InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Head Over Heels ❯ Damned & Besotted ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Sesshomaru on Kagura: "If this witch were allowed to have her way she would own my devotion and soul; turning me quickly into an idolater; however I prefer to choose my own alters of worship."

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Hentai / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.02.2006 | Pages: 5 | Words: 6.0K | Visits: 553 | Status: Completed

Chapter Five

Damned & Besotted

Slight Lime warning ahead.

Sesshomaru:

A week ago I discovered an accursed bookstore. The store was certainly not new; I knew this as I passed it almost everyday. It's displays were dusty and out of date. The glass window was covered in years of smudges and grime.

Regardless one Saturday I was walking past it's doors when a magnetism reached out and pulled me in.

Ridiculous, I do not believe in whims or flights of fancy yet here I was following my gut feeling, pushing open the doors and stepping inside.

The air in the store was rank and stale, no doubt just like the coffee they appeared to be serving. Why was I wasting my time here? The store was surviving on the fringes of the book world and it was only a matter of time before it was beaten down or swallowed by big chain store.

I checked my watch and realized if I stayed another moment I would be committing the ultimate sin of tardiness. Though when one was the boss, one of the benefits was forcing others to wait for you; yet I hated to do it.

First I had to discover the source of this force pulling at me. I strolled casually through the narrow stuffy aisles and found nothing.

One fat old woman winked at me but I pretended not to notice.

Disgust bit at me and I decided as long as I was here to pick up the morning edition of the Wall Street Journal.

A woman's nasal voice cut into the air and burned my eardrums. “…Those Harry Potter books.”

Did she not own an answering machine or some other sort of recording device that would allow her to experience the nail on blackboard sound that was her voice?

Against my will I looked up to see the source of this harpy yammering and that's when everything clicked; or went straight hell. It really depended on your perspective.

A small woman stood balancing precariously on one of those old oak library rolling ladders. She wore a wrap around plaid skirt and black heels, yet still had stubbornly ascended the rickety ladder.

Her hair was pulled up into a loose French twist and a pencil stub protruded from behind her ear. If she fell from that height she'd be injured.

She seemed to be an expert at climbing old ladders in heels. I saw her shoe slip slightly but she compensated by shifting her weight to her other foot.

Even so it was an unnecessary risk. I plucked a card from the comment box scratched a fast note and dropped it into the wooden lock box. There, now that I've done my civic duty surely I would be free to go.

Sadly instead of carrying me out the door my feet edged me closer to the woman on the ladder. Now she was going after the skinny nasally woman about Harry Potter.

Rin loved Potter but I could care less about his morals or values. He was just a fictional character after all. I didn't care if he was secretly a devil worshipper as long as the books were decent and they kept Rin out of my hair.

I was standing behind a pyramid of hardback books when her scent first reached out to me. She wore a light perfume made from some derivative of the mimosa flower.

I hate women's perfume because mortals bathe in it. The stench keeps me from elevators, taxis cars and department stores. But this fragrance mingled with a feminine yokai essence and reached out to me.

Anger boiled inside me at the unwanted stimulus. Granted it was unfair to direct my disgust at the girl who hadn't even laid eyes on me but then I'd never cared much for fairness.

I titled my head and caught a glimpse of two perky pointed ears and a wonderfully round calve encased in a black stocking. Her glasses were slipping down her nose and I was struck as few yokai ever wore glasses. My mouth went dry and that was when I heard her gasp and knew she was about to fall.

Her foot twisted in the silly shoe then her heel slipped and the stupid creature was grasping at air. The dim witted woman and her son just stood watching as if the whole scene had been arranged for their expressed amusement.

Fucking hell, there was no hope for it. I couldn't let her fall into a pile of books as much as she deserved it for climbing ladders in inappropriate footwear.

It was as I planned it and none of the other patrons saw me move. I swung around the books and was beneath her just in time to catch her.

She fell back against my chest, striking her head against my chin. I slid my arms up under her legs and stood there like a besotted mortal just holding her.

Her overwhelming scent enveloped me. She opened her deep ruby eyes and her gaze fixed on my face, her scent changed speaking to me of her sparking interest at my touch. As a Taiyokai my strengths are many but the power of prophecy was not something I can lay claim to.

However holding her, breathing in her scent stirred my senses and distorted my vision as an apparition of her lying naked across my bed flashed through my brain. Her plain shiny brown hair was loose and fell freely across my smooth sheets. Her bare ivory skin and firm breasts alone were a religious experience. I was over her; she was under me, surrounding me, soft, warm and giving; wrapped in only my hair moving with me. I spilled into her as I sunk my fangs into her shoulder making promises and vows I have no intention of giving to any woman. The small taste of her blood was intoxicating and she answered me with a sharp nip of her own. I felt my gut twist with something I'd long denied myself, passion.

This cannot be allowed to come to fruition. It was not in my plans to allow any woman such control over me. An affair or even a wife could easily lead to my downfall.

I'd given in with Rin and allowed some closeness however as a mortal child she was merely an amusement and owned no real piece of me. If this witch were allowed to have her way she would own my devotion and soul; turning me quickly into an idolater; however I prefer to choose my own alters of worship.

Reality snapped back and there was no decision to make. I fell into her eyes but was careful to hold back. “You should invest in a pair of sturdier shoes.”

She mumbled “Yeah I should.”

Then I helped her back onto her feet. Her eyes were hot living gemstones and I felt them moving over my skin as I stepped back. The power of her scent intensified and I knew she was reaching for me. I pushed it away refusing what she was so blatantly offering.

I bowed then turned to leave. I was beyond late and it was high time to break free of the book store. The woman was powerful in her own right. She followed me offering some of the dank beverages served at the abysmal stand that passed as a coffee bar.

I knew lingering would only encourage her, and she was within her rights to pursue me. When I held her in my arms my defenses weakened and a small connection was forged. I was eager to break it yet disappointed by the waves of disgust I felt coming off her as I declined each of her offers.

I was certain the day would return to normal once I felt the pavement of the sidewalk under the soles of my black leather shoes and heard the book store door shut behind me.

Of course I was wrong and this Sesshomaru must admit that is a rare thing.

_-_-_-_

The next afternoon I was sitting at the kitchen table re-reading a real estate contract. Doing any kind of work at the table is an invitation for trouble so I should have known better.

I was at the table instead of my office because I was under the delusion a change in venue would help my concentration. Once again I had seriously underestimated the drawing power of the ruby eyed bookstore witch.

The contract was solid but I was still searching for any loopholes. The company I was closing in on wasn't pleased with the buyout and I expected they were trying to wiggle out.

I glanced up from the stack of papers at the sound of a foot step. The top of a black head bobbed along the other side of the high marble counter top.

Rin thought she was being stealthy. Even though she'd never managed to surprise me or win a game of hide and seek with me, she never stopped trying.

When she realized she had been spotted she called out, “Sesshomaru-sama!” Than she ran at me full tilt with her arms open catching me around the waist.

I patted her on top her head and turned my attentions back to the contract.

It wasn't long before big brown eyes peered at me from the side of the tabletop. “Whatcha doing?”

Egads, I knew this was a bad idea. “Working, now leave me.”

Taking hints or direct orders was never one of Rin's specialties. Instead she pulled up a heavy chair and sat beside me sucking on a giant red lollipop that cook had no doubt procured for her.

I continued scanning the document, wondering if Rin knew the full extent of what this paper meant to a factory of workers all about to be laid off, if she would still run to me. She sat next to me slurping and smacking on the brightly colored insipid piece of candy.

The red lollipop brought to mind visions of a certain bookstore clerk's eyes. If I wasn't careful I would fall back into scenes of fierce sex that had never and would never take place. Actually if it was just sex that I could handle and even look forward to. But whatever I was to have with her would consume me.

Now back to this bloody contact.

The type on the legal pages swam and she was sitting before me. I'd never seen more of her than her well turned calves and felt the solid curve of her ass but I already knew there was a perfect mole under her right breast. I knew it the same way I knew Rin had a red scar where her appendix was removed last year, except I'd bore witness to the chaste scar but not the delectable mole.

Rin.

That was my answer. I immersed myself in thoughts of the runt and what I was purchasing her for the cursed human, holiday of Christmas.

She continued making horrendous noises with her candy and once again I found myself staring at it. “Rin, dinner is in an hour. You are going to make the dentist a very rich man if you don't stop with the candy.”

She giggled and continued slurping.

“Throw it away now and go dress for dinner.” I watched from the corner of my eye as she slipped off the chair and tossed the offensive sweet into the trashcan.

Gods she was spoiled, maybe it was high time to find her a set of human parents. I heard the sound of her tiny shoes as she skipped out of the kitchen. Maybe that could wait awhile longer. After all we did have tickets to the Thursday showing of The Chronicles of Narnia. Rin loved to read; perhaps a set of the corresponding books was called for. It'd be a good present not that she didn't already have a roomful of Christmas gifts.

It could wait. I didn't relish the idea of fighting the crowds for a stupid present. Unless I went back to that independent bookstore, the place was so awful I doubt there would be anyone there.

_-_-_-_

I slipped into the bookstore and found no sign of the girl. I felt ridiculously disappointed but relieved. She was not here to encumber me so I was free to get the book and leave.

The books were harder to find than I'd expected. Of course it didn't help that I forgot the name of the author. I was reluctant to ask for assistance lest I come face to face with her.

I spent twenty minutes on my hands and knees groveling in the children's section before I stumbled onto the boxed set of books. Damnation, there were seven books. I sincerely hoped Rin wouldn't expect me to read them all to her.

Elated the task was almost over I headed to the checkout counter only to find it empty. My ears pricked and I heard a female voice coming from the floor muttering something about crickets.

“Excuse me. I'm ready to check out.” A brown head appeared out from under the cash register but her back was to me. It was too late. I'd found her.

Her eyes flashed when she recognized me. She apologized but it had a false air, she was still upset and confused by my earlier rejection. “Once again I am terribly sorry. I'd offer you a coupon for a complimentary coffee but I sure you wouldn't like it.”

Her words were cutting but not undeserved so I let them slide and dropped the books onto the counter. “That isn't necessary, I'm in a hurry.”

Her eyes lit up when she read the title and my thoughts strayed back to that mole hidden somewhere under her sweater.

The mimosa scent was back only this time it was cut by tinge of disappointment and anger. “That'll be fifteen dollars and ninety seven cents.”

She was so close I could hear the hum of her blood. My tongue traced the tip of a canine and I felt my reserved demeanor slipping. I pulled out a twenty and tossed it on the counter before making my escape.

Of course she called after me, “Hey wait, your receipt!”

The door was so close and once I was free I wouldn't make the mistake of returning. “Don't need one.”

“But sir your change?”

I snapped over my shoulder. “Keep it!”

She was offended and hurt. “This is a book store; you don't tip at a book store. I'm not some stupid shop girl you can just throw money at!”

I decided it was best that she understand this was not going anywhere and decided insulting her was the best strategy. “Then stop acting like one.”

The bell on the door rang as I slammed it shut behind me. The cold air of freedom greeted me and I wondered what had possessed me to even consider returning to the infernal book store.

Rin had better like these fucking books.

_-_-_

That night did not pass peaceably for me. I felt a dark connection to the narrator of Poe's The Raven for every little sound from the pigeons roosting by my window pushed me closer to the edge.

The book set I'd purchased sat on my bedside table. What have I done to myself? One of my greatest prides was that I was far removed from my father and half brother who both made utter fools of themselves over a woman.

When I took a wife it would be a carefully planned advantageous marriage. She would be an Inu-yokai who knew her place in the family. She would give me sons, tolerate Rin, be pleased with an ostentatious gift of jewelry at every gift giving occasion and stay well out of my way.

The bookshop witch was high maintenance. Her ghost ruled my thoughts and was forever demanding more of my attention. If she shared my bed I'd be forced to give up sleeping. Not that I was getting much now.

_-_-_-_

The next morning I found myself standing outside the bookshop door, but this was not a concession to weakness but a battle cry. I would go in and ignore her, proving to myself once and for all her hold over me was at best superficial.

She was manning the coffee counter so I took a seat across from her. She didn't notice me because she was watching a man in a manager's vest jumping up and down screaming. He beat his hands against his body as though it was fire. Judging by her smug expression I guessed he was her boss.

Moments into the scene it was apparent he was besieged by an onslaught of crickets. From the sounds of his howls one would have thought they were wolverines as opposed to simple crickets.

I caught the glitter in her ruby eyes and knew she was directly responsible for whatever had happened. The man no doubt deserved it. Funny how I was inclined to take her side without even knowing the full situation; this was another sign of my growing insanity.

She spotted me but was so pleased by the outcome of her mischief she wasn't too unhappy. I couldn't resist baiting her, “I can only assume you have something to do with that screaming man over there.”

She didn't bother to deny it, an aspect of her character that I found intriguing; instead she asked how I'd known.

I cut her to the quick on purpose just to see her response. “Such a sincere smile on your face can only come at the expense of others.”

She ignored my comment and instead offered me the sludge that they were passing as coffee and I heard myself accept. She slid me a mug and filled it. The coffee wasn't nearly as horrible as I was expecting. I clarified that it should be free and leaned back to watch the man who was now chasing crickets with a dust buster and killing the last relics of his masculinity.

I had to admit she took pride in her work, the crickets more so than the coffee. I was still displeased with the way her presence had moved into my head so I took another jab at her, “How can I be sure this beverage is cricket free?”

She gave a delicious grin and replied, “Because I only put them in Miroku's office. Poor things, they didn't deserve such a fate.”

This was not going as I'd planned. Perhaps I was going about this all wrong and what I really needed was a good old fashion exorcism.

I took a deep drink of coffee while I considered using magic. An exorcism was unlikely as the Catholic Church was still holding a grudge against me after a tiny real estate incident involving the now deceased Pope.

The witch waited until my mouth was full then leaned across the counter, “And we just sprayed for roaches last month so I think we should still be good on that front too. But one can never tell.”

The thought of a cockroach swimming in my drink was not farfetched and I choked than sprayed, hot coffee all over her.

It was fortunate that I was not seeking to make a good impression on her.

_-_-_-_

Notes:

Yay two updates in one day! I am on a roll.

I don't plan on having ya'll re-live every scene twice from each perspective; I just thought it'd be interesting to get a glimpse into Sesshomaru's world and man does he have issues. I don't know which is worse being repressed or seeing dead people. But hey, I guess not everyone is perfect.

And while I'm on the topic of all things Sesshomaru here is a quote from the Devil's Dictionary. It's a feisty little book written by Ambrose Bierce in 1906. I think if we were to sneak into Sesshomaru's house we might find this book on his bedside table.

I apologize for the change in rating but I think it was for the better.

Love, “A temporary insanity curable by marriage or by removal of the patient from the influences under which he incurred the disorder…”

Dentist, “A prestidigitator who, putting metal in your mouth, pulls coins out of your pocket.” The Devil's Dictionary, Ambrose Bierce.