InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Savage Kind of Love ❯ As Luck Would Have It ( Chapter 2 )

A/N: I am extremely appreciative of all of your reviews! Within 12 hours I have received over 15 reviews on all the sites I posted on. That's more on one chapter than I had with "A Gathered Storm." Which isn't dead, by the way. The story just takes a lot out of me when I write it, so I need to make sure my creative psyche is well-balanced for the next chapter.

 

DISCLAIMER: I claim no ownership to the original plot of the manga, nor the characters that parade around within my tale. The song “Violently” was written by Edie Carey and can be found at my website www. Myspace. Com / caitypeach22. (The song should play automatically.)

 

WARNINGS: Language

 

Italics: Flashbacks or song lyrics

 

Chapter 2: As Luck Would Have It

 

 

The heat serves to keep you soft

So I can mold you and you won't crack

But I don't know how to turn this thing off

And I don't think I can take it back...

No I don't think I can take it back.

 

 

He slammed the phone back into its shattered cradle. The stupidity of his actions... He was furious with himself. Why the hell did he have to call her? He was able to curb the need to pick up the phone and find her during the past five years. Why was it that tonight he lost all control?

 

Inuyasha dragged his fingers through his uniquely silvered hair roughly. The emotions were driving him close to the brink of insanity. This incessant need for her kept growing, no matter how he tried to stifle it. The other women in his past did nothing to satiate his infernal hunger. Sure, they were good for a quick fuck, but nothing that was close to bringing him to sheer esctacy. Only she could do that.

 

He had to turn her away. She was simply too perfect. Her warm brown eyes held a secret that only he knew, the unconditional love that seemed to dwell within them. Her naviety was what brought about that kind of love, he was sure. Had she the knowledge of what was rightfully his fate, she wouldn't understand.

 

Inuyasha was heir to the Taisho fortune and empire of commerce that his father and grandfather had built. It was his fate to take on the family mantle and lead the future of his kin. It was a damned providence as far as he was concerned. But honor was an attribute the Taisho's could not part with, no matter the consequences.

 

A damned man did not deserve an angel such as Kagome. The cold world of business would not welcome such a warm hearted person. It turned the nicest of people into cruel, money-grubbing individuals. Investments, extended business trips, and bureaucratic red tape that would swamp his life proved to be an obstacle he didn't want her to have to juggle.

 

His thoughts were interrupted by a loud ring from his desk phone. “Yeah?” he greeted gruffly.

 

“Is that anyway to address your father?” replied an equally stern response.

 

Inuyasha rolled his eyes as he stretched back into his leather desk chair. “Sorry, Dad. My mind was on something…”

 

“Hn, well be that as it may, I need you to come by the house tonight. Your mother and I are entertaining some very important guests and its your duty to come and charm them.”

 

“Have you ever known me to charm anyone, father?”

 

“You can be charming when the occasion warrants it. And trust me, you'll need all the charisma you've got to engross our company tonight,” the elder Taisho impressed upon his son.

 

“Right, well I'll try my best,” Inuyasha replied ambiguously.

 

“Fine. We will expect to see you within an hour. Does that suit you?” his father asked in a tone that dared him to object.

 

Inuyasha took a deep breath, “I guess I'll be seeing you in an hour then.”

 

“Thank you, son.” Inuyasha could almost see his father smirking in triumph. “Oh, and make sure you're dressed appropriately. As I said, these are very important guests.”

 

Inuyasha sighed as his father disconnected, leaving him in audible silence. Great. This was just what he didn't need tonight. There wasn't any possible way he could center his attention on his father's stuffy, rich guests. And he was certainly in no mood to entertain.

 

A clash of lightening streaked across the sky and lit up the city below his penthouse apartment. This night wasn't looking like it could get any worse.

 

 

 

 

*_*

 

So I'll just make you braver than you are

I will paint your eyes a prettier green

I will watch you fall violently

For me…

 

*_*

 

The clang of rusted metal hinging into its place echoed against the wall of trees as Kagome relinquished the luke-warmth of her car. The lights from the cabin beckoned her with cordial flicker. Along the oak steps leading to the abode were four jack-o-lanterns stationed at the edge with goofy grins. The trees swayed with a silent rhythm only those of the forest could hear. Kagome began to feel the tension in her shoulders ebbing away.

 

The unfortunate event of the damnable phone call was not about to ruin her week of relaxation. There was no logical reason to dwell on it, even if it was extremely odd and out of character for him.

 

A bang was heard with the scuttle of feet as her family and friends ran to her with open arms. Souta's grin shone with the metal of his braces gleaming in the dim light. Sango's hair waved about her shoulders as she reached her dearest friend. Miroku's mischievous smile lit up his face, and her mother's careful stance was a sign of relief for Kagome. Everyone seemed to be happy to see her, it brought tears to her eyes.

 

“Oh, jeez, looks like Kagome is getting all sentimental on us again,” Souta teased as he stood awkwardly in front of her.

 

“Be quiet,” Kagome sniffed. “You missed me, and you know it.” He laughed as he wrapped his arms around the slender form, engulfing her with his larger stature. “Good heavens, Souta—stop growing!”

 

A small pout stole the smile from his lips, “I can't control it. Besides, you should consider yourself lucky to have such a big strong brother to protect you.”

 

A giggle slipped from Kagome as she released Souta from her embrace. Her mother gave her a gentle squeeze, “I'm glad you got here safely. Those clouds worried me.”

 

“Aw, Mama. No little ol' rain cloud could stop me,” Kagome grinned.

 

“You've made good time too,” Miroku added as he clasped his hand upon her shoulder. Sango sent him a glare, making sure his `idle' hands didn't slip into mysterious territory.

 

Kagome nodded to Miroku, sending Sango a friendly wink as she leaned down to grasp her duffle bag.

 

“Alright, let's get your things inside before it starts to rain again. I've made hot cocoa and there's a roaring fire in the fireplace,” her mother spoke.

 

Souta stole the duffle bag from Kagome's grip, shushing her objection with a look and flipping the heavy bag over his shoulder as if it were as light as a feather. Her mother and Miroku headed in with her brother while Sango hung behind looking suspiciously at Kagome.

 

Feeling Sango's eyes bore into her, Kagome turned to ask, “What?”

 

“What do you mean, `what'? You're totally not yourself. Something happened.” Sango's fair brow creased in worry.

 

An eerie shiver ran down Kagome's spine. “Stop that! I hate how psychic you are with me.”

 

Sango's broad shoulders lifted in an apologetic shrug, “Well, I'm right, huh? Dish, woman.”

 

A grumble slipped from Kagome's pursed lips. “I don't really feel like talking about it.”

 

Her hands lifted as if admitting defeat for a moment, “Fine, be that way. But if you don't tell me, I'll just keep this up-“ Sango replied before composing her face and poking Kagome in the sides.

 

Kagome shrieked, “Stop that!”

 

“Tell me what's wrong, then.”

 

“No!”

 

“Your choice.” Sango poked Kagome's ticklish sides once more.

 

“Ack! Quit it!”

 

“Tell me!”

 

“NO!”

 

“Kags, I can keep this up all night. And you know Miroku and your brother will join in if they see me doing this.”

 

“Oh god, fine! You're so horrible to me,” Kagome growled in a cross tone.

 

Sango's stern face melted into a childish grin, “I know. It's for your own good. Now, fess up.”

Kagome sighed in exasperation. “After we hung up, I got another call.”

 

“Oh?”

 

“At first, there was nobody there. But then…” she hesitated.

 

“Then what?” Sango pressed.

 

“It—it was Inuyasha.”

 

Sango's expression slipped into a myriad of emotions from surprise to horror, and then to anger. “What the hell did the bastard want?”

 

“I don't know. All he managed to say was `I'm sorry.'” Kagome's eyes fell upon the brick walkway.

 

Sango snorted. “It's a little late for apologies. What happened after that?”

 

“Nothing. He hung up. I was too stunned to do anything,” Kagome admitted feeling a bit helpless.

 

“Huh. That's quite out of the ordinary. Not to mention out of character for Inuyasha. He seemed to be a complete obstinate bastard the last time you talked to him.”

 

“I know. It was out of the blue and something I didn't need to experience.” Kagome pushed her ebony locks from her eyes as the wind began to pick up.

 

Sango folded her arms over her ample chest as she observed her best friend. It was just Kagome's luck that that idiot would contact her. This man was as thick-headed as he was handsome, not to mention Kagome was still in love with him. Even if Kagome would never admit it out loud He had no tact for timing back when they were dating and it was apparent that he still lacked perception.

 

“I'm sorry, Kagome.”

 

“Thanks,” Kagome replied, trying her best to smile. “But I'm not going to think about it anymore. No use in mulling over a phone call that was probably an accident anyway.”

 

“Right.” Sango's expression flickered, hinting that she may have some doubts.

 

“Hey!” Souta's voice ripped through the severity of the moment. “Mom says you better get in before it starts to rain again!”

 

“Yeah, we're coming.” Sango turned to Kagome, grabbing her arm gently to lead her inside. “Come on. The warmth will do you good.”

 

Kagome merely smiled wanly at her friend as she allowed Sango to drag her into the cabin lit with hues of warm amber. Even five years later and a hundred miles away, the color of his eyes would never escape her.

 

 

*_*

 

Inuyasha was shuffled into his father's estate by a very hurried maid who pratically ripped his jacket off of his muscular shoulders. She gave Inuyasha an almost unceremonious shove into the dining room as she announced his presence quickly to the room and exited just as fast as she had entered. Feeling like a spectacle, Inuyasha scratched his head awkwardly awaiting a welcome from his parents.

 

“Ah, son, there you are. Fashionably late, as always,” his father rumbled as his clamored to his feet. He slipped an arm amiably around Inuyasha's shoulders. “Everyone, I'd like you to meet my youngest, Inuyasha.”

 

Inuyasha bowed his head slightly to the gathered patrons who sat stiffly in their maple dining chairs. A man with long black hair and deceptive brown eyes return the gesture, as did the waif of a woman who sat to his right. The woman was unremarkable in her beauty, but seemed to hold herself with great pride.

 

“Son, our honored guests are Onigumo and his sister Kikyo of the Naraku family.” His father informed him.

 

“Naraku? As in Naraku Enterprises?” Inuyasha interjected.

 

“The very same, Mr. Taisho,” replied Onigumo in soft, dark tones.

 

Inuyasha nodded.

 

The elder Taisho looked as his son as if waiting for another response before pressing on, realizing that Inuyasha was not about to be as hospitable as he would've liked. “Come, sit. Let us drink in celebration.”

 

Inuyasha slipped into an empty chair to the left of his father who was seated at the head of the table. “What are celebrating?”

 

“Why, your betrothal, my dear son.”

 

Silence stole the breath from the room as Inuyasha turned towards his father with a venimous look. “Say that again?”

 

 

_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

 

A/N: Reviews are fuel for the proverbial fire!