The song ended but Kagome and Inu-Yasha kept dancing through the next song
and the one after that. Both felt a kind of energy running through their
bodies and neither wanted the feeling to leave. Kagome had never felt so
alive, and Inu-Yasha never experienced such pure freedom and joy. Both of
them had stopped trying to identify the other, and let the mystery hang
between them as a sort of aphrodisiac, heightening their passion. But no
one can dance forever and Kagome slowed, turning toward her partner and
panting for breath.
"I'm...I'm getting tired," she breathed, leading them toward the bar when they stopped dancing. "Let's get something to drink."
Inu-Yasha just nodded, still a little high and more than amazed at the feelings coursing through him. As they neared the better lit bar, Inu- Yasha's rationality and awareness pushed through the alcohol and he could think past the elation again. He looked at the woman grasping his hand and almost yelped when she turned around, finally realizing who she was under the lights of the bar.
"What would you like to- Oh my God!"
Kagome dropped his hand, almost flung it out of hers when she saw who she had been dancing with. Falling back onto the counter, she pointed at him with a shaking hand, eyes as wide as his.
"Inu...Inu-Yasha! Wha..What the hell!"
"What the- how the- Kagome?! Kagome..." Inu-Yasha started slipping back into drunkenness as his moment of lucidity started to fade. Kagome soon got over being shocked when she remembered she hadn't done anything more than dance with a sort of minor and anger began to take over. Ignoring the looks she was gathering from those around her, Kagome grabbed Inu-Yasha and dragged his wobbling body out of the club, fury mounting with every step. Once they were outside Kagome let go of his arm and rounded on him.
"Why the hell were you in there?! Did you lose your ability to count or did you forget you're only 18?!"
"18 is legal!" Inu-Yasha slurred, struggling to keep upright.
"Not when it's an over 21 club! And what the hell were you doing drinking?! You're too young for that, too! How careless can you be drowning yourself in alcohol?!"
Inu-Yasha lost the battle with the said alcohol and collapsed onto the pavement, breathing hard. He slouched against the wall and looked up at her before directing his gaze back to the floor, laughing sadly.
"I...I broke up with Kikyo."
"And that's an excuse to sneak into a club and drink?" Kagome retorted, face and voice softening a little at his proclamation.
"Miro...Miroku *hic* dragged me...dragged me here..." Inu-Yasha slumped forward as he slipped into blissful unconsciousness. Kagome rushed to catch him, anger replaced by concern. She hulled him onto his feet and managed to get him to Sango's car. She needed to tell Sango she was leaving and give her the keys; she could hail a taxi and get Inu-Yasha home. But then she didn't know where he lived, but she could find out from the portfolio the college gave her. Kagome sighed. She unlocked Sango's car, put Inu-Yasha in it, and went back to the club to find Sango.
v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v
Miroku was enjoying himself immensely as he danced with Sango. The fiery spirit she exhibited during their meetings was brought out in full here on the dance floor, thankfully in a more benign way. His lips curled into a satisfied smile as he danced closer to his partner, hands playing over her body in a chaste, though intimate fashion.
Sango felt exhilarated in spite of herself, in spite of her partner. He turned out to be a great dancer and actually kept to his word that he wouldn't do anything. His hands roamed safe parts of her body, over her arms, waist, shoulders, and surprisingly didn't stray from their promise as she expected him to. Sango was actually starting to enjoy herself when she saw Kagome pushing her way across the dance floor toward her. Sango shook out of the spell their dance created and stepped toward Kagome, who finally reached them. Miroku looked at Kagome's appearance with interest, thinking it was Kikyo until Sango asked, "Kagome? What's the matter?" At which Miroku's eyes widened even more.
"I need to leave, now," she replied, digging through her purse for Sango's keys, "Here are your keys, I can call a cab."
"What? Wait, what's this all about? Kagome, what's wrong? Why do you want to leave?"
At this Kagome's face clouded over and she spoke in annoyance.
"Because my idiot student decided to sneak in here and get drunk, that's why. I need to get him back home."
"Wait, Inu-Yasha got drunk? Huh, and I thought he had a high tolerance for alcohol," Miroku interjected in brooding tones. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, not noticing two penetrating stares from two girls next to him.
"Sango, who's this?" Kagome asked with interest. The last time she saw Sango she was dancing with Nobunaga.
"Oh," Sango blushed, "This is...Miroku..."
Kagome stared at her, puzzled.
"Wait, Miroku the Lecher?"
Sango's face burned and she kept her eyes diverted, avoiding his gaze at all cost. Miroku's eyebrows shot up in amusement. Sango mumbled an incoherent confirmation and Kagome realized what she had done. Her mouth dropped open and she looked at him in horror.
"Uh...I mean..er.. Oh dear..."
Miroku smiled and shook his head.
"It's alright, I get it all the time," he said, and reached discreetly behind them to grope Kagome's rear. She jumped and instinctively slapped him.
"How dare you- wait, Miroku....that name..." Kagome's face scrunched in concentration as she tried to place the name, finally landing on the name Inu-Yasha had mumbled before. Her eyes widened and Kagome turned on Miroku.
"You! You're the one who dragged Inu-Yasha here!"
Sango stopped feeling embarrassed and looked at Kagome questioningly.
"What?"
"Inu-Yasha mumbled something about Miroku dragging him here because he broke up with Kikyo or something."
Miroku looked guilty and tried to sneak away, but alas, the two women pounced on him with fire in their eyes.
"If you're Inu-Yasha's friend," Kagome said dangerously soft.
"Then that means you're still in high school," Sango continued.
"Which means you aren't suppose to be here," Kagome finished, and the both of them took an arm and stalked out of the club with Miroku in tow.
v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v
After giving Miroku the same lecture as Inu-Yasha complete with the yelling and scolding, Kagome got Inu-Yasha's address from him and made sure he drove home. Sighing heavily, Kagome sank into her seat and rubbed her temples.
"Sango, let's go home."
"What about Inu-Yasha?"
"I can drive him after. No reason you should be dragged into this and I'm sure you'd rather go home, ne?"
"I still can't believe he's in high school!" Sango railed, "I feel so embarrassed. I always thought he was older, you know, our age."
"At least you knew who you were dancing with. I didn't even know I was dancing with Inu-Yasha until we went to get something to drink," Kagome huffed, glancing back at her sleeping charge in the back seat. She tried to be angry with him, but couldn't muster the same indignation and frustration she first felt when she found out who it was. Her tense, furrowed expression smoothed out into worry and concern as she continued to peer at Inu-Yasha from the corner of her eye for the rest of the trip.
~*~
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"
"Yes, go on ahead, I'll be back soon," Kagome said, waving Sango up the stairs from the driver's seat. As Sango disappeared into the apartment building, Kagome drove off toward the Shinboku District, to Inu-Yasha's home.
As Kagome reached her destination, she couldn't help staring with a bit of awe.
'No wonder they could pay me so well. My paycheck is probably pocket change to them.'
Inu-Yasha's family was apparently rich, something she should have known from the location of their house. The Shinboku District housed upper class society and Kagome gave herself a mental slap in the head for not realizing that sooner. Stopping in front of an expansive lawn, Kagome hesitated before getting out of the car. Rich people intimidated her. Looking in the back seat where Inu-Yasha still slept, Kagome thought for a moment, and opened the door. She shook Inu-Yasha's shoulders and slapped his face lightly, trying to get him to wake up.
"Inu-Yasha. Hey, Inu-Yasha, wake up. We're at your house."
There was no response. Kagome shook him harder, putting some of her irritation in it.
"Hey baka, get up, you're home."
Inu-Yasha stirred, slumping into her arms, his head on her shoulder. He inhaled deeply and mumbled something before dropping back into slumber. Kagome sighed and settled him back on the seat. Once he was situated, she made her way up the walk and rang the doorbell. After a couple nervous minutes, Kagome rang the bell again. There were no lights on, so either everyone was in bed, sleeping like the dead to ignore the doorbell twice, or no one was home, and she was screwed.
Kagome rang the bell again and a few more minutes passed before she concluded she was indeed screwed. Muttering under her breath she decided she had no choice but to take him back to the apartment since she couldn't very well leave him on the porch. Inu-Yasha could explain things to his family tomorrow.
~*~
"Oh, I hope Sango doesn't kill me," Kagome moaned as she lugged Inu-Yasha up the stairs. She rested in front of the door after struggling up four flights of stairs before pressing on into the apartment.
The lights were off. Sango must have gone to bed already. Flipping on the lights Kagome made her way to the couch and laid Inu-Yasha on it. She wiped off the beads of sweat starting to form on her forehead and looked at Inu- Yasha for the umpteenth time that evening. She was still trying to sort through the emotions he induced; and though looking at him seemed to make it more complicated, not seeing him made her feel even more scrambled. Kagome resigned to the impossibility of making sense of anything tonight, and went to get Inu-Yasha a blanket and pillow. After settling him on the couch, Kagome mused over him a few more minutes and left to take a shower. She paused at the doorway and looked back, eyes swimming with jumbled emotions hidden behind half hooded lids.
"Goodnight, Inu-Yasha," she whispered, and headed toward the bathroom.
v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v
I apologize profusely for the inexcusable delay and will now sacrifice myself to make amends. *kills self*
Due to the death of the Author, the story is now over. Sorry folks.
^____________________^ Just messing with ya.
I wouldn't end the story like this. There's still the delightful morning- after chapter to write and I sure as noodles won't deprive me of writing that. And I won't dream of depriving you wonderful readers either. I got some mildly threatening letters but I know that in this place, it's a sign of affection. ^^ It frightens as much as flatters me how well received my meager story is. THANK YOU ALL!!!!!! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HAPPY YOU MAKE ME AND HOW SORRY I AM I DIDN'T WRITE SOONER!
I have no right to ask for reviews for not updating until now, but I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me. Please? Within the week I promise I'll have another chapter.
"I'm...I'm getting tired," she breathed, leading them toward the bar when they stopped dancing. "Let's get something to drink."
Inu-Yasha just nodded, still a little high and more than amazed at the feelings coursing through him. As they neared the better lit bar, Inu- Yasha's rationality and awareness pushed through the alcohol and he could think past the elation again. He looked at the woman grasping his hand and almost yelped when she turned around, finally realizing who she was under the lights of the bar.
"What would you like to- Oh my God!"
Kagome dropped his hand, almost flung it out of hers when she saw who she had been dancing with. Falling back onto the counter, she pointed at him with a shaking hand, eyes as wide as his.
"Inu...Inu-Yasha! Wha..What the hell!"
"What the- how the- Kagome?! Kagome..." Inu-Yasha started slipping back into drunkenness as his moment of lucidity started to fade. Kagome soon got over being shocked when she remembered she hadn't done anything more than dance with a sort of minor and anger began to take over. Ignoring the looks she was gathering from those around her, Kagome grabbed Inu-Yasha and dragged his wobbling body out of the club, fury mounting with every step. Once they were outside Kagome let go of his arm and rounded on him.
"Why the hell were you in there?! Did you lose your ability to count or did you forget you're only 18?!"
"18 is legal!" Inu-Yasha slurred, struggling to keep upright.
"Not when it's an over 21 club! And what the hell were you doing drinking?! You're too young for that, too! How careless can you be drowning yourself in alcohol?!"
Inu-Yasha lost the battle with the said alcohol and collapsed onto the pavement, breathing hard. He slouched against the wall and looked up at her before directing his gaze back to the floor, laughing sadly.
"I...I broke up with Kikyo."
"And that's an excuse to sneak into a club and drink?" Kagome retorted, face and voice softening a little at his proclamation.
"Miro...Miroku *hic* dragged me...dragged me here..." Inu-Yasha slumped forward as he slipped into blissful unconsciousness. Kagome rushed to catch him, anger replaced by concern. She hulled him onto his feet and managed to get him to Sango's car. She needed to tell Sango she was leaving and give her the keys; she could hail a taxi and get Inu-Yasha home. But then she didn't know where he lived, but she could find out from the portfolio the college gave her. Kagome sighed. She unlocked Sango's car, put Inu-Yasha in it, and went back to the club to find Sango.
v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v
Miroku was enjoying himself immensely as he danced with Sango. The fiery spirit she exhibited during their meetings was brought out in full here on the dance floor, thankfully in a more benign way. His lips curled into a satisfied smile as he danced closer to his partner, hands playing over her body in a chaste, though intimate fashion.
Sango felt exhilarated in spite of herself, in spite of her partner. He turned out to be a great dancer and actually kept to his word that he wouldn't do anything. His hands roamed safe parts of her body, over her arms, waist, shoulders, and surprisingly didn't stray from their promise as she expected him to. Sango was actually starting to enjoy herself when she saw Kagome pushing her way across the dance floor toward her. Sango shook out of the spell their dance created and stepped toward Kagome, who finally reached them. Miroku looked at Kagome's appearance with interest, thinking it was Kikyo until Sango asked, "Kagome? What's the matter?" At which Miroku's eyes widened even more.
"I need to leave, now," she replied, digging through her purse for Sango's keys, "Here are your keys, I can call a cab."
"What? Wait, what's this all about? Kagome, what's wrong? Why do you want to leave?"
At this Kagome's face clouded over and she spoke in annoyance.
"Because my idiot student decided to sneak in here and get drunk, that's why. I need to get him back home."
"Wait, Inu-Yasha got drunk? Huh, and I thought he had a high tolerance for alcohol," Miroku interjected in brooding tones. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, not noticing two penetrating stares from two girls next to him.
"Sango, who's this?" Kagome asked with interest. The last time she saw Sango she was dancing with Nobunaga.
"Oh," Sango blushed, "This is...Miroku..."
Kagome stared at her, puzzled.
"Wait, Miroku the Lecher?"
Sango's face burned and she kept her eyes diverted, avoiding his gaze at all cost. Miroku's eyebrows shot up in amusement. Sango mumbled an incoherent confirmation and Kagome realized what she had done. Her mouth dropped open and she looked at him in horror.
"Uh...I mean..er.. Oh dear..."
Miroku smiled and shook his head.
"It's alright, I get it all the time," he said, and reached discreetly behind them to grope Kagome's rear. She jumped and instinctively slapped him.
"How dare you- wait, Miroku....that name..." Kagome's face scrunched in concentration as she tried to place the name, finally landing on the name Inu-Yasha had mumbled before. Her eyes widened and Kagome turned on Miroku.
"You! You're the one who dragged Inu-Yasha here!"
Sango stopped feeling embarrassed and looked at Kagome questioningly.
"What?"
"Inu-Yasha mumbled something about Miroku dragging him here because he broke up with Kikyo or something."
Miroku looked guilty and tried to sneak away, but alas, the two women pounced on him with fire in their eyes.
"If you're Inu-Yasha's friend," Kagome said dangerously soft.
"Then that means you're still in high school," Sango continued.
"Which means you aren't suppose to be here," Kagome finished, and the both of them took an arm and stalked out of the club with Miroku in tow.
v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v
After giving Miroku the same lecture as Inu-Yasha complete with the yelling and scolding, Kagome got Inu-Yasha's address from him and made sure he drove home. Sighing heavily, Kagome sank into her seat and rubbed her temples.
"Sango, let's go home."
"What about Inu-Yasha?"
"I can drive him after. No reason you should be dragged into this and I'm sure you'd rather go home, ne?"
"I still can't believe he's in high school!" Sango railed, "I feel so embarrassed. I always thought he was older, you know, our age."
"At least you knew who you were dancing with. I didn't even know I was dancing with Inu-Yasha until we went to get something to drink," Kagome huffed, glancing back at her sleeping charge in the back seat. She tried to be angry with him, but couldn't muster the same indignation and frustration she first felt when she found out who it was. Her tense, furrowed expression smoothed out into worry and concern as she continued to peer at Inu-Yasha from the corner of her eye for the rest of the trip.
~*~
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"
"Yes, go on ahead, I'll be back soon," Kagome said, waving Sango up the stairs from the driver's seat. As Sango disappeared into the apartment building, Kagome drove off toward the Shinboku District, to Inu-Yasha's home.
As Kagome reached her destination, she couldn't help staring with a bit of awe.
'No wonder they could pay me so well. My paycheck is probably pocket change to them.'
Inu-Yasha's family was apparently rich, something she should have known from the location of their house. The Shinboku District housed upper class society and Kagome gave herself a mental slap in the head for not realizing that sooner. Stopping in front of an expansive lawn, Kagome hesitated before getting out of the car. Rich people intimidated her. Looking in the back seat where Inu-Yasha still slept, Kagome thought for a moment, and opened the door. She shook Inu-Yasha's shoulders and slapped his face lightly, trying to get him to wake up.
"Inu-Yasha. Hey, Inu-Yasha, wake up. We're at your house."
There was no response. Kagome shook him harder, putting some of her irritation in it.
"Hey baka, get up, you're home."
Inu-Yasha stirred, slumping into her arms, his head on her shoulder. He inhaled deeply and mumbled something before dropping back into slumber. Kagome sighed and settled him back on the seat. Once he was situated, she made her way up the walk and rang the doorbell. After a couple nervous minutes, Kagome rang the bell again. There were no lights on, so either everyone was in bed, sleeping like the dead to ignore the doorbell twice, or no one was home, and she was screwed.
Kagome rang the bell again and a few more minutes passed before she concluded she was indeed screwed. Muttering under her breath she decided she had no choice but to take him back to the apartment since she couldn't very well leave him on the porch. Inu-Yasha could explain things to his family tomorrow.
~*~
"Oh, I hope Sango doesn't kill me," Kagome moaned as she lugged Inu-Yasha up the stairs. She rested in front of the door after struggling up four flights of stairs before pressing on into the apartment.
The lights were off. Sango must have gone to bed already. Flipping on the lights Kagome made her way to the couch and laid Inu-Yasha on it. She wiped off the beads of sweat starting to form on her forehead and looked at Inu- Yasha for the umpteenth time that evening. She was still trying to sort through the emotions he induced; and though looking at him seemed to make it more complicated, not seeing him made her feel even more scrambled. Kagome resigned to the impossibility of making sense of anything tonight, and went to get Inu-Yasha a blanket and pillow. After settling him on the couch, Kagome mused over him a few more minutes and left to take a shower. She paused at the doorway and looked back, eyes swimming with jumbled emotions hidden behind half hooded lids.
"Goodnight, Inu-Yasha," she whispered, and headed toward the bathroom.
v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v ~*~ v^_^v
I apologize profusely for the inexcusable delay and will now sacrifice myself to make amends. *kills self*
Due to the death of the Author, the story is now over. Sorry folks.
^____________________^ Just messing with ya.
I wouldn't end the story like this. There's still the delightful morning- after chapter to write and I sure as noodles won't deprive me of writing that. And I won't dream of depriving you wonderful readers either. I got some mildly threatening letters but I know that in this place, it's a sign of affection. ^^ It frightens as much as flatters me how well received my meager story is. THANK YOU ALL!!!!!! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HAPPY YOU MAKE ME AND HOW SORRY I AM I DIDN'T WRITE SOONER!
I have no right to ask for reviews for not updating until now, but I hope you can find it in your hearts to forgive me. Please? Within the week I promise I'll have another chapter.