InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dancing with Scissors ❯ A Night Out And An Unexpected Request ( Chapter 14 )

“Kagome, why am I not surprised to see you here?” Sesshoumaru asked with amusement, not expecting an answer.

 

She laughed. “Finally a night on the town. Normally I avoid these types of clubs like the clap. Packed with wanna-be hipsters, over-priced drinks, obnoxious drunk men everywhere…but the Friday night DJ here is fucking amazing, and I've been itching to get my dance on. He should be starting pretty soon.”

 

Sesshoumaru glanced around and had to agree with Kagome's assessment of the club and its patrons. “Kagome, this is Bethany Faircloth. Beth, this is Rin's aunt, Kagome Higurashi.”

 

They shook hands briefly. The woman next to Sesshoumaru was blonde, beautiful, and wearing a tight, red dress with a plunging neckline that emphasized her voluptuous curves; Sesshoumaru was casually attired in deep charcoal, looking his usual drop-dead sexy self. Kagome felt scrawny and dull. “So anyway,” she said quickly, snapping out of self-pity mode, “I hope you like the DJ. Anthony Matthews is his name. He and Inuyasha tended bar together ages ago; they were pretty good friends. He'll be spinning at that tribute show I told you about.”

 

“What type of music?” Sesshoumaru asked.

 

“Ooo a fabulous variety,” she enthused. “Vintage soul, funk, and R and B. Lots of Motown. Reggae and dancehall. Afrobeat and Latin. His vinyl collection is extensive. He went to Brazil last year and came back with some killer music.” She smiled in an effort to not babble. “Well I should rejoin my group. I'm here with Miroku and Sango and some other friends. We've got the big corner booth by the dance floor, if you'd like to come by at some point and say Hi.”

 

“Perhaps we will,” he responded warmly, causing his date's possessive instinct to flare. She was out with Gorgeous Money and had no plans of sharing.

 

Kagome disappeared into the crowd, and Sesshoumaru escorted Bethany to the bar. He was dismayed when she, having consumed the majority of the bottle of wine at the restaurant, requested a Long Island Iced Tea. The last thing he wanted was a drunk on his hands. She was a daughter of friends of the family, and he asked her out in an attempt to jump start his lacking personal life and remove a certain inappropriate distraction from his mind, though by this point his attraction to the woman was rapidly waning. Dinner conversation had alternated between her sycophantic praise of him and her prying questions about his investments. She had recently received her certification in financial planning and was employed by her father's investment services firm, and Sesshoumaru, sensing that she was trolling for a new high profile client, had no interest in divulging this information.

 

She steered him to a small unoccupied table far from the booth Kagome mentioned, though he noticed there was a video screen nearby that was apparently a feed of the dance floor. “Your niece's aunt seems…interesting,” the date said, her tone implying `interesting' was a negative quality. “I heard from my mother that your family is letting her live on your property. That's so generous of you to give her a decent place to live, though I know it's all for the poor child's sake. But aren't you worried she'll take advantage of you?”

 

He had no idea what she was insinuating. “Advantage how?”

 

“Oh you know. How does one make a living as an artist, anyway? She is freeloading, isn't she?”

 

“I invited, and she accepted. She's doing my family a favor.” Sesshoumaru didn't know if he was defending Kagome or his offer to her.

 

Obviously not getting any traction defaming a potential rival, she asked, “Did you hear who's getting divorced?”

 

Sesshoumaru sighed. Gossip disgusted him. “No. I typically avoid other people's private lives as a topic of conversation.”

 

His barbed point was lost on her. “The Tylers,” she said scandalously. “Sidney caught Louise in bed with the pool man.” He closed his eyes, but his date was not dissuaded. “Don't you just think it's hilarious, especially with how Louise was so smug last year when my parents were briefly separated?”

 

His attention wandered as she prattled on about the latest rumors from the country club, frustrating him. The whole point in going out with this buxom blonde, a member of his social circle from a well-connected family, was to stop his mother's nagging about his bachelor status and keep him from thinking about Kagome, but Bethany's inane chatter grated, and he no longer even had any desire to sleep with her.

 

Suddenly an image of Kagome appeared on the video screen, dancing with Sango and one of her male friends. Her slow, fluid movements were graceful and sultry, hips circling in time to the pulsing base line. She dripped sensuality and eroticism, but with a raw layer of vulnerability, which only served to increase her appeal. He had already admitted to himself she was more attractive than he had originally judged, but watching her body move, he realized how tempting she truly was. Too bad it would never happen. She had made it clear to him she was uninterested in a relationship or even a sexual fling, and besides, though he no longer considered her personality quite so irritating, she was far below his social stature.

 

“Sesshoumaru?” Bethany prodded, reclaiming his attention.

 

“Yes?”

 

“I asked you if you thought it was a good idea that they relaxed the standards of membership at the country club. I rather liked the policy of approval by two thirds of the voting members. Now that it's only one third, I'm afraid they'll be forced to let almost anyone in.”

 

“Bethany, I honestly have no opinion. I only have a token membership there.”

 

“Oh,” she said, deflated. She primarily knew Sesshoumaru by reputation; their mothers played bridge together. When he called and asked her to dinner, she thought a gift had been dropped in her lap. A very rich, sexy gift. She knew he wasn't big on small talk, but currently it seemed he was more captivated by the video screen near the table than by anything she had to say. She leaned forward, hoping he'd notice her substantial cleavage. “Do you want another drink? I'm almost empty.”

 

Sesshoumaru saw that indeed her potent beverage was nearly empty and grimaced. Apparently inebriated would be joining vapid and exhibitionist on her current catalogue of attributes. “I'm fine,” he replied, indicating his still more than half full Guinness.

 

“I'm going to use the powder room and stop by the bar. Be right back.” She smiled saccharinely.

 

Sesshoumaru was relieved to have a respite. He saw Kagome was still dancing, the music now much more lively, but her movements were no less sexy. He kicked himself mentally, tore his eyes from the video screen, and looked out the window. On the sill was a copy of The Missing Link. The usual Thursday distribution had been delayed by a day due to contract disagreements and a brief workers' strike, and, having been at meetings and on the phone literally all day, he hadn't had a chance to read. A copy was waiting in his car, but he picked up the one next to him and turned to the back, unable to delay gratification.

 

Dear Scarlet, I'm a twenty year-old male. When I was in high school, my girlfriend and I made a promise to each other that we would remain virgins until we got married. We graduated, very much in love (or so I thought) and went to different colleges, determined to stay faithful until we graduated and could get married. However she met someone else in her first semester and broke our pledge and our engagement. That was almost two years ago, and I've moved past her and my hurt feelings. I now have a new girlfriend. We've been going out for a little over two months, and I love her like I've loved no one else. She's beautiful, intelligent, sweet, and understanding. My girlfriend is not a virgin, but she's only had sex once before and respects my belief that True Love Waits. But when we are together, we're both finding it harder and harder to not move beyond light petting and kissing. I love her and I know she's the one I want to give my life to and my first time to, and I want to ask her to marry me. I'm getting conflicting advice though. My pastor and my family support my decision, but think we should wait to marry until after graduation. I can't stand the thought of waiting that long to make love to the woman I adore, and honestly I don't think I can handle it. My friends don't get it at all. They think we're crazy for getting frustrated for “no reason”. They are really good guys, who just don't understand my beliefs, but the pressure is getting to me. I doubt I can wait two more years, but I think I'll be disappointed in myself if I give in, and that's to say nothing about my family. I'm thinking about asking her to elope. I'd like your opinion. I actually have never read your column, but my roommate is one of your fans, and he said you are the person to ask. Signed, Waiting Is Hard

 

“Mawwiage. Mawwiage is what bwings us togethew today. Mawwiage, that bwessed awwangement, that dweam within a dweam. And wove, twue wove, wiww fowwow you fowevah and evah.” Dear Hard, Sorry to pull out The Princess Bride on you, but I agonized over my response to your email for days and need a little silliness before I begin. Since you are unfamiliar with this column and in the interest of full disclosure, let me state that I suspect that we may have vastly differing thoughts about sex. You see, I don't believe Sex Outside Marriage is immoral. Nor are Sex With Someone You Don't Love, Sex With A Member Of The Same Gender, Sex With More Than One Person At The Same Time, or Sex With Someone Whose Name You Don't Know (I'm probably a tad more tolerant than the average bear, but there you have it). Sex, both the urge to procreate and the desire to give and receive pleasure, is a primal, biological need. The lust you feel for your girlfriend is normal and natural, but I am not going to attempt to talk you out of your virginity pledge; it is obviously important to you, and I would do you a disservice by not recognizing that fact. I simply don't understand them. Forgive the rather crude, automotive analogy, but you wouldn't buy a car without taking it for a test drive first, right? They certainly are fine for horny high school students who may not be ready for the pressures and responsibility that come with intercourse, and the original pledge you took with your old girlfriend served you both well. My worry though now is that the pledge itself is becoming more important than your ability to fully enjoy life as an adult. There are no easy answers on this one; you will need to do some serious soul searching and have a long talk with your girlfriend. And by the way…shouldn't you be talking with her and not your pastor and family about this? What if she doesn't want to marry you? This matter would become a moot point, or at least the equation would be altered significantly.

 

As long as I'm yammering, I'll share my thoughts on virginity. I don't believe virginity is synonymous with purity or that it is a precious gift an individual gives his or her first partner. I am the same person now as I was when I was in possession of an intact hymen, and I didn't think of my first time as a gift a give to someone else, as much as an event I wanted to micromanage and make as enjoyable as possible. I suppose this is the part where I share the story of Scarlet Loses The Big V (shudder). I was seventeen, just finished junior year of high school, and my sister, who is close in age to me, had sex for the first time. We were slightly competitive, and I figured `if she can do it…so can I', but I didn't want it to be with just anybody. I had a close guy friend at the time, also a virgin, who couldn't stand the thought of starting senior year never having had sex, so we made a pact that we would be each other's first at some point during that summer. I wasn't expecting fireworks or anything, but I'd read enough bodice-ripping paperbacks by then to know that it's supposed to only hurt briefly. Bullshit. It hurt, not necessarily like breaking an arm, but not fun. Then I bled for the entire next day and couldn't sit down comfortably. So I'm glad I hadn't set My First Time up as something that was supposed to be incredibly special…I'd have been sorely disappointed. That's not to say I would change a single thing about it! I wouldn't. My friend, though I really only liked him as a friend, was cute and nice, and we trusted and respected each other. The experience was clumsy and mildly embarrassing (who knew condoms were so complicated?!), but then, getting back to the automotive analogy, so was my first time behind the wheel of a car. It just got better, more fun, and now I am an excellent driver…if you know what I mean. But I'd like to stress that was my experience, my values system. Each person is unique, needing different things. It may be time, Hard, to reassess your needs. Is your virginity pledge still as important to you as it was when you made it? If it is, you will find the inner strength to persevere. Hell, you made it this long, what's another year or two? If you determine it is no longer so important, there is nothing wrong with you, though ask and answer yourself honestly, Will I feel guilty afterward? If Yes, perhaps it's worth it to continue on the present course. And for heaven's sake don't worry about disappointing your family. It's none of their business. The issue about whether or not to have sex with your girlfriend is one between the two of you, not your friends, not your family, not an advice columnist.

 

Now to the marriage portion of my response. I feel a bit awkward bringing it up, because I've never been married; in fact my longest relationship lasted six to eight months (the exact time frame is fuzzy), with the average duration between three to four months. My fear is that perhaps just over two months is not a long enough time to know for sure that this person is whom you should be marrying. When I am in the initial stages of a relationship, I want to be with the other nonstop, to eat him and drink him and breathe him. But it changes. In the cases of Real Love, it evolves into something special, something that lasts. In most of my relationships that never happened. The honeymoon phase evolved into You're A Great Guy, But Not The One. When the feeling was mutual, we parted on good terms. On the sad, few occasions when boyfriend and I were not on the same page…tears and angst, but he/I got over it. I'm afraid that two months is just not long enough to know someone inside and out. It doesn't mean the love isn't there, but have you even had a real fight yet? I would want to know if, during an argument, my possible future spouse is open to communication or shuts down or gets mean or can't compromise. Do you know yet how she is with money? Of all the committed couples I know, they fight most frequently about money. These are important considerations, and I'm not sure you have all the information you need. All those concerns aside, I can't stress highly enough, Sex Is Not A Valid Reason To Get Married! Don't get hitched because you're horny; there is far too much on the line. Ask yourself, Is this face the last thing I want to see when I fall asleep and the first thing I see when I wake? Is this person so special that I want to grow old with her? If you can unequivocally answer Absolutely, then take your time and enjoy each other. But don't ask this woman to marry you because you want to get in between her legs. I know you have a complicated situation, and I hope I helped. The decisions to be made are important, potentially life-changing. I wish more people approached their sex lives with your seriousness. Best of luck to you!

 

Sesshoumaru finished reading and thoughtfully set the newspaper down. He was thirty two; the same age his father had been when he married his mother, who had been the same age as the young man in the column. They hadn't known each other long when they wed, and he wondered if they would have stayed together had they waited. His parents were much happier now than when he was young, something for which he was grateful, but he knew about his mother's many regrets concerning her years of depression, and he suspected she, having given up a promising career, regretted getting married in the first place. He had always assumed that he would marry one day; of course that would mean he'd have to meet someone who was capable of holding his attention past a few dates. The idea of having someone and growing old with her made him realize he had never felt even remotely that close to another before, and for the first time in his life he felt that he was lacking something important.

 

Realizing his companion had been absent for fifteen minutes, he scanned the crowd. He had no problem picking her out, standing near a gaggle of young women, all giggling and blushing and sneaking covert glances his way. Bethany returned to the table, drink in hand.

 

“Sorry,” she apologized, sitting heavily. “I hope you didn't get too lonely. I had to say hello to some of my old sorority sisters. I'd like to introduce you to them; they're dying to meet you.” She motioned eagerly to the young women to join them, then noticed The Missing Link on the table. “I guess you did get bored, if you resorted to picking up that rag,” she said derisively. “My mother is one of the people who tried to get that awful advice column removed last year. I can't believe they print such filth. They claim it's one of the most popular features, but I certainly don't know anyone who reads it.”

 

Until that point, Sesshoumaru hadn't made up his mind whether he was going to give Bethany another chance. After all she may have just been nervous around him at first and deserved the benefit of the doubt, but a combination of her statement and the horde of chattering women that descended upon them convinced him that the date couldn't be over soon enough and he'd be happy to never see her again.

 

He nodded politely as introductions were made; a few of the women he recognized from social and charitable functions or the country club, some giving condolences about his brother's death. Around the time the conversation turned to the upcoming nuptials of one of them, his eyes wandered back up to the video screen. Kagome was still dancing, this time with a blonde woman. There was a large, visibly intoxicated man apparently bothering them. He tried to pull Kagome close, but she, annoyed furrow creasing her brow, kept evading him. Finally he caught hold of her upper arm, causing her to stumble against him as he ran a hand down the curve of her hip to her shapely ass. She reacted angrily, stepping on his foot and shoving him, mouthing what Sesshoumaru recognized to be “Fuck you”. The brute careened backward, letting go, but leered at the women as they spun around and walked off the dance floor, disappearing from the screen. Spitfire can take care of herself, he smirked, before being asked by one of the women what he was looking at.

 

XxXxX

 

Kagome and Kanna, scowling, rejoined their friends and flopped in chairs at the wedge-shaped table. “Drunk fuckers can sure suck the fun out of life,” Kagome grumbled.

 

“Loser,” Kanna agreed.

 

Sango reached out and took her friend's hand. “You okay?” she asked Kagome with concern.

 

Kagome gave a reassuring squeeze and picked up her beverage. “I'm fine. I needed to take a break anyway.”

 

Kouga reached over and rubbed her shoulder. “If you want, I can beat him up for you.”

 

“If I wanted someone beat up, I'd ask Sango,” she said, belittling his machismo.

 

“Hey!” Sango protested. “What's that supposed to mean?”

 

Kagome and Jak looked at each other and burst out in peals of laughter at her confusion.

 

“Only that you've got a bit of a temper, dear,” Miroku said in an effort to silence them.

 

Sango huffed. “I only bite when provoked.”

 

Kagome shrugged off Kouga's hand and peaked around him at Ayame, who appeared profoundly unhappy. “Ayayme, how's school going?”

 

“It's busy,” the redhead answered, trying to keep the venom from her voice. She actually was starting to like Kagome and appreciated her efforts at keeping Kouga at bay, but her boyfriend's obsession with the woman was beginning to depress her. “I've got two classes this summer on top of my internship with City Park Service, but I should have my horticulture degree finished in December.”

 

“That's fabulous,” Jak purred. “Once you're done I think the back lot of the Brownstone needs a complete overhaul. We'll be your first client. Maybe something along the lines of a traditional English garden. Roses and whatnot.”

 

“I was thinking more like Japanese simplicity,” Bank countered, “with…maybe a koi pond.”

 

Jak snorted. “Fish? You can take care of it.” Jak and Bank had been running the Brownstone Inn together for three years, Jak doing the cooking, floral arranging, and light housework, and Bank taking care of the business end, on top of his estate planning practice.

 

“Ooo that's reminds me,” Kagome said. “I want to get a group together for a picnic at the park when Sango has an Ultimate game. Is there any Saturday afternoon coming up that you two have free?”

 

Bank thought for a moment. “We've been booked every weekend since April, but I believe we have a random weekend free in August.”

 

“Does that work for you, Sango? Are the games still going on that late in the summer?”

 

“It'll be playoffs and finals, but I'm pretty confident the team will make it at least into the semis.” Sango smiled playfully at Miroku. “Then you know what.”

 

Jak bounced in his chair. “Secrets! Tell me! Whatwhatwhat?”

 

Kagome threw an ice cube at him. “Sit still, you idiot,” she scolded, then explained, “Baby-making time.”

 

This was not the juicy gossip Jak was craving. “Breeders,” he muttered.

 

“So business is good?” Kouga asked Bank. “I was wondering if the price of gas and airfare was affecting the bed and breakfast niche economy.”

 

“Well, our clientele is relatively affluent and able to absorb some increase in prices,” Bank explained. “Most of our business in the spring and summer is weddings, and I've found people's spending on that event isn't influenced much by the economy. Lately though…since that article in The Pink Triangle, rating us as a top gay-friendly establishment, we've had almost as many commitment ceremonies as weddings.”

 

“Pfft,” Jak scoffed, throwing his hands in the air. “I'm beginning to hate my own kind. The hetero folk who are tuned into their gaydar are perfectly willingly to accept my superiority in all matters pertaining to style. They appreciate me. I swear Queer Eye for the Straight Guy has done more harm than good. Now every man who bats for the other team that walks through the door thinks he's qualified to pass judgment on my decorating skills. One recently, dressed in Bermudas and Crocs with socks I might add, had the audacity to ask why there was so much antique furniture. The building is over one hundred years old for fucksake,” he sneered. “Then he criticized the window sheers in the bridal suite! Was he expecting a leather bar? I mean, Kagome help me out, describe my taste in furnishing.” He looked at her pointedly.

 

“Impeccable,” she allowed, nodding.

 

“Thank you,” he replied with smug satisfaction.

 

The Slickers' “Johnny Too Bad” played over the speakers.

 

“Oh Kagome this brings me back,” Kouga sighed. “Do you remember when we watched that outdoor screening of The Harder They Come at Reggae Fest that time? And what we did afterward?”

 

Kagome groaned and felt sorry for Ayame, who had to put up with his obtuse recollection. She and Kouga had dated for a few weeks years ago. He was gentle with her at a time in her life when she needed a soft touch, something for which Kagome would always be grateful, but she knew early on that he was far more into her than she was ready for and ended it quickly. She thought he was a genuinely good guy and hated to hurt him, but better that than have him really hurt after stringing him along. The date he mentioned was the tipping point; they had gotten ridiculously stoned and watched the sun come up, talking the whole night. It was then that Kagome realized she needed to break up with him. Grinning weakly, she took note of Ayame's crestfallen reaction. She finished her cocktail and stood. “I'm dry. Be right back.”

 

She sidled up to the busy bar, waiting to get the bartender's attention. It was packed, and she had a suspicion she'd be standing there for a bit. A moment later, a tall, well-built man with long, white hair joined her. “Oh hi!” she greeted. “Having fun?”

 

He looked down at her with his usual unreadable expression. “Hn. You?”

 

“Marvelous,” she gushed. “It's been ages since I've been shit-faced, and I have a halfway decent start. Gonna be hating life tomorrow though; I'm supposed to take Rin and Shippou to a matinee of Ratatouille,” she said. “You're welcome to come along.”

 

“Uh…I think I have work to do,” he hedged.

 

“Oh come on!” she said, nudging him with her elbow. “You don't think two sugar-crazed kids and a hung-over aunt sound like ideal company?”

 

His mouth turned to an almost smile. “Not especially, no,” he responded, without meaning it.

 

“Me neither,” Kagome snickered, “but I'm committed. It'll be okay…Rin and Shippou are good kids, and I've got lots of prescription loot in the medicine cabinet. I just need to make sure I can drive.” She hoped she wasn't portraying herself as a drug abuser, but her mouth wouldn't stop.

 

“I heard you accompanied my mother and Rin to the park this afternoon. How was it?”

 

Kagome reflected on the conversation she had had with Sesshoumaru's mother earlier that day. She was seized with a sudden urge to gather ten-year-old, brave little Sesshoumaru under her wing and hug him and whisper comforting reassurances. “It was fine,” she answered dreamily and laid a sympathetic hand on his arm.

 

He saw that she was now looking at him with an expression that would under normal circumstances be directed at a puppy with a hurt paw and was confused. What in the world had they talked about?

 

Hey,” the bartender interrupted. “That guy down there wants to buy you a drink.”

 

Kagome looked down the length of the bar to find the dance-floor molester staring at her. “Tell him Hell No…and I'll have a Crown Royal and Diet when you get a chance.”

 

“Perrier…and you can put both drinks on my tab,” Sesshoumaru said.

 

“Thanks,” Kagome said, “but you don't have to.”

 

Instead of responding he asked, “Who is that man?”

 

“Just some ham-handed fucktard who won't leave me alone. Don't know why I always attract the drunks.” She paused a moment. “Would you do me a favor? Can we act like we're together for a minute, just to get him off my tail?”

 

Sesshoumaru was briefly taken aback by the request, then his eyes narrowed predatorily. He put a hand to the back of her neck, fingers lightly tangling in the black, silken mass of her hair, slipping through to feel the warmth radiating from her skin. When she didn't protest, he brushed the hair from the side of her neck over her shoulder and laid his palm against the smooth, bare skin of her back. He followed the valley of her spine with feathery strokes, tracing the graceful line. The pressure of his fingers increased as he explored the firmly muscled flesh, pliant and responsive to his touch, until his hand settled into the lumbar curve of her back, resting just above the gentle swell of her beautiful backside.

 

Sesshoumaru looked in the mirror behind the bar. Kagome's eyes were closed, lashes dark in contrast with the faint flush on her cheeks, full lips parted slightly. He smirked, realizing he had finally discovered a way to quiet her. Shrinking the space between them, he leaned down and inhaled the scent of her perfume, a delicate blend of sandalwood and citrus that he couldn't place. “Is this what you had in mind, Kagome?” he whispered, voice laced with slow seduction.

 

“Hmm,” she moaned indistinctly, apparently mesmerized.

 

He got closer, his cheek barely touching the heat of her neck and the throbbing vein underneath. She tilted her head almost imperceptibly, but he took it as permission to continue. Unable to resist, he gently nibbled the edge of her ear, taking care to avoid her piercings.

 

It was too much for Kagome, and she woke out of her trance. “Aahh,” she trilled and turned her head quickly. Their faces were inches apart, amber eyes staring at her in amusement. “I…uuhhh…um…I think,” she faltered, then gulped audibly. “I think he got the picture.” She shook her head to clear it and backed away. “Thanks…for pretending. Gotta go.”

 

Sesshoumaru straightened as he watched her scurry away, without her drink, he noted.

 

A tall, dark-haired man filled the void she left. “Sesshoumaru.”

 

“Naraku.”

 

“Who the hell is that chick? My mother told me you were going out with Bethany Faircloth tonight.”

 

“I am out with Bethany. The woman is Kagome Higurashi.”

 

“She's the one I was trashing and digging up dirt on?” Naraku asked, amazed. “Damn, wish I'd known. That's a tight, little box I wouldn't mind loosening up.”

 

Sesshoumaru bit back a snarl. “Leave her alone; you have no business with her any longer.”

 

“No problem,” he said. “Sounds like you've got more than you can handle though. I'll give you the heads up, since I'm such a nice guy.” He laughed at his own joke. “My sister is meeting me; should be here any minute. When she found out you were with Beth tonight, she lost it.”

 

“Dammit,” Sesshoumaru swore. His date was doing Goldschlager shots with her friends, and he had a naughty desire to pursue Kagome. The literal last development he would have wished for was an angry Kagura to make an appearance. “Thanks for the warning,” he muttered. “I've wanted to leave for some time. Now I have an excuse.”

 

XxXxX

 

Kagome, white as a sheet, rushed to the table and zeroed in on Sango. “Bathroom. Now.” She looked at Kanna and Ayame. “You too.”

 

Once inside the safety of the ladies' room, she sat on a chair by the sink and put her head between her knees. The other women were right behind and peered at each other with worry.

 

“Kagome?” Sango asked. “Is it that drunk dude? Did he bother you?”

 

Instead of answering she chanted, “I'm not attracted to Sesshoumaru Taisho. I'm not attracted to Sesshoumaru Taisho. I'm not attracted to Sesshoumaru Taisho.”

 

“Interesting affirmation,” Sango observed dryly. “Now spit it out. What happened?”

 

Kagome raised her head a little, but kept her gaze fixed on the floor. “I went to the bar…Sesshoumaru was there.” She put her head back down.

 

“Kagome…” Sango was getting impatient.

 

Sitting up, she heaved a sigh. “That drunk guy was there, and I asked Sesshoumaru to pretend he was with me.”

 

“And…” Kanna prompted.

 

“And…he put his hand on my back.”

 

Sango rolled her eyes. “Is that it?”

 

Kagome thought about the deft fingers teasing her skin, the delicious warmth of his breath on her neck, his rich voice, his indolent mouth. She hastily kicked it all away and swore she would avoid him at all costs and act like nothing had happened when forced to be in his presence. “That's it.”

 

“You're pathetic,” Sango said. “See what happens when you take yourself out of commission for so long. You fall apart over nothing.”

 

She stood, stared at her reflection in the mirror, and said forcefully, “I am not attracted to Sesshoumaru Taisho.” Throwing her shoulders back, she marched out of the restroom, leaving her bewildered friends in her wake.

 

When she returned to the table, Miroku indicated a fresh drink in front of the chair she'd been occupying. “Sesshoumaru brought your drink over. He told us to tell you he would see you tomorrow and he'd check his schedule about going to the movie with the kids.”

 

Kagome groaned as she sank down, burying her face in her forearms resting on the table. “I'm fucked.”

 

&&&

 

I do not own Inuyasha. Nor can I claim Guinness, The Princess Bride, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Crocs, The Slickers or any of their songs, The Harder They Come, Ratatouille, Crown Royal, Diet Coke, Perrier, or Goldschlager.