InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Purity 2: Defiance ❯ Thanksgiving ( Chapter 12 )

~~Chapter 12~~

~Thanksgiving~

 

~*~

 

 

“Hut . . . Hike!”

 

With a giggle, Sierra dove forward, literally running over her brothers as two of them tried to battle on the line of scrimmage. Brent, her oldest brother, smashed the football into Toga's stomach. With a grunt as well as with Sierra heading straight toward him, he wrapped his arms around the ball and flashed past her, careful not to move too quickly in the doing.

 

`Kami . . . Father would not be pleased if he saw this,' Toga couldn't help but think as he tried to avoid another of Sierra's brothers—Bill, she said his name was.

 

Still, he had to admit as he reached the designated end zone, he was having a good time.

 

Half afraid that he'd be completely out of place at Sierra's family gathering, Toga had very nearly called and lied about being ill. He was ready to do just that when she knocked on his door earlier than he had expected. Dressed casually in faded jeans and a bulky sweater, Toga had winced and, without a word, had turned on his heel and headed back to his room to change out of the suit he'd already put on. When he reemerged ten minutes later in jeans and forest green tee shirt, Sierra had nodded her approval just before leaning up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

 

Effort well spent, he figured.

 

“Not bad for a pretty boy,” Mike goaded as Toga jogged back with the football.

 

“Half-time!” Carol, Kevin's wife hollered from the front porch where she stood holding a tray of steaming mugs.

 

Toga dropped the football as Sierra ran over to him. “Having fun?”

 

He shrugged. “All right.”

 

She giggled. “They never let me play most of the time. It makes the teams uneven.”

 

He laughed as she wrinkled her nose in an entirely adorable fashion. She ran up the steps to the porch to retrieve a couple of mugs.

 

“A word, pretty boy.”

 

Toga turned to stare at Sierra's oldest brother, Brent. Brent jerked his head toward the driveway, and Toga followed. He had a feeling that something like this was going to happen. This particular brother had been giving Toga the evil eye from the moment Toga had opened the door of his SUV to help Sierra out. “You're dating my sister, huh?”

 

Toga shrugged. “Is that what she said?”

 

“What's that supposed to mean?”

 

Nonplussed by Brent's belligerence, Toga straightened his back and affected a rather bored stance as he continued to regard the oldest of Sierra's siblings. “It means that it's really not your business . . . unless Sierra has made it your business, of course.”

 

Narrowing his eyes, Brent looked suspiciously close to losing his temper. “Whatever. Let me give you some friendly advice: be careful with my sister, got that?”

 

Toga could feel his jaw twitching as he tamped down the desire to choke Sierra's meddlesome brother. Leaning casually against his car, Brent looked about as arrogant and sure as he possibly could. It occurred to Toga that he could very easily wipe the smirk off his face, if he really wanted to do so. He curbed that desire, too, since the satisfaction would be short-lived. After all, he'd gotten the impression from Sierra that she actually liked her brothers—more's the pity . . . “Of course,” he answered dryly, in deference to Sierra.

 

Brent narrowed his gaze. “Look, Sierra's not like other girls. If you're thinking you can just get what you want out of her and move on, then you'd best back off now. You hurt her, and I'll flatten you.”

 

Toga kept his expression blank as he stared back at the man. He could understand Brent's concern. Toga, himself, felt much the same way about Aiko, even if he liked to pretend otherwise. The insinuation that he had anything other than good intentions as far as Sierra was concerned, however, irritated the hell out of him. “Do you think you can?” he countered mildly.

 

Brent's stare shifted to Toga's feet and slowly moved upward. “I'm pretty sure that taking care of you wouldn't be much of a problem,” he replied.

 

Toga leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest as he sucked in his cheeks thoughtfully. “My uncle used to tell me that it's a mistake to underestimate your opponent. You would do well to learn that. I have no intention of hurting your sister. Leave it at that.”

 

Very deliberately, he strode away, intercepting Sierra as she smiled at him and held out a mug of spiced apple cider.

 

“What were you and Brent talking about?” she asked as she held her mug in both hands and lifted it to her lips. Eyes wide, staring at him over the rim of her mug, Sierra blinked as she waited for him to answer.

 

Toga forced a smile, telling himself to ignore the threats since he knew deep down that Brent was only concerned with his sister's well-being. “He was just concerned about you.”

 

Sierra made a face. “Oh, that's rich. Biggest womanizer on earth, and he's . . . Did he threaten you?”

 

Toga chuckled. “Don't worry about it.”

 

She still looked disgruntled. “He's really not that bad,” she assured him with a sigh.

 

“How can he be? He worries about you.”

 

Her smile turned shy as her cheeks registered color that had nothing to do with the crisp November air. “A little too much . . .”

 

Toga shrugged.

 

“Hey, you two! You playing or what?” Mike hollered. Toga glanced over to see that the game was resuming. Sierra grabbed his mug and ran over to set them on the porch.

 

Stray strands of Sierra's hair had escaped the neat ponytail she's worn. Blowing in the breeze just enough to send the scent of apple blossoms straight to him, Toga couldn't help the bemusement that filtered over him as he waited for play to commence. Bill got the ball and headed straight for Toga. He tried to tackle but only managed to catch Bill's foot. It was enough to bring the man down. Toga rolled to his feet and offered Bill a hand up.

 

“Not bad,” Bill remarked as he accepted the gesture. “Did you play ball in school?”

 

“No . . . they don't have football where I'm from.”

 

Bill made a face. “A life without football? Sucks to be you.”

 

Toga grinned as they headed back to line up again.

 

Sierra caught his eye and winked. He was still suffering the effects of her proximity when he suddenly had the ball jammed into his stomach again. This time, however, he was completely unprepared as a small blur hit him moments later. He fell back with a grunt as Sierra landed on his chest. “Gotcha!”

 

Toga's breath caught in his lungs. It took everything in him to remind himself that her brothers were there and that it would probably not be a good idea to kiss her. Wisps of her hair fell into his face, and he stifled a groan. She hopped up as though she didn't have any idea just what she had done to him. Toga nearly whined.

 

“God, Toga, that was the oldest trick in the book, and you fell for it,” Kevin commented as he helped Toga to his feet. “Keep the girl away from our running back,” he hollered.

 

Bill snorted. “Whatever works!”

 

Toga could feel the flush seeping up his cheeks. Mercifully, though, the game was called when Mrs. Crawford stepped outside to tell them that dinner was served.

 

Sierra jogged over to him and hugged him. “I'm sorry . . . did I hurt your ego?”

 

He shook his head. “Not at all . . . you could do that later, though, if you wish.”

 

She eyed him quizzically. “Hurt your ego?”

 

He grinned. “Tackle me.”

 

She flushed but leaned up to kiss his cheek. He sighed when she pulled away. “Oh, wait, you've got dead grass all over your back.” Lightly and quickly, she brushed away the lingering debris with her hand. He jumped slightly when she reached his rear. Turning to glance at her, he hid his grin. She was biting her lower lip as her cheeks pinked a little more, and her gaze was nowhere near meeting his.

 

“Sierra.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Sierra?”

 

She gasped, realizing exactly what she was doing, and sparing him a quick glance, she hurriedly ran toward the house.

 

Toga's grin widened. He'd never really thought that he'd catch her looking at his . . . assets. Couldn't actually say he disliked it, either . . .

 

 

-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-0-=-

 

 

“I wasn't staring, exactly,” Sierra grumbled as they stepped into Toga's apartment.

 

“Keh!” Toga snorted indelicately as he pulled the door closed behind him. “What would you call it? I feel so . . . violated.”

 

Sierra rolled her eyes as she tugged off her gloves and coat. “Oh, please! If you've never been shamelessly ogled before, then I'll eat my shoes.”

 

“Is that what it was?” he parried with a slightly evil glint in his eyes. “Shameless ogling?”

 

She blushed and clamped her mouth closed as Toga chuckled. He hung his coat in the closet and reached for hers. She had her arms crossed over her chest and looked like she was very close to bolting. “All right,” he relented. “No more teasing, I promise.”

 

She wrinkled her nose. “Somehow I just don't believe you,” she countered mildly.

 

Toga laughed as he stepped closer and tilted her chin up. “You may `shamelessly ogle' me as much as you wish, Sierra.”

 

She tried not to smile. He had to give her marks for effort. In the end, she gave in, her smile lending a brightness to her eyes, her dimples flashing in an entirely sweet affectation. “You're so bad,” she remarked as she stared at him. “Bet you've got your mother wrapped around your little finger, don't you?

 

Toga shrugged. “I doubt that. My mother is a formidable woman. We learned early on not to cross her.”

 

“Was she mean?”

 

“No . . . just a wicked temper and a couple fans you don't dare touch.”

 

“Fans?”

 

He nodded. “Fans. Hand fans.”

 

She still seemed a little perplexed by Toga's words. He chuckled.

 

“Thanks for coming with me,” she said softly.

 

Toga slipped his hand up to caress her cheek. Her eyes drifted closed as she leaned against his touch. Her lips parted slightly as she stood still. Smoothing back her hair with his other hand, Toga leaned down to brush a kiss over her forehead, over her eyes. She tilted her head back and sighed as he bathed her face with the sweetest kisses.

 

Kissing the corner of her mouth, he uttered a strange sort of wuffing nose as Sierra turned her head to intercept his lips. Her hands wrapped around his wrists, held onto him with a vise-like grip. She tasted like sunshine, like water cascading over a waterfall. She leaned against him, as though she couldn't stand without his support. A sigh, a breath, a soft trembling, she was everything to him, everything he'd searched to find. He'd traveled halfway around the world to find her, and now that he had . . .

 

Toga let his thoughts center on her, on the beautiful compliance of her fluid movements. Her hands let go of his wrists to slip into his hair, her lips opening to him as softly s the rising sun. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close enough to steady her.

 

She gasped softly as he raked his fangs over her swollen lips with calculated gentleness, a tender initiation of her soul and his youkai. Her aura welcomed him, wrapped around his youki, and whether she knew it or not, it was the last barrier against her acceptance of him. Everything about her came to him as though in a trance, a dream. The softness of her lips under his, the quiet sense of yearning that he understood just a little too well . . . the scent of her body resonated within him, a stutter, a breath, a shiver, a shudder . . .

 

Her lips opened to the gentle urging of his tongue. She trembled as he stroked her, long, deep. Pulling her closer, reveling in the feel of her body against his . . . the rioting emotion tempered by her breathing, by her will, by the need to protect and shelter her . . .

 

`She's the one,' his mind whispered. `She's your mate . . .' The press of his thoughts intruded too sharply. He couldn't ignore the call of his blood, and yet he could not let it take over, either. `Sierra . . . I'll wait . . .'

 

With a harsh sigh, he pulled back. Breathing unsteadily, Sierra slowly opened her eyes, the bemused light that filled her gaze was tinged by something deeper. He swallowed hard and forced a weak smile. She laughed shakily and straightened her sweater with trembling hands.

 

Toga cleared his throat, breaking the heavy silence that had fallen. “I, uh . . . sorry . . . I think I got a little carried away.”

 

She laughed again and leaned against him. “Don't be sorry . . .”

 

The phone rang. Toga winced but grabbed it, sending Sierra an apologetic glance. She shrugged and wandered over to flip on the television. He winced at the caller ID. “Hello?”

 

“Toga! How are you?”

 

“Fine, Aiko. Is something wrong?”

 

“Does something have to be wrong for me to call you?”

 

He sighed. “No.”

 

Aiko giggled. “Mother gave me your number. I thought I'd call and see if you are coming to my one and only wedding, ever.”

 

“Laying it on a bit thick, aren't you?” Toga grumbled but smiled vaguely.

 

“Me?”

 

“Cut the innocent act, Aiko.”

 

She sighed. “Well, are you?”

 

Seeing no way around answering, he nodded. “Yes, I'll be there.”

 

Aiko squealed. Toga winced and jerked the phone away from his ear. “Keh! Trying to deafen me?”

 

“Sorry,” she said, sounding anything but apologetic. “So . . . will you be bringing . . . anyone?”

 

Toga knew that tone. He knew his sister too well to trust that innocent drawl she took on whenever she was fishing for information. “I don't know. I'd hate to ruin your wedding with an argument with Father.”

 

Aiko sighed again. “Toga . . . are you sure? About her?”

 

Toga turned to gaze at the woman in question. She was clicking through channels on the television oblivious to the conversation that centered around her. He smiled. “Yeah, I'm sure.”

 

“I see,” Aiko said as she drew a deep breath. “Then you should bring her. Since when do you hide anything from Father? I swear, I've always wondered if you were actually trying to test him. Besides, I want to meet this girl. If she's special enough to deserve you, then I think I have the right . . . and Rin will want to, as well, not to mention Aunt Kagome, and Mother . . .”

 

Toga snorted. “All right, you've made your point, brat. I'll ask.”

 

Aiko giggled. “Good! Then my job here is done. I'll tell Mother you send your love.”

 

“You do that. Bye.”

 

He hung up and leaned back against the table, staring at Sierra and wondering if he really ought to ask her. Nothing good could come of it. Sesshoumaru would very likely blow an ass gasket over the entire thing. Still he had promised Aiko, and if there were one thing that had been impressed upon him from early on, it was that he didn't dare go back on his word, ever.

 

Sierra set the remote control on the small coffee table and turned to smile at him. “Your sister, I take it?”

 

He nodded. “She was calling to see if I'm coming to her wedding.”

 

She patted the sofa beside her and watched as Toga came around to sit. “She also wanted to know if . . . I'm going to be alone . . .” Slowly raising his eyes to lock with hers, he lifted his eyebrows. “So . . . am I?”

 

Sierra seemed surprised at his question. She sat back and frowned. “When is it?”

 

“I have to leave next Saturday. I'll be gone for a couple weeks.”

 

“Oh, I can't. A couple of the other girls in my division already put in for time off. I doubt I can get it.”

 

Toga tried to push aside the slight relief he felt at her words. “That's okay. I wish I didn't have to go.”

 

She reached over and pushed his bangs out of his face with gentle fingers. “Don't you miss your family?”

 

“Family? Yes. Father? Not so much.”

 

Sierra sighed. “What's the trouble with your father? I know you've said a little bit, but I have a feeling it's more than that.”

 

Toga shook his head. “He has some very . . . archaic ideas. I don't like them, and I'm not living by them.”

 

“He isn't going to like me, is he?”

 

Toga winced. “There're not many he does,” he remarked dryly. That, unfortunately, was also true. “You can't take it personally. Right now, I doubt he even likes me.”

 

Sierra giggled. “I find that hard to believe. Do you want me to ask? I'll probably be told I can't have the time, but . . .”

 

Shaking his head, Toga sat back and pulled Sierra close. “No . . . all things considered, it's probably better if you don't . . . I'll be back soon. Will you miss me?”

 

She sighed softly, leaning her head against his chest. “I think I just might.”

 

He kissed her forehead. “Good because I'll miss you, too.”

 

 

~=~*~=~*~=~*~=~*~=~*~=~*~=~*~=~*~=~*~=~*~=~*~=~*~=~* ~=~*~=~*~=~*~=~*~=~*~=~

A/N:

== == == == == == == == == ==

Reviewers

==========

Meres (AFFnet) :

Sierra's heritage is "interesting" eh? I can't wait to hear this. Maybe the freak out won't be limited to her eh? I love this story to death, you know. Please update lots before you go away!

 

I'll try… though you all may not LIKE where I leave it, if the projections prove correct … LoL!

==========

Aitu-- not signed in.. maybe (MMorg):
You hinted that there will be some Sexxhoumaru story later on in the Meta QandA's? Will this perchance happen in the chronicles Christmas story?

 

While Sesshoumaru will `appear' in the ChroniclesChristmas, the story I'm planning is actually Sesshoumaru-centric and not just a oneshot . . . and we're going to Georgia to see my sister!

==========

MMorg

bloodykitsune ------ angelica incarnate ------ DarklessVasion - not signed in ------ Kyonarai

==========

FFnet

Flames101 ------ Kestral ------ SilverStarWing

==========

AFFnet ------ AScom

CheshireAngel ------ akdreamer

==========

Final Thought from Toga:

… Do I have to go to this wedding?

==========

Blanket disclaimer for this fanfic (will apply to this and all other chapters in Defiance): I do not claim any rights to InuYasha or the characters associated with the anime/manga. Those rights belong to Rumiko Takahashi, et al. I do offer my thanks to her for creating such vivid characters for me to terrorize.

 

~Sue~