InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Angels Are Made From Ink And Pencils ❯ Thanks To Demon ( Chapter 5 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: alakeshadow 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Comedy | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 06.20.2008 | Pages: 8 | Words: 5.1K | Visits: 194 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Comedy | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 06.20.2008 | Pages: 8 | Words: 5.1K | Visits: 194 | Status: Work In Progress
Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine, they are property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Notes - Wow…it seems you all really like this story! I'm so glad! With things like this, it's so hit and run, you know? A great story can be ruined by a bad author, just as a bad story can be made great by an author who has a talent with words. I'm not saying this story is bad or good, but just that…well…I'm really glad I can make you guys happy.
FUN - Kasuga Wakamiya on-matsuri: (Kasuga Wakamiya). Also known as the “Grand Festival” This festival goes on from December 16th-18th, the highlight of which is a jovial pageant of people masquerading as courtiers, vassals attired in ancient costumes and a long procession of samurai warriors dressed in armor and carrying weapons. Sacred Shinto music and dances as well as Noh plays are performed in the traditional manner during it.
Chapter 5: Thanks To Demon
There is nothing in the world more satisfying then knowing you've created a good piece of art.
~alakeshadow
After two weeks of doing nothing except watch her come in and out of the coffee shop, I figured that I would probably never speak with her…and if I did, all I'd be able to do was think about the perfect angles of her face and how many ways I could draw them. I hadn't painted in months until I first saw her, and now I can't stop. Maybe this is why I am such a lonely man? I seldom go out, am quiet, and have become tired of my life even though I am only twenty-seven years of age. That day when she came in and I laid eyes on her for the first time, everything felt different. Or maybe…just everything felt. I felt her happiness, and watching her over the past couple weeks, I've found myself smiling if she laughs, frowning if she is sad, and feeling disappointment when she goes away. As she does, every time I cannot help but inwardly thank her. She awakened me, and now I feel like I have meaning…purpose. I feel as if I can be the one who can fully capture her the way she was meant to be captured…to draw out the exquisiteness that she has! It's just a bitter pill to swallow knowing that being here in this latte and espresso shop is as close as I will get to her. I am destined only to draw her; but I just wish I could show her. These days, I amuse myself wondering about how for being in a coffee house; I don't drink very much coffee there. Maybe that's why today I saw her at the park instead.
*****
“Oh! Oh, I'm so sorry!” Kagome exclaimed mortified as Oni proceeded to lick the strangers face thoroughly, barking and whimpering excitedly at somebody new to harass.
The man only tilted his face up to avoid the wild tongue as Kagome finally got the dog under control.
“Really! I'm so unbelievably sorry!”
“It's no problem.” He said, his masculine voice making her still, her head cocking to the side as her eyes gazed into his face. He seemed really familiar for some reason…but she didn't know why. Something about his face…his eyes - they looked like Inuyasha's-
“ONI! Down!” She said angrily as her dog barked and tried to jump onto the man once again.
“Interesting animal.” He said, surprising her by leaning down on his haunches and scratching her dog on his back, his hand playfully scratching back and forth in the place right where his back joined his back leg. He was so casual about it…whereas most people she knew would be down-right offended!
“Really I don't mind. I like dogs.” He said with a small smile as if reading her mind.
She felt somewhat relieved at his lack of complaint and pushed a lock of hair out of her eyes with her forearm since her hands were tied.
Nikkou hesitantly took a step forward to sniff him, feeling her mistress relax.
“Again, I'm really sorry…” She said softly, leaning down to tighten Daisan's collar.
Their eyes met again and she found herself frozen once more, her lips parting to speak even though nothing came out. She cleared her throat embarrassedly.
“You look so familiar…” She finally squeaked out, her eyes widening at the rude words.
She bowed apologetically and he smiled as she asked for forgiveness yet again. He waved his hand at her.
“I assure you madam, it is alright. I come here fairly often to relax…” He stood up from when he had been crouching, scratching her three dogs who now seemed completely at ease with his presence.
“You must have seen me somewhere along the line.” He said with a shrug.
`Yeah I guess so…' She thought, shaking her head slightly and tugging lightly at the leashes.
“Well…I'm sorry again, I didn't mean for them to…to MAUL you like that…”
He laughed and reached into his carry-on bag to make sure his sketchbook and pencils hadn't fallen out.
“You could repay me by allowing me the privilege of walking you home and accompanying me to breakfast tomorrow.” He said suavely as he held a hand out to take one of the leashes.
She blushed harder, her eyes straying from his to look over at the empty park bench behind him.
`He speaks so eloquently that it's distracting…'
“I…I'd like that, truly…but I'm already with somebody, so…”
`Yeah…Inuyasha wouldn't be happy at all about this…'
Inwardly, he felt something within him tighten and then snap with the pressure. On the outside however he only nodded, his hand lowering.
“In that case, please forgive me…I was brash.” He bowed his head to her and she blushed harder.
`What's my problem? Honestly, why am I so embarrassed? He's hot sure, but - KAGOME! You have a BOYFRIEND!' Her mind said sternly making her grimace slightly. She could only imagine Sango's reaction to all of this. It would probably sound just like her throbbing head. Or at least cause her to have one.
“Oh no! I didn't mean - I mean I'm just -” She stopped and took a deep breath, pushing her hair out of her eyes once again.
`Don't do it…don't do it Kagome…'
“What I'm saying is that breakfast's fine…but only on friendly terms, you understand.”
`What-?'
Daisan barked loudly, but whether in agreement or disagreement she wasn't sure.
The man smiled, reaching a hand out for a handshake.
“My name is Mikadzuki, Sesshomaru and I am pleased to meet you, Ms…?”
Her lips parted in surprise, her eyes shyly glancing up at him as she managed to switch the leashes to one hand.
“Kagome…Amefuri, Kagome.”
`Oh boy…now its official. Oh no…don't touch him…not the handshake-'
He nodded and shook her hand gently, making her bite her lip as a pleasant tingle went through her. Not knowing what to do next, she stood their stupidly, her blush growing even redder as he watched her uncomplainingly. After a few moments, he took pity on her and forwardly took Oni's leash.
“This one…” He said with a mocking expression of anger down at the said animal.
“Needs to be muzzled.”
She laughed, breaking the tension inside of her and looked over at him as they began walking down the snowy street. Her embarrassment settled as did the voice in her head, so now the only thing she could hear were the normal sounds of 5:00 traffic and other people walking their dogs.
She noticed that the day had turned very picturesque with all of the snow-frosted houses and large snowflakes fluttering down around them.
“The snow is beautiful.” He commented pleasantly, reaching out and easily grasping a fluffy snowflake from the air.
“Yeah…it's my favorite season…except when it storms.” She said softly, watching Oni shake snowflakes from his back. She stopped and checked their paws for any buildup of ice.
“Really?”
She nodded, her face lighting up with a smile as they continued on.
“I love the snow…when I was young I remember celebrating Kasuga Wakamiya and dressing up as a priestess.” She said smiling fondly, her cheeks brightening this time from the cold instead of her thoughts.
“Come to think of it, I haven't celebrated it since I was fifteen…wow and now I'm almost twenty-five…” She bowed her head and chuckled.
From before her, Nikkou whined upon seeing another dog, their footsteps making the snow beneath them crunch like cornstarch.
She decided to direct the conversation his way as she tugged Nikkou away from the other walker.
“Why do you like it, Mikadzuki-san?”
He shrugged, gazing out at the outline of Mount Fuji way off in the distance.
“I appreciate beautiful things, Ms. Amefuri.”
She blushed despite herself but didn't know exactly why.
He observed it and gave a half smile, his breath momentarily stopping at the rosy tint in her cheeks. It accentuated her beauty even more.
He had oil paints at home that were that exact shade-
“Beautiful things…you mean like nature, right?” She asked just as Nikkou suddenly lunged forward, causing her to slip backwards in the snow.
In a flash, he reached out and caught her. She gasped at the contact, realizing that his hands were securely holding each of her hips, and realizing for the first time how tall he really was. His body had had to hunch over to catch her and his lips were right above her ear, breathing warm air into it.
She became still, the cold momentarily forgotten as his warm body surrounded her own.
And for a second she forgot how to breathe.
“It's slippery, Ms. Amefuri.” He said quietly, his balmy breath making her shiver as a chill went down her spine. And not a cold one either, she realized with some guilt.
“Yeah…th…thanks.” She murmured.
He lifted her up.
She stuttered embarrassedly as she righted herself and he nodded, looking up at the building before them.
“It seems Ms. Amefuri that now you owe me two favors. For now however, welcome home.” He said, watching her soft mouth open slightly in confusion until she looked up herself and sure enough saw her apartment building.
“How did you know I lived here?”
He shrugged.
“When your dog jumped on me I saw the address on his ID tags.”
“Oh…”
Unable to think of anything else to say, he spoke for her by leading her to the door and giving her the other two leashes. She took them with a smile and looked down at her feet.
“Thanks for walking me home I guess-”
He smiled slightly and shook his head.
“You agreed to breakfast. What would you say to Chiyo's at nine?” He asked simply.
She nodded and smiled again before turning and watching him open the door for her to go inside, allowing her to turn and enter the building.
`You idiot.' The voice whispered unsympathetically into the back of her mind as she looked over her shoulder at his retreating back.
*****
He couldn't believe it. There really was a god.
That was all he could think of as he walked slowly down the slippery sidewalk to his own apartment. He'd just talked with the object of his desire…the model for his passion…and he was going to have breakfast with her tomorrow. It sent a strange fluttery feeling inside of his chest to the edges of his brain, sending his endorphins into overdrive.
He passed a local florist shop, glancing briefly into the window before pointedly looking away and continuing on. She had told him up front that she was taken…and honestly, how could she not be? She was a beautiful person…a rarity more wonderful then any food or wine.
`A pity she can't see herself the way I do.' He thought, crossing the road at a nearby crosswalk.
He had to fight to keep from wondering if her boyfriend did.
He lost. Then again though, what had he expected? That she'd think he was the most wonderful thing to happen to her that day? That she would instantly welcome him into her private life?
`Well…she did accept a breakfast invitation.'
Ha! That was as innocent as it could get as far as a modest date.
Looking up, he waiting for the light to turn green and hurried across the street with a wave of other pedestrians.
When had he last gone on a date with a woman? Not since he was twenty-two or so…
He sighed, huddling his chin further into his thick angora scarf. His black hair flew out behind him as a sharp gust of wind belted into him, but he didn't feel it.
`To be able to look into her eyes for so long…I wonder if I could enhance their glow with acrylic paint?'
He dug his hands into his pockets deeper as he finally reached his own apartment and got into the elevator. Getting inside, he hung up his jacket and closed himself into his bedroom where his drawings were stored. As he entered, no less then fifty different paintings, charcoal sketches, and even India ink drawings greeted him; all of the same thing. Amefuri, Kagome, as he now knew was her name.
Blacks, yellows, whites, pinks, blues, purples…everything at his disposal he had used.
For a moment, he stood there and looked around at them all. The first one he had drawn of her was done in charcoal crayon, filling in the raven black hair and white porcelain skin. It was a profile of the side of her face, the shadows playing across the bridge of her nose and down her elegant neck. He had two nights ago done a touch up on the paints and had given them until now to set and dry. Now, he took up his brush and opened a cabinet on his wall to show off different assortments of oil and acrylic paints, sharpies, pastels, charcoals, and drawing pencils and pens.
Taking a bottle of white acrylic paint along with a couple more in various shades of brown, he poured a small amount of each in a small plate by his easel and then proceeded to try and find the exact same shade as her eyes. He mixed and experimented for almost an hour, having to wash his pallet twice before finding the color he wanted.
He was a perfectionist, especially with his art. Had always been, from kindergarten to college, and although at times it had been frustrating, he had only had one work go wrong. That work had ended up being put into his college's main hall for visitors because he hadn't wanted it. Everything else he had kept, unwilling to show his real talent to anyone outside of his home.
The window across from him showed him that the snow was falling harder now, the white flakes building up on the window ledge.
Sitting down in front of his easel, his eyes narrowed on his painting and nothing else. Assembling his brushes in order of thickness, he grasped his palate with one hand and picked up the brush he needed. Soon, his smooth white hand began to gracefully place perfect strokes and pricks upon the canvas. The picture itself became alive in his mind, his eyes darting back and forth with precise accuracy towards different points of her iris to her eyelids and finally her eyelashes and brows. Everything was a factor, the lighting, the pressure of the brush, the temperature of the room. Anything could cause him to make a mistake. Because of it, he usually unplugged his phone and put a DO NOT DISTURB sign on his door. He took no precautions because a wrong movement could be as costly to his artists mind as the loss of a prized horse to a world class breeder.
But maybe it would be better to be that world class breeder who could interact freely with the animal, do what they wanted with it, anything. It was a sad thing to think about this woman now, and even sadder was the reality of what couldn't happen between them.
She was just so perfect…and he knew absolutely nothing about her. He was that world class breeder attached to one of their horses…and she didn't even know. And she probably wouldn't even remember his name after breakfast tomorrow.
“All you can do is look at something besides me.” He murmured, drawing away to survey his work.
It was unfair to feel like this…the way he felt around her, the hours he spent fantasizing about her face and hair, the curve of her shoulders, the length of her neck. Talking with her today…had only served to make him even more miserable then he had already been. He had tasted a bit of heroin and now was being forced to go cold turkey. He was addicted to her.
That was it, exactly and only it.
A forceful gust of wind blew now-freezing rain against his window, making him turn distractedly away from the portrait.
Could it be possible…to have more of her?
He turned back to his painting.
After almost an hour and a half, her doe-like brown eyes were glistening up at him. He had accomplished the last piece of her face for his painting.
Satisfied with it, he looked at her smiling mouth, the angle of it; eyed her nose and the way it arched up into her pale forehead. The soft black hair he had painted through with dark blue highlights curved freely against the barest hint of her shoulder, a stray tendril curling across the lower half of her jaw. He sighed deeply at the brilliance of her pale skin against her eyes and hair, the way the pink of her lips just barely overdid her skin, the bottom lip puckering out slightly.
“Can you let me know you…Amefuri, Kagome?”
There was a small clink as the brush and dish were put into his sink, his eyes closing slightly in relief at his success. And yet, as he turned to the door to leave, he couldn't help but look back at it and think that no matter how skilled a painter, drawer, or sculptor he was, he would never be able to capture her heart…only the fullest potential of her face.
“How sad.” He sighed wistfully, turning away to shut off the light, a charcoal sketch of her face and upper body in a small satchel under his arm.
“I've known you only two weeks and I'm in love with your face.”
And with that he shut the door with a soft click.
From outside, the crystallized ice on the window sparkled.
*****
She looked again at the abomination before her and wanted to throw it back at the young woman across from her whose small feet were nervously bouncing up and down as she waited for Kagura to speak.
“You say you were referred here by…?” Kagura asked shortly, making the young woman jump in surprise.
“Oh! Yes, by-”
“I don't care who.” She said curtly, causing the young woman's mouth to click shut in surprise.
“This is not what I would consider an acceptable piece of art, and whoever referred you is a poor art critic who should have known that already.” Kagura said rudely, throwing the Caron D'ache drawing of a teenage couple kissing one another down on her desk.
“I-”
“No. This is not art, its trash. Go back to your kindergarten drawing class and try to pick up a few helpers from your peers. Now, get out of my museum until you bring me something real.”
Snatching the sketch, the young woman ran from the room, tears in her dark blue eyes. Unfeelingly, Kagura watched her go, Koga Soudou entering a few seconds later with a look of concern on his face.
“What in the world-?”
“How dare you allow `that' into my museum!” Kagura interrupted him briskly.
“'That'?”
“Yes, `that'! It was a monstrosity, a disgrace! The bloody girl can't even mix together a good shade of aqua let alone show off her art here! You're my second in command here Koga, so you should know how I think! So help me, this is inexcusable!”
“Kagura, that was still very unprofessional of you to put down the poor girl.” He said, sitting down in the chair previously occupied by the turned-down artist.
She pursed her lips almost sulkily and threw the girls resume into the trash beside her desk.
“I want real talent, Wolf…not some half-baked elementary crayon drawing that couldn't have won a place in any art show in the two-year-old division! I want something fresh in my museum…something with flair, something bold, and dark, and sensual without even meaning to be so! Can't I have that?”
Her intercom beeped unexpectedly.
“What?” She asked irritatedly, pressing down on the button a little harder then she wanted to.
“Kagura-san, you have a Mikadzuki, Sesshomaru here to see you about an art sample? He says he has an appointment.”
Kagura raised her eyes to Koga's who nodded, a pleased grin splitting his face.
“Send him in.”
“Yes, Kagura-san.” And the intercom beeped to let her know it was off.
A few moments later, Sesshomaru walked calmly into her office, Koga standing with a low shout of glee.
“Sesshy, ol' pal! What's been up with you all these years?” Koga asked, taking his hand and shaking it vigorously.
Sesshomaru sighed, smiling despite his irritation at being called his old college nickname.
“As cheerful as ever I see; yet you seem to be faring well.”
Koga grinned again and stepped away to gesture to Kagura, looking on in irritation of her own.
“See me afterwards Sesshy and let me know if you've survived the rack or not!”
“The rack?”
`As in a medieval piece of torture equipment?' He thought, oddly bewildered.
“Ahem.”
He turned back to Kagura and bowed politely, stepping forward and gently handing her the covered sketch. She eyed his hands, interested in their smoothness, even when a glimpse at his palms showed a slight solidity.
“You are here I assume, for a place for your art in my museum?” She asked, pulling the satchel away from the sketch and flipping it over since it was facing away from her.
“I am, yes.” He said quietly, placing two fingers backs up, against the underside of his chin and watching as her carefully trained eyes took in his art piece.
For several moments, she was silent, and he made himself comfortable, unfazed by the piercing gaze she gave him over the top of his sketch after a few tense moments.
“Koga tells me that you were a college roommate of his. Where exactly did you go?” She asked, her tone not as snappish as before.
He nodded pleasantly.
“I attended Takarazuka University of Art and Design, excelling further then anyone else in my class, afterwards flying to America for a number of years to study there.”
“And what exactly do you do now?” She asked, glancing once more at the sketch then back at him.
He could tell by her face that his sample had impressed her greatly even though she hadn't said so.
“I have no current job. I acquired money from a recently deceased family member and now spend my time creating art for small businesses.”
She leaned back in her seat and opened a drawer to the side of her desk.
“I must say that your work is impressive. I assume you have others…?”
He nodded impersonally, her brows rising in interest.
“Pick your pleasure.”
“How many do you have?”
“I have more then two-hundred currently in my apartment done in more then ten different styles, including oil pastel and craypas.”
She nodded; a pleased look like Koga's appearing on her face.
“Very well Mr. Mikadzuki, I am offering you a job.” She emphasized her words by pulling a document from the open drawer of her desk and placing it in front of him.
“Your pay will be twenty-five an hour should you accept, and your responsibilities include helping to distribute your name as well as the name of my Museum. You will be expected to come to all functions and have no less then seven of your finest artworks in my office by Saturday morning to be placed in a spot of my choice within the museum.”
She leaned forward, clasping her fingers together on her desk as she watched him take the contract.
“Now it is my turn to assume that whatever I submit will not be given back, even if space becomes limited and they are taken off the walls?”
She nodded, impressed at his realism. Most who came in tried to sue her when that happened.
Thus the contract.
He paused for a moment, and then signed his name on the document, handing it back to her.
Kagura smiled at him as she stood and went to a filing cabinet to place it inside.
“Welcome to the Kyoto Museum Of Art Mr. Mikadzuki. I want your seven pieces by Saturday as said before.”
He nodded stiffly and stood to bow himself out.
When he was gone, Koga appeared a few minutes later with Sesshomaru's resume that he'd filled out in the waiting room in hand, and flung it lightly onto her desk.
“Pretty good, eh? Told you he was worth it.”
She leaned back in her chair once more and allowed him to pour them two glasses of imported Italian wine.
“I will admit he could be a runner up in this museum against any other artwork piece I've ever possessed, not counting the classics of course.” She admitted grudgingly.
“Of course.” He downed his wine and flopped into Sesshomaru's old chair.
“Once again I have saved you, my sweet!” Koga crowed happily, filling another glass of wine for himself.
“Hardly.”
“Here's to the new year, my dear!”
“Not until you go after him and get his phone number. He forgot to list it.” She said, taking the wine bottle from his waving hand.
So-fifth chapter up! YAH!!!! It's been forever so I apologize a lot! But its here now so all of you can stop complaining! Sesshomaru met Kagome! Oh, and for anyone wondering why Kagura called Koga “Wolf”, it's because its her nickname for him.
FUN - Kasuga Wakamiya on-matsuri: (Kasuga Wakamiya). Also known as the “Grand Festival” This festival goes on from December 16th-18th, the highlight of which is a jovial pageant of people masquerading as courtiers, vassals attired in ancient costumes and a long procession of samurai warriors dressed in armor and carrying weapons. Sacred Shinto music and dances as well as Noh plays are performed in the traditional manner during it.
Chapter 5: Thanks To Demon
There is nothing in the world more satisfying then knowing you've created a good piece of art.
~alakeshadow
After two weeks of doing nothing except watch her come in and out of the coffee shop, I figured that I would probably never speak with her…and if I did, all I'd be able to do was think about the perfect angles of her face and how many ways I could draw them. I hadn't painted in months until I first saw her, and now I can't stop. Maybe this is why I am such a lonely man? I seldom go out, am quiet, and have become tired of my life even though I am only twenty-seven years of age. That day when she came in and I laid eyes on her for the first time, everything felt different. Or maybe…just everything felt. I felt her happiness, and watching her over the past couple weeks, I've found myself smiling if she laughs, frowning if she is sad, and feeling disappointment when she goes away. As she does, every time I cannot help but inwardly thank her. She awakened me, and now I feel like I have meaning…purpose. I feel as if I can be the one who can fully capture her the way she was meant to be captured…to draw out the exquisiteness that she has! It's just a bitter pill to swallow knowing that being here in this latte and espresso shop is as close as I will get to her. I am destined only to draw her; but I just wish I could show her. These days, I amuse myself wondering about how for being in a coffee house; I don't drink very much coffee there. Maybe that's why today I saw her at the park instead.
*****
“Oh! Oh, I'm so sorry!” Kagome exclaimed mortified as Oni proceeded to lick the strangers face thoroughly, barking and whimpering excitedly at somebody new to harass.
The man only tilted his face up to avoid the wild tongue as Kagome finally got the dog under control.
“Really! I'm so unbelievably sorry!”
“It's no problem.” He said, his masculine voice making her still, her head cocking to the side as her eyes gazed into his face. He seemed really familiar for some reason…but she didn't know why. Something about his face…his eyes - they looked like Inuyasha's-
“ONI! Down!” She said angrily as her dog barked and tried to jump onto the man once again.
“Interesting animal.” He said, surprising her by leaning down on his haunches and scratching her dog on his back, his hand playfully scratching back and forth in the place right where his back joined his back leg. He was so casual about it…whereas most people she knew would be down-right offended!
“Really I don't mind. I like dogs.” He said with a small smile as if reading her mind.
She felt somewhat relieved at his lack of complaint and pushed a lock of hair out of her eyes with her forearm since her hands were tied.
Nikkou hesitantly took a step forward to sniff him, feeling her mistress relax.
“Again, I'm really sorry…” She said softly, leaning down to tighten Daisan's collar.
Their eyes met again and she found herself frozen once more, her lips parting to speak even though nothing came out. She cleared her throat embarrassedly.
“You look so familiar…” She finally squeaked out, her eyes widening at the rude words.
She bowed apologetically and he smiled as she asked for forgiveness yet again. He waved his hand at her.
“I assure you madam, it is alright. I come here fairly often to relax…” He stood up from when he had been crouching, scratching her three dogs who now seemed completely at ease with his presence.
“You must have seen me somewhere along the line.” He said with a shrug.
`Yeah I guess so…' She thought, shaking her head slightly and tugging lightly at the leashes.
“Well…I'm sorry again, I didn't mean for them to…to MAUL you like that…”
He laughed and reached into his carry-on bag to make sure his sketchbook and pencils hadn't fallen out.
“You could repay me by allowing me the privilege of walking you home and accompanying me to breakfast tomorrow.” He said suavely as he held a hand out to take one of the leashes.
She blushed harder, her eyes straying from his to look over at the empty park bench behind him.
`He speaks so eloquently that it's distracting…'
“I…I'd like that, truly…but I'm already with somebody, so…”
`Yeah…Inuyasha wouldn't be happy at all about this…'
Inwardly, he felt something within him tighten and then snap with the pressure. On the outside however he only nodded, his hand lowering.
“In that case, please forgive me…I was brash.” He bowed his head to her and she blushed harder.
`What's my problem? Honestly, why am I so embarrassed? He's hot sure, but - KAGOME! You have a BOYFRIEND!' Her mind said sternly making her grimace slightly. She could only imagine Sango's reaction to all of this. It would probably sound just like her throbbing head. Or at least cause her to have one.
“Oh no! I didn't mean - I mean I'm just -” She stopped and took a deep breath, pushing her hair out of her eyes once again.
`Don't do it…don't do it Kagome…'
“What I'm saying is that breakfast's fine…but only on friendly terms, you understand.”
`What-?'
Daisan barked loudly, but whether in agreement or disagreement she wasn't sure.
The man smiled, reaching a hand out for a handshake.
“My name is Mikadzuki, Sesshomaru and I am pleased to meet you, Ms…?”
Her lips parted in surprise, her eyes shyly glancing up at him as she managed to switch the leashes to one hand.
“Kagome…Amefuri, Kagome.”
`Oh boy…now its official. Oh no…don't touch him…not the handshake-'
He nodded and shook her hand gently, making her bite her lip as a pleasant tingle went through her. Not knowing what to do next, she stood their stupidly, her blush growing even redder as he watched her uncomplainingly. After a few moments, he took pity on her and forwardly took Oni's leash.
“This one…” He said with a mocking expression of anger down at the said animal.
“Needs to be muzzled.”
She laughed, breaking the tension inside of her and looked over at him as they began walking down the snowy street. Her embarrassment settled as did the voice in her head, so now the only thing she could hear were the normal sounds of 5:00 traffic and other people walking their dogs.
She noticed that the day had turned very picturesque with all of the snow-frosted houses and large snowflakes fluttering down around them.
“The snow is beautiful.” He commented pleasantly, reaching out and easily grasping a fluffy snowflake from the air.
“Yeah…it's my favorite season…except when it storms.” She said softly, watching Oni shake snowflakes from his back. She stopped and checked their paws for any buildup of ice.
“Really?”
She nodded, her face lighting up with a smile as they continued on.
“I love the snow…when I was young I remember celebrating Kasuga Wakamiya and dressing up as a priestess.” She said smiling fondly, her cheeks brightening this time from the cold instead of her thoughts.
“Come to think of it, I haven't celebrated it since I was fifteen…wow and now I'm almost twenty-five…” She bowed her head and chuckled.
From before her, Nikkou whined upon seeing another dog, their footsteps making the snow beneath them crunch like cornstarch.
She decided to direct the conversation his way as she tugged Nikkou away from the other walker.
“Why do you like it, Mikadzuki-san?”
He shrugged, gazing out at the outline of Mount Fuji way off in the distance.
“I appreciate beautiful things, Ms. Amefuri.”
She blushed despite herself but didn't know exactly why.
He observed it and gave a half smile, his breath momentarily stopping at the rosy tint in her cheeks. It accentuated her beauty even more.
He had oil paints at home that were that exact shade-
“Beautiful things…you mean like nature, right?” She asked just as Nikkou suddenly lunged forward, causing her to slip backwards in the snow.
In a flash, he reached out and caught her. She gasped at the contact, realizing that his hands were securely holding each of her hips, and realizing for the first time how tall he really was. His body had had to hunch over to catch her and his lips were right above her ear, breathing warm air into it.
She became still, the cold momentarily forgotten as his warm body surrounded her own.
And for a second she forgot how to breathe.
“It's slippery, Ms. Amefuri.” He said quietly, his balmy breath making her shiver as a chill went down her spine. And not a cold one either, she realized with some guilt.
“Yeah…th…thanks.” She murmured.
He lifted her up.
She stuttered embarrassedly as she righted herself and he nodded, looking up at the building before them.
“It seems Ms. Amefuri that now you owe me two favors. For now however, welcome home.” He said, watching her soft mouth open slightly in confusion until she looked up herself and sure enough saw her apartment building.
“How did you know I lived here?”
He shrugged.
“When your dog jumped on me I saw the address on his ID tags.”
“Oh…”
Unable to think of anything else to say, he spoke for her by leading her to the door and giving her the other two leashes. She took them with a smile and looked down at her feet.
“Thanks for walking me home I guess-”
He smiled slightly and shook his head.
“You agreed to breakfast. What would you say to Chiyo's at nine?” He asked simply.
She nodded and smiled again before turning and watching him open the door for her to go inside, allowing her to turn and enter the building.
`You idiot.' The voice whispered unsympathetically into the back of her mind as she looked over her shoulder at his retreating back.
*****
He couldn't believe it. There really was a god.
That was all he could think of as he walked slowly down the slippery sidewalk to his own apartment. He'd just talked with the object of his desire…the model for his passion…and he was going to have breakfast with her tomorrow. It sent a strange fluttery feeling inside of his chest to the edges of his brain, sending his endorphins into overdrive.
He passed a local florist shop, glancing briefly into the window before pointedly looking away and continuing on. She had told him up front that she was taken…and honestly, how could she not be? She was a beautiful person…a rarity more wonderful then any food or wine.
`A pity she can't see herself the way I do.' He thought, crossing the road at a nearby crosswalk.
He had to fight to keep from wondering if her boyfriend did.
He lost. Then again though, what had he expected? That she'd think he was the most wonderful thing to happen to her that day? That she would instantly welcome him into her private life?
`Well…she did accept a breakfast invitation.'
Ha! That was as innocent as it could get as far as a modest date.
Looking up, he waiting for the light to turn green and hurried across the street with a wave of other pedestrians.
When had he last gone on a date with a woman? Not since he was twenty-two or so…
He sighed, huddling his chin further into his thick angora scarf. His black hair flew out behind him as a sharp gust of wind belted into him, but he didn't feel it.
`To be able to look into her eyes for so long…I wonder if I could enhance their glow with acrylic paint?'
He dug his hands into his pockets deeper as he finally reached his own apartment and got into the elevator. Getting inside, he hung up his jacket and closed himself into his bedroom where his drawings were stored. As he entered, no less then fifty different paintings, charcoal sketches, and even India ink drawings greeted him; all of the same thing. Amefuri, Kagome, as he now knew was her name.
Blacks, yellows, whites, pinks, blues, purples…everything at his disposal he had used.
For a moment, he stood there and looked around at them all. The first one he had drawn of her was done in charcoal crayon, filling in the raven black hair and white porcelain skin. It was a profile of the side of her face, the shadows playing across the bridge of her nose and down her elegant neck. He had two nights ago done a touch up on the paints and had given them until now to set and dry. Now, he took up his brush and opened a cabinet on his wall to show off different assortments of oil and acrylic paints, sharpies, pastels, charcoals, and drawing pencils and pens.
Taking a bottle of white acrylic paint along with a couple more in various shades of brown, he poured a small amount of each in a small plate by his easel and then proceeded to try and find the exact same shade as her eyes. He mixed and experimented for almost an hour, having to wash his pallet twice before finding the color he wanted.
He was a perfectionist, especially with his art. Had always been, from kindergarten to college, and although at times it had been frustrating, he had only had one work go wrong. That work had ended up being put into his college's main hall for visitors because he hadn't wanted it. Everything else he had kept, unwilling to show his real talent to anyone outside of his home.
The window across from him showed him that the snow was falling harder now, the white flakes building up on the window ledge.
Sitting down in front of his easel, his eyes narrowed on his painting and nothing else. Assembling his brushes in order of thickness, he grasped his palate with one hand and picked up the brush he needed. Soon, his smooth white hand began to gracefully place perfect strokes and pricks upon the canvas. The picture itself became alive in his mind, his eyes darting back and forth with precise accuracy towards different points of her iris to her eyelids and finally her eyelashes and brows. Everything was a factor, the lighting, the pressure of the brush, the temperature of the room. Anything could cause him to make a mistake. Because of it, he usually unplugged his phone and put a DO NOT DISTURB sign on his door. He took no precautions because a wrong movement could be as costly to his artists mind as the loss of a prized horse to a world class breeder.
But maybe it would be better to be that world class breeder who could interact freely with the animal, do what they wanted with it, anything. It was a sad thing to think about this woman now, and even sadder was the reality of what couldn't happen between them.
She was just so perfect…and he knew absolutely nothing about her. He was that world class breeder attached to one of their horses…and she didn't even know. And she probably wouldn't even remember his name after breakfast tomorrow.
“All you can do is look at something besides me.” He murmured, drawing away to survey his work.
It was unfair to feel like this…the way he felt around her, the hours he spent fantasizing about her face and hair, the curve of her shoulders, the length of her neck. Talking with her today…had only served to make him even more miserable then he had already been. He had tasted a bit of heroin and now was being forced to go cold turkey. He was addicted to her.
That was it, exactly and only it.
A forceful gust of wind blew now-freezing rain against his window, making him turn distractedly away from the portrait.
Could it be possible…to have more of her?
He turned back to his painting.
After almost an hour and a half, her doe-like brown eyes were glistening up at him. He had accomplished the last piece of her face for his painting.
Satisfied with it, he looked at her smiling mouth, the angle of it; eyed her nose and the way it arched up into her pale forehead. The soft black hair he had painted through with dark blue highlights curved freely against the barest hint of her shoulder, a stray tendril curling across the lower half of her jaw. He sighed deeply at the brilliance of her pale skin against her eyes and hair, the way the pink of her lips just barely overdid her skin, the bottom lip puckering out slightly.
“Can you let me know you…Amefuri, Kagome?”
There was a small clink as the brush and dish were put into his sink, his eyes closing slightly in relief at his success. And yet, as he turned to the door to leave, he couldn't help but look back at it and think that no matter how skilled a painter, drawer, or sculptor he was, he would never be able to capture her heart…only the fullest potential of her face.
“How sad.” He sighed wistfully, turning away to shut off the light, a charcoal sketch of her face and upper body in a small satchel under his arm.
“I've known you only two weeks and I'm in love with your face.”
And with that he shut the door with a soft click.
From outside, the crystallized ice on the window sparkled.
*****
She looked again at the abomination before her and wanted to throw it back at the young woman across from her whose small feet were nervously bouncing up and down as she waited for Kagura to speak.
“You say you were referred here by…?” Kagura asked shortly, making the young woman jump in surprise.
“Oh! Yes, by-”
“I don't care who.” She said curtly, causing the young woman's mouth to click shut in surprise.
“This is not what I would consider an acceptable piece of art, and whoever referred you is a poor art critic who should have known that already.” Kagura said rudely, throwing the Caron D'ache drawing of a teenage couple kissing one another down on her desk.
“I-”
“No. This is not art, its trash. Go back to your kindergarten drawing class and try to pick up a few helpers from your peers. Now, get out of my museum until you bring me something real.”
Snatching the sketch, the young woman ran from the room, tears in her dark blue eyes. Unfeelingly, Kagura watched her go, Koga Soudou entering a few seconds later with a look of concern on his face.
“What in the world-?”
“How dare you allow `that' into my museum!” Kagura interrupted him briskly.
“'That'?”
“Yes, `that'! It was a monstrosity, a disgrace! The bloody girl can't even mix together a good shade of aqua let alone show off her art here! You're my second in command here Koga, so you should know how I think! So help me, this is inexcusable!”
“Kagura, that was still very unprofessional of you to put down the poor girl.” He said, sitting down in the chair previously occupied by the turned-down artist.
She pursed her lips almost sulkily and threw the girls resume into the trash beside her desk.
“I want real talent, Wolf…not some half-baked elementary crayon drawing that couldn't have won a place in any art show in the two-year-old division! I want something fresh in my museum…something with flair, something bold, and dark, and sensual without even meaning to be so! Can't I have that?”
Her intercom beeped unexpectedly.
“What?” She asked irritatedly, pressing down on the button a little harder then she wanted to.
“Kagura-san, you have a Mikadzuki, Sesshomaru here to see you about an art sample? He says he has an appointment.”
Kagura raised her eyes to Koga's who nodded, a pleased grin splitting his face.
“Send him in.”
“Yes, Kagura-san.” And the intercom beeped to let her know it was off.
A few moments later, Sesshomaru walked calmly into her office, Koga standing with a low shout of glee.
“Sesshy, ol' pal! What's been up with you all these years?” Koga asked, taking his hand and shaking it vigorously.
Sesshomaru sighed, smiling despite his irritation at being called his old college nickname.
“As cheerful as ever I see; yet you seem to be faring well.”
Koga grinned again and stepped away to gesture to Kagura, looking on in irritation of her own.
“See me afterwards Sesshy and let me know if you've survived the rack or not!”
“The rack?”
`As in a medieval piece of torture equipment?' He thought, oddly bewildered.
“Ahem.”
He turned back to Kagura and bowed politely, stepping forward and gently handing her the covered sketch. She eyed his hands, interested in their smoothness, even when a glimpse at his palms showed a slight solidity.
“You are here I assume, for a place for your art in my museum?” She asked, pulling the satchel away from the sketch and flipping it over since it was facing away from her.
“I am, yes.” He said quietly, placing two fingers backs up, against the underside of his chin and watching as her carefully trained eyes took in his art piece.
For several moments, she was silent, and he made himself comfortable, unfazed by the piercing gaze she gave him over the top of his sketch after a few tense moments.
“Koga tells me that you were a college roommate of his. Where exactly did you go?” She asked, her tone not as snappish as before.
He nodded pleasantly.
“I attended Takarazuka University of Art and Design, excelling further then anyone else in my class, afterwards flying to America for a number of years to study there.”
“And what exactly do you do now?” She asked, glancing once more at the sketch then back at him.
He could tell by her face that his sample had impressed her greatly even though she hadn't said so.
“I have no current job. I acquired money from a recently deceased family member and now spend my time creating art for small businesses.”
She leaned back in her seat and opened a drawer to the side of her desk.
“I must say that your work is impressive. I assume you have others…?”
He nodded impersonally, her brows rising in interest.
“Pick your pleasure.”
“How many do you have?”
“I have more then two-hundred currently in my apartment done in more then ten different styles, including oil pastel and craypas.”
She nodded; a pleased look like Koga's appearing on her face.
“Very well Mr. Mikadzuki, I am offering you a job.” She emphasized her words by pulling a document from the open drawer of her desk and placing it in front of him.
“Your pay will be twenty-five an hour should you accept, and your responsibilities include helping to distribute your name as well as the name of my Museum. You will be expected to come to all functions and have no less then seven of your finest artworks in my office by Saturday morning to be placed in a spot of my choice within the museum.”
She leaned forward, clasping her fingers together on her desk as she watched him take the contract.
“Now it is my turn to assume that whatever I submit will not be given back, even if space becomes limited and they are taken off the walls?”
She nodded, impressed at his realism. Most who came in tried to sue her when that happened.
Thus the contract.
He paused for a moment, and then signed his name on the document, handing it back to her.
Kagura smiled at him as she stood and went to a filing cabinet to place it inside.
“Welcome to the Kyoto Museum Of Art Mr. Mikadzuki. I want your seven pieces by Saturday as said before.”
He nodded stiffly and stood to bow himself out.
When he was gone, Koga appeared a few minutes later with Sesshomaru's resume that he'd filled out in the waiting room in hand, and flung it lightly onto her desk.
“Pretty good, eh? Told you he was worth it.”
She leaned back in her chair once more and allowed him to pour them two glasses of imported Italian wine.
“I will admit he could be a runner up in this museum against any other artwork piece I've ever possessed, not counting the classics of course.” She admitted grudgingly.
“Of course.” He downed his wine and flopped into Sesshomaru's old chair.
“Once again I have saved you, my sweet!” Koga crowed happily, filling another glass of wine for himself.
“Hardly.”
“Here's to the new year, my dear!”
“Not until you go after him and get his phone number. He forgot to list it.” She said, taking the wine bottle from his waving hand.
So-fifth chapter up! YAH!!!! It's been forever so I apologize a lot! But its here now so all of you can stop complaining! Sesshomaru met Kagome! Oh, and for anyone wondering why Kagura called Koga “Wolf”, it's because its her nickname for him.