A/N: And now for the climax! I really loved working on this story and I look forward to the sequels. Remember, after this comes Unknown, which is the Inu/Kag portion. Followed closely by Unwanted, the San/Miro finale. Thanks to all my loyal readers who have stuck with me though this story, and forgiven my irregular updates. There is an epilogue that will round out the story, but this is the last official chapter. Enjoy!
(On a side note, I want to address a few questions regarding the lyrics featured in the last post. It's a poem called "The Girl I Loved" that I wrote for a very dear friend of mine. I own it, so don't steal it. Thanks!)
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. (I do not own any songs by The Bravery, Eamon or Howie Day, either.) This is a story based on my ideas, my takes on life, love, and the pursuit of happiness, and what I believe is the true spirit of the characters if they were your everyday teenagers.
Unexpected
Chapter 10
Once upon a time there lived a girl,
Who wanted to find true love,
But it seems it was lost before truly found,
And how can one cure a broken heart…
Broken.
Broken heart, broken spirit. Just broken.
How could one person screw up so badly? How could one person ruin the best thing they never had?
"God really hates me," Kagura whimpered. The worst of her tears had passed. Now, there was only silent weeping. The last few tears leaking from the corners of her eyes as she lay in her bed, her head pillowed on Sango's lap. Kagome sat beside them, stroking Kagura's hair, her arm, her back, soothingly. Like a mother would comfort a small child.
"Even if God existed," Sango said with a sigh, "there is no way he would hate someone like you."
"After what I did," she sniffled, "I would hate me too."
"Don't say that, Kagura," Kagome said quickly, seriously. "You made a mistake. People are allowed to make mistakes."
"Not when they hurt other people," she cried, curling into herself again, feeling a sob start in her chest. "Not when he'll never speak to me again."
"Oh, he'll talk to you again," Sango swore, "or I'll beat his ass."
A watery chuckle was her response. Sango felt her own heart breaking, seeing Kagura in such a state. Her stepsister was always so sarcastic and strong, always a rock in the face of everything. Sure, she was only human and had her down points, but Kagura… Kagura was her big sister, and it hurt to see her in pain. It was hard to know what to do without Kagura to back her up. It was hard to know what to do to help the very person who always looked after her.
"Really," Kagome said confidently. "He'll talk to you again. Whether he wants to or not, he'll do it."
"Why?" Kagura sniffed, shifting redder-than-usual eyes to her neighbor.
"Because he loves you," Kagome smiled. "And with love you have no choice."
"It's not like that with us," Kagura protested. "We've never even kissed, let alone said the 'L' word to each other."
"Just because you haven't said it doesn't mean it's not true," she stated, taking Kagura's hands in her own. "I know Sesshomaru, and I know you. And I have never seen either of you happier than when you were together. It's not a coincidence and it's not an illusion. That is the very illusive thing called love."
"You certainly know a lot," Kagura said after a while.
"I read smut," Kagome grinned. "I had to have picked up something along the way."
Kagura snorted a little and, with Sango's help, sat up on her bed. She brushed away the tears from her face and took a few steadying breathes. Somehow, having the two of them there made her feel better. Hopeful. Like maybe… things would get better. As long as her friends stood by her, she could bear the loss of someone else she loved.
"Does this mean you're done with the tears?" Sango asked, using the back of her hand to swipe some moisture from her stepsister's chin.
"Yes," Kagura nodded, sliding a hand through her hair.
"Good," Kagome grinned, hopping off the bed. "Time to get ready for the dance."
"What!" Both Kagura and Sango looked at her as if she'd grown a second head. "How can you think of going to a dance at a time like this?"
"No just me," she replied. "Kagura too."
"What?" Kagura balked, her voice going up an octave. "I'm not going to Homecoming now."
"Yes you are," her neighbor replied stubbornly. "I didn't sew another primo dress for you to just give up at the first sign of trouble."
"Kags…" Sango warned, looking uneasy. Even she had no idea what her friend was playing at.
Kagome kneeled in front of Kagura, taking her hands again. Blue eyes met ruby seriously, and kindly. She spoke to Kagura alone. No tricks, no lies. "Do you love him?"
It took the other girl off guard. She floundered for a minute, trying to gain her footing. "I don't know," Kagura lied. She was afraid to say it out loud. It would only make it real, and make it hurt more.
"Do you love him? Yes or no," Kagome persisted. "It's not hard."
"Kagome…" Her face was pained and her voice was pleading. She didn't want to answer this. She couldn't face it.
"Do you?" Kagome pressed Kagura's hands to her own chest, to her own heart. "Whatever else is going on, no matter what's in your head, no matter how scared you are, just be honest with yourself. Do you love him?"
Kagura was silent for a long time, thinking. Reflecting. Part of her was still afraid, still wanting to hide her feelings. Still wanting to run away from everything, especially the truth.
It's said that everything heals with time, but it was a lie. When you lose a parent, that pain never goes away. The void will never be filled. Kagura was only five years old, and the pain still lingered with her. For so many years she had built a wall around her heart that kept everyone at bay.
Never letting anyone get close protected her from that pain again. Never letting one in kept her from being disappointed, from being hurt. But, without her even noticing, people slipped past her defenses. Without her noticing, she began to care. And now, she felt the pain of that caring, of that love.
Beyond the pain, dwelling deep within her heart, she felt the happiness that grew from her opening her heart again. Kagura had learned to love again, and even if that love brought her pain and left its scars, she was happy.
She wouldn't be scared anymore.
"Yes," Kagura whispered.
"Huh?" Sango asked, leaning forward intently.
"Yes," Kagura repeated, louder and more confident. She met Kagome's gaze, then Sango's. "I love him. I really, really do."
Kagome grinned. "Then we've got to get you to that dance, Cinderella!"
"Huzzah!" Sango whooped, hopping to her feet. "I feel like a faerie godmother."
"If faerie godparents had blue hair," Kagura commented. Then she shook her head, pulling her hands away from Kagome's hold. "I can't go to the dance."
"Why not? You have a ticket, a dress. All you're missing is—"
"—a date?" she supplied. Then she smiled.
"So what?" Sango said with a frown. "Go stag. It's not that big of a deal, is it?"
"No, not really," Kagura nodded. In the long run, her pride meant nothing in the face of Sesshomaru forgiving her.
"Perfect," Kagome nodded. She looked to Sango. "I trust you can get her dressed, pressed, and to the school by seven?"
"Just leave it to me," Sango grinned. "I'm Faerie for a day."
Kagome beamed. "Perfect. I'll see you then."
"Kagome!" Kagura called, grabbing her elbow. "Where are you going?"
"Well, someone's gotta get Sesshomaru to show up, right?" She winked. "I can be very convincing. Don't worry."
Kagura let her go and Kagome hurried out, to her own house. Though she knew her neighbor was on an important mission, she still felt slightly abandoned. What if she couldn't get him to come? What if… No. She'd spent too much of her time thinking about what-if's and could-be's. No. Tonight, if never again, tonight if nothing else, she would be brave.
"Shall we get started?" Sango asked, grinning like a five-year-old on Christmas morning. Kagura felt a tiny trickle of fear.
"You're not… gonna dye my hair orange or anything, right?"
"Aw, don't you trust me?" Sango pouted.
"About as far as I can throw you."
"Seriously."
Kagura sighed. "I trust you."
"Perfect!"
The sadistic light in Sango's eyes made Kagura nervous again. "I swear… I don't go for the dying of things… "
Sango giggled. "No. That would be mean. I'm just here to coordinate and prepare one stunning vision of Kagura… ness."
Kagura ran a hand through her hair, grinning. "Sango, you're such a funny girl."
Her stepsister smiled back. "I know. Now you go take a shower. I'll take care of the rest!"
Kagura chuckled her way to the bathroom. Sango, true to her word, had everything pressed and laid out by the time Kagura was back. In record time, Sango had her dressed, primped, and ready for the dance. Now it was only a matter of whether Kagome could convince Sesshomaru to be there.
Kagome threw her make-up bag and dress in the trunk of her mother's car. Quickly, she dialed Hojo's number on her cell as she climbed into the driver's seat. Her mother had agreed to let her borrow the car, since it was an emergency.
"Hello?" He picked up on the first ring.
"Hojo, it's Kagome," she said hurriedly, straining to look behind her as she pulled out of the driveway.
"Kagome? What's the matter?"
"Listen, something's come up," she explained. "I'm running late. Could I meet you at the dance instead of you picking me up here?"
"What happened?" he asked, sounding a little miffed.
"I forgot something important. I have to run out so I might not be here if you come over."
He was silent for a moment, and Kagome knew he'd be angry with her. But it couldn't be helped. "When do you want to meet me?"
"Seven-thirty?" she asked, looking at her watch. Was an hour long enough to convince a stoic newspaper geek to admit that he was in love? Could she even get it done? Shaking her head, she concentrated on the road. There was no time for doubts. She couldn't give an inch.
"Fine. See you then."
He hung up; so did she. There was no time to worry about him either. Right now was about Kagura and Sesshomaru, two people she cared a lot about, and she would help them. No matter what. Come hell or high water. Do or die.
But she couldn't help feeling completely helpless as she pulled into the Reaper driveway. She had come here many times in the past two years, for the sake of karate carpool, but she had never been inside. And hardly ever made it to the door either. Rin was usually waiting, or drawn out by a single blast of the car horn. Now, she had to go to the door and push her way in if she had to. There was no helping it. She had to get to Sesshomaru.
Kagome left her car parked in the front, keys in the ignition, supplies in the truck, as she raced for the door. She was hampered for a split second when her arm was tangled in the seatbelt, but soon she was off and running again.
Rin answered the door, as Kagome had anticipated. Despite the money the Reaper's had, they didn't employ a butler or servant of a door-opening nature. Maids, pool cleaners, and the occasional cook, but other than that, they were a self-sufficient family. And Rin loved opening the door.
"Kagome!" she grinned. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see Sesshomaru," the older girl responded with a smile. She patted Rin on the head in an affectionate way. "Is he here?"
"Yup," Rin nodded, worry creasing her face. "He stormed in about an hour ago and locked himself in his study. He won't answer when I knock and he keeps blaring really bad music."
The corner of Kagome's mouth quirked up at that. "Can you show me? I really need to talk to him."
"Sure!" Rin grabbed Kagome's hand and lead her up the stairs to the second floor, then down the hall to the study. All the while, Kagome glanced around her. Still, the glamour of the lavish home didn't sway her from her task.
"Sesshomaru!" Rin called, knocking on a hard wood door. "Kagome is here for you!"
"Go away," came a reply from within, followed by a very loud power ballad.
Kagome sighed and turned to the little girl beside her. "I can take it from here, Rin." Rin nodded, looking sad. "But," Kagome added, crouching down to be at eye-level with the other girl. "You could do me a huge favor."
"What?" Rin asked, already grinning.
"I left a few things in the trunk of my car. Could you be a super good girl and get them for me?"
"Naturally," was the reply. Kagome smiled, poking Rin gently on the nose. Then she scampered off to do Kagome's wishes.
Meanwhile, Kagome straightened herself and pounded on the door. "Sesshomaru, open up!"
"Go… Away… " came from within.
"I swear to God, I will break this door down if I have to!" Kagome threatened. "Just talk to me."
"Don't you think you've done enough?"
"Not yet I haven't. Just let me in." He was quiet, the music shifting to an angry R&B rhythm. That's when Kagome lost her infinite patience. "Stop acting like a spoiled little boy! Let me in this minute!"
The door opened and Sesshomaru towered over her. His eyes were angry, but the rest of him remained impassive. Kagome pushed him inside with all her might and closed the door behind them. "We're going to talk, right now," she said, stomping her foot.
"Who is calling whom spoiled?" was his icy response.
"Can it," she said warningly.
Fuck what I said, it don't mean shit now; Fuck all the presents, might as well throw them out; Fuck all those kisses, they didn't mean jack; Fuck you, you ho, I don't want you back…
Growling, she stamped over to his computer and turned off the blaring music. When she was done, her eyes flickered to him, still giving her a wilting look by the doorway. "I wasn't aware you were an Eamon fan," she stated, then came around the front of the desk.
"Kagome," he sighed, "go home."
"No," she refused, crossing her arms over her chest. "Not until this is resolved."
"It is resolved. Whatever your plans were, I ended them. Plain and simple."
"This is not plain," Kagome denied. "It's complicated as hell. And if it were so damn simple, Kagura wouldn't have been crying her eyes out and you wouldn't have locked yourself in here for the past hour."
"What do you want from me?" he asked, eyes flashing with danger. Kagome stood her ground, unafraid. "She made a fool out of me."
"You're doing that for yourself," she shot back.
"She played me!"
"Are you even listening to yourself? She played you?" Kagome walked over to him, holding out her hands imploringly.
"You knew about this," he suddenly accused, taking a step away from her. It was like another lash from a whip. "You knew what she was doing. You helped set it up. I trusted you!"
"We didn't set you up to get hurt," Kagome yelled back in his face. "We didn't do anything wrong. People are allowed to make mistakes."
"Not like this!"
"Are you telling me the great and powerful Sesshomaru Reaper has never, in his entire life, made a mistake?"
He glared at her, a look of such malice it would strike the blood of any other cold. Kagome Higurashi didn't budge an inch. She had faced down much worse than even he had to offer. Then, suddenly, her anger cracked and she gave him a look of such painful empathy, he reeled back in shock.
"What are you looking at me like that for!" he demanded, feeling heat creep up his neck. This was no good; he never blushed.
"It must have hurt you so much," she said, her fires banked. Sesshomaru gave her an appraising look, thinking she might have just changed her tactics, but Kagome was genuine. And he could guess the reason for it.
"This isn't the same thing," he began.
"No, it is. It really is. You feel like she cheated. She betrayed your trust, your feelings. And so did I." He was horrified to see tears welling in her blue eyes.
"Kagome, don't look like that," he sighed, covering his face with a hand. Guilt gnawed at him. "I just… I don't understand… why you would do something like this."
"It wasn't supposed to happen this way," she argued, swiping at her eyes. "You weren't supposed to find out about Kagura's plan because there wasn't supposed to be a plan."
He blinked at her, at a loss. "What?"
Kagome sighed, massaging her temples. "She asked us to help her get a date for Homecoming, so she could get Naraku to notice her and all. She's had this crush on him for a while, and it wasn't supposed to hurt anyone. But me and Sango, we knew that Naraku would only hurt her because that's what he does. So then we decided to get her a real date. Someone she'd like, who'd like her, and this wouldn't end up in tears."
"Looks like it backfired on you."
"I know," she sniffed. "It was supposed to be easy. She loves you, you love her. You guys are so perfect for one another, and what's between you is real."
"Was," he said firmly as he turned from her. "What was between us. Not anymore."
"Why?" Kagome asked. "Why can't you just hear what she has to say?"
"Are you her messenger?" he asked in disgust. "Send Kagome to do her dirty work?"
"No. I'm here, on my own. You have to go to the dance."
"Homecoming! You still expect me to go to?"
"Come with me," Kagome begged, grabbing him again. "Listen to what she has to say. Please. Just give her the chance to explain."
"No," he said, brushing her hands away. Still, he felt his resolve weakening.
"Kagome!" Rin called, coming in the door. "I got your stuff." Rin walked in, a small bag in one hand and a dress bag in the other.
"Thank you," Kagome replied, smiling. She took her belongings from the girl and turned to Sesshomaru. "I'm going to get ready. Please come with me."
"I can't," he told her.
"But why not?" Rin asked. "When you're close to someone, you won't feel better until you fix things."
"Rin," Sesshomaru said, looking at his sister. "We're not close."
"I don't think that's true," she said with all the wisdom that a child can possess—which is a lot. "Fighting is a sign of a good relationship. When you're close to someone, you know how best to hurt them. At least, that's what I see when I watch you and Inuyasha, and even Mommy and Daddy."
Sesshomaru looked at her with wide eyes. "I… "
"Come with me," Kagome said again, smiling now. "And you'll find out for yourself."
"Are you sure you won't come in with me?" Kagura asked, wringing her hands on her lap.
"Can't," Sango smiled. "No ticket."
"I could really use you there," Kagura sighed. "This is… the most important thing I've ever done."
"Then you don't need me there," her stepsister said. "You can do this yourself."
"Can I?" Ruby eyes pleaded. "Can I face him, after what I've done? Can I explain it? Will he forgive me?"
"Win or lose, you've got me," Sango said, taking Kagura's hand in her own. "But I think you'll win. Know why?" Kagura shook her head. "I did such a fucking great job on you, no man will be able to resist."
Kagura laughed, feeling her tension leave for a moment. "Oh Sango, you're the best."
"What's a sister for?"
She didn't say it. She didn't say "step". Kagura was overcome with a foreign emotion and suddenly leaned across the front seat of the car, embracing Sango hard.
"Kagura, you're going to wrinkle your dress," Sango warned.
"So I'll be wrinkled," she said with a sigh. Sango smiled and returned the embrace. Then she pulled back and smiled again.
"It's do or die time."
Kagura nodded. "Wish me luck?"
"You don't need it," Sango assured her. With a less-than-sure nod, Kagura was walking toward the school, toward the dance, and hopefully, toward the man she loved. Sango watched with butterflies in her stomach, hoping with everything in her that Kagura could find her true love.
"Hey Sango," a voice came from her driver's side window. Turning, she saw Inuyasha and Miroku lurking around the parking lot. "Didn't know you were coming."
Sango smiled up, leaning out her window. Both boys were dressed all in black, and she had a sneaking suspicion that the black hats in their hands were ski masks. "Didn't know you guys were going to hit a 7-Eleven."
"Hardly," Inuyasha said with a smirk. "We're just about to go in on our Homecoming prank."
"Do tell, Master Grimm," she responded, perking. He leaned into her window and whispered a plan into her ears. "You aren't!" she gasped, grinning.
"We are," he assured her.
"And we'll do more than that," Miroku said evilly. "We'll offer you an in."
"'In'? As in, you're inviting me to help you with criminal acts?" They both nodded. She was touched. "Wish I could guys, but I've got other plans."
"Plans?" Miroku asked. "As in something better than this?"
"Not better," Sango told him, "just different." He genuinely looked crestfallen, and she was sorry for it, but duty called before frolicking fun. "Next time," she promised.
"Sure," he shrugged. "Come on, Grimm. We've got work to do."
"Chill, Demon," Inuyasha said while rolling his eyes. "See ya, Sango."
"Bye," she waved as they scampered off into the near-darkness. Then she parked her car nearby and put her plan into action.
And even as she parked, Inuyasha and Miroku out their own plans into action. "Dude," Inuyasha said to his partner in crime, "what's with the 'tude to Sango?"
"You heard her," Miroku told him. "She has plans."
"So?"
"Obviously it means she has a date."
Inuyasha snickered. "Wow, you really are a jealous fuck, aren't you?"
Miroku glared at his friend. "I don't want to hear it from you."
"Demon, just because she has plans doesn't mean she's off with another guy."
"You think so?" Suddenly, Miroku's hostility was gone. Inuyasha grinned at him.
"It's obvious she likes you. If she didn't, you'd be in the hospital by now."
"You know what… you're right!"
"Hojo! What's the deal, guy? Where's your date?"
Hojo Montgomery walked over to the refreshment table, dapper in his tux, but looking very unhappy. "She's meeting me here. Forgot something. You know how women are."
Naraku stood by the punch bowl, along with a few other football players. They enjoyed their Homecoming dance from the sidelines. The music was blaring, people were dancing; it had just started full swing and people were arriving fast. The school gym was decorated with green crap paper and streamers. Banners rooting the Fighting Frogs to victory hung on the walls. Green and white balloons were strewn about the floor, among confetti and other handmade decorations supplied by the Student Council.
"Do I ever," Naraku agreed, handing a glass to the star player. "Drink up! We added a little kick to our fruit juice."
Kouga, who was serving the punch that evening, had no idea he was ladling out alcohol, but a teacher would find out soon enough. Then the others would have a good laugh at his expense. Like every other Homecoming since the beginning of the tradition.
They talked, laughed, made fun of others, and drank happily for nearly half an hour. Then one of the others, a kicker named Carmine, pointed out someone coming inside. "Hey Naraku, isn't that the girl you're aiming for tonight?"
Turning, Naraku saw Kagura enter the school gym. The dress she wore, Kagome's dress, accented not only her shape, but her height as well. The red dragon blazed up her side, the same ruby red as her eyes. Her hair was cut short, held in a tail on the side of her head. It was one of Sango's ideas, and it turned out wonderfully. Her make-up was immaculate. A vision, if ever there was one. It was almost surprising that Kagura, a gothic poet who took more to faded green army jackets and black jeans, could clean up into such a gem.
"Yes," Naraku grinned, a lustful light entering his eye. "That's her."
Kagura was gazing around the gym, looking for someone. Her eyes rested on Naraku for a moment and he smiled, but then her eyes moved on. It frazzled his pride for a moment, since he had always gotten the impression that she liked him. "Wish me luck, boys," he said with a wink to them. Then he strode forward into the crowd, toward Kagura.
He wasn't there. It was the first thing that came into her mind and it rang like an echo. He wasn't there. He wasn't coming. Sesshomaru would never speak to her again. Her stomach felt like lead and her hands were shaking. Still, she refused to cry here, in the middle of all these people, and ruin the make-up that Sango had so meticulously applied. She had looked all over the crowded gym and found a million and one people who didn't matter. Naraku didn't matter, not anymore. Only Sesshomaru matter now.
Be calm, she told herself. Kagome wasn't there either, which meant there was still a chance.
"Hey there," someone said from behind. She recognized the voice, and it was not the one she wanted to hear.
"Hello, Naraku," she responded with a smile. "How are you tonight?"
"Good, and yourself?" he asked, smiling charmingly and gazing her over.
Kagura felt slightly annoyed and continued scanning the area over his shoulders. "I'm alright, I guess."
"Looking for someone?" he asked, moving to block her line of vision.
"Yeah," she said absently. "Please excuse me." She moved away from him, moving to the doorway. Naraku, for the first time in his life, was left standing there, mouth hanging open, at a total loss as to what went wrong.
"Smooth," Hojo laughed when Naraku walked back to the refreshment table, proverbial tail between his legs.
Naraku was thinking up some nasty comment to make to the quarterback when the perfect joke walked into the gym. He grinned sadistically. "Oh Hojo, isn't that your girlfriend?"
Turning, Hojo saw Kagome walk into the room, on the arm of Sesshomaru Reaper. Then all he saw was red as he stomped toward them.
"Ok," Kagome whispered to Sesshomaru. "She's here somewhere. Find her, and just listen to her. Five minutes. If you still want to leave, I will personally take you home."
Sesshomaru looked at his petite escort. She looked more like a faerie princess, dressed in pale blue and glitter, than the normal Kagome. "Are you sure?"
"You have my word," Kagome said, giving his arm a reassuring squeeze. Sesshomaru took a deep breath and headed into the crowd. "Good luck," Kagome breathed, before a hand clamped around her elbow and jerked her around. "Hojo!"
"Forgot something?" he asked her, fire in his eyes.
"Sesshomaru needed a ride," Kagome said, wincing slightly as he tightened his grip on her arm. "He's Kagura's date, not mine."
"You're lying," Hojo told her.
"No I'm not," Kagome told him. "Hojo, I swear I'm not lying. Sesshomaru and Kagura are a couple. I just gave him a ride, that's all."
"I don't know what to believe, Kagome," he told her frankly. "You lie to me about working and go to Serpentine with your friends. You never have time to spend with me. Then you show up at the dance with another guy?"
"Hojo, you're hurting me," Kagome told him, clawing at his hand. He released her arm. "I swear, nothing is going on. I wouldn't do that to you." He looked uncertain, so Kagome put her arms around his neck. "You know me. I would never cheat on you."
He sighed, then leaned his forehead against hers. "I'm sorry I got mad. I'm just so crazy about you, sweetheart."
"I know," Kagome answered.
"You're the most important person to me," he told her.
"I know."
"I love you, Kagome."
"I know."
And even as they made up beside the entrance, Sesshomaru moved further into the gym, looking around. He spotted her not far from the stage where the DJ was perched. Her back was against the wall, her face in her hands, but he still knew it was her. He would always know it was her, because that's just the way it was when you were in love. He would know her from a million other women, always.
As he moved through the crowd toward her, the music abruptly ended and the shrill ring of a microphone took the air. The DJ, a man in his late twenties, stood and looked out into the crowd. "Excuse me, everyone," he apologized. "I'm proud to present to you, some live entertainment."
All eyes in the gym turned toward the stage as a melody filled the air, a mixture of rock and techno. Then a familiar voice spread through the speakers. "People, they don't mean a thing to you. They move right through you, just like your breath. But sometimes, I still think of you, and I just wanted you to know. Just wanted you to know, my old friend… I swear I never meant for this. I never meant…"
"Sango," Kagome laughed, clapping her hands together from beside Hojo at the refreshment table.
"Sango," Kagura whispered, tears in her eyes, as her stepsister suddenly bounded on to the stage. She was dressed in an outfit of tight black jeans, her tight lime-green tank top, and a black mesh shirt. Her hair was up, some braided, some not, streaked again with bright green. Her make-up was the same. The perfect picture of a punk Frogs fan.
"Don't look at me that way," she sang, hopping and dancing around the stage to the music. "It was an honest mistake. Don't look at me that way, it was an honest mistake. An honest mistake!"
She crouched low, acting sad and broken-hearted. "Sometimes, I forget I'm still awake. I fuck up, and say these things out loud. My old friend… I swear I never meant for this. I never meant…" Then she bounced up again, moving along. Anger, sadness, emotion carried along on the music. "Don't look at me that way, it was an honest mistake. Don't look at me that way, it was an honest mistake. An honest mistake!"
Sesshomaru had reached Kagura by the second chorus. She looked from Sango to him and her eyes widened. It wasn't from surprise or shock, because she had felt him coming up beside her. It was because of the look her was giving her. That wounded puppy look, or at least, as much of a wounded puppy look as Sesshomaru could give.
"Don't look at me that way, it was an honest mistake. Don't look at me that way, it was an honest mistake! An honest mistake…" Sango held her final note for a long breath, then finished her song with a grin, throwing up her hands and accepting the applause with a panting smile. Kagome whistled from the back, hooting her enjoyment.
"Come with me a minute," Sesshomaru told Kagura, offering her his hand. She slipped hers into his and allowed him to lead her out into the hallway, away from the blaring music and howling crowd. Once they were alone, he dropped her hand but didn't turn to face her. "Kagome convinced me to come," he said by way of explanation. "But this isn't an act of forgiveness. This is just me wanting to understand the reason why I was made into your fool."
"It wasn't like that," Kagura said in a shaking whisper. "It wasn't supposed to be like this."
"Then how was it supposed to be?" he asked, turning to her. "Have your fill of me, then leave me standing here like a dick while you go off and have your fun with him?" He swore, something he never did, and tugged on the collar of his tux. "You humiliated me."
Kagura didn't look at him. Her head was down, her hands clenched at her sides, as tears ran down her cheeks. They dripped black to the floor. Proof of running mascara. "Yes," she said tightly, her voice high from tears. "In the beginning, I wanted to find a date so I could catch his attention. Make him like me. But then Kagome and Sango brought you to me, and I spent so much time with you… and… and… "
"And what?" As much as he wanted to hang on to it, his anger was ebbing.
Kagura looked up at him, her eyes as open and honest as he could ever see them. "He didn't matter anymore." She wiped the tears from her face, smudging more. "The only thing that mattered was you, and how I felt about you." She looked to the ground again. "I used you, and it was horrible of me. And I completely understand if you never want to speak to me again." She sniffed deeply. "I don't expect you to forgive me."
"Why should I?" he asked. But there wasn't any anger in his tone. No accusation. Just a question. He had moved a little closer to her and cupped a hand under her chin, making Kagura meet his eyes. "Give me one reason."
Kagura's heart was in her throat, in her eyes. She knew the most important reason, the only reason. But for all the vastness of the words, they meant nothing if the one they were for didn't have them. To hell with pride, with playing it safe. You always had to take risks with love; isn't that what her father always said? This was her big risk.
"I love you," she told him. Not a whisper, not a shout. A normal voice, a normal phrase. The only way to say it, from the heart. From the soul. Ripe with expectation and hope.
"Is that the answer?" Sesshomaru asked her. Kagura's heart plummeted.
"It's all I can give—"
And she never had to finish the statement. Sesshomaru bent his head and took her mouth swiftly. Kagura was momentarily shocked out of her mind, but it only took a second for her eyes to fill and her arms to find their way around his neck. It only took a second more to respond. And a second more after that to say it again.
Sango sat on the edge of the stage, checking her microphone, when Kagome came up to her. The first thing her friend did was not congratulate her, but to sock her on the arm.
"Minx," Kagome laughed. "Why didn't you tell me!"
"It was a surprise," Sango smiled.
"How did you manage?"
"I called in a favor," Sango tossed a look over her shoulder. Diego, the DJ from Serpentine, waved from his post. Kagome grinned and waved back. "I've got another song. Have you seen Kagura and Sesshomaru?"
"They went into the hallway a few minutes ago," Kagome said, wringing her hands worriedly. "I hope it works out."
"I think it did," Sango grinned, watching the doorway. "They just walked in!"
Kagome turned and gleefully squealed as she saw them, arm in arm, walk on to the dance floor. Like any other couple in love at Homecoming that night. And just like that, the evil in the air was gone. "Oh, this is so romantic!"
"I think it's time for a little mood music," Sango grinned. "See you in a bit, Kag." The singer pointed to Diego, who winked, and set a new CD on. A slow guitar melody began playing. Sango, holding the microphone close, began her heartfelt ballad.
"The dawn is breaking, a light shining through. You're barely waking and I'm tangled up in you. Yeah." Diego provided backup with his own mini-mic. "I'm open, you're closed. Where I follow, you'll go. I worry I won't see your face light up again. Even the best fall down sometimes. Even the wrong words seem to rhyme. Out of the doubt that fills my mind, I somehow find, you and I collide."
Kagome went to Hojo and literally had to drag him on to the dance floor with her. He wasn't much of a dancer, but she just had to dance to this song. Kagura and Sesshomaru had no such problems as they waltzed together, in their own world. As it should be.
"I'm quiet you know. You make a first impression. I've found I'm scared to know I'm always on your mind. Even the best fall down sometimes. Even the stars refuse to shine. Out of the back you fall in time, I somehow find, you and I collide."
Sango swayed, caught up in the song. Her rich voice flowed through the people listening, filling them with her emotions from the song. Filling them with music. That was Sango's way, and her gift. "Even the best fall down sometimes. Even the wrong words seem to rhyme. Out of the doubt that fills your mind, you finally find, you and I collide. You finally find, you and I collide. You finally find, you and I collide."
When the song died down and the dancers broke apart, everyone clapped for Sango. She bowed and made her way off stage. As she did so, there was suddenly a loud noise from the other side of the gym. Already knowing what it was, she quickly scrambled for cover. Without any warning, the fire sprinklers in the gymnasium were turned on.
Mass panic filled the gym as girls screamed and tried to save their dresses from ruin. Boys fought to save their dates. Everyone hurried for the parking lot.
…Only to find that the handles of every car were filled with peanut butter. The chunky kind. And across the hood of Hojo's car, which was a car that was impossible to miss because of his namesake license plate, 'Go Fighting Frogs' was written in neon green spray paint. Panic turned to rage.
Sango was laughing earnestly when she walked up beside Kagome on the sidewalk. Her car was untouched. The best friends looked at one another. "You knew about this?" Kagome asked.
"I have a few deviant friends," Sango grinned. "I'll help you with the peanut butter on your car."
"Thanks. I think I'll be finding my own way home." They both looked to Hojo who was in a full-blown frenzy over his car. Then they both fell into a fit of giggles.
Sesshomaru and Kagura stood farther away, shaking the water off their clothes. Kagura laughed happily at the prank, taking it in stride. "My make-up was already ruined," she smiled.
"This stinks of my brother," he replied, looking at her with annoyance. Kagura knew it wasn't directed at her and her smile broadened.
"Aw, come on. It was funny."
"Not really."
"Not even when my sisters dove under the refreshment table and Naraku got doused in punch?"
"It was… mildly amusing," he sighed.
"There you go," Kagura smiled at him. There was no tension, no awkward pauses. All the darkness was banished. As long as she could be near the person that she loved, she would be happy.
Sesshomaru just looked at her. It was his signature look, where you could never tell what he was thinking. Kagura used to be annoyed by it, but now, she found it kind of novel. Because she knew whenever he put that up, he was thinking of something witty to say.
In the end, he didn't say anything at all. He just leaned forward and kissed her. Kagura happily obliged, her arms going around him and her head tilting up to accommodate his height. His kiss wasn't as brutal as she might have thought it would be. Like everything about him, it was sophisticated and thoughtful. He tried to memorize her, internalized every contour of her mouth, for later contemplation.
"I've waited to long to do that," Sesshomaru sighed against her mouth. His breath was warm, like his body against hers.
"Was it good for you?" she asked with a shaky laugh. She wondered if a person could get drunk off of kissing. Or maybe dizzy from lack of air.
He placed a thumb against her lips as he looked into her eyes. Ruby and gold, a match made in Heaven. "One of these days, someone will have to curb that wicked tongue of yours."
"Only you, Sesshomaru," she promised. A vow to the only man she had ever loved. Her arms tightened around him and she offered her mouth to him again. "Always you."
A/N: Ok! (Sappy ending, I know...) After this, there is the epilogue, and then it's on to Unknown! I know most of you have been panting for that story for months, sorry. (I'm really happy I, just about, finished this story in one year!) The epilogue will wrap up some loose ends from this story and begin the carry-over into the next one. Please remember to review, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!