InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Cinderella Stroy ❯ The Next Invitation ( Chapter 14 )

Yuka was flustered to say the least. Kouga, the wolf taiyoukai of the North was having a ball, and they had been invited. Kagome had been invited as well, but this time she declined completely, even when Yuka made the genuine offer of funds for clothing and jewelry. Still, Yuka could not shake the strange stupor that had come over her. Ayame was being escorted by their father but she was going with Asano. Kagome deftly pinned her hair into place, then smoothed out the collar of her kimono. The deep green really was Yuka's best color. At last she rose and pulled her half-sister to her feet.

“You look lovely.”

“I still don't understand what he sees in me.”

“If I understand correctly, your soul is unlike any being, youkai or ningen, that he has ever seen. You are a mystery to him, and that is a rare thing for a reikon. He cannot predict what you will do.”

“But wouldn't he prefer that?”

“Some men do, but think on this: if all your life you could look at people and know exactly what they were going to do and say before they did, how would to react to someone you couldn't predict?”

Yuka thought for a long moment before speaking. “I would be fascinated. I would probably be mildly obsessed.”

“And if you spend enough time with them, learn that they are good even when what you see says otherwise, you cannot help but admire and respect them.”

“Do you think…I mean it's probably silly but…”

“I think there is every possibility that he is in love with you. You're just going to have to wait for him to realize it.”

There was a soft knock, and Kagome answered the door to find Tsume. She guided Yuka out of the manor to find Asano waiting with his own carriage, his family crest, a blood red tear drop, painted on the door. Kagome bowed to him as she handed Yuka up.

“You two have fun.”

Kagome knew she did not have time to stand and watch Yuka ride away, but she did anyway. A soft smile touched her lips. Yuka had found someone just by being herself. Silently Kagome wished all the world would be that lucky. She turned and walked back to Ayame's room where she began to put the final touches on her outfit. Ayame was sulking, but Kagome ignored her. Her mind turned to Sesshomaru. The very first time she'd seen him, three-quarters dead and too pained to care either way, she'd been awed. His aura was the most powerful she'd ever seen, and he himself was as perfect a specimen of maleness the world had ever produced.

She was attracted to him, of that she was sure. She cared about him, trusted him, two things she never did lightly. He was cold in front of others, but when they'd danced she seen curiosity in his eyes, and in the garden, there was warmth there too. How strange that the latter would only appear after he had learned her identity. Did he really care for a ningen? Ayame apparently noticed her inattentiveness because she huffed loudly, drawing Kagome back to the present.

“Daydreaming?”

“No, I was thinking about my pup. I miss him.”

“Well, what happened to him?”

Kagome could tell she didn't really care, but she answered the question anyway. “A youkai came and took him. He'll be better off now with his own kind.”

“I should think so. How absurd, keeping a youkai as a pet.”

“He was not a pet, he was my pup, my son.”

Ayame's eyes narrowed. “Your son?”

“I found him. I am his Okaasan. No one can change that.”

She smoothed the kimono into place and nodded to her. Ayame turned and walked from the room, her eyes calculating. Kagome did not like that look in the least. She half ran to the kitchen then slipped out the side entrance so that she could watch the yard. Ayame and Yoshi mounted the carriage and they soon were away. Kagome nodded in satisfaction and slipped out the back gate of the manor. She walked through the woods for a few minutes before stopping and pulling out the jewel. Midoriko appeared almost instantly, a smile on her face.

“You are giving an old girl too much fun, Kagome-chan.”

“You're welcome?”

She laughed again. “Spin!”

Kagome flung out her arms and spun. Her skirt flared and she closed her eyes as the light wrapped around her. When she stopped she opened them, facing her great-grandmother. She nodded in approval and made a mirror appear. Kagome felt her heart rise up into her throat. She couldn't wear this! It was indecent! A long sapphire blue skirt hung to brush at her silver slippers. The top though, stopped just above her breasts. There were no sleeves. Her shoulders were completely bare. Her breasts were held in such a way that her cleavage not only showed, but seemed more ample than before.

“Midoriko-baba…”

“You can wear it and you will. Just think of the look Sesshomaru will give you when he sees it.”

Kagome blushed and nodded, taking in the rest of the outfit. The Shikon was once again imbedded in a silver collar, while her hair had been braided and coiled around her head to form an ebony crown. Diamond capped pins held the dark coils in place and she sighed at the elegant simplicity of it. The mirror vanished and there was a soft rush of air. When she turned, Moondancer stood waiting for her. With a wave and a smile of thanks to Midoriko she mounted and they leapt skyward.