Title: Her Iron Curtain
Official Summary: Playboy, Inuyasha Takahashi, was less than thrilled when his parents forced him to live in a secluded and quiet small town for the summer. He could be partying right now! It also didn't help that he'll be living with such a reserved roommate, Kagome Higurashi - who for some reason needed to be covered at all times. It seems, the more he tried to crack her barrier, the more she hid from him. Why?
Rated: Mature (So please, read at your own discretion)
Disclaimer: Inu-Yasha and the many other characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi.
A/N: This chapter may be a little boring or a little slow like most introductions but it's meant to be a filler to create a base for the story. Things will definitely pick up in the next chapter! Promise!
To all those who followed and favorite my story; thank you all so much! It's the main reason why I updated so fast! Also to my first reviewers - I love snowy owls, xXAnimeChic101Xx and guest(whoever you are :D)~! You guys are the best!
Chapter One
"What is this?" My mother shrieked, holding the newspaper in one perfectly manicured hand and threw it at the table in front of me.
"A newspaper?" I asked, plopping down the couch, feigning innocence.
Her mouth hung open and her eyes formed in slits. She hated it when I acted immature. "Inutaisho! Talk some sense into your son!" She fumed before pacing back and forth, looking at him expectantly. She brushed the hairs that fell from her clip and yelled my father's name again.
After an exasperated sigh, he said, "Explain, now."
"Explain what?!" I asked, bringing my hands up as I laughed at how ridiculous they're being.
"This!" She yelled, unfolding the newspaper and shoving it to my face.
"Augh! Mom!" I said, pushing the paper away so I could have a better look. My eyes widened in realization.
The picture consisted of my sexual encounter with some amateur actor I met last night. Now that I thought about it, she probably only slept with me for publicity's sake - or the seven tequila shots given by my best friend, Miroku, from a party earlier that day.
I analyzed the source of all my problems and cringed. The picture was pretty naughty, even to me! I guess the photographer hid in a bush or something, catching us when it was getting heated. I pinned her to the wall with our naked bodies intertwined. It's obvious I've entered her seconds after they took the picture by the pure delight on her beautiful face.
"Oh, that." I stated dryly.
"Yes, that! It's in all of the front pages of every newspaper in the country! What were you thinking?" She shrieked. I resisted the urge to cover my ears or maybe bolt out of there, but I knew I'll be in deeper shit if I chose any of that so instead, I put a hand on my chin, rubbing it making me seem like I was thinking as I said, "Well, she asked and I wasn't doing anything at the time so-"
"Inuyasha Takahashi!" She snapped, giving me a warning look.
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry," I stated, knowing I have crossed the line this time.
"No," my father stated, rubbing his temples, "I've had enough."
I sighed and reached for my keys, expecting him to confiscate my cars again but he shook his head.
"Your partying days are over son and I mean it. Until you can prove to me you can take responsibility for your own actions, you might as well say goodbye to your inheritance."
"Dad-" I started to protest but my mom cut me off.
"Your father's right," she agreed, "you're almost 22 and you still refuse to shadow him at work."
My eyes darkened, biting my tongue to prevent myself from lashing back.
"Don't give your mother that look young man."
I looked down in defiance. I love my parents, honest, I do, but sometimes they get on my nerves. I mean, as long as I don't tarnish my future reputation, I can do whatever I wanted, but do they have to treat me like a freakin' child all the time?
Just when my father was about to say something, our attention was caught by footsteps coming towards the foyer.
"Hello mother, father, little brother." He said, a huge smirk on his face. Great, now Sesshoumaru's here to add to the fire.
"Where were you when this happened?" My mother suddenly yelled at him. She must be going crazy. There's not enough money in this world that would make me hang out with him by choice.
"When what happened mother?" He asked, giving her a kiss on the cheek before sitting next to my dad.
"This!" She said again, giving him the newspaper.
Once seeing the paper, the smirk on his face widened but he quickly contained it and shook his head in disapproval.
Suck up! I glared at him.
"I was with father," he stated confidently. In which my father nodded in confirmation.
My mother gave a huge huff in surrender.
"Inuyasha has done many terrible things, but," Sesshoumaru began. I wanted to pinch myself, was he actually defending me? I mentally thanked the Heavens for being on my side, but quickly took it back when he continued on his sentence.
"But this!" He snickered, presenting the offending image for all eyes to see. "This is overboard!"
My eyes formed in a menacing glare as I clenched my teeth together. Fucking bastard.
"I know," he said, enthusiastically, "why not ship him away for a while."
Okay, I know my parents listened to Sesshoumaru's suggestions most of the time, but this one was a freaking joke. I can tell by the mischievous glint in his eyes. There's no way they're going to consider it.
"That's an excellent idea!" My mother piped, clapping her hands together.
"I agree, you need a break." My father stated conclusively as my mother nodded even more, "Honey, please call Kaede."
My mother took her phone from her gold clutch and dialed my aunt's number - we're not blood relatives but we might as well be one, considering she's raised almost everyone in my family.
"Hello!" My mother chimed, not giving me any chance to wiggle myself out of this punishment. Seshoumaru just bit his tongue and excused himself to his room. He's probably laughing his head off right now. That bastard.
Before I knew it, the maids bombarded my closet and packed my things.
Not even an hour passed and I found myself flying all the way to the other side of the world, Japan. Since it was already the afternoon, I'm guessing I'll arrive there early morning.
Once I landed, I took the car prepared for me and deliberately drove at a snail's pace to my aunt's place. The road semi-familiar in my mind. I mean, after my father's name became known, we moved to New York where he was more accessible, so naturally, I haven't been here for years!
I looked ahead and saw the beautiful villa in front of me. It was still as I remembered. It had some vines on some pillars but aside from that, the house was kept well.
I entered the large, graveled area that was meant for parking cars at the side of the house and walked to her front steps. The smell of bacon, toast, sausage and eggs filling up my nostrils and seducing my taste buds.
I checked my watch, hoping I wasn't too late and braced myself as I knocked.
"It must be him!" I heard her chime from the other side of the door, opening it and just stared as if a stranger stood in front of her.
I don't know if my childhood memories exaggerated her height but she's shorter than I remembered. Her once beautiful brunette hair now graying with the same, unchanging, waist length hairstyle from before. Her deep hazel eyes were lighter but still as warm as ever as recognition hit them.
Her hands clamped the sides of my face, squishing it so my lips looked like a fish's and moved my head left and right, analyzing it.
"Oh my goodness! How you've grown! And so very handsome!" The usual frown she usually had was replaced by a warm smile.
She directed my head down so I was at eye level and moved her way to kiss my cheeks and finally let go.
"Hello, aunt Kaede." I said, standing in my full height, rubbing a hand at the back of my neck, embarrassed. I can't believe she still treats me like a child after all these years.
"Don't call me that, it makes me sound old," she instructed, joking a little. Or maybe not. I couldn't really tell with her stern look and serious eyes. Four more months of hearing her cheesy and out of date jokes. This is going to be one long summer!
Don't get me wrong, I had nothing against her, but we never seem to see each other in the eyes. It's kind of a Coca-cola/Pepsi kind of relationship. We simply clash.
"Well, come in," she greeted and led the way.
The place was as it always was with the spacious living room welcoming everyone who walked in. The spiral staircase on my left leading to the many rooms I once spent all my days in; the comfy couch inviting me to lay there and laze around like before - that is, if my grumbling stomach didn't demand food so much.
I walked us to another room knowing full well it's where my stomach wanted me to be. The huge kitchen was on my left, the dining room to my right and a large island in the middle.
Once I got there, I smiled, the room still held the ridiculously ginormous dining table. The curtain's still a pinkish-orangey color. The wall's still a tasteless white. The chandelier still hung high above the table and, oddly enough, a fan on the kitchen ceiling. It was an open room, no walls separating the two, so when our parents prepare our meals, my cousins and I could watch or maybe steal a cookie or two.
I sighed, reminiscing at the sight.
I believe everyone in my family - from my grandparents to my cousins lived here at one time. Nowadays, we only gather around here on special occasions - well, my family does. My father's usually too busy and my mother refuses to attend without him, so it's been a while for me.
Her home wasn't like any others, it was smaller than my parent's but it was still larger than most.
If I looked forward, I could see an almost wall-sized window. A door beside it led to a beautiful garden and lakeside view. And, if I remembered correctly, the stairs on the side of the house lead to the basement, which held the game room back in the day. I'm half hoping it remained untouched like everything else in this house.
At the corner of my eyes, I saw a basket of blankets. Feeling the empty and awkward air between the silence on this large space, I decided to ask her why she was doing the laundry so early in the morning. She only gave me a weird look and commented on symptoms of jet lag.
I was about to sit down when the pile of blankets moved and caught my eyes. I froze, noticing that it wasn't sheets but a woman seated with her head down.
She was nibbling on half a banana; her long, straight hair like a curtain on her face. Her whole body covered in baggy clothes. Was she there the whole time? I'm not too observant but there's no way I could miss something or should I say someone that's right in front of me.
I grinned when her tongue flicked out and licked at her lips. "Sexy," I said.
I didn't mean the comment. It was more of a way to know her a little. Would she look up in astonishment or smile flirtatiously? When I first meet the opposite sex and want to get an easy lay - not that I want to fuck her, mind you, I have my pride too - I have the habit of over-indulging them in compliments. You know, make them feel wanted and special. I only do it to a few beauties, but as we all know, women are chatter boxes. They share everything with each other and their stories usually ballooned out of proportions. No wonder girls flock over me.
But this bed covers, this woman, I can't even begin to describe her. She didn't even look up! It's as if she didn't hear anything.
Sexy women for me were women with busty and beautiful curves. With her whole body covered in baggy clothes and knees close to her chest that she's nowhere close to being sexy.
"Oh, don't tease," Kaede lectured, giving me a somewhat warning gaze. "This is Kagome, the new renter I told your mom about."
Her head immediately snapped to Kaede as they shared a look I didn't quite understand. Her eyes widened in panic while Kaede just gave her a reassuring smile. At least I think her eyes widened, I couldn't tell for sure because most of her face was covered by her long, dark hair.
"Kagome, this is Inuyasha, the one who's grounded." She said.
It was my turn to look at her, my mouth opening wide before saying, "Kaede, please don't ruin my image."
I heard a cute, girly giggle coming from 'Kagome' as I looked at her amused.
"Nice to meet you Inuyasha," she said, holding a hand up in front of me; her lips forming in a sexy grin as she bit her lower lips to hold back a laugh. My smile widened, also resisting the urge to hold back a chuckle. Damn. She's contagious.
"Pleasure's all mine, Kagome," I said, wondering why she's so hesitant.
I watched as the area in between her eyebrows furrowed together as she pursed her pink, luscious lips. She looked up in astonishment and seemed as if she was about to say something but didn't and ended up looking down again.
I took the hand she brought up moments ago and felt her twitch. Has she forgotten she extended it?
An effortless smile graced my lips, looking at our hands and motioning it up and down to remind her.
Her eyes widened again, realizing my intention as she fumbled to shake my hand.
The chuckle I was holding slipped out of my lips; it was almost adorable how nervous and clumsy she was.
"S-sorry," she mumbled, her whole face turning tomato red as she awkwardly moved her fingers around mine and tried to salvage the hand shake.
Once we finally locked our hands together, our eyes met.
Looking into her eyes was like watching a bird from afar, the tall grass hiding you but at the same time limiting your vision. She looked more like a child caught doing something wrong at this point, her eyes observing mine with uncertainty while I stared at her with fascination.
"Nice to meet you Kagome."
End Of Chapter One