Taste Of Love
Kagome ran away from her demanding family and found herself right in the arms of Takahashi Inuyasha. Caught up in his world, it's getting hard for her to leave, for she has had her first taste of love.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Rights are reserved fully to Rumiko Takahashi. This plot too isn't as original, so to those who have attempted before I have, they have full rights to this plot too. Anything else that is mentioned that isn't a figment of my imagination, I also disclaim.
Age Brackets: Kagome – 20, Sango – 22, Miroku – 25, Inuyasha – 26
-x-
Alluring Beauty
Sitting inside of the limousine, an awkward silence blanket the group of friends as they sat beside their significant other. Kagome sat stiffly beside Inuyasha who had his arms crossed. Beside Inuyasha were Miroku and Sango and to Kagome's right were Ayame and Kouga.
"So…" Sango slowly said as everybody glanced at her. After Inuyasha had called Kagome beautiful, she had gotten rather awkward around him. Miroku sighed as he pounded on the divider, him being closer to it, causing the driver to roll it down.
"Yes?"
"Turn on the radio."
The driver heeded Miroku's request and the radio blared to life, hopefully easing the thick tense air between the group of friends. Nobody figured out why it was so tense, but it was a moment thing where everything can and is awkward.
"This is Gina Mai reporting live from Japan. We have just gotten the news that internationally known model, Miko, has disappeared a few days ago. Whereabouts, obviously, are unknown, but her family is turning all of Japan upside down trying to find her. I have with me joining today is Miko's father and brother, Akira and Souta."
Kagome's eyes shot directly to Ayame and Sango who both seemed like they were listening intently to the conversation that was unfolding on the radio. Inuyasha made the move to signal the driver to change the station but Kagome kicked his shin, making him shut up and glare at her.
"Souta," the interviewer said and Kagome's eyes widened, hearing her brother start to speak.
"My sister ran away for reasons," Souta started, "and I respect her for that. Wherever she is, whatever she's doing, I know that she's doing fine."
"How can you be so sure?" Gina asked Souta.
"I grew up with her didn't I? I think I would know if my sister is fine or not!"
Gina obviously seemed taken back as the interview spanned out to Akira Higurashi, Kagome's father.
That's Souta for you! Sango shrugged as she mouthed to Kagome who grinned at her. They heard Akira's voice crackle to life on the station and Kagome's attention diverted back to the radio.
"Please!" Akira said into the mic, "My daughter is missing and we are all very worried. Her fiancé," Kagome's eyes widened, "is distraught and we want her back! We've turned Japan upside down, traced her credit cards and we got nothing…"
"Turn it off." Kagome directed and the driver glanced at Inuyasha, who nodded. Miroku whistled low.
"Oh shit, Akira is turning all of Asia around looking for his baby girl."
Ayame snorted. "Oh please, if he treated that girl somewhat decently, perhaps she would've remained."
Inuyasha raised a brow. "You know them?"
"Do I?" Ayame laughed. "Darling Inuyasha, I went to school with his daughter, of course I know her."
Kagome felt like physically harming Ayame but restrained herself as she saw the glance Kouga gave her. Turning her attention back to the conversation at hand, Kagome managed to catch the last of what Inuyasha had to say…
"…hoping that I could get Miko to model for our new Fall fashion line."
Everybody's gaze snapped towards Inuyasha and Kagome felt like bursting out laughing at the irony at hand. Here, the Takahashi Inuyasha wanted Miko to model for him and there she was, sitting right beside him, his date for a party. Irony sometimes really was a humourous thing.
"Why not just get that porn star?" Kagome raised a brow and Inuyasha shot her a dangerous look.
"I strictly keep my relationship life and work life two very separate things."
"Deep," Miroku rolled his eyes and Inuyasha crossed his arms, annoyance filling him to the brim. He glanced at Kagome who had engorged into a very interesting conversation about the latest bikini fashion with Sango with Miroku laughing nervously at the side. He wasn't lying when he said that Kagome was beautiful.
Hell, it was the first time he used that line and actually meant it. Normally when Inuyasha called somebody beautiful he was either a) wanting something out of his situation or b) his girlfriend was nagging him. Apart from that, the only other time he meant it when he complimented somebody was with the children; Ai, Hikari, Kyo, Ichiro and Kasumi.
Inuyasha was waiting to dance with Kagome when they got to the party. He was waiting to feel her press her body up against his; feel her curves; her glide; her body belonging to him and nobody else—Inuyasha's eyes widened, realizing what he was thinking and shook his head. Sure she was fully developed, if not somewhat childish, but a woman nonetheless, and sure she was a tad bit—scratch that, she was very annoying…but she was still a marvelously gorgeous woman with a body made to make love to…
Realizing his thoughts, Inuyasha instantly cleared his mind. He didn't want to process mental images of a naked Kagome and get a hard-on in a limo with his friends and Kagome, not to mention, right before a party. He felt a shove in his rib and glanced down to find the woman that occupied his mind nudging him.
"What?" He raised a brow.
"In case you didn't notice, the limo has come to a stop."
Inuyasha raised his brow as he saw that Miroku, Sango, Kouga and Ayame weren't in the car. "The fuck? We can't be there already!"
"We aren't smart one," Kagome rolled her eyes, "the driver needed to pump some gas so the others decided to stretch their legs while the limo is being refueled."
"And you're still in here because?" Inuyasha raised an eyebrow down at her as he witness her petit body shift slightly so that she was sitting a few inches away from him. Her dress rode up, revealing a long creamy leg and Inuyasha couldn't help but keep the hunger out of his eyes.
"Couldn't leave the host alone, now can I?" Kagome teased lightly before glancing outside the window. She saw the four returning with scones in their hand and the driver walking back to the limo as well.
"Oh looks like they brought some food! Awesome!"
Inuyasha crossed his arms. "What an Ai line."
Kagome glared at him hotly. "Remember, I am her godmother."
"Doesn't mean you have to act like her."
"To be with children," Kagome recited as Miroku pulled the door open, "one must be a child."
Inuyasha was pointedly amused. "Is that so?"
"I would know, Hikari and Ai have been my babies for forever!"
"I will not ask, nor do I want to know what you two are talking about." Sango said, irritably as the limo started rolling again. "Vanilla for Kagome, chocolate for Inuyasha, Endorse yourself and stop talking about Hikari and Ai!"
Shifted so that her back was turned to Inuyasha, Kagome resumed a witty conversation with Ayame about Kouga versus Miroku in the battle of fatherhood. Disliking how her back was turned to him, Inuyasha decided to make sure that he saw a lot of her face at the ball…
-x-
"I do not turn to Sango every time Ai whines!" Miroku defended as they arrived at Ken Asakura's mansion. It seemed just a tad bit smaller than Inuyasha's summerhouse and Kagome was rather amused. The idea that Inuyasha's real house being twenty times bigger than his summerhouse was a rather speculating idea, mainly because the fact that he was the richest Japanese man to ever grace upon the land.
"Yes you do!" Ayame grinned. "I so remember when you held Ai's first birthday party and Ai started crying that she wanted cheese. You turned to Sango."
"I worked 18 hours back then! I didn't know what the girl ate or not." Miroku defended.
"How about when Ai wanted a swimming suit while you took her with you to buy a new phone?" Kouga raised a brow. "You called Sango via payphone to ask her if Ai can have it or not."
"My 3 year old daughter was not going to have a two piece bikini!" Miroku crossed his arms, causing Inuyasha to snort.
"Right, and other people's three year olds can so you can ogle shamelessly at them?"
Miroku scrunched his nose. "Inuyasha? That's fucking nasty. First, I'm married; I do not ogle other women, especially those who are Kasumi's age. Secondly, I haven't glanced at another woman since I married Sango!"
"What about Maria?" Inuyasha mused rather amusedly as he saw Miroku visibly pale as Sango shot him a deadly glare.
"Maria?" She hissed. "Maria who?"
"Maria Anastasia." Inuyasha recited, "A half Japanese half Russian worker at the company; my secretary in-training. Miroku dropped by a few weeks back and talked to Maria like she was an old friend."
"She was new! I had to make her feel welcome."
"YOU'RE A DOCTOR! WHY THE HELL DO YOU NEED TO MAKE A BUSINESSMAN'S SECRETARY FEEL WELCOME?"
Miroku visibly gulped as Kagome and Ayame snickered shamelessly. Sango decided to calm down and force ultimate pain upon Miroku after the party finished. As of now, act civil. The men held their hands out in escort format and the girls linked their right hands around the men's left hand. Inuyasha frowned at the odd distance between him and Kagome as they waited for the door to open.
"In order for this to look remotely real," He purred into her ear, causing her eyes to widen, "you have to be closer to me, Kagome."
Shooting a half-glare in his direction, Kagome inched closer to him. Irritated, Inuyasha let go of her arm and wrapped it around her shoulders instead, bringing them so close that their shoulders were clashed up against each other. And just then, Asakura opened the door.
"Takahashi!" Ken laughed as he moved forward and shook Inuyasha's free hand. Inuyasha dipped his head in a slight nod.
"Asakura,"
Ken turned to Miroku and Kouga and greeted them as well, "Lin," He shook Miroku's hand, "Lang." And did the same to Kouga. Then Ken acknowledged their wives.
"Missus Lin and Missus Lang, what a pleasure to meet you once again," Ken took their hands and kissed their knuckles before releasing their hands. Ayame and Sango smiled, they were accustomed to Ken and didn't mind his knuckle kisses.
"Asakura," They both greeted at the same time. Ken, then, turned his attention to Kagome who stood under Inuyasha's arm that had moved, ever so efficiently, to her waist, keeping her hugged close to him.
"My, my- this isn't Hiromi." Ken winked at Kagome. "You are, by far, the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on." He held his hand out. "Asakura Ken."
Kagome firmly took his hand in hers. "Higurashi Kagome."
Ken's eyes twinkled. "Kagome? My- a beautiful name for a beautiful woman."
"Cut the shit Ken," Kouga growled, "you're married."
"As are you- so why are you complaining if I observe the beauty of young Miss Higurashi here."
"Because that girl is my kid sister so back off," Kouga said sternly, "we are were to discuss business, not stare down Inuyasha's date."
"Your date?" Ken's attention snapped back at Inuyasha. "I thought you were just messing with me man," Ken's business-like attitude dissolved and he became the friend that Miroku, Kouga and Kouga was close to. "What happened to Kikyo?"
"Busy," Inuyasha stated as he led Kagome inside of the mansion.
"Busy? With?" Ken persisted.
"Work."
"More naked shots?" Ken whispered at Miroku and Kouga who both snickered softly.
"Yeah man," Miroku nodded, "I think she had a sex date or something. Can't trust women who sell their body for money."
Ken nodded solemnly as they entered the great hall of his mansion. A plain white large circular carpet rested on his wooden floor as low hung chandeliers created an orange effect to dawn in the room. The sofa's were occupied by many women who were conversing diligently and a room in the far right was slightly ajar with smoke wafting out.
"The men are puffing already?" Kouga asked, rather amused.
"Can't keep men away from politics, brandy and a good cigar, now can you?" Ken laughed. "Join me in our valuable discussion time."
Sango and Ayame allowed Miroku and Kouga to leave, however, Inuyasha lingered still for a few extra moments.
"You aren't going?" Kagome raised a brow but he nodded.
"Yeah I am, I just have to introduce you to the most important people before I can join them."
Kagome nodded as Inuyasha wrapped his arm around her waist again and led her to three women standing by the appetizer table.
"My, my, my!" A women grinned seeing him, "Isn't it Inuyasha. Didn't expect to see you here!"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "Sato-san," He said in a strict voice, "this party calls for my business expertise. I cannot deprive my employees of myself, now can I?"
The woman laughed. "Izayoi, darling, Inuyasha is such a joker."
"It wasn't a joke," Inuyasha muttered so that only Kagome heard him. Because of his comment, she shoved him hard in his rib and he twitched, ever so slightly.
"So, I don't see Kikyo anywhere," Takahashi Kagura, Inuyasha's sister-in-law, commented rather lightly.
"Oh my, yes!" The woman from earlier spoke, "Is she busy, dear?" She looked at Inuyasha.
"Yes- I've brought someone else," Inuyasha ushered their gazes upon Kagome, "this is Higurashi Kagome. Kagome they are Takahashi Kagura, my sister-in-law," Kagome bowed slightly, "Takahashi Izayoi, my mother," Kagome smiled really sweetly and bowed even deeper, impressing Izayoi, "and Mayu Sato, my mothers good friend. Her husband, Katashi Sato, owns the Pearl Industry."
Kagome's eyes widened. "Really?"
Mayu nodded, grinning. "Yes dear."
"I really appreciate what your company does," Kagome said, "it's really touching and I'm all for it. I've donated a few thousand, actually, towards your campaign."
Her statement impressed Izayoi and Kagura as Mayu's smile widened. "Really dear? That's wonderful!"
"You've heard of the Pearl Industry?" Izayoi asked. Inuyasha was bemused, Kagome had already impressed his mother with nothing but facts of what she had done earlier.
"Of course, Takahashi-san," Kagome smiled, "my best friends and family come from high on the hierarchy of status and the Pearl Industry is something I hear about everyday. Raising charity for building schools in third-world undeveloped countries has my full support and I am hoping for nothing less than excellent."
"A woman with morals and a sense of goodness, hard to find in today's girls." Kagura smiled as she ushered Kagome over. "Join us and let Inuyasha go smoke and drink and talk about old businessmen."
Inuyasha nodded. "I trust you with her. One complaint from her and Kagura I'm not coming to your baby shower."
Kagura snorted. "Four more months little brother," She teased, "then we'll see."
Inuyasha waved off her statement and walked towards the room where the other men were. Izayoi saw her son disappear behind the door and diverted her attention back towards Kagome.
"Your dress is looking stunning," Izayoi smiled softly, her long hair pulled back in a chignon. Despite the fact that Izayoi had mothered two sons, she was still looking healthy and strong and not like her age. Kagome could've sworn Izayoi looked like she was in her late twenties- not in, what Kagome presumed to be, her early fifties.
"Thank you," Kagome smiled, "and you too are looking marvelous. Honestly, you don't look like a mother of two fully grown men."
Izayoi laughed. "Honestly? It's the blush."
Kagura snorted. "She's right Izayoi. You honestly don't look like you mothered Inuyasha and Sesshomaru and have a granddaughter with another one on the way."
"You're pregnant?" Kagome asked looking at Kagura. Kagura smiled, nodding.
"Congratulations! Boy or a girl?"
Kagura laughed. "No idea yet. I want it to be a surprise, like I did with my first daughter, Rin."
"That's a really sweet name," Kagome smiled softly. She was being nothing short of herself and she could tell she had the Takahashi's drawn towards her. Perfect for pissing off Inuyasha. "I wanted to name my daughter, if I ever have one, something along the lines of that."
"What do you mean if, child?" Mayu asked, touching Kagome's arm. Izayoi noted that, unlike Kikyo, Kagome didn't pull away but put her left hand on top of the arm Mayu had used to touch Kagome's right arm.
If it was Kikyo, Izayoi thought, she would've screamed about being touched.
"I want to settle down and be strong in my career."
"So you don't plan on getting married?" Kagura raised a brow.
"Oh no!" Kagome defended. "Of course I want to get married! It's every girls dream to have a large wedding that'll shock the world. I'm looking forward to getting married, when the time comes, but I want to be stable in my career. I can work with really long engagement; I'm even willing to get married so long as my husband doesn't interfere with my career too much."
"What if he wants you to come home early at times?" Mayu asked, intrigued by Kagome's philosophy.
"He's my husband, he would have reasons right? I would try, of course, to come home early if he requests, but that's only once in a while. If he requests every day for me to come home early than that poses as a problem."
"I like," Kagura laughed, "and children?"
"Not until we're both ready."
"How sweet!" Izayoi laughed, "You I can get along with. Why couldn't Inuyasha find a woman like you instead of that- that…Kikyo." Izayoi spat out. Kagura laughed as Mayu giggled softly.
"Izayoi hates Kikyo," Mayu put in, "mainly because she's a- naked-body-showing-off-for-money star."
"You do know Kikyo, right?" Kagura made sure and Kagome nodded. "Oh yes I do."
"Don't tell her," Kagura smirked, "but we all hate her."
Kagome rolled her eyes. "Who doesn't? Bad influence on my goddaughter, really."
"Goddaughter?" Mayu grinned, "Who is it? Anybody we know?"
"Are you familiar with the Lin's?" Kagome asked and Kagura burst out laughing.
"So you're Ai's mama."
Kagome giggled slightly. "Yes, that would be me."
"Why are we standing here?" Izayoi put her hands on her hips, "Darlings, we have men to flirt with. Join me?"
"Oh hell yes!" Kagura laughed as Izayoi guided Kagome towards a group of men clumped in the middle of the room.
"Ahem, gentlemen." Izayoi broke their conversation as they all looked at her. One man, in particular, who looked uncannily like Inuyasha, broke out of the group and walked towards Izayoi, placing a soft kiss on her lips. Kagome assumed that that was Inuyasha's father.
"Inutaisho," Izayoi said as she ushered Kagome over, "this is Higurashi Kagome, our sons date."
Inutaisho raised a brow. "Sesshomaru brought two girls? I taught him well!"
Izayoi slapped his arm. "No stupid, the other son!"
"Inuyasha didn't bring Kikyo?" Inutaisho's eyes widened.
"I was surprised too Inutaisho!" Mayu laughed, "He actually made it somewhere without her."
"I'm glad too," Izayoi nodded, "Kagome is so much sweeter."
Kagome blushed in embarrassment. "Thank you." She murmured. As Kagome continued chattering, she had failed to notice the heads of many members of the opposite sex glancing idly at her. Her two friends, Sango and Ayame, who were seated on sofas, speaking with usual business folks that attended Inuyasha's party, noticed the greater male population staring at her.
"Looks like our baby caught every guy's attention eh?" Ayame nudged Sango who grinned.
"Damn straight. She's our baby ain't she?"
Ayame hushed Sango as two men stood beside the sofa, speaking in hushed voices. Sango and Ayame had to lean forward a bit to listen to what they were saying…
"That girl, over there by Sesshomaru's wife."
"Yeah, yeah I see her!"
"She's so fucking hot."
"Who's her escort? I never saw her in any of Asakura's or Takahashi's parties."
"That's what I'm thinking—I'm gonna go talk to her man."
"She's standing with the Takahashi's! You think she'd talk to you."
"Worth a damn try…"
Ayame and Sango exchanged knowing glances as they started at the black haired boy walk towards Kagome. He tapped her shoulder and all the Takahashi's, Kagome and Mayu turned.
"This should be fun…"
"May I have this dance?" He asked, holding his hand out. Izayoi and Kagura glanced at each other before Kagura spoke up.
"Oh, Kagome you haven't danced with Inuyasha yet, it would be rather inappropriate if you dance with somebody else without dancing with your escort first."
The look on the mans face was priceless as he witness that the woman he had been talking about was the Inuyasha Takahashi's date.
What about Kikyo? The man thought as he apologized and walked away. Just as he left, Inuyasha materialized beside Kagome, his arm idly wrapping around her waist; not going unnoticed by his mother and father of course. Sesshomaru, his elder brother, stood beside Kagura as the entire Takahashi family had finally gathered.
"Is this the woman Inuyasha?" Sesshomaru asked and Inuyasha nodded.
Sesshomaru shook Kagome's hand. "Glad you could be Inuyasha's date for the party. I would've personally kicked his ass if he came alone."
Kagome raised a brow. "Oh really? I would assume he could land any beautiful woman with his charms and awesome personality."
Kagura snorted. "In what world are you from? Him? Charms? Yeah right!"
"I have more charms than you and Sesshomaru combined." Inuyasha defended and Sesshomaru rolled his eyes. "You having charm is like Mayu sleeping around- not possible."
Mayu raised a brow. "Excuse me son? I'm older than your mother! In what MIND would I want to sleep around?"
"Exactly my point. You won't sleep around, Inuyasha has no charm."
Mayu rolled her eyes. "In a sick twisted way, that makes sense. Izayoi, your boys are idiots."
"Try living with them for your entire life." Izayoi laughed as Inuyasha cleared his throat.
"Excuse me, Kagome and I are going to share a dance."
Izayoi nodded as Inuyasha led Kagome out of the circle an annoyed expression on her face. "What the hell? I didn't want to dance!"
"Well now you do. Now, dance." He said wrapping his arm around her waist.
"No!"
"Kagome…" He said sternly.
"I don't want to dance!"
"You have to share at least one dance with me tonight. It's an unwritten rule around here."
"It wasn't part of the damn deal when you won the bet."
"Well now I'm making it a part of the deal."
Kagome was going to argue but her eyes widened as she dug her face into Inuyasha's chest. She felt his chest rumble and she knew he wanted to laugh, which fueled her anger much more…
"I'm not hugging you because I like you, asshole."
"Oh? Another reason than?"
"Press, behind you. You told me this party wasn't going to be public."
Inuyasha's blood ran cold as he spun around fast. "It wasn't to be public." He snarled. "Wait here."
Kagome gasped as he pushed her out of his chest and walked up to the camera man. Within the blink of an eye, Inuyasha had punched the man, causing him to run out before a crowd could gather. He then returned to Kagome and stared off those who approached for an explanation.
Too bad he couldn't glare off his mother.
"What was that?"
"The pres said they received a call from an anon source that a party was happening tonight. This was strictly a private party with no media around."
Inutaisho frowned. "I wonder who anon is."
"Same. Shit…"
Kagome didn't know what to say as Inuyasha took the glass of brandy from his brother's hand and drank it down. He hated it when people didn't listen to him. The party wasn't supposed to be press-related, but here, a camera man had somehow made it in.
"Are you okay?" Kagome asked as she touched his arm softly. Inuyasha nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Continue our dance?"
Kagome knew nothing to say but yes in the presence of his family. He led her to an empty area of the dance floor and they gracefully started floating around, their bodies in perfect sync.
Izayoi cocked her head sideways. "She is amazing- nothing like Kikyo."
"And she has something alluring about her," Mayu tapped her chin, "out of my many years of wisdom, I must say, Kagome holds a sense of inner beauty that not many woman have."
Inutaisho nodded. "I can see it too. Something about her that seems compelling. She's better than Kikyo, that's for sure."
"If only little brother chooses her," Kagura rolled her eyes, "but know him, he won't."
Izayoi smirked. "I wouldn't be so sure Kagura," she said as she watched the two dance, "you never know with Inuyasha…"
-x-
