InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Untitled ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

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

Kagome stared at the small piece of paper that she held delicately in her hand. The fresh smell of paper coming off the press was still clinging to the crisp sheet that held the information of her first real paycheck.

“Are you going to cash it or mount it on your wall?”

Blinking stupidly, Kagome turned to her best friend Sango. “It’s the most I’ve ever made at one time. Three checks from Onigumo’s wouldn’t amount to this.”

“Well, you were at the bottom of the food chain so to speak working for that man. You do know Taisho makes more money than Onigumo though, right? That’s why his employees make more. As an added bonus, you are working alongside his son.”

Kagome’s mood suddenly dropped. “Don’t remind me. He hasn’t really said anything to me. Before I come to work he’s already in his office and I leave for home before he does. Sometimes I only see him on our lunch break.”

The older girl looked questioningly at her younger friend. “He is nice to you though, right?”

“As if. He doesn’t give me the time of day. Most of the time he’ll drop a stack of papers on my desk, sometimes without an explanation, and then storm off into his office. And not once has he gotten my name right!” Kagome ended her little tirade with her hands on her hips, check crumpling slightly with the added pressure from her fingers.

Sango comfortingly placed her hand on Kagome’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. It’ll work out. He’s probably not used to working with anybody other than himself and his ego.”

Kagome laughed slightly at Sango’s joke to get her to lighten up.

“By the way. Have you seen Kikyo lately?” Sango inquired.

Missing a pothole in the street, Kagome peered up at Sango. “Why do you ask? She’s not very friendly to me anyway although the only time I saw her was that one day she came in and I called you. She doesn’t even call the office for Inuyasha either.”

“She probably has his cell phone number.” Sango mused.

“Probably though I don’t hear it usually.”

“Vibrate or silent.” Sango added looking across the crowded streets for someplace to eat. After all, Kagome was treating her. “Where are you going to get that thing cashed? I’m starving!”

Kagome laughed outright. “Its not much further. Have you decided what you want?”

“Well, I don’t want to make you put out too much. You still have to make up for your rent and other bills. Honestly Kagome! Why didn’t you tell me you were so far behind?”

“I didn’t want to burden you. I’m not that far behind anyway. Most of my utilities are caught up. Its just the rent is a bit behind.”

“Perhaps now you can find another place to rent.” Sango added.

“Not right now at least. I want to get things caught up first and see where this job takes me. I don’t know if I can spend the rest of my life working under Inuyasha Takahashi.”

Sango giggled into her hand. “So how far are you behind in your rent?”

“Three months. Not including this months rent.”

“Geeze Kagome. You’re lucky he hasn’t put you out yet.”

Kagome shook her head. “Don’t I know it. I think I’m going to pay this months rent and then give him a few more extra until I can get it all paid for and get caught up.”

“What if he asks you to pay the full amount?”

The raven-haired girl dropped her head mournfully. “Then I’m screwed.”

“This is where you bank?” Sango gazed at the small yet successful bank that stood in their line of vision. Unless you knew where it was and what to look for you would never know it was there.

“Yeah.”

“This is kind of out the way for you. Your job and apartment are in another section of town.”

“I know but it’s the only one I could find that did free banking.”

“Oh. Are you going to switch banks now that you are getting paid more?”

“I might, not sure yet. Besides, I don’t mind the walk. We all need exercise, right?” Kagome winked at her friend.

“If you say so.”

Both girls entered the small bank. While Kagome stood in line to get her check cashed Sango happily seated herself on one of the plush chairs. It was surprising that the bank was able to afford such nice chairs in the first place. Off to the seating area were small desks each with their own computer. Since space was limited no one had their own office and the higher up someone was didn’t mean they got a bigger desk. Just a fancier name tag stashed somewhere on their desk fighting for space amongst the paperwork, computer, pens, pencils, and other necessities. Before Sango could change her mind about her own banking status, Kagome finally came over with her money, smiling brightly.

“Let’s eat!”

“You said it.” Sango said as she flew out of the chair.

Linking arms the two girls danced, twirled, and laughed their way back out onto the streets and back into the direction they had come.

**********

Inuyasha lounged back in his chair, video game suddenly lost to his interest. Kikyo had been doing her best to give him hell as she was very equipped to do so. Without asking his opinion on another modeling gig of hers she was back in a plane the very next day after she arrived back in Tokyo. Honestly, he couldn’t figure out if she wanted him for him or his money. He was assuming that it was most likely the latter but hey, he had some feelings for her. He just couldn't figure out what they were.

He also hadn’t been making a good impression with the new girl, Kagome. Of course he knew her name. Inuyasha remembered it the first time he heard his father say it. It was just pure fun watching her cheeks flame pink and her face crumple with anger.

The other reason he had been giving her a hard time was because he wasn’t comfortable in her presence. This was the girl he had been spying on from his office window before she had even started working for him.

Inuyasha was also lacking in the communication department. Especially when it came down to women. His relationship, or lack thereof, with Kikyo was proof of that.

“Keh. Knowing me I’ll say something stupid like ‘Hey, I’ve been staring at you when you were working for that bastard, Onigumo.’ This is why I prefer to work alone.”

Eyeing his cell phone as it started ringing he contemplated answering it even though he didn’t know who it was. Lazily, he back rolled over his bean bag chair and picked the small piece of machinery up.

‘Miroku.’

“Do you want something from me, lecher?” Inuyasha drawled lazily.

“What a lovely greeting. I was wondering if you wanted to go eat lunch with me.”

“You mean to ask me if I want to use my nose to track down your girl of the week so we can impose on her for lunch.” The half-demon surveyed his nails that seemed to be ready for another filing lest he draw someone’s blood by accident.

There was a short pause before Miroku cleared his throat out of having been caught red-handed. “You know me so well. Actually, this one is more than just the flavor of the week.”

“Month then?” Inuyasha interrupted.

Miroku continued unfazed. “I think she may be the one for me.”

“You said that about the last two.”

“Well, I was wrong. This one is named Sango. She packs a powerful punch too. Her father owns the dojo across town and she helps him run it.”

“If she’s new then I don’t know what she looks like so I can’t help you find her. By the sound of it you are already at the dojo.”

“You never cease to amaze me. I have a piece of her clothing so if you wouldn’t mind taking a whiff...”

The rest of Miroku’s sentence was cut short as Inuyasha shut his phone. Honestly, just because he had dog ears and their sense of smell didn’t mean people could use him.

Too tired to go out and not wanting to nap, Inuyasha settled himself on his plush bed with a pile of paperwork he had neglected the day before.

That Kagome person had actually managed to catch him up on everything he had forgotten about and had even went out of her way to post a huge bulletin board on his wall with all of his appointments and meetings. What made him crack up everyday was when she would leave little sticky note reminders on things he had to sign or do and at the bottom in bold, black ink would be her name. He would have to go out and buy her another marker because he was sure that pretty soon it would be out of ink.

Sighing, the young man set about finishing what he needed to as the sun began its descent in the sky.

**********

Kagome gazed monotonously at the wall in front of her. Again, she had missed sleep last night. She was seriously considering Sango’s words from yesterday about moving to another apartment complex. Either that or ask to move to another part of the building that was less noisy.

Turning around she looked at the solid oak double doors that hid her arrogant and cocky employer from her view. So far this morning she hadn’t heard a peep out of him.

“Probably in there sleeping.” She grumbled. “Must be nice.”

As the elevator doors pinged someone’s arrival she turned to see that it was actually Inuyasha coming out of it. “Good morning, Kaleidoscope.”

Kagome clenched her teeth together. “Good morning, Takahashi-san.”

“Just call me Inuyasha. I hate formalities. I finished the paperwork from yesterday. Is there anything important that needs to be done by today?”

Dumbfounded with the way Inuyasha was talking to her, Kagome could only gape at him. He had said more to her in these few minutes than he ever had when she had started.

Inuyasha rapt his knuckles on her forehead, smirking as he did so. “Too much info to handle all at once?”

Hurriedly, Kagome thrust the day’s work in his hands and watched as he entered his office. As she slumped down in her chair she could only hope their relationship had changed. She would just have to work on him getting her name right. First things first though. She had a little present for him for the way he had been treating her in the past.

Pushing the intercom button she set herself up to handle this difficult man in a professional manner.

“Taka...I mean Inuyasha? It will be time for lunch soon and since you will be more busy today I was wondering if you would like for me to have your lunch sent up.”

“Yeah, sure, whatever. Ramen would be good. Get whatever you want too.”

Kagome was beginning to rethink her payback plan. Of all the days to choose to start being nice to her.

“It would be a definite change to that smelly food you keep in that mini fridge. Make it snappy too. I’m starving.”

Eyebrows ticking, Kagome quickly took a deep breath and talked with fake sweetness. “It will be taken care of, Sir.”

Pushing away from the intercom, Kagome opened her desk drawer and removed a small packet. “Let the games begin.”

On the other side of the door Inuyasha could have killed himself. He was trying to be nice to the girl starting today. She was even nice enough to consider having his lunch brought up and he had to go and insult what she had been bringing in for the past couple weeks as her lunch. Come to think of it, he hardly even saw her leave to go on lunch. Shrugging, he plucked a pen from its holder and began to work.

**********

“What taking so long to get my lunch? Do I have to get it myself?” Inuyasha roared into the intercom.

All had been dandy until he had gotten to the long winded proposals.

Blah blah blah this, blah blah blah that.

He wished people would get to the point and quit filling paper up with extra words that were pointless and useless. He knew his father didn't discriminate against any smaller company that wanted to merge with Takahashi Corperation in order for them to get on their feet and be successful but couldn't the old man learn to say no to some of them before he sent them his way? The ideas that people came up with these days was just plain ridiculous.

Instead of getting a reply back through the intercom the double doors bursted open revealing Kagome holding his beloved Ramen. Kagome was also smiling way too much that it was starting to make him edgy. It wasn’t the nice, sweet smile he knew her to possess but one that hid a secret that he wanted to know.

“Here it is. Sorry it took so long.” Kagome bowed to show her apology.

Brushing off his unease, Inuyasha accepted the noodles from her. “Uh, thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Kagome turned on her heels and left his office, grinning from ear to ear the whole time.

Sniffing his food, Inuyasha found nothing out of the ordinary with it. Pushing aside his work so he wouldn’t spill anything on it, he grasped his chopsticks and started to eat.

**********

Kagome filled a rather large cup full of water and waited patiently for Inuyasha to come running out of his office. She had conveniently ‘forgotten’ to leave him something to drink to go along with his lunch.

It didn’t take long for the silver-haired demon to come barreling through his office doors. Skidding to a halt in front of Kagome he waved his hands signaling to her that his mouth was on fire and that he needed something to take care of it.

Pretending to be concerned, Kagome jumped out of her chair and grabbed the cup of water. In his haste to free his mouth from scorching, Inuyasha grabbed the cup from Kagome who wasn’t quite ready to let go. Exerting more force than necessary, Inuyasha went to snatch the cup from her. Kagome anticipated the move and as Inuyasha began to snatch it away, she was more than willing to let go. Not expecting her to let go Inuyasha couldn’t stop his actions. Water came sloshing out of the cup and splashed his face which then dribbled down to soak his clothes. Running to the bathroom across the room, Inuyasha stuck his head under the faucet as he turned the cold water on.

Once Inuyasha was able to squelch the raging fire in his mouth did he storm out to Kagome.

“What did you do to my food, wench?!”

Kagome jumped into his face to retaliate. “What makes you think I did it?”

“You were the one that suggested lunch. I knew something was fishy.”

“Its beef!”

“Not the noodles! Not only did you burn my mouth but you messed up my clothes!”

“I didn’t do it and its just water. They’ll dry.” Biting her lip to keep from giggling, Kagome thrust a fluffy towel in his face. “Towel?”

Snatching the offering, the hanyou stormed back to his office to change his clothes with the spares he left in one of the drawers of his file cabinet just incase of emergencies.

Kagome, in the meantime, was grinning triumphantly at her victory. He wasn’t even able to sense that she was lying.

“Acting comes naturally I suppose.”

“KAGOME! Where the hell are all my clothes?!”

Kagome’s smile only got wider. “Least he got my name right.”

Opening the bottom drawer, she patted his extra clothes that she had managed to snatch a couple days ago. Closing it back, she pushed the intercom button. “What clothes?”

She heard him start to let out a string of curses as he attempted to find his missing wardrobe.

“Score: Inuyasha zero, Kagome one.”

**********

Silently the figure crept through the halls of Takahashi Corporation before there was light in the sky. It had taken him forever to wake up this morning. His cell phone and alarm clock had taken the abuse of one who didn’t want to wake to their first alarm much less the snooze alarm.

Inuyasha poked his head out of the elevator and surveyed his office surroundings. He had a gut feeling that Kagome had put something hot in his noodles and had purposely soaked him. It was one thing to mess with his clothes but it was a serious matter when one messed with a man’s Ramen.

Inuyasha knew she wouldn’t be in until eight or nine but he was being extra cautious just incase she came in on him or if she was planning another attack.

Sensing that the coast was clear he moved over to her desk. Bringing the box from around his back he set it on her desk and proceeded to throw everything in it. Once his mission was complete he stashed the box under his arm and fled the scene to hid her things in a safe place. After making a few more errands in the building, Inuyasha went to leave.

Remembering something that would surely piss off the raven-haired young woman, Inuyasha skirted around the first employees of the day to his father’s office. Opening the door with the appropriate key, the hanyou stepped inside and went over to his father’s desk where he kept records of his current employees. Fingering through them he found Kagome’s file. Not wanting to invade her privacy, and not really having the time to do so, he found Kagome’s code. Writing the numbers on a sticky note he put everything back in its correct place.

Running back to his office he quickly typed in Kagome’s code. Once everything was in place he ran back out of his office and down the stairs since the sun was starting to make its appearance.

Finally getting outside he took a deep breath as he made his way over to the coffee shop across the street to wait for his prey.

**********

Kagome dashed out of her door, piece of toast in her mouth and only one arm in her jacket sleeve. Her neighbors decided to throw a late night party that lasted well into the early morning hours. Seeking refuge in the living room didn’t help matters either but it was a tad bit quieter. Once the party had ended she had been finally able to fall asleep. Unfortunately, she had turned off her alarm clock once it sounded instead of hitting the snooze button and drifted back off to sleep.

Running through the already crowded streets she had managed to wrestle her arm into her sleeve and eat her small breakfast.

Skipping a couple steps that led up to the courtyard in front of Takahashi Cooperation, she bolted across the concrete yard to the glass doors. Missing the person coming up behind her, she walked into the building. Waving to a few acquaintances, she briskly walked to the building’s guards for clearance to the upper floors.

“Morning, Higurashi. Running late this morning?” One of them asked.

Kagome dug through her bag to retrieve her card. “Don’t remind me.” She said as she handed it over.

To her dismay she watched as the guard’s face fell into confusion as her card kept being denied.

“Did you get fired?”

“Not that I know of. Can you try again?” She asked.

The guard shook his head as he handed it back to her. “I’ve tried five times, miss.”

“Can’t you let me pass?”

“No. Sorry. Not without clearance.”

Sensing that the girl was close to tears, Inuyasha made his move. “Is there a problem here?”

“Inuyasha. My card won’t go through.”

“Strange.” He replied as he scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Its okay guys. She’s with me.”

Kagome let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” The hanyou shrugged as he grabbed her bag from her. “Shall we?”

Too tired and surprised by his actions for words, Kagome nodded and entered the elevator with Inuyasha on her heels.

During the ride to the fortieth floor, Inuyasha couldn’t shake the concern he felt for his secretary. She reeked of exhaustion, she was beginning to develop bags under her eyes, and her face was pale.

Clearing his throat while tugging at his shirt collar that was beginning to get a big tight, her turned to her. “Are you feeling all right?”

Kagome turned to him with a smile set in place. “I’m fine, honest.”

Even without his sense of smell he could tell she was lying. Oh well. He wouldn’t push the issue. Grumbling to himself he wished he had picked another day to play his joke on her. The girl had thought she had been fired this morning thanks to the guard’s big mouth. From the way it looked, and smelled, she had had a pretty crappy morning, not to mention night. By the looks of it, it seemed as though she hadn’t slept in days.

As Kagome walked out of the elevator to her desk, Inuyasha hung back by the elevator, ears pinned back, awaiting her reaction.

Silently, Kagome placed her bag on her bare desk. “I really am fired, aren’t I?”

The question was so quiet that Inuyasha had almost missed it. Coming up behind her, he could smell her tears again.

“No, you’re not fired.” He said softly.

Kagome turned questioning eyes to the hanyou whose furry appendages atop his head, if even more possible, hid themselves deeper into his silvery mane at her solemn expression.

“I was getting back at you for yesterday. I didn’t take into account that you would think you were fired.”

Instead of smiling Kagome burst into tears.

“Hey. You’re not supposed to cry.” Inuyasha hovered uneasily over the unstable girl.

“I can’t help it. I thought I was fired from the job I love. You don’t know how long it took me to get in here.” Kagome sniffed.

“At least smile. Anything but cry.” Inuyasha pleaded. He hated pleading but she was starting to make him feel really bad.

“I would but I’m so tired.”

Inuyasha set his own bag down to pick Kagome up. Gently he carried her to his office and set her down on the couch. As she rubbed her eyes, he draped his jacket over her.

“What are you doing?”

“Just get some rest. I’ll handle everything.”

“Are you sure?”

“Sleep.” Inuyasha commanded softly.

Kagome didn’t need to be told again as she soon drifted off into an easy sleep.

The half-demon watched her fall asleep and tried to fight the urge to brush that offending piece of hair from her face. Instead, he tucked the jacket closer to her chin and left the room.

After he turned from closing the door his father was there to greet him.

“Where’s Kagome?”

“Asleep in there.”

“Is she okay?”

“She will be once she gets some rest.”

Taisho looked at his son with a suspicious look. “Did you sleep with her?”

Blushing fiercely, Inuyasha growled. “No!”

“Good. Anyway, can I get a couple files from you?”

“Help yourself.” He said as he moved to the side.

Taisho rocked on his heels with his hands behind his back. “I’ll get them later. I don’t want to accidently wake her. The papers for the new tower construction can wait.”

Inuyasha didn’t bother to tell his father that Kagome would probably sleep like a bear in hibernation for the next few hours. Hopefully, she would just wake up like hungry like one and not cranky. Quietly he followed his father to the elevator.

“Where are you going, son?”

“I have to pick up some things.”

Taisho stared at his youngest son through the reflection in the doors. “Things that belong on Kagome’s desk?”

The older man didn’t have to hear an answer as Inuyasha turned away guiltily.

“What did she do to you?”

“Put hot stuff in my food and get my clothes wet.” Inuyasha mumbled.

Taisho laughed outright at his son’s expense. “It seems as though she’s keeping you on track and in line. Come to think of it, she’s lasted much longer than anyone else working for you. I should give her a raise.”

Inuyasha watched as his dad left, still continuing to talk to himself. The man was weird.

As soon as Inuyasha had brought Kagome’s things back, he set about putting everything back the way it was, even hooking her computer back up and restoring her employee code.

After that he entered his office to find her still sleeping peacefully. Settling himself at his desk, he pulled out the tower deal for his father. Seeing as how his father hadn’t given him anything special to do and that his day was clear of any meetings , the hanyou surfed the Internet.

**********

Groaning softly, Kagome fought to stay asleep. It was a losing battle when she smelt food nearby. Rubbing her eyes she sat up and looked at the coffee table that was loaded down with food.

“You sleep like a rock.”

Turning she came face-to-face with Inuyasha as he sat down opposite from her.

“What time is it?” She asked, looking around for a clock.

“After one thirty.”

“I slept that long?”

“Mm hm.” He mumbled around a mouthful of food. After swallowing it he locked gazes with her. “You can have some. Ordered most of it for you.”

Kagome gave him a skeptical look.

Waving his hands in a neutral gesture, Inuyasha was quick with his response. “Its not spiked or anything. There’s nothing wrong with it.”

Grabbing a pair of chopsticks, Kagome took samples of everything before her to see what she liked best. Everything exceeded her expectations.

“This is really good. Where did it come from?”

“Tai’s.” Inuyasha replied nonchalantly.

Kagome sputtered on her tea. “But that’s the most expensive place in the city.”

“Yeah. Its good though.”

Kagome nodded her response.

“After you finish you can take the rest of the day and tomorrow off.”

“But...”

“No ‘buts.” Inuyasha interrupted. “You’re exhausted. I can handle today and tomorrow without you.”

Kagome nodded in understanding and slowly ate the rest of her lunch.

**********

Not thirty minutes later was Kagome walking down the streets of Tokyo back home. Leaving work early and being off the next day was going to put a small dent in her paycheck. She was sure she would be able to manage though if fate didn’t come back to bite her.

As soon as she walked through her door she slipped into her pajamas and crawled into bed. Hopefully the neighbors wouldn’t be home soon. In her desire to get to bed, Kagome had missed the small letter that had been shoved under the door. For now she slept blissfully unaware that fate had actually come back to bite her in the butt.




A/N: I had actually tried to write 2 chapters but since 4 was so short I decided to merge 5 with it since that one wasn't that much longer either. Sorry it has taken me so long to update one of my fics. I've been extremely busy with the real world. 2 jobs and going to school. Some days I just want to lie around and write fiction but its not possible for me right now. I'm going to try very hard to get some kinda system going where I can start to write more. Thankies!