Ch.14 – Your Type

"Who is your leader Kusaki?"

"Does it look like you're in any position to ask questions, Youko Kurama?" The demoness snaps.

"…" He notices himself strapped to the wall by thorn-filled vines. –She thinks she can take us just because she can control plants. What a naïve pup.- The vines around him release him and strike at the demoness. She laughs as she dodges them.

"Trying to get me? I haven't stolen your feelings have I?"

-She's so naïve. Like I'd choose to go after her. No Lord could pay me enough to do such a thing. Look at her. Looks are wasted on her.- "You're not my type, sorry."

"Aw." She pouts. "But I'm just like you!"

-You're a sad excuse for a plant master.- "I disagree."

"Why don't you like me!?" She whines, the vines shooting over at Kurama.

A smirk appears across his face and his eyes switch to gold. He disappears from her view and reappears behind her, a clawed hand on the back of her neck. He leans down and whispers in her ear. "You're just not my type."

"This is unbelievable" Kagome finishes putting on the dress. "It's so pretty…" she carefully clips on the shoes and walks over to the dresser to inspect the jewelry and make up. "This was definitely not last minute. There's no way they could pull off something like this so fast." She slowly continues to get ready.

"Kagome?" Hojo's voice sounds on the other side of the door. "Are you almost ready?"

"Yeah, I'm coming." She slowly opens the door.

"Kagome!" Hojo beams. "You look beautiful!" He reaches a hand out to her. "Would you please allow me to escort you to the party? It would be my honor."

"…um… sure, I guess." Kagome lets him lead her downstairs and to the car. After about hour ride outside of town they reach a long, lamp-lighted driveway going up a hill. They travel up the hill and stop at a pair of gates. A man in a suit approaches the vehicle and Hojo puts down the window.

"Name sir?"

"Hojo."

"Your parents are here. There are no vehicles allowed beyond the gates. I am here to take care of your car."

"Thank you." Hojo steps out of the car and walks over to the passenger side of the car. He helps Kagome out and they step away from the car before Hojo tosses the keys to the man. They proceed through the gates to find a huge staircase looming before them. "Well, are you ready Kagome?

"No."

"You look beautiful Kagome, don't be scared. Don't forget that I'm here with you."

"…um… yeah… sure… whatever."

"Don't worry about anything." Hojo smiles. "I'll take good care of you. I promise."

"Aw! But Youko!" Kusaki whines. Kurama is suddenly grabbed from behind and yanked back into a wall by several think, thorn-filled vines. "How am I not your type? I'm a powerful female plant-master! We're two of the same!"

"You're no fox." The vines release him.

"Neither is the miko you are pursuing."

"How do you know about that?"

"I'm your type. She isn't. A miko wouldn't belong to someone like a thief. She would do better to belong to a Lord. They are better suited for each other." He gets pinned again.

"Like your master?" He pins her against the wall with vines.

"Yes." She slashes at him with a whip.

"And why would I give up my chase for him?" He block with his whip.

"He desires to hold the power she has. She is his future mate. You have no part in her life. Let her go." She attacks him again.

"And why would I give up on her so easily?" He blocks her.

"Because…" she pins him against the wall, leaning on him, her face only inches away from his "You could have me."

Kagome and Hojo finally reach the top of the stairs to find a huge, elegant, brightly lit house. Kagome just stands there, shocked at seeing something so beautiful and expensive.

The doors were opened for them and they were shown to an elegant ballroom filled with people and music. The ballroom was lit with bright lights as music filled the air. Only the outside edges of the room were given up to tables and chairs. Kagome looked around, searching for the source of the music, trying to think of a dj that would play classical to find a small orchestra. And then a couple passed through her field of vision, drawing her attention to the dance floor.

Kagome watched the people dancing, mesmerized by their graceful movements. She was so caught up in watching that she didn't hear Hojo talking to her. "Um.. What?"

"I asked if you would like to dance?"

"Really?! Can we?!"

"Of course!" Hojo smiles, offering her his hand and leading her to the center of the dance floor.

He watched from his chair at the head of the table as his cousin entered the room with a girl on his arm. He studied the girl carefully, she was beautiful. Her dark blue dress matched the blue tinge in her long dark hair. The dress was simple, glitter only in the shall draped around her, attached to the back of her dress as well as her wrists, the fabric slightly see through. She wore a simply silver bracelet, necklace and earrings. She had a tiny bit of eye liner and some blush on and her hair was pinned up and curled. Her lips were completely untouched, but what caught him the most was her eyes. He watched as they lit up with wonder and excitement as she took in the scene before her. His ear twitched as he listened to his cousin trying to talk to her and the girl lost in her own thoughts, mesmerized by everyone on the dance floor. He smirked, he would enjoy stealing her. He continued to watch silently from the side lines as his cousin led her to the middle of the dance floor and they began to dance. She was a magnificent creature on the dance floor, beauty and grace all in one. He was convinced. He had to have her. There was no way he'd let this go easily, never mind all of the benefits he'd get from having her at his side. Yes, she would be his. He would win her for sure. She was under his spell the moment she stepped into the room. Now all he had to do was get her to hold onto him so he could start persuading her to join him. And he knew just how to get a hold of her. A small smile graced his lips as he watched her in the middle of the dance floor. She would dance with him tonight.