Disclaimer: Inuyasha does not belong to me, unfortunately.
Italics denote thoughts.
---Sesshoumaru---
What exactly possessed me to agree to father's inane wishes? Ah, yes. Her name. Higurashi. It's been 10 years since I last heard that name. Higurashi, the magician of the culinary world. Could those two be in any way related to each other or is it just a coincidence that they share the same last name? Hn, only one way to find out.
---Kagome---
Kawamura Sesshoumaru, the young genius. Is he as good as what they say he is? Most importantly, can he cook as well as father used to? I'd better not get my hopes up. I've yet to taste the creations of any chef that rivals my dad's. It is only by chance that I learned of him though, father's only student. I wonder, can he recreate that wonderfully sophisticated yet homely taste that is father's trademark? Oh well, there is only one way to find out.
oOo
The Blue Crescent Palace. It looks so majestic. Almost like a real palace. So real you can virtually see handsome young princes all over the place, thought Kagome with a slight giggle as she made her way to the entrance.
"Good evening, ma'am. Do you have a reservation?"
"Yes. I have a table for one reserved under the name of Higurashi."
"Right, Miss Higurashi. This way please."
"Thank you."
If Kagome found the exterior of the building majestic, the interior simply amazed her. It wasn't lavishly decorated like many of the other top restaurants that she has been to around the world. The walls were painted a soft ivory color with the Ionic columns done in white. The table linen was in varying shades of cream to match the color of the walls. The entire room was bathed in a soft yellow light giving the environment there a peaceful, dreamlike quality. A grand crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling with every little crystal piece catching the soft light and reflecting it in a dazzling dance. Long French windows provided diners with the pleasant view of the city's lights twinkling merrily in the night like hundreds of stars. Soft classical music played by a string quartet completed the romantic atmosphere the restaurant possessed. It took all of Kagome's self-control to follow the maitre d' to her table instead of standing there and gaping at the beauty and splendor of the place. I think I have just died and gone to heaven. The maitre d' led Kagome up a flight of marble steps to a little alcove cleverly hidden away behind a thick burgundy curtain on the second floor.
After seating her, the maitre d' left Kagome to revel in the beauty of her surroundings. This place is like no other I've ever been to. And here I thought I've seen it all when I stepped foot in Le Palais Blanc in Paris. The décor here is not as lavish as that of Le Palais Blanc yet it exudes a certain air of elegance in its simplicity. If anything, the person who designed this place is a genius. Now all I need is a gorgeous young man sitting opposite me and this evening will b-
"Miss Higurashi, it certainly is a pleasure to have you here."
Kagome snapped out of her musings to see a tall man in a dark business suit with long, flowing silver hair and amber eyes addressing her. Wow. I never knew someone his age can look so good.
"The pleasure is all mine Mr-"
"Ah. Allow me to introduce myself. Kawamura Inutaisho, owner of the Blue Crescent Palace at your service," the man said with a bow.
"I'm honored to make your acquaintance Kawamura-sama."
"May I have the liberty of recommending a few of my head chef's signature dishes for tonight, Miss Higurashi? They are his original creations and can only be found here. Although if you have anything else in mind, I'm confident that he is more than capable in dishing it up in a moment's notice."
"I will have what you recommend, Kawamura-sama. After all, as a critic and food-lover, I'm always on the lookout for new tastes and flavors," said a smiling Kagome.
"Very well then. If you would excuse me Miss Higurashi, I shall inform the chef of your choice so that he can see to the preparation of your food. In the meantime, please enjoy this complimentary bottle of wine. It is one of the best in our collection." With a slight bow, Inutaisho left Kagome.
oOo
"Jaken-sama, have you heard? The world famous food critic, Higurashi Kagome is here!"
"Eh? Higurashi Kagome? I've never heard of her. There's nothing special about these critics anyway. They're all short, fat and ugly. All they know how to do is eat. They know nothing about the art of cooking."
"Jaken-sama, you're short, fat and ugly too but that doesn't make you a famous critic."
"RIN! You little brat!"
"It was a joke, Jaken-sama. Anyway, she is different. She is young and very pretty too, not at all fat or ugly. I've only seen her in magazines but Yuriko told me that she is prettier in person and very friendly too. With someone so famous here, no wonder Sesshoumaru-sama is personally preparing the food. Ne, do you think she will like the food here?"
"Of course she will! She must be stupid to not like our Sesshoumaru-sama's cooking."
"Jaken! Rin! Stop the incessant chatter immediately before I throw the two of you out of my kitchen."
"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama!"
Young and pretty? That is something unheard of where critics are concerned. But still, a critic all the same, thought Sesshoumaru as he viciously sliced the fish he was preparing into paper-thin slices.
oOo
"Miss Higurashi, I hope you have enjoyed the food."
"Very much, thank you. You are very fortunate to have such a talented chef under your employment. Please pass my compliments to him, Kawamura-sama."
"Perhaps you would like to meet him in person? Then you can compliment him yourself. I'm sure he's looking forward to meeting you too."
"That would be nice."
"If you'll excuse me, Miss Higurashi."
oOo
Sesshoumaru unconsciously straightened his clothes as he made his way up to the second floor. What was father thinking? It is preposterous to think that I, Sesshoumaru, would be looking forward to meeting with a critic even if she were said to be young and pretty. He must be going senile, thought Sesshoumaru with a smirk.
The bare back of a petite figure clad in a short, navy blue, halter-neck dress greeted him as he set foot at the entrance to the alcove. Milky-white skin that contrasted sharply with the inky black of the night sky made her look as if she was glowing even in the pale yellow light. Bright amber eyes traveled down her back, noting all the suggestive curves hidden by her dress in the way, only to make the acquaintance of a pair of long, shapely and equally fair legs. Sesshoumaru cleared his throat. That is certainly something.
If he found the back of the figure pleasing to the eye, nothing prepared him for the face it had. Her face was framed like a valuable painting by the little tendrils of her ebony hair. She was the picture of angelic innocence with her wide eyes and soft, rosy lips that were curled upwards in a shy smile. A faint dusting of soft rose color appeared on her cheeks.
"Miss Higurashi, I presume? I am Kawamura Sesshoumaru, head chef of the Blue Crescent Palace," said he with a slight bow at Kagome.
Bright sapphire eyes met his amber ones.
"Higurashi Kagome. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
oOo
A/N: Thank you for reading and also for the reviews. I'm glad you guys like it. )
To Lion Companion, there isn't much Sango and Miroku in it, I'm afraid. There's only a little bit of it, somewhere, I think. Still, I hope you like it.
