Wind Dancer
Chapter 7: The Garden Party Begins
Sesshomaru sat on the couch in the living room. It was the night before the Garden Party. His sketchbook was in his lap. Rin was sitting at the piano, practicing her newest song. Inutaisho had just taught her how to play Für Elise and now she was required to practice it at least three times a day. At the moment, Sesshomaru was sketching his sister's hands on the piano's keys. She had such clumsy hands, yet they were delicate and dainty.
Izayoi sat across the room, listening idly to her daughter play. She was also looking over the seating arrangements for the following day. Rin hit a sour note and mumbled something under her breath. Izayoi looked over the top of her glasses.
"Rin, darling, where did you learn such indecent language?" she asked. Rin gasped and turned around.
"I didn't say anything, Mommy," she lied. Izayoi raised an eyebrow.
"I guess I'll have to have a talk with Inuyasha about the way he speaks around you. Anyway, I think you've practiced enough. Rin, go and try on your dress for tomorrow. I want to see it on you," Izayoi said. Rin nodded and hopped off the bench. She padded out of the room, leaving Sesshomaru with Izayoi.
Sesshomaru could feel his mother's eyes on him. She was watching as he finished the drawing of Rin's hands and the piano keys. Finally, he looked up at her.
"What is it, Mother?" he asked. Izayoi took off her glasses. She moved a lock of black hair out of her face.
"Nothing, dear. I was just wondering if you are going to tell me who this mysterious girl with the initial," she squinted down at the pad, "K is."
"You'll find out when everyone else does," Sesshomaru said, closing his sketchbook.
"You haven't even told Inuyasha?" Izayoi asked.
"When do I tell Inuyasha anything? He's bringing his own girl," he said. Izayoi nodded.
"Her name is Kagome. He told me about her. At least one of my sons talk to me," Izayoi said. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. She was trying to make him feel guilty. Usually, it worked. Today, he was determined to stand his ground. Rin definitely got her charm from Izayoi. It certainly did not come from the paternal side of the family.
Five minutes later, Rin came bounding through the door with her maid following her. Niko sighed. She was still carrying one of Rin's shoes. The poor girl had not even gotten the ten-year-old to put it on yet.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. She wouldn't stay still," Niko said. Izayoi waved her hand and examined Rin. She was fidgeting in front of her mother.
"Stand still, Rin. Let me look at you," she said. Rin stood up straight. Sesshomaru looked at his sister.
Rin was wearing a white dress that was made of taffeta. It was trimmed with black. Rin stuck her foot out so that Izayoi could put her black shoe on her white-stocking foot. Niko came up behind Rin and tied the black sash. Izayoi smiled and touched Rin's thick hair.
"Now, we just have to figure out what to do with this wool," she mumbled. Rin smiled and shook her hair. "I say a beehive." Rin's eyes lit up.
"Is that like Amy Winehouse's hair?" Rin asked. Izayoi grit her teeth. She glared at Sesshomaru. He had a liking to Amy Winehouse's music, but Izayoi did not quite approve of her image. Izayoi looked back at Rin and nodded.
"A little. But, you must not play rough or it will come down. Okay?" she asked. Rin nodded. "Okay. Now, go get out of that dress before you make it all sweaty." As Izayoi finished talking, Inuyasha came in the room. Rin turned around.
"Inny!" she yelled. She ran full speed into him and hugged him like she had not seen him in years.
"Hey, squirt. What's that you have on?" he asked. Rin stepped away from him and twirled.
"It's my dress for the Garden Party. Do you like it?" she asked. Inuyasha nodded.
"It's perfect. I think you should change before Ma gets mad at you." Rin nodded and hopped through the door. Niko followed her out. Inuyasha looked at his mother and walked over to her. "Hiya, Ma," he said happily. Izayoi sighed.
"How many times have I asked you not to call me that, Inuyasha? Mom, Mommy, Mother; anything but Ma," she said. Inuyasha shrugged and sat next to her. "What is it that you want? Do you have everything ready?"
"Of course I do. What makes you think I don't?" Inuyasha asked.
"Because I always end being the one going out to get your 'last minute item,'" Sesshomaru said from across the room. Inuyasha shot his brother a nasty look.
"Now, now, boys. There's no need to start the glaring matches. You don't need to burn holes in each other. I'm going to help with dinner. Inuyasha, why don't you go practice or something, hm? Leave your brother in peace," Izayoi said. She stood and started gliding to the door.
"But, Mom! He started it!" Inuyasha said. Izayoi just waved her hand in the air. Sesshomaru stood up, flashing his eyes at his brother evilly. Inuyasha growled something under his breath, but Sesshomaru heard it.
"I'm telling," he said. Inuyasha threw one of the loveseat's plush pillows at him. Sesshomaru was through the door before it hit him.
Asshole, Inuyasha thought angrily.
Inutaisho was coming in the front door as Sesshomaru walked in the foyer. He was carrying a box. Sesshomaru mumbled a hello to his father and headed for the stairs. Inutaisho stared at his son for a moment. Then he decided to get it over with.
"Sesshomaru, come back here," he said. Sesshomaru turned around to face his virtual twin. Inutaisho was standing at the bottom of the stairs, holding the black box out to him. Sesshomaru descended slowly.
"What is that?" he asked. Inutaisho sighed.
"Are you really that dense not to know what a present is when you see one?" he asked. Sesshomaru glared at the older man before taking the box. He looked at it for a moment. "Well, don't just stand there. Open it."
Sesshomaru took the lid off of the black box. There was a black camera inside of it. It was a larger than a normal digital camera but it was still digital. It was the Nikon D3. It was a very, very expensive camera and one he had been saving up to buy with his own money. He looked up at his father.
"I know you had your eye on that camera for a while. So, I suppose I could save you the trouble of saving up five hundred, eighty-two thousand, and one hundred yen," Inutaisho said. He smiled at his son. Sesshomaru nodded. "Happy eighteenth, son."
"Thank you, sir," Sesshomaru said. Inutaisho turned to go to the kitchen.
"Oh, I think your brother left your present on your bed, by the way."
Sesshomaru entered his room. There on his bed was a red package.
How appropriate. It had to be wrapped in red paper, he thought with a smirk. Being the neat freak that he was, Sesshomaru somehow managed to open the gift without ripping the paper at all. Inside was a box of charcoal pencils. Sesshomaru almost smiled. He closed the box and sat it next to Rin's special sketchbook. These would only be used for "special" drawings.
At dinner, the two brothers regarded each other silently. Their eyes met for a brief moment and Sesshomaru grunted ever so slightly. Inuyasha inclined his head and looked away. Izayoi and Inutaisho noticed it, but said nothing. Rin merely played with her eating utensils. The only time the brothers were remotely kind to each other was on their birthdays. Any other day, all bets were off. They also only stopped fighting when Rin started crying, but that didn't count. Rin practically ran the house.
The next day, Kagura pinned her hair up in the curls. It was not quite up, but nor was it completely down. Her hair reached somewhere between her mid back and shoulder blade; Kagura had forgotten. It had been so long since she had actually worn it down. After sleeping with rollers in her head, she had the perfect 40s look going for her. She stared at herself in the mirror.
Kagura, I must say, you definitely out did yourself this time, she thought happily. She heard shuffling at her door and turned to see Kanna standing there. She was wearing a black and white striped dress. The stripes were horizontal instead of vertical. Kagura kneeled to her sister's level.
"How do you want to wear your hair, little girl?" she asked. Kanna looked quizzical for a moment.
"In a ponytail," she said. Kagura nodded.
"Ponytail it is," she said. She began brushing and combing rigorously. Kanna's hair was much thicker than hers. Hakudoshi came in the room, carrying Kagura's brand new Jimmy Choo's. Kagura narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing with those?"
"Why can't I stay here and play my Xbox?" he asked. He was wearing the standard white shirt, black pants, and black tie.
"I curse the day I bought that damn thing. Haku, put my shoes down. I got those for a rather good price. If you want to threaten me, use my new bag. There's something worth the money," she said as she finished Kanna's ponytail. Hakudoshi narrowed his eyes. Kagura raced out of the bathroom and beat Hakudoshi to her purse. "Now, if you don't mind, he'll be here soon. I'd appreciate it if you would put your shoes on like a good little brother."
"You still never told us who's taking us. I don't want to go." Hakudoshi walked off looking sullen.
"Your pathetic little friends will be there," Kagura said loudly.
"Whatever," Hakudoshi said sullenly. Kagura rolled her eyes. The poor boy was never happy. Her face brightened.
"Hey, Haku!" she called. "Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens..." she sang.
Thirty minutes later, Hakudoshi looked like a totally new kid. After a sing-a-long with his sisters (they sang several songs), he felt somewhat better about going to the party. He was sitting on the sofa waiting patiently for Kagura to come out of her room. When she came out and walked around for them to see her, she looked nervous.
"How do I look?" she asked. They stared at her perplexedly.
Kagura wore a black dress that showed off her well-toned legs. The part that covered her bosom was white. The thin straps were white as well. She wore a white hat on her head. Her Jimmy Choo's were white and almost five inches high. She had red lipstick on and the familiar glasses were gone, letting anyone see those lovely ruby eyes. She wore no jewelry except a silver ring on her right ring finger.
"It's too much, isn't it?" Kagura asked, looking worried. Both Hakudoshi and Kanna shook their heads slowly.
"No. You look..." Kanna began.
"...pretty," Hakudoshi said. Kagura breathed a sigh of relief and smiled.
"Really? Thanks, you two. I'm going to get my bag," she said. As she said that, the doorbell rang. Kagura gasped and looked towards it. Hakudoshi sighed and stood up. "Tell him I'll be out momentarily." She ran hurriedly to her room. Hakudoshi waved his hand and headed for the door.
Sesshomaru watched the door to Kagura's apartment swing open. He noticed he was staring at nothing. Then he looked down and saw Hakudoshi standing in his way. The narrow-eyed boy stared up at him, as if he was recognizing him. Then his gaze turned into one of distaste.
"You're Rin's brother," he said. "So you're the one who's got my sister all in a fuss." Sesshomaru nodded. From what he had seen of Hakudoshi, the boy was sharp and very on the ball. If he knew anything, he would say that the young boy inherited that from his sister.
"Would you like to go to the car?" Sesshomaru asked. Hakudoshi raised an eyebrow. Sesshomaru dangled the keys in front of the ten-year-old. Not one to resist such a generous offer, Hakudoshi grabbed the keys quickly. He turned his head.
"Come, Kanna," he said. He looked back at Sesshomaru. Hakudoshi grabbed his hand. "You're coming with us." He pulled Sesshomaru along as Kanna walked past him. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.
You have got to be kidding me, he thought. He was getting manhandled by a kid.
Kagura exited her room with an exquisite black bag only to find her apartment deserted. She frowned and grabbed the keys and her cell phone from the kitchen counter. She left the apartment and locked the door. When she got to the top of the stairs, she had to smile at what she saw.
Kanna and Hakudoshi were sitting in the front seats of Sesshomaru's Hummer. Hakudoshi was in the driver's seat, acting like he was driving. He had on a hat that Kagura assumed belonged to Sesshomaru. Kanna was flipping through the radio stations. Sesshomaru was leaning on the side of the car, looking down the street. He was wearing a three piece black suit. He was holding his jacket over his left shoulder and gazing down the street to his right. Kagura put her hands on her hips as she looked down at them. Kanna noticed her. She leaned over Hakudoshi.
"Kaggie!" she yelled. Sesshomaru looked up. Kagura winked at him and descended the steps.
"I see you got hustled by my brother," she said as she approached him. She tried to keep her eyes trained on his and not ogle him.
Damn, he's hot, she thought.
"Well, he didn't want me alone in the apartment with you. Plus, I offered him my keys," Sesshomaru said. Kagura laughed.
"You are definitely the most confident man I've ever met. What makes you think Hakudoshi wouldn't have rolled away with your ozone-depleting behemoth?" she asked.
"I have faith in him," Sesshomaru said. Kagura turned to face her brother.
"Let's go, you two." She opened the driver's side door. Hakudoshi hopped out. He got into the backseat behind it. Kanna did not bother getting out. She just slid between the two seats into the back. "Kanna, this isn't our car," Kagura said.
"It's fine." Sesshomaru pulled Kagura around to the passenger's side. He opened her door. "I think she wanted me to do this," he whispered. Kagura smiled and took her seat. Sesshomaru walked back around the Hummer and got in. Soon, they were on their way to the Garden Party.
Kagura heard her brother and sister playing in the backseat. Every now and then, she would check to see if Kanna's hair was still intact. After seeing that it was, she turned around and looked at Sesshomaru.
He even looks serious while he drives. Does the guy ever lighten up? she thought. Smirking she looked forward.
"By the way," she began, "you look nice, Satan." She looked at him. Sesshomaru stopped at a light. He turned towards her.
"As do you, my se..." Kagura put a finger to his lips.
"Not in front of the kids, darling," she said, smiling. Sesshomaru nearly smiled and faced forward to drive again. Kagura chuckled to herself and sat in silence the rest of the way.
Kagome and Sango walked around at the Garden Party. They had yet to see their friend. She was late. Kagome wore a white dress while Sango wore a white and black dress.
"I can't believe she's late. Do you think her car broke down?" Sango asked. Kagome shrugged.
"She's not answering her phone, either. I think she would've called us if her car had broken down. Don't you think so?" she asked. Sango just stared at Kagome.
"You know Kagura. She'd rather die than ask for help. But, I'm sure she's just running late. You know she had to get Hakudoshi and Kanna ready, too," Sango said. Kagome nodded.
"I forgot all about them," Kagome said as she turned her head. Inuyasha was approaching them with Miroku and Koga. Ayame was on Koga's arm. "Hi, Inuyasha."
"Sorry for the wait. It seems that my brother is running late. How you can be late to your own party is beyond me," he said, crossing his arms.
"Well, in Sesshomaru's case, people come to see him. It's not the other way around," Sango said indolently. Everyone looked at her. "Well, it's true. He's just one of those people who believe everyone must cater to him. Tell me you don't think your brother is a self-absorbed prick, Inuyasha?" she asked. Inuyasha shrugged.
"Well, since it's his birthday, I have nothing but good things to say about him. But to tell you the truth, he is a little conceited. He's not as shallow as you think, though," Inuyasha said. "Don't let my mother here you talking about her baby boy like that. She'll have a cow."
Izayoi and Inutaisho sat at the main table with certain public figures that had been invited. Izayoi leaned over to her husband.
"Where is your son?" Inutaisho smiled at one of his guests and leaned over to his wife.
"I thought we agreed that before six o'clock that he's legally your son," he said. Izayoi glared at him. Inutaisho sighed and excused himself from the table. He made his way over to Inuyasha. He tapped him on the shoulder. Inuyasha turned around and faced the taller man.
"Dad," he mumbled. Sango blushed. Inutaisho was the concertmaster of HSO. She had met him before and he had taught her personally. "What is it?"
"Where's your brother? Your mother is worried," Inutaisho said. Inuyasha shrugged.
"I don't..." Before Inuyasha could finish, a little girl zipped past him and into Kagome's legs. He looked down and saw a head full of white hair. Kagome looked down as well.
"Kanna?" she whispered. Kanna looked up and smiled at the older girl. Kagome looked up and saw Hakudoshi walking up lazily, his hands in his pockets. "If you two are here, that means Kagura is here. Where is she?"
"She's coming," Hakudoshi said. He kept walking right past Kagome. Kanna waved at Sango and Kagome and followed her brother to the children's table. Kagome and Sango looked at each other. Someone walked up next to Inutaisho and whispered something in his ear. He nodded and looked back at Inuyasha.
"Take your seats, Inuyasha." He looked at Sango. "Do not think I have forgotten you, Miss Taijiya. I expect to see you next spring," he said, winking at her. Sango nodded eagerly. Kagome rolled her eyes and pulled Sango along.
Once everyone was seated, Kagome and Sango were still looking around for Kagura. Her seat was reserved at their table, but she was not there. Before they could ask Inuyasha about it, all was hushed as someone walked to the entry of the party grounds.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the man of the hour, Mr. Sesshomaru Taiyo and his honored guest, Miss Kagura Onigumo," a man said. Kagome and Sango's mouths almost hit the floor. Inuyasha sneaked a peak at Sara. She was squeezing the edge of the table in anger.
Kagura and Sesshomaru walked down the aisle arm in arm. Kagura tried not to look at all the stares she was receiving. It was hard to decipher the ones she was getting from the women. She could easily tell what the men were thinking; they were looking at her like they'd never seen a woman before.
Perverts. You'd think they never noticed I existed, she thought. But then again, how often do I look this good? She smiled inwardly. She dared not to sneak a peak in Sara's way. She was afraid that if she did, she would be tempted to stick her tongue out childishly. The thought made her swallow a chortle. She blinked when they stopped at the table that Sesshomaru's parents were sitting at. Her eyes widened. That's Izayoi Odoriko! THE Izayoi Odoriko! She's his mother? I can't believe it! Kagura thought. She tried not to look surprised and relaxed her face. Izayoi sat forward and looked at her son. The rest of the guess began their whispering.
"So, this is the mysterious K?" Izayoi asked. "I love those shoes you are wearing, dear. Jimmy Choo?" Izayoi asked, looking at Kagura. Kagura smiled. She looked down at her 4.5-inch patent leather peep toe stilettos.
"Yes, Mrs. Taiyo. How did you know?" she asked. Izayoi laughed.
"With a heel that high, they could only be Jimmy, honey. You must be a dancer. To continuously walk on your toes like that isn't easy." Izayoi took a sip of her water. Kagura shrugged.
"You get used to it if you wear enough pairs. I have heels higher than this, actually," she said. Izayoi nodded.
Sesshomaru looked at his father. Inutaisho just sighed and shook his head. Women could go on and on about the strangest things. Shoes were one of them. Inutaisho knew his wife owned enough pairs. She had a room, not a closet, devoted to shoes. If one could tell the maker and model of a pair of heels like one could a car, something was wrong.
"Well, not that this has not been enthralling, but I did not bring you over here to discuss Jimmy Whatever's with my mother," Sesshomaru said gruffly. Kagura glared at him.
"Excuse me, your highness. Just because you're the birthday boy doesn't give you the right to be rude," she said. Sesshomaru bit his lip.
"We'll be taking our seats now," Sesshomaru said as he led Kagura away. Kagura smiled at Izayoi and Inutaisho.
Izayoi and Inutaisho widened their eyes and exchanged glances. They liked Kagura Onigumo already.
"She never said anything about coming with him!" Kagome whispered loudly.
"He didn't tell anyone, either. He didn't even tell Mom. Don't feel left out," Inuyasha said nonchalantly. Kagome glared at him.
"You're missing the point, Inuyasha. Kagura tells us everything. It just doesn't seem right that she would leave this out. She just said that she was invited and that was all. She is so going to get it later," she said. Sango nodded.
"She's so going down after this party. How dare she agree to be his arm candy and not tell us," she murmured. Then her face lightened up. "Well, at least we all got dates!" Kagome couldn't help but laugh.
Kagura's table was the next table over from Kagome and Sango. She winked as she passed them. Kagome and Sango just stuck their tongues out at her. Kagura chuckled a little as Sesshomaru pulled her chair out for her. She glanced around at the people at her table.
Terrific, she thought. Her table included Yura, Bankotsu, Jakotsu, Kikyo, someone Kagura did not recognize, and none other than the Queen of Mean herself, Sara. Sara was glaring so hard at Kagura, Kagura swore she could feel a burning in her chest. Kagura just stuck her nose in the air and turned her head as Sesshomaru sat next to her. Might as well live up to this little chic look I've got going, Kagura thought mischievously. Jakotsu was sitting to her left. He examined her bag.
"Much better, dear. I see you got rid of that abomination you called a purse," he said. He looked at her head. "And that dreadful little bun. You look marvelous. I must know who did this hairstyle." Kagura smiled at him.
"I did." She examined his intricate hairstyle. "What's going on with your hair, Jakotsu?" she asked. Jakotsu gave a little laugh. He leaned forward.
"Everything, darling. Everything," he mumbled. Kagura laughed. "I love this hat, too."
"Yes. It's not often that we see Kagura without those glasses on or her hair down. What color are your eyes, Kagura?" Yura asked. Kagura looked across the table at Yura. She was smiling happily at her. "Is that red? No, they're wine-colored. You look beautiful. Why didn't you tell us you were going to be Sesshomaru's guest?"
"I just didn't tell anyone I had a date. I had no idea Sesshomaru didn't tell," Kagura said. She looked at Sesshomaru. "Why the big secret?" she asked. Sesshomaru looked at her.
"Yes, Sesshomaru. WHY the secret?" Sara asked.
I hate it when girls do this, Sesshomaru thought.
"Why does it matter? We're here now and that's that. Enjoy the party and quit whining," Sesshomaru said. Sara frowned and stood up.
"I'm going to mingle. Kikyo," Sara said. Kikyo stood up, gave the table an once-over, and followed Sara off. Bankotsu sighed and watched them go.
"She needs to get laid big time," he said. Jakotsu scoffed.
"Which one?"
"Good point, my friend," Bankotsu remarked. He shared a laugh with Yura, Jakotsu, and the other guy Kagura still had yet to remember.
Sesshomaru picked up his flute and held it out to a passing waiter. The waiter filled it with champagne. Kagura watched him chug it down. He was done before the waiter took two steps away. He tugged the waiter's sleeve and the waiter gave him a refill. Kagura smiled. She crossed her legs and faced him.
"You're not nervous are you, Satan?" she asked. Sesshomaru looked at her out of the corner of his eye. She was staring at him with an impish eye. He took another sip of his drink.
"What is that ill-behaved little mind of yours thinking up, Kagura?" Sesshomaru asked blandly. Kagura shook her head.
"Oh, nothing. You just seem so tense. Why would you be tense at your own birthday party?" she asked. Sesshomaru shrugged.
"I'm not tense. Nor am I nervous. I don't get nervous. Not even before a performance. Stop questioning me, woman," he said. Kagura blinked. He had never before called her "woman." She turned her head and looked over towards his parents.
"You never told me your mother was Izayoi Odoriko," she said quietly. Sesshomaru looked at her.
"You didn't know who my mother was? Surely you knew my mother's name was Izayoi. You've seen her all the time at the workshops," Sesshomaru said. Kagura shook her head.
"I was always in the corps. I never danced any principal parts, so I never worked with your mother. I knew your father was married to a woman named Izayoi, but I never figured it was that Izayoi. Plus, you and Inuyasha look nothing like her." Kagura looked at Inuyasha. "Well, Inuyasha resembles her a little. But you're one hundred percent Daddy. Does he age?" Kagura asked, looking at Inutaisho.
"Believe me, he does. If his face doesn't, his brain sure does," Sesshomaru mumbled, taking another sip of his drink. That was when Rin ran up to him, carrying a black box. "Thank you, Rin."
"De nada, Sesshy. Hi, Kagura!" Rin said loudly. Kagura waved at Rin and the little girl ran off. Kagura looked around and saw Kagome and Sango were over on the other side of the grounds, talking with some other people.
"Kagura," Sesshomaru said. Kagura turned her head. As soon as she did so, she heard the shutter go off. After she did, she blinked, realizing that Sesshomaru had just taken a picture of her.
"Where did you get that massive thing?" she asked. "And why did you take a picture of me? I didn't even smile." Sesshomaru was not paying attention to her.
"Why do you insist on asking multiple questions at the same time?" he asked after a moment of fiddling with his camera. Kagura frowned.
"Because I want answers to all of them. Besides, you shouldn't answer a question with a question; it's rude," she said. Sesshomaru looked up and leaned forward.
"Oh really?" he asked. Kagura stared at him for a moment.
"Really," she whispered.
Sara watched them from across the grounds. She was downing champagne by the glassfuls. Every time a waiter would pass by, she would grab another flute. Kikyo watched her friend silently brood over Sesshomaru. She sighed and tapped her.
"Are you just going to stand there all day, Sara?" she asked. Sara glared at Kikyo. "He's still your boyfriend."
"So? It's just the fact that he took that... tramp instead of me," Sara moaned. "What's she got that I don't?" she asked. Kikyo sighed.
A brain, common sense, respect for herself and others, she thought. She faced the appetizer table, looking for something to eat.
"Let him have his fun for now. Boys will be boys. If he wants to have a little fun with Kagura, let him. You're still the one he'll come back to. He always does," Kikyo said, picking up a piece of cheese from the appetizer table. Sara downed the rest of her champagne.
"I guess you're right on that one, Kikyo." She eyed Kagura one last time. "He always does come back."
Kagome stood with a grape hanging out of her mouth. Sango was talking with some members of the HSO not too far from her. Kagome had just heard Sara and Kikyo's entire dialogue. She could not believe what she just heard. She immediately went and grabbed Sango.
"What is it, Kagome?" Sango whispered harshly. "I'm networking."
"Network later. This is important. I have something really important to tell you. It involves the birthday boy," she said. Sango raised her eyebrows. She turned towards her new friends.
"Excuse me, gentlemen. I'll be right back." She moved to the side with Kagome. "This had better be worth my time, Kagome."
"Trust me, San. You want to hear this."
