Chapter Four
Inuyasha was furious. He couldn't believe his mother had left him and Kagome alone. As soon as she'd left, claiming that she'd forgotten a lunch date with a friend, Inuyasha knew he had been set up. All her posturing about Kagome being out of his league and not his type. He should have known. But he wasn't going to fall for it. After she'd left he scarfed down his food with barely a word to Kagome. And once finished he watched Kagome eat until flustered she pushed her plate away and announced she was finished. The ride back to the school was awkward and silent. After getting out of the car Kagome bowed silently in thanks then returned to the school.
Inuyasha pulled out his phone as soon as Kagome was out of sight and dialed Kikyo's number. "Hey babe," he said when she picked up. "Are you still free?"
"Only for about ten minutes," she replied. "I'm due at the gallery soon."
"It'll take me five to get there."
"Then that's five we'll have to be together," she quipped.
"I'll be there soon." He hung up and pressed down on the gas. Kikyo was waiting on her porch when he pulled up. She smiled, walked down the steps and got into the car. "Hey beautiful." He leaned over to kiss her.
She leaned into the kiss then smiled when he pulled away. "I've missed you so much," she said.
"I've missed you too." He put an arm around Kikyo and pulled her close. She closed her eyes contentedly then sniffed and opened them.
"Why does you car smell damp?" she pulled away to glance around. "Inuyasha why are there high heels in the backseat?"
"Hmm?" Inuyasha glanced back. "Oh, Kagome must have left them."
"Who?"
"The principal of the school I took mom to. We all went to lunch.
"But why are her shoes in your car?"
"They got ruined in some school mishap. I don't want to talk about her," Inuyasha said pulling Kikyo back into his arms. "In fact," he lowered his face to her's, "I don't want to talk at all." Kikyo sighed happily and forgot all about the shoes. All to soon it was time for her to go. Inuyasha watched her leave then turned his eyes to the shoes in his backseat. Like he really needed a reminder of her when her scent still lingered tantalizing his senses. Pulling out his phone he called his mom. "Principal-san left her shoes in my car. Since their ruined I can just trash them right?" he asked.
"No," Izayoi said appalled. "Shoes are sacred."
"Well, can you return them to her?
"Why don't you just take them to her apartment after school?"
"Because I'm tired of your matchmaking attempts. It's not gonna work so I wish you'd give up."
"What?" Izayoi exclaimed. "I wasn't matchma—Oh, you think that's why I left earlier. I really did forget a lunch date with Eri. I'm still with her if you'd like to speak to her. This was set 3 weeks ago."
"No, I don't want to speak to her."
"That must mean you believe me," Izayoi concluded. "Then be a dear and return Kagome's shoes. Ta, darling." She hung up before he could argue. Sighing Inuyasha glanced at his watch, school hadn't let out and didn't teachers and administrator people stay later? He thought about calling the school then decided he'd just go by whenever. For now he'd go visit his friend Miroku since he was in the area.
88
"Inuyasha," Miroku said excitedly when he opened the door. "Come on in. What brings you by?"
"I was in the neighborhood," Inuyasha replied shrugging. If Inuyasha had a best friend Miroku was definitely it. Not that he would ever tell him. He'd take it to mean he was allowed to meddle in Inuyasha's life. Inuyasha stepped past Miroku and into the entrance hallway of his house. Unlike Inuyasha's immaculate House and Garden showpiece, Miroku's house was definitely a bachelors residence. A bachelor with good taste. The the walls were muted colors and the hardwood floors were stained a dark color. The furniture was worn but comfortable and there were a few colorful throw rugs in random places. Inuyasha almost felt as at ease here as he did in his sanctuary. Of course it wouldn't be a bachelor residence for much longer as Miroku had finally mustered the courage to propose to his longtime love and sometime girlfriend Sango. Inuyasha hoped she wouldn't change the house, or Miroku for that matter, much. "What have you been up to?"
"Nothing much," Miroku replied as he led the way to the den. "Sango's here, she's making dinner. You could stay, if you want."
"Nah, I'm just stopping by. I've got something to do later."
"Alright, your loss. What about you?"
"What about me what?" Inuyasha asked sprawling on the couch in front of the man-sized television.
"What have you been up to?"
"Oh, the usual. Working at the office, hanging with Kikyo, trying to dodge Mom's blind dates. Unsuccessfully, I might add."
"Any cute ones?" Miroku asked. "You could slip me a few numbers. That way I'll have some company the next time Sango dumps me."
"You're about to get dumped now," Sango said from the doorway.
"It was a joke, I swear," Miroku said immediately.
"It better have been," Sango warned tapping a wooden spoon against her palm in a menacing manner.
"Cut him some slack," Inuyasha said. "You know he only has eyes for you."
"Hello to you too, Inuyasha. Are you staying for dinner?"
"No, I have something to do. And I might see if Kikyo wants to go to dinner."
"I thought she broke up with you," Sango said disapprovingly. She loved Inuyasha like a brother, but she thought Kikyo must be the stupidest woman on the planet. Who else would stay with a man who they knew would never commit and would, eventually, marry someone else.
"She loves me," Inuyasha said simply.
"Sometimes love isn't enough," Sango insisted.
"But me, personally, is more than enough. You should give me a try Sango," hes teased. "You'll never want to let me go either."
"Hey, that's my future wife you're propositioning," Miroku protested.
"One night with me and she'll be my devoted love slave," Inuyasha said smirking. Then he yelped and covered his head when both of them attacked him with couch pillows. "Alright, alright," he held his hands up in surrender.
"Alright what?" prompted Miroku.
"You're a complete studmuffin and no woman in her right mind would leave you." Miroku nodded approvingly. "Unless, she'd been with me," Inuyasha added before jumping up and running out of the house. "See you guys later," he called over his shoulder laughing.
88
Kagome was dead tired. Every part of her body ached, her hair was a mess, her clothes were a mess. She wasn't even sure why she'd bothered to change them. And to make matters worse her car wouldn't be fixed until the next day. She'd managed to find a ride home, but she wasn't sure how she'd get to the school and then to the garage the next day. "Thanks for the ride," she said to her secretary as she got out of the car.
"No problem," the woman replied smiling. "I'm sorry I can't pick you up tomorrow."
"It's fine," Kagome assured her. "Doctor appointments take precedence over friends with broken cars. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Bye." She drove away. Kagome stood there a moment with her head bowed then sighed and turned toward her building only to stop again. Inuyasha leaned against the wall next to the entrance.
"Ta-Takahashi-san," she stuttered. "Wh-why are you here?" He smirked and pushed off the wall holding out her shoes. "You came all this way to return my shoes?" flustered she ran a hand through her hair and then remembered how terrible she looked. "You, uh, you should come in. The least I can do is give you a cup of tea or something."
"Well," Inuyasha started to refuse. He knew it would be a bad idea to up to her apartment. To be alone and surrounded by her tantalizing scent. But he had an irresistible urge to know everything about her. And what better way then to take a look around her home. "Okay," he said finally. She smiled and he was momentarily dazzled. He shook it off and followed her into the brick building. The hallway was dark and she apologized sheepishly.
"The light goes out every now and then. The stairs are a little rickety, um, you might want to hold on to me so you don't get hurt."
"Can you see?"
"Not really, but I know the stairs like the back of my hand."
Inuyasha could see perfectly well but he didn't see the harm in playing along and put a hand on her shoulder. "Lead on, fearless one." She chuckled pretending that his hand didn't feel red hot on her shoulder and started up the stairs. They got up to the second floor without any mishaps and Kagome opened her door and stepped aside.
"Welcome to my humble abode," she said as he entered. Humble was one word for it he thought. Borderline dump was his opinion but he kept it to himself. The apartment was one big room plus a bathroom. The kitchen was separated from the rest of the room by an island counter that had a few barstool style chairs in front of it. She'd used area rugs to create contained spaces. The "living room" consisted of a comfortable couch, a worn coffee table and an entertainment center that held a small TV and various pictures and books, all positioned on a large plush rug. In the back of the room her bed and a nightstand was surrounded by a filmy curtain. The two windows were covered with lacy curtains and the windowsills both held an array of potted plants.
"It's nice," he said after a moment.
"I'll start the tea," she started for the kitchen.
"Actually you, uh, you look a little rough. I wouldn't mind waiting while you took a shower."
She stared at him for a minute and he was afraid he'd offended her. Then she took and deep breath and said fervently, "bless you." Then walked over to a rack of clothes and small dresser that stood against the wall near her bed and gathered some clothes. "I won't take long, I promise."
"Take your time," he said smiling. She all but skipped into the bathroom and Inuyasha couldn't hold back a chuckle. The door closed behind her and after few moments he heard the water running. When he realized he was staring at the bathroom door and picturing her naked with the water sluicing down her body, he shook his head to get rid of the image and wandered over to the entertainment center. He picked up a picture that had Kagome and three other girls in green and white school uniforms standing with their arms around each other. He smiled and picked up another of Kagome with her arms around a younger boy and an old man and a woman on either side of her. He put that down and let his eyes roam over the shelves. He noticed she had a very varied taste in books then frowned when he spotted a picture of Kagome and that teacher guy from earlier. His arm was around her shoulders and she was looking at him and laughing. He wanted to smash the glass and rip the picture apart so he put it down before he gave into the urge. He had found one of a young Kagome showing off her missing front teeth when the bathroom door opened and Kagome stepped out wearing a pair of silky lounge pants and a cream colored tank top. She was drying her hair with towel that she tossed into a hamper. "I feel so refreshed," she said happily. She walked toward him pulling her hair up into a messy bun. "I forgot I had that picture. I was such a cute little kid."
"Yeah," Inuyasha agreed. "What happened?"
She mock gasped and smacked his arm lightly. "Rude,"
"It's part of my charm."
"Whatever," she rolled her eyes and turned to the kitchen to make the tea. Inuyasha followed her and sat down at the island.
"I have a question," he said. She made a sound that he assumed meant to go on. "Why do you live here? I mean it's a nice place and all, but you're on the border of the respectable and not-so-respectable parts of town. As a principal of a big school like Arisakawa you could afford better."
Kagome set the tea leaves she was fiddling with down and turned around to face him. "I like it here," she said simply, leaning against the counter. "This is my first apartment. I moved in here when I graduated from college. And I gave myself a pay cut. A big school like Arisakawa takes a lot of money to operate and frankly when your father withdrew as a donor so did a lot of others. Arisakawa is more important to me then a bigger apartment in a better part of town."
"Hmmm," was all Inuyasha said in return. Kagome turned back around to finish preparing the tea. When it was done she poured the tea into two mugs then reached for her highest shelf and pulled down what was, unmistakably, a bottle of liquor. She added a healthy dose to her cup. "Principal-san," Inuyasha said in a mock shocked voice.
"Hey, after my day, I deserve it," was Kagome's reply.
"Can I have some too?" Kagome didn't answer but she poured some into the other mug too. Then she carried the mugs to the living room area and set them down on the coffee table. Inuyasha was wary of sitting next to her and wondered why she had no other chairs. Kagome flopped down on one corner and motioned for him to sit down. When he did, she turned angling her body so she was facing him. She smelled the tea then took a long sip and closed her eyes appreciatively.
"There's nothing like a nice cup of hot tea to relax after a long day," she said.
Inuyasha watched her take another sip, his eyes glued to her lips. He felt a shot of heat in his belly when she used her tongue to catch a drop of tea that was running down the cup. She took another sip and he watched the muscles in her throat work as she swallowed and wondered what it would be like to kiss those pink lips, to nip his way along her throat. Clearing his own throat he took a large gulp of his tea. "Tell me some of your plans for the school," he said hoping conversation would keep him from wondering what she'd taste like.
She arched a brow at him, "I thought it was your mother I had to impress."
"When really it's my dad. But a good word from me wouldn't hurt."
"Point taken," Kagome said. "Well, first of all there's a lot of maintenance that needs to be done around the school, not counting the results of today's fiasco. Also our electronics are quite old. I'd like to upgrade and educate the faculty and staff in the use of some of the newer technologies. We need new gym supplies, and I'd like to work at offering healthier meal choices. But what I'd really like to do," she looked away and her face took on a dreamy quality, "is expand the school. We've got a pretty big student population and it's grown exponentially since I've taken over. The middle and high schools are in the same two buildings. I'd like to renovate them both and then separate the two schools. I'd like to give more funding to the extracurricular programs too. There is a group of students who want to start a gardening club and grow fruit and vegetables that the school can use but we don't have the time or resources to clear a plot of land for the garden. And we have some avid swimmers at the school but no pool, and the Home Economic room could use—"
"Stop," Inuyasha said holding up a hand. "I can see that you have a lot of ideas for bettering the school and that you're committed to your students. That will go a long way to convincing my dad to donate. He told my mom that he didn't believe someone as young as you could adequately run a school as large as Arisakawa. From what I understand it's a concern many had. I hope you won't hold a grudge."
"I don't," Kagome assured him. "But, I lost a lot of funding because of your father. Yes, other donors besides your father had concerns about my taking over but none of them pulled funding until your father did so. I've been told that your father greatly admires Arisakawa-san, so why couldn't he trust in Arisakawa-san's decision about me? At the very least he could have given me a trial period to decide how he felt about my handling of the school." Kagome stopped and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry; I don't hold a grudge, but it's still a sore point for me. I want to restore Arisakawa to it's former glory. Actually, more than anything, I want to surpass Arisakawa-san's success." She got up from the couch and went to the kitchen to refill her mug. She thought about adding another splash of alcohol then decided against it. To keep herself from temptation she stood on tip toe to put the bottle back on it's top shelf. Inuyasha had followed her into the kitchen again and his eyes went immediately to the sliver of skin that her raised shirt revealed. He stared until she made a small sound of distress and he realized she was about to lose her grip on the bottle. Almost without thinking of it he was behind her, reaching up and pushing the bottle onto the shelf.
"Why do you keep it on a shelf you can barely reach?" he asked.
"S-so, I'm not tempted to drink it very often," she stammered nervously. He wondered why she was so nervous then realized he was pressed intimately against her back. He told himself to take a step back but his body didn't listen and instead his hands came up to rest on her shoulders. He knew he should drop his hands and move way. He knew this was wrong. But, surrounded by her scent with the heat of her body scorching his, he didn't care.
Kagome was lost the moment he touched her. Guiding him up the stairs wit his hand on her shoulder had been bad enough, but this was pure torture. The second he stepped up behind her, the second his warmth surrounded her, her muscles locked. The full contact was all her poor system could take. When he spoke she felt it rumbling against her back and it took all she had to stammer a reply. Then, when instead of stepping back, he put his hands on her shoulders. The skin to skin contact put her at her limit. She let out a low moan and when his hands tightened briefly on her shoulder she knew he heard it. He ran his hands down to her elbows then back up to her shoulders. "Ta-Takahashi-san," she said cursing the tremble in her voice.
"I think you should call me Inuyasha," he replied in a voice that made her shiver. Then she shivered again when she felt his breath warm on her neck.
The moan had been his undoing. Until then he'd been steeling himself to let go and step away. To leave before something he'd regret happened. But that moan. It was like ambrosia for the ears and he wanted more. He wanted to see what different sounds he could coax from her, he wanted to see her eyes darken to midnight while he pleasured her, wanted to know what his name sounded like on her lips. And when her voice trembled when she whispered his name he knew she was as lost as he. He lowered his face to the crook of her neck and inhaled deeply. Her body wash was mild and subtle and did nothing to mask her natural scent. He nipped the pulse point in her throat then ran his tongue slowly up her neck. He felt her shudder and looked up in time to see her lick her lips and knew that if he didn't taste them he'd die. He turned her around and before she could blink his lips were on hers.
It took a lot of effort but he managed to turn what could have been an overwhelming possession of her mouth into a not-quite-gentle exploration. He felt her hesitate and growled appreciatively when her tongue made its own foray into his mouth. He sucked on it lightly and let his hands travel down to her waist then lifted her to sit on the counter. He left her mouth to lavish her neck as he slipped his hand under her top to grip her waist lightly. She wrapped her legs around his waist. When he bit her collarbone gently she moaned and threw her head back rapping it on the cabinet behind her.
"Ow, shit!" she exclaimed. In that instant the spell that had come over them broke. She unwrapped her legs and Inuyasha stepped back. For a moment they just stared at each other breathing heavily.
"Are you okay?" Inuyasha asked when he felt he was reasonably in control of himself.
"Ye-yeah," she answered her face was flushed and her voice was husky. He almost reached for her again but managed to stop himself.
"I'm sorry," he said, then immediately regretted it when hurt flashed briefly in her eyes. But it was gone almost as soon as it had come.
"Why?" she asked. "Keeping in mind that I don't normally throw myself at guys I haven't even known a full day, you have to admit that there's something between us."
"You didn't throw yourself at me," Inuyasha said. "If anything I jumped on you—"
"It doesn't matter," Kagome interrupted. "Why are you sorry?"
"Y-you invited me in for a cup of tea," Inuyasha said, scrambling for an answer. "You were just being polite. I'm sure you didn't expect to get jumped in your kitchen."
Kagome sighed and ran a hand over her hair. "We're both consenting adults, Takahashi-san. And we're both equally responsible." She made to get off of the counter and Inuyasha stepped forward to help her but she held up a hand to stop him. "It's probably best that you don't touch me right now." He nodded and took a step back so she could hop down. "I'll say this; I've never been attracted to anyone in the way I'm attracted to you now. I would have like to see where it might go; so I'm sorry that your sorry. You should probably go now." She walked past him to the door.
"Wait," he followed her and reached out, but pulled back at the last moment. "I just—that was kind of fast, we barely know each other. But I'd like to get to know you better," he said before he could stop himself. "Maybe we could have dinner together? Tomorrow?"
Kagome hesitated then bit back a smile. "That would be nice," she said.
"I'll call you tomorrow with the details."
"Okay."
He started to leave then turned back and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. "Goodnight." He left shutting the door behind him. Kagome stood in front of the door with a hand pressed to her cheek and a smile on her face. In the hallway Inuyasha leaned against the door with his hands over the lips that still held her taste. "What have I done?" he asked himself.