InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Infatuation ❯ Good Girls Do ( Chapter 17 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

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Infatuation

By Lizzie Welling

Rated M/R for language

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Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha. Never have, never will. All other quoted songs, excerpts, etc. are cited and attributed to their respective owners.

A/N: Hiya everyone! I know, I am a horrible writer for neglecting to update for so long. It's just that life has been busy and crazy, and let's face it, writer's block is a bitch. But, I think I'm back in the game now. Updates are going to be sporadic. I just can't seem to keep a tight schedule with this story and I've been awful making promises to update that haven't exactly been on track. I do solemnly promise to finish this fic, no matter how long it takes. Scout's honor. *wink*

I got the idea of the first scene from Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle. For those of you who've seen it, you'll see which scene I'm talking about.

Without further ado, here's chapter 17!

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Recap:

“Kohaku, are you ready?” Naraku asked, reclining behind his desk.

“Yes, sir,” the modified human boy responded robotically.

“Excellent. You know what you must do.”

Kohaku nodded, flexing his clawed-tipped hand.

“Go.”

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Chapter 17: Good Girls Do

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The spotlights were low. Shadows of the feminine form could be discerned through the darkness. Males, human and youkai alike, reclined in their fashionably upholstered dinner chairs, clutching glasses of scotch, whiskey and other forms of alcohol, imbibing at their leisure. Suddenly, a drumbeat began. When the music floated in, the spotlights turned on, one by one, revealing four scantily clad females. One ookami youkai, one miko and two human women.

(1)This was never the way I planned
Not my intention
I got so brave, drink in hand
Lost my discretion

The females began to sway seductively in unison, strutting forward on their high heels. They each struck a pose, sensually running their hands down their chests and over the curve of their hips. Then they began choreographed steps, migrating in pairs to the two poles on the stage.

It's not what, I'm used to
Just wanna try you on
I'm curious for you
Caught my attention

Next, the females began to swing around the poles, then stopped, leaning in, eyes closed, red lips just breaths away from their partner's. They quickly slipped past each other and began another choreographed dance, wiggling and grinding in unison.

I kissed a girl and I liked it
The taste of her cherry chap stick
I kissed a girl just to try it
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight
I kissed a girl and I liked it
I liked it

“Whoa…” Miroku breathed, eyes glued to the stage, watching Sango. The Slayer was dressed in black ankle boots, fishnet stockings, black dance shorts and a deep blue corset, the top laces undone to show a hint of fluffy lace and décolletage. Her hair was curled and partially up, her bangs framing smoky dark eyes.

“Hey!” the Hunter was smacked in the back of the head with a towel. An irritated feminine-looking man, dressed identically to Miroku in a bowtie, vest and tuxedo shirt, scowled down at the monk. “Your job is to serve the drinks, not stare at the girls!”

“Hai, of course, sir. Forgive me,” Miroku bowed.

“Silly men,” the man sorted then went to scrutinize other servers.

Miroku made is way over to an elegantly clothed table, setting down napkin and drink. He turned and passed by another table, whispering to the seated silver-haired youkai as he passed.

“He's in position.”

“Hn,” Sesshomaru muttered, returning his attention to casually surveying the club. When his eyes swept past Rin, grinding sensually against a pole. He growled. Her white skirt was too short, in his opinion. Her white corset was too tight and showed too much of her…assets. Her curled and free-flowing hair, eye makeup and red lips were too sensual. And she was wearing little white boots that laced up her calves. Again.

Kouga sat behind the bar, mixing drinks and pouring drafts. He repeatedly snuck glances at the stage, eyeing Ayame in her short green dress with a gold corset laced up over top. Her red hair was down, falling dramatically into her eyes. He watched as she kicked a green-heeled foot up in the air, and then spun in a pirouette.

InuYasha was crouched in a corner, on the catwalk above the bar in the Banryu Gentleman's Lounge. He was trying hard to focus on the task ahead, but his eyes kept drifting to Kagome, who was dancing closely with Sango. The miko wore high-heeled boots that laced up to her knees, frilly black underwear, a tight red corset, and her hair piled high in a bun, curly tendrils falling out.

“Holy man to dog, keep steady,” Miroku's voice hummed out of his earpiece.

“Affirmative. Ready at the go.”

Down on stage, the girls formed a circle and began to rotate around, twirling and spinning expertly.

“Why did we agree to be the decoys again?” Kagome whispered out of the side of her mouth.

“Kaede gave us `The Look,'” Sango muttered back. “Plus the boys were all too eager to do the bust here.”

“Don't lie,” Ayame spun past them. “You know you like gettin' a lil' hoe-ish.”

“What?” Sango hissed. “The only hoe around here is you!”

“Please. You are trippin'.”

“Why I oughtta--”

“Stop the bitch fight and focus!” Kagome hissed, leaping in between them. She threw her arms around Sango's neck and began to sway and dip sensually, backing the tall Slayer away from the redhead.

Rin twirled herself around Ayame. “Why do you keep annoying her like that?”

“I'm not. She's just bitchy tonight.”

Rin just rolled her eyes.

“Perfection to Sakura,” Sesshomaru's voice drifted out of her earpiece. “Dog is at the ready.”

“Affirmative. Commencing now.” Rin leapt and dropped to the floor in a crouch, seductively rolling up. The other Slayers did the same. Then they descended from the stage and out into the audience.

Ayame, Rin and Ayame walked around tables, wiggling their butts in some males' faces and leaning over and thrusting their chests in others. They slid over a few laps, kissed a few cheeks and ran their fingers through some of the clientele's hair. The entire club was mesmerized.

Kagome strutted her way around a few tables, running her fingers playfully over knees and shoulders. When she reached her destination, she straddled a man with a long, black braid and a cross-shaped mark on his forehead. She smiled coyly and leaned in, running her fingers down his chest and over his lapels and pockets.

“How am I doin' Mr. Bankotsu?” she purred in his ear.

“Just fine, sweetheart. Just fine.”

Kagome flashed him a smile, sliding off his lap. She spun around and past Miroku, discreetly passing a key into his hands. She and the other Slayers continued to make their rounds, and then wandered back on stage to continue the final segment.

Miroku walked past the bar, slipping the key under a rag to Kouga. Kouga took the rag and stuffed it in his apron, then picked up a box of liquor and carried it to the steps. InuYasha was waiting in the shadows. The inu-hanyou carefully extracted the rag from Kouga, unwrapping it and pulling out the key. Discarding the rag, he crept his way back up to the catwalk and over to a black door.

“They are sufficiently occupied. Do it now,” Sesshomaru's voice drifted from InuYasha's earpiece.

“Roger,” InuYasha replied, twisting the knob and entering the room. He quickly shut the door behind him and approached the desk in the room. InuYasha ducked underneath it. He ran his hands over the floorboards, finding the catch. He pulled the board back, revealing a combination and key safe. Leaning forward, he pressed one of his ears to the safe, inserted the key and spun the combo. After a few clicks, the safe opened.

Inside, stacks of cash lined the box. InuYasha moved a few out of the way, finding a small pouch beneath. He opened the pouch, revealing pink shards. He quickly pocketed the pouch, put the cash back, closed the lid and spun the lock. He put the board back in place and then crept back out of the office.

“Got it,” he whispered.

He made his way through the back of the club, passing the key to Miroku. The girls had finished their performance on stage and were now mingling among the clientele, while a solo act took the stage. Ayame strutted over to Miroku and flirted with him. He slipped the key into her hand as she backed away. Kagome then approached Ayame, whispering and laughing with each other. Both went to join their “boss” at his table.

“Ah, ladies,” Bankotsu greeted them warmly. “I was just telling the rest of your group how wonderful you were on stage.”

Rin giggled from her place on a young, bald men's lap as Kagome took her seat on Bankotsu's. Sango smiled tightly from her place on a squat man's knee. The miko ran her palm along Bankotsu's jacket lapels. “You're too kind, sir.”

Bankotsu chuckled. “I can be far kinder,” he whispered in a low voice, placing his hand on her thigh.

From his spot in the back, InuYasha bit through his lip to keep from shouting. `Get your slimy hands off her!'

Kagome smiled gently and stood up. “I should get going, sir. I've got to get to the library to study for my finals, and I've got two buses to catch.”

Bankotsu nodded. “Oh well, your loss. You could have earned some extra perks.”

Kagome kept that same simpering smile on her face as she turned to go to the dressing rooms. `That pig...The only perk he's ever going to get is my foot up his ass!'

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Once outside, Kagome spotted a black Chevy truck and headed toward it. She opened the door to find InuYasha and Miroku inside.

“Let me see it,” she asked, holding out her hand as Miroku put the truck in drive and peeled out of the alley. InuYasha silently handed her the silk pouch.

“Seven Shikon shards. More than we expected.”

“Keh,” the inu-hanyou growled.

“Well, this should make Kaede and Myogua happy.”

“Whatever.”

“What the hell is your problem?” Kagome snapped, eyeing InuYasha wearily.

“What the fuck do you think my problem is? That bastard had his hands all over you!” InuYasha growled angrily.

“Well we knew that was a possibility when you guys volunteered us girls as the decoy for a mission in a gentleman's club!” Kagome shouted, getting in the hanyou's face.

“Fuck that! There are rules!”

“Well asshole criminals don't exactly follow `rules,' do they!”

“Still don't mean I want him touching what's mine!”

Kagome opened her mouth then shut it. “Yours?” she asked quietly.

InuYasha took her hand into his. “Mine,” he growled, sending a delicious shiver down the miko's spine.

Kagome giggled stupidly. “Jealous much?”

InuYasha cupped her chin with the other hand and pulled her in for a quick, hot kiss. “I just protect what's mine,” he whispered when they parted.

“InuYasha...” Kagome breathed unsteadily.

“Hold on now!” Miroku broke in. “No sex in the truck! Especially while I'm driver and can't be an active participant!”

“Bouzo!” “Miroku!” the couple screamed together, InuYasha thumping the monk on the head.

At the next light, a silver Ferrari pulled alongside the truck. Rin waved from her seat beside Sesshomaru. At the next intersection, a motorcycle carrying Sango and Ayame pulled onto the street behind the truck. All arrived at HQ to find Kouga waiting inside the garage.

“Did everyone clear the mission?” Kagome asked once everyone had gathered together.

“I think so. But,” Ayame paused, uncertain. “I think Bankotsu may have been a little suspicious. He and his bro, Renkotsu—you know, the silent creep, bald with purple stripes?—they kept whispering a lot.”

“This Sesshomaru noticed nothing from the brothers Suikotsu and Kyokotsu sitting at my table.”

“And all Jakotsu noticed was me drooling over the performance on stage,” Miroku responded lecherously.

“That freak was probably checking out your ass,” InuYasha quipped.

Miroku paled instantly and everyone laughed. Kagome glanced over at Sango to share a mutual eye-roll, and frowned. The Slayer's mouth was drawn tight, and she looked very pale.

“All right, everyone head up to debrief with Kaede and Myogua,” Kagome announced. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes a fraction at being ordered, but said nothing and followed the others. Kagome bit back a laugh at the Ice King and ran to catch up with Sango.

“Hey, what's wrong?” Kagome inquired quietly, putting her hand on the taller Slayer's shoulder.

“It was just that place. It reminded me of unpleasant things,” Sango responded softly, eyes downcast.

Kagome nodded knowingly and gave her a hug. “I'm sorry, hun. I know that must have been hard for you.”

As the girls continued to whisper, Miroku's ears strained for more information. The monk settled into deep thought as he climbed the stairs. `What in the name of the kami happened to Sango?'

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Later that night inside the cozy atmosphere of the Taisho estate, Kagome sat by Souta's bedside. Her legs were thrown over one of the chair's arms as she reclined in jeans and a long black tank top. She wiggled her sock-less toes while she read aloud to her brother from the book sprawled across her lap.

“ `As furtively as scouts within the campment of their enemies, they crept down on to the road, and stole along its westward edge under the stony bank, grey as the stones themselves, and soft-footed as hunting cats. At length they reached the trees, and found that they stood in a great roofless ring, open in the middle to the sombre sky; and the spaces between their immense boles were like the great dark arches of some ruined hall. In the very centre four ways met. Behind them lay the road to the Morannon; before them it ran out again upon its journey south; to their right the road from old Osgiliath came climbing up, and crossing, passed out eastward into darkness: the fourth way, the road they were to take. (2)

“ `Standing there for a moment filled with dread Frodo became aware that a light was shining (2)...” Here, Kagome paused. Without looking up, she said softly, “I know you're there, Shippo.”

The red-haired kit stepped into the room only a few feet then paused, unsure. Kagome gave him a reassuring smile.

“It's okay, Shippo. Souta would want you to visit him. You wanna read a little? I bet you anything hearing your voice will help him.”

“How?” Shippo asked, staring at Souta's prone body lying on the bed. The human boy's breathing was shallow; there were so many wires and all the chemicals made Souta smell weird to him. He couldn't detect Souta's normal scent at all.

“The doctors say that hearing the voices of family and friends can help a comatose patient recover.”

Shippo nodded and crawled into Kagome's lap. He looked down at the thick book she had open. “Where did you leave off?”

Kagome pointed to a line. Shippo took a shaky breath and looked up at the Slayer. Kagome gave him a small smile and pulled him closer in a comforting hug. Shippo began to read.

“ `Standing there for a moment filled with dread Frodo became aware that a light was shining; he saw it glowing on Sam's face beside him. Turning towards it, he saw, beyond an arch of boughs, the road to Osgiliath running almost as straight as a stretched ribbon down, down, into the West. There…'”(2)

InuYasha smiled as he observed the amiable scene from the doorway. Kagome sensed him and looked up from the book, meeting his gaze. She returned his smile with one of her own, and then beckoned him in with the tilt of her head. InuYasha sat carefully on the edge of Souta's bed, reaching out to touch the back of Souta's hand.

“Hey, squirt,” InuYasha spoke softly. “Hope you're doing better. Your sis and friends, we're all worried about you.”

Kagome's eyes watered at his kindhearted behavior. InuYasha smelt her tears and reached out a hand to grasp hers.

“Don't cry, wench. You know I hate that.”

“Don't call me wench, dog-boy,” Kagome smiled through her tears.

“Keh.”

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Miroku found Sango lounging in a high-backed chair in the Taisho family library, a book long forgotten in her lap. She was staring blankly at one of the many bookcases.

“Are you busy?” Miroku asked politely, startling her out of her internal musings.

“Huh?” she looked up at Miroku. “Oh no, I was just reading one of my favorite books. It usually calms me.”

Miroku glanced at the title and smiled. “So which of the March sisters is your favorite?”

Sango titled her head then laughed. “You've read Little Women?” (3)

Miroku nodded. “Of course. Who wouldn't want to read a book full of women?”

Sango shook her head. “You are such a lech.”

Miroku smiled knowingly. “So is it helping?”

“Is what helping?”

“Reading that book. You said it usually calms you.”

“Oh.” Sango grew quiet, looking down in her lap. “I suppose.”

“You suppose?” Miroku asked as he sat down in a chair next to hers. “Is something bothering you?”

Sango looked uneasily up at the monk, unsure what to say. Miroku gently took one of her hands, rubbing her knuckles soothingly.

“I don't mean to pry. But I've found carrying burdens and secrets becomes easier when you share them with someone who cares.”

“Well, I...I don't know how to talk about it. I mean, Kagome knows, and probably Kaede, but no one else. It's a painful memory. Tonight sort of triggered it.”

Miroku nodded at her encouragingly.

“I have this fear...of men. Any kind, youkai or human. You're actually the first guy I've let touch me, outside of my brother and Souta.”

“Why do you have this fear?” Miroku prompted gently.

“Because of what happened during those massive rouge youkai attacks four years ago. I...I was attacked...”

“Like Kagome-sama and her family was?”

“Kinda. They killed my parents too. But...I was raped as well,” Sango whispered, tears falling down her cheeks.

Miroku sprung to his feet and kneeled by her side, reaching around to soothingly rub her back. “Kami, Sango. I'm so very sorry. I had no idea...”

“It's not your fault,” she hiccupped.

“But the way I've acted toward you! It's a wonder you didn't murder me. Or let Kagome-sama.”

The corner of Sango's mouth twitched. “I should've.”

“I apologize for my idiocy. Please forgive me,” Miroku bowed his head.

“It's all right. I know you're harmless.”

Miroku smiled gently at her, then his face grew serious. “This explains why you got so upset at me, especially in the beginning. And tonight...Kami, tonight must have been awful for you! All those men pawing at you...”

He noticed Sango stiffen, and patted her hand. “You will never have to do such a thing again. I will not allow it.”

Sango smiled, reaching out to run her fingers through his hair. “I knew what I was getting into. I thought I could handle tonight, that it was past me. Guess I was wrong.”

“You were very brave, Sango,” Miroku said, gently cupping her chin. “My brave, beautiful Sango.”

They stared intently at each other. Finally, Sango closed her eyes. Miroku took that as permission and leaned in, kissing her sweetly and gently. When they parted, Miroku grinned.

“So am I allowed to court you now, my dear Sango?”

Sango blushed, nodding.

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Seven beings bowed before a desk, eyes on the turned-around chair. These males had strange markings on their foreheads, and colored streaks running over their faces in various places.

“They took the bait, my lord,” Bankotsu said, bowing before a dark figure.

“Excellent. I have my new little soldier tracking them as we speak,” the man chuckled malevolently. “You and your brothers may join him.”

“Yes, sir.” Bankotsu motioned to them, and the other six stood up behind him.

“Do not disappoint me,” the man growled.

“We won't, Naraku-sama.”

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The next day, Kagome, InuYasha, Sango and Miroku decided to get out of the house. They weren't on call until 16:00, so they wanted to spend a little “normal” time, as Kagome and Sango referred to it, at the most normal place for young people: the mall.

“They're gonna drag us to every fucking store in this damn mall, aren't they?” InuYasha groaned to Miroku.

The monk nodded sadly. “I think that is the purpose of this excursion.”

“To drive me bat-shit?”

“Oh, shut up, dog-boy,” Kagome interrupted, squeezing between the two males and slinging her arms around their shoulders. “This is relaxing. Not a bad guy in sight. Now quit ya bitchin'.”

Sango giggled as InuYasha and Miroku groaned. Kagome linked arms with her and the two Slayers skipped ahead into a shoe store. The guys reluctantly trailed behind.

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Rin sat with Shippo in one of the drawing rooms, a checkerboard between them on the elegant coffee table.

“Ha! Got ya!” Shippo shouted, pumping a fist in the air as he hopped over—and claimed—three of Rin's pieces, thus ending the game and winning.

“Shoot,” the littlest Slayer said, frowning at the board. “How did you do that? You sneaky little twerp!”

Shippo just flashed her a grin. “I'm just better than you `cause I'm a boy!”

“Ooo!” Rin yelled, swiping at the kit's head from across the table. Shippo ducked and sprang up from his seat, dashing out the door.

“Come back here you stinker!” Rin screeched, springing after him.

She chased him down corridors, through the foyer and down another corridor. They passed a surprised cook in the kitchen, upsetting his mixing bowl and spilling its gooey contents all over the tile. They knocked over a maid or two cleaning in the hallways and made it out onto the patio, dashing around the pool.

“What is this foolishness?” a voice thundered.

Rin stopped cold, turning to face a dripping wet Sesshomaru, who was exiting the pool. Her jaw dropped open as she stared transfixed at the smooth marble flesh of his chest and abs, as well as muscular legs shown off by his blue swim trunks. She snapped her jaw shut when she spotted his raised eyebrow.

“I, uh, you see, well...Shippo started it!”

“Hn. You blame a child for your chicanery?”

“Well, I, uh--”

“Shall I put on a shirt so that your ability to form sentences returns to you?”

Rin turned tomato red. Sesshomaru turned away, almost smirking, as he headed toward the house. “I advise you to locate the kit before he causes any mischief.”

“I advise you to locate the kit before he causes any mischief,” Rin mimicked childishly. “The Ice King can stuff it! He and his hot body and dreamy looks...Ooo! He makes me sooo mad!”

Rin stomped toward the gardens, haphazardly checking for the kit. She heard a few twigs snap, and turned to the left.

“Shippo?”

Then she heard a scream.

“Shippo!” she cried, running toward the panicked voice.

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“Ooo, look at this dress Sango!” Kagome cried, holding a hot-pink tube dress up to Sango. “Daaamn, it's you, girl!”

Sango blushed, pushing it away. “I can't wear that! One, it's too revealing and two, it'll restrict my ability to kick!”

Kagome chuckled. “You're just scared you'll flash someone.”

“Wouldn't you?”

The miko stuck her tongue out at her friend, continuing to sort through the racks. The guys were leaning against the available wall space, looking bored out of their minds.

“How about this for you, dog-boy?” Kagome announced, holding up a red tank that read `Bite Me' in bold, black letters.

InuYasha snorted.

“He'd only wear it around you, Kagome-sama. He likes it a little rough,” Miroku snorted.

“Shut your mouth, bouzo!” InuYasha ordered, smacking the monk in the back of his head.

“Oo, look, he's blushing!” Kagome laughed, pointing at the inu-hanyou.

“Even his ears are turning red!” Sango joined in, pointing at his furry appendages.

“Shut the fuck up!” InuYasha growled.

Everyone continued to laugh, clutching stomachs dramatically.

Then, they heard a scream.

The four whipped around and rushed out of the store, looking around the mall for the source of the shriek. People were running past them, crying frantically. The Hunters and Slayers pushed their way through, stopping short when they spotted it. Merely ten feet away was a horribly deformed boy. His right arm was long, muscular and green, the claws and its size ill fitting of the boy's size. His eyes were an eerie glowing yellow. He wore no shirt, revealing the long scar, sewn up with various stitches. He took a menacing step forward with his clawed feet. A top his head was a familiar fringe of hair.

“Kohaku?” Kagome whispered in shock.

Sango fainted dead away, with Miroku barely managing to catch her.

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End Chapter 17

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Footnotes:

(1) Lyrics from Katy Perry's “I Kissed a Girl.” The song is strangely addicting.

(2)Excerpt form The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien; Book IV, Chapter VII: Journey to the Cross-Roads. I picked from this book series in memory of my brother. This was one of his favorite novels. I'd never seen the kid tear through a book so quickly, much less a whole (especially thick) series.

(3) The March sisters: Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy. From Louisa May Alcott's famous novel, Little Women. Excellent book, and one of my personal favorites.

SPECIAL THANKS to Reviewers: InuGoddess715, loretta537, SplitPersonality, beautifulyreal, InuyashasGurl258, psyco_chick32, BoredGirl17, kyonkichi-luver, Dana, DesMM, gabi v, fire-Angel-of-death322, andTweakles06. (Reviewers: I've sent replies to all of your reviews. Let me know if you didn't receive one.)

Please, please leave a review! I love hearing from you all. Your reviews help inspire me to write. = -)

Thanks for reading!

~Lizzie