InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ice Prince and Princess ❯ Chapter 3
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters. The honor belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
The sun has barely peaked over the horizon with the night clouds still drifting away, leaving the sky a dusty pink, when I found myself shivering in the cold morning air. The headache I awoken with had already receded with the help of some aspirin and freshly made coffee.
I nibbled on the chocolate donut I was given for my early morning breakfast and washed it down with another cup of hot coffee. I didn't question where the donut had come from. I was just happy to get something into my empty stomach to quell my hunger. Usually, I try to stay away from sweets so close to competition, but one little sweet is not going to hurt.
Sesshoumaru stood a few feet away from me, warming up by stretching out his muscles. Even though it has been years since he last stepped out onto the ice, he has kept his body in very good shape. I couldn’t help but notice every muscle that rippled underneath the black turtleneck he wore.
Sensing that I was watching him, he turned around to face me and gave me a knowing smirk. I can't believe I had just been caught checking out my adopted brother. It seems kind of ironic since I went out with my other adopted brother, but it was still embarrassing to be caught.
"If you have the time to look me over," he spoke in a low baritone voice. "Then you can start with your warm ups. We still have much to do and I hate to waste time."
I held up my half eaten donut up to his gaze and lowered it back down, to take a bite. He shrugged off my attempt to get out of warm ups and return to what he was doing before. This time I made sure to keep my roaming eyes away from him.
It must be nice to have your own personal ice rink in your own backyard. I'm used to sharing the ice with other skaters at the public rink, but I could get used to this. I won't have to worry about trampling over little kids or about how fast I skate. My decision on being Sesshoumaru's partner does have it perks.
Finishing my donut and drinking the rest of my coffee, I leaned back against the wall, and closed my eyes. I immediately began to think about Inuyasha, after promising myself I wouldn't do it. I knew I shouldn't go down this road as it would only bring me trouble and more heartache, but I couldn't help it.
If things had turned out differently, I would be practicing the routine I had choreographed with Inuyasha. It seems like all my hard work was for nothing. I can’t use that routine anymore. Inuyasha will probably continue to use it as his own. The thought of him and Kikyo using my routine makes me so angry. I worked really hard on it and now, he will take all the credit for it.
My attention focused back on Sesshoumaru to find him hovering over me, his face close to mine. I licked my lips and stared directly into his eyes. "From here on out," he spoke in a low tone. "You are not to think about him. The only thing you are allowed to think about is practicing and performing a routine when we choreograph one. I will not let him get in the way of our partnership, Kagome."
I lowered my head in shame. I wonder how he knew I was thinking about him. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "It's still new to me. I can't help it."
I felt him sit down next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders in comfort. "I don't like to be harsh, but you need to hear this." I leaned into him and laid the back of my head on the curve of his shoulder. "He didn't give one thought about you, Kagome, when he left you for another. He's not even thinking of you now."
Tears fell down my cheeks as I listened to Sesshoumaru. "You're giving him exactly what he wants. He likes the idea of playing with your emotions, Kagome. He always has."
"How do I stop? It not easy as you make it sound." I asked him, not bothering to wipe my tears away, when I tilted my head back to look up at him.
Sesshoumaru used his other hand to wipe the tears for me. "Whenever you begin to think about him, let it motivate you in performing a flawless routine. Prove to him that you are strong enough without him, that you can make it on your own."
"I don't know if I am," I admitted.
Sesshoumaru surprised me by placing a light kiss on my lips. "That is what I'm here for.”
I began to move away from him. He promised me he wouldn't kiss me again, that our partnership would be professional. "It was only a friendly kiss."
Feeling better, I smiled up at him. "I know its not easy helping me through my personal baggage. You are a true gentleman, Sesshoumaru."
He gave a little smirk back. "I wouldn't count on that, Kagome. I have been called a bastard before."
"Inuyasha doesn't count," I said, still smiling. It seems that his plan of cheering me up has worked.
He stood up and I followed his example. "I'm heading out onto the ice," he informed me. "When you finish with your warm ups, come join me.“ I nodded my head and watched him take the ice gracefully. To me, he is the symbol of perfection.
I soon joined him out on the ice, after spending twenty minutes on my warm ups, stopping in front of him. “We will start with the basics first,“ he said to me, slipping his hand into mine. “I want to see if you can keep up with my speed as we skate around the ice.”
He moved first, dragging me along behind him. I knew this was part of his test and easily caught up to him. “You’ll have to do better than that,” I taunted him. “I’m not even out of breath yet.” Sesshoumaru smirked at me and picked up his pace. I admit keeping up with him was a challenge this time, but I still managed.
We stayed on this course for about an hour until we switched our positions. This time I skated a few feet in front of him, while he skated a few feet behind, one his hands on my hip and our arms stretched outwards. By the time we were through with basics, it was already lunch, and we stopped to take a break.
“There’s something I was meaning to tell you,” Sesshoumaru spoke out of the blue, but he never got the chance to say anything, for Kagura was heading towards us, with Jakotsu in tow.
I gave him a look and stood up to greet our guests. I don’t know what this is about, but I will be respectful and listen to what he has to say. There must be some reason why his former partner and friend decided to join us.
“I am so thrilled to finally meet you, Kagome,” Jakotsu spoke with excitement, while grabbing both of my hands, shaking them. “When I heard Kagura was coming over here, I practically begged her to take me along.”
“You did beg,” Kagura pointed out to him. “Right in front of my car. He wouldn’t move until I relented.”
I looked over at Sesshoumaru. “What is going on? And why are they here?”
Jakotsu placed his hand over his heart. “You didn’t bother to tell her that Kagura is your new coach and I am the costume designer? When were you going to tell her? By the look on her face, you’re in deep shit.”
“I was going to tell her before you two showed up,” he countered, glaring at Jakotsu for spilling the news. “I figured I had time yet, since Kagura wasn’t supposed to be here for a couple of more hours.”
Kagura rolled her eyes. “Don’t blame me for this mess you’ve gotten yourself into. I thought I would come early to see what you two managed to accomplish.”
Placing my hands on my hips, I continued to stare at Sesshoumaru, waiting for him to answer. He seemed to answer everyone else’s questions, but mine. “Don’t you have something to say to me? Even though Jakotsu already blabbed. No offense,” I said quickly, turning towards him.
“None taken,” he answered, waving his arms around as if my statement was a small matter.
Sesshoumaru sighed. " Kagura needed a job and wanted to get back into ice skating, so I offered her the job as our coach. I had no idea Jakotsu would appoint himself our costume designer. Usually the coach does that."
"You hurt me, Sess," Jakotsu said, quivering his lips. "I thought you loved me."
Sesshoumaru decided to ignore him. “Honestly, I was going to ask your opinion on the matter, but I never got the chance.”
I wasn’t going to let him off the hook yet, even though I understood his reasoning. He wanted to help his friend out. I would feel better about the whole thing if he had come to me first. I wouldn’t have stopped him from hiring her. “We’re partners, Sesshoumaru,” I reminded him. “I’m supposed to get a say in everything that we do. I don’t need another partner taking charge.”
“I can only tell you that I’m sorry and it won’t happen again.”
I smiled, letting him know everything was fine. “I actually like the idea of somebody else bossing me around.”
We all got a good laugh out of that and continued to talk throughout the rest of our break. But that was short lived and Kagura took command, making us get back onto the ice. Neither one of us complained, wanting to get in more practice time.
She leaned against the railing, with Jakotsu reclining next to her, giving out orders. “If I know Sesshoumaru, he would have already tested out your ability to keep in time to him. Am I right?” she asked me.
I nodded my head, wondering where she was going with this.
She drummed her finger against her chin in thought. “I want the both of you to perform a death spiral, and then will go from there.”
I glanced at Sesshoumaru and he shrugged his shoulders. We linked our hands and skated towards the middle of the ice. Standing in place, Sesshoumaru began to pivot on his right foot while swinging me around his body, almost horizontal to the ice. He lifted me up after a full rotation and we both glance over at Kagura for our next order.
She gave a slight nod. “That was a good attempt for your first time, but it can be better. Continue with the death spiral until I tell you to stop. I want to see perfection.”
I started to protest, but she had none of that. “I am your coach, Kagome. I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I didn’t think it was important.”
I decided to let it rest for now. She is more an likely worried about the time frame like we are. I don’t know if her approach is best, but I will give it a try. At this point, everything helps.
“That’s it,” she yelled out across the ice. “That is the fluidity is what I am looking for. The movement is so precise and the two of you are moving as one.
We skated back in to take another rest, because we had been working on the death spiral for over two hours. There are many more moves to try, but I hoped she would save some of them tomorrow. Learning to skate with a new partner is not easy.
Jakotsu handed us both a water bottle and we guzzled them down. “I knew she was the right one for you, Sesshoumaru. The two of you look like angels out there.”
Sesshoumaru used a towel to wipe off his brow. “Yes. I know.”
“Time is almost up for the day,” Kagura said, looking down at her watch. “I believe with the pace you two are achieving, we can try the throw triple salchow.” Sesshoumaru glared at her when he thought she wasn’t looking, but she glimpsed it from the corner of her eye. “Don’t give me that look. Just do it.”
Once again we took to the ice. Sesshoumaru placed his hands on my waist and tossed me away from him. I rotated my body around three times and braced myself to land, but when I touched the ice, my foot slid out from underneath me and I fell onto my back.
Landing on the hard ice is painful and I felt a sharp pain travel up my spine. I laid still until Sesshoumaru reached my side and kneeled down next to me. “Are you alright?” he asked, concern present in his amber colored eyes.
I felt the pain receding. “Yes. I believe I’m fine.”
I tried to stand, tried to push myself up, but my body protested and I fell back down onto the same spot. “Damn it,” I muttered underneath my breath. “My legs are still wobbly from the landing.” He helped me to my feet and stayed with me until I was able to stand on my own. I skated around the ice a few times to help get the feelings back into my legs.
Kagura motioned us to come to her. “That’s it for today. It was a good attempt, but I don’t want Kagome to fall and hurt herself even more. We will continue tomorrow.”
I shook my head. “No. I want to try it again. I know I can do it this time.”
“Out of the question.”
I continued to press her. “Just let me try one more time. I promise to quit after that.”
She looked intently at me, studying me for a moment. “One more time and that’s it, Kagome. I don’t want you to injure yourself more than you have.”
Resting his hand on the small of my back. Sesshoumaru took me back across the ice and once again, tossed me into the air. I twirled myself around three times and landed perfectly, skating backwards. I grinned up at Sesshoumaru and received a small one back.
“Wow,” Jakotsu whispered. “That was pure perfection.”
Kagura simply agreed with him. “I don’t even believe the two of you need me. You’re fine on your own.”
Jakotsu swung his arm around her shoulders and together we walked back towards the house, where dinner awaited us. “Admit it. You like to boss them around.”
“We really do need you, Kagura.” I said, helping out Jakotsu. “Who else is going to yell at the judges for us.”
She smiled. “That only happened one time and the idiot deserved it. He gave Sesshoumaru and I a low score.”
While the three of them discussed old times. My thoughts went towards a warm meal and a nice, hot soak to soothe my aching muscles. I had been worked hard today and tomorrow will be even harder.
Call me crazy, but I looked forward to it.
To be continued…
The sun has barely peaked over the horizon with the night clouds still drifting away, leaving the sky a dusty pink, when I found myself shivering in the cold morning air. The headache I awoken with had already receded with the help of some aspirin and freshly made coffee.
I nibbled on the chocolate donut I was given for my early morning breakfast and washed it down with another cup of hot coffee. I didn't question where the donut had come from. I was just happy to get something into my empty stomach to quell my hunger. Usually, I try to stay away from sweets so close to competition, but one little sweet is not going to hurt.
Sesshoumaru stood a few feet away from me, warming up by stretching out his muscles. Even though it has been years since he last stepped out onto the ice, he has kept his body in very good shape. I couldn’t help but notice every muscle that rippled underneath the black turtleneck he wore.
Sensing that I was watching him, he turned around to face me and gave me a knowing smirk. I can't believe I had just been caught checking out my adopted brother. It seems kind of ironic since I went out with my other adopted brother, but it was still embarrassing to be caught.
"If you have the time to look me over," he spoke in a low baritone voice. "Then you can start with your warm ups. We still have much to do and I hate to waste time."
I held up my half eaten donut up to his gaze and lowered it back down, to take a bite. He shrugged off my attempt to get out of warm ups and return to what he was doing before. This time I made sure to keep my roaming eyes away from him.
It must be nice to have your own personal ice rink in your own backyard. I'm used to sharing the ice with other skaters at the public rink, but I could get used to this. I won't have to worry about trampling over little kids or about how fast I skate. My decision on being Sesshoumaru's partner does have it perks.
Finishing my donut and drinking the rest of my coffee, I leaned back against the wall, and closed my eyes. I immediately began to think about Inuyasha, after promising myself I wouldn't do it. I knew I shouldn't go down this road as it would only bring me trouble and more heartache, but I couldn't help it.
If things had turned out differently, I would be practicing the routine I had choreographed with Inuyasha. It seems like all my hard work was for nothing. I can’t use that routine anymore. Inuyasha will probably continue to use it as his own. The thought of him and Kikyo using my routine makes me so angry. I worked really hard on it and now, he will take all the credit for it.
My attention focused back on Sesshoumaru to find him hovering over me, his face close to mine. I licked my lips and stared directly into his eyes. "From here on out," he spoke in a low tone. "You are not to think about him. The only thing you are allowed to think about is practicing and performing a routine when we choreograph one. I will not let him get in the way of our partnership, Kagome."
I lowered my head in shame. I wonder how he knew I was thinking about him. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "It's still new to me. I can't help it."
I felt him sit down next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders in comfort. "I don't like to be harsh, but you need to hear this." I leaned into him and laid the back of my head on the curve of his shoulder. "He didn't give one thought about you, Kagome, when he left you for another. He's not even thinking of you now."
Tears fell down my cheeks as I listened to Sesshoumaru. "You're giving him exactly what he wants. He likes the idea of playing with your emotions, Kagome. He always has."
"How do I stop? It not easy as you make it sound." I asked him, not bothering to wipe my tears away, when I tilted my head back to look up at him.
Sesshoumaru used his other hand to wipe the tears for me. "Whenever you begin to think about him, let it motivate you in performing a flawless routine. Prove to him that you are strong enough without him, that you can make it on your own."
"I don't know if I am," I admitted.
Sesshoumaru surprised me by placing a light kiss on my lips. "That is what I'm here for.”
I began to move away from him. He promised me he wouldn't kiss me again, that our partnership would be professional. "It was only a friendly kiss."
Feeling better, I smiled up at him. "I know its not easy helping me through my personal baggage. You are a true gentleman, Sesshoumaru."
He gave a little smirk back. "I wouldn't count on that, Kagome. I have been called a bastard before."
"Inuyasha doesn't count," I said, still smiling. It seems that his plan of cheering me up has worked.
He stood up and I followed his example. "I'm heading out onto the ice," he informed me. "When you finish with your warm ups, come join me.“ I nodded my head and watched him take the ice gracefully. To me, he is the symbol of perfection.
I soon joined him out on the ice, after spending twenty minutes on my warm ups, stopping in front of him. “We will start with the basics first,“ he said to me, slipping his hand into mine. “I want to see if you can keep up with my speed as we skate around the ice.”
He moved first, dragging me along behind him. I knew this was part of his test and easily caught up to him. “You’ll have to do better than that,” I taunted him. “I’m not even out of breath yet.” Sesshoumaru smirked at me and picked up his pace. I admit keeping up with him was a challenge this time, but I still managed.
We stayed on this course for about an hour until we switched our positions. This time I skated a few feet in front of him, while he skated a few feet behind, one his hands on my hip and our arms stretched outwards. By the time we were through with basics, it was already lunch, and we stopped to take a break.
“There’s something I was meaning to tell you,” Sesshoumaru spoke out of the blue, but he never got the chance to say anything, for Kagura was heading towards us, with Jakotsu in tow.
I gave him a look and stood up to greet our guests. I don’t know what this is about, but I will be respectful and listen to what he has to say. There must be some reason why his former partner and friend decided to join us.
“I am so thrilled to finally meet you, Kagome,” Jakotsu spoke with excitement, while grabbing both of my hands, shaking them. “When I heard Kagura was coming over here, I practically begged her to take me along.”
“You did beg,” Kagura pointed out to him. “Right in front of my car. He wouldn’t move until I relented.”
I looked over at Sesshoumaru. “What is going on? And why are they here?”
Jakotsu placed his hand over his heart. “You didn’t bother to tell her that Kagura is your new coach and I am the costume designer? When were you going to tell her? By the look on her face, you’re in deep shit.”
“I was going to tell her before you two showed up,” he countered, glaring at Jakotsu for spilling the news. “I figured I had time yet, since Kagura wasn’t supposed to be here for a couple of more hours.”
Kagura rolled her eyes. “Don’t blame me for this mess you’ve gotten yourself into. I thought I would come early to see what you two managed to accomplish.”
Placing my hands on my hips, I continued to stare at Sesshoumaru, waiting for him to answer. He seemed to answer everyone else’s questions, but mine. “Don’t you have something to say to me? Even though Jakotsu already blabbed. No offense,” I said quickly, turning towards him.
“None taken,” he answered, waving his arms around as if my statement was a small matter.
Sesshoumaru sighed. " Kagura needed a job and wanted to get back into ice skating, so I offered her the job as our coach. I had no idea Jakotsu would appoint himself our costume designer. Usually the coach does that."
"You hurt me, Sess," Jakotsu said, quivering his lips. "I thought you loved me."
Sesshoumaru decided to ignore him. “Honestly, I was going to ask your opinion on the matter, but I never got the chance.”
I wasn’t going to let him off the hook yet, even though I understood his reasoning. He wanted to help his friend out. I would feel better about the whole thing if he had come to me first. I wouldn’t have stopped him from hiring her. “We’re partners, Sesshoumaru,” I reminded him. “I’m supposed to get a say in everything that we do. I don’t need another partner taking charge.”
“I can only tell you that I’m sorry and it won’t happen again.”
I smiled, letting him know everything was fine. “I actually like the idea of somebody else bossing me around.”
We all got a good laugh out of that and continued to talk throughout the rest of our break. But that was short lived and Kagura took command, making us get back onto the ice. Neither one of us complained, wanting to get in more practice time.
She leaned against the railing, with Jakotsu reclining next to her, giving out orders. “If I know Sesshoumaru, he would have already tested out your ability to keep in time to him. Am I right?” she asked me.
I nodded my head, wondering where she was going with this.
She drummed her finger against her chin in thought. “I want the both of you to perform a death spiral, and then will go from there.”
I glanced at Sesshoumaru and he shrugged his shoulders. We linked our hands and skated towards the middle of the ice. Standing in place, Sesshoumaru began to pivot on his right foot while swinging me around his body, almost horizontal to the ice. He lifted me up after a full rotation and we both glance over at Kagura for our next order.
She gave a slight nod. “That was a good attempt for your first time, but it can be better. Continue with the death spiral until I tell you to stop. I want to see perfection.”
I started to protest, but she had none of that. “I am your coach, Kagome. I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I didn’t think it was important.”
I decided to let it rest for now. She is more an likely worried about the time frame like we are. I don’t know if her approach is best, but I will give it a try. At this point, everything helps.
“That’s it,” she yelled out across the ice. “That is the fluidity is what I am looking for. The movement is so precise and the two of you are moving as one.
We skated back in to take another rest, because we had been working on the death spiral for over two hours. There are many more moves to try, but I hoped she would save some of them tomorrow. Learning to skate with a new partner is not easy.
Jakotsu handed us both a water bottle and we guzzled them down. “I knew she was the right one for you, Sesshoumaru. The two of you look like angels out there.”
Sesshoumaru used a towel to wipe off his brow. “Yes. I know.”
“Time is almost up for the day,” Kagura said, looking down at her watch. “I believe with the pace you two are achieving, we can try the throw triple salchow.” Sesshoumaru glared at her when he thought she wasn’t looking, but she glimpsed it from the corner of her eye. “Don’t give me that look. Just do it.”
Once again we took to the ice. Sesshoumaru placed his hands on my waist and tossed me away from him. I rotated my body around three times and braced myself to land, but when I touched the ice, my foot slid out from underneath me and I fell onto my back.
Landing on the hard ice is painful and I felt a sharp pain travel up my spine. I laid still until Sesshoumaru reached my side and kneeled down next to me. “Are you alright?” he asked, concern present in his amber colored eyes.
I felt the pain receding. “Yes. I believe I’m fine.”
I tried to stand, tried to push myself up, but my body protested and I fell back down onto the same spot. “Damn it,” I muttered underneath my breath. “My legs are still wobbly from the landing.” He helped me to my feet and stayed with me until I was able to stand on my own. I skated around the ice a few times to help get the feelings back into my legs.
Kagura motioned us to come to her. “That’s it for today. It was a good attempt, but I don’t want Kagome to fall and hurt herself even more. We will continue tomorrow.”
I shook my head. “No. I want to try it again. I know I can do it this time.”
“Out of the question.”
I continued to press her. “Just let me try one more time. I promise to quit after that.”
She looked intently at me, studying me for a moment. “One more time and that’s it, Kagome. I don’t want you to injure yourself more than you have.”
Resting his hand on the small of my back. Sesshoumaru took me back across the ice and once again, tossed me into the air. I twirled myself around three times and landed perfectly, skating backwards. I grinned up at Sesshoumaru and received a small one back.
“Wow,” Jakotsu whispered. “That was pure perfection.”
Kagura simply agreed with him. “I don’t even believe the two of you need me. You’re fine on your own.”
Jakotsu swung his arm around her shoulders and together we walked back towards the house, where dinner awaited us. “Admit it. You like to boss them around.”
“We really do need you, Kagura.” I said, helping out Jakotsu. “Who else is going to yell at the judges for us.”
She smiled. “That only happened one time and the idiot deserved it. He gave Sesshoumaru and I a low score.”
While the three of them discussed old times. My thoughts went towards a warm meal and a nice, hot soak to soothe my aching muscles. I had been worked hard today and tomorrow will be even harder.
Call me crazy, but I looked forward to it.
To be continued…