An InuYasha alternate fanwork by Wolfye Productions.
All InuYasha characters are © Rumiko Takahashi, Viz Communications, Inc., Shonen Sunday, Sunrise and Nihon TV. Characters are used without the express prior permission of the aforementioned. Story concept, other characters and original situations are © Wolfye Productions; this fanfic is written for entertainment purposes only.
Part 04: Beautiful Innocence
Hojo paced the floor of his apartment, contemplating what he should do and how he should do it. There had to be some way he could find out bits of information from Kagome about the guy she had lunch with, but he had to do so in a very gentleman-like manner. There was no way he was going to risk his fragile relationship with her, especially if he wanted to renew it later on in the future.
Hojo stopped in his frantic tracks, remembering the predatory look in that other guy's eyes when Kagome's back was to him. Waves of uneasiness crept over him again; icy fingers shot their way up his spine and grasped his heart. There had definitely been something wrong with that guy, something almost evil in his countenance.
The phone ringing broke him out of his thoughts. Walking over to the kitchen table, he picked up the offending object.
"Hello?"
"Hojo! It's me."
"Oh, hey Kagome," Hojo replied, trying to sound as casual as possible. "How was work today?"
"Oh, it was ok. I got paid today."
"Hey that's great!"
"Yeah," Kagome paused on the phone, obviously unsure of what exactly to say, Hojo guessed. He was right.
"Um, Hojo, I'm sorry about not meeting you at the luncheon today. I kinda got caught up at work."
Something sharp stabbed at his heart. Kagome just lied to him. She's never done that before.
"Oh, it's okay, Kagome," he lied back. Truly he was crushed.
"I want to make it up to you, tonight."
Hojo's ears perked up. Make it up to him, huh? What was the little vixen planning?
"Okay," he replied, patiently waiting for her to continue.
"I wanna take you out to dinner tonight, your choice."
"Aw, Kagome, you don't have to do that," he said, touched by her offer. "You need every cent you've got to pay for school." And he knew that was the truth. "I'll buy dinner tonight."
"No Hojo, I really want to. I feel so bad about this afternoon."
Hojo finally smiled, a plan forming in his mind.
"How about repaying me in another way?" he asked casually, although intent clearly in his tone.
Kagome audibly gulped over the phone. He could almost picture her beautiful brown eyes widen in anticipation and shock at what he was about to say.
"Okay..."
"Why don't you get all dressed up for tonight? I'll pick you up at 7:30, okay?"
"Oh Hojo, you know I don't like dressing up," she started, trying to weasel her way out of it. She rarely ever dressed up, and hated to do so, which Hojo always found to be an extra treat when she finally did.
"C'mon Kagome, you wanted to make it up to me, right? Well, this is the way you can."
Kagome sighed on the other side. "Alright," she resigned. "I'll see you at 7:30." She hung up.
Hojo put the phone back onto its cradle, a smile adorning his lips. This was going to be a great night. Walking back into his bedroom, he began getting ready.
Kagome looked at herself in the mirror, not liking what looked back at her from the reflective surface.
She had chosen to wear her dark blue ball gown. The luscious silk fabric clung tantalizingly to her every curve until about knee length, where the last folds fell away in a dramatic flare. To complete the ensemble, she had on a dark blue shawl embroidered in white and gold beads. A pearl necklace, which her mother had given to her on her 18th birthday, adorned her neck. Her hair was done up in a French twist, held in place by a pearl comb to match the necklace.
The last time she had worn this dress was to an opera, which Hojo had asked her out to. His family was both wealthy and highly influential, and had scored a booth near the stage during one of his father's business dealings. That had been their first date together. She smiled, remembering that night vividly. He had insisted that he buy her a new outfit for the event, and had taken her shopping in one of the city's more up-scale boutiques. How embarrassed she had been in the shop with several women fluttering over and around her, as they fitted her in several different outfits. But the look in Hojo's eyes when she had come out of the dressing room in this particular outfit - even now, a blush covered her cheeks just remembering.
A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts. Taking one last look in the mirror, she made a face at herself, then turned and opened the door. Instantly she was met with a face full of red roses.
"Ready for the night of your life?"
Kagome laughed, her voice sending tingles down Hojo's spine. He loved hearing her laugh.
"Really Hojo," she playfully chided, taking the bouquet from him and into her bathroom, where she filled up the sink with cool water. "It's only dinner."
Hojo watched her while she put the roses in water, his eyes roving her petite form. She hadn't worn that ensemble since the first time he had bought it for her, but she still looked ravishing in it. Sure, it's only dinner, he reminded himself, but that didn't mean they couldn't enjoy it just a little.
"Ready?"
Hojo took one more appreciative look at her before moving to take her arm in his. "After you, mademoiselle."
Kagome blushed, again remembering her awkwardness in this outfit. A warm feeling flooded her when she noticed the loving look in his eyes. It felt good to be wanted.
Locking her door, they walked to the end of the hall and waited for the elevator.
"So, where are we going tonight?" Kagome asked, flashing Hojo one of her winning smiles. Hojo felt his heart melt and his knees go weak.
"Don't you want to guess?" Hojo suggested, a twinkle in his eyes.
Kagome loved it whenever he had her guess. She took up the challenge and looked at what he was wearing. He was dressed in his black tuxedo with a red cummerbund, and a matching red bowtie. A red rose graced his jacket pocket, and as her eyes drifted upwards, she noticed that he had on a black beret. Then she remembered what he had called her back in her room.
"A French restaurant!" she exclaimed, confident in her answer.
Hojo beamed her a huge grin and took his beret off. "You've got it!"
By then, the elevator opened and they got inside. "We're on our way to an exclusive French club in the downtown district. It's called Le Mon Amie. The food is to die for!"
The sparkle in her eyes told him everything. She loved surprises, and food.
"Oh Hojo, that sounds wonderful!"
The elevator doors opened up and Miromaru stepped in, his eyes immediately taking in Kagome's ravishing figure. Hojo stiffened immediately, and he took a half-step in front of Kagome, staring the other man in the eye.
Miromaru chuckled, turning around to face the doors. "You two look nice," he said cordially. "Out on the town tonight?"
"Yes," Kagome answered, not wanting to be rude. Even after all this time, Hojo still got jealous of her. It both pleased and worried her at the same time.
"That's wonderful," Miromaru replied. "Have a wonderful time!"
"Thanks," Hojo said quickly. Luckily, the doors opened again and the three spilled out into the lobby, both men taking deep breaths of relief. Hojo quickly ushered Kagome out the door before Miromaru could say anything else.
A/N:
Okay, don't yell at me for it being so short, but I'm already working on the next chapter. Usually I write really long chapters to my stories, but I had wanted to make this fic move a little faster than normal.
Any and all reviews greatly appreciated! Thanks for sticking it out with me!