Chapter 2

Kagome stared up at the gym sign. She looked through the windows and saw that it was packed. Groaning, Kagome walked away from the gym, even as it beckoned her to lose the extra pounds she gained over Christmas break. It was just impossible for her to excersise with a whole bunch of people around. She was just turning the corner to go back to her room when she slammed into a hard chest. Kagome stumbled backwards from the impact, and she would've fell if not for the hand that shot out and grabbed her forearm, holding her steady.

" Are you ok?"

Kagome's eyes widened a fraction of an inch as she recognized the deep voice. Looking up, she saw Sesshomaru's golden eyes filled with concern.

" Y- yes, I'm fine. I just got lost in thought. I'm sorry."

Sesshomaru let go of her arm and dropped his hand to his side.

" Might not want to do that, or else you may run into someone who isn't as understanding as I am. I accept your apology though. Good day."

He passed by Kagome, his long silver hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. Kagome caught the wiff of cologne, no doubt an expensive kind. She looked back just as Sesshomaru rounded a corner and was gone from sight.

'Damn...that is one fine piece of man...'

Kagome shook her head to clear her mind of such thoughts, and opened the door to her room.

' What did he mean by that, not as understanding as him? Confusing.'

Setting down her gym bag on the couch, she went into her room to put on something more comfortable to wear while she was out. Kagome decided on a loose black T-shirt with a purple lightning bolt streaking down her right shoulder, an ankle-length black skirt with black lace on the bottom, and her favorite shoes, her black combat boots with red laces. Once dressed, she went to the bathroom and put her hair up in a loose bun. Seeing her face in the mirror, she decided to put on some mascara and dark purple lipstick. Giving herself the once-over, she nodded her approval and grabbed her wallet and car keys. Locking the door behind her and leaving yet another note, she headed out.

--

Kagome was circling the parking lot, trying to find a spot for her 1971 Jeep when she saw a family back up out of one. She went right behind them and into the parking space when they pulled out. Rolling up windows, turning down the radio, grabbing her wallet and purse, she turned off her car and got out. Kagome stared at her favorite store. Barnes & Noble. She always loved to read, and her mother said she got it from her father, who would read non-stop until he finished the book he started. Re-checking her wallet for cash, she strolled right up to the doors and walked into the store.

Inside, she went straight back to one section: the Romance isle. Kagome scanned through a row of Historical romance novels having to do with full-demons and humans, and the occasional American book . She just loved these books, since it was about as close as she was going to get to knowing what love is. She grabbed a new one, and looked at the cover.

" Comanche Flame, by Alana Summers." The cover had a sillouette of a tall man with copper skin and a huge bow over his left shoulder. You could make out a large quiver on his back.. On the ground at his feet was the sillouette of a woman, with long curly hair, a short skirt, and a loose top.

' An American historical romance...I love these!'

Kagome stood there for a second, staring down at the book.

'You should get it...Should I? I can only afford one book this time. If you don't get it, you'll hate yourself...'

God, she hated when her consious was right. going up to the front desk, she saw someone vaguely familiar working one of the desks. When the man looked up and his icy blue eyes caught hers, recognition hit her. Koga, a boy in high school who had pursued her relentlessly, and a man who was now her best friend. Koga waved her over and she went to him, setting her book on the counter. Koga glanced at the cover and raised his brow.

" Your love life that bad Kags?"

Kagome scowled. The first time in a long time since they seen each other last, and that was the first thing he said? No, Hey Kagome, nice to see ya. Or, Hey Kags, where have ya been? Nope, it had to do with something concerning her love life.

" Nice to see you to, Koga. And my love life is really none of your business. Anyway, how is Ayame these days?"

Koga shrugged as he scanned the barcode on the book.

" Eh, nothing much, she is pregnant with our second child now though."

Kagome smiled. " Well congradulations. How far along is she?"

Koga ripped off her reciept from the machine and thought.

" About...five or six months along. Really crabby and always wanting to eat Taco Bell. I have probably spent a hundred and fifty dollars on it this month alone."

"Wow. I feel bad for ya. But hey, just think, soon she'll give birth and you won't have to buy all that taco stuff."

Koga looked up at her, handing her her book and reciept in a green bag.
" True, but that is one more mouth to feed."

Kagome laughed and took the bag.

" Alright Koga, see ya around."

" Same. And be safe Kags."

"I will."

--

Getting back into her jeep, she sighed. Well, that was fifteen dollars and forty-eight cents gone. Kagome checked her wallet and a pained expression flitted across her face. Only two twentys left, and a few useless pennies. She debated if she should go to JC Penny's and get those cute high heels, go to Gap to get that bad ass looking shirt, or go to Wal-Mart and get that dress that was on clearance for only 10.46. Kagome groaned and pulled out her cell phone, turning the power on. She dialed her bank and put in her pin to get a status report on her account. Her eyes widened when the machine said she had 700.59 as of today. Smiling, she thanked her mother and grandfather. They often sent her gifts of money, and her payment in return was getting good grades and doing good at her job. Kagome put her jeep in reverse and pulled out of the parking space, only to slam into someone elses car, and her own jeep stalling out.

'Goddammit. Just what I need.'

Kagome got out to check on the other person. She gaped as she saw the car, a '98 Dodge Charger. She noticed as she was walking to the driver's door, it didn't open.

' I hope I didn't just hit some old man...Oh shit, I really hope not.'

But as Kagome knocked on the driver window and it rolled down, her eyes went wide. There, in the driver's seat looking very pissed off, was Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru motioned for her to step back, and she did so. Getting out, Sesshomaru stretched and glared at her.

" You fuckin wench. Watch where you're going. How the hell are you gonna pay for this?" He said angrily. Kagome winced.

" I'm sorry. I was just preoccupied Sesshomaru. And I'm not paying for anything." Kagome saw a flicker of annoyance in his eyes along with impatience.

" Of course you will. You just smashed my car! You'll be eating beans for a year after I'm done with you."

" Just tell me how much and I will find a way to pay for it."

Sesshomaru glared down at her, and Kagome glared up at him, both engaged in a battle of will. Finally, Sesshomaru spoke.

" Since this is an old vehicle, and you just smashed the passenger's side all to hell, it would cost around five-hundred thousand dollars. Five-hundred thousand dollars."

Kagome's eyes widened.

" Where do you think I am going to get that kind of money! If I had that much, I wouldn't be driving this piece of crap!"

Sesshomaru looked Kagome up and down, and Kagome suddenly had a bad feeling.

" I'm sure you could make some money as a showgirl."

Kagome's jaw dropped, and she snapped it up, furious.

" How...how dare you!! Do I look like a slut to you? I will not lower myself to such a degrading position!"

Sesshomaru just tilted his head to the side.

" Then what will you do?"

Kagome seemed lost.

" I ... I don't know. I'll find out something though."

Sesshomaru saw the sudden depressed look, and felt something akin to pity. Cursing his weak heart, Sesshomaru shoved a hand through his hair in frustration. He always was a sucker for a woman in distress.

" Look, you can pay me back a little at a time if you need to, but I want that five-hundred thousand by the end of the semester. If that doesn't work out for you, I have another idea."

Kagome looked at him, hope brightening her eyes. 'Maybe he isn't the hard ass everyone says he is...'

" You can pay me off a little at a time, or work for me, and not pay a thing except for your time."

Her face fell, but her mind was working to figure it all out.

" Fine. if it is no trouble to you, I plan to work for you. But how will you get the car fixed?"

Sesshomaru smiled slightly.

" I have some contacts that will help me out. Now, about you working for me... "

Kagome felt something coming from Sesshomaru, something not entirely pure.

" You will do whatever I say, whenever I say without question. If you do something that I do not approve of, you will be punished. Is that understood?"

Kagome frowned.

" So...You're saying you own me?"

Sesshomaru smirked.

" That is exactly what I'm saying. Now, if you will excuse me for a moment, I have to make a call."

Sesshomaru pulled out one of those new Hue phones and punched in a couple of numbers. He waited for a few rings till someone picked up.

" Hello, this is Miroku Kokobunji."

" Hey Miroku, I need a ride. Can you give me one?"

He heard a groan from the other end of the line.

" What now Sesshomaru?"

" My car just got smashed, and I can't drive it. Will you give me a lift or not?"

A rustling was heard over the phone, and a woman's moan of protest was heard. Sesshomaru couldn't help but to make a remark.

" Finally got someone to sleep with your ugly ass?"

" Shut it Sesshomaru. It happens to be Sango, and she rather likes my 'ugly' ass."

" Right. I'm in the Barnes & Noble parking lot on Lewis Street. When will you be here?"

" In about ten minutes."

Miroku disconnected and Sesshomaru put the phone back in his pocket. He looked over at Kagome and saw that she was looking at the damage she caused to his car. Walking over next to her, he watched her examine a deep gouge on the door.

" Wow. I really caused this baby some damage."

Sesshomaru frowned and examined the gouge as well.

" I guess you did. Man, this sucks."

Just then, miroku pulled up and honked his horn.

" I gotta go. See you tomorrow after last class. My apartment."

Sesshomaru jogged over and jumped in Miroku's car, and they pulled out of the parking lot, soon gone from sight. A few minutes later, Kagome blinked and jumped up.

" HEY!! WHAT ABOUT ME!!"