InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ For Richer or Poorer ❯ Playing With Fire ( Chapter 11 )

(A/N: Okay, here is the next chapter. I just wanted to announce beforehand that if anyone is looking for a beta-reader, I've wanted to give it a go. I want to see what it's like to edit for once instead of just writing. It's funny how I never notice my own mistakes, but I always see others. If you're writing a story and want a beta, e-mail me. You can find my contact info on my profile page. Also, I'm only requesting Inuyasha fics because that's my area of expertise, and also, please no yaoi or yuri. I'm not very comfortable reading those. Other than that, I don't care what rating or genre, length or style, so give it some thought. And now without further ado, here is the next chapter.)

 

Disclaimer: I don't own any of them. God Damn it all!

 

 

 

Chapter Ten

Playing With Fire

 

 

 

I find myself running faster and faster, so I can follow you.

 

But no matter how swiftly I run, I find you falling further and further away.

 

Why? Why can't I catch you? Don't you want to find me too?

 

I see you now…you're right in front of me…yet I still can't reach you.

 

My legs move, my heat races, and my hands stretch out to caress your face…but you fade away.

 

I fall…seemingly for ages I into darkness…

 

Tears fall down my face, little rivers of sorrow, yet I feel strangely numb.

 

Why couldn't I reach you? Why couldn't you reach me? Deep within my soul I know you love me…just as I love you.

 

In a moment of lucidity, I realize why…why I can never be with you, why I can never stand by your side…

 

…we are worlds apart…

 

 

 

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Kagome sat straight up on the couch, gasping for breath, only to meet the golden gaze of Sesshoumaru across the expanse of his desk. She flushed slightly under his scrutiny before looking away uncomfortably.

 

Ever since she had shown her tears in front of him, all over him no less, she hadn't been able to look him in the eyes. Something had changed…he looked at her differently now. And every time she felt that look she got uncontrollable butterflies in her stomach, and her heartbeat sped up. She also always felt her face flush because she knew that he could hear her pulse quicken and her breath shorten. Then he would look away with a small smirk, as if her were satisfied with something, leaving her thoroughly confused.

 

Last night had changed everything somehow, when she let him see her vulnerability and he showed her a tender side she hadn't seen before except around Rin. He offered her strength, a place to cry without judgment, and she also sensed that he was trying to apologize for what he had said earlier to her…and by leaning on him for those few minutes, she in turn forgave him.

 

Now she felt that she was walking on eggshells around him. He was an extremely powerful and unpredictable demon, and there was an air about him now, a purpose that shot a thrill down her spine although she didn't understand it or why it was affecting her.

 

She slowly stood up and stretched, not noticing the way his eyes followed her, and looked out the window to view Tokyo in all of its glory. A peaceful silence settled in the office…until Jakotsu burst into the room, startling Kagome. Sesshoumaru merely looked at him, smelling him before he even entered the office.

 

“Did you need something?” he asked dryly. Jakotsu merely smiled charmingly and grabbed Kagome by the hand, dragging her behind him to the door.

 

“I'm borrowing your fiancée for a little bit,” he said cheerily before the door slammed shut behind him. Sesshoumaru fought the urge to follow them.

 

It was strange how he didn't want to let her out of his sight, even if for a few minutes, and he wanted to drag her back to him…where she belonged.

 

He smiled humorlessly to himself. He had never realized how possessive he was until he had something worth keeping.

 

And she was definitely worth keeping.

 

The only thing to worry about now was how to keep her from leaving him after the investigation was over.

 

In the sanctuary of his office, he grinned. That would be something to look forward to. The little miko was already attracted to him. He could smell in and hear it in her heartbeat. If he fell for her in such a short amount of time, he should have no trouble making her reciprocate those feelings. (A/N: Egotistical much? LOL!)

 

A new scent hit his nose, and he was suddenly glad that Jakotsu took Kagome away. The expected knock sounded on his door a few moments later.

 

“Enter, Kouga,” he said, wiping all traces of his thoughts off of his face. The wolf entered with his usual swagger, but his eyes were wary of the TaiYoukai before him.

 

“I hear you have a business lunch with Naraku today,” he said without preamble, cautiously sniffing the air.

 

Sesshoumaru gave a mental frown when he realized who Kouga was trying to sniff out. “Yes, I shall be leaving shortly as a matter of fact. With Kagome.”

 

Kouga shot an annoyed glance his way. “Be careful with her around him. I don't trust him.”

 

“Right now, it's not him I'm concerned about, but other individuals,” he replied evenly.

 

Kouga didn't miss the reference and held up his hands. “I haven't even seen her today, so you have no reason to worry.”

 

“I know.” The look he sent Kouga's way made him sure that Sesshoumaru had complete confidence that Kouga would no longer hit on Kagome.

 

“Anyway,” Kouga said, already uncomfortable with the topic. “I just wanted to know what your plans were concerning Naraku and his idea that you are going to merge companies with him. It seems like a bad idea to me.”

 

Sesshoumaru inspected his claws nonchalantly. “What I do with my own company is my business, wolf. If I see that it would be beneficial to join our forces, I will,” he said, knowing that he wouldn't really merge companies with Naraku for anything.

 

Kouga frowned. God damn all the TaiYoukai's and their arrogance! Sesshoumaru was going to bring this whole company down if he merged with Naraku.

 

“If that's all you wanted to say, you may leave now,” Sesshoumaru said, returning his gaze to the paperwork in front of them. Kouga clenched his fists in silent anger and turned on his heels. He hoped Sesshoumaru knew what the hell he was doing.

 

Sesshoumaru sighed tiredly to himself when his office was empty once more. This whole investigation was making him look like an idiot. He would be glad when it was over and done with, and he could get on with his life…with Kagome by his side.

 

He glanced at his watch and realized that he should gather his “fiancée” up. It was almost time to leave.

 

 

 

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“Jakotsu, where's the fire?” Kagome said breathlessly as he dragged her ruthlessly down the hall.

 

He looked innocent. “What do you mean, Kagome-chan?” She had to quell a smile at the pout that showed on his feminine face.

 

“What I mean,” she said, gently removing her wrist from his hands. “Is why did you drag me out of Sesshoumaru's office? Did you need me for anything?”

 

“Nope!” he said with a wink.

 

“Then, why?”

 

“I didn't want Sesshoumaru-sama to be in a bad mood.”

 

“Why?”

 

He tapped his forehead, in between his eyes. “Because it creates frown lines right here. It would ruin his silky, perfect skin.” He got a faraway look in his eyes as he imagined that skin.

 

Kagome didn't know which was worse: the fact that she couldn't get a straight answer out of him or that he obviously had an obsession with Sesshoumaru. And Inuyasha, for that matter. Well, who could blame him? The Inu brothers were both very formidable when it came to attraction, one having the power of cuteness on his side, and the other having a more primal and elegant aura around him.

 

“I meant why would he be in a bad mood?” she clarified.

 

“Oh! Because Kouga was on his way to see you. And since Sesshoumaru gets so possessive over you, I thought it would be best if you left them alone for a while.”

 

“Possessive?” Kagome asked with a forced laugh. She glanced around to make sure no one was near when she said softly, “Jakotsu, you know that it's all an act.”

 

Jakotsu shook his head at her naiveté. “Think what you want to think, Kagome. But maybe next time you're around other males, see what he does.”

 

With that last cryptic statement, he walked away, leaving her alone to huff in annoyance.

 

“Problem, Kagome?” she heard a deep voice from behind her, and she barely stifled a gasp. What was up with him sneaking up on her all the time? He had not called her by “Detective”, or “Higurashi”, or any other name since last night. It gave her a strange little jolt to hear her name on his lips, and she decided that she was officially going insane.

 

She turned around with a bright smile. “No problem at all! Did you have a nice meeting with Kouga?”

 

She looked closely at him to see if she could spot what Jakotsu had been talking about, but Sesshoumaru turned away as he answered. “It was fine. He went back to work, which is a good thing. Right now, it's time for us to go to our business meeting.”

 

She made a face. One thing she had not been looking forward to today was their meeting with Naraku. She remembered the dark aura she had felt about him at the opera, and did not look forward to feeling that again. But, it was her job to get close to him and the only way they were going to find anything out about the hanyou was to meet with him.

 

The restaurant they went to was high class and very elegant. Kagome felt that she stuck out like a sore thumb. She felt a reassuring squeeze from the clawed hand holding her own and looked up to him. His face was passively scanning the dining area, and his casualness made her relax a little bit.

 

He knew she needed his support right then, when she was sure to feel out of place. He hated the smell of her nervousness and fear, and did everything he could to make it go away. He spotted Naraku at a table in the corner of the room with Hakudoushi standing beside him. Sesshoumaru pulled Kagome along to where he was sitting and saw Naraku motion Hakudoushi away from him.

 

Suddenly, Sesshoumaru slowed. That scent…

 

Kagome looked up at Sesshoumaru curiously. He had suddenly tensed up and drew in a breath. Then he clenched her hand so hard it was almost painful and she gasped as she swore she saw his eyes flash red for a split second. He let out a low growl, so deep and soft she almost didn't hear it, but she could feel it vibrating down his arm into her hand.

 

“Sesshoumaru?” she asked questioningly, his demeanor frightening her slightly. She had never quite seen him quite so…feral. The growling stopped when he heard her voice, but his grip stayed just as tight.

 

He was torn on what to do. A part of him knew that she was a part of the law and she should know about the new information he had acquired…but another part of him wanted to just shield her from it and protect her himself, as a proper mate should.

 

“Hakudoushi was the one who was at your house last night,” he finally said lowly, hearing her sharply indrawn breath. “It was slightly altered last night, which is why I didn't recognize it, but I do now.”

 

“But that would mean that Naraku had sent him,” she said with a confused look.

 

He nodded. It was all very confusing. Naraku should have no interest in Kagome whatsoever, so why go through the trouble of breaking into her home and attacking her family? Especially when Naraku knew that Kagome was living with him. It made no sense.

 

“Don't let him know that you know,” Kagome said, suddenly grabbing his arm. “It would just complicate things.”

 

“You do know that he attacked your ji-chan, right?” he asked, angry that she wasn't going to let him kill the bastard and using the guilt factor. She winced.

 

“I know, but you don't have any proof that Naraku sent Hakudoushi. All you have is your nose, and that's not a probable cause for an arrest. Wait until we get some solid evidence on him, and then I'll arrest the bastard.”

 

He didn't want to see the sensibility of her words. What he wanted to do was walk right up to Naraku and pull the hanyou's black heart right out of his chest bare-handed, and hand it to him on a platter. Then he would beat him, mercilessly for hours on end until the bastard had no voice left to scream for ever threatening Kagome.

 

Of course, none of the bloodlust he was feeling was showing on his face, but Kagome could tell he was fighting for control within himself. Finally, though, he relaxed his body and let go of his death grip on her hand. He began walking again to Naraku's table, his face devoid of all emotion and it was up to her to follow his lead.

 

She could feel the evilness in the air around her and was hard-pressed not to shiver. She concentrated on Sesshoumaru's powerful aura and it soothed her enough that she could face Naraku without flinching. The hanyou looked up from the table with a smirk and stood up politely.

 

“Welcome,” he said smoothly and sat back down as Sesshoumaru pulled out Kagome's chair and waited until she was seated. “I hope you don't mind,” he continued, unfolding his napkin and placing it on his lap. “But I've already ordered for us.”

 

“That's fine,” Sesshoumaru said, and Kagome forced a pleasant smile on her face.

 

“So,” Naraku said, taking a sip of his water and looking at them through red eyes. “How goes your transition into the business, Miss Higurashi? Do you mind if I call you Kagome?”

 

Kagome was caught off guard at the silkiness of his tone and Sesshoumaru tensed slightly once more. “No, that's fine. I believe I'm doing very well so far in picking up things. Sesshoumaru has been a great teacher to me.”

 

“I'm sure,” he murmured and shot a glance at the TaiYoukai from underneath his lashes. “You couldn't have a better teacher than the one you have right now.”

 

Kagome nodded in agreement and desperately wished she was someplace else. Anywhere else besides sitting across from this monster…ugh and she was even making polite chitchat with him. Thankfully, the food arrived soon and Naraku got down to business.

 

“As I'm sure you've heard by now, I have the Kuromono's all set up as prospective buyers.”

 

“They won't sell,” Sesshoumaru broke in before he could finish, making the hanyou seethe a little on the inside. “I know Kuromono personally and the only way he will sell is if he had no other choice.”

 

Kagome watched Naraku carefully. A small smirk had appeared on his face, making him look truly terrifying.

 

“We shall see, Sesshoumaru-sama,” was all he said before he changed the subject to merging companies. Kagome stopped paying attention at that point, knowing that Sesshoumaru would do fine making up a load of bullshit for Naraku to swallow.

 

Her thoughts started dwelling on why Naraku would deem it important to attack her family. She didn't even know him, and she obviously didn't have anything important to him, so what was the deal? There was no reason why he should have ordered a break-in, and she found herself unleashing the anger that she had kept in when she had to calm Sesshoumaru down. How dare he?

 

Sesshoumaru was amused that she was finally starting to get all worked up. He was wondering when she was going to exactly realize the implications of what Naraku had done. Although she kept a pleasant smile on her face, her eyes were flashing dangerously, and Sesshoumaru found himself actually glad that he wasn't on the receiving end this time. Not that it wasn't amusing when she was irritated with him, but she looked ready to purify something this time around. He put his hand on her knee under the table, and she immediately stiffened, and then relaxed. Then stiffened again when she realized that she was entirely too comfortable with his hand on her knee, even now stroking slightly as if to calm her down.

 

He grinned mentally as her scent fluctuated. Since he couldn't do anything about Naraku now, he might as well try to enjoy the lunch, and teasing the poor detective fell right into that category.

 

Luckily, the lunch flew by quickly, and Sesshoumaru and Kagome left with another meeting planned with Naraku for the following day in Sesshoumaru's building. Sesshoumaru wrapped his arm around her waist as they walked from the restaurant. The restaurant had been close to Sesshoumaru's office so they had walked, and he still did not remove his arm as they walked back. If anything, he held her a little tighter as the lunch rush bustled around all about them, and it was giving her a definite uncomfortable feeling. Problem was, it wasn't so uncomfortable that she wanted him to stop and found herself enjoying the attention he was giving her.

 

However, as soon as they were back in his office she smacked his hand and he let go with a smirk. It disappeared obediently as she spun around to face him.

 

“Will you stop doing that?” she said in frustration. She didn't know what she was mad at, but it seemed like a good idea to blame him for the confusing feelings she was having. “I can't concentrate when you touch me!”

 

“Really?” he said with a raised eyebrow. “That certainly is a useful bit of information.”

 

She flushed as she realized the implications of her words and stood rooted to the spot as she figured out something else. Was…was Sesshoumaru flirting with her?

 

“What, exactly, makes you so uncomfortable, Kagome?” he asked softly, deliberately emphasizing her name. He started to walk in a small circle around her and she couldn't help but gulp at how predatory he seemed at the moment. She had never truly seen this side of him…and she couldn't say that it didn't make her heart race.

 

“Is it the fact that you don't like me touching you?” he asked, completing his circuit around her. He stared straight into her eyes and she felt like she couldn't move even if the world had been crumbling down. “Or,” he continued softly. “Is it because you are afraid that you like it too much? That you burn for my touch, and you feel weak in the knees whenever I am close to you?”

 

Her mouth had dropped open in shock. She started quivering in anger, but his words also stirred something in her that she was more confused than ever. And that made her furious. So she did the only thing she knew how to do.

 

“Why you arrogant, pompous, condescending son of a bitch!” she lashed out. “You think that your mere touch could turn me into a boneless mess? You think of me as a simpering female who begs for your embrace? I can't believe you could be such a bastard!”

 

He found himself extremely pleased with her fiery response. He would have continued to tease her, but he sensed someone approaching the door, and it was not the time to be arguing. “Kagome.”

 

“I'm not done, you prick!” she continued on. “I am not some weak-minded woman! I am one of the best damn detectives in Tokyo, and one of the most powerful mikos to boot.”

 

“Kagome,” he interrupted again, as the scent got closer and he recognized who it was.

 

“I mean, really, if I wasn't forced to take this case, I wouldn't even want to be in your presence,” she lied, ignoring his warnings. However, that last statement must have struck a nerve in him, for his eyes narrowed dangerously.

 

“Don't look at me like that,” she snapped, her heart beating furiously. “It's not my fault Inuyasha decided to use his useless brain and think of this hair-brained plan for us to work toge-”

 

She was suddenly cut off by his lips meeting hers as fast as lightning. She was so shocked, she couldn't move, but when her mind caught up with her body, she began to struggle. He held her tightly, forcing her to stay still, as he ruthlessly plundered her mouth. He was robbing her of her ability to think, and her struggles grew weaker.

 

Sesshoumaru was angry. Angry that she was lying to him and herself, and angry that an intruder that he was already on bad terms with was about to interrupt on their private conversation, so he shut her up the only way he knew how. Of course, he didn't really expect to find it so pleasurable to have her lips on his, and when she stopped struggling in his embrace, he almost growled out in pleasure.

 

He heard the door open, yet still did not unglue his lips from hers.

 

“Oh…um, I guess I'm interrupting something,” an angry male voice rang out in the room, causing Kagome to gasp and try to remove herself from Sesshoumaru once more.

 

He sighed mentally and sucked sensuously on her lower lip one last time before turning from her dazed countenanced to meet Kouga's thunderous face. “I suppose you are,” he replied calmly. “Did you need something?”

 

Kouga stopped over to Sesshoumaru's desk, not even looking at Kagome as he slammed some files down. “I looked up all of Naraku's recent buys just like you asked me to. If you don't need anything else from me today, I believe I will take some work home with me.”

 

Sesshoumaru nodded and watched impassively as the wolf left again in a huff. It might have been a tad childish, but he couldn't help but feel proud that he had finally showed the wolf in some way that Kagome belonged to him, and him only. Turning back to the poor blushing girl, he decided that she couldn't handle him saying anything about his kiss. He nodded to the files on his desk. “Those are for you. I thought that maybe you would find them of interest.”

 

She nodded distantly and went to gather up the papers and took them to the couch that had become her friend. However, he couldn't just leave things the way they were. As she opened the first folder, he suddenly said, “I will not apologize.”

 

She didn't quite know what to say, and so all she did was look at him a moment before giving him a nod. They both went back to what they were doing and worked in silence for the rest of the day, each lost in their own thoughts.

 

 

 

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OMFG, that chapter took me forever to write! And I just realized that I hate it…well, that's not completely true. I liked the ending just because I didn't really plan on writing it. It just kind of came out, and I like it. I hope you guys did too. Yay, they finally kissed! And before anyone asks or comments on this, I will say this now. THIS IS NOT A LEMON FIC!!!!!!!!!! I don't think I will be comfortable writing one, and in fact I'm quite surprised at how easily that last scene came out. I might try experimenting with a little citrus here and there to see how comfortable I feel, but I repeat, there will NOT be a lemon. I would hope that the story is good enough without one…and I hope all of my reviewers agree. And now, reviewer responses…

 

HUGE, GINORMOUS, MONSTROUS, AND OTHERWISE BIG THANKS TO: Rain181, Madam Sorceress, localsamurai, i-wish-i-was-kagome, Kagome21, cuttie-blossom, Sataness-ov-desire, Emperess-of-chaos, 1kenshinlover, Blood Red Moon, MikoMimi, BaBeeCinnoMon.

 

Warai_Jizai1986: No problem, you are now on the mailing list! Thanks so much for your review…and as weird as this sounds, I'm glad I made you cry. That means that my chapter turned out all right. Toodles!

 

Fan Of Yours: Ohh, I hope you had fun at the animecon. I've never actually been myself, but all my friends have. They say it rocks. I really hope this chapter made you happy! Ahh, the fluff…well, with Sesshoumaru it's more like a fire, hence the name of the chapter, but oh well. I hope you loved it just as much as I love your reviews!

 

Kagomeandinuyasha4ever: of course I let Miroku had some fun…and it's far from over! You said that Kagome was almost a perfect Cancer. Being a Gemini myself, I have no clue what that means. (grins sheepishly) what traits to Cancers have that Kagome has, if you don't mind me asking?

 

IYGU: Whoa, I didn't even realize that it might have looked like Kaede was working for Naraku. Cool. That just makes the plot more interesting huh? I love throwing loops out at people.

 

Dierdre: Thank you for your praise on “S.A.H?” and for “FROP” Yes, I love your little acronyms for them. It makes my job a lot easier. Hope you liked the ending of this chapter with Kouga at the end!

 

PimpTroyce: I'm so happy that I made you happy! I hope you liked this chapter. Question: did you ever respond to the poll I did awhile ago about whether the readers were male or female. I have a sucky memory. I'm just asking because I kind of want guys to read this too, and your penname sounds male. If you are a female, disregard that last sentence. Lol!

 

A Girl Who Loves Anime: Hmmmm, do I want to see a strip-tease from Mini-me? (thinks hard)(shudders) Um, no thanks. I'm glad you finally decided to review since you've been reading this story for so long. (laughs) Ja ne!

 

Aurora: The problem with having a beta reader for this story is the fact that I am an extremely impatient person. That's why I sometimes have typos in my story: I don't proofread before I post just because I'm so eager to get it out. I'm going to start working on that a little more because I know it makes me look like a bad writer to have typos and grammatical errors in my story. Thank you so much for your concern and suggestion. I will try to work harder! I hope you liked the chapter!

 

Erik and Fae: See, I told you I would let him make it up to her! (smiles) You know, I could just imagine you jumping up and down for joy at the end of this chapter. Sesshoumaru and Kagome kiss as Kouga walks in on them. I bet you were clapping in glee…sadistic, aren't you?

 

LtSonya: I loved that moment too. I didn't even plan on writing that in the last chapter, but it just kind of came out, just like the kiss did in this one. Thank you so much for your review.

 

LynGreenTea: (gasp) OMG, she did more than two words! I think I'm going to have a heart attack. (laughs). Don't worry, I didn't forget about the ring. I was going to put it in this chapter, but then the kiss came out, and I decided to put it on hold until next chapter. Thanks for the review!

 

Ruth: Good luck with college. I just got back into the dorms again myself, so I know it's difficult. I will be waiting with a bated breath for your story. Until then…

 

RubyRoseOfTheBlackBlood: Okay, you are now on the e-mail list too. Thanks so much for your review!

 

Forgotten Lake: I think he's starting to like the idea that he loves Kagome. (laughs evilly)

 

Arcander: Aww, you get to take Japanese? That's so cool! My college doesn't offer Japanese, but I'm learning sign language instead, which is really interesting. In fact, I'm working on another Kag/Sess fic called “Speechless” right now with sign language in it. Go check it out. And don't worry about the rambling, I do it all the time. Must…get…sleep…

 

Fluffy li: Just wait, I think I will have Sango get some revenge on Miroku. I just have to think of something really good. Oh yeah, you wrote me as glomping you in your review, so I thought I might as well do it in person. (glomps fluffy li for being such a great fan and reviewer and making Mujitsu-chan VERY happy.) There. (smiles big).

 

Rawhead and Bloody Bones: I put a little bit of Jakotsu in this chapter just for you. Don't worry, he and Bankotsu will be making more appearances as well. I love them so much. I really liked the sentence that Sesshoumaru says after he realizes he loves Kagome too. I just thought that his personality demanded it. Lol!

 

Sesshoumaru's: Gomen, gomen for not getting this chapter out earlier! (bows head) Writer's block is a bitch. I hope it was worth the wait!

 

Okay, everybody, that's it for now. I hope everyone is happy, and I will try and get the next chapter out as soon as possible. I also wanted to shamelessly endorse my new story, “Speechless.” It's a Sess/Kag fic and it's on Mediaminer, fanfiction.net, and A Single Spark, so go check it out. It's an experimental fic, so I hope everyone likes it because I was a little nervous posting it. Also, if anyone has a MySpace on here, go check out mine. I have it marked as my homepage on my profiles, or just look on MySpace under the name Mujitsu. I'm usually on their everyday, and I love making new friends. Just say that you've read my fanfics so I don't think you're a stalker. Later everyone. Hugs and kisses!

 

Ja ne,

Mujitsu.