InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Silver Dove and the Raven ❯ Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Shinji was very sweet and Kagome badly wanted to pay attention to what he was saying but the woman with white hair, sitting across from them continued to gawk at her.

"Kagome?" she heard her name but just nodded.

"I'm listening…"she said as she sipped her wine but looked towards the window.

"Were you really listening?" Shinji cocked a brow in disbelief. She then snapped out of her daze and faltered a sympathetic nod. Crap, he caught her.

"because I just told you 'after this lunch of ours, I plan to take you back to my place and murder you…"he paused and tilted his head. " and you just smiled and nodded."

Kagome's eyes widened in embarrassment and she closed them while swearing to herself.

"I am so sorry." She opened her eyes apologetically. " I was listening…at first. Then I had gotten…distracted."

"Your roommate, huh?" he answered bitterly as he tried to hide his disappointment.

"I wasn't…"

"It's alright, Kagome. Really." He interrupted with a gentle wave of his hand. "He is quite the stunner."

Kagome chuckled lightly. "It's not like that."

"You don't have to explain." He shrugged. Well, she liked Shinji and she was going to explain anyway.

"Actually, he wasn't what was on my mind."

"Oh?" he frowned but glad his observation and conclusion was wrong.

"Look over my shoulder…"she leaned closer to him and whispered. "But do it discreetly," she sneered when she saw him scanning the room so obviously.

"Ok..." he said looking back at her. "What am I looking at?"

"There is a lady, wearing all white, her hair is white too. She's staring at me right now, isn't she?"

He looked directly at the woman staring austerely at Kagome. "Yep…"he gulped as he sipped his wine but his gaze shot back towards Kagome and looked at his plate. "Now she's staring at me…"

Kagome sighed and shook her head in disbelief. What was this lady's deal?

"She's scary…"he said. "Who is she?"

"I have no idea." Kagome raised a brow and shrugged.

"Really?" he looked back at the lady for a second before looking back at Kagome. "because she is staring at you like you killed her family." He smirked but it faded into a fake suspicious look.

Kagome flicked a piece of paper at him. "Come on."

"I'm playing. Who cares? She's probably jealous of you."

"Oh please.."Kagome laughed.

"cause you're younger. Isn't that why there is tension between women these days? Compare and contrast?"

At that moment, they heard a scoff from the lady and she gathered her purse and left.

"I think she heard you…"Kagome cleared her throat and looked towards the wall as she hid her face.

"Yeah…"he hid his too. " I think she did. I forget demons have good hearing."

"Well, she shouldn't have been staring…"Kagome tried to lighten the mood.

A low buzz sounded from Shinji's pants and he fished for his cell phone out of his pocket.

"Excuse me." He told her as he picked up the phone. He grumbled a few times as he muttered "yes" and then hung up the phone.

"Is everything ok?" Kagome took her last bite of her Cobb salad and set her fork down.

"Eh, that was the studio. I have to go back. It turns out that 'genius' of a photographer forgot to load film into his camera, taking empty shots of me. We must have taken more than two hundred shots." He rolled his eyes.

"That…sucks. Why doesn't he use digital, like my photographer?" She smirked and took out her wallet.

"He's old school."

"Hey, is Shinji a common name? My delivery guy's named Shinji."

"It's a common name in Japan, I suppose. It's like how 'John' or 'Bob' is here. Ever been to Japan?"

"No…born and raised here, sadly." She groaned as she pulled out cash.

"Put your money away, it's no good here." He grabbed her hand and pushed it down.

"No, please. Don't. It'll make me feel bad."

"and I like to pay for those who I invite." He retorted. "Really, put it away, I feel offended." his expression went hard.

"I'm sorry…"she pouted not wanting to be rude.

"I'm kidding. I'm not offended." He said as he paid the waiter. "Anyway, you should be proud to be born and raised in New York City. It's like the best city." He remarked emphatically.

"It's overrated." Kagome scoffed as she grabbed her bags and followed Shinji out the door.

"I'm sorry to cut our lunch short." He said with a half smirk. He was really cute, she thought. Something had to be up. He was too cute and too nice. Those two didn't go together. Like Sesshomaru was extremely handsome but he was such a jerk. " I'd like to do this again."

Kagome nodded but didn't answer. Nothing would come out of her mouth.

"So…?"

"Um…Ok. Thanks." She waved and turned around.

"That's it?" he frowned.

"Um…have a good day?" she gritted her teeth with a forced smile.

"You're not good at this, I take it." He pursed his lips.

"What gave it away?" she rolled her eyes. " Sorry, it just sounds too much like a date. I don't really…date much."

"I'll make it easy for you." He pulled out his cell phone. "Phone number?"

She blushed embarrassedly. " Uh… I don't know…"

"Don't worry. I won't misuse it. I'll limit my calls to ten times a day and no midnight calls where you only hear breathing, I promise." He raised his left hand and his right hand rested on his chest. She laughed and bowed her head as she told him her number.

"I wish I could drive you home but we have to get these prints out before this evening." He sighed. " I'll make it up to you."

"It's ok…really." she protested.

"Shhh…"he put a finger on his lips and waved. " Until then, my sweet Kagome."

Normally, she would have found that sentence cheesy but it warmed her inside and she blushed as she turned around. This was the first guy since high school that she actually kind of liked back. He was so sweet and so handsome. A model. Who'd a thought she'd be dating a model? She wished she had someone to talk to about this, but she didn't. It was her fault, really. Being anti-social with her roommates who'd come the closest to friends that she'd ever had.

After parting ways, Kagome fell into deep thought about what she was doing. She was getting sidetracked from the things she'd set out to do. Her plan was to find a place, have a steady job while she went to school for Law. Now, she was modeling, didn't register for school yet, having lunch with a model that she might see again. Dating? She'd put that last on her mind. So far, Shinji passed two of the the three tests she always gave guys. He was well-spoken and he didn't mention anything about her looks, maybe once and it was in a form of a joke. Should she give him a chance? Sesshomaru was with that woman, it seemed. Whoa, where'd that come from, she thought.

She stopped in her tracks from the shock of that thought. She wasn't even thinking about him. Who cared who he was dating? She blinked trying to get it together and continued walking. Back to the plans for her future, she remembered a conversation she had with Sesshomaru. Why was he coming into her mind a lot lately?

As she continued to observe her life, she entered a few shops here and there, avoiding the person at the register as she left the store empty-handed.

This clearly was a 'thinking time'. The only thing missing was a good cup of Starbucks coffee. As she journeyed down the block looking for one she continued to contemplate. It was a short journey to the nearest Starbucks across the street.

She entered the coffee shop and ordered her usual Vanilla Bean and claimed a soft cushy couch by the window. She was doing a full re-evaluation today, on herself. She realized she was very lonely and she made it worse by avoiding everyone.

Koga always inviting her to his practices or gigs, wanting her opinion, trusting her to do the introductions, and she would always try to blow him off. Sango was turning into a monster ever since she'd discovered bartending. She was very shy and timid in the beginning and Kagome worried that Sango would go down a dark route and be corrupted by the money and shady people.

Then, there was Sesshomaru. She hated thinking about the kind of relationship she had with him because it didn't make sense. It's like they were friends sometimes…and then enemies the next. When she tried to figure it out, she'd get a headache, so often she brushed it off. One moment, the white haired demon would whisk her away from highly stressed problematic events giving the false illusion of a knight in shining armor but quickly turning into the black knight from hell with his schizophrenic tendencies. She scowled as she recalled his acerbic remarks. Yet, there was something in her yearning to see him any chance she could get. He just understood her so well. Annoyed that she thought about him this way, she mentally forced herself to think of other things.

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The next day, Sesshomaru got a call from Naraku wanting to get together to go over some business plans. Naraku glanced at his watch and exhaled smoke while he stirred his drink. Sesshomaru was late which was unusual. He looked around the café for any sign of him and frowned when he didn't.

He looked back and Sesshomaru was sitting in front of him.

"What the-?" he said, stunned. Looking around and wondering where he had come from.

"Let's get this over with." Sesshomaru sighed and raised both hands not seeing a point to being there. "What do we need to go over now? I thought everything was settled."

"How did you.-?" he looked around and rolled his eyes. " Forget it." He put his cigarette out on the ashtray and picked up a menu when the waiter came over to drop them.

"So what's wrong with the schematics?" Sesshomaru lit his cigarette. The waiter looked at him.

"Your usual, my lord?" the waiter bowed.

"No scotch today. Something different." He said. "A glass of wine is alright." And the waiter bowed once more.

"No scotch?" Naraku looked up from his menu.

Sesshomaru bristled "I feel like having something different."

"You're in more of a bitter mood than usual." Naraku scoffed. "When was the last time you got laid, my friend?"

"Can we just talk about the plans" Sesshomaru flicked the ashes of his cigarette. "I have things to attend to."

"Actually, I kind of lied. This has nothing to do with the business plans. I said that so you would meet me knowing you wouldn't otherwise."

Sesshomaru glowered. "What is it?"

"I heard about Versace's deal. You should take it. There is a show in Italy and Marcela Potencci is going to be there. I met her last year. Fine thing for a human. She is so interested in you."

"Who?" Sesshomaru sipped his wine not really caring to know.

"She's the hottest model on the planet. Every guy in their right mind wants a piece of her, and she keeps asking for you to come to her shows."

"Do I look interested?"'

"You should be!" Naraku teased. "The woman is waiting to give it up to you. Come on, when was the last time you had any? Two-three years ago?"

Why is everyone trying to set him up? Did he look desperate? Like he couldn't get these women himself? He didn't go anywhere without some woman fawning over him, following him, drooling, whatever the case was. He wasn't conceited, these were cold hard facts! If he really wanted someone, he could have them. But other obligations were his primary concern, such as leading the Jade Order. However, they won't let him lead unless he had a mate. So, essentially, he needed to start looking soon.

"I saw the fashion show last week." Naraku broke his thoughts. "Your roommate, what was her name, Kagome? She was unbelievable. That body, man, I'm telling you….how do you not want a piece of that?"

Sesshomaru frowned, mainly because he didn't appreciate Naraku talking about her that way. But he brushed it off. Why should he care what is said about her?

"What is it with you and human girls?"

"They're fun." Naraku waved his hand. "They fill in the time until our mate comes along. Nothing wrong with a little fling."

"I have other things to worry about."

"Like what? Stocks? Come on, you have that under your wing. You're set. What's wrong with having a good time with a human girl, she keeps your bed warm until the real thing comes along. I really don't see the issue."

"This whole concept is fatuous. I cannot grasp the weakness of this co-dependency I witness every day. I don't need to fill any void because I don't have any."

"You're telling me you're not feeling the slightest bit on edge? Especially around all your beautiful roommates?"

"No." Sesshomaru shifted in his seat. "Can we talk about something else?"

"Fine." Naraku sighed as he examined him. "I know why you're in a bad mood. Your mother's in town again, isn't she?"

Sesshomaru twirled the wine in his glass, shaking his head.

"Just ignore her. She'll realize your father isn't going to die anytime soon and leave back to her exotic island and come around again in another few years."

"She's expecting me to find a mate by the end of the year." He scoffed.

"Oh..." Naraku laughed. "Well, too bad she'll have to wait longer than your dad dying for that." he joked but stopped once getting the glare from Sesshomaru. "sorry."

"It is just ridiculous."

"Why don't you just get one of those demon girls from the loft to go out with you? How about the blue haired one? She is really feeling you. Just pass off that you've accepted her as your mate and she'll leave you alone."

"You've been around humans too long." Sesshomaru rolled his eyes.

"What? It could work…oh, wait, right. The mark."

"Yes, the mark." Sesshomaru mocked.

"I mean, is it really that important to her? Your father didn't mark her. He marked the half breed's mother."

Sesshomaru was quiet, thinking about the last few girls he'd been with. The fact that he never marked any of them. They were all beautiful yet, he never got the desire to. He remembered his father mentioning that there had to be a connection, not just attraction.

"She isn't going to give up until I do."

"You're still young, she cannot expect you to mate right away. You need to establish status, power, and wealth—oh, wait…hmm, I guess you're screwed."

"Whatever." Sesshomaru drank the last of his wine and left.

"Bye to you too." Naraku called out as he shook his head. "I swear, that guy and his mannerisms." The waiter brought his Seafood Portofino and looked confused when he watched Sesshomaru leave. "Don't bother trying to figure him out. You'll just get a headache."

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Kagome snapped out of her daze and realized an hour had passed. She looked at her cup of coffee and noticed it was empty. She was about to leave when she looked up and saw a man with white hair come out of the limo, for a split second, she thought it was Sesshomaru but she immediately saw that it wasn't. It was his father.

Crap, she thought. She didn't want to see him. She was so rude with him in the beginning, he probably hated her. She nonchalantly hid her face with her empty cup of coffee as he entered the coffee shop. Normal people would have a linear direction when wanting coffee and would go straight to the register to get it. Not him, he scanned around the room when he entered and his eyes rested on hers for a moment and he tilted his head. He smiled quickly remembering who she was.

Crap, she thought.

"Hi!" she faked a honey sweet tone. "Long time no see!"

"Hello." He bowed and folded his hands behind his back. He gave a warm smile, his expression different than that of Sesshomaru's or Inuyasha's. It wasn't misleading like theirs. Inuyasha had such a mean face with his dark brows covering his eyes like he was always angry but he was very sweet and generous. Sesshomaru had an angelic face that looked like he was the nicest person in the world. Like on his spare time, he read to the blind, delivered babies and voluntarily served food for the homeless on Christmas…but he wasn't. He was cold and ruthless.

"How are you doing, young lady?" Inutaisho fixed his eyes on her. She wasn't sure why he was looking at every inch of body, studying her in deep thought. It wasn't in a perverse way, more like curious. "Care to join me for a cup?"

"Actually, I was going to leave?" she cleared her throat. "I have this…uh…" she was so bad at lying. "I need to look at some college applications."

"Alright. Well then, let my driver and I give you a lift."

"Uh..."

"I'll take that as a yes. Let me just get my usual Venti Soy Chai Skim Latte, no foam." He made his way to the register and she rolled her eyes. Great. This was just great!

Inutaisho handed her a cappuccino on their way to the limo. Great, she wasn't sleeping tonight. This was probably her fifth cup of coffee. When she entered the limo, she looked at him.

"I can walk. It's really not that far."

"No, why should you. You're carrying all those bags. It's getting chilly. It's no bother."

She forced a smile and it turned into a pout once he looked away. He stared from the side and smiled.

"So I want to congratulate you on a job well done on the runway." He broke the silence.

"Thank you…"she blushed. They continued to make small talk, and as always when she got awkward, she'd blurt a random trivia fact. He commented on the city lights and crazy weather. There was a bit of traffic but she started enjoying their conversation. He'd tell her funny stories about Sesshomaru and Inuyasha growing up and as they got closer to the loft, he got personal with his own life, about Inuyasha's mother and the pain he went through when she passed.

The limo stopped in front of the house and they both remained quiet. They looked toward the steps of the house and saw Sesshomaru sitting on the ledge, smoking a cigarette and reading a book. Inuyasha stood by him fixing the front door intercom.

"You don't have to be afraid of demons, you know." Inutaisho turned to her.

She looked at him taken aback by his remark and she stammered. "I'm…not."

"You were so on guard the first day, I could see the look of resentment in your eyes. Maybe something happened in the past?"

Kagome bowed her head. She bit her lip then flashed a grin. "Thank you for driving me home. I enjoyed our talk."

Inutaisho simpered. He knew well enough to leave it alone. "Alright my dear, it was a pleasure.

She got out of the limo, walked up the steps and averted Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's inquisitive looks. They both looked down toward their father, his expression smug as he waved at them and left.

Inuyasha looked at Sesshomaru. "What the hell is that about?"

Sesshomaru shrugged.

"Feh." Inuyasha muttered, he held a nail between his lips as he drilled one into the intercom. He pressed a button. "Koga, can you hear me?"

"Loud and clear, over." he said through the intercom. You could hear Miroku and Sango laughing in the background.

"How do I sound?" Inuyasha asked.

"Um...sex-ay!" Koga answered. "Over."

Inuyasha scoffed and he rolled his eyes. "I mean, is it fuzzy-"

"Fuzzy?" He cackled. "Over."

"Stop saying 'over'! This isn't a walkie talkie!" he orated.

"Hey, can you guys go to the deli and get some Doritos? Hakkaku and Ginta finished the bag already." He paused. "Over."

"Ugh…moron." Inuyasha shook his head as he finished up and looked at his brother. "You know, you've been really strange lately. Like you have something that's bothering you. You want to talk about it?"

Sesshomaru looked at him and grimaced. "No."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes. "I'm just trying to help. I don't really care but…I don't know, you just look…confused about something. I've never seen you look that way."

Sesshomaru didn't reply. He continued to read his book while Inuyasha fiddled with wires.

"You know, everyone here is talking about you and Kagome."

Sesshomaru didn't respond. He flipped a page in his book and looked unenthused.

"You guys are always together and I don't know, I get this feeling that you-"

"Listen," Sesshomaru spat. "Despite what you think or what you feel? I do not want to hear it."

Inuyasha stared into his brother's blazing amber eyes. He looked away and shrugged. He decided to change the subject.

"I wonder what the hell that was about, Dad bringing her home." He put all his tools away. "You think-"

"I don't want to think about it..." Sesshomaru said flatly and closed his book.

"Well, I wouldn't put it past Dad, he did say she was attractive. I mean, the age thing, but wouldn't that be weird though?" he looked toward the ledge and Sesshomaru was no longer there. He heard the door slam.

"Yeah, okay then." He muttered to himself.

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Kagome walked past the living room to head upstairs but stopped when she saw Koga sitting on the couch in the living room, watching T.V and Miroku and Sango talking by the pool table. Shurran was buffing her nails on the recliner by the window.

"Gee, Higurashi. It seems like you intend to go down the family line."

"What?" Kagome asked, biting the inside of her cheek trying to control her anger.

"First Inuyasha, then Sesshomaru, now his father? Tsk, you're on a mission." She giggled devilishly.

Koga looked at her and back at Kagome with a cocked brow.

"Are you spying on me?" Kagome laughed. "Pathetic."

"Don't flatter yourself."

"I don't need to. You're doing it for me!" Kagome retorted.

"You wish!" Shurran shot up. " I was just watching Inuyasha and Sesshomaru outside."

"Now you're a stalker?" Kagome smirked as she sat down and Sango and Miroku laughed.

"Whatever, Wannabe, Just stay away from Sesshomaru." She muttered.

"Listen, he is all yours." Kagome rolled her eyes and glanced toward the hallway to see Sesshomaru pass them as he went to the kitchen. Did he hear them?

Koga looked between the hallway and back at Shurran and Kagome. "Awwwkwaard." He sang as he changed the channels.

Kagome and Shurran scoffed and ignored each other.

"So…" Kagome turned to the rest of them.

"So, how was the shoot?" Sango asked as she left Miroku's side and went to hers. Miroku went to sit by Koga and snatched the remote control from him. Koga didn't protest and just stared at the television.

"The shoot went great. I got all these free clothes." she preened exaggeratedly in honor of Shurran.

"Nice." Sango said as she looked through her bag.

Koga crossed his arms and yawned at the television and turned to her. "What else?"

"I had lunch with some model." She murmured.

"Details!" Koga jumped up and down and he and Miroku started giggling like schoolgirls.

Kagome and Sango shot playful scowls at them.

"It wasn't…a date or anything." She avoided their teasing stares.

Shurran scoffed. " I'm sure it wasn't, like anyone would want to date you." She laughed obnoxiously.

She ignored Shurran, it took every ounce of willpower not to chuck an object at her.

"Ignore her," Sango whispered. "I'm glad you're finally hanging with us. See," she looked at Miroku and Koga. "I told you she would come along."

Koga grunted. "About damn time, woman."

Sango shook Kagome's leg. "We're going out to see Koga play in a little while, do you want to come?"

"Koga, you're playing tonight?" she looked toward him.

"Yes, I told you a few days ago, but I know you weren't listening, since you became all important and everything…" he looked at his nails and sighed.

"Aw, come on, Koga. Don't be mean." Kagome pouted. " I'm sorry."

"Ok, I'm over it." He smiled. "So…you're going to introduce us again?"

"Of course. Wolf's bane, I got it right this time. What are you playing tonight?"

"Well, some of the old songs you already heard and I'm doing a cover. It's awesome!"

"It really is, Kagome." Sango shared his excitement. "He sounds just like the guy from Avenge Sevenfold."

"Cool, well, let me get ready." Kagome jumped up with her bags and headed straight for her room.

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Sesshomaru poured himself a cup of tea and sat down at the table. He rested his chin on his hand and just stared at his tea as he stirred it. He was in deep thought, he didn't sense anyone come in. He looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder and scowled.

"Hey." Shurran whispered seductively.

"Shurran…"he cleared his throat. "What is it?" he shrugged trying to push her hand off of his shoulder. Not getting the hint she continued to rub his shoulder.

"You're so tense. I know what can fix that…"she whispered into his ear and bent down, her lips touching the tip of his ear. His body jerked away and he rubbed the back of his head.

"I'd like to be left alone." He said.

"Oh, and we will be. Everyone is leaving in a couple of hours, we'll have the house all to ourselves." She sat on the table by his cup.

"I'm not in the mood for either company," he tried to clarify.

"Well, that's no fun…"she sucked her teeth. She caressed her thigh and lifted her skirt. "I was thinking we can pick up where we left off. You know, you kind of left me hanging." Shurran got off the table and propped herself on him, putting her legs around him. He leaned back into his seat as she came close to him, biting her lips and rubbing his chest.

"Can you please get off?" Sesshomaru tried to remain calm. She was a girl after all. He took a deep breath and looked at her again. "I am very serious."

They both looked toward the kitchen entrance when Koga and Kagome came in laughing about something. Koga stopped short, making Kagome bump into him.

"Whoops. My bad." Koga said. "We were thirsty, but uh, we can wait." He finished as he dashed out the kitchen.

Kagome paused in her steps, her legs wouldn't move quickly enough and she and Sesshomaru shared a glance. It was quick but somehow long enough to study each other's expressions. She snapped out of it and followed behind Koga.

Sesshomaru processed how everything looked and it irritated him how misleading it was to them, to Kagome. Shurran wasn't budging, so he stood up making her slide off of him.

"About that day…"he threw his cup of tea away. "It won't happen again."

"Why not?" she said but he walked away.

She forced a smile to hide the pain and rejection she had ensued. He wanted her, she was sure of it. Why kiss her in the first place? You don't make out with someone in the first place and stop…unless she was a bad kisser? She gasped. Impossible! She frowned, no, she was fine. All guys wanted her, she was hot and they always wanted more. She was a model, had an excellent body, what was wrong with him? He'd gotten tenser when Kagome entered the kitchen. That dirty human was in the way of everything. Her scrawny no-good self got a chance to be Marques's model, and was rising fast in the fashion industry size. Life wasn't fair for her ever since she moved into this loft with the others, or shall she just say Kagome. She had to try harder and make sure Kagome didn't get everything she wanted. So she got to be Marque's Angel! Her true desire was to be Valentino's model for a new project called 'Lovers'. A trip to Italy where she shared a penthouse suite with a male model for two months. But Sesshomaru, he was something she wanted more than anything. To be the mate of the next clan leader. The eldest son of the ShiroInu clan.

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Kagome rushed out of her room. She needed to get out of the house and fast. She hurried down the steps, hoping she wouldn't see Sesshomaru and Shurran again and stopped when she saw Sango at the bottom.

"Whoa, look at you." Kagome squealed. Sango wore a black leather mini skirt and a white halter top. "You look great!"

"Thanks…but of course I don't compare to you." Sango blushed.

"Stop." Kagome giggled.

Kagome glimpsed into the mirror, fixing her wavy long hair and cleaning off lip gloss residue on the side of her lips. She tugged her bodycon dress, feeling it rise up to high and debated whether to change. But everyone was meeting at the entrance so there wasn't much time. Kagome felt her heart jump when Sesshomaru walked down the steps with Koga. Donning a black cargo jacket over his white T, his denim jeans were just the right fit to accentuate his body. He looked lean and tall yet strong and beautiful at the same time.

"Girls." Koga bowed and Kagome and Sesshomaru looked at each other. His eyes looked away after a moment, she could see his face tensing.

"Sesshomaru, you're coming?" Sango was shocked.

He nodded without word.

"Yeah, he offered us a ride." Koga rested his hand on Sesshomaru's shoulder like they were all buddy-buddy. Sesshomaru even seemed fine with this action and Kagome noticed the rest of them were aware of the unfamiliarity.

"Everyone ready?" Koga asked.

Let's roll." Miroku raised his fist.

"Is there room for all of us?" Kagome asked and Sesshomaru looked around the room, mentally counting everyone and nodded.

Koga grabbed his guitar and amp and looked back at Kagome.

"Ayame, Kikyo and Kagura don't want to go and the boys are meeting us there in the van."

"Meeting where?" Kagome followed behind him as they all followed Sesshomaru.

"I think you know it…." Koga grunted as he carried his equipment. "Axis Lounge?"

"Yeah, I know it." She said as she opened the door in the back.

"I need to tune this…" Koga said. "There's no room in the front."

"Oh ok." Kagome said. She felt anxious. She didn't want to sit next to Sesshomaru. "Sango?" Kagome almost begged.

"I kind of…wanted to sit next to Miroku…" she whispered. "sorry.."

"ugh…"she muttered. " It's ok. " she sucked it up and sat at the passenger side. She and Sesshomaru almost simultaneously opened the window. She needed fresh air and her perfume mixed with his cologne was suffocating, she was sure he thought the same thing.

She placed her seatbelt on and he started the car. She rubbed her hands together as they drove off, feeling cold but she did not want to close the window. He turned on the heat as he made it to the bridge. Koga was singing lightly in back of her and Sango and Miroku were in a private conversation.

Even though everyone in the car was doing their own thing, she couldn't stand the silence between her and Sesshomaru. She wanted to talk to him but about what? She snuck a glance toward him and noticed he looked uncomfortable. He was trying to concentrate on the signs and the road but he felt her staring at him. He looked to his side and she immediately looked away. She tried to concentrate on Koga's voice. It was so soothing. His raspy but sweet voice as he strummed the guitar.

They had quite some time until they reached the club in New Jersey but the way the traffic looked, they'd get there in a half an hour. She tried to look anywhere but Sesshomaru's direction. She watched as his hand gripped the gear and from the look of his veins and the way the color of his skin paled, it was like he was gripping it tighter than he should.

"Ok, man. You can turn on the radio if you'd like. I'm done tuning the guitar." Koga grunted as he lifted his guitar to put it into the case. Kagome watched as Sesshomaru turned the radio on. He had nice hands, long fingers and his nails were a bit long and pointy but smoothed at the points. She gasped at the mental images in her mind, those hands touching her. Oh my God, what is wrong with me?

He glared at his side mirror on Kagome's side to change lanes and quickly took her appearance when she wasn't looking. Her skirt rose up revealing her toned and smooth thighs, his gaze trailed up at her cleavage and he cleared his throat as he adjusted in his seat. He glanced in his rearview mirror and noticed Koga smirking at him.

He frowned and looked away but every time he looked in his mirror, Koga continued smirking at him. He looked over his shoulder and glowered at him.

"So, I'm surprised you came out tonight, Sesshomaru. I mean, willingly." Sango broke the silence. "To what do we owe this surprise?"

"I needed to get out of the house…"he muttered to himself thinking about Shurran. He was going to retire to his room but feared another encounter with her. With her forwardness, he expected to see her under his covers waiting for him.

"Funny, Kagome and Sesshomaru broke out of their cocoons at the same time and became little social butterflies…" Miroku teased in a high pitched voice while flapping his hands. Both Kagome and Sesshomaru bristled over their shoulders at him.

"I'm…just…kidding…"he hid behind Sango's shoulder trying to avoid their death glares.

Thirty minutes later, they arrived at Axis Lounge and parked the car. Koga got them all through the back with their backstage passes and they sat at a table. Miroku and Sango went to the bar while Koga, Kagome and Sesshomaru made their way to a table.

Koga looked around. "Well, Inuyasha should be here soon with Hakkaku, Ginta and Muso."

"Oh, Inuyasha's coming too?" Kagome pursed her lips as she looked at the candle at their table.

"Yep."

"Alright, kiddos, I'm heading to the back to get the equipment ready. Can I leave you two alone here?" he looked at the both in a mocking smile.

Sesshomaru said nothing as he sat down and cast his usual impassive look at them .The waitress came up to them and asked if they wanted a drink and Koga walked off.

"Whiskey Sour!" Kagome shouted through the loud music. The waitress wore a black tank top and black shorts, heavy eyeliner rimmed around her sky blue eyes and accentuated her platinum blonde hair. She looked at Sesshomaru.

"The same, please." He muttered not looking at her. She nodded and walked away.

Kagome's brow twitched, surprised that he ordered the same drink. He scanned around the room and she rubbed her hands together, still feeling cold. She realized then that she wasn't cold because of the temperature. She was cold because she was nervous.

She felt her purse vibrate on her lap and rummaged through it to find her cell phone. Fishing it out, she read her text message.

'Want to do something tonight?'-Shinji

She read the message and wondered if she should respond. She felt rude so she put it away.

The waitress brought the drinks back and Kagome might as well have drank it out of her hands, she grabbed it so fast and downed the drink in three gulps, she immediately asked for another receiving weird looks from the waitress and Sesshomaru.

"Thirsty?" Sesshomaru stirred his drink. It was the first attempt he made to talk to her in a couple of days. She nodded and looked away from him. Sesshomaru gnawed on his lip and looked away as well.

Koga was about to go up. The crowd was going wild with anticipation. Inuyasha was dancing with Miroku and Sango toward the stage. Kagome and Sesshomaru stayed at the table drinking and not talking to each other. The waitress came over with another drink for Kagome and set down another one beside her and another one beside Sesshomaru's glass. They looked up with puzzled eyes because they didn't order another.

"I know I gave off this alcoholic personality, but I didn't order anything."

"This is on the house." she smirked and winked at Sesshomaru. "The bartender over there claims he knows you." She pointed over her shoulder.

Kagome looked back and saw her old co-worker and smiled as she raised her glass in thanks. The guy pointed to Sesshomaru and winked, his way of saying 'cute'.

Kagome shook her head and mouthed the word "straight" behind Sesshomaru's head.

The guy frowned and smiled afterward with a thumbs up, pointing to her and Sesshomaru.

"No" she mouthed trying to tell him Sesshomaru and her were not together and rolled her eyes at him playfully. "Thank you…" she said to the waitress and tipped her.

Sesshomaru glanced behind him noticing the silence of Kagome and followed her gaze to a bartender at the bar.

"A client of yours?" He commented satirically and she frowned.

"A friend." She corrected, ignoring his insinuating remark.

Her phone rang through her purse and it startled her. She quickly grabbed it and saw Shinji's number on the screen. Oh no, she thought. Should she answer it in front of Sesshomaru? Again, she asked herself. Why does it matter? He was nothing to her.

"Hello?" she answered the phone. Sesshomaru glanced to his side looking at her hair fall down and cover the left side of her face. She covered one ear as she turned her back toward him for a private conversation. It didn't matter, his keen hearing heard everything. He could hear it was a guy on the other line, he could hear her tone was sweet and there were flirty remarks between them.

"I'm at a friend's concert." she said. "Yeah, but maybe later?"

"You promise?" Shinji said on the other line. Kagome blushed.

"Yeah, um...sure." she said and it sounded like there was a bit of struggle to get off the phone. After a couple of minutes, she hung up.

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and finished his drink. He grabbed the second one and started stirring it.

"Seems your client is getting attached…" Sesshomaru smirked still looking at the stage. "Isn't that bad for business?"

"Why are you here?" She scoffed and glanced to her side and back to the stage.

"I felt like having a night out." He said casually, knowing he hit a nerve.

"Do it on your own time." She retorted feeling very heated. He always seemed to know where to strike.

"That's not very welcoming." He persisted.

"That's right. It isn't."

"Well, you don't have to sit here with me, you can go accompany your 'friend' over there." He frowned, feeling annoyed.

"Why don't you leave? Isn't there a demon brat waiting for you at home?" She spat and then realized that remark almost sounded like she was jealous. As if. She just wanted him far from her as possible.

"I believe I was invited." He paused and looked at her. Why did she mention Shurran? "You're up."

"What?" she looked around. "Up for what?"

The maintenance guys were fixing the microphone and through the curtain, Kagome could see Koga calling her over.

"Oh…shit." She shot up and sprinted toward the stage. The place had suddenly seemed more crowded than before. Everyone came for Koga's band. She went up the steps and walked toward the microphone. She looked out into the crowd and tried to calm her nerves as she grabbed the mic.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Wolf's Bane!" she roared into the microphone, receiving a loud cheer and whistling from the crowds. She walked down the steps from the stage to walk back to the table when she heard the strumming of the guitar and then Koga started singing softly, As she walked to her table, a guy stopped her by grabbing her hand. He was piss-drunk and sweaty, pulling her down to sit on his lap.

"Ew, Stop!" she yelled but no one heard her through the noise. "Let go of me!"

He didn't listen. His friends were laughing with him. Tugging her hair and pinching her thighs.

"Stop it!" she cried as she punched his chest but he was so big, he barely felt it. He pulled her into his chest, she could feel herself getting sucked into his fat belly, like a bear smothering a squirrel. Then he pushed her toward his friend who locked her into an embrace, blowing kisses at her.

"Come on, baby, let's rock!" She tried to hit him but he squeezed her arms at her side and she wasn't able to move. She started crying, yelling at the top of her lungs but no one could hear her over Koga's band. She closed her eyes and felt the man release her only to be pulled into someone else's hands. She opened her eyes and was about to hit her assailant's chest when she saw Sesshomaru looking down at her. His hands gripped her arms tight as he glowered with rage at the three men in front of him. Sesshomaru looked back down at her, her eyes were watery, mascara running down her cheeks. He checked the rest of her to see if she was harmed. His chest rose as he breathed heavily, his fiery gaze meeting the three men's. He went in front of Kagome, as if guarding her. He glared at the burly man sitting down and snatched the seat from under him so fast, like he weighed nothing, and hit him with it. The other two tried to lunge at him and he dodged, punching both of them in under two seconds. Both men staggered back, looking at each other as if agreeing they were not going to win this fight. They walked away, leaving the beefy man scrambling to his feet in fear. Sesshomaru decided to leave him alone as he grabbed Kagome's hand and led her back to their table.

No one even noticed there was a fight. Security was already busy detaining a mosh pit by the stage and everyone was engrossed by Koga's music.

Kagome pulled her dress down feeling dirty and questioned if her attire were the reason for her harassment. She sniffed and looked at Sesshomaru, but he was looking at the stage, his face tight with lingering anger.

"I didn't need your help, you know." Her voice was hoarse.

"Right. You were handling that just fine"

"I can take care of myself." She protested angrily.

"Can you?" he said. "You're such a liability with these men, aren't you?"

He chuckled but not because it was funny, but because he couldn't believe it.

"It isn't funny." She glowered.

"Your liability is quite comical, actually." He played it off as if he didn't care what just happened.

"Yeah, it's comedic." She spat sarcastically.

"I sense I'm annoying you."

"And the award for understatements go to…" She waved at him and drank her entire drink and went to the next one.

"Fine. I apologize if I thought I was helping you. Maybe I should just watch next time."

Kagome bit her lip and bowed her head. Koga's band stopped playing and she looked at Sesshomaru again.

"I'm sorry." She said, humiliatingly. "Thanks for helping me."

They didn't speak much afterward. Sango and Miroku came over, oblivious to everything and spoke nonsense in their drunken stupor. Sesshomaru fell into deep thoughts as he scanned the club.

He thought back when Kagome was on stage. He noticed the men looking at her, whispering their bad intentions. He tried to push passed the crowd to get to her sooner. His body reacted with instinct, like he had to protect her. His blood boiled and he felt heat in his entire body. He could still feel the adrenaline running through his veins.

Kagome felt guilty for her remarks. He just saved her from those guys and she was putting a tough act, that he clearly didn't buy and for what? To not give him the satisfaction? To prove that humans weren't so weak? She swallowed her pride and muttered from the side of her mouth.

Koga riled up all his fans and groupies and it started to get violent. Drunks started bigger mosh pits and the groupies were fighting over whatever object Koga through out to the crowd. Good thing he was done before things could get too bad. Kagome and Sesshomaru decided to stay seated at their table until Koga was done. They were not about to disperse a crowd of pubescent-horny teeny boppers just to get through.

Inuyasha scaled the walls trying not to get in the way of the crying obsessed fans as he made his way toward the stairs. As he walked up, he caught a glimpse of Sesshomaru and Kagome sitting at a table in the back. It was the V.I.P section, guards stood at each side of the entrance with stoic expressions. He winced at the screeching sounds as he walked over to the bouncers to the V.I.P section. He showed a passed that Koga had given him and one huge bouncer sniffed at him with a suspicious look and let him in. Inuyasha went through and walked over to the bar to see Sango and Miroku pounding shots.

"Take it easy, guys. You don't want to get plastered before we go to the after -party." He chuckled.

Sango stared at him with glazed eyes and blushed. "We've only had two."

"They had eight…." Muttered a bartender from the side of his mouth to Inuyasha and looked at both of them. "Each."

Inuyasha's eyes opened wide at the both of them, he wasn't sure if he was shocked or should be worshipping the two.

"Who's counting?." Miroku slurred, tapping his shot glass.

Inuyasha turned to walk toward his brother and Kagome but shot the bartender a look. "Cut em' off." He mouthed and the bartender winked.

"I'll just give them water." He mouthed back.

Inuyasha shook his head and sighed when he walked over toward Kagome and clearly interrupted a conversation she and Sesshomaru were in. He had no remorse in doing so and showed it by sitting down next to her.

"Hey, Inuyasha." Kagome forced a smile and shifted toward him purposely as if she was trying to give her back to Sesshomaru.

As Sesshomaru ignored the conversation Kagome and Inuyasha were in, he couldn't help thinking it would have been better to stay home and have dealt with Shurran. He scoffed at the thought of her, he shouldn't have provoked her, and it was his fault. He looked into the crowd by the stage and saw Koga fighting back the girls with his guitar, his bodyguard helping him and as a result, disappearing into the crowd where the girls clawed and engulfed him with the power of teenage hormones, what a terrible demise he met.

Koga was 'every man for himself' and left his poor bodyguard as he ran toward the V.I.P section with a piercing yelp. The bouncers let him through and blocked it immediately pulling out stun guns.

"Wow, those dudes mean business!" Koga barked. His hair was pulled out of the immaculate ponytail, his bandana missing, his shirt had holes and his face had scratches. The only thing that was still in its original condition was his guitar. He once said if anybody tried to hurt his guitar, even if it was a girl, he'd put them in their place. 'I'll kill a bitch." were his exact words.

"Oh my god…"Kagome laughed but tried to put a stern face. "What happened to you?"

"I feel violated." Koga panted as he limped to the chair next to Sesshomaru.

"Where are Hakkaku and Ginta?" Kagome looked around and saw Ginta climbing up the stage's curtain, screaming while a few girls climbed after him and Hakkaku being dragged by a few girls out the door, he looked unconscious.

"Should we help them?" Kagome stood up from her chair and looked worried.

"Nah, they'll be alright." Koga waved over his shoulder and pulled out a cigarette and winced as he placed it between his busted lip. He lit it and exhaled a long sigh. "You guys going to the after party?"

"Uh, I don't know…" Kagome said as she sat back down and glanced at Sesshomaru from the side. "maybe."

Koga smirked and winced when he did that. " Ow…the price of fame."

"Is it worth it?" Kagome cocked a brow.

"Oh yeah…" Koga shot a devilish smirk and nudged Sesshomaru who seemed annoyed. " You going to the after-party?"

Sesshomaru raised his chin and shook his head lightly as he stared off to the stage.

Inuyasha kept his eyes on Kagome the whole time and didn't look away from her. She felt uncomfortable and Koga and Sesshomaru could see that.

"You look really nice today." Inuyasha gushed.

"Thanks…" she forced a grin and looked down at her lap. Sango called her over in an obnoxious slur and almost thanked god for her drunken friend to save her from the spotlight. She stood up and walked away from the table.

Inuyasha tried to hide the stab of resentment he felt and shrugged it off. Koga just glared at him with the cigarette in his lips, shaking his head.

"What?" Inuyasha asked defensively.

"You are giving the term 'stalker' a whole new meaning."

"Shut up." Inuyasha scoffed.

Sesshomaru nodded, grinning at Koga.

"What are you doing here with her anyway?" Inuyasha scowled.

"None of your business." Sesshomaru's brows rose slightly, toying with Inuyasha's jealousy.

Koga stared at the both of them back and forth and put his head down trying to contain the entertainment. Oh boy, he thought.

"Anyway," Inuyasha said. "Did you hear Hiten got arrested? He was dealing drugs by the pier with his dad. Supposedly, somebody was shot and they think Hiten had to do with it."

"For real?" Koga said.

"Yeah, dude. I get insight on everything. He was playing Kikyo and Kagura at the same time too, while trying to get with Ayame."

"Damn Inuyasha…" Koga muttered, annoyed at the last sentence. "You're like my grandmother, all up in everyone's business except you don't have a mustache." He grimaced and yelled toward Kagome to get him whiskey on the rocks.

"It's not like I try to be in everyone's business. " Inuyasha protested. " It's so blatant. You act like I'm holding a cup in front of everyone's door and looking out the window through binoculars from a dark room behind the shade."

"That sounds like a confession." Koga cackled.

"Kiss my ass." Inuyasha rolled his eyes and looked at Kagome and sighed.

"Speaking of being nosy and into the drama." Koga looked at Sesshomaru. " What's the deal with you and Shurran."

Sesshomaru closed his eyes, he opened them showing frustration.

"Now that's blatant." Koga smirked. "She was all up on your junk and wanting it so badly."

"Now see…" Inuyasha remarked. "She's more like your type."

Sesshomaru scowled and the muscles on his face tensed when Kagome sat between them. She set Koga's drink across from her.

"So, are we going to this party or what?" Sango said louder than intended.

"Yeah, let's go..." Koga stood up and ignored the pain he felt. He turned to Sesshomaru and saw he was still sitting. "You should come…"

"No..." Sesshomaru said.

"Suit yourself..."Koga teased. "I wonder how you'll handle going home to find Shurran waiting in your bed…she seems….persistent and seems to have one thing in mind…" he patted him on the shoulder. "Yeah, good luck with that."

Sesshomaru sighed. It was true. Avoiding things was what he did best; he didn't know the first thing to do if she were to come at him again, especially since she was a girl. He couldn't use forceful measures. He decided to stick around and finish his drink. Finally, everyone started to leave. Sesshomaru stood up, passed Kagome and went to his car.

Kagome assumed Sesshomaru wasn't going to the party. When she walked out of the club, she was surprised when she noticed he was waiting for everyone in the car. He was on his cell phone and smoking a cigarette when everyone was discussing who gets in whose car. Inuyasha made it a big deal to have Kagome go with them. Seeing her discomfort, Koga pulled her away.

"How about we just go back in the car we came in. Let's not make it difficult." Koga got into Sesshomaru's car.

"Good idea." Sango added.

Kagome and Sesshomaru met each other's gaze and both stubbornly looked away as she got into the car.