InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Head Over Heels ❯ Fashionable Surrealism ( Chapter 13 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: hedgehogmadhatter 
Sesshomaru’s head fell back against the leather headrest, “If you wish I will go back and apologize profusely to the great Mr. Horace.”
He was deadpan serious. One word from me and he would go back and make a fool out of himself on my behalf.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Hentai / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 02.01.2006 | Pages: 8 | Words: 7.2K | Visits: 535 | Status: Completed
Sesshomaru’s head fell back against the leather headrest, “If you wish I will go back and apologize profusely to the great Mr. Horace.”
He was deadpan serious. One word from me and he would go back and make a fool out of himself on my behalf.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Comedy / Hentai / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 02.01.2006 | Pages: 8 | Words: 7.2K | Visits: 535 | Status: Completed
Chapter Thirteen
Fashionable Surrealism
Secrets have never really been my thing.
Okay obviously I have secrets and I'm damned good at keeping them, it's just that I hate it when other people keep their secrets from me.
See the difference?
Ah, good then. I knew you would understand.
I left my not so comfy park bench and headed home. Panic attacks be damned, even though I was going to the salon to be made up, one must always arrive at said salon already looking good. It's one of those unspoken female rules, kinda like how women can go to the bathroom in groups but if men did it, we'd wonder about them.
So I went home to begin my pre-salon primping while I considered my options. One thing was for sure. Not even the wild horsemen of the apocalypse could keep me from Sesshomaru now.
He was going down big time baby; which was a shame because those chocolates he sent are truly divine. Even Sushi was impressed and for a fish he can be quite the hard ass.
I took a fast shower, pulled on a button up shirt, hell I was getting an up-do after all and hit the pavement.
_-_-_-_
Jon stood by his chair with a pair of silver scissors in one hand. To say he was a walking cliché of a gay hairdresser would have been cruel, rude and accurate. He also has a huge heart and a dead on eye for style.
Okay obviously I have secrets and I'm damned good at keeping them, it's just that I hate it when other people keep their secrets from me.
See the difference?
Ah, good then. I knew you would understand.
I left my not so comfy park bench and headed home. Panic attacks be damned, even though I was going to the salon to be made up, one must always arrive at said salon already looking good. It's one of those unspoken female rules, kinda like how women can go to the bathroom in groups but if men did it, we'd wonder about them.
So I went home to begin my pre-salon primping while I considered my options. One thing was for sure. Not even the wild horsemen of the apocalypse could keep me from Sesshomaru now.
He was going down big time baby; which was a shame because those chocolates he sent are truly divine. Even Sushi was impressed and for a fish he can be quite the hard ass.
I took a fast shower, pulled on a button up shirt, hell I was getting an up-do after all and hit the pavement.
_-_-_-_
Jon stood by his chair with a pair of silver scissors in one hand. To say he was a walking cliché of a gay hairdresser would have been cruel, rude and accurate. He also has a huge heart and a dead on eye for style.
He cocked his blonde head at me. “You've got a date.”
I raised my hands in a show of defeat. “Busted and guilty as charged.”
“The Goddess of death has a date! I just can't get over it.” He clucked his tongue and laughed when he saw me wince at the nickname. It drove him nuts that I always wore black. He has no idea how close to home the jab really hit.
I shook my head. “You know that nickname wouldn't apply if you'd just give me those blonde highlights I've been asking for.”
Jon laughed, “When this career called me I took an oath that I would not abuse my powers.” He saluted me with his scissors. “And girlie, blonde highlights would make you look like a cheap wannabe American Idol contestant. Is that what you want?”
Ouch. Now that hurt. And tonight I couldn't afford to look…cheap. I crossed my arms and pouted. “Okay do what you must!”
“Beauty is an art. And you are a grumpy canvas.” He seated me in front of the sink and leaned over me. “Wanna a glass of wine?”
Free wine? Humph. As if anything in this place was ever truly free. “Yeah sure why not?”
He pushed a glass of cold pinot grigio into my hand and tilted me back into the sink before I could get so much as a sip.
“You call those things eyebrows! We gotta wax those caterpillars living over your eyes.”
What the hell! “Leave `em alone, there's nothing wrong with my eyebrows!” I stuck a finger of warning into the air but it was too late.
I was in the clutches of a maniac.
_-_-_-_
Two hours later Jon and J.T. circled me like sharks with their hands on their hips. Jon was wielding a curling iron and J.T. held sections of my hair out for curling then pinned them back.
My necked ached from sitting still for so long. “I hope ya'll know I can't afford to pay both of you…” After all I had booked the appointment with just Jon not Jon and company.
J.T. hissed at me, “Honey! This ain't work… this is charity.” He cracked his gum. “Who are you going out with anyways?”
Jon spun the chair, “It's top secret.” Of course by declaring it that way he just guaranteed that it would be public knowledge in thirty seconds or less.
J.T. shook his spiky head, “Secrets aren't allowed nor tolerated in here!”
`Oh God this wasn't getting any easier.' I swallowed, “Okay if you must know… Inu Sesshomaru.” Why was I taking this from a guy who hauled his tea-cup Chihuahua around in a man-purse for Christ sakes?
J.T. frowned, “Who?”
Jon kicked my chair, “Don't be catty, it's not becoming.”
To J.T. he said, “She put the last name first, it's an Asian thing… poser-girl.”
Hey! Whose calling who a poser here? There went his tip.
J.T.'s eyes lit up, and he lifted a tastefully pierced brow. “The real estate mogul?”
I grumbled, “Yeah I guess he is…” Though honestly until I'd given Jon his name over an hour ago I hadn't had any real clue Sesshomaru was… well, famous. It was taking some getting used to.
Jon's eyes took up an evil glint, “You know they call him Captain Hook.”
J.T. laughed, “Yeah that's what I've heard.”
I hate it when a joke goes over my head. I demanded, “What! Why the hell do they call him that?”
Jon's voice was soft in my ear, “Because my dear…he's a pirate.”
“Oh.”
Well there was one tick under the category heading of: Is Sesshomaru up to no good?
He spun me around with a flourish to face the mirror and handed me my glasses. The woman gazing out at me had dark brown hair pulled back into a twist of cascading curls. Jon sparingly used scarlet highlights that picked up my eyes.
I raised my hands in a show of defeat. “Busted and guilty as charged.”
“The Goddess of death has a date! I just can't get over it.” He clucked his tongue and laughed when he saw me wince at the nickname. It drove him nuts that I always wore black. He has no idea how close to home the jab really hit.
I shook my head. “You know that nickname wouldn't apply if you'd just give me those blonde highlights I've been asking for.”
Jon laughed, “When this career called me I took an oath that I would not abuse my powers.” He saluted me with his scissors. “And girlie, blonde highlights would make you look like a cheap wannabe American Idol contestant. Is that what you want?”
Ouch. Now that hurt. And tonight I couldn't afford to look…cheap. I crossed my arms and pouted. “Okay do what you must!”
“Beauty is an art. And you are a grumpy canvas.” He seated me in front of the sink and leaned over me. “Wanna a glass of wine?”
Free wine? Humph. As if anything in this place was ever truly free. “Yeah sure why not?”
He pushed a glass of cold pinot grigio into my hand and tilted me back into the sink before I could get so much as a sip.
“You call those things eyebrows! We gotta wax those caterpillars living over your eyes.”
What the hell! “Leave `em alone, there's nothing wrong with my eyebrows!” I stuck a finger of warning into the air but it was too late.
I was in the clutches of a maniac.
_-_-_-_
Two hours later Jon and J.T. circled me like sharks with their hands on their hips. Jon was wielding a curling iron and J.T. held sections of my hair out for curling then pinned them back.
My necked ached from sitting still for so long. “I hope ya'll know I can't afford to pay both of you…” After all I had booked the appointment with just Jon not Jon and company.
J.T. hissed at me, “Honey! This ain't work… this is charity.” He cracked his gum. “Who are you going out with anyways?”
Jon spun the chair, “It's top secret.” Of course by declaring it that way he just guaranteed that it would be public knowledge in thirty seconds or less.
J.T. shook his spiky head, “Secrets aren't allowed nor tolerated in here!”
`Oh God this wasn't getting any easier.' I swallowed, “Okay if you must know… Inu Sesshomaru.” Why was I taking this from a guy who hauled his tea-cup Chihuahua around in a man-purse for Christ sakes?
J.T. frowned, “Who?”
Jon kicked my chair, “Don't be catty, it's not becoming.”
To J.T. he said, “She put the last name first, it's an Asian thing… poser-girl.”
Hey! Whose calling who a poser here? There went his tip.
J.T.'s eyes lit up, and he lifted a tastefully pierced brow. “The real estate mogul?”
I grumbled, “Yeah I guess he is…” Though honestly until I'd given Jon his name over an hour ago I hadn't had any real clue Sesshomaru was… well, famous. It was taking some getting used to.
Jon's eyes took up an evil glint, “You know they call him Captain Hook.”
J.T. laughed, “Yeah that's what I've heard.”
I hate it when a joke goes over my head. I demanded, “What! Why the hell do they call him that?”
Jon's voice was soft in my ear, “Because my dear…he's a pirate.”
“Oh.”
Well there was one tick under the category heading of: Is Sesshomaru up to no good?
He spun me around with a flourish to face the mirror and handed me my glasses. The woman gazing out at me had dark brown hair pulled back into a twist of cascading curls. Jon sparingly used scarlet highlights that picked up my eyes.
My eyebrows weren't thinner, thank God, and now possessed a sophisticated arch.
Wow. Who knew I could look like this?
Well shit. This might even call for a new pair of shoes.
Jon stood back in pride waiting for my reaction. When he got none he snapped, “Okay it's time for makeup.”
Makeup! But I can do my own makeup…oh hell! I give up.
Well when in Rome…
_-_-_-_
I finally escaped Jon's clutches and was over a hundred dollars lighter. I still found time to swing by Broadway and hit the Steve Madden store. I left carrying a darling pair of black oxfords heels. Not quite formal but hell would they ever make a statement.
Damn that Madden man, he's been making a fortune from all of my woes. I made a mental note to pick up some of his stock. It was the least I could do and the closet I'd ever come to a savings account seeing how my funds always went straight to my feet.
Back home in my cramped apartment I pulled on something Sango accused me of not owning; actual stockings, black of course and dug out my best little short black dress.
I checked myself in the mirror. Okay looking good.
Now came the big question. Where was I supposed to meet him?
He didn't know where I lived, something for which I was grateful for. He must've meant the store.
I checked my wall clock and saw I have an hour left. So much for female stereotypes, I was early.
A knock came at the thin wood veneer front door and I nearly toppled off my new heels. Who the hell could that be?
I cautiously opened my door, hell it was true I could bowl over an attacker with a good gust of wind but in the rock, paper scissors world of live bullets always beat wind.
A simple delivery man stood there holding a half dozen white long stem roses.
Now I just wonder who they could possibly be from. I accepted them and found a note pinned to the box.
Wow. Who knew I could look like this?
Well shit. This might even call for a new pair of shoes.
Jon stood back in pride waiting for my reaction. When he got none he snapped, “Okay it's time for makeup.”
Makeup! But I can do my own makeup…oh hell! I give up.
Well when in Rome…
_-_-_-_
I finally escaped Jon's clutches and was over a hundred dollars lighter. I still found time to swing by Broadway and hit the Steve Madden store. I left carrying a darling pair of black oxfords heels. Not quite formal but hell would they ever make a statement.
Damn that Madden man, he's been making a fortune from all of my woes. I made a mental note to pick up some of his stock. It was the least I could do and the closet I'd ever come to a savings account seeing how my funds always went straight to my feet.
Back home in my cramped apartment I pulled on something Sango accused me of not owning; actual stockings, black of course and dug out my best little short black dress.
I checked myself in the mirror. Okay looking good.
Now came the big question. Where was I supposed to meet him?
He didn't know where I lived, something for which I was grateful for. He must've meant the store.
I checked my wall clock and saw I have an hour left. So much for female stereotypes, I was early.
A knock came at the thin wood veneer front door and I nearly toppled off my new heels. Who the hell could that be?
I cautiously opened my door, hell it was true I could bowl over an attacker with a good gust of wind but in the rock, paper scissors world of live bullets always beat wind.
A simple delivery man stood there holding a half dozen white long stem roses.
Now I just wonder who they could possibly be from. I accepted them and found a note pinned to the box.
See you here in one hour. ~ Sesshou
I showed Sushi the flowers and we both hoped fervently that Sesshomaru didn't really think he could buy me.
I mean really. Cozy fires, chocolates and now flowers? How cliché.
Surely he never touched either of the notes. No doubt this elegant hand writing was the handy work of an assistant. One who would see more of him that I could ever hope to.
I leaned back against the counter on my elbows and sighed. It was really hard to hate him but that's what I had to do. He might hold the key to the biggest dilemma of my life.
Jane had been dead and now she wasn't. And I don't care what I had to do to find out how. Not that setting across a fancy dinner table from him could be considered real work.
_-_-_-_
Sesshomaru:
Rin leaned in my door way sucking on one pudgy thumb.
I sighed, “Rin.”
She answered brightly, “Yes Sesshomaru-sama?”
“Stop sucking your thumb.”
She frowned and removed the offending appendage from between her lips. Why the hell did I even have to remind her?
I admonished, “You are old enough to know better.”
She dropped her eyes, “Yes Lord Sesshomaru.”
I ignored the use of the word lord. It was something she resorted to when she wanted me to feel sorry for her. “Don't you have something better to do than watch me dress?”
Her answer was fast and predictable, “Nope.”
I rolled my eyes. “Well then don't linger in the doorway like a monkey, come in and sit down.”
I gestured towards my over stuffed chair but she threw herself across my freshly made bed and propped her head up in her hands.
I was fastening my French cuff links when Rin said, “I like your blue shirt.”
I turned to face her and pulled a charcoal suit jacket over the shirt, “Thank you because you know everything I do is meant to please you.”
She giggled and I sat in the chair to put on the dark blue leather shoes that matched my shirt. I wasn't sure about them but Gert insisted it was the pentacle of fashion these days. Though honestly after the Christmas decoration fiasco I don't know why I still trusted her.
Rin started humming one of the songs off that ridiculous CD she played day and night while I combed my hair.
I was pushing my hair behind my ears when Rin stopped me. “Don't.”
Damned monkey. “What is it?”
She blinked, “Pull it back.”
And now she was a fashion expert. I wonder if she learned that from Sesame Street. “Why?”
She gave a shrug of her small shoulders, “Because she won't be expecting it.”
I didn't know if Rin was right but the idea of surprising the witch was appealing so for once I took my monkey's advice and tied it back.
“Are you bringing Kagura flowers?”
I met her eyes in the mirror. “I've already sent them.” I was sure the witch was either putting them in water or down the garbage disposal as we spoke.
Rin smiled, “Good.”
Jane appeared in the doorway. “Good gracious! So this is where you've gotten off to.”
Rin frowned but stood up and slid off of my bed. I was glad that Jane had come back to us so easily.
Of course she'd come-to still reacting to the nuts in the fucking cookie but one trip to the hospital and tonight I was free to peruse my desires instead of staying in to interview new nannies.
Sometimes it's good to be the Taiyokai.
_-_-_-_
I took the Roadster and had no difficulty in finding the Witch's run down apartment. I wasn't surprised to learn she lived within walking distance of the meager bookstore. After all not everyone in the city owned a car.
I pulled up beside the curb and growled at the first homeless man who had the stupidity to get up and check out my car. His green coat was wrinkled and he held a beer in one hand.
The others fell back and I knew the roadster would remain untouched.
I found the front door unlocked and climbed a narrow set of dank smelling steps.
Each door had a buzzer next to it and a slip of paper with a name. I hadn't counted on having to choose between three doors when I'd gotten the directions from Jaken earlier.
I closed my eyes and followed her scent to the one at the end of the hall. Damn I hope the florist had been able to get the flowers to the right apartment.
I pressed the bell and heard the click of her heels on the floor and knew I had the right apartment.
Nothing could prepare me for what opened that door.
Her dress while legal was nearly non existent. She was all legs, soft skin, breasts, and huge ruby eyes lined in charcoal eye pencil. Her hair was confusing but attractive with bold scarlet highlights.
The sweet mimosa scent enveloped me and slammed into my senses. My pants became… constrictive and I knew I would have her no matter what the cost.
She blinked, pursed her lips and asked in a smoky voice that cut across my nerves, “How did you find out where I live?”
I slipped my hands into my pockets lest they wander and the date ended before I ever had a chance. “You are listed in the phone book.”
She tiled her head and her jade ball earrings almost brushed her bare shoulders. I was assaulted by a vision of sinking my fangs into the soft spot where cool neck met shoulder.
She volleyed back in a curt tone, “No I'm not, and besides you don't even know my last name.”
To fuck with her last name, it was ill relevant. I shot back, “Yes you are.”
She threw up her well manicured hands and I noticed her nails were natural, none of that acrylic garbage. “Okay you win! Whatever.”
The corner of my lip tugged upwards. I liked winning. Better still was having her know that I'd won and would continue to do so. “Good.”
She rolled her eyes and turned to her kitchen counter where a purple fish swam in a clear glass urn. “So where are we going anyway.”
I traced a loose tendril of hair that fell loose from her coif with my forefinger. She stepped out of my immediate reach but I wasn't too concerned. The roadster was small enough for such things and I could wait. “It's a surprise.”
Kagura fed her fish and made some simpering noise at it.
I stood behind her shifting my weight from foot to foot wishing she'd just get a move on.
She turned to face me and gestured towards the fish bowl. “This is Sushi.”
“What an evil name for a fish. I like it.” I lifted a brow and she laughed. I decided I liked the sound.
“Yeah but it suits him.”
I shrugged, “If you say so.”
She bent down to retrieve her handbag from the floor and I tilted my head to better appreciate the shape of her ass.
“I liked the flowers… they were sweet.”
Had I been another man I might have felt guilty about staring as her ass when she was being so naïve. But I wasn't so I didn't. “And the chocolates?”
The witch smiled at me over her shoulder, “Those were nice too.”
Eventually she was ready to go and we stomped back down the green carpeted impossibly narrow stairway.
I pushed open the door and found the homeless huddled by the stoop. My car remained unharmed so I was satisfied.
I popped the locks and pulled open the passenger door but my date was no where to be seen. I swung around and found Kagura talking with the men next to the stairs.
Her words drifted over to me. ”My heater works now, but I had to threaten his stinking poodle first.”
The man in the knit cap laughed, “And I was just going to call the housing commission downtown and complain.”
Her face lit up in a dark grin, “Trust me all they'll do is send him a letter. Omar is barely literate but he loves that filthy dog.”
“I'll remember that, so whatcha so dressed up for? Looking good lady!” He wagged his eyebrows and flashed a thumbs up.
“I've got this date…” She began to explain.
The man beside him in the green pull over jacket jerked his thumb over in my direction. “Gawd, please tell me that ain't your date.”
Her head dropped and her cheeks flushed. “Yeah he is…”
The black man in round sunglasses winced, “Dawg girl, he growled at Horace when he first pulled up. What's his damage?”
She shrugged and tossed her head, “To hell if I know, I'm just along for the free meal.”
The men burst out laughing and she waved as she turned towards me then slid into the roadster.
I decided sometimes silence is truly the best policy. I nodded at the men who were obviously her neighbors and not homeless hoods after all. They nodded back but before my car door closed behind me I heard their hoots and hollers.
Some days…
_-_-_-_
Kagura:
I sat in that fancy car pressing my fingertips to my temples.
What the hell was wrong with Sesshomaru? He didn't have the sense God gave an ant. I was so pissed that if it weren't for Jane's miraculous resurrection, I would've walked on out the date entirely.
Sesshomaru cranked the engine and pulled away from the curb. The only sound was the hum of the smooth engine. Finally I couldn't stand it. “What was your problem back there?”
He kept his golden eyes on the road, “Your neighborhood is… less than savory. I had no idea they were your …friends.”
I ground my teeth, “What did you think they were, homeless?”
He said nothing and I cursed, “Damn it! It's not a crime to be poor.”
We stopped at a red light. “I never claimed it was.”
I shook my head, “No but you thought it and that's how you treated them.”
A cord in his pale neck twitched under the blue collar of his shirt, “I said nothing to them. They are over reacting.”
Okay now that was just a pitiful attempt at lying. I railed at him. “You freaking growled at Horace! What the hell was that about?”
He turned to face me and his hand brushed across my knee cap. “I protect what is mine and that man approached the car.”
I pushed open the door and found the homeless huddled by the stoop. My car remained unharmed so I was satisfied.
I popped the locks and pulled open the passenger door but my date was no where to be seen. I swung around and found Kagura talking with the men next to the stairs.
Her words drifted over to me. ”My heater works now, but I had to threaten his stinking poodle first.”
The man in the knit cap laughed, “And I was just going to call the housing commission downtown and complain.”
Her face lit up in a dark grin, “Trust me all they'll do is send him a letter. Omar is barely literate but he loves that filthy dog.”
“I'll remember that, so whatcha so dressed up for? Looking good lady!” He wagged his eyebrows and flashed a thumbs up.
“I've got this date…” She began to explain.
The man beside him in the green pull over jacket jerked his thumb over in my direction. “Gawd, please tell me that ain't your date.”
Her head dropped and her cheeks flushed. “Yeah he is…”
The black man in round sunglasses winced, “Dawg girl, he growled at Horace when he first pulled up. What's his damage?”
She shrugged and tossed her head, “To hell if I know, I'm just along for the free meal.”
The men burst out laughing and she waved as she turned towards me then slid into the roadster.
I decided sometimes silence is truly the best policy. I nodded at the men who were obviously her neighbors and not homeless hoods after all. They nodded back but before my car door closed behind me I heard their hoots and hollers.
Some days…
_-_-_-_
Kagura:
I sat in that fancy car pressing my fingertips to my temples.
What the hell was wrong with Sesshomaru? He didn't have the sense God gave an ant. I was so pissed that if it weren't for Jane's miraculous resurrection, I would've walked on out the date entirely.
Sesshomaru cranked the engine and pulled away from the curb. The only sound was the hum of the smooth engine. Finally I couldn't stand it. “What was your problem back there?”
He kept his golden eyes on the road, “Your neighborhood is… less than savory. I had no idea they were your …friends.”
I ground my teeth, “What did you think they were, homeless?”
He said nothing and I cursed, “Damn it! It's not a crime to be poor.”
We stopped at a red light. “I never claimed it was.”
I shook my head, “No but you thought it and that's how you treated them.”
A cord in his pale neck twitched under the blue collar of his shirt, “I said nothing to them. They are over reacting.”
Okay now that was just a pitiful attempt at lying. I railed at him. “You freaking growled at Horace! What the hell was that about?”
He turned to face me and his hand brushed across my knee cap. “I protect what is mine and that man approached the car.”
Sesshomaru's head fell back against the leather headrest, “If you wish I will go back and apologize profusely to the great Mr. Horace.”
He was deadpan serious. One word from me and he would go back and make a fool out of himself on my behalf.
Oh temptation, temptation what a wicked woman you are. As the great late Oscar Wilde once said, `I can resist everything but temptation.'
I opened my lips with the intention of dismissing it but instead, “Okay Captain Hook. I'm calling you out. Go back and apologize.”
His knuckles whitened around the stick shift handle. “You're serious?”
“As a heart attack on a Cleveland Bears fan.”
The light switched to green and he swung the little roadster around in an illegal U-turn in the middle of the intersection.
A taxi almost grazed my mirror and the driver honked, screamed and made several obscene gestures; some of which I am ashamed to admit that were new to me.
Sesshomaru straighten the car in the lane and raced back to my apartment. He pulled up short, did a second U turn and slid back into the parallel spot we'd sat in before.
He sat staring straight ahead while Horace and company all looked on with interest. Surely they thought the date was over.
I took pity on Sesshomaru and leaned in close to his pointed ear. “You know… if you don't do this then I'll never sleep with you.”
His golden eyes widened and he turned their burning gaze on me. “You would barter sex for a stupid apology to people you don't even really care about?”
I sighed and rolled my eyes, “First of all, they really are nice guys and I do care. Second of all I wasn't promising or bartering anything. It's just that I don't sleep with assholes. Since you seem really interested in getting me in bed, I thought you'd appreciate the heads up.”
He hissed, “Stay here.” Then opened his door and climbed out.
Horace strolled up to the roadster, saw my expression and frowned. “Hey mister… is there a problem here?”
Sesshomaru shook his head as he crossed in front of the car and stepped onto the sidewalk. “Are you Horace?”
He pulled up his green jacket, “Depends on who's asking?”
The Taiyokai sighed and slid his hands into his pockets, “I… behaved rudely earlier and there was no call for it. Please, accept my apology.”
Horace smirked and had to cough to conceal his laughter, “You really mean it man? You're serious?”
Sesshomaru answered in a flat tone, “As a heart attack.”
Horace shrugged, “Okay… I guess we're cool.”
Sesshomaru turned to leave but Horace stopped him, “Hey man how many horses does she have under the hood?”
He was deadpan serious. One word from me and he would go back and make a fool out of himself on my behalf.
Oh temptation, temptation what a wicked woman you are. As the great late Oscar Wilde once said, `I can resist everything but temptation.'
I opened my lips with the intention of dismissing it but instead, “Okay Captain Hook. I'm calling you out. Go back and apologize.”
His knuckles whitened around the stick shift handle. “You're serious?”
“As a heart attack on a Cleveland Bears fan.”
The light switched to green and he swung the little roadster around in an illegal U-turn in the middle of the intersection.
A taxi almost grazed my mirror and the driver honked, screamed and made several obscene gestures; some of which I am ashamed to admit that were new to me.
Sesshomaru straighten the car in the lane and raced back to my apartment. He pulled up short, did a second U turn and slid back into the parallel spot we'd sat in before.
He sat staring straight ahead while Horace and company all looked on with interest. Surely they thought the date was over.
I took pity on Sesshomaru and leaned in close to his pointed ear. “You know… if you don't do this then I'll never sleep with you.”
His golden eyes widened and he turned their burning gaze on me. “You would barter sex for a stupid apology to people you don't even really care about?”
I sighed and rolled my eyes, “First of all, they really are nice guys and I do care. Second of all I wasn't promising or bartering anything. It's just that I don't sleep with assholes. Since you seem really interested in getting me in bed, I thought you'd appreciate the heads up.”
He hissed, “Stay here.” Then opened his door and climbed out.
Horace strolled up to the roadster, saw my expression and frowned. “Hey mister… is there a problem here?”
Sesshomaru shook his head as he crossed in front of the car and stepped onto the sidewalk. “Are you Horace?”
He pulled up his green jacket, “Depends on who's asking?”
The Taiyokai sighed and slid his hands into his pockets, “I… behaved rudely earlier and there was no call for it. Please, accept my apology.”
Horace smirked and had to cough to conceal his laughter, “You really mean it man? You're serious?”
Sesshomaru answered in a flat tone, “As a heart attack.”
Horace shrugged, “Okay… I guess we're cool.”
Sesshomaru turned to leave but Horace stopped him, “Hey man how many horses does she have under the hood?”
Of course Sesshomaru smiled and answered proudly, “Horace it has two hundred and fifty horsepower, the DSG transmission and all wheel drive.”
Horace's brows shot up, “Ya don't say. My cousin works on these. What kind of gas mileage does it get? I know that bitch has got to take only premium.”
And after that I was subjected to fifteen more minutes of guy car talk.
Lucky, lucky me.
_-_-_-_
When Horace finally let Sesshomaru go he slipped back into the driver's seat beside me. “Don't ever call me that ridiculous name again.”
I'd almost taken a nap during the `who knows more about fancy cars' competition and had forgotten about calling him Captain Hook. “Okay.”
He glanced over his shoulder as he pulled away from the curb. I lifted a brow, “Not much on nicknames huh?”
His answer was curt, “No, especially not ones created by the vindictive liberal media.”
Ouch. “I'm sorry my intention wasn't to offend you. Err, well it was but I didn't mean it.” My babbling was just sad. I was mortified to have called him that stupid name.
He answered in an even tone. “Forget it. But if you must you can call me Sesshou.”
It was almost French sounding. “Okay. So you don't like the -maru part of your name?”
“It's more of a title, the first born.” We flew through the green light. I watched the passing signs as we drove uptown along side the park. He didn't seem alarmed that I had been asking around about him.
Maybe he thought his reputation and money would give him an edge.
Honestly with his power, good looks and social status why was he so into me? He could probably have any woman he wanted but he kept coming back to my bookstore. I'm classy and all but hell, there are hundreds of rich women, yokai and mortal who are better looking than me and wouldn't give him such a hard time.
“Oh, so what are your plans for tonight?” I pulled my skirt down in a mad attempt to keep the dress from wrinkling.
His wayward hand found my knee cap again and I gingerly moved it back to the arm rest. “Drinks, dancing, dining… the usual things one does on a date.”
I shrugged, “When you put it that way, it sounds almost boring.”
His hand returned to my knee and gave it a warm squeeze. “I am never boring.”
_-_-_-_
We turned on to 56th street and pulled up in front of The City Spire Center behind Carnegie hall. Sesshomaru once again opened my car door and tossed the keys to a valet. He was able to part with them without so much as a snarl at the teenaged boy. He took my hand in his and led me up the steps to the Carnegie Club.
The cover charge alone was over thirty dollars a head. Sango and I have been thinking about coming here to pick up guys but the cover was too steep.
Impressive.
The ceilings were easily over twenty feet high; the walls were covered in a glorious gold paint accentuated by the dark woods of the bookcases, the dark brown leather couches and giant fireplaces. This place had atmosphere.
A full orchestra was set up and I saw a sign announcing `The Sounds of Sinatra.' Sesshomaru's eyes glowed in the dim lighting as he helped me up the steps.
His eyes drifted down my legs to my shoes, “Can you dance in those things?”
I shot him an annoyed looked, “These shoes are hot and yes I can dance in them!” As if!
A slow cool grin lit across his lips, “Good and just for the record, they're sexy as all hell.”
A happy tremble worked it's way down my spine as the hostess showed us to a private booth.
Oh yes Sesshomaru, flattery and the secret to life after death, will get you everywhere.
_-_-_-_
_-_-_-_
Notes:
Sorry for the slow updates but it can't be helped. Sometimes life doesn't always go as you expect but what the hell can you do about it?
Check my profile for regular updates on the stories. This chapter was extra long and I hope that made up for it. Updates are coming but not as fast as ya'll are used to.
Those of you who appreciate angst and anger can check out my new and complete short story Sister Blister.
The Devil's Dictionary:
Reconsider: To seek a justification for a decision already made.
Reality: The dream of a mad philosopher.
Really: adv. Apparently
Pain: An uncomfortable frame of mind that may have a physical basis in something that is being done to the body, or may be purely mental, caused by the good fortune of another.