A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you for the awesome reviews and encouragement from the last update! I hope you enjoy this one just as much. Please, please, PLEASE send me a review or inbox with your opinions or questions! I really would love to get to know the people reading my stuff and know what you'd like to see happen or what you think will happen. Have a good day! :)
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Chapter eighteen: Girl
A little over two months had passed since Kagome became part of the Taisho household. Kagome's strength and weight were now at healthier levels and her illness was almost completely out of her system. She still need to sleep with the humidifier on at night, but no more oxygen tank or pills for her. She had been allowed to attend dance class and was given a private tutor, so her schedule had become quite busy. Sesshoumaru celebrated his 12th birthday and a big party had been thrown in his name, though it comprised mostly of Inu-Taisho's friends and their children. He did have Kagura there and introduced her to Kagome. Though they were cordial with each other, Kagome knew instantly that she didn't like Kagura. The young girl ended up giving Sesshoumaru the silent treatment for two days out of spite. This had little effect on him and only made her miserable; Sesshoumaru clearly wasn't infatuated with her as she was with him. She and Inuyasha were less hostile to each other, mostly because they were so busy; though when they sat next to each other at the dinner table or played video games, they both knew not to touch each other. If their arms brushed or hands touched, there would be the initial awkward moment where they'd stare for a moment before blushing wildly and walking away, Inuyasha calling her a name and she screaming back at him for it. Izayoi counted her blessings that at least they weren't throwing fists.
It was the night of the banquet and the whole manor was alive with anticipation. It was a few days before Christmas and everything was decorated, as would be the party they were going to. A huge Christmas tree sat proud and beautiful in the family room, surrounded by dazzling packages of all sizes and colors. Most of them were for Kagome, and the number kept growing no matter how much Inuyasha recounted them. It used to be that he received the most gifts; it was an ego trip for him every Christmas morning. Izayoi had insisted that they make this the best Christmas Kagome would ever have, to make up for the years she didn't celebrate a birthday or holiday. Touga silently complied, as did Sesshoumaru, but Inuyasha felt that Kagome was just being spoiled now. Izayoi wouldn't hear of it though and continued to do her best for Kagome.
The boys were downstairs watching a sports game while Izayoi and Kagome were preparing themselves upstairs with a hired stylist. It was late in the afternoon, two hours until they had to depart. Inu-Taisho didn't understand why his wife demanded the hair stylist needed to be there, but he didn't fight it. The men's preparation time would take a grand total of 30 minutes, and for now they were all content wearing their weekend comfort clothes until the suits and ties had to be put on.
Upstairs though, it was nothing but excitement and laughter. Izayoi was sitting at her beauty mirror, the stylist behind her straightening her hair, and Kagome sitting on the bed with her short, pixie cut hair brushed to perfection with adorable clips in it that would match her dress. She was watching magic happen with her new mother's hair, wishing she had hair like it too, and the two were gossiping away about everything.
"Are you going to dance Kagome? You've been taking lessons for a while now; you should show Touga what you learned." Izayoi suggested sweetly as pieces of hair were styled and done up neatly. Kagome looked back at Izayoi from the TV she was watching, a sheepish expression flashing across her face as she did so. She and Inu-Taisho weren't any closer than before, so she still felt nervous about the topic of him and her together.
"Um, I dunno…maybe," She said softly, turning back to the TV to finish cartoons. Izayoi noticed Kagome's worries, but since there was a third party there, she decided not to bring it up. Another hour passed and her hair was done, and it was time for them to get dressed. Standing up carefully, making sure not to mess up what the stylist had done, Izayoi took Kagome into her large closet and helped her change into her dress. Her own was a pretty white, silk thing with a low, swooping back and a tasteful neckline. It fit her lean body perfectly and went all the way to her feet, dancing and swimming beautifully with each step. Kagome was busy admiring herself in the tall mirror as Izayoi stepped into her strappy heels, but turned around when her name was called.
"Kagome, here are your shoes," She said softly, holding up a pair of pretty black dress shoes for her. Helping the little girl into them, Izayoi and Kagome stepped back out into the bedroom looking like quite the pair, much like a real mother and daughter. But now it was time for makeup. Izayoi took her place back at the beauty mirror and waited patiently as her face was adorned with beautiful, classy makeup; finished off with a pair of ruby red lips. She thanked the stylist and dismissed her, knowing she had enough skills at makeup for what needed to be done for Kagome. Standing up from the stool in front of the mirror, Izayoi curled her finger at Kagome and smiled as the girl skipped over and plopped herself on the seat. On her knees in front of Kagome, Izayoi smiled and admired Kagome's cute face, deciding there was really very little she needed to make her look perfect for the night.
"Now, you already have such a pretty, pretty face," Izayoi started slowly, taking some light, skin colored eye shadow and applying it to Kagome's eyelids, highlighting them softly. "But just a few hints of color will make you shine. I'm sure the boys won't be able to look away from you once," Kagome did her best to stay absolutely still, her eyes shut and not breathing. Chuckling softly, Izayoi put the eye shadow away and then hinted Kagome's cheeks with some light, brown blush, and finished it off with pink, shimmering lip gloss. Smiling softly, Izayoi pulled back and had Kagome face the mirror. "Okay Kagome, you can open your eyes now." Blinking her big, blue eyes a few times, Kagome was taken aback by what she saw in the mirror.
"I look so pretty! Thanks Izayoi!" She said in an excited voice, standing up on the stool to get closer to the mirror. Her eyes were wide as saucers and mouth open slightly in awe. She'd never seen herself all dolled up like this, and though she had wished she could be pretty like everyone else, Kagome had never thought she'd get the chance to. Finally, a smile broke out across her face and she began to laugh excitedly. It was a beautiful, sweet child's laughter that filled the entire room. Izayoi smiled and stood up gracefully, going over to her bed to pick up hers and Kagome's coats. They had a little less than 30 minutes until the party officially started, but it would take an hour to get there. Izayoi never did like to be the first one there. Before she and Kagome left the master bedroom, Izayoi picked up their purses from the dresser, both matching black clutches. She handed the smaller one to Kagome and held her hand as they walked down the hallway and towards the main staircase, where the men waited, dressed and ready, at the bottom.
Inuyasha was fidgeting with his bow tie when his mother and Kagome appeared at the top of the stairs. Inu-Taisho and his firstborn saw them instantly, both a bit surprised by what they saw. Sure, Izayoi always looked astounding in whatever she wore because the outfit was always something pretty and expensive. But so far, Kagome had mostly gone around wearing rather lazy and comfortable clothes. As she and Izayoi descended the stairs, it became apparent how lovely Kagome could look when effort was put into it. There was a smile on her face stretching ear to ear, and it almost brought a smile to Inu-Taisho's face as he thought of his late child. But that thought was quickly pushed away as his wife came up to him and kissed his cheek.
"Boys, don't you have something to say to Kagome?" She asked, her questioned a little loaded since it was obvious what they were supposed to say. Kagome stood before them, shifting her weight nervously as she looked up at them with big, blue eyes. It was Sesshoumaru who stepped up first to speak to her.
"You look nice, Kagome," He said in his usual monotonous voice, but when Kagome looked up at him, she saw a subtle expression of warmth there. Lifting her chin proudly, she looked over at Inu-Taisho and Inuyasha, wondering if they'd add on. Inuyasha had just now looked up for the first time and was openly gawking. Had he not known it was Kagome, the young boy would have considered her just as pretty as Kikyou. He didn't even mind that her hair was short like a boy's, just seeing her look so pretty and feminine was enough to change his mind. But then when he heard his father compliment her as well, Inuyasha quickly fixed himself and huffed, looking away from her.
"Yeah, well it's an improvement over what you usually look like." He said brattily before feeling a sharp jab to his shoulder, courtesy of Izayoi. Kagome only rolled her eyes at him and took Sesshoumaru's hand in her small ones. She would be at his side throughout the night, eager to show him the steps she'd learned in class. He, and the rest of the Taisho men, all looked so handsome in their tailored suits and coats. Each similar in looks but so different in personality. Sesshoumaru allowed her to hold his hand and once the girls had their coats on, he walked her to the limousine.
The charity ball was held in of one of the most well known and established hotels in New York, and everyone who was anyone in the business arena was attending with their families to support the cause of hunger in the city. There was a large, magnificent red carpet, lined with a barrier to keep the flashing paparazzi from getting too close as they photographed people walking in, shouting out questions and trying to get something noteworthy in their papers. So beautiful and decadent, it amazed Kagome even from the limo as they pulled up to the entrance. Kagome was the only one in the vehicle who had a look of nervousness on her face, the rest of them were indifferent to the high pressure situation by now. She clutched Izayoi's hand as the door opened, and sudden bursts of light from the media cameras flashed in her eyes as they all slid out of the car. Kagome was the last to come out, and instantly she clutched to Izayoi's skirt. Why were their pictures being taken? Her little feet walked as fast as they could carry her to keep up with the family's quick strides, and she just tried to ignore the prying paparazzi.
Finally they got into the building and Kagome could release her breath in relief. There were far less photographers, and those that were inside didn't have flashes going off at ever second in her face. She jumped when she felt the heavy fur coat being lifted off of her shoulders, but calmed when she saw that it was Izayoi taking it. There was a nicely dressed man who took their coats, and for a moment Kagome waited to see where he was taking them. But she was interrupted by a touch to her arm.
"Kagome, are you feeling okay? Really this is going to be a very fun party. There's a bunch of kids your age here. And I'll make sure Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru introduce you." She whispered while guiding Kagome further into the lobby behind the men. The little girl gulped softly and nodded her head as she finally took a good look around her. She was mesmerized by the beauty of it all, how everything seemed to gleam and shine in the light radiating from ornate light fixtures all around them. Men in tailored suits stood together with their wives on their arms, sipping drinks from delicate glasses and discussing various things Kagome couldn't even imagine.
Round tables, draped with white silken cloths, lined the sides of the grand ballroom, set with beautiful, Christmas themed decorations and dinning utensils. There was a stage off to the back where a four piece jazz band played their beautiful music, and a grand Christmas tree stood behind them to set the festive mood. And in the center was the biggest dance floor Kagome had ever seen. She openly gawked at everything as she was taken further into the beautiful room, oblivious to what was going on around her until their group came to a sudden stop.
Colliding into the back of Izayoi's legs, Kagome looked up and around the taller people to see Inu-Taisho talking with another man. This man had a scraggly goatee and a kind smile on his face as he and Inu-Taisho shook hands. There was a blond woman next to him dressed in a pretty blue gown, her attention preoccupied with her toddler son in her arms. Kagome remained quiet as she watched everyone, wondering if there would ever be a day that she would feel so comfortable around others. Already she was nervous and afraid that she'd do something to upset or embarrass herself and the Inu-Taisho family. There was that ever present fear that if she did something to displease them, they would send her back to the streets. Kagome wanted to avoid that at all costs. Blushing when she saw the goateed man look at her, Kagome stared back up at him with wide, blue eyes as he stepped forward and knelt down in front of her. Now that she had a better look at him, the little six-year-old noticed how handsome he was. Smiling back shyly, Kagome giggled and looked up at Izayoi when he took her hand and kissed the back of her knuckles softly.
"Hello Kagome, I'm Garrett Smith. I work with Mr. Taisho. He's told me so much about you. I hear you're a really nice dancer; is that true?"
His tone was friendly and kind, and it completely melted away Kagome's fear and nervousness. Nodding her head quickly, Kagome couldn't stop from smiling a big, toothy smile at him, which was missing a tooth in the front. Inuyasha watched with a disgusted look and tugged on his mother's arm before asking to be allowed to go off on his own. He'd seen two of his good friends already somewhere off on the other side of the room and he would rather spend his night with them than his family. Izayoi allowed him to go as long as he returned when the food was being served. The eight-year-old ran off to join his friends as Sesshoumaru did the same, only he was spending his night with Kagura instead of boys his age. Kagome didn't notice though as she continued talking with Garrett.
Izayoi smiled as she watched Kagome slowly come out of her shell, glancing at Inu-Taisho and hoping he was noticing it as well. But, of course, he was already discussing policy with another co-worker instead of enjoying the night. Sighing softly, she turned to Garrett's wife and began talking to her absentmindedly, not really invested in the conversation.
"Are you nervous about being around so many new people, Kagome?"
Garrett asked thoughtfully, still kneeling in front of Kagome as he looked out at the sea of people. Most of the children were in the center on the dance floor, looking much like miniature versions of their uptight and serious parents who fringed the outside of the dance floor in groups. Even at a party meant to celebrate Christmas and coming together as a family, no one could unwind. Kagome nodded softly and tucked a short piece of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah, I don't know anyone except my family." She replied quietly, looking out at the groups of children, of all various ages, and wishing she could be out there. Kagome still felt weird calling the Inu-Taisho's her family, but she didn't know what else to call them. Sighing softly, Kagome didn't notice the teasing look in Garrett's eyes as he stood up. Extending his hand to her, he waited for Kagome to turn her head and see it before placing her own in his larger one. She looked up at him curiously, blinking her big, blue eyes.
"I'll take you out there and introduce you to my son, Ryan. He's a little older than you, but he's nice. He'll introduce you to the others. Oh, Izayoi, do you mind I do that?" Kagome looked up at Izayoi with unsure, but anxious eyes and felt her heart stop when her new mother agreed with a smile. Now the little girl was afraid of something else; being introduced to others. She gulped nervously and followed Garrett onto the dance floor, blushing madly as eyes began to turn and land on her. All these faces were new and unnerving, staring at her with distant, unreadable expressions. She walked into the crowd of boys and girls with Garrett, holding onto his hand tightly as she tried not to trip or fall down. They came to a stop in front of a boy who looked very much like the man next to her, and she noticed the twin smiles on their faces. She and he locked eyes as Garrett introduced them.
"Ryan, this is Kagome. Can you introduce her to some of your friends from school? Maybe a few of the girls?" His son smiled and nodded, looking at Kagome with a crooked smile that brought a grin to her face as well. She decided that she liked the men of this family a lot. Garrett left after kissing Kagome's knuckles again, and she stood there nervous before his handsome son. Fiddling with her dress, Kagome glanced up at Ryan through her dark lashes and he grinned down at her.
"It's nice to meet you Kagome." His voice was so soft and pleasant; Kagome couldn't help but laugh softly and pick her head up a bit more.
"Hi," She responded meekly. When Ryan suddenly took her hand in his, Kagome's eyes shot open as they walked through the crowd of their young peers. She knew that there were people watching, and she wished that he wasn't holding her hand like that, especially not with Sesshoumaru around! He might get the wrong idea! Thankfully Ryan dropped her hand as he took her to where two girls and a boy stood off to the side of the dance floor. One girl was a pretty emerald-eyed, redhead and the other a brown-eyed brunette with thick, straight bangs. The boy who was with them, who appeared to be a year or two older, had bright blue eyes and pitch black hair. And with his tanned skin and that excited expression on his face, Kagome couldn't help but think he was the total opposite of Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. The trio stopped talking as Ryan and Kagome came up to them, and eyed her like she was something to be scrutinized. But the boy's gaze had a different look to it; one Kagome was too shy to study.
"You guys, this is Kagome Taisho-" Ryan was suddenly cut off when Kagome began to shake her head.
"My name's Kagome Higurashi." She corrected simply, not intending to offend or chastise. Kagome hadn't decided if she wanted to take the Taisho name or not, still clinging to her family name. It was the only thing of her mother and father's that she still had. Ryan gave her an odd look, as did the others, but he didn't dwell on it.
"She's new and I'm trying to help her make friends. And since you two are so nice, I thought she'd do well with you~" He was obviously putting on the charm taught to him by his father, and it only made the girls giggle and roll their eyes while their male companion did just the latter. The dark haired boy stepped forward and smiled at Kagome, a boyishly handsome grin that was very infections.
"Hey, I'm Kouga Mitsurashi," He had the confidence of someone much older, Kagome assumed, and she couldn't help but laugh nervously when he kissed her knuckles. For some reason, it wasn't as dashing as Mr. Smith's kiss had been. Politely taking her hand back from his, Kagome fidgeted as the two girls approached. The brunette had a nice enough smile on her face, but the redhead seemed less eager to meet her.
"Hello, I'm Sango Minai." Kagome's eyes lifted and she finally got a good look at the brunette, and she couldn't help but think that her face was very familiar…as was her pretty brown hair. Unable to place where or how she knew this girl, Kagome decided to play it cool and smiled back, turning her attention to the fiery redhead next to Sango.
"I'm Ayame Amuro," She said bluntly while wrapping her arm around Kouga's and tugging him close. Kagome blinked her eyes curiously, looking between them in confusion. Feeling like she'd done something wrong, Kagome swallowed nervously.
"Hi-Hi, everyone." Kagome blushed in fear and anxiety, looking around for someone familiar to run to for protection, but then Sango stepped in and nudged Ayame.
"I like your hair, Kagome. It's really cute!" Sango's pretty face reassured Kagome and the smaller girl smiled back nervously, nodding and standing there as an awkward silence came over the group. It was then Ryan spoke up again. He held his hand out for Kagome.
"Wanna dance? No one else will and I don't want to do it alone." He said charmingly, making Kagome smile from the sheer joy of being asked to dance. She put her hand in his, and then looked back at the trio behind them.
"You guys should come dance too! This song is really fun!" Sango and the other's just stood there and watched the pair go off towards the center of the dance floor to dance to the fast pace beat. Not that jumping in place and waving one's arms about could be considered dancing. It was strange to see, but the smile on Kagome's cute face made both Ayame and Sango wish their male companions would do something like that for them.