Is it just me or is story/review alert system not working as well? I dunno, it could just be my computer that's failing to send me new chapters and whatnot, but I can't help being annoyed to the point of tears…
Anyway, enjoy chapter two of Here and Now!
QUICK NOTE: It's a possibility that I may change the story title. Then again, it's a possibility that I may not.
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Chapter 1 - Abhorrence
Kagome groaned as she flopped on the bed. And now she'd have to spend three weeks with him. That made her excitement drop ten points below zero.
"Kagome!" A call came from the bottom of the steps. "Come downstairs, we have something we'd like to discuss with everyone."
Kagome sat up and straightened out her sweater. With a quick glance in the mirror, she followed Izayoi's voice out of the door and down the stairs.
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Chapter 2 - Loathing
Kagome entered the family room, expecting to see the entire family, as Izayoi had said 'everyone'. Instead, she merely saw Izayoi, Inutaisho, and Inuyasha, of course. Kaede and Sesshoumaru were nowhere to be seen. Not that she particularly minded in Sesshoumaru's case.
Maybe she was in trouble?
"Is something wrong?" Her voice held no hesitation on anxiety, but her insides were twisting with each breath.
"No dear, of course not." Izayoi began.
Kagome felt herself exhale in relief.
"We just felt it was necessary to ask your approval before doing anything…sudden." She added with a bob of her head.
Kagome tilted her head in confusion. This was their family, their house. Why would they need to ask her approval for anything.
The question was soon answered by Mr. Takano.
"You see, we understand that you just got here, and I'm not quite positive if you'd like to stay and take a short tour around immediately, or if it would be alright if we did that after a small vacation."
Kagome shot her hands up. "No, no, no! Please! Go wherever you want! I'm not in any position to stop you. I'm just a guest!" She gave a small nervous smile.
Although… she did come to spend some time with them. If they leave, she'd be stuck here alone and wouldn't have much fun at all. But se pushed those thoughts aside.
Inuyasha grinned and stepped toward her, slipping an arm around her shoulder. "You see, Kags, we thought we'd go to a ski resort. Wanna come? It could be like… a vacation from a vacation from home."
Kagome couldn't help the laugh that escaped her. And excitement mingled with uncertainty. "'A vacation from a vacation from home', huh? Umm, are you sure I wouldn't be interrupting anything family-related? 'Cause if I would be, then I really don't think I should g-"
"Nonsense! You're a part of our family. We would love to have you with us, Kagome honey." Izayoi's bright smile lit up the room, hopefulness dancing in her dark brown orbs.
She couldn't say no to a face like that. Kagome sighed. "I'll go…re-pack my bags."
Inuyasha let out a yelp of delight, and Inutaisho laughed warmly t his son's antics. "And while you're up there Kagome, inform Sesshoumaru of our departure. Tell him we're leaving as soon as the limo arrives."
Kagome shot a quick smile and hurried up the steps. When she was positive she was alone, she allowed her happy façade to slip into a glowering one. How about not saying anything and telling Mr. and Mrs. Takano Sesshoumaru said no?
Kagome sighed. That'd be awful of her to do.
Without another though, she climbed the stairs until she reached Sesshoumaru's bedroom. Straightening her composure and putting on an impassive countenance, she gave his door a soft knock.
Nothing.
Furrowing her brows in frustration, she knocked again, this time harder.
Again, silence.
Kagome sighed, now fully annoyed. "Sess-"
"What?" Came a voice from behind her.
She yelped and turned around.
There stood Sesshoumaru, in all his proud, masculine glory.
"I-I…" Kagome stumbled over her words. Needless to say, she was caught quite off guard.
He smirked. "You?"
Kagome frowned, malice in her eyes. "Your dad wants you to know that we're leaving for the ski trip as soon as the limo gets here. So get ready." She attempted to push past him, but he grabbed hold of her arm and held it tight.
"What do you mean we?"
Kagome looked away. "Look, I didn't ask to come. Everyone kept on insisting, and then Inuyasha's mom gave that face and I was done for." She sighed and rolled her eyes. "I've gotta put up a better barrier."
Sesshoumaru growled. She was coming with them? Then that's it, he wasn't staying home. "I'm not going."
Kagome looked up at him, meeting his brazen gaze. "You're not?"
He let her arm go. "No, I'm not. There's no point in my going if you just so happen to be coming along as well. We wouldn't like it very much and it would please neither my father nor Izayoi if we quarreled the entire time. So I shall stay home."
Kagome felt a small smile tug at the corner of her lips. He wasn't going?
She beamed at him. "Then it's settled! I'll go tell your dad you're busy and you don't have to see me until Christmas." He gave a soft giggle and brushed past him, into her own bedroom.
Sesshoumaru growled a final time, then slammed his door shut. He sat on his bed, thinking about the long week to come. At least Kagome would be far away from him.
Wait…
His eyes widened. She seemed rather happy about him not going. He shouldn't allow her to be even remotely excited about anything. The damn woman had ruined his life and now he was making hers better? That wasn't very fair.
Sesshoumaru groaned. There was something about that Kagome. Something that made him want to harm her emotionally at any given moment, only because it was so easy. He'd normally scold himself for stooping so low as to hurt a woman, but Kagome was no woman. She was a lowly wench.
With a final sigh, he made up him mind. And the choice he decided on filled him with intense dread.
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Kagome hummed a happy tune as she stuffed her belongings back into her bag. Sesshoumaru wasn't going, so she felt better than ever. And she'd be able to spend an entire day with Inuyasha. Even though he liked her, she could help it that he was her best friend and she loved spending time with him.
Finally shoving the last shirt into the dark blue bag, she zipped it and threw it over her shoulder, almost falling over at the sudden weight pulling at her.
"Close one." She sighed.
"Second that." A voice came from behind her. Then two arms wrapped themselves around her waist, pulling her close. "Need help standing, Kags?"
Kagome blushed at the intimate action. "U-uh… no, I'm fine. Thanks though."
What an idiot. She was so anxious, she couldn't even speak properly.
Inuyasha waited a moment before letting go, his grip tightening slightly just before releasing.
Kagome let out a breath of relief. "So. Sesshoumaru's not coming." She grinned ecstatically.
Inuyasha flopped onto the bed like he'd always do. "Yeah? Who told you that?"
Kagome rolled her eyes at his smirk. "The king himself."
Inuyasha let out a quick laugh. "Sorry to burst your bubble, Kags, but Sesshoumaru's gotta go. Mom and dad aren't letting him miss another family trip. This is the sixth in a row he'll be running away from." His grin faded into a small frown. "You know, 'cause of that bastard, mom thinks it's her fault he's not coming. He never did like coming along, and when he finally got old enough to stay home alone, he decided not to come again."
Kagome felt her throat tighten uncomfortably. Sesshoumaru was making Izayoi feel guilty? But she was a woman of wisdom, kindness, selflessness; she was the perfect mother too. How could he be so heartless. "That's terrible. I'm sure it's not your mom's fault, she's great! Sesshoumaru likes her too, just… in his own, rude way." She cringed.
Inuyasha smiled up at her then stood. "You don't have to protect everyone, you know."
Kagome returned the smile. "Oh, I'm not. I'm just saying Izayoi can't be at fault here. Sesshoumaru's ego's to blame."
He laughed and grabbed her bag. "Come on, the car's here."
She paused. So… that meant Sesshoumaru was coming? She figured she'd just have to live with it. Maybe she could do something about it though.
It was a lie to say what Inuyasha said wasn't bothering her. She loved Izayoi very much, just like Inuyasha did. So Sesshoumaru's actions hurt her as well. Maybe she could try to get them closer? Kagome mentally grinned.
She could have them spend some time together, mother and son. Or maybe she could physically, yet sneakily, hurt Sesshoumaru so Izayoi could have the chance to be all motherly with him! That would work well. When Kagome got sick, Izayoi would bring her hot soup and comfort her in the sweetest ways.
Come to think of it, maybe Sesshoumaru never received comfort from anyone. He seemed like a loner, always on his own and rejecting love and compassion from anyone. How awful it would be to go about life without having someone to soothe your thoughts and give reassurance…
"Kagome?"
She started slightly and blinked a few times. "Uh, sorry, I'm coming."
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The limo ride was silent. No one really spoke, aside from Inuyasha. He kept babbling about school and home and parties he'd been to in the past few weeks.
Kagome, however, was simply smiling and nodding, maybe with the occasional, "Oh!" or "Really?". But her main focus was on Sesshoumaru and Izayoi.
She seemed happy he was coming along. She even made room for him on the seat, but he chose to sit away from her and next to Kagome.
Sesshoumaru didn't even say thank you. Actually, he didn't say anything, nor did he look at anyone, just outside.
Kagome glanced out his window a few times. He seemed to be really engrossed with the trees. Now that she looked closer, she could see that the branches were covered in ice, gleaming as the sun's rays hit their surface. Much like a prism, she concluded.
It was beautiful though. Now she knew why Sesshoumaru was being so quiet. But it still left some space for other ideas. He could be brooding the fact that he had to come along. Or maybe he taught himself to sleep with his eyes open.
Kagome sighed on the inside. That's be a great thing to learn.
"Kagome, hey? You listening to me?"
Kagome turned her head slowly to Inuyasha. "What?"
Inuyasha looked taken aback, his eyes shining with slight sadness. "Nothing." And he looked out the window too.
Kagome would have said something, but they arrived immediately afterward. With a sigh, she stepped out of the car, thankful for not tripping. If she had, she'd have fell straight onto Sesshoumaru. Well, until he let her drop to the ground.
She held back a gasp when she saw the resort. It was enormous! And there was no snow back in Tokyo at the moment, so seeing the beautiful white blanket covering the scenery around her was magnificent. And the whole resort was pretty big too!
Inuyasha, apparently forgetting that Kagome had hurt him, grinned brightly and threw an arm around her shoulder. "Whaddaya think, Kags? Pretty cool, isn't it?"
Kagome smiled back at him, then turned to face the building. "Yeah."
Actually, it was more or less a group of buildings, rather than just one massive one. The resort consisted of a main building, two story and wide. Then around it were about four other ones, two on each side. The pine trees accented the gorgeous oak wood that built up the walls and the small, intricate engravings on each of the doors and window panels. Through the foggy window on the front door, one could see brilliant golden lights from within. It looked warm inside, Kagome concluded, and she was cold where she stood outside.
"Hey, you coming or am I gonna have you carry you in there myself?" He gave a playful, yet mischievous smile.
"Only if you can catch me Inuyasha." Kagome smirked and quickly broke into a run.
With a happy laugh, she noticed Inuyasha wasn't even close. Her mind echoed with victorious cries. But before she could open her mouth to yell one out too, she collided with someone.
"This is no place for horseplay, wench."
Kagome looked up and blinked a few times, begging her head to calm down from dizziness at being stopped so suddenly.
Sesshoumaru grimaced and pushed her away roughly, walking toward his family. Damn woman doesn't know she can embarrass their family name by acting like that.
Kagome frowned at his retreating figure. "Yeah, well… what happened to being a gentleman!?" She huffed. Then in a quiet murmur, "And I'm not a wench, you bastard…"
"He heard every word you said, ya know."
Kagome pouted at Inuyasha. "Like I care.
Inuyasha gave her a soft smile. Kagome noticed the look in his eyes, almost at once realizing what it was. She blushed and turned away. "Come on, let's go see where our rooms are."
Inuyasha ran ahead of her. "Maybe we're in the same room." He slowed. "Like when we were kids, remember?"
Kagome's blush increased at what he was implying now. He wanted to sleep in the same bed with her, just like back then. "Yeah, but that was only 'cause you were afraid to sleep alone." She teased.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "That was you."
Kagome smiled prettily. "Nuh uh."
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"So Kagome, dear, what do you think?"
Kagome grinned at Izayoi. She honestly didn't know what to think. Yeah, sure the outside was big, but the inside was huge! "It's amazing!"
Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes and walked ahead of the group. Yes, of course it was amazing, but even so, it deserved a more elegant term. Or at least more sophisticated.
Kagome caught the look and stuck her tongue out at him. Him and his stupid self…
"This will be your room, Lord Sesshoumaru." The man who led them offered. Well, more like demanded.
Sesshoumaru nodded and reached for the knob.
"And this room," He pointed to the one just across from Sesshoumaru's. "will be yours, Miss Kagome." He smiled at her.
Kagome swallowed heavily at the smile. He was around her age, maybe twenty or so. He wasn't too bad looking, but the boy had the eyes of a devil. And his smile was quite dangerous. "Um, thank you. I-"
Wait.
She looked quickly from her room, to Sesshoumaru's, and back.
No way.
"I want another one!" Kagome stomped, then blushed at her rudeness.
The boy stared at her, as well as the rest of the Takano's, even Sesshoumaru. Their stares were incredulous.
"I-I-I mean, uh, this-this is fine." She stuttered and forced a smile.
Sesshoumaru glared at her. Yet another attempt at embarrassing him. "Well, I, for one, don't find this arrangement suitable. Please find another room for one of us."
"No can do, sir." His dark smile widened. "I'm afraid these are the only rooms left."
Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed. "Then switch me with someone."
The boy paused, then frowned. "Sorry, switching rooms isn't allowed. If everyone did that, then there's be chaos!" He threw his arms in the air to make his point, then chuckled.
Inuyasha stepped in, obviously uncomfortable by the fact that his Kagome would be sleeping so close to Sesshoumaru. "I'll switch! I don't mind, really! It's just a room! And no one has to know!"
The boy raised an eyebrow and shook his head. "Look, it's against resort policy." And with that, he left.
Kagome sighed.
Again they'd sleep across from each other, just like back at the Takano manor. It really wasn't fair. But she'd have to get used to it.
Kagome frowned uneasily. This would be a long stay for her, especially since her plan of avoiding Sesshoumaru wouldn't work out.
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Hurray? Here's chapter two for ya! Anyone have any constructive criticism? lol. I feel like it's missing something. Maybe it's just because I'm tired… I dunno. And yes, it's short and pretty uneventful, but come on people. It's finals week for me! I need to study, and I have no time to write.
I wonder if someone will catch on to the pattern of the chapter titles. Hmm… if you think you know, just post it in a review.
Speaking of reviews, a heap of thanks to:
- serasvictoria666
- dark eyed demon girl
- addicted2reviews
- minkyo16
- darura
- Sapphire Birthstone
- kagxsess
Please review again!
Dragon