...OOO...
Wednesday, after school...
...OOO...
"Um, so..." Kagura began as she navigated her mother's white sedan down the busy highway. "Anything in particular you feel like doing?"
"I don't know," Kikyo shrugged in the passenger seat. "You're the one who asked me to accompany you."
Biting her lip, Kagura cringed a little. She knew this was a bad idea. Of course, she and Kikyo had only known each other for a week now, but it was pretty apparent that they shared little in common. How in the world was she supposed to gather information on someone she could not even read? Naraku was stupid to assume that Kagura had any special talents in befriending and disarming people, being herself prone toward suspicion of everyone else. She was, by nature, free spirited and self-reliant. She didn't form attachments to people, didn't really want to. In her eyes they did nothing but tie you down, obligate you to things you didn't really want to be obligated to, and Kagura liked her freedom- the freedom to do anything, come and go at anytime without worry that somehow her actions would affect someone close to her. That was why she kept to herself.
In truth she couldn't even really say why she had ever started talking to Kikyo in the first place. It wasn't as if there was really much need to… but she supposed it was because right away she identified something in her that was comfortingly familiar- that Kikyo wasn't one to get attached either, so that whatever friendship might develop between them was safe. There was an understanding amongst people like them, something that never needed to be said or talked about: that neither ever look to the other for anything, and that if one or the other should decide to sever whatever bonds they held tomorrow, the other would not obligate them to an explanation or to stay. Really, more than anything, they had seen the convenience in one another's company.
Well, it would have been convenient had Naraku not entered the picture.
At that moment, Kagura's stomach gave a small growl.
"I'm hungry," she declared finally. "Let's get something to eat."
"Alright," Kikyo agreed.
"So... what do you like to eat?"
...ooo...
The atmosphere of the room was minimalist, the few furnishings set in the contemporary style of the house itself, but still it conveyed a sophisticated richness- rare in modern family homes which tend to lean more to warmth and comfort rather than cold, muted elegance. A white leather sofa with clean simple lines dominated the center of the space, accented with four square pillows- two big, two small- propped up on either end. In front of it was a large rectangular coffee table with a glass surface outlined in dark, heavy wood to echo the black marble of the fireplace across from it. To the right of the sofa, two matching chairs flanked a lacquered end table. Behind them was a wall of tall glass windows, the vertical blinds drawn loosely shut, and to the back of the sofa, a tall black shelf unit lined with books, CDs, an expensive audio system, and a few abstract sculptures took up the entirety of the adjacent side.
The soft melodious notes of a jazz saxophone played soothingly from the sleek chrome stereo, enveloping the room with its music.
Naraku was stretched out on the couch, his head resting comfortably on one of the black pillows. His eyes were closed, but he was not asleep, simply bored. Life had been like that lately- tiring in its dull monotony. There was never anything for him to pour his attention on. Nothing seemed to entertain him anymore. He had decided he needed a new distraction and he had settled on one.
A small smile tugged on one corner of his mouth when he thought of her.
Kikyo...
He wasn't sure why he was so drawn to her, but there was something about her he just could not quite figure out. An enigma. She was not cute or pretty or blatantly sexy, but there was something about her that was very alluring- the way her smiles never conveyed happiness, her eyes seeing past the transparency of youth, the grace with which every fiber of her being moved. No, she was beautiful- the sort of rare beauty that often went unappreciated for lack of understanding. But he saw it, and he craved it. The pursuit, he thought, would be a nice diversion and the price at the end, he was sure, would not be empty either.
...ooo...
It was almost seven thirty by the time Kagura pulled up on the side of the road right in front of a fenced two story slate-gray contemporary styled house set on a terraced front yard. She had already dropped Kikyo off and now a plastic bag containing four boxes of Chinese cuisine occupied the passenger seat. Hopping out of the car, she grabbed this and made her way to the house. The chest high gate was unlocked as usual and as she entered she saw Naraku's lone black car in the driveway, verifying the fact that he was home alone again. His parents were never home and in the six months since she had known him, Kagura could not recall ever seeing them. If it weren't for the odd photograph she saw on the walls of the house every now and then, she would have doubted they existed at all, though Naraku himself seemed to act like they didn't. He certainly didn't seem to have any restraining force in his life, anyway.
Jogging up the short ascending steps, Kagura reached the door and rang the bell.
"It's open," she heard him reply from within.
Bastard. Can't even greet his guests properly, she thought grimly and entertained the idea of turning around and leaving. Nevertheless she turned the doorknob and walked in, removing the vest she wore over her violet turtleneck and depositing that, her purse, and her keys on to the stand beside the door.
"Here," she stated, placing the bag of food down on the coffee table. "Peking duck, low mien, fried rice, and a couple of egg rolls- like you wanted."
One by one Naraku took out the cartons and the complimentary chopsticks then peered into the empty bag, frowning.
"Where's the sauce?" he asked.
"Oh, right." Digging into the pockets of her slim fitting jeans, Kagura pulled out several packets of soy sauce and duck sauce and tossed them over, and he caught them with easy agility, tearing one open to drizzle over the noodles as she walked past him to one of the chairs to sit down. On the table beside it was a packet of cigarettes and a lighter, and she helped herself to one.
Naraku tilted his head back to drop a sting of low mien into his open mouth, and Kagura sat back and let out a long white stream of smoke through hers.
"If you must do that," he told her, "at least open a window."
She grunted sarcastically.
"And since when did the smell of cigarettes bother you so much?" she asked but obediently rose, drawing the blinds to one side to slide open one of the French windows.
"Since yesterday," he told her factually. "And for heaven's sake don't get ash all over the carpet. Honestly, Kagura, can't you show a little refinement?"
Kagura just gave him another sarcastic grunt. In compliance, however, she did go to stand by the opening, leaning her shoulder on the frame. Early evening had already settled upon them and from where she was, Kagura could see the yellow lights pouring out from other people's homes silhouetting the figures of families sitting down to dinner, or if the light happened to be a pulsating blue glow, to the television set, and she wondered if they were really as normal as they seemed. Then again, her own family never did such things…
"So?" Naraku prodded, interrupting her thoughts. "How did everything go?"
"Oh." Snapping out of her brief reverie, Kagura returned her attention to him, "Right, well, I guess it went well. Nothing drastic happened."
"But you did find out what I wanted to know, didn't you?"
"Yeah, yeah," she replied, walking back to the chair to put out her cigarette on the ashtray. Pulling out a folded piece of paper from her back pocket, she settled down on the chair and handed it to him, rolling her eyes at the look of horrified disbelief on his face as she reassured, "Don't worry. I didn't write them down in front of her- for crying out loud, I can be discrete when I want to be."
At that he smirked a little, "That's what you thought last time too, but well, we see how that turned out." Kagura tensed and gave him an angry scowl, but she didn't answer. How could she? He was right after all…
Naraku took the list and studied it. To the left was a list written in his own handwriting and to the right were the responses.
"I didn't have a pen," she explained when he raised an eyebrow questioningly.
With a small shake of his head, Naraku once again focused on the paper he held and the answers scrolled in red lipstick.
Flowers: white lilies, Food: Italian, Provencal, Music: Classical, Bach, Interests: ...
Naraku frowned, "You didn't write anything."
"Well," she retorted, "how was I supposed to find that out? It wasn't like I was trying to look like I was interrogating her. What did you need all this for anyway?" she asked, lighting up another cigarette. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say it sounds like you're trying to impress her for a first date..."
Naraku grinned slightly, "That, love, is precisely what I am doing."
"WHAT?" Kagura sat up, stunned. She barely stopped the cigarette from dropping completely out of her mouth. "Are you serious? Since when did you become interested in girls?"
Shrugging, Naraku answered, "Maybe since I noticed her." Although, he was well aware that was only a half-truth at best.
"Why her?" Kagura challenged.
"Because, my dear Kagura," he replied with deliberate coolness, "she is not like you. She is smart and beautiful, but understated, not overly temperamental, and she has good taste. And right now I have taken a fancy that I would like a girlfriend, and I have decided she should be the one to fill that role."
At first, Kagura had been offended by the comparison- as if Naraku would know good taste if it hit him- but as he declared his intentions to her, she couldn't help but laugh uproariously, pounding the arm of the chair until she felt her lungs would burst from lack of air.
"And what," Naraku asked irritably, "do you find so funny?"
"As if," she gasped, still trying to catch her breath, "As if someone as 'smart and beautiful' and with such 'good taste' as her would ever have an interest dating a sadistic bastard like you."
"Heh," he sneered back. "I disagree. In fact, I think I rather made quite a favorable impression on our dear Kikyo."
"That may be," she replied, finally gaining her calm, "but I still don't think you have a chance."
"And why not?" he demanded.
"Because, I think there's someone else she already likes."
Naraku snorted, "Oh really? And who would that be?"
Kagura shrugged, "I don't know who, but I asked if she was going to Homecoming, and she said no, but the way she said it told me she wanted to, and more importantly, wanted to with a certain someone."
"Oh really?" he scorned. What did Kagura know about it anyway?
Ignoring his sarcasm, however, she continued airily, "Yep. Some guy's definitely caught her attention alright- someone she happens to know, too. Who knows, maybe it's Sesshomaru." Actually, Kagura had no idea how either one felt toward the other, but it was fun to goad Naraku so she went on, "I think they have several classes together. And didn't you see them talking in the pool this morning? And it's not like anyone can blame her for wanting to be asked out by him."
Naraku, to Kagura's surprise however, just laughed at the insinuation.
"You seriously can't be trying to make me jealous by bringing him into this, do you?" he scoffed. "Even Mr. InuTaisho would find that allegation preposterous, and anyway, as I've said, Kikyo is a woman of good taste. She would never bother wasting her time on someone who is physically incapable of feeling affection, let alone showing it." He laughed again at the idea of Sesshomaru being romantically involved with anyone, "In fact, it would have been more believable if you'd used that pathetic younger brother of his, and even that's an impossibility."
With a glare in his direction, Kagura crossed her arms at her failed attempt to rile him. Dammit, he was always so full of himself…
"Well," she replied stubbornly, "even so, you can't be serious. She doesn't even know your name."
"But she will," he assured.
"So what do you think you're gonna do? Just waltz up to her, introduce yourself, then ask her out?" Not even in her imagination could Kagura up the image of Naraku doing something so normal in so simple and practical of a way.
He scoffed the idea, "Of course not. I have more... impressive means of making myself known."
Of course. She was right.
...ooo...
The next couple of days went by without much incident for Kikyo as routine took over. Often times she greeted Sesshomaru with a small smile when she saw him, but they still did not talk to one another much, though they had become more or less comfortable around one another. Outside of class, they had no more run-ins. Thursday when she went to the library during lunch, he wasn't there, and it was the same with today. She wasn't disappointed though- she liked having the whole building to herself, and quickly forgetting his absence, she returned to her reading until the bell rang. Closing her book, she sighed and gathered her things to go to Spanish.
As she was making her way down the hall, she noticed several students glance at her as she walked and giving her friendly little waves.
"Hey, congratulations!" one girl whom Kikyo recognized from one of her classes called. "I'm rooting for you."Kikyo was completely confused until she walked up to her class and Kagome suddenly popped in front her, startling her.
"HA!" she declared triumphantly, holding up a piece of paper in front of Kikyo's face. "Now you have to come."
"What?"she asked, bewildered. "What is that? Come to what?"
"The dance," Kagome explained with a step back. "You, my dear cousin, have been nominated by our sophomore class for Homecoming Queen, which means you are on the Homecoming Court, which means you have to come and keep yours truly company. See?"
Taking the paper from Kagome, Kikyo read it and sure enough, there was her name and Kagome's along with several others from each class.
"What?" she repeated. "How did this happen?"
Everyone turned to Kagome.
"Hey, don't look at me," she defended. "Ok, sure. So I did suggest you, but it was everyone else that voted you for Court."
"Well, no matter," Miroku dismissed. "I'm sure you have all of our support, but there is the bell and I have to get going."
"Uh, thank you..." Kikyo replied as he gave her a small grin before walking off.
"We should get going too," Kagome added. "They're having spring rolls today and I want mine piping hot. Come on, Inuyasha."
She grabbed his hand and tugged him away, and with a quick glance back he said, "Uh, yeah. Congratulations. See ya later."
When they were gone, Kikyo and Sango walked into class.
"I don't understand this," she confessed to Sango. "I didn't even realize there was a vote."
"Really?" Sango responded. "It was in the cafeteria yesterday and they announced the results during the end of the last lunch period. How did you miss it?"
"I don't know. I was in the library."
Realization dawned on Sango, "Oh, that explains it. The PA system doesn't extend to the library. So, now that you're part of the Court, are you going to go?"
"I don't know... Is a date required?"
"Well, a date isn't, but you do get paired up with one of the nominees for king so you have an escort during the ceremony."
"So... is Kagome going with anyone, yet?" she asked almost reluctantly.
"I think Kouga has asked her."
"Oh." Making a quick segue, she asked, "And you? You're going as well, are you not?"
"Yes. With Miroku- NOT," Sango clarified emphatically, "as a date, just as friends. Inuyasha might come too, if we can convince him. Anyway, Kagome was just joking- you really don't have to attend if you don't want to, but if you do decide to, you're welcome to join us too."
"Oh, well... thank you," Kikyo told her before being cut off by the frantic bell to start class.
When it was over, she was putting away her notebook when the sheet of paper Kagome had handed her fluttered out. Picking it up, she studied it a little closer as she made her way to Hall B for literature. She hadn't had time to earlier, but now she read the other nominees, separated by class.
For king: Senior- Kazuma Kirishima, Naraku Takada. Junior- Bankotsu Ashitaka, Sesshomaru InuTaisho.
She stopped at the name. Sesshomaru? Well, Kagura had said he was popular, but she couldn't picture him partaking in something so banal as a Homecoming dance, and for a moment she wondered if he would attend. Then again, it really wasn't any of her business, so she went back to the list.
Sophomore- Kouga Akizuki, Eiji Ishihara. Freshmen- Sei Miyasaki, Shizuki Nakajo.
So Kagome's date was nominated too...
Queen: Senior- Izumi Ashiya, Mamimi Mito. Junior- Sara Namura, Kagura Orihara.
This time Kikyo froze. Kagura? Now that was really a surprise. She walked in to class and saw her already in her seat, slunk down low with a bored expression on her face and her legs sticking way out in front.
"Good afternoon," Kikyo greeted her. "I see you've been nominated for Homecoming Queen." She handed her the paper and Kagura glanced down at it, her expression unchanging.
"Someone's idea of a practical joke," she told her dryly, waving it off. She was well aware too, of who was most likely behind such a nauseating prank.
"Oh... so I take it you won't be attending?"
"Hell no. I have better ways to waste my time than hanging around in an overcrowded gym filled with sweaty people sucking each others faces and making general idiots out of themselves." Not to mention it would give her a chance to get away from Naraku if he was going...
"Oh."
"What about you?" Kagura questioned. "I see you're on that list too."
"Well," Kikyo answered, "I said I don't really wish to, but it would be rude now not to go."
Kagura snorted in disdain, "You worry too much about what other people think. Anyway, I just hope you're not getting your hopes up on winning that thing."
With a little laugh, Kikyo replied, "No need to worry. I'm amazed enough as it is that I'm even being considered."
"Well, I don't know why anyone bothered this year. Everyone knows that girl Sara is going to win."
"Who?"
"Sara Namura. She's our junior class vice president."
"Oh?" Kikyo had no idea who she was talking about but asked, "Who's the president then?"
"Who else?" Kagura sat up in her seat and with a quick nod indicated Sesshomaru sitting several seats away.
"Oh."
"Anyway, are you going with anyone?"
However, Kikyo answered, "No... but perhaps I might go with some... friends." How odd to say that word.
"Oh," she replied, a little disappointed. "Well, you should definitely try and get a date if you're gonna go. Uh... I mean, it doesn't sound too nice if someone on the royal court doesn't have a date, does it? Besides, it's a dance, so you'll need someone to dance with, right?"
She wasn't all too sure what he was planning, but Kagura found it a little suspicious that Naraku had been nominated along with Kikyo. If it was anyone else but him, she wouldn't have cared but since he liked making her life a living hell, then she thought the least she could do was strike back when she could which in this case meant making sure he never got together with Kikyo.
"If you want," she offered, "I can set you up with someone."
"Um, that's... quite alright," Kikyo answered. "I'm not very interested in such things anyway."
The news made Kagura brighten.
"Oh really?" she laughed a little from a mixture of relief and triumph. "That's good. Yeah, guys are nothing but trouble anyway."
Kikyo gave her a small smile, "Yes... trouble." She went to her own seat, and for a second she thought to ask Sesshomaru if he was going to go to the dance too, but somehow it didn't really seem appropriate so she dropped it, and wondered instead about what Kagura had just said.
Should she find a date to go with? Despite what Kagome had said, no one had yet to ask her, and anyway, she didn't really want to spend an evening in the company of someone she didn't even know, let alone held feelings for. There wasn't really anyone in her mind she wanted to go with except maybe Inuyasha...
She didn't know why she liked him. Of course, he was very nice to her, but there was something else... something she could not quite put into words. There was something about him that felt... not nice or comforting, but something that she could relate with. Something she understood, and something that understood her. Something familiar to her.
With a shake of her head, however, she dismissed the idea. Even if she did like him, and even if he happened to like her, it wasn't a good idea to get too close. That never led to anything good for her.
...OOO...
