General Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha, Subaru, Cartier or any brand named below. Nor do I make any profit from this work of fanfiction.
Chapter 12
Suzuka and Touga vowed to keep Kagome and Sesshoumaru busy after that day. Sesshoumaru was given more responsibilities; things that needed his own personal touch on. Nothing that would overwork him, but just enough extra to distract him. Against Izayoi's wishes, Touga also set up a few meetings with other families, all of which were a little too happy to offer their daughters up on a platter.
It was because of Izayoi's request that Sesshoumaru remained at the Estate, she feared him drowning in negative emotions alone if he went back to his apartment in the city. It was only because he was home that they heard something they hadn't in a very long time, music. Sesshoumaru was a classically trained cellist, and he slowly gave up his passion for playing the instrument the more he settled into his roles in the Clan and business.
It was faint one night, the sound of him tuning the long-forgotten instrument was a welcome one in the quiet house. They had listened as he played a few test chords and runs, trying to figure out if he forgot all he knew. He had stopped after that, they heard nothing for a few more days until one night where he played a portion of a Bach composition.
He continued every night getting more and more confident in himself, seeming to take solace in the music he made. They didn't ask him about it, feeling that it wasn't their business to pry, but they hoped it was helping.
Suzuka for his part kept Kagome out of Kyoto for as long as possible. Her role in the company morphed into going to meet potential clients, pitch for new business and just generally be the beautiful face and spokesperson of the new media arm. She took to it like a fish to water, enjoying the freedom to travel and the trust to get the job done.
She appreciated her grandpa's trust and knowing that she needed to be away for a little while her heart healed. The wound was still sore, she knew, it had only been just over two months after all. It especially hurt when she happened upon photos online of Sesshoumaru out or being associated with other women. She tried not to focus on it or dwell, she did miss him. Immensely. But it wasn't her business anymore, she could admit though that she felt a twinge every time.
She for her part hadn't started dating yet, shutting down her grandfather when he suggested it once. She told him she would rather focus on work than pushing out effort to start another relationship. 'I'm only 29, I don't need to be shacked up if I don't want to be.' she thought walking briskly. She was currently in Singapore, just finishing up her last meeting with a new client. She needed to get back to her hotel room so she could pack and head to the airport.
'Kiki will murder me if I miss this party' she thought, hurrying to the front of the building to meet her driver. Kikyo and InuYasha had gotten engaged and their party was tonight. She still had a 6 hour flight ahead of her.
She hated that she cut it so close, but the client had wanted to drag his feet as much as possible. She knew he was hoping that she would have caved to his demands, but she held her guns and even walked out of the meeting. He quickly called her back and agreed to every one of her requests and added a few in himself that benefitted her company. She wrapped up the meeting after that, wishing him a good morning and left like the devil was on her designer heels.
She knew she was going to more than likely see Sesshoumaru tonight, why wouldn't she, he was InuYasha's brother. And she was determined to look good. Yes, they weren't together anymore, but she wanted to replace the last image he had of her, the crying broken woman, with someone more successful. Happy?
'Let's not get ahead of ourselves girlie.' she reprimanded herself. She was content to continue to fake happy until she felt like she was. 'Besides, he's dating again, so it shouldn't matter what I look like.' She thought again, knowing that no matter what she said, she was going to make an effort to make an impact.
.:o0o:.
The party was lively and a little crowded, Kikyo and InuYasha wanted a more casual atmosphere and chose to host their event in a penthouse space rather than the ballroom elegance that Izayoi tried to push for.
The couple wanted to be comfortable with their friends and family members and eager to please and feed off their happiness, the Takeda's complied. Kikyo looked amazing in her silver and pink designer spring dress, the v neck cutting across her shoulders beautifully and the hem stopped at her knees in the cut of the season. And InuYasha matched her perfectly with his grey suit jacket and pink handkerchief.
They watched their guests mill around and talk, both slightly worried what would happen when Kagome arrived. If she arrived. Sesshoumaru was off to one side of the large living area speaking quietly with a young woman beside him. His plus one, an Ito Rin. She was a lovely girl, petite and cute. She had her hair in a fashionable bob, which enhanced her big expressive brown eyes. She was currently speaking animatedly about something while Sesshoumaru nodded intermittently, sipping his whiskey.
Kikyo glanced at the clock, it was after 7, the party had been going for a few hours already and Kagome had yet to arrive. She hoped the other woman wasn't being held up with work. She felt like she hadn't seen her in weeks.
The front door opened then, and Kagome walked in with a package, she leaned it against the wall by what seemed to be a gift table before straightening her blue Bardot sleeved dress. Immediately locating the happy couple, she enveloped them both in hugs, gushing about how happy she was for them.
Sango came over and got a hug too, sharing a look with Kikyo and both women rolled their eyes as if sharing an inside joke. Kagome looked amazing, and that was no doubt by design.
Her rouched dress fit her like a glove, subtly emphasizing her neck, shoulders and breasts with the off the shoulder neckline and sleeves. It tapered into her small waist before blooming over her hips and ass to stop just above her knees. Her heels were strappy, showing off her ankles and manicured toes, painted red to match her long almond fingernails. Her makeup was flawless, smokey and suitably bronzed to match the trends of the new season and her hair was tousled becomingly.
She put out all the stops tonight, but they had to wonder why exactly she was trying to catch Sesshoumaru's attention. They all knew her mere presence would have been enough.
"You look great girl, if a bit harried." Sango complimented. Watching as Kagome's sex bomb facade drop into one of exasperation. Kikyo hid a giggle at the change.
"You have no idea. I drove here." she said looking for a waiter to make a drink order and completely missing the shocked looks on her friend's faces.
"You? Drive? Don't make me laugh" InuYasha said in disbelief, glancing around to see if his brother's attention was on them. Sure enough, it was.
"I swear!" she insisted, reaching into her clutch to pull out a valet tag as proof.
"Well I'll be damned." he relented.
"I thought you were waiting on the driver. Wait, when did you even get your license?" Sango asked, trying to get to the meat of the matter.
"I've had it for a little while now, it makes things a lot easier with all the travelling I've been doing. And Idk what happened, but I was waiting for Mr. Sato and he just..didn't show up. So, I took Souta's BRZ." She shrugged, naming her brother's coup sports car.
"And you had the top down, didn't you?" Sango asked wryly.
"How could you tell?" Kagome laughed, patting and fluffing her hair unconsciously. She had seen Sesshoumaru when she walked in, and wondered if he noticed her, she didn't dare look now though, not wanting to chance meeting his eyes.
Sesshoumaru definitely noticed her. From the moment she walked in and he tensed in response. This would be the first time they saw each other in a while, and he was a liar if he said he hadn't been wanting to see her, see how she was doing. She looked amazing as usual and found himself as stunned now as he was when he first saw her back in October. Sure he'd seen her on various television programs promoting the company, even mentioning Naraku once or twice if the interviewer broached the hot topic, but the cameras did her beauty no justice.
Gods he missed her.
He snapped back to the present by a hand touching his forearm. Looking at the woman in his company, he saw her face upset. He opened his mouth to apologize, and she cut him off.
"I refuse to be in her shadow, and I am not her replacement. If that is your plan, please tell yourself soon and not waste anymore of our time." she said.
"You are correct." he responded respectfully, "It was not my intention."
"Thank you" she beamed, before launching back into their previous conversation. He kept his attention on her but found his eyes straying sometimes to Kagome's form.
Sometime later in the night, Kagome talked Kikyo and Inuyasha into opening her gifts to them. she got Kouga, who she flirted lightly with throughout the night, to lift the heavy item that she had brought into the building earlier in the night.
"What you got in here, rocks?" He complained, and she laughed.
"Oh shush, you big baby, I brought that up here in heels." This brought a round of laughter from their friends at Kouga's expense. He grumbled good naturedly, and placed the package down gingerly, making a show of rubbing his back comically after.
She undid the ties on the rectangular box, lifting it into a standing position and allowing the top flap to fall forward. It revealed an unframed canvas painting of InuYasha and Kikyo. They were posed, staring into each other's eyes, while the textured abstract background formed a sort of beachy background.
"Oh Kagome!" Kikyo gushed, walking closer to the beautiful artwork, tears sprung to her eyes as she saw the detailing close up. "This is beautiful, thank you!" she hugged her cousin fiercely, almost toppling them over.
"When did you even have the time?" Sango asked, knowing her friend didn't paint often anymore.
Kagome shrugged, her shoulders bouncing gracefully, "It took two weekends in its entirety. Had to get the paints and stuff, you know I didn't have any anymore."
"Thank you 'Gome." InuYasha said honestly, he hugged her tightly, knowing from past heart to hearts that this was made with love and care.
"You guys, it's not that serious, I just couldn't find a pair of couple's Cartier watches that I liked." Kagome joked, trying to take the attention off her. She got some answering laughs and the heartfelt moment passed. "Now, I left it frameless for you guy's to decide that on your own, but as the self-important artist, I demand something large and gaudy." she continued imperiously, knowing no one would take her seriously.
"Your face is large and gaudy." InuYasha teased back and she gasped horrified,
"How dare you!" she cried in mock horror, "You'll be hearing from my surgeon!"
Sesshoumaru stood by the bar, which in essence was the kitchen of the apartment, nursing a drink. Rin had left not very long ago, claiming an early night. He felt that might have been an excuse because she had invited him over for drinks, and he turned her down. He didn't feel like getting into her bed.
He knew why and was under no impressions that he wasn't hoping that Kagome would fall back into his.
Her painting really was beautiful. He thought inwardly, happy for her that she broke her artist's block and produced something amazing. He wondered what she would say if he told her that he was playing the cello again.
It seemed like at least one good thing came from their breakup. They were focusing their efforts on the things that used to make them happy, probably in an attempt to replace the happiness they were missing.
Sango, Kikyo and Kagome had been sitting by the large bay windows in private conversation.
"So what's your schedule looking like now?" Kikyo asked, combing Kagome's hair back from her face a little.
"Well, I'm here for the rest of the month then I go back to Monaco in mid-May, we're a sponsor for the Grand Prix so I need to show out." she giggled.
"Go back to...are you staying?" Sango asked, questioning her word choice. She had heard a rumor from Miroku that Kagome might be leaving again.
"I-" Kagome stuttered; eyes wide at her slip. The two women beside her noted her reaction.
"When were you planning on saying something?" Kikyo asked, upset.
"It's not fully decided yet, I'm still working out the details with grandpa and Uncle Touga. They're allowing me to go back and still work on behalf of the company if I want. I haven't decided if I'm taking them up on the offer yet." she shrugged, trying and failing to sound nonchalant.
Sango glanced behind her at where she knew Sesshoumaru was standing by the bar. His stance was tense as he stared into his glass sightlessly, she knew he had heard.
"Why would you go? I thought you came back for good," Kikyo continued, trying to understand.
"Well, I came back for a reason. And now I don't have one to stay." Kagome said quietly, trying to hide any insecurity from her voice.
Kikyo hugged her shoulders tightly in response and said nothing. Sango stood up saying she would get them another round of drinks. She shuffled to the bar and stood beside the still stuck Sesshoumaru.
"May I have 3 more, thanks," she said, smiling at the female bartender and didn't look over at him, "I know you heard her, you need to do something."
"What do you mean?" He asked quietly, coolly bringing his glass to his lips
"Anyone with eyes can see that you two want to get back together, she just said she has no more reason to stay. Man the fuck up and give her a reason." she hissed, collecting her new champagne flutes and glided off.
Sesshoumaru knocked back the remaining liquid in his glass like a shot and slammed the glass on the countertop. "Yes. Man up indeed."
.:o0o:.