Chapter 50: Medium Rare
Kagome sat at her decorative table at the fashion show reception, staring at the tiny strands of blue fabric that interlaced in a pattern stretch across the surface of the wooden table underneath. The ocean blue strands gave her something to focus on as her mind raced with solutions and outcomes. The noise of the event was playing in the background, intermingling with the conversation floating around at her table. Her friends roamed around the venue sharing in the joy and the high of a business launch that would shake the industry.
The glamourous décor of the large venue did little to calm her nerves as she sat in silence. Music sang, food was passed around, drinks poured, and merriment flooded the space but did not calm her nerves. The ocean blue hues and water fountains everywhere reflected the turmoil inside of her body as she held Rin close to her chest. Large gold feathers, white moon flowers, and silver gems hanging from the ceiling gave the venue the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil feel it was going for. Her anxious eyes traveled to the Bird Girl statue of the replicated piece of art famously found in the garden.
"She's not here."
Her eyes flickered to the elder Tashio's as they took their seating at the table. Sesshomaru came back as well and sat beside her. His arms came out protectively to hold her around her waist, pulling her chair closer to his body. Their auras washed over the family protectively as they continued to sit stiffly at Shiori's celebratory event. A sour taste sat in their mouths collectively despite the excellent cuisine and bubbly that flowed that night.
"She doesn't show up without a reason. You know Reina isn't like that. She's up to something." Kagome stated, rocking the now sleepy Rin in her lap. Her hand rubbed the pup's back soothingly trying to coax her into sweet dreams despite the turmoil in her soul. "The last time I saw Reina, she tried to take Rin away from me." The miko muttered as her eyes scanned the crowd around her despite the confirmation from the InuYokai demons at the table.
"Maybe she was just on the scene. This is an event that captured plenty attention." Lady Kimi took a sip of her wine and placed it on the table. She had mingled and spoke words of adoration for Shiori and Kikyo earlier upon the start. The elegant woman had sense changed outfits and now wore quite an extravagant black velvet gown. Her long hair now curled and framed her face and body. Black shades covering her face as she too, took another glance around her. "And we do know she needs the press. Poor things is withering away into mediocrity and irrelevancy."
Touga's eyes continued to scan the crowd. His pack being in danger set the older Inuyoukai off. His aura seeped over them all in steady waves. The Alpha's energy screamed danger and violence. Yet the pack naturally gravitated closer around him like fireflies knowing this space was safe. "If she even so much as tried to sneak in, we would know one way or another. But the woman is not here."
"Then why come?" Souta spoke up as he sat back in his chair. His casual black attire reflected the style of Inuyasha's maroon styled dress code. "Every time we see her, Reina has tried to hurt our family." He said as he looked at Kagome.
Inuyasha and Kikyo came over at that time. Kagome felt pain in her chest for somehow turning this amazing event for both Shiori and Kikyo into a nightmare. Kikyo elegantly held her dress up as she walked to Kagome and Souta, kissing them both on the cheek before giving her greetings to everyone at the table. Inuyasha held her chair out for her to take as he shared some words with her that was not audible to even the sensitive hearing of his fellow kin at the table. Their faces reflected the serious concerns shared among them all as a group. They settled in their chairs at the large rectangle table covered in soft lighting, greenery, white flowers and large water faces holding fabulous feathers and white flowers. They continued to whisper to each other on the opposite side until Inuyasha raised his voice slightly.
"Fuck it! Let's find her already and kick her ass!" Inuyasha vocalized, his eyes slanting and his aura spiking slightly.
Kikyo reached over and rubbed his back soothingly to calm him down. The pain and concern visible on her face as she looked to Kagome for direction on this for once. "I tried to protect you before. But…I failed Kagome. Tell me what you need and I'll make it work."
"Kikyo…" Kagome whispered, carrying the pain and the fragility of their freshly bonded sisterhood not just moments ago. They still had a lot to sort out between them before they were anywhere close to being good. But that did nothing to deter them from joining together to protect Rin and the little family of happiness they managed to create.
The sisters shared a glance before looking at their brother who shared Inuyasha's angered expression. The trauma of their shared life took up majority of his lifespan on the planet. Souta sighed heavily and threw his cell phone on the table after checking it and texting some people he knew. "I'm with Inuyasha." He muttered as he stood up. The men all sat straighter and their significant others braced themselves for their collective decision. "I'm tired of my family suffering because of other people. Let's for once get ahead of this and get her out of our lives!"
"What are you suggesting?" Kagome asked as she shifted Rin in her lap. Her voice raising slightly. The possibility of losing more crept into her spine and sent a cold chill of liquid nitrogen in her veins. "We can't just fight her! You know what she's capable of."
"Well sitting here and doing nothing isn't helping either!" Souta shot back frustratingly. "We always do nothing!" He suddenly stood up and unbuttoned the top of his once crisp white shirt. "I need to get some air." He huffed and stormed out with his sisters already bracing themsleves for a repeat performance of life years ago.
Everyone watched the young man warily as he grew frustrated and walked off, mumbling about getting some air. "I'll go talk to him." Lord Inutashio stated as he stood up elegantly to his full height and walked after Souta. Lady Izayoi patted his hand gently and hummed in agreement. Her dress having changed to a formal soft pink kimono style garment with many layers paying homage to her royal ancestry and title.
Kagome groaned and hung her head a little bit unsure of what to do besides race home, barricade the door, call her lawyers, and hold Rin, Kikyo, and Souta tightly to her chest for the rest of the week with a barrier up against the world. Reina was ruthless and the only reason Kagome was able to fend her off was because Hoshi Yomi had impeccable documentation and public notices of his estates, affairs, and lawyers. He and Tsuki had protected Rin and even the Higurashi family well after their deaths. But now that Reina and her connections were declining, that may have poked her into coming out and dealing with them directly. Reina lost almost as much as they had now. Who knew what was going through the Duchess's head. All Kagome knew was that they have had a target on their backs the minute they became the beneficiaries of the Yomi inheritance and Rin's guardians. And now that Reina's powerful colleagues and connections were falling, it seemed she was seeing to things personally.
Needing to think herself, she titled in her seat and shifted Rin into Sesshomaru's lap. His hands readily received Rin as he looked at her questioningly. The young girl nuzzled her nose into his chest as she snuggled into his hold already going into deep sleep despite the transition. Her tiny hands clutched the front of his dress shirt as she did so. Kagome stood up and sighed heavily. "I'm going to the ladies room. Be right back." She muttered as she cupped his striped magenta cheek assuredly. A tight smile lifted the sides of her mouth. He turned his head into her palm, his citrine eyes sharing his deep concern in their amber pools. Kagome looked away and quickly made her way across the room.
She needed to think without feeling the thin hairs on her arm stand up from the gazes of her extended family. Her heels clicked across the floors as people waved, smiled, appraised, and shared all kinds of looks at towards her. Her mind wondered…
Who was here for the event?
Who was here to be seen?
Who was here with Reina Yomi?
Who was here to do harm?
Who was here to hurt them?
Who was here to take Rin away?
Somehow, her feet managed to take her to the lady's room. She went inside quietly and noticed that it too was done up to reflect the outside decor of the venue. The crème-colored walls had gold and blue up-lighting and potted plants along the walls giving the bathroom an elegant look. Soft white couches and chairs sat around the fairly large mirrored room. She walked through the large powder room and a few women left out of the space, whispering among themselves. She went through the motions as her mind raced through her floundering thoughts in cycles. The loud voices and the music just white noise outside of the quiet space she managed to find. In the safety of the woman's toilet, of all places.
Kagome finished and went to the sink to wash her hands. The eerie quietness was a bit disturbing as Kagome's eyes scanned the now empty bathroom. The water drowned out the sound as it rushed around her jeweled fingers. Kagome watched the suds slide down her jeweled fingers. Kagome found the bright colors highlighted quite beautifully the callous lines lingering on her skin from years of cutting and getting nicked here and there. She ran her fingers under the cold water and looked to the mirror in front of her. The makeup on her face was still in place. The elegant and beautiful features of her brown eyes and heart shaped face was highlighted with makeup from brands she couldn't remember. She liked who she saw but the fear in her face detracted from the way she looked, felt, and the overall great night that the event started out to be.
The cold water continued to run over her hands in the porcelain sink. Her ink lined eyes roamed her features taking in her sleek ponytail and amazing green satin jumpsuit that made her look truly like a confident woman. The fear just tainted everything she just managed to build and piece back together. Didn't she leave all of that in the past? Wasn't that fear the very thing that nearly destroyed the remnants of the frayed fringes of her relationships with her brother and sister? That fear that nearly ruined a family for Rin?
Kagome turned off the sink and went to dry her hands. The heaviness of Reina's appearance still sat on her chest like it did years ago. Not knowing what to do and who was there to help you was gut wrenching. Plenty of nights filled with uncertainty, tears, anger, and fear littered that period of darkness in her life. A part of her life she didn't want to go back to. But maybe Sesshomaru was right. Running would do her no good. So…what was she supposed to do?
She walked out of the door, when a waiter bumped into her and shoved something in her hand. "Excus-" She managed to get out watching as the faceless waiter walked through the crowd and seemingly disappeared. Kagome stopped and looked at the paper in her hand. Her eyes narrowed and her mouth grew taut. She turned around immediately and went back into the bathroom. Her feet began pacing in the spacious area of the powder room. Anger ballooned in her chest as the paper crumbled in her clutched fist. "I need to talk to Kikyo." She said allowed. Kagome reached into her pockets and pulled out her phone. Her fingers immediately began tot text Kikyo. She quickly unfolded the paper and sent a picture to Kikyo. Kagome released a cleansing puff of air finding clarity now in this moment. "I will not sit back anymore, Reina." She mumbled.
"So what's the plan?" Kikyo asked as she burst through the doors and flared her reiki protectively about the space. Her dress trailed slightly on the floor as she tried to keep it up off the floor.
Kagome showed Kikyo the piece of paper. Reina's hand writing neatly spelling the instructions and the place she wanted to seemingly talk things over with Kagome. Kikyo shook her head at the blatant trap that was laid out for Kagome by Reina. "She obviously has plans. But I'm surprised she hasn't targeted Naraku. He's the one that is destroying her connections and chances."
"Who is it to say she doesn't have plans for Naraku. Also, you and I both know she wants Rin's inheritance more." Kagome stated as she sat down on one of the white couches. Kagome leaned back and clutched her cell phone in her hand. "This has got to end now, Kikyo. I'm tired." Kagome dragged wearily with a sigh. The emotional and physical toil of the stress that Reina Yomi rained upon their family had boiled over a long time ago. The fear, anxiety, and uncertainty nearly crippled Kagome at one time.
Kikyo's dress shuffled across the floor a she moved elegantly to sit next to Kagome. Once seated, She reached over and grabbed her sister's hand startling the young miko as Kikyo was not normally one for personal contact. The paper with Reina's demands going forgotten among the wounds that they needed to address. Kikyo waited for Kagome to look at her. Their eyes met and Kikyo nodded her head. "Me too." She whispered. "Exhausted to be more precise. I-I don't think I have much in me left."
Kagome leaned back with wide eyes. The heaviness in her sisters' statement was truthful and painfully scarring. The makeup and beautiful appearance of her sister seemed to reveal the deep wounds left on her older sister's body. She looked at her sister it seemed like for the first time in a long time. Kikyo's long hair tumbled down her back like the midnight sky. The red dress highlighted her soft porcelain skin. The lines at the edges of her almond eyes were barely visible underneath the makeup. But the true exhaustion Kikyo was speaking of was blatantly pleasant. The sadness and pain layered her skin like the perfume she wore. Kagome bit her pink lips desiring so badly to take her sister pain away. To take their shared pain and throw it all away.
Kikyo like her was a sum of their lived experiences. Living beings with intersectional identities that made them who they were. Both went down their pathways, neither of them right or wrong….but much needed to become better than they were. Kagome finally understood that. Everyone can only do with what they had and what they knew. And what better person than a chef to know and preach that lesson. You worked in the kitchen with the ingredients you had to make something joyful and filling. What didn't work, you learned and tried something different the next time you were in the kitchen. Kikyo just like Kagome, could only do with what they had and what they knew at the time. There is no shame in that. The shame came in at the lack of understanding and grace that they extended to each other. But now that they knew differently, they could move differently.
Kagome moved her other hand on top of her sisters and held her hands tightly in hers. The paper with Reina's words smashed between their palms. "I-" Kagome started before closing her mouth, searching for the words. All of them seemed to get jumbled as they fought to come out at once. Kagome took a deep breath and tried again. "Before…whatever happens…"
"I know." Kikyo spoke softly as she looked at her little sister dressed so beautifully. In that moment, Kikyo saw a little Kagome wearing her pretty yellow dress and carrying that absurd eye sore of a backpack. The little girl holding her hand tightly in hers. Back when they were so close, that when someone saw one sister…the other wasn't too far behind. Kagome, her little shadow of light that followed her around and got into trouble with her mischievous behavior. The little sister she always shared her food with and protected fiercely. How she longed to have her sister back. To have things go back to how they were before tragedy wrecked their lives. But they couldn't go back. They needed to go forward.
The tears brimming on Kagome's eyelids started to fall. "Oh what the hell." She stated before she pulled Kikyo into a tight embrace. Kikyo readily accepted the hug and held her back just as fiercely. Their muffled expressions of happiness and relief intermingled with sobs. "I miss you so much, Kikyo!"
Kikyo pulled back with watery eyes as well. She gripped the sides of her sister's face and rubbed gently. "Me too, Kagome. I missed you so much!" She pulled Kagome back into a hug and they continued to sit, embrace, cry, and smile. So much emotion left their bodies and the aches of emotional pain finally lifted from their bones as they reconciled what they could. Love filled the crack and crannies between them as they continued to just hold each other and forget about everything around them. The air conditioning came on at some point and filled the room with its angry roar.
Kagome held her sister back as they rocked jointly for a little bit in the quietness of the bathroom. "I'm so sorry for everything Kikyo." Kagome muttered, blinking back the remaining tears. "Before…whatever happens. I need you to know…." She paused gathering herself as she shifted back to look up at her sister's statuesque features. Both of their faces were red but there was light in their eyes that wasn't there before. Kagome's hand around Kikyo's tightened as she focused on getting through what she had to say. "I really love you. And I'm so sorry for everything." She repeated.
Kikyo's lungs took in a cleansing breath before she looked back at her younger sister. "Me too. I'm sorry too. And I love you more."
Their fingers intertwined as they sat close together and simply held hands. Somehow the fringes of their sisterhood began to repair itself. Both knew it would take time but this was a starting point. Their fingers tightened and their bodies leaned against one another. Their looks turning into serious expressions as the weight of the next few hours settled on their shoulders.
"Don't go in there, Inuyasha!"
"Well go see if they're ok!"
"Let's end this. BUT together now." Kikyo spoke as she hugged her little sister around the shoulders, completely ignoring the brash voices outside of the door. "Let's gather the men and make a plan. Even dare I say Naraku." She muttered the last part with snarky humor as she rolled her eyes.
The doors opened and Lady Kimi waltzed in as if she was making another grand entrance, followed by a flustered Shiori who looked beautiful in her black dress and curly long silver locks. Kimi looked at the women with a smirk painted on her red lips. "When women are in the lady's room this long, they are either in a battle of wills, locked in gossip of the most salacious kind, or scheming a delicious scandal. I've come to plot and I brought along my scandalous pup who likes to sneak in closets and rendezvous with kitchen kitsunes at public parties."
"Kimi!" Shiori yelled as her face turned several colors of red. The women looked at her with smiles and laughter.
"Calm down dear. You're not the first and won't be the last." Kimi commented, brushing her comments away. "Now, what is the plan. Please tell me progress has been made while you two have hogged the bathroom and scarred the guests with your attitudes and reiki. The room is drenched in holy magic." She dryly commented as she walked around. "And may I recommend we take this conversation to a more private venue. One in which the men do not need to have their identities and sexual orientation questioned by guests, the press, and security all because they are patrolling the door of the womens restroom?"
Kagome smiled as she reached up and pulled the string keeping her ponytail up on top of her head. She took her fingers and shook out her thick locks to fall down her back. The wrinkled paper in her hand brought back her attention to the emergent matter at hand. She passed the paper to Kimi, who took it and eyed it conspiringly. "Well, well." Kimi muttered distastefully. Her eyes growing sharper now seeing the cause of the mikos disappearances. She handed the paper to Shiori who read it as well with narrow eyes. Cheeks still aflame from her elder's jest. "Every once in a while, us Inu women must remind the bitches of the land why we are superior and quite prized by our men. And you are now Inu women despite your heritage."
Shiori looked to the mikos and nodded her head in agreement, having heard this many many times from all the Inu women in their family.
Kimi walked closer to them and paused in her stride. Standing above them elegantly, her eyes gleaming in the low light of the restroom. "My question to you both…" Her eyes slid to theirs conspiringly. "How do you want to deal with this…nuisance?"
The Higirashi women stood up. Both of their fingers still intertwined. Kagome looked to them all with a serious expression. "No more running. Let's end this. Once and for all."