Don't Look Back by Smittee

Don't Look Back

How did this happen? I gazed into the glass of my father’s scotch. Even as I tried to focus on the fact my father needed to see me, my mind wondered back to the night before. I focused my attention on the roaring fireplace, seeing her face dancing in its flames. The ebony hair and chocolate eyes showing themselves as the lights flickered over her. Not choosing me for social gain. Not looking to get into this Sesshomaru’s pants. Just…

~~~~~

Miroku insisted I come with him to yet another club. Something about ‘woman’ and ‘birthing hips’. I wondered to myself how I was able to become friends with this human. That’s right, I’m his ‘project’.  I snorted at the reminder of the first day meeting the ex-monk. Why he started working for an advertising firm is beyond me. He had said he would find the perfect girl to make me ‘pop a smile’. His determination was amusing, so I continued to support his little venture. Instead, he always seemed to bring women who wanted to speak with me either to get in my pants or to become buddy-buddy with my father.

At this particular club, he seemed to be having no such luck this time. His head lay on the bar tabletop, a large red mark on his face. “She was so beautiful! Should have known a demoness wouldn’t be interested.” He turned his face towards me. My back was against the bar, my drink for the evening sitting between us. A strange smirk was his face. “But the reaction I got shows me a different story than what I think.” I began ignoring him then. When he got that determined, it never ended pretty for him. None of my concern, I thought.

“Hey! This is my favorite song!” A woman who could be no more than a couple inches above 5 foot jumped in front of me. Quite short compared to my almost 6 feet. Standing in the light from the club’s bar, I had seen what she was wearing. She was wearing a see through green top with a tan top underneath. Her jeans were a faded light blue. I looked away, trying to show disinterest.

“Come on,” she shouted at me over the music. I turned to tell her just what I thought about her, when she grabbed ahold of my arm and began dragging me to the dance floor. How does such a small frame have so much strength?  I tried to look back at Miroku, but she had reached up and grabbed my face. “Hey, don’t look back there! You’re with me right now!”

Now, I don’t like to dance one bit. I may be good at a many thing in my long life, but dancing was not one of them. It was as if she knew this, as she grabbed my hips and began to move me with her. The audacity!  I wanted to growl. I was sure my eyes were tinting a slight pink by now, as this human dared to touch me once more. I had expected her to dance like the others on the floor: not touching. Then, she looked up at me. She was… smiling at me. The look in her eyes-A felt my chest tighten. Suddenly, my hands were on hers, as she guided us along the dance floor.

It was like balls of energy were bouncing within her, like there was adventure there. My memories flashed back to a time I thought I had forgotten. A vision of when I was younger standing proudly on a hill, making a name for myself despite my father.

I returned from my vision, realizing the song had changed, but she still worked with my awkward steps. She was now looking at my chest, when I noticed her biting her lip. I stopped then and placed a hand on her right that was around my waist. “You’re holding back,” I surprised myself that I said it. Since when did I care how a human felt?

She looked up and actually laughed! She moved her hands upward. Standing on her tippy toes, she put her hands on my shoulders. “Just shut up and dance with me.” Even as she said it, I found myself unable to get angry. It was right after I saw the tint of a blush coming on her face. I embarrassed her?

I had been so focused, I hadn’t even realized we were moving once more. Even more so, she was no longer leading. For the first time, I had been able to lead smoothly. Soon, I found I couldn’t keep myself from wanting to know more. She didn’t hold back her emotions; a very human trait. The emotions she showed though. No deceit. No sexual desire. Purely enjoyment. How can this be? We danced through song after song. She pulled away and started doing the mashed potato. It looked so silly, I chuckled. She nudged me, one eye closed.

“I’d like to see you do better!” Amused, I began doing it myself. The mask I always wore was gone. For all I cared, we were the only ones in there. She started to move away. I grabbed her arm and pulled her back to me. We full on laughed and continued like this for a while. Near the end of the last song we would see each other, I found myself gazing into those eyes again.

I could hear Miroku calling for me. I felt a heat of rage at his calling out. Inside, a thought erupted that took me aback. I don’t want this to end. I really didn’t. When I felt a hand on my shoulder, I knew it was Miroku. I knew he was speaking, but I didn’t know what he said. All I could see was the woman before me, as she released me from her hold. I tried to grab her hand, but she was already gone. The last thing I saw of her was that smile. Only this time, the smile looked a little sad. People had moved in front of where she had been. I tried to find her again that night, but it was already too late. She was gone.

~~~~

“You can come in now, Sesshomaru.”

The images flickered away from the fireplace. Placing the glass on the side table, I walked into my father’s home office. His face was glued to the television, as per our usual meetings.

“I’m sorry, Sesshomaru. There is just a fascinating news story about a new miko realizing her powers. Can you imagine? A real miko in 300 years.”

My mask was back in its proper place, as if the night before had never happened. I raised a brow. He was probably watching one of those fake news stories again without knowing it.

“Fascinating. Now, what is it-?“

“Well, I knew that it ran in my family, but I never thought I would be one.” The woman on the screen laughed and I almost stumbled backwards. That voice! Quickly, I was behind my father’s desk and staring at the screen. There’s no denying it.

“What is it, Sesshomaru? You haven’t moved that fast in centuries!”

I didn’t respond to the comment. My sight lowered to the bottom left of the screen. “Higurashi Shrine.” My feet were on overdrive. I didn’t have the time for human modes of transportation! With speed no human could track, I raced through the streets. I was sweating. My throat tight as I swallowed. I was almost there! Remembering it was a live showing, I slowed my pace to more of a human standard. I raced up the steps, each step bringing a flutter within me. What is this I’m feeling? At the top, I saw people shaking hands and packing up to leave. There! She was laughing with one of the reporters. The reporter turned towards my direction, walking. The woman followed the movement, only to stop at me.

First was a rush of surprise, but then that smile. She clasped her hands before her hakama and fully faced me now. I stepped forward, my mask chipping away with every step. One of the cameramen behind her dropped his stand. She started to turn, and I blurted out,” Don’t look back.” She halted in her movement.

“You’re with me now.” Her words had pushed up to the surface. The repeated saying was not lost on her. She crossed her arms and she blushed. Then a rush of emotions from her flooded into me as she seemed to be going back and forth with them.

“Shut up. You don’t have to remind me! I’m… I’m sorry I was so forward.”

“No.” I shook my head. “I would not be standing here otherwise.” Like a young pup, I finally pinpointed what I was feeling. I held out a hand. “Would you like to continue our dance? “

Somehow, I knew she would grab my hand. There had been hesitation, but she followed through.

“How about tonight?”