InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Embracing Destiny ❯ Decisions ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

I do not own Inuyasha or its characters. I do own a fur coat.




Chapter Three



Decisions




It was the day before the annual Japanese Business Awards Ball. Kagome sat in her living room with a carton of butter pecan and stared at the television. The news broadcasted a special on all the nominees. She dipped the spoon in the carton and put it on the coffee table as she saw her employers face grace the screen. As always, Sesshomaru InuTaisho's appearance was flawless. She lowered her eyes as she remembered what happened the month before. There was such passion simmering under that cold surface and she felt privileged to have experienced it. She also felt cursed. Since that day, Sesshomaru went to great lengths to keep it from happening again. He barely spoke to her and when he did, it was brief. As if it weren't his own office, he found whatever excuse he could to be away from it. Her only consolation was the softening of his stoic expression every time he did manage to speak to her about anything that wasn't business related. Obviously it wasn't enough.

She turned off the television and smiled to herself. Without a doubt, he would yet again leave the ball with the Business Man of the Year Award. He worked so hard it was inhuman, but then again, he wasn't human was he? And there in lied her problem. Had she been a demoness, she had no doubt he would accept her. She stood and walked to her bedroom full of morbid thoughts about hope and failure. She could hope he would see past her pedigree and see what she felt for him, or she could fail in trying to show him that it might be worth it. Shaking her head in disgust, she pulled back the covers and slipped into bed.

Sesshomaru watched as his assistant walked in and set about starting the day. She had stopped glancing his way in the mornings and had begun to ignore him. It was a bittersweet observation. He stared at the documents on his desk, then proceeded to watch the city from his view. He had begun to appreciate it more after he had hired her. There were times when he couldn't bear the silence between them and he know what he had done. She tried so hard to keep from making things awkward between them, but the truth was that he couldn't forget her taste or the way her face glowed when she found her release. It haunted him. Tonight he would go to the ball and be bored witless by the groveling attendees and wish he had declined the invitation. Steeling himself against his growing dread, he attacked the documents with ferver.

The phone chirped merrily, rousing Kagome out of her increasingly black thoughts.
"InuTaisho Enterprise, Kagome speaking. How may I help you?"
"Kags, long time no see."
"Yasha? Whats up? You going to the ball tonight?"
"Yep, and so are you, so meet me in the lobby when you're done slaving in the office."
"I'll be there."
The phone went dead and she looked at it. She going to the ball? Excitement coursed through her veins and she laughed merrily. To go to the Business Awards Ball was an honor few people of her status experienced. She got up and rushed to the door to share her news with Kikyo when she ran into something hard. The resounding 'oomph' was muffled by a gray Armani suit and she looked up to see a man with black hair, violet tinged eyes and a very amused expression on his handsome face.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going." she said with an apologetic smile. The man took her hand and kissed the back of it. "No need beautiful lady, but you can make up for it by bearing my children." he said with a grin. A cough was heard behind them and she turned in surprise to see a frostily apathetic expression on her employers face. "Come Miroku, must you proposition every woman you meet?" he asked cooly. Miroku looked affronted. "Not at all my good friend. Only the most beautiful ones. I am assuming you are the lady Kagome?" he asked turning to her. She nodded. "Then I am at your service. InuYasha has informed me that you will be attending the ball tonight. It is an honor to have been selected as your escort." he said with a slight bow. Kagome laughed at his formality. "And I would be honored to be escorted by you." she replied with a slight bow of her own. Another discreet cough broke the spell and they both turned to see Sesshomaru watching them with irritation. Though his expression remained impassive, the hardening of his amber eyes told them that he was displeased with their display.

Miroku shrugged off his employer's annoyance and took a seat at his desk. "You are a horrible friend for not introducing me to this gorgeous creature sooner. Shame on you." he breathed teasingly. Sesshomaru arched a brow. "I was not aware that our friendship dictated that I introduce you to your latest victim." he answered as he leaned back in his chair. Miroku put a hand to his chest as if shocked by the statement. "You wound me InuTaisho! I am every bit the gentleman." he said reassuringly with a wink in Kagome's direction. . Sesshomaru sighed wearily and stood. "As you know, I am going to the ball as well. You also know I hate it. I am attending merely to corner the enemy. Naraku has much to explain himself for, Miroku. It was very clear that I had intended to take possession of Nakamura Inc." he said to Miroku with flames in his amber eyes. "Tonight I hunt."

Kikyo giggled as Kagome told her of her meeting with the boss man's handsome lawyer. "He's a horrid flirt. The first time I saw him he asked me the same thing." she said. Kagome propped her elbow on the desk and rested her head in her hand. "If only he wanted me and only me to bear his children, I might have given it serious consideration, especially if they come out looking like him. Is he youkai?" she asked. Kikyo just laughed. "Miroku is one hundred percent human. It's said that he was a monk before he turned into a laywer. I guess there weren't enough woman to bear his children in the monastery." she added with a wink. Kagome shook her head with a giggle. "He's gonna be taking me to the ball tonight. I could have been going with a horned toad as my escort and be just as excited. Have you ever gone?" she asked. Kikyo blushed prettily before lowering her eyes. "Inuyasha is taking me this year." she confessed.

Kagome beamed at the girl. In the time she had been working with InuTaisho Interprises, she had learned (from Yura) about all of the love triangles in office. Kikyo had been eyeing Inuyasha longer than even he knew. The woman was very attached to him from what she could tell. He could do no wrong in her eyes. She looked at the clock and saw that she was five minutes past her own lunch hour and hurried back to her desk waving at Kikyo as she picked up her pace.

Sesshomaru was sitting at the end of his desk when she slipped into the office and she hoped he hadn't noticed her extended lunch hour. She had made the mistake of being two minutes late once before and with the way he lectured her, she went out of her way not to repeat the offence. As she sat at her desk she could hear the gentle rustle of his expensive black slacks as he approached her. "Miroku is a good man, but he is not the type to reject the advances of a woman too far gone in her cups. Be aware and watchful Kagome. The ball may sound bourgeois, but the truth is that these people cannot wait to let their proverbial hair down. Too much alcohol can ensure a fair level of embarrassment and regret." he cautioned.

It seemed a bit out of character for Sesshomaru to warn her of anything, but then she had missed a day of work due to her alcohol consumption. She grimaced as she remembered what had been a result of his punishment. She could still feel his lips on her flesh. She nodded quickly as she felt the memory of their 'almost affair' bring a flush to her cheeks. She let loose a giggle when Sesshomaru cocked his head to the side and eyed her with curiosity. For a moment he looked like an inquisitive puppy. As his eyes widened slightly in surprise, Kagome gasped and shot to her feet to apologize in which she bumped into him and almost fell back with the impact. Strong hands steadied her and her eyes quickly found his. His expression was startled, but she noticed that he didn't let go.

As she opened her mouth to apologize, his came crashing down on her own. She moaned against his lips and pressed her body against him. He fisted his hands in her hair, pulling out the bun and letting the thick, glossy locks fall down her back. His fangs brushed against her lips and he tugged her hair roughly, claiming her mouth with an urgency that was unfounded. Kagome slid her hand down his chest and cupped his rapidly growing erection, giving it a firm squeeze. His red tinged eyes found hers and he gripped her hair tighter, pulling her head back. "You do not understand how you affect me Kagome." he growled. Although he hadn't sounded pleased, Kagome brushed her body against his once more. "You don't understand what you do to me. But then again, I'm the mere human." she answered, not being able to stop the bitterness from coloring her words. Sesshomaru froze.

He watched the tears well up in her eyes as she let the truth of her own words wash over her. The salty smell of them made his heart constrict. He wiped the lone tear that fell away with his thumb and stepped back from her. "Do not presume to think that it is your humanity alone that troubles me. I have other reasons as to why I think this an ill match. You must understand that being with me brings more trouble than one raised out of the spotlight can usually endure. The public will follow and scrutinize your every move. There will be no rest and they will allow you no peace. That is the fate I have chosen, I will not ask it of you. Not you Kagome."

Kagome narrowed her eyes at him. "Is that your reason? I am not bred well enough to withstand the paparrazzi? I am a public relations major Sesshomaru! Is it that along with my bad breeding, you have no faith in my credentials? I will have you know that I have been photographed before, I can take the heat!" she hissed. Sesshomaru's beautiful amber eyes softened. "I have no doubts that you would be excellent in your career choice. I also have no doubt that you would withstand the paparrazzi and their thoughtless intrusions." he cupped her cheek in his palm and stroked it gently with his thumb. "The question is should you have to?" He let go of her cheek reluctantly and grabbed his suit jacket off of the chair next to her desk. "Enjoy yourself tonight Kagome. You deserve that privilage." he whispered. Kagome watched numbly as he walked out. Should she have to? The question made her seeth with anger just as another tear trailed down her cheek. She didn't know what was worse. Thinking she wasn't good enough, or knowing she was.

Inuyasha waited patiently as Kagome walked over to him. The stiffness in her body movements were enough to alert him to the sourness of her mood. She caught up to him, at a sluggish pace, and gave him a watery smile. "Hey Yasha, where we going?" she asked with mock cheer. A moment of silence. "I'm going to kill him" he growled. He pushed her aside and was going to track down his brother when she clamped onto his upper arm in a surprisingly firm grip. "You aren't going to kill anyone Inuyasha!" she warned him. Her eyes had turned from being filled with tears to being filled with flames. He sighed wearily. A woman was going to be the death of him someday. "Then tell me what he did to you." he ordered. Kagome's shoulder's slumped and she pulled him along as she made her way to her car. "It isn't something you can fix and you won't help by attacking him and getting ripped to shreds." she stated. Inuyasha bristled. "I could take 'ole fluffikins any day." he said in agitation for her complete lack of faith. The look she gave him confirmed where her vote would be had he ever attempted to prove it.

He watched the forelorn expression on her face and took a step back in shock. "You're in love with the fleabag!" he bellowed angrily. Kagome turned beet red and slapped a hand over his mouth. "You want the whole fucking world to know Inuyasha?" she hissed. His eyes threatened to fall out of their sockets at her confirmation. He yanked her hand away and glared at her. "Didn't I warn you, wench? He's as cold as an eskimos nutsack." he said through clenched teeth. A far away look came into her eyes. "Sesshomaru is not cold! He's merely misunderstood." she said defensively. Inuyasha felt as though his heart would stop. He leaned against the car to take in the implication of her statement. Kagome and Sesshomaru? "We gotta go get you a dress and then meet Sango at your apartment. Then I need a stiff drink." he grumbled as he walked to his beloved Jag. Kagome fell into step with him. "Really? Thank you 'Yasha, I didn't know what I was gonna wear! But why is Sango meeting us at my place?" she asked. "Who else is gonna help you get ready for the ball? Besides, I'm gonna hit the bar before I get my shit together and pick up my date." he muttered.

Kagome walked towards her apartment and was ambushed by a tall woman with long black hair, unruly bangs and a childish denim jumper. Really, art majors were truely odd. "Oh my god Kagome! If I got a chance to go the the Business Awards Ball, I would die from the excitement." she bubbled in elation. Kagome freed herself from the woman's bear hug, which was the equivilant of a death trap, with a laugh. Sango was beautiful, but stronger than most men. "I was psyched when I found out too." she said. As she took a step to open the door, she almost trampled a box on the ground before her. She bent to pick it up and noticed that it was white and navy with the logo: InuTaisho Enterprises on the upper right corner. Sango leaned over her shoulder and studied the package. "I thought they already sent you your company phone? Did you need a new one?" she asked before slipping by her and rushing to the restroom. Kagome shook her head absently.

She closed the door, then sat on her couch and opened the box. What she saw inside made her eyes water. She lifted out the ankle length, blue satin dress and stood. It was a halter with a low back and two slits that would end mid thigh. The material glittered as the bodice was lined with tiny sapphires. Tears spilled over as she put it aside and lifted two white gloves out of the box as well and a note. She read it quickly and closed her eyes as her heart filled. "Wow, I didn't think I could hold...Kagome?" Sango rushed out of the bathroom and knelt in front of her. "What's wrong?" Kagome held out the note to her friend and promptly burst into tears. Sango patted her friend and looked at the note.

I sincerely regret making you feel common
So I had this made and sent to you
To me you are a princess and tonight...
You will be the Belle of the Ball
Sesshomaru

Sango pulled her into a one armed hug. "You must have really did a number on Mr. InuTaisho. Are those tears of bliss?" she asked trying to stop her from blocking her eyes. Kagome dropped her hands and a look of pure misery decorated her beautiful features. "I don't understand him. He does things to make me think that someone as small as me might really be somebody special to him, then he makes it hard to reach him again. Sango, how can I feel like he was made for me when he won't even give us a chance?" she asked in a broken whisper. Sango felt tears well in her own eyes at the helpless agony on her friend's face. "I can't answer that sweetie. But I'm surprised at you. When has Kagome Higurashi ever given up on anyone she wanted? Remember that Massage Therapy class you took for a full semester just so Haruhiko Hatachi would speak to you? Remember when you joined the novelist club just so Ryo Mamoru would agree to take you out? What happened to the strong woman who didn't take no for an answer?" she asked wiping her friends tears away. Kagome looked up at her friend and sniffled before giving her a small smile. "I think maybe you're right." she said. Sango rolled her eyes and flipped her hair. "Of course I'm right. I've seen that man on television and he's worth fighting for." she said with a wink. "Come on, I'll make you shine like those sapphires. You most certainly will be the belle of the ball."

When Miroku pulled up to the apartment complex he expected to take a beautiful woman to the ball and have a splendid evening. He knew better than to make a move on her, but that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy her company. The possessive spark in his employer's eye when he had met her this evening was no doubt a warning. Only a suicidal man messed with the potential mate of an inuyoukai male. When it came to Sesshomaru InuTaisho, it was sheer insanity. He had known the man for ten years and still found it hard to read him. He knocked on the door of her apartment and when it opened he was greeted by yet another beautiful woman. "Ah 'cherie, would you mind telling me where my date is?" he asked. The woman smiled and he felt a tug on his heart. Her shyness was almost as enchanting as her glittering obsidian eyes. "She's coming out in a minute." she answered. He took her hand before she moved away from the door and kissed the back. "And what might your name be?" he asked. She blushed crimson and hurriedly stepped aside to let him in. "I'm Sango, Kagome's best friend" she answered with another blush. That was when Kagome came out.

She was a vision in blue satin. Her hair was piled onto her head with expertly curled strands falling around her face. She wore little makeup but her face was breathtaking as the color of the dress brought out her large blue eyes and her full lips were decorated in a glossy red. The dress clung to her beautiful body, enhancing her ample bosom, small waist and generous hips. Her white gloved hands clutched a small white purse and the slit in her dress showed white, open toed sandals with straps that wove in a mattern up her shapely calf to her knee. No one at the ball would tell her apart from any demoness and she certainly was more beautiful than most. He came back to reality as she let out a delicate cough. His stunned expression changed into a mischievous one. She was more than worthy of Sesshomaru InuTaisho and he was going to have a lot of competition for her favor. This was bound to be fun.

"Excuse my stare, mademoiselle, you are surely a goddess hiding in human flesh." he said with a bow. Kagome laughed at him and glanced at Sango who was still blushing. "Thank you for taking me, Miroku." she said as she gave him her arm. "My pleasure." he turned and looked at Sango who still watched him. "It would also be my pleasure to escort the Lady Sango to the next event. That is if you would be willing to allow me that small request" he said. Sango sighed with delight. "I would like that" she replied wistfully. He gave her his brightest and most seductive smile then turned to Kagome. "Shall we go?" he asked. Kagome gave him a sly smile. "I thought you'd never ask."