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AN/ Okay here's chapter 12, I know I've been kind of lagging behind in this story lately and that I've been saying that I'll be getting a chapter up every week but I've been kind of behind in work and such and it's kind of hard to get a hold of a computer to work on when your sister is constantly booting you off so that she can do her 'homework' yeah freakin right...anyway, here's the next chappy!
Disclaimer/ I do not own Inuyasha and the gang...
I had my hand pressed firmly to my mouth trying to mask the giggles that were currently trapped in my throat. I was still clutching at the hair tie in my palm that I had just recently stolen from Sesshomaru, whom I could hear from the confines of the hallway closet that was just across from my own room. His footsteps were quite loud, telling me that he was close, and I could hear him opening doors, most likely looking for me.
I bit down on my lower lip as I moved backward in the closet to further hide myself in the darkened confines of my chosen hiding spot, as I listened carefully to his movements getting closer, and closer...until I took a sharp, but quiet intake of breath when I heard the doorknob for the closet beginning to open. 'Okay, when he opens the door make a run for it, the minute I see light I'm going to run straight past him...' I watched unblinkingly as the doorknob seemed to slow down while slowly turning. Then I heard the resounding click that told me that it was finished turning, and it began to open and the minute I caught a glimpse of him I dashed through the opening in the door. But I let out a loud yelp of surprise when I was suddenly pulled back from behind by pair of strong arms, and was forcibly pressed firmly against a well toned chest.
"Well hello there...thought you could get away now did you?" a low chuckle rumbled from his throat making it seem as if his chest was vibrating lightly against my back, sending a shiver up my spine. 'Get a hold of yourself Kagome! Don't let him get to you...' but a little voice in the back of my head was whispering ever so softly to me that it was way too late to tell myself that, that it had already happened.
"Well for a moment there I thought I was going to, but then you caught me..." only a very slight bit of sarcasm was hidden securely in that sentence; I didn't want to test his patience after all. Another chuckle from the warm body behind me sent yet another shiver up my spine. I felt one of his hands release their grip from around my waist and take hold of one of my hands. Thinking I had a chance to get away I tried to pull away but the grip he had with his other arm tightened and pulled me straight back to his chest.
"Oh Kagome, don't tell me you don't like the position we're in, I could feel those shivers you know" I blushed a light shade of red as I cursed his strength, and his ability to make me blush so easily. Then suddenly I found myself facing him, I blinked a couple times before I realized that he had been gently massaging my palm with his thumb causing me to relax considerably. I sighed contently, allowing him to continue with it. My eyes fluttered closed as I melted into the wonderful sensations he was causing, forgetting that we were in the middle of the hallway. My eyes opened again and I could feel my face begin to burn again as my eyes followed the movements of the hand he was using to hold mine, he had turned it over and brought it up to face, placing light butterfly kisses on each knuckle, and turned it over and began kissing my palm.
"Se...Sesshomaru" I was breathless and my legs felt like jelly, I felt my other hand release the hair tie and clutched to the thin fabric of his dress shirt desperately as if my very life depended on it. I felt his lips curl into a small smirk against my skin, as my eyes became half lidded and slightly glazed. When he stopped kissing my palm I blinked back to reality, blushing furiously when I spotted the victorious smirk on his lips. I scowled at him and pulled my hand from his grasp, turning my head away so that I wasn't facing him.
"It's late, I'm going to go to bed" I brought both of my hands up to his chest and began to push away but was pulled back again. I pouted and tilted my head up a little so that I could glare half heartedly at him.
"Not before I say goodnight..." I blinked and was about to ask what he was talking about and why that had anything to do with him holding me, when I felt his lips on mine for the third time since I got here. 'Well I can't really complain he did warn me, and this isn't really all that bad...' When he broke the sweet kiss he gave me a small smile and let me go, I found that after he had let me go I didn't really want him to.
"Um...Goodnight Sesshomaru" I gave a shy little wave as he turned towards his door and placed his hand on the doorknob. He glanced back up and a small, almost predatory smirk graced his lips.
"See you tomorrow, Ka-go-me" and with that he retreated into his room, leaving me standing there seething. 'How dare he?!' he had been taunting me, pronouncing my name in a the long drawl that I had long stopped repeating to him, back when we first met he had always called me 'girl' and I would get angry and say 'My name is Kagome, not girl! You got that? Ka-go-me' I growled in frustration as I stomped into my room and started getting changed for bed. 'That jerk, he is so going to get it tomorrow!' and as I stormed around my room I totally forgot about the hair tie that now lay forgotten in the middle of the hall.
Scene Change
I sighed deeply, leaning back against the wall next to my door. 'What was I thinking? Have I gone completely insane? Father won't allow this' I snorted as another smirk played across my thin lips. 'But when have I ever listened to father? If I want something I get it...no matter what the cost' I brought my hand up and smoothed back my bangs dragging my fingers through my hair. I closed my eyes and relaxed as the image of a young woman with long ebony hair and shockingly blue eyes smiling at me appeared in my mind. A small smile that only she was allowed to see slowly stretched across my lips as the image of her smiling and laughing, and all around just being her usual cheerful self invaded my every thought.
"I don't care if father doesn't like it, I must have her" the whispered words that had simply flowed from my tongue were left hanging in the large, empty room that was lit only by the moonlight shining in through the large arched window behind my desk. I slowly stood straight from leaning back on the wall and padded over to my wardrobe. Pulling out a pair of black silk night pants and a top I slipped them on and crawled into my fairly large four poster bed...and to my surprise it felt strangely empty. I laid on my back staring up at the plain white ceiling with my arms folded underneath my head; I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to fall asleep. And as I finally began to slip into a deep slumber, a low almost feral growl
erupted from my throat at the image of my runt of a half brother and that friend of his, and the determined looks on their faces seemed to anger me even more. I rolled onto my side and slammed my fist into my other pillow in anger as I bared my teeth like a ravenous dog threatening its enemies, only just remembering that what Inuyasha had said to me might actually hold. That he knew Kagome better than I did, that they had a past and a strong bond...I could feel a heavy weight sink into the bottom of my gut, making me fist my clench around my sheets.
"Damn it, he's right..." I gritted my teeth and sat up abruptly, throwing my sheets from my tensed body I walked briskly to and through my door and started down the hall, being careful not to wake anyone. When I reached the old door that led up to the main balcony of the mansion, I reached out and opened it, not even noticing that I didn't need to unlock it. I closed it behind me so that no one could follow, and proceeded down the hall and up the steep stair case. But when I reached the top I stopped in my tracks...my father stood leaning against the railing staring out at the view. He glanced over his shoulder only just noticing my presence.
"Ah, Sesshomaru...you couldn't sleep either?" my expression hardened as I approached the railing and leaned against it next to him, tilting my head back to stare at the stars. I heard him sigh as he returned his gaze to the view of Tokyo.
"Sesshomaru...there is something that I need to talk to you about" I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, not liking that the peaceful silence had been broken, but at the same time curious about whatever it was that my father wanted to say. The silence stretched on and I began to get impatient watching him stare out at the city with slightly glazed eyes, as if he was remembering something.
"Tell me whatever it was that you wished to tell me before I decide to leave" I waited calmly for my father's response tapping my long elegant finger on the cold, metal railing. He sighed and turned to face me, and I was a little surprised when he narrowed his eyes and gave me the most serious look that I had ever received from him. Turning to face him but still leaning against the railing, I raised a single dark brow questioningly.
"Sesshomaru, I want your word before I tell you, that you will not over react to what I'm about to tell you" now I was concerned, 'What is it that he's going to tell me that would cause me to over react?' I narrowed my eyes and gripped the railing with the one hand that had been resting on it.
"Fine...what is it?" if it were even possible he seemed to tense even more, and took a deep breath.
"Sesshomaru, I realized that you may not like the idea, but it is one that is still practiced here in Japan...you know my business partner Mr. Higurashi?" I nodded and gritted my teeth together trying hard not to demand that he get it over with and just say whatever it was that he wanted to say.
"Well, we were both talking and have decided that it would be best if we arranged a marriage between his daughter Kagome, and either you or Inuyasha..." my heart had jumped at the words 'arranged marriage' but when he had mentioned Inuyasha I could feel my blood begin to boil and my lips curl into a snarl...and before I knew it I had responded without thinking it through.
"I will do it!" it was almost a snarl as the words rolled off of my tongue, shocking my father and myself gripping the now warm metal railing with such force that I wouldn't be surprised if it were dented. But I hid my surprise with a cold stare that was determined at the same time, staring into my father's eyes that usually held so much love and compassion and mirth, but at this moment were showing only confusion, and slight concern.
"Sesshomaru..." I heard my name uttered from his lips as if asking me the question that still lingered between us both. I shook my head and growled menacingly.
"Inuyasha is nothing more than a friend to her! She wouldn't be happy, I will go through with it" I was breathing heavily as I struggled not to bang my head against any hard surface that was closest to me. He simply stared back as we stood there in absolute silence for what seemed like hours but was really only minutes...Until he sighed and turned back to the view.
"Sesshomaru...it is clear to me now why you have been unusually kind to Kagome in the past few days, but that also makes me wonder, do you truly have feelings for her? Are you absolutely sure that you want to go through with it..." I swallowed a growl before turning to the stairs, glancing back at him over my shoulder.
"I would never volunteer if I wasn't absolutely sure of my decision father, you know me...I do what I must to get what I want" and on that final note I began the short walk back to my room, down the stairs and through the door.
When I reached the door to my room I paused, feeling my stomach rumble in protest. 'Damn...' I turned and started down the hall and down the stair case to the kitchen...but stopped. I could hear someone moving around in the kitchen. I narrowed my eyes as I slowly approached the kitchen door and peeked in through the crack in the door. Kagome was sitting at the kitchen counter eating a piece of chocolate cake, staring off into space. A wide smirk again graced my lips as I quietly slipped in through the door unnoticed, and crept up behind her. Then I quickly slipped my arms around her waist making her squeak in surprise, and nearly throw the fork in her hand. I chuckled lightly and could feel her stiffen, knowing that she had just recognized me I leaned my head forward and pressed a gentle kiss to the nape of her neck.
"Sesshomaru what are you doing up? I thought you had gone to bed" I sighed lightly and smiled evilly when I felt her shiver from my breath against her skin.
"I had, but I was hungry so I came down here, is that a problem?" I knew she was pouting, and I chuckled again taking the plate from in front of her I stood up and walked over to the drawer with the utensils in it and pulled out another fork. When I turned around and leaned back against the counter I spotted her glaring at me, fork still in hand. I took a rather large bite of the chocolate dessert, and watched in amusement as her eyes narrowed in fury.
"Hey that's mine!" I smirked at her and waved my fork mockingly in her direction.
"Correction, it was yours" I laughed lightly when she pouted again and was a little surprised when she got up from her seat and started towards me. I lifted the plate up high above my head assuming what she was going to do, and was highly amused when she reached up in an attempt to reach the cake.
"Come on Sesshomaru! Don't be a jerk" I laughed again and held it higher when I noticed that she had been getting close to reaching it. But we were interrupted when I heard a threatening growl from across the room near the door leading to the kitchen. I glanced up and my eyes immediately narrowed upon landing on my younger half brother, or 'the runt' as I liked to refer to him as, was standing in the door way glaring at me. Kagome had heard the growl as well and had turned to see who made the sound and pouted again.
"Inuyasha tell your brother to stop being a jerk and to give me my cake back!" he blinked before approaching us and smirking.
"Sorry Kagome, you can't just tell Sesshy to stop being a jerk it's in his nature...and had it ever occurred to you that you could just get another piece?" she blinked and laughed sheepishly before going over to the fridge. I frowned deeply before turning my glare to Inuyasha, who was returning my glare with enthusiasm. Then I smirked, remembering the talk I had had with father only twenty to thirty minutes ago. He raised an eyebrow, obviously confused at the sudden confident expression that adorned my face.
"Here Inuyasha here's a piece for you" she nudged him in the shoulder with a plate that held a piece of cake, while holding her own in the other hand. Blushing lightly the idiot took it. Then her gaze turned back to me and I received a light hearted glare, making me raise a single brow trying to act innocent.
All three of us went over to the table and took a seat. I sat and listened to Kagome talking about something concerning school but to tell the truth I wasn't really listening; my eyes were locked on to her lips as they moved to form each word. Then after around ten minutes of her and my idiot brother talking and us finishing our cake, she stretched her arms above her head and let out a tired yawn. I watched with half lidded eyes as a sliver of skin was exposed when she stretched and her night shirt rode up her stomach. I licked my suddenly very dry lips subconsciously as she stood from her seat.
"Well I'm going back to bed, you two sleep well" she gave Inuyasha a hug holding him around the shoulders tightly. He blushed deeply, and smirked at me when he spotted the glare I sent his way. But then she came around to where I sat and leaned forward, placing a small kiss on the birth mark on my forehead.
"Night' Sessho" she smiled at us before she left the room, silence was the only thing left in her wake. I glanced at the idiot who was frowning at the table top, as if deep in thought. 'Tch...Yeah right, more like light thinking' I smirked at the thought and stood from my seat. When I reached the door and placed my hand on the door knob, but stopped when I heard the idiot stand from his seat and begin to approach me. I glanced at him and raised an eyebrow. He glared for a moment before folding his arms across his chest.
"Just because you think your winning doesn't mean you are...I still know more about her and I plan to take you down, and if I ever see you touching her I won't hesitate to dismember you" we glared at each other before I opened the door.
"Tch" I snorted and left the room, heading back to my room. 'Then I will make sure that you don't see me...foolish runt'
AN/ Yay chappy 12 is up and running! W00t! It literally took me hours of brainstorming for me to finally find out how I should write this chapter...but it was so worth it ;D And the whole arranged marriage idea came from one of my reviewers DReamer'z Love, it was seriously a great idea so I decided I was going to use it, thanks for the idea! Anyway, please read and review!