InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Rose in Winter ❯ Chapter 2

A Rose in Winter:

by:

Goijh

Author's note: I know that I said this wasn't meant to be updated very often, and it isn't, but I couldn't help myself, so I wrote the second chapter.

No promises as to when the third chapter will be out.

I can tell you one thing though, this looks like it will be a LONG story. Over 20 chapters at least. Just thought I would let you know. ^_^ But then again, most of my stories are quite long.

Oh! And I'm not sure if I told you guys this yet, but I am taking an indefinite, but not permanent break from Before I Die. I've tried writing the fanfiction two different ways as of yet and am still not coming up happy with the way its going. Hopefully I'll be able to change my perspective on it though after a break.

So here you go! It's short I know, but enjoy!

*****************************************

Chapter Two

*****************************************

Kagome stood there for a moment, at the top of the stair. Oblivious to the awaiting stares of her father and their company.

Shock resonated through her body.

Inuyasha Akuma. The very man that had forced her into this fate was the one who had been standing next to her, stirring up these sinful emotions inside of her.

He was one that she had moments before been considering as a suitor, a husband.

And he had done nothing to dissuade her. He had allowed her to believe he was Maten Cheveux, decieving her, humiliating her.

And now here father was here.

And he still dared to call her by her name? Now that she knew that truth?

Without giving pause to think Kagome spun around, her palm swinging through the air. A resounding, "SLAP!" echoed through the house. Her hand stung, but she refused to admit it as slowly she lowered it and glared as angriliy as she could at the silver haired man whose cheek was beginning to glow red, tears springing in the corners of her eyes though she would never let them fall lest HE should see them.

"It's Miss Higurashi to you!" She spat venomously.

Inuyasha brought a hand to caress the now throbbing flesh at the side of his face, but his eyes revealed that he was not ashamed. He still had the audacity to look at her in such a manner that moments before had sent heat coursing through her body.

Kagome was loathe to admit that the pleasant sensations were still evoked under his amber gaze. Her treacherous thoughts, traitorous body!

"I thought that you knew." Was all that Inuyasha said to her.

"Oi! You stupid wench! How could you do this to me?!" Her father cried, sounding very much like a rabid dog that needed to be put out of his misery. "Tramping around in this very house with the likes of HIM! You're mother must be turning in her grave. It's a woeful thought to think that you are my own child, betraying me and your family so!"

Maten, seeming to be uncomfortable in confrontations, was slowly inching towards the door, hoping to maybe escape unnoticed. Onigumo however, saw his plan of action, and not willing to let the man, or rather his purse, flee, grabbed him by his arm and dragged him forward, into the arguement.

"And now Mr. Cheveux here probably thinks that you're damaged goods! I brought you a right good man and you present yourself as no better than a common whore!"

Kagome recoiled as if slapped at the indignity her father was suggesting. However, much to her surprise, she was not the only one. Next to her, she could feel Inuyasha tensing. A low rumbling noise seemed to be issuing forth from him, almost like a growl. Ignoring the peculiarity for the moment, Kagome rushed to save her reputation.

"Nothing happened father! Nothing of the sort!"

"Then why is it then I walked through the door the first thing I saw was you wrapped in his arms at the top of the stairs?" Oniugumo shot back, forgetting for a moment that he wanted to somehow persuade Maten to wed his daughter, not be repulsed by her.

"Souta came home and passed out! When Mr. Akuma arrived I assumed it was Mr. Cheveux as you told me that he would be stopping by today. He kindly offered to help me take Souta to his room and I accepted. We were on our way back down to the parlor when I near tripped. Mr. Akuma saved me from a nasty spill!" Kagome argued, feeling quite uneasy with the way her words seemed to just tumble out of her mouth as if she were trying to defend Inuyasha. He was the bad guy here after all, wasn't he?

"YOU LET HIM TOUCH YOUR BROTHER?!" Onigumo roared, his sole focus now his daughter as he unknowingly released Maten's arm. "AFTER WHAT HE DID TO THE BOY YOU LET HIM TOUCH HIM?! GO INTO HIS ROOM?!"

Kagome submissively hung her head in defeat. There was no point in arguing anymore. She was too humiliated, too upset. Her father had every reason to be as angry as he was, after her letting Inuyasha in the house like she had. True it was partially her sire's fault for never telling her what the man looked like, but still...

...She should have known.

Inuyasha took the tense silence as a moment of blessing and made his way down the stair to stand just a few feet in front of Onigumo. Maten stopped where he was at the door, his scarf wrapped hastily around his neck, his hand upon the knob.

"Sir, I believe that your daughter had no idea who I was when she let me in. I never introduced myself, I only assumed that she would know. But I have important business to discuss with you at the moment, if you will listen."

Kagome and Onigumo waited in silence, curious as to what could be so pressing at the moment.

"I came here to collect the debt you owe me. When I talked to you last you said that you would have it for me in a month, and Mr. Higurashi, it is well past that date."

Immediately Onigumo's heated temper simmered as he tried to come up with veritble excuses as to why he didn't have the money. Incoherent words bubbled freely out of his mouth, as if he was just freely stringing them together in hopes of coming up with something to explain hs lack of funds and gain some sympathy from the collector.

Inuyasha realized that the mayor didn't have his money, not that he thought he would anyway. Rolling his eyes and letting out a sigh of exasperation, the golden eyed man reached for his jacket where Kagome had hung it.

"Well, then I shall let you know that I am staying at the local inn. I will remain there until you have paid me back in full."

Onigumo nearly choked on his tongue at this information as his anger started to rise again.

Inuyasha ignored him though as his eyes wandered to the young woman still standing on the stairs. Her sapphire eyes had been coldly, yet curiously watching him. When he met them, and she realized she had been caught staring, her face went immediately expressionless, though she did not avert her eyes.

Inuyasha found himself longing for the moment not too long ago when she had flashed him brilliant smiles and her eyes had shone with mirth.

"Higurashi," He decided, turning to face the mayor, "I have a proposition for you concerning your debt."

Onigumo's ears were open and eager at once though he tried not to show his interest, failing miserably in that aspect.

"I hear that you are marrying your daughter off. If you would allow me to court her and consider me an equal suitor for her hand, I would agree to drop your debt."

Onigumo's wasn't the only jaw that dropped in outrage at Inuyasha's proposal.

Kagome's face reddened as her ire rose, far surpassing her father's. 'How dare HE think that he can act like I am some prize to be won. Some object to be bought!' She thought, her humiliation at his hand rising to an all new level.

"I would NEVER marry you!" She shrieked, before her father could collect his wits. "I would rather marry...some...hunchbacked, scarred, monster than YOU!"

For a moment she thought she saw a flash of pain flicker in Inuyasha's eyes at her rejection, but she brushed it off as only her imagination. Monster's like him had no feelings other than selfishness and greed! They were all just sadistic bastards!

'But he didn't act like that...' A little voice somewhere in her mind reminded her. Kagome ignored it.

"Very well then, I shall take my leave." Inuyasha replied, his voice much cooler now than before. Onigumo still stood, confused and enraged at the bottom of the stairs, not sure what was happening at the moment.

"Mr. Cheveux, would you like to join me for a drink at the Boar's Inn?" Inuyasha invited, holding open the door for the stout man that was looking very much lost himself. Maten nodded fervently and within a few seconds the two men had departed.

The thud of the closing door snapped Mayor Higuarshi to his senses.

"Maten? Mr Cheveux? Where is he?"

Kagome sighed and turned to go to her room, leaving her father alone to find his departed guest. She would take a nap, she decided. But, however, when she laid down and closed her eyes, she found she couldn't sleep.

Golden eyes haunted her.

**********************************************

Inuyasha sat in the corner of the bar by himself, an flagoon of ale sitting unattended in front of him. Maten had come and gone almost an hour ago. Inuyasha smiled to himself, no doubt Onigumo would be pissed about losing another suitor.

The smile turned quickly into a frown.

He only hoped the mayor didn't take it out on his lovely daughter.

Inuyasha's thoughts were disrupted as suddenly a pair of creamy breasts barely concealed by a loose, low cut dress, were boldy shoved into his line of sight.

"Is there somethin' ya be needin' gov'na?" A feminine voice purred. Inuyasha raised a brow and looked up, making it sure to the person to whom he spoke that he wasn't interested in what they were 'laying' on the table.

It was Yura, the waitress who, upon seeing the silver haired stranger enter the Inn, had squealed in delight and leapt off of the lap of one man, to run over and press herself rudely against Inuyasha, running her fingers through his hair without so much of an, "If you please."

She had made it quite clear that she was offering her, "Womanly company," should he desire it. Even being so audacious as to drop hints about, "favors," being, "Free of charge," for, "Handsome gov'nas such as yerself."

Inuyasha, on his part, had tried to politely, yet firmly tell her NO. But it seemed the word was not in the girl's vocabulary for here she was again, lashes batting, cleavage displayed, and foot rubbing not so innocently on his leg.

"I don't require anything from you Yura." He responded cheerfully, his eyes never once darting below her neckline.

She didn't get the hint.

"Ya sure? There ain't nothin a girl like me could do fer ya?" She pushed, pushing her breasts together more in hoping of making them appear more prominent and tempting than they already were.

"Nothing at all Yura." Inuyasha assured her, a bit of anger flashing into his golden eyes as her hands began to roam his chest. At his words though, her actions ceased as she stuck out her lower lip in a pout.

"You are right cold to a girl sir. But mebbe anoth'a good ale or so will make ya kind'a to me." She said, stiffly at first, but then as seductively as she could towards the end as she departed to get the recommended drink.

Inuyasha sighed.

Some people just couldn't get the hint.

Looking around to make sure that no one was paying attention to him, and that Yura really was gone, Inuyasha slipped out of his chair, leaving a suitable coin on the table, and stole up the stairs to lock himself away in his room. Hopefully he would at least get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow he had some important business to attend to.

Business that involved a lovely young woman with sapphire eyes.

******************************************

All done!

Inuyasha can't get his mind off of Kagome, and she can't get hers off of him!

But she's to be married and her family, as well as she, hates him!

What are they going to do?

REVIEW!