A/N: Happy Halloween! No, I haven’t technically fallen off the wagon yet… just wasn’t quite done, apparently. X3 Sorry the ‘final updates’ are now somehow lopsided in It’s Late’s favor, but I just can’t pump out another update to Fukimawashi (especially considering my plans for it) in enough time before NaNoWriMo. I’m sure you all aren’t complaining too much. :D

Not long after my last post, I asked a friend of mine to look over Act II: Scene VI as I thought she’d like the interactions between Sess and Rin and it’s one of the chapters I’m perhaps most proud of producing. She was naturally confused being dropped in the middle of a universe with which she’s really not familiar. Explaining it to her reminded me that I probably hadn’t mentioned some of the inspiration for the story comes from events surrounding the character Christian Troy in the first season of Nip/Tuck. Some aspects of both Sesshoumaru and Kagura borrow loosely from his character… not Gina, though, except for maybe when Kagura offers her sponsorship of Sess. I was going to credit it at the end of the story like I do all my less original ideas… save for the ones that slip my mind. X3 But… yeah. Bob’s your uncle! On with the chapter… Hope you enjoy and, as always, thanks for reading!

Act III: Scene III

The cool sheets felt good against her hot skin, the pajama shirt Sesshoumaru had lent her sticking to her back as she rolled over. It should have occurred to her a heating pad beneath heavy covers was a bad combination. Her legs ached, a dull but nagging pain that seemed to reach up into her very core. She groaned, reluctantly opening sleep-sticky eyes. Sesshoumaru was gone. She no sooner wondered about his whereabouts when she heard the toilet flush from beyond the door behind her. Mystery solved. She returned to her back with another pained whimper, holding her midsection to the tickly sound of water running in the sink. Either he was very vigorously washing his hands or he was brushing his teeth now; the longer the water ran, the more desperate she became for the bathroom to be freed. Her head swiveled toward the door as it opened, Sesshoumaru smiling dimly as his eyes glimpsed hers.

“You’re awake,” he remarked, seating himself on the edge of the bed beside her. “How are you feeling?”

“Like hell,” her voice cracked. “And the worst is yet to come.”

“Maybe it’s better you stay here while I get Rin,” he mused, taking the hand lying atop the covers into his own.

“Could I?” Bloodshot crimson eyes pleaded, their color seeming dull.

“I don’t see why not.” He raised her hand to his kiss, brushing her hair from her face. “Anything I can get you before I go?”

She squirmed a little beneath the sheets, wincing at the first of the many nasty cramps that would undoubtedly plague her all day. “I’m still waiting on that hysterectomy.”

He smiled, bending to touch a tender kiss to her forehead. “I’ll see if I can pick one up on the way home.”

The mattress lifted where his weight gently pushed it down as he stood, red eyes watching him from under lazy lids as he moved toward the dresser, stripping off his pajamas. He made his selection for the day’s attire, a look she much preferred to the fancy suits she’d grown accustomed to seeing him in; this more casual Sesshoumaru seeming more like himself, though she was unsure exactly what that meant if anything. He looked back at her once more before approaching the door, hand on the knob, a tender smile aimed at her.

“If you think of anything, don’t hesitate to call.”

“I won’t.” Whether she meant that she wouldn’t hesitate or wouldn’t think of anything unclear even to her. He opened the door, closed only because she wasn’t fond of bedroom doors being left open—a preference she hadn’t made a point of in years and likely wouldn’t have at all if it hadn’t been for the previous night—quietly shutting it behind him.

She wriggled again under the covers, sealed in the sticky embrace of the heating pad and sweat-soaked fitted sheet, something not quite right downstairs.

Shit… don’t tell me…

Eyes wide, she whipped back the covers, rising from the bed to examine her horror. “Fuck!” she exclaimed aloud, fingers buried in her bed head. “This is just fucking great! I finally meet a nice, rich, attractive, sensitive man and then I ruin his fucking no-less-than-five-hundred-dollar sheets!” She sneered at the spot of red feathering at the edges against the muted gold where she laid. Her hand drifted to her rear, thankful his pajamas were black, the seat of the bottoms still wet. “This is just so horrid, there aren’t words.”

She pulled back the duvet, ripping the sheets from the bed and piling them beside her on the floor. Phew, luckily she caught it before it could seep into the pillow top. She thought she remembered seeing him cart a basket or two of clothes to a room attached to the kitchen; a man of his status and wealth surely had his own washer and dryer hookups… she just hoped there was an actual washer and dryer attached to them. She took the cases from the pillows, adding them to the heap, ensuring the heating pad was not tucked beneath the pile. The last thing she needed was to start a fire. First, she needed to pee, then a shower, though she’d just taken one the night before; that way she could be sure the pajamas would be washed along with the rest. Some cold water and a good laundering and it would be like it never happened, right?

(000000)

This day could go either way. On the one hand, he was surprised at how eagerly he turned up the stereo when You’re My Best Friend came on the radio. On the other, the phone call he received shortly thereafter left him with a decidedly bad taste in his mouth. Naraku had been released on bail. The prosecutor proceeded to inform him if they wanted the lewd conduct charge to stick, the fact that he grabbed her would have to be thrown out on grounds it would be prejudicial. All this and he’d no doubt still have to deal with his brother’s lip… he’d be sure to give him a fat one if he acted anything like he did the day before.

All was not lost. The good news was that the letters alone were grounds for a restraining order. He only hoped Kagura kept them, understanding how difficult it would be for her to do so. Perhaps it was time for them to finally return to her apartment; that landlord could use a good talking to at the very least.

He was surprised to see the door open after only a few short raps against the poorly painted wood, a tight, closed-lipped smile curving his lips. InuYasha would be a lot less likely to screw with him if he appeared in high spirits. “What, no asshat?”

“Very fff-funny.” His half-brother sneered.

“Good to see you watching your filthy mouth while in the presence of my child. Kikyou been round yet?”

“No.”

His smile fell into a lop-sided smirk, weight shifted from one foot to the other. “Are you going to let me in? Or do you wish to keep her the remainder of the week?”

InuYasha stepped aside, finally allowing his brother entrance to his quite literally humble abode. “So what’s this b-woman gonna ask me?”

“I don’t know.” Sesshoumaru arched his upper lip in disgust, looking around at the bags of chips and cola cans strewn around his broken-down armchair, clothes and other miscellanea cluttering the edges of the apartment. “But I certainly hope you intend on doing a little cleaning before she comes by. This place isn’t fit for pigs.”

“It’s just fine by me… though I thought you said the kid was fond of housekeeping.”

“Would it improve your sour demeanor if I were to hire a maid service out here tomorrow?”

InuYasha wrinkled his nose at him. “The idea of some strange woman going through my stuff doesn’t exactly thrill me, no. I’ll have Miroku come help me clean up… most of this is his fault anyhow.”

“Oh, InuYasha.” His elder brother’s brow furrowed in genuine concern. “You disappoint me. I actually thought you might have grown a backbone this time. What was it, flowers? Candy? Did he stand out on the street with a boombox playing In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel?”

InuYasha narrowed his yellow eyes, a peculiar smile on his face. “That’s right, mock your brother’s pain.”

“Oh, don’t be so EmoYasha. Besides, if you’re back together, what is there to be pained over?”

“It’s never as simple as that and you know it. Besides, we’re not… I just think he owes me for the mess he made me. When he pulled that crap, I was just so… angry. I didn’t feel like doing much of anything. That on top of all the shit I threw at him before I flung his ass out…”

A hand fell upon his shoulder, providing it with a brotherly pat. “Pay attention… I am only going to say this once.”

InuYasha’s own brows knit at his brother, his mouth clamped tightly shut… for once.

“He was lucky the day you let him into your life and to throw something like that away…” He shook his head. “He doesn’t deserve you… and you’re better off without him.” He added another pat for good measure, standing back from his little brother just in time for Rin to appear behind him, smiling as she slung the strap of her overnight bag over her shoulder. Sesshoumaru knelt to receive her embrace, washed in a strange relief as his chin rested on her shoulder. “Did you have fun?” he asked the little girl.

“Yes, Uncle InuYasha and I made a garden on Viva Piñata. I have three Mousemallows!”

Sesshoumaru lifted his head, looking up at his brother. “I thought you said you were going to return that. Didn’t they send you the wrong game?

“Effing XBOX people.” InuYasha scratched the back of his head with unease, averting his gaze. “Can’t even get their customer satisfaction efforts right.”

Sesshoumaru reluctantly let go of his prospective daughter, righting himself before his brother. “That doesn’t explain what possessed you to open it. You are of course aware now you can’t send it back.”

“Just as well, now that I’m an uncle.” InuYasha grinned.

“You’re hooked, aren’t you?” His elder brother cocked a brow.

Gold eyes so much like his own dipped to share a knowing glance with the little girl at his side, rising to his above an uncharacteristically sheepish smile. “Thoroughly.”

(000000)

How unlike him, she thought, opening the door to the balcony… not that she had any place deciding what was or wasn’t. Not just yet. All she knew was that everything was just as they left it the night they dared express their love before it was ever spoken, beer bottles and all. She shook her cigarettes, alarmed at how few there were left when she drew one from the pack, easing her aching body down on the thick, comfy blanket she remembered so well with a heavy sigh. The ceiling wasn’t much to look at without him atop her, her eyes drifting to what little could be seen of the sky from where she lay.

“Stargazing really was a ridiculous excuse,” she chuckled to herself, flicking flame to the end of the cancer stick jumping in her lips at each word. She rubbed her stomach with a hiss at the oncoming pain, a dull ache that grew excruciatingly sharp, then dull again as it passed. It would get worse as the day dragged on, hitting the peak of agony on day two, then it would slowly relent, day three and day four getting progressively better. “But not fast enough.”

She turned over, eyeing the little boombox situated near the wall. If it had a repeat function, it could surely be programmed to play the song—or songs—of her choice. She crawled on her hands and knees toward the player, groaning at the pain her movement prompted. It was somehow unfair, her reproductive system in working order enough to give her such hell each month, and yet she would never be blessed enough to know the pain of childbirth. Maybe Sesshoumaru was right, the thought bitter at the back of her mind. Her chosen songs selected and set on repeat, she crawled back to the blanket, plopping back with a groan.

Now the wind has lost my sail
Now the scent has left my trial
Who will find me
Take care and side with me
Guide me back
Safely to my home
Where I belong
Once more…

She was so engrossed in the music, she didn’t hear the door click open behind her, eyes calmly closed when his hand fell upon her shoulder. They snapped open at his touch, a shriek caught in her throat as they widened on the man above her.

“It’s okay.” He caught his own breath, as startled as she. “It’s only me.”

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to scream in your face, but you ought to know better than to sneak up on me.” She stubbed out her cigarette in her makeshift ashtray, careful not to squish it beyond being relit as she studied the plastic bag clutched in his hand. “What’s that?”

“Oh, this?” He knelt down beside her, fishing out the colorful boxes it contained one at a time. “These are for your back, and these are for your cramps. They come highly recommended by the woman I spoke with at the drug store.”

She met eyes with him above the boxes of warming pads, a sweet smile spreading across her lips. “Thank you. I bet that woman was pretty impressed what a thoughtful boyfriend you are. I know I am.” Kagura craned her neck until her kiss would reach, lips softly touching his.

“Please, the accolades are unnecessary. I’d hardly be a suitable friend if I were to allow you to suffer without offering some aid.”

“Mmm.” She kissed him again, deeper this time. “Why do you have to go and be so damn sweet when I cannot properly reward you?”

Sesshoumaru smiled, touching his forehead to hers. “You’ll just have to give me a little extra when you can.”

“Indeed,” she grinned, closing her eyes to the kiss planted atop her head. “You were gone a while. What, did InuYasha have some trouble relinquishing his playmate?”

“No, we had some stops to make along the way, one being the drug store.”

“Where is she now?”

“Getting her paints together.”

“Ah, another still life?”

“No, something a little more intensive. I’d planned on calling a decorator to design a more child-friendly space out of the guestroom. But then it occurred to me it might be better to let the person who is actually going to be staying in the room decide what it should look like, so she’s painting a mural.”

“Oh, big project for a little kid.” Kagura settled on her side, propped up on one elbow. “I noticed it was a little too… taupe in there when I went looking for linens.”

“Why were you looking for linens?”

“Oh...” Shit. “I thought I’d make myself useful and do a little laundry. Anyway… isn’t a mural a pretty big job for her to handle by herself?”

“She can handle it. Besides, anything she doesn’t like she can just paint over.”

“Wouldn’t it be great if life worked that way?”

Sesshoumaru smiled his tight solemn smile, taking up one of the boxes. “Who said it doesn’t? Isn’t that all life really is?”

Sometimes I tremble in the dark
I cannot see
When people frighten me
I try to hide myself so far from the crowd
Is anybody there to comfort me
Lord take care of me

Kagura grinned in spite of herself and the music. “Methinks Montserrat is getting to you worse than me.”

“May be.” He finally cracked the top on the box, thumbing through the pads inside. “Why are you listening to such sad sounding music anyway? You’re not going to get all weepy and hormonal on me, are you?”

“And Morrissey is much better, Mr. Pensive?”

“Point taken.” He smirked, selecting the correct size pad to fit her lower back, plucking one for her abdomen from the freshly opened second box. “Here, let’s get you sorted.”

“I’m perfectly capable of putting these on myself, you know.”

“Please, it’s the least I can do.”

“The least you could do was to buy the stuff in the first place,” she sighed, fingers tucked beneath the baggy shirt she wore. “Besides, now you’ll see how bloated I am.”

He gave a little snort through his nose, arms going limp in his lap, head cocked to the side with a less than amused smirk. “Just lift your shirt.”

“Okay,” she huffed, rolling down the waistband of her track pants first. “Geez, can’t a girl have some modesty?”

“Modesty, yes,” he said, removing the paper strip from the sticky side of the first pad. “Shame, no.” He gently smoothed it across her abdomen, Kagura jerking a little at the tickle of his touch. “Turn around.” He did the same with the second pad, wrapping his arms around her waist with a tender kiss to her shoulder. “All done. Now was that so bad?”

She leaned back against him, lifting a hand to his cheek. “Thank you, I can already feel them working.”

“My pleasure,” he breathed, pressing his lips to the back of her head.

“So…” She sighed heavily, dropping her hand to her side. “When did he get out?”

Sesshoumaru stumbled over his own breath, arms tightening around her. “I’m sorry?”

“Naraku. Even if he stuck it out to be arraigned this morning, they can’t have held him for long.”

He loosed a weighty exhalation of his own, nuzzling the dark tendrils of her hair. “According to the prosecutor, he was out on bail last night. But he also told me those letters are grounds enough for a restraining order; he is harassing you after all. I don’t suppose you saved any of them.”

“I think I shoved a few in a box somewhere for just such an occasion… certainly had no other purpose for keeping them.”

“Good.” He kissed her ear. “Let’s not think about this anymore. Just rest and focus on feeling better.”

“I’m not worried.” She lifted her head lazily, peering up into those benevolent gold eyes she loved so much. “As long as I’m here with you… You wouldn’t happen to have any other goodies in that bag, would you? Like anything of a less health-conscious nature that might give a woman a chocolate fix or some nicotine?”

He smirked against the side of her face, hand slipping from the pocket of his coat in which it had absently tucked—where the last of her father’s letters hid crumpled—to the bag behind him. “Oh, yes.” He slid the bag in front of her, a bag of chocolates and a pack of Camel Lights visible through the clear plastic, taking his arm from around her long enough to search the opposite pocket of his jacket. “I have another present for you, despite my better judgment. Close your eyes.”

“Not sure I like the sound of that… they’re closed, by the way.”

He set a smooth, rectangular object in her hand, metal by her best discernment. “You may open them now.”

Eyes naked of their usual meticulous makeup opened on the object in her palm, a smile lighting up her tired features. “Sesshoumaru… a Zippo?” Her smile fell, eyes tentatively meeting his. “This had to be very expensive…”

“Money is no object when ensuring you no longer have to struggle with those cheap plastic things. I know how you hate that,” he explained, a proud smirk adorning his pretty face. “That’s not all, check out the engraving.”

“How did you know I like butterflies?”

“Not that, the back.”

“Because butterflies are free to fly, Love, Sesshoumaru… Oh, Sesshoumaru!” She turned to embrace him, bowling him over, covering his face in kisses. “If you were fishing for extra thoughtful boyfriend points, you’ve definitely got them. Maybe I can see my way, once Rin has gone to sleep, to thanking you properly after all, if you know what I’m saying.”

“Your thanks are unnecessary.” He pecked her nose. “That smile is enough.”

Kagura beamed candidly, sitting back to retrieve her partly smoked cigarette from the tray, at the same time allowing her lover up from the floor. She flipped the top open on her new toy, arm falling to her knee with a shake of her head. “You know, no one has ever been this good to me.” She raised her eyes to his briefly, lowering them to her lighter as she flicked flame to the end of the cigarette placed between her lips. “Must have been pretty good in a past life to deserve this now,” she exhaled, closing the Zippo with a clank. “Certainly haven’t done anything of value in this one.”

“You’re wonderful now.” He took her hand, turning her around, arms encircling her as she cozied back against him. “And you’re here with me, a pretty good deed in itself.”

“Mmm.” She giggled softly. “I’ve got a feeling you were a pain in the ass for your teachers… a hundred percent not good enough, always seeking extra credit.”

“I only do extra work where it counts.”

“I see,” she smiled, inhaling deeply from her cigarette. “So this is how we’ll pass the time, hm? Paint over the people we were before.”

“Why not?” He kissed her cheek, hands warm where they clasped over her stomach. “We certainly make a pretty picture.”

Kagura nodded against his lips, smiling at the cityscape beyond the railing before closing her eyes to better relish the gentle warmth of his breath at her cheek. “That we do.”

First lyrics set – Guide Me Home

Second lyrics set – How Can I Go On

Both by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé

Butterflies are free to fly – Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Bernie Taupin and Elton John

A/N #2: If you’ve never pictured Sesshoumaru bobbing his head to bouncy 70s music, you’re imagining it now. XD On another humorous note, before I added more, my word count for the chapter sat at 2,345. Hilarious, no? :D That’s it for me, for real this time. X3 As before, keep your eye on my LJ and my Kagura comm (both linked from my profile here, my LJ as my new homepage) to keep track of me, my NaNoWriMo efforts, arts, icons and more! Until next time, my dears! :) *MEGA Loves*