InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ I hide myself behind the moon ❯ Sleeves of silk and satin. Outside. ( Chapter 11 )

Changing my clothes

How long will I wear them?

Until their color will fade.

Until the sleeves of silk and satin

Are filled with my love and hate.

***

Sango felt tense and annoyed, as Nedget, Sibe and Kagome stared at her with parted lips. And that… that… that sick monk was just standing there like he had nothing to do with it, grinning like a cat! If only she had her boomerang… argh!

- Whoa, I see you haven't been losing time at all, Miroku! - said Nedget, sounding impressed.

- Are you sure he deserves you, beautiful? - asked Sibe cheerfully, addressing to Sango. - I mean, you look too good for that guy! Believe me, I know him for years - sometimes he can be such an asshole.

- Thanks a lot, Sibe! - said Miroku gravely. - That's just the same thing I write in all questionnaires as an answer to the question: "Special skills?".

Sibe smiled apologetically.

- Ooops, sorry… Hey, I've got an idea! We're probably wasting your time, so who don't you two sweethearts go dance!

Sango, feeling even more tense and annoyed, said nothing.

It was Miroku who broke the silence, with a rather astonishing request. He held out a hand to Sango, and with a smile that lit his violet eyes, asked, "Would you like to dance?"

Sango stared at him with flaming cheeks.

- I don't want to! - she was going to say, mutinously, but instead heard herself say, with some surprise: "I'd love to".

Miroku took her hand and whirled her away into the mass of dancers. They both were excellent dancers, Kagome had time to note, before the pair disappeared from sight among the crowd.

She stared after them, looking shocked.

- Well, really, - she said, sounding just a shade indignant, as Miroku moved up to Sango on the dance floor. - I sure hope to find both of them alive and healthy after this dance!

- Oh, Miroku knows what he's doing, - grinned Sibe and added with slight concern. - Well, I hope he does.

- Some people never change, - said Nedget and waved a hand to get attention of someone behind Kagome's back. - Hey, hey Kouga! Let Shippou go and come over here!

Kagome blinked in surprise and slowly turned around. Behind her, holding the small fox boy by his tail and shaking him angrily, stood Kouga, broad-shouldered and handsome in a neatly cut black dinner jacket. His eyes widened, as he saw Kagome and he let go of Shippou's tail. The little boy fell to the floor with a squeak and ran to Nedget and Sibe.

- He pulled my tail! - Shippou complained, sounding painfully injured. - And now it hurts!

- Now, now, Shippou, stop that at once. I know you've been trying out your illusions on everyone again, so you deserved that, - said Sibe severely and asked with curiosity. - So, I guess you two know each other, huh? Well, then, come on Nedget, let's take Shippou to the bar with us. I'll keep an eye on him from now on. Bye, Kagome. Say goodbye to Miroku if you see him.

- And tell him, that he better take care about that girl just like she deserves it! - added Nedget and the kizune family went away.

Kagome and Kouga were still looking at each other with big eyes.

- Kouga?

- Kagome?

- Kouga!

- Kagome!!!

She was so glad to see a familiar face, that even let Kouga embrace her and plant a kiss on her cheek. After all the gasping and compliments on her appearance, he guessed to ask how she landed on the ball.

- I got a special invitation, - lied Kagome. - From… erm… from Sango's new boyfriend.

Kouga made an exasperated gesture.

- Ye, really? Then tell me how come you, a human, smell like a demon?

At this, Kagome looked startled.

- You can… but… how? - then a thought had occurred to her. - Kouga… you're a… a demon?!?!

He nodded slightly in response.

- Forgive me for hiding that away from you, Kagome, but understand - I couldn't even think that you know about such things!

Kagome looked blank for a moment, then emitted a small stunned squeak.

- I know! Kouga… ugh… you… a demon… I just can't understand that… you of all the people!

He narrowed his eyes.

- Oh, ye? And what are you… you, Kagome, of all the people, doing at this ball?

- What's in it to you?!

- I need to know! - he reached out for her hand. - Kagome, tell me… what are you doing here? Have you gotten yourself into some major problems? Just say one word and I'll help you!

She didn't answer, looking irritable. Kouga let her hand go and looked into her eyes.

- Kagome… are you here because of… Inuyasha?

- It's not your business, Kouga! - she hissed at him, under her breath, afraid she was starting to blush. - Goodbye.

And she turned on her heel and walked towards the flung-open mansion doors, throwing him a last furious glance over her shoulder. She went through the doors, unaware that a black-haired woman in a dark-blue gown had turned to watch her go and turned away when a little man came to her, asking with amusement: "Who were you watching, Kikyo?".

The woman turned to him with a sideways evil grin.

- Oh, Roeni, I think we have good news for Naraku… Very good news…

***

Miroku looked down into Sango's face, which was flushed from dancing, her eyes alight. She looked stunningly pretty, that it was almost impossible… no, totally impossible.

And he kissed her.

It was different this time: she didn't pull back and answered to his kiss with passion, and then he felt her smile against his lips.

Pulling back a little, he looked into her eyes that were glittering from amusement.

- What is it? - she asked. - Why are you looking at me like that?

- I can't understand you… an hour ago you were ready to kill me with bare hands, and now you're dancing with me, and smiling and…

- Kissing! - she finished for him and laughed, shaking her head. - Well, what can I say… must be the atmosphere.

- Does that mean that your attitude will change as long as the ball is over?

- I wouldn't bet money on that, - said Sango, looking at him from beneath her long dark eyelashes, her eyes sparkling.

- Now that didn't sound a bit promising, - Miroku pointed out, as they stopped dancing.

- It wasn't supposed to.

He smiled a little, looking as if he were thinking of something, then asked with a curious expression.

- Do you want to go for a walk?

- With you?

- You prefer walking alone around the castle full of demons? Hm… extreme… C'mon, I'll just show you around the place.

Sango raised her chin, poised and furious-looking.

- OK, but I warn you, Miroku - just try something and you'll be scraping your guts from all the walls with a teaspoon. Get it?

The monk blinked at her, then smiled widely.

- I promise to be good! - he took her hand and yanked Sango after him with such suddenness that lost her breath.

He led her up the marble stairs, through long corridors, full of guests. Then up another stairway, that ended in a large hallway. This one, however, was empty. The walls stone walls weren't painted and were soft carpets on the polished floor. Miroku led her to an oak door and opened it. It was so dark behind it, that Sango couldn't see s thing. She gave him a dark look.

- Now what over there?

- Stairs, - he answered shortly and pulled her by the hand again. - Follow me and be careful.

After a long walk up the stairway, that Sango could barely see in the half-darkness, Miroku stopped and let her hand go. She heard like a lock clanked and suddenly the darkness turned into the blue twilight of the night.

***

Kagome went down the front stairs of the mansion and headed towards the large garden. The night was beyond clear, as if someone has stretched a sheet of glass across the sky, through which the starlight shimmered with diamond brilliance.

The garden was empty under the stars, as she made her way down the narrow path between two bushes strung with colored lights. She was alone. Alone in a this part of the world, separated from others with a heavy scent of roses and woodsmoke, fresh like the breath of trees sleeping in the depths of the mountains… And she felt... so lonely. Was it really that way? She thought of her family. Everyone was probably sleeping right now in their cousy house, calm and peaceful. Mother must be worried sick about her. If only she could somehow tell her that she was all right. But will she ever see her family again?

Kagome felt a sharp pang of loneliness one more time.

She saw Sango, dancing across the ballroom floor with Miroku. She had seemed so happy. Kagome smiled weakly - well, at least someone was happy.

The girl shivered - when she rushed out of the mansion, she was so angry that at first didn't even notice how cold the autumn night really was. Maybe, she'd better return.

The path she had chosen, led through rose bushes back to the mansion. But it was no longer deserted. There was someone there.

His silver hair and eyes reflected the pale moonlight like mirrors, when Inuyasha turned to Kagome, looking at her without surprise, as if he had expected to see her here.

- Kagome, - he said. - Making way to the gates to run away, I suppose? In a ball-dress and smelling like demon? That's intriguing.

She smiled, when he called her by the name for the first time. She couldn't help smiling. He was beautiful in the starlight, even more so than usual. His clothes were color of marengo, and so was his cloak, against which his hair looked startlingly. The shadows beneath his eyes were blue against his winter-pale skin.

- Well, we thought that… erm… since we have decided to stay, than we might as well… erm… join your little party, - she answered awkwardly.

Coming closer, Inuyasha looked at her dress, his mouth twitched into a slow smile, amber eyes lighting up.

- Then why did you leave the ball? - he asked.

- Well, I..
- Were you bored? - his light eyes raked her face with amusement. - Did this dress attract too many annoying compliments?

Kagome gave him a dark look.

- Any compliment is better that none at all.

He raised an eyebrow.

- Are you hinting on something?

- You can understand that as you wish, there is no my guilt in that.

- I'm not searching for hidden sense in hints, - said Inuyasha, made a face, and sat down on the nearest stone bench, leaning on his hands. - That could take a lifetime and bring no result.

- Too bad for you that life is all made of hints where to go and what to do, - she said ironically.

- It is called fate, if you don't know.

- Fate is choice.

- And if there are only two choices? Doesn't that mean that fate suppresses freedom?

- There is no fate, - Kagome said and added, brushing a stray curl of hair behind her ear. - One can always change the world around him.

He looked at her with odd light in his narrowed eyes, but said nothing.

- And why aren't you at the ball? - asked Kagome after a pause. - Isn't it your duty to be among the guests and entertain them?

Inuyasha shrugged.

- I don't care. I really just wanted to be alone. - he checked himself at her expression. - Just a small bit of loneliness. Sit down.

Kagome bit her lip and sat down, as far away from him as she could, which on the tiny bench wasn't very far at all.

- The ball is great, - she said, conversationally. She saw him begin to smile, and added quickly. - I've actually never been to a one before, so everything seems so new and… great.

- Uh-huh, - said Inuyasha neutrally. - Great things those balls. Carnivals of pain and fun.

- You don't like the ball? Then why did you organize it?

- Tradition, - said Inuyasha in a remote sort of voice. - Maybe, you are right and there is no fate, but there are traditions. That's worse.
Kagome shivered, and Inuyasha moved closer to her, as if on instinct. She wondered if he realized how close they were sitting.

- Well, I have to go now, - she said. - Sango is probably looking for me.
- Wait, - Inuyasha interrupted, a bit irritably.

She glared at him, feeling tense and puzzled.

- Wait, - he repeated and lifted his head up to look at the sky, his eyes thoughtful. On his silver hair streamed starlight. - I'll go with you.
Flip.

She felt her heart turn over in her chest, and mentally frowned at herself. She shouldn't get all worked up just because he said he would return with her to the ball, because… ugh… because it was Inuyasha, the demon, she reminded herself, the one who was mean and wanted to kill them and… and… he looked so good in that marengo cloak, and that hair the color of silver… and those eyes…

Kagome realized she was staring at him and blushed.

- Oh… yes, sure.

- Are you so eager to return to the ball? - he asked softly, as if slightly surprised.
She hesitated, looking at him, then smiled mischievously.

- I want to return to the ball and dance with you.

Inuyasha looked at her with narrow eyes.

- To dance?

- Yep.

- Me with you?

- Aha.

- On the ball?

- It just what I have said, - pointed out Kagome. - What part of: "I want to return to the ball and dance with you " you don't understand?

For a moment, Inuyasha was very still, looking at her. His expression neutral and Kagome couldn't even assume what he was thinking about. Then a very faint smile touched the corner of his mouth.

- Good, - he said, with an offhanded shrug. - Let it be as you wish. It is your first ball night. You should enjoy it.

She wanted to tell him that she had been enjoying it, that these few moments with him out in the rose-scented, cold night were the best moments she had had in months, thought she doesn't even understand, why it is so.

But said nothing.

Inuyasha held out a slender hand and Kagome took it

***

All around beneath them was black velvet sky that seemed powdered with diamonds. Taking a step forward and looking at a glittering city stretched before her, Sango realized, that they were probably standing on the top of a high tower.

- So beautiful, - she gasped. - It's like looking through water in the sea depth.

- You can see the whole mansion from up here, - said Miroku. - And a half of the city.

- Wow! The garden is like a real forest!

Sango looked around, confused - at the shadowy darkness, at the narrow strip of starry sky overhead.

- Why did you bring me here? - she asked, and turned to look at him. The wind blew his black hair across his face and in the sharp-edged moonlight, she could see herself reflected in his eyes.
For a moment, he stood there, unsure. He had only wanted to get out of the ballroom, to be alone with Sango. But now they were outside, in the bitter cold air, the sky above full of stars and wind and he had nothing she could say to her.

- Sango… - he began, and despite all the promises, pulled her close, hard against him, and kissed her.
As quickly as he had drawn her towards him, she pulled back.

- No. - she said firmly. - No!

- Damn it, Sango! - he spat. - What games are you playing?
Exhilarated by the night and by the coldness of the air, Sango stepped back. Miroku's silhouette was black against the dark-sapphire sky, and his face pale between the dark collar of his shirt and black hair.

- So… do you bring all the girls here to enjoy the oh-so-beautiful view?! - she inquired, her voice a bit trembling.

- What are talking about, Sango?

- Yea, you know what I mean. And if you are expecting me to fall into your hands right now, your gonna be disappointed. I'm not falling for that cheep trick, Miroku!

He raised his face. The dark moonlight silvered the shadows under his eyes and cheekbones.

- I always come here alone, - he said. - I never brought anyone here.

- Then why? - Sango whispered. - Why me?

He had been looking down at her, half-inquiring, half-amused.

- Maybe, because I'm falling in love with you.
Her eyes were bright in the dark, her black hair fading into the shadows around her.
- You can't say that, - she whispered. - You know me only for some days.

- That's enough.

- It is not!

His eyes on her face now, finding her own eyes, their gazes locking.

- I know what you feel, - he said. - I know about the pain you hide inside. But you can't live after the wall of fears forever… It will disappear one day and just allow me to be near you, when that happens.

There was a long silence. Sango squeezed his eyes shut, and opened them slowly, looking at him. Then she moved closer to him and he put an arm around her, protecting her from the cold with of the night.

The dark-blue sky around them was glowing with silver.

***

The two of them have been dancing for eternity, as it seemed to Kagome. She spun away from Inuyasha again, and this time he didn't even try to follow her; instead, laughing, he pulled her back towards him, and put his arms around her. His hands met at the small of her back, his fingers white against the silver silk. Kagome moved uncomplainingly into the circle of his embrace, sliding her hands up to lock around his neck.

After a pause, she smiled at him.

- You're good.

- Thanks for the inspiration.

- Hey, maybe it's my great mission, - she said, pretending to think that over seriously.

Inuyasha half-smiled.

- Are you planning to leave the demon-hunting business and found your own dancing-school?

- Oh, yes, free lessons every Saturday. - she nodded and looked around. - I wonder where Sango is… Last time I saw her she was dancing with Miroku…

- It's lilac satin, - said Inuyasha. - He's defenseless against it.

Kagome's mouth widened into a smile; he felt it against his neck.

- Oh, and I guess you don't have any weak spots like that? - she asked.

Inuyasha pulled back a little, looking up into her eyes that were wide and luminous with mischief.

- As a matter of fact, I do, - he said in a drawling voice and bent to kiss her.

Kagome had frozen the moment that happened. Her mouth against his, tense and ungiving at first, then softening as he leaned into the kiss, reaching forward to pull her towards him. His arms went around her and pressed Kagome tightly against him. She could feel his hands on the silk of her dress, sliding up to touch her bare skin. Blood turned to fire in her veins, her knees were giving out; she could not stand up. Without Inuyasha to hold her up she would probably fall.

It was like a strange miracle and a hell of a kiss too.

When it was over, he held her tenderly, his hands on her shoulders.

- Kagome - he said, his voice a bit hoarse. Her eyes were closed, the lids faintly bluish. Then she opened them, looking at him through thick lashes.

- That was… - her voice trailed off and she didn't finish the phrase, instead looking away. - Everybody's staring at us now.

He half-smiled.

- Let them stare… Hey, it's your first ball and you are already a center of attention.

- That is because…

- That is because you are beautiful - he interrupted, before she could finish,

Kagome looked at him, realizing she was out of breath

- Was that a compliment?

- You are so beautiful, - repeated Inuyasha and lightly touched her face, running his knuckles along the curve of her cheek, over her lips, down to her collarbone. - That one can fall in love with you at first sight.

***

The clear night air broke over her skin like splashes of cold water, as Rin hurried to the car, walking fast through the main alley. She quickly got inside, taking a seat opposite her master, and the silver limousine started through the night, through the light of the streets.

- You didn't find them? - asked Sesshomaru tonelessly.

Rin slowly shook her head.

- No… I could find neither Sango, nor Kagome… they were not in the ballroom… pity, I couldn't say goodbye to them…

He didn't respond to that, and Rin, having no strength to fight the weariness, leaned back and closed her eyes. In a moment she was asleep.

She was still asleep, when the car stopped near the large castle-like mansion.

Sesshomaru looked at her. Under Rin's eyes were dark bruised shadows. But the pale face was even more beautiful that ever, carrying that ghostly fingerprint of pain.

A strange lancing pain went through him as he looked at her… Then he put his arms around her and carried her out of the car. She awoke, when they were already inside, in the large dark hall, and pulled away with a start. He released her and Rin stepped back, her eyes still foggy with sleep.

- Why did you ran away? - Seshomaru asked, his voice careful and even.

It was a moment before she realized that the burning behind her eyes was tears. And then a sudden thought struck her. It was so strange… so… but it seemed so reasonable. She could not run away, if it only… if it wasn't… if… The words seemed torn out of her throat, when she spoke:

- Why did you let me run away?

***

A/N: now that was a long one… Sorry it took much time, but I hope you enjoyit! Thanx again to Cassy, to all readers and reviewers! This is all for you!

Ps: don't worry biganimefan, there'll be kag/inu lemons - ye, ye. There are a lot of fanfics on -mediaminer- with lemons on first pages - read them if you're looking only for that. I'm writing a novel here. ^_^

Read? Review!

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"I hide myself behind the moon"

by Ishumino

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