The gleam of stage lights blinded Kagome as much as the strobe lights blinded the crowd. A familiar and welcome blinding; the pain of such a bright warmth was almost enjoyable. She had become so accustomed to the lights shining on her every night that they only seemed natural in the atmosphere of the rest club. Along with the smell of alcoholic sweat and the mesh of bodies beyond the lights, they all made up her nightlife on and off stage.
Then the music began.
Kagome resisted tapping her feet to the club mixed tune, reminding herself that dancing was Sango's job. And beside her, that was exactly what Sango was doing; swaying her hips and spinning like an exotic belly dancer yet much more tasteful. The shimmering strings of her flapper styled dress caught the light with every movement. She said she picked the dress because of the steeping v-neckline, but Kagome suspected it was because it reminded her of a real dancing costume.
On Kagome's other side, Rin twirled on her ballet flats causing the folds on her skirt to reveal the diamonds hidden underneath. Rin preferred her other job over dancing though you could never tell. Her childish grin was as white as the sailor-styled uniform costume she wore, studded with diamond accents she beaded herself. Considering Rin looked young enough as it was, Kagome questioned why she ever allowed her to wear it.
The music picked up signaling Kagome it was her turn. She stepped into the spotlight over the microphone and let her voice echo over the pumping music and chattering voices. Over the clatter of Shippo expertly making drinks at the bar. Over the sound of high heels clicking on the dance floor.
Over the sound of hungry demons licking their lips.
She watched one in particular as she sung her heart out. He isolated himself from the crowd, clinging to the wall while keeping his eyes glued to the stage, glued to her. His dark hair covered his eyes leaving only his sharp teeth to grin into the flashing lights. Through his bangs Kagome could see a faint symbol on his forehead; he was the one she'd been waiting for.
Now that she'd spotted him, the song wasn't over fast enough. It seemed an eternity that she conversed with the microphone and stood for a moment when the song finished as cheers replaced her voice. She had to be patient; if she appeared rushed it would all be over. Slowly and carefully, she stepped down the stage and spread out from her accomplices taking their places in the shadows elsewhere.
She strutted alongside the bar with confidence before stopping in front of Shippo cleaning a glass with a rag. "The usual, Ship," she ordered but not before giving the secluded stranger a flirtatious half-smile.
She turned to her friend and employee. His black vest and rolled up sleeves showed the form of his average-toned muscles. His short red hair curled at the edges of his face revealing his young age of eighteen. He grinned and set down the glass he was cleaning while his tail swished with his pleasure of serving his employer – a high tipper. Only Kagome and her missing partners knew the real reason the sly fox was grinning.
"Make it two," the remote guy said as Shippo poured what only appeared to be an alcoholic beverage into Kagome's glass. He had come over and taken the stool next to her, though she refused to sit. Instead she leaned farther into the bar showing his presence was welcomed at her side.
Shippo nodded expertly hiding his smile and set down another glass in front of the guy. In it he poured a nearby whiskey – a different drink than Kagome's – to continue the charade that she was drinking and might be slightly disoriented later.
"I liked your song," the guy grinned almost devilishly.
She smiled swallowing her laugh. "Everybody does."
"I'm surprised your boss lets you wear that much clothing." He motioned toward her strapless gold dress reaching only inches enough to cover everything. It was less clothing than even the average clubber, but Kagome wore it for the seduction. And for the glittering gold stilettos that matched it.
She didn't correct him that she was the boss.
Kagome giggled. "This isn't a strip club," she teased.
He leaned over her, his breath heating her ear. "We can always fix that."
She laughed desperately trying not to punch him. She couldn't afford to.
"Bright lights in the big city!" Inyuasha shouted in harmony with the song playing on the radio. He was glad he invested in a topless black car before moving to the city from their suburban town miles behind them. His brother rolled his eyes at his extreme excitement though behind him he could hear his best friend cheering along. Miroku always liked an excuse to party.
"Shouldn't we be unpacking?" Sesshomaru, always the sensible teacher, asked over the radio and wind.
"We just moved into one of the greatest cities in the world, you got a new job that pays well for your profession, and Miroku and I were accepted into the college of our choice," Inuyasha reminded. "Tonight we celebrate."
The car whizzed by bars and restaurants with neon signs becoming streaks against the night. Every street light seemed to turn green as they approached as if swayed by their happiness. Even Sesshomaru who tried resorting to reason smiled while enjoying the fresh breeze of wind.
Miroku leaned forward. "It's just up here; everyone at work has been talking about it."
Inuyasha pulled into a parking lot across the street from a building labeled Shikon in Japanese and English. Outside a line had formed with leather clad and thinly dressed party goers looking for selective entrance. The group of boys strolled to the back awaiting their turn.
The line moved surprising quickly – most of the people turned down by the bouncer. Despite their casual clothing, the three were instantly waved inside.
"Just like that?" Inuyasha questioned. "What made us different from the others?"
The bouncer just grunted and pointed to Inuyasha's flexing dog years. "Oh," was all he could say in reply.
The club was wall to wall dancing bodies and changing color lights. Music beat from tall speakers almost hurting Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's acute hearing. Demons of all sorts mixed with monks, mikos, and humans that seemed to know what they were dealing with. It made sense according to the bouncer's specific selection.
"I can see what the hype was about," Miroku grinned spotting a girl in a dress as radiant as a disco ball. She snuffed his flirt and turned away with a flip of her dark brown hair in a loosely tied bun. Miroku didn't take it to heart.
"Alright boys," Inyuasha declared. "Let's toast to new beginnings."
Budging between mashed couples and drunken loiterers, Inuyasha headed straight towards the bar already eyeing a drink. They all followed – Sesshomaru mumbling about having only one so he could drive – to the long black bar spanning the entire left wall.
It was empty except for the tender, a sleazy looking playboy, and a girl in a sparkling golden dress.
I did a little editing on this chapter because I found a mistake while skimming it, and then one mistake turned to two . . .
I hope you enjoy the story! Please review, I'd like to know what you think!