InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Not Soon Forgotten ❯ One Table, Party of Two ( Chapter 2 )

2

 

The night passed by slowly for the two travelers, both anticipating the dinner that they were scheduled to have together. Kagome got one of the worst nights of sleep that she has had in quite a while, partly due to her nagging conscience, but mostly because she could not get Sesshoumaru's piercing eyes and the kiss that he had placed on her hand.

 

Sesshoumaru was not doing much better in his room; when he had locked eyes with Kagome, each and every time he found it harder to look away. Demons do not usually need sleep, but he found that he was utterly exhausted; the woman Kagome had taken up most of his thoughts and he needed to rest his head.

 

The two of them both went about the next day separately; the main reason being Sesshoumaru did not want to have to maneuver himself about the passengers all day. Kagome took her time to wander the ship, finding different people to talk to and various activities to partake in, but her mind was elsewhere. That Sesshoumaru Taisho believed himself to be Kami's gift to women, and fortunately, or unfortunately for her, he decided that she needed to be gifted with his presence.

 

When the time came for Kagome to get ready for her dinner date, butterflies were flying madly in her stomach. She chose a simple dress made of light blue silk which came to a conservative `v' shape around her neck. It was floor length and hugged her curves gently, giving her a very feminine look. Never being one to wear much makeup, she only put a light blush and some mascara on. Her choices of dress may have been simple, but the outcome was anything but.

 

Kagome had just finished brushing out her hair when there was a knock on her door. At this point, the butterflies in her stomach had grown very large wings, so she took a few calming breaths to relax herself.

 

When she felt that she would not pass out, she glided over to the door and opened it; what she saw made the hard earned breath that she just achieved catch in here throat. Sesshoumaru stood their in all his high-priced glory wearing a black suit with an ivory colored shirt underneath. His long, silky hair was once again pulled into a low pony tail and he was gracing her with a slightly fanged smile.

 

“Good evening Kagome Higurashi, I trust you are ready for dinner?” he asked.

 

“Y-yes I am. And if I may, you look very nice tonight,” she managed to say.

 

“As do you,” Sesshoumaru said before he offered his arm to her. “Shall we?”

 

Kagome nodded and the two of them set off for the dining hall. There were many people there enjoying their meals, seemingly unawares of the two people that walked through the door. The host led them to a nice table near the edge of the large room and left them with the small menu of food.

 

Kagome now noticed that many of the women in the room were openly gawking at Sesshoumaru, while he was doing his best not to see them.

 

“You have quite a way with women Taisho-sama. Tell me, did your nanny read Casanova to you before bed when you were young?” Kagome said playfully.

 

“Indeed she did…every night,” Sesshoumaru said with a smirk.

 

Kagome shook her head. “And I guess that those bedtime stories helped you to gain the affections of quite a few women?”

 

“Hn.”

 

“More than a few?” Kagome offered.

 

“Well…”

 

“Would a calculator help you figure it out?”

 

“Ah look, here's the waiter,” Sesshoumaru said dodging the question.

 

The waiter took their orders, but hesitates to leave. Sesshoumaru looks up to the man and raises one of his eyebrows.

 

“Is there something else you need?” Sesshoumaru asked him.

 

“Please forgive me Taisho-sama; I was just wondering if you would like me to reserve this table for you two every night,” the waiter said hastily.

 

Sesshoumaru looked over to Kagome in silent question to which she nodded shyly in answer.

 

“That would be sufficient,” Sesshoumaru declared.

 

The waiter bowed and made his departure to get their food. Kagome knew that Sesshoumaru thought he had directed her away from her earlier line of questioning, but she was determined to learn more about him.

 

“So I guess all the women you've been with have fallen head over heels in love with you,” Kagome said more than asked.

 

“I guess they have…”

 

“But, since they are all just one of many, your respect for them has been less than honorable…”

 

“Your point?” Sesshoumaru asked a bit annoyed.

 

“Oh nothing, I'm just evaluating all that is Sesshoumaru Taisho. Is it safe to assume that you treat them fairly when with them?”

 

Sesshoumaru nodded his head in the positive. “I am always fair with them. I place them on a pedestal and treat them to their hearts' desires. However, not many of them remain on that pedestal; the longer I know them, the further they drop in my assessment.”

 

Kagome gave him a calculating look, obviously taking into account all that he has said. She was about to continue her questions when he beat her to it.

 

“Enough about me, why don't we talk about you?” he offered.

 

“We can talk about me some other time. Getting to know you is a tiring job, and your numbers are quite impressive if I do say so myself.”

 

“Alright then, we can discuss you tomorrow,” he acquiesced. Kagome nodded her agreement.

 

The two of them enjoyed their dinner over small talk involving anything other than themselves. Sesshoumaru ordered a bottle of wine for them, and Kagome was now sipping on her third glass.

 

“You know Sesshoumaru,” she said. He didn't miss the fact that she didn't use his last name this time while addressing him. Ah, the wonders of alcohol. “You're exactly how I imagined you to be.”

 

“Ah, so you've thought of me before?” Sesshoumaru asked amusedly.

 

“Well yes, I mean, what red blooded woman hasn't thought of you in one way or another,” she stated.

 

“And precisely which way have you thought of me Kagome?”

 

“That's for me to know and for you to-”

 

“Find out?” Sesshoumaru interrupted. “I'd be delighted.”

 

“Don't be crafty Sesshoumaru. Your skills may have worked on other women, but I for one, am not falling for it.”

 

“You cannot blame me for trying,” he stated. “You know you're a lot easier to speak with when you have been drinking.”

 

“Yes, so I've been told. I guess I'm not very good at holding my liquor; I'll only have one more glass after this.”

 

Sesshoumaru notices that Mr. and Mrs. Myoga Nakamura approaching their tables and groans. Kagome hears him and turns to look at what has him so distraught. The couple seems to completely ignore her and stares straight at Sesshoumaru.

 

“Ah Taisho-sama, how good it is to see you again! Of course, you remember my wife?”

 

Keeping up appearances, Sesshoumaru nods to them. Myoga seems to have just realized that Sesshoumaru has a companion at his table and gives a sly grin.

 

“Why Taisho-sama, who is this lovely young woman you are with?” the man asks.

 

“How forgetful of me,” Sesshoumaru said as he gave an apologetic glance to Kagome. “This is Kagome Higurashi. Kagome, this is Mr. and Mrs. Nakamura.”

 

“A pleasure to meet you,” Kagome said as she gave a small bow of her head.

 

“The pleasure is all mine Ms. Higurashi. Taisho-sama, I would like to introduce you to my son; he is also a businessman, and quite good if I might add,” said Myoga.

 

“Well, I wouldn't want to take up any more of you time Myoga-san-”

 

“Nonsense Taisho-sama, it would be an honor to introduce you to him. Perhaps you can swap business stories, eh?” Myoga motioned a young man over to him and then placed his arm around his shoulders.

 

“Taisho-sama, this is my son Naraku, I'm sure the two of you will get along fantastically!” Myoga declared.

 

Sesshoumaru stared blankly at the man before him. Instead of getting rid of Myoga and his wife, he gained another Nakamura; fabulous.

 

The young man bowed to Sesshoumaru before turning towards Kagome. Naraku nearly lost all of his wits when he saw Kagome; she was perhaps the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. He found it hard to look away from her, but came out of his stupor when he noticed that she was blushing under his scrutiny. Naraku walked towards her and took her hand to kiss it.

 

“Please excuse me for staring,” he whispered to her, “but you are gorgeous.”

 

Kagome felt her cheeks go warm at his declaration. She gently pulled her hand away from him and looked down to her lap.

 

“Thank you very much Naraku-san,” she spoke shyly.

 

Sesshoumaru, who did not like that this man was flirting so openly with someone that was assumed to be his date, cleared his throat loudly.

 

“Well, it was a pleasure to meet you. If you don't mind, we'd like to get back to our conversation,” Sesshoumaru interjected.

 

“Of course Taisho-sama,” Myoga Nakamura said. He gathered his wife and the couple walked off, leaving Naraku behind to say his goodbyes.

 

“Well Ms.-” Naraku started.

 

“Higurashi. Kagome Higurashi,” Kagome supplied.

 

“Well Ms. Higurashi, I hope you have a wonderful evening. Perhaps we can get together during the trip and get to know one another?” Naraku asked hopefully.

 

“Perhaps,” Kagome said.

 

Naraku bowed again to both Sesshoumaru and Kagome and left their side. Sesshoumaru stared at Kagome with a slight scowl marring his otherwise perfect features. How dare she flirt with that man when she was supposed to be with him?!

 

“Perhaps I should have left the two of you alone?” Sesshoumaru stated hotly.

 

“Oh don't be that way Sesshoumaru, I was merely being polite,” said Kagome.

 

“Is that what they are calling blatant flirting nowadays?”

 

Kagome wanted to stick her tongue out at him, but decided better of it. Instead, she took the advantage to get the better of him.

 

“Are you-are you jealous Sesshoumaru?” she asked.

 

“I do not get jealous-”

 

“Of course you don't,” she interrupted.

 

Sesshoumaru lifted his eyebrow at her and continued. “I was only wondering at your lack of manners when out with someone else. Did you or did you not say you would have dinner with me?”

 

“Sesshoumaru, we did have dinner and now we are enjoying each other's company.”

 

“That is true. However, when you and I have dinner again, I expect your undivided attention.”

 

“Alright Sesshoumaru, I apologize. That was rude of me. How about I make it up to you with a dance?” Kagome asked as she stood from her chair.

 

“That is acceptable,” he said as he took her hand to lead her out on the dance floor.

 

There were other people dancing around them as they made their way to the middle of the room. Sesshoumaru spun her around gently and placed his hand upon her hip while she put her hand on his shoulder.

 

By now a few people were watching them dance and began whispering to each other. Most of them recognized Sesshoumaru, but none seemed to be able to place who the young woman was that was with him. Anyone who kept up with the news or opened up a magazine knew that Sesshoumaru was engaged to be married; was this his fiancé?

 

“I believe we have an audience,” Sesshoumaru whispered to Kagome.

 

Kagome looked around her subtlety to take in the curious faces of some of their fellow passengers. She shook her head and returned her attention back to Sesshoumaru.

 

“It seems you can go nowhere without an entourage. Doesn't it ever get tiring?” Kagome asked him.

 

“It does, but I usually act as if they are not their. Once in a while, they get the hint and leave me be.”

 

“Oh? And what happens when they don't `leave you be'?” she asked.

 

“I threaten them,” Sesshoumaru stated matter-of-factly.

 

That statement caused Kagome to laugh, a sound Sesshoumaru found he quite enjoyed. They continued their dance while the passengers decided that they got their fill of watching the two of them and went back to their own activities.

 

“I guess you are as ruthless as they say you are,” Kagome pointed out.

 

“Indeed. But I would be eaten alive if I were not,” Sesshoumaru countered.

 

There dance ended and the two of them returned to their table. Just as Kagome was about to take her seat, Naraku made himself known.

 

“Ms. Higurashi, I was wondering if you would grace me with a dance?” he asked.

 

Sesshoumaru stiffened a little when Naraku asked. The man had no class if he would continue to try and steal his date's attention away. He was about to say as much, but Kagome beat him to it.

 

“Nakamura-san, I appreciate the offer, but I am here with Taisho-sama. Maybe some other time,” Kagome politely said.

 

Shot down once again, Naraku nodded and walked away, leaving Sesshoumaru to stare at Kagome with a smirk on his face. Yes, he definitely made a good choice of companions.

 

Kagome took her seat and tilted her glass to him for a toast and he mimicked her actions.

 

“To what are we toasting to?” Sesshoumaru asked.

 

“To new acquaintances…”she began.

 

“How about, to new possibilities?” he offered.

 

“Okay, to new possibilities; although I do think you are getting ahead of yourself Sesshoumaru.”

 

He merely shrugged and they tapped glasses. Kagome, deciding that her last drink was now her second to last drink, refilled her glass as well as his, effectively emptying the bottle of wine.

 

From afar, Naraku watched with veiled jealousy. Like everyone else on the ship, he had heard of Sesshoumaru Taisho and his recent engagement; and after learning the name of his escort tonight, Naraku deducted that she was indeed not his fiancée. This meant, to Naraku, that she was fair game. He had ten more days to drag her away from Sesshoumaru Taisho, and he was going to use them well. Giving himself a congratulatory shot of liquor, Naraku turned around and walked away.

 

`Enjoy her while you can your pompous bastard,' Naraku thought to himself. `She won't be hanging around you for very much longer.'

 

Sesshoumaru eyed Kagome while she sipped her wine; she was really quite attractive for a human. Of course, when it came to women, he was not very particular at who graced his bed when he so desired. However, since meeting her yesterday, he was pleasantly surprised that she was not like many women. He felt the urge to pat himself on the back for finding such an entertaining person.

 

“What would you say to a walk around the ship?” Sesshoumaru asked suddenly.

 

Kagome looked up lazily at him and smiled, “I would say that sounds like a very nice idea.”

 

Sesshoumaru stood up first while Kagome gulped down the rest of her wine.

 

`She'll be feeling that in the morning,' Sesshoumaru thought to himself.

 

He went around to her side of the table and pulled her chair out for her and helped her to stand on shaky legs. The host of the restaurant opened the door and bowed to them as the exited the room; a small knowing smile gracing his features.

 

The couple made their way to the railing of the ship in the front of the boat. Although it was night, the moon gave off an enchanting illusion of sparkling stars glistening off the waters ahead of them. It would have been quite romantic for two lovers looking to lose themselves in each other.

 

“So tell me Sesshoumaru,” Kagome asked slightly slurring her words, “What is your fiancé like?”

 

He could have gone the entire trip not discussing Kagura. Alas, lady luck was not on his side.

 

“She is…different, I guess,” he answered vaguely.

 

“Oh? How so?”

 

“She doesn't harbor feelings of love for me; however, she is undeniably devoted to our relationship. I have told her that she may find her enjoyment with other men if she so wishes, but she merely rolls her eyes at me and tells me that she will not be seeking her releases among other men.”

 

Kagome nodded, taking in everything that he had to say before vocalizing, “Hm…”

 

“Hm what?” Sesshoumaru asked quirking his brow at her.

 

“Well, I was just thinking…maybe she's gay?” Kagome shrugged, gifting Sesshoumaru with her inebriated wisdom.

 

That statement caused Sesshoumaru to throw his head back and laugh out loud for the first time in years.

 

Kagome looked over at him and grinned; he looked quite stunning while he was laughing. The moon gave his silver locks an even deeper glow and his fangs shined in the moonlight. She continued to watch as he persisted in his mirth, when it looked as if he was not stopping, a slight scowl crossed her face.

 

Sesshoumaru's chuckling eased as he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. He looked over at the woman who gave him such amusement and immediately stopped the remnants of his enjoyment.

 

“What?” he asked taking in her annoyed features.

 

“Are you mocking me?”

 

“Don't be foolish, you simply struck my funny bone. I can't for the life of me remember anyone suggesting what you did.”

 

“Think about it Sesshoumaru. You have hundreds of women throwing themselves at you on a daily basis, you said yourself that your fiancé is not seeking to find her jollies with any other man. Now, did she say `man', or did she say `anyone else'?”

 

Sesshoumaru thought on this for a moment and lightly tapped his index finger against his chin.

 

“Now that you mention it, she does have this “friend” that she sees quite often. I do believe she has even stayed with her overnight a few time. Funny; that didn't catch my attention until now.”

 

Kagome giggled at the look of realizations crossed over his normally stoic features. A cold breeze kissed her skin and she wrapped her arms around herself and shivered. Sesshoumaru saw this and began to take off his coat.

 

“Where are my manners?” he asked as he removed his jacket. “I clearly cannot think straight around you,” he added playfully.

 

He wrapped the coat around her shoulders and situated it so that it would keep her warm. Her hair was flattened between her back and the coat, so he gently swept his hands over her neck to free her locks.

 

Kagome looked up at him and blushed, but he was intently looking at strands of hair that had made their way in her face.

 

Sesshoumaru lifted his hand and tenderly tucked the hair behind her ear. His claws lightly scraped her scalp and Kagome closed her eyes at the feeling. Such a gesture was not usually given to her and she reveled in the intimacy of it.

 

Kagome was used to men talking sweet things to her; she knew she was beautiful in a unique sort of way. Men that wanted to be with her always promised her money and gifts, but she wanted none of that. She wanted the gentle touch that came with two people loving each other; the closeness one could only get with a partner.

 

The things that her current boyfriend had given and shown her when they first started dating.

 

Thinking of him brought Kagome out of her partially alcohol induced trance and she saw that Sesshoumaru had not yet taken his eyes off of her. When she looked at him, his own eyes held an expression that she did not know. She was embarrassed to think that she was letting this known playboy work his wiles on her like he had so many others before.

 

“Are you alright?” he asked her.

 

Was she okay?

 

“Yes. Yes I'm fine, just a bit tired I guess,” Kagome answered.

 

He nodded and held out his arm for her to take.

 

“Come,” said Sesshoumaru. “I'll take you back to your cabin.”

 

Kagome took his arm and they casually strolled down the corridors. There were still some late-night walkers that were also taking advantage of the quiet. A small group of women that Sesshoumaru had had the dissatisfaction of meeting a few time before were huddled around the stairs like vultures: yes they knew where his room was and now they flocked near it every chance they got.

 

Sesshoumaru bent down to whisper in Kagome's ear. “Perhaps if I gave them the autograph they've desired they would leave me alone?”

 

Kagome gave an apologetic smile and a non-committed shrug as her answer. Sesshoumaru sighed and released Kagome's arm to go and try and appease his adoring fans.

 

When the women saw him, they immediately encircled him so that he could not get away. Kagome leaned against the wall watching him as he signed the many pieces of paper that they handed him. Some of the women tried to touch him, but he gave them a look to back off which the justly followed. Still, that did not hinder them to get his autograph.

 

Kagome watched for five minutes as Sesshoumaru patiently, with skilled practice, thwarted the women's' efforts to seduce him to their rooms. When the last piece of paper was signed, he was more than ready to leave.

 

“I thank you ladies for your support. Please enjoy the rest of your trip; don't let my presence here deter you from taking in the rest of the sights.”

 

Having their wants sated, for the time being anyway, the women reluctantly left to return to their own rooms.

 

Sesshoumaru walked back over to Kagome who was nearly asleep standing up. She felt him approach her side and she opened up her tired eyes.

 

“I must say you handled that quite nicely,” Kagome said.

 

“Yes, well, it comes with the station. My father was quite the ladies man you know,” Sesshoumaru said as they continued their trek to Kagome's room.

 

“Ah, so that's where you get it. I should have known,” she replied.

 

“He taught me everything he knew; the rest came naturally,” he gloated.

 

“I'm sure it did,” she said with finality as they came to her door.

 

“Thank you for tonight Taisho-sama,” Kagome said.

 

“Back to last names I see. The alcohol must be wearing off,” he said.

 

“I guess it is. Well, thank you again.”

 

“It was my pleasure Kagome. I will see you tomorrow.”

 

Kagome took off his jacket and handed it back to him. He accepted it with a slight nod, but did not make to move away. Instead he leaned in and brushed his lips across her cheek. Kagome instinctively closed her eyes and smiled as he placed the kiss in her now blushing cheek. He leaned in a bit further to whisper in her ear.

 

“Good night,” was all Sesshoumaru said. But the way he said it left goose bumps on Kagome's skin.

 

“Good night…Sesshoumaru,” Kagome replied as he walked away.