InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Syndrome ❯ The Perfect Dress for the Perfect Girl ( Chapter 36 )

I do not own Inuyasha and Company, no matter how happy it would make me. Rumiko Takahashi does.

 

Chapter 36 - The Perfect Dress for the Perfect Girl

 

 

“Okay, so I was thinking we could start at the biggies; see what their dresses look like this year, see if anything just calls out to us. If not, then we'll check the smaller boutiques, which we should probably do before we settle on one for sure anyways, cuz they have more original, well, not really unique, but fewer of the normal boring same old dress your mother wore to her prom kind of thing, you know what I mean?”

 

Kagome shot a tired, pleading look at her friend sitting beside her in the driver's seat. Jak was sitting in the middle of the backseat with his head right between them talking up a storm, and Bank could only laugh. “Okay, Jak, you're gonna have to slow down just a bit. Kaggie's not awake yet and if you keep moving at that pace before she finishes her first cup of morning sugar sludge you're gonna be dateless awfully quick.”

 

The sleepy girl in question snorted a laugh into her coffee, barely escaping getting it all down the front of her, and shot Bank a glare. “I wouldn't go that far,” she said before giving his arm a halfhearted smack. “And my coffee is not sludge!”

 

“Sure, Babe. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it the girl who's supposed to be all excited about going to every single store trying on dresses while the guy drags his feet and complains?”

 

Kagome laughed. “That's an easy one. Jak is the bitch in our relationship.” Her deadpan delivery had both brothers gasping for breath, everyone in the car lucky they'd been stopped at a red light at the moment.

 

“You know, you'd think I'd have a problem with that,” Jak joked. “Oh, the main entrance.”

 

“I know, I know,” Bankotsu nodded, turning the car towards their intended destination. He pulled up alongside the curb and got out to open Kagome's door before she could blink. “You do have everything? Didn't forget your wallet?” he asked as Jak climbed out of the back.

 

“I've got it. I am the older brother here. You always seem to forget that,” Jak said, faking annoyance.

 

“And you seem to forget that I'm the responsible brother, and the one usually responsible for the precious package I'm entrusting you with today.”

 

Jak stood at attention and mockingly saluted Bankotsu. “I've got it under control, Sir! The package will be returned safely as promised, Sir.”

 

Bank rolled his eyes. “Now are you sure you don't want me to tag along?”

 

Jakotsu wrapped his arm around Kagome's waist and pulled her to his side possessively. “No, I think that my date and I will be just fine, thanks big brother,” he teased.

 

Bankotsu gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before grudgingly getting back in the car, having talked them into letting him drive under the guise of saving them from searching for a parking space and lugging bags to the end of the lot when they finished. Jakotsu knew better, but humored his brother anyways. He knew it was difficult for Bank to let Kagome go, even for just a few hours, and Jak more than appreciated how hard he was trying.

 

As they walked towards the mall, Kagome laughed. “You're enjoying tormenting him with that, aren't you?”

 

“Hell, yes!” Jak laughed. “It's not often I can so successfully get under my little brother's skin and I'm gonna milk it for everything it's worth.”

 

 

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Bank was actually a little jealous, not that he wanted to admit it or anything. He was usually the one who tackled all the big firsts with Kagome and he'd fully expected to be the one, granted not the only one, but still the one to be escorting her to her first prom next year. Never in his life had he dreamt that his brother would get the pleasure instead.

 

He watched the pair walk towards the doors for a moment before pulling away from the curb. He turned a corner and once he was certain they couldn't see him, Bank pulled out his cell phone and dialed. “Okay, I just dropped them at the main entrance, on the North side. You know, if she spots you she's gonna know exactly what you're doing and she's not gonna be happy about it. When she catches you, keep my name out of it, `kay, buddy?”

 

Inuyasha scoffed. “The wench ain't gonna catch me. I see `em. Thanks for the heads up.”

 

Closing his phone, Bankotsu frowned and shook his head. “I don't know why the hell I'm helping you spy on my brother,” he mumbled under his breath before sighing and heading home. It would be hours until they were finished and would call for him to pick them up. It was going to be a very long day.

 

 

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“So, did you have anything in mind? A certain style you want to look at or maybe a color preference?” When Kagome lifted a brow in question, Jakotsu elaborated. “A-line, mermaid, empire waist, ballroom, strapless, backless…” After a few minutes, he noticed the detached look in her eyes and sighed. “Kagome?” When she didn't answer, he tickled her side where his hand rested at the curve of her waist, immediately gaining her attention.

 

“What? What?” Seeing his frustrated glare, Kagome blushed sheepishly.

 

“Where did I lose you?” he asked, already forgiving her inattention.

 

“Ummm, right around when you said mermaid. It made me think of `The Little Mermaid' and then I was gone. I'm sorry, Jak, really I am, but you know I'm not really into all this stuff. How the hell do you even know all that anyways?”

 

“I like fashion,” he stated matter-of-factly.

 

“I guess so,” Kagome giggled. “Since you know so much and I don't… Jakkie, it really doesn't matter to me. I'll be happy just finding something I look only slightly stupid in, so long as it's not too expens…”

 

Jak cut her off. “Don't say it! No, don't even think it! I'm buying and I don't want you to worry about price.”

 

Kagome groaned. “You know how I feel about this. I don't think you need to waste your money on a dress I'm only going to wear once. It's not a big deal.”

 

“Not a big deal? Kagome, this is your first prom and I'll be damned if it isn't a magical and memorable night!” She opened her mouth to protest, but he stopped her once more. “You and I both know that they're probably never gonna find a guy good enough for you to date, and while I'm sure you are happy going to dances with all of them, it's not the same. Your first prom should be special, and even if it isn't that important to you, it is very important to me that you have the perfect night, and the perfect night includes you in what you think is the perfect dress. You're wonderful for doing this for me and this is my way of thanking you, so please…”

 

“Jak, you don't need to thank me. It's not like I'm giving you a kidney. I'm letting you take me to a dance. You're my friend. I don't need anything in return for hanging out with you.”

 

He smiled at her. “Fine, even if you don't think I need to do anything to thank you, I still do and I won't be happy unless I do. You want me to be happy, don't you, Kagome?” he asked teasingly. She let out an exaggerated sigh and nodded. “Good girl. Now, I want you to promise that you won't worry about prices. Actually, I don't want you to even look at the tags.”

 

“But…”

 

“No `buts'. If you look at the tags then you'll be comparing by price even if you don't mean to be. Now promise me.”

 

“Fine, fine, I promise I won't look at the tags,” Kagome muttered while rolling her eyes. “Guys, I swear…”

 

 

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Inuyasha was growling softly under his breath. How in the hell had Jakotsu managed to get her to let him pay and not even look at prices without a fight? He couldn't take her to fucking lunch without Kagome wrestling him for the check, but this guy just tells her how it'll be and she agrees? It wasn't fair, it wasn't right, and it made him suspicious, not to mention insecure.

 

It was taking every ounce of the hanyou's self control to keep from crossing the distance between them and demanding Kagome tell him just what the hell she was thinking before launching into a rather childish game of `If you do it for him then you have to do it for me too'. To be honest, that was what was bothering him the most, at least at the moment. Was Jakotsu's money somehow better than his? Did she like him more because she'd acquiesced so easily? It was making him insane!

 

 

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It was absolute torture, torment the likes of which he'd never before experienced. All the times he'd spent watching her, admiring her from the shadows, he'd always had one positive thought to fall back on, one thing that gave him an ounce of redemption. They weren't supposed to allow her to date anyone… ever! He'd counted on their overprotective nature; depended on it to protect him from what he feared could truly kill him, seeing her with another.

 

Sure, he was aware that Jakotsu was supposedly taking Kagome as a `friend'. How could he not after hearing the half-breed and Bankotsu screaming at each other about it? Still, like Inuyasha, he was suspicious and didn't buy it for a second. Why would Jak go to all the trouble of his overly romantic gesture of asking her to accompany him to the prom? Why write a poem and buy flowers if she was `just a friend'? And why couldn't the fucker keep his hands off of her?!

 

He'd been watching from the moment they'd climbed out of the car and he was boiling with rage at the fool's nerve. He held her close to his body, with either a hand resting on the curve of her hip or an arm around her shoulders, at all times. He'd even kissed her cheek! Sesshoumaru didn't know how much more he could see before his heart leapt out of his chest and threw itself into the gears of the escalator in an attempt to end the pain.

 

 

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Both inu brothers watched from the shadows as Kagome and Jak went from store to store, digging through racks in search of the perfect prom dress. Every time they found one worth trying on Jakotsu snapped a picture of her in it and Sesshoumaru used his camera phone to do the same, for his own personal stalker collection. He knew it was creepy but he couldn't help himself. She looked amazing in each and he didn't know what the pair intended to do with the photos they'd taken but he didn't want to risk hoping she'd post them on her webpage and being disappointed.

 

After several hours of browsing, the two led their followers to the food court for lunch. Neither was paying much attention to their surroundings, both staring at where Kagome and Jakotsu sat while trying to find the best vantage point, when Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru walked right into one another. The taiyoukai wanted to smack his self for not noticing the hanyou's presence so close. How could he be so oblivious?

 

Inuyasha's eyes widened before narrowing and he hissed quietly, “Watch where the fuck you're going, Asshole.”

 

Sesshoumaru smirked, quickly determining how to handle this situation. “Why, dear brother, are you whispering?” He took a very obvious glance around. “Is it possible that you do not want someone to know that you are here?” He allowed his eyes to stop on Kagome, not surprised in the least that Inuyasha's suspicious and distrusting nature led him to follow her. “Ah, there is the little miko. But what are you doing over here when she is over there? Do you not normally accompany her?”

 

The scowl on the hanyou's face was priceless. “It's none of your damn business,” he growled a little louder than intended.

 

“Careful, Half-breed. You do not wish for her to discover your presence, now, do you? This Sesshoumaru is correct in the assumption that she has no knowledge of the fact that you are supervising her and her,” he glanced at the two again, “date, am I not?”

 

“You know what? Fuck you! We'll deal with this later, at home,” Inuyasha snarled, careful to keep his voice down.

 

Normally, Sesshoumaru would have reveled in the chance to get the hanyou in trouble, but this time he decided to let it slide. He had his own reasons of course. First, if Kagome were to find out Inuyasha was watching her it would likely end the day and he wasn't ready to go home alone. Second, as much as he hated it, he didn't want the miko to be angry with the half-breed. He was dependent on her visiting Inuyasha and if they were not on good terms he would be less likely to see her, less likely to have her scent fill the rooms of their home for him to soak in upon her departure. No, he didn't want Kagome angry with Inuyasha, no matter how fun it sounded in theory.

 

“This Sesshoumaru will be waiting, Half-breed.” At least now the taiyoukai had something to look forward to when he got home, a chance to kick the hanyou's ass. He needed an outlet for all the frustration growing inside him watching Kagome with Jakotsu anyway. He stalked away, disappearing into the crowd before finding a new, better camouflaged location to keep an eye on the miko, vowing to pay more attention to his surrounding from that moment on. Inuyasha would get suspicious if he spotted him around Kagome again and he couldn't risk it.

 

 

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Kagome lifted her head and looked around in confusion for a minute before returning her focus to Jakotsu's camera screen as they tried to decide which dress they liked the best.

 

“Kagome?” Jak asked.

 

“It's nothing. I just… for a second I thought I heard Inuyasha, but I can't think of any reason for him to be here. I must have imagined it.”

 

Jakotsu smirked, well aware of the presence of the hanyou that had been following them all morning. “Yeah, you must have. So, what're the favorites?”

 

The miko scrolled through the photos, showing him one every few shots when she found one she especially liked. “There's one that I think I like the best, but… I mean, did I look alright in it? I don't want to look stupid in front of everyone.”

 

“I don't think you looked stupid in any of them.” When she frowned at him he sighed. “Which one?” He looked over the image on the screen carefully, as if evaluating every feature, before letting out an exaggerated purring sound. “You looked incredible in that one. They'll need mops to keep everyone from slipping on all the drool when they see you in that.”

 

Kagome blushed. “So then… you like it?”

 

“Baby, if you weren't my brother's girl…” he trailed off with a wink.

 

The miko smacked his arm playfully. “Yeah, yeah. If I wasn't Bank's girl, what? You know you don't see me that way.”

 

Jakotsu laughed. “Alright, you got me, but if any girl at the prom was gonna turn me on it would be you.” He frowned for a moment as he wondered why he'd said it quite like that before Kagome distracted him from his thoughts. “Then that's the dress for us, huh? So let's go buy it before someone else does and start picking out all the accessories.”

 

“Accessories?” Kagome groaned playfully. “Will this hellish day of shopping never end?”

 

“Well, you could go barefoot, and I'm sure I'll have pockets if you need to take anything with you, and you are beautiful without any fancy jewelry and shit… If you really wanna…”

 

Kagome grabbed his elbow and tugged him to his feet. “Just shut up already. Let's go buy me pretty things.”

 

“That's my girl!”

 

 

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Miroku looked at Bankotsu, where he sat beside him on the couch staring blankly at the television. “You know she's perfectly safe with Jak, right?”

 

“Yeah, yeah, I know that. That's not… I'm just…”

 

“You're just…” Miroku prodded for a moment. “You're just jealous, right?”

 

“No! I'm not jeal…” Bank started to protest.

 

“I am too, you know.”

 

“Wait, what? You are?”

 

Miroku smirked. “Of course. He's got her all to himself and, well, I always thought we'd take her to her first prom. Still, it's good that Jak's taking her.”

 

Bankotsu frowned. “And just why is it good?” he asked skeptically.

 

“Because it's her chance to be even semi-normal for once. I know she's happy going with all of us, but it's different, going with a date instead of with an entourage. She'll have a nice time without all three of us hovering over around trying to keep the big bad world from getting her.”

 

Bankotsu let out a sigh before leaning back into the couch. “Yeah, I guess you're right. You know, she is absolutely going to skin Inuyasha alive if she catches him following her. I tried to warn him.”

 

“Like he would listen to us,” Miroku said with a laugh. “That guy has to learn everything the hard way.”

 

 

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“I don't know why you think we need to do this. It fits fine just the way it is.”

 

Jakotsu rolled his eyes before turning his attention to the woman standing beside him. “It does fit nicely, but I think it could use a few touches.” He placed his hands gently on the curve of Kagome's waist, allowing them to slide over the satiny fabric. “Take it in just a tad here.” The woman nodded and wrote quickly on the notepad in her hand.

 

Jak took a step back and looked over his date from head to toe before moving behind her. “The straps are just a little too long.” Kagome laughed as his fingertips walked along her sides to encourage her to raise her arms and the seamstress's eyebrows lifted in surprise as his hands cupped her breasts, moving them slightly. “I think maybe half an inch? What do you think, Kaggie? Don't want too much cleavage but too little isn't any good either.”

 

The miko studied herself in the mirror, rather amused by the expression on the woman's face as she put her hands over Jakotsu's, adjusting a bit more until her breasts looked perfectly framed by the fabric. “There I think. I guess you're right about the straps. It's not like I can wear a bra with this thing.”

 

“Umm…,” the woman stuttered for a moment. “Let me grab a few pins. Can you… stay like that?” she asked hesitantly.

 

Jak grinned. “I don't mind if you don't, Babe.”

 

Kagome giggled as they both watched her rush into the back of her shop. “You know Bank would cut off your hands if he could see you right now.”

 

“Ah, but there is the important distinction. He can't see me right now, can he?”

 

“And what's to keep me from telling him?” she teased.

 

“The desire for your prom date to actually be able to dance with you? Or because you think her reaction is more than worth it.”

 

“Hmm,” Kagome hummed. “You'd think she'd never seen a guy grab a girl's tits before.”

 

“Well, probably not in that context anyway.” The two fell silent as the seamstress bustled back into the room to pin the straps in place, both finding it difficult not to laugh aloud.

 

 

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Inuyasha was moments from revealing himself and kicking some ass. How dare Jakotsu touch her?! It was bad enough he had his arm around her, kissed her cheek, and held her hand, but this… And why the hell wasn't she stopping him? Even though she was used to having three guys around all the time to protect her, she could still more than take care of herself and if anyone else had… had… groped her like that, well, she would have knocked them into next week where he'd be waiting to finish the job. Instead she was acting like everything was perfectly fine!

 

Bankotsu would be getting an earful, that's for sure. There was no way his brother had innocent intentions for Kagome. Going to prom as `friends' certainly didn't include making it to second base! Something sinister was going on and now he had proof! `Wait, proof!' the hanyou thought to himself, whipping out his cell phone and snapping a picture, for a second considering himself lucky that they'd held the pose for so long until he remembered exactly what pose they were in at least. Let's see Bank make excuses for this one!

 

 

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The pain in his chest was worse than he'd ever experienced before, seeing her allowing another to touch her so intimately. If it wouldn't have made her hate him more than she already did, Sesshoumaru would have already killed the offending male. As it was though, he could barely breathe until Jakotsu's hands left her perfect breasts, and even then his beast was raging in his mind. The taiyoukai was nearly catatonic for the remainder of the fitting, finally snapping out of it in time to follow the couple, who he now did not doubt were indeed a couple, to another store.

 

 

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Picking out Jak's prom attire hadn't taken nearly as long as hers. It hadn't been easy to get her to accept the fact that he fully intended to purchase the perfect jewelry to compliment the perfect dress, but eventually Kagome caved to Jakotsu's will. She didn't bother to protest about the shoes and bag, but she did demand to know just why she needed a salon appointment for the morning of the prom. She could do her own hair! However, once he'd finished his spiel about how she deserved to be pampered she gave in. Who was she to complain? She hated doing her own nails and makeup, so why not let someone else do it for her for a change?

 

It was getting dark by the time they were sitting on a bench outside waiting for Bankotsu, and Kagome leaned her head on Jak's shoulder with a yawn. “Thanks, Jakkie. I think this is gonna be a lot of fun.”

 

“I think so too. I can't imagine anyone else I could possibly have a better time with than you. You're going to be the most beautiful girl in the place.”

 

“Nah, but it's sweet of you to say so anyway. Jak… so you really don't like any of the girls at school?”

 

He looked contemplative for a moment before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “Kaggie, I don't think I like girls at all.” Kagome opened her mouth to reply but closed it again as a car pulled up alongside the curb. “Don't… Don't say anything to anyone, okay, Babe? Especially Bank.” She nodded and they both rose.

 

Miroku climbed out of the passenger seat and Kagome gave him a quick hug before surprising him by climbing into the back, Jak following behind. She was always given the front seat, but apparently she didn't want it this time around.

 

Both of her friends began questioning her about the day, but their voices were just background noise as she watched Jakotsu. He looked so nervous and insecure, worried, like he regretted his words and she had to reassure him. Kagome wrapped her arm around his shoulders and kissed his cheek before whispering in his ear, “It doesn't matter to me one way or the other. I still love you.” The look of relief in his eyes made her heart ache for him.

 

“Kagome? Kagome, is everything alright?” Bank repeated for the hundredth time, trying to interpret the strange looks he could see in the rearview mirror being shared between his brother and his best friend.

 

Finally she snapped out of it and realized that both Bankotsu and Miroku were now obviously concerned. Needing an excuse, she grinned at them. “Sorry, I was just thinking. I'm hungry. Let's grab some burgers.”

 

Miroku laughed and Bank shook his head in amusement. “Didn't you get enough junk food at the mall? No burgers. We need to put some real food in you.”

 

“That works too, so long as we get some food in me soon! I'm surprised Inu isn't with you two.”

 

The two males in the front seat glanced nervously at each other for a moment before Miroku spoke. “Oh, well, he had… something to do today.” He knew it didn't sound convincing, but lying to Kagome was not his forte.

 

“Oh well. Too bad for him I don't feel like waiting for him to meet us.”

 

“When do you ever feel like waiting when food is concerned? He won't mind. He's busy anyway. Now, tell us all about it. Did you find a dress?”

 

 

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Sesshoumaru watched as the love of his life climbed into the backseat of a car with another male, the two sitting far too close together for his comfort. He had gotten used to seeing her touching her other friends, his brother included, but Jakotsu was a different story and he was having a much harder time making the pain in his chest fade away. He had to think of something, of some way to fix this. He wouldn't survive if she really started dating this guy. No, he had to figure something out.

 

A small smile pulled at his lips. He was sure that Inuyasha had seen everything that he had that day, including the less than friend-appropriate touching. He knew how suspicious he already was as to Jakotsu's intentions. Maybe the half-breed would solve his problem for him.

 

The taiyoukai let out a miniscule sigh before turning and heading back inside. He had a few things to pick up and he certainly didn't want to make a second visit if he didn't have to. Oh, the things he would do for just a glimpse of Kagome. Damn, he hated the mall.