I FINALLY FINISHED IT! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!
Oh, I'm happy with this chapter. Longest one I have ever written. And personally, I think it is the best writing I've ever had. Eh, gonna be overcome soon anyway. Especially by the third story... It is very evil. And dark for that matter.
I've been in Drivers Ed. Someone in our class made Mailbox de flambé. Twas hilarious.
Disclaimer - (So, last time was a little random, but admit, you liked it. Or at least the line about Kaede being a 20-something year old in a fat suit. Well, I'm sure no one really cares that I didn't actually finish the normal craziness of the disclaimer, so we're just gonna party today... sort of)
Inuyasha- No
Kagome- Please?
Sesshy- No
Love Music- She didn't ask you
Kagome- Not that you're moving either
Love Music- Shut up
Shard- Someone change the channel
(It seems that our 'heroes' are experiencing what I call Summer Vacation Bummerdom. It's what happens when you embrace your couch and become one with the TV remote)
KZ- We're supposed to be having a party!
KPK- They seem to be having a good time (points to Felix fighting with Stitch (Lilo and Stitch))
KZ- Yeah, well, they're weird
Sango- It took you that long to figure it out?
KZ- oh shut up
Shippou- C'mon guys, get up, I'm bored
Inuyasha- (grabs Shippou and punts him across the room)
Kagome- Inuyasha, sit!
... (crickets chirp)...
Stalking Chicken- Well this is interesting
Koga- A lot more interesting than watching Auntie Martha in a cookathon! (he speaks of the TV)
Kagome- oh dear
Inuyasha- (lounging on a couch) (chuckles)
Kagome- why isn't it working!
Kaede- I don't give a shit
Miroku- Aren't you a smart mouth today?
Morobuku (most likely his final appearance!)- Where'd smart mouth come from?
Inuyasha- (looks at Kagome and points at couch) I'm insulated!
Kagome- (jumps onto couch, sending Inuyasha airborne, and before he falls back to the couch...) SIT!
WHAMO!
Sanga- Now that's a hole
Inuyasha- (made hole in couch) ow...
KPK- We just bought that couch! My mom'll kill me!
Strawberry- Hey...
Sesshy- What?
Strawberry- Where's Felix?
(Everyone looks around)
Shippou- Oh no
(Roof is suddenly torn off house by giant robotic pink butterfly of DOOM! Powered by the Felix)
KPK- Is there no end!
KZ- (takes out flame thrower apathetically) I doubt it
(And as you can imagine, everyone has a nightmare of a time trying to gain control of a certain crazy Felix. Until next Disclaimer, later.
-KPK)
CHAPTER 35 - The Beauty and the Beast
Kagome eyed herself critically in the full-length mirror to her front. Something was the matter, or was missing, or whatever, but she didn't know what. Her dress seemed fine, it's white silk shimmering in it's curving folds to meet the turns of her body. It was such a glamorous thing; once her mother's at her wedding reception, when she had changed into the dress for the dancing time. It was bound to be unseen at the Winter Dance within the hour, with it actually having long sleeves. Its crimson lace sprouting from the shoulder attachment, it gave the illusion that from her heart would bloom love for all eternity into its depths, the way the lace curled and eventually was lost in the white of the forearm.
That was the right sleeve.
The other was quite a different story. From what Ms. Higurashi had told her daughter, the dress had had identically arm covers on both sides when she was at the wedding and began to dance her father. But then something occurred. Ituchi, Kagome's father, his father had drank a large quantity of sake that night, in the essence that his only son had not proceeded to wed a wealthy family and instead married a girl from a shrine, a woman that would present nothing of value in his mind to his family or pocketbook. The alcohol had risen to well beyond that of a sufficient driver, and he had gotten up, and shoved her to the ground. "You're nothing but a shrine whore!" he had yelled at her, before ripping the white sleeve off of her arm, leaving only the remnants of the lace. "You're just like every other woman in this world without money; good for only bearing kids and raising 'em! And not only could a damn woman never get a job, but you've got no money! I should-" And that was when Ituchi had punched his father in the jaw.
Kagome remembered seeing the home video of the entire happening. Even though many men and women of Japan still had that ideal in their mind, that women are next to nothing, every last person in that wedding reception lost it that night. Especially when Ituchis' mother did not help her husband up, poured her sake on his face, and later re-sew Yanayai's red lace. It was almost like a signal that on one side of love there is the lover who will be there fully for one, and on the other side of the lover there shall be the supporters and the haters. (KPK- that made no sense)
It was a lovely dress. Kagome knew that for sure. Her shoes matched perfectly; both flat heeled colored crimson with snow. Everything was in place; corsage, necklace, Inuyasha's bracelet... it was beautiful. It was rare that the miko would even say that what she was wearing was truly glamorous, leading to the point of how imposing the outfit was. But something still didn't feel right. Not complete. 'What's missing?' she thought while scanning over her attire and grabbing her purse. 'Did I forget something?'
"Wow, it's just a pretty as you said!" Sango burst into the room and slammed the door behind her quickly, almost catching her dress, to examine her friend. "And that lace! Ooooh, I wonder what it's made of."
"To think," Kagome began nonchalantly, her eyelids sliding halfway down. "At this time a few months ago you wouldn't have cared a bit about appearance and would've been slaughtering demons with Hirikotsu."
A blood vessel popped upon the youkai exterminator's head. "Shut it. Your time's done this to me, so blame yourself."
"You mean my time."
"Yeah."
Kagome smiled to herself at her friend's almost idiocy. Although she knew that if Sango was dropped back into Sengoku Jidai that within minutes she'd be back her normal disposition, one still wondered what it would be like during those few minutes.
A knock on the door caught them both by surprise, but not extreme. Kagome calmed herself down and called. "Who is it?"
"Naena, little lord of insanity."
"Ah. Come on in," she called back. Sango neared her friend's ear and whispered "Lord of insanity on caffeine, that is."
The two snickered.
"Oh, that is pretty," Naena said while shutting the door behind him and walking over to Kagome's side. "And the silk is so clean! This must have only barely ever been used."
"Yep, that's true." The miko replied, fingering her necklace of the Orb of Souls. "My mom only wore it at her wedding reception, and that was the only time."
"Well, I do admit that the dress is gorgeous," he admitted silently. "But that bracelet kinda steals the show."
"Eh?" Both Sango and the miko were rather startled at this. "But this dress is so amazing, how could this bracelet over power it?"
"Well, my opinion at least is that although the dress is great and looks like it was made to be worn by you, the bracelet looks like it was destined to be worn by you. Almost as if the jewels were waiting to be dug from the ground so that they could hang on your wrist. I'm not sure why, but they just kind of do."
"Probably it's because Inuyasha gave them to you," Sango chimed in.
"Well..." She just wasn't sure about that; was that even possible? It was true, Kagome loved Inuyasha with all of her being, but how could that be? A dress that almost signified what their love was, being over powered by a gift? "I'm not sure."
"Maybe it's because the bracelet is a different color, I dunno. Anyway, just came up here to wish you guys happy... uh, happy... happy dancing?" Naena began to scratch his head. "No, that doesn't sound right. Whatever, you get what I'm saying. Good luck." Without another word he left the room.
"Well, that was a random visit," Sango sighed, sitting down slowly on her friend's bed to avoid wrinkling her dress. Its satin dark blue color resonated her personality deep within, with a simple design of square straps upon the top and a large lace shawl underneath the dress. Leaving from the empty sleeves, the lace was both black and white and everything in between, pure mixed in with taint and darkness. Twas amazing, in Kagome's mind, how it seemed that they chose to where dresses, and nearly all clothing, that reflected who they were. (KPK- I repeat, I is confused ever so slightly)
- -
It was all Inuyasha could do from ripping the damn tuxedo from his body to turn it into confetti. The neck collar was practically choking him, his legs and upper body were confined in small containments of annoying cloth, and no matter what he did the cuff links would not go into place. "Damn this damn thing..."
" Oh, calm down, Inuyasha," Miroku taunted with his entire outfit complete and spiffed. "It's not that bad... or hard."
"Shut it monk," The white haired hanyou growled. Why the hell did people in Japan have to go and try to wear this crap from Europe and the west! It made him as uncomfortable as anything ever had, and he felt as if he was trying to walk through cement it was so confining. He had no problem with everyday clothes; he usually wore very loose items that, although were not as good as his red hakama and such, were at least not bad. 'This is worse than shit!'
He couldn't take it anymore. Inuyasha yanked and ripped all of the stifling clothes off of him, immediately remembering what air was. He slumped back onto his bed and attempted to restrain from willing the black and white mess. He had learned that in this time; usually holding in you anger and then letting it bottle up and releasing it in a positive way (gym class) was a good plan.
"You do realize you're gonna have to pay for that?"
"I said, shut it, Miroku."
"No. You said 'shut it monk'"
Wrong answer for dear lecher, who just gained himself a nice bump on the head. Hey, Inuyasha didn't have gym class right then, did he?
"YEOW, Jeez, I was kidding..."
- - -
Ms. Higurashi, recently off her coffee high, picked up the ringing telephone. "Moshi Moshi, Higurashi residence, may I help you?"
"Yes, may I talk to Inuyasha?"
"Of course. May I ask who is calling?"
"Tell him it's Chiaki."
Kagome's mother knew that name all too well. But, she had to continue with her polite duties to a caller, besides, she wouldn't believe if suddenly the people living in the house had switched. "One moment, please."
"'Kay."
Ms. Higurashi quickly made her way to the room Inuyasha was in, currently, when she heard a ripping sound from behind the door, and a loud hit upon a skull. 'Miroku and his big mouth...'
She knocked quickly on the door. "Inuyasha, you have a phone call."
When the door did open, she could tell Inuyasha was hiding from the apparent lack of clothing on his skin, for the tux was on the floor in tatters. Thank goodness it was a rental. (KPK- if it wasn't, they wouldn't have to pay money for it though) Miroku however stepped up to the door and took the phone from the flustered woman. "Thanks, I'll give it to him."
"Thank you Miroku. And Inuyasha, don't forget that it'll be time to go in about forty five minutes." Yanayai heard a grumble from where she knew the desk was, but left without another word. Miroku walked over to where Inuyasha was pinned against the desk and handed him the phone. "For you."
The Hanyou snatched up the phone and pressed it to his ear. "Yeah, this is Inuyasha."
"INUYASHAAA!- - - -" (The rest of the screaming as too loud and quick for him to hear or understand)
"Hi, Chiaki." He responded in a nonchalant and annoyed tone.
- - -
"Hi, Chiaki," Kagome heard from the phone speaker. Her mother had bolted up the stairs and told her to get onto the phone to listen in on the conversation. It was on speaker phone with no voice return.
"Wow, he certainly sounds thrilled to hear her annoying voice..." Sango said aloud, simply stating the obvious to those if it was unknown.
"Oh, I'm so happy I got everything ready for our date and everything! My dress is so pretty and-"
"Damn it Chiaki, you are such a numbskull. How many times do I have to tell you, I want to be with Kagome!"
"Oh you don't mean that."
"She doesn't take no for an answer does she?" Shippou asked to no one in particular. "She'll do great in the business world..."
"No, I do mean it! You and your little group just can't take no for an answer when a guy doesn't want to date you, huh! Prob'ly 'cause they all give in after the second try. Hate to break it to ya but I'm in love with Kagome and it is serious. I don't plan on ever letting any other guy let a single hand on her (and they had BETTER not) and not a single girls' hand on me, got it!"
It was silent for what seemed like forever on the other side of the phone. Impatience began to grow within the hanyou and those in Kagome's room, wondering if Chiaki would ever understand. Ironic, the one they all disliked the most was in truth the one they were all waiting on with all of their attention.
"Oh..."
A wave of relief hit all those listening. Not his words, but the meaning of his words were finally getting into her mind. Taken long enough. "Yeah, 'oh' is right. So would you stop trying to glom yourself onto me already!"
The hush on the other line engulfed the phone to Inuyasha's ear. Chiaki felt as if the gears inside a section her mind that had stopped turning so long ago had began to disturb their dust, realization hitting in the face as hard as rock. "Oh my god.. I mean, oh my- holy crap! What the hell have I been doing!" In her bright pink dress, her hands slipped over her cheeks in embarrassment. "What have I been doing! What have I become!" She looked down, with tears slipping from their holders and onto the fabric. She gasped in self disgust. "And what the hell am I wearing! Ugh, this dress is hideous! It's so freakin' pink I could blind myself if I look at it any longer!"
Her tears slowly turned into laughs and giggles, mocking of her idiocy. "Oh my god, I've been such a baka..." She continued to laugh at herself before sighing to get control of herself. "What on earth happened to me! It's like I completely turned into some kind of... some kind of... What's the word I'm thinking of?"
"Bitch?" Kagome muttered under her breath, sending hoots of laughter into the room.
Inuyasha was still trying to get a hold of the current situation. "Um... bitch?"
"Eh, good enough. Oh my god, I'm so sorry, Inuyasha. I just... ick. Could you apologize to Kagome for me?"
"Uh..." Inuyasha was barely understanding what the hell was going on. "O... kay..."
"Thank you. Oi, I have got to get out of this gaudy pink dress before my eyes explode. Bye!"
Inuyasha turned the phone off, sitting down on the nearby bed. "That was the strangest conversation I've ever had with someone..."
"Over the phone," Miroku added indiscreetly, as in comment of the 'unusual conversations' he would have periodically in Sengoku Jidai.
"Yeah, on the phone."
"Speaking of which," the monk continued with a smirk. "You might want to call up another Tuxedo place in the next few minutes to get another tuxedo."
The hanyou scoffed at his friends idiocy. "Like hell I am. There is no way I'm wearin' one of those things."
"Well, I don't think you want to go the dance in only boxers after it took you, probably, MONTHS, to ask Kagome if she wanted to go with you."
He had a rather strong point. Grumbling Inuyasha went to the closet to see what all he actually had that would fit to this occasion, and it wasn't too good. Most of the 'formal' wear that he had was strictly full Japanese culture, and from what he had picked up, that wasn't a strong choice for this night. "There's gotta be more than this in here!" he growled at the closet, down on his haunches and searching through the bottom and rack of the clothing confinement.
Miroku laughed inside his head, not daring the idea of getting a black eye just before the dance. He had been told, by Kagome and others from this era, that this 'dance' thing was about the equivalent of the American Prom. He, being confused as to what a prom was, did some searching on the internet to come up with quite a bit of things. Some of which that he did not understand what something like that would have to do with a prom.
In any case, Miroku had come across an American High School site with pictures of a prom. All of the decorations, lights, almost enigma of the situation seemed entrancing and wonderful, adding to the night that one should be with the one they wish to be with for life.
He then discovered that most couples in America broke up after school ended a week after prom to go to college. That was a disappointment.
The sound of the doorbell reminded our lecher of the upcoming occurrences. He listened as Ms. Higurashi opened the door and was greeted with the sounds of Ayumi, Hojo, and Yuka coming inside the shrine. Miroku rolled his eyes at his clothing-searching friend, and stepped out the door. "I'm going to go greet everyone and such. I'll leave you to your apparel crisis."
"Shut up, pervert."
Miroku smirked, closing the door and heading over to his friends. "Hey, guys. Got here kinda early, don't you think?"
"Well..." Ayumi looked down at the floor as she wrapped an arm around her chest. "Yuka, Hojo, and I were all getting ready at my house when the heating died. So... we just kinda got fixed up in a total of five minutes to get over here."
"It can't be that cold outside, could it?" Miroku pondered aloud, walking towards the kitchen to look out the window.
"Are you kidding? There's over two feet of snow out there and growing," Hojo exclaimed, shivering the last bits of the wintry chill from his body.
Sure enough, the monk gazed out the pane of glass to see most of the ground covered in white fluff. Snow flakes spiraled idly to the ground, blithely and carefree.
From up above Miroku heard the opening and closing of Kagome's bedroom door, leading to the footsteps of Sango and Kagome heading towards the stairs. Inuyasha heard this as well, ignoring it afterward to dig out a shirt to wear with the recently discovered pants and shoes.
The two women quickly stepped down the steps, dresses catching the air and chasing after them. Well, basically. Kagome did this all the way through, while Sango did halfway before sliding down the railing.
"Oh wow..." Ayumi and Yuka were flabbergasted by their friends' beautiful dresses. They were each so lovely in appearance, and also in depth of personality. They matched flawlessly with their wearers. Like watching two beauties of body and soul flow down the stairs. "You two look great..."
"Eh, I still feel like I'm missing something..." Kagome pondered aloud once more. It was intangible, that was definite, as for what was not there.
"What are you talking about; you're beautiful!" Yuka exclaimed, running over to her friend to thoroughly inspect the dress. "I looked all over town and never saw a dress in this kind of design... Where did you get it?"
"Oh, my mother sewed it for her wedding reception. Guess you can't really buy one anywhere. Sorry."
Both Ayumi and her travel companion looked disappointed. "Oh, I see..." they said in unison. Just at the moment a knock on the door announced Eri's arrival, which Ms. Higurashi rushed to answer. "Girls, you look wonderful as you are. And I'd be happy to make a dress for either of you for sometime if you'd like... Good evening Eri."
"Good evening, Ms. Higurashi." The girl bowed respectfully before stepping inside the shrine and removing her shoes. Once she had the house slippers upon her feet, Eri flew over to her friends. "Wow, you guys look fantastic!"
"Not really..." Kagome muttered to herself, still mentally checking things off in her mind about what she might of forgotten. Uncompleted in some fashion, she sighed, saddened by her inability to detect the flaw. 'I guess I can't win them all...'
The group began to chat for a bit of time, before they were all set to go, jackets on and purses in hand, waiting for the finishing up hanyou. It had taken a while to find a decent and unwrinkled shirt and tie, digging through a large amount of things he had no idea could even fit in a closet, but finally found one. Getting the door knocked upon from time to time didn't help his anxiousness to get going.
Miroku was beginning to get a little frustrated. He hit the door to their room soundly, letting it resonate throughout the hallway. "Inuyasha, are you almost done yet?"
"Yeah, one more second..." He returned, finishing his latest attempt to make a knot with the tie that wasn't going to kill him. He was thankful for the unexpected new moon, for he doubted that wearing a baseball hat at this type of festivity wouldn't be too good.
Once again the tie came out completely abysmal. In his frustration he yanked it from it's place around his neck, then casting it aside on the floor. He didn't need a tie, did he?
Quickly putting the necklace for Kagome in his pocket and grabbing his shoes, he headed out the door.
"That took a while..." Shippou commented rather loudly. In return, a loudly executed lump was placed on his head. "Owie..."
"Shut it runt."
Ayumi pulled her friend over to her for whispering range. "I have one word to say."
"Huh?"
"Yummy."
Kagome blushed before looking away from the hanyou for a moment. She had to admit, he was dressed rather... attractive. She had kind of assumed the traditional tuxedo would end up as smithereens on the floor, but she wasn't expecting something like that.
Khakis around his legs, he had a navy blue button down shirt that was tucked in, seams hidden behind the belt. But being the one used to casual clothing, he had the top two buttons undone for 'air', as he had dubbed his need for clothing room, giving him all the 'air' he needed. Thus taking a bit of air away from Kagome's lungs.
"Uh-uh... that looks... nice," she managed to roll from her tongue.
"Keh." As usual, he brushed off the compliment, swiftly walking over to the front door and putting on his shoes. As soon as he slid the door open, the rest of the party took hold of their coats and shawls, and followed the unaffected usually white haired teen. (KPK- I thought you said it was a new moon. Make up your mind!)
Kagome wanted heat desperately, thus sending her bolting after Inuyasha and clinging to his sleeve. "I-i-it's so c-c-cold...!"
"You're gonna make me trip like that, wench."
She was not too happy with that name being resurrected. "No I won't, Inu-tan!"
He grumbled some unheard rebuttal before Kagome, now rather aggravated, stepped a little farther apart from him. She was gripping herself across her chest as if she was trying to rip out her arms, attempting not to be faded by the icy weather and snow. Sure, she liked winter, but not with these clothes on.
A sudden arm wrapped around her and pulled her back to where she stepped away from. "You're gonna freeze like that..."
A shiver resonated down the miko's spine, but not of cold. Quite the opposite, really. Once the blush on her cheeks leveled out, Kagome's arm circled around Inuyasha's body in following order. "Thanks."
"No problem."
Yuka quickly leaned over to Ayumi in a hushed tone. "Aww, so cute; the beauty and the beast."
Once done snickering, "Well, I wouldn't really say he's a beast, would you?"
"Yes I would: a sexy beast." (Had to put that one in for Stalking Chicken)(KPK- (rolls on ground in laughter))
Yuka got a solid elbow in the ribs for that remark.
- - -
"This is what a dance is...?" Inuyasha asked in monotone to decipher the reason that the event before him was quite the opposite of what he had thought it would be. So much of the school class all randomly jumping and moving about, attempting to get moving to the obnoxiously loud beat, lights flashing everywhere, and so many different scents and smells that he wished his nose could fall off. "This thing...?" Even as a human, his senses were still heightened. He really wished that at this moment that was not so.
"I have to admit, it isn't what I expected..." Sango quietly said, her hesitant self not straying too far from the entrance they just went through. Miroku nodded in concurrence; it was much more extreme than anticipated.
Kagome rubbed her forehead. "Well, I guess it really is a little over the top..."
Lyrics in the music most of the school was 'dancing to' suddenly started going in a direction that the hanyou didn't like. "What did that singer just say...?" his claws were ready, only that his claws weren't present.
"Ignore it," Kagome told him while walking over to one of the many tables on the other side of the vast Dance complex. "Let's just sit down and wait for something else to come on..."
Eri and Hojo had already left to join the dancing, thus leaving only the rest of the group to sit down. The table was preset with dining and silverware for the upcoming dinner, the constitutional chopsticks on side with the American insane utensils. Inuyasha never did understand why so many countries needed so many utensils to do the exact same thing that chopsticks could do. Or how their way of manners were so askew: such as that if you burped in America you would have to say 'sumimasen' (Excuse me) even though people around you would still think that the burped was rude and disgusting, when any moron can tell another that that is a sign that the food was enjoyed and is a compliment to the one who cooked it. The world was insane, at least the western world was, in Inuyasha's eyes. (KPK- ENOUGH WITH THE CULTURE LESSONS! (slams KZ's face in))
Looking at the buffet tables nearby, Kagome could tell distinctly that it was all cheap food, meant originally to be an appetizer but served as full meal ready. She didn't fully care one way or the other, for her stomach sufficed with what it held.
The miko turned around back at the table to witness Inuyasha growling in disgust. Fists clenched, he growled through a grinding mouth, "What do you want...!"
Kagome whirled around to the other side of where she had been to see Waroko, complete in the American fashion. He wore a tailored tuxedo, white top against the black legs, thus intending the attention to go to his chest and face. An egotistic move that many could not see through, though yet again, Kagome Higurashi was not like many teenage girls. "Can I help you, Waroko?" She said in monotone, in attempt not to spur the half demons' aggression any more than needed.
"Wanna dance?" The boy clenched his fist except his thumb to point at both himself and dance floor as invitation.
"No."
"Inuyasha, I have a mouth, and I can use it."
"No."
"Let her answer, idiot."
"No, jack ass."
Sango let her fist find its way to her face.
"Inuyasha, just let me say it, okay!"
"No!"
A sudden hand latched onto the persistent Waroko's ear, and started dragging him away. Kagome watched in silence as , dressed in nothing but normal jeans and a sweat shirt, Chiaki dragged her problem away.
Waroko was one to protest, naturally. "WHAT THE- HEY, YEOW- LEMME GO!"
"No."
"I JUST WANNA DANCE WITH -"
"No."
"WHY ARE YOU SUCH A BI-"
"Watch it, boy."
It was a weird feeling, one of a combination that a being not usually experienced that the miko did now; shock and gratitude. She shook her head to reinstate her vision, for yes, she did just see what she did. "Talk about a change of heart..." (KPK- try change in dimensions. Am I on the right planet?)
"That bastard comes close to you like that again and I'm-"
"Gonna sharpen Tetsusaiga on him, we know!" the rest of the group resounded in unison. It was only after did they all realize it and burst into laughter, excluding Inuyasha of course. Fur ruffled, the half demon crossed his arms across his chest in utter annoyance. Not far after in appearance was the ever infamous pout face. 'Humor is in the eye of the beholder...' he fumed within his mind, retching at his predictability.
"Oh, come on, Inuyasha," Kagome soothed, quickly calming down from the outburst. She 'jumped' over next to him in her chair, making loud screeching noises in the process. "It was funny. And you know you were about to say it, so don't try to pout and deny it."
"Keh, I wasn't gonna say that."
One of the miko's eyebrows arched, retribution of his snide remark. "Oh really. Then what were you gonna say?"
The half demon stuttered and faltered over his own words, desperately trying to grip onto his brain to get into working gear. Wasn't happening. Not so much was it that her question had caught him off guard; he had thought of her rebuttal the moment he ended his last sentence and a way to fight back. But it was the way she asked it, with such confidence that would have surly knocked him to the floor had he been standing. A twinge in his chest that was inescapable or explainable, he had only one phrase to speak of which he could muster. Or in other words; He melted.
"I (ahem), uh... um, I wanted..." His eyes drifted down to her patiently waiting irises, face still in it's confident and strong force. Inuyasha felt a bead of sweat form near his temple and slip down his face, sign of his tension. There was a different side of her that he had no idea could be so powerful over him, so confident that it could remove him from his pedestal of confidence. The gentle features of her face, those that won him over so long ago, touching him to know that there were a reason or two not to go to the world beyond, now showed such strength and power to thus make his true weakened state when he was so deep in love.
The fact that her power amplified her beauty? Perhaps that was the reason he could barely stand, er... sit, in place next to Kagome Higurashi. Her tenacity over time to remove his walls brick by brick, exploiting her feelings to others to only let herself become a kinder and stronger person, his mind was confused by the thoughts speeding through every red-light of neurons. So, he blurted out what he wanted to keep secret. "I wanted to say you look beautiful."
Kagome held the air in her lungs while letting the heat from her heart flutter up to her face. Ignoring the rest of those at the table and their sounds and/or remarks, her eyes were glued to the human for a night. (KPK- lost me again)
His gaze upon hers was unwavering and strong, a deep sort of stare that was rarely ever seen from anyone of the modern day. So caught up in wants and expectations, many he and all have seen are the longing looks of not love, but attemptive. His was not so; his was a gaze of pure longing and love, one that promised her that he would give her his life if need be, proven time over and over again in the past.
"Um..." Kagome was the one to break from their silence. "I'm gonna.. go get some... uh... FOOD! Yeah, I'm gonna go get food..." she rolled over her tongue, stepping out of her chair and tripping over her own foot. A quick recovery hid her embarrassment, letting her walk off graciously to the interesting assortment of food.
"Indeed, I think I'm rather hungry myself," Miroku chimed in, setting off the chain reaction of leaving the table to retrieve food. But as Sango and Miroku got up to the long stretch of wood before them, Kagome had already finished and was walking back to the table with a suspicious looking salad.
The two ignored it, knowing that before the night was over Inuyasha and Kagome would talk. Sango moved down the line, and when she was about to pour herself a glass of punch, Yuka's arm stopped hers. "Trust me, you don't want to do that."
"Huh?" The exterminator was rather confused. "Why don't I? You're supposed to drink this, right?"
"Not with it spiked, you don't," she said nonchalantly while handing her one of the available water bottles.
"Spiked?"
It was at this moment Eri decided to pop out of nowhere. "It's when senior classmen add American beer to the punch to give it a 'spike'. Got it from America, ironically."
Miroku then spat out the sip of punch in his mouth and poured the rest of the drink into the nearby wastebasket.
- - -
Sitting quietly at the table, most of its occupants were out on the dance floor raving their feet to the feel of music. Leaving a certain four people rather bored. "I still don't know why someone would move like that to this kind of a song." Sango muttered quietly, shaking her head in amazement.
"Yeah, well, more power to 'em," a transformed half demon retorted. " I wouldn't be caught dead out there with something like this looking that dumb. Damn, it's like most of the people out there aren't even trying to dance; they're just trying to advertise or something."
"Advertise what?" Miroku was one to ponder aloud.
"Their bodies, baka."
The monk's attention was instantly grabbed.
Until the beat of the song ended, replaced with one that Kagome knew very well. She watched as a large bit of the people on the dance floor left to sit down, leaving only a handful preparing for the well known slow song.
As instinct she grabbed Inuyasha's hand and dragged him onto the floor, standing right in front of her. "Kagome, what're you doing? I can't dance!" he whispered fiercely at her.
"Here, I'll set you up," she said, hoping the lyrics wouldn't start soon. "You take my hand in yours..." she clasped his hand affectionately, dying never to release before raising it to the right height. "Not that far out... There ya go. Then your other hand goes here..." she took his other hand and slid it down to near her hip, before raising her hand to lay gracefully upon his shoulder.
"I can't believe I'm doing this..."
"Better believe it, buddy." She retorted playfully. "The rest will come to you."
"How do you know that?"
"Because that's just who you are. Whatever you don't know you just let instinct take over and help out." She spoke, before exhaling softly as the lyrics began.
Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly
Sure enough, with the beat of music in his mind, the half demon quickly gained the movement Kagome had spoken of. He felt her melt into his body, almost leaning upon him, as if some kind of life long dream had finally been fulfilled.
A tender grin spread onto the miko's face, taking in what a perfect moment it was just being on the dance floor. It felt like there was no one else in the world, no problems, no time, just by her side Inuyasha and herself. Heart trembling, Kagome continued to somewhat lean on him as to let her get closer to his body, to be closer to him. As close as she always wanted to be.
Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast
Wow, had he gotten the hang of dancing quickly. Even Inuyasha himself was a little amazed at himself. It seemed so easy once he actually did get going. And the whole charm effect wasn't a bad perk either.
Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Kagome let her head fall gently onto Inuyasha's shoulder, completely forgetting what blush was. What did her heart care? Or mind for that matter?
The hanyou was quite the opposite, thankful for the low lighting so no one could see his red face, and the music to hear his rather loud gulp. Inuyasha did not pull back from her head resting upon his shoulder, it's feeling so exhilarating and wonderful, lifting his soul from its depths and above the horizon. But did she have to be so public?
Tale as old as time
Tune as old as song
Bittersweet and strange
Finding you can change
Learning you were wrong
"Inuyasha...?" whispered the miko to his ear. By now the half demon was beginning to calm down a bit from her displayed affection. "Hmmm?..."
"This is really nice..."
"Yeah..." he silently cleared his throat. "You really do look lovely."
He could feel her smile against his shirt. "One more reason for me to love you..." A grin couldn't help from rising to his face.
Certain as the sun
Rising in the east
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
Kagome let her eyes slide closed, feeling Inuyasha rest his cheek on her head. She smiled.
Tale as old as time
Song as old as rhyme
Beauty and the Beast
The Tuxedo part with Inuyasha is based on personal experiences. Ugh, hate tuxes... So annoying...
Obviously, Beauty and the Beast, for which the lyrics of this song are from, is not my original creation. From Disney movie "Beauty and the Beast".
Responses
This is a new idea thingy that was inspired by what Sueric does after her fan fictions. I hope I don't need a disclaimer for THIS too... (KPK- not on your life)
Issue 1 - To the readers, do not always believe what KPK might say about the number of chapters there are left in the story. I am the only person who truly knows that and quite a bit of other things about the story, so PLEASE do not try to pry.
Issue 2 - The remaining characters from this story that shall have very large parts in the next story are Inuyasha (KPK- duh), Kagome (KPK- further duh), Shippou (KPK- this actually, is surprising), Miroku, Sango, and Naena. Sadly Akutsuo and Osoane are not even alive for the next story (Osoane: CALL MY AGENT! I WANT IN!), Hoshido and Yoshima are going back to Nagoya, and Morobuku and Sangarouka are leaving Tokyo to live in Nagoya. Now, don't forget that we also have Koga, Ayame, Kagura, Zefuru, Kaede, and Kanna in old time to think about too. Plus, Sesshomaru shall finally get his big debut, and there will be a total of three new characters to know. One of those characters is the bad guy, so you really don't have to worry about them. I know I have tendency to make too many characters, but deal with it.
Issue 3 - As it seems, there are a lot of people who risk their necks to get online and read this story. As flattered as I am about this, I'm not so sure that you should risk not ever getting onto the internet just to review the story.
Issue 4 - Well, people were paying attention. That is right, I have posted the name of the third story on my profile.
Issue 5 - Please do remember that Chiaki is a person. Her morals are rather askew, but being cruel to others when they have to you is not a fully wonderful good idea. I know, I didn't 'slit her throat', metaphorically, in this chapter even though I said I would. But that just leads to the next thing.
Issue 6 - There are going to be times when I say one thing will happen and then the opposite does, just to keep things interesting and you guys on edge. This way, no one will really fully know what I'm cooking up. Don't kill me for this.
Issue 7 - Another thing. The truth about life is that people do die. I do exercise this reality in my stories, because that is how people act. This is not some Saturday morning cartoon where no blood is spilled; this is a fiction rated T for a reason.
Issue 8 - I am very glad that everyone does review as positively and constantly as they do. This really makes me want to dish out the next chapter as quickly as possible. Thank you all so much.
Issue 9 - I really think that most of the readers are more insane than my sister. (KPK- NOT IF I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT IT!)
Issue 10 - Actually, no, I did not have this all fully planned out before hand. In truth, most of the plot went way off what the skeleton originally had been set to. For instance, the first plan didn't even concern the second world war, and had more to do with wanting more power than the miko and stuff. And there were quite a few times when I deleted or fully rewrote chapters because they sounded crappy. I'm still amazed that one way or another I connected everything together. Hence, how the Lost chapter came into existence.
Issue 11 - One thing I wrote about the attack on Hiroshima was not historically true. A total of about three planes flew over the city that day. But in the story I made it that there were many more planes and then said because the rest had been destroyed in the atomic explosion, thus leaving three to get away to safety. But, everything else is fact. Many people who had actually survived the blast died within minutes, hours, and days from nuclear radiation damage to their tissues. There are very few people who survived that day and have survived to this day.
Issue 12 - To ArcherGirl87 - You know, I would be glad to review the story. But would you mind telling me the FULL name of TDA so I actually know where to look for the story?
Issue 13 - Clues about the third story? Well, It's gonna be taking place quite a good amount of time after this story, and it WILL be the final one of the trilogy. And don't expect it to be very humorous either, this story, although still some funny, is going to be darker. And that a very important character will die. By the hand of another very important character.
That is pretty much all I have to say. If you guys have more to say/ask and don't feel like reviewing, you can get my email address on my profile page. See ya'll in a bit!
Kamiko Zefuru.
(KPK- Issue 14: We all luv KZ! (hits him with a frying pan))