When Kagome informed that she was running errands on my side of town, I offered my assistance as I had finished the days tasks ahead of schedule. She repeatedly explained that in no way did I need to, that she had it covered, and I assured it was no trouble at all and requested her exact location. Of all of the places I could have imagined her visiting in my district, I had not expected to find her in the back of a pop up Halloween store. She is so focused on the various costumes before her, she does not hear me approach and jumps when I clear my throat. She spins around, gasping, and manages to trip over her own feet. I stop her from falling, unable to stop the amusement from showing on my face.
"Would you stop sneaking up on me like that?" She asks, more exasperated than annoyed. "You're actually going to kill me one of these days, you know that?" I breathe out a laugh and nod towards the two costumes in her hands, one eyebrow raised. She shrugs, her cheeks slightly rosier than they had been previously. "I like to have a little fun with my clients around Halloween. I have this kind of freestyle class around now that you can only go to in costume. No teaching, just playing with what they already know, they don't even know the music I'll pick, but I try to encourage them to combine styles if they can." She glances back down to the costumes in her hands. "It's a bit more fun than just following someone else's directions for an hour or two."
"Hn." I could understand where that would apply. To be completely honest, I had not realised how close to the American holiday it had become, just a week's time away now.
"Are you and Rin doing anything to celebrate? I know it's mostly adult parties, but maybe the neighbourhood does something? Or her school?" I watch as she puts back the princess costume, reading over the remaining costume once again.
"Her class is holding a small party for themselves, from which she will surely return full of sugar." She giggles, making her way down the wall, eyeing her options, as I follow closely behind. "I have promised her a trip to Disney. They are planning a sort of Not-So-ScaryHalloween party."
"Aww, that's so cute! I miss being a kid. That'll be so fun, is she dressing up?" I nod my head in response. "As…?" She trails off, clearly waiting for my answer, and I cannot help the smirk that tugs at my lips.
"A dancer." She drops her items and looks at me with wide eyes, only serving to widen my smirk.
"Really?" I nod once and pick up her things.
"A paso doble dancer, to be exact. Just like her new favourite person." She stares at me in shock for a few moments longer before shaking her head, the smell of salt water permeating the air slowly. "I do believe she will be more than a little irate at me spoiling her surprise." At her confused expression, I elaborate. "She would like to send you a photo in her costume." She nods her head, trying to subtly wipe her eyes.
"I would love that," she whispers with a smile. I give her a moment to recompose herself before changing the subject.
"What are your plans for the holiday?" I ask, genuinely curious. She shrugs beside me as she makes a face at at the various "naughty" costumes.
"I will be spending the evening on my couch watching cheesy Halloween movies and eating way too much candy," she admits with a small sigh.
"Would you not rather attend one of the human parties?" She shakes her head and wrinkles her nose.
"I'm not much of a partier to be honest."
"Hn." Rin had previously asked if Kagome could go to Disney with us, but I had declines assuming she had plans with her friends already in place. Perhaps she would be interested in spending the evening with us.
"I think I'll get this one." I glance down at the costume in her hands, one eyebrow raised. "I was a big Sailor Moon fan when I was a kid and I already have Sailor Mars' hair and a pair of heels that should match. Easy peasy." She grins up at me as she begins making her way to the checkout counter. "I don't suppose you'll be dressing up for the holiday?" She laughs when my brow does not lower itself to its normal position. "Didn't think so." I wait while she pays for her items and hold the door for her on the way out. "Whatcha doing for dinner? More Chef Sesshy specials or will you all be dining out this evening?" She asks as though a pompous English butler. I nearly chuckle at the sight.
"We will be dining out. Rin has requested pizza." It is her turn to raise her eyebrow at me in confusion.
"And you can't make pizza?" She asks incredulously. I fight back a smirk.
"I can assure you, I am more than capable of such a simple task. She has requested a specific pizza." She waits in silence for me to elaborate. "Slice." Her face lights up instantly.
"Oh my god, that place is so good! She's gonna love it, guaranteed, you can't go wrong there, everything is delicious," she raves excitedly. I glance down at her as we walk down the street towards my car.
"Would you like to come as well?" I ask, interrupting her mid sentence. She looks up at me in shock before shaking her head.
"I don't want to intrude, you see enough of me during the week, you must be sick of me by now," she laughs, nervously.
"Not in the slightest," I admit before I am able to stop myself. Before she can comment on my momentary slip, I move on. "Rin misses you as well, she would no doubt enjoy seeing you again." After only a moment's hesitation, she nods her head, her cheeks slightly rosier than they had been moments before. I help her into the car and we make it to the house in minutes to pick up Rin. "Would you like to get her?" She looks at me, surprised once more, before nodding her head and exiting the car. Inside, I hear excited squeals as Rin asks what Kagome is doing here, and even more when she realises the change in tonight's plans. Over dinner, Rin tells Kagome about her schooling and her new friend in class and Kagome tells her about her special costume class.
"Isn't Kagome-san going to a party on Halloween?" Kagome shakes her head, taking a sip of her drink.
"No, I'm just hanging out at home. I bet you and Sesshomaru will have a great time at Disney though!" Rin looks at me briefly, the look in her eyes more than a little irritated at my earlier refusal to invite Kagome to go with us.
"Have you ever been?" She asks innocently enough. When Kagome shakes her head, Rin claps her hands together, looking quite pleased with herself.
"You should come with us next week!" Kagome smiles as she tucks a piece of Rin's hair behind her ear before it gets into her pizza.
"That's so sweet of you to offer, but don't you want to spend some time with your dad? I know you two don't get to spend a lot of time together, especially since he started helping me out." Rin shakes her head.
"Sesshomaru-sama is much more fun with Kagome-san is around." Kagome nearly chokes on her pizza at the eight-year-old's comment and I give Rin a warning look. She does not look the least bit sorry. "Besides, it will be Rin's first time too, and I really want Kagome-san to see Rin's costume!" I share a look with Kagome at Rin's use of the word I, a very rare occurrence. I had not been able to tell her that Rin had been using it more when Kagome is around for fear that she would only come around out of a feeling of obligation to help the girl move passed her problem. When she bites her lip, I shrug my shoulders and look away.
"If you would wish to join us, this one has no qualms about it. Should you desire to stick to your original plan, that is fine as well." I will not pressure her into spending time with us. After a few moments' hesitation, and much head nodding from Rin, Kagome smiles.
"Sounds like fun." Rin squeals in delight, throwing her arms around the older human as Kagome laughs at her enthusiasm. Certain that her attention is directed elsewhere, I allow a smirk to grace my lips at the idea of her spending a holiday with us, even if it is an American one. After dropping Kagome off at her house, Rin is only able to sit in silence for about two minutes.
"Sesshomaru-sama should pick out a costume," she informs me. I raise an eyebrow and glance at her through the rearview mirror.
"And why is that? Adults are not permitted to dress up at Disney," I remind her, feeling more than a little suspicious at her smile.
"But they are supposed to for Kagome-san's special class." That explains the smirk, I realise.
"I was not invited."
"Neither were they," she reminds me, "they pay to go. It's fun."
"And how would you know that it is fun? You have not attended a dance class."
"Rin can tell by Sesshomaru-sama's face when he dances with Kagome-san." I feel my eyes widen marginally at her statement. "Sesshomaru-sama looks happy." I had not realised she paid that much attention on the few occasions she had come to our practices or we had danced in my home.
"Does Kagome-san look happy as well?" I ask, hating the hesitance in my tone. Rin grins wider in the back seat.
"Very." It is this conversation that leads me to her dance studio next Wednesday night. I zero in on her voice the moment I pull into the parking lot.
"Okay everybody, happy early Halloween! You all look fantastic!" Her cheery, encouraging voice draws a smile from me even with the day I'd had. "For the new people here, this is just a simple practicing sort of class. I'll play a few different songs and it's up to you all to put together some simple choreography with what you already know and, if possible, combine different styles." I get out of the car and straighten my jacket as I make my way to the door. "I won't be giving any instruction, maybe just a few tips if I notice something looks really off or you're struggling, but for the most part I just want everyone to have fun!"
"Where's your partner tonight, Kagome?" An older man asks. Disliking his tone, I quicken my pace.
"I'm just watching tonight," she informs him. Though I can hear the smile in her voice, her discomfort is clear enough to read and I can only imagine the look he must be giving her. I am quick to let myself in, drawing her gaze. Her relief is immediate as she walks over, a confused smile on her face. "Hey, what are you doing here?" I nod my head towards her other students and nearly chuckle at her expression. "Are you serious?"
"Hn." I nod my head, watching as she bites her lip in an attempt to conceal her smile.
"Where's your costume?" Sighing, I pull a large badge out of my inner coat pocket.
"SSA Sesshomaru Taisho. At your service." She laughs as she takes the fake FBI badge from me, reading over the false credentials. When she looks back up at me, her amusement is plain on her face, this time successfully pulling a brief chuckle from me.
"I'll allow it, this time." She hands me back my badge and takes my hand, leading me to the front of the room. "It looks like I will be joining you after all," she tells the others, who are eyeing me suspiciously. "This is my friend, Sesshomaru. He's just started pretty recently too, but he's been working really hard to help me out with the competition in December." Though they are still unsure, the others resume looking at their partners. Kagome makes her way over to the stereo and smiles at everyone. "Ready?"