For All Eternity
~ ~ ~
The traffic moved smoothly, for Sesshomaru's luck. The woman and his brother were awfully quiet sitting at the backseat. Every minute he would glance at the mirrors to look at the woman beside his brother.
It cannot be her.
No, you know it is she. But you just won't accept it...
He blinked his exhausted eyes for a while and glanced at the mirror. She was looking at the streets through the window. He could hardly remember her. He could not actually believe that he had spent a couple of days with the girl that grown into this woman sitting in his car.
He moved his eyes and concentrated back on the road. Clearing his throat quietly, he started to break the silence, which was very unusual for him to do.
"Higurashi-san, am I right? Am I taking you to the right way towards your home?"
He felt her jump from her seat in surprise. Her eyes looked at the mirror to look at his. "Umm... Y-yes."
He also heard the arrogant grunt from his brother before butting in. "Take that road on the right. We'll just get off at the corner.
"I never listened to any command, Inu Yasha. My plan is to take Higurashi- san to her home. While you," He paused to raise a brow arrogantly at his brother's reflection in his mirror. "You can get off right there."
"Feh," Inu Yasha mumbled. "Brothers are really a pain in the neck."
"It would please me to say the same thing. Where should I turn, Higurashi- san?"
"Uh... Right there in the corner, just like what Inu Yasha said."
With a swift move of his arms, he turned the wheels to the direction Kagome told him to go. He could already see a small shrine after that last turn. And it gave him the impression that it was already her home. The house by the Shrine.
"That's it, that house by the shrine." Kagome said.
Without any response, Sesshomaru parked the car in front of the shrine and pressed the horn twice. He removed the automatic door lock and signaled his passengers to get off.
He heard Inu Yasha curse him; perhaps his stupid idle brain finally realized that Kagome is the woman his brother was looking for to marry. But unlike Inu Yasha, the moment Kagome got off the car and got her stuff, she bowed politely towards him and thanked him.
"Arigato. Mister..."
"Sesshomaru." He hid his eyes from her, even from the reflection of the mirror.
"Arigato, Sesshomaru."
"For what." He urged on.
"For the ride, sir. Please do take care."
She took a couple of steps away and shut the door close. She moved farther when he stepped on the engine and started to hit the streets towards nowhere again.
He was only feet away from the house, but his ears were still enjoying the warm feeling that he just felt when he heard her sweet voice call his name and thank him.
Warm feeling?
Did he just think of feeling warm at that?
Sesshomaru rubbed his temples when he got caught of the red traffic light at the intersection he passed through a while a go and pulled to a stop.
"I need another glass of wine."
~ ~ ~
~ With a swift movement of the arms, he had her tiny arms behind her and then draped the white cloth over to her mouth. She choked to breathe, but when she opened her mouth to breathe, the matter went worse. A portion of the cloth was slightly wet, and from this part, she smelt an awful scent that made her sight blur.
In her mind, she started screaming for help, trying to keep her eyes wide open. Her short arms and legs tried to get away from this man that holds her roughly. Then she felt those large hands wander about on her, she yelled despite of the cloth that covered her mouth.
Anybody please... Help....
Please...
Please...
... help...
Help me...
Sesshomaru! ~
"Sesshomaru!" She yelled out. Blinking a couple of times, she tried to identify the room she is presently at. Two people stared at him wide-eyed, one with long white hair, and one with a short black hair, just like hers.
"Yes, yes. Like I said, that's his name. But you really don't have to cry out loud, like you found out his name for yourself..." Inu Yasha raised a thick brow at her.
She remained to be unaware of her mother's gloomy features.
"Oh..." Kagome sighed deeply, touching the part of her chest where her heart was and smiled. "I was just daydreaming."
"I'd rather call it 'dreaming while you're wide awake at night', because it is already seven in the evening." Inu Yasha glanced at his watch after pulling his sleeves upwards.
"Okay." She nodded at him, and then turned to her mother. "Mama, I'm hungry. Is dinner ready?"
"Oh, I almost forgot. Inu Yasha, do you like to join us for dinner? Well, we could talk about that topic again later on, okay?"
"Sure thing. Thanks, Higurashi-san." With a smile, he looked at her and tilted his head a lit towards her, making the generous bow.
"Wait here guys, I'll fix the table and you can continue your discussion."
"Sure thing." Mrs. Higurashi nodded at her.
~~~
Mellow music entered his slightly pointed ears swiftly. His amber eyes casting down on the golden liquid inside the glass that he held tightly in his hand. His lips slightly parted as he breathed through it, mumbling blurred words like all drunken men used to say. He has never drunk alcohol this much; he could already feel the wine coming back from his stomach. But he held himself firmly, although his eyes dimmed and blurred from the heavy liquor he had.
The usual old man tapped his shoulder and said. "If you like, I will drive you home tonight."
"No. I will stay as long as I like." He mumbled. "My 'mother' will get the impression that Higurashi-san has already revealed herself to me."
"Really, now? Tell me more." The old Bokuseno took the tall teat in front of him, and watch him drain the glass of liquor empty.
Sesshomaru brushed his bangs back to his head and coughed. The liquid burned his throat as it traveled down to his stomach.
"I found her, Bokuseno."
Bokuseno smiled and tapped the table with glee. "That's pretty good news, Inutashio's son! You'll finally get married."
"Yes, now tell me if I have to be delighted."
The old man coughed and smirked slightly. "Have you already told your mother?"
"I have no intention of telling her. If you wish, you could do the honors."
"With pleasure."
Sesshomaru reached down to his pocket and pulled his cell phone out, then handed it over to Bokuseno. "Call her."
"Alright."
Bokuseno held the phone against his ear after pressing a couple of buttons. After a while, he started speaking. "Shizuko? This is Bokuseno. I have good news for you."
Sesshomaru lifted his flushed face to him and stared quietly.
"Your son has found his soon to be spouse, and her name is..." He looked at Sesshomaru.
"Higurashi Kagome."
"Higurashi Kaome?"
"Ka-Go-Me." Sesshomaru lazily repeated.
"Yes, Shizuko. Can you now search where she lives?"
"At the third intersection, by the Shrine." Sesshomaru mumbled again.
"Your son says it's by the subdivision's old shrine.... Yes.... Alright... Okay.... Yes, Goodbye."
He hanged the line and handed the phone back to Sesshomaru. "She says you will be seeing her again."
"I hope not." He growled. For a while he lowered his face to the cool surface of the table, and laid out his plans.
"Your days as a teenager are numbered." Bokuseno chuckled.
"Not funny."
He laughed. "Ah! Hot-headed as your deceased father."
"But not as foolish as he is."
Bokuseno took another bottle of alcohol and poured him another glass. "Inutashio's son, every person's destiny will come. Sometimes, it brings happiness, and most of the time, just like in your case, it brings chaos. But this doesn't mean that destiny chooses your path randomly, nor it leads you to an insignificant road, because it chooses which road you should take and what road is good for you, not the road you dearly wish to reach, or even the road you deeply curse. It doesn't matter if you like it or not, what matters is that, it is 'meant' for you."
"Very poetic." Sesshomaru smirked. "You should try making a novel some other time."
"It may sound absurd to you, but it is true."
"Not really true, but possible."
"Whatever you say." He watched him drain another glass and waited for him to set it down before filling him another. "Besides, you will not think it's funny once your destiny comes. And it is coming, Sesshomaru. It comes very quickly."
Sesshomaru took the tip of the glass onto his lips. He tried to recollect all the past Kagome and he shared together. And then wondered if they ever knew each other when he realized that his attempts were fruitless.
He erased his past before, now, he counters with the future. He counters with the consequences upon erasing all his childhood memories, along with his mortal emotions he feared that soon will be the reason for his defeat. He will have to face all those fears, all those alienable emotions and memories and recall them again, as part of his destiny.
The right time has come.
And yes, it comes very quickly.
So fast that I could hardly notice it coming.
As Destiny quickens its pace, all I did is wait for its arrival.
Now I will have to face it earlier as than I should...
Not when I want it to come.
~~~
Inside the gloomy house of the deceased Inutashio...
Shizuko continued walking back and fourth on the same spot in the living room. The old servant Hao sighed for the last time, tired of watching his master's wife walk back and fourth non-stop.
"Madame, if you won't stop doing that, you could create a hole on the carpet..."
"Hao, please call up Jaken, along with a couple of bodyguards to pick up miss Higurashi. I wish her to be present tonight when Sesshomaru comes back home." Shizuko answered nervously.
"Madame, forgive me if I will intrude your own personal bubble, but..." Hao paused for a while and wrinkled his nose a bit. "Don't you think doing that will only make the quarrel between you and the young Master get worse?"
Shizuko was silent. For a while her gaze stopped to stare at the floor below her.
Hao was right. It will only make his son more enraged. But she knows that her stepson is perfectly aware that one day, or even one night, he comes home and sees this woman sleeping in his bed. He is perfectly knowledgeable that it can happen anytime.
"That may happen, Hao. But he knows well that sleeping with this woman on the same night they laid their eyes onto each other would mean Matrimony, whether he likes it or not.
Hao's face darkened with gloom and bowed his head slowly. "Yes, I will call for Jaken at once, Madame. Please excuse me."
Shizuko waited for Hao to leave before she slumped her worn out and old body on the sofa and sighed inwardly.
"Tonight is surely a big night."
~~~
His body was completely depleted. He's exhausted, and he thought he won't make it back to his house, and rest his aching body on his large bed. In a quivering voice, he called out to Bokuseno.
"Pour me another brandy."
"No, Sesshomaru." Bokuseno slapped his own forehead and heaved a deep sigh. "You have to go home. It's dreadfully late and you have already taken too much of the brandy." He looked at the counter where two empty bottles of brandy stood. Sesshomaru lifted his flushed face and grunted.
"It's impossible for me to go home."
"Yes it is, now give me your keys and I'll drive you home." Bokuseno stretched his hand out to him and frowned. Your soon-to-be-wife is waiting."
"That is why it's impossible for me to go home. That wench will be there in my bedroom, " Sesshomaru's words were vague and Bokuseno wasn't able to understand anything. "She'll be... mumble... mumble..."
"Shut up and hand the keys over."
His pale slim hands reached up to meet his, placing the car keys on his hand before slumping his arm back to the table. "If you like, you can stay in my room with the wench for the night."
Bokuseno sighed inwardly, fortunate that he was able to catch a couple of his blurred words and decipher it. "I am too old for that. Besides, it is not me who she is waiting for."
"Hmmm, like she knows who I am."
"Oh perhaps not now, but maybe soon. Now get up and I'll drive you. You'll have to pay for the brandy some other time."
Bokuseno walked to the other side of the counter and tapped Sesshomaru's shoulder. "Now stand up."
He refused to move his numb body and mumbled that he still doesn't want to leave. But Bokuseno lifted his heavy arm roughly and pulled him from the seat. "Get up, or I'll have to throw you across the room to your car."
Not even threatened in the least, he stood up, trying to keep balance and tried to walk towards the exit door. Bokuseno walked close to him to pick him up whenever he loses balance. And fortunately, he was able to reach his car gorgeously in black and brown streaks of shiny paint. He stopped for a while and sleepily watched Bokuseno unlock the passenger door before coming in. Once he seated himself in his car, he slammed the door close and waited for the old man to start the engine and hit the road before tilting his head backwards and allowed his eyes to rest.
Oh yes, like a short nap could do him good.
~~~
He has completely forgotten that time is running while the old man drives him to his home. His eyesight was completely blurred, as well as his speech. So most of the time, when he decides to tell Bokuseno to turn the car and take him somewhere else, Bokuseno would just shut him up and continue driving. Not because he refuse to do what he wants, but because he cannot understand him.
His eyelids were getting heavier as the sparkling city lights tickled his eyes. He was tired and he learned that taking that amount of brandy will just make him more tired and making his body a lot more heavier to carry around. His slightly parted lips released short pants of breath, like some goddess was seducing him.
"We're here, Sesshomaru." Bokuseno turned the wheels to the left and stopped when the tall white fences confronted the car, and waited until it automatically opened before them to let them pass. Slowly he drove the car to the parking place where Sesshomaru used to drive his car before asking him to get off, whenever he wishes to give a visit to the widow.
He stopped the car inside a familiar garage and killed the engine. He pulled the keys out and threw it to Sesshomaru's slightly limp body.
"Stand up, Sesshomaru. By now, your wife is probably waiting for you inside. I'm not coming in to see anybody of your kin tonight. Because I am sure that your mother will ask me for help about your upcoming --"
"Why do you insist on talking when I haven't told you to speak yet?" His words were blurred but it was comprehensible. He took his keys and opened the car door, got off and tried to walk on his own. The old man has done enough and he doesn't want to have some debts to pay for later.
Well, except his bills for the brandy.
He entered his home through the large main door, and the dim light in the main hall relaxed his senses. He unconsciously inhaled the pine scent coming from his favorite incenses that assaulted his dull senses the moment he came in. Leaning against the walls of the spacious hall, he headed towards the set of stairs that stood in front of him when he came in.
He took the left staircase and grunted. The staircase was long and high, he might fall off. The strong brandy still has a strong effect on his sense of balance. Luckily it did not made his legs numb and paralyzed. Because when it does, he will have to ask the old man to carry him off into his bedroom.
His bedroom.
He frowned slightly. Perhaps the woman is there by now. He said to himself. From then on he will not call that room 'his own' because he'll be sharing it to someone else. He hopes the wench won't stink his bedroom and eradicate the wonderful scent of the incense he loved. He hopes that whelps like her will not spray blood and dirt all over his silk sheets. Otherwise, he might not hesitate to shred her undesirable body.
Like she was to be desired...
Despite all his hatred and disappointment towards his soon-to-be wife, he unconsciously asked himself. Or perhaps the person that asked him was the sweet little boy he once was. The boy that knew her. The boy that loved her and cared for her so much that he didn't wanted her to leave her side or walk all alone without his presence and protection.
Can she remember my face?
Will she recognize my voice?
Does she still know who I am?
Sesshomaru shook his head and grunted when he took the last step of the stairs. He lifted his face infront of him and stared at the dim, blank corridors of his home. The left wing sent him to the bedrooms. But his brother and his mother were probably in the first floor now, where they will stay until they move to the other mansion in his father's property. This place will be his, including half of his father's wealth, which is his legal birthright, as the eldest son of Inutashio. This was the reason why his father has hastened his marriage and ensured it for the future. So that after his death, the largest part of his property and his other riches will surely fall into the hands of his eldest son. The wife and the second son will have the other half of it, but the part of the eldest will be the most imperative, according to their family's tradition.
And, including in their 'silly' tradition, the eldest boy will be betrothed in his adolescent years before the father dies. Adolescent, so that the child has already developed his won 'consciousness' and he ca now think on his own.
And it just so happens that he was betrothed earlier than that.
He almost fell down to his side when he lost his balance, but be was able to lean on to the wall to cancel his fall. His hands went up to his mouth when he suddenly felt the butterflies in his stomach, due to too much brandy.
He continued walking. Half step by half step, taking the corridors slowly and fighting the urge to vomit. Luckily, he had felt the familiar feel of his room's doorknob and twisted it open. He went inside the dark room and closed the door behind him.
He heard a soft intake of breath from inside, forgetting the idea that it may be the woman he saw earlier.
He took another step forward to his bed; although there was no light on to illuminate the room, except the light of the moon coming from the curtained full-scale windows.
Another pant.
His shoes made a noise as he dragged himself to his bedroom. His eyelids opened forcibly and stared at the small, peculiar silhouette sitting in the center of his large bed.
And another.
Then a voice came, when he stopped at the side of his bed and removed his thick jacket and shoes, leaving his smooth shirt and his slacks.
"Wh-who's t-there??" The small 'feminine' voice trembled. The sudden shifting of weight on the mattress gave him the impression that she moved farther away from her and to the other side of the bed.
"You are... Kagome."
"Who are you?!" Kagome yelled and shook when he climbed on the bed and crawled towards her. He reached out to her 'arm' that she seemed to cover herself and pulled her to him. Fruitlessly she tried pushing him off, pulling her arm away from her.
"L-let go of me!!" Her other hand went and hit his cheek, leaving a flushed skin and a red mark. When he let her arm go, she tried to crawl away from him and get off the bed.
But he pulled her by grabbing both her hands and roughly settled her on the bed. Then he hovered over her and breathed on her face.
Her eyes widened at his amber eyes, and she recalled the sound of his voice. His silver hair caught the moonlight coming from the windows and it slightly illuminated her face. Showing her face to his, and his to hers.
"You are... a problem." Sesshomaru mumbled.
She gasped. "Sesshomaru?!"
"You... are..."
Sleep has completely won over his body. He fell down to her body, like a heavy, lifeless doll.
With consistent features on her face.
With a voice nobody would want to listen to.
And a heart he would never have the chance to show.
That is all he is.
Nothing but a lifeless doll...
His breathing went normal. His mind cleared from thoughts, and his eyes slowly closing. He was already tired, but the most exhausting part is yet to come.
~~~
Author's notes: I'm sorry for the great delay... I'm really sorry to my readers. I cancelled writing stories since I have to recover from emotional stress. Thank goodness I'm okay now. So it's time to concentrate on my fics again. I hope it will take me less time to post another chapter 'cuz it's vacation time!! YAY!! ^_^ Hope you guys will like this. Thanks!! ^_^
~ ~ ~
The traffic moved smoothly, for Sesshomaru's luck. The woman and his brother were awfully quiet sitting at the backseat. Every minute he would glance at the mirrors to look at the woman beside his brother.
It cannot be her.
No, you know it is she. But you just won't accept it...
He blinked his exhausted eyes for a while and glanced at the mirror. She was looking at the streets through the window. He could hardly remember her. He could not actually believe that he had spent a couple of days with the girl that grown into this woman sitting in his car.
He moved his eyes and concentrated back on the road. Clearing his throat quietly, he started to break the silence, which was very unusual for him to do.
"Higurashi-san, am I right? Am I taking you to the right way towards your home?"
He felt her jump from her seat in surprise. Her eyes looked at the mirror to look at his. "Umm... Y-yes."
He also heard the arrogant grunt from his brother before butting in. "Take that road on the right. We'll just get off at the corner.
"I never listened to any command, Inu Yasha. My plan is to take Higurashi- san to her home. While you," He paused to raise a brow arrogantly at his brother's reflection in his mirror. "You can get off right there."
"Feh," Inu Yasha mumbled. "Brothers are really a pain in the neck."
"It would please me to say the same thing. Where should I turn, Higurashi- san?"
"Uh... Right there in the corner, just like what Inu Yasha said."
With a swift move of his arms, he turned the wheels to the direction Kagome told him to go. He could already see a small shrine after that last turn. And it gave him the impression that it was already her home. The house by the Shrine.
"That's it, that house by the shrine." Kagome said.
Without any response, Sesshomaru parked the car in front of the shrine and pressed the horn twice. He removed the automatic door lock and signaled his passengers to get off.
He heard Inu Yasha curse him; perhaps his stupid idle brain finally realized that Kagome is the woman his brother was looking for to marry. But unlike Inu Yasha, the moment Kagome got off the car and got her stuff, she bowed politely towards him and thanked him.
"Arigato. Mister..."
"Sesshomaru." He hid his eyes from her, even from the reflection of the mirror.
"Arigato, Sesshomaru."
"For what." He urged on.
"For the ride, sir. Please do take care."
She took a couple of steps away and shut the door close. She moved farther when he stepped on the engine and started to hit the streets towards nowhere again.
He was only feet away from the house, but his ears were still enjoying the warm feeling that he just felt when he heard her sweet voice call his name and thank him.
Warm feeling?
Did he just think of feeling warm at that?
Sesshomaru rubbed his temples when he got caught of the red traffic light at the intersection he passed through a while a go and pulled to a stop.
"I need another glass of wine."
~ ~ ~
~ With a swift movement of the arms, he had her tiny arms behind her and then draped the white cloth over to her mouth. She choked to breathe, but when she opened her mouth to breathe, the matter went worse. A portion of the cloth was slightly wet, and from this part, she smelt an awful scent that made her sight blur.
In her mind, she started screaming for help, trying to keep her eyes wide open. Her short arms and legs tried to get away from this man that holds her roughly. Then she felt those large hands wander about on her, she yelled despite of the cloth that covered her mouth.
Anybody please... Help....
Please...
Please...
... help...
Help me...
Sesshomaru! ~
"Sesshomaru!" She yelled out. Blinking a couple of times, she tried to identify the room she is presently at. Two people stared at him wide-eyed, one with long white hair, and one with a short black hair, just like hers.
"Yes, yes. Like I said, that's his name. But you really don't have to cry out loud, like you found out his name for yourself..." Inu Yasha raised a thick brow at her.
She remained to be unaware of her mother's gloomy features.
"Oh..." Kagome sighed deeply, touching the part of her chest where her heart was and smiled. "I was just daydreaming."
"I'd rather call it 'dreaming while you're wide awake at night', because it is already seven in the evening." Inu Yasha glanced at his watch after pulling his sleeves upwards.
"Okay." She nodded at him, and then turned to her mother. "Mama, I'm hungry. Is dinner ready?"
"Oh, I almost forgot. Inu Yasha, do you like to join us for dinner? Well, we could talk about that topic again later on, okay?"
"Sure thing. Thanks, Higurashi-san." With a smile, he looked at her and tilted his head a lit towards her, making the generous bow.
"Wait here guys, I'll fix the table and you can continue your discussion."
"Sure thing." Mrs. Higurashi nodded at her.
~~~
Mellow music entered his slightly pointed ears swiftly. His amber eyes casting down on the golden liquid inside the glass that he held tightly in his hand. His lips slightly parted as he breathed through it, mumbling blurred words like all drunken men used to say. He has never drunk alcohol this much; he could already feel the wine coming back from his stomach. But he held himself firmly, although his eyes dimmed and blurred from the heavy liquor he had.
The usual old man tapped his shoulder and said. "If you like, I will drive you home tonight."
"No. I will stay as long as I like." He mumbled. "My 'mother' will get the impression that Higurashi-san has already revealed herself to me."
"Really, now? Tell me more." The old Bokuseno took the tall teat in front of him, and watch him drain the glass of liquor empty.
Sesshomaru brushed his bangs back to his head and coughed. The liquid burned his throat as it traveled down to his stomach.
"I found her, Bokuseno."
Bokuseno smiled and tapped the table with glee. "That's pretty good news, Inutashio's son! You'll finally get married."
"Yes, now tell me if I have to be delighted."
The old man coughed and smirked slightly. "Have you already told your mother?"
"I have no intention of telling her. If you wish, you could do the honors."
"With pleasure."
Sesshomaru reached down to his pocket and pulled his cell phone out, then handed it over to Bokuseno. "Call her."
"Alright."
Bokuseno held the phone against his ear after pressing a couple of buttons. After a while, he started speaking. "Shizuko? This is Bokuseno. I have good news for you."
Sesshomaru lifted his flushed face to him and stared quietly.
"Your son has found his soon to be spouse, and her name is..." He looked at Sesshomaru.
"Higurashi Kagome."
"Higurashi Kaome?"
"Ka-Go-Me." Sesshomaru lazily repeated.
"Yes, Shizuko. Can you now search where she lives?"
"At the third intersection, by the Shrine." Sesshomaru mumbled again.
"Your son says it's by the subdivision's old shrine.... Yes.... Alright... Okay.... Yes, Goodbye."
He hanged the line and handed the phone back to Sesshomaru. "She says you will be seeing her again."
"I hope not." He growled. For a while he lowered his face to the cool surface of the table, and laid out his plans.
"Your days as a teenager are numbered." Bokuseno chuckled.
"Not funny."
He laughed. "Ah! Hot-headed as your deceased father."
"But not as foolish as he is."
Bokuseno took another bottle of alcohol and poured him another glass. "Inutashio's son, every person's destiny will come. Sometimes, it brings happiness, and most of the time, just like in your case, it brings chaos. But this doesn't mean that destiny chooses your path randomly, nor it leads you to an insignificant road, because it chooses which road you should take and what road is good for you, not the road you dearly wish to reach, or even the road you deeply curse. It doesn't matter if you like it or not, what matters is that, it is 'meant' for you."
"Very poetic." Sesshomaru smirked. "You should try making a novel some other time."
"It may sound absurd to you, but it is true."
"Not really true, but possible."
"Whatever you say." He watched him drain another glass and waited for him to set it down before filling him another. "Besides, you will not think it's funny once your destiny comes. And it is coming, Sesshomaru. It comes very quickly."
Sesshomaru took the tip of the glass onto his lips. He tried to recollect all the past Kagome and he shared together. And then wondered if they ever knew each other when he realized that his attempts were fruitless.
He erased his past before, now, he counters with the future. He counters with the consequences upon erasing all his childhood memories, along with his mortal emotions he feared that soon will be the reason for his defeat. He will have to face all those fears, all those alienable emotions and memories and recall them again, as part of his destiny.
The right time has come.
And yes, it comes very quickly.
So fast that I could hardly notice it coming.
As Destiny quickens its pace, all I did is wait for its arrival.
Now I will have to face it earlier as than I should...
Not when I want it to come.
~~~
Inside the gloomy house of the deceased Inutashio...
Shizuko continued walking back and fourth on the same spot in the living room. The old servant Hao sighed for the last time, tired of watching his master's wife walk back and fourth non-stop.
"Madame, if you won't stop doing that, you could create a hole on the carpet..."
"Hao, please call up Jaken, along with a couple of bodyguards to pick up miss Higurashi. I wish her to be present tonight when Sesshomaru comes back home." Shizuko answered nervously.
"Madame, forgive me if I will intrude your own personal bubble, but..." Hao paused for a while and wrinkled his nose a bit. "Don't you think doing that will only make the quarrel between you and the young Master get worse?"
Shizuko was silent. For a while her gaze stopped to stare at the floor below her.
Hao was right. It will only make his son more enraged. But she knows that her stepson is perfectly aware that one day, or even one night, he comes home and sees this woman sleeping in his bed. He is perfectly knowledgeable that it can happen anytime.
"That may happen, Hao. But he knows well that sleeping with this woman on the same night they laid their eyes onto each other would mean Matrimony, whether he likes it or not.
Hao's face darkened with gloom and bowed his head slowly. "Yes, I will call for Jaken at once, Madame. Please excuse me."
Shizuko waited for Hao to leave before she slumped her worn out and old body on the sofa and sighed inwardly.
"Tonight is surely a big night."
~~~
His body was completely depleted. He's exhausted, and he thought he won't make it back to his house, and rest his aching body on his large bed. In a quivering voice, he called out to Bokuseno.
"Pour me another brandy."
"No, Sesshomaru." Bokuseno slapped his own forehead and heaved a deep sigh. "You have to go home. It's dreadfully late and you have already taken too much of the brandy." He looked at the counter where two empty bottles of brandy stood. Sesshomaru lifted his flushed face and grunted.
"It's impossible for me to go home."
"Yes it is, now give me your keys and I'll drive you home." Bokuseno stretched his hand out to him and frowned. Your soon-to-be-wife is waiting."
"That is why it's impossible for me to go home. That wench will be there in my bedroom, " Sesshomaru's words were vague and Bokuseno wasn't able to understand anything. "She'll be... mumble... mumble..."
"Shut up and hand the keys over."
His pale slim hands reached up to meet his, placing the car keys on his hand before slumping his arm back to the table. "If you like, you can stay in my room with the wench for the night."
Bokuseno sighed inwardly, fortunate that he was able to catch a couple of his blurred words and decipher it. "I am too old for that. Besides, it is not me who she is waiting for."
"Hmmm, like she knows who I am."
"Oh perhaps not now, but maybe soon. Now get up and I'll drive you. You'll have to pay for the brandy some other time."
Bokuseno walked to the other side of the counter and tapped Sesshomaru's shoulder. "Now stand up."
He refused to move his numb body and mumbled that he still doesn't want to leave. But Bokuseno lifted his heavy arm roughly and pulled him from the seat. "Get up, or I'll have to throw you across the room to your car."
Not even threatened in the least, he stood up, trying to keep balance and tried to walk towards the exit door. Bokuseno walked close to him to pick him up whenever he loses balance. And fortunately, he was able to reach his car gorgeously in black and brown streaks of shiny paint. He stopped for a while and sleepily watched Bokuseno unlock the passenger door before coming in. Once he seated himself in his car, he slammed the door close and waited for the old man to start the engine and hit the road before tilting his head backwards and allowed his eyes to rest.
Oh yes, like a short nap could do him good.
~~~
He has completely forgotten that time is running while the old man drives him to his home. His eyesight was completely blurred, as well as his speech. So most of the time, when he decides to tell Bokuseno to turn the car and take him somewhere else, Bokuseno would just shut him up and continue driving. Not because he refuse to do what he wants, but because he cannot understand him.
His eyelids were getting heavier as the sparkling city lights tickled his eyes. He was tired and he learned that taking that amount of brandy will just make him more tired and making his body a lot more heavier to carry around. His slightly parted lips released short pants of breath, like some goddess was seducing him.
"We're here, Sesshomaru." Bokuseno turned the wheels to the left and stopped when the tall white fences confronted the car, and waited until it automatically opened before them to let them pass. Slowly he drove the car to the parking place where Sesshomaru used to drive his car before asking him to get off, whenever he wishes to give a visit to the widow.
He stopped the car inside a familiar garage and killed the engine. He pulled the keys out and threw it to Sesshomaru's slightly limp body.
"Stand up, Sesshomaru. By now, your wife is probably waiting for you inside. I'm not coming in to see anybody of your kin tonight. Because I am sure that your mother will ask me for help about your upcoming --"
"Why do you insist on talking when I haven't told you to speak yet?" His words were blurred but it was comprehensible. He took his keys and opened the car door, got off and tried to walk on his own. The old man has done enough and he doesn't want to have some debts to pay for later.
Well, except his bills for the brandy.
He entered his home through the large main door, and the dim light in the main hall relaxed his senses. He unconsciously inhaled the pine scent coming from his favorite incenses that assaulted his dull senses the moment he came in. Leaning against the walls of the spacious hall, he headed towards the set of stairs that stood in front of him when he came in.
He took the left staircase and grunted. The staircase was long and high, he might fall off. The strong brandy still has a strong effect on his sense of balance. Luckily it did not made his legs numb and paralyzed. Because when it does, he will have to ask the old man to carry him off into his bedroom.
His bedroom.
He frowned slightly. Perhaps the woman is there by now. He said to himself. From then on he will not call that room 'his own' because he'll be sharing it to someone else. He hopes the wench won't stink his bedroom and eradicate the wonderful scent of the incense he loved. He hopes that whelps like her will not spray blood and dirt all over his silk sheets. Otherwise, he might not hesitate to shred her undesirable body.
Like she was to be desired...
Despite all his hatred and disappointment towards his soon-to-be wife, he unconsciously asked himself. Or perhaps the person that asked him was the sweet little boy he once was. The boy that knew her. The boy that loved her and cared for her so much that he didn't wanted her to leave her side or walk all alone without his presence and protection.
Can she remember my face?
Will she recognize my voice?
Does she still know who I am?
Sesshomaru shook his head and grunted when he took the last step of the stairs. He lifted his face infront of him and stared at the dim, blank corridors of his home. The left wing sent him to the bedrooms. But his brother and his mother were probably in the first floor now, where they will stay until they move to the other mansion in his father's property. This place will be his, including half of his father's wealth, which is his legal birthright, as the eldest son of Inutashio. This was the reason why his father has hastened his marriage and ensured it for the future. So that after his death, the largest part of his property and his other riches will surely fall into the hands of his eldest son. The wife and the second son will have the other half of it, but the part of the eldest will be the most imperative, according to their family's tradition.
And, including in their 'silly' tradition, the eldest boy will be betrothed in his adolescent years before the father dies. Adolescent, so that the child has already developed his won 'consciousness' and he ca now think on his own.
And it just so happens that he was betrothed earlier than that.
He almost fell down to his side when he lost his balance, but be was able to lean on to the wall to cancel his fall. His hands went up to his mouth when he suddenly felt the butterflies in his stomach, due to too much brandy.
He continued walking. Half step by half step, taking the corridors slowly and fighting the urge to vomit. Luckily, he had felt the familiar feel of his room's doorknob and twisted it open. He went inside the dark room and closed the door behind him.
He heard a soft intake of breath from inside, forgetting the idea that it may be the woman he saw earlier.
He took another step forward to his bed; although there was no light on to illuminate the room, except the light of the moon coming from the curtained full-scale windows.
Another pant.
His shoes made a noise as he dragged himself to his bedroom. His eyelids opened forcibly and stared at the small, peculiar silhouette sitting in the center of his large bed.
And another.
Then a voice came, when he stopped at the side of his bed and removed his thick jacket and shoes, leaving his smooth shirt and his slacks.
"Wh-who's t-there??" The small 'feminine' voice trembled. The sudden shifting of weight on the mattress gave him the impression that she moved farther away from her and to the other side of the bed.
"You are... Kagome."
"Who are you?!" Kagome yelled and shook when he climbed on the bed and crawled towards her. He reached out to her 'arm' that she seemed to cover herself and pulled her to him. Fruitlessly she tried pushing him off, pulling her arm away from her.
"L-let go of me!!" Her other hand went and hit his cheek, leaving a flushed skin and a red mark. When he let her arm go, she tried to crawl away from him and get off the bed.
But he pulled her by grabbing both her hands and roughly settled her on the bed. Then he hovered over her and breathed on her face.
Her eyes widened at his amber eyes, and she recalled the sound of his voice. His silver hair caught the moonlight coming from the windows and it slightly illuminated her face. Showing her face to his, and his to hers.
"You are... a problem." Sesshomaru mumbled.
She gasped. "Sesshomaru?!"
"You... are..."
Sleep has completely won over his body. He fell down to her body, like a heavy, lifeless doll.
With consistent features on her face.
With a voice nobody would want to listen to.
And a heart he would never have the chance to show.
That is all he is.
Nothing but a lifeless doll...
His breathing went normal. His mind cleared from thoughts, and his eyes slowly closing. He was already tired, but the most exhausting part is yet to come.
~~~
Author's notes: I'm sorry for the great delay... I'm really sorry to my readers. I cancelled writing stories since I have to recover from emotional stress. Thank goodness I'm okay now. So it's time to concentrate on my fics again. I hope it will take me less time to post another chapter 'cuz it's vacation time!! YAY!! ^_^ Hope you guys will like this. Thanks!! ^_^