General Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any brand named below. Nor do I make any profit from this work of fanfiction.
Chapter 8
Kagome stood off to the side of the ballroom, champagne flute in hand as she watched the party around her. The decorators, and caterers had done excellently with the corporate decor and hors d'oeurves. The din of people talking was fairly loud, people were enjoying themselves and that's what she wanted.
They had already had the opening of the stock exchange event, and the cutting of the ribbon to the new building. This was just the last leg of the whole marathon. Touga and her grandfather had already done the welcome address, inviting everyone to enjoy themselves. Now it was just time to last through the night. Just over four hours and this whole launch will be over.
She caught Touga's eyes and he waved her over happily. She smiled back when he took her free hand and twirled her around. "You look a vision" he complimented, and she did.
Her toned body was covered in a black long sleeve gown that had a conservative bateau neckline and hugged her every curve, it tapered in at her knees, following the line of her thighs and a lightly flared hem that brushed the floor. The sleeves were fitted, subtly embellished, which brought attention to her delicate collection of rings. As conservative as the front of her dress was, the back was equally daring, a deep v, revealing her spine, tapering against her lower back. There was a delicate diamond chain that brushed against her shoulder blades and spine. A gift from Sesshoumaru, to keep her thinking about his touch whenever it made her shiver he had said.
She smiled again at Touga, thanking him. She went all out with her outfit tonight, deeming it the prize at the end of the race. Her makeup was as if airbrushed on; and her hair was pinned delicately at the nape of her neck. There was a lot of effort put in to make it look effortless and she appreciated the team of stylists she hired for the night immensely.
"Tonight, was a success, my dear. I hope you take pride in it." Touga continued.
"I'm just glad the stressful part is all over." she joked
"You're right, the real work is just beginning." He led her in a slow walk around the room waving to employees, politicians and aristocrats alike. "Which reminds me, I wanted to offer you a permanent position within the company. Your Grandfather and I are very proud of all your efforts and we wanted to reward your hard work."
She looked at him in mild shock. Sure, InuYasha had mentioned things in passing, but when neither Touga nor her grandfather echoed those sentiments, she had waved off the younger Takeda's words.
"Are you sure?" she couldn't help but ask. At his nod, she smiled wider, "I'd love to. Thank you so much."
"Excellent, we will iron out the details another time, tonight is for fun." he said before walking away.
She stood there taking it all in, before realizing she wasn't alone anymore. Kagura stood beside her, a vaguely threatening look in her pretty eyes. Her face, however, was the picture of poise. "Kagome dear!" she greeted, linking arms with Kagome, the taller woman started walking away from the center of the room.
"Hello Kagura." Kagome said lightly, walking along with the woman, unwilling to be dragged around like a doll. The two women looked for all the world like old friends enjoying each other's company.
"You look lovely." Kagome continued, taking in the woman's burgundy gown that emphasized her chest and décolletage.
"I know." she bit back, surprised at the compliment but unwilling to drop her guard.
"Let us cut to the chase then, yes?" Kagome asked once they reached another corner of the room. She pulled her arm from Kagura's, "you're going to tell me to leave him alone, possibly even vaguely threaten me. I understand, I do. But I will not. I also will not be put in a competition for someone's feelings, we're all adults here. I think we can be trusted to make up our own mind."
Kagura opened her mouth to cut her off, her face taking on a look of rage "You look here-"
"No. I will not. I don't see why I have to. It is clear who he is spending his time with and that is all there is to it. I will not have this conversation again, privately or otherwise. Now please, leave me alone. Enjoy the rest of the party." With that, Kagome walked away, leaving the other woman with her thoughts and impotent anger.
Kagura was seething, her pretty face, warped in her anger before she took a deep breath and walked determinedly over to one Tanaka Naraku. She linked arms with him, eyes focused on Kagome who was talking to Sesshoumaru. The petite raven-haired woman laughed at something he said and touched his arm. Sesshoumaru in return, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Both looking for all the world, a happy couple.
"Hello Kagura, enjoying the party?" Naraku asked, his eyes zeroed in on Kagome as well. He took a sip of his champagne.
"Get rid of her." was all Kagura spoke before she walked away.
"My pleasure" Naraku murmured to the air.
*LS*
Kagome stood with Sesshoumaru, mentally drooling at his physique in his suit. She couldn't wait to peel it off of him for a whole night and probably day of debauchery.
"Stop thinking naughty things" He murmured at her, eyes crinkling in mirth when she blinked in shock. "You have a terrible poker face." He continued.
"Yeah, well how about you stop looking so yummy." she said petulantly.
"I'm sorry, that's something I'm actually unaware of how to do."
"That's very ok, I like the view." she paused to look around, "Man, I can't believe I pulled it off." she was in awe.
"You doubted yourself? You've been planning and prepping for months."
"It's not so much that I doubted that I could do it. It's just very surreal that it's actually happening. Especially with all the annoyances along the way."
He nodded in understanding, it was as if the chaos and stress would never end.
"Your dad offered me a permanent position." she gushed, he nodded.
"Father did mention that he planned to. Though he gave me no details. Congratulations, you earned it convincingly" he lifted his rock glass in salute to her. "Ah, here's the old dog now." Sesshoumaru said, seeing his father making his way to them.
"Hello, you two, don't you look splendid together. Kagome dear, do you mind if I steal him away?" Touga greeted.
"He's all yours, I'm about to go get some food or water, I think all this bubbly is going to my head." she replied, waving them off when they asked if she needed help.
At the bar, she ordered a glass of water and lime looking out for a waiter with a tray of food while she waited. She didn't see Naraku beside her until he was pushing her freshly made drink over to her.
"Oh. Mr Tanaka, hi" she said, quickly covering her shock. She had to admit, the man did clean up nicely, if only he wasn't a smarmy bastard.
"Kagome, you outdid yourself." he praised, waving a hand to the general splendor of the party. "And we're at a social event, please, call me Naraku."
"Thank you Mr Tanaka. But this is still a work event." she lifted the glass to take a sip of the cold liquid but paused when she saw Sango coming her way. "Thank goodness.' she thought in relief.
Naraku for his part inwardly cursed at the other woman walking purposefully in their direction. "Are we so unable to be anything more than work colleagues?" he asked only to be interrupted by Sango.
"Kagome, there you are! Your Grandfather is looking for you." Sango called, grabbing her hand lightly.
"Can you take me to him?" She asked, looking at her friend gratefully, she turned to Naraku, "so sorry, I hope you enjoy the rest of the party." she smiled and turned to walk off, only to stumble on the toe of his shoe and spill her glass, thankfully missing them both with the cold water.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't realize" he apologized, before taking the almost empty glass from her and putting it on the bar top.
"No worries." she said confused then walked off with an insistent Sango.
"Thanks for saving me." she whispered to her after a beat.
"Anytime 'Gome. Now let us enjoy your party."
Oh no, what's Naraku up to?
Thank you all for reading. Tell me what you think!
Sayonara!
-Sora