Rumor has it by MissTeak

The Rumor

I do not own Inuyasha or any of the characters.

A/N: Here’s my two-chapter response to Kirai’s Christmas-themed challenge! As the rules go, this story revolves around a rumor. Laugh your hearts out, and I hope you enjoy it!

Rumor has it

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“Okay, spin the bottle, Miroku.” Inuyasha said as his cousin complied. The empty plastic bottle spun a few rounds, before slowing down to a halt.

It was pointing in…Sesshoumaru’s direction.

Inuyasha smirked.

“Truth or dare, dear brother?” He asked with a challenging glint in his eyes.

Sesshoumaru regarded the bottle with his usual detached facial expression, before replying, “Truth.”

The excitement at hearing that word lit up conspirical smiles all around the circle in which the six young people, no, five young people and a child, were sitting.

They were having a childish yet classic game of “Truth or dare” among themselves at Inuyasha’s place. There was Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha’s twenty year-old older brother. And of course, there was Inuyasha who was eighteen and their maternal cousin, Miroku, who was twenty as well. Sango was Miroku’s girlfriend and Kagome was her best friend who was invited to this Christmas Eve sleepover. Both girls were eighteen. Last but not least was Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha’s paternal cousin, Shippo, who was eleven.

Sango smiled dangerously at her boyfriend, before turning to look at Sesshoumaru, who ironically did not look fazed in the least.

“Sesshoumaru,” She started, while Kagome squirmed to find a comfortable spot on the couch on which she was sitting cross-legged on. “Is there anyone you like?”

The older guy wore a bored yet slightly annoyed expression, as if he knew the question was coming, and was not exactly excited about it. Kagome’s eyes met his from across the circle, before he broke the eye contact with an unreadable expression in his eyes.

“This is meaningless.”

With that, he stood up and left the circle, leaving a gap at the spot where he used to occupy.

“Loser! He can never enjoy a game without spoiling it first.” Inuyasha rolled his eyes, and Miroku simply shrugged with a helpless smile.

“Why did Sesshoumaru look so…uncomfortable?” Shippo asked, confusion clearly etched on his face upon hearing Sesshoumaru’s room door close.

That brought the I-am-all-knowing smile to Inuyasha’s face, before he beckoned for everyone to come closer in the circle.

“See what I mean? I swear, Sesshoumaru is gay. I’ve thought so since three years ago.” Inuyasha said dramatically amidst murmurs of agreement. He retreated slightly from the circle and watched his friends try to digest this bit of juicy gossip.

“Totally! He never really talks to or looks at other women.” Kagome agreed excitedly. “He only mixes with the guys at the meditation class.”

“Are you serious? I mean, that is rather judgmental…Sure, he has never been with a female, but he has never been with a male either.” Miroku’s eyes widened, before turning to Shippo who was sitting by his side, “And Shippo, gay means-”

The eleven year-old looked at Miroku exasperatedly, before saying, “I’m eleven, Miroku. I so know what gay means.”

Okay. Lesson One: Never underestimate kids of today.

Now, Kagome never really enjoyed gossiping about people, but Sesshoumaru had always been a mystery she could not solve. Coincidentally, attending the same yoga meditation class with him gave her a pretty good opportunity to monitor his social life, and it was true, he never really talks to or looks at other women. He talks only to the men, and acknowledges only the female instructor of the class and Kagome.

“I don’t think Sesshoumaru is gay,” Shippo says knowingly, sitting up straighter in his seat to command greater attention. Turning to Kagome, the boy added. “I think he likes-”

“Fehh! What do brats like you know? Quit acting like you’re so smart.” Inuyasha scorned, taking a long gulp of his iced mocha. “You agree with me, don’t you, Kagome?”

Kagome nodded. Having known Sesshoumaru for a good two years, she had never heard him talk about a female being good-looking, nor has she ever heard of him dating a girl. This was strange, since he was so devastatingly handsome with an icy face that could look cherubic when he was meditating. It was so sad to know he was more interested in men than women.

Sango sighed dramatically and cast Miroku a glance, “I should have known; he has nicer hair and prettier skin than all of us here. It’s such a shame…why are the cute ones always gay? I was hoping it wasn’t for real…”

That elicited laughter, as Miroku glared at his girlfriend before smiling at her lecherously. “Gays can never bring you the joy that I provide you so amply with, dearest Sango.”

Inuyasha raised a hand while Sango blushed furiously and feigned interest in her chamomile tea. “Alright, alright, no gory details here. We don’t have to know all those activities you two engage in. There’s a kid here with us-” “I’m not a kid!” Shippo screams, only to get ignored.

Inuyasha continued. “So, we’ve established the hypothesis that Sesshoumaru is gay. But we have no proof.”

“How on earth do you prove he is gay? Flip through his cell phone records? Check his inbox messages? Tail him?” Kagome asked incredulously. There was no way they could really prove he was gay, could they?

“No, no, no…that’s passé. You make it sound like we’re a bunch of women trying to check on cheating husbands.” Miroku pointed out. His eyes glinted evilly as he came up with a better solution. “You know, I have an idea. A gay man is unable to get excited over a female’s body. Seduction by a female would never work on him, no matter how much she tries. So, a good way to verify his homosexuality would be…”

Inuyasha guffawed, slapping his palm against his thigh before reaching across to slap his cousin a high five. “I know what you mean. One of you girls will do it.”

Miroku smiled conspirically. “That’s the best way to go about doing it.”

“What? But I’m attached! And it’s to you, you lecherous creature.” Sango retorted incredulously, leaning forward to jab Miroku in the shoulder with her finger.

“No, no. Not you, Sango.” Inuyasha placated.

Kagome chose to speak up at this moment. “If it’s not Sango, then who?”

All eyes turned to stare at her, and there was a common knowing look which they all shared. Miroku had the decency to actually cackle.

It dawned upon her.

“Me?” She asked shakily. “No way! This is crazy. What if he…what if he…”

“What on earth can he do to you? Push you onto the ground and have his way with you?” Inuyasha laughed out loud. “He is gay, for goodness’ sake. Nothing can happen to you. You’d be as attractive to him as a piece of log cake. Maybe even less. We just have to prove it once and for all.”

“But-”

“Kagome, you’ve been answering boring ‘Truth’ questions for the whole night. It’s time to take up something more…exciting, don’t you think?” Sango pointed out to her best friend. “Besides, you’ve always been game for anything!”

“I guess…” Kagome muttered. Peer pressure’s a bitch. “So I’m going to prove Sesshoumaru is gay. How do I have to go about doing it?”

Another conspirical look was shared among the members of the circle, and she could have sworn she saw horns pop up on heads all around. Glancing around, Kagome could not help but worry.

Lesson Two: Never ever have lunatics for friends.

Though it’s kinda too late for that.

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To be continued…