Author's Note: Thank you to all of the wonderful people who are following this story! The reviews I'm receiving are so amazing to read and I just wanted to let you guys know that I appreciate all of them! Sorry for the late update btw. And to answer a question I received in a review; I haven't decided yet if I want Kagome to be a miko in this story. If I can think of an interesting way to include it in the story then I'll definitely run with it; sorry for the broad answer. Hope everyone enjoys the newest chapter!
Boys over Chocolates
Begging for Forgiveness
'Run.'
That was the single most thought Kagome had running through her mind as she stood in fright at the unsuspected appearance of the leader of the GL4, Sesshomaru Yamamoto. Her feet were firmly planted in her current spot however, unrelenting to even make the slightest of movements.
Sesshomaru seemed to be relishing in Kagome's anxiety and leaned his head close to her ear to whisper softly, "Is it the musky scent of my cologne that seems alluring to you, Kagome, or am I just simply irresistible?"
At Sesshomaru's crude inference, Kagome moved outside of his reach and stood glaring at him.
"I wouldn't get ahead of yourself Sesshomaru; I was just honestly surprised that a dog-demon could smell so much like a pig." Kagome was elated when she saw a flash of irritation run through Sesshomaru's eyes.
But then Sesshomaru surprisingly smirked at Kagome's words before simply saying, "Penance."
Kagome looked on at Sesshomaru as if he had gone mad.
"Penance is the act of devotion performed voluntarily to show sorrow for a sin that was committed. You Kagome owe me repentance for the despicable provocation you have committed against the Yamamoto name and the GL4's reputation. Apologize and all will be forgotten." Sesshomaru finished and waited for what he knew Kagome's choice would be.
Kagome was dumbfounded. She had never heard of the GL4 asking for just an apology after a person had been red carded.
'Could this be a trick?' Kagome was wary of Sesshomaru's offer and refused to make a decision without more information.
"I just need to apologize to you and everything will go back to normal? No more harassments or pranks from anyone at Cedar Academy? And what of Shippo? Will you extend the same offer to him as well?" Kagome wanted more than anything than for Shippo to be free of all the atrocious antics that came with receiving a red card. She knew her little kitsune friend would not be able to stand much more, each of the insults that came from their classmates were literally breaking the poor boys will to go on.
Sesshomaru momentarily pondered what she had asked before answering, "I can assure you that nobody from Cedar Academy will bother you or Shippo anymore but the apology I want from you must be performed near the school entrance in front of the whole school's faculty and students. You do this Kagome and you and your pest of a friend will never have to worry about the GL4 again."
Kagome allowed the consuming feeling of hope to grasp her heart and she desperately wanted this to be real. She hated the idea of apologizing to this asshole that was currently standing too close for comfort and also despised the notion of having to apologize to him in front of literally the who's who of Japan but it was a necessary sacrifice for her and Shippo's freedom.
With a defeated sigh Kagome said, "I'll do it."
Something about Sesshomaru's smirk at her words made Kagome immediately feel uneasy and she almost wanted to recant what she just agreed to.
"After the last bell of the day, I'll be expecting you near the front entrance ready to show your penance for me, Kagome." And with that Sesshomaru made his exit through the boy's locker room doors.
Kagome looked on as he retreated through the doors. The hope that had sprung within her was slowly being swallowed by the thorns of doubt and the uncertainty of what awaited her.
With lead feet, Kagome also exited the boy's locker room and made her way to her next class just as the class bell rang.
…..
Near the end of the day Kagome sat in her last class, desperately wishing she could slow down the hands of the vintage clock hanging above the white board.
Eerily, she, nor Shippo, had been harassed by anyone after her encounter with Sesshomaru.
'Sesshomaru had to have told them something. That's a good sign right? God I hope this is not a dream."
Kagome had been having mental tirades with herself all day, trying to decipher the reason behind Sesshomaru's unusual offer. All she was able to conclude, however, was that Sesshomaru must have gotten a bad case of food poisoning from something he ate last night.
The bell suddenly rang, signaling the end of the day. Kagome noticed the sideway glances aimed at her when she stood up to follow the rest of the class out the door. The gnawing feeling in the back of her mind fed Kagome's sinking suspicion of something bad that was going to happen, but she continued her way towards the front of the school where she knew Sesshomaru and the rest of the GL4 would be awaiting her.
…
Sesshomaru made his descent down the entryway stairs closely followed by the rest of the GL4. As he reached the last step of the staircase, he saw a slight movement near a bush out of the corner of his eye and turned his gaze towards it. A satisfied grin crossed his face as he saw his plan coming into fruition.
All that awaited now was the unsuspecting victim to make their appearance.
…..
Kagome stood at the top of the entryway stairs and nervously scanned the crowded area. It seemed like Sesshomaru ensured that every student and faculty member were here for this event.
'Everyone's here to relish in my humiliation.' Kagome's sad thought caused an ache through her heart and a blow to her pride.
She turned an encouraging smile to Shippo, who she had earlier told of Sesshomaru's proposition. He didn't agree with it but even Shippo had a slimmer of hope that everything will go back to normal for them.
"Whether you do this or not, you will always be a hero to me Kagome." Shippo feigned a smile before it quickly slipped back to his usual worried expression.
Shippo's words gave Kagome pause. She was no hero. She was apologizing to a man that did such demeaning and cruel acts to his classmates for enjoyment. And the only reason she was apologizing was just so that she could go back to a worry-free school routine. It wasn't honorable or noble, but it was something she had to do.
Kagome took a deep breath, gently touched Shippo's shoulder reassuringly, and then made her way down the white marble steps.
Her eyes briefly glanced over the Good-Looking Four. Koga seemed tense. Miroku seemed irritable and refused to meet her gaze and Inuyasha seemed…sad?
His eyes locked with hers and for a split second she could have sworn Inuyasha was trying to relay something to her. But all too quickly he broke their stare and looked to Sesshomaru.
Kagome followed Inuyasha's eyes and immediately the voice inside her head was telling her to run when she came across Sesshomaru's piercing glare. A foreboding chill crossed the silent schoolyard.
Kagome stopped her movements when she reached the end of the stairs. Dark clouds began to circle around Cedar Academy, bringing with it the fresh smell of unshed raindrops. It seemed as the Heavens themselves were fraught with what was about to happen.
With great resolve, Kagome forced her stone-like knees to bend and touch the floor. She placed her hands upon her thighs and bowed her head low.
With great effort Kagome raised her voice so that all may hear, "I, Kagome Higurashi, apologize for the horrendous acts I have committed against the GL4. I beg of you to forgive me, Sesshomaru Yamamoto, and I promise to never act out against you or the Good-Looking Four ever again."
The words had been like venom coursing out of her mouth. It left an acidic taste upon her tongue and she felt the full brunt of the humility that Sesshomaru had intended for her.
Kagome remained in her current position, waiting for a response from Sesshomaru.
A soft breeze rustled Kagome's bangs leading her to look to the side of the walkway near the bushes. She could see movements from behind them that was not caused by the wind and she turned to the other side of the walkway and saw that those bushes as well were moving in a strange motion.
Kagome raised her face questioningly to meet Sesshomaru's. He arched his mouth in mirth and took a few steps backward. Kagome knew her answer immediately. She had been duped.
As if on cue, a horde of students that had been hiding behind the bushes stood up and all pointed at her with super soaker guns. Before Kagome could even move out of the way, they all started spraying out an unknown brown substance that was loaded into each of the guns.
Kagome was frozen to her spot completely in shock at what was occurring. She had let herself hope for something better and this is what she got for letting that damn emotion cripple her. Never will she let it happen again.
As the students finished soaking Kagome in God only knows what, they were all cheered and applauded by the other students who were watching from the sidelines. This was amusement to them and they relished in every moment of humility they caused her.
Never before had Kagome ever felt so low. She had been tricked and it was all because of Sesshomaru Yamamoto!
She felt him approach her and heard the uncontained joy that was laced within his voice, "As a man of my word, you will never have to deal with us again; I believe you have shown us an adequate amount of atonement. And though it may not be dog poop; the foul color of melted chocolate suits trash like you quite well."
Sesshomaru had turned to walk away but Kagome's voice caught his attention.
"SESSHOMARU YOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS!" Kagome was seething with a deep loathing for this man and she was going to see to it that he was degraded just as she had now been.
Sesshomaru felt an irritated twitch across his eyebrow. This Kagome girl was firmly embedding herself as a nuisance in his side. He looked on at Kagome in disgust.
"Watch what you say human before I recant my promise to leave you alone." Sesshomaru was sure that would end what seemed to be a mental breakdown the girl was having. The damn brat was ungrateful for the mercy he was showing her and he closed his eyes momentarily to calm his rapidly increasing headache. At that moment however a sharp, piercing sting fell upon his cheek and he instantly reopened his eyes.
Kagome was standing directly in front of Sesshomaru with her hand still near his cheek where she had just slapped him. A gathered gasp was heard all throughout the schoolyard as the students and faculty looked on in disbelief at what they just witnessed.
Sesshomaru Yamamoto, son of Chairman Yamamoto and heir to the Yamamoto Company has just been chocolate hand slapped by a girl.
"I swear, Sesshomaru, that I will make you regret the day you even heard my name. No more peace, this is war!" Kagome's thunderous rage crackled through the area and caused quite a few students to wither in fear. The fury within her deep brown eyes caused them to look almost black. It was definitely a menacing sight.
Kagome spoke up once more, "And remember this Sesshomaru, no matter what you say from here on out I will no longer fall for your…" but before Kagome could finish, her words were abruptly stopped. Actually they were more like closed off.
The firm lips that were suddenly pressed against Kagome's stunted any words from escaping. It was not a gentle kiss in the least. It was a kiss designed to shut her up. But the slight warmth that tickled her tongue from Sesshomaru's breath gave Kagome a miniscule jolt of something that was foreign to her, and most definitely dangerous.
Before Kagome could even fathom a thought, Sesshomaru moved back from her lips, mysteriously causing Kagome to feel a fleeting tingle of loss. Sesshomaru briefly stared at her and pondered her current state before turning to the crowd of open-mouthed students and faculty members. Apparently Kagome wasn't the only one freaked out of her mind.
Sesshomaru's voice raised his voice loud for all to hear, "As of today Kagome Higurashi and I will be dating. She is off limits and no one is to lay a hand or an insult against her or they will be dealt with by me."
A swarm of murmurs and frantic cries grappled the crowd as they were delivered with the juiciest gossip imaginable. Sesshomaru Yamamoto, mega-hottie and super rich heir is now dating a poor ugly girl named Kagome Higurashi. Could there ever be a more outrageous scandal?
Kagome's breath left her body and her previous fury depleted as she tried to process what was going on.
'Dating?! When did I ever agree to that? How the hell did he get this idea of dating from what I just said about getting payback? What the heck is going on?!' Kagome was rapidly descending into madness. Nothing made sense at all anymore.
Kagome turned confused eyes to Sesshomaru who was nonchalantly smirking at her current look of disarray.
'Yep Sesshomaru definitely ate something bad last night' and with that last thought Kagome passed out.