Chapter 37: Happy Anniversary
It was Kaori and Sesshomaru's anniversary and Kaori hadn't grown that much over the time. It was about the fifth month and she was still looking in the mirror everyday, her hands over her stomach.
Kaori woke up to find black hair in her view. The night before, Sesshomaru hadn't been feeling too well. She was worried that the reservations she made for that night might be ruined. The same thought went through Sesshomaru's head, but with a good night's sleep, he was back on his feet in no time.
Kaori raised an eyebrow as he brushed his hair. Usually the only person who touched his hair while he was human was her, for he refused to touch it, but he brushed it and even put it into a loose ponytail before giving her a kiss good morning.
"Happy anniversary," Kaori said with a smile. His response turned her smile upside down.
"That is today?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Yeah. I'm so glad you remembered," Kaori said sarcastically, flinging the sheets off and stomping out of the room. He scratched his head, wondering if Kaori's mother's suggestion was going to work. He just hoped that it wasn't only going to be one anniversary.
Kaori nearly put a hole in each stair as she went downstairs. Their important day and Sesshomaru had forgotten it! Kaori was about to get some breakfast, but her hands were trembling and her claws seemed to be very long all of sudden. Her teeth were gritting and she clenched her fist, accidentally injuring herself with her claws. Her palms had four bleeding dashes and she called out for Sesshomaru he came as fast as possible, his arms in a shirt, but it wasn't buttoned up yet.
"What happened?" Sesshomaru asked. He saw her claws held blood and he smiled. "You really need to be more careful with your claws."
"I know," Kaori said and watched with slight shock as the wound healed quickly.
"Hey, I'm really sorry I forgot our anniversary. I'll make it up to you later, all right? I'll be out most of the day, but I'll try to return before midnight," Sesshomaru told her and allowed Kaori to button up his shirt. She smiled at him and gave him a kiss.
"Sure. I'll see you later," Kaori said. He kissed her cheek and left out the door before Kaori collapsed to her knees in despair.
He had completely ruined her plans for the night. She had made reservations at the most expensive diner in the town, bought a beautiful dress just for the occasion and then had the candles ready for their night. And he had to ruin it all by going out until late, hoping to be back before midnight? She hit her fist against the floor and gasped when she made a dent in it. Guess she under estimated her strength. She smiled with a plan in mind. Oh yeah, Sesshomaru will have the best surprise when he walked through the door. A punch sailing towards him!
She stood and flicked her hair, going upstairs to get changed. She had hours to waste, so why not go over to Yori? She always accepted when Kaori visited, even when she didn't know. Kaori nearly skipped out of the house, her purse over her shoulder. She knocked on the door and found Yori rubbing her eyes, asking who was it.
"Yori, hope you have time to spend. I'm bored, Sesshomaru is out and I just need a friend here to talk to. Is it all right?" Kaori asked quickly.
"Uh, yeah?" Yori asked, still rubbing her eyes. Kaori ringing the doorbell had just awaked her.
"So, how are you and Jake doing?" Kaori asked, setting her purse to next to her and leaning towards Yori.
"Good, I guess," Yori said, sitting down. "He's gone to work, so I'm stuck by myself as well," Yori said. Then her eyes went wide. "This is your anniversary, isn't it? And Sesshomaru's not with you? What an idiot!"
"Tell me about it!" Kaori said. She smiled and told Yori everything that had been going on, just glad to be able to tell someone it. Yori smiled and gave a suggestion.
"How about we just hang out, girls only?" Yori asked. "We can try on clothes and you can keep whatever you like."
"That's an idea. I love it. Let's go!" Kaori said, jumping up and they both hurried to Yori's room, nearly throwing everything onto Yori's bed, mixing and matching outfits, trying to find the best one.
Elsewhere, Sesshomaru was also trying on outfits, but under protest.
"This is stupid!" Sesshomaru barked suddenly, making Kaori's mother jump.
"Come on, Sesshomaru. This suit suits you perfectly," Kaori's mother said, adjusting the sleeves.
"I will not wear this. It feels awkward. Why can't I just wear my tux?" Sesshomaru said, stubbornly, crossing his arms.
"Kaori is getting it dry-cleaned. Now stop moving," Kaori's mother told Sesshomaru, fixing the cuffs. "You were right, this doesn't suit you. Let's try this one!"
Sesshomaru sighed, but took the suit and returned to the change room for the fifteenth time. This was getting tiresome. Luckily, this one suited him perfectly and he didn't mind it, that much. Kaori's mother sighed, knowing that was the best she was going to get out of him and left with the suit in a bag.
"Now, onto ties!" Kaori's mother exclaimed. Sesshomaru sighed, his eyes rolling. Another two hours.
Kaori was laughing her head off, wearing a mixed-up outfit, laughing at Yori's impression of the primpy girl in their old class. Both girls just laughed and changed into a dressy outfit. Kaori liked dressing up formally, so she didn't make it wacky. She wore a navy blue dress that had spaghetti straps and was down to her knee. One slit was along the side and she wore navy blue heels, her hair having a blue butterfly pin on her left side. Yori had her eyes wide with astonishment, but she changed into a wacky outfit, mixing up a puffy plaid skirt with a pink polka-dot shirt. Kaori just laughed her head off until the doorbell rang. Yori barely heard it until the girls had calmed down and both girls walked downstairs, a few giggles still lingering.
Yori opened the door, laughing a little bit. Kaori couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughed, holding her sides.
"Is a young maiden with the name of Uzuha Kaori here? Young, beautiful, the most perfect woman I've ever met?" A male asked at the door. Kaori suddenly stopped. Who would be asking for her here?
"Kaori, it's for you," Yori said, stepping away from the door. Carefully, she took a glance at him. He didn't look too shabby.
"Who is asking for me?" Kaori asked, opening the door a little wider so she could see. She gasped. This man was hot. Navy blue tux, a blue tie, white daisies and a box of chocolates in the shape of a heart in hand. "Sesshomaru?"
Kaori voice cracked, but she was still shocked. His chocolate brown eyes were sweet and loving. To add onto it, his midnight black hair was hanging down without any ponytail; exactly how Kaori loved it.
"Happy anniversary, dear," Sesshomaru said, giving Kaori the box of chocolates and daisies.
"Sesshomaru!" Kaori exclaimed, embracing him with the box of chocolates and daisies in hand.
"I guess you like it," Sesshomaru said with a little bit of amusement.
"You look marvellous!" Kaori exclaimed, stepping back and looking at him completely.
"I can say the same for you," he said to Kaori, looking at her dress.
"This? Oh, this. We were just fooling around, right Yori?" Kaori said, looking back at her best friend. She was giggling, and Kaori's eyes went wide. "This was all planned?"
"Yes. We all knew you would come over here when you got upset at me," Sesshomaru told Kaori, stuffing his hands into his pockets.
"We? You and Yori were all in on this?" Kaori asked.
"Your mother as well," Yori said between giggles.
"Remind me not to get any of you anything for Christmas," Kaori mumbled, her arms crossed.
"Hey, we need to hurry. We'll be late for the reservations if we don't go now," Sesshomaru said, looking at the watch that was nearly attached to his wrist.
"Reservations? Mine are already too late," Kaori said.
"We cancelled yours and made new ones. You know that expensive one; the one with tons of selection? Your mother made a reservation for us. Just the two of us in, what was it called, VIP section?" Sesshomaru said, taking her hand and leading her outside.
"The VIP section? That's very expensive and rarely gotten by townspeople. How did my mother pull it off?" Kaori asked to no one in particular.
"It's very interesting how many connections she has around this place. I sat and watched her take out a huge book," Sesshomaru told Kaori, picking her up. Kaori stepped away before he could, holding down her dress from the already strong winds.
"I am not being carried there. It's bad enough I have to hold my dress down now, but if you carry me, I'll be flashing the entire neighbourhood," Kaori said.
"Fine, we'll walk. And I'll help this dress keep down," Sesshomaru told Kaori, holding her waist. She smiled at him and walked next to him, happy that tonight had turned out great, just maybe not according to plan.
Kaori and Sesshomaru sat, holding each other's hands, waiting for their waitress or waiter. The VIP room happened to be a deck outside towards the ocean. Kaori loved the view and the sound of waves, and with Sesshomaru with her, it couldn't have been better.
"I am Kay and will be your waitress for the evening. Would you start with some wine or champagne?" The waitress asked, coming to the table and getting out a pen and pad.
"A bottle of champagne," Sesshomaru answered before Kaori and smiled at her. Kaori's eyes went wide, but the waitress nodded and left them to be.
"Do you know how much that is?" Kaori asked. "We're probably going to be drunk by the end of the night!"
"Maybe. I hope so," Sesshomaru said, rubbing his thumb to her hand.
"Sesshomaru," Kaori sighed, shaking her head slightly.
It was silent and then the waitress showed up with the bottle of champagne. She asked if they had chosen what they were going to eat, and Kaori said no, making the waitress leave.
"What are you planning on having?" Kaori asked, picking up the menu. It was slowly lowered by Sesshomaru's hand.
"One drink before we decide?" Sesshomaru asked, popping the cork.
"Where did you learn that?" Kaori asked and watched him pour it so elegantly, Kaori was almost memorized by his movements.
"Your mother is a very good teacher," Sesshomaru said, passing Kaori the glass. He took a sip of his, but nearly spilt it by taking it away.
"Come, let me help," Kaori said, taking his wrist with a delicate touch. She twisted his arm around hers, and they drank with their arms linked.
"Interesting," Sesshomaru said. "But it still tastes bitter."
Kaori just laughed and picked up her menu again.
"So what are you having?" Kaori asked.
"The steak," Sesshomaru said simply, lowing his menu down again.
"How about we share?" Kaori asked, lowing hers a little bit to see Sesshomaru over the top.
"Why not?" Sesshomaru said. Kaori smiled and put the menu aside.
Kaori decided to move closer to Sesshomaru and moved into the middle of the booth, pulling Sesshomaru next to her. She rested her head on his shoulder, the view of the ocean still in sight. Kaori sighed and heard the waitress coming. Kaori sat up and presented herself in a reasonable fashion, but two delicate fingers started crawling up her leg, slowly.
"Relax. It's our anniversary," Sesshomaru said, moving the dress up a bit to go up her thigh.
"We're in public. Maybe at home," Kaori said.
"If we get there before we make out in an alley. You in that dress is so, wow," Sesshomaru breathed into Kaori ear.
"The waitress is here," Kaori said, nudging Sesshomaru with her elbow into the ribs. His hand disappeared from her leg to hold his sore ribs as Kaori ordered for them. "One steak, please."
"And your friend?" Kay asked.
"Oh, we're sharing," Kaori explained.
"Oh," Kay said, her cheerful expression changing to a rude one. It changed to a smirk, but Kaori caught her rolling her eyes while she walked away.
"What is it?" Sesshomaru asked, his arm finding its way around Kaori's shoulders.
"Shh," Kaori said, her sensitive hearing clicking in.
"That girl and that boy don't fit. His cute and looks well mannered, but she's a goth! What are they doing together?"
"I can't blame you there, about him. Something about him makes me breathless. I am so envy of you, but I'm also glad I'm not doing that table. I most likely spill water on him accidentally acting so shy around him."
"Well, they want one steak. Do you think their together?"
"I think they are. Look at how close they are."
Kaori saw a group of the waitresses peeking through a crack in the door. Kaori pulled his arm to hold her waist and rested her head on his shoulder, looking away from the door.
"Oh my gosh! Look at what she's doing! And see his reaction? It's like she controls his every move! If he was mine, I wouldn't treat him like that."
Kaori looked up at Sesshomaru and he seemed worried.
"What's the matter?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Let's leave. Pay the bill and leave," Kaori said, grabbing her purse next to her.
"Why? Aren't you enjoying yourself?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Not really. Come on, let's leave," Kaori said, standing up and waiting for Sesshomaru. He didn't move.
"What is it? Just tell me," Sesshomaru said, staying put.
"Never mind. You stay here and enjoy your lonely diner. I'm leaving," Kaori said, turning on her heel and walking out. Sesshomaru's eyes widened and he quickly hurried to his feet, following Kaori. He saw her pulling the door open, but her put pressure on it before she could leave.
"What is up with you?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Do you really want to make a scene?" Kaori asked roughly, still pulling at the door.
"No, but I want you tell me what is up with you," Sesshomaru said, his hand keeping the door closed. Kaori continued to pull at it and then something seemed to snap in her.
"You ass! I had this entire day planned and you go ahead and ruin everything. All my plans were perfect and I refuse to sit here and try my best to enjoy my anniversary dinner when those bitches are making fun of me throughout my meal. And to add onto it, YOU ARE AN ASS!" Kaori yelled. Sesshomaru stepped back, the pressure on the door releasing and Kaori took her chance and bolted out of there, tears streaming down her face.
The customers and employees stopped to watch the scene. The waitresses that were talking about Kaori and Sesshomaru giggled in a corner. They had under estimated this couple.
"Um, excuse me, sir, are you going to be continuing your dinner?" Kay asked, keeping her giggles as quiet as possible.
"You!" Sesshomaru said, turning to Kay, anger building up. "Ruined. My. Dinner!"
"Sir, please let me deal with this. I am the manager and am so sorry Kay had ruined your dinner. Let me handle it," a male said, stepping in front of Kay. He turned around. "All five of you are fired. OUT!"
The five waitresses went to their knees, begging their boss, but he just turned back to Sesshomaru.
"Take this as a part of our sincerest apology. The bottle you ordered and your bill paid. We are considerably sorry these girls ruined your dinner," the manager said, passing Sesshomaru a bottle.
"If they ruined my marriage..." Sesshomaru started, but the door slammed close as he left, the rest of his conversation muffled. Kay sat on the floor, guilty for ruining their marriage. She only thought they were dating.
Sesshomaru saw the bus pass by him as he hurried down the street to Kaori's house, hoping Kaori didn't catch the bus or he would never catch up to her. He saw her sitting at the bus stop, her head hanging. The sound of distant sobs could be heard from there.
"Kaori, Kaori, are you all right?" Sesshomaru asked, coming into the covering where Kaori sat just in time. The clouds let the rain go as soon as he stepped inside, but he didn't care. Why was Kaori crying?
"Idiot, idiot, idiot," Kaori repeated a few times.
"What did I do?" Sesshomaru asked, kneeling in front of Kaori. His human emotions seemed to be in over drive. Usually he would just comfort her and once she calmed down ask her what was the matter. But for some reason, he seemed to believe he was the one who did something wrong.
"NOTHING!" Kaori burst. He flinched, but put his hands on her knees.
"What is it?" Sesshomaru asked.
"It's nothing. Just some stupid pregnant thing," Kaori said, her head away while crossing her arms. A river of tears ran down her cheek.
"Nothing is stupid if it has to do with the pregnancy," Sesshomaru said, shaking his head slightly while he looked up at her.
"Mood swings, that's all. Plus those bitches saying that stuff about me, I wasn't going to stand by and just let her say those things about me. And how cute you look and how much I boss you around and how-" Kaori started but she saw Sesshomaru smiling at her. "You think it is funny!"
"No, not at all. It's just, you were getting jealous," Sesshomaru said with a smile.
"I never get jealous!" Kaori yelled. People passing by looked in, but passed by without butting in.
Sesshomaru just looked up at Kaori. Why was she so upset?
"And plus," Kaori started sobbing, "I don't even think anything's worth it anymore. Jealousy, love, this child."
"What are you talking about?" Sesshomaru asked.
"I haven't shown at all and it's been five months already. I mean, maybe I lost it again," Kaori said in a whisper, Sesshomaru just barely caught it.
"We have no evidence of that. For all you know, you'll get big tomorrow," Sesshomaru said, rubbing her legs.
Kaori laughed and Sesshomaru smiled. Her mood was lighting up.
"How about we go home, huh? Get some sleep and hope that you get big tomorrow?" Sesshomaru suggested.
"With all that rubbing, do you really thing that would happen? Just some sleep?" Kaori asked, looking at him with a small smile.
"It was just an idea. I didn't want to push it," he told her, continuously rubbing her legs.
"I can smell that champagne that you hold, so how about we go home and have a nice dinner? I'll cook, if you want," Kaori said, standing up with Sesshomaru.
"That's an idea. Or how about we just relax tonight?" Sesshomaru asked, taking her hand.
"That's an idea," Kaori said, resting her head on his shoulder.
"Maybe a massage or two?" Sesshomaru suggested, standing at the edge of the covering. "And maybe some drying of clothes?"
"Huh?" Kaori asked, looking out. It was pouring outside and she laughed. "Maybe we should run between the drops."
Sesshomaru gave a chuckle and took his suit jacket off, putting it around Kaori's bare shoulders.
"Hey, no. You'll get sick," Kaori said, stepping away.
"Tomorrow, I'll be demon again and any sickness I have will wear off. I'll be fine," Sesshomaru said, getting her outside. His hair instantly stuck to his body as he lent his hand to her. "Come on. The longer we stay out here, the more you have a chance of getting sick."
Kaori sighed but went outside. Sesshomaru stopped and took the blue pin from her hair.
"We wouldn't want that to be blown away, now would we?" Sesshomaru said, putting it into his pocket. Kaori and Sesshomaru got home quickly, laughing. It was an interesting walk home, skipping over some puddles, while jumping into others like little kids. Kaori took the jacket off and passed it to Sesshomaru who hung it on the coat hanger. He took his dress shirt off and put it on the coat hanger as well.
"Now, I would like to take that massage offer up," Kaori sighed rolling her shoulders backwards.
"The couch is the best place to work," Sesshomaru said, massaging her shoulders while leading her to the couch. "But one of these days you need to repay me for this."
"One of these days," Kaori sighed, but then a thought came to mind. "Stay here for a sec."
Kaori pulled herself from his soft and relaxing hands and hurried upstairs, looking for the vanilla candles. She quickly set them up and slowly lit each one.
"Kaori, that smells delicious. But didn't you want a massage before cooking?" Sesshomaru asked. The dimming of the lights brought him to his senses. "Kaori-"
"No talking now. More touches," Kaori interrupted, placing a light finger on his lips. "If you get my drift."
"I get your drift," he said, smiling sweetly while trailing down her body with his eyes. "But you're too tense. Lighten up."
Kaori yelped as she was turned around and marvellous hands began their treatment. Working from her neck to her feet, and everywhere in between, Kaori was relaxed in no time, underneath Sesshomaru, naked. She smiled and looked at him. He kissed her once and laid his head next to hers on the couch, his body lightly laying on her. His hands found their way to her stomach as they rubbed soothing and soft circles.
"You said you hadn't gained weight, huh? Last night, you had abs," Sesshomaru said, trailing down and up her abdominal section. She shivered out of pure enjoyment and smiled.
"I guess I never noticed the difference," Kaori answered. "But how about we have our dinner now?"
"I already had my dinner. But now I need a treat," Sesshomaru breathed into her ear causing Kaori to smile.
"Well, I sort of want some sort of food, so how about we get sort of dressed and then meet at the kitchen table. I have the perfect dinner in mind," Kaori said, sitting up with Sesshomaru. She saw him pout, which was adorable as a human, and smiled. "We'll have our treat later. That was an appetizer. We still need our meal."
Sesshomaru smiled, gave her a kiss and allowed her to grab her clothes and make it up to her room. Sesshomaru just got his suit pants back on and leaned back on the couch. Things weren't exactly going according to plan, but they were the best. She returned and put her hands on her hips.
"You were supposed to be in the kitchen," Kaori said over the banister.
"I didn't expect you to be so fast," Sesshomaru said, looking up at her.
"Remember, demons do things fast. And it's still not even eight, shockingly," Kaori said, walking into the kitchen. It was pitch black until Kaori lit the candles that were on the table.
"Did you have all this planned?" Sesshomaru asked.
"Somewhat. But that isn't the issue now. Just sit and wait," Kaori ordered, walking over to the kitchen and pulled out tons of food. Sesshomaru finally saw what Kaori was wearing; the nightgown she had gotten for her birthday. A smile etched across his face and he made no attempt to hide it. Kaori caught it and rolled her eyes and started cooking.
After dinner and the "treat", Kaori and Sesshomaru relaxed by listening to some music. Suddenly, their wedding song started playing.
"Let's dance, Sesshomaru. Come on!" Kaori said, jumping to her feet just as the song started. He at first groaned in protest, but he got to his feet and started dancing with his wife. He was content, looking down at her. She was smiling and her eyes were closed, obvious evidence that she, too, was content, perhaps even more.
"Kaori, are you happy with me?" Sesshomaru asked.
"What type of stupid question is that?" Kaori asked, her eyes still closed and still smiling.
"I just want to know. You wouldn't run to any other man, correct? You would stay with me until death, correct?" Sesshomaru asked.
"What do you think?" Kaori asked.
"I want a straight answer. From your mouth," Sesshomaru said, stopping the dancing. Kaori sighed, opened her eyes as well as rolling them, and told him that she would never leave him for another man. "Are you sure?"
"Why are you asking?" Kaori asked.
"I just want to know that you are loyal," Sesshomaru said, regaining the steady rhythm they had before.
"How many times have I sacrificed my life for you? If that's not loyal ship, I don't know what is," Kaori said, her eyes closing again and her wide smile returning.
"It's nothing," Sesshomaru told her, pulling her closer to him. "I just wanted to hear you say it."
"I love you, Sesshomaru. No one else will do," Kaori said, looking up at him. "I swear to you that."
He smiled and placed a sweet, delicate and loving kiss on her lips, which she immediately accepted along with adding her passion and love. It didn't lead to anything afterwards, but Kaori and Sesshomaru eventually ended up in their room, formally known as Kaori's parents' room, content and even happy.