Insatiable

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Rumiko Takahashi does.


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Chapter 02: Random Kisses

 
Kagome tucked Kanna in the bed after reading her favorite book. She stared at the child's peaceful sleeping face, and she could not help but smile. Children did these kinds of things to her, aside from the fact that children were irresistible – especially the cute ones. She turned on Kanna’s mirror-shaped night light before leaving her room. She took her pale green jacket from the couch and quietly tiptoed her way out of Kagura's apartment. Kagura lived a floor above Sacred Arrow, a well-known bar she had once worked in during college. In fact, she had lived in the same floor and in the room just across Kagura’s apartment when she first got in the University. Like many college students who wanted extra money for their expenses, she decided to leave the dorms and looked for cheap housing near the campus. At the same time, she went on looking for employment. Luckily, she found both in Kaguya’s bar. So it was not a stretch to say that she was familiar with the place.
 
That was 6 years ago. But she could still remember the first conversation she had with Kagura. That memory never failed to put a silly grin on her face every time she remembered it. It was when she moved in. She had already finished carrying all her bags to her room and she was cooling off in the topmost stair, eating a nice and delicious take out of extra-large burger and extra-large cola when she saw Kagura. Kagura, then, was still very pregnant with Kanna. She was bounding up the stairs, fanning herself with her right hand while her left hand supported her lower back. She had been grumbling, and the first thing that Kagome had heard from Kagura's mouth was “I'm starving.”
 
In a split moment of only-God-knows-when-how-and-why, Kagome found herself sitting beside a pregnant stranger who was now devouring her extra-large meal. Kagura had only introduced herself once she had finished the whole meal. Kagome felt like it had gone on like a blur.
 
“Hi! You must be the new tenant and I guess co-worker that Kaguya has told me. I am Kagura, just Kagura. Do not bother asking my last name, as I am not interested of telling you. I am the most beautiful waitress here. I surmise you will be temporarily replacing Yuka. She has injured her arm while wrestling with other shoppers on last week's mini-mart sale. She never learns. She knows she should take care of her appendages. She is a bartender for crying out loud! How can she bartend if her 3 other fingers are injured?”

She had gone on and on. Non-stop talking that all Kagome had to do was to nod her head and shut her mouth. But she did get to say one word.
 
“Do you smoke? Because if you do, then don't come near me. It's bad for the baby. The doctor said something about tarragons or something that sounded like that.”
 
“Teratogens,” Kagome supplied.
 
“Yes! Perfect! Wow! You're smart!” Kagura stated, and started to walk. “Oh, and one more thing, do you think I'm fat?”
 
Kagome shook her head dumbly. Kagura beamed at her.
 
“Good! I like you already!” Kagura went inside her apartment without even asking for Kagome's name. She didn’t even give a thank you for the food. Kagome just stood there, dumbfounded. That was just so weird, but she was soon taken out of her reverie when Kagura called to her loudly from her door.
 
“Hey Kagome! Yes, I have managed to ask Kaguya your name. I'll see you, okay?”
 
Kagome smiled widely and nodded a “sure.”
 
Well, that was 6 years ago, and many things had happened after that, but still her friendship with all the people she had met in this place remained. She slowly climbed down the stairs, stopping momentarily at the squeaky plight she had missed so much.
 
“Hey Kagome,” someone called. Glancing up, she saw Yuka, a petite woman who had short black hair and burning crimson pools. She was Sacred Arrow's bartender, and the one who had shown her the ropes in bartending. Kagome grinned back at her.
 
“Welcome back,” Yuka smiled slyly. “Come on here, baby girl.” She was called baby girl in this place because back then she was the youngest worker. Yuka gave her a crushing bear hug. Yuka was like a big sister to her as much as Kagura was. Unfortunately, they both shared the same ill fate concerning men. They were both single mothers: Kagura with Kanna - 6 years old and Yuka with Yukari - 14 years.
 
“I haven't seen you for such a long time, Kagome. Yukari misses you,” Yuka started fondly. “She bugs me all the time asking me when you will be visiting. She wants you to meet her boyfriend. She's been very excited about it really; always telling me, `Oh mom, Aunt Kagome's so gonna like him, `cause he's an artist just like her.'”

Kagome laughed at Yuka’s imitation of her daughter’s excited high-pitched voice. She was about to say sorry for her lack of contact when Yuka shoved her into the bar and gave her the orders. Kagome stared at her and blinked.
 
“Here, you take care of these,” Yuka said shoving the orders to her chest. “This is how you'll make it up to me.” She winked. “I expect you still have it in you. Or else.” She grinned at Kagome, giving her a mock stern look before going inside the break room.
 
“I hope so,” Kagome muttered under her breath. She had not bartended for years. She was rusty. There were only a few people on the bar when she had started mixing the drinks.

She had bartended for Sacred Arrow for two years during college to earn extra money. Since Kaguya offered the best living arrangements, as far as a student like her could afford, she had also stayed in the apartment spaces above the bar. However, she had only stayed there for 6 months because she had to give up the space for Eri, who badly needed a place to stay at that time.

Luckily, she had found a flat with a pretty view of the park. It was spacious for only a single occupant. It had 2 bedrooms - one she made into a workroom/office, a bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, and a decent sized balcony. Her mom bought it for her immediately. Because it was close to the park, she could take jogs, or would simply relax under the trees just like she had done back at the Higurashi shrine. Of course, she'd do all those things when she had the extra time.
 
“Hey, Kagome. Nice to have you back,” Eri greeted warmly while she took the drinks that Kagome had finished making. “Are you staying for good? Kaguya's been cranky lately. If she sees you, our problems will be solved.”
 
Kagome smiled and shook her head. “No. I babysat Kanna. I’m here behind this bar because Mistress Yuka has taken advantage of the moment and has made me do her job. The bossy lady is taking a break.” Kagome pouted earning a laugh from Eri.

“She’s bossy when it comes to you. Nothing has really changed,” Eri replied.

Kagome nodded. She looked around the bar. Eri followed Kagome's gaze and smiled knowingly.
 
“The sakura's relentless this season. It's been raining sakura petals ever since they have blossomed,” Eri told her.

“It has gotten more beautiful,” she replied.

“We’re getting a lot of reservations. Business is booming,” Eri said before she served the drinks to the few remaining customers.
 
Kagome nodded mutely, her eyes trailing up the ceiling where sakura blossoms clung to its stalks. Like a pink cloud raining with pink, sweet- scented sakura rain. Sacred Arrow, probably, was the only bar that offered such a romantic feel. There was a reason why the bar looked like that though.

It happened just after Eri had moved in and started her waitressing job. An earthquake had uprooted the sakura tree just outside the bar making it lean towards the bar. It had damaged the front wall and the ceiling. It would have been easy to fix if Kaguya had allowed cutting the cheery blossom tree but she didn’t. So she had serious problems hiring someone to fix the problem. It was pretty unreasonable not to cut the tree but the sakura tree was special to Kaguya. Cutting it was the least of her options. That was when Kagome suggested that she'd fix it. And it would be free, which caused Kaguya to raise a skeptical brow. She remembered her boldness that day.
 
“What do you mean you'll fix it? Do you even know how to hammer a nail, Kagome?” Kaguya had been irked by her idea at first.
 
In response, Kagome just grinned at her. She was an architectural engineering student. And she loved designing building and other infrastructure. What she also loved was renovating. And what happened to Sacred Arrow was perfect timing because her team had been scouting for possible renovation projects. Ever since the University had propositioned a challenge to the different college student bodies to contribute their talents and skills to the community, they had been looking for the perfect project: a project with a long-term goal to promote friendship, to embrace cultural diversity, nurture nature, and for the youth to make a difference. Kaguya was hesitant at first, but Kagome assured her that her team would not ruin Sacred Arrow.
 
The renovation team was composed of architecture, engineering and practical arts students. For the duration of a whole month, dozens of students came to Sacred Arrow to work on the renovation. They made changes with the plan to make the leaning Sakura tree appear to grow naturally within the walls and ceiling of the bar. The ceiling was replaced with layered glass, deliberate for the purpose of refracting the light outside. It was functional because it allowed much needed sunlight for the live sakura branches to stay alive and not wither away. It was also aesthetical because the glass was designed to bend the moonlight for it to appear blue whenever it's up in the sky. There had been a running joke within the student ranks who had worked on the project that the people who had designed the renovation plans were romantics, or were just lovesick people.
 
Once the renovation was finished, Sacred Arrow opened to the public with a bang. In the middle of the project, word had leaked out that the renovation was a response to the challenge set by the University, leading the whole school to an uproar, which led TV stations featuring the story. After that, Sacred Arrow became a hit to students and young adults. It even became a popular romantic-date place. Sometimes it was even booked the whole night for marriage proposals, which is good, since the workers didn’t have to work the whole day, be paid for the day’s work. What Kaguya was proud about the project though was the fact the Sacred Arrow had been featured in the University's graduate's yearbook as one of its miscellaneous landmarks, and that one of the most popular and admired student of the prestigious University was once her employee and friend.
 
“You should see Kaguya. She terribly misses you,” Eri told her. She was already cleaning some of the tables. They were getting ready to close.

“Later.” Kagome was still waiting for Yuka to arrive from her “break.” The bossy lady was still missing. Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and faced Yuka standing before her with mischief-filled eyes.
 
“Oh, Kagome, there you are,” a familiar voice said from the back. Kagome turned her head towards the voice and found Kaguya approaching her.
 
“Kaguya, how are you?” she asked kissing Kaguya's cheek.

Kaguya hugged her. “I've missed you, Kagome. I’m quite upset with you. You haven't been visiting us.”
 
“I've missed you too. And sorry, I have been quite busy lately,” she apologized.

Kaguya smiled at her sweetly. Too sweetly.
 
Kagome could feel the dread creeping up her spine. Kaguya did not smile sweetly. Hell no! She would smirk. She would sneer. She would grin. But Kaguya never smiled sweetly. Kaguya smiling sweet was not good.

“I’m in trouble, am I?”

“Oh goodness, Kagome! What on earth are you talking about? Why would you be in trouble?”

Yuka was snickering in the background.

“Because you’re looking at me with that weird smile in your face,” Kagome replied. “I swear Kaguya. It’s freaking the hell out of me.”

“It’s just that I missed you, baby girl. Everyone here missed you. And I’m sure you missed us, too. So…”

“So.” Kagome was freaking out.

“So you’re closing for the night.”

Kagome's jaw dropped. “But –”

“Don't worry, Eri's already helping you clean up,” Kaguya reassured her. “Well, that's all. Ta-ta, Kagome. Yuka and I need to go out for a drink.”
 
“Wait. What? But you own a fucking bar. Why do you need to drink some place else? Why not here? And why do I need to clean up? I don’t even work here.” Kagome whined like a younger sibling to her older ones. She frowned and pouted like a puppy. At the moment, she looked so adorable and Kaguya found it too amusing.
 
“Because… just because, all right?” Kaguya patted her head. Yuka continued to snigger in the corner.

Kagome glared at her. “You two are always bossy! I'll never win against you two.”
 
“Just make sure to lock-up before you leave, okay?” Kaguya instructed and kissed her cheek again. Yuka gave her other cheek a kiss, while Kagome continued to pout.
 
Bossy bitches! She cursed in her thoughts.
 
“Hey Kagome, I'm done. Do you mind if I go ahead?” Eri asked her.
 
“Oh sure, I don't mind Eri. And thanks,” she replied watching Eri heading upstairs to the second floor. Kagome exhaled loudly and looked around. Eri had finished most of the cleaning. She only had to return the shot glasses back, as well as the bottles, and wipe the two tables closest to the bar.
 
“Okay, time to work,” she told herself punching the selection for Marc Cohn's “I Hope that I Don't Fall in Love with You” in the jukebox.
 
Well I hope that I don't fall in love with you
'Cause falling in love just makes me blue
 
She had started cleaning up, swaying to the music when Yuka came running back.

“Oh Kagome, before I forget. Here.” She handed Kagome a red envelope with puppy ears.
 
“What's this?” Kagome brought the envelope to her face and inspected it.
 
“Oh nothing, someone gave it to me. He said someone would get it before closing time. But that person had not arrived yet. So I’m giving it to you.” Yuka was staring at the envelope like it was some top-secret file. “Don't lose it. The hot guy who gave that to me said it's very important,” she whispered and winked at Kagome before she sprinted to the exit.
 
 
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“Do you think he has figured out the note, Shun?” Miroku asked, lying on the couch.
 
“Yeah, Inu is smart enough. He's figured it out.” Shun stared at the TV, his eyes roaming over the beautiful woman smiling on the screen.
 
“Or maybe, he just slept after ignoring the note and decided to buy new furniture tomorrow,” Sango butted in, sitting beside Miroku. She snuggled up his chest. They were in the couple’s shared flat, lounging on the couch, eating nachos and drinking beer. Hiten and Kouga were also present.
 
“I doubt that dear Sango. Coz you see our dear Inuyasha is the type of person who refuses to back out in any challenges. That's why we have planned his welcome back present like this,” Miroku explained to her.
 
“That's just how Yash is, Sango. It would hurt his ego if he took the prank for granted. Even though it was still a joke, it was still a challenge,” Hiten elaborated further.

Everyone waited for Kouga’s input. None came. Instead…
 
“Uhhh,” Kouga groaned and stirred on the couch, wiping his face on the white covers. His face scrunched up to a frown while he moaned, “N… no… It's all gone… Yash… kill you… stole my cookies.”
 
Hiten chuckled as Kouga wiped the drool off his face. Sango kicked his head, stirring him awake.
 
“Why the hell did you do that Sango?” Kouga protested.
 
“You're drooling on the couch baka!” she yelled at him.
 
“So what! Just wash it off!”
 
Sango glared daggers at him. If looks could kill, Kouga had been 6 feet under by now.
 
“If I see a stain on that brand new white couch, I will skin you alive, castrate you, and cook your fucking balls for you to eat!”

Kouga cowered instantly and sought refuge to the only person he knew who could save him. “Miroku, your fucking bitch is hostile. Control her or I'll have her leashed!”
 
He is out of his mind. Hiten thought with an amused frown, as an ashtray hit Kouga’s head knocking him out. Obviously, Sango had thrown it.
 
Miroku sat her beside him. Snaking his arms around her shoulder, he held her chin and made her face him. As if lecturing a 3 year-old, he said, “Now, now Sango, I don't want your wild side shown so blatantly in front of our friends. Just save it for later in bed. Okay?”
 
Sango glared at him before she pummelled his head.

“Awww!” Miroku rubbed his head. “Are you PMS-ing or something?” he tried to ask, but immediately shut up when he came face to face with his livid woman.
 
“Don't even breathe a word about it,” Sango hissed dangerously.
 
 
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Inuyasha stopped the car in front of an unconventional looking bar. If this bar were to be described as a person, he would call it eccentric. The bar looked shabby enough that you would think twice before going inside. The joint badly needed a new paint job. Hell, it needed a new wall to paint on. There was an old Sakura tree only a meter from the doorstep, and it was crooked, leaned towards the bar and partially uprooted. Possibly from an earthquake of some sorts, since the concrete surrounding its base was cracked and uneven in height.

He reached for the note that Shun had left for him. He had read, then re-read the note and all he could do was shake his head at the extent of madness his friends had gone just to pull the prank.

“The directions where to find your things are inside a red envelope with puppy ears. Remember what I've told you about the ransom, Yash.”
 
Shun
 
 
Yeah, he remembered.

“You have to kiss it the hell out of her.” That meant he just have to kiss whoever was holding the red envelope. Simple enough. He snorted. Yeah right. He had been thinking about the possible consequences about kissing some random girl. It would be that she kissed him back, slap him or sue him for sexual harassment.
 
He’d prefer the first one and hell with the rest. Thank you very much.
 
Looking up, he saw the signboard of the bar hanging on the large branch that seemed to penetrate the bar. The signboard creaked eerily, as the wind passed by. He could see the words Sacred Arrow in fine calligraphy over old wood with a silver bow and a pink jewel shattered to pieces. The sakura blossoms that continued to fall from the tree gave the effect that the shattered pieces of the jewel from the signboard were raining over him. It was a sight to see.

He looked around the place. It was too serene for a bar. It was too quiet. Weren't there supposed to be music and people in the bar? It seemed empty. Then he noticed.
 
Shit.
 
They were already closed. What should he do?
 
“Wait a minute. It's not padlocked yet,” he murmured.
 
Maybe I can ask someone inside. He thought and pushed the door open and went inside. He paused mid-step, awe-stricken.
 
“Wow,” he whispered breathlessly.
 
For a bar, it did not look like it was so. Yes, there was a small stage for performances, a tiny bar located at the corner for drinks to be mixed and made, chairs and tables. Nevertheless, what struck him the most was the fact that it was raining cherry blossoms inside. The branch that he had seen outside penetrating the bar was stretched throughout the ceiling into series of smaller branches. All covered in pink with sakura blossoms. The center of the room was bathed with blue moonlight that was breaking through the glass ceiling and sipping their way through the endless rain of cherry blossoms. It looked… magical.
 
The sight had muddled his mind that his other senses refused to acknowledge the soft music reverberating throughout the room – even the woman swaying her body over the harmony of the song. Following a single blossom falling down, he paused and almost bumped himself against a post.
 
“Shit,” he cursed.
 
He glanced up, stared at the woman before him and caught his breath.
 
This was not a woman. She was a goddess. His entranced mind uttered to him.
 
Her dainty hands cradled the blossom and brought it close, smelling its sweet perfume. She was only clad with a white laced tank top and a pair of faded jeans. The leg pants were tucked below her knees. And yet, she looked ethereal – like a goddess basking under the pale moonlight, under rain of cherry blossoms. She was barefooted, sidestepping and twirling to the mellow tune. Her eyes were closed. A small smile tugged her lips, as she swayed to the music.
 
Well the music plays and you display your heart for me to see
I had a beer and now I hear you calling out for me
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
 
Inuyasha was mesmerized. His eyes widened in disbelief, admiration and awe overwhelming enough that he almost dropped to his knees, and worshipped her at the moment. He was probably exaggerating, but he was rooted on the spot, as he followed her body moved. He took her in. His eyes roamed the length of her body. From the graceful movement of her feet to the length of her long jean clad legs, she looked perfect to him. The curve of her hips swayed seductively. The swell of her backside contrasted her narrow waist. Her white top fitted perfectly to her luscious body, blending perfectly to the pale skin of her arms, shoulders and neck. It gave her the image of a half-naked celestial maiden with her midnight tresses cascading like waterfall down her lower back, as she bathed under the moonlight. God, why was he talking like this way? It was so unlike him.
 
 
Well the room is crowded, people everywhere
And I wonder, should I offer you a chair?
Well if you sit down with this old clown, take that frown and break it
Before the evening's gone away, I think that we can make it
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
 

“Beautiful,” he whispered breathlessly that even he couldn't hear himself. He moved closer to her, the soft music his cadence. The sweet scent of cherry blossoms muddled his mind, intoxicating him. But what entranced him – put him under a spell – was the woman before him.
 
 
Well the night does funny things inside a man
These old tom-cat feelings you don't understand
 
He stopped standing only a foot away. From this distance, he could clearly see her features. She had the most beautiful face he had ever seen. Her luscious rosy lips just begged to be kissed. The velvety smoothness of her creamy skin made him curious of how sweet she’d taste. Shit. His thoughts were turning perverted. His fingers itched to comb her raven-black tresses. He was sure they were silken to touch. The seductive way she moved her body made him want to bring her in his arms. Hell, he wanted to rub her body to his. She was captivating. He was hypnotized.
 
 
Well I turn around to look at you, you light a cigarette
I wish I had the guts to bum one, but we've never met
And I hope that I don't fall in love with you
 
He did not know how it happened. But he suddenly grabbed her wrist and spun her around to face him. He rested her hand against his muscular chest, as he cupped her left cheek with his other hand. He caught his breath at the sight of her deep blue pools. They were shocked, as they stared at him, but they were more breathtaking than ever because of the blue moonlight that immersed them both.

“Who are you?” God, her voice sounded so sweet, yet, so seductive.
 
“I'm here to pay the ransom,” he said, capturing her lips in a gentle caress. He slowly moved his mouth over hers, coaxing her to join him. His left hand brushed her smooth skin, as he started touching her: her arms, her shoulders until his hand rested on the delicate flesh of her neck. He angled her head, as well as his own to deepen the kiss. His other hand that cupped her cheek moved down to her front leaving a burning trail from her neck to the upper swell of her breast passed her cleavage to her flat stomach. Finally, his hand snaked around her back hugging her closer to him.
 

I can see that you are lonesome just like me
And it being late you'd like some company
Well I turn around to look at you and you look back at me
 

Kagome moved her body to the soft tune when she felt a hand gripped her. She caught her breath, as she was spun around. To face a silver-haired man…
 
No! Wait. This was no man. He was some kind of god. But god, he was handsome.
 
She stiffened when he cupped her cheek tilting her head up. She gasped, breath taken by intense amber pools staring straight at her. She opened her mouth, an obvious question forming on her lips. “Who are you?”

“I'm here to pay the ransom,” he said.
 
What? Ransom? Was somebody kidnapped? She was about to ask. But he did not give her that chance, as she felt his lips on hers. Oh God, he was kissing her. Wait scratch that. He was eating her lips. The gasp that tore from her gave him the chance to deepen the kiss, as his hands moved to pull her closer. Her knees could have melted when she felt his other hand brushed down her breast to snake around her waist. He deepened the kiss, driving his tongue inside her mouth. From the male groan that she heard from him, she could tell that he loved the taste of her mouth. Her hands fisted his shirt, as he coaxed her tongue to join his. She wrenched her mouth away, the need to breathe too great to ignore. She panted; as she let him rain butterfly kisses on her jaw to her neck, trailing up to nibble her earlobe. She closed her eyes. Dear lord, she felt hot.
 
 
The guy you're with he's up and split, the chair next to you's free
And I hope that you don't fall in love with me
 
 
When she opened her yes, she met his amazing amber eyes. They were dazed, but so full of heat. She was sure her eyes mirrored his. What the hell was going on? Who was this guy? She was about to ask him.
 
“Wha-?”
 
But her question was drowned in their mouths, as he dipped his head for another deep kiss. His right hand tightened around her, hugging her impossibly closer while his left moved to tangle with her midnight tresses. God, he was insatiable. And so was she, because she kissed him back. The kiss turned demanding, as she wound her arms around his neck. His tongue wrestled with hers. For a minute, he let her take control over the kiss. That was sweet of him. But sweet turned hot – oh so hot. He finally took control and explored her mouth further leaving her moaning in his arms. He groaned. The sound was music to his ears.

His right hand moved to her lower back, slipping the red envelope out of her back pocket. He had seen it when he studied her form just a while ago. He grunted, as he felt her left hand massaged his scalp, causing her breast to rub against his chest. God, she was sexy. She was so hot. And he needed to slow down before he lost control of himself. He released her mouth and she whimpered from the loss. That made him smile.
 

Now it's closing time, the music's fading out
Last call for drinks, I'll have another stout
 
His thumb never left her cheek. They stared at each other, both panting heavily. Their breaths hit each other's faces. He kissed her forehead before placing a chaste kiss on her lips.
 
“Um… I have to go,” he said, still staring at her, dazed from their kisses, his lips only a breath away from hers. “Thanks,” he said not even sure, if he was thanking her for the red envelope that he now had, or for the mind-blowing kisses that they had shared.
 
 
Well I turn around to look at you, you're nowhere to be found
 
“Um,” she swallowed the lump on her throat, only able to utter the most obvious response to his appreciative statement.
 
“Your welcome?” her voice appeared to be a breathless squeak.
 
 
I search the place for your lost face, guess I'll have another round
 
 
He smiled and captured her lips once more for a lingering kiss.
 
 
And I think that I just fell in love with you

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R & R!