Taisho Promise

A/N: Formatting cleaned up at last.

Chapter 7: Shopping and Strange

Kagome blew a strand of hair out of her face in frustration. “I’m never going to find a nice dress to fit.” She complained.

Mrs. Higurashi smiled at her, “Of course you will dear and I know you’re going to be the prettiest girl at the prom.”

“Yeah, sure Mom.” Kagome growled. “I’m going to be the prettiest, fattest pig in a prom dress.”

Kagome yelped and brought her hands to her head before pouting at her friend Sango, whom Mrs. Higurashi had brought along much to Kagome’s chagrin. Sango was her best friend in the whole world but there were times she was way too harsh. Kagome was convinced that was the reason Miroku liked her so much.

“What was that for?” she whined.

“For the last time Kagome,” Sango stated angrily. “You are not a fat pig.”

Kagome sighed and looked longingly at the racks of dresses, “I weigh a little over two hundred pounds now Sango. Since that incident with Kikyou and her friends I’ve gained weight instead of losing it.” She fingered a beautiful red floor length dress that had to be a size nine before letting it drop. “Just something else I’ll never fit into.”

Mrs. Higurashi placed an arm around Kagome’s shoulders and squeezed affectionately. “It’s okay Kagome, you’re a beautiful girl. The weight loss won’t happen all at once, it takes time and dedication. Your friend Sesshoumaru doesn’t seem to mind that you have a bit of weight.”

Kagome shook her head, “He’s not my friend Mom, just my tutor.”

“Would a tutor go out of his way to make sure no one else beat you up on the way home from school? From what I’ve heard from Sango and Miroku, he won’t let you even walk the school halls alone now. That sounds like a friend to me.”

“I still don’t think that’s right,” Kagome grumbled. “If I didn’t know better I’d swear he had the girls restroom at school bugged just to make sure I don’t get jumped in there either.”

“Oh come on Kagome,” Sango said with a smile. “He just asked Miroku and I to make sure you didn’t get teased anymore.”

“And what’s going to happen when you or Miroku or anybody else he’s gotten to watch over me looks away at the wrong moment?” Kagome asked. “I’ll be up Shit Creek without a paddle.”

“Watch your mouth young lady.” Mrs. Higurashi scolded. “I don’t want you to start talking like that, it makes you look unattractive.” (A/N from Nefra: Actual words MY mother used, hee hee, if she only knew. LOL!)

“Well, no one is going to look away.” Sango stated with confidence. “Besides, Inu Yasha has a promise to keep remember? That is if you don’t have a date.”

Kagome couldn’t help the shy smile that appeared on her face at the reminder. She still remembered the very promise Sango was talking about and hoped with everything in her that Inu Yasha remembered it too. A sigh escaped her lips while she drifted off into La La Land for a moment, picturing dancing the last dance with Inu Yasha. She blinked in surprise when the vision of Sesshoumaru suddenly took its place.

“Earth to Kagome,” Sango yelled in her ear.

Kagome grabbed her ear and glared at Sango. “What is this? Pick on Kagome day?”

Sango and Mrs. Higurashi laughed softly and Kagome rolled her eyes.

“I’ll be back.” Kagome stated and headed to the back of the shop to scope out some more dresses. She didn’t leave them because of the joking, she left so she could try to understand why she’d pictured Sesshoumaru dancing with her. It was too weird.

Finding a rack toward the back of the shop, she looked for the area that catered to her size and started sifting through them. The rack moved slightly and she looked up, her eyes widening in surprise when she saw Naraku leaning on the rack just looking at her.

“Good afternoon Kagome.” Naraku said softly, his eyes glittering brightly.

Kagome looked around a bit hesitantly before nodding her head. “Hello Naraku. What are you doing here?”

Naraku tilted his head toward the dressing rooms. “Kagura and Kanna have come to choose their dresses. I assume you are here for the same reason?”

Kagome pressed her lips together timidly before nodding. “Yeah…I’m just having a bit of trouble finding something.”

Naraku walked around the rack and reached out to take Kagome’s hand. She jumped back a bit, scared at his abrupt move.

“Give me your hand, I will not harm you.” Naraku said, a cold edge in his voice.

Kagome slowly lifted her hand and Naraku took it in a gentle hold. He twirled her around once, looking her over before nodding.

“Come!” he ordered and walked away.

Kagome followed him through the shop and stared at the rack Naraku was now standing beside. The dress hanging there was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, a vision of blue. The bodice was a v-shaped waistline, covered in different shades of blue crushed ice. The skirt was royal blue, floor length and looked like something out of a fairy tale. Her eyes sparkled when she saw that the dress was strapless.

Much to Kagome’s shock, Naraku removed the dress from the rack and placed it in her arms.

“Try it on.” He whispered in her ear, his long hair falling over his shoulders as he leaned toward her.

Kagome could only nod dumbly and walked to the dressing rooms. Kagura was coming out with a frustrated expression on her face, which melted into a bright smile when she saw Kagome.

“Oh my Kami!” Kagura breathed when she saw what Kagome was holding. “Where did you find that dress?”

Kagome smiled sheepishly. “Believe it or not…your brother found it for me.”

Kagura’s eyes looked cautious but her smile never vanished from her face. “Need some help getting it on?”

Kagome nodded happily then looked around. “I should go get Mom and Sango so they can see.”

“I will get them.” Kanna said quietly and disappeared between the racks.

“Come on then Cinderella.” Kagura said. “Let’s get this on you.”

***

“Why the hell did you bring me here?” Inu Yasha demanded, glaring at Kikyou.

Kikyou grinned, “Because you promised to help me find a dress. Besides,” she paused for effect and slowly wound her arms around his neck, pushing her breasts tight against his chest. “Don’t you want to know if it’s easy to get off?”

Inu Yasha put his arms around her thin waist and pulled her against him, his sudden erection pushing against her belly. “You know I love it when you get all kinky.”

Kikyou rubbed her breasts against him slightly before walking into the shop. Inu Yasha couldn’t help but growl heatedly as he watched her ass sway under that mini skirt she knew just drove him up the wall. The tiny tee she was wearing showed off one of her best assets and the diamond belly ring he’d bought for her on their one year anniversary.

‘The sacrifices I make.’ He whispered mentally.

Walking through the shop he heard a familiar voice and whipped his head around to the source. He fisted his hands when he saw Kagome and started toward her. He stopped in his tracks however, when he saw the dress she had tried on. His stomach gurgled when he saw Naraku walk up to her and adjust something on the back of the dress.

“Oh Kagome,” Mrs. Higurashi said with a dreamy sigh. “You look beautiful!”

Kagome walked over to the three way mirror and spun around, the bottom of the dress twirling around with her movements. The happiness on her face was indescribable, making her whole being light up.

“It’s perfect.” She exclaimed then shocked everyone by hugging Naraku. “Thank you for finding it!”

Naraku’s face twisted a bit before he placed a hand on her shoulder and stepped back. No one else saw the expression but Inu Yasha did. He thought back to a couple days before when he’d had detention with the dark hanyou. Something about this whole situation just didn’t seem right.

“All right Kagome,” Sango said at last. “Take it off so your mom can pay for it. I don’t think the manager will take too kindly to you wearing it out of here.”

Kagome smiled and nodded before running back into the dressing room with Kagura right behind her.

Sango shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, not liking Naraku being so close to her best friend. She’d heard about his past from her father, who was a Sergeant with the Tokyo police. Naraku had caused a lot of trouble at his last school but, surprisingly, he hadn’t made a ruckus yet so nothing could be done about his presence. Sango hadn’t liked him since she first lay eyes on him and made no attempt to hide her dislike.

Despite the aversion, Sango had to admit that he was very attractive. His dark looks had drawn more than one girl to his side, even Kagome thought he was good looking. Sango mentally shook her head and hoped Kagome would hurry up so they could get away from him. As if Kagome had heard her mental ramblings, said girl emerged from the dressing room and handed the dress over to her mother.

“We’ll pay for this and then it’s off to the shoe store.” Mrs. Higurashi said with a bright smile.

Kagome smiled at Kagura and Kanna, “I’ll see you guys on Monday.”

Kagura returned the smile, “You got it.”

“Bye,” Kanna whispered softly.

Kagome started to follow her mother when a hand on her arm stopped her.

“May I have a moment?” Naraku asked.

Kagome faced him and clasped her hands in front of her. “Okay but we have to make it quick.”

“I only have one question.” Naraku said, a smirk playing at the edges of his mouth. “Would you be willing to accompany me to the said event that dress is purchased for?”

Kagome blinked in surprise before her eyes narrowed in anger. “You know, I get teased enough at school. Don’t make fun of me! I think I deserve better than that.”

Naraku frowned, “Who said I was making fun Ms. Higurashi? The question is a very serious one.”

Kagome blushed brightly, “Well…um…”

“A simple yes or no will do.” Naraku whispered with an amused tone.

“A…are you seriously asking me to prom?”

“I believe that has been established.” Naraku answered.

Kagome smiled brightly, “Okay.” She said softly. “I…I’ll go with you.”

Naraku returned the smile though his was darker in nature, “We will discuss this more at school on Monday.”

Kagome nodded again and rushed to her mother, who was waiting for her with purchased dress in a plastic garment bag.

Naraku looked over his shoulder at his sisters, who were staring at him with slack jaws.

“Do close your mouths,” Naraku said in a disgusted manner. “I can see the flies you caught earlier today.”

Naraku chuckled as he walked away and was almost to the exit when a clawed hand grabbed his arm tightly.

“What the hell are you up to?” Inu Yasha demanded.

Naraku purposely removed Inu Yasha’s hand before lifting his blood red eyes to look at him squarely. “I informed you before Inu Yasha, I prefer them innocent and pure. Regardless, what do you care? Kagome Higurashi has agreed to accompany me to our prom therefore saving you the humiliation of keeping your promise. I am doing you a favor.”

Inu Yasha stood there dumbfounded as Naraku disappeared into the crowds of the outdoor promenade that housed many designer shops.

‘What promise?’ he asked mentally. Before he could think further on it a screech was heard from the direction of the register.

“What do you mean this dress has already been bought by someone else that goes to my school?” Kikyou shouted. “This is the dress I want and you’re going to sell it to me!”

“I’m very sorry,” the clerk said, not at all liking the attitude of this girl. “Another young lady just purchased the exact same dress that attends the same school. According to our policy we cannot sell the same dress to someone else at the same school.”

“Who bought the same dress as me?” Kikyou demanded. “I’ll rip it off of the bitch!”

The clerk was about to loose her composure when the manager stepped forward. Inu Yasha groaned and actually looked around for a hole to crawl into.

“Is there a problem here?” the manager asked.

“Yes there is!” Kikyou said, crossing her arms and pushing her breasts up in a tantalizing manner. “This loser of a clerk refuses to sell me this dress. I’ve looked all over for the perfect gown and now she won’t sell it to me because someone else from my school has bought the exact same one.”

“It is the policy of this shop to not sell the same dress so no two young ladies have the embarrassment of wearing the exact same thing.” The manager explained.

“Does it look like I give a damn?” Kikyou said. “You will sell me this dress or I’ll have your job.”

The manager’s expression darkened and he nodded, “I see! Well then, I suppose you will have to go elsewhere for your gown as we will not be selling this one or any other to you. As for you having my job…I hate to disappoint you but I own this shop and you are no longer welcome inside. Please leave or I will call the police and have you escorted out.”

Inu Yasha took Kikyou by the arm. “Come on Baby, we’ll find you a dress somewhere else.”

Kikyou glared at the shop owner before marching out with her head held high. As soon as the door closed on them a number of customers in the shop began applauding.

***