Kagome's POV

I stared at the road ahead with nothing but dullness. Today was just...well there weren't many words I could think of that would sufficiently cover what a crappy day it was at school. I completely forgot about my essay assignment, tripped in the middle of the hallway, AND I got defeated in gym class by that no good Sora chick.

Glaring at my work establishment as if it were the sole reason for today's woes, I barged in. Ayame came walking to me with a cheerful little extra push in her step. When she saw the look on my face her own formed an 'o'. She always knew when I was in a bad mood. Without so much as a 'hi' to eachother she bounded off into the kitchen.

I sighed and resumed my position as a cashier. I was really going to hate being forced into cheerfullness today...at least today was payday.

A cute little baby was steered into the room by its vigilant mother; unknowingly a small smile formed on my face. Babies were much easier to be cheerful with.

"Hi! Welcome to Deluxe Coffee! May I take your order?"

The mother put a finger to her lips in contemplative thought, while the baby giggled adorably. I put a hand to my mouth to keep from laughing at the cuteness of it all.

"Yes...I would like a decaf coffee with a packet of sugar please." She finally decided.

"Coming right up!"

I handed Ayame the order. In return, she handed me iced coffee. I mouthed a 'thank you' and she nodded...the smile stayed on my face. I really did have a good friend.

I handed the young mother her decaf coffee and slowly started to relax. Maybe today could end well at least.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, so I turned around. There stood Kikyo. I thought about the check I was going to get and inwardly danced for joy, but tried not to show my blatant happiness.

"Kagome...I was going to give you all of your money, but then I've noticed something. You're behavior has changed recently; you don't have as much happiness as usual. And you've forgot the customer is always right. Just remember, here at Deluxe Coffee, we always have a smile on our face and pep in our step!" I felt my cheeks flush red. "So...to help teach you a lesson, in my kindness, I've taken out only half of what you would have made and not the whole thing. You're welcome!" Her face lit up in a brilliant smile.

I gaped at the small little envolpe she handed me. My eye started to twitch. I glanced at Ayame and she look just as astounded as I. She only gave me half...which meant...I only got about fifty bucks. I started to growl with anger, helplessly. That bitch! At least she only took out twenty last time...

To make matters worse, that Yasha kid picked that exact moment to walk into the store. I tried to divert my eyes, so that I wouldn't scream at him in frustration, but it seemed he was dead set on...something.

Kikyo ignored my obvious speechlessness to wave sweetly at Yasha. However, instead of waving back, he literally shoved her out of the way. She gasped in surprise. I would have laughed at the comical reaction had his face not been completely red with the most pissed-off expression I'd ever seen.

"You!" He bellowed. I felt myself cringe and duck under his stormy gaze.

His face twisted into this...awful, overly-sweet smile. A jolt of fear raced down my back as I fought the urge to throw up. Just what did I do!?

"We need to talk...honey. Now."

Within seconds I was ripped half-dazed out of my cashier spot, and dragged outside. I didn't bother resisting for fear that my wrists would simply be snapped in half. Wait...I know what this is about...

"Look uh-Inuyasha-err...Yasha,"

"You address me as Yasha. NEVER call me Inuyasha."

I gulped, staring at the floor, unnwilling to meet his cold gaze.

"How dare you try to turn me in you little bitch!" He roared."Do you know what I've been through!? I was just about to start changing my life around and then you had to show up! I should turn you in and see how you like it!"

"Okay Yasha! Look...I-I'm sorry about the whole romance thing! That was out of line! I just figured you'd be less pissed at me if you got a date w-with Kikyo! You two seemed like ya'll would make a good couple!" We both shouted at the same time.

We stared at each other. Wait...turning him in? What the hell?

He appeared confused as well. "A...date? With that creepy Kikyo chick? Look...just tell me the truth and this will be much easier."

My hands fisted up at my sides. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my raging nerves. "Look...I don't know what the heck it is you're talking about. But you better back off, or I'll call the police!"

His eyes glinted red. He stared taking ragged breaths, breaths so deep I began to feel fear pool in my stomach from hearing the unnatural sounds.

"I knew it! Well you know what? If you think you can just accuse people for no reason, you are seriously mistaken, little girl. I will kidnap you and you'll regret this day-"

The depths of fear was once again replaced by indignance.

"I'm 17 going on 18, in no way am I a 'little girl'! And my name is Kagome you sick bastard-" I couldn't finish the rest of my statement before I was roughly tugged on my wrists. I stubbornly resisted the tears building up on my eyelids from the pain; he was gripping them so tightly I thought at any moment they'd just tear right off. I wasn't even paying attention to where he was tugging me until he released his iron grip.

I blinked a couple times to see more clearly. I came face-to-face with the familiar looking pick-up truck and instantly the feeling of wanting to throw up came back. My emotions were so jumbled up I didn't know whether to run or scream.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Apparently I needed to scream.

I watched him grimace in pain, cupping his ears. I took this as my chance to turn and flee. With adrenaline pumping furiously through my veins I was amazed at how fast I could run, feeling as if I were running on a cloud instead of the ground.

I kept running, not really sure where I planned on running to, but determined not to go anywhere with Yasha in that crazy state of mind.

I wasn't expecting him to be some kind of major athlete; it took me by suprise to see him racing up to nearly the same speed as me. I tried to gauge where I could run...there was only one option-a small little gasoline stop just a couple feet from me. I could see the shadowy figure of a woman counting change. If she saw me like this she could surely call the police!

Without wasting much time I sped through bushed straight up to the gas station, panting from the exertion. I turned around cautiously to peer around and see where he was. Unintentionally, we made direct eye contact. But...he was just walking to me! He wasn't even trying to run.

Forcing myself not to be frozen in fear, I pushed onward through the double doors and into the gasoline station. She was still counting change with a rather bored look etched on her features. I took a gulp of air, trying to both summon my courage and get enough air at the same time.

"Excuse me ma'am."

She slowly peered up after putting down a quarter.

"Can I help you?"

I looked into her eyes boldly. "Yes. Do you see that man over there?"

Her eyes flicked to the direction of my finger.

My eyes glanced in his direction as he slowly made his way to the store. "He-he tried to kidnap me. I swear, he was about to kill me back there. Can you please call the police!?"

She raised a brow, clearly confused by the figure of a young man with hands in his pockets whisteling some sort of tune.

"Umm...that guy? You sure? He's just walking."

I tried not to scream at her. That probably wouldn't help the situation. I took another breath.

"Yes ma'am, he's insane! Please call the police! Quickly! Before he-"

But it was too late. He already leisurely strolled into the gasoline station, hands tucked in his pockets. I gulped down my words.

I could only stare in some strange mix of fascination and fear as he calmly picked up a bag of barbecue chips. He quickly made his way to the cashier and handed her a bag of chips.

"That'll be 1.05 sir."

She shot me a 'shame on you' look. My hands tightened so much I drew blood.

"Thank you ma'am."

His answer shook me out of my trance.

"Please," my voice trembled, "please call the police..." I begged her in nearly a whisper.

Yasha's facial expression suddenly warped into a strange expression that hardly suited him; after a few moments I recognized it as a look of concern.

"Is there any way we can help you? I'm sure we can get our hands on the police shortly." He stared at me with that weird look. His concerned look didn't faze me at all; I knew his anger was bubbling on the inside.

"Ma'am...I think the only one that needs the police," She stared at me, clearly irritated. "Please leave the store immediately. We take threats very seriously and don't appreciate joking!"

"But-!"

"Come on ma'am, let's get you some help." Yasha grabbed my wrists again. I choked back a sob.

"PLEASE! PLEASEEE!" I screamed, alerting all shoppers of my distress. But it was no use...he was already pulling me out of the store, and she was allowing it to happen!

I persistently screamed, hoping anyone would hear me and help. But everyone just shook their heads in disappointment. My frenzied screaming soon turned into loud sobs that shook my whole body.

"Look...Stop crying! I can't stand it when women cry!"

This only made me want to cry louder. I was too weak to resist him, so I just kept allowing more tears to roll down my cheeks.

For the third time, I came face-to-face with his car.

A strong pulse of fear gripped my heart once more. Moments later, all of me was surrounded in a cocoon of blackness called unconsciousness.

Gramp's POV

"Hojo! How could you let me forget to remind me to hand-cuff the guy!" I complained. We sat purched underneath the donut shop...which I would have enjoyed had my partner not have been such a ditz!

He dropped his head. "I'm sorry sir...I thought you were in charge."

"I am in charge! Of course I'm in charge...you're nothing but a-" I paused, trying to think of the word.

"Wait. What are you again?"

"I'm in training sir," he stared up at me with bid ole' puppy eyes. But puppy eyes were for puppies, not for detectives!

"Straighten up soldier! We need to stay sharp. I can't have you ruining my career."

Hojo opened his mouth prepared to argue, but must have got some sense knocked through that thick noggin of his, for he shut it.

"That's what I thought. Now eat your donut boy."