InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Syndrome ❯ Queen of the Night ( Chapter 32 )

Alright, me and my dates aren't getting along at the moment, and I'm going to have to write out a calendar and recheck them, probably adding clarification because some people have been confused and now I am too(at least when it comes to `? years later'). The last Halloween chapter was Kagome's (And Inu, Bank, and Miroku too) sophomore year of high school. This Chapter is their junior year and Sesshoumaru's senior year.

 

 

Chapter 32 - Queen of the Night

 

 

Things were more complicated this year, but he didn't care. It was a chance to see her again and have her actually know he was there, even if she didn't know who he really was. She and her group of friends were going to be holding a Halloween party at their home this year. It was the hanyou's idea and when he'd proposed it to their father all that needed saying was that Kagome loved Halloween and he'd been given the green light and a credit card with no spending limit. Inuyasha had been talking about it for months, determined to make sure everything was perfect, so Sesshoumaru had more than enough time to prepare.

 

It had taken a while to figure out how he was going to explain his absence because he was obviously not going to be attending the party as himself, but he also couldn't go with his father and Izayoi to dinner and a show. He had to be at the party as Kagome's mystery man. He was still surprised that their father was willing to leave the house while it was going to be full of teenagers flying on a sugar high, but it didn't really matter. It was actually better that way. Sesshoumaru was unsure if he would have been able to hide his identity from his father if he'd been present. There was very little chance that his sire would not recognize his first born son, even with his appearance disguised and scent and aura masked.

 

Eventually he'd come up with a suitable plan, but it didn't work out quite the way he wanted. Still, an excuse was an excuse and it was better than nothing.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

Several weeks before the party Inuyasha had been speaking with his parents about decorations and catering, giving Sesshoumaru the perfect opportunity to put his plan into action. He stalked into the room and made a sound of disgust at the multiple lists the hanyou had spread out over the table. “Do you never tire of wasting Father's hard earned money? It is despicable that you must `buy' the friendship of your classmates with an extravagant party for a ridiculous holiday.”

 

Inuyasha turned around and narrowed his eyes at his older brother. “It's not like you gotta be there, ya prick.”

 

Katsuro turned to stand behind Inuyasha, placing a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to keep his younger son calm. “Sesshoumaru, there is no need for your attitude. You are more than welcome to accompany Izayoi and myself to pass the evening.”

 

“This Sesshoumaru does not wish to spend hours with you and your human, Father. I shall stay here to ensure that my room does not end up violated by partygoers. I cannot trust the half-breed to keep things under control. He can barely control himself. Pathetic,” he sneered.

 

“Fuck you!” Inuyasha yelled, pissed that his brother just couldn't shut up and keep his nose out of things that had nothing to do with him.

 

“Inuyasha?” a sweet, musical voice called from the door between the dining room where they stood and the kitchen. “What are you yelling about now?” The hanyou's ears immediately flattened to his skull at her chastising tone.

 

Sesshoumaru mentally cursed himself, instantly recognizing the voice of his obsession. He hadn't known she was there and had once again acted like an ass in front of her.

 

“Nothing, wench. It's nothing. So, did ya pick what ya like then?”

 

Kagome entered the room with a smile on her face and a notepad in her hand. “Yeah. You recommended a great caterer, Papi. Everything was amazing. It was so hard to choose!” While she was speaking she walked towards them, not even looking at Sesshoumaru as she handed Inuyasha her choices.

 

“Glad you liked them, my dear,” the elder taiyoukai replied with a smile. Sesshoumaru's eyes narrowed as he realized that Kagome had his father wrapped around her little finger even more than Inuyasha did. What was it about the girl that made her so easy to adore?

 

“This place is going to look amazing,” the miko said with a smile. She glanced around, finally acknowledging his presence. “Oh! What costume are you going to wear?” she asked curiously.

 

Sesshoumaru couldn't even open his mouth before the hanyou cut in. “The prick would never actually participate in a social event,” Inuyasha said in his best Sesshoumaru impression. “Besides, apparently Halloween is `a ridiculous holiday' He's gonna hide up in his room like he always does.”

 

“That's a pity. I don't know how anyone can not like Halloween. It's so much fun, the one day of the year you can pretend to be someone completely different and no one judges you.”

 

`More so than you'll ever know,' he thought to himself. `It is the only day that I can be someone you would gift with your time and attention; the only day I can pretend you feel the same as I do.' No one noticed the look of longing in his eyes, his emotions slipping past his mental brick walls for just a moment before he reined them in.

 

“Did you pick your costume yet, Kagome?” Izayoi inquired.

 

Kagome nodded and her smile widened. “I did. It's beautiful, but it's a surprise.”

 

Sesshoumaru couldn't wait. He was sure she would be stunning, but then she always was. While his mind pondered the possibilities he found that he needed to leave the room, and quickly. He slipped away without anyone even noting his departure as they continued discussing party plans. It was so hard to be in the same room with her and yet unable to reach out and touch her. She barely even noticed him when it took every ounce of self control he had to keep from drooling at her feet. She was still the only one who could turn him on and she did so without even trying or knowing she did anything at all.

 

He couldn't wait for the night of the party to arrive, couldn't wait to see what beautiful creature she would be this year. Maybe he would get to dance with her again. Maybe he would be blessed with the chance to taste her lips once more. Maybe he would have one more wonderful night to remember during the long cold and lonely ones. He could only hope so.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

Kagome sighed. She wasn't having a good time. She'd always loved Halloween, but after the last one… well, some of the magic was missing, along with a tall dark haired vampire. Every time a costume with a cape floated by she looked up with a spark of hope in her eyes only to be disappointed again. It had been a long shot; she knew that. He'd shown up, swept her off her feet, and then dropped her like a hot potato. Why would he come back? No, if he wanted to see her again he would have done so a long time ago. Looking down at her costume, Kagome wished she'd picked something else or at least had something else to change in to. She didn't need another thing reminding her of him. Everything else already did.

 

All she really wanted to do was go home, but Inuyasha was hosting the Halloween party that she'd spent months helping him plan and she didn't want to hurt his feelings by jumping ship. She giggled for a moment at her own thoughts. Her hanyou friend had dressed as a pirate this year and she was thinking about jumping ship. The distraction only lasted a few seconds before the depressing feelings returned. Her friend would have forgiven it if she decided to go but she refused to bail, especially for no real reason, and this was no real reason.

 

It was one night, just a few short hours a whole year ago. She should be over it. She should have forgotten it completely. She shouldn't have let it bother her in the first place, but she couldn't help it. No one had ever made her feel quite like he did. She would never be able to forget how her body tingled with electricity when they touched or how the world had ceased to exist when he kissed her. She wanted to see him again, needed to see him, but it obviously wasn't going to happen.

 

Kagome forced a smile as she heard her name called over the loud music. Glancing around she finally spotted who was looking for her and waved to get her attention. A brown haired witch wearing a slinky black costume and carrying a broom squeezed her way through the crowd and sat down on the stairs next to her.

 

“Why the long face, Kagome? You're supposed to be having fun!”

 

The miko sighed. “I know, but Halloween just isn't the same anymore.”

 

“Why? Cuz we're too old to trick-or-treat? There's giant bowls of candy everywhere!”

 

“No,” Kagome answered with a wry smile. “Last Halloween was… well, it was special and this one just kinda pales in comparison.”

 

“What happened last year?”

 

“I really don't want to talk about it Sango. Why aren't you dancing?”

 

It was Sango's turn to frown. “Miroku can't keep his hands to himself. I needed a break from being groped.”

 

Kagome laughed at her friend's annoyance. “Miroku has been grabbing my ass since the fifth grade. If I could get used to it I know you can.”

 

“Either that or I'll break his fingers,” the witch growled. “Now come on! You can't just sit here and pout all night. Come dance with me!”

 

Kagome sighed again but allowed Sango to drag her to her feet and out into the crowd. She tried to enjoy herself, tried to allow the music to distract her, but failed miserably. She just didn't feel like dancing. Eventually she managed to slip away when Sango was suitably occupied with Miroku once more. She tried to get out of the pulsing group of dancing teens but found it more difficult then it sounded.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

He'd hidden his vampire costume from the previous year, sealed in plastic bags so that he could still detect the soft scent of Kagome and even a faint but fading scent of her arousal, arousal caused by him. He didn't want to lose the scent of her if things didn't go as well this time, so he'd picked a new one. He still had no idea what she was wearing and he was getting rather irritated as he slipped through crowds of teenagers dancing, standing around talking, and making out on every available surface. He frowned as he crossed the dining room, making a mental note to no longer sit on that side of the table.

 

He knew she was there somewhere, had to be, but he couldn't find her and without the knowledge of her costume choice the task seemed impossible. With his luck he would never find her and all his planning and preparations would be for nothing. How hard could it be to locate one miko in his house? Apparently it was a lot harder than he'd expected.

 

He'd passed his brother, who he thought looked absolutely ridiculous in his pirate costume, flirting with what he guessed was a fairy of some sort, though the all black and burgundy short dress and tattered wings gave the impression that she belonged in a graveyard instead of an enchanted forest. He'd spotted the monk who was quite appropriately dressed in a purple crushed velvet leisure suit with leopard print trimming. A huge silver dollar sign hung around his neck and the entire ensemble was pulled together with a matching hat and cane. A smirk crossed Sesshoumaru's lips as he watched a witch slap Miroku hard enough to knock him flat on his ass. The fool would never learn.

 

Since Kagome wasn't with either of them, Sesshoumaru assumed she had to be with Bankotsu. Last year at the dance none of them wanted to leave her alone, so surely she was with the only one of her bodyguards he hadn't spotted yet. He wondered what the strange human male had chosen. If he knew what he was wearing then maybe locating Kagome by proxy would be easier.

 

Sesshoumaru snarled when his way was once again blocked by a throng of partiers, making traversing the large open area that had been claimed as the dance floor nearly impossible. Suddenly his nose began to twitch and a smirk pulled at his lips. She was close. His eyes studied everyone surrounding him, searching for the body he could never get out of his mind. He noticed one female that didn't seem to fit as she was struggling to get out of the crowd instead of dancing like everyone else. A few seconds and a closer look confirmed it. He'd finally found her and he'd been right. She looked stunning.

 

Kagome was dressed in a black and shimmering royal blue dress that hugged her curves perfectly. The front was styled in a similar fashion to a corset, two columns of ribbon laced from directly beneath her breasts to her hips where the fabric of the dress billowed out, long enough to cover her feet and give her the appearance of floating gracefully a few inches above the ground rather than walking. The bell shaped sleeves hung nearly to her fingertips and the collar of the dress stood up and out, framing the pale column of her incredibly tempting throat beautifully.

 

Nearly all of her hair was secured in a bun high on her head with just one long section on either side lying over her shoulders. Her eyes were lined in a blue that matched her costume perfectly and her blood red lips stood out on her pale face, just begging to be kissed. He noticed that her fingers were tipped with long nails that matched her lips and when she opened her mouth in discomfort when someone stepped on her toes he saw that her canines were capped with very realistic looking fangs.

 

It took him a few moments before he put it all together and realized that she was dressed as a vampire. Sesshoumaru couldn't help but wonder if she'd chosen her costume hoping to see him again. Finally his brain began functioning properly once more and he realized that she was getting further and further away while he wasted time daydreaming. Now was not the time for fantasies, it was the time for making fantasies into reality with his beautiful, regal looking vampire, and he was quickly slipping through the crowd in hot pursuit.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

Kagome was still fighting her way through the crowd, not making much progress, and she was on the verge of screaming and purifying everyone in the room just to clear up some space. She wasn't usually claustrophobic, but at the moment all she wanted to do was find a quiet place to sit down and continue her previously interrupted pity party.

 

Hands settled on her hips from behind and she froze as electricity shot through her. Her eyes widened as the hands slid from her hips to cover her stomach, long elegant fingers splaying in an attempt to touch as much of her as possible. It couldn't be. It just couldn't be him. While her thoughts continued to deny it her heart begged for it to be true. She was afraid to turn around, afraid to be disappointed when it wasn't her mystery man. Hot breath brushed against her ear and she shuddered, feeling his strong arms pull her back against his muscled chest.

 

“You were not easy to find,” he murmured in her ear, remembering to keep his voice a few octaves lower while inhaling her heavenly scent like he was suffocating and she was his only source of air.

 

“I didn't think you were coming,” she whispered, her entire body beginning to shake slightly. He was there. He'd come to see her again. Why? Why then and not before? She'd been waiting for a year, damn it!

 

“I could not stay away. So, my queen of the night, would you honor me with a dance?” He loosened his arms around her and she turned to face him.

 

“How did I know you were going to be a vampire again?” she asked with a smile. He was just as sexy as the year before, if not more so. “Blonde? What happened to brown?”

 

“Halloween is the one day of the year you can pretend to be someone completely different,” he replied, using her own words and instilling a sense of déjà vu in Kagome's mind. “This year I wished to be blonde.”

 

“What color is your hair really?” she asked curiously. She'd just assumed that brown had been his natural hair color, but now she realized that it was just another part of his disguise. “And why are you wearing sunglasses again?”

 

“Questions I cannot answer,” he said regretfully and Kagome's face fell slightly. He still had no intention of revealing his identity and by the end of the night she knew he would be gone from her life again, liked he'd never been there at all.

 

“Why? Why can't you tell me who you are?”

 

“Trust me. It is better this way.” He gently grasped her hands and brought them to his shoulders, smiling when she took the next step, wrapping her arms around his neck and bringing her body close to his.

 

“My friends are convinced you have something to hide,” she mumbled absently, no longer sure if he was just being mysterious or if the guys had been right all along.

 

“They are correct.” She pulled back and looked at him, frustrated that she couldn't see his eyes, couldn't read them and learn all his secrets. “This night will end far too soon. Please, let's not waste it on things I cannot reveal.”

 

Kagome sighed but nodded her agreement. If she only had him for this one night she wanted to enjoy every minute of it. Sesshoumaru purred as she rested her cheek on his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat as they swayed together, completely ignoring the fact that the music currently pumping through the house wasn't a slow song. Neither could hear it anyway, each completely focused on the other.

 

“Did I tell you that you look absolutely stunning?”

 

She blushed and looked away in embarrassment. “Thank you,” Kagome whispered. “I love your costume.”

 

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her pulse before snaking out his tongue to finally taste her skin again. “Just as delicious as last time,” he said softly, leaving a trail of hot, open mouthed kisses up her throat and along her jaw line, finally reaching her blood red lips. She moaned softly and he molded his mouth to hers, accepting the invitation when her tongue came out to meet his.

 

Sesshoumaru pulled back with a frown as they were jostled repeatedly by other dancers. She noticed his annoyed look and smiled. “You wanna go sit somewhere? It's too crowded out here.”

 

“You read my mind,” he said before pressing one last kiss to her cheek. He allowed her to lead him through the mass of bodies, her hand holding tightly to his like she was afraid she would lose him. Kagome turned to the left but then stopped and backed up a few steps, bumping into his solid chest. “Is there a problem?”

 

“No,” she said quickly. “Just don't want to go that way.”

 

A quick glance told him why as he spotted the last of her missing friends dressed as a police officer, his long braid hanging down his back and his hat covering the strange marking on his forehead. He wasn't sure if he wanted to smile or frown. Was she avoiding walking past Bankotsu so that they wouldn't be interrupted or was she trying to hide from her friends that she was with him once again? He knew that they would do anything and everything necessary to keep him away from her and he could understand their reasoning. He was hiding his identity, something that they were right to find suspicious. At least he knew that she was safe, that she was well protected, even if it was him they were trying to protect her from.

 

She led him to the right instead and after a minute or two of pushing past people they were making their way up the stairs to the second floor which the partygoers had yet to invade. Sesshoumaru was careful to allow her to choose which room they would retreat into since he wasn't supposed to be familiar with the layout of the house. She hesitated as she passed the hanyou's door and then his own and he noticed that her eyes lingered just a bit too long on the room where he was supposed to be passing the evening. Finally she picked a guest room; one he knew she'd used in the past and would be comfortable in.

 

She looked nervous as she glanced from him to the bed and back and he couldn't resist a smirk as he led her to sit on the lilac comforter Izayoi had purchased just for the miko. Kagome took a moment to fully study his costume choice. He wore black slacks and a long black button down coat that hung to his knees. A ruffle of lace peeked out of the top above the buttons and the collar folded back, revealing the red silk lining while white gloves covered his hands. He was once again wearing white face paint, giving him an overly pale complexion. He looked like he belonged in London at the same time as Jack the Ripper and when he smirked at her, revealing his pearly white fangs, she held a hand out to him, encouraging him to sit beside her. After a few awkward seconds she decided she was wasting precious time and grasped the ruffle of his shirt, pulling him down to kiss her passionately.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

Inuyasha frowned. He hadn't seen Kagome in quite a while and a quick glance at the clock had him cursing himself for being so easily distracted by Yura. Sure, Kagome had told them all she wanted them to have fun and not worry about her, but that didn't mean he wasn't going to check on her and make sure she was safe and enjoying herself. He gave the girl one last kiss on the cheek before excusing himself, leaving her glaring at his back. She knew exactly where he was going and resented that his friend was more important than her. It was no wonder the hanyou couldn't keep a girlfriend. If he was so quick to abandon his date for Kagome, she couldn't imagine any girl who would willingly put up with that for long.

 

The pirate hanyou searched the room, his nose working at high speed searching for her scent. His ears caught the crack of what sounded like a seriously painful slap and turned in the direction it came from. Maybe Miroku had seen her recently. He shook his head as the monk came into view, appearing to be doing everything but getting on his knees and beg to keep the cute witch from leaving his side.

 

“Hey, pervert, you seen Kaggie around?”

 

Miroku turned to him and frowned. “Not for a while. Why?”

 

Sango looked from one worried face to another rapidly joining the first. “I found her sitting on the stairs a bit ago. She looked so sad. Do you know what happened last Halloween that would keep her from enjoying this one?”

 

Inuyasha growled under his breath. “It's a long story. Did you leave her on the steps?”

 

“No, I brought her out here to dance, but she disappeared on me.”

 

“Shit. Okay, I gotta go find Bank and see if he knows where she is.”

 

“Hang on,” Miroku called after the already departing inu hanyou. “I'll come with you.”

 

Sango smiled after the two males. She thought it was sweet. Kagome had to be the luckiest girl she'd ever met, though how she'd put up with Miroku for so long she would never know. She knew that she would never be able to handle his wandering hand and eye, and while he didn't want to let her go she'd ended up telling him that they couldn't be more than friends. He was a nice guy, but not the one for her. She hoped Kagome was alright but she was also sure that the guys were overreacting. The miko could take care of her self.

Inuyasha was pushing his way through the crowd with Miroku close behind when a high pitched voice called out his name, making him cringe and thank the gods that his costume came with a hat that covered his ears. When the one yelling came into view his jaw dropped and he couldn't keep from snickering.

 

“Wow,” Miroku said with a grin. “You certainly went all out, didn't you Jak?”

 

“Like that's not the understatement of the fucking century,” Inuyasha said under his breath.

 

Jak stood before them in a shiny silver and black dress, complete with something stuffed in the top to fill out the area where, traditionally, real breasts would go. He was wearing incredibly high chunky heels and a black and silver wig with what looked like a beehive hairdo standing tall on the top of his head. He wore fingerless leather biker gloves and silver studded leather bracelets and matching choker, his eyes and lips painted black, standing out against pale skin. His eye makeup made his eyes look sunken into his head and dark lines trailed down his cheeks, covering the fang markings usually visible there with what looked like running mascara.

 

The flamboyant male dressed in drag posed for them proudly for a moment before making a pouty face. “Inuyasha, it's a crime to cover your ears!” The hanyou's hands quickly grabbed both sides of his hat to keep it in place while backing away as Jak reached towards him. “Fine, be that way. You're no fun.”

 

“Yeah, yeah, what else is new? You seen Kaggie?” Inuyasha asked, trying to change the subject and focus the puppy-ear obsessed male on something - anything - else.

 

“You know I think I did, but I'm not sure. It looked like Kagome but she was dancing with this guy I'd never seen before and I didn't figure it could be her with the way you guys smother her. I couldn't get her attention either. She was totally focused on the guy.”

 

The pimp and the pirate shared a look before Miroku spoke. “What was the guy she was with dressed as?”

 

“Oh, he was delicious, a vampire with the most amazingly straight long blonde hair.”

 

“Blonde?” Inuyasha asked, relaxing slightly.

 

“Yeah, but I don't think it was his natural color. It was the strangest thing. I know he was a demon but I couldn't tell what kind, like he was hiding it somehow.”

 

Jak's revelation made Inuyasha immediately tense once more as he realized that Kagome's admirer had returned and she was with him somewhere. “Which way were they going?”

 

“Well they were dancing when I first saw them, but when I turned around again they were going that way,” he pointed towards the staircase, “fighting their way through the crowd. I'm sure she's fine guys. Kagome's a big gi…” Jak allowed his words to trail off as he noticed that they were already gone. “Gee, rude much?” He turned quickly, making the bottom of his dress twirl around him, before returning to dancing with the other partygoers.

 

“He's back, the bastard,” Inuyasha growled as he pushed his way through his guests.

 

“Now we don't know that for sure, Inuyasha. It could simply be a coincidence,” Miroku said in an attempt to calm his friend.

 

“Like hell. How many vampires do you think are here purposely hiding their identity and hitting on Kagome?”

 

Miroku sighed and watched as Inuyasha grabbed Bankotsu by his braid as they passed and began dragging him along behind them. Wherever Kagome was, chances were good she was going to be pissed when they came barging in. She'd ignored them last Halloween when they'd warned her against the male who was shielding his scent and aura, obviously in disguise, dancing with him anyway and very much enjoying herself. She'd even kissed the stranger! Inuyasha might be overreacting a bit, but Kagome wasn't thinking clearly, allowing her to be drawn in by the mystery of the male and ignoring any and all signs that something was up. Who knows what intentions the guy might have for her!?

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

He couldn't believe his luck. He'd been afraid that with his departure the year before she would be angry at him, worried that she would refuse to see him and send him away, but apparently he'd worried for nothing because she obviously wasn't angry. Last year she'd been shy and hesitant but now, now Kagome was giving him a run for his money. He hadn't expected her to be quite so aggressive, but found that he definitely liked it. She'd pulled his face to hers and kissed him like she'd been waiting to do so all year long. When her tongue slipped out it wasn't hesitant but confident as she encouraged his to join in the fun, and it only got better from there.

 

Kagome was now kneeling over his lap, her hands wrapped in his hair and his hands on her waist as their passion for one another grew, each feeding off the other. Sesshoumaru was sure he'd eaten something poisonous that killed him instantly because never before in his life had he felt so happy, so comfortable and content, and so loved as he did right then. It took everything he had to not think about it, to not remember that she had no idea who he really was, to let his mind fool him into believing she was really kissing him, that she loved him like he did her, and that they would finally be together like he'd dreamt for so long.

 

When she pulled away to breathe he was enthralled by the sight of her chest heaving as she panted heavily, so close he could have kissed the creamy white skin pushed into his line of sight by the top of the dress she wore. She looked like a goddess just like she had last year, maybe even more so because he was now sure that she'd selected her costume in anticipation of his presence.

 

Kagome looked at him, wishing she could see his eyes. It wasn't fair. She knew that everything she thought and felt showed for the whole world to see on her face and in her eyes, but she had no way of knowing how he felt or what he was thinking because of the sunglasses. She wished she could snatch them off his face and throw over her shoulder so he couldn't put them back on. She ached to know more about her mystery man. It didn't make any sense that he could only come to her on Halloween. What was so secret that he couldn't tell her who he was?!?

 

His hands slid from her waist up her back, one gently pushing at the back of her neck to bring her lips back to his and the other brushing covered clawed fingertips over her cheek and down her throat, cautiously tracing along the edge of the dress, teasing silky skin and making her shiver and moan against him. He moaned with her as one of her hands left his hair and trailed down the front of his chest, her fingertips tracing his muscles. He wished she could touch more of him, but as much as he wanted to he couldn't open the top of his costume without risking her figuring out his secret. He also wished he could feel more of her but he couldn't take the gloves off. He hadn't thought about how they would inhibit his touch but now he wanted to kick himself for it. He'd only thought that it would be easier than painting his hands and wrists like he'd done the previous year.

 

“Mmmm, take off the sunglasses,” she asked softly.

 

“I cannot,” he replied before pulling her closer, allowing her to feel his very aroused state and successfully distracting her from his disguise once more. “You are so beautiful, so perfect.”

 

“If I'm so perfect then why do you only want to see me one day of the year?”

 

“That is not the case, I can assure you. I wish I could spend every single day with you, but I simply cannot.”

 

Her eyes softened and she suddenly looked sad once more. “Why? Why can't you tell me who you are and spend every day with me? I would… In a second I would, if you could just tell me the truth.”

 

Sesshoumaru smiled at her and kissed her cheek softly. “That would not be the case if you knew the truth.”

 

Kagome growled in frustration and frowned at him. “What the hell are you hiding?”

 

“That's what we'd like to know,” Inuyasha snarled.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

They'd been looking everywhere for her but the large crowd and mass of smells made following her specific scent more difficult. Once they'd figured out that she'd gone upstairs they were more worried as they opened door after door, finding all the rooms empty. What the fuck was the matter with her that she'd gone upstairs alone with a guy she knew nothing about? She was just asking for trouble!

 

Bank had been filled in on their problem once he'd managed to catch up enough so that the hanyou wasn't dragging him by his hair, and was just as concerned, though he was more worried and less angry. Kagome had tried to hide how upset she was by her mystery man's disappearance, but he knew different and he had a sinking suspicion that he would disappear once again and leave her heartbroken. She obviously felt some kind of connection with the male or she would never have ignored their worries the first time, let alone gone upstairs with what was basically a stranger without even telling anyone where she was going.

 

They were really starting to get worried when Inuyasha signaled for silence. He could apparently hear something and when he pointed at another door they all wanted to kick themselves for not thinking of it earlier. Of course she would choose the room that she used as her own when staying the night at Inuyasha's home. It was where she would be most comfortable and feel the most at home. None of them liked the thought that she was in a bedroom alone with a strange male that went out of his way to keep his identity a secret, and rather than knocking, Inuyasha swung the door open quietly and they all entered, silently listening to their discussion while trying to contain the urge to pull her off the guy's lap and to safety and then kick his ass and give her a stern talking to.

 

“That would not be the case if you knew the truth,” the male said softly.

 

They heard Kagome growl in frustration before asking, “What the hell are you hiding?”

 

“That's what we'd like to know,” Inuyasha snarled, causing the two to turn quickly.

 

Kagome almost leapt out of the vampire's lap, her cheeks flushing bright red, and Sesshoumaru frowned at the intrusion. He only had so much time with her and they were bound and determined to ruin it.

 

“That's what you'd like to know?” she asked incredulously. “That's what you want to know? I want to know what the hell is wrong with you guys, just bursting in here?! You ever think that maybe I came up here because I wanted a little privacy? I am so tired of you trying to protect me from everything! If I want to talk to him I will! If I want to kiss him I will! I know you guys mean well, but you have to stop!”

 

“Kagome, there's something wrong with this whole thing,” Miroku said slowly, hoping that she wouldn't tear him a new one for it. “Why does he go to such lengths to disguise his identity? Why can't he tell you who he is or at least why he's hiding? And why does he only turn up on Halloween? It's suspicious and I know that you know it too.”

 

“Besides, Wench, when the fuck did you get so fucking stupid that you go off alone with some guy you don't even know? God only knows what he could have been planning, what he could have done to you!”

 

“For the love of God, Inuyasha, he wasn't going to rape me.”

 

“How the fuck do you know? Fuck! You're not this fucking stupid!”

 

“Just leave me alone,” she snarled before shoving her way past them and stomping out of the room. Miroku turned to follow but Bankotsu stopped him, knowing she needed time.

 

Sesshoumaru looked at the three males who once again ruined everything. He couldn't catch a fucking break! He could see that his brother was aching to fight him and he knew he couldn't let it happen. There was no way he could continue to hide his identity while fighting with the hanyou. As much as he hated running away he didn't see any other choice and before they knew what happened, he was gone, using his demon speed to slip past them and downstairs where he disappeared into the crowd.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

Kagome refused to speak to any of them for the rest of the night. Once the party was over and the guest were gone, she made her way back to the room she'd been found in, locking the door and dropping to lay face down on the mattress. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair and it hurt even more this time than it did last year. She simply lay there, running the events and his words through her mind over and over again. She still didn't understand why he couldn't tell her who he was. It didn't matter to her. She wouldn't turn him away. She'd never experienced a connection as powerful as the one she felt when with her mystery vampire. It was even stronger than the one she'd been trying to fight and hide for years now, though also oddly similar. She almost laughed at the thought. Like her mystery admirer could be Sesshoumaru. It was so impossible it was ridiculous.

 

The miko sighed into the bedding, refusing to allow the tears to escape her. She wouldn't cry. He obviously didn't feel the same as she did, otherwise he could never have walked away. He would have found her, tried to talk to her again, but instead she'd sat all alone glaring at the happy couples dancing and kissing. It was then she decided that if he showed up next year things wouldn't be the same. She was done being a plaything. She wanted a real relationship, and knowing the name of your boyfriend was generally an important step. She was done thinking about sexy vampires, done wishing things were different, done dreaming up reasons and excuses for his behavior… she was just done.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

Sesshoumaru had slipped out of the house and snuck back into his bedroom through his window just like he'd escaped it earlier that evening. Things hadn't gone anywhere near like he'd hoped. Not only was their time cut short by interfering bodyguards, but she seemed angry, not at them as much as at him for not telling her who he was; for keeping his secret. He'd enjoyed every second of having her in his arms though, and he would never forget how she tasted, how it felt to have her hands wrapped in his hair and her body over his, how right it felt to wrap his arms around her. He knew it was the last time it would happen. He knew that next Halloween would be different. He could sense her upset from his room and he knew that there would be no more dances, no more kisses, no more anything unless he was willing to reveal his identity to her, something he could never do. It was better just to disappear completely. Sesshoumaru was hanging up his cape, his days as her mystery vampire over for good.