Luxury Never was Cheap
Chapter six
A few weeks later
A furious shaking on her shoulders awoke Kagome. Thinking it was Sango preparing to tell her about how wonderful Miroku was on their last date; Kagome dipped her head under the pillow and groaned.
"Kagome?" Kagome moaned again. Suddenly, the voice didn't sound like Sango, it was...
"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked numbly through the pillow, she lifted her head and her eyes met those of violet. She smiled softly at him and patted his cheek, "what time is it, and what are you doing in my room, you'll wake up Sango."
"It's two in the morning, Sango isn't back from her date yet, and I really, really need to ask you something. It's important."
"Can't it wait till morning?" Kagome asked, the world still a black blur. The only thing visible was Inuyasha's deep violet pools, which looked slightly depressed.
She yawned and waited for his answer.
He was looking at his hands, which were resting innocently in his lap, "No."
She yawned again and looked at him, "All right Inuyasha, what's wrong?"
"Do you hate me?" Kagome was kind of caught off guard by that question. She looked at Inuyasha hesitantly, his eyes held such emotion that it was almost unbearable. 'Do I hate him? He is a jerk, but I don't think I hate him.'
She blinked and continued to stare at the black haired man. 'He's been so sweet lately, but kind of distant, like he's hiding something. And now he's waking me up in the middle of the night to ask me if I hate him. He's such a goof ball sometimes.'
She yawned, "No, Inuyasha, I don't hate you"
He brightened considerably, "Really?"
"Yes, really. I don't hate you, in fact," she said lazily as sleep began to claim her, "I'd say it's the exact opposite."
Inuyasha had a quizzical expression on his face, but Kagome couldn't tell, because she had shut her eyes to go to sleep.
He smiled softly and fingered a lock of her hair, "Kagome?"
"Mmmmhmmmm?"
"Thanks, I'm glad" Inuyasha brushed the hair behind her ear and leaned down so that his breath tickled her, "I'm glad you don't hate me."
Kagome smiled at the tickling sensation in her ear and nodded, she cracked open her smoky orbs, glazed over with sleep and leaned up, kissing him softly on the lips before flopping back down and falling into the endless realm called sleep.
Inuyasha's eyes widened and he stared in shock at Kagome, who slept peacefully, her hand grasping Inuyasha's. Inuyasha sighed, feeling at peace. The kiss Kagome gave him still lingering on his lips as his blush began to die down.
'In the morning, she won't remember,' he told himself sadly as he leaned down and kissed softly and delicately, his lips lingering on her bottom lip affectionately. He closed his eyes as he captured her kiss as she slept, before standing up and leaving the room.
Sango yawned, falling asleep in the passenger seat. She'd given into the peer pressure and had allowed Miroku to drive, plus, she was wasted from drinking so many shots at once.
Miroku drove along cautiously, making sure he wasn't running over anything, leaving the lane at all, or starting to hold up traffic. It was a good thing it was two in the morning or else people would be honking their horns at him and awaking his dearest Sango, whom he loved dearly.
He'd only known her for a few weeks, but to him, it felt like a lifetime, he couldn't imagine his life with anyone else, except her.
He reached over and grasped one of her warm hands, running his thumb over the delicate skin. They'd just finished a boycott on nightclubs, and well, Sango didn't really succeed as well as she had during the McDonalds incident.
Nope, instead, the bartender had gotten her drunk so she could shut the hell up. Miroku, being the genius he was, decided not to drink as much as Sango was.
He'd only had about two shots.
Nothing serious.
Besides, he didn't really like the taste of alcohol or the carelessness the beverage gave the drinker. No, he only drank because drinking brought you closer to the other drinkers, thus, making new friends.
In a way, that's how he met Inuyasha. Only it was at an ice-cream stand. He'd always enjoyed eating ice cream so he could bug the other children.
So had Inuyasha.
And when Miroku moved from Osaka to Tokyo, and had met at the ice cream truck, they'd become life-long friends at the tender age of six. Twenty years later, and they were still best friends.
He glanced at Sango, smiling, knowing she couldn't hear him he said softly, "I love you, my Sango."
Sango made a little noise in her sleep and grasped Miroku's hand for support. Miroku felt like such a coward, he could tell Sango he loved her while she was asleep, but he lost all his nerve around her whenever she was awake.
He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel while his other hand continued to hold Sango's. He was completely at peace.
The next morning, Inuyasha was sleeping on his couch mumbling about ramen when Kagome snuck into the room.
She'd had a weird dream last night that involved Inuyasha coming into her room and waking her up. She wanted to know if it was a dream or not.
She reached over hesitantly and poked Inuyasha's cheek.
Inuyasha snorted in his sleep and swatted at her hand, missing by about five feet. "Damn bug."
Kagome giggled and poked him again. He grumbled something inaudible and continued to snore softly.
Leaning over him she blew softly in his face.
Inuyasha smiled softly in his sleep, "K'gome..." He said so softly, Kagome almost didn't hear him. She jumped back in surprise as the boy continued to mumble her name.
He reached out to her, but instead grabbed a pillow. He hugged it closely to his chest and his smile grew, "Mmmmmm, Kgome..."
Kagome blushed and poked him.
Nothing happened. What was wrong with this boy? Was he immune to being poked suddenly? Whenever Kagome was poked she would always awaken on the spot.
Then an idea came to her head.
"Ramen," she whispered loudly into his ear.
His eyes snapped open and he jumped up, waving his pillow around like a weapon. "Where? Where's the ramen god damn it?"
"You're a nut. No ramen, I just had to get you up."
"Eh? Kagome?" Inuyasha turned away and blushed. Kagome raised an eyebrow, unaware of the events of last night. He fidgeted slightly before hopping off the couch and stepping on something. His eyes widened as he ran and hid behind Kagome.
The kitten that Kagome bought started back. Her tail swishing playfully as her blue eyes penetrated Inuyasha's eyes.
"Ak, it's the demon cat from hell!" Inuyasha squeaked from behind Kagome.
Kagome sweat dropped and sighed, "You're such an idiot, stupid dog."
"Hey!"
The cat cocked her head and stared at Kagome and Inuyasha before purring and rubbing up against Inuyasha's leg.
Inuyasha whimpered before grabbing Kagome, and walking slowly away from the cat. The cat cocked her head and followed.
Inuyasha was getting a little freaked out and started to run like hell was on his heels, whereas the cat would chase him like she was hell.
"Gah! The cat is a stalker! No!" Kagome giggled as Inuyasha hoped over furniture and the cat followed gracefully.
She grabbed the cat and rubbed its black head, the lights reflecting off its glossy fur and making it have a bluish tint to it, matching its eyes.
"Damn, Inuyasha stop acting like an idiot. I have to go to work, ok?"
"No! Don't leave me with the stalking cat!"
Kagome sighed deeply and placed the cat in a little cat bed she'd found in her mother's attic. "Fine, then what do you suggest we do?"
"Mew?"
"Gah!!"
Miroku sighed as he examined the car's engine for the fifth time. He didn't want to awaken Sango and tell her that the car had broken down in the middle of a high way and the likelihood that they'd make it back home that day was slim, but he was running out of things to do. Of all the times his stupid cell phone had to die, it had to be the time he and Sango had been driving home from the nightclub.
Sango snorted in her sleep and turned over. Miroku suddenly felt really, really, really guilty and didn't want to awaken his dearest Sango of whom he loved.
Sighing he slid into the driver's seat and watched Sango sleep with a baby face. Smiling softly he grasped her hand, and squeezed it kindly.
Sango grunted in her sleep and mumbled to herself.
"Ah, my sweet angle dreams, I wonder of what she dreams of." Miroku said to himself.
"Green!" Miroku jumped in surprise as Sango yelled the random word.
Leaning over he examined her, "Are you really asleep?"
Sango snored softly, her mouth hanging open and drool threatening to cascade out of her mouth. Miroku raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "You talk in your sleep? Odd."
Sango grunted in her sleep and scratched her leg.
"Then again, I'm talking to myself." Miroku sighed, "I need a hobby"
Climbing out of the car, Miroku hoisted himself up and sat himself down on the roof of the car. If anyone had half a brain, they'd realize that Miroku wasn't exactly going anywhere and stop to help him. Sighing he twiddled his thumbs, staring off into the distance.
Cars zoomed by, some staring, some not even looking at him. What was wrong with these people? What ever happened to good will towards the common man or whatever? God damn it.
Suddenly a white car stopped right behind Miroku's car. He blinked and jumped off his roof as the back door to the car clicked open and a little boy with brownish red hair hopped out. His blazing green eyes staring up at him as Miroku sighed mentally.
The boy skipped over to him and stood his full four feet height, still completely short compared to Miroku.
The child grinned brightly as he examined Miroku for the longest time.
"Miroku?" the child's face twisted in confusion, probably copying Miroku's face.
From the white car steps another, much taller man. The man had long hair, much like Inuyasha's; only his is a shinning silvery white color. He glided more than walked over to Miroku; making the fact he'd walked down a lane on a highway more like a lane of a model's catwalk.
The man stops and lifted the child up with one hand by the head before setting him down on his shoulder like a parrot.
Miroku's eyes widened as he finally recognizes the two before him. "Shippou? Sesshoumaru?"
Shippou nods his head furiously, like a bobble head, and Sesshoumaru merely lifts an elegantly placed eyebrow.
Miroku's grin spread across his whole face. He remembered when Inuyasha and he were first friends and he'd come over to Inuyasha's house one day, and he'd met his "family". Or whatever family he had left.
His mom had died when he was seventeen, and his dad had run out on them five months before Shippou was born. The only family he really had was Sesshoumaru, his older brother, and Shippou, his younger brother. And his god mother, Kaede.
"What brings you two to Tokyo...or rather, the middle of a highway?" Miroku asked.
Sesshoumaru seemed bored with the fact he was stuck talking to his brother's best friend since forever, but Shippou looked like he'd been hyped up on sugar.
"I am merely here to see my brother, and happened to see you in the middle of my lane. Shippou recognized you and wanted to say hi," Sesshoumaru said, his voice much like his face, emotionless. "I, on the other hand, have somewhere I need to be, so now that our introductions have been made, I am afraid I must leave now."
"Hi Miroku!" Shippou squealed and made Sesshoumaru cringe, having the little brat on his shoulder wasn't the brightest idea.
"Eh? Hello, Shippou." Miroku rubbed the back of his head nervously, "Say, Sesshoumaru, my car kind of broke down and my girlfriend and I kind of, ya know, need to get back."
Sesshoumaru snorted in a very un-Sesshoumaru way but he shrugged and motioned towards his car. "Whatever, I suppose my car's big enough."
"Good!" Miroku smiled and jogged over to his car to wake up his dearest Sango. Who was still sleeping.
"Oatmeal!" Sango yelled as Miroku poked her. She jumped up and punched him in the face. Blinking and stretching, Sango jumped out of the car smiling, "Ah, it's so good to be...home?"
Sango looked around, realizing she was in the middle of traffic and was not at home. She turned fiery eyes towards Miroku. "You drugged me so you could have your way with me, didn't you? Admit it!"
Sesshoumaru and Shippou blinked as Miroku tried, and failed, to crawl underneath the car. Sesshoumaru shooed Shippou to the car as he walked gracefully forward and grabbed Sango's shoulder.
The girl stiffened and turned to look over her shoulder. She raised an eyebrow before digging into her pocket for her pepper spray. Holding it up at his eye level, Sesshoumaru grabbed the thing from her hand with ease and crushed it in his hand.
He smirked at Sango's gasp.
Miroku dared to leave the safety of the car and peered at Sesshoumaru and Sango. A pang of jealousy shot through him as he put a protective shoulder around Sango.
Sesshoumaru chuckled softly before patting Miroku's head like a dog, "Do not fear, Miroku, I am not trying to steal your woman."
Miroku blushed.
Sesshoumaru continued, "I already have someone else, thank you." He peered at his car. "Now then, I'll call a tow truck and you shall direct me to Inuyasha's home."
"Eh?" Sango blinked in confusion.
Miroku patted her shoulder, "I'll explain on the way, Sango."
Inuyasha walked grumbling to himself behind Kagome, as she made her way to Kaede's. "Oh hush, you're the one that wanted to come!"
Inuyasha glared at her back, "Only because that cat would have killed me if I stayed."
"That is so not true. There you go being a drama queen again!" Kagome scolded as she waited for the crosswalk's sign to turn into the little walking man.
"WHAT? I am not a drama queen. If you must insist on calling me that can you at least change it too," Inuyasha jumped up onto a bench and grabbed the streetlight's post, puffing out his chest he said in a booming voice that didn't belong to him, "The Supreme Master of Carrying On!"
Kagome raised an eyebrow and tried to pull the boy down as more and more people stared at the boy as he started to recite Shakespeare.
"Inuyasha! Stop it!" Kagome hissed, tugging on his pants.
"To listen or not to listen, damn that's not a question at all!" Inuyasha said as he continued to act immature.
"Inuyasha get down here before someone calls the cobs because you're disturbing the peace!" Kagome sighed dramatically and walked a few paces away, "That's it, I do not know the crazy person over there."
The other people walking by looked at her funny before continuing on their way.
"Hark! What surface does the bimbo break (his foot) 'tis the ground and he is, the groundy!" Inuyasha said, twisting the English poet's famous window scene from Romeo and Juliet to his own weird chant.
Inuyasha reached over and grabbed Kagome, causing her to shriek and kick furiously at the air. "Tis my Juliet and now I must pronounce that I am the Supreme Master of Carrying On! Praise me! Bow God damn it, bow!"
The white car continued on in silence. Sesshoumaru driving, taking directions from Miroku who sat behind him, Sango on sitting near him on the other side of the car, staring out he window, and Shippou sitting in the middle. In the front passenger seat, sat a girl with a side ponytail, Miroku assumed it was Sesshoumaru significant other.
The five drove down a busy street in Tokyo and Sesshoumaru sighed dramatically. "Why is it that whenever I come here, there's always traffic?"
The girl sitting by him giggled, "It is Tokyo, Sesshy-Kun."
Sesshoumaru grumbled and took his foot off the gas as they neared a stoplight, where many people were forming a crowd. Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow then shook his head.
The girl looked out the window and turned to Sesshoumaru. "They have odd people in this city."
Miroku and Sango both glanced in the direction the couple was looking and their eyes widened. There was Inuyasha dancing along in the middle of the intersection, dodging police officers and such, with Kagome standing behind looking mortified by Inuyasha's behavior.
"Just keep on driving and maybe they won't notice us."
"If I came all this way to bail my little brother out of jail, I'm turning this car around!" Sesshoumaru growled.
Shippou jumped up, unbuckling his seatbelt, "Where's Inu-niisan?"
Sango and Miroku both shoved his head down. "Trust me, Shippou, you don't want to see your brothe, it would be inappropriate for your five year old self."
"I'm ten, though." Miroku blinked and looked at Sesshoumaru.
"He refuses to drink milk," Sesshoumaru sighed, "Much like his brother."
"Inuyasha, oh my god, was making that scene completely necessary?"
"Was calling me a drama queen necessary?"
"No....but-"
"Then don't say it next time, moron," Inuyasha said, in a much better mood then he had during the stalking cat incident.
Kagome growled and continued on her way down the sidewalk until Kaede's store came into view. Letting out a noise of triumph she started to run towards it.
"Hey, Wench, don't be so eager to get away from me!" Inuyasha called after her. "Damn if I annoyed you this much why didn't you just say so?"
"Oh knock it off, you dork," Kagome said as she tapped his nose with her index finger before making her way through the beaded doorway. "Kaede-Bachan? Sorry I'm late; the freak show reject was causing a scene."
Kaede walked through the doorway, nodded and then eyed Inuyasha. "Ah, you meant that freak show reject."
Inuyasha growled but flopped down onto Kaede's beanbag chair. He sat with his eyes closed before he snapped them open. "Hey wait a minute; you were talking about me, weren't you?"
Kagome did a very slow clap, as if he couldn't hear it if she went too fast. "Ladies and gentleman, Inuyasha Ginga is a genius!"
"I am not a freak show reject!"
"Yes you are."
"No I'm not, I'm the drama queen remember?" he stood up and scooped Kagome up, dipping her down so that her head was almost touching the floor. "Oh wait; I'm the Supreme Master of Carrying On!"
Kagome glared up at the smirking boy, "Would you please let go of me?"
"No," Inuyasha said he leaned down so his forehead was touching hers, instantly making her redden, "I just like bugging you so damn much."
"Dumb ass," Kagome snarled, trying to will her red face to return to its normal color.
"First I'm a jerk, then a drama queen, then a freak show reject, and now I'm a dumb ass? Kagome, make up your mind, one pet name is hard enough."
Kagome's face, much to Inuyasha's delight, turned at least five shades darker.
Kagome placed her hands on Inuyasha's chest and pushed him off firmly. "Fuck you."
Kaede cleared her throat, making the two jump and turn red again. Kaede raised an amused eyebrow, "Kagome, we have some customers."
"Oh! Sorry Kaede-Bachan! I'll get to it right away!" Kagome bowed in apology before shooting Inuyasha a glare. She grabbed her apron and ran out.
Kaede watched Kagome run out and eyed Inuyasha, who sat thoughtfully in his beanbag chair. "I've seen that look before."
Inuyasha looked up, eyebrows rose, "What's it to you baba? What the hell are you babbling about?"
"You like Kagome-Chan don't you?" the old hippie said as if she was discussing the weather.
Inuyasha felt his heart flip and crash land into his stomach as he fought the redness to leave his cheeks. He turned away from Kaede in a huff, his arms crossed over his chest in an irritated fashion, with his nose in the air. "I do not."
"You always were a bad liar," Kaede said as she did a weird can-can out the door. Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. "Oh Kagome!"
With that Inuyasha shot up and dove through the doorway, knocking his guardian out of the way and back into the back room. "She lies!"
Kagome looked at him, a bemused expression on her face.
Kaede came back, she whapped Inuyasha in the head with a wooden spoon and turned to Kagome. "As I was saying, can you make a fresh batch of coffee?"
"Oh course, bachan!" Kagome said smiling; she looked at the fallen Inuyasha and made a point to step on his back.
Walking home, Inuyasha grumbled about how evil the female species is, with hitting him and stepping on him.
"Oh hush, you deserved it and you know it."
"I did not." Kagome glanced at him. His eyes looked saddened and his hair swung in the wind.
She paused and blinked.
Inuyasha wasn't wearing his hair in a braid anymore. Thinking back she realized he'd let his hair free ever since she'd visited her mom. That thought touched Kagome deeply.
Inuyasha stopped and turned around, looking at Kagome, his hair dancing in the wind, "Hey! Kagome hurry it up, I left my key in the apartment, and so I kind of need you over here. Speed it up, bitch."
Kagome sighed and ran over to Inuyasha. She walked in silence until Kagome looked up at him, "Inuyasha?"
"Yeah what?" he snapped, still a little pissed off over her stepping on him.
"Do you hate me?" she asked the question he's asked her in her dream. The dream had been bugging her all day, it was so real. Inuyasha had come into her room and she'd kissed him. Somewhere deep within her, she wished that it were true.
Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks, a far away look on his face. Kagome looked up at him, her face serious, and her eyes watching his.
"No."
Kagome stayed silently, knowing he was going to continue.
"I don't hate you Kagome," Kagome watched as his cold eyes softened and danced with a new emotion, "In fact." He started to walk and said so quietly she didn't hear, "I'd say it was the exact opposite."
Kagome caught up with him, not hearing his comment, and headed towards their home.
The door clicked open, Inuyasha and Kagome blinked in surprise. Then looked at each other. "I could have sworn I locked it."
"Inu-niisan!" a little blur of red hair latched itself around Inuyasha's neck the moment he walked into the room. Blinking in surprise Inuyasha pried the child off his neck.
"Shippou!"
The child, Shippou, smiled innocently as he hugged his brother's arm, "I've missed you so much niisan!"
Inuyasha's eyes softened as he hugged the little boy to his chest, "Yeah I've missed you too, squirt."
Kagome stood in fascination as Inuyasha hugged his little brother who looked nothing like him.
Suddenly Inuyasha went ridged. "Wait a minute, if you're here....that means that so is…gah!"
Kagome and Shippou both blinked before the little child jumped out of his hyperventilating brother's arms and bounced over to Kagome, "Hello!"
"Hi," Kagome said as she bent down to make eyelevel with the little midget, "My name's Kagome Higurashi, who are you?"
"I'm Shippou Ginga! I'm Inuyasha's brother! Yes! Are you going to be my sister?" Kagome thought the little runt was cute, but blushed at his forwardness.
"No, no, Inuyasha and I are just roommates," Kagome said, ignoring the tearing feeling inside her.
Kagome looked past the little child and looked at Inuyasha who was breathing into a paper bag, where he got that, she'll never know. Standing up she trotted over to him and patter his shoulder, "What's wrong Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha blinked and looked around. "Shh! He's hiding in the shadows, I can feel it."
"Who?"
"Sesshoumaru!"
"Eh?"
Inuyasha sighed at Kagome's stupidity and looked around again, "He's my older half-brother, and wants to make my life a living hell."
"No, I am but looking out for your best interests," came a deep voice behind the two. Kagome jumped and Inuyasha...well...
Saying he jumped is like saying the Himalayas are only a tiny anthill.
Inuyasha stood on the kitchen table like he was an old fashion lady who'd just seen a mouse and glared daggers at Sesshoumaru, "What the hell are you doing here and how the fucking god damned hell did you get the fuck in here?"
Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome and Shippou, then at Inuyasha. "Please, dearest brother, try and control yourself. There are woman and children in the room."
"Then answer my questions, damn you!" Inuyasha yelled, dodging an apple thrown by Kagome.
Sesshoumaru chuckled.
"God damn it, I hate it when you enjoy my pain!" Inuyasha said, he puffed out his chest, "Luckily, I won't allow myself to show you my pain."
Inuyasha went to jump off the kitchen table, but in the process got his broken foot caught in the chair, thus, falling flat on his face and at Sesshoumaru's feet. "Fuck."
Sesshoumaru looked sympathetically at Kagome, "I'm sorry you must endure my brother."
Kagome smiled slightly at Sesshoumaru, "I don't mind."
"Uh-huh."
"Fine, maybe I do, but I'm used to it," Kagome said crossing over and helping Inuyasha up, fearing he'd broken his leg again. Inuyasha blushed slightly at the contact but stood up and faced his brother, who, even to this day, towered above him. "So, you're Inuyasha's brother, huh?"
"Half brother. I am Sesshoumaru Jiga," Sesshoumaru extended his hand and Kagome shook it quickly.
Inuyasha growled when the two made contact and turned away with a sigh.
Kagome raised an eyebrow and walked over Inuyasha, "Don't be rude, Inuyasha."
"Me the rude one? He's the one who broke into my god damn home."
"Actually, you're other roommates, Sango and Miroku, I believe, showed me where you lived after I called a tow-truck for them."
Kagome looked horrified, "So that's why the never came home, where is she?"
"In her room, with my wife, Rin, and Miroku," Kagome was gone in a flash, running to comfort her friend.
Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru looked after Kagome before turning to each other.
"So why the hell are you here, I doubt its because you missed me, correct?" Inuyasha asked, eyebrows rose to his hairline.
"Don't flatter yourself. I wanted to know if you could watch Shippou while Rin and I go on our honeymoon."
Inuyasha did a mock hurt expression, "And I wasn't invited to this wedding, how rude!"
Sesshoumaru glared at his brother, "No, you couldn't make it because you fell off a roof." He looked at his brother's foot, "And couldn't be my best man."
Inuyasha saw the flash of hurt in his brother's eyes and snorted, "Yeah, well, I'm sure Jaken pulled it off, am I right?"
"I suppose so, Shippou missed you, though, you're all he talks about," Inuyasha definitely picked up some sadness there.
Inuyasha walked towards his brother and patted his back, "It's ok, bro, I'll watch the runt."
"Hug me and I swear I'll…" Unfortunately he was cut off as his brother pulled him into a bone crushing hug. Sesshoumaru was thrown slightly off from this gesture but soon found himself patting his brother's back.
Sure, they didn't always get along, but they had a common understanding and a bond that no one could break, especially themselves.
And then the stalking cat showed up...