Author's Notes: All right- a little more with that dreaded dressing room, some adorable cuteness with dear Rin, and as promised- a little more with good ole InuYasha and Kagome.
Once again, thanks to all of you that take the time to review. It means a whole lot to me and helps me get this updated on a weekly basis. That being said, this chapter's about a page longer than the usual, so for those that complain of short chapters, this is for you. ^^;
Make sure to check out the other story I updated today and two one-shots I updated earlier in the week ^^
All right then, as always- please read, review and enjoy ^^
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Everyone carries a burden in life. Sometimes it's something the person brought upon themselves. Other times, it's something that was inflicted on them against their will. That was my case- I was stuck with the burden of my Father's ever looming presence haunting my every move.
For now though, things seemed safe. I had been taken in by a kind, though slightly weird family and despite their damned attempts to get me and their son romantically involved, I was beginning to grow quite fond of them.
I'd never really had a "real" family before. Just my asshole father for as long as I can remember, and then my sister Kanna. But that was it. Nothing more, nothing less. There wasn't any love, tenderness, caring or all that other shit that's supposed to be part of the "family" package. A "real" family was like a surreal notion to me- and now…now I was becoming a part of one.
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Chapter 11: Can't You Hear Me Calling?
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"I know, Sesshoumaru."
It bothered him. He wasn't certain why- but those few words fully irritated him for reasons even he couldn't place. It just…did.
Creasing his eyebrows and choosing to focus his gaze on the wall across the store, his thoughts tugged at his brain.
"So she's intelligent enough to finally process I won't hurt her like that. But why. Why is it that these words are so perplexing to me?" Shifting his gaze slightly, he exhaled lightly, "It's not of my concern. Her being willing to trust me or not. That is her choice. It doesn't mean I have to do anything about it."
Back within the confines of the dressing room, Kagura clutched her hand against her chest, balling her fist around the fabric there.
"Goddamn bastard…he's got me saying idiotic crap like that to him now. Fuck him. Just fuck him."
Shaking the thoughts from her mind, she turned to looked at herself in the mirror.
"It is…skin tight…" She remarked on seeing how the crimson-red dress hugged her body.
Thinking back on it, Kagura remembered when Izayoi had handed it to her.
"Some people will say every girl needs a little black dress, but since it's my step-son we're dealing with, I believe this is more like it."
Allowing a small smile to creep onto her face, she gently fingered the black flowers embroidered on the bottom of the dress's fabric.
"Oooh it matches your eyes, Miss Kagura," Rin's comment on the dress surfaced in her mind.
She wasn't quite certain what she would ever use a dress like this for- but given that someone else was paying the bill, Kagura figured- why the hell not?
Realizing as she went to remove the garment that she would need assistance again with the zipper, she cracked the door open and looked out.
There stood Sesshoumaru- his usual unreadable expression firmly in place.
Kagura sighed, "If it's not too much trouble I'd like this off. But I'd hate to bother you since you're so occupied," she shot sarcastically in his direction.
He paused a moment, leveling her with a glare.
"Why does she keep asking for my assistance?"
"I see you still can't do anything yourself."
"Oh shove it okay, I had a glass bottle shattered into my side!"
About to protest more, Kagura halted on seeing the slight twinge of Sesshoumaru's eyes at what she said.
"So it does bother him. That bastard. Why can't he just show a little emotion now and then?"
Her mind flashing back to the family portrait, she paused her thoughts, "But even then…he looked like this…"
Jerking her head up at feeling his hand prying hers away from the doorway so he could enter, she quickly averted her eyes towards the back of the dressing room.
She felt his firm hand once again on her shoulder- not gentle yet not overbearing in his touch. His fingers slowly gripped the small zipper tab and pulled it down her back.
Then, much to Kagura's surprise, he just stood there; one hand firmly on her waist, one on her shoulder.
Almost afraid to turn, yet irritated nonetheless she opened her mouth to demand what the hell he was doing.
That's when she felt his hand move, a single finger gently brushing over one of the scars on her back.
"It must be troublesome."
"What?" She breathed; voice barely above a whisper.
"To carry a burden like this."
Turning to look at him, she paused- his eyes softer than they usually were.
But before either of them could say or think anymore, the door flung open as a brown-haired bundle of energy attached herself to Sesshoumaru's legs.
"I want to help Miss Kagura put her dresses on too!" Rin's bubbly voice shattered the tense atmosphere.
And with that, Kagura couldn't help but smirk down at the young girl.
"Now Rin, let them be if they're talking," Izayoi said walking up.
"But Sesshoumaru was just helping Miss Kagura take off her dress."
"And knowing him there is nothing to be read into in that," Mr. Taiyoukai remarked coming up behind his wife.
Sesshoumaru frowned slightly at that and doing the best as he could given Rin's clinging to his left leg, he walked out of the dressing room and closed the door behind him.
Releasing a breath she didn't even know she was holding, Kagura slumped back against the wall.
"What was that look for? Was it pity? Was it sympathy? I don't want anyone's fucking pity. I just want to be free…"
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After getting her borrowed clothing back on, Kagura slowly made her way back out to where the family waited.
"Kagura, if you don't mind coming with me we can get those things paid for and pick up Inuyasha and Kagome," Izayoi said politely.
"We will be located at the toy store then, Izayoi," Mr. Taiyoukai said turning to leave with Rin and Sesshoumaru.
"Don't worry. Sesshoumaru just needs to have some time for his Father to speak to him. While I can talk to you," The black-haired woman explained on seeing Kagura's perplexed expression.
"Oh…"
The two women headed in the other direction, towards the elevator.
"Every time we come to the mall, Rin always insists on going to the toy store with Sesshoumaru. You might not believe it, but even though he tries to act like he couldn't care less- he always ends up going with her. I think she's become more of a sister to him than he'd like to admit."
Figuring it was her right to know now that she'd been pulled into their lives, Kagura asked, "So…Rin was adopted?"
Izayoi nodded, "Sesshoumaru was walking home after work when he found her. She'd been attacked by some stray dogs and had to be taken to the hospital. Turns out she'd lost all her family and was trying to survive on the streets alone. Needless to say, after that we took her into our family, but she's always been partial to Sesshoumaru."
"It looks like Sesshoumaru has a bad habit of picking people up when they're in trouble," She remarked, thinking back to her on situation.
"I wouldn't say it's a habit. Rin and now you are the only two exceptions to his usual avoidance of humankind. As to why, I'm not even quite certain. It must just be something about you that touches his hidden heart."
Kagura blinked, "What?"
Offering the usual warm smile, Izayoi waited as they stepped out of the elevator, "I think you'll see soon enough."
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Down in the other department, the other son of the Taiyoukai family was currently in a dressing room himself; trying on clothing for the upcoming dance at his school. Waiting outside the door holding the dress she'd selected was his girlfriend Kagome.
"Come on, Inuyasha. We don't have all day…"
"Keh!" Was the only reply.
Looking over, the young girl noticed a familiar face and offered a wave in her direction.
"Hello there, Kagome. Shopping for the dance this week?" The black-haired woman asking walking over to where the girl stood.
"Oh, hello Miss Midoriko. Yeah," She rubbed the back of her head, "We're running a bit behind on getting our outfits so we're having trouble with the limited selection left."
"I figured as much. Classes this week should be a bit hectic with all the pre-dance activities. I hope no one forgets their essays are due on Thursday."
Smiling warmly at her teacher, Kagome nodded, "I'll have to make sure Inuyasha didn't forget to finish his."
"Kagome?" The young man they were just speaking of questioned, coming out of the dressing room attired in his dress shirt, slacks and a tie.
"Ah, there he is. Good morning Inuyasha. That looks quite nice on you."
He frowned lightly and hid a "keh" under his breath.
"I'm certain Kagome and you will be one of the most attractive couples at the dance. Well I'd best be going you two. Don't forget those essays."
"Goodbye, Miss Midoriko."
Inuyasha frowned, looking down at the ground.
"What? Did you forget about the essay….?" Kagome questioned on seeing his expression.
"No."
"Then what is it?"
"Kagome. This looks stupid."
"No, it looks nice."
"It's stupid."
"I said it looks nice, so you're getting it!" She retorted, her temper flaring up.
"I'm not getting something that looks stupid!"
"It matches my dress- are you saying my dress is stupid?"
"It's all stupid!"
"III-NU-YA-SHA!" The black-haired girl fumed as she leveled him with a deadly glare.
"Keh!"
"That's it! I'm getting your Mother!" She began to stalk in our direction, leaving the white-haired boy wide-eyed and scrambling after her.
"I just don't like clothes like this! You know…uh…keh…it's just annoying. Not…not you and stuff…" He mumbled.
Kagome paused then, talking a deep breath, "So- you like the clothes I picked out?"
"Well err…."
On getting closer, Izayoi spotted the two and noted her son in the clothing he was trying on.
"Oh, that's quite handsome on you, Inuyasha. Is that the one you're going with?"
Looking to the side and frowning, he muttered, "Yeah, I am."
Satisfied that the matter had been resolved, Kagome quickly pushed him back towards the fitting room.
"Okay then, get changed so you can get home and start on your essay…"
"Keh! Why do I have do it now? It's not due 'til Thursday…"
"Because every time you wait until the last minute I end up having to stay up all night trying to make sure you did it right."
Izayoi shook her head, Kagura just blinked.
"They fight like a married couple already…" The taller woman remarked.
Smile brightening, Izayoi replied, "I see you noticed too."
Once Inuyasha had changed and his clothing was handed over to his Mother, the woman headed over to the nearest checkout and let the cashier ring up all the purchases.
"Are you sure you don't want me to at least pay a little?" Kagura offered.
"I said it before, and I meant it- save that money for yourself, all right?"
All the purchases attended to, Izayoi handed some of the packages over to her son and his girlfriend, "Go on out to the car, we just have to go get Rin from the toy store and we'll be right out."
Nodding, the two walked out as Kagura followed Izayoi out into the mall itself.
After walking past several stores they finally came upon the local toy store.
"They should be in here somewhere…"
Sure enough before they so much as set foot in the place, Rin's bubbly laughter echoed off the walls.
"Sesshoumaru looks funny with that kind of hat!"
Following the voice, the two women were soon treated to the reason behind Rin's laughter.
There amongst the dress-up accessories for young girls was little Rin- floppy pink hat atop her head. And as for Sesshoumaru- he had a matching purple hat on his head, his trademark deadpan expression locked in place.
"Mom!" Rin exclaimed rushing over towards Izayoi, "Look at the pretty hats Sesshoumaru found for me!"
"I see, I see." She said, kneeling to Rin's level.
"And Sesshoumaru's got the best hat ever! It's got a pretty flower on it and some sparkles and a pretty pink ribbon!"
By this point, Kagura finally had to raise her hand over her mouth to hide the wide smile and threatening laughter there.
But on catching a glance from Sesshoumaru's eyes with her own, the words Izayoi had said to her earlier came back to mind.
"I think you'll see soon enough."
"There is…something more underneath his cold façade, isn't there?" Kagura thought to herself, then with a smile she added, "But I do have to say, that hat looks absolutely ridiculous on him."
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Preview for Chapter 12:
After returning home, it seems that Sesshoumaru and Kagura might get a better chance to know one another… that is until two uninvited house guests show up at the front door.