Winter Wonderland

Chapter Fourteen

Inu-Yasha stared at himself in the mirror and frowned. Damn it's still crooked he thought, trying to adjust his hat once again, but every time he moved his ears it tilted to one side.

"Stupid hat . . ." mumbled Inu-Yasha.

"Are you doing okay in there?" came Mrs. Higurashi's voice.

"Yeah I'm fine,"

"Alright, well we'll meet you down stairs then,"

He could hear her footsteps slowly fading away as she headed downstairs. Sighing in defeat, he left his hat crooked and walked out of the bathroom. Inu-Yasha walked down the small hallway and to the staircase to join everyone else down stairs. His mouth almost fell open as he saw Kagome waiting for him at the bottom. She was wearing her white gown and a pair of white high heels as well. Her hair was in small curls, and she was wearing two gold earrings.

"Ready to go?" she asked.

"Yeah . . I'm ready," said Inu-Yasha.

Kagome smiled and linked her arm with Inu-Yasha's. Mrs. Higurashi was wearing a sparkling blue dress that was sleeveless. Sota wasn't allowed to go to the ball, so grandpa would stay home and look after his grandson.

"Now, the number of the lodge is on the fridge, and we should be home around midnight or later," said Mrs. Higurashi as she pulled on her coat.

"I know, I know. Now you three go and have a good time," said Grandpa.

"Bye grandpa," said Kagome, walking out the door.

"See ya old man," said Inu-Yasha as he closed the door behind him.

"They're gone," smiled grandpa, "Alright this time I'll beat you Sota! Get the cards, we're playing Go Fish!"

Decorations of gold, silver, green, and red were hanging all over the lodge as Kagome and Inu-Yasha entered the building with Mrs. Higurashi came in behind them. A man at the door took their coats, while another took their tickets which Kagome's mother had. The parking lot had been completely full, but they had managed to find a spot that wasn't too far away.

"Beautiful," whispered Kagome, holding Inu-Yasha's arm tighter.

"It sure is," said Inu-Yasha as they climbed up the stairs.

The room above had tables and tables lined up around the walls with buffet tables behind them. A stage was set up in the middle for the hypnotist to do his/her performance.

"Let's find a table," said Mrs. Higurashi, leading them to one by the window which would have shown the ski slopes, but since it was so dark out, you couldn't see a thing. Inu-Yasha pulled out chairs for both Kagome and her mother before taking a seat himself.

"Kagome!"

She looked up to see Ayumi and a boy who had his arm linked with hers walking towards them.

"Hi Ayumi," said Kagome.

"Kagome, Inu-Yasha, Mrs. Higurashi, this is my boyfriend Ryo," introduced Ayumi. The boy had dark red hair that was kind of spiked.

"Nice to meet you," said Inu-Yasha, shaking Ryo's hand.

"You too," said Ryo, shaking Kagome's and then Mrs. Higurashi's hand.

"Mind if we sit with you?" asked Ayumi.

"No not at all, the more the merrier," said Mrs. Higurashi.

Walking around, Ayumi took a seat beside Inu-Yasha, "So have you seen Eri and the others?"

"Not yet, but I'm sure we will," said Kagome.

"So Inu-Yasha I hear this your first time to the mountains?" asked Ryo.

"Yeah,"

"Having a good time so far?"

"It's been pretty good,"

Ryo nodded and started to chat with Ayumi.

"Do you think Hojo will come?" hissed Inu-Yasha into Kagome's ear.

"Probably, but Inu-Yasha you have to stay calm, the Tetsusaiga is back in the cabin, so please don't get jealous?"

"I'll try,"

Kagome smiled and kissed Inu-Yasha on the cheek. More and more people came into the lodge filling up all the tables. Kagome had spotted Eri and Yuka were down the table from them, but there was no sign of Hojo to Inu-Yasha's relief, or so he thought.

In the dark window of where the DJ would have been sitting were two people staring down at the guests. There attention was more on a particular couple than any of the other guests.

"That's him then?" asked the first.

"Yes, I heard Kagome and the girl beside him talking about how he was a demon,"

"Yes, he does look different with his silver hair,"

"Can you get rid of him?"

"Not now, too many people around,"

"Of course, but knowing those two they will go alone sometime in the evening, but we just have to make sure we keep a close eye on them,"

"I'm sure after they eat and after the performance, they'll go for some alone time while the dance floor is being set up,"

"Perfect, and you'll be ready then?"

"Of course, these talismans and scrolls have never failed me before,"

They both smiled and continued to watch from the shadows.

Kagome reached for Inu-Yasha's hand and held it in her small one, "Something wrong?"

"No, why?"

"You keep looking around the room,"

"Just making sure Hojo's not here,"

Kagome smiled and held his hand tighter, "Don't worry about it,"

Inu-Yasha nodded.

"Attention! May I have everyone's attention,"

The half demon almost jumped as a voice out of no where caused everyone in the room to quiet down.

"What the heck was that?" hissed Inu-Yasha.

Kagome held a finger to his lips.

"We will now be starting the 20th annual Ski Lodge Christmas Ball. To begin with, each table row has a buffet set up behind them, you may now get your food, while our hypnotist prepares for his act,"

Everyone rose from their seats and headed to the buffet tables which made Inu-Yasha's open. Food he had never seen before, and yet smelled so good almost made the half demon start drooling.

"There's so much," whispered Inu-Yasha.

"And you can have what ever you like," said Kagome, passing her lover a plate and making her way around the table. There was turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberries, gravy and everything else you would find on a table on Christmas day. Inu-Yasha had almost grabbed a little of each on the table, or at least as much as his plate would hold. Taking a seat, Kagome showed the half demon how to use his utensils and not his hands. Soon the voice over the speakers came on again.

"Now that everyone has settled down, we will now get on with the show! I give you Mesmero, the hypnotist,"

There was a loud applause as the lights dimmed and a spotlight was now pointed to the stage where a man wearing a tux, top hat, and a cape was standing.

"Good evening, I am the great Mesmero," said the hypnotist, stepping down from the chair, "I would like to start off by wishing you a merry Christmas and happy new year!"

Everyone once again gave an applause.

"Now, let's get on with the show shall we? Alright, first I'm going to need a volunteer from the audience, hmm, spotlight, please scan the audience.

The spot light slowly made its way around the table, "Now let's see, ah! Yes you sir!"

The light was shining directly into Inu-Yasha's eyes, "Who me?"

"Yes you, come on up here,"

"Go ahead Inu-Yasha," whispered Kagome.

Inu-Yasha nodded and made his way around the tables to where the hypnotist was standing.

"Good evening sir, may I have your name?"

"Uh, Inu-Yasha,"

"Ladies and gentlemen, Inu-Yasha!"

Another applause came from the audience.

"Now Inu-Yasha, could you please take a seat on this chair please?"

Inu-Yasha looked hesitant, but glancing at Kagome he took a seat.

"You look a little tense there, just relax okay? Now first I want you to close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing,"

Inu-Yasha nodded his head and closed his eyes.

"Now, I'm going to count down from ten, and your going to get sleepier and sleepier as you mind is slipped into unconsciousness,"

A slow and gentle song started to play on the speakers, "Ten . . . your breath becomes slower as you feel your body relax, you can feel it moving through your arms, legs, add through your body,"

(I don't feel like going through them all so I'll just skip to one)

Minutes later . . .

"And on the count of one, I'm going to snap my fingers you will be completely relaxed, one snap,"

Inu-Yasha's head fell forward, he was now in a deep sleep. Kagome was thankful that the top hat stayed on Inu-Yasha's head.

"Now when I snap my fingers, you will open your eyes, and tell me your name, snap"

The half demons head slowly came back up, "My name is Inu-Yasha,"

"Very good, now on the count of three you will go back to sleep . . . three!"

Inu-Yasha's head once again fell forward.

"Now, why don't we have a little fun," getting off stage for a moment, Mesmero grabbed a trunk and pulled it on stage, "Inu-Yasha, when I snap my fingers I will be invisible to you and you won't be able to see me . . . snap"

Inu-Yasha head shot up and he stared around the stage.

"How are you feeling?"

"Whose there?" asked Inu-Yasha, getting up from his chair.

Kagome giggled, as well as her mother and Ayumi.

Mesmero crept around Inu-Yasha a grabbed a doll out of the trunk and slowly approached Inu-Yasha. Inu-Yasha screamed and tried to back away, but ended up tripping over the chair. Everyone in the audience laughed.

"Alright Inu-Yasha, sleep!"

The half demon became still a s he lay on the floor.

"Now, I need you to grab someone in the audience for my last trick . . . snap"

Inu-Yasha rose from to his feet and walked towards Kagome.

"Ah, it seems he has picked a lady friend of his from the audience, may I have your name miss?"

"Kagome," she said, approaching the stage hand in hand with Inu-Yasha.

"Now, Inu-Yasha tell me, do you know this young woman?" asked Mesmero.

"Yes, she is my mate," Inu-Yasha announced proudly.

There was a small laughter from the rest of the audience with Kagome blushing like crazy.

"Is that so? Well then this should be interesting," said Mesmero, taking Kagome's hand and leading her to the other side of the stage, "Alright Inu-Yasha, sleep!"

Inu-Yasha 's head slumped to the side.

"Now, I just need you to stand here, okay?"

"Sure," said Kagome.

"Okay Inu-Yasha, when I clap my hands you will try and run to your mate, how ever your legs and arms have been chained to the ground, clap!"

Inu-Yasha's head shot up and he tried to run towards Kagome, but his arms and legs were held back by the imaginary chains. Kagome couldn't help herself but laugh as Inu-Yasha tried to run to her.

"Now Inu-Yasha when I snap my fingers the chains will disappear, and you can go over there and give your love a kiss, snap!"

Inu-Yasha immediately ran to Kagome and pulled her into his arms before giving her a hard and passionate kiss in front of hundreds of people.

"When I clap my hands you will go back into your deep slumber your deep slumber, clap"

Inu-Yasha's eyes closed and he slumped against Kagome who was trying to keep him standing.

"Now when I count to three, you will awake . . . one . . . two . . . three!"

Inu-Yasha's eyes snapped open, but his grip did not loosen around Kagome, "What are you doing here . . ."

Kagome giggled, "Don't worry, I'll get you a copy of the act so you know,"

Looking as confused as ever, Inu-Yasha followed Kagome off the stage hand in hand.

"Give Kagome and Inu-Yasha an applause everyone!"

The audience once again gave a round of applause as Inu-Yasha and Kagome took their seat. Mesmero continued to show his talents as he hypnotized people into believing they were actors or even singers. He even called up a bunch of girls to pretend he was Rikki Martin in a glass box who were trying to get his autograph (It happened to my sister which was the funniest thing, so I decided to add it). Inu-Yasha continued to eat his supper as he watched how he was able to control people.

"Did that happen to me?" whispered Inu-Yasha.

"Yes, I'll be getting a copy of the tape so you'll know what happened,"

Soon enough the show was over and Mesmero was waving good-bye to everyone as he left the stage.

"Now everyone, the stage will be cleared as well as the tables as the dance floor is being prepared,"

Inu-Yasha and Kagome stood up and headed downstairs with everyone else as the tables were being cleared.

"Are we going to be dancing next?" asked Inu-Yasha.

"Yes," said Kagome.

Inu-Yasha couldn't help but keep his eyes locked on Kagome . . . she was so beautiful he just couldn't stop looking at her.

"You're so pretty," whispered Inu-Yasha, kissing Kagome's cheek.

"Thank you," whispered Kagome, leaning against Inu-Yasha's shoulder.

"And you know what?"

"What?"

"I'm glad Hojo's not here,"

Kagome laughed and held onto Inu-Yasha tighter.

"So, was I really silly on the stage?"

"No, not really. Do you remember anything,"

"Just walking on the stage and sitting in the chair, but then the next thing I knew you were in my arms,"

"It was actually quite funny, I can't wait to show you,"

Inu-Yasha nodded.

"Attention everyone. The dance floor is ready, so if you could make your way up stairs we can get the dance underway" came the voice over the speakers again.

Everyone then made there way upstairs. Christmas lights were hanging along the walls which kept the room fairly dark. Chairs were lined up along the side for people to sit on, and a small table at the entrance that had punch in glass bowl with cups near by. When everyone was upstairs, the music started . . .

"Want to dance Inu-Yasha?" asked Kagome.

"Sure," said Inu-Yasha.

Kagome smiled and led Inu-Yasha to the dance floor.

Inu-Yasha took Kagome's hand in his and placed the other on the small of her back, holding her small form close to his. Kagome snuggled into Inu-Yasha's chest as they slowly rotated around the room.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas

Make the Yule tide gay

Resting his cheek on the top of Kagome's head, Inu-Yasha held his mate tighter to his body, never wanting to let her go. His clawed hand rubbed up and down her bare back, feeling the soft flesh under his rough hands.

The song was nice and slow, making Inu-Yasha wish he and Kagome could stay dancing like this forever. He took a deep breath, inhaling his mates scent, and almost felt like he was in heaven.

Inu-Yasha couldn't really tell how he was feeling as he held is Kagome in his arms, but all he knew was that he needed her. Kagome had no idea how much he needed her by his side. If she were to suddenly disappear, he would die inside.

Kagome held onto Inu-Yasha tighter. She wanted to memorize every detail and moment of her vacation with her Inu-Yasha, for when they returned to the past it would be back to normal. Dancing with Inu-Yasha had only at one time seemed like a distant dream, and here she was in his arms, slowly rotating on the spot.

Thinking of the conversation the other night, she could feel tears welling up in her eyes. Just the thought of Inu-Yasha dying . . . leaving her . . . she felt as if she wouldn't be able to go on living without him.

As if they were actors in a movie, Kagome and Inu-Yasha both looked at each other at the same time, and came together in a gentle kiss. They were both scared of the same thing . . . that the other one would leave them.

"I love you Kagome," whispered Inu-Yasha.

"I love you Inu-Yasha," Kagome whispered back, "Inu-Yasha is this real? Because I still feel as if I'm dreaming, and soon I'll wake up,"

"Trust me this is no dream,"

"But . . ."

Inu-Yasha pressed his lips to his mates in a hard and passionate kiss, showing her that this was no dream.

Kagome kissed back just the same, touching her hands to his face, trying to convince herself that this was no dream . . . he was here with her . . . he loved her . . . . he wouldn't let anything happen to her . . .

As the song finally came to an end, the two just held each other.

"Can we just keep dancing?" asked Kagome.

"Of course. We'll dance all night," whispered Inu-Yasha.

Kagome smiled and rested her head back on Inu-Yasha's strong chest. Inu-Yasha closed his eyes as he enjoyed the moment, but when he reopened them, he saw the last person he wanted to see. Hojo was standing at the door, looking directly at Inu-Yasha. The boy had a smirk on his face and motioned for Inu-Yasha to follow him as he turned and left the doorway.

"Kagome, I have to go to the bathroom, which way is it?" asked Inu-Yasha.

"Down stairs," whispered Kagome.

"Why don't you take a seat and wait for me, I'll be right back,"

"Okay,"

Inu-Yasha made sure Kagome had a seat before trying to make his way to the door. This was it, the moment he could tell Hojo to piss off and leave Kagome and him alone. Hojo was no where to be seen in the small landing before the stairway, but smelling the air, he could smell Hojo's scent coming from a door which lead outside. Glad that there wouldn't be any witnesses, Inu-Yasha opened to the door and closed it behind him.

"Good, you made it,"

Inu-Yasha turned around to see Hojo standing behind him, "I'm surprised you wanted to meet with me face to face with out Kagome here to protect you,"

"I don't need her kindness for her to protect me, but after I'm finished with you she will fall in love with me,"

Inu-Yasha chuckled, "You have no idea what you're getting into,"

"On the contrary I actually do. After hearing a little conversation between Kagome and Ayumi I now know that you are not hum . . . but a dog demon,"

"So then you should know not to mess with me,"

"Unfortunately I cannot beat you, so I found someone who could," Hojo's eyes shifter to look at something behind Inu-Yasha.

The half demon didn't have time to turn around as something was slapped on his back and made him cry out in pain. He could tell that a talisman had been pasted on his back by the way it was burning his skin. Inu-Yasha turned around and faced someone who he could have sworn could have been Miroku, but was wearing the modern clothes.

"I'd like you to meet my brother, Brad. He happens to be a priest," sneered Hojo.

Inu-Yasha tried to attack Brad, but had another talisman thrown at him, this one hitting his chest. This one burned more than the last, causing Inu-Yasha to fall to one knee.

"Brother, can you please finish him off, I need to get to Kagome,"

Inu-Yasha urged his body to get up, and jumped tried to jump onto the roof, but was stopped as more talismans pasted themselves on his body. He couldn't help but scream as the pain coursed through his entire body, causing him to fall back on the small deck. Brad slowly approached Inu-Yasha, more talismans in his hand. Inu-Yasha got to his feet and tried to get away. He slowly backed away, but his body screamed at him to stop. His hat fell off, revealing his white dog ears.

"Now, you die," whispered Brad, throwing his remaining scrolls and talismans.

Inu-Yasha screamed as they hit him, causing him to tumble over the railing. His vision had gone blurry as he fell to the deep pile of snow below, slowly losing consciousness . . . his last thoughts of Kagome in her white dress . . .

Hojo smiled as he saw smoke rising from the deep imprint in the snow.

"He is now dead little brother," said Brad.

"Good, now let's head inside," said Hojo as the two brothers headed back into the lodge. The only thing that indicated that someone had been outside, was a top hat lying on the ground.

TBC . . .

Review! That's all I have to say for this chapter.

Lynns