Taste Of Love
Kagome ran away from her demanding family and found herself right in the arms of Takahashi Inuyasha. Caught up in his world, it's getting hard for her to leave, for she has had her first taste of love.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Rights are reserved fully to Rumiko Takahashi. This plot too isn't as original, so to those who have attempted before I have, they have full rights to this plot too. Anything else that is mentioned that isn't a figment of my imagination, I also disclaim.
Age Brackets: Kagome – 20, Sango – 22, Miroku – 25, Inuyasha – 26
-x-
Enter Friends of the Family
Miroku and Sango decided to leave the party early that night, since they had Kagome at home, who, in their opinion, needed them more than Inuyasha's part did. They were there for the toast and the introduction to the new hospital and a few hours after that, around ten pm, the Lin couple decided to leave.
Inuyasha, however, stopped them at the door.
"Who was your friend?" He asked, casually enough to not hint at anything. Lucky for him, Sango and Miroku had taken it for a casual question.
"Higurashi Kagome," Miroku replied, "we all kind of grew up together. Sango and Kagome knew each other since they were born or something like that."
Sango nodded. "Yeah- she's just a close friend to us. Now really Inuyasha," Sango pleaded, "we have to go… we have people coming over tomorrow."
It was a Friday and the following day was a Saturday. From the previous week, Sango and Miroku had invited a few friends for a get together to plan out their summer. Every year, the Lin's and their family friends went on outings every summer with their children and friends. This time around, Kagome would be with them, making it that much more fun.
Miroku, Sango and Ai Lin were normally accompanied by Kouga, Ayame and daughter Hikari Lang. The Lang family had a daughter that was exactly two months younger than Ai. Currently, Ai was five, with her birthday being July 17th and Hikari was 5, her birthday being September 14th.
Usually coming with the two families on their outings were Yuka and Hayabusa Falcon, along with their 3 year old son Ichiro and 2 year old daughter Kasumi, as well as Eri and Hojo Asuki with their four year old son, Kyo.
And along with them, Ayumi Saitou and her fiancé, Daichi Fujii usually tag along, just for the fun of it.
Anyways, Sango and Miroku had called a gathering the next day (being the Saturday) to plan out their summer activity for that year. The last year they had gone to Hawaii and had decided that that was something they'd never attempt any more. Hikari had sugarcane and had gotten sick. Seeing Hikari get sick, Kyo and Ai didn't want to be near her and because Kyo and Ai didn't want to get close to a sick Hikari, Kasumi and Ichiro didn't want to go near her either.
And it was hell afterwards. Kouga and Ayame had to stay with their daughter and nobody managed to have fun.
So the only restriction this time around was that the trip should only be planned within the parameters of China.
"A lot of people?" Inuyasha asked, out of curiosity.
Miroku nodded "Yeah, a lot- like… two families with their kids."
Inuyasha nodded. "I see," he simply moved out of their way as Sango and Miroku left.
Just as Inuyasha turned around, a tall pale woman wearing a butter coloured mini skirt and a white tube top launched at him. He, on instinct, caught her and frowned.
"That is not the attire you wear at my party, Kikyo." He said in a harsh tone. "I suggest if you want to be around people of this society, you forget your profession while you're around. We're of high class."
Kikyo Hiromi, a rather tall, not as tall as Inuyasha, woman with chopped and high lighted hair, pouted, not as seductive as Inuyasha hoped it would, a rather disturbing and repelling pout.
"But Inu-baby…"
"No," Inuyasha seemed annoyed, "who invited you anyways?"
Kikyo gasped, "Can I not come to my baby's party? Besides…" She ran her hands up his chest, "You want me tonight."
Inuyasha frowned and shoved past her. He had no idea why he was dating her…
Perhaps yesterday he could've answered his own question- but after seeing Sango's friend… he had no idea.
No idea why he was dating Kikyo…
No idea why he wasn't dating Kagome…
-x-
Sango and Miroku walked into their quaint, yet mansion-like house to find their daughter and best friend cuddled up on the sofa, fast asleep. Sango giggled softly as she crept over and pried Ai out of Kagome's arms. Kagome shifted a bit before reaching out for a pillow and snuggled with it instead, since she had lost the warmth of Ai.
Sango nodded at Miroku as she slowly walked up the stairs. Miroku, unlike in high school, knew when it was appropriate to caresses a woman. Neither of the Lin's had the heart to wake up their friend, so instead, Miroku picked up Kagome bridal style and slowly walked upstairs to her room.
He passed his daughter's bedroom and smiled, seeing his wife tuck their daughter in. He crept into his friend's room and placed her on the bed before going to shut the balcony doors.
As Miroku turned around, he saw that his wife had already pulled the comforters over Kagome who seemed to be in content. Miroku walked over and wrapped his arm around Sango's waist.
"I'm happy she stood up for her rights," She whispered as she leaned her head on her husband's shoulder.
"Same here." Miroku nodded. "She needs to realize what love means before tying herself down. I'd be more happy with the fact that she actually experienced love. At least then, if she chooses to arrange marriage or something, she wouldn't miss out."
Sango smiled softly. "True- but I'd rather she marry the man she had her first taste of love with. At least with him, she'd be in love and happy."
Miroku chuckled as he led his wife out of their friend's room.
"Ex-model Higurashi Kagome, aka Miko, is sleeping in the house of a doctor, a previous lawyer and a very excited five year old and she seems much happier than she has ever been with her actual family- save Souta."
Sango smiled as she zipped her dress down. They had already reached their bedroom and Sango had started changing.
"Money can't buy happiness." She whispered.
"We're just as famous and rich as her family yet we're happy." Miroku pointed out.
"We don't let our fame and fortune get to our head, now get to bed," Sango scolded, "we have a lot of company in the morning."
Miroku had changed into his cotton pajama pants and remained shirtless as he got into his bed. Sango wore a silk white nightgown and leapt in next to her husband, placing feather light kisses on his cheek.
"I love you," She grinned and he smirked, wrapping his arm around her waist.
"Want me to show how much I love you?" He grinned suggestively as Sango raised a brow.
"How about," she got up and straddled him, "I show you."
Miroku's cheeks shot red as he gained his composure by giving his manliest smirk. "That, I want to see…"
-x-
Kagome shot awake as she felt somebody jump onto her stomach. She groaned as she stared at her goddaughter sitting on her stomach, her hair in cute pigtails, as she wore jean shorts and a pale blue top that had a flower on the short sleeves. Ai had her pink socks on as she poked her godmother.
"What's wrong, Ai?" Kagome groaned.
"Mommy said to wake you up because we have guests coming and she said get dressed pretty because a lot of people are coming!"
Kagome sighed as she rolled over to her back and yawned.
"Tell your mommy to give your mama five more minutes."
"Mommy says," came Sango's voice, "mama has to wake up now. My guests are arriving in an hour and you slept in!"
Kagome raised a hand and let it drop.
"What time is it?"
"1 pm." Sango muttered dryly as Kagome's eyes shot wide open.
"WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!??!" Kagome shrieked as she sat up, blinking back the sleep in her eyes. Sango merely giggled as she jerked a thumb to the digital clock on Kagome's nightstand.
The young girl frowned before hurling a pillow at her best friend who laughed and ran out of the room, her daughter following her.
Stupid Sango! It's only 10am! Kagome thought, planning revenge on her friend for scaring her so. No doubt company was coming though, Ai was dressed up, Sango was wearing a long white skirt and a pale yellow shirt, and Sango never dressed like that unless company was due.
So Kagome washed up, took a shower and blew-dried her hair before pulling on a pair of black Capri's and an aqua-blue top that had sleeves that ran off her shoulder and flared down to her waist, the top hugging her curves. At the end, the top was ruffled with strings coming out from either end of the top, to adjust the ruffles.
She slipped on her white socks and slowly walked downstairs, surprised to find some of the company already there.
"Morning, sleepy head," Miroku greeted and Kagome smiled at him before making it to the main floor and sitting on the sofa between Sango and Ai. Sango handed her a bowl of cherries and Kagome gorged into it while Miroku kept on talking.
"Ayumi, Daichi, this is our close friend, Higurashi Kagome, Kagome, Saitou Ayumi and her fiancé Fujii Daichi."
Kagome smiled and greeted them, already liking them for their friendly nature. Ayumi had shoulder length curly hair and friendly brown eyes. Her fiancé, Daichi, had deep brown hair that was spiked with hazel contacts on.
"Dai is into business and works in Inuyasha's league of corporations and Ayumi is a wedding planner." Sango introduced and Kagome giggled.
"Wedding planner," Kagome mused, "nice field. Always wanted to try something like that."
Ayumi tilted her head, "Really? What are you into?"
Miroku coughed and Kagome had a weird look on her face, causing Sango to stutter.
"She's uh…" Sango looked at Ai and quickly thought of something, "She just moved here from Japan but she's trying to get into the educational trainers line. You know? Teacher, tutor, admin- something like that."
Kagome glanced at Sango before back at Ayumi. "Yes. I'm trying to get in with little children, hopefully pre-school or kindergartners, like Ai's age bracket."
Ayumi smiled. "That's a cute field."
Kagome laughed. "Yes it is, but it's nothing compared to you famous and rich folks. Doctor, lawyer, business-men and wedding planner, you guys are known and way up there."
Daichi chuckled. "Yes, I admit that people in France knows our names but it's nothing compared to the Film industry," Kagome winced and that didn't go unnoticed by her two friends, Miroku and Sango, "they're famous but hardly what you want to call sophisticatedly rich."
"Meaning?" Kagome tilted her heat, trying to keep her self to a minimum, the fact that she was the daughter of Akira Higurashi to a bare minimum.
"We," Daichi pointed around them, "have money, status, class and above all, power. We can control the media to bend to our whim. That is the plus of business and knowing those who run the business industry. Film, however, have to adapt to how the media portrays them."
"Deep," Kagome laughed as the doorbell rang. Miroku stood up and went to open the door, revealing the Lang family.
"Miroku!" Ayame hugged Miroku, her read hair tied back into a ponytail. She glanced over Miroku's shoulder and face faulted.
"KAGOME!" She squealed as she ran past Miroku and went to hug Kagome.
Ayumi was 23 years old and Daichi was 24. Ayame was 25 years old, Miroku's age, but she too had grown up with Sango, Kagome and Miroku, as well as her husband, Kouga. Kouga was 26.
Ayame didn't know why Kagome was here, but she, like Sango, knew all about Kagome's life and her wants, opposed to her family.
"Ayame!" Kagome's eyes widened as she hugged her friend tightly. Ayame panted as she squeezed Kagome tightly.
"What're you doing here?"
Kagome sighed. "Long story, tell you later. Where are Kouga and Hikari?"
"Right here," Kouga grinned as he walked inside with Hikari in his arms.
"KARI!" Ai squealed as she ran to her friend to wiggled out of her fathers grip. Without a word, the two ran upstairs, obviously headed to Ai's bedroom.
"How've you been?" Kouga asked his friend as he hugged Kagome.
Kagome smiled. "Could be better…"
Just as Kouga and Miroku sat down, the door bell rang again and Sango grinned. "Last guests are here!"
This time, Sango got up to open the door and in rushed Yuka (24 years), Hayabusa (25 years), their two children, Ichiro and Kasumi as well as Hojo Asuki (26) and his wife, Eri Asuki (25) and their son, Kyo.
Kagome's eyes bulged. "Wow- there's a lot of people in here."
Sango waved her hand, "Our place is big enough," She grinned at the three kids, "you three can go to Ai's room." And almost instantly the kids rushed upstairs. Sango and Kagome scooted over so that Ayame took a seat beside them. Kouga and Miroku sat on two separate chairs and Hayabusa and Hojo sat on the floor in front of their wives, who had taken two beanie-bag chairs that had been brought out, for the fun of it. So many chairs made the room look ugly, in Sango's opinion.
"Kagome," Sango introduced, "this is Falcon Hayabusa and wife, Yuka and Asuki Hojo and wife Eri. Guys, this is my best friend, Higurashi Kagome."
After everybody became acquainted with each other, the real discussion started.
"Ok," Sango said, "school ends in two weeks and, like every year, we need a summer activity. No Hawaii, don't want Hikari getting sick. No amusement park because I want to get away for a long time and- yeah, that's it."
Everybody laughed and Kagome sucked on her pinky, observing the group of friends.
"How about we go to the beach?" Hojo raised a brow, his light brown hair shading his eyes.
Ayumi shook her head. "No, I don't want Kasumi and Ichiro near water."
Everybody nodded in agreement. In this group of friends, all the adults looked out for their friends kids and vice-versa.
"Camping?" Kagome suggested and Hayabusa grinned.
"Hey not a bad idea," he winked at Kagome who giggled, winking at him back. They were great people, Kagome thought, easy to get along with, rich, yes, snobby, not really.
Kouga was a software designer, he built computer software and his company was sponsored by Takahashi Inuyasha, making them well acquainted. Hojo and Hayabusa owned a partnership. They held a chain of fast-food restaurants that had gotten big and went worldwide. Their restaurants were also sponsored by Takahashi Inuyasha.
"No forest settings," Ayame sighed, "Hikari is scared of bugs and creepy crawlies."
The adults laughed when Eri tapped her chin.
"How about we get to a summer home? Someplace big where we can all stay for a month. I mean, all of us have July off from work right?"
A collective murmur of agreement shot through the group as they liked Eri's idea. Kagome tilted her head and studied the group. "A big place- who here has a big summer home?"
Everybody thought for a second before Yuka snapped her fingers. "Inuyasha!" She said.
"Inuyasha?" The gang repeated.
"Yeah," She nodded, "listen, he knows a majority of us here, and he works with most of our husbands. If we drop by at his summer home randomly first day of summer, we'll ambush him and take over his summer home. Besides, he's tight with Hayabusa, Hojo, Miroku, Daichi and Kouga- and that accounts for all the men in this room at this moment."
Everybody laughed and Kagome leaned back in her seat.
"A month at Takahashi Inuyasha's house?" She raised a brow.
"Couldn't have thought of a better idea," Sango squealed, "alright! Settled. Summer plan is at Takahashi summer home."
"Shouldn't we ask him?" Miroku asked his wife.
"Then he'd say no." Ayumi murmured, "Might as well drop in by surprise so he can't so no. Oh what's the worst he can do?"
"Fire me?" Hayabusa muttered dryly and short laughter sparked through them before Sango stood up.
"It's settled, two weeks from now," Yuka grinned, "we ambush Inuyasha's place."
"As of now," Ayame pulled out a bag from behind her, "we eat fooood."
Kagome smiled, admiring all these people, they knew how to have fun that didn't involve media scandals. Perhaps along with all these new friends, she thought, I can somehow- experience what they all have an I don't…
She stared longingly at them, yet shook it off when Yuka dragged her to the theater room. "Let's go Kagome!"
Kagome laughed as she latched her arm with Yuka and Ayumi and walked right into Sango and Miroku's theater room.
Maybe I can experience love?
-x-