InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cold Fire ❯ An epiphany ( Chapter 10 )

An Epiphany

 

 

 

Kagome groaned and stretched in her bed. The sheets felt cool and fresh. She groggily sat up and rubbed her eyes, trying to reclaim her bearings. She yawned and looked at her wall clock. It was after 8, too late to go riding—or to meet Inuyasha. Suddenly all the memories of last night into this morning came flooding back to her. She blushed embarrassingly as she remembered how savage she had been. She looked at the bed where he had lain the previous night. The sheets were neatly fixed. She ran her hand through her hair only to find out that it had been re-braided. She jumped out of the bed and ran to the wall of mirrors before she burst into a fit of laughter. Her hair was in two very unkempt braids that were frayed at the end. Inuyasha had attempted to fix her up during the night. She looked at her body. She wore his flannel shirt and not her silk nightgown. The shirt hung to her like clothes on a scarecrow, proving the vast difference between his frame and hers. Still laughing she twirled around giddily before collapsing. She couldn't explain it but she felt happy. A small cough interrupted her; she turned to see Sota standing in the doorway.

“ What do you want brat?”

He walked into her room and stood feebly looking at her. “ I heard noise last night and then a while ago, it sounded as if you were crying. You ok?”

Kagome stared at him remorsefully. “ Yeah I am. Nothing's wrong with me. I was laughing, not crying.”

“ What were you laughing about so early in the morning?”

She rose steadily and dusted herself off. “ Funny dream. And why are you in my room?”

“ Whose shirt is that?”

“ Get out of my room brat!”

He scuttled to the door then stopped. “ I'm not stupid you know. I know some guy was here last night. I head ya'll talking.”

“ So now you've stooped to the level of eavesdropping?”

“ Ya'll were loud.”

“ So you gonna tell your mom now?”

“ She's your mom too. And I will tell her when it suits me too.”

“ Ahh. Blackmail. Crude but effective.” She gave him a jaundiced look. He returned it with an icy stare. “ Sota, get out of my room.” She said coolly but with enough to threaten him. He scrunched his face before disappearing on the opposite side of her door. Kagome huffed before storming off into her bathroom.

 

 

“ Yashi, get up! Aren't you going to work today?” Sango shoved him in the bed. He grumbled before opening his eyes.

“ No. I'm tired. Leave me alone!”

“ Tired from what? Sleeping?” She shoved him some more. He didn't move. He lay sprawled out on his back across the bed. Sango sat on the side of the bed and did her last resort to get him up. She grabbed his nipples and twisted them, “ I said get up!”

“ Sango!!!” He jumped up in the bed. He grabbed his chest in defense.

“ What is it? What's the big emergency for me to get up?!”

“ Work. You need to go to work.”

“ No I don't.” He shot back. “ I own the damn place, I set my own damned hours! And this morning I feel like taking the day off!”

“ But today is the day the contractor for the new restaurant is flying in for the meeting. Today is the ground breaking service.”

Inuyasha gave her a blank stare without blinking. “ What time is it?”

“ Umm, “ she looked at her wrist watch. “ It 15 past 8.”

He rolled to the side of the bed and sat on the edge near his sister.

“ I need a whole pot of coffee.” He rubbed his head.

“ You look like hell. What were you up to?”

“ Eh. Late night.” Sango stood. She was already dressed in her work attire. A sleek cargo pants with hiking boots and a sleeveless green blouse.

“ I'm on my way out. Anything you want?”

“ You made coffee right?”

“ Hmm mm.”

“ A lot left?”

“ More than half the pot.”

“ Well that's it.” Sango walked to the door and leaned on the door jam,

“ Don't go back to sleep and don't mess up this deal. Remember, I'm planning on quitting my job.”

“ Don't hold your breath.”

She exhaled in surrender. “ Just get your ass to work.” She walked out. Inuyasha placed his index finger and his thumb to the pounding at the top of his nose bridge. The pounding lessened but didn't dissipate. He was tempted - badly -to lie back down and go back to sleep but he couldn't. Damn it. He stood and wobbled over to the bathroom for a shower.

 

 

Kagome sat down at the table and looked at her dysfunctional family. Sota sat eating cereal and her mother was eating toast and cream. Kagome was starved due to prior strenuous activity but she settled for a bagel with cream cheese and orange juice. Breakfast with her father was never this weird or awkwardly uncomfortable. It was filled with laughter and stifled yawning that led to more laughter. The day's activities were planned there and a lot of family love happened there.

 

` Pass the butter honey.'

` Rumiko dear, you know better than that. Those biscuits have enough butter on them.'

` Sure. Tasteless butter. Now I know why they call it I cant believe its not butter. Because its not. Doesn't even taste remotely like butter.'

` Well just endure the taste. Those biscuits are oven fresh and you needn't put any butter on them. Think how insulted the cook would be.'

`How would he know?'

The breakfast continued on until Kagome shoved a piece of bacon up her nose.

`Kagome! No! Rumiko, stop her!'

` Its all in good fun honey. ` He turned to his 9 year old daughter. ` Don't play with your food. You want to eat your boogers?”

`No daddy.'

`Put that piece of Bacon to the side of your plate. Or give it to Buyo if he'll eat it.”

“ But I want it.”

“ Then you shouldn't have shoved it up your nose. If you don't eat it, I'll take you to the toy store or I'll carry you riding.'

` Dear, you're spoiling her.' Her mother retorted.

` Good, princesses should be spoilt.'

 

Kagome drained the last of her orange juice and began to get up from the table.

“ Wait Kagome.” Her mother called out. “ I was thinking we could go tour the town today.”

“ What's to see?” She replied hotly.

“Montana has a lot of sight seeing. Its only for today.” Her tone was final.

“ Be ready by 10.”

“ Can I drive myself?”

“ No. It's a family outing. We're taking the limo.”

“ Whatever.” She walked away. What the hell could you see from a damn limo? The glass was tinted pitch black! It was just about to nine. She could still do some stuff before she got ready. She went to change to go down to the pool.

 

 

“ Mr. Davies, Mr. Pearson, Mr. Wolfe. Good morning gentlemen.” Inuyasha extended his hand to shake the three older men hands as the stood in his office. The office had been properly cleaned and it sparkled like nothing had happened, but Inuyasha couldn't forget the fight he and Kagome had on the floor. He shook his guests hands firmly before motioning to them to have a seat. They sat down and looked around. “ I trust you had a most comfortable flight over here?”

“ Yes we did Mr.---“

“ Inuyasha. Just call me Inuyasha. If we'll be working together, we should know each other on a personal level.”

“ Ahh well, yes Inuyasha. Now your restaurant. You have made the first budget payment and we would like to start working by tomorrow.” Said Mr. Davies

“ Tomorrow? Wow. That's quick.” He said surprised.

“ We have a two month deadline. The company has a huge project to start in October in New York. “ Mr. Pearson replied succinctly. “ In fact, we were hoping you could fly to Texas tomorrow to the ground breaking.”

“ Um, ok.” He said timidly. It was sudden and out of the way but it was for his franchise. “ Tomorrow what time?”

“ At 10.” Mr. Wolfe responded. The three gentlemen rose. The short meeting seemed to be adjourned. Inuyasha slipped around the table to walk the men to the door. After formal goodbyes, the men left. Inuyasha told his assistant that he was going out for the day. Jumping into his car, he drove home to pack.

 

 

 

“ Christ! I'm so fucking bored!” Kagome screamed out. Her mother snapped a picture then turned to her.

“ If you would look, then you wouldn't be so bored.”

“ Its just a huge rock! I'm not blind, I see it, but it's still just a fucking huge rock!”

“ Actually,” The guide offered timidly, “ it's the one of America's largest network of dry cave systems.”

Kagome sighed dramatically. “ No matter what it is, it's still just a huge rock!”

“ Kagome, just try and enjoy it. Do it for mom.” Sota said pleadingly. She ignored him. Looking down at her watch, she groaned. They had been looking at the caves for most of the day; it was already 3:30. She bore it for another hour before her mother finally got ready to leave.

 

 

Inuyasha stared out the window of the plane. He sat comfortably in first class waiting for their arrival. He hated flying. If he had the choice, he would have driven here but he needed to be there by 10. He left out without telling Sango. He left a note with all the info, his flight number, his hotel and when he'd be back. Screwing a bit, he thought he should have told Kagome but surprisingly, he didn't have her cell number! He was having an affair with a girl who he didn't have any way of contacting! His thoughts were shattered when the pilot announced that they would be arriving in 5 minutes. Kicking his duffel bag at his feet, he buckled his seat belt and sat back for the second worst part of flying, the landing.

 

 

“ What the hell you mean he's not here?!” Kagome screeched. She had been on edge all day since her very entertaining ` rock watching'. She needed some excitement in her life and now, but Inuyasha was gone. Sango sat bored at the kitchen island eating a pear and watching the evening news.

“ Exactly what I just said. He's not here.”

“ Maybe I should rephrase that. Where the hell is he?!”

Sango pointed to the refrigerator and went back to her pear. Kagome looked over at the sleek side-by-side to see a note pinned on it. Walking over to the note, she read it:

 

`Sango. Have to leave. Business trip.

Be back in five to seven days.

Lasagna in the fridge. Don't burn the house down.

Staying at the Shikon Hotel, suite 19. Call if anything.

Flight AA1019, leaves at 5: 45 pm

I'll call when I reach.

 

Five to seven days! By then it will be the end of July! Kagome scoffed and turned from the fridge. “ You mind if I stay until he calls?”

“ Knock yourself out.” Sango replied still lost in some silly sitcom that was now playing. Kagome sat down on a bar stool and began playing with her phone. About 10 minutes later, the house phone rang. She watched as Sango picked up the cordless wall phone,

“ Hello?” She asked the receiver bored. “ Glad you're there safe.” A pause. “ Bring back something for me.” A brief laugh. “ I won't. And what you mean don't burn the house down? I'm not that retarded in the kitchen!” Another pause. “ Wait Yashi, hold on a minute.” She stretched the phone to Kagome who smiled deviously as she took it from Sango. Spinning on the bar stool, she spoke in a feigned sweet voice,

“ Hi Yashi.”

“…Kagome?”

“ Aww, you remember me.”

“ I'm lost. What are you getting at?”

She sighed. “ I really appreciate you getting off your fat ass and flying half way across the fucking country without telling me!”

“ Whoa. Stop. When since were you and I joined at the hip? I live my life and you live yours. I'm at no obligation to say when I'm leaving and where I'm going.”

That burned but Kagome wouldn't let him know that. She was silent. He continued. “ Anyways. I don't have a number for you so I don't have any means of contacting you. You could have come by the restaurant. I was there until 3.”

“ I was out.”

“ So how was I supposed to tell you? It was a sudden thing. I didn't know I was leaving.”

“ Well you could have left a note.” She sounded slightly hurt.

“ I did.”

“ For Sango, not me.”

“ Well she is my sister. You are…”

“ Are what?”

“ Nothing.”

“ Nothing!!! I'm nothing to you?!”

“ No, I meant forget it!”

“ Then what am I?”

“ Look Kagome. I have to be up early in the morning. Night.”

“ Wait—“ But he had already hung up. She was pissed. Pressing the off button, she fumed. Sango looked at her with general disinterest. “ Bitch hung up the phone in my ears!” Sango smiled and turned back to the TV. Kagome stood up. “ I'm gone Sango, thanks for the company.” She said sarcastically. Sango uttered something before Kagome slipped out the kitchen and out the front door.

 

 

Kagome lay on a floater in the middle of the pool half asleep. She had been reading but had gotten bored. She wanted to improve her tan and so wore the tiniest bikini she owned. The plain blue top barely covered her breast and was held up by two almost invisible straps around her neck and back. The bottom was a French cut which did little to hide her ass much less her…

“ Hey Kagome, long time no see.”

Kagome didn't have to open her eyes. That awful drawl, she could pick it up anywhere.

“ Yes Collin?”

“ Nothing, its just fancy seeing you around here. You usually gone before 10. It's a sight for sore eyes to see you enjoying the property.”

She opened her eyes behind her oversized shades and saw him standing at the edge of the pool with a huge hat on his head. He wore loose pants and an opened shirt. Sitting up, she lifted the shades.

“ Don't you have some stalls to muck, I mean, horses shit a lot don't they?”

“ Nope. Day off. Someone's got that covered.”

“ Huh. Day off eh? What do you do on your day off? I would believe that cleaning up shit is your life.”

“ Surprisingly no. I do enjoy other activities other that cleaning shit.” He said with an air of humor. Kagome struggled to keep a straight face. Inuyasha, Sango and Collin were the only people she knew who could tolerate her. Loosing her battle, she flashed him a pearly white grin. Jumping off the floater bed into the water, she swam to the edge of the pool.

“ So what do you want to do on your day off?”

“ Are you asking me on a date Ms. Higurashi?”

“ If you think so.”

He placed his finger to his lip as a sign of deep thought. Before smiling.

“ County Fair.”

“ Eww. Isn't that where they showcase cows and pigs and barnyard animals? No thanks.”

“ Its not only that. There's rides and foods. Plus it's my day off and that's where I wanna go.” He pouted his lips childishly. It was amazing that he was 19 and acting that way.

“ Don't do that. You make it sound like it's your birthday. Anyways, you had me from you said food. Pass my towel. I have nothing better to do.”

 

 

 

After Kagome had changed into some jeans and a shirt, she and Collin spent the day at the fair eating cotton candy and then puking it up on the rides. It was something after 4 when they came back. It was actually fun and Collin promised he would bring here there again. After they parted ways, Kagome went to the huge TV room in the house and watched a movie until she fell asleep.

 

Inuyasha dropped into the huge bed in the suite. He was pooped. He spent the whole day meeting and greeting people he didn't know. They had a small ceremony to start the building, which had taken up most of the day. But after that, he carried one of the contractor's—Mr. Wolfe he remembered—daughter to some fancy club because she had some liking for him. However, she was as dull as… there wasn't even a comparison. She spent the whole night snuggling up to him and all she could talk about was the wine store she worked at. Inuyasha was a fan of wine but there was a limit. She was a year younger than him with the brain of a 12 year old. Face wise, she was ok. A slim blond with blue eyes, but he spent the night trying to get away from her. He couldn't. She insisted they danced on the crowded dance floor where she stepped on his feet in order to stay close to him. After he had driven her home, she tried to get in a kiss but Inuyasha talked his way out of that and, unfortunately, into a second date. He kicked off his shoes and felt his feet throb. Heels were not kind to him. He laid there for awhile making his mind wander until it wandered back to Kagome. He wondered what she was doing. She was much more exciting to talk to with her dirty attitude. There was never any monotony in their conversations. Smiling to himself, he remembered he had hung up the phone on her. She would be pissed at him. Perfect. He was tempted to call Sango to get her number for him but he decided against it. Plus it was late. Picking up the phone, he ordered up some dinner before hopping off to the shower.

 

 

On his second date with the blond chick, Inuyasha did something. He called her Kagome. She looked at him across the table of the Italian restaurant they were at.

“ My name is Amanda. Amanda Wolfe.”

“ I know, that's what I said.”

“ No, you called me Kagome.”

“ Sorry. Spaced out.”

“ Am I wasting my time? I mean, do you have a girlfriend back home?”

Inuyasha thought long and hard but before he could come to conclusion, the words slipped out of his mouth.

“ Yeah I do.” What? Didn't you tell Kagome couple nights before that ya'll not connected at hips and now you calling her your woman?

“ You should have told me that before he agreed to take me out.”

“ I apologize Amanda. But I thought it was a friendly date.”

She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Inuyasha felt bad. “ Maybe I should explain.” She looked at him. “ She's not really my girlfriend. We have a developing relationship but its not anything.”

“ Oh. Its in the beginning stages.” She smiled with understanding.

“ Maybe we should leave now.”

“ Let me get the check.” Inuyasha was worried. Here he was passing up a beautiful young lady to a teenager who was leaving for a country half way across the world at the end of summer. She probably didn't even have the same feelings he had for her. Man was he stupid. After driving Amanda home, he walked her to her door. He pushed his hands in his pockets.

“ I'm really sorry about tonight.”

“ No problem.” She pulled out a business card from her bag and placed it in his shirt pocket. “ Call me if things don't work out.” She stepped closer and brushed her lips on his. Smiling, she opened her door and walked in. Inuyasha looked at the closed door. When did women become so… authoritative? He walked back to his rental car and drove back to his hotel. He was leaving two days from now. Amanda would be a thing of the past and he would have to face the wrath that was Kagome.

 

 

 

A/N: I had to put some distance between them. They were getting too comfy with each other. Plus it adds to the drama. Well, I'm starting the next chapter soon so I'll update soon too.