InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ice Prince and Princess ❯ Chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters. The honor goes to Rumiko TAKAHASHI.

The next couple of days flew by for Sesshoumaru and I. From dawn until dusk we perfected jumps, spins, and holds. Each night, I soaked in the bathtub, filled to the brim with hot water, to ease my sore muscles.

No one said ice skating was easy. It requires strength, skill, emotional and body control, a feeling for the music and endless practice.

Kagura proved to be quite the slave driver. I admit we couldn’t have pulled this off without her help. She pushed us harder when we were about to give up. She criticized our every move and corrected the mistakes we made.

By the middle of the week, we had a song and a new choreographed routine.

“I’m almost finished with the costumes,” Jakotsu mentioned, during one of our much needed breaks. “But I still need to get your measurements.”

I took a few sips from my water bottle and stretched my legs across the bench in front of me. I will need to soak my feet after we are finished for the day, which shouldn’t be much longer. I could see the pink and orange streaks in fading blue sky. The sun would set soon.

I had come to enjoy my talks with Jakotsu. He’s been listening to me complain about Inuyasha and surprisingly, it's helping me get through the break up.

“Really?” I said, barely containing my excitement. “What do they look like? Can I see them?”

Jakotsu smiled, waving a finger at me. “No way, Kags. I want it to be a surprise.”

I frowned, puzzled at his behavior. “Don’t we need to try them on to make sure they fit? I don’t want to skate looking like a sack of potatoes.”

“Don’t worry,” he reassured me, after he finished laughing at me. “I have my own reputation to think about. Once people see the costumes I design the orders will be pouring in.”

Besides being well known for his talk show, Jakotsu owns and operates his own clothing line. People can’t get enough of his clothes and they fly off the racks. I was lucky enough to get a few of his items in a goodie bag at an award show.

“Overconfident enough?” I teased.

He flicked his hand towards my way. “Of course, Kags. I can’t help if I know how to work it.”

“Are you applying that I don’t?” I asked, narrowing my gaze at him.

Jakotsu wrapped his arm around my shoulder, squeezing it in a friendly gesture. “You are one of the few women that know how to. Sadly, you don’t use it as often as you should.”

I punched him in the arm. “I don’t know if I should feel insulted or not,” I continued to tease. I knew he meant well. “I would feel better with some free stuff. Like the clothes from your clothing line.”

He started to shake with uncontrollable laughter when I started to bat my eyelashes at him. “Your charms have no effect on me.”

“It would have if I had a penis between my legs,” I pouted.

Jakotsu noticed the angry stares we were receiving from Sesshoumaru. “Did you do something to Sesshoumaru to make him pissed at you?”

I shook my head. “No,” I admitted. “I thought it was you who had pissed him off. He wasn’t like this before our break. I wondered what had changed?”

“I think I know,” Jakotsu practically purred.

He pulled me closer into him and leaned down to whisper in my ear. “I believe that mister fluffy is getting jealous.”

“Mister fluffy?”

“It’s a nickname I gave him and he hates it. I use it every chance I get.”

I snorted in disbelief. “What does he have to be jealous of?” I questioned, still keeping my gaze on Sesshoumaru. It seemed he had moved forward when Jakotsu made his move. “It’s not like he’s interested in me romantically and you’re gay.”

Jakotsu grew serious. “I go both ways, Kagome,” he revealed, surprised that I didn’t know. “But I prefer men.”

“But I thought…” I trailed off suddenly becoming uncomfortable with his arms around me. I thought I was safe from his advances. I’m not ready for another relationship for the time being. I just got dumped by my ex on his show.

Jakotsu kissed me on my forehead. “Don’t worry about it. You’re not my type.”

I didn’t notice I breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m so sorry,” I immediately apologized, after realizing what I had done. “I didn’t mean for it to come out that way. It’s just that…”

He placed his finger against my lips. “I understand, Kags. I took no offense.”

Our time together was cut short when Kagura called me back to the ice. Looks like my break time was over. Short as it was. “I have to get back,” I said, standing. “The drill sergeant wants to torture me some more.” I slipped my protectors off my skates, placing them next to my duffle bag, and headed out onto the ice.

Kagura looked back and forth between us. “You guys have done well so far, but we still have a long way to go.” We both nodded our heads in agreement. We knew better than to interrupt her during a speech. The last time we did that we had to do twenty laps around the rink, and that was after we put in a full day’s worth. “Before we call it a day,” she continued. “I want to see two lifts. One normal and the other one a twist.”

We remained silent as Sesshoumaru took a hold of my hand and we skated around the ice, gaining momentum for the lifts. It would be simple to do the single lift first, but Sesshoumaru was not simple. He preferred to do things the hard way. I should have expected it, but I was taken aback when he gripped my waist and tossed me into the air.

He caught me as I was coming down and I brushed against him. I heard him take in a slight intake of breath and felt his groin strain against his pants. I blushed as he released me, skating backwards with my left leg raised, and him holding my hand.

We didn’t hear Kagura clap or the whistles coming from Jakotsu. The only thing that mattered to us at the moment was the chemistry we felt towards one another. My heart beat rapidly against my chest and I was afraid that Sesshoumaru would be able to hear it. I would be so embarrassed.

I was the first one to break away.

I am already regretting my decision of not getting involved with Sesshoumaru. Each day it seems as if we’re growing closer and not the way adoptive siblings should be. I’m afraid I will fall for him completely and I don’t know what I will do then. I am positive Sesshoumaru doesn’t see me as a romantic prospect. The reaction I felt from him is just a reaction of me brushing up against him.

But that doesn’t explain the jealous expression he had when he stared at me and Jakotsu earlier. It seemed as though he wanted to tear us apart.

I mentally gave a little sigh. I didn’t need Sesshoumaru to ask what was wrong with me. He would never begin to understand.

It was for the best that I stick with my decision and keep things between us professional. Business never mixes with pleasure. My relationship with Inuyasha was proof of that.

“The way Kagome stretched her leg and arm out gave me goose bumps,” I heard Jakotsu speak. “I have never seen anyone do that before.”

He had walked across the slippery ice with his own shoes. It was foolish of him to do so, since the bottoms don’t have grips on them. He could have fallen and hurt himself. Of course, no one said anything to him about his foolishness. He wouldn’t have listened anyway.

Kagura inclined her head to acknowledge his observation. “Inuyasha was a fool for getting rid of her.” She noticed my wince. “I’m not going to apologize, Kagome. You know I speak the truth.”

“He wasted your talent,” Jakotsu added. “You have immensely improved as Sesshoumaru’s partner and I believe he has improved in some areas as well.”

I peered at him with curiosity. “Like what?” I asked, really wanting to know the answer.

He smiled at me and motioned me forward. “He’s showing more emotion in his facial expressions. He has never done that before.”

I pulled away from him, glancing over at Sesshoumaru. He must be joking. I didn’t see the same thing he did.

“Enough talking,” Sesshoumaru interrupted. “The hour grows late.”

Agreeing with Sesshoumaru, I slipped my hand back within his and we took off, making sure we we’re far away from our coach and costume designer.

His eyes seemed to ask me if I was ready and I squeezed his hand in return. We didn’t need to voice our quiet conversation. True ice skating partners can sense what the other is thinking and feeling.

Sesshoumaru placed his hands around my waist and lifted me above his head, with one hand supporting my waist and the other gripping my hand. Meanwhile, I have my legs spread wide apart, almost like a pair of scissors, while Sesshoumaru spins us around the ice. He gently let me down.

By the end of practice, both of us we’re breathing hard, trying to catch our breaths. The day has taken a lot out of us and tomorrow, we will repeat the same process.

“I believe that’s a wrap,” Jakotsu said, a huge smile plastered on his face. “I’ve always wanted to say that.” No one had the heart to tell him it wasn’t a movie set, but we figured he knew the truth.

We collected out belongings and made our way back to the house, finding ourselves in the kitchen, eating leftovers from the dinner that had been prepared earlier. I felt bad we didn’t eat with Rin and Jaken, but our time was limited and the snacks we ate during practice had to provide us with nourishment.

Sesshoumaru expressed his wishes on watching the news and the four of us sat around the table, watching the television at the end of the counter. I wished my one bedroom apartment was big enough to have another television in the kitchen, but the one I had took enough space.

The blonde newswoman looked into the camera and seemed to stare straight at me. I deemed it ridiculous and paid attention to what she said. “We bring you breaking news of a missing ice skater.”

Everyone glanced at me and I gulped nervously, shifting my attention back. This was not going to end well.

The blonde shifted the papers in front of her. “It seems that Kagome Higurashi disappeared after a very public break up with her former partner and ex boyfriend, Inuyasha Takashi. But a rumor is going around that she’s lying low until this fiasco with her ex is over.”

I didn’t like this at all.

After a long pause, the reporter continued. “One of our reporters are standing by with her ex-boyfriend, Inuyasha Takashi, to find out his take on her disappearance. Shippo?”

A handsome man with red hair and turquoise colored eyes appeared on screen. He was a few inches taller than Inuyasha and had to bend his head slightly to look at him. “Do you have any idea where she could have gone?” He asked, sticking the microphone in his face.

“It doesn’t surprise me one bit,” he explained. “She probably ran to my father and got him to feel sorry for her.”

My body stiffened as I listened to the rest of the interview. Each word that fell out of his mouth made me angrier. When I had enough of his bullshit, I stomped over to the television and turned it off.

I stood at the counter for a few more minutes to calm myself down and went back to the table. I pushed my plate aside. I wasn’t feeling hungry anymore. “So,” I began, glancing at Sesshoumaru. “What do we do now?”

He didn’t reply. I didn’t expect him to. He would answer me when he has thought about it.

“We should release a statement to the press explaining that Kagome found a new partner and is spending every moment practicing for Nationals,” Jakotsu offered as a suggestion and I had to agree with him. “Every magazine and broadcast will be talking about it until the big day.”

Sesshoumaru shook his head. “Out of the question. It would cause more commotion and the press won’t rest until they learn who I am.”

“You are the last person they would suspect. For all they know you’re still in retirement,”
I couldn’t help but point out. “And if they do see you at Nationals, they would figure you’re there to show support for Inuyasha.”

“It does make sense, Sesshoumaru,” Kagura added. “I’ll be honest with you. We could use the added publicity.”

I stared at him, as did everyone else, waiting for his decision. We wouldn’t go forward with the plan without his consent, as we are a team. “Fine,” he finally spoke. “Although, I still don’t agree with it.”

I looked at him, confused. “You could’ve said no.”

“You three wouldn’t let up until I agreed,” he said, shrugging his shoulders.

Jakotsu laughed. “He knows us well.”

A sudden idea struck me. “That’s it!” I shouted, jumping up from my chair, pacing the floor, pondering. I ignored the curious stares as I mumbled out my thoughts. “I know how to bring Inuyasha to his knees.”

“I would like to hear what you came up with,” Sesshoumaru said, leaning back in his chair, looking at me. “By the excitement in your tone, I know I’m going to like it.”

Licking my lips from my sudden nervousness, I couldn’t help the words slipping easily from my lips. “Inuyasha will probably use the routine I choreographed because it is the only one he knows. He’s not intelligent enough to come up with one on his own.”

Sesshoumaru nodded. “Go on,” he encouraged.

“Well, I thought we skate the same routine,” I threw my plan out there, but I didn’t wait for them to ask questions. “Inuyasha won’t expect it and will be humiliated, once he sees how the routine is truly performed.”

Kagura left the table to refill her cup of coffee. “That would work if we didn’t already have a routine that you’ve been practicing for a week now. Learning a new one in less than a week is not an option.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but she held up a hand. “He could contest the routine to the judges, Kagome. If they find favor with Inuyasha, you could be suspended or removed from the league entirely. Is that what you want?”

“It won’t come to that,” I assured her.

She peered at me above the rim of her green cup. “It’s too risky. I’m sorry but we stick to the routine we already have.”

A feeling of defeat came over me. I couldn’t fault her for playing it safe. I headed for the exit, waiting to be alone and sulk, when Sesshoumaru’s hand reached out and gripped my upper arm, stopping in my tracks.

I looked down at his hand and moved my gaze towards his face. “Is there something else you need to say to me?” I asked, hoping he would let me go. He could see by my expression that I was about to cry and I didn’t want anyone else to see it. They probably already think I’m a total crybaby.

“Can you prove you came up with the routine?”

“Yes,” I said, my voice shaking, and I made an effort to steady it. I swallowed and tried again. “Whenever I create a new routine I video tape them. So, I can watch it and fix what I don’t like and keep what I do like.”

Seeing a grin appear on his face, I began to get a little bit frightened. When Sesshoumaru smiles it is never a good thing. “Does your video camera have a date and time set on it?”

I nodded my head, wondering where he was going with this. “Yes. All video cameras nowadays have it. Why?”

“That’s the proof we need to show the judges if they question the performance. Inuyasha will be unable to show for it and will be caught in his own lie.”

Kagura slapped her cup down onto the table, causing a few drops of coffee to fall out, leaving stains. “I know where you’re going with this and it won’t happen, Sesshoumaru. There is no possible way to do it.”

He gave her one of his infamous glares. “And it only took a week for us to perfect the one we have. There won’t be any problem if we put in a little extra time.”

Kagura shook her head in defeat. “I don’t like this, but I don’t have much of a choice. Do you have a copy of the tape with you, Kagome? I would like to watch it tonight if possible. So, we can start bright and early tomorrow.”

“It’s in my room,” I replied, smiling. “I threw the camera in the bag I packed. I don‘t know why, but now I‘m glad I did.”

Jakotsu couldn’t contain his glee. He was practically bouncing in his chair. “I get to make new costumes.”

“Keep that up and you’re going to be releasing something white in your pants, Jakotsu,” Sesshoumaru pointed out, unable to hide his amusement.

He chose to ignore Sesshoumaru and focused his gaze back on me. “What’s the routine about, Kags? I need to get a feel for the routine if I’m to re-make the costumes.”

“That’s not necessary. I’m sure the other ones are fine.”

Jakotsu gasped and placed a hand on his heart, almost as if I had stunned him. I looked around, startled at his behavior. “What? What did I say wrong?”

I heard a slight chuckle come from Sesshoumaru. “In Jakotsu’s world, the old costumes are last season.”

“How come you understand him better than I do? Are you sure you’re not gay?” I teased, knowing the consequences it would bring.

He pulled me down into his lap and tilted my head back, covering his lips with my own. It was over as soon as it began, but I still felt a slight tingle spread from the top of my head to my toes. “Does that answer your question?” He asked, pulling back and settling me on my feet.

He gave me a knowing smirk, when I had to place my hands on the table to steady myself. “No, you could be in denial or trying to use me as a cover up.”

Jakotsu laughed. “Don’t leave me out. I want a kiss too.”

“Sorry, Jakotsu,” he expressed, placing his hand over his heart. “But my heart only belongs to Kagome.”

I backed up until I stood next to Kagura. “Don’t bring me into your mess. You’re on your own with this one.”

“You wound me.”

Kagura shook her head at us. “You three are impossible to work with,” she said, but I caught a slight smile on her lips. “Let’s call it a night, shall we? There is a lot to do in the morning. Don’t think for a minute that I will go easy on you.”

“Wouldn’t think of it, drill sergeant,” I mumbled underneath my breath.
She raised an eyebrow at me and placed her hands on her hips. “What was that, Higurashi? Do you want to run twenty laps around the rink tomorrow?”

Sesshoumaru hoisted me over his shoulders and covered his hand over my mouth, to stop my protests of him manhandling me. “She doesn’t know what she’s saying. Lack of sleep will do that to you.”

He bent down to hiss in my ear. “Shut it, Kagome. I don’t want to end up doing twenty laps because of your stupidity.”

I gave in to his demands and stopped wiggling. It kind of felt nice to be carried to my room. The only part I didn’t enjoy was Sesshoumaru giving me a chaste kiss and tossing me onto the bed.

But that’s alright. Paybacks are a bitch.

To be continued…