Chapter 18: The Trip Part 2
Kaori laid in bed, tossing and turning. It always took a couple of nights to get used to a new bed. She eventually had enough pass midnight and sat up.
"You need to sleep. Sleep," Sesshomaru said next to her. He was told he had to sleep in the same bed for they had no more beds. He was ready to argue during the discussion, but Kaori just pat his hand giggling. He complied for Kaori.
"I can't get comfortable," she told him. "I'm going down for something to eat."
"In the middle of the night?" Sesshomaru asked, sitting up as well.
"Or maybe something to drink. Want anything?" Kaori asked.
"I want you to sleep," he told her.
"I slept on the plane. I can't sleep now," she told him.
"Then maybe I should have shaken you every few minutes," he told her.
"You go back to sleep," she told him.
"I couldn't sleep. You kept tossing and turning," he told her. "I might as well join you."
"Stay up here. For me," she said, pleading. He sighed, but agreed. She got out of bed and left into the dark hallway. She returned with some a bag of cookies and a glass of milk. "Grandma knows me too well."
"What?" He asked as she closed the door.
"She usually leaves some sort of midnight snack the first few nights. She knows I never sleep well in a different place so she usually leaves out cookies or something for me to snack on. She leaves them out until one night I don't go down for a snack. Then she knows I'm sleeping," Kaori explained. She took one. "And she also knows I love her homemade cookies."
Sesshomaru took one and munched on it silently. It did taste good.
"She had two bags down there for some reason tonight," Kaori told him. "Maybe one for you?"
"I'll just share yours," he told her, taking another. Kaori laughed.
"You like her cookies as well," she said.
He shrugged and took another. Crumbs filled the bed. Kaori and Sesshomaru just sat there, eating. Grandma and Grampa stood outside the door, looking through a crack in the door. They nearly cheered. Their grand-daughter was in love. It was wonderful. They hurried back to Kaori's parents to talk.
Kaori's father paced in the room while Kaori's mother sat on the bed, fidgeting. Kaori's grandparents entered with big smiles.
"You were right. They are in love," Grampa said.
"So, what are we going to do?" Kaori's mother asked. "He has no clue about anything human."
"I did have a talk with him one day about weddings and proposals," Kaori's father admitted.
"We need to get them away from each other and have them engaged," Grandma said.
"Well, it has to be in that spot, you know," Kaori's mother reminded them. "We're no where near it."
"So, let's get the ring here and then have him engage her later," Kaori's father suggested.
"Well, you know how much Kaori likes spas. Kaori and I could get her there," Grandma suggested.
"Well, Sesshomaru is stubborn. We need to convince him to purpose to her," Kaori's father said. "We at least have Kaori covered."
"Perhaps we take him to the jeweller and get the ring. It's the least we can do," Grampa said. "Nothing else can happen until he purposes to her."
"And he has to do it on his on time and when he wants to. We can't force him into it," Kaori's mother told them.
"You can't force Lord Sesshomaru to do anything," Grandma reminded her. Everyone laughed. They decided it was time to go to bed and Kaori's grandparents left to go to their room.
Kaori and Sesshomaru finished the cookies and Sesshomaru had a craving for more of them. Kaori said no and that they had to get to sleep. Sesshomaru agreed and they put the garbage on a desk nearby. They both got under the covers and fell asleep. Well, Kaori did. Sesshomaru stayed awake, thinking. Things had been changing between Kaori and him. They were closer than ever. He actually had fun when he was around her. Maybe he should take King Sesshomaru's idea about purposing to Kaori. And maybe even at the place Kaori's father told him. He sighed. Where was he going to get a ring, though? He never could have someone manufacture a ring worthy of Kaori. Maybe Kaori's father or even her Grampa could help. They probably have many rings around here, already manufactured. Maybe worthy of Kaori.
He looked over his shoulder to Kaori. She was sleeping soundly again. He smirked. She would be a perfect wife of his, if that's what Kaori's father said.
The next day, Kaori stretched and opened her eyes. First day in North Carolina. She turned over and saw silver hair. Well, at least he was still in bed. She sat up. He was awake. He looked at her when he saw her raise. He sat up as well, rubbing he eyes. Kaori gave him a small kiss good morning which he returned.
"How did you sleep?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Like a baby," she said. She saw the tilt of his head. "Really good."
"Well, I wonder what we will be doing while in this town," Sesshomaru said.
"Maybe my parents or grandparent have something planned," Kaori said, getting up. She got a robe on and left the room. Sesshomaru put a shirt on and followed after her. They found Kaori's family sitting at the breakfast table. The smell of eggs and bacon was strong.
"Kaori, come have some breakfast," Kaori's mother told her. "Sesshomaru can join you as well."
"I don't eat," he told them.
"Well, Kaori does," Kaori's father said.
It was silent even though Kaori was the only one eating. She looked up and saw everyone looking at each other.
"So, any plans today?" Kaori asked.
"Well, we were planning that you women go to the spa and we have some male bonding time," Grampa said.
Kaori looked at Sesshomaru. He didn't seem to mind the idea. She nodded and finished her breakfast.
"Allow me to get changed, ok?" Kaori asked. Everyone nodded and Kaori left to go upstairs. Sesshomaru sat, looking around the table. Now everyone was looking at him.
"A problem?" Sesshomaru asked.
"No, not at all," Kaori's mother said.
Sesshomaru looked at the staircase. He heard whispering behind him.
"Damn it. How we supposed to know?" Kaori's mother asked.
"Maybe we'll ask him when you guys are gone?" Grampa suggested.
"Good luck. He rarely answers my questions at home," Kaori's father said.
"Shh, Kaori's coming," Grandma said. Sesshomaru turned and it seemed everyone was smiling at him. Kaori came down with her hair loose and wearing some shorts and a t-shirt.
"Let's go!" Kaori exclaimed. "We'll be back soon."
She gave Sesshomaru a peck on the cheek and nearly skipped with her mother and grandmother. Sesshomaru turned back to the table and saw both males looking awkward.
"Uh, Sesshomaru, we have some plans for today. Want to know what they are?" Grampa asked.
Sesshomaru just blinked. The males smiled nervously.
"Well, Kaori always mentions she loves you and everything, but do you love her?" Kaori's father asked.
"Why do you ask?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Uh, well, she's grown up with human customs and everything, so if you do your demon ways with her, she most likely not understand," Kaori's father said.
Sesshomaru just sat, somewhat uninterested.
"Ok, here's the thing. Kaori's father has spoken to you about proposal and where and everything, right?" Grampa asked. Sesshomaru nodded. "So you know about the rings you would need?"
"Rings? I was only told of one," Sesshomaru said, looking at Kaori's father.
"Well, you'll need another for the wedding. Did he explain that?" Grampa asked. Sesshomaru nodded again. "Well, at least he did something right."
"Well, we were planning that we go out and buy at least one ring for Kaori. You know, for the proposal?" Kaori's father suggested. Sesshomaru didn't look like he changed his expression. "If you want to."
Sesshomaru was thinking. Maybe it would be the perfect timing to get a ring that suited Kaori. That was perfect for their love. Sesshomaru nodded and both males exhaled. They got the tough part over with.
"Do you know about money?" Grampa asked. Sesshomaru nodded. "American money?"
Sesshomaru shook his head. "I guess we're all going to have to go out. Together," Kaori's father sighed.
Sesshomaru stood and went to get ready. Before he was out of earshot, he heard the males talking.
"How much do you think he'll spend on a ring? Do we need to bring thousands of dollars?" Kaori's father asked, worried.
"Maybe, maybe not. This is for your daughter. Let him spend as much as he wants," Grampa told Kaori's father.
"I'm going to go broke," Kaori's father whined. Sesshomaru continued up the steps and got changed in Kaori and his room. The box-like bag Kaori had told him was his was stuffed with his clothes. He chose a white t-shirt and some black jeans. He came back downstairs and the guys nearly lost their eyeballs. Kaori had a good choice in men. Sesshomaru stuffed his hands in the pockets, waiting. The men went around him to get changed themselves. Sesshomaru sat at the kitchen table, waiting. He looked down at something that was on the table. He turned it around and found that it had pictures of rings. He flipped through the pages when suddenly one caught his eye. It was a amber coated diamond. Kaori had always looked in his eyes and be just memorized by them. He smirked. She most likely really like this ring.
The males returned and found him looking at the catalogue they brought for him to look at.
"Find one you like?" Grampa asked.
Sesshomaru pointed one claw to the amber coated diamond.
"That's, um, expensive," Kaori's father said while looking at the picture and putting his shoes on.
"Well, you won't go broke. It's still reasonable. It almost the same price of my daughter's wedding ring, correct?" Grampa asked.
Wedding ring, wedding ring. Sesshomaru flipped through the pages. No other ones caught his eye.
"How about we get going? You can take the with you," Kaori father told him. He nodded and put it in his back pocket.
Meanwhile, the females had stopped at a jewellery store. Kaori's mother insisted on it. Kaori was trying on rings. A diamond one at the side caught her eye.
"May I try that on?" Kaori asked. The jeweller nodded and gave it to her. Kaori looked at the jewel. It looked like pure diamond.
"It's an ancient diamond. We found it embedded in a sword dug up many years ago. Scientists cut pieces off and put them in some rings. The one you hold is one of them," the jeweller said. Kaori was fascinated with the story.
Grandma was looking out of the window when she saw a familiar car show up. She tugged on Kaori's mother's arm and pointed.
"Dear, we might be later for the appointment if we don't hurry," Kaori's mother said. Kaori returned the ring to the jeweller and thanked him for the story.
They left just as the males arrived. Sesshomaru knew that scent anywhere and went inside. He saw the jeweller and asked to see the ring that fascinated that last person who was in. The jeweller thought and passed the ring that had the story behind it. Kaori's father and grandpa showed up and saw the ring he was holding.
"Ok, now you're going to be broke," Grampa said.
Grampa came next to Sesshomaru.
"Are you looking for engagement rings?" The jeweller asked.
"Why do you ask?" Kaori's father asked.
"Three females were in here looking for engagement rings for one young lady. She seemed very excited about the thought of an engagement, but she kept saying her love wouldn't do it," the jeweller shared. "Is that you?"
Sesshomaru looked up and nodded. This ring was the one. It was perfect for their wedding.
"Ok, we'll have the one he holds and this one," Grampa said, pointing to the amber coated diamond. The jeweller nodded and gave the amber coated one in a velvet covered box.
"It would be wise to give her the amber one for an engagement," the jeweller suggested.
"Do you have silk covered boxes?" Sesshomaru asked.
"I haven't been asked that for a long time, but yes we do. Most of the time, people wanted velvet, so it's a habit to use velvet," the jeweller said, going into the back. He brought out three boxes. One green, one blue, and one red.
"Red, please," Sesshomaru said. The jeweller smiled and put the amber ring in the red silk box. Grampa was about to pay, but the jeweller said no.
"The amber one is free," the jeweller said. So Grampa paid for the diamond one and they thanked the jeweller.
"But, why?" Kaori's father asked.
"That's true love in their eyes. I saw in both. There isn't a price on love. But there is on that diamond ring. It's a legend, so I must get something from it," the jeweller laughed. They left and headed towards the house. They were caught in traffic, so it was obvious the girls would beat them home. Sure enough, they came home and the females were sitting around the table, chatting and laughing. Sesshomaru went upstairs without anyone seeing him and he put the rings in his box-like bag. He returned and gave Kaori a kiss on the cheek. She held her cheek, somewhat shocked.
"What was that for?" Kaori asked.
"I just felt for it," he told her.
Kaori laughed and the family had a nice conversation, chatting and laughing. Suppertime came and Kaori's stomach along with everyone else's started rumbling.
"It's a family reunion, so let's go out to eat, all right?" Grampa suggested. Everyone was all right with that. They got into the car and drove to a restaurant. They had a six seater table and a nice meal. Everyone was having fun, even Sesshomaru. They could see him smirk a few times.
"So, Kaori, how did you two meet? Last time I heard from you, you were single. All of a sudden, you come to visit and bring him along," Grampa said. Kaori's parents laughed and so did Kaori.
"It was a long time ago. The first time we met was, what, five hundred and seven five years ago?" Kaori asked, acting smart.
Sesshomaru shook his head and sighed. She was fooling around.
"No, I mean how old were you when you learnt each other's names and stuff like that?" Grampa asked.
"I was fifteen. Who knows how old he was," Kaori said.
"I lost track after fifty," Sesshomaru said, pulling Kaori closer to him.
Everyone laughed at that comment.
"If only I had that much energy at that age. Able to move around easily. Almost immortal still," Grandma sighed.
"You still move around better than me," Grampa reminded her. Everyone laughed. It was a fun night. The supper was delicious by everyone. Sesshomaru had tried some new stuff like spaghetti, sushi, and even a piece of steak. He liked them all.
"I swear, he'll eat anything," Kaori said when he had said he liked the steak he tried.
"Except that hamburger of yours," he told her.
"That's only because you most likely don't like onions and mustard," Kaori told him. He shrugged and finished off the last piece of sushi.
"You seem really happy together," Kaori's mother said.
"We are," Kaori said. "Well, I am."
"We are," he told her. "I don't know what I've been so happy."
He gave her a quick kiss on the lips, sneaking his hand to take the last of her steak. She smiled and looked at her steak and back at him in time to see her steak disappear.
"Next time, order your own!" Kaori yelled. He smirked and swallowed.
"Next time," he told her.
She sighed and rolled her eyes and saw her grandpa asked for the check. They must have had an expensive diner. From the looks of it, you would have guessed it. But her grandpa smiled and said this was a reasonable place and it wasn't that expensive. Kaori was shocked. Maybe she should move to North Carolina and live with her grandparents. Their town was a cheap place. Not much cost a lot. Well, except the rings she had seen at the jeweller's.
"So, how was your spa?" Kaori's father asked.
"Great," Kaori's mother answered.
"We stopped at a jeweller's to check out some rings. There were really nice ones," Kaori told everyone.
"Really? Well, you know, it's the only place that has expensive things in this town," Grampa said.
"Yeah, well, he told me about this story about a ring I was looking at. It was something about some diamonds were on a sword that scientists dug up and they used parts of the diamonds from the sword and put them in rings and the ring I was holding had one in it. It seemed like a true story. I mean, there was something that drew me to it," Kaori told everyone. "Well, maybe because it was really nice. It looked like real diamonds."
"That jeweller, he had a story for every ring he has. Most are true, some are fibs. I think that one was the truth, though I've heard it enough times to know," Grampa sighed.
"Well, it was very interesting. Don't know why. I just caught my interest," Kaori admitted. "It must have been the way he said it."
"He said it like he was there when all of the action happened. It's like he knew that it was the truth," Kaori's mother told them.
"You should have heard him," Kaori told Sesshomaru.
"From what I can tell, he was a good story teller. That's all," Sesshomaru said.
"Well, that's true. He was best when telling stories in class. Every language class, he would get an award," Grampa said, sighing. "It did get annoying."
Everyone laughed and Grampa paid the bill and they left for home. It was dark outside went they left. Grandma got an idea.
"There's a beach nearby. How about we spend a few minutes there? It's supposed to be great at night," Grandma suggested. Everyone nodded but Kaori and Sesshomaru. Both were getting slightly tired.
"Uh, why don't we do it tomorrow night?" Kaori asked.
"Come on, Kaori. Just a few minutes," Grampa said, pulling her close.
"Ok," Kaori sighed, looking back at Sesshomaru. He sighed as well and joined them in the car.
They got to the beach and the waves hit the shore in synch. Kaori and Sesshomaru sat on the sand, looking out at the view.
"Hey, look. Stars," Sesshomaru teased. Kaori smiled and looked up. There were many stars right above them, twinkling.
A shooting star passed by. She exclaimed, "Hurry, make a wish!"
Everyone closed their eyes and wished. Kaori looked deep into her heart for her wish.
'I wish Sesshomaru purposed to me,' Kaori wished.
'I wish Kaori accepted my proposal,' Sesshomaru wished.
'I wish Kaori and Sesshomaru got married,' everyone else wished.
Sesshomaru held Kaori close. She rested her head on his shoulder and they watched the waves. Slowly, their eyes started closing. Kaori's mother came by just before Sesshomaru fell asleep and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Hey, we're heading back. You're welcome to stay. Return when you want. We'll leave the door unlocked for you. Here' s blanket to keep you guys warm," Kaori's mother said, passing Sesshomaru a blanket. He accepted it and saw the rest of them drive off. He wrapped himself and Kaori in the blanket and, for once, welcomed sleep. Before his world went dark, he looked down at Kaori. She was sleeping peacefully in his arms. He smiled and closed his eyes, falling asleep.
And we end this chapter with another peaceful night.