DISCLAIMER:
"Inuyasha!! Get down here right now to put on this pink collar, or I'll go find Kagome to sit you!"
"Keh., like that scares me."
"Well, I am the writer of the story (of the world of inuyasha which I don't own)... I could always give you a really teeny tiny---"
"NO WOMAN NOT FUNNY."
::snicker::
¤¤A Thick Throaty Molasses ¤¤A
¤ By: Telpelindewen ¤
A¤¤ recap ¤¤A.
Before they got to the truck Kagome asked, "What did she mean by fate is funny?"
Inuyasha sighed before answering, "I drew Stone Sour." He looked down at the paper in his one hand.
"So?"
"That was the horse I rode three years ago, against her." Kagome still held onto his hand and looked up to him taking away the paper.
"Good, now you can really whoop her butt." She smiled and he gratefully grasped her hand and quickly pulled her closer which startled her. He pecked a kiss gently on the tip of her nose no to scare her away but as a romantic thank you for telling off my ex-fiancé who ruined my life, and heart, "Thank you." He whispered and she blushed a pretty pink and he laughed and then told her to get in the truck. Kagome placed a hand on her chest listening to the music on the ride home, she leaned her head against the truck's window at the passing scenery and felt the racing beat of her heart. Inuyasha's kiss had startled her but it wasn't unwelcome, she wondered where this could be going or if it really was just a thank you for showing up my ex. Could Sango and Rin be right? What Inuyasha jealous of the time she was spending with Kouga and Hob... I mean Hojou?
"Don't worry Kags, I'll make sure your 20 dollars isn't wasted."
¤ Chapter Eight ¤
A dark figure slung his bag off over his shoulder and threw it in the back of the shitty recently purchased blue Ford truck sitting in the parking lot of the airport. His connections got him this far, but he had to do the rest on his own. Shouldn't be too hard, how many people could the west hold? He pulled out the keys from his pocket and slipped it inside, then pulling on the handle and slipping inside the vehicle. A tune suddenly played from inside his leather jacket pocket.
He saw the number and with a dejected sign answered the call, "What is it?"
"Yeah, I'm there. Gotta find lodge and then I'll.." He was cut off mid sentence.
"What do you mean what do you do? Fucking idiot, get rid of the body and hurry, I don't want that whore's stench staining the carpet." He rubbed his temple to the right. There was a scar on his right hand, visible between the thumb and pointer finger. It looked relatively recent and healed.
"I don't care, do what you want. I was only using her for her body anyway. She ended up being a nosy little bitch, 'where are you going?' ' when are you coming back?' 'is this woman in the photograph with you your sister? Ooo she's pretty you should let me meet her'. Speaking of that body make sure you do a good job in cleaning up. I want it to smell nice when I bring Kagome back home." He chuckled at the male's voice on the other side of the phone.
"Yeah yeah, whatever, just get to it. I'll be back as soon as I rope her in." He hung up the phone without another world and took the newspaper from out under his jacket inside pocket. He looked down at the paper where he had circled something in red. With speedy fingers he pressed a certain pattern of numbers in the dial pad and put it back up to his ear - ready to play his part.
"Yes, hi, I'm looking for Macey. Ahh, yes-yes. It's about a reply to your wanted ad in the paper? Right, correct. Well I'm afraid I don't have very much experience myself, but I am a quick learner and a very eager student. Yes of course. Great, thanks! I'll be seeing you soon."
He grinned to himself and set the phone back in it's pocket in his jacket and buckled his seatbelt. "Like stealing candy from a baby." He set the newspaper down on the passenger seat next to him and started his long drive headed West.
Circled in red to his right read:
HELP WANTED
RANCH HAND WANTED
On Central Canyon Ranch
1455 Canyon Ranch Road
Heavy Equipment Cow/Calf and Feedyard
Competitive pay and excellent lodging
Call Macey at ...
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There were so many bright sights of the colored food and sign-up tents, colorful costumes of the cowboys and cowgirls, hats strewn about everywhere, little kids dressed up to match their parents, American flags hung all over. The smells wafting nearby of the delicious warm apple pie stand, the feel of warm salty pretzels, and popcorn being freshly popped in the generic red popping machine, the hamburgers and steaks stand were by far the most popular with a line to prove it heading nearly twenty people back.
Kagome gleamed at the sights and sounds as she walked by with some of the group. They were carrying a table, some bright balloons (floating around with the delighted Jakotsu - go figure), cases and cases of home baked pies of all sorts of varieties. She was going to help set-up Kaede's pie stand with Hojou and then watch some of the festivities. Rin was sticking with Sesshoumaru until it was his turn to hit the bucking chute. She claimed she was his lucky charm and he didn't appear to disagree with her. Rin and Sango planned to meet up with Kagome later on when the boys would be having their big showdown with the infamous Kikyo.
Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru, accompanied by Rin dropped off their cases of pies first before heading over to the registration tent to pick up their numbers and time tickets to see when they would be going. They were both dressed up in their fancy white and blue shirts, cowboy hats, and dark denim jeans representing their look as the Takahasi brothers, and a part of the Shikon Notama Ranch. It turned many heads since the Takahasi brother were very well known and sexy to boot.
Kagome watched as Inuyasha sauntered off with the other two towards Bankotsu, Kouga, and Kohaku who were waiting by the registration tent. Jakotsu was getting the remainder of the pies from the trucks they had pulled in. They had taken three of the ranch trucks and one car which Rin ended up driving. Sango and Kagome started to unload the pies and put up the pricing signs up at the top of the tent. Cherry, apple, and cinnamon pies. Hojou, Kaede and Jakotsu all had on frilly pink aprons. When they all posed after finished tying them it made Kagome sweat drop.
"Sango, how do those two not get beat up with all this masculinity around here?" She whispered to her friend who was cleaning up the plastic wrapping from the crusts. Sango just shook her head and chuckled, "Only because of the famous pies they make each year, all the cowboys want them no matter who cooks 'em." And sure enough when they finally got the cash box out and the signs finished the men from all around followed their noses to the pie stand for a slice or whole pie.
Sango and Kagome joined in with their aprons and spatulas while the guys all went to the bull pit to see their rides eye to eye.
Miroku came up behind Sango at the pie stand while she was arranging plates to be filled with pie to hand out. His heart sped up a little at the sight of his favorite woman in a pink frilly apron and her hair tied back. Kagome brushed her hands and walked around the table trying to find the change she accidentally dropped not a moment before.
Sango heard him before he got close enough, "Oh my." She rolled her eyes before turning around to face her new found problem but found that he indeed was a bit closer then she thought. Miroku was a hair's breath away and smiling down at the image before him.
"Well, Sango, my dear darling. Whatever have they persuaded to you to get you in such a... pretty state." He tickled back a strand of hair she was trying to blow out of her face in annoyance, and trying to ignore the close proximity of the pervert but she could feel her heart beating a bit harder in it's cavity.
"Oh please. How many women a day do you gander at and suddenly this apron seems to catch your attention?" She went to turn around back to the pies.
Miroku annoyed that his feelings were yet again down played because of his many womanizing ploys ducked down a bit and blew on her ear a bit when her face was turned and then whispered, "I may look Sango, but there's only one woman who truly captures my attention." And with a whistling tune he strode off in search of the molasses stand.
"Ugh that man." Sango grunted as Kagome joined her again with the captured coins in her hand.
"Huh? Miroku again? Did he cope a feel on you?" She said placing the change in the cash box while Jakotsu and Kaede were helping the costumers.
"No, but the man infuriates me! He's so confusing and drives my insides wild... I mean, me crazy just absolutely nuts. I'll never understand him." Sango said flailing the spatula everywhere with her hand gestures. Kaede turned and gave Kagome a knowing look. Hojou joined in on the conversation.
"Well I don't know what's to get, I mean the guy is obviously crazy for you - that's why he teases you so much, and besides he doesn't touch any other girl besides you anymore." Sango and Kagome looked over confused.
"Yeah ok."
Kagome reached into her bag and pulled out her camera, she promised her agent ten beautiful wild west photographs by the end of the week and she figured that the rodeo was a perfect opportunity to snap some shots. "Sango, when are the boys going?"
"Dunno, they said they would send someone over to let us know when it was their turn." Speaking of Kouga walked on over towards them.
"Hello beautifuls." Kaede rolled her eyes, "So Inuyasha, Sessh, and my rounds start in about twenty minutes in the central ring. They're just finishing up the barrel racers and then they'll set up the bucking chute. But the team ropers are going out now in the right D ring and Miroku, Bankotsu and Kohaku are set up to go for that."
"Wait, wasn't Kohaku going to do the bronco and you the team roping?" Sango asked taking off her apron in preparation to go watch the show.
"We traded off, seemed like he has a girl from school here watching and he wanted to impress, and so he's better impressing at team roping then bronc bucking I would think. But now since I'm among the finest in the broncs, what say you make a deal with me Kagome?"
"Huh?" Kagome was only slightly paying attention to him speaking before.
"How 'bout if I win my rounds, what say you go on a date with me this weekend?"
Sango grimaced at the thought. She knew Inuyasha had a thing going for her friend and he wasn't going to like this. But she knew Kagome, and figured Kagome knew that she would be gentle in letting himdown.
"Hmm, the rounds against Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru and Kikyo?" He nodded and she seemed to think for a moment, "Alright."
Sango and Kouga both looked agape at her. And ten Kouga whooped his fist in the air, "How bout a good luck kiss?" Kagome glared and Kouga looked away sheepishly- , "Just kidding." He trotted off towards the guys by the central ring.
"KAGOME? Are you crazy?" Sango turned towards her friend who was taking off her apron as well.
"No, I placed a bet on Inuyasha and I expect him to win." She smiled and tilted her camera snapping a shot of Sango's shocked face and laughing.
"Oh sneaky." They laughed and both walked towards to where the boys were waiting.
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Kouga smugly waltzed up to the fence where Inuyasha, Kohaku, Sesshoumaru and Rin were standing. Rin was tucked under her fiance's arm looking out at the barrels which were being cleared from the ring and a tractor which was coming in to rake the arena.
"Team roping got third, nice going sport." Kouga said to Kohaku. "But guess who's gonna win this next one."
"No guessing wolf brain, I already know I've got it." Inuyasha stated.
"Guess again dog-breath. I got me a bigger and better eyesight on the prize, I got Kagome betting on me." Kouga folded his arms across his chest daring Inuyasha to ask.
"What the fuck are you rambling on about."
"If I win this here competition I get to take Kagome out this weekend, as agreed with by her. And you know as well as I when I take girls out, they may be unsure at first but boy do they cry out for me later." He howled like a wolf, knowing that he had a reputation for being a swanky guy with the ladies.
Inuyasha started to growl and his fists curled up tightly. But at the look from his brother glancing at Kagome and Sango approaching he quickly covered up his anger and looked grimly towards the ring. Kouga's a fucking liar, how could she agree to date him, why the fuck do I care anyway? Kagome can date who she wants.
Kagome could feel the tension when she walked up between the two guys and stepped up on the railing as the first bronco, a fine muscled dark brown, was being loaded into the chute. The crowd had finally gathered around the largest central ring ready to watch the event of the day. The Takahasi brothers finally take on their old rival. There were only three women competing in the competition and twenty seven males. Most of which we're just looking for a fun ride.
"Is something the matter Inuyasha?" He just turned his eyes away from Kagome's prying ones. Ouch. What did I do? She looked down fiddling with her camera trying to think how it could have gone sour so quickly. Maybe he's just nervous because of Kikyo. Should I say something?
"Oh he's just steamed that I'll be going on a date with you this weekend." Kouga tipped his hat to her as he headed towards the chute smiling and giddy, there were two riders ahead of him.
Sango and Miroku were bickering with each other and Kohaku was trying to shut them up as Rin was giggling and Sesshoumaru let out a smirk. Kagome turned towards Inuyasha.
"So you heard about that then huh?" She glanced back down and then back up towards his face looking for some trace of emotion.
"Keh." Well there was the anger.
"Inuyasha, you better not loose dammit." Kagome said looking back down at her camera again shyly as Inuyasha turned his head quickly towards her. Kouga was getting loaded in the chute on a pasty cream colored horse now. Inuyasha leaned towards Kagome finally and grinned toothy understanding she didn't think Kouga was going to win after all and brushed her shoulder with his flirtingly. Kagome smiled wondering what was happening between them.
I shouldn't want something so soon after Naraku, but there's something about him that makes my heart go pitter pat.
Rin who was pretending she didn't eavesdrop on their conversation claimed, "Well, I told Stone or whatever his name was down in the ring that he had to go easy on Inuyasha so it would give my Sesshy a challenge." She grinned over at Inuyasha's expression. Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes at his silly fiance at the prospect of a bucking bronco listening to her wiles.
"Jeez, women." Inuyasha sighed and Sango laughed. But everyone's smiles, minus Sesshoumaru who wasn't wearing one, quickly disappeared when they heard next.
"Well, I do declare that it was indeed a woman who kicked your butt a few years ago." Said a swindling country voice from behind them. Bitch. Inuyasha thought.
"Why you f---"Sango was held back by her arm by Miroku.
"I hope you're not speaking of yourself, because I see no woman." Sesshoumaru put his two cents into the conversation less then happy to finally see the woman who had betrayed the ranch and his brother three years ago. Inuyasha smiled, there was nothing better then a Sesshoumaru lash.
"It's no wonder, I know I'm so blindingly beautiful." Kikyo took a nibble of pie which was clearly from their own stand. So she was obviously looking for trouble. Kagome snorted at her last comment. Sango at this point tore her arm away from Miroku and walked off back towards the pie stand, Miroku followed after and glared at Kikyo.
"No matter." She said glaring at Kagome recognizing her from the day before in the store, "I've got my lucky charm right here." She said pointing to a small round jewel hanging on a chain around her neck, it was a small purple glass bead infused with a burst of orange inside, "Where's yours Yashie?" She fingered the chain around her neck smirking at him as she used his old sweetheart nickname. He was beyond annoyed at the sight of the jewel she had, but Kagome had no idea why.
Inuyasha looked up from under the brim of his hat and smirked oh so saucily. "She's standing right next to me." Inuyasha snaked his arm around Kagome's shoulders. Even Sesshoumaru's eyebrows lifted at that.
Kikyo fumed. She stormed off annoyed that Inuyasha clearly wasn't still pining for her like a puppy dog. Rin giggled profoundly at Kikyo's display of anger and Sesshoumaru snorted and then turned back to see Kouga lift out of the chute.
Kagome was not only shocked but as red as a tomato at any display of public affection which was unknown to her. She was looking down at her nails hoping no one would make fun or ask questions she couldn't possibly know the answer to. Whoops, I'm not even watching Kouga's round.
Kouga just before the opening of the chute looked to see Inuyasha with his arm around Kagome, steaming mad he went into the ring hot headed and ready to win. He nodded to the gate man who shot the chute door open.
"So, how does this work?" Kagome asked as she saw Kouga unable to keep his hold on the bronc. He fell off to the right side on a whip up as the bronc came back down.
"Well the rider tries their best to stay on for 8 seconds without touching the horse with his free hand." Kohaku told her.
Inuyasha then watching as Kouga got up happy he made the mark on his first try said, "This means he must have the heels of his boots in contact with the horse's shoulders the first jump out of the chute before the horse's front legs hit the ground. Both the rider and horse that manages to stay on for that long is scored on a scale of 0-50 and combined. So scores above 80 are usually good." They watched for the scores.
80.
"Not bad, not amazing. He was very close to the buzzer and his horse wasn't a directional bucker, kind of plain really." Kohaku stated.
"Maybe I'll let Kouga win so that you would have no choice but to go on a tortuous date with him." Inuyasha smirked to Kagome who smacked his shoulder in return.
"I'll hurt you. That's not even funny." Kagome snapped a few pictures of the bronc next waiting to be penned.
"Alright I'm three riders off, I'm heading over to wait." Inuyasha pulled Kagome's new hat brim down over her eyes and he headed off receiving a nod of luck from Sesshoumaru and a peace sign from Rin.
There was a slight commotion coming from another booth a little ways off. A yelling woman was dragging a man by the ear far away from what looked like some sort of kissing booth. Kagome laughed when she saw the steam pouring out of Sango's ears and a whining Miroku behind.
She turned back towards the rail and through her lens looking for prospective subjects. She landed on Inuyasha who was almost directly across from her view. He was staring straight at her. She looked up out of the camera lens to see him eye to eye. He smirked and winked at her before turning back to the competition. Kagome's breath hitched a bit in her throat.
"Doesn't it make your heart just pitter pat?" Rin sighed dramatically close by. Sesshoumaru had apparently walked off, the silent devil. And had left Rin and Kohaku behind to watch, "I remember when I finally got Sesshoumaru to be mine, that first lovey dovey stage is the best part of the relationship."
"Ye.. I mean what?" Rin smiled devishly at her, "Oh boy do you have it bad. We need to fix you two up something bad." Kagome pushed Rin jokingly.
"Oh stop."
So far Kouga and one other rider were the only two out of twelve so far who had qualified and with a score over 80. Inuyasha was up next, and then three riders before Kikyo and Sesshoumaru. Kohaku had to leave early to go to the award tent to pick up third place winnings for the team roping competition that he and the other two had competed in not too long ago. Kagome lifted her camera to continue taking photos. She saw Inuyasha's dead pan look of concentration, it was beautiful. She snapped her shutter.
'LADIES AND GENTILMEN, NEXT UP INUYASHA TAKAHASI.'