Amber Eyes chap 1/7

[Little Green Miko]

Amber Eyes


Disclaimer: The idea is the only thing I own. Literally. The characters belong to Takahashi Rumiko-sensei and some of this belongs to my best friends Liz and Rem both of which whom I could not have done any of this. Love you guys and thanks! : D

IMPORTANT!!! A.N. This is a ?what if?? type AU fic. As in: ?What if the Shikon no Tama never existed but Naraku still did and still killed Kikyou? What if Inuyasha was never pinned to that tree and Kagome never fell through the well?? Well this is Liz, Rem and my take on it. : ) Most of it is in an RP format because that?s how the story twisted up as, so basically after the first four paragraphs every paragraph after is a different person. Also, you won?t learn names till near end of this chap. ^^ Read, Enjoy and Review please. : )

Chapter 1: A Meeting With Benefits

Lips streaked in a bright crimson red, eyes dabbed with a violet shadow that brought out the amber specks in her eyes, mascara painstakingly added to her long eyelashes, earrings that sparkled under the faded moonlight, a skirt of tight black that rode high, a chain connected to the loops about her tiny waist, a shoulder revealing, tight spandexy top and all topped off with spiked black knee high boots that looked to be velvet on the outside. Her hair tumbled abreast her bare shoulders and back like a raining water fall-glistening with highlights of a violent sky blue-all natural. She stood along side a low brick wall, one foot up against it-her very form rivaling everything the stars had to offer. This was all she knew. The one way for a girl to survive on the back streets without a job or a home to go back too.

It hadn't been a good week. She'd barely gotten 12,000 ? out of the last person. She sighed and ran her slim fingers down her thigh to yank her boot up a bit, and then shoved herself off the wall. If she didn't get something more soon-then they'd come after her. They wouldn't tolerate late payments-and they expected her to get it any way she possibly could. Didn't matter how, where or what with. "Just Get It and we won't slit your brother's throat." was all they'd ever say. Her brother...the only person she had left in the world-and he was deathly ill and in their hands! Thus- the reason she was out on the street and dressed like this. There was no other way for her to get money in this town. Especially with a pretty much sick economy to boot. She began to walk down the sidewalk, and lifted her head to the darkened skies. Passion was a poison, and that poison was her undignified business...Why did her parents have to die and leave her and Souta with such heavy debts to pay these people? She shuddered as she walked. ?someone-please hear this...save my life??

The soft chime of bells rang out as a glass door swung closed, fallowed by a clatter of impact that shuddered the door frame all the way up to the rickety half lit sign of the corner convenient store. It was all that really gave the boy away as he padded along, silent in step his grayed sneakers baring the wear and grime of many a stride through the town barely peeked out from beneath the hem of those oversized pant legs. Black with a striking pattern of crimson dashed here and there, the article itself barely clinging to the slender waist of its wearer. Perfectly pale skin bared to the night air between the smooth line of the leather belt and the torn hem of a black shirt kept just a size too small, leaving very little of his lean toned physique to the imagination beneath its black cotton surface. "Got Sak??" decorated the front in a scrawl of white kanji, half framed in locks of deep raven. The same raven that reached down his back and buried his small dirty tan shoulder pack, that budged out with its contents, the scratched and scuffed toes of roller blades poking out between the packs zippers. He paced along seemingly more interested in a can of atomic mints than where he was really going. His black cap pulled down firmly over his head and for the moment casting a partial shadow over that boyish face as he picked and tried to pull apart the wrapper

He was striding up the side walk , still fussing with the little tin as he carefully maneuvered it between slender clawed fingers. Trying to pick off the plastic seal without gouging the little thing in the process. Mumbling sourly as he blindly strode into the street and continued walking along as if nothing was amiss...all while a few vehicles slammed on there breaks and swerved around him, drivers hanging out of windows and screaming at him. One small coupe couldn?t stop fast enough, and only a rather smoothly done bound ahead spared the boy from being run over by a mere two inches. That thick mess of raven black whipping around his slender frame as he landed on the side walk...and practically stepped on the fretting star-gazing girl. Shadowy violet orbs were drawn wide as he rose to his toes and flailed his arms in a desperate effort to avoid walking into the girl. A sweat drop rolling down as he managed a hurried little.... ?...EH! Look out woman!?

She cheeped herself and took a steadying back-step-her kohl black lashes beating fast against her pale cheeks-as she deftly kept herself from toppling over in her boots. Her slim brow went up kind of as she got a glimpse past him at the mess of the street he'd managed to make just walking across it, and then looked at him, her eyes instantly going half-lidded. He looked scruffy to say the least...definitely not one with much money in his back pocket...which ever pocket that was in those pants...but looking past that
she saw right off that he looked yummy all the same. Problem was-no matter how good looking he was-did he have money? She sighed and licked her red lips, smoothing out her spandexy top carefully responding in a sultry tone that she'd learned to use with almost everyone outside of "their" headquarters. ?...Would say the same for you, honey.? She flicked her head in the direction of the car pile-ups behind him

He managed to regain his balance with a soft huff, looking back over his shoulder with an annoyed expression. Giving the girl a shrug. ?They're the idgits who don't know how to drive?? He took a moment to look the woman up and down, she was a fetching looking thing but the closest club around here wasn?t for a few miles still, and ladies time was over at most of the clubs. His nose crinkled a little as he drew a sigh, he thought he was lucky and bumped into a pretty one on the street...but her scent alone dashed his little hope. Peering down he poked a claw again at that wrapper and finally unwound it from the tin, flipping the cover open and offering to the girl. ?Hot cinnamon mint??

It was funny how she wasn't wearing much of a scent...maybe a bit of Lilies from her hair-but that was about it. ?...Sure they don't.? She murmured with a warm, but sly little smile. She gazed at the mint he offered her then-and shrugged half-heartedly. ?...Why not? Might be the last bit of anything to chew on I'll see in a while?? She took the mint and placed it between her lips, and looked at him again. ?...What?s a nice kid like you doing out here at such an extravagant hour of the night??

?Just got off work.? He muttered lightly before popping a mint in his mouth, the tip of fang briefly baring. He gazed to the girl again as he pocketed closed the tin and stuffed it into his pocket. ?And your not punching out for another couple of hours eh??

She sighed and smiled wryly and sadly at him, shaking her head slowly, an unhappy look pasted on her features, even with the smile there. She entwined her fingers in front of her, and sighed. ?Wish I could.? She said quietly with a somewhat broken voice. ?-But this is the only way I can make enough money.? She trailed off kind of and bit the mint in half in her mouth.

He couldn?t help but twinge a little at her saddened look and dropped act, the first thing running through his head was the one simple question..."why then was she out here?" He shook his head a little and muttered. ?Not really the only way, there?s a club down on main street that?s always looking for dancing girls.? He shrugged a little and pulled up his sliding shoulder pack with a little toss.

She shook her head. ?Can't?? She said tersely-Oh she had a reason for not going and joining up with the clubs. A real good one-but she wasn't about to alleviate her problems on someone she'd barely known ten minutes-not even knowing his name. Course that could only take a question to discern. She smiled at him again-but the smile didn't reach her eyes. ?Nice thought though...You have a name??

?Whatever you feel like calling me?? Shrugging again, he stated it simply and plainly as if it actually made sense...but he did have a good reason behind it, and he wasn?t about to divulge it to some chick he nearly fell on top of ten minutes ago. He flashed her a little smirk knowing how confused she'd become in a moment before motioning. ?Look...my apartment is down the street, if were going to talk we'll talk there.?

The name part didn't confuse her. She understood that perfectly well. Many of her clients never divulged their names to her for privacy and legal reasons. So she shrugged that off. The next thing he said-that did confused her a little however. She blinked at him and lifted her perfectly crafted brows up to express it. ?... You're not taking me on are you?? She asked silkily-but seriously all the same also stating the question as more of a fact then an actual inquiry. How she managed that was a wonder-but she did.

?Nope?? He chuckled softly as he strode down the side walk on his way, tucking his hands in his pockets as he gave those lengthy locks of raven a little rolling flick. ?You just finished muttering under your breath that you'd not know when your next meals coming from....I have some left over okonomiyaki at home and it'll be a good enough payback for almost pounding you into the concrete.?

She blinked again...and rubbed her right arm with her left hand, looking sort of down and diagonal-pondering this. True-she had said that...but the longer she was gone without getting money the closer that syndicate would come to slitting her little brother's throat. What could she do? She sighed-maybe she might be able to get something besides food out of this anyway. Looking up she, nodded slowly, conceding and began to follow him. ?How far off is your apartment??

?About one block from here.? He slowed down enough to let her ketchup, his dull colored orbs flicking towards her as he muttered. ?If you hang out too much longer out here anyway the authorities will pick you up instead of a client....you know only "licensed" prostitutes can work the streets,? meaning the ones who?s pimps could pay off the authorities. ?Somehow you don't look that lucky.?

She smiled wanly at him...as she came up to his side, her boots clicking on the sidewalk as she did. ?You pinned me down well?? Her smile slid off her face then, and she looked off to the side-seeming to loose herself in the bushes of midnight-blooming flowers that grew there. ?...But-I do work for someone...technically?? She murmured offhand.

Keys jangled softly as he plucked them out of his pocket, in the girls night gazing she failed to notice the small gravel walkway they veered off on. Looming just ahead was a small apartment building, its two levels run down but kept quaint with the owners uncanny eye for floral d?cor. Ivies crept up the walls, there colorful dew kissed buds gleaming in the moonlight. Small bushes and even a few well pruned trees decorating the otherwise drab gray front. the boy was just ahead of her, past the front door and up the cleanly swept wooden steps to the second floor without a sound. All the while calling back. ?He must enjoy making it harder for you, working some neighborhood instead of downtown.?

She noticed all this soon enough-and marveled at it with slightly agape ruby red lips as she quietly followed him up the path-careful of where she stepped because of her stiletto spiked heels. She flicked her dark, misty orbs back to him when he spoke-and stopped just behind as he fished around to open the door. ?...Mm...He hates me-hated my family...when I had one?? She cut herself short then...and shook her head quickly as if to clear it. ?...Did you do all this gardening by yourself??

Each and every step the woman took, even as she shadows the boy creaked and groaned loudly with each step. The hanyou actually peered over to her as a dark brow arched. ?Kinda...I do all the tree trimming and vine pruning...I'm the only one here not afraid of heights.? He really grew curious as she mentioned her family...but a click later fouled up any attempt to question. The door swinging open to a small three room apartment, the main area being the largest...if you could call a thirteen by twelve room large?with a kitchen and bath that was just about the same when put together. What seemed the most curious was the fact the place seemed barren, save for a beanbag chair, a table and a two shelf wooden cart that held the TV and stereo. Everything else, from the phone to clothes were on the floor all be it placed neatly. The boy strode in and gave a nervous little chuckle. ?I uh, only moved in here about two weeks ago.?

?It's beautiful work all the same?? She murmured, admiring it one last time before she stepped into the small apartment-which in her terms at this point in her life-she could consider to be a palace...barren or not. Of course-she'd been in much smaller and dingier places too...It's amazing what kind of people will have money-and what they'll blow it on...sad thing was-a few of those people were really good-and she didn't have to fake anything. She smiled at him as she shut the door. ?It's ok...really. At least it's not a card board box.? She attempted a lame joke.

He gave another little chuckle as she bought it...truth was he'd been there a good six months. The strange accommodations were out of personal preference, yet she'd not have to know that as he kicked off his shoes and stepped in. The girls salvation coming into sight as that shoulder pack was lightly tossed aside, crashing to the floor with a loud clatter of plastic. One skate bursting the zipper wider and tumbling out, with it came a slim black leather wallet that plopped lightly on the floor. Meanwhile the hanyou motioned to the beanbag chair. ?Make yourself at home, I'll heat the okonomiyaki.?

It didn't matter to her either way. She would have said that if he'd told her he'd been living in here for two years. She sat to gracefully pull her boots off her feet and set them down neatly-the neck of each boot folding over itself, and turned her face to him as he motioned to the beanbag chair. Her brows knitted up a bit and she smiled her warm ruby red smile and turned around to get on her knees and hoist herself back up delicately-in such a way that her tight leather skirt wouldn't show off to much. ?Thank you?? She said and stepped in further peering about more first.

He disappeared into the kitchen the next moment, rummaging through the fridge that held just as many curiosities as the rest of the apartment did. Holding barely a jug of water and a few veggies...unlike a normal guys fridge that would be filled to bursting with Bud lights, ahh but the cupboards made up for it...one after the other filled with instant food. Ramen, miso soup, ramen, wonton, ramen, cans of spaghetti-o?s, ramen...oh yeah...and ramen! The microwave clicked loudly as it hummed to life...the boys
tone calling from the kitchen. ?You don't mind squid do you??

She blinked as she poked around at the small entertainment system-picking up random video games and looking them over. She glanced over her shoulder, and shrugged, not that he could see it. ?As long as it's not alive it's fine...never could stomach live squid.? She answered, dropping the Gran Trismo game back down and picking up-Wheel of Fortune?...She blinked. Whatever. And dropped that too. Standing up then she moved to peer into the kitchen and just kind of parked herself against the door frame, watching him. ?...Not into the very nurtitious department are we?? She teased with a light smirk.

There was the sound of bare feet padding across the floor and a taller form looming above the girl, not to be intimidating, but the fact that she was in the doorway. brushing his black silk buttoned up oriental shirt revealing a body hugging white t-shirt, his form wearing black slacks. ?Ahem.? Came his soft rolling voice.. when she turned around she would meet a gentleman about five foot ten, with shoulder-length black hair with brown highlights and square glasses

A stark contrast to the boy clad in a baseball cap, oversized jncos and a black tee a size just snug and ripped at the hems to fit. He peered over to the girl and flashed her a wry smirk. ?Guys gotta do what he can...eh?.?? He took one look to the fellah looming behind the girl and blinked. ?Miroku...your back awfully early.? He muttered before popping the microwave door open and carefully removing the two boxes of Japanese pizza, Holding one out to the girl. ?You didn?t get kicked off the trip again did you Miroku??

She blinked hearing a voice behind her-and feeling body heat too-she spun around-and backed up into the kitchen-and stared at the guy in the doorway. She looked sideways at the boy-and took the pizza with a slight nod, turning her head back to the guy. ?You didn't tell me you had a room mate?? She said-silkily, and fluttered her lashes. He was quite the looker too-but for some reason she preferred the grungy look of the kid who'd brought her here.

He arched a brow, his glasses sliding down his nose a bit before he pushed them back up. Slipping past the girl, he reached over and nabbed up two containers of applesauce and spoon, not even giving her a
second look. ?Guy's gotta have some time to behave there, mate? He smirked and he flopped in that chair, legs crossed and he tore open the label. ?It's been postponed until further investigation is had.?

?I'll let Rick know then....he's short handed right now.? Snatching up some eating utensils he motioned to the woman out of the kitchen and to the main area. Slipping off towards the windows to slide open the drapes, letting the moonlight shine softly through the double windows. ?I?d rather eat in here, better view.? He gazed to the woman the next moment as he joined her at the table, setting down her knife and fork. ?Reheated pizza, finest in town.?

She didn't have much to say to this...She also had no idea what the kid and the guy were even talking about-but she found it was usually best not to pry...Got her beat up enough times back at headquarters... Not that these two would do that...but best not to take chances. So she just nodded and knelt down to eat the pizza and hope that Rosalyn, the other local strumpet, hadn't taken her spot up too soon or any money she could have had tonight would be in that bimbo's pocket instead of helping her free her brother

Miroku rose to stand, tossing the first cup away. ?Yeah, well you do that, mate.? He looked at the girl and motioned. ?I've seen you before, I know I have.? He removed his glasses.

He only then answered the girls question after a big mouthful of the stuff. ?He's kinda like a roomie, Cats the better name for him, he'll leave abruptly and be gone for three months. "peddling" his employers silks and tapestries to potential customers.? He flashed a smirk to the guy before carving himself out another bite.

She looked from one boy to the other and nodded once. ?...Sounds kind of like what I do...except more legal.? She said dryly, and looked up at the guy the Nanashi guy had dubbed Miroku. She nodded at him too-though slightly stiffer. ?I'm sure you have...I-have a way of getting-around??

Miroku?s dark eyes just glared daggers at him, fingers going around the spoon handle like he wanted to jab it into his eye. he hates it when he refers to his occupation as such. ?I don't peddle tapestries-I am a historian who focuses his attention and studies on Tapestries. I restore tapestries of ancient origin and trace their origin - I don't sell them? Wait-didn't he see her last with her face in his lap? shrug...Who knew.

He idly peered up at Miroku a moment, jabbing his fork through a piece of the okonomiyaki and waving it a little at him. ?You stare at cloth, dunno how you can keep doing that without going insane.?

She never did forget a customers face. Hence the reason she had said she'd ways of getting around. But she'd never let on that she remembered him. She just mingled around with her pizza more and listening to the overwrought sound of his voice as he corrected his "semi"-roommate, and letting her eyes travel across the floor till it landed on something that caught her eye. ?Gotta do what your best at to make your living worth while?? She interceded on Miroku behalf, taking her eyes from the object and looking at them again.

Miroku switched his hips a bit. ?It's interesting, truly.? Shrug and move towards a corner and picked up his box of materials.

That dark brow tick-tick-ticked a little, though the boy chose to ignore his roomies banter as he stuffed the last bite of the pizza in his mouth. His gaze flicking back up to the woman sitting across from him... ?Do what your best at huh? Speaking from personal experience or plain wishful thinking??

She sighed, and popped the last tid-bit of pizza in her mouth, closing her eyes very briefly. ?...Both-actually...Told you I don't want to do what I do. I'm almost forced to...but sometimes it's very gratifying...sometimes.? She responded with a somewhat heavy handed look.

?Well, I'll leave you two be-I have some books to analyze about the mythology of Sengoku Jidai. they found several tapestries about five hundred years old with a few images and words they don't know. They think it involves their mythos.? Miroku said with a wave.

?Good luck, If you need any help let me know?? He waves his roomie off to his work, idly waiting for him to be off before he turned to the girl. Sliding his empty box aside as he propped his elbows on the table and stared at her with those half lidded shadowy orbs. ?...Why??

She blinked at him-suddenly nonplussed by his intense but shadowy stare-taking in note that he looked really, really good when his face was like that-but she didn't make any comment on it. ?Why...what?? She asked quietly. She knew what he was asking about-generally- but just the "why" was to general for her to answer...could be a why to any number of things..

??Almost forced?? He calmly echoed back to her. ?Why are you almost forced into this work?? A dark brow arched in curiosity.

She bit her lip and silently wished she had even a mug to hide behind. She didn't want to drag innocent people into to this evil twisted mess that her parents had gotten themselves into and left this world leaving her to take care of it. She looked down, letting her long bangs shadow out her make-upped eyes as she thought of some plausible explanation. ?Family issues...sort of?? She muttered. ?Family got in a mess with the person I work for...and I have to fix it...and this is about the only way I can under his rule....it's better then the other choice I could have taken??

?Who do you work for that rules in this way?? He was more musing at this point, pondering mulling over a few thoughts that he wasn?t about to share anytime soon.

She smiled-at this question without humor. ?...I tell you, and he finds out I'm as good as dead...and so it.? She cut herself off again, and dropped her chin into one of her palms, the other hand playing with the silver chain hanging about her small waist. ?Never mind.?

His gaze remained locked on the girl a few long moments more, before he gave a light shrug and rose to his feet, gathering up the boxes and used cutlery. ?So be it then, I don't want you killed over my curiosity.? He though .never even looked at her while cleaning up, turning off to slip back for the kitchen.

She fisted her hand against her cheek hard, causing her nails to dig painfully into the soft skin there. Gods how she wanted to tell him. Everything-right from the start...tell him-or anyone else really- who'd help her..-and wasn?t it just a half hour ago or something that she'd been walking down the street asking the stars for someone to save her from this mess? Help her and her brother be free of the syndicate and live normal lives? Was this who the kamis sent at her prayer? ...If it was damnit they were incredibly late! she'd been asking for release from this for so very long...and she was so tired. Dragging her hand from her cheek, she inhaled deeply and pushed herself up from the table and went to peer in the kitchen again. ?....Do you really want to know??

Miroku came back into the room, stripped of his outer shirt, just wearing his black slacks and form hugging white t-shirt, his hair pulled up in a tight tail on his head, nose in a book as he moved towards his own filing cabinet, characters written of name not seen in a long time.. A brother long since passed.... youkai tapestry he's working on.

He peered up from the running faucet, blinking in her direction as a curious expression flashed over the features of that boyish face. ?I thought you'd be in danger for telling me?? He lightly shook off the freshly washed silverware and set them back into a respective drawer.

She nibbled at her finger and peered back over her shoulder at Miroku as he re-entered the room, and then looked back at the boy and sighed. ?...I would...but...I want out so badly....they-have my little brother...and they're going to kill him if I don't either get the cash they want or do something drastic...-So do you want to know, or don't you?? She gave him a helpless look.

His expression shifted from curious to somewhat surprised, his only other reaction being the fact he'd picked up the tea kettle and began to fill it. ?Yes...go ahead and explain what you can.? The girl
looked a bit flustered, and he had a good remedy for that....he grabbed the can of tea setting the kettle atop of the stove he turned to face her once again, waiting.

Normally getting this kind of reaction she was getting from the boy after hearing something like that being said would cause an uplifted brow, but she didn't give a flying right now about how he reacted-she flicked her vision nervously back over her shoulder to the roomie, and then fidgeted it back to him. ?...Not here...not now...Can you meet me somewhere-a little later...?? She asked then, hushed and chewing her lip.

Miroku raised his eyes, frowning, slamming the book shut, turning and leaving the room?back to his own.

He blinked....his slowly nodded to the girl. ?Where exactly? ....and by the way I'm Yatu, Maesao....since I didn?t tell you it before, but I'm sure you understood why.? He flashed her a little playful smirk to see if her worried mood would lift a little.

It didn't-she barely took in the name he gave her-she just nodded to what he said. ?...Kagome...but I prefer Kags...um...there's a really secluded place I know of about a mile from here-north, north east direction.
It's supposed to be an abandoned warehouse-but it isn't. Just looks like one....how about there?? She asked, still hushed even though Miroku had left the room again. It wasn't him that she was worried about.

He quietly nodded to the girl before turning back towards the whistling kettle...starting to fish through the cabinets for cups... ?so then your leaving now? Or are you staying for a little tea?? He set himself to picking out the tea leaves one by one and setting them in the first cup, not gazing up to the girl.

It was a good thing he wasn?t watching too-after he had nodded-she eased up her tension just the tiniest bit-and her lips quirked up a tiny bit too and she scooted into the main room-quickly moving to the object she'd spotted earlier and swiping it up. She blinked back toward the kitchen-and worry-bit her lower lip again.?...I think I better go for now?? She said-idly gazing at the floor for a few moments. ?-But I will see you again-in about a half hour-right? No bluffing?? She asked in an anxious voice as she moved to the door and her Boots.

?Half an hour, I'll be there Kagome?? He peered up as he poured the hot water into the second cup , pausing long enough to watch her boot-back up and leave.

~end chap. 1~

[Lara Winner]

Woah... interesting first chapter. The description was great, it really gave a feel for the setting you've created. I'd really like to see where this is going.

Hope there's more soon!