I had to redo the end of this chapter since it was brought to my attention
that I made a horrible error. Sango had already met Miroku, and since she
isn't drunk like Kagome, she should be able to recognize him, no matter how
dark the club is. I'm terribly sorry for the mistake!! Thank you tenchineko
for catching that! I am forever grateful. So please, reread the end of this
chapter before going on to the next chapter. It's still almost the same
but...well...you'll see.
v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v
Kagome reached her apartment in a mood similar to Inu-Yasha last week. Storming into the room with proverbial clouds following after, Kagome uttered a short greeting when she passed Sango; unaware she was in the same gloom. It wasn't until a little while later when both of them were steaming next to each other on the couch that they took notice of the other's foul mood.
"So, what's up with you?" Kagome asked Sango tastelessly.
"During one of the AMV showings the lecher showed me up," Sango grumbled, "I'm not going to get into the details. You?"
"After hearing your problem, I don't think mine measures up." Kagome smiled a little; surprised she could still joke around. What was it about being around your best friend that makes you feel so much better?
"I'm not sure this is a contest you want to win Kagome-chan. Tell me."
"Inu-Yasha's girlfriend just about called me a tramp. It's silly, I know."
"It is NOT silly! Kagome, you poor thing." Sango went over to her and gave her a hug, smothering her giggles as well as Kagome's. Releasing her, Sango managed a straight face and asked, "Do you want me to beat her up for you?"
"Yes, Sango, please. Please beat her up to a bloody pulp for me," Kagome laughed. "No, all joking aside, she was just really...really..."
"Bitchy?" Sango supplied.
Kagome's face twisted a little at the word, but nodded anyway.
"Yes, bitchy, definitely. She had the nerve of accusing me of attempting to steal Inu-Yasha from her."
"Well...you've shown more dedication in teaching him than any of your other- "
"Not true!" Kagome countered, "I was plenty dedicated to Shippo!"
"Ah, but he was ten and utterly adorable. That dedication came from the urge to squish him to bits like a really cuddly stuffed animal. Besides, he completely adored you. He wouldn't have left this apartment if his grandmother didn't come to make him go home."
"And your point?"
"He's not a teen bordering on legal age."
"Are you accusing me of seducing him, too?" Kagome said darkly.
"No, no, no. I would never do such a thing. But you know, he is kinda cute, if you like the rugged type."
"You did go through my stuff!" Kagome said indignantly.
"I should think that was obvious," Sango replied, eyes sparkling. The daily pillow fight came into play and the two regressing adults pummeled each other with the fluffy squares for a good fifteen minutes. Somehow, their darkened day had brightened after a few minutes of teasing each other. Friends are weird that way.
Exhausted from their fight, Sango and Kagome sprawled in boneless heaps trying to catch their breath. When they could speak again, Kagome panted out, "We have...We have got to get out more."
"Want to go to a club? Kirara told me about this new one opening where Chiko's used to be. I think she said it was called The Well."
"Sure, let's go. I need a distraction from all this work I've been doing anyway."
"You mean you need a distraction from Inu-Yasha."
"I did not say that. Sango, you should know me well enough to know that I don't mix business with my personal life."
"Yeah, that's why it's so easy to tease you about it."
Whack.
"Shut up and go get ready."
v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v
"Damn you Miroku, I don't know how you drag me into these things."
"Oh c'mon, you need a little fun after being with the Ice Queen."
"Hey! Don't talk about Kikyo like that!"
"Ten minutes before we got here you were calling her The Cheating Bitch."
"Yeah well, I was her boyfriend; I get to talk about her like that after the break up."
Miroku sighed. "Whatever you say. However, in addition to the break up, you are allowed to go cruising for girls now. And what better way to forget about an ex than to go clubbing. Especially with older, more experienced women."
Inu-Yasha looked over at his bizarre best friend. How he can fit innocence in such a perverted mind was beyond him, but some way or another Miroku pulled it off. Perhaps it was because his face held all the innocence, while his hands acted otherwise. But as Inu-Yasha had learned early on, it was always better not to think about it.
"Did you manage to grope every girl in your age bracket already? Is that why we snuck into an 'over 21' club?"
"There's nothing wrong with having a little variety now and then," Miroku said lightly. "But enough talk, enjoy yourself, my friend. You need to forget about Kikyo and grasp new opportunities. As for me, I'm going to grope-I mean, grasp my new opportunities starting with that lovely lady over there. Excuse me."
Inu-Yasha looked at Miroku blandly after he disappeared into the crowd pulsating with the beat of loud music. Sighing, he sank into the seat of the booth and knocked back the rest of his drink.
'One good thing about being here. I get to drink.'
~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome looked around the room with disinterest, sitting alone at her table with some light drink that tasted faintly of peach. Sango had been asked to dance by her friend, Nobunaga. Kagome smiled a little at that, remembering Inu-Yasha had yet to answer the question she had presented him with on the first day.
'Funny how something like that can slip your mind. What with all the other things going..on...'
Kagome sighed. Maybe coming to the club wasn't such a good idea after all. Sango had always been more of the party animal, not her. Maybe she should just find Sango and tell her she's going home...
'No.' Kagome told herself firmly. 'The point of this outing was to have fun, damn it, and have fun I will. I don't need a guy to enjoy myself. I can dance on my own!'
Knocking back the rest of her drink, the small amount of alcohol was enough to loosen up her muscles and make Kagome a little giddy. A familiar song was playing, the same one Sango had used for her most recent music video, and Kagome let herself be swept away by the pure rhythm.
'Sorry, Sango, I can't wait until the sleepover to make a fool of myself.'
With a small, dreamy smile, Kagome stepped onto the dance floor, enjoying the music and allowing the irresistible sounds to move her body in a sultry, exotic dance. It didn't take long for men to take notice of this goddess that suddenly materialized in their midst. They swarmed around her and cut in front of each other to take the privilege of being her dance partner. Kagome's smile widened, as she was vaguely aware of the attention she was getting, but repaid none in return. The only thing that mattered was the music.
~*~*~*~*~
Two drinks later Inu-Yasha was still alert, but hanging by a thread. His vision wavered only every so often and he speech patterns have been better, but until he was unconscious, he refused to acknowledge he was drunk. As he started to another drink, an entrancing figure caught his eye. A gorgeous woman danced amidst a crowd of hopeful youths, lithe body moving like a dream. Inu-Yasha's attention suddenly turned sharply away from alcohol.
'Her...Mine.' In his drunken state, his possessive trait reached new heights, and he growled low as he made his way over to the woman with surprising grace. Those idiots around her didn't stand a chance. She was his.
Shoving away the current guy trying to capture the woman's attention (though without luck), Inu-Yasha boldly ran his hands down her arms, and wrapped his arms lightly around her waist from behind. His touch jolted awareness in Kagome, and she turned her head slightly to see her new partner. The attempt was in vain, the shadows of the club and his unruly bangs obscuring his face. But in her euphoric state, Kagome realized she didn't need to know who this man was. The way he moved, the way he felt pressed up behind her was all she needed.
'Gods, she feels even better than she looks. Who the hell is she?'
But Inu-Yasha really didn't care either.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Miroku surrounded himself with young women who didn't know any better, and while they were initially a fresh experience, he was quickly growing bored. The women who came to him easily were too similar to the ones he romanced in Arami. He wanted something new, something exciting, something- ho, what was this?
Miroku's unwavering act faltered when he set eyes on raven-haired beauty. From where he sat he could see her sleek figure encompassed with smooth, golden cream skin. She was dancing with a style and passion that outshone her mundane partner, and Miroku quickly made it his business to remedy that. Extricating himself from his new harem, Miroku made his way toward the fiery beauty. Turning on the charm full blast, Miroku tapped her on the shoulder and gave her the seductive half-smile he was famous for.
"Excuse me, but would you mind if I cut in?"
Sango's breath caught and she stuttered at the abrupt interruption. As she regained her bearings, both gasped as they realized who the other was.
"You!"
Sango saw red while Miroku's smile widened at the interesting turn of events.
Nobunaga looked innocently at Sango.
"Do you know him, Sango?"
"No," Sango ground out at the same time Miroku said yes. She shot him a glare he ignored as he went on.
"We're acquainted, through various conventions and contests but I've always wanted to know her better."
Nobunaga's head flicked from Miroku to Sango and slid into a smile. He stepped away from Sango.
"Then by all means, have this dance," he said graciously, starting to walk away.
Sango's cheeks reddened. "But...Nobunaga..." she trailed off. Nobunaga smiled and winked at her.
"Go ahead, Sango. I can find another partner."
Nobunaga left and Miroku took his place. Sango looked helplessly after Nobunaga, but saw he was already asking a pretty, nice looking girl to dance. Apparently, she was the one who had attracted his discreet glances while he was dancing with Sango. She would have to remember to tease him about that, but for now, she was faced with a lecher who wanted to dance with her. And no doubt do other less innocent things as well. She turned toward him, fury etched in every line of her face. But before she could say anything, Miroku led her further out into the dance floor, slowly moving their bodies to the beat.
"Please, dance with me," he breathed in his sexiest voice. She was still tense, and resisted his movements more than he expected. He smiled at her reluctance and whispered into her ear, "I promise, I won't do anything."
Sango snorted but relaxed a little more, the music chipping away at her defenses more than he was. However, his movements were alluring, almost as much as the music was, and she decided to let herself go, and give in to the music, to him, all that was telling her to dance.
v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v
Kagome reached her apartment in a mood similar to Inu-Yasha last week. Storming into the room with proverbial clouds following after, Kagome uttered a short greeting when she passed Sango; unaware she was in the same gloom. It wasn't until a little while later when both of them were steaming next to each other on the couch that they took notice of the other's foul mood.
"So, what's up with you?" Kagome asked Sango tastelessly.
"During one of the AMV showings the lecher showed me up," Sango grumbled, "I'm not going to get into the details. You?"
"After hearing your problem, I don't think mine measures up." Kagome smiled a little; surprised she could still joke around. What was it about being around your best friend that makes you feel so much better?
"I'm not sure this is a contest you want to win Kagome-chan. Tell me."
"Inu-Yasha's girlfriend just about called me a tramp. It's silly, I know."
"It is NOT silly! Kagome, you poor thing." Sango went over to her and gave her a hug, smothering her giggles as well as Kagome's. Releasing her, Sango managed a straight face and asked, "Do you want me to beat her up for you?"
"Yes, Sango, please. Please beat her up to a bloody pulp for me," Kagome laughed. "No, all joking aside, she was just really...really..."
"Bitchy?" Sango supplied.
Kagome's face twisted a little at the word, but nodded anyway.
"Yes, bitchy, definitely. She had the nerve of accusing me of attempting to steal Inu-Yasha from her."
"Well...you've shown more dedication in teaching him than any of your other- "
"Not true!" Kagome countered, "I was plenty dedicated to Shippo!"
"Ah, but he was ten and utterly adorable. That dedication came from the urge to squish him to bits like a really cuddly stuffed animal. Besides, he completely adored you. He wouldn't have left this apartment if his grandmother didn't come to make him go home."
"And your point?"
"He's not a teen bordering on legal age."
"Are you accusing me of seducing him, too?" Kagome said darkly.
"No, no, no. I would never do such a thing. But you know, he is kinda cute, if you like the rugged type."
"You did go through my stuff!" Kagome said indignantly.
"I should think that was obvious," Sango replied, eyes sparkling. The daily pillow fight came into play and the two regressing adults pummeled each other with the fluffy squares for a good fifteen minutes. Somehow, their darkened day had brightened after a few minutes of teasing each other. Friends are weird that way.
Exhausted from their fight, Sango and Kagome sprawled in boneless heaps trying to catch their breath. When they could speak again, Kagome panted out, "We have...We have got to get out more."
"Want to go to a club? Kirara told me about this new one opening where Chiko's used to be. I think she said it was called The Well."
"Sure, let's go. I need a distraction from all this work I've been doing anyway."
"You mean you need a distraction from Inu-Yasha."
"I did not say that. Sango, you should know me well enough to know that I don't mix business with my personal life."
"Yeah, that's why it's so easy to tease you about it."
Whack.
"Shut up and go get ready."
v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v
"Damn you Miroku, I don't know how you drag me into these things."
"Oh c'mon, you need a little fun after being with the Ice Queen."
"Hey! Don't talk about Kikyo like that!"
"Ten minutes before we got here you were calling her The Cheating Bitch."
"Yeah well, I was her boyfriend; I get to talk about her like that after the break up."
Miroku sighed. "Whatever you say. However, in addition to the break up, you are allowed to go cruising for girls now. And what better way to forget about an ex than to go clubbing. Especially with older, more experienced women."
Inu-Yasha looked over at his bizarre best friend. How he can fit innocence in such a perverted mind was beyond him, but some way or another Miroku pulled it off. Perhaps it was because his face held all the innocence, while his hands acted otherwise. But as Inu-Yasha had learned early on, it was always better not to think about it.
"Did you manage to grope every girl in your age bracket already? Is that why we snuck into an 'over 21' club?"
"There's nothing wrong with having a little variety now and then," Miroku said lightly. "But enough talk, enjoy yourself, my friend. You need to forget about Kikyo and grasp new opportunities. As for me, I'm going to grope-I mean, grasp my new opportunities starting with that lovely lady over there. Excuse me."
Inu-Yasha looked at Miroku blandly after he disappeared into the crowd pulsating with the beat of loud music. Sighing, he sank into the seat of the booth and knocked back the rest of his drink.
'One good thing about being here. I get to drink.'
~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome looked around the room with disinterest, sitting alone at her table with some light drink that tasted faintly of peach. Sango had been asked to dance by her friend, Nobunaga. Kagome smiled a little at that, remembering Inu-Yasha had yet to answer the question she had presented him with on the first day.
'Funny how something like that can slip your mind. What with all the other things going..on...'
Kagome sighed. Maybe coming to the club wasn't such a good idea after all. Sango had always been more of the party animal, not her. Maybe she should just find Sango and tell her she's going home...
'No.' Kagome told herself firmly. 'The point of this outing was to have fun, damn it, and have fun I will. I don't need a guy to enjoy myself. I can dance on my own!'
Knocking back the rest of her drink, the small amount of alcohol was enough to loosen up her muscles and make Kagome a little giddy. A familiar song was playing, the same one Sango had used for her most recent music video, and Kagome let herself be swept away by the pure rhythm.
'Sorry, Sango, I can't wait until the sleepover to make a fool of myself.'
With a small, dreamy smile, Kagome stepped onto the dance floor, enjoying the music and allowing the irresistible sounds to move her body in a sultry, exotic dance. It didn't take long for men to take notice of this goddess that suddenly materialized in their midst. They swarmed around her and cut in front of each other to take the privilege of being her dance partner. Kagome's smile widened, as she was vaguely aware of the attention she was getting, but repaid none in return. The only thing that mattered was the music.
~*~*~*~*~
Two drinks later Inu-Yasha was still alert, but hanging by a thread. His vision wavered only every so often and he speech patterns have been better, but until he was unconscious, he refused to acknowledge he was drunk. As he started to another drink, an entrancing figure caught his eye. A gorgeous woman danced amidst a crowd of hopeful youths, lithe body moving like a dream. Inu-Yasha's attention suddenly turned sharply away from alcohol.
'Her...Mine.' In his drunken state, his possessive trait reached new heights, and he growled low as he made his way over to the woman with surprising grace. Those idiots around her didn't stand a chance. She was his.
Shoving away the current guy trying to capture the woman's attention (though without luck), Inu-Yasha boldly ran his hands down her arms, and wrapped his arms lightly around her waist from behind. His touch jolted awareness in Kagome, and she turned her head slightly to see her new partner. The attempt was in vain, the shadows of the club and his unruly bangs obscuring his face. But in her euphoric state, Kagome realized she didn't need to know who this man was. The way he moved, the way he felt pressed up behind her was all she needed.
'Gods, she feels even better than she looks. Who the hell is she?'
But Inu-Yasha really didn't care either.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Miroku surrounded himself with young women who didn't know any better, and while they were initially a fresh experience, he was quickly growing bored. The women who came to him easily were too similar to the ones he romanced in Arami. He wanted something new, something exciting, something- ho, what was this?
Miroku's unwavering act faltered when he set eyes on raven-haired beauty. From where he sat he could see her sleek figure encompassed with smooth, golden cream skin. She was dancing with a style and passion that outshone her mundane partner, and Miroku quickly made it his business to remedy that. Extricating himself from his new harem, Miroku made his way toward the fiery beauty. Turning on the charm full blast, Miroku tapped her on the shoulder and gave her the seductive half-smile he was famous for.
"Excuse me, but would you mind if I cut in?"
Sango's breath caught and she stuttered at the abrupt interruption. As she regained her bearings, both gasped as they realized who the other was.
"You!"
Sango saw red while Miroku's smile widened at the interesting turn of events.
Nobunaga looked innocently at Sango.
"Do you know him, Sango?"
"No," Sango ground out at the same time Miroku said yes. She shot him a glare he ignored as he went on.
"We're acquainted, through various conventions and contests but I've always wanted to know her better."
Nobunaga's head flicked from Miroku to Sango and slid into a smile. He stepped away from Sango.
"Then by all means, have this dance," he said graciously, starting to walk away.
Sango's cheeks reddened. "But...Nobunaga..." she trailed off. Nobunaga smiled and winked at her.
"Go ahead, Sango. I can find another partner."
Nobunaga left and Miroku took his place. Sango looked helplessly after Nobunaga, but saw he was already asking a pretty, nice looking girl to dance. Apparently, she was the one who had attracted his discreet glances while he was dancing with Sango. She would have to remember to tease him about that, but for now, she was faced with a lecher who wanted to dance with her. And no doubt do other less innocent things as well. She turned toward him, fury etched in every line of her face. But before she could say anything, Miroku led her further out into the dance floor, slowly moving their bodies to the beat.
"Please, dance with me," he breathed in his sexiest voice. She was still tense, and resisted his movements more than he expected. He smiled at her reluctance and whispered into her ear, "I promise, I won't do anything."
Sango snorted but relaxed a little more, the music chipping away at her defenses more than he was. However, his movements were alluring, almost as much as the music was, and she decided to let herself go, and give in to the music, to him, all that was telling her to dance.