"Hey, Ice Pop," InuYasha calls out over the others' chatter. I arch an eyebrow in response, waiting as he makes his way over to me. "You really making Kagome go to that stupid board meeting of your's?"
"I am not making her do anything," I retort, insulted he would even insinuate I would do such a thing to the girl. "I merely requested her assistance, and she accepted."
"Right," he snorts. "You and I both know Kagome would do damn near anything to help someone she cares about, and for some reason, you fit the bill," he sneers at me, arms crossed over his chest. His eyes narrow accusingly at me. "See the problem? She ain't made for that kinda world." His voice softens with concern at the predicament he believes his friend to have found herself in. "I know how cruel they can be to outsiders, people they think don't belong. She ain't cut out for that kinda treatment. She's too soft." I watch as he averts his gaze, looking at the woman in question across the room as she laughs and smiles with the rest of the group before practice.
"I can assure you," I begin, keeping my voice low and as genuine as I am able. "She will be in good company. No one would dare say anything about her in my presence." I see him nod from the corner of my eye.
"Your mom still showing up?" Suppressing a grimace, I nod my head. "Then it won't just be good company." He walks away, towards the others, his final words echoing in my head. He has a point, I realise, mother has never been one to play nice with others. The image of previous demonesses being taken down by my mother's harsh critiques flashes before my eyes. Kagome is not like those others, my inner demon reminds me, she is stronger. Kagome then calls everyone to the center to rehearse. She will have to be.
The following Thursday, Kagome is clearly off during our private rehearsal before the others arrive for the wedding practice. I keep my observations to myself, knowing that she will tell me what is bothering her when she is ready. She does not during our rehearsal, nor does she say anything after her friends have left. It is not until the next day that I receive a phone call several hours after returning home from work. I quickly answer and am met with silence for several seconds. Knowing better than to push her for information, I wait for her to gather her thoughts and continue working on some remedial paperwork.
"What if I make a fool of myself?" She asks, hesitantly. Her fear is clear in her voice, a slight tremble taking over the latter half of her sentence. The hanyou's words from the previous week echo through my head once more. I know how cruel they can be to outsiders, people they think don't belong. She ain't cut out for that kinda treatment. She's too soft. My lips press together in disdain. Your mom still showing up? Then it won't just be good company. "Or you?" I find myself shaking my head, despite knowing that she is unable to see me.
"You could never," I quickly assure her. "You are a kind, intelligent woman, Kagome. They will see that." And if they don't, we'll kill them, my inner beast nearly sings in delight.
"What about your mother? She hates humans."
"As did I, at one point," I remind her. "You tend to have a way of getting around that." She laughs a bit on the other end, forcing a small smile to my own face. She is quiet for a few minutes before she releases a long breath.
"Okay. Where are we going and what's the dress code?" I smirk at her tone.
"We have a private room at a restaurant. I believe some sort of cocktail business attire is the typical aim of the other women there." I do not need to point out that the men are limited to suits. I hear her scoff on the other end of the line and the sound of sheets shifting as she lays out on her bed.
"What does that even mean?" She asks, sounding slightly panicked once more. She ain't made for that kinda world.
"It is something you could wear to an office job, but with a bit more room for personal expression." She is quiet again for several moments before I hear her getting up and opening her closet door.
"Okay… I can do that," she mutters to herself. Hangers move across metal as she looks at various items hanging up. "I think I have an idea, but would it be possible to meet up a little earlier just in case I have to change?" My eyebrows lower in confusion.
"Meet up? Kagome, I fully intend on picking you up at your home." Her giggle fills my head as she shuts her door once again.
"Careful, Sesshomaru. It almost sounds like a real date when you put it like that," she teases. The corners of my lips twitch upward once more.
"You say that as though it would be a bad thing," I counter, clearly imagining the blush that has surely graced her delicate features. After a few minutes of her attempting to reply, I save her from further floundering. "If you would like me to arrive early, as a precaution, I can come at five-thirty. That would give you an additional thirty minutes, though I have no reason to believe you will require it. Will that suffice?"
"Y-yes, um, that, that would be great. Thank you," she stammers out.
"No, thank you. I appreciate your attending with me." I glance at the clock and sigh. "It appears to have gotten much later than I had realised. We should both get to bed soon."
"Oh my gosh, you're right, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to keep you so late, I didn't even think, I probably woke you up, I'm so sorry!"
"This one was still awake, there is nothing to apologise for," I promise, cutting her off in her apologies. "Should you need anything else, do not hesitate to call. And Kagome?"
"Hm?"
"Breathe. I meant what I said. I have the utmost faith in you. Everything is going to be fine tomorrow evening." I hear her release another breath, shaky, as though accompanied by an attempt at laughter.
"You're right, you're totally right. Thank you, Sesshomaru. I'll see you tomorrow." Hearing the smile in her voice, I am content enough to allow our conversation to end.
"Pleasant dreams, Kagome." She giggles lightly.
"Good night, Sesshy."