Last time in Gettin' the Party Started in the Feudal Era: (Sesshomaru's P.O.V.)-I sighed heavily, thinking, 'What have you done to me, Kagome?...'
(Kagome's P.O.V.)-'I love this era...' I thought, grinning hugely up at the sky.
Plans : In the Making Part One
-Normal P.O.V.-
As everyone headed to their suites for the night, numerous figures crept through the dark halls, making little noise. Of course, Sesshomaru sensed it long ago and followed them silently where they met in the gardens with Ah-Un and Kilala. Kagome checked over all the things they would need one last time, ordered them to all mount their designated rides and then they were off, flying through the air.
"This is amazing!" Kaleshi shouted over the noise of the rushing air. Instructing Kilala and Ah-Un to go slower once they broke through clouds, Kagome stared around, smiling. She'd never been this high before, let alone going this fast. Kagome looked back just before the castle disappeared and her heartbeat faltered. She could've sworn she just, however distant, locked eyes with a topaz-colored gaze. And the warning she received all in that one small look... She turned back around, not saying a word to the others, and pondered it for a while.
'I hope he's not put out with me... Would he try following us? No... That's silly! Besides, we're all capable of taking care of ourselves!' she thought, leaning back in the saddle. Arriving at the well, they dismounted; Kagome helped both Rin and Shippo off the two large demons and set them upon the ground. "Okay, Kilala, Ah-Un, we need you to stay here for...about two days at the most, if we're not back by then, go get InuYasha. He's the only one who can cross over into the Well besides me and, I think, maybe you all could, too. We'll find out, won't we?" Kagome murmured, looking down into the black pit. She placed her hand onto the Well's rim, closing her eyes, deep in concentration. 'Please, please, let them go through. I need you to do this. Oh, Kami. I'm talking to a Well...' she thought to herself, her eyes scrunching up in thought.
Everyone took a step back, a gasp escaping their mouths, as a blinding pink light shot up from the Well and ten feet into the air, lighting up the small field and surrounding trees. Kagome opened her eyes, smiling, and nodded to their questioning glances. It would let them through. They would finally be able to see her own time... One by one, they jumped into the hole, and the pink light absorbed them, transferring them to modern age Japan. Kagome scooped up Rin and Shippo into her arms, climbed up onto the rim, and jumped, closing her eyes as the light, too, absorbed the three of them. She opened them as the light faded, hearing the distant traffic, and yells of her grandfather directing Sota in cleaning, through the shrine's walls.
Her friends' faces peered down at her, smiling exultantly, and offered their hands. She handed over Rin and Shippo and then, Sango hauling her up, stretched, and looked around at the dark room. "Okay, let's go," she exclaimed excitedly, racing up the few steps and taking a hold of the handles on the doors. She hesitated, building up suspense, and yanked them open; a blast of chilly fall wind whooshed into the room, blowing their hair back. Tanashi and Kaleshi held Shipp and Rin tight to their bodies, looking around in awe at the multi-colored leaves on the trees, stepping out into the bright glowing sun. Warmth spread over their cheeks as the rays caressed their flawless skin gently and they all exchanged glances, smiling.
"Kagome!!!" a young boy's voice screeched out, and she was, then after, tackled to the ground with a scream of joy. "Hey, Sota," Kagome exclaimed, ruffling his hair and hugging his small upper torso, standing up. "Whoa. I thought the Well didn't let you bring anyone besides InuYasha here or back?" he inquired, releasing her, and staring at the towering figures in amazement. They all grinned back at him, their fangs shining brightly and he laughed delightedly. "Kagome, so you've returned. And you've brought guests, I see," a voice belonging none other than to her grandfather stated matter-of-factly as he strolled over, a scarf wrapped around his neck, covering his mouth slightly.
"Gramps!!" she screamed happily, running up to meet him in a bone-crushing hug. "Why the sudden show of affection?" he mumbled, confused. She laughed out, hugging him once more before pulling away, and leading him, dragging him by the hand, over to her friends. "Gramps, these are our guests for maybe two days. We need to do some shopping, so you won't see much of us, and then we'll be headed back to the Feudal Era!" Kagome informed him, gesturing vaguely to the women. "Oh, alright. That's fine, Kagome. Your mother shall be happy to see you," he replied, flustered ever so slightly at the fact that the Well had let them all through. "Alright! Let's get inside already. I'm freezing out here," Kaleshi complained, jumping up and down in a childish way, still hugging Rin for warmth. The others laughed, causing Kaleshi to glare at them and stick her tongue out at them, and Kagome led them all inside.
As usual, her mother was in the kitchen, just fixing lunch. "Kagome dear! Welcome back," she gushed out, hurriedly wiping her hands on her apron as she crossed the room to hug Kagome tightly. "I missed you, mom. I love you," she murmured, hugging her back before releasing her and stepping back. "Who are your friends?" her mother, grandfather, and Sota asked simultaneously causing the girls to laugh. Shippo was looking at the food on the table, counters, and stove with wide eyes. Rin also stared at the dreamlike feast-size meal with mouth agape, practically drooling. "Well, pay attention, then." And she proceeded in introducing Sango, Tanashi, Nyoko, Iku, Rin, Shippo, Kaleshi, and Yatsuko.
They all bowed gracefully and her family bowed back awkwardly, shocked to have royal guests from 5 centuries ago in their house. "Alrighty, then; it's an honor to have you ladies in our little home. Please, sit. We don't want the food to get cold now, do we? Plus you'll need it for your shopping trip later this afternoon, won't you?" her mother informed them matter-of-factly, walking down the hallway to gather more chairs. When they were all sitting, food on their plates, they all dug in, telling the Higurashi family all about themselves and complimenting her mother on her cooking with virtually every bite they took. An hour and a half passed till they were all finished, sitting there, stomachs full, and content.
Kagome was the first to stand, and she stretched, turning to her mother who had also stood up to wash the dishes. "Well, I think we're probably gonna walk there, considering they all want to see what Tokyo has evolved into," she announced, gesturing for them to rise and started down the hallway. She gracefully ran up the stairs, into her room, the others following slightly behind trying to look at the house, and shut the door behind them all. She looked around her room, searching... "Aha!!" she exclaimed victoriously, walking over and picking up a small, blue purse. Opening it, she pulled out a wad of savings she had collected over the years. Cleaning. Mowing the lawn. Babysitting. Errands. Birthdays. Christmas. You name it.
She quickly scanned it, placing it all back in the purse as she took inventory of it all and smiled, pleased with herself. She had a little over a thousand dollars. More than enough to buy decorations, food recipes (since the cooks could basically make the stuff for them), costumes, etc. She sat at her desk, the others sitting on the few chairs scattered around her room and on her bed. Rin sat there in awe, looking at her room. "It's so pretty, Kagome!" she shouted gleefully, waving her hands to emphasize. She looked away from the paper she was currently scribbling on and smiled at her. Afterwards, she got serious.
"Okay, what kind of decorations should we get from Party City?" (A/n: Have you guys ever been to one? They're so much fun. xD ...In my opinion. n.n;;) Sango stared at her for a moment before asking with a silly smile on her face, "Didn't we already make the list before we left the Central Castle? You put it in Shippo's pack, remember?" Kagome looked around sheepishly as Shippo hopped down from the bed and handed her the paper. "I suppose I forgot that after the trip here and then the dinner and everything..." she replied, looking over the list, then standing up. She strolled over to her closet and pulled out a pair of jeans and a hoodie. She turned back around to see them staring at her curiously. "Would you guys stand up, please?" she questioned, circling around each of them, slowly looking their outfits up and down.
"You may need to change. Well... No, nevermind. We'll just go to the clothing store first and get you some modern outfits that you could have," she mused, looking up to meet their gazes. "Well, I'm gonna go change; be right back," Kagome continued, walking out of her bedroom and down the hall, entering the bathroom, and closing and locking the door. She quickly changed and exited the bathroom, turning the light off, and walked back into her room, walking over to her closet and pulling on a beanie cap.
"Ready to go?" Kagome asked of them, grinning hugely. They all nodded vigorously, grinning back, and gathered their things. Kagome shoved the wad of cash into her jean pocket, pulled on her light green pumas and exited the room, racing down the stairs and towards the door. Her demon friends followed behind her easily and she shouted, as they exited through the backdoor into the sunlight, "See you, guys! We're gonna go shopping; we should be back before it gets dark or a little after!" With that said, she shut the backdoor behind her and followed her friends as they headed towards the giant steps leading to the Higurashi shrine. "Kami, Japan has changed so much since our time," Tanashi announced, looking around at the cars, buildings, airplanes, and all the banners advertising products.
A little over 45 minutes and they arrived in front of a huge, glass-windowed, pedestrians walking all around, mall. "Holy Kami," Nyoko breathed, looking at the large structure in awe. Kagome grinned a silly smile and added, "Let's go in, shall we?" Their mouths were still agape even as they walked through the huge sliding doors, to be met with a blast of warm air. A few passerby eyed the women's clothing peculiarly, shrugged, and continued walking. Kagome hurried over to the directory, scanning, and began running her finger over the list of names. Her finger stopped and she whispered triumphantly as she saw the word, "Hollister", in small black letters. Matching the number up with the diagram of the mall, she figured they had to go up two levels and then turn a few corners and they'd come across the famous store. "C'mon, guys. I know where we've gotta go first," she instructed them, adding on that they should keep with the group or risk being lost in the giant mall. They all nodded and stuck close together as Kagome led them over to a glass elevator. She pushed the little green up button and a white arrow lit up above the sliding doors as the glass ones opened to allow them in.
The ladies gasped, but with a little pep talk from Kagome, followed her inside uneasily, and she pushed the, '3', button. The machine lurched upwards, causing the women alarm, making them grab a hold of the railing and look around cautiously. Kagome giggled at their shocked expressions and quickly explained to them the purpose of the device. "Oohhh," they murmured, nodding their heads and straightening as the doors slid open. "The escalators are even more fun!" Kagome squealed, walking out the doors and setting off down the hallways, weaving in and out of the crowd. The demonesses paused in their trailing of Kagome to exchange puzzled glances, muttering things like, "What the Hell is an escalator?" They caught up quickly with the young girl as she entered a large store that had big bright letters that spelled out, "Hollister," above them. Iku looked around with one eyebrow arched as she took in the sight of the odd clothes that Kagome's time wore. They didn't even have beautiful designs on them like the famous sakura blossoms of the feudal era.
(Author's note: I think I'm going to skip over the shopping and just go straight to the part where they head back to the Higurashi household, then you guys will find out what all they bought at the party scene. Wee.)
"Mom, we're home!" Kagome yelled, setting many of the bags she carried down in the living room, the others following suit. "Oh, great. Did you have fun?" her mother asked, coming out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish rag, glancing at all the bags. The girls straightened, stretching their arms and legs, fingers slightly pink from carrying all the bags back. "Well, dinner's almost ready, so you girls can go on up to Kagome's room and I'll send Sota up when it's done, okay?" she instructed of them, walking back into the kitchen. "Sure, mom," Kagome replied, loud enough for her mother to hear, and she picked up the bags again, walked up the steps to her room, and dropped them all in front of her closet. She laughed out loud as the others followed her up, doing the same with the bags, and rubbing their fingers. They looked like a mini train, only with shopping bags instead of actual cargo or people. They looked up at her oddly, Shippo asking, "What's so funny, Kagome?" She smiled down at him, saying, "Nothing, Shippo. I was just thinking of something you guys reminded me of, that's all."
She walked over to her desk, sitting in the rolling chair, and waited as Tanashi, Kaleshi, Shippo, and Rin sat down on the other chairs, Nyoko, Iku, and Yatsuko sitting on the bed. "Okay, now let's get you into some modern clothes. Can you guys find the stuff I bought you?" Kagome asked, swerving the rolling chair to face them all, then just swerving it around in a circle a few times, boredly as the ladies held up the bags that contained their new clothes. After about two hours the girls were wearing their new outfits, new hairstyles, and new makeup. All in all, they looked pretty damn good for having just been introduced to the new products. Yatsuko was wearing a brown Hollister shirt with a pink flower near the bottom right corner, a pair of light, slim-fitting jeans, and a pair of gray Pumas. Nyoko was wearing a light green jacket, unzipped to reveal her heart and star dotted white t-shirt, a pair of jean capris, and a set of black flip flops. Iku was wearing a pair of yellow flip flops, a light orange flowing skirt that stopped just above her knees, a black tank top that had an orange star on it with the words Hollister underneath it on. Tanashi was wearing a white and black polka dotted spaghetti strap dress that came down to her shins and a pair of black with flowers flip flops. Kaleshi was wearing a pair of sweatpants that had a Japanese logo on it that stood for Love. The matching black spaghetti strap shirt with the same symbol only in gray with flames surrounding it, and a pair of white Reeboks with purple laces. Sango was wearing a pale yellow hoodie with pink flowers on the left sleeve, a pair of black, tight-fitting jeans, and a pair of DC, moonlight blue with white shoes, topping her outfit off. Kagome grinned, playfully teasing, "You guys clean up pretty good!" They all burst out into unstoppable giggles and nodded their heads in thanks.
(A/n: Now that you know what they look like...we're zooming to the future when they're just arriving back to the castle! Wo0t! Oh, and you'll find out what Shippo and Rin's clothes are laterrr.)
They all dismounted Ah-Un and Kilala silently, the moon shining brightly above their heads, lighting the clear patch of garden they were to use for their little plans. Kagome motioned for everyone to carry the bags of things up to her room, staying behind to lead the mount to the stables. A single torch guttered silently, lighting the stench-filled stables little. There was an eerie silence, as Kagome shut the small doors with a whisper of a click, petting Ah-Un one last time before turning, Kilala on her shoulder, to come face to chest with a detached-looking Sesshomaru. She gulped, looking up to meet his mysteriously blank golden gaze, twiddling her fingers and smiling nervously.
"H-hey, Sesshomaru... Uh... We just got back. We needed supplies. And... Oh, please don't blame any of them. It was all my fault. I convinced them into going with me. I just wanted to have my friends see what my world was like," she started calmly, ending in a rush, pleading his forgiveness. He bent slowly forward, looking into her eyes as she leaned her head back as to not touch noses with him, and he saw that she truly was sorry for her actions. He cleared his throat, standing back up again, trying not to get distracted by her beauty in her own clothes, not those skimpy school clothes she trounced around in. At the thought of all the lustful looks the men at this castle had given her, he refrained from growling, his eyes merely narrowing.
"Think nothing of it, then. You wished them to see what you've seen most of your life. I can tell it pleases them just as it does you that they got to see the sights," he replied, walking around her to stand beside Ah-Un, petting the necks gently. Kagome had never seen him use such tenderness before, especially with herself. Had something happened to change his mood? Or was he just containing his rage for later when Kilala wasn't resting upon her shoulder? 'It's not like he couldn't take Kilala anyway, but I suppose he doesn't want an angry Sango and defensive Miroku on his hands,' she thought, covering her mouth to hide the smile that had plastered upon her face. He glanced sharply back at her, quirking one of his perfect eyebrows at her. He stepped away from Ah-Un, walking silently to stand before her, looking down boredly into her eyes as he questioned her.
"What is so funny, n-...Kagome?" he ground out, refraining from using the word, 'ningen'. She looked away, eyes wide, knowing what he was about to say, and knew that something had happened to make him act this way to her again. To not use her actual name.
"Nothing," she whispered, the depression sounding in her little voice as she turned, quickly walking out of the stables, hurrying to the doors, and entering the dim food hall. She quickly hurried up to her own room, racing silently through the halls. She burst into her room, breathing heavily, slightly disappointed that she hadn't heard the sound of his rushing feet, that the women, however late it was, had gone to bed after putting the bags down, and that fact he'd gone back to calling her, 'ningen'. She sighed heavily, walking over to her closet, entering Sango's room to retrieve Shippo from her nonbiological sister, setting Kilala in her place beside head. She pat Kilala once, hurrying back into her room to tuck Shippo in, quietly kissing his forehead and wishing him a good night.
She swept quickly to her balcony, closing the glass-windowed doors behind her as quietly as she could with her emotions raging inside her. She stared up at the bright shining full moon, the stars twinkling, lighting up her brown in a mahogany color. Sighing, she bid her family good night, 500 years from the past, looking upon the same stars that they would surely be seeing in her own era. Suddenly, a shooting star swept across the sky, lighting up the garden area as it passed, as well as her pale face. She smiled brightly, quickly closing her eyes and wishing upon it. A few minutes after that, she opened her eyes, continuing to stare out at the sky. Her heart practically stopped as she felt a hand upon her shoulder, her eyes widening as the owner spun her around. She came face to face with a very concerned-looking Miroku.
"Miroku! You practically gave me a heart attack! Don't sneak up on me like that!" she whispered, smiling sheepishly up at him. He grinned down at her, taking a place beside her, leaning his arms on the railing.
"Who did you think I was? Sesshomaru? He hasn't been himself since you and the others left... It was strange. I mean, Leiko entered the dining hall with him the night after you left, and after that they became inseparable. After that... he's pushed everyone away. Especially Dai! Can you believe that? It's so weird. Like she placed a curse on him or something... So, did Sango like your era? I wish I could've gone..." he rambled on. But, it was in his ramblings that Kagome's brain sparked with an idea, the reason for Sesshomaru's sudden bitterness becoming clear. Now all she had to do was find Leiko, beat the shit out of her, take the curse off of Sesshomaru, and somehow reason with everyone that Leiko was the cause... Pft, that shouldn't be too hard. After all, what she did to me... Barely anyone in this place trusts her other than her brother... Probably not even him.
She nodded her head absently, her plans forming within her mind. She would convince everyone of Leiko's cursing of Sesshomaru tomorrow. At their party. But, she had no harsh feelings against the woman, after all, she just...merely got carried away. And gave her a gaping hole in her gut. But that was in the past. And Kagome was taught better than to hold a grudge, even if it killed her in the process. So, it was with this thought, that she planned to put humor into the unveiling, to, hopefully, cushion the blow. As she'd been caught up in her scheming, Miroku had been staring at her peculiarly, asking why she wasn't answering his questions. She turned to him, hugging him suddenly, smiling up at him brightly. Her wish had been granted. And, boy, had the Kamis gifted it quickly.
"Thank you, Miroku! You just gave me the perfect reasoning for my assumptions! Oh, and why don't you go check on Sango? Maybe she's awake again, or something. She'd probably feel better if she woke up with you watching over her. Not literally speaking, of course," she hastily told him, glancing through her glass doors to see a streak of yellow hair flow by. Leiko. What was she doing up here? Spying on her? Or was she on her way to Sesshomaru's room... Oh, well. She would easily find out, for she passed Miroku, as he turned to go to Sango, and she silently slipped out of her room. Sure enough, she saw Leiko's back just as she rounded a corner down the hallway. She followed silently, stopping thirty minutes later when Leiko entered Sesshomaru's room, closing, yet not locking, the door behind her. 'Does she know I'm following her... I doubt it. She's too worried about getting caught to notice somebody following her. Besides, I hid my aura, at least... I hope I did...' she thought, quickly opening the door just a millimeter to peer inside.
The room was dimly lit, only the glowing fire lighting the dark-colored room. She bit her lip to bite back the gasp that nearly escaped her mouth. The sight that had caused her astonishment in the first place was Sesshomaru, standing there, practically naked save for his hakama, his eyes glazed over. She'd not noticed how his eyes had done the same thing as he had stalked around her in the stables, but now, with the fire lighting his face, she could clearly see them. The sign of being controlled. His body was overtaken. And Leiko was merely strutting around him, eyeing him up and down, occasionally running her pale claws over his chest. His body reacted involuntarily and he shivered. She smiled devilishly, licking her lips as she stared at his taut muscles. Anger suddenly boiled up within Kagome, making her want to scratch Leiko's eyes out for looking at him in such... such a blunt way! What a little slut! 'Whoa...Did I just think that?' Kagome thought, unsure why she had lost her control of her fury. She was about to close the door as quickly as she'd opened it, seeing that if she exposed her tonight, nobody would believe her due to the late hour...when Kikyo walked out of Sesshomaru's closet, standing next to Leiko, smirking.
Kagome's jaw dropped. So she was behind this, as well. Why didn't that surprise her?
"So... Do you think InuYasha suspects anything?" Leiko asked, glancing at the woman beside her.
"Of course not. He's foolishly blinded by my so-called feelings for him. He wouldn't even glance at Sesshomaru if I were to tell him so," Kikyo muttered, waving her hand as if fending off a cumbersome fly.
"You're sure Kagome won't notice the curse Naraku has placed upon him? After all, they've been pretty close since this festival started..." Leiko started, trailing off, unsure.
"Kagome would never guess that Naraku was the one to place the curse. She'd automatically guess it was you. Which isn't true. And her miko powers wouldn't be able to determine, from your thoughts, that it was Naraku and myself, either. Her powers are... at a child's state. It's nothing to worry about."
"If you say so... But if I get injured one more time due to your foolish plans... I know you still have some feelings for InuYasha. I'll slice him to pieces if I find out you and Naraku are only helping me by using me as your pawn to throw away whenever the need arises," Leiko spat at the older woman. Kikyo merely examined her polished fingernails, much like the skanks at Kagome's modern age school did. If she were a cat, Kagome would've hissed at the two ladies spitefully. And after, probably would've clawed their eyes out. Slowly and painfully as possible.
Kagome slowly retreated, closing the door silently, down the hallway and back to her own room. She would inform the other ladies in the morning. For now, she would think, and scheme...
Author's note: I'm sorry it took me so long to get this out to you guys. I hope you had a good Halloween and Thanksgiving. I'll still include the Halloween themed party in here, but seeing as we're... I mean, I'm behind now. I felt that I had to get something out to you guys. You guys are probably pissed at me for waiting like... what, two months? I'm sorry. :(
