Temptation chapter 8
TRUST ME.
Knowing her son was coming with the young Miko, Mistress Tsuya had ordered the servants and cooks to prepare some of the Miko's favorite meals. They went through the front door along the elegant hallway, with Bankotsu leading and Kagome following. His fingers closing firmly round her wrist as they entered the foyer. As they entered the large room, the scent of mince pies filled her nostrils, and brought back memories of her mother when she used it for Kagome every week-end.
Mistress Tsuya was sitting in front of the fireplace, reading a book. When she heard them enter, she set her book aside to greet them. Her eyes lit up as soon as she saw Kagome rushing toward her.
Kagome noticed achingly she had gotten a lot thinner, frighteningly frail since the last time she saw the joy in her face when she saw the Miko, made her feel overwhelmed with guilt.
I could have visit her more often, Kagome thought solemnly.
But with a wide smile to match Mistress Tsuya, Kagome walked past Bankotsu and approached the elder woman in a warm embrace.
"I have missed you," she confessed honestly, her face buried between the woman's neck.
"It is great to see you my dear," Mistress Tsuya replied.
Unwrapping her arms from the woman's neck, Mistress Tsuya looked down and caught the glitter of Bankotsu's engagement ring. Her hand lifting Kagome's into the light making the diamond sparkle when it caught a hint of the sun. Mistress Tsuya let out a sigh of exhaltation.
"You've finally persuaded her." His mother said breathlessly.
"I must have caught her at a weak moment," Bankotsu replied with a grin.
"Oh Kagome, I have been hoping for this day for so long. I am so pleased, that if I died at this moment, I'd go to heaven happy."
"Don't speak such crazy nonsense, Mrs. Shichinintai."
"Come now Kagome, call me mother, if only for the days I have left." The lady requested.
"I-" Kagome paused.
She knew the woman had loved her, the only other person in the family to care for her besides Bankotsu. But to call her 'mother' so soon, she felt as though somehow she was betraying her own mother.
For a space of a heartbeat she was transfixed by the look in the woman's eyes. Mistress Tsuya was looking pleadingly at her.
Kagome swallowed nervously.
Suddenly she was unsure if she had made the right decision on putting on this faux charade. But at the same time, the woman was dying, she couldn't - no, she didn't - have the heart to refuse.
"Yes, of course, mother."
"I know I don't have to tell you just how happy you have made me. It's what I've always longed for you and Bankotsu, since the first day he introduced you to me. You know, you're the first and only one." She added with a satisfied grin that made Kagome blushed.
The delight that radiated from the worn and tired face of the older woman was vaguely comforting to Kagome. That she wasn't just the 'damned one', and her presence and existence had meant something to another human being.
"You won't be waiting long to get married" Mistress Tsuya stated.
Panic leaped inside her, Kagome's throat clogged with apprehension and pain. She hadn't anticipated that it would go as far as them actually having an actual wedding.
"Not too long, mother." Bankotsu sounded assured. "You will have a daughter-in-law sooner than you can say congratulations". He added with a chuckle then kissed his mother on her forehead.
Across his bent head, her eyes met Bankotsu's and she saw the smile of appreciation in his eyes.
How could she tell his mother that it was all a sham, nothing more than make-believe for her sake?
"Good, I cannot wait." Mistress Tsuya clasped her fragile hands together in front of her chest. Her face beaming with happiness as she tilted her head up to look at her son. "Now, let's give your fiancé her favorite foods. We both know how much she loves to eat, especially when I went through the trouble of mincing the ingredients myself." She announced proudly.
"You shouldn't have!" Kagome protested guiltily.
"Nonsense! You deserved every bit of spoiling that this old bag of bones can give you. Besides, it isn't often I get the chance to want to do something other than sit around."
Once again guilt stabbed her, but she decided that their visit was not for moping over guilt so,
Kagome put up her best acting skills, to keep her happy facade in tack. They began to speak of the intended wedding while Bankotsu left them to tend to his business.
But inside she was in turmoil of dreading 'the wedding' actually happening, because she didn't think she could really pretend to do that. And yet, how evil to wish someone so frail to pass on early so that she didn't have to go through with it?
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When the visit with Mistress Tsuya was over, Bankotsu escorted her back to her place with what she felt from him was relief and excitement. A part of her wanted to speak to him about their feign engagement, and of how she wasn't sure if she could pull this through. But she wasn't sure how to approach the topic.
Kagome knew that as cold as Bankotsu can be to everyone, he was a good son. And his love for his mother was evident; and now he was counting on her to keep the woman happy with what few days she had left on Earth. Her illness was terminal; the doctor had announced she only had less than a year left. It had already been more than four months since that fact was announced.
Kagome didn't protest nor was offended of his rapid departure, promising to return later that night to her. Since the incident with Renkotsu, he had not trusted his men to take care of her the way he used to. If his brother was to do something stupid again and something were to happen to Kagome, he'd never forgive himself. Not only would his soul be damned to hell, but the guilt that he'd let something happen to her when he could be there to protect her would destroy his mind and body.
"Thank you," he whispered.
And before she could speak, he covered her mouth with his.
His arms pulled her closer to him, giving her a wonderful pressure of being held. His head spun with pleasure as she kissed him back, clutching his shoulders to support herself. Both breathless when finally he pulled away from her. His heated arousal now obvious he had to withdraw before he lost control. She was honest to herself that she was relieved that he was leaving. He kissed her once again on her forehead and closed her door behind him.
Fake engagement or not, she loved Bankotsu for who he was to her and all that he'd given her. Kagome decided that this was the one thing she could do for him, to repay him for all his kindness toward her and her family.
Letting out a soft sigh, she went into her room to change. Deciding for the rest of the day she was just going to lounge, doing nothing else but read and relax pretending that there was naught in this world that she should worry about.
None.
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Even though he was working every day like a machine, she was never far from his thoughts. Each meetings he had and each closure of acquiring a new company, somehow she managed to wedge herself into his thoughts. He didn't want to think of her, he didn't want to remember her.
Hell, he wished that he'd never met her.
But there she was.
She was in his life, his head, his heart, and his very soul. There were a few occasional days when he was blessed not to have her running through his mind, being his work was so demanding. But at night it would be worse for him, because she had found a way into his dreams.
Where she would be haunting him, and torturing him. He was intoxicated with the things he did to her in his dreams, the words he found himself whispering aloud in his sleep. But it was such a sweet intoxication that he could only wish for more, praying that it would never end.
He knew he should forget her, that she wasn't really whom she seemed to be, but he couldn't help having fallen in love with her.
In love, he'd mocked himself many times.
He'd barely known her but claimed he was 'in love' with her.
Ridiculous.
Yet his heart refused to let her go - as if there was a greater force working unnoticeably behind his mind and heart. There urging, and forcing him to get sucked into her. If only he could break free from this spell, this prison that she created for him then he would be at ease.
Set free?
Sesshomaru couldn't see himself without her, even knowing that she was with another, and belonged to another. The thought and knowledge only pained him, because he hadn't seen her for weeks!!
In a strange twist of irony, he felt as if she'd abandon him, left him; gone for hours, days, and weeks making his heart ache; though she was never his in the first place.
How could he explain himself to anyone?
Let alone his Sire, who he noticed had kept him under close scrutiny?
How could his own Sire understand such a predicament that he was in.
He was in the midst of an over-the-phone conference call with his people in New York, rummaging through his paperwork and mail on his desk when something caught his eyes. An elegant red envelope embossed with genuine gold borders. His first thought was yet another pretentious event that he had to get dressed up in. Normally, he'd toss the thing to his secretary and have her arrange a suitable gift to be sent along with a good excuse as to why he could not attend. But this time the envelope burned between his fingers.
As if calling and begging to be opened.
He acquiesced and relieved the intricate invitation from the confines of its envelope.
A wedding invitation. Hn.
As he scanned over the words, he was shocked to pieces. There hadn't been any formal announcement or tabloid frenzy of Naraku's impending, not to mention a rushed wedding. He knew that when Naraku gets married, he got married in fashion. Without a doubt it would be another spectacular event - as his previous wedding had held. Anyone who was A-list was invited. Sesshomaru had already been to two of Naraku's wedding, he wasn't in the mood to attend a third.
Only after settling back into his chair, did it hit him.
She'll be there.
I'm sure of it!
He thought as a smile crept along his lips. It had been so long since he was with her on the roof, and how fortunate now that Naraku suddenly was getting married. With the close partnership of Bankotsu and Naraku's families, there was no way that Bankotsu would miss this wedding; he had briefly noticed Bankotsu there the last two times. Each time with the most 'desired bachelorette' in tow, but now he doubted that Bankotsu would bring anyone else as his date other than Kagome. So, without hesitation Sesshomaru scribbled his name on the RSVP indicating that he indeed, will attend - again.
Party of one.
This is a good start to the day, he thought smiling to himself. He would get a chance to see her again, and he'd long for her for far too long. He was so desperate that just the thought of seeing her sent a wave of relief swept over him. These erotic dreams were driving him mad, and he had to confront her of it.
He wanted to know if she felt the same.
He'd convinced himself that she'd dreamt and felt the same thing he felt.
The weeks leading up to Naraku's wedding had the DaiYokai walking on pins and needles. As each day drew closer to the event, he was more flustered and impatient. He wondered what she would wear this time around. No matter what she wore, he knew she was going to look ravishing.
He wanted to ravish her.
Of course his father had wanted him to bring a 'date' to the wedding; he had not wanted his young pup to attend such a publicized event by himself. Surely, the paparazzi would have a field day with speculations as to where Ayame was and what had happened between them. The Tashious have worked tirelessly to keep their lives private and that was hard enough with every single nosy, money hungry photographers and tabloid writers snooping about every little thing they did. His son's insistent excuse of not having time to 'find' a proper date was an obvious bullshit excuse to Touga, and he set out to find the eligible bachelorette himself. Sesshomaru however ended up turning down the four girls that his father had brought to his attention - sending them huffing out the doorway cursing him under their breaths.
This infuriated the old Inu, knowing the reason behind his son's intolerable behavior.
"Sesshomaru, you must forge of this female that you are obsessing over! It is not too late to get Ayame back and have her forgive you. You should be mated to her right away and things will be back to normal," Touga tried with all his might to get his son to come back to his senses.
He'd also tried to pry her name out of his pup but Sesshomaru would not succumb. He had suspected that whoever this woman his pup was pining over was the same miko he'd met at the cabin. But the elder Inu never got a chance to speak with her again after the incident in the game room. She had departed soon after without even knowing her name. And his efforts -without his son's knowledge of course - in prying into Bankotsu's 'love' life had turned up a failure. Apparently, Bankotsu was even more cautious and secretive than he was. Bankotsu's father didn't offer much information either.
"Hn," Sesshomaru rose from his seat and approached the window, looking out. Things will never be back to normal, he thought to himself.
"Sesshomaru, as your Sire, I forbid you to entertain anymore thoughts of this female. You must realize that it is becoming an unhealthy obsession, a ridiculous desire!!"
"Forbid me, Sire?" Sesshomaru mocked, his voice was calm and steady. But underneath that soft firm voice was a fire burning with defiance and fury.
"You know what I mean, pup. Don't let this one female bury herself so deep beneath your skin."
Touga knew he had touched a sensitive subject with his stubborn pup. He couldn't fathom how or why his eldest had become that way.
This cold demeanor must have been from his dam's side, Touga concluded.
Knowing that he'd lost the battle in this Touga left the room with an exasperated sigh. Leaving his son to stand pondering, and reminiscing about the Miko once more.
It didn't matter what his father was saying to him, trying to convince him to forget Kagome, but Sesshomaru wouldn't have it. It was more than an obsession to him now, like she was the only drug in the world that could 'cure' him for the itch. He had been drowned by her and there was nothing that could fulfill or satisfy him until she was in his arms, he couldn't explain to himself why or how he was so enthralled. But, the wheels in his head had constantly been turning, plotting and scheming on how he would go about achieving that.
She will be mine!!!
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Kagome showed up to the wedding wearing a gorgeous off-the shoulder kimono inspired silk charmeuse gown. It seemed as if she had purposely did not go 'all out' as some of the other women. She kept her looks simple, letting her hair loose with her bangs straight across her forehead.
The bride and groom stood in the front hall entrance ready to greet the guest when they showed up and entered the banquet hall of his large mansion. The limo pulled up and Bankotsu stepped out. The chauffeur held the door for him, while he spread his hand to escort his lady with him. She took his hand with a smile and he gathered her into his arms as they entered the vicinity.
Soft whispers and murmurs arose as they walked. Some were wondering who she was, that no one in the prestigious world knew of her. Others were whispering of him actually being so tender and loving toward a woman which was unheard of. Kagome ignored their comments, zoning them out as she often did with people, but she couldn't escape the loud gasps over the ring she donned on her finger.
"Bankotsu! So glad you could make it!!" Naraku greeted him with a smile and a firm handshake.
Next to him, his bride stood in an off the shoulder silk charmeuse gown with a mermaid train.
"Congratulations!" Bankotsu returned nodding softly at the bride.
"Oh Kagome!" Shiori threw her arms about the Miko's neck giving her a big more than friendly hug.
"Ooommmph" Kagome responded, always wheezing from barely being able to breathe. "Shiori," she laughed uncomfortably. "It's nice to see you as well. Congratulations!" Kagome reached behind her and pulled the bouquet filled hand off her.
"I'm so glad you've come! I can't believe you came to celebrate with me!" Shiori continued to beam excitedly, while Kagome was carrying on her cold demeanor and façade.
"Tell me, Shiori," the miko cooed. "Are you with child?" Kagome watched gleefully while the girl turned an unpleasant shade of red. Without answering she bowed her head toward the ground softly and nodded.
"I can't hide anything from you can't I?" She asked meekly making the Miko laugh.
"Darling, there is nothing to hide," Kagome cupped the woman's chin and raised her head so that their eyes met. "It's something to congratulate for! Why if Naraku didn't snatch you up, I might have left Bankotsu myself and have you instead!"
Her conduct was outrageous but she couldn't help herself, she enjoyed watching the girl squirm uncomfortably under her gaze and speech. Naraku had been in need of an heir for a long time, he was never successful in conceiving one with his previous marriages. This everyone knew and with Shiori's pregnancy, that would explain the rushed wedding.
Kagome smiled devilishly with her conclusion.
"Beloved, you are in a fine mood tonight. Naraku, I believe your wedding has made my fiancée quite happy" Bankotsu announced proudly.
Both Naraku and Shiori were shocked their eyes bulging out of their sockets. For a minute they stood shell-shocked and their surprise kept them from congratulating the couple.
Kagome's stomach did a nervous flip from the uncertainty and awkwardness of Bankotsu's announcement. She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly; cloaking herself in a mantle of confidence she flashed both Naraku and Shiori a bright and wide smile.
"Oh my goodness!!" Shiori nearly shrieked. "I am soo happy for you!!" She lunged forward intending to give the Miko another embrace, when she reached out and held the eager bride back.
"Now now darling, don't get so excited for me. Today, is YOUR day, and by all means, my love," she turned to look at Bankotsu with a chastising smile. "You, should not boast such craziness on such an important day for my dear Shiori. Today is her day and she," Kagome reached forward and teasingly touched the tip of the hanyou's nose with the tip of her index finger. "My sweet, will have the most glorious wedding day ever." Kagome flashed her another full-fledged you're-a-sister-to-me grin making the young bride, teary.
"Come now beloved, let me take you inside," Bankotsu nudged his Miko as he guided her inside. Other guests were right behind them, waiting to wish the bride and groom many a happy marriage.
.
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Outwardly, he gave no indication of concern for the festivities he was watching. To those who passed by, he seemed nothing more than a casual observer - another guest among hundreds. Inside, however, was a different matter; his emotions were in turmoil.
He cared for the Miko and he couldn't wait to see her, touch her, kiss her.
Sesshomaru knew he should just walk away and leave her alone, her fate was sealed, belonging to another. There wasn't much he could do to claim her as his. He couldn't very well offer Bankotsu any amount of money to buy her as his; he knew Bankotsu wouldn't let go of a woman like her.
And the memory of her, dreams of her haunted him. Normally, he would protect himself physically as emotionally from everyone. But with her it was different, and he cared for neither protection anymore. If he could spend time with her, no harm, hurt or damage could hinder his need for her.
Sesshomaru remained quiet following the usher toward his table. Of course how could it be anything else that he was seated at the same table as Bankotsu and Kagome. Settling into his seat, the DaiYokai remained quiet, struggling with his internal war that was raging within the confines of his mind and heart. His whole life he'd always been a recluse; an expert at hiding his true feelings and had been regarded often as a cold-hearted prick.
Fine by him, except when he was in the presence of her.
It felt it much harder to control anything within himself; especially with the dreams recently that he still couldn't fathom - waking up each time with the taste of her blood on his fangs.
The DaiYokai greeted the fellow guests including Bankotsu. For a second his heart sank because he didn't see the Miko next to Bankotsu, but the scent of her lingered and he realized she must have stepped out to the ladies room. He watched with irritation as Bankotsu continued a more than obvious flirtation with the females sitting at the table.
.
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Kagome's spine arched reflexively where his hands gently prodded her toward the bedroom. She laughed sexily turning around running her fingers across his face. He followed her quietly, enthralled by her seduction and a shudder crept menacingly along the length of his shaft.
Kagome laughed as she shut the door, leaning against it. When she turned Naraku abandoned his cool demeanor and was seized with a violent passion. Grasping a fistful of her hair and jerking her head around so that her face was directly beneath his, he leaned in to kiss her. He captured her lips in an all-consuming kiss that devoured the last of her reserve. His hands began moving deliberately over her clothing, groping and fumbling. Trying to find and touch every corner of her curves and luscious bosom.
Kagome initiated an intimate survey of her own, and it was much more torrid than the tour he'd just taken of her anatomy. She fanned her hands over him, journeyed down to his chest, to his stomach. Lower to his groin, where his unruly phallus swelled under her examination, enough so that it bulged and made his tuxedo trousers unaccountably tight.
Kagome giggled between her soft moans, while he continued to explore her body with his hands and his mouth roamed over hers. Sliding his tongue inside of her hot cavern, he moaned as he explored and tasted her heat, her essence. She broke from their kiss and her fingers began stroking and roaming the final few inches of his hardened shaft. Her eyes linked with his, and she smiled; a sly, shrewd feminine smile that had him frantically panting for more of her.
In the back of his mind the wedding was still going on, he knew and she knew it as well. It was exactly the reason why she had lured him to follow her, and fall for her seduction. As they stared at the other, neither uttered nor even gave any thoughts for that matter to the reality that he was the groom that day and she was not his bride. Instead, they simply enjoyed the wonderfully sensation of simply submitting to another's pleasure.
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"Thank you very much for your blessing, Hinten," Shiori bowed gracefully. "I will pass it on to Naraku." She added with a beaming smile.
"By the way, where is the groom?" Hinten queried.
Shiori looked about for her husband.
She'd remembered that he'd said a while ago he had to be excused but how long ago was that?
"Oh, I'm sure he's in the men's or perhaps he's striking a conversation with his fellow associates," Shiori responded with another smile.
"Well, I'll let you get back to finding your husband. I have to pay some attention to those lovely ladies," Hinten nodded in the South direction and raised his champagne flute to salute the bride before bowing and taking off.
Shiori bowed and began her search for her newlywed husband.
She searched with her eyes about the vicinity but couldn't find her groom. She bowed graciously at the guest as she made her way through the crowd into the large estate looking for him. Befuddled and confused she began to wonder what had happened to her groom. Shiori continued her search her steps leading her toward one of the rooms down the hallway. A soft giggle and moan made her smile, presuming one of her guests had found themselves a happy time. But she followed her instincts and treaded on following the sound of flirtatious giggles and erotic moans.
The sound got louder as she approached, and her curiosity caused her to want a peek. Turning the knob finding that it was unlocked she pushed the door quietly for a small crack. Catching a glimpse of the figure's back she recognized that it was her groom. Flinging the door wide open, she couldn't help but gasp at the sight. Her groom pressing another woman against the wall, her legs wrapped around his waist. She didn't need to see the woman's face to know it was that her groom was trysting with.
Kagome!
He was so horny for this woman, he could hardly believe himself, Naraku was busy fumbling for Kagome's panties when the door swung wide open. Startled Kagome jerked her head forward, upon seeing Shiori standing at the door, mouth agape and eyes wide with shock. She pushed Naraku back making him stumble backwards almost losing his balance.
"Shiori!" Kagome cried and Naraku took a deep inhale of breath, hurrying to zip up his pants before whirling around to face his bride.
Tears of betrayal stung her eyes as she stared at her groom and friend of whom she admired with all her heart. She swung her body around taking off when Kagome grasped her by the elbow and swinging her about.
"Let go of me!!" Shiori screamed gnashing her teeth.
"Darling," Kagome cajoled.
"Don't 'darling' me, you husband stealing bitch!! Let me go!!"
Kagome grabbed her by the side of her arms to hold her in place. "Listen to me!" the Miko commanded making the young hanyou stop dead in her tracks.
"Come now, dah-ling…" Kagome used her softest sweetest voice over exaggerating the term. "Nothing happened. Listen, nothing happened okay? We were just…" she paused, tilting Shiori's chin up to meet her gaze. "Teasing, I would never hurt you" she soothed.
At least not yet, Kagome thought wickedly in her head. This is only a little taste of what I have planned for you...
Kagome wiped the lonely tear off of the bride's cheek. "Y-Y-You…" the young bride stammered.
Watching Shiori crying her eyes out, almost made the miko feel sorry for what she had done.
Almost.
"Hush.." Kagome pressed her thumb over Shiori's glossy red lips. "You trust me, don't you?"
Kagome stared into Shiori's eyes with sincerity. The young Hanyou smiled and nodded softly, allowing the Miko to escort her to the ladies' room to freshen up her make-up and then return to the wedding ceremony.
Naraku watched as their backs faded, with Kagome tossing a last glance over her shoulder at him. The smile she wore on her lips told him that she wasn't done with him - yet. And he, couldn't wait until he saw her again. Married or not, Shiori was a candle to Kagome's burning sun. He wasn't going to pass that up the realized without an ounce of shame or regret as he made his way back toward the chattering of the party.