Chapter Four
Dinner
Prior to the dinner bell—
As Kagome squealed her joy at seeing Sango, Inuyasha looked up to see his friend Miroku. Grabbing Rin's hand and rushing her across the foyer, he flew to where Miroku and Sango had gathered. There were loud greetings followed by hugs all around. Immediately after that came the barrage of questions associated with catching up with friends. During the banter Kagome commented that Sango's hug was a bit bumpy.
"Yeah, Sorry about that. Miroku and I came straight from the precinct and didn't take the time to lock up our guns. Honestly it feels like I'm naked without it. I'm used to the weight. I've been wearing a shoulder holster since I became a plain clothes."
Sango turned toward the wall and motioned Kagome to her side. She flashed opened her jacket for a second so Kagome could see her Glock 22.
Kagome smiled. "You get to carry your true love close to your heart."
Miroku turned startled. "You'll finally admit you love me?"
Sango looked at Miroku.
"Not you, silly. My gun. Kagome remembers my love for the shooting range since we were old enough to go with Father."
Sango turned back to Kagome. "Do you still practice your archery?"
"Nah. It was fun but my job keeps me busy these days," Kagome dodged the question and asked another. "What does Miroku carry?"
"He likes his 45, but he keeps an old revolver just because he fancies himself a cowboy."
"Is that why it looks different than yours?" Kagome pointed to Miroku showing off his piece to Inuyasha.
"Are you stupid! Don't show them off publicly," Sango snapped sharply. "Put that thing up!"
"I want to see!" Kanna pushed her way into the midst of the gang and reached out to grab the gun.
Miroku hurriedly hid his 45 and looked sheepishly at Sango.
Naraku's cheeks flushed from embarrassment for his daughter.
"Kanna! Come here now. Your actions reflect poorly on your family." Naraku paused to catch his breath. "Leave the officer alone, you little fool! (pause to breathe) If he had let you see it, you would have probably done (wheeze) something stupid and blown your damn brains out!"
But the old man's physical health detracted from the venom he intended with his words.
Kanna just glared and sulked.
From Inuyasha's side Rin had been watching this turn of events. Now genuinely curious, she asked Miroku if he would show the gun to her. Miroku leery of Sango's ire, gently opened his jacket to show Rin. Rin, satisfied with a glance, turned to leave. Kanna, however, tried to grab for it.
Kagura grabbed her sister by the shoulder, twirled her and slapped her on the hand.
"Kanna, Father said no!"
"Officers forgive my unruly child's behavior please," Naraku plead, wheezing.
"No harm done," Sango stepped in front of Miroku to shield him as he resettled his gun in his waist holster. "As his superior officer it falls on me to assume responsibility for his actions. Forgive us as well."
The partiers resumed their conversations.
As the party was going into full swing, the weather changed and got colder. A loud crack of thunder, a shock of lightning illuminated the skies outside the large dome window over the foyer. The clouds opened up and released a downpour. A chill quickly came over the mansion, causing the staff to scurry about closing the open windows and doors that allowed the refreshing breezes from earlier. Additionally, the manor staff had to kindle fires in the fireplaces throughout the manor so a warm room would await their guests in any chamber they entered. Myoga desperately tried to get the fireplace in the salon and the dining room started so it would be pleasant for the evening meal.
The fire successfully started Myoga stepped to the foyer and rang the dinner bell.
Myoga stood in the grand foyer just outside the sitting room and ushered the guests in the adjacent dining room. Next to him on a caddy was an empty tray for any used glassware they didn't want to take with them to the dining salon. Although a few had left their plates, napkins, and glasses in the sitting room, the tray gradually filled. Myoga mentally noted there was a piece of service ware missing but was distracted by Kikyo' s request for directions to the powder room. He pointed Kikyo to the door in the hallway.
The dining salon was formal but friendly. A family portrait of Toga, Izayoi, a teenage Sesshomaru and a preteen Inuyasha smiled from its location above the mantlepiece of the marble fireplace. Arrangements of beautiful candlesticks and roses adorned side tables leaving a fresh scent of roses. A cozy fire blazed. A fireplace screen protected the room's occupants from any errant sparks. Shining brass hearth tools as well as a stylish covered ash can were to the side within easy reach of whomever maintained the fire.
At the entrance of the formal dining room, Kaede greeted the guests. She guided the guests to their assigned seats around the table per planned instructions from Lady Kagura. When all were seated the arrangement was as follows: Sesshomaru's place was at the head of the table. Clockwise from Sesshomaru, were seated Rin, Kikyo, Jakotsu, Kanna, Kagura, and Naraku at the opposite end of the table from Sesshomaru. Bankotsu, Miroku, Sango, Kagome, and Inuyasha completed the seating arrangement. That placed Inuyasha in his traditional seat at Sesshomaru's right hand. Naraku's nurse was to the side of Naraku, not at the table. He was there only to feed the millionaire if he needed any assistance.
A little chatter continued quietly as members were seated around the solid oak table.
Once seated the guests conversed happily for ten minutes awaiting Sesshomaru's arrival. Finally, Jaken arrived and instructed Myoga and Kaede to begin serving the guests. It appeared Sesshomaru would not be showing up until later.
"My Master sends his deepest regrets but must handle the business which has just arose."
Jaken bowed his head and exited the dining room.
While waiting for his brother to arrive, Inuyasha started daydreaming about happy times in this room with his family. When he was a child, he remembered kicking Sesshomaru under the table and shooting paper wads at each other. Some of the times were happy. Others sad like when their mom died. He remembered teasing Sesshomaru unmercifully when he told them of a pretty flutist from college. He had enjoyed dinners with Sara. She had a great sense of humor. It seemed as though his memories vacillated between sad events and happy ones. Someone's death, someone's birth, but in every memory Sesshomaru was there by his side.
He remembered holding hands with his brother at the table; a physical sign that he was there by his side always, that he would never leave him behind. After Sara's death, InuYasha became Sesshomaru's emotional anchor. A shoulder on which to lean, a sympathetic ear in the middle of the night, when life had quieted down, and when the loss was too much to bear.
InuYasha had always had a deep adoration for his brother. He would do anything he asked without question or thought. But, it was during this time, he'd began to feel more than just sibling hero-worship.
At first he couldn't place his feelings, but as time wore on, he came to realize he felt love for him. Not just the love one has for an older brother. No. This was way deeper. This was a longing. A deep seeded, fully grown mental and physical attraction. Somehow, somewhere in time, he'd fallen deeply in love with Sesshomaru.
As he thought back more, he could see it. The teasing comments, innocent flirtations, the simple touches that were innocent growing up, had deeper feelings attached. It was at this very table, InuYasha recalled. He reached over to lay a comforting hand on Sesshomaru's thigh, but Sesshomaru shifted, and he accidentally touched Sesshomaru's groin instead. Inuyasha had started to apologize and pull his hand away but Sesshomaru flirted openly and held Inuyasha's hand there. A few tender, sexual words were exchanged before Father returned from the office from taking a business call. It was hot.
That was the beginning of their incestuous romance. Footsies under the table, holding hands secretly, teasing each other by suggestively sucking food off their silverware. When they could sit together they often held hands under the table.
The memories put Inuyasha in a melancholy frame of mind.
Noting how quiet InuYasha had become, Kagome turned to see if he was alright. However, seeing the faraway look of melancholy on his face, she opted to leave him be. Turning her attention back to her conversation with Sango and Miroku, Kagome found out that Sango had been promoted to lead detective with the major crime division and had been partnered with Miroku for work. She also found out that cops had a license to carry a weapon all the time. The two snickered as they recalled a high school secret, where Sango had wished to be Miroku's partner. Sango smiled. "The wish is half complete. He's just a bit clueless for a detective." The girls giggled. They also giggled over Sango teasing Miroku about his rather less than macho choice of service weapon.
"A man with my intellectual prowess, doesn't have the need to carry such things. Besides, that is why I will always count on my lovely Sango and her huge guns to always have my back."
Sango snorted.
Kagome laughed. "Somethings never change."
When the soup course arrived, the inuhanyou sipped some, but mostly just moved his soup spoon about his bowl. His appetite was almost nil even though the soup was his favorite.
Around the table multiple conversations hummed at a low volume.
Miroku and Bankotsu were engrossed in some tale from their past and ignored everyone else at the table. They laughed loudly on occasion, then apologized for their rowdiness.
Sango had heard Miroku and Bankotsu's football tale a million times. Noticing a bored Kikyo across the table from her, she attempted to engage Kikyo in conversation. Initially Kikyo answered yes or no and acted uninterested, but then Sango changed the subject to the ego-centric flight attendant and suddenly she was the life of the party. Kikyo slapped Rin on the back and drew her into some confabulated tale of a long flight with her uncle.
Rin acted polite but noticed her uncle was not even paying attention to the alleged misbehavior that Kikyo was spouting.
Soon, the servants brought in the entrée.
After assuring all dinners were served the servants exited the dining salon. Most headed back to the kitchen the direct way, however, Myoga had found the missing paring knife in his pocket and didn't want to take it to his wife Shoga after he had made such a fuss about missing it. Instead, he dropped it in the planter near the spiral stairs and went to the kitchen through the servants' door.
Outside the weather worsened.
Sandwiched between Kanna and Kikyo his two least favorite people in the room, Jakotsu was pouting. He was angry that he was being excluded from his brother's conversation especially since he had actually played in that game.
Jakotsu couldn't believe that he was forced to sit next to Kanna, the spoiled woman who had somehow managed to capture his brother's attention. It was though she was taking his place as right hand to his incredible brother. With the exception of Bankotsu, Jackotsu hated the people at this table. He had gone to high school with most of them and college with the others. They were full of themselves and had no respect for his position as twin brother. He looked at Miroku slapping his brother Bankotsu on the back. Why he had no right to touch his brother. Jakotsu's eyes were like daggers.
While Jakotsu was stewing, Kanna was green with jealousy. She just couldn't believe her beloved Bankotsu wasn't paying any attention to her! She tried to interrupt Miroku and Bankotsu's story a couple of times but each time her father stopped her, reminding her that it was rude to interrupt when people were telling a story.
During a lull in the dinner conversations, Kagome tried to ask Jakotsu how he liked his new job, but he purposely ignored her.
Sango observed the insult. She patted Kagome's hand. They smiled weakly at each other. Jakotsu observed the non-verbal cues from the women and assumed they were making fun of him—again!
Naraku spoke to those around him reminiscing and remarking on all the fine dinners he and his late wife Yura attended at Toga and Izayoi's table. Bankotsu nodded sagely as though it was the most interesting thing in the world. Kagura patted her father's hand. She was glad to see him enjoying himself. His life was near its end. She just wanted him to have some joy before he died. If it was to see his daughters partnered with good men, so be it.
From her position next to her father, Kagura observed the room. Her background in human psychology and counseling encouraged her to observe. She noticed that while most were enjoying the meal, a few were not eating. She witnessed the small groups of diners and noted their body language.
After the soup course and entree had been mostly eaten, Naraku cleared his throat and whispered to his nurse to get everyone's attention. All eyes turned to the patriarch.
"I would like the pleasure of telling everyone of my Kagura's engagement to Sesshomaru. Sure was a delight when they told me….," the old man droned on but Inuyasha completely lost his appetite when he heard of Sesshomaru's engagement. He laid his fork and knife down and sat back in his seat. Throughout the dinner when he heard the door squeak, Inuyasha had pulled out the letter from his breast pocket and put it in his hand to give to Sesshomaru. The crumpled-up letter was on his lap at the time of the announcement. As his hand flopped into his lap the letter drifted to the floor between him and Kagome.
Kagome subtly picked it up and was prepared to give it back to Inuyasha when she noticed her sister's handwriting. Turning her body away from Inuyasha she opened the letter and read the contents. Her eyes opened wide and she turned to stare at her older sister.
Kikyo had been flapping her jaws about some passenger or something when she saw Kagome holding the letter. Pausing briefly to give her sister the micro expression of "you're dead if you say anything," she continued her boisterous story. Sango and Rin continued nodding politely and appeared to have missed the interchange.
Kagome carefully folded the letter back into the envelope and pocketed it.
Kagura patted her father's hand, and said, "Now, Father dear, don't you think we should wait for Sesshomaru to be here to announce our engagement?"
"Oh, yes. Your right, my dear child. I'm just so excited for this wedding!"
Kagura caught Kagome's eye just then. "When will we hear an announcement between you and Inuyasha?"
The crowd all turned and stared at the two, but Kagome just laughed and wave them off.
"Not us. We're just old friends."
Kikyo spoke up then. "I'm InuYasha's partner, in just about EVERY way."
The way Kikyo emphasized "every way" horrified InuYasha.
Kagome stared at her sister. "I won't allow it. He deserves better than the likes of you!"
Kagura interrupted the sisterly argument before it got too heated.
Kagura cleared her throat loudly. "Some would say friends are the best for marriage partners," She hadn't missed how pale Inuyasha had become at the announcement of her engagement. She would be looking into this issue further. She changed subjects. "Then again maybe it will be my sweet sister and the company's newest star Bankotsu."
As the crowd followed Kagura's conversation she couldn't help but notice the glaring contest between Kagome and Kikyo and the increasingly miserable Inuyasha.
Kaede entered the dining salon just as thunder clapped and the power flickered. The kindly old maid squeaked in shock. She apologized to the entire group and gathered the dirty dining ware in preparation for the dessert course.
"Please forgive this old woman for her nerves. I've never liked thunderstorms. For dessert this evening the Takahashi manor proudly presents pink strawberry champagne cake. It will be accompanied by Moscato if desired. Following that coffee and tea will be served with the after-dinner cordials."
While Kaede spoke, Kagome slipped out to see Sesshomaru privately. She intended on showing him the letter.
Kanna laughed nervously. "That squeak and thunderclap did make my heart beat harder, I must admit."
"Now Kanna, no need to make Kaede feel bad," Kagura cooed. "Although it did frighten me too."
"Young misses, I am so dreadfully sorry," Kaede bowed.
Naraku whispered, "It's okay, Kaede. I know you mean no harm."
"Thank you, Lord Naraku. It is so good to see you in the manor again. I do hope you enjoyed our fares." Kaede said as she exited the room.
With that going on no one noticed Kagome's absence.
The thunder and lightning continued in the background. Dinner conversation dwindled to nearly nonexistent. After four near hits of lightning, a fifth one hit the manor and the lights went out completely.
Myoga's voice could be heard asking everyone to remain seated. He would be lighting the candles and recharging the fireplaces.
As the candles were lit, a warm yellowish-orangish glow radiated from the candles around the room.
"If it's still okay, Milady Kagura, we can still serve dessert?" Myoga bowed at her side.
Kagura nodded to continue.
Rin excused herself from the table to wash her hands. She took a candlestick with her for light. Rin realized that her Father never took that long to do business. She wondered where he was.