InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Shivering Sands ❯ Glow ( Chapter 6 )

A/N: Everything seems to be going well, but coming up with all of these chapter titles with words that mean shimmer is unreal. :) I Hope you Enjoy

 

The next day, Kagome busied herself with her class, for once seeming to understand the difficult math problems, and afterward, before she took one step out of the classroom, Yuka, Eri, and Ayume cornered her.

 

"Hey guys," she said, eyes wide as Yuka and Eri marched toward her and pulled her back into the room

 

"Hey you guys she says," Yuka mimicked. "What is going on with you?" "Yeah," Eri said, "Yuka's right. You stayed out all night where even your mother didn't know where you were and now a strange man in a limousine picks you up. And you haven't been back the dorm in days."

 

Ayume just looked on questioningly. "I bet you're seeing someone new and you didn't even tell us. AGAIN," Yuka and Eri said in unison.

 

Kagome blanched. "Fess up Kagome," Eri said. The three girls linked arms together and Yuka said "Come on, You're going to lunch and explaining it to us whether you like it or not."

 

Kagome sighed ruefully and allowed herself to be dragged along as her friends yanked her out the classroom, down the hall and across the street to the raised eyes of onlookers.

 

***

 

"So this guy is an old friend of your dad's," Ayume said gently. Kagome nodded.

"Yeah, he was just telling me about what he has been up to since he...since we last saw each other."

 

Eri took a sip from her Coke, and said, "Is he good looking?" For some reason, Kagome blushed right then. "Yeah, I guess so, I don't look at him that way though," she said pushing at her fries.

 

“He must be older,” Ayume said.

 

“Yeah.” `You have no idea.'

 

Yuka raised her brows. "So the guy Hojo set you up with has nothing to worry about," she said skeptically.

 

Kagome shook her head. "No." "Good," Yuka said briskly, "Because I told him to meet us over here," she said with a wave toward the front door where he and his friend just entered.

 

"Wha," Kagome said turning around. She spotted Hojo easily with an extraordinarily good looking young man with him who gazed at her quite rakishly and she gave Yuka an evil glare. "I'm going to get you for this," she said brightly with a frozen grin.

 

She looked again fleetingly at Hojo's companion. He was undeniably attractive, with a gorgeous athletic body, wavy dark hair and warm light brown eyes dressed most fashionably and after a moments thought, she realized who he was. Jin Tyro, captain of the soccer team and the reigning world sword fighting champion.

 

Yuka and Eri slid out of the booth and greeted Hojo effusively. "Hi, Hojo," they said in dulcet tones as Hojo slid into the booth next to Ayume and gave her quite the sweet kiss on the temple as he hugged her to him. The two had begun dating after Kagome told him that he'd be much happier with her friend who was crazy about him.

 

"Kagome," he said with a smile. "Its so good to see you," he said warmly. She gave him a genuine smile, for she always liked him, he had always been such a gentleman and caring friend to her which she desperately needed one. She had allowed him to take her out a few times and escort her to her senior prom, her mother absolutely insisted that she go. "Hi Hojo. You too."

 

He nodded . “Its good to see you getting on so well and that you aren't so sad anymore." She smiled painfully but said nothing.

 

"Somebody wants to meet you," he said, splaying his hand toward his friend. “This is Jin.”

 

"Hi,” she said haltingly.

 

“Yo,” he said as he stroked his chin, gazing at her with interest. Ever since he spotted her walking across campus, something about her spiked his interest. Probably because she didn't fall all over him like the others. All he knew was that he wanted her, and would have her.

 

"I've wanted to meet you for a while now. You're even prettier closer up,” he said, eying her body slowly. “We should go out, get to know each other, you know.”

 

She paused for but a moment; everyone was looking at her so expectantly and she hated to disappoint their plans. Besides, it was just a date. "Sure, that'd be fine," she said slowly, seeing Yuka, Ayume and Eri signaling at her wildly to accept.

 

"Cool," he said standing, "I'll call you. Hojo man, I'm out." "Right behind you,” Hojo said. “See you later ladies,” he said with a wave.

 

“Bye,” Kagome said. Jin gave her one last look, his eyes warm as they met hers and walked away, waving at the three girls on his way out.

 

"Good move, Kagome," Eri said as they climbed back in the booth with her.

 

"Yeah," Yuka said, "He is just the essence of hotness, all he talked about that night he saw you was how cute you were."

 

"You never have trouble getting guys to worship you. You're so lucky, Kagome," Ayume said gently. "Yeah," Kagome said, her eyes solemn.

 

~~~

 

"So how was your day dear," Sana said as the family sat at dinner that evening. "Oh, it was okay, just busy. This biology class is really hard," she said. "We stand up all day in the lab, and it really hurts my back."

 

"I know just the thing," Grandpa began pompously between bites of steak. "You need some serious acupuncture to restore the balance. Allow me."

 

Kagome looked at him horrified. "Um, no thanks Gramps," she said with a derisive glance at him. 'Some of the holes haven't closed up from the last time I let you near me,' she thought rubbing her forearm.

 

"I wish I was out of school," Souta said ruefully, "then I could play for the national team and play all the soccer I wanted." Sana laughed and fluffed his hair. "Not quite," she said as she patted him, "you'd still have college, and a permanent career to train for. Kagome," she said with an inquiring glance, "will you be doing anything for the festival this year?"

 

Kagome shook her head slowly her eyes pensive. "No, I don't think so." "Well, I hope you enjoy yourself," Gramps said, taking another bite, "young people are supposed to celebrate at festivals like this one and count their blessings." She said nothing, and sighed.

 

~~~

 

After emerging from the shower, she dressed in soft white pajama shorts and tank top and headed toward the window. She gazed out over the city of Tokyo, noting the appearance of the new moon in the sky. “Hmm," she said with a soft smile of remembrance, "InuYasha's human night." She thought of his anxiety and discomfort and his clearly human emotions.

 

It was on a night like this when he revealed how he felt about her. She sighed and looked out the window once more near the Goshinboku. She saw a white hakama swaying in breeze and her heart sped up slightly when she realized who it was.

 

He stepped out and began walking towards her, and she smiled at him slightly. "Hey," she said softly, slowly removing her chin from her palm.

 

He noted with pleasure the gleam of her skin against the white of her sleeping attire. "I came to see about you." She nodded. "I'm okay. I'm glad you did," she said shyly leaning against the sill.

 

The left corner of his mouth upturned slightly, lighting. "Come by tomorrow."

 

She smiled. "I'd like that. I'll come after class." He nodded. "So be it. Tomorrow." He transformed into the glowing white sphere and was off, leaving her to stare after him contemplatively.

 

~*~

 

"See you later guys, I have to go," she called to her friends as she made to enter the bus. "I thought we were going to dinner and then to Dasuki's movie night," Eri said as they eyed her from the sidewalk.

 

"See you later Kagome," Ayume yelled as they began to cross the street to meet Yuka and some other friends. Kagome waved and then the bus took off. She sat quietly looking at the scenery, her face contemplative until the bus driver announced the number seven stop.

 

She stepped off and began walking across the gardens that led to his castle Kagome walked slowly to the enormous expanse of his back lawn and saw him striding toward her in a stately manner. Her heart began beating just a little faster.

 

He noticed her increasing heart rate, the sound resounding through his sensitive ears. "Kagome," he said, by way of greeting. She inhaled and pushed her breath out slowly. "Sesshomaru." His eyes flickered downward sliding over her form.

 

She blushed heavily and lowered her gaze. He turned and said "Come. Would you prefer being outside or inside," he asked politely. "Outside," she said softly, "I love it outside."

 

He nodded agreeing. They neared the steps to the porch when Kagome said hesitantly, "Will you show me your garden?" He turned his head slightly and gazed at her for a moment before inclining his head.

 

They walked into the extravagantly beautiful garden side by side. She inhaled softly. "Its so pretty here," she said, looking at the towering flowers, some low, some well over her head. "Did you do all of this," she asked, turning her face to his. Their eyes met, and both felt something warm pass through the both of them.

 

He noted how pretty she looked in the glow of the late evening, the sun near the horizon made her skin glow, her beautiful hair spilled over her shoulders and her long lashes appealed to him as she looked at him inquisitively.

 

His eyes showed his amusement. "You should know by now that this Sesshomaru does not do any menial work." She smiled at his words. "But yes," he continued, "I did the planing."

 

She nodded and turned her eyes back to the flowers and they continued walking. They soon reached the small pond and she exclaimed as she saw the small bridge. "Do you mind sitting over there," she said softly. He shook his head and together they made their way to the bridge.

 

She sat down and he then joined her, he cross-legged, and she with her head resting upon her knees. They were silent for some moments. "What are those flowers right there," she said, pointing to the flowers that drifted languidly in the water.

 

It was sometime before he answered. "Lotus," he said quietly. He was silent for a few moments. "They were Rin's favorite flowers." He stared out toward the setting sun. She gazed at him seriously, her eyes clouded. "You miss her."

 

He continued to look outward, his eyes pensive as he thought of her. "She was a funny little thing," Kagome said with a small smile. "She adored you." He spoke slowly. "I never told her,” he said quietly, thinking of his silly little girl.

 

Her eyes were tinged with sadness. "She knew," she said softly, thinking back to her and InuYasha. He didn't tell her he loved her before she began to slip away, but she knew.

 

His face became his usual mask again as he accepted her words. He spoke after sometime. "How is your school work?" She smiled. "Its getting better."

 

“You should be proud of yourself,” he said sincerely. “Most would have given up, or picked something that did not require any further math training.”

 

She smiled, pride lightening her eyes. "I did didn't I?" She laughed. "Did you go into your office today?" He shook his head. “No, I only go but rarely. Humans operate off of money, I only seek to deal in their currency.”

 

Something about that statement struck her. She raised her brow inquisitively. “So you've had to adjust?”

 

He raised his brow as well. “Don't we all?”

 

She turned her head to stare before her. “I don't know, I guess I'm thinking of you in the past. I assumed you would have rather destroyed all before conforming...”

 

His eyes flickered, and he turned his head toward hers. “You don't know me at all,” he said quietly.

 

She raised her eyes to his. “But I want to,” she said simply.

 

Their eyes locked and held for a few moments before he stared forward, the barest trace of a smile upon his lips.

 

“I no longer seek power,” he said low, his golden eyes fixed upon the final sliver of the setting sun, “and the accumulation of wealth is in exchange for the use of my lands and something that helps pass the monotony of days.”

 

“I see.”

 

The sun had disappeared over the horizon, and she gazed at the stars appearing in the sky. "I like it here. I like sitting with you like this," she said softly.

 

He looked up at the stars as well. "As do I." He paused. "You will return tomorrow."

 

She nodded slowly. "Yes."

 

~~~

 

A friendship formed between them then, tentative, watchful, but comforting. Ever so often, Kagome would join Sesshomaru in the gardens and talk.

 

She was still somewhat shy of him, yet often remained with him late in the evenings, and the deeper the night grew, the more they were content to say nothing and bask in each other's company.

 

She would sit upon his luxurious patio and lie in a chair gazing at the night sky, then lower, and looking beneath her lashes, her gaze would turn to Sesshomaru sitting across from her, watching her with half-lidded golden eyes.

 

After sitting together one evening by the stream, the water serenely passing over the rocks, they both fell silent as the sounds of night began echoing among them. Kagome rolled over on her stomach, her face resting against her flattened palms. “Its been the longest day,” she said with a sigh. “I had so much to do today, I told you about it though.”

 

He looked at her. “Perhaps you should go home and get some rest.”

 

She gave him a gentle smile. “No, I've wanted to be here all day. It's the only place I have to run to that isn't a madhouse. Did the meeting with the landscaper go okay?”

 

He nodded. “Yes, everything will go as planned. There is much to do, as the area requires the clearing of some tree's and other obstacles. Some other effects will have to be delivered from the mainland however.”

 

He fell silent as he finished speaking and after a few moments of gazing at the tranquil waters, he glanced down upon her.

 

She slept on quietly, the sound of her soft breathing soothing his ears. She lay on her stomach, her hair sprawling over her forearms, he could see her smooth nape and features clearly. Her face was turned near his, the dark lashes fluttering slightly in her dreams.

 

He stared down at her, his eyes unreadable. Unable to help himself, he reached out and stroked the back of his fingers against her soft cheek. She murmured slightly at the contact, then leaned into his hand. She reminded him then of a newborn kitten, only responding to sensation, yearning to be touched.

 

He turned his hand over to cup her chin, stroking her jaw with his thumb. After a few moments, he removed his hand and stared down at her seriously. She continued to sleep on, her face peaceful. “Come, Kagome,” he said as he stood. “It is time to take you home.”

 

~~~

 

"Hi darling," Sana said to Kagome as she came down stairs later the next afternoon, "Where are you off to?"

 

"Hi, Mom," she said as she came into the kitchen. "I'm going to hang out with Eri today,” she said as she briskly picked up her bag. In all actuality, she was spending the day with Sesshomaru. For some reason, she didn't want to tell anyone about her days there; it was something just for the two of them alone.

 

Sana looked over at her daughter curiously. “Really? Okay, have fun dear," she said as she dried her hands., her mother's instinct telling her something different, but she'd never press her.

 

"I'll see you later, Mom," Kagome said, heading toward the door.

 

She reached Sesshomaru's in due time, enjoying the now familiar trek. As she walked across the lawns, he emerged from the castle and met her half way, his eyes warm. "Hi," she said brightly, smiling up at him.

 

"I ordered lunch for you. I hope you will find it sufficient," he said walking towards the patio. "I'm sure I will," she said as they sat down upon the patio.

 

~~~

 

The crickets chirped and the air was filled with the sounds of summer night as the two walked in the gardens. "Your family has been well," he asked solicitously.

 

"Yeah. Mom spent the day working on some recipes and things," she said as she fingered a white gardenia flower. "The Obon festival is coming soon," she said, her eyes pensive.

 

She stooped near the pond and swirled her fingers in the water, where large multicolored goldfish crested their heads above water at her approach. She stroked one of them briefly, as he watched in fascination that something wild would allow her so close. “Its her purity. They can sense it.'

 

"Yes," he said. "The Festival of the Dead. Where humans remember the ancestors and those who passed before them. One of the few human rituals I respect."

 

She stood and they continued walking among the flowers. "Mom is making the sushi for her club's booth."

 

They neared the patio and returned to the leather sofa; she now sat beside him upon it instead of their individual chairs. "I made the lanterns of remembrance." Her face saddened then and she looked to the sky. “I couldn't go before. It was too hard.”

 

They both remained quiet for a few moments, and then he spoke.

 

"Will you now," he asked quietly.

 

"Yeah," she said softly.