Takemaru nodded. "Fair enough. Sounga told me you'd most likely be picky about this girl. I can see why though. I took a peek at the pic you faxed. She's a cutie all right. Doesn't seem suitable for this kind a thing though. So I have to wonder, why are you putting up such an innocent thing like that for a job like this?" The other man narrowed his eyes at him.
Naraku shrugged it off. "She's my little sister."
Takemaru's eyebrows shot up. "Oh, then by all means. Her contract is fully yours to negotiate." He slid over a piece of paper. "But," he circled one segment of the contract with his index finger, "about Invitations. You know that we have no specifics on exclusivity of our clients. But we can't parade around a product and not expect some customers to want to try a sample…"
Naraku's lip curled. He placed a hand flat on the paper. "I know and understand the standard contract fully. If she gets Invited then it's up to her to accept it or not. I will hold no say on her Invitations."
Takemaru beamed. "Ah, then I have no problems here. Boss will be happy to hear that I'm sure."
"But I am going to arrange her schedule." Naraku pointed out. He had already made his demands to the boss himself, but he would allow for no loopholes. He knew that despite Takemaru's carefree attitude, the man was trying to use this discussion as a verbal agreement to get some leeway on Kagome's contract. He would have none of that.
Takemaru nodded. "Of course, of course. She's your sister. I think it's already been taken into account anyways." He patted the contract header. "Give it a quick read through. As her sponsor you can adjust it as necessary. We will be looking forward to her signature by the end of the week though."
"And Howl's?" Naraku gave the other man a pointed look.
He grinned. "No problem. We'll stay out of it, and make sure everyone else does too. I'm sure you'll be able to figure out something under those circumstances."
Naraku gave a terse nod.
"Good good. I'll be seeing you later." He gave a two-fingered salute of farewell and disappeared quickly.
Naraku frowned, his hand still on the contract. Sounga was by no means a harsh boss, and the fact that Naraku himself was the highest paid employee leant him some credence to Sounga's ear. But there was no way that Sounga would have met with him outside his office. That man was as paranoid as one could get. And Naraku wasn't up to visiting the main office today, so Sounga had sent his lackey to finish negotiations.
God, how Naraku hated that man, Takemaru. He had been with Sounga since before Naraku had met him, and he never could figure out their relationship. He had heard rumors that Takemaru was Sounga's son. As well as various other rumors of the more shady sort. But what he disliked the most about Takemaru was the man's careless disposition. It made it especially difficult to guess at the other man's motives.
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Ayame held out an envelope, a worried expression crossing her face.
"What's this?" Kouga asked, taking up the envelope and opening it curiously. It was unmarked, but the way Ayame was treating it made him cautious. He scanned the contained document, his lips thinning. "Who?" He demanded, his expression hardening.
"Suikotsu delivered it." Ayame answered, her own face tense.
Kouga's eyes shot up to meet hers. "Did Kagome see?" He didn't want her seeing one of Naraku's messenger boys at his door and wonder what was going on. There were things she was better off not knowing.
The red-head shook her head in the negative. "He came in through the back. Kagome's still serving in the front."
"I see…" He folded up the paper and pocketed it. "Don't let her know." He instructed gravely.
"I won't." Ayame promised. She headed toward the door, but turned back at the last moment. "Will it be okay?" She asked worriedly. The note had to have come from Naraku. It was the only person who could have made Kouga so agitated. She knew that Naraku once had something on Kouga, but without certain elements, Naraku couldn't do much to use it against Kouga without incriminating himself. However, if those factors were removed suddenly, Naraku could take anything he desired away from Kouga.
Kouga's brows furrowed. "I don't know." He answered honestly.
"And Kagome?" Ayame asked, her voice softening. Naraku was definitely using this as a way to get Kagome. She didn't understand why Naraku was so set against Kagome working at Howl's, only that the man known as the Spider was quite the nasty character. She had heard many things about him from Ginta and Hakkaku, they seemed to be truer by the moment, and they were all on the bad side of things. She wondered how it was that Kagome was so oblivious of her 'brother's' shady nature.
"I don't know." Kouga sighed, his voice even quieter.
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Kagome fingered the wallet absently. She had yet to find the person to whom it belonged to. She carried it around with her always, just in case she might run into him again, though the chances were slim. She still had no luck with trying to contact the man either. It was becoming tiresome.
She knew that she kept some personal information in her wallet, and had clung to the hope that whoever had found it would attempt to contact her. But, after checking her cell phone several times already, she found nothing. She hoped that the man hadn't thrown her wallet away. She had several trinkets that held sentimental value stowed away within its folds.
She tucked Shirou-san's wallet away back into her purse and straightened her apron. She had just come in from break after scanning the crowds one last time. She kept thinking that if she kept looking, she might see him. It was a rather popular café after all. Many customers frequented it everyday. Yet she knew just by looking at the contents of the man's wallet, the man was no doubt some high-roller. Howl, as nice as it was, still was probably too common for the likes of him.
With one more sigh, she smoothed out the wrinkles in her uniform and clocked back into work.
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"Naraku!" Kouga hissed into the phone. "What is the meaning of this?" He demanded angrily.
"Ah, got my note I take it? That was a quick delivery. My my, Bankotsu certainly has his boys well trained." Naraku replied flippantly. He smirked. He had expected that Kouga would call almost immediately in defense of such a threat.
Kouga repressed the urge to growl into the receiver. "I asked you, what the hell is this?" He shook the note with a clenched fist, despite the fact that Naraku wouldn't be able to see it. He would at least hear the rustling of paper as the note was shaken roughly.
"Just a deal, if you will." Naraku purred. "You will release your newest employee, and I'll forget all about that little incident five years ago."
Kouga's jaw clenched.
Naraku smiled to himself. He could hear the grinding of teeth from the other end.
"What do you want with her?" Kouga asked pointedly, in low tones.
Naraku frowned. "She's my sister. I think it's only fair that you release what is mine." He disliked how Kouga seemed to be unwilling to part with her. That protective note in Kouga's voice had not gone unnoticed by him. A fist clenched at his side.
"I don't care about that. What do you want with her?" Kouga demanded. Despite what dirt Naraku had on him, he wouldn't allow the slime to use Kagome the way he had been used so long ago.
Kouga heard a sigh.
"Just let her go, gently or not, I don't really care. The result will be the same to me. Fire her." Naraku ground out, his patience failing. The sooner this was done, the better. But here, the pathetic café owner was being difficult. The sooner he relinquished her employment, the sooner the pain would end.
He couldn't ask Kagome directly to quit, because then it would be blatantly manipulative and she would know that he had a hand in it. Better for her to be fired. Then he could swoop in and pick up the pieces. Though it did bother him that she would most likely be hurt by this turn of events. It was in her best interests, and he was sure that she would see it soon enough.
"Who will she be working for?" Kouga demanded. He knew that Naraku wanted her employment to be elsewhere. It was the only reason that she would need to not be working at Howl. At the same time, he wasn't requiring a lot of hours from her, so she could easily take on a second job.
No, there was only one other establishment that clashed with his. The only place where a person could not be employed both there and as a Howl girl. "The Beach." He murmured, answering his own question.
"A prize for the puppy. He's learned a new trick, how to use his brain." Naraku stated mockingly.
"You scumbag! How could you do that to your own sister! You're whoring her out!" Kouga's angry growl issued from the phone.
Naraku's playful tone dropped immediately. "You know nothing. Release her employment contract or I'll shut you down and send you all to prison." He hung up his cell phone with an irate snap of his wrist.
"Fool." He muttered darkly, his hand fisting around the cell phone. "I will never allow Kagome to be anything other than herself."
-:- -:- -:-
Takemaru entered Sounga's office with a grin. "You were right." He said, smirking. "He's quite protective over that one."
Sounga turned slowly in his chair. "She's his beloved sister. He would do anything for her." He said lightly.
"Or to her." Takemaru added nastily.
Sounga shook his head. "You have no tact. None whatsoever." He said disparingly.
The dark-haired man shrugged. "Never been an issue before."
"Hn." Sounga grunted, turning back around in his chair.
Takemaru plopped himself down in the seat in front of Sounga's desk. "So, anyways, what's the summer line-up? Big wigs coming in soon?"
"Next week." Sounga replied, sliding a schedule toward the other.
Sharp crimson eyes scanned the sheet. "Ryuukossei's bringing him?" He stared at his boss. "But, isn't that guy…"
"Yes." Sounga answered. "He is his son." He leaned back in his chair. "He's also quite a reserved man. Ryuukossei on the other hand, while on the loose side, is quite picky. This will be tricky to place them in the same area. Ryuukotsei will no doubt reserve his usual slot with Sesshoumaru as his guest." He sighed. "It certainly is difficult to be indebted to a deceased man. But, I will do all I can for his son."
Takemaru whistled. He'd heard the rumors about Sesshoumaru's sexuality. Was Sounga going to place them in a mixed section, or primarily female so as to not be insulting. Or was he going to try something different...
"Hey, you're not planning on trying out the new girl on him are you? I mean, she's the fresh meat, and Naraku's gonna have a hernia when he finds out!" Takemaru protested, but in his mind, it did make sense.
Sesshoumaru was certainly a refined man with refined tastes, whether or not his sexuality leaned toward the fairer or the not so fairer sex. Sesshoumaru would certainly be selective about those who entertained him, and to make a good impression, they would have to offer the best they had to suit his taste. Obviously, the man wouldn't go for the slutty or flirty type, he didn't even look that much of a lolli-type. What he went for was intelligence and honesty, Takemaru knew. And looks would certainly help as well. But not the gorgeous or buxom type. It would have to be something captivating. Only one person would be that suited without being as brash and ruffling as many feathers as Kagura or Kanna..
Sounga smiled darkly. "I'm sure it would certainly piss off Ryuukotsei to some extent, to be passed up by such a girl. But with her contract already negotiated, Naraku will have no say if I'm still acting with the confines of the fixed contract." He patted the document that lay atop his desk. It was his new leash and collar on his most popular employee. Despite Naraku's strenghts, he had his weaknesses, and he had just handed it over to a man who new how to not let it go to waste. Poor fool didn't realize how little control he truly had within The Beach.
"Let us just see how useful Higurashi Kagome can be." Sounga grinned.
Takemaru grinned back.
-:- -:- -:-
Kouga rubbed his forehead tiredly. He had just closed down the café for the night, and now sat alone in his office, Naraku's note folded on his desk. He couldn't figure out what to do. If it was only his neck on the line, he would gladly refuse Naraku's deal. But it wasn't. It was his neck and that of his employees that were at stake. He couldn't risk Ayame, Ginta, and Hakkaku just because of his own stupid mistakes.
Then there was Kagome to consider. As far as he was concerned, she was a complete innocent in this situation. Why Naraku was flaunting around with her as his 'sister' he couldn't understand. She definitely looked as if she might be related to him, but those similarities were only skin deep. Once he got to know her, they were as different as night and day.
He had been a bit suspicious of her at first, but when he got down to it, she knew nothing of Naraku's shadier activities. She truly seemed like a younger sibling for Naraku to dote upon, but he didn't trust that man's intentions one bit. Her attitude toward Naraku was that of sibling affection, but he seemed a bit more passionate toward her.
Kouga sighed. Despite that, it looked like Naraku, through whatever means he was using, was actually looking out for Kagome's well-being. But, The Beach?
It was that establishment that Kouga hated with every fiber his being. The Beach and its owner were hellspawn with Naraku as their top employee.
He idly flipped open the note again, rereading its contents. Basically, he would be trading in Kagome's contract for his own. All he had to do was give up her employment, and the past five years would vanish. He ground his teeth.
It sounded simple enough, but nothing with that bastard was simple. He glared at the paper.
There was one last thing to take into account. Kagome trusted her 'brother'. If he asked something of her, she was sure to do it without question or worry. Just as Kouga was sure that Naraku wouldn't do anything to break that trust. Naraku cared too much about Kagome for her to ever learn what kind of person he truly was. Kagome would be all right, he hoped.
He picked up the phone.
-:- -:- -:-
"You're going to let me go?" Kagome asked, eyes wide. She couldn't quite figure out what had gone wrong in such a short period of time. She hadn't made that many mistakes and she didn't think she had been particularly unpleasant to anyone to register any complaints against her. She might not have been as expedient or as precise as Ayame all the time, but she had only been there for less than a week.
Kouga shook his head. "No, I'm not firing you. But, I would like you to take a temporary leave." He frowned inwardly. It was the kindest way he could think of saying it, and it still sounded horrible. Kagome looking absolutely crushed like that didn't help much in relieving his guilt.
But then she looked up at him and smiled. "Oh." She said quietly. "I guess I understand." She licked her lips. "Did…did my brother have anything to do with this?"
Kouga blanched, unable to keep the surprise from his face. Did she know?
Mistaking his startled expression for something else, Kagome shook her head. "No, of course not. I'm just being silly." She knocked on her temple with a closed fist, laughing. Of course her brother hadn't done anything. She was wrong to have suspected it. He had promised he wouldn't do anything, just as she had promised that she would work for only this summer.
"Well, thank you for having me this long. I guess I should go get changed now, huh?" She gave a low bow and left for the locker room before Kouga could say another word.
She came out a few minutes later with her uniform neatly folded in her arms. "Thank you very much, Kouga-san." She said again, handing over the uniform and gathering her things.
ARG! This sucked SO much! He could bear to see her smiling like that, as if she understood when she really didn't. This isn't what he wanted to do at all.
Kouga reached out, grabbing her at the elbow. "Keep it." He said, returning the uniform to her hands. "Next summer, if you're still looking for a job, or even this fall, please come back. I'd be so glad to have you back." He said sincerely.
She gave a slow nod. "That's okay. It was only for this summer." She replied, remembering her promise to her brother and gently pushing the cloth away. She wouldn't break her promise, no matter how tempting. "Thanks for your offer anyways. Goodbye." Kagome left in a hurry, unable to stifle her tears of disappointment any longer.
She really hadn't understood what had happened. All she knew was that she greatly disliked this feeling of failure. Somehow, she had done something wrong. Kouga was a nice guy. He was probably being too polite to tell her. But the fact remained, she had lost her only job for the summer. After having that talk with her brother, trying to convince him to allow her to work, how could she face him now? She had only proven how inept she was.
She'd have to find a new job, she supposed. But getting the one at Howl had been difficult enough…
"Kagome?" A voice called out, questioningly.
The voice stopped her short. She viciously rubbed at her eyes before looking up. There was no way she could explain this to him either. She pasted a quick smile to her face and looked up. "Hi Bankotsu!"
"…Were you crying?" He asked hesitantly.
She shook her head. "Not at all, Bank. Whatever gave you that idea?" She gave a hasty laugh.
Bankotsu frowned. The girl had the be lousiest liar he knew. But then again, it meant that she only knew how to be honest. Who couldn't love that? Still he nodded back. "Nothing at all." He replied with a smile. "Want me to walk to you home?" He offered kindly. She didn't look well enough to go back herself.
She bit her bottom lip. "If you would."
"No problem." He slung an arm around her shoulders. "Now let's step up before you keep your brother waiting."
"Thank you." She whispered, her head falling onto his shoulder, her face turned into his shirt.
Bankotsu couldn't be sure if it was just the bump in her stride or not, but he could feel her shoulders tremble beneath his arm.
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SM: Huh...That's a really short time to work...and Sesshoumaru didn't make a single appearance in this chapter. I only noticed after I had finished writing it... Go Bankotsu!