Chapter 9: Forsaken Patience (i.e. Why are males so persistent?)
She walked back and forth, one foot in front of another in the cycle she had known for years. Pacing, thinking, and planning. The sounds of a thriving city struggled to reach up to her balcony, hushed from the wind and air pushing it away, so that all she could hear was the quiet taps of her own feet and the occasional honking from below.
She snuck a look at the immense skyscrapers that were starting to twinkle with lights as the night drew closer. They stood tall and unmoveable; a silent testimony that nothing except money would tear it down. It was untouched by human emotion, no hate or love would ever make it fall. And because of this, it was the humans who had to adapt to those billion dollar buildings, becoming as cold and as imposing as the skyscrapers themselves.
Was this why her father only visited her once a year in ten minute visits? In the twelve years he had been her adopted father, his face had become almost like a picture film. Her memory of the late Higurashi would change as each year passed, so it was like looking at a small movie. Youth and eagerness melted and hardened into a jaded face that offered no mercy to those who challenged him. Perhaps it was the same with her mother. Did her parents have to adapt themselves to those cold stone buildings? And would she succumb to the same?
She stopped her pacing and rested her arms against the biting cold metal balcony. She turned her gaze from the skyscrapers around her to look at her last glimpse of the sun for the day. Only a tiny bit of red poked through, illuminating a small part of the sky a fading red that reminded her of a dying rose struggling to live. Then the sun disappeared under a scale of mountains and the night quickly ate up the sky, pushing forth its veil of darkness and stars. One by one they came out and she lifted her head up to marvel at those twinkling sparkles that looked like jewels.
If she wished on one, would it come true? She closed her eyes and whispered into the wind, allowing it to carry the wish up to the heavens where it might be answered.
One last glimpse, and she slid open her balcony door to step into her warm apartment.
~*~
With an iron resolve and an extra uniform in her backpack, Kagome marched up to the school gates and into the crowds of students hanging around.
All talk stopped and silence reigned as hundreds of eyes stared at her as she walked towards the school. But none dared to do a thing in such open space; they just watched as Kagome disappeared into the school.
And the gossiping that had been going on before returned full force at the sight of the stubborn look in Kagome's eyes.
"How long do you think she's going to last?"
"I wonder why she hasn't left yet."
"I think they took it way too far by pelting her with food."
"That slut, seducing Sesshoumaru, I can't believe she actually had the nerve to do it."
"I hear that Inuyasha and Kouga got into this huge fight to win her love the other day."
"Are you going to that party tonight at Inuyasha's place? They have this big mansion up by Jasmine Lane and no parents!"
"I think this stupid war thing should stop."
~*~
It didn't take long to find the queen of the school; Kagome just ducked into the nearest bathroom and was nearly overcome by large amounts of perfume that attacked her sensitive nose. She coughed, but that only drew in more of that nauseous scent and she covered her mouth and nose with a hand.
Her noises drew the attention of four pairs of heavily made up eyes that immediately glared at the intruder that had interrupted their beauty time. Kikyo gave a huff and looked back into the mirror, coyly smiling at her reflection.
"Here to beg forgiveness," she said and her cronies accompanied the words with high pitched laughs that sounded like screeches.
"Forgiveness for what? I find it hard to apologize when the fault was not mine to begin with," Kagome said calmly, her body relaxed and in the state her master would call 'the true form of a warrior'.
Kikyo's smile dropped only a little bit then elevated into a nasty grin. "You threatened me, remember? And you seduced my Sesshoumaru with your sluttish ways. I saw you dragging him down the stairs yesterday. So how did you do it? Threats? Blackmail? Or just a little 'prize'," she retorted, slowly taking out a bright red lipstick from another Gucci bag that matched with her lips.
"Ah, but," Kagome said, giving the same coy smile that Kikyo had given herself. "You threatened me first, I believe. And had I been able to seduce Sesshoumaru, that would mean that I've been able to catch the man you haven't even been able to touch."
Kikyo's face contorted into the same ugly face she had given Kagome before on the archery field. She loudly snapped her lipstick tube shut and was moving to leave, but stopped when Kagome raised a hand.
"Girls, if you could leave Kikyo and I alone," Kagome said sweetly, copying the tone Sango had used with Miroku, a threat issued behind every word. The three girls gave a hesitant look at their leader and Kikyo waved them away, the nasty grin gone from her face.
"Get out," she ordered and the three girls scampered out, the door closing shut with a click that echoed everywhere.
Kagome dropped the innocent face she was using, going back to her relaxed state. "So, enlighten me, why are you going through all this trouble just to get me kicked out," Kagome asked.
Kikyo gave a disgruntled look at her. "Are you joking? You get Inuyasha and Kouga to start a fight over your love. Then you threaten me. And then you steal Sesshoumaru with no charm what-so-ever. There can only be one queen at this school!" Kikyo angrily took out a compact from her bag and anxiously peered into it. "And because of you, I'll probably get tons of pimples from all this stress you're giving me! This is war, Higurashi Kagome! And there will only be one victor!" Kikyo tried to shove pass Kagome but was gently pushed back.
"I'm not trying to take over the school. I'm not trying to seduce anybody. I'm not and never have, nor will be a slut, got it? I have no intention of taking over your 'place' as 'queen'. So stop being so afraid of me. And Inuyasha and Kouga never had a fight for love over me; I was just an excuse for them to trade insults," she tried to explain kindly.
Kikyo gave another disgruntled look. "You're not fooling anyone, especially me. And why would I be scared of someone like you?!" She shoved pass again and managed to get through.
Kagome gave a sigh, her last words were obviously ignored. And she was somehow not surprised that Kikyo really did consider herself queen of the school. "At least I'm giving her stress," she chuckled to herself.
So now what? The queen was not going to back down or believe what Kagome had just told her. Which means more food throwing and angry mobs to deal with. And she was only one person against the hundreds that attended the school. Well, if you count Sango, that would be two. So what could she do? Retaliate? She scoffed at the idea as she braved herself for the second day of war and pushed open the door to go outside.
Throughout the rest of the day she shot defiant grins to anybody who appeared to be up to mischief and the audacity of her cheerful air seemed to daunt them all. It was almost peaceful, the quietness that rang out whenever she stepped in a room. There were a few more paper drawings of her thrown about, but they were less than yesterday and she continued to smile almost threateningly to each person.
Sango was out with a cold so she was spending her lunchtime in the library, studying up more on her project with Kouga, when her partner walked in. He poked at her shoulder and motioned for her to come outside with him as the librarian gave evil looks in their direction.
"You never called me back," he said once they were in the hallway. He sounded hurt, but she knew better.
"I was preoccupied," she said dryly. "And as a reminder for the future, I've never been inclined to date somebody who calls me 'woman'. Or thinks he's kami's gift to women."
"But - but - are you turning me down," he asked incredulously.
Kagome was close to giving into rolling her eyes, did he really think he was kami's gift to women? But what he did next shocked her beyond all belief.
"That's great! You're the first girl to turn me down and I've never had a challenge before." He rubbed his hands together in eagerness and flashed her a wolfish grin as Kagome's jaw dropped. "I'll make you fall in love with me!"
"Keh," someone snorted from behind.
Kagome turned to face Inuyasha.
"Wolfboy here wouldn't even be able to make the most desperate girl fall in love with him, except Ayame."
"Nani dogbreath?" Kouga gave a sly smile as Inuyasha golden eyes narrowed at the degrading name. "You sound jealous," Kouga reached an arm out and drew Kagome in a tight half embrace. "Of us."
Kagome immediately pinched a pressure point on Kouga's hand that made him let go and wave his hand around in pain.
"What the hell did you do?! My hand's all numb!"
"Us," she asked, annoyed. "What us? I can't believe you're already going around thinking we're a couple when I just told you I will not date you!"
"I told you I'd make you fall in love with me!" Kouga stopped waving his hand around and safely tucked it into his uniform's pocket and away from Kagome's quick hands.
"Hey, if she says she doesn't want to date you, then she doesn't," Inuyasha barked out angrily.
"And how would you know that? Unless ... Kagome, you aren't dating him, are you?" Kouga gave a scowl at Inuyasha and turned his head to look at her. "Well?"
A vein started to pop in her forehead and she looked at the ground with clenched fists. Both boys took a cautious step back at the sight of her quivering body.
"I am not dating YOU!" She pointed a finger at Kouga. "And I would never date either of you in the future!"
"What about the present," Kouga asked hesitantly, but appropriately shut his mouth at her death glare. "Well, how about a deal?" He turned to face Inuyasha who was being uncharacteristically quiet. "Whoever wins her first keeps her with no complaints or intrusions from the loser?"
Kagome's jaw dropped again. When does he ever give up?
"Deal. But just to warn you, I'm gonna win," Inuyasha sneered at Kouga who sneered right back.
"We'll see about that - Kagome, wanna go with me to Inuyasha's party tonight," Kouga asked, taking her hand in his.
Inuyasha pushed him away and took Kagome's hand in his with a faint blush on his cheeks at the contact. "Kagome, will you go with me?"
Kouga pushed him away and took Kagome's hand in his again. "No, don't listen to him Kagome. I asked first, anyway." He stuck his tongue out at Inuyasha.
Kagome slowly slipped her fingers out of Kouga's surprisingly gentle grip and quietly crept away as the two began to loudly argue. If she was sneaky enough, she could escape through the front entrance .... which was the other way .... 'Crap.' She looked around and spotted the stairwell leading to the roof and took the steps two at a time, until she reached the top, breathing slightly heavy.
"I hope it's empty," she muttered to the roof door before opening it. Of course, what day wouldn't be complete without the great Sesshoumaru hanging out in her last retreat? She walked up to the balcony and leaned over like she had done yesterday. He acted like she wasn't even there and continued to look at whatever had seemingly caught his attention. She was tempted to wave a hand in his face but decided that he probably wouldn't notice that either.
"No food today," he asked without looking at her.
"No quotes today," she shot back curtly and was rewarded with more silence. "Sorry," she grumbled apologetically under her breath. "It's been a long day."
"Will you be attending Inuyasha's party tonight," he suddenly asked her.
"Considering how much trouble I just got into just because of that, I might be leaning towards saying no," she admitted as she wondered if Kouga and Inuyasha were still fighting. Most likely.
"A pity, since I would enjoy your company far better than the girls that my brother usually invites." He straightened himself and walked away, leaving her to watch him with questioning eyes.
~*~
"I can't believe I'm here, and with you of all people!" Kagome rubbed the sides of her head with a hand. "Someone tell me why I decided to come and why you're here."
Sango gave a grin, then sneezed heavily into a tissue. "I hate missing parties and despite how dumb Inuyasha can be, he throws a mean party. And his house is amazingly huge."
Kagome had to agree with her as she turned into a driveway that was more elaborate than her old house. The peaks of a large mansion poked through a cluster of tall oak trees. Then the trees gave way to a circular gravel driveway that already had dozens of expensive foreign cars parked in it. Kagome moved her convertible into a spot under a particularly powerful oak tree and turned off the ignition.
"How did you persuade me into this," she asked as both girls stepped out of the car and walked to the house's front door.
"Much begging, pleading, and puppy eyes," Sango responded as she opened the door to let them in.
Music blasted through, making walking difficult and talking even more impossible. Sango pointed a finger at some people she knew and pulled Kagome towards them. Furniture had been pushed around to accommodate the dancing crowd of people in the living room, which had a beautifully painted ceiling depicting the many gods and goddesses of Japan.
But another hand grabbed her and pulled her away from Sango. The cold stricken girl turned to see Kouga trying to pull Kagome towards a pair of open double doors. Kagome gave Sango a reassuring look before she was enveloped by other people. Kouga led her out to a patio in the back where there were people swimming in the pool and lounging in the spacious hot tub.
"I'm glad you came for me -" he started to say, but was interrupted by Kagome.
"I didn't -" Kagome was then interrupted by Inuyasha, who had swimming trunks on. She averted her eyes away and tried not to look at the half naked boy, but it proved to be difficult as he nonchalantly began leading Kagome back to the house with strong fingers.
"Kagome, you came." He sounded surprised. "I thought you weren't coming since you ditched us earlier." He grabbed a towel from a bench and began the arduous task of drying his long silvery hair. "Or have you changed your mind and decided you like me better than wolfboy?"
"Who is standing right behind you," Kouga replied from behind Inuyasha.
Kagome gave a sigh and watched a familiar scene take place in front of her. A fight wouldn't be a bad thing; she could escape while they were too busy yelling at each other. Which she did promptly as their voices grew louder with each insult that passed. She slipped back into the house and up the stairs where the music wasn't beating achingly at the inside of her head.
Inlaid wood floors gleamed in the soft candlelight that was provided by candles placed at small intervals on the hallway's walls. She knew that the two boys downstairs were only using her as an excuse to fight, but that deal went too far for her. She wished she could be nice and just politely decline, but every time Kouga arrogantly tried to hit on her or ask her out, she felt like she was just some toy to be passed around. And as much as her better nature told her to go back and stop the fight, her temper told her to stay put and keep exploring the house til the party was over.
Grumbling more to herself, Kagome continued down the hallway, her fingertips slightly touching the smooth walls. Maybe she could take a peek in a few rooms; she had always loved exploring houses. Her hand was on the polished handle of a door when the handle turned by itself and opened.
Sesshoumaru stepped out in a pair of casual black slacks and a cream turtleneck, a long black jacket in his hands. He stared at her until she realized she was in his way and stepped off to the side.
"Sorry," she said fruitlessly and her eyes searched around for someplace to hide. "Um, I guess I'll get back to the party," she said weakly as he closed the door.
"Bored already," he asked with a touch of humor in his voice. Was the great Sesshoumaru actually joking with her? Scary....
"I just - uh, find exploring houses more interesting than getting drunk," she said, her words feeling more like a third grader than a mature teenager. Wonderful, now she was feeling stupid for trying to look around Inuyasha's house without permission. She gave a halfhearted smile and started walking back the way she came from.
"Do you like symphonic music," he suddenly asked.
Kagome turned around to see if his eyes were sincere or not. He stood there with patient eyes and Kagome was jerked out of her state of dumbfounded surprise. "Er-Yes. I just never have the time to -"
"Fine, I have an extra ticket." He strode past her, slipping on his jacket and Kagome once again had to shake herself from astonishment to catch up to him.
"Hey wait!"
~*~
She let out a content sigh and leaned back against her velvety seat, tipping her head back and closing her eyes so she could catch on to the last remnants of Sibelius's Violin Concerto in D Minor. The euphoric feeling of listening to superb music had her adrenaline running high.
"That was beautiful," she said as she opened her eyes and stood up, getting excited. "Let's go to a café for some coffee and ice cream, my treat!"
Sesshoumaru only gave a nonchalant semi nod that Kagome deciphered as a yes.
"There's this secluded place I know of that serves ice cream with a great view. It's not that far from here," Kagome chatted as they walked back to Sesshoumaru's car. "It's often times exclusive, but the owner is like an uncle to me."
He opened the door to his sleek Audi that matched his own silver hair. The leather seat crinkled as she sat down. As they were driving, she had to ask the question that had been poking at her for over an hour.
"Why did you ask me to the symphony," she asked him.
"My date for tonight canceled and it's a waste to throw away a ticket," he said in his usual drawling tone.
"Who was your date," she asked curiously.
He glanced at her through the mirror. "Why, interested in becoming a candidate," he said mockingly and Kagome felt her face grow hot from his comment.
Her excitement wore away to aggravation. "Excuse ME for just being curious. Not every female within your vicinity fawns over you, you know, so stop being so self conceited," she shot back and was flabbergasted for the umpteenth time that day when he gave a quiet chuckle.
"What's so funny," she asked huffily.
"You are the first hot tempered girl I've ever met," he admitted.
"I'm not hot tempered," she said irritably and only made him chuckle some more. With a pout, she slumped in her seat with crossed arms, wondering why he was grating her nerves.
*okokok, I know this was super late. Remind me to never go moving again, adjusting takes up way too much writing time! But I updated and I hope u guys won't kill me for making you wait. I hope u enjoyed the chapter and please review!!!
Kawaiipie007: thanks, I went back and corrected it, I actually had miroku say kagome-chan before but I have no idea why I changed it to kun.
Sesshyshime: I finally uploaded racing heart's on to single spark, so from now on I'm going to try to keep the story uploaded there too
Alia: you're right, I do need to be more detailed, and I'm trying to make my writing better as time passes
Orchidaceae: don't worry, they definitely won't hook up so quickly, I hate it when stories go like that, its just so much more interesting to see them struggle. Must be my masochistic side. ^^
Shannikan: holy, u gotta be joking, my story is pretty unprofessional compared to some other inuyasha authors. Now, their stories should be taken to some anime company. Sigh, well, I'll get to that level of writing someday....
All other readers: thanks so much for the support! I seriously never thought my story could go this far and u guys fill my with inspiration whenever you write long reviews!!!!
She walked back and forth, one foot in front of another in the cycle she had known for years. Pacing, thinking, and planning. The sounds of a thriving city struggled to reach up to her balcony, hushed from the wind and air pushing it away, so that all she could hear was the quiet taps of her own feet and the occasional honking from below.
She snuck a look at the immense skyscrapers that were starting to twinkle with lights as the night drew closer. They stood tall and unmoveable; a silent testimony that nothing except money would tear it down. It was untouched by human emotion, no hate or love would ever make it fall. And because of this, it was the humans who had to adapt to those billion dollar buildings, becoming as cold and as imposing as the skyscrapers themselves.
Was this why her father only visited her once a year in ten minute visits? In the twelve years he had been her adopted father, his face had become almost like a picture film. Her memory of the late Higurashi would change as each year passed, so it was like looking at a small movie. Youth and eagerness melted and hardened into a jaded face that offered no mercy to those who challenged him. Perhaps it was the same with her mother. Did her parents have to adapt themselves to those cold stone buildings? And would she succumb to the same?
She stopped her pacing and rested her arms against the biting cold metal balcony. She turned her gaze from the skyscrapers around her to look at her last glimpse of the sun for the day. Only a tiny bit of red poked through, illuminating a small part of the sky a fading red that reminded her of a dying rose struggling to live. Then the sun disappeared under a scale of mountains and the night quickly ate up the sky, pushing forth its veil of darkness and stars. One by one they came out and she lifted her head up to marvel at those twinkling sparkles that looked like jewels.
If she wished on one, would it come true? She closed her eyes and whispered into the wind, allowing it to carry the wish up to the heavens where it might be answered.
One last glimpse, and she slid open her balcony door to step into her warm apartment.
~*~
With an iron resolve and an extra uniform in her backpack, Kagome marched up to the school gates and into the crowds of students hanging around.
All talk stopped and silence reigned as hundreds of eyes stared at her as she walked towards the school. But none dared to do a thing in such open space; they just watched as Kagome disappeared into the school.
And the gossiping that had been going on before returned full force at the sight of the stubborn look in Kagome's eyes.
"How long do you think she's going to last?"
"I wonder why she hasn't left yet."
"I think they took it way too far by pelting her with food."
"That slut, seducing Sesshoumaru, I can't believe she actually had the nerve to do it."
"I hear that Inuyasha and Kouga got into this huge fight to win her love the other day."
"Are you going to that party tonight at Inuyasha's place? They have this big mansion up by Jasmine Lane and no parents!"
"I think this stupid war thing should stop."
~*~
It didn't take long to find the queen of the school; Kagome just ducked into the nearest bathroom and was nearly overcome by large amounts of perfume that attacked her sensitive nose. She coughed, but that only drew in more of that nauseous scent and she covered her mouth and nose with a hand.
Her noises drew the attention of four pairs of heavily made up eyes that immediately glared at the intruder that had interrupted their beauty time. Kikyo gave a huff and looked back into the mirror, coyly smiling at her reflection.
"Here to beg forgiveness," she said and her cronies accompanied the words with high pitched laughs that sounded like screeches.
"Forgiveness for what? I find it hard to apologize when the fault was not mine to begin with," Kagome said calmly, her body relaxed and in the state her master would call 'the true form of a warrior'.
Kikyo's smile dropped only a little bit then elevated into a nasty grin. "You threatened me, remember? And you seduced my Sesshoumaru with your sluttish ways. I saw you dragging him down the stairs yesterday. So how did you do it? Threats? Blackmail? Or just a little 'prize'," she retorted, slowly taking out a bright red lipstick from another Gucci bag that matched with her lips.
"Ah, but," Kagome said, giving the same coy smile that Kikyo had given herself. "You threatened me first, I believe. And had I been able to seduce Sesshoumaru, that would mean that I've been able to catch the man you haven't even been able to touch."
Kikyo's face contorted into the same ugly face she had given Kagome before on the archery field. She loudly snapped her lipstick tube shut and was moving to leave, but stopped when Kagome raised a hand.
"Girls, if you could leave Kikyo and I alone," Kagome said sweetly, copying the tone Sango had used with Miroku, a threat issued behind every word. The three girls gave a hesitant look at their leader and Kikyo waved them away, the nasty grin gone from her face.
"Get out," she ordered and the three girls scampered out, the door closing shut with a click that echoed everywhere.
Kagome dropped the innocent face she was using, going back to her relaxed state. "So, enlighten me, why are you going through all this trouble just to get me kicked out," Kagome asked.
Kikyo gave a disgruntled look at her. "Are you joking? You get Inuyasha and Kouga to start a fight over your love. Then you threaten me. And then you steal Sesshoumaru with no charm what-so-ever. There can only be one queen at this school!" Kikyo angrily took out a compact from her bag and anxiously peered into it. "And because of you, I'll probably get tons of pimples from all this stress you're giving me! This is war, Higurashi Kagome! And there will only be one victor!" Kikyo tried to shove pass Kagome but was gently pushed back.
"I'm not trying to take over the school. I'm not trying to seduce anybody. I'm not and never have, nor will be a slut, got it? I have no intention of taking over your 'place' as 'queen'. So stop being so afraid of me. And Inuyasha and Kouga never had a fight for love over me; I was just an excuse for them to trade insults," she tried to explain kindly.
Kikyo gave another disgruntled look. "You're not fooling anyone, especially me. And why would I be scared of someone like you?!" She shoved pass again and managed to get through.
Kagome gave a sigh, her last words were obviously ignored. And she was somehow not surprised that Kikyo really did consider herself queen of the school. "At least I'm giving her stress," she chuckled to herself.
So now what? The queen was not going to back down or believe what Kagome had just told her. Which means more food throwing and angry mobs to deal with. And she was only one person against the hundreds that attended the school. Well, if you count Sango, that would be two. So what could she do? Retaliate? She scoffed at the idea as she braved herself for the second day of war and pushed open the door to go outside.
Throughout the rest of the day she shot defiant grins to anybody who appeared to be up to mischief and the audacity of her cheerful air seemed to daunt them all. It was almost peaceful, the quietness that rang out whenever she stepped in a room. There were a few more paper drawings of her thrown about, but they were less than yesterday and she continued to smile almost threateningly to each person.
Sango was out with a cold so she was spending her lunchtime in the library, studying up more on her project with Kouga, when her partner walked in. He poked at her shoulder and motioned for her to come outside with him as the librarian gave evil looks in their direction.
"You never called me back," he said once they were in the hallway. He sounded hurt, but she knew better.
"I was preoccupied," she said dryly. "And as a reminder for the future, I've never been inclined to date somebody who calls me 'woman'. Or thinks he's kami's gift to women."
"But - but - are you turning me down," he asked incredulously.
Kagome was close to giving into rolling her eyes, did he really think he was kami's gift to women? But what he did next shocked her beyond all belief.
"That's great! You're the first girl to turn me down and I've never had a challenge before." He rubbed his hands together in eagerness and flashed her a wolfish grin as Kagome's jaw dropped. "I'll make you fall in love with me!"
"Keh," someone snorted from behind.
Kagome turned to face Inuyasha.
"Wolfboy here wouldn't even be able to make the most desperate girl fall in love with him, except Ayame."
"Nani dogbreath?" Kouga gave a sly smile as Inuyasha golden eyes narrowed at the degrading name. "You sound jealous," Kouga reached an arm out and drew Kagome in a tight half embrace. "Of us."
Kagome immediately pinched a pressure point on Kouga's hand that made him let go and wave his hand around in pain.
"What the hell did you do?! My hand's all numb!"
"Us," she asked, annoyed. "What us? I can't believe you're already going around thinking we're a couple when I just told you I will not date you!"
"I told you I'd make you fall in love with me!" Kouga stopped waving his hand around and safely tucked it into his uniform's pocket and away from Kagome's quick hands.
"Hey, if she says she doesn't want to date you, then she doesn't," Inuyasha barked out angrily.
"And how would you know that? Unless ... Kagome, you aren't dating him, are you?" Kouga gave a scowl at Inuyasha and turned his head to look at her. "Well?"
A vein started to pop in her forehead and she looked at the ground with clenched fists. Both boys took a cautious step back at the sight of her quivering body.
"I am not dating YOU!" She pointed a finger at Kouga. "And I would never date either of you in the future!"
"What about the present," Kouga asked hesitantly, but appropriately shut his mouth at her death glare. "Well, how about a deal?" He turned to face Inuyasha who was being uncharacteristically quiet. "Whoever wins her first keeps her with no complaints or intrusions from the loser?"
Kagome's jaw dropped again. When does he ever give up?
"Deal. But just to warn you, I'm gonna win," Inuyasha sneered at Kouga who sneered right back.
"We'll see about that - Kagome, wanna go with me to Inuyasha's party tonight," Kouga asked, taking her hand in his.
Inuyasha pushed him away and took Kagome's hand in his with a faint blush on his cheeks at the contact. "Kagome, will you go with me?"
Kouga pushed him away and took Kagome's hand in his again. "No, don't listen to him Kagome. I asked first, anyway." He stuck his tongue out at Inuyasha.
Kagome slowly slipped her fingers out of Kouga's surprisingly gentle grip and quietly crept away as the two began to loudly argue. If she was sneaky enough, she could escape through the front entrance .... which was the other way .... 'Crap.' She looked around and spotted the stairwell leading to the roof and took the steps two at a time, until she reached the top, breathing slightly heavy.
"I hope it's empty," she muttered to the roof door before opening it. Of course, what day wouldn't be complete without the great Sesshoumaru hanging out in her last retreat? She walked up to the balcony and leaned over like she had done yesterday. He acted like she wasn't even there and continued to look at whatever had seemingly caught his attention. She was tempted to wave a hand in his face but decided that he probably wouldn't notice that either.
"No food today," he asked without looking at her.
"No quotes today," she shot back curtly and was rewarded with more silence. "Sorry," she grumbled apologetically under her breath. "It's been a long day."
"Will you be attending Inuyasha's party tonight," he suddenly asked her.
"Considering how much trouble I just got into just because of that, I might be leaning towards saying no," she admitted as she wondered if Kouga and Inuyasha were still fighting. Most likely.
"A pity, since I would enjoy your company far better than the girls that my brother usually invites." He straightened himself and walked away, leaving her to watch him with questioning eyes.
~*~
"I can't believe I'm here, and with you of all people!" Kagome rubbed the sides of her head with a hand. "Someone tell me why I decided to come and why you're here."
Sango gave a grin, then sneezed heavily into a tissue. "I hate missing parties and despite how dumb Inuyasha can be, he throws a mean party. And his house is amazingly huge."
Kagome had to agree with her as she turned into a driveway that was more elaborate than her old house. The peaks of a large mansion poked through a cluster of tall oak trees. Then the trees gave way to a circular gravel driveway that already had dozens of expensive foreign cars parked in it. Kagome moved her convertible into a spot under a particularly powerful oak tree and turned off the ignition.
"How did you persuade me into this," she asked as both girls stepped out of the car and walked to the house's front door.
"Much begging, pleading, and puppy eyes," Sango responded as she opened the door to let them in.
Music blasted through, making walking difficult and talking even more impossible. Sango pointed a finger at some people she knew and pulled Kagome towards them. Furniture had been pushed around to accommodate the dancing crowd of people in the living room, which had a beautifully painted ceiling depicting the many gods and goddesses of Japan.
But another hand grabbed her and pulled her away from Sango. The cold stricken girl turned to see Kouga trying to pull Kagome towards a pair of open double doors. Kagome gave Sango a reassuring look before she was enveloped by other people. Kouga led her out to a patio in the back where there were people swimming in the pool and lounging in the spacious hot tub.
"I'm glad you came for me -" he started to say, but was interrupted by Kagome.
"I didn't -" Kagome was then interrupted by Inuyasha, who had swimming trunks on. She averted her eyes away and tried not to look at the half naked boy, but it proved to be difficult as he nonchalantly began leading Kagome back to the house with strong fingers.
"Kagome, you came." He sounded surprised. "I thought you weren't coming since you ditched us earlier." He grabbed a towel from a bench and began the arduous task of drying his long silvery hair. "Or have you changed your mind and decided you like me better than wolfboy?"
"Who is standing right behind you," Kouga replied from behind Inuyasha.
Kagome gave a sigh and watched a familiar scene take place in front of her. A fight wouldn't be a bad thing; she could escape while they were too busy yelling at each other. Which she did promptly as their voices grew louder with each insult that passed. She slipped back into the house and up the stairs where the music wasn't beating achingly at the inside of her head.
Inlaid wood floors gleamed in the soft candlelight that was provided by candles placed at small intervals on the hallway's walls. She knew that the two boys downstairs were only using her as an excuse to fight, but that deal went too far for her. She wished she could be nice and just politely decline, but every time Kouga arrogantly tried to hit on her or ask her out, she felt like she was just some toy to be passed around. And as much as her better nature told her to go back and stop the fight, her temper told her to stay put and keep exploring the house til the party was over.
Grumbling more to herself, Kagome continued down the hallway, her fingertips slightly touching the smooth walls. Maybe she could take a peek in a few rooms; she had always loved exploring houses. Her hand was on the polished handle of a door when the handle turned by itself and opened.
Sesshoumaru stepped out in a pair of casual black slacks and a cream turtleneck, a long black jacket in his hands. He stared at her until she realized she was in his way and stepped off to the side.
"Sorry," she said fruitlessly and her eyes searched around for someplace to hide. "Um, I guess I'll get back to the party," she said weakly as he closed the door.
"Bored already," he asked with a touch of humor in his voice. Was the great Sesshoumaru actually joking with her? Scary....
"I just - uh, find exploring houses more interesting than getting drunk," she said, her words feeling more like a third grader than a mature teenager. Wonderful, now she was feeling stupid for trying to look around Inuyasha's house without permission. She gave a halfhearted smile and started walking back the way she came from.
"Do you like symphonic music," he suddenly asked.
Kagome turned around to see if his eyes were sincere or not. He stood there with patient eyes and Kagome was jerked out of her state of dumbfounded surprise. "Er-Yes. I just never have the time to -"
"Fine, I have an extra ticket." He strode past her, slipping on his jacket and Kagome once again had to shake herself from astonishment to catch up to him.
"Hey wait!"
~*~
She let out a content sigh and leaned back against her velvety seat, tipping her head back and closing her eyes so she could catch on to the last remnants of Sibelius's Violin Concerto in D Minor. The euphoric feeling of listening to superb music had her adrenaline running high.
"That was beautiful," she said as she opened her eyes and stood up, getting excited. "Let's go to a café for some coffee and ice cream, my treat!"
Sesshoumaru only gave a nonchalant semi nod that Kagome deciphered as a yes.
"There's this secluded place I know of that serves ice cream with a great view. It's not that far from here," Kagome chatted as they walked back to Sesshoumaru's car. "It's often times exclusive, but the owner is like an uncle to me."
He opened the door to his sleek Audi that matched his own silver hair. The leather seat crinkled as she sat down. As they were driving, she had to ask the question that had been poking at her for over an hour.
"Why did you ask me to the symphony," she asked him.
"My date for tonight canceled and it's a waste to throw away a ticket," he said in his usual drawling tone.
"Who was your date," she asked curiously.
He glanced at her through the mirror. "Why, interested in becoming a candidate," he said mockingly and Kagome felt her face grow hot from his comment.
Her excitement wore away to aggravation. "Excuse ME for just being curious. Not every female within your vicinity fawns over you, you know, so stop being so self conceited," she shot back and was flabbergasted for the umpteenth time that day when he gave a quiet chuckle.
"What's so funny," she asked huffily.
"You are the first hot tempered girl I've ever met," he admitted.
"I'm not hot tempered," she said irritably and only made him chuckle some more. With a pout, she slumped in her seat with crossed arms, wondering why he was grating her nerves.
*okokok, I know this was super late. Remind me to never go moving again, adjusting takes up way too much writing time! But I updated and I hope u guys won't kill me for making you wait. I hope u enjoyed the chapter and please review!!!
Kawaiipie007: thanks, I went back and corrected it, I actually had miroku say kagome-chan before but I have no idea why I changed it to kun.
Sesshyshime: I finally uploaded racing heart's on to single spark, so from now on I'm going to try to keep the story uploaded there too
Alia: you're right, I do need to be more detailed, and I'm trying to make my writing better as time passes
Orchidaceae: don't worry, they definitely won't hook up so quickly, I hate it when stories go like that, its just so much more interesting to see them struggle. Must be my masochistic side. ^^
Shannikan: holy, u gotta be joking, my story is pretty unprofessional compared to some other inuyasha authors. Now, their stories should be taken to some anime company. Sigh, well, I'll get to that level of writing someday....
All other readers: thanks so much for the support! I seriously never thought my story could go this far and u guys fill my with inspiration whenever you write long reviews!!!!