Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or Aretha Franklin's "Day Dreaming". I'm trying to make this story different from all of the others I've done. In this story, I want to reveal the hardships and the positive points of an interracial relationship. This story will have some harsh language like the word "nigger". Mind you, what the characters do and say do not represent my real opinions; it's just how some of the characters may be. Sorry if anyone gets offended, but I want to show the negative stereotypes and opinions of interracial relationships and people of different races and religions . So guys, I'm not a racist. I love men that are all different shades of fine.
Oh, before I forget, all of the characters will be human! I know, I'll miss the dog ears and claws, too.
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"Things never turn out the way you expect it, right, hun?" a pretty woman asked her husband, holding their hyper son in his arms. Life took the two through many twists and turns. It took a long time to become what they were now, a happy family.
"No, they don't," the man replied, playfully bouncing his son on his lap. The infant giggled, clapping his hands together, with a line of drool running down his chin. "Eww, dribble chin," the man teased, dabbing the baby's chin with a small napkin. The golden-eyed baby looked up at his father in admiration.
The small, but growing family quietly sat down in the living room, enjoying each other's presence. Four years ago, no one expected their lives to be like this. No one thought they would make it. They didn't think they would make it until they had faith in their love. Sesshomaru Taishou, a native of Japan, son of a powerful businessman, never thought he would ever get married to anyone, let alone a gaigin. All of the trials and tribulations were worth it in the end.
"But we made it, right?" the woman said, rubbing her protruding stomach.
Six Years Before, March, 2002
"Sesshomaru, I want you to see how our American branch is run," Toga said to his son, walking though the halls of his company – more like a branch of his powerhouse, money-making machine.
"Yes, father," he answered, walking beside the older man. Both men had long, silver hair and yellow, almost golden eyes that could pierce through anyone.
"One day, when I retire, all of this will be yours."
"Right, father," he stiffly nodded, walking inside the massive office. It had wooden shelves filled with books of all types. On the walls were pictures of his family: Toga's wife, Izayoi, and his two sons, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru.
Eventually, half of this company would be his. His younger half-brother had a few years to go until he turned twenty-one and got his half of the company.
"You don't seem too thrilled, son."
"Oh, I am," he replied, in a rather flat tone. The day went by slowly. Things were very boring during his first time in America. When he was allowed to be away from the office, most people stared at him. Not as much back in Japan, but it still was annoying. That was the hand fate dealt him; he had the Taishou genes. Every Taishou had silver hair, gold eyes, and were exceptionally tall . Not one man in the family was under six feet tall.
"Well, you got your first taste of a corporate meeting!" Toga cheered, patting his oldest son on the back. The two walked through the now empty building to the parking lot of the twenty floor building. From there, Sesshomaru and Toga parted, heading toward their own cars. Sesshomaru's 2002 white BMW drove quietly through the streets of Detroit. All the lights reminded the twenty year old of home, but it was nothing like it at the same time. Home was an odd word to describe the place he grew up; never had he felt that he truly belonged. He always was the black sheep of the family, always quiet and aloof. Most would say Sesshomaru was as cold as ice.
"Kami, I hate my life," he mumbled to himself, driving through the busy streets. He never wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, but there was no choice in the matter. After an hour of driving mindlessly through the Paradise Valley, also know as the Black Bottom, the faint sound of jazz music lured him to a quaint lounge. The relaxing sounds drew him in like a moth to a flame. The stress, and perhaps his fate, made him walk inside.
The atmosphere was quite peaceful. The lighting was very dim. A lit candle lay on each of the small, round tables. There were few lights inside the place. At the center of the stage was a band. In front of the band was a stout man, rapping about the changing of Hip-Hop.
"Shorty always kept the beat up and the kids sharp. I remember when she was the girl next door, now she's the TV's whore," Sesshomaru was an avid Hip-Hop listener, and music was not the same. Taking a seat in the corner near the stage, he closely watched everyone around him. The audience was a very diverse crowd. All of them seemed to be laid back, enjoying the atmosphere.
That was when he saw her, talking to a Hispanic woman with curly, bright red hair and, another person who could have been related to the intriguing woman. All three women were having small talk after the performer left the stage. A short round of applause followed.
"Jillian, you see that guy staring at you?" Marisol asked, nudging her chin toward the silver-haired young man watching her friend across the room.
"What guy?" Jillian asked, pretending not to notice the handsome man.
"The white lookin' guy. Is his hair blond or silver?" Victoria asked, scratching her head. The young woman looked at her half-sister before tugging one of her curls. Both girls looked similar, except Victoria was much lighter, had green eyes, and a smaller, sharper nose.
"Look, it's time for me to get on stage!" The dark-skinned woman walked onto the humble stage, taking hold of the old-fashioned microphone.
"She's kinda short," Sesshomaru mumbled to himself, watching the young woman walk on the stage. Wild, curly hair framed her delicate face, and a long, flowing, colorful summer dress hugged her curves.
"I wanna dedicate this song to the wonderful woman who first sang it: Ms. Aretha Franklin." she stated before she began to sing..
(Day dreamin' and I'm thinkin' of you)
(Day dreamin' and I'm thinkin' of you)
(Day dreamin' and I'm thinkin' of you)
(Day dreamin' and I'm thinkin' of you)
(Look at my heart... floating away...)
For such a small woman, her voice had a very lucid quality, Jillian silenced the entire lounge with her angelic voice. Anyone could tell she loved to sing. When she knew all eyes were on her, her moves became more passionate. Her arms, hips, and legs began to move more gracefully, as if her soul had completely taken over her body.
He's the kind of guy that would say
'Hey baby let's get away let's go some place, huh''
Well, I don't care
He's the kind of guy that you give your everything
And trust your heart, share all of your love, till death do you part
I want to be what he wants when he wants it, and whenever he needs it
And when he's lonesome and feelin' love starved
I'll be there to feed it
I'm givin' him a little bit for each day
He turns me right on when I hear him saaaaaay...
Jillian's eyes locked on to Sesshomaru's as she hit the note. Something about those strange colored eyes drew her in.
(Hey baby let's get away, let's go somewhere far)
(Baby can we)
Well I don't care
(Hey baby let's get away, let's go somewhere far)
(Baby can we)
Well I don't care
I wanna be what he wants when he wants it
And whenever he needs it
When it comes to bein' feelin' loved starved I'll be there to feed it
Lovin him a little bit more each day
It turns me right on when I hear him say
(Hey, baby, let's get away, let's go somewhere far)
(Baby can we) Well, I don't care
(Hey baby let's get away, let's go somewhere far)
(Baby can we) Well, I don't care
(Day dreamin' and I'm thinkin' of you)
(Day dreamin' and I'm thinkin' of you) hoooo...
(Day dreamin' and I'm thinkin' of you)
(Day dreamin' and I'm thinkin' of you)
(Look at my heart, floating away)
(Day dreaming) Day dreaming of you
(Day dreaming)
Thinking of you
Day... dreaming
Day... dreaming...
"Go head, girl!" Marisol shouted, standing up along with Victoria, cheering loudly along with the audience. The petite woman on the stage had a voice like a siren, luring Sesshomaru into the depths of somewhere.
"Thank you, thank you." Jillian said, courtly taking a bow and walking off the stage. She walked back to her seat.
"Wow, big sis, you were great!" Victoria squealed, pulling the short woman into a hug. The embrace really showed the size difference between the sisters. Jillian was shorter than her sister by at least five inches, but the younger sister was built like a model. However, Sesshomaru was still entranced by the short woman.
"Shush! Remember they think you're older than me! I'm only eighteen, just old enough to get inside!" she hissed, covering her sister's mouth.
"Sommy," the younger sister said, with Jillian's hand still over her mouth.
"Anyway, I have to get you home before daddy catches a fit," said Jillian, letting her hand drop from around the tall girl's mouth.
"Shit! Its almost twelve!"
"Let's go before Torie's mom gives her a stern talkin' to," Marisol teased, walking toward the door of the lounge, followed by the sisters. Jillian was the last to leave, and that's when their eyes met. Enticing gold met warm brown. For a split second, everything around them seemed not to exist.
"Come on!" Marisol shouted, yanking her friend's arm.
'Maybe staying in America won't be so bad,' Sesshomaru thought to himself, watching the siren being yanked away.
"So, what was up with you and that guy at 4 Da Soul?" Victoria asked as the bus finally came. The three girls walked on and took a seat on the practically empty bus.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, he was checking you out the whole time!"
"So? That doesn't mean a thing!" Jillian pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. Men looked at her a lot, that wasn't anything new. She wasn't conceited, but she knew she was far from ugly.
"Yeah, like it was nothing with the way you looked at him," Marisol commented, looking through the dirty window. The redhead smirked to herself when she heard her best friend gasp.
"Just admit it, you thought he was cute." she continued.
"He was a little... It's not like I'm ever going to see him again. He was just another face in the crowd."
"You know, the world is only this big, chica." the redhead said, pinching her two manicured fingers together to emphasize the point.
"This is my stop, see you guys later!" Victoria waved, and walked off the bus.
"I wish I could trade places with her mom any day." Marisol mumbled, knowing the fifteen year old girl would never get in trouble for coming home past twelve. Jillian sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes. Her half sister had a mother with no backbone, and it wasn't exactly a good thing.
"But Lucy cant cook for shit."
"Oh no! No wonder your sister's so skinny! That woman probably got her eatin' casseroles and shit."
"More like SPAM. Every time I'm over, daddy makes me cook. Now I'm teaching Torie."
"Please do. Alright, I'm out. See you, babes," Marisol said, kissing Jillian's cheek and walking off. Now she was by herself, well except for her and an older man in the back corner.
"Why am I still thinking about him?" she mumbled to herself, looking out the window, but keeping her ears open until her stop came.
'Stupid, get that man out of your head. It's not like you're ever going to see him again.' A strange feeling deep down knew otherwise.
"Time to go home." Getting off at her stop, she took the fastest route home, silently praying that no one was outside to pester her. The Brewster neighborhood was far from quiet. After all, it was the Brewster Projects; there would always be degenerate hoodlums hanging around. When she was younger, she lived in these projects with her mother. Their parents divorced. Jillian and her brother Jamal went to live with her grandmother in the building next door, until the government decided to demolish the buildings to make room for townhouses. With the nest egg her paternal grandmother, Ada Mae saved, and the help of her only son, Zachariah, they moved into one of the newly built townhouses. The old woman only knew this place as home, and she vowed to stay there until the day she died.
"Grandma, I'm home!" she yelled, locking the door behind her. Sliding off her shoes, Jillian followed the voice of the elderly woman's singing to an old gospel song in the kitchen.
"Now, you know it's too late to be in the kitchen cookin'," the young woman playfully scolded her grandmother. Both woman broke out into laughter. Ada was nowhere near the stove, but she was sitting quietly, reading her Bible.
"I cooked a little somethin' for you. It's in the microwave."
"Thank you," Jillian said. As she opened the microwave door, a puzzled look grew on her face. "This is a little somethin?" Jillian asked, holding up a plastic plate piled with macaroni pie, baked chicken, candied yams, and potato salad.
"You need somthin' to stick to your ribs. You don't want to be too small."
"I'm not skinny, just petite," she said, taking a seat across from her grandmother. Mumbling a quick prayer, she ate her food.
"So, how did your little concert go?"
"Like it usually does. I've been there for over a year and not yet have I been discovered. Three acts from 4 Soul got major deals. When am I gonna get my shot?"
"In all do time. The best things don't come easy."
"I know, but gram, I have a passion for music. I breathe it in my soul, my being-."
"No talking with your mouth full."
"Sorry," Jillian ate, quietly listening to her grandmother hum softly.
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Well, that's the first chap of How Strong is Our Love? Hope you liked it. Review and let me know what you think.