White Dogs: Perversity.
Rating: PG-13. R, to be safe for some parts.
Pairing: Sess/Kag… oh my god! We have a moment here people! And it's a Kodak one. Quick, get the cameras. Black mail? Need I say more?
Song-fic: Somewhere by Default.
Disclaimer: ::rolls eyes upward.:: Oh, that I were the one who had created Inuyasha that I had given life to Sesshoumaru. But alas, I cannot claim anything at all. For I was not the one to do the creating merely the one to envy the creator. Translation: I own..::checks stock:: two pieces of lint and a monkey. Nothing more. I wonder where the third piece of lint went to?…::we switch scenes to see a piece of lint, obviously the runaway one, having a snog-fest with a dust bunny.:: …!!!::pales:: I didn't want to know that bad!!
Summary: So, Kagome is a smart cookie- Lets give her a diploma. Sesshoumaru accepts that he is 'weak'- Good dog. Shippou is probably doing the Macarena to celebrate this small victory- Can we say 'dead meat'? I can. Dead Meat.
Genre: Everything left of the middle. But count on some comical relief. I can't write a good, complete uninterrupted angst-drama to save my sorry existence.
A.N.: ::glomps all the wonderful reviews, feverish grin in place.:: Oh! You all love me, you really, really love me. How marvelous. ::chokes on the cheesiness of her words:: Ouchieness. Okay, no more lame little reject quotes from nameless movies. Or wherever they're from. Seriously, I can't fathom how nice you all are. Or am I just that good? Oops I.. ah spilled a little vanity there. Heh, hope no one slips on it and breaks their necks. It would be a terrible loss for me. My poor heart couldn't take it. I am going to answer some of these reviews, since I feel I owe it to you. And you. And yes, you as well. But I cant answer them all. So know that I heart you loads and thank you heap big time.
Anyways. One reviewer –I love you! In a purely platonic and professional way of course- asked if I was a professional writer. Heavens no. I'm only fifteen. However, it is my ultimate goal in life to become a published author. Thank you for you fantastic praise though. ^__^
I'm sorry I made you wait so long Kido-chan. Do you mind if I call you that? And I'm doing the preliminary outline for my new story now. Thank you for your great review. (am I getting redundant or what?)
Yes, don't we all wonder what Shippou's got up his sleeve. Or sleeves, knowing the little imp. Or big imp now. Even I don't know what he's going to do… Heh he.
And thank you Ashleekyle. I was looking for quotes to use after I got done writing the chapter and that one popped right into my head before I knew what Hit me. I love A1 steak sauce myself so… And I think I'm going to have Kagome start to stitch together who Hitori really is soon. ::squirms right along with you:: Problem is that I'm trying to figure out how exactly to go about having her figure it out and what her reaction will be.
Whoa, Erika long review. So I'm just going to have to do this. ::bows repeatedly.:: Thank you! I'm glad you like how I've characterized Shippou and Frosty-kun. Frosty being Sesshoumaru. Great new nickname fir him, no? and about that confusing sentence. A necrohiliac is actually a worm…or a creature that thrives in dirt. But I figured Kikyou could be pretty much considered a creature of such since she's made of dirt. I meant that Inuyasha was so hung up over Kikyou that he was oblivious to Kagome's heart on a platter that she offered him. And I'll try to reformat the thing. I tried to fix it when I first posted it but it was a no go.
And a great big thank you to every one who I didn't mention. I love you all.
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"I've dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas they've gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind." – Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. (I've not read it yet, but the quote was good.)
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Perverse: Marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict. Resistance to guidance or discipline. Marked by immorality; deviation from what is good, right or proper.
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Chapter Eleven: He'd Put His Heart Away For A Rainy Day.
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Day fell to night and the night passed quickly. The gossamer web of stars was burned away by the solar flares of daybreak, the master of those very flares climbing its celestial ladder in a lethargic manner. Nocturnal creatures fell back to the comforts of shadows and the day dwellers slid into the refreshing stream of life where they would remain till the moon claimed her proper dues and shooed her solar brother back to his haven. The clouds, on the other hand, weren't swayed by either solar or lunar power and were being to converge upon Tokyo, fat and weighted by moisture. Their bellies swelled like that of a pregnant woman's, they waited…
However, the moon still retained her grasp on the room where a dark haired beauty rested her blue-gray eyes staring listlessly through the canopy of glass above her, however fleeting that hold would be. Hours had passed since the afore mentioned beauty had fallen into her slumber. And woken again, mind busy with odd thoughts and sudden enlightenments.
In that time plenty had happened. Such as a certain young kitsune having to take his scheme back to the drawing board, a certain taiyoukai beginning to feel stirrings of emotions and a certain painting given more life stoke by stroke of the brush in the darker hours of night, when every one else was nestled in their dreams, snug in bed.
And the soft pitter patter of the sky's tears against the roof and windows was a muted symphony that was nearly unheard by all. But it was there nonetheless.
Sesshoumaru was silent as he locked the door to his study, dried paint flecked upon his person for the second morning in a row. He paused just outside the door, eyes sparking into a gold fire as he mentally conjured the magic that would keep his study from being invaded. For one moment in time, golden-red tendrils of his power flared out and coalesced into a net about the room before the traces faded. It would not be detected or seen by any one other then him.
Satisfied, Sesshoumaru drifted into the bathroom to begin the task of washing the dried pigments from his skin. He moved in unnatural silence, cautious in where he placed his weight. Not even Shippou's sharp senses would be able to discern him from every other faint sound.
The prospect of having one bouncy kitsune parade about him in the early hours of day break was about as appealing to Sesshoumaru as ..well, he could think of any number of unpleasant things, such as being locked in a room full of utter idiots or worse…being locked in a room with his moron of a half-sibling and not being able to kill said annoyance. Suffice to say that having Shippou pick at him for answers was not on Sesshoumaru's list of things to enjoy in the mornings.
Rather, he preferred a nice spot of tea and a morning paper… forget the paper. Human affairs didn't much interest him. Well, tea it was then.
Soon enough the heady aroma of warm tea wafted through the kitchen. Sesshoumaru, lazing at the table, ran a hand through his short hair and yearned for the length of silver he once had as he sipped his tea, contented with the herbs that washed over the surface of his tongue. He'd closed his eyes, bored with the monotony of the kitchen and settled instead for painting mental images within his mind's eye that he would later lay to canvas or other wise. Strangely enough, inspiration was coming to him far more willingly then it ever had before. The artist wasn't quite sure who to thank and perhaps blame.
When that was no longer entertaining him, he instead focused on the girl's power. She reminded him of a calm lake. Pure and serene on the surface. But beneath the glassy waves, her power roiled and churned, dormant yes, until it was needed before it exploded to the surface, sending a fine spray of luminous droplets into a chaotic dance. Then, when done, sinking back to its sleep and allowing the lake to calm and conceal its secrets once more.
Seconds later, he focused in on her power, which was just barely active as it tried to re-heal her wound. Like the coals of a near dead fire, her magick radiated warmth and heat waves rose in his astral vision from her spiritual body, just enough to illuminate but not to blind. The taiyoukai drew back into himself, breathing deeply and scenting slight traces of mint on the air.
He sipped his tea, eyes flashing open, glinting gold for but a second then glowing their eerie green again. Such a strange contradiction, he mused to himself. She grows more powerful spiritually, but physically is so very weak and fragile. So very breakable….
Or was it that she was already broken and now was mending?
His eyes narrowed. Perhaps she was afraid to mend. It would seem so… even that her powers were healing the tear in her flesh they didn't touch the ones in her heart. Every time he came close to her he could smell the weighted scent of her sorrow; it smelt of heavy rain and stale fog. She wallowed in it, wanting out of the tepid sea but afraid of exposing herself to the fresh and frigid air.
For a moment, he pitied her, before sympathy for her and compassion over rode that pity. No, he would not pity her. Never. That proud creature would never wish pity for herself from anyone. He understood that quite well.
Down the hall he heard a feminine yawn then the bed shift as weight was rolled from it. So, that 'proud creature' was fully awake was she? He'd been privy to the fact that she was lying awake. She'd been thinking too much to have been otherwise. He went to sip his tea again, pressing the cup to his parted lips. The amber liquid did not wash against them and warm them.
The cup was empty.
His eyebrows drew up sharply before smoothing again, as he set the teacup to the table. Teacups don't hold quite as much as they used too, he insighted darkly, staring at the remaining drop of amber at the bottom of pearl white. He leaned back and listened to the soft sound of faltering footsteps as they neared where he sat, then looked over his shoulder to the small form of Kagome standing in the archway of the kitchen.
Her dark tresses were tousled and wild, hanging about her shoulders in a mused curtain of blue ebony ink. Dark blue eyes stared at him, the pupils large in the pre dawn light. She'd cloaked herself in the blanket he'd handed her the other day, willowy fingers tightly curled in the heavy weave.
He was struck by how small and vulnerable she looked, but at the same time was well aware that there was a fire to her that gave her more strength than any normal human. Made her all the more tempting…
It was interesting, he admitted, how her fragility made his blood boil with the need to shelter her away, made the youkai in him want to protect her.
Without a word she padded further into the kitchen then came to a halt before him, large luminous eyes never once relinquishing their hold over his. Sesshoumaru felt that strange feeling stir in his breast again even as he watched her with a certain amount of wariness usually reserved for a man facing down a predator. He didn't flinch when her warm, smooth hands framed his face brushing back errant blonde strands of hair or even when she brought herself closer to him, her spicy scent crashing against his senses pleasurably. Gray blue orbs searched his for something, something she knew was there but not where to find it.
"Who are you really, 'Hitori?'" She whispered softly, her thumbs stroking over his cheeks as though tracing over invisible markings. Her eyes roamed over his features, traveled to his forehead like she was expecting something to have been there. Those beautiful orbs narrowed as she tilted her head to the side, and her thoughts were almost tangible to him. Her eyes expressed it all.
~I've seen your face somewhere before I swear~
~Could it be I've met you somewhere else?~
The age-old lord hadn't been expecting that question, he didn't know what he'd expected really, but his recovery was swift and elegant.
"Someone who has hid too long and has forgotten who he was. But I think you know very well who I am." He answered, secretly relishing the warmth of her small hands and the feel of her velvet skin against his cheeks. Remaining completely still, his eyes watched her for a reaction. Good or bad.
One small hand moved and brushed his bangs from his eyes then resumed its place upon his cheek. He suppressed the shiver that wanted to course through him. Her tender, nearly shy touches were nearly enslaving in their unsure, yet certain power
"Maybe I do, maybe I'm asking because I don't. You tell me." She whispered, breath fanning his features delicately.
The blanket was beginning to slip from her shoulders, he noted distantly. Without thought, he reached up and pulled it secure once more then let his hand drop back to where it had been previous its movement. She didn't react in any way, still watching him intently. With the same casual intensity, he realized, that he regarded her in.
"Are you afraid of the truth?" Was his reply, somewhat harsh and challenging, somewhat gentle and compassionate. Just like he himself was.
She accepted the challenge and rose above it, "Are you afraid to give it?"
The corners of his lips drew upwards in a smirk, and, pressing his hands to her shoulders he pushed her away gently. The warmth of her own hands as well as the muted warmth of her body abandoned him as air space was forced between them. Without a word he rose to his feet and turned from her, " I'm a puzzle you see, it would be cheating if I were to figure myself out for you."
Kagome followed him with her eyes, "The truth hurts."
~It's the way you turn and look at me~
~Your eyes are different but they're much the same~
He paused, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans, looking over his tense shoulder at her, eyes glinting with that hidden gold hue. As if she knew how harsh a master truth was, he thought bitterly.
"Don't tell me truth hurts, little girl. 'Cause it hurts like hell." His voice had gone soft, and no emotions but bitterness was left to color his tone. With that his long legs began their stride, the shadows of the hall way reaching out and curling around him till he was lost to her weak human eyes. The place he sought now was his haven, his sanctuary. He sought his study, feeling that if he didn't get away from that innocently naive little thing out there he might do something he could not have any control over. Something he might regret. Or might not, he wasn't sure.
The remaining being in the kitchen collapsed into the chair that he'd previously occupied, eyes blank and wide as her body soaked up the ghost warmth he's left. She looked down at her hands, and flexed her fingers, startled to find how they tingled and burned. It wasn't an entirely unpleasant finding… but it was startling naetheless.
Abruptly, she stumbled to her feet and followed after him, determined to unravel the mystery of who he was. But the hall was empty, as was the bedroom when she poked her head into the doorway. Confused, she turned around and searched back down the hall with her eyes. Nothing. He'd simply vanished.
Holding her side in protective instinct, Kagome gingerly collapsed against a closed door to try and calm herself. To think properly.
~ Have I seen you before?~
She knew who she thought Hitori was. But there was no way that he could possibly be that person. Or rather, youkai… Taiyoukai. There were too many differences between the two personalities as well as their appearances to really seem possible to her. However, she was not so inept as to not notice the way the author moved and talked. He just radiated Sesshoumaru vibes. He moved like the deadly predator Sesshoumaru had been, talked with the same husky, deep yet unconcerned voice as the western lord did. Though for Sesshoumaru, perpetual boredom seemed to be the main coloring of his tones of speech. For Hitori that boredom had been replaced with dry amusement.
Then there was… a memory- a thought- Something that kept brushing over her mind every time she looked at him. It was distinct, yet so vague and wispy. During the night it had tantalized her with itself promise of enlightenment even as bits and pieces began to mesh together. Little things she'd passed off as flukes or delusions became more then a figment of her imagination as she began to question whom Hitori really was. At first, she thought him to be Inuyasha in disguise, but that was quickly filed as the foolish hopes of a broken heart that didn't know when to quit.
So, she leaned against the process of deduction. Who would Shippou know from the past that he'd trust enough to be friends with now, had they lived this long?
Kouga was immediately ousted since she was certain he probably would've pounced on her the moment she first opened her eyes to the strange room and dress. He would have spouted his claims of "my woman" and "now that inukuro is gone, we can finally yadda yadda yadda".
Naraku…big firm 'No'. Not a chance in hell. She'd have sensed the evil, vile aura even half dead.
The only other youkai Kagome knew of had been Sesshoumaru. As soon as the name entered her mind, it refused to budge, taking up root. From there the pieces continued to line up. The odd aura that had a slight youkai taint, the way he moved, the depth and near monotone of his voice at certain times…
But…It just doesn't add up properly, she thought huffing. How was it possible for Shippou to befriend the frozen western lord? How was it possible that he'd allow himself to live among humans in this day and age? How was it possible that he'd save her and comfort her and do everything that he'd done for her? How!?
It just didn't seem possible, that's all.
Then again, neither did jumping into a well that would take you back into a warring era and falling in love with a brute of a half demon. She sighed, her head lowering. The dull ache of her heart reminded her exactly why she shouldn't be taking things for granted. Nothing was normal. Just leave it at that. If it didn't add up then it didn't add up but that wasn't to say it wasn't possible. Kagome had experienced her fair share of impossibilities.
She closed her eyes with another forlorn sigh, feeling more then a little lost and confused. She'd spent a night of being half awake, spinning around all these new notions and thoughts and revelations, waiting desperately for the sun to burn its signature into the sky. The moment the sky had taken on a dusty blue gray hue she'd been fully awake, body charged with her purpose. That purpose being to find Hitori and ask him who he was and hope to Kami he gave her a straight answer and not evade her question with a "Would you like some tea?" Or anything of that sort. But, he'd escaped her. It was ironic really, that she'd be chasing a potentially dangerous being. Death wish? Maybe.
He tried to kill her in the past, but had saved her in the present and was still helping her. If that wasn't turning over a new leaf, she didn't know what was. So, against her better judgment she found herself not only chasing the man, but trusting him as well.
How odd.
Outside, the rain continued to fall. Kagome tilted her head, finally becoming aware of it. The girl listened, breathing quietly, thoughts whirling in chaos and still trying to complete the 'puzzle' that Hitori had presented her with. She just wanted him to trust her… Why? Her brows knitted together, as their owner bit her lip in absolute consternation. Why should she wish for him to trust her? And why did she ache with the thought that he might not even care about her in the tiniest fraction, not even enough to trust her?
Her legs went to mush right about then, and she sank down against the door till she rested curled up to the cool wooden portal, knees to her chest. Why should she care at all? Why was she standing here, hoping for him to suddenly appear at her side, a small grin on his lips and an amused look in his wonderful eyes?
Why was she even bothering with all these questions?
So, Sesshoumaru thought, leaning against the study door regally. She's finally begun to realize my identity. He could hear her breathing just outside the door as she fluttered down the hall, could sense the turbulent mind waves she sent off. He could feel the pulse of her heart and could sense her emotions. None of which were named 'fear' or were cautionary in any way.
Why was she not afraid of him then if she knew who he was? Better yet, why was she actually chasing him? Such a trusting little thing really, he mused. Against his back, the door gave a jar as a new weight settled upon it's opposite side. With her new proximity to him, he was able to feel everything to a magnification of ten. And it nearly bowled him over; her confusion and heartache... Remembering his half-wit brother, doubtless. That odd foreign-familiar feeling jumped inside him, sparked and boiled into life. Mildly disconcerted, his lips twisted into a frown.
Again the gentle, steady rhythm of her breathing reached him through the wood of the door, soft and muffled against his ears. The horrid feeling ebbed and flowed from him, then was gone as he was lost in the calming effect she had on… him, he'd admit, and just about every one who was near her.
Shaking himself from the stupor she'd placed him in, he pushed himself away from the door then turned to face it. Several moments crawled by, as he contemplated on whether or not to open the door and allow her to enter his most private sanctuary... or to wait for her to abandon her post and leave to seek out Shippou.
She was clever figuring out who he was so fast. The stoic youkai wondered how she'd come to the revelation. Perhaps it was that she'd woken up sometime in the night while he'd been painting and had been thinking over all that she'd witnessed earlier yesterday.
Or, mayhap, she remembered what she'd called him in the park and, to coin the phrase, things just clicked into place. There were too many possibilities to her remembering, and he didn't care to dip into her mind to find out what she did know. He'd vowed not to trespass into her thoughts during his night of solitude as he'd worked his talent to the canvas via the paints. It was his way of showing respect even though no one would bare witness to it.
Respect. For a human. It was a marvel to him to realize this. But it was the truth, and Sesshoumaru was never foolish enough to believe something false. It was below him to come up with excuses and to try and deny something. Denial was a terrible, destructive path though beautiful and tempting in its own right. It was like pride, in that it always went before the fall. Denial made one weak.
Sesshoumaru would never allow himself that weakness.
And he was not going to follow the path his father had walked. He'd make his own. The girl could just remain on the other side of that door. He didn't care….
….. Bloody. Hell.
Behind her, the door gave a 'click' and swung back away from her, leaving her sprawled on her back and looking up somewhat dazedly at the solemn, elegant face of Hitori.
He lifted a silvery blonde brow at her position but said nothing as he crouched down and just watched her intently. Some distant part of her cheered, while another noted that he looked a tad miffed about something or other. But the majority of her was just relieved, and she gave him a weak, wavering smile.
The man sighed, and reached out obviously intending to help her to stand.
His charming explanation: "Well? You wanted the truth and you're going to get it. So, either get up now or I will not grant you enlightenment."
The smile blossomed as she accepted his hand firmly, and as his strong artistic fingers wrapped around her tiny wrist, her own delicate fingers laced themselves around his own wrist as far as they could go. She was lifted gently from the floor a ways before his other arm slipped under her and she was lifted against him nearly in the bridal fashion, save fore the fact that he cradled her in only one arm. He had not let go of her hand.
"I can walk you know." She murmured, even as she relaxed against him unconsciously.
"Don't start that again," He warned, good natured even for all his miffed tone.
The door creaked quietly and slid into it's frame, locks snapping into place. All was quiet in the hall once more save the gentle symphony of the rain fall.
END CHAPTER.
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Yes I know. That hurt's like hell bit was pulled from the Labyrinth. But my god, it fit with the conversation and I couldn't resist! And for the song, only some of the lyrics fit. I used what did. If I had used the whole song it would have thrown you all for a loop and screwed the whole chapter's rhythym over.
Ah, anyways. I have a little addition to this chapter. We'll call it my Promotion Corner, even though it's not technically a 'corner'. Either way… May I suggest these marvelous stories by talented authors:
To Live Again by Rurouni Star. I absolutely adore her story and the style its woven in. It should not be over looked and in my opinion needs more reviews. So, go and review if you would be so kind. ::evil look as she lifts up her peashooter™:: Don't make me threaten you.
The Red by Akai-chan. Heh, I love the song itself and the story was just as marvelous. A lovely read, and I like it, so you know it's good. ::winces at how arrogant that sounded:: Well, what can you do? Please do leave plenty of worship for the author now, or else. ::waves pea shooter threateningly::
Drops of Jupiter by Lady Sephiroth. I heart Sepher-chan and I curse her for getting me hooked on a Kag/Inu pairing. ::shakes fist at Sepher-Chan:: You're evil…in a good way. So, go read her story and have fun. It's very amusing too. And…if you are lucky you may get to imagine Sesshoumaru in a shower doing the herbal essences thing complete with sound. Heh. I was. ::nosebleed:: Whooo….
Eh…and if anyone out there is interested in being my beta reader please drop me a line. I am in desperate need of one. That's it for now. Please leave a contribution in the little box. Feed a starving writer, yes?