Lead Me Down the Garden Path
Reunited
If he was being honest with himself, Inuyasha felt moved by the scene before him of Kagome being reunited with her brother. However, his stubbornness got the better of him and he refused to let his gladness show.
He couldn't get over that Kagome had been telling him off, not even two hours ago, for something entirely outside of his control…She had no idea what he had been through or how much stress he was under.
The most frustrating thing? He didn't see this coming; he would not have thought the situation would escalate this far beyond Inuyasha's control.
Releasing a frustrated breath of air, Inuyasha turned his strained eyes towards Kagome's back as she walked ahead of him, her kid brother beside her.
He couldn't believe he was in this situation…again. However, as he frowned, his eyes were still on Kagome while his mind occupied with the events of the last two days. He couldn't help but feel that the current state felt more serious than last time. Despite the blatant danger he was in, this time he had something—someone—he needed to prioritize, to protect.
Inuyasha pouted and crossed his arms. He wanted Kagome to know he was pissed at her for snapping at him when it really wasn't his fault. However, he also had no idea how to explain where he had been for the last two days. He felt at an impasse; how the hell could he fix this?
Whether to his benefit or not, since he felt so clueless as to what to say to her, Kagome seemed too distracted by her little brother to pay any attention to Inuyasha. The whelp had been around for almost three hours already; Inuyasha would have thought Kagome would be ready to pay her attention back to Inuyasha now.
But, that wasn't case—it was Souta this, and Souta that.
Inuyasha grumbled.
Fine, he mentally spat sarcastically. She could ignore him all she wanted. She could temporarily pretend that there wasn't any weirdness between them and procrastinate with her brother. However, Inuyasha very much planned on continuing that conversation or argument or whatever it was the two of them had been having before they were so rudely interrupted. It was only a matter of time before he could get her all to himself…
Inuyasha yawned loudly, hoping to demonstrate his boredom with following the troupe around his house. He didn't know why Miroku so willingly offered to give the kid a tour of Inuyasha's house. Inuyasha didn't even know why he was following the group; he didn't care at all. However, seeing how happy Kagome was in the presence of her little brother, Inuyasha rolled his eyes and grumblingly followed along. So long as Kagome was happy…
Slinking along, Inuyasha intentionally tuned out and muted Miroku's explanations and descriptions of rooms and objects. The only times Inuyasha paid any attention were when the gang bypassed rooms that were strictly off-limits to visitors. Inuyasha wanted to ensure those rooms stayed off-limits.
When they were browsing rooms that weren't off-limits, Inuyasha tried to keep his mind off harbouring on a certain female. He did this by reflecting on Souta's first few hours at the house.
He couldn't help but smirk cunningly at how Inuyasha-oriented those hours had been. He knew it wasn't a popularity contest between himself and Kagome—despite the fact that he was totally winning. Admittedly, he felt a little badly gloating about being more pressing to the kid than his own sister is, especially when Kagome had gone months without seeing her family. Regardless, Inuyasha couldn't help sneering triumphantly. His pride liked feeling important.
With Inuyasha being the only thing on Souta Higurashi's mind, poor Kagome couldn't change the topic of conversation onto subjects she wanted when Souta was in the presence of his greatest idol—Inuyasha Taisho.
"Which one is Inuyasha's room? I hear he owns a signed copy of every album that's ever gone platinum ever."
Inuyasha smiled deviously. Oh, I do, kid…
Miroku laughed and responded that Souta still had another floor to go before he could sneak a peek at his hero's private abode. Souta grumbled only to three seconds later whistle about the size or shape or quality or coolness of another piece of décor on which his eyes feasted.
Inuyasha shook his head disapprovingly, about to tell Miroku off for encouraging the kid; however, hearing Kagome giggle while reminding Souta about his manners caused Inuyasha to clench his jaw. He may still have been pissed with Kagome's outburst at him; however, he didn't need to go and ruin her fun right now. Hearing her giggles bounce and echo down the hallway, Inuyasha felt his shoulders lighten.
He hated that her laugh made him feel at ease. He was supposed to be mad at her.
Nevermind, he thought. He'd let her have a few more minutes before he made them revisit that conversation about her attitude towards him. It was just a matter of time before he developed the nerve to instigate that conversation…
"No way!" Souta suddenly shouted, coming to a halt to admire a framed broken drumstick. "This can't possibly be the drumstick from that one show where Kyokotsu played his kit while being lowered from a helicopter—"
"—While Inuyasha made a star appearance on set to tag-team the drum solo?" Miroku concluded with a toothy smirk, sharing in Souta's excitement. "The one and only!"
"Dayummmm," Souta chortled dramatically, shaking his head. "Kagome!" he called, turning enthused eyes over his shoulder to find his sister's gaze. "Do you realize that Kyokotsu broke his stick from the crew dropping him and his kit too soon? He didn't even miss a beat! It was the coolest thing I've ever seen. It has to be the greatest tag-teamed drum solo in the history of music. I can't believe you'd keep such a cool memento!"
Inuyasha exhaled with a lip-vibrating pffft and an eye roll to which Kagome elbowed him in the side to silence him. Her baby brother was enjoying himself and she didn't want Inuyasha to ruin it.
Inuyasha childishly sneered at Kagome for forcefully silencing him. He opened his mouth with a sneaky twinkle in his eye; he planned to share with Souta that the stunt was actually all planned. However, Miroku ruined Inuyasha's fun by clearing his throat and knowingly shaking his head 'no'. When Inuyasha swore under his breath, Miroku nodded contently and ushered Souta along for the rest of the tour.
"You're falling behind, Inuyasha," Kagome called over her shoulder.
Inuyasha groaned and dawdled behind. His tone was not lost on Kagome.
"You know," Kagome whispered with furrowed brows, slowing her pace to walk alongside him, "you could be nicer to my brother. He clearly idolizes you."
Inuyasha directed his head away from Kagome's judging gaze. Turning his eyes from her, Inuyasha tried not to allow his sights to linger on Kagome's yoga pants, appreciating how well they fit her form. Now was not the time to be doting on how much the sight of her was turning him on.
Had it really been two days since they had been in her bed together?
"I didn't ask to be idolized," he barked hotly, his cheeks reddening. "The kid's a clinger," Inuyasha concluded, tongue-in-cheek; he was trying to feign ignorance and lack of interest.
Kagome rolled her eyes at him. "Be nice," she stressed, emphasizing each word and pointing an accusatory finger at him.
"I'm always nice!" he argued loudly as Kagome simultaneously groaned, rolled her eyes and left Inuyasha walking by himself in order to catch up to her brother.
Inuyasha scoffed indignantly.
Was she serious? It wasn't like this was Inuyasha's first time being in the presence of a fan; he knew what it felt like to be looked up to and admired.
As Inuyasha continued to follow behind Kagome, Souta, and Miroku, his brow felt tight with all the thoughts muddled in his head. He was glad that Kagome was repairing her strained relationship with her family; however, the kid—who basically barged his way into Inuyasha's house—really was an annoying, clingy little fucker. Inuyasha needed to get Kagome alone to finish their conversation.
He couldn't talk to her when her brother was attached to her hip.
Hearing Souta cry out about the coolness of meeting one of Inuyasha's housekeepers, Inuyasha exhaled heavily through his nostrils, trying to stay his temper. This kid was driving him crazy with his over-the-top behaviour, regardless of Kagome's asides that Souta was simply overwhelmed at meeting his childhood hero.
Sure, Inuyasha felt that initial spike in self-confidence and pride any time he was accosted by admiration; however, this Souta-kid was persistent. First, he wanted Inuyasha's life story, then he wanted a tour of Inuyasha's house—snoopy little brat. Ever since the kid paged the house and Hitomi forced the call on Miroku, Inuyasha wasn't in the mood to deal with this; he didn't want to entertain company. He wanted to take Kagome aside and finish their conversation. Sure, he hadn't been there for two days, but why was she so upset with him? Did she think he had been intentionally staying away from her?
He didn't like knowing things weren't right between them.
Meanwhile, there was also the problem that Inuyasha still didn't know how to explain to her just exactly where he had been the past two days…
With all these thoughts in his head, he was just glad that Miroku, moved to seeing Kagome reunited with her sibling, took the lead in providing Souta with the tour. At least the kid was being entertained and not directly by Inuyasha.
Reflecting on Souta's first appearance at the front door, Inuyasha sneered and crossed his arms as he walked.
Despite the kid's—this Souta's—claims that he was here to see his sister and intervene in his older sibling's childish behaviour, he wouldn't stop obsessing over Inuyasha. He had seemed like a nice kid—could definitely tell he was related to Kagome—but Inuyasha just wasn't in the mood. From Souta's toothy grin when Miroku first opened the door, Inuyasha didn't want any of it. But, he realized, this was a big deal to Kagome. So, he kept his mouth shut, despite his desire not to.
The problem was that the time Souta spent obsessing over Inuyasha was time Souta wasn't spending with Kagome, preventing Kagome from getting her closure.
And if Kagome couldn't get her 'family closure', Inuyasha couldn't get his 'Kagome closure'.
Seeing Kagome laugh and embrace her brother in a hug, Inuyasha growled low in his throat. He didn't want to share her with this Souta-kid. He wanted her for himself. He hadn't seen her for two days. He wanted to talk to her. He wanted to continue where they had left off in her bedroom those two days ago…
From the moment that Souta stepped across the threshold, his eyes deviated from his sister to his surroundings. And with the sudden dawning that Kagome was in Inuyasha's house, Souta's mind couldn't get over that this was Inuyasha's house. Souta's eyes had bulged and his smirk increased, and he had flocked to Inuyasha like his sister was old news.
Inuyasha rolled his eyes in memory of all those annoying questions…
Souta gave Inuyasha more attention than some of the teenage fan-girls Inuyasha had met during the peak of his career.
3 hours earlier
"No way," Souta had squealed with clenched fists when Miroku opened the door to him. "I can't believe this is real. Kagome!" he cried when his eyes finally found his sister behind Miroku's frame. "Oh my god, Sis. I can't believe you're actually here."
"Souta!" Kagome screeched, running with open arms to embrace her brother. Miroku couldn't remove himself out of the way fast enough.
Kagome squeezed her brother tightly. She didn't care that her skin felt tight and tacky from her dried sweat. She didn't even care if she stunk from how hard she had pushed her body earlier—she was going to embrace her little brother until he couldn't breathe.
"Holy crap, Kagome. You're choking me," Souta gagged.
Kagome rested her face into her brother's shoulder, squeezing his midriff even tighter. "It's so good to see you," she whispered. Kagome felt tears well up in her eyes as she nuzzled further into the embrace. His clothes smelt like the laundry detergent their mother used at the shrine. The nostalgia caused the tears to cascade.
"Oh man, don't cry, Kagome," Souta replied, trying to hold his sister away from him slightly. "You're getting my shoulder wet."
Kagome laughed and pulled herself straight, wiping at her eyes with the palms of her hands. "Sorry, I'm just…this is just…what are you doing here? I can't believe you came all this way, Souta."
Souta just laughed, his messy brown hair bouncing across his forehead. "I was tired of hearing Mom and Gramps complain that you were never going to come around. Then you were being a pain in the ass and not returning any of my messages. I just figured someone in our family had to be the adult and say enough is enough." He sighed with an ear-to-ear grin. "Surprised?"
Kagome smiled, backing up into the front door to hold it open for her brother to enter the house. "Very," she beamed.
"Whoa," Souta droned in a whisper as Kagome ushered him into the house.
Souta's eyes roamed over every surface available to his sight. He couldn't take it all in fast enough. Kagome asked Souta another question but he didn't notice.
All those years of obsessing over The Band of Seven, over the Taisho Brothers, and now Souta was standing in Inuyaha Taisho's foyer.
"This place is…" Souta's tongue paused as he shook his head in response, words failing him. "Jesus, Kagome. I can't believe you—"
When Souta's eyes finally landed on Inuyasha, leaning against the stair rail with crossed arms, Souta had to command his body not to overreact. In his dark jeans and white t-shirt, Inuyasha looked like the definition of cool.
Be cool. Be cool, Souta chanted to himself. He felt like he had to will his lungs to breathe.
How long had he idolized Inuyasha? The man was a musical genius. He was the mastermind behind the band's success. He was a celebrity Midas; everything he touched turned to gold.
Just like the rest of the world, Souta had been introduced to Inuyasha when he performed as a backup dancer in a music video for singer, Midori. Midori was a sensation after the airing of that music video, and it was that music video that made Souta want to be just like Inuyasha. When Inuyasha modeled his brother's clothing line, Souta saved up every penny just to purchase the boxer briefs and collared shirt that Inuyasha wore in his iconic photoshoot. Inuyasha drove the coolest cars. He dated the sexiest women—except for Kagome, gross—and he transformed A Band of Thieves into The Band of Seven, the world-wide sensational band.
Inuyasha produced all the albums himself. Inuyasha composed the music and lyrics to every song The Band of Seven ever released. In Souta's eyes, Inuyasha was the band.
The answer was: Souta had always idolized Inuyasha Taisho, ever since Inuyasha debuted in Souta's life.
Growing up with only his sister, as a kid, Souta dreamed he could have Inuyasha as a brother. He loved to pretend that if he were to have an older brother, that brother would be just like Inuyasha. Inuyasha was the reason Souta bought his first set of dumb bells, the reason Souta bought an acoustic guitar. Inuyasha inspired Souta in how to dress. Inuyasha's attendance at every World Cup ignited Souta's obsession with soccer. To Souta, there was no one cooler, tougher, or manlier than Inuyasha.
And now, here he was: Inuyasha Taisho. Souta was in his house, in his presence.
Souta's mouth hung open. His round, wide eyes ceased from blinking and his brain felt like it froze.
"Holy shit, you're actually Inuyasha."
Inuyasha smirked, clearly pleased with the boy's reaction. "In the flesh, kid."
"Oh my god, it's true!" Souta laughed, running an incredulous hand through his hair. "Kagome, you really are living at Inuyasha's house…"
Kagome scoffed with an eye roll. "Obviously, Souta. You came here to find me, remember?"
"I know it's just…damn—" he trailed off again, his eyes turning to the ceiling. "Your house is so cool, Inuyasha. Damnit, I can't believe my sister gets to live here. Kagome doesn't even appreciate or realize how incredibly cool this is, how cool you are!"
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean!?" Kagome cried out indignantly at the same time Inuyasha absentmindedly replied, "Uh…thanks?"
Souta had completed a three-sixty in the foyer, his eyes soaking in his surroundings. Souta's mouth operated on autopilot, muttering his musings and amazements with no regard for the people around him.
"But seriously, Kagome has no idea just how cool you are," he continued to ramble. "I swear, the last time I watched the band's three-disc live album in New York, Kagome told me to turn that crap off. Can you believe it? My sister calling The Band of Seven's finest show crap, and now she's bunking down with the band's head honcho?"
"Souta!" Kagome shouted. Her cheeks reddened as she held her breath and clenched her fists at the inappropriate remark. Souta ignored her outburst.
Instead, Souta walked over to the foyer wall to inspect the picture frames that sat on a mahogany hallway table."Oh man, this is crazy cool. The band has really been here!?" He cried, holding up a picture taken of the band standing in front of Sengoku Manor. Souta gasped as he picked up another picture, unaware of Inuyasha's unimpressed growl and Kagome's apologies to him for her brother's behaviour. "Oh man, I recognize this picture from the two hour special that aired in 2012, after your dad passed away. Oh man, I can't believe I'm standing in Inuyasha Taisho's house. No one will believe me at school."
"Can you stop snooping through Inuyasha's stuff for two seconds, Souta?" Kagome cried, stomping over to her brother and forcefully removing the items from his hands. "You just got here; cool it!"
Souta's cheeks flushed and he nodded his head at his sister. "You're right. Sorry, Kagome. I got a little excited. I just never in my life imagined I would meet a real celebrity. Especially not Inuyasha. I mean—it's Inuyasha, Kagome…"
"I know it's Inuyasha," Kagome sighed with a smirk. She rested a comforting hand on her brother's shoulder.
Seeing how lit up her brother's face was, Kagome laughed through her nose and squeezed her brother's hand after a moment of silence passed between them.
"I know you're excited, Souta. It's okay." She sighed again, trying to suppress tears of joy that threatened to fall. "Gosh," she exhaled, "I feel like I haven't see you in ages, Souta. I'm really happy you decided to come here. Are Mama and Gramps—"
"—Would you believe I almost wasn't allowed in," Souta scoffed, interrupting his sister.
Shaking his head, he unzipped his brown hoodie to reveal the Mt. Hakurei album t-shirt he wore underneath. Shrugging his sweater off, he held it in front of his stomach, completely oblivious to the eyes that ravaged the shirt. Miroku laughed endearingly, instantly recognizing the band's album cover. Inuyasha swore for fuck's sake underneath his breath when his eyes captured the sensual image of Kikyo. Kagome didn't recognize the shirt at all, although she thought she could faintly remember that girl on it from somewhere.
"Some super cranky chick who answered my call kept telling me to leave or else she was going to call the cops," Souta continued, still unaware of the attention his shirt received. "I had to hold up my student ID to the video cam in order to prove who I was. That was when my call finally got forwarded to some Houshi guy." Miroku smiled and nodded his head at the shout-out.
"How did you find me here, Souta?"
Souta laughed loudly at his sister, shaking his head. "Same old dense, Kagome. Sis, you're only a celebrity because you're dating Inuyasha. You moving into Inuyasha's house made some serious news." Souta was oblivious to the cry Kagome shot out at her brother's accusation that she was dating Inuyasha. Souta seemed to have another thought take over his mind as his eyes couldn't help but roam the high ceilings once more.
"Oh my God, Kagome, tell me: have you met Sesshoumaru? Does he live here too? This place is massive! Who all lives here? Inuyasha, can I see your room? If you show me around, I promise I won't touch anything! Kagome, be honest with me, are you two really dating? Will Inuyasha Taisho become my brother-in-law? I—"
"Jesus Christ," Inuyasha barked, trying to ignore the warmth in his cheeks from Souta's comments about him and Kagome. "Kid, will you relax?" Inuyasha ordered. He was desperately trying to control his temper for Kagome's sake.
Turning his eyes to Kagome, Inuyasha couldn't deny the smirk that appeared upon noticing the blush on Kagome's face. Her eyes had met Inuyasha's for the briefest of seconds before she tore them away, likely too embarrassed to maintain that contact.
Inuyasha sighed, his eyes still on Kagome. He still didn't know what had prompted that outburst in Kagome just a few minutes ago on the patio. He hadn't been that obtuse to realize she was mad with him.
I'm calling you broody because that's all you do! You show up to save me from almost certain death and then you disappear God-knows-where to brood.
Recalling Kagome's heated words to him just moments ago, Inuyasha tuned out of Kagome and Souta's conversation to focus on his thoughts.
How was he supposed to tell her he hadn't been at the house these past few days? How was he supposed to tell her where he'd been or what he'd been doing? That idiot Director had told Inuyasha it was best to keep Kagome out of it; but Inuyasha knew that being away from her for those two days had badly—irreparably?—strained their relationship. He wanted to be honest with her, but he was worried about the consequences of letting her know the severity of the mess she was in. She deserved to know her life was in danger. He just needed to figure out how to tell her, and what details he should keep to himself.
But, he knew not telling her everything was just going to make her ask more questions. Questions that Inuyasha knew he wasn't prepared to answer.
How could he possibly tell her that for the last two days he had been flown out of the city to debrief a task force for Naichō, Japan's intelligence agency? That he had no choice, no say, and he had to go in payment to the federal agent who kept Inuyasha out of prison?
Inuyasha's stomach contorted itself in discomfort. Kagome was already too involved. He didn't want to drag her further down the rabbit's hole into the mess of his past life. He honestly thought he had been done with those federal bastards. Unfortunately, for him, the Director of Cabinet Intelligence wasn't ready to close the case on The Band of Seven. The Director was the reason the charges were dropped against Inuyasha for the murders of Ginkotsu, Mukotsu (which was blamed on Inuyasha even though Mukotsu's death was by Miroku's hand), and Suikotsu. And as a mandatory recompense for keeping Inuyasha out of jail, Inuyasha had to oblige the Director in his request for Inuyasha to participate in the debriefing. The actions of the band members had caused the Director and his task force to reopen the case.
One thing was clear, the Director had told Inuyasha, the oyabun was still at large.
The thought caused Inuyasha's gut to churn.
Sighing after realizing Kagome's kid brother still hadn't taken his eyes off of Inuyasha, Inuyasha's amber eyes tightened underneath furrowed, darkened eyebrows. He didn't like where his thoughts had taken him.
"Kagome," Inuyasha sighed, his tone softening as his eyes found Kagome's. "Why don't you take your brother out to the patio, and—"
"Can I see your room?" Souta begged again, his wide eyes beaming towards Inuyasha. "Do you have any instruments here that you can play for me? I heard rumours you have a recording studio in your house. Can I see it? Do you still know how to play 'The Tale of Banryū'? I tried to learn it on guitar but it's really difficult without a delay or wah-pedal. Can I take a picture with you? Kagome, I want to—"
"Alright, we're moving along, Souta," Kagome snapped, quickly jumping behind her brother and pushing him towards the kitchen. "You're going to drive Inuyasha crazy enough that he's going to kick you out of his house and you just got here. Can it already!"
Kagome appreciated Inuyasha's idea of heading out onto the patio with Souta. She planned on sitting him down and making him tell her everything. She wanted to hear about school. She wanted him to tell her everything new in his life, including how Mama and Gramps were doing. Kagome straddled the line of guilt and relief. She was finally given a chance to make things right with her family. It was endearing that her brother got a chance to meet his childhood hero—although, why couldn't she remember ever hearing about it?—but she was tired of having to share her brother's attention with Inuyasha. Kagome wanted to be the focus with Souta. When he was too busy obsessing over Inuyasha, Kagome would never be able to have an open conversation with Souta about their mom and grandfather. She needed him on her side if she was going to make things right with her family.
She just needed to take her little brother out of the same room as Inuyasha. Kagome often forgot just how infamous Inuyasha was; after all, he was just plain, old Inuyasha to her. It felt a little overwhelming and uncanny to have her brother's reactions to celebrity Inuyasha bring the reminder of Inuyasha's fame to the forefront of Kagome's mind.
"Aw, come on, Sis. I'm sorry, I'll be cool, I promise. I just want to ask Inuyasha some questions." Souta escaped from Kagome's grip and bowed to Inuyasha, his hair hanging in his eyes.
"Please let me learn from you, Mr. Inuyasha, sir. I promise I won't be annoying."
"Perhaps," Miroku suggested, his silky tone interjecting for the first time, "Souta would like a tour of Sengoku Manor?" Souta's face lit up at the suggestion. "I mean, I don't see any harm in him seeing where, for example, Inuyasha eats breakfast, do you, Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha was too focused on his earlier concerns that he failed to respond to Miroku. Kagome opened her mouth to interject but Miroku interrupted her.
"Let's all mutually agree that Inuyasha's silence is his consent, and let's be off! Kagome!" Miroku called, turning his attentions to the only female. "Seeing that Sango and I are having a bit of a…disagreement…why don't you join us? This way, the two of you," he nodded towards both her and Souta, "can chat while we walk around."
"Yes!" Souta cried with clenched fists. "Kagome! Can we?"
Kagome sighed. "Yeah, sure, I guess. But, keep it cool, okay? This is Inuyasha's home after all."
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Where to first!?"
Miroku cleared his throat then clasped his hands together to ready his persona for that of tour guide. "Well, if you follow me, let's start with this floor. When Inuyasha moved into the manor house, he had commissioned a design team to completely reform and update the decorum. Beginning in the kitchen, you'll see—"
"Everything okay, Inuyasha?"
Once Miroku and Souta had disappeared from the foyer, Kagome stood beside Inuyasha, aware that something seemed to be troubling him.
"Yeah, I'm good," Inuyasha replied after a slight delay. "Where'd the other two go?"
"Touring," Kagome replied, smiling with one side of her face. "I'm sorry my brother seems a bit…intense," she said with a small laugh. "I hope he's not making you uncomfortable. While he's here, I'll make sure he behaves himself. Can we go catch up with them, though? There's a bunch I still want to bug Souta about. I promise, Inuyasha, he's agreed to cool it."
Inuyasha had sighed and consented; however, a few hours later, the kid still hadn't cooled it.
Inuyasha snapped out of his thoughts at hearing Kagome laugh again. It really was a wonderful, distracting, warm laugh.
Climbing the stairs to the third floor, Inuyasha tried to keep his eyes lowered and not looking upwards to face Kagome's bottom. His cheeks flushed from how badly he wanted to look, to touch. His brain took him to fantasies where he was pulling items off her lower torso with his teeth. But, Inuyasha just bit his lip and continued to trail behind the group, forcefully submerging those thoughts for now.
Hearing Miroku jump right into a dramatic reveal of Inuyasha's bedroom, Inuyasha guffawed. Miroku seemed to have no difficulty in showcasing the house to the younger Higurashi.
When Miroku and Souta disappeared through Inuyasha's bedroom door, Inuyasha witnessed Kagome's hesitancy to enter the room. Keeping her eyes down, she fingered the hem of her tank top. It was true that she had never been in his room before. Inuyasha couldn't help but crack a smile at the realization that Kagome seemed nervous to be in his bedroom.
Before thoughts about Kagome in his room could distract his brain—and his dick—Inuyasha cleared his throat in hopes it would catch Kagome's attention.
It didn't.
"Hey, Kagome," Inuyasha whispered, finally finding the courage to address her when she didn't turn to look at him. "Can I talk to you for a sec?"
Kagome turned to face him, the pink hue on her cheeks very noticeable to Inuyasha. He felt his own face redden in curiosity of what she may had been thinking to cause such a reaction from her.
A few seconds after Inuyasha's question hung in the air unanswered, Souta cried, "Kagome, you have to come see this!"
Kagome turned to look over her shoulder at her brother; however, she jumped when she felt Inuyasha's fingers gently tugging on her elbow, pulling her away from the threshold of his bedroom back towards the stair landing.
Inuyasha wanted to create some distance between the two of them and Miroku and Souta.
"One sec, Souta!" Kagome cried in response as Inuyasha dragged her away. Her puzzled and worried eyes met Inuyasha's and followed his lead in stepping closer to the stairs.
"Um," she cleared her throat to get her wits about her, "what's up, Inuyasha?
Standing in front of him, Kagome felt her cheeks go red when he didn't address her right away. He had asked her if he could talk to her, and now he wasn't saying anything? Kagome gripped the bannister tightly in frustration.
"So, Inuyasha," Kagome finally sighed, trying to take charge of the conversation in the growing discomfort she felt in the silence. "Are you finally going to apologize for the last two days?"
Inuyasha groaned and narrowed his eyes at her. "Look, I get your pissed alright? I had business to attend to—" Inuyasha's tone harshened at seeing Kagome roll her eyes at the excuse— "and it kept me occupied for a few days. I wasn't snubbing you, alright?"
Kagome scoffed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Well, it sure felt like you were ignoring me," Kagome grumbled, her cheeks turning pink as she angled her eyes away from him.
Inuyasha crossed his arms in frustration, causing his white t-shirt to strain across his pectorals. The gesture caused Kagome's heart to flutter. She couldn't look at him right now; she needed to focus on keeping her head on straight, not getting flustered or girly over how good he looked.
"Is that why you're acting so weird?" He accused with a raised eyebrow. "Because you think I ignored you for two days straight?"
"Well," Kagome started, flustered. She kept her eyes focused on the floor. "Sort of."
"Why would I ignore you?" Inuyasha cocked an eyebrow at her and the smug look on his face caused Kagome's cheeks to flush.
"I—I don't know," she stammered, her face warming. "You tell me; I don't know why you'd ignore me."
Inuyasha sighed and scratched at the back of his neck. This woman was confusing.
"Kagome, listen. I wasn't here, alright? I wasn't ignoring you. I was out."
"Out where?"
Inuyasha's face grimaced in response to her question and Kagome herself flinched due to the unexpected response.
"I," Inuyasha paused then ran a frustrated hand down his face. "I can't tell you, Kagome. And before you start freaking out at me, it's not an easy thing for me to talk about, alright? I'm sorry you think I was being an asshole or whatever, but I can't tell you where I was. Just know that I wasn't here for the last two days."
Kagome stood perfectly still, unsure how to respond. Licking her lips she slowly nodded.
"When did you get back?"
"Early this afternoon."
Kagome's cheeks flushed. "Why did you have to leave?"
"I can't talk about that," Inuyasha groaned, turning his eyes away from her. "Please don't ask me, Kagome. I can't talk about it."
Kagome's cheeks puffed in frustration. Her eyebrows furrowed. "And you didn't think to tell me you were taking off for a few days?"
Inuyasha's eyes snapped back to hers, his mouth open in confusion. "And why would I have to tell you where I'm going? You're not my damn babysitter!"
Kagome felt her hairline brimming with sweat from how hot her face felt. "You slept in my bed with me!" Kagome shrieked in a hoarse whisper out of concern for others hearing their conversation. Her face was noticeably red. "We spend the night together and then you just disappear after being a bit of an asshole, Inuyasha. What was I supposed to think?"
Inuyasha's neck whiplashed at hearing Kagome verbally acknowledge their night together and also at her calling him an asshole. He could tell by looking at her she was both angry and uncomfortable, embarrassed even.
"Kagome, look, I—"
"—I don't want to hear excuses, Inuyasha," Kagome interrupted, her tone softening. "I'm glad to hear you weren't ignoring me, and I feel stupid for bringing it up. I just," she shook her head and licked her lips, "I just want to go back to my brother. I'll see you around."
Kagome couldn't handle how embarrassed she felt right at that moment. She had acknowledged that glimpse into their intimacy and putting it out there into the open made her feel like an idiot. All that running earlier in the day, all that self-talk and support from Sango, all down the drain in one five minute conversation with Inuyasha. She hated how she had feelings for him then. She didn't want to like him.
He was clearly hiding something from her and she had no interest in giving herself to someone who would give her nothing in return.
Before Kagome could turn on her heel, Inuyasha grabbed for her hand, squeezing her fingers tightly in his fist.
"Inuyasha, let go!" She cried. "You're hurting me."
Inuyasha pulled Kagome towards him, fearful that she was going to leave him standing there, looking like an idiot. He wanted their conversation to make things better, not make things worse.
"I'm not allowing you to leave when you're still mad at me."
Kagome huffed. "You can't tell me what to do!"
"Yes, I can," he childishly retorted still clinging to her fingers despite her trying to shake him off. "It's my house, my rules!"
"That doesn't give you the right to man-handle me! Let me go!"
Inuyasha pulled a struggling Kagome closer to him. She refused to look at him. How was it possible that her body was enjoying this? Her heart was beating furiously. Why was her brain so focused on the fact that he willfully grabbed her hand and won't let it go.
Kagome's body betrayed her then; her mind and her body were at odds.
As Inuyasha tried to reel in a hostile Kagome, he leaned his body against the stair-rail post to stabilize his body. Giving one final tug, Kagome sprung into his chest, her eyes wide in surprise.
"Are you kid—"
Kagome couldn't get another syllable out before Inuyasha's lips came crashing down onto hers.
The feeling of her warm body meeting his chest was the nail in the coffin. Without thinking, without caring, Inuyasha felt her warmth, her shaking body, and he needed to have her. He hadn't realized how wholly and physically he craved her.
Silencing her with his lips, Inuyasha grasped her cheek in his palm and groaned into her mouth. Like she forgot they had been arguing, Kagome echoed his moan and let herself be kissed, to kiss him in return.
Kagome balled her fists into the material of his t-shirt above his chest and pulled their bodies closer. She could feel his hardened chest against her tightly-bound breasts contained within her sports bra, the joint of his knee indenting the inside of her thighs.
"Inuyash—" Kagome moaned into his mouth as he gripped her bottom lip between his teeth and bit down gently.
When the wet warmth of his lips captured hers once again, Kagome pressed her body flatly against the length of him. His tongue licked at hers. Kagome swallowed a mouthful of saliva, gasping for breath, and entwined her hands around his neck. At the gesture, Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her midriff and pulled her even tighter against him. Kagome's lips broke from his with a gasp as her erotic brown orbs met his aroused gaze.
"Fuck, I missed you, Kagome," he hissed against her lips. His breath felt cold against her moist, swollen lips and it caused her to shudder.
"I missed you too," she muttered back before his lips netted hers once more.
She presented no resistance to his hands on her hips or his tongue snaking and probing into her mouth, licking her, tasting her. God, how could she have possibly forgotten how good he tasted?
Inuyasha was lost in his need. His hands roamed helplessly across her back. He gripped her shoulders, palmed her hips as he ground himself against her—feeling her gasp and push her breasts into her chest—and finally, he couldn't contain his ravenousness anymore. With one final groan of his name on her lips, Inuyasha sunk his hands into Kagome's cushioned, sumptuous ass, and he lifted her to his waist.
He was done with lowering himself to her level, despite her being on her tip-toes. Inuyasha wanted her as his equal.
Kagome's panting in his mouth in response to the gesture caused Inuyasha's penis to throb in need. When she dutifully wrapped her yoga-pant-clad legs around Inuyasha's waist, he turned them so her bum rested on the bannister.
"Fuck, Kagome," Inuyasha murmured into her lips, into her jaw, into her neck as he trailed his kisses and his tongue lower.
He heard her barely audible oh my God as he bit and sucked at her shoulder.
Inuyasha groaned as Kagome fisted her hands in his hair, her finger pads massaging his scalp. Inuyasha groaned and cupped her ass, pockmarking her cheeks with his fingers.
Kagome gasped and bucked into his body.
"I could take you right here," he growled into her neck.
"No," she gasped almost immediately in response.
The abruptness and the passion of her 'no' caused Inuyasha to remove his lips from her flushed and slightly salty skin.
"No?" he questioned, trying to hide the hurt in his tone. Whether he thought it was possible or not, his heart started pounding even more noticeably; however, this time it was from fear that she was denying him, that she didn't want him.
"Too public," she cooed, nuzzling his jawline with her nose and placing gentle, tongue-tipped kisses down his Adam's apple.
Inuyasha's cock flexed autonomously at her words and he wrapped his hand around her neck and crushed her lips with his. Kagome's hands left Inuyasha's hair and traced his shoulders, groaning into Inuyasha's mouth at the sensation of the hardened, defined muscles under her gentle touch. As their lips danced and tongues entwined, Kagome's palms trailed across Inuyasha's collarbone, down his pectorals, across his taut nipples, and traced the tips of her nails down his abs.
Inuyasha flinched and slightly withdrew from the kiss, laughing into her mouth.
"No tickling," he chided devilishly. "You don't want to start something you won't win."
Kagome smirked against his reddened lips and placed a chaste kiss onto his bottom lip, followed by her tongue. "That's what you think."
Inuyasha growled and devoured her mouth again. Meanwhile, Kagome continued her fingered exploration of Inuyasha's chest. Running her palms slowly up from his abdomen, Kagome's hands rested on Inuyasha's pecs. She scratched her nails against the white material of his t-shirt and Inuyasha growled into her mouth. Kagome smiled, pleased at herself, for feeling the grumbling in his chest in response. Kagome continued to cup her palms, and draw her fingers over, Inuyasha's pecs, intentionally coming teasingly close to his nipples but only gesturing as close as the areola.
"You know," he clucked against her neck, biting and sucking at a mound of skin. "It's not fair if I can't do that too."
"Too public," Kagome whispered in response in between kisses.
Inuyasha chuckled. "But it's not too public to cup that gorgeous ass?"
Kagome squeaked in response to Inuyasha's taking a handful.
The break in their kissing for banter caused Kagome to feel a rush of panic in her chest. She knew that the teasing and the pre-foreplay were only going to lead them to one thing…And it also didn't help that Inuyasha's room was the closest room to them currently.
And it also didn't help that yes, Kagome may have…groomed…that morning, but she was a sweaty, sweaty mess. There was no way in hell she could allow herself to undress with Inuyasha in her current state.
While Inuyasha continued to bite, suck, and nibble on her neck and shoulders, Kagome's eyes rolled back and her brain struggled to continue its thought process. In between states, Kagome wasn't in control of her lips when the word 'shower' slipped out.
Inuyasha clenched Kagome's ass and ground her against him so she could feel his erection against the apex of her yoga pants. Kagome had to meld her mouth to Inuyasha's to prevent the cry of pleasure that dared to escape her lips.
"Dirty girl," Inuyasha cooed against her lips, trailing her swollen pillows with his tongue.
Before Kagome could respond verbally, Inuyasha lifted her off the railing, grabbed her hand, and pulled her along after him as he sped off down the hallway. Kagome cried out in surprise when Inuyasha drew her into an empty bedroom and shut the door behind them. Reaching for Kagome's waist, Inuyasha lured her towards him until her breasts were pressed against his chest, her eyes looking up at him in expectation.
"I'm going to kick those two out of my room," he stated with conviction, trailing his knuckles down her cheekbone. "There will be the most privacy in my ensuite."
Before Kagome could refute or argue, Inuyasha had whipped open the door and disappeared from her sight.
Kagome's breast was quaking with her thudding heart and she pensively brought a thumb to her teeth. She began to pace. She could feel her vaginal lips moistening with discharge from the intensity of her arousal. In her heightened state, Kagome placed her hands on her hips and kept her eyes focused directly in front of her.
Somehow, her brain couldn't stop repeating, this is happening, this is really happening.
When Inuyasha reappeared, what may have been only one or two minutes later, he grabbed her hand in his and pulled her towards his room. She wasn't given an opportunity to express the reservation she had experienced earlier about entering his room. She was whisked in and the door shut and locked within seconds. Kagome cried out a gasp as Inuyasha pressed her up against his door and trapped her body with his.
"You smell so good, Kagome," he purred into her neck, licking the area underneath her chin.
Kagome laughed and shook her head, pressing her hands against his chest. "That can't possibly be true," she countered with a laugh. When Inuyasha continued his assault of lapping at her neck, Kagome cupped her hands around his neck.
"Please, Inuyasha," Kagome felt herself utter with closed eyes, "before we go any further, I really want to shower."
Inuyasha raised his head to meet her eyes and the pooling of gold and lust that met her eye made another surge of wetness pool between her legs. She didn't think there had ever been a time she was this wet for a man.
"Don't think I forgot, Kagome."
Without a word more, Inuyasha grabbed hold of Kagome's hand and led her across his room—which Kagome saw as a grey and white blur—and into his ensuite bathroom.
Closing the door behind them, Kagome met Inuyasha's eye and felt certain her heart was about to leap from her chest cavity.
"Shower or Jacuzzi?"
Words were impossible then as Inuyasha enveloped his hands in Kagome's hair and kissed her with such passion she didn't realize he had backed her up into the vanity. Kagome could feel the cold of the dark granite against her ass through her yoga pants.
"Executive decision," Inuyasha growled as he sucked Kagome's bottom lip into his mouth and circled the flesh with his tongue. "I want the Jacuzzi."
Suddenly Kagome was standing alone, her cheeks flushed, her heart racing, and her panties cold from wetness. Pressing her palms against the speckled granite in hopes it would help her relax, Kagome watched as Inuyasha took several steps away from her and leaned forward to turn on the taps. The sound of surging water accosted Kagome's ears and it brought her mind to the reality of what was happening.
She felt excited. She felt terrified. She felt anxious. She felt stimulated. She wanted him so badly.
While Kagome was absorbed in thoughts fantasizing about Inuyasha's naked body, she jumped when she felt the palm of his hand trail her stomach.
"Sorry," he laughed, "I didn't mean to scare you."
She smiled at him and shook her head as if to tell him it was fine.
Standing in front of her, Inuyasha reached upwards and carefully, gently, and after a considerable time because he didn't want to hurt her, removed the elastic band from Kagome's hair. Her kinked trusses tumbled to her shoulders, sweeping her cheeks and tickling her shoulders. Growling his pleasure, Inuyasha swept her locks away from her neck and hovered his lips above her neck.
The sound of the rushing tub water and her beating heart were deafening.
Feeling Inuyasha's fingers toying the hem of her shirt, Kagome's heart felt like it jolted with a sudden burst of electricity.
"Off," Inuyasha hissed into her ear, gripping the material of her shirt in his fist and simultaneously taking her lobe into his mouth and breathing huskily into the organ. Kagome's body erupted in a shiver.
Feeling the tickling caresses of Inuyasha's fingers against the naked flesh of her stomach, Kagome placed her hands on top of his to stop the motion.
"I have a favour to ask."
"I'm listening," Inuyasha called, continuing to trail kisses along Kagome's jawline.
"Do you have to do that while I'm," Kagome lost her train of thought to a sultry inhale as Inuyasha trailed the outline of her other ear with his tongue, "talking?" she was finally able to conclude.
"Yes," he raspingly cooed into her ear, following the answer by kissing her earlobe.
Kagome licked her lips and shut her eyes, loving the feeling of Inuyasha's warm palms rubbing along the small of her back.
"Can we," she stopped to groan as Inuyasha melded his hands into her ass once more, "bubble bath?" she settled.
Inuyasha laughed. "Are we children?"
"Please, Inuyasha," Kagome stated. She was careful to ensure it wasn't a question.
Inuyasha sighed and caressed his thumb across her cheek. "I don't have bubble bath but I can turn the jets on."
"Will the water be," Kagome stopped to gulp, "translucent?"
Inuyasha smiled knowingly at Kagome and her evident shyness at Inuyasha's seeing her body.
"Not when the jets are on max."
Kagome nodded and angled her head up so Inuyasha's lips could meet hers.
The kiss was shortened by Inuyasha leaving to turn the water off. Kagome felt her cheeks redden at hearing the whoosh of the jets coming to life. Kagome watched as the water frothed with white peaks and bubbles.
When Inuyasha returned to her, he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Ready?"
Kagome licked her lips. "Can I ask another favour?"
Inuyasha smirked. "What's that?"
Kagome gulped. "Can you turn around while I get in?"
Inuyasha placed a gentle kiss on her lips and then detached himself from Kagome to meet her flustered gaze. He lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger. His gaze was electrifying.
"Let me undress you."
Kagome could have died from the dripping, gorgeous sex of the words Inuyasha just uttered to her. Her eyes trapped in his, she felt her brown eyes quake in response to the need in his voice. She had to take a second to get her wits about her again. She was so lost to her hormones and how badly she wanted Inuyasha, it took her a second longer to recall the reason in the first place why she wanted to bathe.
"Please, Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha leaned his head away to leave some space between their faces and he raised his eyebrows at her in defeat.
"Fine," he sighed, to which Kagome happily squeaked and gave him a brief kiss on the lips in thank you for.
Taking a few steps to his right, Inuyasha crossed his arms and faced the dark brown cabinetry that housed towels and products. Closing his eyes, Inuyasha listened attentively to every sound of Kagome's movements, keen to identify what action accompanied the sound.
Soft, treaded footfalls turned into padded slaps of bare feet. She removed her socks.
The rustle of lycra whooshing across skin. She removed her pants (and panties?)
The swish of light material. The snap of a clasp being undone and the gentle splash of material on the floor. She removed her shirt and sports bra.
Inuyasha sucked in a ragged breath as his cock ached with need, pulsing against the constricting material of his jeans.
Inuyasha's ears perked at the sound of water breaking, wading.
"Holy shit, that's hot," Kagome cursed softly and it caused Inuyasha to smirk to himself and open his eyes. His nose shriveled at the reminder that he was facing the cabinet.
"Are you in yet?"
"Give me a second, it's boiling."
"Better hurry, I'll turn around."
"Don't you dare, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha chuckled and uncrossed his arms.
Hearing the final splosh and splatter of water and Kagome's gasping, Inuyasha gulped.
Kagome took in the sight of Inuyasha's strong back, his perfectly shaped ass, and her mounding breasts just barely peeking through the bubbling water. She watched the ends of her hair twirl around her shoulders and disappear from her line of sight below the frothing waves. In her shyness, Kagome intentionally positioned some of her hair in front of her breasts.
Taking a deep breath, Kagome nodded to herself that she was ready. She could barely contain her excitement, her nerves. This was really happening.
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yeah."
The look on Inuyasha's face when he turned slowly to the image of Kagome's bare shoulders fading beneath the tumultuous water caused Kagome's mouth to dry. His look was appreciative, in awe, happy.
Kagome laughed uncomfortably and raised a hand from the water to tuck a strand of hair behind her ears.
Inuyasha took a few small steps towards her. His eyes never left the sight of her.
"You have no idea how good you look right now."
Kagome snorted a laugh and smiled. "You're just saying that because I'm naked in your bathtub."
Inuyasha laughed and cleared the distance between them, sitting down on the edge of the tub beside Kagome. Running his hand along the length of the back of her head, Inuyasha leaned down towards her. Using his other hand, he placed a finger under her chin to tilt her head back so her lips would meet his.
Inuyasha's fingers rounded the side of Kagome's neck while his tongue explored the not-so-estranged-yet-not-fully-discovered confines of her mouth. Kagome groaned into the kiss and reached her hand up from the water to cup Inuyasha's cheek.
Kagome opened her eyes when Inuyasha parted their lips. She watched him stand fully erect, and she blushed at being at the same eye level as the tightness in his jeans.
Kagome sucked on her bottom lip as they kept their eyes locked while Inuyasha slowly raised his white t-shirt over his head and discarded the item on the floor. Kagome only captured the sight of his bare chest and abs for a second. At the first sign of his nakedness, Kagome turned her head to face the gurgling water in front of her and she heard Inuyasha's chuckle round the Jacuzzi, followed by the jingling of his belt buckle.
Kagome impulsively tucked another strand of hair behind her ear as she listened to the erotic sounds of Inuyasha undressing. She didn't have the audacity or bravery to watch, especially since she figured he had no concerns with her seeing his body since he was undressing so publically. It's like he was daring her to watch.
Kagome's chest felt light from how rhythmically and steadily her heart pounded.
The sound of splitting water caused Kagome to close her eyes in expectation. Holding her breath, she listened to the sounds of Inuyasha's breathing as his naked body split the water and submerged to join her in the Jacuzzi tub.
"Kagome."
Kagome opened her eyes towards the water when she heard him call her name. She swore she was going to take off from the propulsion of her heart. Her nerves refused to allow her to divert her eyes from the sudsy water.
"Look at me."
Kagome slowly raised her eyes from the water to meet the eyes of the man she was falling for. She watched as he slowly waded his way towards her, his silver tresses cascading around his shoulders like an aura.
Stopping less than a metre away from her, Inuyasha reached for her and cupped his palm to her cheek. Kagome had to fight the urge to close her eyes from the intimacy of Inuyasha's thumb stroking her cheekbone.
While their eyes locked onto the others, Kagome's eyes crinkled into a smile, responding in a grin from Inuyasha.
He waded closer to her.
She could feel the skin of his chest teasingly close to the sensitivity of her erect nipples, the nubs aching to be fondled, sucked, bitten.
Reading the readiness in her eyes, Inuyasha finally closed the distance between their bodies. A pleasing hiss escaped between his teeth as his chest parted Kagome's naked breasts to seal their sternums together. Kagome gasped at the pleasure of having her breasts touched.
Their embrace lasted for a while, neither of them daring to speak or move. Both of them savouring the intimacy of their embrace.
"Hi," Inuyasha grinned at her in a whisper, ready to move forward from their moment of silence. He could hear Kagome's panting breaths as he nuzzled her nose with his. His thumb continued to stroke her cheekbone. Kagome gulped and fought the urge to close her eyes at the sensation of her breasts bobbing against Inuyasha's chest with every breath.
"Hi," she responded.
And then he kissed her.