InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Darkness Before Dawn ❯ Revelations ( Chapter 12 )

YES! I am alive! My deepest and most sincere apologies to all my loyal readers… I never intended to make you dear people wait this long for the next installment. My computer died, trying to get an anime merchandise business off the ground, and just all of life’s little complications have kept me from updating this story. I hope you can all find it in your hearts to forgive me!!! Lol…

As always, much love for clnv and madma for all their help, support and smacks-upside the head for my emopansy-ness! You guys will never know how much I truly appreciate you!



Chapter 12:

Revelations

"Oh GOD! That feels sooooo good," Kagome moaned while arching her back. "No more corset tops for this girl!"

Sango giggled as she helped the singer remove the complex garment. "But you looked so hot in it!"

"I did?" Kagome smirked while quickly changing into her regular clothes. They had the dressing room all to themselves now. All the other performers had cleared out while Hell's Redemption had been whisked away to the owner's office for a private celebration.

"Quit acting simple," Sango chided. "Miroku's eyes nearly popped out of his head and I swear Inuyasha was practically drooling!"

"Please," Kagome scoffed. "Miroku was too busy ogling your considerable assets!" She eyed the layered tank tops of pink under black fishnet. "Fuchsia is definitely your color, Sango."

Sango laughed while stripping out of said tops and putting on a plain red tee. "I must say I'm pretty proud of the lecherous idiot,” she commented as she slipped into a pair of well-worn blue jeans. "He didn't grope any other women at all tonight. Come to think of it," she pondered aloud, "he hasn't groped another woman all week!"

"Not even you?" Kagome asked with a sly grin.

Sango blushed crimson before retorting, "Were you not at rehearsals this past week?"

Kagome laughed at the disgruntled tone and shook her head. "I swear Sango, you two have the weirdest relationship I've ever seen!"

"Well," she said, plopping down into the stylist’s chair next to Kagome's, "if he would figure out whether or not he wants a real relationship....."

The singer looked at her friend through the shared wall mirror. "Didn't you just say he hasn't groped anyone else?"

"And?"

Kagome sighed as she began pulling a brush through her hopelessly tangled hair. "Seems to me like he's already started to figure it out."

Sango pondered that statement in silence. She played though the moments spent with Miroku since he'd moved into her apartment. Away from the company of others, they seemed almost like a normal couple.

He shared in the daily chores without complaint. They joked and laughed over meals. Sometimes they would just vegetate on the couch watching television, sharing a love of anime and crime dramas. Miroku was always respectful of her space and sensitive to her need for privacy from time to time. She smiled fondly at the memory of the 'good-night' kisses before retiring to their separate bedrooms.

"Fess up, Sango," Kagome prodded when the silence stretched. "I can see the wheels turning in your head!"

Sango smiled at her friend. "I think you may be right, Kagome."

A soft knock at the door interrupted any further discussion on the matter, and Kagome's eyes flared in panic as she pulled the wide rimmed sunglasses frantically from her travel case. Sango waited for Kagome’s permission before pulling open the dressing room door.

A huge bouquet of Stargazer lilies filled the bassist's vision. She looked up into the eyes of a perturbed bouncer who muttered, "These are for the Dark Angel," and thrust them at Sango.

"Thank you," she called to the quickly retreating figure before closing the door again.

Kagome pulled the glasses off as Sango handed the bouquet to her. She pulled out the little card and read aloud. "For my rising Star...” Kagome giggled softly, burying her nose in the fragrant blooms. "Koga, you are too sweet,” she said with a dreamy sigh.

"Who's Koga?" Sango asked suspiciously. Hadn't Miroku just confided what he'd witnessed transpire between Kagome and Inuyasha out on the balcony earlier?

"He's an old and very dear friend." Kagome blinked as she raised her head, bewildered at the tone of the question. "Why?"

"Oh, no reason," she said, nervously waving a dismissive hand. "Those are beautiful lilies..."

Kagome shot a disbelieving look at her friend. "They are my favorite. Mama had them planted all around the shrine grounds while I was a growing up. She'd take me out just after sunset to pick them. Did you know that lilies are at their most fragrant after dark?"

Sango was astonished at the little piece of trivia. "No, I never knew that." Sango decided to store the new information about Kagome's favorite flower. Inuyasha would need all the help he could get in wooing the young singer. The stupid man had never been known for his 'softer' side.

Kagome smiled at the blooms once more before setting them aside. She picked up the brush and began working out the tangles once again. The girls settled into a comfortable silence until there was a resounding BANG BANG BANG at the door, followed by Inuyasha's gruff demand, "Hurry your asses up, girls! The van's loaded and I'm starving!"

The ladies shared a suffering look. "Five more minutes, Inuyasha," Sango yelled.

"Men have it so much easier," Kagome groused as she pulled her hair into a high ponytail. "They arrive, perform, and leave in the same clothes. No complicated hair and make-up either!"

Sango laughed at the image that popped into her head. "Could you imagine Miroku lacing Inuyasha into a corset?"

Hysterical laughter floated through the otherwise empty room as they packed the rest of their things away. Inuyasha, who had been frantically pacing the hallway, greeted them as they exited the room. "About damn time," he grumbled loudly. "Let's get going." The girls rolled their eyes before following their leader from the building.

"So," Kagome queried when Inuyasha started the car. "Where are we going?"

"Miroku's dad arranged a late dinner for us at my place. That's why I was late picking you up. I had to wait for the caterers to arrive."

Kagome was shocked at the news. "But, he didn't even know if we would win!"

"That's what I said," he replied. "The old man just laughed and said, 'Then you can drown your sorrows in food!' Miroku definitely inherited his personality." They rode for a while in silence before a slight movement caught Inuyasha’s attention. "Nice buds," he commented as Kagome gently brushed one of the lily’s soft petals.

"They're from Koga," she supplied.

"Yeah, I know. He caught up with me while we loaded the equipment into the van."

"You're not upset?"

The shy uncertainty in her tone made his heart clench. Inuyasha knew he'd have to tread lightly here. The long-standing friendship between Kagome and Koga bothered him, but only slightly. He didn't much care for the man but was aware of the importance of his presence in Kagome's life. The guitarist reached over to lace his fingers with hers. "He's your friend, Kagome. I don't expect you to drop everything you know just to be with me." He brought her hand to his lips, kissing the knuckles briefly before lowering them to the center console. "In fact, I invited the asshole to join us for dinner."

Kagome flashed him a brilliant smile of gratitude at the unexpected news. "Thank you, Inuyasha. You don't know how much it means to me that you two become friends!"

"Keh," he scoffed. "It's nothing like that. I asked if he'd look over the contract with me. I hate all that legal mumbo-jumbo."

They arrived at the high-rise where he lived, the excitement of their victory still riding high in their systems. Inuyasha helped her from the passenger seat and told her, "Just leave your stuff in the car for now." When he closed the door he took advantage of the opportunity to pull her into his arms. "You really were amazing tonight, Angel," he whispered into her ear before reluctantly releasing her. "Thank you."

Kagome blushed at the appreciation shining in his eyes. "Would everyone quit thanking me?!" she protested vehemently. "Weren't you the one preaching to me earlier that this was our dream? So, wouldn't that make tonight our victory?"

Inuyasha smirked, not the least bit contrite. "That was then."

Kagome rolled her eyes dramatically while cradling the bouquet in her arm. "You're such a jerk, Inuyasha," she sighed.

"Yeah, but I'm an irresistible jerk, ne?" he joked while wrapping a possessive arm around her waist. Just as they were heading to the building's entrance, Sango's van and Koga's jet black Hummer drove past them. Inuyasha waved and they waited while the others found parking places. He led them into the building and once they were ensconced inside the elevator, the guitarist commented, "Nice ride, Koga."

The agent flashed a proud grin at the silver haired musician. "Thanks. I love American imports. They make everything so much...bigger over there!" The elevator chimed as the doors slid open.

"Hmm," Inuyasha said as he moved past Koga to unlock the door directly across from the elevator. "I'm no shrink, but it sounds like you're making up for something that's...lacking?"

The insulted man growled while Miroku and Sango tried desperately to control their snickers. Kagome gasped and tried to apologize to her friend for Inuyasha’s rudeness. Koga shook it off and told her, "Don't worry about it, Princess. I'm completely confident in my manhood."

The singer blushed at the suggestive comment. "That doesn't make his actions any more tolerable!"

"My dear Kagome," Miroku crooned, "You must understand, they are merely vying for dominance, a way to gain your favor."

Sango giggled as she linked arms with a stunned Kagome. "You know, like dogs pissing on trees," she explained, dragging the gaping girl into Inuyasha's apartment.

Inuyasha growled at his bassist, who simply smiled cheekily at him as they passed. Miroku and Koga followed closely behind. "Welcome to my humble abode."

Kagome looked wide-eyed at the living quarters. And here I thought my apartment was lavish! The spacious room they stood in was comfortably furnished with three plush sofas in a sort of U shape, all upholstered in supple beige suede with a cherry-wood end table at each end. Area rugs of deep burgundy protected the highly polished wood flooring from being scratched by the table and couch legs. The cream colored walls were adorned with large, very old looking paintings, most of them depicting scenes of battle from the Sengoku Jidai. Kagome briefly wondered if they were authentic. A large flat screen television adorned the wall adjacent to the sitting area. A door to the immediate right led off down a short hallway, presumably to the bathroom.

Inuyasha led them through the living room to the dining area where a wide array of food was spread out on the table. The group ooh'd and aah'd over the various delicacies from around the globe. All manner of finger foods adorned the large platters, while a small buffet held a chaffing dish filled with hot water. Beside the dish were dozens of instant ramen cups in every flavor imaginable.

Miroku chuckled as he picked up a plate. "Chichi-ue knows us too well, Inuyasha!"

"Keh. I was afraid he was setting up some fancy sit-down shit for us," Inuyasha commented while making a beeline to the savory ramen. The rest of them moved among the goodies, picking and commenting on the variety of dishes. They moved back to the living room, chatting amicably while they ate.

The girls offered to clean the dishes and put away the food while the guys began looking over the contract. A short time later, Sango and Kagome joined them again, bringing five bottles of beer they had found in the refrigerator. At Inuyasha's raised eyebrow, Kagome shrugged and said, "We had to make room for the food!"

Koga cleared his throat to gain their attention. "It all seems pretty cut and dry to me," he began. "You will agree to perform every Saturday night at the club, and every other Sunday. If for some reason you are unable to perform, they require at least two weeks notice. You are free to perform at other venues, so long as they do not interfere with your scheduled performances."

Inuyasha pulled the cap from his beer and took a long drink. "Well, at least we aren't tied exclusively to the Blue Dragon."

"What about pay?" Sango questioned.

"That too is outlined here, but I have to say it is less than generous. Once you split the sum four ways it hardly makes it worthwhile." Koga drank from the bottle to hide the guilt in his eyes. The terms of the contract weren’t really all that bad, not considering all the other perks that went along with it.

After hearing them perform, he knew that they could make it to the top with the right guidance. Even without Kagome’s angelic voice, this band hand talent oozing from their pores and they had an amazing chemistry on stage that he hadn’t seen in a very long time. Besides, he only wanted what was in Kagome’s best interests. If the group continued on without an agent or manager of any kind, it could be disastrous for them. The game always became rather sticky from this point on and he would hate to see them fail.

"Perhaps they would negotiate?" Miroku speculated.

"Perhaps, but I doubt they would take any of you seriously if you asked."

"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Inuyasha barked. "We've negotiated plenty of gigs in the past!"

Koga held up his hand for silence. "It means that these are business men – cold, ruthless types who look to make a profit wherever they can. They will look down upon you as ignorant and worthless."

"What if I talked to them?" Kagome offered while placing her hand on Inuyasha’s furiously bouncing knee.

The agent smiled fondly at her. "A woman who hides behind masks and dark sunglasses? I'm afraid the result would be the same."

"Then what do you suggest?" Sango asked, disheartened.

He gave each of them a measuring glance. "Take me with you to the meeting tomorrow. I'll represent you as your agent."

"No agents!" Inuyasha protested. "If the money sucks as much as you say it does...” He looked down at the restraining hand on his leg.

"Let him finish, Inuyasha," Kagome begged softly.

Koga stood before the group. "I'm merely offering to be a mediator for you. Trust me; this is what I do for a living. I can read people fairly well, and I can be just as cutthroat as the rest of them. I'm not asking you to sign a contract, at least not yet," he assured with a sly grin. "I know talent and you four have it in spades. Not to mention that you have made my Princess smile again. For that, I owe you all a debt of gratitude."

***************************************

"Are you sure you don't need a lift home, Princess?" Koga clasped her hands between his. "It's not like your apartment is out of my way or anything..."

Kagome blushed slightly. "It's alright, Koga. I need to.... discuss some things with Inuyasha." She lifted herself to stand on her toes and kissed his cheek, whispering. "I'll be fine.”

He gave Kagome a measuring look before releasing her hands. "If you need anything-"

"I'll call, I promise," she swore. "Thanks for everything, Koga."

He smiled with genuine affection. "Anything for you, Princess." Koga turned to Inuyasha and gave him the now standard curt nod. "Thank you for inviting me, Inuyasha. I'll see you in the morning." Just before he crossed the threshold he paused and muttered for the guitarist's ears only, "If you hurt her, I will gut you."

Inuyasha had to bite back the scathing retort that sprang to his tongue. A small voice in the back of his head reminded him that the agent was looking out for her well-being. "Gotcha," he replied softly.

Koga's eyes narrowed in suspicion, but he saw no deceit in the man's eyes. "Good-night, Inuyasha," he said, then left.

Inuyasha shut the door softly before turning to give Kagome his full attention. She stood before the large balcony doors, looking out over the city skyline. He watched as she pulled the tie from her hair and ran her fingers through the silky strands. Inuyasha moved on silent feet to stand behind her and wrap his arms around her. Nuzzling her neck, he whispered, "You are so beautiful."

Kagome peered at their reflection in the glass. "Inuyasha," she said with a slight tremor in her voice.

"Shh, I just want to hold you." He rested his chin on her shoulder and sighed. "If I'm making you uncomfortable, I can take you home..."

"No!" She cried. "It's not that! I just-" Kagome growled in frustration. "I don't know what I want! I'm so confused!"

Inuyasha tightened his hold on her. "Kagome, talk to me, baby."

Kagome moved out of his embrace. She couldn't think when he held her like that. "I barely know you, Inuyasha! Yet I feel this connection with you. I've only ever known Shiro..."

Inuyasha couldn't believe what she was implying. "Kagome, do you think I asked you to stay here so I could take you to bed?"

"Yes, no," she cried in confusion. "Did you?"

"No! Who do you think I am? Miroku?" he yelled. "Dammit, Kagome, I just wanted spend some time alone with you! Away from the others, away from rehearsals and performances and all that other shit!" He cupped her face between his hands, trying to calm his frustration. "From the moment I met you, it's been this crazy roller coaster ride. Hell, I didn't even plan on kissing you tonight!" He moved back to the balcony doors, not trusting his reactions to her close proximity. "I've never felt like this before, Angel. That's the god's honest truth. Never in my life have I felt so drawn to another human being! Miroku's the first person I ever felt close to, and that still took years of living under the same roof to develop."

"I-I don't understand," she whispered.

Inuyasha heaved a heavy sigh. This was not how he had envisioned the rest of his night. "I told you my father died when I was young." He saw her nod through the reflection of the glass. "Well, I was actually only three when he passed. So for five years it was just me and Mom." He closed his eyes, fighting the wave of pain that rose in his chest. "We were happy, for the most part. That is until she was diagnosed with liver cancer. By the time the doctors caught it, it was too late. She never even let on she was sick! She said she didn't want to worry me..."

"Oh, Inuyasha, I'm so sorry. I-"

"You got nothing to be sorry for," he told her in a gruff voice. "Besides, it gets better from here on out." The bitter sarcasm that laced his voice hung like a thick cloud in the room. "You see, I am the product of my father's second marriage. I never knew until my bastard of a half-brother showed up at my mother's funeral. He informed me that under current law, he was required to become my legal guardian." Inuyasha strode to the kitchen to pull another beer out of the refrigerator and then returned to the living room where he plopped unceremoniously onto one of the couches. After taking a long pull from the bottle, he continued. "It was a love/hate relationship, to say the least. I had to leave everything I had ever known-- ever cared about -- back in Kyoto. I hated this place," he stated, gesturing to the apartment at large. "He made me attend private schools, where I was quickly labeled a 'problem child'. I was constantly getting into fights, never did my work, cut class all-together."

Kagome slid into the adjacent couch while he poured out his troubled childhood. She was astonished that someone could be so cold to a child who had just lost his mother so tragically. "It's no wonder you rebelled," she comforted.

Inuyasha released a derisive snort. "Keh! It was more than simple rebellion. It was outright spitefulness! Instead of the shithead taking the hint, Sesshoumaru shuffled me from school to school. That's how I met the pervert. He was chasing after some skirt. I think I'd been at that particular school about three weeks." His brow furrowed as he tried to recall the information. "I think it was my freshman year in high school. Anyway, I'd gotten sick of the place. Everyone there was entirely too happy for my tastes. So when Miroku came careening around the corner by my locker--POW! --I nailed him right in the kisser!" Inuyasha chuckled at the memory. "The only problem was, my asshole brother had already warned the principle I would pull a stunt like that. Miroku and I both got punished by having to scrub all the toilets after school for a week."

"That was bit harsh," Kagome said in the boys' defense.

"Nah, we got to know each other pretty well during that time. Turns out we had a lot in common, but I still refused to be friends with him."

A deep frown knitted Kagome's brow. "Then how is it you came to live with him?"

Inuyasha chuckled again. "Well, let's just say that I didn't stop trying to get kicked out of school after that. I did the unthinkable. I fooled around with the principle's daughter."

"So? You were a teenage boy. That's what they do, fool around with girls."

He smiled at her assumption. "If only it had been that simple, Kagome. She wasn't just the principle's daughter. She was also my homeroom teacher. And we didn't just fool around, we screwed each other's brains out on his desk, during school hours."

Kagome's eyes widened in shock but she was unable to contain the girlish giggle from the image of Inuyasha and some faceless woman having sex on the principle's desk. "You didn't!"

Inuyasha laughed at her reaction. "Oh yeah, not once but twice! It was the second round that got us caught."

The woman gasped. "So they kicked you out?"

"Much to my dismay, no. They suspended me for a week; my brother had to soothe quite a few officials with his eloquent speech and fat wallet. The moment he returned home, we got into it. Sesshoumaru had a few years, a few inches, and a few pounds to his advantage. I gave a good showing, but he beat me stupid. Once I regained consciousness, I left. Having nowhere else to go, I ended up at Miroku's. His mother took one look at me and threatened to call the police. I finally convinced her not to because I had no intention of ever going back there." Inuyasha downed the rest of his beer then leaned his head back on the plush cushions. "Miroku's dad somehow persuaded the prick to let me live with them until I graduated. The rest is history..."

Kagome slid her hand over his knee. "Did it help you?"

"Yeah. Miroku's folks are great. I can't wait till you meet them. They’re gonna go nuts over you!" He laced his fingers with hers as he lifted his head. "I'm sorry, Kagome. This isn't exactly how I wanted to spend my time with you tonight."

The singer squeezed his hand in reassurance. "Don't be sorry, Inuyasha. How else are we going to get to know each other?"

"Heh, bet you never imagined I had so many skeletons in my closet."

Kagome smiled at him. "It's like you told me, nobody can write music like that without knowing real pain."

"You have the memory of an elephant, you know that?"

Kagome furrowed her brow in mock anger. "Did you just call me fat?" She shot to her feet, placing balled fists on her hips. "I can't believe you called me an elephant!"

Inuyasha spanned her waist with his hands, thumbs touching at her belly button and fingertips practically connected behind her. "Yep, you're as big as a whale!" THUMP! "Ow! That hurt, wench!" He hauled the unsuspecting woman into his lap and moved his fingers over her ribs in a merciless frenzy.

Kagome squealed and squirmed at the brutal torture, unable to contain the bursts of giggles when Inuyasha moved to tickle her belly. "Oh! Please, Inuyasha," she gasped. "No more! UNCLE! MERCY!"

"Mercy? I don't know the meaning of the word!" he growled menacingly while continuing his assault.

Desperate to make him stop, Kagome did the only thing she could think of. Grabbing his hair by the scalp, she pulled his mouth down to hers. Inuyasha's fingers stilled instantly. She released the hold on his hair to lightly message the scalp with her fingertips.

Inuyasha recognized that he had been outmaneuvered by the woman, but couldn't complain. The end result was a mind-blowing kiss that took him by storm. He wrapped his arms around her to knead the muscles along her spine. Kagome moaned into his mouth, setting the man's blood on fire. He traced her lips with his tongue, and she responded by allowing him entry.

Kagome was awash in sensations she had thought long dead. The magic of his fingers as they worked up and down her back was divine and the heat of his mouth as their tongues danced and caressed made her pulse pound. She groaned in dismay when he broke for air.

Inuyasha arranged Kagome so that she lay cradled against his chest then rested his chin on the crown of her head. They each took deep breaths to calm the raging desire that had flared so quickly between them. He frowned when she giggled. "Is that more like what you had in mind for tonight, Inuyasha?"

"Busted," he replied with a chuckle, gently stroking his hand in soothing circles on her back.

"Well, I have to say it was an enjoyable visit. I really do like your place, by the way." A huge yawn escaped her, for which she immediately apologized.

"It's not like you didn't have a long day, Angel," he replied with a yawn of his own. "We only started out at nine this morning, and it's now...." he glanced at the giant pendulum clock in the corner, "Shit, it's almost four in the morning!"

"No wonder I feel so drained," she muttered.

"Let's get you to bed," he offered. "I'll sleep down here." Kagome nodded against his chest. Inuyasha stood, lifting her slight form with ease, and walked to the spiral staircase across the room. Once up stairs, he headed for the massive master bedroom. When he went to lay her down on the bed, she gripped his shirt.

"Don't leave," she whispered.

"I'm just gonna get you something more comfortable to sleep in." He sat her on the edge of his king sized bed and moved to the dresser.

"Oh, okay."

Inuyasha handed her a black tee and a pair of cotton gym shorts. "They'll probably be too big, but it's bound to be more comfortable than what you have on. The bathroom's right through that door."

"Thank you," she said around another yawn and stumbled to the door he had indicated.

Inuyasha sighed then quickly stripped out of the leather pants and into a pair of red sweats, grabbed a pillow off the bed and retrieved a blanket from the chest. He was walking toward the door when Kagome emerged from the bathroom. "Well, goodnight, Angel," he muttered, reaching for the door.

"Please," she murmured, "stay until I fall asleep?"

"Are you sure? I don't want you to think...."

"I don't," was her simple reply.

Inuyasha dumped the bedding on top of the chest and scooped her into his arms, smiling at the sigh that escaped her lips. Throwing the covers back, he laid down with her, relishing in the feel of her snuggled up to him. Finally finding a comfortable position, Kagome quickly fell into the realm of dreams, an equally exhausted Inuyasha following only moments behind her.