A waterfall of sable tresses, opalescent eyes lined with a sultry black, and red stained lips. Kagome stared at her reflection, her gaze critical in scrutiny. "Hm..."
How the hell did she get herself in this mess? Why had she even agreed in the first place?
Silk hugged her skin, the material cementing itself against her figure, and denting in all the right places. The little black number embellished her body faultlessly, hiding any possible flaws, and highlighting all that was necessary; from every dip to every curve. Not to mention, her legs – in her opinion, her best asset – looked to die for, stemming out from the mid-length skirt of the dress and seemingly going on forever.
But still...
With the plethora of compliments Inuyasha had for Kaguya, Kaguya was probably a drop-dead-gorgeous woman, and even draped in a pretty dress, Kagome still felt second rate.
Kaguya, Kaguya, Kaguya...
It always about about Kaguya with him, Inuyasha just didn't know when to stop with his never ending stories about her. That – woman was the center of his world now.
And it hurt.
Kagome bit her lip, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles on her dress, and fluffing her hair with nervous hands.
"Knock, knock! Anyone home?" Sango's overly cheery voice bounced against the walls as she made her presence known. A low whistle promptly followed upon her entrance. "Well, damn, Kags! The boys better eat their heart out tonight. You look hot as fuck!"
Swiftly, Kagome spun to face her friend, her eyebrows knotted together in obvious worry. "You really think so? You don't think I look … too blah?"
"Blah?" Sango's voice held a tone of disbelief. "In that dress? Hun, I'm practically seething with jealousy." She winked teasingly.
"Oh shut up Sango! You know that you look incredible, you always do." Kagome's lips twitched into a hint of a smile before sighing. "So, you really think I look okay?"
"Okay? You don't just look 'okay', you look amazing Kags. Seriously, no lie. You look good enough to eat dollface."
Kagome giggled, spinning again to examine her reflection one last time. Nervous would be an understatement to how she felt. Her first time going to club – that she was too young to even go to – and she was finally going to meet the constantly-raved-about Kaguya. Great, just great.
Shuffling over to her night stand, she grabbed the leather wristlet that held essential items – phone, keys, cash, and lip gloss for retouching – before making her way towards Sango with a shaky smile. "Okay, I'm ready to go." ...I think, she silently added in her head.
But, really, would she ever be ready to meet the "ever-so-perfect" Kaguya?
Perched on top of a stool, Inuyasha let his eyes roam the club, stopping at certain times in admiration to a few prettier-than-average women. Of course, none of them could even hold a candle to Kaguya.
"So, are the girls here yet?"
Inuyasha glanced at Miroku and raised a brow at the busty girl latched onto his arm. "They said they were on their way. Then again, that was half an hour ago."
Miroku nodded, leading the girl towards the dance floor to pass time. She was a cute little thing and obviously well endowed in the breast department.
Inuyasha shook his head with a knowing smirk. If Sango came through those doors right now and saw the girl in his arms, Miroku would be in a whole 'lot of trouble.
"Hey there, handsome."
His ear twitched, face contorting in annoyance. If it was another girl trying to hit on him, he wouldn't even try to turn her down nicely. There had already been too many of them, and most of them didn't even know how to take a hint. Frankly, it was starting to tick him off. He wouldn't want Kaguya to suddenly appear and think that he was cheating on her with some broad.
He twisted around, ready to unleash his irritation on the unsuspecting victim, only for his oncoming retort to die down, instantaneously. His mouth practically watered at the sight. "Ka – Kagome?"
Well hot damn.
"Hey," she greeted, lips upturned into a friendly smile."What's up?"
He swallowed thickly, the grip on his drink – among other things – tightening, before he cleared his throat. "No.. nothing."
Kagome noted the tiny squeak in his voice and her smile grew even bigger in satisfaction. Maybe, Sango was right after all. There was no other woman in sight, so she presumed that Kaguya was either somewhere else in the club, or not even present yet.
His head bent back as he took a large swig of his beverage. Did it suddenly get even stuffier in here?
"Where's Kaguya?" Kagome asked casually, taming down her nerves.
"She said that she'll be here a little later."
Kagome almost breathed in a sigh of relief. She wasn't ready to face Kaguya just yet. "Oh... well, then, would you care to dance?"
Inuyasha exhaled slowly, his eyes drifting back to her figure. He couldn't risk a dance with her, there were too many possibilities of him doing something stupid again, especially when she looked as good as she did right now. "Uhm... I don't think that'll be a good idea."
Kagome didn't miss a beat, "oh, okay.." She swung away from him, her smile borderline mischievous. "I guess I'll just have to find someone else then."
She listened for his reaction, smirking at the slight choking sound he made. Gotcha.
Then, she waited...
"Hell no!" Inuyasha jumped off of the stool, grabbing onto her hand and steering her towards the dance floor. As if, he'd let some horn-dog touch her, much less, dance with her.
Kagome nearly laughed. Hook, line, and sinker.
"She was just a random girl I danced with." Miroku attempted to explain his earlier actions, his tone pleading. "Come on Sango, it was just dancing."
Still, the downward curve on her face remained.
"Whatever."
Uh-oh. One word responses always meant big trouble for him. "Sango," he chanced a firm grip on her hand, "I'm sorry."
Sango didn't budge. He was always sorry for things like this. Always.
"You know that I only care about you."
Damn him. She cursed as her skin tingled warmly at his words. Russet eyes studied his knitted brows and his irresistible pout. Finally, she sighed, her own fingers curling over his. "Idiot."
Miroku only smiled, encircling her body from behind with his arms, and guiding her towards the middle of the floor.
Comfortable laughter and innocent cuddling; Inuyasha's chin rested on top of Kagome's head as she settled between his legs. Both were sniggering at their bickering friends.
Again, Miroku found himself desperately pleading. "Sango! Looking is harmless, everyone looks!"
"Oh really?"
"Yes! You should know that even if my eyes may wander, I'll always come back to you."
"Miroku, you'll always be an idiot! Now, leave me alone!" Sango screamed in irritation, already fleeing.
"Sango! Wait up!"
And of course, Miroku chased after her.
Kagome chuckled at the scene, snuggling even further into the familiar warmth. Inuyasha welcomed her proximity, his grip on her tight but tender. The delicious sweetness of her scent only amplified around him, and his own scent commingled with hers. He preferred it that way, his ego swelled when she smelled so strongly of him.
And that was exactly how Kaguya found them.
"Inuyasha!" Her smile was brilliant, enhancing her beauty. The light pink of the dress she wore only made her skin appear even fairer, and the immaculately assembled bun laying at the crown of her head created an elegantly regal picture.
It made Kagome feel small, very small.
"Kaguya!" Inuyasha beamed at his girlfriend, disentangling himself away from Kagome, and eagerly welcoming her into his arms.
The display of affection further decreased Kagome's self esteem.
"Kagome, this is Kaguya." Inuyasha motioned for Kagome to come closer, and she obeyed. "Kaguya, this is Kagome." His hand rested on the small of Kaguya's back.
They made a beautiful couple.
Another blow to Kagome's self esteem.
"Hello, Kagome. Inuyasha tells me that you're his bestfriend. It's so nice to finally meet you!" Kaguya directed a dazzling smile towards her. Yet, beneath her saccharine tone and her pretty smiles, she gloated smugly at the girl's not-so-obvious distress. She was a pro at reading people, and this Kagome girl was an easy book to read.
"Uh, nice to finally meet you too!" Kagome's tone lamely endeavored to imitate genuine exuberance, but failed miserably.
Still, Inuyasha remained completely oblivious.
"This is great, my two best girls finally get to meet!" He leaned in to place a chaste kiss against Kaguya's cheek before turning back to flash Kagome a signature smirk.
Feigning joy, Kagome grinned in return, as she stood awkwardly rubbing her arm. Kaguya was everything Inuyasha said she was. Flawless from head to toe and basking in effortless beauty.
Yes, she felt very, very small right now.
Kaguya eyed the girl from head to toe, discerning the hidden emotions from her posture and the tense smile she displayed. Clearly, the little girl was as insecure as ever. And with how fabulous she looked in her coral pink dress, the Kagome chick had good reasons to feel insecure. Resisting the strong urge to roll her eyes and scoff, she laid her head on Inuyasha's shoulder. This 'Kagome' wasn't even a worthy opponent, it was almost disappointing.
Kaguya twined her arms around her boyfriend's neck. "Inuyasha? Would you mind grabbing me a drink?"
Of course, he shook his head and happily obliged to her request. It was another reason she liked younger men, they were easily trained.
Once Inuyasha disappeared from view, Kaguya whirled around to face Kagome. "Isn't he a sweetheart?"
Kagome was struck by the woman's beauty again. How could she – an inexperienced highschool girl – ever compare to a woman as alluring as Kaguya? Kagome strained a smile on her face, answering politely, "Yes, he is."
Kagome's uneasiness was so blatant to Kaguya, it was rather pitiful. Sauntering towards Kagome, Kaguya sat across from her, crossing her legs demurely in the process. "He's such a good boyfriend, he showers me with gifts and he never fails to express how highly he thinks of me." She sighed in her musings. "And he's amazing in bed." She finished off with a jaunty wink and an airy giggle.
Her words were acid, driving the knife even deeper into Kagome's chest. Ouch. "Yeah, he really cares about you." Saying the words pained her even more.
"Hey! How are my favorite girls doing?" Inuyasha's chipper voice reentered the scene, taking a seat beside Kaguya as he handed her a drink.
Kaguya thanked him with a press of her lips against his, before accepting the drink. "We're doing fine Inuyasha. Aren't we, Kagome?"
Hearing her name said by Kaguya sounded foreign to Kagome. If she didn't know any better, she could have sworn that Kaguya's tone was almost condescending. "Yeah, just fine."
"Inuyasha, how 'bout we go and dance?" Kaguya suggested as she bestowed his lips with another kiss.
"Sure babe." Inuyasha took her by the hand, and they booth stood simultaneously. "We'll just be gone for a bit, kay Kags?"
Kagome could only nod before the couple turned away from her and meandered towards the dance floor. Her heart sunk even further as she collided once again with the image of the couple's perfection.
Apparently, she was easy to forget, because it had already been an hour since Inuyasha left to dance with Kaguya. Lonely, she was so lonely right now. Sure, there were several guys that tried to hit on her, but she just wasn't in the mood for any dancing. All she wanted to do was to go home and forget all about being abandoned, because that was exactly how she felt.
Abandoned.
But, did she really have any right to feel that way? It wasn't like Inuyasha was obligated to keep her company, it wasn't like he had to babysit her. She was fully capable of taking care of herself, and he had a girlfriend to tend to.
"Kags!" Sango panted, trying to catch her breath with her skin flushed prettily. She had been having the time of her life with Miroku. After he caught up to her, he kissed her thoroughly, apologized profusely – again – and they then spent their time dancing the night away. This time, without his wandering eyes or his shameless flirting with other women. It made her feel like there was a real chance in making whatever they had into a real relationship.
"Oh, hey, Sango. Having fun?" The corners of Kagome's lips lifted slightly. She was happy for Sango, atleast one of them was getting the guy.
"Hell yeah!" Sango answered merrily, before she grew silent as she looked around. "Where's Inuyasha?"
Just hearing his name made her stomach drop. "He's with Kaguya."
Instantly, Sango's smile melted, and her lips descended into a frown. Kagome went from looking positively radiant to … absolutely dejected. "Kags- " Sango started only to be cut off by Kagome.
"Don't Sango. It's fine, really. I'm fine, okay? Don't worry about me."
Sango sighed deeply, "Why don't you go out there and dance? Have some fun."
"I'm tired, I'm fine sitting here."
Sango was still skeptical. "Do you want me to stay here with you?"
No, Kagome wanted to scream. She was – she was fine. Maybe, maybe if she kept telling herself that, she'd actually believe it. "You have fun Sango, I really am alright here. Look, Miroku's over there being a bad boy already! You should know better than to leave him alone, he needs your reprimands 24/7!" Kagome joked halfheartedly.
Sango was already standing at the sight of Miroku flirting with the same busty girl, she first caught him dancing with. Nevertheless, she couldn't possibly leave Kagome when she was obviously hurting.
"Seriously Sango, I'm a-okay! If it'll make you feel any better, I'll go do some shameless flirting myself, alright?"
Worrying her bottom lip, Sango yanked Kagome up to her feet. "That hot bartender's been ogling you all night, promise me that you'll go over there and then I'll leave you alone like you want."
"I promise Sango, now go tame your man!"
With one crowning smile and a wag of her finger towards Kagome, Sango finally stalked over to Miroku; ready to do some serious scolding.
As promised, Kagome strolled over to the bar to have "fun". Truthfully, she could care less about shameless flirting right now. All she wanted to do was go home and sulk in self pity.
Once seated, Kagome regarded the bartender with a smile. He was cute, but if he was a bartender at a club, he was evidently too old for her.
And he wasn't Inuyasha.
Just as the bartender began ambling over to her, a familiar voice called out her name.
"Kagome!"
She crinkled her brows in confusion. "Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha grinned, slinging an arm around her. "Hey, Kags. Ya havin' a good time?"
"Definitely." Not.
"Good, good." Inuyasha continued smiling widely, taking the stool next to her and making himself comfortable.
She couldn't help but ask, "where's Kaguya?"
"Bathroom." He threw a signal at the bartender, requesting a drink, before returning his attention back to Kagome. "So, how do you like her?"
"She seems … nice." Honestly, she couldn't think of anything else to say. What was she suppose to say? That she was having one hell of a time trying to subdue her intermingling envy and spite for the woman? That she wished she was as beautiful, as graceful, and as elegant? That – that she wished that he was hers instead of Kaguya's?
"Yeah, she really is something, ain't she?"
Oh – fantastic, now he was gonna go on and on about his perfect little Kaguya again. Just what she needed.
A cough interrupted the forthcoming praises Inuyasha was undoubtedly going to start spewing out. It was the bartender.
Kagome's couldn't help but blush at his lingering gaze on her. His eyes were the most enigmatic shade of indigo, and his somber hair was pulled away from his face in a loose braid. For some reason, instead of the hairstyle making him appear feminine, it only gave him a rugged appeal.
"Your drinks." His voice was deep, and down right erotic in its roughness.
"Uh, I didn't order a drink." Kagome peeped, her cheeks still enameled with pink.
The bartender winked guilelessly, a suave smirk on his face. "On the house babe." His eyes glimmered with flagrant flirtation.
This didn't remain unnoticed by Inuyasha. His ambers narrowed at the scene, a low growl ripping its way from his throat in displeasure.
Kagome jumped bit, startled at the growl and at her body suddenly being snatched away. She glimpsed down at the arms folded around her waist before peering up at Inuyasha's glowering face. "Inuyasha?" She was accustomed to his candid jealousy, and while it usually made her angry; she momentarily welcomed the – hypocritical – jealousy. Since Kaguya's arrival, she'd been ignored and basically forgotten, so being in his arms right now just felt good.
"Thanks." Inuyasha replied to the bartender on behalf of Kagome, his arms still sheathed over her petite frame, and the tone of his voice warning.
The bartender's eyes twinkled in amusement. The girl in the little black dress had caught his attention the very second she stepped foot in the club, and – though it was unlike him – he found himself observing her from his station at the bar. There was just something about her, something about how delectable she looked in that tight black number. Yet, aside from her being a hot piece of ass, she looked … delicate. Delicate wasn't apart of his usual vocabulary either, but it was the most accurate word to convey his thoughts.
And while he inspected her from afar, he knew for a fact that the irritable little puppy throwing a mini tantrum at the moment and holding her, had a girl of his own.
The bartender snickered with a small shake of his head. "Name's Bankotsu, by the way," was all he said – clearly directed to Kagome – before returning to working on concocting drinks for customers.
Inuyasha was pissed. The little fucker had some nerve. He hated it when guys hit on Kagome, none of the slimy motherfuckers deserved her, and none of them even had a chance. Especially not some stupid bartender.
"Inuyasha?"
His growling ceased abruptly as he stared down at the girl in his arms. His lips quirked into a slight smile, as he lifted and positioned her properly in her seat again. "You okay?"
She nodded, undeniably flattered at both Inuyasha and the bartender's attention. "I'm fine, you loser. I can't believe you did that!" She chortled, smacking his arm lightly. "Idiot."
Inuyasha took a sip from his drink to cool down before leaning towards her to drop a sweet kiss on her temple. "You're mine, I gotta protect you from these fuckers."
You're mine. Was she really his? Kagome contemplated. Yes, she concluded. No matter how many times she tried to deny it, she was indubitably his.
But – but he wasn't hers.
He was her first in everything, and there was no one else that got as far as he did with her. Hell, she'd never even kissed anyone else besides him. Although, if she did ever kiss anyone else, he would – without a doubt – beat the fuck out of the guy that had enough gall to even touch her intimately.
What a hypocrite.
"Inuyasha!" Kaguya strutted towards him, taking his hand in hers. "Come on! I'm ready for more dancing!" She laughed and Kagome found herself – again – envious of another characteristic of hers. Even Kaguya's laugh was entrancing.
"Alright, alright. Whatever you want." Inuyasha chuckled, stepping away from Kagome with a wave, and allowing Kaguya to escort him towards the dance floor once again.
Glumly, Kagome glanced down at her lap and fiddled with her thumbs. She was hoping to be with him a little longer. Barely, 10 minutes passed before Kaguya just had to whisk him away, before he abandoned her again.
"I see the bitter little puppy's gone."
Kagome looked up in surprise. It was the bartender – what was his name again? "Bankotsu!" She suddenly exclaimed, pleased at herself for recalling his name.
"That's right babe, that's my name." Bankotsu's eyes shone with delight as he watched her cheeks tinge. How … cute.
"Err.." Kagome coughed, embarrassed beyond belief. "You see, I.. uh – remembered your name and well yeah. Oh! Not trying to say that you're name's not important enough to remember the fir-"
"It's fine, really." Bankotsu interrupted, entertained with her adorable babbling.
Kagome's skin only warmed even further. Why did she always make a fool of herself? "Sorry."
"No need to apologize," he winked. "It was cute."
Cute? The pink on her cheeks began darkening to red . "Th- thanks." She stuttered, still feeling like a fool.
Bankotsu inclined his upper body towards her, his arms sitting on top of the marble counter. "You're welcome Miss...?"
"Kagome." She finished off for him, her embarrassment gradually fading away. "My name's Kagome."
"Kagome, eh? It suits you."
She just smiled.
"Well, Ms. Kagome, would you allow me the pleasure of keeping you company for the rest of your time here?"
He was clearly flirting with her again, but this time, there was no jealous Inuyasha to 'protect' her and claim her as his.
Because he was with Kaguya. His girlfriend.
It made her feel … cold and insignificant.
Even with a handsome guy plainly interested in her, because - because he just wasn't Inuyasha.
A/N: I think this is my longest chapter for this story. It was about 10 pages and nearly 4,000 words (not counting this little note). I was going to split this chapter in half, but I figured since it took me awhile to update that I might as well post up a decently long chapter. It took me forever to finish this chapter, I spent the majority of my day just typing away at it.
So, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, even if Kagome was suffering. She wont be suffering for too long, just a few more chapters, and the roles will be switching. I'm so excited! LOL. I can't wait to make Inuyasha suffer.
Anyway, please do tell me what you thought of this chapter, and suggestions/critiques are always welcome. (: