Chapter 9:
Sesshomaru and I have the hardest time trying not to laugh and make Naraku suspicious during art. And of course when someone is trying not to laugh it only makes it harder not to. Thankfully Naraku has no clue what was going.
"So Sesshomaru," Naraku says, "are you going to the dance?"
Sesshomaru looks at slightly surprised, then smiles mischievously and answers, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
A girl from the next set of tables walks over and stands next to Sesshomaru, twirling a lock of loose hair around her finger. "Ya know, Sesshomaru…If you need a date on short notice, I'm always available for you."
"Yeah…I know, Kagura," he says distastefully.
"That's my boy," Kagura says skankishly, "So what time are you going to pick me up?"
"Ummm," Sesshomaru looks at his watch thoughtfully then looks at Kagura and says, "never."
Kagura's face falls, then she glares at me as I start snickering. Oh, man! What is wrong with me! Oh, yeah…Miroku's going to make an ass of himself. "What are you laughing at, you foreigner?"
She yells.
"She's laughing at you," Sesshomaru says.
"No, Sesshomaru. I'm not laughing at her, I'm laughing next to her," I say. Kagura sticks her nose up in the air and storms off back to her seat.
Naraku looks at me and smiles, "Wow…you two are really not yourselves this afternoon."
"Oh we're just excited," I say, "dances are always fun." I smirk at Sesshomaru, who nods his agreement.
I'm lying on my bed staring at the alarm clock on the night stand next to it. 7:51 pm. I guess Naraku and I will be leaving soon…And he's going to get an eyeful! Naraku had made supper early, he refused to let me help. He always does, but one of these days I'll get my turn. I like cooking, mostly cakes and cookies but I cook some other stuff too. After dinner he drove me back to my parents house and helped me bring over some of my things. Well, just a couple boxes of clothes. It was a casual dance so I didn't dress up or anything. I'm ready to go but Naraku told me he had to go get something before we left and to listen for the door. So I'm on my bed staring at the clock and listening for the doorbell. I'm wearing red cargo pants, a red belt with star shaped studs, and a white tank top. I have my cross choker on along with two red wristbands-on my wrists obviously. I only have one pair of shoes so I have no other choice but to wear my black sneakers.
Ding Dong. Well, there's the bell. I stand up and stretch, pulling my natural red hair into a ponytail and hurry down the stairs. Ding Dong. Ding Dong. Ding Dong. "I'm comin! I'm comin!" I shout. At the base of the stairs I pull open the door and the sight before me leaves me glued to the spot with my mouth hanging open. Beautiful brown eyes, black hair, and a charming smile.
"Wow. You look nice," he says. "I've never seen you dressed like this before…it works. Can I come in?"
I nod and step out of the way of the door. He's wearing semi-baggy black pants and a tight black shirt that shows off his chest muscles and the flat muscles in his stomach. "These are for you," he says handing me a bouquet of roses. I don't even like flowers, but coming from him they're beautiful.
"Thank you," I say, dazed, as I take the flowers. What in Sam Hill is he doing!
"Is something wrong?" he asks.
"No."
"You're sure?"
"Yeah….um, why did you ring the bell?"
"Well, I thought it was polite."
"Naraku, you live here."
"I know…but still, I wanted to surprise you….did it work?"
"What do you think?" I say sarcastically.
"I think it did," he laughs as he wraps his arms around my waist, and places a light kiss on my lips. I smile at him.
"We'd better get going."
"Yeah."
Out at the car Naraku opens the passenger door and motions for me to enter. I blush and obey. Naraku runs around to the drivers side, gets in and drives off toward the school. When we arrive we climb out and walk through the front doors hand in hand. We meet up with Sesshomaru, Miroku and Miroku's date in the gym. Miroku's eyes are cast down at the floor and he looks a little depressed. Let the fun begin.
Miroku introduces me to his date. "Alicia, this is my date, Sango."
"Hi," she says. I nod and we shake hands.
"Miroku is something wrong?" Naraku asks.
He quickly stands up straight and smiles feebly," No, no, nothings wrong."
Sesshomaru and I exchange looks of guilty pleasure. An arm wraps around my shoulders. I know it's not Naraku because Naraku is standing to my left, this arm came from the right. Looking over I see Bankotsu standing next to me. Naraku quickly grabs Bankotsu's wrist and flings his arm away, claiming my shoulders with his own arm. Bankotsu ignores him. To his right stand two guys.
"Alicia," he says, "these are my brothers, Renkotsu and Jakotsu." Renkotsu wears a bandana around his head. He has narrow, brown eyes and a straight face. He nods his greeting to me. Jakotsu has dark brown hair and dark green eyes. He doesn't greet me, though. He's too interested in something else. Miroku. "Well, you've probably already figured out that Jakotsu's gay, but Renkotsu's straight."
"Thank you for that big brother," Renkotsu says dryly. I smile.
The music in the gym is loud, but somehow, someone else is louder. "She's mine!"
"No she's not! She was never yours and she'll never be yours!"
Finding the source of the shouts I spot Koga having an argument with a buy that has white hair and golden eyes, like Sesshomaru. In between the two stands a girl with dark, chocolate eyes and raven hair.
"Who's that guy Koga's fighting with?" I ask.
"That would be my idiot brother Inuyasha," Sesshomaru says.
"Who are they fighting over?"
"That's Kagome," Sango says, "she's Inuyasha's girlfriend but Koga refuses to accept that. He's got a major crush on her. It's too bad. Ayame really likes him."
"Who's Ayame?"
"That girl over there," Sango points to a girl with bright red pigtails, standing semi-behind Koga. She looks awfully sad. Poor Kagome, she looks like she's going to be split in half with Koga tugging on one arm and Inuyasha on the other.
"Sango, let's go get Kagome out of there," I say.
"Yeah," she says and we leave the five guys.
When we reach Koga and Inuyasha, Sango takes a hold of Inuyasha's wrists and hauls him away from Kagome. I do the same to Koga.
"Hey! What're ya doin!" Koga yells.
"Alicia!" I look behind Koga to see Hakkaku and Ginta standing there.
"Hi guys," I say.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!" Koga yells, "I thought you were on my side!"
"Normally I would be, but right now I'm on Kagome's side. You two were gonna split her in half the way you were going."
"What! Kagome is my woman!" Koga yells.
"No, she's not!" Inuyasha screams.
"Look Koga," I say, "Kagome is Inuyasha's girlfriend. Why don't you let her be happy?"
"Because she's the only woman who cares for me," he says simply.
"Okay, I don't know who these people are and I know that's not true. Ayame cares," I nod in her direction. When Koga looks at her she smiles weakly. Koga looks back and forth from Kagome to Ayame. Then he sighs.
"Fine. I'll let Kagome go for now."
"Good. Why don't you go dance with Ayame?"
He looks at me then walks over to Ayame, "You wanna dance?"
She nods her head enthusiastically and he takes her to the dance floor. "Well that was easier than I thought," I say.
"Yeah," Sango agrees.
"Thanks for the help." I turn around to find Kagome standing behind me smiling, shyly.
"No problem, Kagome." I smile and hold out my hand, "I'm Alicia." She smiles and shakes my hand. Behind her Inuyasha crosses his arms impatiently and starts tapping his foot.
Kagome looks behind her then back at me, "Guess I'll see ya around?"
"For sure."
When they're gone I smile at Sango. Hakkaku and Ginta step up beside me. "Wow," Ginta says.
"Wow what?" I say.
"Koga's never listened to anyone before," Hakkaku says "You have a powerful gift…can I borrow it?" he says and we all laugh.
A slow song comes on and Naraku appears beside me. "Let's go dance," he say taking my hand and leading me to the dance floor. Before I get to far I turn to Sango.
"Hey Sango!" I shout.
"Yeah?"
"Can you tell Miroku and Sesshomaru that I said it's time?"
"Ok but time for what?"
"You'll see. They'll know what I mean."
"Ok."
"Thanks."
On the dance floor, Naraku wraps his arms around my waist tightly. I reach up and hook mine around his neck. "This is nice," he says.
"Yeah," I agree. It's true. I'm so comfortable with him. I nuzzle closer to him, moves my hands down to his biceps and rest my head on his chest. He wraps his arms tighter still and rests his chin on the top of my head. As we move in slow circles together I spot Bankotsu watching us, looking disgusted. I sigh and close my eyes.
"Alicia?" Naraku whispers.
"Mmmm hmm?"
"I'm really glad I met you that night. I really enjoy living with you, and being with you."
"Feelings mutual," I say as I smile up at him.
He smiles back. "Remember that night? In the café? When you asked me what I was doing in the alley?"
"Yeah." Is he finally going to tell me?
"I said I couldn't tell you yet. But I wanna tell you know." I look at him letting him know that I'm listening. He sighs. "You may have figured this out by now but the police in this town literally don't do fuck all. See, Sesshomaru has a little cousin that lives with his family because her parent died. What I was doing in that alley was something I hope you'll understand. It was with terrible intentions but I hope you understand. Sesshomaru's cousin's name is Rin. She's seven years old. About a year ago, right after her birthday, Inuyasha was bringing Rin home from school. He didn't have a license so he couldn't drive her. When they were walking, a man stepped out of the shadows and took Rin. He knocked Inuyasha unconscious and took Rin. When he came to he saw the man in the alley raping Rin. He's never forgiven himself, and Sesshomaru's never forgiven him either. Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and I have been searching for the man ever since. I was in that alley that night hoping to find him. We had planned to beat the living hell out of him…we'd even thought about killing him. So…I hope you understand."
"I do. I understand completely. Sesshomaru's lucky to have a friend that's willing to help him with something like that…we're all lucky," I smile. Naraku smiles back at me.
"Thank you," he says and gently kisses my forehead.
Right at the moment, the gym fills with screams and laughter. The screams came from all the females and the laughter from the guys.
"What the hell is going on?" Naraku says. I point to a figure standing in the door to the washrooms. Naraku burst out with laughter, for there stood Miroku clad in fairy wings, a halo and a wand. He started running through the crowds of people, occasionally being slapped on the ass by enthusiastic audience members. His eyes widened when he passed by Naraku and I. I think it finally hit him when he saw Naraku laughing. I think he finally realized that it would have been a lot easier and lot less embarrassing if he had just told Naraku what had happened in Health that day. Poor Miroku. It's just too late. There he went waving his wand, and his cough cough involuntarily. After making through all the crowds of people with his fairy wings flapping from the breeze created he ran for the washroom again. Oh my, oh my. He stopped short and turn around running through the gym again. He was never going to get back into the washrooms, because now chasing after him, with unmistakable glee and desire on their face, was…Jakotsu! I double over with laughter. On the other side of the gym, Sesshomaru is on his knees, his face reddening fast as he struggles for breathe. Next to him Sango is blushing furiously and Inuyasha has covered Kagome's eyes. Running by me again, Miroku screams.
"HELP! ALICIA THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME IT WAS EASIER TO TELL NARAKU WHAT HAPPENED!"
"As if!" I laugh.
Running around, Miroku finally stops and hides behind Bankotsu, getting ready to dodge the hands of Jakotsu no matter which way they came from. "BANKOTSU PLEASE! MAKE JAKOTSU STOP! PLEASE I BEG OF YOU!"
Bankotsu smiles, "Who am I to deny my brother what he wants?" And with that he steps aside. Now the only thing separating him and Jakotsu is mere air.
Renkotsu steps up beside me. "You planned this, then?"
"Yes."
"Alicia," Naraku says, "I had no idea you could come up with something like this."
"Looks can be deceiving," I wink.
Turning our attention back to the suffering Miroku, Jakotsu pounces. He misses by centimeters. Such a shame. Jakotsu seems to really like him. There he goes again, running like the free wind. Making our way over to Sesshomaru I ask, "Think we should help him out now?"
Sesshomaru sighs as he finally pulls himself together. "I suppose."
"Where'd you put his clothes?"
"Here," he says as he hands me a bag. I look in. Miroku's clothes.
Lifting my head I shout for the tortured teen. "HEY MIROKU! COME GET YOUR CLOTHES!" His head shoots around searching for me. When his eyes land on me I hold up the bag and wave it at him. He picks up speed and runs to me grabbing the bag. "Thanks!" he says and makes a bee-line for the washroom. I look at Bankotsu and smile sweetly, "Bankotsu? Can hold back Jakotsu so the poor guy can get dressed?"
Bankotsu looks at me confused then smiles, "Sure, buttercup. Anything for you." I know, I know. That was a mean thing to do to get what I wanted but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do right?
A few minutes later, Miroku slothfully makes his way over to us with his head hanging low. I could swear, if I let him go any longer he'd be crying right now. "Well, hey there sport," I say and clap him on the back. He glares at me. "Awwww, come on cheer up. It's not like I planned for Jakotsu to chase ya."
"You could have told me it was easier to tell Naraku what happened in Health."
"Well…You didn't ask."
"I shouldn't have to."
"Alright look. I feel bad for Jakotsu chasing you. I'll make it up to you. I'll buy you something. Anything…that I can afford."
"Really? You'd do that for me?"
"Sure…I'd do that for anyone that got chased by Bankotsu's brother."
"You'll buy me an X-box and a couple games?"
"Sure."
"Then you're forgiven," Miroku smiles and gives me a hug.
The rest of the night went smoothly. Naraku and I hit the dance floor, Miroku and Sango spent the rest of the night together. Whenever Miroku was chided for what he had done he smiled and brushed it off. Inuyasha and Kagome finally got to be alone, Koga and Ayame hit it off pretty good. Sesshomaru left after the big show. Bankotsu and his brothers hung around. Both Bankotsu and Renkotsu sent a smile my way when I glanced over at them. Jakotsu never took his eyes off Miroku. He seemed disappointed that it was over as quick as it was but satisfied that he had gotten as close as he did. Hakkaku and Ginta spent most of the night by the wall talking and waiting for Koga until Sango, Kagome and I introduced them to a couple girls that were eyeing them for about a half an hour. After that they danced with the girls and had a good time.
At home Naraku held the door open for me. We headed upstairs for bed. At the top of the staircase Naraku stole a quick kiss and bid me a good night. I fell asleep with a smile on my face and wondered what evens the weekend would hold.