With Love

Chapter Thirty-five: The Bill

Yusuke was hit with smell of floor wax as the door closed behind him. The place was looking nice, it was rumored to be opening up next Saturday. The kids had been in school for two weeks now and his daughter was loving it. He knew that Midoriko had something to do with it. Last weekend his daughter had come home excited about what she’d learned from her new friend. He was told that she’d be taught the basics like to count to ten, how to write her name and her ABC’s. He chuckled remembering seeing her trying to write her name. She’d been all smiles as she focused on the task so he could watch. He’d been trying to get her out of her shell for years and in less than a month Kagome’s little girl had managed to do just that. The movies had been a blast but Kagome hadn’t wanted to sit by him.


His eyes swept over the vacant place noticing that all the tables were in place. There was a small stage on the far end. The bar was located in the center of the place. It must have cost a good bit to get it exactly the way she wanted it. The clank of glasses got his attention coming from the small island in the middle. “Kagome?” Was that her down there? The raven head popped up at the call out. She smiled at him from over the bar. “Hey, did I come at a bad time?’ He’d just left next door after eating lunch.


“Nah, come on in. I could actually use the help. I can’t get this fucking shelf to go back on right. I took it off to adjust it and now it’s being a bitch.” She was ready to take a sledge hammer to it. She’d asked for it to be designed in a specific way. So she could roll the drawers out and grab the glasses as she needed them. Each drawer was a certain size, for the drink glasses she was going to use. It would keep things orderly and out of the way. Her luck, if she hadn’t she’d be breaking them all on days she was clumsy. She been wondering when the toushin would come back by. The movies had been a pleasant experience. Hard to believe that even he could mature with time. Not to mention his little girl was adorable and her daughter was taken with her new friend.


“Let me see before you break it.” Yusuke unlatched the waist high door and joined her down on the floor. “Nice set up you got here.” He took the spot she just vacated. She’d been trying to force the drawer back into it’s slots. “Here’s your problem, give me a screwdriver and I’ll realign this for you.” One was pressed into his palm. It only took a minute to reposition it and slide the drawer home. “There that should do it. Need help putting the glasses up? I worked for a store, did some stocking.” He’d also done construction and waiting on tables before going into law enforcement.


“Thanks, Botan was supposed to come by when she got done at the bank but hasn’t gotten here yet. I’d like to get these glasses up today. I got a shipment of alcohol coming in tomorrow. Don’t suppose you have tomorrow off.” She smiled and waved for him to follow her. She already put most of the glasses through the washer. Anxious didn’t begin to describe how she felt about opening up. He walked into the backroom with her and immediately went for one of the boxes. “Don’t suppose we can take two boxes out now. How about I start stacking them out there while you bring the rest of the boxes out for me.”


“I think I can handle that.” He grabbed a large box and she got a smaller one. “Actually, I got the next two days off so if you need help tomorrow I can come by. When do you want me here?” He had nothing planned after he dropped Kameko off at school. He could think of nothing more he’d rather do than spend the day with her. It wouldn’t be a date but it was a start. He talked to Hiei last week and knew that the man was aware of Kagome being in town but as far as he knew the two haven’t spoken yet. Well, that wasn’t his problem. Hiei had his chance years ago and blew it. Kagome was obviously single and dating if what he’d hear Midoriko say was true. Something about not liking her mother’s last boyfriend. “Before I forget Kameko wanted to know if you two would like to come over for dinner tonight. We are having spaghetti. I made the mistake of picking her up a new movie yesterday. She wants Mid to come over so they can watch it together. I figured we could have dinner then make some popcorn.”


“I see,” Was the invitation just for his daughter’s behalf? Kagome had to wonder with the cocky grin. It’d been a while since she’d even considered dating. There was a chance she was overreacting but what if she weren’t? “Okay, but I cook and you have to hit the movie store to rent something for me. There’s a movie I want to see, we can watch it after the kids go to bed.” She placed her box on the counter top with a loud clink. Where to begin, she grabbed the first glass.


“Are you suggesting a sleep over?” Yusuke put his box down, “You said it, not me. You know as well as I do that if you stay long enough for them to go to sleep they’ll insist to spend the night together. Hate to disappoint them. I don’t mind the company and we can ride together to drop them off at school in the morning. I already agreed to come in tomorrow and help out.” He knew he was pushing it but he had a valid point. Would she agree to stay the night? “I promise to behave.”


“Now why would you do that?” Kagome saw the grin fall and giggled. “I’m not worried about that. We aren’t in high school anymore. Sure, that sounds good though. The girls will love it but Botan might get pissed having to cook for herself. She’ll probably hit the diner though. I can also hit the grocery store to pick up a few things. Sango picked up some garlic bread there, excellent. Can’t have spaghetti without the bread and cheese. Now, go get those boxes for me so we can be done before school is out. Or wait. You wanna be a sweetheart?” She put a glass down and nibbled her bottom lip. “How about help me for a bit and then you pick the girls up from school. As soon as I’m done here I’ll go by the house grab a few things, hit the video store and then the grocery store. Give the girls time to play some before dinner.”


“Alright, I’ll do that.” It would also give him time to go home and straighten up. He had planned on coming in and asking then heading home to do just that. The girls could play in the room so he could make his apartment presentable. He took the dismissal as she waved her hand for him to start fetching. He took it with a smile and went back to the storage room. It wasn’t much but it was a start. Not only did his daughter have a friend to play with but he enjoyed being around the miko. He might even mop his floors if he had the time.


Sango put another can of juice in the cart before debating on getting a jar of pickles. If she didn’t then Shippou would be upset. Youko already had his treat in the there, a box of crackers. Her kids were strange, they didn’t care for chips or cookies. Instead Shippou had a pickle fetish and Youko loved cheese and peanut butter crackers. The only problem she had with getting Shippou his is that he’d take the whole jar and try to eat it at one sitting. Scolding him didn’t help when he woke up the next day with an upset stomach.


“Sango,” Hiei smirked as the woman spun so fast she almost fell over. He’d recognized her as soon as he walked by the isle. He’d come to grab a bottle of coke to go with the whiskey Kurama had purchased. The fox was a few isles down getting a few cases of beer. He hadn’t been expecting to run into anyone he knew. The girl had matured in the years but looked the same. She’d cut most of her hair off leaving it only a few inches past her shoulders. “How are you doing?”


“Doing great and yourself?” But she couldn’t stop to chat. Her kids were waiting at her mother’s to be picked up and then she had to make dinner. Botan had called and said she’d be over for dinner also since Kagome was having dinner with Yusuke tonight. He fell in step as she made her way to the isle needed. She’d buy a large jar and give him a limit. If he ate more than allowed she’d put him in the corner. Or make him watch her eat the rest.


“Well enough,” He watched her grab a rather large jar of pickles and place them in the cart. “What, are you expecting?” How could someone eat all those damn things? He noticed that she appeared to be alone. The cart was almost full with food. Was she buying for her diner or a herd? He had a few questions to ask before Kurama came looking for him.


“No, my son loves them and likes them with every meal and whenever he can sneak them. Don’t tell me that’s all you eat.” She pointed towards the bottle of soft drink in his hands. Most people came shopping for food and bought that as an extra but it was all he had. She tried not to keep any in the house or her kids would chug it down like water. They got tea, juice and kool-aid but soft drink was something they only got when they went out. “Where’s your food? Or is your wife around here somewhere doing the shopping?”


“Hn, I am merely here to pick up a drink. Kurama is around somewhere grabbing whatever else we will be needing.” He almost laughed when she stopped pushing the cart. It only lasted for a second and she was back to it like he hadn’t spoken the man’s name. “I’m curious, why the hell did you come back? With the way you fled one would think you never had any attentions of returning.”


“I did not flee, I moved when I felt I needed to. Besides home is where the heart is and I came back because I wanted to. This is where I wanted to raise my children so I am here. I’m sorry if some don’t care for that fact but I don’t live my life to please others.” She stopped at the end of the isle seeing the redhead walking towards them pushing a cart filled with chips and beer. “Hmph, you know I got the feeling you don’t really want to ask about me. Why would you? You know if you want to know how Kagome is doing then you could always go see her. She’s owns the new bar opening up, I doubt they’ll deny you entrance.”


“You dare lecture me when you are indeed about to flee at the sight of the fox. Or are you going to use the excuse that your husband is waiting on you? I could give you the same advice, you could talk to him.” Then he wouldn’t have to listen to the man’s sour bitching at all hours. The only time the man wasn’t in a foul mood was when Shizuru was over and that had lessened since Sango had returned. Perhaps he would go by the bar and see Kagome. Would she talk to him after all this time?


“I’m divorced thank you and no, I’m just going to be honest. It was nice talking to you Hiei but I’d rather digest cyanide that speak to your cousin. See you later, I’ve got to finish shopping. I have children waiting that I am responsible for.” She turned the cart around and hit the next isle. She didn’t need anything down here but it got her out of eye sight of both men. Fuckers were probably going partying still, irresponsible bastards. They were still getting drunk and having the time of their lives while she had to go home and clean up after two children. She didn’t regret her decision it just pissed her off that some men would never be ready for a family. Shame she had given birth for one of them.


Botan called out when the door opened, “We aren’t open yet.” Some dumb ass couldn’t fucking read. She swore as the hose refused to tighten anymore. What else could go wrong? She was already late for dinner. Hopefully Sango would keep her some aside. She didn’t want to eat alone at the diner tonight. Even if Yukina was there working, she preferred to eat with her friends. Where was that other wrench? If she didn’t get this fucker on she’d be spraying beer at her crotch not into glasses. A stool scraped across the floor and someone had the nerve to knock on the counter. “Can’t you fucking hear?!”


“Sometimes but only when I want to listen.” Naraku heard something clatter onto the floor as he replied. Just as he figured, she was here alone. He’d been shocked to learn exactly who was moving into the vacant spots next to him. They also had the nerve to open a bar down from him. He noticed they didn’t have any pool tables, a good sign. What came more of a shock was seeing her walking out of the gas station that day. Kagura hadn’t been pleased about the confrontation, how brief it had been. The younger girl had been wearing cut off shorts, a skimpy top, flip-flops and her hair had been in disarray. Yet it was no wonder men had watched her walk to her vehicle. Even simple looking the girl was stunning. He had a few things he wanted to say to her. By chance he’d called it an early night and stepped out to see just her car sitting in the lot.


“What the hell are you doing in here? We aren’t open yet, so I’ll have to ask you to leave.” Botan stood up and slammed the wench onto the bar. What the hell was he doing here? Come to bitch about competition? Or was he going to get on her case about his prissy little wife? The bitch had started it first by opening her mouth. Well, first she’d show him the door then kick Kagome’s ass for not locking it on her way out. “Come back during business hours if you want something to drink.” The asshole was wearing a blue turtle neck sweater and jeans, he hadn’t changed any. Wait, he’d cut his hair some.


“You know damn well I didn’t come for a drink. I came to give you something,” he took a seat on the stool and dug out a folded sheet of paper. He’d grabbed it from his desk seeing her here. It was tossed towards her landing by the wrench. “You’ll see that everything is precise and all the repairs accounted for. I’ll take cash or a personal check, either works.” Those damn repairs had cost him over ten grand and he’d been pissed. He’d found his car almost totaled but it had cost over seventy so he’d bit down and paid for it. It had been towed and repaired. The next day after picking it up, he’d decided to go for a drive to cool off. It’d been a fucking scorcher so he’d upped his windows and turned on the air conditioner. It was then that he got rid of the blasted thing.


She unfolded the paper, amused. “Wow, did it really cost that much? Shame, I’m broke but you know what.” She tapped her hands on the marble top in thought. “I got it, Bingo! Why don’t you use the money Kurama paid you to cover the bill. Wait, I was only worth five hundred. Guess you should learn to bargain better. Sorry,” She tossed it back to him and grabbed the tool. She had work to do, “Or if you are really desperate why don’t you shove a piece of coal up your wife’s ass. You’d be rich in no time.”


“Or you could pay off your debt in other ways.” He smirked seeing the outraged look. “Despite what you think I wasn’t referring to that.” He didn’t need to get involved with her now, or any other woman. He had enough problems. Kagura was pregnant and saying it was his. It was the last thing he needed. The divorce had never went through because it’d been cheaper to keep her. Plus, he had no reason to worry about it any longer. The only reason he would have gone through with it had left town. “I see you’re still the little smartass. You haven’t changed, expect a little more mouthy.”


“Well, having your virginity robbed for money by an unfeeling bastard tends to do that to a girl. Add in a really horrible marriage, a pig for a husband and some flashy bitch insulting you for no reason. What can I say? Just one of those things that happen. Now, do you have a purpose for coming here or just to pester me?” Hell yeah, she felt like doing more than mouthing off. She wanted to beat the shit out of him. Then run his snotty wife over. He’d taken something from her she’d never get back and he had the nerve to come in and demand that she repay him. Yes, repay me for ruining your life.


“Heh, I wasn’t complaining about what you said to her. She spoke first, no need to apologize. Though I had to do some quick explaining. She didn’t like the comparison. Though I wouldn’t compare myself to a horse.” Though saying she wanted an explanation wasn’t barely covering it. His wife had automatically assumed that he’d fucked the girl. Which wasn’t far from the truth. The friend had interrupted before they finished but there was a reason Botan knew what size his cock was. He said that it was a nasty term the younger crowd used to imply that the woman in question was loose. It had nothing to do with him personally. He pointed out that Kagura had been the first to throw an insult. His wife had her lovers but had gotten really clingy over the last two years. Simply because she was worn out and needed him to support her.


“I would,” she knew he couldn’t see the blush because she was already kneeling. She’d only had it once but she knew he had more than enough. He had more than Koenma twice over, her husband had felt like a toddler compared to her first. Of course he hadn’t noticed a difference, he’d grunted like a pig during sex. The five minutes that he gave her of rutting before rolling over. A woman tended to get sour when KY was kept on the night stand for the nights her husband paid her a visit. The bastard had even slept in his own bed. Of course in the same room as her but Koenma had his own bed. She felt like her fucking grandparents. “Look, I got work to do so if you’d leave I appreciate it. I’m not giving you a fucking cent. If you wanted something you should have pressed charges or taken me to court years ago. You don’t have a legal foot to stand on so don’t bother me. Or I’ll have your brother come arrest your ass for trespassing.”


“You could try,” it was slightly irritating trying to talk to her from over a counter. Maybe coming in had been a mistake. He wasn’t sure why he’d done it. The bill had just been an excuse. He’d spent years knowing that he’d made a huge mistake that could never be undone. He shouldn’t have taken her virginity without calling the bet off first. She might have understood and gotten over it if he’d told her about it beforehand. Now there was no going back. “Very well, I’ll see you around. Good luck with the business.”

Next Chapter: Popcorn, Puppies and Surprises! Please read and review.....