Disclaimer: Alas, I do not own any of Rumiko Takahashi's wonderful creations.
Chapter Ten
Last time:
He glanced over to see how Maika reacted to his preference. She chewed thoughtfully, swallowed then said, "Not bad, a different texture than chocolate, but still good. And you?"
"I must confess the taste of chocolate is not unpleasant, however, I once had an incident involving chocolate that prevents me from enjoying it," he told her honestly.
Maika smiled at him. "I thought as much. People usually don't turn slightly green when they taste something they like."
She lifted her plate and set it down in front of him, taking her own back.
I did not turn green, Sesshomaru objected, but said nothing, preferring to enjoy the relative silence, likely the only one he would have today.
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Inuyasha shifted position for the billionth time and Kagome bit her lip to not bark out a sit command, reminding herself that he was in a rather emotionally fragile state at the moment.
He had been fine when they had first arrived at the gardens. They paid the fee, received a pamphlet warning of all the dangers of looking directly at the sun and promoting all the joys of this rare occasion, and Kagome read said pamphlet aloud to Inuyasha while they sat beneath a tree.
He had been happy about finding refreshments being served, but things had declined from there. Unfortunately, human Inuyasha was just as intolerant as hanyou Inuyasha of spicy foods. With the unsolicited help of a few security guards, she had finally gotten him down from the tree he had scaled in his panic and then apologized profusely to the guards for his behavior, which just managed to keep them from being escorted from the gardens.
Unfortunately, after that the park had begun to fill with others there to enjoy the eclipse festivities, so they had hurriedly found a seat on the grass in front of the large screen where the viewing equipment was ready and waiting for the eclipse. At first Inuyasha had been irritated and grouchy. Then he became skittish and rather quiet. Now, he was downright paranoid, jumping each time someone moved next to them and clutching Tetsusaiga's hilt. And her fingers had gone numb five minutes ago from his death-grip on her hand!
She just knew he wasn't holding his precious Tetsusaiga so roughly. If only he would just relax, he would be able to enjoy himself. Thinking back to the first time she had seen him turn human, Kagome coaxed him to lay his head in her lap. Well, she rather violently forced him kicking and protesting into her lap, but who paid attention to such details.
Once he was lying down, she gently stroked his black locks. As soft as his hair was, she did miss his fuzzy dog ears.
"Even when I'm human, you still pet me like a dog," he complained, though he ceased trying to free himself from her abuse.
Kagome ignored the look the couple sitting next to them gave her and continued to stroke his hair. Despite his protests, he was already relaxing. One of his hands even reached up and idly stroked her calf in a gentle way that made her whole body tingle. She could feel as the tension slowly slipped from his neck and shoulders and smiled. Now this was more like it. Now, he would be able to enjoy himself.
There was a harsh squeal from a speaker and a microphone being misaligned, then a rumbling voice announced, "Okay, every one please take your seats. The solar eclipse will be taking place in a few moments. If you would kindly direct your attention to the screen, we will have one of our astronomers discuss some of the delights you will be witnessing today."
Inuyasha cracked an eye as Kagome's attentions halted. "Keh, like we need someone tell us what we're about to see with our own eyes."
Kagome prepared to chide him for that unnecessary comment, but he continued.
"The one good thing about being human, though, is that that racket doesn't hurt my ears so bad."
Kagome bit her tongue and just sighed. At least he was starting to find good things about today. She coaxed him to sit up as the shrinking image of the sun appeared on the screen in front of them. Those around them gasped in awe as they watched the black disc slip over the glowing image, reducing it to a shining crescent, then finally a brilliant point of light that crowned the dark ring.
And the moment passed. The dark disc of the moon passed and the sun emerged once again. Kagome let out the breath she had been holding with a soft squeal. She clasped her hands over her heart and closed her eyes. Inuyasha thought she looked angelic, a beauty to rival what they'd just seen.
"Wow, that was beautiful," she whispered.
"It didn't last very long," Inuyasha pointed out, wanting to smack himself when her radiant smile faded.
"I know," she told him a little wistfully. "But it wouldn't have been so beautiful if it did. People tend to take things for granted if they don't think they can lose them."
Inuyasha winced at the sadness in her voice. Was that how she thought he felt about her? That he took her for granted?
She dropped her gaze to her shoes, her bangs shading her face. "I guess, I guess that sometimes I even take you for granted, until something happens to remind me how easily I could lose you. And that...that frightens me, but it also makes me stronger too. Strong enough to tell you I'm sorry for taking you for granted sometimes."
Inuyasha was too stunned for words.
Suddenly, Kagome smiled up at him. "Well, how about we check out the carnival now? You'll have so much fun, and without your usual hearing the noise will be much more bearable."
"Keh, whatever," he told her.
"That's the spirit!" she exclaimed, with more than enough exuberance for the both of them. Inuyasha let himself be led along. How bad could something with such a funny name be?
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"Father, you look so nice!" Reiku squealed.
Sesshomaru winced at the volume, but had to agree with the girl. The first three outfits Maika had forced him to try on were so ghastly he thought even that kitten robe of Kagome's would have been better. Honestly, the mortal who invented shorts should have been shot, run through, then possibly drawn and quartered. Males were not meant to run around baring as much leg as, well, as the teenage girls in this day and age.
He had refused to come out of the dressing room against all manner of threat Maika had issued. Finally, Reiku had brought him a nice white t-shirt and a pair of loose jeans that were surprisingly comfortable. Not that he would give up the silks he usually wore when at home or in his penthouse, though.
His sensitive ears caught the admiring gasp from Maika and the stunned expression she tried to hide behind a flick of her fan. He smirked at her, then turned to Reiku and said, "I believe I find these acceptable. An excellent choice."
Reiku beamed and put her hands on her hips. "Well, a daughter does know these things."
They paid for the clothes and Sesshomaru simply disposed of his ruined attire in the first bin they came across. With Reiku tugging on one hand, and Maika's hand entwined with his other, Sesshomaru entered his very first carnival. The various smells almost made his eyes water and the cacophony of chatter, screams, thundering rides and creaking machinery assaulted his ears.
He was forced to pause for a minute and allow his senses to adjust, which Maika took as invitation to take pictures. Beside him, Reiku squeezed his hand reassuringly and flashed him a smile. Sesshomaru glanced down, marveling at how well his daughter knew him already. When Maika finished her photography session and asked if Reiku were ready, the girl simply shook her head, then waited for his almost imperceptible nod before she said, "Okay, now let's go!"
Sesshomaru allowed Reiku to drag him forward. Maika walked alongside, grinning at the activity around them. Leaning closer to her ear, Sesshomaru asked, "Well, guide, what is the first activity on your agenda?"
Maika turned her most sinister grin on him and pointed at a booth not far from the entrance. "I figured we'd start small," she informed him.
Sesshomaru glared at the hideously colorful sign above them. "Face paining?"
Maika stuck her tongue out at him and said, "Okay, now, Reiku, you get to pick what each of us gets at this one, okay?"
Reiku nodded eagerly and gaped at the wide assortment of images that could be painted on the face. Finally, she pointed at a crescent moon with a star in the center.
"Where do you want it, sweetie?" the woman running the stand asked as Reiku settled into the chair.
Reiku smiled and pointed right in the center of her forehead. Sesshomaru had no need to ask why she had chosen that image in that location, and was actually deeply moved that she wished to carry the mark of his house on her brow as well.
"Okay, now my turn," Maika announced excitedly as she slid into the chair. "What'll it be, Reiku?"
Reiku studied the selection again before deciding on a very pretty red rose to have painted across Maika's left cheek. Maika admired the work in the mirror and said, "Nice choice, girl."
They all turned toward Sesshomaru next, who suddenly felt as if he'd been spotted by predators. Maika bent and whispered something in Reiku's ear that he could not quite make out due to the noise all around. Reiku smiled and nodded vigorously. Maika then turned and whispered to the worker, who nodded once and flipped down her mirror.
"Okay, in the chair," Reiku told him, pulling on his hand again until he complied. He had agreed to this after all, and the proper way to do even this was with dignity.
He kept his face stone, not even twitching as the cold paint contacted his skin. Reiku had told the woman to paint it on his forehead, but he could get no clue as to what it was due to the rather irregular strokes of the brush. When she was finished, she stepped back for the girls to inspect her work.
Both smiled their approval before Maika handed him the mirror. Slowly, he lifted it to view his reflection, and almost had to laugh himself when he saw the bright yellow circle with two large black dots for eyes and upward curving mouth peeking out from beneath his bangs.
"I knew we'd put a smile on your face, one way or the other!" Maika crowed with glee. Even the worker couldn't help but giggle.
"Clever," he conceded and returned the mirror to its owner.
Maika accepted her praise with an exaggerated bow and a western curtsy. She then leaned forward, so that her breath tickled his ear, and whispered, "I'll put a real one on you before the day is over."
He shivered at the sensation and the husky note of promise in her voice. He really hoped she would, too, though he would make sure it wasn't easy for her.
Next Maika led them across the park to an area where rides requiring water were set up. Many humans in skimpy bathing attire swarmed this area, most likely because of the abnormally strong heat that afternoon. Sesshomaru wrinkled his nose in disgust as a whole group of them walked by, dripping little rivers and their shoes squishing with each step.
"That is what we're riding first," Maika told them. "An excellent way to cool down before we go walking around in the heat."
Reiku jumped up and down and clapped her hands. "Oh, the kids were talking about this one! I want to sit in the front."
Sesshomaru balked at the entrance to the ride, frowning at the flowing water. He did NOT want to get wet. Reiku must have noticed because she said, "You can wait for us if you want. I'll ride with Maika."
Maika nodded. "Yeah, I'll take her. You just go wait over there." Sesshomaru followed her finger to the bridge where the water and boats passed once the ride was over. "That's where the exit is."
He nodded and sauntered over to the bridge, leaning on his elbows to watch the flowing water, his back to the ride itself. He would smell them when they got off.
xxx
Maika and Reiku hurried over and climbed into the available boat. The worker fastened the safety bars and instructed them not to put their arms outside the boat or do anything really stupid. Reiku spotted Sesshomaru standing with his back to them on the bridge.
"I thought he didn't ride because he didn't want to get wet? The kids say the bridge is where you get the most splash," Reiku asked Maika. Maika noticed him at that point and smothered a laugh with her hand.
"I didn't tell him to wait on the bridge. Oh well. Reiku, sweetie, get your camera ready because this is one memory you'll want to hang on to for the rest of your life," Maika told her.
Reiku smiled, but handed the camera to Maika. "You take it. I might mess it up."
Maika just grinned wickedly and positioned the view box.
Their boat floated down the small stream section, then bumped as it hit the water-covered rollers that would carry them into the stream below. Reiku squealed happily as the front tipped, then they whizzed downward. The boat hit the water, launching a massive wave onto the bridge and spraying the boat passengers.
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Sesshomaru tapped his claws on the railing. He was feeling a bit guilty for not riding with Reiku. She had wanted to spend time with him, her father, and here he was standing to the side and allowing another the honor of escorting her. But he really, really hated to get wet. At least when he wasn't bathing.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, a forceful wave of cold water broke upon his back. It rode upwards, soaking through clothes and his thick length of hair until it was pouring into his eyes and off every inch of his body. His clothes stuck to him and his bangs clawed at his eyes with watery talons. His hand on the railing flinched, slicing through the thin metal, though he gave it no thought.
What the hell was that? His first panicked thought was that the ride had malfunctioned and Reiku and Maika were in danger. In a flash, he was on the opposite side of the bridge searching the agitated waters for signs of the boat wreckage. Instead, there was a click and a blinding flash. Maika and Reiku, mostly dry, waved at him and laughed as their boat carried them slowly underneath the bridge, back to where the passengers could unload.
His panic faded to relief. Both the females were fine. Then anger reared. Maika! She had done that on purpose! He was practically seething. His own claws drove into his palms as he clenched his fists. Wet! She had got him wet!
But as she and Reiku strolled across the bridge towards him, his anger began to melt. Maika's hair and face were specked with water that sparked and shimmered like rainbows in the sun. Her red lips were parted slightly as she said something to Reiku and her smiling eyes nearly stole his breath as they passed over him. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
His clenched fists loosened and the wounds healed almost instantly. Sesshomaru found he wasn't angry, but his heart was racing with yet another strong emotion that was not encouraging him to be very gentle with her either. Forcing back those rather x-rated thoughts, he turned his attention to his daughter, who bounced happily at Maika's side wearing a smile that made his heart flutter in a whole different way. A surge of protective pride filled him at that moment. There stood the two things he could honestly say he cared most about.
Maika reached out and swept his dripping bangs from his eyes, a very concerned look on her face. She released a breath loudly, then said, "Good, it's still there. I was afraid the water would have washed the smiley face away."
Sesshomaru frowned and moved off the bridge before another of those boats could soak him again. His feet were making that irritating noise now and he had just become aware of the now transparent condition of his white t-shirt due to Maika's not-so-subtle staring.
Picking up on his irritation, Maika said, "Sorry, hon, but I didn't tell you to stand on the bridge you know."
"But at least you will feel the coolest out of all of us, Father! It is very hot today," Reiku added.
Sesshomaru had his hair slung over his shoulder, trying to ring it out, but paused when he heard them speak. He arched an eyebrow at them and said, "Oh?"
Then, without warning, Sesshomaru released his hair and shook himself vigorously, indulging his canine instincts. He almost smiled when he heard the squeals and screams coming from Maika and Reiku as the two lifted their hands to ward off the sudden shower. Halting as abruptly as he had started, Sesshomaru calmly proceeded to straighten his still wet, but no longer dripping clothes and smoothed his hair.
Maika and Reiku stood there wiping excess water from their own limbs and faces as they glared at him with matching expressions of horror.
"There, now we are all refreshed," he told them, making sure his face remained stern and businesslike.
Reiku burst out giggling and nodded, while Maika kept frowning. Sesshomaru watched a large drop form just beside her eyebrow and roll down her cheek towards her mouth. He shot his hand out and caught it with his thumb, his other fingers curving naturally to cup her chin. She froze, and he could her heart racing as she slowly lifted her eyes to his. Tenderly, he wiped it away with the pad of his thumb.
"And what does our guide have planned next?" he asked her, unable to help the slight growl that deepened his voice due to her proximity and intoxicating scent.
She closed her eyes, as though feeling the vibrations of his voice, and took a deep breath. Composed again, she smiled innocently at him and replied, "You'll see."
Sesshomaru grunted and slid his hand away from her face only to have it taken up by Reiku. "I hope games are next!" she exclaimed happily, tugging Sesshomaru to follow Maika. "I want to win one of the giant stuffed animals."
Maika, looked over her shoulder at the girl. "Sounds like a good idea. And I'm sure Reizo will be able to win you the largest stuffed prize in the park."
Sesshomaru snorted softly. Indeed. These pathetic human games would be no challenge to his superior strength and cunning.
As he had predicted, the games were like child's play to him. Reiku had dragged them first to a booth with colorful balloons plastered along the back wall and giant plush cats, mice and dog prizes tied all around the sides.
The man working the booth made Sesshomaru's skin crawl. He smelled of rotten cheese and fish, and the grimy layer of dirt on his hands made Sesshomaru wonder if the man had ever bathed. He quickly handed the man some money and stepped back to watch Reiku try her luck.
It appeared simple enough. All you had to do was pop four balloons of a certain color to win each prize. The more difficult the balloon's location and size, the larger the prize. Reiku managed to pop one of the balloons for the smallest prize, but it wasn't enough.
The worker scratched his head and gave him a crooked smile. "You think you could try to win the little lady something? Five darts for four bucks. And it only takes four hits to win."
Sesshomaru glared down his nose at the human, which erased the hideous smile and encouraged him to step a little further away from the youkai's sensitive nose. He handed the man the money and accepted the darts.
"Which color receives the largest prize?" he questioned, as he eyed the board for his targets.
"The red," the man told him. He softened his tone to what he must have believed to be a friendly one and added, "But those really are the hardest. I'd suggest starting with the yellows and then work up to blue and then red."
Sesshomaru shot him a glare from the corner of his eye that had the worker cowed up against the side of his booth. Then without a word he tossed the dart at a red balloon up at the top right. The others looked at the board waiting so see where the dart would land, but when it didn't, they started to glance at the floor.
Sesshomaru just stared at the place where he had thrown the dart. It had moved too fast for the human's to follow, but went through his targeted balloon, the backboard and he winced upon hearing a sharp, angry cry from somewhere behind the booth.
"It's alright, Father. You will get it next time," Reiku told him, patting him on the arm.
He frowned. He had not realized just how easy these games would be. If he were not more careful, he would be unable to win Reiku a prize at all. Taking aim again, and checking his strength, Sesshomaru tossed his remaining darts at four red balloons. He smirked at the satisfying "pops" that sounded after each hit.
The worker grumbled about first timer's luck and needing to get duller darts, as he retrieved them and confirmed all four hits. With a loud sigh, he said, "Okay, one large prize."
Sesshomaru turned to Reiku and asked, "Which would you like?"
She turned and without hesitation pointed at a large, fluffy white dog. "I want that one. I just love dogs. They're my favorite."
Sesshomaru patted her on the head and lightly traced the moon painted on her forehead, as she watched the man fetch her prize, unable to suppress the proud smile that curled his lips as he thought, "That's my girl!"
Of course dogs would be her favorite. He would need to make time someday soon to allow her to see his true form. He glanced at the large white dog in her arms. Yes, if she were pleased with that tiny thing, he knew she would be impressed with his true from.
Maika must have caught his arrogant smile, because she leaned over and whispered, "It wasn't all that great, just a dart game. Goodness, you'd think you just won the World Cup or something."
He turned his smirk towards her and smugly offered, "Jealous? Shall I win something for you as well?"
She straightened and tapped her fan to her chin. "Not likely. Besides, I don't want to be stuck hauling some giant thing around all day long."
He said, "I could always have a limo come to take all the prizes, once I have won them."
She wrinkled her nose and stuck her tongue out at him. "Okay, now you're just showing off."
"Indeed," was all Sesshomaru said. He sniffed to make sure Reiku was with him as he followed Maika to another game. This wasn't all that bad. He was drying and the noise wasn't nearly so loud in this area as it was near the rides.
"Oh, thank you!" Reiku repeated over and over, hugging her new dog tightly. Sesshomaru felt a surprising twinge of jealousy. Yes, he would need to show her his true form and get her adoration back where it belonged.
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"Okay, so what is supposed to be so fun about this carnival? All I see are a bunch of humans running around like idiots," Inuyasha grumbled.
Kagome hooked her arm though his and pulled him along. "That's the fun of the fair! You get to run around and not have to worry or be serious. Just goof off and have fun."
"Keh!" was his response.
"Oh, you grump, come on. There are some games over here. You can win me a prize," she told him.
Inuyasha sniffed, feeling a little grateful that particular sense was diminished, because even with this nose he could strongly smell the odors of hot humans and fried foods. He glanced down at Kagome and said, "Who said you get to keep my prize when I win?"
She stopped and turned around to look at him, placing her hands on her hips. "I'm paying for it, that's what says I get the prize. Besides, you're supposed to give your prize to the girl. That's how a date goes."
"Keh, that hardly seems fair. If I've done all the work to win it, I think I ought to get something," he pointed out, crossing his arms for emphasis.
Kagome steamed. "You get something! You get the love and affection of the girl, and the good feeling of knowing you made her happy. Besides, what would you do with a giant stuffed toy back in your era?"
Inuyasha stuck his nose in the air. "I'd think of something. Maybe fill it with that dynamite stuff that Renkotsu guy had and give it to Naraku." Inuyasha started to smile. "Yeah, maybe he'd think it's some new youkai and absorb it, then Boom!"
Kagome crossed her arms as well and turned her back to him. "I'm not letting you blow up my prize. You can kill Naraku with Tetsusaiga."
Inuyasha opened his mouth as if to say something, but gave a sharp cry. Kagome whirled around to see what was the matter, and found him rubbing his shoulder furiously and rattling off a string of curses that would have a sailor blushing. He continued to rub his shoulder as he bent and lifted a dart from the ground.
"What the...? Where the hell did this come from?" he demanded, looking around as if there were enemies. "Why are we being attacked?"
Kagome giggled. "I don't think we're being attacked. There's probably a dart toss booth around here somewhere and whoever was playing must have missed."
Inuyasha tossed the thing aside, still massaging his wounded arm. "Missed my ass, it felt like someone trying to stab me. And you wanted me to wear a t-shirt. Without my firerat this could have gone straight through me."
Kagome rolled her eyes. "You big baby. Like anyone in my era could toss a dart that hard. Come on, let's go win my prize!"
"Keh, this stuff is easy!" Inuyasha exclaimed as he tossed yet another perfectly aimed baseball at the stack of bottles, knocking them over. "I don't even need my usual strength to do this. You just gotta throw it right."
Kagome glared at him over the mountain of stuffed animals that had grown in her arms. "I'm so glad you have found your hidden talent, O great one, but I can't hold any more of these you know. Let's go ride some rides before they close the fair."
Inuyasha tossed his black hair over his shoulder and added his latest win to her collection. "Keh, whatever. Just don't say I never won you anything."
"Oh, come on. I think they have lockers to rent near the entrance so we can store these until time to go home," she explained, leading her swaggering companion towards the front.
Inuyasha was immensely pleased with himself. She had more prizes than any other girl in he had seen so far. Yep, he definitely had no rivals to worry about here. And there were enough of the things there that he could still try his dynamite plan on Naraku without Kagome even noticing.
He followed Kagome to the lockers she had mentioned and leaned against a post while she bought, rented, painted or did whatever the hell she wanted to do with them. His gaze wondered over the clusters of human entering and exiting the grounds, when he suddenly spotted a familiar figure. Tall, slender, long, black hair: though the suit was gone, he still recognized that suave Mr. Daigeko, ginko, er whatever his name was. He bristled and snarled at the man's back, though without fangs and a proper growl it fell a bit flat.
What was that guy doing here? Was he following Kagome around? He narrowed his eyes and studied the man. He had met him before at that food place, but there was something else. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he felt like he knew this man from somewhere. The elegant, stoic features and fair skin reminded him of Sesshomaru of all people, but that was just ridiculous.
The man turned and Inuyasha caught sight of a large, yellow smiling face on his forehead. Nope, Sesshomaru has a moon. Definitely not a smiley. Not to mention that his brother was a full demon not a human. A rather pretty human woman joined him. She smiled at him and they exchanged a few words before the man snaked an arm around her waist and drew her closer.
Definitely not Sesshomaru! There was no way Sesshomaru would be affectionate with a mortal female, or even affectionate period.
Kagome came up beside him, causing him to nearly jump through the roof when she said, "Whatcha looking at?"
Calming down, Inuyasha smirked and pointed at the man and woman. "There's your gentleman over there. AND he has a girl with him."
Kagome followed his finger to the couple that was now just holding hands and looking at something outside the entrance. She clasped her hands and exclaimed, "I knew it! I knew he liked her!"
Inuyasha deflated a bit. She already knew it? Well, damn right. She had better know that no other males could just come up and court her with fancy food in paper wrappings.
Kagome then slipped her hand into his and said, "Come on. Let's go ride some rides."
Kagome had started them off on a slow quiet ride, thinking it would be better to ease him into the whole fair process. They bought tickets, then stood in line at the Ferris wheel. Inuyasha was fine until they tried to lower the safety bar. After Kagome calmed him down and a very upset worker returned some colorful language, they were moving up and around.
The view was spectacular; most of the park and some of the city beyond was visible. Inuyasha, though, was not impressed. He snarled at the seat and kept trying to dig his nails into the metal bar or the vinyl seats with no success.
"Why does this damn thing keep trying to throw me out?" he demanded angrily.
Kagome sighed. So much for him enjoying rides. This was the easiest thing in the park. Fortunately, it turned out that Inuyasha just didn't get along with Ferris Wheels. The rest of the rides he sat through without complaint. The ones he really liked he demanded to ride again and again and again, until Kagome wanted to scream.
The largest, fastest ride happened to be that chosen one, and Kagome nearly cried in relief when she realized she had to use the restroom. She led a grumbling Inuyasha to the nearest facility and told him not to move until she got back.
Inuyasha sniffed and leaned against a nearby fence only to brush against someone else's back as he did so. Surprised and cursing himself for not having his usual senses, Inuyasha whirled and discovered the cool, pale face of none other than that Daikek, Dirkei, Dr Pepper fellow smirking down at him.
"Why hello again," the man said smoothly. "You are a friend of Kagome's, are you not?"
Inuyasha crossed his arms and glared at the man's face. That voice. There was just something so familiar about him. He knew that voice from somewhere. Realizing a moment later that he had been staring, Inuyasha jumped nervously and said, "Yeah, and nice smiley face."
The man looked down at him, a hard, unreadable expression on his face, and said, "Indeed."
Sesshomaru was displeased to say the least when he felt someone bump against him, but when he turned and saw just who had dared do such a thing, he was more than a little shocked to find his brother. And not just his brother, but his brother as a human. He almost forgot to speak when he noticed the startling black hair and rounded ears, but caught himself and made an introduction. Of course the foolish boy would not have thought to remember that he had had white hair the last they'd met and that alone should have made him nearly impossible to identify.
Sesshomaru sniffed his brother discreetly, puzzled by the fact that he was indeed human. Had Kagome gotten a charm for him as well? His brother was flustered, that much was obvious by the way he kept staring at him. But Sesshomaru grew uncomfortable at the glazed look in his brother's eye that meant he was thinking very hard about something. Sesshomaru did not want himself to be that something.
Even Inuyasha, if given enough time and cool head, would eventually figure out who he was. And the whelp had brought Tetsusaiga with him, while he himself had nothing but his own abilities. Not that he was worried about losing, but Reiku and Maika were here. He remembered Inuyasha's temper and Tetsusaiga could cause a lot of damage even before Kagome could sit him.
Trying to keep him a bit rattled, Sesshomaru said, "Nice hair. Was it not white last time we met?"
Predictably, the hanyou grew irritated and muttered under his breath. Thankfully, Maika, Reiku and Kagome walked out of the restrooms together at that moment. Kagome waved at the brothers and said, "Look who I found in the bathroom, Inuyasha. Remember the little girl from the Wacdonald's?"
Inuyasha smiled, recalling very well the incident. Mr. D..., that guy, had gotten stuck in the kid trap.
"Maika told me that she and Mr. Daiginkeiko were thinking of riding the one you love, but Reiku wasn't tall enough. So Reiku and I are going to get some ice cream while you three ride the ride to your heart's content."
Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. Kagome seemed almost too excited. She had looked a little green the last few times they rode. Maybe she didn't want to ride anymore.
Maika sidled up to...that guy and entwined her hand with his. "You can't come to a fair without riding the best ride."
That guy glanced at Inuyasha, then nodded his agreement. "You have been on this ride before?"
It took Inuyasha a few minutes to realize the guy was talking to him, and when he did, he also noted the slight edge in his voice. The guy must have been nervous. Smirking, Inuyasha crossed his arms and said, "Yep!"
"Eight times," Kagome moaned from behind him, jumping when they all turned to look at her, then said in a much more cheerful voice, "Eight times!"
"Don't be afraid. It's nothing," Inuyasha assured him. The clenching of the guy's jaw cheered him greatly. "Come on, unless you're scared to ride it. Then you can stay with the kid and Kagome."
Inuyasha then marched proudly back into the line, followed by a less than happy...er, that guy.
Maika leaned a bit hesitantly against the man's chest as they waited for their turn. He had been very pointed staring at anything but Inuyasha, but made a quick glance in his direction before he encouraged the woman by putting a hand on her shoulder. Inuyasha almost snorted. Like he cared if those two wanted to hug in public.
The Maika woman wouldn't stop watching him though. She wasn't rude about it, or sneaky, she just kept looking at him, then down at his sword. Finally, she said, "That is an unusual accessory to carry at a fair. Is it real?"
Inuyasha started and clutched Tetsusaiga's hilt protectively. "Keh, it's real enough. And I don't go anywhere without it."
He almost swore he saw the man roll his eyes at that, but by the time he looked the only thing with an expression was the painting on the man's forehead.
"Reizo, that reminds me a lot of your sword. Are they from the same time period, you suppose?" she asked.
Reizo! Ha! Inuyasha thought triumphantly. That's his name. The line started to move, bringing them up to the railings that divided people off by cars.
"Likely," was all Reizo said. They moved into the stalls that divided the long line for loading. Abruptly, Reizo turned and asked, "So, Inuyasha, how have you enjoyed the fair?"
"Keh, it's not so bad. Kind of loud and smelly," Inuyasha told him, moving up to the gate as the people in front of him boarded. "And some idiot hit me with a dart earlier. But I got a bunch of those stuffed things from the games, and the rides aren't so bad. I wouldn't recommend the giant wheel that spins, though."
Maika giggled softly and said, "Reizo wasn't too fond of the Ferris Wheel either."
"Hmph," both said at once, causing Maika to laugh even harder.
"Keh, what's so funny," Inuyasha grumbled sullenly.
Maika stopped laughing and tilted her head to look at him. The gate behind her opened and she and Reizo moved to occupy the seats.
"You should have stood in a different line so you could ride with us," she said absently, then looked up at him again. "Well, it's just that you two look like you could be related. It's probably just the hair, though. Not many guys wear theirs that long."
Inuyasha frowned and turned his gaze to Riezo yet again. He just couldn't shake the feeling that he should know the man. Especially that voice. He knew he had heard that voice before. But where?
He tapped his fingers against the gate as he thought. He was too old to be someone from Kagome's school. And he had never met any of the humans in the stores enough to actually recognize him. Why was he just so damn familiar?
The coaster roared back into the boarding area. Maika was smiling and laughing as she adjusted her windblown hair and some of Reizo's as well. Reizo appeared as bored as ever. Inuyasha rolled his eyes. What did that woman see in such a stiff guy?
"We'll wait for you at the bottom then, okay. Enjoy it!" Maika called to him.
"Whatever," Inuyasha mumbled in response, too caught up in his own thoughts to really care.
The coaster set out and he mechanically put his hands on the bar in front of him. Instead of the usual smooth metal, he felt odd ridges and a few narrow gouges. Inspecting it more closely, he noticed the ridges looked a lot like finger imprints and the small gouges almost like claw marks.
Before he could come up with a logical explanation, or even a rather far-fetched illogical one, the ride was over and he was tripping down the exit, herded by the throng of humans around him. Just beyond the exit, Kagome and the little girl were waiting for him, both holding large scoops of ice cream. Kagome called out and waved at him, causing the little girl to turn and mimic her.
Inuyasha glanced up, and had to blink and rub his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things. That little girl bore the same crescent moon on her forehead as his brother. It had to be paint, but why would she have that image put in that particular spot?
Then it hit him like a bolt of lightning. His jaw dropped and the world came crashing down onto him like a sit command in reverse. His limbs seized and he found he really couldn't breathe. It was impossible. There was no fucking way it was possible. No, he refused to believe it. He had just ridden that ride one too many times and knocked his brain a little loose.
Turning sharply, Inuyasha took off running, where he wasn't sure, he just needed to be moving. The world ground to a halt again as he rounded the corner of a small building and discovered Reizo and Maika deeply involved in the most sensual kiss he had ever seen, including what he had glimpsed on Kagome's TV.
They stood flush against one another. Her arms encircled his neck, her fingers tangling in his impossibly long hair. One of his hands was conducting a rather thorough examination of her waist, hip and backside, while the other gently pressed her more tightly against him by the back of her head.
Inuyasha took all this in in an instant, frozen by the shock and horror of it. The little girl, the crescent moon, the claw marks in metal, the cold, arrogant expression and that unnaturally long hair. He didn't know how it could be, perhaps he had died and this was hell, but that human currently making-out with another mortal was...
Managing to regain partial control of his vocal abilities, Inuyasha blurted out, "SESSHOMARU?"