"CHAPTER 2"
A/N: Just a thank you to everyone who gave feedback on the last chapter :D
A/N: Also want people to keep in mind this isn't going to be a long fic. It's based off the song "Stranger" by Hilary Duff so only a couple chapters left.
P.S. : If you haven't heard or seen the video for the song you should check it out. It's actually really really good.
You treat me like a queen when we go out
Wanna show everyone what our loves about
All wrapped up in me whenever there is a crowd
But when no ones around….
--
The sunlight streamed in through the white curtains and flooded half the room in gold. The slim index finger of a female peeped from underneath a pile of lilac sheets. Reluctantly Kagome Higurashi greeted the new day, out of habit she glanced to her left. It was empty again; just as her heart began to sink the smell of strong coffee invaded her senses. Butterflies which she'd thought long dead in her stomach rose anew and she practically flew out of bed.
Well that is she would have if her legs hadn't somehow been horribly tangled in the sheets causing her to slam painfully onto the floor. She winced as pain shot through her arm which she'd used to try and break her fall. The door to the room opened and Kagome found herself staring at a pair of feet before her eyes traveled up the gorgeously masculine legs and the person they connected to.
"Sesshoumaru." She breathed out.
"I never knew you took such a liking to our carpeted floors. Do tell how the smell is from down there."
Kagome winced at how icy his tone was, almost as if she had bothered him in the most horrible way by falling off the bed.
"You're here." She chose to say instead.
"I am aware."
Kagome felt a spark of annoyance now. He was the one being a dirty bastard, going behind her back to do god knows what and yet he had the nerve to stand there arms crossed against his very naked chest acting as if she was the one doing something wrong.
"Well excuse me for being surprised but you haven't exactly always been there when I wake up." She snapped untangling her legs from the mess. "Galloping off to who knows where in the wee hours of the morning."
"This Sesshoumaru does not-"
"Gallop." Kagome finished.
Sesshoumaru glared at the female before him, his annoyance at her brimming on the edge of spilling into anger. She was paler than how he'd remembered and he found himself comparing her to Kagura. She was definitely shorter than her, and where Kagura was toned he could still spot some fullness on Kagome. Not to mention her breast, though very attractive, weren't as full as hers but even Sesshoumaru suspected the ones Kagura sported weren't too real.
It hit him how much he hadn't paid attention to her in the last few months. Not that it affected him in anyway but the realization had come to him when she'd so unceremoniously dropped by at his office, interrupting a very good massage that he would have liked to take advantage of. She'd looked good, paler but good.
Kagome fidgeted slightly as he stared at her, she was wondering if he was going to move anytime soon or at least say something. The smell of the coffee was getting to her and she desperately wanted him to move so she could get to it. Kagome laughed to herself, the man she had once felt so comfortable with, felt so safe and protected around now made her uncomfortable.
Kagome wondered how it'd gotten to such a point. Was it something she'd done wrong along the way?? Had she not paid enough attention to him or taken enough care in her appearance? After awhile she determined no that couldn't be it because though she knew she wasn't perfect she always took care to present herself in a fun, fashion-forward but respectable way.
So what had happened she wondered, how had their fire gone down so much?
Movement snapped her back and she watched as he spun on his heel and walked out the door. Slowly she followed as he entered the kitchen and began to pour himself a mug before leaning against the counter choosing to ignore her presence.
Kagome sighed as she made her way to the machine which he so purposely was leaning in front of. Her shoulder brushed against his arm as she tried to get to the cup, she felt his muscles tense but he didn't budge. She felt tears build up in her eyes threatening to spill. God, did she repulse him so much, she thought, that even touching her became something vile to him.
A tear escaped running down her cheek and she dipped her head so he wouldn't notice while trying desperately to hold the rest back. Thankfully today they obeyed and she was able to pull herself together. Ignoring the extreme pain in her heart she pushed at him slightly still keeping her head bent.
"Sesshoumaru." She said hoping by now he'd get the hint and just move.
Finally giving up on just hoping he would move Kagome threw her hands up in frustration.
"Ugh!" She shouted, frustrated. "Sesshoumaru!"
Sesshoumaru winced; "What." He asked thoroughly annoyed with her behavior. Why on earth was she acting so…………not her.
"Incase you haven't noticed I'm right here woman, there is no need to scream."
Kagome grew a bit bolder; she was tired of this, so very tired of it all. Him treating her as if she didn't exist, and when he did acknowledge her presence she was just another annoyance he hadn't yet figured how to get rid of.
"Well maybe if you'd so kindly move so I can get what I needed."
"And it would have failed you to simply ask?" He said staring at her as if she'd turned into an imbecile.
Kagome blushed, the one morning he was actually there and he made her feel like a fool. She was losing herself around him, this wasn't her. Sighing Kagome stared back up at him. This wasn't the man she'd fallen in love with. Physically yes, he was still beyond gorgeous, but that was the only thing that remained.
"Are you still coming with me to my mother's barbecue?" She asked.
"I have some matters to attend to before we depart."
"So…?"
His face remained expressionless but Kagome got the feeling that inwardly he could have been rolling his eyes at her.
"Yes we will still attend together." He answered her unspoken question.
Kagome watched as he walked away from her and to their bedroom. She glanced down at the coffee machine; suddenly coffee was her least favorite thing in the world.
--
Sesshoumaru picked up his ringing cell,
"Speak."
"Sesshy-kins I miss you."
Sesshoumaru held back a growl; maybe it was best if he dropped this one and picked up another. That girl at his office wasn't half bad, and he could certainly stand to look at her without feeling repulsed. Not that Kagura was unpleasant to look at, far from that but she was quickly beginning to annoy him.
"Kagura." He bit out.
"Why can't you come?? Is it 'her'? Just leave the bitch!"
"Watch your tongue." Sesshoumaru snarled.
"Why! In case you forgot it's me your making love to not her!"
"I would hardly call mindless rutting love." He said harshly. "I will be over today for a short while to pick up some valuables I left behind. Have them ready."
Even though she was the one to call Sesshoumaru hung up and stripped down. Kagome watched from the door way as his full naked body was revealed to her. It'd been awhile since she'd seen him in the nude and somewhere below her stomach she began to feel tingly. His muscles moved underneath the smooth layer of skin stretched around it and she yearned to run her fingers across his back.
Sighing she averted her eyes until he'd made his way into the bathroom and closed the door. Only then did she enter the room, his cell-phone lay on the bed and she picked it up. Kagome had never been a snooping girlfriend, she'd always felt that it showed mistrust.
But didn't these circumstances warrant she snoop? Maybe she'd find out what was wrong and possibly remedy the situation between them if she just knew exactly what was happening.
Making up her mind she was about to flip it open when the screen showed an incoming call. Looking between the bathroom door and the cell, Kagome tip-toed out of the room.
"Hello?" She answered.
Sesshy? the very womanly voice asked.
Kagome's heart sped up, her brows furrowed. This didn't sound like a woman who'd called for purely business reasons. 'Sesshy?' She thought.
"Who's this?" Kagome asked.
"Wrong number." The woman answered.
"No, please just tell me who you are." Kagome pleaded.
The line went dead. "Please." Kagome repeated to no one but herself. She felt like crying until her eyes ran out of moisture but she didn't allow herself to. Was this the woman Sesshoumaru was leaving her to see every morning? She asked herself. Was this who was receiving the love originally meant for her?
As all this whirled in her mind Kagome began to feel emotionally drained, like she had exhausted herself with it all. Entering the bedroom again she deposited the phone exactly how she'd found it just as Sesshoumaru came out the bath with a towel wrapped around his waist. His hair matted down to his skin and water dripped down his chest.
Kagome followed one drop as it trailed down, past his belly button and following the trail of soft silver hair till it disappeared in the towel. He brushed past her to his closet.
"You had a phone call." She said not bothering to turn and face him.
Behind her Sesshoumaru froze.
"Who was it?" He asked.
Kagome smiled a bitter smile. "You tell me."
--
It was by now 5:45 thirty minutes before they had to show up for the barbecue. Kagome searched frantically through her closet for her silver strap heels. She'd dressed in a powder blue off the shoulder palm-length sleeved shirt and fitted white dress pants.
"Sesshoumaru!" She screamed. No answer, but she didn't expect one. "Have you seen my shoes?" She heard a snort from somewhere out in the den and figured of course. The man barely existed in the damn house anymore. It was either work or……no she didn't want to think about that. She was going to be able to see her mama after 2 weeks without speaking and she needed to be in good spirits. Forced or not.
She pulled her black dress off the floor when she saw something sparkle and grinned when she'd found her shoes. Slipping them on she rushed out the closet all the while freeing her hair from the small rollers she'd placed in them to help it curl. Running her fingers threw them Kagome threw on some gloss and mascara before running out the room.
She found a bored looking Sesshoumaru laid out on the couch. Once he glanced over at her and deemed her ready he stood and headed for the garage. Kagome followed after grabbing her silver studded purse.
To say the car ride was quiet was an understatement. Kagome's mind was still trying to process the woman that had called his cell earlier. That he was seeing another woman wasn't exactly proven but she just knew it was a fact. It was another blow to her heart, not only had she somehow driven him away but to another woman no less.
A part of Kagome though refused to believe that she'd been the one to turn him into this. She'd always given him plenty of attention, been there when he needed her most, and she knew she wasn't exactly what you called a bomb-shell but she wasn't cringe-ugly either.
Kagome sighed staring out the window. He'd said he needed to take care of some kind of affair before they headed for the barbecue.. The word 'affair' rang in her mind.
When the car stopped Kagome looked out to find them in front of a large, expensive looking apartment complex.
"Where is this?" She asked turning to Sesshoumaru.
He paid her no mind as if she'd never even spoken and turned off the car, climbed out, and slammed the door shut. Kagome winced at his apparent coldness towards her. 'Sesshoumaru' she thought. 'I miss you.'
She watched as he made his way into the building and up a flight of stares. Her eyes scanned the whole of the building. It truly was a beautiful place; she doubted if she could ever afford to live in a place like that on her own.
Her eyes widened as something caught her attention. She spotted a face peeking out from the window on the highest floor. The exact level Sesshoumaru had gone to. Kagome gasped her fingers fumbling to find the button to roll the window down. She stuck her head out the window in a less than attractive way and squinted up. Kagome could have sworn the woman was staring straight at her.
Her gut was telling her that this was the woman, she tried to make out the features but the woman was simply too far up. All she could make out was shoulder length black locks.
She turned her head back into the apartment before glancing at Kagome again, then leaving for good.
--
"That's her?" Kagura snorted when Sesshoumaru came into the bedroom. "How pathetic."
"What did I tell you about your tongue woman?"
She rolled her eyes and flopped down on the bed patting the spot beside her.
"You sure we can't fool for a quick second," she pouted. "I've missed you."
Before she could comprehend what was happening Sesshoumaru was laying on top of her his body pressing hers down into the mattress. Kagura purred in excitement.
"Oooo, eager I see." She said reaching up to touch his face.
Sesshoumaru reached out and grabbed her hand in one of his own while using the other to wrap around her long neck.
"You dare disobey this Sesshoumaru's orders," he snarled.
"I….I… don't know what your talking bout." Kagura managed to get out, she was growing faint.
Sesshoumaru waited until she had passed out and her breathing slowed down before getting off her. Straightening out his shirt he looked over to the corner where he'd remembered leaving his suitcase. Picking it up he exited the apartment not bothering too look back at the unconscious body on the bed.
--
Kagome was wondering what was taking so long; as soon as an image popped up in her mind she stopped wondering. Finally she saw Sesshoumaru's profile emerging from the stairs, a suitcase in his hand. Part of Kagome was relieved that maybe this was all about business, but then the sensible part remembered the phone call.
--
Kagome's heart felt a bit lighter as they started heading towards her mother's shrine. She could already see bits of the red glowing lanterns that Souta had probably hung up in the trees.
A smile lit up her face as they parked out front, which was kind of hard considering all the cars already there. 'Mama must have invited more than just family' Kagome thought seeing the abundance of people once they got closer.
When her door opened for her Kagome was more than surprised. She looked up at Sesshoumaru as if he'd grown another head and it'd started to have a conversation with her.
He arched a brow. "Do you plan on coming or not?"
"Uh."
"Kagome!!" Someone screamed.
Sesshoumaru moved to the side as her mother came running down the steps towards her.
"Mama!" Kagome said standing up and trapping her in a hug.
"How are you two doing?" she asked turning to Sesshoumaru.
Sesshoumaru stepped closer to Kagome, taking her hands in his. Kagome spun her head his way, her mother smiled at both of them.
"Aw, come on you two everyone's already here."
"Mama how much is exactly everyone?" Kagome asked reluctantly taking her eyes off of Sesshoumaru.
"Oh you know dear, a few friends and family here and there."
"Right." She said letting him tug at her hand and lead her towards the back where everyone was gathered.
Tables were spread out everywhere, small orb like lanterns sitting in the middle of each and food spread out on a large banquet style table. Kagome knew her mother had wanted to celebrate finally being able to pay off all the debt they owed for the shrine but she didn't think she'd go all out this way.
She felt a tug at her hand and looked up at Sesshoumaru. He pulled her closer to his side, detaching his hand from hers and placing it on the arch of her back.
"Sesshoumaru?" She said hesitantly.
He looked down at her and Kagome almost gasped at how warm his eyes had become.
"Come." He said directing her to one of the tables. He pulled her chair out for her and waited till she was seated and comfortable before pushing it back in.
"You won't believe who actually managed to make it." Kagome's mother, Shiori commented as she set down two tall glasses of lemonade.
"Who?" Kagome asked still not believing the way he was acting. It was exactly the way he was when their relationship had first started out.
"Your aunt and uncle Midorio. I was just as surprised as you." She said seeing Kagome's wide eyes.
"Where are they, I want to say hi."
"They're right over there." She said pointing to the Goshinboku tree. "Come we'll go together."
Kagome glanced over at Sesshoumaru who motioned for her to go with her mother. She smiled slightly at him still not sure of what to make of this change of attitude. He got up with her leaning over to place a kiss on her cheek. Kagome blushed at the attention she'd craved but never gotten for so long.
Taking her mothers elbow they moved along to where her aunt and uncle waited leaving Sesshoumaru behind. As the evening wore on Kagome felt as if she was floating, being around all her family, the people who loved her unconditionally.
The change in Sesshoumaru's behavior certainly aided to the feeling she thought. Part of her though still couldn't believe it was real, she wanted to pinch herself but was too afraid. For if this was a dream she definitely didn't want to wake up.
She was in the middle of conversing with one of her grandfather's brothers when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She gasped when she turned around.
"Kikyo?"
"Kagome-chan!" The older looking version of Kagome threw her arms around her. Kagome stood shocked before responding and returning the hug.
"How long has it been?" Kikyo asked.
"Pretty darn long." Kagome answered smiling.
"How's it been?" Kikyo asked. "Word is your living with a man. My blush about everything little cousin is actually bunking up with a man."
Kagome laughed, she couldn't believe it herself when it had first happened.
"Remember I'm not so little anymore." She said.
"Well who is he?" Kikyo asked.
Kagome pointed to the table where she thought she saw Sesshoumaru last. Not seeing him there she scanned the crowd of people; it shouldn't be hard Sesshoumaru was the only person there as tall as he was with his kind of hair.
"Who's that, I've never seen him before?" Kikyo said pointing over to the buffet table.
Kagome looked over to where she was pointing to find Sesshoumaru.
"That's Sesshoumaru." She said frowning when she noticed that he was standing next to Sakura, one of the family's close friends. Kagome's brow furrowed as she noticed just how close together they were standing.
Her face continued to take on a worried expression as she watched Sakura laugh at something, her fingers brushing against his arm.
Sesshoumaru bent down as if he was sharing a secret with the girl, his hand discreetly brushing against her thigh. He felt her shiver and hid his smirk as he pulled back up.
He felt a spark of annoyance as a familiar voice sounded from behind him.
"Hey," Kagome said coming up to them Kikyo in tow. "Sakura I don't believe we've gotten to chat all night."
"I was just about to go to you when I saw this man here standing all by him-self." She said motioning to Sesshoumaru who had stepped closer to Kagome wrapping one arm around her waist.
"She truths." Sesshoumaru said.
"Kikyo, this is him." She said watching as she stepped up and shook Sesshoumaru's hands.
"That he is." She laughed; Kagome smiled with her but her eyes remained up at Sesshoumaru.
--
"Wasn't that fun?" Kagome chirped as they stepped back into the car. It was nearing midnight, the barbecue had finished around ten but Kagome had wanted to stay back to help her mother, grandpa, and Souta clean up the mess.
"I suppose." Sesshoumaru replied blandly.
Kagome's smile died at the change of tone in his voice.
"What's wrong?" She asked touching his arm. She felt him flinch at her touch and she pulled back hurt at how he was acting.
"Sesshoumaru?"
"What." He bit out turning to look at her.
Kagome's heart dropped, his eyes were cold.
review, critisize, share your thoughts :D Makes me happy