(Author's note: Many many thanks for all the reviews. You guys make my day! One reviewer pointed out that the previous chapter really didn't have a lemon. My bad. I should have called it a lime. I'm a wuss when it comes to writing about the nuts-and-bolts of a couple's consummation so I prefer to hint at it instead. The foreign film mentioned here does exist but I forgot the title. And Kagura will remain OOC for this story.)
CHAPTER 13
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and its characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi.
(Warning: R for strong language and adult situations)
Totosai died peacefully with only Inuyasha in attendance. There were no final words since he already said whatever he needed to say to Inuyasha weeks before. It saddened the younger man to know Totosai had no family left to mourn him. It fell to him to arrange the funeral.
In his will, the swordsmith gave his house and several swords to a dumbstruck Inuyasha. He never knew Totosai liked him that much. The old man left Sesshomaru nothing except a nasty post script in his will saying he would haunt Sesshomaru if he didn't take better care of Tenseiga. Inuyasha smiled when he reached that part.
It was time for him to return to Kagome.
A week later ...
Kagome was desperately trying to reach Inuyasha. She wanted to set a time and place where they could meet, then she would tell him everything. She was willing to fly to Japan if need be. But he already closed his e- mail account, moved out of his apartment and his former boss at the magazine didn't know where he was staying now. She finally got Totosai's phone number with the help of Sesshomaru's private secretary, Miss Lemon. Totosai wasn't a big fan of technology and a phone was about as high tech as he got.
She glanced at the clock on her nightstand. If it's 1 a.m., Sunday here, she figured it must be 5 p.m., Monday in Tokyo. Kagome hoped Inuyasha was there and dialed the number.
Inuyasha heard the phone ringing as he picked up his bags. No one knew he was staying at Totosai's place so he figured it was someone calling for the old man, unaware the swordsmith had died. Inuyasha let the phone ring and walked outside to a waiting taxi. He had a flight to catch.
Where are you Inuyasha?, Kagome thought.
Early Monday evening and Sesshomaru was stuck in rush hour traffic. It didn't bother him one bit. He was on his way to Kagome's apartment and looked forward to this route.
Kagome was adamant about not spending the night at his house. The prude in her refused to sleep with him under the same roof where a child slumbered. So he dropped by her apartment whenever he could get away from business.
They preferred to stay at her apartment instead of going out. She would cook and he would wash the dishes. They often watched foreign films together. He picked a film for them tonight.
It stunk. Even Kagome, a foreign film fanatic, considered it too weird for her tastes.
The heroine was so in love with one man that she killed any rivals. But the man beat her and tried to abandon her. So she attempted to commit suicide by sticking fish hooks inside her and attached the fishing pole to her lover's boat. When he left, she was dragged off like a hooked fish. He came back to unhook her.
As the final credits rolled, Kagome hit Sesshomaru with a throw pillow.
"You are so dead, mister. That movie reeked. I can't believe I wasted two hours of my life watching that trash.''
He agreed but he wasn't going to admit that to her.
"Let me introduce you to a 21st century gadget many people are familiar with,'' he said and held up the remote for the DVD player.
"This is quite an ingenious device. What does this button say? Stop,'' and with that he turned off the movie.
"Jerk,'' she said and pouted.
''Let me make it up to you then,'' he said with a glint in his eyes. He pulled her to him and kissed her soundly. "Is my lady satisfied?''
"Not yet, my lord.''
He let his hands wander down to her waist then started tickling her. Laughing, she tried to push him away. He wouldn't let go and ended up falling on top of her. He stopped his "assault'' and gazed into her blue eyes. She smiled at him and he felt once more how lucky he was. Then he thought of Inuyasha and his eyes grew troubled. That's something both of them must deal with soon.
"Sesshomaru, what's wrong?''
''When are we going to tell Inuyasha about us?''
''Soon I hope. But I'm not having much luck finding him. I need to tell him in person. I owe him that at least."
"Of course,'' he said and kissed her. His hands started wandering again.
With a change of planes in Dallas, Inuyasha's flight lasted 16 grueling hours. The seats were cramped, the food lousy and the in-flight movie bad. To top it all off, he got stuck next to a bawling baby. He was tired but the thought of Kagome kept him going.
To avoid trouble and needless questions at the airport, he shipped Tetsusaiga to Sesshomaru's house just before he left Japan. He didn't need airport security delaying him because of a sword.
The lights were already out in the Brentwood house when he arrived. He thought that was odd since Sesshomaru never slept this early. Jaken opened the door and was surprised to see Inuyasha. He knew about Sesshomaru and Kagome. Inuyasha's sudden arrival boded ill for the couple.
"Where's Sesshomaru? Don't tell me he changed his bedtime?''
Jaken never liked Inuyasha. The younger man's attitude toward his brother didn't endear him to the toady.
"Hey, I'm talking to you Jaken. Are you deaf? And let me in. I'm beat and need some sleep.''
"Mr. Taiko is with his lady friend tonight,'' Jaken said as he reluctantly got out of Inuyasha's way.
"That's gross. You could have just told me he wasn't home. So Sesshomaru's got a new girlfriend, huh? Probably one of those bimbos his friends throw his way. What a fool.''
Inuyasha went to the room he usually stayed in, dragging his bags behind him. Jaken smirked. You're the fool, he thought.
The sun had barely risen when Inuyasha went to Kagome's apartment. He wanted to surprise her before she left for work. She'd kill him for waking her up so early but he needed to see her.
The doorbell woke up Sesshomaru who tried to shut out the noise by putting a pillow over his head. Whoever it was had a finger pressed firmly on the doorbell. He got out of bed trying not to wake up Kagome. He put on the pajama bottoms she bought for him and made a beeline for the door with murder on his mind. He planned on scaring off the pest.
Sesshomaru didn't bother looking through the peephole. He wrenched the door open and growled out, "You better not be selling anything.'' Then he saw who their early morning visitor was.
Inuyasha's mouth fell open. He looked at his half-naked brother and Jaken's words came rushing back to him, "Mr. Taiko is with his lady friend tonight.'' With fury in his eyes, he threw a punch at Sesshomaru.
"You son of a bitch!''
Sesshomaru easily evaded the punch. Inuyasha was on a rampage but Sesshomaru blocked his attacks and tried not to hurt his brother.
The fighting roused Kagome. "What in the world is that noise?,'' she mumbled and glanced beside her. Sesshomaru wasn't in bed anymore. Thinking that he was struggling with a burglar, she threw on a nightshirt and ran to where the noise was coming from. In her befogged state, she didn't think about calling 911.
"Sesshomaru, what's happening? Are you OK?''
Kagome noticed the other combatant. Inuyasha heard her and stopped attacking Sesshomaru. He looked at her for a long time as he clenched and unclenched his fists. Then he found his voice.
"Why Kagome? Why?,'' he asked, his voice shaking.
"I didn't want you to find out this way. I've been trying to reach you.''
He remembered the phone ringing at Totosai's house.
"You were going to tell me over the phone?!''
"I wouldn't do that to you Inuyasha. I wanted for us to meet somewhere we could talk,'' she said, wringing her hands. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me.''
"I thought you love me.''
"I did. I never meant for this to happen. I tried not to love him. I tried but ....''
This was all Sesshomaru's fault, Inuyasha thought angrily and faced his brother.
"You fucking bastard! You planned this, didn't you? I know you hate me but this is low, even for you.''
"I did no such thing,'' Sesshomaru said evenly. He wanted to say more but pitied Inuyasha right now.
When Kagome started crying, Sesshomaru went to her and enfolded her in his arms. The sight further infuriated Inuyasha.
"Whore. You're a whore,'' he spat out. "Kikyo would never have betrayed me. I wish I had never met you again bitch!''
Kagome flinched. Inuyasha hoped his words hurt her. It was nothing compared to the pain she caused him. Sesshomaru saw red, grabbed Inuyasha by the throat and slammed him against the wall.
"You piece of filth,'' he coldly said. "No one talks to Kagome that way.''
Inuyasha just glared at him. Sesshomaru slowly squeezed his brother's neck, enjoying the way his eyes bugged out. Inuyasha struggled to free himself but Sesshomaru was stronger.
"Stop! Stop hurting him! Please,'' Kagome begged as she tried to pull his hand away from Inuyasha's neck.
Sesshomaru relinquished his hold on his brother who slumped to the floor, gasping. Inuyasha stood up and turned hate-filled eyes toward him.
"You never wanted me as your brother. Today you get your wish. You're dead to me now.''
With that parting shot, he stalked out of the apartment.
"Forgive me Inuyasha,'' Kagome whispered.
CHAPTER 13
Disclaimer: Inuyasha and its characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi.
(Warning: R for strong language and adult situations)
Totosai died peacefully with only Inuyasha in attendance. There were no final words since he already said whatever he needed to say to Inuyasha weeks before. It saddened the younger man to know Totosai had no family left to mourn him. It fell to him to arrange the funeral.
In his will, the swordsmith gave his house and several swords to a dumbstruck Inuyasha. He never knew Totosai liked him that much. The old man left Sesshomaru nothing except a nasty post script in his will saying he would haunt Sesshomaru if he didn't take better care of Tenseiga. Inuyasha smiled when he reached that part.
It was time for him to return to Kagome.
A week later ...
Kagome was desperately trying to reach Inuyasha. She wanted to set a time and place where they could meet, then she would tell him everything. She was willing to fly to Japan if need be. But he already closed his e- mail account, moved out of his apartment and his former boss at the magazine didn't know where he was staying now. She finally got Totosai's phone number with the help of Sesshomaru's private secretary, Miss Lemon. Totosai wasn't a big fan of technology and a phone was about as high tech as he got.
She glanced at the clock on her nightstand. If it's 1 a.m., Sunday here, she figured it must be 5 p.m., Monday in Tokyo. Kagome hoped Inuyasha was there and dialed the number.
Inuyasha heard the phone ringing as he picked up his bags. No one knew he was staying at Totosai's place so he figured it was someone calling for the old man, unaware the swordsmith had died. Inuyasha let the phone ring and walked outside to a waiting taxi. He had a flight to catch.
Where are you Inuyasha?, Kagome thought.
Early Monday evening and Sesshomaru was stuck in rush hour traffic. It didn't bother him one bit. He was on his way to Kagome's apartment and looked forward to this route.
Kagome was adamant about not spending the night at his house. The prude in her refused to sleep with him under the same roof where a child slumbered. So he dropped by her apartment whenever he could get away from business.
They preferred to stay at her apartment instead of going out. She would cook and he would wash the dishes. They often watched foreign films together. He picked a film for them tonight.
It stunk. Even Kagome, a foreign film fanatic, considered it too weird for her tastes.
The heroine was so in love with one man that she killed any rivals. But the man beat her and tried to abandon her. So she attempted to commit suicide by sticking fish hooks inside her and attached the fishing pole to her lover's boat. When he left, she was dragged off like a hooked fish. He came back to unhook her.
As the final credits rolled, Kagome hit Sesshomaru with a throw pillow.
"You are so dead, mister. That movie reeked. I can't believe I wasted two hours of my life watching that trash.''
He agreed but he wasn't going to admit that to her.
"Let me introduce you to a 21st century gadget many people are familiar with,'' he said and held up the remote for the DVD player.
"This is quite an ingenious device. What does this button say? Stop,'' and with that he turned off the movie.
"Jerk,'' she said and pouted.
''Let me make it up to you then,'' he said with a glint in his eyes. He pulled her to him and kissed her soundly. "Is my lady satisfied?''
"Not yet, my lord.''
He let his hands wander down to her waist then started tickling her. Laughing, she tried to push him away. He wouldn't let go and ended up falling on top of her. He stopped his "assault'' and gazed into her blue eyes. She smiled at him and he felt once more how lucky he was. Then he thought of Inuyasha and his eyes grew troubled. That's something both of them must deal with soon.
"Sesshomaru, what's wrong?''
''When are we going to tell Inuyasha about us?''
''Soon I hope. But I'm not having much luck finding him. I need to tell him in person. I owe him that at least."
"Of course,'' he said and kissed her. His hands started wandering again.
With a change of planes in Dallas, Inuyasha's flight lasted 16 grueling hours. The seats were cramped, the food lousy and the in-flight movie bad. To top it all off, he got stuck next to a bawling baby. He was tired but the thought of Kagome kept him going.
To avoid trouble and needless questions at the airport, he shipped Tetsusaiga to Sesshomaru's house just before he left Japan. He didn't need airport security delaying him because of a sword.
The lights were already out in the Brentwood house when he arrived. He thought that was odd since Sesshomaru never slept this early. Jaken opened the door and was surprised to see Inuyasha. He knew about Sesshomaru and Kagome. Inuyasha's sudden arrival boded ill for the couple.
"Where's Sesshomaru? Don't tell me he changed his bedtime?''
Jaken never liked Inuyasha. The younger man's attitude toward his brother didn't endear him to the toady.
"Hey, I'm talking to you Jaken. Are you deaf? And let me in. I'm beat and need some sleep.''
"Mr. Taiko is with his lady friend tonight,'' Jaken said as he reluctantly got out of Inuyasha's way.
"That's gross. You could have just told me he wasn't home. So Sesshomaru's got a new girlfriend, huh? Probably one of those bimbos his friends throw his way. What a fool.''
Inuyasha went to the room he usually stayed in, dragging his bags behind him. Jaken smirked. You're the fool, he thought.
The sun had barely risen when Inuyasha went to Kagome's apartment. He wanted to surprise her before she left for work. She'd kill him for waking her up so early but he needed to see her.
The doorbell woke up Sesshomaru who tried to shut out the noise by putting a pillow over his head. Whoever it was had a finger pressed firmly on the doorbell. He got out of bed trying not to wake up Kagome. He put on the pajama bottoms she bought for him and made a beeline for the door with murder on his mind. He planned on scaring off the pest.
Sesshomaru didn't bother looking through the peephole. He wrenched the door open and growled out, "You better not be selling anything.'' Then he saw who their early morning visitor was.
Inuyasha's mouth fell open. He looked at his half-naked brother and Jaken's words came rushing back to him, "Mr. Taiko is with his lady friend tonight.'' With fury in his eyes, he threw a punch at Sesshomaru.
"You son of a bitch!''
Sesshomaru easily evaded the punch. Inuyasha was on a rampage but Sesshomaru blocked his attacks and tried not to hurt his brother.
The fighting roused Kagome. "What in the world is that noise?,'' she mumbled and glanced beside her. Sesshomaru wasn't in bed anymore. Thinking that he was struggling with a burglar, she threw on a nightshirt and ran to where the noise was coming from. In her befogged state, she didn't think about calling 911.
"Sesshomaru, what's happening? Are you OK?''
Kagome noticed the other combatant. Inuyasha heard her and stopped attacking Sesshomaru. He looked at her for a long time as he clenched and unclenched his fists. Then he found his voice.
"Why Kagome? Why?,'' he asked, his voice shaking.
"I didn't want you to find out this way. I've been trying to reach you.''
He remembered the phone ringing at Totosai's house.
"You were going to tell me over the phone?!''
"I wouldn't do that to you Inuyasha. I wanted for us to meet somewhere we could talk,'' she said, wringing her hands. "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me.''
"I thought you love me.''
"I did. I never meant for this to happen. I tried not to love him. I tried but ....''
This was all Sesshomaru's fault, Inuyasha thought angrily and faced his brother.
"You fucking bastard! You planned this, didn't you? I know you hate me but this is low, even for you.''
"I did no such thing,'' Sesshomaru said evenly. He wanted to say more but pitied Inuyasha right now.
When Kagome started crying, Sesshomaru went to her and enfolded her in his arms. The sight further infuriated Inuyasha.
"Whore. You're a whore,'' he spat out. "Kikyo would never have betrayed me. I wish I had never met you again bitch!''
Kagome flinched. Inuyasha hoped his words hurt her. It was nothing compared to the pain she caused him. Sesshomaru saw red, grabbed Inuyasha by the throat and slammed him against the wall.
"You piece of filth,'' he coldly said. "No one talks to Kagome that way.''
Inuyasha just glared at him. Sesshomaru slowly squeezed his brother's neck, enjoying the way his eyes bugged out. Inuyasha struggled to free himself but Sesshomaru was stronger.
"Stop! Stop hurting him! Please,'' Kagome begged as she tried to pull his hand away from Inuyasha's neck.
Sesshomaru relinquished his hold on his brother who slumped to the floor, gasping. Inuyasha stood up and turned hate-filled eyes toward him.
"You never wanted me as your brother. Today you get your wish. You're dead to me now.''
With that parting shot, he stalked out of the apartment.
"Forgive me Inuyasha,'' Kagome whispered.