The It Couple
Chapter Eighteen
"There, you see? That wasn't so awful, was it?" Miroku poured whiskeys for the three remaining people in the house. Sango sidled up and took one out of his outstretched hand, then pulled up a barstool and sat.
He didn't need to look at Sango to know she was trying not to scoff at his easy appraisal of the situation, but Inuyasha was looking well and truly dazed. Mystified, even.
"It's like…" Inuyasha began, then trailed off.
"It's like…?" Sango took a sip of whiskey, then motioned for him to go on.
"It's like she's on a ton of Xanax or something."
Miroku glanced at Sango questioningly. She rolled her eyes at him as if to say "No, you idiot, I didn't force feed her Xanax."
Miroku smiled and shrugged. "Maybe she's being genuine? You never know. Sometimes you don't know what you got until it's gone." Ugh, now I'm quoting power ballads from the 80's? Kill me.
Inuyasha groaned, like this news was more exasperating than exhilarating. "How does she do that? I've hated her guts for seven months, and now she's got me thinking she might want me back? Ugh, I gotta go for a run or something. You guys can hang out here. Or leave. Whatever."
"One little thing," Sango called after him, reaching for the cigarette in Miroku's hand and taking a puff.
"What?" Inuyasha snapped, turning around. "I didn't know you smoked, Sango."
"I don't smoke," she said, exhaling and handing the cigarette back to Miroku, "The studio has arranged for you to have dinner with Kikyou at Nobu tomorrow night."
"A fucking pap stroll? Are you kidding me right now?" Inuyasha raked both hands through his hair.
"Just dinner. You don't even have to order appetizers. But some Academy members are also going to be there."
"How the hell do you even know that?"
"I used to work for the CIA," Sango said dully.
Miroku tried not to choke on his drink from laughing.
Sango shot him a grin, then turned back to Inuyasha. "I have an old girlfriend from high school who's still the bartender there. Never got her big break, poor dear."
Inuyasha glowered. "I don't care. I'm not doing it."
"Inuyasha, you're an actor. Order an entree, try the wine, smile, catch up, then leave in separate cars. This isn't rocket science. The press needs to see you and Kikyou making nice." Miroku ran a hand through his hair.
"Kikyou already agreed to it," Sango said, sipping her drink with a sidecast glance.
Boom.
"Fine, I'll do it," Inuyasha spat, "but now you two fuck off and leave me alone for the rest of the day."
"Thanks, hon! Miroku, do you mind dropping me off at the office? It seems Kikyou stole my limo," Sango said brightly, finishing off the shot of whiskey and grabbing her purse, then heading toward the door with Miroku hot on her heels.
Once they were in Miroku's car, Sango sighed and sank into the passenger seat. "Ugh," she murmured, pulling her Chanel sunglasses down over her eyes, "Ten in the morning and I'm already exhausted."
"We can always take the rest of the afternoon off," Miroku said, turning the key in the ignition and then reaching over to squeeze her thigh gently.
"Maybe you can, Mister Single-Client. I have a studio to promote and a meeting with Warner at noon. Have to get the updates on the reshoots. Have to call Dame Judi Dench about accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award…" She trailed off.
"Say no more," Miroku said, kicking the car into gear, "let's get you to the office where you can run the world."
Sango just smiled and remained silent for the rest of the ride, thinking just how cute he looked when he was being kind. It didn't happen that often.
"Good evening, ladies. Welcome to Nobu," the maitre d' said, inclining his head respectfully.
"Hi," Kagome said softly, stepping up to the podium, "we have a reservation under 'Warner.'"
"Indeed you do, Miss Higurashi." The maitre d', in fact, all the front-of-house staff in the lobby, was looking at Kikyou and focused entirely on her. Kikyou had, of course, dressed for the occasion in a long-sleeved, lace-lined Prada evening gown, her hair long, straight, and loose, spilling over one shoulder. Kagome, standing beside her in a standard-issue navy blue number from French Connection, sighed almost inaudibly and gave a complacent smile as the maitre d' walked around the podium to personally escort the Grand High Miss Kikyou Higurashi to her table.
Inuyasha was already there, at the table by the window overlooking a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean and at the sight of Kikyou he was clearly about to fall all over himself; as they approached, he made to stand in greeting and had nearly upset his water glass. The quiet dinner atmosphere Kagome made sure Kikyou was seated, assured that the waiter knew that Miss Higurashi was to have a gluten-free menu courtesy of the chef, and all but raced to the bar before Inuyasha could even say a word to her in greeting. Best not to tempt fate in public.
"What can I get you, miss?"
"Do you have beer here?" Kagome said quickly, sliding into the seat, staring at her black-painted manicure.
"We don't have it in the building, ma'am." The barman sniffed, raising an eyebrow.
Well, la-dee-freaking-da. "Champagne?" she tried.
The bartender looked at her dully. "You'll have to be more specific than that, ma'am."
Kagome suppressed a snort. Once she and Inuyasha had had a wonderful conversation about the inaccuracy of drink orders in movies. Apparently in celluloid-land, there were no brands, just 'Beer' branded beer, 'Whiskey' branded whiskey, and so on. They'd had quite a laugh about it. Now, of course, she was just distracted.
"Just bring me whatever you think is best," she said with a friendly smile. The bartender did not return it as he went to retrieve a glass.
When the barman set her drink in front of her, she thanked him and he quickly resumed his attentions on the other end of the bar where an older man was buying sake after sake for his young, curvaceous date.
Kagome sipped her drink and chanced a quick glance over her shoulder. Kikyou and Inuyasha were sitting down, Kikyou's smile easy and warm, Inuyasha's a mite more uncomfortable, looking to and fro at the other patrons. People in the restaurant were starting to buzz and whisper to their dates to look over there, that's Kikyou Higurashi and Inuyasha Takahashi, oh my goodness, I thought they busted up, how strange, blah blah blah.
Kagome drummed her fingertips on the table, trying to keep from looking too glum.
And then, in her mind's eye, she was eighteen again, sitting in a hospital room holding her mother's hand. Kikyou had already been in and out, and had been too hysterical to remain in the room for what both sisters knew were the final moments.
Her mother, once a great beauty, was paper-thin and jaundiced, her head wrapped in a scarf to hide her bald head. Cancer had ravaged her body, and now it was time for her to go. Kagome knew that and simply held her hand, not crying, surprised at her own lack of emotions at a time like this. Was she a bad person? She had known this day was coming for months and had always expected herself to cry when it was time.
"My sweet Kagome," her mother said, smiling in that easy, tolerant way that Kikyou was so good at imitating, "I know you wanted to go to journalism school."
"It's fine, Mom," Kagome said quickly.
"It's just that with me gone, there will be no one to help Kikyou. She's so talented, Kagome. She's going to be what I never was. What I never got a chance to be."
"I know, Mom. It's okay. I'll help her, I promise."
"I wish I could be here to see her succeed." Her mother's eyes closed wistfully, tears brimming in them.
"We'll make you proud, Mom," Kagome patted her hand gently, not knowing what else to say. This was weird and terrible and awkward and heartbreaking all at once, and she was truly at a loss for what you were supposed to do when saying a goodbye this final.
"Can you-I hate to ask this-can you see if Kikyou would come in here just one more time? I know this is all so very hard for her, but…" Her mother trailed off.
"Sure, Mom," Kagome said, standing up, feeling extremely hollow and empty and hating herself for it, "She's out in the hall with Inuyasha. I'll get her."
Kagome opened the door and poked her head out. Kikyou was curled up on Inuyasha's lap, sobbing into his shoulder. He was rubbing circles into her back, looking crestfallen and just as somber as she was. They both looked up at Kagome, expectant but hesitant.
"Kikyou," Kagome said quietly and evenly, looking at the floor, "She wants to see you one more time."
Kikyou wiped her nose. "I can't," she whispered, eyes frantic and frightened.
"Come on," Inuyasha said gently into Kikyou's ear, "Up you get."
At his prodding, Kikyou got to her feet and on trembling legs went into their mother's hospital room. Kagome gently pulled the door closed and all she could hear was Kikyou sobbing and their mother saying how proud she was to be Kikyou's mother.
"You okay?" Inuyasha asked, his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
"I'll be fine," Kagome said, and once again felt like a shitty daughter for not crying right now.
There was a good five minutes of silence, both of them leaning against the wall in the hospital corridor, not knowing what to say or how to say it, and then there was a wail of sorrow from inside the room before Kikyou stumbled through the door, tears streaming down her face.
"She's gone!" Kikyou cried, collapsing into Kagome's arms. Kagome caught her with an air of practiced strength, and let out the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. Inuyasha moved to assist her, lifting Kikyou somewhat out of her grasp, and their eyes met for the briefest of moments before Inuyasha mercifully escorted her sister outside for some air.
"Hello, gorgeous."
A voice in her ear startled Kagome out of the troubling memory, and she whirled around in her seat.
"Oh," she said, her expression flattening into one of faint distaste as she took in the sight of Kouga Okami standing there in a sharp suit, a blonde bombshell on his arm. The girl seemed to take no notice of Kagome and was instead looking over at Inuyasha and Kikyou's table with a surprised and interested expression.
"How you doin', angel face? It's been a minute."
"Three days, actually," Kagome said dryly, turning back to her champagne glass and unfortunately finding it empty, then trying to wave discretely to get the bartender's attention.
"Here," Kouga said, sliding into the barstool next to her, "Let me. Have a seat, Paulina." He pulled his date into the seat on his other side.
"I'd rather you didn't," Kagome said testily as the bartender shuffled over, having clearly recognized Kouga, "I'm kind of in the doghouse and part of it's your fault." She scooted one seat over, leaving an empty barstool between them.
"Don't be like that," Kouga said slyly, trying to move to close the space and stopping at Kagome's outstretched hand.
"Seriously," Kagome said, her voice growing more urgent, "Everyone can see. I'm under a microscope right now as it is." She shot a glance over to Kikyou and Inuyasha's table. They mercifully appeared not to have noticed yet.
Kouga was obviously not listening, and gave the barman a wide, winning smile. "Another champagne for the lady," he said, "Your finest cognac for me, and...what would you like, Paulina?" He gave a quick glance and smile to his date, who whispered in his ear. "And a rose for the other lady."
The bartender, obviously much more thrilled to be catering to a famous face than just a lone girl in a middling designer dress, rushed to get the drinks.
"Really, Kouga," Kagome said quietly, "there's no need. I'm not staying long, just long enough to get Kikyou situated."
"Kikyou's here?" Kouga said, looking around with mild interest. His eyes lit on the oceanside table and then looked at Kagome almost gleefully. "And with Inuyasha. How interesting."
Kagome fought the urge to squirm uncomfortably. "Kouga, please, leave me be."
Kouga looked her dead in the eyes then, appearing to read her mood for once, and held his hands up in mock surrender. "Come on, Paulina, that's enough catching up with old friends for one evening. See you around, Kagome."
As the two intruding parties stood, drinks in hand, Kouga took a half second before continuing on to the table he'd no doubt reserved in a dark corner of the restaurant to bend at Kagome's ear and whisper.
"For what it's worth, you look better than your sister tonight, hot stuff."
Kagome rolled her eyes and tried to ignore the clench in the pit of her stomach at the words. Am I really that much of a shallow, jealous person, that one little compliment at Kikyou's expense causes such a reaction? Jeez.
She took the glass of champagne sitting in front of her and sipped carefully, stealing a glance over at Kikyou's table once more. Kikyou was facing away from her, chatting away from her body language, but Inuyasha was looking dead at Kagome. His expression was either stomach trouble or irritation. With her.
Kagome groaned, running a hand over her face, and leaned further down into her drink. She needed to get out of here, but quick. Get home, get under her covers, and escape into a romance novel where all the endings were happy and conflicts got resolved with a kiss.
Or not.
A new voice sounded behind her, female this time. "Kagome!"
She was enveloped from behind with a friendly hug, and recognized Sango's signature ponytail hanging over her shoulders.
"Hey," Kagome said, looking a little surprised to see her, "What are you two doing here?"
Sango smiled as Miroku deftly appeared over her shoulder. "Oh, just checking on our little social event," she said, nodding over where Kikyou and Inuyasha were sitting.
Kagome nodded mutely. Sango took the opportunity to seat herself at the bar, Miroku on her left, Kagome on her right. Miroku, dutiful fellow he was, immediately ordered drinks for them. Sango shot him a wink and turned back to Kagome.
"Are you okay?" she asked, putting a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. Kagome looked really cute tonight, she thought to herself. A pretty little blue cocktail gown, her hair woven with a simple strand of pearls. Not a goddess in white like her sister, certainly, but beautiful in her own right. It seemed the one night out was already sparking a change in this little sister. Excellent.
"Why do you ask?" Kagome said, disappearing briefly behind her champagne flute and making sure not to meet Sango's gaze.
"We just saw Kouga on his way to his table," Miroku supplied helpfully as the bartender handed Sango her wine.
"Ah," Kagome said, grimacing, "I'm sorry, guys, he just came over, I didn't say anything-"
"Of course you didn't," Sango said reassuringly, squeezing Kagome's shoulder, "It's to be expected. Kouga Okami is the least perceptive man in history. As far as he's concerned, that little date of yours ended well."
Kagome swallowed, obviously uncomfortable at the flashbacks no doubt going through her head.
"Did Inuyasha notice him?" Sango said, keeping her voice nonchalant as she glanced over Kagome's shoulder toward the ocean view table.
Ooh, he did. He was sitting facing them, offering what appeared to be one-word answers to Kikyou, his eyes still trained on Kagome, who was looking everywhere but at him.
Well, this is touching, Sango thought, but what we really needed was for Kikyou to see Kagome getting some male attention. Light a fire under her skinny ass.
With a short glance to Miroku, Sango shrugged. "Oh well, at least no one made a scene. That's the last thing we need." For now, anyways.
Kagome sighed, looking down at her lap. Poor girl. She looked tired. Well, she always looked a little stressed and overworked, but this was different. Sango inwardly resolved to try and be careful with her, as much as she could, anyway. This whole situation was obviously trying for a girl who'd spent her entire adult life holding purses and fetching mineral waters. Especially for a girl with a bit of a crush on her sister's ex-fiance.
Miroku motioned to the bartender. "See that table over there?" He pointed.
"Yes, sir," the bartender said, looking over and getting visibly more animated in his quest to serve.
"Send them a bottle of the Salon Blanc No. 4, with my compliments," Miroku said, moving to get his card out of his wallet.
"No, no," Sango said quickly, "Let me get it." That champagne was 800 dollars a bottle. Let Randall Warner foot the bill for this little publicity stunt. She had it covered. She handed her company card to the barman.
Miroku smiled at her and she fought the urge to blush under his gaze. When he looked at her like that she sometimes actually felt like a nice person. How very discomforting.
Sango watched the bartender take the bottle over to Inuyasha and Kikyou's table, and at the revelation that it was compliments of the group at the bar, Kikyou turned in her seat, ready to smile and wave, then realized who they were and sat back sullenly. Inuyasha merely narrowed his eyes suspiciously. You two could at least smile for the cameras, Sango thought grumpily, holding her glass aloft in an across-the-room toast, Of which, rest assured, there are several.
Miroku caught her eye after the toast. He looked a little uneasy. This wasn't quite going as planned and he knew it. Sango wanted to pull her hair out; she hated being out of control.
There was a slight commotion arising near the front of the restaurant. A man was beginning to raise his voice despite obvious attempts at placation from the wait staff. Sango glanced over, only mildly interested.
It was Naraku. He was demanding to be let in, pulling the don't-you-know-who-I-am card, saying he knew Kikyou Higurashi was here and he wanted to see her. The maitre d' obviously didn't recognize him from Adam and was trying to gently shove him out the front door.
Sango blinked, then looked at Miroku, allowing him and only him to see the ridiculous grin breaking out over her face.
Now this she could use.
Sango you naughty little minx... Have I mentioned I absolutely love writing her? I think I have but it's still true.
So a little jealousy, a little awkwardness, a little more insight into why Kagome's such a doormat for her sister... All in a day's work! Well, a few days, let's be real. I had to recover from New Year's. Sorryboutit.
Love you guys! Please review if you can, reviews are like oxygen! Reviews are a many-splendored thing! All I need are reviews! - meggz0rz