InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Not Soon Forgotten ❯ Times Goes By... ( Chapter 8 )

Kagome stared out the window of the taxi-cab. She had no set place to go and knew no one. The only place she could think of was New York. She had six months before she and Sesshoumaru would be together, so she was going to make the best of it.

 

Giving the cab driver her request to go to the airport, Kagome sat back and continued her quick “tour” of Los Angeles from the comfort of the backseat of the taxi. Her conscious was heavy with guilt with today's events. Inuyasha had offered that she stay the night and they would figure things out in the morning, but she just could not ask him for anything; not after everything that had happened.

 

She still could not believe how everything had turned out; Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha were half-brothers! She just could not wrap her mind around that one. Kagome had not meant to hurt Inuyasha the way she did; unfortunately she had. And he had been fairly supportive which made her feel even worse.

 

Kagome closed her eyes to try and stop the tears that she thought had all been depleted. Since when did life become so complicated? When did she go from ignorant little Kagome who knew nothing of life or love, to someone who was moving clear across a country that she knew absolutely nothing about, and away from the only person she knew, only to be waiting for his half-brother to marry her.

 

Life was cruel, Kagome decided. Life was cruel and it was testing her limits of sanity, or lack there of.

 

Not too much later she arrived at the airport in downtown Los Angeles. There were a surprising number of people waiting to board the later flights and so she quickly made her way to the ticket counter in efforts to avoid a mad rush.

 

“Um, I'd like to purchase a ticket to New York please,” Kagome asked politely when it was her turn.

 

“Where in New York?” the man behind the counter asked.

 

“Do you know where the Empire State building is? I'd like to go there,” she answered him.

 

The man gave her a strange look. “You want to go to midtown Manhattan in New York, New York,” he said shortly.

 

Kagome nodded and watched as he brought up the flight information. “We have five seats left on the 11:15pm flight; will that be okay?” he asked her.

 

Kagome nodded again and then paid for her ticket. The man pointed her in the gate's direction then took and ticketed her baggage. Kagome started the trek to the gate for her flight. She passed by a few newspaper stands and grabbed a New York Times to start her apartment search and maybe try and read a bit to freshen up her English.

 

She waited for thirty minutes before her flight boarded and another fifteen minutes before it departed and she was finally on her way to New York. Once again, the fact that she knew no one and knew nothing of America had her feeling anxious, but she felt all of this was worth it if she and Sesshoumaru could be together. She wondered what he was doing now.

 

She watched from the window as the city lights of Los Angeles disappeared from her sight and she sighed. Everything was moving so fast in her life right now that she wondered if she would ever get a grip on it.

 

Kagome opened up the paper and the first thing that she saw was a picture that she never expected. It was a picture of her and Sesshoumaru near the railing of the boat and they were very close to each other. He had his hand on her waist and they were looking at one another with small smiles on their faces.

 

Kagome groaned and closed the paper again. She knew that when Inuyasha saw this, if he saw it, he would be even more disappointed with her. Kagome could only imagine what Kagura would say to Sesshoumaru. At that Kagome shuddered a little and thanked her lucky stars that she was not in his position right now.

 

 

****

 

 

Sesshoumaru sat back in the easy chair watching as Kagura paced the floor in front of him. After the interview, she had not said a word besides the one that no doubt was heard by everyone over the television. Instead, she had taken up her pacing which was slowly driving him mad.

 

“Would you quit that insufferable pacing,” he spoke suddenly.

 

Kagura stopped in her tracks and whipped around to face him. “How dare you say anything to me after the way you acted?! What has gotten into you Sesshoumaru?!”

 

He opened his mouth to answer before she cut him off.

 

“I mean, everything was fine when you were in Japan; everything was going the way it was supposed to. And then out of nowhere you spout out something of six months! Why six months? This merger was supposed to happen as soon as possible; you know my father's company is going for broke; why would you do this?!”

 

“Kagura,” Sesshoumaru began slowly, “I do not think that this is going to work out.”

 

Kagura looked at him as if he had grown a second head. Not going to work out? “Not going to work out?! Dammit Sesshoumaru that's it! What is going on?”

 

Sesshoumaru leaned forward a bit to appear taller. “That is my business; you only need to know that this wedding is not going to happen. I do however, apologize for the inconvenience.”

 

Just business; this was just business to begin with so there was no sense in straying from that line of thinking. Sesshoumaru was waiting for Kagura to blow up; but was pleasantly surprised when she took a deep breath and calmly sat down in the chair across from him.

 

“You met someone,” she said more than asked.

 

Sesshoumaru did not give her an answer, only stared blankly at her. Kagura nodded though; his silence was all she needed as an answer. She reached over to the table and pulled out a newspaper and opened it to the `Life' section. Sesshoumaru's eyes widened ever so slightly at the picture of he and Kagome.

 

Kagura sighed and looked at him squarely in the eyes.

 

“Sesshoumaru, you know that I hold you in the highest of regards, so that is why I'm going to tell you this, so you can be prepared,” she said tiredly. “My father is not going to take this lightly. Expect a law suit from him for breech of contract; he will be taking you for all you are worth.”

 

Sesshoumaru nodded his head once and watched as she got up and walked out of the room. Now that that was over with, he had other things he needed to take care of. He needed to get back to New York and start selling his paintings. No doubt Mr. Wind would be quick at the draw to take him to court; so he might as well start saving now. Six months…and then she would be with him again.

 

 

****

 

 

Two months later…

 

 

Dressed in a long black dress, Kagome sang to her regular audience that frequented the “Big Time” music club in the middle of Manhattan. She had been working here for about a month and a half, having spent her first two weeks in New York searching for an apartment and a job. By chance she happened upon this small club while looking for another.

 

The manager had allowed her to audition, along with three other performers, for a spot to fill in the night hours. Upon hearing her sing, the manager was quick to offer her the job, so for the past month and a half she had been singing for him. He often asked her to sign a contract, but she would only sign it on a monthly basis. Perhaps tonight he could get her to commit to this club.

 

He watched as Kagome performed effortlessly; she was in her natural element on stage in front of people. Up there she seemed loose and carefree, and while she was happy off stage, she never held the same sparkle in her eyes as she did when she was singing.

 

Kagome finished her song on the brightly lit stage and exited with much applause form the audience. She bowed a couple of time before disappearing behind the curtain that led backstage. When she made it there she saw the manager smiling broadly at her; apparently pleased, yet again, with her performance.

 

“So…how am I doing?” Kagome asked him carefully.

 

“Kagome, my dear, you sing beautifully and the crowd loves you; or can you not tell by the sound of that applause?” he said to her.

 

Kagome allowed herself a mental pat on the back at the sound of appreciative whistles and clapping hands. It gave her a rush like no other.

 

“Perhaps they are applauding for you? Or the chef; he did could a really good meal tonight,” Kagome said playfully.

 

The manager laughed aloud at this. “No my dear Kagome, that is definitely for you!”

 

Kagome grinned at the man before her; he really was sweet and he had done so much for her.

 

“You don't know hoe much that applause means to me. When I moved here it wasn't easy. But you and this club have given me more than I could have asked for; thank you,” Kagome said sincerely.

 

He nodded his acceptance of her gratitude. “If you'd really like to thank me, we could talk about a long contract. What do you say?”

 

“Four months,” Kagome replied quickly.

 

The manager frowned. “I was thinking more in the lines of a year. Kagome, four months is not a very long time.”

 

“Yes it is!” she said a bit upbeat.

 

He shook his head and smiled as he watched her return to the stage. She really was an interesting person.

 

Kagome received another round of applause as she took to the stage again which made her big smile grow even wider. The spot light on her made her glow like an unearthly being and her black dress coupled with her black hair, made her sapphire blue eyes sparkle. She waited until the roar died down before she began talking.

 

“Thank you ladies and gentlemen. I would now like to sing you a song that is very special to me; it holds a place deep in my heart and so I hope you enjoy it.”

 

The pianist gave her, her intro and she found herself singing “An Affair to Remember” to the crowd in front of her. Although the only person that she could see was in her memory. The image of him was so prominent; he sitting at the piano behind her, tapping along while she sang, that she had to look at the piano player behind her to remind herself that it was, indeed, just a memory.

 

Even before her song finished completely the audience was clapping for her. She bowed and thanked them before she left the stage again.

 

“Four months, sir,” Kagome said to the manager.

 

He smiled at her and nodded, “Four months it is then.”

 

 

***

 

 

The next day, Kagome found herself staring out over the city from her high-rise apartment. From her room she could see clearly the place that was to be the meeting ground for her and Sesshoumaru; it would be a reminder that kept her going even when at times the months seemed to purposely slow down just to taunt her.

 

A quiet knock on the door brought her from her contemplations.

 

“Come in,” she said.

 

The door opened to reveal a petite woman dressed in housekeeping garb. The woman looked around the barely opened door and poked her head in. When she saw Kagome she smiled brightly at her.

 

“I beg your pardon Ms. Kagome, I was just wondering if you would like your place cleaned up today; it is Wednesday,” the maid said to her.

 

Kagome smiled and walked over to her. “That would be nice thank you. It's amazing that this place offers periodic housekeeping. You're too nice to me you know.”

 

“Oh no, everyone loves having you here; you're probably our kindest tenant. It's a pleasure to serve you.”

 

“Say what you will, but I'm not going to let them raise my rent,” Kagome said playfully. “You can butter me up all you like, I still won't budge.”

 

“Naw, who said anything about getting more money out of you; we're all just happy to have you here,” the housekeeper replied.

 

The two women smiled at each other and then the housekeeper went to work; busying herself with dusting. Kagome watched her as she cleaned; the woman always had a smile on her face every time she came to clean. It made Kagome feel a bit envious that she was always so joyful.

 

“You are always so happy and constantly have a smile on your face,” Kagome told her. “What's you secret Lindsay?”

 

The housekeeper stopped working for a moment to think about her answer. “Honestly, I don't know. I have two daughters whom my ex-husband left me with, who are both ashamed of me, and I have breast cancer.”

 

“I'm so sorry,” Kagome said with tears in her eyes.

 

The housekeeper looked at her and smiled. “Sorry? Why are you sorry? You have a great life; take it for what it's worth. You have no boyfriend calling on you all the time, so you don't have to worry about getting married. And if you don't have to worry about getting married, it's more than likely you don't have to worry about having kids that don't like you,” she said with sincerity. There was no animosity in her words as she spoke them; Lindsay believed every word that she said.

 

“I should probably go; your place is always spotless so I'm just wasting my time here,” she said as she walked to the door. “You shouldn't worry so much you know; I don't worry. There's no sense in it, it just takes up your time.”

 

Lindsay starts to leave but sees the strained emotions in Kagome's eyes and decides to help ease whatever pain she may have caused.

 

“You know Ms. Kagome; I may play around and say that marriage isn't worth it, but when you find someone to special, that relationship can be a beautiful thing. You are a wonderful person and you should find someone special to give your love to. I just don't know where you would be able to find him; but it doesn't hurt to look. Just don't marry a bum like I did, it is just as easy to fall in love with someone who has money!” Lindsay said to Kagome.

 

“So maybe you won't love him at first, but you could always teach yourself to love him in six easy steps,” Lindsay said with a smile.

 

Kagome grinned and shook her head and then went to pick up a book sitting on the coffee table. She was about to start reading when she heard the housekeeper's voice from the hallway.

 

“Mark my words, just don't marry a bum!”

 

Kagome faintly smiles and thinks about all her housekeeper has said to her. Marriage. What a strange thing it is. It can be either the best or worst thing to happen to someone and you won't really know which it is until you try it.

 

Kagome felt her cheeks grow hot as she thought of a married life with Sesshoumaru. How she longed to feel his touch again; to feel his soft lips on hers and feel the way his strong arms wrapped around her to keep her close. If she concentrated hard enough, she could almost feel his breath against her neck.

 

She sighed and opened her eyes from her run-away imagination. Just a few more months and she would be back with him. Kagome smiled at this. Just what sort of changes had he made with his time? Had he explained to Kagura about them, or was he still waiting to do so?

 

Whatever he was doing now, she hoped that he was happy and successful. Not just for the sake of him wanting to support her when they married, but because she wanted him to be happy with himself and his accomplishments.

 

Kagome walked to her balcony and looked over the city again. He had said that he owned a place here in New York, but there were so many people here. Besides, as much as she knew, he could still be in Los Angeles with Kagura.

 

Just a little while longer; she could be patient for just a while longer…

 

 

****

 

 

On the other side of Manhattan was a small art gallery. The building was just one of many of its kind and there was nothing special that made it stand out. On the walls of the gallery hung many beautiful painting depicting Japanese gardens, pictures of warriors, of oceans, and of other things. There was no one in the building and the lights were dimmed, making the place seem even more deserted than it already was.

 

Sesshoumaru walked into the small building with bags in his hands. Towards the back is a set of stairs that he takes, completely bypassing the paintings on the wall not even stopping to take a look.

 

When he reached the top of the stairs he balances the bags on his hip and opened the door to reveal a small apartment. Like the art gallery below, the apartment is nothing exciting. There was a kitchen, two bedrooms, a living room, and a small balcony that faced the inner city.

 

Sesshoumaru set his bags down on the counter and began putting his groceries away. He notices a man in his living room sitting in one of his chairs that has a couple of canvases that are wrapped up.

 

“What can I help you with John?” Sesshoumaru says casually to his art dealer while continuing to put his groceries away.

 

Not answering his question, John opts for one of his own. “Why do painters always live upstairs? You know these things are heavy,” he says pointing to some canvases.

 

Sesshoumaru shook his head. “Did you sell anything?”

 

“That's what I'm here to talk to you about Sesshoumaru. Come have a seat,” John says as he motions to the chair in front of him.

 

Sesshoumaru stops his activities and slowly sits himself in his chair. He leaned back all the way until he rested comfortably before giving John the okay to continue.

 

“You know Sesshoumaru, if you would simply allow me to tell people, especially women, who painted these paintings, I could sell many of them. Just ask any painter these days; you need publicity to sell your work,” John told him.

 

Sesshoumaru gave the man a calculating look before he answered. “Look John as much as I would like to give you the `go ahead', the old Sesshoumaru Taisho is dead; end of story,” he said as he took out a block of wood and an old weathered knife. “So…no one liked them? I mean, as paintings?”

 

“Don't be so hard on yourself Sesshoumaru. Art is a very competitive profession; what do you expect in two or three months?” John said in efforts to placate him. He notices that Sesshoumaru had taken out a knife and was a bit surprised.

 

“What happened to your pocket knife?” John asked him.

 

Sesshoumaru looked up from his carving, a hobby he picked up when he was in between paintings, and looked at John. “It's gone,” he answered easily.

 

John sighed. “What a pity. It was a nice knife; and what a great inscription.”

 

“That is what the owner of the pawn shop said too,” Sesshoumaru told him as he went back to his carving.

 

John shook his head and looked around the room that doubled as Sesshoumaru's studio. He noticed a new work and went over to examine it.

 

“Did you do this without a model?” John asked him.

 

Without even looking up from his work, Sesshoumaru replied, “From memory.”

 

John takes a closer look and puts his chin between his forefinger and thumb. “The anatomy looks a little strange.”

 

Sesshoumaru looked up and then went to John's side to examine the painting himself. “Where?”

 

His art dealer points with a practiced eye and then points to the error. “Right here.”

 

They both look at the painting for a moment, studying it carefully. Sesshoumaru gives a light huff. “You'd think that the one thing I'd be able to paint…” he trailed off as he shook his head disappointingly. “I guess I will have to get a job.”

 

“Don't give up so quickly Sesshoumaru; it's not like you. You know how the industry is, just give it a bit more time,” John said trying to console his friend.

 

Sesshoumaru had changed so much in a matter of a couple of months. When Sesshoumaru had told him he wished to take up painting again, he was nothing short of shocked. He knew that Sesshoumaru had a lot of talent, and with his fame, he was sure to sell a lot of his works. But then Sesshoumaru had told him he did not want to use his name to sell the paintings, and well, a big name would have helped him quite a bit in this business.

 

“Give it time…”

 

 

**

 

 

A couple of weeks later, Sesshoumaru was sitting on the balcony of his apartment. He looked out over the distance and could faintly make out the looming form of the Empire State building. Just a few more months and he would be able to see Kagome again. He hoped that she was fairing well in her life; better than him. He did not know where she was; for all that he knew she was still in Los Angeles.

 

When he closed his eyes he could still see her smiling face; he could feel her warm hands brushing over his skin lightly. Her kiss that was so passionate and her soft sighs that she had graced him with before the end of their trip; he could remember them clearly. He could still feel the way she molded perfectly to his body when he had woken up with her in his arms.

 

Those things, and the smile that she reserved only for him was what gave him the drive to continue to paint in order for him to be able to support her when they were married.

 

Kagura had been painfully correct in her assumption of her father. The old man sued him for all that he was worth, and even the best lawyers he hired had not been able to help him. He had signed an iron-clad contract and he had been the one to break it; there was no helping him.

 

Sesshoumaru was left with his clothes, some painting supplies, and his house in Hawaii that they did not know about. The rest was given over to the Wind family; when they did business, they did business. They left him with next to nothing, and the ironic thing was, not a month later did Kagura announce that she was to be married again; this time to a lovely young woman by the name of Sarah whose family owned a large ship yard on the coast of Italy.

 

He guessed that life had a sick sense of humor saved just for him.

 

Sesshoumaru never though himself to be a selfish man, but when it cam to wealth it was not that Sesshoumaru needed money to survive; it just made things a hell of a lot easier. He had promised Kagome a beer when they got married and he had every intention of buying her that beer no matter how poor he was.

 

He was brought out of his musings when he heard his name being called from below on the street. Sesshoumaru stood up and walked to the railing to see his art dealer waving his hands like a mad-man.

 

“Sesshoumaru!” John called from below.

 

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at the man; why didn't he just come up here instead of yelling at him? “Yes? What is it?”

 

“I have great news!” John started. A cop who was walking the street stopped to look at the commotion the man was starting. A couple of people also stopped, curious as to why this man was yelling.

 

“I sold one of your women! You know…the one with-” he said as he brought his hands up to his chest to signify breasts. “I got a thousand dollars for her!”

 

The cop frowned and began walking towards John to question him.

 

Sesshoumaru allowed himself a grin; he had sold a painting. “I am indeed a pleased man. I am a painter!”

 

Sesshoumaru moved back into his apartment and took out a bottle of sake, one of the last things that he had brought with him from Japan, and poured two glasses. Soon the door opened and a disheveled looking John walked into the room

 

“I guess I should have just come up and told you the news; but I just couldn't help it, I was too excited,” John said to him.

 

“What happened to you?” Sesshoumaru asked looking over the man.

 

“Huh? Oh, the cop said that the next time I want to advertise our sales, that I should do so quietly,” he said with a shrug. “That and a couple of women weren't too happy with me after my announcement. Those purses of there are heavier than they look.”

 

They held their glasses up and toasted their good efforts. Things were starting to look up for Sesshoumaru and he was going to take pleasure in this moment for as long as he could.

 

Two months down, only four to go.