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Resolution (Prompt #19) | Inuyasha
Collection Title: Fleeting
Genre: Drama/Romance
Rating: T
Summary: Well, this has turned into a serial of connected oneshots within the same universe, LOL. I don't know if it will stretch to fit all 30 prompts, but for now, this is a continuous story.
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un_love_you Prompt Table here. Prompt for this piece is: #19: “This isn’t about you at all.”
Title: Resolution
Universe: Alternate (modern era)
Rating: T (a hint of citrus)
Word Count: 3300
Pairing: Sesshoumaru/Kagome
Summary: Kagome forces Sesshoumaru’s hand.
Author’s Note: Seventh in a series. Part 1 | Parts 2-6
Disclaimer: The Inuyasha concept, story, and characters are copyright Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Media.
~*~
Sesshoumaru sighed as he turned his key in the lock on the front door of the apartment. He juggled a bag of groceries in one arm and a bundle of mail in the other; an initial rifle through the latter only worsened his irritation. Among the stacks of bills and junk were two nengajo, one from his mother and one from his grandmother. Though exquisitely decorated and pleasantly written, the postcards were a silent command at his father’s behest – “come home for New Year’s.”
What else could go wrong today? he groused silently as he pushed against the door. He frowned when it didn’t budge. The wooden door seemed to warp and expand as the cold weather grew worse, and today had definitely been one of the coldest yet. He tensed his arms, pressing the bundles into his coat, and pushed against the door with his shoulder.
Peals of laughter met his ears, startling him as he stumbled into the foyer. He slammed the door back into the frame (necessary to wedge the door back into place so it could be locked) and leaned against it. He closed his eyes momentarily, taking in the sweet sounds drifting his way from the common room, willing his heart to slow down.
If missing her had been…unexpected, this reaction was positively mind-blowing.
Relief?
He hoisted himself up, squaring his shoulders and heading for the kitchen to put away his purchases. He was careful to avoid looking at her as he passed through the common room, but the mess that greeted him in their tiny kitchen quickly chased away any warm and fuzzy feelings he might have had about her return.
He scowled as he eyed the disarray of dishes and open boxes that littered the counters. Not even a day and it’s already a mess again, he thought, annoyed. Seriously – how careless can you be? Dropping his bag of food on the table, he turned on his heel and strode back into the common room.
“Kagome, wh – ” he began, only to find himself stopping short at the scene before him. His heart began to thud heavily in his chest once again as he caught sight of her, much to his consternation.
“Sesshoumaru,” Kagome breathed, rising from her seat on the sofa. She gazed at him with a nervous expression, a smile playing at the corner of her lips, her eyes hooded slightly. “I missed you.”
He could only stare at her, taking in the full sight of her, hiding his surprise at her impulsive statement behind his usual calm, cold demeanor. She blushed as the words rushed out, raising at hand to cover her mouth. His eyes followed her movements, and he momentarily forgot his reason for striding out in the first place.
A long, awkward silence stretched between them. Kagome’s gaze fell when she realized a similar greeting would not be forthcoming. Sesshoumaru shifted his eyes to her companion, who was still seated, but looking up expectantly.
Inuyasha?
This was not good.
He looked back at Kagome. “What’s going on?” he asked cautiously, striving to keep his tone even.
“We’re just planning a little party,” she murmured, sitting down again. “For New Year’s Eve. I thought it’d be nice to have a few people over, make the traditional osechi, you know…have fun welcoming the new year.”
Sesshoumaru frowned as he noticed her hand intertwining with Inuyasha’s. Kagome, realizing she had lost his immediate attention, stood once again, clasping her hands in front of her. “Oh, please, Sesshoumaru, it’ll be lots of fun! We’ll only have a few people over, and of course you’re invited, and welcome to bring anyone you wish.”
“Whose idea was this?” Sesshoumaru asked, still eyeing Inuyasha suspiciously.
Kagome appeared confused. “Does it matter? I met Inuyasha at the train station today and he helped me bring in my luggage, and we just started chatting.” She gave him a brilliant smile before turning back to her stony-faced roommate. “We thought it’d be cool to get something together for the holiday, and he agreed to introduce me to some of his friends who weren’t tight with Koga’s crowd.”
“Hm,” Sesshoumaru replied. The gears of his mind were turning. What in the world would Inuyasha suddenly want with Kagome now, after snubbing her for two months? The other’s sly grin and notable silence did nothing to set his suspicions at ease.
“Look, I’m sorry if I didn’t ask before making plans,” Kagome said, bringing Sesshoumaru’s attention back to her. “It was sort of spur of the moment but, well…I live here too, and should have a say in whether or not we have people over.”
Sesshoumaru lifted an eyebrow. “I didn’t say you couldn’t have the party,” he assured her. “Quite frankly, I don’t care, as long as you guys keep it to the common areas and clean up afterward.” This is very odd, he thought to himself. She’s never needed my permission before about having people over, so what makes her think she has to ask for it now?
“Great,” she sighed, looking relieved. Sesshoumaru gave her a wan smile as he shot a glance at Inuyasha once again, noting with interest his reaction to the “granted permission.”
Hmm…
Kagome and Inuyasha went back to making their grand plans, which apparently included a huge, traditional spread of food. Realization dawned across Kagome’s features as they discussed their food options, and she looked up at Sesshoumaru sheepishly. “Sorry!” she mumbled, shooting up. “I totally forgot about the mess we made before.” She ran out of the room, and soon the clang of metal upon metal met the guys’ ears.
Inuyasha stood, taking in the full intensity of Sesshoumaru’s gaze, offering a challenge of his own in return.
“What’s your angle?” Sesshoumaru asked quietly. “Why is she suddenly so interesting again?”
Inuyasha gave him a small, grim smile. “What makes you think I have an angle? Kagome’s a cool girl, and we seem to have a lot in common.” He shrugged. “Plus, she’s fine as hell. I don’t know how you keep your hands to yourself.”
Sesshoumaru caught his shoulder as he attempted to pass. “You better hope you’re telling me the truth,” he murmured in Inuyasha’s ear. “I’d hate to have to hurt you over something so trivial.”
Inuyasha cut his eyes to his brother. “Women’s feelings are trivial to you?” he replied sarcastically.
Sesshoumaru’s grip tightened on his shoulder. “Not this woman’s. Whatever scheme Father has put you up to, it had better not include her.”
Inuyasha’s eyes lit up at his threatening tone. “Could it be, that I’ve discovered something that’s been hiding under your nose all this time?” he asked, his voice oozing feigned wonder. “Or are you just jealous?”
He pulled away from Sesshoumaru’s grip, calling out to Kagome that he was coming to help her clean up.
~*~
Inuyasha’s words ate at Sesshoumaru for the rest of the evening, but not matter how he turned the situation over in his head, he couldn’t find it. Whatever his petty little half-brother was pursuing, it didn’t appear to be related to their family’s business. Maybe he really was after Kagome for her looks and/or personality…
…but he was all-too-familiar with the way his father operated: move in under the radar, divide and conquer, and take them down from the inside. He relished the absolute control and power he could wrestle away from his enemies by operating in this way. After finding Inuyasha and seeing the same sort of latent charms in him, he’d taken to grooming him as his successor.
His father had obviously known of his bastard son’s existence for quite some time. Inuyasha was the product of an extramarital affair gone awry eighteen years ago, and their father had secretly provided for his well-being, until his mother died. With a scandal looming and threatening the empire he’d created, his father had taken matters into his own hands, paying off everyone involved in raising Inuyasha, smuggling him into Japan, and welcoming him into the fold with little regard for how his ‘legitimate’ family would take the news.
No one knew they were related; that was by his father’s command. Inuyasha kept his mother’s maiden name as his surname, and was technically an employee of one of their father’s many holdings companies. Sesshoumaru had long been named the heir, but in reality, it seemed their father was favoring his bastard son at every turn, including giving him more and more free reign – especially within the company Sesshoumaru had always planned on taking over first.
There was certainly no love lost between the brothers.
No, it just doesn’t make any sense, Sesshoumaru thought later that evening, as he lay in bed and attempted to sleep. Kagome’s practically a shrine maiden! He’s just after her because of her reputation.
And yet, the niggling seeds of doubt would not allow his mind to rest.
~*~
Kagome grinned as she gazed over the fruits of her labor. The party was in full swing, with a small group of soon-to-be new friends hanging around in the living room, enjoying the music, the company, and the food she had slaved over for the last two days. She felt inordinately proud of herself, planning, organizing, and preparing for tonight in less than a week, and managing to pull it all off without a hitch. By some miracle, absolutely nothing had gone wrong – the food had set properly, the decorations had arrived on time, and they had purchased enough wine and champagne on their first trip to the store.
Inuyasha had been a total dream throughout it all, from the initial planning, to the hanging of the last decoration on the freshly purchased mini kadomatsu that dotted the foyer. He wasn’t exactly the most patient of people, but he knew how to get things done in a timely manner – and he knew better than to stick his nose where he had no expertise. He’d brought over a friend, Sango, to help her with the cooking, and they had gotten along swimmingly. Neither of them were master chefs, but after a few tries (and a few trips to the shops for more Westernized fare), they had managed to produce quite the spread for their friends’ consumption.
“Having fun yet?” Inuyasha murmured in her ear as he reached for another glass of wine.
She gave him a brilliant smile in response. “Your friends are pretty cool,” she said, taking a sip from her own glass. “I’m glad they are having fun.”
“Why wouldn’t they?” he asked breezily, letting his arm drift around her shoulders. “You’re an awesome person, and you throw a damn fine party.”
Kagome blushed under his shower of compliments. They had seen quite a bit of each other in the last week or so – since their midnight Christmas kiss at the ski lodge – but it had been strictly casual. She was charmed by the idea of meeting some of his friends – ones that didn’t hang around Koga and automatically shun her – and happy to still be deemed worthy of socializing with. He had been an absolute gentleman to her, and any other girl in her situation would’ve snapped him up exclusively by now.
But no. She had to be all complicated and indecisive. For all that she felt like an absolute princess in Inuyasha’s company, she just couldn’t let go of her longing for Sesshoumaru.
It was the little things…like how she found him making tea one night, sitting in the kitchen in the dark. She had joined him, noting with surprise and pleasure that he’d purchased another box of tea to replace the one he’d consumed in her absence, and they sat in silence, but at ease. It was almost as if…the art of sharing tea was enough to wash away the awkwardness between them.
He didn’t mention any sort of annoyance about her upcoming party plans, or muse aloud about the company she chose to keep. In fact, he had seemed rather preoccupied the entire time, if somehow grateful for her company. As he rose from his seat and rinsed out his cup, he’d given her an enigmatic smile.
“I’m glad you’re back,” he told her, and his words made her feel warm and giddy on the inside.
Even now, a fluttering of those feelings returned as the memory ebbed through the back of her mind. She caught sight of him across the room, so cool and calm as he made polite conversation with Sango and her boyfriend, Miroku. The heart wants what it wants, she relented.
Even if it made her absolutely, totally, completely miserable in the meantime.
You are pathetic, she reprimanded herself, straightening her spine. What about your new year’s resolution, to be decisive and go after what you want? It’s time to stop waiting for the guys to come around.
“Something on your mind?” Inuyasha murmured, his breath warm against the shell of her ear.
“Just thinking about a new year’s resolution,” she replied, giving him a coy look. “Have you made any?”
His eyes hooded and his hand tightened around her shoulder as he gazed back at her. “Maybe,” he mused.
She steadied herself as he plucked the glass from her hand and set it on the table behind them. Inuyasha’s obviously still interested, she observed as his arms settled around her waist. So why not have a little fun now, if romance isn’t in the cards?
“Let’s dance,” he said, giving her an experimental twirl.
Time slipped by unmarked as they joined the others, dancing in the middle of the common room. The music was loud, the drinks were flowing, and inhibitions were falling as the night wore on. Twice, she found herself breaking away from Inuyasha’s warm embrace to stop others from struggling down the hall and nosing about in the vicinity of the bedrooms.
“Is it just me, or are there more people here than were invited?” she muttered as she rejoined her date. It was as if their small crowd of twenty or so had somehow multiplied, bringing with them Eurotrash music and cheap beer.
Inuyasha glanced around the room. “I invited all these people,” he shrugged. “I guess some of them are only now starting to show up.”
“What?” she whispered, giving him a sharp look. “You said this was going to be a ‘small, intimate gathering’!”
“Relax,” he responded, pulling her close, attempting to nuzzle her neck. “Nobody’s going to trash the place.”
She pushed against his shoulders. “Relax?! Sesshoumaru’s going to kill me! I promised him it wouldn’t get out of hand!”
“And it won’t!” Inuyasha furrowed his brow. “Why are you so afraid of him? Is he hurting you or something?”
“Of course not!” she cried, breaking away from him completely. “He’d never lay a hand on me!” That is, indeed, the root of the problem.
“Then what’s the deal? He has some sort of hold over you.” Inuyasha frowned as he studied her.
Kagome hoped her face wasn’t as red as it felt. She opened her mouth to respond, only to catch a glimpse of Sesshoumaru striding across the room, looking quite cross. “Oh, shit,” she breathed. She gave Inuyasha an apologetic look. “Just give me five minutes, okay? For my own peace of mind?”
He relented, letting go of her reluctantly. She pushed through the crowd that was beginning to bottleneck in the hallway. Absently, she grabbed a coat before wrenching open their warped door and stepping out into the cold.
She spotted him, standing at the corner of their building, his hands bracing the railing of the outdoor staircase that led up to the second floor. She pulled the coat closer around herself as she walked towards him, trying to figure out how she was going to explain this.
“I’m really sorry, Sesshoumaru,” she said when she reached his spot.
“That’s what you call ‘a few friends’?” he murmured, tightening his grip on the post. His expression was sour as he gazed out, not even bothering to address her directly.
She bristled at his words, even though she had made the same argument a scant few minutes before. “No,” she replied, burrowing closer into the folds of her coat. “But either way, what does it matter? It’s New Year’s Eve. You were there, having a good time, so it’s not like I interrupted your precious studying or anything.”
He pressed his lips together. “Did Inuyasha put you up to this?”
“No,” she huffed, genuinely confused now as well as cold. She circled around to look him in the eye. “I knew you’d get angry with so many people invading your space, so I came to apologize for his lack of foresight. I apologize, okay?” She searched his face for some sign of understanding, but found none forthcoming.
Dammit, why do you have to be so frustrating?
“He’s bad news,” Sesshoumaru finally said, just as she was about to give up and return to her party. “I’d stay away from him if I were you.”
“What?” The word was quite soft, almost breathy. She couldn’t suppress a smile as she gazed at him with new insight. “Are you jealous?”
“Are you blind?” he replied plainly.
And asshole, she added mentally. Don’t forget being an asshole!
“Do you not remember the Halloween party?” he barged on, letting go of the post and turning to face her directly.
Her expression darkened. “You know I don’t,” she muttered.
“Well, let me refresh your memory,” he replied. “Inuyasha tried to get you drunk so he could take advantage of you! And now I find myself wondering just what kind of person you are, that you’re so willing to forgive him for it.”
She snorted as she took in his righteously indignant expression. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe this isn’t about you at all?” she sneered. “Koga was the one who treated me like shit after that night. Inuyasha’s been nothing less than a perfect gentleman to me.” I wish I could say the same for you.
Sesshoumaru shook his head. “I thought you were a better person than that,” he sighed, as if she was some sort of grand disappointment.
“Why, because you thought I liked you?” she shot back.
For the first time in their tenuous relationship, she managed to stun him into silence. She took small satisfaction as his eyes widened and his mouth snapped shut, whatever comment he was planning to hurl next forever lost.
The crackle of fireworks being shot off startled them both, but did not break the tension that had sprouted between them. As the sky behind their apartment building light up in varying shades of red and green, Kagome was reminded of her new year’s resolution. I might not have a better chance than this, she thought, noting how close they had drifted in the midst of their argument.
I’ll force him to show his hand.
Before she could change her mind, she rushed at him, throwing her arms around his neck and crushing her mouth against his. She held on for all she was worth as she felt his back hit the pole, swallowing his gasp of surprise – at her kiss – at finding himself pressed against the railing.
She broke away when she felt his arms encircle her waist, her heart pounding against her ribcage so hard she was sure it would burst from her chest.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his breath hot and hard against her cheek.
“Continuing what I started,” she replied, taking his mouth again. Now you can’t deny it, any of it, she thought greedily. Not Halloween, the kiss on the sofa, the fight over Koga –
Her heart stopped as she felt him respond, tightening his embrace and kissing her back with untold urgency.
Genre: Drama/Romance
Rating: T
Summary: Well, this has turned into a serial of connected oneshots within the same universe, LOL. I don't know if it will stretch to fit all 30 prompts, but for now, this is a continuous story.
un_love_you Prompt Table here. Prompt for this piece is: #19: “This isn’t about you at all.”Title: Resolution
Universe: Alternate (modern era)
Rating: T (a hint of citrus)
Word Count: 3300
Pairing: Sesshoumaru/Kagome
Summary: Kagome forces Sesshoumaru’s hand.
Author’s Note: Seventh in a series. Part 1 | Parts 2-6
Disclaimer: The Inuyasha concept, story, and characters are copyright Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Media.
Sesshoumaru sighed as he turned his key in the lock on the front door of the apartment. He juggled a bag of groceries in one arm and a bundle of mail in the other; an initial rifle through the latter only worsened his irritation. Among the stacks of bills and junk were two nengajo, one from his mother and one from his grandmother. Though exquisitely decorated and pleasantly written, the postcards were a silent command at his father’s behest – “come home for New Year’s.”
What else could go wrong today? he groused silently as he pushed against the door. He frowned when it didn’t budge. The wooden door seemed to warp and expand as the cold weather grew worse, and today had definitely been one of the coldest yet. He tensed his arms, pressing the bundles into his coat, and pushed against the door with his shoulder.
Peals of laughter met his ears, startling him as he stumbled into the foyer. He slammed the door back into the frame (necessary to wedge the door back into place so it could be locked) and leaned against it. He closed his eyes momentarily, taking in the sweet sounds drifting his way from the common room, willing his heart to slow down.
If missing her had been…unexpected, this reaction was positively mind-blowing.
Relief?
He hoisted himself up, squaring his shoulders and heading for the kitchen to put away his purchases. He was careful to avoid looking at her as he passed through the common room, but the mess that greeted him in their tiny kitchen quickly chased away any warm and fuzzy feelings he might have had about her return.
He scowled as he eyed the disarray of dishes and open boxes that littered the counters. Not even a day and it’s already a mess again, he thought, annoyed. Seriously – how careless can you be? Dropping his bag of food on the table, he turned on his heel and strode back into the common room.
“Kagome, wh – ” he began, only to find himself stopping short at the scene before him. His heart began to thud heavily in his chest once again as he caught sight of her, much to his consternation.
“Sesshoumaru,” Kagome breathed, rising from her seat on the sofa. She gazed at him with a nervous expression, a smile playing at the corner of her lips, her eyes hooded slightly. “I missed you.”
He could only stare at her, taking in the full sight of her, hiding his surprise at her impulsive statement behind his usual calm, cold demeanor. She blushed as the words rushed out, raising at hand to cover her mouth. His eyes followed her movements, and he momentarily forgot his reason for striding out in the first place.
A long, awkward silence stretched between them. Kagome’s gaze fell when she realized a similar greeting would not be forthcoming. Sesshoumaru shifted his eyes to her companion, who was still seated, but looking up expectantly.
Inuyasha?
This was not good.
He looked back at Kagome. “What’s going on?” he asked cautiously, striving to keep his tone even.
“We’re just planning a little party,” she murmured, sitting down again. “For New Year’s Eve. I thought it’d be nice to have a few people over, make the traditional osechi, you know…have fun welcoming the new year.”
Sesshoumaru frowned as he noticed her hand intertwining with Inuyasha’s. Kagome, realizing she had lost his immediate attention, stood once again, clasping her hands in front of her. “Oh, please, Sesshoumaru, it’ll be lots of fun! We’ll only have a few people over, and of course you’re invited, and welcome to bring anyone you wish.”
“Whose idea was this?” Sesshoumaru asked, still eyeing Inuyasha suspiciously.
Kagome appeared confused. “Does it matter? I met Inuyasha at the train station today and he helped me bring in my luggage, and we just started chatting.” She gave him a brilliant smile before turning back to her stony-faced roommate. “We thought it’d be cool to get something together for the holiday, and he agreed to introduce me to some of his friends who weren’t tight with Koga’s crowd.”
“Hm,” Sesshoumaru replied. The gears of his mind were turning. What in the world would Inuyasha suddenly want with Kagome now, after snubbing her for two months? The other’s sly grin and notable silence did nothing to set his suspicions at ease.
“Look, I’m sorry if I didn’t ask before making plans,” Kagome said, bringing Sesshoumaru’s attention back to her. “It was sort of spur of the moment but, well…I live here too, and should have a say in whether or not we have people over.”
Sesshoumaru lifted an eyebrow. “I didn’t say you couldn’t have the party,” he assured her. “Quite frankly, I don’t care, as long as you guys keep it to the common areas and clean up afterward.” This is very odd, he thought to himself. She’s never needed my permission before about having people over, so what makes her think she has to ask for it now?
“Great,” she sighed, looking relieved. Sesshoumaru gave her a wan smile as he shot a glance at Inuyasha once again, noting with interest his reaction to the “granted permission.”
Hmm…
Kagome and Inuyasha went back to making their grand plans, which apparently included a huge, traditional spread of food. Realization dawned across Kagome’s features as they discussed their food options, and she looked up at Sesshoumaru sheepishly. “Sorry!” she mumbled, shooting up. “I totally forgot about the mess we made before.” She ran out of the room, and soon the clang of metal upon metal met the guys’ ears.
Inuyasha stood, taking in the full intensity of Sesshoumaru’s gaze, offering a challenge of his own in return.
“What’s your angle?” Sesshoumaru asked quietly. “Why is she suddenly so interesting again?”
Inuyasha gave him a small, grim smile. “What makes you think I have an angle? Kagome’s a cool girl, and we seem to have a lot in common.” He shrugged. “Plus, she’s fine as hell. I don’t know how you keep your hands to yourself.”
Sesshoumaru caught his shoulder as he attempted to pass. “You better hope you’re telling me the truth,” he murmured in Inuyasha’s ear. “I’d hate to have to hurt you over something so trivial.”
Inuyasha cut his eyes to his brother. “Women’s feelings are trivial to you?” he replied sarcastically.
Sesshoumaru’s grip tightened on his shoulder. “Not this woman’s. Whatever scheme Father has put you up to, it had better not include her.”
Inuyasha’s eyes lit up at his threatening tone. “Could it be, that I’ve discovered something that’s been hiding under your nose all this time?” he asked, his voice oozing feigned wonder. “Or are you just jealous?”
He pulled away from Sesshoumaru’s grip, calling out to Kagome that he was coming to help her clean up.
Inuyasha’s words ate at Sesshoumaru for the rest of the evening, but not matter how he turned the situation over in his head, he couldn’t find it. Whatever his petty little half-brother was pursuing, it didn’t appear to be related to their family’s business. Maybe he really was after Kagome for her looks and/or personality…
…but he was all-too-familiar with the way his father operated: move in under the radar, divide and conquer, and take them down from the inside. He relished the absolute control and power he could wrestle away from his enemies by operating in this way. After finding Inuyasha and seeing the same sort of latent charms in him, he’d taken to grooming him as his successor.
His father had obviously known of his bastard son’s existence for quite some time. Inuyasha was the product of an extramarital affair gone awry eighteen years ago, and their father had secretly provided for his well-being, until his mother died. With a scandal looming and threatening the empire he’d created, his father had taken matters into his own hands, paying off everyone involved in raising Inuyasha, smuggling him into Japan, and welcoming him into the fold with little regard for how his ‘legitimate’ family would take the news.
No one knew they were related; that was by his father’s command. Inuyasha kept his mother’s maiden name as his surname, and was technically an employee of one of their father’s many holdings companies. Sesshoumaru had long been named the heir, but in reality, it seemed their father was favoring his bastard son at every turn, including giving him more and more free reign – especially within the company Sesshoumaru had always planned on taking over first.
There was certainly no love lost between the brothers.
No, it just doesn’t make any sense, Sesshoumaru thought later that evening, as he lay in bed and attempted to sleep. Kagome’s practically a shrine maiden! He’s just after her because of her reputation.
And yet, the niggling seeds of doubt would not allow his mind to rest.
Kagome grinned as she gazed over the fruits of her labor. The party was in full swing, with a small group of soon-to-be new friends hanging around in the living room, enjoying the music, the company, and the food she had slaved over for the last two days. She felt inordinately proud of herself, planning, organizing, and preparing for tonight in less than a week, and managing to pull it all off without a hitch. By some miracle, absolutely nothing had gone wrong – the food had set properly, the decorations had arrived on time, and they had purchased enough wine and champagne on their first trip to the store.
Inuyasha had been a total dream throughout it all, from the initial planning, to the hanging of the last decoration on the freshly purchased mini kadomatsu that dotted the foyer. He wasn’t exactly the most patient of people, but he knew how to get things done in a timely manner – and he knew better than to stick his nose where he had no expertise. He’d brought over a friend, Sango, to help her with the cooking, and they had gotten along swimmingly. Neither of them were master chefs, but after a few tries (and a few trips to the shops for more Westernized fare), they had managed to produce quite the spread for their friends’ consumption.
“Having fun yet?” Inuyasha murmured in her ear as he reached for another glass of wine.
She gave him a brilliant smile in response. “Your friends are pretty cool,” she said, taking a sip from her own glass. “I’m glad they are having fun.”
“Why wouldn’t they?” he asked breezily, letting his arm drift around her shoulders. “You’re an awesome person, and you throw a damn fine party.”
Kagome blushed under his shower of compliments. They had seen quite a bit of each other in the last week or so – since their midnight Christmas kiss at the ski lodge – but it had been strictly casual. She was charmed by the idea of meeting some of his friends – ones that didn’t hang around Koga and automatically shun her – and happy to still be deemed worthy of socializing with. He had been an absolute gentleman to her, and any other girl in her situation would’ve snapped him up exclusively by now.
But no. She had to be all complicated and indecisive. For all that she felt like an absolute princess in Inuyasha’s company, she just couldn’t let go of her longing for Sesshoumaru.
It was the little things…like how she found him making tea one night, sitting in the kitchen in the dark. She had joined him, noting with surprise and pleasure that he’d purchased another box of tea to replace the one he’d consumed in her absence, and they sat in silence, but at ease. It was almost as if…the art of sharing tea was enough to wash away the awkwardness between them.
He didn’t mention any sort of annoyance about her upcoming party plans, or muse aloud about the company she chose to keep. In fact, he had seemed rather preoccupied the entire time, if somehow grateful for her company. As he rose from his seat and rinsed out his cup, he’d given her an enigmatic smile.
“I’m glad you’re back,” he told her, and his words made her feel warm and giddy on the inside.
Even now, a fluttering of those feelings returned as the memory ebbed through the back of her mind. She caught sight of him across the room, so cool and calm as he made polite conversation with Sango and her boyfriend, Miroku. The heart wants what it wants, she relented.
Even if it made her absolutely, totally, completely miserable in the meantime.
You are pathetic, she reprimanded herself, straightening her spine. What about your new year’s resolution, to be decisive and go after what you want? It’s time to stop waiting for the guys to come around.
“Something on your mind?” Inuyasha murmured, his breath warm against the shell of her ear.
“Just thinking about a new year’s resolution,” she replied, giving him a coy look. “Have you made any?”
His eyes hooded and his hand tightened around her shoulder as he gazed back at her. “Maybe,” he mused.
She steadied herself as he plucked the glass from her hand and set it on the table behind them. Inuyasha’s obviously still interested, she observed as his arms settled around her waist. So why not have a little fun now, if romance isn’t in the cards?
“Let’s dance,” he said, giving her an experimental twirl.
Time slipped by unmarked as they joined the others, dancing in the middle of the common room. The music was loud, the drinks were flowing, and inhibitions were falling as the night wore on. Twice, she found herself breaking away from Inuyasha’s warm embrace to stop others from struggling down the hall and nosing about in the vicinity of the bedrooms.
“Is it just me, or are there more people here than were invited?” she muttered as she rejoined her date. It was as if their small crowd of twenty or so had somehow multiplied, bringing with them Eurotrash music and cheap beer.
Inuyasha glanced around the room. “I invited all these people,” he shrugged. “I guess some of them are only now starting to show up.”
“What?” she whispered, giving him a sharp look. “You said this was going to be a ‘small, intimate gathering’!”
“Relax,” he responded, pulling her close, attempting to nuzzle her neck. “Nobody’s going to trash the place.”
She pushed against his shoulders. “Relax?! Sesshoumaru’s going to kill me! I promised him it wouldn’t get out of hand!”
“And it won’t!” Inuyasha furrowed his brow. “Why are you so afraid of him? Is he hurting you or something?”
“Of course not!” she cried, breaking away from him completely. “He’d never lay a hand on me!” That is, indeed, the root of the problem.
“Then what’s the deal? He has some sort of hold over you.” Inuyasha frowned as he studied her.
Kagome hoped her face wasn’t as red as it felt. She opened her mouth to respond, only to catch a glimpse of Sesshoumaru striding across the room, looking quite cross. “Oh, shit,” she breathed. She gave Inuyasha an apologetic look. “Just give me five minutes, okay? For my own peace of mind?”
He relented, letting go of her reluctantly. She pushed through the crowd that was beginning to bottleneck in the hallway. Absently, she grabbed a coat before wrenching open their warped door and stepping out into the cold.
She spotted him, standing at the corner of their building, his hands bracing the railing of the outdoor staircase that led up to the second floor. She pulled the coat closer around herself as she walked towards him, trying to figure out how she was going to explain this.
“I’m really sorry, Sesshoumaru,” she said when she reached his spot.
“That’s what you call ‘a few friends’?” he murmured, tightening his grip on the post. His expression was sour as he gazed out, not even bothering to address her directly.
She bristled at his words, even though she had made the same argument a scant few minutes before. “No,” she replied, burrowing closer into the folds of her coat. “But either way, what does it matter? It’s New Year’s Eve. You were there, having a good time, so it’s not like I interrupted your precious studying or anything.”
He pressed his lips together. “Did Inuyasha put you up to this?”
“No,” she huffed, genuinely confused now as well as cold. She circled around to look him in the eye. “I knew you’d get angry with so many people invading your space, so I came to apologize for his lack of foresight. I apologize, okay?” She searched his face for some sign of understanding, but found none forthcoming.
Dammit, why do you have to be so frustrating?
“He’s bad news,” Sesshoumaru finally said, just as she was about to give up and return to her party. “I’d stay away from him if I were you.”
“What?” The word was quite soft, almost breathy. She couldn’t suppress a smile as she gazed at him with new insight. “Are you jealous?”
“Are you blind?” he replied plainly.
And asshole, she added mentally. Don’t forget being an asshole!
“Do you not remember the Halloween party?” he barged on, letting go of the post and turning to face her directly.
Her expression darkened. “You know I don’t,” she muttered.
“Well, let me refresh your memory,” he replied. “Inuyasha tried to get you drunk so he could take advantage of you! And now I find myself wondering just what kind of person you are, that you’re so willing to forgive him for it.”
She snorted as she took in his righteously indignant expression. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe this isn’t about you at all?” she sneered. “Koga was the one who treated me like shit after that night. Inuyasha’s been nothing less than a perfect gentleman to me.” I wish I could say the same for you.
Sesshoumaru shook his head. “I thought you were a better person than that,” he sighed, as if she was some sort of grand disappointment.
“Why, because you thought I liked you?” she shot back.
For the first time in their tenuous relationship, she managed to stun him into silence. She took small satisfaction as his eyes widened and his mouth snapped shut, whatever comment he was planning to hurl next forever lost.
The crackle of fireworks being shot off startled them both, but did not break the tension that had sprouted between them. As the sky behind their apartment building light up in varying shades of red and green, Kagome was reminded of her new year’s resolution. I might not have a better chance than this, she thought, noting how close they had drifted in the midst of their argument.
I’ll force him to show his hand.
Before she could change her mind, she rushed at him, throwing her arms around his neck and crushing her mouth against his. She held on for all she was worth as she felt his back hit the pole, swallowing his gasp of surprise – at her kiss – at finding himself pressed against the railing.
She broke away when she felt his arms encircle her waist, her heart pounding against her ribcage so hard she was sure it would burst from her chest.
“What are you doing?” he asked, his breath hot and hard against her cheek.
“Continuing what I started,” she replied, taking his mouth again. Now you can’t deny it, any of it, she thought greedily. Not Halloween, the kiss on the sofa, the fight over Koga –
Her heart stopped as she felt him respond, tightening his embrace and kissing her back with untold urgency.
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I'm glad to see kagome take a stand for herself. If she waits for Sess, she'd be an old maid. Cannot wait to see what impact this will have on things! Great work!
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The Inu/Sess secret brothers storyline is taking on a goddamned life of its own. The good news is, its making for some very interesting consequences down the line in the Sess/Kag storyline. I originally wanted the secret to be a surprise to Sess, but ultimately decided this way was better. Cut out some of the unnecessary backstory and focus on the "good stuff."
The hardest part, honestly, was trying to justify Kagome's sudden change in attitude once she returned from the ski lodge. A lot of the remaining prompts in the table need to have two strong-willed characters at odds, methinks. But basically, she's no longer cowed by Sesshoumaru's threats to stay away from him - she sees them as a challenge :) And, ta da, New Years presented itself and suddenly I had an excuse. Huzzah for coincidental holidays!
It was also important that there was no beating around the bush about the 'sleeping kiss'. Now there's no way Sesshoumaru can deny there's something going on between them, and this will indeed have future consequences *rubs hands together gleefully*
I love that this is so free-form, because this direction is about as far off from my original idea as it could possibly be, LOL.
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I love the freedom of this, it's like playing with your words! LOL
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The hard part has been trying to mold the story around the prompts. I'm glad I still have 3 "free" ones left, but hopefully I won't have to use them anytime soon :)
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When I wrote the Kikyo piece, I actually debated between three prompts! It took a moment for me to figure out which one I felt really went with the story.
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I've been writing and hope the prompt will jump out at me!
*blush* I do the same thing, and I think we're doing it backwards LOL.
When I wrote the Kikyo piece, I actually debated between three prompts!
I think starting a new piece is the easiest of all, because you could start from any point, theoretically. Once you've got a storyline established, your hands are tied.
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Love the use of the prompt, it was worked into this very nicely. Very well done.
I can't wait to see what you have planned next! I love that Sesshoumaru has nowhere to run now; can't hide from those traitorous feelings of his :)
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Love the use of the prompt, it was worked into this very nicely. Very well done.
Thank you! :) Actually, the original plan was to have that as one of Sesshoumaru's lines, in reference to the whole secret brother thing. I think this way is better :)
I can't wait to see what you have planned next! I love that Sesshoumaru has nowhere to run now; can't hide from those traitorous feelings of his :)
Yes, he's in quite the pickle now, isn't he? Hehe.
And, apropos of nothing, might I just say that I LOVE my FF.net readers. For every one review I get on a chapter, I get about 5 new story alerts, LOL. I must be doing something right! :P
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In the manga Sesshoumaru's jealousy of his father's treatment of Inuyasha
comes to head when Totasai finally admits that Inu no Taisho gave Tetsusaiga to Inuyasha to prevent him from having a poor lot in life. This leads him to the Heir of Tetsusaiga test. Ultimately, it leads to the rejection of his father's swords and allows him to become his own man. If his father had simply given him Tetsusaiga he would never have learned to stand on his own two feet. As it was he had two parents that raised him to adulthood. He had more power as a full youkai than most youkai or humans. I will never understand the jealousy he felt of a halfbreed whose parents died when he was young and had to live on his own because neither youkai or
human would accept him.
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I'm glad to see your interest has been piqued by the "secret brothers" storyline :) In my mind, it is seriously competing for attention with the main romantic one, which is something I never even contemplated when setting out on this little challenge.
You have jumped to a few conclusions which are very interesting. Yes, there is a definite parallel with the manga storyline, but let's just say things might take another turn that isn't completely obvious as of yet...
I will never understand the jealousy he felt of a halfbreed whose parents died when he was young and had to live on his own because neither youkai or human would accept him.
At least for me, it's a matter of perspective. Why did Sesshoumaru so resent his brother? Was it because he was jealous, or because he was prejudiced? If it is indeed jealousy, what would warrant that? In my mind, he hated Inuyasha because, although he *is* the rightful heir to his father's power, he *isn't* automatically treated as such. His father didn't love and cherish him, practicing a sort of "tough love" that left Sess feeling like a disappointment or a failure. And then, come to find out there was a bastard half-breed child out there somewhere who gets all the help initially denied him, and becomes a potential rival for that power? I can see where resentment would breed anger and mistrust out of that situation.
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I will freely admit that my bias towards being fascinated by Sesshoumaru probably leads me to see him in a more forgiving light, but I have to think that there's a deeper reason, other than boredom, which drives him to seek out Inuyasha and, eventually, his own path. It's why I've written him as I have for this series, someone who is determined to prove his worth at every turn by any means necessary.