Weeping Willows

By Dragoness

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. They are the product of the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi .

Hello again everyone. Thank you all for your enormous support, wonderful reviews, and constructive criticism. I am glad you like the story and will do my best not to disappoint.

I will be going to Las Vegas for my baby sister's wedding soon but I wanted to at least update once more before I go. That way it won't be too long a wait for the next chapter because I already know I won't have the chance to work on it while I am out there.

TruGemini you are my light in the dark.

KnifeThrower as always you're the best.

Thank you both for your encouragement.

And to the both of you: Update, Update, Update. (LOL)

Chapter 8 To Dance Or Not To Dance

The bar was cute as far as bars go. It was not dark as she expected but actually bright and welcoming. The bar was along the left wall while the tables were in a horseshoe shape more situated toward the right. In the middle of the u shape was a nice size platform that was slightly raised with speakers set on both sides of the half circle. On the wall behind it was a huge flat screen that was showing the people that were currently using the stage as a dance floor.

Kagome was still looking around when Sesshomaru grabbed her hand and pulled her to one of the tables close to the stage and then excused himself as soon as she was seated. A song she didn't recognize was playing but it had a nice beat. Kagome rocked side to side from her chair swaying to the music. Smiling as she watched the various couples that were clearly enjoying themselves.

Sesshomaru returned with two bottles of beer and a glass for her and set them down. "You look beautiful tonight Kagome," he said in a deep voice.

"Thank you," she replied with a slight blush. She was actually kind of nervous. Sure they had gone out several times in the last few weeks but this was the first time he had actually asked her out like a date. Not knowing what else to say she just continued to watch the people dancing.

"So what time does Karaoke start?" Kagome asked eyes still glued to the couples dancing.

"Eleven o'clock, until then it's just dancing. I hope you don't mind I thought it would give us a chance to have a couple of drinks and just enjoy each other's company." Sesshomaru answered as he watched Kagome watching the now dance floor.

He had completely forgotten that on Friday nights the dancing time was extended. He silently hoped she would not want to dance. Sesshomaru could do all the formal dances, as was mandatory for all in his father's house lest they embarrass him at one of his many social gatherings, but he really had no clue when it came to today's pop music.

He finally started to breathe easier when Kagome finally turned around and gave him her full attention. After taking a sip from her beer she started talking. Sesshomaru on the other hand had no idea of what she was saying. He made all the non-committal comments and sounds as she was talking but missed most of the conversation due the tongue that keep darting out of her mouth to moisten her lips.

He was usually not one to stare but the show she put on was too irresistible not to watch. She'd talk some, then lick her lips in anticipation as she reached for her drink and then tilt her head back ever so slightly opening her mouth sensually as she drank from her glass. When she tilted her head back he got an even better glance of her long and graceful neck. The funny thing was that he was sure she didn't realize what she was doing. She was just so innocent in some ways.

She also didn't flaunt her beauty. She dressed nice, put very little make up on and went about her business. She didn't feel the need to do anything to bring more attention to herself like some women did today by wearing revealing clothing and the like. It was one of her more endearing qualities and it made Sesshomaru want to be with her so much more.

"Sesshomaru, are you alright? Hello?" Kagome asked as she waved her hands in front of his face to get his attention.

Apparently he had stopped answering as he got more interested in her little show and now he really had no idea what she was talking about. So deciding quickly, Sesshomaru blinked a couple of times and shook his head slightly to give her the impression that he had gotten lost in thought. It was still not good to make her think she was not good enough to demand his attention but better than saying 'Sorry I wasn't listening to you because I was too preoccupied looking at your lips and picturing what they could do.'

"I'm sorry what were you saying Kagome? I'm afraid I got lost in thought. You know how it is sometimes you can't stop thinking about work and the things to be done the next day. I humbly apologize and hope you will give me another chance to show just how interested I am in what you have to say." Sesshomaru said as he looked at her intensely.

"Tha..,tha.., that's o.k. really," Kagome said a little flustered. "I just wanted to make sure you were o.k. you had an odd expression on your face for a moment," she said trying to meet his gaze. Why was he staring at her like that? "Anything you'd like to share?" Kagome asked relieved when he turned his gaze away to hail the waitress.

"No just work stuff." Sesshomaru replied trying to come up with something quickly. He was saved by a loud squeal from Kagome.

"OH MY GOD! I love this song. Come on Sess lets dance." Kagome said excitedly as Miley Sirus's latest song 'Can't Be Caged' started blasting through the speakers. Apparently it was a ladies favorite at the bar as the lights started to pulse to the beat and many of the females started making howling noises and singing along.

Sesshomaru winced as the noise started to get a little too loud for his tastes. "Kagome I would love to dance with you but I really am not familiar with this music. Maybe another time we can go to a dance hall and waltz."

"Waltz?" Kagome said with a total look of utter disbelief on her face. "Um, sure maybe another time but in the mean time we have an hour until Karaoke starts so let's dance a little. Pleaase!" Kagome drawled.

Sesshomaru looked at Kagome and sighed. He couldn't turn her down. She looked so adorable pouting with her eyes sparking. He knew he would have to do it especially since he had asked her to sing. One little dance wouldn't kill anything. All he needed to do was move from side to side to the beat.

"Lead the way," he said as he extended his hand gesturing towards the floor. Kagome jumped up excitedly and pulled him in the center of the floor.

Noticing his stiff posture Kagome grabbed his hands and put them on her hips. "Just follow my lead, feel the music and move," Kagome said as she started to dance and roll her hips in time with the music.

Normally Sesshomaru would never let a woman lead but he was enjoying her showing him how to dance way too much to say anything. He watched intently. Her eyes at half mast as she mouthed the words totally engrossed in the music.

She turned her back to him while still holding his hands over her head and she swayed in time to the music. As Kagome moved against him Sesshomaru had to take a step back. He was confident in his iron tight will and self control but he was still a man and could only take so much.

As the song went off another came on and Kagome showed no signs of even slowing. She had turned back to face him and held his hands in hers as she moved.

Much to his surprise Sesshomaru was really enjoying himself. Now that she had turned around and was no longer rubbing that gorgeous bottom of hers against him everything was fine. There would be no embarrassing signs of just how much he was enjoying their dance together.

The last song ended and they returned to the table with fresh beers waiting for them along with a couple of shots. "Where did these come from?" Kagome asked pointing towards the beers and shots in particular.

"I ordered them before we started dancing. Don't worry I've had a clear view of our drinks the whole time. That is why I choose this table, because it is easier to see from the stage and from the bar." Sesshomaru answered her as he threw back the shot.

"Oh," Kagome said, "Well what's in the shot glass?"

"Smell it." Sesshomaru replied with a smirk.

"Mmmmm," hummed Kagome, "Tequila."

"You said you liked Tequila and if you remember I said the next time we went out I would do some shots with you. Now drink up, you are already one behind."

"You wouldn't happen to be trying to get me drunk would you?" Kagome asked only half joking.

Sesshomaru stared at Kagome intently for a moment before responding. His eyes sparkling deviously he leaned in close and whispered, "Quite the contrary. If anything were to happen I would want you in tip top shape to make sure you would enjoy and remember every.. single.. detail."

Kagome immediately felt the heat on her face as she was sure she probably resembled a ripe tomato at this point.

Sesshomaru chuckled softly at Kagome's reaction. His breathe caressing her neck as Kagome tried to suppress a shutter. During this time the dance floor had been cleared and the Karaoke machine had been set up.

An additional TV had been added in front of the stage for the singer to see the words without looking to the screen behind them.

Feeling a little flustered, Kagome decided it would be best to excuse herself for a moment. Looking towards the back she saw the neon sign indicating women and headed for it.

As she looked in the mirror over the sinks she checked her reflection making sure everything was as it should be. Trying to pump herself up for her song she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Shaking out her limbs in an attempt to relax Kagome once again looked at herself in the mirror. She was looking good, she felt fine, and she was ready. With a quick smile to her reflextion she exited the ladies room.

Kagome decided to go a different route than the one she had taken to get to the ladies room in order to see the rest of the place. Sesshomaru had ushered her to the seat so quickly she hadn't had a chance to see the bar area.

On the wall behind the bar were various pictures of celebrities and different sayings. As she walked down the bar looking over the various sights her foot caught the claw of the bar stool. Reaching out quickly to stabilize herself Kagome accidentally bumped into someone sitting at the bar.

The smell of alcohol was so strong Kagome was sure she must have spilled a couple of drinks on the person. She frantically gave the person a good look over to see any wet spots. She would of course pay for the drinks to be replaced and any dry cleaning bill.

Fortunately she had only knocked down one of the many empty bottles surrounding the person she could now tell was a man. Embarrassed by her clumsiness Kagome apologized profusely. The man said was fine but Kagome couldn't just let it go that easy. When the man turned to face her to assure her he was in fact fine Kagome's eyes widened in recognition.

"Miroku?"