InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Phoenix ❯ Appearances ( Chapter 4 )

AN: I do not own any of the characters from Inuyasha. I do not make any money doing this.

Kagome's past has pushed her to succeed in her later adult life. Living in a world that still showed discrimination, she still refuses to let that incident shape how she sees people. Wanting to help those around her, she ends up hiring a certain hanyou as her assistant.

Chapter Four - Appearances

"I have some bad news," he said to her as he entered the office slowly.

"Hm?" She asked without looking up, organizing random files on her desk.

"I don't think I can help out this weekend," Inuyasha admitted.

Kagome froze and slowly looked up at him with wide eyes, "but I need you there."

"My brother's fiancé had something come up and she can't watch Shippo," he tried to explain.

"If I found someone to watch him, would you come with me? This is a huge press event, and I need to make sure it's executed perfectly so we can keep expanding. You do realize we make money off of advertisements and investors, right?" Kagome raised her eyebrow.

"I guess," he caved. "But it's gotta be someone I can trust. He's my son, Kagome."

"I would never risk the health of a child," she gave him a serious look.

"Then I trust you," he smiled.

Inuyasha knocked on the door nervously, while Kagome hadn't accompanied him to her childhood home, she had assured him that her mother was happy to have a kid around the house again. Souta had grown up, and the thought of him leaving for college made her sad.

"Hello," Mrs. Higuarshi said after she opened the door. "You must be Inuyasha," crouching down a little, she lowered herself to Shippo's height. "And you must be Shippo. I'm very excited to spend the day with you. I bought a few things, and we can make cookies if it's alright with your father."

"That's fine," Inuyasha felt relieved. Hearing Kagome's mother lived in a shrine of all places made him want to refuse outright, but seeing the type of person Kagome was surely meant her mother had to be somewhat similar. Using his hand, Inuyasha ruffled Shippo's hair. "Bye, Kiddo. Be good, and no tricks."

"Kagome told me it could take a while, so no rush. I kept a lot of Souta's things that Shippo is more than welcome to use," Mitsuko smiled while straightening her legs.

"Thank you for watching him," he said.

"No thanks are needed, I've always wanted Kagome to give me a grandchild. I can pretend for now."

Caterers bustled around hectically while setting up the venue. Inuyasha looked around for his boss, frowning when she wasn't easily visible. Chairs had all been set up facing a small stage where Kagome would be presenting some of the company's work, as well as answering questions from the press.

His senses were dulled due to the commotion. Growling out in a low pitch, he narrowed his eyes at the surroundings. Finally he found her delegating different tasks to a group of people. Walking up, he tapped Kagome on the shoulder, careful not to surprise her.

"I am so happy to see you," she smiled brightly at him. Shoving the stack of papers at him, she turned back to the group. "That's all I have for you, please finish your tasks as soon as possible!"

"Where should I start?" Inuyasha asked nervously, not liking the idea of large crowds.

"Just go around and make sure the groups are on track. I need a shower and a new change of clothes. I don't think I'll be able to seal the deal wearing this," she used her hand to point at herself.

Inuyasha had to look, sure it wasn't anything fancy like he had seen her wear in the past, but he enjoyed the somewhat tight jeans and loose pink sweatshirt. He liked it more than some of the classy office clothing she had worn.

"See, even you think it's bad," she groaned out.

"N-no!" He blurted out, "I've just never seen you dress so… casually. I like it honestly." Inuyasha saw the light blush appear across her cheeks before she mumbled out a broken 'thank you'.

"Miss Higuarshi! Miss Higuarshi!" Another voice called out. All types of people had shown up, investors, journalists, other guests. At this point, Kagome wasn't sure who worked for whom but she thought everything had gone well so far.

"Yes," she pointed out to the hand.

"Miss Higurashi, are you aware that someone leaked your medical history?"

"No," her face grew grim. "But I would hope my partners would observe my right to such private documentation. Next."

"Miss Higurashi," a new voice spoke up. "It seems to be a trend of yours specifically to speak out against racial discrimination. Tell me, why do you feel as though you are a good spokesperson for half demons? Are you not a human?"

"I am a human," she replied without hesitance. "But just because I am a human doesn't mean that I am okay with what was the current trend of racism our society was and is accustomed to. Look at how much the internet world has blossomed the last ten or so years, more people are realizing that it is not your heritage that defines who you are."

"Isn't it true you grew up on a shrine? Shouldn't you be against hiring so many half demons?"

"My family and I are accepting of all types. I hire people based on who they are, not what society has labeled them as," she responded. "I won't stop fighting for a world where we eliminate racist thinking."

"Or is it because of the miscarriage?" Kagome froze, seeing his opportunity the stranger smirked. "A human woman who carried a half demon baby. Why did you hide it, Miss Higurashi?" She could tell the owner of the voice was enjoying question.

"If you've gone through the trouble of reading my medical files to throw it in my face, you are not a welcome partner and I am asking you to leave."

Kagome walked off stage, not caring how it looked to the faces that watched in thick silence.