InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Silver Dove and the Raven ❯ Chapter 9

The party-Chapter 9

To everyone's surprise, the after-party was pretty exclusive. They were all under the impression that it was going to take place at someone's house with a few kegs and board games. This party was at a luxurious ballroom that was decorated in a modern-trendy rock star theme. It didn't scream Koga and his band mates though, Kagome thought. She expected at least Doritos and Red bull as the appetizers and mini cheeseburgers as the main course. Dead wrong.

When they all entered, they were greeted with models holding cheese trays and bottles of wine. You didn't get pass them unless you left from them with a glass of expensive Shiraz. The room all around was covered in sheer white drapes. There were white leather couches that formed a circle around a little Jacuzzi with a little opening to enter. Models stood in bikinis standing in the Jacuzzi posing. Occasionally, they'd shift to another pose. Kagome stood behind Koga feeling out of place and tapped his shoulder.

"What's going on? Are we at the right place?"

Koga leaned closer to her and cleared his throat. "Uh…you know, I haven't the slightest…but the producers insisted I show for publicity purposes."

"I see..." she nodded showing her pearly whites to whomever passed her by. Sesshomaru stood by a window screen that led to an outside pool. Kagome watched as a few girls walked over to him and said something but he didn't appear to acknowledge them. Koga grabbed a bottle of wine and walked over to the couch with his guitar and a few models followed him. Sango and Miroku sat at a table with people playing poker.

Kagome avoided the stares she had gotten as she sat at a small table by the window. She sipped her wine and set it down on the table and looked out of the window seeing Sesshomaru stand by the pool outside, holding a cigarette in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. She felt someone near and looked up when a casted shadow appeared over her and saw a woman in a white dress. Her hair was long and blonde and she had dark brown eyes.

"Hi." Kagome paused, wondering why she was there.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt you while you were looking out the window. It's just you looked familiar. You don't happen to be the model at Marques's introduction Fashion Show, his angel?"

"Um.." Kagome dimpled. "Yes…I am."

"I knew it. I was just telling my colleague over there that you were so gorgeous and familiar."

"Uh..Thanks.." she blushed.

"So, are you doing any work now?" the woman leered. "Oh, and I apologize for not introducing myself. I'm Tara, I work for Armani. "

"I'm Kagome. I just went to a photo shoot to create a portfolio." She shrugged. "I'll be posing the angel line for a little while, I guess."

"Really? Great, I guess I'll be seeing you a lot more. Hey, take my card in case you're interested. Armani has a lot going on, and I know Marques is working with Valentino but it's nothing compared to what we have in store. Ciao, darling."

Kagome stared obliquely at the woman as she walked off not knowing what she meant or why the smile never left her face but she just rolled her eyes and quickly forgot about it. She opened her eyes wide when Inuyasha sat next to her.

"Inuyasha…" she greeted with no enthusiasm. She was starting to get annoyed by how persistent he was.

"So why, pray tell, did our date not work? I tried so many times to break it down to see where it went wrong, when we were making out and you suddenly stopped. The only thing I could conclude was that you were crazy…I know," he waved his hand before she could say anything. "But it was the only one that made sense."

Kagome grinned as she sipped her drink. "Of course it was; anything to save your ego."

"That's harsh, I'm hurt…but I don't give in so easily. I believe you weren't being fair."

"Really?" she chuckled periodically looking out the window watching Sesshomaru walk around the pool. "On what terms?"

Inuyasha followed her intermittent gaze and frowned. " On what terms? Hmm, premature judgment, failure to see through a potential opportunity, I believe you already decided the outcome of our date once you said yes to it."

"Any evidence to prove that accusation?" she kept her gaze directly at him now.

"Not yet…only a second date would gather my theory." He tapped the table.

"We'll see." She stood up from the table and walked away. Their playful banter was indeed misleading and she saw Inuyasha's contempt expression once she removed herself from it. She told herself she'd go to Sango and Miroku and hang with them but her body led her out to the pool.

Sesshomaru looked back at Kagome and he took one last drag of his cigarette before flicking it toward the pool.

"So…to answer that look on your face… I don't really know why I'm out here." She looked up at the night sky. He didn't say anything and looked back toward the pool and sipped his drink.

"I guess I feel I didn't thank you adequately." She continued. Ignoring the silence from him and just listening to the sound of the water in the pool swirl around. It was soothing. Why would she continue to talk to him? He pissed her off more than anyone but it was like she wanted to be around him, even if he was verbally abusive. What a Masochist I am, she thought.

"Anyway, yeah…"she murmured and went inside, acknowledging that he didn't want to talk. He fixed his eyes on the water. He needed to keep his distance from her. There was something about her that confused him. It was like Inuyasha said, he looked confused and he was. Because he was starting to question himself with everything. Question his goals, his emotions and…

He licked his lips, peered over his shoulder at Kagome inside. She was talking to a group of people and laughing. He looked down at his empty drink. He needed more liquor, ASAP.

About an hour later, and ten shots in, the party turned rambunctious. Sango and Miroku danced in the pool, Koga and his bandmates were dancing provocatively with the models. Sesshomaru sat on the couch with his head in his hand as a few girls surrounded him. They all huddled around him asking personal questions. What type of underwear he wore, if any? What was his favorite part of a girl's body? What position he enjoyed most? They fondled him like he was a piece of meat but he was too exhausted to say anything.

Kagome diverted her attention from a group of guys flirting with her. She met Sesshomaru's eyes, laughed at how annoyed he looked with his little fan club. He tried to get up, but the girls kept pushing him back down. He even tried assertive approaches, telling the girls to get off him before he pushed them off but they took it as him being playful.

Kagome sighed as she walked over to him.

"Well, there you are, honey. I've been looking all over for you."

Honey? He rose a brow at her and realized what she was up to.

"Have you?" he said, a blonde girl wrapped her arms around him, shooting daggers at Kagome.

"Yes, it's pretty serious. I got the test results back. It's not good."

The girls around him, including himself, stared back mouths agape. They quickly dispersed and Kagome hovered over him, feeling victorious.

"Really?" he said.

"You are very welcome…" she dimpled.

"I can fight my own battles." He said.

"Yeah, I know…but I didn't foresee you swinging any chairs at them…so it was the least I could do."

"So, what are the test results and which one is the father?" he preened.

"Just when I thought we waved our white flags." She shook her head.

"Don't be so sensitive." He sighed as he stood up from the couch looking taller than ever. She barely met his shoulder. She turned to walk away but he grabbed her hand. "I think I've reached my limit in engaging social activities..."

"Me too…I'll gather the troops." She retorted hesitantly feeling the warmth of his hand and walked away.

Across the room, a woman and three men watched as Kagome and Sesshomaru departed.

"Wow…those two are the most beautiful couple I've ever seen." Said a woman, her short platinum bob shook as she giggled.

"Come now, Marla. They're not a couple. He's a demon and she isn't. No way they're together."

"No." she smiled. "There is some serious chemistry there. Take my word for it. Oh, Valentino has found his lovers. Crap, I wish I took a picture of them."

Another guy flashed his cellphone at her. "No need to thank me, but I took a picture of them a while ago when they were both sitting down. I noticed it too. They are way too good looking and if they are together, the attention they would get. Two good looking people in a relationship? Can you imagine the drama and ego in it?"

"Marla, that's Lord Sesshomaru." Said a short, tanned man. He adjusted his glasses. "We've been trying to get him over at Versace for a couple of years now. He's not interested."

"Oh, he will be alright." Marla smirked. "If we can get her in, he'd follow her. I know it. They're perfect, I'm telling you. I have a knack for chemistry and those two are oozing it. Send me those pics, Seth, I want to send them to Marques and Valentino."

"A demon and a human girl? Marla, that's bold. You trying to stir up controversy?"

"Please, maybe this will be the reason to unite both species and not make it such a big deal for a demon and human to be together, and not be in secrecy."

"Oh, dear…this is not going to be good." Said Seth.

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A few days had passed since the party. Everyone had been busy doing their own thing. However, today everyone stayed home so Sango took this opportunity to cook breakfast for everyone. After much fuss, everyone met in the kitchen. Kikyo, Ayame, Kagura sat together, Koga, Sesshomaru and Miroku sat on the opposite side. Kagome, Hojo, and Inuyasha sat at the end while Sango served them; Blueberry, Banana and Strawberry Pancakes with bacon and sausage on the side.

"Wow…Sango. You've gone all out. This looks so amazing." Kagome drooled over the pancakes.

Sango simpered as she served everyone before serving Kagome. When she came to Kagome, she had a stack of pancakes with whip cream decorated on top and powdered sugar. A strawberry garnish on one side of the plate and blueberry sprinkles.

"Wow…"Kagome's eyes widened as she licked her lips.

"Hey, no fair…why does she get all that special treatment?" Koga pouted.

Everyone looked at their boring pancakes and nodded for an explanation too.

"Because none of you are on the cover of Glamour!" Sango shouted as she threw the magazine on the table in excitement. Kagome's eyes shot open, her mouth full of pancakes. She barely chewed and swallowed at the horror. Sesshomaru looked down at the magazine, and back at her noting she didn't seem happy about it. Everyone peered over to the middle of the table, the boys whistling, some of the girls scoffing with jealousy. Ayame flashed a friendly smile.

"Kagome, you look amazing!" she assured.

But Kagome was mortified. The picture on the cover was her barely wearing anything, her arms covering her naked breasts as she bent over to show her lace underwear clad bottom.

"Yeah, Higurashi, didn't know that was underneath. Nice material." Koga teased.

"But…" Kagome picked up the magazine. "This was only supposed to be for my portfolio. He said no one but designers would see it.

"Amateur." Shurran scoffed.

"Did you sign anything saying it was only for the portfolios, any contract? " Ayame looked at Kagome sympathetically.

"No..." Kagome said. She thought back to the studio. She felt so overwhelmed with all the legalities, she signed whatever papers blindly.

"well, there you go." Shurran smirked. "Your photos are basically on the market for any high bidder."

This didn't look good. Her first thought was her mother seeing this. Her mother was so old-fashioned; she would lose her mind if she found out Kagome pose nude for photos. Never mind that she covered the bare essentials, in her mother's mind, she was naked. I don't understand these models and their nude photos. Don't they have any respect? The only person who should see that intimate side of you is your husband. She remembered her mother saying once.

Kagome bit her lip trying to contain her tears as she stepped back from the table with the magazine in her hand. Everyone could see distress in her eyes.

"My mother's going to kill me." Kagome mumbled under her breath, running her fingers through her hair. She quickly met Sesshomaru's gaze and looked back down feeling her eyes fill with tears. She was going to cry. She wouldn't let them see her that way.

"Kagome, it's not bad." Sango rubbed her shoulder.

"Yeah, girl." Koga added. "It's not as raunchy as you're making it out to be."

No, they didn't understand. She rushed out of the kitchen and went to her room to change. She had to explain to her mother before she thought anything else.

"I don't get it." Sango sighed. "I thought she looked beautiful."

Sesshomaru pondered while everyone discussed the magazine. She seemed very frightened about what her mother would think. He wasn't sure what kind of relationship she had with her but it looked to him that Kagome feared her, or just maybe really cared what she thought of her.

" Those photos were sold without her permission though, "Ayame protested. " Maybe she didn't want to be seen posing like that, maybe she didn't want a high profile. She wasn't interested in modeling in the first place."

"Well then, "Shurran giggled. " It's a lesson taught. Doesn't she want to be a lawyer? She should know this. A contract can't be broken if there wasn't a contract in the first place. Serves her right…"

"Shurran, you are such a cold wench!" Ayame scolded.

"Oh shut up, traitor. Why do you care what the little twit is feeling?"

"Hey," Koga scolded. "Enough, Shurran. Keep your comments to yourself."

"Okay," Sango said, aloud. "Let it go, guys. Let's give Kagome some space and not talk about it."

Sesshomaru got up as well and walked away.

"Sesshomaru, where are you going?" Shurran orated. Inuyasha looked up and frowned along with her.

"Where do you think he's going?" Koga chuckled under his breath.

Miroku looked over to Sesshomaru's untouched pancakes. He scanned around the table and shrugged as he forked his pancakes onto his plate. "Well, can't let good food go to waste."

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Kagome tried to stop crying but couldn't. She kept looking through the pictures in the magazine. I didn't want to be famous, I was just trying to make money for rent, she thought. What was her family going to say now? They would never see this as a respectable job. She had to see them, explain right away why she did what she did. She grabbed her army green jacket and put her long hair in a messy ponytail. She stepped into a pair of denim ripped jeans and straightened them as she placed her boots on at the same time. She tried to relax her anxiety thinking of everything her mother and grandfather would say. She took one last look in the mirror and left her room. Her attention was caught in a net of streaming thoughts that she didn't see where she was going and bumped into Koga, Sango and Miroku.

"Kagome…" Sango started. " I'm so sorry about exploiting your pictures in the kitchen. I…I just thought you would be happy…"

"Yeah." Koga said with his arms crossed. "And I hope you didn't get mad about my comment about having nice material. You know you're not my type." He said and received an elbow from Sango. "What?"

"Guys, it's okay. I'm not mad at anyone…but myself." she pushed through them and jolted down the steps. Before she made it to the door, Shurran blocked her with her perfectly manicured hand.

"Aw…is the poor little model upset? Gee, why, you're only on the face of every magazine out there. Maybe you should just stick to Law, oh wait, you can't even do that right." She gibed making Kagome very angry.

"I'm really not in the mood to play your games, Shurran."

"There is no game, honey." Shurran said, her voice low and husky. She gave Kagome a once-over and shook her head. "What the hell do they see in you."

Kagome growled. "Get out of my way."

"You better watch it," Shurran warned. "I know you like him but he's mine. We have something going together and don't you try to ruin it because I will hurt you."

"Who, Sesshomaru?" Kagome scoffed. "I have no interest in demons, Shurran. Please get out of my way. If you don't…well, let's just say, how do you feel about being a hand model?"

Shurran stepped aside with a hefted brow. "Hmph."

Kagome said no more and exited the building. She made it down the steps and looked the other way when she saw Sesshomaru standing at the bottom of the steps, smoking a cigarette.

"Someone's in a race against time to save face." he commented, his eyes on the ground.

She stopped at the last step and fumed trying to control her rising anger. " Don't…please, not you."

"Don't what?" he exhaled a gust of smoke and looked at her askance.

"Please…" her voice wavered. She walked off as she debated getting a cab or take the train. The cab would cost her a fortune, however, she made enough at the fashion show, why not? She walked out into the street to hail a cab and he followed her.

"So…how does this end? Mommy dearest welcomes you in open arms, apologies are conveyed in tears and good days follow ahead? Because, judging by the look on your face, it doesn't seem your mother is the forgiving type."

Kagome stopped walking, her face shot towards him with rage in her eyes. " I ask you one last time, leave me alone now!" she shouted, people in the street stopped and looked at them, thinking they were two lovers in a quarrel.

He just glared down at her, blowing smoke away from her and bowed his head.

"Just get in the car…" he threw the cigarette bud away and walked toward his Jeep.

"I don't need your help!" she waved her hand relentlessly as cabs passed her.

"It's rush hour, don't even bother. They are not going to stop." he started the car. The engine idled while he sat there waiting for her to change her mind. After ten minutes of being disregarded by the cabbys, she gnashed her teeth and turned around. Averting Sesshomaru's smug expression, she got into his car.

"I only got in because…whatever." She said, putting her seatbelt on.

Sesshomaru shook his head as he drove out of his parking space. A half an hour later, they showed up at her mother's house. They stood quietly in the car as she looked through the windshield. Clutching her seatbelt, she shook her head.

"This was a bad idea." She looked at him. "Make a run for it."

"Alright…" he started the car and began to reverse.

"Wait, what are you doing?" she cried.

"Leaving." He answered flatly, he raised his hand confused.

"Why?"

"You just said you couldn't do this," he pointed out blatantly.

"Yes, I know. You're supposed to encourage me to stay and battle out my demons, so to speak."

"Fine, go battle your demons."

"Very convincing." She rolled her eyes and got out of the car. "Do me a favor, never become a therapist."

"There goes my dream." He muttered, sarcastically. She narrowed her eyes at him as she shut the car door behind her. He leaned his head back into the seat

Kagome balled her hands into fists and tried to relax. Her hands were clammy and her breathing was erratic. Her heart pounded against her chest so hard, it felt like it was trying to rip through. She looked back at Sesshomaru half expecting him to give her a thumbs up or a 'go on' motion but he pulled out a cigarette and lit it, giving her a careless look. That's what she got for making friends with an emotionally handicapped demon.

She knocked on the door and hoped no one was home. Her hands went cold when she heard the sound of someone's slippers dragging on the floor. She gulped when she heard the door unlock and the knob turn. She wanted to run but she remained frozen to the ground when the door opened and looked down when she saw her little brother holding an action figure.

"Kagome!" he jumped and dropped his toy. She opened her arms in surprise and hugged him tightly not realizing how much she missed him. A few tears escaped her eyes and she lifted him up.

"Where've you been?" he said in his squeaky voice. He looked a little bigger than the last time she saw him.

Sesshomaru watched as Kagome and Sota were in a deep hug. An expression he hasn't seen on her, she was happy.

"I've been working, kiddo." she put him down. "Sorry I haven't had time to stop by. "

"Are you coming back to stay?" he said as he tugged her jacket.

"No. Actually, is Mom here?"

"Sota, who are you talking to?" said a voice coming from the hallway. Her mother walked into view and when she saw her, she didn't recognize the look on her face. It looked like her mother was surprised but it diminished quickly and was replaced with anger.

"What are you doing here?" she said in a threatening tone.

Kagome stepped back outside, and Sesshomaru looked perplexed with a cigarette in his hand seeing through the living room window, an old man coming down the steps. He looked back at Kagome as she continued to step back and a woman came into view. Seeing Kagome's stiff posture, he knew that was her mother. Something about her mother's face caused himself to feel alarmed. He gripped the steering wheel tight, as he leaned close to the windshield. His hand hovering over the door handle. His chest felt tight debating whether to trust his instincts or not, and whether it was his place to act on it.

"How dare you show your face here…you, you wench!" her mother bellowed.

"Mom, wait…I can ex-"

"Don't you dare speak!" she continued. "Sota, get inside."

"No! Mom I want to stay with Kagome!" he cried.

"Get inside!" she yelled louder, scaring him.

"Don't yell at him!" Kagome screamed, surprised by her outburst.

Her mother looked at her in shock. "You little twit! You think you can speak to me like that after what you've done."

"Enough!" shouted her grandfather as he stepped out of the house with his cane.

"Grandpa..." Kagome begged. "Please…"

"You made your choice, Kagome." He said, partly sympathetic and the other part stern. "You no longer have a family here. After the humiliation you have put us through."

"But…I didn't do anything wrong." Kagome sobbed. "If you can just hear me out."

"Nothing to hear out. I saw your dirty pictures in a magazine. How could you just take off your clothes like that? What's next, prostitution?"

"It was just a job, a lot of people model. I wasn't really showing anything. I covered-"

"You showed more than enough!" her mother spat. "You already embarrassed us to the Nagayama family, promised to their son and then you get caught philandering with that demon."

"It was my decision! It was my life! It is my life!"

"You're right." Her grandfather said. "and we have ours and you are not in it."

Kagome whimpered. "How can you say such mean things! You don't say that to family."

"and you don't betray your family!" his voice rose. " but you did."

"I wasn't trying to betray you. I just thought I loved—I mean, what do you want me to do, I'll do it!"

"Disappear…" her mother said.

"Mom?" she couldn't believe what she was hearing. She didn't think they were still this mad about the past. It's gone a year now since they've shunned her. She looked over her shoulder briefly at Sesshomaru, embarrassed that he had to see this. She bowed her head and pleaded with her mother. "I have no one else. Why can't you just forgive me?"

"Forgive?" her mother laughed. "You have some nerve asking for forgiveness after a year of being gone."

"You kicked me out!" Kagome shouted, angry tears falling hard.

"Kagome…" Sota cried and tried to run to her but his grandfather held him. He tried to struggle but he held him tightly.

"and you are to stay away from Sota!"

Kagome gasped. "I can't do that."

"I mean it…" her mother's voice trembled as well.

Kagome wiped her tears and took a deep breath. "I will not stay away from Sota. I don't care if you don't want me in your life…but I will be in his!"

Sesshomaru tried so hard to look away but he could hear everything and that's when something in his body told him to get her out of there as soon as possible. Hesitating, he looked down and that is when he heard the slap and from the corner of his eye, Kagome flew back and hit the ground. He jumped out of the car and tried to contain himself as he walked over to Kagome and picked her up. He met eyes with her mother, and it took every ounce of him not to lose control and disrespect her.

Kagome pressed her face where she was struck, her skin stinging. She looked up at Sesshomaru as he pulled her up.

"Let's go." His voice was stern and he didn't take his eyes off of her mother.

"No, wait." Kagome cried but he didn't listen. Her body was limp in defeat so he carried her back to the car. Her mother followed them.

"I see you still haven't learned your lessons with demons!" her mother shouted. Sesshomaru put Kagome into her seat and closed the door before her mother could go near her. He pressed his lips tight, breathing hard as he walked to his side, ignoring the daggers her mother was sending him.

"You are such a disappointment!" her mother started crying. Her grandfather had to pull her back into the house. Sota tried to run to the car but was blocked by his mother.

"No, get inside!"

"Kagome!" Sota cried through the door and he ran to the window. He banged on the screen and cried as he shouted her name repeatedly. People came out of their houses staring at the drama.

Sesshomaru drove off as fast as he could, blocking Kagome's sobs out of his mind. He couldn't grasp how much it pained him to see her like this. And it angered him further because he didn't know what he could possibly say to make it better. They drove the rest of the way in silence. By the time they reached the loft, he parked the car and looked at her. She rested her head against the window, her face blotchy with dried up tears. She made no effort to unclip her seatbelt and just sat there.

"Can we just stay here for a little bit?" she said weakly.

He tightened his jaw and nodded as he sat back in his seat. He reached out to turn the radio on but Kagome's cold hand stopped his.

"No…" she whispered.

He felt uncomfortable in the silence. It made him feel compelled to say something to her. He never in his life had to comfort anyone. The only time he'd witness anyone in distress was when his mother broke down after the divorce and even then, he just stood there, silently. Maybe she would start talking after a long moment of silence.

About twenty minutes passed and she still didn't say anything. He finally mustered enough courage to question her about the past when she beat him to it.

"I am really sorry you had to see that." She managed to say, her voice raspy. "That was…so humiliating."

He didn't say anything. He rested the side of his hand on one hand and looked at her. He studied her face, her reddened, puffy hazel eyes, her lips were swollen from being hit. He felt an urge to embrace her and this freaked him out. He shifted in his seat and cleared his throat.

"I suppose you're curious to why they acted that way toward me." She said. "They're really old school and very traditional. My mom and grandpa were really good friends with the Nagayama family. They have a son who's my age. We don't have a lot of money so I guess my mom was worried about my future. So she and the Nagayama family made a deal to arrange me and their son, Kenji to marry when we finished high school. Of course, Kenji and I were not too thrilled about it. We were good friends but that's about it. He had a secret girlfriend and I met this guy senior year of high school, his name was Sasuke and well, he was a demon." She looked over to Sesshomaru. "I'm sorry, you're probably not curious at all. I'm probably boring you."

She sighed and looked back out the window.

"Continue." She heard his gentle voice break the silence.

Trying to hide her surprise, she faltered a moment and then proceeded.

"Well, I kind of fell hard for Sasuke. He was charming and funny and he treated me like…a princess. I mean, he even told me he loved me. So here I was, weeks away from graduation and my wedding with Kenji, I tried to build up the courage to tell my mother but I was too afraid of her. Funny enough, fate did it for me. Kenji's mother saw me and Sasuke together in the park, being closer than she'd like us to be and she told my mother. Then there was a big fight between the families and the Nagayama family shunned us…so my mom kicked me out of the house."

She closed her eyes and pondered for a moment why she was saying this. She never spoke about this to anyone, she wasn't even sure he'd use it against her but she didn't care anymore. She wanted to get it off her chest for so long and he was the closest thing she had to a friend, whether they established it or not. Sesshomaru proceeded to surprise her as he encouraged her to continue.

"…and then what?" his voice was low, monotonic but she heard the slightest bit of curiosity.

"I had nowhere to go. My friends wouldn't take me in because their parents didn't want to get involved. So…I slept at the gym in my school, took showers there, ate school lunch. Then when I graduated, I got a job as a waitress then became a bartender. I wasn't lucky finding a place to live, this loft is the eighth place I lived at in one year."

"And Sasuke?" he asked, his tone was so delicate, Kagome took that moment to really study him. His amber eyes probed hers, his posture facing her with interest, as opposed to the stiff stature he upheld on a daily routine. He noticed she was staring at him so he looked out the window.

She let out an incredulous chuckle. "Sasuke? After graduation, he was starting to get distant and flaky, constantly blowing me off. Then I didn't hear from him for a few weeks until I bumped into him on the street with another girl, a demon girl. I was devastated. I was more devastated by the way he treated me in the end. He was cold and said that what we had was just a fling and it was time to get serious and that his parents would never accept me."

Sesshomaru struggled with a response as she fixed herself in her seat. She wiped her face clean and combed down her messy pony tail.

"I just want to spend the rest of my life in this car." she muttered to herself, not intending for Sesshomaru to hear but he heard. "Great...now you know my shitty life. Use it however you want. Tell your fellow snobby demon friends and have a great laugh." She looked at him but he didn't acknowledge her as he peered out his side window.

He turned his head toward her and looked deeply into her eyes. He searched her eyes and looked away. "I am hungry…are you?"

"I vent my life to you and you say you're hungry." She shook her head and sighed.

"Is there anything I can say to make your life better?" he said, while dialing a number on his cellphone.

"No, I suppose not." She groaned.

"Hello, I'd like a delivery." He said into the phone. He covered the receiver and whispered to her. "Chicken or Beef?"

"Are you serious?" she looked around but humored him. "Beef."

"Two beef teriyakis." He said into the phone. There was something about his voice and the words 'beef teriyaki' that sounded unfamiliar. What nerve! Of course she was hungry, but how does someone seriously dismiss someone's confession of being burdened with guilt by saying they were hungry and ordering food!

"Address?" he said and looked around, he gave them their address. "We are in a black jeep in front of 104 West 3rd.".

"I'm beginning to think you are very weird," she said.

"You're hungry. I've heard your stomach growl while you were talking." He said and Kagome suddenly felt self-conscious.

She covered her stomach and frowned. "That's private. Anyway, if you wanted to eat so badly, you could have left. I don't want to keep you here against your will."

"You're not. Besides, you said you want to spend the rest of the life in this car…" he said.

"Come on," she laughed. "No one can spend the rest of their life in a car. It's impossible."

"How so?"

She covered her mouth, trying to suppress her laugh but his serious face made it much more comical. "Well, like…"

"Like?" he continued.

"Never mind…" she laughed.

He gave a half smirk and looked into his rearview mirror.

"What is so funny?"

She couldn't stop laughing. "You. Your face is so serious, I can't tell if you're kidding or not. It's not possible to never leave your car."

"It's possible." He said, fidgeting for a cigarette but decided against it.

"How would they eat?" she chuckled.

"Deliveries…or Drive thru." he answered flatly. His answers weren't intended to be humorous, he was answering in a matter- of -fact way. "We just ordered food."

"You need to get out to fill your tank of gas."

"You don't exactly need to be mobile." He raised his finger and took another drag. "Full service."

"Damn…" Kagome said thinking she almost had him. "You need money."

"Drive thru ATMS." He sighed.

"You need to pay for bills."

"A laptop with wireless internet."

"Ok, genius…" she tried to contain her smirk." How about restroom facilities…"

"I once saw this documentary of people using beer bottles and plastic bags…." He shifted in his seat and shot her a devilish grin. It shocked her to see this side of his personality.

"Ew!" she nudged his shoulder. "You would never do something like that."

"I never said I wanted to spend the rest of my life in a car…"he retorted and threw out his cigarette. "I said it was possible."

She kept laughing harder, her eyes tearing but not from sadness. She felt better, she realized. It was almost like she forgot about what happened earlier. He snuck a few glances at her, mildly content to have put a smile on her face. They didn't say much afterwards. Watching the sunset disappear behind skyscrapers up ahead as they reclined their seats all the way back, she tilted her head toward him.

"You think the delivery guy is coming?" she asked.

"I'm not sure…" he placed his arms around his head and shut his eyes. "Perhaps our location took away the severity of our order." His shirt rose revealing some of his abs. Her eyes just stood there and she felt her face hot, like she was blushing. She was able to sneak a few peaks through her hair when she noticed tattoos on the sides of his stomach.

"What kind of tattoo is that?" she said and he opened his eyes wondering what she was talking about. He looked down and saw his abs showing. He lowered his shirt and shrugged.

"They're not tattoos..." he said, his knee shaking.

She looked suspiciously at his knee and looked down. "What are they then?"

"Birthmarks, if you will." He muttered, his knee still shaking.

"Are you feeling impatient?" she said, not taking her eyes off of his knee.

"No." he said and he forced his knee to stop moving.

"Do you have to use the bathroom?"

"No." he cleared his throat.

"Yes, you do." She laughed.

"I really don't."

"Then why is your leg shaking?"

"It…just is." He spat frustratingly and he opened all the windows to the car. Some fresh air would definitely be nice, he thought. He was being suffocated with her scent. They lay in their seats for a few minutes in silence when a man's head popped in the window. Kagome screamed and Sesshomaru scowled at him.

"Delivery?" the man said holding a bag.

Kagome started laughing while Sesshomaru went into his wallet to pay. He shook his head while he paid the man.

"Try…knocking next time." Kagome muttered.

The delivery guy fixed his helmet. "Get real home with real door." He grumbled and rode off, ringing his bicycle bell.

Sesshomaru put his wallet back and set the bag between him and her. Her mouth watered smelling the delicious aroma.

"Thanks…"she said. He didn't reply and looked out the window. "Is something wrong?"

"No." he said as he opened the bag. "Let's eat…"

"Ok…"she said rubbing her lips together.

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Koga, Sango and Ayame peered through the blinds and looked at each other.

"How long do you think they are going to stay in the car?" Ayame said as she munched on a Dorito.

"I say all night." Koga grabbed a Dorito and stuffed it into his mouth.

Sango craned to get a better look. "You think so?"

"Oh yeah, they're weird like that. Every time they are together, they do some all-nighter shit."

"I think it's romantic." Ayame sighed.

"I think it's weird." Koga grabbed another Dorito and threw it into his mouth.

"That's why you're single." Ayame rolled her eyes.

Koga rolled his eyes as well and looked through the shades.

"You know they're not planning on coming in for a while. They even ordered Chinese food. Who has Chinese food delivered to their car?" Koga shook his head.

"What are you guys looking at?" Inuyasha said as he walked in, rubbing his shoulder. He plopped himself on the couch between them and grabbed the remote from under Koga's knee.

"We are trying to see how long Kagome and Sesshomaru are going to stay in his Jeep." Ayame giggled.

"What?" Inuyasha turned around and peered through the shades. Koga passed the Dorito bag to him. "Aw, come on! I don't get it."

"Let it go, man. Just let it go." Koga patted his back.

"No, I am a man of hope and patience."

"Yeah, don't those guys like never get the girl though?" Koga said and Ayame gave him a look. "What?"

"Inuyasha, you hold on to that hope!" Ayame cheered.

"What's wrong with you?" Koga cocked a brow. "It's clear as day. They ordered Chinese food. It's done. Sign and sealed. Inuyasha, buddy, I'm your friend and I'm saying you have no chance."

Inuyasha glared out the window with his heart shattered in pieces. Sango and Ayame both smacked Koga behind the head.

"What are you guys doing?" Miroku walked in followed by Shurran and Kikyo.

"Watching Inuyasha's hopes and dreams get shattered by the minute." Koga grabbed another chip. Ayame smacked him again against the head and she snatched the bag of chips from him. "I mean, spying on Kagome and Sesshomaru, they're in his jeep." He placed a hand on the side of his mouth. "They ordered Chinese food."

"Sounds serious..." Miroku squeezed in between them and peered through the blinds.

Ayame glared at Koga austerely and shook her head.

"What?" he grunted and crossed his arms. He tried to grab his bag of Doritos but Ayame hid them behind her back. "They're my chips!"

Shurran and Kikyo exchanged frowns. Kikyo shrugged and Shurran left the living room.

Minutes later, as they all peered through the blinds, passing around the Doritos, Sango noticed Shurran walking down the steps. She was wearing a track jacket and shorts, preparing for her jog.

"Oh no…" Sango said. "Three o' clock."

They all turned their gaze to the right and saw Shurran stretching.

"I wonder what she's going to do…" Kikyo said as she peeked through the blinds from the side.

"Gee, I wonder…" they all said in unison.

"Ugh…I swear, she really boils my blood…" Ayame growled in her high pitched voice.

"Very intimidating, Ayame…" Koga cocked a brow. "I'm shaking."

"Oh yeah, I don't see you doing anything." Ayame groaned.

"What? Am I expected to run after her and tackle her to the ground?"

Ayame and Sango looked at each other, Miroku looked up as well.

"Dude, that'd be sweet to see." Miroku cackled.

"No way." Koga crossed his arms. "Besides, she's a girl. A monster bitch…but a girl nonetheless."

"Ten…" Miroku smirked.

Sango and Ayame smiled and nodded.

"Make it twenty, each." He said, feeling somewhat guilty.

"Deal, go, go, go." Ayame shouted.

"This is wrong." Kikyo said.

"Yeah, Koga…this ain't right." Inuyasha sighed. "I don't feel right about this…."

"Hurry, go. She's almost done warming up." Sango orated.

"Just…." Inuyasha growled not wanting any part of this, partly because he actually wanted someone to interrupt anything that was happening between Kagome and Sesshomaru. "be gentle."

"Inuyasha!" Kikyo scolded.

"Go, Koga, go!" Ayame and Sango shouted in excitement. In that moment, Koga dashed.

They looked out the window and saw Shurran starting to jog towards the Jeep. "Damn, he's not going to make it." Sango glowered through the blinds as she guzzled down Red bull.

Koga started to run after her but stopped immediately.

"Aw…what a pussy." Miroku threw a chip at the window as Koga walked back up the steps to the building.

"No, look…" Sango pointed to two cops walking down the street. "Wow, that's just crappy timing. If he tackles her, they'll just arrest him."

Miroku cackled. "Man, I would love to see that."

"She's ruining everything." Sango turned around, sat in the couch and pouted.

"Relax, Sango. Who said there was anything to ruin? They're not messing around." Inuyasha retorted as if annoyed.

"How are you so sure?"

"It's simple. She isn't a demon."

"You're saying he's too good for Kagome?" Sango glowered.

"Not at all, "Inuyasha defended. "That's just his rules..."

"Why?" Sango interrogated.

"Because, his mother would kill him if he was with a human. My dad left her for my mom who was human, you understand?"

"But what if he likes her?" Sango pestered, Inuyasha's eye twitched.

"He doesn't!"

"Whatever." Sango scowled.

"Aw, Shurran's at the Jeep now." Ayame muttered disappointedly. "I can't look anymore."

Koga walked in the living room, feeling defeated. "I tried but those damn cops are patrolling."

"We know, man. We know…" Miroku patted his back. "Let's just watch a movie…" They all groaned and sat down on the couch.

Sango shrugged. "I'm a big believer of fate, guys. It will work itself out."

Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

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Kagome was going through fits of laughter while she and Sesshomaru discussed hypothetical theories. She heard him chuckle and she gasped.

"Oh my God, you laughed. And I here I thought you weren't engineered with that capability."

Sesshomaru cast a playful scowl at her and leaned his head back. They were done with their food and dumped it into the bag. Sitting quietly for a moment, she bit her lip.

"I guess we should…go inside now."

Sesshomaru rubbed the back of his neck. He could go for coffee. There was nothing wrong with proposing the idea, right?

"Or we can—"he stopped when Shurran popped her head into his window.

"Oh, hey!" she pretended to sound out of breath. "What are …you guys doing here?"

Kagome didn't say anything and looked the other way. She didn't like Shurran and she had no problem showing it.

"Well, I don't want to interrupt your little dinner…" she craned her neck inside the window and leaned her breasts over it. "While I'm here though, I thought I'd mention more about our unfinished business."

"Well, let me get out of here and you guys could discuss that," Kagome grabbed their trash and opened her door.

"What happened to spending the rest of your life in this car..." he whispered to her.

"I told you it was impossible…" she forced a smile. "It's alright, I'll leave you guys to it."

"Wait…" he said but he realized he hadn't said it aloud. He turned back to Shurran and scowled.

"Sorry…" Shurran sang. "I really do hope I was not interrupting anything…"

"I thought I clarified to you that there is no unfinished business."

"Your mother's in town, right?" she said and he was taken aback from this comment.

"So?" he said, baffled to how she knew that.

"Oh, I know because my mother and her go to the same spa. Your mother hates humans, doesn't she?"

"…your point?" he clenched his teeth.

"No point. I just thought how ironic she hates humans and you seem to be taking a liking to one."

"I am not taking a liking to anyone…"he said and stopped as he got out of his car. He pressed a button and all the windows went up and the doors locked.

"maybe you shouldn't cut off what we have so soon, it might be something so special. Wouldn't it be a shame to see that desire unfulfilled because of a mere human. Your poor mother would probably not have it in her to witness history repeat itself."

He came close to her, where their faces were inches apart. "I suggest you watch your mouth, you are very out of line."

"I'm just watching out for your best interest..." She snapped back. "Yes, you're entitled to your flings, but don't forget, there is no such thing as humans and demons settling down. The clans would never have it and you being the future leader and all…"

"I don't need anyone watching out for my interests." he spat.

"Well, that's what future wives do."

"What are you on about?" he glanced at her and looked up noticing a few eyes through the blinds from their loft.

"I guess your mother didn't tell you yet. She and my mother had a brunch a few days ago and decided that you and I should mate should you not find a legible mate in three months and by legible, I mean not human." She grinned.

Sesshomaru couldn't resist a low chuckle and rubbed his eyes.

"No one decides my future outcome…but me." He said, trying to keep composed knowing people were watching him from the window.

She pouted, "We both know that isn't true, Sesshomaru. Unfortunately, it is always decided for us. But, luckily for you, I'm a perfect bachelorette so you needn't look further."

He scoffed and walked toward the loft. "I rather die alone."

Shurran pretended not to be affected by his comment. She forced a smile as she waved. "See you later, honey."

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