I don't own Inuyasha or any other characters mentioned. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
Enjoy :)
Midnight Masquerade
Hi, my name is Kagome Higurashi. Up until a couple years ago I was just an ordinary girl. But one day I discovered I could travel through time 500 years into the past thanks to the well on my family's shrine. That's how I met Inuyasha. I broke the spell that had him trapped to the Sacred Tree. Now we travel through the Feudal Era to find the sacred jewel shards along with our friends Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Sango's lovable two-tailed demon cat Kirara.
Lately I haven't been able to go back to my time and study or attend school. Inuyasha's been extra pig headed lately and it's really ticking me off.
"What do ya mean ya gotta go back to your time again?" Screamed Inuyasha.
"Inuyasha! I have to! If I keep missing out on school and homework I'm going to fail! Besides there's a masquerade party at my school tonight, and I want to go." I probably shouldn't have mentioned that last part. Now he's never going to let me go.
"No wench! Ya ain't leavin again. We got jewel shards to hunt. You can't just prance off to your time whenever ya feel like it. Besides that party thing sounds stupid."
"Inuyasha, she has a point." Sango interjected. "We haven't heard of any rumored jewel shards lately, and finishing school is important to her. Besides, Kagome deserves to take a break and go to this party."
"Feh." Typical Inuyasha. "Fine. Go back to your time and go to that stupid party. See if I care." And with that he turned away and started to walk off.
"Oh, thank you Inuyasha! You're the best!" I screamed and enveloped him in a hug and a kiss on the cheek. A bright crimson blush appeared on his face before he turned his head to the side. I grabbed my giant yellow backpack and slung it over my shoulder, then climbed onto the lip of the well. Before I jumped in, however, I felt someone grab my arm. I turned around to see Inuyasha, head bowed and arm shaking.
"Be safe ok? Don't do anything stupid." And with that, he jumped away and up into the sacred tree. I smiled to my self, and then jumped over the edge, letting the time stream engulf me and take me safely back home.
I managed to make it to school on time. As I was walking to my locker to grab my books, I heard a surprised gasp behind me. I turned to see my three best friends behind me.
"Oh! Kagome! I guess you're feeling better. We were going to come by and visit you after school and see if you were feeling up to attending the masquerade tonight." Said Eri.
"Actually I'm feeling much better you guys. And I was planning on coming tonight, but I don't have a date, a dress, or a mask to wear."I sighed dejectedly, wishing I had thought about that before I came back this morning.
"But you have to come! Look, we'll even take you shopping and help you find the perfect dress and mask. And as for the date part, here comes Hojo. I'm sure he'll ask you." Said Ayumi. I turned around just in time to see Hojo walking fast in our direction. Dang it! Why now?
"Kagome! You're back. I'm so glad to see you. I heard that you had Mono. You must have caught it from that no-good dirty guy you insist on seeing. We'll since your better, I assume you're going to the party tonight?" Hojo asked, a childish smile upon his face.
"Um."I started, but was interrupted by Ayumi. "Of course she will be!"
"Really? Well since you are, would you like to be my date?" He asked, blushing the whole time.
"Actually…" Actually I wanted to ask Inuyasha if he would come with me, but he's already expressed how he feels about the party. 'It's stupid' just like everything else I do.
I came out of my thoughts just in time to hear Eri tell Hojo that I would love to go with him, and that he could pick me up at 8. He walked away with the biggest smile on his face, talking to himself about some herbal remedy or something.
I looked at my best friends and rolled my eyes. I turned and started walking away, then looked over my shoulder and laughed saying, "The trouble you guys get me into, I swear."
"Inuyasha, sometimes I just don't get you. If you didn't want Lady Kagome to leave, then why did you tell her to?" Asked Miroku. He and Inuyasha were lounging around outside of Keade's hut, Inuyasha on the roof and Miroku on the steps. The hanyou hadn't said much of anything since Kagome left and Miroku wanted to find out the reason why.
"Feh! Like it's any of your business. You wouldn't understand anyway." With a sigh, Inuyasha jumped off the roof and onto the steps beside Miroku. "Monk, what exactly is a masquerade?"
"Well Inuyasha, as far as I can understand from how Kagome described it, it's a very big party where lots of people gather all dressed up and wear masks to hide their faces so no one knows who they are. Think about it, someone can charm you and all you know is their personality, so by the time you actually see their face you're already in love. It's very romantic, how I see it." Said Miroku, a tiny glint in his eyes.
A sigh was heard from Inuyasha, "Well It sounds like a load of shit to me. Why would Kagome rather be with a bunch of faceless people instead of with me? I mean us!"He quickly corrected himself.
"Do I sense jealousy my dear friend?"
"No! Now shut it monk, before I do it for ya!" And with that Inuyasha was sprinting back to his tree in the forest.
"Miroku, why does Inuyasha have to be so stubborn?" Asked Shippo, who was peaking out of the doorway to Keade's hut. Obviously someone was eavesdropping.
"I'll tell you when you're older Shippo, but for now all you need to know is that he is a man in love." Explained Miroku as he picked Shippo up and walked back inside the hut.
"Stupid monk. Who does he think he is? I mean come on. Me? Jealous? Especially of Kagome falling in love with someone else? He's kidding right? I mean it's obvious. Kagome and I are just friends. I love Kikyou not Kagome. I mean, sure, I care about Kagome. Hell I'd do anything for her. But Kikyou was my first love. You can't just replace that. But Kikyou's dead. Kagome's alive. Oh, so alive. With her deep brown eyes, and her beautiful black hair, and her petite body…"What? "I love Kagome? I love Kagome. I love Kagome! God I gotta do something so she don't go find some guy at the masquerade. But how? I can't just tell her. She would never return the feelings. I'd just scare her away. And she would never take me to the damn party cause I've already dissed it. What am I gonna do?" Inuyasha whispered to himself."Maybe her mom will have an idea." He was out of the tree and down the well in the blink of an eye.
"Hey momma I'm home! I'm going to go shopping with the girls to find a dress for tonight! I should be back in an hour or two!" I yelled as I dropped my bag and ran up the stairs to change out of my sailor suit from school and into a sundress and flats. "Bye momma!"
"Alright Kagome dear! Have fun!" Momma yelled back to me as I ran out the door.
"Come on Kagome we have to go. We don't have long before Hojo's supposed to pick you up and we still need to get a dress, mask, and do your makeup! We're never gonna have you ready in time!" Eri yelled from the bottom of the shrine steps.
"Okay okay I'm coming!"I yelled back, taking two steps at a time to get down faster.
In the store they had me trying on tons of dresses, going in and out of the dressing rooms. I was trying on what felt like the thousandth dress. It was white, with off-the-shoulder straps, a beaded bodice, and a poofy floor length skirt that started at the small of my waist. I pulled it on and zipped up the back, turning around to walk out. I opened the door and stepped out to hear a round of gasps from my friends. "What? Does it look bad? I didn't look before I came out so I don't know. Come on guys say something!" I was really anxious to find out how it looked.
"Beautiful."
"Amazing."
"Stunning."
"You guys really think so?"I asked as they led me over to the full length mirror. I gasped as I looked in the mirror and realized it was me I was looking at. Can this really be me?
"It's perfect! You've got to buy that dress!" They all screamed in unison. Guess I'm getting this one.
I quickly changed back out of the dress and bought it. Now on to finding a mask. Lucky for us, they had a large selection.
"Try this one."
"No! Try this one!"
"Oh! Look at this one! It matches perfectly!" I looked over to see Eri holding a small white mask. It was simple, nothing on it, but it had a strange shape. It was shaped almost like a butterfly. She was right, it did match perfectly. I got the cashier to ring it up and we left. At the shrine steps I waved goodbye to them, and headed off to shower.
"Oh, welcome back Kagome. I heard you coming up the steps so I took the liberty of drawing you a bath." Kagome's mom said.
"Thank you mom! You're the best!" I yelled as I headed up the stairs.
"Kagome dear may I ask you a question?"
"Sure momma. What's the matter?"
"Well I was wondering where Inuyasha was. Usually he comes after you sooner or later. I would have thought that he would have insisted he come with you 'for your safety.'"
"I don't need him for everything mom. Besides, when I mentioned the party he said it sounded stupid so I didn't even bother to ask him. I'm going to go take a shower now."
I relaxed into the tub, and let the steam carry away my worries. After about twenty minutes I decided I should probably start to get ready. It was 7 now, so I had about an hour. I decided to wait and put my dress and mask on last. I stood in front of the mirror and contemplated how I should wear my hair. I decided to dry it and then put rollers in to have ringlets. When my hair was done I moved to make up. I chose something that would look simple. I put black liquid liner on the top and bottom of my eyelid then went over the top with a shimmery white liner. I added water proof black mascara to my eyes and a dab of peach colored gloss to my lips. With a smack of my glossed lips, I twirled around and sauntered out the door feeling like I was on top of the world. I put on my dress and mask only to discover I had forgotten to buy shoes.
"Momma!" I called. I heard footsteps coming up the stairs and then my mom burst into my room.
"Kagome dear what's the matter?" She asked, a look of concern on her face.
"Sorry momma, I didn't mean to scare you. I just realized I didn't buy any shoes, and I can't find any that I already have that would match." I felt kind of silly for over reacting and screaming for her.
"Don't worry sweetie, I think I have just the thing. Follow me." She moved out of the doorway and down the hall to the attic and started up the stairs. I followed close behind and was surprised when she stopped in front of a trunk that looked older than me. "Aha! Here they are." She said as she opened the trunk up, and pulled out a pair of beautiful heels. They were simple and an off-white color, with a strap around the ankle and a thick strap of material just before the toes that pinched together over the pinkie toe with a little jewel. They were just what I needed.
"Oh, thank you mom!" I was ecstatic. Everything was coming together perfectly. I Put them on, then stood up and embraced my mom in a big bear hug. Just as I started to pull away, I heard the doorbell ring. "That's probably Hojo. I should go. Thank you again momma. I really appreciate it." I was out the door and down the stairs before she had a chance to reply. She followed me out and waved goodbye to me as Hojo led me to the car.
He looked handsome in a black tux with black leather shoes. He had a crimson bowtie, a crisp white shirt, and a black cummerbund. It suited him nicely. His mask was silver with a black line across the top and down the long, outstretched bird nose. It was silly, but at the same time was fitting for him. As we arrived at the school, we pulled our masks on and descended into the school.
Inuyasha climbed out of the well and opened the door to the well house. Sprinting, he made it to the front of the house only to duck off to the side to hide from the couple standing on the porch. After they had made it to the car, Inuyasha heard Ms. Higurashi calling to him.
"Inuyasha I know you're there. Come on out. I want to talk to you."
"Yes ma'am." He started to slowly trek out of the bushes and up the stairs, to what he felt would be hell. After sitting down at the table, he watched Kagome's mom flit around the kitchen fixing tea. All was silent until she sat down across the table from me and stared me in the eyes.
"Inuyasha, may I ask exactly why you are here?"
"Well, um, you see, actually I wanted your advice and help."
"And what may I help you with, dear?"
"That party tonight, the one Kagome just left with that guy to go to. I said something about it being stupid, and I think it made her mad. But I didn't want her to go. I don't want her there with another guy, especially not after all the stuff Miroku was saying about people falling in love and…" But he was interrupted by Ms. Higurashi.
"Inuyasha, do you love my daughter?" She asked, with a serious look on her face.
"Yes. Yes I do. With all my heart. And I'm scared of losing her to some loser at that party tonight. Someone who's everything I'm not, can giver her everything I can't."
"How do you plan on saving her from the other guys?"
"Well actually that was what I was hopping you could help me with. I can't think of anything."
"Lucky for you, I know just what to do."
"You look beautiful tonight Kagome. It's subtle, but it suits you so well." Hojo stated as he twirled us around the dance floor. I had already been stopped by my friends, who wished me luck with Hojo, and gotten many compliments on my dress. But none of them really mattered to me. The one person I wanted to be here with, to compliment my dress, thought that the whole thing was stupid. At least I was having fun.
"Why thank you Hojo. You look very nice as well." Just then I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned around and gasped.
"Mind if I cut in?" The mysterious person asked. He was dressed in a black tux, with a white vest, white shirt, black tie tucked under the vest, and black dress shoes. His mask was very interesting. It looked sort of like Batman's, but oh, so much better on this guy. His hair was long and black, tied back in a ponytail.
"Actually I do," Hojo started but I interrupted.
"No, it's fine. You don't mind, do you Hojo?" I didn't wait for his answer, because the mystery man was already dragging me to a different spot on the floor.
"So can I ask what your name is?" I questioned.
"Nope." He replied, and then twirled me around like a ballerina.
His voice was gruff. It reminded me of Inuyasha's, but that can't be. I guess I'm just thinking about him a lot because I wish he was here. "So do you go here?" I asked, wondering if he was someone I knew.
"Nope." He answered again.
"You don't say much, do you?" He cracked a smile at that.
"Not really. In all honesty, I'm a very boring person." A smirk was on his face as he said it.
"Well I don't think that's true. You seem plenty interesting." He brought his arm around my waist and pulled me close."You seem really familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?" He dipped me then brought me up close to his face, his mouth next to my ear.
"I can honestly say that the reason I seem familiar isn't located anywhere around here." He whispered, and it sent shivers down my spine. Where do I know him from?
After many twirls, dips, and the occasional line dance, the mystery man asked me if I wanted to leave. I shook my head yes, and he grabbed my hand and led me out. Once we were outside, he took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. "Thank you." I whispered.
"Ya wanna go grab something to eat?" He asked, taking my hand and starting to walk down the street.
"Uh, sure. What do you feel like eating? I'm not really that hungry."
"WacDonalds?" He asked, glancing both ways before leading me across the street.
"Sounds good to me." I looked at him out of the corner of my eye, and noticed he still had on his mask. Then again, so did I.
After we had ordered our food to go, we munched on french-fries while we sat on a bench in the park near the shrine. "How is it that you've trusted me enough to dance with me, leave with me, eat with me, and now sit all alone with me in the dark even though you don't know anything about me? You don't even know my name." He said, taking my chin in his hand and turning my head to face him.
"The only reason I don't know your name is because you wouldn't tell me when I asked." I said, giggling slightly because of the serious look he had on his face.
"That still doesn't answer my question. Now answer it and I might give you my name."
"Okay, okay." I sighed. "I don't really know why I feel comfortable enough to be here with you, a total stranger, but I do. Which sounds stupid, I know. I mean you could be a serial killer or a rapist or a demon or something. But I just have a feeling you're not." I let my head drop from his hand and stared at the ground.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to talk to strangers?"
"Yes. In fact this is kind of ironic because earlier a friend of mine told me to be safe and not do anything stupid." I laughed at the irony this night was dishing to me.
"So being here with me right now is stupid?" He asked, a mock look of hurt on his face.
"NO! No no no no…" I was cut off when his lips came into contact with mine. He nibbled on my lower lip, before his tongue darted out, attempting to get between my lips. I gladly obliged, and we explored each others mouths for awhile, before the need for air became to overwhelming.
"You can call me Sha." He said, smiling at me from behind his mask. How our masks didn't get in the way I will never know.
"Sha. It's a nice name. I like it. Is it short for something?"
"Yup." He smirked.
"Let me guess. You're not going to tell me, are you?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
His smile got wider. "Nope." He leaned in for another kiss, but as soon as our lips connected, I remembered something. I pushed him away and silently apologized.
"Look, I'm sorry. I'm kind of seeing someone."
"Was it the loser you were at the party with?" He asked, looking away.
"Hojo? No! He's just a friend." I said quickly.
"So who is it?"
"His name is Inuyasha." I sighed, feeling stupid for saying it. His head snapped back towards me, and I thought I saw a twinkle in his eyes. We aren't really seeing each other. He doesn't even like me like that. My thoughts were interrupted when a hand snaked around my waist and pulled me closer. "Sha. I just told you, I'm seeing somewa!" I was silenced once again when his lips. I could feel his lips form a smile against mine.
"You talk to much…. Wench." He said breathlessly against my lips, before reclaiming them. My mind was fogging up, but suddenly I realized what he'd just called me. I pushed back surprised to see him still smiling at me.
"What? Did you just call me what I think you just called me?" He nodded yes."That can't be! The only person I know who calls me that is… Inuyasha? Inuya-SHA. INUYASHA!" I screamed as I leaned forward and ripped the mask from his face. It was him alright, and he was having way too much fun with this. "I can't believe you! How could you do this to me?" Why would you do this to me?
"Do what? Come rescue you from that Hobo guy? Dance with you, and have fun with you? Is that really such a crime to do with my girlfriend?" He asked, the smile never leaving his face.
"Why would you do this for me? Wait, did you just say girlfriend?" He nodded yes again, and I couldn't help the smile that showed on my face. Girlfriend. Inuyasha's girlfriend. I'm Inuyasha's girlfriend! I couldn't believe it. Finally.
"It took you long enough, idiot. And jeez! Didn't I tell you before you left to be safe and not do anything stupid? What if this hadn't been me? Then where would your dumbass be right now? God, are you lucky to have me or what? I ain't never gonna let nobody hurt you." Cocky as ever, I see.
"How are you human?" He pointed into the sky and I noticed there was no moon tonight. Silly me. "What made you change your mind and come here tonight? What made you want to be here with me?" I was dying to know the answers.
"Why do you think I came here? I came here for you dummy. And the reason for the change of heart, was because after you left I realized something." He moved off the bench and got down on one knee. "I love you Kagome Higurashi, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I'm sorry for being an idiot. Hell, I'm sorry for being an idiot everyday, since the day I met you. I know I can't change our past, but I'm willing to make a future with you that I know I can make better. So Kagome, if you'll have me, I would love for you to be my mate. What do you say?" He looked up surprised when he heard me gasp. I was crying like a baby. He looked scared for a minute, before he stood up and pulled me against him. "Kagome, I'm so sorry. I should have known better. What was I thinking? Somebody like you could never love someone like me. I was being stupi" I pulled his head down to mine, and kissed him with everything I had.
"You talk to much. And if you would have let me say something, you would have heard a yes." I said, then pulled him back to me. We stayed like that for a while, before I realized that it was almost midnight. "Hey Inuyasha? What exactly is a mate?" I was still confused on that part.
"It's like marriage for demons. But instead of the silly rings you mortals wear, we mark each other and seal it with, well…" He trailed off.
"With what Inuyasha?"
"With… sex. I understand if you want to back out now. I probably should have mentioned that upfront. Sorry." He looked dejected.
"Why do you always put yourself down before I even get to answer? At least let me answer before you start all that. Inuyasha I love you to, and if mating is what it takes to be with you then I'm ok with it." I said, reaching over and pulling him to face me.
"You really mean it?" He asked, eyes gleaming and smiling like a child in a candy shop. I nodded softly, and smiled back at him. "I wish we could get it over with now, but I hope you'll understand my reasons for wanting to wait. I want to so bad Kagome, really I do, but with Naraku still alive and there still being jewel shards we haven't found yet, I don't think this would be the smartest time to start a relationship. Especially to mate. Demons would be after you like crazy, and I don't know that I would be able to defend them all off. And another thing is that now's not the best time to bring a pup into this world. So please, do you mind waiting till after I kill Naraku?" He was pleading, and I knew this had to be hard for him.
"Of course I'm willing to wait. And I completely understand and agree to all of your reasons. I wouldn't want it any other way. Now lets get inside before the clock strikes midnight and you turn into a pumpkin." I giggled at my little joke. Grabbing Inuyasha's hand, I led him through the park, to the shrine steps, and into the house. That's when I remembered how nicely dressed he was. "Inuyasha, where did you get the suit?"
"Your mom let me borrow it. She said something about it belonging to your dad."
"Aha! Now I know why it looked so familiar. It's the suit that he wore for their wedding." I walked over to the end table beside the couch and lifted up a picture. "see?"
"You're right, it is. They look really happy. I hope we're as happy as them." He said, as he set the picture down and wrapped his arms around my waist, bringing my back against his chest.
"They were very happy, and I'm sure we'll be just as happy as them someday." I rested my head back against him and yawned.
"Tired already, I see?" He teased, poking my side lightly.
"What can I say? Being with you wears me out." I broke free of his arms and ran up the stairs to my room, slamming the door shut and locking it just before he got to it. I laughed as I heard a string of curses escape his mouth and then an almost inaudible whine escape his lips. Poor puppy. I walked over to my dresser and pulled out a pair of pajamas and changed then grabbed a super big shirt and basketball shorts for him to sleep in. I walked back and opened the door to find no one there. Wonder where he. But I was jolted from my thoughts when I was tackled to my bed. "There you are."
"Here I am."
"Go change into this, and then come to bed." I ordered as I pushed him off and pointed across the hall to the bathroom.
"Yes Mommy." He teased as he walked across the hall.
After a minute or two he came back into the room he turned off the light, closed the door, and climbed into my bed beside me. He leaned in close to my ear and whispered, "Be prepared to leave bright and early tomorrow wench, I wanna find those jewels shards and defeat Naraku fast cause I don't know how long I can wait to have you. Sides, I have a feeling Miroku, Sango, and Shippo really wanna see ya. They probably have some news, or have heard of where some rumored shards are located by now. Sleep now." He kissed me on the forehead then rolled over on his side with his back facing me.
I just giggled and went to sleep. I could get used to this. I could really get used to this.
So how was it guys? This is just the first chapter. I was originally going to just make this a one-shot, but once I got writing I couldn't stop so I finally decided that ten pages was enough for the first chapter, and that I had enough ideas to make it a couple more chapters long. Please leave some reviews so I can know how I'm doing, and leave suggestions or changes to make if you want. Hope you enjoyed it.
Links to see the clothes will be located on my account.