Heartbreakingly it began. Taisho Sesshomaru, starring in the Japanese version of the American ‘The Bachelor’, stood unmoving facing the two finalists, Onigumo Kagura and Higurashi Kagome.
The air in the room was thick- almost hard to breath. Sakai Kira, the host, talked to the camera entertaining the audience, adding that dramatic effect of who Taisho Sesshomaru will choose as his ideal women. He was all smiles and over the top gestures, he didn’t care who will walk away crying, he didn’t sympathise nor did he show interest. His main objective was to get coverage of Sesshomaru’s decision and gossip about it. The other women would become invisible, walking away from the scene and away from everyone’s lives.
Onigumo Kagura, professional make-up artist, smirked confidently at the camera, posing quite sensually giving what she could offer. For judgement night, she wore a deep red one shoulder dress that hugged her curves perfectly and dropped to the floor all the while complimenting her red hues. On one side, there was a slit starting from mid thigh, her smooth waxed leg popping out for a peak. As expected from a make-up artist, her make-up was perfect. It fit her image, no more-no less. Jewellery was a major, but when was it never.
Next to her Higurashi Kagome, heiress to the multi-million Higurashi Interior Designs shyly hid her face. Head bowed at all times, it was hard to get a good look at her. She was clad in a black halter neck floor dress. The neck line dipping low for a good cleavage that had diamond studs on the hem of the V-line- simple yet attractive. Her only jewellery was a diamond studded bracelet and diamond earrings to match the diamonds on her dress. From the frequent looks she sent towards Sesshomaru, we could conclude her make up was quite simple and that of an amateur, but the black eyeliner did bring out her cerulean eyes.
The drum rolls sounded- it was time. Amber clashed with blue and red. The air thickened even more, Kira must’ve noticed as he tried to loosen his tie. The blood rose that would soon find it self in on one of the women’s hands was held so casually in Sesshomaru’s hand that it seemed wrong. The air stilled and suddenly the slow rhythm of heart beats could be heard.
“Kagura” he stated and the squeals of said women broke the silence. She jumped for joy all the way to Sesshomaru, took the rose and kissed him soberly. Over to Kagome, it was already expected and predicted. Someone came out with a box of tissues to carry out to Kagome only to be shocked. She wasn’t bawling her eyes out or making a big fuss about why she wasn’t chosen, instead her back was turned towards them, head bowed and avoiding the cameras if her life depended on it. She sniffed lightly and stormed off. She took it better than they thought.
But, the attention was back to Sesshomaru and Kagura. He stood emotionlessly, not smiling or embracing his chosen one. He was staring where Kagome last stood. Kagura and the host took it as a look of utter disgust he felt for Kagome, leaving so rudely, really who did she think she was?
Since then, three years had passed. Kagura can now be proudly announced as Sesshomaru’s fiancé, and as for Sesshomaru, it was hard to tell what he was feeling. Since that fateful night, none of the pair had ever heard of Kagome again or seen her. It was as if she had disappeared. However, just as rudely she had left, she had rudely appeared again three years later.
* * *
“Yes, yes, yes- okay! I’ll be there don’t worry mum.”
“Please darling, your father will not be happy if you are not at the Gala.”
“Relax mum, have a drink. You have my word”
“Well…I guess but-”
“Oh look! I see the airport and is that a short line at the check-in?”
“Really! Hurry over and be safe, okay sweetie. Say hi to Bankotsu for me”
“Okay, bye mum”
Kagome sighed, brushing away the imaginary sweat on her forehead. Oh yeah- she was good. Picking up her packed bags, she placed it by the door all ready to go. Just then, a very sexy Bankotsu came into the room with a towel wrapped loosely around his hips hiding Bank Junior.
“I see the airport” he mocked snorting. “Sure you do” Kagome faked a gasp.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk,” she said stalking closer to the still wet man. “My sexy, hot, Bank, oh how innocent and naïve you are. I do see the airport.” She then pointed to a magazine which had an airport as its front over. “Right there”
He chuckled, retreating back to his room.
“Real funny, but how are we going to make it toJapanin time. It’s a thirteen hour flight”
“That’s why we taking the Jet, duh”
Kagome laughed going back to what she was doing. An hour later, they were both ready to board the jet and leave. The time to get toNaritaAirportwas long, but fortunately for them, it didn’t take thirteen hours. However, less time or not, they were late to the Gala.
Kagome and Bankotsu wasted no time. They dropped their bags at some random (seemingly decent) hotel and thanked whatever god that was up there that had them get dressed in the Jet before they landed.
Arriving at the venue, cameras flashed and Kagome was glad Bankotsu was with her. There was something about Camera’s that made her shy and reserved but with the companion of someone close, she was able to conquer her shyness and gladly pose however she wished.
* * *
It was times like this where Sesshomaru found himself wondering why the hell he chose Kagura as his ideal wife. She, in fact, was far from his ideal wife. Last time he checked his ideal type, it did not include clinginess, issues with everyone, and a somewhat bipolar broad attitude. But, he was sure there was more to add than just that.
“Oh Sesshomaru darling,” Kagura sang twirling in a glamorous dress. “What do you think?” her tone husky and seducing. She plastered herself against the wall with an almost desperate look adorning her face. Again, Sesshomaru wondered, why he had chosen her. The shy and quite type was better than an out going, out of control diva.
“Hn” and that was all it took for Kagura to giggle and glide herself out of the room. If he could, Sesshomaru would’ve have scoffed in disgust.
Looking at himself in the mirror, he fixed his tie. They were kindly invited to a Gala hosted by Higurashi Hideki. There was something about the name ‘Higurashi’ that riled him up and he couldn’t help but ponder on it for days. When his father, Touga, had told him of his acquaintance, Hideki, whose expertise was of interior designing, the surname had not left his mind since, or the nature of profession. Just then Kagura came back into the room- then there were times where he was (for better or worse) distracted because of his choice in…women.
The ride to the venue was not long and Sesshomaru could not have been happier. Not to get him wrong or anything, he liked Kagura. Her position in society and public was highly valued, especially among celebrities, but her nature in general was what he despised. She was just not compatible with him, then again no one was and it was doubted there would ever be one.
They entered, camera’s flashing from both sides. His features stayed emotionless as always whilst Kagura enjoyed herself into changing positions. He watched her from the corner of his eyes. If only the night would come to an end just as long it took to get here.
Upon entrance, the crowd that had already arrived all stopped to look at the couple. They were awed by how good they both looked together. Women gazed their eyes greedily over Sesshomaru, but then when they saw Kagura they didn’t dare glare. Even they knew how good they were with each other. But, that was Kagura dreaming. In reality, upon their entrance, only a few stopped to spare them a glance, almost all the women, married or not, gave Sesshomaru the lust filled stare while Kagura received the one filled with hate and jealousy. Typical, right? They ignored the stares- well Sesshomaru did- and soon found themselves in the presence on the host, Higurashi Hideki.
“Ah, Taisho Sesshomaru, honoured to have you attend. It’s a shame Touga and Izayoi could not come. I was looking forward to their coming.”
“Yes, it is unfortunate their anniversary happened to be today” Hideki laughed. Unlike other business men, he seemed to hold a sense of humour and a much laid back nature. It really did have a comic relief effect especially when you are continuously surrounded by strict, uptight people trying to take over your business.
“Your father tells me you have bought a house and is in need of an interior designer?” Sesshomaru nodded in reply. Hideki grabbed two wine glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and passed it to the couple. They muttered a thank you and continued back on the original conversation.
“Yes, he has praised your work and I am expecting the results to be as high as he stated” Hideki laughed again.
“Touga wasn’t lying, he said you were a bit…you know…” No, he didn’t know, but he did have a good idea. Still he could care less. If the work was to his liking then it did not matter.
“Anyways,” Hideki spoke. “My daughter is the best of the best. She’s currently running the branch we have inNew Yorkand has specially come over toJapanto work with you and Miss. Onigumo here.”
Kagura snorted muttering darkly under her breath that went along the lines of “she better not try anything funny on Sesshomaru”, and if anyone heard her, they ignored it. Just then, someone bumped into Sesshomaru. He turned to glare at the person but got the shock of his life.
“Oh sorry, I didn’t notice you were-” the woman startled, but paused looking up at the last person she ever wanted to see. “..There…”
At that moment it hit Sesshomaru like a tone of bricks why the name ‘Higurashi’ sounded so familiar. It was the surname of his runner up for that live show. Shocked in so many levels, he could not help but utter her name out.
“Higurashi Kagome”