InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Icy Meetings ❯ One-Shot

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters used in this one-shot. Rumiko Takahashi is the one and only true owner.

 

A/N: A very long one-shot that I might make into a fanfic one day. But, for now, I'll just leave it as it is. Oh and the novel mentioned is a real book and I encourage mature readers to read it.

 

 

“It's freezing.”

 

“No duh!”

 

The girl who had spoken first looked out at the ice arena. Her black hair was tied up in a small ponytail on her head and she wore a turtleneck purple sweater, blue jeans with a fancy fan imprint, and ice-skating shoes. Even though it was frigid, she insisted on wearing a little bit of make-up, her ruby red lips complementing her eyes. The girl beside her was hugging herself, watching as her breaths turned into small puffs of fog. She had a red and white striped beanie on her head, a matching wool sweater, red jeans, and a pair of ice-skating shoes sloppily put on.

 

“You can't ice-skate if your skates aren't tied right,” commented the previous mentioned girl as she bent down to properly tie said skates.

 

“Who said I'm going to skate?” the second girl remarked, sitting down on the bench that was near to where she had been standing. “There's no way I'm going to be able to do this anyway.”

 

“Yura...” sighed the first girl as she stood back up after tying her skates.

 

“Kagura...” said the Yura, equally as exasperated. “Besides, I never wanted to compete. It was all my brother's idea.”

 

“Whether or not it was your idea or your brother's does not make any difference. I'm going to teach you to ice-skate, okay?”

 

Yura turned her head away, pulling up her sweater so that no hot air was let out. She didn't answer, but when Kagura placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, she sighed in defeat and stood up.

 

“You'd better not let me fall,” she warned before placing her hands in her friend's. “I'll kill you if you do.”

 

With a snort, Kagura pulled her forward. “Falling is the only way you'll learn, you know.” Before Yura could change her mind, Kagura pulled her onto the rink and smirked when Yura gazed wide-eyed at the other skaters. Some were like her, requiring assistance from helpful friends or family members. But others skated as if they were professionals. They skid by the pair of friends in a whirl of icy wind, waving to their family members who were busy getting snacks for the little ones.

 

Gulping, Yura comprehended just how many skaters there were and felt her knees buckle. Prior to falling, however, she felt Kagura support her and give her a small smile. She smiled back, thankful to have a friend help her.

 

A few teenagers past by them, deliberately skidding close enough to trip up Kagura. She stumbled a bit before finally falling onto her bottom, blinking a few times before turning an angry face to the two male teenagers. They grinned and winked to each other before skidding away.

 

“I thought you were supposed to help me up when I fall,” Yura said, extending her hands to her fallen friend. “Not the other way around.”

 

“Yeah, yeah,” replied Kagura as she took the helping hands before her and stood up.

 

They both turned around when they heard two female voices call to them, skidding up to stop beside them.

 

A girl with a long ponytail on her head panted from the run, but grinned apologetically at Yura and Kagura. “Sorry about that. We didn't think they'd actually make you fall if we turned to get the snacks.”

 

The other girl, with wavy raven hair nodded her head. “They can be real trouble-makers when we turn out backs.” Then, she extended out her hand with a smile. “My name's Kagome. This is my friend Sango and those two boys you met were our boyfriends- Inu Yasha and Miroku.”

 

Taking her hand, Kagura introduced herself and Yura. “My name is Kagura and this is Yura. I'm just helping her skate.”

 

“Oh, you don't know how to skate?” asked Sango, a smile still on her face.

 

Nudging her friend in the ribs, Yura whispered, “Kagura!”

 

“Aw, come on, Yura. Don't be ashamed- I didn't always know how to skate either.”

 

Pouting, Yura sighed and turned to Sango. “No, I don't know how to skate. I'm only trying to learn because my brother signed me up to compete.” Turning back to Kagura she complained, “But, I'll never learn in time for the contest- I told you that before! Come on, Kagura, let's just go and I'll ask to be removed from the list.”

 

“No way, you're going to learn to skate. What kind of friend would I be if I let you quit?”

 

“A good one!”

 

“No.”

 

“Aw, come on...”

 

“No. Come on, Yura, I'm going to teach you whether you like it or not,” Kagura stated firmly as she tugged on her friend's sweater.

 

The two girls who had just arrived, Kagome and Sango, came forward to help. Kagome took Yura's other arm in a friendly way and Sango stayed in back in case she fell. “We'll help you, too,” Kagome said, giving her a warm smile.

 

“Look, Yura, our two new friends are going to help you. How can you back out now?” Kagura nodded her thanks to the two girls and they nodded in return. Together, they helped Yura skid forward.

 

“Left, right, left, right. Yeah, like you're walking. Careful not to step in the tracks of another skater, though.”

 

Yura, feeling a lot more confident in herself, followed the instructions by her best friend and slowly began to skate. But, as she felt the reassuring hands leave her, she suddenly felt scared all over again.

 

“What are you doing?!” she exclaimed as Kagura was the only girl left, yet was slowly letting go of her. “Hey!”

 

“You've gotta learn to skate on your own, girl. Good luck.” With a pat on her shoulder, Kagura left her to skate on her own.

 

Yura gulped again, but strode forward, continuing to use the helpful hints Kagura had given her to try and skate. But, when a few skaters whizzed past her, she lost her balance and fell on her bottom. In an instant, Kagura was by her side, helping her up. She asked her if she was okay, and Yura remarked with a laugh.

 

“That didn't hurt at all!”

 

Kagura gave her a surprised expression before softening her eyes and smiling as well. “No, not really. But be careful not to fall down too much or you'll regret it.”

 

Nodding, Yura accepted the help of her friend and got back on her feet.

 

Kagura brushed off some of the ice from Yura's sweater and added, “I won't be there to help you get back up all the time because you have to learn to pick yourself up, but I'll be here if you need help, okay?”

 

Yura nodded, before shooing her off to skate freely. Kagura patted her shoulder once more before waving and skating off, fast and free.

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

“Hey, Sesshoumaru! Why don't you skate with us, huh?”

 

Looking up from his book, Sesshoumaru gave the two boys smirking at him a bored expression. “I'm reading,” he stated simply.

 

“Reading is boring,” replied the white haired boy, his grin widening.

 

“Come on and grab yourself a girlfriend. There are plenty of single women out on the rink,” added the black haired male, winking at him to see if he got the point.

 

Apparently, Sesshoumaru could care less. He looked at them for a moment before returning to his book.

 

“What's that you're reading, then?” the white haired boy asked as he somehow managed to get next to him in a flash.

 

“By Duty Bound by Ezell Ware Jr. It's a very fascinating and captivating read,” he replied.

 

The boy looked deep in thought for a moment before he spoke again. “Haven't you read that before?”

 

“Seven times. I repeat- it is a very fascinating and captivating read.”

 

Scratching his head, the boy shrugged and walked off. “Alright then. Don't complain to Pa that I didn't try and invite you to skate with me. He'll be so disappointed the day you turn out to be gay, though.”

 

“I'd throw this book at you if it wasn't one of my favorites,” warned Sesshoumaru as he continued to become engaged in the plot of said novel.

 

“Yea right. Anyways, feel free to join us whenever,” said the boy as he skated with his friend, disappearing the crowd of skaters.

 

Sesshoumaru just went on reading his novel and he didn't notice the two girls who sat near him until they offered him a cup. He looked up at one of the girls and raised his elegant eyebrow upwards a bit. “What is it?”

 

“Here. A smoothie. You like strawberry banana, right?” she asked, still holding the smoothie in front of him.

 

“Yes. But, at the moment I am not thirsty.”

 

The girl gave him a sweet smile before setting the cup next to him. “Well, just in case you do get thirsty later on, then.”

 

He nodded slightly before he began reading the next page in his book, a sign that said he wanted to be alone at the moment. The girl understood him well enough to know that she should leave, but before she did, she said one more thing to him.

 

“You know, Sesshoumaru,” she began, searching for the right words before smiling and continuing, “just because Rin is not here and you do not feel obliged to have fun, you should still enjoy this small vacation. I'm sure it's what she would have wanted, had she not been requested to spend some bonding time with her cousin.”

 

Sesshoumaru looked up at her slowly. She continued to smile as she bowed before taking the arm of her friend and walking away.

 

“I will take that into consideration,” he finally said, causing her to stop suddenly before beaming at him with a nod and starting after the ice arena.

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

“Hey, Kagome. What'd you say to him?” the same white haired boy who had bugged Sesshoumaru earlier said as she linked arms with him.

 

“Oh, nothing, Inu Yasha. Come on, let's skate!” she urged as she pulled on his arm. He smiled at her.

 

She never fails to bring the good side in people. I wonder how she got to be so energetic and perky all the time. Maybe it's something she drinks?

 

“Kagome?”

 

“Hmm?”

 

“Thanks.”

 

Kagome looked at her boyfriend perplexedly, but merely beamed at him when he suddenly found himself in an awkward situation. Hugging his arm tighter, she pulled on it so that they would skate faster.

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

 

...you should still enjoy this small vacation...

 

“Hmm.”

 

Looking up from his novel, he glanced at the skaters and their partners. Everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives, including the ones who had previously fallen, but were now getting up in an attempt to show others that they were just as determined as the professionals. The ones on the benches were the mothers and father who were obliged to look after the younger children who were far too young to be at the large arena before them. Some of whom had formerly been at the `Kiddy Arena' where the small children were brought to a rink much smaller and kid-friendly.

 

Feeling a bit left out, Sesshoumaru reluctantly put down the book and walked out to the rink, stopping only to adjust the gloves on his hands.

 

“So, you're going to skate now?”

 

If this voice had been a familiar one, Sesshoumaru would have replied with a complex answer that would have only confused the person. But, instead, the voice was not a familiar one. And to make things even more confusing, it seemed to belong to a woman.

 

Turning around to look at the stranger, he found that he had seen her earlier on the ice with her friend. Flexing his fingers to try and see if his fingers were inserted in the right openings, he asked the most common question one finds themselves asking when confronted with someone that would be classified to one as a `stranger':

 

“Who are you?”

 

The stranger grinned, her lips seeming to get redder and shinier. She had her arms on the edge of the rink, a few strands of hair fallen from her short ponytail.

 

“Kagura. I just saw that you were reading and wondered why you didn't want to skate. I guess Kagome changed your mind, huh?”

 

Raising his eyebrow, Sesshoumaru inquired, “How do you come to know of Kagome?”

 

Waving her hand, Kagura explained, “Long story short: new friend. Why?”

 

“It is not of importance.”

 

He received what he had expected, for Kagura raised her eyebrow as well and gave him a dumbfounded look.

 

“Do you always speak in a code-like fashion?” she asked. Then, she smiled slyly. “You know, it kinda suits you.”

 

“And when have you gathered enough information about me to know what suits me or not?” he replied in turn. It was a rhetorical question, but nevertheless Kagura answered.

 

“I haven't. But by the way you act, it kinda just fits altogether.”

 

“An observer, are you?”

 

She grinned again. “Perhaps. But, let me ask you this.”

 

His raised eyebrow urged her to continue.

 

“Can you skate?”

 

Sesshoumaru looked at her with his famous emotionless expression as he made his final adjustments to his gloves. “If you are inquiring as to whether I have the ability to skate or not, then the answer is yes. Is that all?”

 

Continuing to grin, Kagura merely spoke two words. These words, however, brought forth a challenge.

 

“Prove it.”

 

Narrowing his eyes, Sesshoumaru brushed past her, stepping onto the ice in graceful steps. For a moment, she thought he was backing out, but then she heard him speak.

 

“Watch.”

 

And she did watch. She watched as he elegantly slid across the ice, stepping and moving his legs as if he had performed in skating contests and won first place every time. He slid with grace and posture, skating in a way that would have brought even the best male skaters to shame. Every turn was precise and he never let himself run into anything. All the while, he allowed that emotionless expression to stay plastered across his face. But she knew better. She could tell that behind that façade, he had a love for skating. A love that enabled him to glide elegantly, even though it seemed he was just trying to show off.

 

When at last he came to a stop, everyone was clapping, praising his skill. He merely went up to Kagura and spoke two words, just as she had.

 

“Now, you.”

 

Expecting this, Kagura smirked and whispered, “You're not the only one with a knack for skating.”

 

A tad bit baffled at how she had known that he enjoyed skating even though he put up a façade, Sesshoumaru simply nodded for her to start.

 

Gliding to the middle of the ice, Kagura ignored the awaiting looks of the other skaters as they stepped aside to watch. Extending her arms, she began.

 

She may not have been as smooth as Sesshoumaru, but she had tremendous talent nevertheless. In a way, she rivaled Sesshoumaru in talent and skill and her movements agreed. She twirled at the right times and landed with a flourish every time. One might have mistaken her for a professional figure skater, if not for one thing.

 

As her theory goes, every good thing ends in tragedy.

 

And, her theory proved her right again as she tripped over a pair of skates that had been carelessly left in her way by a small child who had thought it alright if he left his skates on the arena before joining his family for a snack. She fell to the ground with a crash and slid across the rink, landing, unfortunately, at the very feet of the man who had dared her to try and equal his skill.

 

Cursing profanities under her breath, she struggled to get up but found her leg was still stinging from the fall. And, not only that, but a red fluid was dripping from her right shin. Apparently, the blade of the skates that she had tripped over had scraped against her shin, leaving a very bloody mess behind.

 

Of course, Kagura felt like the fool of the year.

 

The small children who had been on the rink earlier ran to their mothers after seeing the blood and said mothers covered their eyes, but went to retrieve towels for her anyway. Sesshoumaru pulled her up to lay her across the bench, not really sure why, but he felt it was his responsibility- being the only one brave enough to get near her without flinching at the sight of blood.

 

Yura, Kagome, Sango, Inu Yasha, and Miroku hurried up to her, towels in hand as they crowded around her.

 

“There's nothing to see here, everyone please continue with your business!” Yura demanded as she shooed away everyone. After a while, some people began to skate again, but not as fast an freely as before.

 

“Are you alright, Kagura?” Kagome asked worriedly as Inu Yasha dabbed her injury with a fresh towel.

 

Kagura smirked. “I guess I'm ruining everyone's day, huh? Man, if I knew this was going to happen, I would've stayed home and played Blackjack with Kanna all day...”

 

“It's all my fault,” Yura exclaimed. “If I hadn't have told you that my brother had signed me up for that contest and that I didn't even know how to skate, you would've never had wanted to come here and then you wouldn't be injured right now!”

 

“It's not your fault,” Kagura said, struggling to sit up so that Yura didn't have to look down to much. But, a firm hand brought her back down again. She looked to her left and saw Sesshoumaru giving her a stern look.

 

“If you sit up, it'll just increase the pain.”

 

“I agree,” Sango said as she placed some towels under Kagura's head to comfort her. “Just wait till the medics arrive.”

 

“Medics?” Kagura suddenly said as she tried to sit up again. Sesshoumaru gently pulled her back down for the second time. “Let me go! I don't need any medics!”

 

“But, Kagura, the bleeding won't stop,” Kagome tried to convince her, but to no avail.

 

“I don't care! I don't want any medics hovering around me!”

 

“Why don't you just calm down...” Miroku said, attempting to ease her of the stress.

 

“She is afraid of doctors,” came a small, almost too silent to hear voice.

 

Everyone turned to the direction the voice had come from, but Kagura only moaned one word.

 

“Kanna...”

 

“Aren't you going to acknowledge me as well, dear sister?” came yet another voice.

 

Behind the small girl who Kagura had announced was Kanna, a boy with a menacing grin approached her.

 

“Or have you forgotten me completely?”

 

Everyone looked from Kagura to the strange boy who seemed to be albino. He shielded his face from the light, but thought better and snapped his fingers. In an instant, the lights were out and both Kanna and the boy seemed satisfied.

 

With a sigh and a slight turn of her head, Kagura greeted:

 

“Hakudoshi.”