"You know how weird this is?" Kagome commented, plopping onto his couch, watching him resettle his legs, one ankle atop the other.
"What's weird?"
"This. You. Us. Movie. Beer."
"Have you forgotten how to complete a sentence?" He threw a look in her direction.
"Whatever, Mr. Perfect. I only meant the fact that I'm sitting here in my time in your apartment, sitting on a modern couch that you own and drinking a beer while we're about to watch 300. You'll like it by the way."
"How can you be so positive of that fact?"
"Because," she quipped. "I know you."
And that said it all really, Kagome thought. Her mind only half-focused on the film, it turned instead to their burgeoning friendship. After the movie they would relax and discuss the points of the film, finish their second beers, then talk about Inu Yasha and the past. As the pattern decreed. And when they were both sober again, he would drive her home like a gentleman. The next morning, Kagome would walk next door and discuss all the details with Katie as she'd promised, Katie insisting that Professor Inukami found Kagome wildly attractive and irresistible. Which, of course, Kagome found ridiculous, but she listened patiently anyway. Because that's what friends do.
"Kagome? Earth to Kagome..."
"Hm?" She turned and gave a small shriek of surprise to find the attractive face right next to hers. His golden eyes were focused on hers. He never wore the amulet while they were at his apartment once he found out how strange she thought it. At times like this, she was glad of that, even if he sometimes unnerved her.
"Miles away are we?"
"What? No. I'm right here."
A low laugh rumbled through his chest. "It's an expression, silly."
She turned up her nose. "What's that supposed to mean?" All of this casual teasing still set her on edge.
"You looked like you were deep in thought. Do you not want to watch the movie?" He met her eyes, and his expression bespoke only concern.
Giving pause to the thought of voicing questions that she wasn't sure she wanted answers to, Kagome forged ahead anyway. "Sesshoumaru, why do you invite me here?"
The question seemed to catch him by surprise. "What do you mean?"
Turning to face him fully, Kagome waited while he set the movie on pause. "Why do you invite me to your apartment?"
"Do you dislike passing time here with this Sesshoumaru?" He replied, slipping into the old-fashioned diction he only used, Kagome noticed, when he was uncomfortable. She tried to ignore the look of hurt that flashed through his golden eyes.
"Of course not!" She assured him quickly. "I was just wondering why me? Why do you want to spend time with me."
His expression softening, a smile crossed his lips briefly. "Because I enjoy it. Does one need a better reason?"
Kagome tried not to blush. "I g-guess not... I was just wondering why you'd want to spend time with me, when, you know there are people that you have more in common or-"
"Kagome, there is no one I have more in common with than you," he replied drily.
Kagome flushed again. "Well... Yeah, but..."
"Kagome," he interrupted, shifting on the couch to fully face her, "you are a charming, funny, intelligent young woman, and I have more in common with you than anyone in the world. I enjoy spending time with you. Do not worry about it. You are not monopolising my time. And if you were, I would not have it any other way. Would you like another beer?"
Katy's words were screaming through her mind. He likes you! She dropped her eyes, shifting them over to her two-sips-till-empty beer. "Um, sure thank you, Sesshoumaru."
He gave her a smile and disappeared from her view into the kitchen. Bottles rattled as she heard him open the fridge, but she could only focus on what he'd said. It was true. They were the only two people on the planet who knew each other as well as another person could know another. Even her own family, Kagome realised, could not know all of what she'd been through and experienced. And that would be if she had told them everything. Which she hadn't. And Sesshoumaru had been there for most of the important stuff anyway. He'd been there for Naraku, and he'd been there for Inu Yasha when it was important. And when she couldn't.
But what was she to him? More importantly, what was he to her? But he was calling her name. "What?"
He smiled kindly. "You're obviously preoccupied. Would you like to finish the movie and talk about it?" He handed her the beer.
"No!" She barked a little too quickly. "Thank you, um. No, finishing the movie is fine. That's fine," she blabbered. She was NOT ready for talking about this to him. Definitely not ready for this conversation or the results. So she settled for trying for a reassuring smile. "Movie?" She prompted desperately.
Sesshoumaru shook his head. "Alright." Settling on the couch closer to her than before, he lifted the remote to press play. "You're sure?"
"Yes! Yes, I'm sure!"
The film began again, the screaming of dying Persian warriors filling the small apartment.
"You're right, by the way."
"Hm?" Kagome looked over at him.
"I do like this movie."
She smiled. "Good. I was hoping you would." They fell into their achieved companionable silence until the movie ended.
"So what did you think?" Kagome asked, stretching her arms up over her head. "Sesshoumaru?" She looked over at him, still staring at the screen. Scooting into his line of vision, she asked him again what he thought.
"Kagome!" He started, looking slightly disturbed and a little guilty.
"You okay?"
"Yes. Fine... What were you thinking about?"
"What?" She blinked at the non sequitur. "Me? What was it that had you so disturbed?" Kagome shot back, immediately regretting the return as Sesshoumaru seemed to clam up. Maybe 300 hadn't been such a good decision after all.
"Nothing, nothing. It was a good movie." Kagome was sure the smile he gave was fake.
"Mm-hmm..." She yawned.
"Perhaps we should get you home..."
Taking the thought in for tasting, Kagome reluctantly nodded. Perhaps they both had way too much to think about to be good company for one another for the evening. "Sure. That sounds good, actually."
"I don't mean to kick you out, Kagome."
"No," she interrupted before he could say more. "That's fine. I'm tired anyway. God, this sounds awkward even to me..." She forced a laugh. "Sorry. No, I don't feel kicked out at all. It's fine."
His smile was real and relieved this time. "Good. Sorry all the same." The demon rose and grabbed his car keys, swinging them around his finger. "Let me drive you home. Same time next week?"
Grabbing her bag, Kagome returned his smile. "Sure. That's fine. Next time, you pick the movie."
"Movie night again?" Katy asked casually, exiting the bathroom.
Kagome gave her a tired smile. "Yeah. We watched 300. I don't think he liked it so much."
"Really?" Katy followed Kagome into her room. "What guy doesn't like 300." She gasped loudly all of a sudden.
"Geeze! Katy! Don't do that to me!" Reaching down, Kagome retrieved her purse and set it on her desk.
"Kagome! Kagome! What if he's secretly gay!"
Seeing her horrified expression, Kagome just had to laugh. "I can promise you he's not."
"Oh?" How was it she could look so much like a satisfied cat? "And how could you possibly do that? Unless... you know. There's stuff you haven't been telling me, madame seduction."
"No! I haven't said—I mean I haven't not told you anything!" Letting out a groan of frustration, Kagome threw her hands up in the air. "There isn't anything! And now you've got me all confused!"
"Confused? Why?"
"Because now I'm reading into his every action and I'm getting all nervous about everything," Kagome babbled. "I can't tell if it's because of what you said or if there are actually feelings there! And even if there are, it doesn't really matter, because I don't think he's in love with me! …..what. What? Why are you smiling at me?"
"Aww... My little girl's gone and grown up on me."
"Oh stop it," she replied tersely.
Inviting herself to Kagome's bed, Katy fixed her with a look that made Kagome a bit nervous. "My advice..."
Kagome waited.
"My advice slash input, opinion, view-point, et cetera ad nauseum..."
"Get to the point, Katy!"
The girl grinned. "I'm of the firm belief that Professor Inukami likes you. There's no other reason he would invite you, a student, to his apartment to watch movies on a regular basis."
"Not even if we share similar experiences in our past?"
"What does that mean?" Katy pounced on the comment, afresh with interest.
"Well..." Kagome already regretted the comment. "I just mean, if two people share similar experiences in the past, that can be a basis for friendship and companionship, right?"
"Yes..." Katy eyed her. "Not sure what you're getting at yet, but that can be the basis for friendship, as you said, but by this point, it's become something more.
Biting at her lip, Kagome thought back to all of their interactions. Friendship? Or something more? "Aaaugh! This is so frustrating!"
Katy laughed, spreading her hands dramatically. "As are the ways of love, grasshopper."
"Ugh. Get out."
"There are ways of testing these theories," the girl said, examining her nails with a bored expression as she stood.
"Explain."
Settling herself once more, Katy smiled mischievously. "Very well then. The next time you go to his place to see a movie, wear skimpy clothing."
"What?"
"It'll first attract attention to your sex appeal, if he doesn't already notice. Second, let me know before you go so I can do your make-up."
"Katy..."
"It'll be very subtle but dramatic, highlighting your best features. I promise." She held up a hand as if that were proof of her honesty. "Then, try to touch him as much as possible."
"But—I..."
"In casual ways. Touch hands. Touch his arm. Shoulder. Thigh—the middle though. Be careful not to go too high. Never past the middle. Knees are fine. Hair. Oh god, if you can touch his hair..."
"Be careful you don't drool, Katy..." Kagome commented.
"Mm. Please touch his hair and then come back and tell me how soft it is? Please please please?"
Kagome laughed. "Okay! Okay! I'll do my best..."
"Good. Next—oh yeah. When he picks out a movie—are you afraid of scary movies?"
"Um,..." Real life is much scarier. "Not really?"
"Well, then pretend to be. Or something. If he chooses a scary movie, he will want you to cling to him during the scary parts."
"Katy, this all sounds like stuff that works only in movies. Did you get this all out of a magazine or something?"
"I'm telling you, it'll work."
"Another thing, you know how you always bite your lip?"
"I do?"
"Oh great. Now you'll be self-conscious about it. Well anyway. Keep doing it. It'll attract his attention to them. It'll make him want to kiss you."
"Kiss me! What if I don't want him to kiss me!" Kagome panicked.
"You do. Trust me you do. And even if you don't, you do, because then you can come back and tell me how it was. Because I need to know. Understand."
Staring at her dolefully, Kagome nodded. "Yes, Ma'am." Straightening, Kagome sighed. "So what's all of this supposed to get me."
Katy shrugged evasively. "You'll figure it out when you see it. Or experience it."
"This does not sound good."
"Just promise me, Kagome, that you'll tell me the next time you're going, okay?"
"It'll be next Saturday night at seven."
Katy nodded. "Good. I'll be aknockin' at your door at six."
"You know how weird this is?"
"What's weird?" Sesshoumaru replied as Kagome made herself comfortable on the couch.
"This. You. Us. Movie. Beer."
"Have you forgotten how to complete a sentence?" He glanced at her, trying to discern the meaning behind her one-word sentences.
Kagome scrunched her nose up. "Whatever, Mr. Perfect. I only meant the fact that I'm sitting here in my time in your apartment, sitting on a modern couch that you own and drinking a beer while we're about to watch 300. You'll like it by the way."
"How can you be so positive of that fact?" He asked dryly.
"Because," she quipped with a smug expression. "I know you."
Sesshoumaru gave a mental laugh and shook his head. It was mostly true, though. He pressed play and the opening credits started to roll. He remembered the days of 35 millimetre film and the ancient projectors they'd used to play movies. He remembered the days of films with no sound. Before "talkies." He smiled. It was so fun in those days. He glanced sideways at the girl who was obviously in her own little world. Leaning towards her, he waited for her attention. Leaning forward even more when he didn't get it, he resorted to vocal tactics. "Kagome? Earth to Kagome..."
"Hm?" She shrieked as if he had snuck up on her, making his ears ring.
"Miles away are we?"
"What? No. I'm right here." She crossed her arms petulantly and a light blush rose to her cheeks.
A low laugh rumbled through his chest. "It's an expression, silly."
She turned up her nose. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Sesshoumaru almost laughed. "You looked like you were deep in thought. Do you not want to watch the movie?" Gazing into her blue eyes, he sought her hesitation, unsure of what he'd find in them.
"Sesshoumaru, why do you invite me here?" The answer was not one that he'd expected.
"What do you mean?" He countered to give himself time to think of an appropriate response. He heard her move on the couch while he lifted the remote to pause the movie. This was important to her, he could tell. It wouldn't do to have King Leonidas giving monologues in the background.
"Why do you invite me to your apartment?" She fiddled with her hands, eyes downcast.
His spine stiffened as he pulled back, still watching her carefully. "Do you dislike passing time here with this Sesshoumaru?" What did this mean to her? Did she not want to be here?
"Of course not!" She assured him quickly. "I was just wondering why me? Why do you want to spend time with me."
"Because I enjoy it. Does one need a better reason?" He convinced her, reassured that she didn't think he was using her. He did enjoy her company. He enjoyed her company for more reasons than he should probably admit to her at this point.
"I g-guess not... I was just wondering why you'd want to spend time with me, when, you know there are people that you have more in common or-"
"Kagome, there is no one I have more in common with than you," Sesshoumaru broke her off. The things that they'd shared. There was no one else for him but her with whom he could form such a connection.
The girl flushed. "Well... Yeah, but..." He obviously needed to set her straight.
"Kagome," he interrupted, shifting on the couch to fully face her, "you are a charming, funny, intelligent young woman, and I have more in common with you than anyone in the world. I enjoy spending time with you. Do not worry about it. You are not monopolising my time. And if you were, I would not have it any other way. Would you like another beer?"
His eyes searched her face for answers again, but it seemed to him that his words had taken care of her misgivings for the time being. "Um, sure thank you, Sesshoumaru."
He gave her a smile and then rose from the couch to pad noiselessly into the kitchen. Pulling another beer out of the fridge, he flipped the cap off of her beer before doing the same to his own. When he returned, she was still staring into space on the couch. "Kagome." She was too lost in thought to hear him. "Kagome!"
"What?"
He smiled kindly. "You're obviously preoccupied. Would you like to finish the movie and talk about it?" He handed her the beer. Perhaps tonight was not a good night.
"No!" Kagome seemed to realise that she'd been a little too over-eager. "Thank you, um. No, finishing the movie is fine. That's fine," she blabbered. He watched her, wishing he could see a ticker tape of her thoughts. There was obviously something going on in that brain of hers. Something she wasn't ready to deal with vocally. "Movie?" Her expression read desperation, so Sesshoumaru nodded.
"Alright." He scooted a little closer to her, pressing 'play' on the remote. He gave her one last chance. "You're sure?"
"Yes! Yes, I'm sure!"
The sounds of battle filled his apartment.
"You're right, by the way," he said casually.
"Hm?" Kagome looked over at him.
"I do like this movie."
She smiled. "Good. I was hoping you would." She fell silent, leaving Sesshoumaru to do the same until the film ended.
"So what did you think?" Sesshoumaru heard the words but they didn't register as he watched the end credits scroll by. Goosebumps raised on his arms so that he curled them against his torso. He did like the movie, but it cut a little bit too close to home. The ending scene gave him chills, remembering his own regrets and unfinished business and of his own people who were strong and brave and fought to the end. He thought of his father. "Sesshoumaru?" It was his name again. He hadn't thought of his father in ages. In decades. The way that he thought of him now. He remembered his last battle, of Izayoi, his misunderstanding of his father's love for the human woman and the child that they begot. His half-brother. Inu Yasha would have loved this movie.
"What did you think?"
"Kagome!" He nearly jumped out of his skin when the girl's face intruded on his direct line of sight.
"You okay?"
"Yes. Fine... What were you thinking about?" He hoped to change the subject quickly. This movie brought back all of those old feelings and hurts and emotions.
"What? Me? What was it that had you so disturbed?" She retorted.
His smile felt tight and fake even to him. "Nothing, nothing. It was a good movie." He couldn't talk about it even still.
"Mm-hmm..." She yawned.
"Perhaps we should get you home..." The suggestion was less than casual. There were some things in the past that even she could not assuage.
She nodded, looking hurt. "Sure. That sounds good, actually."
"I don't mean to kick you out, Kagome," he began, kicking himself mentally for being a fool.
"No, that's fine. I'm tired anyway. God, this sounds awkward even to me..." She forced a laugh. "Sorry. No, I don't feel kicked out at all. It's fine."
"Good. Sorry all the same." With a real smile, he rose and snagged his car keys from the table in the hall, spinning them around his finger. "Let me drive you home. Same time next week?"
He waited while she grabbed her bag. "Sure. That's fine. Next time, you pick the movie."
Watching her skip up the stairs into her building, Sesshoumaru hesitated outside while the car idled. Frowning, he waited until he saw a light flick on in the building. The girl's silhouette appeared in the window, and Sesshoumaru waited a moment longer before deciding that it was time to head home.
Dumping his keys on the counter and kicking off his shoes, he flopped himself onto the couch, inhaling deeply. It still smelled of her. Closing his eyes, he pictured her smile, Inu Yasha's face coming unbidden to his mind. Opening his eyes, the image vanished. A fresh beer from the fridge in his hands, Sesshoumaru pulled out some books from the shelf, grabbing the photo album hidden behind. He smiled softly at some of the early pictures taken of his brother. Inu Yasha had been fascinated by the camera and had had so many pictures of himself taken. He would cover his ears and pose while the camera recorded his image. He collected the darned things like a modern child would collect baseball cards. As a result, Sesshoumaru had a nice collection of his pictures of his brother. Most were stiff portraits, but as he came to love the process more and more, the images turned silly. And when the process became faster, Inu Yasha would make funny faces at the last moment.
Chuckling at the photo Inu Yasha had made him take with him, Sesshoumaru sipped at his beer. It had been one of the only things that could cheer him up, what with Kagome not being around. Until not even that could cheer him any longer. The last picture Inu Yasha had taken was one with Sesshoumaru. He had been much older, the white hair not being merely his natural colour.
"Inu Yasha."
"Sesshoumaru, what do you want?" The hanyou rolled away from him on his futon.
"I've brought a camera."
"Keh," he muttered, despite the fact that his ears twitched with interest.
"Would you care for a photo?"
"With you? Why would I care to do that?"
"Because. I'm your brother, and..." He felt awkward saying it, but he knew he must. "I would like a picture with you. As a memento."
This time Inu Yasha did turn to face him. "What?"
Meeting his gaze, Sesshoumaru waited. Inu Yasha was sure to be interested.
His eyes were sad, but a smirk curled his lips anyway. "I'm an old man, Sesshoumaru. Why would you want a photo with me now, of all times?"
"Because," Sesshoumaru replied, kneeling next to his brother. "We have not taken a photo in a long time together. And I would like one. Indulge this Sesshoumaru's selfish request of his brother?"
A heavy sigh came from the lips of the hanyou. "Sesshoumaru, what's with the formality? What's this all about?"
"A photo, brother?"
Sighing again, Inu Yasha nodded. "Very well."
"Prepare yourself then." Sesshoumaru left to signal the photographer to prepare his equipment. He himself was dressed in his finest. The last time, Sesshoumaru had not been prepared, but Inu Yasha had been insistent. So they had taken the photo. This time, he was prepared.
Sesshoumaru turned as Inu Yasha came out of the hut. "I'm ready..."
"Ah, even a mutt can clean himself."
"Shut up, bastard," his half-brother muttered.
Allowing himself a rare smile, Sesshoumaru flicked his brother's ear.
"Hey! Watch it!" Inu Yasha spun on him, swatting his hand away.
Little had Sesshoumaru known at the time, but the photographer had taken a picture of the moment, catching Sesshoumaru's smile and Inu Yasha's expression of embarrassed surprise. The second photo they'd taken standing side by side, brothers, Sesshoumaru pleased with the arrangement, Inu Yasha's expression more of regret and painful wistfulness. But they had taken the photo. Sesshoumaru returned later with a copy of the second photo for his brother, but Inu Yasha was already worse, sunk even deeper into depression than previously.
Sesshoumaru regretted not showing the first photo to his brother. Running a finger over the protective covering of the photo, he wondered of showing the photo to Kagome. She would enjoy it. He smiled at the memories, fresh in his mind. He should have showed Inu Yasha.
He would have known what to do. He knew Kagome. He would have known what to do.
Considering the girl, Sesshoumaru longed for his brother's experienced council on the matter. Guilt bloomed sharply in his heart. Was it right of him to "take" the girl from his brother?
"Tsk." That was just silliness. His brother, as much as it pained him to think about it, was dead. He was a mere memory—though much more fresh in Kagome's mind than his own. Biting a nail, he remembered something Yasha had told him once.
"Hey. If you ever see, 'Gome. You know. In the future. Since you'll... make it 'til then—"
"Inu Yasha—"
"Nah, just listen, you stupid idiot. Just listen for once." His voice rasped with old age. "If you ever see her. Don't look for her, but if you do happen to meet, say 'hi,' and tell her I missed her. I always loved her. But I want her to be happy. So tell her not to hook up with that Hojo guy. He's a fucking wimp and no good for her." A fit of coughing interrupted him. "It stinks, you know. You still looking all young and stuff. Even when you're older than me."
"The curse of humanity," Sesshoumaru murmured in response, avoiding his brother's eyes.
"Yeah, well. Just tell,a'right?"
"I will tell her, Inu Yasha."
"I guess it's time to make good on that promise..." He murmured aloud, staring at the photo. "Would you approve of my affection, Inu Yasha? Would you, knowing that I would care for her every need? What would your answer be?"