InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Close Your Eyes ❯ Chapter 6: Learning Something New ( Chapter 6 )

---Revised. I combined chapters one and two. Sorry, no new chapter yet.

 

Close Your Eyes: Chapter 6

By: Scarlet_fears

 

Since the “minor” incident at the café two weeks prior, Kagome and Sesshoumaru had been unusually quiet amongst themselves—more than usual anyways. There was the occasional comment, but nothing to draw each other into a conversation. Sango being her observant self made note of their attitudes and planned to change it. She and Kagome had become somewhat closer, but not enough to Sango's preference.

 

Kagome had been feeling awkward around Sesshoumaru for some time. She was too embarrassed to look at him. She wasn't used to any attention of the male kind. Kagome had also noticed how Sango was always encouraging them to do activities together, but she knew that it was difficult to have a friend considering her situation right now. She would either depend on them too much, or worse, berate them for understanding too little. It had made Kagome somewhat distressed that she couldn't hold a simple friendship with an obviously well-meaning person.

 

Sesshoumaru prided himself in `making the first move', however unintentional it was. If she felt attracted to him in the least bit, surely she would have responded better. Although he figured the situation with his eyesight was the problem, he deduced that if this was the cause of her uncertainty, she was just not worth the time. In addition to that, he couldn't help but question as to why he sought Kagome's affection. The word `relationship' simply did not fit into his vocabulary, but somehow he knew that Kagome would be no one night stand.

 

Today was Sunday, which meant it was Kagome's day off. Sesshoumaru sat alone in his apartment listening to the radio. It seemed as though it was the only thing he could do. Inuyasha had recently called to explain why he had been delayed in his return to Japan. The advertising in America had been more of a success than he could have imagined and they needed all the help they could get. Sesshoumaru assured him that he cared not if Inuyasha remained there for the rest of eternity. In a nutshell, that was how the conversation went.

 

The station he was listening to soon switched to a classical music station as he finally rested his head against the arm of the sofa. This week was a lot of work. Kagome could barely keep up with everything which in the end only slowed him down. His thoughts were soon interrupted when he heard the door open. Briskly sitting up, he wondered how he managed to get himself into situations like these.

 

“It's just me fluffy.” He somewhat relaxed at his rude neighbor Ayame's words. “No need to get your panties in a bunch.”

 

“I really need to get rid of that key.” He muttered out loud wanting her to hear him. “Everyone just seems to barge in here.”

 

She just laughed as she looked through his refrigerator.

 

“I'm not sure why you didn't take it out after that girl dumped you.” Sesshoumaru tensed at her words. That was something they never spoke of. Although he didn't know it, Ayame was just trying to push his buttons. “Actually, the door was unlocked.”

 

“Hn.” Sesshoumaru seemed to have lost interest in whatever she had to talk about. He was still shocked that she would bring up such a sore subject. After a few moments of silence Ayame finally sighed in defeat.

 

“I'm sorry for bringing her up.” She mumbled, knowing he got a glimpse of satisfaction out of her submission. “Ugh! Just forget about it. There is a bigger matter at hand and it is a dire one.”

 

This seemed to grab his attention and he slowly inclined his head to show that he was listening.

 

“You have no food in this ice box, and I'm starving.”

 

So much for a dire matter at hand…

 

“I'll take you shopping!” She finally declared as she had already got up heading towards the door.

 

“In order for you to take me shopping,” Sesshoumaru said as he once again reclined on his sofa. He closed his eyes and settled into a more comfortable position. “I would have to put my life in your hands. Unfortunately, I don't think that my judgment will ever be that impaired.”

 

Sadly she released the door knob and trudged back into the living room. Sitting herself on the edge of the couch with a plop she once again sighed. Sesshoumaru retracted his feet that she had just sat on.

 

“I see your point.”

 

His eyebrows rose a little at this.

 

“But who will pay for the food?” Ayame whined.

 

His eyebrows went back down.

 

“What of your many infamous boyfriends?” He joked sullenly.

 

“I'm taking a break from them right now.”

 

His eyebrows went back up at this.

 

“Wow…” She said in false amazement. “Those brows of yours are sure getting a work-out.”

 

“I got it!” She exclaimed happily jumping up from her spot on the couch. “Where's your computer?”

 

Curious as to what she was getting at he pointed to a drawer underneath the coffee table. Ayame quickly turned it on and worked her magic. She muttered an `uh huh', or sometimes a `bleh', or rarely a `why not'.

 

“Woman,” Sesshoumaru demanded, “What is it that you're doing?”

 

“You'll see.” She giggled in merriment as she hummed a catchy tune. She pushed Sesshoumaru's legs off the couch and replaced them with her own. Growling he did the same to her. This went on for some time before she had enough. “Is that any way to treat a guest?! Plus, last time I gave in…it's your turn.”

 

He mumbled something but removed his feet and allowed her to put hers up. That was until there was a knock at the door--Ayame was up and moving.

 

“Here is your groceries ma'am.” The delivery boy told her as he put them on the counter. “That'll be $76.50.”

 

Ayame had already started putting everything away. “Honey, where's the check book?”

 

“I gave in this last time Ayame.”

 

“I know but pleeeeease.” She begged. “I'm not just doing this for me y'know.”

 

“It's on the night stand in my room.” He once again sighed in defeat. This game is getting old.

 

Ayame had whipped up some ramen noodles as he came to sit at the table. She placed his bowl down in front of him, and took a seat.

 

“How is it?” She asked.

 

“It is suitable…honey.”

 

She groaned in embarrassment and banged her forehead against the table.

 

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

 

“And after that you'll never believe what he said!” Kagome exclaimed to her psychiatrist. “He said `that is for you to find out.' Ugh! He gets me SO aggravated sometimes!”

 

The two were currently sitting outside of a local Starbucks. He had on his thick framed glasses with a dark woolen coat and khaki dress pants. He wrote silently in his notepad with his cup of black coffee in front of him. Kagome was wearing a pair of jeans with her old green track hoodie. In her hands was her caramel macchiato.

 

“The nerve of that guy, sometimes I just want to…” She silently punched a fist into her hand and smothered it around for emphasis. “I feel better.”

 

“Are you saying that you do not return his affection for you?” He asked calmly, patiently awaiting her answer.

 

“What?” Kagome stammered, unprepared for the question. “Well…it's not that. I just don't think I'm ready for a commitment like this.”

 

“So you do feel romantically inclined towards him?”

 

“I'm not sure I like that exact wording…but I suppose I am fond of him.” She said staring blankly at the cup in her hands. “I am fond of him, and not just in a friendly way.”

 

“I see.” He replied with a suspicious glimmer in his eye. “How do you feel about that relationship?”

 

“I've told you that I'm not ready for this sort of thing…”

 

“Other than that,” He said a little too sharply. Kagome looked up in surprise. This was definitely a tone he hadn't taken with her before. He looked perfectly fine, but unbeknownst to Kagome he was finally unraveling before her very eyes.

 

“Well…I guess with him being my boss and everything, it might be awkward.”

 

“Is that so?” He snorted.

 

Now Kagome was really starting to worry.

 

“Dr. Yagira,” She started slowly as she put her coffee down. “Is everything okay?”

 

“And here I thought I was the psychiatrist.” He said a little more forcefully than he had meant to. Not wanting to escalate things too fast he caught himself before he said anything else that he might later regret. He stood up and left a tip on the table. “I apologize Kagome.”

 

“There's no need for that Dr. Yagira.” She said. “I know that sometimes I can be a bit much.”

 

“That's not it at all Kagome.” He said taking her hand. “How many times must I ask you call me Naraku?”

 

Kagome blushed at his gesture, but felt tiny chills crawling up her back.

 

“I'm sorry Dr. Ya-Naraku.” She stumbled over her choice of words.

 

“No need for apologizing.” He said as he kissed the top of her hand. “Until Wednesday…”

 

She watched as he walked away.

 

“Yes, until Wednesday…” Kagome replied silently to no one in particular.

 

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

 

Kagome had soon returned back to her apartment. She had to make a few stops around town such as going to the grocery store, the pet store, and a couple other various places. Everything was just how she had left it. Buyo had never moved from his spot on the arm of the sofa. She couldn't help but remark about how lazy the cat was.

 

The apartment was nicely furnished. It wasn't anything too extravagant, but it was comfortable—just how she preferred it to be. She had the family portrait of her grandfather, mom, dad, Souta as a toddler, and of course Kagome. There was a more recent one, of everyone excluding her father. The last one hanging was one of just her and her grandfather.

 

Kagome opened the door to the small closet in the entrance where she put coats, shoes, and other miscellaneous objects that she could put no where else. Standing up on the tips of her toes she reached and grabbed an old shoebox from the top corner. This is the shoebox that her father had given to her before his disappearance. He specifically told her that this was the place where all her treasures and secrets would be safely locked away.

 

Taking a seat on the sofa she traced the lid of the box that was settled in her lap. Kagome could not remember the last time she opened it. It had probably been nine months. She often reminded herself of old memories although it brought much anguish to her. She felt it was a small price she had to pay for her `misdeeds'. She gently lifted the lid and placed it beside her.

 

The first item she had taken out was a small bracelet she and her dad had made together one night that he was hosting her Girl Scout meeting. Kagome had remembered that she had been disappointed because her mother had gone to visit an old friend who was in the hospital. She had taken Souta with her because he had yet to begin school, but she would not allow Kagome to be absent. The meeting had been all but cancelled, but her father had assured her that he would take care of everything. That night no one showed up because of the heavy thunderstorm. She was of course very distraught over it. Her father managed to cheer her up by continuing on with the meeting as though nothing was wrong. The two baked cookies, roasted marshmallows, sang songs, told stories, and lastly made matching bracelets.

 

After his sudden disappearance, which her mother saw as his `abandonment', she put the bracelet away, not wanting to further upset her mother. Every now and then should would take it out and the images would relay in her mind of how they braided the strings together, and tied it with a special knot. The only way to take it off was to of course cut it.

 

There were many items in the box that held so many precious and painful memories for Kagome. There was a rose that her grandmother had made for her out of a palm leaf, the very first valentine that she had gotten from a boy, the red ribbon that she had worn from third to seventh grade, and other various things.

 

Her hand finally fell onto three objects. One was a small strip of film that held pictures of her and Souta. They were the last pictures she had taken with him. The second was his obituary. Lastly there were clippings of articles describing his accident.

 

National News:

 

There has been a reporting

of an 11 year old boy, Souta

Higurashi, being kidnapped

from a local supermarket parking

lot.

 

Numerous security tapes and a

classified individual, have

identified the kidnapper to

be 18 year old Hojo Shimizu.

 

There is no other information

available at this time. A picture

of the child and the suspect will

soon be released.

 

If you have any information

regarding this case, you must

alert your local authorities.

 

Kagome put the clippings back in the box and securely fastened the lid back and top of it. She found herself trembling and gripped the box tightly as she watched the knuckles of her hands turn white. She got up and placed the box on the corner of the kitchen counter. She couldn't bring herself to tear her eyes away from it. She knew what her mind was telling her to do. It wanted her to face her problems. It wanted her to conquer them, but the truth of the matter was that she was afraid. She imagined the box moving closer and closer to her until it fell off the edge revealing the contents within it.

 

Kagome soon snapped back to reality and found the box to be in the same place she had left it. Willing herself to move, she at last made her way to the bathroom. A nice, long, warm shower would soon tame the trembles of her body. She was positive of that. After her shower she changed into her pajamas. On her nightstand were her sleeping pills that she took on nights that she couldn't sleep. It was eight o'clock and she knew that she only had to wait for sleep to take over for another hour or so, but she was impatient. She took a full dose and laid back—it was as simple as that.

 

That night her mind was plagued by dreams of the box waiting to be opened and with the medication she had taken earlier, it wasn't easy for her to wake up.

 

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

 

Kagome was surprised that when she didn't see Sesshoumaru waiting for her by the elevator. Every morning for the past two months he had always waited for her in that same spot. She figured he might just be running a bit late and decided to wait in the lobby. After fifteen minutes had passed she had started getting worried. Kagome retrieved the room number from the bellboy and made her way up. Finally arriving at room number 402 she knocked. A rather grungy looking Sesshoumaru appeared at the front door. His hair was tousled a bit, but nothing to messy, his eyes half-lidded, and Kagome couldn't help but notice that he had a loosely tied sheet around his narrow hips.

 

“Sesshoumaru…” Kagome called to him. She tried to pry her gaze away from the sheet he could barely hold to his skin. “We're fifteen minutes late.”

 

He immediately recognized her voice.

 

“Ka-go-meeee,” he said with a heavily slurred voice. He stumbled backwards into the apartment letting her in. “Why don'cha come in and sit down.”

 

She was shocked when he pulled against her. He had meant to grab her wrist, but had somehow managed to grab her upper arm; he accidentally brushed against the side of her breast. This of course went unnoticed by him, but she gasped lightly. With one hand on her arm and one on the doorknob--that meant that nothing was holding onto the sheet. Kagome let out a small `eek!' and pulled her hand out of his grasp to cover her eyes. As close as they were earlier, she could smell a faint scent of alcohol on his breath.

 

“A-are you….drunk?” She asked timidly.

 

He merely scoffed at her. Retrieving his sheet off the floor he re-wrapped it.

 

“Correction,” he said. “I stopped drinking five hours ago.”

 

He swaggered his way back to his room. His arm was out in front of him to prevent him from running into him. Kagome followed him, and watched as he landed with a thud on his mattress. The sheets fell a little lower than they had originally been giving her a perfect view of his buttocks. After thinking about how it looked nice, she realized that she was ogling him. She slapped her hand once again over her eyes.

 

“So I take it you're hung-over.” She said trying to appease to him. He responded by snuggling deeper within the comforts of his bed.

 

Taking out her cell phone, she phoned Yura. She told her that it was Sesshoumaru's strict orders to push up the seven-thirty meeting to eight. She called the limo driver and told him to wait for another thirty minutes. That was no problem, but now Kagome had to sober up a very, half-naked, hung-over man in a little over an hour.

 

“Okay Sesshoumaru,” Kagome stated confidently as she attempted to get him out of bed. “Up we go!”

 

That failed miserably. She ended up underneath him. It was all dead weight that he was putting on her and to top it off he was as bare as the day he was born. She felt something against her leg. After feeling that, she miraculously gained the strength to heft him up into a kneeling position.

 

Keep your eyes up Kagome! Up, up, up!

 

Managing her way over to the edge of the bed, and dragging him across over on her back he was up and on his feet. Yes! Sure, he was still leaning against her, but it wasn't as bad as before.

 

“I'm tired…” He said nuzzling his face into her neck. “Let me sleep.”

 

“Mr. Taisho!” Kagome snapped at him. “That's e-enough! We have a VERY important meeting today, and you will try and act civilized! Am I understood?!”

 

Sesshoumaru's head now lay on her shoulder. His only reply was a helpless `don't yell at me'. Her eyes softened at his tone, and she felt a little guilty for addressing him the way she did, but it was very important that her mind didn't stray from her current mission.

 

“Y-you wait right here.” Kagome ordered with a lowered tone. She made sure he was still standing while she leaned him against the wall. She retrieved the fallen sheet and had tied it around his hips, making sure that it didn't come undone; she took her hair tie off and secured it tightly. “Come with me.”

 

With both his arms slung across her shoulders from behind, she gripped his forearms and trudged him along towards the bathroom. Kagome sat him inside the bathtub and winced as his head hit against the tile as he tried to get more comfortable.

 

“Sorry about this…” She said grimly as she turned the shower head on the coldest setting available. At first he just lay there, and then he began his silent struggle. “Once you can get up on your own, clean yourself, brush your teeth, and I'll have your clothes ready for you.”

 

Kagome opened his closet and took out a suit since they had a formal meeting today. It was a very expensive black suit made out of the finest material. She loved the feel of the fabric against her fingers. She wasn't really surprised that everything was ironed and just…perfect. Before closing the closet, she grabbed a black dress shirt and a gold tie. Now it was time to search for underwear. Kagome would finally find the answer that she had wondered about so many times--boxers or briefs?

 

She smirked when the answer came out to be boxers. Her smile soon faded when she opened the next drawer looking for socks and instead found a lovely pile of women's undergarments. Kagome's eyes narrowed as she recalled what he had said at the café. This was not exactly the way she wanted her question to be answered.

 

Kagome slammed the drawer shut and wondered why her stomach was churning. She shook her head when she realized that this uncommon feeling was jealousy. Why was she jealous? It wasn't like she had any claim over Sesshoumaru. He was fair game.

 

Sesshoumaru came out of the bathroom a little better than before. There was a white cotton towel hugging snuggly around his hips. She told him that everything was piled up in order on the bed, and all he had to do was put it on. Kagome left the room so that he could get dressed in privacy. He had already dropped the sheet earlier; she did not want a replay. Or that was what she told herself.

 

“Wow, you look like you've been hit by a truck.” Kagome remarked as he came out. His hair was still wet and messy, there were bags under his eyes, his tie was hanging around his neck, the shirt wasn't tucked in, the jacket hung loosely on his arm, and his shoes were untied. “Luckily, I think I can fix that.”

 

First she grabbed two spoons and instructed Sesshoumaru to put them under his eyes and to leave them there until she finished. Kagome found a blow-drier in the bathroom and fixed his hair. Instead of leaving it loose like he normally did, she tied it loosely below the neck. After straightening out his shoes and clothes, she remembered that she had no idea how to tie a tie. She settled on asking someone later. He looked much better. She mentally gave herself a pat on the back. Taking the spoons from him, she told him he could sit down for a while.

 

Kagome went back to the room to fix the bed and gather the things Sesshoumaru would need for the day. His cell phone was on the nightstand, and she found his briefcase on the counter in the kitchen. The keys were hanging on a rack attached to the wall. Everything seemed to be in order.

 

When she returned to the living room Sesshoumaru was already falling asleep. She shook his arm lightly and told him that it was time to leave.

 

“Off to the building ma'am?” The driver asked as he put the newspaper down and opened the door.

 

“Yes, but drop us off at the coffee house two blocks down from it.”

 

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

 

They sat at a small table in the corner of the restaurant so as not to draw attention to themselves. Kagome ordered herself a regular creamed coffee, but ordered Sesshoumaru a tall glass of orange juice.

 

“And if it isn't too much trouble, can you bring him some food to settle his stomach; a croissant, bagels, or whatever.” She figured he'd do better if he ate something.

 

“Sure thing.” The waitress replied after writing it down.

 

“Sesshoumaru, listen to me.” His chin rested against his palm, and he seemed out of it. “Are you paying attention?”

 

He nodded dumbly.

 

“Good. Today we have a very, important meeting.” She began. The drinks had just arrived. He pushed his glass away from him. “Please drink that.”

 

He still held a dazed look, but she knew that he was listening.

 

“Like I was saying,” Kagome started again as she pushed the glass into his hands. “It is a very important meeting. I think all we need to do is listen to whoever is speaking, but if they ask you any questions…I'll think of something. Just don't say anything!”

 

He took a drink of orange juice, put it back down, and to Kagome's relief brought it back to his lips to finish it.

 

“If they make any comments, just nod your head in approval. It's about time to go.” She grabbed the coffee in one hand and Sesshoumaru's arm in the other and went up front to pay.

 

“Here is a ham and cheese croissant ma'am.”

 

Kagome paid the lady and before turning away asked. “You wouldn't know how to tie a tie would you?”

 

“I can't say that I do.”

 

“Thanks anyway.”

 

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

 

Sesshoumaru quietly ate the croissant from the coffee house to the building. He was slightly better from what Kagome thought. Sure, he could barely walk in a straight line, but everyone would probably just think it had to do with his eyesight. Walking into the building Kagome bumped into Miroku.

 

“Hey Kagome! Sesshoumaru!” Kagome said hi but Sesshoumaru once again just looked dazed. “What's with him?”

 

“He's hung over. I don't know what to do anymore.” She said whispered frustratingly not wanting everyone in the lobby to hear them. “The bags under his eyes are coming back, we have an extremely important meeting coming up, and I have no idea how to tie a tie! I wonder how much he actually drank last night?!”

 

Miroku laughed.

 

“Apparently you don't know Sesshoumaru that well. He has a very low tolerance of alcohol.” He chuckled some more. “I believe I can help you with your problems though.”

 

Miroku retrieved the tie hanging from Sesshoumaru's shoulders and tied it skillfully. Next he whipped out a pair of sunglasses, and said that if anyone asked, just to tell them that Sesshoumaru's eyesight was doing better but that the doctor recommended wearing them so that it wouldn't irritate them further.

 

“Thanks! You're a lifesaver!” Kagome complimented him as they made their way into the elevator.

 

“Anytime! Good luck with your meeting.” Miroku called back as the doors closed.

 

“God knows we'll need it.” Kagome whispered under her breath as Sesshoumaru's head lolled forward.

 

-----

 

A/N: So who should this mysterious woman of Sesshoumaru's be??? A character from the series, an OC [which I really hate doing, but if it's better, than I will], or any other suggestions?

 

Who saw Naraku coming? Yes, I tend to be a little sadistic, but he's sure going places in future chapters!

 

Fanfiction.net:

iamaninjaturtle

Seshaddict

Demonic Angelz

Bert8813

raspberrysorbet: Regarding your second comment, I'm having some questions as to how I want it to end. Plus, I can't give away a secret now can I?

animegirl2005

StarPrincess2020

sfl-fanfic-luver

My Soul Your Puppet

LynGreenTea

PimpTroyce

minerva519

fikesgirl

Crimson Pooka

Dragonsdaughter1

silversand88

`-aphros-`

Your Gothic Lover

 

A Single Spark:

Eternityoftears: I'll see what I can do.

britt_202

_Charlotte_Sometimes_

orchid

Kuma

appleme

#~Tink~#

Shadowchick

 

Mediaminer:

KissMe4BadLuck: Patience. It's coming.

Manga Girl: I wasn't planning on bashing Ayame. I know what you mean though; I do see a lot of Ayame-bashing in stories. I'm not too sure what I'm doing with her. For now, she is just going to be a character to lighten the mood.

Raniece617

HOOKED ON PHONICS

 

From this point on I am no longer addressing reviews personally. Please do not take this the wrong way or anything. It's just getting to be too long. If you have a question [and it doesn't include me giving away any big secrets in the plot], or I find something interesting, I will address it. I'll probably put up a chapter towards the end of the story to thank all my reviewers.

 

I have a butt-load of summer reading to get started on. [school starts in less then two weeks] In conclusion I am taking a leave of absence for an unknown amount of time. [most likely not as long as my five week one a while back] I promise that I'll work at my chapters, so no worrying there.

 

PLEASE review and show me that you miss me, and you're grateful for a longer chapter. [and new surprises]

 

-scarletfears