wk: Long time no see. Haha, actually, I think I updated sooner this time. Not too sure. Well, anyways, this is my update. Hopefully, you guys will like it. I made it extra long. It might not make sense sometimes. Please give some constructive criticism! It makes me determined to make my writing better.
Chapter Ten
Getting Ready
As soon as Inuyasha had found his own hideously expensive Armani suit (for which he paid for), he had continued to complain as they dragged him from store to store.
"Why can't women be as simple as men?" Kagome heard Inuyasha grumble behind her.
"Because women aren't as simple-minded as men," Kagome retorted.
"Being simple-minded isn't a bad thing. At least we know what we want," Inuyasha snapped.
"I know what I want," Kagome said dreamily. "I want a dark dress, probably black…"
"I want a--" Ayame stopped short, her breath catching in her throat. "Look at that dress!"
Kagome and Inuyasha both looked, Kagome's eyes lighting up with excitement. The hunt, for Ayame at least, was over. Inuyasha only groaned as they dragged him into the store.
It was an exquisite green dress, made from a fine, silky fabric. A small lady greeted them, smiling so that the corners of her friendly eyes were crinkled.
"Oy. I'm going to go outside and wait," Inuyasha said, knowing this would take a while. "I'll be at the electronics store down that way, okay?"
"Okay," Kagome and Ayame responded automatically, not even looking at Inuyasha and fingering the material of the dress. Scowling and unable to admit he was mad that he was being ignored, he left with his bag in one hand.
Ayame took the dress, practically ran into the dressing room, and changed. When she came out, Kagome gasped.
"How perfect!" Kagome said excitedly. The dress was green, a shade darker than the color of Ayame's eyes.
"You think so?" Ayame asked, twirling around. The bottom of the dress was tight, but a long slit that went to mid-thigh allowed her to move more freely. It was sleeveless, but had straps. It had a low back, covering half of her back.
"Oh, that looks so pretty on you," the old lady said. "I made this with my own two hands."
Kagome and Ayame both looked at the small, old lady in surprise. The old lady chuckled when she saw the looks. "These old bones might creak some, but they don't stop me from making dresses."
"So you design and make your own dresses?" Kagome asked, her voice awed. The old lady nodded.
"I've never really had customers in this store. It's so small, and they put me in an area where people can't really see my wonderful little store. I've only sold one dress, and a pair of shoes. But she was kind of too… heavy to fit into my dress. She bought it to brag about it to her friend. I also believe she told me that Versace was so much better."
"How horrible!" Kagome said. The old woman nodded in agreement. "She couldn't even fit her plump feet into the shoes," the old woman muttered.
"You sell shoes, too?" Ayame asked excitedly.
"My dresses are made with these shoes in mind. In fact, the pair of shoes for that dress is right… over… here…" The old lady walked behind the counter, and pulled out the heels. "We have different sizes, since I always buy in stock. Of course, I'm close to getting bankrupt, because I have no customers. And people seem to drop my dresses as soon as I say that I made them. I guess they only trust the machine to do a woman's work," the woman said, distaste evident in her voice. Her eyes twinkled as she turned to Kagome. "I have the perfect thing for you."
Kagome blinked. "Me?" she asked, pointing to herself.
"Well, who else could I be talking to?" the old woman asked.
"Grandmother, I--"
"Don't call me that. How ridiculous. My name is Nanami," the old lady said sharply. Kagome blinked again.
"Okay, well, Nanami… I--"
"Look! Isn't it beautiful? You must try this on! And you--" she pointed to Ayame, "--you try on these shoes and tell me if you need a different size."
"Old lady sure got bossy. She looks so sweet, too," Ayame muttered to Kagome as she was pushed away by Nanami. Kagome gave a little laugh, looking at the pure black dress in her arms. It pooled like water over her arm, sliding silkily across her skin.
"What are you doing? Hurry up!" the old woman said, while getting a different size for Ayame. Kagome, startled, quickly went into the dressing room. Gee, what happened to the seemingly sweet, smiling old lady behind the front counter? Kagome thought. Kagome undressed, wondering what the heck she was doing with such a fine dress. She was supposed to get something cheap, something that was suited to prom, or something else that was less significant than this ball.
Kagome shimmied into the dress, and wondered what to do with the straps for a moment. They were not connected to the back of the dress, since the dress practically had no back. It stopped just a few centimeters above her buttocks, something she was feeling self-conscious about. The straps, she found out, were tied around her neck like a halter. Her dress also had a slit, but one side was longer than the other, requiring it to be held when she walked.
She noticed the light playing off of something on her dress. As she ran her fingers over the bottom, she felt small, smooth bumps. It was hidden sequins, and as she looked harder, she found that they were shaped like butterfly wings. Her breath caught, and she looked at herself in the mirror.
"What's taking so long?" Ayame asked from outside. "Come out and see my shoes. They're so pretty!" Kagome quickly took the dress off, dressed, and went out. Both Nanami and Ayame frowned when they saw her. "Why aren't you wearing my dress? You don't like it?" Nanami asked.
"Oh no," Kagome assured her. "It's so wonderful it took my breath away. I absolutely feel beautiful in it," Kagome said.
"Then why not wear it out so we can see it?" Ayame asked. Kagome paused, then shrugged.
"I guess… I don't know," Kagome said uncertainly. Why did she feel as if she didn't want other people to see her in the dress? Insecurities? Inwardly she scoffed at the idea.
But still… she had never worn a dress like this, one that was so revealing, and it was a bit unnerving. She was self-conscious. "I'm self-conscious about it," Kagome concluded.
"That dress was made for your body, dear girl," Nanami piped up from the floor. She was working on Ayame's shoes. As Nanami moved away, Kagome saw the jade green shoes, thin straps going all the way to her ankle to be tied.
"Aren't they pretty?" Ayame crowed. "I'll have to thank Grandpa Myouga later." Kagome almost snickered when she heard Ayame call Myouga a grandpa.
"They're beautiful," Kagome said. Nanami turned to her.
"Now for you," Nanami said.
"Me what?" Kagome asked intelligently as Nanami pushed her into a chair. Kagome blinked as she sat down. For such a little lady, she sure had some muscles in those arms.
"Oy! What's taking so fucking long--" Inuyasha was stopped short as a clothes hanger smacked him in the middle of his face. Kagome and Ayame looked in awe at Nanami, then burst into laughter. "What the hell was that for, you--" Inuyasha stopped and dodged another clothes hanger.
"I won't have such foul language in my store, young man," Nanami said. She brought a pair of shoes to Kagome. Kagome stared at them. They were stiletto heels, meant to showcase her legs.
What she would be showing would not be her legs, but a broken ankle if she had to walk in those. God, she thought she could punch a whole through steel with those shoes.
"Uh… Nanami… Don't you think that's a little too high?" Kagome asked meekly. Nanami shook her head.
"Nonsense. You need to show off a little skin. Be sexy for your man over there," Nanami said, nodding her head at Inuyasha, who was glowering at her.
"What makes you think he's my man," Kagome asked, grinning at Inuyasha who turned his glare to her.
"I might be old," Nanami said, a smile making those eyes crinkle again, "but I know a good old-fashioned romance when I see one."
Kagome laughed, agreeing to wear the shoes. She would have to practice in them though. They were just so incredibly tall. They would probably raise her a few inches. She would still be shorter than Inuyasha, but she would be eye-to-nose with him now. He was really tall. Probably the demon's blood in him.
Kagome wobbled in them, holding onto the counter for assistance. "Oh, God, I don't think I can make a whole evening in these," Kagome cried.
"Of course you can. Just remember: You can't let any other lady bag that man. He's a little rough around the edges, but he lo--"
"Kagome!" Inuyasha quickly cut in, his ears helping him eavesdrop on the conversation.
"Huh?" Kagome asked, her hand still on the counter as she turned to face him.
"Let's go! My feet are killing me," Inuyasha said, the excuse making him sigh in relief. He saw the mischief in Nanami's eyes, and he barely suppressed a growl.
"How much is all this?" Kagome asked, indicating the dresses and shoes.
"Well…" Nanami told them, and all three's jaws dropped.
"I don't think Myouga would be very happy if I used that much money," Kagome murmured.
"But, if you agree to showcase my dresses on these formal occasions that you were talking about, I will sell it all for nine hundred dollars," Nanami said. "I will make a profit off of these other dresses, but I will not be known without a bit of help.
"You want me to wear your dresses? Showcase them?" Kagome asked incredulously. Nanami nodded.
"Model them for me, in a sense. I don't have enough money to hire those super models," Nanami said. Kagome became slack-jawed, unable to utter a sound.
"Deal!" Ayame said for her, sticking her hand out to Nanami. Nanami eyed it, then looked at the green-eyed youth.
"You too, for as long as you're sticking by her," Nanami said. Ayame agreed readily, if not eagerly. Kagome admired the wolf demon for her steadfast nerves, and her quick wit. Now all she had to do was whip out her card, and pick up her jaw from the floor.
"That's tremendously generous of you," Kagome said.
"I know," Nanami said, and ushered them out of the store after packing all the things in nice boxes and equally nice bags.
"So what does your dress look like?" Inuyasha asked Kagome, curious.
"Well… You'll see," Kagome said, smiling up at him. Inuyasha shrugged, thinking about the sore pads of his feet. They had endured worse, but shopping sprees always got them throbbing. He figured it was a male thing.
They went to Kagome's workplace next, so she could pick up her car. On the way, Inuyasha's phone started to ring. He picked it up on the second ring, frowning into the phone.
"What do you want, old man?" Inuyasha snapped. Kagome assumed it was Myouga. "Thank you? Thank you? You expect me to thank you that Kagome and Ayame had absolutely killed my feet?" Ayame and Kagome both made noises of protest, scowling at Inuyasha.
"Uncle Inu, you're such a wuss," Ayame muttered from the backseat.
"I am not!" Inuyasha snapped back at her then returned his attention to the phone.
"When's the dance old man? Three days? Seems an awfully short time to prepare things, and a lot of work," Inuyasha said. Kagome winced. She would be doing most of that work. Inuyasha listened for a few more minutes, then hung up.
"What else did he say?" Kagome asked.
"He said that everything was already taken care of. He had been preparing for it since a month ago. He just hadn't told you. Now really, all you have to do is send out the invitations. He leaves that to you, of course," Inuyasha said wryly.
"Of course," Kagome replied wearily. Inuyasha looked at her, concern flashing his expression before it disappeared.
"You're not as tired as I am, bitch," Inuyasha said. Quickly, he wondered if he had some kind of wish to die early. Well, at least Santa knew what to get for him this year. A painless death, unlike the death he knew Kagome was planning through her eyes.
Kagome grit her teeth, seething inside. She knew "bitch" wasn't a bad word with him, but the way he said the whole sentence implied that she was somehow lower than he was. That she didn't matter as much as he did. How lowering to see that he thought that when she had just realized she had fallen in love with him. Chauvinistic pig.
"Well excuse me, you--" she sneezed. She sighed. "Great. Now the medicine's wearing off."
They arrived at her work place, and she retrieved her car. They had agreed to go to her house, so that Ayame could see it.
They walked into her house when they arrived, Kagome making a beeline to her bathroom to get the medicine she had had earlier that day.
"Nice place," Ayame stated when Kagome came back.
"Oh, thanks," Kagome said. She sat down, popping the pills into her mouth. She sat back, sighing.
Inuyasha was staring at his feet, a faraway expression in his eyes.
"Do you have a… foot fetish?" Kagome asked hesitantly, and Inuyasha blinked before turning to her, scowling.
"I do not have a foot fetish. I was just thinking I would have to wait longer to soak my feet in hot water…" Inuyasha trailed off suggestively. Kagome lifted a brow.
"I'm sorry, do you want some hot water to soak your feet in?" Kagome asked politely.
"Yes," Inuyasha said instantly, grinning. Kagome leaned back into her couch further, her lips curving.
"Too bad." Inuyasha scowled at her some more before giving his feet an apologetic look.
"Uncle Inu, you're such a baby," Ayame said, rolling her eyes. She laughed as Inuyasha gave her a slight shove.
"Watch it kid, or you're going to be staying out in the cold," Inuyasha said.
"That's okay. She can stay here," Kagome cut in. Ayame stuck her tongue out at Inuyasha. Inuyasha growled.
"Since when did you two learn to gang up on me?" he asked. "I don't like it."
"Of course you don't," Kagome drawled. "And we bonded while shopping. Nothing like shopping to find out the other's girls weaknesses and strengths."
"I know your weakness is Uncle Inu," Ayame piped up. Kagome blushed furiously.
"I thought you were supposed to be on my side!" Kagome wailed.
"I am! And it's okay, because Uncle Inu's weakness is you!" Ayame quickly amended. Inuyasha felt the heat creep up his neck.
"Dammit, Ayame, I'm going to beat your ass black and blue!" Inuyasha snarled. Ayame patted him on the shoulder in consolation.
"It's okay, Uncle Inu. I'm sure Kagome doesn't know that you have a weakness for vanilla ice cream, feather pillows, chewy candies, honey-roasted peanuts, little children, and his fr--"
"Ayame!" Inuyasha snarled. Ayame sighed.
"Okay, okay. I get it. Geez. Don't have a pup, Uncle Inu."
"Could you repeat that for me? After I get a pencil and paper, though," Kagome said, starting to sit up, a delighted glee in her eyes. Ayame laughed.
"Sure, it's--"
"Ayame!"
"Okay! Okay!" Ayame threw herself back into the sofa, giving Inuyasha a dirty look.
"And you're not any better, encouraging her!" Inuyasha yelled at Kagome. Kagome frowned.
"I don't think you should be talking to me about bad influences," she said haughtily.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Inuyasha asked softly. Kagome instantly felt bad. She hadn't meant it of course.
"You know I didn't mean it," she said hastily, appeasing Inuyasha.
"Keh." He sat back, a sour look on his face. Kagome rolled her eyes.
"I said sorry."
"Like that's good enough," Inuyasha replied.
"Then what would be good enough, your Highness?" Inuyasha looked at her with heavy lids, making her breath catch. Why did he always do this? One second they were fighting, and the next second, she was… well… aware.
"Stop that," she murmured. He smiled at her, which seemed to be more potent then lustful eyes. Well, the kick in her gut told her so, anyway. What a butt. He knew exactly what he was doing.
"Stop what?" he asked innocently. "I wasn't doing anything. I'm innocent."
"Innocent as a shark," Kagome retorted. Inuyasha mock pouted.
"Now isn't that a little mean?"
"Not as mean as you, jerk."
"Only children resort to name-calling."
"Oh good, then now I know what you are."
"I'm not a child!"
"Well, aren't you just acting like an adult?"
Ayame sighed. It seemed that she was the most mature out of the group. She did find it endearing though, that Uncle Inuyasha had found a woman that could stand against him toe-to-toe. She wondered how the violently passionate Miss Kagome would react, though, when Inuyasha told her the truth. She would probably react as a violently passionate person would: she would…
Frankly, she didn't know what Kagome would do, but she could guess that Kagome would spit in his eye and tell him to go screw himself. Then he would get equally mad, and then they'd end up fighting, and not the playful quibble they were doing right now, but the serious fighting. After that… Who knew? They were both stubborn as mules, and they both didn't know that they were in love with each other. What a drama. She almost wanted to blurt it out right now, so that they could get it over with.
Still, that would ruin Uncle Inu's chances with her from zero to nonexistent. Although both were very bad, nonexistent was just worse than zero. At least zero was a number that could be raised.
She snapped out of her musings when she noticed the two staring intently at each other, the passion of their verbal spar having moved to a different kind of passion. Oh, these two made her sick. They were in the presence of… of… her!
"Uncle Inu, I'm going to wait in the car and retch until I'm sick, okay?" Ayame asked sweetly.
"You do that," Inuyasha murmured. Ayame rolled her eyes and went out. When the biting cold hit her in the face, she shivered and pulled her jacket tight around her. She had the urge to howl into the night, even though it wasn't a full moon. The mate-cry, the one that would bring the worthy one to her.
She reigned in the urge, frowning. She got into the car, sighing. Five minutes passed, then ten, and she was just about to go back into the house when Inuyasha came out.
He climbed into the driver's seat, and sighed.
"Uncle Inu, you've fallen hard," Ayame said. Inuyasha sighed again. He turned to her.
"Help me," he begged.
"From what? Love?" Ayame asked incredulously. Inuyasha opened his mouth, but then shut it. He leaned back against his own seat and shook his head.
"I don't think I want to give this up. That's the masochistic thing," Inuyasha muttered. Ayame smiled.
"Uncle Inuyasha, I think it's so sweet. It's not a fairy tale, but just how it should be. A relationship made from something small into something special," Ayame said dreamily. She had the urge to howl again. Dammit.
"It does sound like a fucking fairy tale," Inuyasha growled. "One of those stupid movies where the guy deceives the girl…"
Ah. So that was it, Ayame thought. That was what was bothering Inuyasha. He was worried his fairy tale wouldn't have a happy ending.
"Well, Uncle Inu, I suppose you can do the smart thing and tell her now before things get out of hand and she blames you for everything," Ayame said, then paused. "Actually, it might have already gotten out of hand."
"Exactly my point. When I could have told her, she wouldn't have been as mad… Now…" Inuyasha hit his head against the steering wheel repeatedly.
"You kill brain cells that way," Ayame pointed out wryly. Inuyasha lifted his head.
"She wants to give me her damn virginity," Inuyasha blurted, scowling. Ayame blinked, then blinked again. Then her face drew up in disgust.
"Uncle Inuyasha, you do know that that was way too much information for me? You're like my surrogate father, and I do not want to think about you and anyone else having… or doing… the unmentionables." Inuyasha snorted.
"Unmentionables? Since when did you become a prude? I remember your mother told you everything when you practically took the first step. I didn't really agree with her doing that, but hey. You didn't turn out damaged."
"I just turned out mentally scarred for life," Ayame said, shuddering. "Mother told me, yeah, but… I still don't want to hear about it!"
"Okay, okay," Inuyasha said. Then he sighed and put his chin in his hand, while his arm was resting against the wheel. He was staring at Kagome's house longingly, as if he wanted to go back in and… do the unmentionables.
Ayame cleared her throat. "So when did you become so open with the public? If I remember correctly, you used to say, 'They aren't worth shit. The only reason they listen to the show is to hear about other people's misery. People are repelled and yet attracted to pain.' And now, here you are, admitting that you love Kagome over the air."
"I didn't admit I loved Kagome over the air."
"Kikyou, whatever. Same person. You're changing the subject and stalling."
"Well, that is why. On the air, I'm Hanyou, and Kagome is Kikyou. They don't know who I am. I don't know who they are. It's infinitely easier to confide secrets to others when you think the one that you love will shun you if you tell them the same secret," Inuyasha murmured.
"So you're not telling Kagome because… she's Kagome?" Ayame asked.
"Exactly. Now you're getting it."
"…Okay… So what does all this have to do with her virginity?"
"I love her, dammit! Haven't you been listening to anything?"
"Well, I know that you love her, Uncle Inuyasha, but I was just wondering…"
"It's not something I can just take and then walk away after. I can't walk away at all if I do… that."
"Now who's the prude?"
"Shut up."
"What do you mean you can't walk away? … You're planning to walk away?"
"Of course I am! Do you think she would forgive me if I told her that I had been using her… in public, nonetheless, for a little bit of extra cash? Do you know how scary she is?"
"So you would rather run than face up to her?"
"It's not running!"
"Uncle Inu, someone's in denial."
"Shut up! It's not running! It's letting her go to…"
"Let her find someone better, one that won't deceive her, and tell her the truth?"
"…Yes."
"Well, that just clears everything up." Ayame rolled her eyes. "Why don't you just tell her the truth now and be that guy?" She was wrong. Inuyasha wasn't worried about the ending to his fairy tale. He was worried about whether or not he was the knight in shining armor.
Inuyasha hesitated. "I don't deserve her, Ayame. I'm… neither human nor demon. She won't--"
"Do you believe Miss Kagome to be so shallow? To only think of one's genes and heritage? You belittle her, Uncle Inu."
"God, you sound like something out of the medieval times."
"Shut up."
Inuyasha jumped when someone tapped on the window. He looked out to see an annoyed Kagome standing there, her arms crossed. For a hideously frightening moment, he thought she heard the conversation. He turned on the engine, then lowered the window.
"You've been sitting out here for quite a while now," Kagome said. "When are you leaving?" Inuyasha relaxed, and grinned at her.
"Can't wait to see us leave?" Inuyasha asked. Kagome frowned.
"I'm tired, Inuyasha. You're tired. Ayame… is Ayame. Do you get the idea?" she asked. Inuyasha laughed.
"Okay, okay. We'll leave you to your rest."
Kagome turned around to leave, but turned again. "What were you two arguing about?"
"We were arguing about whether or not to leave you be," Ayame said before Inuyasha could open his mouth.
Kagome smiled. "Well, leave me be. I'm going to bed. Good night."
Inuyasha raised a brow at Ayame as he closed the window. Ayame shrugged carelessly.
"It's not a lie. We were talking about whether or not you should leave the issue of Miss Kagome be."
"I suppose," Inuyasha said slowly, then drove home.
Three days passed rather quickly, and by the end of it, Kagome thought her hand was permanently cramped into the writing position. She could see it now: The headline of the newspaper would scream: "Corporate Vice President Unable to Move Hand! Can Only Write Her Signature!"
Perfect. She would die signing invitations, putting Myouga's seal onto it. At least she didn't have that stupid cold anymore.
Stupid flea said he was too small to do any of the invitations, and the employees had no real authority except for Kagome and a few other Co-Presidents.
Tiredly, Kagome signed another one, but froze when she saw the name on it. Kouga was invited? Looking through the list again, she realized that all the employees were invited. Company loyalty was important, she remembered. But Kouga? She remembered Inuyasha and groaned. Kouga would not be happy when he saw Inuyasha, not after Inuyasha had punched Kouga's lights out.
"Crap," Kagome muttered. She wondered if she should throw this one invitation away, but knew that she couldn't. Sighing with resignation, she signed it, then stamped it.
When she was done with the invitations (at long last), she walked up to Kanna, holding the stack.
"Could you take care of these for me?" Kagome asked, smiling. Kanna only nodded, continuing to type. Kagome frowned.
Kanna was efficient, but Kagome wished she could have found someone a little warmer. Kagome shrugged and turned around. Kouga was there, and his eyes were intent as he looked at her. Swallowing nervously, Kagome stepped away from him.
"Yes? Can I help you?" Kagome asked. Kouga just continued to stare.
"You're still with dog mutt," Kouga said suddenly. Kagome blinked.
"Yeah…?" Kagome said slowly, her eyebrow going up.
"But you haven't mated yet?" Kagome blushed at the term "mated".
"No…"
"Are you going to?"
"I think that's a little personal," Kagome said, flushing with embarrassment, and trying to step around Kouga to get to her office. Kouga put his arm around her, bringing her back against him. She wedged her hands between them, levering her body away from his. The coworkers were starting to stare, and this would not be good gossip.
"So you're ripe for the taking," Kouga said, smirking. Kagome blew her hair out of her face, frowning up at him.
"I'm not some fruit. You're the fruitcake. So if you don't mind--" she shoved his arms away from her. "--I need to go finish some work." Kouga smiled, and wiggled his brows.
"Right. Some work. Can I do some of that work with you?" Kouga asked suggestively.
"Kouga, get your hands off of her right now!" A raspy voice said out loud. Kouga jumped away from Kagome, looking around quickly. Kagome saw the wrinkly old man and relaxed. It was Toutousai, one of Myouga's old business partners.
Kagome gave the old man a quick hug, squeezing his hand in thanks before leading the way past a bewildered Kouga into her office.
"So, Kagome, my dear girl… I hear from Myouga you're doing good for yourself," Toutousai said. Kagome shrugged, smiling.
"I'm doing all right. I was sick for a while, but I'm better now," Kagome said cheerfully.
"He also tells me you work hard," Toutousai stated. Kagome nodded slowly, still smiling cheerfully. "Do you want to come work for me?"
Kagome blinked. Toutousai had started out selling and repairing the swords of Japan, from the olden days to now. However, he had made his business into a one-man empire, selling exquisite swords to the collectors. It was like having a classic car. To have Toutousai hand-make a sword… It would probably cost the Earth and then some. Some very influential people had them, but they were the only ones that could afford it. Still, they gave Toutousai enough money so that he could live very comfortably in his big mansion by himself, with his demon bull and a smith.
He didn't have a company. His swords were just one of a kind.
"What would I be able to do for you?" Kagome asked. Toutousai paused, obviously pondering the question. Then he hit his palm with his fist, the look of a light bulb turning on evident on his face.
"I don't know!"
Kagome nearly fell over, and she laughed slightly, righting herself. "I don't think I would be able to do anything for you. Thank you for the offer though."
"I was just trying to see what having a secretary would be like, I guess."
"If you want a really good one, I have one named Kanna, and she--"
"No, that's okay." Toutousai sighed heavily. "I'll make do in my little old shack." Kagome snorted. If his house was a shack, her own must have been a box put together with Elmer's glue.
"So what's the real reason you're here, Toutousai?" Kagome asked. Toutousai blinked.
"Wow, you're smarter than you were before," he said. Kagome looked a little miffed before waving off the statement. "Well, Myouga said you were having a ball. I just came here to say again that I'm loyal to your company. I came to talk to Myouga about it too."
"That's all you came for? Please. Try again," Kagome said lazily, throwing a pencil at the old man. Toutousai sighed.
"Sometimes I wish you were just stupid like other girls," he muttered. Kagome grinned brilliantly.
"I do believe that was a compliment," Kagome said. "You still didn't tell me what you were here for." Toutousai's lips tightened into a thinner line, nearly making his lips nonexistent.
"I'm here because Naraku has offered to buy my business as well. He wants me to make swords for him," Toutousai said slowly, scratching the back of his head. Kagome jumped up, anger making her intimidating. Toutousai shrank back, holding his hands up in front of him to save himself from the wrath of Kagome.
"What is he up to? Why all of a sudden asking for your business, too? You're a one-man business!" Kagome raged, pacing back and forth, pulling on her hair.
"Yes, I am," Toutousai said, looking surprised. Kagome sighed, dropping herself back into her chair heavily.
"Myouga should be back by now, so I suppose you should talk to him."
"I should?" Toutousai asked.
"Just go to him and tell him what you told me," Kagome said.
"Oh… What did I say to you?" Kagome gave a growl of frustration before pushing the strange old man out of her office.
"Where am I going?" he yelled at her through the door.
"To Myouga!" she yelled back. Toutousai ambled off, giving a startled look at his surroundings. Kagome shook her head sadly, going back to her desk.
This was good. If Toutousai was on their side, then they would also definitely have the media's attention as well. Outraged celebrities would lend a helping hand. Oh, she was so excited!
Then she paused. Naraku was sure to know this. How much money did he have, exactly? What was he planning to do, when practically all of Japan could be united against him? Was he looking to get toppled? Or maybe it was in Naraku's nature. As a ruthless businessman, he had no choice but to look for more and more challenges. Now, he was one of the richest in the world. So why not take on a country?
She sighed. She did not wish to understand Naraku's psyche. All she knew was that the ball was tomorrow, and she was going to die from exhaustion if she didn't go home. Packing up her purse with a few items, she got her manila folder, and left the office, making sure to leave the door locked.
"Keh. That's what you think," Inuyasha was saying. "Abortion is just heinous. If my wife killed our baby, I wouldn't--"
"But it's not a baby yet," The woman said, exasperated with Inuyasha. "It's just a bundle of cells!"
"No it's not! As soon as that sperm joins the egg, it becomes a soul. And you kill it, by even thinking that. I wouldn't be able to stay with my wife if she did that."
"Even if you loved her? What if she was raped? And then what?" The woman asked scathingly.
"What else to do but to raise the baby as my own? If I wasn't able to protect her from rape, then I don't think the baby should be punished for it. And I wouldn't think of the pup any different than my own," Inuyasha growled.
"Why are you so passionate about keeping something that's so tainted?" The woman asked. Inuyasha sighed.
"It's obvious, isn't it? I love Kikyou. If she had a baby, then it's a part of her. If it's tainted, it's still a part of her. I love her, for her faults and her strengths. Her faults are what makes her essentially her. And that baby wouldn't be any different," Inuyasha said. The woman was silent, then broke into tears.
"My boyfriend just broke up with me. He left me pregnant," she cried brokenly. "He doesn't want anything to do with the baby. And I'm still in high school."
"Jesus," Inuyasha said, sighing as he sat back in his chair. He looked to Miroku, who shook his head. Okay, so this one was his.
"You should have the baby. If it was consensual sex, then you should have used a condom, or other means of birth control. You should have known better. Because you didn't, you're facing the consequences now. No need to kill a baby for your own actions," Inuyasha said.
"What if it wasn't consensual sex?" she asked. Inuyasha paused.
"Personally, I think that killing a baby is just wrong. It did nothing wrong, and it deserves the chance to live. I understand it might mess up your future, but… if you can find no other way but abortion… I'm sorry, I just don't admire that. And from what I hear, it was consensual. He was your boyfriend, right?"
"Yes," the woman said in a broken voice.
"Did he force himself onto you?"
"…No," she said slowly.
"Then have the baby. It might ruin your own life, but you chose it when you had sex without protection. And with a guy that leaves his own child, nonetheless."
"What if he did force himself on me?" she asked. Inuyasha sighed.
"In the end, it's entirely up to you. I can't say 'Do it' or 'Don't do it', and it'll be done. Hell, if I could, then I would have a long time ago. What I'm saying right now might have no effect on you whatsoever." Inuyasha paused. "Did you know a baby can smile in your womb? Did you know it can feel pain after only eight days of developing?"
"No," the woman choked out. Inuyasha sighed.
"It's your decision. I gave my own opinion, and now it's your turn to decide." Inuyasha hung up gently.
He sat back, pressing the heels of his palms against his eyes. He was tired. He wanted to see Kagome; it was becoming an obsession. Hell, it already was.
"Thinking of your chickie-boo?" Miroku asked, trying to dispel the tense atmosphere.
"Maybe," Inuyasha muttered, glad for the respite.
"How's it going with your niece?" Miroku asked. The stifling atmosphere subtly changed to become a breathable one.
"She's a great kid. I can't believe she's so old now. Of course, she still has a lot of centuries to look forward to," Inuyasha said. Miroku raised a brow.
"Of course," Miroku said.
"She's practically a baby," Inuyasha said. He sighed. "She's growing up so fast," he said fondly.
"Do you have a picture?" Inuyasha nodded, fishing out a picture from his wallet. She had sent it to him last Christmas, a Santa hat perched on the top of her head.
"Hot dang," Miroku said. "I don't see why you still think she's a baby. That is definitely not a baby." Miroku looked up, and was met with two fiery looks from Inuyasha and Sango. He handed the photo back to Inuyasha and winked at Sango, who flushed with anger and was yelling something from behind the glass. He grinned, and turned his attention back to Inuyasha.
"Do you two… have something going on?" Inuyasha asked, his brow raised.
Miroku puffed out his chest, looking ridiculous, and said, "Of course."
"It seems our shock jock Miroku has somewhat of a crush with our technician," Inuyasha said into the microphone.
"It's not a crush," Miroku said into the microphone, nearly laughing at the look on Sango's face. "It's love."
Inuyasha envied not the googly eyes they were making at each other, but Miroku's freedom to tell her his feelings.
Well, they weren't really making eyes at each other either. Sango was fuming behind the glass, pretending to glare, and Miroku looked at her lovingly, his eyes soft.
Inuyasha thought he was going to hurl.
It was one thing to make those eyes. It was another to see your best friend do it.
"Now that's just disgusting," Inuyasha said as Miroku practically oozed loving tenderness from his pores.
"I'm sure you do it to Kikyou, too," Miroku said, not pausing as he winked at Sango suggestively. They returned their attention to the phones. The red light was blinking.
"You're on 102.5 FM. What's your topic for the day?" Inuyasha asked lazily. There was a silence, and Inuyasha frowned. "Hello?"
"Hello?" A voice whispered fearfully. Inuyasha tensed, looking at Miroku who had also sat up straighter in his chair. "This is… This is Miharu," said the voice.
"Okay, Miharu… Why are you whispering?"
"Just in case my husband put a tape recorder somewhere. I just had to talk to someone, and this show seemed to be the best at solving people's problems, albeit a bit harshly."
"Okay… why would your husband put a tape recorder in your own house?" Inuyasha asked, although suspicion clawed at his gut. She gave the answer by quickly smothering a sob.
"He… He likes control. I can't…" She took a deep breath. "I can't do anything. He hits me sometimes… I just can't stand living like this anymore. I found out I was pregnant yesterday, and if I lose this baby because he hit me…"
"Leave!" Inuyasha said violently. "Leave the bastard to rot in his own house!"
"I… I can't," the woman sobbed. "I love him too much!"
"That's not love!" Inuyasha snarled. He hated people like this. They were so desperate not to be alone that they were willing to put up with anything. They would even risk their own children's well being.
"He won't let me see my friends… He won't let me keep my own money… He made me lose my last job… And he--"
"I don't care," Inuyasha said harshly. Miroku gave him a quick, cutting look, but Inuyasha ignored it. "If you're risking your unborn baby to that… that… (Beep), then you might as well stay with him. You won't ever be anything, you won't become anything, and it'll be your fault if your baby dies. If you try to leave and he beats you, killing the baby, then it's his fault. When you sit around on your ass and don't even try… That's when you're letting an evil happen right in front of your nose. Take pictures of your bruises. Divorce him. Put him in jail. Just do something!" Inuyasha yelled. It was silent, except for harsh breathing. "I'll even give you a number to call. Just don't stay with him. You said so yourself: 'You can't stay with him.'"
"I… I suppose I could try," Miharu said.
"Do better than try," Inuyasha said. He pushed a button that let the rest of the audience hear commercials, then quickly returned to the phone call.
"Miharu, this is the number…" he rattled it off, listened to her whisper it back, then hung up. He made her promise to call as soon as she was far away from her husband. He had even offered his own apartment. Miharu had declined, saying that she needed to get her own control back… by herself. Her forced bravado made him smile tightly. "That's the way you should do it."
Kagome arrived at her home, and walked in, ready to soak her feet. She got a small basin, and filled it with hot water. Smiling blissfully, she slowly lowered her feet into the water, sighing contentedly.
Her door opened, and Inuyasha strode in, looking as tired as she was. He lied down on the couch next to her, grunting and laying his head on her lap. She didn't question why he was there, or why he was so moody. She simply ran her hand through his hair, enjoying the silence and just being.
"Kagome?" Inuyasha said, his lips moving against the fabric across her stomach. She felt the familiar heat go through her, but continued the slow stroking of his head.
"Hm?"
"If you had a pup--" he ignored the pause in her movements and continued, "--would you ever consider an abortion?" Kagome stared down at his head, flabbergasted.
"No!" she blurted, tugging on his hair. He yelped, glaring up at her. "How could you even ask me that?"
"I was just thinking," Inuyasha murmured. After her answer though, he seemed to relax completely. Soon, she could hear his slight snoring, and her own eyes were starting to droop as well.
Grinning, she carefully removed his head from her lap, and headed towards her bedroom. It was her turn to sleep on her bed. She climbed in, and interesting enough, felt a twinge of guilt. Then when memory returned, she fell asleep smiling, imagining his head dunking into the feet-water she had left below the couch. Chuckling, she fell asleep easily, knowing he was in the next room.
wk: Wow. What an uneventful chapter, right? Oh well. I suppose this chapter wasn't even really necessary, except for the arrival of Toutousai. The next chapter will include the charity ball! Sorry for the long time taken to update, but I do hope that the length of this chapter covers for it. Now to get to the...
ReViEw oF rEvIeWs:
Well, emerald ash, I do believe that Inuyasha will be much closer next time. Maybe. Mwahaha!! I am evil. Evil, evil, evil...
Haha, that's okay, o0 DaRkNeSsEz PuRiTy 0o. Being bossy is better than being bitchy, I always say! And I'm afraid I can't tell you what will happen, because that is giving stuff away. And I absolutely, positively cannot do such a heinous thing! (Grins)
Wow, twagirl! I'm so honored! Of course you can... I don't mind at all! (Grins) Gives me more "publicity." Thank you so much for loving my story!
Thanks, Saiyou the Lover! Hehe, and we'll see about Inuyasha admitting to Kagome soon. Say, how did you manage to comment five times?
Don't worry, Forbidden Miko. Naraku will take action soon. And I don't think Kikyou will be in this story, other than Kagome's cover name. The dead should stay dead, I think.
You'll find out how she'll react, ChibiKenshin6490. I can't tell you right now how she'll react! That'll be ruining everything. And Inuyasha does have his insecurites about it. That's really all I can give away. (Smiles) Stick with it, and you'll find out. I don't think I'm going to make this story as long as I was planning with my other story, Neighborly Love.
Thanks, Amunett! So supportive... (Sniffles) I thought the relationship might be going too fast, but I guess not. (Grins) I'm so glad this story is working out so well. It's the first writing project I'm really sticking with.
Haha, I'm so glad you liked it so much, Aryante! This was the next update. Hope you didn't wait too long for it. (Grimaces)
Slow down, Inu-Baby18! Here it is! Here it is! Haha... I'm so glad you liked my story so much. Hope this chapter compensates for the long wait.
Kagome got better, sapphire pink! And of course, as a girl myself, I love shopping. If I had a credit card, I would be in debt and wouldn't care right now. All those delicious clothes... (Drools) And I honestly haven't thought about Inuyasha slipping Kagome's name in the story, but now that you mention it, I just might...
I loved your story, WaterGoddess914! I hope you saw the review I left on your story. It was good.
I updated, InuKag Fan! (Grins) Hope you like it!
Hehe... I updated, binab86! (Smiles)
Thanks for loving my story, InuYasha's-1-and-only-lov. I hope I updated soon enough for you! If I didn't, then I hope the longer chapter was enough compensation. (Grins)
Aren't you lucky, Corner Girl... I've been going on virtually no sleep this week, since finals are coming up before Christmas break. Yippie... And I like rambling. It's fun to do when you have nothing to do. (Smiles)
I'm not sure if this is an early Christmas gift, or just a random chapter, inulova4lyfe. Either way, hope you liked it!
Yes, well, I made Inuyasha strong in this story. He's not that strong though... He'll stop resisting sooner or later. He's getting more and more frustrated, Shizuka Kaze, and I don't think he can keep it up for long. Not even in my imagination.
I try to keep a light tone to it, since drama these days only gets me down, p1dL337074kuFr34k. I'm warning you though; it might become dramatic once Kagome finds out. I'm glad you like the way my story turned out. I like it too, strangely. (Grins)
I used to think I couldn't write worth... anything, but now, with all these supportive comments flowing in, I just feel like bursting with happiness, Linkin Park's Fan. Sounds sappy, I know, but it's true! And I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving! And I also hope you will have a nice Christmas and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I completely agree, Sunrider22. Government conspiracy all the way. They keep tabs on me too, ever since I started writing. I think they have something in my fingers, that allows me to write. How else could I do it, with my itty bitty brain, and all by myself? I'll tell you how: I couldn't. So the government stepped in. This story is actually a result of the finger-controlling freaks.Hehe, some people didn't like the "bluntly announced" thing. They think it might have been too blunt. It might have been, but it seemed to fit at the time. And honestly, I never thought of Miroku as the "Comic Relief Guy", but now that you mention it... (Grins) And of course it happens a little more melodramatically in the movies. That's why I decided this story was going to be different. Although, I'm not sure how. I'll think of a way. And why would I mind if it was a long review? My review to you is longgggg, too! And I just might use your "Sesshy Quote" later in the story. I like it! Mwahaha! I hope I updated soon enough... (Grins)
Man, I don't believe I have over 200, hibi! It's surreal! And yeah, it was a playful thing. Inuyasha thinks of Ayame as his niece. Just putting a bit of canine play into it. And yeah, I know... I find that odd, too. I'm most likely going to make this story's ending drastically different from those fanfics. I like a lot of those fanfics, but I have this need to write differently with this story. Call it an insane impulse.
Wow, Daddy's Pixie... That's quite impressive. I'm impressed. Like, really impressed. And honored, that you would stay up so late to read fanfics, including mine. And yeah, it was odd, but I hope Inuyasha's explanation in this chapter cleared that up a bit. And at 5:28 in the morning, I'm surprised you have any enthusiasm left all. I would be dead.
Thanks, drake220! I do feel like a queen. My reviews are my gold. Hope your opinion of this chapter is close to the one you gave me last chapter. (Smiles) I still welcome constructive criticism though!
Wow! I didn't know anyone else had this kind of plot in mind MG8!Hope you did good in your French class!
They don't know when they realized it, just that they were. I think that's the way it should be. Well, that's they way I want it, anyway. (Grins) Haha, I'm impressed that you even knew two people that read this story, abstract x heart. Do you know them personally? I want a dragon when I grow up. Imagine: Flying high with a strong dragon between your legs, beating its wings, its bond to you strong... (Sighs) I would love it. And no, I don't have an msn, but I do have a friend's AIM screenname. Tell me if you want it, and I'll e-mail it to you. And I am so honored that you consider this your favorite!
I tried to make it obvious that Kanna was the insider, but that might change in the future. I just kind of randomly threw her in there. I don't know if it'll work out for the best... And sorry, but a masquerade would ruin some surprises I have in store for you guys. I would have made it one otherwise. Sorry, AngelOfDiamonds!
Hope I udpated soon enough, xXlovablekdXx!
Hopefully, it won't be too sad. I'm hoping to keep my little edge of humor, even when it happens, silentslayer. Think I should make it dramatic, or light and not too tense? And we'll see about Naraku and Inuyasha.
Thanks, ladylatina! This story loves you right back!
Haha... Thank you, Mizo Sakura, although I have to disagree. It wasn't organized at all. I just write whatever comes to mind and go with it. It just happens to be dumb luck that made it all work out. (Grins) And I probably updated later than you expected, this time. Sorry! And I really don't mind short or long reviews. Frankly, I'm just happy you read the story, and took the time to even say "Hi" to me. Thanks so much!
No... I'm afraid it was a number made out of thin air, lipgloss102. I've never even been to California, nonetheless listen to the station there.
Haha, honestly, I never even thought about Inuyasha calling Kagome Kikyou, Fushigi Aoi Tenshi. How stupid is that? I write the foreshadowing, and I don't even realize what I'm foreshadowing. Oh, well, that's what I have my readers for! Yay! Hehe, thank you for your support! I greatly appreciate it!
Thanks so much, Kiyoshiko Yukiinu! I'm so glad it's not too cliche. That was something I worried about for a while.
Hehe, glad you liked it, Obsessive Starchaser! I loved using her! I'll probably use her again, like I said. (Grins)
In an ironic twist, it was Kagome that got the bucket of hot water, and Inuyasha got the cold couch... (Snickers) Hehe... In actuality, I feel sorry Inuyasha too, Iced Faerie.
Yeah, Inuyasha should have been fired as soon as he opened his big trap, but the people loved him, it raised ratings, and so they kept him. That's my explanation, anyway. And thanks for reading, NefCanuck! I'm so glad you decided to read my story! (Smiles)
Yay!! I'm a PANTSER, like you, Leni! I'm so glad. (Grins) At first, I was confused on how I was going to go about making Inuyasha still be harsh, but worried at the same time. My fingers figured it out for me. Smart, smart fingers they are... (Pets them)
Hehe, thanks, Keiko89! Yeah... Suspense is the greatest weapon of a writer. Mwaha! Hope I updated soon enough for you.
I'm so glad that this was the first story you read that fit your genre, sleep walking chicken and HAP. And their relationship is getting serious, but I'm trying to keep the wittiness in it. If I'm losing it, please don't hesitate to tell me so.
Inuyasha doesn't hate anyone! No one, I say! And I put my advice in this chapter, via Inuyasha. Hope you don't mind me putting it in the chapter, melissa. It seemed like something good to talk about, too. And honestly, I think your friend needs to make the decision herself. You can help her out through the tough times she's having, but really, she got herself into the situation. And if she's going to have the baby, then she needs to learn how to handle it. Sorry if I sound harsh. (Grimaces) I've had this discussion many times with a friend, and we both agree that killing a baby after your own mistake is just wrong. Thanks for sticking with my story, and I hope everything turns out for the best for your friend! Give her and her baby my best.
wk: Okay, that's it for Chapter Ten! I can't believe I made it to chapter ten with 262 reviews! I am absolutely flabbergasted, and I have to thank all my readers, which is why I made ReViEw oF rEvIeWs in the first place. To thank the readers themselves, because, as cheesy as it sounds, this story would be nowhere without the readers. Aboslutely nowhere. So thank you all again, and Merry Christmas, just in case I don't get the next chapter out before Christmas. Happy New Year's!
Have a happy holidays, and thank you again! I love you guys! Every single one of you!