'Dreams are like stars... you may never touch them, but if you follow them, they will lead you to your destiny.' ~Unknown
"Talking"
Thoughts
Ethereal Voices/Beasts/ Spirits
Apocalyptica:
Chapter 2:
Celebrations
With the last flashing lights of the photographer's cameras, she dislodged the plastered smile from her cheeks. After half an hour of embarrassing retold childhood stories, congratulation, toasts and a very bad tone deaf rendition of 'happy birthday' the shuffling of feet was enough t enlighten her that most of the attention had now shifted from her for the night and onto the entertainment that was provided as people and guests began to dance and socialise with each other.
'Thanks goodness that's finished, bring on the alcohol, I think I deserve a drink after all that'
Making her way over to the small bar located at the back end of the elaborately decorated patio area, Kagome Higurashi had one think on the mind, and that was to drown out the next few hours of torturously being shuffled around the dance floor with all of her fathers' business associates and all the 'A list' people who really did not give a stuff about her or her family, but rather the huge and building trust fund that accompanied the Higurashi name.
"Kagome?"
She halted on her mission towards the bar.
"Congratulations sweet cheeks, you look amazing tonight."
Before she could register what was happening, she had been swept off her feet into a very gruff bear hug.
"Hey Kouga, how are you?"
She managed to breathe out before all the air escaped her lungs with the intensity of the hug.
"Fantastic, now that you are finally ready to become my women after all these years of waiting, I get officially mark-"
"Can it wolf shit before I pull that tail out of your mouth from your ass."
Putting Kagome back onto her dainty feet in time as the rest of her mis-match group of friends made their way over to her. Kouga turned to face Inuyasha.
"Hey piss ant, you should be so crude at such a formal affair, and in front of my future woman...'
'Future woman, Ha, yeah... like that would ever happen, haven't your parents just about finished negotiating your marriage to Ayame of the Northern Wolf Tribe?' Inuyasha shut Kouga up from his comeback.
" You should not talk about me as if I'm not here, Dog boy... and to answer your question... we are still negotiating it but my Kouga-bunnykins is going to make the perfect Northern Lord, If anything, Kouga's just jealous that Kagome has the lime light tonight and it goes to show that Sango and I did a fantastic job on her outfit... ' She stated going in for an unwanted cuddle under Kouga's arm.
" She does have a point Inu, Kouga-bunnykins is almost already taken' Sango said adding the jibe to the pair.
'Feh' the hanyou commented, dismissing the reprimand. "When are we going to be done with this shindig and get the partying on?"
"As soon as my father's guests leave, I suppose' was Kagome's answer looking around at all the guests still in the patio area, dancing and socialising.
'Kagome, Sango, Ayame, Eri, Yuki... aah the Gods must favour us tonight to grant us the pleasure of such beautiful company...' Miroku stated making his way over with beverages for the girls.
"I agree, heaven must be missing a few angels tonight", Kouga agreed with the pervert monk.
"Wowee guys you think of those lines all on your own?" Sango piped in, accepting a drink from Miroku.
"Yeah Kouga, didn't know you were borrowing a few leaves off Roku's pervert tree", jibed Inuyasha.
'It's not that bad, plus if I get laid tonight I will be borrowing the whole tree" Kouga countered, winking at a blushing Eri.
With a yank on the wolf Youkai's hair that was gathered at the nape of his neck, the intended wolf daemoness harrumphed and very red in the face, stormed off towards the bathrooms.
" Geeez Kouga, way to be nice to your intended mate. Your such a sleezball..." With another yank in the wolf Youkai's hair, she turned and went after the upset red head.
" What? It's not like we are mated yet, plus this whole thing is our parents' idea... Besides I gotta get my man lovin' on before I really am put on a leash" Kouga answered Sango with a shrug of his shoulders and a wiggle of the eyebrows at the mention of 'man lovin'.
"Well, speaking of 'man lovin' where's our famous Jakotsu and Bank?" questioned Miroku in an effort to change the subject.
" Probably getting their rocks off in the garden somewhere.." Answered Inuaysha
" Hahaha, brings a new meaning to 'man lovin', aye Kouga?" Jibed Miroku.
The wolf cringed at the thought of another breakdown attack from Jakotsu at his baby blue eyes.
"Come on lover boy lets go find the couple and show them your 'man lovin'" Miroku answered, escorting a now skitterish Kouga away from the group.
"Ugh you boys are such flirts, If you will all excuse me, I'm heading to the bar for a shot... or maybe a few I f I have to put up with you lot the whole night" Kagome excused herself from her friends and made her way over to the bar.
"Wait up, I'll join you" Inuyasha said, hurrying to catch up to Kagome who was already ordering her drinks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~A~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A pair of entertained gold eyes were taking in the exchange of the birthday girl with a few of her friends in her effort to get to the bar. Sesshoumaru was half listening into the conversation that was happening with the group that he had positioned himself in, talking about the rise of the business market in China with the new exports coming out to Japan. Sesshoumaru, feigning boredom, offered the occasional nod to the man that was doing most of the talking, gracing him with the knowledge that he was somewhat listening. His mind however was concentrating on other, more important things.
The last week he has been plagued with memories, or what he thought were memories shrouding his dreams and making him wake in the middle of the night, covered in a thin layer of sweat, pulse beating rapidly, and another set of torn bed sheets. Thus, he contacted the family advisor, Bokusano, a very old and wise tree Youkai that had served his family for centuries. The Tree Youkai pointed him in the direction of an anciet scroll that he had gotten today by couriering the ancient relic up from Kyoto. It was written in ancient Kanji and he was in the process of deciphering the ancient hieroglyphs, and from what he could gather, so far it spoke of a prophecy, the exact words he had yet to figure out, but it mentioned a light, converted in innocence and pulsing with the brightness of a star. This still baffled the Inuyoukai Lord, something he disliked very much. Yet curiosity always got the better of him and he was in the process of piecing together the pieces of this very delicate puzzle.
The concept of light had him studying the Birthday girl from across the room, and for a second, while she was conversing with her rag-tag bunch of friends, the Youkai Lord, swore, if only for a second, there was a shimmering of blue that surrounded the girl. The Inu Daemon blinked again, curios to take a second look, but it was gone, vanished as if it never was.
It was real. Right there in front of everyone's face, right there for them to read, they just needed to know what they were looking for and he was the first one to notice.
The hairs on the back of Sesshoumaru's neck rose ever so slightly, as a feeling of déjà vu, skirting just out of cognitive reach flickered through his mind. His golden eyes narrowed at his rather unexpected discovery as he stalked her from the other side of the room. The girl, the reason for the whole escapade tonight was held in her honour, and yet, despite all the lavishness and utter extravagance of the event and the obvious painstaking hours of planning and readying the place and the extensive guest list, the light and happiness that should have shone from her like a neon star on the birth of its life was not evident in her eyes. The rest of her body shone with the light and freedom of her birthday, but that light, that shone in her breathtaking smile and small giggles at the small talk, was not reflectant in her eyes. In fact it was somewhat absent. And for some ungodly reason, this perplexed the Young Lord that watched as she raised her flute glass for the umpteenth time to clink it gently together with another group of acquaintances who had arrived on her family's invitation to celebrate in honour of her. Kagome Higuashi.
The man that was talking, a business associate of his father that was based in Beijing, China, offered the floor to the older Tashio who stood next to his oldest son.
"Yes I agree with you Master Chou, but on the offhand that the Western Market would accept the bid for the new imports, it would be a very risky decision to make based on what the heresy is, wouldn't you agree Sesshoumaru?"
Hearing his father direct the group's attention to him, he saw his opportunity to excuse himself from the boredom of the business discussion.
"Yes Father, I do agree with you, would it not be better to do an in depth analysis of the target market over there before sending the products over? Anyway, business is business gentlemen and with such a perfect evening, should we not indulge in a bit of enjoyment tonight, and leave the business for Monday?"
" Hahaha, perfect answer my son!, we will make him a prise of Tashio Enterprises yet. My son is right, business can wait gentlemen, the night is young and my glass is empty, so if you'll excuse me, I feel a visit to the bar is in order..."
With that, the older Tahsio son and his son left the group, making their way over to the bar.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A~~~~~~~~~~~
Inuyasha, that was vile, I will certainly not be having another shot like that every again, and who on Earth came up with a name like that? Cupids Cum... gross"
Kagome voiced her disgust at the foul tasting tonic she had just knocked back with her best friend.
" Awe come on Kags, one more? It wasn't that bad? I suppose it's called that because it's red and thats what Cupids 'jizz' would taste like? Hell if that's what they call a Cupids Cum, let's try the Quick Fuck next?"
"I see you are still enlightening others with your disgusting lack of etiquette, bother."
Sesshoumaru interrupted his brother's perusal of the 'shot list' .
" Aaah fuck off ice prick, we having birthday drinks over here, so come on Kags, a quick Quick Fuck?"
"If this is your form of seduction, no wonder people think you are still a virgin, halfbreed."
"Now-now boys, we are at a formal affair, be nice." Toga reprimanded both his sons. "Please excuse their obvious lack of manners Kagome. May I wish you on behalf of the Tashio family the warmest wishes on your special day" the Dog General stated before sweeping the young girl up into a warm hug.
"Thank you Uncle Toga, I hope you have enjoyed your evening so far?" Kagome said before being swept up in the hug.
" Awe come on Dad, put her down, I was just getting her a shot! She ain't 12 anymore! Sheesh!" Inuyasha exclaimed while signalling the bar tender.
Putting the girl back on her feet he shot his youngest son a cold look.
'Now I know where Sesshoumaru gets it from, frigid bastard' Inuyasha thought while ordering them all another round of drinks.
"Yes, Congratulations into joining high society" Sesshoumaru commented picking up his whiskey on the rocks and tilting it towards the young girl.
" Here, Here, Happy Birthday! So when has your Father decided to marry you off, as he and I cannot wait for the grandkids!"
Kagome almost chocked on her drink at hearing the comment
" Father I do not think that such a topic is broached on this night."
"Yeah Dad, can the baby talk!"
A small smile graced Kagome's features at the two brothers sticking up for her.
" So you don't want children then Kagome?" The Dog General inquired.
" No, no, I do want children, but when I'm ready, not now, there is still far too much for me to still do before I settle down."
" Well that's good to hear. I shall have to have a word with your father about possibly setting up a union with one of my son's, just don't wait to long my dear, all the good bachelors will be snapped up before you are even begin to look."
Her eyes bulged again at the comment from the older Youkai, as well as the youngest Tashio.
" Eeeew Dad, seriously? Kagome marry me? Thats just... yuck! She's... She's...!" the Inu could not finish the sentence, to astounded by the presumption of the proposal.
"Well it was just a whimsical Idea and she wouldn't have to marry you, she could marry Sessshoumaru? You never know?"
Inuyasha blanched. ' What has Pops taken tonight to make him say such ramdon shit! Must be some kind of Viagra mixing in wit the alcohol... eeew eeew Dad and Viagra... eeew'
" Marry that Ice prick? Come on Dad, that's just sending her to her death?"
" Well it's just an idea Inuyasha, speaking of which, where is Kei now, I'll go ask him right away.."
" Come on dad that's just insane..."
Sensing Kagome's growing morbid embarrassment over the conversation between the Dog General and his youngest son over her love life and her marriage potential, and his own annoyance at the audacity of his blood relatives, he moved to remove Kagome from the rather uncomfortable situation.
"Kagome, would you care to dance and remove yourself from the drunken banter of an old fool?" Sesshoumaru inquired.
Eyes going even wider than they were before, Kagome's brain began to compute what had just been asked of her, seeing her escape route in the form of the older Tashio, while not the best, it was her only hope. She drowned her Champaign and nodded very vigorously, accepting the offered hand and scuttling along after the Western Prince eager to get away from the marriage talk.
'Sesshoumaru, you lifesaver... I could kiss you... well if you weren't so... well .. umm well you.'
Leaving Toga and Inuyasha to debate further over her marriage, they made their way over to the dance floor, a steady beat was being played by the live band, and Sesshoumaru lead Kagome to an open space on the dance floor and offered her a slight bow.
Blushing at his formality, she offered him a slight curtsy and accepted his hand, fluttering nervously at the thought of the Youkai Lord cringing under the touch of her human hand. A small noise escaped her throat as the Older Tashio moulded her to his frame and began to sweep her around the room in a slow version of the waltz, keeping perfect time to the What a Wonderful World that was playing.
An even brighter shade of red tinted her cheeks at the closeness of their persons, she found herself looking down a lot, eager to watch her footing so as to not loose balance and embarrass the Young Lord even further with her clumsiness. She was doing a pretty good job that is until he spoke to her.
Annoyed at her nervousness and human antics, he decided to try and calm her nerves in the hopes of finishing the dance and excusing himself from the party all together, having made his intended appearance, he spoke,
" Kagome-san, you look very elegant tonight..."
She looked up at him, taken aback by his comment. Blue uncertainty clashed with gold brilliance as their eyes me, and for a second there was something there she could not place.
Totally distracted by the Young Lord, she forgot her foot work and stepped one too many times, losing her place, and effectively manage to land her high-heeled toe onto the left foot of her dance partner. She readied herself for the oncoming fall she had been trying to avoid after her stairs entrance before.
'Stupid high shoes... oops that did it... why did he have to comment on how I looked... balls, hello floor, we meet again..."
Yet ,she did not meet the floor, eyes shut, a few seconds passed and she was still moving gracefully in the arms of the Inuyoukai, she opened her eyes and looked at him, regaining her footing with ease once again as she fell back into step, at his lead.
She looked at him, curiosity shining in her orbs, wondering if he had detected her glitch in timing. What she found was the look of boredom gracing his flawless features, a hint of annoyance in his now stony eyes.
'Well at least he's not ripping me a new asshole, wait there are too many people here for that, but he didn't have to save me from the embarrassment of another fall ? How?... Why?'
" How, how...why did you save me from falling on my ass?" She couldn't help but voice the last of her thoughts.
"Although you still lack some finesse in your dancing and the clumsiness you display while wearing such ridiculously high footwear, this Sesshoumaru thought that he would save you the embarrassment of yet another fall tonight."
Taken aback yet again by his chivalry, well if you can call it that from the Young Lord, she took on a crimson shade and looking down bashfully, missing the glint of something that flashed in the Young Lord's eyes. She managed a very quiet,
"Arigato Sesshoumaru-sama"
He was about to correct her in her formal thank you, something about the way she addressed him not sitting well with his beast. The music then changed, Sesshoumaru began to slow from his waltz, before having the time to address her again, there was a tap on his left shoulder, he looked up to find Lord Naraku.
" Excuse me Tashio-san, I was hoping to relieve the girl of your presence and cut in?"
Seething at the remark from the Hanyou spider, the Young Lord let loose a snarl, his grip tightening on Kagome's frame.
"Watch yourself spider..."
" My apologies Dog, I was unaware that you have become the preverbal bitch in your family, taking on such trivial matters of socialising with the humans." The last part spoken like the word would poison him at the mention of it.
Another growl let loose from the Young Lord, his Youki rising at the feeling of the oncoming threat the Spider Hanyou presented.
"Control your tongue Spider, or you shall find yourself missing a few of your legs before the night is out..."
Releasing Kagome from his grasp, the young girl shuddered at the feeling of the rising energies. Bristled by the audacity of the Southern Heir, Kagome sought to calm the situation and defend herself against the brash Spider.
"Forgive me Onigumo-Sama, I thank you for attending my celebration, would it not be best in the interests of my family and the Tashio family that the politics between the West and the South be discussed another day, outside of the enjoyment this celebration is suppose to bring, and the honouring of the Tashio clan in their humble nature in hosting this special occasion."
Taken back by the humble nature of their hostess, the Spider Hanyou was left speechless and seething at the audacity of this dainty human.
Taking his silence as affirmation of her request, Kagome excused herself to take part in the closing ceremony to the evening, leaving a slightly amused Inu Lord and a fuming Spider.
"This is not over Tashio..."
With the looming threat and darkness his words promised, the Spider turned on his heel and stormed off the dance floor, following the gathering crowd for the end of night ceremony, leaving the Inu Lord alone in his thoughts.
'Hn, Bold of the young human... does she not realise that this Sesshoumaru can fight his own battles, pestilent Spider shall pay for his insolence... This does however add to a very interesting piece to the enigma... I shall get Jaken onto it immediately."
Miffed at the wounded pride the Young Lord had attained by the boldness of the young human woman, coupled with the insults from the Spider Prince, he couldn't help the small seed of respect that was planted in the Inu Lord for the defending of his House against the Spider, and the humble nature that she reprimanded the spider in, a true lady of court. The Inu removed his Blackberry from his pocket and instructed the little Kappa to have his ride ready as he made a swift exit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~A~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was after the party, they had just finished saying good bye to all the guests and Kagome had her pumps in her hand as she bound up the stars, Champagne in her system and she was a light, the thrill of a night on the town offered her a taste of the forbidden fruit that accompanied her turning 21, she was now legal and shell be damned if she was going to spend the night in. almost keeling over in a flurried movement of turning left and opening her bedroom door at the same time, one of her pumps left the grasp of her hand and fell to the floor with a resounding thud, completely unnoticed by her as she made a mad dash for her wardrobe, flinging the doors open, she immediately began rummaging through her clothes. Dresses of every design flying over her petite shoulders to land in a rain of designer fashion on the plush carpeted bedroom.
"Eurika, I knew there was a reason Sango got me this dress..."
The excited 21 year old exclaimed holding the article of clothing aloft in the air, eyeing the masterpiece of her mind's eye of her perfect evening dress. A deep pink satin number, she lay the small article out on her bed and proceeded to undress from the many layers of silk and faue leather from her masquerade dress.
Making sure her strapless bra was securely in place, she slipped the pink satin over her head and adjusted the silk to a more comfortable fit around her form, walking over to the wardrobe once again, she eyed the white and pink pumps she kept in her shoe rack, and slipped them onto her feet with a groan.
'At least I can walk in these, don't know if I will last the whole night though after being in those monstrosities for the majority of the evening'
She thought offering the discarded black strapped pumps lying forgotten by the door an evil glare.
She made her way over to her vanity, about to do her hair, when there was a light tap on the door, her mother stood at her door, still dressed in her evening gown, minus the mask and heels, a glittering parcel of gold and red wrapping in her hands.
"Sweetheart, may I come in?"
"Sure Mom, what sup?'
"I wanted to give this to you before you go out tonight, your birthday gift from us…"
Her mother explained as she made her way into the bedroom heading for the bed as her daughter accompanied her and sat on the edge of the plush linen.
"Happy Birthday sweetheart, I have been keeping this for you for a long time…. It is finally time you have it."
Handing the gift over to her daughter, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
Eyeing the gift with curious eyes, Kagome took the gift for her mother, slowly beginning to unbind the delicate wrapping of silk bows and ribbons that bound the gift, the two sat in pregnant silence as Hana watched Kagome's hands at work on the gift.
Finally the last bow gave way to a silver box; she tossed the wrapping on the floor and ran her hand over the textured material of the cover of the box imprinted with what she could guess as being small crescent moons.
Looking up at her mother in question, she received a reaffirming nod for her to open the lid.
Lifting the silver lid, her eyes widened at the small leather bound book that lay nestled in the silver velvet cushioning of the box.
"Happy birthday my princess"
Her father's voice drifted in from her door way, she briefly glanced at him, a sentimental smile creasing her lips in welcome of her father's presence as he lent against the door frame, his bow-tie hanging loosely around his neck and the first three buttons of his tuxedo undone, arms folded, he smiled back in return, waiting for her to explore her gift.
Kagome lifted the leather bound book out of the box, running her hands over the polished cover examining it as she turned it over in her hands, coming to rest on the front of the book, where a set of ancient kanji were etched into the leather, the book sealed with a leather bind that wrapped around the book twice and came to bind near the edge of the book under a metal clasp in the shape of a sun.
"What is it?" she asked her parents in a whispered awe at the ancient binding.
"A very special gift" her father answered.
"A storybook" her mother added.
"Open it…" they urged together.
Unwrapping the leather binding, she unclasped the sun clasp from the pages and opened the leather cover with a small groan from the book from lack of use.
Her eyes drank in the first page, what looked like a title, then turning the page over, in a set of ancient kanji she has never had the knowledge of learning, a small blurb was written in an exquisite penmanship with the ink almost shimmering in its metallic brilliance.
"It's beautiful" she whispered.
Smiles broke out on both her parents faces at her whispered declaration of the gift.
Scanning the unknown words on the page, her eyes came to rest on a pair of kanji she would know anywhere. Whispering them out loud as she read them, a physical declaration that what she was reading was not in her imagination, she read,
'Kagome of the Bow'
Her name, it was her name in the ancient Kanji looking up at her parents once again she asked
"What does this mean?"
Her father was the first to answer her as the room seemed to fill with a type of mystical air that swept the young girl up in the magic of the moment.
"This, my musume, is the story of you, who you are and how you came to be…" he spoke in a cryptical deliverance.
"Sweetheart, it is the fairytale, the ultimate story you will ever be told, your story, your fairy tale."
Kagome's brows knitted together in confusion.
"But… but how can I ever find out my story when I can't even read the writing Mom?" She looking back at the kanji once again.
"My princess you will read it when it is time for you to read it, for now, you are left with one clue, turn to the back of the book"
Following her father's instructions, she turned to the back of the book where in the leather binding cover, there was a pocket in the leather; she lifted the pocket to find a small painted portrait of a man.
She drank in the portrait and time seemed to stop, she was mesmerised by him, his golden eyes shimmered with a mysterious secret that brought the man to life in the 2 dimensional imagery, his long silver hair flowing behind him as if being swept away by a gentle breeze, Goosebumps ran up her spine as the golden eyes stared right back at her. A tingling sensation shot through her body, it tickled with her sub conscious and teased her mind, she tried to access the information, but it eluded her, like a forgotten dream.
'Do I know you?' She questioned the portrait stranger.
She was brought out of her trance by mother.
"Im going to say good night now sweetheart, happy birthday my angel" she gave her daughter a tight squeeze and a simple kiss to the forehead, fighting back tears, she made her way over to her husband at the door, Kagome still stunned by the portrait, set the picture aside, forgotten for now, and made her way over to the door where her parents stood.
"Thank you Mom, Dad….for everything."
It was her Dads turn to hug her as he enveloped his petite daughter against his chest, breathing in her sent, he whispered his wishes
"Happy birthday sunshine… may all your dreams come true."
A tear slid down her Mother's cheek, the flood gates have broke, just like at the toasts tonight.
Then relinquishing his daughter, Kei Higurashi gathered his wife in his arms as he ushered her down the passage to their room with Hana hiccoughing along the way trying to keep the tears at bay.
Kagome watched her parents disappear down the passage, her Father's voice echoing down the hallway.
"Enjoy your night out with your friends, princess."
With that, she went back to finish getting ready for her night out on the town.
~~~~~~~~~~~A~~~~~~~~~~~
End
AN/ And the plot thickens... I struggled with this chapter as I am still piecing together the elements of the story, but I want to convey each character with a sense of their personality in each little tid-bit of information that is given. I think I am finally getting the juggling act that is the writing of one of these epic stories. I just hope I can cram all my ideas into one streamline effect that is a story :p
Reviews and feedback are always welcome.
Enjoy,
Magic