InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Soul Therapy ❯ Chapter Eight ( Chapter 8 )

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Author's Notes: Thanks for all the wonderful reviews! I know I say that every chapter, but I feel like every one of you deserves recognition for taking the time to let me know what you think, because I know how sometimes it's tempting to just read a story and move on. I really appreciate it.

In this chapter we start to have a little more tension, with Naraku and Kikyou, as well as Kagome and Inuyasha. I hope you like it. The chapters are just flying off my fingers for this one, and I hope they are meeting your expectations. So, without further ado, on with chapter eight!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~

Title: Soul Therapy

Author: dolphingirl0113

Chapter: Eight

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~

"Kagome, lets go!"

"I'm coming!" She swore under her breath as she applied the last bit of makeup to her face and fluffed her overly curly hair, glancing in the mirror one last time.

The dress was white, falling halfway down her calf, with the black silhouettes of flowers and grapes all over. The neckline was somewhat revealing, and as such she was unable to wear a bra, but the dress supported itself without one. It tied up behind her neck like an apron, and hugged her slim frame around her waist before sweeping outward elegantly. And to top off the look, she was wearing black heals, simple and open-toed, but graceful.

Sango was waiting for her in the small living room of Kagome's apartment, a small black purse in her hand, a pale silver gown draping her body elegantly down to her ankles. Her hair was down for once, in all its glory, and like Kagome Sango had curled it extensively, so that the chocolate brown locks now fell to her hips in curled waves.

"Wow Kag, you look great," she whistled, and Kagome smiled at her friend.

"Thanks. What time is Miroku coming?" She checked her watch, as Sango looked at her own.

"He said to be ready at 6:30." The clock now read 6:40, and both women groaned that he was late. Again.

Kagome collapsed onto the couch, trying to avoid wrinkling the skirt of her new dress too badly, smoothing out the folds delicately with practiced hands. She found herself lifting one hand and holding it in front of her face, noting the small but taught muscles in her fingers and palm, showing she used her hands a lot.

"Are you okay?" Sango asked hesitantly, and Kagome looked up with a confused expression.

"Of course, why do you ask?"

"Well, it's just that ever since you saw Kikyou two days ago you've been awfully quiet. You didn't even bother to argue with Inuyasha today, let alone talk to him during his session. I think he feels like you're mad at him."

Kagome grunted and looked away, a scowl on her face, the image of Kikyou kissing Naraku on the cheek emblazoned in her memory. Was she going behind Inuyasha's back? Was she having an affair while her husband was too crippled to know?

"It doesn't matter what he thinks," Kagome finally said in reply, standing up once more, her back stiff. "He's married to someone he loves with all his heart because he believes she is hopelessly devoted to him."

But Sango was shaking her head, and Kagome cocked an eyebrow. "What?"

"Don't be so quick to judge how others feel, Kagome. You're not in his head, or Kikyou's for that matter. They definitely look like they care about each other, but from the little I've seen they don't act like a very-much-in-love couple."

"What do you mean?" Kagome couldn't hide the sudden curiosity in her voice. Sango sighed and shrugged her shoulders.

"All I'm saying is that for someone who you claim is madly in love with his wife and no one else, Inuyasha does an awful lot of looking at you."

"Please," Kagome rolled her eyes, disappointment evident. She had truly believed Sango would offer more proof then that. "All men look at other women, whether they're married or not. It's just a habit of the male species, I guess."

"No Kagome, that's not what I mean."

"Then for heaven's sake tell me what you mean! I'm not a mind reader!" Her temper rose, as it always did when Inuyasha was being discussed. She hated the uneasy, out of control feeling he gave her, and as such anger was what she considered to be her only option.

"He doesn't look at other women Kagome, not anyone besides you," Sango finally blurted, and Kagome shut her mouth instantly, a shocked expression on her face. Taking advantage of the silence, Sango continued. "He flirts with you, it's so obvious, and you should see the way he looks when you massage his legs or do anything to touch his body. And then there's the way he watches your every move, not to mention the fact that he is obviously, horrifically jealous of Hojo."

Kagome shook her head in defiance at every statement but the last one. She honestly didn't see him looking at her that often, at least not inappropriately, but there was no denying the way he always became angry when Hojo appeared.

"So he's got a crush on me, big deal," she said, trying to sound casual, but Sango could see the worry, disbelief, and above all, something else, something far worse, in her friend's eyes.

"But it is a big deal Kagome, because I think that, well," she looked at her hands for an instant before gathering her courage, "I think you like him too."

"I most certainly do not!" Kagome snapped, but the quiver in her voice told Sango she was lying.

The argument would have gone further, but they were silenced when the sound of a car horn blared loudly into the evening air, signaling that Miroku had finally arrived. Both girls turned toward the door and without a word walked to the car as Miroku gallantly opened the door for them both, admiring Kagome's new dress as she passed, and then devoting the rest of his attention to Sango, who blushed at the praise he showered her with.

Kagome chose to sit in the back, while the other two sat in front talking about this and that, leaving her to her thoughts. Without wanting him to, Inuyasha came to the forefront of her mind, and Kagome sighed steadily as she watched the street lamps go by, other cars passing in the opposite direction.

Their boss, Sesshoumaru, had rented the Tokyo Crystal Ballroom for the gala, and as they pulled up the three in the car gaped at the enormous crowd in attendance. A valet opened the doors for all three of them, before taking the keys and disappearing with Miroku's car, leaving them standing at the front of the large building, red carpet and all leading up to the front doors, made of shiny, frosted glass.

"Wow," Miroku said stupidly, and the two girls simply nodded to show that they agreed with the statement.

"Hey you guys!" A familiar voice called, and the trio turned to see Kouga and Ayame stepping out of a limousine, dressed handsomely, Kouga in a tuxedo and Ayame in a dress of green velvet that covered her entire body, diamond earrings dangling from her lobes.

"You just have to show us up, don't you?" Kagome called out playfully, and Kouga blushed slightly, taking Ayame around the waist as they approached.

"Can I help the fact that I wanted to give my girl a true night on the town?" Ayame smiled, and the other three just looked at each other knowingly.

"Well, I think we've spent enough time gawking," Miroku finally said, offering Sango his right arm, and Kagome his left. "Would you two lovely ladies allow me to escort you inside?" Both girls smiled warmly at their friend, nodding their heads yes. He slipped one arm around each of their waists, and only once did they have to send him a warning glare, forcing him to raise his hands just a little bit higher.

The ballroom itself was stunning, five floors above the main lobby they entered, with high, vaulted ceilings and an upper level filled with tables for catered dining, while the lower level was nearly covered completely by a large dance floor. There was even an orchestra preparing to play as they walked in.

"Man, Sesshoumaru has really outdone himself this time," Sango muttered, and everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Not even Kouga had that kind of money to throw around.

They were surrounded by dozens of elegantly dressed couples, decked out in wealthy jewels and fur-lined coats. Kagome had never felt so out of place in her entire life.

"So, what do we do first?" she whispered, and the others looked at her before looking about, obviously trying to decide.

"I say we go find a table and eat, because I'm positively starving," Kouga announced without reservation. Kagome smiled.

"You're always hungry, Kouga," she commented, but allowed Miroku to guide them toward the stairs and up to a dining table set with elegant white china and crystal wine glasses, draped in white cloth with pale blue napkins.

They all took their seats, Kagome in between Sango and Ayame, as usual feeling like the only one without a date, for even though they wouldn't admit it, Sango and Mirok were as close to being a couple as possible. The table was set for six, an even number, which meant that the decorator expected couples to sit together, not taking into consideration the fact that some people in the world were single. Kagome glared at the empty chair with annoyance.

"So what's on the menu?" Miroku asked cheerfully, taking up one of the manila folders and looking inside. Kagome widened her eyes as she did the same, noting the incredibly expensive meals that would be, for them, absolutely free since they were there to promote the clinic.

"Well, I know what I'm having," Sango commented after a few minutes of deliberation. They all looked at her, and she looked up with a smile. "The surf n' turf!"

"Why?" Kagome looked at the meal description with a frown.

"Because anything that comes with both lobster and filet mignon, usually the most expensive items on a menu, is worth it if I get it for free."

"Good point," Miroku said with a laugh. "I think I'll have that too."

Sango smacked his arm playfully, and grinned as he looked back into her eyes. "Copier," she mouthed, and he smirked even more.

"Can I take your order?" A young man dressed in a white tuxedo shirt and black pants, complete with bow tie, asked, standing before them with a pad and pencil. Sango smiled and nodded.

"I'll have the surf n' turf, as will he, and cook the meat medium rare," she said, pointing at Miroku. The waiter nodded. "And what do you have to drink?"

"All we are serving tonight is the house wine," the waiter replied simply, as all waiters do. Sango nodded, but looked slightly disappointed. Neither she nor Kagome liked alcohol that much.

"I'll have the roasted chicken and potatoes," Ayame said kindly before folding up her menu and handing it to him. The young man took it and nodded at Kouga, who grinned.

"I'll have the rib eye steak," he said, trying to sound as masculine as possible.

"What size, sir?"

"Um, the twenty-four ounce."

"And how would you like that cooked?"

"Rare," Kouga replied, lifting his eyebrows suggestively as he looked at Ayame. She smacked his arm playfully and looked away. The waiter nodded and turned to Kagome.

"And for you miss?"

"Um, I'll just do the filet mignon please."

"And would you like rice, baked potato, or pasta with that?"

"Pasta please."

"And how would you like that cooked?"

"Medium rare." The waiter nodded and finished collecting their menus.

"Very well, and now could I get your names please, one at a time?" They gave him a curious look, but obliged, watching as he wrote them out neatly in black ink on five individual slips of paper, placing the labels on the currently empty plates before them. "This will tell others you are sitting here, so that you are free to move about until your meal comes."

"Thanks," they all said, though still confused as to why that was necessary, and the waiter bowed slightly before walking away.

A waltz began below as the orchestra played their first number, and Kagome watched as all the regal people moved onto the dance floor with their partners, moving in time with the music. A part of her desperately wanted to dance at that moment.

Sango noticed the way her friend was staring longingly at the other dancers, because she sighed and, with a smile, rose to her feet, taking Kagome's hands. "Oh come on you, lets go dance."

"What?" Kagome had a surprised look on her face, but Sango just smiled in return.

"I know you love to dance, and you're probably the only one, besides Kouga, who actually knows how to waltz in our group. But since he already has a date, let's go find you some single guy down there to dance with."

"Sango you can't be serious," Kagome whispered, blushing furiously, grateful her makeup hid it from everyone else.

"I'm very serious," her friend replied, and Miroku rose to his feet as well.

"I'll go with you. Perhaps once Kagome has a partner I may ask you to dance Sango?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You know how to waltz?"

"No, but then neither do you, so we can learn together." Sango smiled at the innocent response and nodded.

Kagome let herself, for some reason, be drug down the stairs and onto the main floor, Miroku on her left and Sango on her right, and was instantly in the crowd of people she had, just a minute ago, been observing from upstairs. She was now able to clearly make out the couples dancing, and smiled, because they all seemed so happy, some young and some old.

Sango directed her over to the edge of the dance floor, standing by her side expectantly. Kagome rolled her eyes. "I feel like we're back in high school again, and I'm waiting for some boy to ask me to dance."

"That's exactly what you're doing," Sango replied with a confident nod, "Except that now the men are just a little older and more mature."

Kagome glanced at Miroku and smirked. "Not all that much more mature." Sango giggled.

A young man with sandy blonde hair approached the trio, smiling. He nodded at Sango before looking at Kagome. "Excuse me, but are you Kagome Higurashi?"

"Yes," Kagome replied, somewhat surprised. The younger man just smiled.

"I was talking to your employer and he was telling me that you are one of the best physical therapists he has. He then pointed you out to me, so I decided I'd like to come meet you."

"Oh," Kagome blushed and allowed him to elegantly kiss her hand as she glanced up at her boss, currently on the second level talking to several extremely wealthy guests. This man certainly seemed like he had good manners. And he was handsome, with sharply chiseled features and beautiful, sky blue eyes. "Thank you, but I'm afraid I don't know your name." Kagome was trying to recall every last lesson her mother and grandfather had taught her about manners and discussion when at elegant parties such as this.

"Elijah," the man replied with a slight nod of the head, and Kagome smiled.

"It's very nice to meet you." He smiled back.

"Likewise. Are you here with anyone in particular?" Kagome looked at Sango and Miroku.

"Just my friends, why?"

"I just wanted to make sure no one would be upset if I asked you to dance."

Kagome blushed again and shook her head, giving him a beaming smile. "There is no fear of that. And I would love to."

She took his extended hand and allowed him to twirl her onto the dance floor, where she began moving with a grace and ease that was almost unnatural. Miroku turned to Sango with a smile and a wink. "Nicely done."

"What?"

"Getting Kagome out there with a guy. She certainly deserves the attention, with a dress and a smile like that." Sango smiled wryly.

"Watch yourself, or you may not get that dance you want." Miroku grinned sheepishly.

"You know I don't think about her that way Sango, she's just a dear friend. All I want is for her to finally find some happiness."

"I know," Sango sighed, "Me too."

They continued to watch Kagome as she and her partner, Elijah, danced around the floor, drawing the attention of several onlookers. They certainly made a handsome couple.

Just as Miroku prepared to take Sango's arm and lead her to the dance floor, he stopped at a familiar flash of silver, and whirled around to see Inuyasha slowly moving through the door, Kikyou at his side dressed in stunning red, her hair down around her slim waist.

"Inuyasha!" He exclaimed without thinking, and Sango turned around too. She noticed how he was trying so hard to walk normally, and also how Kikyou seemed anxious to get inside, leaning away from him and constantly having to slow down for him to keep up. Sango frowned, noting that she certainly wasn't acting like a devoted wife should.

The man in question raised his head from where he had been watching his feet, and there was a slight grin when he recognized Miroku and Sango, who both smiled at him warmly. Kikyou helped guide him, and together they moved toward the pair.

"What are you doing here?" Sango asked when they finally were face to face. Inuyasha blushed.

"I didn't tell you all this before, but your boss is my older half brother."

"Sesshoumaru?" Sango could hardly believe it. Obviously the world was a lot smaller then it seemed. "But why did you come here tonight? Surely you have better things to do with your time."

"He figured that since I was the perfect example of someone in rehab it would be good to make an appearance." Both Sango and Miroku noticed that Inuyasha didn't look too happy about it.

A man approached from the left, and Sango instantly recognized him as Naraku. She tensed, but bit her tongue as he smiled first at Inuyasha, and then more meaningfully at Kikyou. "Good evening to you both."

"Ah Naraku, what are you doing here?" Kikyou seemed suddenly very nervous.

"I was invited to this gala for the physical therapy clinic, but I certainly didn't expect to see you here."

"I'm with my husband Inuyasha," she said politely, quickly masking her fear and nervousness, though as a woman Sango could easily recognize how tense she was. Naraku nodded and turned to the man on the crutches.

"Would it be too much to ask if I stole your wife away for a dance?" he asked, his voice completely devoid of anything other then innocent intentions. Inuyasha shrugged, which surprised Sango.

"If she wants to," he finally replied, and Kikyou smiled fondly at her husband before taking the other man's arm. Both Sango and Miroku gaped, and Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You're just letting your wife go dance with another man? You're a brave person, my friend," Miroku said simply, shaking his head. Inuyasha just grunted.

"Keh, I sure as hell can't dance, not that I ever really cared for it anyway. But Kikyou enjoys it, so she should be allowed to enjoy herself."

The sound of laughter drifted their way, and all three turned to see Kagome in the arms of her partner, laughing gaily as they moved in time to the jig the orchestra had taken up a moment ago. Inuyasha froze, and it didn't escape the notice of his two companions.

Gods above, she looked stunning. Kikyou had dressed to kill, in his opinion, with her red, sleeveless dress, but Kagome was simple in black and white, black mascara highlighting her eyes, the lines of the gown accenting her slim waist. He was mesmerized by the sound of her laughter, by the movement of her graceful figure. But he was also, suddenly, depressed.

The man who currently had the honor of holding her in his arms was handsome, to be sure, and elegant as he led Kagome around the floor. And she seemed so happy out there, like they were one being. Inuyasha couldn't do that. Suddenly, the man who hated dancing more then anything wanted nothing more then to sway to the rhythm of the music with that beautiful woman in his arms.

"Kagome, Sango, Miroku, the food is here!" Kouga called loudly down to them, and Inuyasha noticed how Kagome blushed slightly at the other man's crude behavior. He grunted in disgust.

"I promise I'll be back, if you don't mind having me as a partner," he heard Kagome say as she approached, still not having seen him. The man beside her smiled flirtatiously, and Inuyasha felt the growl in his throat want to voice itself again.

"I would love to have you as a partner. Never before has any woman demonstrated to me such grace."

"Thank you," Kagome replied with a flush of pleasure. But then she halted suddenly as she noticed a very familiar flash of amber.

The two stared at one another, unable to look away. Kagome was entranced, and Inuyasha could feel his heart thumping about madly in his chest. She looked so beautiful, and he was stunning in his tuxedo.

"Kagome," he whispered, as though they were the only two people in the world. Everyone else in the room faded away, except for her.

"Inuyasha," she replied, suddenly feeling very lightheaded. What was he doing here? And better yet, why was he looking at her that way? An empty stomach and the sudden rush of adrenaline were taking their toll, and Kagome, without warning, pitched forward in a faint.