A/N: Whew, been a minute. To make up for it, here's a super-long double chapter. Enjoy!
She knew her boyfriend's reputation in this town, and it made these moments all the sweeter.
Just like his half-brother, not every word uttered beside his name was true, but she wasn't oblivious to the fact that many of them were. Most- if not all- of the things people said had at least a kernel of truth, sprouting a root of validity from the core that rendered the claims reasonable.
But rather than scare her off as it should have- as it did her mother- it only made him more addictive. Because that rough, violent, aggressive boy with a hair-trigger temper and unquestionable rage constantly bubbling beneath his surface only touched her tenderly. Those dangerous hands scarred by so much destruction only handled her gently, and his cruel, spiteful lips only spoke to her lovingly.
If all those things they said about him were true, she would only love him more. Because that was for everyone else, but not her. She was exempt from his insatiable and inconsolable fury- she alone. And rather than warn her off, that violence she loathed and feared and subconsciously relished only drew her closer, dragged her deeper, pulled her more completely into his arms; for it only put more distance between her and all others in his eyes. It made his affection all the more powerful, thus his sins easier to dismiss.
Lying naked in his bed together left Kagome profoundly vulnerable, but she didn't feel that way. Their blissful euphoria had long since dissipated, but he still lavished her with affection, holding her naked body to his chest, raking fingers through wild raven hair, and looking into her eyes with an adoring smile.
He, who broke bones on a whim, destroyed property without concern and berated his superiors at will, cradled her so reverently, as if she were made of priceless porcelain and entrusted to him alone.
He was regarded as so tough and strong and treated her like something so breakable- yet it was his powerful form littered with abrasions and scars, while she had not sustained a single scrape.
Their heart rates evened out as sweat evaporated off their skin, and she reveled in his respectful awe and the peacefulness it brought them. No boy had ever been so kind to her; she wished her mother could see that, but she'd already made up her mind about the Taishos long ago.
While he played lightly with her flushed, sticky skin, blue eyes drifted to his collarbone and rested there.
It wasn't that she hadn't noticed before now, but it was the first time it really registered. To say he was confrontational was an understatement; Inuyasha had a chip on his shoulder. It was obvious to any who met him that he was walking around with some serious damage, and his short fuse ensured someone else would be too. Like his emotional scars had to manifest into physical ones- on others, and himself.
What happened to make him so angry all the time was a mystery to her- he'd made it clear he didn't want to talk about it- but that it was there was undeniable.
That meant there would be bruising- a lot of it- and his endless scrapping ensured the results were a common sight. It used to horrify her- like that first night in her room- but now, she'd grown so accustomed to them, she barely took notice. Some marks would swell and tear, the most egregious of them would change color, but eventually, they all would fade away to make room for another.
This one splotching below his throat was particularly gruesome, and likely to turn yellow. Someone really got him good- and if what she'd heard was true, she had an idea who it had been. But she hoped she was wrong.
It had been a few days since she was eating with her friends in the cafeteria, and someone passed her a copy of the school newspaper. It was getting a lot of buzz that week because Sesshoumaru had just taken first in the district, and that meant there would be a speedo pic in the sports section.
There was a rumor floating around that you could see the outline of his cock in the photo- which turned out to be false. Kagome figured it was, but it wasn't like she was disappointed or anything.
While there was no nudity in this week's edition, for better or worse, there was something in the snapshot that gave Kagome pause. The poolside pic of their star swimmer holding up his medal drew her scrutiny, but not for the same reasons as her uber horny classmates. Sure, there was a dripping wet, nearly naked, chiseled teen in the sports section wearing a chillingly impassive glare for someone who just won first place, but she was studying the swath of skin peeking out below his right underarm.
Just outboard of his pectoral, a softball sized bruise colored his ribcage- and it looked like a bad one. She hadn't been to another swim meet, but remembered his alabaster skin had been unfairly flawless- almost- and it invaded her waking thoughts enough times to be sure.
She knew he was tough. Not only that; people were scared of him. His reputation as a killer earned him a fairly wide berth, and deference from most of the population. But while she admittedly wasn't here back before he shipped away, the guy she met in that closet didn't seem to fit the bill. Sure, he looked strong, powerful, but he was also calm, and rational. Even-tempered and levelheaded. High minded.
Everything Inuyasha was not.
Sesshoumaru wouldn't jump into a fight needlessly, and no one was going out of their way to instigate it. So who would be stupid enough to pick a fight with the decorated martial artist and military school veteran- and lucky enough to land a strike? And what became of them?
It seemed unlikely, but no more so than the demonstrably coordinated athlete slipping by the pool or falling off his bike. He was banned from competing in official matches for the rest of high school career- but she supposed he could be sparring off the books.
It was a pretty glaring blemish in contrast to his pale skin, but she was the only one who seemed to notice. She blamed the others' lack of reaction on his sinfully distracting physique, but upon pointing it out to them, received a startlingly blasé response that troubled her even now. Some time alone with Inuyasha in his room had served as a momentary distraction, but as she lay with him in the dwindling afterglow, the purple skin near his collarbone brought it all rushing back.
"Do you and your brother fight?" she asked distantly. "Like, really fight?"
"Who told you that?"
The affectionate tickling on her shoulder stopped and she lifted her eyes to his.
"Eri. She said before he was sent away, you guys used to fight each other bloody. Do you still?"
The mark on Sesshoumaru's ribs had been a shock to no one but her, and the reason they gave made her chest ache too. She prayed he'd tell her it was just another dumb rumor, even as a quick glance down to his swollen knuckles suggested otherwise.
Inuyasha sighed, scooting them both up to recline against his headboard.
"Brothers fight," he explained, "it's just how it is."
She scowled, and an arm wrapped around her shoulders.
"Maybe some, but they aren't supposed to really try to hurt each other."
He shrugged. "We don't."
"Then it's not true?"
His brow furrowed as she looked to him hopefully. "You didn't really do that to his arm?"
Sesshoumaru was often regarded as perfect, but it was with one glaring omission. She wouldn't call the scarring around his left bicep unsightly, but against his otherwise flawless presentation, it was certainly noticeable. She meant to ask someone about it after glimpsing it at the swim meet- but he covered it up most of the time, and it slipped her mind.
She'd assumed he had an accident of some kind, but the conversation with her friends enlightened her to the horrible reality, and volatile nature of the brothers' relationship. If true.
Inuyasha's reaction seemed to validate their claims, and it made her heart break.
"So, you did do it," she whispered, almost in disbelief. As it sank in, so did the terrible feeling she'd been resisting with a thick enamel of denial and optimism, eroded by the truth until it settled deep into her bones.
He swiftly removed his arm from her.
"Yeah, it was me. I did it," he spat bitterly, startling her with his hostile retreat. He crossed his arms angrily, avoiding her worried gaze with a sneer. "I wish it never happened and I'd undo it if I could; but there's no going back, so we all just gotta live with it."
Her body stiffened in kind the moment she felt his muscles tense, but she was not scared of him. It was his vehemence that truly concerned her; Inuyasha had broken a lot of bones that weren't his own- and too often without merit or reason- but he had never expressed remorse or regret for any of the damage he'd wrought.
Horrified as she was to learn of their violent past- and present, apparently- it gave her the tiniest bit of hope. If he truly hated Sesshoumaru, he wouldn't feel the least bit bad about what he'd done to him- quite the opposite.
The gentle hand on his shoulder allowed him to relax somewhat, and she felt his muscles unbind beneath her palm before he covered it with his own. She wasn't happy to learn how deep the brothers' disdain for one another had run, and couldn't honestly understand it, but whatever happened between them, it seemed to put him at ease to know that she wasn't as upset with him as he was.
He allowed her to pull him into a hug, and soon found himself melting completely within her soothing embrace.
"You guys were just kids," she assured him, calmly petting his hair, "I'm sure he doesn't blame you anymore."
His heavy scoff blew all the way down her back.
"I mean, he doesn't seem mad. How long can you hold a grudge, anyway?"
"You obviously don't know Sesshoumaru." He pulled away to look her in the eyes, his expression stern as he gripped both her shoulders. "He hates me for what I did to him that day, and I don't blame him. However he felt about me before that... some things you just can't take back."
His sullen acceptance of it made him appear so helpless, and it twisted the muscle in her chest... but something didn't seem right. Granted, she didn't know his brother terribly well, but he seemed, by all accounts, a perfectly reasonable, well-adjusted guy. She just couldn't see how some prepubescent horseplay, even at its most malicious, could inspire a never-ending supply of spite like that. It sounded like it was unintentional, and if not, he regretted it now. What was she missing?
She intended to ask, but a pair of lips suddenly on her throat shuddered the words right back down it.
"Anyway, enough about him…" he rumbled huskily in her ear. Delving his tongue inside, he used two fingers to stroke her below the covers.
She grabbed his wrist tightly as she bucked into his touch.
"I can't," she whined, and he groaned in complaint. "Mom's gonna be off work soon. I need to beat her home."
He ground his erection against her thigh in protest, but he relented, flopping onto his back to allow her to find her clothing. A glance outside his window showed the sky was growing dark.
"Speaking of which," he said, watching her on a propped elbow, "my old man's gonna be gone an extra day. Wanna come over again tomorrow and study?" Suggestive eyebrows jumped behind his bangs as she attempted- unsuccessfully- to glower.
"Only if we really get to study," she said, and he grinned victoriously. "I still have that test to get ready for."
And I certainly didn't get much studying in tonight.
"Like you have anything to worry about," he dismissed with a grin. "You're the smartest girl in our whole school."
"Because I actually study," she fired back, glare sharpening. "You should be too."
She knew he was trying to be complimentary, but it was hard not to get irritated when he waved her off like that. He was always urging her to abandon her studies on the basis of her good grades- like he didn't correlate the two at all.
"Fine, we'll study," he said, rolling his eyes. He hopped out of bed and in a flash. "Then work on extra credit…"
Grabbing her from behind, he pulled her back against his firm chest and began nibbling on her neck. She could feel the heat of his bare skin through her outfit- both grateful and annoyed she'd managed to dress in time- and let her head lull in his favor.
"-kay," she sighed in compromise, leaning back against him. "But mom's off tomorrow, so I need to make sure Hojo can pick me up."
"Your other boyfriend?"
Grinning at the annoyance in his tone, she spun to face him.
"You're still my favorite," she assured him, cupping his cheeks, "no need to be jealous."
Her mom was busy with work lately, but not so much she didn't notice the telltale signs of a young woman in love living under her roof. She'd been pressing to meet her 'mystery boyfriend' for several weeks when the freshman dance sparked a brilliant idea.
She wasn't forbidden to date, per se. But the Taisho name came with a lot of baggage that often preceded the passengers. Merited or not, her mother had heard things about the family well before transferring to their school, and the rumor mill at the PTA had only soured that unfavorable opinion further. There was no way she would ever get to leave the house if she confessed to dating one of them.
Hojo had a different but similar problem, in that his parents did not support his proclivities either. So, on the night of the freshman dance, his parents were thrilled to learn about the nice new girl he was taking. And when she introduced Hojo to her mother, the well-dressed, non-threatening, uber-hygienic young man was welcomed in with open arms. Pictures were taken, introductions were made... and then he dropped Kagome off and Inuyasha's and went to meet his real date.
It worked so well that they decided to make their relationship 'official,' and used each other to see their real partners more often with no hassle from their close-minded parents. In fact, they were all so happy with their children's choices that curfews got extended, and even school nights were on the table for study dates.
If Hojo was picking her up, there were no questions asked, so Inuyasha was pretty much paying him to be her own personal chauffeur. She had to say; she was pretty proud of herself.
They just had to be careful… though, a few hiccups were to be expected.
"Just make sure he's back to being gay once you leave your house," he grumbled into her hair. "If he motorboats you again, I'm gonna pound him- and not it the way he'd like."
"Then he'd get you for a hate crime," she grinned. "Ironic, huh?"
He answered by rubbing his face vigorously in her cleavage as she called her chauffeur.
She scanned the bedroom timidly as she ventured further inside, her momentary rush of courage dwindling with every step away from the door. On the other side, the party could still be heard going strong, but as the now-muffled source of her frustrations grew more distant, so did the confidence that compelled her to breach his privacy.
"Sesshoumaru?" she tried again.
As her temper cooled, she began to question her judgement- but curiosity propelled her forward past any second thoughts she may have had.
Looking around wondrously, she noted the room was identical to Inuyasha's in size and shape alone, but tidy and sparse in a way that made it appear to be much larger. Without clothing and clutter clogging up the pathways, there was just wide-open space, making it easier to navigate through. And instead of busy blue walls littered with posters, pictures and graffiti, these were covered end to end in nothing but crisp, olive-green paint.
The bed was neatly made like it was a floor model on display, and the nightstands on either end were completely void of any wares. In fact, if it wasn't for the books and binders open atop his desk, it wouldn't look like anyone lived there at all. She supposed they hadn't until he returned just a few months ago... or perhaps she could simply blame it on his strict military training.
She was about to give up on finding anything resembling a personal touch in the sterile, spotless room, when she turned toward the back wall and hit the motherload. Where Inuyasha had a large flat screen television surrounded by various gaming systems taking up most of the space, Sesshoumaru had six large bookcases lining the length of the wall. Three were filled top to bottom with carefully organized and well-maintained books of different varieties and genres- and she was tempted to look through them to glean his literary interests- but the other three called her like a shiny, sparkly beacon, and she found herself drifting toward it.
She wasn't in there to snoop, but the opportunity to gain some insight into the mysterious teen was too seductive, and she was powerless to resist it. Trophies, medals and awards filled the shelves from end to end, and she gazed on awestruck at the sheer quantity.
But then, as she leaned in closer, she became more impressed with the variety of them. Swimming, kendo, swordsmanship, all forms of martial arts were represented- just to name a few. District, regionals, nationals- all first place- military awards, scholastic achievements... even private clubs she'd never heard of before. If they handed out honors, the odds looked good that they'd rendered a gold plaque with Sesshoumaru Taisho's name. He was a regular wunderkind, top of his class in everything since he was a zygote, all the way up to the medal he'd taken in swimming just this week.
She thought he perhaps had organized them with those he was most proud of up top- like she had done with her meager-in-comparison collection- but quickly realized they were all chronological. Her eyes roved shelf-to-shelf down each of the cases- stopping sporadically here and there on some of the accompanying photos to fawn over cute little Sesshoumaru in his wide array of uniforms. As he matured through the years, the serious, determined look on his little face remained unchanging, and she couldn't decide whether to coo or giggle at the sight.
As she made it to his twelfth year, she noticed the ever-increasing flow of prizes seemed to wean down significantly, before picking up again at age thirteen. The lone picture from that year told her why, and she leaned closer to get a better look.
He looked just as solemn as ever, receiving his medal in what appeared to be judo; but what made this picture different from the rest was the large white cast reaching almost to his armpit on the left side.
The sleeve of his uniform had been removed to pin his arm safely to his chest, making it clear why he'd been unable to participate in his other usual events. He managed to make it up with a few extra non-physical scholastic competitions, but it was amazing he'd been able to win even a single sport with that arm. It seemed dangerous to even try, and she questioned the decision of the officials to allow it- let alone his parents.
Maybe that was why he was so angry with Inuyasha for injuring him. It seemed like he'd broken his perfect record to be out of commission. But still-
"My brother's room is down the hall."
A startled gasp betrayed her complete lack of awareness to the unexpected presence looming behind her. She reflexively jumped as she turned towards it, heart thudding wildly in her chest as adrenaline coiled in her veins.
"But from what I have heard through these walls, you are well aware of that," he drawled monotonically, the perfect picture of calm. Or maybe he was angry? Looking into his expressionless façade, she really couldn't tell.
As her heart rate began to temper, so did the impulse to berate him for sneaking up on her. Blue eyes were wide and fearful at being caught snooping, but she never took them off the man whose walls she'd breached as she put distance between her and his trophy wall.
"I am so sorry," she said shakily. "I-I didn't think you were home."
"So you thought to take the opportunity to invade my privacy?"
Kagome winced, slowly backing towards his door while he steadily pursued.
"Looking for dirt?" he asked, tilting his head to the side, "or have you more salacious intentions?"
"No!" she said frantically. "Nothing like that. I'm sorry- I just needed a quiet place to study." Though that certainly wasn't what he caught her doing just now, and the look he gave her relayed that.
If only she'd stuck to the plan… but her curiosity got the better of her. She was ashamed of herself.
Wilting where she stood, she could have sworn he looked amused, but she didn't have time to consider long. At that very moment, her brain decided to finally notice that the boy whose room she invaded wasn't wearing a shirt.
The towel around his shoulders cushioned his damp locks while black sweatpants hung low on sturdy hips. Below his navel, a trail of fine hairs disappeared beneath the waistband, making it very likely he had nothing on underneath.
As she contemplated that, he ran his fingers and threw the fuzz in a subtle scratch, breaking her of the spell- and she didn't like the odds it was intentional. A smug, malicious smile was his only mention of it, but she decided to take it as her cue to explain herself.
"I was supposed to study with Inuyasha," she said quickly, keeping her eyes above his chin, "but he decided he'd rather throw a rager and invite half the school. This was the only place I knew nobody would dare to enter."
Her features constricted irritably as she recalled the events that led her to this unenviable scenario; when Hojo dropped her off, she had every intention to study for her test tomorrow- just like they had planned. By the time she learned that Inuyasha made other plans, her ride was on his date and- knowing them- wouldn't be back until late to take her home.
Inuyasha didn't take his studies seriously like she did and couldn't understand why she was so upset. He promised she could have his room to herself to study in, but it didn't take long for the burnouts to invade and convert into their little drug den.
"They know the consequences for coming in here," Sesshoumaru frowned, "as I assumed you did."
Spinning on his heel, he then made his way toward his closet, toweling off his hair until he disappeared inside.
She took that as her dismissal, and it stung that she'd ruined whatever rapport they were building by violating his trust like this. She hoped they would become friends...
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come in," she called solemnly, and hoped that he believed her. "It will never happen again."
She turned to leave, and his deep voice reached her from the closet.
"You may stay."
"Huh?" She spun back around just in time to see him emerge, pulling a crisp wife-beater down over his sculpted stomach. His hair looked like he'd run a brush through it, and while she'd seen him more… naked, she'd never seen him looking so casual as he made his way to his desk.
"My room is off limits to those who would spill beer on my carpet or fornicate in my bed- which, until now, has been every acquaintance of my half-brother's I have come across." Pulling out the chair, he sat down and gave her a pointed look. "Since you intend to do neither, I will relax my rule and invite you to stay."
Kagome was speechless as he arranged his study materials around his notebook, calmly carrying on as he'd planned. She wasn't expecting an invitation, and honestly, wasn't prepared for it.
"Oh, I didn't want to interrupt-"
"I also have a test to study for, and I was just preparing to begin." She still hadn't moved an inch as continued preparing his items, and he tossed her a patient glare. "If you have similar motivations, I suggest you remain- unless you can concentrate amid the chorus of house music and beer pong."
His distaste was clear, and she couldn't help but smile at it. She relaxed a bit, and when she did, something in him seemed lighter as well.
"My den is your sanctuary," he returned to his open book, "so long as you don't disrupt me."
With nothing further, he simply commenced reading. As he made a few notes to himself, the tight ball of nerves cramping her chest burst into warm, gooey gratitude that coated her insides. He didn't see her grin.
"You won't even know I'm here," she promised, excitedly dropping to the floor.
He watched out of the corner of his eye as she unloaded her backpack, transferring books and papers to his carpet with practiced efficiency and setting up a work area of her own. He didn't have much in the way of furniture, and while his desk was technically large enough to share, he preferred not to be crowded.
"You can use my bed," he offered casually, keeping his eyes in his book.
Perhaps it felt rude to make his guest sit on the floor- uninvited as she was- but the suggestion made her blush all the same.
"Thank you," she bowed shyly, "but I've got my system. I'm good down here."
When he flicked his eyes in her direction, she was already busying herself with her work. He watched her another moment in contemplation before returning to his own.
Kagome was adept at shutting her mind off to any and all distractions, so the thumping and shouting and occasional trembling of foundation as the party picked up steam didn't bother her. But as the subject matter she was studying so intently grew more difficult, a brief reprieve was necessary to divorce her mind from frustration here and there. She let another loud crash draw her attention towards the door, and as the boisterous response from the partiers inevitably followed, found her mind drifting to them once again.
"Rethinking your associations?"
She snapped her head towards his desk where he still studied unassumingly. Kagome offered a wan smile.
"They're just having fun."
Sesshoumaru scoffed as he turned the page on his textbook. "You consider that fun?"
"Opposed to studying? Of course." She gazed at her notes before belatedly lifting her shoulder. "I just don't party on weeknights."
"Clearly. Or else you'd be on the other side of that door."
His assertion earned no response, and Sesshoumaru let his keen focus shift from his assignment to the girl occupying a decent portion of his floor space. Sitting in the center of haphazardly arranged books and papers, it appeared a bit of an unruly system upon first glance. But as he watched her pour over her notes, jumping purposefully between texts at an efficient pace, there looked to be a method to her madness.
More surprising, however, was the sheer determination with which she operated. Not to mention the outright will to do so. He found himself impressed at her priorities, immediately acknowledging his bar was laughably low.
"It is refreshing to see one of my brother's companions able to resist the lure of sex and drugs when presented the opportunity," he quipped, sending his pencil back into motion.
Despite his usual lack of affect, he seemed amused by the novelty. It was more a commentary on Inuyasha, but regardless of recent activities, her insecurities around being regarded as some kind of massive prude had not been entirely squelched.
"I mean, I like to experiment a little," she countered shyly, hating the faint blush that emerged. "...sometimes."
It wasn't a lie. And it wasn't just sex she was referring to. Dating Inuyasha meant being exposed to all sorts of things that had once only existed in her periphery.
"I am well aware, Higurashi," he said blandly, turning another page. "Just because I do not often participate, does not mean I am not cognizant of what occurs within these walls. And you are here to visit my brother quite often."
She may have imagined the condemnation in that statement, because once again, neither his inflection nor expression changed in the slightest. Still, she blushed at the insinuation, while wondering if he really did know everything.
"Despite that, you are clearly intelligent. Just do not let my brother and the rest of those fools jeopardize your potential by skewing your priorities."
She barely had time to enjoy the praise before the grin she struggled to restrain was no longer a threat.
Nothing in his demeanor altered as he continued with his work, but as she studied it a moment, she finally saw traces of that fabled coldness he was so well known for. Rather than fear it, however, as most others seemed to, it only saddened her to get a glimpse of the portrait his brother painted. One she could no longer confidently contest.
"I know they like to get a little wild," she conceded fondly, "but they're my friends."
An empathetic smile stretched her lips tight, and gold eyes cut to her sharply.
"You aren't like them," he said harshly. "Remember that."
Spoken with such certainty, his firm assessment was a sock in the gut rather than the compliment she assumed he intended. It was likely written on her face as she reeled, but he seemed unconcerned, boredly returning to his work.
"You are better," he added.
Kagome frowned. "You don't even know me."
"I know enough."
As he went back to ignoring her, she fought the urge to refute him. To stick up for her friends, and in her mind; herself, and the way he viewed her.
Shelving her agitation, she redirected her tolerant temperament to the older teen at his desk. She watched determination crease his brow as he studied the material intently, his slight frown the only evidence of his mounting frustration. Hovering over his wordy textbook with a deathly glare, he appeared to be trying to scare the poor thing into giving him answers, and the thought forced Kagome to stifle a giggle.
She thought better of asking him, knowing the Taisho pride was a force to be feared, and instead tried to catch a glimpse for herself. She strained, but couldn't make out the subject he was struggling with from the floor; and remembering her earlier promise to him, debated whether or not she should bother him at all.
A soft grunt from him was as good as a distress beacon, she decided- whether he was aware he had made it or, more likely, not.
"Whose test are you studying for?" she asked nonchalantly.
"Tanaka-sensei."
"Oh, I love his class!" Kagome lit up excitedly, and the enthused reaction was enough to finally earn the grouchy teen's regard. His curious stare teemed with interest as he watched her cheeks widen into a beaming smile.
"I may be partial, because chemistry is my favorite subject," she peppered in happily, "but he has such a fun teaching style that really makes the lessons come alive. Its teachers like him that made me want to enroll at TA in the first place."
There were too many prestigious schools out there that prioritized their networking opportunities over actually educating the students, and were more concerned about the pedigree of the PTA rosters than the educators. And while being introduced to the right people early was an inarguably more efficient road to success, it wouldn't get you to the top of your field- regardless of what your sheepskin boasted.
She hoped Tokyo Academy wouldn't turn out to be one of those schools, and she had not been disappointed.
"I gotta say, I had high expectations coming in," she continued to gush, "and I'm so glad to see the Academy live up to its reputation for only hiring the best. Aren't we so lucky?"
She turned to Sesshoumaru expectantly to find him leaning back in his chair. He'd reined his intrigue in, but still eyed her somewhat dubiously.
"Hn. I was unaware Tanaka-sensei taught a freshman class."
"He doesn't," she confirmed, blushing slightly. "I tested at an advanced level, so they put me in the senior class."
He hid his surprise as she averted her gaze uncomfortably; and while not an uncommon reaction under his intense scrutiny, he determined her modesty was genuine. Of the few he knew- other than himself- who accelerated past their peers in that regard, none surrendered an opportunity to boast of the accomplishment. Even though she had brought it up, she seemed loathe, even ashamed, to do so. Why, he could not fathom.
What was far more baffling was that his dimwitted brother had chosen a girl with measurable intelligence- and that she had chosen him in return.
"I have him second period," she said, attempting to change the subject. "What about you?"
"Sixth." He leaned forward and reached for his pencil sharpener. "You must be studying for his test as well, then."
As he twisted the pencil in his grip over and again, she watched the shavings curl and fall onto a sheet of paper sitting atop his desk. She found the motion somewhat mesmerizing, lulling her brain into a state as blank as the sheet until a small pile began to form.
The tank top he wore put every muscle in his arm on display, and she watched in fascination as they bulged and flexed with every slight turn of his wrist. It was his other arm, though, that stole her attention.
He held the small pencil sharpener in his left hand, but her gaze traveled up beyond until resting mid-bicep. The marred, slightly raised skin of an old, faded scar was something she'd only glimpsed before- and never so close. It reminded her of the conversation she had with Inuyasha the night before, and the one she had with Eri that prompted it.
Realizing she was rudely staring; she quickly averted her gaze and thanked the kami he hadn't caught her being intrusive a second time. He pulled the newly sharpened pencil out and blew on the tip before turning toward her to arch a brow.
Just remembering she'd been asked a question; she shook her head.
"No, I know that stuff backward and forward."
He looked minutely annoyed as he brushed the shavings into the wastebasket at his feet, and she smiled sheepishly when she realized it was likely that test material he was struggling with.
"I'm studying for my trig test," she quickly surrendered.
"No senior honors for mathematics," he announced haughtily, straightening his posture.
"No, no. I always struggled a bit with math." That seemed to placate him, and her smile grew a lot less awkward. "It's just so boring, and I can't get into it."
"Boring?" he chided. "It is the building block of our universe."
His superior tone and the seating arrangements leant him the air of a professor- albeit one who was lecturing to a kindergarten class of one. His stiff posture, formal speech and sour cadence made him the oldest teenager she'd ever met, and she tried to remember that when feeling small and childish in his presence.
"Exactly," she huffed, leaning back on her hands. "It's so cut and dried. There's no room for imagination."
"Exactly," he repeated sternly. "It is definite. It is either right or it is wrong." He sat up straighter in his seat, as if something reminded him to do so. "It is consistent."
He spoke with the same severe confidence he wore in his gaze and jaw and shoulders, as no-nonsense as the mantra he lived by.
A set of three bookshelves from not an hour ago flashed in her mind, but not the ones filled with awards and accolades.
"Not much of a literature guy then, I take it?" She smiled slyly.
"On the contrary. After mathematics, it is my favorite subject."
"After chemistry, it's mine!"
"Who do you have?" he demanded.
"Toshiki-sensei."
"As do I." Her eyes lit up at that, so he offered; "First period."
"Fifth!"
Nearly squirming in her seat, she was beyond excited to learn she had not one, but two of the same classes as Sesshoumaru. Too bad neither were the same period. Still, she hoped to parlay it into something to build their friendship on.
But then, she couldn't be sure he felt the same. Most people- guys especially- were intimidated when they learned she might be further along in her schooling than they were. Just matching them could be enough to threaten their ego.
Sesshoumaru seemed secure enough, but he could be secretly sensitive too… Like she suspected he was about his arm- hence why he discreetly kept it covered most of the time.
He was just too hard to get a read on. Maybe she shouldn't have mentioned it yet, but there was no taking it back now.
"Kind of a codger," she offered lamely, liking the odds that he had a critique or two of his own.
When hard eyes shifted to her, she worried she'd misspoken. But then, the edges softened.
"Indeed," he began to smile, "and a terrible comb-over. But his syllabus is phenomenal." Kagome released a breath while he lifted his chin proudly. "I'm already halfway through it."
"Ooh, then you haven't read No Longer Human yet. You're in for a treat!"
"You've already read it?" he asked, not hiding his surprise.
"I ate up the syllabus in the first two weeks," she admitted, then shrugged. "Couldn't help myself."
His considering gaze continued to penetrate her, and she felt it even more when she turned away. She wished so badly she could discern his thoughts- or at least that he wasn't so comfortable with long stretches of silence.
"When you get to it, let me know what you think. I'd love to hear your thoughts!" She was decidedly less comfortable with long silences, and with her eagerness to start some kind of rapport fueling her kilns, she began babbling just to fill the space. And he, for reasons unknown to her, just sat there and let her.
"...especially on the part with the cartoonist. But I don't want to spoil it for you." His lack of reaction was making her nervous, and that's when she noticed the freshly sharpened pencil in his hand.
"Sorry, I'm distracting you. I'll shut up now."
Pink tinged her cheeks as she returned her focus to the massive piles of notes and books and flashcards, and tried to remember where she left off. It took her a moment to locate her pencil, but when she found it, discovered that the tip had broken off somewhere along the way.
The thought of bothering him again so soon had her rummaging desperately through her bookbag, hoping to god she had packed another. When she felt one way down at the bottom, she couldn't believe her luck... but could again, when she pulled it out to reveal that this one too had a broken tip.
That seems about right. Ugh...
She stifled a groan, then looked warily to the big wooden desk- only to find it empty. Her brow began to furrow when something in her periphery caused her to turn her head, and only then did she notice him there, kneeling beside her, frighteningly close. She jolted, simultaneously wondering how he got so goddam sneaky. He must have a couple ninja medals, or belts, or whatever the fuck they do hanging up amongst his awards.
She didn't scream- thankfully- but her heartbeat had yet to settle as she reached shakily for his proffered sharpener. After sharpening both pencils- just to be safe- she bowed her thanks and handed it back to him, but he surprised her when he didn't immediately return to his desk.
Ignoring him was impossible, but she focused in on her work to ignore the way heat radiated off him in soothing waves, and how keenly she felt it now that he was so close. She didn't dare look over, for fear that she would accidentally embarrass herself by staring at his scar too long, or… something else. She saw bare, muscular arms in the corner of her eye as he hovered close, felt his intense gaze burning holes into her cheek, and realized she really needed to think about math right now.
"History?"
Or that.
"Yoshimi," she answered, her eyes never leaving the page. "Second period."
"Third. Where do you sit?"
Her lips twitched in the corners. "Front row, center."
"Pfft."
The undignified scoff was enough to finally win back her attention, and two wide blue eyes turned to see him still kneeling, though his arm rested over his knee more comfortably.
"You?" she challenged sassily.
"Back left corner."
"Ah, with the troublemakers." She grinned, less put off by his stony stare. "I should've known."
When she winked, the offense became too much.
"I do not wish to sit with the obnoxious miscreants," he sneered, insulted by the insinuation. "They place me there because I am tall. No student who sits behind me can see."
"It's a short man's world," she joked, secretly impressed by the way he could turn from disgusted to haughty on a dime as he lifted his nose.
"I believe it is intended also to keep those fools somewhat in line. The instructors know I hate disruptions, and think I serve as some sort of bonus enforcement officer."
He scowled at nothing, lips pressed together in a solemn line that barely curved downward at the edges to tell her exactly how he felt about it.
"They should pay you."
He looked down at her steeply as she smirked. "Do not think I have not suggested it."
He didn't say anything when she smiled back, and since she couldn't tell him what to do in his own room, decided she was comfortable enough with the proximity to continue with her studying. She didn't have all night, after all- and she still had to figure out this damn formula to have any chance of breaking an A tomorrow.
When she failed to hit the numbers again, she tore the paper from her notebook and crinkled her frustration into a nice, tight little ball, resisting every urge to throw it across the room.
"Problem?" he asked intuitively.
When she looked miserably over her shoulder, she couldn't decide if his impassive facade was infuriating or comforting. She offered him the crumpled little ball, which he promptly took and unraveled carefully so as not to tear it.
"I can't get this to work." She gestured to her open textbook. "I don't know what I'm doing wrong."
She watched as his eyes danced silently across the page, darting rapidly from side to side until he'd gleaned what he needed from her failed assignment.
"Well, first of all, you are making it harder than it needs to be." His confidence was reassuring, and had her huddling closer to look at the paper with him.
"By simply turning the angle 180 degrees, it shifts the coordinates into a simpler function. May I?" He gestured for her pencil.
As soon as she surrendered it, he leaned forward to place the wrinkled paper flat beside her open notebook and began to make the changes on a fresh sheet. She was not unaware of his skin pressing firmly into hers as he practically curled over her tiny form, but he seemed to be- or at least, didn't mind it- and she couldn't afford to miss one step of his feverishly sketched instruction.
She found herself leaning closer- to get a better look at the page- and kept her mind focused on every number and equation instead of the warmth at her back and side, and the unreal rigidity of it.
"There," he announced proudly. Instead of moving away, he urged her closer still, even putting a hand on her back encouragingly as she peered deeper into his math. "Now apply your same formula, and see what you get."
She snatched the pencil back eagerly, and he watched over her shoulder as she reworked her problem. He smiled successfully even before she finished her chart.
"Oh my god. I got it!" Her disbelieving look morphed to one of joy as it shifted from her math to her tutor.
"Now you should be able to get the rest," he said indifferently, but the sudden rush of endorphins flooding to her brain made her miss the imperceptible signs of his deception.
She had her wits about her enough to resist the powerful urge to pull him into a hug. Though they'd made strides tonight, there was a sense that would be too much too fast. Settling for a compromise, she grabbed his upper arm firmly and flashed a winning smile.
"You're a genius! You just saved me from my first B ever!"
"It is nothing," he insisted, but the happiness radiating off her suggested otherwise. Knowing he'd made her like that, and so easily, inspired just a hint of color to tint his pale cheeks.
Still, he wanted to do more. He wanted this feeling again, and wondered what he could do to enhance it.
"If you have more questions, feel free to-"
A large crash above their heads caused the foundation to shake, while the sound of something very heavy splintering into a million little pieces caused a loud reaction that was both immediate and deeply foreboding.
"That sounded expensive," he said monotonically.
Kagome looked worriedly from the shaking ceiling back to her companion. He appeared outwardly calm, perhaps deeply annoyed at worst, but as her own anxiety continued to skyrocket with uncertainty, the tension emanating from him grew increasingly thick.
Then, familiar albeit muffled sounds broke out from upstairs that were accompanied by various other crashes much smaller than the first. Excited and encouraging noises along with some of despair traveled around them until making it outside with a large group of shouting boys, where it hit a fever pitch.
Outside Sesshoumaru's window, the source of the ruckus became clear when two boys flew from the house in a flurry of fists and arms, pummeling each other mercilessly. Kagome's heart seized with panic until she realized that while she recognized both fighters, she couldn't recall either of their names.
It looked to be a fair match, as both were equally bloodied up. Shirts were torn, heads split in various places, and they seemed to trade punches pretty evenly. A particularly hard hit sent one down to the ground, and his opponent jumped on top of him to try and land a winning blow. The downed fighter looked far from finished though, and offered another stifling blow into his assailant's battered face.
Beside her, Sesshoumaru sighed. "Excuse me."
Kagome remained by the window as he glided swiftly from the room, watching the violent behavior with instinctual alarm. When it was Inuyasha, she couldn't bear to watch, but found very little comfort in knowing it wasn't him out there.
Where is he? Is he okay?
Even though she'd been quite irritated when she left him earlier, she managed to calm down since then, and his penchant for finding easy trouble had her scouring the faces of the onlookers to see if he was among them.
A jolt of fear passed visibly through the crowd as it parted like the Red Sea, and Sesshoumaru's tall frame strode confidently through. His sudden presence appeared to have a profound sobering effect on the drunken group of gawkers. They stepped back to give him a wide berth, if they didn't leave the scene all together, and even from the safety of his room, the irritation radiating off him set her little hairs on end.
The calm he projected was not all that convincing as he made a beeline for the oblivious fighters. Kagome almost pitied them- a small part of her even felt worried for what he intended to do to them as he grabbed each of them roughly by the cuff and yanked them to their feet like a couple of unruly pups.
She watched disorientation and fury turn quickly to terror as soon as they recognized who had them in his clutches, and then their trembling bodies went helplessly limp. An abundance of testosterone and alcohol left them covered in dirt and blood, but the wealth of rage she'd witnessed previously had all but drained from them as Sesshoumaru aggressively addressed them and what remained of the crowd. She couldn't hear what he was saying, but it sparked a frenzied mass exodus that emptied the contents of the west wing out into the street for the greater public to now deal with.
Kagome hoped the highway's drivers were on alert tonight as her impaired classmates fled the premises. Amidst the chaos, Sesshoumaru retained his grip on the offenders, pulling the young men close for a few low-spoken, apparently disturbing parting words, and finally released them with a rough, insistent shove in his desired direction. They did not waste the opportunity to join the others, and urgency marked their steps as they quickly disappeared from sight, uncaring about retrieving any items they may have left inside.
When Sesshoumaru reemerged, he did so stoically- as if he'd merely stepped out a moment to use the washroom- but once he'd spotted Kagome, he raised a brow.
"Where are you going?" he asked, closing the door behind him.
Slipping her last book inside her bag, Kagome rose from the uncluttered floor and gave one last glance to ensure she'd left nothing in her wake.
"Looks like the party's over," she said, shouldering her bag. A brief peek out the window confirmed the trickle of stragglers had finally ceased.
"Exactly," he nodded once in satisfaction. "Now it will be quiet enough to concentrate." Brushing past, he returned to his desk and reclaimed his seat, prepared to resume the study session as if nothing had happened.
While he picked up his pencil, she flashed a grateful smile.
"Actually, I'm about done anyway," she said, shouldering her pack. "I should go check on Inuyasha."
"He is currently passed out on the couch with a cock sharpied on his cheek," he informed her plainly, though if she stretched, she'd say disapproval outweighed concern. "He's fine."
Kagome huffed amusedly. "Those guys. I'll scrub that off his face after I put him to bed."
"Put him to bed?" he repeated distastefully. "Are you his girlfriend, or his mother?"
He glanced up from his writing to pin her with an accusing glare, and his disapproval stung.
It also aroused her temper, but she did little more than scowl back. "He has a mother," she muttered, turning her back to him, "but god knows where she is."
"She is too old to baby him," he said firmly, "as he is too old to be babied. If he was left to wake up in his own vomit once in a while, perhaps he would be incentivized to restrain himself."
She spun to face him once more, only a few steps closer to the door than she had been. Having his full attention seemed only to strengthen her confidence, and his challenging tone reinforced her convictions.
"Well, maybe if he got some love from his family once in a while, he wouldn't be looking for it at the end of a sake bottle."
Sesshoumaru's eyes slightly widened before they narrowed dangerously.
"Maybe," he drawled cruelly, "he would not blow off your study sessions for a house party if he woke up and for once you were not fawning all over him. Behavior is learned through consequences- or lack thereof. And until he sees some, he will have no reason to alter his."
He wielded the accusation like a blade, and when he spun the one she'd brandished in her grip, she felt the jab keenly. The ice dripped from his words like venom from his fangs, and she was hard pressed to decipher if the disdain she detected was meant for her or his brother- if it was really there at all.
She thought she was getting to know him, finally getting a read, but the impression she'd nearly left with didn't fit him at all now. She thought he was kind; she thought he liked her; but now, she could no longer say. She was back to square one, and it was disheartening. But she was, at her core, an optimist.
She adjusted her pack on her shoulders and lifted her chin.
"I'm going to sit with my boyfriend until my ride shows up in case he needs anything," she said, not shying away from hard, disapproving eyes. "I hope that one day, you'll find someone to do that for you."
She meant that sincerely, but he did not appear to appreciate the sentiment. Filled with rage, his eyes resembled Inuyasha's chillingly.
"I will never force any woman I care for disgrace herself as such," he growled, enraged at the insinuation. That he'd need to, that he would, was an insult almost too big to bear; and while he fought not to break his desk in two, she didn't appear the least bit fearful. Just… sad, for some reason. For him? The notion confounded him.
How could she look at him so pityingly from such an unenviable position? If anything, she deserved his pity- and sure enough, she already had it.
"Thanks for sharing your room," she said more softly. "and the help with trig. If you ever need help with chem-"
"I don't need anyone's help," he snapped. "Ever. "
His reaction startled her, as it was probably the most impassioned she'd ever seen him. She'd heard legend of his rage, and the mountainous peaks it could reach, if properly stimulated. While she wanted to see what lay deeper beneath the surface, this was not the side she hoped to inspire.
Seeing her shoulders tense as base instincts flared alive, he dialed his anger back- some- though he was far from pleased.
"Your itinerary is impressive for your age and grade," he conceded, his tone deliberately calm. "but I am top of the class. You are poised to do the same, so long as you don't allow my brother to sabotage you."
Picking his pencil back up, he appeared to let that be the end of it. As if he'd been generous enough with his wisdom and warning, and it was up to her to pay heed.
The dismissal gave her permission to leave- condescending as it was - but it would be on his terms. She knew she'd do well to take it, as she wished not to inflame things further, but found herself rooted to the floor, drawn to watching him forcibly ignore her a moment more.
"It's not worth it if it means I have to completely isolate myself," she finally said. "I bet it isn't for most people. Guess that gives you an edge, and you're definitely smart for exploiting it."
He didn't deign a glance, or any indication he was listening, but while her theory had merit, she conceded it took much more than a willingness to be alienated to achieve all that he had. It certainly had to help- but at what cost? And who made that calculation?
Was it ever even made? Or did the chicken precede the egg on this one?
Either way, the thought of leaving him alone was suddenly distasteful- even if he wanted her to. She still couldn't tell.
Besides, she already had one Taisho project, and wasn't so sure she could handle another.
The distant sounds of solitary splashing stretching for something to echo off ricocheted around inside her skull for a moment, until she forcibly stilled the waters.
When she finally reached the doorknob, she looked back to find him still immersed in his schoolwork.
"Your accomplishments are nothing short of amazing, and you should be very proud." She meant that genuinely, and hoped it came off that way. He kept studying as if she wasn't there, and her gaze softened. "Probably time to invest in another trophy case. I'm sure you're going to need it."
He didn't bother looking up until the door had shut behind her, leaving him alone at last. Paying her no further thought, he enjoyed the absence of drunken merriment and clumsy consequences that had been thumping his walls all night.
The only noise he heard was a half-hour later as Kagome struggled to drag his unresponsive half-brother off to bed. Half his size, the girl had a perilous journey ahead of her- one he acknowledged he could accomplish handily on his own.
The notion to assist her was briefly considered, and then thoroughly squashed as he resigned himself fully to his studies. Channeling his focus, he blocked out all distractions and settled in for a long night.