Disclaimer: Just a sec, let me check my portfolio...Bummer! Nope, don't
own Inuyasha, any of its characters, or anything affiliated to the show.
So I'm not making any money off this fic, ok? I will admit that I have
become quite the feedback junkie, though!
Now that we have that out of the way...Ahem!
The Way to a Girl's Heart
Inuyasha and Miroku were trying to figure out what a promdress was and why Kagome would need a whole day to find one when they heard a rustling in a nearby clump of bushes, and Shippou emerged. He gave them a superior look and declared, "I know what it is! And it's not a promdress. It's a PROM DRESS. As in one of those things Kagome wears with the top and skirt attached, only it's for a special dance called a Prom." He crossed his arms and looked very satisfied with himself.
The monk and the hanyou exchanged a look and Inuyasha asked, "How do you know that?"
"Because I was listening to Kagome and Sango talk about it. Kagome said the prom is a special dance that's really romantic. You're supposed to go with someone really special, and they do a lot of that touchy, feely dancing that Kagome tried to teach Miroku and Sango to do."
Inuyasha looked stricken. Miroku chuckled softly, "I guess you'd better be going to that dance, Dog boy."
Shippou looked up at them both disdainfully. "Oh, yeah, like that's gonna happen! You think Kagome's gonna take a hanyou to her special dance? You don't think people will notice there is something a little FREAKISH about him? You can't wear one of those cap things to a dance, you know!" In fact, Shippou knew that the Prom was on the night of a new moon, because Kagome and Sango had discussed that too, but he wasn't about to miss an opportunity to taunt the hanyou.
Inuyasha was alarmed. He had to be the one to go to this special romantic dance with Kagome. The idea of that Hobo guy getting to spend another whole evening with his hands on the soft curve of her hips, his body pressed against hers, his lips on her lovely pink mouth... it nearly drove Inuyasha out of his mind to think of it.
Miroku watched his friend's face. "Of course, you won't get anywhere with her if she's still mad at you." When he saw the hanyou blanch, he chuckled again, "Oh, yeah, we're really gonna need some help."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Back at Kaede's hut, the group sat huddled around the fire, discussing this "prom" that Inuyasha had never heard of before that afternoon, yet now wanted to attend more than he wanted the Jewel itself.
Sango smirked at the little kistsune, who was currently curled up with Kirara, but not asleep. She knew if he had been listening to the conversation about the prom between herself and Kagome, he also knew that Inuyasha's ears wouldn't be a problem that night. Not wanting him to suffer acute head trauma, though, she chose not to give him away. "Um, I think the night of the prom just might be on the night of a new moon." She looked over at Kaede for confirmation, and received it with a small knowing smile.
Miroku took charge from there, "Ok, Sango. Does Kagome already have a date to this "prom?"
Sango shook her head. "She's been asked, but hasn't said yes to anyone. Yet." She deliberately didn't mention any names, for fear of setting their friend off.
Miroku turned back to Inuyasha, "Ok, assuming that Kagome forgives you and that she is willing to give up her special evening with Lover boy (very evil look from Inuyasha), we still have several obstacles to overcome."
Shippou snorted, "I'll say. You have to take her out to dinner, and you don't have any money from her time. And even if you did, your eating habits are disgusting! Myouga has better manners than you do, and he sucks blood!" The little kitsune fully expected to be cuffed on the head for this, but it was worth it. Amazingly enough, though, the blow didn't come.
The hanyou gave him a warning growl, but his heart didn't seem to be in it. He looked sad. The kit was right. He didn't know how to dance any of their dances, either. Maybe this wasn't such a good plan. But every time he felt like giving up, he remembered the scene at the dance, and his resolve strengthened.
As far as he was concerned, that human was never going to touch HIS Kagome again. Not if he could help it.
Kaede offered, "Perhaps Inuyasha might go and speak to Kagome's family about this. They might be willing to let him do some chores in exchange for money to take young Kagome out to dinner."
Miroku nodded, "A good plan. That solves the money problem. But he will still need to get the proper clothing and learn to dance. And work on those table manners!" He added pointedly as he watched Inuyasha slurp up the contents of the bowl Kaede had just passed him.
Again, Kaede thought it would be best if he spoke with Kagome's mother about it.
Shippou sat up, "But what if Kagome won't let him go to her dance. She was pretty mad at him when she left."
"Well, I guess he'll have to convince her." Sango said with more faith in her voice than she felt. Inuyasha wasn't very experienced in the softer negotiation skills.
"Hey, but what if she tells that guy she'll go with him while she's at home this time. If she's so mad at Inuyasha, she might!" Shippou was really enjoying himself at the hanyou's expense.
That little thought hit Inuyasha like a ton of bricks. What if she did? He thought back to their argument earlier, when he asked if she was going on a date while she was at home. Her answer was, "Why, Inuyasha, do you want to bring Kikyo and join us?" She didn't say no.
He turned his distressed face to Miroku for advice, but then thinking better of it, turned to Sango. She sighed. "Inuyasha, go pick some cherry blossoms from the grove, take them through the well and tell her you're sorry. Kagome is kind and understanding, and she cares very deeply for you. I'm sure she will forgive you."
The boys gaped at her in awe. Such a simple plan. It just might work! 'Wow, she's good."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome sat at her desk, book open in front of her, trying seriously to concentrate on her studies and not on the scene at the well. Her repeated dashes across her reddened eyes with the back of her hand betrayed the fact that she was losing this battle. 'Aaaaaaaaaaagh! He is so exasperating! Why does he have to be such a jerk? Why do I have to care so much? And why, oh why, can't I just leave him back in his own era when I come home? Why?'
She looked around her room for a distraction. Last time she needed a distraction, she had practiced archery for a couple of hours, and it had really helped. A glance at the darkening night sky told her that that wouldn't be an option today. What else? Her eyes traveled around the room, and rested on dressing table mirror. 'What could have happened to that picture?' She had searched for it to no avail. Maybe she should try again. 'Don't be stupid. You're trying to forget about him, remember? At least for long enough to study.'
Something. But what? Souta was out with Mom and Grandfather, so there was no one to kick the soccer ball with. Her eyes finally lit on her retired toe shoes. Hmmmm.... They should still fit. Her feet hadn't grown since then. Still...it would be dangerous. She hadn't danced in a couple of years, and it is necessary to keep your ankles strong to safely dance on pointe. 'So you break your ankle! That would solve your prom problem. You'd have a good reason not to go.'
Houjo had asked her, very sweetly, to go with him. He had made it clear that he would not take liberties with their closeness again, and that he would let her decide how to proceed with their "friendship." But as sweet as that was, she still couldn't make herself want to go with him. She didn't want to lead him on. It wasn't fair to him, and he was such a nice guy. He deserved to have someone care for him the way he cared for her.
The prom was supposed to be special, romantic. But the only one she wanted to be romantic with was in love with someone else, so even if she did take him, it would be very depressing. What could be worse than dancing close to someone and know he was thinking about someone else? And besides that, he seemed to have developed an enormous amount of hostility toward her of late, so even asking him would be a mistake: "Why would I want to go to a dance with an ugly weakling like you?"
She shook her head to clear it of those dismal thoughts. 'Forgetting about him, at least for now, remember?' She firmly turned her thoughts back to her pink satin shoes hanging by their ribbons on the wall. She remembered what it felt like to dance like that. Not the constrictive dancing you do at a school dance when you have to mindful of other people all crushed together on a small dance floor. Or aware of everyone watching you, so not feeling free to dance with your heart. But just letting the music take you over, feeling the pure joy and ecstasy of movement. She sighed deeply, closing her eyes in reminiscence. Hardly even realizing that she was doing it, she took the shoes off the wall and began to tie them to her feet.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
When Inuyasha climbed out of the well at the Shrine, he was a little nervous. Maybe more than a little. Hell, he was downright terrified! Kagome had been pretty angry when he left, and hurt. And he knew from experience that a wounded animal or woman was the most dangerous of all.
He peeked out the door of the well house toward Kagome's room, and swallowed thickly. Clutching his peace offering tightly, he leapt up into the tree outside her window and peered in. He took in the lavender walls, the neatly made bed, the dressing table with all it's potions and paints and scents he couldn't understand, and finally, her desk. No Kagome. Hmmm....where could she be? According to what she said, she should be studying. Suspicion reared it's ugly head, and his eyes flashed. Was she out with that Hobo guy somewhere? But he got ahold of himself and sniffed the air. 'No. She's here. And she's alone. Good.' But where? He picked up the sound of some kind of music from somewhere in the house.
A happy thought occurred to him. Maybe she was in the kitchen making something to eat! And if she forgives me, maybe she will share with me. He smiled hopefully and jumped down from the tree, landing lightly on the pavement below. He crept over to the open kitchen window and peered in. Again, no Kagome. But here the sound of the music was stronger, and through the door that lead into the living room, he could see an occasional arm or leg flailing with abandon.
Terror gripped him! Was some demon attacking her? He had to get to her! He took ahold of the window and threw it all the way open, and vaulted through. He bounded through the kitchen, over the counter that stood in his way, and to the doorway. There he stopped short and stared. The coffee table had been pushed out of the way, and the rug rolled up. And there, in the lovely white gauzy costume and white legs he had seen in the photograph, was Kagome. Breathtaking and ethereal.
Instantly spellbound, he watched Kagome's body flow in wild, unrestricted, but undeniably graceful movement. Completely unaware of his presence, she danced with no inhibitions, passion and fire in each step, as though her life depended on it. He found himself certain, once again, that the motion of her body drove the music, as they moved in perfect synchronization.
He knew not how long he stood there, still holding the small bouquet of fragrant pink blossoms. The movement of her lithe, graceful form completely enchanted him, and he found himself longing to join her. To join with her. To be one with the ethereal nymph before him. He knew then how the wilis' in Souta's story had been able to enchant their lovers to dance to their deaths with them. He would be more than willing to give up his life if he could spend eternity dancing with Kagome. Though he was just standing there, still as a statue, he found he was flushed and breathless. 'Oh, gods, she is so beautiful!'
When the music finally faded, she slowed to catch her breath. She lay her small hand on her breast, as it expanded and contracted in great gasps as she greedily drank in oxygen. Finally, she seemed to realize she wasn't alone in the room. After picking up a towel to wipe the droplets of perspiration from her forehead, she turned to see him standing there, and frowned in confusion. Then she looked down and remembered what she was wearing, and blushed. She said quietly, evenly, "What are you doing here, Inuyasha? I just left; I'm not going back yet."
"Why did you stop?" He was still fixed on her dancing.
Her face was burning. "Why? Are you going to make fun of this, too?" And she had felt so much better while she was dancing, too. An hour of distraction down the tubes! She had tried to forget about him, about his constant criticism, about their last argument, and here he was to bring it all back!
He crossed the room to stand in front of her. "No! I...No. I just came to ..." Blushing bright crimson, he bowed his head so that his face was completely obscured by his thick curtain of silvery white hair, and thrust the sakura blossoms at her. "I just wanted to..." This was much harder than he had imagined. What if she didn't accept? He really had been awful. Maybe she would think his behavior was unforgivable.
Soft hands accepting the offered blossoms interrupted his thoughts. With mystification in her voice, she murmured, "For me?" She brought them to her nose and inhaled deeply. "Thank you, Inuyasha. But why?"
He was still trying to make his mouth work. He finally gave up and just threw his arms around her slim, sweaty form. He pulled her into his body and held her as tightly and close as he could before he heard her gasp for air and released a little. He finally found his tongue and whispered fervently into her ear, "I'm sorry Kagome! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean any of it. Please forgive me! I'm such a jerk!"
Kagome was in shock. In the last few years she had known this half dog- demon, he had done some surprising things. He had even apologized, sort of, a few times. But this was completely unprecedented. She knew how much it must have cost him. Managing to pull one of her hands free from where they were crushed between their bodies in his tight embrace, she encircled his waist with it, patting his back reassuringly. "Yeah, you are. But you're my jerk. Ok, Inuyasha. I forgive you."
He drew back just a little and searched her eyes, "You mean it? Really? You forgive me for all the terrible things I said to you?"
Keeping eye contact with him, she nodded. He continued to search the dark brown depths, and finally seemed satisfied. Relaxing a little, his body became very aware of their proximity and began to scream at him, "Now would be a very good time to kiss her! She's right here! Kiss her!"
The temptation was almost overwhelming. She was so close, her supple body pressed up against his, still warm and wet with perspiration making her intoxicating scent even stronger. But he reluctantly loosed his hold on her and backed away, because his lips weren't the only parts of his body that had felt their closeness and suddenly wanted attention. She had forgiven him, and he didn't want to spoil it by having her "sit" him 20 or so times.
Kagome looked down at her pretty flowers, now completely crushed. The scent they gave off was sweetly aromatic, but they wouldn't be much to look at in a vase.
Inuyasha saw this, "I'm sorry about your flowers, too. I'll get you some more." He added shyly, "If you want."
She smiled. "That would be nice, sometime. But these are still perfect. I can press them in a book and keep them forever. They will be very precious to me."
He colored a little, but beamed with real delight. She liked his gift! It was precious to her!
"Uh, Inuyasha? I really need to study. And shower. But I could heat up some dinner for you and make you some tea. Would you like that?"
He nodded. "Maybe you could show me how to use that stove thing, so I can do the heating next time."
She smiled in agreement and he followed her to the kitchen.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Eventually, the pair was seated cozily at the kitchen table, Kagome with her textbook and Inuyasha with his dinner and tea. It had taken a while to convince Inuyasha to stop playing with the knobs on the stove that lit the burners and made the flames higher or lower, but she finally got him seated and was able to return to her studies. She actually wanted very badly to shower and change, but thought it would be rude to leave him to eat alone.
Inuyasha, for his part was suddenly finding it very hard to eat. It looked and smelled wonderful, and from experience, he knew anything cooked in this household would be delicious. But everything Shippou had said came flooding back, and he was suddenly very self-conscious. If he looked like a pig eating, she wouldn't even consider taking her to her prom. He tried desperately to remember the manners his mom had taught him, but it had been so long ago! It would be much easier if Kagome were eating, too, because he could copy her. But she said she had already eaten dinner and all she wanted was a cup of tea.
He self-consciously picked up his chopsticks and tried a small bite of meat. Any other time, that would have been no trouble, but his hands were shaking so that when he tried to pinch the morsel between the two sticks, it slipped and flew straight for Kagome. It landed with a kind of a "splat!" on the table between her and her book.
She looked up and laughed lightly, "Thank you, Inuyasha, but I'm really not hungry!" she picked up the meat and fed it to him with a smile. Still smiling at him, she licked her finger of the remaining sauce, but then went back to her book.
He gaped at her. Was she...did she...that was so...intimate! She had just fed him with her fingers, and then licked the finger that had been in his mouth! His body begin to flood with heat again, rapidly losing all interest in the food before him. He didn't even remember what the meat had tasted like. But now she was reading again. His head was swimming. What should he do now?
His thoughts were interrupted by the peal of some loud chime. Kagome looked up and muttered, "Who could that be?" She got up and headed for the front door.
Inuyasha heard the door open and Kagome's voice, "Oh, hello Houjo-kun! I wasn't expecting company!"
"Gomen, Kagome-sama. I tried to call, but your phone seems to be out."
A loud, threatening growl came from inside the living room, but the curtains were drawn, so Houjo couldn't see its source.
"Do you have a new dog, Kagome-sama?"
"Uh, no. A friend... is...uh.....visiting our family, and he has a dog. Not very friendly to strangers. Very possessive." She stepped out onto the porch and closed the door behind her.
Inuyasha sat there, feeling thoroughly kicked. How could she walk out with that human, just leaving him there? Ok, maybe he knew the answer to that question, but it still hurt. His ears drooped again. What if she told him she would go with him to the prom while she was out there? He couldn't even watch from where he was. Should he go out there?
Before he could finish his thoughts, though, the door opened and Kagome stepped inside. He lifted his nose to sniff discreetly, and was happy to note that the human's scent was not on her. He hadn't touched her.
Hands on her hips, she turned a scowl at him and scolded, "Inuyasha! You cannot go around being rude to everyone who comes to my house! I have to live in this world, you know!"
He muttered back at her, "He's not just anyone, and I know it. He's your boyfriend."
She looked at him and sighed. She didn't have time to get into a 'my boyfriend/your girlfriend/why do you care?" argument with him. She had to get some studying done. "Again, none of your business. But he's not my boyfriend. Just a friend from school. He came by to give me some notes he took in class that are important to the test I'm taking tomorrow." She proffered them to him. "See?"
He studied her for a moment. He knew there hadn't been any physical contact; he would have smelled it on her. He looked down and said quietly, "Did you tell him you'd go to your prom with him?"
She narrowed her eyes at him, "How did you know about that?"
He shrugged, "Sango told me. I asked what a prom dress was."
She sat on the couch and cradled her face in her hands feeling very confused. What did he care? "I told him I'd let him know next week. I don't want to go alone." Her head was starting to hurt and she really wanted that shower.
He moved to sit next to her and brought his hand to her chin. Her hands fell away from her face as he lifted it so that she was looking into his eyes and he spoke, "Take me."
She stared at him as though he had just sprouted a small sapling out of the top of his head. "Excuse me?"
His cheeks flushed but he didn't turn away, "I said, take me. Please."
"I heard what you said, but why? Why would you want to go to my prom?"
This time he did turn away, and said nothing. She finally said firmly, "No. No way. Very, very bad idea. Thank you for trying to save me from going alone, but no."
He turned a wounded face to her. "Please, Kagome."
"Inuyasha, no."
"Why not?"
"Can we discuss this another time? Like after my test tomorrow? Please? I have to get some studying done or I will fail it completely."
"Tell me you'll take me to your prom and I will leave you alone."
"I can't do that."
He looked down, "Are you ashamed of me?"
She was startled, "Ashamed of you? No! How could I be ashamed of someone as strong and handsome as you are? A little afraid of what you might do to some of the guys at my school maybe, but not ashamed." It was true. She was trying to appeal to his sense of pride, but she wasn't lying.
"I can behave myself. I haven't killed Kouga, have I?"
She shot him a skeptical look, and was about to retort, but was saved further argument by the entrance of her mother and Souta. She jumped up from the couch and threw her arms around her mom. "Mom, I wasn't expecting you tonight! How's aunt Suki?"
"Oh, honey, she's fine. And the baby's so cute! I brought you lots of pictures."
They chatted for a few minutes, and then Kagome took the opportunity to duck out and run upstairs for her long awaited shower. She knew her mom and Souta would keep Inuyasha company.
He told Mrs. Higurashi why the carpet and tables were out of place, and put them back where they belonged for her. Souta "helped" him. Then they all went into the kitchen and Inuyasha again sat down to his almost untouched dinner. Souta joined him with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk.
Mrs. Higurashi poured fresh tea for Inuyasha and herself and regarded the silent hanyou a moment. She said, "Is there something wrong, dear?"
After a long silence, Inuyasha finally answered quietly, "I need your help."
She looked surprised, but said, "What can I do for you?" After all, he kept her baby safe, and she knew Kagome cared about him very deeply. In fact, in spite of his course manner, they had all become quite fond of him over the years.
"I want Kagome to take me to her prom. But she said no. I think it's because I don't have any money to take her to dinner. Or the right clothes. Or... any table manners." He was looking more and more dismal with each sentence. "And I don't know how to dance."
Mrs. Higurashi frowned and said, "Well, the money isn't really a problem, I don't think. Kagome's got some money saved up, and we would be willing to give you some."
"No." Inuyasha was adamant. "I want to take her with my own money."
"Your own money? But..."
"I was hoping I could do some chores around here for you. While Kagome goes to school. I would do anything you asked, if you show me how. And maybe you could pay me so I could take her to dinner someplace nice." He said all this in a proud but shy manner, somewhat atypical of his usual demeanor.
Smiling to herself, Mrs. Higurashi said, "Well, we could use some some painting done around here. And there are a lot of steps outside to be swept. And some garden work that's long overdue. I think I could keep you busy. As for the clothes, I think you could wear Mr. Higurashi's tuxedo with just a few alterations."
She watched as he finally seemed to relax enough to take a bite of his dinner. In all the times he had come to visit their home, she couldn't remember him trying to eat so carefully. "Of course I'll have to feed you if you're working here, so I can help with table manners, too. As for dancing..."
Souta piped up, eager to be a part of helping his hero. Especially if it meant him getting together with his sister. "I can teach him to dance! This friend of mine got a great dance DVD, and we can use it!"
Inuyasha looked skeptically at the little boy, who, having stated his role, was happily munching away at an oversized cookie.
Mrs. Higurashi smiled. This should be interesting. She would have to pull out the video camera tonight and make sure she had plenty of film. Kagome was going to want to see this some day.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*~
Logan: I feel terrible! After all the great laughs you've given me, and I'm too late to help you. Sorry about your girlfriend ~ that sucks! I was just revising as you wrote me the last review, so, of course, I didn't see it in time. Had I seen it earlier, I would have a) said "to hell with the revision, just post it! Or b) e-mailed the chappie to you! Hopefully you'll like the next chapter even better, though: Inuyasha meets "Darrin's Dance Grooves!" Will either one of them survive?
Now that we have that out of the way...Ahem!
The Way to a Girl's Heart
Inuyasha and Miroku were trying to figure out what a promdress was and why Kagome would need a whole day to find one when they heard a rustling in a nearby clump of bushes, and Shippou emerged. He gave them a superior look and declared, "I know what it is! And it's not a promdress. It's a PROM DRESS. As in one of those things Kagome wears with the top and skirt attached, only it's for a special dance called a Prom." He crossed his arms and looked very satisfied with himself.
The monk and the hanyou exchanged a look and Inuyasha asked, "How do you know that?"
"Because I was listening to Kagome and Sango talk about it. Kagome said the prom is a special dance that's really romantic. You're supposed to go with someone really special, and they do a lot of that touchy, feely dancing that Kagome tried to teach Miroku and Sango to do."
Inuyasha looked stricken. Miroku chuckled softly, "I guess you'd better be going to that dance, Dog boy."
Shippou looked up at them both disdainfully. "Oh, yeah, like that's gonna happen! You think Kagome's gonna take a hanyou to her special dance? You don't think people will notice there is something a little FREAKISH about him? You can't wear one of those cap things to a dance, you know!" In fact, Shippou knew that the Prom was on the night of a new moon, because Kagome and Sango had discussed that too, but he wasn't about to miss an opportunity to taunt the hanyou.
Inuyasha was alarmed. He had to be the one to go to this special romantic dance with Kagome. The idea of that Hobo guy getting to spend another whole evening with his hands on the soft curve of her hips, his body pressed against hers, his lips on her lovely pink mouth... it nearly drove Inuyasha out of his mind to think of it.
Miroku watched his friend's face. "Of course, you won't get anywhere with her if she's still mad at you." When he saw the hanyou blanch, he chuckled again, "Oh, yeah, we're really gonna need some help."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Back at Kaede's hut, the group sat huddled around the fire, discussing this "prom" that Inuyasha had never heard of before that afternoon, yet now wanted to attend more than he wanted the Jewel itself.
Sango smirked at the little kistsune, who was currently curled up with Kirara, but not asleep. She knew if he had been listening to the conversation about the prom between herself and Kagome, he also knew that Inuyasha's ears wouldn't be a problem that night. Not wanting him to suffer acute head trauma, though, she chose not to give him away. "Um, I think the night of the prom just might be on the night of a new moon." She looked over at Kaede for confirmation, and received it with a small knowing smile.
Miroku took charge from there, "Ok, Sango. Does Kagome already have a date to this "prom?"
Sango shook her head. "She's been asked, but hasn't said yes to anyone. Yet." She deliberately didn't mention any names, for fear of setting their friend off.
Miroku turned back to Inuyasha, "Ok, assuming that Kagome forgives you and that she is willing to give up her special evening with Lover boy (very evil look from Inuyasha), we still have several obstacles to overcome."
Shippou snorted, "I'll say. You have to take her out to dinner, and you don't have any money from her time. And even if you did, your eating habits are disgusting! Myouga has better manners than you do, and he sucks blood!" The little kitsune fully expected to be cuffed on the head for this, but it was worth it. Amazingly enough, though, the blow didn't come.
The hanyou gave him a warning growl, but his heart didn't seem to be in it. He looked sad. The kit was right. He didn't know how to dance any of their dances, either. Maybe this wasn't such a good plan. But every time he felt like giving up, he remembered the scene at the dance, and his resolve strengthened.
As far as he was concerned, that human was never going to touch HIS Kagome again. Not if he could help it.
Kaede offered, "Perhaps Inuyasha might go and speak to Kagome's family about this. They might be willing to let him do some chores in exchange for money to take young Kagome out to dinner."
Miroku nodded, "A good plan. That solves the money problem. But he will still need to get the proper clothing and learn to dance. And work on those table manners!" He added pointedly as he watched Inuyasha slurp up the contents of the bowl Kaede had just passed him.
Again, Kaede thought it would be best if he spoke with Kagome's mother about it.
Shippou sat up, "But what if Kagome won't let him go to her dance. She was pretty mad at him when she left."
"Well, I guess he'll have to convince her." Sango said with more faith in her voice than she felt. Inuyasha wasn't very experienced in the softer negotiation skills.
"Hey, but what if she tells that guy she'll go with him while she's at home this time. If she's so mad at Inuyasha, she might!" Shippou was really enjoying himself at the hanyou's expense.
That little thought hit Inuyasha like a ton of bricks. What if she did? He thought back to their argument earlier, when he asked if she was going on a date while she was at home. Her answer was, "Why, Inuyasha, do you want to bring Kikyo and join us?" She didn't say no.
He turned his distressed face to Miroku for advice, but then thinking better of it, turned to Sango. She sighed. "Inuyasha, go pick some cherry blossoms from the grove, take them through the well and tell her you're sorry. Kagome is kind and understanding, and she cares very deeply for you. I'm sure she will forgive you."
The boys gaped at her in awe. Such a simple plan. It just might work! 'Wow, she's good."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kagome sat at her desk, book open in front of her, trying seriously to concentrate on her studies and not on the scene at the well. Her repeated dashes across her reddened eyes with the back of her hand betrayed the fact that she was losing this battle. 'Aaaaaaaaaaagh! He is so exasperating! Why does he have to be such a jerk? Why do I have to care so much? And why, oh why, can't I just leave him back in his own era when I come home? Why?'
She looked around her room for a distraction. Last time she needed a distraction, she had practiced archery for a couple of hours, and it had really helped. A glance at the darkening night sky told her that that wouldn't be an option today. What else? Her eyes traveled around the room, and rested on dressing table mirror. 'What could have happened to that picture?' She had searched for it to no avail. Maybe she should try again. 'Don't be stupid. You're trying to forget about him, remember? At least for long enough to study.'
Something. But what? Souta was out with Mom and Grandfather, so there was no one to kick the soccer ball with. Her eyes finally lit on her retired toe shoes. Hmmmm.... They should still fit. Her feet hadn't grown since then. Still...it would be dangerous. She hadn't danced in a couple of years, and it is necessary to keep your ankles strong to safely dance on pointe. 'So you break your ankle! That would solve your prom problem. You'd have a good reason not to go.'
Houjo had asked her, very sweetly, to go with him. He had made it clear that he would not take liberties with their closeness again, and that he would let her decide how to proceed with their "friendship." But as sweet as that was, she still couldn't make herself want to go with him. She didn't want to lead him on. It wasn't fair to him, and he was such a nice guy. He deserved to have someone care for him the way he cared for her.
The prom was supposed to be special, romantic. But the only one she wanted to be romantic with was in love with someone else, so even if she did take him, it would be very depressing. What could be worse than dancing close to someone and know he was thinking about someone else? And besides that, he seemed to have developed an enormous amount of hostility toward her of late, so even asking him would be a mistake: "Why would I want to go to a dance with an ugly weakling like you?"
She shook her head to clear it of those dismal thoughts. 'Forgetting about him, at least for now, remember?' She firmly turned her thoughts back to her pink satin shoes hanging by their ribbons on the wall. She remembered what it felt like to dance like that. Not the constrictive dancing you do at a school dance when you have to mindful of other people all crushed together on a small dance floor. Or aware of everyone watching you, so not feeling free to dance with your heart. But just letting the music take you over, feeling the pure joy and ecstasy of movement. She sighed deeply, closing her eyes in reminiscence. Hardly even realizing that she was doing it, she took the shoes off the wall and began to tie them to her feet.
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When Inuyasha climbed out of the well at the Shrine, he was a little nervous. Maybe more than a little. Hell, he was downright terrified! Kagome had been pretty angry when he left, and hurt. And he knew from experience that a wounded animal or woman was the most dangerous of all.
He peeked out the door of the well house toward Kagome's room, and swallowed thickly. Clutching his peace offering tightly, he leapt up into the tree outside her window and peered in. He took in the lavender walls, the neatly made bed, the dressing table with all it's potions and paints and scents he couldn't understand, and finally, her desk. No Kagome. Hmmm....where could she be? According to what she said, she should be studying. Suspicion reared it's ugly head, and his eyes flashed. Was she out with that Hobo guy somewhere? But he got ahold of himself and sniffed the air. 'No. She's here. And she's alone. Good.' But where? He picked up the sound of some kind of music from somewhere in the house.
A happy thought occurred to him. Maybe she was in the kitchen making something to eat! And if she forgives me, maybe she will share with me. He smiled hopefully and jumped down from the tree, landing lightly on the pavement below. He crept over to the open kitchen window and peered in. Again, no Kagome. But here the sound of the music was stronger, and through the door that lead into the living room, he could see an occasional arm or leg flailing with abandon.
Terror gripped him! Was some demon attacking her? He had to get to her! He took ahold of the window and threw it all the way open, and vaulted through. He bounded through the kitchen, over the counter that stood in his way, and to the doorway. There he stopped short and stared. The coffee table had been pushed out of the way, and the rug rolled up. And there, in the lovely white gauzy costume and white legs he had seen in the photograph, was Kagome. Breathtaking and ethereal.
Instantly spellbound, he watched Kagome's body flow in wild, unrestricted, but undeniably graceful movement. Completely unaware of his presence, she danced with no inhibitions, passion and fire in each step, as though her life depended on it. He found himself certain, once again, that the motion of her body drove the music, as they moved in perfect synchronization.
He knew not how long he stood there, still holding the small bouquet of fragrant pink blossoms. The movement of her lithe, graceful form completely enchanted him, and he found himself longing to join her. To join with her. To be one with the ethereal nymph before him. He knew then how the wilis' in Souta's story had been able to enchant their lovers to dance to their deaths with them. He would be more than willing to give up his life if he could spend eternity dancing with Kagome. Though he was just standing there, still as a statue, he found he was flushed and breathless. 'Oh, gods, she is so beautiful!'
When the music finally faded, she slowed to catch her breath. She lay her small hand on her breast, as it expanded and contracted in great gasps as she greedily drank in oxygen. Finally, she seemed to realize she wasn't alone in the room. After picking up a towel to wipe the droplets of perspiration from her forehead, she turned to see him standing there, and frowned in confusion. Then she looked down and remembered what she was wearing, and blushed. She said quietly, evenly, "What are you doing here, Inuyasha? I just left; I'm not going back yet."
"Why did you stop?" He was still fixed on her dancing.
Her face was burning. "Why? Are you going to make fun of this, too?" And she had felt so much better while she was dancing, too. An hour of distraction down the tubes! She had tried to forget about him, about his constant criticism, about their last argument, and here he was to bring it all back!
He crossed the room to stand in front of her. "No! I...No. I just came to ..." Blushing bright crimson, he bowed his head so that his face was completely obscured by his thick curtain of silvery white hair, and thrust the sakura blossoms at her. "I just wanted to..." This was much harder than he had imagined. What if she didn't accept? He really had been awful. Maybe she would think his behavior was unforgivable.
Soft hands accepting the offered blossoms interrupted his thoughts. With mystification in her voice, she murmured, "For me?" She brought them to her nose and inhaled deeply. "Thank you, Inuyasha. But why?"
He was still trying to make his mouth work. He finally gave up and just threw his arms around her slim, sweaty form. He pulled her into his body and held her as tightly and close as he could before he heard her gasp for air and released a little. He finally found his tongue and whispered fervently into her ear, "I'm sorry Kagome! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean any of it. Please forgive me! I'm such a jerk!"
Kagome was in shock. In the last few years she had known this half dog- demon, he had done some surprising things. He had even apologized, sort of, a few times. But this was completely unprecedented. She knew how much it must have cost him. Managing to pull one of her hands free from where they were crushed between their bodies in his tight embrace, she encircled his waist with it, patting his back reassuringly. "Yeah, you are. But you're my jerk. Ok, Inuyasha. I forgive you."
He drew back just a little and searched her eyes, "You mean it? Really? You forgive me for all the terrible things I said to you?"
Keeping eye contact with him, she nodded. He continued to search the dark brown depths, and finally seemed satisfied. Relaxing a little, his body became very aware of their proximity and began to scream at him, "Now would be a very good time to kiss her! She's right here! Kiss her!"
The temptation was almost overwhelming. She was so close, her supple body pressed up against his, still warm and wet with perspiration making her intoxicating scent even stronger. But he reluctantly loosed his hold on her and backed away, because his lips weren't the only parts of his body that had felt their closeness and suddenly wanted attention. She had forgiven him, and he didn't want to spoil it by having her "sit" him 20 or so times.
Kagome looked down at her pretty flowers, now completely crushed. The scent they gave off was sweetly aromatic, but they wouldn't be much to look at in a vase.
Inuyasha saw this, "I'm sorry about your flowers, too. I'll get you some more." He added shyly, "If you want."
She smiled. "That would be nice, sometime. But these are still perfect. I can press them in a book and keep them forever. They will be very precious to me."
He colored a little, but beamed with real delight. She liked his gift! It was precious to her!
"Uh, Inuyasha? I really need to study. And shower. But I could heat up some dinner for you and make you some tea. Would you like that?"
He nodded. "Maybe you could show me how to use that stove thing, so I can do the heating next time."
She smiled in agreement and he followed her to the kitchen.
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Eventually, the pair was seated cozily at the kitchen table, Kagome with her textbook and Inuyasha with his dinner and tea. It had taken a while to convince Inuyasha to stop playing with the knobs on the stove that lit the burners and made the flames higher or lower, but she finally got him seated and was able to return to her studies. She actually wanted very badly to shower and change, but thought it would be rude to leave him to eat alone.
Inuyasha, for his part was suddenly finding it very hard to eat. It looked and smelled wonderful, and from experience, he knew anything cooked in this household would be delicious. But everything Shippou had said came flooding back, and he was suddenly very self-conscious. If he looked like a pig eating, she wouldn't even consider taking her to her prom. He tried desperately to remember the manners his mom had taught him, but it had been so long ago! It would be much easier if Kagome were eating, too, because he could copy her. But she said she had already eaten dinner and all she wanted was a cup of tea.
He self-consciously picked up his chopsticks and tried a small bite of meat. Any other time, that would have been no trouble, but his hands were shaking so that when he tried to pinch the morsel between the two sticks, it slipped and flew straight for Kagome. It landed with a kind of a "splat!" on the table between her and her book.
She looked up and laughed lightly, "Thank you, Inuyasha, but I'm really not hungry!" she picked up the meat and fed it to him with a smile. Still smiling at him, she licked her finger of the remaining sauce, but then went back to her book.
He gaped at her. Was she...did she...that was so...intimate! She had just fed him with her fingers, and then licked the finger that had been in his mouth! His body begin to flood with heat again, rapidly losing all interest in the food before him. He didn't even remember what the meat had tasted like. But now she was reading again. His head was swimming. What should he do now?
His thoughts were interrupted by the peal of some loud chime. Kagome looked up and muttered, "Who could that be?" She got up and headed for the front door.
Inuyasha heard the door open and Kagome's voice, "Oh, hello Houjo-kun! I wasn't expecting company!"
"Gomen, Kagome-sama. I tried to call, but your phone seems to be out."
A loud, threatening growl came from inside the living room, but the curtains were drawn, so Houjo couldn't see its source.
"Do you have a new dog, Kagome-sama?"
"Uh, no. A friend... is...uh.....visiting our family, and he has a dog. Not very friendly to strangers. Very possessive." She stepped out onto the porch and closed the door behind her.
Inuyasha sat there, feeling thoroughly kicked. How could she walk out with that human, just leaving him there? Ok, maybe he knew the answer to that question, but it still hurt. His ears drooped again. What if she told him she would go with him to the prom while she was out there? He couldn't even watch from where he was. Should he go out there?
Before he could finish his thoughts, though, the door opened and Kagome stepped inside. He lifted his nose to sniff discreetly, and was happy to note that the human's scent was not on her. He hadn't touched her.
Hands on her hips, she turned a scowl at him and scolded, "Inuyasha! You cannot go around being rude to everyone who comes to my house! I have to live in this world, you know!"
He muttered back at her, "He's not just anyone, and I know it. He's your boyfriend."
She looked at him and sighed. She didn't have time to get into a 'my boyfriend/your girlfriend/why do you care?" argument with him. She had to get some studying done. "Again, none of your business. But he's not my boyfriend. Just a friend from school. He came by to give me some notes he took in class that are important to the test I'm taking tomorrow." She proffered them to him. "See?"
He studied her for a moment. He knew there hadn't been any physical contact; he would have smelled it on her. He looked down and said quietly, "Did you tell him you'd go to your prom with him?"
She narrowed her eyes at him, "How did you know about that?"
He shrugged, "Sango told me. I asked what a prom dress was."
She sat on the couch and cradled her face in her hands feeling very confused. What did he care? "I told him I'd let him know next week. I don't want to go alone." Her head was starting to hurt and she really wanted that shower.
He moved to sit next to her and brought his hand to her chin. Her hands fell away from her face as he lifted it so that she was looking into his eyes and he spoke, "Take me."
She stared at him as though he had just sprouted a small sapling out of the top of his head. "Excuse me?"
His cheeks flushed but he didn't turn away, "I said, take me. Please."
"I heard what you said, but why? Why would you want to go to my prom?"
This time he did turn away, and said nothing. She finally said firmly, "No. No way. Very, very bad idea. Thank you for trying to save me from going alone, but no."
He turned a wounded face to her. "Please, Kagome."
"Inuyasha, no."
"Why not?"
"Can we discuss this another time? Like after my test tomorrow? Please? I have to get some studying done or I will fail it completely."
"Tell me you'll take me to your prom and I will leave you alone."
"I can't do that."
He looked down, "Are you ashamed of me?"
She was startled, "Ashamed of you? No! How could I be ashamed of someone as strong and handsome as you are? A little afraid of what you might do to some of the guys at my school maybe, but not ashamed." It was true. She was trying to appeal to his sense of pride, but she wasn't lying.
"I can behave myself. I haven't killed Kouga, have I?"
She shot him a skeptical look, and was about to retort, but was saved further argument by the entrance of her mother and Souta. She jumped up from the couch and threw her arms around her mom. "Mom, I wasn't expecting you tonight! How's aunt Suki?"
"Oh, honey, she's fine. And the baby's so cute! I brought you lots of pictures."
They chatted for a few minutes, and then Kagome took the opportunity to duck out and run upstairs for her long awaited shower. She knew her mom and Souta would keep Inuyasha company.
He told Mrs. Higurashi why the carpet and tables were out of place, and put them back where they belonged for her. Souta "helped" him. Then they all went into the kitchen and Inuyasha again sat down to his almost untouched dinner. Souta joined him with a plate of cookies and a glass of milk.
Mrs. Higurashi poured fresh tea for Inuyasha and herself and regarded the silent hanyou a moment. She said, "Is there something wrong, dear?"
After a long silence, Inuyasha finally answered quietly, "I need your help."
She looked surprised, but said, "What can I do for you?" After all, he kept her baby safe, and she knew Kagome cared about him very deeply. In fact, in spite of his course manner, they had all become quite fond of him over the years.
"I want Kagome to take me to her prom. But she said no. I think it's because I don't have any money to take her to dinner. Or the right clothes. Or... any table manners." He was looking more and more dismal with each sentence. "And I don't know how to dance."
Mrs. Higurashi frowned and said, "Well, the money isn't really a problem, I don't think. Kagome's got some money saved up, and we would be willing to give you some."
"No." Inuyasha was adamant. "I want to take her with my own money."
"Your own money? But..."
"I was hoping I could do some chores around here for you. While Kagome goes to school. I would do anything you asked, if you show me how. And maybe you could pay me so I could take her to dinner someplace nice." He said all this in a proud but shy manner, somewhat atypical of his usual demeanor.
Smiling to herself, Mrs. Higurashi said, "Well, we could use some some painting done around here. And there are a lot of steps outside to be swept. And some garden work that's long overdue. I think I could keep you busy. As for the clothes, I think you could wear Mr. Higurashi's tuxedo with just a few alterations."
She watched as he finally seemed to relax enough to take a bite of his dinner. In all the times he had come to visit their home, she couldn't remember him trying to eat so carefully. "Of course I'll have to feed you if you're working here, so I can help with table manners, too. As for dancing..."
Souta piped up, eager to be a part of helping his hero. Especially if it meant him getting together with his sister. "I can teach him to dance! This friend of mine got a great dance DVD, and we can use it!"
Inuyasha looked skeptically at the little boy, who, having stated his role, was happily munching away at an oversized cookie.
Mrs. Higurashi smiled. This should be interesting. She would have to pull out the video camera tonight and make sure she had plenty of film. Kagome was going to want to see this some day.
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Logan: I feel terrible! After all the great laughs you've given me, and I'm too late to help you. Sorry about your girlfriend ~ that sucks! I was just revising as you wrote me the last review, so, of course, I didn't see it in time. Had I seen it earlier, I would have a) said "to hell with the revision, just post it! Or b) e-mailed the chappie to you! Hopefully you'll like the next chapter even better, though: Inuyasha meets "Darrin's Dance Grooves!" Will either one of them survive?