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Fantasy (Prompt #02) | Inuyasha
Collection Title: Fleeting
Genre: Drama/Romance
Rating: Y
Summary: A collection of oneshots & drabbles centered around the fleeting moments in Sesshoumaru's and Kagome's relationship as they fumble towards one another. AU; Serial.
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un_love_you Prompt Table here. Prompt for this piece is: #2: “I was wrong about you.”
Title: Fantasy
Universe: Alternate (modern era)
Rating: Y (Kagome's naughty mind; a smattering of language)
Word Count: 3054
Pairing: Sesshoumaru/Kagome
Summary: Kagome ponders how to turn her fantasy into reality – and unwittingly walks into a trap.
Author’s Note: Ninth in a series. Part 1 | Parts 2-8
Please note: overall collection rating goes up with the inclusion of this piece. As Kagome herself is soon to realize - there's no going back now :)
Disclaimer: The Inuyasha concept, story, and characters are copyright Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Media.
~*~
Ugh. Kagome reached out blindly, knocking her alarm clock to the floor just out of reach. It continued its incessant buzz, forcing her to actually dislodge from her warm cocoon of sheets in order to silence it. She shoved it further under the bed, just for good measure, before furrowing under the covers once more.
She had been having the most wonderful dream…
She sighed, closing her eyes, allowing the memory to drift forward once again…catching him unawares, forcing his hand, kissing him for real this time, not under the shadow of alcohol or sleep. She hadn’t expected what came next – him actually kissing her back, pulling her close, allowing her a glimpse beyond the icy barriers he held around himself.
He wanted her. He knew it, she knew it, and he knew she knew it.
That’s what the New Year’s kiss meant – there was no going back now.
Kagome smiled to herself. Who knew resolutions could pay such dividends? She was not used to this, being the pursuer – she had certainly never lacked for male attention or interest in the past, and had been content to let the guys make any and all first moves. But this one was the stubborn sort, and she realized the wait might prove long indeed, if she followed her usual strategy.
Not that there hadn’t been a few missteps along the way. Her first attempt at a lure was the now-infamous Halloween party, where she managed to get him out of the house with her – but also managed to get herself shit-faced drunk, which meant she had gone to bed alone that night. And then there was the disaster before winter break, when Koga showed his true colors right there in the middle of their kitchen. He’d defended her in his own…unique way, but for reasons other than chivalry. They’d exchanged a few heated, hurtful words and she’d fled, unable to take the humiliation of bungling everything so perfectly.
But she’d managed to clear her head – and maybe turn his – during the separation. She’d gained a bit more resolve in going after what she wanted, and had taken her chances. It was a new year, after all, and thus far, the outlook was mighty promising.
She cracked her eyes open, glancing across the gloomily dark room at her bathrobe and towel. As much as she’d love to just stay in bed and dream the rest of the day away, it was, unfortunately, the first week of classes. This was going to be a tough semester, too, which meant she’d have to pay attention to something other than her beautiful roommate…
Just as she was dredging up the motivation to abandon the warmth of her bed, she heard the crisp slam of a door and turn of a lock. She stilled, curling her fingers into her sheets as the muffled sounds of running water reached her ears.
He beat me to it, she mused lazily, allowing her eyes to slip closed once more. Hopefully he won’t be long…
Her mind supplied images to accompany the hushed sounds emanating from across the hall – the running water at the sink as he brushed his teeth, followed by softer cascades of the same when he turned on the taps in the shower. If she concentrated hard enough, she could almost hear the soft whip of the curtain as he stepped inside…
Her head grew heavy, the sound of the running water lulling her into a light doze…
He was beautiful, of course, a tall, pale, elegant Adonis. As he stepped under the spray, his shimmering hair became the color of molten silver, clinging to his face, his neck, his shoulders before he brushed it away. He gathered the heavy mass over one shoulder, revealing the refined arch of his back to her greedy eyes. She followed the rivulets of water, envious of their intimate trail down the smooth planes of his back, across the curve of his hips.
He didn’t realize his audience, so wrapped up was he in caring for his hair, long fingers massaging his scalp, twining lovingly through the long locks. She watched the muscles of his shoulders knot and relax under the careful ministrations, the temptation to touch becoming overwhelming…but not yet.
She waited, until he had ducked his head under the water once again, washing the soap from his eyes, rinsing out his curtain of hair. He started when she touched his bare shoulder, turning to look at her in shock. She merely smiled back, curling her fingers into his skin, raking her nails appreciatively down the back of his arm.
“What are you – ” he choked, but she cut him off, closing her mouth over his, leaning in, wrapping her arms around him. He swayed back, bringing her under the mist, and she suppressed a giggle as the warm water cascaded down her back. He steadied himself, unfurling his arms and returning her embrace with equal fervor.
She burrowed close, running her fingers along his jaw and down his neck as she teased him with her mouth, nipping and sucking and brushing against his. Her tongue darted out, licking the water from the corner of his lips before trailing over his chin, eliciting a low groan of pleasure. She smiled triumphantly as she felt his hands tighten around her, cupping her backside and bringing her close.
“Kagome,” he moaned, his voice rumbling through her as she kissed his throat, her hands already paving the way for further exploration. She smoothed her fingers over his chest, brushing his hair over his shoulder as she aimed for a nipple, delighting in his reaction as she flicked her tongue over it. He rocked his hips against hers and she purred softly.
“I do believe you owe me an apology,” she murmured, reaching around to massage circles over his lower back. She pressed soft kisses against his pectoral, teasing, taunting.
“What?” he asked, muddle-headed, his breath jerking with each movement of her mouth. His hands dipped down across the backs of her thighs, sliding across the slickness of her skin.
“‘You’re not my type’?” she reminded him pointedly, glancing up into his face.
He shuddered under the weight of her accusation, his eyes slipping closed. “I was wrong about you,” he breathed, his grip tightening on her legs, spreading her thighs as he hoisted her up. “Oh, God, I was so wrong about you.”
SLAM.
Kagome bolted up in the bed, stripping the tangled sheets away from her too-warm body as she heaved deeply, her heart racing. Slowly, her vision came into focus in the darkness of the room. She sighed, her nerves tingling as adrenaline and naked lust coursed through her.
Damn, she thought dazedly, glancing towards her bedroom door, wondering how long she’d lain there. The room – the hall – was completely silent. This is getting out of control.
Her lips curled into a small smile as she contemplated. Maybe it’s time to turn fantasy into reality.
~*~
Kagome took a deep breath, smoothing her hands over her skirt and giving herself a firm mental shake. She’d managed to shower and change in record time, wanting to approach Sesshoumaru before he left for the day. She stood in the common room, just out of sight of the kitchen, gathering every ounce of nerve.
It was one thing to dream. It was quite another to actually turn those thoughts into actions.
She peeked around the corner, momentarily jolted to see him standing at the kitchen sink with his back to her. He was fully clothed – unfortunately – but otherwise held exactly the same pose she’d imagined a scant thirty minutes before, shimmery curtain of hair and all. She bit her lip as her eyes ran down the length of him, realizing her fantasized version appeared remarkably close to reality.
She slipped into the room on quiet feet, approaching him stealthily and wrapping her arms around his waist. She leaned into his back, burying her face in his hair, inhaling deeply and reveling in the feel of it against her cheek, so smooth and soft.
“Good morning,” she murmured.
He stiffened in her awkward embrace, but she held firm, eventually rewarded as he relaxed incrementally. “Good morning,” he returned, swallowing convulsively.
They stood in silence for a long moment, so long that she began to feel self-conscious. Finally, he tugged away, reaching for the towel to dry his dishes. She didn’t let go of him completely, dropping one arm while the other rested around his waist, her fingers curling into his side suggestively.
He didn’t respond to her touch, his focus solely on the ceramicware in his hands.
“Sesshoumaru,” she tried again, only to find any sexy or confident phrases stuck in her throat.
“Hm?” he mumbled, side-stepping her in order to put his dishes up. She quickly drew her other arm back to her side, her face flaming.
What am I doing wrong? she asked herself, eyeing him carefully as he moved around their small kitchen.
She furrowed her brow, deciding to take a different tack. “So, what are your plans for today?” she asked, striving to keep her tone light.
He sighed. “I have class till three, and then another meeting with my thesis advisor,” he replied, rolling his eyes as he packed his bag. “It’s shaping up to be a killer.”
Her heart sank at the idea that he’d be busy all day. “Maybe we could meet for lunch?” she suggested, reaching into her tea cabinet. “I’ll be free around noon.”
“I won’t,” he said quickly, throwing the strap of the bag over his shoulder. “Sorry.”
She cast a glance at him over her shoulder as she warmed her kettle on the stove. He was frowning, appearing even more preoccupied than usual. Her stomach clenched. “Dinner, then?”
He tried to walk out of the room without answering, but she caught up before he could escape. “Sesshoumaru?” she asked, her gut filling with dread as she caught his arm. “Is something wrong?” Had she managed to completely misjudge the situation, or was her fumbling about that obvious?
She really, really hoped it was the latter. At least that she could work on…
He glanced back at her, his face melting into a reassuring smile. “I’m sorry,” he apologized, reaching up to clasp the hand at his elbow. “I’ve got a lot on my mind right now. Dinner would be nice.”
“Is it anything I can help you with?” she asked, unable to shield the doubt in her voice.
He gazed at her thoughtfully. “I don’t think so,” he murmured, squeezing her hand gently.
“Okay,” she replied, reassured that she hadn’t completely fucked it up by the simple fact that he was still holding her hand. “Dinner at seven, then?”
“Sounds good,” he said, grabbing his coat from the hook. Impulsively, she hugged him again, pressing a tiny kiss to his jaw. He shuddered slightly, releasing a long breath, but hugged her back nonetheless.
She watched him leave, encouraged yet cautious. Things hadn’t gone exactly according to plan, but it was a start.
She couldn’t help but wonder, however, just what he was hiding from her…
~*~
Kagome sighed, twirling her pen between her fingers as the professor droned on. The first week of classes was always dull – the introductions, the instructions, the anecdotes about past classes, and, of course, the waxing philosophical on the professor’s own ambitions – but this one was mind-numbingly boring.
“The Microeconomics of Business” – what a snore.
The only good thing about first days of classes was all the free time one could devote to other, more interesting trains of thought, and that was exactly what she was doing, carefully turning the events of the morning – and the last few days – over in her mind. She was fairly convinced now that the whole thing had gone relatively smoothly. The awkwardness she put down to being in the unfamiliar position of pursuer, as well as the singular silence of the one being pursued. Come to think of it, anytime she’d chanced to be around him in a social situation, he wasn’t exactly warm and bubbly.
Obviously, she gave his fantasy self far too much credit for being willing to take the lead.
She frowned as she remembered her sexy dream from that morning. It was hardly the first time she’d fantasized about fucking him senseless, but there was something about this one that stuck out in her mind…
But what?
“I was wrong about you.”
She dropped her pen as the words trickled through her mind. They tickled at another memory, one of abject elation she’d felt when he’d moaned those words in her ear.
I guess I didn’t realize how much that still bothered me, she mused silently, feeling her hackles rise in response to his harsh – and quite real – words, uttered before the winter break. Even though it’s obvious now that he doesn’t feel that way anymore…
Or was it?
She furrowed her brow. Yes, she had managed to wrangle a dinner date with him, but he’d been awfully evasive to her previous suggestions. Is that what he was so preoccupied with, trying to reconcile his image of her as an irreverent party girl with someone he’d actually consider dating?
“Meanwhile, in la-la land,” came an amused voice, breaking her from her thoughts. She glanced over her shoulder, surprised to see Inuyasha standing behind her. She realized the rest of the class was moving about, gathering their belongings and leaving the room. She flushed, unable to believe that her mind had been so completely derailed from her immediate surroundings.
“Let’s have lunch,” Inuyasha proclaimed as she began to gather her things. “I don’t know about you, but listening to econ mumbo-jumbo makes me famished!”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, this class is rather dry,” she agreed, throwing the straps of her backpack over her shoulders. “Sucks that it’s a requirement for the major.”
Inuyasha shrugged as they walked out of the building. “I wish I felt that way,” he said jovially, pointing to a noodle shop across the street. “It’s more over-my-head than soul-crushingly boring, to me.”
“Really?” she asked, surprised. Their conversation was brought to a halt as they placed their orders and searched for a table in the crowded shop. Finally, Inuyasha spotted one next to the door, sliding into the booth with relish.
“Really,” he said, slipping out of his outer coat. “My dad’s trying to bring me into the family business, and, well, it’s all a bit overwhelming at the moment.”
She gave him a skeptical look. “I thought you hadn’t seen your father in a long time,” she remarked. “You lived with your mother, right?”
He nodded. “Yeah, but when she died, I had nowhere else to go.” He shrugged. “I don’t mind, you know, but it’s awkward. I feel like I’m playing a never-ending game of catch-up.” He smiled at the waitress that brought out their food before turning his attention back to Kagome. “I’ve never really had a head for numbers.”
She gazed at him sympathetically. “It’s nice that your father is willing to give you a chance,” she said. “Things must’ve been rough between your parents if you didn’t even get to see him when you were a kid.”
His expression darkened. “It was complicated,” he agreed, “but my mom and I, we managed.” He attacked his ramen with gusto.
Kagome smiled, finding his ardent love for instant noodles rather amusing. “Well, if you need help with some of your classes, let me know,” she offered. “I’m no academic star, either, but I’ve done pretty well so far.”
“Awesome,” he said, eyes twinkling. “I’ll definitely take you up on that.” He reached across the table, his hand brushing hers lightly.
She looked down, gently pulling her hand away. An awkward silence stretched between them as Kagome took a healthy bite out of her own noodles.
“Kagome,” Inuyasha started, a small blush rising to his cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” she interrupted, curling her hand in her lap. “It’s just that…well, I’m kind of seeing someone right now, and – ”
“No problem,” he said with a smile, holding up his hands in surrender. “It’s cool, we can just be friends.” He shook his head ruefully as he inhaled another mouthful of ramen. “Lucky bastard,” he mumbled under his breath.
She laughed over her relief, glad he was easy-going enough to let the rejection roll off his back.
He gave her a curious stare as she settled, digging into her food once again. “Mind if I ask who it is?” he asked casually.
She froze, her chopsticks halfway to her mouth, her heart pumping desperately in her chest. “I’d rather not say,” she stumbled. After all, I’m not really sure if we are a ‘we’ just yet…
He laughed it off again, though this time it sounded a trifle more forced. “You’re right, none of my business,” he concurred. “Guess I’m just kicking myself for missing my chance.”
She shrugged, unable to suppress the light blush that tinted her cheeks. “Thanks, Inuyasha,” she whispered, pushing her food around her bowl.
“For what?” he questioned.
“For making me feel wanted,” she replied sheepishly.
He gave her a skeptical look. “Hey, if this guy isn’t treating you right – ”
“It’s not that,” she rushed, quick to put an end to such dangerous notions. “It’s just…well, you know. New and awkward.” She let her gaze drop. “Just – forget it. It’s just me being insecure.”
“Hey,” he said softly, reaching for the hand that was still above the table. “You’re beautiful, and smart, and just an all-around wonderful person to spend time with. You have nothing to feel bad about.”
He lifted her chin to look straight into her eyes. “You’ve been really great to me these last couple of months, and I want to do the same for you. So if you ever need anything, just know – I’m here. Even as a friend.”
She smiled softly. “Yeah, the same goes for me,” she replied, giving his hand a light squeeze. “My dad was in business pretty heavily, too, so I know some of the ins and outs of things, how to deal, you know. If you want some pointers, I’m your girl.”
“Thanks,” he murmured with a nod. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Genre: Drama/Romance
Rating: Y
Summary: A collection of oneshots & drabbles centered around the fleeting moments in Sesshoumaru's and Kagome's relationship as they fumble towards one another. AU; Serial.
un_love_you Prompt Table here. Prompt for this piece is: #2: “I was wrong about you.”Title: Fantasy
Universe: Alternate (modern era)
Rating: Y (Kagome's naughty mind; a smattering of language)
Word Count: 3054
Pairing: Sesshoumaru/Kagome
Summary: Kagome ponders how to turn her fantasy into reality – and unwittingly walks into a trap.
Author’s Note: Ninth in a series. Part 1 | Parts 2-8
Please note: overall collection rating goes up with the inclusion of this piece. As Kagome herself is soon to realize - there's no going back now :)
Disclaimer: The Inuyasha concept, story, and characters are copyright Rumiko Takahashi and Viz Media.
Ugh. Kagome reached out blindly, knocking her alarm clock to the floor just out of reach. It continued its incessant buzz, forcing her to actually dislodge from her warm cocoon of sheets in order to silence it. She shoved it further under the bed, just for good measure, before furrowing under the covers once more.
She had been having the most wonderful dream…
She sighed, closing her eyes, allowing the memory to drift forward once again…catching him unawares, forcing his hand, kissing him for real this time, not under the shadow of alcohol or sleep. She hadn’t expected what came next – him actually kissing her back, pulling her close, allowing her a glimpse beyond the icy barriers he held around himself.
He wanted her. He knew it, she knew it, and he knew she knew it.
That’s what the New Year’s kiss meant – there was no going back now.
Kagome smiled to herself. Who knew resolutions could pay such dividends? She was not used to this, being the pursuer – she had certainly never lacked for male attention or interest in the past, and had been content to let the guys make any and all first moves. But this one was the stubborn sort, and she realized the wait might prove long indeed, if she followed her usual strategy.
Not that there hadn’t been a few missteps along the way. Her first attempt at a lure was the now-infamous Halloween party, where she managed to get him out of the house with her – but also managed to get herself shit-faced drunk, which meant she had gone to bed alone that night. And then there was the disaster before winter break, when Koga showed his true colors right there in the middle of their kitchen. He’d defended her in his own…unique way, but for reasons other than chivalry. They’d exchanged a few heated, hurtful words and she’d fled, unable to take the humiliation of bungling everything so perfectly.
But she’d managed to clear her head – and maybe turn his – during the separation. She’d gained a bit more resolve in going after what she wanted, and had taken her chances. It was a new year, after all, and thus far, the outlook was mighty promising.
She cracked her eyes open, glancing across the gloomily dark room at her bathrobe and towel. As much as she’d love to just stay in bed and dream the rest of the day away, it was, unfortunately, the first week of classes. This was going to be a tough semester, too, which meant she’d have to pay attention to something other than her beautiful roommate…
Just as she was dredging up the motivation to abandon the warmth of her bed, she heard the crisp slam of a door and turn of a lock. She stilled, curling her fingers into her sheets as the muffled sounds of running water reached her ears.
He beat me to it, she mused lazily, allowing her eyes to slip closed once more. Hopefully he won’t be long…
Her mind supplied images to accompany the hushed sounds emanating from across the hall – the running water at the sink as he brushed his teeth, followed by softer cascades of the same when he turned on the taps in the shower. If she concentrated hard enough, she could almost hear the soft whip of the curtain as he stepped inside…
Her head grew heavy, the sound of the running water lulling her into a light doze…
He was beautiful, of course, a tall, pale, elegant Adonis. As he stepped under the spray, his shimmering hair became the color of molten silver, clinging to his face, his neck, his shoulders before he brushed it away. He gathered the heavy mass over one shoulder, revealing the refined arch of his back to her greedy eyes. She followed the rivulets of water, envious of their intimate trail down the smooth planes of his back, across the curve of his hips.
He didn’t realize his audience, so wrapped up was he in caring for his hair, long fingers massaging his scalp, twining lovingly through the long locks. She watched the muscles of his shoulders knot and relax under the careful ministrations, the temptation to touch becoming overwhelming…but not yet.
She waited, until he had ducked his head under the water once again, washing the soap from his eyes, rinsing out his curtain of hair. He started when she touched his bare shoulder, turning to look at her in shock. She merely smiled back, curling her fingers into his skin, raking her nails appreciatively down the back of his arm.
“What are you – ” he choked, but she cut him off, closing her mouth over his, leaning in, wrapping her arms around him. He swayed back, bringing her under the mist, and she suppressed a giggle as the warm water cascaded down her back. He steadied himself, unfurling his arms and returning her embrace with equal fervor.
She burrowed close, running her fingers along his jaw and down his neck as she teased him with her mouth, nipping and sucking and brushing against his. Her tongue darted out, licking the water from the corner of his lips before trailing over his chin, eliciting a low groan of pleasure. She smiled triumphantly as she felt his hands tighten around her, cupping her backside and bringing her close.
“Kagome,” he moaned, his voice rumbling through her as she kissed his throat, her hands already paving the way for further exploration. She smoothed her fingers over his chest, brushing his hair over his shoulder as she aimed for a nipple, delighting in his reaction as she flicked her tongue over it. He rocked his hips against hers and she purred softly.
“I do believe you owe me an apology,” she murmured, reaching around to massage circles over his lower back. She pressed soft kisses against his pectoral, teasing, taunting.
“What?” he asked, muddle-headed, his breath jerking with each movement of her mouth. His hands dipped down across the backs of her thighs, sliding across the slickness of her skin.
“‘You’re not my type’?” she reminded him pointedly, glancing up into his face.
He shuddered under the weight of her accusation, his eyes slipping closed. “I was wrong about you,” he breathed, his grip tightening on her legs, spreading her thighs as he hoisted her up. “Oh, God, I was so wrong about you.”
SLAM.
Kagome bolted up in the bed, stripping the tangled sheets away from her too-warm body as she heaved deeply, her heart racing. Slowly, her vision came into focus in the darkness of the room. She sighed, her nerves tingling as adrenaline and naked lust coursed through her.
Damn, she thought dazedly, glancing towards her bedroom door, wondering how long she’d lain there. The room – the hall – was completely silent. This is getting out of control.
Her lips curled into a small smile as she contemplated. Maybe it’s time to turn fantasy into reality.
Kagome took a deep breath, smoothing her hands over her skirt and giving herself a firm mental shake. She’d managed to shower and change in record time, wanting to approach Sesshoumaru before he left for the day. She stood in the common room, just out of sight of the kitchen, gathering every ounce of nerve.
It was one thing to dream. It was quite another to actually turn those thoughts into actions.
She peeked around the corner, momentarily jolted to see him standing at the kitchen sink with his back to her. He was fully clothed – unfortunately – but otherwise held exactly the same pose she’d imagined a scant thirty minutes before, shimmery curtain of hair and all. She bit her lip as her eyes ran down the length of him, realizing her fantasized version appeared remarkably close to reality.
She slipped into the room on quiet feet, approaching him stealthily and wrapping her arms around his waist. She leaned into his back, burying her face in his hair, inhaling deeply and reveling in the feel of it against her cheek, so smooth and soft.
“Good morning,” she murmured.
He stiffened in her awkward embrace, but she held firm, eventually rewarded as he relaxed incrementally. “Good morning,” he returned, swallowing convulsively.
They stood in silence for a long moment, so long that she began to feel self-conscious. Finally, he tugged away, reaching for the towel to dry his dishes. She didn’t let go of him completely, dropping one arm while the other rested around his waist, her fingers curling into his side suggestively.
He didn’t respond to her touch, his focus solely on the ceramicware in his hands.
“Sesshoumaru,” she tried again, only to find any sexy or confident phrases stuck in her throat.
“Hm?” he mumbled, side-stepping her in order to put his dishes up. She quickly drew her other arm back to her side, her face flaming.
What am I doing wrong? she asked herself, eyeing him carefully as he moved around their small kitchen.
She furrowed her brow, deciding to take a different tack. “So, what are your plans for today?” she asked, striving to keep her tone light.
He sighed. “I have class till three, and then another meeting with my thesis advisor,” he replied, rolling his eyes as he packed his bag. “It’s shaping up to be a killer.”
Her heart sank at the idea that he’d be busy all day. “Maybe we could meet for lunch?” she suggested, reaching into her tea cabinet. “I’ll be free around noon.”
“I won’t,” he said quickly, throwing the strap of the bag over his shoulder. “Sorry.”
She cast a glance at him over her shoulder as she warmed her kettle on the stove. He was frowning, appearing even more preoccupied than usual. Her stomach clenched. “Dinner, then?”
He tried to walk out of the room without answering, but she caught up before he could escape. “Sesshoumaru?” she asked, her gut filling with dread as she caught his arm. “Is something wrong?” Had she managed to completely misjudge the situation, or was her fumbling about that obvious?
She really, really hoped it was the latter. At least that she could work on…
He glanced back at her, his face melting into a reassuring smile. “I’m sorry,” he apologized, reaching up to clasp the hand at his elbow. “I’ve got a lot on my mind right now. Dinner would be nice.”
“Is it anything I can help you with?” she asked, unable to shield the doubt in her voice.
He gazed at her thoughtfully. “I don’t think so,” he murmured, squeezing her hand gently.
“Okay,” she replied, reassured that she hadn’t completely fucked it up by the simple fact that he was still holding her hand. “Dinner at seven, then?”
“Sounds good,” he said, grabbing his coat from the hook. Impulsively, she hugged him again, pressing a tiny kiss to his jaw. He shuddered slightly, releasing a long breath, but hugged her back nonetheless.
She watched him leave, encouraged yet cautious. Things hadn’t gone exactly according to plan, but it was a start.
She couldn’t help but wonder, however, just what he was hiding from her…
Kagome sighed, twirling her pen between her fingers as the professor droned on. The first week of classes was always dull – the introductions, the instructions, the anecdotes about past classes, and, of course, the waxing philosophical on the professor’s own ambitions – but this one was mind-numbingly boring.
“The Microeconomics of Business” – what a snore.
The only good thing about first days of classes was all the free time one could devote to other, more interesting trains of thought, and that was exactly what she was doing, carefully turning the events of the morning – and the last few days – over in her mind. She was fairly convinced now that the whole thing had gone relatively smoothly. The awkwardness she put down to being in the unfamiliar position of pursuer, as well as the singular silence of the one being pursued. Come to think of it, anytime she’d chanced to be around him in a social situation, he wasn’t exactly warm and bubbly.
Obviously, she gave his fantasy self far too much credit for being willing to take the lead.
She frowned as she remembered her sexy dream from that morning. It was hardly the first time she’d fantasized about fucking him senseless, but there was something about this one that stuck out in her mind…
But what?
“I was wrong about you.”
She dropped her pen as the words trickled through her mind. They tickled at another memory, one of abject elation she’d felt when he’d moaned those words in her ear.
I guess I didn’t realize how much that still bothered me, she mused silently, feeling her hackles rise in response to his harsh – and quite real – words, uttered before the winter break. Even though it’s obvious now that he doesn’t feel that way anymore…
Or was it?
She furrowed her brow. Yes, she had managed to wrangle a dinner date with him, but he’d been awfully evasive to her previous suggestions. Is that what he was so preoccupied with, trying to reconcile his image of her as an irreverent party girl with someone he’d actually consider dating?
“Meanwhile, in la-la land,” came an amused voice, breaking her from her thoughts. She glanced over her shoulder, surprised to see Inuyasha standing behind her. She realized the rest of the class was moving about, gathering their belongings and leaving the room. She flushed, unable to believe that her mind had been so completely derailed from her immediate surroundings.
“Let’s have lunch,” Inuyasha proclaimed as she began to gather her things. “I don’t know about you, but listening to econ mumbo-jumbo makes me famished!”
She couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, this class is rather dry,” she agreed, throwing the straps of her backpack over her shoulders. “Sucks that it’s a requirement for the major.”
Inuyasha shrugged as they walked out of the building. “I wish I felt that way,” he said jovially, pointing to a noodle shop across the street. “It’s more over-my-head than soul-crushingly boring, to me.”
“Really?” she asked, surprised. Their conversation was brought to a halt as they placed their orders and searched for a table in the crowded shop. Finally, Inuyasha spotted one next to the door, sliding into the booth with relish.
“Really,” he said, slipping out of his outer coat. “My dad’s trying to bring me into the family business, and, well, it’s all a bit overwhelming at the moment.”
She gave him a skeptical look. “I thought you hadn’t seen your father in a long time,” she remarked. “You lived with your mother, right?”
He nodded. “Yeah, but when she died, I had nowhere else to go.” He shrugged. “I don’t mind, you know, but it’s awkward. I feel like I’m playing a never-ending game of catch-up.” He smiled at the waitress that brought out their food before turning his attention back to Kagome. “I’ve never really had a head for numbers.”
She gazed at him sympathetically. “It’s nice that your father is willing to give you a chance,” she said. “Things must’ve been rough between your parents if you didn’t even get to see him when you were a kid.”
His expression darkened. “It was complicated,” he agreed, “but my mom and I, we managed.” He attacked his ramen with gusto.
Kagome smiled, finding his ardent love for instant noodles rather amusing. “Well, if you need help with some of your classes, let me know,” she offered. “I’m no academic star, either, but I’ve done pretty well so far.”
“Awesome,” he said, eyes twinkling. “I’ll definitely take you up on that.” He reached across the table, his hand brushing hers lightly.
She looked down, gently pulling her hand away. An awkward silence stretched between them as Kagome took a healthy bite out of her own noodles.
“Kagome,” Inuyasha started, a small blush rising to his cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” she interrupted, curling her hand in her lap. “It’s just that…well, I’m kind of seeing someone right now, and – ”
“No problem,” he said with a smile, holding up his hands in surrender. “It’s cool, we can just be friends.” He shook his head ruefully as he inhaled another mouthful of ramen. “Lucky bastard,” he mumbled under his breath.
She laughed over her relief, glad he was easy-going enough to let the rejection roll off his back.
He gave her a curious stare as she settled, digging into her food once again. “Mind if I ask who it is?” he asked casually.
She froze, her chopsticks halfway to her mouth, her heart pumping desperately in her chest. “I’d rather not say,” she stumbled. After all, I’m not really sure if we are a ‘we’ just yet…
He laughed it off again, though this time it sounded a trifle more forced. “You’re right, none of my business,” he concurred. “Guess I’m just kicking myself for missing my chance.”
She shrugged, unable to suppress the light blush that tinted her cheeks. “Thanks, Inuyasha,” she whispered, pushing her food around her bowl.
“For what?” he questioned.
“For making me feel wanted,” she replied sheepishly.
He gave her a skeptical look. “Hey, if this guy isn’t treating you right – ”
“It’s not that,” she rushed, quick to put an end to such dangerous notions. “It’s just…well, you know. New and awkward.” She let her gaze drop. “Just – forget it. It’s just me being insecure.”
“Hey,” he said softly, reaching for the hand that was still above the table. “You’re beautiful, and smart, and just an all-around wonderful person to spend time with. You have nothing to feel bad about.”
He lifted her chin to look straight into her eyes. “You’ve been really great to me these last couple of months, and I want to do the same for you. So if you ever need anything, just know – I’m here. Even as a friend.”
She smiled softly. “Yeah, the same goes for me,” she replied, giving his hand a light squeeze. “My dad was in business pretty heavily, too, so I know some of the ins and outs of things, how to deal, you know. If you want some pointers, I’m your girl.”
“Thanks,” he murmured with a nod. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
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Half the fun of bagging a man is the thrill of the hunt! You can do it, Kagome!
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As for Inuyasha - yes, he was always going to be in the game, it was just a matter of deciding what his role was going to be. Luckily, I managed to skeleton-plot the rest of this fic out (after trying and failing to pick a prompt to write for), so I've decided how to play his character. And given myself a whole new challenge on top of it, but what else is new.
I'm glad you enjoyed! :) I love writing on this fic, it's so much fun and so much...stuff I don't really know about, LOL. Hopefully now that I've got a plan things will be updated a bit more often...
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This series is a breath of fresh air :)
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This series is a breath of fresh air :)
squee!
This is another one of those fics that I never expected to be writing, yet here I am, right in the thick of things, LOL. Having Inuyasha alive and well and a viable player is proving quite the challenge, but hopefully with enjoyable results for all, no matter what your ship :)
*sigh* I also commented somewhere, to someone, about the general lack of sex in my fics, and how I knew there would be some in this one eventually, but that it was a long way off.
...
*eyes muses pointedly* Thanks for making me look hypocritical, guys.
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*snickers* Been there done that. Those muses can be sooooo unreliable...
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I realise most people would rejoice, but the sheer number of things I've got going on right now which don't involve smut or comedy...rather precludes this spoil of fortune.
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Need to write happy stuff? Oh look, the emo bunnies are gathering!
(At least that what seems to be happening with me lately... damn it...)
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They eat me alive for months at a time, no no no!
LOL :) Yes that is always the way, they never come when you summon them, you're more at the mercy of their whims. Which is fine, normally; I have enough different things going on that usually something can be satisfied.
Thank goodness the stars aligned and the contest prompts were workable is all I can say, LOL!
But I am glad to have gotten this piece fully plotted; it was worrying me there for a bit that maybe I'd written myself into a corner I couldn't get out of. Still not sure I'll get all 30 prompts in, but I'll do my darndest!
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You can doooo it! I have faith!
Just FYI: Your gift-fic will be posted tonight :-D
I'm finishing it now and then gotta get it skimmed by my beta for dumb english inaccuracies...
I think it's long enough I'm gonna have to pop it on ff.net and mm.org and link to it from my journal.
-_-;; Talk about plot bunnies leaving you to the mercy of their whims... this one grabbed me and took off.
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:D Yay, looking forward to the giftfic! :) I'll be away for most of tomorrow but you can bet it will be at the top of my list of things to read when I get back. I promise lots of squeeing and fangirling in advance, LOL.
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Damn, pretend I never said it'd be up tomorrow - we had major breaking news and I never got things finished. In the next few days though!
(I hate work SO much)
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I get sick that many of the fics at Dokuga have a lemon per chapter. They almost look alike. It is nice to find fics that where the relationship is more than just sex like "Everday Love" by Priestess Skye
You know I prefer that SK stories that treat Inuyasha well. Two stories that just fit this category just ended. "My Own" by LC Rose and "Yellow Brick Road" by Emmaren.
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It is nice to find fics that where the relationship is more than just sex like "Everday Love" by Priestess Skye
I'm glad someone appreciates it! Because it seems most folks don't, which is a shame. Getting there is half the fun, I say.
You know I prefer that SK stories that treat Inuyasha well. Two stories that just fit this category just ended. "My Own" by LC Rose and "Yellow Brick Road" by Emmaren.
So I noted! :) I <3 LC Rose because she's been such a cheerleader for this fic. When I clear some more time from my schedule, I'm definitely checking out her stuff.
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following his dad's plan, you are doing a good job making his approach to Kagome seem like an innocent attempt to be her friend.
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I've decided (for the most part) where the rest of the plot is going and how it's going to get there. Attempting to write around these prompts is no easy feat, let me tell you.
Inuyasha is in on his father's plan - as that was the entire reason he was brought to the country in the first place - but things are far more complicated than they first appear. I'm certainly trying to keep everyone on their toes :D so I'll attempt not to give even more away.
Suffice to say all words and deeds have consequences, as our three main characters are soon to find out...
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I can't help but wonder about Inuyasha's ulterior "friendly" self. He just seems so suspect! LOL You are doing an excellent job with the prompts. We really need to stop writing and finding the prompts later! LMAO!
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*dances around the room* Yay! I'm sooooo glad this came across because that is exactly what I was going for. You, the reader, know what's going on in the background, even as Kagome struggles to understand his off-and-on behavior. It wouldn't be right to have Sesshoumaru be all lovey-dovey affectionate anyway, given his character, but I tried to soften his jerkish behavior. Plus, I thought it was a nice contrast to make, between fantasy Sesshoumaru and reality Sesshoumaru, just to show how much her feelings (hormones?) are affecting her.
Plus, I mean, it's a collection called Fleeting. It's going to be awkward, it kinda has to be, LOL!
I can't help but wonder about Inuyasha's ulterior "friendly" self. He just seems so suspect! LOL
:D Excellent! That's why I included the second part of the summary in the summary, to make sure no one took what happens at total face value.
You are doing an excellent job with the prompts. We really need to stop writing and finding the prompts later! LMAO!
Believe it or not, when I was trying to figure out which prompt would work best next, I actually managed to sit down and sketch out the rest of the fic. I think I put possibilities next to all but, like, 3 of them, not including the rest of the author's choice! Man, that was a load off my shoulders, too, because I could kinda direct the fic the way it needed to go and still plan for a few more twists.
But I guess that's the risk we run trying to write continuous stories out of prompt tables - sometimes the story goes where the prompts don't!
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I'm thrilled that I am actually able to follow along with your story! I have read some that left me totally and utterly confused! LOL
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Yes, it certainly makes life easier. I couldn't decide which prompt fit best this time around, so I just sat down with the table and threw out possibilities for all of them. Hopefully it will work...and if not, well, there's still enough left that I can fudge it, hehe.
I'm thrilled that I am actually able to follow along with your story!
I think I'm more thrilled about that that you are, LOL. I'd hate to think I was writing along, very obviously, and my readers were going, "...WTF?" If there's a misstep taken in the communication of the story, it's on the part of the writer, not the reader.
But you guys make posting it all here totally worth it, I love seeing how everyone's reacting! :D
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I love that you are keeping Inuyasha a part of this series. He's working into it nicely!
I could literally FEEL the awkwardness of Kagome's situation with Sesshoumaru. All her insecurities; the girl needs to work it! *snap snap*
Awesome job!
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squee!! *happy dance*
*bows* Thank you! I'm certainly happy to hear I'm conveying the complexity of real life in an easy-to-follow way, all while keeping the core of our characters true to themselves. It's certainly been a challenge, but one I've been happy to take on. I like challenging myself to think outside the box :)
I could literally FEEL the awkwardness of Kagome's situation with Sesshoumaru. All her insecurities; the girl needs to work it! *snap snap*
Of all the disparate things I've been weaving into this story...the awkwardness is the only one I know so painfully firsthand, LOL. I promise she'll find some self-belief before the end of this thing, the kind that comes from within instead of from a bottle :P
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