InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hereditary Secrets ❯ Chapter 7

(Insert super disclaimer here.)(`Cause I ain't gonna write it again.)

 

And, still with the new format.

Chapter 7

 

 

Inuyasha decided that he was going to meet the girl before he introduced her to Miroku. After all, he might find an ally in the poor girl. Thinking on the situation (well, okay, brooding on it until the idea suddenly occurred to him), he was fairly certain that any pampered princess of a billionaire would not be happy to be betrothed to a man she'd never met.

 

So, Inuyasha was making plans around the day with Kagome, who seemed determined to have an engagement for that night to escape “an uncomfortable family problem that I really don't want to get caught up in because my mom really doesn't care what I want when it comes to my life.” He almost asked her to go to the ball with him, but then he realized that if he asked her, he'd have to explain the situation to her, and then either she'd get pissed at him, or pissed at her. The other alternative would be to ask her, not tell her about the situation he was in, and then he would have to dress up for the ball, thus ruining all plans he had made for the fabulous debut into society as Miss Higurashi's fiancé. Including showing up in rumpled suit pants, a wife beater, an untucked shirt, and no tie.

 

And Sesshomaru agreed to it.

 

Inuyasha was looking forward to this.

 

*******

 

“Kagome, stop fidgeting. You have to look good tonight. I have plans for tonight, and I really don't want you to repulse Sesshomaru Inutaisho.”

 

Kagome stopped. She stared at her mother for a long second in the mirror, then whipped around to face her. “THAT'S who you've engaged me to? Our family's worst enemy is the person I'm going to have to marry? What the hell is the matter with you?! Did you really think I would go through with this? I'll tell you one thing, mother dear, Sesshomaru Inutaisho won't be repulsed by me, he'll be utterly nauseated by the mention of my name by the time I'm finished with him!”

 

“Don't be so vulgar, dear. You know that you need to be sensible about this. It will be very profitable for our family if you keep your mouth shut and do what I say. Inutaisho is a very cultured man, and very rich. He'll be able to take care of you very well.”

 

Kagome fumed. “I don't want to be `taken care of' by some guy I got paired off to for the sake of my family's expansion! The only reason you want to marry me to Sesshomaru is because you want the Higurashi family to have more money, more prestige, and more fame than it already has!”

 

“Kagome, the only reason you are being allowed to say these things is because a bruise showing on your skin would be very repulsive to Inutaisho. You will not embarrass me at this ball, and you will do as I say. You are my daughter, and you have a strong obligation to do what I tell you is for the good of yourself and this family.” Kagome's mother pulled the false corset on the old-fashioned ball gown tight enough to make Kagome gasp, loosened it, then released her. “Now, smile, darling. You have guests to greet.”

 

********

 

Sesshomaru had no idea why on earth he decided to arrive with his brother. He looked a total disgrace, and Sesshomaru would be disgraced right along with him. The merger was favorable to him, and he didn't want the Higurashi matriarch to dismiss them completely because of Inuyasha's reluctance to marry a girl.

 

“Stop fidgeting, Fluffy. Just have the driver circle around the block after you get dropped off, and I'll come in a few minutes after you. So stop worrying about your precious dignity.”

 

“This Sesshomaru would ask that you not refer to him as Fluffy, baka. It is very rude.” Sesshomaru knew that he had not shown any reluctance to exit the vehicle with his brother, but, as usual, Inuyasha was more perceptive than he seemed. “As we have received merely one invitation, we must enter together. This Sesshomaru is not fidgeting, by the way.”

 

Inuyasha snorted, then fixed his face into a permanent smirk. “Show time, brother dear. Let's get going, shall we?”

 

*******

 

The ball was a magnificent sight. The chandeliers above the dance floor sparkled with their light, and the people were dressed spectacularly. Even with all the Winter Balls her mother had thrown throughout the years, Kagome's breath was taken away.

 

“Well, Kagome, I do believe that your new husband has arrived. I see the crowd parting up there, and a little bit of confusion among the masses. I'll be right back…” Sango, forever the staunch best friend, slipped ahead smoothly into the crowd. She pushed her way to near the front, but could not get close enough to see the two infamous brothers.

 

“Apparently, one of those two is dressed scandalously,” Rin murmured at her elbow.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“He's dressed like he's going to school. One with a very lax dress code. Rumpled pants, untucked shirt, not tie… that's all I could get before having my stomach pounded in by some jerk's elbow.” She smiled. “I think it was the younger brother; they did say that he was shorter than the other. I think he feels the same way about marrying one of us as we feel about marrying one of them.”

 

“What are you talking about? I thought only Kagome was getting married off to an Inutaisho?” Sango asked as they elbowed their way back through the throng of the interested gentry of the ball.

 

“Nope. We suffer together, according to aunt.”

 

Suddenly, the two inside the throng broke free of the crowd. They both made a beeline towards Kagome, and explained what was going on.

 

“Great.” Kagome said. “Just great.”