InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Universe of Illusions ❯ Chapter 9 Move In With Me ( Chapter 9 )

Chapter 9: Move In With Me

 

The wedding dress was fabulous, one shimmering fantasy of tulle and silk as if inspired by `Gone with the Wind'. The form fitting bodice had a very low neckline with white roses gathering the fabric at the sides and tied together around the waist with a white silk sash. The skirt fell over a wide crinoline; the fabric was also gathered by white roses and the hem dragged on the floor. The ensemble came together with an umbrella made of the same white tulle material.

 

Large fashion shows tended to create a huge racket behind the scenes. Kagome tried to ignore them while she was fitted into the magnificent dress. The models, some semi dressed, argued about who and who had taken over the position of another. The hair stylists swarmed all over with their bottles of hairs spray applying last minute touches to some bangs here or a curl there. The ones in charge of wardrobe were blaming each other about some forgotten brooch or a pair of mistaken shoes.

 

“Kagome, love, dépêcher, dépêcher!”

 

Malagigi, the bald and tubby fashion designer, author of those fabulous creations, rushed over to Kagome and snatched a posy of pink silk roses from his assistant who was about to attach it to the wedding dress.

 

“No, no, no. That is too much.” he said flinging the bouquet to the side. The same bouquet that half an hour earlier he himself had insisted on adding as a defining detail. “She must be completely white, pure and virginal.”

 

At the same time, Kagome heard a low giggle from a model about to walk out into the runway.

 

“With Sesshoumaru Matsuki as a roommate?”

 

Kagome pretended not to hear that comment. During the two weeks she had been there, she had heard a lot of similar remarks. She had to accept there was nothing she could do to stop the rumors; it was a price she had to pay for the happiness of those days and nights spent next to Sesshoumaru. Besides, it was prudent to not say anything. The following season she would join the discarded and another will warm his bed.

 

Now back to the present, her turn was coming next. The assistant brought her shoes. Kagome spit on the soles to make them less slippery, she slip them on and climbed the few steps. She waited behind the curtain, breathing deeply to calm the flow of adrenaline rushing through her veins.

 

Traditionally, the grand final from all the fashion shows was reserved for the wedding dress. Hearing the announcement, Kagome waltzed into the runway illuminated by dozens of lights handling her umbrella coquettishly. A murmur of approval extended throughout the enormous area until it gave way to a spontaneous applause.

 

It was extremely hot under the intense lights emitted from the broadcasting for television, but Kagome hardly notice it. She barely heard the background music, nor saw the multitude of faces that were contemplating her. Mixed into the sea of faces were editors from the most important fashion magazines around the world, the wives of multimillionaire aristocrats, and celebrities from Hollywood able to afford the outrageous prices of Malagigi's fantastic collections.

 

Kagome selected a familiar face, the winner of an Oscar or something like that, and advanced close to her with smooth movements, as if floating. Half way back through the catwalk, she halted for a few moments to pose for photographers. And then she continued waltzing toward the curtain, stopping to pose once again for the last time.

 

Sesshoumaru was somewhere in the span of the room. The public broke into a big applause, reclaiming the presence of Malagigi, and he showed up to greet them. His features demonstrated his joy and relief. During the weeks before, he had undergone severe pressure. He took Kagome's hand and returned to salute his audience. Afterward, he handed out kisses to his admirers, he said his thanks and once behind the curtain, he dropped on a plastic chair feeling completely exhausted.

 

“Champaign!” he demanded theatrically. “I am about to faint.”

 

Of course he didn't. The applauses extinguished little by little and the public began to disperse, the tension behind the scenes was diminishing from the earlier clamor. A couple of privileged, and any those who believed they belong with the privileged, were congregating, congratulating the designer. Kagome found herself trapped in between the multitude, still dress in that wedding dress.

 

“It is such a beautiful design, dear.” squeaked a widow of considerable proportions. “I hope I can wear a wedding dress once again. Not like it'll look as good on me. The dress is perfect on you.”

 

“Thank you.” said Kagome.

 

Kagome was wishing to leave, to remove that damnable dress. Sesshoumaru had just entered; he was no more than six feet away, talking with a reporter from the Italian edition of Vogue. That last thing Kagome wanted was for Sesshoumaru to think she kept wearing the wedding dress deliberately to suggest some kind of stupid romantic idea. One that would surely make him run off.

 

But she had no way of escaping. Malagigi approached her and grabbed both her hands and kiss them in an extravagant gesture of gallantry.

 

“C'est si vrai. It looks perfect on you. Absolutely perfect!” the designer agreed. “This Malagigi won't sell it, it would be a sacrilège. I'm going to save it so you can wear it on your wedding day. It will be my wedding gift!”

 

Kagome smiled nervously. She could see Sesshoumaru from her peripheral vision and noticed he was watching her with that sardonic stare so his trademark. He must have overheard Malagigi's conversation.

 

“Oh Malagigi, don't be so old fashioned.” said Kagome snorting. “Who marries in these times?”

 

The designer became very stern, but as soon as he caught Sesshoumaru's nearness, a certain glow ignited in his grey eyes.

 

“Il est bien.” mumbled Malagigi grouchily. “But I will still save it. Who knows, you might just change your mind, eh?”

 

“I'm afraid it will be a terrible waste, Malagigi.” assured Kagome calmly. “I very much doubt I will ever wear it.”

 

“Well, it doesn't matter.” added the bald man slapping her hands lightly. “This Malagigi won't sell it. To be honest, it doesn't look good on anyone else.”

 

At last the crowd of people begun to disappear, some where heading to another fashion show, others to Malagigi's studio located in Bonaparte, where a sumptuous buffet was waiting. Kagome searched for the designer's assistant. She needed her to help her get rid of the complicated dress, except she seemed to have disappeared like everyone else.

 

“That is some dress.” mentioned Sesshoumaru, who was now close to her.

 

Kagome simply shrugged in an uncaring gesture.

 

“You think?” Kagome replied. She didn't want to give off the idea she was trapped in the charm of a fairy tale. “I find it beyond my possibilities.”

 

“Is it not the dream of all women to have a wedding dress that is beyond their possibilities?”

 

Kagome chuckled softly, shaking her head.

 

“Not in these times.” Kagome said. “The majority of us are extremely submerged in our professional careers and don't have time to think about such romantic idiocy… I wonder where Adèle is.” added Kagome changing the subject suddenly. “I need help to take this dress off.”

 

“Allow this Sesshoumaru.”

 

The tone of his voice made Kagome's cheeks flame. Everyone had left, now they were completely alone.

 

“Oh, no… it's alright, arigatou. I'm sure I can manage.”

 

Sesshoumaru grinned devilishly, taking in the numerous buttons that lined the back of the dress.

 

“I do believe you still need aid,” he insisted in a mocking tenor, “unless you happen to be a contortionist.”

 

Sesshoumaru didn't wait for a response; he spun her around by the shoulders and started to undo the buttons one by one. The feathered strokes from his fingers gave Kagome shudders. It was incredible how her heart sped with his every touch, as if it were the very first time.

 

The bodice was loosening as Sesshoumaru unhooked the silk covered buttons. She hid her bosom instantaneously. The only undergarments she had on was a satin thong, which was most practical for a fashion show considering the fifteen outfits she had to wear with barely half a minute in between to change.

 

Sesshoumaru laughed.

 

“What is the matter? Normally it does not bother you when I undress you.”

 

“I know… it's just… someone might walk in.”

 

“Everybody has gone to eat.” informed Sesshoumaru. He stroked her shoulders and pressed himself to her back then licked behind her ear.

 

“Be careful.” protested Kagome trembling. “You're going to ruin the dress.”

 

“Then take it off.”

 

“I have to wait for Adèle.”

 

Sesshoumaru slipped his hand inside the dress and caressed Kagome's stomach.

 

“It is mind-boggling how much I want you.” he said, his voice deep with desire. “I never tire of you.”

 

“Sesshoumaru, iie!” Kagome pleaded. “Not here, not right now…”

 

For an answer, Sesshoumaru cupped her breasts. The pink nubs erected and Kagome threw her head back, resting it on his left shoulder. They followed with a fevered kiss.

 

“Take off the dress.” Sesshoumaru commanded in pants.

 

Kagome could only oblige. She removed it carefully, and saw her body reflected on the mirrors that covered most of the walls; she was almost completely naked. Sesshoumaru lifted her up. She could feel the material of his shirt rub against her bare flesh.

 

“We shouldn't be doing this.” Kagome murmured weakly.

 

“That is why we are doing this. It is a temptation too difficult to resist.”

 

Sesshoumaru laid her on top of a bench found under the line of mirrors, where just minutes ago the make-up artists had been occupying. He ran his hand across Kagome's body and came back with her thong, letting it fall on the floor.

 

The mirrors reflected the scene from many angles: the golden glow from Kagome's body, her long slim legs wrapped around Sesshoumaru's waist, the powerful and forceful movements of their bodies.

 

Kagome moaned and inclined her had back with her eyes shut. It was total madness. Why did she allow this? Anybody could walk in at any moment. However, she knew perfectly why; because she wanted him just as much as he wanted her, because whenever he touched her she was incapable of denying him, and also, if she was completely truthful, because the hastiness of the moment and the danger of getting caught added to the excitement of the current situation which only inflamed her senses.

 

They couldn't make love delicately, there was no time. It was rapid and painful, so intense that when they finally climaxed, she was weak and breathless, and if it were not for Sesshoumaru holding her, she would have dissolved on the floor like melted ice.

 

Sesshoumaru laughed with satisfaction.

 

“It was incredible.” he muttered breathlessly. “Every time we make love, I want you more. I want you to move in with me, I want you in my home every night, in my bed, to live with me.”

 

The heart of Kagome begun to beat furiously, she was positive Sesshoumaru must hear it. Live with him? Kami, yes… oh, no! She couldn't let herself be driven by that beautiful notion that will only haul her into disaster. Forcing laughter, she shook her head no.

 

“You mean to tell me I will have to leave my apartment? Don't be silly.” she argued. “Anyways, how can I be with you every night? Because of you I have to travel all over the world. The coming Thursday as it is, I need to be in New York, then coming back I have to go to Milan and from there to California and Hawaii.”

 

“All the more reason to live together.” figured Sesshoumaru. “This Sesshoumaru also has to travel constantly on business trips. Why not arrange it so we can spend the majority of time possible together?”

 

It was a very tempting to Kagome. But just as it would have occurred when he wanted her to stay over for Christmas, Sesshoumaru made it painfully clear he was only thinking about the convenience of having sex whenever he wished. In his offer there was no mentioning of any romance, any commitment, any love. If she were to accept, she would have to abandon everything: her independence and her self-esteem; and when it was all over, she will end up with nothing.

 

Refusing with firmness, Kagome removed herself from him before his touch could undermine her willpower. She crossed the room, picked up her bag from under a chair and pulled out her clothes.

 

“No, I don't think it's a great idea.” she insisted

 

The tranquil tone of her voice belied the turbulence of her true emotions. After putting on some clean undergarments and a blouse, she felt more secure.

 

“I've already told you, at the moment I want to concentrate on my career as a model.”

 

“That sounds very well.” replied Sesshoumaru with slight impatience moving closer to Kagome who started to clean her face of make-up. “I have no intentions of interfering in your career. It was I, Sesshoumaru who contracted you after all, ne?”

 

“I know. But it's always the same. I don't know why it is always the woman who has to sacrifice everything and the man obtains the benefits from a relationship. I don't want to spend my life ironing your shirts and sorting your socks.”

 

“I have an assistant who does that. By Kami!”

 

Yet before they could continue their arguments a door suddenly opened and the elusive assistant hastily dashed into the interior of the area.

 

“Ah, chérie, je suis si désolé! I had to make sure the van took all the garments back.”

 

The woman saw the heap that resembled the wedding dress, then turned to Sesshoumaru and her eyes revealed she had discovered exactly what had just transpired.

 

“I see you have managed without me.”

 

Sesshoumaru smiled, he bent over to pick up the forgotten thong and inserted it in his pocket. Kagome blushed furiously; giving thanks that al least the assistant hadn't appeared moments earlier.

 

With a gesture of mocked gallantry, Sesshoumaru held Kagome's coat in the air for her, but hugged her as she put it on.

 

“Agreed, if that is what you want.” he said in what Kagome understood as a type of truce to his petition. “Come; let us eat now while there is still food left.”

 

 

 

The glow from the flames danced shakily on the walls. Kagome sighed deeply and stretched over the lush carpet, placing the toes of her feet closer to the chimney.

 

“Mmm, there is nothing like lying down in front of a good flame.”

 

“There is nothing like lying in front of a good flame with a beautiful woman next to this Sesshoumaru, especially if she is naked.” commented Sesshoumaru stroking the soft skin on Kagome's stomach until reaching the underside of her breasts in their intimacy.

 

Kagome laughed and turned her head, which was lying on Sesshoumaru's arm, to smile at him. He was also naked, lying on the carpet next to her.

 

“I can't accomplish to stay clothed much when I come over here.”

 

“True.” said Sesshoumaru now touching her nipple with his thumb. “Sometimes I feel like you are only using me, that you are only interested in sex.”

 

“Of course.” Kagome replied maliciously. “And don't you love it?”

 

“Oh, I complain not.” murmured Sesshoumaru supporting an elbow to better concentrate on his ministrations. “What this Sesshoumaru does not understand is why you do not want to move in with me. I do not see how this can affect your career. By Kami, I do not want you to stop working; you can continue to be a model all you want.”

 

To Kagome, it was all too easy to be persuaded. Nevertheless, she had to stick to her own independence at all costs; otherwise, when their relationship reached its inevitable end, she will have nothing what so ever. Thus, she shook her head.

 

“But I don't want to be just a model. At any rate, there is only a few years left at the peak of my career. Afterwards, I want to move on to television and that will signify loads of work. I need to dedicate all my attention to it.”

 

“At the expense of everyone else?”

 

“If necessary, yes.”

 

With an exasperated sigh, Sesshoumaru plopped back on the carpet and placed his arms behind his head. He no longer wanted to touch Kagome.

 

“You are the most obstinate woman I have ever known in my life.” he stated. “You run the risk that your precious career will turn into an obsession.”

 

Kagome looked at him. A part of her desperately wanted to do as he asked; however, another part feared getting too involved in a relationship which was already moving too fast. It had only been six weeks since their time in Paris and she couldn't remember life without him.

 

They hadn't even been together much. She had been vastly occupied with the presentation of the collections in Milan and a couple of promotional trips in America organized by Shikon, not to mention finishing commercial ads inside television studios.

 

Sesshoumaru had also been traveling the majority of the time. The number of businesses in which he had investments was astonishing. Besides his Japanese agency, he had partnerships with other agencies the rest of Asia, and other parts of the world including Europe, America and the Middle East. He also had a chain of stores for photography.

 

When they were together, most of the time they were making love. Right after Paris, where she had feared being pregnant, Kagome began to take the adequate precautions, though sometimes the desire to have his child still assaulted her.

 

They had time to talk as well, and in those tender moments after coupling, Sesshoumaru let down his guard a bit. The more Kagome knew about him, the deeper she fell in love. His personality was much more complex and interesting than she had imagined.

 

His house, for example, differed greatly to what she had pictured. She had assumed he lived in an eccentric apartment, furnished in state of the art and filled to the brim with flashy objects. Actually, he lived in an antique estate located in the Anaheim Hills in California, with a lengthy majestic garden and the comfortable library where they were cuddling at the moment, with a chimney and ample sofas.

 

Learning part of his past, she understood the reasons that drove him in life. He had been raised by a step mother who didn't have any affection for him. She had lost her husband, Sesshoumaru's father, and his half-brother InuYasha of barely seven to some car accident, which left the woman extremely bitter. He rebelled against her, against his studies and against the whole world, and due to an early encounter with the law he ended up at an alternative educational system. There, someone place a camera on his hands and Sesshoumaru found a way to escape the doom of a bleak destiny.

 

At thirty-five, Sesshoumaru appeared to have attained the entire goals he had set for himself, or at least in the verge of obtaining them. Would they be enough for him? Could he have the desire to find a woman with whom to share everything with and have a child who would inherit his drive? Perhaps. And maybe, Kagome thought, if she kept leaving him wanting more, she could avoid the fatal end that the knowledge of how much she love him signified, as well as doing or saying anything that demanded too much from him. Then maybe, maybe, she could be at the right time and in the right place when he finally felt that need.

 

But how much would he tolerate. His former bonds never lasted more than three months. Counting from Paris, it had already been a month in a half. Counting from Thailand, she didn't have much time left.

 

Kagome extended a hand and caressed him. He didn't respond, but neither did he push her away. And he had accused her of being obstinate! Sesshoumaru had thought her very well during the past six months, and although she had been an attentive student, not only his instructions had been useful. Her imagination and her female instincts as old as Eve can also been helpful. Sesshoumaru's indifference was a challenge to her recently acquired abilities.

 

She slid her fingers softly across the hard pecs of Sesshoumaru. He was perfectly fit and his skin was slightly tan and warm. His scent was very masculine and drove Kagome into more profound sensations than rational thought.

 

If the three months were about to expire, there weren't many nights left like the current one. And, in that case, Kagome was determined to have him remember her from the rest of the women. She would give his a taste of pleasure too difficult to forget.

 

Kagome kneeled at his side. The amber glow from the fire danced across his naked flesh. She locked her deep navy eyes with his dark golden ones and smirked, Sesshoumaru only returned an unequivocal stare. He was unwilling to cooperate.

 

She inclined her head, allowing her raven locks to fall over him while trailing kisses around his neck. She licked his Adam's apple, circling with her tongue and then she made her way to his earlobe.

 

Sesshoumaru couldn't suppress a delicious shudder that rushed from his head to his toes and smiled, handicapped by the pleasure.

 

“You can get angry all you want.” Kagome whispered provocatively. “I know how to soften you up.”

 

Very slowly, deliberately, she tortured Sesshoumaru. She moved southward, stopping at spots she knew she'd get a reaction. Both knew where she was heading. Upon reaching the sensitive spot, Kagome sent him a seductive smile.

 

“Well, perhaps not exactly soften you.” Kagome said running a dainty digit over a veined surface on Sesshoumaru's penis.

 

She loved that particular intimate ministration. With her hands and her mouth she created magic. She stroked and licked him, tormenting him with exquisite pleasure. When making love, he tended to be the one to initiate and she followed, but on this occasion, Kagome wanted to take control. And she would be creative; doing things that not a while ago she wouldn't even dare to think about.

 

There was no doubt; Sesshoumaru enjoyed the change in roles. His breathing was agitated and he groaned as if he were agonizing. His body was prey to powerful shudders. He slid his hands around Kagome and she lifted her head to watch the display of bliss across his countenance.

 

Normally, she would halt and they would make love in a more conventional way. But this time she didn't want to stop, she wanted to finish what she had started.

 

“Kagome!” hissed Sesshoumaru with a note of surprise in his voice.

 

Kagome gazed at him, her eyes shone maliciously and she carried on. A tiny quake, a mixture of fear and excitement, ran the entire span of his body. Sesshoumaru was complete aroused. His body tensed and his back arched. Kagome had transported all the love she couldn't voice at the most exquisite moment of ecstasy. Feeling a wave of rapture, Sesshoumaru exploded, shaking as if suffering from a small tremor. A minute later, he was still and defenseless.

 

Kagome giggled and threw herself in his arms.

 

“See? Why risk losing everything we have by taking things too fast? We enjoy being with each so much because our time is limited. We both have interests and have no time to get bored. It's the perfect relationship.”

 

“Very well, I know you have what you want.” said Sesshoumaru. And with a grin he added, “That felt really good.”