Musical Chairs by ButtButtDoodle

Chapter One

Universe: Inuyasha (Modern AU)

Pairing: SessKag (One-sided), slight InuKag

Genre: Romance/Heartbreak

Disclaimer: Inuyasha is the intellectual property of one genius Rumiko Takahashi. I just make bad fanfic out of it.

Author's notes: It's not like the other fics, but I still hope you enjoy. And I apologize if Sess is super OOC in here, but I figure that in an alternate reality where Sess grows up with a functional family, he might be a decent guy. Still bossy, though. Enjoy!

"It is a risk to love.

What if it doesn't work out?

Ah, but what if it does?"

Peter McWilliams

888

He had given Kagome her very first instrument.

Holding hands with her childhood friend Inuyasha, eight-year-old Kagome watched as man after man failed to sling the hoops into the mouths of the bottles, and she could tell by the smug look of the booth owner that the game was as rigged as all the other stands at the Festival. Kagome looked past the top prize, a giant stuffed dog, right over to the lone yellow flute set dustily in the corner. It wasn't anything particularly special, but the bright electric yellow had caught her eye almost immediately. She had never wanted something more in her life.

But even at the tender age of eight, she knew these games were hopeless to win. The little girl let out a sigh, a little less bright-eyed, and tugged on the youth's hand so they could continue walking around the fair.

He had noticed her longing look though.

"Is that what you want, Kagome-chan?" Sesshoumaru asked her as he pointed to the object of her affection. As the eldest Taisho sibling, he had been appointed the duty of caring for the two youngsters while they enjoyed the festivities together. And while Kagome and Inuyasha were decked out in their best yukatas, Sesshoumaru had opted to wear torn black jeans and a white t-shirt that showed off his brand new forearm tattoos. Pink stripes would've have looked silly on anybody else, but on the 16-year-old, they were oddly perfect. Izayoi had freaked when the teenager had arrived to the house with them. Kagome thought they were cool and grown-up.

Sesshoumaru was looking intently at the little girl, expressionless. Kagome blushed at the gaffe of having been caught staring at the prize– her mother had taught her that it was bad manners to ask for material things, especially when they could spend money on more practical necessities like food and clothes. After her father's death…let's just say that toys were on the bottom of the list of priorities for the little girl who had grown up too quickly.

"No, it's fine Sesshoumaru-kun, let's go." Kagome reassured him shyly.

The words had barely left her lips when the older boy turned and walked over to the booth.

Kagome and Inuyasha looked at each other, she anxious and he confused, and both ran after the elder of the trio.

"One round." They heard Sesshoumaru command in a bored tone, as he handed over the coins carelessly. The man at the booth pursed his lips at Sesshoumaru's haughtiness, but refrained from commenting and merely tossed the rings to the white-haired teen.

"Good luck." The greasy-looking man grunted, a lop-sided smile on his face as he watched Sesshoumaru position himself. "This game's a liiiitle tricky."

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the man, and then lifted one side of his lip in a sneer.

Kagome watched, fascinated, as ring after ring fell into the bottles. Sesshoumaru didn't miss a single one, his accuracy frightening. The man at the booth was outraged. Nobody had ever been able to win at this game; he had made sure of it. The strange youth with the white hair must've been cheating! But to out the boy would mean to out himself and so, furious, he began unhooking the giant stuffed dog from the roof of the booth.

"Not that one." Sesshoumaru interrupted sharply. His yellow eyes pointed directly at the lone toy in the corner.

The man looked to the toy then back to the boy dubiously. "You sure, kid?"

"The flute, if you may." Sesshoumaru insisted with the authority of someone many years older, and the man shook his head in disbelief. "Whatever you say. Crazy kids…" he whispered the last part under his breath before schlepping over to the toy flute and bringing it back to the front.

The man dropped the flute into Sesshoumaru's upturned palm. Without a single glance back or a word of thanks, Sesshoumaru turned and guided his two wards away from the booth, where more people swarmed to win a price, emboldened by Sesshoumaru's triumphant victory.

"Here." Sesshoumaru said, offering the coveted prize to the little girl by his side.

Kagome bit her lips, embarrassed beyond belief, and stared at her toes so he wouldn't see her blush. "Sesshoumaru-kun, you didn't have to do that…"

She heard chuckling and looked up just in time to see a rare smile on the teen's face. "I know. But it pleased me to do so." Sesshoumaru kneeled down before her, so they could be eye-to-eye, and leveled a steady stare at the young girl. Kagome's heart squeezed when he pushed her bangs away in a brotherly show of affection.

"Never be afraid to go after what you really want, Kagome-chan." He said gently, before placing the yellow instrument in her hands and closing her hands around it with his own. Kagome nodded dumbly, afraid to actually speak lest she say something stupid.

At that precise moment, Inuyasha started harping on about being hungry, effectively ruining the mood. Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes, and standing up thumped his little brother on the head for 'being a pain'. She watched as their bickering soon turned physical, as it always did when they were together for more than five minutes. But despite claiming that he should 'leave him to starve for being such a pest', Kagome could see Sesshoumaru rummaging in his pockets to see how much money they had left for a quick food run, and she smiled.

"Kagome-chan, do you want something too?" Sesshoumaru asked over his shoulder as he beckoned her to one of the nearby food stands.

Yes. She wanted something. More than food or pretty yukatas or yellow flutes won at a festival.

She wanted Sesshoumaru.

Kagome cried in triumph as she finally found what she had been searching for.

She closed the leather trunk she had been rummaging in for the past half hour and sat back on her heels. Breathlessly, she examined the object fondly.

Weathered with age and misuse, the plastic flute lay small and fragile in her hands. With a quiet laugh, Kagome remembered driving her mother crazy, playing the drat thing day in and day out, completely consumed with perfecting each and every note.

The raven-haired teen smiled at the memory of that festival night. Truthfully, Kagome had never been a lover of music. The only reason she had even noticed that toy that night had been because the flute was the exact same color as Sesshoumaru's eyes. And then, the only reason why she had bothered to learn to play it was because Sesshoumaru was in a band and she desperately wanted to impress him with her musical prowess. Although looking back on it, perhaps serenating him with "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" might not have been the most romantic thing.

It's funny how love can be fuel for determination. At eight years old, Kagome was sure the way to Sesshoumaru's heart was through music. She had begged her mother to put her in music lessons. Kagome had used the Taisho siblings as an excuse; they both were taking guitar lessons at a small musical school, and this way she would be able to see more of her best friend Inuyasha. And although money was tight, Kagome's insistence had been so great that eventually her mother had caved and she registered her to take some flute lessons, at the exchange that Kagome do all the housework during the weekend and manage to keep her grades at school.

Now, seven years later, Kagome had blossomed into quite a talented flute player. At the age of fourteen, she was already participating in school concerts and had been offered scholarships to renowned musical colleges. What had started out as a whim had grown inside the young girl. She truly loved music and the thrill of playing before an audience. Quite by accident, she had found her calling and it was all thanks to her childhood crush on Sesshoumaru.

Kagome traced the yellow flute on her hands, a pink blush dusting her cheeks.

Well, perhaps not-so-childhood crush.

Inuyasha, who had been playing video games in the room while she searched for the toy flute, stared at her back, his lips pursed in worry and anger.

"My brother will break your heart." He promised, though there lay no malice or threat in his voice, only pity.

Kagome frowned, pulled away from her fantasies, and glowered at the boy. He merely shrugged and turned back to his video game.

Inuyasha had been Kagome's best friend for years, and although sometimes he was crass and much too frank for his own good, he had always been good at reading people. It gave him a rare but precious talent of knowing how a situation would go down even before it happened. That excellent nose for character analysis was what had saved Kagome from following a stranger in the park once when they were little, and from believing their classmate Akiko when she said she had not been spreading nasty rumors about them in middle school. It really helped her out most of the time and he was seldom wrong. But in this situation, she did not appreciate his insight.

Inuyasha was sure that her relationship with his older brother Sesshoumaru was doomed to failure, and Kagome hated him for it.

They were best friends, after all. The least he could do was show some support. When Kagome married Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha and her wouldn't just be best friends – they'd be family!

"You can't be sure of that, Inuyasha."

"Of course I can. You're a flat-chested kid and he's a grown-ass man." He countered, cursing as he missed hitting one of soldiers from the opposing team. "It's not going to work out."

Inuyasha squawked as he was hit solidly on the back of his head with a flying pillow.

"But what if it does!?" Kagome shouted, anger turning her ears pink.

"Fine! Risk it for the bastard, see if I care. God, girls are crazy." He whispered the last part as he rubbed the back of his head, focusing on his video game once more.

Kagome frowned at his back, sticking her tongue out at him. She'd show him. Sesshoumaru had always paid special attention to her. She would be sure to win his heart and, when she was old enough, marry him.

Next week Kagome would be turning fifteen. As was customary, Sesshoumaru always took her and Inuyasha out for ice-cream on her birthday. So after class, before going out to eat, she would present him with the flute, as proof of her unwavering love for him, confess and begin what was sure to be an epic romance with the man of her dreams.

It would be perfect.

"That's a beautiful necklace! Where did you buy it? Can I try it?"

"Kagome-chan, please, focus on learning this piece for next week's concert-"

"We've been playing the same note for hours and I'm bored! Can we please take a break?"

"We really shouldn't. You're good but we have to practice-"

Oh, no…the music teacher groaned inwardly. PUPPY EYES.

GODDAMMIT, Kagura cursed in her head as Kagome stared intensely at her with impossibly big eyes and a quivering lip. This is why the woman hated children; they always played dirty.

"Very well." Kagura agreed grudgingly. "But only fifteen minutes-"

"Yes! Now let me see that necklace, Kagura-sensei!"

Kagura sighed. She had been Kagome's music teacher for the past year and while she liked the girl, Kagome could sometimes be a handful (she blamed Inuyasha's influence for that). The older woman really didn't want to do it, but in lieu of having some well-deserved peace, she unhooked the latch that touched the base of her neck and removed her necklace. Kagome swiped it from her hands before she could even give it to her.

"It's beautiful!" the fourteen-year-old gushed, watching as the light caught the red gem, turning it's insides into a fiery inferno. The deep red of the rock complimented Kagura's equally dark eyes, that were so brown they sometimes bled into the color of summer wine when the light hit them just so.

"Ne, Kagura-sensei, this must've cost a fortune!"

The woman exhaled, breathing patiently. "I wouldn't know, Kagome-chan, it was a gift."

"A gift!?" the girl gushed. Kagome had seen enough commercials on TV to know that only men gave women expensive necklaces as gifts. And being fourteen, Kagome thought it terribly romantic. "Hyaaaa, somebody must really like you!"

At this, Kagome thought she saw the slightest of blushes on her flute teacher. "I suppose-"

"What's his name?"

"Ummm-" Kagura hesitated, uncharacteristically slow with a quip.

"Is he tall? Handsome? Rich?"

"He-"

"Can I meet him?"

"That's enough interrogation, little one."

Both females turned at the entering voice. Sesshoumaru stood on the doorway, amusement arching one elegant brow, lip twitching as it valiantly fought a smile at Kagome's antics. As soon as Kagome saw him her face visibly brightened. Kagura sighed in relief.

"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome shouted gleefully, the necklace and Kagura's secret admirer immediately forgotten.

Sesshoumaru had grown up quite a lot from the rebellious teenager with the torn pants and rocks-star vibe those many years ago. A strapping young man of twenty-two, he had abandoned rock-band tees for button-up shirts and ties, his uniform as he interned in his father's business company. But the rebel still lived inside, evidenced by the sleeves of his shirt being pulled back to show-off those iconinc pink stripes.

Kagome ran up to the man, all wide smiles and dimples. "You're early!" she stated surprised, butterflies in her stomach. How was it that, even after so many years, he still managed to make her all mushy inside?

Sesshoumaru snorted softly. "This Sesshoumaru is never early. Everyone else is merely late." He quipped, and Kagome laughed girlishly, even though she didn't really get it. He placed a fond hand on her head, and that quickly caught her attention as he knew it would. She looked up into deep amber eyes, mesmerized.

"I know I promised to have ice-cream with you, but before that I must have a word with your teacher about Inuyasha." he explained to an attentive Kagome. "In the meantime, could you please tell my useless brother to pack his things? I should be done in fifteen minutes or so. You both can wait for me outside."

Kagome nodded quickly, eager to obey. "Of course, Sesshoumaru! Take as long as you need, I understand."

Sesshoumaru's lip lifted in the faintest of rare smiles, and he tucked a hair behind her ear. "You're so sweet and mature, Kagome-chan. You will surely make a man very happy someday."

She blushed, the butterflies in her stomach fluttering so hard there was surely a hurricane in there by now. Yes, I will make you very happy, indeed! She thought fuzzily.

Kagome basically floated away from the classroom as she hurried to do as her beloved asked.

Sesshoumaru stared after her, eyes following well after she left through the door. When he was sure she was far away, his smile dropped. Feet padding noiselessly in the large classroom, Sesshoumaru reached the door and closed it with a resounding click. He turned to the till then silent women in the room, expression vastly changed. There was no trace of the sweetness he had exhibited with Kagome, but his eyes glinted in a way that tugged deep at the music teacher's core.

Kagura gulped as yellow predatory eyes locked with hers. "Taisho-san…" She tried pleasantly, her voice quivering with anticipation.

"Yes?" he murmured, and she felt the deep timber of his voice reverberate inside her brain.

"You wanted to speak with me?" she asked.

Her heart beat fast as one corner of his lip lifted to reveal a fanged smile.

"Let us talk then…sensei."

"Will you relax? He's only been gone for five minutes. Probably talking shit about me with that Wind-witch." Inuyasha grumbled, addressing Kagura with his second-favorite nickname (the first being "Bitch").

Kagome tapped her foot, fingers twitching against her crossed arms as she waited on the curb with Inuyasha. She gave a side-long glare at her friend and rolled her eyes in frustration. Inuyasha just didn't get it. Today was the day! She was dying with the need to confess, and if she didn't do it now she was sure to back out. She had waited long enough, seven years to be exact, and she didn't want to wait any longer.

She uncrossed her fingers and began rummaging in her backpack. Inuyasha stared with disinterest, until she pulled out the yellow flute. "Eh? Why did you bring that ratty old-"

"I'll be right back!" she cut him off, not wanting him to tease her for what she was about to do. With nerves tingling all around her limbs, she got up and ran back inside the school, Inuyasha calling after her.

Kagome ran down the hallways. Every now and then she'd speed by an open door, momentarily catching some random note of music or sound but she didn't really hear anything. All she could hear was the pounding of her own heart, blood rushing through her ears, vibrating in her skull.

Her hand fisted around the toy instrument, nerves finally catching up to her. She knew Inuyasha was right – it was risky what she was about to do. Kagome hadn't had a very extraordinary life full of dangers or action, but she was sure that professing one's love to another person was the scariest thing one could do. What if it doesn't work out?

But…

…what if it does?

Gulping air, he slowed to a trot a few feet away from the classroom door, catching her breath. Hastily she attempted to tame the wild mane with her hands, fingers trying in vain to flatten her flyaways. Hands behind her back hiding her treasured toy, she plastered a sunny smile on her face and began walking towards the doorway. She was about to open the door when she heard a squeak. It sounded like her teacher… Quick, agitated murmuring followed the noise, and then Sesshoumaru's deep voice. It was all muffled though, so Kagome couldn't make out what they were talking about.

Kagome frowned then. While it was true that Inuyasha also took music lessons with Kagura, he wasn't doing particularly bad in her class. He was actually acing it (thanks in great part to Kagome's help). What could they possibly be talking about?

Kagome bit her lip. She knew eavesdropping was a nasty habit, but if they were talking about her friend and future brother-in-law, she was entitled to know what it was about. Carefully, she inched the knob until it gave and the door opened noiselessly. With bated breath, she glimpsed inside.

At first, she didn't see them. She realized that with the limited vision she had through the small opening, they were out of view shot. Kagome strained her ear. She could make out hints of words and sentences, but they were speaking too low. Why were they whispering? Kagome dared to open the door a bit more, almost poking her head inside. And then she saw them.

"You're a very talented flute player…but I know something else you could blow…"

"Sesshoumaru!" Kagura hissed scandalized, but her bright red lips were pulled back into a smile. "You're incorrigible, you naughty boy."

"Then punish me, sensei." Sesshoumaru murmured darkly into her neck. Kagura leaned back into the desk, her body trapped underneath his masculine frame. Kagome watched, transfixed, as his hands explored the curves of her body. Even in her wildest dreams, her most erotic fantasies, Kagome's inexperienced imagination had never come up with this.

Sesshoumaru left quick little bite marks on Kagura's neck, his expression hungry as he devoured all that Kagura offered plaintively. He got to her collarbone, pulled back the neck of her button up shirt, licking the delicate bone roughly. "Where is the necklace I gave you?" he whispered hoarsely.

Kagura was panting, her red nails digging into his biceps. "Your little ward wanted to see it, so I took it off."

"Hn." He grunted, and gripped her ass cheek hard until she squeaked. "I do not remember giving you permission to do so." Sesshoumaru continued his way down her chest, leaving hot fluttery kisses as he did, until his face hovered tentatively over her breast. "You are mine, Kagura. Understand?"

Kagura gasped as his mouth enveloped one clothed nipple, and she squirmed under him.

"Yes!" she gasped. "Yes, Sesshoumaru. Ah, maybe we should stop. What if-" Kagura looked up at the door and stopped talking.

Her eyes met Kagome's, and she gasped.

Sensing something was wrong, Sesshoumaru pulled away. He saw the thunderstruck expression on his lover's face and followed her gaze.

The door was open, but there was nobody there.

"Well, that was quick!" Inuyasha said over his shoulder as he heard Kagome's familiar gait walk up behind him. He had grown bored during his wait and was currently catching Pokemon on his phone.

"Did you get rejected by that loser like I said you would?" he cackled, then let out a triumphant whoop as he caught a level 25 Vaporeon. Grinning toothily, the silver-haired youth looked behind to celebrate with his friend, but the words died in his throat.

Inuyasha quickly stood up, growling. "That asshole!" he growled ferociously, moving closer to Kagome. Fat tears were streaming silently down her face, staining her pink cheeks with black little trails of mascara. "What did he say?! I swear, if he did anything moronic to hurt you, I'll kill him." He shouted, enveloping the raven in a fierce hug.

Kagome couldn't find her voice. Her throat was clogged with sobs, and if she opened her mouth she was afraid of what terrible sounds would come out. So silently, she cried and held on to Inuyasha as the boy continued cursing and asking her questions, all the while rubbing her back in anxious little circles.

Yes, Sesshoumaru had been the precursor to many firsts in Kagome's life.

He had given Kagome her very first instrument.

He had given her the wonderful feeling of love.

And now, he had given her heartbreak.

AN: Because not all love stories end in Happily-Ever-Afters.

Special shout out to "MirrorFlower and DarkWind" and "KEdakumi" for always reviewing on FF! You guys are the best.