CHAPTER 11
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and its characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Kagome decided to go home. It was a mistake accepting Sesshomaru's invitation. Was that why he invited her? So she could learn about his engagement, see his fiancee? Maybe that's why he acted like the kiss in the kitchen never happened. As she walked toward her car, she saw Sesshomaru leaning against it. Great. Just what she needed right now.
As if sensing her, he turned and locked gazes with her. Kagome briefly considered running away. Then she berated herself. This wasn't one of those cheesy soap operas where the distraught heroine flees, stumbles and gets comforted by the hunk of the month.
"I guess congratulations are in order, Sesshomaru. That was quite a surprise you sprung on your guests.''
"It was hardly a surprise. This gathering was to announce a business deal. Nothing more.''
"You don't mean that surely? Marriage isn't a business deal.''
He was confused. What was she talking about? Then he realized what she meant. He needed to explain the situation to Kagome, he just had to clear this up.
"You're mistaken Kagome. That spectacle was nothing more than a publicity stunt by Kagura. There's nothing between us now.''
"Why are you telling me this?"
For the first time in his life, Sesshomaru was at a loss for words. He wanted to tell her he loved her but was too afraid of her reaction. So he settled on saying nothing at all.
Kagome was glad he wasn't engaged but felt it would be inappropriate for her to say so. She was Inuyasha's girlfriend. The silence between them grew.
The silence was broken by a crying Rin who came running to Sesshomaru. She hugged his leg and sobbed.
"What's the matter Rin?''
"Is it true you're marrying Kagura?''
"Of course not.''
Sesshomaru knew why Rin was so upset. Kagura didn't like children and dropped hints of sending Rin back to the orphanage once she married Sesshomaru. That was one of the reasons why he dumped her.
Rin let go of his leg and wiped her tears away. Her father never lied to her.
"Go back to bed Rin.''
"Will you tuck me in?"
"Of course.''
Hand in hand, father and daughter headed back to the house. Then Rin looked back and motioned for Kagome to follow them. Sesshomaru fought the urge to roll his eyes. Rin's scheme was so transparent, but he wasn't complaining.
Kagome was on to Rin as well. She just shook her head and smiled. As she opened the car door, a small hand grabbed her sleeve.
"Please Kagome. I want you to see my room. Father let me pick out the furniture and everything when I moved in.''
Kagome found herself looking into hopeful brown eyes. She decided to play along.
"OK Rin-chan. Just for you.''
She looked around Rin's room, feeling a little envious. She dreamed of owning a room like this when she was a child. Dolls, teddy bears and other toys filled a beautiful white and gold cabinet. A Victorian-style dollhouse stood next to it. An ornate dresser held powders, lotions and a set of silver brushes. The massive bed came with a canopy swathed in white chiffon curtains. Bookshelves in the same white and gold color scheme lined one wall.
Rin gave Kagome a tour of the room and pointed out her favorite toys and books. She was telling Kagome about how she "accidentally" hit Jaken with one of her toy cars when she suddenly yawned.
"Rin. It's time for Kagome to go home and for you to go to sleep.''
Sesshomaru scooped Rin up and put her to bed. As he pulled the covers over her, Rin asked Kagome to read her a story. Kagome selected a book of fairy tales from the shelf, perched on one side of the bed and read "Beauty and the Beast.'' She used different voices for each of the characters like her father used to do when he read to her.
Sesshomaru sat on the other side of the bed and listened. Midway through the story, Rin fell asleep. Kagome closed the book, brushed back Rin's bangs and kissed the girl's forehead.
"Good night Rin-chan.''
"Good night mommy,'' was Rin's sleepy reply.
Kagome stood up suddenly, handed the book back to Sesshomaru and started to leave the room. It was now or never, he decided and put the book down. He walked up to her, cupped her face with his hands and kissed her with all the longing he felt for her. She felt heat spread through her body and returned his kiss. But she abruptly pulled away when she remembered Inuyasha. She quickly left him.
"Good night my love,'' he whispered but she was already gone.
As Kagome lay in bed later that night, her mind wandered once more to what happened in Rin's room. Sneaky sneaky Rin. But she couldn't get mad at the girl. Kagome sighed. There was no sense denying it anymore. She likes Sesshomaru. But there was Inuyasha to consider. He was planning a life for them together. She loves him, right?
Why was her love life becoming so complicated? She made a plea to whatever deity was looking out for her.
"Give me a sign. Please.''
Her doorbell rang.
Kagome nearly fell out of bed in surprise. Then she chided herself for being silly. The doorbell kept ringing.
"Hold your horses. I'm coming,'' she muttered as she hurried to answer the door.
She looked through the peephole, drew back her head in surprise and looked again to make sure. She slowly opened the door to a weeping Kagura.
"Are you Kagome Higurashi?''
"Yes.''
"I know it's late but can I come in? I promise I won't take up too much of your time.''
Kagome said nothing but held open the door. Kagura entered, looked at the modest furnishings and at the younger woman. The woman was no competition, she thought. That idiot Onigumo was certainly mistaken when he said Sesshomaru fell for Kagome. But just in case...
Kagura started shaking and sobbing. Kagome offered her a box of tissues and waited patiently for the woman to stop her blubbering.
Sheesh, you'd think the girl would know how to comfort someone in distress, Kagura thought. Oh well, on with the show.
"Miss Higurashi, I came because of some distressing news I heard about you and my Sessho-kun.''
Kagome paled. Did anybody see them kiss? Kagura noted the change and her eyes narrowed. She dabbed her eyes with a tissue and pretended to sob.
"Are you seeing my Sessho-kun? Please say it isn't true. I don't know what I will do if it is true. And in my current condition ...''
"What do you mean Miss Kagura?''
"Of course you don't know. I'm pregnant with his baby. That's why we got engaged. I know that sounds so old-fashioned in this day and age when people have children out of wedlock all the time. But that's just how I was raised.''
Kagome was stunned then got angry at Sesshomaru. Why that lying son of a bitch! Poor Kagura.
"Miss Kagura, you obviously heard wrong. Mr. Taiko and I aren't a couple. I'm his brother's girlfriend. You have nothing to worry about.''
It was Kagura's turn to be stunned. Sesshomaru has a brother? She wondered if he looks as good as Sesshomaru and whether he's rich too.
"What a relief. I'm so sorry to have troubled you this late at night.''
"It's OK.''
She walked Kagura to her car and returned to her apartment in a daze. She curled up in bed and let the tears fall. But the Gods weren't through with her yet. Ten minutes after Kagura left, someone started banging on the door. This was just too much, she fumed.
She dispensed with the peephole and flung open the door. There stood Sesshomaru.
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and its characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Kagome decided to go home. It was a mistake accepting Sesshomaru's invitation. Was that why he invited her? So she could learn about his engagement, see his fiancee? Maybe that's why he acted like the kiss in the kitchen never happened. As she walked toward her car, she saw Sesshomaru leaning against it. Great. Just what she needed right now.
As if sensing her, he turned and locked gazes with her. Kagome briefly considered running away. Then she berated herself. This wasn't one of those cheesy soap operas where the distraught heroine flees, stumbles and gets comforted by the hunk of the month.
"I guess congratulations are in order, Sesshomaru. That was quite a surprise you sprung on your guests.''
"It was hardly a surprise. This gathering was to announce a business deal. Nothing more.''
"You don't mean that surely? Marriage isn't a business deal.''
He was confused. What was she talking about? Then he realized what she meant. He needed to explain the situation to Kagome, he just had to clear this up.
"You're mistaken Kagome. That spectacle was nothing more than a publicity stunt by Kagura. There's nothing between us now.''
"Why are you telling me this?"
For the first time in his life, Sesshomaru was at a loss for words. He wanted to tell her he loved her but was too afraid of her reaction. So he settled on saying nothing at all.
Kagome was glad he wasn't engaged but felt it would be inappropriate for her to say so. She was Inuyasha's girlfriend. The silence between them grew.
The silence was broken by a crying Rin who came running to Sesshomaru. She hugged his leg and sobbed.
"What's the matter Rin?''
"Is it true you're marrying Kagura?''
"Of course not.''
Sesshomaru knew why Rin was so upset. Kagura didn't like children and dropped hints of sending Rin back to the orphanage once she married Sesshomaru. That was one of the reasons why he dumped her.
Rin let go of his leg and wiped her tears away. Her father never lied to her.
"Go back to bed Rin.''
"Will you tuck me in?"
"Of course.''
Hand in hand, father and daughter headed back to the house. Then Rin looked back and motioned for Kagome to follow them. Sesshomaru fought the urge to roll his eyes. Rin's scheme was so transparent, but he wasn't complaining.
Kagome was on to Rin as well. She just shook her head and smiled. As she opened the car door, a small hand grabbed her sleeve.
"Please Kagome. I want you to see my room. Father let me pick out the furniture and everything when I moved in.''
Kagome found herself looking into hopeful brown eyes. She decided to play along.
"OK Rin-chan. Just for you.''
She looked around Rin's room, feeling a little envious. She dreamed of owning a room like this when she was a child. Dolls, teddy bears and other toys filled a beautiful white and gold cabinet. A Victorian-style dollhouse stood next to it. An ornate dresser held powders, lotions and a set of silver brushes. The massive bed came with a canopy swathed in white chiffon curtains. Bookshelves in the same white and gold color scheme lined one wall.
Rin gave Kagome a tour of the room and pointed out her favorite toys and books. She was telling Kagome about how she "accidentally" hit Jaken with one of her toy cars when she suddenly yawned.
"Rin. It's time for Kagome to go home and for you to go to sleep.''
Sesshomaru scooped Rin up and put her to bed. As he pulled the covers over her, Rin asked Kagome to read her a story. Kagome selected a book of fairy tales from the shelf, perched on one side of the bed and read "Beauty and the Beast.'' She used different voices for each of the characters like her father used to do when he read to her.
Sesshomaru sat on the other side of the bed and listened. Midway through the story, Rin fell asleep. Kagome closed the book, brushed back Rin's bangs and kissed the girl's forehead.
"Good night Rin-chan.''
"Good night mommy,'' was Rin's sleepy reply.
Kagome stood up suddenly, handed the book back to Sesshomaru and started to leave the room. It was now or never, he decided and put the book down. He walked up to her, cupped her face with his hands and kissed her with all the longing he felt for her. She felt heat spread through her body and returned his kiss. But she abruptly pulled away when she remembered Inuyasha. She quickly left him.
"Good night my love,'' he whispered but she was already gone.
As Kagome lay in bed later that night, her mind wandered once more to what happened in Rin's room. Sneaky sneaky Rin. But she couldn't get mad at the girl. Kagome sighed. There was no sense denying it anymore. She likes Sesshomaru. But there was Inuyasha to consider. He was planning a life for them together. She loves him, right?
Why was her love life becoming so complicated? She made a plea to whatever deity was looking out for her.
"Give me a sign. Please.''
Her doorbell rang.
Kagome nearly fell out of bed in surprise. Then she chided herself for being silly. The doorbell kept ringing.
"Hold your horses. I'm coming,'' she muttered as she hurried to answer the door.
She looked through the peephole, drew back her head in surprise and looked again to make sure. She slowly opened the door to a weeping Kagura.
"Are you Kagome Higurashi?''
"Yes.''
"I know it's late but can I come in? I promise I won't take up too much of your time.''
Kagome said nothing but held open the door. Kagura entered, looked at the modest furnishings and at the younger woman. The woman was no competition, she thought. That idiot Onigumo was certainly mistaken when he said Sesshomaru fell for Kagome. But just in case...
Kagura started shaking and sobbing. Kagome offered her a box of tissues and waited patiently for the woman to stop her blubbering.
Sheesh, you'd think the girl would know how to comfort someone in distress, Kagura thought. Oh well, on with the show.
"Miss Higurashi, I came because of some distressing news I heard about you and my Sessho-kun.''
Kagome paled. Did anybody see them kiss? Kagura noted the change and her eyes narrowed. She dabbed her eyes with a tissue and pretended to sob.
"Are you seeing my Sessho-kun? Please say it isn't true. I don't know what I will do if it is true. And in my current condition ...''
"What do you mean Miss Kagura?''
"Of course you don't know. I'm pregnant with his baby. That's why we got engaged. I know that sounds so old-fashioned in this day and age when people have children out of wedlock all the time. But that's just how I was raised.''
Kagome was stunned then got angry at Sesshomaru. Why that lying son of a bitch! Poor Kagura.
"Miss Kagura, you obviously heard wrong. Mr. Taiko and I aren't a couple. I'm his brother's girlfriend. You have nothing to worry about.''
It was Kagura's turn to be stunned. Sesshomaru has a brother? She wondered if he looks as good as Sesshomaru and whether he's rich too.
"What a relief. I'm so sorry to have troubled you this late at night.''
"It's OK.''
She walked Kagura to her car and returned to her apartment in a daze. She curled up in bed and let the tears fall. But the Gods weren't through with her yet. Ten minutes after Kagura left, someone started banging on the door. This was just too much, she fumed.
She dispensed with the peephole and flung open the door. There stood Sesshomaru.