Dedication: This one goes out to Alyson Metallium for being such a doll.
Note: Woo! You guys liked last chapter! Yay! That makes my day!
Anyway, a few of you noted concern about the potential sequel being IY/K… to that all I can say is don't worry! Remember! I'm a rabid S/K chick. The non-S/K sequel I'm considering has to do with two other characters. *grin* Have faith, Grasshoppers! Sesshou is safe!
-Cel.
Chapter 6
It couldn't be, Kagome inhaled deeply as her eyes scoured over the professor's narrow, nearly flawless face. The dark blue crescent moon emblazoned on his forehead teased her, the marking so clear and evident that it killed every single doubt in her mind. There was no hiding from the truth.
Sesshoumaru, the violent and enigmatic youkai lord of the West, was currently lying on top of her. Beautiful golden eyes, so remarkably like the hanyou's she once knew, stared back at her, the brilliancy of the orbs masked by passion and confusion.
"Sesshoumaru?" she whispered, watching as the creature flinched almost imperceptibly at the softly spoken name.
It's him.
Oh, my god. It's really him.
In a panic, Kagome instinctively shoved the youkai off of her body, only to scramble up to her feet (in record time), as Sesshoumaru lay sprawled upon the office floor.
Feeling helpless as the old brass doorknob refused to turn, Kagome glanced back at the youkai staring up at her. All her logic fled as she watched Sesshoumaru gracefully rise to his feet, his mouth now twisted into afrown as she started to beat against the wooden panels of the door.
It wouldn't work. She was trapped…
With a cry, Kagome slammed her fist into the broken remains of the window, only to bite her lower lip as shards of glass cut into her uncovered arm. Shaking off the pain determinedly, she launched her body towards the small window in a wild attempt to escape.
Her head flew backwards as the youkai caught her about her waist, his strong hands pulling her back from the dubious safety that waited in the dimly lit hall.
"Are you quite through yet?" he asked quietly, his soft voice filled with the regal quality she berated herself for not recognizing before. Kagome closed her eyes as she felt his breath tickle her ear, her mind working frantically for a plan. She would be damned before she went down easily, the young woman promised herself. She would find a way to escape.
Almost as if he could read her mind, Sesshoumaru's fingers tightened around her waist as he pulled her snuggly against his body.
"Before you scream, consider whose presence your wailing will beckon," the youkai drawled, his tone filled with a complete disregard for her intelligence.
"I think I'll take my chances with the machine guns," Kagome snapped, trying to twist her head to look back at the youkai behind her but his hold was too firm to break. "After all, they were chasing you. Not me."
Although the youkai remained silent, Kagome could almost sense a certain tenseness in the strong hands that she could have sworn wasn't there just a moment before.
Opportunity.
Suddenly, she stamped on his foot, only to be rewarded with her freedom as the youkai's arms lost their hold.
Pushing her back against the wooden door, Kagome glared at the youkai as she pressed a free hand against her bleeding arm. Sesshoumaru still made no move to attack her, although, she had to admit, he did appear to be rather annoyed.
No wonder, she winced as the same part of her that felt guilty harming even a spider kicked in, she had stepped on his foot kind of hard. Still, what did he expect? Perhaps it had been five hundred years, but she didn't doubt for an instant that Sesshoumaru was still as dangerous as he had ever been.
Five hundred years, Kagome thought idly as she watched the youkai's lips abandon the frown to usurp an impassive look. He doesn't appear to have aged much at all…
Wait.
Thin black eyebrows knitted together as Kagome took a step closer to the youkai, her intense eyes studying the silent face.
Five hundred years and not only was the youkai alive, he had barely aged? No. That was impossible, wasn't it?
"What are you doing here?" She had spoken before she realized it, her voice hoarse and almost needy as it echoed through the small room.
Still, the eyebrows furrowed as he stared at her, his look unnerving.
"The well. You came through the well, didn't you?" Kagome demanded, her heart beating faster as she stepped right up to the youkai, her fears forgotten for the moment.
The well. She hadn't tried to go through in several years, the young woman admitted, looking up at Sesshoumaru. Perhaps whatever had been blocking it before had been lifted, she thought as she glanced up at the youkai.
Damn, he was tall.
"You ask foolish questions," the youkai spoke abruptly, his voice flat and cold, those mesmerizing eyes ridiculing her silently.
If Sesshoumaru came through the well, then…
Perhaps she could go back through it? God, she missed them so much. Determinedly, she wiped her eyes as she tried to ignore the constriction in her chest. She would not cry. She would not allow it.
The idea of seeing the people who had become her second family again was nearly overwhelming. It was like all the scabs covering her wounds had just been brutally ripped off until nothing was left but the pain she had thought had faded long ago.
"Answer me," she demanded, her very spirit filled with an angry energy. But one look into those golden eyes spoke all the words she didn't need to hear him say.
How the youkai got to her time, Kagome didn't know, but the impassive emptiness in his eyes was verification enough: Sesshoumaru wouldn't admit his ignorance to her, but her instincts promised her that the youkai had no idea what she was talking about.
Time to change tactics she decided as she shut the heartbreak into a little corner in her soul.
"What are you doing here?" Kagome shook her head almost violently. "And who was that guy?"
Still, the youkai just stared blankly at her.
"Good god. You are so impossible!" the young woman declared, her nose wrinkling with impatience. "Look. I don't know what you are doing here, but if you don't want me to scream, you better start telling me what's going on."
"You are whining."
"I am not," Kagome huffed as she suddenly realized just how close she was to the youkai. It was strangely… discomfiting. Taking a step back, she allowed her gaze to linger on his form.
Sesshoumaru.
No, not just Sesshoumaru, Kagome corrected herself idly. This was Sesshoumaru wearing a business suit and trench coat. For a brief moment, the simple matter of Sesshoumaru and his clothing seemed to symbolize the absurd twist her life had just taken. The distant past just melded with her future and it was wearing a business suit, of all things!
She watched, helpless to move as he picked up the briefcase hiding beneath his desk. Quietly, he began to pack various papers in the leather case, his movements quick and certain.
"You're leaving?" Kagome asked dumbly as the youkai took a rolled document from behind the desk and placed in carefully within the briefcase.
Sesshoumaru didn't even acknowledge her existence.
The jerk!
The anger burned inside her as the youkai closed the case, his golden eyes almost vacuous as she stood in front of him.
"You aren't going anywhere until you tell me what's going on," Kagome folded her arms across her chest, hoping that she exuded a lot more confidence than she felt.
"Move aside," Sesshoumaru said, the words deceptively mild.
"Not until you…" Kagome gasped, her legs kicking wildly as Sesshoumaru lifted her off her feet. His hand clenched around her throat, sharp nails (Didn't he used to have claws?) digging into the tender skin as he pushed her back against the door.
"Do not cross me, miko," he growled, the title spilling out of his mouth as if it were a filthy curse. Threateningly, he lowered his head until his narrowed eyes stared directly into her large, brown ones. "I do not have the time or the patience for your inanities."
But she didn't hear his words. Something caught her as she stared into his eyes, something simultaneously terrifying and yet, heart-breaking. There was an element within that she had never seen before, something that seemed to tug at her heart as she watched something flicker in his eyes.
She would never be certain how she identified it, but at that moment, she knew what it was. The great Sesshoumaru was afraid.
Vulnerable.
The guy was damn well close to invincible. What could possibly manage to scare someone like him?
Kagome shuddered, barely noticing as the youkai lord gently set her upon her feet at the side of the doorway.
"Look!" Kagome said quickly, her hand shooting up to his shoulder as he brushed past her. "I don't know what's going on but that's okay."
He blinked, a small frown coming to his lips.
"I can help you," her voice sounded small and uncertain to even her own ears. With a shake of her head, she repeated in a stronger voice. "I can help you. If you let me."
What am I doing? Kagome had to wonder even as he unceremoniously shrugged her hand off. He obviously didn't want her help and… hell, if Sesshoumaru couldn't deal with it, then what could she possibly do?
She watched as the youkai calmly faced the door only to tear it literally off the metal hinges without a hint of exertion.
Strong. Cold. Merciless.
And this was the creature she just offered to help?
It didn't make sense, Kagome thought as she quickly threw all her junk into her backpack, doing her best to avoid the myriad of glass fragments littered upon the floor. With both hands holding the bottom of the frail bag, Kagome trotted after the youkai, no longer quite sure what she intended to do.
He didn't acknowledge her presence nor did he wait as she slipped the backpack on; Sesshoumaru merely walked on, his proud head held high as he clutched the briefcase in his hand.
Her hand sheltered her face as they stepped out from the dim building into the brightness of the morning sun that danced above the filled parking lot, her eyes automatically taking the diversion as an opportunity to study the face of the creature that had, on more than one occasion, tried to kill her. In fact, back when she was in the Sengoku Jidai period, there were times that Sesshoumaru scared her a hell of a lot more than Naraku ever did. Naraku was evil, yes, (and undoubtedly the most evil creature she had ever come across), but Sesshoumaru was clever and in the end, that had the potential to make him far more dangerous.
The question was whether she would have been willing to help Naraku if the dark hanyou were now in Sesshoumaru's position?
Absolutely not.
So why help Sesshoumaru?
Because, Kagome thought as the aforementioned youkai paused in mid-step, his golden eyes looking over the dense parking lot. Because, unlike Naraku, Sesshoumaru possessed a good heart, no matter how hard he tried to hide it.
She wasn't sure how she knew it, but a part of her clung to the opinion with the tenacity of an old woman battling for a sweater at a clearance sale.
"Do you have a car?" he asked suddenly, the low voice sounding almost conversational.
"No. I take the bus. Do you?"
Kagome glanced up quickly, frowning, as she heard the frustrated sigh escape the youkai's lips.
"Of course you do not have a car," the youkai muttered, sounding so very unlike the creature she had once known so long ago that all the girl could do was stare. "That would make the situation much too easy."
The young woman felt her eyebrows knit together as she waited for an explanation. The youkai, though, didn't seem to be inclined to give one.
"Where do you want to go?" Kagome prodded, the uncertain lilt of her words hiding beneath the bustling noise of the nearby street.
Sesshoumaru barely condescended to give her a look before he stalked off towards the street, his stride long and graceful.
Brilliant question, Kagome winced in embarrassment. Of course it doesn't matter where he goes, just as long as he leaves campus and fast. After all, whoever that guy was, he'll be back and probably with a few of his buddies.
With a shake of her head, Kagome jogged to catch up with Sesshoumaru's rapidly departing figure.
"Wait up," she muttered, silently resolving to clean out the bulky backpack at the next opportunity. The youkai didn't even deem it necessary to turn around, Kagome noticed.
But, the woman thought as her innate optimism returned, he actually slowed down for me.
"I have an idea," Kagome chirped, instinctively knowing that the youkai was listening although he gave no sign. Somehow, that really raised her spirits even as she bounded over to a nearby phone booth. "You need a car? We'll get a car. Say, you wouldn't have some change on you, would you?"
Kagome wasn't certain how the youkai did it, but somehow, his impassive face managed to convey the same sort of rude impatience as the traditional rolling of the eyes would. But still, the youkai dug into those nicely tailored pockets and pulled out a few coins.
"Thanks," the girl smiled as she tucked the handset in the crook of her neck as she deposited nearly all the coins. A part of her was kind of surprised the youkai was still standing behind her, silently allowing her to help in the only way she could, but if there was thing she learned in all her experiences with the creature, it would be that in Sesshoumaru's cool, logical fashion, he was unpredictable as hell.
At the very least, Sesshoumaru had to know what happened to Inuyasha after I left, Kagome told herself, her fingers dialing the phone number automatically. That was why it was so important for her to help him, Kagome decided even as Hojou answered the phone. With a shrug, the young woman began speaking as she tried to pretend that momentary vulnerability she saw flicker through those amazing golden eyes hadn't affected her at all.
Note: Woo! We're bringing Hojou in! (Who woulda thunk? I certainly had no clue when I started this chapter). Okay. I'm sleepy :-) I'll finish off reviews for Chapter 3 tonight and try to do 4&5 when I upload Chap 7 soon. Thanks for your patience!
Response to Reviews:
Archaic Tears: *grin* And I thought I was soooo orginal! Dammit. I guess I'll have to try harder next time. *grin* And I havent forgotten either Demonheart or Falling Stars! Dh just had Chapter 1 revised and FS should have the very ending of Chapter 16 posted tomorrow. :-)
Char: You soooo crack me up! Your review had me laughing out loud while in the computer lab at school. (Now everyone knows I'm insane.) Thanks so much for your kind review. All I can say is that I think it's the best compliment of all when you say that you think the events feel feasible. :-) I gotta admit, I'm practically crowing like a rooster with that one! Thanks!
Amisu: Scary, huh? I'm trying to give equal time to all me fics but FMN has been stealing a lot of my time lately! *grin* Thanks for the compliment!
Phoebemoon: Yeah, you called that one. :-) *GRIN* Except for the Naraku part. :-) *innocent look* *crosses her fingers as she hopes you won something on your lottery ticket!*
Vernal Equinox: You are SUCH a flatterer! Sure hope you approve of how I've mutilated poor Sesshou. Poor Fluffy never stood a chance! And bah! *whap* your writing is gorgeous, which is one of the reasons why I'm so anxiously awaiting the next chapter of Higuka! You are SO sweet. :-)
Hikaru Imonoyama: Yeah, Death is a bit of a wuss, isn't he? *grin* But the question is, is that because he's a pretentious punk or because the Boss is a hell of a lot scarier than he seems? *grin* *has no clue yet herself* *grin* Anyway, thanks for reading! I know how odd it can be to try a weird coupling like this and so I hope you like! By the bye, consider reading Shunu's brilliant Full Circle. It's a Kagome/Sesshoumaru pairing, but it's beautifully written. Thanks!
Anzu-chan: Thanks! Muahahaha. Naaah. Sesshoumaru decided to spend an entire hour dissing poor Kagome instead! The stab! :-) Seriously, thanks, though. *GRIN* That's so cool that you like this. YeeHAW!
Fangboy: You know, I've been trying to figure out if you are a Ryouga (from Ranma) fan or what else your name could possibly refer to! *grin* (Yeah. I'm weird). Anyway! Thanks! As to whether Kagome will ever discover Sess's true identity... *hides Chapters 5 & 6 behind her back* no! :-) *innocent look*
Tsuki-chan: Oooo. Thanks for the info. *grin* I practically drooled when I got there. Yay! Winter did such a great job on that site, didn't she? :-)
Aoko: Yay! Thank you! I certainly hope you still like it (even though it has taken me FOREVER to respond to reviews!)
Nayrin: Hey! Not fair! And here I thought I was being subtle. Dammit. *grin* Good call! Good call!
Voldersnort: Oi! *nudges you in the ribs* That's not tru... er.. okay, I'm lying through my teeth. Pander to an author's ego and Things Will Happen (tm). *grin* Yay! You liked Hojou's little two seconds! yay! *grin* I MUST be SO completely insane, but I really like him :-)
Stormlight: Wow! I haven't seen your name in a while! I'm so happy to see you are still around! Anyway, hope you still like where FMN is going! :-)
Kaora: *grin* Oi! No more guessing the plot! You're too good at it... *faints dramatically* Thanks so much! Yay!
Hanako: *laugh* Yes, ma'am! :-) YES! And I agree completely!
Saskia: Thanks so much! *grin* His bulging stomach is his tail? *innocent look* I don't know what you are talking about! :-) *grin*
Thanks so much for reading, folks! Sorry about the dumb chapter! 7 should be better. Thanks! :-)
Note: Woo! You guys liked last chapter! Yay! That makes my day!
Anyway, a few of you noted concern about the potential sequel being IY/K… to that all I can say is don't worry! Remember! I'm a rabid S/K chick. The non-S/K sequel I'm considering has to do with two other characters. *grin* Have faith, Grasshoppers! Sesshou is safe!
-Cel.
Chapter 6
It couldn't be, Kagome inhaled deeply as her eyes scoured over the professor's narrow, nearly flawless face. The dark blue crescent moon emblazoned on his forehead teased her, the marking so clear and evident that it killed every single doubt in her mind. There was no hiding from the truth.
Sesshoumaru, the violent and enigmatic youkai lord of the West, was currently lying on top of her. Beautiful golden eyes, so remarkably like the hanyou's she once knew, stared back at her, the brilliancy of the orbs masked by passion and confusion.
"Sesshoumaru?" she whispered, watching as the creature flinched almost imperceptibly at the softly spoken name.
It's him.
Oh, my god. It's really him.
In a panic, Kagome instinctively shoved the youkai off of her body, only to scramble up to her feet (in record time), as Sesshoumaru lay sprawled upon the office floor.
Feeling helpless as the old brass doorknob refused to turn, Kagome glanced back at the youkai staring up at her. All her logic fled as she watched Sesshoumaru gracefully rise to his feet, his mouth now twisted into afrown as she started to beat against the wooden panels of the door.
It wouldn't work. She was trapped…
With a cry, Kagome slammed her fist into the broken remains of the window, only to bite her lower lip as shards of glass cut into her uncovered arm. Shaking off the pain determinedly, she launched her body towards the small window in a wild attempt to escape.
Her head flew backwards as the youkai caught her about her waist, his strong hands pulling her back from the dubious safety that waited in the dimly lit hall.
"Are you quite through yet?" he asked quietly, his soft voice filled with the regal quality she berated herself for not recognizing before. Kagome closed her eyes as she felt his breath tickle her ear, her mind working frantically for a plan. She would be damned before she went down easily, the young woman promised herself. She would find a way to escape.
Almost as if he could read her mind, Sesshoumaru's fingers tightened around her waist as he pulled her snuggly against his body.
"Before you scream, consider whose presence your wailing will beckon," the youkai drawled, his tone filled with a complete disregard for her intelligence.
"I think I'll take my chances with the machine guns," Kagome snapped, trying to twist her head to look back at the youkai behind her but his hold was too firm to break. "After all, they were chasing you. Not me."
Although the youkai remained silent, Kagome could almost sense a certain tenseness in the strong hands that she could have sworn wasn't there just a moment before.
Opportunity.
Suddenly, she stamped on his foot, only to be rewarded with her freedom as the youkai's arms lost their hold.
Pushing her back against the wooden door, Kagome glared at the youkai as she pressed a free hand against her bleeding arm. Sesshoumaru still made no move to attack her, although, she had to admit, he did appear to be rather annoyed.
No wonder, she winced as the same part of her that felt guilty harming even a spider kicked in, she had stepped on his foot kind of hard. Still, what did he expect? Perhaps it had been five hundred years, but she didn't doubt for an instant that Sesshoumaru was still as dangerous as he had ever been.
Five hundred years, Kagome thought idly as she watched the youkai's lips abandon the frown to usurp an impassive look. He doesn't appear to have aged much at all…
Wait.
Thin black eyebrows knitted together as Kagome took a step closer to the youkai, her intense eyes studying the silent face.
Five hundred years and not only was the youkai alive, he had barely aged? No. That was impossible, wasn't it?
"What are you doing here?" She had spoken before she realized it, her voice hoarse and almost needy as it echoed through the small room.
Still, the eyebrows furrowed as he stared at her, his look unnerving.
"The well. You came through the well, didn't you?" Kagome demanded, her heart beating faster as she stepped right up to the youkai, her fears forgotten for the moment.
The well. She hadn't tried to go through in several years, the young woman admitted, looking up at Sesshoumaru. Perhaps whatever had been blocking it before had been lifted, she thought as she glanced up at the youkai.
Damn, he was tall.
"You ask foolish questions," the youkai spoke abruptly, his voice flat and cold, those mesmerizing eyes ridiculing her silently.
If Sesshoumaru came through the well, then…
Perhaps she could go back through it? God, she missed them so much. Determinedly, she wiped her eyes as she tried to ignore the constriction in her chest. She would not cry. She would not allow it.
The idea of seeing the people who had become her second family again was nearly overwhelming. It was like all the scabs covering her wounds had just been brutally ripped off until nothing was left but the pain she had thought had faded long ago.
"Answer me," she demanded, her very spirit filled with an angry energy. But one look into those golden eyes spoke all the words she didn't need to hear him say.
How the youkai got to her time, Kagome didn't know, but the impassive emptiness in his eyes was verification enough: Sesshoumaru wouldn't admit his ignorance to her, but her instincts promised her that the youkai had no idea what she was talking about.
Time to change tactics she decided as she shut the heartbreak into a little corner in her soul.
"What are you doing here?" Kagome shook her head almost violently. "And who was that guy?"
Still, the youkai just stared blankly at her.
"Good god. You are so impossible!" the young woman declared, her nose wrinkling with impatience. "Look. I don't know what you are doing here, but if you don't want me to scream, you better start telling me what's going on."
"You are whining."
"I am not," Kagome huffed as she suddenly realized just how close she was to the youkai. It was strangely… discomfiting. Taking a step back, she allowed her gaze to linger on his form.
Sesshoumaru.
No, not just Sesshoumaru, Kagome corrected herself idly. This was Sesshoumaru wearing a business suit and trench coat. For a brief moment, the simple matter of Sesshoumaru and his clothing seemed to symbolize the absurd twist her life had just taken. The distant past just melded with her future and it was wearing a business suit, of all things!
She watched, helpless to move as he picked up the briefcase hiding beneath his desk. Quietly, he began to pack various papers in the leather case, his movements quick and certain.
"You're leaving?" Kagome asked dumbly as the youkai took a rolled document from behind the desk and placed in carefully within the briefcase.
Sesshoumaru didn't even acknowledge her existence.
The jerk!
The anger burned inside her as the youkai closed the case, his golden eyes almost vacuous as she stood in front of him.
"You aren't going anywhere until you tell me what's going on," Kagome folded her arms across her chest, hoping that she exuded a lot more confidence than she felt.
"Move aside," Sesshoumaru said, the words deceptively mild.
"Not until you…" Kagome gasped, her legs kicking wildly as Sesshoumaru lifted her off her feet. His hand clenched around her throat, sharp nails (Didn't he used to have claws?) digging into the tender skin as he pushed her back against the door.
"Do not cross me, miko," he growled, the title spilling out of his mouth as if it were a filthy curse. Threateningly, he lowered his head until his narrowed eyes stared directly into her large, brown ones. "I do not have the time or the patience for your inanities."
But she didn't hear his words. Something caught her as she stared into his eyes, something simultaneously terrifying and yet, heart-breaking. There was an element within that she had never seen before, something that seemed to tug at her heart as she watched something flicker in his eyes.
She would never be certain how she identified it, but at that moment, she knew what it was. The great Sesshoumaru was afraid.
Vulnerable.
The guy was damn well close to invincible. What could possibly manage to scare someone like him?
Kagome shuddered, barely noticing as the youkai lord gently set her upon her feet at the side of the doorway.
"Look!" Kagome said quickly, her hand shooting up to his shoulder as he brushed past her. "I don't know what's going on but that's okay."
He blinked, a small frown coming to his lips.
"I can help you," her voice sounded small and uncertain to even her own ears. With a shake of her head, she repeated in a stronger voice. "I can help you. If you let me."
What am I doing? Kagome had to wonder even as he unceremoniously shrugged her hand off. He obviously didn't want her help and… hell, if Sesshoumaru couldn't deal with it, then what could she possibly do?
She watched as the youkai calmly faced the door only to tear it literally off the metal hinges without a hint of exertion.
Strong. Cold. Merciless.
And this was the creature she just offered to help?
It didn't make sense, Kagome thought as she quickly threw all her junk into her backpack, doing her best to avoid the myriad of glass fragments littered upon the floor. With both hands holding the bottom of the frail bag, Kagome trotted after the youkai, no longer quite sure what she intended to do.
He didn't acknowledge her presence nor did he wait as she slipped the backpack on; Sesshoumaru merely walked on, his proud head held high as he clutched the briefcase in his hand.
Her hand sheltered her face as they stepped out from the dim building into the brightness of the morning sun that danced above the filled parking lot, her eyes automatically taking the diversion as an opportunity to study the face of the creature that had, on more than one occasion, tried to kill her. In fact, back when she was in the Sengoku Jidai period, there were times that Sesshoumaru scared her a hell of a lot more than Naraku ever did. Naraku was evil, yes, (and undoubtedly the most evil creature she had ever come across), but Sesshoumaru was clever and in the end, that had the potential to make him far more dangerous.
The question was whether she would have been willing to help Naraku if the dark hanyou were now in Sesshoumaru's position?
Absolutely not.
So why help Sesshoumaru?
Because, Kagome thought as the aforementioned youkai paused in mid-step, his golden eyes looking over the dense parking lot. Because, unlike Naraku, Sesshoumaru possessed a good heart, no matter how hard he tried to hide it.
She wasn't sure how she knew it, but a part of her clung to the opinion with the tenacity of an old woman battling for a sweater at a clearance sale.
"Do you have a car?" he asked suddenly, the low voice sounding almost conversational.
"No. I take the bus. Do you?"
Kagome glanced up quickly, frowning, as she heard the frustrated sigh escape the youkai's lips.
"Of course you do not have a car," the youkai muttered, sounding so very unlike the creature she had once known so long ago that all the girl could do was stare. "That would make the situation much too easy."
The young woman felt her eyebrows knit together as she waited for an explanation. The youkai, though, didn't seem to be inclined to give one.
"Where do you want to go?" Kagome prodded, the uncertain lilt of her words hiding beneath the bustling noise of the nearby street.
Sesshoumaru barely condescended to give her a look before he stalked off towards the street, his stride long and graceful.
Brilliant question, Kagome winced in embarrassment. Of course it doesn't matter where he goes, just as long as he leaves campus and fast. After all, whoever that guy was, he'll be back and probably with a few of his buddies.
With a shake of her head, Kagome jogged to catch up with Sesshoumaru's rapidly departing figure.
"Wait up," she muttered, silently resolving to clean out the bulky backpack at the next opportunity. The youkai didn't even deem it necessary to turn around, Kagome noticed.
But, the woman thought as her innate optimism returned, he actually slowed down for me.
"I have an idea," Kagome chirped, instinctively knowing that the youkai was listening although he gave no sign. Somehow, that really raised her spirits even as she bounded over to a nearby phone booth. "You need a car? We'll get a car. Say, you wouldn't have some change on you, would you?"
Kagome wasn't certain how the youkai did it, but somehow, his impassive face managed to convey the same sort of rude impatience as the traditional rolling of the eyes would. But still, the youkai dug into those nicely tailored pockets and pulled out a few coins.
"Thanks," the girl smiled as she tucked the handset in the crook of her neck as she deposited nearly all the coins. A part of her was kind of surprised the youkai was still standing behind her, silently allowing her to help in the only way she could, but if there was thing she learned in all her experiences with the creature, it would be that in Sesshoumaru's cool, logical fashion, he was unpredictable as hell.
At the very least, Sesshoumaru had to know what happened to Inuyasha after I left, Kagome told herself, her fingers dialing the phone number automatically. That was why it was so important for her to help him, Kagome decided even as Hojou answered the phone. With a shrug, the young woman began speaking as she tried to pretend that momentary vulnerability she saw flicker through those amazing golden eyes hadn't affected her at all.
Note: Woo! We're bringing Hojou in! (Who woulda thunk? I certainly had no clue when I started this chapter). Okay. I'm sleepy :-) I'll finish off reviews for Chapter 3 tonight and try to do 4&5 when I upload Chap 7 soon. Thanks for your patience!
Response to Reviews:
Archaic Tears: *grin* And I thought I was soooo orginal! Dammit. I guess I'll have to try harder next time. *grin* And I havent forgotten either Demonheart or Falling Stars! Dh just had Chapter 1 revised and FS should have the very ending of Chapter 16 posted tomorrow. :-)
Char: You soooo crack me up! Your review had me laughing out loud while in the computer lab at school. (Now everyone knows I'm insane.) Thanks so much for your kind review. All I can say is that I think it's the best compliment of all when you say that you think the events feel feasible. :-) I gotta admit, I'm practically crowing like a rooster with that one! Thanks!
Amisu: Scary, huh? I'm trying to give equal time to all me fics but FMN has been stealing a lot of my time lately! *grin* Thanks for the compliment!
Phoebemoon: Yeah, you called that one. :-) *GRIN* Except for the Naraku part. :-) *innocent look* *crosses her fingers as she hopes you won something on your lottery ticket!*
Vernal Equinox: You are SUCH a flatterer! Sure hope you approve of how I've mutilated poor Sesshou. Poor Fluffy never stood a chance! And bah! *whap* your writing is gorgeous, which is one of the reasons why I'm so anxiously awaiting the next chapter of Higuka! You are SO sweet. :-)
Hikaru Imonoyama: Yeah, Death is a bit of a wuss, isn't he? *grin* But the question is, is that because he's a pretentious punk or because the Boss is a hell of a lot scarier than he seems? *grin* *has no clue yet herself* *grin* Anyway, thanks for reading! I know how odd it can be to try a weird coupling like this and so I hope you like! By the bye, consider reading Shunu's brilliant Full Circle. It's a Kagome/Sesshoumaru pairing, but it's beautifully written. Thanks!
Anzu-chan: Thanks! Muahahaha. Naaah. Sesshoumaru decided to spend an entire hour dissing poor Kagome instead! The stab! :-) Seriously, thanks, though. *GRIN* That's so cool that you like this. YeeHAW!
Fangboy: You know, I've been trying to figure out if you are a Ryouga (from Ranma) fan or what else your name could possibly refer to! *grin* (Yeah. I'm weird). Anyway! Thanks! As to whether Kagome will ever discover Sess's true identity... *hides Chapters 5 & 6 behind her back* no! :-) *innocent look*
Tsuki-chan: Oooo. Thanks for the info. *grin* I practically drooled when I got there. Yay! Winter did such a great job on that site, didn't she? :-)
Aoko: Yay! Thank you! I certainly hope you still like it (even though it has taken me FOREVER to respond to reviews!)
Nayrin: Hey! Not fair! And here I thought I was being subtle. Dammit. *grin* Good call! Good call!
Voldersnort: Oi! *nudges you in the ribs* That's not tru... er.. okay, I'm lying through my teeth. Pander to an author's ego and Things Will Happen (tm). *grin* Yay! You liked Hojou's little two seconds! yay! *grin* I MUST be SO completely insane, but I really like him :-)
Stormlight: Wow! I haven't seen your name in a while! I'm so happy to see you are still around! Anyway, hope you still like where FMN is going! :-)
Kaora: *grin* Oi! No more guessing the plot! You're too good at it... *faints dramatically* Thanks so much! Yay!
Hanako: *laugh* Yes, ma'am! :-) YES! And I agree completely!
Saskia: Thanks so much! *grin* His bulging stomach is his tail? *innocent look* I don't know what you are talking about! :-) *grin*
Thanks so much for reading, folks! Sorry about the dumb chapter! 7 should be better. Thanks! :-)