A/N: I hope you enjoy. ^_^
Disclaimer: I neither own Ouran or Inuyasha.
There was no way around it. He would have to go on with this sham of an engagement until he could find a way out. Kagome had no ties to anyone of class or money. Her family was dirt broke and in his father's eyes she was a charity case. He could always cut himself off from it. Scavenge what money he could and save it, not in a bank of course. His father could easily hack into banks. Talk about invasion of privacy. But if Kyoya was cut off his father would make it a misery for Kagome's family. He would make them go bankrupt for Kyoya to regret his actions and return to the Ootori family. He couldn't risk them. They'd done so much for him. No, he'd have to wait this through and see what came into his hand in this game with his father.
The best thing to do was to tell Kagome. But for once Kyoya was scared of saying the right or wrong words. How could he tell her when he'd just won her over? Dammit all! Kyoya threw the metal chair in his room at the mirror on the wall just to watch it break. He'd show his father his anger. He'd show him rage. But most of all he'd show him the son he wanted to have and he'd find a way out of this mess to show him the son he'd never had. Kyoya walked towards the doors and glanced outside. Yup, there were guards already outside of his room. He couldn't leave it. And cameras were all along the house, outside his room to give privacy. They weren't the best security in Japan for nothing. The only thing he'd be able to truly rely on, the only time he'd be able to really contact with her would be during the Host hours.
Kyoya texted her, hoping that no matter what happened that he could get through to her and she would realize. No doubt his phone messages would be screened by his father.
Kagome, I enjoyed our time together tonight. Hope I'm not waking you.
Was she in bed sleeping soundly? Petting Buyo? Practicing speaking in front of the mirror? Getting out of the bath or reading a book under the glow of her bedroom light? He had more fun imagining it than thinking about disturbing her.
Sentimental Kyoya? You aren't waking me, I'm just fixing Monday's lesson plans. You okay? Is there anything on your mind?
How? How could he let her know how much he cared for her so she wouldn't think he'd toyed with her? He was hoping against hope that he would manage time to tell her himself, but he needed this back up as a just in case. With his father you had to anticipate everything.
Sentimental only to you. I wear many faces when I need to, but only around you am I myself. Just promise me something.
What? Is something wrong Kyoya?
Don't ever doubt anything I've said this night and the nights prior.
Kyoya?
Trust me.
…I always do.
Desperately wishing she wouldn't blow up, Kyoya readied himself for his next defense. But first… he reached for the paper and with the pen signed away his Ootori name for a woman he didn't love hoping to protect the one he did.
Sunday had passed with two things out of the ordinary. One, he hadn't come to pick up his clothes or return Souta's. And secondly, Kyoya hadn't called or messaged her. Quite surprising. Normally they 'spoke' daily. Her private voice coach had showed up that morning without Kyoya beside her, explaining that Master Ootori had business that morning to attend to. Of course, how could she forget that her boyfriend had a prestigious family? Her boyfriend. Just thinking the words made her blush. He'd treated her so well yesterday.
"Th-ank you," she managed to say to her voice coach, Ms. Souten Electroz. She was a sweet young woman in her mid-twenties with pretty black hair and brown eyes. She seemed oddly familiar to Kagome. In fact, Kagome could've sworn that she'd seen her somewhere.
"It was my pleasure Kagome. It won't be much longer and you'll be able to form full sentences," answered Souten with a smile. "Thank you for the cookies. I'll be sure to share them with my new boyfriend."
Kagome raised a brow as if asking who this new guy was."Oh, he's a bit older," gushed the woman with a flush of the cheeks. "His name is Ginta-"
And it hit Kagome. Just as Shippo burst down the stairs and shouted out, "SOUTEN!" He'd come down there to show Kagome his homework, but his nose had recognized the woman before his eyes could.
"SHIPPO!" cried the woman spotting her first childhood crush. And her eyes flew to Kagome. "You're that Kagome!"
"A-a-alive," stuttered Kagome. She was trying her hardest to speak. She signed it even as she took deep breaths to force the words through her sore throat. "Dey-monz… ah-r… ah-live?" The whole while her face was glowing at this news. Demons survived!
"I can't believe it's you! I can't believe it's you! Wait until Ginta hears about this!" Souten was bubbling with questions. "How did you two survive? Shippo why haven't you aged? What happened?"
Between a woman who couldn't stop talking and a woman who was trying to talk, Shippo had no idea what to do. "I think we need more tea," he piped up. "Sit down while I fix it." It was clear enough for both women what he wanted them to do. Kagome and Souten sat down at the table staring at each other. Last time she'd seen Souten she'd been a little girl vowing revenge for her Thunder Brothers, Hiten and Manten.
"You haven't aged either," muttered Souten, staring long and hard at Kagome and Shippo both in turn. She shook her head and began wiping at tears for the woman who her new boyfriend had long ago considered his pack sister. "I was too young for the fight, but of course tales got around when you defeated Naraku. Everyone thought you both died with Miroku."
It explained why her demon friends hadn't searched for her. One, no one knew exactly what time period she lived in. And two, they didn't think she was alive. Besides, for all she knew Inuyasha was dead since he was a half demon. She didn't know their lifespan. "And before you ask, I can't tell you about the others. I was too young to find out and you remember how hard it was to keep in contact with others back then. No emails, phones, or mail. You had to travel on foot and chase around by smell. I do remember a wedding though that everyone talked about. Lord Sesshomaru held it at his palace." Sesshomaru and a wedding. Those two words didn't sound compatible.
Shippo was grateful for his height that allowed him to place the tea on the table for both of them. Souten didn't touch it as Kagome took a long sip of the brew. "Every year demons disappeared more and more. We went into hiding after the jewel so now it's hard to find each other. There is a directory offered to all demons, a center here in Japan, but demons rarely update it. We like our privacy now. I do know Lord Sesshomaru is still alive. He's rich, but I can't remember what he owns." She tapped her chin deep in thought. "I don't keep up with demon politics and business."
Her eyes snapped up to Souten's and she mouthed the name of the wolf leader who'd once led Ginta's pack. "Kouga?" Souten shook her head in a sad manner. "He died three hundred years ago. Very young for us, you know. Ayame and him had a cub of their own and that cub went onto marry a human. Guess the taste for humans ran in the family," she laughed. "Ayame's not around anymore. She died of heartbreak after Kouga. Their cub grew up under Ginta who was ruling the pack." It made sense. Ginta had been the second in command to Kouga. Souten's eyes drifted over towards Shippo and she wondered how Kagome felt about having a son who was immortal. It was a strange thing but she'd seen many stranger things. "You know when we're about one hundred and twenty that's when we look like teenagers. That kid mated with a human though so I don't know how that went. He left the pack as soon as he was old enough…"
Shippo sat in a chair and Kagome really took notice of her son. He'd sprouted an inch within the past week or she was going blind. How old was her son? "Mom's actually from this time period. That's how we ended up here." He wasn't going to resurface those memories. Besides, Shippo was wary of the demon society in this age. Nothing here was like the past and maybe there were new rules, maybe there were rules about humans and demons interacting. Especially humans taking demons under their charge. Sesshomaru had taken a human under him, but that was a different story.
The alarm on Souten's watch went off. "I've got to go." She bolted. "There's a meeting in my clan about dating Ginta. I've got to get it approved, y'know." No, Kagome didn't know. Just because she'd hung out with demons didn't mean she'd been an official expert on their race. "As soon as I can I'll bring Ginta back here. He'll be psyched to see you big sis! I'm so happy you guys are alive." And faster than lightning the woman managed to disappear out the front door.
"Mom, demons still exist."
"Yeah," she managed to say. She wanted to speak to Shippo, but the joy on her face was enough for him to take the reins talking.
"They're all cloaking their powers," he answered her before she could even ask it. That's why she hadn't felt their auras nearby. They were doing it to remain hidden. "Sesshomaru's still alive." And both looked at each other with another task made up on their list of the impossible to do. Aside from Kagome recovering her voice they would research for Sesshomaru on their down time. "Do you think Kyoya could help?" She nodded eagerly. Maybe he could do a face match up on the cameras in Japan and find someone that looked like her description of Sesshomaru. Shippo's tail wagged and he threw himself into her arms. Good news just seemed to be coming their way. "Should I draw a picture?" Kagome instantly nodded her head and the two ran over to his backpack to pull out the crayons and paper. Kagome had been able to tell stories with words when she was in their traveling group of old and Shippo had always been able to tell stories with art.
Engaged. It was whispered around the school and Kyoya was trying his best to tamper it down, but sadly his fiancée's loud mouth was announcing to one and all. He was damned lucky that she hadn't gotten hold of the intercom over the school. But it wasn't too rare of a thing to have an arranged marriage in their upper class. Renge was just thrilled that she'd have a wedding some day. And worse. He was to have Renge over at his house for tea this week. Kagome hadn't even been over to his house!
"Mommy is it true?" Tamaki asked, cornering Kyoya before the classes began. "You didn't tell me! Mommy, I can't believe you kept it from me."
"I guess that means Kagome's available," said Hikaru with a glance to his brother who was trying not to look too happy over the news.
"But I thought you liked Gome-chan," murmured a confused Honey riding atop Mori's shoulders. Kyoya glanced around making sure he was hidden from any cameras in the halls by standing encased by his friends. He even ducked a bit in case a lip reader watched the cameras for his father.
"I didn't know I was engaged until Saturday night," answered Kyoya sharply. And they all stared back in shock.
"It really is an arranged marriage?" Haruhi asked with wide eyes. "I didn't know people still did those until I came to this school."
"I'm expected to formally propose, but yes. It's arranged." And Kyoya revealed a bit of himself to them in his next question when he averted his eyes. "Has Kagome heard yet?"
"I don't know how she couldn't," replied Hikaru.
"Everyone's talking about it," added Kaoru.
Great. The quiet girl whom everyone forgot existed in the foreground of their minds, who heard everything anyone said and picked up on little bits of information, was privy to what was hot gossip. He was screwed unless she remembered the messages he'd sent her on Saturday night. Kyoya glanced around the hall making sure they were in a corner of the hall where the cameras couldn't spot him. He reached into his pocket and slid out the readied note. He'd poured out the entire truth into it the night before and needed to get it to Kagome to explain things without his father ever knowing. "Give Kagome this message for me." Kyoya Ootori never asked, he ordered.
But before he could hand off the note a parcel of binders dropped down the hall. Their eyes swung towards the noise to find Kagome staring straight at Kyoya, other girls were standing nearby talking. Male classmates bent down to retrieve her books and females asked if she was alright. Her accusing glare aimed at Kyoya was painfully harsh. He could see the heartbreak in her eyes and the fact that he'd caused her pain killed him inside. He was one to warrant enemies and normally he didn't give a shit. But for once he actually cared. Kagome absentmindedly took her books from the others before she marched in his direction. The warning bell rang and the hall began to clear so that it was only Kagome and the Host Club standing in the hallway as others ran past.
"Kagome."
She raised a hand and slapped him before spinning around on her heel and heading towards her class. That slap had stung more than any he'd received in his life. He touched his cheek and his resolve was firm. He couldn't live with himself for the rest of his life with the imprint of those hurt and angry eyes forever ingrained in his mind.
He desperately slid the note into Tamaki's hand and said once more, "Tamaki, give this to her. Please." The 'p' word was in short supply with Kyoya so this was something to say the least.
"Kyoya-"
"I am watched at all times." And he pushed through his crowded group of friends and rushed after Kagome towards their first period class.
She was ignoring him throughout first period. Tamaki had been late by a minute and upon sliding into his chair he'd been trying to get her attention. But she was tuning out everyone today. She wanted to do nothing more than beat the snot out of him. How could she have been a fool? He'd told her to trust him two days ago and bam! He gets a fiancée. He'd kissed her and now he had a fiancée! He said such sweet things to her and had even brought her gifts and he had a fiancée! The man she'd been steadily finding reasons to like was no longer an option for her and he was engaged to one of her friends! Bastard!
But those messages on Saturday night had been hurried and emotional. Two things that Kyoya was never. What had brought those about?
She flipped open her phone in class, using the desk as a way to hide it from the sight of the professor and reread those messages.
Sentimental only to you. I wear many faces when I need to, but only around you am I myself. Just promise me something.
Don't ever doubt anything I've said this night and the nights prior.
Trust me.
She had to believe something was going on. Kagome's eyes rose to look at Kyoya whose attention hadn't been focused on the teacher at all. He'd been watching her read those messages. 'Trust you?' she signed.
He nodded. Her shoulders sagged and she slid the phone into her pocket before giving the universal sign for okay. And then she turned around and focused on class thinking, He better have one hell of an explanation. For the rest of the class she ignored both Kyoya and Tamaki. The latter of the two was trying in vain to get her attention for only the kamis could guess why. He probably wanted to explain for Kyoya, but she would rather hear it from the horse's mouth.
Still very much pissed. She thought it would get easier as the classes went by, but no. Kyoya wasn't speaking to her and he mostly avoided her altogether. It was at lunch time, right before hosting, that Kagome's self-esteem hit an all low. Kagome had just picked up her tray and was heading towards their usual table when she saw a new added member. Renge was sat beside Kyoya. Kagome's eyes swerved towards Kyoya, but he stared right past her before resuming his meal.
She braved the few stares she caught and sat right across from Renge, right beside Tamaki. Kyoya had probably worked the seating out purposefully to keep things neutral and not so negative or awkward. "Hello Kagome," sang Renge. "I'm so happy to see you! Did you hear the news? Kyoya and I are getting married." Renge was on cloud nine imagining her wedding. "Papa says she must find the best design from Paris for my wedding gown, but I don't know. Don't you think something Japanese would look better?"
Kagome picked at her food and shrugged. She signed 'I don't know.'
"What do you think Kyoya, dear?" Kagome's eyes shot up to Kyoya who didn't spare her a single glance.
"I prefer traditional, but I think Paris fashion suits you." He preferred a traditional wedding kimono on Kagome. She would look utterly beautiful in one. But his mouth couldn't voice his original thoughts.
"Oh, such a sweet fiancée!"
Kagome felt her stomach sicken with every bite of her high classed food. He'd yet to explain anything to her and when she would try to corner him in the halls or something he would veer off in another direction like she had the plague. "Kagome," murmured Tamaki silently under Renge's rambling. He caught her eye and he tried to push a square note towards her. She pushed it right back. He pushed again. She ignored it. She would rather something written in Kyoya's hand and she had a feeling Tamaki had written it to explain things to her.
"Shouldn't you read whatever it is that Tamaki is passing you?" Kyoya suggested. It was the first time he spoke to her all morning.
Kagome met his harsh silver eyes. How could he be doing this to her? Whatever he had to say, why wouldn't he say it to her face? He'd found ways around his father before, why now was he avoiding trying altogether?
"Is that a love note from Tamaki?" Renge asked. You could practically see the hearts popping around her head at the thought of two host members falling madly in love. Little did Renge know it was her intended who was the one in love in this triangle. "You should read it Kagome," she prompted. Her eyes shone with moe.
"Indeed," said Kyoya.
Just like Kyoya, Kagome hated being told what to do. She looked down at the note and picked it up much to Tamaki's delight at doing a good deed for the day. And then Kagome promptly pushed it into the pocket of Tamaki's jacket watching his smile fall to grief. "No," was her one worded reply. Kagome got up to empty her tray and left the cafeteria with a gloomy aura trailing after her.
"Oh dear, do you think she's sick?" Renge fretfully asked. "Maybe you should check on her Kyoya. You are best friends." But he couldn't. No matter how much he wanted to get up and chase after her Kyoya couldn't move. He glared hatefully up at the cameras his family had installed at Ouran Academy for the safety of the students.
As soon as she was in the bathroom she broke down sobbing. This was not how dating was supposed to go. She sniffled and wiped at her eyes. She'd had her fair share of crying. First with Inuyasha, but she'd thankfully fallen out of that childhood crushing with him. Second, with the loss of Miroku. And now this stupid high school babble. Kagome furiously kicked the door to her stall.
A door opened and the patter of feet signaled new bathroom arrivals. More girls. She couldn't distinguish who because everyone wore the same thing. "Can you believe they're actually getting married? They kind of suit each other."
"And I thought for sure that Kagome and Kyoya had something going on."
"Maybe he's cheating on Renge. Wait until word gets back to her."
"But he's ignoring her."
"Common bred girls should be ignored." Kagome recognized that voice. The harsher one of the two. Ayanokoji. The girl who had been banned from the club after Haruhi's first trial as a host. Kagome had been pointed out by the twins to avoid her at all cost because she liked to stir up trouble. "Besides, Kyoya should do the right thing by shaking her off. Just think of his family prestige."
She waited with bated breath for them to leave and then blew her nose. She wasn't petty. She wasn't to be ignored. If he wanted to play this game with her and not explain things then she could too. Kagome tossed her tissues in the trash with resolve and scooped water from the sink to wash her face a bit of the red puffy eyes. Hell hath no fury as a priestess scorned. And the best way to get back at the gossip and confuse Kyoya was act as if nothing had happened. She may trust him, but she was irked all the same. He could show some sign of feelings at some point if he tried!
Almost as soon as Kagome stepped out of the bathroom she jumped about a foot in the air at the fright of Nekozawa sneaking up on her. "I sensed you were depressed, lark."
"Ney-ko," she managed to say, feeling lighter upon seeing him. Kagome hugged him and he patted her back. For a split second she could hear him purr at her attentive actions.
The spike in her energy made him blush and he pulled away to offer her his free hand. "Beezlenuff has suggested that you take lunch with us, or if your appetite has waned we have fresh tea in the Dark Arts Club. I normally eat in there instead of here." She bit her lip glumly and took his hand. Her mind felt frazzled with all sorts of things. "Though I prefer dreary moods, allow me to offer some consolation to you. I've found how to break the curse." That brought a flare of her sweet energy. They walked down the hall, dark and light buoying off one another.
When they made it into the club room it was pitch dark and she had to tug onto Nekozawa's black robes to get his attention. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm so used to the dark." He let go of her hand and an instant later a glow of light erupted in his hand and he sent the flames onto nearby candles. Just further proof that demons were still around. She sat down on the couch and began sipping at the tea he'd already had waiting for her. He'd been gone long enough for it to cool as he fetched her. The dark priest pushed the scroll towards the light priestess and gave a certain passage a tap to indicate where she should look.
He waited for her to skim over it. Her brows wrinkled in thought. "If you don't do anything to break it the curse will last seven years, lark." He regarded her for a moment. The flickering emotions playing behind her eyes as she thought about the significance of seven long years in silence. Would she even want to speak again if she went for seven years without doing anything? "However, as you can see there is a way to break a curse, by finding your song."
Kagome's face was a canvas of looks. He had to grant that he'd never had so much fun watching a person's features for she could bounce from one emotion to the next so quickly. "Think on it, lark. Why do bird's sing?"
To attract their mate, was the first answer that popped in her mind.
"To find love," he affirmed.
A weak cherub smile spread and the apples of her cheeks bloomed with pink roses. An angel sitting in the Dark Arts Club. And he saw the moment her heart began to sink. The light shining off a tear that slipped over her face and the determination that rose as she stubbornly wiped it away. The lark was hurting, but she wouldn't stop loving despite the pain. He worried for what Fate had in store for her. A weird friendship had sprouted from them. No weirder than a cat demon falling for a human.
Her stomach growled and he gave a warm laugh. "And on that note let me offer you some lunch." He took off the silver top to a tray of sandwiches just as delicious as the sandwiches in the Host Club. Just because he was odd didn't mean his tastes were. Although, Nekozawa did enjoy eating tuna sandwiches, but she credited that to his ancestors.
That afternoon Tamaki and his father arrived at the door to the Higurashi Sunset Shrine. Both of them were bouncing on their toes intrigued. Mr. Suoh had told his mother, like a boy trying to get out of business, that the trip was to assure that his students would be safe visiting the temple. He hadn't let her know that Tamaki would be tagging along. "Dad, do you think they'll give us a charm?"
"Or maybe they have demons!"
"Or ghosts!"
"Or both!" father and son squealed together.
"BOO!" A demon jumped from behind the shrine.
"AHH!" Father and son jumped into each others arms as Shippo laughed his furry tailed ass off.
"Shippo! It's rude to frighten our guests!" admonished Souta, tugging on his nephew's pointy ear.
"Oww oww owwwa! Uncle Souta that hurts." Souta flicked his ear and jerked his head at Shippo to get back inside the house which was only a few feet away from the temple. The kit scampered back in, heading towards the kitchen where he was sure to get a good coddle from his grandmother as well as a treat.
"Don't mind him. Dressing like a fox demon makes him more rebellious," lied Souta as he lead them towards the house. He wore priest robes and opened their humble home to the Suoh family. "Please make yourselves comfortable. Dinner's almost ready."
And Kagome came in from the back, slipping off her wooden geta and setting aside the broom. Her hair had been pulled up into a messy ponytail and strands curled about her delicate face in a pretty manner. "Daughter!" Both Suoh's shouted, running to hug Kagome in her cute priestess gear. She was in a Suoh sandwich. "Was there ever a more adorable little girl?"
"She's my daughter, dad!"
"No, mine!" And so ensued the tug of war grabbing Kagome by both arms. Tamaki had to have been cloned. That was it. The way the duo acted and looked it was hard to see them as two different people.
"Perhaps you'd like some tea," offered Mrs. Higurashi. And Kagome was relieved as they let go of her and rushed to the table. Both were precarious with their manners and didn't know how to completely act inside the commoner's home. Tamaki did have more experience then his father though.
Tamaki was having fun instructing his father on what little he knew. "And we don't wait for the soup to cool or ask our servants to serve it at room temperature," instructed Tamaki. "We blow on it because commoners don't have servants."
"Amazing!" remarked Mr. Suoh as Mrs. Higurashi set the bowls in front of them. He dipped his spoon in and gave it a testing blow before he drank it. His tongue burnt a bit, but he remarked that it worked well enough.
Souta rolled his eyes and Kagome snickered. It was fun watching the two get along. In fact, most of the food was ready; they were waiting on pretense to give the two some bonding time. "And like in those Japanese dramas it's okay to talk around the table unlike at banquets and such."
Kagome's family had joined the table by now, each sipping on their own soup with the main dishes in the center along with plates stacked for anyone to grab. Souta was bragging about soccer to Shippo and Tamaki. About how he'd nailed the goal right before the buzzard rang and won their match. "Mr. Suoh, Tamaki is so much like you," remarked Mrs. Higurashi.
Mr. Suoh practically beamed as he cuffed his son on the head. "He is. He's got his mother's smile though. What about Kagome? Who is she most like? Her mama or her papa?"
"She most assuredly acts like her father," stated Mrs. Higurash.
"But she looks like mom," piped up Souta.
"She would've done her rebellious father proud, bringing home demons and the like," grumbled Grandfather Higurashi. He may have warmed up to Inuyasha, but the old man was still firm in his old ways. He only allowed Shippo around without griping because he was a child in his own way. Shippo didn't mind if Grandpa complained though because it reminded him of Inuyasha.
"What was that?" Mr. Suoh asked.
Shippo pushed a bread roll in his great-grandfather's mouth. "Nothing, gramps is just getting old. Right, Uncle Souta?"
"Yeah, he still thinks demons exist and stuff," laughed Souta. Kagome had to try her hardest not to snort. No matter how badly her love life might've taken a rough turn, she could still sit at home and enjoy her family.
Kagome signed to her mother and the two Suoh's watched fascinated. Tamaki was trying to remember a few of the things signed. "She wants to know if you both would like a tour after supper?"
"That would be lovely," said Tamaki. He began signing to Kagome letter by letter and she gave him the okay symbol that had him glowing.
"You must teach me some of those, Tamaki."
"Okay dad. How about we start with the alphabet?"
And so went their long dinner that was lengthened by the amount of chatter between the two relatives. They barely knew where the time went. Neither noticed Kagome and Mrs. Higurashi taking up their plates. By the time they were nibbling on cookies the two realized it had gotten so late they hadn't had a proper touring of the place. It was just so warming to be sitting there and know that no one would be judging them if they slacked off and relaxed. "We must see something before we leave," whined Mr. Suoh.
Kagome gave the okay symbol and thumbed the direction of the back door. The sun was setting and it was quite a pretty sight when it's rays highlighted the leaves of the Goshinboku tree. She stood next to the god tree and touched the scar in it's bark that would never leave like the mark in her side. If she pushed her finger in it she knew she would feel a stone arrow that had once buried into the flesh of a half-demon she'd tagged after. "This is where a half-demon, Inuyasha was placed to sleep for fifty years," stated Souta. His voice was still as idol-worshipping as they'd been when he was younger.
"Oh? What happened?" Tamaki was all ears as his father walked around and whistled at the sheer size of the tree.
"He was freed by a priestess from the future," explained Souta, tugging his sister's hair conspiratorially. "She was reincarnated from his past love who stuck him to the tree because they were both tricked by a half-demon named Naraku."
Mr. Suoh saw where this fairy tale was going. At least, he'd thought he did. "Did the two fall in love?" Kagome shook her head.
"At first, but he wasn't her type," interrupted Shippo. He always loved retelling things from the past and what he'd seen with his very two eyes. "She fell for a pervert named Miroku." Kagome snickered. "Together all of her friends saved Japan by defeating Naraku! Inuyasha was all 'Rah!' with his sword!" Shippo had a stick in his hand pretending to brandish it. He dropped the stick to suddenly re-enact his mom with his hands miming a bow and arrow, "And she was all 'Woosh' with her arrows! And Sango and Kirara were all 'BAM!' with their claws and boomerang."
Kagome covered Shippo's mouth. "My nephew gets overexcited with the story," finished Souta."Would you like us to walk you to your car?"
Two days had passed and today the Host Club had garnered permission to take the club girls to the Higurashi shrine. The girls would be arriving any moment in limos. The hosts had managed to leave school early to make it in time to Kagome's house to make a make-shift changing room in Souta's room and Kagome's room was where they did the hair and make-up. The entire family was delighted to help. Mrs. Higurashi had even baked treats and Grandpa Higurashi was getting into the spirit.
Tamaki dragged the elder of the twins into the changing room. "Hikaru! I've tried giving this to Kagome, but she won't take it from me. I thought that since she was close to you and Kaoru that she would accept it. Will you give it to her for Kyoya?" And here it was. The ticket to possibly reconciling Kagome and Kyoya. And Hikaru held it in his hands as its new messenger. "Thanks Hikaru!" Without any refusal or acceptance from the twin, Tamaki left the room ornately dressed as Adonis. Today they were Greek gods and myths. The twins were obviously Gemini.
The elder twin stared down at the note that had changed three hands so far. He crept towards the door and opened it a bit to spy on Kaoru helping Kagome refasten a pin on her green robed costume across the hall in her room. Kaoru was already decked out in a tunic and skirt with leather arm guards as opposed to Hikaru's arm guards with feathers. Hikaru was Pollux, the immortal twin who was part bird, and Kaoru was Castor, the mortal twin. Kagome was Artemis bearing a quiver of arrows on her back and a bow across her chest. She was actually using her own equipment, though Hikaru had no idea where she'd gotten a bow and quiver set that looked so authentically aged.
The shrine priestess giggled at something Kaoru said when he was playing with her hair and making monster faces. Kaoru was pretending her long raven strands were snakes that belonged to Medusa. She swatted at his hand and he fumbled to right her hair in a pretty ornate style. He was having fun with Kagome without Hikaru there to add onto the fun. Kaoru plucked off his usual orange rose, that was pinned to his shirt, and weaved it into her hair. Just watching Kaoru made Hikaru think better on giving the note. Hikaru knew that at some point today Kaoru would either confess his feelings or ask Kagome out. He'd been rehearsing in their room when he thought Kaoru wasn't nearby. Truth was that the twin was having a hard time keeping his hysterics under control, he'd been hiding under the bed the entire time.
Hikaru slid the square of folded paper into his pocket. Kaoru needed a chance now that Kyoya had screwed up.
If Kagome refused a date then Hikaru would fork it over. If she agreed to a date then he would hand it off to her afterwards. First, he needed his brother to have his moment.
Kyoya had no idea whether or not Kagome had received his note. She was acting like nothing had ever happened and it unnerved him to no ends that the message he'd written for her could be floating around somewhere. He'd like some sign, something to tell him that she didn't hate him. Was it a sign that she was being cordial? But when he signed to her she gave him short replies or ignored him completely. He'd already tried texting her or calling her. Somehow his father had managed to block his phone from being able to send anything to her or call. Safe to say if she sent him anything he probably missed it, meaning if she had she was probably irritated with him for not replying.
At one point though she walked over to him holding a sheet of paper. She looked nervous approaching Hades who sat beside Renge, dressed as Persephone. Shippo padded up next to her and tugged on her short skirt that showed off her legs and strapped sandals. "Kagome, what's in your hand?" Renge asked.
She stepped forward and offered it up to Kyoya. It was a well sketched picture that had taken painstaking hours for Shippo to draw outside of his usual cartoon drawing. The artwork was enough proof to Kagome that her son was abnormally inhuman. He'd tried his hardest and had succeeded in presenting an accurate picture of Sesshomaru's face. "It's someone we know," said Shippo as Kyoya took the picture from Kagome.
He knew exactly what this meant. "Someone you knew from your past?" She nodded while her fingers fiddled with the edge of her bow.
Kyoya stood up and for once was close enough that Kagome felt things had slid back into normal for a brief second. Kagome looked so hopeful when he touched the small of her back to guide her and Shippo away from the crowd of girls. He had the strongest temptation to press her against the god tree and ravish her with kisses, but had to refrain with Renge sitting in the background. Hell, he would've tugged her into the house to kiss her if it weren't for the fact that random fan girls had a habit of running inside the house for the bathroom or to help Mrs. Higurashi present more sweets. He couldn't afford to be caught no matter how alluring those lips were. He could only convey his like for her in the smallest of motions, like his fingers lightly brushing against the side of her fingers.
"We ran into an old friend who told us that he's alive," chirped Shippo. Kyoya's placed the slip of paper into his notebook and took into account the features. Noble looking. A lean and harsh face with stripes on the cheeks. So demons really had existed in the Japan, in fact, they still existed. He jotted down a note to search for them and research what more he could on demons. However, if they were evasive enough not to be caught after hundreds of years he knew it would be a challenge. He rose to the occasion. "We just don't know where. Mama and I were hoping you could match a face up on your computer thingy and find him. He's also supposed to have lots of money."
The third son of a wealthy family with many connections eyed Kagome. "I've certainly never seen someone walking around with white hair among my family's acquaintances." He would be sure to go through tonight everyone his family knew just to be safe.
"He's hiding," replied Shippo, tapping a claw on the picture. "He may not look exactly like that. Or even go by Sesshomaru anymore."
The priestess reached out and grabbed Kyoya's free hand to give it a gentle squeeze. "Try. Please. Kyo-yah." Those wide sparkling eyes and the way she looked at him like he was the only one in existence who she could rely on. He was always helping her. Kyoya wouldn't be able to refuse her even if he actually wanted to. It was the one instinct he had developed. When Kagome needed him, he was there.
"I will. I promise you, Kagome." He was a man of his word and she had to try and keep that in mind from his previous text messages. "Only if you promise to read that note. I wrote it. Not Tamaki." One fleeting look full of longing and heated silver eyes. That glimpse was enough to convey to Kagome that those feelings from their date hadn't disappeared and were still very much alive. No, the act had never been her. The act was him pretending it had never happened around everyone else. He grudgingly released her hands and went back to take his spot beside Renge and the other girls who clamored for his attention as the cool type host. And Kagome decided she would retrieve that note and see what exactly it said now that she knew Kyoya wrote it.
The cool type was caught up in his own thoughts circulating this new tid-bit. He'd done his research on the Kikyou character already that had cursed Kagome. He hadn't been able to find how she'd done it, but he had been able to find out what type of person she'd been. Malicious. Cruel. And exceedingly jealous with a bone to pick at Kagome for stealing the loyalty and affections of her former lover, Inuyasha. At least, that's what it said in the copies of the scrolls he'd phoned in from Nekozawa nights ago. Now that was someone that Kyoya had never predicted to see himself calling on a weekly basis. If Kagome had a witch in her past then just what would this Sesshomaru person be like?
He could do it. Kaoru could stand up and do exactly as Haruhi had instructed him to. Athena, Haruhi, was tutoring her fans today when Kaoru bravely walked past her. None of the hosts were the wiser to Haruhi actually being a girl since Athena wore armor to begin with.
Mrs. Higurashi was dressed as Hestia, giggling as she gave out cookies and Kagome's grandfather was Chronos the god of time. He was telling long winded stories to the interested guests who thought his ancient folk lore act was adorable. Kaoru hoped her family would think well on him. He patted the head of Shippo, dressed as Hermes who was performing tricks for the young ladies with a batch of odd looking acorns and mushrooms. Kaoru waved to Souta, Apollo the twin to Artemis.
Kaoru strode past Honey and Mori, Cupid and Hercules.
He ignored the steady killing gaze of Hades, Kyoya.
Surrounded by beautiful girls, Kagome really did look the part of protector of virgins. Seeing his orange rose pinned and highlighting like an ember in her dark hair gave him courage to continue. "Kagome," he began. The mortal was approaching the goddess ready to bargain for one day spent on Olympus with her. "Will you go on a date with me?" Kaoru simply asked. In front of all of the Host Club members. And their guests. And her family. Why the hell hadn't he picked a time when they were alone? "Would you like to?" He repeated the question to a blank staring Kagome. Kaoru really had no idea what he was doing. He'd never expanded relationships outside of his family and the club. "We don't have to go anywhere fancy-"
"Pssh, like anyone would go out with someone pathetic like you," began Hikaru, crossing his arms over his chest in a haughty god-like manner. "You aren't meant for the Heavens today my twin."
"Our Artemis won't be able to leave," began Kyoya. He really nailed the cold chill of Hades. That was what snapped Kagome's spine and made her make a decision on the dot. "She has errands to attend for the club-"
Kagome cast Kyoya and Hikaru a glare that could kill before she muttered in a soft voice, "Sure Kah-roo." Then, Kagome rather brazenly leaned in to place a delicate kiss on Kaoru's cheek. The younger twin flushed with pleasure at the soft touch of her lips on his face. He would've preferred a real kiss, but he wasn't complaining. Kagome straightened up and with her nose in the air walked away towards the house where she would fetch tea for her guests. When Kagome had left them, with a resounding shut of the kitchen door, the twins began bickering.
And Kyoya realized how manipulative they really could be.
The host girls were chirping their delight at a pairing in the club. Some of them teetered if Hikaru would allow it or better yet would both twins fall for her. It's what every fan of the twins dreamed of having, two identical lovers. You could see the drool and hearts without needing to even imagine it.
"What was with that 'pathetic' remark? I didn't need your help to get a date," commented Kaoru. Kaoru was clearly distasteful for his brother's word choice and having Hikaru add a hand into something that was supposed to be purely Kaoru's doing.
Hikaru's smile grew broader. "I'm tired of seeing you mope around. Besides, I wanted to make sure she'd go out with you." They knew Kagome and her buttons just as well as Kyoya did. The biggest button was being told she couldn't do anything followed closely behind by the button where people told others that they couldn't do anything. "At least you've already gotten a kiss out of it."
"Wah! You were making fun of Kaoru to get Kagome to agree," exclaimed Tamaki! He was so innocent, not knowing the rules of courtship and how anything went if you could win the girl. "Oh, that's it! You've been planning this all along! To corrupt my other daughter-"
"Believe me boss," began Haruhi. "If Kagome didn't want to go on a date with Kaoru she wouldn't." With those words it was all the easier for Kyoya to agree to stalk the date with Tamaki and the rest of the club in tow. In fact, he planted the idea in Tamaki's head merely by stating that Kagome was surely strong enough to protect herself from Kaoru's advances. And bam! Tamaki was sure his frail flower would need them. If only it were that easy to get what Kyoya wanted out of his father.
A scream emitted from one of the girls and Kagome came running out of the shrine. A poisonous snake had slithered out of its hole and was now dangerously swaying back and forth with fangs bared at a lone Renge. No one knew what to do. Honey and Mori were running towards Renge, planning on doing something. Kyoya was dialing the animal specialist when an arrow zinged through the air nailing the poor snake through the head with dead accuracy. Everyone's eyes rose to Kagome, standing at the opening of her door quite a long ways off. Her bow was lowered and her fingers still held taut the bowstring. She made her way through the parting crowd towards Renge. The girl was too scared to move from the twitching corpse of the snake lying on the ground. Kagome walked around it's body and grabbed Renge by the elbows, leading the dazed girl safely away from harm. She'd been telling her mother they had a snake problem at this side of the shrine. Shippo would be able to take care of the sneaky snakes since as a demon he was impervious to poisons of lowly creatures such as snakes. Now demons with poison was anther story.
Once that snake was out of Renge's sight she was back to normal. She flung her arms around her new savior, sobbing against Kagome's shoulder in gratitude. "Thank you, Kagome! Thank you! You saved my life!" She buried her head against Kagome and the more sensible one patted the weepy one's back to console her. Renge peered tearfully at Kyoya over Kagome's shoulder. "We have to thank her in some way, Kyoya."
"Yes, we do." He wished he were in Renge's place. She leaned against Kagome because she was feeling weak from that scary encounter.
"Let's invite her to dinner next week," offered Renge, holding onto Kagome's hand. She spun with her tears almost gone and strength quickly recovered to eye her idol. "Kagome, I think you should come. Oh, do say you will!"
Before Kyoya could retract his fiancée's offer Kagome nodded and smiled at Renge. She then turned around and went back to get her tea, but not before Kyoya saw Kaoru pat her on the back and offer to carry her bow and arrows for her. And like nothing was out of the ordinary she agreed.
A/N: Badummmm! Forbidden love. Ain't it grand? XD Will Kagome ever get the note? How will her date with Kaoru go? Wait! Haruhi is crushing on someone! *gasp* Tune in next time!