KALEIDOSCOPE

Disclaimer: Yup, I don't own Inuyasha!

Prompt: Gluttony

Summary: In vino veritas; 'In the wine lies the truth'. But sometimes truths are better left unspoken.

Chapter 3 – In Vino Veritas

"Come on Lovely! Let's dance!!!" A half drunken Kouga grabbed Kagome's arm and tried to drag her to stand up. He would have succeeded if not for an arm that was holding Kagome's waist tightly.

"Sesshoumaru, you're no fun. Let her enjoy her time! …Let me enjoy my time with her." Kouga smirked drunkenly in a pervert way.

Kagome shivered and scooted closer to Sesshoumaru.

"Go entertain another girl, Kouga. She's with me"

Kouga childishly let out his tongue at Sesshoumaru. "Stingy. You really need to learn to share Sesshoum…"

"Just get out of my sight before my fist collides with your head." Sesshoumaru warned him calmly.

"Hmph! I really don't know what you see in him, Lovely." Kouga turned his attention back to Kagome. "Our Sesshoumru is a cold, uncaring, egoist, selfis- Hey! What a- Miroku! Where're you taking me? Hey, I'm talking to my Lovely here!"

Good for Kouga that Miroku had decided to drag him away from the obvious danger. Sesshoumaru had cracked his knuckles in preparation to punch Kouga to unconsciousness.

Kagome giggled slightly.

"What's so funny?" Sesshoumaru deep baritone voice caressed her ear.

Kagome stared up at her silver hair savior and blushed madly in realizing their very close proximity. "Umm…" She tried to put some more distance between them; but Sesshoumaru only tightened his hold on her. Kagome then realized that it was futile to struggle out from him. She would only humiliate herself. "Nothing. I'm just amazed at the close bond you have."

Sesshoumaru raised one of his eyebrows in question. Close bond?

"Uh hum. Because even though it seems like you're beating or harassing each other, I can feel the understanding and compassion that you share between each of you." She averted her gaze. "I hope I'll find that kind of bond with someone sometime."

Kagome missed Sesshoumaru's amused smirk when he leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "I can be that someone for you."

Kagome's head jerked up; she felt her heart beat faster and the usual butterfly was fluttering again in her stomach. She shivered when she felt Sesshoumaru's hot breath caressing her ear shell. "E-e-eh…" Why is he so close too me? What is he doing??? But what's more important, why am I letting him doing this to me? I should shove him away!

"In fact, I can bond with you in every way you want." He whispered by her ear.

Kagome visibly jumped from her seat by his words. Wait, wait, what is this man doing? And why do I feel this way??? Her body was getting hotter by the second. Sesshomaru was leaning closer to her and she was sure that she could feel his lips on her neck when suddenly a ringtone broke the trance.

A small sigh and Sesshoumaru then withdrew away from her calmly and checked out his cell phone. Kagome's heart was still beating furiously and she wondered how Sesshoumaru could act so calm after what he did to her.

She stole a glance at Sesshoumaru and saw his darkening expression while he stared at his phone. He flicked his phone close, and then called Sango.

"Sango, stay with Kags."

Sango was confused at first but comprehension dawned when she saw Sesshoumaru's expression. "Got it, chief."

Sesshoumaru then turned his piercing golden eyes at Kagome. "I've got to go for a while. Stay out of trouble."

Kagome was instantly offended. Now he treats me like I'm a little girl??? But before Kagome managed to tell him her displeasures, Sesshoumaru had quickly grabbed her chin and stole a quick kiss from her lips. Eh?

Kagome was left stunned with her mouth slightly agape. She did not even register when Sesshoumaru smirked smugly at her expression, stood up and walked away from their seating. What was- what had- what was that??? Did he… kiss me??? My first- My first kiss- He stole my first kiss!!! Kagome was hysteric. Calm down, Kagome. Calm down… I think I need a drink.

Without further thought, she grabbed and drank the concoction on the table in front of her in one gulp.

Kagome coughed madly.

"What's wrong?" Sango suddenly was by her side.

"What is this???" Kagome wiped her mouth with the back of her hand while shoving the now empty glass to Sango.

Sango sniffed it. "Smells like whiskey. It must be Kouga's."

"Whiskey?" Kagome had never drunk any alcoholic beverage except for wine before; her family forbade her to. "Tastes awful."

Sango chuckled seeing Kagome's funny expression. "You've never drunk whiskey before?"

Kagome quickly shook her head but instantly regretted it when she suddenly became dizzy. "Ow…" She clutched her head.

"You okay?"

"No… I feel funny."

"Damn. Intoxicated by just a glass of whiskey? I better take you back."

"Uh… no. I want to wait for Sesshoumaru."

"You sure?"

"Uh huh." Kagome leaned back on the chair. "But I feel thirsty. My throat feels like its burning. Could I have a glass of water Sango?"

Sango hesitated. She surveyed her surroundings and did not spot any enemies of her gang; and besides she saw Kouga making his way toward them now. Kouga could keep an eye on Kagome for a while. "Okay. You just sit here Kags. Don't go anywhere. I'll be back with your water."

Kagome nodded with her eyes closed.

"Hey Lovely, you're alone now?" A drunken Kouga slouched on the empty seat beside Kagome not long after Sango left.

Ugh Kouga. Kagome turned her head to tell Kouga to shove off. But her eyes caught the sight of a bottle that he held. She felt so hot and thirsty and confused and she just wanted to drink. "Gimme your drink Kouga."

Kouga grinned drunkenly when Kagome snatched his bottle of whiskey. He laughed when she gulped down the content. "Whoa. Take it easy Lovely. Won't want Sess to catch you drunk and acting silly now."

Kagome glared at him. "He's not my father!"

Kouga laughed. "You're damn right. So, how 'bout another round of drinks with me?"

Kagome licked her lips. She had never felt this kind of feeling before. So free, with no rules to tie her, no people around for her to please, no apprehension stares that demanded her to act lady-like, to smile those fake smiles, and to say things that were absolutely untrue. She could be the true Kagome now. And Kagome wanted to do what she wanted with no inhibition.

She smirked, a thing she never did before. "You're on, Wolfie."

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Sango was waiting for the plain water she had ordered. Her fingers were impatiently tapping on the bartender's table. She took a deep breath to calm herself; she was feeling so pissed off. She had left Kagome far longer then necessary. On her way to the stool a white haired skinny man had stopped her in her hurried way and had tried to seduce her. He was with another white haired male who was silent and expressionless the whole time but was assessing her like she was some kind of meat. Obviously they were new visitors of this pub for not knowing who she was and her reputation in dealing with perverts. Not in the mood and having no time to deal with a fight, Sango ignored the disgusting man and sidestepped him.

"Here you go Sango-chan."

Sango glared at the bald bartender. "Finally, Toto-ojii-san! I'm going to explode if I have to wait another second!"

Totosai shrugged when Sango quickly grabbed the drink and made her way back to her friends. But when she passed a dark corner of the pub, a pair of arms suddenly shot out from the dark and grabbed her.

"What the-!" Sango instinctively elbowed her attacker. A male voice groaned in pain and he released his hold on her; staggering back. Sango did a Dwi Chagi without turning her back at her attacker. The man fell noisily on the floor.

"What're you doing, Juromaru? Quickly, catch that bitch!" Sango recognized that voice. It was the guy who were hitting on her earlier.

Juromaru suddenly stood up still with his expressionless face. He attacked her swiftly. He's so fast! Not wanting to take any chance with this seemed strong man; Sango kicked him with her best Del'o ap chagi. Juromaru fell on his back.

"Get up, Juromaru!" The other man screeched and with awesome speed Juromaru stood up; ignoring the blood that was dripping from his broken nose. His face remained expressionless. "Get her!"

Insane! Sango barely missed his punch. He's like a machine, a fighting machine.

"Good boy, Juromaru!" The other male screeched happily.

Sango was so irritated by the sound of the other man's voice. It was distracting her from focusing on the fight. She really needed to deal with that sickening voice first. So she averted her attention to the skinny man and quickly punched him with her momtong jireugi. He screeched loudly in pain and fell to the floor; unconscious. Huh? He's so weak! Sango quickly turned her attention back to the stronger white haired man and prepared herself for his next attack; possibly with rage because she had knocked down his friend.

To her surprise, she saw Juromaro just stood there and not in his fighting stance. He even was not looking at her, but at his unconscious friend on the floor. Juromaru walked towards him while Sango moved carefully aside. She watched Juromaru squat down beside his friend and poked him with his index finger; absolutely ignoring and forgetting the fact that not a minute ago he was fighting viciously against the standing girl beside him. What??? Is he only obeying the skinny man's order?

"Kageromaru, Kageromaru." He called the unconscious man with his surprisingly soft and low voice.

Sango cringed. There had to be something wrong with this strong man's brain! She shook her head. No time to think about that. I gotta go to Kags. She stared at her hand when she realized that something was missing. "Oh no. I dropped the glass." She looked at the broken glass and huffed. Now I've got to go back and ask for another glass of water. And no doubt the old man will put that broken glass on my tab again! Shit! Sango sighed and walked back to the counter. Sorry Kags. Survive a while more without me.

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Shippou almost chocked on his tequila at the sight he witnessed from his seat on the second floor. Somehow Kouga had managed to put Kagome on top of a table and make the drunken beautiful girl danced sexily there; following the beat of the pub's music. Kouga and many men were surrounding and encouraging her. He saw Miroku and Inuyasha were also there among the crowd; one with a perverted grin and one with wide eyes and a blush sprouting on his cheeks.

"Let the world know the true and happy Kagome Higurashi!" Shipoou heard Kagome shouted. Her dance was getting hotter; it was almost like she was going to do striptease. Shippou's eyes bulged when Kagome grabbed the bottom of her shirt with both hand and made a move to pull the shirt over her head.

To Shippou's relief, and Kouga's disappointment, Sango leaped out to the table from nowhere and stopped Kagome's act. All of the men groaned. Shippou saw her kicking Kouga's head and yelling angrily at him, "Are you trying to get the chief to kill me, Wolfie???" Sango snapped her head to a snickering Inuyasha. "And don't think you both will walk away from this unscarred. The chief will sure be ripping your heads off when he finds out you both let this atrocious incident happen!" Miroku's face fell suddenly.

Shippou leaned back in his chair. He saw a glint of silver hair entering the pub and making his way to the source of the crowd after hearing Kagome shout her name drunkenly again. Sesshoumaru's face was calm but deadly; just like the quiet before the storm. Shippou let out a sigh. Tonight, he was going to drag home a beaten Kouga, and most probably broken Miroku and Inuyasha too. Crap. His muscles were going to be sore in the morning.

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Sesshoumaru carried Kagome piggy-backed while she chattered drunkenly.

"Sesshhy I can walk by myself you know. Sesshyy put me down. Sesshhyy-poo…"

Sesshoumaru gritted his teeth. "Stop calling me that way, Kags."

"Eh, why? I like saying your name like that. Sesshy-poo, Sesshy-poo…" She murmured his name on the skin of his neck.

Sesshoumaru faltered on his steps when she felt her hot breath ghosting on his sensitive ear. He shivered and tried to suppress the start of his arousal. Damn. Those idiots! They're lucky Kagome had to throw up when I beat them up. Otherwise Shippou would need to book three ICU rooms for them.

Kagome was acting up again behind him. She let go of her hands on his neck and spread it open toward the sky. "Aaah I'm so happy! I feel like I can fly. I'm not the fake Kagome Higurashi who they trapped inside that big mansion. I'm the true Kagome! So I can fly to wherever I want!!!"

Sesshoumaru was focusing on another matter. He spread out his senses; checking if someone was following them and hearing Kagome's voice. It was unwise for Kagome to shout out her true name like that. His last call with his employer had told him about Kagome's true status and the danger she was facing. Sesshoumaru was not surprised. He knew he had been right all along; Kagome was not an ordinary uptown girl. And for now it was better if they arrive in the safety of their home soon.

"You can fly all you want when I get you safely in your bed, Kagome."

"Oww, Sesshyy-poo is so nice." She hugged his neck again.

"I'm not nice."

"And he's so cute."

A tick formed on his temple. But her next sentence and touch froze him.

"And he has a sexy chest..." Her hand was sneaking inside through the hem of his shirt; caressing his cold skin. Her hot touch ignited a fire inside him. "…and abs. Mmm." He could hear her licking her lips. Oh fuck!

"Stop it, Kagome. Or you'll regret what you unconsciously start." He gripped her wondering hand sternly and put it back on his shoulder.

He started to walk faster. He really needed to let this girl down and away from his body before he regretted what he was going to do with her. He knew he had liked the girl since the first time their eyes met. She was really what he wanted in a lover; beautiful and strong willed, delicate but defiant. He felt smug every time she unconsciously ogled his body shyly. He loved seeing her eyes wide in imagination when he showed off his asset to her and he did a little imagination about her himself. Damn. He needed to take a quick cold shower now.

Behind him Kagome giggled. "I feel so free, Sessho… I can be anyone I want. I can do anything I want. And do you want to know what I really want to do, Sesshy…? Do you want to know my dreams?"

"What?" He answered only to distract himself from his wondering mind due to her caressing breath on his neck.

"I want to meet the one I will truly love. I want to date him like a normal in love teen. And then I want to marry him in this town oldest chapel with pure white wedding dress and a ring to bind us."

Sesshoumaru blinked. Kagome snuggled deeper on his neck.

"They had picked me a husband. I had no way to object, I was supposed to be an obedient little lady. I knew I would never love him, but I figured I can tolerate him and his sweetness. Hojo…"

Their home was already on Sesshoumaru's sight.

Kagome suddenly turned hysteric. "But when I did, he killed him! I know he did! But they didn't believe me. But I knew it wasn't an accident! He killed him! He killed Hojo!"

Sesshoumaru stopped in front of their house and put her on her feet. "Calm down, Kags."

"And then… he asked for me in marriage. I know he killed Hojo so that he could have me! But they didn't believe me. They're going to tie me down with a killer!" She broke down and sobbed. Sesshoumaru held her shaking body and frowned; trying to piece her words together.

"But you believe me, don't you Sesshou? You'll help me right? Yes, you will. You said so yourself. We'll find our justice together. Right, Sesshy? Right?"

He held her closer; burying his nose on her thick black hair. "Yes."

Kagome clutched on to his shirt like a lifeline. She continued to sob until Sesshoumaru felt her getting heavier in his hold. He let out a sigh when he realized she had cried herself to sleep. I better take her inside.

But suddenly his senses alerted him. He snapped his head to the dark alleyway they had just passed and narrowed his eyes. They were being followed. He snatched his cell phone from his pocket and texted Shippou. They would take care of the stalkers while he took care of his precious bundle; his Kagome.

After eyeing the alleyway once more, he went inside with a mumbling Kagome. A corner of his lips was quirked upward seeing her adorable face. She truly was his most precious thing. And Sesshoumaru always protected his possession fiercely.

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In the dark alleyway two white haired men were watching Sesshoumaru and Kagome; one with his expressionless face and one with his devilish grin. The grinning skinny one flipped open his cell phone and dial a number.

"Yeah it's Kageromaru." His grin was getting wider. "We've found her, boss. We've found your Kagome Higurashi."

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AN: He? Who's looking for Kagome???

These are some terms from Sango's martial art, the Taekwondo: Dwi chagi is a kick done back way (target = center of the body); Del'o ap chagi is a kick to the head with the heel; Momtong jireugi is a punch to the middle (a punch to the solar plexus).

Next prompt… Sloth! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing friends!

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