InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dancing with Scissors ❯ Big Night, Bad End, Bonding with Rin ( Chapter 24 )

Kagome stood back and critically surveyed the interior of the Franklin Gallery. The day before, white walls empty, a true tabula rasa, she had measured and contemplated, plotting out how to make the space her own and best present her work. She was the choreographer of a visual dance, setting the stage and taking advantage of area and lighting. It was harder than it looked. The arrangement needed to flow, but not be too busy, so the people entering would view the first attention grabber, then naturally be directed to the next piece and the next, ultimately leading up to the showpieces, a series of large woven panels depicting scenes from Japanese mythology.

 

The owner of the gallery had suggested, because it was now only her art on display and fearing the space would look empty, that they curtain off the smaller room adjoining the main part of the gallery. Kagome decided, however, to use the room to hang her Not For Sale pieces, the personal ones charting her recovery that she had shown Sesshoumaru days before. She took a chance in letting him see that part of her—her vulnerability, her healing—and he told her something about his childhood, a tiny gift of trust that she suspected he had never given anyone before, and the pieces became even more cherished. His positive reaction and comments gave her the confidence she needed to introduce them to a larger, anonymous audience; she wished she knew how to thank him.

 

She had stayed up nearly all night for several days in a row in order to finish the final pieces, somewhat scared that Sesshoumaru would notice that the lights were still on in the sunroom at three in the morning. He made it clear that she was under no circumstances to overexert and allow herself to get sick again, saying he wouldn't hesitate to come over and force her to go to bed. Since discovering her alter ego, he had been looking at her strangely, and she was not about to test what exactly he meant by the threat…especially given his tone when he spoke of the ultimatum, almost as if he was daring her. Her ability to focus on work was primary—deciphering his attitude would come later, when she had the luxury of a protracted period of freaking out. But while she was working, she needed her wits and concentration unmuddled.

 

It was her first show since college and her first solo opening. The pressure to succeed had been ignored in favor of simply finishing the work, and now that the last piece was ready to be hung, her nerves, never content to lie low when given an opportunity, began to reassert themselves. She steadied and marched up the ladder, carefully guiding the wood dowel at the top of the tapestry into the fixtures protruding from the wall, jutting out like curving metal fingers. Sturdy. Dependable.

 

She looked over a shoulder at Bank. “Straight?”

 

“Very gay, actually,” Jak said loudly.

 

Bank chuckled. “Looks great. All of it.”

 

Kagome climbed down from the ladder and gave him a quick hug. “Thanks for the help. Another eye really helped…not to mention your ladder, power drill, masonry bits, and level. I know I have all that stuff in the storage shed, just don't have the three hours it would have taken to dig it out.”

 

“Glad to be of help,” Bank said. “Now that summer is over, business at the Inn has slowed down. And all my clients were morning appointments, so I would have been here anyway, helping that gorgeous fool over there.”

 

They walked over to the corner where Jak was setting up the food and beverage table.

 

Kagome lifted up the lid of a cooler and peeked inside the containers. “The food looks great! Jak, you really didn't have to do all this. I only asked for a cheese tray.” She looked at him accusingly. “And now I know you only charged me for the cost of the groceries.”

 

“Kagome,” he scoffed, “this is free advertising for the Inn. There will be a stack of brochures on the table, and if they disappear, mission accomplished.” He slapped her hands away and slammed the cooler lid down before she had a chance to disturb the Shrimp-Stuffed Red Potatoes that she was digging in.

 

“You guys are too good to me. I'm not worthy.”

 

“Don't be ridiculous,” Bank said. “That's what friends are for. I couldn't even begin to count the numbers of times you were there for me. For us.” He grinned at Jak and squeezed her hand. “Do you need help with anything else?”

 

“Nope. I've been remarkably organized, even with the strep derailment. Got the postcards mailed out and more business cards ordered a couple weeks ago, wrote and printed my artist's statement last night. I thought it was the worst thing I'd ever had to do…until it came time to do the price list.” She shuddered.

 

Kagome hated pricing her work. An incident at her senior show had taught her a valuable lesson, one which mercifully was not her own experience. One of the other students had spent part of senior year in Italy and priced his work in Italian Lira, saying he didn't want the focus to be on the dollar amount—the main goal of a senior show, after all, was not sales. Unfortunately the attendees were so distracted with Lira to Dollar Conversion that they paid scant attention to his art. That fiasco stuck with her, not as a lesson to avoid silly gimmicks, but as proof that people, even those with no intentions of buying, will pay attention to the price tags on art, period.

 

“I have a simple time and materials formula that I use for pricing my work. This gallery has a forty-five percent consignment fee, and I hiked accordingly, but then balked at the numbers. Mrs. Taisho is an avid collector, so I asked her to have a look. She said I was `chronically undervaluing' my work and doubled and even tripled the prices.”

 

“Kagome,” Bank said, “I've been telling you that for years. I hope you took her advice.”

 

“Bank,” Kagome said with exasperation, “she told me to ask seven thousand dollars for my largest tapestry. That's like as much as a fucking car.”

 

Bank glanced over to the wall where the work in question hung. It was an exquisite representation of Susanoo giving his sister, Amaterasu, the legendary sword, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi. “I think you could get it,” he said honestly. “It's beautifully done and the subject matter is hardly run-of-mill. How did you mark it?” He had a strong suspicion Kagome's modesty was a loud, overriding voice in her mind.

 

“Twenty-five hundred,” she answered, suddenly self-conscious.

 

The two men shook their heads. “Baby,” Jak said, “you need to get over your insecurities.” He put his arm around her. “Stop selling yourself short.”

 

“I know, I know. But I'd rather sell something than not at all.”

 

“Pfft. You'll make sales. Don't give your shit away.”

 

“Two thousand plus is hardly giving anything away.”

 

“It is, if it's worth a lot more. You have such fierceness and confidence. You need to apply it to your work.” He paused. “And your sex life.”

 

Kagome narrowed her eyes. “And what do you mean by that?”

 

“What the hell do you think, Miss Celibacy 2007? Let me prove my point.” He got a devious look on his face. “How good is Sesshoumaru in bed?”

 

Kagome pulled away and punched him in the arm, regretting it immediately; her defensiveness spoke volumes.

 

“Oooowwwwwww! You hit harder than Sango!” he said, rubbing his arm, certain he'd have a bruise. “An attractive, single adult male and an attractive, haven't-had-sex-in-almost-two-years adult female living within yards of each other. Aren't you sleeping with him?” The point was proven.

 

Kagome gritted her teeth, angry that she took his bait so easily. “No!”

 

“And why not?” Jak challenged.

 

“Quit conspiring with Sango,” she growled. “He isn't interested in me that way. And neither am I.”

 

Jak tucked this information away; apparently Sango had been harassing Kagome about Sesshoumaru. A real conspiracy began to blossom in his mind. “If you say so.” His tone of voice indicated utter, condescensive disbelief.

 

Bank knew that despite Kagome's predilection to play matchmaker for her friends, she bristled at anyone attempting to return the favor, and he decided a change of subject was timely. “So I imagine you are glad to be done with working nonstop. What are your plans after tonight? Any commissions on deck?”

 

Kagome sighed, grateful. “I'll take the weekend to catch up on sleep and spending time with Rin, then I've got a small commission lined up and…try to get my social life back. Really, it's been ages since I did anything. What's going on for Halloween? It's on a Wednesday this year. Wednesday Halloweens are so lame.”

 

Bank was thoughtful, then brightened. “We had a reception booked for next weekend, but I got a call from the wedding planner today that it's cancelled.” He looked at his lover. “Let's have a Halloween party!”

 

“Oh hell yeah!” Jak said. “Let's do it on Saturday. The Door is getting a DJ for their costume party, so no drag shows! I can't remember the last Saturday night I didn't have to work.”

 

“Are you sure?” Kagome asked, not believing her good luck. “This is the best news I've gotten in ages. I neeeeed this.”

 

“Of course,” Bank nodded. “We haven't entertained friends in months. All the rooms will be vacant. People can spend the night so they don't have to worrying about driving after drinking.”

 

Kagome squealed, her mind spinning at the prospect of cutting loose after being so sick, so busy, so sad. “Can I dress up?”

 

“Of course,” Bank said. “It's a Halloween party.”

 

“Do mine too?” Jak asked sweetly.

 

She smiled. It was nice to be with people who didn't think they were above donning costumes. Now she just had to work on Sesshoumaru.

 

XxXxX

 

When Sesshoumaru entered the guest house, Rin was the only person to greet him. He recognized she was wearing the black dress that Kagome had made for her parents' funeral, but it was now visibly smaller. It startled him slightly to realize the dress was the same size; Rin had gotten bigger. Of course, he reminded himself, children grow. But the reality of how much she had changed in five months and missing her first four years made him uncharacteristically melancholy.

 

“Are you sad?”

 

“No.” He knelt down and returned the hug she gave him. “I just didn't realize how big you're getting. Where's your aunt?”

 

“Getting dressed. Still.” Rin had lost count of the number of outfits Kagome had put on over the course of the past hour, and her excitement at going to an adult function had begun to atrophy.

 

Kagome, a dervish of nervous energy, rushed into the room wearing a simple black cocktail dress. “Is this too demure?”

 

He thought she looked quite elegant, but she spun around and exited before he could answer. “Has she been doing this for a while?”

 

Rin nodded. “I'm bored.”

 

“Shall we hurry her along?” he whispered conspiratorially.

 

Rin grinned and felt her excitement rekindle.

 

Kagome reappeared in a long, flowing skirt and sleeveless top. “Do I look like a hippy?”

 

“I liked the first dress better.”

 

Not really expecting an answer, she looked at him curiously, then shook her head. “It's too safe. I need something…edgier. Arghhhhh,” she yelled to no one, “I need my sister!”

 

They followed Kagome into her room, the floor and bed strewn with more clothes than Sesshoumaru had even seen outside a department store, mainly black dresses. “Just pick something for pity's sake. What is wrong with you?”

 

“I'm so nervous I think I'm going to puke. And I hate all my clothes.” Kagome had returned from the gallery satisfied, even pleased with how her work looked once hung. She ran and showered, thinking of little beyond mentally checking off last minute details. When she started getting ready, the anxiety hit, and each new outfit she put on only made her less sure, more panicked. “I mean…I know I was bad before the concert, but this is my career! This matters! This is a make or break show! Your mother told me last night that she invited her whole bridge club. She's like the Queen Bee of the Ladies Who Lunch. I'm grateful that she thinks so highly of my work, but I'm scared senseless that she talked me up and it won't be their cup of tea. It's not just facing the prospect of humiliation…if tonight tanks, if I don't sell something and get a few commissions...” Her voice heightened in pitch as she continued. She put her hands on his chest and grabbed fistfuls of his tailored shirt. “I don't wanna go back to making wedding dresses! I don't wanna be Bridezilla's bitch!”

 

He saw her eyes were frantic with desperation and gently took her hands, untangling the clenched fingers. “Kagome,” he said slowly, “you need to settle—”

 

She shook her head. “Help!”

Rin was impressed with how well her uncle was learning to deal with Kagome's untamed side, but thought to impart a trick she had learned from her father. She picked the paperback book up from the nightstand, aimed, and swatted Kagome across her backside. It wasn't hard enough to hurt, but the sharp crack captured everyone's attention. Even the dog, lying on the bed and half covered by a pile of clothes, looked up.

 

“It's what Daddy would do,” Rin simply said in explanation.

 

Kagome, frozen mid-rant by her suddenly stinging posterior, was immediately aware of the presence of Inuyasha; his strength and comfort washed over her like warm water, and she felt much calmer. Years ago, Kikyou had known best how to gentle her, how to keep her from straying too close to the abyss of her depression. Later, when the worst was over and danger past, Inuyasha proved most adept at getting Kagome out of her head. His smacks to her butt, infrequent and lacking pain, carried the necessary inappropriateness to pull her from whatever funk had taken hold. And now Rin was replicating it. Somehow getting spanked by a four-year-old was sufficiently jolting for Kagome to snap back to reality. She crouched down to Rin's level. “You, my dear, are worth your weight in gold. Ten times.” She kissed Rin's cheek before blindly grabbing the nearest black dress. “Give me a minute of privacy, and we can go.”

 

Rin looked up at her uncle and tried to wink at him like her father had winked at her mother in similar circumstances.

 

Sesshoumaru only just suppressed the laugh that wanted to erupt. The girl's exaggerated squint was pure comedy. “We'll be waiting. I hope your choice of shoes isn't an equally arduous decision.”

 

As the trio walked toward Sesshoumaru's sports car, Kagome's pleas and demands to drive were first turned down and then ignored. Rin, skipping between them and holding their hands, was smiling so hard her cheeks burned. It was a good burn. A happy family burn. She wished she could step outside her body and check to see if they looked as perfect as she felt.

 

XxXxX

 

Ken Taisho stood before a woven tapestry and felt his breath catch in his throat. Before him was a representation of Susanoo slaying the dragon, Yamata no Orochi, and it was as if he had been instantly transported back to his youth, sitting with his grandfather and hearing his favorite tales of the Land of the Rising Sun. The vibrant colors, the triumphant expression, the intensity of the moment were perfectly rendered. “Kagome, I must say, I'm truly impressed. My wife was not exaggerating when she described your new work as stunning.”

 

Kagome blushed and tried not to preen; Ken Taisho, not a man easily impressed, was complimenting her. “Thank you. And thank you for helping with Rin the past couple months; I wouldn't have been able to do this much without all of you.”

 

“Rin is a treasure. Spending time with her doesn't require thanks.” He glanced around at the crowded gallery. “You seem to have a successful turn out.”

 

She nodded, barely believing her luck. The Franklin Gallery was teeming with art collectors and enthusiasts, friends, former clients, and even a decent showing of the country club set, part of the Taisho's inner circle. The reaction from all was overwhelmingly positive, and the gallery owner said it was the best opening in the six months he had been in business. She hadn't known whom or what to expect, but the response made her giddy.

 

“I told you everything would be fine. Your talent speaks for itself,” Rose Taisho said. “And I'm sure you are relieved to have an opportunity to breathe. Sesshoumaru was concerned that you were pushing yourself too hard.”

 

“Meh,” she said, smiling at Sesshoumaru, “he's a worry wart. I'm tough.”

 

He snorted, her terrified face and hysterical pleading fresh in his mind. “Tough like a frightened kitten.”

 

She nudged him playfully with her elbow. “Now that life should be getting a little more normal, Rin and I would love to have you three over for dinner again.”

 

“That sounds delightful, but Kagome, it's our turn to entertain you as our guest,” Rose said. “I insist.”

 

“I'd be honored,” she replied.

 

“And after Rin goes to bed, we can resume our cribbage game. It's been weeks since we've played.” Mr. Taisho smiled devilishly. “Unless you're afraid of being beaten again.”

 

For the second time that evening Kagome had a powerful reminder of Inuyasha—now the cocky arch of his brow was worn on his father's face. “Bring it on, old man.”

 

Sesshoumaru and Rose looked at each other with concern. They both were aware that Rin had softened Mr. Taisho's hard outer shell to the point that he let Kagome take huge liberties, but never had anyone directed such cheek at him in a public setting. No one besides Inuyasha…and they both knew how that typically had played out. To their amazement, there was no glowering, no retribution; instead Ken laughed.

 

Kagome laughed with him, oblivious to the shocked expressions of the Sesshoumaru and his mother. “I'm not sure how it's played, but Inuyasha said that cribbage could be a partners' game. Maybe we can convince these two to join us.”

 

Rose tried to keep the emotion from her voice and tears from her eyes. It had been decades since all three of her living family members had done anything purely frivolous and for pleasure together, and she hadn't realized how much she still longed for it. “I haven't played in years…bridge is my usual pastime, but I think I could be persuaded.”

 

They all glanced at Sesshoumaru, the unknown quantity.

 

He looked into the hopeful faces of the women. “Alright.”

 

His parents stared at him, then each other—did he just agree without arguing?

 

“Rose, darling!”

 

They turned to see Kagura and her mother approaching. Mrs. Taisho, Mrs. Hideoshi, and Kagura all exchanged air kisses, and the group was joined by more of the members of the bridge club. Kagura turned her sights on Sesshoumaru. She sidled up and gave him a long embrace that he returned briefly.

 

“I can't believe how much you've had to work lately,” she pouted. “Now that you're back in the country, you owe me at least a weekend at a resort to make up for all the absence I've put up with.”

 

Sesshoumaru seethed at the implication that they were lovers. “Kagura, I'll be busy for the foreseeable future. I'm afraid you'll have to look elsewhere to find the attention you deserve,” he said, trying to keep disgust from filtering into his voice.

 

Mrs. Taisho could tell Sesshoumaru wasn't pleased with the attention. For years she and Mrs. Hideoshi had tried to get their two children together, thinking them an ideal couple. They were both young and successful and their families were close, but she reluctantly began to admit that perhaps they weren't all that well suited. Ever since her elder son had moved back and taken over the business, she wanted him to marry and settle down. She knew, though not especially promiscuous, he hardly led a chaste lifestyle, and he had seldom shown more than passing interest in any one woman. At that rate he would never find a wife, but, she wondered, if not Kagura…whom?

 

She remembered her manners and reintroduced Kagome to her friends. “Have you had a chance to see the art yet?”

 

“We've only just arrived,” Mrs. Hideoshi said with a wave of her hand. “Now where's that precious granddaughter of yours?”

 

The three Taishos were somewhat taken aback by the rude snubbing of Kagome, but she graciously said, “She's running around the sculpture garden out back with the other kids. It was very nice to see you again, but I must excuse myself. Some friends have just arrived and I need to say hello.”

 

Sesshoumaru saw Sango and Miroku and put an arm around her waist. “I'll go with you.”

 

The others watched as they walked through the crowd, noting the ease Sesshoumaru exhibited with Kagome, starkly in contrast to his negative reaction to Kagura.

 

“Are they dating?” one of the bridge members asked.

 

“Oh heavens no,” Rose said. “They're simply friends for the sake of the child.”

 

“I think it's more than that,” Ken said. “They're like siblings. They enjoy pestering each other.”

 

Kagura watched and knew better. There may not be something between the object of her desire and the skinny bitch yet, but she was astute as hell and had to act before it was too late. She ducked back and fished her cell phone from her purse.

 

“Sister dear. What do you want?”

 

“Naraku,” she said sweetly. “Are you busy? I need a favor.”

 

“Actually—”

 

“Let me phrase this another way. Get down to the Franklin Gallery on Summit now.” She hung up. Her brother, a man with few scruples and even less conscience, could be charming when he needed to be. Kagome Higurashi wouldn't know what hit her.

 

XxXxX

 

Half an hour later, Naraku walked into the gallery and was immediately pulled aside by his sister. He had been on his way to the apartment of a nurse who worked for a prominent OB/GYN when Kagura called. Lucy was a great fuck and an unparalleled source of illicit information who unfortunately would have to wait. He owed Kagura far too much to refuse her. “What's so damn important?”

 

Kagura glanced around, checking that Sesshoumaru was not in the near vicinity. “First, the report that you had started in May about Kagome Higurashi…I hope you didn't discard anything, because I want you to continue with it.”

 

“Are you going to pay me?” he asked dryly. Kagura had lusted after Sesshoumaru and longed for his last name ever since they were teenagers, when she saw him during one of his summer visits. He knew Sesshoumaru wouldn't ever be interested, but their mother kept the obsession well-fed with gossip.

 

“Yes, dammit, but it had better be worth it. I want you to dig up every bit of filth on her you can. I want to know her deepest, most dirty secrets. If she kicked a puppy when she was twelve I want to know about it. Second…I need her out of the way tonight. Find her and flirt with her.”

 

He sighed. Seduction was never a problem, but even he had limits. “Kagura, Sesshoumaru made it clear that she was untouchable. I'm not suicidal.”

 

“How many times have I gotten you out of jail?” she asked through clenched teeth. “You're not eligible for shock probation anymore. Do this for me or the next time you get arrested, I'll let you rot.”

 

He was at his core a businessman, one peddling secrets and shame, and placating Kagura was an integral part of staying in business. She was also his sister. “Have you heard of the book He's Just Not That Into You? Maybe you should pick it—”

 

“Spare me the brotherly concern. Find Kagome Higurashi and keep her out of my way.”

 

“Fine.” He remembered her from the bar when Sesshoumaru told him to leave her alone. It may be a fool's errand, but at least she was sexy as sin. He spotted her in the crowd and watched, planning how to capture her interest. She was a delectable combination of smoldering sensuality and bright-eyed innocence. Maybe he would end up getting a piece of ass tonight.

 

XxXxX

 

Kagome made her way through the crowded gallery to slip out for a few minutes. A social creature by nature, even she needed an occasional break. The evening was a whirlwind of meeting people, describing media and methods, explaining her inspirations, and the flurry of activity made time fly, but left her exhausted. A good, overwhelmed exhausted. The gallery owner seemed to indicate that several pieces may sell that night, something she didn't dare hope for. Added to that, Drew, Kikyou's band mate, had come and after raving about her talent, asked if she would help him write some vocal harmonies for his new band; the amount that he told her he'd pay made her jaw drop. She couldn't help but feel she was suddenly living a charmed life.

 

Sesshoumaru was returning a phone call while taking a turn watching Rin, Shippou, and the former downstairs neighbors play in the sculpture garden, and joining him in the cool night air seemed to her the perfect respite and reality check.

 

“Hey,” she said, sitting next to him on a bench. “Emergency at work?”

 

Sesshoumaru was relieved it wasn't Kagura; she had been shadowing him the entire evening. “Hopefully taken care of. You look tired.”

 

“I just needed some fresh air. The opening is amazing, but yeah…thank god there's only an hour left,” Kagome said, taking a sip of her Shiraz. “Your parents are ready to leave with Rin soon. Can I still catch a ride home with you?”

 

“Of course.” He didn't say Of course…it's the beginning of my plan to seduce you tonight. Her work now finished, there was no reason to hold back.

 

They watched the kids pretend to ride around on horses, clucking their tongues to mimic the sound of galloping. “They're like Monty Python and the Holy Grail. All they need is a couple coconut halves.” She looked at him quizzically, expecting some acknowledgement. “You have seen Holy Grail, haven't you?”

 

“I've heard of it, but no.”

 

Kagome added to her ever-growing list of cultural basics that she needed to expose him to; it ranked somewhere between seeing a horror film at a drive-in and bowling. “So Rin is going to her first riding lesson tomorrow with your mom. I've got to admit, I'm kinda nervous about it.”

 

A long dark hair blew across her cheek, and he tucked it behind her ear, letting his fingers trace the line of her jaw. “She'll be perfectly safe. You worry too much.”

 

The part of Kagome's brain that was bossy and careful told her the intimate gesture meant nothing. “Probably. It's just the unfamiliarity. I've never even been on a horse.”

 

“Why don't you talk to my mother; she'd be delighted to take you riding sometime.”

 

“Really? I'd hate to be a bother.”

 

His quirked brow told her she had nothing to worry about; Mrs. Taisho's love of horses was well known. “So tell me, what sort of spell have you put on my father? Or was it Rin?”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“He's changed. He used to be an arrogant control freak whose definition of the word fun was reading The Wall Street Journal. Now he's giving piggy-back rides and allowing certain people to taunt him in public.”

 

Kagome's snort quickly turned into an attack of the giggles at his disapproving glare. “You know you could be describing yourself,” she said once the laughter passed. “I guess he's just vulnerable to the wiles of Higurashi females.”

 

As are all Taisho males, he thought. First Inuyasha, then his father, and he'd be deeply in denial to keep himself off the list. “Higurashi females are apparently a force to be reckoned with.”

 

“Glad you can admit it,” she said, patting his hand casually. “Say…that reminds me. Bank and Jak are having a Halloween party next weekend. Will you go with me? I swear it will be fun.”

 

“I'd love to, but no costume.” Best to not let her get any ideas.

 

“Aaawwwww come on,” she whined. “Everybody else will be dressed up. You need to learn how to relax and have fun. Let your figurative hair down.”

 

He hesitated a moment too long before shaking his head, and Kagome smelled blood. “You're considering it,” she said. “I can tell. Please. Pleaseplease. Let me dress you up. I promise I'd never do anything to embarrass you.”

 

“No.”

 

“You know I'm going to keep at you constantly until you say yes, so why not just save me the trouble. We both know it's inevitable.”

 

“You underestimate my resolve.” She was staring at him, clearly contemplating costume ideas. “Stop that, Kagome.”

 

“Stop what?” she asked with faux-innocent amusement. “I suppose I should be getting back in. Oh, your cute doctor friend came a little while ago. Is he single?” she asked slyly.

 

Jealousy is never an attractive emotion in anyone, and Sesshoumaru was no exception. “I think he's gay,” he lied.

 

“Oh please…so not gay,” she said dismissively. “I'm thinking about setting him up with my friend Kanna.”

 

He hoped the relief he felt didn't reach his face. “Which one is she?”

 

“The petite blonde. The one who looks like she's still fifteen. We were roommates freshman year of college. God, she was so strange back then. Hardly ever said a word. It took most of first semester, but I got her to open up.” Standing, she called out, “Hey kids! Time to come in! Your rides are leaving.”

 

As they herded the protesting children back indoors, Sesshoumaru scowled. Naraku was with Mrs. Hideoshi and staring at Kagome with a lascivious smirk on his face. “Kagome, see that man with the long, dark hair near the door? Stay away from him.”

 

Kagome craned her neck to get a better view. “Why?”

 

Before he could answer, his cell vibrated. It was the firm's attorney again. “I've got to take this.”

 

“Okay. See you later.” She deposited Rin with the Taishos and went to talk to Miroku and Sango, curious about the mysterious, gorgeous man and wondering if Sesshoumaru was being protective or jealous.

 

XxXxX

 

Finally the opening was winding to a close. The crowd was sparse, and Kagome, judging it safe for them to leave, went to look for Sesshoumaru. It had been a long night, and she was ready to sleep, recharge her batteries, and give more attention to life beyond her sewing machines and loom. Assuming he was in the sculpture garden dealing with work, she walked toward the back, however her eye was caught by a couple in the small adjoining room. Once adjusted to the dimmer light, she realized it was Kagura and Sesshoumaru, her body pressed against his, his hands tightly gripping her shoulders.

 

Kagome retreated quickly, completely dismayed at the sight and the confused emotions that grabbed and shook her. She hadn't thought of him as a serious romantic interest…certainly she found him undeniably attractive, but she had gotten used to seeing men in general as something to stay detached from. Though Sesshoumaru wasn't just some guy, she had purposely avoided considering him as anything more than a friend. And now the sight of him with someone else forced her, all at once, to confront her buried feelings. Sadness and disappointment bit and then gnawed, leaving her feeling raw, eaten; she had considered them to have become quite close and that he thought her special, and the fact that he hid something about his life, something so important, made her question if she really knew him at all. She also felt petty—selfish and childish. She and Inuyasha had been best friends, and she never begrudged his relationship with Kikyou. Sesshoumaru…she realized she didn't want to share him with anyone, least of all someone like Kagura. Good god, am I jealous?

 

She was spared further self-analysis by a rich voice in her ear.

 

“I believe I owe you an apology.”

 

She turned to see a tall man with black, flowing hair and eyes that seemed to look straight into her soul. The forbidden stranger. “I don't think so. I'd remember if we'd met.”

 

“No, we haven't met.” He artfully took her hand, almost caressing. “My name is Naraku. You know my sister, Kagura.”

 

Kagome's brows knit briefly as she made the connection. “Hey…you're the guy who tried to make my life a living hell in May.”

 

“And I offer my sincerest apologies and assurances that it was merely a business arrangement. Had I known how beautiful you are—”

 

“So you're saying,” she interrupted, determined not to become angry, “it's okay to ruin ugly people?”

 

“No, but for someone like you I'm willing to make atonement.” He rubbed sinful circles in the palm of her hand.

 

“Oh?” Kagome eased into heavy flirting mode. He was so obvious, it seemed safe, and he provided a convenient distraction from the brief scene she'd witnessed. “And what's your idea of penance?” she purred.

 

He began to stroke the inside of her wrist. “I'm sure together we could come up with an appropriate punishment.”

 

Damn, he's good, she thought.

 

“This shindig seems to be over. Need a ride home?”

 

“Honestly, I don't know.” She suddenly sobered, remembering her intended ride and the elegant woman half wrapped around his body.

 

He sensed her pulling away from the moment and leaned in closer, smoothing a lock of hair from her forehead to keep the spell of seduction going. “Or you could come home with me. Just for a night. No strings.”

 

She smiled a tempting half-smile. “I don't think so.”

 

“I promise you wouldn't regret it,” he said, voice smooth like warm honey.

 

She ran her tongue along her lower lip, escalating the tension, the teasing. “Oh I'm certain we would entertain each other…all night long.” She shook her head. “But in the morning I'd regret it very much.”

 

“Well if you change your mind,” he leaned in closer, inches away, “all the bad stuff you've heard about me,” he pushed her hair aside and whispered in her ear, “is true.”

 

“Mmm…I'll remember that.”

 

XxXxX

 

Sesshoumaru's frustration when he went back into the main part of the gallery was simmering, threatening to boil.

 

First, the issue with Legal that he had been dealing with off and on for the past two days not only didn't go away, it seemed to require a trip to the office on a Saturday morning he had planned on spending at the dojo for a long-needed extended workout. Then, as he stood looking at the art Kagome had shown him the week before, appreciating her strength in displaying it, he heard the distinct sound of women's heels clicking on hard wood floor. He thought it was Kagome, coming to tell him she was ready to leave, but Kagura's arms encircled his waist. She cornered him against a wall and pulled his head down for a kiss, but when he tried to push her away, she broke into tears, crying about missing him, needing him, her life absent meaning without him. His tolerance was at an end, and as much as he would have loved to callously walk out, a hysterical woman shrieking, even if the gallery was almost empty, would only embarrass him and Kagome. He patiently explained to her that she was a family friend, but he wasn't interested in a relationship. Kagura managed to extract a promise for a platonic lunch from him before drying her eyes, and he walked out to find Kagome and invite her to go out for a drink.

 

The sight, when he looked to the left, made his blood run cold. She was standing nearby, Naraku hovering, his face buried in her neck. He heard her low, throaty laugh.

 

“I'll remember that.”

 

He stepped forward and shoved Naraku back. “I thought I told you to leave her alone,” he snarled.

 

Naraku calmly collected himself. “No worries. No harm done.” He looked at Kagome. “Good night.”

 

Sesshoumaru grabbed Kagome's upper arm and pulled her through the door and out into the street. Despite the chill air, Kagome's cheeks were burning. She recovered from the shock and put on the brakes. “Wait a goddam minute!” They stopped. “You're hurting me,” she said, drawing back.

 

He let go of her arm. “Kagome, I told you to stay away from him.”

 

“What the hell gave you the belief that you can dictate whom I choose to talk to? Who the fuck do you think you are?”

 

“Do you even know who that man was?”

 

“Yes, actually. Naraku was very forthcoming.”

 

“You don't know him like I do. He's completely morally bankrupt. He wouldn't hesitate to use anyone and throw them away if it suited his purpose.”

 

“Shit!” she said incredulously. “We were just flirting a little. You're acting like you caught us in bed together.”

 

Unbidden, the vision of Naraku touching her and the coquettish look on her face flashed in his mind. “It appeared that fucking him was the logical next step,” he sneered. The idea made his skin crawl. “I thought even you had standards, Kagome. I guess I was wrong.”

 

She stood with her mouth agape. “Fuck. You.” She dug in her purse, fumbling. “I'm calling a cab.”

 

He couldn't believe the night had gone downhill so precipitously and instantly wished to take back his regrettable words. “Don't do that,” he said gently. “I just didn't want to see you hurt. He's not like the people you know. He's not a nice person.”

 

She sighed. “Sesshoumaru, I can take pretty good care of myself. I'm not some coy virgin, you know. I got over the animal attraction to the bad boy a long time ago.”

 

The car ride back to the Taisho mansion was shadowed by thick, cold tension and quiet. Kagome kept hearing his words. I thought even you had standards. He even used a profanity, something she never thought to hear from him. The opening, her big night, had been a brilliant success…and now it felt like it meant nothing. She turned away so he wouldn't see her weakness, the tears that she could no longer contain. It would only confirm in his mind that she couldn't take care of herself.

 

Sesshoumaru saw the quick wipe of her hand. It was a hidden gesture, one not meant to elicit sympathy; unlike Kagura, whose tears he was inclined to believe were fabricated, used her crying to great dramatic, manipulative effect. He couldn't stand that he had hurt her. “Kagome, I'm sorry. I was completely out of line.”

 

They pulled into the Redgrave Hill neighborhood, almost home. Kagome was being suffocated by the uncomfortable silence and as she watched the huge, elegant houses fly by, she remembered something. “Why didn't you tell me you and Kagura are a couple?” she asked softly. “I mean…you can sleep with whomever you want, it's not my business, but…you could do a lot better. No offense, she's a bitch and a half.”

 

His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. “We're not a couple. Why do you say that?”

 

“I saw you together. You were practically wearing each other.”

 

He realized she must have walked in on them while Kagura was throwing herself at him. “Our families are friends, and she is corporate counsel for my father's end of the business—that's it. Whatever you saw was entirely one-sided. I promise you, there's nothing between us.”

 

“I turned him down,” she said, a little more confidently, still sad. “When he propositioned me. As you know, I haven't been with anyone for a while. When I do choose to change that, it won't be a one night stand with a stranger who's only after one thing. I thought you knew that about me.”

 

He pulled into the garage, and they got out of the car.

 

“Kagome, wait,” he said, following her down the path before she could get away. “It seems that we both saw something and came to incorrect conclusions. Unfortunately, my reaction was to behave like a jackass. I only meant to protect you.”

 

“By dragging me out of a public place and insulting me?” she challenged, then sighed raggedly. “I don't want to fight with you.”

 

“Again, I'm sorry, Kagome. I was frustrated with other matters, and I said things I didn't intend. Is there anything I can do to make it right?”

 

She scrunched up her face and pondered. When the solution came, it showed first as a naughty, joyful gleam in her eyes that then spread into a wicked grin. “Two words. Halloween. Costume.”

 

His contemplative silence, which he hoped would last forever, was really quite brief. “Alright.”

 

Kagome burst into triumphant giggles and hugged him—apparently his response soothed her wounds. “You caved so quick,” she teased. “I knew you really wanted to. What about staying in costume for Trick-or-Treating with Rin?”

 

He shook his head rather than answer, marveling at the length of her attention span and, after growing up in a family where grudge holding was easier than conversing, her ability to forgive.

 

“I'd never ask too much from you. I hope you understand that.”

 

“Hn.” How she didn't see she currently pushing him to the breaking point was beyond him.

 

“Just come by tomorrow morning, and I'll take your measurements and bounce some ideas off you.” She hugged him again. “I'm so excited. I was swear it will be fuuuhhuuunnn.” A yawn prolonged the last word into some mocking parody of fun, making him wonder what he had gotten himself into. “I hate fighting…wears me out. And I've got a neglected dog inside that needs lavish attention. Good night.” She half-skippeded toward the guest house, calling out over her shoulder, “See you in the morning!”

 

Sesshoumaru walked into the house, thinking about the disaster that was averted. He rarely let his emotions get the better of him and was irritated that he reacted to Naraku without his usual control. The end of the evening had not gone at all how he had wanted, but things were still okay between him and Kagome. And he took some comfort that she, perhaps, was jealous of Kagura.

 

XxXxX

 

Rin, up early and unable to go back to sleep due to sheer excitement, rode her imaginary horse through the halls of her grandparents house.

 

Her mother had been an early riser, and therefore rarely before her parents died had she been expected to keep herself quietly occupied in order for the adults to sleep in. She discovered over the course of the summer though, that there was something nice about the being the only one awake, especially in the big house. The rooms were filled with interesting things from all over the world, things she didn't dare touch without her grandmother's express permission, but the best were the photographs everywhere. Her second favorite was her grandparents' wedding portrait. She thought her grandmother was the prettiest lady she had ever seen, prettier even than her mother and Kagome. Her favorite was actually a series of three pictures, set in a single frame, featuring her father and uncle playing in the sand at a beach. Inuyasha handing Sesshoumaru a pail of sand; the two boys digging a moat around a giant pile of sand; the two boys placing sticks and feathers on the sides and top. She had been told that they were ages three and six and that the photos were the only three of at least a dozen that pictured good behavior—the rest showed Inuyasha kicking a hole in the pile; Sesshoumaru's retaliatory throwing sand in his brother's hair; Inuyasha taking Sesshoumaru's feathers and running away; the inevitable tackling. It didn't matter to Rin that the photos were displayed selectively. She could stare at them for ages.

 

That morning however, she was too keyed up to be still, so she found herself in a back corridor, enjoying the swishy sound her silk slippers made on the Persian hall runner. The sounds of muffled music caught her attention, and she realized this must be where her uncle's room was located. She knocked on the door, which was quickly opened by Sesshoumaru, clad in a towel, long hair damp.

 

“Rin? Is something wrong?”

 

“No,” she shrugged. “Nobody else is up yet.”

 

“Would you like to come in? I just stepped out of the shower.”

 

“I know,” Rin said. “You're wet.” She entered his room and followed him to the bathroom.

 

Sesshoumaru turned and saw the petite girl right behind him. “I was about to shave. Would you like to watch television?”

 

She shook her head. “Can I watch you shave? I used to watch my Daddy almost every day.”

 

He was a bit surprised at the odd request, but picked her up and set her on the marble countertop.

 

At first Rin was confused. Her uncle's shaving routine was nothing like her father's. He put some weird soap in a wooden bowl, then used a funny looking brush to mix up something that slowly became recognizable. “My Daddy's came out of a can with a button on top.”

 

He nodded. “This way is worth the extra time. Here,” he said, raising the bowl to Rin's face, “smell.”

 

The clean, lavendar scent, she had to admit, was very nice. His next step confounded her further. He took an odd, thin thing from a wooden box, unfolded it to reveal a long knife, and swiped it back and forth across a piece of leather. “What's that?”

 

He glanced down at her, not used to having an audience, but clearly amused. “It's called a straight razor.”

 

“It looks scary.” She bet her father would have loved it. “My Daddy's razor looked like a T…but bent over on top.”

 

She watched as he continued and felt like she was now in familiar territory. He turned the hot tap on, spread the lather on his face, and used the razor to scrape it off. “My Daddy let me shave too.”

 

“Really?” Sesshoumaru couldn't imagine letting a small child have a shaving implement, even a safety razor.

 

Rin nodded. “He helped me put shaving cream on my cheeks, and he gave me an old razor with no blade. He showed me how to do it, so I wouldn't get cut or get razor burn.”

 

“Very responsible of him to teach you proper technique.”

 

“Yep. Then when we were both done, he'd rub his face against mine, and I would tell him if he did a good job. Sometimes he missed a spot and it would scratch me a little. But he usually did it perfect.”

 

Sesshoumaru paused and looked at her. He had no idea the simple act of shaving could provide such a bond between a father and his little girl. “Did your father ever talk about me?” he asked.

 

“Not much. My Mommy said it was because you guys didn't like each other, but that wasn't true. I think he was jealous that you got to live with grandmother and grandfather…but he loved you.”

 

Sesshoumaru had to stop so he didn't cut himself. As a child, sent away to boarding school, he had been jealous of his brother for the same reason.

 

“Did you love him too?” Rin asked.

 

Sesshoumaru finished and rinsed with cold water, then wiped the blade clean and put it away. “I did…but I think it took getting to know you to make me realize it.” He picked her up and rubbed his face against her cheek. “How did I do?”

 

Rin hugged her arms around his neck, soaking up the warmth of his bare skin. “Good,” she whispered.

 

Sesshoumaru carried Rin into his bedroom. They saw the door to the guest house swing open and the dog run out, followed by Kagome a moment later. She stood on the front step and reached her arms up and stretched, her movements graceful and strong. Then she yawned and scratched her ass. They both laughed. Sesshoumaru couldn't imagine a scene more symbolic of the woman and her personality.

 

“Alright Rin,” he said, putting her down. “You go in the other room while I get dressed. Now that we know she's up, I'll walk over there with you, so I can be measured. Apparently I'm your aunt's newest guinea pig.”

 

&&&

 

I do not own Inuyasha, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, or anything else. Thank you for reading.