Well, holy shit everybody! I'm extremely impressed! Six reviews, in one day! Oh...My...God! I'm so happy I could spit...but I won't, wink! (Cuz that's gross and rude) Oh, I would start singing if I didn't sound so terrible!!! (Does a dance around the room). Oh, and Rach finished colouring my pics, so now she's just gotta get them to me from her camera, and we're fine! (I really like how Kanna and Izayoi turned out, even though she's not in this story. I was just having too much fun and needed someone to draw, heehee! I can't wait for you guys to see 'em! I'm so proud of them!).
Deds:
cookiemonsterks - Sounds like an interesting story. I think the bot is cheating me and you, cuz I don't get your reviews until after I've posted a new chapter. STUPID FUCKING BOT!!! Anyway, I can safely say that no copyrights were infringed, cuz I've never even heard of that book, but it sounds quite interesting, as I said. Maybe I'll check it out!
Kitsune's Lover - Hehehe, EVERYONE is at my mercy! (So don't think yer alone, lol). His armour is sexy, isn't it? I like the guy on the Fido commercial who plays Santa, he's sooo yummy, oh, I'd totally jump him... Random, eh? lol, I'm such a jerk! I apologise for mocking you there, I hit myself for you. Ow.
susie202 - ... Wow. That's... Interesting!!! I can totally imagine that, cuz I have a 27 year-old sister, but she's never done that... as far as I know. I'll ask her kids, they'd tell me cuz I give them candy, heeheehee.
Mystical Hanyou - Your wait is over my friend. You will find out if she croaks or sings, lol!
Du Weldenvarden Farcai - I hope I spelled that right, whew! Am I forgiven? I didn't make you wait too long, did I? I meant to update earlier but... shopping! Like, can't pass that up! Gah!
cookiemonsterks - ...You again!? Lol, Just kidding, I love hearing from ya. Like I said above, FUCKING BOT!!!! Anyway, that could be the case. Being mental has always been a pet peeve of mine (wink) and so is fucking up! I was so mad when I found that mistake, and couldn't correct it...ARGGG!!! Oh well, I explained, all forgive me, right? I'll try not to do that ever again, I promise!! Oh, by the way, I have noticed that the bot is infamous for sending me your reviews as soon as I post a chapter, and it makes me miss you, so what do you say we steal some cricket bats and beat its ass like the bad monkey it is? It'd make me feel better. Ya in?????
Sweet Temptation
Kagome opened her eyes to the bright white glare of the fluorescent bulb that hummed above her hospital bed. Her hand was warm; someone was holding it. She sensed movement about her in the room, and, remembering her last thought, she tried to sit upright, but the IV line held her back, and she strained at it, ripping it from her vein and spraying blood all over.
"Kagome! It's okay!" Kikyou cried, pushing her sister back down. Kagome had been unconscious for three days, and Kikyou wished Sesshoumaru had been here, not her. He'd finally gone home to sleep after staying with her for two days with no sleep, just sitting and watching her. Kikyou had taken pity on him and had told him to get some rest; had in fact pushed him from the room and locked him out, but now she regretted that decision as she struggled to calm her sister.
Alarms rang and a nurse rushed in, saw what was happening, and turned up the morphine.
Kagome relaxed instantly and dropped off again, slumping back against the pillow, her face pale. Kikyou remained silent as the nurse re-inserted the IV in her sister's other arm, and bandaged up the damaged one.
"What happened?"
"I don't know," Kikyou admitted, tears stinging her eyes. Had Kagome's experience been that terrible?
"Well, keep an eye on her. She should wake up again soon, I slowed the drip. She'll come around." Leaving, the nurse closed the door behind her.
Kikyou grasped Kagome's hand once again. Tears began to stream down her face. Her sister had missed work on Sunday, and the Doctor's office had called today to inform them that since Kagome had failed to come to work without notice twice in a row, they were firing her. Kikyou had tried to explain the situation, but they had fired Kagome anyway.
We're going to lose the house, and all our memories of Mom and Dad, she thought, distraught, as she leaned her forehead against the bedrail. Sango and Ayame had been skipping school to work, and Rin had applied at several places already, but had not heard back from any of them yet. It burned Kikyou to know that her twelve-year-old sister had to take a part-time job just so they could keep their house. It's was so unfair!
Kagome really did keep us going, she realised. I never realised how much we depended on her, how hard she worked, just to keep us together… Now, they would probably be separated and sent to live in a group home, unless Kagome adopted them… would she have to do that just to keep us together? Kikyou just didn't know, and all her worrying was making her head pound.
S.T.
Sesshoumaru rolled over in his bed. Kagome…
He got up, and grabbed the keys to his Mustang. He couldn't stand being away from her a moment longer.
"Where are you going?" Daichi asked as he passed him in the living room on his way out.
Sesshoumaru stopped to watch his Father play Checkers with Shippo. He wished he could sit back and enjoy such mundane past-times, but he had things to take care of now - someone who needed him.
The look on his son's face told him the whole story, and Daichi waved his hand dismissively.
"Forget I asked. Go."
When he got there, Inuyasha was sitting outside in the hall, his head resting on his arms.
"How come you're here?" Sesshoumaru asked. "Where are Miroku and Kouga?"
Inuyasha looked up and frowned. "They're out waiting for Sango and Ayame to get done work."
"Oh. And you?"
He jerked his toward the door. "Waiting for Kikyou."
Sesshoumaru tried the door. It opened silently, and Inuyasha stood to follow him in, but Sesshoumaru stopped him.
Kikyou sat by her sister's side, speaking quietly, but loud enough that the brothers could clearly hear her words.
"Kagome, please, come back to us," she sobbed, laying her head in Kagome's lap, like she used to do to her Mother when she was small. "We can't go on like this… we need you, Kagome. I… need you."
Kagome opened her eyes, and wrinkled her nose. Was the oxygen really necessary?
Removing the nosepiece, she stroked her sister's head and replied, "I won't ever let them separate us, Kikyou. Never."
Kikyou looked up, her lips bursting out in a smile as she took in her sister's pale face, a determined look taking over her delicate features.
"Kagome!" Kikyou hugged her, and Kagome returned the hug with equal force. Soon, though, Kikyou was crying again.
"What's the matter, honey?"
Kikyou saw her Mother in her sister's eyes as she looked up at her, and she sobbed, "You lost your job at the office, Kagome! I tried to tell them it wasn't your fault, but-"
Sesshoumaru frowned. Why hadn't Kikyou come to him with this news?
Inuyasha whispered, "The office job? Those assholes!"
Kagome smiled benevolently at Kikyou. "Don't worry about it."
"Don't worry about it? Are you okay? If we lose the house, it's the end of our family, Kagome! Rin's applying for jobs, did you know that? And no one's willing to hire a twelve-year-old!"
Kagome winced. How long had she been asleep? Surely not that long…
"I still have the stripping job. We can get by with that… we'll just have to give some things up, that's all."
"No, you won't."
Kagome looked up, and Kikyou wiped her eyes as Sesshoumaru came in, Inuyasha close behind him. Kagome's face lit up and her eyes grew moist, and she whispered, "Sesshoumaru…"
Running the last few steps to her, he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly, kissing the top of her head before she began to pull away, searching for his lips. He eagerly let her tug him onto the bed as her lips found his, pulling him in as if she couldn't get close enough.
Kikyou took Inuyasha's hand and led him out of the room, both their faces red from the embarrassing display their siblings had put on.
Once out of the room, Kikyou leaned against the wall and looked up at the ceiling. The whole world felt as if it were pressing down on her shoulders alone, and fresh tears made their way out from under her closed eyelids as she sunk to the floor in defeat. Sitting next to her, Inuyasha was at a loss. How do you console a crying girl?
You kiss her, his mind hinted, and he thought, Well, alright, but be prepared for a slap.
Scooting closer, her ventured, "Kikyou?"
Sniffing, she looked up. "Yeah?"
His mouth moved but no sound came out. What? she thought, frowning. What are you trying to say, Inuyasha?
Giving up, he leaned in and kissed her. Her eyes popped open, not expecting this from him at all. Did she dare think… that he liked her? Maybe even loved her?
Would he be kissing you if he didn't?! her mind rejoiced, but a small seed of doubt remained.
Regardless, she took this chance to pull him closer and deepen the kiss, feeling truly happy for the first time in a long while.
S.T.
The nurse came back down the hall, a clipboard in her hand and a pen in the other. Her patient was… Kagome Higurashi.
She looked up when she neared the room, and smirked with mirth as she watched two young people kiss each other timidly outside the girl's room. She passed them without detection and opened the door, only to find the same thing occurring within, only these two were a little further along and seemed to have no reservations toward each other at all; in fact, it was obvious that they'd done this before.
"Ahem."
Kagome pushed her hair out of her eyes and gasped, "Oh!" and sat upright, keeping Sesshoumaru close by her side as she tried to regain her composure in front of the Nurse.
He, on the other hand, made no effort to hide his desire for the woman holding his hand as if she'd never let go.
Smiling knowingly, the Nurse asked, "Feeling better today, Miss Higurashi?"
Kagome giggled, and glanced at Sesshoumaru. "Much better."
He grinned back at her.
Checking Kagome's vitals and recording them, she did a quick examination and declared Kagome free to go. Smiling, Kagome hugged Sesshoumaru as the Nurse left, shaking her head, a smile on her face. She had never ceased to be amused by young people in love.
S.T.
Kagura sat in her Father's dark bedroom, staring at the wall. Already his smell was fading.
Kaede had packed up all their things, and Kanna was supposed to come home from the airport today. Hakudoushi had been found unconscious at the donut shop where Kagura had left him, and was being prosecuted as an accomplice to Naraku.
Kaede had told her what had happened between her parents when she was just a little girl; she vaguely remembered her Mother, and her promise to return. She'd never known until now that her Mother was dead for all these years.
Father, you asshole, she fumed, and, picking up his bed-side lamp, hurled it vehemently at the wall, watching it shatter into tiny pieces.
He had been so cruel to Kanna and herself. She'd endured his sickening presence, totally unaware just how evil he was - she'd had an inkling, mind you, but not until a while before his death - and Kanna had been sent away every year to school because Naraku had felt inadequate around her. If anything, she was more shrewd than he'd been, but Kagura was sure that now he was gone, her sister's shrewdness would fade in time.
We're free, she realised, and allowed herself to smile. Her Mother may have left her, but she'd had to, Kagura understood that. Kaede had been declared their legal guardian, and was going to be executor of their Father's will, since he had named her. They were moving out of this house, to a new one a few blocks away, so Kagura and Kanna would still be close to school, and Kagura's friends, the Higurashi girls.
Kagura blinked. Kagome was still in the hospital. I should go see her. I really need to apologise, I feel awful about my part in getting Sesshoumaru involved.
Leaving the dark room, she closed the door, but took one last look around. Naraku had certainly liked dark colours; the room was like a cavern. All it lacked was bats.
She felt as if a chapter of her life had closed with that door, and another, fresh one had opened before her. She and Kanna would live normal lives now.
Running downstairs, she grabbed a jacket and yelled to Kaede, "I'm going out! Be back soon!"
"Where are you going, Kagura?"
"I'm going to visit Kagome, Kaede. I have some things I need to tell her."
"Hurry back, child. Your sister's plane lands at four."
"I'll be here." She made to leave, but stopped. Her Father had detested public displays of affection, and so she had never hugged anyone, but the urge to hug Kaede goodbye now was too strong to ignore, and, turning back, she pressed herself to the older woman and smiled when she felt her hug returned.
Kaede smiled. She had worried about Kagura for a while, but she'd come so far already - she hadn't expected her to warm up to her so quickly. She's young, she reminded herself, and young people are resilient. She'll be fine.
Watching her go, Kaede felt a tremendous wave of relief; now that Naraku was gone, she and the girls could make a fresh start, and try to forget all the awful things that had happened in the past.
S.T.
Kagome packed up her clothes and slung her bag over her shoulder, wincing. It was still tender.
Taking one last look around, to be sure she didn't leave anything behind, she left her hospital room, and walked down the hall, to check out at the Nurse's Station. As soon as she was finished there, she walked toward the entrance and sat down on a bench outside, waiting for Sesshoumaru. He said he'd be back to pick her up at three-thirty.
She glanced at her watch. He was late.
She thought of calling him, but decided to wait. The weather was beautiful, and she'd been cooped up inside for so long, the fresh air felt wonderful.
Throwing her head back, she frowned as she thought she'd heard someone call her name.
Shrugging, she closed her eyes but heard it again, and, looking up, she saw the familiar form of Kagura running across the parking lot, calling her name and waving her arm. Sitting up, Kagome smiled politely as Kagura approached her, and asked, "How are you, Kagome? Did they let you out?"
"Fine, thank you. Just."
"Cool." She toed the pavement, then just sighed. "Can I sit down?"
Kagome motioned to the bench. "Go ahead."
"Thanks."
Plopping down, her chest still heaving from her run, Kagura caught her breath then began.
"Kagome, I…" this was harder than she'd anticipated. Admitting that she was wrong was difficult; Must be a trait from Father, she thought, mentally damning him.
Kagome waited patiently for Kagura to say her piece. She imagined the girl was having a hard time.
"I'm… sorry. I know now that Sesshoumaru was not meant for me. I'm sorry for trying to steal him, and for getting him in trouble with my Father. He really could have been hurt, and you were hurt. I just want you to know that I'm very sorry for it all." She hung her head, totally prepared to be told that damn right, she should be sorry, but all she got was a hand on her shoulder.
Looking up, she was surprised to see a smile on Kagome's face. "That took a lot of guts to own up to your responsibility, Kagura. You are not who I thought you were. You're much better. I'm sorry, too. I thought you were vindictive and spiteful, but what you did just now proved me wrong. Thank you for apologising."
Kagura felt her pride swell within her, and she returned Kagome's smile. Suddenly Kagome suggested, "Why don't you come home with me? Sesshoumaru's coming to pick me up, and I know Kikyou would love to see you."
Kagura thought about it. It would be a good chance to apologise to Sesshoumaru, too, she thought, and replied, "That's a good idea. I need to speak with him, too."
Kagome retracted her hand but the smile never faded from her lips. Kagura had done a lot of growing up, and she was proud of her. They talked about their siblings until Sesshoumaru finally pulled up, the engine roaring.
Kagome winced, and Kagura coughed, embarrassed. Killing the engine, Sesshoumaru got out and, giving Kagura a puzzled and very suspicious glance, sat next to Kagome and handed her a giant bouquet of white roses, and kissed her hungrily.
"Sorry I'm late," he said between breaths, and Kagome pulled away.
"They're beautiful, thanks." Roses took on a whole new meaning when they came from him.
Shooting Kagura a wink, she stood up and said, "I think I forgot my purse upstairs. Wait here while I go get it?"
He nodded, and watched her leave, and when she was gone, she turned back to watch them through the nearest window, which was in the cafeteria.
Kagura cleared her throat, and he frowned at her, but said nothing. She decided just to blurt it out. That was the quickest way.
"Sesshoumaru, I'm sorry."
His brows went up and he replied, "You are?"
"Yeah. I know when I've lost." She looked up at him from under her eyebrows, and he smiled a bit.
"I'm sorry, too."
Now it was her turn to frown. "For what?"
He crossed his legs at the ankle and stared up at the sky. "For doubting you. I thought for sure you were going to betray us at the last minute, but you didn't. You helped us, when you really didn't have to, Kagura. That took guts, and I admire that."
She grinned in her mind, but smiled at him. It felt so good to hear praise from him at long last.
This must be just a fraction of how Kagome feels, she thought, enjoying the moment to the fullest. She and Sesshoumaru really were great people.
"Thanks, Sesshoumaru." She blushed.
He chuckled. "Thank you, Kagura. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you." Then, leaning over, he pecked her cheek, and she turned tomato red.
Kagome decided that they'd cleared things up, and, smiling, came back out of the hospital, glowing at them both.
"Where's your purse?"
"There was no purse. I made that up as an excuse for you two to sort things out alone. Did it work?"
Sesshoumaru looked at her, one brow raised, but a smile on his face, and Kagura laughed.
"It did."
"Awesome. Let's go!" Taking his hand, she beckoned for Kagura to follow, and, getting in the car, he drove them home.
S.T.
Two hours later Kagura went home, and Kikyou walked her the three houses to her own Mansion.
An awkward silence fell between them, before Kikyou smiled. "Kagura… I don't know what to say. What you did… it was heroic. Thank you. You saved my family!"
Hugging her, Kagura felt her eyes grow moist. When they had arrived earlier, Sesshoumaru had gathered the two families together and announced that he was moving in with Kagome in her house, and that, now, since Naraku was gone with neither of his daughters old enough to succeed him at the company, it had been turned over to the Senior Executive under Naraku, and he had promoted Sesshoumaru to Junior Executive as compensation for everything he'd endured under Naraku at the company.
Kagome was quitting her stripping job as soon as she could find another job, preferably one she could go to during the day, but Sesshoumaru had told her she didn't have to work if she didn't want to, they could get by comfortably on his income alone. She'd thought about it, and agreed.
"It'll be nice to spend more time with you guys. I miss that." she'd said, pulling her sisters into a giant hug, Kagura included.
Turning red, she hugged Kikyou back with feeling. It felt so nice to have so many people care about her.
And, to top it all off, Amaya's partner at the Agency, Agent Karen Malone, an American, had dropped by to tell them that Naraku's autopsy revealed that a bullet to the heart had killed him.
Sesshoumaru and Kagome had looked at each other. They knew different.
Waving goodbye to Kikyou, she opened the front door and entered the house. The foyer was strewn with suitcases and bags and trunks.
Oh shit, she thought, I forgot that Kanna was coming home.
Putting her purse and jacket away, she crept inside, listening for her sister or Kaede, but the house was silent.
She was creeping into the kitchen when a voice asked, "What are you doing, Kagura? Sneaking around in your own house? He really did a number on you. I'm not surprised you still tiptoe around. How sad. Thank God he's dead, I think you would have shrivelled up and died if he hadn't."
Spinning, the girl who'd spoken was Kagura's sister, Kanna, but Kagura barely recognised her.
The last time the sisters had seen each other last summer, Kanna had been three inches shorter and had a habit of hiding behind her hair. Kagura was stunned by the girl who stood before her still wearing her school uniform - barely wearing it, that is.
Kanna had blossomed into a beautiful young woman at fourteen, and Kagura immediately felt plain and frumpy in her own off-the-shoulder sweater and stylish blue leather boots. Her sister's button-down white shirt was tied at her chest in a knot, her belly exposed. Her skirt barely covered what it was meant to and her sleeves were rolled up, showing off her pale and perfect skin. Her hair had grown, and was now pinned back on both sides of her face with two white flower barrettes.
She exuded a strong sexuality in her simple uniform that Kagura recognised as a threat. She didn't know why, but her sister made her feel jealous and inadequate at the same time, and it got her back up. Not to mention her sharp tongue; Kanna had always been witty, but in a quiet, subdued way. Now, her tongue was like a lash and she had no compunction about using it, especially on her only sister.
Smiling only to hide her anger, Kagura sarcastically replied, "Nice to see you too, Kanna."
Kanna smiled back, the gesture equally as fake as Kagura's, and, taking her sister by the arm, steered her into the kitchen toward the massive table.
"So, tell me, Kagura. What was so important that you couldn't come with Kaede to pick me up? I'm extremely interested to hear what you have to tell me. I hear you have friends, and that half of them are guys. When did you become so popular?"
Kagura glared at Kanna. She didn't appreciate that her little sister was now taller than her, nor the insinuation that'd she'd had barely any friends the last time her sister was home, even though it was true. Kanna was so… callous!
Kagura refused to sit and leaned with her back to the counter, her arms crossed and an annoyed lift to her delicate brow.
"Not that you care, but I have plenty of friends. And what I do with them is my business. I'll thank you to respect that."
Kanna slitted her eyes slyly and crooned, "Ooh, Kagura, so hostile. I was just wondering why my only sister skipped out on my homecoming."
She lowered her eyes to her lap and looked up again at Kagura innocently, but Kagura was no fool.
"You didn't give a shit and you know it. And what's with the outfit? When did you come out from behind all that hair? The last time you were home you barely spoke and practically lived within your own little shell."
Kanna glared. "People change. I did."
Kagura smiled a genuine smile. My, how the tables have turned…
"I can see that. Now you're a slut. Good change."
Kanna suddenly stopped glaring and assumed her innocent face.
"I may dress differently than I did before, but I changed because I realised something, big sister. I can use this face to get whatever I want. Let me show you."
And, letting her bangs cover her face as she looked at her lap, Kanna took a moment to look up at her sister, a smile on her face so breathtakingly beautiful that Kagura felt jealousy course through her veins; it made her sick.
"You see, I became aware of the power of my smile, Kagura. And my sexuality. Both have changed my entire outlook on life. Not to mention my love life. Are you still a virgin, Kagura?"
Kagura's cheeks grew red. Kanna was so frank, it made her even more uncomfortable than she already was. How the tables had turned again…
"I thought so. Pity. You have no idea what you're missing."
Kagura looked at her sternly. Kanna was only fourteen, for God's sake!
Before she could voice her opinion, though, Kaede walked into the room and Kanna immediately smiled at her, the smile of an angel.
What a fraud, Kagura seethed. Just like Father.
Her eyes flew open. Was Kanna going to pursue the Jewel that they'd all worked so hard to defend? No, she probably doesn't even know about it. And I'm certainly not going to mention it to her, either.
Kagura watched with disgust as Kanna sweet-talked Kaede into making her a smoothie she was totally capable of making herself.
Shaking her head, she left the room. Her sister had always been difficult. But now… well, Kagura hoped she never met her friends. Hearts would definitely get broken if that ever happened, and she didn't think she could bear to be an outcast again after working so hard to be accepted.
Life's such a bitch, she thought, slamming her bedroom door.
S.T.
Oooh, hard times for Kagura ahead, or will the Taisho boys be overwhelmed by Hurricane Kanna? Find out in the next chapter! God, that sounded corny. I need my own announcer, make it more real. I tells ya though, this story just keeps going!!! IT WON'T LET ME STOP!! Hee heh... Review, and maybe I'll post again very soon...Maybe. If I get results like I did today, you guys, we'll all know who's really at who's mercy, lol!