A Love That Never Was

Author’s note: I promised you guys that after I get the background done, things would start getting fun. So here it . Lo. Love you all.

Author’s note 2: The name Katherine means pure

Disclaimer: I don’t own Inuyasha, but I’ll keep dreaming.


Kat had been dancing for two hours straight and still hadn’t gotten tired. It had been so long since she could just let go and dance. I will never go more than two months without going to a club again, she promised herself. I missed this way too much. She felt so alive when she was dancing. Her friends would eventually get tired, but dancing energized her. She could dance for hours and still have so much energy that she couldn’t sleep. Which she knew she wasn’t going to be doing tonight. She felt like she could go out and run a marathon. Val’s gonna kill me if I keep her up all night. She grinned and tossed her hair back. Who cares, I just want to dance. Sakura tapped her on the shoulder. She turned to look at her without missing a step.

“I’m dying over here!” yelled Sakura over the music. “I’m gonna go get something to drink and chill with Stace and Chris for a bit. I’ll keep p an eye on you and Val from over there.” Kat nodded and continued to dance. Several more songs passed by and she still had no inclination to stop, although she was starting to get a little bit thirsty. Better drink something soon or I’m going to be completely dehydrated before I’m ready to go back to the hotel.

A sweet slow song came on. She sighed. Slow songs were nice, but they were no fun to dance to by yourself. Maybe I’ll go get a bottle of water and chill out until the next song comes on. She had barely started to walk away when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around, expecting to see one of her friends. Instead, she barely managed to keep her mouth from dropping open.

The man that she had been thinking about all day was standing in front of her. He wore a pair of white slacks and a white silk shirt that molded perfectly to his body. Oh my God what is he doing here? He smiled at her and she felt a twinge go through her body. He held out his hand.

ay Iay I?” he asked. Unable to speak, she nodded and gave him her hand. He pulled her closer to him and they began to dance. He hadn’t pulled her as close to him as most men would have; at least five inches separated their bodies. As they slowly moved around the floor, Kat found herself being grateful for those inches. If he had pulled her against his chest like she was used to, he would have felt her heart doing the best job possible to beat its way out of her chest and into the air. She looked up at him. My God, he’s tall, she marveled. He was at least a foot taller than her and while she wasn’t the tallest girl around, she had never considered herself short.

He looked down at her with amazing amber colored eyes. I could stare at those eyes all night, she thought dreamily. The more she gazed at him, the more she noticed that he had a distinctly non-Oriental look to him. His eyes were not shaped the way most Japanese people’s were and they were larger as well. But there was still something very Japanese about him. Maybe one of parents was German or something. That doesn’t explain the hair though.

And his hair. Oh lord that hair. She hadn’t realized when it was tied back how amazing it was. But tonight it was loose, falling in thick waves around his shoulders. It looked even silkier than the shirt he was wearing. Keep it together, O’Reilly, she told herself. If you keep up this train of thought, you’re gonna act like an ass and he’s gonna think you’re a typical club slut.

As they danced around the floor, She tried to relax, but it was impossible. She felt the warmth of his hand on her hip. It was just a hand, but somehow it felt amazingly heavy. Her body kept trying to tremble, but she couldn’t figure out why. Like being near a panther, her voice in the back of her mind whispered. Panther? What the hell was she thinking? There was nothing panther like about this man. But there is something. I just can’t place my finger on it.

She came back to reality when she realized that song was over and they had stopped moving. He leaned over during the pause bringing his mouth next to her ear.

“Will you join me for a drink?” His breath gently puffed against her ear and she barely repressed a shiver. What the hell is wrong with me she wondered. She pulled back from him and nodded. He offered her his arm and she blushed as she took it. Had any man ever offered her his arm before? Not that she could remember. As they walked across the room, she glanced around. Val was working on her fifth dancing partner and the other three were still sitting at the bar. As long as we’re all in eyeshot of each other, it’ll be fine. Usually when they went she was the one babysitting them when they found a guy to chat with. It felt kind of nice to be on the other end for once.

When they reached his table, he walked held her chair out for her and seated her before going to his own seat. My God, could it be? Gentlemen still exist. Amazing.

It was much quieter on this side of the room. She could still hear the music, but it wasn’t so loud they would have to shout to hear each other. As she watched him sit down and realized that she had no idea what to say. Oh come on, she wailed silently. Don’t go all tongue tied now. She was saved by the arrival of the waiter asking if they needed anything. He ordered a scotch on the rocks and lifted and eyebrow when Kat ordered bottled water. She bit her lip nervously and almost jumped out of her skin when he broke the silence.

“It seems you are much more graceful when you dance then when you visit temples,” he remarked with a slow smile. Kat’s face turned red, but her Irish temper refused to let her back down from the challenge.

“And it seems that you are much taller when you’re not lying flat on your back,” she retorted. Instead of angering him, his smile grew wider. Instead he reached across the table and extended his hand to her.

“My name is Sesshoumaru Takahashi,” he told her. She blinked in surprise. It almost felt that by not backing down, she had passed some kind of test. She reached her hand to grasp his.

“Katherine O’Reilly.” She expected him to shake her hand put instead he placed a kiss on the back of it. A tingle went through her as he released her hand. This man was dangerous…but she found herself enjoying it.

“An Irish surname with an American voice?” he asked her. His amber eyes focused on her with a surprising intensity.

“Irish family. My parents were from County Meath, but they had all ready moved to America by the time I was born. And what about you? A Japanese last name, but you speak English flawlessly?” He placed a hand under his chin.

“I grew up needing knowledge of several different languages. I can also speak French, German, and Spanish quite fluently.” Kat’s eyes widened in admiration.

“That’s impressive. I’m horrible at other languages. I had to take Spanish when I was in high school and the only reason I passed was because my teacher felt sorry for me.” The waiter, who had brought them their drinks much quicker than she had expected, interrupted them. She checked the seal on her water bottle. When she had made sure it was intact, she opened the bottle and drank down half the bottle. As she tilted her head back, she was unaware of Sesshoumaru watching the slender lines of her throat as she drank. She put her drink down and smiled, feeling mildly embarrassed.

“ I hadn’t even realized how thirsty I was. I’ll probably need another one.” She grinned and brought the bottle back to her lips, this time only taking a few sips.

“Please feel free to order whatever you want. I did invite you to my table and it would be poor hospitality if you were to go thirsty,” he told her.

“Thanks, but water will be just fine. I’ve been dancing for hours and this is the first time I’ve stopped to get some water.” He gave a mildly disapproving look.

“That’s a good way to make yourself ill, Katherine.” She had always thought of her name as plain, but the way that he spoke made it sound exotic and alluring. She shrugged, more to cover up the way she feeling than anything else.

“I know. I was actually planning on taking a water break when you asked me to dance. I’ll be fine though. I’m not dehydrated yet and I don’t feel dizzy which means I didn’t let it get too far. It’s just when I’m dancing….”she trailed off, trying to think of how to explain it. “When I’m dancing I lose track of everything else. The world just seems to fade away and the only things that exist are the music and myself. The world is narrowed down to just one focus: the dance.”

“Listen to me babbling to you. I must sound ridiculous. My parents used to always say that I over exaggerated everything.” She laughed softly to try and cover her embarrassment. She was making a total fool out of herself. It was a wonder that he hadn’t made some excuse yet and left.

“Quite the opposite, actually. You have a wonderful way with words. I can almost see what you must feel when you dance.” His eyes met hers, capturing her gaze. A small tingle ran through her body. If he keeps this up, I’ll be dead from electrocution before the night is over.

“Well that’s what I do for a living. It’s nice to know that it works in conversations as well as the computer.” His eyes still hadn’t left hers. She felt as though she could drown in that warm amber color and n reg regret it.

She jumped as she felt a hand grab her arm. She turned and saw Stacy standing next to her. I’m going to kill her, and it will be slow and painful decided Kat. Completely unaware of her forthcoming demise, Stacy smiled sweetly at the two of them.

“There you are Kat,” she exclaimed. She looked at Sesshoumaru apologetically. “I’m sorry I just need to borrow my friend for a minute. I’ll return her quickly, I promise.” As she finished her speech, she grabbed Kat’s arm and dragged her away from the table.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” hissed Kat once they were a few feet away. Stacy glared at her.

“Checking on you, brat. One second you were on the dance floor, the next you were gone. We got worried sick. Rnumbnumber one dumb Do Do not leave each other’s sight!”
Kat sighed as she recognized the honest worry in her friend’s eyes.

“I’m sorry Stace. I was still able to see you guys, so I figured I was still within eyeshot.”

“Well you are, but we weren’t looking at the tables. What’s going on with you? In the entire nine years we’ve all been going clubbing, you have never once left the dance floor except for water and bathroom breaks. And besides, I thought you weren’t prowling tonight.”

“Yeah I know. But I really wasn’t prowling. He kind of prowled me. He asked me to dance and then when we finished dancing he asked me to come have a drink with him.”

“He’s the guy from the temple earlier, isn’t he?” When Kat nodded, Stacy let out a squeal. “What an amazing coincidence. What’s he like?”

“Well if you let me get back to the table, I’ll be able to tell you. I’ve only been talking to him for a few minutes.”

“Ok, I’ll let you go, but I want full details later, ok?” Kat nodded. “Ok, I’ll come grab you when we’re getting ready to leave. Chris is getting frustrated, this place is apparently no gay zone and she’s grumpy.”
“Well tell her what’s going on and ask her to hold off her restlessness a little bit longer, ok?” Stacy nodded and ran off. As she walked back over to the table, Sesshoumaru stood up and helped her into her seat once more.

“I’m sorry about that, my friends have a tendency to get a little bit overprotective. They kind of think of me as the little sister that can’t take care of herself.” She watched as he sat back down gracefully. No man that size should have the right to be able to move that perfectly.

“Think nothing of it. It’s rather touching that people not even related to you would worry that much. But you were saying before you left, you use words for a living?” He seemed honestly curious. In fact none of this conversation felt like small talk even though it was typical of “we just met” conversation. Some how it seemed more intimate. Almost like two people who had once been close renewing their friendship.

“Well yes. I’m a writer. I’ve been writing ever since I was a little girl and somewhere along the way decided to try and make a career out of it.”

“Well if the way thaeak eak is an indication, you must be quite good at it. Is your career working for you?” She blushed with pleasure at the compliment.

“Yes it is,” she answered proudly. “I wrote my first novel when I was sixteen. My parents showed it to a friend of theirs who worked for a publishing company. He loved it and convinced one of the higher ups to take a look at it. Before I knew it, I had a contract and my novel was a bestseller. I’ve got five books published at this point and when I get back home, I’ll probably be starting a new one.”

“That’s quite an amazing story. To have an accomplishment like that before you have even become an adult is quite superior. How old are you now?”

“Twenty four. And really, I’ve just been very lucky. If Joe hadn’t been friends with my parents, my novel might have just sat in a drawer and rotted.”

“If it was that good, I sincerely doubt it. What do you write about?” He leaned forward giving her his full attention.

“I’m a fantasy writer. Dragons, unicorns, demons, knights in shining armor. Good versus evil. Stopping the end of the world. All those pretty things that don’t actually exist, but everyone wishes they did.” He seemed truly surprised at her answer. He leaned back and regarded her carefully. She felt her cheeks grow warm under the weight of his gaze and decided it was time to change the subject.

“And what about you? What do you do for a living, Sesshoumaru?” It was the first time she had said his name and she was surprised at how easily the unusual name had rolled off her tongue. His eyes widened slightly when she spoke his name. That’s odd, she thought.

“I am a businessman,” he said and then stopped and laughed. “Well to say that I am a businessman is actually a bit of an understatement. I own a corporation.”

“You seem awfully young to own a corporation,” she told him. “Unless, it’s not one of those internet based corporations that make a million dollars one week and then declare bankruptcy the next is it?” Why did I just say that she asked herself, horrified. But instead of getting angry, he burst into laughter. Oh God. His laughter was low and smooth like honey. It felt as though it was wrapping itself around her and making things low inside of her grow tight. When he stopped laughing, he smiled at her again.

“Thank you for that Katherine. I don’t get the opportunity to laugh very often. And in too answer your questions in order; I am thirty-one years old. I inherited the corporation. It has been in my family for quite some time. And no it is not an Internet corporation. I would never bother with one of those.” Something clicked in the back at’sat’s head and this time she unable to keep her mouth from dropping open.

“Takahashi? As in Takahashi WorldCorp.?” He nodded, seeming pleased that she had recognized it. “You own the Takahashi WorldCorp.?” He nodded again and Kat sat back in shock.

“Oh my God, you practically own the world. I think you even own my publisher,” she told him.

“I hope that this won’t make you uncomfortable,” he said worriedly.

“No, its just a bit of a shock,” she answered. “Well more than a bit to be honest. It’s not every day that you nearly kill a billionaire.” She was rewarded with another one of those laughs. I hope he doesn’t realize what he’s doing to me.

“ I have to tell you Katherine, this is one of the most enjoyable conversations I’ve had in a long timhen hen are you going home? I hope not soon. I would like to be able to see you again.” Of course, you would. The most fascinating man I’ve ever met, he’s actually interested in me, and I’m never going to see him again.

“Unfortunately, that won’t be possible. I’m going home Sunday.” She waited to see the hopeful look on his face fade into something cold and emotionless. Why am I expecting that, she wondered.

“Where in America do you live? I am actually going to be living in America for the next six months for business purposes. Perhaps if I’m near you…” he trailed off. Kat paused for a second. She knew she shouldn’t be telling all this to a total stranger, but he seemed so damned familiar. Be honest with yourself, Kat. This is some heavy attraction happening here and you don’t want it to end.

“I live in New Jersey, right outside of New York City.” She watched him smile and felt a warmth building inside her.

“The office I will be working with is in New York City. I haven’t actually determined where I will be staying yet, but it will have to be either in or near the city. So…” He trailed off again. “I’m sorry please bear with me for a minute. This is not something that I do often. When I come over to America, would you grant me the pleasure of having dinner with me?” Kat felt a soft blush spreading over her cheeks. Damn Irish skin, does it have to show every emotion I feel?

The moment was broken when Chris sauntered over to the table and dropped her elbows on Kat’s shoulders.

“Sorry to break up wheemseems to be a truly touching moment, but we’ve got to head out Kat. Sakura’s getting all kinds of pissy that it’s been a whole five hours since she talked to Jack. She called a cab and it’s gonna be here in about five minutes.” Kat twisted her head around the best she could to be able look at Chris.

“Ok, Chris. Tell her I’ll be right there.” Chris smiled and walked back towards res rest of them. Kat turned back to Sesshoumaru. Oh what the h she she decided.

“I would love to have dinner with you, Sesshoumaru.” He smiled and stood up as she exited her seat.

“How shall I get in touch with you?” he asked her. She pulled out her cell phone.

“You won’t,” she told him. She quickly continued before he could misinterpret what she was saying. “I’ll get in touch with you.” He recited a phone number to her that she quickly saved in her cell phone. She looked at the number for a second feeling confused.

“That’s a New York City number,” she said in surprise. He nodded.

“I have a cell phone that I use specifically when I am in America. It’s easier than giving people the Japanese number.”

“Oh ok,” she replied. She smiled, unsure of how to walk away. He reached out his hand and she gave it to him.

“It was a great pleasure meeting you, Katherine,” he told her, his thuightightly stroking the palm of her hand. Oh God if he doesn’t stop that I’m going to melt right here. This man had way too much sexuality than was healthy for her mental state at the moment. She pulled herself together enough to smile at him.

“And I enjoyed meeting you too,” she told him. He leaned down and kissed the back of her hand gently. He looked into her eyes and once again she felt hypnotized by their warm amber depths.

“Until I hear from you next,” he told her.

“Good night Sesshoumaru,” she answered. She turned around and walked over to her friends before her legs could give out from under her. She shushed their questions with a promise of telling them when they got back to the hotel. They reached the door and she turned her head for one more look. He was still watching her. She smiled and waved before escaping into the night.