Chapter Seven

Kagome nervously looked from the crumpled paper to the rundown building, the crown of her head on fire in the midday heat. The paper was fragile in her fidgety hands, the words of their binding solid and flat, her name almost looked misplaced within the text.

"Apartment 844," Kagome muttered, this was indeed the building they were to meet. Yet she didn't cross the threshold of the rusted fence into the yard, doubt creeping in with the crumbled stairs and shoddy exterior. "For someone that keeps such expensive things. . . "

Kagome shook her head. Hard. His lean motorcycle dominated part of the yard, a sure sign that this was the place. With timid steps, she ascended the crumbled foundation, heart in her throat with each knock. Lub-dum lub-dum lub-dum.

Silently the door opened, Sesshomaru's figure taking up the entire doorway. His sharp amber eyes cut into her, long fingers easily detaching the crumbling contract from her sweaty hands.

"Be careful with everything."

"Yes, of course." Kagome straightened her shoulders, the door closing with a resounding clink. In her mind, it was akin to a dungeon cell slamming shut forever, yet. . . Inside the apartment was bright with natural light.

Her gaze wandered over the contours of polished wood structures, over the climbing plants that brought a refreshing feeling. Up and up she could see that most of the ceiling was windows, solar panels and roofing enclosing the rest. Her heart rate slowly declined to her baseline, the open concept of the small "apartment" simple and refined.

"The bathroom is to the left if you need it." Sesshomaru broke her silent gawking, embarrassment flaring over her features.

"Thank you." Kagome woodenly retreated to the bathroom, passing various art supplies arranged with pristine care.

She closed the bathroom dooring, leaning against it as a deboned fish might. 'I didn't even tell anyone I'd be here- but it doesn't look scary. At least not inside.' She reassured herself, splashing cold water on her face to rebalance herself.

Kagome smiled tightly at her reflection; 'I want to make Kikyo happy!', with that she left the little sanctuary the bathroom provided, pops of color instantly catching her attention.

The artwork was everywhere, lining the walls with color and vibrancy. Her gaze flitted from one to the next, her fingers trailing over the soft bristles of brushes until the glimpse of solid black lines on white canvas beckoned her attention.

Not thinking of the consequences she moved the canvas, brushes and art supplies blocking her attempt. Solid black lines were peaking out from behind a bigger painting, with a yank the smaller canvas was released from its hiding. Brushes clattered onto the wooden floor with soft thuds.

The black lines were measured and perfect, different dimensions of squares and rectangles only broken up by solid colors; red, yellow and blue. She quickly racked her brain- she did take an art history class awhile back- De Stijl?

With a yelp, Kagome's wrist was captured with assertive force, wrenched away from the art.

Sesshomaru's stared her down, lips flattened in displeasure.

"I was just curious," Kagome stated, wiggling her wrist in the vice-like grip. What did this daiyoukai think of grabbing her like that?! "There's no need to get offensive."

His grip tightened a moment, her wrist bones beginning to protest; quickly the pressure was gone. His predatory stare didn't quite meet her own, instead intent on the smaller bushes continued to be ignored by the duo.

"I can't be your art assistant if you hurt me," Kagome glared harder at him; holding her offended wrist close to her bosom.

"Hn. . ." Sesshomaru turned away from her, his silver braid almost smacking across her face with the force of his departure.

"Humph!" She huffed and purposefully turned back to the painting to spite him, fingers hovering over the acrylic; if she squinted hard enough she could see a scrawl. . . Inukimi?

"Sit over here." Sesshomaru's controlled voice broke through her concentration, the elegant flick of his wrist displaying the setting he was setting up: a small pillow to sit on, moonflowers and sunflowers breaking the foreground and background.

Kagome settled wearily into the red pillow, tense as he lightly changed the angles of her position. He was so close she could feel the subtle warmth emitting from him, his braid easily trailing over her yellow sundress.

"There," He whispered plucking her hair tie out with a gentle tug. "That will do." She looked down at the way her hands were positioned instead of looking at him, her muscles relaxing as he retreated across the coffee table.

The soft scratch of pencil broke the comforting silence as she settled into the simple pose. He just looks too much like Inuyasha! That had to be why. . . ugh! Frustration coursed through her, the image of that picture burned behind her eyelids. Stop! Don't think about it!

Forcefully she thought instead about Kikyo- how her sister was happy with Cheveyo, that she could have that happily ever after. . . walking down the aisle with a flowy veil and flowers. Her heart turned to mush thinking about how romantic it would be!

"Uh, Sesshomaru?" Kagome broke the silence. "What exactly is La Tora anyway? Is it a restaurant or something?"

Sesshomaru didn't pause, his face was softer in a distracted way. She could almost feel the way his eyes traced the general shape of her form, the pencil transferring effortlessly. "It's a small park, usually reserved for small events because of the roman gazebo."

"Oh. . . What should we do for the proposal?" Kagome fiddled with the hem of her sundress, her round nail going back and forth over the soft cotton.

"Isn't this your plan?" Sesshomaru didn't break his concentration.

"I didn't really think that far ahead. . ." Kagome admitted, heat creeping up her features like hot chili peppers.