InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ To Bear Witness ❯ Blind Date and How To Wake a Miko Without Getting Killed ( Chapter 8 )

{Disclaimer: See another chapter b/c it ain't here.}

Chapter Eight: Blind Date and How to Wake a Miko Without Getting Killed

I expect that woman will be the last thing civilized by man.

-George Meredith, 'The Ordeal of Richard Feverel'-

*2:45 AM Thursday*

Sesshoumaru watched in mild concern as Kagome tossed in her sleep. He could hear her muttering something but couldn't make it out what she was saying, even in his humanoid form.

He left the easy chair and moved to her side of the bed, but still he couldn't hear her. He could tell that something bothered her, and was tempted to wake her until she sighed and rubbed her cheek against his pillow. Kagome then grabbed it and wrapped herself around it, sighing happily before falling back into slumber. Sesshoumaru shook his head in amusement and reached down to brush aside a stray hair on her face. Kagome leaned into the touch and whimpered when he pulled away.

Sesshoumaru pondered this strange reaction, especially when one of his claws grazed her skin when he did it again. He allowed his fingers to rest on her cheek for a moment before he decided to return to the easy chair. As Sesshoumaru lifted his hand, Kagome grabbed it, then opened her eyes. Sesshoumaru stood completely still as she stared at him, wondering what was so interesting about his face.

'Oh…I forgot. I'm in my humanoid form now,' Sesshoumaru reminded himself as he ran his tongue along a fang. He smirked down at her, knowing the effect the moonlight would have on his features and markings. Instead of a scream like he expected, Kagome kissed the palm of his hand.

"There you are," she whispered sleepily. "I was almost beginning to worry about you."

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened as she slipped back into dreamland, waiting until then to slip his hand out of her grasp and return to his chair.

'I will have to ask her about that in the morning,' Sesshoumaru concluded as he resumed watching over her.

*2:05 PM*

Kagome sighed as she emerged from her dream. 'I could almost swear he was real this time,' she thought as she touched her cheek. 'Almost, but not quite. You really are going bonkers, Kago-girl.' She rolled onto her back, noticing for the first time that she wasn't in her chair, but in a bed. 'Wonder how I got here,' she pondered as she scratched her neck.

It was then that she noticed the halter top she had on last night was gone.

Kagome hurriedly glanced to her side and breathed a sigh of relief when she found herself in bed alone. 'Well, there goes that theory, thank God,' Kagome said as she reached for the clock on the nightstand. As she did so, she glanced at her hand, and was surprised again when she didn't see her hand at all. Instead, she found a dark green sleeve that was at least three sizes too big…

And obviously belonged to a man.

'Guess I shouldn't have dismissed that theory so quickly.'

Kagome gasped as she sat up, tugging at the shirt desperately. "Where is my bathing suit top?" she whispered.

"Your second in command, Sango, removed it last night," Sesshoumaru said as her head jerked up. She gasped again, clutching the shirt closed and blushing furiously.

"Um, sorry Mr. Takamada. I overslept and you missed work. You must think I'm so unprofessional. I didn't mean-"

"I don't want to hear it," Sesshoumaru said as he moved to sit on the edge of the bed. Kagome stared silently as he patted her knee through the covers. "You were tired and if I really wanted to go to work I would have woken you up or gone with Houshi as my assistant. That is twice you've saved my life."

"More like the law of gravity saved your life," Kagome grumbled as she swung her legs from under the blankets, keeping her lap covered. Sesshoumaru chuckled quietly at her distress.

"You are still wearing the shorts."

Kagome blinked, then peeked under the blankets. Sure enough, there were the corduroy shorts. Kagome crumpled backwards in relief, earning another chuckle from Sesshoumaru.

"Is the idea of being nude in my bed that disturbing?" he asked innocently, watching as Kagome's cheeks turned pink. She glared up at him, frowning at the amusement in his eyes.

"That wouldn't be professional," she said as she sat up. "After all, relationships between officers and their charges only complicate things."

"Who said anything about a relationship?" Sesshoumaru countered, inwardly wondering why her saying that managed to irk him. "It would be common sense to remove a wet bathing suit before putting you into bed. After all, the mattress would never dry."

Kagome blushed further as Sesshoumaru got up and walked to the door. He looked over his shoulder, the small smile on his face hidden by his loose, blonde hair. "Don't look like that. I want to watch a movie. Know of a good one?"

Kagome jumped up instantly, a bright smile on her face. "Yeah! 'Blood Moon'!"

"Huh?" Sesshoumaru replied in a very un-Sesshoumaru-like response.

"You've never heard of 'Blood Moon'?" Kagome gaped at him in horror. Sesshoumaru shook his head no.

"You poor man!" Kagome chirped as she grabbed his hand and practically dragged him into the living room. "Where's the TV?"

Sesshoumaru totally missed her question as he wondered why it felt so…good to hold her hand. His hand seemed to engulf hers, leaving her to grasp his pinky finger like a child. He finally heard her question and reached on one of the coffee tables for a remote. He pointed it toward one of the walls, and Kagome watched as a panel of the wall slid back to reveal a large flat-screen TV.

Kagome looked back at him and grinned. "That's so cool!" she cooed.

Sesshoumaru shook his head, finding her amazement as amusing as everything else about her. "What is 'Blood Moon'?"

Kagome blinked, then smiled again. "Oh yeah! I was explaining that, wasn't I?" Sesshoumaru fought the urge to roll his eyes as she continued. "It's a martial arts moving starring Gary Daniels."

"Who?"

Kagome exhaled sharply. "Gary Daniels! You've never heard of him?"

Sesshoumaru shook his head no. Kagome leaned over the table and opened the TV guide. She held her hair back as she read, missing the adoring look on Sesshoumaru's face. 'That shirt could be a dress for her,' Sesshoumaru mused as Kagome shoved the sleeves back. 'It makes her look like she's…mine.' He nearly smiled, but squashed it when Kagome turned to him.

"Geez. Oh well." She grabbed the remote out of his hand and pointed it at the TV. "Let's see if we can find it!"

"Maybe you should take a shower first. Plus, I would like my shirt back."

Kagome blushed, then ran to the bathroom. A few minutes later she was back, wearing a pair of white shorts and a pink spaghetti-strap tank top. By then Sesshoumaru found the movie she suggested, and was already sitting down with a bowl of popcorn. Kagome plunked down beside him, and together they waited for the movie to start.

By midnight, they'd seen at least three Gary Daniels films.

*8:20 PM Inuyasha's Date*

"Did you enjoy yourself tonight?" Inuyasha asked Katrina over dinner. "I've never seen that movie before, so I apologize if you didn't like it."

"It was great!" Katrina chirped, lightly patting his hand. "I've wanted to see '28 Days' for the longest!"

"Me too!"

They both fell back into silence as they ate.

*

"Man, that guy's worse than I am," Miroku grumbled as he and Sango watched Inuyasha and his date. "I mean, he hasn't tried to feel her up yet."

"Not all guys are as perverted as you," Sango replied dryly. Miroku feigned a pout, then flagged down one of the rose peddlers.

"Hey! You see that guy over there?" he asked as he pointed to Inuyasha's table. The peddler nodded. "Well, this is his first date with the girl he's with. Do you think you could come up with something smooth to get him some points?"

"Of course," the peddler whispered before walking away.

*

"Sir?"

Inuyasha turned, finding one of the rose peddlers at his side. He extended a rose to him with a low bow.

"Can I help you?" Inuyasha rudely asked. The peddler blinked, then recovered. "Cupid himself has asked me to grace you with one of his arrows," he said, motioning behind him. Inuyasha looked around him to find Miroku waving and giving him the double thumbs up. Sango lightly whapped him upside the head, but smiled and motioned for Inuyasha to take the rose. Inuyasha smiled back and took the rose from the peddler, palmed a ten and gave it to him in exchange.

"Tell 'Cupid' I send my humble thanks," he said. The peddler nodded and walked away. Inuyasha nervously handed Katrina the rose.

"It's not as sharp as Cupid's arrows," he told her as she took it. Katrina nodded and placed the rose to her nose.

"True, but it may be more effective."

Inuyasha blinked in obvious surprise as Katrina giggled. "Are you ready to go?" he asked. Katrina nodded and Inuyasha motioned for the checks. After paying for his and Sango and Miroku's meal they left the restaurant, with Inuyasha and Katrina in the lead and Sango and Miroku behind. Sango and Miroku were currently discussing Kagome's condition.

"Let me page her real quick," Sango said as she pulled out her shades. After a moment Kagome's voice came through.

"You guys alright?"

"Are we alright?" Sango exclaimed, earning strange looks from passerbys. "Are YOU alright?"

"I'm fine. Don't worry. OOOOO!!!"

"What?" Sango asked, stopping. Miroku stopped beside her. "What is it? Is there trouble?"

"No trouble," came Sesshoumaru's voice from the other end. "It seems Kagome likes this Gary Daniels character more than I realized."

"Oh hell," Sango groaned. "What is it?" Miroku asked.

"Kagome's watching Gary Daniels movies."

"Oh no," Miroku groaned, leaning against a nearby wall.

"How did you get Kagome's shades?" Sango asked Sesshoumaru.

"She nearly hit me with them."

"That's what I though. Thanks Mr. Takamada. We'll keep in touch."

"Of course."

Sango sighed and put the shades in her pocket. "Kagome's so funny when she watches that guy."

"No she's not," Miroku disagreed. "She's scary. Its like she's obsessed or something."

"Poor Mr. Takamada," Sango sighed. Miroku nodded in agreement. "I'm just glad she's feeling better," Sango said as they caught up the Inuyasha. "I mean, I haven't seen her act like this in a while."

"I just don't understand what's going on," Miroku complained. "She's never reacted this bad on our other missions."

"I know." Sango sighed. "I guess it might have something to do with Mr. Takamada."

"Not understanding," Miroku said as he stopped. Sango sighed.

"Kagome's grandfather saw whatever power Kagome has when she was only a baby, which is why he decided to train her as a miko. He and all of his friends trained Kagome in any martial arts they could get for her, plus any weapon available. Katanas, daggers, crossbows, anything in Kagome's hands is a potential weapon. I've seen her fight with a broomstick as if it were an everyday thing."

"But what about the other stuff?" Miroku asked.

"That other stuff is Kagome's inner power. When we were children, Kagome could do amazing stuff with it. We were on a camping trip with her grandfather one night when we fell in a stream by her grandfather's shrine. We soaked every match we had. Kagome's grandfather looked livid, but told Kagome to make a fire anyway. I'm thinking she's going to do the old rub-two-sticks-together technique, but she didn't. She made a small circle with some rocks, tossed some sticks inside and jabbed an arrow in the middle. It burst into flames."

"Woah."

"Damn skippy."

"Eeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!"

Sango and Miroku looked around, only to find Inuyasha and Katrina missing.

"Where are they?" Sango asked as she looked around. "I don't know," Miroku replied, "But maybe they went this way."

He and Sango followed the sound to a nearby alley.

*

"Give me all your money, man!"

Inuyasha watched with narrowed eyes as the assailant grabbed Katrina from behind. He thrust a knife to her throat harshly.

"Didn't you hear me? Give me your fucking money! Now!"

A single tear slipped down Katrina's face, snapping the last of Inuyasha's control. In a streak of black he zipped forward and backhanded the mugger into a nearby wall, unconscious. Katrina fell to her knees, shaking slightly as Inuyasha kneeled before her.

"Are you ok?" he asked as Sango and Miroku rounded the corner.

"What happened?" Miroku asked.

"We were nearly mugged. Can you stand Katrina?"

"Of course," Katrina said. She stood for a full two seconds before crumpling back to the ground. Inuyasha chuckled and picked her up. "You can stand, huh?"

"I did."

"Yeah, for two seconds."

Katrina groaned in embarrassment as Inuyasha carried her to the car. Miroku and Sango sat in the front as Inuyasha and Katrina sat in the back.

"You saved my life," Katrina whispered.

"It was nothing."

"It's something to me," she whispered, nuzzling her face into his neck. Inuyasha blushed slightly, but held her closer as they drove to her house in silence, missing the knowing looks from Miroku and Sango.

*

"Thanks for tonight," Katrina said as Inuyasha walked her to her front door. "It was fun, except for the mugging part. I owe you."

"You don't owe me a thing," Inuyasha assured her. "I didn't want you hurt."

"Well, I still want to do something for you. How about dinner next Wednesday?"

Inuyasha flinched, remembering the ball he had to attend. "I can't…but…"

"But?" Katrina asked, her eyebrow raised.

"How about you come with me to a company ball?"

Katrina smiled and nodded. "Same day, right?" Inuyasha nodded. "Alright then. See you then." She kissed his cheek and went inside, leaving Inuyasha to his thoughts as he returned to the car.

'Maybe this is a good thing,' Inuyasha told himself as he entered the car. 'After all, Fluffy might be right. It would make more sense to get to know someone different than Kikyou, or Marshal Higurashi.' He smiled to himself as Miroku pulled out of the driveway, heading for the hotel.

*3:08 AM Saturday, Sesshoumaru's Room*

Kagome woke with a start, blinking to adjust to the darkness of the room. She sighed finally and sat up, looking out the balcony doors.

'Nope, nothing there,' she told herself. 'So what woke me up?'

A feeling of fingers grazing her stomach made her look down. Nothing was in her lap, but it did it again, this time with a little pressure. 'That must have been it. What's causing it?'

She looked up at a moan from in front of her. Sesshoumaru seemed to be having a bad dream, tossing and turning in bed as he fought something. Kagome moved to the foot of the bed, trying to decide what to do.

"Father!" a teenaged Sesshoumaru cried as he landed in the clearing. His father was leaning heavily against a tree as the dragon he was fighting struggled to get up. He leveled his heavy gaze to Sesshoumaru as he kneeled before him.

"What are you doing here?" Sesshoumaru's father asked as Sesshoumaru began to check him for wounds.

"I heard the battle and came to help," Sesshoumaru told him. His father shook his head. "No, you must leave. I can't let you get hurt."

"No! You can beat him!"

Sesshoumaru's father nodded slowly. "I can, but not with you here. You must promise me, no matter what, you'll take care of Inuyasha and his mother."

"What are you talking about?" Sesshoumaru asked as he bandaged a wound on his father's arm. "You're coming home, right?"

"No…" Sesshoumaru stared at him wide-eyed as his father grasped his haori. "Promise me you'll protect them!"

"Hai….I will."

"Good." Sesshoumaru's father sighed. "I love you, my son. Never forget that."

"I won't Father. Let me help you."

In that instant, Sesshoumaru's father tossed him out of the clearing, a hundred miles away into a nearby stream. Sesshoumaru nearly shrieked as he went under, the cold water assaulting every cell in his body as he struggled to rise to the surface. He burst out in a flash of red and gold youki, streaking through the air in an attempt to get back to his father. An explosion a few miles ahead of him blew him back to the stream, and again he sputtered and clawed for the surface.

When Sesshoumaru finally made it back to the clearing, the only thing he could find of his father's was a single black slipper; he and the dragon completely obliterated.

Sesshoumaru jumped up sharply, startling Kagome. She watched as his sleep-fogged eyes scanned her, then as he backed away from her. Kagome moved to his bedside and reached for him. He scooted back on all fours, forcing Kagome to climb on the bed to reach him.

"What is it, Mr. Takamada?" she asked as she slowly crawled to him. "What's wrong?" Sesshoumaru continued to back away from her, nearly reaching the edge of the bed. "It was only a dream, Mr. Takamada. Please calm down." Sesshoumaru continued to elude her, a low growl rising out of his throat and between his lips.

"You know," Kagome said, figuring that this would be the best way to disarm him. "You almost sound like a real dog. You could win prizes at county fairs."

Sesshoumaru blinked, giving Kagome enough time in his confusion to reach him. She grabbed his shoulder with one hand and cupped the side of his head with the other, sending a pink burst of energy directly to his nervous system. Sesshoumaru blinked again, then relaxed. Kagome gently pulled him into her lap, hugging and rocking him like as small child as she placed his head on her shoulder.

"Shhhhh...its ok," she whispered. "I'm right here." They sat in silence for a while, with just the rocking motion of Kagome's movements to distract them as Kagome ran her fingers through his hair.

"Why?" Sesshoumaru asked timidly, obviously still under the effects of the pink energy.

"You were having a nightmare, and I wanted to help you," Kagome answered. Sesshoumaru returned the embrace and nuzzled his face into her neck; relaxing as he inhaled her scent.

"Funny. You want to help me when I have killed so many of you…"

Kagome blinked, waiting for him to explain before trying to look at him. 'He's asleep,' she realized with a sigh. 'Now I have to wait until later to find out what he's talking about.' She moved to place his head on the pillow when his arms tightened around her waist. Kagome groaned. 'And he's not planning to let me up anytime soon. Great, just great.' Kagome propped herself against the headboard, making sure not to disturb Sesshoumaru as she made herself more comfortable. 'Oh well, this is a better place than any if I'm going to protect him,' she told herself as she drifted off to sleep.

*8:03 AM Saturday, Sesshoumaru's Room*

Inuyasha burst into Sesshoumaru's room, intending on telling him about his date, when he stopped cold. A slow smile crept onto his face, and he held his hand over his mouth to keep from giggling.

'Looks like I'm not the only one impressed by a girl,' Inuyasha thought as he walked closer to the bed. He shook his head in amusement, wanting to engrave the image of the cold and emotionless Sesshoumaru clinging to this slip of a human girl like an overgrown pup with its favorite bear in stone for all to see.

Inuyasha instantly came up with an idea. 'I don't need stone. I have the perfect thing in my room.'

He slipped out quietly, then returned a few moments later with a camera. 'This will be so good!' he thought before pushing the button on the camera. The flash went off instantly, startling Inuyasha. Kagome's eyes flew open at his gasp, the whites of her eyes instantly becoming a vivid purple.

"Marsha-" was all Inuyasha could say before an invisible force flung him out of the room.

*

>WHAM!<

Miroku and Sango groaned as they stopped in front of Sesshoumaru's door. "Are they at it again?"

"I hope not," Sango said as she reached for the door knob. "Kagome's the only one who can…wait a minute. "

"What?" Miroku asked. Sango turned the knob and opened the door. "They're not fighting."

"Then what was that thud?"

They rushed into the room in time to see Inuyasha slide down the living room wall opposite them.

"Are you ok?" Miroku asked as he and Sango helped Inuyasha to stand. Inuyasha nodded groggily. "Yeah, just wondering what happened."

"Us too. Care to share?"

"I went in to take a picture of Sesshoumaru, and the next thing I knew I became up close and personal with the wall."

"Oh no.." Sango gasped, then ran toward Sesshoumaru's bedroom. Miroku and Inuyasha went with her, then stopped at the door.

"Woah." Inuyasha gasped. "That can't be good."

Kagome stared at them from behind a purple barrier, her eyes darting dangerously from one person to another as she tightened her hold on a slumbering Sesshoumaru. The barrier grew to the edge of the bed, then stopped.

Inuyasha tried to touch it, but was shocked in an instant. 'Oh hell,' he thought as he started to panic. 'They'll know now that I'm not human. I knew I shouldn't have touched that-'

"Ouch!" Sango exclaimed, pulling back her finger. "That hurt!"

Inuyasha breathed a sigh of relief, even though his finger was developing a small bruise. Sango's was developing one as well. She popped it in her mouth as Miroku asked her what happened.

"Kagome's grandfather taught her how to raise mediocre shields, only meant to keep her and whoever she chooses protected until help arrived. This is different. It's like a weapon and a shield in one. Amazing."

"How so?" Inuyasha asked angrily, wondering what was taking so long for his finger to heal.

"Her magic never reached that level where it could hurt humans, so its odd that it hurt us."

'Hurt you, you mean,' Inuyasha grumbled as Miroku waved to Kagome. She watched his hand, but made no move to disarm the barrier. Sango remembered something as she turned to Inuyasha again.

"Did you wake her up?" Inuyasha blinked, then nodded. "Oh no," Sango groaned. "You scared her. Never sneak up on a sleeping miko. How are we going to wake her up?"

"I thought you said-"

"She's half asleep," Sango corrected herself. "And she thinks someone is trying to hurt your brother. At least he's safe in there."

"Hey, why don't we wake him up!" Inuyasha exclaimed. "Hey Fluffy! Wake up!"

*

Sesshoumaru inhaled deeply, his arms tightening around the wonderful smelling pillow before loosening his grip. He could vaguely make out Inuyasha's voice, and rose out of his slumber toward it.

"What is it, Inuyasha?" he grumbled. "I'm trying to sleep."

"Maybe you should look around first," Inuyasha told him. Sesshoumaru opened his eyes and nearly gasped.

All he could see besides Kagome was a purple barrier surrounding them. Sesshoumaru moved to sit up when a pair of legs held him down. He looked down to find Kagome wrapped around him, her eyes glowing purple with blue-gray slits.

"Kagome?" Kagome glanced at him, but didn't blink. "What's going on?" he asked the others outside the barrier.

"This genius scared her," Sango grumbled.

"Hey! I didn't know this would happen!" Inuyasha countered.

"Don't start Inuyasha," Sesshoumaru grumbled as he sat up, bringing Kagome with him so she straddled his lap. He gently tapped her cheeks, all the while wondering what Inuyasha scaring her would have to do with the barrier around them.

And how did she get in his bed in the first place?

'Never scare a sleeping miko,' he heard Kagome say in his memory. Everything clicked together. 'Inuyasha must have scared her awake, and she thought we were being attacked.' "Everything is fine, Kagome," he whispered as he tapped her cheeks. "Wake up."

Kagome didn't respond. Instead, she stared straight ahead, watching the others on the side of the shield warily. Sesshoumaru turned to the others and shrugged. "Either of you have any ideas."

"The only thing I can think of is to yell at her," Sango concluded. "She's a light sleeper."

"I don't believe that will work," Sesshoumaru said, watching Kagome out the corner of his eye. "After all, she did sleep straight through Inuyasha's ranting."

"But he did wake her enough to do this somehow," Miroku said thoughtfully. "So, what did you do?"

"Um," Inuyasha said, scratching the back of his head. "I was…trying to take a picture."

"Of what?" Sesshoumaru asked, his tone cool behind the threat in his eyes.

"Of…youholdingherlikeateddybear! There! I said it!"

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes, mentally reminding himself of the barrier that would likely destroy him if he were to try to attack Inuyasha at this moment. "Where is the camera?"

"She destroyed it."

Sesshoumaru smirked, "Well, there is some good to come out of this."

"Maybe she has to be shocked," Sango suggested.

"How?"

"I don't know. Something like Mr. Hitame did, except on a greater level."

Sesshoumaru thought about this a moment, then smiled as an idea came to him. 'They said shock her, right? Well, let's see what happens.' Without another word, he turned back to Kagome and brushed his lips against hers before fully kissing her.

The gasp from the others was to expected, but the way she tasted a complete surprise. She tasted like wild forests, sparkling rivers and a warm summer wind. What started out as a chaste kiss quickly became something with a purpose as Sesshoumaru moved to deepen it. He nudged her mouth open with his lower lip, then leisurely ran his tongue along hers. He immediately felt Kagome respond, and opened his eyes. He watched as the purple that clouded her vision faded away, leaving a very startled expression. Sesshoumaru reluctantly released her, but not before he traced her lips one last time.

Sesshoumaru almost laughed at the way Kagome looked at him. She felt violated, but for some reason wasn't mad; just confused. She waited for Sesshoumaru to explain, but the only thing he said was

"Good morning Kagome. Do you think you could let us out of here?"

"Huh?" Kagome said, her mind still fogged by the kiss. Sesshoumaru's gaze flickered from her to the end of the bed and back again. Kagome looked down and nearly fainted. The barrier stood in place, the crackling purple lightening standing before the concerned and surprised faces of her friends.

"That, huh?"

"Yes, that. Unless you have something more important to do."

Kagome huffed in irritation, then blinked. In an instant the barrier disappeared, and a second later Sango dragged her out of Sesshoumaru's lap and into the hallway outside the hotel room. Sesshoumaru stood, stretched, then moved to his closet.

"Well," Miroku teased as he and Inuyasha left the room. "That's a hell of a way to wake up, and a hell of a way to wake someone up. Maybe I should try it sometime."

Sesshoumaru barely spared them a glance.