The Unknown Lady
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters. [You happy now?!] T.T
I'm moving my fics over here to Dokuga from FF.net, depending on how well you guys like them, I'll continue them here.
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Dawn approached, painting the sky with cool watercolors. The dew of the cold morning enveloping the small city. A lone figure walked down the concrete sidewalk, passing tall gray buildings. Enveloped in a thin white sweater, the figure continued walking, wrapping the sweater tighter around her thin body, pressing her pink nose into it's warmth. Long ebony locks floated behind her, as twin pools of liquid blue stared ahead.
Kagome didn't mind waking up so early or walking all the way to work, in fact, she liked it. For one, it was always so lonely. She felt like she owned the city—all to herself. Smiling to herself, she began skipping subtly, skipping from the street to the sidewalk, and back again.
Her mother was sick and at home, resting. Which meant, once again, it was she who had to pay the bills, rent, food, and medical bills. She didn't complain though—her mother was an angel. Who else would have the heart to pick a little nobody from the streets and care for her as if she were her own child? Her mother—because that's what she was even though she hadn't birthed her—had.
Kagome always remembered about that story, of being found in the streets, only a year old. Naomi had seen her, and taken her home. She had given Kagome food, clothing, and a home. But most importantly, she'd given Kagome love, and a mother. The thought almost brought tears to Kagome's eyes as she stopped her happy skips, and walked.
She was lucky to have been found by Naomi. And she was lucky now to of found such good paying jobs with how the economy was. Her friend Sango had given wonderful references to the employer for her—making it possible for her to have the job. Kagome smiled at another of her many blessings. She had a wonderful family and a wonderful friend.
Kagome opened the door of a small building squashed right in between two enormous buildings. She loved working at the restaurant, because when all the offices around were out for lunch, they'd go there and tips were always great.
“Hey Kagome, you're early!” the young woman said from the cash register counter.
“Morning Sango, how are you?” Kagome said, smiling.
Sango flipped her long brown hair over her shoulder and smiled. She'd been trying to organize the counter for when they opened, but once again the cash register was acting up again. Sango gave it a good few slaps on the side, and the front popped open.
“That wasn't suppose to happen,” Sango laughed and shut it back close.
Kagome lifted the counter door, and stepped around, tyeing her apron behind her waist. She laughed at Sango's antics and pressed a few dials on the rester. With a soft rattle, it began typing the name of the restaurant and date on the receipt slips, signaling it was ready to start the day.
Sango raised a brow at the register, and then frowned at her friend. Rolling her eyes, she turned around. Kagome laughed at Sango once more, before heading back to the kitchen
“Well, guess we're ready to open,” Kagome said, walking towards the front door. She turned the closed sign to open and looked out the window. She saw cars parking across the street, in front of a tall building. A man in a uniform stepped out and walked around the car, opening the back door. A tall man in a black business suit stepped out, his long moonlight hair tied at the nape of his neck. It flowed languidly behind him, trailing past his thighs. He turned and spoke to the man in uniform, obviously giving him further instructions. His face seemed too beautiful, almost feminine. His eyes though were covered by sunglasses, and Kagome wondered why? It was morning, and it was winter.
The man held his suitcase in one hand and swiped his thick bangs out of the way, each flick of his wrist an elegan gesture. His head tilted up, towards the restaurant, and Kagome froze in her place. Something within her shifted and churned, almost as if her stomach was begging for food. The sensation was not painful, but unknown. She'd never felt that way before. If it weren't for those shades, Kagome could of sworn he was staring right at her. As it seemed, he stopped talking abruptly, and his face remained fixed in her direction. The man in uniform, his chauffeur, noticed and followed his gaze. When he spotted her standing by the door, he turned back to his boss and back to Kagome, and back again.
Kagome sighed and swallowed, "Yeah, like someone like that would ever look at someone like me..." she muttered. She had to drag her eyes away from the man across the street. She turned back around, and continued to the counter. Feeling sad all of a sudden, she rested her elbow on the counter and her chin on her palm. She could hear Sango at the kitchen heating the stoves and preparing the kitchen.
Kagome dazed off, staring ahead of her yet not seeing a thing. The bells on the door snapped her out of it and for a split of a second, she hoped it would be the silvered hair man. It wasn't.
"Hey my little Kaggie, so hopeful to see me?" a man asked playfully. His dark eyes sparkled brightly at her, so full of joy and playfulness.
Kagome rolled her eyes, "Oh yes, my dear Miroku, I'm just sooooooo happy to see you my perverted buddy!" Kagome's voice literally drooled sarcasm. She smiled at his imitation of a hurt face and laughed when he held his heart and dropped his head.
"You wound me, you evil woman," he pouted. "Speaking of woman, where's my lady?" he asked, mischievous written all over his lecherous eyes.
Kagome choked on her laugh and pointed towards the kitchen, covering her mouth with her hand.
Miroku smiled evily and rubbed his hands, tiptoeing to the kitchen in the back. He lifted the counter door quietly so it wouldn't creak, and made his way to the kitchen. He heard Sango faint humming and crept behind her. She was chopping tomatoes and humming to herself, not paying attention to her surroundings. Miroku saw this as his perfect chance and stepped behind her. In one quick movement, he wrapped his arms around her waist and shouted, "Here's my woman!"
Kagome bursted in a fit of laughter in the doorway to the kitchen and grabbed her stomach. She leaned against the door frame and wiped a tear from her eye as Sango jumped and a loud shriek ripped from her throat.
"Miroku you jerk!" Sango turned and slapped him, grabbing her frantic heart with the other hand. Miroku laughed and whimpered at the same time, trying to debate if whether to laugh or cry. He rubbed his red cheek and smiled at her a crooked smile she knew she loved. It worked. Sango turned around with a huff and picked up her cutting knife. She turned to Miroku and glared at him, at once Miroku was behind Kagome, peeking at her every once in a while. Kagome laughed harder and gasped when she felt a hand rubbing her derrière. Kagome spun on her feel and planted her hand on Miroku's face, glaring at him.
Miroku held his hands to both of his now bright red cheeks, pouting. “My loves—you wound me to the deepest!”
Kagome chuckled and turned to the register. Pressing her pin in to register it under her name, she then turned to the back counter and turned on the coffee pots, and boiled water.
She turned to the sound of bells, and smiled as two young men entered the restaurant. They turned and sat on one of the tables, and immediately started talking to each other.
Kagome walked over to them, “Good morning, what can I get you?” Kagome asked sweetly, placing menus in front of them.
Both men turned to their menus and scanned through the listings. Kagome took that moment to study each one of them. The youngest of both removed his shades to reveal glowing golden eyes. Kagome almost gasped at the long mane of silver hair flowing freely behind him, pooling on the seat. He reminded her so much of the young man she'd seen that morning getting off his car. But this one looked far too young—and this one had twin puppy ears twitching atop his head. They twitched this way and that like little radars, picking up anything and everything.
Kagome almost 'awwwed' at the sight, and had to fist her hands at her side to keep from rubbing them. She distracted herself by turning to the other man, obviously older. His father? His clear honey eyes scanned the menu, and then he turned to her.
“I'll take the breakfast special you have here,” his strong voice boomed, “and I'll have a cup of jasmine tea, young lady.” His smile was warm and genuine, something that caught Kagome completely off guard. Usually the only men that smiled at her were lecherous old men. She found herself smiling timidly back.
The younger man turned to her then and his eyes locked with hers. He seemed to stare at her for what seemed like forever, his body remaining frozen solid. His clear golden eyes traced every angle of her face. Kagome didn't know if perhaps it really had been him she'd seen. Perhaps he'd recognized her...?
“Uh, son.....I believe the young lady here has to take your order....Inuyasha?” the older man said, staring at his son. He turned to look at Kagome and then back at his son and almost laughed. The look in his son's eyes was nothing but incredulous. It was almost as if he'd seen an angel...
“Oh—right,” Inuyasha said, clearing his throat. “I'll take the same as my old pops here,” he said, closing his menu and peeking back at her. He tried to remain cool, while he turned to see his father.
“And what would you like to drink?” Kagome asked sweetly, writing their orders on her note pad. She ignored his previous attitude, noting he'd been embarrassed.
Inuyasha turned to her and once again seemed unable to either answer her or look away. He opened his mouth to answer, yet no words came out. Kagome resisted the urge to raise a brow at him, as she waited patiently.
The older man across from Inuyasha cleared his throat and looked at his son, raising a brow.
“I'll have, uh—just a coke,” Inuyasha said, glaring daggers at his father. He turned to the girl to see if in fact he'd made a complete dumb-ass of himself, but saw her simply scribbling their orders on her note pad.
“Okay, and how would you like your eggs?”
“Scrambled,” both men said.
“Alright then, It'll just be a sec, thank you,” Kagome said cheerfully, smiling at both of them. She turned on her feel and walked towards the front, slipping through the counter door. Kagome ripped the page from her pad and slapped it on the window of the back counter. Miroku smiled through the wide window and took the order.
“Be up in a sec love,” Miroku sang from the back, getting up scramble eggs and cook hash browns.
Kagome turned to the back counter and prepared the jasmine tea and the coffee. Placing both on a platter, she lifted the counter door and walked towards the men's table.
“Here you go,” she said as she placed their cups before them. She smiled at them and noticed the younger one staring at her...again. She had the sudden urge to turn towards him and ask what his deal was, before the eldest of them beat her to it.
“Please, excuse my son,” the older man said, laughing heartedly. “It seems you have...how shall we say it....enthralled him...” he said, again laughing at his son.
Inuyasha immediately snapped out of it and glared at his father. “Don't listen to him, I think his age has finally catched up to the old man,” his voice sounded a lot more arrogant and rough.
That only caused the older man chuckle harder, as he turned to Kagome. “Please ignore him if he continues to gawk at you my dear,” he said smiling.
Something about him just made Kagome smile back. Whether it was his soft gentle eyes or his polite easy going attitude, Kagome found herself grinning back. She liked the father, he was not like the rest of the business men that came to the restaurant. Unlike the others, he was nice and laid back, where others were usually hard and stuck up. She could never find the strength to smile let alone grin so openly and honestly with any of them.
Kagome found it easier to follow along and talk with them. “That's okay, I have that effect on people,” she smiled, flicking her long locks back.
The older man laughed out loud this time, as the younger one just stared at her with wide eyes. Inuyasha couldn't believe that the waitress was actually going along with his father. They were actually laughing—at his expense! Inuyasha folded his arms in front of his chest and glared out the window, muttering to himself.
Kagome stopped laughing and smiled at the younger man, and found him glaring out the window sulkily. She chuckled at his child-like antics and excused herself.
“What a charming young lady,” the elder man said, smiling at his son. His bright eyes trained on his son, trying to catch any glimpse of fleeting reactions.
“Humph...” Inuyasha huffed, arms still folded at his chest. “Yeah, she was flirting with you...” he said, a bitter note to his tone.
Inutaisho chuckled at his son. He shook his head and he leaned his head on his palm, elbow propped on the table. “Ah, you are so naïve, my son,” Inutaisho sighed, finding the reactions he'd been hoping for in his son.
Inuyasha frowned at his father, and looked him straight in the eye. “What was that old man?” he said, glaring.
Inutaisho smiled at his son, knowing all too well he was only trying to divert the conversation to something else. He shook his head again, and looked out the window, towards the building across. A sly sigh escaped his lips, as his eyes fell down to the table in thought. While the son across from him was arrogant and rash, his other son was arrogant in a much more silent and hard way. How different and similar they were. He wished that their business meeting had gone better, but it hadn't—and now he had two feuding sons.
Kagome helped Sango prepare the toast and pancakes, pouring strawberries and whipped cream on top of them. She sifted powder sugar at the top and both of them placed everything on a plastic platter.
“Think you can carry everything by your self there, Kags?” Sango asked, placing one last plate of toast on the platter.
Miroku turned and grinned at her, “Yeah Kags, wouldn't want you to trip and fall on your face.....I'd hate to catch a glimpse of those wonderful pink underwear you're wearing!” he sang, as he avoided a swat from Sango.
“Sure,” Kagome said, placing the plater on her flat palm and resting one side of it on her shoulder. She walked out of the kitchen and Sango listed the counter door for her. Sango shook her head and walked back into the kitchen, barracking Miroku about not eating the left over strawberries.
“But their soooooooo good,” Miroku pouted, gobbling the last strawberries up. Sango sighed and rolled her eyes, holding her head with one hand.
“Here you go!” Kagome cheered as she placed the plates filled with hot food before each of the men. She took the plates of pancakes and placed them next to their bigger plates, and then the toast followed.
Both men stopped their chatter and stared at the plates of food, eyes wide. Inuyasha's eyes trailed all the food, and his lips broke into a grin—showing one pearly fang. He looked up at Kagome and grinned wider.
Kagome chuckled at their expressions and finished placing everything on their table. “Would you like anything else? Jelly perhaps?” she asked.
“Strawberry jelly please,” Inutaisho asked, unfolding a napkin and placing it on his lap. She nodded and headed towards the front again.
Inuyasha grabbed both his knife and fork and licked his lips, ready to dig in. His father chuckled at his always present appetite and took his utensils out of their napkin as well.
“There you go, more coffee? Tea?” Kagome asked holding a pot in each hand. She refilled their cups and walked away.
Miroku peeked through the large window towards the front, staring as Kagome punched buttons on the cash register. He walked around and out the kitchen.
“So?” he said, leaning one hip against the counter next to the register. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and cocked a brow up at Kagome.
Kagome tried to ignore him for the most part, knowing what he wanted to talk about. She concentrated on the register as if her life depended on it and made it a point to ignore him.
“Soooooo....?” Miroku bugged again, elbowing her. Kagome turned to face him and he wagged his brows at her, making Kagome roll her eyes at him.
“So what Miroku? So what?” Kagome asked exasperated—giving up.
“So what?!” Miroku exclaimed, rolling his eyes and flinging his hands in the air. “So, are you going to accept or not?” he asked as if Kagome should of known better.
Kagome shrewed her lips, not wanting to answer. “I don't know what you're talking about Miroku,” she said, pressing the buttons on the register harder than necessary.
Miroku frowned at his friend, obvious to what she was doing. “Kagome, you really should accept.....He's not a bad guy,” he said, his voice loosing all kind of playfulness. His serious tone had Kagome snapping her head towards him, eyes wide. He was actually being serious—him—Miroku!
Miroku closed his eyes as if in thought, and nodded.
Kagome looked at him and sighed. “Miroku...I—I don't know.....” Kagome really didn't know. The sudden memory made her gloomy suddenly, and brought back different memories and worries. Sighing, Kagome remembered the previous week, when her dear old friend visited her at the restaurant. He'd ordered his usual, and asked her to sit with him. Since it was still too early, there'd been no one at the restaurant, so she'd sat with him. Hojo had been extremely quiet...too quiet for him. When she'd been about to get up, he'd grabbed her hand and faced her. Kagome had been in complete shock when he took out a ring and proposed. He'd said that even though they weren't a couple, he'd love it if she'd accept.
Kagome knew that it would be for the best if she did accept, after all, she alone could not handle all the bills—the medical bills alone took up most of her paycheck. But she refused to marry someone just for the money. That is why she'd said no to Hojo, even though he told her to think about it, she knew her answer would be no. Kagome sighed thinking about it and turned back to Miroku.
She shook her head sadly, and said, “Miroku, I—I can't, in the long shot, he's the one who will end up hurt the most.” With that said, Miroku smiled at her knowingly and patter her shoulder.
“I knew you'd make the right decision,” he said quietly and returned to the kitchen, where he continued to grope poor unsuspecting Sango. Kagome rolled her eyes and smiled, shaking her head as she heard Sango shriek and a loud slap. Guess he'll never learn...
Kagome took the receipt and took it to the table where the two men were chatting in between their breakfast. “Here you go,” she said cheerily as she placed the bill on their table. She turned around and walked towards the front of the restaurant, and prepared more coffee. She turned around and saw the younger of the two walking towards her. She smiled up at him.
“Hope you enjoyed your breakfast,” she chirped.
Inuyasha looked down at her, a smile plastered on his face. “Yeah we did, thanks,” he said, handing her his credit card. Kagome swiped it and had him sign the receipt. Handing him his copy, their fingers brushed slightly. Kagome felt blood rush to her cheeks, and her eyes shot to his. Their eyes connected and held, both unable to look away.
Could it be him...? Perhaps I wasn't paying attention to his ears.....Kagome thought, again remembering the young man stepping out of his car. She shook her head and smiled up shyly. Mumbling a sorry.
Inuyasha's face flared crimson at their touch. Even though it was by accident, he kind of wished he could do it again. He decided to take a bold step and grabbed her hand when she handed him his credit card, startling her.
“H—hey, uh..do you..uh...” Inuyasha stuttered, trying to find the right words. Finally taking a deep breath, “Would you mind if I, uh....” Damn it get it together idiot! He scowled himself. “What I mean is, would you like to have dinner with me?” he finally got out. His warm golden eyes searched hers, trying to figure out if he'd, in fact, made a complete ass of himself.
Kagome's cheeks turned a darker shade of pink, almost to the point of crimson. Part of her wanted to say yes, another wanted to say no. The part that said no debated she wanted to hold on to the image of the business man she'd seen earlier....and the part that said yes, debated that this man could very well be one and the same. So, making up her mind, she answered.
“Uh, sure....” even to her own ears she sounded unsure. But it seemed he hadn't heard it—or paid it no attention. She didn't usually did that kind of thing, to suddenly accept a stranger's invitation to go out on a date. But for some reason, she felt she could trust the young man before her.
Inuyasha's face split in the middle by a large grin, his cheeks rose and his eyes squinted. Finally noting he still held her hand, he took it in both of his and said, “My name's Inuyasha by the way. And that old man is my pops, Inutaisho,” he said, still grinning, showing pearly white fangs.
“Why don't you give me your phone number and I'll call you,” Inuyasha said, holding out his phone.
Kagome felt wary all of a sudden, and looked at him suspiciously. What if he was some kind of perverted guy who asked low class girls on dates just to use them and then leave them? Kagome didn't want to give him her number...or anything else for that matter.
Inuyasha sensed her discomfort and immediately put her fears at ease, “Hey—hey! Don't worry, I'm not some psycho or rapist or any of the above,” he chuckled, “I just really want to get to know you....honestly,” he finished, a sincere smile on his face. His ears seemed to react to his emotions, because one of them laid flat on his head, while the other one was bent, pointing at her.
Kagome smiled and almost forgot herself and reached up to pet his ears. She glued her arms to the counter and said, “Sorry, but you never know. My name's Kagome,” she said smiling slightly and giving him her number.
His face broke into a smile of relief and he turned beet red once again. He turned towards the door and gave one final wave back at her as he followed the older man out the door and into a waiting car outside.
Kagome almost laughed at his reaction, but decided it would be rude. Shaking her head, she froze—remembering what he'd said....I—Inutaisho...? As in Lord Inutaisho...? Lord Inutaisho?! Kagome's head was spinning...what had she gotten herself into......?
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“Dear, you're home early,” a woman's voice rang through the quiet room. Kagome walked through the doorway, and found her mother sitting on a rocking chair, in front of the television. Her thin graying hair framed what was once a beautiful face, now shriveled with age. Her frail bony fingers held her light pink shawl around her, as she slipped her slippers on her tiny feet.
Kagome's heart sank as she took in her appearance, and her heart broke once again. Her mother was getting old, already she had to take her to the hospital at least once ever week. She rushed to her side and placed her hands on her shoulder's, guiding her back down.
“No, mama, stay there,” she whispered hoarsely. She wrapped the shawl more securely around her frail form and gently pushed her back, so she could lean on the back of the chair.
Naomi smiled up at her adoptive daughter, a daughter she'd raised as her very own....loved as her very own. “How was your day dear?” she asked softly, coughing as she did.
Kagome reached for a napkin and handed it over to her mother, “Great, mama, how was yours?” Kagome knew how it'd been, it was always the same. Her mother was too old now to do much else than sit before the television and watch her favorite soap operas.
She kissed her mother on the forehead and walked to the sofa next to her.
“That young man didn't call you, did he?” Naomi asked, watching her daughter closely. She might be senile, but she still knew her little girl better than anyone.
“No.....he didn't,” Kagome answered, propping her head on her palm, her elbow on the sofa's armrest. She shook her head and remembered the day Inuyasha had asked her out on a date, it'd been a Monday......It was Friday now. Often she thought that perhaps she'd messed up and given him the wrong phone number accidentally....but she hadn't.
“Don't worry love....he'll call,” Naomi's voice rang true and clear, for as soon as she'd said it, their phone rang. Kagome got up and answered it.
“Hello?” she asked sweetly.
“Hello?....Is Kagome available?” the strong voice asked from the other line.
Kagome's heart rose and beat frantically in her throat. Speak of the devil....she thought. Why—it was him....Inuyasha.
“Y—yes, this is she...” she said, feeling awkward all of a sudden.
“Hey! It's me, Inuyasha! Do you remember me? We have a date...” he sounded much more confident and enthusiastic.
Kagome laughed to herself and her smile was evident as she answered, “Hello Inuyasha. Of course I remember.”
She heard snickering on the other end, and heard him stutter, “G—great!” Kagome had the distinct feeling he was blushing once again. He continued though.
“Listen, my father is hosting a party tomorrow, Saturday. I'd like it if you came......I'll pick you up if you'd like....?” he said.
Kagome heard him start enthusiastic and confident, then he finished shyly and self-conscious. She smiled to herself, and rolled her eyes at his shyness. For such a loud mouth...he could sure be shy.
“Who's going to be there...?” Kagome asked unsure. She really didn't want to be in a place surrounded by high ranking people or high class. She wasn't used to it and wouldn't know how to act—after all she was only a lower class girl. The only place she'd been around high class people was when she served them breakfast or alcohol...
“Well, the other Lords will be there...and my brother,” Inuyasha said the last like it didn't matter. “But don't worry—really! Everything will be fine, you'll be with me,” he said the last quietly.
“Alright then, I'll go,” she said, smiling again as she heard his little yahoo!
“Alright then, I'll pick you up at seven 'o clock,” Inuyasha said excitedly.
They agreed and hung up the phone. Kagome sat back down on the couch and thought about her date with Inuyasha. He'd said the other Lords would be there. He also mentioned something about a brother, but she really didn't care about that. If he was as easy going and laid back as his father and brother, then she wouldn't worry. She smiled to herself and felt a sudden surge of butterflies fluttering wildly at the pit of her stomach. She wrapped both her arms around her belly and furrowed her brows. She couldn't be feeling that way about Inuyasha...so then.......what was it?
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A/N: Alright, I know this chapter isn't as long as I'd like, but at least I got it out—expect longer chapters though....this is only the beginning. I won't be able to update as often as I'd like either, but I will try and have the chapters up by every Saturday. Thanks for reading!