InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Head Over Heels ❯ Training Wheels ( Chapter 7 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: hedgehogmadhatter 
Sesshomaru on Kagura:
"The witch was a prize in her own right, very much worth having and a worthy opponent. And after seeping in to my head she deserved to pay for the violating my every waking moment; not all punishments are measured in pain."
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Hentai / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.05.2006 | Pages: 6 | Words: 6.4K | Visits: 528 | Status: Completed
Sesshomaru on Kagura:
"The witch was a prize in her own right, very much worth having and a worthy opponent. And after seeping in to my head she deserved to pay for the violating my every waking moment; not all punishments are measured in pain."
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Hentai / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 01.05.2006 | Pages: 6 | Words: 6.4K | Visits: 528 | Status: Completed
Chapter Seven
Training Wheels
Kagura:
Sango caught me in the break room; well it was really the storage room where the mini-fridge was stashed. Unlike us, I'm sure even indentured human servants had real break rooms. Miroku is such a cheap loser.
Sango caught me in the break room; well it was really the storage room where the mini-fridge was stashed. Unlike us, I'm sure even indentured human servants had real break rooms. Miroku is such a cheap loser.
She gave me an odd look, “Hey.”
I pulled out my organic green goddess smoothie and shook the bottle. “Hey yourself. So how's our favorite perv?”
She pulled up a box of stripped books and sat down. “Better. I think he'll be back tomorrow. He had a huge seminary exam and I think he just got stressed out.”
“Well in preacher school, you'd think they'd give you the holidays off.”
She shrugged, “I know you think it's silly but it's a lot of hard work. Not many people make it this far much less even graduate. He's so close to finishing.”
I took a drink of the green smoothie and tried not to wince at the bitter, slimy taste. Why must everything that's good for me taste like this? Yuck. “Admit it. You're just proud of your boyfriend.”
“Kagura! HE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND.”
I pulled out my organic green goddess smoothie and shook the bottle. “Hey yourself. So how's our favorite perv?”
She pulled up a box of stripped books and sat down. “Better. I think he'll be back tomorrow. He had a huge seminary exam and I think he just got stressed out.”
“Well in preacher school, you'd think they'd give you the holidays off.”
She shrugged, “I know you think it's silly but it's a lot of hard work. Not many people make it this far much less even graduate. He's so close to finishing.”
I took a drink of the green smoothie and tried not to wince at the bitter, slimy taste. Why must everything that's good for me taste like this? Yuck. “Admit it. You're just proud of your boyfriend.”
“Kagura! HE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND.”
I laughed, who was she kidding? Probably just herself. “Me thinks the lady doth protest too much.” My philosophy is when in doubt always resort to Shakespeare, it'll fool people into thinking you are classy.
Sango crossed her arms over her purple t-shirt that read, Kung Foo Babes kick butt. “That's funny coming from you, the queen of da Nile.”
Hey, that wasn't fair. I'm the only one around here allowed to make bad puns. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“The Inu-yokai, he's been spending a lot of time here lately.”
I raised a quizzical brow, “So the guy likes to read and he makes us look busy. It's good for business.”
Sango crossed her arms over her purple t-shirt that read, Kung Foo Babes kick butt. “That's funny coming from you, the queen of da Nile.”
Hey, that wasn't fair. I'm the only one around here allowed to make bad puns. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“The Inu-yokai, he's been spending a lot of time here lately.”
I raised a quizzical brow, “So the guy likes to read and he makes us look busy. It's good for business.”
Sango, thrilled to have the upper hand pressed on. “Cut the crap. He's here for you and you so know it.”
“I've talked to him what, maybe four times?” She still didn't know about the movies and I sure as hell wasn't going to tell her now. “Since when was that a major commitment?”
Sango's eyes lit up and she smirked, “He touched your hair.”
“So? And so have you.” I don't know why I was being defensive. Sango was my friend, I knew I could trust her but the bad vibes from the death shadow had taken their toll leaving me in a rotten mood; not that I'd been Miss Polly Sunshine to start off with.
Sango began hammering her point home, “He's a dog yokai, and he would never touch you if he wasn't seriously interested.”
That's true. Canine types have a hands off policy. They aren't touchy feely unless they think something belongs to them. It comes from being territorial to the point of stupid.
Suddenly my day was a bit brighter but still… “If he gave a flying rat's ass about me, then he would have asked me out by now. Instead he's just been…lurking.”
Not that I was in any hurry to drive the jerk away just yet.
I tossed the empty smoothie bottle in the trash. Sango saw the label and wrinkled her nose. “How do you drink that crap?”
“Gotta stay in shape, you know for all those hot customers we have.” My sour words had an underserved bite to them.
Sango offered, “Maybe he's just biding his time, trying to get to know you first.”
My stomach clenched and a bitter taste filled my mouth, “What for?”
Hell I wouldn't hang out with myself if I could manage it. Alone I was my own bad company.
I continued without a thought, “He won't want me! Not once he knows…”
Oh shit! Now everything was out of hand and my lack of sleep had caught up to my loose lips. “Oh forget it Sango, I'm sorry.” I left the back room and hid in our unisex cramped bathroom, locking the door behind me.
I tossed the empty smoothie bottle in the trash. Sango saw the label and wrinkled her nose. “How do you drink that crap?”
“Gotta stay in shape, you know for all those hot customers we have.” My sour words had an underserved bite to them.
Sango offered, “Maybe he's just biding his time, trying to get to know you first.”
My stomach clenched and a bitter taste filled my mouth, “What for?”
Hell I wouldn't hang out with myself if I could manage it. Alone I was my own bad company.
I continued without a thought, “He won't want me! Not once he knows…”
Oh shit! Now everything was out of hand and my lack of sleep had caught up to my loose lips. “Oh forget it Sango, I'm sorry.” I left the back room and hid in our unisex cramped bathroom, locking the door behind me.
And of course Sango did not buy into my attempt at a cool escape; I heard her calling after me, “Once he knows what Kagura?”
My temples pounded signaling the coming onslaught of a potential migraine. I shut the toilet cover and sat on it while holding my head in my hands. A balding man in a cheap blue suit stood in the corner of the bathroom watching me.
He rolled his eyes at my distress. Then he shoved his pale, pudgy hands into his pockets and shuffled up to the mirror and of course there was no reflection.
When he turned his head I saw a series of black, neat stitches running up his neck, circling his ear; no doubt a result of whatever operation he died in. I knew better than to ask him about it, for some reason unknown to me the dead don't speak. At least not to me and that is one small thing to be grateful for. Now if only I could work the same trick on some of the living.
Sango knocked softly at the door, “Is there something I can do to help?”
Yeah, can you make him leave me alone? “Nah, I just need a few minutes. I'll be out soon. Sorry for wigging on you. Must be close to that time of the month or something.” Now my unwelcome visitor was laughing silently at my words.
“Okay?” Sango didn't believe me but still left me alone with my thoughts, such as they were. Mr. Cheap suit was eyeing my bare legs and wagging his thick eyebrows at me.
Things were deteriorating fast and I had to find someway to regain control. I dug through my pocket book and found a tube of concealer. I dubbed a glob onto my finger and stood in front of the mirror tying to fix the bags under my eyes. Hell, maybe if I could look perky it might help. The man shook his head; telling me to give it up.
Oh lucky me, getting makeup tips from an over weight dead guy.
Some days I wished I'd been born a flea.
_-_-_-_
I went a full two days without seeing his royal dog-ness. Maybe it was for the best after all he'd been in the store so much in the past week I was expecting him to just bring a pup tent and move in.
Sango knocked softly at the door, “Is there something I can do to help?”
Yeah, can you make him leave me alone? “Nah, I just need a few minutes. I'll be out soon. Sorry for wigging on you. Must be close to that time of the month or something.” Now my unwelcome visitor was laughing silently at my words.
“Okay?” Sango didn't believe me but still left me alone with my thoughts, such as they were. Mr. Cheap suit was eyeing my bare legs and wagging his thick eyebrows at me.
Things were deteriorating fast and I had to find someway to regain control. I dug through my pocket book and found a tube of concealer. I dubbed a glob onto my finger and stood in front of the mirror tying to fix the bags under my eyes. Hell, maybe if I could look perky it might help. The man shook his head; telling me to give it up.
Oh lucky me, getting makeup tips from an over weight dead guy.
Some days I wished I'd been born a flea.
_-_-_-_
I went a full two days without seeing his royal dog-ness. Maybe it was for the best after all he'd been in the store so much in the past week I was expecting him to just bring a pup tent and move in.
Okay that was one of my lesser puns.
I spent Christmas with Sushi. Fishy Santa brought him a tiny gargoyle for his bowl and he seemed to appreciate it. My Mom was in Hawaii with that fink of a new husband of hers. But Mom did send me a two hundred dollar gift card to Lord & Taylor's.
Great, now I can buy two t-shirts; or maybe a new pair of shoes. Hmm… shoes, now that had possibilities.
I pulled the lights off the tree that was still dying on my fire escape and hung them on the walls of my apartment. The tiny multi colored orbs really kicked the place up a notch. Very festive, I might just leave them up permanently. The dungeon that was my apartment could use some brightening.
I spent Christmas with Sushi. Fishy Santa brought him a tiny gargoyle for his bowl and he seemed to appreciate it. My Mom was in Hawaii with that fink of a new husband of hers. But Mom did send me a two hundred dollar gift card to Lord & Taylor's.
Great, now I can buy two t-shirts; or maybe a new pair of shoes. Hmm… shoes, now that had possibilities.
I pulled the lights off the tree that was still dying on my fire escape and hung them on the walls of my apartment. The tiny multi colored orbs really kicked the place up a notch. Very festive, I might just leave them up permanently. The dungeon that was my apartment could use some brightening.
After that I watched the Charlie Brown Christmas special. It was pleasing to see someone more miserable than me, even if he was a bad cartoon. And just between you and me, Lucy is my hero. Charlie Brown deserves whatever he gets.
Then began the twenty four hour A Christmas Story marathon; I love Ralphie and his ill fated Red Rider air rifle. `You'll shoot your eye out' was great fun the first time but not so much the next two times around. I flopped back on the couch in bored despair, and then decided it was time for some brunch.
I nuked my frozen turkey dinner in the microwave; then offered some to Sushi but he was satisfied with his fish flakes. The turkey was tough and the gravy watery but it was better than nothing.
A glance at the clock told me it was only eleven am. Wonderful. Only thirteen more festive hours left before this God forsaken holiday was over and I was back at work doing returns. It's surprising how many people think they can return a book.
As if!
Another hour dragged by and the walls of the apartment began closing in. But today it was a case of cabin fever nothing more. A few times in the recent past I hadn't been so lucky. I gave in to the call of the great outdoors and decided to take a walk in the park.
_-_-_-_
Sesshomaru:
I loathe Christmas.
It's a waste of time and money; the only thing it's good for is causing traffic jams and running up endless amounts of frivolous credit card debt. So instead of supervising the final design for the house's holiday décor as I usually do, I gave into temptation and gave the housekeeper free reign and ended up with this.
A tree in every damned room and lights strung over every bare surface. If it hadn't captivated Rin so, and kept her from harassing me, I would've fired the woman responsible.
I sat on the silk love seat reading the reports on companies in jeopardy while I took my morning coffee. Rin was still unwrapping gifts from the seemingly unending mound that was stacked beneath our ten foot tree.
How much crap had I bought her?
I didn't want her to get the wrong idea so I'd had the maid label them all from Santa Claus. Then I decided it was wrong to foster her belief in an imaginary being but when I went back to fix the labels it was too late. She'd heard my footsteps and followed me into the room.
“Santa was here!” She exclaimed, then threw her hands in the air and dived into the pile of gluttony and avarice. It was wrong to dote on her but I was reminded that only two years ago she'd had nothing. And there was some small solace in the fact many of the gifts were educational.
Another hour dragged by and the walls of the apartment began closing in. But today it was a case of cabin fever nothing more. A few times in the recent past I hadn't been so lucky. I gave in to the call of the great outdoors and decided to take a walk in the park.
_-_-_-_
Sesshomaru:
I loathe Christmas.
It's a waste of time and money; the only thing it's good for is causing traffic jams and running up endless amounts of frivolous credit card debt. So instead of supervising the final design for the house's holiday décor as I usually do, I gave into temptation and gave the housekeeper free reign and ended up with this.
A tree in every damned room and lights strung over every bare surface. If it hadn't captivated Rin so, and kept her from harassing me, I would've fired the woman responsible.
I sat on the silk love seat reading the reports on companies in jeopardy while I took my morning coffee. Rin was still unwrapping gifts from the seemingly unending mound that was stacked beneath our ten foot tree.
How much crap had I bought her?
I didn't want her to get the wrong idea so I'd had the maid label them all from Santa Claus. Then I decided it was wrong to foster her belief in an imaginary being but when I went back to fix the labels it was too late. She'd heard my footsteps and followed me into the room.
“Santa was here!” She exclaimed, then threw her hands in the air and dived into the pile of gluttony and avarice. It was wrong to dote on her but I was reminded that only two years ago she'd had nothing. And there was some small solace in the fact many of the gifts were educational.
The biggest hit of the morning was the bike. Ironically it was a refurbished bike that had been in the family over fifty years. The housekeeper found it in the attic last summer; somehow it had survived the mayhem that was my younger half brother and it cleaned up nicely. Rin's short legs were just barely long enough to reach the peddles. She was eager to learn how to ride it and the last thing I wanted to see was a bicycle running across my newly refurnished wooden floors.
Well what else did I expect?
Well what else did I expect?
I'd have to teach her how to ride the insipid thing. “Come Rin, I'll drive us to the park.”
_-_-_-_
The ride to the park was uneventful. Strapping her bike to the back of my Bentley was not. Finally I gave up and tossed it in the trunk. Rin climbed into the back seat and begin singing that incessant tuna song.
_-_-_-_
The ride to the park was uneventful. Strapping her bike to the back of my Bentley was not. Finally I gave up and tossed it in the trunk. Rin climbed into the back seat and begin singing that incessant tuna song.
I hadn't seen the witch in at least two days but she still occupied a foremost place in my mind. I decided it was best to accept that the only way to free myself from her was to have her.
It was peculiar but an odd peace that claimed me after I came to this decision. Now my blood sung with the anticipation of the hunt. The only thrilling aspect of corporate real estate and takeovers was the chase. But this hunt would be like no other and so much more satisfying.
The witch was a prize in her own right, very much worth having and a worthy opponent. And after seeping in to my head she deserved to pay for the violating my every waking moment; not all punishments are measured in pain. While I could certainly never keep her, a wind yokai was hardly an appropriate wife, that didn't mean I couldn't pursue this to it's logical conclusion.
So far I've avoided the witch, instead choosing to savor my options while I decided the best manner of pursuit. Also leaving her hanging could nothing but further my chances with her as women seem to be intrigued by thoughtless acts and neglect. Our media is barraged with talk shows and books that reflect this sad fact. Not that she'd be neglected by me for much longer.
_-_-_-_-_
Kagura:
I dug out my digital camera and my tennis shoes. The park can be a good place to snap random pictures of the living to sketch later. I used to carry my sketch pad with me but it was an invitation for too many people to bother me. Damned nosy mortals.
Even though it was Christmas the streets were still full of a steady stream of people. Most were probably on their way to the glowing warm homes of friends and relatives. The rest were either looking for a Denny's, a free meal or a quick exit via suicide.
My guard is at it's strongest on holidays just because I never knew just what I was going to get.
My jeans were thin and the wind cut through them biting at my legs. I buttoned my long wool grey coat and it helped a bit.
Finally I arrived at the park and it was full of disgustingly happy mortal parents all teaching tots how to ride their new bikes. Still it was better than sitting home alone. Or worse home with uninvited guests or angry shades.
I jogged up the gravel path and came up behind a row of wooden benches. The day was cold but sunny. I should be able to get some great pictures.
In the grass surrounded by a copse of trees stood Sesshomaru; his long hair blew around his head as he bent down over Rin who was sitting on a shiny new red bike.
Damn it.
There truly is no peace for the wicked.
The scene was so out of character for the detached persona he strove so hard to maintain I felt as though I was intruding on a private moment. Lucky for him it was not a white Christmas or else I would've nailed him with a huge snowball. There were still dried up leaves in piles on the ground so just maybe he needed a few in that perfect silver hair.
Oh hell it's Christmas, so I decided to walk away and harass him another day. What is it about that man that makes me want to screw with him? I really have to grow up sometime. Maybe tomorrow I'll look in to it.
I was a good ten feet away but still he lifted his head and turned in my direction as if I'd called out his name. How he knew I was here was anyone's guess.
Rin spotted me as well and came bounding over. “Merry Christmas Ms. Kagura!”
She threw herself at me and hugged me around the waist. “Hiya munchkin, did Santa bring you that bike?”
She pulled on my coat sleeve so I bent over and she hissed into my ear, “Sesshomaru-sama says Santa Claus brought it but I know he's lying.”
Whoa, this kid is something else. I laughed, “Oh really, how do you know?”
“There's no such thing as Santa.” She narrowed her eyes at me disgusted that I did not seem to know this obvious fact.
“Really?”
She nodded solemnly. “Yeah but don't tell Sesshomaru-sama that I know.”
Ah and so the plot thickens. “Why?”
She made a face trying to appear wiser than her six or seven years. “It'll make him sad.”
I bit my lip to keep my laughter from bursting out. If Sesshomaru ever believed or even much less cared about Santa then I'd eat my best Prada sling back heels. “Don't worry your secret is safe with me.”
“And what secret would that be?” He was standing behind me tracing the side seam of my coat with a claw. Touching me again; Sango was right. This Inu-yokai was up to a world of no good.
I stepped out of his immediate reach. “If we told you then it wouldn't be a secret.”
Rin giggled and his eyes flashed. “If it's worth knowing I'll find out sooner or later. Rin has her price.”
And I'll just bet she does. “So that's the depths you have lowered yourself to; the extortion and grilling of young mortal children?”
Score one point for me that was a good one. I love this game and was looking forward to hearing his answer.
Instead his face relaxed and I was sick that I didn't have my camera out to capture the moment. He studied me from under thick silver lashes then answered softly, “There is no end to the depths of my depravity.”
He stepped forward and was looming over me. Not that I'm short, after all five foot five and a half is a very respectable height. He's just very tall.
My lips fell open and I shocked myself with my own words, “You wicked, wicked man.” I had meant to tease him but it came out more as an invitation than an insult.
His answer was interesting but juvenile, still I wasn't disappointed. “Wouldn't you like to find out?”
My mouth went dry. “Umm that's okay.”
His eyes widened and I caught a glimpse of a pointed canine behind his parted lips. I have my own small tips but nothing like the weapons housed in his mouth. I decided a change in subject was called for. “Are you teaching Rin how to ride her bike?”
“It has training wheels, it was hardly an effort.” He seemed disappointed that she wasn't already zipping up and down the hill on two wheels.
“Of course, but soon she won't need them.”
He snorted, “Rin's a fast learner.”
I surprised myself by complimenting him, “I'm sure she has a good teacher.”
He gave a slow half smile that was slightly chilling and left me feeling a bit like Little Red Riding Hood. “Are you here by yourself?”
I was tempted to say, `Nope, I never go anywhere without my invisible best friend, a giant white rabbit named Harvey'. But the words never made it to my lips. “Yeah, but it's a great day for a walk.”
“Don't you have somewhere to go?” His tone was soft and hopeful in away that was uncomfortable. Rin's shiny face broke into a huge grin.
“Nah, but it's not like I'm homeless. I'm just here to take pictures.” And why was I justifying my self to him?
Rin was oddly quiet and he pressed on, “Of what?”
I stuck my hands in pockets of my coat. “People, it's for my sketch book, sometimes I come here for subjects.”
Now Rin was bouncing up and down but still silent. Sesshomaru tilted his head, “I'd like to see your work.”
“Perhaps but I don't have anything right now.” That was a lie, everything I had was of him and I'd die first before I'd let him see.
“So then you must live nearby?”
I had the odd feeling if he knew where I lived he'd be dropping in so I shook my head.
Finally Rin's patience broke. “Sesshomaru-sama! Can she come home and eat with us?” she whined.
He frowned at the tone of her voice but did not look away from me. Instead that chilly grin of his reappeared, “Yes Kagura, if you've nothing else planned have dinner with us.”
Rin joined in adding, “Pleeeeease...” Her brown eyes widened into large soulful puppy look that was a striking contrast to the golden predatoral hungry eyes of her guardian.
I was having a total cake or death moment. It was obvious the wisest decision was to decline the strange invitation and get back to Sushi and the movie marathon. But perhaps I could have my cake and avoid the death all together. Sesshomaru's expression made me wonder if he was an extra chocolate icing man or just into good old fashioned powdered sugar. Most likely he preferred plain granola.
These were thoughts that were best left alone. However how could I say no? After all it'd break poor Rin's heart. And if Mr. Taiyokai got fresh with his wandering hands then I could just blow him down. Literally.
_-_-_-_
Notes:
I have it on good authority indentured servants did not have break rooms, Kagura was being sarcastic.
Cake or Death is an Eddie Izzard bit that I don't own.
While I'm here I'd like to thumb my nose at those jerks at Adult Swim who cut Inuyasha down to one day a week.
And as always thanks for the rocking reviews!
From The Devil's Dictionary:
Year: A period of three hundred and sixty five disappointments.
Armor: The kind of clothing worn by a man whose tailor is a blacksmith.