Chapter 2

Groaning, Kagome rolled away groggily seeking comfort in the sheets. "Come on," Sango protested shaking the slumbering raven head, "Your mom's on the phone."

Kagome mumbled and eased further into the pillows, her breathing soon evened out into a lazy relaxed pace. Sango hissed through her teeth and pulled the covers from her body. With perfect precision she smacked the exposed plump flesh barely covered by lacy underwear.

The slap was hard and echoed through the otherwise quiet room. It was followed by a small yelp from Kagome who jumped from the stinging sensation. Sango then pinched the flesh for good effect and watched as Kagome rolled screeching her protest.

"Good," Sango spoke leaning against the edge of the bed. "Now that I have your attention," she mumbled watching as recognition slowly registered on Kagome's face, "Your mom's on my phone."

Kagome yawned and wiped at the trail of drool on her chin. Sango handed her the mobile then trotted out the room. "Hi mama," Kagome greeted then cleared her throat to correct the hoarseness. "What's up?" she tried again sounding more like herself.

"Kagome?" her mother's voice sounded more weary and frail from the last time they had spoken. "What happened to your phone?"

Falling back against the pillow, Kagome groaned softly as her mother continued, "I've been calling you since yesterday and I keep getting some out of service reply."

"Yeah," Kagome replied quickly.

"I spoke to the company about that," she lied, "There was some mishap on their part but they're working on fixing it."

Kagome could picture her mother, worry etched on her face while unconsciously gnawing on the corners of her lower lip as she asked, "Baby are you ok?"

"Yeah mama. It's nothing to worry about," she assured fingering the loose threads of her pillow case. "They guaranteed that they would fix the system by the end of the week."

Kagome blew out softly into the silence, hoping her mother would buy into the lie. As soon as she found some cash she would pay the bill and get them to reconnect the service.

Her mother sighed, the sound warning Kagome that there was more in store. Nervously she pulled at the thread, nipping it loose from the seam.

"The school called," her mother informed drearily, "They said we're behind in payment," she continued.

Kagome sniffed, "Oh mama, I..they should have called me," she finished seething inwardly. "I've just been so busy between work and school," she exclaimed hurriedly, "I've had to hand in so many projects recently, I guess I lost track of some things," she concluded.

Before her mother could say anything g she continued "But don't worry about anything. I'll make some time this week and make the payments."

Across the room was a painting she had bought from a street artist on a whim while pressured by Sango to add some semblance of home and decorative coziness to her plain, drab room.

Framed on the wall was a picture of a basket filled with assorted fruits arranged in such a way that the overall appearance was that of a face. Staring back at her were red, plump disapproving tomato shaped eyes.

"Are you sure?" her mother inquired, "I can send some money if you…"

"No mama," Kagome half barked turning away from the eyes. Pressed face down into the pillows she spoke, "It's not like that."

She thought about her mother, working two-three shifts down by her job trying to scrape some money together to pay for grandpa in the hospital. Working to pay the bills, put food on the table and pay Souta's school fee, something real expensive since she had always insisted that children would get the opportunities she never had. In fact, that's something she told them that she promised their father on his death bed.

There's no way Kagome could ask for more, no way she was going to. For now she would endure the hardship and find a way. This was her last year in school and she'd be damned if anything tried to stop her.

"Really," Kagome smiled, "I'm fine. I've just had a very hectic schedule that's all."

Her mother sighed then spoke, "Ok, if you're sure." With new found assurance she added, "I guess they called me because they couldn't get you on your phone."

Kagome sat up, her back still turned to the picture of course, "Yeah. I've been having shitty luck this week," she chuckled.

"I'll overlook that," her mother warned.

Kagome giggled, "How's grandpa and the doofus?"

"Souta," her mother corrected, "Is doing great. I had a parent teacher conference the other day," she gushed with excitement. "And they assured me that he was in the top percentile of the class."

Kagome squealed rocking side to side, "That's awesome mama. I was beginning to wonder if he had a brain."

"Kagome!" her mother reprimanded, "That's an awful thing to say."

Kagome laughed, "I'm being honest. Remember how long it took him to get the timetables."

"It just takes longer for some people," her mother defended, then chuckled, "Besides, that's what they have the calculator for these days."

Kagome smiled warmly into the phone, that longing feeling seeping in. "How's grandpa?"

Her mother didn't reply immediately and that made the corners of her lips lower from a smile. "He's doing ok," her mother answered her voice laced with underlying comfort. Kagome sighed loudly, sensing that there was no want for any more questions and replied, "Give him my love."

"I will baby," her mother said sweetly. "You take care of yourself," she offered and added, "And call me if you need anything. Anything." Kagome nodded, "Yes mama."

When she hung up, Kagome threw herself across the mattress and groaned loudly, "FFFFUUUUUCCCCKKKKKK."


For the past four months, since her sexually harassing ex-boss let her go with the claim of downsizing due to economic crisis, Kagome has found some interesting ways to scavenge for money.

Initially she had gotten a gig as a cocktail waitress at a low-key club but that didn't last very long. She worked from four in the afternoon catering to drunken middle aged men who didn't know the definition of personal space, had a skewed concept of proper hygiene and just plain didn't tip. Her shift would end at three in the morning and her, being a car less person, had to call a cab because buses didn't run that late (at least to where she's going).By the end of the week she just had to pack it in.

After that she applied to a restaurant for the waiter position but they ended up giving her a job as a dishwasher instead. That stint lasted around three weeks, which coincidentally coincided with her exam period. She got fired for consistently being tardy.

She's been the girl at a catering job serving hotdogs, a babysitter for an elderly, a sign holder and hell even a blood donator for cash. She tried her best to be positive and independent because in the long haul she has been able to pay her way through three years of college.

One of the easiest, albeit least rewarding methods she practiced was can collecting and recycling. Whenever she got the chance Kagome would spend her free time searching through fields, the park and dumpsters. School, she found was actually a good place to collect recyclables. No one questions a person going around picking up plastic bottles there because, they just think she's a either a hippy, environmentalist or just really in tune with nature. Outside of campus there were times when some people approach her asking if she's homeless.

Unfortunately this was one of those days.

Kagome shifted uncomfortably in her seat. With the unwelcoming feeling of y eyes staring back at her she clutched her fingers around the plastic bag between her feet, cursing softly as it made sounds with each twist and turn of the bus. Normally on recycling days she would travel light, stuffing a duffle bag and bag pack with bottles. Today however she was seriously strapped for cash and needed to trade in all of her findings which she packed in the duffle bag, her bag pack and three large plastic rubbish bags.

Humming to the music blasting through her headphones she willed her nervousness away. She probably looked like a wreck to her observes clad in pajama bottoms, sweat top and tinted sunglasses even though the day was overcast. In her defense had to leave the apartment in ten minutes after her mother called to catch the bus.

At her stop she squeezed through the door onto the street and headed straight for the store, tugging the bags along. The owner took one glance at her and the truckload she was carrying and pointed to the co-worker in the corner.

"You again," Shinji greeted though his eyes remained glued to his magazine. Kagome gave a strained smile and placed a bag on the table happy to relieve the weight from her back. "This one has glass bottles," she informed and kicked the bags by her feet, "These are plastic."

Shinji puffed and exhaled strands of his bleach blond hair swaying along his forehead while he continued to read. "We only take in certain amount of bottles," he commented lazily turning the page.

"You haven't even counted them yet," Kagome grumbled folding her arms. Shinji leaned over the counter and sighed as though the action was strenuous. He looked from one bag to the next then leaned back against the counter and returned to the magazine. "You're over the limit," he replied without any care.

Kagome grit her teeth against calling him out for being a lazy bastard. It was like this every time she came to this store. Even though they had a good return rate the service was crap, at least when it came to this aspect. The manager always referred her to this greased up pretentious fag who wouldn't so much as lift a finger without persuasion. Ordinarily she would try to coax him into doing his job with compliments and gossip. Maybe comment on his hair which… really is looking great actually. He usually has it styled in a copper brown variation but the blonde totally brings out his eyes.

Anyways, today she just wasn't in the mood for games. With little restraint she grabbed the magazine and shoved the duffle in front of him. He made to protest but she interjected, "You're still obliged to count until you're at the limit." Jackass, she added under her breath. He made a face and unzipped the bag, every movement screaming obscenities as he slammed the bottles in a line on the table in exasperation. In the end she left the store two bags lighter and with eighty-five bucks in her pocket.

The other stores were more pleasant but gave less in exchange and with only bottles left to trade, the cheaper of the two, she came away with sixty bucks. A whopping one-forty-five in total.

Kagome checked the time on her watch finding it at half past noon. She had roughly three hours to find enough cash to pay her phone bill because as sure as the sky is blue, her mother will call tomorrow to find out if her phone is working.

Sitting on the bus bench Kagome sipped at the orange juice she had bought. That's three dollars gone from her present income. Brainstorming, she thought about the one-twenty she had in the bank, but shook her head against the notion. That money was in the case of absolute emergency.

Leaning back she cursed at her last resort. The only way to make a triple digit pay in three hours without selling your soul or body to the devil was sell something else.

"FFFFUUUUUCCCCKKKKKK."


The stifling scent of antiseptic and disinfectant wafted through the air and curled around up her nose and into head, the aftereffect making her woozy and unstable. Kagome hated hospitals with a passion. The sterile environment was unappealing, nerve-wracking and left her feeling guarded at every turn. She inhaled deeply through her mouth and half regretted it as the smell settled on her tongue leaving a taste in its way.

She waited patiently with her fingers twisting the cords of her ipod. When the nurse called her name she shivered and silently gathered the courage to move. Normally they would ask questions and to fill out forms but they had her record on file. The quiet petite redhead led her to a room and told her wait.

Inside Kagome sat on the paper sheet covering the bed. She breathed in again and tried to empty her mind. Giving blood wasn't such a bad thing, the pain lasts for like a second and it's over in minutes earning about twenty to fifty bucks a session. This time around her stakes were high.

The last time she had thought about doing a bone marrow donation was about two months ago when she couldn't find the rent. The size of the needle and description of the procedure made her quickly change her mind and beg Sango to cover her half. That was an awkward conversation since Sango didn't work and rely on her parents for money.

The door opened and Kagome swallowed her courage. She listened halfheartedly to the doctor and allowed her mind to wander throughout the physical exam. Heart beating a mile a minute she closed her eyes, blinking, and heard laughter. It was light, airy and throaty spreading warmth through her. She felt large hands tousling through her hair sliding down to her cheek and running over the cure and shell of her ears to tug on bottom.

The attendant positioned her to bend over the bed and Kagome sighed. Beside her she heard the clinking equipment and realized she was shaking only when the nurse rubbed her arm in an attempt to soothe. They gave her a minute to relax and Kagome bit the inside of her cheek to stifle her protest and chicken out.

The nurse started the count down.

One…

Two…

Three…

In truth, the insertion of the needle wasn't that bad. It had a ways to travel but doctor moved slowly, steadily. Her relief must have shown because the nurse chuckled and pointed out that they had given her a topical anesthetic. She was about to thank her when–—holy fucking hell

She opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out. Out of breath and tense like tight rope she grit her teeth and squealed knotting her fingers into the bedframe. Her body was on fire, her legs like hot coal about to melt away under her. Through the blood rushing in her ears she heard the soft encouragement of the nurse.

"Almost there."

Kagome didn't even feel when the needle came out, her only indication that it was over was when the nurse gently rubbed the back of her fist and told her to breathe. The sharp exhale she released through her nose burned and she licked her dry lips.

Coming to her senses she whimpered half impressed with her courage while mentally cursing. A chill ran through her when the doctor spoke, "OK that's one down."

When it was all over Kagome collected four hundred dollars in exchange for one hundred cubic centimeters. The second withdraw was like the first, only ten times worse. They left her in the room giving her enough to rejuvenate and making periodic observations. When she had the strength Kagome wobbled out onto the streets groaning with each step.

Slowly she made her way to the nearest payphone by the entrance. It was the hardest twelve steps she had ever taken and a smile of triumph spread across her when she opened the booth door.

Using the sides for support she picked up the phone and poised her fingers over the number button. She searched her mind for Houjou's number to ask him for a ride home, when she realized there was no dial tone. She hung up and tried again then almost screamed at the out of order phone. The next phone would be couple streets down….

"FFFFUUUUUCCCCKKKKKK."


"This is your last one," Miroku warned pouring liquid into the shot glass. He capped the bottle and turned to place it on the shelf behind him. Kagome frowned, stringing along silent curse words, and downed the drink in one fluid motion.

"What's wrong with her?" Miroku asked leaning against the bar counter as his friend slammed the glass back on the surface, release a hiss and lips against her lips for any stray drops.

Hojou watched as well sipping on his cranberry juice, alcohol was a big no-no for him due to his possible inherent gene of alcoholism. "She went to the doctor," he supplied as Kagome had yet to relay the full story as to why she had basically crawled into his car.

Miroku hummed with an air of knowledge, "Obgyn vist huh?"

"Shut up!" she stressed pushing in the empty glass his way and tapping on the edge for a refill. Even in the bar stool her hips were killing her, the onset now a numbing sensation that tingled whichever direction she leaned.

Miroku clucked his tongue and took the glass, "Not gonna happen." Her puffy face deflated and her bottom lip stuck out.

"Please!" she begged with her best impression of a kicked puppy etched on her face. For a second she thought he was going to budge but he stood firm in his resolve and put the glass below.

Hojou slid his glass in front of her offering an apologetic smile, "Just pretend there's vodka." He would have offered to buy her a drink but her suspicious resolve made him skeptical.

Kagome huffed and leaned back on her stool. "What's the point of having a friend that works in a bar if I can't go there and get drunk with him?" she grumbled.

Miroku held up three fingers. "Firstly, I can't get drunk on my job. Two, I'd serve you if you fork up some cash. Can't give you anymore freebie or my ass gets fired."

Kagome snorted and she found the action was a little more labouring than usual. "That's two points. You're holding up three fingers dumbass."

Miroku counted them off, lowering a digit for each reason, until only his middle finger was left standing. "Well this is just a gift from me to you," he smirked.

Kagome had half a mind to throw her drink at him. Instead she settled with sticking her tongue out which only seemed to amuse her friend.

Miroku worked at Mushin's which conveniently enough was just a few blocks from the apartment they shared. He favoured the pub because of its relax atmosphere which sported a pool table, entertainment set for the game, dart boards and of course , most importantly, the karaoke machine and stage for live music.

Miroku loved to perform in front of a crowd, stringing along notes on his guitar while he belted out lyrics from some of his favorite artists. He found it to be such a rewarding hobby that he dropped out of college last year to be a full time bartender/entertainer.

At first he hid it from Sango, confiding in Kagome about his dislike for his field of study, architecture. His father was the one pushing him to pursue this gallant dream in the hopes of his child following in his footsteps and when Miroku confronted his father, the man disowned him and they haven't spoken since.

Sango she comforted him at first though her words of understanding and encouragement soon turned to snide remarks about him wasting his life away in a bar. It wasn't so much that she resented his decision, just that she knew and believed he was capable of more than pouring drinks and doing karaoke. She would support him in any decision he made as long as he had a career in mind and not a temporary job.

Kagome understood Miroku from a certain standpoint. Being in college was scary when you didn't have a clear view of where you want to go in life and what you want to do. Sango choice was easy, she wanted to be a lawyer and that was such a simple cut and go path that she didn't get lost in all the other possibilities. That was her lifelong dream and her decisive manner prevented her from looking back.

Whereas with Miroku, this was the first time he had been free from the bounds and expectation of family. It might take some time for him to find his way but at least now he's realized he can do something that makes him happy.

Kagome kind of envied them both. She didn't know what she wanted to do and right about now the only thing that made her happy is sex and alcohol. At first she thought switching her major would work but really it's all just the same. In the end she's just going to wing it and get her degree so she can get paid.

She took a swig of the cranberry and stood, quickly refusing Hojou assistance. "I'm gonna go lie down." Hojou moved to accompany her but she gave him a quick peck of the check and reassured him that she's fine.

The apartment was around two blocks down and though the three story climb she had to make was going to be a pain in the ass; literally, she'd rather make the trip at her own pace and without any constant need to soothe company.

By the time she got the tricky lock on the pink front door to open, Kagome was grateful that Sango was so engrossed in her laptop that all she managed was a distracted "Hey" and had taken no notice of her limp or about to keel over demeanour.

Kagome made a beeline for the bathroom and filled the tub with warm water and bubbles. She removed her clothes slowly and placed her ipod on the counter, the shuffle music blasting through the inbuilt speakers and echoing against the tan coloured walls.

She gave a content sigh and relaxed in the plush liquid. The soothing scratchy vocals of Norah Jones tingled against her eardrums, coaxing to come away with her to fields where yellow grass grows knee high.

Now calm, Kagome thought about her situation. She had five hundred odd on her, most of which is going to pay her phone bill tomorrow. She still had to find money for the rent and for school. If she didn't, they would probably prohibit her from sitting finals.

Taking a deep breath she sank deeper into the water, her head now below the surface. Eyes shut she tried to envision the next move. She could go out and drop off her resume in some stores or apply for a temp job in the area. She had to find something that could work with her class schedules, more of a nighttime job.

Maybe there's a barmaid position somewhere or waiter or strip…

Marney…what?

'Marney the cumbucket'

Kagome gasped taking in water then popped her head out of the bath. Coughing, she cursed then shook her head to try to remember where she had seen that phrase. Then like a light bulb it all clicked.

"Marney!" she shouted, remembering her call last week by the payphone. She had totally disregarded that job and spent the rest of the week picking up trash networking. Between that and her actual school work that had been piling up along with her frenzied state due to her mother, she had been a blank slate grabbing at straws.

Now she jumped out of the bath with new found energy and made her way to her room. Slouching on the floor she dug through her clothes thankful she had yet to put them in the hamper. Once she found the faded blue jeans and rifled around the pockets, a burst of glee escaped her lips as her fingers captured the crumbled paper.

Server Girl Needed

For

Private Function


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Also please excuse any grammatical errors as when inspiration hit i just got at it, squiggly lines be damned. Let me know what you guys think.