A.N. Sorry for the wait! I don't own Inuyasha.
Nerves wracked Ayame's already troubled mind as she dressed for Hatsu no Yoru, her hands shaking. I haven't been out in the community for so long... Her jade eyes zeroed in on her reflection, taking in the simple gray business attire.
"You can't wear that! You look way too uptight."
The ookami female whirled around, surprised by the miko's sudden appearance. "And what do you recommend I wear, oh, Mistress of fashion?" She smiled, her tone light and joking, though slightly displeased that Kagome herself did not appear dressed for the occasion.
Kagome smiled faintly, going to the closet and pulling out a silky jade colored dress, backless and with a halter-style top to it. "I think this would be appropriate-Sleek, modern and appealing. You'll look like a proper hostess, not a business-woman who rather detests having to host parties." Her eyes twinkled a bit with mirth as she approached her, taking the gray jacket off of her.
Color tinged Ayame's cheeks as she looked at the dress. It was beautiful, but it looked like it was too much for her-Not only was it backless, but on the right side there was a slit that went almost to her hip! "You don't think it's too risque? This is supposed to be a somewhat professional environment."
"But this is your grand re-entry into the community. You must look social and presentable, and charming-You need the support of the community with Sesshomaru trying to make a power-play. And he's not expecting you to be anything but stiff, formal, and hopelessly lost in the social world which you have been absent from for so long." As she spoke, the miko had begun to undress her mistress, much the way a servant of times past would, then helping her into her new attire.
Ayame felt almost dizzy as Kagome's hands moved over her body, so carefully. "Tread lightly, Love. My control is only so strong." Her voice was a sigh, but the warning in her eyes speaking the truth.
"You wouldn't harm me Ayame." Her voice was soft and sincere as she turned her around so she faced the mirror.
A gasp passed through her lips as she turned to see herself, her youkai features concealed with a simple spell and her hair falling loosely around her face. She looked human and fragile to her own eyes. "How... How do the others go about looking this way all the time?" She touched the mirror, her claws looking more like human fingernails.
"One gets used to it," Kagome chuckled, steering her to sit down as she brought the silky strands of red hair up into an elaborate bun, securing it with little gold pins that looked like tree branches. She then walked over to her jewelery box, pulling out wrist golden bands with a similar design.
Jade irises merely watched, feeling like a doll as she allowed the miko to put the finishing touches on her appearance. "Now, what are you going to wear?"
"I'm not going-The kids are prepped, and my roll is to take place tomorrow night." Kagome's tone was gentle, but firm. She had no desire whatsoever to go and act normal amongst other pretenders-Especially not those who wished to have her come with them to their side.
Pain rippled through Ayame's chest, her hand clutching for Kagome's. "Please come... Kagome, I don't know how to be truly social with these people anymore-Especially not as Takanaka Natsumi!"
Kagome sighed softly, her sapphire orbs peering down at the ookami. She still didn't trust all the affection, and had hoped awakening her to the community would make her think things through. She didn't want to be a part of this, but she knew she would have to. Her arms wound around her shoulders, letting the red-head rest against her chest as she sat on the sofa. "You are Takanaka Natsumi, widow to Takanaka Kazuma and sister in law to Takanaka Kenji and Takanaka Hiiro. Your children are Takanaka Yuriko-the oldest, your wild one,- Takanaka Kazuma-your dutiful son, named for his father,- and Takanaka Akiko-your baby girl, your sweet one.
"You've been in mourning for some time, but specifics are not important. Since, your brothers-in-law have handled Takanaka Industries for you. But now you are ready to take hold of life once more. You are a new woman, and you will reclaim all of the former glory with grace. This is not only for you, but for your beautiful children."
The green-eyed beauty turned to look at her miko, surprise and relief in her eyes. It seemed odd, knowing that that was supposedly her... Yet it felt easier now. "You will come with me? Teach me how to rise above it all, the way you do?" Her hand rested against Kagome's cheek.
"Yes... I will go. But you must learn for yourself," the miko told her, moving to go change.
Ayame suddenly turned, pinning her in place. Her posture was no longer of the dainty Lady in need of comfort, but one of a ravenous wolf, looking down at delectable prey. "You will stay at my side." And her lips claimed the miko's harshly.
Low groans escaped the woman's lips, her body consenting without her permission.
Little nips to her miko's lips were given as the ookami pulled away. She knew now wasn't the time. "Now I get to help you dress!"
Kagome sighed for what seemed the millionth time as she migrated through the crowded ballroom. Every youkai present seemed to be pressing her, some she knew, some she did not, all using modern identities. And all just had to ask her to dance, their eyes glued to her bare shoulders and neck like the predators she knew they were.
"You'll have to forgive them, Dear. Your presence has created quite a stir," a portly human male stated, his face kind and his graying brown hair thinning. "Pardon, but I caught your thoughts just now-They don't mean any harm, as I'm sure you know."
She couldn't help but kick up an eyebrow at him as she allowed herself to fall into step beside him. "And, who may I ask, are you?" Her eyes trailed over him in curiosity, his features and accent betraying his status as a foreigner.
"Ah, my apologies. I was carried away once I saw you-My name is James William." He smiled, remembering to put his last name first, as always.
"James-san... Or would you prefer "Mr." James?"
"Either way is fine-I've lived here twenty-eight years." His brown eyes were sincere as he appraised her, curiosity glowing from within him. "I actually came here as part of a study, years ago-My host was intrigued by my power and wished to acquaint himself with the mortal world."
"And who is your host, Mr. James? Surely he must be important to drag you away from home," the miko replied, curiosity in her sapphire orbs.
His delicately lined face was polite as ever, his eyes twinkling. "I believe you knew him as 'Hakudoshi', though in this time his name is Morimoto Reiji." He nodded in the direction of a fair haired young man who was speaking heatedly with a woman recognizable even through illusion as Kagura.
A look of shock passed over her features momentarily. "I was not expecting him to survive... With the others around, I mean."
William beamed brilliantly, not at all surprised with her reaction. "Ah, he is quite powerful-Tomorrow you will see for yourself of course. But then, you already know, do you not?" He looked at her in curiosity, the way a scientist might look at an unknown chemical.
Before she could reply, she caught the gaze of Ayame, not far away, chatting amicably with a rather large gentleman that Kagome couldn't see clearly. "My apologies, but I believe I must be going."
"Ah, Takanaka Kazuma, my star pupil," Kagura announced rather dramatically as she approached the ookami male. "How are you holding up?"
"Fine, Suzugawa-sama, fine." Kazeji's tone was distant as he watched his okaa-san and his sensei, with an odd mixture of anger and guilt.
Blood red irises peered in the direction of his gaze. "I see... Only fitting, I suppose."
"How is it fitting?" The ookami struggled to keep his voice low. "She leaves the House open to ridicule-The Lady of the House of the Mountains fraternizing with the nanny? It could cause a scandal within the community. We could lose our place."
"Don't you mean that you fear your otou-san's memory might fade?" A note of challenge entered the wind user's voice. "Kagome has better standing in this community than even Sesshomaru. Her connections run deeper, her admirers more plentiful. And with Sesshomaru playing his little game, her reputation can only boost your House's.
"Besides, Kagome doesn't want to replace Kouga-Hell, I doubt she even wants the position your okaa-san is giving her. But she will take it, in time. And she will honor old and new more splendidly than any other. Think on it Kazeji," she finished in a whisper, moving onto another guest.
Kazeji's jade eyes, so much like his okaa-san's, fell to the floor.
Well past two o'clock in the morning, the gathering ended in a flurry of youkai and skilled human movement.
Ayame gazed upon her miko, admiring her for what must have been the thousandth time in the last hour. "You must let me dress you more often."
Kagome flushed, shifting foot to foot. "I'd rather not... It's too much for me..."
The ookami Lady frowned at her choice of words, gazing at the smooth creamy skin of her shoulders and neck and the bare hint of cleavage. The dress clung at the bodice but flared nicely at her hips, trailing down to her ankles, the color of her eyes. "What is wrong with it? You look gorgeous."
"I don't... I don't like the attention." The miko shrugged, now almost the color of a tomato. She truly hadn't-Too many people looking at her.
Soft laughter echoed in the abandoned hall, strong arms wrapping around her miko's waist. "Such modesty... Seems strange coming from the little mortal who traipsed around sengoku jidai, wearing only her school uniform, revealing those beautiful legs to the world for over three years."
"I was stupid," Kagome stated, shaking her head at the memory.
Quick fangs bit into the flesh of the miko's shoulder, stern reprimand in the action. "Do not insult yourself, Kagome." Her tone was scolding.
Ignoring the nip, Kagome sighed. "It's just... Things were different then. I was different. I was young and far too naive... But at least you did well tonight!" Her tone changed rapidly as she smiled at the ookami, untangling herself from her embrace.
"Only because of you..." The ookami looked at her tenderly, wishing-not for the first time-that her miko would simply smile and accept her words instead of blushing and shrugging it off. "Sleep with me tonight."
A look of pure shock came over the miko's face. "W-what?"
Light chuckled fell from her lips. "In my arms. I want to feel you near me... I don't want you to be away from me for any length of time." Her tone was sincere as she stroked her cheek.
"Ayame..." Her sapphire eyes were filled with confusion. It can't be real... Ginta can't be right... But why does she keep looking at me that way? "Alright... Just for tonight."
Affection entered twin pools of jade at her response, a sound at the back of her throat letting the miko know what she thought of the last part. "Come." She picked her up, bringing her to her private wing of the house.
Akimi watched from her position on the top of the stairs, her electric blue eyes twinkling just a bit.
"So, does this mean we have two okaa-sans?" Etsuko yawned, leaning against her older sibling's leg.
Gentle arms wrapped around the little girl, scooping her up to bring her to bed. "No... Okaa-san is Okaa-san and Kagome is Kagome... The only change is how they look upon each other."
The little one nodded, her eyelids closing as she fell asleep.
