Human Compensation

Kagome woke up still in the shrine. She sat up slowly and looked around. The door was still open showing the night sky. For a moment, she had a hard time remembering what she was doing here. Then, it all came rushing back to her. She sighed and stood up. Her legs wobbled and she fell back down. She'd spent too much time in bed and now she was paying for it. She crawled to the wall and used it as support to help her stand. Breathing heavily, she leant back against it.

"It was a dream, that's all," she mumbled. "Why did Grandpa and Shippou bring me here to make me wish for something that would never come true?" Two tears slid down her cheeks to the floor. "I hate this life.." She said softly as she begin to make her way out of the shrine. She held on to the walls taking each step slowly with great care until she was able to get the strength back in her legs before she went outside. Everyone was asleep when she entered her home. She walked straight to her room and went back to bed, not really caring about anything anymore.

Souta burst into the room and jumped on top of Kagome's bed startling her awake. "Kagome! Why are you still asleep? You're going to be late for work!"

Kagome gave him a strange look and pulled the covers over her head. "What are you talking about? Leave me alone."

"Chickening out already sis? Ha! I knew you'd get scared of going out on your own. Just admit it. You're always going to be a small town girl living with her family." Souta teased.

"Kagome? Why are you still in bed?" She heard her mother's voice. Kagome pulled the covers down and stared at her blankly.

"You're not going to make a very good impression if you're late for the first day at your new job?" Her mother said as she stood in the doorway with a hand on her hip.

"I have a job?" Kagome asked.

"Oh man, she's so out of it!" Souta laughed. He sighed and grabbed her arms pulling her out of the bed. "Come on sis, the bathroom is this way."

Kagome felt as if she was dreaming. Was it a dream again? Had everything been a dream? She thought to herself as she stood in front of the same building that was blown up a few months ago. There it was looking brand new as if nothing had happened and there was Sesshoumaru's name across it.

She asked her mother how she'd gotten the job. Her mom had given her a worried look before filling her in. Apparently, Kagome had applied there a few days ago and later own was called in for an interview and they'd hired her immediately after. How was that possible? Who had interviewed her? Was Inuyasha there? She swallowed and walked in, not knowing what to expect. Stopping in the lobby, she glanced down at the paper in her hands. She was a secretary but she didn't know who she was working for. It only told her to go to the tenth floor… Oh great, not again…why did it have to be the tenth floor? A heavy feeling of de ja vu swept over her as stood in the elevator or perhaps it was the fear of heights and glass elevators she hadn't gotten over. Whatever it was, her knees were shaking when she finally walked out on her floor. She ran to the nearest chair she saw in the hallway and collapsed in it.

'Everything seems to be happening all over again. My wishes must have been answered, but nothing seems to have changed,' she thought to herself. She looked at the letter again. Her hands shook as she sat staring at it. 'Who am I working for?'

"Excuse me," a familiar voice said.

Startled, Kagome jumped and looked up. Her face lit up when she saw the handsome face smiling politely down at her. "Miroku!" She jumped up and threw her arms around him hugging him tightly. "Miroku, I'm so glad to see you! You're okay!"

Miroku stood there with a surprised and confused expression on his face, but hugged her gently. "Of course, I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be?"

Kagome slowly pulled away from him to stare up at him. She let out a squeak when Miroku pulled her back against him holding her tightly.

"Kagome! Has something happened?" He asked in mock worry as he enjoyed the feel of her body against his. Who was he to pass up the chance to hold a beautiful woman?

Kagome stiffened in his arms. Her face turned a deep red when she felt both his hands groping her rump. He was himself all right, that part of him hadn't changed at all. And, he was pissing her off.

The hallway echoed with a loud slap just as Shippou was getting off the elevator. He took one look at Kagome frowning up at Miroku and the red handprint on Miroku's face and sighed in annoyance. How many women would he have to keep hiring for that pervert?

He quickly got between the two. "Please don't leave!" He begged Kagome. "I'm so tired of looking for new assistants for Miroku. You're the fourth one in a month."

"I'm Miroku's assistant?" Kagome asked in shock.

Shippou blinked. "Please don't leave," he begged louder!

"I thought I would be working under Inuyasha," Kagome said softly. The disappointed showed clearly in her voice.

"Inuyasha?" Miroku and Shippou said at the same time. They looked at each other with confused expressions.

"Why would Sesshoumaru's brother work here? The idea is quite laughable!" Miroku began to chuckle at the insane thought.

"Do you know Inuyasha?" Shippou asked.

"I…" Kagome didn't know how to answer that. What was she suppose to tell them? That she was his human mate? It was obvious she wasn't suppose to know him. "I just heard rumors of him working here that's all."

Shippou nodded. "Inuyasha's name is always followed by rumors. Some of them are true, some are not. Do yourself a favor Kagome and stay away from him. He's not the sort of guy that'd you bring home to meet your parents." He glanced at Miroku. "Neither is he."

"I resent that…" Miroku said coolly, although he didn't look offended by the comment at all.

Kagome looked at Miroku and Shippou examining them out of curiosity. How much did they know about her in this different existence.

"Miroku, how long have we known each other?" She asked cautiously. She knew the question may sound a little strange to them.

Miroku raised an eyebrow. "We met during your interview for this job." He replied.

"That's it?" Kagome asked, her heart sinking.

"Yes," Miroku said slowly. His dark eyes were giving her a curious look.

Kagome turned to Shippou. "What about you? Do we know each other?" Kagome asked politely. She gave him a little smile, but her heart was heavy. Shippou had been the closest to her during the last few days. Did he forget their friendship too?

"Of course we know each other Kagome, what kind of question is that? We use to be neighbors and you use to give me a ride to school before you went to college. I was the only youkai in your town, but you were always very nice to me, unlike the others."

Kagome stared at him in surprise. She wondered if she was going to get through the day with the steady surprises thrown her way. At least her friendship with Shippou hadn't been broken. She was happy about that, but one question remained. Sango also worked here and at one point, so did Rin.

"What about Sango?" She asked them.

"Who?" Miroku looked at Shippou who shrugged.

Kagome watched Miroku with a sinking heart. "You never had a girl name Sango working here?"

"Yeah, we did. She quit remember, Miroku? She was your first assistant. She didn't last a week with you." Shippou said.

"How could I forget her? I was sad to see her go. She was beautiful and feisty, a lethal combination."

Kagome stared at Miroku closely. His dark eyes soften when he spoke of her and his mouth turn into a wistful smile. She was getting a headache.

"Rin…what about her?" She was almost afraid to ask.

"Rin? Who is that?" Shippou asked.

"Isn't she a friend of Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked.

"A friend? Sesshoumaru doesn't have any female friends. Females only serve one purpose for him," Miroku said elbowing Shippou.

Kagome's face turned pale. They had never heard of Rin. Sango and Miroku were not together and Inuyasha wasn't here!

Shippou was watching her with a look of concern on his face. "Kagome, your mother called in and told me you weren't yourself today that's why I came down here to check on you. Maybe you should go back home and rest. I'm sure Miroku can do without you for one more day." He was worried about her. She'd grown pale right before his eyes. She looked confused and sad. And, what was up with the strange questions? No, Kagome was not acting like the perky girl he'd grown to know and love. It was almost as if she was a completely different person.

Kagome shook her head quickly and willed herself to be strong. "No, I'm fine Shippou. I'm just having a weird afternoon. It'll pass, I'm sure." She gave Miroku a forced smile. "I'm ready for my first day of work," then turned to Shippou. "I promise Shippou, he won't chase me off anytime soon."

Shippou smiled as Miroku led her into his office and closed the door