Next chapter! Yay, that's three chapters in one day! New record! Damn I'm on a roll!
"Blahblah" speech
'Blahblah' thought
Disclaimer: I say you I don't own it!
Chapter Three: French Fries, Flowers, and Fingers
Gripping her shoulders tightly, Kagome kept a brisk pace as she walked, through the rain, toward the library, where her car was parked neatly in the lot. She had not gotten far before a loud 'honk' resounded through the cool night air, making her jump. Turning, she found a black Jaguar pulled up alongside the curb. Squinting, she looked through the rain spattered windshield to find Sesshomaru sitting behind the wheel. Eyes going wide, she thanked the gods for such luck and hurried over to the side, opening the door and scooting inside without a second thought.
Sesshomaru did not change gears immediately. Instead he sat there and stared at her with a disappointed look painted across his features.
"What?" Kagome asked innocently when she took notice.
"Firstly, what in the hell did you think you were doing walking through Tokyo at this time of night?" he scolded.
Recovering from her shock of his unexpected question, Kagome replied sarcastically, "You know… just thought I'd take a walk. It's so nice outside." When he gave her a dubious look, she shook her head and confessed, "Alright I was walking home from a… date gone bad."
Nodding, yet still pondering who she had gone on a date with, Sesshomaru continued, "Secondly, you should not be so quick to jump into a stranger's vehicle."
Looking quizzically at him, she responded, "But you aren't a stranger."
Lifting both brows, he snorted lightly. "You know nothing but my name, girl. What if I turned out to be a rapist?"
"But you're not a rapist," Kagome said confidently.
"Are you certain? What makes you think I won't just rape you right now?"
'I don't think it's considered rape if the victim enjoys themselves,' Kagome mused before scolding herself. Turning back to the conversation at hand, she remarked, "Because if you were going to you would have done so when I got into the car, not after asking me about it."
"Ah, but perhaps I wish to take you to a secluded location first, where I can have my way with you," Sesshomaru suggested, thinking to himself just how much he'd love to have his way with her.
Rolling her eyes, Kagome sighed, "Look, I know you aren't going to, so can we go?"
Smiling, Sesshomaru switched to drive and sped off, peeking at the woman next to him every once and a while. Changing lanes, he flicked on his turn signal and made a right, feeling as though he wasn't quite ready to drop her off yet.
"Where are we going?" Kagome asked curiously as she noted they were going in the wrong direction.
"To a filthy hut outside of town where I can molest you, without having to worry about someone hearing you scream," he informed her, his voice completely serious.
When he did not waver, or make a move to state he was joking, Kagome began to grow nervous, sliding as far from him as she could. Her fears were quelled, however, when he stopped the vehicle next to a quaint looking diner.
"A café. You look like you could use a drink," Sesshomaru quipped, smiling a little at the fact that he had her going for a while.
Releasing a whoosh of air, Kagome stepped out of the vehicle, no longer caring that the rain was soaking her dress. When they were seated, she ordered a cup of tea and a plate of french-fries, the salad she received at the restaurant having only filled her to a degree.
The question that had plagued her earlier returned, and she asked, "So what were you doing in that part of town so late at night?"
"I had a late night at the office and had to work overtime. My company is about to merge with Akuma Industries and I had to sort out the paperwork," he explained.
At the mention of the name Akuma, Kagome paled and groaned a little.
Seeing this, Sesshomaru lifted a brow in question.
"Naraku just happened to be that date gone bad I told you about. He's too creepy." Kagome shuddered as she recalled his very forward and surprising actions at the restaurant and in the limo. Why did he have to be so sketchy? He was so very attractive but so… so sketchy.
"He does seem a bit odd," he agreed.
"A bit doesn't describe it," Kagome snickered. Looking off to the right, she noticed that their waitress was returning with her fries.
"There ya go sweety," the ditsy waitress slurred, loudly popping her gum. Turning to look suggestively at Sesshomaru, she inquired, "Is there anything else I can get ya?"
Growling, Sesshomaru waved his hand in dismissal and sipped his coffee, not even bothering to spare her a glance. When she was out of ear shot, he snarled under his breath, "Idiot."
Giggling, Kagome twirled a lock of hair between her fingers in an exaggerated fashion and chirped with a thick, nasally accent, "I dunno, I think she was kinda cute. Doncha think?"
Scoffing, Sesshomaru shook his head and bit out, "Most definitely not. I despise air headed fan girls."
Twining her fingers together, Kagome rested her chin in her hands and cooed, "Ohhhhhh, you have a fan club?"
"Apparently," he replied, sounding rather peeved.
Shaking her head, she snatched a french-fry off the plate and gobbled it up, happy to be eating regular food again.
Across from her, the tall, silver haired man remained silent, simply sitting and drinking his coffee while gazing admiringly at her. He marveled to himself about how this woman could look so devastatingly attractive even when eating. Such was a feat not many could accomplish, especially with his standards.
The thought of her going on a date with Naraku crossed his mind for the umpteenth time since she had mentioned it and, for some odd reason, it bothered him beyond belief. How could he have grown so attached to someone in such a short amount of time? How had he grown attached to her at all? The only person in his life he considered dear was Rin, who he saw as a daughter. What sort of woman was she that could break through his impenetrable defenses and wiggle her way into his heart? His attraction for her could not be denied, for she was a radiant little thing, but what he felt now, as he thought of someone like Naraku holding her, was almost like… possessiveness, frustration… jealousy? Was he jealous?
Shaking his head, he looked down at his watch and back up at petite young onna across from him, who was just polishing off the last of her fries. "Satisfied?"
"Oh yeah," Kagome sighed as she rubbed her tummy. Finishing off her tea, she stood just as Sesshomaru was taking out his wallet. "Hey, you don't have to pay, I have money," Kagome stated while grabbing her purse. Opening it up, she rummaged around, trying to find the bills she had stuffed in it earlier.
"Nonsense," Sesshomaru told her, his smooth, even voice halting her dig for cash, "I brought you here so it's only right for me to pay. Besides, it's only a couple of dollars."
Throwing her hands up in defeat, Kagome shook her head and walked past him, waiting at the door as he threw a bill on the table. Taking advantage of her current location, she admired his lean, tall body as he approached her, loving how his dress shirt clung to his torso and displayed his muscled arms. When he walked past, she also noted that he had an equally nice butt and wanted so very badly to reach out and pinch it. 'Just a little pinch,' she mused while trailing after him.
Slyly she pulled a piece of gum from her purse and popped it in her mouth, thinking of how absolutely horrid it would be to have bad breath while talking to him.
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Sighing as the library came into view, she unbuckled her seatbelt while letting out a little yawn. It had been a long night. However, thanks to her 'knight in shining armor', it was not a complete travesty. Turning to him as he stopped the car, she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear while nibbling her lip. Bunching her hands in her lap, she managed to get out, "Um… thank you, for the ride and all."
Taking great satisfaction at the small rouge tint that adorned her cheeks, he nodded, watching as she pushed the door open. What he didn't expect, however, was for her to turn back at the last moment and quickly peck him on the cheek. Her face, now an even darker shade of red, remained close to his for a moment and, as she moved to pull away, his hand came up to rest along the back of her neck, pulling her back to him so he could give her a proper kiss.
When his scalding mouth pressed firmly against hers, she could almost feel herself melt into a big gooey puddle. His lips, so soft and warm, moved so precisely against her own, his tongue making rhythmic sweeps along the seam of her mouth. Complying with his wishes, she parted her lips to grant him access, responding with renewed fervor as his other palm cradled her cheek. Winding both hands into his astoundingly silky locks, she leaned into him, moaning quietly as his fingers traced the delicate skin at the back of her neck.
When they parted, panting and hot, a moment of silence fell upon them as they did nothing but stare into one another's eyes. Kagome slowly trailed her hands down his chest and into her own lap, smiling modestly as she slid back, stepping gracefully from the car. "Goodnight Sesshomaru," she whispered, closing the door lightly and walking to her own vehicle. All the while, her fingers never once left her lips, relishing in the warmth he had left behind.
Inhaling deeply and finding that her marvelous scent still lingered, Sesshomaru started up his Jaguar, looking out his window at Kagome before he drove away.
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Kagome waved frantically as her best friend strode into the otherwise empty library, her hands occupied with a coffee tray that was balancing two steaming cups. She smiled gratefully as Sango handed her a cappuccino before pulling up a chair to join her.
"So, how is work?" Sango inquired jubilantly , sipping her espresso.
"Rather dull, at the moment. I have nothing to do until two thirty, when the new boxes of books arrive," Kagome sighed heavily, nursing her cappuccino.
Chuckling, Sango stated rather dramatically, "Oh the tension! How can you stand all this excitement in one day, Kagome?"
Sticking her tongue out in a rather childish manner, Kagome ignored her friend's sardonic remark and asked mischievously, "So… how is Miroku?"
Choking slightly at the question, Sango mumbled, "He's a lecher, as always. He's constantly trying to grope me. He has no shame, Kags, he feels me up in broad daylight… in public! He did it again yesterday in front of an elderly couple."
Tinkling laughter rang through the library as Kagome pictured the expressions on the poor couple's faces. Good old Miroku, just the same as he had been when she first met him. She could just see his vivid violet eyes sparkling with naughtiness as he grabbed Sango's unsuspecting bottom. And it had been said that he was descended from a long line of monks.
'A monk and a demon slayer,' Kagome mused idly, remembering that Sango had once said her family was rooted to the taijiya of the Feudal Era. She herself was said to have been born into a family of mikos, and her gramps was constantly insisting that, somewhere within her soul, she too held miko powers.
She giggled. She didn't believe in miko powers or demons. If they had been real at one point, they certainly weren't now.
The only demon she knew of was a little red headed tike named Shippou. He was a sweetheart, he really was, but he had a mind for mischief. He would often come into the library to look for books, bringing with him a handful of dandelions and johnny-jump-ups. Only recently she learned that he was good friends with not only her brother, Souta, but Sango's brother, Kohaku, as well. 'It's a small world,' Kagome hummed to herself.
She recalled another child that often came to the library, a little white haired girl named Kanna. Now that was one freaky child. She often came in with her mother, Kagura, who seemed rather short tempered and was quick to shoot her mouth off. Kanna, however, was quite the opposite. Kagome could only recall hearing the child speak a few times, each of which she was left with goose bumps. She sounded void, completely emotionless and monotone… 'Like a zombie,' Kagome giggled. Her eyes didn't help her eerie appeal either. They were jet black, lacking any pupils.
Shivering once, Kagome turned her attention back to her best friend, listening intently as Sango continued to tell her about the horrific experience Miroku had put her through the other day.
She nearly spilled her caffeine when another voice startled them from conversation. Kagome looked up to find a young man standing in front of her. He was rather decent looking, with his piercing blue eyes and jet black hair. He had a somewhat boyish charm about him.
"Can I help you… um…" Kagome trailed off, not knowing what to call this newcomer.
"The name's Bankotsu and actually I'm here to deliver something to a Miss Kagome. Are either one of you her?" the stranger asked, flashing a lopsided grin.
Kagome looked to her friend quizzically, who was gracing her with the same expression of confusion. Looking back to the blue eyed male, she stammered, "Uh, yes, I'm Kagome."
Smile broadening, he proclaimed, "Then these are for you."
Both girls gasped loudly when a bouquet of stunning white calla lilies was pulled out from behind his back. Blinking wildly as she was handed the gorgeous arrangement of flowers, Kagome thanked the young man and turned back to her best friend.
"Who bought you those?" Sango wondered.
Thinking for a moment, Kagome groaned before answering, "I bet they're from Naraku, apologizing for what he did on our date."
Snickering, Sango agreed, "Yeah, probably."
Kagome was surprised to find, however, that it was not Naraku's cursive on the small decorative card. The calligraphy was beautifully done, the letters soft and expertly written. Eyebrows lifting, she shook her head and affirmed, "No, this isn't from Naraku. It's not his writing."
Rolling her eyes, Sango urged, "So, what does it say?"
Plucking the card from its spot in the wrapping, Kagome brought it up so that both could see it.
Kagome,
I would be thrilled if you would agree to join me for lunch some time within the next week. If you're interested, my business card is attached to the bouquet, call me any time you like.
Sincerely Yours,
Sesshomaru
Eyes welling up, Sango clasped her hands together and cooed, "Oh, that's so sweet! Who's this Sesshomaru guy?"
Smiling and blushing slightly, Kagome informed her, "I met him a little while ago when his daughter took out a book from the library. We've been sort of running into one another lately and well…"
Sango smirked wickedly when Kagome's blush blossomed into a much darker shade of red, covering both cheeks as well as the bridge of her nose. "What happened, Kagome?" she pressed, jabbing her in the side.
Eyes wavering to the floor, Kagome mumbled, "After I ditched my date with Naraku, I sort of ran into him while walking back and he offered me a ride. We had something to eat at a café and then, well… whenhedroppedmeoffwekindofkissed."
"YOU KISSED!"
Kagome paled. It seemed that her plan of speaking extraordinarily fast had not swayed her friend from understanding. "Yeah," she whispered.
"Was he a good kisser? What does he look like? Are you sure he's just not trying to get into your pants?" Sango questioned, different emotions whirring across her face.
"Whoa, calm down there Detective Sango, one question at a time! Firstly, he was an extremely good kisser," Kagome admitted, remembering how a single kiss had stolen her breath away. "Secondly, he's tall with a nice, firm build, his facial features are very well structured, he has long, beautiful, silver hair and golden eyes that are just to die for and…"
"Gold eyes and silver hair you say?" Sango interrupted her, "Kagome, are you sure this isn't just a rebound guy to help you get over Inuyasha? He sounds as though he looks enough like him."
Pausing, the raven haired woman realized that Sesshomaru did indeed have the same unique features as Inuyasha. The odd hair and eye color were simply too coincidental. The funny thing was, she hadn't even noticed it until then.
Then again, other than those two factors, he didn't look like Inuyasha at all. They were so very different. Inuyasha was rugged and unkempt while Sesshomaru was the definition of perfection.
Shaking her head, she assured her best friend, "No, Sango, he's not a rebound guy. I didn't even notice the hair and eye thing until you mentioned it. Anyways, I don't think he's just trying to get into my pants, I mean he really doesn't act that way. The only reason we kissed was because I kissed him first."
"You made the first move?" Sango interjected, startling Kagome, "Wow you must really have something for him, don't you? You never make the first move, Kagome!"
Sighing, Kagome shrugged her shoulders. Did she feel something for Sesshomaru? Sure he was devastatingly handsome and had an air about him that could make any woman fall to her knees, but was this something more than attraction?
"Oi, Kagome, who are those from!" a harsh voice startled her from her pondering.
Looking up, Kagome saw Inuyasha approaching her desk, dressed in a pair of loose jeans and a red t-shirt. Smiling up at him, she greeted, "Hello, Inuyasha. Where's you girlfriend?"
Sniffing, he remarked in a bored tone, "Meh. I think she said she had to go out of town for the next few days or something. I'm not constantly around her you know!"
Throwing her hands up, Kagome proclaimed, "I didn't mean for you to get offensive Inuyasha, I was just asking."
Giving a small 'hrmph', he crossed his arms and leaned against the desk, glaring down at the bouquet. "So… who are they from?" Getting a rather nasty gleam in his eye, he added, "They're not from Kouga, are they? I'll rip his head off!"
Frown creasing her brow, Kagome retorted, "I don't see why it should matter, Inuyasha, since you're dating Kikyo! If you must know, though, I got them from a man I met recently. His name is Sesshomaru."
Growling, Inuyasha turned and slammed his hands down on the desk, a feral look crossing his rough features. "Did you just say Sesshomaru?" When Kagome nodded, he spat, "What in the hell are you doing hanging around that bastard!"
Eyes widening in shock, she spluttered, "I beg your pardon? He is most definitely not a bastard and you… wait… how do you know him?"
"He's, regrettably, my half brother."
While Kagome sat speechless, wide eyed at the irony of it all, Sango simply commented, "Well that would explain why they have the same hair and eye color."
Crossing his arms across his chest once more, Inuyasha snarled, "I don't want you to see him anymore."
Shock turning into anger, she hissed indignantly, "Why you jerk! You have no right to tell me who I can see or not! I'm going to continue to see him and there is nothing you can do about it. In fact, he asked me out to lunch and I think I'll take him up on the offer!"
As a dumbfound look spreading over his features, Inuyasha stood in shock for a while, muttering incoherent things before smirking cruelly and spitting, "Oh, I get it! This is some dumb scheme to get me jealous isn't it?"
Blowing a raspberry, Kagome waved him off and said in a monotone voice, "Oh, please, don't flatter yourself." Eyes returning to the flowers, a small smile graced her lips as she traced the edge of a tender petal with one finger.
"I see him because he's nice and interesting and fun to be with. I didn't even know he was your brother until you said so, so obviously this isn't some 'dumb scheme', as you put it."
Sticking his nose in the air, the boy in red turned and headed for the exit, tossing over his shoulder in a biting pitch, "Fine, do what you want. Just don't come crying to me when he leaves you for some prettier broad!"
Huffing in rage, Kagome flipped him the bird and spat in his direction, "You're the last person I would go to, freak!"
Sango shook her head as she watched the familiar scene play out. Ever since Kagome had found out about Kikyo, her meetings with Inuyasha had always gone the same. Things would start off nice enough, until Inuyasha found something he could bitch about. Then the two would commence arguing until Inuyasha left in a pout, insulting poor Kagome.
Considering the fact that they were dubbed 'friends' they certainly did have one of the oddest relationships Sango had ever seen.
Awe, Sesshou rescues her from the dangerous streets of Tokyo and takes her out for a bite, isn't that nice…
PS: A johnny-jump-up is a weed that blossoms. They are actually rather pretty when they do bloom, the dark purple petals and bright yellow center contrast one another splendidly.
HEY! HEY YOU! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING, HM? YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE UNTIL YOU REVIEW! Bwahahahahahah! No wait, come back! I didn't mean it, honest! Please review!
