A/N: I do not own InuYasha or The Phantom of the Opera. I have not even seen the play, though I own almost every version of the sound track available in America (Yes, even the original Canadian cast) and the movie, and I'm dying until the day I get to.
Thank you so much to those of you who reviewed (and sent very appreciated brownies!) and I must say it sucks that I'm not allowed to respond to you any of you outright. Thank you to my first 20 reviews EVER!
Now, to the other 650-ish of you: I'm flattered you read my story, but REVIEW! I need to know what you think, good or bad you bunch of lazy-butts! (But I still love you guys so much for just reading my story in the first place!)
Jess:…sigh… I think you've ranted enough. Just get on with the chapter already!
Ok! Hope you guys like it! (Eventually I will be killing Kikyou off so… PLEASE don't hunt me down after reading this!)
Ch.6 Endless Longing
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"Marco. Yes. Tonight. I expect all will be up to my…usual standard of perfection. My lady and I will be there sharply at eleven. I trust you will have everything? Good. Yes, your daughter is quite the little beauty. It would be a shame should I simply forget that she is under my protection. You know how some demons are. They see such lovely blonde hair and become curious as to whether or not it's…elsewhere…yet." He chuckled and held the phone away from his ear as a man's panicked voice rang out through the earpiece. Soon after, the sound of a sobbing male begging and pleading with him as if his heart were breaking came through. 'Sniveling fool.' He was getting annoyed now. His eyes narrowed at the voice. "Yes, yes. You have my word. If you don't screw this up."
Naraku snapped his cell phone shut and stepped into the single beam of light from the streetlamp in the almost deserted parking lot, only his car kept him company as he waited. She was late. He checked his watch in an unusual show of impatience. Looking up he smirked.
"Kikyou. And here I thought you would stand me up."
"Whatever. Just be glad I convinced them to go to the club at all. InuYasha is still sulking, Sesshoumaru is a royal dick, and the rest of the lot follow Sango like ducklings. It was hard work convincing them all to go. I do expect payment, you know."
His smirk grew as her hands snaked their way up his chest, skimming the silk of his shirt, to clasp together at the nape of his neck and bury her fingers in the long tresses. She brought his face down to hers and thrust her tongue in his mouth hungrily. He played along, his own skilled appendage easily drawing a moan from deep in her throat. He resisted sneering at her pathetic reactions. After all, once Kagome was his, she would no longer be necessary to him. She would be disposed of, so he may as well let her have her fun now while she could.
She brought her leg up to wrap around his waist, rubbing her calf across his lower back before bringing her other leg to join its twin in the worshipping of his ass. He let her do as she wished, and even went as far as to push her back against the hood of his car. Again the idiot moaned as he ran a cool finger along the length of her inner thigh and stroked her tongue deeply with his. Her hips rubbed against his own, trying to arouse what was completely beyond her power to do so.
This was entirely too easy, and it bored him. Kikyou was one of those women easily manipulated by a talented bed partner, and she sickened him. He pulled away; causing a bereft whimper from the bitch sprawled below him on the icy hood. Her eyes bore into his, pleading for him to come back and continue. (A/N: GAG ME)
"Now is not the time. Later, love. Later we can have our fun. But first, you have a puppy on a leash to look after."
Pouting and feeling confident, Kikyou adjusted her leather mini skirt and pulled her revealing top more snugly around her breasts. Naraku stood back as she breezed past him and walked away in the direction of the theatre the next block over, her thigh-high boot heels clicking on the pavement.
She would get him yet. And the little dog too. She confidently swayed her hips (what little she had) and made her way out of the parking lot and back to InuYasha, who was pacing and wondering how much longer her "phone call" was gonna take.
As she walked away and disappeared around the corner, Naraku resisted the childish temptation to wipe off her kiss. By the nights end he would have the memory of a much sweeter kiss. And he was going to make sure everyone was there to see it, especially those precious dog brothers of hers.
With Kagome…
Kagome studied her reflection in the vanity mirror in the back room. Slowly she pulled her hair back into a high ponytail, wanting to take as much time as possible. Tonight was her date with Naraku, and a rock was forming in the pit of her stomach. 'Calm down Kagome,' she closed her eyes 'It's just a date. He's not waiting for you at the end of an aisle or whisking you off to Paris. Get a grip.' She sighed and turned, only to crack skulls with Sango.
"OW! Jeez! So much for me wishing you good luck on your date!" Sango laughed and rubbed her forehead playfully.
"Sango! I'm so sorry!" Kagome panicked.
"Don't worry about it. Anyways, you still nervous?"
"…Yeah" Kagome played with the end of her ponytail and blushed like a schoolgirl. Sango laughed.
"You'll be fine. Just remember what I told you and you'll be fine. Besides, if you do end up needing me to come kick some butt, you can come get me at Club Jewel. My phone is on, and if you have to, drag him to the club with you. He wouldn't dare pull anything in front of the entire cast." Kagome looked at her confused.
"Somehow Kikyou managed to convince everyone to go, and I mean everyone. Sesshoumaru said he'd put in an appearance, and how the hell that came about I'd like to know. I wish Rin would come back to the theatre. You think a guy would stay happy, but NO! Not Mr. Bipolar-Ice-Up-His-Royal-Ass." Sango giggled at her own remark.
"Sango!" Kagome gasped while swatting her arm with mock outrage.
"What? It's the truth!"
Kagome sighed. It was true. Ever since that night he hadn't smiled again. At first everyone had started whispering and shooting him questioning glares. He shot back his own as if to say, "I could have told you not to get used to it." and walk away tall and straight. He was like that even when he dropped off Rin. He couldn't give her anymore rides to the theatre either because he had to get there early to put on his makeup. 'Actually, that bugs me. He had plenty of time, even though we were late that night.' Kagome frowned slightly. He wasn't making any sense.
Irritated, she glanced at her watch, almost screaming when she saw she was five minutes late to meet Naraku. He'd gone out twenty minutes ago to get his car and let her finish getting ready. She bolted out the door calling a hasty goodbye to her best friend. Sango shook her head and went out front to go get Miroku and rescue whichever usherette was the victim of his "cursed hand" tonight.
Kagome let the door shut behind her with a slam as she looked around for Naraku. Had he gotten tired of waiting for her? Now she felt bad for taking so long. However, not two seconds later the man in question pulled up in a silver mustang convertible, flashing an award-winning smile as he got out and made his way towards her. He opened the passenger door and handed her in, kissing said hand as he did so. Kagome blushed and pulled her hand away. 'God, what a cheese-ball.' 'You wouldn't have a problem if it were Sesshoumaru' 'Who're you?' 'Your conscience, darling girl.' 'Speaking of cheese-balls…' 'Watch who you're calling cheese-ball, miss.' 'Why I oughta…'
"Kagome? Is everything all right?" Unintentionally, Kagome had clenched her fist and growled at the appearance of her conscience just a Naraku had settled himself in the driver's seat. She blushed and smiled at him.
"No-YES! I was…just thinking about something Sango was teasing me about earlier! Just something stupid!" 'Sorry Sango! I promise I'll make it up to you.'
"Alright then, how about we make our way to supper then? Marco has heard you perform and he and his staff are anxious to wait on such a talented beauty."
"Oh!" Kagome blushed again. 'What's with this guy?' 'Hey! Maybe he's just trying to be nice! Ever think of that?' 'Hmpf. Yeah, and I'm Queen Isabella I of Spain. You better keep a tight hold on your panties tonight girl.' 'WHAT? Since when is my own mind so gutter-oriented?' 'Since you lost your naivety about men the first time Miroku groped you.' 'I can't believe I'm having this kind of conversation with myself…AGAIN!'
"Kagome, we're here."
While Kagome had been arguing with herself, they had pulled up to the hotel and Naraku had gotten out and opened her door. His hand was held out to hers expectantly. She mentally shook her head and put her fingers in his. She gasped when they curled around tightly and forcefully pulled her up. She "EEP'd" when she collided with the hard muscle of his chest. For the briefest moment she was held there, before he stepped away and grinned sheepishly (A/N:coughcoughbullshitcoughcough).
"I am sorry, I did not mean to pull you so hard. The car is low to the ground and I guess I misjudged."
"That's alright, it was an honest mistake!" 'Honest my ass. I'm right, there's something fishy about this guy…' 'Glad you see it my way.' 'Oh be quiet. If you insist on being so all-knowing, help me fake my way through this until I can escape to the club after this.' 'Deal.'
"Shall we go in, Kagome?"
"Yes. Lets."
Kagome resisted the urge to swat his hand away as he placed it at the small of her back to guide her into the building that housed the restaurant on its top floor and into the elevator. It just felt wrong to feel the heat of his palm through the thin material of her dress.
Naraku noted how she tensed at the touch of his hand. Her entire back rigid, contradicting the cheery smile plastered on her face. He smirked inwardly while outwardly presenting a comforting smile.
'Doesn't this guy's face hurt after such intense smiling?' 'Seriously.'
"Ah! Good evening sir! Such a pleasure to have you and your lady dine with us this evening! Please, allow me to show you to your table personally! The best in show biz deserve the best table after all!"
"Thank you, Marco. Kagome allow me to introduce Marco, a business associate of mine. He owns this restaurant and many others throughout the city and the world."
Kagome studied the beaming man being introduced to her. Tall, with obvious Greek background, shoulder length brown hair, chiseled cheekbones and jaw, broad shoulders, and a handsome olive complexion. He seemed an ageless god turned entrepreneur in an Armani suit. He smiled charmingly at her, but something wasn't right. He was afraid. She examined him closer as her bent over her hand to kiss her fingers.
His facial features revealed nothing but charm, even the way he stood exuded confidence. What was it? There, the slight tremor in his hands as he pulled away. The way his eyes barely restrained a wince at the sound of Naraku's voice. The way they flitted nervously from Naraku to her to the back of the restaurant. 'What's he so scared about. I wonder…'
"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Kagome. Now, this way to your table."
He led them to a table with a view over looking the city. They were so high up; Kagome almost got dizzy looking down at the moving dots of lights that were cars one hundred or so floors below. Naraku rested his elbows onto the table-'Didn't his mother ever teach him table manners?'-and leaned his chin onto the backs of his hands. He chuckled amiably at the look of astonishment on her face as she looked around at the elegant simple beauty the setting offered coupled with the night view of the city with it's illuminated hills of skyscrapers.
"It is beautiful, isn't it? This is one of the reasons I love coming here. I hope you don't mind, but I took the liberty of placing and order with Marco before we came. Much less hassle that way, I want to spend as much time as I can getting to know you." Naraku stated just as the first course made its way out of the kitchens on silver platters by the pristinely clad waiters. 'Cheese-ball Alert! Cheese-ball Alert!' 'Amen to that. Well… I suppose it wouldn't hurt to talk to the guy.'
Kagome did just that. Over the meal, they chatted pleasantly over random topics. Joking back and forth politely. Naraku throwing out the most flirtatious compliments Kagome had ever heard. The earlier tension had let up, so all in all the conversation was going fine. A twinge of it would reappear when Marco would "personally see to it that their meal was perfect". He was confusing her with the way his eyes twitched nervously in fear.
Around the time when their desert came out, he came to them again. As he opened his mouth to speak, a little girl clutching a porcelain doll came running from where Marco had just come and wrapped herself around his legs.
She was adorable! She couldn't have been older than five, and an angel couldn't be more perfect than the little girl. Her long blonde hair was curled into long ringlets and held in place by a thick black headband, her bangs curled lightly onto a juvenile version of an alabaster brow. She wore a light blue silk dress that matched her eyes, with a black sash tied in a bow. Her doll wore a matching dress and was clutched tightly to her as she pouted up at Marco.
"Papa! May we go home now please? We've stayed later than usual and I'm tired. Diego won't play dolls with me and I'm bored!" She noticed Kagome smiling at her and gasped. "Papa! Who is the pretty lady! She looks just like a princess!"
"Adrianna!" Marco could barely choke out her name. He felt his lungs constrict as he saw Naraku's lips turn down slightly in a disapproving frown, and his face paled. "I told you we would be late tonight. Now go back to my office and wait for me there! Please! No arguments young lady! You're interrupting our guests-"
"Oh! She's alright! Hi there Adrianna, I'm Kagome, and that's a lovely doll you've got there! What's her name?"
Adrianna smiled shyly at Kagome and made her way over to the woman and climbed into her lap. Kagome smiled and held her close, peering over her shoulder at the doll in question.
"Her name is Isabella and she's my best friend in the whole wide world!"
Marco relaxed as he saw Naraku smiling indulgently at the two girls in front of him, clearly pleased with Kagome's maternal actions. He let the girls chat for a while longer before clearing his throat.
"Kagome, it's getting late. We ought to be going now, don't you think?"
"Oh! Yes, you're right. Goodbye Adrianna, maybe I'll see you again sometime." Kagome set the little girl down, after planting a kiss on top of her head, who promptly ran over to her father to be picked up.
He watched as Naraku and Kagome made their way to the elevator, Kagome calling a last goodbye to Adrianna over her shoulder.
As the elevator doors shut, Kagome sighed contentedly and leaned against the railing on the wall. Naraku followed suit on the adjacent railing, his long legs stretched out before him.
"So Kagome, what else would you like to do? I feel dinner was interrupted and I would like to spend more time with you."
"Oh. Really? I didn't think so. It was wonderful, and Marco's daughter was too adorable! Really, it was perfect! Thank you!"
"You're welcome. It was honestly my pleasure, but that still doesn't answer my question."
"Oh! You're right! Erm…" 'CRAP! What to do? Sango help! Sango…Oh Yeah!'
"How about Club Jewel, Naraku? I've never been before and everyone has been raving about it since it opened. It sounds like it could be fun! What do you think?" She looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"Sounds perfect." He grinned.
With Sesshoumaru…
'Why the hell am I here again?' For the thousandth time Sesshoumaru checked his watch. Two a.m. When most decent people were asleep, the club remained open. So it was just as loud, hot, and sweaty as it had been when he had gotten there an hour ago.
He had gone home after the show to answer some letters before making his way back to Club Jewel, planning on picking up Rin after. No use of her staying alone in the mansion. It would defeat the purpose of her being at Kagome's in the first place. Kagome…
The prospect of Kagome being there was the only thing that kept him there, maybe he would finally be able to sort his feelings out. After being bombarded with them after five hundred years without them was not at all pleasant. Especially when brought on by a human.
'Why am I bothering? Oh yes. Tonight was her date with Naraku and you not trusting him wanted to make sure she was safe after Sango mentioning the Kagome might come by after it. Is that right?' His demon nodded its head and grinned.
FLASHBACK
"So, InuYasha, you up to going to the club tonight after the show? We could have fun. And besides, my birthday is tomorrow."
"I don't know Kikyou, I'm not really up to it. I think I'll just head home." Kikyou didn't miss his eyes lingering on Kagome humming in front of her mirror.
"Please? It will be fun…afterwards." She ran her finger up his up his chest to his sensitive puppy ears perched on top of his head. "We'll ditch everyone else afterwards and…have fun"
"Hpf. Have fun with that." Sesshoumaru's icy voice was heard over InuYasha's shoulder. Kikyou looked over her "puppy's" shoulder to see Sesshoumaru leaning his hip against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest. 'Two birds with one stone, Naraku would be so proud if her could see this.' Kikyou sneered to herself while presenting a pout.
"It's true everyone will be there. First round of drinks are on me." Cheering rang through the room as Sango nodded her head. Kikyou lowered her voice so only Sesshoumaru could hear over the din. "And I know Kagome will be there after her…date with Naraku."
Date? With Naraku? How could she possibly feel safe with him? He had a…reputation among demons. He'd been quiet for a century or so and taken up a hobby (acting, obviously), but still.
His demon was growling 'Stop female from danger.' 'And why should I? She's a big girl and can handle herself on a date.' It growled again. 'Fine, I will go and wait at the club so you may see for yourself she is safe.' His demon smiled and growled, contentedly this time.
END FLASHBACK
"Sango!" He turned his head as Kagome walked over to her friend and shouted her name over the music, Naraku in tow.
He growled as Naraku took her hand and led her to the booth where Sango, Miroku (with a rather nasty looking bump still on his head), Kohaku, Souta, and Kanna were all sitting. They were hailed with a chorus of "Hey Kagome!" and budged over to make room for the pair. They began chatting for a while, Sango occasionally throwing Naraku a skeptical glance.
Naraku, however, didn't even notice. He talked video games easily with the guys and had eyes only for Kagome. That is, until he purposely caught Sesshoumaru's eye. He smirked in a cocky way that had Sesshoumaru's hackles rising. He growled an audible warning to him to BACK OFF of Kagome. Naraku just chuckled at him from across the club. He turned to Kagome and led her out onto the crowded dance floor, well within Sesshoumaru's line of vision, and began dancing with her.
Kagome was completely oblivious to Sesshoumaru watching, and just moved with the music. Even to the thumping beat coming from the speakers, she danced gracefully and (would he admit it?) sensuously. She barely paid attention to Naraku in front of her as she lost her self in the music and swayed her hips. Sesshoumaru couldn't take his eyes away from her, mesmerized by her movements like a snake to the flute of a charmer. And he wasn't the only one.
Kouga and InuYasha were not far away. Kouga dancing with Kagura watched Kagome over her shoulder. InuYasha was sitting on a barstool, a beer in his hand, seething. All three felt and thought the same thing: MINE.
Naraku didn't miss any of it. He reveled in the look of jealousy in all three of their faces. Now to put his plan into action. He began to dance closer to Kagome, who was hypnotized by the music, allowing her to unconsciously adjust to him being so close. She responded to his proximity and began to dance with him, not just in front of him. His hand on her hips drew her closer; her arms thrown carelessly over his shoulders connected them.
A second before it happened, Sesshoumaru realized what he was going to do. But he was too late. Naraku leaned down and captured Kagome's lips in his own, startling her out of her trance.
Kagome began to resist. This was wrong. His lips felt cold and fleshy, not at all warm or tender. Her eyes flew open as he bit down on her lip, causing a droplet of blood to form. He caught it with his tongue and smiled triumphantly as Sesshoumaru howled in anger. The entire bar went silent.
Author'sCorner: This is Fae, not the author, but I just want to apologize for taking so long to post it. She's had 6 ready for a while, but I was just...well...lazy. Many apologies! I'll try to be better. Erik is currently working on 7, but she's been occupied with AP classes and they've been working her to the bone. She also wants me to tell you guys that Jesse's in a corner pouting because he's being ignored and not getting any chocolate...(sighs) I will never get this.
Parody just for Jenn (Fae)-
"How about Club Jewel, Naraku? I've never been before and everyone has been raving about it since it opened. It sounds like it could be fun! What do you think?" she looked at him with hopeful eyes.
"Sounds perfect." He grinned and suddenly donned the garb of a certain winkie prince and started dancing and singing around the elevator
"Let's go down to the Ozdust Ballroom, we'll meet there later tonight!
Find the prettiest girl!
Give her a whirl
Right on down to the Oz dust Ballroom!
Come on follow me
You'll be happy to be there:
Dancing through life!
Kagome:….O.O; I thought we were going to Club Jewel…