Today is just not Kagome's day.
She at lost at how she ended up this way.
Kagome was in front of a mirror. Everyone was busy doing their tasks which mainly involves her.
Hair stylists bickering at what style they should do. Up, down, straight, or curls. Professional dressers showing one dress after another, from elegant gowns to cocktail dresses. The room seemed so small with the racks of clothing that were put inside the room. Make-up experts, oh those (just now) annoying mouths, nagging at the hair stylists and the professional dressers to 'hurry up' because they can't decide their 'colors'. They made others in the room so intimidated that they just went on their way quietly.
All this fuss was just for one party. The Taisho Corp.'s annual ball. How perfect.
Through all this chaos, Kagome was quiet. Honestly, she didn't know what to do. She really didn't want to go. Not now. Not now when the pain was still fresh. She can't imagine herself with Sesshoumaru going to that party. She would just remember the times that she was with Saisomaru. It would kill her.
But she would go, it was her duty.
"I told you! Pink complements her more!"
"No! It would like totally clash with this beautiful aqua gown. No way!"
"STOP! ALL OF YOU! STOP THIS NONESENSE!" Kagome bursted.
Silence ensued. No one dared to breathe. But, "Lady Kagome the party would be a few hour from now! And there still--"
"Haruko! Please! Give me a few minutes! Please!" Kagome didn't want to break down in front of them. Right now she has to brave.
That did it. One by one, the crowd dispersed. Silence reigned.
And with the closing of the door, she braced the edge of the vanity table.
She wanted to cry. But she wouldn't. Aside from it would only cause gossip among the servants, red eyes would not compliment a beautiful dress.
All the things she prevented herself from doing was not because she feared what Sesshoumaru would think or say. The hell with him!
She was also not afraid of her reputation. Kagome was worried about her family.
Everyone was there for her when Saisomaru died. Mama, Souta, Grandpa, Inutaisho-sama, and Izayoi. They helped her get through. Somehow, they become worrywart.
Always, always one of them would be with her. Although most of the times I hoped that I was alone, she understood their intentions. There was one time when Kagome overhead them talking. They fear that she would commit…suicide.
Well, she would be lying if that didn't cross her mind. It did. Many times.
But something stopped from actually doing it. It was his memories. Saisomaru's memories.
Somehow she knew that Saisomaru wouldn't be very much happy to know she'd do that. He'll kick her butt. Just the thought of that would always make her smile.
That is why weeks passed, she created a front of acceptance and calm. Ofcourse, at first, they didn't believe her. But she hardened her resolved and continued her charade. She didn't want their world to revolve around her.
Inuyasha and Kikiyo would visit her everyday, sometimes would even stay for the night. She wouldn't have mind but Kikiyo was pregnant and Inuyasha has work. Their baby needed them. Sango and Miroku was almost the same. But Kagome knew that the had hectic schedules. They were key officers in their respective companies. Many people depend on them for their living. Her conscience just couldn't allow it. Shippo, her beloved adopted son, was always by her side. She once noted that he was already neglecting his work. He told her it was fine. But, Shippo has a family now. They all depend on him. While Inutaisho-sama and Izayoi even postponed their vacation, their supposed to be their second honeymoon after Inutaisho-sama's retirement just to support her. But most of all, her mother. The woman who since her birth was always there for her. She did not leave her alone even for a few minutes.
It not that she wasn't grateful or she didn't want the attention. She craved it. But, it was not her nature.
She cannot be selfish. She had always been selfless.
That was why she struggled to become okay. To look like the usual Kagome. Cheerful and Happy.
It was hard but she managed. For their sake and for hers.
Now how did she managed to be in a party with Sesshoumaru?
Well…it was like this.
FLASHBACK
"Sesshoumaru, when is our company's annual ball?"
Inutaisho-sama and Izayoi dropped by for a visit. Apparently they had missed their very cute granddaughter Rin.
Most of the day, they had been with Rin. Talking, playing, anything that the trio could derive fun of.
They even played a prank on one of the maids. It was a friendly joke but enough to make the poor girl cry. Who wouldn't when it was Inutaisho-sama who was making the joke?
He had always been not good at that area.
Sesshoumaru was home that day.
And when time for afternoon tea came, Inutashio sama "forced" him to join us. I was surprised when he actually successfully did it. It would not hurt to learn one trick or two from Inutaisho-sama.
"This Saturday, father."
They were all gathered at a beautiful ivory garden set. It was a gift from Sango and Miroku. It was one of the few things that she decided bring along with her from her home.
The house was currently serving jasmine tea. It was currently Rin's favorite. One of the eccentricities of that child, tea. She would always drink a different flavors of tea for each week, sometimes two. It depends on her "attachment" to the flavor.
"That's two days from now. It's perfect! Kagome dear, this the perfect time for you to enter the society once again. It has been a long time since you were last seen by the media. Sesshoumaru, this is also the perfect opportunity to formally present Kagome to all of our friends and acquaintances as your wife." Inutaisho suggested.
Kagome almost dropped the tea pot she was holding while refilling Rin's cup. It was her fifth already.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. THE ANNUAL BALL? The one she would always go to with Saisomaru?
Her head was swirling. Was this really happening?
Izayoi added, "That's right. All those socialite women would always pester me with questions about kagome whenever I would be out in public. And I must, they're becoming persistent this past few days."
Inutaisho laughed, "Women just can't get enough of gossip."
The couple laughed.
Then, Rin was tugging at Kagome's sleeves. "Mama, then you'll be wearing the prettiest clothes in the world right? You'll be the prettiest of them all!"
Oh, Rin. Such a dear child.
Kagome smiled, "I suppose so Rin."
"Yay!" It was enough for Rin and she resumed munching on her cookies.
Kagome wanted to run. She wanted to scream. She wanted to hide. She didn't want to go.
It would just be another reminder of reality. Until now she was living in a state of balance. A balance where reality and dream co-exist. She knows what she now represents yet she was still clinging to the woman she was.
But now, that party, would solidify things. It would tip of the balance to a point where she would be totally submerged into reality. Once she becomes official, so much would be expected of her.
Up until now, she hasn't pondered on what those things were.
"What do you think Sesshoumaru?" Inutaisho asked.
Sesshoumaru took a sip from his teacup before answering, "I think that it would be better to ask Kagome."
All eyes turned to her. But all Kagome could focus on was Sesshoumaru's eyes. Those golden eyes were cold and cruel. But she couldn't look away. Those eyes conveyed a challenge.
Was he mocking her? Was this his way of coming back at her for what happened at his study? They hadn't spoken to each other since that day.
He knew. Damn. He knew I couldn't say no. Damn him.
It was Rin who finalized my answer. "You're going right, mama?"
I couldn't break her heart.
"Ofcourse."
END OF FLASHBACK
That Sesshoumaru. She would show him! She would be the perfect wife for the night!
Knock. Knock.
Then, the door opened a bit. Haruko's head popped in. "Lady Kagome is it safe to come in now?"
Kagome almost forgot. All her attendees were demons. During her outburst, her aura must have flared up.
Kagome sighed, "Fine."
***
"You agreed to come."
Kagome was dressed in a beautiful black dress accessorized with pearls. She requested that her be done as a bun with tendrils of hair left to frame her face as an effect.
Simple yet elegant.
In the end, it was Kagome's pick that prevailed. At first the professional dressers were outraged but soon calmed down when they saw that her dress complimented that of Sesshoumaru.
He was wearing a perfectly white tux. He had his hair swept in a low ponytail. It was the first time that she saw him like that. Everyone drooled at him. Except her, naturally.
At the lobby, Rin's eyes twinkled with delight, "Mama, Rin thinks you're pretty! Oh! I'm sorry mama! I mean I think you're pretty."
Kagome crouched down and gave Rin's cheeks a kiss. "Rin do not stay up late okay? And don't give your nanny any headaches okay? Do you promise?"
Kagome brought up her pinky finger. For awhile, Rin just stared and then she remembered. Kagome thought Rin of the pinky swear a few days ago. She loved the idea.
Rin's pinky joined her afterwards. "Rin promises. Have fun mama, papa."
"Hn.", was Sesshoumaru's reply "Let's go."
Sesshoumaru offered Kagome his arms. She hesitated at first but reluctantly accepted.
Kagome sat away from Sesshoumaru as far as possible. He obviously didn't mind.
Instead he seemed to bask at the idea of her discomfort. Although he didn't show any obvious evidence, she thinks she saw him smirk. But it was gone in a split of a second.
It was there, she was sure of it!
Silence had been Kagome's companion until he decided to become curious.
"Am I not supposed to agree?"
"If you have told them you didn't want to go, they wouldn't have persisted."
Kagome toyed with her pearls. A habit whenever she was nervous or distressed. This was one of those times.
"It was bound to happen sooner or later…… And Rin, she….she wouldn't have understood if I declined."
It was enough to make Sesshoumaru looked at her.
He was intrigued. Rin was never easy to be attached to someone. Not ever since…
Whenever they talk and interact it is as Kagome and Rin had been together all their lives. Ever since Kagome arrived, Sesshoumaru had noticed improvements in Rin.
Rin had been correcting herself of pertaining herself in the third person. Her tutor reported to him that Rin had been doing well in her studies. While remarking that, "Lady Kagome's guidance to the child was the reason."
Rin could also be seen mingling with the servants. Although he did not necessarily like this fact, he assessed that it would considerably increase Rin's social skills and decreases her shyness.
And most of all, she's much happier.
Sesshoumaru was never an affectionate father. He never learned to be.
But, Rin had never complained. Yet for a child, affection was much needed.
Kagome gave her that. He would give her that.
A few minutes later, they arrived in front of an impressive building. The Imperialist. A Roman inspired architecture.
Tonight its front doors were full of reporters, photographers and onlookers. A red carpet had been set up from the door to the edge of the street.
There were many other vehicles that are arriving at the venue. Beautiful men and women are pouring out. Business tycoons, celebrities, and the like.
It was a beautiful chaos.
And in the middle of this, Kagome didn't have the heart to come out.
Sesshoumaru sensed her distress but ignored it. He opened his door and came out.
There millions of flashes but he was already accustomed. It was part of his work.
He rounded the car and opened the door for Kagome.
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened. Instead of a composed woman, he saw a frightened child.
He has never seen her like this.
Sesshoumaru covered the doorway with his body that no cameras could see the inside of the vehicle.
"Sessh—I can't do this. I'm afraid."
Normally, Sesshoumaru would have just ordered her to compose herself. But somehow he was compelled to …tolerate her.
"Kagome, there is nothing to be afraid of."
"No! You don't understand! I fear that as I settled more on as your wife….that I would forget him! They would forget him!"
Saisomaru.
He could see that she was trying hard not to cry.
"Tonight when I go out there, they would see me as your wife. Not his. Not anymore." Kagome sniffed. "Why am I even explaining? You wouldn't understand."
"I don't." Sesshoumaru replied.
Kagome turned to him. Insensitive..
"But there is one thing that I know. The axe soon forgets, but the tree always remembers."
"Even if all of the whole world forgets him. You, I, and those who loved him will never forget. Like the tree, we would change as the season changes, but all the things that the tree has seen will forever be engraved."
"Kagome look at me."
At first, Kagome lowered her head instead. Shame? Guilt? She doesn't know.
It was Sesshoumaru who took her chin and moved her to face him. "Remember this: You are not forgetting. You are simply…. moving forward."
"Why are you doing this? Why are you helping me?"
Sesshoumaru didn't answer. Instead, he offered her his hand.
She couldn't expect an answer from him. So, she took his hand.
More than before, the flashes from the cameras were enough to blind. It did affect Kagome and she had to cover her eyes.
All through out Sesshoumaru guided her until they arrived at the safety of the lobby.
Before they full entered the hall she heard him say, "It was simply because you are my wife."
A typical Sesshoumaru answer.
Maybe, just maybe, there was more to this man than he lets on.
She smiled.
***
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