False Pretense
Description: He had fallen for her and her him. But he screwed up, when it came to it he dumbly rejected her to uphold a reputation, but will he cave in when they start spending even more time together because of a band? SessKag, mainly
Recap: "Kagome, may I please have this dance?" He asked, again, he was smiling a real smile. Her breath caught in her throat.
She nodded, took his hand, and he pulled her into him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he held her hips. She blushed heavily, but smiled up at him, who was still smiling at her. They moved gracefully in their dance, and she just couldn't believe it, he really wanted to slow dance with her, and she didn't have to coax him too..
She'd got her dance, just how she wanted…
Chapter 20. Forgive And Forget
An 18 year old Kagome was staring herself in the eye in the mirror. It was the last day of winter break, and she was spending it with her friends. They, of course were going to go over some music and newly written songs. But before that, they were all going to go hang out at the mall, maybe shop a little.
It has been four years since that fateful dance the last day of junior high. She had changed so much, mostly in appearance. She didn't dress the same anymore, and she grew so much. She was always thin, but she grew more into her figure, and she'd grown quite tall. She'd grown to about five feet eight inches, and she was only about five feet three inches when she was in eighth grade. Her hair was much longer, down to her mid- back instead of barely shoulder length. Her bust had grown to a full D cup, and she had a thin very curvy figure.
She wasn't the "emo" girl anymore. She didn't really know if she could be labeled. She just was. She dressed regularly, nothing anyone would question, or even talk about. She was plain. She wore simple t- shirts, and form fitting jeans, usually with intentional tears, but some were normal. She wore vans usually, sometimes converse, and occasionally flip- flops when the weather permitted. She still wore band t- shirts, and the occasional band hoodie, but most were from Aeropastel, or Hollister. She still wore her studded or printed belts. She didn't wear her chain, and wallet anymore, and switched to a purse, or canvas bag. You could say she was more feminine now, or that she just grew up.
She was looking herself in the mirror one last time before Sesshoumaru was there to pick her up. She was wearing a green hoodie from Hollister that had the word across the chest and had fur on the rim of the hood, that went down to her hips a small gap between it and the pant line, showing her hip piercings. A white almost see- through long sleeve shirt, with a black tank top under it that was the same length, hidden behind the hoodie so a small amount of skin was visible. They both dipped down to reveal most of her chest, but not too much. She had on boot- cut, hip huggers that fit her form beautifully, and her gray, black, and red plaid belt with small black studs. Her hair was down, and straight, black as midnight, and her eye liner outlined her eyes, her mascara thickening her eyelashes, lip gloss to make her pink full lips stand out, and green eye shadow to accent her eyes, and match her hoodie. Green of course was her favorite color still. She had on black Ugg boots, that she honestly thought were ugly as sin, but wore them because they did the job. Kagome grabbed her purse, and house keys, put on a white knit beanie to keep her ears and head warm, and walked out of her room, and down the stairs, where she sat at the kitchen table and texted Sesshoumaru.
-/
An 18 year old Sesshoumaru was sitting in the dining room with his father when his phone vibrated on the table. He took it in his hands, and opened it to reveal his text from Kagome, he smirked and read it. It simply said "Ready to go, Sesshy- Kun!". He replied with an "Alright, on the way.", and stood from the table. Sesshoumaru was very tall. He was always tall, but now very tall. He was about six foot one inches, and still growing. Not yet taller then his father, but Inutaishou expected that his son would get taller then him. Sesshoumaru's eyes always had a lazy look to them, and around them were always a light pinkish color. He didn't wear make up any more, and he'd changed the way he dressed as well, having well out grown that phase. He dressed somewhat similar to Kagome now, normal. He still wore glasses frequently, though. Today he was wearing a dark gray long sleeve shirt from American eagle, seeing as it had the little embroidery of the eagle on the left breast, a canvas belt with a large belt buckle for him to tuck some of the shirt behind, light, torn jeans, also from American eagle, and a pair of Tims. He grew his hair back out, and today he pulled it into a loose pony tail, and let it fall over his shoulder. All of his piercing were taken out, except for his industrial, and a stud in his lip. His features were all much more developed and masculine, and his figure was that of a long torso, and a slightly lanky, but full muscled form, but not overwhelmingly muscled. But of course, he was strong either way, being a demon.
He looked to his father. "I'm going to get Kagome, father. We'll be going to the mall, then doing some rehearsing. Call if you need me." Sesshoumaru spoke in his now very deep voice. He saw his father nod, and he grabbed his lanyard with his house keys, and car keys on it, and walked out the door, closing it behind him to get into his sleek, black 2011 Mustang GT. He turned it on, revved the engine, selected the song "Penetrate" by Godhead, tuned it up rather high, and pulled out of the long driveway fast, and peeled out onto the street, and away from the house making the tires squeal. Sesshoumaru was a typical 18 year old male driver.
Within a few moments, Sesshoumaru was parked in front of the Higurashi shrine, and texting Kagome that he was heading up the stairs to get her. He climbed out of the car, and sped up the stairs with ease using his demonic speed, and was at Kagome's door in seconds. He knocked lightly, before opening the door, and looking up to Kagome's smiling face. He smiled at her. And brought her into a hug, resting his elbows on her shoulders, and his lower arms around her head, her arms and hands on his back.
Sesshoumaru pulled back slightly, and leaned his head down slightly to her's which was looking up at him, and kissed her sweetly.
"Hello there, Koishii." Sesshoumaru said looking into the eyes of the girl he liked to call his "Soulmate". She looked back into his eyes, and smiled again.
"Hi, Sesshy- Kun, ready?" She asked grabbing at her purse and keys.
"Yeah, let's go, we gotta get Rin, and Bankotsu." Sesshoumaru said as he opened the door, and turned the knob lock to lock it. She walked out, and Sesshoumaru followed closing the door behind him. When the two got to the edge of the stairs, Sesshoumaru picked up Kagome bridal style, and sped down the stairs in a few seconds flat, and put her back down, and opened the car door for her to climb in. When she did, he closed the door, and was instantly at his side of the car, climbing in himself. Once they were settled, Sesshoumaru put on some of their music, though without the singing that they did duets for and started the car. Kagome started singing when she was supposed to, and Sesshoumaru did the same. They thought of it as a good way to practice. Sesshoumaru had pulled from the curb and started off to the nearest house, which was Bankotsu's. The song they were singing is a song they called "Broken".
Bankotsu didn't live very far away for the song was just ending as they arrived. Kagome texted Bankotsu to let him know they were there, and waited until he came out. They turned down the music down a bit when they saw him come out of the house they were in front of.
Bankotsu climbed into the back passenger side of the car, and settled in.
"What's up guys?" He asked shifting to the middle to talk to them both. Kagome shifted to be able to look at him.
"Nothing much, you?" Kagome replied, Sesshoumaru gave a nod, concentrating on the road. At the end of the street, they made a U- turn to head to Rin's house, which was a bit further away. They discussed and talked a bit in the car until they reached Rin's. She lived with her aunt, her father's sister now, since the accident. Rin was waiting outside since she didn't like keeping people waiting, especially not her friends. She climbed in the drivers side of the back seat and snuggled to Bankotsu for warmth. Bankotsu wrapped an arm around her, and kept her close. They held a conversation of their own, and Kagome and Sesshoumaru did the same until they reached the mall. They all climbed out of the car, and Sesshoumaru locked it. Sesshoumaru grabbed Kagome's hand and intertwined their fingers, and Bankotsu grabbed Rin's.
Miroku, Sango, Ayame, and Kouga were sitting on the bench at the entrance waiting for the other four of their friends. They stood up and waved when they saw them. All of them were dressed similar in a sense.
Sango wore a navy blue long sleeved shirt that went to her knuckles and had holes for her thumbs, a silver studded belt, and hip huggers, her long chocolate brown hair down. She had a silver- ish purse on her shoulder, and had on blue Ugg boots, that for some strange reason she liked.
Ayame wore a skin tight Stabbing Westward band t- shirt, and a pair of black cargo pants that tucked into her knee- high black converse, and a black studded belt that had red splattered on it. Her hair was straightened and pulled into two low pigtails.
Rin was wearing a hoodie for the band Dir En Grey that went to the brim of her pants, a pair of black skinny jeans, and a white belt. Was also wearing a pair of multi- colored converse. Her hair was in a low side ponytail.
Bankotsu was in a plain white V- neck, a normal black belt with a skull belt buckle, and tanned cargo pants. He had on plain black vans, and had a chain to his wallet, and his long braid was slung over his shoulder.
Miroku was in a plain black T- shirt, a silver studded belt, and a pair of massively torn jeans with a long chain to his wallet, his hair pulled back into a rat- tail ponytail, and a pair of plain black vans as well.
And finally, Kouga was wearing a plain black T- shirt with a gray, blue and black plaid button up shirt half way buttoned up over it. A green studded belt on with a large belt buckle, and a pair of skinny jeans with a chain to the wallet. He also had on a pair of purple, green, and black Osiris sneakers on. His jeans were down a little low so his boxers were showing a bit. Everyone was used to it, since he was a true skater. He was skating all the time, and was very good at it now, and he had the broken bones, and bruises, and scratches to prove it. Though, Ayame still made him pull up his pants a lot, it did bug her a lot. He'd also gotten a hair cut, so in the back it was very short, but the front had longer hair which was just pushed to the side of face, today he had on a black and gray striped beanie.
"Kouga, pull up your damn pants!" Ayame shrieked, and smacked him lightly upside the head. Kouga turned around.
"Babe, would you please stop nagging me about that! I like my pants this way!" Kouga snapped back at her, but gave her a pleading 'Please don't hit me' look.
"No. Pull up your pants, no one needs to see your underwear. You don't see girls walking around with their panties visible, do you? Not any decent girls, anyway.." Ayame retorted, and Kouga had already pulled up his pants, in fear of his girlfriends wrath.
She noticed and thanked him. "Thank you. Love you." She kissed him, and they linked hands. That was just their relationship. They fought for 2.5 seconds, then it was over, and they made up immediately. They never fought seriously. Usually one of them backs down first, to avoid a big fight. Kagome said that was very wise of them.
As they walked around the mall, they all talked, and Sango had to smack Miroku once, for his perverse ways, and then he bought her an ATB T- shirt, and it was all good. Rin, and Bankotsu never fought ever, and everyone thought that they were really perfect for each other, Bankotsu was what Rin needed, and Rin was what he needed. Also, they thought that Rin would cry if they did fight..
Today's objective: To find World War II uniforms, and dresses that were of the time.
Why was this? Of course they were having a themed dance. World War II somehow came up, and they of course were performing, but they still wanted to dress the part. This would also be the last dance of their high school career, besides Senior Ball of course, but that doesn't count cause they're not performing at that one. Sesshoumaru began right away writing songs to play that had some stuff with war, and maybe not any war in particular, and of specific ones, and mostly World War II. He had two songs, one by him, and one that Kagome would sing. But knowing Sesshoumaru he'd have plenty more by time the dance came around.
"So, who else knows that this isn't going to happen? We allll know that we're gunna have to order this crap online." Kouga said exasperated at the so far failure of the mall trip.
Everyone nodded at this point.
"So, who's hungry then? I'm starving." Kouga said as he turned to head for the food courts. Ayame rolled her eyes and followed with Sango next to her, and Kagome behind them with Sesshoumaru.
"He's always hungry, it's a wonder why he isn't morbidly obese." She said as she watched Kouga look around trying to decide if he wanted Cajun or Chinese. So he called over to her.
"Babe, what do you want for lunch?" Kouga asked almost screaming at her. Ayame looked around nervously, slightly embarrassed, and hurried over to him.
"Kouga don't yell like that, and I'll get Chinese." She said a bit flustered.
"Oh hush, no one really cares." He said as he flicked her lightly on the nose, and pulled out his wallet. He handed her some yen, for her food, and went off to get some of his own. Sesshoumaru and Kagome both got pizza, and Miroku and Sango both got cold sandwiches. Rin got Chinese with Ayame, and Bankotsu got Cajun with Kouga.
The tables where in seats of four, so they had to use two different tables. Sesshoumaru and Kouga sat on one side of the table, and Ayame, and Kagome the other, of course each facing their own significant other, and the same with Rin, Bankotsu, and Miroku, and Sango. They all sat and talked peacefully, mostly about the upcoming dance, and occasionally someone from school would say hello, or glare at Kagome in Kikyou's case. Kagome just stuck out her pierced tongue at the girl, and gave her the finger. Sesshoumaru barked out a loud laugh as Kikyou sneered and walked away. Kagome smirked.
"Why does she have to be such a jealous type bitch?" Everyone laughed. And Sesshoumaru put his hand on his chest.
"She wants my body. Women always want what they can't have." He cracked up shortly after his comment though, unable to keep a straight face.
"Yeah, totally. I mean you must be of the only four guys she hasn't fucked yet." Sango said just before taking the last bite of her sandwich.
Sesshoumaru, and the other guys all cracked up at this. "Amen" the boys said in unison.
It was just then that Gaara and Neji had walked up to them and greeted them. They sat down in the table behind Sesshoumaru's, and they discussed ideas about the dance.
"Sessh, father said you can just wear his General's uniform from the war. He told me to tell you, he'd forgotten all about it." Gaara said. "And he said I could wear the uniform they gave him before that one. Before he was a general."
"Oh yeah? I'm surprised he'd really let us wear them. I mean, they are pretty special." Sesshoumaru remarked, nodding. "I'll thank him later".
"And he requested that Kagome wear a dress of your mother's from that time." Gaara spoke softly unknowing of Sesshoumaru's reaction.
"I'd like nothing more then to see Kagome in something of my mother's." Sesshoumaru smiled. Kagome smiled and took his hand in her's.
"I'd be happy to wear it." Sesshoumaru reached across the table and kissed her gently. "Thank you. You'll be beautiful." Sesshoumaru looked over at everyone else.
"Y'all are on your own with your uniforms and dresses." Everyone glared, knowing they'd have to order them online, or ask older relatives. Sesshoumaru stuck his tongue out at them.
"It's really not that hard, and if push comes to shove, ask my mom." Kagome said thinking out it recently. "It'd be good business for her." They all nodded, considering the idea, Mrs. Higurashi is a lovely designer.
"But if you go to her, you'll have to soon, she'll need enough time, and the dance isn't very far away." She added.
"There might already be people going to her anyway." Kouga said still chewing his Cajun.
"True." Sango said looking down at her phone.
"Welp, since our mall trip didn't work, how's about we go and rehearse?" Miroku asked standing, and stretching. Everyone else nodded and stood as well.
"Nii- San, could Neji, Tenten, and I observe your rehearsal?" Gaara asked smiling lightly.
"Of course. Where's Tenten?" Sesshoumaru asked looking around a little.
"Oh, I have to go get her, and we'll be along." Neji answered shrugging on his black jacket.
"Oh, alright, Gaara you know where Kagome lives right? Not far from us." Sesshoumaru asked him.
"Mhm." He waved at them and the two left to go pick up Tenten. Everyone soon followed them, and Kagome, Sesshoumaru, and Rin and Bankotsu got into the Mustang Sesshoumaru owned, and blasted the radio all singing along. They all soon met back up in Kagome's studio and began going over Sesshoumaru's songs, well, the only two he had. And not too long after that Gaara, Neji, and Tenten showed up. They waved, and sat down quietly as to not disturb them.
"So, I sing this one?" Kagome asked pointing at the paper of Sesshoumaru's notebook.
"Aa." Sesshoumaru nodded his confirmation. "We'll go through the music, I'll sing it first, and then you can try." Sesshoumaru continued stepping in front of the microphone, and readying his violin. And the music began to play, and he quickly muttered "I'm going to sound so stupid.." And then began to sing.
Two days past eighteen
He was waiting for the bus in his army greens
Sat down in a booth in a cafe there
Gave his order to a girl with a bow in her hair
He's a little shy so she gives him a smile
And he said 'Would you mind sitting down for a while and talking to me? I'm feeling a little low'
She said 'I'm off in an hour and I know where we can go'
So they went down and they sat on the pier
he said 'I bet you got a boyfriend but I don't care, I got no one to send a letter to.
Would you mind if I sent one back here to you?'
I cried
Never gunna hold the hand of another guy
Too young for him they told her
Waitin' for the love of a travelin' soldier
Our love will never end
Waiting for the soldier to come back again
Never want to be alone
When the letter said 'A soldier's coming home'
So the letters came from an army camp
In California then Vietnam
And he told her of his heart
It might be love and all of the things he was so scared of
He said 'When it's getting kinda rough over here
I think of that day sittin' down at the pier
And I close my eyes and see your pretty smile
don't worry but I wont be able to write for a while'
I cried
Never gunna hold the hand of another guy
Too young for him they told her
Waitin' for the love of a travelin' soldier
Our love will never end
Waiting for the soldier to come back again
Never want to be alone
When the letter said 'A soldier's coming home'
One Friday at a football game
The lord's prayer said and the Anthem sang
A man said 'folks, would you bow your heads for a list of local Vietnam dead..'
Crying all alone under the stands was a piccolo player in the marching band and one name read, nobody really cared..
But a pretty little girl with a bow in her hair..
I cried
Never gunna hold the hand of another guy
Too young for him they told her
Waitin' for the love of a travelin' soldier
Our love will never end
Waiting for the soldier to come back again
Never want to be alone
When the letter said 'A soldier's coming..
I cried
Never gunna hold the hand of another guy
Too young for him they told her
Waitin' for the love of a travelin' soldier
Our love will never end
Waiting for the soldier to come back again
Never want to be alone
When the letter said 'A soldier's coming home'
After the singing was done, the music still continued for almost a minute and a half. But when it finished, everyone was silent. Mostly out of being speechless, and having respect. And finally Neji spoke up.
"Isn't that song about the Vietnam war?" He asked, slightly confused.
Sesshoumaru nodded.
Neji raised an eyebrow.
"I know, I know, it makes like no sense, but it's still a war not to long after. I'unno, it just fit." Sesshoumaru shrugged.
Neji nodded. Sesshoumaru stepped aside and let Kagome take his place.
"Do you think you're ready to try?" He asked.
"I believe so." she said standing in front of and adjusting the microphone. And so they began again, and Kagome sang. And of course, she did it perfectly the first time. And it was much better then Sesshoumaru's try. And everyone clapped a bit for her.
"That sounded much less corny coming from you, Kagome." Gaara said chuckling. Sesshoumaru glared.
Kagome laughed. "Thank you, Gaara- san."
"Okay, so, the next song I sing. The Ghost Of You." Sesshoumaru said replacing Kagome at the microphone. The music started and Sesshoumaru sang.
I never said I'd lie and wait forever
If I died, we'd be together now
I can't always just forget her
But she could try
At the end of the world
Or the last thing I see
You are
Never coming home
Never coming home
Could I? Should I?
And all the things that you never ever told me
And all the smiles that are ever ever
Ever...
Get the feeling that you're never
All alone and I remember now
At the top of my lungs in my arms she dies
She dies
At the end of the world
Or the last thing I see
You are
Never coming home
Never coming home
Could I? Should I?
And all the things that you never ever told me
And all the smiles that are ever gunna haunt me
Never coming home
Never coming home
Could I? Should I?
And all the wounds that are ever gunna scar me
For all the ghosts that are never gunna catch me
If I fall
If I fall
(down)
At the end of the world
Or the last thing I see
You are
Never coming home
Never coming home
Never coming home
Never coming home
And all the things that you never ever told me
And all the smiles that are ever gunna haunt me
Never coming home
Never coming home
Could I? Should I?
And all the wounds that are ever gunna scar me
For all the ghosts that are never gunna...
Kagome smiled, and everyone else clapped. Sesshoumaru smiled as well. He was rather proud of that song. He liked it a lot.
"It was beautiful Sesshy- Kun." She giggled. "Thanks." He uttered out before kissing her quickly. And Kouga put his bass guitar down.
"Hey, now that we got that down, me and Ayame got a date. Haha." Kouga said walking over to his girlfriend, who was blushing. He took her hand and she stood up with him.
Sango, Rin, and Kagome laughed, but then looked at their own boyfriends, wishing they would take them out on more dates. After they left everyone either talked or practiced, and soon enough it was time for everyone to return home. Rin, and Bankotsu had already caught a ride, so it was just Kagome, Sesshoumaru, Gaara, Neji, and Tenten. Everyone piled into Sesshoumaru's car, and headed for where Neji, Tenten and all the other Shinobi were all crammed into one small apartment building. The couple got out of the car, and waved to them and thanked them for the ride.
"We'll see you soon!" Tenten said, and headed inside with Neji. Sesshoumaru growled low in his throat when he sensed the presence of another neat by, knowing who it was.
"Sesshoumaru? Sesshoumaru, what's wrong?" Kagome asked, looking a bit concerned.
"The Uchiha.."
"Where?"
"Behind that tree." Sesshoumaru pointed at the tree in front of the apartment building the Shinobi lived in. Kagome looked, but obviously saw nothing.
"I'm going to go talk to him.." Sesshoumaru said, and before Kagome could protest, he was already walking towards Sasuke. She sighed. And stayed alert.
Sesshoumaru turned to face Sasuke, his eyes seeming to glow their natural blood red in the dark. Sasuke didn't flinch, unscarred.
"Hello, Uchiha." Sesshoumaru greeted.
"What're you doing here, Taisho?" Sasuke asked.
"Dropping off Neji and Tenten." He simply replied. He looked around, and hunched his shoulders up.
"Listen-" They both began in unison. They looked away from each other.
"You go." Sesshoumaru said.
"No, you." Sasuke shot back.
"I wanted to say that.. This is really stupid.. We only "hated" each other because we were immature kids trying to look tough.." Sesshoumaru scoffed, looking away a bit embarrassed.
Sasuke looked utterly shocked. He was about to say the same exact thing!
"I.. I agree, I was going to say the same thing, in fact."
"I'm still not sorry about your sister, though." Sesshoumaru mentioned emotionlessly.
"You know what, Sesshoumaru? Neither am I." Sasuke said holding his hand out.
Sesshoumaru took it firmly, and they shook.
After all these years.. They finally able to Forgive and Forget..
Sorry for such lateness, but you know school school school.. Anyway, enjoy, and I'll update ASAP. Thank you.
~Akio Toshiya