Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha!
Chapter Eleven: The date from hell
Halfway to Olive Garden, Minami suddenly demanded that Sesshoumaru pull over. He obliged and before he could ask why he had to stop, his cousin, daughter, and Shippo rushed out of the vehicle with Minami shouting a quick "Have fun!" before the three disappeared into an arcade. Shaking his head, Sesshoumaru shifted the car into gear before pulling back onto the road.
"Well, seems it's just the two of us now," Kagome commented with a light chuckle.
"Indeed. Though I had a feeling Mina would pull something like this," Sesshoumaru replied with a sigh. Really, he knew his cousin would figure out some way to insure he and Kagome were alone. Great. His first date in years and he was going alone. The thought made his stomach start flopping on him.
Kagome was having a similar problem. Her stomach was in knots and she briefly contemplated strangling the demoness the next time she saw her. Granted, she and Sesshoumaru had been alone a lot lately, but neither had any idea as to why until now. Dating a taiyoukai. Panic began to set in as Kagome's mind started supplying numerous images as to what that thought entailed. Just as her mind brought forth an image of Sesshoumaru cleaning her blood from his claws, Sesshoumaru spoke causing a startled squeak to escape her. "I'm sorry?" Kagome, not hearing him, asked then gulped.
"I asked if you were well. You seem to be afraid," Sesshoumaru responded while watching her from the corner of his eye.
"Terrified actually. Don't take this the wrong way, but we don't really know each other at all and the thought of dating a taiyoukai is…well…scary," Kagome admitted sheepishly.
"Hn. That's understandable. Taiyoukai are a bit temperamental at times, but I can assure you, no harm would come to you from dating me, Kagome," Sesshoumaru stated as he pulled up to the park, "Why don't we go for a walk and talk before dinner? That way I can answer any questions you have in regards to what may come from dating a taiyoukai."
"Sounds good to me," Kagome replied as she and Sesshoumaru exited the Lexus.
Sesshoumaru came around the vehicle and stood next to Kagome for a moment before grasping her hand and pulling her beside him as the two began walking. "Now, what is it you wish to know?" he asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Well, I dated Inuyasha and know he went the human way of doing things. You know, flowers, dinner, movies…things like that, but I know the taiyoukai way and human way differ greatly," Kagome responded as she glanced up at him.
Sesshoumaru nodded. "Yes. Taiyoukai courting rituals are a bit different. First serious step in dating a taiyoukai is having the female move in with us. That way, we can insure our females are worthy of being with us and protected from outside influence. Like humans, we do take the female on shopping trips, dinner, movies, and other such activities. However, we pay for everything. The female of a taiyoukai is spoiled by any means necessary and we take great pride in doing so. Keeping up?" Sesshoumaru asked when he noticed Kagome's gaze had shifted to a flower bed not far from them.
"Yep. So, since I'm dating you, I have to move in the mansion with you and Minami?" Kagome questioned.
"Correct. However, I do believe Minami may be moving out soon. I noticed several boxes were packed up yesterday when Rin and I were chasing Mina through the mansion," Sesshoumaru replied with a light chuckle.
"What? I never said I'd want Minami to move!" Kagome exclaimed.
"That's another thing with dating a taiyoukai. Any female relatives residing with us would have to move until we were fully mated. Minami understands this and is already taking appropriate measures to insure it," Sesshoumaru responded.
"Why?" Kagome asked in confusion.
"Temptation. Minami is my cousin. However, with a potential mate in the home, taiyoukai are often unable to tell a difference between relative and the potential mate. It's the way our beasts are programmed. When it knows there's a potential mate in the home, our beasts are often times easily aroused. Thereby, it puts Minami in danger of rape should she stay," Sesshoumaru explained quietly.
"So, basically, you get really horny and all females in the house are free game?" Kagome questioned while quirking an eyebrow.
"No not all females. Rin will be fine since she's a child. That much our beasts can tell. With Minami being a fully grown and unmated female, there would likely be problems," Sesshoumaru corrected as the two sat on a bench.
"I see. So what else aside from moving in with you?" Kagome questioned.
"Only other thing is staying near me at all times. Since we work together, it shouldn't be too much of a problem and I will allow Minami to take you out sometimes for a girl's day out. I know I'm not always easy to get along with and will give you a break without argument if that's what you desire," Sesshoumaru informed her.
"Okay. One other thing though, I don't believe in non-marital relations," Kagome stated while shooting a glare at the taiyoukai.
"Neither do I. You living with me will be difficult seeing as my beast will try to tempt me into taking you. However, I do believe I can rectify that problem when it arises and still keep your virtue in tact," Sesshoumaru responded.
"So how long does a taiyoukai date before marrying or mating their female?" Kagome wondered aloud.
"That depends on the female. If she deems it time after a few months or a few years, the decision is fully up to her and she also has the right to move out when and if she feels things won't work. Taiyoukai are very attentive to the female in the relationship, so basically, the female controls certain aspects such as when to marry and mate," Sesshoumaru replied as he stood and helped Kagome to her feet. "Anymore questions?" he asked as the two began walking back to the car.
"Not at the moment, but can I give you an answer on the moving in together thing later? I need to think about it some more," Kagome said quietly as she nibbled on the inside of her lip.
"Of course. I don't wish to rush you and, if need be, we can date for a few months before you make that decision," Sesshoumaru stated as he opened the car door for her.
"Thank you," Kagome stated with a breath of relief.
"No problem. Now, should we go to dinner?" Sesshoumaru asked and smiled when Kagome nodded. He shut the door and moved around to the driver's side before sliding in and starting the car. 'This one may be the best one yet. Going to have to thank Mina for bringing her to my attention.' Sesshoumaru thought as he pulled out on the road again.
Rin was busy watching Minami and Shippo playing DDR at the arcade. Shippo was having a hard time keeping up with her Auntie, but Rin was honestly enjoying it. Minami looked younger than she had in a while and Rin was pleased to see her Aunt genuinely happy and acting like a child again. Rin laughed as Shippo threw his hands in the air and declared he was done.
"Awww, I'm sorry, Shippo," Minami stated with a chuckle as she wrapped her arm around his and took Rin's hand as the two stepped off the game platform.
"Well, you could've warned me. Seems your Auntie's better at the game than I am," Shippo smiled as he ruffled Rin's hair and grasped Minami's hand.
"Rin's hungry," Rin said as Minami and Shippo began heading for the door of the arcade.
"Pizza okay?" Shippo asked.
"Yep!" Minami and Rin hollered at the same time before they both laughed.
"Good. There's a pizza place around the corner," Shippo responded as they made their way down the street, "By the way, you never did finish telling me about Sesshoumaru's plot to rid himself of Inuyasha on his birthday, Mina."
"Ah. That would've been on Sesshoumaru's two hundred and twentieth birthday. Sesshoumaru had decided Inuyasha was a nuisance and made plans to drown him in the pond that year. The plan probably would've gone perfectly except Ryoske, the head guard, had spotted Sesshoumaru dragging Inuyasha toward the pond and reported it to Uncle Toga. Needless to say, Sesshoumaru ended up being one wet pissed off puppy by the time Uncle Toga got through with him," Minami stated with a chuckle as she recalled Sesshoumaru standing waist deep in the pond completely soaked and looking murderous.
"Papa Toga was really mad, wasn't he?" Rin asked with a giggle.
"Sure was. Course, Uncle Toga was expecting it. Your father had been trying to kill Inuyasha since the day he was born, but eventually, accepted him for what he was," Minami replied somewhat distractedly as her senses started screaming that something was wrong. She stopped and pulled her phone from her pocket causing Shippo and Rin to look at her. Her eyes shifted to Shippo's left and she gasped as Naraku made his way to the trio from the car he'd been leaning against. Immediately hitting the speed dial button for Jaken on her phone, Minami held the phone behind her back as Naraku stopped next to Shippo.
"Well, well. Mina, long time, no see. How have you been, love?" Naraku asked while ignoring the other two people standing with his ex.
"Love? Minami, you know this guy?" Shippo asked as he tried to determine whether a fight would be needed.
"My ex-husband, Naraku Takahashi," Minami replied while pulling Rin behind her, "What do you want, Naraku?"
"You, of course. Seems I made a mistake letting you go and wish to have my wife back," Naraku stated as he stepped closer to her.
"She's with me now," Shippo growled as he grasped Minami and pulled her into his chest with her back facing him. Rin moved behind him and clutched his shirt as she watched the scene.
"Really? Sad, Mina. Thought you'd go for someone stronger than me, not this weak fox I see standing here," Naraku stated as he took another step toward the three.
"Save your insults and stay away from me. You're violating a restraining order," Minami growled as sirens began wailing in the distance.
"Seems it's time for me to go. Never thought you'd sink low enough to get the cops involved, so until next time, my dear," Naraku stated and smiled before walking back to his car.
The three watched as Naraku drove off and breathed a sigh of relief as three black Cadillac Escalades pulled up next to them. The passenger side window of the first one rolled down. "Minami-sama? Are you okay?" Jaken asked from the driver's seat.
Minami smiled and picked Rin up before looking at Shippo and asking "How bout we go back to the mansion and order delivery?"
"Read my mind," Shippo replied as he opened the back door for the women.
Later that evening….
Sesshoumaru escorted Kagome to her door and watched as she slid the key into the lock. "I hope you enjoyed yourself this evening though the movie was disappointing," he stated as she turned to him.
"I did very much. So, I'll see you at the office Monday?" Kagome asked.
"Of course. Dinner again Friday as well," Sesshoumaru commented as he took hold of her hand and kissed the back of it, "Have a good night, Kagome."
"You too," Kagome replied before watching him turn and walk back to his car. She walked inside and shut the door.
Sesshoumaru pulled out of the driveway and started for home. His thoughts ran rampant as he recalled every smile and laugh Kagome had granted him that evening. He'd been so tangled in his thoughts that he didn't realize he'd pulled up in the driveway of the mansion until he spotted three black Escalades sitting in his drive. 'Minami!' his brain screamed as he slammed on his brakes and yanked his seatbelt off. He threw the car door open and bolted up the steps and through the front door. He stopped in the foyer as laughing sounded from the living room. Turning toward the sound, Sesshoumaru walked into the room to find Minami, Jaken, and two other security guards watching a movie. Rin had apparently fallen asleep and was laid across the couch with her head in Minami's lap.
"Minami?" Sesshoumaru questioned as he sat in his recliner.
"Sorry, Fluffy. Shippo, Rin, and I were heading for pizza and Naraku decided to make an appearance. I called Jaken that's why he's here," Minami stated quietly.
"I see. Were you injured?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"No. He just said he wanted his wife back and called Shippo weak," Minami stated with a shrug.
"Where is Shippo?" Sesshoumaru wondered.
"Home. Our date ended about twenty minutes ago. Not too long after Rin fell asleep," Minami said as she picked Rin up off the couch, "I'm going to put her to bed then head that way myself. Night, Sess."
"Good night, Mina," Sesshoumaru replied and watched her carry Rin from the room before turning to the other males, "Now, we've got matters to discuss as far as Mina's safety."
Author's Note: Took me long enough! Thought I was never going to get this done. I'll try to get another chapter out before too long. Thanks for all the reviews. Have a good day!
