InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Racing Hearts ❯ Luring Trap ( Chapter 7 )

Luring Traps

The crowds pressed close in excitement, pushing and shoving to get a better look.

Sweat dripped down on heated cheeks from the close proximity as they all looked at the

two people on their bikes. There were already bets flying around with the odds going

against the newcomer. They hadn't seen all she had to give but the guy on the red was

infamous. Still, nobody could deny the tense air hanging around the two racers, though

they did not know what had brought on the unexpected challenge. Voices became

hushed as the corset girl walked out with the white cloth. She rose it in the air and for a

millisecond, every breath stopped. The flag went down and a tidal wave of screams and

calls were made as the piercing crack of tires filled the air. Kagome was in a steady lead

but for some reason, she felt like he wasn't even trying. When taking a quick look back

he gave a wink and a gloating smile. This was no time to be vain, he had some trick

under his sleeve and she was sure he was going to bring it out soon. She urged her bike

faster, the turn coming up soon. She did her perfect 360 but was surprised to find him

turning at the same time as her. When did he catch up? Now he was springing forward

with the speed he hadn't used before. That idiot, he had been going leisurely in the

beginning to get her worried and was now pulling all stops. *That conniving little-OK...

cool down, there's no way you are going to win if you're getting angry* She quickly

switched her gears to the highest level and started to catch up to Inuyasha. He moved

back and forth to prevent her from passing through but she zipped by his left as he

swerved to the right. He began to press her close to the huge metal boxes that littered

the sides of the track, not so close that she would run into them but enough that she was

beginning to get nervous. She glanced at him at the side and he gave another wink as he

moved his bike closer to hers. She slowed down her bike a notch, moved behind him,

and zipped to his right. The finishing line was looming closer and closer and she had yet

to take the lead. Twenty more feet, fifteen, ten, zero. She hadn't been able to see who

had won and couldn't tell from the crowd's racket. She stopped her bike and turned to

look at the corset girl. Inuyasha had stopped his bike right by the thinly dressed girl

and was talking intently with her. He nodded his head and slowly rode his bike through

the crowd. There were pats on the back and congratulations given but he waved them

away. Had he won? She followed right behind him till they were far enough that the

night grew silent once more. They had stopped by a line of chain link fences that barred

off the empty pier. He took off his helmet and placed it in front of him while rubbing his

face with a gloved hand. He looked down at his bike for a minute, a smile still tugging at

those lips.

"You're good." he finally said. "You almost got me there, almost."

What did that mean? That she had barely beaten him but he had beaten her anyway?

Perhaps she had been too rash on making the deal with him... why hadn't she thought it

through? But she had given her word and a Higurashi never went back on their word.

She voiced this to him and he gave a grin, showing laugh lines that softened a rough

face.

"A tie, it was a tie. So I guess you get to keep on racing and I get to keep on bugging you

about it, huh?"

She didn't hear him, the nervous clenching of her chest dying down to nothing. She got

off her bike, walked over, and smacked him on the head.

"Itei! What was that for?!" he complained while grabbing his head.

"You shouldn't keep people in suspense, you baka!" she admonished.

"Wench!" he stuck a tongue out like a kindergardner and sped away from her, laughing.

Kagome gave a scowl, wondering how such an immature kid like him had made it

through high school. Another engine rumbled in the air and she turned to see the famed

Wind. He slowed to a stop then got off the bike, still keeping his helmet on. She stood

there and just watched him, waiting for him to talk.

"Good race." he said but the air ate up his words and she remained calm and stolid. "So

what's your reason for keeping the helmet on? Scared of being seen?"

"Why should I have a reason when you don't take yours off too?" she pointed out.

"You won't last." he suddenly said.

"What?" she inquired, wondering if she heard right. Did everybody want to kick her out

already? This had to be a new record for her.

"You won't make it to the top. That is your goal, isn't? You might have been the best in

Yokohama, but here in Tokyo, it's only the cream of the crop, the elite."

She was about to argue but he continued on, not letting her speak.

"This isn't about your gender, this isn't about your status, this isn't about your strength.

This is about skill, amibition, and persistance. You want to race for fun, go ahead, but

get your priorities straight before you want to be on top." he was about to get on his

bike but she grabbed his arm and turned him towards her.

"Wait a second, are you implying that I'm arrogant?" she angrily asked.

He shook her arm off and hopped on, starting his engine.

"You figure it out." he sped off in the same way as Inuyasha and she was left scowling a

second time. Her? Arrogant? That perverted guy was arrogant, Inuyasha was arrogant,

not her. What the hell was he going at about getting her priorities straight? Was he also

implying that she was racing just to beat people? She got on her bike, pissed off but

bewildered at the same time. During the ride home, she picked apart their

conversation. *Not about my gender, my status, or my strength? Well, at least he's not

going on that I'm a girl. But I have skill, and ambition, and persistance! I've been doing

this for years, does he think I don't know what racing is about? Wait...how did he know I

was from Yokohama?* Kagome gave a groan, he must have found out who she was! Her

cover was blown!!

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She took one last look at the full length mirror before heading for the lobby. She had

worn a pale rose satin gown from Versace that looked like a modern creation of a

Europian ball gown. It had a strapless top that connected into a long flowing skirt. A

lacy covering studded with genuine white diamonds went over the skirt and a full train.

Rose colored gloves went over her fingers. As for her hair, she had let it down in it's

own natural wave. An amethyst necklace that was a rare shade of pink graced her neck.

Yoshihiro was waiting in a splendid black tux by the door. He was over 50 years but

still had an energetic sparkle in his eyes and walked with a proud back. Age had not

weaken the man at all and he gave a fatherly hug to Kagome.

"Every man in the ball will be jealous of me tonight." He said jokingly as he led her to the

limo outside. "Be on your guard tonight, Kagome. There is a double meaning behind the

ball they are throwing for you tonight. They have spared no expenses for it, so I have

heard." He warned her while they drove to the ballroom.

"Maybe they are offering a partnership. But why would they do that when they are

already flourishing on their own?" They stopped their conversation as the door opened.

Yoshihiro got out first then gave Kagome his hand. Camera lights went off

simultaneously and she gave a graceful smile at the newspeople as she stepped out.

"Miss Higurashi, how do you feel about taking over your father's multi billion dollar

company?!"

"Miss Higurashi, do you plan to make any changes in your father's work?!"

"Miss Higurashi, how do you feel about international trade with the Americans?!"

With her hand placed on Yoshihiro's arm Kagome gave another smile and more

cameras went off. They slowly treked down the carpet and into the hotel where the ball

was taking place.

"I don't think I'll ever get used to that." Kagome commented quickly as they walked in. A

tall man with silver hair met them. *Must be the president, but he reminds me too

much of Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru* Kagome thought as she observed his refined

manner.

"Miss Higurashi, I am the president of the TaiYoukai Company." He brushed his lips

against her gloved hands. "If you will follow me, everybody has been waiting for you."

Kagome gently laid her hand on his arm and he led her towards a set of gold lined

doors. Yoshihiro followed behind. As if on cue the door opened by themselves to

reveal a plethora of silks, satins, and flashing jewels worn by various men and women.

Yoshihiro had been right, no expenses had been spared. A very famous orchestra

group was striking up a classical piece. The room had been decorated in shades of blue,

the symbol color of Higurashi Company. And every high class family had been invited.

From the owners of Sony to the president and vice president of the largest shipping

firm in Japan. Anybody who was somebody was at the party. Kagome gave nods to

friends from her old private school and smiles to some of her father's closest friends.

The president led her all the way to the middle of the room where the two most

important people of the ball would take the customary first dance. Years of dance class

came back as he whirled her in a waltz. After a minute more couples came on to the

dance floor till all you could hear was low pitched chatter, the swish of high priced

fabric, and the notes of Debussy filling the flower scented air. The invisible sparkle of

such a high class gathering would be enough to make any normal person feel like they

were in a hazy dream. But for these people, it was just another way to show off what you

had. Charm, charisma, and an excellent sense of style made up every movement and

word. Kagome gave a bow to the president for the dance and followed him to a special

table for them. After helping her sit he sat down himself.

"Miss Higurashi, I give my most sincere regrets on the death of your father. Though we

were opponents in the world of trade, we were fond friends. He was an intelligent and

very powerful businessman. Which is why, in the honor of your father's memory, I offer

a partnership between the two most prosperous trading companies in Japan. The

promises from such a union would be great. You do not have to give me an answer right

away, please, take some time to think about it. And when you do decide, let me know."

With another bow he rose and left her. Now, how long had he practiced that speech to

say to her? Every word was perfect and well thought out...which was making her even

more cautious. The president had been known for being very ambitious when it came to

business dealings. Ambitious enough to swallow up smaller companies without mercy.

There was a cough in the background and Kagome turned to see Inuyasha. She was

tempted to groan in despair but fought off the feeling. She instead settled for gritting

her teeth.

"Inuyasha, is there a reason why you appear to be everywhere I go?" She asked.

"My father wanted me to dance with you. Though, if I realized who you were I wouldn't

have accepted. Come on." He gave a hand and Kagome took it. Before they could go to

the dance floor Sesshoumaru stood before them. Kagome stifled another groan, both

brothers at the same place, lovely.

"Father needs to talk to you, he said it's important. I'll take over from here."

Inuyasha nodded his head and handed Kagome over to his brother. *What am I? Some

kind of chore?*

"So, my father wants our companies to merge together." He whispered in her ear, his

breath making it tickle. "Are you going to go for it?"

"It will take time and careful thinking. I'm afraid I can't give you an answer just yet." She

whispered back politely, hiding the surprise in her voice. *His father said a partnership,

what's this about merging?* He twirled her then pulled her back into his arms in a tight

hold.

"Think of the possibilities of the two of us being joined as one." He said, almost

seductively. Kagome felt her head jerk away from his mouth and he gave a small

chuckle but pulled her head back near his mouth. "Just think about it." His lips brushed

against her jawbone and he handed her over to another man. She could feel the hotness

of her cheeks as she blushed, thank Kami for the low lighting. But what was that back

then? Was that a kiss? Was he trying to entice her into agreeing to his father's offer? She

twisted her head to look for him but found him in deep conversation with his father.

The president was nodding his head with a tiny smile on his face. Kagome began to grow

angry as her suspicions started to appear true. Did they think that they could fool her

so easily just because she was only in high school? They had another thing coming if

they found her emptyheaded like most rich girls. She clenched her jaw as she danced

with yet another man. Her decision was set, there was no way she was going to put her

father's company in the hands of such conniving men. Not while she was still president.

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