A.N. I spent all of Thursday afternoon writing the third/ fourth to last chapter cause the idea just popped into my head! You all will absolutely KILL me when you read it. I can't wait to post it after this one. Well enough of Chapter 18, let's talk about this one... It's finally the long awaited party and more than just cleaning up will be going on after it ends... When the clock strikes midnight it's bound to be a scream...
Also expect to see a link to all the fics I beta or help to beta on my profile soon! (By Friday) They are definitely interesting reads.
Disclaimer: I barely have enough money to go to the movies, now since I've splurged away my graduation money and have no job. So I own nothing really, especially not Inuyasha, or any songs by 112.
Delightfully Disastrous
Chapter Seventeen
(Tsuki)
Drip...
Drip...
Drip..
Juromaru sat against a cold stone wall. His legs were crossed and his eyes were closed. He barely moved, except to breathe and even that motion was minute. To anyone person other than the six other occupants of the old castle, he would have appeared to be meditating...
But he wasn't.
Drip...
No. He was waking Kageromaru.
Drip...
His body started to pulse, and with each pulse, pale lids lifted to reveal dilated bright crimson eyes.
Drip...
When they fully opened he frowned as the pulsing slowly ceased. His brother didn't seem to want to stir at the moment. "Kageromaru!" he hissed, "Awaken. Our master summons you."
Drip...
There was silence for but only for a moment, before there was one last pulse and a low hum as a smaller version of Juromaru appeared next to him. Juromaru clutched his stomach with a groan and held himself perfectly still, as a wave of pain washed over him from the departure of his brother.
'And Kagura wonders why I'm so reluctant to free him...'
He took a look at the brother, the other part of him, from his stiff position. His breath came out in short pants. The pain was incredibly. He let out a soft moan.
Kageromaru.
One of the most cunning in the group, he was a small, but fast demon. He was surprisingly Juromaru's elder, and probably the most twisted in the group. He did not have any legs, but had two sharp, sickle-like arms.
His hobby you may ask?
Normal things, of course like eating the insides of demons and humans.
He looked around him, and gave a high pitched laugh, "It feels good... So good to be free, brother. I have waited for what seems like an eternity."
'Yes, decades of residing in one's stomach could do that.' Juromaru wanted to snap, but he said nothing, but continued to groan as a trickle of blood slid down his chin.
Kanna entered the cell wearily and handed him a wooden bowl, "...Drink... you will feel better..."
Juromaru soundlessly did as he was told and when he had finished, he rubbed his stomach ruefully, standing as if he had not just a second ago been in unbearable pain. "Let's hope I don't have to do that again anytime soon..."
Kageromaru chuckled, "Agreed."
(Tsuki)
Kaede and Totousai shared a look. This was the essence of a Kodak moment. No doubt about it. There was nothing better than working a group of youngsters so hard that they were near tears.
Nothing.
Well except maybe Inuyasha baking. Inuyasha in what he had labeled 'feminine' baking wear cursed at his batch of sugar cookies. He slammed his palms on the counter attracting everyone's attention.
Sango had finally let him touch the oven, and she was now thinking it was a very, very bad idea. Inuyasha was getting a little into the whole thing. "Why! Why won't you turn golden! That's all I ask... not that sickly yellow but gold, damn it! Gold!"
Kikyou led Inuyasha away from the cookies, "Come on honey... you need a break. Why don't you package stuff for a bit... or frost some of the cupcakes?"
Inuyasha sniffed, giving her the puppy eyed look. "If I frost, could I have some of the frosting?"
Kikyou smiled, "Of course, Inuyasha." She handed him a large spoon, and a fancy tipped frosting bag. "Just put the frosting in the bag, and squeeze it on the cupcakes... Okay?"
Inuyasha nodded looking as excited as a little boy getting a new puppy. Totousai shook his head, "You know what? I take that back... That was just kinda creepy."
Kaede nodded in agreement.
The group had been working for two hours straight, and it was probably taking a toll on them. The kitchen was as hot as they could have imagined hell to be, and Kaede and Totousai refused to even open a window.
And to make matters worse, Totousai shrugged off whatever complaining they did with a reprimanding, though pointless, not very relating story, "Children today are a bunch of lazies! Back in my day, we'd have to walk 2 miles just to get water, and it literally was as hot a hell where I lived. I was a sword smith back in the day, you know. It had to be!"
He chuckled and Sango rolled her eyes, "We're asking for opened windows, not a life story, old man."
It was only decided they needed fresh air, when Mirouku and Inuyasha started singing.
"—Peaches and
cream I need it 'cause you know that I'm a fiend
Gettin'
freaky in my Bentley limousine —"
Sango started choking instantly picking up the song. Kagome patted her on the back, confused as to why of all songs they picked that one.
Confusion lifted when Kaede clapped her hands interrupting the rest of the song, and herded them onto Totousai, "Alright! I will finish ye baking! Things will probably get done faster this way/ Ye can decorate and fix outside a bit." She waved them away, and then glared at the two boys. "I have the mind to punish the both of ye for listening to such nonsense..."
Of course, drastic times called for drastic measures, and these were very drastic times. Inuyasha and Mirouku hid grins as the bowed their heads.
Kagome, Kikyou, and Sango gave relieved sighs and thanked every deity known for insinuative American songs, with each step they descended down to, all the while greedily gulping fresh, cool, non sweet scenting air.
Totousai brought them all back outside and they found themselves retracting their prayers as they were told what they hand to do.
Stringing lights, setting up speakers, thinking up a music play list to play on the equipment they had to set up around the perimeter, pointlessly sweeping sand (when asked why they needed to sweep it-not off anything mind you- their answer was: It looks a tad uneven don't you think), sweeping the platforms, evening out the booths, painting signs, hanging said signs, hiding bright orange extension cords from view while still managing to keep them in sight for easy use, putting up extension cords so they could hide the before mentioned extension cords all the while keeping them in view, putting down rugs on the sand beyond the platform, bringing down plastic utensils, cups, and plates, setting up buoy lines in the water at several different feet, setting up tables and chairs beyond the platform, blowing up helium balloons for the stands to sell, then blowing up regular balloons, putting the balloons in the water, etc, etc, etc...
And those were only some of the things they had to do and of course what fun would it have been if they weren't timed doing the before stated tedious tasks?
Totousai brought out the oh-so-beloved timer and set a random time before shouting, "And go!"
Inuyasha groaned, "Is today over yet?"
(Tsuki)
Nope... Today was not over. Not by a long shot. When they finally thought they had an hour to themselves, they were dead wrong. Kagura had come down with bundles of clothing, with Sesshoumaru behind her carrying the rest. She set them down with a smirk, "Here are your costumes!"
Sango frowned and leaned over to poke a wrapped bundle gently, "You can't possibly make us dress up! We worked our butts off all day...can't we at least be left alone to simply wear jeans and a t-shirt?"
Sesshoumaru snorted, "I can and I am. I don't care. No."
He tossed the bundles over.
Inuyasha whined, "But Fluffy-Maru!"
Mirouku shook his head incredulously, "Where do come up with these nicknames? Do you even sleep at night, anymore?"
Inuyasha ignored the question, and Sesshoumaru stared him down, "For that horrendous name, you have just volunteered yourself to 'mingle' tonight, with the guest. Congratulations, little brother, you are one lucky pup." His sarcasm made Mirouku and Sango snicker. Kagome had enough decency to feel bad enough not to laugh aloud.
Kikyou had to hit Inuyasha over the head with a pillow when he was about to complain, "Stop digging your grave, Inuyasha."
With a pout Inuyasha just turned to his bundle, and started poking holes in the wrapping with his claws as if it were some certain older half-brother's body. His fangs peeked over his bottom lip and his ears flattened against his skull pitifully but not a sound came from him at the moment.
They each opened their brown paper wrapped packages, and had to admit that they looked pretty ...amazing. Most of the costumes were made from a soft silk and hand dyed and decorated.
Sango's kimono was a gorgeous magenta color. The pink would fade into a very light shade of color. Since it was the beginning of spring, there was a peach tree branch and peach flowers wrapping around the front of the kimono. A white and magenta obi sash, white obi-jimi, and a solid colored butterfly obi belt completely added to the look. But that it was lined with green finished it off.
The kimono came with a plain ivory white collar called an eri-sugata.
The only thing that kept it from being a traditional kimono was the fact that it came down to the mid thigh as if it were some sort of a happi coat. The sleeves however came down to her knees- the length signifying that she was young and unmarried.
Kikyou's was similar but it was white and teal colored and instead of two basic colors, it had more. It was covered in golden colored birds, red outlined flowers, and deep green trees. The obi sash and butterfly obi belt was composed of rich blacks and browns and it had red obi-jimi. The color was pure white and the lining of the sleeves was an apple red. Hers too strangely came down to her mid thighs and the sleeves surpassed that length.
Kagura handed both girls dainty wooden sandals and Kagome had to wonder whether or not Kagura had a life of her own...
She wasn't being mean or anything. Not at all. She was just wondering if she ever went out...dated, had fun. 'Maybe before I go back to school... I'll take her to Kyoto or something. Introduce her to the girls.'
She smiled. 'It'll be good for her.'
All she seemed to do was devote her time to making, modifying, and reconstructing clothing from old ones and making something new.
That was the perhaps the only difference between her and Kikyou's work. Kagura barely made from scratch unlike Kikyou whose ideas were uniquely hers 'and Kagura also didn't take month long breaks to clear her mind like Kikyou was doing now.' Kagome thought wryly.
But Kagome had to admit, 'These do look great...' The only problem any of the girls had with the kimonos were the length. They looked a tab bit short to them.
Hers was a beautiful blue with white and pink flowers that wrapped around the front of the kimono and the bottoms of the sleeves. It was outlined in a complementing yellow and she had a cute golden sash with a pink and white obi-jimi and belt.
Kagura handed her the wooden sandals and as their fingers touched accidentally, Kagome was suddenly overcome with a wave of regret.
And none of it was any of her own, she thought with confusion. She faltered a bit at the intensity but gave her thanks as if nothing were wrong.
As Kagura's intense pink eyes met hers, Kagome had a feeling that it was hers. But what exactly did she do? Or was going to do?
Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were looking nostalgically at their garbs to have noticed her slight waver the moment before and Kagome wondered if something were wrong with their clothes, though she was pretty relieved that she didn't have to get questioned by either dog demon.
She took a look at their clothing. Nothing seemed amiss though. Sesshoumaru had a pair of beautiful pristine white male hamakas and an also similarly white haori with a neat red cherry blossom print on one corner and the same cherry blossom print on both sleeves. Kagome then noticed the strange looking armor breast plate that would set protection over the wearer's heart. It had been set on the coffee table. It was what could have been called a warrior's garb, and it came with black boot and a purple and yellow sash.
Inuyasha's, however, she could see some problems with. Just some. It was completely and utterly red, and unlike the other's it was made out of a different material. Something she was sure she'd never seen before.
But back to the color. The only non red articles, were an inside slip to wear underneath that was an off white, and the obi – Jimi and some stitching on the sleeve which were blackbut both the haori and the hamakas were other than that red. His butterfly belt- which looked as if it were tied on the front was also red.
What was odd though was the fact, that his outfit came without sandal, shoes, or even tabi socks like the rest. His only other addition was a necklace of prayer beads.
Kagome shrugged the strangeness of the attire off however when her eyes roamed to Mirouku. As soon as she saw him, she burst out laughing.
"Mirouku! You're –snicker- you're dressed like a," she erupted in giggles, "a m-monk!"
Mirouku indeed was with his purple and black robes. He had put the robes on over his dark jeans and gray singlet (a male tank top) to see if the robes would fit.
Sango, Inuyasha, and Kikyou also found the whole idea to be absolutely hysterical.
Mirouku looked affronted, "I'll have you know that I am probably the most pure man in this house..." Inuyasha howled with laughter and Sesshoumaru's lips even twitched slightly. The humor, much to Mirouku's delight, stopped when Kagura cleared her throat.
"If you are through, I'll hand you the rest of the stuff and be off."
Inuyasha made a face behind her back as she placed a staff on the table on the table, and fans to go with the kimonos. She went to leave but stopped. Her back was still turned to face the group. She drawled out, "And Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha rolled his eyes, "What now?"
"Grow up."
She sauntered out as Kikyou once again hit the poor hanyou lightly on the head with a throw pillow.
(Tsuki)
After a hearty dinner for the exhausted workers (they had been sent back to work by Kaede who had found them napping/ passed out on the couches), they went back to the living room. It had been cleared out by the servants and no one could have possibly have guessed that a game of Truth or Dare had been played the night before, or that there had been no power at all.
The television was blasting on some cartoon channel that Sango could have sworn she never had seen before, or knew existed. An English show was playing. It was something silly about a 'Grim Reaper' and two kids who couldn't have been more than two feet tall.
Kagome was out calling her mom and speaking to her brother, who was growing increasingly homesick with each second he spent away from home with Kagome's friend's family.
Mirouku suddenly groaned as he moved into a sitting position, "I've worked out muscles I never knew existed."
Inuyasha gave him a funny look at the way he said it.
Sango shook her head, "Even the simplest things, when you say them, you just manage to make them sound perverted somehow."
Mirouku draped an arm around her, and winked, "But Sango, you know you love me for it."
Sango huffed but did nothing to deny the statement.
Kagome walked into the room, then with a small, sad smile, "Well guys, by Monday, I'll be officially out of your hair."
Mirouku looked up, "You make it sound as if you were some sort of burden... We were very happy to have you Kagome," the look he gave her made her back away blushing.
Sango hit him with the remote.
Kikyou's previous smile had disappeared, "Monday? So soon?"
Her plans were going up in smoke with each soft nod Kagome gave. She knew the raven haired girl wasn't staying at the villa forever, but she had hoped to have had more time. 'No matter... I'll just have to make my plan happen sooner.' She mentally slapped her forehead, '..I'll put everything in action tomorrow.'
She gave Inuyasha a smile and he indiscreetly gave her the thumbs up sign, and both returned to listening in on the conversation at hand.
Sango patted Kagome's hand, "I don't want to miss you too much, Kagome, so you'd better visit me every weekend or else."
Kagome giggled, "Of course Sango. I wouldn't dream about forgetting about you guys." She let out a yawn, "I'm going to head off to bed, but first I want to talk to Rin. Do you know where she is?"
Inuyasha answered with a teasing glint in his eyes, "She in her room, reading! Can you believe that... and it's not even manga either. Just what exactly are kids coming to these days!"
He threw his hands up for emphasis.
Kagome shook her head grinning, "Good night guys. See you in the morning!"
She wanted to say a formal good bye to Rin, because she had a feeling that this would be the last time she would get a chance to, and if she didn't, she'd truly regret it. Rin really seemed quite attached to her.
As soon as she entered the room, she found Rin reading a fairytale. It was quite a thick little book too, for someone her age. A feeling of pride swelled in her breast.
She had just meant to tell Rin how she'd be leaving come Monday, but she ended up spending over an hour with Rin, reading to her and listening to her talk. There was no need to say that their time was short, and ruin the pleasant mood. They both felt it. After she tucked in Rin and kissed her forehead, she said goodnight and went in search of a certain demon.
Sesshoumaru had seemed to disappear somewhere, the gardens perhaps- as Inuyasha had suggested, but Kagome didn't want to interrupt anything and besides. She didn't even know where they were, and she was too exhausted to ask for directions.
She went to her room, showered and changed.
When Kagome finally went to bed, for the second night in a row, her door had been opened, and someone snuck into her room. They climbed into bed with her.
Kagome instantly moved over to make room, "Rin-chan?"
She smiled at the sound of Rin's nodding against the pillow. "Rin couldn't sleep. Can I spend the night with you?" Kagome ran a hand through her hair, "Of course you can Rin." There was no denying that girl anything. She was just so darn cute. "Good night Rin-chan."
Rin snuggled against Kagome's hold and soon drifted to sleep, with a yawned, "Good night, Kagome-mama."
Her eyes widened then softened, with no heart to correct the girl.
Did she really think of her as some sort of a surrogate mother?
For some reason, the thought of that felt so...accurate. She loved the little girl with all her heart, she decided as she pulled the girl closer into an embrace, so this once she'd let it slide.
(Tsuki)
Two figures snuck outside, dressed completely in black- one male, had on black jeans and a large black jacket over an equally dark t-shirt. He wore a ski mask. The only thing of color that stood out was his vibrant eyes.
The other was a female, and considerably shorter than the male. Having had no black pants with her, she wore a black skirt and knee length black boots, and fishnet stockings.
She wore a long sleeved black top and scarf. The girl also had a ski mask, but had no need for a jacket to hide her hair since it was long and dark.
Either they were two very mentally ill people, or they liked to take long walks on the beach in pitch black attire.
The male looked both ways before dropping down and tucking and rolling to the platform.
I'll take mentally ill for 200...
The female sighed and whispered, "Quit fooling around, Inuyasha. We have work to do..." Inuyasha grumbled in a low tone, "Aww, you cannot say that I was not helping the mood."
Kikyou snorted lifted her mask off, she smiled. "I can quite easy say that Inuyasha. You are not helping the mood. Now, come on, set up the m.p., since you wanted it so bad, and I'll make the call."
Inuyasha smirked and nodded. He followed suit with his mask, "Alright. Tomorrow- we light this bitch up."
Kikyou groaned at his use of language, "Inuyaaashaa!"
(Tsuki)
Finally. It was the long awaited day of the party. Forecasts stated that it'd be a beautiful night- a lovely cloudless afternoon with no chance at all for rain, warm weather, and of course it would be a half moon.
That morning, they barely saw each other, much to each of their chagrin. Once Sango, Kikyou, Kagome, Inuyasha, and Mirouku had gotten dressed and eaten, that was it. They were moved about with the two dozen servants left helping out and finishing the last touches on everything, under command of Kaede and Totousai of course, since the two now did not trust them to get anything done after yesterday's incident.
They put on their costumes after lunch, the girls helping each other put on their kimono layers (even though there were really only two it was still pretty complicated since they did not really have much experience in the area) and tying the many sashes and such, and helping Rin out with her own little kimono. Kagura had made hers an adorable checkered multi-shaded orange one with a green sash. Hers came down enviably to her ankles.
Though they knew it rude to complain, they just felt as if they were cheated out of the other have of their kimonos.
When they were all dressed, it was decided all four females would wear their hair in pigtails. They would already stand out, so why not stand out even more with a style different than the normal bun. They put on a small amount of eye-shadow and lip gloss, dragging the small brush lightly an extra inch after their eyes even ended.
The make-up was used only on the three women since Rin had yet to reach the age where she would want to or feel the need to put on any small amount of wear make-up.
(Tsuki)
Everyone felt the bubbling of anticipation for something big. It grew especially around four that day, when the door bell rung. It was officially two hours away from the party and the scramble to finish up the last minute left away things was huge.
A female under Sesshoumaru's employ opened the door after the second ring to reveal a lavender and green kimono wearing man with his hair in a sloppy bun a top his head. His face made up completely. He flicked the tail of his royal purple shawl behind him dramatically. He leaned on the doorway and parted his ruby lips, calling out in a loud voice.
"Sesshoumaru darling! I'm home!"
He let out a laugh and the girl sweat dropped, but moved aside to let him in. Once he was inside, she looked him over. If she hadn't known better, she would have thought him to be a slightly masculine woman, save for his broad shoulders, flat chest and large hands, his body could almost be called feminine. But she just so happened to read Kokkoi religiously and this was the infamous Kokkoi co-owner. He nudged her, "I've been dying to say that for the past few days."
The servant hid a smile, "I assume then, that you are Jakotsu?"
Jakotsu smirked, "The one and only, hon. Now, where are my two favorite doggies? Me and Bankotsu have come to take pictures..." the flamboyant man sang, not caring that he was grammatically incorrect or obnoxiously loud. The petite maid back away from him, with a nervous laugh, she snuck out of the room to call her employer. You know, Jakotsu honestly seemed much, much saner on paper...
Bankotsu chose then to walk in. He made quite the entrance wearing white hamakas with high black boots, and a set matching black gloves. His haori was similar to Sesshoumaru's only instead of a cherry blossom print it was just a solid colored splash of blue. He had plain armor that just wrapped around his chest and a long red sash tied at his waist that fell down to his knees. The clothes were not the only ingredient to his grand entrance. The fact that he looked as if he could kill anything that moved also helped. "Quit fooling around Jak. We have work to do. Grab your camera, and I'll take notes."
Jakotsu groaned, "I don't see why Renkotsu isn't doing this. I doubt he has the flu. He probably out partying, but I guess I'm fine with this as long as I get to see my Inu-chan. I even dressed up so prettily for him!" He twirled a bit, Bankotsu paling as the equipment hit a nearby wall. "Watch it, you numbskull!"
Inuyasha just happened to walked into the room and took one look at Jakotsu before screaming, "My eyes! It burns! Put on some pants damn it! The world would be a much better place..."
His clawed hands moved to cover his eyes.
Jakotsu was indeed wearing a kimono with a length that rivaled the other girls'. The fact that it rose on one side made it beat any and all competition.
Bankotsu gave Jakotsu a smug look, "Was that the reaction you wanted?"
Jakotsu waved his hand dismissingly, "Oh Bank-kun, you know he's just kidding..."
Sesshoumaru interrupted whatever Inuyasha had to say, "When I said Kokkoi could cover this story, I meant quietly. This noise is pointless."
Jakotsu looked him over. "Oh! You look cute too, Maru-chan in your little whatchama call it!" He pointed towards the haori and hamakas Sesshoumaru wore, having not completely dressed before the maid had called him down. "No need to be jealous of all the attention Inuyasha's getting."
Sesshoumaru didn't hear anything other than Maru-chan as he replayed the first sentence of the conversation and cringed. Really... did he and Inuyasha live just to make these...names for him?
Maybe they even conspired with each other over the phone and had a whole list of them...
Hmm... He shuddered.
Bankotsu shook his head, and hit his partner on the head, "We have two hours to take pictures of the set up, and set up the cameras-and that alone takes forever. So come on."
It was obvious that the last thing Bankotsu wanted to be doing on a Saturday night was taking pictures. Obviously, one of his other top five had cancelled on him last minute.
Jakotsu rolled his eyes, "You're just being pissy because you had to cancel your date with some model... Who needs women anyway?"
Inuyasha shuddered, as Jakotsu bounced past him with a wink. "He definitely needs help..."
Sesshoumaru nodded and followed his brother out of the room to finish dressing. "Or tranquilizing. Either one I am completely fine with."
(Tsuki)
There were twenty or so booths in all, each holding something different and to keep some sort of order, the signs the group had painstakingly painted in spring colors were hung on them. As the sun began to recede into the sky, Mirouku turned on the lighting system, and everything lit to life, and music began to play/
Most of the house had been shut down and closed off, save for they foyer, because there was another way outside to the beach through it that didn't need the use of the kitchen, and it was quite convenient so as there would be no wondering inside the villa save for the few people who just had too much to drink and had to use the bathroom that was located in the hall.
Sesshoumaru was sure to make every precaution he could without going over board, because all his youkai instincts were shouting at him about this night. There was just something he didn't like about this time in the lunar cycle.
Mirouku even helped out, cackling like a mad scientist as he worked on the security system that was located inside the house. With a strange smelling ink he wrote in kanji on the main board of the system, flipped switches, and pressed buttons as he drank a latte.
The only made mistake however, was incidentally when he left the door to the room open a tad bit to consult Sesshoumaru about something.
Kagura had taken the moment to her advantage and slipped in, and after briefly looking over everything, she flipped a switch and everything turned off.
Of course she was supposed to have done something considerably worse, but she wasn't feeling too servile that day. Besides, what didn't help Naraku helped her.
Pressing a headset button, she muttered, "Kanna...it's a go. Tell Naraku he can begin to gather everyone."
She didn't wait for a reply before turning off the headset and with a sigh of remorse she disappeared in a gush of wind, before Mirouku came back to lock the door of the room, not thinking anything amiss.
(Tsuki)
The first to arrive was the local orphanage and the nine children in their stay. Inuyasha had invited them to the festival and even gone to such lengths as to donate fitting kimonos that he had begged Kikyou to have designed.
Kagome had smiled at that. The two of them really loved children, and Inuyasha despite his rough, hardly serious exterior was a great person. 'An ass at times but a great person,' she giggled.
Kikyou was like his opposite in a way and that's what made them stick. They had not much in common and yet everything fit. She was soft where he was rough, and demurred where he was loud, polite where he wasn't, but together, they were young love. Kagome looked with them, slightly envious, but then shook her head clearly her little green monsters and smiled at the darling kids running around.
The children were at first shy and quiet, until they saw all the colorful fish and prizes and caught sight of the delicious foods and snack. The servants running the booths were kind and worked well with the kids who came to their stands.
Kagome, Kikyou, Rin, and Sango, all in full costume made cotton candy, sold caramel covered popcorn, lollipops, pretzels, and gum, snacking on some every once in awhile. They even played cards while they waited for any customers.
Children from the orphanage wore bright stickers so that every worker knew that they didn't have to pay. Everyone else of course did.
It was twenty dollars for adults (anyone eighteen or above) and ten for children under thirteen. Thirteen year olds to seventeen year olds were fifteen dollars.
In half an hour, the bulk of the people who were supposed to show were there, milling around, chatting and eating and most importantly buying.
Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, and Mirouku were left to the task of mingling (and in some cases for Mirouku, shamelessly flirt with the women) as Bankotsu and Jakotsu wove around snapping pictures and marking stuff down for Suikotsu to later make into a full story.
For a certain six people the anticipation was thick with because they could feel it in the air; something would happen by the end of the night.
Mirouku sauntered to where the four girls were. He had to admit they looked great. Especially a certain brunette whose attention he had just caught.
He bowed with a lopsided grin to his face, "Would the lady mind giving this humble monk some cotton candy?"
Sango laughed softly, 'Humble my ass...' Still, she played along "But of course, houshi." She handed him a small bag of the fluffy candy, "And," she popped a caramel covered piece of popcorn in her mouth, "It's on the house."
Kikyou smiled at the exchange, and as Inuyasha came over she nudged everyone out of the booth, "Why don't you guys go have some fun. Inuyasha and I will work the booth for a bit."
Kagome was about to protest about leaving the two while they had fun, when Rin dragged Kagome out from behind the wooden structure and into the crowd squealing, "Can Kagome-chan take Rin to get a pretty fish?"
Kagome could help but smile, "Of course Rin..."
They passed all different men and women and children and Kagome couldn't help feel as if they had gone back in time.
Everyone wore a kimono or a yukata. It made her wonder where in the world they got them all from.
There were definitely no stores that she knew of.
She continued to look in wonder at everyone's clothing and for a split second, she thought she saw a familiar lavender haired man with pale purple tinted lips.
The officer from the car the night of the party? That Juroma-something...
She looked up thoughtfully for a moment searching her brain for a name. When she looked back down having came to nothing that fit,
He was gone.
She looked around but since she did not see him in the crowd, she passed it off as her imagination.
She did have a lot of cotton candy.
(Tsuki)
Sango and Mirouku just walked along the shore line, the stars shining boldly in the dark midnight blue color sky. The moon flaunting was its half circle shape contrasting against its background.
They had come quite some distance from the festivities, but they could still hear the music and see the lights.
Waves crashed endlessly against the sandy shore. Mirouku smile softly and took in a breath of salty air, "It's rare that I just take a second to look at the stars. I've really been missing out."
Sango returned his smile, slipping underneath his offered arm, "I can relate. But taking the time to see it now... It really is a shame to every day take for granted something so wonderful. It's so gorgeous."
Mirouku gave her a grin, but it seemed a bit nervous, "Like you." That had a double meaning. Sango was in fact gorgeous, but she had also inadvertently just described what he did with her.
He took her for granted. This beautiful girl wasn't always going to be with him- at the end of the month he was gone...
He was about to say something but she got to it first.
She looked at the man next to her and suddenly stopped, "You know... I don't think I can do this anymore, Mirouku."
Mirouku stopped too and looked at her questioningly, "Do what, Sango?"
His voice was calm and soft, and Sango hated it. She hated how she loved it. Tear came to her eyes.
"I can't pretend that I don't care about you..." Mirouku's eyes swiveled to hers questioningly, seeking answers. Sango ran a hand nervously through one of her pigtails, "You know," she paused, as he placed a hand over hers to stop her hand's fidgeting.
"When I see you with all these girls and I get so jealous. I hate it. And I hate not being able to spend time with you." She laughed brokenly.
She looked away with a wry smile, and cradled her arm to her chest. "I like when I'm in your company... You're so funny and... Everything is less a routine when you're here. Like more spontaneous, you know."
She met his eyes, "And I think I love you, Mirouku, lecher and all."
Mirouku chuckled and engulfed her in a hug, "Sango..."
She laughed with him, "I don't even know how but I fell for a guy with wandering hands."
Mirouku stroke her hair absently, "I'd never even look at another girl if you were at my side."
Sango looked up at him, her cheeks a light pink, her eyes misted, as Mirouku continued, "I wouldn't have to. There's no one else that compares."
He paused, "I love you too Sango..."
With that said he bent down and placed his lips softly against hers. The kiss was short and sweet yet passionate and long all at the same time. Everything that hadn't been said... all the explaining- it was all done in a kiss.
Mirouku smiled against her lips and chuckled, "I've wanted to do that since the moment I met you."
Sango laughed, her heart soaring. "Me too... but it was definitely worth the wait."
With that said she wrapped her arms around his neck and captured his lips in another kiss.
(Tsuki)
It was eleven o'clock faster than Kagome could have imagined, and in the three hours that she and Rin had been checking out the line of booths, Kagome had become some sort of pack mule.
'I guess time flies when you become a carry all pack mule,' she quipped.
She adjusted the pile of plushies she had cradled. 'Okay', she rolled her eyes... 'I exaggerated just a little.' The pile consisted only of five plushies.
But! They were very ...medium-ly sized, thank you very much, and quite tedious objects to carry.
And she was also juggling a water filled bag with a fish inside on top of said pile, so there.
It was kind of a lot...
"Need help?"
Kagome almost jumped out of her skin at the warm breath that tickled her ear. She turned around to see who it was. Rin stopped and started to giggle.
"Sesshoumaru! You jerk;" she glared playfully, "If I wasn't buried underneath a pile of toys, I'd have socked you one."
Sesshoumaru quirked a brow. "Pile?"
Kagome pursed her lips, "Yes, pile...And lower that stupid brow of yours before I shave it off and sell it on EBay."
Sesshoumaru chuckled softly and took the five plushies and held them in an arm. He had decided for the night not to include his old armor, and for good reason. It was still as sharp as it was decades ago.
Rin stole his other arm and pulled him along.
Sesshoumaru gave Kagome a look, which said distinctly; 'some pile' and Kagome upturned her nose. Rin, having missed the exchange, started babbling non stop about their night and how good Kagome's aim was, and telling how the older girl had thought some of the games were rigged.
Kagome walked along side Rin, holding the fish bag and blushing, 'And Eri said I didn't know how to multitask,' she thought wryly.
Sesshoumaru just let out another laugh. It was soothing, and low, vibrating deep in his throat. Kagome shivered.
She doubted that she would ever get used to his laugh. Well she was after all leaving on Monday...Her mood dampened.
Kikyou suddenly came over as if sensing some disturbance in her plan, "Sesshoumaru-san... would you mind if I stole Rin for a bit?"
Rin looked at Kikyou. Something in the older woman's eyes told her that she should play along so she indiscreetly winked.
Such a conspiring bunch...
"Please, can Rin go with Kikyou-chan? She promised Rin cotton candy!" She gave the youkai's sleeve a tug for emphasis, her lower lip jutting out a tad bit.
Sesshoumaru nodded, and Rin cheered and hugged his arm. "Thank you!"
Kikyou smiled, "Thanks. Oh, and Mirouku wants to talk to you... he's out by the water. Probably flirting with someone as he waits." She gave a convincingly exasperated sigh. Sesshoumaru nodded and when Kikyou and Rin left he asked, "Care to accompany me?"
Kagome grinned and curtseyed best as she could, "I'd be honored."
Sesshoumaru rolled his amber eyes at her, but a ghost of a smile crept onto his face, as she linked her arm with his and rested her head against his arm.
They crossed into the booth area and stepped down onto the sandy ground behind it.
It was less crowed than the other side, so they had a good view of who was present and what they were doing. Families were eating, talking taking a breather, and even some of the young kids were trying to get some of the balloons that would wash on shore. Anything not caught would only be pulled back out to the buoys to return with the wave.
If anything, the cold, rich business exterior of the people, youkai and human alike, at the mini festival seemed to be receding with the waves. Even if it were for a night.
Sesshoumaru looked around for Mirouku.
Kagome furrowed her brows, "I don't see him... I wonder where he—"
Swoosh
A line of red light lit the sky, shooting up from a dark protrusion in the water.
Crack
It exploded into a large burst of red and white. The sky was sprinkled with red and gold sparks before it faded and more multicolored streams went up to take its place each crackling loudly.
Kagome gasped happily, "Fireworks..."
Children started clapping with excitement and people stopped their conversations to stare at the sky, with exaggerated, 'ooh's and 'ahh's from some as more and more fireworks lit it up into a dazzling array.
Sesshoumaru's arm slinked around Kagome's waist and she smiled up at him, "Am I the only one that thinks that this was a set up?"
Sesshoumaru chuckled again, and Kagome blushed, her eyes on his lips. There was a moment of silence between them. He looked down at her when he found her staring at him shyly. "If I were to kiss you... what would happen?"
"Would you like find out?"
Kagome's face flushed a darker pink, "...Yes." With boldness she never knew she possessed she reached up and kissed him softly, her eyes fluttering shut.
It didn't take long for Sesshoumaru to respond and as the myriad of fireworks went up, a voice over a microphone (that sounded suspiciously like Inuyasha's) said, "Alright everyone... It's midnight and the shows over... get your asses off the property."
Someone called out, "No it's not...the fireworks are still going... And it's only 11:56!"
"Same difference!"
Another voice was heard arguing with Inuyasha's, (this one suspiciously sounded like Kikyou's) "What are you doing!"
There was a loud screech and the microphone died.
And all through this... the couple continued kissing.
(Tsuki)
The m.p. was the microphone just so you all know. (If you didn't get it)
Okay here's the deal since I'm in a seriously good mood tell me where this excerpt came from and I'll email you a preview of the next chapter.
Sesshoumaru blinked as his hated brother struck the ground face-first, hard enough to leave an indention of his body in the dirt. Hard enough for bones to crack. It was beautiful.
It's a really hilarious Sesshoumaru/ Kagome fic lol so if you know it, then in a review post its title...! The answer will be posted with the chapter in a week and half maybe, but your preview with be emailed to you long before that.
So anyway -gasp- they finally kissed! Yay... I wanted to end on a happy note, because the next chapter is so ...unhappy and pretty angsty (I mean like teenage drama movie angst) and I didn't want to ruin the fun mood of this one.
Lol and Inu-chan, Sesshou-sama, Jak-kun, Bank-kun and Roki-chan (I'm in a very suped mood 'cause this chapter was actually kind of semi-decent and I've had two cups of sugar-filled hot cocoa so ignore all the pet names) all had very unoriginal clothes... It's basically what they wear on the show—just not as detailed and easy to visualize. Hopefully there were few inaccuracies in the descriptions of the stuff and with the kimonos and such.
Oh and the singlet thing... I like the "Australian English" term so much better than tank top when referring to guys. I don't know why. I just do...
So since you've read, you are now obligated to review! If you don't ...I may be forced to take some very drastic measures –evil laughter-