Chapter 29: TECHNICAL
Sesshomaru had found it incredibly difficult to get out of bed that morning, thus making him late for the scheduled practice. He wanted nothing more than to stay with Kagome all day and help her with whatever she needed. But his father had practically drug him from the room and kicked him out of the house telling him to go ride, that he needed the practice before Vegas in a couple of weeks. Sesshomaru knew he was right, but it still hurt to leave Kagome. The guys were waiting for him and Koga had brought his bike and helmet from the garage for him.
"Is Kagome okay?" Jakotsu asked assuming that was the reason for his lateness.
"Yeah," Sesshomaru answered. "She's pretty out of it."
"So what's on the agenda for today?" Bankotsu asked, folding his hands behind his head.
"I have some stuff I want to try into the foam pit, but if you guys want to go practice backflips on the track you can."
"You don't want us catching a peek at the new tricks huh?" Hiten asked with a smirk.
"No..."
"I'd like to work on some variations if that's cool," Jakotsu said grinning.
"You can do whatever you want."
"You'll help me out though right?" He asked.
"Of course, it's what you're paying me for right?" Sesshomaru smiled.
"True." Jakotsu nodded.
"Well, I'm gonna go play on the track," Hiten announced and Bankotsu nodded.
"Me too."
Sesshomaru nodded and turned to his brother. "Inuyasha, you go with them in case they need something and Koga you stay here to work the winch."
"Yes!" Inuyasha said happily. "I'm literally off the hook."
"Shut up." Koga shoved him roughly.
Inuyasha laughed as he regained his balance. "Whatever, I'm still off the hook. I'm taking one of the quads out there," he announced and started towards the garage.
"Jak, you make sure you're paying attention to everything Sesshomaru does today," Bankotsu instructed as he pulled his helmet on. "I expect a detailed report."
"Yeah," Hiten agreed before kick-starting his bike. "Too bad you didn't bring a camera with you."
"I'm not telling you diddly." Jakotsu grinned. "I'm keeping all the secrets to myself."
Bankotsu started his bike as well and the two headed towards the track, Inuyasha following a few minutes later on a quad. Sesshomaru turned towards Koga and Jakotsu.
"Let's get started." He smiled before pulling on his helmet and kick-starting his bike.
His first trip into the foam pit was complete with the creation of another original trick. In one fluid movement he kicked both legs to the left side of his bike and brought them around to the front, letting go of the left grip to do so, like a reverse saran wrap but with both legs. Within the same movement he brought his legs around the right side of the bike, doing a saran wrap, and moved back over the bike, completing the revolution. Koga had him quickly out of the pit and back on the asphalt.
"That was new," he commented. "What are we calling it?"
"I don't know. I was just warming up. Do you think it could be a real trick?"
"Yes," Koga stated as if Sesshomaru was an idiot for asking. "Start thinking of a name for it."
Sesshomaru nodded as he kick-started his bike and rode back over to the front of the foam pit.
"I don't recall seeing that before," Jakotsu said with a smile as he revved his bike. "Does it have a name?"
"Not yet. It was a spur of the moment decision."
"Hmm." Jakotsu tilted his head as if in thought. "You should call it a Windmill."
Sesshomaru laughed. "It does fit. Good idea."
Jakotsu tapped the side of his helmet, above his goggles. "I've got a million of them. All you need to do is ask."
"Right." Sesshomaru grinned.
Jakotsu started towards the tall steel ramp and once in the air, pulled his body from the bike and to the right, using the right grip and left rear handhold to hang onto the bike for a moment before letting go completely. After a few seconds he gripped the bike the same way he had before letting go, and pulled himself back onto the bike so he was again astride the seat. He landed cleanly, as cleanly as you can into foam, and Koga worked his magic with the winch, pulling him from the pit.
"Nice Ninja Nac." Koga grinned as he shut the winch off.
"Why thank you." Jakotsu attempted a half-bow. "It was if I don't say so myself."
Sesshomaru was already headed towards the ramp before Jakotsu re-started his bike, so he decided he'd stay put and take advantage of the better view. Sesshomaru did a simple cliffhanger, but instead of hooking both boots under the handle bars, he only hooked his right.
"That one's simple enough to name," Jakotsu thought aloud.
"Yeah?" Koga prompted when he didn't say anymore, at the same time swinging the crane out over the pit to retrieve Sesshomaru.
"Oh. Solo Cliffhanger," he announced proudly before letting out the clutch on his bike and starting towards the other end of the asphalt.
"That one's already been named," Koga informed Sesshomaru once he was on the ground and disconnected from the cable.
"Oh yeah?" He asked.
"Jakotsu took the liberty. He called it a Solo Cliffhanger."
"Again with the simplistic brilliance," Sesshomaru mumbled. "He named the other one Windmill."
Koga laughed. "Sounds about right. Fits though."
"He's two for two." Sesshomaru nodded as Jakotsu did a backflip into the foam. "It will be interesting to see what he can come up with for this next one."
Koga barely had Jakotsu out of the way before Sesshomaru took off towards the ramps again. He chose the big steel one, going for more height. Once in the air he brought his left leg over to the right side of the bike. Using that same momentum, he brought his body around the right handle bar, switching his right hand to the left grip and his left hand to the right grip. He held his body straight over the front of the bike, sort of like a reverse Superman. Then he pulled his body around the left side of the handle bars, switching his hands back to the correct grips and sitting astride the bike once more.
"That was...bizarre," Jakotsu commented.
"I...don't know what the hell that was," Koga said quietly and then turned to Jakotsu. "What did you call it?"
Jakotsu looked at him curiously. "Bizarre."
"I think you just named your third trick for the morning."
Jakotsu smiled. "I wasn't even trying to. That's how awesome I am."
"Yeah." Kouga snorted.
"Koga!" Sesshomaru shouted from amidst the sea of foam. "I'd like to get out of here sometime today if you don't mind."
"Sorry! Sorry," he called down and fired up the winch.
X*X*X*X*X*X
A week had flown by before anyone had even realized it. Kagome was walking around on her crutches better and Inu had taken her out in the Mule to watch the boys practice tricks on the course. Everyone was gearing up to leave for Vegas in a week; putting the final touches on their trick lists and perfecting what tricks they needed to work on. It was the first time Kagome was able to witness Sesshomaru's four new inventions. She had heard rumors from both Sango and Miroku about them. Even Inuyasha had dropped a few hints that Sesshomaru had been working on something new. She was amazed when she saw them; especially the Bizarre and Electric Doom. Already she was having ideas on what she wanted to put into his trick lists.
"So?" Inu asked from behind the steering wheel of the Mule. "Think he has a shot at winning Vegas?"
Kagome turned to him with a wide smile.
"I think the others shouldn't even bother to show up," she teased.
"Now, now," Inu laughed. "You're forgetting that three members of the competition are here watching him; learning from him."
"Not one of them could do what he's doing," Kagome said confidently.
"You're prejudice."
Kagome laughed. "Just a little bit."
"How are you feeling? Do you want to go back yet?"
"Heck no." She shook her head. "It feels so nice to be out of that bedroom for a change. It's worth the small amount of discomfort."
"Small?" He prompted.
"The wonders of pain medication."
Inu scoffed. "You had surgery seven days ago Kags, I'm sure that you're in more than a small amount of pain. Plus you're supposed to keep it elevated."
"Half an hour isn't going to kill me," she insisted. "Speaking of it having been seven days..."
Inu turned towards her, placing his arm across the seat behind her. "Yes?"
"Do you think that you could talk to Izayoi about me moving back into my own house?"
Inu laughed. "She does tend to take the mothering thing a little seriously."
"No. It's not that. She's been great. You both have. I just..." She paused trying to find the right words. "I miss my own bed you know?"
"What about the stairs? You can't possibly crutch up and down that flight several times a day."
"Sess can carry me up them." She smiled. "Or Koga." She added.
"Yes, brilliant idea. You should make sure Sesshomaru's in the house when you do that."
"Yeah, maybe Koga's not such a hot idea. But you know Sesshomaru will make sure I'm taken care of."
"Of course he will." Inu nodded. "I'll drop you off there on our way back."
"Thanks," she said warmly before her attention was pulled away by Sesshomaru riding up. "Hey!" She chirped.
"Well?" Sesshomaru asked as he let his bike die and pulled off his helmet. "What did you think of the new tricks?"
"They're awesome; really. Are you going to want to use them in Vegas?"
"I think so. I have them down pretty solid, so I don't see a reason not to use them. How are you feeling?" He asked sensing discomfort from her.
"I'm okay." She smiled weakly.
"Maybe you should take her back inside." Sesshomaru glanced at Inu.
"I suggested the same thing not five minutes ago," he mumbled.
"I'm okay, really." Kagome looked at both of them.
"Kagome, you need to rest. It will help you heal faster," Sesshomaru lectured.
"I know. Inu's gonna take me to the house," she said hoping that it would placate him. "So make sure you come there right after you're done with practice."
"Alright." He nodded.
"I'll probably need help getting up the stairs."
"Wait. Stairs? Are you moving back into our house?"
"That was my plan." She grinned.
"Mom's going to have a few choice things to say about that I'm sure."
"I'll deal with that part of it," Inu broke in. "Kagome will be fine. She'll have Sango and Miroku around when you're not. Not that he can do much of anything with his walking cast."
"I'll meet you at the house okay?" Sesshomaru said pulling his helmet back on. "I want to make sure that you're settled and have anything you need."
"Because I wouldn't do that?" Inu teased and received a glare from his son. "There's no need to look at me like that. I understand completely. I too was once a young, newly mated demon with a pup on the way."
Kagome laughed and Sesshomaru shook his head as he kick-started his bike.
"I'll see you at the house," he said to Kagome and then to Inu, "Drive slowly. Take your time."
"Of course." Inu nodded.
Sesshomaru hesitated for a second longer before riding off in the direction of the garage. Inu sighed as he turned the key in the ignition of the Mule.
"If you think he was protective and territorial of you before, you haven't seen anything yet."
"I'm beginning to figure that out," Kagome agreed.
