A/N: I know it's probably been done and completely cliché, but oh well! I couldn't really help it.
09.12.2009: Totally revised and redid this chapter. A few things remain the same, but I was absolutely appalled at my grammar. Ughh…should be better now. I hope…
Disclaimer: Nope, not mine.
Summary: [AU] Having two best friends could only be the best thing in the world, right? But not when both are conniving schemers who are trying their hardest to jumpstart your love life. And they were trying to set her up with the biggest jerk around, too! It was a wonder Kagome hadn't gone crazy yet. (SessKag)
Satan Never Sleeps
Chapter 1: What you don't know…
Oh, this was bound to be bad.
No…she took that back. This was going to be a disaster.
"You know Jakotsu, doing this won't prove anything."
Actually, she took that back. It would prove how utterly shameless Jak could be, not that he'd ever notice. It was one of the worst cases of denial Kagome had ever witnessed. But Jak, knowing the full expanses of his (supposed) infinite and wonderful charm, could only smile back in smug satisfaction.
"Oh, Kagome, Kagome, my dear friend…where would you be if you never tried for anything?" He questioned back knowingly.
She really had no idea why she even tried to stop him because no matter what she said, in the end, Jak was going to do what he wanted anyway.
Completely pointless.
But definitely something a best friend would attempt to do, nevertheless.
"Well, I'm sure that I'd be hopelessly lost without your guidance. I'd also probably be left for dead in a ditch by now if I listened to everything you've said. It's impossible. I hope you know this."
"Impossible? Oh, my love! Do you know to whom you are speaking?" Jak asked with the utmost confidence.
With a roll of her eyes, Kagome replied, "Yes, yes, yes, the great charmer extraordinaire Shimizu Jakotsu." —Playing on dramatics, she placed a hand on her heart—"How could anyone even dare resist?"
"He doesn't stand a chance Kagome. Not in a million years…"
Kagome giggled at his conceit. It really didn't help to steer the situation anywhere less troublesome, but really, how could you not laugh? Embarrassing, yes, it would be when this all turned around to bite him in the ass, but at least she wasn't going to be the one trying to live that one down.
Wiping away an imaginary tear from her eye, she managed to say, "Oh Jak. Have I ever told you how ridiculous you are? But seriously, don't do it."
"Give me one good reason!"
"Because it'll be embarrassing! Duh! And also, you'll just be proving my point – you know, the one you never listen to – that you are absolutely shameless."
"Oh, Kags, don't take it to the dark place. Besides, I know that it's what you love best about me." Again, he smiled that smile. There really was no stopping him. The thought was a bit frightening, but that was Jak for you.
She sighed deeply and once again rolled her sapphire blue eyes. It was truly hopeless.
And no one could ever say she didn't at least try.
How did they get here again?
Oh yeah.
They'd always done this like it was tradition (not the 'Jak trying to do outrageous things' shtick, but the 'break time from working at the office' part). They'd relax at this cute and cozy café they'd stumbled upon a couple blocks down the Ginza district. And this was where she and Jak would gloriously spend their precious break time outside of company walls. It was truly a great place to play the observer.
Kagome could always appreciate the beauty of the city. It was clean, bustling with life and never boring. As much as she loved living at the family shrine when she was young, this city life was what she always dreamt of. Maybe not the office job that tended to be tedious what with all the time consuming tasks and demands, but she liked to think that in that end, it'd all be worth it. Besides, she'd met Jak and Sango—she didn't know where she would be at if she hadn't met them.
(Although, she also probably wouldn't be in this terrible situation).
Anyway…
The way they all met was a story that Kagome shouldn't really have been too surprised at. Fate did have an odd sense of humor when it came to one Higurashi Kagome. She remembered it being her first day, being fresh out of university and on her way to a career. Too bad Kagome landed a desk job that gave her more stress than anything else.
For once, she thanked Kami she wasn't the most graceful person. Clumsy and nervous, her first day at work was headed towards disaster. Takeda Industries Inc. demanded utmost precision and organization, two things she clearly didn't possess under unnecessary pressure.
She had a stack full of papers that could have easily weighed that of a large dog and was trying her hardest to make it to the copying room. The documents began to wobble like a falling tower and she tried hard to keep it together, really she did, but unfortunately it was just her luck to trip—on what, she would never know—and began to fall forward with the mountain of papers. And, just like that, she expected to fall on the cold, hard, unforgiving ground…but, it didn't end up quite that way at all.
Instead, she crashed straight into a young man with unusual green stripes on his face, who in turn, toppled over her. Then, a woman with a high ponytail who was reading a contract while at the same time walking—obviously paying no attention to her surroundings—proceeded to topple over the mess that was Kagome, Jakotsu, plus the whole ocean of papers that littered the floor. As it was, it almost looked planned and rehearsed. Yes, Fate did have a peculiar sense of humor.
After the confused untangling commenced, they all eyed each other in shock. After that cliché moment of silence, all three burst out in uncontrollable laughter. They were lucky no one had witnessed the whole thing (it was highly doubtful they'd live down the embarrassment) and after the belated introductions, they cleaned up the mess and the rest was history.
Thus, they became the inseparable trio.
Hachiya Sango—the tough, but tenderhearted girl who had a soft spot for cats. She was a natural beauty, with her long, black hair (usually kept in a sleek pony-tail) and big, brown eyes. She didn't have a problem attracting members of the opposite sex, but she chose to remain single.
She had an extreme hatred for all things perverted, especially this co-worker named Miroku. He'd make the most outrageous passes at her and it never failed to get under her skin. She was gravely loyal to all she loved and an overall great friend and supporter. Kagome didn't know what she would do without Sango being her solid rock.
Shimizu Jakotsu—the bold, daring and blunt young man who had deep attractions for all things beautiful. This, of course, didn't exclude anything male. In fact, it mostly pertained to all things of the male variety. Jak liked to believe that his taste in men was impeccable and Kagome had to admit (although begrudgingly) that it was close to faultless. Jak was more of a looks person though and personality came at a far distant second. He liked to justify it by saying, "You can't deny beauty." He, too, chose to remain single…to play the field, so to speak.
Still, he was lovable enough, with his choppy, black hair and gleaming mischievous eyes. It was always easy for both Sango and Kagome to tell when he was up to no good because he was the absolute worst liar they'd ever met. Jak only wanted the best for his friends, even if they thought otherwise. He was a great source of amusement and good times, but sometimes his schemes were over the top (ahem, right now as a prime example). Regardless, he was almost in every one of Kagome's fondest memories.
And finally, Higurashi Kagome—the young, innocent girl who was always in the wrong place (with Jakotsu) at the wrong time (with Jakotsu). Pretty much in the line of fire (=danger) whenever she was with Jakotsu. She had black unruly hair and the most expressive dark blue eyes. Kagome was quick to laugh at the most inane things and felt compassion for all those around her. Being very understanding and very forgiving was probably why she let Jak get away with all his antics (oh, her poor soul).
She, too, was a single girl, but had no intentions of swimming in the ocean to catch her "fish." Nope, none at all. She knew she still had much to experience in life and as much as she was optimistic, she was also realistic. Things like 'meeting the man of your dreams' or 'love at first sight' were probably never going to happen to her. Her friends and her job kept her occupied enough.
So, yes, here they were: "the trio"—all single and the best of friends.
Which all can explain why it was truly hopeless to change Jak's mind about approaching the 'gorgeously handsome man' who was sitting at the nearby table. Again, yet another crazy stunt pulled by Jak at the Ichigo café. He'd never been one to resist temptation and although Kagome would have liked to witness his downfall, he usually (somehow) dragged her into the whole mess and she'd rather forego it this time around.
However, that still didn't change the fact that it would be disaster. No matter how it ended. Don't ask Kagome how she knew, she just did.
Kagome took a nice, long sip of her hot tea. "Fine, Jak. Do what you want…and don't pretend to be offended like you weren't going to do it anyway. Just don't turn to me when you're looking for pity. All I'm going to say is, 'I told you so,'" she told him matter-of-factly.
"Hum. Watch and learn Kagome, watch and learn." And with that, Jak stood up and strolled casually to the other table.
Kagome hadn't really looked at the supposedly 'gorgeously handsome man' until the moment Jak decided to leave. As much as she hated to admit it, he was exactly as Jak described. He was almost less handsome and too beautiful, albeit in a strange ethereal sort of way. His silver long locks caught the rays of the sun perfectly and his bright amber eyes made for a striking combination.
But there was something untouchable about him, as if he was on another plane of reality altogether. One who didn't waste time on frivolities in life or people he deemed below himself. You know, that cocky bastard in a room full of people who couldn't even be bothered to deign his presence among the less interesting? Yeah, he was that guy.
She continued to gawk and stare as Jak finally made contact. He seemed to be going in at full flirting force, tossing his hand this way and that. What confused Kagome was the gesture of his hand carelessly pointing in her direction, while his face remained focused on the man in question.
It was then the stranger gave her a direct look. Bright, intense, sun-burnt eyes met deep, sapphire dark ones. It was strange, to say the least, and also a bit on the scary side. He looked at her not in curiosity, but with a kind of ferocity that only came with intense irritation.
What in the hell had Jak said to him?!
Oh Kami, she should have seen it coming! She should have predicted that this man wasn't for him, but for her. Kagome's teeth started grinding.
How utterly embarrassing. Oh no, not for her…
It was going to be utterly embarrassing when she kicked Jak's ass in front of the crowded city streets.
He was a dead man.
A/N: Tell me if I should keep going?
Thoughts, comments, flames. Reviews are welcome. :D
-Tinkah