InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Universe of Illusions ❯ Chapter 5 A Bet and a Weak Bridge ( Chapter 5 )

Chapter 5: A Bet and a Weak Bridge

 

After enduring the unbearable hot air in Bangkok, the swimming pool at the hotel became a very temping pastime. Kagome showered quickly and put on her magenta swim suit. She pulled on of a long white shirt over the suit, bagged a book and sunblock and descended to the pool area.

 

The rest of the filming crew was already there, drinking iced beers and lounging on deck chairs under the shade provided by the overly large umbrellas that surrounded the pool. Getting closer, some of the guys turned to her and Kagome heard a few low chuckles.

 

“So how it go? Did you have a good time?” Yura suddenly asked, her tone too exaggeratedly amiable.

 

“Yes, thanks. It was very interesting.” responded Kagome.

 

She sat on a lounge chair and in a couple of seconds, a waiter took her order. Kagome asked for some ice cream. After pulling out her book, she dropped her beach bag on the floor, but before she began reading, she wanted to chat with others.

 

“Have you visited Bangkok before?” she asked Yura.

 

She had always been able to befriend the women she worked with and didn't want Yura to be an exception. Everyone considered Kagome's beauty as a necessary tool for her chosen occupation.

 

“Of course, many times.” Yura answered.

 

“It is a fabulous location. The only down side is the traffic.” Kouga intervene.

 

“Yes. If it were not for that, the city would be enchanting.” said Kagome. “After going to the palace, we took a boat ride through the canals on the other side of the river and it was fantastic with all its wooden houses over the water. And the people are very friendly.”

 

She realized she was rambling on, but she was hoping none would notice why. Kagome had just seen Sesshoumaru enter the pool area. He was heading their direction along the side of the swimming pool. Clad in khaki cargo pants and a form fitting sleeveless blue shirt, and seemed not to be aware of all the attention he was receiving as he passed the hotel's guests.

 

“We also found a construction of a new temple, very similar to the ancient ones in the Grand Palace.” she carried on without breathing. “The craftsmanship is so time consuming, it will take them about two years to complete the porcelain mosaic.”

 

“It looks like you had a very good time.” Yura commented dryly.

 

“Yes, yes… I did enjoy myself.”

 

“Hello, everyone.” Sesshoumaru at last reached them and greeted. “Enjoying you day off, I see.”

 

There was a general positive response, all besides Miroku.

 

“Don't speak to me about enjoyment.” he grumbled. “I am suffering from the biggest hangover in the history of mankind.”

 

Sesshoumaru laughed.

 

“Getting drunk in Patpong, what did you expect? How much did you spend?”

 

“Plenty! Lots of drinks and a fabulous show. You cannot imagine what chicks are capable of. There was this one chick that…”

 

“Yes, thank you Miroku. There is no need for you to give us the details.” interrupted Sesshoumaru with humor. Regarding Kagome's choice of indulgence he was surprised. “Ice cream?”

 

“Sure. Why not?” she replied lifted a spoonful of the delicious frozen confection to her lips.

 

“Too many calories, ne?” Sesshoumaru questioned arching a silver eyebrow in a teasing manner.

 

“Don't know? Haven't counted them.” she stated shrugging.

 

“And how is it you keep your beautiful figure?”

 

Kagome's cheeks blushed lightly. With that way of speaking, his stare, and in front of everyone, Sesshoumaru wanted to provoke her.

 

“I swim a lot.”

 

“So you are a swimmer, ne?” he said with a sarcastic smile that expressed his opinion to the matter. Then removed his shirt. “The water looks stupendous; I am going to swim for a while.”

 

Kagome tried to look away, but she was frozen. The sight of his muscular body, softly bronzed, left her mouth watering. Those tantalizing muscles rippled seductively as her eyes roamed lower to his hard stomach before the abs disappeared under his loose fitting pants. Kagome's breath caught in her throat.

 

In that moment, Sesshoumaru lifted his eyes and caught her staring. Kagome realized this by the laughing look in his golden gaze, who had a perfect idea of the effect he was having on her. With deliberate maneuvers, he gripped the waistline of his pants hypnotizing her in place.

 

Kagome was sure he was wearing swimming briefs, but she couldn't help blushed as her mind pictured his male nakedness. His black briefs did very little to calm her fervor. With great effort she gathered her willpower and looked away.

 

“Are you not going to swim?” Sesshoumaru asked in provocative tone.

 

“Not yet. Maybe later.” she answered.

 

Sesshoumaru smiled knowingly, he turned and dove into the pool. As he emerged with his white locks plastered to his head, he swam the span of the swimming pool with calm and powerful strokes.

 

Kagome lifted her book and opened it to begin reading where she last left off.

 

“He's gorgeous, isn't he?” said Yura.

 

Kagome watched her blankly.

 

“Who?

 

“Oh, come on. A minute ago, you were drooling. Before you came down, bets were placed.” she let Kagome know.

 

“What?”

 

“On how much time it will take for him to bed you.” Yura clarified.

 

Kagome was left with no words.

 

“Some say he's already succeeded.” she continued. “However, I don't think so. I know that look, so he is still enjoying the hunt. Otherwise, just like the majority of males after they get what they want, he'd start to lose interest. Although, I don't think it will be long till you fall. I give you two days, three tops.”

 

“Well, I'm afraid you are mistaken.” Kagome assured curtly. “I have no intentions… in reality, to me it… it's not what you think.”

 

“Oh, don't lie to yourself.” Yura said with a chuckle. “He always gets what he wants, with simply snapping his fingers. And it won't be any different with you like with the rest.”

 

Kagome was trying to take long breaths to calm her speeding heart.

 

“I supposed it also includes you as well.” she said gravely.

 

“Of course,” Yura replied without unconcerned, “about three years ago, in a filming in… Barbados, I think. And before you ask, yes, he is very good in bed; the best. It's only sad that you are going to have to accept that it won't last longer than two weeks.

 

“He's had longer commitments.” Kagome said impulsively.

 

Yura shrugged it off with disdain.

 

“Not many.” she assured. “I think three months is his limit. Sure, at the beginning, they all believe it would be different with them, that they will be the ones to make him settle down, but it's never been the case. Why should it be? He causes things to happen how he sees fit: a woman he desires and no attachments.

 

Yura knew him better than anyone; therefore, Kagome gathered all her bravery and asked the following question:

 

“Don't you think it will be different with Ami Kodama?”

 

“Perhaps,” Yura responded with a mocking giggle, “but I don't think he will stop himself if an opportunity presents itself. He's selfish and arrogant and I am sorry for the poor sap that falls in love with him.”

 

The acridity had substituted the apathy in the tone of Yura's voice. Kagome felt a certain compassion for her, but now she was more determined than ever to control her feelings.

 

“Well, I have the least intention of falling in love with him, much less sleep with him.” she reaffirmed to Yura while trying to demonstrate her interest in the book she held. “I admit he is… very attractive, if you like that type of a man; however, our relationship is purely professional.”

 

“That's what they all say,” Yura giggled, “and then they find themselves rolling in Sesshoumaru's sheets. It doesn't matter, the thing is I bet no later than Thursday and I have a feeling I won't be losing my money.”

 

Yura stretched idly, she stood up and went to the pool. Sitting on the edge, she began flirting with the other males.

 

Kagome leaned on her deck chair and tried to concentrate on her reading, but the letters began to swirl in her vision, imagining Sesshoumaru snapping his fingers, or her silk lingerie mixed with the sheets of his bed. She envisioned that powerful and muscular physique flushed with hers, the caresses of his hands, her legs entangled in his athletic thighs, opening a deep way into her heart.

 

“Will you not swim? Or is it you do not want to wet your swimwear?”

 

Hearing the sound of that voice, Kagome's heart almost leaped out of her chest and it mortified her to find herself blushing.

 

“I… yes, I was just thinking about going in.” she said in a trembling voice.

 

She quickly stood from her seat. Perhaps the water will manage to cool down her feverish blood. She pulled her white shirt off, conscious of those bright amber orbs roving over her body. Her breast appeared to become pert under his intimidating stare and she noticed that the shape of her nipples were clearly visible.

 

“Do not stay too long in the water.” he ordered with an ironic tone of voice. “It will not be convenient to have any marks on your delicate skin.”

 

Sesshoumaru stroked the strap of her top moving down from her neck to her bosoms.

 

“It would be a shame to damage something so… perfect.”

 

Kagome felt trapped, exposed before the caressing voice that enveloped her. She remembered Yura's words: `He always gets what he wants.' A malicious smiled formed on those temping lips. `… with only snapping his fingers…'

 

Mustering all of her strength, she moved away from him. Kagome dove into the waters and swam underwater until she reached the other side of the pool. Once there, she surfaced flipping her head back to keep her hair away from her face, and the sun's glow reflected off her closed eyelids. She wished to be by herself, without any members of the filming crew bothering her. She had no strength left to confront a company she didn't wish.

 

Her ire and embarrassment wrestled in her interior. Ire to know that everyone was betting on the time it will take Sesshoumaru to bed her, and the embarrassment because she foresaw one of them winning the bet.

 

After a few minutes, she turned around and saw Sesshoumaru on the other side of the pool playing with Yura. She was mounted on his shoulders and didn't stop laughing as Miroku and the others tried to push her off.

 

Kagome felt a sudden jealousy so intense, she almost lost her breath. Yura was right. He was selfish and didn't hesitate to indulge himself with other woman he desired. And Yura made it sufficiently clear she desired him.

 

`Could Ami know what happens behind her back?' she wondered at the peak of her anger. Probably she does, she was not an idiot. Though she perhaps didn't care, Ami was intelligent and was sure to feel confident enough to not have him attached, at the end, he would return to her.

 

 

 

 

“Oh, my gosh! Come over here for the love of Kami. I think I've died and gone to heaven.”

 

Kagome exited the van following after Jakotsu. Contemplating the beauty of the sunrise, she recognized the truth behind his words. That was the reason they had awoken in the predawn hours and had been traveling on awful highways in the span of three hours.

 

They arrived at a clearing in the middle of a tropical forest. The cries of monkeys and singing of birds filled the air, warm and calm, and from the distance, sound of the cascading of a waterfall.

 

“Perfect.” Sesshoumaru said. “What do you think, Kouga?”

 

The photographer conceded.

 

“Yes, but we have to start working immediately, it is already seven and a half.” Kouga realized.

 

“How much time do you need to apply her make-up, Jakotsu?” Sesshoumaru asked the make-up artist.

 

“Well, the truth is that I don't know.” Jakotsu said with indignation. “If you're happy with a shoddy piece of work, I can finish in ten minutes, but if you want things done right…”

 

“Can she be ready by eight-thirty?”

 

“If you say so.”

 

Sesshoumaru beamed the smile that always obtains immediate cooperation.

 

“Try it. In the meantime, we will decide on the best setting and prepare the equipment. Kouga, do you have any suggestions?”

 

Kagome tried not to show any resentment. Besides, why would he consult her opinion, she was but only a model. Her work consisted on wearing what she was told and posing where indicated. It was not necessary to treat her as a human being.

 

The day before, though, it had not been that way. What could have changed his attitude? Perhaps that day she was only being sweet-talked to seduce into taking to his bed, and now, as it looks, someone else had warmed him that night; there was no more need to be amiable.

 

Sure, there was a chance she was being presumptuous with her conclusions, it's likely he invited Yura for diner to talk about work, maybe that is the reason they left the elevator together that morning. Furthermore, anything could be the caused of that satisfied smiled Yura exhibited.

 

Yes and one day pigs will fly. Well, too bad for the placed bets of the crew. Their game had terminated. It was kind of comforting. The idea of everyone holding their breaths till Sesshoumaru made his move was irritating.

 

Jakotsu loathed to wake up so early and was in a foul mood. While applying make-up, he didn't stop grumbling, much to the delight of the group who were beyond bored with no action happening. Regardless of his mood, the results were perfect and once again transformed Kagome's face into a work of art. At eight-twenty, dressed in a new blue and green sari and another straw hat, Kagome was ready to begin the next session.

 

Sesshoumaru, Kouga and the rest were in the middle of discussion about the lighting and camera angles. As she neared them, Kagome followed by Jakotsu, with a box of cosmetics, and by Yura, carrying an assortment of necklaces hanging around her forearm, Sesshoumaru turned around.

 

His eyes examined her critically, without any sign of any personal interest.

 

“I do not like the way that top looks on her, Yura. It covers too much. Can you make it smaller?”

 

Kagome took the necklaces while the stylist adjusted the stretchable strip of fabric covering her bosom.

 

“Better?” Yura asked.

 

Sesshoumaru nodded.

 

“That is much better. I like your choice in colors that you have selected for her, Yura. They stand out against the background.” he commented.

 

Yura couldn't hide her satisfaction to his appraisal.

 

“I brought some necklaces. What do you think?”

 

“No jewelry.” responded Sesshoumaru. “We want show off her skin, not what she is wearing.”

 

Kagome sent him a furious look. They kept on talking as if she couldn't hear them. Just for a few seconds, something flashed in those golden amber eyes, something that made her throb. But Sesshoumaru moved away toward the path where they had parked their van.

 

“Now, let us begin. Are you ready, Kouga?”

 

With effort, Kagome suppressed all the feelings that were bubbling inside. No matter what, she was only a third option, after Ami and Yura. If that was not enough to make her rationalized the stupidity of her conduct, then she was lost.

 

Anyhow, what did he have that was so special? Albeit, the silky long silvery hair and those luminescent suns for eyes, everything was just superficial. Those sexy but cruel lips, that muscular body…

 

No, she shouldn't think about Sesshoumaru. If Kagome only had to compete against Yura, perhaps she would have a possibility, but there was also Ami, and, apart from being friends, she knew very well she couldn't compete with her indefinable aura of sophistication and experience.

 

Concentrating on the job she had to do, she trailed behind the others through the path into the confines of the forest. The path drove into a wooden bridge that crossed over the gorge of very low valley with a small river. Kagome faltered, she had a terrible feeling.

 

“I hope you don't ask me to cross that thing!” she said, her voice trembling.

 

Sesshoumaru gave her a familiar sardonic smirk.

 

“The bridge is very safe; we have just crossed over it. Surely you will not have vertigo?”

 

“No.” Kagome replied. “But I am afraid of crocodiles. And don't try to tell there aren't any, because I'm sure there is.”

 

“I am afraid you are correct.” Sesshoumaru admitted with shrug. “Regardless, there is no reason for you to fall; therefore, you don't need to worry about them.”

 

“This will be the best photo for the campaign.” Yura intervene. “I've never seen anything so striking.”

 

Kagome had no other alterative than to agree. The river under the bridge shone with such brilliance as if it was a mirror and it reflected all the trees that surrounded the gorge. But the bridge looked weak. It didn't help to think that, probably, the inhabitants from this zone crossed it on a daily basis. She really did not like its appearance.

 

“Alright, walk to the middle and then start walking toward us.” Sesshoumaru commanded. “And do not run; the feeling of the photo has to be languid, delicate.”

 

Kagome looked at him straight into his eyes but decided not to give him the satisfaction of arguing with him. With a profound sigh, she began to walk on the bridge carefully, trying to keep from looking in the space between the wooden planks.

 

In reality, it was not that hard. The planks were very sturdy due to the abundant moss, and although the bridge didn't stop from swaying slightly, if she stepped firmly she didn't ran any risks. Kagome reached the middle part and turned to the camera.

 

“Is this alright?”

 

“I little more back.”

 

She obeyed.

 

“Here?”

 

“There, is fine. Now come back slowly. Lift your head, there is no need to watch your feet.”

 

Anyone that thought the job of a model was a fieldtrip, after witnessing the article to this shooting had to admit their error. By the time the sun ascended in the blue sky, the air was becoming harder to breath under the dense treetops.

 

Kagome was beginning to suspect Sesshoumaru did hide a sadistic side to him. He was lounging on the trunk of a fallen tree and was observing her calmly while she continued walked on the bridge. And to top it up, she had to keep looking languidly and repeat the same line every time the director asked her to.

 

“Shikon has picked natural ingredients deriving from the forest of…”

 

A disaster was unleashed without prior warning. First, the sun shone with intensity, but in a matter of seconds, a strong storm took over; thick sheets of rain bounced off the wooden boards of the bridge with ferocity. Only one loud screech behind her, that of a flock of birds initiating their flight from the depths of the trees. Kagome flipped around scared and slipped, hitting her foot against one of the boards that gave way, hurling her toward the river.

 

Kagome screamed and held on to the rope weave that served as a handrail to keep herself from falling.

 

In an instant, she was moving to and fro suspended over the gorge of the valley until Sesshoumaru pulled her up by her waist and placed her back on the bridge. Kagome threw herself into his arms trembling terribly. The rain fell on her skin. The straw hat had fallen in the river, though it didn't remain on the surface for long. From beneath, a dark and sinister shape emerged and a huge powerful jaw caught it.

 

“Calm down, the danger is over.” Sesshoumaru soothed her softly; he lifted her up bridal style. “This Sesshoumaru has you and will not let you fall.”

 

He bent his head and kissed her with such fervor, almost savagely, slipping his tongue deeply into her mouth, clamoring for every sweet recess he could find. Kagome responded with the same passion, in a feverish outburst that canceled her fears.

 

But, even though physically she had lost control, the fury that was boiling inside made her come back to her senses. She stopped the kiss abruptly and yelled:

 

“You said it was safe!”

 

Her cries were discernible in spite of the loud tapping and whistling of the rain.

 

“If I had fallen, it would have been your fault!”

 

“Kagome…”

 

“Let me go! Don't touch me!”

 

She separated herself from him. The slippery bridge was preferable than his arms.

 

“At least allow me to help you back.” Sesshoumaru offered softly.

 

“I can manage by myself, thank very much.”

 

Sesshoumaru tighten his teeth, and shrugged permitting her to pass.

 

Through the heavy rain, she glanced to the expanse of the bridge. The way looked dangerous and undetermined. For a moment, she lamented rejecting his help, but she was not about to give him the satisfaction of changing her mind. She moved forward with new resolve.

 

The distance to the end seem eternal, grasping the woven handrail, she hardly advanced at all. Her mane completely drenched was very uncomfortable and the soaked sari was almost transparent as she increased with difficulty. And even as Kagome was conscious of him following behind like a protective shadow, she didn't solicit any aid.

 

Finally she managed to make it the other side. Jakotsu quickly lead her into the van.

 

“Oh sacred Kami, you looked like a drowned mouse!” he exclaimed as he dried her up with a towel. “Sit down so I can dry your hair. Now look at those bruises. This terrible! How in the seven hells am I going to cover those?!”

 

“I am afraid this Sesshoumaru is responsible for the damage done to the goods.” Sesshoumaru admitted sardonically as he entered the van.

 

Ignoring the heated glare from Kagome, he kneeled down to examine her ankle. She had scratched it when slipping. Up until the moment, Kagome hadn't been conscious of any pain.

 

“There are some splinters in your foot. Have someone bring the First-Aid kit.” Sesshoumaru ordered.

 

Yura brought it to him. Sesshoumaru picked a pair of tweezers and lifting her foot, he pressed it on his stomach.

 

“It is going hurt.” he warned Kagome.

 

And there was pain; though, on the contrary to what she had expected, Sesshoumaru was very skillful and gentle. It was very painful and her blue eyes filled with tears, but the cause of her tears was not only physical. Even though the pain gave her an excuse to cry, in reality, crying was a relief for her.

 

Sesshoumaru pulled out the last of the splinters, cleaned the scratches and applied some antiseptic.

 

“Well, that should be enough.” he said. “I believe you will live.”

 

“Arigatou,” Kagome responded with a smile, even if she didn't want to forget her fury, “for saving my life.”

 

“It was nothing. It would have been a pity to look for another model and lose all the footage we have captured.” he joked.

 

Everyone let lose their laughter.

 

“Didn't I tell you? He's a slave driver.” Jakotsu said pretending indignation. “Well, now you do need a day off, that ankle looks bad and I won't be able to conceal it.”