Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha
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Chapter Ten: Lights, Camera, Pose!
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While Sesshomaru showered and dressed, Kagome and her mother finished cooking breakfast and set the table. He joined everyone just as they were sitting down. They ate and chatted, but Sesshomaru was quiet, lost in persuit of remembering the fading dream. He had bits and pieces of it but he couldn't fit them togeter. It had been so real, as if he'd been awake the whole time.
He remembered her scent, sweat like honey and wild flowers. The memory of her touch made his arms, chest, and back warm with heat wherever she had touched him. Yet try as he might he couldn't remember her face.
He put his food down and stood. When everyone looked at him he bowed slightly. "Thank you for breakfast Mrs. Higurashi, but I don't have much of an appitite."
"I understand Sesshomaru." Mrs. Higurashi smiled at him as he left the dining room. "Kagome?"
Kagome looked at her mother. "Yes?"
"Do you believe everything will be alright for Sesshomaru?" She asked randomly.
"Huh?" Kagome looked back at the doorway before looking down into her almost empty plate. "I don't know. I mean I hope so, I just," She shook her head. "I don't know."
"Women of this time will probably drive him insane." Kagome's grandpa said. "He'll be lucky to succeed in his task." He casually ate as he talked.
Kagome glared at him. "Thanks for the confidance boost gramps."
There was a knock on the door, and Kagome got up and walked into the hall. Sesshomaru had made it to the door first though. Yuna was smiling at him, and waved at Kagome when she saw her.
"Good morning!" She beamed.
"Morning." Kagome smiled back.
"Are you guys ready? We'd better get going if we don't want to be late." Yuna didn't come inside, just leaned on the doorframe.
"Yea, give me a sec." Kagome turned as if to go back to the table.
"You three go," Her mother said. "I'll take care of the dishes."
"Ok, thanks mom." Kagome grabbed her purse from a hook near the front door and slipped into her shoes.
Sesshomaru had already done the same and was waiting with his hands in the pockets of his black slacks. "Should I be worried about meeting this, Mimoru?" He asked Yuna.
Yuna couldn't help but laugh. "Mimoru isn't a softy, but he's not as frightening as most made him out to be. I think you'll be fine." She shrugged one shoulder. "Besides, he's anxious to meet you."
Sesshomaru nodded slightly. "Well then, perhaps I will only worry a little." He smirked and Yuna blushed.
"Right!" She quickly turned away after his smirk got wider. "Let's not keep the man waiting!" She lead the way out to her car.
...
...Yuna...
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The drive to the studio wasn't very quick thanks to the light traffic, and Yuna was thankful to make it early. She told Kagome and Sesshomaru which floor to go to and which studio before she left to go park the car. Kagome and Sesshomaru looked at one another and then up at the building.
"Nervous?" Kagome asked without looking at him.
"Without a doubt." He admited.
"Well," Kagome shrugged. "Let's get going." She lead the way to the elevators and studio. When Sesshomaru stopped halfway down the hall to the door, she did too. "You ok?"
Sesshomaru was suddenly alert, looking around cautiously. "I can sense a darkness here."
"What?" Kagome tried to focus her energy. "Where?"
He shook his head. "I don't know. But it's here."
"Is it a demon?" Kagome whispered.
Sesshomaru shook his head. "If it were a demon I'd have transformed." He whispered back. "I may not be known in this time, but once I get a chance I can switch quickly."
"Good to know." Kagome said. "Can we go in now? I'm getting creeped out in the hallway." He nodded, and lead the way in.
"People this shoot was suppose to be ready half an hour ago! What is going on here?" A man was yelling over the bustling noise of the men and women in the room. "And who are you?" Said the man when he spotted Kagome. "Nevermind, I don't know you, stay against a wall so that my employees won't get distracted." He then spotted Sesshomaru. "Ah! And you!" He suddenly softened and turned into a giddy...school boy? Kagome's jaw dropped and she quickly recovered when she saw the confused look on Sesshomaru's face.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened and he looked at Kagome who nodded her head in encouragement. "Um...I'm Sesshomaru." He offered as an introduction looking back at Mimoru.
"Yes I know! Yuna brought me your photos, I was a skeptic of course, because you didn't have a ready portfolio and all before wanting to meet with me." The man walked over to them. "I'm Ino Mimoru." He held his hand out to Sesshomaru.
"Nice to meet you, this is Kagome." Sesshomaru introduced Kagome. "She's the reason my portfolio was completed. Her and Yuna of course."
"Ah, well then I'm sorry I snapped at you!" Mimoru took her hand and kissed the back of it. "They were wonderful. Have you ever thought of a career as a photographer?"
Kagome blushed and laughed nervously. "Oh no, I have too much going on to become a photographer." She said honestly with a smile.
Mimoru sighed with an amused smile. "Well then we are sorry not to have you!" He turned around. "Come! I'm sure Yuna is right behind you somewhere. Let's get you ready for this shoot!"
He lead Sesshomaru over to a closed off section of the studio were racks of clothes sat waiting to be used. "I thought I'd be able to wear my own clothes." Sesshomaru said looking down at his slacks and white button down dress shirt.
Mimoru laughed. "My dear though you are to die for, I have a certain flow to my work, and we will have to have you match my set."
Sesshomaru looked curiously at him for a moment. "Match the set?"
Mimoru stopped flipping through hangers. "Yes, today I'm going to have you, just you, on set. We're going to get some angels, highlights, lowlights, things like that. This is a practice shoot for you darling, we have to do it big. See your pros and cons." He looked at his watch. "I've only got about two hours to keep you before my next appointment and then I'll have Yuna contact you with details of when your next shoot will be."
Sesshomaru nodded, "Alright."
Yuna finally arrived while Mimoru was busy changing Sesshomaru into what he wanted for the session, and when they came out both Kagome and Yuna stared with wide eyes. Mimoru had changed Sesshomaru into a pair of white jeans and a red cut off tank with a white trench coat over it. Sesshomaru looked a little miffed, and he'd shoved one hand into the pocket of the jeans. He looked uncomfortable, but he did seem to try and hide it from them. When he saw Yuna he inhaled and followed Mimoru over to the set.
"Well he looks good." Yuna whispered.
"He lookes pissed, that's not exactly what he likes to wear." Kagome noted. "Mimoru said he's only got two hours with Sesshomaru today."
Yuna nodded, unable to stop watching while Mimoru positioned Sesshomaru where he wanted him. "Yea, he's got an appointment with some out of town poblicity. They want him to take photos for their movie advertisement."
"Wow, so he's that famous?" Kagome had only heard a little about him after the first time she'd heard his name, but not enough to know his reputation.
Yuna nodded. "You have no idea." She grabbed Kagome's hand. "Come on we can watch from over here." She dragged Kagome to her work station which had a really good view of the set and Sesshomaru.
"Wow, did you do all of these?" Kagome asked picking up one of the sketches off of her desk.
"Yea," Yuna smiled and looked over what she was holding. "I'll be in a shoot next month that is suppose to be the cover of a store's merchandice. Because I am," She flipped her hair playfully. "Such an eye catching little dark angel, they wanted me."
Kagome laughed when she did. "Are you excited?"
Yuna sighed. "I was."
"You were? Why aren't you now?"
"Because they changed the shoot to a couples thing." Yuna shrugged. "I was suppose to be doing all of their new merch for women, but they came across some men's clothes too that work in with the new theme, and they want me to have a partner in the shoot."
"Oh wow," Kagome said. "Are there other models going to be in the shoot?"
"No," Yuna shook her head, her long black hair sliding over her shoulder. "The magazine is only fifteen pages long, one shot per page. Add the front cover there's about sixteen shots." She was adding up the math in her head and swaying from side to side on her stool. "They told me I had some pretty elegant sets though."
"What store is it?" Kagome asked.
"The Year Round Costume Shopee." Yuna smiled and picked up a magazine off of the table behind her and handed it to Kagome.
Yuna was on the cover, her black hair up in an old fashioned beehive and she was wearing a black and red western styled harlot cosutme. She was holding a gun and showing off her leg, blowing a kiss at the camera. "I've been doing shoots for them every year since they opened. The owner is my uncle." She shrugged.
"That's cool! I've never been in there before. Are their prices really high?" Kagome had a plan for her halloween costume but since the holiday was still a good ways away she hadn't thought about the store to plan more.
Yuna shook her head. "They're pretty reasonable. Plus you're my friend, my uncle will give you a discount."
"Cool." Kagome was suddenly even more excited.
"Yuna!" Mimoru called to her making both Yuna and Kagome jump. "Come here please?" He looked a little frustrated.
"Coming!" She jumped up and ran over to him. "Yes sir?"
"I need you to practice with Sesshomaru." Mimoru was looking over his glasses at Sesshomaru. "See if he has any talent for working with anyone else."
"Now?" She asked in shock.
He turned his surprised emerald eyes on her. "Now is better than Later my dear."
Yuna blushed and looked at Sesshomaru, who was smirking at her. "Ok." She walked over to Sesshomaru. "Sure you don't need me to change?" She was wearing a pair of black leather pants with knee high boots that had laces wrapped around them. Her blood red peek-a-bool bell sleeve shirt was very revealing, but Mimoru had never complained about her wearing it. "I mean I just dressed from home."
Mimoru studied how she'd pinned her hair up in multipule curls but let some of it fall to full length, and how her make up made her look similar to a procelain doll, yet complimented her shirt, complextion, and hair. "No you're fine." He shook his head with a smile. "Besides you're beautiful darkness compliments his blinding light." He stared up at a light pouring down on him. "Will someone point that thing somewhere else?" He snapped.
Yuna laughed, and she heard Sesshomaru chuckling. She looked over at him and he smiled. "What?" He asked.
She shook her head. "I like your laugh." She laughed again at Mimoru's childish raging. "Oh my god I'm sorry you had to meet him so early in the morning. He's a really nice guy once his coffee sets in."
Sesshomaru laughed agian, "Yes he does seem a little fluttery."
"Ok you two," Mimoru returned his attention to them. "Yuna show me your muse." The music changed. It became heavier and dark.
And as soon as it did Yuna seemed to hum with energy. She stood for a few moments very still and then she shook and exhaled slowly. When she met Sesshomaru's eyes again they reminded him of the night sky filled with stars. Those little flecks of light seemed to dance almost.
"That's my girl. Show him what I like to see." Mimoru encouraged. "Show me Yuna." He encouraged, even though he was already taking a few shots of them just standing there.
"This is my song." She said to Sesshomaru. "When he plays this for me I give him my best of whatever emotion he asks me for."
"What emotions does he usually ask for?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Watch." She walked around him and put both of her hands on his shoulders. "Face him a little more."
Sesshomaru smirked. "So you've caught on that I'm not really sure of what I'm doing?"
Yuna giggled as she came around his shoulder, and looked up at him. "I figured that out about the time I saw your brother disappear down a well."
Sesshomaru couldn't help but smile as she stared up at him, smiling playfully. "You have no idea how lost I am."
"Kagome showed you a little when you did your portfolio, I can help you with a little so that you can get up to par." Yuna shrugged her shoulder.
She took his hand and wrapped his arm around her waist. A warm tingling sensation ran up his arm and he met those dazzling eyes curiously. He'd felt and echo of that energy in the hallway on the way inside.
"There ya go!" Mimoru clapped.
"Dance with me a bit." Yuna said as she looked over at Mimoru and leaned her head against his shoulder.
Sesshomaru took her other hand when she looked up at him again, he followed her lead, and was very impressed with how she made it looked like he was leading. He was more impressed that the energy rolling across his skin was warm and pulled his demonic blood to the surface. He felt it slowly coming back to him.
"You are talented." He said smirking.
"Well, I'm sure you don't know any modern dances yet. Dip me." Sesshomaru swept her through a quick turn and slid his hand up to rest between her shoulders and her head fell back and she rested into his hand.
As he pulled her back up her eyes opened slowly, meeting his as she fell against his chest breathing heavily. When she met his eyes they were bright and almost glowing in the flashing lights outside of their spotlight. He pulled her into another spin and she caught up to him and for a while it was smooth waltz, something she hadn't done since she was a child.
She laughed with the applause that suddenly engulfed the room. Sesshomaru chuckled as they stopped, and allowed her to step back from him when she pulled away.
"That's my girl." Mimoru walked over to them. "With my shoots I use music to your liking so that you will feel comfortable enough to relax and be yourself. Yuna loves to dance sometimes, or she'll walk around in a daze of her own thoughts. But," He walked over to Yuna and took her chin gently in his hand and smiled at her. "She will always give her full attention to the camera when I ask her to."
"I'm confused as to why you didn't ask anything of me this time." Yuna said sarcastically. "I was waiting." She crossed her arms.
"You did what I asked." He said taking his hand away from her chin and putting it on his waist. "I usually don't have to ask you more than once, and if I do I want a different look out of you." He rolled his eyes and looked at Sesshomaru. "Keep working with her out of the studio. I like you, I'm sure you can do more."
"I'll do that," Sesshomaru smirked, then looked at Yuna. "If you wouldn't mind of course."
She bowed her head and closed her eyes with a smile. "I'd be happy to." She met his eyes again and he felt his blood pulse sharply.
He tensed and blinked in surprise, turning away from her. What the hell... He shook his head.
"You ok?" Kagome asked.
Sesshomaru nodded without turning back around. "I'm fine."
"Mimoru sir!" An assistant ran over and handed him a phone. "He said it's urgent."
Mimoru scoffed and shooed the man away giving him the camera in his hand. "Mimoru here." He stood with his elbow in his hand and phone to his ear for a few minutes nodding. "Yes sir I did. Just started today." His eyebrows drew together and he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Alright I'll be right there." He hung up and rudding the bridge of his nose. "Ok, sorry I've got to go. I'll make you a schedule and see you next time." He waved, took the bag that the assistant ran back over to him, and left.
"Does he do that a lot?" Kagome asked.
Yuna had watched him leave, just like everyone else, and she shook her head. "No, not usually." She looked over at them. "I think that was about you." She met Sesshomaru's eyes.
"Who would he be telling about me?" Sesshomaru looked back at the door Mimoru had exited out of.
"I don't know, but he doesn't have anyone else starting today." Yuna walked over to his desk in front of the large windows that looked out over the city and began searching through the drawers and clutter.
"I'm going to change." Sesshomaru said pointing towards the dressing room.
"K, I'm going to see what Yuna's looking for." Kagome walked over to Yuna while he left towards the dressing room. "What are you looking for?"
"His extra appointment book, the one he uses for the models schedules. He leaves it here, I just want to see if...he had anything else on for today." She pulled a black thin calander. "Bingo." She opened it and thumbed through it until she found the date.
"What's it say?" Kagome looked over her shoulder. "Hey it's blank."
Yuna nodded. "That's what I thought, because he didn't write in that Sesshomaru would be here today, it was a spur of the moment."
"Then who called him?" She looked out of the window and tossed the book back down onto the desk.
"Hey don't stress, you're work day got cut in half." Kagome tried to lighten the mood.
Yuna shook her head. "No I've got appointments to make in his place. Here," She pulled out a credit card from her back pocket. "Can you guys take a cab home? I need to go find Mimoru and figure out what's going on before I get back to work."
"Yeah," Kagome accepted the card.
"K, sorry to leave you here, but something isn't right." She grabbed her purse and keys. "I'll call you later!"
"Bye!" Kagome waited for Sesshomaru and when he came out he looked around confused.
"Where's Yuna?" He asked.
"She had to go, she wanted to find out what was going on with that phone call. Ready to head back?" Her stomach growled and she blinked. "Um...after lunch?"
Sesshomaru chuckled. "Sure."
They found a resturaunt down the road and ate quickly, chatting about how Sesshomaru felt the shoot went, and how he felt about being a model. Kagome got a few laughs, and Sesshomaru growled in aggrivation at her teasing, but he let it slide. Later that night he'd located an interesting book on the bookshelves in the living room, and he lounged on his bed reading when Kagome knocked on the door.
He glanced over as the door opened, his thumb on the line he'd left off on. "Hey," She smiled at him.
"Hi." Sesshomaru laid the book aside, tucking the book mark that had already been inside of it, back in. "Everything ok?"
"Yeah everything's fine, just wanted to say night." Kagome waved a hand at him awkwardly. "Sooo, night."
Sesshomaru chuckled. "Night." As she turned to leave he sighed to himself. "And Kagome,"
She turned back. "Yea?"
"Thank you," He said unable to meet her eyes. "For everything you've done to help me so far."
Her smile got wider. "Anything I can do to help. You helped us find a lot of the missing shards of the jewel, the least I can do is help you find love."
Sesshomaru scoffed in amusement and shook his head. "If I can."
Kagome rolled her eyes and came to sit on the foot of the bed. "Everyone is destined to be in love at least once Sesshomaru. Once you are born you have no emotion, you learn each and everyone. It can't be any different with a demon than it is with a human."
"You never knew my father Kagome, and how he met Inuyasha's mother, and came to love her enough to give his life, I will never no. Izayoi made him smile, and the first time I saw him smile was the day he took me to meet her. They never got to say anything to me before I took off." Sesshomaru rubbed his face.
"But you knew that your father loved her?" Kagome asked.
He stared at the wall, remembering. "I didn't know until I found out he was dead but they lived." He sighed. "He gave his life, and left Inuyasha and I both his swords. He left me mine to teach me a lesson, and once I'd learned it..." He closed his eyes. "I wished that I had understood it years before."
Kagome remembered him telling her about his mother and the day they'd finally met. How she hadn't told him that Rin would die, and how she saved her in the end. He had changed that day, but it had not stopped him from chasing Inuyasha. Not until the day they'd defeated Naraku at least.
"I'm sorry." He said suddenly. "May you sleep soundly Kagome."
She smiled sadly for a moment. "You too Sesshomaru." She got up and left the room, leaning on the wall next to his door for a few minutes until he turned his lamp off. Once she slipped into bed, she found it hard to go to sleep. And she wasn't alone.
Sesshomaru lay in the dark with his hands under his head staring at the ceiling. When he finally did fall asleep, Kagome had been asleep for almost an hour. He dreamed of the estate, and Rin. She asked him to come home, but when he tried to speak he couldn't. She stood smiling at him in the darkness, and then she contorted into a blur before claws wrapped around his neck. A female spider demon was holding him, and he grabbed her arm, trying to pry her fingers from around his throat.
"Look out little fly!" She cackled and bared large fangs, pulling him closer to her. "All spiders will weave large webs of lies!" She opened her mouth as if to take a bite out of him.
The alarm on his phone went off at nine that morning and jerked him roughly from the dream, and Sesshomaru sat up gasping for breath and throwing the covers away. He was damp with sweat, and his throat sore from the grip he'd thought was just a dream. He rubbed at the pain, but it didn't fade.
What now? He thought to himself. Is Rin in danger? Or am I... He covered his face with his hands, the red eyes of the spider demon showing him his own reflection as she held him tightly. This is absurd! He got up and grabbed clothes from the dresser before going to the bathroom to try and forget the dream.
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End Chapter Ten
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A/N: Hey guys sorry I made you wait so long for this one, I kinda got myself stuck and had to fix it. Chapter Eleven is on it's way. I know I haven't made progress with his mission, but I have a purpose for holding off, just wait. On it's way soon! Stay with me! Distorter out!