InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Principle of Existence ❯ Clash of the Titans ( Chapter 2 )

The Principle of Existence

 

Summary: Due to a declining birth rate, the government of Japan imposes a drastic new law that forces healthy males and females to get together to make children. For Inuyasha, a hanyou, this may be a chance he thought he never had to have a family. But will he ever find love too?

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and Co. They belong to the wonderfully talented Takahashi Rumiko.

 

Warning: Adults doing adult things.

 

Chapter 2 Clash of the Titans

 

She was late. Most definitely late. Or, she wasn't late at all because she just wasn't coming. Not that he wouldn't be surprised by that. That was normal. What did surprise him was that he was matched up with her. Yes, her. The one whose eyes had come alive from the picture he kept on his desk, always watching, always seeing right through him.

 

And he was shocked that it had reached this point; this face-to-face meeting.

 

Well, almost. If she ever showed up that is.

 

This was a fuckin' joke. A big knee-slappin'-

 

“Excuse me?”

 

Inuyasha looked up from the papers he brought with him. Someone had finally arrived. Female, black hair, eyes that spoke volumes about her life and her experiences in each blink. Her clothing, however, was nothing to be proud of. A bland green turtleneck sweater that was two, maybe even three sizes too big for her small frame and a pair of black slacks that needed to be recycled. She dressed like an old woman. Hell, he'd seen older women who dressed better than she did.

 

He narrowed his golden eyes at her. She required a second look. Almost a third.

 

“You're not her. You're…ugly.”

 

“I know I'm not her.” The female sat down at his table without as much as a nodded invitation to, ignoring the `ugly' comment, for now. It wasn't like she hadn't heard the comment tossed her way before. “You're Matsuyama Inuyasha?”

 

“Maybe,” he replied cautiously.

 

“Hi, I'm Higurashi Kagome.” Kagome bowed her head at him, inwardly cursing that she had forgotten her manners. Sitting down before introducing herself, not exactly the way she had planned it. No going back.

 

Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms along his wide chest, both rising and falling with each breath he took. She noticed. “So?”

 

Kagome couldn't help but stare. He was…well, she really didn't want to use the word beautiful, but it was the first and only word to pop into her brain. Long silver hair that she hadn't seen on anyone other than on the youkai Prime Minister. However, Inuyasha's looked healthier, silkier, fuller. Golden eyes that burned like the sun, warming her blood, scorching her soul.

 

And those ears. Gosh, those ears were so cute, so…no, she wouldn't reach out and pet them. Though she could feel them calling out to her, begging to be scratched.

 

But above all, it was his aura. It radiated power, sex, and intelligence and underneath it all, there was a warning that he wasn't one to be messed it. Kagome gulped. Why was she here again?

 

“Right,” she finally said, clearing her throat and her perverted thoughts. “Well, I don't know how much they told you.”

 

Claws and fangs. She just now took notice of them. Both deadly. Yet, she was reminded of a rose. He was like a rose. Claws and fangs were nothing more than a defense system to protect itself. Kagome had to remind herself that he wasn't scary. There was nothing to be afraid of.

 

“I'm supposed to meet someone here regarding this…mating thing.”

 

Kagome let out a sigh of relief. At least he knew that it had to do with that. “Oh, good. Great. Okay. Well, that's me…I'm who you're supposed to meet. I'm your liaison.”

 

Inuyasha started to cough uncontrollably until whatever had gotten lodged in his throat disappeared into his stomach. “You're my what?” Lesbian? Did she just say lesbian? Why would I need a lesbian?

 

Kagome cocked her head to the side. “Did they not tell you?”

 

“Obviously not.” Seriously, lesbian? Was this a joke?

 

“It's not like there's been a switch or anything. I'm not your…intended.” Was that the right word? “You are still paired with Itidaka Kikyou.”

 

All of that pent-up air came whooshing out of Inuyasha's lungs, his body sagging into the chair and a slight smile turning up on his lips. This…wench wasn't his. “Then why are you here and not her?”

 

“Itidaka-san…well…I'm a bit surprised that you don't know…uh…well, sh-she's…she's an American.” Kagome's eyes focused on the corner of the napkin resting underneath Inuyasha's drink. She just couldn't look at him. As if she wasn't good enough to. Yeah, that's what she felt. Not just as a female, but, as Higurashi Kagome.

 

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. “She looked Japanese to me.” And beautiful and smart and everything this girl wasn't. Well, she was Japanese, but that's where the similarities ended.

 

“Oh yes. Her bloodline is pure and her ancestry can be traced back well into the feudal era. It's just that her family moved to California shortly after the isolation period ended and they have been living abroad ever since.”

 

Inuyasha shook his head. He really didn't need the history lesson. “So, you are here to do what exactly?”

 

“Kikyou…eh, Itidaka-san only speaks English.”

 

“Fuck.” The word came out with a quick exhale of breath. It was the only word in his head. The only proper response to what the lesbian - eh, liaison said.

 

“It's not like the mating thing won't happen. She's relocating over here. She's eager to learn the Japanese language, its customs and everything. She's even enrolled into classes. But it's all new to her and I'm here to help the both of you accommodate each other until she's ready.”

 

With his eyes glancing onto the floor, he frowned. Of course. It had to be difficult, didn't it? There was just no way this was ever going to be easy for him. He might as well go to a bar and pick up someone. At least she would know his language.

 

Except, he had tried that before.

 

He heard words. Taking a peek up at his new annoyance, he found her mouth moving. She was talking. Perhaps he should listen. Her presence here was about Kikyou and that was important to him.

 

“What?”

 

“I said that Kikyou had a few years of Japanese when she was younger. She's not learning the language from scratch, it's more like a refresher and then she'll go from there.”

 

“Oh.”

 

“Anyway, she will be arriving tomorrow. Her belongings will then be arriving a few days after that.”

 

“They already explained that to me.”

 

Kagome nodded. At least he knew some things about what he was getting involved with. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a piece of paper that she had been instructed to hand to him. “Here is your schedule-”

 

“My schedule?”

 

“Yes. You are not required to, but it is highly recommended that you learn some basic English as well as some American customs. Not that… well, it's just so that you aren't surprised by anything that she does that is routine for her.”

 

“Okay.” That made sense. His knowledge about Americans and America was limited. A few movies, rumors, and anything he heard in passing that was in the news. But for Kikyou…yeah, he'd do it.

 

“You'll also be getting a copy of her schedule too, for, well…you know…whatever.”

 

“I get it.” His tone was sharp, his words clipped. This was boring, a waste of his time. They could've sent him a letter. A phone call wouldn't work as he hated them. Cursed cell phones. Why did they have to be so damn popular?

 

And Kagome wouldn't stop talking. “If you need anything…like you find yourself in an emergency or if Kikyou is unable to adequately explain something in Japanese, here is my card. My home number and cell phone number are both listed on there. In case you don't have it, here is Kikyou's flight information. I'll be there to help you two get through the greetings. And if there are no immediate questions or concerns, I will, uh, take my leave. Please read through everything by tomorrow. Very important.”

 

“Yeah, sure,” he casually replied, tossing the stuff to some empty part of the table. He'd get around to it, sometime.

 

“Great. Uh, well, have a good rest of your day. And I'll see you tomorrow.”

 

Kagome hurried out of her chair and away from him. Appearances were deceiving. Maybe rose was a bad analogy. He was…he was a jerk. No consideration for anyone other than himself. And he had called her ugly. That was proof of his being a jerk. Everyone else just said it behind her back. Never in her face.

 

The chilling air hit her hard, causing her bones to shake in their joints. Kagome stuffed her hands into her pockets, desperately searching for her knitted gloves, the ones she always carried with her. Except for today. Lately, things had been getting bad. Her mind was so unfocused. Forgetting this, forgetting that.

 

Her name was Kagome. And her job was to help two people meet, learn, and, hopefully, fall in love.

 

No wonder she couldn't think about anything else.

 

Kagome then hurried back into the café hoping to catch him before he left. She did remember something. It was important. She thought it was.

 

“Matsuyama-san,” she called out as she dodged patrons huddled around a tiny table drinking their teas and sending messages on their cell phones. Her bag got caught on the back of a chair, yanking her backwards. Kagome stumbled and bumped into someone. “Sorry. I'm so sorry.” She bowed several times, offering her deepest apologies for causing them any interruption. Looking up, she found Inuyasha to still be seated at the table. “Matsuyama-san.”

 

“What?”

 

“May I…uh, may I offer one little suggestion?”

 

“Hurry up.”

 

“Your clothing.” He looked great. He just wasn't dressed in the finest threads. In fact, it looked like they both shopped at the same secondhand shop. But she washed her clothes. “Maybe something cleaner and not so shredded might help make a good first impression.”

 

Inuyasha jumped out of his seat. “What's wrong with my clothes? I fuckin' work hard for a living, unlike some people.”

 

Kagome gasped. Was he directing that comment toward her? He couldn't be insinuating that she didn't work hard. That she…No, she wouldn't get into this right now. Not with him. He was embarking on something that over three-fourths of Japan was getting into. No doubt he was just cautious and nervous. That's it.

 

“Don't get me wrong. I wasn't suggesting that…I admire those that…well…anyway, please just think about it. It's her first time here, and for Americans, Japan has this image of being truly…eh…different. She'll be just as scared as you are, confused, nervous, and you'll want her to feel welcomed.”

 

“Keh, I know that.” Did he look stupid to her?

 

“Wonderful. So, again, review the information I've given to you and I'll see you at the airport.”

 

He just rolled his eyes as that female annoyance walked away. She was clumsy as her purse got caught on the same exact chair that she picked on earlier. A mess was what she was. Already she was driving him nuts. He couldn't imagine having to depend on her for anything.

 

How come women were so much trouble? They were for him. Still, in the long run, this could be perfect for him. Marriages used to be arranged all of the time. Maybe free will with love was the wrong way to go. Kikyou would be his soul mate. The one he'd live with and the one he couldn't live without.

 

Yet, nothing in life ever came easy for him. This probably wouldn't be any different. Pulling out the picture of Kikyou, his eyes stared at hers. Lost. He could get lost in them. He wanted to be lost. Lost meant he wasn't here, in this world, the one that hated him. The world that didn't want anything to do with him. In her eyes, he believed he could find salvation.

 

<->

 

Kagome folded the neck of her faded navy blue turtleneck collar over as she got ready for the day. Today was the day that the couple she had been assigned to were going to make their first official greeting and she had to be prepared as best as she could.

 

Flipping her dark hair out from underneath the cotton cloth, she tried hard to pat it down flat, but it just refused, always floating back up. Instead of having normal hair like other Japanese girls, hers was thick and voluminous. Instead of lying flat like silk, it was just a huge mess. Static electricity ruled her hair today, almost making it look like she was afraid of something.

 

Hugging a dark ankle-length floral skirt around her hips, with black leggings underneath, she slipped her sock-covered feet into a pair of flat brown loafers, coins gone long ago. Stepping in front of the full-length mirror that was secured to the back of her bedroom door, she checked herself out.

 

She looked ready. She felt ready.

 

Either way, she had to be ready.

 

According to her schedule, she was meeting with Inuyasha at the airport prior to Kikyou's arrival. She frowned. He wasn't what she imagined him to be at all. Well, maybe not him specifically, but him and this whole process put together. She had had an ideal and, yesterday, she was introduced to what the people involved were really like.

 

She didn't expect this job to be easy, but Inuyasha was going to make it exceptionally difficult. His attitude and his…well, his attitude just wasn't going to make her part any easier. But no one knew what was expected of this. Or was it just him? Maybe she should've asked for more money.

 

Once she was as satisfied as she was going to be with her appearance, she hurried out to the main room of her apartment. She placed all of the things she would need into her trusty yellow backpack. Pens, pencils, paper, books - almost as if she were going to school - were all packed up. Kagome chuckled at the thought. As much as she had enjoyed school, she had enough of it for now. It was time for her to be a functioning member of society and work in the real world.

 

But was this real?

 

Her government had practically forced arranged marriages on its citizens so that they could become baby-making machines. It seemed more like a science fiction scenario than anything she thought she would ever live through. At least they weren't cloning people yet. And if this mating thing didn't work out, would they just start mixing boy fluids with girl fluids and deliver families test-tube babies?

 

Robots seemed like the new future thing to replace children, but, someone had to build the robots and program them. So until Isaac Asimov's stories were realized, it was to be done the old-fashioned way. How much of this was already like science fiction? Kagome shook her head. She read way too many books.

 

Kagome hurried back into her bedroom to do a double-take in the mirror. She never worried about how she looked, not until now. Her face, like always, bore no makeup, nothing to enhance features that she didn't find appealing at all. She didn't need to try to look like someone she wasn't. And her hair…it needed to just be pulled back - a braid. That would keep her hair under containment for the day.

 

Now that she was finally ready, she put on her thick parka, grabbed her yellow backpack and purse, and reached for the door as soon as everything was on her shoulders.

 

Meow…

 

“Oh Buyo,” Kagome groaned out at the sound of her cat. “Mommy will be gone for most of the day. You already have food and water. Okay?” The cat rubbed its fat, round body around her ankles, the contact of the fur with the material of the skirt being prime ingredients for more static electricity. “No, you don't want to go outside. It's not nice outside today. Oh, that reminds me…I need my umbrella. Thanks, Buyo.”

 

The cat meowed as Kagome scratched its plump head in gratitude. Dropping her bags, she ran to the closet and rummaged through her junk until she found her umbrella. Nothing could stop her from frowning at its condition. Was it really going to keep her dry? Problem or not, she didn't have much of a choice. Well, it was either get rained on without the umbrella or hope that her umbrella held up against the force of the downfall outside. The chances of the umbrella winning that were nil.

 

“I'm going.”

 

Kagome locked her cat up in her tiny apartment and quickly headed to the stairs. It was a few blocks to the train station and then a forty minute ride to the airport. Kikyou's flight wasn't due in for another two hours. That gave her one hour to get to the airport and one hour with Inuyasha.

 

After wading through the puddles and crowds to get to the train station, she was relieved when she found a seat on the train and settled in. She pulled out a book and started to read so she could pass the long ride out. However, her mind couldn't focus on the words as it drifted to her thoughts; thoughts about how she was going to make a relationship, one that worked, between the Japanese hanyou and the American woman.

 

She had conversed with Kikyou many times, mostly with e-mails due to the time difference. The woman was well educated, wrote eloquently and with such grace. Kagome found herself watching her word usages, wanting to send nothing short of perfect grammar. But it was hard to keep up with the woman as Kagome didn't use that kind of English vocabulary often.

 

Not only did there exist the language barrier between Inuyasha and Kikyou, but they all had full schedules. According to what information Inuyasha supplied, he worked a lot. It didn't exactly specify what it was he did, though she expected it to be hard work, something that required him to wear such ragged clothing. Kikyou, besides taking Japanese lessons, would also be working too. So, between their work schedules and her classes, Kagome had to find time to teach them about their cultures and each other until Kikyou was able to converse without a translator.

 

And that would ultimately be up to the two of them. Kikyou, she was sure, would be a quick learner. It was Inuyasha that she had to be worried about. He seemed to have a strong stubborn streak. She felt that from him. He was her challenge.

 

The airport finally came into view. Watching as the planes taxied around, taking off or landing, Kagome recalled a time when she really wanted to be a stewardess. She could travel the world freely, meeting new and interesting people and helping them arrive at their destination using the skills she had. Instead, she got picked up by the government because they needed children.

 

Kagome groaned. This wasn't how she had her life planned out at all. She figured that with her linguistic abilities, she would be doing something more…exciting. Not that she expected her life to be like James Bond. But, more along the lines of sitting in on top secret negotiations or helping to secure multi-billion dollar international business deals. There was also the chance to mingle with celebrities. Many of them came over from the United States and did commercials here that Americans would never see. Or at least something along those lines.

 

Nope. Nothing like that. Yes, she was a civil servant. She even had a government ID card as proof. Instead, she had to do something she had absolutely no experience in; love and children.

 

Scratch that. They didn't even have to even fall in love. Kagome fisted her tiny hands. The government was just using this law and the children born from it as some economic safety net just so they had social security when they retired. And they so easily tossed around phrases such as `preserving who we are' and `securing a future.' Money was barely mentioned as a footnote. The secret agenda.

 

She stepped off the train and waited for it to leave before heading toward the airport so she could avoid that initial crowd. It was also fiercely raining out. Getting drenched would not be the proper way to make a first in-person impression with Kikyou. Looking at her tattered umbrella, this was the year to buy a new one.

 

And so she ran…well, lightly jogged, across the street to the airport. Kagome wasn't ever one for sports. She was the opposite of sports. Clumsy. Accident Prone. Two left feet. Just a few phrases to describe the rhythm and grace she had. Her family never did buy her that bicycle she wanted when she was eight. It wasn't until she was much older that they finally relented. Evidently, they were all afraid for her safety. Apparently, not even helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads were enough to protect her.

 

Kagome winced as her shoes and socks soaked up the cold water from the maze of puddles. Droplets splashed on her legs, wetting her leggings and the hem of her skirt was damp as well. With her luck, she'd be sick by the end of the day.

 

Kagome sagged her shoulders as she let out a huff inside the airport. It was wet outside and crowded inside, filled with damp people, too. She was glad she left early or else she would've been late. One thing she would have to teach Kikyou about Japanese society: you are never late, and never early, but always on time. Everyone owned at least one watch.

 

“Maybe I can convince Inuyasha to buy her a nice watch for a welcome gift?”

 

With a renewed feeling of energy, Kagome bobbed and weaved her way over to the place she had planned to meet with Inuyasha. There was a little preparation to do prior to Kikyou's arrival. First impressions were important and she was going to make sure that Inuyasha made the best one he could.

 

“Welcome to Starbucks. What would you like today?”

 

Kagome squinted her eyes as she read over the menu. So many choices. Such expensive choices. Normally, she didn't spend money on luxury items like Starbucks coffee. She had tea at home she could drink. But she was shivering and needed something to warm her up quickly.

 

“I'll have a strawberry hot chocolate please.”

 

“What size would you like?”

 

“The smallest one, please,” she answered. Kagome reached into her purse and pulled out her owl coin purse. As the barista told Kagome her total, she opened the mouth of the owl up and counted out the exact amount. She wasn't going to get rich from this job. Her yen-pinching days were far from over.

 

“Thank you. Please wait at the other end of the counter for your order.”

 

Kagome nodded as she slowly made her way along the counter. As she walked, she slipped her coin pouch back into her purse.

 

This job wasn't permanent. They had told her that it would last at most a year. Even a year's worth of work wasn't guaranteed. The government really liked Kikyou's profile and believed that she would make an excellent asset to the new Japanese society the government was building.

 

Her tiny cup of lukewarm chocolate with the barest hint of strawberry flavor was waiting for her at the end of the counter. She took a sip and felt that it wasn't doing what she needed it to. Shivering, she sipped her chocolate milk as she made her way over to her predetermined meeting point. She knew of a place near Kikyou's gate so they wouldn't be too far away. She only hoped that Inuyasha was there.

 

A quick survey of the area revealed no silver-haired males in the vicinity. But she was still early. Kagome found a table that would work for what she had planned. During her wait for Inuyasha, Kagome pulled out some pens and a couple pieces of paper.

 

Kagome carefully and neatly wrote out a few basic words. She had found this to be a good technique for beginners. It was how she learned her first language. It'd be good enough for now until Inuyasha decided whether or not he wanted to take classes. He wasn't required to learn English; Kagome had only suggested.

 

“Ah, Matusyama-san, over here,” Kagome called out when she spotted Inuyasha's unique hair color and adorable ears, her hand waving to give him her location. The moment he turned towards her direction, the waving stopped. She gasped at the sight of him, her hand falling slowly down back to her side, her eyes wide as saucers and her mouth falling open.

 

He did listen to her.

 

Instead of wearing those dirty work clothes, he was dressed in loose-fitting dark grey slacks with a long sleeve white cotton shirt. His mass of silver hair was brushed and hung loosely down his back. He sauntered over in her direction. Kagome blushed, turning away because she just couldn't look at him anymore.

 

Sinful.

 

“You lied to me.”

 

“Huh?” What? Kagome closed her eyes tightly, wishing the image of a clean Inuyasha out of her head.

 

“You lied,” he repeated as he sat down at the table with Kagome. “Kikyou's flight isn't landing for another hour.”

 

“I know.” Her voice was soft and shook. What was wrong with her? Cold. That is it. She was still cold.

 

“You knew? Why didn't you tell me?”

 

“I uh… I wanted…well…I thought that you would like to learn how to welcome Kikyou to Japan.”

 

“I can do that.”

 

“In English?”

 

Inuyasha opened his mouth and then closed it quickly. “No,” he muttered quietly.

 

“That's okay. I'll teach you. I helped her with her introductions in Japanese.”

 

“Keh.”

 

“Here. I wrote it all out for you.” Kagome pulled out her pale blue paper with ducklings swimming along the bottom of the page. “All you need to do is read it a few times and memorize it.”

 

Inuyasha snatched the paper from her fingers and glared at what she had written. Her hand writing was readable, not as bad as his, but decent enough.

 

“He-ro, mai nemu izu Inuyasha. Pureezu chu mi-to you… What the fuck am I sayin'?”

 

“You're introducing yourself. That's all. Hello, my name is Inuyasha. Please to meet you. It's simple, polite-”

 

“I don't talk like that.”

 

“What?”

 

“I don't fuckin' sound like that.”

 

“Oh, okay. Then, uh…how would you introduce yourself to Kikyou if she were fluent in Japanese?”

 

“Oi, I'm Inuyasha.”

 

“Tha-that's it?”

 

“Yeah, what more do you need? It's my name.”

 

“I suppose you just want to say your name.”

 

“That works. Less talking.”

 

“You're serious?”

 

“I am.”

“Just your name, nothing else. That's…”

 

“It's what?”

 

“Eh, nothing. Nothing. If that's the way you prefer, then, okay. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable. Kikyou is really nervous about speaking Japanese to a native speaker. She doesn't want to mess it up.” Kagome leaned in toward Inuyasha, elbows on the table as she rested her chin on her neatly folded hands. “Is that why you're not saying anything in English to her? You're not afraid of sounding bad, are you?”

 

Inuyasha's eyes went wide before narrowing in anger at her. “No. It's just…I'm not a talkative person. There's no reason for me to say crap I don't mean.”

 

Kagome shrugged her shoulders. “So you're not going to be pleased to meet her?”

 

“That's no-keh. Anything else?” He was so not going to get into that kind of argument with her.

 

“Well, let's see. After the flight, there's the part where we go out for some lunch and if the two of you have any general questions, you can ask them. If we have time, we can show her where you live, though she won't be moving in for a while. The government has made arrangements for her to stay in an apartment while she works and goes to school before moving in with you.”

 

“And then?”

 

“Uh…you go and she checks into her hotel room.”

 

“Fine.”

 

“No one is really sure how this is going to really work out.”

 

“That's the government for you.”

 

Kagome smiled. “That's true. Sometimes they create laws with some good intentions without really thinking how it'll affect the future.”

 

“But you're one of them.”

 

She shook her head as she pulled her arms off the table. “Kind of. I don't make the rules. I just follow them. Anyway, getting back…I have a few places picked out for us to eat at unless you want to recommend a place.”

 

Inuyasha shook his head. He usually ate at the rundown ramen shops, or grabbed something from a yakatori cart. They were open late enough and the food was decent and filling. They weren't the type of places to take a lady to.

 

“Okay. These restaurants are dual language, so it'll be easier for her to start making those adjustments she will need to make. If you're ready, let's head over to her gate. Here, for you. I made a sign with her name on it in both English and Japanese. She said she knew the kanji for her name.”

 

With an arched brow, he stared at the sign with disgust. “I'm not holding a sign.”

 

“Why not?” Kagome whined as she glanced at her carefully prepared sign. “This way she'll notice you.”

 

Inuyasha sighed. Wench had a point. They did exchange photos, but the sign could help in case she was unsure. Then again, how many guys in Japan had hair like his? He rolled his amber orbs as he snatched the sign from her. Inuyasha already felt stupid for just taking the sign.

 

He sighed as he stood there waiting. One end of the sign dropped down as he lost all interest in the sign and all of his patience. If that stupid plane didn't land soon…

 

“Flight 823, Los Angeles to Tokyo has now landed. Flight 823, Los Angeles to Tokyo has now landed.”

 

“That's her,” Kagome squealed clapping her hands together before straining her neck to watch the passengers exit the plane.

 

Another eye roll from Inuyasha. He figured that on some level, he should be as excited as he was for Kikyou's arrival, but he wasn't. It just wasn't the type of guy he was. Though, to know that maybe now, he wouldn't be or feel so alone anymore did make him want to smile.

 

He didn't.

 

Kagome stood up on her tiptoes, impersonating a giraffe as she tried to stretch her body tall enough to look above the crowds for Kikyou. She had seen several pictures of the Japanese-American woman. Her employer had Kikyou send several pictures in, choosing the best for the book. They had given copies to Kagome so she could recognize her.

 

It was only after a dozen or so people had walked through the gate before they both spotted Kikyou. Even without the pictures, it was easy to guess that the woman was her. Inuyasha felt his breath leave him altogether, leaving his chest tight and empty. Her picture sucked. Her, now, in the flesh, she was amazing.

 

Kikyou was taller than most Japanese girls, mostly due to growing up in America. Her sleek, shiny obsidian hair was brushed back, stick-straight and kept in a neat ponytail at the base of her neck. Hard stone-colored eyes gazed straight ahead as she took confident steps away from the gate.

 

Her slender, lithe body was dressed in classic black slacks topped with a white blouse and a dark grey cashmere sweater warming her shoulders. She walked with such poise and grace, one had to wonder if she was royalty.

 

Inuyasha completely dropped the sign as his eyes couldn't leave her form. She was…she was so much more. Her face had occupied his dreams for some time now. Now he could lose himself with her…to her.

 

“Kikyou, over here,” Kagome called out in English, waving her hands up in the air. “That's her,” she pointed out to her.

 

“I know what she looks like, wench.”

 

Kagome scowled at the inappropriate term used for her. But she didn't have a chance to say anything in retaliation. “Kikyou, you made if safely,” she said in English. “How was your flight?”

 

“Long.”

 

“Of course. Would you like to make your introduction now?”

 

Kikyou nodded. She put her carry-on down on the floor. Looking at Inuyasha, her cheeks blushed as she bowed to him.

 

“Hajimemashite. Watashi wa Kikyou desu. Yoroshiku onegai shimasu.”

 

Kagome beamed. Her accent and pitch, even the pronunciation, catching the silent vowels, it was all perfect. Kikyou was going to be a quick learner and that would make Kagome's job much easier. She then looked over at Inuyasha and gave him a look that told him he needed to make a response.

 

“Hey, I'm Inuyasha.”

 

Kagome could accept that. It wasn't what she thought it should be, but, somehow Inuyasha innately understood the formality, actually informality, of Americans. Either that, or Inuyasha was just that rude.

 

“Kikyou, let's go pick up your baggage and then we can follow the itinerary.”

 

Kikyou nodded in agreement with this as she had helped to create the plan they would follow today. Picking her carry-on back up, she waited to follow Kagome. Smiling at Kikyou, she then turned to Inuyasha.

 

“Offer to carry her bag,” she whispered to him.

 

“Keh. In case you forgot, I don't speak English.”

 

“At least 90 percent of the way we communicate with each other is through hand signals and body language. Just reaching out for her bag slowly would clue her in.” Kagome pronounced each word harshly, but whispered. She didn't want to raise any of Kikyou's suspicions.

 

“You're telling me that the Japanese body language is the same as English?”

 

“Enough so.”

 

“Fine.” Inuyasha stopped and turned, causing Kikyou to stop as well. Reaching out with his clawed hand, palm up, he motioned to her bag. Kikyou stared at him for a moment as she tried to figure out what he was trying to do. What he was gesturing at prompted her to glance at the weight on her shoulder. Kikyou slid her bag off her shoulder and handed the strap to Inuyasha. She couldn't hide her blush.

 

“Arigatou,” she said softly, remembering the word her grandmother forced her to say in Japanese.

 

“This way,” Kagome said in English and then in Japanese, beaming at the scene that just took place. She sighed. Talk about repeating herself. She knew she would quickly learn to say what she needed to using the least amount of words possible. As well as invest in a lemon tree with a beehive in to add honey and lemon to the massive amounts of tea she would be drinking from all of the talking.

 

The three of them walked quietly, Inuyasha and Kikyou following behind Kagome by a few steps as they headed towards baggage claim. It was going to be difficult to hold conversations for a while. Until then, they would all have to get used to a little silence.

 

“You mean I have to carry all of her bags?” Inuyasha exclaimed as Kagome explained some American male customs.

 

“Do you want to impress her?”

 

“Why do I need to impress her?”

 

Kagome shook her head as Kikyou pulled her two large-sized suitcases from the rapid-moving conveyor belt. “Is that everything?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Would you like some help?” Inuyasha quickly spoke the words, in his native tongue, holding out his hand, looking rather bored by the whole custom.

 

Again, Kikyou blushed as she took a quick peek at Inuyasha. She bowed to him before saying, “Can you tell him that he's very kind?”

 

Kagome flashed a warm smile at both of them, her heart warming at the interaction between the two of them. They were perfect for each other in a weird way. She was grace and manners and he was brawn and attitude. The reluctant hero saving the princess, or something like that.

 

“Kikyou says that you're very kind for offering to carry, eh…” Kagome glanced down at Kikyou's luggage, “well, to wheel her luggage for her.”

 

Inuyasha took hold of the handles before giving Kagome a hard glare. “You're a fuckin' sneaky wench.”

 

“So, she's impressed. Let's head for the exit and, uh, get a taxi.”

 

Once again they were both following Kagome quietly. Inuyasha pulled two suitcases behind him, and had the carry-on strapped across his chest. A growl rumbled in his chest at his new designated position: bellboy.

 

“Kikyou, how…” Oh wait, she already asked about the flight. “Was the weather this bad when you left California?” Kagome asked as she tried to start a small conversation to hopefully make the woman feel a bit more welcomed. Normally, she was the type that kept to herself, believing that if anyone wanted to share anything with her, they would. Kagome didn't like butting into people's lives. She kept her life mostly private and felt that others might feel the same way.

 

“It was sunny,” she replied as her attention was kept on all of the signs around her in a language she just couldn't read. “Which one of these is the restroom?”

 

“Oh. Right. Long flight…um…” Kagome read each of the signs looking for the right one. She didn't come to the airport often enough to be familiar with the locations of bathrooms and particular shops. “That one, right there,” she said pointing to the blue sign above two openings leading into the bathrooms. “It says `toire.' That symbol there…with the horizontal line and the two that kinda curve into each other with the one on the left bending underneath the line - that's the kanji for woman or female. So, anything relating to a female will most likely contain this kanji.”

 

Kikyou had paid close attention to her mini lesson. She knew she would have to not just learn, but memorize the almost three thousand kanji in use as she took her crash course in Japanese. She had been told that she would learn to speak it before they did any real serious study of the written language.

 

“If you'll excuse me then.”

 

Once Kikyou had stepped away, Kagome turned to Inuyasha. “She's going to the restroom.”

 

“Yeah, I got that.”

 

“Really?” she asked surprised that he somehow got the gist of their conversation.

 

“You said `toire.'”

 

“Oh, right. Sorry. I um…I'm not trained as a language teacher or even as a professional translator, so, this is new to me as well.”

 

“Keh.”

 

Kagome sighed. There was just nothing she could say or do. “Um, I'll be right back.” Kagome said as she glanced over at a small kiosk not far from where they were standing. “I need a tissue.”

 

“Just hurry. She'll be out any moment.”

 

Kagome rolled her eyes as she turned and hurried over to the kiosk before a small smile shone on her face. He really wanted everything with Kikyou to be perfect. It was incredibly sweet. Maybe it was true, that most rough n' tough guys were really teddy bears with armor.

 

When she made it to the kiosk, she sneezed. Looking up she found the keeper of the kiosk chuckling at her. His eyes twinkled, betraying his old age.

 

“Here you go miss,” he said, offering her a tissue.

 

Kagome bowed her head to him. “Thank you. A pack of those please.”

 

Nodding he set a small package of tissues on the counter. “I see the cold rain has gotten to you too.”

 

Rain? That's right. It was raining when she arrived. And she was without her umbrella. However, she didn't know if it was still going to be raining out or not. “This'll be everything,” she informed the clerk as she glanced back over at where she left Inuyasha waiting for Kikyou.

 

As soon as the transaction was complete, she hurried back over to the hanyou. He didn't acknowledge her presence. His bright golden eyes were fixated on his soon-to-be mate. Kagome could only grin silly at the couple. She couldn't help it. She was a sucker for romance and true love. Everyone deserved love. It was one of the reasons why she accepted this temporary side job.

 

And the benefits were a plus.

 

“I'm back,” Kagome whispered to the spaced-out hanyou. Not that she expected him to hear her or reply, but, she had to say something to bring him back to earth.

 

When Kikyou rejoined the group, Inuyasha picked up the handles to the suitcases and muttered “Ikou” to the girls. Kagome gasped at him, quickly closed her mouth and followed him towards the exit. That was one way for Kikyou to learn their language, as well as Inuyasha's mannerisms. At least right now Kikyou didn't know that Inuyasha used the rude form of `let's go.'

 

The trio walked toward the exit and made it in good time. For some reason, people parted for them as they cut through the crowd. Kagome took a glance over at Inuyasha. It was him. People were…scared of him? His aura was rough, a bit menacing, but she felt no true wrath. He was harmless, right?

 

As they reached the exit, Kagome sulked and groaned. It was still raining out. And from the heavy flapping of the flags posted outside, it was also windy. Cold. It looked cold. Like, really cold. She wasn't too fond of the cold.

 

“I'm going to go and get us a taxi,” Kagome said to Kikyou. The American just nodded her head and stayed quiet as she waited.

 

“Inuyasha, wait here with Kikyou. I'm going to get us a taxi.”

 

“Keh, I can get one.”

 

“No. Please, stay with Kikyou. I know that it'll be awkward, but, you two need to learn to be comfortable with each other.”

 

“Fine then. Just hurry. We're both hungry.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Kagome shivered hard as the burst of cold air latched onto her skin. She pulled the thick color of her sweater up before digging into her pockets for her gloves. Here digits were already blue and numbing.

 

Frowning at the prospects for flagging down a taxi, she stepped out from underneath the overhang. Rain pelted her. Her hair was instantly soaked, flattening out her unruly mane. She shivered once more. Her feet…Kagome glanced down. Just great. She was standing in a puddle.

 

“Taxi,” Kagome called out, waving a hand in the air as it cut through the chilling rain. “Taxi!”

 

One, two of them passed her, looking for dry customers to sit in their vehicles. Finally, one stopped. Kagome hurried over as the door automatically opened up for her.

 

“Oh thank you. Could you wait for one moment? My clients are inside.”

 

“Sure.”

 

“Great.”

 

Kagome quickly ran over to the entrance, her thoughts wandering off to an old question about whether one got wet faster running or by walking in the rain. Her mind did like to go places that were a bit off-topic most of the time. When she reached the doors, she shook all nonsensical thoughts out of her head. She had a real job to focus on now. No more day dreaming.

 

“Okay, I got us one.” She recited the phrase in the two languages.

 

“Isn't it meeting us at the doors?” Kikyou asked as her eyes narrowed at the sight of the downpour, as well as a soaked Kagome. She didn't want to look like that.

 

Shaking her head, Kagome replied, “No. There isn't any room.”

 

Kikyou made an obvious frown. She'd wait if she had to. There was no way she was going to walk out there in that. In the part of California she was from, they received very little rain. In the winters, they had their storms, but this rain reminded her of the Seattle rain stereotype. Constant, nonstop rain.

 

And it was so depressing.

 

Kagome slowly shimmied over to Inuyasha, pressing the umbrella she had purchased at the kiosk into his free hand. “Offer this to her.”

 

Inuyasha looked down at the umbrella. So, that was the delay. He was curious as to what the two women were talking about. The rain. Since Kagome was already rained on, it was Kikyou who had the problem with the weather.

 

Holding up the umbrella, he motioned for her to step outside. Kikyou blushed at his gentle manners. She didn't know he had an umbrella on him.

 

Kagome smiled. “Let's hurry before the taxi driver thinks we've abandoned him.”

 

Now that the keeping dry issue was solved, they followed Kagome outside into the wet cold to where she left the taxi. Kikyou was momentarily surprised by the doors that automatically opened. Inuyasha held onto the umbrella, keeping Kikyou nice and dry as she climbed inside the taxi.

 

The cab driver met them outside to help place the luggage into the trunk. Kagome helped too, thanking the driver repeatedly for waiting and not letting someone else steal it from her. Inuyasha returned Kagome's umbrella to her, but before he could ask about why she hadn't used it earlier, she ushered him into the backseat of the taxi so they could get to lunch.

 

Kagome gave the driver the name of the restaurant, as well as its general location as Japan didn't use physical addresses like they did in the U.S. But she was pretty sure the taxi driver knew exactly where the restaurant was. It was a part of their job and their training. It was bad service if the taxi driver couldn't find their passenger's location. The driver not only knew of the restaurant, but he also knew the quickest route. They were on their way.

 

Lunch was short and direct. That was a given since that language barrier was up and impossible to break down at the moment. It wasn't a meal where everyone knew each other and shared stories, instead, Kagome shared recalled information they most likely had, explained Kikyou's current living arrangements, as well as Inuyasha's job arrangements.

 

Kagome had folders prepared, one for each of them. They contained all of Kagome's contact information: phone, cell phone, email address and directions to her meager little apartment. For Inuyasha, they shared his cell phone and business number, work hours, and directions to his place. He told them he didn't like using phones and he didn't like to be bothered at work.

 

Kikyou, as of yet, did not have a cell phone, but had plans to get one with Kagome later in the week. She was staying at a nearby hotel, so directions to that hotel, room number, and phone number were provided. Also, Kikyou had a job lined up at one of the largest hospitals in the city. One benefit of working at one of those was that most of the doctors knew English in some form. English was unofficially the language of math, science, and medicine.

 

Kikyou was also signed up to learn the language. For several hours each day, she had Japanese lessons before her scheduled time at the hospital, which was part-time until she passed all of the language proficiency tests. Afterwards, there were the plans to move in with Inuyasha.

 

Inuyasha worked during the hours Kikyou was both at school and at work, so there wouldn't be any conflicts. His hours were flexible, so he could come and go as he pleased. That was his preferred method of conducting work.

 

Inuyasha had to excuse himself as soon as the bill had been paid for. He had work-related appointments to be at, though he wasn't too happy to be going to them. Kagome accompanied Kikyou to her hotel in case she needed any help checking in. The rest of the day was for rest, as well as the next, so that Kikyou could recover from her jet lag.

 

Kagome, when finally alone standing outside of Kikyou's hotel, sighed. This allowed shivers she had suppressed earlier to return. It was still cold, colder now that the day was winding down and the rain and wind still hadn't let up.

 

“Oh no,” Kagome groaned as she smacked her forehead. Her umbrella. The new one she bought at the airport was left to travel in the taxi. She had let Inuyasha borrow it for Kikyou's sake and was so determined to get them food, she totally spaced on it.

 

Frowning, she reached into her purse and pulled out one of the cute, childish things she owned; a felt turtle coin purse. However, the one thing not so cute about it was that it was practically empty. Working for the government had its benefits, as well as its obvious downfalls.

 

Pay day was still several days away.

 

With no money for an umbrella, or a taxi, she walked her way through the water-covered sidewalks to the nearest train station. She should've been stingier with her umbrella. Instead of loaning it out to Inuyasha, she could've made him buy one.

 

But Kikyou appreciated the gesture. And Inuyasha was nice enough about the whole thing to go along with what he was obviously uncomfortable with. Kagome had to remember, it was about the two of them, not her. In time, she would no longer need to help Inuyasha impress Kikyou because it would become natural.

 

As it was for all men who fell in love with the woman they were destined to be with.

 

roshully's note: Ugh, this chapter kicked my @ss. But I got it done. Finally. Please read through the notes I have here that explain some of the cultural differences that Kikyou is experiencing.

 

Thanks for reading. And thanks for those that left reviews.

 

For Japanese names, the family name (what we would consider a last name) comes first before the given name when introducing one self. This is because Japan is more of a pluralistic society. So the focus is on the group and not so much the individual. This is changing somewhat, but a lot of politicians want to make sure that individualism doesn't corrupt the youth. Also, business cards are very popular when making introductions, so that the name is presented with the correct kanji.

 

Ancestry, as well as blood and citizenship, are still important. It is very difficult for an outsider to obtain Japanese citizenship unless you can prove that you have some blood connection to a citizen or someone who is a Japanese citizen adopts you.

 

Giving gifts is a really important and valuable custom in Japan. Not only is the act of giving a gift important, but the way that it is presented is important as well.

 

From what I have been told and understand, is that males don't do what we in America would consider `gentleman-like manners,' such as holding the door open so women can enter first, carrying things for them, etc. In Japan, men would enter buildings first because they have a higher social authority than women. I'm not saying that men are necessarily more important than women, but, outside of the household, men hold authority that women do not. This is why Inuyasha protests to carrying Kikyou's luggage.

 

Yes, taxi cabs in Japan have automatic doors. When I saw them in a video for the first time, I was so absolutely amazed. That, and the insides are plush, the seats are covered. So much nicer than some of the ones I've ridden in the U.S.

 

When I was looking into getting my master's, I was told that I would have to learn two other languages. I think that was specific to my area of study, however, a lot of foreign doctors are required to learn English just because it is becoming the dominant language of medicine and science. I was watching a Japanese drama and the lead female character was a doctor and she had to translate research papers into English. It's not odd to know another language for advance studies. Share knowledge.

 

Gas is atrociously expensive in Japan because it has to be imported from other countries, so the majority of the population depends on other modes of transportation: taxi, trains, subways, bikes. The train/subway system in Japan is one of the best in the world. The entire country is timed to the train/subway schedules. However, they stop running at midnight, and taxis are incredibly expensive. So, choose your transportation wisely.

 

Lastly, language translations.

 

Hajimemashite. - hajimeru is the Japanese verb meaning `to begin'. So, this translates into something like, `we have begun' and it relates to starting a new relationship. But, that doesn't make much English sense, so you can easily translate into something like `how do you do?'

Watashi wa Kikyou desu. - `I am Kikyou.' The more formal way of this is to say `watashi no namae wa Kikyou desu, which is `My name is Kikyou.'

Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. Yoroshiku is a word that has no literal direct translation into English. It is used in a lot of different situations. It is a word that hopes to appeal to someone's generosity. For Kikyou, she is asking Inuyasha to take care of her, to guide her, that sort of stuff. Is almost like saying `please with a cherry on top'. You are trying to find a person's soft spot and hope that they will do what you are asking of them.

 

Thanks again. Most likely more language and/or cultural lessons next chapter.