Disclaimer: Inuyasha is sooo not mine.
Chapter 9
When Kagome woke up, Sesshoumaru was gone. She had a vague recollection of him getting out of bed, then of him standing over her, smiling softly and murmuring a gentle farewell. Faintly, she recalled smiling back at him and mumbling a goodbye of her own while lifting her arms out to him. She felt safe and warm as his arms closed around her and then there was light pressure on her forehead. A hug and a kiss, she thought happily, getting out of bed, from someone who adored her. Such a lovely way to wake up, knowing that she was loved, especially by such an important man as her guardian. She couldn't have asked for anything better.
Upon returning to her room after taking a shower, she heard her phone go off. She picked up the phone and looked to see who it was. "I didn't get see you off," she said with a smile, heading for her closet.
A deep chuckle filled her ear and she grinned. Sesshoumaru had such a beautiful voice. "I didn't want to wake you anymore than I had to," he said. "Thank you for letting me stay last night."
"Anytime. Don't tell me they let you out of a meeting already? It's not even ten yet. What's the world coming to?" she laughed, browsing through her clothes for something to wear.
"I know," he sighed tragically. "But it's not meant to last. This is only a short break away from my leash, I'm afraid. I thought I would remember to ask you this last night, but what would you like to do for our little appointment tomorrow?"
"Hmm." Kagome emerged from the closet, clothes in hand. She hated making decisions and Sesshoumaru knew this full well, which was exactly why he was making her choose.
Sesshoumaru didn't like the silence on her end. "By the way, you will be eating and since Inuyasha is no longer around, there will be no excuse not to eat. Do I make myself clear?" he told her in his most imposing voice.
"Hai." Trembling slightly, she laughed nervously. "I... I don't know what I want to do, Sesshoumaru. That's tomorrow. If I tell you I want to do something today, I might not want to do it tomorrow."
He chuckled. "You have a point, little one. Okay, then let's just stick to something simple. Is there a restaurant you've wanted to try? Any place in Tokyo, your choice."
Kagome looked down at the clothes she'd picked and a painful memory flooded into her brain. Her clothes. They weren't very stylish at all, like much of the clothing she owned. Maybe she shouldn't go out at all, but make him dinner here instead. Where should they go? Knowing Sesshoumaru as she did, he preferred classy, sophisticated restaurants so she should pick something he would like...
What would she wear? There was that pretty pink dress she'd bought when she went out with Inuyasha, but she'd put it away in the back of her closet, wrapped in plastic. She couldn't very well wear that dress again, especially after all that happened on her disastrous date. If it hadn't been for her, they wouldn't have been thrown out. Maybe she should give it away, to some charity. After all, it had only been worn once and --
"Kagome? Are you okay?"
The panic in her guardian's voice and the sound of a chair falling to the floor brought Kagome out of her jumbled thoughts. Hurriedly she assured him she was fine. "Gomen ne. Um, perhaps I can make you some dinner here, Sesshoumaru?"
"I suppose so," he answered slowly, almost suspiciously. "But I'd rather have you get out of the house for awhile." He was silent for a moment then asked abruptly, "Are you positive you're not ill?"
"I'm not ill, I swear," she answered, sitting down on the bed.
"Then what is it? I'll leave these damned meetings to come see you if I have to."
"No! Please, that's not necessary! It's just that... well... I don't have anything new to wear."
Tension gave way to an amused, relieved sigh. "Darling! Is that all? You should have told me--"
Kagome bowed her head while her fingers picked at the faded blue jeans. "I don't want to embarrass you," she murmured quietly, wiping the tears from her eyes with the back of her free hand.
Sesshoumaru's laughter instantly evaporated. "You have never embarrassed me, Kagome. Why do you think you that? Did someone tell you that?"
"No."
"Then?"
"I don't know. Just all of a sudden I feel... I feel..."
"What, Kagome? Tell me. What do you feel?"
She shook her head, forgetting that he couldn't see it. "It's nothing, Sesshoumaru. I'm being silly." She attempted a small laugh, but Sesshoumaru was far from convinced.
"I'm coming over there right now," he said in a carefully controlled voice, "and you will tell me. If someone has been rude to you or made you cry, you will tell me and I will make them pay. Stay right where you are." This being said, he hung up.
Kagome lowered the phone. She shouldn't have said anything at all. To be honest, it was Yuki who made her feel miserable. He was so cruel, especially to Hiro, who didn't deserve to be tormented by his own brother. True, it hurt when Yuki said ugly things to her, but it hurt Hiro to hear them, which made her feel doubly bad. If it hadn't been for her, Hiro wouldn't be treated like that.
It was all her fault. All of it. She knew Yuki had only pretended to go after her to piss Inuyasha off. He'd never really want someone like her. He was far too handsome and fashionable to pursue a woman with hardly any taste in clothes. After all, it was Hiro who had picked out the pretty pink dress and the shoes. But she'd done her own hair, she thought with a tiny spark of pride... which died immediately when she remembered the date all over again. Her first real date with a guy and it had gone completely wrong, but at least her clothes hadn't been a source of embarrassment for him.
She remembered that day when Hiro threw Yuki out of the house and told him never to come back. Yuki had said such horrible things to her that he made her weep like the weak woman that she was. He had told her that such a wealthy, respected man like Sesshoumaru must be embarrassed to be seen in public with her. Everytime he saw her, Yuki had coldly informed her, she was dressed in garments that would never be acceptable in the high-class society that Sesshoumaru belonged to. Whatever she wore would never be good enough. She would never be good enough.
Hearing those words hurt. A lot. She knew she shouldn't believe him, but... what if he was right? What if she did embarrass Sesshoumaru by her appearance? He'd often offered to take her shopping for clothes, usually to expensive boutiques that she'd never shop at otherwise. She preferred shopping at places with affordable prices. It was bad enough having to rely on Sesshoumaru for everything, but she wouldn't go on a spending spree with his hard-earned money and she definitely couldn't tell him that she wanted to get a job because he'd put a stop to that right quick. She'd already tried that once and he had very firmly, albeit gently, told her no way.
So, she thought, feeling misery sweep over her, that's why he kept asking her. Her current wardrobe wasn't good enough even though she saved him money shopping at discount stores. It all made sense now. Whenever he would take her to a fancy restaurant on their Wednesday appointments, he'd bring her an expensive-looking dress to wear with shoes to match. He'd always told her that since she never wanted to go buy herself pretty dresses, he did it for her. He said he wanted to see her in clothes that enhanced her beauty.
But what if that wasn't true? What if his only purpose was to get her to look more presentable when she went out with him?
Was Yuki right after all?
oooooooooooooooooo
Sesshoumaru found her huddled up in her closet, staring absently at the row of plastic covered evening gowns that he'd bought for her but never wore more than once. Her cheeks were wet with tears; her eyes were red and swollen from crying.
"Sweetheart!" he cried softly, dropping to his knees beside her.
She said nothing, only turning her head to hide her face from him. He scooped her up in his arms, carrying her out of the closet. He went over to her bed and sat down, where he situated her on his lap and attempting to get her to talk to him. While he was doing that, Hiro padded sleepily into the room, a toothbrush sticking out of his mouth and foam covering his lips. "Oi, Kagome, what's all the -- Sesshoumaru!" The brush came shooting out of his mouth and skidded across the carpet, . "Crap! Sorry!" he cried, dashing forward to reclaim his errant dental equipment. "What's going on? Is Kagome sick again?" Hurriedly, he wiped the foam from his mouth with the towel that hung around his neck.
Checking her forehead, Sesshoumaru shook his head. "No. I came over to see how she was doing because she was acting strangely on the phone." He looked over at Hiro. "Tell me, has something happened to her or has someone been cruel to her? She told me that she didn't want to embarrass me, but she knows I never would be with her."
Kagome hid her face against his chest as Sesshoumaru rocked her gently. Damn, he hated to see her in pain.
Hiro felt his stomach knot up and plummet to the soles of his bare feet. 'Oh crap,' he thought, knowing instantly that was Yuki's doing. The bastard had managed to wreak even more damage to an already damaged young woman in such a short period of time. Should he give up his brother as the culprit?
"No, Sesshoumaru. It's nothing." Kagome stirred a little out of her silence and tried to squirm out of his embrace. He released her without an argument. "I'm just feeling a bit down right now. I'm sorry. You shouldn't have left your meetings for me. Its not that big a deal, really."
She slid off his lap and began to walk away, but Sesshoumaru grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to face him. His yellow gaze fixed her steadily. "But that's where you're wrong, Kagome. It is a big deal. To me, it is. Now I want you to tell me where you got this foolish notion that you're an embarrassment to me. Did someone tell you this?"
"Sesshoumaru--"
"Tell me," he commanded.
Looking down at her feet, Kagome shook her head. She felt like a naughty child who had been called before an admonishing parent to receive punishment. "It just popped into my head. My clothes... well, you've always wanted to take me shopping for clothes and I... just wondered... if maybe it was really because my clothes weren't good enough for me to be seen with you. Like, in public." She shifted her feet nervously. "I don't like asking you for money for clothes because you already spend so much on me..." She trailed off.
There was a long, heavy moment of silence as Sesshoumaru's hard gaze studied her downcast face. "Kagome," he began in an ominous tone that turned the very marrow in Hiro's bones to ice, "where on earth did you hear that?" The smoothness of Sesshoumaru's voice never once changed, but the warmth had completely vanished. Hiro could almost swear the temperature in the room dropped by several degrees.
And Hiro was not the only one 'touched' by the elder man's voice. Kagome, too, began to tremble under her guardian's hard, unwavering gaze.
"S-sesshoumaru..."
Sesshoumaru was on his feet before either Hiro or Kagome could let out a startled squeak. He went to Kagome's closet, there was a sound of rustling and he emerged a moment later with a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Handing them to her, he grabbed Hiro by the collar of his flannel pajama shirt and dragged him from the room. Before he shut the door, he turned to look at his stunned ward.
"You will get dressed this instant, Kagome and then come down stairs, where I will be waiting impatiently for your arrival. You will then accompany me from this house. Is that understood?"
"But Sesshoumaru! What for? Where are we going?"
His answer was the firmly closing of her bedroom door behind him.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
When she finally arrived downstairs, she saw Hiro nodding to Sesshoumaru before giving him a low bow. Her guardian eyed her up and down with approval, she felt, and held out his hand to her. Naturally, she allowed him to take her hand and he led her out the front door and to his car.
As they backed out of her driveway, she finally got up the courage to ask what was going on. He remained silent for the next few moments and she could sense him trying to keep his cool. With a sigh, she turned to look at him.
"Gomen nasai."
He gave her a look out of the corner of his eye. "For what reason?"
She looked out of her passenger side window and shook her head. "For being a bother." It was barely above a whisper, but he heard it all the same.
It took all his will power not to slam on the brakes and force her to face him. He hated when she couldn't look him in the eye, like she was guilty of something... or worse! Of hiding something from him! The idea didn't bother him often, but when it did, like when she was losing weight and claiming to be eating enough, oh man! That very thought alone was enough to keep him up nights.
Pushing back the desire to scream his frustration about whoever was putting such lies into her little head, he reached over and grabbed her hand, covering it with his own. This startled Kagome, who shot him a surprised look.
"Beloved, you could never be a bother to me, nor an embarrassment. You never have been. But it bothers me that there is someone out there vicious enough to you to tell you such filthy lies."
"But--"
"But nothing. You can't hide anything from me, my girl. I'll leave this subject be for the moment, because I know you won't give up the sleazy bastard's name. But know this, when I find out who he is, I'll have him hunted down like the foul beast that he is and then his ass is mine."
Kagome watched with a mixture of horror and wonder as the dark emotions that danced across his face suddenly vanished when he turned to look at her, giving her the happiest smile she'd ever seen.
"Um, where are you taking me?" she inquired nervously. His smile looked odd to her eyes. It was almost predatorial. Never had his teeth looked so sharp and white before. Like fangs...
Sesshoumaru managed to interlace his fingers with hers and sat their hands on his thigh that was closest to her. "You'll see, and darling? This time, you can't turn down my offer to take you shopping. Okay?"
Nodding, Kagome sank back against her seat. Her gaze was fixed on Sesshoumaru, who had turned his attention back on the road ahead of them. The queer smile had vanished, thank kami, but his face now held nothing at all. She knew that something was going on behind the beautiful mask of his face, but she daren't ask him, for she had a feeling that it was something that should be left alone.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Yuki had it all planned out. Today, he would go ask Kagome to go out with him. It would all be so easy. All he needed to do was to try to be one of those 'gentlemen' things. He knew what they were because he looked them up on the internet.
Staring at his reflection in his brightly lit bathroom mirror, Yuki sighed. He supposed he would have to be nice to her in order to get wanted to get what he wanted from her. What a pain.
Reluctantly moving away from the vanity, Yuki took one last look at his image in the mirror... only to return a moment later, stone-washed jeans and a woodsy brown polo shirt in his hands.
He dressed, like he always did, watching himself in the mirror. Yuki loved looking at his reflection; he just couldn't help it. His face was so pretty; his body, so sexy and sleek.
As he smoothed his shirt down over his trim abdomen, Yuki smiled at himself. He had been blessed with such equisite good looks that it almost seemed unfair to have to unleash it upon the hapless world every single day. Almost.
He laughed. Well, whatever. Kagome would agree to go out with him today and he would do like that loser, Inuyasha, and demand that she wear something of his choosing. Being such a weak-minded creature, Kagome would no doubt do as he asked. Yuki supposed that was the only thing he really liked about her. Sometimes he liked his women subserviant to him. After all, weren't women supposed to serve men?
Of course, Kagome wasn't allowed to wear the gorgeous pink thing she wore last week on her failed date with Inuyasha. Pity. It really was a lovely gown. However, the dress for their date she would have to buy would need to be in emerald green, so as to match his eyes.
Yes, she would need to wear something green and satiny. He loved smooth, shiny surfaces for they reminded him of his body after rubbing aromatic oils on his skin after a long, relaxing bath.
Now for the finishing touches...
After checking for the third time that he smelled awesome, Yuki ran his fingers through the sun-kissed silk that adorned his head. When it lay exactly how he liked it, he stepped back and again admired himself. Damn, what a sexy devil.
With a saucy wink at his reflection, he left the bathroom to retrieve his car keys, wallet and cell phone.
While driving out of the parking garage, a thought struck Yuki. Perhaps he should call ahead and let Hiro know he was coming over? He didn't want his brother to get mad at him again.
As he mulled this over, the traffic light ahead changed to red and he slowed his expensive import to a stop. Off to the right, his gaze caught sight of a young woman with long black hair wearing a red dress and sashaying along the sidewalk. From what he could see, she had an incredible body.
Yuki shifted slightly in his seat to get a better look and suddenly, asking whatsername out was unimportant. Ahead, the light changed and he slid the car forward. Just as he was reaching for the button to lower his driver side window, the girl with the hot body turned suddenly and grinned at him, sending him a flirtatious wink.
He smiled back...then froze. His foot immediately stepped on the accelerator, shooting his car forward and away from that creature with the adam's apple.
'Oh, kami!' he thought, sickened, heart racing sickeningly in his chest. He had been about to holler at a man!
When he had recovered somewhat, Yuki grabbed his cell phone and dialed Kagome's number. She had thankfully popped back into his head the moment he realized the true sex of the guy in the scarlet dress.
It was Hiro who answered. "Moshi-moshi?" The voice sounded a bit distracted.
"Oi, Hiro. Thought you had caller id on that phone."
There was a short silence then, "Huh? Yuki? That you?"
"Yes. What's wrong with you?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing."
"Hiro," began Yuki, warningly.
An exasperated sigh. "Fine, you nosy parker. I just got an email from this girl I went to college with. Apparently, she had a crush on me and would like to go out sometime, since she moved here to Tokyo due to a job offer."
Yuki was astonished. Hiro? His baby brother? Having a girl friend? "That's great, little brother! Is she hot?"
Hiro groaned. "Kami-sama willing, you will never find out."
The elder brother grinned. "Ouch. Fine, be cruel to me, Hiro. I'll get to meet her one day, just wait and see."
"No thanks. I don't want her to end up like Kagome, being scarred for life because of you. What do you want?"
"A date. With Kagome. Any other questions?"
"Um..."
"I'm coming over right now, so make her presentable for me. Of course I'll have to inspect her so as to make sure she won't embarrass me when we're in public together." He glanced in the rearview mirror to recheck his appearance. Yep, still hot...
Hiro cleared his throat. "Excuse me, but you didn't let me ask my question."
"Oh. Go ahead then, Hiro."
"That's better. Now then, what makes you think you're worthy to take Kagome out? All you've ever done was insult her and make her cry."
It was Yuki's turn to sigh. "Now see here, little brother, it isn't my fault that the girl can't take a little criticism." He merged onto the highway as Hiro began making odd, high-pitched noises. "Doshita no, Hiro? Are you choking?" he asked callously, knowing full well his brother wasn't choking.
"Cr-criticism!" Hiro exploded.
Yuki winced at the noise. "Yes, they were just simple observations on her poor appearance..."
"You... dirty... bastard! You made her cry!"
"Yes, yes, Hiro. I would cry too if I was clad in a grubby housecoat and looked as if I hadn't seen the sun in weeks."
There was dead silence for so long that Yuki thought Hiro had hung up on him again. But the labored breathing of the enraged younger man kept him from closing his phone.
"You... you... callous, cold-blooded, heartless... scum-sucking bottom feeder!" he sputtered furiously. "KAGOME WAS SICK, YOU ASSHOLE!"
Clicking his tongue, Yuki slowly shook his head, careful not to mess up his hair. "Hiro! That was mean and unnecessary. Where ever did you learn to be so rude?"
"I'm your brother! Where else do you think I got it?" Hiro pointed out ruthlessly.
"Oh yeah." He steered his car off the exit ramp. "But she knew I was coming that day. She could have at least made an effort to--"
"Do not come over," Hiro ground out viciously before hanging up.
A puzzled frown flitted briefly over Yuki's face, but it vanished long before he pulled into Kagome's driveway.
The front door was opened, as usual, by Hiro, who sported a bright pink visage and a decidedly hostile manner. He glared at Yuki before attempting to slam the door in his face.
Yuki's arm shot out and stopped Hiro in mid-slam. "Oi, I'm getting a little tired of you shutting things in my face, Hiro." He pushed his way in and shut the door behind him. Lazily, he leaned back against the door and stared hard at his brother's face. "Go upstairs and retrieve her."
Instead of throwing another tantrum, Hiro's face brightened up and he gave Yuki a suspiciously cheerful smile. Watching the blonde man's tensing facial muscles, Hiro decided not to keep him wondering what was going on, although it would be funny to watch.
"She's not here."
"What do you mean she's not here?"
"I mean she's not here," Hiro repeated, inwardly delighting in Yuki's obvious disappointment.
"Well, where is she?" Yuki asked, trying not to lose his patience.
"Kagome," Hiro said, walking away towards the living room, "is out. She went shopping."
Now Yuki really was suspicious. "Without you?" he asked incredulously.
Sitting down on the sofa, Hiro grabbed the remote and clicked a button, making the sound come on. "If you don't mind, I'd like to watch my show now."
"Damn it, Hiro!" blurted Yuki when he could no longer contain himself. The desire to not lose patience with his infuriating little brother was slithering away.
Without looking up, Hiro replied with a heavy sigh, "Yes, without me. I know it's more than your vain little mind can handle, but Kagome can survive out in the world without me."
"Why is she shopping? What's the occasion? What is she going to buy? Did someone go with her?"
It was Hiro's turn to look incredulous and turned surprised eyes on his brother. "My my, so many questions there, Yuki. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were just a wee bit jealous. What's that about? Don't tell me you've finally fallen for my baby girl, because I hate to tell you that you'll need to get in line."
Crossing his arms over his chest and looking like a pouting child, Yuki sank down on the sofa beside his brother. "Don't be absurd. I don't care about Inuyasha or any other guy who could possibly have an interest in her," he muttered sulkily. After a moment, he seemed to have pulled himself together and dug into his pocket for his cigarette case. "This has nothing to do with him or anyone else. Besides, I know I'll easily slip to the head of the line. I'm not a loser like Inuyasha, after all. Uncouth men like him rarely get the girl."
As Yuki lit up, Hiro reached over to grab the glass ashtray off of the coffee table and handed it to his brother. "For once, you are correct. At least, where Inuyasha is concerned is, you are. This doesn't have anything to do with Inuyasha. He was sent to Kagoshima for several months to work at the branch office there. Sesshoumaru informed me that Inuyasha wasn't allowed to contact Kagome for two months." He sat back against the cushions and regarded his handsome blond brother steadily. "Man, older brothers can be really harsh to their younger siblings."
Yuki's head turned just so, allowing him to give Hiro a dirty look out of the side of one frosty green eye. "Well, if the younger siblings would do as they were told and not be so incredibly hard-headed, their lives would be much, much easier."
Hiro narrowed his brown eyes. "Kagome is going out on a date in the near future, and it won't be with you. I'll even give you a clue. It won't be with Inuyasha."
The fair man choked on his cigarette smoke and swung around to stare stupidly at Hiro. "She's going out? With who? Where are they going? What day? What time? And what kind of a clue is that?"
"Damn, aren't you the nosy one today. But seriously, you must be mad if you honestly think I'll tell you anything."
"If you love me, Hiro, you'll tell me everything."
Hiro stared at his brother for a moment in silence before bursting into gut-wrenching laughter. After a full minute of guffaws, Hiro wiped his eyes and grew serious once more. "What for?" he asked, trying to catch his breath. "So you'll ruin yet another meal for her? Give me a break, Yuki. I don't have to tell you a damned thing. You're only a heartless bastard who wants to tear her apart after you deflower her."
Those words startled Yuki and he stubbed out his cigarette. "Hiro," he began, but Hiro waved a dismissive hand at him.
"Save it. It wasn't hard to figure out what you wanted from her. That was the easy part. She's a virgin and those are hard to find, right? What I don't understand is why you've got it in for her. So she's a challenge to you because she doesn't fall at your feet with love-stricken adoration for you. But so what? Kagome has only ever been kind to you, Yuki. Yet you keep trying to go after her, not because you like her which is pretty evident by the way you speak to her, but because you have some sort of vendetta against her. She's done nothing to you, Yuki."
The elder brother relaxed back against the sofa and smiled at Hiro, who felt a shiver run through him. To Hiro, that smile looked positively reptilian.
"So? So what if I want a taste of her untouched female flesh? It's been a while since I last had anything of the sort. I'm due for another one." He took a thought drag off of his cigarette.
Repulsed, Hiro got up quickly and sat in another chair. "You disgust me, Yuki. You're so cold-blooded. Why are you like this? You know, if you continue on treating Kagome so poorly, I'll have to tell Sesshoumaru about it. You'll never see her again but I'll be happy about that. He'll fix it so you'll never have a chance to look at her again."
"Good, you do that." Yuki tapped ash in his glass container. "Besides, I've changed my mind now. The girl is incredibly annoying and she's way too gauche for an exquisite man like myself." Setting the ashtray on the coffee table, he got up to leave. "She is far too much trouble."
The phone rang and Hiro, looking at the caller id, smiled broadly and answered it. "Moshi-moshi, Kagome! Did you find anything yet?"
Upon hearing the girl's name, Yuki stopped abruptly and turned around, almost expectantly. Hiro chuckled softly and tucked his legs beneath him on the sofa. "I see. Well, peach and green both look good on you, beloved... uh huh. But which one do you like best?" He laughed. "No thanks, darling. Trust me, I don't think I'd want to be caught dead in an emerald colored gown, even if it is Versace."
Watching his brother, Yuki frowned. It seemed to him that his brother was doing this deliberately to provoke him for Hiro went blithely on, seemingly unaware of the temper that was brewing nearby.
"Well, honey, did you ask for an opinion? Uh huh. So what was the verdict? Oh." Hiro laughed again. "Can't decide which one looks better, huh? Well, did you guys take a vote? Oh, I see. Hmm, I guess a tie-breaker is needed then. Aww, sweetie, all you had to do was ask me. You know I don't mind seeing you in sexy evening gowns." He got slowly to his feet. "Where did you guys go? Oh, okay, yeah I know where that is. Sure, baby. Be there in awhile. Hey, look for something in red, too. You look really hot in red." After he hung up, Hiro turned to his brother. "Now, if you don't mind--"
"I do mind, actually," Yuki broke in quietly.
"-- I have to get dressed and go out to assist my poor princess." Hiro frowned. "Huh? What did you say?"
"Nothing. Look, I'll take you to her," offered Yuki, but Hiro shook his dark head.
"Um, thanks, but no thanks. I'm a big boy, Yuki. I can drive myself," he told his brother as he headed for the stairs.
The tall, tow-headed man stared at his brother's retreating back. Should he follow him to wherever he would be going?
ooooooooooo
Hiro made it to the mall, all the time knowing that Yuki had decided to shadow him anyway. He sighed as he got out of his car. His brother was such a pain in the ass. Even now the blond menace was attempting to hide behind a pair of expensive shades and his steering wheel. Well, if he was driving a different car and wearing a baseball cap to hide that mop of bright yellow hair then perhaps he'd blend in a bit more...
It took him about 15 minutes to walk to the boutique Kagome and Sesshoumaru were at, while also trying to lose his brother in the crowd. He wasn't particularily successful in that regard. Yuki was impossible to shake, damn him.
When he finally found the two, Sesshoumaru was on the phone while Kagome was studying her peach silk-clad reflection in the full-size mirror.
The businessman waved a hand at him as he closed his phone. "Hiro, glad you could make it. Listen, I have to get back to the office. Those idiots can't make a decision without me, it seems. Take care of my girl." He patted Hiro on the back before turning to Kagome. "I still say the green one, beloved, but this is your gown. Whichever one you choose is fine with me. You look ravishing in both." He leaned down to kiss her cheek. "I'll call you as soon as I get out of my meetings. Here's my credit card. Get whatever you need. Hiro, make sure she gets what she needs, okay? No matter what it is."
Staring hard at Hiro, Sesshoumaru mouthed, "Get the green one, too."
Stifling a chuckle, Hiro nodded in understanding. Sesshoumaru gave him a short nod in return and ruffled her hair, before he turned and walked away out of the store.
Kagome watched Sesshoumaru wistfully before looking over at her friend. "Well? What do you think?" She twirled the peach tinted fabric about her slim legs. "I like this one better, but Sesshoumaru liked the green more."
Removing the green dress from its hanger, she laid it against the front of her body so Hiro could see. "It's very pretty, don't you think?"
Hiro nodded enthusiastically, his hands going to the dress that lay against her. "Mmm. Beautiful. They both look lovely on you, my dear. Hmm." He stepped back, taking the green gown with him. "The peach one. That's the one for you, Kagome." His dark eyes skimmed over her. "We'll need some new shoes, of course, and a handbag to match. Oh, and lets not forget the jewelry." He grinned at her.
The young woman paled. "Jewelry? But that's unnecessary, Hiro. I can wear something simple that I already have. There's no need to spend anymore of Sesshoumaru's money."
"Darling! I thought you knew by now. Your guardian is loaded. He could buy this mall and everything in it with the spare change in his pocket, okay? That's how bloody rich he is. Now no more stalling. He wants to buy you nice things that will make you happy and clothes that will make you look gorgeous."
Seeing her guilt-stricken little face, Hiro enfolded her in warm embrace. "Now don't you dare cry, Kagome. He wants to spend money on you. Do you know, he spends less on you than he does with Souta and Inuyasha?" Pressing his lips to her hair, he went on. "Indulge him once in awhile, okay? He just wants to see your pretty little face light up with joy."
Nodding slowly, Kagome pulled away from him and Hiro laughed. "I said, he just wants to see your pretty little face light up with joy."
Kagome frowned and stuck her tongue out at him. "You've got to give me a minute, okay? Sheesh."
Hiro laughed and went off to look for more gowns for his reluctant princess, leaving her alone to stare at her reflection.
"Oi, Kagome!"
Turning, she saw Kouga and his two friends heading her way. "Kouga-kun!" she cried happily in greeting.
He jogged over to her, but paused when he saw what she was wearing. The look of open adoration in his eyes caused her to blush crazily and bow her head. "Wow, you look... incredible!" he breathed, taking her hands in his as his eyes looked her up and down.
The blushed deepened under his bright blue gaze. "Arigato, Kouga-kun."
"I hope you're gonna take this one. It really suits you." He reached out to touch the fabric. "Whaddya think, boys? Should Kagome buy this dress?"
Ginta and Hakkaku held up their thumbs in a show of approval. "Get it, Kagome-neesan. It makes your skin glow," Ginta said with a gentle smile. His brother nodded with a smile of his own.
From where he was, Hiro could see and hear the little exchange clearly. He chuckled softly. Kagome's face was very nearly tomato red as the three men looked her over appreciatively. Well, she'd better get used to all the compliments. He had a feeling that things would change for Kagome really soon... starting with the tall, black-haired man who couldn't keep his blue eyes off of her.
There was definitely a relationship coming up in the horizon for his best friend whether she was ready for it or not.
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Yuki stormed out of the mall. Damn Kouga and his brainless sidekicks! Why did they have to show up now? Here? What was wrong with the world? Why was everything suddenly going against him? Damn everybody and everything...damn it...
He got to his car and drove off, still fuming. Before this bloody day was over, he would get her alone and demand she go out with him. He didn't care why at this point; all he wanted was to get her into his bed and be done with it. There was no way he was going to be bested by one little girl.
A few hours later, he finally succeeded in getting a hold of her. 'Lucky break,' he thought when he heard her answer.
"Hey, Kagome," he said in his smoothest voice. "How've you been?"
There was an uncomfortable silence on her end for a moment before she answered him. "I'm... fine, thank you, Yuki-sama. I'm afraid Hiro is in the shower right now, though--"
"I wasn't calling for him."
"I see. Then--"
He smirked. "I was calling for you."
Another small stretch of silence. "Um... okay. What may I do for you then?"
The smirk slid into a wide, almost frightful grin. "Well, since you put it that way... I want you to go out with me."
She gasped in surprise. "Yuki-sama?"
"Yes, you heard me correctly. How's tonight sound?"
"I... I can't tonight. Hiro and I... we've made plans already."
"Tomorrow night, then," he said without skipping a beat.
Kagome sighed. "I can't tomorrow night. I have... an appointment." Her voice sounded furtive and it made him frown.
"What appointment?" he asked, trying very hard to hide the irritation in his voice. "Can't you break it? Surely it can't be that important."
"Iie! I can't break it, Yuki-sama! Never! I--"
The phone was wrenched from Kagome's grasp and Yuki heard Hiro's outraged voice on the line. "You... dirty sneak! I should have known you'd try to get a hold of her. What? Are you lying in wait outside in the bushes or something and peeking through the curtains?" There was a rustle of fabric, indicating that Hiro was checking to see if anyone was outside.
"Heh. Silence, brother. At least she told me something that you should have imparted to me. I know when her little date is."
"Well, that's fine, Yuki. But at least I had the pleasure of hearing her turn you down."
Yuki shut his phone angrily on Hiro's raucous laughter.