InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dancing with Scissors ❯ Waking Kikyou and Inuyasha ( Chapter 15 )

“Are you sure about the food?” Rin asked as Kagome escorted her to the big house. Mrs. Taisho was holding an informal brunch for her bridge club and, eager to show off her precious granddaughter to her friends, she requested Rin's presence. The girl liked the idea of combining the words Breakfast and Lunch, but when Kagome informed her of what Anita was preparing that morning, she began to have doubts. In her world Strawberry and Peach Stuffed French Toast did not belong on a plate with Crab Cakes and Grilled Asparagus with Prosciutto.

 

“You'll be fine, dolly,” Kagome reassured. “Just try a little bit of everything. Your grandmother won't make you eat anything you don't like.”

 

“Will Grandfather and Uncle Sesshoumaru be there?” Rin was with her grandmother more than her other newly acquired family members, but she liked them all. She and her grandmother had tea parties together every day, and her grandfather was teaching her to play Crazy Eights and Go Fish. Her uncle had been busy with work as he usually was, but he came by when he could to ask how she was doing, and the attention pleased her enormously.

 

“Doubt it. I think your grandfather is golfing, and knowing your uncle he is probably working. Though I hope he hasn't left yet; I have a favor to ask.”

 

It had been three weeks since the night at the club. The first week Kagome avoided Sesshoumaru as much as possible and didn't even trust herself to look at him when he stopped in to check on Rin, afraid of her reaction to his presence after her near implosion at the bar. But she needn't have worried. He was at the office more than ever, and when he came to say hello to Rin, he seemed perfectly at ease, leaving Kagome to conclude that the seductive hand at her back and mouth at her neck meant nothing to him, and they quickly got back into their previous rhythm with each other, the beginning of a cooperative, cautious friendship between two very different people.

 

They entered the smaller, less formal of the Taisho's two dining rooms to find Sesshoumaru saying goodbye to his mother.

 

Rin ran and hugged him around the leg, smiling up sweetly. “See what Kagome did to my hair?” Kagome had dressed Rin in a pretty flowered sundress and attempted to put the child's unruly hair into an updo.

 

“Lovely,” Sesshoumaru commented, “you look like a princess.”

 

“Looks like she's ready for the prom,” Kagome snorted, adjusting a hair pin. “I'm glad I caught you. You're still going to the benefit concert tonight, right?”

 

“Need a ride?” he asked dryly.

 

Kagome grinned wide. “Either you're very perceptive or I'm very predictable. Pick me up at eight?”

 

He looked at her and sighed wearily. For several days after they had seen each other at the club, Kagome acted even more flustered than usual around him, something from which he took a perverse enjoyment, but continuing the flirtation was beneath him. She was an attractive woman who lived on his family's property, nothing more. He interpreted the fact that she had gone back to thinking of him as her personal chauffer as another sign that things between them had returned to normal.

 

“Sesshoumaru, I'm so happy you're here!” came a saccharine, overly enthusiastic voice behind them.

 

They turned to see a group of a dozen or so women enter, Kagura and her mother among them. Mrs. Taisho introduced them to Kagome, who in turn greeted the well-dressed, primarily older women politely.

 

Kagura all but ignored everyone except Sesshoumaru. “You owe me a dinner, and I will not let you escape before we set up a date,” she said, slinking up to his side and glaring at Kagome.

 

Sesshoumaru resisted the rude urge to tell her No and decided to just get the dread event over and placate the irritating woman. “Next Friday?”

 

“Perfect!” Kagura squealed. “And I'll accept nothing but the most expensive place in town.”

 

“Like a gas station?” Rin chimed in, remembering Kagome's rant the day before when filling up her gas tank. All the adults laughed and quipped about the innocent wisdom of children, though Kagura's was feigned, and she forced back a sneer at having Sesshoumaru's attention stolen by the cherubic interloper.

 

“Kagura,” Kagome began thoughtfully, “You knew Inuyasha right? Tonight at the Offramp there's a benefit concert, kind of a celebration of his and Kikyou's lives; you should try to come. It'll be really fun…all the hipsters will be there. I'm even dragging Mr. Workaholic here out. And I'll be on stage, most likely making a complete fool of myself…don't see that all the time.”

 

“I was under the impression it was a daily occurrence,” Sesshoumaru observed.

 

Kagome burst into delighted laughter. “There it is again! Your sense of humor!” She stood on tiptoe next to him and whispered loudly into his ear, “Hang in there little guy! Help is on the way!”

 

“See, you're proving my point,” he smiled softly at her antics, staring into Kagome's merry brown eyes.

 

All the other women in the room gaped at the friendly, teasing tone Kagome took with Sesshoumaru, but were utterly shocked when he responded with amusement instead of the expected hostility. The ladies who played bridge thought of their hostess' son as the ultimate catch for one of their daughters, but always regarded him as reserved, if not unapproachable. Mrs. Taisho was also surprised at her son's reaction, but was pleased that Rin seemed to be having a positive effect on him as well as her husband.

 

Kagura seethed in jealousy; this woman was clearly her rival, and she would like nothing better than to witness Sesshoumaru as Kagome acted an idiot in public. “Wouldn't miss it for the world,” she said silkily, clutching his arm like she was marking territory.

 

“I wanna go!” Rin pouted, pulling out The Look and hoping it would work on her aunt this time.

 

“Honey, we've been through this twice.” She knelt in front of her niece and looked into the childish, female version of the gold eyes that were just on hers. “It's an adult thing. Not gonna happen,” she said. Kagome leaned forward, smooched Rin's cheek, and stood. “I'm going to run with the dog before it gets any hotter, then hopefully work for a few hours before I start getting ready for tonight. Nice to meet all of you!”

 

Sesshoumaru extricated himself from Kagura's vise-like grip. “And I need to leave for work.”

 

Kagura watched the object of her desire follow the Other Woman out of the room. The wheels of her mind were already spinning with plans of capturing Sesshoumaru once and for all, starting with the defamation of the aunt.

 

XxXxX

 

At a few minutes before eight, Sesshoumaru walked toward the guest house, and as he approached, the shrill sound of an upset Rin assaulted his hearing. Kagome opened the door after he knocked, then Rin dove at him and attached herself to his leg.

 

“Sorry, I'm not quite ready,” she apologized with exasperation. “Rin doesn't want to stay behind.” She petted the dark, little head and met Sesshoumaru's gaze, whispering, “It's her bedtime; she's overtired.”

 

“I wanna go too.” Rin sniffed. “It's not fair. They're my Mommy and Daddy.”

 

Kagome looked stricken. “Honey, I'm sorry. It's just not a place for kids.”

 

Sesshoumaru reached and picked Rin up, holding her so their eyes were level. “Rin, your aunt is right. Highly inappropriate for children.” Her hopeful expression fell, and the disappointment that replaced it ate at him. “I'll make it up to you,” he said. “I know I've been working a lot. We'll do something together soon.”

 

She perked up a little. “Will you go to the park and listen to the hungry dance music with me and Kagome?”

 

Kagome giggled at the girl's confusion. “Hungarian, honey. The Orchestra is performing all twenty one of Brahms' Hungarian Dances at an outdoor concert at Pioneer Park next Saturday evening,” she explained to Sesshoumaru. “We'd love your company.”

 

“Please.”

 

The puppy dog eyes and pouting rosebud mouth would have proved impossible to resist, but he was already inclined to accept the invitation. “That sounds wonderful.” Rin wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, screeching with joy.

 

“Let the man breath, kitten. I'll be ready soon.”

 

Rin showed her uncle a picture book until Kagome called, “Come here a second! I need shoe help!” Sesshoumaru followed Rin into Kagome's room, floor almost completely covered with clothes. “I'm not normally a slob like this…just had a hard time deciding what to wear. Which shoes?” She had on one high wedge heel and one sporty slip-on. “The Skechers, right? Cute and comfortable over sexy and painful. I thought so too.”

 

Sesshoumaru and Rin merely looked at each other; neither had expressed an opinion.

 

“Do these jeans make me look fat?” she asked, turning in front of a floor mirror, critically examining her ass.

 

Rin, familiar with her aunt's ritual of multitudinous clothing changes followed by the inevitable query `do I look fat?' or `does this make my butt look big?' simply rolled her eyes.

 

“Fat?” Sesshoumaru scoffed with disbelief, trying not to think about how incredibly sexy she was. Kagome was dressed in a skimpy teal halter and dark denim, which accentuated her long legs, slender waist, and curvy hips. “You cannot look fat if you're not.”

 

Kagome's expression was one of patronizing pity. “The ridiculous absurdity of that statement proves how little you really know,” she said, shaking her head. “Okay Rin Rin, time to brush teeth. Be right back.”

 

They exited, leaving Sesshoumaru alone in Kagome's messy room. He noticed several bookcases lining the wall opposite her bed and stepped over the piles of discarded clothing and shoes to peruse the titles. Kagome had a large collection of classic literature, contemporary novels, feminist anthologies, mythology, art history, and fine art books. Then he saw she had an entire bookcase housing volumes of erotica and several sex manuals, with a whole shelf devoted to more versions of the illustrated Kama Sutra than he could have believed existed.

 

“I see you found my porn,” Kagome whispered wickedly.

 

He was startled by her sudden reappearance at his side.

 

“I suppose I should do something about this soon. Rin won't not notice it for too much longer. It's not like I'm ashamed or anything…sex is normal and natural, even in its deviant, less vanilla forms, but…I've got some seriously intense bondage stuff that I inherited from Kikyou and Inuyasha, and it can even make my head spin. I certainly don't want a little kid getting her hands on it. I've already had to hide my copy of the Pop-Up Kama Sutra, since that's what I figured she would gravitate toward first.” Kagome wished, in vain, to shut up. “And there's the Ken and Barbie Kama Sutra. And the Strap-On Kama Sutra…and I have one that's wooden artist manikins posed in the sexual positions. And one that's all amputees. And…” She faltered, seeing his shock at her collection and run-away mouth. “Rin's just getting her stuffed animal friend. We can go now.” Blushing furiously, she zipped away before he could respond.

 

They walked Rin to the big house and deposited her into the loving arms of her grandparents, then made their way to the garage, Sesshoumaru preoccupied with an unsettled feeling that he couldn't put his finger on. After he steadfastly refused her repeated pleas to drive, they went through the quiet neighborhood streets, warm wind blowing in through open windows. Kagome was quiet, but fidgety. She peered in the mirror at her hair, applied lipstick twice, peeked into the glovebox, chewed loudly on Altoids, and drummed her nails against the car door.

 

Sesshoumaru, though grateful she had turned off her motor-mouth babbling, found her behavior annoying. When she took out her lipstick again, he asked point blank, “What in Hades is wrong with you?”

 

“Sorry,” she apologized sheepishly. “I'm just so fucking nervous. I haven't been onstage in years.”

 

“You realize, your fussing is only winding you tighter.”

 

“I know. But…there's gonna be a shitload of people there, and I really don't want to mess up.”

 

He searched for a change of subject. “You mentioned this was a benefit concert. Which charity is the recipient?”

 

She smiled her thanks, recognizing his efforts to put her mind elsewhere. “Court Appointed Special Advocates. They're volunteers who go to court on behalf of abused and neglected children. It was Kikyou's true calling in life…helping kids. She had a master's degree in social work and volunteered a lot for CASA and women's shelters. This is on top of touring and recording and taking care of Rin. I wish you had gotten to know her; she was such an amazing, giving person. That's another thing I'm worried about…this show is really a party to remember them. We wanted to avoid all the angst of the funeral, but I'm afraid I'll lose it when people start telling stories.”

 

Sensing she was tensing up again, he endeavored to keep her talking and at ease. “Your sister's band…what type of music?”

 

“Arrow is kind of hard to pin down. They fit under the amorphous umbrella of indie rock, or alternate rock if you prefer, but had a unique sound, mostly because the two creative forces, Drew and Kikyou, were so damn different. Drew, I think I mentioned, is a total metal head. Kikyou was a crunchy granola type and listened to the singer-songwriter genre…that alt folk, Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris ethos. But Drew and Kikyou worked wonderfully together…he kept her from getting too hippy trippy, and she made sure he didn't push the band into heavy metal self-parody territory. They were occasionally likened to Evanescence or Flyleaf because of the female singer and driving guitar, but Drew did a lot of singing too, and really they didn't have the post-Grunge thing going on that much, and Arrow was way less produced and theatrical. Imagine if Joni Mitchell and Ozzy Osbourne had a love child—something like that. I think you'll be impressed.” She thought a moment and groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “Except that it will be me instead of Kikyou up there. Oh god…I'm making myself crazy. Say something to distract me.”

 

“You have a rather substantial collection of erotica,” he commented, hoping he wouldn't regret the new direction of the conversation.

 

“Yeah, what can I say…I'm an unrepentant, hedonistic pervert,” she laughed.

 

They stopped at a red light, and he looked at her, brow quirked rakishly. “A celibate hedonist? Interesting concept.”

 

“It's not like I've forsworn all orgasms, just the ones that involve other people.” She realized with mortification that she was talking about masturbation in front of Sesshoumaru, and his taunting eyes made her squirm. “Sorry. I'm used to being pretty open with my friends about all matters sexual. Sango's more reserved, but Miroku and Jak are as debauched as I am. Almost. And of course Kikyou and Inuyasha and I lived together…not any secrets in our house. You probably didn't know that your brother and my sister were really into bondage and dominance and submission play.”

 

His tolerant amusement disappeared. “Actually that is information I would have been content never knowing.”

 

“Oh god, don't be such a prude,” Kagome chided. “Their sexuality was part of who they were, and there's nothing wrong with the fact that your brother liked to be tied up and spanked. I used to wonder if it had anything to do with his childhood, but I don't think he was a true submissive. They weren't into humiliation and had a very equalitarian relationship outside the bedroom. I think he just really liked rough, kinky sex and being controlled by his wife. Especially if it involved dressing him up in crotchless leather pants.”

 

Sesshoumaru adjusted the rearview mirror and fiddled with the volume, trying to pretend he hadn't heard this in an effort to keep it from sticking in his mind, but the damage was done. “Thank you, Kagome,” he said, voice drenched with sarcasm. “I really needed that visual.”

 

“Aw. And here I left the eyebleach at home,” she needled. “Now that I think about it though, I'm not sure it works on mental images.”

 

Sesshoumaru decided he preferred her awkward and embarrassed to brazen and impertinent, and he considered pulling over, throwing her in the backseat, and silencing her with the method that had proved so effective at the bar a few weeks earlier. That or locking her in the trunk. It was a decision he didn't need to make; they had arrived at their destination.

 

The Offramp was a large music venue in a seedy part of the city, and it was currently swarming with people. They walked in through a side door, avoiding the long line at the front, but once inside, Kagome froze.

 

“Oh fuck. What am I doing? I can't do this.” Panic started edging her voice.

 

Sesshoumaru took her arm and guided her through the crowd. The place was already packed, but he saw her friends standing close to the stage and steered Kagome, pale and numb, toward them.

 

Sango noted with alarm the deer-in-the-headlights expression on Kagome's face and reached for her hand. “How are you?” she asked, squeezing gently.

 

“Shitting bricks,” Kagome moaned. “I've got no right to be here. What was I thinking? I don't have Kikyou's talent! I'm going to totally screw up.”

 

Sango, knowing when best to take the direct approach, slapped her lightly on the cheek. “Get a grip on yourself. You'll do fine if you don't let your nervousness psych yourself out.”

 

Kagome stared at her. “You fucking hit me.”

 

“Not hard, big baby.” Sango frowned. “Now relax. You are here to have fun and remember Kikyou and Inuyasha.”

 

“Yeah, Kagome,” Jak said naughtily. “It's not always about you.”

 

Kagome looked hurt. “Why is everybody picking on me?” she demanded.

 

Bank leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I'll be nice, sweetie. You look really cute tonight.”

 

“For a girl,” Jak said under his breath.

 

Kagome kissed Bank back. “My hero,” she gushed, batting her eyelashes. “Now someone buy me a shot. I need liquid courage.”

 

Kouga eagerly scrambled over. “I'll go to the bar. What do you want? Jagermeister?”

 

“Do I look like a goddam frat boy?” she asked, horrified. “Get me a tequila shot…not the cheap stuff. And a beer. Simpatico.”

 

XxXxX

 

The night went on, and Sesshoumaru noticed Kagome became more relaxed as she danced and talked with her friends. She was obviously at ease in her world, and he appreciated her attempts to include him in the conversation and introduce him to her numerous acquaintances. He found Miroku and Sango as pleasant company as he had at Kagome's dinner party and enjoyed conversing with Bank and Kouga about the arena and local sports, as well as making small talk with Jak, who was primarily more interested in dancing with the women. Often members of his social circle were preoccupied with impressing him in furtherance their own business and personal interests, leading him to avoid their company in general. It was refreshing to talk with people who didn't want something from him and weren't concerned with his family's money.

 

There were several acts performing that night, and in between each set various members of the local rock scene told narratives and anecdotes about Kikyou and Inuyasha and their support and encouragement. Sesshoumaru knew Inuyasha had started a business doing concert promotion and had brought some exciting acts into town, but he had no idea his brother was so instrumental in the nurturing of the area's music and had so many friends. As the alcohol consumption increased, the stories became more humorous and ribald, and Sesshoumaru began to feel the first pangs regret over not getting to know Inuyasha better as an adult.

 

“Well everyone knows that I had the biggest crush on Inuyasha,” Jak said. “But it's probably a good thing he wasn't gay, as much as I hate to admit it. I think he would have tired me out.”

 

Bank snorted. “Too bad…I would have shared you and everything.”

 

“I mean he was just so like a puppy. Cute and funny and fun, but high maintenance. Great to look at and, in Inuyasha's case, lust over, though ultimately you are glad he belongs to someone else.”

 

“He did have a super-human energy level at times,” Miroku reminisced, “but when he was serious, one couldn't ask for a better friend. To Inuyasha!” he toasted.

 

“I need a drink!” Kagome announced as she walked toward where the men were standing, looking sweaty and flushed from dancing. “Who haven't I mooched from yet?”

 

“I suppose it's my turn,” Sesshoumaru volunteered and walked with her to the bar.

 

“I should probably stick with beer…Blue Moon,” she said to the bartender. “I really appreciate the ride and everything. Are you having an okay time?” she asked Sesshoumaru.

 

“Tolerable,” he answered, though the tone of his voice suggested that was an understatement. “Your friends are good company.”

 

“Yeah. Aren't they great? It's good to be out with them, and I'm beginning to get used to not having Yasha around. A little.” She smiled at him with an honesty he rarely saw in other people. “I'm glad you came.”

 

“So am I. Inuyasha was lucky to have you in his life.”

 

Kagome instantly teared up. “That's the kindest thing anyone's ever said to me.” She laid her hand on his arm. “Thank you, Sesshoumaru. For everything.”

 

“You're welcome, Kagome.” He looked down at her pretty, heart-shaped face was seized by an inexplicable desire to kiss her sad, brown eyes, making him wonder if he was still capable of thinking of her as just the girl next door.

 

They were joined by a large, long-haired, heavily tattooed man. “Hey, babe. How you doing? We're up next.”

 

Kagome hugged him tightly. “I feel like puking. Drew, this is Sesshoumaru Taisho, Inuyasha's brother. Sesshoumaru, this is Drew Nash, Kikyou's bandmate.”

 

The two men shook hands.

 

“Wow, good to meet you, man. Glad you could come. Your brother was a close friend, and we all really miss him.” He looked at Kagome. “Don't be nervous. You sounded great in practice. It'll be just like the old days. Except now we have roadies to do set up and soundchecks.”

 

Kagome didn't look any more reassured. “Yeah, but in the old days I wasn't performing in my sister's shadow.”

 

“Jesus, Kagome! Give yourself some credit. I wouldn't have suggested this if I didn't think you could handle it.” He patted her head. “Now chill out and get backstage.”

 

Kagome looked like she had been handed a death sentence. “Uuggghh. Here goes nothing. Do me a favor, okay?”

 

“What is it?” he asked with curiousity.

 

“If I suck, will you go pull a fire alarm? Or something similar that would clear the building?” She was dead serious.

 

He handed her the beer, turned her around, and gave her a gentle push. “You'll be okay, Kagome,” he said with a calm he didn't feel; her nervousness had worn off on him.

 

A moment later an arm wrapped around his possessively. “There you are,” Kagura's voice purred in his ear. “Now you have someone to enjoy the show with.”

 

XxXxX

 

The noise level and electric tension in the building increased when the start of the main act became imminent. A gloating Kagura and an unhappy Sesshoumaru joined Kagome's friends as the lights dimmed.

 

“Kagome seemed scared shitless, Sango,” Jak said loudly. “I've known her for more than three years and I've never seen her like that. I mean I know she can sing the hell out of a show tune, but…will she be okay?”

 

Kagura heard Jak's question and could barely contain her giddiness at her competition for Sesshoumaru's attention taken out of the running without her having to lift a finger.

 

Sango was apprehensive. Years before she had seen Kagome at her lowest low, and though this was nothing compared to that, she hadn't seen Kagome so close to falling apart in ages. “I know what you mean.” Sango shook her head, unwilling to consider the fallout if the worst happened. “Kagome is a good guitar player and a great singer. If she can get ahold of herself, she'll—”

 

Her voice was drowned out by the cheering crowd as Arrow took the stage, anticipation buzzing. The opening chords of the first song reverberated, and overhead stage lights flashed on, illuminating Kagome wearing a look of confidence and excitement.

 

Sango heaved a sigh of relief. “Girl's got her game face on. She'll be fine!”

 

Though the type of music was nothing that he would normally choose to listen to, Sesshoumaru had to admit he was impressed. The band worked perfectly together, and he couldn't believe Kagome had only been practicing with them for less than two months. But he was most taken by her singing. Her guitar playing was skillfull; her voice, strong and passionate, amazed him. The first song blended seamlessly into the second, and Drew took over as lead singer, with Kagome weaving mesmerizing vocal harmonies, adding depth and a complex feminine warmth to Drew's masculine voice and the heavy, pulsing guitar. The first two songs finished to enthusiastic chants from the crowd.

 

Kagome picked up her beer. “Everybody having fun?” The response was deafening. “I want to thank Anthony and Hidey Hole and Slither and Ten Yard Line for opening up for us. And thank you, everyone here, for showing up to celebrate Kikyou and Inuyasha, taken way before they…we were ready. My sister would be completely embarrassed by this, but we need to drink to them both. To Kikyou and Inuyasha!” She drank deeply, then paused, steadying. “A lot of people have asked about Rin. I want to tell you all she is doing remarkably well under the circumstances, and a huge reason is because of Inuyasha's family. They've been wonderful and generous, and I'm beyond grateful.” She zeroed in on Sesshoumaru and winked. She strummed a few chords and stopped. “For those you who don't know, my name is Kagome.”

 

The crowd roared, hearing the familiar riffs of the next song. Sango leaned over and shouted an explanation at Sesshoumaru. “This was Arrow's biggest hit from their first album.” Kagura fumed at seeing Kagome's obvious competence, if not excellence, and Sesshoumaru's recognition and appreciation of her talent, feeling like she'd been the victim of a bait and switch scam. The band played nonstop for two hours, Sango occasionally providing commentary for Sesshoumaru about which album a particular song was on and other trivia.

 

Arrow finished a set, and Drew said, “Didn't you co-write that one, Kagome?”

 

“Yeah, one of our early, fumbling attempts.” Kagome laughed remembering. “We did okay back then.”

 

“Only our oldest fans know that this entirely too fucking modest chick was one of the founding members,” Dave, the bass player, said. The audience cheered its approval.

 

“You only brought me on board `cause you thought I was hot,” Kagome countered dismissively.

 

“And do you remember what you told me? When I tried to get you in bed?”

 

Kagome expression of innocence was incongruous with her response. “What? That I only fuck drummers?”

 

Drew howled with the crowd's uproarious laughter. “Yeah, but goddam if you didn't set us straight. You were a bossy little shit back then. You'll be happy to know that Kikyou kept alive the tradition of the Higurashi-Centered Universe.”

 

“That's my girl! Gotta love her!”

 

“And I did,” Drew said, more seriously, setting down his drink. “I know everyone has been sharing stories of Kikyou and Inuyasha tonight. Those two were the most grounded, loving couple I've ever met. I could go on and on about Kikyou, but I won't `cause I don't want to cry like a girl. Kikyou and I were night and day, but we balanced each other musically and I don't think I'll write songs like I did when we collaborated ever again.”

 

They bantered a while longer, sharing stories, then played several more songs. When they finished Kagome switched guitars, picking up an amplified acoustic.

 

“Thanks everyone again for coming tonight.” She waited for the noise level to go down. “I wanna close the show with a cover, but first I'll tell the story of when Inuyasha and Kikyou met.” She met Sango's gaze and gave her melancholy grin. “It was first semester of freshman year. I don't know if it's still like this, but back then if you had to add or drop a class past the fourth week of school, they made you go down to the Bursar's Office and fill out some form…kind of inflicting a little extra punishment on the clueless dumbasses who couldn't make up their minds in a timely fashion. So anyway…I needed to do an add/drop and I was in line next to this really cute guy with long light hair and the most amazing eyes I'd ever seen. We got to talking and found out we were both in the same boat, so we poured through the list of classes together and I convinced him to take Folklore 101 with me.”

 

Drew erupted into derisive laughter. “Folklore?”

 

“Hey, shut up,” Kagome retorted. “It was a good class. So Inuyasha and I started studying at the Union and going to parties, and after a couple weeks, he asked me out. I was a philosophy major at the time…at the height of my Goth phase and he was just not angsty enough for me. `But,' I told him, `I've got an identical twin sister.' And he was all `Yeah right, twin sister.' Well…Angelo's Pizza Place had an open mike night every Thursday called Sing For Your Supper, where if you sang a song or two, you'd get half off an entree. Being musically inclined, perpetually broke college kids, Kikyou and I were there like clockwork. I told Inuyasha to come, and he walked in right as Kikyou started. I watched as their eyes met across the room and something sparked between them. Not sure if there's such a thing as love at first sight, but they really connected.” Kagome sniffed and wiped tears that dripped down her cheeks. “So I'd like to finish with the song Kikyou performed that night…kind of my love letter to them. It's called The Ocean and it's by singer songwriter Dar Williams.” She started playing, then halted and breathed deeply. “And I'll apologize in advance if I have a breakdown before I finish.”

 

When I went to your town on the wide open shore,

Oh I must confess, I was drawn, I was drawn to the ocean,

I thought it spoke to me, it said, “Look at us,

We're not churches, not schools, not skating ponds, swimming pools,

And we have lost people, haven't we though?”

Oh, that's what the ocean can know of a body,

And that's when I came back to town, this town is a song about you.

You don't know who lucky you are, you don't know who much I adore you,

You are the welcoming back from the ocean.

 

I went back to the ocean today,

With my books and my papers I went to the rocks by the ocean,

But the weather changed quickly, oh the ocean said,

“What are you trying to find, I don't care, I'm not kind,

I've bludgeoned your sailors, I've spat out their keepsakes,

Oh it's ashes to ashes, but always the ocean,”

But the ocean can't come to this town, this town is a song about you.

You don't know how lucky you are, you don't know how much I adore you,

You are the welcoming back from the ocean.

 

And the ones that can know you so well are the ones that can swallow you whole.

I have a good and I have an evil, I thought the ocean, the ocean thought nothing,

You are the welcoming back from the ocean.

 

I didn't go back today,

I wanted to show you that I was more land than water,

I went to pick flowers. I brought them to you,

Look at me, look at them, with their salt up the stem,

But you frowned when I smiled and I tried to arrange them,

You said, “Let me tell you the song of this town,”

You said, “Everything closes at five. After that, well, you just got the bars,

You don't know how precious you are, walking around with your little shoes dangling,

I am the one who lives with the ocean,

 

It's where we came from, you know, and sometimes I just want to go back.

After a day, we drink `til we're drowning, walk to the ocean, wade in with our workboots,

Wade in our workboots, try to finish the job.

You don't know how precious you are, I am the one who lives with the ocean.

You don't know how I am the one. You don't know how I am the one.”

 

 

At the end of the song, her face threatened to break, but Kagome managed to keep herself under control. She rejoined her friends, feeling somewhat hollowed out, but greatly relieved.

 

“Hey! How'd I do?” She took the handkerchief that Sango had ready for her and blew her nose. “I didn't fuck up the lyrics at least.”

 

Jak grabbed her into a crushing hug. “Girlfriend! You rocked. I think you should join Arrow permanently.”

 

“Thanks, but no,” Kagome declared with finality. “I've already done the rock star thing. Okay maybe we were more like starving musicians back then, but it's just not my lifestyle anymore. And I've got Rin to think about.”

 

“Aw, come on,” Jak protested. “Kikyou did both.”

 

“Yeah, but I'm not Kikyou,” she replied, looking at Sango in silent communication.

 

Sango put her arm around Kagome's shoulders. “Come on. I'll buy you a beer.”

 

They slowly made their way to the bar, progress interrupted by well-wishers offering compliments and congratulations. As they waited to get the bartender's attention, Sango said, “I'm proud of you. When you took the stage you seemed completely relaxed. What happened?”

 

Kagome blinked back the tears that hovered. “Dave saw how scared I was and reminded me of a Strange Brew reference Inuyasha liked to pull out. `Brakes are out. No point in steering now.' And Drew said, `Take off! You steer this thing!' And somehow, magically, all my panic disappeared.”

 

Sango laughed. “Oh the random wisdom of Inuyasha! Still profound, beyond the grave.” They got their drinks and made their way back to the group, dragging feet and enjoying a semi-private moment. “Well you sounded great…better than ever. Now that you've crossed this hurdle, maybe you are ready to start dating. Sesshoumaru couldn't keep his eyes off you,” Sango hinted without a trace of subtlety.

 

Kagome glared at her. “What. Ever. He is obviously with Kagura. She was draped all over him.”

 

Sango recalled Sesshoumaru's expression of distaste at the fawning woman who had been hanging on him. “I think it was fairly one-sided. I think he would have preferred you adorning his arm.”

 

“Pfft. If and when I start dating again I'll chose someone who's NOT emotionally constipated. Besides…I bug the piss out of him. I'm certain he's completely uninterested in me that way.”

 

Sango was unconvinced; her husband's behavior made her an expert on the lusty, lascivious gaze, and she knew it when she saw it. Plotting silently, she saw Sesshoumaru approach them and felt an irresistible urge to play match-maker. “I'll see you in a minute…need to use the bathroom.”

 

Kagome rolled her eyes; Sango's convenient departure was not lost on her. “Hi!” she greeted when Sesshoumaru intercepted her. “So…what did you think of Arrow?”

 

He observed her with a new fascination. “Impressive. Kagome, your singing voice is exceptionally beautiful.”

 

She was a tad stunned by his statement and more than a little disconcerted by the heat in his eyes as they traveled over her body. She felt her face grow red, pondering Sango's observations and quickly kicking them away. “Thanks! Your good opinion means a lot to me.”

 

He raised a hand and brushed a clinging lock of hair from her forehead. “I meant what I said. You are lovely.”

 

Kagome swallowed an Eeep! banishing the seductive gesture. He was resisting her efforts to keep the mood light and nonsensual. “I…ahh…I thought I saw Kagura with you. Is she still here?”

 

“No. She was developing a headache, and I walked her to her car.”

 

“That was nice of you…though I guess it's typical boyfriend behavior. I need to…um…go see how Sango is doing. Let me know whenever you are ready to leave,” she said awkwardly, trying to stay as nonchalant as possible.

 

Sesshoumaru watched Kagome walk away, the boyfriend comment mildly upsetting him. With her long legs and slim curves and trusting face she had ceased to be a mere distraction; he wanted her. But the foremost question now was—should he deny himself or actively pursue her?

 

&&&

 

I do not own Inuyasha. Also lay no claim to Brahms, Skechers, The Pop-Up Kama Sutra, any Mattel toys, Altoids, CASA, Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris, Evanescence, Flyleaf, Joni Mitchell, Ozzy Osbourne, Jagermeister, Simpatico, Blue Moon, Dar Williams or any of her songs, or Strange Brew. Thank you for reading!