InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ En Famille ❯ Out to lunch ( Chapter 3 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

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Don't accept rides from strange men, and remember that all men are strange.

- Robin Morgan

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"How bad's your workload right now?"

Miroku took a bite of his ice cream and watched her do the same with a small frown.

"Not too bad, the season just closed so I've been planning on organizing my stuff for the next few days. I have a design to work on for Tania Hardcastle's appearance at the Oscars," Kagome shrugged, "Why?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to go away with me," Miroku leaned back against the bar behind him and smiled, "Since I'm on leave this week and you could probably use some time off too."

Kagome bit into her ice cream and stared at him, "Are you serious?"

"Of course I am," Miroku nodded, "I've been thinking and wondering where you wanted to do this. I figure my place is out since I'm staying with my parents and at yours we might be a bit more awkward, so someplace neutral would be a good idea."

"Where would we go?" Kagome took another bite of her ice cream and waited, realizing he was probably right. [Besides that, doing this at my place would probably make me always think of him whenever I'm there]

"How long's it been since you flew?"

Kagome gulped, "Not long, why?"

"I was thinking we could go to Paris, its nice there this time of year and it could help set the mood." Miroku waited for her answer, "We could fly out tonight even, be there by tomorrow and have a few days to get more comfortable together before - you know..."

Kagome sighed, "You know it'd be so much easier my way. We'd jut go to the doctor's, get your sperm, inject me and wait."

"I refuse to have a kid who was conceived by my jerking off into a cup," Miroku finished his ice cream and bit into the cone angrily.

Nodding quietly, Kagome also finished and thought over their options before shaking her head, "I can't do that Miroku, can't you just spend the week with your family and drop by Thursday night? I have to finish that design for Tania by Wednesday and if she approves, have it done by Saturday so she can go to the awards in it on Sunday."

Seeing that she wasn't going to agree, Miroku shrugged, "Fine, we'll go our separate ways until then I guess, what time should I come over?"

"Nine ok?" Kagome stood and followed him towards the car.

"Works for me," Opening the door for her, Miroku inwardly sighed and frowned at her crazy idea, wondering what he'd gotten himself into.


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"Hey Kagome!"

Stopping mid-step, she turned and was a bit dismayed to see Inuyasha crossing the street and coming over. He was wearing a pair of black suit pants and a red shirt, dressy casual, as was his style. His glasses she recognized as Oakleys, the flash of silver on his wrist, that new Gucci watch.

"Hey Inu, what're you doing out of the office at these hours?" Kagome lifted the portfolio to her chest and crossed her arms over it easily.

"Lunch," Inuyasha glanced over her outfit and felt a familiar surge of lust. He'd been drooling and stumbling after Kagome for months now. Of course, he didn't exclusively follow her, he was after all, a highly coveted bachelor. Even made Newsweek's top bachelor list, along with Kouga Wolf and Miroku, the bastards. But then again, that's probably why they were such good friends, they were all incorrigible lechers.

"Care to join me? I don't have any meetings for the rest of the afternoon, just paperwork," Inuyasha reached in his pocket and flipped off his phone. "And now they can't locate me and scold me for skpping out for a day."

Kagome sighed, she was hungry, she'd spent the past four hours with hollywood 's sweetheart, who in fact, was not the least bit sweet at all. She had barely opened her lips to agree when he took her portfolio from her.

"Excellent, I hoped you'd say yes," Inuyasha offered his arm and grinned when she took it.

"Could I have that back please? If one of those sketches is harmed, Tania's going to kill me." Kagome reached for the portfolio, pouting when he held it behind his back.

"Now what kind of gentleman would I be if I let you carry such a heavy thing all over town?" Inuyasha shook his head and brought it down to his side again.

Kagome glared but gave in, "Fine, just don't let anything happen to it ok?"

He nodded, "Yes m'am."

Glancing around, he thought of a place to eat and spotting the subway up ahead, grinned, "How about some Mexican food?"

"Mexican? Sure," Kagome allowed him to lead her and was surprised when they went downstairs to the subway. "Where's your car?"

"Scared?" Inuyasha chuckled, paying for their tickets.

"Just curious," Kagome took one and slid it into the counter.

"Left it at the firm, I felt like a walk, since being a lawyer leaves little time for exercise, a man's gotta take any chance he gets. Plus my client's office is just down the street from us so I've been walking over daily." Inuyasha turned when a guy bumped into his arm and glared. Kagome giggled and was walking past a column, shaking her head at his temper, when a bell rang, signaling the subway's departure.

To her horror, a large burly arm wrapped around her waist, something cold and sharp touching the small amount of skin left uncovered by her jeans and tank top. A husky voice ordered her to keep quiet as she was shoved into the car, just seconds before the door closed. She heard Inuyasha shout her name but was unable to turn or call out to him because of the object digging into her skin.

She was pressed into a corner of the car and the man wrapped himself around her in what looked like a lover's embrace. He ordered her to slip him her wallet and any valuable jewelry she might have on. Hands shaking, she slowly did as told, wondering how to get help without getting hurt. She squeaked when his free hand patted her bottom, her sides, making sure she'd left nothing in her pockets, lifting to feel her neck and ears. The knife pierced her skin, just a little, but she gasped and bit her lip, tears forming in her eyes.

The man's mood seemed to change suddenly and he pressed her furthur into the corner, his body flush against hers, head still at her neck, a hat covering most of his face from her view. His hand lowered and began wandering again, exploring this time, groping, and he nicked her back when she gasped again. Then, to her relief, the train slowed, stopped, he placed a kiss to her neck, whispered 'thanks babe' and was gone.

Stumbling out of the car when the bell rang again, she looked around but saw no sign of him, having seen little as it was. Leaning against a nearby column, she felt her legs shaking too badly to hold her up and melted against it, clasping her knees against her chest.

Moments later, another train came by, a furious and panicked Inuyasha stepped out and called her name over the mob of voices. With people blocking her from his view, Kagome heard the bell ring, heard him curse and plan to go to the next station and screamed his name.

"Inuyasha!"

"Kagome!" With the station emptying out he finally saw her, a few yards down from where he'd gotten on and came running over to her side, her portfolio still hanging around his wrist. He dropped down and hauled her against him, holding her tightly as if he'd never let go. "Christ I was so worried! Are you ok? Did he do anything to you? Are you hurt? Why are you on the ground?"

"I'm ok," Kagome whispered, thanking the lord that he'd come and that he was so big and warm. This hadn't been her first mugging, but then again, the only other one had occurred once when she was with Miroku, Sango and Sesshomaru. They'd been visiting the city on vacation from school then, and the mugger had been kind, polite even, although he'd had a gun, and this one only had a knife. But still, the knife had been just as scary, if not more so, being so cold and threatening against her skin. At least the other mugger had kept the gun in his pocket to ease the girls a bit when they'd nearly screamed at the sight. He'd only wanted money, not even their whole wallets.

"You're shaking," Inuyasha cursed, lifted her in his arms, and carried her out of the station. Whistling for a taxi, he climbed in, gave the address for the firm and sat back, holding her close.

They reached it in five minutes, Inuyasha had the doorman pay the cab, and kept her in his arms, despite protests that she was fine, until the elevator stopped on the top floor. When the doors opened, they were met by the stunned faces of Kouga, Sesshomaru, Miroku and Sango, who were just about to go out for lunch.

"What is the meaning of this?" Sesshomaru asked immediately.

"She was mugged," Inuyasha ordered them out of the way and carried her over to the lounge, where they had a large sofa and coffee table set up. Gently setting Kagome down on the sofa, he moved back and dropped the portfolio hanging from his wrist on the floor, taking a seat on the coffee table in front of her.

"What do you mean she was mugged?!" Sango hobbled over, taking a seat beside her friend, her stomach making it difficult to move too much.

"Don't worry about it Sango, I'm ok," Kagome took her hand, the shock finally seeming to leave her body.

"Don't worry about it? Damnit, you were mugged!" Kouga immediately turned on Inuyasha, "Where were you when this was happening?"

"I was right behind her!" Inuyasha snapped, "I wasn't more than three feet away but the bastard grabbed her and stepped into the car right before the doors closed and it took off."

"He took you in his car?!" Miroku kneeled beside Kagome, handing over a cup of water for her to drink.

"The subway car," Kagome corrected.

"You were in the fucking subway?!" Kouga slapped Inuyasha upside the head, "What the hell's your problem?! You don't take girls like Kagome in the subway!"

"Listen you…"

"That is ENOUGH!" Sesshomaru's booming voice startled Kagome into crushing the paper cup in her hand, spilling water all over her portfolio.

"Oh no!" Tossing away the cup, she leaned down to make sure none of her designs got ruined and winced as the nick in her side was pulled.

"Are you hurt?" Miroku asked, scanning her for injuries.

"She got hurt?! And you didn't take her to a fucking hospital? You IDIOT!" Kouga roared again. Inuyasha quickly yelled back. Sango felt a kick in her stomach and winced at the pain, and suddenly, to everyone's surprise, Kagome burst into tears.

"I said THAT'S ENOUGH!"

Grabbing the arguing idiots, Sesshomaru shoved them into separate chairs and promised to fire them if either one moved from his place or spoke. Placing a large hand over his pregnant wife's belly, he stroked a spot that he knew would soothe both her and the child and took a seat on the table in front of the crying girl as his brother had.

"Calm down Kagome and please tell us what occurred," His voice was cool, clipped, and just the thing she needed to gain a hold of herself again.

"I was walking home from a meeting with that atrocious girl, Tania Hardcastle, when I ran into Inuyasha and..."

Ten minutes later, with a small shrug, she finished, "And then we got here and now the drawing for Tania's dress is probably ruined because the water spilled all over it and if I go back she'll just sneer and be all nasty again."

Kagome sighed, Sango patted her hand, Miroku her knee, and Sesshomaru shook his head. "At least you weren't hurt too badly or taken advantage of."

"Did you know to molest someone is to simply bother them?" Kagome whispered, "I feel molested."

"No!" Kouga and Inuyasha snapped and jumped from their chairs at the same time.

Sesshomaru gave them a quelling look, and Sango's eyes widened when her brother moved up to sit on the sofa and pull Kagome close, nearly onto his lap. He whispered something to her and she seemed to feel better because she nodded, some of the tension leaving her body.

It was the sound of Inuyasha's stomach grumbling that broke the somber mood and had them all chuckling, then laughing a bit. "Hungry?"

"Well I did invite the girl out to eat," Inuyasha blushed, much to his dismay.

Sesshomaru stood from the table, patting Kagome on the head and helping his wife from her place on the sofa. "I propose we all go to Myouga's for a nice lunch."

"Sounds lovely!" Sango beamed.

"Kagome's treat"

Kagome giggled, Inuyasha glared, Sango poked him in the stomach, and Sesshomaru gave the girl a wink.

"Or on me… as usual."

Kagome smiled, standing and sighing at the sight of her portfolio. Inuyasha took it and crinkled his nose, "We could leave the papers spread out on my desk, hopefully they'll be dry by the time we get back."

"Could we?" Kagome thanked him and followed him to his office. Miroku and Kouga came along too, the latter noticing her cut on her back and pointing it out to the surgeon.

"We should tend to that," Miroku shook his head at her and thanked Ayame, Sesshomaru's secretary who all but drooled when Kouga walked by, for the first aid kit she brought over.

While Inuyasha spread out her paperwork, Kagome allowed Miroku to clean and bandage the cut appropriately. "Thanks."

"No sweat, I seem to be doing this a lot lately." Snapping the kit closed, Miroku saw the others were ready to go and escorted her outside. He lent Kagome his phone and reminded her to call the credit card company to report her stolen cards. She did so while on the ride to the restaurant, safely tucked into the back of Miroku's mustang, glad she wouldn't have to ride with both Inuyasha and Kouga together. Sesshomaru had shoved his brother into his car, and the wolf into the other.

"So what are you guys doing over the weekend?" Kouga asked

"Staying in"

Both Kagome and Miroku spoke at the same time, laughing a bit awkwardly and sharing a smile. Kouga went on to invite them to a few parties, which they both turned down. Miroku had to spend time with his parents, Kagome had to finish her work for Tania.

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After lunch, Sesshomaru and Sango excused themselves, having a doctor's appointment to attend. Inuyasha and Kouga actually managed to get along on the ride back to the firm, going over Kouga's new case and the possibilities of getting the man custody of his children.

"She's irresponsible, that's the key here," Inuyasha reminded him, "She's acting as if she were nineteen and and single. You said that you have four neighbors who will swear to her whoring around. The little one Maxine, she said she'd watched her mother?"

Kouga nodded, "Its a two room apartment, the boys in one room, the mother and Maxine in another. Maxine's woken many times and watched her mother get it on with some new uncle."

"How old is she?" Kagome asked.

"Ten, and her mother caught her about three weeks ago, instructing a cousin in the best ways to have sex." Inuyasha looked sick.

"Single mothers," Kouga shrugged, "She is only twenty eight after all, with three kids, a woman't got needs too."

"Not all young, single mothers are like that," Kagome argued, "You can't just classify them all as sluts."

"Well what else would you call a woman who has a kid without a husband? Or even a boyfriend?" Kouga replied. "A tramp."

"Shut up!"

Kagome actually glared and turned away with a huff, "There are plenty of single mothers who are not tramps and who have no plans of marrying."

"Right," Inuyasha rolled his eyes, "Kagome, its a well known fact that women's main goal in life is to marry and have kids. That's the universal woman's dream."

"Whatever," Kagome gave a sound surprisingly close to a growl at Miroku smirk and glared.

To her relief, they reached the firm just then, and the two bachelors quickly climbed out, the doorman holding Kagome's briefcase with her now-dry papers. Inuyasha had called ahead so she wouldn't have to go up and get them. Apologizing once again for the incident in the subway, Inuyasha surprised her by giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

"See you later ok? I'm sorry but I'll make it up to you, promise."

"Sure," Kagome blushed, the warm look in his eyes sending a chill down her spine.

Miroku cleared his throat and revved up the car, snapping a quick, "Bye!"

Pulling away from the curb, he hardly hid his annoyance while he drove out into the dangerous New York traffic. Kagome glanced over and was amused to see him frowning. "Can you believe that crap they were saying about single women with kids?"

"People have different opinions about everything," Miroku shrugged, turning in the direction of his friend's gallery.

"Where are we going? My apartment's that way," Kagome pointed off to his left.

"Its a surprise," He grinned, "I've been promising to drop by for days."

Kagome checked her watch, "Drop by where?"

"Do you have anywhere you'd rather be?" Miroku frowned again, "Should I drop you off somewhere?"

"Sorry, I'm just worried about these sketches," Kagome sighed, "Tania's a bitch, I don't want her biting my head off because I messed up the design."

Another twenty minutes later, they were walking into a small gallery with a few people roaming about inspecting the pieces. They were quite amazing, Kagome stared in awe at the glass sculptures. One in particular, a small sphere bursting with colors, caused her to catch her breath.

"That's one of my favorites," A voice from behind them stated.

Turning, Kagome stood and watched Miroku smile brightly and hug the woman before them. She was as lovely as her art, tall, slender, with sandy blonde hair and green eyes. Something in her eyes made Kagome certain that she'd been one of Miroku's lovers, maybe she still was.

"Desirée, meet Kagome, Sango's best friend," Miroku introduced them.

"This piece is lovely," Kagome smiled, inwardly smirking at the assessing glance the woman gave her.

Wearing only jeans, a tank top, flip flops and her hair in a bun, she hardly compared to the sleek woman before her. Dressed in a fine black and white skirt, red tank top, and red heels, her nails were freshly done and her make up was perfect. She looked as good as her artwork.

"Thank you, as I said, its one of my favorites," Desirée smiled arrogantly.

"And that, I must admit, is one of mine," Kagome motioned towards her outfit. "Fresh from the spring line, you certainly move quickly, it was just released a week ago."

Desirée blinked in confusion, "Excuse me?"

Miroku laughed, enjoying the silent battle, "How silly of me to forget, Desi, this is Kagome Higurashi."

"The Kagome Higurashi? Of Moonlit Miko designs?" Desirée gaped, and to their surprise, squealed.

"Oh my god! I love your clothes! You have no idea how hard it was for me to wait for your next line! The winter designs were fab! But I love the way you've used colors this spring. Everyone else goes for pastels and soft tones that are so blasé, but you, all the blacks, the dark blues, the reds and greys!" Desirée beamed.

"Thank you," Kagome gave her a natural smile, "I like to break the norms every so often."

"I was so crushed when I heard you don't have a wedding line!" Desirée held out her hand to show off her solitaire. "I was thinking of getting just one of your dressier white dresses as my gown."

"Oh congratulations!" Kagome looked the rock over appreciatively. "Its beautiful, you're a lucky woman."

"I'd say Nate is a very lucky fellow," Miroku smiled, reminding them of his presence.

"Thank you," Desirée looked over Kagome's jeans and laughed, "I recognize those now, last year, fall."

"Oh my, you really are a follower aren't you?" Kagome laughed, "You know it is a pity that I don't do wedding dresses."

"Oh don't remind me!" Desirée begged, "Its just cruel of you to do so."

Kagome laughed, "But I was thinking, perhaps I could make an exception."

Desirée gasped, eyes widening in shock, "You wouldn't!"

"I already have!" Kagome, to Miroku's shock, slid her hand into his back pocket, grabbed his wallet, and flipped it open to a picture from Sango and Sesshomaru's wedding. "I designed my best friend's wedding dress four years ago."

"Oh its beautiful!" Desirée stared down at it longingly.

"I had fun designing it too," Kagome closed the wallet and handed it back to Miroku before speaking again. "So? What do you say? Next Monday work for you?"

"Monday?" Desirée frowned.

"Well I'll need a few days to get some ideas put together, and then we'll have to go over what you want and get your measurements, its a grueling process, making a wedding dress." Kagome frowned a moment and then nodded, "Yeah, I should be prepared by Monday. What do you say?"

"You're really offering to make my dress?!"

"Yes"

"YES! Monday's great!" Desirée laughed, clapped and then gave Kagome a huge hug. "Oh thank you! Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome," Kagome smiled also, seeing Miroku shaking his head at her over Desirée's shoulder.

"Desi there's a client interested in piece number 342, you know, one of the larger pieces," A young girl, probably her secretary came over.

"Oh, I'll be right back you guys," touching up her shirt and skirt, she excused herself and hurried over to the client.

"That was nice of you," Miroku told Kagome as she turned to stare at the glass orb again.

"She knows nearly as much about my designs as I do."

"I knew you two'd get along, and I had promised to come visit next time I was in town," Miroku led her away from the sphere, catching her wistful sigh as they moved on.

They toured the gallery and Kagome traded phone numbers with Desirée before she left. Making their way out to Miroku's car, she spotted a poster for the new book she wanted outside a store nearby.

"Oh wait, I just have to run over and get that book, I'll only be a moment." Remembering suddenly that her wallet was gone, she sighed and rolled her eyes. "Nevermind, can you give me a ride home now?"

"How about I give you a ride to the bookstore?" Miroku turned his back on her, squatted, snaked his arms around her thighs and stood.

With a surprised gasp, Kagome wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her legs off the ground. He'd carried her this way when she was eight and had hurt her ankle, he being a big tough guy at the age of ten, took her all the way home from school. Laughing at the memory, she held tight and rested her chin on his shoulder as they headed over to the store.

The ride was short, half a block, and soon she was being set down on her feet again. After thanking him with a peck to his cheek, she grabbed his hand and led her over to the story she wanted. "Its called The Other Boleyn Girl and its all about Queen Anne Boleyn's sister Mary."

"She had a sister?" Miroku smiled, watching her open the back and read the end.

One of her quirks, if she didn't like the end, she wouldn't buy the book. So she always read the last page first. Always.

"Ok she's happy with her husband and kids," Kagome closed the book and frowned, "I'll come get it later."

"You're getting it now," Miroku took it from her hands and shushed her protests. "Its just a book and you can take it as my thank you for accompanying me to the gallery."

"But I had fun at the gallery," Kagome grinned, "And I got a new client."

"Then take it as my way of helping you get over the scare from this morning," Miroku set it on the counter, saw a cute bookmark of a wooden mouse with a long string as its tail, and added that as well. Once the items were paid for, they headed out and were on their way to the car when a store a cross the street caught Miroku's attention.

"Starbucks!"

"You want coffee?" Kagome looked to where his finger pointed and smiled, "Sounds good."

"Let's go get some," Miroku grabbed her hand, checking for cars before dashing across the street.

"Miroku we're supposed to go to the corner!" Kagome glanced back and saw the red light at the corner had turned green, allowing cars to head towards them. "Hurry!"

Barely making it to the sidewalk on time, they stood, huffing and laughing. "You could have gotten us killed!"

"You liked it," Miroku teased, dragging her into the shop. After getting two capuchinos they headed back outside and decided to take a quick stroll around the street. Crossing at the corner, they passed Desirée's gallery, and reached the car again. They climbed in and headed over to Kagome's apartment, finishing their drinks on the way.

"Thanks Roku, I really had a lot of fun at the gallery," Kagome smiled and kissed his cheek, "And thanks for the book."

"You're welcome Gome," Getting a call on his phone, he kissed her on the cheek and headed off. "Tomorrow at nine right?"

"Yeah, nine," Kagome waved and watched as he drove away. "Tomorrow at nine."

Closing the door behind her, Kagome looked down at the bag on her hand and wondered what she'd gotten herself into. "Its just one or two nights of sex Kagome, really, I can handle that... I can."

Dropping her stuff on her desk, she checked for messages and smiled when she heard one from Sango inviting her out for some shopping. [The doctor's appointment must have gone well.] Heading int her room, she looked over her wardrobe, deciding what to wear the next night. All her pj's were either tank tops with shorts or old t-shirts.

[Hmm... maybe I should get something more feminine? God its just Miroku! ...but then again, this is Miroku we're talking about Mr. Bachelor of the Year...]

"Hello?"

"Hey Sango, you wanted to go shopping? I need to pick something up..."

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Thanks for the reviews you guys, I'm glad you're liking the story so far.

Next chapter - "The hook up"

^_^

Ja!