InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cherry Bomb ❯ Chapter 10 ( Chapter 10 )

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There he was, the great Inu-Taiyokai Sesshomaru, once Lord of the Western lands; first son of the great Dog General waiting in his car, at the beginning of a driveway, leading to a Shrine, where a young college girl and employee of his, lived. Waiting no less to attempt to smooth over a misunderstanding.

 

`What has become of this Sesshomaru…' he drearily thought.

 

There was a time where all feared and bowed down to his will, no matter how minuscule. But he was sitting in his car in the rain; in the middle of a thunderstorm, just hoping the dark hair female will hear him out. At first, he didn't feel the impending need to explain so soon. In fact at first, he thought perhaps it might be wise to allow some time to pass, allow her to calm and think about what had occurred, surely she would realize that he, Sesshomaru, wanted absolutely nothing to do with Kagura.

 

But what if she didn't come to that conclusion? What if she doesn't show up for work tomorrow? What if she was so devastated from the horrible scene that played out that very morning, that she quits and plans on never seeing him ever again?

 

Golden eyes widened and burned with the thought `No!'

 

What exactly did Kagura tell Kagome the night before at Yokai's? Maybe she poisoned Kagome's mind with ridiculous lies. Did Kagura intend to try to badmouth Sesshomaru's well-earned honor? That would be absolutely intolerable.

 

The demon's mind was running amuck again; he couldn't help but think negatively. With the all the dreadful scenarios playing through the taiyokai's mind, he knew he had to confront Kagome tonight. He didn't want to risk losing her. He could always hire another hostess, but he knew with perfect certainty that he would never meet another Kagome.

 

 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

 

 

 

`Thank Kami almost home…' Kagome thought.

 

This had to be the longest drive to the Shrine ever. Kouga seemed to be driving unnecessarily slow. Sure there was a storm, and one needed to be careful when driving on wet and slippery roads.

 

`I think gramps drives faster then this…'

 

The drive home was also an uncomfortable one as well as long. For Kagome at least, Kouga seemed to be enjoying himself. Boasting and bragging about the accomplishments he has achieved from long in the pass and in now, present day. His conversation might have been interesting and Kagome in other circumstances might have been intrigued to get to know the wolf yokai better. But the all too many blatant glances to her cleavage were getting on her nerves. Its not like her boobs were hanging out! She was wearing a v-neck shirt, the one Rin lent her when she went to her dorm and yes, Rin was tinier then Kagome, but just a bit. The shirt was snug, not indecent. There just wasn't an excuse. Plus the fact that Kagome noticed every time Kouga switch gears he purposely brushed his hand against her leg. Kagome was keeping her legs tightly together and knees pointed towards the passenger door as much as she could manage. But the yokai seemed to find a way to accidentally touch her.

 

`Thank you Rin for lending me jeans…' wearily Kagome thought.

 

Pulling her out of her thoughts Kouga finally asked Kagome a question signaling he actually did want to get to know her.

 

“So Kagome, why is it that you still live at home with your folks instead of in the city like your friends? I mean wouldn't it be easier to live in the city closer to school and work?” Kouga asked.

 

“Oh well…umm…” Kagome meekly replied, “I help my family out at the shine, its just my mother and grandfather running it. Mostly though, I can't afford to live in the city on my own at the moment.”

 

“Hmmm, I see, well that's great that you help out your family, good quality to have. But why not move in with your boyfriend? Then you two could split the costs.” Kouga asked, attempting to be sly.

 

He was so obvious, he wanted to know if she was single or not, Kagome mentally rolled her eyes. He would seem less like an idiot if he had asked her outright if she was seeing someone.

 

When Sesshomaru asked it was different. So sexy, his eyes so direct.

 

`Sesshomaru…' she thought.

 

Did she have a boyfriend? Was Sesshomaru and Kagome even an item? How serious was this getting? Did Sesshomaru even want to get serious? Especially after what happened this morning, Kagome wasn't even sure at the moment how to even answer Kouga's lame attempt of finding out if she's available. Is she? She wasn't too sure.

 

Realizing Kouga was watching her and several moments had past by since he asked, Kagome just weakly smiled and shrugged her shoulders affectively dodging the question. It was too personal anyways and really none of his business.

`Sweet she didn't say she was attached to anyone.' Kouga joyfully thought.

 

And `anyone' included Sesshomaru; Kouga didn't think he stood a chance against the Inu-taiyokai if they both have their sights on the same female. But now he was starting to reconsider that theory. It was very clear to the wolf demon that Sesshomaru was interested in the beautiful hostess, whether he would admit it or not, well with acting so possessive of her that night of the Annual Employee Appreciation Party.

 

He almost lost hope when Kagome slid into his car, he faintly saw the tiny puncture marks on her neck and could have sworn Kagome's scent changed from the last time he saw her. But it was raining, and even in that short amount of time that she stood outside of Kouga's car in the rain, she got fairly wet. Rain always interfered with Kouga's sense of smell. Plus the last time he was close to Kagome, he had had quite a bit to drink, so perhaps he remembered her scent wrong.

 

Either way Kagome has had many chances to inform Kouga that she is unavailable. She could have requested a ride to Sesshomaru's place, or when he asked why she doesn't live in the city, that would have been an appropriate time to say she was with the Inu-taiyokai and that she was exclusively his.

 

She didn't, because obviously she wasn't, and didn't want to be. She must have just fooled round with her boss; maybe she was trying to get a raise. That was cool with him; a girl who liked to be free and have a little fun was exactly what Kouga was looking for. And he wouldn't mind a little fun himself. Besides she must have been bored with Sesshomaru by now, he was an uptight prick.

 

`That must be why she didn't want to go to Sesshomaru's, she wants to hook up with a demon who can actually show her a good time…she totally wants me.' He thought to himself, delusional.

 

Kouga looked up and into his review mirror eying his backseat. `I wonder if there's enough room…'

 

“Kouga you'll need to make the right, that's the drive that leads to my family's shrine.”

 

Kouga slowed down, practically to a crawl and made the turn. It was still raining and the night was extremely dark, only the occasional lightning illuminating their surroundings which was mostly lush trees. There wasn't another house around for a few miles. So neither one of them noticed passing a black car on the left side of the drive.

 

“Wow how long is the driveway?” he asked.

 

“Well I guess it's pretty long, nothing for a car, but I guess it's a bit of a walk.” Kagome answered.

 

Kagome noticed Kouga stopped driving and was just staying idle at the beginning of the drive. The driveway wasn't paved and it was raining, heavy too, Kouga's car was nice and looked like it must have cost him a fortune, she could only assume he didn't want to get his car cover with mud. She'd walk the rest of the way to the house.

 

“Well thanks for the ride home Kouga, I really do appreciate it, and I'll do my best to think of a way to repay you in time.” Kagome said, while bowing slightly as best she could manage in the passenger seat of a car.

 

Kouga smiled.

 

Hooking a clawed finger under Kagome's chin he gently lifted her face up making eye contact. Mischievous blues met confused innocent blues.

 

He chuckled.

 

“Always so proper Kagome, such a lady you are…I like the game you play” he said, making no sense to Kagome at all.

 

`Why is he using a sarcastic tone? What the hell is he talking about?' she wondered.

 

“I'm pretty sure you're actually really a wild young girl.” Kouga said with something in his blue eyes that gave Kagome the creeps.

 

`I gotta get out of this car; he's freaking me out.'

 

What a bad idea this was. She knew she should have declined his offer for a ride home but she didn't, and now she was sure she was going to pay for it since she was cursed with such bad luck.

 

Kagome reached for her seatbelt buckle to unlatch it and make a run for it, through the rain and to her warm, dry, and most important, house free of yokai perverts. Right before she could push the button to unbuckle the seatbelt, Kouga put his larger, free hand, over her own smaller one. Looking up at the Kouga, Kagome whispered.

 

“Kouga what are you doing?”

 

Eying Kagome's cleavage again for a good 10 seconds he finally looked up and leaned in closer to Kagome.

 

“Relax Kagome, I'm doing nothing you don't want” Kouga said as if it was a matter of fact.

 

Leaning in even closer, Kouga closed the distance between his face and hers in order to steal a kiss from the sexy kitten seating in his car.

 

Recognizing Kouga's intentions Kagome forced her chin out of Kouga's hold and began to explain that he completely had the wrong idea.

 

Right before she could voice her protest, there was a bright flash of white lightening.

 

“Huh…?” Came from Kagome's mouth.

 

Behind Kouga, through his driver-side door window, Kagome saw a dark silhouette of someone standing right outside the car.

 

“Um…Kouga…” She began

 

Before she could warn Kouga, thundered cracked effectively drowning out her small and startled voice. In a blur too fast for her eyes to keep up with, there was impossibly fast movement and a loud `yelp', which sounded as if it came from Kouga. Before she could even registered what happened, Kagome was alone in Kouga's car. Driver side door opened, the only sound being made was by the rain and the annoying beeping a car makes when the door is left ajar.

 

“Oh Kami, what just fucking happened?” Kagome said aloud.

 

Stepping out of Kouga's car and into the pouring rain. She slowly walked around to the driver's side all while trying carefully to stay aware of her surroundings, she eerily felt very alone.

 

Squinting her eyes she looked out as best she could in the darken night. She could barely make out the faint outline of trees that surrounded the Higurashi Shrine.

 

“Kouga?” She called out into the silent night.

 

Nothing. Kagome stood next to Kouga's car outside in the rain, trying to comprehend what had just happened.

 

Finally silence broke. Angry snarls and deep growls sounded in the direction Kagome was looking, but she just couldn't see anything, it was too far and too dark.

 

“Oh Kami!” she squeaked.

 

Turning quickly, she walked back to the passenger side of the car, that's where her bag was at; she needed to get to her phone.

 

`I need to call the police.' She thought.

 

Rummaging through her messenger bag, back inside of Kouga's car, searching franticly she her cell phone, it occurred to Kagome that whoever or whatever snatched Kouga out of his own car, could come back for her. Panic set in.

 

`I'll call the police from the shrine.' She thought.

 

She stepped back out and took one last look over the roof of Kouga's car in the direction where he must be, towards the trees. Nothing but black night, the sounds of violence had ceased and the only sound again was the heavy droplets of rain falling. She would run for it, get to the shrine, lock herself in, and call the police.

 

She softly closed the passenger door shut, turned and was suddenly looking at completely drenched Sesshomaru.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama?” Kagome questioned his presence.

 

The tall Inu-taiyokai stood just a few feet in front of Kagome. He was wearing his usual, black slacks, and silk black button up shirt, with the first few buttons undone. The fabric, due to the rain was a darker, inkier black. His skin seemed to glow in contrast. The silk of his shirt was clinging against his body defining his impressive physique. His hair was in a tight high ponytail. His eyes were crimson and his fangs were predominant.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama, what are you doing here?” Kagome asked confused.

 

Sesshomaru's stare was colder then she ever witnessed.

 

“You were going to betray this Sesshomaru.” He stated, ignoring her question. His voice was deep and course, almost salvage. He took a step in Kagome's direction.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama what are you talking about?” Kagome voice was small and unsure.

 

“With a lesser yokai, you were going to betray me.” He took another step in her direction.

 

“Who? Kouga? Was that you who took him? Is he okay, is he…” She was interrupted by a deep menacing growl.

 

“You WILL NOT see him again. This Sesshomaru will assure you this.”

 

“Listen Sesshomaru-sama please calm down, you've got it wrong, Kouga was just giving a ride home…” She attempted to explain.

 

Sesshomaru cut off her explanation, when he roughly grabbed her upper arm and began to lead her, pulling her in the direction of his parked car.

 

“What…what are you doing?”

 

“Taking you away from here” he answered in a voice more refined then when he first approached Kagome, he continued to drag Kagome to his car.

 

“Taking me away? No. Stop.”

 

She began tugging at her arm trying to free herself from Sesshomaru's grasp.

 

“I have to go find Kouga and make sure he's not…”

 

Once again Sesshomaru cut her words off, with another rumbling growl that came deep from within his chest.

 

“Let go Sesshomaru-sama, I mean it, your hurting my arm.” She said struggling with all her might not making any progress of alleviating herself of a domineering, and pushy yokai.

 

“I said LET GO!!!” Kagome finally yelled losing her temper.

 

Sesshomaru stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around facing Kagome. His eyes were still laced red, still lethal looking; his expression was almost one of shock. Kagome didn't notice, her attention was on Sesshomaru's hand rapped around her upper forearm. She was still fruitlessly tugging, trying to escape his grip.

 

Sesshomaru looked down at the petite human woman. It had been a very long time since someone raised his or her voice to him. And here was this tiny female, so frail and breakable, being remarkably defiant. That stirred his beast.

 

He suddenly let go of Kagome's arm, and since she was still struggling for freedom, the unexpected action sent her stumbling a few feet backwards, and onto the muddy, wet ground.

 

Eyebrows drawn together she gave Sesshomaru the dirtiest look she could muster.

 

“Why you…you jerk!” She screamed at the taiyokai, and balled up a fist full of wet mud and threw it at Sesshomaru, landing right in the middle of his chest.

 

Sesshomaru looked down at his shirt and back up at Kagome.

 

With a dead, bright red stare, Sesshomaru spoke, voice flat and calm, almost spooky “Again…you defy this Sesshomaru…you will be taught a lesson.”

 

He very slowly started to approach a sitting Kagome.

 

Sesshomaru was eying the girl as if she was a delicious piece of prey, while running his tongue up and down a protruding fang.

 

Kagome gasped.

 

`Oh fuck…he's fucking pissed…' she wearily thought.

 

`This Sesshomaru will thoroughly enjoy this…' He thought with the anticipation of subduing the unruly girl.

 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

 

 

In a situation of flight versus fight, and the situation involved Sesshomaru, well it wasn't hard to choice to make.

 

`Flight' Kagome thought and spun around off her butt and on her feet to sprint away from a predatory Sesshomaru.

 

She didn't get to take one step away, he was on her in an instant, flipping her back over onto her butt, and pushing her shoulders down on the muddy ground, successfully pinning her arms above her head, as he sat on top of her with a leg on either side of Kagome.

 

Sesshomaru leaned down to the right side of Kagome's face.

 

“You can't get away no matter how hard you try little girl, it useless trying, you're going to get what's coming to you…” He whispered low into her ear, making sure his lips caressed the outer shell of it. Kagome's eyes widened.

 

He continued to speak “I'm going to fuck you right here and right now; in the rain and on this muddy ground. When I'm done you'll know who you belong to.”

 

She couldn't overpower him, Kagome knew this, but she could always try to plea and reason.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama please, let me…”

 

However her plea was cut off by Sesshomaru's mouth crashing down on her own. Hungrily he kissed her, gripping her hair tightly forcing Kagome to gasp in surprise, as he thrust his tongue in her mouth, tasting all of her, deepening the kiss.

 

He kissed, licked and sucked on Kagome's tender mouth, hard. His fangs were harshly pressed up to Kagome's delicate pink lips bruising them.

 

He worked his hungry mouth away from Kagome's lips, across her jaw, and down to her lovely feminine neck, he licked and nipped at sensitive wet skin. When his tongue slid over the tiny punctures on the side of Kagome's neck Sesshomaru began to softly growl in the back of his throat. The vibrations of his growls traveled through his body into Kagome's own. Unstoppable moans were force from Kagome, the sensation felt too good, she couldn't ignore it.

 

In panting breaths Kagome spoke “Let go of my arms”.

 

“I won't let you go” Sesshomaru's deep voice answered.

 

“Let go of my arms so I can touch you” she said in a frustrated huff.

 

With a small arrogant smirk the taiyokai released Kagome's arms. As soon as her arms were freed she grabbed the hem of her soaked and dirty tee and yanked it up, over, and off. Sesshomaru's eyes were on her breasts, heaving up and down with her deep breathing, they were all but practically spilling out of her pink satin bra.

 

“Kiss them,” Kagome said, eyes gesturing to her breasts.

 

Sesshomaru didn't argue and lowered his head to the girl's chest and begun laving them with urgent kisses and licks. Kagome threaded her fingers into Sesshomaru's wet, silken hair.

 

“Oh Sesshomaru…” Kagome trailed off as Sesshomaru's tongue swept over an extremely sensitive nipple causing it to pucker and tighten.

 

Flipping the feather-light girl over onto her hands and knees Sesshomaru's grip was still in a large chunk of Kagome's saturated dark hair, he tightened his grip and jerked her head back and up towards the raining night's sky.

 

“Sesshomaru…what Kagome?” He asked darkly, nipping at her jaw and neck.

 

Kagome moaned out, his dominating treatment turning her on.

 

Ramming his covered erection between Kagome's parted legs, grinding him into her, he asked again.

 

“Sesshomaru…what?” His voice was so deep it was barely audible.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama…Sesshomaru-sama…” She kept repeating over and over, while pushing her ass back onto his hard length loving the friction.

 

Sesshomaru couldn't stifle his long, deep groan.

 

He snaked his clawed-tipped hand around the front of Kagome, which was currently a few inches above the muddy earth. He expertly unfastened her jeans and tugged them down to her knees to the ground. He used the tight jeans to his advantage. With the bunched up material of the jeans and Sesshomaru's knee and effectively pinned her in place, making sure she stay exactly where he wanted her.

 

Sesshomaru looked up and focused on his small pink prize, wet with rain and desire. Desire for him. He used one hand to stroke her and one to free himself from the tight confines of his pants.

 

Once free, he replaced his hand with the sensitive tip of himself. Slowly stroking Kagome, from her ass all the way down to her throbbing clit.

 

“Oh Kami, don't stop, please.” Kagome begged.

 

“You want this Sesshomaru inside…” He drawled out as he painted her slick folds his painfully hard cock.

 

“Yes, I want it” Kagome answered with no shame.

 

She was ultra sensitive. The feeling of Sesshomaru's length rubbing against her lower body, his silken hair brushing against her exposed bottom and the tingling of cold raindrops on her skin was almost too much, but happened to be just right, because out of nowhere she was coming.

 

“Sesshomaru-SAMA!” Kagome screamed into the wet night.

 

Sesshomaru covered Kagome's mouth muffling her cries, still aware of exactly where they were, not wanting to alarm her family and interrupt what was about to begin. Before her orgasm ended Sesshomaru took the opportunity to enter Kagome from behind in one full and solid stroke, extending Kagome's climax, riding it out to it fullest.

 

The feel of Kagome's contracting muscles, rapped so tightly around Sesshomaru cause him to groan. Deep inside as he could possibly get Sesshomaru, using the clawed hand around her mouth tilted her chin up, to the dark, wet sky. Speaking low into her fragile ear, he told his dark beauty.

 

“Kagome…you are…mine.”

 

He punctuated the `mine' by pulling himself out of her only to trust right back inside with barely controlled force.

 

Kagome was speaking in gasps and incoherent sounds between Sesshomaru's fingers; her eyes squeezed shut. She was too far-gone in passion, in lust. Sesshomaru needed to hear the words from her very mouth. He wanted her to tell him that she belonged to him and only him, as he was deep inside her hot body.

 

Moving in and out of his female, Sesshomaru's pace quickened. The feel of her feminine walls hugging him only encouraged the demon to move faster, harder. Outside, in the rain, on the soft muddy ground, surrounded by fresh, lush trees, this was an Inu-taiyokai's element and intended environment. This is where he was supposed to take his female. His other side was rising at an extraordinary rate. He needed more.

 

His fangs were aching with need to sink into creamy, soft flesh. He squeezed his sharp claws digging deeper into her rain-slick ass and hips. His silver hair; darken with moisture was plastered against his jagged magenta marked cheeks.

 

Low-pitch, rough groans were escaping Sesshomaru's mouth; he was getting close.

 

Releasing his grip on Kagome's ass, he moved his hand to her front and paid her clit attention. Once his smooth fingers made contact, he began massaging small, hurried circles against her. Kagome's panting increased, and her lower body tightened further against Sesshomaru. He knew it wouldn't take her long. His movements were fierce and fast. His grip went from her mouth to her hair, wadding his fingers through it. He again lowered himself closer to her ear and demanded she declared that she was his.

 

“Who do you belong to little girl?” He asked tone dark and almost lethal, answering was not optional.

 

“You…” She said without thought, she just didn't want him to stop.

 

“Who!” He growled out.

 

“Sesshomaru-sama!” Kagome instantly replied.

 

The rain was getting heavier and she was doing her best to keep steady against Sesshomaru's pounding, in the slippery, thick mud.

 

“Say it” He demanded.

 

“I…I belong to Sesshomaru-SAMA!!!”

 

Again, Sesshomaru induced another mind-blowing orgasm.

 

This time Sesshomaru followed suit and joined Kagome with a harsh grunt and growl.

 

 

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

 

 

Moments passed and finally Sesshomaru made himself slide out of Kagome. He put himself away, adjusting his slacks then went to work at pulling up Kagome's drenched, and extremely tight jeans back up.

 

After the two were dress, they stood, and Sesshomaru looked at Kagome. Not saying a word just watching. The weight of Sesshomaru's stare was starting to make Kagome fidget.

 

Just then a thought came barging in Kagome's head.

 

“Oh shit! Sesshomaru-sama, where's Kouga is he okay? Did you two fight?” She asked in a rush.

 

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed, he did not like Kagome speaking `his' name, and he didn't answer, his only reply was

 

“Hn.”

 

Kagome tried to alleviate some of Sesshomaru's distress “Please Sesshomaru-sama you have to let me explain, it was just a ride home from school, nothing more. I just wanted to avoid the rain that's all.”

 

The last bit felt a bit ironic, well since the two them were currently standing in what felt like a small typhoon.

 

“Indeed, this Sesshomaru should have allowed you the opportunity to explain your situation before taking any drastic actions.” He said with one very arrogant eyebrow raised.

 

The contemptuous remark didn't get past Kagome and if she admitted to herself and only to herself, Sesshomaru was right.

 

Blushing she responded “I see what you're saying, when I think about what happened this morning…I can now say it was all Kagura's fault. I was just too emotional at the time to see that, so I'm sorry I didn't give you the chance to explain.” She softly admitted.

 

“Well perhaps this Sesshomaru was also…” He paused to look deep and intensely into Kagome's eyes, she noticed they were back to their beautiful shade of liquid-gold, he continued, “Overruled by emotion and not able to see the situation for what it really was.”

 

Heat flooded Kagome's cheeks. Sesshomaru smirked.

 

Getting back on subject Kagome asked, “Is he okay?”

 

“He will recover in a small amount of time, nothing a yokai can't easily heal from.” Sesshomaru answered nonchalantly, tone bored.

 

`That's not too comforting, I hope Kouga is not too hurt.' She thought.

 

Sesshomaru extended his hand out “Come, let's leave.”

 

“I would love to leave with you, I really would, but Sesshomaru-sama, I haven't been home in almost two days, my family will get worried. Plus I really need to study.” Kagome answered.

 

Sesshomaru took a long look at Kagome, “You're hardly presentable.” He inclined his chin gesturing to Kagome's person.

 

Kagome looked down at herself. She was soaked, and worst she had mud all over skin and rubbed into her clothes, it was even in her hair. It was atrocious; she realized her borrowed tee was slightly torn at the neck.

 

`Rin is gonna kill me…' She felt so guilty.

 

She looked back up at Sesshomaru, “Your right, but I'll deal with it, I'll just sneak into the back door of the shrine.”

 

“Hn.” Sesshomaru responded.

 

Kagome smiled a genuine one.

 

“Do you need this Sesshomaru to escort you to your home?”

 

“Oh no, I think it might be better if I try to sneak in solo, I know my way very well even in the dark, so I'll be fine, thank you for asking Sesshomaru-sama” she answered.

 

Sesshomaru closed the small distance between himself and Kagome, bent down and placed a chaste kiss on her thoroughly abused lips.

 

“This Sesshomaru will see you tomorrow.” He promised and with that he turned and walked away into the dark night.

 

Kagome turned and headed towards her home, through the rain, which was starting to lighten up. She never imagined in a million years that this was how her night would end up; Kouga trying to get fresh, Sesshomaru doing Kami-knows-what to Kouga, Sesshomaru taking her so roughly and forcefully in the rain and mud, in front of her very own home!

 

He told her that she was his. She had to admit the possessiveness was a turn-on. But deep down, Kagome knew she meant something to the taiyokai, and that was the best feeling ever.

Well the sex, well that wasn't too bad either. The mind-boggling, toe curling, eye tearing, scream worthy sex, well, that was like the big, fat cherry on top.