One Ranch, Two Brothers.
Chapter Nine, first half written by Kitkats, second half written by Belledaynight.
(Apologies for the long departure)
"No way."
Sango forced herself to say as she looked up from the newspaper that lay in front of her on the counter. The hopeful one, or Miroku, stood in front of the counter, leaning against it. He had showed up once again, only a day after her ridiculous scene at his ranch. Where she had managed to accuse, and completely lose her cool with the new veterinarian.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and watched as he opened his mouth and closed it again. He seemed to be at a loss of words, which was quite unusual for Miroku. Sango had been convinced that he had an answer for everything, and a pickup line for every situation.
"It's just dinner." He finally said.
"I don't do dates, Miroku." She responded with a heavy sigh. Her gaze went back to the newspaper, which she proceeded to begin to leaf through. He watched this motion with his eyes, and if he had been any normal man, he might have taken the movements as body language telling him to back off. But, Miroku wasn't any normal man, and he didn't give in easily.
He searched for the correct words to use. He knew telling her that she looked beautiful wouldn't do the trick. She stood in front of him now, in a man's long sleeve t-shirt, that was three sizes too big, and with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. Her jeans were faded, and had paint stains trailing down them.
Miroku sucked in a breath as he tore his eyes from her, and pretended to look at the newest display of sweets farther down the long counter. It didn't matter what she wore, or that she had no makeup on. His heart pounded hard against his rib cage as he realized this.
None of the requirements that he normally set when looking to pick up a woman applied to her. Miroku had been a bad boy in the past, going for the dolled up, and easy looking women. He had a list as long as Santa's Christmas list that he could have titled his 'one night stands.' He would set out to get what he wanted, and when it was all said and done, he'd drop the lady faster than a hot potato.
He wanted so much more for Sango, and he wanted to be the best he could be for her. No, he would not treat her like the others, and if she would provide him the opportunity, Miroku would show her how he could step up to the plate, and be something better then the steak of the town gossip.
"Are you going to buy a cookie, or just continue to drool over it?"
Miroku was startled back into reality, and allowed Sango a small smile as he brought his eyes back to her again. Her dark eyes met his own and for a moment they locked. He shifted uncomfortably, feeling like her eyes could see into his very soul.
"I-I'll make dinner."
Sango blinked rapidly in surprise. Miroku stared back at her, the look in his eyes impossible to read. She suspected that he was covering up the fact that he was shocked, she herself had been a little thrown off by his sudden blurt out.
Miroku studied her, waiting to see if his sudden announcement that he would cook would convince her to give him a try. He saw the familiar frown that usually appeared on her face when they talked, and he felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as she opened her mouth to speak. She would reject his offer.
But, then she surprised him.
"So," She said with a twinkle in her eyes, "What are we having?"
Miroku gapped at her, mind completely blank on all things that were possibly suitable for a menu. "Steak?" He was so dead.
oooooOOOOOoooooOOOOOooooo
Kagura stepped into the room, a frown clouding her face, and a nail file busy at work on her left hand. The room was well sized and cozy at the same time. There was a king sized bed in the middle of the room, and two cherry wood dressers on either wall. A large mirror was mounted by a sliding door that led to a large bathroom that sparkled from lemon cleaners.
She glanced at Inuyasha as the bell hopper hurried past her, pushing a rather heavy cart stacked to the top with leather luggage. He halted the cart in the middle of the room, and retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket which he used to wipe across his sweat-beaded forehead.
"Don't look so gloomy," Inuyasha said as he eyed Kagura, "We will find them."
Kagura didn't look convinced. She took the nail file and laid it carefully on one of the dressers, "But what happens if this isn't the correct town, I've been thinking--"
"I wasn't sure you knew how."
Kagura gave Inuyasha a dark look, but continued on as if she hadn't heard him at all, "I've been thinking about it, and it makes no sense. Kouga would rather go through open heart surgery then see me alive and kicking again." She waved a hand in thought, "And Kagome ran from you, yes?"
This time it was Inuyasha giving Kagura the black look, "You could look at it that way," He stopped to glare at her, "Or you could look at it in a way that favored me…"
"You know the old saying dear, you can run, but you can't hide." He smiled darkly, "They won't be able to stay hidden for long…we'll make news all around this small place, and you'll have your chance to push Kouga farther down into his miserable existence."
He paused as his eyes came to a halt on the still present bell hopper. The boy stood in the middle of the room, as he had been when he had brought their luggage in. He was as still as a statue, listening to every word they uttered.
Inuyasha mumbled darkly as he dug into the back pocket of his pants, and pulled out an expensive looking wallet. He fingered through the thick stack of bills inside its pocket, and finally drew out a rather large sum of money, tossing it into the hands of the shocked bell hopper.
"For your silence." Inuyasha said, as he put the wallet back in his pocket and watched the boy's features change from shock to understanding.
"Yes si-sir." The bell hopper stuttered as he made his way out the door, pulling the cap that was part of his uniform, lower on his head. He escaped out into the hall, closing the door quietly behind him.
Inuyasha made sure the door was closed before speaking again, "Have I convinced you yet?" He watched her as she removed the large jacket she wore and draped it across the coat hook that had been mounted in the entry way.
Kagura bit her lip and nodded, she was determined to see the look on Kouga's face as she made a happy appearance with her newest catch.
Inuyasha smiled, "Good, now come along my dear," He gestured to the bed as he made his way towards it, "We both could use a nap before we go any further."
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"All I'm saying is that the blue would look so much better than the green."
A peeved look crossed Kagome's face as she slowly repeated what Sesshoumaru had said, "The blue would look so much better than the green?" She held up the dress that he had liked the best, her nose slowly wrinkling in dislike.
She turned towards the full length mirror before her, raising it to her shoulders watching it unfold. It fell down to around her knees, showing more leg than she normally was comfortable with.
Sesshoumaru caught the look.
"If you already had your mind made up, why'd you ask my opinion?" Sesshoumaru asked as he threw his hands up in a baffled manner. He would never understand women. She had pulled him away from his mid-afternoon snack, and taken him to her room where she had torn a few dresses from her closet, and asked him to basically pick the outfit she would wear later on that evening.
The outing with Kouga.
Apparently they would be acting as a couple for the next few weeks, while their famous exes toured, and showed off in the small Texas town. The idea of Kouga and Kagome surviving the few weeks was a likely failure in Sesshoumaru's opinion. He had watched how they interacted since Kagome had stepped foot on the ranch, and judging by that he concluded that they'd make it a few days…at the most.
But, it would be fun while it lasted, at least for Sesshoumaru it would be. He planned to stay in the background, and watch the whole show unfold. It would bring him much humor to see the two of them pretending to be in love.
"Are you listening to me?"
He found himself nose to nose with an angry female.
Sesshoumaru leaned back slightly, a smile creeping onto his lips as he did so. "Now, now Kagome," He said with a sly tone, "What would Kouga think of this?"
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She picked up the brush and set it down again.
This was complete madness.
Sango stared back at her reflection in the mirror, seeing a woman she hadn't seen since her college years. A young lady in a nice summer dress, about to comb and attempt to tame her hair.
What was wrong with her?
She sighed and retrieved the brush from the table that sat in front of the mirror. Sango ran it through her long locks and used it to scoop them up into a neat French bun. This was most defiantly not like her, as she normally didn't care one bit about creating and managing to keep a nice hairstyle. She was used to having it fall out of a loose ponytail at the shop anyways, so she saw no reason to attempt to style it.
Until now.
She finished with the brush, and let it back down on the tabletop. She picked up a small brush and popped open a container with red powder in it. Sango took the brush and swept it through the powder, raising it to her face.
An inch short of meeting her cheeks, the brush halted.
Sango took a moment to digest what she was doing, and who she was doing it for.
She sighed and let it connect with her cheek, sweeping it across it, and letting the color brighten up her normally make up free face.
There was no turning back now.
After spending an hour looking for a dress, doing her hair, and putting on makeup, there was certainly no way she could go on the same person she always had been. If she was going to this much trouble…
She cut the thought off abruptly, hoping that her efforts to look nice would not go unnoticed. Sango set the makeup brush down, and decided to leave it at that.
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"What are you doing?" Kouga asked his soot covered younger brother. Miroku looked up from the mess he could once call steak if it wasn't for the singed beyond all recognition black quality of the meat. His amethyst eyes scanned the rest of the evidence of his kitchen disaster: soggy mashed potatoes, over-cooked vegetables, burnt French bread. At least the wine wasn't messed up, but he hadn't opened the bottle yet.
With the luck he was having that night the cork would probably take somebody's eye out, most likely his. He glanced back over at his handsome older brother dressed up in a name brand suit with crisply ironed electric blue shirt and fashionable grey tie with metallic geometric images. "It looks like I'm heading for a date with disaster while you're about to steal someone's heart."
Kouga's lip curled at taking stock into his and his brother's situations. It seemed as if their roles were reversed and the suave lady's man had now turned into the dating disaster. "Maybe you should order Chinese food instead," he rejoined, leaning against the kitchen counter and crossing his arms in amusement.
Miroku narrowed his eyes at his brother and lifted his right hand that held the giant steak knife. "So help me, I'll use it," he warned. His brother's answer was a hearty laugh that stopped abruptly when the kitchen door swung open.
Kouga's witty remark completely escaped him when he saw the vision standing before him in a little blue dress that matched perfectly with his silk shirt. Kagome fidgeted, tugging on the short hem of the dress. "It's too short, isn't it? I knew I should have worn the green one," she turned around abruptly and would have left the kitchen scene if a firm hand hadn't locked onto her elbow.
She was twirled until she was trapped within the strong arms of the oldest Wolfe brother. The look of pure adoration on Kouga's face helped some of her sense of foreboding disappear. "You look amazing," he told her, giving her arm another squeeze before releasing it to casually drape his arm around her slim shoulders and draw her to his side. He gestured towards Miroku. "Should we take pity on my poor little brother?"
Kagome almost laughed, all the feelings of excitement welling up inside of her at Kouga's closeness finding a healthier outlet at spotting Miroku. "What happened?"
"I told Sango I would make dinner for her," Miroku answered with a sheepish grin.
"She agreed to go out with you?" Kouga asked in astonishment, eyes growing wide in shock.
Miroku scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Yeah, well, my cooking for her seemed to make her think I was being more sincere." He turned a 360-degree circle and surveyed the chaos he created. "She'll never want to have anything to do with me now."
"The two of you could go out with us," Kagome suggested. She missed the look that passed between the two brothers.
"No, I think I'll just explain the situation to her when she gets here. Who knows, maybe there is something salvageable here," Miroku chewed his inner cheek. "We can always order in too." Kouga's suggestion of Chinese food was looking better and better.
"Just don't burn down my house," Kouga told him, glancing down at his watch. "Let's go Kagome; our reservations are in half-an-hour."
"Good luck Miroku!" Kagome called over her shoulder as she allowed her date to escort her towards his sports car that hardly saw light outside of the garage. Kouga grabbed both of their light coats and draped them over his arm on the way out.
"Are you ready?" Kouga asked while starting the engine that purred like a kitten.
Kagome offered a small smile. "I'm a little nervous to tell you the truth. You and I just barely started acting civil to one another. Now we are going to try and convince the town that we are madly in love?" Kagome shook her head at the idea and starred out her window as the ranch house grew smaller in the side mirror. "I hope Sango gives him a chance, he's a nice guy once you peal off all those layers."
"Ogres are like onions, Miroku is a playboy with a heart that recently thawed," Kouga disagreed. He loved his brother because he had to; there was that whole unofficial blood law where you had to love your family. He wouldn't have given the man a chance if they were to meet on the street. "It will take one special woman to deal with him and all his flaws."
"I guess they all can't be as perfect as you then," Kagome teased, reaching over to tug gently on a lock of Kouga's hair. He flashed her a wolfish grin.
"That's right babe, I'm one of a kind." He put the car into park as he waited at a stop light before leaning over and taking hold of her chin. Before any thoughts could process in Kagome's mind, he sealed her lips with his in a quick possessive kiss. "And you're the perfect woman to deal with me."
Kagome sat back in her seat and watched the odd man beside her for the rest of the ride. A casual observer, as many fellow citizens on the roads thought, would conclude she was gazing at him with loving admiration. From the corner of Kouga's eye he wondered about his own actions and Kagome's reactions to them. He felt like he was digging his own grave with an industrial sized steam-shovel.
"Why are we eating here?" Kagome asked a few minutes later when Kouga gave the keys to his car to a valet. They were standing at the entrance of one of the most elite restaurants in the area. There was an expensive hotel across the street.
Kouga grinned at her. "Well, darling, it seems as if the banes to our existence have chosen this hotel. Odds are favorable that this will be the restaurant they choose to make their big splash in." He placed a light kiss to Kagome's forehead and pulled her to his side once more, his new favorite position for her. "I prefer to be the first to make the splash."
"How did you find out they were here?" Kagome inquired, ignoring as best she could the tingling sensations she felt at every location she could feel Kouga's body pressed against her own. It was important to remember that they were just acting. This was an agreement to work together for their mutual protection.
Kouga waved towards a young bell-hop, just getting off work at the expensive hotel. "I know a few people here and there." The hostess greeted them in the reception area with a warm smile.
"Mr. Wolfe, Ms. Higurashi if you'll follow me, I will show you to your table." She gave them a conspiratory wink. "It's in the most prominent location. I can assure you, if you want your relationship to be the talk of the town, there is no better place to display what an obviously beautiful couple you make."
Kouga pulled out Kagome's chair for her and then took his own seat. He met Kagome's accusing stare across the small, intimate table and shrugged. "I thought it would be best to strike hard and fast."
Kagome broke into a huge grin. "You, Kouga Wolfe, are the best co-conspirator I have had the pleasure of working with," Kagome told him, leaning across the table to whisper in a voice only meant for his ears.
He hooked her chin and brought his lips close to hers, a hair's width away. "You ain't seen nothing yet," he promised, leaning back and leaving her with feeling of loss as his talented lips left her stranded.
Kouga laughed at the expression of annoyance on his Veterinarian's face. And moved like a viper to kiss her surprised mouth. "Don't worry; I won't leave my girl hanging."
"I must say, it is good to see you aren't wallowing in the depths of despair any longer," a familiar female voice destroyed the bubble of contentment around the two protagonists. Kagome and Kouga looked up to see the snotty faces of their former 'loved' ones.
It was harder to tell which was worse, the hostile look in Inuyasha's golden eyes or the venomous glare in Kagura's dark ones. If Kouga hadn't been holding Kagome's hand steady in his own she might have had some fear at the sight of the crimson claws on the other woman's fingers.
"Fancy seeing you two here," Kouga answered calmly, Kagome only noting that his grip upon her hand was tightened marginally.
"I didn't realize they let rift-raft in here Yasha dear," Kagura cooed. "Maybe we can find some better place to eat." She tugged not-so-gently on his arm, that her hand was hooked through.
"You don't mind if we join you?" Inuyasha asked, disentangling himself and ignoring Kagura completely as he pulled up a chair to sit beside Kagome. Kouga promptly slid her chair around until she was at his side, making Kagome feel a bit like a yoyo.
"Not at all," Kouga answered. He turned his attention to Kagura, who stood fuming at Inuyasha. She finally pulled a chair up herself and placed it between Inuyasha and Kouga. "The more the merrier," he told her before lifting Kagome's hand to kiss the back of it sweetly.
The waiter approached the table cautiously. It looked like he was about to be witness to a battle of epic proportions. He glanced back towards his coworker and wondered idly if there was any way she would swap tables with him. She glanced over at him, then at the quartet and shook her head firmly.
With a resigned sigh he approached the table with a large smile on his face. "I see you have a few more guests Mr. Wolfe, have you all decided on what you'd like?"
Boy, was that a loaded question!