A Bride's Request a Bridesmaid's Promise
Chapter 10 – It Takes Two to Tango
Kagome was one very unhappy individual the next morning. Growling as a knock came from the door on her hotel room, she stormed over and flung it open to reveal Inuyasha holding two cups of coffee.
"Morning," he said breezing past her and placing the hot cups on the dresser and then bringing them up to his face where he proceeded to blow on them. "Those things are hot even with the holders!"
"Morning," she grumbled closing the door.
"Woah," Inuyasha said as she knocked his hand aside to grab one of the coffee cups and chug some back. "Someone's a little grumpy this morning."
"You got it," Kagome said reluctantly pulling the cup away from her lips. "Sango, Ayame and I were up until five in the morning. I didn't get to sleep until six and I can not believe it's not possible to reschedule these stupid dance lessons. I can dance perfectly well."
"Manners don't cost anything," Inuyasha remonstrated.
"I know I know," Kagome replied irately. "I don't mean to be miserable but I'm running on only a few hours of sleep give me some leeway until I get some energy into me. I don't think my brain's woken up yet."
"Were you drinking last night?" Inuyasha asked leaning forward to sniff her breath.
"Yes as a matter of fact we were," Kagome snapped.
"Just as I expected so it's not just sleep deprivation then, it's a hang over."
Kagome shot him a look that would have melted steel. "I'm perfectly aware of that Mr. Know-it-all."
"Oh, well I guess this would be a bad time to mention you're wearing one high-heel and one runner," Inuyasha smirked.
"What?" Kagome asked looking down. Examining her shoes Kagome wondered if Inuyasha had been drinking as well, she was quite clearly wearing two high heels.
Suddenly Inuyasha had thrown her over his shoulder and ran into the bathroom Kagome shrieking at him to put her down. As he reached past her rear and turned the shower on Kagome knew what he was planning and began yelling and pounding on his back as hard as she could. "Don't you DARE! Don't you da-" her screams ended with in abrupt gurgle as she was shoved into the shower.
Inuyasha stood back laughing at the havoc he'd created, enjoying the look of Kagome struggling to turn the shower off only to bring an onslaught of more ice cold water. Panting heavily as she finally succeeded in turning the water off, she rounded on Inuyasha and evil smirk on her lips.
"You Mr. are in big, BIG trouble!" she growled and grabbing him by the scruff of his shirt and, much to his surprise, managed to push him into the tub tripping him as she did so, so that he ended up lying in the tub as she turned the cold water on full blast. However unlike Inuyasha, Kagome didn't make it out of Inuyasha's grasp before he started flailing around. Grabbing a hold of her Inuyasha hauled into the tub with him.
Minutes later they stood dripping and shivering on the bathroom floor waiting for room service to bring towels up. All of Kagome's had been soaked in the chaos of flying water.
Teeth chattering and rubbing his arms briskly to keep warm Inuyasha asked, "awake now?"
"How could I not be," Kagome chattered back moving closer to him for warmth.
Wrapping his arms around her, Inuyasha said, "I'd give you my shirt to keep warm but I don't think it would do much good."
Feeling him shiver Kagome wrapped her arms around him so she wasn't the only one staying warm. "You're just as soaked as I am."
"Still don't know how a weakling like you managed to force me into that shower," Inuyasha joked.
"Adrenaline," Kagome murmured as way of explanation.
"At least you're in a better mood now," Inuyasha pointed out.
"Oh yes, revenge is a very good motivator to wake up," Kagome chuckled.
"I am so soaked," Inuyasha complained. "I have no spare clothes to change into either, what the hell am I going to do?"
"Send it down to the laundry I guess and wait for someone to throw it in a dryer for you," Kagome mused.
"What am I going to wear in the mean time?" Inuyasha asked.
"Good question," Kagome agreed. "None of my clothes'll fit you!"
"Like I'd wear anything of yours anyway," Inuyasha rolled his eyes.
"Oh I don't know," Kagome grinned. "You'd look absolutely lovely in this new shirt I bought."
Scoffing Inuyasha joked back, "and I suppose a pair of black stilettos would compliment said shirt perfectly."
"Oh of course," Kagome said and leapt out of his arms as room service knocked on her room.
"Thank heaven's," she exclaimed throwing open the door and receiving a pile of fluffy white towels with open arms. "Thank you sooooo much," she said to the maid.
"Not a problem at all miss," the young girl replied with a grin seeing the soaked shirt. "Is there anything else you require?"
"Inuyasha throw your clothes out here," Kagome ordered. She and the maid smiled as a string of curses came from the bathroom. "His was of a wake me up," Kagome muttered to the maid under his breath.
"Of course," the girl replied grinning mischievously as a pair of pants, a pair of boxers and a shirt were thrown at them. "I suppose you'd like these dried?"
"Yes and as fast as possible please," Kagome said handing the girl a ten dollar bill.
"They should be ready in ten minutes," she replied heading off.
As Kagome closed the door softly she heard Inuyasha swearing under his breath and couldn't help a tiny giggle escaping.
"I suppose you find this an absolute riot don't you?" Inuyasha demanded angrily through the closed bathroom door.
"Why Inuyasha," Kagome said innocently as an angel. "What ever are you talking about?"
"Oh don't give me that crap woman, you probably planned this whole thing so I'd end up trapped in your hotel without a single scrap of clothing to cover myself!"
"Inuyasha," Kagome drawled rolling her eyes in sympathy for his ignorance. "You give me far too much credit."
"No, correction, I haven't given you enough," Inuyasha retorted. "I should have suspected some evil plot when you snatched that coffee. I knew you were being too miserable."
"Inuyasha," Kagome called rapping on the door as she passed. "Give it a rest. Now listen to me I'm going to leave two of the towels outside of the door and then I'm going to walk over to the window and close my eyes while standing facing the other direction. Ok?"
"Ok," Inuyasha sulked. Smirking Kagome placed two of the big fluffy white towels at the foot of the door and then did as she promised giggling as she heard him rapidly open and close the door. "Ok I've got them," he called. "You can open your eyes."
"Will do. Now since you're occupying the bathroom and I need to change. You need to promise to stay in there until I tell you I'm done changing. Got that?"
"As if I'd want to see you naked," Inuyasha retaliated.
"That sure wasn't the case yesterday," Kagome taunted slowly beginning to peel her soaking wet clothes off. "I didn't know you were as perverted as Miroku."
"I am not a pervert," Inuyasha yelled. "Plus it's not my fault if I couldn't help staring, your breasts were practically screaming to be stared at."
"I'll take that as a compliment," Kagome said dryly.
"Well it wasn't meant as one," Inuyasha snapped.
Walking over to her suitcase Kagome hummed and hawed over what to wear that day. Finally she decided on a beautiful dress Kagura had brought back from Paris for her last year. Making sure she was completely dry she slowly stepped into it and admired the pretty figure she made in the mirror. The dress was a bluey-green teal sort of colour that reminded her of the ocean and came down to just above her knees. The dress had spaghetti style straps that she tied in tiny bows and the top of the dress went straight across with no dips or dives. Twirling around to admire the back that was held together by criss-crossed bits of fabric, Kagome smiled in glee as the skirt twirled around like a light feathery way.
Delighted with her image Kagome rummaged around in her suitcase for her make-up and upon finding it applied a light teal colour eye shadow to the top of her eyelids with a touch of clear gloss.
"I'm dressed," she announced as she began to run a brush through her long hair which was still slightly wet and hung in beautiful tendrils that she wished would only keep.
"Good for you," Inuyasha announced sarcastically. "While your probably fiddling with your hair I'm stuck naked in a bathroom….oh joy."
Laughing Kagome put her brush down. "Look who's the grumpy one now," she taunted as she flopped belly first onto the bed and turned the TV on.
"You've never been in such a humiliating situation before," Inuyasha grumbled.
Kagome tried to ignore him and focus on the news but it was becoming a struggle. She could understand his anger, that was fuelled more than anything by his embarrassment, but there was no need for him to continually attack her was there?
"Hell, you've never been naked with anyone else around ever!" Inuyasha went on.
Taking a deep breath Kagome tried to control her temper. "I am a lake," she thought. "A peaceful and serene lake is what I am."
"Are you even listening or did you just abandon me here," Inuyasha demanded pounding on the door.
"I am a lake," Kagome thought.
"Oye you there?"
"A lake that's beginning to simmer," Kagome smiled forcefully.
"Inuyasha would you mind keeping it down," she finally said. "There are probably other people who are still trying to sleep."
"I don't give a damn about anybody else all I care is about getting some frickin clothes!"
"Should have seen that one coming," Kagome called sarcastically.
"Just what's that supposed to mean?" Inuyasha demanded darkly.
Kagome bit back a retort that luckily didn't slip out as the door was knocked on.
Turning the TV off Kagome crawled off the bed and opened the door to reveal the same maid as before with a broad smile. "I asked them to dry them as fast as possible," she explained. "Some thought it might have been interesting to go as slowly as possible but in the end I convinced them haste was a good thing."
"Thank you," Kagome said gratefully taking the pile of Inuyasha's neatly folded clothes. "You arrived just in time to stop WWIII."
"Good luck," the maid replied and then disappeared.
"My friend says thank you very much too," Kagome called after her and closed the door when the girl waved in acknowledgement. Dropping the pile of clothes outside the bathroom door, Kagome said. "Here're your clothes. Need anything else?"
"Just for you to close your eyes," Inuyasha said.
"Already done," Kagome said placing a hand over her eyes and waking back over to her suitcase. Hearing the bathroom door open and close she opened her eyes and began placing various items into her handbag like a bottle of water, band-aids, Advil, her wallet and a whole bunch of other items.
"Ready?" Inuyasha asked emerging from the bathroom fully dressed in slacks a red shirt with a towel wrapped around his shoulders.
"What do you mean," Kagome demanded. "You can't go out like that! Your hair's soaked!"
"It's not that bad," Inuyasha shrugged. "The blow-drier's busted and it's warm enough out it'll dry off soon."
"Here," Kagome said thrusting a comb at him.
"Why are you giving me this? Don't tell me you have a blow-drier?" Inuyasha repeated as she began rummaging through her suitcase.
"I think I might."
"That's one huge blow-drier," Inuyasha commented accepting the heavy object from her when she eventually producing a large metallic blow-drier..
"It's a professional one," Kagome said zipping her suitcase back up.
Saying nothing Inuyasha returned to the bathroom and attempted to plug it in but discovered that the plug was blown.
"No electricity coming out of it," Inuyasha growled hitting the socket.
"Trying plugging it in by the bedside table," Kagome advised.
"What good'll that do?" Inuyasha retorted. "Can't exactly just sit in the middle of the floor and do it."
"You mean you can't blow-dry your own hair without a mirror?" Kagome asked dryly.
"I could if I wanted to but I don't," Inuyasha said pompously. "You're the one who's got an issue with it so you do it."
"Fine," Kagome snapped taking the blow-drier from him and plugging it in. "Sit," she commanded pointing at the floor.
With a humph Inuyasha plopped himself down cross-legged and titled his head back.
"You burn me with that thing and I'll never forgive you," Inuyasha said eyeing the metallic blow-drier warily completely he was in no danger of being burned by it. The true source of danger was Kagome, though he might hate to admit but couldn't help thinking looked very pretty in the dress she was wearing.
"Don't worry," she said through clenched teeth. Turning it on to full blast cutting off what Inuyasha tried to say next Kagome took the comb from his and went to work.
"Damn," Inuyasha thought. "She's must be mad again. I wish she'd give me the chance to apologize rather than cutting me off. Stupid noisy blow-drier!"
After a few moments of rhythmic brushstrokes Inuyasha soon fell into and was completely unaware of Kagome's "work" settling instead for closing his eyes.
After five minutes or so Kagome pronounced her "work" done and with a triumphant smirk stood up. "Much better," she said and hauled him to his feet and out the door. "Let's hurry it up," she snapped as he lagged behind. "We're late enough as is."
"Sounds good," Inuyasha muttered thinking maybe it would be a good idea to grab Ayame as a dance partner. He didn't particularly feel up to nursing his bruised and battered feet that night, which would be the case he was positive would be a prime target if he was paired with Kagome.
Upon arriving at the dance studio however they discovered that Sango and Miroku were paired up together, obviously, and Kouga and Ayame were paired up already.
"Damn," Inuyasha muttered drawing the dance instructor's attention away from a Sango who was obviously struggling with the dance by the look on Miroku's face. As the very strict looking woman with her hair pulled back sharply from her face into bun approached them Inuyasha and Kagome backed away in fear.
"So here you are," she said giving Inuyasha a look of utter disbelief. "I see you stopped in at the beauty parlour on your way over," she said icily.
"Beauty parlour?" Miroku said confused drawing his eyes away from Sango who had her facedown watching her steps and counting "one two three, one two three," softly under her breath. Grinning Miroku stopped dancing and nudged Sango.
"One two three four, oh damn it! What Miroku?" she asked looking up after messing her footing up. Miroku just chuckled and looked meaningfully at Inuyasha. Following his gaze Sango looked at Inuyasha and choked.
Kouga began laughing and Ayame looked up only to cover her smile with her hand.
Kagome stood back grinning and Inuyasha looked at the lady confused. The woman had a small smile on her lips now and indicated her hand to the mirrored wall behind him.
Inuyasha turned around and recoiled in shock. His jaw dropped in shock and he squinted at his image not able to form to coherent thoughts. His hair no longer fell messily to his back but instead was slightly curled and much …bouncier.
"What the hell did you do to my hair!" he exploded rounding on Kagome.
"I think it really suits you," Kagome replied sweetly crossing her arms.
"I think," Inuyasha said in an equally sickeningly sweet voice, "I'm going to kill you."
"Enough wasting time poodle boy," the dance teacher said. "You're already fifteen minutes late. To sum up what I've said so far, we're working on the tango at Sango's request. Are you familiar with it?"
"Yes I'm familiar with it," Inuyasha said clenching his teeth at the poodle remark.
"Good then I'll leave the two of you and return to our love birds over here," she said and turning with military precision walked back to Miroku and Sango and proceeded to instruct Sango on where to place her arms.
The second the scary lady wasn't looking Inuyasha turned and glared at Kagome "what'd you do to my hair?"
"I styled it," Kagome replied coolly keeping her eyes on Sango and Miroku. "Don't worry it'll disappear as soon as it gets wet."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes and Kagome merely narrowed her in return and so began the first staring match they had had since they were kids.
Kagome wasn't sure how long they stood like that, all she was aware of when the instructor clapped her hands and drew their attention to her, was that she wasn't sure how much longer her eyes could have taken it.
"Okay we'll try it with some music now," the lady said walking over to a stereo. "For those of you who are familiar with it I'll just let you dance," she said looking at Inuyasha and Kagome. "For those of you who might need occasional help just signal me over," she said to Kouga and Ayame. "And Sango," she said to the nervous woman beside her. "No need to worry I'll be right here to help you."
"I hate how I'm the one getting married," Sango said shooting an envious glance at Ayame who was giving Kouga who was a so-so dancer a few pointers, "and am the worst dancer in the room."
"It's ok Sango I think poodle over here is just bluffing," Kagome called out.
"Positions!" the lady announced sharply clapping her hands.
Grabbing Kagome's hand Inuyasha jerked her roughly after him. "I'll show you bluffing," Inuyasha said threatening. "I could do this with my eyes closed. All I hope is that you can keep up."
"I took dance a while back, I think I'll be able to hand this no problem," Kagome countered smoothly with a twinge of a grin.
"We'll see," was Inuyasha's reply.
They both stood ready for the cue to start each hoping to catch the other off guard with their abilities.
The music came on loud and pulsing, a fast paced Spanish song with no lyrics and off they went. After a moment of both keeping pace to the fast tempo Inuyasha was setting their eyes met in shock.
"He's good!" Kagome thought surprised.
"She's good," Inuyasha thought looking at the woman next to him with admiration.
"You're good," they said simultaneously.
Upon realizing what happened they both cried "Jinx!"
"Let's see if you can match this," Inuyasha said competitively launching into an advanced pattern.
"Hit me with your best shot," Kagome challenged matching his every step.
"Not bad," Inuyasha acknowledged. "Your turn."
"With pleasure," Kagome grinned evilly and speed the pace up even further throwing in fast quirks that almost resulted in Inuyasha stumbling, but he caught up and smiled smugly.
"Told you, you were no match for me," Inuyasha declared.
"Who said I was done?" Kagome asked and sped her pace up even further.
"Me, that's who," Inuyasha said and to prove his point took control again.
Letting her fall back he held her in that venerable position for a split second longer than necessary gazing deeply into her fiery eyes with an intensity that took her breath away and then snapping her back up with a speed and skill that made her almost mess up.
"Why are you mad at me," he demanded his mouth an inch or so away from her ear.
Kagome debated countering his question with one of her own but decided to just get it out. "Just because you have a despicable sex life doesn't give you right to judge mine."
"What sex life?" Inuyasha said with mock innocence. "You don't have a- oh you mean the non-existant one."
"You're insufferable," Kagome spat. "You know that?"
"I believe I've been told that once or twice," Inuyasha replied.
"Good I'd hate to think I was the first," Kagome said she was sweating harder than she ever had dancing before.
"I was planning on apologising but you went and curled my hair so I think we're even," Inuyasha said thoughtfully unconsciously slowing down.
"I'd do it again in a heart beat."
"OK! OK!" Sango finally exclaimed in mock anger. "I can't take it anymore!"
Kagome and Inuyasha came to a halt and looked over to see everyone had their eyes on them.
"You both are just two good, just admit that you're both incredible and call it a day you're making us newbies feel bad," Sango joked.
"Not bad dog-boy," Kouga admitted nodding his head.
"Wohoo go Kagome," Ayame cheered.
"Even better than me," Miroku said in surprise to Inuyasha. "Never expected you to be a tango kind of guy Inuyasha, thought you liked clubs and dirty dancing."
"What can I say," Inuyasha said brushing imaginary dust off his shirt and blowing on his nails. "I'm a true ladies man."
"Or lady," Kagome coughed into her hand.
"Oh ho!" Kouga jeered. "You so just got burned!"
"Shut up Kouga," Inuyasha said.
"Not bad," the dance instructor said grinning. "Wouldn't have thought looking at a hot shot like you that you could dance decently."
"Well I'm off to get some water," Kagome said wiping the beads of sweat off her brow. "Is there a water fountain around here?"
"There's a water dispenser in the hall by the bathroom," was the prim reply.
Nodding Kagome gave a quick mock curtsey to Sango and said, "if I my lady will allow me I would wish a glass of water."
"Oh Kagome," Sango said grinning. "You're just too much sometimes. But if you're going grab one for me too."
"Me too," Miroku echoed.
"Me three," Ayame called.
"I'm good," Kouga said.
"Uh you guys," Kagome said rubbing the back of her head. "I don't have three arms."
"It's ok," Inuyasha said. "I'll help. I was getting thirsty anyways."
With a humph Kagome stormed off not seeing the looks that passed between Sango and Miroku, Ayame and Kouga.
Reaching the water fountain Kagome pulled a cup out of the dispenser and filled it will cold water. Draining it in a single gulp, she was just filling her cup up for a second glass when Inuyasha came up behind her and reached out to grab one for himself.
"So do we have a truce?" he asked filling his own glass up once she was done.
"Not until you apologise," Kagome said looking at him from over the cups rims as she drank.
"If I apologise you have to too," Inuyasha replied.
"Fine," Kagome huffed.
"And fix my hair," Inuyasha went on.
"As if," Kagome said. "I already told you that you deserved it."
"Why are you being so difficult?" Inuyasha demanded. "Come one I'm actually asking for your help isn't that worth something!"
"I'm being difficult because I can be."
"Look I'm sorry already," Inuyasha sighed rubbing the back of his head.
"Good, you should be."
"Damn it Kagome! What are you wanting me to say! Tell me what I need to say!" he commanded as she tried to brush past him and grab a glass for Sango and Ayame.
"You know what just forget it. Forget it, I don't need you to tell me whether or not it's ok. Do you want to know why? Because it's my choice, no one else's and I'll be damned before I ever let someone like you tell me what I should do with my body!"
"Woaha," Inuyasha said taking a step back. "What the hell are you talking about!"
"You know damn well what I'm talking about," Kagome snapped.
"No actually I don't," Inuyasha said. "Why don't you enlighten me."
"Think back to in the hotel room. You were looking to pick a fight admit it."
"No I wasn't, I was just pissed that I was stuck naked in a bathroom," Inuyasha said eyes narrowing.
"Yeah and while you were complaining you said something to the extent of "you'd never understand being in this situation because you've never been naked with anyone of the opposite sex present."
"And you haven't," Inuyasha said in his defence. "So what's wrong with that if it's the truth."
"There was no need to bring my sex life up at all," Kagome exploded. "It's no body's business but mine!"
"Woah no need to get so touchy," Inuyasha hasted to blurt out.
"You're right," Kagome admitted sighing. "I'm just being stupid. Like I said forget it."
"Now I see how upset that got you I don't think I can," Inuyasha replied.
"No honestly don't bother I can't believe I even thought your opinion was worth anything," Kagome sighed taking a deep drink of water to calm her nerves.
"What do you mean by that," Inuyasha asked.
"Just that I should never have let a player's opinion get to me."
"Where did everyone get this idea that I'm some sort of play-boy?" Inuyasha questioned. "I mean look at Miroku before he met Sango he was worse than I ever was and no one seems to remember that now."
"That's because Miroku's finally settling down while you show no signs of quitting living off one night stands. Look at what Sango and Miroku have, can any relationship
–if you can even call them that- of yours even come close?"
Inuyasha paused to think but already knew the answer was no. Apparently Kagome did as well. "No didn't think so."
"Look you don't want me to criticise your sex life," Inuyasha said. "Then don't criticise mine. It's my choice!"
"Finally your seeing my point!" Kagome cried raising her hands to the sky. "Now do you understand why it's my business and no one else's if I choose not to sleep with every cute guy I meet."
"Okay," Inuyasha sighed exasperated. "I get it and promise never to say anything more about it ever again."
"Good," Kagome huffed and after a moment looked down at her feet and said. "Same here."
Scuffing his foot Inuyasha looked up bashfully at her and asked, "are we friends again?"
Kagome looked him over and once finally deciding he looked contrite enough nodded. "Yes I think so."
"I think that's the fastest we've ever made up," Inuyasha thought out loud after thinking back to previous arguments.
"Mhmm," Kagome said gathering Sango and Ayame's glasses of water. "You're right I think that's defiantly a record."
There was a moment of silence as Inuyasha filled a glass for Miroku but then he looked up and grinned mischievously up at her and asked, "so with you help me fix my hair, I really think I've suffered enough."
Kagome grinned and nodded, "I think I can do that."
Author's Note: where here it is the chapter you've all been waiting for. Sorry it took so long to get up I was going to update it a couple days ago but decided to go back and change some stuff cuz it was just TOO mushy and that's not what I'm looking for….I really want to develop and built their relationship, I wanted some understanding injected and just a touch of competition and frustration. So hope you liked….dinner and wedding gifts next chapter. Please review….you know I'll love you forever and forever if you do.
And question of the chapter…submit love song you think would make a good song for Miroku and Sango's first wedding dance….you know the one I'm talking about "their" song….the one they first danced to, sang karaoke to, etc etc you get the picture.
Well review and tell me what you think!