Deceitful Time
Chapter Ten: Torch

She was… breathtaking. That meant the world; he hadn't ever thought that about anyone. Lovely was an understatement. How many could look wholesome and dazzling at the very same time? A delicate pink almost peach colored sweet yet sophisticated sweater dress with pintucked sleeves and a knitted vertical design on it was her outfit of chose, her red petticoat on top to keep her warm and black tights under to keep her barely exposed legs warm—her knee high boats helped a great deal on that account as well.

Her hazels wondered about the glowing lights about her, the laughing families, friends, and couples as they moved about the highly decorated booths but she didn't budge. She was waiting there, a smile on her lips as she readjusted her purse on her shoulder with one hand and with the other brushed a strand of her ebony waves behind her ears.

It was right then, as he watched her from a distant, that he knew how he was going to make the night end. No matter how difficult it would be to do so… he wanted to, he had to.

"Kagome," he called out as he began forward again, right away her gaze locked on to him and her smile widened only a fraction, "thanks for coming."

"Well…" she hummed once he reached her, "I really wanted to go to this festival and all my friends were going on dates here. I'd hate to be the third wheel."

His smile grew and she lightly smacked his arm as they began to head towards the row of booths filled with games, activities, food, gifts, and so much more. "I know, this isn't a date," she made it a fervent point to make sure he knew that. He had talked to her two days ago about taking her to the yearly Christmas festival that happened to start on her birthday. She agreed, making sure to say a thousand times that it would only be them going as friends, that they were only friends, and scolded him in advance if he planned to try anything that friends wouldn't do with each other.

"Did you have fun with your family?" he asked once they stopped at the first booth that caught her attention.

"Yeah, we went out to eat and to the movies together, I forgot how much I missed them," she mused as her fingertips glided across the hand-made jewelry, "I know that sounds weird, doesn't it? But when I'm in the feudal era I don't think about it much. I love them, I always will, but I don't think 'oh, I miss Souta or grandpa or mom' when I'm away. Do you see Sesshomaru often?"

"He's dead," he frankly stated without even a flinch before they moved on to the next booth. Kagome stopped and grabbed his arm to make him do the same and look at her; her brows were pressed together, her pretty smile had vanished. "What?"

"I'm sorry," they didn't get along often, they had tried to kill each other a few times, he had cut off his own brother's arm, but she was sure they were going to find a way to mend their difference and slowly she watched that happen… she was sure after at least a hundred years they'd be fine, nothing like her and Souta but siblings nevertheless.

"Don't be, it was… about three hundred years ago," he shrugged before pulling her along with him, her hand never left his arm as she caught up with him, instead she used it to stop him at another booth.

"I'm still sorry," she stated, "what happened?"

"Demons are rare now, haven't you noticed?" He glanced to her then the booth game, it was one of those throw a ring around a bottle ones.

"Yeah," she had honestly thought they were all gone, that only spirits and other supernatural creatures still existed, "so…?"

"Something happened three hundred years ago, it killed off almost all of us, there's probably only a hundred of us in Japan, a few hundred around Europe, another two hundred all about Asia, probably a hundred in Africa, and a large majority of what's left when to the Americas."

"What happened…?" She whispered while she watched him hand some yen to the keeper of the booth and got some hoops in return.

"I don't want to talk about it," he insisted in a hush before he flung a few of the hoops to the bottles, and just like she had thought each time he hit his target. If it weren't for the morbid topic at hand she would have laughed at the look on the keepers' face.

"H-Here," the keeper grumbled as pointed to some of the larger stuffed animals that hung around, "pick one."

"Which do you want?" He inquired as her eyes scanned the three choices; a polar bear, a reindeer, or a big white fluffy dog—which was, of course, the one she ended up getting and, of course, he ended up lugging around for her for the rest of the night.

She wanted to pry, she was ever so curious what could happen that would hurt demons so badly and allow humans to be the leading species on the plant but… he had that look, that poor look that she hated to cause, and hated more to see so she bit her tongue and kept on wondering through the festival. It wasn't like most Japanese festival because it was supposed to be all about Christmas and western culture, but there were still a few who walked around in kimonos and traditional Japanese festival food scattered about.

It was… fun. Shockingly, very fun. It was the first time in a long while that not once had the thought of the locked well crossed her mind as he bought her a candy cane and cup of hot coco, or the worry of what Inuyasha was up to weigh her down as he slipped his hand onto the small of her back to lead her around, or the crushing need to return to the pass crimpled her as he led her off to the side some, away from the crowd, before the crashing of the fireworks began.

"How does it feel to be seventeen?" He coaxed while her awe featured face glowed with each of the sparkling bursts that brightened the dark sky.

"No different than sixteen. I had fun tonight, Shiro. Thank you." He had been oddly very gentlemanly, he hadn't once tried anything inappropriate—she had very much expected that, she was beyond sure of it really but… he hadn't.

"I'm glad," he replied as he checked his watch, "it's getting late I should get you home."

"I know the type," Akiko assured as she sat at his kitchen table with him, "her type. She's innocent and young; she won't react well to forwardness."

"Yep," he had figured that out quickly.

"Then you should offer to take her home," she smiled, "that way if she agrees and just goes home you won't get her mad but if she wants the night to continue then, you'll like this, she'll have to be the one to make the move. And, I get the feeling that she will."

"Home?" Kagome countered quickly, "but it's not that late."

He tried his best to hide the smile that twisted his lips up but couldn't so he just looked away for a moment instead, "what do you want to do then? We've been all over the festival already and the firework show's done."

"I… don't know," she murmured, did he want to go home? It was only ten, she could stay out later. It was winter break and her birthday, she should be able to stay out and have fun but the only things she could think of was either going karaoke—which she thought she was dreadful at—or go to the movies—which she'd done too much lately—or go out to eat, but both had their fill of festival food so… maybe there wasn't any fun left to have?

"Alright, I have an idea," he began as he took her hand, gently, into his and started off towards where the streets of Tokyo ceased to be closed off for the festival.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

Her stomach twisted into a knot when she saw where he was heading, why was she surprised? She really shouldn't be… she really should have protested, she really should have pulled her hand away as he led her into one of the most prestigious and expensive hotels in all of Tokyo but she didn't until they were out of the cold.

"Shiro, there's no way I'm going to get—!" She started as she yanked her hand free.

"Settle down," he chuckled, "there's a party going on here tonight; I thought you'd enjoy it. It's not as high class as most of the ones they have here, it's more for fun. Dancing, drinks, and a karaoke contest."

"I don't sing," she sped as she shook her hands in front of her, "you better not enter me in that."

"Don't worry, I wasn't going to, but you do dance, right?" He coaxed out a smile from her as he led her into the ballroom area. He had to show two tickets before they could enter.

"Why do you have tickets?" Had he planned this all along? Would that be thoughtful or suggestive since they were at a hotel?

He'd tell her the truth, that since he was such a loyal client to the hotel they sent him tickets to all their big events all the time in hopes that he'd end up getting a room there with whoever he ended up bring with him but he just shrugged and lied, "Akiko gave them to me, just in case you wanted to go."

"Oh," she murmured; why was she so happy that Akiko wasn't straight?

"Here, let's check your coat," he suggested as he took her petticoat off for her and then removed his own before handing it to worker, along with the stuffed animal which the thought was just too adorable.

She'd never actually been to a party, not even one her friends threw at their homes or anything. She was sure she'd be out of place but there were plenty of people her own age about with dates, friends, and even some with their family. It was… rather perfect.

"Hello," a woman announced as she took the microphone, "my name is Yura Yamimoto, I'm the next contestant on the karaoke contest and I'm going to be singing "Just One of Those Things" by Meg & Dia, I hope you enjoy."

"Come on, Kagome, let's dance," he requested as he took both of her hands and led her to the area where everyone had gathered to dance to the singing as the gradual guitar part began followed by the slow beat of the drums.

"Give me a minute I need a second. Got to breathe there It's Just one of those things"

She allowed him to place a hand on her hip as the other locked with one of hers; she took a step closer to him as they slowly began an innocent swaying like all those around them. Though, neither noticed that, since their gazes locked with the other. It sparked their surroundings to fade into a fog around them.

"Wish I could tell you How much I need you And how much you need me to go"

It was almost a subconscious movement, but she knew what she was doing really when she leaned her head against his shoulder so they could be slightly closer. She couldn't help it, well, she probably could but she'd rather think she couldn't. It was… nice, a very nice birthday. She'd spent most of all of them with her family and friends but this one was, as much as she hadn't—or had she?—wanted it to become a date. A decent date… her first date.

"Please don't listen to what I'm gonna tell you Look in my eyes and know I simply had to give up But I didn't let go without struggle you know, I still love you. It's just, just one of those things"

His hand slid from her hip to her back so he could hold her tighter. He let his senses become overwhelmed with all that was Kagome. Her delicate and dainty scent filled his nostrils, he felt nothing but the softness of her hand, and heard little more than her humming along with the song... the beating of her heart.

"I know I made it seem Like all was written down And I hid all my pain And now I bring it out"

This wasn't right… right? She should be mad at him still, sickened by his previous behavior but… she found her heart defending his actions nevertheless. His possessive nature that he had always had; he was just trying to protect her by ceiling up the well. Yes, that was all. So she'd let her grudge go, she'd just focus all her efforts into helping him remember what happened five hundred years ago. Then, once that memory returned, once they figured out how to avoid it, she was sure she'd be able to convince him to take off the shekels so she could return. So she could at least say goodbye...

"And you'll be scared at first cuz it's such an ugly blow I don't know which is worse to learn or not to know"

Yes, the longer he held her, the closer he felt to her, the surer he was… he had to make sure the night ended like he planned on the moment he laid his eyes on her at the festival. It'd be hard, it'd be tempting to do the opposite, but he couldn't. That way he could make her his with more easy. He was sure he'd recover more memories of the past, that way he could learn what occurred… or was it best not to know? To just let what had been forgotten stay that way?

"Please don't listen to what I'm gonna tell you Look in my eyes and know I simply had to give up But I didn't let go without struggle you know, I still love you It's just, just one of those things"

She pulled away slightly so she could look up at him, his eyes returned to her as well. Just like before the room seemed to still around them.

"I tried to tell you a million times That you have always been one of us I tried to tell you a million times You have always been one of us"

He started it, that's how she justified it, he leaned his face closer to hers first… but she was the one that closed the slender gap.

Just for one, small, innocent, peck on the lips.

{xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox}

"Now what?" She asked with a small spin as they walked back out into the lobby, both with their jackets draped over their arms. Two hours, that's what the old grandfather's clock told her once she looked around, two hours they had been dancing, laughing, and talking and besides that one simple kiss he hadn't tried anything. Her heart beat ever so quickly at the thought of that moment, that moment she probably shouldn't have allowed but… did.

Of course, he had to glance to the front desk a few times before he replied, "I think it's time for me to walk you home."

"Alright," she nodded as she put her petticoat back on and pulled out a pair of gloves to slide on, "do you want to walk all the way or take the subway?"

"It's up to you," he said while he opened the door for her, it was the awful burst of cold air that fiddled with her hair that gave her a certain answer. They were to the station in only a minute and in the warm train in another five.

"Thank you, again," she started once they were both seated, "it was surprisingly a lot of fun."

"That's good," though he didn't think it should be 'surprisingly' because he was a fun guy. "Tomorrow is Sunday, ya' know," he teased her some with a nudge of his shoulder to hers, "are you going to come over and 'study'?"

"Can you actually help me study for the college entrance exams?" As long as she was in her own era she might as well prepare.

"I can."

"It's also Christmas Eve day," she reminded with a small smile, "do you celebrate it? My family really doesn't… I've always wanted to decorate a tree and everything." The Higurashi's exchange gifts and some minor decoration, but they never over did it.

Oh, he held back a sigh, he could defiantly tell the implication between all of that, "yeah," he weakly murmured, "of course, a tree and ornaments… yeah, I do that all the time."

Of course he didn't, but if she could get him to, why not? So she'd play dumb and gawk, "really?"

"Yeah," almost never, never when he lived alone like he did now—he'd lived with Akiko once or twice for a few years, and a few other friends, never lovers since he knew better. Some of his past roommates got a kick out of celebrating mortal holidays but he never did… but, for Kagome, he could bother with it this year.

{xoxoxoxoxox}

"What are you doing back here?" Akiko inquired as she leaned into the living room to see her friend at his usual post, staring out the window with a glass of whiskey in hand. "She reject you again? That's the best hotel in Tokyo, it's romantic, it—"

"I didn't ask her," he broke in. The moment he saw her that night she looked too… youthful, too innocent. He knew then that he wouldn't push his luck, that he didn't even want—no, he did but he wouldn't—to. He wouldn't ruin her birthday or his chances of ever winning over her heart from his former self. She was like a delicate flower that needed to be handled with care, he'd never bothered to do that before but for her... he could wait, he could take his time.

"Inu," Akiko sighed as she strolled up to him, "you are strange. Anyway, more importantly, the gathering is in Kyoto this year."

"That's why you are really here?" He had half thought that was the case but she hadn't bothered attending one in at least five decades, so why now? Nothing drastically different was planned to take place. It was the same as all the years past, wouldn't it be...?

"I've decided to run for a position," she nodded as she leaned against the window to force him to look her in the eye, "you are going to make sure you keep your post, right, Inu?"

"I don't know," he shrugged. "I'd rather not."

"Because of her?" She scoffed with a small shake of her head, "Inu, don't be stupid. She's just a human, you'll get to be with her for a while but then she'll be gone and you—"

"Stop, stop," he grunted, he knew, he'd thought about that... sure, he could save Kagome now from death, he could keep her around, keep her safe but she was just a mortal and all mortals die. "What are you up to, Akiko?"

"Well," she smirked before brushing a strand or two behind her ears, "you are at least going to the gathering, right? I would like your endorsement."

"Fine…" he huffed, "fine, of course I'll give it to you."

"Good, good, I'm going to head off to Kyoto tomorrow night so I'll be out of your hair," she promised with a bit of a pout, "I am a bit disappointed that you haven't sealed the deal with your Kagome. What about Christmas, hm?"

"Maybe," he had gotten a willing kiss out of her, after all, "maybe... hey, I have a favor to ask for in return for giving you my endorsement."

"Anything," Akiko assured earnestly, "what?"

"Go out and buy some Christmas decorations and a tree."

Light laughter broke from her luscious lips before she gradually became morbidly mute, "you... are kidding, aren't you?"

"Kagome wants to decorate a tree..."

"Oh, Inu," she sighed with a pat on his shoulder, "she has you wrapped around her finger, hasn't she?"

Regrettably... somehow, the tables had been turned and... yes, yes she did.