I'm so ashamed. So very ashamed. Will you guys ever forgive me for taking so long to update?
Chapter 4
Kagome opened her lunch and was assaulted with the scent of ground black pepper. Inuyasha sneezed. "Hiding presents yesterday?" he asked knowingly. Kagome nodded. "Yeah. Souta complained all night about the pepper. If he hadn't gone looking for presents he wouldn't have been bothered by it. Silly boy."
"Did you get any work done yesterday?" asked Miroku. "You went with Mr. Ishigaki to do your interview. How was it?" Kagome caught what Miroku was hinting at, and gave him a look that said, "I can be in the same room with him and work."
"The visit to the shelter was a lot of fun. I actually finished my article, so I was very happy." Miroku looked disappointed for a moment. "I bet he kept you busy." Miroku wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "He did." "How busy?" "Very." "Interesting." "Indeed."
Inuyasha wolfed down his Ramen and looked at Kikyo, hoping she would spare some of hers. He was oblivious to the conversation between Miroku and Kagome.
Sango kicked Miroku under the table anyway. "Bum. Stop bothering poor Kagome." Sango checked to make sure Kikyo had Inuyasha distracted. "What were the most enjoyable, and the most interesting parts of your day?" she asked, hoping for something good. Miroku glanced at her admirably, having been wondering the same things.
Kagome tapped her chin thoughtfully. "The most enjoyable part was definitely feeling Sesshoumaru's six-pack. The most interesting part was finding out he was wearing boxers with pink and red hearts.
Miroku and Sango held each other as they laughed, Inuyasha and Kikyo got angry at each other over the Ramen, and Kagome looked over at the teacher's section of the cafeteria. Golden eyes met hers and she smiled.
Kagome watched as Sesshoumaru began to leave his lunch table. Their eyes met again, briefly, and he headed towards his classroom.
Kagome bid her friends farewell and left lunch to go after Sesshoumaru. She went straight to his class.
"Hello, Mr. Ishigaki." "Hello, Kagome. I didn't think you'd come. I wasn't very clear when I signaled you in the cafeteria."
"Well, I'm not your average Joe." "I see that." Sesshoumaru closed the distance between them. "Sesshou, what did you want?"
"Well, we need to talk. Last night was…interesting, to say the least. We really need to keep our meetings on the professional level." Sesshoumaru really liked his job, and he wasn't about to lose it over a piece of ass. Kagome nodded her head in understanding. "I understand that you're my teacher and all of that, but I'm really attracted to you. Will this whole professional meeting thing change when I'm eighteen, and therefore 'legal'?" Kagome asked, fully expecting him to come up with some round about answer.
"Kagome, you're much younger than me, and I don't want you to commit yourself to a relationship like this. I'm sure you can find someone your age who's better suited for you." "Sesshou, I don't want someone my age. Look at Miroku and your brother! I don't want immature gropers. I want you."
Sesshoumaru sighed in frustration. She just wouldn't see things his way. "I do feel attracted to her, on some level. If no one finds out just how far things have gone, and could go, then I don't see any harm in humoring her. Besides, I bet she's tight." Sesshoumaru shook his head. "No. I won't mess up again. I'm too close to mess things up and lose Rin for good."
Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru, trying to figure out what he was thinking. He looked Kagome in the eyes before he made his proposition. "How about we just be friends. Then, if you still feel attracted to me, we'll give it a go," said Sesshoumaru, fully intending to remain in a student-teacher relationship with Kagome. "Alright Sesshou. We'll just be friends. Maybe when I'm older, you'll be ready to change that." Kagome moved to kiss him, and smirked in triumph when he readily kissed her back. "I know your intentions are for the best, Sesshoumaru, but we'll see how they change in time,"
Kagome thought as she abruptly broke the kiss, leaving him panting while she appeared unaffected.
The bell rang and Kagome moved to her seat, glad that she had Sesshoumaru's class after lunch that day. Nothing appeared overly suspicious.
"I'll just have to distance myself from him. Older men are bad news anyway." Somehow, Kagome just couldn't fully convince herself of this.
Kagome practically ran out of class when it was over, not really in the mood to deal with curious friends and an annoying but gorgeous teacher who wanted to remain a teacher. She went through the rest of her day in a daze. Christmas vacation was just two days away. Thursday she would be free.
Thursday came much faster than Kagome expected. She glanced at Sesshoumaru, wondering what kind of Christmas gift he would like. It would be a tad bit difficult to buy him one at the moment, since he was taking her to the mall to shop for her family and friends.
Sesshoumaru pulled into the parking lot and braced himself for an evening of shopping with a teenage girl.
Kagome eagerly made her way to the entrance, dragging a not so eager Sesshoumaru alongside her. She looked around, wondering where to go first.
Sesshoumaru groaned aloud as they entered the fifth store. "Don't get your panties in a bunch, Sesshou," said Kagome as she gave him a pat on the arm.
"Well, if it isn't my woman!" Kagome turned to slap the man who had so casually wrapped his arm around her. "Who the hell are you!" She questioned angrily. "It's me, Kouga. Don't you remember? We danced at the club the other night."
Kagome's eyes widened as she remembered. "Oh yeah! You were the Energizer Bunny!" "Yeah." Kouga didn't look too pleased with Kagome's nickname. "So nice to see you Miss…" "Unavailable." Sesshoumaru answered before Kagome could give her name.
Kagome laughed nervously. "Don't mind him. My name's Kagome. Nice to see you again, Kouga." Kagome turned to leave, but Kouga grabbed her arm. "Since you're my woman and everything, shouldn't I have your number?" Kagome looked at Kouga incredulously. "Hah! Me! Your woman! That's rich." Kouga couldn't see what was so funny, but Sesshoumaru seemed to like Kagome's answer, so it couldn't be anything good. "Listen Kouga, if you want me to be 'your woman', you're going to have to ask first." Kagome took out a piece of paper, and Sesshoumaru watched in disbelief as she wrote her name and number on it. "Here's my number. When you call, have the decency to maybe get to know me, and maybe even take me out, before you start calling me yours.
Kouga stared at his hand, not wanting to believe in his fortune.
"I can't believe you gave that idiot your phone number." Sesshoumaru said darkly. "I know you're watching out for me as friends do, but with some straightening out, Kouga could be a really good guy. Think of the lucky girl who'll get the improved Kouga when I ditch him!" said Kagome, smiling brightly. Sesshoumaru shook his head before stopping to pick up a large mug decorated with sunflowers. "This looks like something your mother would like," he said, remembering how sunflowers adorned everything in Kagome's living room.
Kagome squealed, and gave Sesshoumaru a huge hug. "This is wonderful! Souta and I accidentally broke Mom's favorite sunflower mug, and this looks just like it!"
Kagome walked into a nice little store that sold cute and inexpensive things. She smiled in victory as she looked around. She had gotten something for almost everyone, including Sesshoumaru (she got it when he went to go potty), and this was her final stop. The best part was that she hadn't spent a fortune. She spotted what she wanted and quickly made the purchase.
Sesshoumaru thanked his lucky stars that Kagome wasn't as annoying as previous people he had gone shopping with. She might've been to just about every store in the mall, but at least she had a relative idea of what she was going to get and didn't spend more than ten minutes in each store. She also didn't force him to watch her model or give his opinion on something. He hated doing that. Still, he couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief as his hands closed over his steering wheel.
"Thank you so much for bringing me." Sesshoumaru glanced at Kagome. "It was no problem. You're a pretty fast shopper." Kagome let out a soft chuckle. "I get that a lot." "I'm sure. That wasn't half as terrible as other shopping trips I've been forced to go on." Sesshoumaru shivered at the memory of shopping with Kagura. Kagome smiled sweetly. "I'm flattered. Thank you."
" I don't think you trust in my self righteous suicide. I cry when angels…" Kagome sang at the top of her lungs. Well, screeched, if you wanted to get technical. She was supposed to be wrapping the presents she had bought, but somehow she ended up on the floor singing to her hairbrush.
Slowly, she made her way over to her bed to finish wrapping everything. If she didn't finish soon her mother would send Souta to come after her for help in the kitchen. She would much rather come herself. Her mother could get very demanding if she had to wait too long for something.
Kagome smiled satisfactorily as she put the finishing touches on the last gift. She wondered if Kirara would like her gift. Sango's cat was very particular. Her worries were cast aside as she headed to the kitchen to help her mother with the cooking. Immediately upon entering the kitchen Kagome's nose was pleasantly assaulted with heavenly scents.
"Something smells really good," she said, thoroughly looking forward to Christmas dinner. "Thanks, dear. Kagome, Sesshoumaru called not too long ago to tell me that he's bringing a guest to dinner. I take it he didn't mention anything to you about bringing one, since he just called." Kagome shook her head. "No, he didn't mention anything about bringing a guest." Ms. Higurashi smiled knowingly when she heard Kagome's tone. "Don't worry dear. I'm sure he isn't bringing anyone who poses a threat to your relationship."
Kagome frowned. "Mom, we're not in a relationship. He's breaking off any contact that isn't strictly student teacher. He thinks I'd be better off finding someone my own age." Ms. Higurashi gave Kagome a sympathetic smile. "If he's going through all this trouble to not hurt you, then you know he really likes you." Kagome rolled her eyes. "Why are we even having this conversation? You're supposed to be telling me that I'm a bad and stupid little girl for even thinking about being involved with an older man. You're supposed to get angry at me and ground me or something." Ms. Higurashi put her hands on her hips in feigned anger. "You should know by now that I'm not like other mothers. As long as he treats you right and you both genuinely like each other then there's nothing to worry about. Of course, you can't be having any se-" "We didn't have sex, Mom." "Oh. Well, then. I suppose I don't have to talk to you about that."
The Higurashi household was in full chaos mode as the hour for Christmas dinner approached.
"No, Miroku. I really have no idea why Sango won't let you grope her now that you've gotten so much closer." Kagome said sarcastically as she attempted to set the table, keep Sota's hands out of the food, and talk to a lecherous idiot. "Sota, if you want to keep your fingers, get away from the table!" Kagome bellowed, her face turning red. Miroku gulped. "Uh, I gotta go. Merry Christmas Kagome!" "Oh. Merry Christmas to you too, Miroku. Bye." She said sweetly. She tilted her head. "I wonder why he hung up so soon." Sota smirked from the doorway where he had fled. "Really? Take a wild guess."
Miroku shivered as he hung up the phone. "I'm glad I'm not that kid."
The doorbell rang and Kagome ran to answer it. Sango stood at the door smiling from ear to ear. "Hi Kagome!" Kagome smiled back, her eyebrows raised. "What's got you so happy, Sango?" "Look!" Sango moved aside. "I had to come and tell you this in person."
Kagome gasped. "Kohaku! Oh, my goodness! I'm so happy to see you!" Sango was smiling so brightly now she put the sun to shame. She walked in and hung her coat up, talking all the while. "Kaede had been fighting extra hard for Kohaku for months now, and she told me that she was making progress. I hadn't guessed just how much! I never liked Naraku. I always suspected that he hurt his foster kids, and to this very day I don't know why he wanted to keep Kohaku so badly. Either way, all the papers are signed, and Kohaku's back! He hasn't moved in yet, but he can stay over for Christmas vacation, so it's like he's already here. I'm so happy to have him back!" Sango was so happy she was crying, and Kohaku attempted the nearly impossible task of calming her down.
At that moment, Kagome felt that life couldn't get any sweeter. Sango and Kohaku had lost their parents, and were separated in foster homes. A kind old lady named Kaede had taken Sango in, but poor Kohaku ended up with a cruel man named Naraku. He was treated terribly. For years Kaede tried to unite Sango and Kohaku. Kagome wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. Finally, they were together.
Kagome handed Sango her and Kirara's gifts, and was pleased to be able to hand Kohaku something she picked out, just in case Sango was able to see him to give him something.
Kohaku and Sango left in brighter spirits than they had come, and Kagome went back to work on the table with a bit more enthusiasm than before.
"Is everything ready now?" Ms. Higurashi readjusted the centerpiece. "Now, everything's ready." She said to Kagome. "I guess all we have to do is wait for people to show up." "Well, I have something to do. I need to put on a different outfit." Kagome pointed to her food stained clothing, glad that she hadn't put on what she was going to wear for the dinner.
Kagome struggled desperately to find her clothes. She heard the doorbell ring at least five times, so she knew that just about everyone who was coming was here.
Kagome cheered in triumph when she saw the sleeve of a black dress with red and green designs poking from behind her bed. She had just stepped in to it when she heard a knock. "Come in," she said, thinking it was her brother. "Souta, can you zip me up?" Kagome moved to her dresser to pick up some perfume. She felt 'Souta' slowly zip her dress up.
She frowned. Her little brother zipping up her dress should not turn her on. She looked up and gasped at the reflection in the mirror. "Sesshoumaru!" she screeched, jumping so high she nearly hit the roof. "What're you doing in here?" she asked, trying to calm herself. "You scared the crap out of me!" "You told me to come in," he answered simply.
Kagome noticed that Sesshoumaru hadn't removed his hands from her waist, but chose not to comment on the fact that he was violating the whole student teacher relationship they now had. "Your mother sent me up here to get you. She wants you to meet Rin." Kagome blinked in confusion. "Who's Rin?" "Rin is the guest I brought along." "Oh. I'm looking forward to meeting her," said Kagome, hoping for all the world that she sounded genuine. "Um, Sesshoumaru?" "Yes?" "I was wondering. Why did you choose to have dinner with us instead of your family?"
"My step mother is an idiot, and my father is an idiot for marrying her and creating my dumbass brother." "Oh. Sorry I asked." "No problem. I would rather be here where the people at least are semi normal." Kagome rolled her eyes. "Well, I semi thank you."
Kagome headed down the stairs, Sesshoumaru trailing after.
"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome watched in amazement as a green blur with a mop of black hair attached itself to Sesshoumaru's leg. "I thought you had left me!" Kagome watched Sesshoumaru melt in front of her. Smiling gently he patted the girl on the head. "Don't worry Rin. I won't ever leave you."
Kagome walked closer as Sesshoumaru removed Rin from his leg. She smiled down at the little girl as Sesshoumaru turned her around to face her. "Rin, meet Kagome. She's the lady who wrote the news articles you liked so much." Rin jumped up and down in excitement. "I'm so happy to meet you, Miss Kagome. My name is Rin Ishigaki." Rin bowed politely before taking Kagome's outstretched hand. "Seems like Sesshou was gettin' down in the past," she thought before lifting Rin up and placing her on her hip.
"Well, you're a pretty young lady, but what are you doing reading newspapers?" Rin smiled at Kagome. "Well, I guess you could say that I'm a child prodigy. My intelligence level far surpasses those of my peers. It just so happens that reading newspapers is one of my favorite pass times, and I particularly enjoyed the articles you wrote." Kagome looked down at the girl in her arms in disbelief. "Well then," she said, putting Rin down. "I guess Sesshoumaru is the perfect person to be around. He really knows how to stimulate the mind." Kagome tapped her head for emphasis.
Rin frowned when Kagome set her down. Just because she was a child prodigy didn't mean she didn't like being hugged and coddled every now and then. Sesshoumaru was never one to welcome her with wide open arms for hugs and kisses, and her mother was always so mean to her, saying bad things about Sesshoumaru.
Kagome seemed to be able to sense the sadness radiating off of the little girl, because she took her and knelt before her. "If you want, you can sit next me at dinner, and whenever else you want this evening, and I can tell you about how I wrote the articles." Rin's eyes widened in joy, and a huge smile spread across her face. "I get to spend time with her! She seems so nice. Not like all those other ladies here who call me silly names and pinch my cheeks," she thought as she looked up Kagome admirably. "That sounds great!"
Sesshoumaru watched in quiet fascination as Kagome accepted Rin without hesitation. He had been positive that she would be crushed and spurn him and the child when she saw Rin. "Man, was I wrong," he thought as Rin smiled up at Kagome for the tenth time since dinner started. Kagome smiled back fondly, and Sesshoumaru knew he had lost. Kagome liked Rin, Rin liked Kagome, and he could most definitely say that he liked Kagome as well. "Damn." Sesshoumaru looked up as every female in the house screeched, screamed, and gasped, all at the same time. An unusually large slice of ham flew across the table and landed right in Sesshoumaru's lap. "Damn."
Sesshoumaru sat quietly, tuning out the chatter of Kagome's family members. He lifted his head, slightly annoyed, when he was addressed.
"Sesshoumaru, here has been helping my Kagome with her writing. He even referred her to the newspaper that published her work. Right Sesshoumaru?"
"Uh, yes. I mentioned that Kagome was an excellent writer, showed samples of her work, and they liked it. Her first article got great reviews, so they gave her another assignment. She did well." Kagome smiled embarrassedly, unused to so much attention, while Rin stood next her, proudly holding her hand. "Sesshoumaru likes her. I can see it," thought
Rin as she watched him watch Kagome.
Rin sat between Kagome's legs, loving the feeling of being loved.
Kagome pulled Rin close. They were sitting under the Christmas tree, sipping hot cocoa. Kagome had told Rin about her experiences writing the articles (give or take a few occurrences), and now they were just sitting there for the fun of it.
Kagome raised an eyebrow as Sesshoumaru sat next to her. The rest of the family was leaving or left, so Kagome, Sesshoumaru, and Rin were ignored. Soon Rin nodded off.
"So, is she your daughter?" Kagome asked, thinking it was a stupid question the moment it left her mouth. "No." Kagome frowned in confusion. "No? But, she has your last name." Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "How perceptive of you." Kagome glared at him.
He sighed before giving her a full explanation. "Yes, she has my last name, but she is not my biological child. When I was about your age, I was involved with someone who didn't have the best reputation. She liked to keep many beds warm, to put it lightly, but I refused to see her for what she truly was. She became pregnant, and even though we both knew Rin wasn't mine, I took her in as my own."
Kagome placed a finger on her chin as she digested the information she was just given. "Where does Rin live? She was never at your apartment, and I never saw any evidence that someone other than you lived there." "Rin lives with my father." Sesshoumaru saw Kagome was about to ask why, and decided to answer in order to avoid her annoying questions. "Not too long ago I ran into a few problems. I wasn't in the best condition to take care of a child, and my father saw this. He took Rin from me and threatened to report me to DSS if I didn't clean up my act. One look at Rin, and I knew I had to change. She'll be living with me from now on, and I don't plan on doing anything that would require her removal." Sesshoumaru looked pointedly at Kagome.
Kagome glanced at Sesshoumaru before looking at the girl nestled comfortably in her arms. Rin began to stir, but settled back in. "I understand, Sesshou. Now that I see how important she is to you, I can't very well impose upon your relationship, can I? She's such a sweet child, Sesshou. If I'm going to cause any problems, then I'll do my best to stay away."
Sesshoumaru frowned. For some reason he didn't like this proposition, but after what he had said, he couldn't go back and ask her to keep contact with him. "Kagome." Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru and saw the different emotions flow freely across his face. To say she was surprised was an understatement. "I know this goes against everything I've said the past few days, but I want you to stay. I want us to at least stay friends. I've come to value your companionship."
Kagome stared at the ceiling as she thought about the evening. Everyone seemed to like Sesshoumaru, and everyone definitely liked Rin. Proving Kagome's theory that her whole family is insane, Kagome constantly heard aunts and cousins commenting on what a cute couple she and Sesshoumaru made. Kagome smiled when she remembered the kiss goodbye Sesshoumaru gave her. She was positive it was a little friendlier than he had intended it to be. Rin, the sweet little angel, looked as if she would burst of happiness when she saw them kiss.
"Well, this was definitely an interesting evening," Kagome thought aloud.