I do not own Inuyasha or its characters...Thank you all for your wonderful responses to the last chapter. I hope this chapter does as well. I promise that things will get more interesting as the story progresses, so please be patient as I set the locations and such. I promise, if you all still want more, that the next chapter will be better. But PLEASE let me know what you think so far...I'd really appreciate it as I haven't written a fic in a modern setting before and I desperately need to know if I am doing alright with it...
Birth Rite ch2 Coming Home.
Sesshomaru stood behind his desk, the phone held in his hand as he instructed the limo driver to unload Kagome and Sango's bags in front of the empty cottage next to the one Inuyasha and Miroku occupied.
Behind the cottages lay a sparkling lake that stretched for miles. Their Father had purchased this land years ago for the sole purpose of the privacy it guaranteed. Surrounded on three sides by lush forests and on the other by the afore mentioned lake- they were secluded here from prying eyes. They were miles from the nearest town, yet near enough to the airport should the need to travel arise.
Returning the phone to its cradle, he moved to the window; the roar of a motorcycle coming up the drive pulling his attention before he turned and silently made his way to greet his brother and the girl they'd found so many years ago.
Inuyasha pulled the bike to a stop before moving to set the kickstand and waiting for Kagome to move away from him. He watched as she slid from the seat of the bike, her warmth leaving his back bare to the suddenly cool breeze that shifted around him.
She moved to greet his brother who was standing silently upon the porch, her backside in full view. His eyes danced over her briefly; the sway of her hips hypnotizing as she walked away. Snapping back to reality, he reminded himself...again...that this was Kagome. He shouldn't be eying her up like she were some delicious dessert upon his menu.
Silencing a desperate moan, he ,too, slid from the motorcycle and made his way to stand beside her; careful to avoid the tantalizing curve of her wonderfully shaped...
Damn it...what was wrong with him?
Kagome turned to Sesshomaru and smiled before bowing slightly. She resisted the urge to hug him knowing that a public display of affection would most likely be unwelcome. But later she'd be sure to give him a BIG hug-whether he liked it or not. He was her adopted brother and he just as well get used to it.
" Sesshomaru. You look well." she murmured before winking at him.
" As do you. Your belongings have been delivered to the west cottage. You and Sango will be living there. She traveled with you I assume." Sesshomaru answered.
" Yep, she rode with Miroku. They'll be here..."
" They're on their way up the driveway now. " Inuyasha grumbled before taking his place at her side.
Kagome turned to look at him then before noticing the boat and wave runners sitting just to the left of her cottage.
Sesshomaru, do you mind if I take the wave runners out on the lake? she asked, hope evident in her voice.
" Do as you wish."
" Thank you." she replied over the rumble of Miroku's motorcycle as he pulled into the drive.
" It's about damn time you guys got here." Inuyasha said.
" Well, some of us like to obey the speed limits, Inuyasha." Miroku replied while leaning forward to allow Sango off the bike before swinging a leg over and walking over to stand before them.
" Sango, Sesshomaru says we can take the wave runners out-you up for it? " Kagome asked excitedly.
" Yeah, but can I drive the boat? "
" That's even better. I'll bet it leaves an awesome wave...you ready?"
And with that they were gone leaving Inuyasha and Miroku staring after them. Sesshomaru shook his head while making his way back into the house.
" Dude, you thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?" Miroku whispered.
" And what would that be...and do I dare ask?" Inuyasha mumbled turning his head to look at Miroku.
" Are you dense? They have to wear swim suits; you don't wanna miss that do ya?" Miroku nearly stuttered.
Inuyasha growled. But it was hot out, what could it hurt? And if he couldn't scare the wits out of Kagome on a motorcycle; perhaps dumping her off of a wave runner would.
" Lets go." he mumbled before turning and making his way to their cottage- a satisfied " Yes" echoing behind him.
Xxxxxxxxx
Both girls rushed into the cottage Sesshomaru had deemed their new home; their hands grasping the suitcases containing their clothing. Jakken and Mushin helped with what remained. " You sure you girls want to go out so soon after your arrival?" Mushin questioned before dropping a handful of their bags in the living area.
" Yep. We have all day tomorrow to unpack, and then it's off to the mall for new outfits for Kagome's birthday. Say, do you know of any good clubs around here?" Sango murmured while surveying their new home.
It was beautiful really. Hardwood floors waxed to a gleaming shine lay throughout the home. The kitchen had been built of oak- the counters made of marble; a deep black that set off the metallic shine of the kitchen appliances.
The living area was off to the left. A half moon couch sat in its center and before it sat a 52 inch big screen TV; the surround sound speakers placed strategically within the room. Crimson curtains lay over the windows.
"This is my room." Kagome called out . Sango followed her voice to the room in question. Deep green carpet lay upon the floor; silk black curtains upon the windows. On the right, mounted within the wall, was a fireplace lined in rock; its orange-yellow flames licking contentedly at the log pieces that lay within its center. On the left was the master bathroom with oak French doors open to reveal shiny white counter tops and a deep garden tub. A separate shower stall sat on the opposite wall.
Her eyes returned to the fireplace before taking note of the glass doors leading outside. Making her way to them she looked out over the lake; the view breathtaking. Walking out onto the deck, she realized that it was shared by the room next door. She noted another set of doors that would no doubt lead to a room similar hers; only this one located in the cottage shared by Inuyasha and Miroku.
" The cottages are connected. The fireplace is shared between the two rooms, as is the deck. I believe the room belongs to Inuyasha. There are switches here..." he said while motioning to the small controls upon the wall.." and there is also a remote upon the nightstand. They turn the flame in the fireplace off and on, and if you wish for heat you can turn that on or off as well. Being electric, you get the option of the visual with heat, or just the visual. "
" Your room is this way Sango."
Holding a hand toward the aforementioned room; he waited until both women moved ahead of him. On the opposite side of the house was an exact replica of Kagome's room; only done in various shades of burgundy and maroon.
" Did Sesshomaru have this built for us? " Kagome asked.
" He and Inuyasha, yes. Sesshomaru hired a decorator once it was finished and Inuyasha and Miroku relayed your likes and dislikes in color and so on. Am I correct in assuming you are pleased with your accommodations?" Mushin inquired before he turned to leave the women to their daily plans and girlish rituals. After all, he had helped to raise these particular females; he was quite familiar with their daily habits.
" Most definitely. Oh, before you go. Have you any ideas concerning a club to celebrate Kagome's twenty first birthday in?" Sango asked again as her earlier inquisition had gone unanswered.
" Sesshomaru and Inuyasha purchased a club in town. I'm sure that they will find this a suitable location for your celebration."
" They did? When did this happen?
" Oh, perhaps three or four years ago. It is quite popular among those of your age group. I am sure you will enjoy it." Mushin replied before disappearing out the front door.
" Did you know they bought a club?" Sango asked following Kagome back into the living room.
" No, but I think it was an awesome idea. Just think- loud music- dancing anytime we feel like going out. I think we're gonna love it here! Well, are you ready to head out to the lake?" Kagome asked, her hand already reaching for the case containing her swim suit.
" Am I ever.." Sango laughed as they each went their separate ways to change.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
" You ready? Miroku asked. Inuyasha situated himself upon the wave runner of his choice before finding his voice to answer.
" Yeah, but where are those two?" he grumbled.
" I believe that is them now." Miroku mumbled, his eyes transfixed upon the woman who held his heart. She wore a two piece string bikini. Its pale pink color shimmered beneath the sunlight, yet it still managed to bring out the subtle glow of her skin.
Inuyasha's breath caught. Kagome walked beside Sango; her breathless laugh at something Sango had said drifted upon the breeze to tickle past his ears. She was something to behold, and in his mind he reprimanded himself for ogling the girl he had very nearly helped to raise these last twenty years. He wondered briefly how Miroku had gotten past the fact that Sango was so much younger than he was; that she was just a child as well when she had come to them.
Filing the thought away for a later discussion with his best friend, he watched in awe the beauty that made her way to them. She wore a two piece bathing suit as well, though hers resembled more of a halter top with low waisted bottoms and beckoned his eyes to admire the toned definition of her stomach. The cloth was blood red in color; bringing out the perfect tanned tone of her skin. Long raven hair lay loose at her back highlighting the white scars upon her shoulder. He remembered those all to well; the result of a vampire's failed effort to kill her the day he'd helped bring her into the world.
" Well, if you two are finished drooling, we can head out now. " Sango giggled as she made her way to the boat.
"As if." Inuyasha growled. " Don't flatter yourselves."
" Lets go- before you say something that has you and Kagome fighting before we even get out on the lake. Miroku muttered as he, too, hopped into the boat.
" I'll take the smaller one." Kagome said. She made her way around Inuyasha, her eyes taking in the ridges of muscled heaven that was his body. Dear God, he as simply stunning. Silver hair framed tanned skin; his abdomen begging for her touch. In all her young life she had never felt as much temptation in male flesh as she was fighting off right now.
" What was wrong here? She and Inuyasha were always at each others throats when she had left for school five years ago. She couldn't remember ever thinking of him as sexy before. Perhaps the long flight home had her mind in desperate need of some shut down time. But there was no arguing that she found him perfect. No, she wouldn't deny it; at least not to herself. He was beautiful. It was too bad that they'd kill one another long before they could ever love each other in that way.
Yet there was the thrill of excitement that ran through her as she gazed upon him. Something electrifying that shot straight from her heart the the pits of her belly and beyond- and suddenly she felt the deep desire to get into the cool water to sooth whatever it was that he seemed to awaken within her.
Stepping onto the wave runner of her choice, she paused momentarily to glance over her shoulder.
" You ready to get dusted?"
" Fat chance, wench. You have no idea who you're calling on." he growled.
With a loud roar, the bikes started to life creating a different sort of excitement to burn though her. The need for intense speed. The wind rushing through her hair as the landscape whizzed by; nothing but a blur to her gaze.
And ,within moments, they were off.
He watched in silent admiration as she followed the boat Miroku and Sango were driving. She maneuvered the bike in behind them. He watched as her body rode the machine like it was merely a part of her. The wave runner caught the wake left behind the boat and with a surge of power, launched upward into the air before she landed gracefully and circled around to make another jump..
" You chicken, Inuyasha? Whatcha waitin' for?" she yelled over the rumble of engines.
" You wish." he yelled back while taking his position behind the boat. And thus began a two hour long contest of who could jump higher- or further; or who could take the jump the fastest- to which Inuyasha lost when he landed slightly off center causing the bike he was riding to tip beneath him; its sudden shift in direction launching him- head first- into the lake.
" You alright Inuyasha?" Kagome asked pulling up beside him. " Just give me a ride back to my bike, would ya." he grouched while reaching his hand up so that she could help him onto her wave runner. Once he had her hand he pulled her from the bike into the water with him; an un-lady-like curse falling from her lips as she tumbled in beside him.
" You cheated!" she sputtered pushing the water from her face.
" Ha. Your just mad cause I got you wet."
" Oh...is that what you think? Well. Let me show you what I think..."
And with that she pushed forward latching onto him to pull him under the liquid silk that surrounded them; Miroku and Sango watching from the safety of the boat as the two carried on with their impromptu water fight.
Hours later/...
With the boat and wave runners put away for the night, they each made their way into their homes; each sufficiently worn out by the days activities.
Stepping from the shower, Kagome wrapped herself within the warmth of a bath robe and made her way to bed. Her reflection in the mirror stopped her progress. Midnight tresses framed her face; a pale, pink splash of color holding her attention. Raising her fingers, she touched her cheek softly. Foundation did wonders for hiding the imperfection from prying eyes, yet she knew it was there; could see it through the makeup she had- through years of practice- perfected.
She'd managed to keep it hidden all these years; never leaving the privacy of her home without first applying the makeup that helped to hide her mark. .But sometimes she wondered just why she'd been born with it at all. Why was it there? Why had she, of all people, been born with something so very different from those around her?
Closing her eyes against the image, she turned and made her way to the bed. Climbing into its softness, she pulled the covers around her. Briefly she wondered if the dreams she so often had would haunt her again tonight; praying silently that they wouldn't. If she was lucky, she'd be too tired for them to find her...
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How was it? Things will begin to get more interesting as chapters go on, but this chapter was needed so that you all would know the setup of their home as it will be needed in coming chapters. I do hope this wasn't to disappointing. I know that the mundane rituals of day to day life can get boring to read..but I promise that this will get more involved the further you read. Please let me know if you all are wanting more as I dearly hope I have not bored you or made anyone second guess their liking of the story line..
Let me know...please.?
Till next time...Neisha