A/N: Hey, it me again!!! Now that my story, "Study Date" is sadly coming to a close this weekend, I will have time to work on this new one. I have high hopes for "The Moon & Star" and I hope you will like it the further it goes!!! So enjoy it and please R & R!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any and all characters belonging to Rumiko Takahashi. I do own Akio Higurashi though.
Chapter 2: Quarter Moon
Inuyasha Tukashi silently walked in; not expecting anything to change. This bodyguard business sounded a little out of the way for him but when he saw how much this Higurashi fellow was willing to pay a month; he couldn't say no. All he read was that he wanted a protector for his daughter. He figured it was a snobby, spoiled rich brat who was a bitch who cared about nothing but sex and money. This was why he was torn between going and not going. Little did he know he was going to be guarding something much smaller and precious.
All his life he's had it rough. Being raised by his mother and not knowing his father; in a world where half demons were frowned upon but as he grew older and learned to fight and defend himself; he somehow earned respect and a place in the world. He would not be a worthless mutt in the eyes of the people who thought hanyous were weak and useless. Now in this day and age, where thoughts and values were different, Inuyasha didn't have to worry so much and now he could have a well paying job, not knowing who he had to guard and protect.
Akio stared at the well built half demon. He looked strong enough; he was lean but had definite muscle tone in his arms and torso; his red short sleeved shirt skin tight. So the red shirt and black baggy jeans made him appear as strong, powerful and proud. Well looks can be deceiving but he wasn't going to judge until he had answered the questions and if Kagome approved of him.
The businessman opened the folder and started the interrogation. He cleared his throat and began. "You are Inuyasha Tukashi?"
"Yes sir." He may be a smartass and defiant most of the time but he felt that he must show this particular businessman respect. He felt a sense of power surrounding him.
"And you are a hanyou? Half human, half Inu?"
"Yes sir." He was now standing tall; his legs shoulder width apart and arms crossed behind his back.
"It says here you have 35 years experience as a fighter? Excuse me for asking but what is your age, son? You look no more than 20 years old."
"Well sir, since I'm a hanyou we age half the rate as full demons. In demon years, I'm 150 years old but in human years I am 18. It's a slow process so I'll look the same for many years."
Akio nodded; understanding completely. He was about to ask the next question but his daughter jumped off his lap and ran right to Inuyasha; her blue summer dress fluttering behind her. She stopped at his feet and looked up at him from her short height. He looked right down; his lustrous golden eyes looking into her child-like, sweet and happy brown eyes.
"Wow..." She breathed. "You're so tall." She was amazed at how tall he was-her neck was straining from staring up too long.
Inuyasha smiled and slowly bent down to her level; his arms on his bent knees and looked at her eyes to eye. "I'm not tall, you're just small."
"I am not!!" The girl protested. She folded her arms and gave off her adorable pouty face.
"She can be defiant when she wants to be- something you'll have to accept if you're hired."
"Yes sir" He had to admit this little girl looked cute when she pouted. He always had little tolerance for small children but felt that he could put it aside for this small one.
Her curious eyes wandered up to his head, where his puppy ears sat and twitched. Kagome lost her pout and squealed. "Those are so cute! Like puppy ears, I love puppy ears!" She then reached up and felt how nice they were. "Wow, they're so soft."
Inuyasha was taken back as her small hands touched what marked him as different. It usually caused him great irritation and upset; due to constant touching and staring but in some unexplainable way, this simple innocent little girl was gentle and it was somewhat alleviating and tranquil. For once, he didn't pull back or away and let her do as she pleased.
Akio never missed a moment of this. His daughter's state of bliss made a smile of contentment appear on his face. He has never seen her so at ease with another person; aside from Kaede and himself. Kagome has never warmed up to strangers so fast. She must've seen something in this hanyou to make her so comfortable and her eyes were full of curiosity.
Kagome let go of his ears and gave a warm smile. She didn't know how or why but she felt safe around this tall man. Her inquisitive cocoa eyes then followed the yellow path of sunlight from the light blue rug to the tall windows and saw clear blue skies. "Hey daddy, can we go out to the garden?!"
The father's smile never faltered as he stood up and held Inuyasha's profile. "Well why not? It's such a beautiful day outside. Why don't we finish our interview outside? Besides, I would like to see more interaction with my daughter to see how well you can handle her."
Inuyasha stood up. "Yes Higurashi-san." He saw how serious and cautious the man's mahogany eyes were and inwardly prayed he would not mess this up.
"Come on, let's go! I want you to see my favorite flowers!" She dashed out as quickly as a flash. Kaede opened one of the doors and grinned warmly as she saw the young miss. "Come on, come on!!!" She urged; signaling her hand to follow her, looking at Inuyasha and waited until he and her father walked out of the office and she ran in the direction of her favorite place outside of the house: the garden.
Both men followed the zealous 5 year old to the glass door where the garden lay beyond. When the hanyou stepped out into the June sun, his nose was overwhelmed with calming aromas from many flowers. Still following the girl, he took the time to gaze at the many plants. It was full of many vibrant colors of roses, lilies, cherry blossom trees, irises and many more. No wonder the youth loved it here; it could put an uneasy mind at peace and soothe the soul.
Kagome skipped merrily to the end where there was a clearing, where a blue flower patch was the only flowers within a few yards. It was beside an old oak tree; beside it was a stone bench shaded from the sunlight. The garden itself was enclosed by a 9 foot bush wall; where blue roses grew along it.
The girl stopped by her special flower patch; picked one and walked to where Inuyasha stood a few feet away. He was curious and once again bent down to her eye level.
"This is my favorite flower. It's called an Iris. Blue is my favorite color. What's yours?"
Inuyasha couldn't help but smile at her cute face. "Red is my favorite color."
"Really?! Like an apple or a red rose?" Her eyes continued to sparkle. How can a girl have so much life and smile like a princess? To say the least he has never met a child with so much spirit before.
"Yes, like an apple or red rose. May I?" He gestured at the flower in her hand. She gladly gave it to him. He smelt the soothing aroma and sighed in bliss.
"That color iris is the only iris that has a fragrance. Daddy told me so." She looked behind to her to see her father sitting in the shade on the bench. He nodded to let her know she was right.
"It does smell good and it's pretty too." He looked down at the flower then back at her. Very gently he smoothed her hair back from her left ear. Kagome didn't move and looked on in wonderment. He placed the stem of the flower behind her left ear and placed her obsidian locks back over her shoulder. The blue flower made her locks even darker. She felt the flower and looked back at him.
"Now you're even prettier." He had hoped to haven't already stepped over the line; especially with her father watching but Akio didn't seem angry from his standpoint.
The girl squealed at the compliment and looked back at her father. "Daddy, did you see that?! I'm even prettier now!" She ran over to him and sat next to him; smiling as bright as ever.
"I did, baby girl. You're beautiful, like a princess." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. She giggled and crawled into his lap.
Akio grinned once more before returning his focus on the task at hand. He cleared his throat. He opened the folder from where he left off and started again. "So, you have experience in martial arts: karate, judo...sword-fighting?" He looked up at him as he said the last one.
"Sword–fighting has always been an interest of mine, sir. It's one way of self-defense for me. And with karate and judo it has helped my agility and senses."
He grunted in acknowledgment. "Interesting...so have you had any experience with handling guns or knives of any sort?"
"No, sir. I do carry a small pocketknife but not a handgun or any gun for that matter, sir." That question made him sweat because he had no idea if he would be hired now. His hand clenched behind him.
"Okay now, for a serious question. If your senses are as good as you say, would you be able to jump, fight-do anything you had to protect my daughter from any harm at all?"
Inuyasha's eyes then focused on the girl in question. In a short amount of time, this simple, spry and energetic girl had captured his focus. She was like a precious little flower in a big field; and she could seriously get hurt if anything bad happened to her. He couldn't let that happen to little Kagome. "Yes sir, definitely." He answered without a doubt.
Akio sensed something in that tone. He sounded so serious and determined. He nodded; satisfied with his answer.
Kagome then suddenly bolted from her sitting place and ran back to the half demon. "Um...." she started; looking down shyly at her sandaled feet. "Um, could you fly me like an airplane?"
Akio was stunned at what she asked. The only person who did that was himself and she asked only for him. His eyes met the hanyou and his amber eyes held confusion. "It's a special thing she likes to ask for. Here, I'll show you." He stood up and flexed his hands. "Ready baby girl?"
Kagome then zoomed to him and without so much of an effort; he grabbed her by her tiny waist and held her up above him; with her arms stretched out like an airplane. She squealed in delight. She laughed and kept saying it was so much fun; while being turned and going down and ending back up in the sky. The father laughed along with her. Akio would do anything to see his little girl smile; the one that resembled her mothers'.
"Okay! Okay, let me down!" She laughed and she was slowly set down on the grass again.
"That's how she likes it. It surprised me that she asked you that. Mostly it's only me who does it but for some reason she wants you to do it, too." Akio's face was a little flushed from the previous activity and sat back down to regain some air and watch what Inuyasha could do.
Just like before, she ran straight towards the half demon. He sighed in preparation and caught her just in time by the waist and lifted her into the air above him. He was surprised at how light she was. He heard her squeal again and he couldn't help but sport a wild smile. Apparently she had a certain affect on people; she could make them smile; despite their mood. He walked around the garden and dipped her down now and then. And deciding to try something new, he threw her in the air; which in turn made her squeal louder in laughter and caught her easily. It continued like this for a while until she asked to be put down again.
"That was so much fun!!! Can I have a piggyback ride, now?" She was panting due to lack of breath but she wanted more.
"Hop on!" He crouched in front of her and she hopped on. He held her legs as she held onto his broad shoulders.
"Giddy-up horsey!!" She joked; laughing as he made an imitation of a horse and ran slowly around the garden.
As Akio saw more interaction between them, he started to realize that he found a perfect match. Kagome reacted very well to him the minute she saw him and she continued to have fun around the hanyou. And Inuyasha seemed to have a soft spot for her too. 'She seems so happy and carefree. Maybe he is the perfect protection for her.' He sat at a distance; surveying the growing interaction. Akio could see nothing but pure kindness and 100% capability from Inuyasha and that looked promising for his little girl.
He looked into the sky and saw the moon at a quarter barely visible. Maybe this would turn out to be a very good decision that both he and Kagome could live with. Just staring at the quarter moon gave him ease of mind and knew deep down that it would be the right decision. He was stirred from his thoughts as both Inuyasha and little Kagome came back into the clearing. Both were flushed and panting but looked as if they were having a fantastic time.
Kagome jumped off and without saying a single word, she was picked up and she could see her father standing up and walking towards them. "Daddy, did you see us?! We went all around the garden!"
"Yes sweetheart, I did." He saw how his daughter was hugging her future bodyguard by his neck. Inuyasha looked alright by it. He had one arm supporting her small bottom while the other supported her lower back; like a brother supporting his younger sister. No doubt that's what they saw each other as; easily apparent with their recent activities.
"I can see that with all that has happened, I have no further doubt that you have the capability and skills necessary to protect my little girl. Of course, we would teach you more skills; as how to handle a knife and a sidearm so no worries on those subjects. So what you do think, Kagome?" He turned to his daughter. "What do you say?"
"Can he stay daddy, please?!" She begged. "Will you stay?! Please?!?!" She now had her pleading eyes on Inuyasha.
With having been around and seeing how Kagome is, he had made the right choice in coming here. She had the cute baby face and those innocent but beautiful eyes. "How can I say no to that face?"
"Yay!!!!!" Her grip on his neck got tighter and she rested her head on his cheek.
Both men chuckled at the girl's reaction. "It would be an honor, Higurashi-san."
"Call me Akio, Agent I. Higurashi sounds like I'm an old man." He laughed.
"Yay, Inyu-...Inyu-...Inya gets to stay with us!!"
'Agent I, Inya...that sounds like I've been accepted.' "Yes Akio-san." He then turned to his new treasure to keep safe. "Ready, Little Iris?" To him, Little Iris suited her perfectly. She nodded frantically; so happy to have him stay.
"Okay, Agent I, after dinner we'll set up the contract and go over things that will be required of you. Since you already know martial arts and how to handle a sword; all you need to learn is how to properly handle a sidearm and knife for defense." Akio sounded so professional but his face gave away his happiness. "Let's go in, shall we?"
So the seafood businessman, his daughter and the new bodyguard all walked in and got ready to start a new adventure.