Hi minna! I'm back after so long, it's taking me a while because school is driving me nuts! I've got AP (Advanced Placement) World History and AP Writing (Like language arts..) and its just @.@!! But I try to write when I have free time at home and I actually got a chapter down! So! Here it is for your viewing pleasure, the seventh installment of Inuyasha: A Victorian Love Story! ^.^
(I believe this chapter is reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyy long..)
Disclaimer: Not mine…nor will it ever be…
Chapter 7: It's Just Kagome
As months went by, the weather went from hot summer days, to chillier fall days. The leaves in the trees began to change color, and the mornings were filled with a cool, crisp, feeling. Kagome loved waking up to these beautiful mornings. She gazed out of her window as she awaited Sesshoumaru's carriage…and Inuyasha. She blushed at the thought. Kagome realized that she was attracted to Inuyasha soon after the incident with the kiss. She thought that she wouldn't have done it unless there was…at least some attraction there…right? She actually enjoyed the time they spent together, however short it was. He had tried to keep up his masculine, "I hate you and want to make you miserable" attitude, but it didn't last long. Soon they had found themselves sitting quite close to each other on the carriage ride (both there and home) and trying to find ways to be around each other while Rin napped. (Inconspicuously of course)
Inuyasha would talk her to some place quiet in the house where the butlers and maids never ventured unless commanded to do so, and they would sit and talk for as long as they could or just sit in the quiet enjoying each other's company. (Or in each other's arms for that matter) But those times weren't nearly as long as the two would have liked, for Rin would wake and go passing through the halls calling for Kagome. Inuyasha would return to his old self and quickly disappear, leaving Kagome to wait in anticipation for Rin's lessons to end.
"Kagome! Your carriage is here!" Souta called from her door. Kagome quickly spun around and had slipped her gloves and bonnet on by the time Jin had the door opened. Souta stood on the doorstep to wave goodbye to her; it was something he had decided to do often.
Kagome smiled brightly when a familiar gloved hand reached out from the darkness of the carriage to help her in.
"Goodbye Kagome!" Souta called from the doorstep as the carriage drove off, his now neck-length hair blowing slightly in the wind as he waved.
"Goodbye Souta!" Kagome said from the window of the carriage.
"He looks like a little girl." Inuyasha joked with a smirk. He sat back in the seat and crossed his arms, giving Kagome a coy look.
"Oh, and you do not Mr. Ponytail to My Butt?" Kagome said, giving one of his stray locks a flick.
"No I don't." Inuyasha said as he grinned. "It makes me look even more like a man."
"An old man perhaps." She laughed. "You're just as grumpy as one too!"
When she didn't hear Inuyasha laugh along with her, she suddenly stopped. Her heart raced as she looked at him and was met with his intense, fiery gaze.
"I-Inuyasha?"
"I have something special to show you today." He said quietly.
Kagome's eyes lit up in excitement. "Really? Oh please tell me where Inuyasha!" She cried, an uncontrollable smile shone from her features.
Inuyasha turned forward and crossed his arms again. "it is a surprise. I shall not tell you what it is." He said simply. Kagome growled in desperation at his handsome profile for a moment. Finally, she reached up and released his hair from the low ponytail it was always in by stealing the small black satin ribbon and wiggling it in front of his nose. His expression changed from smug to surprise just as quickly as most of his hair had flown to cover his shoulders and most of his jacket. Kagome giggled as he tried to snatch the ribbon back as she jerked it from his grip.
"Ooi! Give that back!" He said, lunging at her.
With a laugh she jumped to the other side of the carriage and watched Inuyasha kiss the bottom of the seat. She didn't have time to jump to the other side of the carriage again because Inuyasha was up and after her again before she knew it, so she slid to the side closest to the door and watched him hit the spot where she had been sitting only moments ago.
"Hand it over!" He said as he sat up, his hair now sticking up in various places on top of his head, and most of it over his shoulders and touching the cushions.
Kagome put a gloved hand over her mouth and giggled loudly. "You look so funny!" She laughed.
"I don't see anything funny about it." Inuyasha grumbled with a small pout. Kagome inched her way over to him and delicately moved the stray hairs from his face. A small smile crept across her face.
"Come here." She said, motioning for him to sit next to her. Inuyasha looked at her warily. "Oh come on! Just sit and turn around! Or do you not want this back? " She grumbled, wiggling the silk ribbon in front of his nose.
Kagome began to wonder when they were going to reach the mansion. It seemed as though they were taking a little bit more time each day to get there. Inuyasha did not seem to notice so she didn't mention it. Suddenly the carriage came to a halt and they were rocked forward.
"Well it looks as though we have arrived." Kagome said with a sigh.
"About fucking time." Inuyasha growled. "Maybe it is me, but I think something is going on here."
Kagome's eyes widened. "Like…someone is tricking us?"
Inuyasha nodded slowly.
"Tricked? But by whom? Who would do such a-
"Shh!"
The door to the carriage was opened and Jaken stuck his head in. "We have arri-ack!" He cried when he met Inuyasha's intense gaze. It was far less scary than Sesshoumaru's, but no one messed with his temperamental half-brother. Kagome looked a little afraid, but Jaken paid no heed to her. He did find it interesting though how close Inuyasha had gotten to the girl when just minutes earlier she had sat on the other side of the carriage, far from him actually. Now he was practically on her and he no longer had his hair pulled back in a ponytail! His Lord would find this most interesting indeed also.
"Out of my way toad man." Inuyasha said as he climbed from the carriage and booted the little man into the fountain nearby, his screech filling his ears like the sound of nails on a chalkboard. Swiftly he turned and held out his hand for Kagome and was immediately blinded.
"Gah!" He cried, stumbling back. "I can't see!"
Kagome covered her mouth with a gloved hand and giggled softly. "Inuyasha don't move, I'll get it." When he froze in place, Kagome reached up and loosened the long locks from his face and let them fall back to their proper place on his back. Inuyasha blinked a couple of times before fixing an 'I told you so' look on his face. Kagome smiled sweetly and innocently and gently placed the silken ribbon in his hand and started the walk to the mansion doors by herself.
Once the door was opened and Inuyasha had caught up with her, Kagome was surprised to see Sesshoumaru standing there. Startled, she jumped back and bumped into Inuyasha.
"This came for you before you arrived. They must have thought that you were here already but were too afraid to knock. Rin is upstairs waiting." Sesshoumaru said, holding out a small white envelope to her between his index and middle fingers.
Kagome slowly took the letter and thanked him with a curtsey, and quickly bustled past him to run upstairs. She gave a quick last look back at Inuyasha and gave him a little smile. He in turn acted as though he didn't notice, but Kagome knew it was just a cover-up. She smiled to herself as she walked up the stairs that were now not giving her any trouble at all. She paused at the last picture, the picture that she had started stopping and looking at more often lately. The picture of young Inuyasha and the woman she assumed was his mother. She hadn't gotten around to asking him about it, other things kept coming up. Today would be perfect since he had wanted to talk to her or show her something anyhow. Slowly she started to continue up the stairs, but something made her stop.
Meanwhile, Inuyasha stood in front of Sesshoumaru with his hands in his pockets. He had watched Kagome leave out of the corner of his eye, making it look as though he were staring straight at Sesshoumaru when really he was watching her go. Something twinged as he saw her smile at him. No one had ever smiled at him like Kagome did. Not even Kikyo. Kikyo…he didn't want to think about her right now. Maybe later. There was something more important to handle at the moment.
"You have also gotten one Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru said, pulling another small white envelope from his jacket and holding it out to him. "Surprisingly enough."
Inuyasha snatched the envelope from his fingers and stuffed it into his jacket. "I don't know what you are planning Sesshoumaru, but you leave Kagome out of it." Inuyasha said coolly.
Sesshoumaru's expression didn't change. "I do not know what you are talking about, Inuyasha." He replied, just as cool.
"Don't play that dumb shit with me, you're not good at it! The longer carriage rides, the longer breaks, making me go get her and take her home! You've been setting me up!" Inuyasha cried, putting his finger on Sesshoumaru's chest and pressing down.
"Oooh?" Sesshoumaru said, dragging out the word. His amber eyes slowly searched down until he was looking at Inuyasha's finger. He lifted his hand and brushed it away as if it were nothing, which it really wasn't. "I do not have time to play games with you Inuyasha, if you wish to speak of this, we shall have to do it some other time."
"No! You leave Kagome out of this! What ever your plans are Sesshoumaru don't you dare involve her!"
Sesshoumaru looked at Inuyasha hard. "Why is it that you care so much for this girl, yet you are nothing more to her to me than her escort." Sesshoumaru said.
Inuyasha faltered and paused for a moment. Sesshoumaru put a hand in a pocket and used the other to slowly flick some of his hair as he turned around. "I see." He said and began walking down the hall, leaving Inuyasha hot as a Chinese firecracker. Angrily he spun on his heel and stormed outside.
*~(^`*)~ Later *~`^,()^*`~
Kagome traveled the many stairs once more. It was time for her break and she had put Rin down for her nap. Once again she paused at the portrait of little Inuyasha. He definitely did not look as secretive and troubled deep down like he did now. What happened to him to make him change so suddenly? Was it Kikyo?
"Kagome."
She turned her head from the portrait and looked to the bottom of the stairs. Inuyasha stood there waiting for her, hands in his pockets as usual. He had a smirk on his face, which made Kagome a little wary as she made her way down to him. He held out his arm and she took it, looking up at him in question. Inuyasha in turn shook his head.
"It is a surprise." He said with a goofy grin. Kagome's eyebrows shot up but she didn't say anything. He led her through the house to the living room and to two glass doors that led outside.
"Close your eyes." He whispered in her ear. She looked at him reluctantly before closing her eyes slowly. She felt him take a step forward so she followed slowly. She heard the sound of doors opening and felt the warmth of the sun on her cheeks and face. She tried to stop, but felt him continue so she followed his lead.
"Inuyasha? What are you trying to do? I want to see where we are going!" Kagome whined with a pout. Inuyasha didn't respond but just kept walking.
"Inuyashaaa!" She continued. "You're not being very fai-ah!"
"If you didn't run your mouth so much you wouldn't have tripped when I stopped." Inuyasha said with a smirk. "You can open your eyes now."
"Good because I'm going to give you a formal whack-…" Kagome's mouth fell slack and the words escaped her. She took in the scenery in silence. There was nothing but green for as far as she could see. She turned and looked to her right, seeing what looked like very large hedges that were neatly trimmed and looked as though they formed a trail.
"Inuyasha! Is…is that…a maze?" Kagome said breathlessly. Her free hand immediately went to her chest and she tried to catch her breath.
Inuyasha opened his mouth to answer when they heard someone approaching. Inuyasha spun around but relaxed suddenly. It was Miko. She curtsied slowly and averted his gaze.
"P-Please excuse me sir,…but…but I have word from…from Lord Sesshoumaru."
"Well spit it out already." Inuyasha said with an irritated, impatient sigh.
Kagome's eyebrows twitched when she saw the nervous girl flinch. She felt sorry for her.
"L-Lord…Se-Sesshoumaru says…to Lady Kagome that she does not have to return to Rin's studies this afternoon…He…is taking her out of the area for…some shopping." The timid girl said.
Inuyasha's eyes narrowed slightly and he growled to himself. Damn that Sesshoumaru! "Alright. Be gone." He growled with an impatient wave of his hand, causing the girl to quickly curtsey and scurry off.
"That poor girl." Kagome said, watching her with pity.
"She'll get over it." Inuyasha said with a nod. "Sesshoumaru likes these things."
"Things…? What things?"
"Mazes." Inuyasha said, giving her a funny look. "I guess I like them somewhat also. They remind me of home." He said, his eyes starting to glaze over a bit.
"In Japan…" Kagome said wistfully, her eyes also glazing.
Inuyasha looked down at her. She's nothing like Kikyo. He thought. When he snapped out of his stupor, Inuyasha saw that Kagome was taking off her boots.
"What are you doing?" He asked, a confused look on his face.
Kagome had found a bench and sat down. As she slipped her boots off she looked up at him. "Nothing." She said innocently.
Inuyasha looked at her thoughtfully. "It does not look like you are doing 'nothing'." He said as she stood up.
"I want to see," She said, lifting her skirts up over her ankles. "If you can catch me!" And with that she took off into the maze as fast as she could and took a right turn as soon as she saw it.
"W-Wha? O-ooi! What do you think you're doing?! You'll get lost!" He cried before taking off after her.
"Come on Inuyasha!" Kagome cried, looking over her shoulder. "Surely I am not too fast for you!"
"Keh! I could catch you with my eyes closed!" Inuyasha shot back, darting to the left and bursting through a wall.
Kagome laughed loudly and kept running. Soon she slowed down as she heard the trickling sound of water. "A fountain!" She cried happily, and slipped into the next trail turning on the right. She looked behind her and didn't see Inuyasha. She smirked to herself.
"I told you Inuyasha!" She laughed. "You will never catch me-aahhh!"
Inuyasha popped from one of the alls and just appeared right in front of her. She tried to stop but she didn't have a chance of being able to successfully turn around and flee from him again.
Inuyasha opened his arms wide and caught Kagome as she slammed into him with a stupid grin on his face. He steadied himself as the impact threw them back.
"Welcome home Honey!" He cried, tightening his grip on her. "Oh how I missed you so!"
"Oh let go of me you lummox!" Kagome said, pushing him away and trying to hide her smile. "Now where are we?"
"Close to the middle of the maze I suppose." Inuyasha said with a jerk of his head to the left. "If we go that way, we'll get to the middle, and to that fountain you were just so eager to reach. (Kagome blushed) And if we go the other way, it just goes deeper into the maze and eventually to the forest…there are also one of many exits that way."
"I would like to see the fountain." Kagome said quietly. Inuyasha took her hand and started leading her toward the fountain. When Kagome looked up at him she covered her mouth with her free hand and giggled quietly. She felt his hand squeeze hers slightly and she blushed.
Soon they rounded a corner and the fountain came into view. Inuyasha led her to the front of the sparkling fountain and let her hand go. Kagome's breath left her again as the water flowed in shining droplets from the petrified fish's mouth and into the flattened pool under it. She sat down on the stone bench in front of it and sighed happily, closing her eyes. When she opened them Inuyasha was looking at her. She couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips. She laughed so hard that her sides ached as she gulped for air against the tight corset.
"What is so funny?" Inuyasha said, raising an eyebrow.
"Y-You!" She cried, gasping for air. "You…you look as though you were severely beaten by a tree! There are so many leaves in your hair!"
Inuyasha did not seem to find this as funny as Kagome did, but leaned backward and gazed into his reflection in the water. Immediately he began swatting leaves from his head and shoulders.
Kagome calmed down shortly after he began, and started feeling silly for laughing at him.
"Come here, I'll help." She said, patting the empty spot next to her. Inuyasha gave her a look and continued to swat at the relentless leaves.
"Inuyasha! Get over here and sit so I can help you. I'm sorry for laughing at you, so you could at least give me the benefit of the doubt and let me make it up to you!" Kagome demanded. Inuyasha hmphed but walked over to the bench and sat next to her anyway with his back to her.
"That's better." She said as she began picking leaves from his hair. She slowly untied the ribbon and immediately his hand shot up and snatched it from her fingers.
"Well!" Kagome said indignantly, but continued.
Soon Kagome found Inuyasha's head in her lap and she was no longer picking the leaves from his hair, but slowly running her fingers from the top of his head to the back rather. Without words they sat this way, each in their own thoughts.
"Inuyasha…?"
"Hmn."
"…." She hesitated. Was this the right time to ask? Would it ever be? Did she have the right to ask him this?
"The portrait…near the top of the stairs…is that you and your mother?"
Inuyasha didn't respond, but just stared up at the sky. His face showed no emotion and Kagome held her breath. Was he going to get angry and yell at her?
"Yes. That is my mother." Inuyasha said quietly.
"It's very nice…" Kagome said. "She's beautiful."
"Yes…she was…she would appreciate something like that coming from someone like you…" He said wistfully.
"Was..?"
Inuyasha sighed quietly. "She died."
Kagome's stomach churned and her heart clenched. "Oh…Inuyasha…I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to…"
"No..it's ok." Inuyasha said. "I…was too young to really remember."
Kagome put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry…I shouldn't have said anything."
Inuyasha placed his hand over hers and sat up, holding hers in his.
"Listen Kagome," He said searching her eyes. "It's really ok. I know she wouldn't want me to feel sad every day." Freeing one of his hands he placed it slowly on her cheek.
"Inuyasha…" Kagome whispered breathlessly, leaning into his touch and closing her eyes. When she opened them she found Inuyasha staring into her eyes with an almost glazed look. She quickly turned her head and blushed. It dimmed when she thought she heard a stifled chuckle from behind her and felt fingers on her chin. Slowly her head was turned and she smiled a small smile as he smirked. Kagome's eyes widened as Inuyasha began leaning in closer to her. Kagome's eyes widened as Inuyasha began leaning in closer to her. Was this going to be her first kiss? I…I've never kissed anyone before! What would her mother say? What would Seshoumaru say if he hadn't left yet and just happened to stumble upon them? Sango would be thrilled! She couldn't wait to tell Sango about it…but it had to happen first.
Kagome closed her eyes and began to lean forward also, her heart racing against her chest. This was it! She hoped it was going to be magical even though she knew it was wrong to be doing this. She barely knew Inuyasha…let alone trusted him, and he her….plus they hadn't even made anything official yet! But it was going to happen, and Kagome wasn't going to stop it.
Inuyasha was so close now that she could feel the heat from his face radiating from it. She was ready, really ready, it was all coming together
when-
FLOP!
"Eh?" Kagome's eyes blinked open and she backed away suddenly as something fell into her lap. Inuyasha blinked also and followed Kagome's gaze. The small envelope that Sesshoumaru had given him had fallen from his jacket and onto Kagome's lap.
"Oh! You got one too?!" Kagome said, holding the small envelope up. "I haven't been able to open mine yet."
"Keh, Sesshoumaru shoved it into my face after you left…I haven't been able to open it either." He said, crossing his arms.
The potential of the kiss long forgotten, Kagome sat up straighter and clapped her hands together. "Well open it now! Come on Inuyasha!" She cried, eyes shining. She placed the envelope in his hands.
Inuyasha tore open the top of the envelope and pulled out a piece of stationary with pretty purple and yellow flowers around the boarders.
"That is Sango's stationary!" Kagome cried.
Inuyasha blinked at her and then back at the card before reading it. It read:
You are cordially invited toSango Takeshi's Ball on
The Twenty-First of October at Nine O'clock
Wear a mask if it deems appropriate for youSango
Kagome's eyes were as large as dinner plates. She was practically on top of him, her hands close to her chest with her fists clenched tight and her mouth agape. Inuyasha carefully slipped the invitation back into the envelope. He turned his head to say something to Kagome when-
"AIIIEEEEEEEEE!" Kagome cried, her arms shooting straight up and above her head, sending Inuyasha flying off of the bench and into the fountain with a loud SPLASH.
"I can't believe Sango is having a Ball!" Kagome squealed happily. She frowned as water droplets splashed onto her face and she turned around blinking curiously at the fountain. She gasped in shock when she saw Inuyasha sprawled out and soaking wet inside of the fountain pool with his arms and legs draping over the sides. His once fluffy soft hair now dripped and drooped in tangled strings across his shoulders and chest. The fish was spurting the train of water constantly over his eyes soggily and Kagome cringed.
"Inuyasha…I am so sorry!" Kagome cried, jumping up and rushing to his side. She carefully touched a soggy shoulder and brushed his bangs from his face. "Inuyasha?"
"Kagome…" Inuyasha said softly.
"Y-Yes?"
"I fear I shall have to get you back!" He cried. Suddenly he had her by the shoulders and was dragging her into the pool of icy cold water. Kagome screeched loudly as the water hit her delicate skin and clung to Inuyasha like a frightened child. He gently pushed her off and roared with laughter as she splashed loudly as she landed on her bottom.
"You…You look like…like a wet cat!" He laughed, holding onto his sides and splashing about as he rolled.
"Oh…is that so?" Kagome said. As fast as she could muster in this situation she pushed Inuyasha's head under water and took off through the maze, this time making her own shortcuts by bursting through the hedges and sometimes back tracking and following the trail so he would not find her. She was caught only moments after.
Later that night Kagome had to explain to her mother why she was wearing different clothes.
A/N: Ahhh! That feels good to FINALLY get his chapter done! I'm really sorry it took me so long you guys, but school has really been ragging on me! And next week we've got ITEDS! (these statewide tests for high school students ::sigh::) It's all a bunch of hooey I tell you! Well anyway, I'm in the process of writing the next chapter and hopefully things wont ever take this long to get done, I'll try to work quicker I promise! Please review! I don't think I'm going to do the response to reviews this time because I'm already running late (neeeed sleeeeeeeeeeeeeep) and I just KNOOOWW how you've just been antsy for me to get the next chapter out. I will catch up on those later ok! I would like to celebrate IY: AVLS on getting 100 reviews! ::streamers and confetti fall from the sky:: yay! Well…ja! I must go now…need to work on chapter 8…
I would also like to thank Aylee the Dragon for giving me Legolas! I still have him Aylee-chan and since no one has asked…I'm not handing him over to anybody! ::glomps Legolas and clings to him rubbing her cheek against his manly elfy chest:: mahhhhh ::melt, swoon, heart eyes::
Baii!
Nekomon