InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Heart's Landfill ❯ Cynical Fever ( Chapter 3 )

A/N: As always all of the characters, especially in this fic, will be walking that lightly colored line called OOCness, especially Sango. I don't normally update anything this quick, but I'm having entirely too much fun writing this fic, so I figured I go a head and update!! And for those of you that are wondering why I haven't updated Conf II, well don't worry it's coming. More than likely, it'll be next week sometime. Probably Wednesday or Thursday, maybe even Tuesday.

 

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, we all have to thank Rumiko Takahashi for that, but Nya is mine.

 

FYI: Cynacalism, is used on purpose. I'm well aware that it's not a word.

 

Chapter 3

 

Cynical Fever

 

Two days, four hours, and thirty minutes later, Kagome found herself wondering just why she hadn't thought about doing this before. She and Sango had just spent the early morning hours in the local spa, getting massaged and pampered in a manner befitting nothing less than a queen.

 

Stepping out into the bright sunlight of the early afternoon, Kagome smiled sincerely for the first time in an extremely long time. The last time she had done anything remotely similar to this was the weekend she spent with her high school friends after her graduation from Law School.

 

“God, that felt so damn good,” Sango exclaimed, stepping out the door behind her.

 

Rolling her head from side to side, Kagome moaned softly and added, “You can say that again.”

 

Hooking her arm into that of her soon-to-be friend, Sango turned them in the direction of the shopping complex that sat about 4 blocks away. “Now let's go do what girls do best, shop.”

 

Kagome giggled nervously, feeling a little uncomfortable with another woman standing so close to her, but it was innocent. So in the end, she tightened her hold on Sango's arm and allowed herself to be lead down the sidewalk.

 

“When we get to the mall, we have to go to Gadzooks first! They have a pair of black leather pants that I just know will look amazing on you,” Sango gushed giddily.

 

The only thought that registered in Kagome's mind was, `Leather pants? I wouldn't be caught dead in leather anything!' Swallowing the saliva that had built up at the back of her throat, she finally responded, “I know you're not implying that you expect me to buy and wear something like that!”

 

Sango threw her head back and laughed. She'd expected this kind of reaction from Kagome; after all she did act like she was 46 instead of 26. However, she had promised herself that no matter what, Kagome was going to have a damn good time tonight.

 

“Oh stop it! I'm sick of you acting like an old maid. Besides, if they don't fit you right, then you don't have to buy them, okay?”

 

Kagome glanced at the overly outspoken woman from the corner of her eye. “Is that so?”

 

“Just trust me, will you? So far you've had a ball, haven't you?”

 

Kagome thought about that for a moment, and then replied, “Yes, actually I have had a really good time, thus far.”

 

“Good then let me handle everything else. I won't make you wear or buy anything that you're absolutely against.”

 

Kagome laughed lightly, but her laughter quickly died as she made eye contact with a shorthaired, tall man walking towards them. He was staring directly at her as if he knew her or something.

 

She quickly took in his shifty, all too welcoming green eyes, the dimples set deep within each of his cheeks, the way his jaw line accentuated his well set cheekbones, and she growled.

 

Yes, yes she growled like a dog!

 

`Look at him staring at me as if I'm a piece of meat! I bet he has a wife and kids waiting at home for him and all he can think about is getting in my panties!'

 

True enough, the guy hadn't even approached her or said two words to her, but she knew what… who he was. She could see it all over his face, written across his forehead in bold black letters, `Loser, Cheater, Whore Mongrel, Liar.' It was all there wasn't it, and only she could see it.

 

She wouldn't fall for it again, not this time! Not for him or anyone else!

 

Rolling her eyes at the gentleman that was now smiling brightly at her, Kagome flared her nostrils at him and sharply whipped her head in the opposite direction. `No good son of a bitch,' she thought hatefully, forgetting that she really had no real reason to hate this man.

 

“Earth to Kagome,” Sango quipped loudly, trying to get the other young woman's attention. Stopping, she tugged on Kagome's arm. “Are you okay?”

 

Kagome finally turned to face her, her face still set in a scowl. Glancing over her friend's shoulder at the man that had unknowingly offended her, she responded in a clipped tone, “I'm fine.”

 

Glancing over her shoulder in the direction that her friend was glaring in, Sango asked, “He's cute. Do you know him?”

 

Shaking her head, Kagome began to walk away as she replied, “Know him? Thank god, I don't.”

 

Sango spared another moment to look at the nameless man that was quickly making his way down the sidewalk, and then back at her friend, who was already more than a few feet away from her. `What's with her?' Jogging to catch up with her, Sango snaked her arm back within Kagome's and asked, “So are you going to tell me what that was about?”

 

“I haven't a clue as to what you're talking about,” Kagome lied snottily.

 

“Oh please, you looked like you wanted to kill that guy and then you say you don't know him. Boss Lady, if you don't tell me what the heck is up with that, I'm going to start to think that you're nuts,” Sango said, adding the last part to lighten the mood just a little.

 

Kagome shook her head, not wanting to have to explain anything to her, but knowing that she definitely did owe her an explanation. She avowed in a huff, “I'm just tired of being looked at as nothing more than a nut.”

 

Sango was taken aback by the normally reserved woman's response. “D…did you just say, nut? As in a man's sexual peak?”

 

Kagome blushed, feeling embarrassed.

 

“I knew you had it in you,” Sango exclaimed happily.

 

Glancing at her friend, Kagome replied, “It's not funny! Men walk around here just doing whatever they want! They come on to us, promising forevers and shit like that and they never follow through! And quite honestly, I'm sick of it!”

 

Pulling the door to the mall open, Sango eyed her friend curiously. Before, she was just wondering…contemplating the idea that perhaps Kagome had had her heart broken once or twice before, but now she knew without a doubt that, that had to be the case. What she needed to know now was just how bad and how long ago.

 

The noise from the mall hit the two women full force. It was like thousands…millions of people were talking all at once with not one of them, listening to the other. The change from the outdoor sunlight to the harsh glow of the light bulbs overhead was a jarring thing on both their eyes.

 

Sango squinted while Kagome tried to shield her eyes with her hands in an attempt to give them a minute to adjust.

 

Guiding Kagome in the direction of Gadzook's, Sango declared, “Not all men are like that. Some of them actually want a meaningful relationship.”

 

“Sounds like bullshit to me because I haven't met one yet that has meant `me' any good,” Kagome responded, not caring anymore if Sango knew how she felt towards the opposite sex.

 

“Well I've been dating Miroku since I was 15 and, outside of his flirtatious nature, he's a really great guy.”

 

Stepping to the side to allow a woman with 3 rowdy children to pass, Kagome replied sarcastically, “So he's one in a freaking million. That really says a lot for the good guy-bad guy ratio, doesn't it?”

 

Sango glanced at the woman who, until now, she thought she had known. “Don't you think you're being a little cynical? All men aren't whores you know. You just have to find the right one.”

 

“I mean no disrespect, but I'm so sick of women who are either already married, about to get married, or don't have a chance in hell of getting married telling me that I just haven't found the right one. It's not about finding the right one.”

 

Sango looked at her determined friend and smirked. Not because she took what she said lightly, but because it seemed like for the first time in their personal and business relationship, she was finally being herself…finally opening up. “If it's not about `the right one', what is it about then?”

 

“It's about having the strength to not kill the assholes that you meet while you're waiting for the right one,” Kagome responded seriously.

 

Stepping through the doors of Gadzooks, Sango stated while making her way over to the rack that held the leather pants, “Ah, so you do believe that there is a such thing as `the right one'?”

 

Kagome rolled her eyes, then allowed them to travel towards the few stores that stood across from the ghastly store that Sango had dragged her to. She immediately noticed a small jewelry store directly across the hall, but didn't have time to pay attention to the occupants, since her companion was trying to gain her attention.

 

Walking over to Sango, she finally answered the question that had been thrown at her, “I guess, for people like you, the right one can exist, but for me… I'll pass.”

 

“Alright, Boss Lady, you've just earned yourself a new name. The Queen of Cynicalism.”

 

Kagome scoffed, “Is that even a word?”

 

“Now it is,” Sango replied, shoving a pair of size 2 black leather pants in her friend's hand. “Go try these on before you depress me even more.”

 

Watching Kagome walk off with the pants in hand, Sango had what she believed was a brilliant idea. Following behind her, she leaned against the door of the dressing room. “Queen of Cynicalism?” she called.

 

“Don't call me that!”

 

“Well, at least you know I'm talking to you. Anyway, I've got a proposition for you.”

 

“Do I even want to hear this?” Kagome called back, her voice strained.

 

“Well, you won't have anything to lose, but everything to gain.”

 

Kagome groaned, hating herself for even asking, “What is it?”

 

“Well, you know how you hate it when I'm late to work… What if I told you that there was something that you could do that would get me to work on time for at least a week?” Sango asked, hoping Kagome was still listening.

 

“Go on.”

 

Sango heard the sound of a zipper closing as she continued, “If I come to work on time for a week straight, you'll let me set you up on a blind date.”

 

Silence ensued; nothing but uncomfortable, deafening silence.

 

Pressing her face against the outside of the door, Sango asked softly, “Hello, Queen of Cyncalism, are you still there?”

 

Kagome heard her just fine, she just didn't know what to say to that. She was sure that Sango was just trying to help her, or either to show her that all men weren't the same, but what was the point, really?

 

Men everywhere, no matter the color of their skin, their height, the length of their hair, their nationality, or their body weight was, all the same, weren't they? They were all whores and pathetic impotent bastards!

 

Chances were that she would be set up with some dim wit with nothing to offer, no aspirations, no life, and a hidden family stored somewhere in the closet. Pushing the door open, Kagome made her way over to the three-way mirror near the front of the store without giving an answer.

 

“Boss Lady, did you hear me?” Acting like someone that had Attention Deficit Disorder, Sango exclaimed, “They look like they were made especially for you!”

 

Pulling her shirt up so that a small amount of her midriff was showing, Kagome turned around slowly in the mirror, allowing her eyes to trail slowly over the reflection of her body. She had to admit that the pants did fit her well.

 

“You have to get those! We'll find a shirt, or maybe a bustier, and the right pumps to go with them so you can wear them tonight, okay?”

 

“Yeah…yeah, sure,” Kagome responded, eyeing the way the pants made her behind look perfectly round and supple. `Makes me want to spank myself,' she thought playfully while rubbing her hand slowly over her bottom and down her hips.

 

Watching her friend walk back to the dressing room, Sango stopped her and inquired almost pleadingly, “So what's my answer? Are you up to the challenge?”

 

Kagome turned, her eyes narrowed almost menacingly. She'd been quietly considering the idea; after all, it didn't mean that she had to seriously date anyone that Sango chose. She could, instead, use them to prove her point, right?

 

“You come in on time for a whole month and I'll let you set me up on one date.”

 

Sango gasped and blurted, “A whole month?” After thinking it over she replied, “If I come in on time for one whole month, I get to set you up on 4 dates, one date for each week.”

 

Kagome stared at the woman, contemplating her offer. `If I agree, that just gives me more chances to rub her silly notions in her face. But I can't let her think that she's won these negotiations.' Turning, she headed back into the dressing room and shut door. “One month, three dates, to run concurrently, but only after you have acceptably performed your portion of this verbal contract.”

 

`So she put on her Attorneys' hat, eh.' Sango was gloating slightly, happy that she was getting her to accept the challenge. She was hoping that she'd be able to find some decent guys that could help change Kagome's mind about men. She honestly didn't care or even expect her to fall in love with any of them; she just wanted her to know that all men were not the same and that love always deserved a chance.

 

“To make sure that neither one of us can back out of this verbal contract, I wish to amend it, to include, that the dates are to happen the weekend after each 5 day work week,” Sango stated.

 

Stepping out of the dressing room, Kagome nodded in agreement and smirked at the grinning woman. `She thinks she's going to change my mind, how droll,' she thought as she headed towards the register.

 

At the very same moment, Sango was thinking, `I'll show her. Now I just have to get Miroku to recommend a few of his friends for this little task.'

 

Simonkal of Inuy

 

“Was it absolutely necessary for you to drag me all the way out here to pick out a damn anniversary gift for `your' wife?” Inuyasha inquired as he walked into the jewelry store behind his brother.

 

“You act as if you were actually busy,” Sesshomaru responded nonchalantly, not caring that his half-brother was pissed.

 

Quite honestly, ever since Kikyo had left him, Inuyasha had been so withdrawn that it irritated the full-blooded demon, and that said a lot because very little, especially concerning Inuyasha, got to him.

 

Staring around the small jewelry store and the cases filled with jewels of every color and design, Inuyasha retorted, “I don't care if I was sitting on my couch, flossing and picking my goddamn nose, that's better than being here with you.”

 

Sesshomaru glared at his surly brother and stepped towards the counter.

 

“Hello, what can I help you with today, sir?” an older, graying woman from behind the counter asked.

 

Sesshomaru replied, staring down at the different designs of necklaces sitting in the glass case, “I need to purchase something for my wife. It's our anniversary.”

 

Inuyasha frowned at the back of his brother's head and snorted derisively as he began to peruse the rest of the store slowly. `Why waste money on a bitch…any bitch, when she'll probably just pawn the shit later?' he thought with a dry snort.

 

This was going to be his brother's fifth anniversary. Sure, it was a big deal for them at least, but why did he have to drag him along? He'd been minding his own business when the idiot showed up at his door unannounced and practically demanded he come with him.

 

It wasn't like Inuyasha was a jewelry expert or anything. As a matter of fact, he'd only picked out two pieces in his life; the watch he wore on a daily basis and the ring he bought for that bitch.

 

Inuyasha growled low in his throat. Why did everything lead back to Kikyo? Why did every fucking thought he have not dealing with work end with her? Why couldn't he just look at something or hear a song and not think of her?

 

Shaking his head, he stared down into the glass case directly in front of him and groaned. It was filled with engagements rings and wedding bands of every type and style. Allowing his eyes to roam for a moment longer, he thought back to the day that he'd picked out her ring.

 

He'd been so nervous and elated all at the same time. His palms were sweaty, his heart was racing; he'd felt like at any moment he was going to pass out, but somehow he held on.

 

As a matter of fact, if he had to compare the day he proposed to her to the day that he bought the ring, he'd have to admit that he was much more of a wreck while the salesman was showing him all the different rings to choose from.

 

“Inuyasha?”

 

Shaking his head in an attempt to shake his thoughts off, the hanyou made his way over to where his brother was standing with what seemed like 12 different pieces of jewelry displayed before him. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he asked disinterestedly, “What” as he stopped just behind Sesshomaru.

 

“What do you think about these?” Sesshomaru inquired, not turning around to look at his younger brother.

 

Inuyasha glanced around him and at the pieces of jewelry, then back at his older brother. “Just pick one. You could give her dried shit wrapped in newspaper and Rin would like it.”

 

That was a true enough statement, but Sesshomaru always took care when buying anything for his wife. “Just tell me what you like.”

 

Stepping to the counter, Inuyasha pointed at a diamond bracelet with matching earrings, a Tiffany bracelet with a matching choker, a diamond cut teardrop ring, and a one-of-a-kind jade broach trimmed in diamonds. “I like these.”

 

Sesshomaru responded, “I see,” then turned to the sales woman and demanded, “Remove those.”

 

Watching the woman remove every item he'd pointed to, Inuyasha mumbled, “Must you always be a prick?” He then walked out the door of the jewelry store.

 

Refusing to go too far since he despised shopping and everything associated with it, he leaned back against the wall just outside of the door and watched droves of people shuffle by looking like cattle being herded.

 

The hanyou watched couple after couple pass him by and he snorted at each of them. More than a few women passed him, unable to keep their eyes to themselves. To all of them, he growled low and even snarled showing just enough of his fangs to force them to look away.

 

`They're nothing but a bunch of tramps. All dolled up, looking like they belong on a corner somewhere or in a brothel in the Red District. Keh!'

 

Allowing his eyes to roam to the store across the hall, he read the sign that said Gadzooks. Almost immediately, his eyes fell on a woman primping in the mirror, trying on a pair of black leather pants. He watched her stick out her butt then run her hand over it slowly.

 

After a few moments of just staring at herself, she picked up her shirt so that the flesh of her belly was showing and she smiled at her reflection. A few seconds later what must have been her friend, walked up behind her and no doubt told her how good she looked.

 

Inuyasha's frown deepened as his thoughts took a turn in the wrong direction. `Look at her, primping and prissing in the window like that. I bet she has some stupid ass guy at home waiting for her, promising her the fucking world, but all she's concerned about is going out to some fucking club and getting fucked by a stranger.'

 

Unknowingly interrupting his brother's thoughts, Sesshomaru asked as he emerged from the store with bag in hand, “See something you want?”

 

Growling at his brother's idiotic comment, the hanyou replied, still staring at the unsuspecting girl with the black leather pants on, “Not even with your inch worm dick.”

 

Following his brother's gaze, Sesshomaru ignored his boorish comment as he watched the girl, whom his brother was still closely gawking at, retreat away from the window and disappear into the back of the store. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he thought, `Where do I know her from?'

 

“Keh, if you're done pussy footing around, take me home. I've had enough of this bullshit for a fucking lifetime.”

 

Staring at the store for a moment longer, Sesshomaru finally turned and followed his irritated brother out of the mall. Perhaps the girl, whoever she was, just reminded him of something or someone long forgotten.

 

Until Next Time…(Your .02 cents is greatly appreciated.)

 

Next Chapter: Doing It My Way

 

Acknowledgements:

 

Elementalobsession ~ InuGoddess715 ~ angel-up-above-heaven ~ Inuyasha-obsessed167 ~ seme-_-uke