Chapter 2 – Pong
Kagome stretched in her chair as she stared at the lunch on her tray. She was tired from the first two weeks of school and all of her discoveries. Everything that had happened on her first day had been overwhelming. The being late all day, first club practice, first use of reiki, and first awkward meeting of the Kendo team captain had created a massive vortex of emotion she didn't know if she could escape.
The morning after, she had called her mom and learned it wasn't such a stretch to believe she could be a miko. Her grandmother had held moderate holy powers and further back in their family tree there had been several documented Miko's and priests, the most notable of which had been the guardian of a great national treasure. She had notified the admissions office that afternoon, since all demons and holy humans had to be registered accordingly, and been dismayed to learn that she had to take an extra course this semester due to the re-registration, Miko Advisement 102. Even the name of the course had sounded boring and the class so far hadn't been much better, more like a history class than actual tutelage in the use of her newfound abilities.
She began to pick at her meal, eating the vegetables one by one. The archery club had practice again tonight. She had been grateful that she'd had the forethought to snap a photo of the weekly schedule that Monday night after the first practice. Thanks to it she had made it to practice on Wednesday right on time and learned that the club room was open daily from 9 am-9 pm for any student in the club to do personal practice. The Tuesday and Thursday slots were empty, with the last practice for the club on Friday.
The next week of practice had been mostly the same. Steadily she was getting used to the moving target practice and had hit a fourth and even fifth disc sporadically but she still needed more practice before she could boast about anything, or come close to claiming a spot for team events during tournaments. She had learned that their clubs' next tournament would be in September. She would have to do the best she could in the solo events to keep her scholarship into the next semester. The sports grants were reviewed quarterly and she had to maintain a satisfactory level of achievement.
As she ate her fingers twitched at the thought of holding her bow. In high school her club had met every day, the lighter practice schedule in college left her feeling antsy during the off days. Once she was more comfortable, she would start practicing on her own more often but for now, the club room still felt foreign whenever she was there and she was nervous that she may have another accident and hurt someone.
Sesshomaru's words had rung deeply with her, she could have accidentally killed someone. The demon captain of the kendo team had been a knight in shining armor that first night, but she hadn't run into him again since then, although she had done nothing to seek him out. She was sure he was busy with his own life and their meeting had been an accidental occurrence due to her outburst.
A hand clapped her on the shoulder from behind and she nearly choked on the mouthful of rice she had just spooned into her mouth. She sputtered and coughed as doe brown eyes came into her watery view.
"Sorry, Kagome!" Sango patted her on the back trying to soothe her coughing. "I didn't mean to choke you to death!" She laughed nervously and Kagome gave her a small smile once she could breathe.
"It's ok Sango. I was just thinking." She waved off any further apology and the brown-haired girl sat in the chair next to her. Kagome noticed her modest jeans and blue t-shirt covering the athletic girl, her hair pulled into a high ponytail, and she felt comfortable in her favorite grey hoodie and loose jeans that she was wearing today.
"What's up? I don't usually see you down here." Kagome mentioned their difference in schedules. They had become fast friends after her first archery practice, Sango had caught her the next day at school and often since then and they had hung out for a while after practice on Wednesday. She was honest and had an open personality, something Kagome appreciated greatly, she usually didn't bond well with other introverts.
"Well actually… I wanted to give you this!" Sango pulled a colorful slip of paper out of her backpack and slid it across the table to Kagome.
She picked up the slip and eyed it precariously. It was a party invitation for someone named Miroku, the purple and red swirls of the background had black block letters giving a date time and address, 'BYOB' in bold italic oversized letters was at the very bottom. She looked up and met excited brown eyes staring back at her.
"This guy in my ethics class gave them to me, he's a perv but apparently his parents are loaded so his party should be sweet! Want to be my plus one? It's tonight!" Sango did a little shimmy in her chair as she tried to entice Kagome further. "It'll be nice to get off campus, we can dance!"
Kagome eyed the invitation in her hand again. "I don't drink… I'm not old enough." She felt embarrassed saying it aloud but she had never tried alcohol and wasn't interested in breaking the law. Her twentieth birthday was in a few months anyway, she wanted to wait to try her first drink. "And I'm not so sure about dancing…" She continued trying to weasel her way out of attending the event politely.
"Please! I'll be there! We'll have fun!" The pleading of her newest and closest college friend was too difficult to deny and she gave in with a mild sigh. "Fine, but I'm not staying past midnight." She eyed Sango sharply, daring her to contradict her statement but the girl simply flung herself at Kagome with a happy giggle.
"Thank you, it's going to be great!" Sango released her and Kagome found that her friend's exuberant smile was contagious. Sango released Kagome and stood. "I've got to run, calculus is next, pray for my soul!" She waived as she jogged towards the exit and Kagome was left with her mostly finished lunch.
"Bye." Kagome called softly after her and waved in return, becoming used to the girl's fast entrances and exits over their two weeks of knowing each other.
She glanced at her watch and stood to leave for her own upcoming class, she would have just enough time to get there if she left the cafeteria now. She dumped the contents of her tray in a waste bin and walked quickly out of the building. She wasn't exactly excited about tonight but maybe she could have fun if Sango was there. The swirling thoughts weighed her down slightly as she tried to hurry to class.
Sesshomaru sat on the wooden balcony outside of his clubroom. It was half an hour before practice would start and he had come early once again.
He had been slow to admit it but he was fascinated by the Miko Kagome that he had met on the first day of school. That night he had dismissed his interest as a product of their encounter but her image had yet to leave his thoughts.
By the end of the first week he realized that he was searching for her scent constantly, the soothing scent calmed him whenever it was near and he had caught faint traces of it mixed in the halls of the school buildings. Even now he patiently waited for it to come floating on the breeze as he had learned her club started at the same time as his own.
He had been sure at first that his thoughts and desires would be a distraction but it had been the opposite. His senses were sharp, always searching, his beast still slumbered frequently but it would peek in interest or nudge him in attention, he found his youki had been quicker to answer his call as well. Even his mind had been perfectly clear, despite thoughts and questions of the young Miko swirling in his mind he hadn't faltered in any of his classes and even seemed to be absorbing new information easier.
It left him with no reason not to pursue the woman further, at least to satisfy his newfound interest. He had been staying until the building closed almost every night after practice and even after class, waiting to catch her alone so that they could speak, but she had not stayed after practice or come to the building alone since the first night. He had thought of simply approaching her after the archery club activities ended last Friday, but she had seemed the type to avoid drama, and him talking to her would cause a scene amongst the chatty female members of her club, Inuyasha's sow being particularly easy to rile.
So out of respect for Kagome's space, he had decided to patiently wait, his opportunity would come eventually.
He heard his clubroom doors open and the sound of footsteps followed shortly after. He waited with bated breath for a few tense seconds before he was rewarded with the sound of the archery club doors opening, the sweet scent of jasmine trickling to him on the warm breeze. He let himself inhale deeply, searching the scent for any hint of her emotions or any other change he could detect. He felt thirsty for any information he could get about or from Kagome.
As the scent washed over him, he was easily able to pick up the distinct chatter of the voices next door.
"I'm so excited for tonight!" A feminine voice exclaimed.
"I hope it will be fun, who is Miroku again?" That was Kagome's voice, his interest peaked further at the mention of one of his best club members' names.
"Like I said earlier, he's a total perv from one of my classes. He hits on every girl who looks at him but he's generally harmless and super-rich. His birthday party should be sweet!" the first voice excitedly exclaimed. He rose from his seated position and waited at the balcony doors as his club members began to file in, the start of club practice quickly approaching. He eyed each face, searching for the one he needed and he was rewarded when Miroku and Inuyasha finally came through the door, laughing loudly and clapping each other on their backs.
He strode up to the duo, blocking their path to the locker room, he ignored Inuyashas squawk of indignation and pinned Miroku with a sharp emotionless stare.
"It is your birthday today." He said after a long pause.
"Yah, what's it to ya?" Inuyasha was quick to retort in place of his friend.
He glanced at the foul Hanyou before looking back to Miroku as the man began to speak. "Ah… yes, Captain. I'll be having a party tonight if you'd like to come?" Sesshomaru knew he was only offering out of politeness but that was exactly what he had wanted.
As the young man handed him a slip of an invitation with an address, date, and time printed on it, Sesshomaru nodded slightly in return. "That would be acceptable, I would like to wish you congratulations." He responded politely.
He paid no attention to the two sets of impossibly wide eyes from the young men as he turned on his heel and went to take his place at the far end of the room to conduct practice without commenting any further. He fingered the slip of paper in his hand gently, he hated parties, but he wanted to see Kagome again and it was clear she would be there.
He bristled slightly at the thought of her becoming drunk and falling victim to Miroku or any other horny college students' desires. No, he reasoned, he would not let that happen. His mind swirled with thoughts of the Miko, strengthened by her scent still so fresh in his nostrils, and practice dragged on slowly. He was overly excited about his own personal practice and could hardly wait for practice to be over.
As all the members to his team finally exited the locker room and stood before him, he led them into the first drill. Today would be mostly sparring practice but he made sure to never neglect the basics, instilling the same ethics in his club members. After they had completed three full sets, he called them to attention. Not missing how his half-brother ignored him and continued talking to Miroku who was doing his best not to respond.
"Grab a partner, we will spar for the next hour." He stood at his usual position as the club members began donning their protective gear and forming 6 neat pairs in a circle around the room as they faced off. A much smaller crowd than what there had been on the first day, all the incapable members had been weeded out through their tough practices. He clapped his hands for them to begin and the young men began the first round. After each round he would wall for a rotation, having one partner rotate to the left so each pair was new.
After the third round, Inuyasha came practically charging up to him. His loud exclamations filling the air. "You're up next Sesshomaru!" His wooden sword was pointed at Sesshomaru as he stepped forward. "You never practice, gotta prove you've got what it takes to stay on tha' team!" Inuyasha finished as he came to stand in front of him.
For a moment he considered denying his Hanyou half-brother but the opportunity to pummel his incorrect form may prove to be a valuable lesson for him. "Very well." He replied simply and motioned for Koga who was at his right to hand over his practice sword. It wasn't surprising that all of the club members had stopped to stare as the Hanyou made his challenge.
He grabbed the sword and made his way to the center of the room, not bothering to put on any protective equipment over his white haori and hakama, the Hanyou followed him and they faced each other with a few feet in between them. He motioned for Shippo to come over as their referee, the fox demon stepped forward excitedly.
With the air silent and all eyes on them the fox demon clapped his hands for them to begin, he put his plan into action immediately. He dodged the Hanyou's wild charging and tapped him for a point in his wide-open side.
Shippo raised his hand and they squared off again, once more the Hanyou stepped forward carelessly and he claimed his second point with a less than gentle hit to his opponents' head. Normally that would have been the end but Inuyasha ripped off his mask and snarled. "Again!" He wasn't surprised and this time when he dodged and struck, he put enough force into the blow against Inuyasha's' back to break the bamboo sword in half and send the Hanyou smashing into the ground, the polished wood creaking painfully underneath him.
He waited for several seconds for Inuyasha to rise but when he groaned and stayed down, he relaxed his stance. His eyes moving to scan all the members' stunned faces. "Any other challengers?" He asked the room when nobody responded and a few bowed in submission he nodded his head and handed the broken sword back to Koga. "Assist Miroku in helping Inuyasha to the infirmary." He commanded the wolf demon softly. He got an ecstatic grin in reply and knew the young man would have fun teasing the Hanyou about his complete loss when he awoke.
Once the obstruction had been removed, he turned back to the club members and picked up the undamaged sword that Inuyasha had dropped. "I will fill the empty spot in his place." He stepped up to Naraku who he noticed had been slacking earlier and the other club members returning to their pairs as well. "Begin." He called out instead of clapping.
He made his way through each round, never yielding a single point and offering each team member advice and instruction to improve their technique. He was much gentler than he had been with Inuyasha and provided them with encouragement instead of pain, as was his role as captain.
When Miroku and Koga returned he let the two chuckling men join the drill for a few more rounds before he called the exercise to a close and began their cooldown routine after everyone had put their equipment away.
As they stretched and moved in tandem, he heard the distinct opening of the club next door. He had been thoroughly focused on Inuyasha and his club activities but the moment he relaxed his mind went back to the Miko that captured him so. His senses sharpened as his ears filtered through the sounds of chattering women searching for the only one he had an interest in.
After a distinctly loud group passed through the hall, he heard the quieter steps of two people exiting the club and closing the doors softly behind them. His nose twitched in anticipation as the steps passed his clubroom door and he was rewarded with the faintest trace of her scent coming in through the cracks around his own club room door. The steps passed shortly and quickly and he let his mind settle onto the thought of meeting her tonight.
After their cooldown drills were done, he dismissed everyone with a simple nod. Once the last member had left, he pulled the slip of paper from his inner haori and studied the sheet.
167 Wind Trail N. Tokyo
9 pm, August 8th, 2019
BYOB
The slip was much too colorful for his own taste but he spent a few seconds memorizing it before he finally put it away once more. He glanced at the clock, 7:20 pm was what it read, he would have to cut his own practice short slightly to be able to shower and arrive on time. He was slightly thankful for his half brother's outburst, at least he had been able to warm up during club practice.
He grabbed his wooden sword from where he had lain it earlier and began the primary portion of his personal practice. After he had worked through the routine twice, he glanced at the clock once more, 8:05 pm, he nodded to himself and put his equipment away before exiting the clubroom and building with long strides.
He made it to his silver sleek sedan, the car was a modest suburban model, designed for fuel efficiency rather than flashiness or power. However, he still kept it in showroom condition and it was a comforting sight every time he came to it in the parking lot. He slid into the vehicle and pulled out of the campus quickly.
His drive home had been short since he lived in one of the many apartments that neighbored the university. The dorms on campus were large but there wasn't enough room for every student and many students preferred more privacy, himself falling into the latter category. He had been an enigma on campus for his entire three years there so far. His father being a chairman of the university held him to a high standard, which he felt no pressure in filling, but it was his excellence in everything that drew even further attention throughout his time there. The need for a quiet resting place had become evident rather quickly, and his father had been quick to find him a suitable place at his request.
He entered the small domain, a flat on the first floor of a three-story building. The space featured a wide combined living and dining area, a kitchenette nestled in the corner. As he came in, he dropped his things onto the sofa in front of the coffee table and made his way to the bathroom. He undressed quickly, neatly placing his clothes in the hamper beside the shower before he turned on the water and eagerly stepped in.
He was excited and nervous, the swirl of emotion not giving his mind time to wander as he washed his hair thoroughly, his body receiving the same treatment soon after and stepped out of the shower grabbing a towel to wrap around his waist as he moved to the bedroom.
Once there he pulled out a pair of black slick jeans and a Silver short-sleeved button-down shirt with black accents at the sleeves and collar from his dresser and pulled the clothes onto his form quickly. Black sleek sneakers slid over his feet and he combed his damp hair before tying it into a low ponytail at the nape of his neck with a black rubber band. Lastly, he pulled on a well-worn silver watch with a black leather band.
Sesshomaru glanced at the mirror above his dresser and nodded at himself briefly before grabbing his keys and wallet from his messenger bag and pocketed them before heading for the door. He would need to pick up a gift and booze before he arrived, he glanced at his watch and his brow twitched in frustration. It was already 9:05 pm he would late. He fled his domain and reentered his car, intent on being as quick as possible. Excitement swirled in his blood, his beast staying awake and at attention in his mental cage, he felt primal tonight.
Kagome stood next to Sango near the pool as the girl animatedly talked about historical weaponry with a classmate she had run into, who knew she had a passion for such a thing. She looked around, taking in the overwhelming view. Sango hadn't been exaggerating when she's said Miroku was loaded. His parents' home was practically a mansion and the game and dining rooms along with the pool and garden area that they bordered had been decorated in what had to be thousands of dollars of sparkling, purple decorations. Banners and streamers hung everywhere, the bushes and home itself were covered in strings of lights, the late-night party making it the perfect time to use them. It seemed that even the pool had been dyed a violet hue, it wasn't hard to guess Miroku's favorite color.
It was still slightly early, they had left practice and returned to the dorms. Sango stayed on the floor above Kagome, which was reserved for second-year students, so they parted ways to get ready, Sango being quicker than herself at such things had been tapping at her door as she was still trying to figure out what to wear.
The older girl had begun rifling through her closet and dresser as soon as she gave her permission to and put together a modestly flashy look. A pair of dark blue jeans that were fitted but not tight along with a long green silk top that billowed around her comfortably and a pair of silver sandals to match. She had protested slightly when the girl tied one of her long silver hair ribbons around her waist to draw in the shirt to a fitted style, but Sango had whisked her hair into a loose bun with a single hairpin and pulled her out the door before she could protest further.
From their spot outside she was able to watch each guest as they came in and she was thankful for her friends' fashion sense. She felt dressier than she thought her wardrobe capable of and the expensive clothing of each arriving guest made her feel only slightly insecure. She was here just to accompany Sango and have a good time, she didn't need to feel any pressure to compare herself to others. As she noticed the area starting to fill, the chattering of the guests getting louder she saw a familiar face pass by. Inuyasha, he had been a frequent visitor to the archery club and she couldn't help but notice the bandages on his face and the sour look he had while he stalked towards the other side of the pool.
She drew her attention back to Sango as she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Let's go inside, I hear Miroku is ready to get this party started!" Her friends exited face had her smiling and following her into the dining area of the house.
A long dining table in the center of the room was stacked neatly with gifts of varying size and shape, all of them colorfully wrapped and addressed to Miroku. On one side of the room was another table filled with various bottles of booze and two standing kegs of what she assumed was beer, on the other side of the room was a single large round table that had a cake the size of a Christmas tree, and shaped like one too, with its 21 layers of decorated sugary discs. At the head of the table was a dark-haired man, he looked to be in his young twenties although his current situation made him look more like a spoiled child and she assumed from the cake that he was turning twenty-one today.
"I didn't know rich people acted like this on their birthdays." She commented quietly to her friend. As the sound of a speaker turning on pinged through the room.
"Not all of them, but Miroku likes to party. I went to his party last year so I kind of know what to expect." Her friend gave her a thumbs up before a voice came over the speaker, Miroku's mouth moving in time with the words, she realized he was wearing a wireless microphone.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen! I'm going to rip these all open, we'll cut that cake and start this night right!" As he was speaking, he stood and began ripping open presents and thanking his guests over the microphone as he went around the table from one present to the next.
Most of them were expensive clothes or jewelry, colognes, several pre-paid vacation and cruise vouchers. As she watched the display, a thought suddenly hit Kagome and she turned to whisper in Sango's ear. "Did you get him a present?"
She noticed an odd blush creep across Sango's face and the brown-eyed girl turned towards a section of the table near the very end and pointed to a small modestly wrapped rectangular gift. "I did, though it won't compare to the others." Her solemn tone was strange and Kagome wondered about her friend for a moment.
Miroku made his way down the table quickly and she waited curiously for him to reach Sangos' gift. When he did, he slowed and turned to find them in the crowd with his searching eyes, once he did the exuberant man ripped the packaging off and opened the gift box inside. He didn't lift the contents out, much to Kagomes dismay, before he closed the box again and smiled brightly waving at Sango before pocketing the box and moving on to the next gift with increased speed.
She noticed her friends blush deepen slightly before she turned away so Kagome couldn't see her face. It was only a few moments longer before Miroku was thanking the last gift giver and making his way to the massive cake tower. He came to stand beside it and a laptop was brought to him by one of his housemaids.
"Alright, everyone! Who wants cake?!" Miroku practically yelled into the microphone.
When the room cheered in response Kagome shielded her ears but didn't miss the shower of sparkles as what sounded like an army of hummingbirds entered the room from the pool area door that had been left open. She looked up as music began to fill the room and the humming noise was revealed to be an army of small drones. The swarm flew into the high ceiling of the room before descending on the cake, neatly slicing and placing even portions on tiny plates before flying to the guests.
Kagome and Sango took their plates when the small flying machines hovered overhead. She was too stunned to really appreciate the great deal of programming such a feat would need in order to accomplish. As everyone began to eat the music in the room played slightly louder, Sango downed her food in several bites and Kagome followed her friends' example, mildly surprised at the plain vanilla flavor and buttercream icing. They grabbed a bottle of water from the refreshment table to wash down their food.
Once finished they walked towards the game room tossing their plates and utensils in a large trash bin on the way. Sango took her hand and pulled her to an old-style Dance Dance Revolution arcade system that flashed invitingly in the corner of the room, many of the guests flocked around the shooting games, virtual reality corner and old-style drinking games but she could tell her friend was eager to start their night with this machine.
"Come on Kagome, we can warm up slowly." Her friend's eyes glittered in delight and the machine buzzed to life when they stepped onto the platform.
She looked around and saw no one was really paying them any attention, and smiled at her friend. "OK, lead the way." She pointed playfully at the scrolling music screen in front of them.
They danced to a few songs together and Kagome was blind to the world around them as they got lost in the fun of competing for the best score. She knew Sango was going easy on her but she still puffed her chest in pride as her side of the screen flashed 'Victory' in bright text.
"I'm gunna go grab a drink, you want more water?" Sango asked as she stepped off the game platform.
Kagome nodded. "That would be great." As her friend walked into the next room Kagome slowly walked through the crowd, looking at the different games.
Sango appeared back at her side, handing Kagome a bottle of water while she took a sip from her own purple solo cup. She noticed Sango was intently focused on the crowd of people who had started dancing in the dining room. The present table had been moved to the side, the lights lowered and a deep constant base rang from the speakers within.
Sango swayed slightly and she considered offering to dance with her for a moment, but she truly detested the idea of being so close to so many sweaty gyrating strangers. "Go dance if you want to Sango." Her friend turned to her with innocent brown eyes.
"No, it's fine…" Sango started but Kagome shushed her with a wave of her hand. "It's fine. I'll be here checking out the games when you're done." Her bright smile was only partially fake, she wanted Sango to have a good time too, and she was interested in the games, although the crowds of people around each one would probably stop her from actually playing any of them.
Sango's eyes swirled with thanks. "You're the best, just a few songs and I'll be right back!" She waved to the brown-haired girl as she dove into the crowd of writhing young adults and disappeared.
Kagome turned towards the games around her and decided she would take a break by the traditional party games, there was a decently sized sitting area around a ping pong table that was currently being used for beer pong. She settled onto a small two-seat sofa on the wall facing the table and began watching the half-finished game currently going on.
She had noticed the game earlier, it seemed incredibly simple but each side seemed to give a great deal of effort and was truly grievous in taking their penalty drinks. She gathered quickly that it was a game of two versus two, simply tossing a ball into the cups and she was charmed by the simplicity of it as she patiently sat and sipped her water.
Sesshomaru shifted uncomfortably as he finally stepped into the dining room that had been turned into a dance floor. His ears thrummed painfully at the loud music permeating the room. He spotted a large table with opened gifts and dropped his own impromptu gift next to the opened ones and placed the bottle of rum he'd brought with him next to it.
He turned and scanned the room carefully, searching for his target. He was relieved when he didn't see or scent the Miko he was searching for amongst the crowd. He moved to the outdoor area next and wasn't surprised to find the area crowded with drunken couples making out in secluded areas. He clicked his tongue in annoyance and discretely searched the couples, quieting his beast's agitation that was building.
Again, he felt relief when she was nowhere to be found around the pool or in the dimly lit garden. As he made his way back towards the house, he caught the faint hint of jasmine mingled amongst all of the mingling scents. His anxiousness turned to excitement as he quickened his pace entering the dining room again and quickly veering towards the game room where the noise of electronics pinged loudly.
When he rounded the corner of the doorway his senses exploded and his vision tunneled onto the Miko he had been seeking. There she sat, politely cupping a bottle of water as she silently watched a group playing a ridiculous drinking game. Beer pong was something he had tried once and found utterly dull, but he took the moment to silently admire Kagome.
He was content so far with just having her in his sights, she was safe from all the ridiculous danger his mind had conjured and he admonished himself slightly. She seemed like a reasonable individual, of course, she wouldn't fall prey to any simpletons' tricks to seduce or intoxicate her.
Her hair was pulled up delicately and the soft material of her shirt glimmered slightly. The ribbon under her breasts accentuated her curvy form and he felt himself swallow the thick feeling in his throat as his eyes followed the line of her side. He tried to sort through his swirling thoughts, he had begun to think he himself was lusting after the young woman, that would explain his desire to prevent her from being with another male at this party. Yet as he studied her now the feeling consuming him was distinctly different from any form of lust he had felt in the past.
Still, he couldn't deny the warmth blossoming through his veins and for a few long moments, he watched her features intently. He frowned when she seemed to suddenly become agitated and he followed her shifting gaze to his Hanyou half-brother and his loud-mouthed girlfriend. The two had been drawn to the game as well, the Hanyou obviously looking to soothe his pride from earlier with the pointless drinking competition.
He drew his eyes back to Kagome and froze when deep pools of blue met his own golden gaze. Her swirling orbs were shining with so many emotions that he couldn't stop himself from stepping towards her. He hadn't wanted to cause a scene by talking to her around so many people but he wanted to answer the call he saw in her gaze.
His steps were quiet as he weaved through the crowd and came to stand directly in front of her, he broke their gaze to look to the unoccupied cushion next to her. "May I?" he asked as he gestured to it.
He wasn't expecting the blush that rushed across Kagome's face and he thought for a moment she may refuse but she smiled politely and nodded at him. "Hello, Sesshomaru." The soft words reached his ears as he settled lightly in the seat, being careful not to lean against her. "I didn't expect to see you here." The miko continued and he turned to meet curious blue eyes.
"Miroku is a member of my club." He explained shortly, hoping that she wouldn't question it further.
"I see." Her comment seemed distracted and her eyes darted to the side to glance in Inuyasha's direction once more before settling on the game currently being played before them.
"Are you waiting for a chance to play?" He asked her, wanting to hear her voice again and struggling to find a suitable topic through his adrenaline.
She turned to him with surprise and he noticed a nervous tint to her scent as she looked into her lap before responding. "Ah.. no, I'm not old enough to drink." She looked back up a moment later and a small sheepish smile graced her lips. "It's just that the game itself reminds me of the ones at festivals." She mimicked tossing the small ball with her dainty fingers. "I love those games."
The smile on her face as she spoke of playing the game was true and he wanted to let her experience it. "You should play." He eyed the table noticing the current game was almost over.
"I really don't drink." Kagome was holding her hands up in a firm X in front of her.
Sesshomaru couldn't help but chuckle lightly at her childish determination. "I will be your partner and take the penalties." He let the corner of his mouth tilt in a small smile as the surprise returned to Kagome's face and she slowly turned to face the game table.
"Are you sure? I've never played… do you like beer that much?" Her questioning was nervous but she didn't outright deny his offer.
In all honesty, he detested beer, he only offered in an attempt to make Kagome happy, she obviously wanted to play the game. "I am confident you will easily conquer the game." He replied instead of answering her questions.
He looked towards the table in front of them, each side only had one cup left, Kagome's eyes followed he was clearly able to see the excitement as she watched the winning shot sink into place.
Sesshomaru rose from his chair and offered Kagome his hand. "Now is our chance, Miko." He spoke softly, a playful grin tugging at his lips.
He watched as Kagome drew her lower lip between her teeth, and waited patiently for her answer. When she finally placed her hand in his he wasn't expecting the shock of feeling that washed through him as they made contact. His beast was pushing his youki to the surface, it felt as if the creature wanted to stroke the small human in front of him. His chest rumbled soundlessly in pleasure as he pulled Kagome to her feet, he kept a light grip on her hand and led her to one end of the table as the previous competitors cleared out of the way.
As they did a maid stepped in, re-setting the table with fresh cups filled with water and laying out a line of cold beers next to each pyramid. Sesshomaru stepped forward with Kagome at his side to claim one end of the table and a small chorus of chatter rang through the gathered crowd.
Inuyasha suddenly appeared at the other end of the table, Kikyo at his side and Sesshomaru was mildly annoyed when he began speaking. "Ya think ya ca' beat me a' Pong Sesshomaru?" The Hanyou slurred, already inebriated.
He merely tipped his head in a challenge and the imbecile slammed his hand on the table, jarring the neatly placed game cups. "You're on!" His half-brother snarled.
He noticed Kagome at his side was quickly flashing her eyes between the two of them, anxiousness clear in the way she held her free hand in front of her chest.
He stroked his thumb across the top of her hand in his grip before finally releasing their hold. Her frantic eyes finally stopped on him and he spoke to alleviate her concerns. "I'm sure you know Inuyasha." At her sharp nod, he continued. "He is my fathers' second spawn." He detested calling him his brother out loud, the words suggested some resemblance or equality, which he shared none of with Inuyasha.
Kagome's blue eyes widened comically and he patted her back lightly in assurance. "He will be a suitable first opponent if his game skills here are anything like his Kendo or academic skill it will be no different from a festival game for you." He mimicked her earlier words.
Her blue eyes darted back to the couple across from them and she spoke softly. "He seems angry." He nodded in agreement even though she wasn't looking.
"It is his usual demeanor." A ball was given to each team by the attending maids and Sesshomaru handed it to Kagome. "The first shot decides the turns." He explained and Kagome looked between the ball in her hands and the stack of cups across the table.
"I guess it's too late to back down now." His chest filled with a small amount of pride as the miko took a calming breath and faced the challenge head-on. She tossed her ball and it landed neatly in the single cup at the top of Inuyasha's pyramid.
The Hanyou growled and tossed his own ball, it bounced off the rim of a cup in the back row and fell to the floor.
Sesshomaru nodded and Kagome's excited eyes flashed to his. "Very good, we go first now." The maid brought over their ball once more and the game began in earnest.
On her first try Kagome sunk the ball into the same cup with a gentle toss. When it was brought back to them Kagome took it gratefully and paused. "Continue until you miss." He encouraged her. She nodded determinedly and took her next shot, once more sinking the ball into another of the ten cups.
Her excitement permeated the air, lacing her scent in a coil of vanilla that had him wanting to hold her close so he could breathe it in deeply. He tempered the urge and watched intently as she took her third shot, finally missing her target.
Inuyasha huffed from across the table and Kikyo handed him two beers. "Beginners luck! Ya' gunna let tha wench fight ya' battle fo' ya'?" He shouted before cracking the cans open and messily downing them in a mock show of strength.
Sesshomaru ignored his display and focused on Kagome as they waited for the Hanyou to take his turn. When he did and missed once again Sesshomaru was slightly relieved, he was slightly hoping to avoid the foul beer through this game if he could.
"Calm down Inuyasha." Kikyo admonished lightly from across the table as the Hanyou started to cuss and throw a fit.
Kagome took her shot once more and it hit the edge of a cup, landing in the neighboring one. "Ah… that was close." The miko spoke softly next to him, he could see she was intently focused on the game and again he felt a small blossom of pride at her seriousness.
She took a little more time with her second toss and it missed its target. Bouncing off the table right in front of the cup it was intended for. She looked up at him and smiled apologetically. "It's more difficult with fewer cups." She explained unnecessarily.
He nodded in reply. "Focus on the outer ones." He turned as Inuyasha finished his single penalty drink and was mildly surprised when Kikyo took the ball from his hands. The Hanyou turned to yell at her but shrunk when she pinned him with a sharp look.
He grimaced as she tossed the ball much like Kagome had been and it sunk delicately into the center cup. Kagome looked at him, worry lines creasing her brow as Kikyo took her second shot and again it landed into the cup right next to where her first shot had landed.
Kagome's chest stopped moving as she held her breath for the third shot, a deep sigh rushing between her lips when the ball hit the rim of the cup, skating around the inside before flying out to land on the table harmlessly.
Kagome took the ball from the maid that was offering it to her and turned back to him, the worry still lining her face as she waited for him to take his penalty drinks.
Sesshomaru grabbed one of the cans of liquid lined up next to their cups and popped the lid gently. He glanced at Kagome from the corner of his eye as he stabbed his clawed forefinger into the bottom of the can as he tipped his head back and swallowed the contents in one long draw. He did the same with the second can and set them aside, he wiped a stray drop of liquid from the corner of his mouth and nodded at the Miko at his side. "Continue." He made sure to keep his tone light despite the foul taste curling across his taste buds.
Kagome laid a hand on his arm and his skin warmed soothingly at her touch. "I'm sorry." She whispered to him quietly, perhaps he wasn't hiding his disdain for the beer as well as he had thought.
She turned back to the table and he could see the focus return to her features as she lined up her next shot.
The game had become a competition between the two women, Kikyo not relinquishing her control of the ball and Sesshomaru refusing to take any shots even when Kagome offered repeatedly. With the men taking all of the penalty drinks, Inuyasha had been forced to down eight beers at this point and was hanging off the side of the table in obvious drunkenness.
Sesshomaru eyed the five cups in front of them and he grinned inwardly, their victory was almost certainly assured. He fought the relaxing swirl of heat he felt radiating from his stomach, but he could feel himself swaying lightly in place and he cursed his body's reaction.
Kagome took several deep breaths and let the ball fly from her fingertips, it landed in one of the two remaining cups and she jumped in place with excitement before freezing at Kikyo's slap of her hand against the table. His companion took her next shot and narrowly missed the last cup.
Sesshomaru eyed the opposing team and narrowed his eyes at the female, Kikyo was an athletic intelligent female if not a bit crossed personality-wise but he could not fathom her reasoning for being with Inuyasha and it brought down his level of respect for the girl, her behavior now only solidifying that reasoning as he watched her force another drink into the sloshed Hanyou's hand.
Kagome grabbed the edge of the table in nervousness as she watched Kikyo take her next shot, it bounced angrily into and out of one cup only to land in the neighboring one, He hissed slightly in displeasure and Kagome met his gaze with a flash of remorse swirling in her eyes. Again, he noticed her holding her breath as Kikyo took her next shot, it missed by a wide margin and he couldn't stop his own sigh of relief. He quickly downed another drink, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand in disgust before he crushed the can in his grip and nodded to Kagome who was waiting for him to recover. Her eyes were hard and determined as she turned to face the last remaining cup.
Again the heat coiled outward from his stomach and he leaned on the table slightly as he watched Kagome intently, completely forgetting the game for a moment as he admired the soft curve of her back, the muscles in her arms shifted and bunched the fabric covering them as she moved to toss the ball.
It landed with a soft 'plop' in the final cup in front of Inuyasha and Kikyo. The crowd around them erupted in applause and Kagome seemed shocked as several people yelled out congratulations and other praise.
Sesshomaru felt satisfaction and pride swell in his chest as well as he thoughtlessly reached out and pulled the young Miko into a loose hug, closing his eyes to enjoy the warmth and softness of her embrace. "You did well." He spoke roughly, the alcohol in his system loosening the control he usually had over his tone.
He felt her arms wrap around him briefly before moving to his chest and pushing away slightly. He opened his eyes to meet blue depths staring up at him, a wide excited smile spreading across her face. "Thank you!" She exclaimed as she closed her eyes and laughed.
Later he would blame the alcohol, curse it even, but at that moment, he couldn't stop the urge to lean down and capture her lips with his. He felt the moment the air shifted as his mouth met the Miko's soft flesh, for several long moments he was engulfed in pleasure like none other he had ever experienced. Her taste was divine, her scent filled his nose and he couldn't stop himself as his tongue darted out to smooth against her lower lip.
That small action seemed to break the spell stopping time and suddenly reality came crashing back. The stunned chatter of everyone watching them reached his ears just as Kagome pulled away, one hand covering her mouth as the other wrapped around her waist in a protective self-embrace. He reached for her but froze as fear skittered across her gaze, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. His beast crooned in sorrow and his eyes flashed darkly.
He dropped his hand, guilt replacing the warmth of the alcohol in the pit of his stomach. "My apologies." He said loud enough for only Kagome to hear and bowed his head to her before he turned from her and quickly headed for the open doors leading out to the pool. He needed to get away from her before he harassed her more and hopefully, the outside air would clear her scent from his nose where it still called to him.
The sight of fear crossing Kagome's deep honest gaze kept flashing in his mind, his beast whined painfully and he felt the remorse in the deepest parts of his soul. She feared him, many feared him, but this one human was different. He had so desired to form a bond with her, to do what he hadn't figured out quite yet. Now he stood little chance of ever speaking to her again, he wouldn't torment her with his presence.
He paced down the length of the pool and turned into the entrance of the garden. He let his youki fan out and guide him down an uninhabited path that led to a small pavilion surrounded by rows of bushes and backed by one large tree. He swayed still with the drunkenness he felt and he steered towards the structure, settling onto a bench once inside.
He drew his spread youki back into his form and closed his eyes, resting his elbows on his knees and his heavy head on his hands. Again, his beast whined painfully, he shivered as the feeling rolled through him and bit the inside of his cheek harshly and cursed his lapse in control.
The taste of copper filled his mouth but it didn't ease his tension.
Kagome stood stunned as Sesshomaru's lips touched hers. She had been so excited, the game they had been playing was exhilarating. She had never intended to take on Inuyasha and Kikyo but Sesshomarus encouragement and the party atmosphere had made her feel free.
Sesshomaru had been the perfect partner and gentleman the entire time, taking all of their penalty drinks without a word of comment despite the fact he obviously disliked the taste. She had wondered briefly why then he had offered to play with her and refused to shoot the ball himself but she had been too absorbed in the competition to actually ask him those things.
Then they had won, and she was so happy she could cry, and she had started to do just that. Hugging Sesshomaru happily, she'd pulled away to thank him and been completely astonished when she was met with his warm lips pressing against hers. She could hear the whispers in the room blossom immediately, turning into jeering and crude shouts. Her reflexes came back to life as she felt a warm appendage brush her bottom lip and she had pulled away. The crowd and situation were all too overwhelming and different from what they had been seconds earlier.
She backed away and pressed a hand to her mouth, holding her stomach afraid the butterflies she felt twirling in her gut would burst outward if she didn't keep them in. The pressure of the crowd around her seemed to swallow her whole and the fear of the repercussions of everything that just happened came rushing to her brain.
She had humiliated Kikyo, her club captain, and popular figure at her school, and then kissed the Captain of the Kendo club, Inuyasha's older brother, in the victory of that feat. She would face purgatory, it was certain. Fear consumed her and before she could regain focus Sesshomaru was apologizing and turning away from her.
She panicked slightly, her eyes darting around for Sango. Her heart soared in relief when she saw the girl waving her over from the corner of the room. She rushed to meet her and practically grabbed onto her for support.
"Oh god, Sango. What have I done?" She practically cried as she felt safe in her friends embrace, her warm brown eyes encouraging her to let it all out. "Did you see all of that? I don't have to explain right?" She knew she was rambling in the form of questions but she couldn't stop.
Sango rubbed her back slightly and guided her towards the exit door, grabbing a bottle of water on the way out and handing it to Kagome. She pulled her to a stop and Kagome practically lost her footing at the action. "Listen Kagome." Her friend began. "Tonight, was a good night, you played a game and won, your opponents don't matter it was just a party game." Sango softened her tone slightly before continuing. "And I don't know very much about Sesshomaru, but I've never seen him at a party let alone picking up chicks, so that kiss… that was something only for you."
Kagome's throat twisted slightly, she had so many questions but she couldn't seem to voice them. "Think about it later, for now let's get home." Sango smiled slightly and they started walking towards the street. Miroku's house was a short walk from the university campus and Kagome was thankful for the exercise as it kept her mind busy. What did Sango mean by that kiss was for her? She hardly knew Sesshomaru, but he had been a gentleman every time she met him. She decided on the walk home that speculating wouldn't solve anything, she would need to ask him herself what his intentions were, and that thought was both terrifying and exhilarating.
*** Thanks for reading again! All the reviews have helped me decide to keep going and complete this story. Question for my reviewers, would you like me to focus on the sports or romance aspect of this story? At the moment I'm trying my best to blend 50/50 but I need to choose a side, it won't affect the main plot. As always thanks for any and all reviews, it really encourages me to update quickly!