InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Shivering Sands ❯ Flare ( Chapter 7 )

A/N: Wow, such nice reviews. Thank You Guys for your Nice Comments, they are so very encouraging. :)

 

The day of the festival dawned and the Higurashi family busily prepared for the event early that morning as the sun began to rise. "This is going to be fun," said Souta as he brought in more boxes of fresh seafood. "This is one of my favorite festivals."

 

"Mine too," said Kagome, fluffing his hair as he rushed out. She sat by the kitchen table, putting the finishing designs upon the various lanterns she planned to contribute to the festival. The lamps were very creative, as she went outside the tenants of tradition with the colors and design templates usually associated with the festival.

 

Grandpa entered carefully polishing something that looked suspiciously like a platypus foot floating in a glass vial and spoke with a pompous smile. "Yes, this is the best festival of the year. We get to honor the ancestors and I exchange sacred artifacts with those who actually want to use them," he said with a beady glare in Kagome's direction who looked up innocently.

 

"Those look really beautiful Kagome," Sana said admiring the lanterns as she bustled about the kitchen. They were impressive; intricate, multicolored and numerous. "Thanks Mom," she murmured, carefully penning the script in Hiragana.

 

She finished the one and began painting the next, saying, “Buyo, get away from there,” as the cat attempted to play with the multicolored paper ribbons.

 

Souta reentered the room with the last of the boxes as Sana heard the phone ring. “Get that Souta, please would you,” she said as she was carefully rolling the crab and rice together with the dried seaweed sheets.

 

"You've really outdone yourself this time Kagome," said Gramps, "You seem much more appreciative of the festivals traditions this year. What changed?" Her eyes clouded for a moment as she thought of InuYasha.

 

"Everything," she replied. “So, Mom, what is the schedule looking like today.” “Oh,” Sana said pausing to tap her temple with her fingers.

 

“Well, after Aunt Sakura gets here, the two of us will finish making the food, there's the drive to Nikko which will take a while, then we will spend time at the temple, then the booths...” she stopped as Souta was wildly waving his hands to interrupt her.

 

"Auntie Sakura is on her way,"Souta said, putting his hand over the receiver, “She asked are you sure if you needed anything else before she got here?”

 

“Oh,” Sana said pursing her lips thoughtfully, “No, I don't think so. Kagome, why don't you start getting ready, you know how long it takes to get into all of your clothes.”

 

"Okay, I'm almost done," said Kagome, "I'll probably bring another change of clothes, just in case.”

 

~*~

 

“Hello Dahlings,” Sakura Saotome said as she swept into the house. “Auntie Sakura,” Kagome and Souta squealed as she bussed the two of them on the cheek. “Its been ages. Sana, kisses,” she said as she neared her niece, who complied. “You're looking so wonderful my dear, the picture of health. Where is that crotchgedy grandfather of yours” she said to Souta.

 

Sakura was Sana's sixty-six year-old aunt, a very sweet woman and just a tad bit flamboyant and eccentric but her wealth afforded her the means and opportunity to be so. “I'm here, you mean old woman,” Grandpa said with a sniff. The two of them had been at each other for years, all in great fun, of course.

 

“Who made these beautiful lamps,” she said, stooping down to lightly finger one.

 

“Kagome did,” Souta said as Sakura popped a chocolate in his mouth and cupped his chin.

 

She picked one up and looked at her great-niece. “Well, they are absolutely beautiful, honey,” she said as she looked at one closely. “Now shoo, shoo, shoo, go upstairs and get dressed, your mother and I have this covered,” and proceeded to chase Souta and Kagome up the stairs.

 

About an hour later, the entire family was dressed in their traditional robes, yukatas, hakamas and kimonos, and the car packed with the food and coolers. The women looked very beautiful, wearing their hair up with the traditional hair pins.

 

Sana wore a lively kimono that flared in shades of very light peach to a deep orange. Sakura wore a red and pink cherry blossom inspired Kimono, while Kagome looked gorgeous in a kimono with the faintest shades of pink. Each of the women's costumes were of the lightest silk, in order to deflect the heat of the day.

 

Grandpa and Souta wore hakamas and yukatas, Grandpa's a dark black with red designs and Souta's a very deep blue and yellow; both looked very distinguished. Each wore the zori sandals. The entire clan made quite the impressive group.

 

Looking everyone over critically, Sakura gave them one last inspection and then dangled her car keys before her and slipped on her thick driving goggles. “All right gang, let us now move out,” she said, hopping in the drivers seat.

 

“Oh by the Gods,” Grandpa said as he slid in the backseat, “who decided she was driving?”

 

Sakura shot him a look over her shoulder. “Shut up, you old fool. If you were driving we'd arrive two weeks later in Okinawa. Now, put on your seat belt and lets be off.”

 

***

 

They arrived at the temple in Nikko in due time, laughing and smiling with joy as Sakura's dry wit made its appearance, and she and Grandpa couldn't stop snipping at each other.

 

“We're here,” Souta exclaimed as the view of the Toshogu of Nikko came into view. “About damn time,” Grandpa sniffed. “Hmph,” said Auntie Sakura. “You'd do no better.”

 

The group exited the car, exclaiming their admiration as as they walked toward the square near the temple, each laden with the various foodstuffs Sana prepared all morning.

 

Nikko was where both of Kagome's parents' families hailed originally, the two having met when they were very young children and fell in love very early on in life.

 

The shrine at Nikko, Togoshu, hosted over a dozen Shinto and Buddhist temples and is the mausoleum of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

 

Nikko was a very beautiful place, home to such natural elements as the Lake Chuzenji and Yumoto hot springs. It was surrounded by the national forrest and the burial place of the families ancestors.

 

Respectfully, one by one, the group entered the shrine, bowing low before the alter and offering the food and incense.

 

The Festival of the dead is a Buddhist festival in late summer when it is thought that the spirits of the ancestors returned. The food, wine and incense is offered for the enjoyment of those who had passed on; the lanterns used to guide their return to the overworld.

 

After offering their prayers, the family sat down to eat quietly as they remembered those who passed. Sana spoke lovingly of Kagome and Souta's father, Zen, while Grandpa told them tales about their Nana. After a moment of near tears, they all composed themselves as Sakura stood up.

 

“All right, enough of this boo -hooing,” she said briskly, “this festival is supposed to be about fun too. Let's go.” Laughing, they all agreed and left the temple

 

~~~

 

“Higurashi's," a crowd of people exclaimed and the Sana waved back excitedly. "Its my Mah Jong club," she said, "That's where everything needs to go Souta, Okay?"

 

"Okay Mom," he said rushing back to the car to grab more items. "Kagome, you look beautiful," said Mrs.Yugata as she came abreast of them, "those must be one of those newly designed kimonos," she said eyeing her.

 

Kagome looked down and smoothed it nervously. "Yes Yugata-sama," she said with a slight bow, "its lighter and not as heavy as the others. I get hot easily."

 

Instead of the more traditional kimono's with heavy material, Kagome's was of silk and bound at the waist by a belt of the same material.

 

The faint pink color highlighted her pale skin and dark hair. Mrs. Yugata smiled. "You know how I feel about traditional ones but you look absolutely lovely." She looked down at Kagome's light golden sandals. "Beautiful. In fact the whole family looks so nice. Will you be dancing the bondori tonight?"

 

"I'm not sure, maybe?" she said with a laugh. Mrs. Yugata patted her. "I'm taking up too much of your time dear, go and have fun." Kagome smiled. "Okay. I'm going to help mama with the booth first though."

 

Mrs. Yugata nodded and moved on. Kagome spent much of her time with her family at the booth, helping to hand out the various dishes and having the older women teach her Mah Jong until just before sundown.

 

"Kagome!" Yuka, Eri and Ayume squealed as they saw her. "Hey guys," she said with a bright smile. “We were wondering where you've been. Come with us, we're going to go play some of the games," Ayume said.

 

Kagome looked around. "Well, if Mama doesn't need me," she said hedging.

 

"Oh my goodness yes," said Grandpa, feeling jovial at such a ceremonious occasion, "you've hung around here long enough. In fact," he said pulling out a bottle of sake and pouring four shots for the girls, "Here. To start the night off. You're old enough"

 

The girls smiled, and sipped it to please him; and enjoy themselves. The sake spread through Kagome's body warmly and she instantly felt relaxed. "Lets go." The girls wandered off toward the gaming tables to play catch the goldfish and the many other entertainments there.

 

The sun disappeared beyond the horizon and suddenly the girls heard a loud boom. "Oh, its the start of the dancing," Eri said excitedly. "Come on guys, lets go."

 

Kagome nodded her agreement and the girls hurried off. The lines were forming for the traditional dance known as the Bondori that represented digging and threshing of wheat, and were thought to soothe the ancestors.

 

Giggling, the girls got in their places along the huge line and the dancing began. Around and around the people went around the tower of the Taiko drummer laughing as they misstepped or stumbled and had fun.

 

Kagome felt strangely relaxed, the little bit of sake Grandpa gave her having served to mellow her out. She was as relaxed as she hadn't been in a long time.

 

The obon music stopped and more modern dance music came on and everyone began to dance, the four girls dancing in their own circle. After a few minutes, Kagome paused and went completely still as she felt a certain familiar vibration, one that she had been near nearly every day the past few months; she knew he was there.

 

She looked to the edge of the boardwalk and there he was striding toward her. All sound faded out of her ears until all she heard was her breathing and the beating of her own heart. `He came...' she thought incredulously.

 

"Sesshomaru," she said softly. `He looks gorgeous,' she thought, `And this would be the one place where his white robes didn't stand out, not that he'd care'. As he came abreast of her, as he saw her in her lovely light pink kimono, he only had one thought, 'She looks beautiful.'

 

"Kagome," he said, his eyes sweeping her in an appraisal that made her shiver. As the two of them stared at one another, Yuka, Ayume and Eri's faces were stricken in almost comical surprise. Yuka opened her mouth to say something and Ayume shushed her and with Eri's help began dragging her away. "She'll have more to report if we don't interrupt," she said, and Eri nodded her agreement.

 

Kagome looked into his golden eyes, his look of amusement overwhelming her. 'I would ask him what was he doing here, but I don't care.' All that mattered was that he was there.

 

She was amazed that he didn't seem to draw more attention other than the few looks that he did, but then again, just about everyone around was pretty intoxicated and festive or too busy having fun. She looked around at the dancing crowd and thought, 'Well, we cant just stand here.'

 

She smiled at him winsomely. "Dance with me," she said softly. He considered telling her that he didn't dance, Ever, but found himself unwilling to do so. His lips lifted into an indulgent smile as he took her hand and twirled her around, then away from him and slowly brought her back against him, while he moved not a step. She laughed up into his face as he continued to smile at her, his hands at the small of her back, hers against his chest.

 

A boom startled her then, and everyone turned their heads out to the sky over the water as the fireworks began. A dazzling display began with fireworks of all colors and sizes shining brightly against the backdrop of the lake.

 

She turned slightly to look at the night sky, her body in front of his, barely an inch from one another. He closed the gap between them, his body against hers as she unconsciously did the same. She inhaled softly as their bodies connected, then sighed and relaxed as he slowly slid his arms about her.

 

He was unaffected by the many people around them as everyone was captivated by the fireworks; as far as he was concerned, they were the only two people in the world.

 

Heat infused her body completely as she felt his warmth, as his breath tingled her nape. He tilted his head downward, his nose near her temple, inhaling the sweet smell of her hair, noting how sweet the flesh behind her ear appeared.

 

As the fireworks ended and everyone's attention returned to the ground, he stepped away from her slightly and she turned to face him. Her face grew a bit solemn and he opened his mouth to speak when someone called his name.

 

"Sesshomaru-sama," his young assistant, Jiro called, running toward him. "Sir, I'm so happy to see you out sir! There is someone here who would like to meet you, a wonderful business proposition he has for us, sir," Jiro said. He nodded cooly and his gaze returned to Kagome. "I will return shortly," he said, and he walked off.

 

Kagome looked upward at the lighted lanterns above and her eyes grew melancholy. 'There's something I have to do first.'

 

~*~

 

Sesshomaru stepped away from the man whom he had spoken with and returned to where he left Kagome, but she was no longer there. He scented her easily despite the many different aromas in the air. 'She is by the water,' he thought and began making his way to the bay.

 

It was there he found her, kneeling in the sand with an exquisite paper lantern in hand. She lit the inside candle and set it out upon the water as he stood back and watched.

 

"InuYasha," she said softly, "Shippo, Miroku, Sango, Kaede. This is for you. I miss you." She breathed out slowly as she gathered her emotions then stood; noticing him standing in this distance.

 

"Did you do all that you needed," he asked as she came abreast of him, his deep voice low. "Yes," she said in the same soft tone. "Come with me," he said, turning away.

 

She began following him , returning to the streets above and walking until they reached the pier. There she saw a small boat. "In here," she asked, lifting her eyes to his. He nodded.

 

It was a small canoe with no motor, not that he needed one. It would drift wherever he wanted it to go. She buried herself at one end, and he sat at the other. The waves began to take the boat out and they were off.

 

It was a beautiful setting; a lake at the base of Mount Nantai that eventually lead out to the ocean, with the moon in crescent casting its light above them. They drifted quietly for sometime, each content to bask in each other's nearness.

 

Sesshomaru considered her thoughtfully as she lay in the canoe, her head back gazing at the sky. Her moment of sadness had passed. He could scent it around her body. He spoke. "You enjoyed yourself today," he said contemplatively.

 

She lowered her eyes and smiled at him. The languidness she felt all evening returned. "I did. I haven't had fun like that...in a long time."

 

She gazed up at the sliver of moon above glowing upon them. "Its gorgeous out here tonight," she said. “I love the night. I just feel such an infinity with it. My favorite time of day is dusk, just when the sky is blue, mauve, fuchsia, violet and turning even darker.”

 

Her eyes met his. "What about you," she said. “Did you enjoy yourself?” 'I've never seen him more relaxed,' she thought.

 

His eyes were now hooded and slid over her form. "I found it pleasurable. At least it clarified some things I wanted to assess," he said, his eyes glowing as he looked at her; she could see their inner lights from where she sat.

 

Her pulse began to speed up ever so slightly. Every time she was near him, she felt a deep sense of headiness in her body. She spoke. "What is you wanted to know about," she said tilting her head slightly

 

His golden eyes were darkening slightly as he gazed directly into her eyes. Her heart pounded fiercely in her chest and she smoothed her kimono with trembling fingers. His nose became inundated with a faint, yet heady scent, and he immediately knew what it was. Arousal.

 

He remained sitting where he was, even though every instinct in his body demanded that he go to her. His senses became even more acute, his body poised for the next moment. His eyes held her captivated as he considered her; it was as if time stood still.

 

Kagome inhaled softly. "Oh." She felt almost paralyzed in this moment, her body attuned to his every movement, and every word. She shifted slightly. He could see her pulse pounding at the base of her neck, the damp beads of perspiration, hear her shallow breathing and his eyes darkened further. He wanted her. And she wanted him.

 

She looked down, she had to look away from those expressive eyes that told her too much. "The festival is probably over now," she said looking at his hard body illuminated by the moon and shadows. He nodded, his gaze assessing. "We're near the shore."

 

Within minutes the vessel landed upon the sand. He stood and floated out of the boat and then turned to help her out. He grasped her about her waist and settled her upon the sand, yet his strong arms did not release her.

 

She could feel his claws against the small of her back and she shivered at the contact. Kagome simply could not look away, his eyes were gazing at her with something she didn't understand. Her hands remained resting upon his forearms and trembled slightly as he reached up and removed the wooden pins from her hair, the black mass swinging to her hips.

 

As he gazed into her dark eyes, he saw that she wouldn't turn away and that victory would be his. His eyes were now narrowed to mere slits as he neared her petal soft lips. Her eyes were but half open as he neared her mouth, the intensity of his golden gaze burning her. As she closed her eyes, their lips met in a soft yet torrid kiss.

 

She sighed as his mouth met hers, as he expertly caressed her lips, every part of her body straining with her want. It was a sensual mouth, with a generous upper lip and soft for a male.

 

Unbidden, her arms slid down to his back as their lips parted breathlessly. His body tightened in desire as she returned his kiss with a budding ardor, and he pulled her tightly against him , desiring more access to her person.

 

She made a soft whimpering sound as he withdrew from her, but gasped as his lips trailed from hers, past her cheek to her soft and fragrant neck.

 

He nuzzled it tenderly, his body aching with want yet thrilled that he now held her in his arms. His tongue licked her soft flesh and a whimper emitted from her, her body exploding in a blaze of sensation.

 

Her hands slid up to his chest as she but barely opened her eyes and tilted her head so that she could intensify this wondrous feeling. As his fangs gently nibbled her flesh, she moaned deeply and her legs trembled; if he had not held her, she would have fallen.

 

The sound of her soft moans in his ears were maddening; if he were not too careful, he could end up taking her right here. 'This isn't the time,' he thought.

 

He licked her soft skin once more, soothing that tender spot where he pierced her flesh, then pushed her away from him gently. Panting slightly, Kagome gazed at him, sloe eyed. His usual mask was now present, although it took everything within to calm his raging body. "Go to your mother," he said cooly.

 

She looked at him bewilderedly as she stepped back, her face mirroring her hurt and confusion. His eyes softened. "I will join you tonight," he said his voice caressing. “In the well house.”