Okay guys, thank you for all the wonderful reviews. Here is the chapter that gave me a very hard time in writing and since it's the last one that needed revision it will take me at least a week or two to write the next one. This one had given me mayor writer's block but hopefully the inspiration is still flowing. Enjoy!
Chapter 13
Sesshomaru read the cryptive message he had received earlier with a bored curiosity.
My Dear Sir,
It would be to your advantage to attend the Clarington ball this evening.
Yours Truly
A friend
Sesshomaru didn't respond well to mysterious messages, ultimatums, or threats, but he had to admit he was intrigued. The boredom that had consumed him the last couple of days was getting the better of him. He was actually thinking about going to this ball. Since his elusive fiancée to be was giving him the brush off, he needed to find a way of keeping himself occupied. He was not in a mood to indulge her any longer though. He hated women that enjoyed sulking. Short of scaling her walls and breaking in through her window, he had tried anything he could to see her. He had even enlisted the help of Lady Sango in trying to figure out a way to see Miss Kagome Higurashi. But it seemed she was not seeing anyone including her best friend.
Sesshomaru sat in the study pondering his dilemma when Inuyasha came into the room, when he noticed Sesshomaru was there he almost turned on his heel to leave. He had been avoiding him for days now. Not only did Inuyasha know that this was childish but he'd been having trouble getting Kagome out of his head. He was constantly thinking of their encounter. Even though he hadn't seen her since then, he kept thinking about it. He couldn't even muster any enthusiasm for his own fiancée. He hesitated but walked into the room and went straight to the brandy decanter. Sesshomaru looked up from his note to find the elusive Inuyasha pouring himself a drink.
"Would you mind pouring one for me?" Sesshomaru asked politely. He knew Inuyasha had been avoiding him and he couldn't imagine why it had been days since they'd been in the same room for more than a couple of minutes. Sesshomaru was beginning to think everyone was avoiding him.
"Here you go." Inuyasha handed the glass to Sesshomaru and made to walk out of the room when Sesshomaru spoke,
"Are you going to tell me what's wrong with you or am I going to have to beat it out of you like I used to do when we were kids?" Inuyasha stood there in silence not knowing what to say.
"I'm starting to think everyone is avoiding me. First my fiancée and now you." At this Inuyasha stiffened.
Inuyasha changed the subject. "Has Miss Higurashi accepted your offer?" He was fishing for information. He had told himself on several occasions to just leave the girl alone, but he couldn't help himself. Inuyasha took a seat on the chair opposite Sesshomaru. 'Might as well get this over with.' Inuyasha thought.
"Not officially, but there really is no reason for her to refuse me. I've made sure of that." Sesshomaru said a vague smile crossing his face.
"Feh!" was all Inuyasha could say.
Later that night….
The Clarington mansion was like most the mansions on the fashionable part of town. Huge and overcrowded. Inuyasha had had his fill of balls and soirées; he only attended in order to escort his fiancé. All he truly desired was to return to the quiet country life he was used to. He had agreed to meet Sango at 10 pm. It was now 10:05. She was late. He never understood why females where always late. If she didn't show in the next 15 minutes he would leave, he'd had enough of the trappings of Society for one night. As soon as he finished that thought the butler cleared his throat to make his usual announcement of who were the most recent guests to arrive,
"Lady Sango Matsamura and Miss Kagome Higurashi."
Sesshomaru was deep in play at one of the card tables in one of the parlors open to guests. He was currently winning since his opponents loved to drink and didn't take care with their cards. He was up three hundred pounds and he mentally thanked the person that had sent the note.
Inuyasha was surprised to see her. He looked past his fiancée and caught her eye. She lowered her lashes. He had forgotten how beautiful she was. He glanced at his fiancée and cursed his body for not having the same reaction to her like he had to the other. But he had vowed that he would behave and things were going to be different and that he would apologize and all will be back to normal. Except for the matter of murder he needed to look into.
Later, Kagome stood by one of the windows looking out into the dark night sky. She felt better about her decision, especially since her erratic emotions were under better control than she'd hoped. She blamed it on nerves and physical reaction. She wasn't really in love with Inuyasha Fleming. They had greeted each other politely and none of the excitement she previously felt was there. 'That's because you were in a crowded ballroom and he wasn't touching you.' Her conscience screamed. Inuyasha asked Sango for a dance and left Kagome at the edge of the dance floor. Inuyasha swept Sango into a waltz and she was happy to go.
Lady Kikyo had been watching Kagome ever since she entered the ballroom. When she was finally alone she caught up with her by the windows. "Miss Higurashi, how nice to see you up and about. I had heard you were ill."
"Well as you can see I'm quite recovered. If you would excuse me, I have someone to find." Kagome could not possibly spend another minute in that woman's company she raised the hairs in the back of her neck at times.
She made her way across the ballroom her gaze drifting back and forth. She knew he was here somewhere, she'd discreetly asked the majordomo if Lord Sesshomaru had arrived this evening. She'd been told he was in the card tables but a quick glance into the rooms proved that to be wrong. She was about to take another turn when the sight of Sango and Inuyasha dancing caught her eye. He'd greeted her with the utmost politeness and he'd asked about her health, before he took Sango by the arm and left her standing there which suited her fine since his close proximity unsettled her. She couldn't help however look at him from behind her fan. Warm and exciting memories flooded her mind and she quickly shook them away.
She needed to focus and not loose her nerve. She resumed her search. The ballroom was crammed full of people and as she walked by she was greeted by a few acquaintances. Unfortunately she was distracted for a moment and stumbled only to have her arm caught by Count Houshi. She quickly broke free of his grasp and fled as discreetly as possible in the opposite direction. She was so startled by the count that she wasn't watching where she was going and crashed against someone's chest when she looked up to apologize amber eyes met hers.
"Lord Sesshomaru" It came out a little too breathless than Kagome would have liked.
Sesshomaru had been surprised to see her there. He hoped it had been her who'd sent the note. She had obviously stopped hiding from him. He kept the scowl firm on his face. He was going to teach his future wife that she couldn't hide from him.
"Miss Higurashi it's nice to see you up and about. I had begun to wonder if you would ever recover." Sarcasm dripped from his words. Kagome swallowed. This was going to be difficult. He was angry, she understood his anger but she didn't care. Who was he to go plotting behind her back? She rallied her courage and said equally sarcastic "As you can see I'm quite recovered." She paused and looked around to see if anyone was listening. "I would like a word with you."
'Interesting' Sesshomaru thought.
"Very well would you care to take a stroll in the garden so we can have our discussion?"
Kagome paled. "No," She said hastily. She will live very well if she never visited a garden at night again. She leaned into him to whisper as discreetly as possible,
"What I meant was for you to call on me tomorrow afternoon. There is much to discuss."
Inuyasha caught sight of Kagome and Sesshomaru talking and when Kagome leaned close in order to whisper to Sesshomaru, a great rush jealousy flashed through him, he tightened his grip on Sango's hand.
"Is something wrong?" she asked concerned about the death grip he had on her hand. Inuyasha tore his gaze away from the couple and tried to regain his self control. He looked down at the woman he was dancing with she looked truly worried and he realized the grip he had on her hand. He loosened the grip and guided her back to the edge of the floor. Without a word he kissed the injured hand and left her standing there puzzled at his behavior as he made his way out the front door.
