By: Maggz
Disclaimer: InuYasha and Co. © Rumiko Takahashi
Chapter 2
I quickly let my confidence push itself to the top and smiled at him... as he smiled back at me and stepped forward. He was wearing khaki combat trousers, himself and a black snug fitting sweater... and his eyes... oh… well, I think they were what I noticed first. Eyes that looked straight into mine and then lowered their way down my body and back up, until I felt the breath was being squeezed from me. He wasn't bold or ungentlemanly... not at all... just very sure of himself and very charming. His eyes climbed back up my body and settled on my own before he spoke. "Well, 'Little Sister That I've Heard So Much About", he said laughing... "it's a pleasure to meet you finally.", he smiled and took my hand. His eyes... again... and then his touch... his fingers on my hand... it felt like lightening bolts shot thru my wrist and I was shocked I hadn't flinched. "Thanks... it's good to be back home.", I said and don't ask me how my voice worked that day... for I have no idea.
"Sit... please...", he said and led me to the table, where I sat down and then InuYasha turned to my sister to slide an arm around her and pull her in next to him and across from me at the table. "Are you two hungry?", he asked and I nodded and picked up the menu... anything to get my heart to stop drumming against my chest. I knew that his status as a celebrity only played a small part in my reaction to him. I wasn't even a fan of Wild Silver… preferring pop and boybands... especially since I had lived in the States... so as far as being impressed with WHO he was... that only played a small part. What I didn't understand was why he was affecting me at all... he was obviously my sister's newest thing and I still had my heart and head wrapped around Josh... so what was my heart also doing pounding against my ribs?
"Will you excuse me, please?", I said and slid out of the booth to go to the washroom. I had to control my shaking hands and sweaty palms. I let the door close behind me and sank against it... closing my eyes and counting to ten. "You're crazy!... or maybe just tired...", I said and walked to the mirror to look at myself. "No way is he gonna be impressed with you, Kagome… so why can't you just go out there and be a buddy… a pal… one of the guys!", I could hear my sister's voice droning over and over into my head… the same way it had for years and years. "You're right for once, Sis... InuYasha is way out of my league... and so obviously well into your own... so if that don't calm me... then nothing will!", I frowned into the mirror.
I washed my hands and wet my face… noticing the heat of a blush had crept into my cheeks. "Damn!", I said and wet a towel… putting it against my face and counting to ten once more. "OK… Ok… I'm fine… I can do this… he's just another notch in her lipstick case and he will NOT be around long!", I whispered as I dried my hands and threw away the towels.
I stepped back into the room and walked back to the table… noticing that it was empty but that three pints sat there. Guessing that InuYasha and Kikyo were dancing, I sank down in the booth and slid my back to the wall... grabbing the mug and drinking a generous gulp down. As I was sitting the beer back on the table, I saw them walking back toward me and I smiled. I think for some reason I thought I had it under control then... little did I know.
"Kagome... while I order the sandwiches, why don't you dance with InuYasha and get to know him better?", she said. It was the last thing I wanted or needed… and I started to protest but realized it would be rude... so instead, I smiled and looked at him. "Sure... that would be grand!", he smiled and reached out a hand to me. I took it and let him pull me to my feet and AGAIN… the damning electric shock of his touch. I looked up into his eyes… for he was maybe a good inches taller than myself... and saw something pass thru his eyes as he returned my gaze. Not being extremely experienced with men, I just assumed he was covering up his not wanting to dance with me and was being polite... I felt embarrassed… but not as embarrassed as I would be if I made a scene and refused to dance.
"Have fun!", Kikyo called from behind us and I groaned silently... I suppose I could've very easily hated her in that one moment of time. InuYasha still held my hand lightly with an arm around my waist as we made our way to the polished wooden dance floor. Turning me to him, he smiled and put both hands around my waist as I put mine to his biceps. I could feel the muscle beneath the softness of the sweater and my mouth suddenly wished desperately for my beer... it had gone dry. I could feel the heat of his hands thru my sweater and his thumbs rubbed up and down against me.
The dance was to a slow song and he smiled and lowered his head to my ear. "Are you happy to be home, really, Kagome?", he asked. "Yes... I suppose... it's very different in the States… but I got used to it and grew to love it... very much.", I answered him. "Did you not miss your family then?", he asked me. "I did... but you learn to live alone and make friends... isn't that kind of like what you do?", I asked him. "Yes, I suppose it is...", he said. We danced on... he was very good on his feet but I only prayed for the dance to end... I felt like I was melting against him.
"Did you have a boyfriend there? I'm sure you must've broken at least a hundred hearts in the space of a year!", he smiled. "Hardly, InuYasha... school over there was a bit tough... trying to get used to everyone and everything… not to mention the parties and football games!", I laughed. "So you had a great time and you like to party… that's brilliant!", he smiled at me. His smile… it was beautiful and genuine and it reached into those incredible amber eyes of his. How in hell had my sister landed someone who seemed so truly NICE?
"But a boyfriend? you never answered me.", he said and poked out a lower lip to playfully pout. It made me laugh… I was sure he knew exactly what that look did to a thousand female hearts and here he was using it on little old me. "Yes, I have... had... one...", I said and sighed. "Had or HAVE?", he insisted. "I'm not too sure on that at the moment, InuYasha... long distance romances don't last very often, do they?", I said and looked into those amber eyes once more. "You never can tell... tho you are a bit young to tie yourself down... 19? is that right?", he asked me. "Yes, 19… and you're an OLD man of what age?", I shot back. He laughed at me and pulled me closer to him and I wondered if he even realized what he'd done.
"I'm 22, Darling… but I feel so damned much older!", he said softly and I felt his cheek rest against my hair. I can't explain it now... nor could I then… but it felt like we just fit together... and even though my brain tried it's best to ignore that and throw me curve balls against it... he just felt so good. Maybe it was because he acted like he really did care about the answers I gave to the simple questions he asked... I have no idea... but it felt good and for just a moment I let myself relax in those strong arms… pulled against that strong chest... feeling his cheek rest against my hair and his hands about my waist.
The song ended and he pulled back from me... his eyes looking down into mine. "Let's go get you fed, Kagome... you must be fair to starving", he said and grabbed my hand, pulling me back toward our table. The sandwiches had arrived and I sank back down in my booth and slid my leg up under me. The first thing I picked up was my pint and I had downed it before I realized it. I saw InuYasha from the corner of my eye grinning at me and then turn to look at my sister, who was frowning. "I never knew you to drink a beer like that, Kagome!", she said and I looked from the mug toward the two of them. "I'm thirsty, Kikyo... your InuYasha is quite the mad dancer out there!", I smiled and he smiled bigger. InuYasha called the waiter over and ordered another round of beer for us all and then we dug into our meal. Kikyo only picked at hers... as was the norm. Eating maybe half of a half. But I was starving and had eaten half of mine by the time our beer arrived.
I finished my other sandwich half and drank almost the rest of my beer and finally looked up to see that InuYasha had finished all his drink and food. My sister, of course, had left her plate more full than empty and had not touched her second drink nor finished her first. InuYasha was teasing her with a bit of sandwich… trying to feed her and as soon as she popped a bite, he'd lean down and kiss her quickly. I wondered how long they had been together and was sure I'd get the whole story on our way home.
Soon it was time to leave and InuYasha stood up… extending his hand first to me... and then to Kikyo. He smiled and winked, kissing my hand and I curtsied, making him roar with laughter. He pulled Kikyo to him and wrapped an arm about her waist, pulling her against him closely as they walked out ahead of me. I watched as he paid the tab and then went outside by myself and stood against Kikyo's car to allow them privacy to say goodbye. It only took minutes and then I was surprised to hear them both walking toward the car... I'd expected him to take off as quickly as he could, considering there would be fans around that would want to ask him for autographs or pictures. But instead he helped Kikyo into the car and gave her a sweet kiss.
"Hold up, Little Sister...", he sang as he made his way around the car to my window and Kikyo smiled... obviously so happy with him and loving to show him off. He stuck his head in my window and I laughed at him. "I'm glad you're home... and I enjoyed the lunch... hopefully I'll see you soon, darling", he said and leaned into the car to kiss my cheek. "Thanks, InuYasha… nice to meet you too... lunch was great and thanks…", I said. He slipped a hand into the car window and cupped my chin with it. "Be happy, Darling... it'll all work out…', he said and left me wondering what he must think he knew about me.
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A/N: Review! Reviews make me happy! ^_^
Maggz