Chapter Twenty-Eight

The Last Hurrah

April in Australia marked the middle of autumn. The leaves on the trees had become a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and yellows. The weather was cool and full of cloudless blue skies. The day before had been the fall track and field event of all the major universities in the country. Their university had succeeded in a clean sweep in cross-country with Kouga and Kagura taking first place in their respective races. Miroku and Sango had placed second — surprising not only themselves, but their coach.

The archery tournament had been close with Kagome and Kikyo repeating perfect scores time and time again. There ended up being a tie-breaking that resulted in Kagome's victory. Had she been a citizen of Australia she'd have been a shoe-in for recruitment for the Olympics.

"This is pretty exciting," Kagome said looking over at Sango. They sat next to each other at the hair saloon. Sango's hair was being swept into an up-do with bobby pins with pearl tips fastening it into place.

"We will knock them dead," Sango said with a smile. "How did your exams go?"

"Midterms were a breeze," Kagome answered. She looked into the mirror and watched her hairstylist as she curled her hair in romantic large sausage curled down her back. She could see Kikyo and Kagura having their makeup applied by the make-up artists in the saloon. Their dresses and shoes were hanging in the closet of the saloon. The Hayate Ball was roaring twenties themed and they had the appropriate styled dress for the occasion. "This place is pretty amazing!"

"I discovered these lovely ladies years ago," Kagura said. She had her eyes closed as eyeshadow was applied to her eyelids by the newest part-time makeup artist at the saloon. "Jak, this had better look good."

"Don't you dare doubt my artistic abilities," Jakotsu said around the eyeliner pen stuck between his teeth. "I'll have you looking like an elegant queen by the time I'm done. Like the step-mother in Snow White when she ruled the kingdom in all her wicked glory."

"Jak is beyond talented," Kagome said. "He helped pick out my dress and shoes."

"Well, if you're going to be prettier than me then I want to at least be responsible for the refined package," Jakotsu said finishing up Kagura's eye makeup. "Now, open your eyes and gaze at my impeccable work you snotty bitch."

Kagura's crimson eyes popped open and she looked at herself critically in the mirror. "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the drop dead most gorgeous of them all?"

"Pleased with yourself aren't you?" Jakotsu said with a smug look upon his face. Kagura flipped him off with her middle finger, but didn't answer. He crossed the distance to stand next to Kagome's hairstylist. "Will the emerald clips work?"

"They'll look amazing," the pink-haired stylist confirmed.

"I can't believe Sesshoumaru is sending a limo to deliver us to the ball," Kagome said. She had to make a concerted effort to only call her honey-bunny Maru-chan in private. He was so adorable, but she needed to respect his need to appear authoritative and strictly disciplined.

"He always provided a limo for me in the past when I was his date and he wasn't even interested in me romantically," Kagura said. This time when she spoke there was no jealousy or hostility in her tone. Her running practices with Kouga had been a most positive experience for her.

"I think he ended up hiring the band we performed with when we first me," Kagome said. "He wouldn't confirm, but I'm pretty sure that's the situation."

"Would it make you happy if that was the case?" Sango asked. She twirled in her chair when her hair was done and faced Kagome. Her dark eyes bright with excitement. It was nice to see her old friend happy. Maybe Miroku would be able to redeem himself that night and win back Sango's heart. They were now the odd couple when they hung out socially. Sesshoumaru and Kagome, Inuyasha and Kikyo, Kouga and Kagura, and even Jakotsu had met a nice young man by the name of Hojo who was always gifting him with baskets of herbal remedies from the tea and apothecary shop where he worked.

"It would make me happy," Kagome confirmed.

"Then there's no question. Of course he hired them. That man treats you as if you're his most prized possession," Sango said. "It must be nice," she added with just a hint of bitterness.

"Right well, we still have a ways to go before you ladies are presentable," Jakotsu said.

OoO

Sesshoumaru paced anxiously about the ball room. He'd rented out the entire hotel for the purposes of the Annual Hayate Corporation Gala and Ball. He'd hired the jazz band from the night he and Kagome had met. They'd been thrilled by the honor of his request. Those band members had also been part of a larger group that performed Big Band music so it had worked out perfectly for the roaring twenties theme of the celebration.

The Higurashi Gene Corp subsidy of Hayate Corporation had been rather successful in their recent genetic research. Unfortunately, there had been one fatality amongst their monkey test subjects. It was a shame really, but Sesshoumaru hadn't been too concerned.

"Nice clothes," Inuyasha said coming to stand at his side. He was wearing a black tux with red tie and vest and shiny red shoes.

Sesshoumaru glanced down at his pinstriped suit. He was appropriately dressed for the theme. He specifically researched popular American gangsters of the twenties and imitated their dress. He then looked back at Inuyasha and had a hard time looking beyond his shoes. "Are you planning to tap your heels and return to oz?"

"They are red dress shoes, not ruby slippers," Inuyasha muttered. "Oh, they're here," he said gesturing toward the entrance of the ballroom.

Kagome, Kikyo, Sango, and Kagura walked inside together. They were a quartet of beauty and elegance, but Sesshoumaru had a hard time looking beyond the woman wearing emerald green.

He made his way over to her and offered his arm to her. "You look amazing, Kagome. As do all of you ladies," he said offering a nod at the three of woman beside her.

"Yeah, sure, whatever. Go woo your woman," Kouga said coming up behind the ladies. He too was dressed like a gangster with his long dark hair loose behind his back and in a black suit with black tie and undershirt. His shoes were black — much more appropriate than Inuyasha's. "Might I escort you to the refreshments?" he asked Kagura.

"Why yes, and honey, don't interrupt a man when he's offering compliments to a woman," Kagura scolded looking her arm around Kouga's waist and walking to the far side of the room.

"Sango, I believe there's someone who really wants to talk to you," Sesshoumaru said. He inclined his head in Miroku's direction.

"I still have nothing to say to him," Sango huffed.

"Anger diminishes your beauty. Do not keep so angry with him because of his bet. His actions led to my relationship with Kagome. He was instrumental. His motives may not have been honorable, but they weren't malicious. He's been a miserable sack since you left him. As the host of this party I ask that you give him a chance," Sesshoumaru asked.

"Fine, but he'll have to really grovel," Sango said.

"Sango, just open yourself up to the possibility of happiness," Kagome said taking her friend's hand and squeezing it in reassurance. "Go get him, tigress!"

"Do you think they'll work out?" Kikyo asked when they saw Sango and Miroku talking quietly with one another.

"Why not, we shouldn't be the only happy ones," Inuyasha said coming up to them with two glasses of wine balanced between his fingers in both hands. He offered his left hand to Sesshoumaru and Kagome and his right to Kikyo.

"I love your shoes," Kikyo said with a shy smile looking down at Inuyasha's bright red dancing shoes. They matched her ruby red gown perfectly.

Inuyasha sneered at Sesshoumaru. "I told you so. Let's have a toast." The four of them took the glasses and held them together in the center of their circle. "To happiness," Inuyasha declared.

"And success," Kagome added.

"And friends," Kikyo said.

"To the future," Sesshoumaru said. He sipped from his glass and thought about the ring sitting comfortably inside his right pants pocket. It was pretty amazing just how much a little online drama resulted in the happiness of so many people.

OoO

AngelK: So what happened? Did you forgive him?

Huntress: What do you think? Have I ever been able to say no to that pervert?

AngelK: Sure, many times.

Huntress: I agreed to give him another chance. We've got a date for tomorrow night. What about you? You and the demon lord left pretty early. You realize that's poor taste for the host, right?

AngelK: Well, Maru-chan had to ask me a pretty important question. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Kagome took a picture with her cell phone of the ring on her left hand and uploaded it to her Skype conversation with Sango.

Huntress: OMG! That is the most gorgeous rock I have ever seen!

"Kagome?" Sesshoumaru called. He returned to the bedroom after having gotten them both glasses of ice cold water to drink. "What are you doing?"

Kagome was sitting on their bed with nothing but a sheet wrapped about her person chatting on her phone. "Talking to Sango," she said looking up with a guilty grin.

Sesshoumaru handed her one of the waters and then took the phone from her and put it on the nightstand. "Maybe you can continue your discussion with your friend at a later time, hm?"

"I can think of more interesting ways to spend my time," Kagome answered. She set aside her glass and wrapped her arms around Sesshoumaru's neck pulling him close. The sheet slipped to her waist and the instant message conversation was promptly forgotten.

OoO

"Hey, Sango, you going to come to bed soon?" Miroku asked. "I'll be lonely without you," he called out pitifully.

"You're hopeless," Sango said with a laugh. Her reunited boyfriend must have just finished his shower. She had been entertaining herself chatting with Kagome. She now closed his laptop. "Sesshoumaru proposed to her," she said standing and meeting Miroku halfway in the bedroom.

"Is that right?" Miroku asked leaning down and kissing her, his hands gently held her shoulders. Sango's hands rested comfortably at his hips and she snatched the towel so that it fell to the floor.

"How about we make up for some missed time?" she suggested.

"Happily," Miroku said with a smile against her lips. "I've got to give you something to top Kagome's news next time you ladies chat. How would you feel about bearing my child?"

FIN

01/04/14

A/N: Thanks for sticking with this story through out the years. I hope it entertained you and brought amusement to your day! I have appreciated your support. BDN