Full of Grace
Chapter 1- Come
Above all things, Shuichi Minamino was a good son. Or, at least, he tried to be at every given opportunity.
So, when his mother looked at him with those hopeful, loving eyes and asked him to come to the party with her, he agreed. And when she smiled so tenderly at him and asked if he'd greet her friends, he complied. And when said friends fawned over him ("He's so handsome, Shiori!" "We've heard so many stories about how clever you are!"), all but pinching his cheeks during their praise, and his mother held herself with such pride all the while, he only murmured his thanks humbly.
It seemed like an eternity passed before they left him to his own devices, but his mother seemed so pleased with him that it was enough to make the whole ordeal worth the effort. Finally alone, Kurama found himself a seat at one of the tables, away from the bustling party in the small field's center. He busied himself with scanning over the guests, more out of habit than actual necessity. It was instinct to always assess his surroundings, though he sincerely doubted he would find any sort of threat here.
Most of the attendees were women around his mother's age, though he did see a handful of children running around the grass, playing a game that looked like a cross between hide and go seek and tag as they hid behind white tablecloths; one even went so far as to hide behind one of the more plump women. The men in attendance weren't as numerous as the women, but there were still quite a few. Kurama only saw a handful of people his own age, and for that he was grateful. He would rather the night drift by quietly instead of having to engage in idle conversation just to humor a few schoolgirls.
The universe had a cruel sense of humor, for it was as soon as the thought passed through his head that he felt the light tap on his shoulder.
"Dance with me?"
No sooner had he turned her way had the girl asked it of him hurriedly. She phrased it as a question, but it was less of a request and more of an insistence.
He felt foolish for his next question, but she had caught him off guard. "Now?"
The girl appeared to be his own age, possibly a year or two younger. A small smile hung on her lips as she reached down, grabbing one of his hands and giving it a small tug.
"Yes now. While the music's playing, silly."
He rose to his feet when she gave another firm pull, and though he wasn't entirely sure why he did, he let her lead him away. As they wound their way around the various tables and people, stopping only for a moment to allow a pair of young girls to run by, she continued, "I mean, we could always wait until it stops, but it's a bit harder then."
She stopped when they reached the dance floor and, curiously enough, let go of his hand. As she turned to face him, she flashed him a smile. "But hey, I'm up to the challenge if you are."
And then she waited. She was giving him the option; he could decline the invitation and go back to his seat. But how could he refuse her now, in the middle of the dance floor, with all eyes on them? It would be humiliating for her if he turned around and left her there, and he would spare her from that if he could. It was for this reason alone he took that step forward to close the distance and took her in his arms.
Kurama noticed the light blush spread across her cheek, but it faded as they started dancing. She tossed a quick look over her shoulder at one point, though what she glanced at, he didn't know. Whatever it was, it eased her. He felt her relax noticeably in his arms.
"I'm Kagome, by the way," she told him when she finally turned those blue eyes back to him.
"Shuichi Minamino," he said in response. Her mouth formed a small 'o' and an enlightened look spread across her face. He gave a wry smile. "You've heard of me, I suppose?"
"Only, oh, a lot," she told him with feigned nonchalance, even removing her hand from his shoulder for a moment to wave around airily. "I've mostly heard the tales of your wonderful grades, actually. Mom would go on about a friend of a friend's son who's so smart and acing everything, and here I am failing Math and barely passing everything else. Made me feel wonderful, let me tell ya."
She gave him the evil eye as though the gossiping was entirely his fault. He suppressed a laugh on her behalf. "My apologies," he said. "Next time, I'll try to get a less than perfect mark."
"Wouldn't hurt," she replied. "And while you're at it, mind taking a few tests for me? My grades could really use the help." There was a playful twinkle in her eye.
"Somehow, I think they'll be able to tell us apart."
"Some contacts, a wig—or maybe we could just dye your hair?—and my school uniform, no one would be able to tell the difference. Promise." Kagome gave a firm nod to add to her conviction.
This Kagome was amusing, he had to admit. As far as the girls he had to humor went, she was shaping up to be the most entertaining. In fact, he was even having the smallest amount of fun.
Kurama pretended to turn the idea over in his head while she gave him a hopeful look—only half-serious—before he said, "Alas, I think I must pass. Perhaps some other time."
She gave a heavy sigh. "It was worth a shot."
A short silence fell over them as they continued to dance, moving along with the music. Kagome's gaze went past him, over his shoulder, and to the group of people behind him. Then, her gaze quickly moved back, and her eyes were locked on his chest instead.
He didn't ask, though he wondered just what it was she was looking for. That was the second time she had done that.
"I'm curious though," Kurama found himself asking, "why you asked me to dance."
Her gaze slid up to meet his eyes. "You looked as bored as I felt. Or maybe I just hoped you were." He felt her body move as she shrugged, and it meant everything and nothing at the same time.
The answer only made him wonder more, but she merely went back to studying his chest. Although she had shown no hesitation or awkwardness when asking him to dance, she didn't feel comfortable enough with him to look up at his face. That was fine with him, for it made it easier for him to stare down at her and truly take her in.
The powder blue dress she wore was flattering on her. It was sleeveless and clung to her middle, showing off her thin figure, until it fanned out at her waist and went all the way down to her feet. From his stature above her, it gave him a rather good view of her chest, but lucky for her, he was gentleman enough not to stare.
She had some make-up on her face, but not much. A touch of blue eyeshadow to bring out the blue in her eyes and red lipstick that drew his attention to her lips, though he quickly focused elsewhere when he realized his gaze lingered just a little too long. Her hair was done up in an elaborate style, perfectly neat except for one unruly strand that hung in her face.
Acting on instinct, he brushed it back and tucked it behind her ear. Her head shot up and Kagome blushed quite adorably. Knowing she wouldn't want him to see, Kurama took her hand and sent her in slow twirls across the dance floor, one and then another. There were very few other people dancing, giving them quite enough room to move around as they liked.
When she was back in his arms, she peeked up at his face, almost shyly. He had changed something between them by tucking the strand away as he did, his fingers brushing across her cheek in the process. He wasn't sure yet if he was glad for the change or not.
"I have to admit," she spoke, perhaps a bit sheepishly, "I did have an ulterior motive."
Kagome nodded her head just slightly off to the side. When Kurama looked over in the direction she indicated, he saw a boy their age sitting at one of the center tables. As though sensing the look, the boy look up and met Kurama's gaze, then quickly looked away.
"Hojo's a nice guy," Kagome assured him. "Nice, but persistent."
The rest went without saying. She had used him as an escape from the other boy, Hojo. Somehow, Kurama didn't mind much.
"So I told him I spotted an old friend and, well, you were there, you know the rest."
Ah, that explained her rather friendly demeanor when she had carelessly grabbed his hand and more or less dragged him away.
"Not that I didn't want to dance with you!" she hastily amended.
He chuckled softly. "Don't worry, I'm sure my pride will recover."
She tugged teasingly on a lock of his long hair. "See that it does."
It was then that the realization hit her, and she became aware something that he had already noticed a while before.
"Oh! The music stopped." She looked embarrassed as she abruptly stopped and jumped back, her face darkening a shade. She gave him a hard look as if to say, you could have told me, ya know.
"I never back down from a challenge," he explained.
Kagome looked taken aback, but then she was grinning in response and a laugh spilled from her lips. "So sneaky," she told him and made a face, all but sticking her tongue out at him.
"Well, thank you for the dance, kind sir," she said as she took another step back, exaggerating the words and the curtsy she gave him. She dipped her head low and held her dress out as she did in the perfect replica of a proper lady. Her blue eyes, sparkling with mirth when she glanced up at him again, were the only thing that ruined the performance.
Regardless, it drew a smile from him, and he could see her fighting to keep from smiling back, but she lost the battle in the end.
He gave a slight bow. "You are welcome."
She seemed about to say something else, but then her eyes widened. He began to turn to see what had alarmed her, but she snatched up his hand and tugged to get his attention. She went up on her tiptoes and in what he knew was an attempted to distract him, she kissed his cheek swiftly. Even knowing that, it didn't surprise him any less and he felt his cheeks warm ever so slightly.
Kurama didn't look half as surprised as she did at her own action. She turned nine shades of red before she raced past him.
"Sorry, this is my cue to leave," she said in a hurry, wasting no time in making her escape. He turned and followed her with his eyes, about to say something when she called back, "It was nice meeting you, Shuichi!"
He watched her disappear into the surrounding woods, and that was it. Kurama shook his head, a smile on his lips despite himself. What a curious girl. He had to admit, the evening had turned out much more lively and entertaining because of her. While with any other girl, he would have feigned his interest, he had actually had a good time with the girl. He was almost upset it had ended so soon.
He was just about to turn back around when he sensed something in the air, something not entirely human. And it was coming from the direction Kagome had just disappeared into.
Concerned, Kurama found himself following in her footsteps. It did not bode well, her disappearing just as his nose caught the youkai scent. He wondered if it could be mere coincidence; after all, how could it be anything but?
What he saw was not what he expected.
"—why you're so mad, you weren't home and it's night so you couldn't be taking those damn tests, so how was I supposed to know you weren't in trouble?"
The words came from the demon—hanyou, Kurama amended—as he took in the scent that was much clearer in the close proximity. He sounded sullen, clearly believing that whatever was bothering Kagome was not his fault. He even muttered, "you're always falling into some stupid trap or another," though Kurama was certain Kagome didn't hear.
"I do have a life outside chasing demons and jewel shards, you know," she informed him.
Kurama was even more intrigued by her now than he had been minutes before. What a mystery, this young girl was. He had been worried she had accidentally fallen into trouble with a demon, but instead, here she was on friendly terms with one. Not only that, but she obviously had some knowledge of them, as well.
Had she known he was one, too? No, he doubted it. She would know to be wary of strange demons. At least, he hoped she knew such a simple fact.
Looking over the hanyou once more, a wry smile graced his lips when he saw the familiar features. Then the half-demon gave a loud, disbelieving snort, and Kurama knew it was only the slight similarity in appearance that Youko and this hanyou shared.
"C'mon, let's go," he told her.
Kagome huffed and crossed her arms. "Did you even think that I might want to stay?"
Another snort and then he was crouched low to the ground. She gave an indignant cry. "Inuyasha! I can't be carried like that in a dress!"
His irritation, and certainly his impatience, was obvious when he spoke next. "Why the hell not? Your other skirt is a helluva lot shorter."
He had her there it seemed because she spit out a rather lame reply. "Yes, well… this is a nice dress!"
Kurama didn't mean to laugh. Really. But he did, very light and soft, but a laugh nonetheless. Kagome didn't hear, but Inuyasha and his keen ears picked it up easily. While the hanyou had not picked up his scent before since Kurama had concealed his presence with the smell of roses, the sound, no matter how small, would not be overlooked by the hanyou. Kurama could not have been more correct; Inuyasha's head whipped right around and one of his hands rose instantly, poised to attack.
Kagome jumped when Inuyasha did. Her eyes widened considerably when they landed on Kurama.
"Shuichi!" Her gaze darted from Inuyasha to him and back again. "This isn't—Inuyasha, do not attack him!—and he's not…. Those aren't real ears…"
But he cut off her weak excuse with a knowing smile and a slight wave of his hand. "No need to explain, Kagome. I'm sorry I interrupted," he said coolly. "You and your hanyou friend should continue as planned."
He wasn't entirely sure why he added that last part, but it was worth it to see the way she went stock still. Their eyes met, blue and green, and an understanding past between them. Then she smiled brilliantly at him and gave a slight nod.
Kagome turned to Inuyasha. "Let's go."
He grumbled some, but scooped Kagome in his arms, awkwardly gathering the dress as well. Kurama gave another small wave in farewell, and their eyes stayed locked until Inuyasha finally took off, and Kurama was left staring at the place from which she disappeared.
A curious girl, indeed.
-End Chapter 1-
