#sesskag-week2017

[inu-miko]

“Star Goddess and The West Prince”

[chierafied]

SessKag Week Day 5 - At the Beach

The Bikini Experiment

Modern Day AU / Romance /  1,291 words

Kagome fussed in front of the mirror, turning this way and that. She adjusted the bikini top, feeling self-conscious. 

She had been perfectly happy with her old one-piece swimsuit, but when she’d told Sango that Sesshoumaru had agreed to go to the beach with her, she had all but dragged her into a store and made her buy the bikini.

Though Kagome had wanted a day at the beach – like one you always saw in shoujo manga – she’d been surprised that Sesshoumaru had agreed to it. He was some years older than her and from a very well-off family...  Thus he was more the ‘wine and dine in a fancy setting’ type than ‘let’s go to the beach’ type.

 But that he was willing to step out of his comfort zone even though their relationship was still fresh and budding gave Kagome hope that despite their differences they might manage to build something together. Eventually.

Kagome pursed her lips.

Well, she would just have to trust Sango’s judgement and fashion sense.

She turned away from the mirror and shimmied into a sundress.

She was at the door, clutching her bag and toeing on her sandals, when her phone buzzed to alert her of a text message. She grabbed the phone.

The message was from Sesshoumaru, written in his typical succinct fashion.

Kagome stuffed the phone into her bag and rushed out the door.

  Kagome was a babbling nervous wreck for the entire car ride. She kept sneaking furtive glances at Sesshoumaru and wondering if she’d got more than she bargained for.

This was the first time she’d seen Sesshoumaru so dressed down and it was all she could do not to drool. Sesshoumaru was dashing in a suit – but sitting there next to her in a short-sleeved shirt that was only buttoned half-way up and linen trousers with the legs rolled up to show a glimpse of well-defined shins had her thoughts going to dark and delicious places.

Casual looks suited him, made him seem more approachable.

Kagome looked down at her own sundress and made a face. Next to him, she was going to look downright shabby.

The moment she saw the glimmering blue ocean for the first time, however, Kagome’s mood brightened. She leaned towards the window, bursting with excitement.

Several minutes later, Sesshoumaru finally pulled up at a parking lot and they got out of the car.

Kagome couldn’t help the skip in her step as she hurried towards the beach. Sesshoumaru trailed behind her, following at a more sedate pace.

Finally there, Kagome kicked off her sandals. She sank her toes in the sand, revelling in the warmth and slight roughness of its texture. She breathed in deep, filling her lungs with the fresh air carrying the unmistakable salty tang of the sea.

She opened her eyes, not sure when she had closed them, and found Sesshoumaru standing beside her, holding her sandals in his hand.

“We used to go to the beach when I was younger,” Kagome spoke, replying to the silent question in his amused eyes. “Back when dad was still alive. I’ve missed it.”

“You haven’t been here since?”

“Once. With my friends when I was in high school.”

He studied her for a moment. “Then I’m glad you decided to bring me here.”

She flushed in delight and grabbed his free hand.

“Come on.”

He let her pull him along.

It wasn’t too hard to find a good spot. Since they’d come on a weekday, the beach wasn’t too crowded even though the day was sunny and warm and perfectly summery.

Kagome pulled a blanket from her bag and set it down.

A brief smile touched Sesshoumaru’s lips.

“I wondered why you had such a big bag. You come prepared.”

“I do,” Kagome said, giving the old yellow backpack an affectionate pat. “I’ve got towels and three bottles of water. I made bentou for later and there’s watermelon for a snack.”

“I’m impressed.”

Kagome smiled brightly at the compliment.

Then, hoping to look cool and collected instead of a ball of jitters, Kagome closed her fingers around the hem of her sundress.

She pulled the dress over her head and snuck a glance at Sesshoumaru from under her lashes. She thought she saw his eyes widen but couldn’t be sure.

She folded her dress and put it in her backpack, feeling the weight of Sesshoumaru’s gaze on her back. She fought hard not to fidget or adjust her bikini as she straightened and faced him.

Sesshoumaru looked at her and offered no comment.

Kagome’s shoulders slumped a little as disappointment welled in the pit of her stomach.

Unable to stomach the tense silence, she plastered a smile onto her lips.

“I think I’ll go for a swim, wanna come?”

He shook his head. “I’d better stay here and look after your things.”

“Thanks,” Kagome said, swallowing another wave of disappointment.

Why had she even bothered, Kagome thought bitterly as she stomped towards the water. Why had she let Sango talk her into buying this stupid bikini?

Sango had been so sure. So smug. “He won’t know where to put his eyes.” 

Yeah right!

Sango was an idiot, and Kagome was an even bigger one for believing in her. Sesshoumaru'd had no trouble at all keeping his eyes politely above her shoulders.

Maybe he wasn’t attracted to her, the way she was to him. Kagome was pretty, but she didn’t turn heads the way Sesshoumaru did.

Kagome sighed and stopped when she felt cool water lapping at her feet. She cast one last glance at Sesshoumaru over her shoulder, then waded into the water.

  The seawater had managed to cool Kagome’s head and she felt much better when she was walking towards the shore, her steps heavy with the water pushing against her knees.

Her good mood disappeared as quickly as it had been restored, however. Up on the beach, on their spot, Sesshoumaru was sitting on the blanket – surrounded by three women.

Kagome’s temper sparked.

She hadn’t even been gone long and already he had an admiring audience?!

She probably should have seen it coming, he always did attract attention – but his non-reaction to her bikini aside, he was her boyfriend, damn it!

Kagome picked up her pace, all but stomped as she reached the shore.

She was about half-way towards the three poachers when she found her path blocked.

“Hey there.”

She blinked at the grinning guy standing in her way, then stepped around him.

A hand caught her wrist.

“What’s the rush, babe?”

Kagome turned around to glare at him.

Her fraying temper snapped, and she was about to give him a piece of her mind – when a warm hand slid to the small of her back where it splayed in a possessive manner.

Kagome’s mouth snapped shut.

“Did you have something you wished to discuss with my girlfriend?” Sesshoumaru’s words might have been polite, but his tone of voice was freezing.

“Nah man, sorry.” The guy let go of Kagome and raised his hands in a surrender.

Kagome’s hip bumped against Sesshoumaru as he tugged her against his side.

“I knew that bikini of yours was going to be trouble,” he muttered under his breath, looking at her out of the corner of his eye.

Kagome’s breath caught in her throat.

“What?”

He silenced her with a kiss so hard it left Kagome’s knees wobbly.

When he pulled back, there was heat in his eyes she’d never seen there before and Kagome’s hands curled to clutch at the lapels of his half-buttoned shirt.

There was only one fleeting though on her mind before she leaned into him to claim another kiss: she needed to send Sango a thank you card.

[rin-afananditshows]

They decided to take a stroll through the flowers. ♥

[jafndaegur]

Sesskag Week: Day One  ~Tanabata~

Dandelion Wishes

1372 words, Goblin: the Great and Lonely God AU!

Bright beautiful streamers danced, held in place to awnings over storefronts by colorful decorations. In no way was Tanabata a dull celebration. Good food, cheer, and fantastic fireworks always adorned the day’s activities, and as the centuries had moved on, Sesshomaru had found himself particular to such arrangements of difference to his norm. He had even come to enjoy and join them. Afterall, a cursed deity such as himself—a goblin (funny how one could go from being the most feared daiyokai of the Edo period to an all-powerful, immortal, and oh [most importantly] cursed) to be exact—had needed some form of entertainment.

But now, as he walked among the bamboo that lined the sidewalk and street a block from his house and noticed as the fluttering papers danced in the wind, he found himself almost abhorred at the holiday.

Perhaps it was the Shikon Miko’s fault.

Yes.

It was her fault.

That horrible horrible priestess just had to go and waltz into his life, filling it with things he never knew a heart as frozen as his would allow. She just had to dance her fingers along the strings of his emotions, playing his soul like a violin that had been abandoned for years, begging for attention. She just had to see the sword Bakusaiga buried deep within his just and had to be the one to pull it out, caress his wound, and help him end his curse. Even his brother, his now reincarnated brother—stripped of his status as a grim reaper and returned to the realm of men—had tried to save her. Tried to prevent the Shikon Miko’s leave from his life—the absence almost as abrupt as its entry.

She just had to be the one he chose to give up mortality for just so he could spend the days in the sun with her—holding the soft, feathery skin of her hand; basking in the warm rays of her smile; spinning in circles as they twirled in their own little world, lost to everything outside of it.

Stopping at the block corner where the green walk light buzzed, Sesshomaru gripped his chest, hand over his heart. He bit back a choke. The demon lord who had reined without mercy or emotion would not be so weak as to still be mourning the death of a woman fifty-six years prior to the now. He would not have been mourning period. Yet still, thousands of years could change a person, make them tender. Especially when they had been exposed to the touch of a woman.

Not just any woman, he thought, his gold eyes softening. My woman. My miko…my wi— He ran a shaky hand through the short-cropped hair that just barely stopped above his elfin ears, the tips curling, before his hand slid down the soft bristly hair at the nape of his neck to his shoulders. She used to do that, to calm his thoughts to give him the ability to think.

I’m so sorry, Sesshomaru, but your hair short like this makes you look like an old man!

“Hn, that is very insulting considering I’ve lived far longer than you.”

It’s just so funny, I’m so sorry!

He stopped himself there. Sesshomaru had promised himself that he would not have forgotten her. She had promised to come back to him. She promised. But tonight, on the night when Orihime would be able to meet her beloved spouse…

And he would not.

It seemed unfair to dwell on something he so very very much wished for.

With a sigh, he decided it best if he leave for the night. Nothing good would come of him staying in Japan, where painful reminder of a moonlit rendezvous of two love-forbidden lovers was celebrated.

Finding the closest door, a small grocery stop, he opened it and disappeared inside with small wisps of lavender smoke following—leaving the cashier very confused as to why the door opened on its own.

                                                       ~ ~ ~

Quebec stayed in its silence. Sure, a few tour groups traveled here and there, and yes, practically everywhere. But for him it was silent. No one bothered him, no one asked him for directions, no one even to bother asking him if he was Korean, Chinese, or some sort of other Asian (and yes, he had gotten that question in both English and French). He sat among the gravestones of his aliases and those of his stewards, and yes even the Shikon Miko. In only their solemn, cold company did he remain on the plush grass among the swaying wildflowers and dandelions. Unlike Japan’s loud festivities, Sesshomaru sat in relative piece, on his viewpoint that overlooked the harbor and the grand hotel that he owned.

She had been so excited when she discovered that he had owned that hotel…

Waving his hand back and forth to dispel his troublesome thoughts, the Goblin laid back on the grass, resting his head on the palms of his hands and looked up at the now transitioning sky.

You should be proud of yourself. You’ve grown into a fine Goblin, old man. Oh! And don’t worry, five hundred years from now you’ll have a beautiful bride for yourself.

“Woman, this Sesshomaru will not. Do not exaggerate.”

About which part? Me being beautiful or me being your bride?

“…You are beautiful.”

Hmmm. You hesitated, that means you were reluctant to admit that I’m pretty. Given that it’s you, lord Sesshomaru, that means that one’s the truth. Which means you don’t want me as your bride.

Sesshomaru shut his eyes, the image of the harbor and the sky meeting branded on the back of his eyelids. He could almost imagine the bridge and its arching floor. If he walked upon it, would he meet the brown eyes he wished he could see—at least for a moment.

“I would marry you again in a heartbeat if could, Kagome.”

 A sneeze erupted from his throat in a rather unceremonious manner after that. Dandelion fluff pranced around his nose and clung to his hair as if he were their only anchor to the world. He swatted them away, his brow furrowing in annoyance as his gold eyes crossed to make sure he had rid himself of the last bits. Sure that he had, he closed his eyes and relaxed again…only to be disrupted by a wad of clumped dandelion puff landing on his nose. From his chest, a growl almost escaped until he heard someone call out.

“Hey, old man!” a voice chirped way too pleasantly. ���I’m running out of weeds here and I am trying to get your attention.”

It wasn’t like how he imagined it. Sesshomaru had imagined something heartfelt and teary. Something romantic, a thing that he had to accumulate to when trying to figure out a young girl’s heart. But instead he sat up, the grass having left a damp spot along the jacket of his suit, and the wetted material wrinkled as he turned around to look at the owner of the voice.

There she stood, holding a stem without any leaves in her hand, outstretched and pointed towards him. Her hair was different, shorter, and her eyes were blue now instead of the brown he had accustomed himself to remembering. But he smiled as he saw her in a uniform, one that reminded him quite a bit of her graduation outfit from high school. All her mannerisms were still there. The hopeful smile yet the worried glance. The way she stood proudly, the way she had when she had carried the jewel. Every bit of her screamed that she was indeed the Shikon Miko.

“Do you know who I am?” she whispered.

To any other man, the words would have fleeted from his capabilities. But he caught them with ease, and he stood. The crescent moon on his forehead shone in the dying light of dusk, and he smiled. He hadn’t thought wishes on Tanabata could come true. In all honesty, he had stopped believing in anything hopeful after he realized the odds had been turned against his favor from the beginning.

But she stood there, real and alive again.

“You are, woman, the first and the last Bride of the Daiyokai Goblin.” Sesshomaru neatly settled one hand in the pocket of his jacket while the other one extended and the smile on his face died down to something tender. 

[chierafied]

SessKag Week Day 1 - Tanabata

Star-crossed

Canon Divergence / Drama & Romance / 1,340 words.

Kagome sat on the rim of the well, night wind tugging at her hair.

Her stomach had curled into a hard and tight ball of anxiety. The upcoming battle against Naraku loomed heavy on her shoulders, and on a night like this she couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever have the chance to see her family again.

She gripped the narrow ledge of the well’s rim, her fingernails pushing against the soft wood.

A quiet pulse of youki made her look up. A tall white figure approached her, and with every silent step he took, Kagome’s nervousness melted a little more.

He stopped to stand in front of her, his hooded golden eyes bright in the summer night. He wasn’t wearing his armour or his swords; he looked oddly vulnerable without them.

At the same time, however, her heart swelled, giddy with the knowledge that he felt comfortable enough in her company to show this side of him.

Her head tilted, her gaze locked with his, and her lips curved in a smile.

His face didn’t as much as twitch, but his eyes softened.

He crouched down.

“You are upset.”

It was not phrased as a question, but his deep voice was as soft as a caress.

“I was,” Kagome admitted.

He reached for her, his clawed fingers picking up a lock of her hair and pulling it towards him.

“I’m not anymore,” Kagome added, as Sesshoumaru brought the dark strands to his lips. “Even if I was never able to go home again, I’d still have you.”

“Yes.”

Funny, how such a short and simple word could carry so much weight, become a binding promise.

Warmth flooded Kagome and she leaned towards him.

His eyes flashed, and then his lips were moving against hers – slow and sweet. A surprisingly tender kiss from someone like Sesshoumaru, but a kiss that was becoming increasingly familiar.

When he finally pulled away, fear suddenly gripped at Kagome, its cold claws raking down her spine, chilling her blood. Her hands fisted in the white silk of his kimono.

Somehow, she knew with absolutely certainty that this would be their last stolen moment.

Terror choked her, and a tear slid down her cheek.

Sesshoumaru was fading in front of her eyes, despite her firm grasp of his kimono.

Then, she was clutching at air.

A ragged whisper tore from her throat.

“But you promised….”

  Kagome woke from the dream, her pillow spotted by small wet splotches where her tears had fallen. She rubbed at her eyes. They felt crusty and swollen.

But the sadness that squeezed her heart was a million times worse.

She burrowed under the blanket and hugged herself, allowing herself a moment to dwell, to let herself feel the pain before she would be ready to rise and face the day.

Because most of that dream, of her and Sesshoumaru meeting by the well, was no fantastic figment courtesy of her demented subconscious. No, it was much worse than that; it was a memory.

An embellished recollection of an actual event that had taken place two nights before their final confrontation against Naraku.

It had been the last time they had shared such a moment, with just the two of them. Two days later, they had fought side by side deep inside the grotesque spider Naraku had become.

And after they had defeated him and rescued the Shikon jewel, the currents of time had tugged at Kagome and pulled her back to where she had started.

She had sat on the bottom of the well and cried.

It was ironic, really; she’d been so worried she’d never see her family again, but even in her darkest nightmares she’d never imagined she wouldn’t be able to see him.

Kagome breathed through the heartache and then firmly pushed it aside. Enough of dwelling for now.

She got up from bed and headed downstairs for breakfast.

  A wry smile touched Kagome’s lips as she stood in her under robe and briefly studied her outfit, hanging on the door of her closet. Then, with practised movements, she pulled on the white kimono and carefully secured it in place. The red hakama came next. She tied the belt with care, adjusted how it cinched on her waist, smoothed down her kimono.

Kagome made her way outside, pausing to slide thronged sandals onto her feet. She supposed she should have tied her hair back, but doing so would have been too strong a reminder of Kikyou. Wearing the miko uniform was bad enough.

She grabbed the broom by the door and set to work, sweeping the shrine yard. 

It was the first day of Tanabata so they wanted to make a good impression for anyone who might come and visit the shrine. She’d helped jii-chan to put up the decorations last night. Pristine green bamboo stood under the Goshinboku, ready and waiting. They looked oddly forlorn, without any wishes hanging on their branches.

It reminded her a little of how Sesshoumaru had looked, without his swords and armour.

Kagome’s heart ached, and she looked up to the cloudy July sky.

She had never given much thought to Tanabata before, though she knew the mythology behind it – growing up at the shrine and listening to jii-chan’s stories, she knew a lot of mythology.

But this year, the holiday hit a little too close to home.

This year, she knew too well how Orihime must have felt, being permitted to meet her husband once a year – and even then only if it didn’t rain, otherwise she wouldn’t be able to cross the river.

The broom clattered to the ground. Kagome was moving before the thought fully penetrated her consciousness, stalking towards Goshinboku.

There was a small desk set next to the bamboo, which Kagome would likely man later in the day. On the table was a couple of sets of writing utensils and a wooden box.

She reached into the box and pulled out a slip of paper. She picked up a small brush, dipped it in ink, and paused for just the second, the tip hovering above the paper.

Perhaps she should’ve wished the well to open again. Perhaps she should’ve just wished him well.

But like an echo of the pleas Orihime might have once made to her father, the words flowed from her heart to the tip of her fingers, drawing wobbling characters onto the tanzaku, the black ink a stark contrast against the white paper.

I want to see him

Kagome took tanzaku to the nearest bamboo and hung it there, her throat tight, but her eyes thankfully dry.

She set aside the brush and went back to pick up her broom.

She was not foolish enough to believe that her wish was granted, but at least this year she’d made one from the heart. And the bamboo didn’t look so lonely anymore, either.

She smiled to herself and continued to diligently sweep the yard, hoping that despite the clouds it wouldn’t rain today.

Something dark and familiar uncurled, brushing lightly at Kagome’s awareness. Her head shot up. She squeezed the handle of her broom and held her breath.

Nothing.

She must have imagined it; great, now she was going crazy on top of everything else.

Her heart quivered and a shiver ran down her back.

There it was again. The unmistakable prickle of youki.

Kagome held the broom to her chest and slowly turned around to where she was sensing the dark energy.

He stood silently at the top of the shrine steps, underneath the red torii gate.

Kagome’s breath caught in her throat. The broom fell from her nerveless fingers.

The whole world blurred, as tears flooded her eyes. And when she managed to blink them away, he stood in front of her, his finger gently brushing away the wet trail on her cheek.

“You are upset,” he told her, in that deep voice, just as soft as she remembered.

Laughter bubbled in Kagome’s throat, and she threw her arms around him.

[chierafied]

SessKag Week Day 7 - Sky Full Of Stars

Home

Post-Canon / Romance & Slice of life / 583 words

When Kagome returned to the room she shared with Sesshoumaru, she found it empty. One of the shouji screens bordering the outer walkway was open, letting in a soft breeze.

A knowing smile rose to Kagome’s lips. She picked a lit paper lantern and padded across the room.

She paused briefly to peel her socks off. Then she slipped out from the gap of the partially open screen and crossed the walkway, her steps quiet against the polished wood. She stepped down from the walkway and into the garden.

The grass was cool beneath her bare feet. Kagome inhaled deeply, enjoying the fresh night air and the sweet scents of her garden.

Her mate was sitting at his favourite spot, by the pond. He was wearing a simple dark kimono and his usual white fur pooled in the ground around him. Set on the ground in front of him was a lacquered tray.

She sat down next to him, depositing the lantern by the tray, and dug her feet into the soft white fur of his pelt with a blissful sigh.

He didn’t turn to look at her, and when he spoke, his deep voice was barely a murmur. “Are they asleep?”

“Who, the kids or Inuyasha?” Kagome chuckled. “I expect they’re all one big happy snoring pile of puppies by now. It was a tiring day.”

“Indeed.” He brought a sake dish to his lips and tipped it, emptying it in one swallow.

Kagome’s lips quirked in a smile. She brushed back the sleeves of her kimono before she reached for the sake bottle on the tray. She picked it up, then refilled her mate’s dish.

She felt the weight of his golden gaze on her. After all these years, it still made her skin tingle.

Kagome put down the bottle and looked over the pond. The waterlilies had only just started blooming, their white petals almost glowing in the gentle darkness of the summer night. The still surface of the pond reflected the night sky, with its vast expanse of twinkling stars.

Kagome set her hands on the ground and leaned back, looking up to the velvet sky stretching above them. The sight of it made her sigh again. 

She wondered if she would ever get used to seeing so many stars, burning so bright. Stars had been pale and scarce back home, where the lights of the city burned long to the night.

“Thinking of home?” her mate asked. He took another sip of sake.

Kagome shook her head.

Sesshoumaru put down the sake dish and turned to her. “You cannot lie to me.” His hand came to rest over hers, his fingers curling around it in a familiar firm grip. “This sliver of sadness, I can only smell it on you when you are thinking of home.”

The corner of Kagome’s lips twitched. She turned her head, met his eyes. “I was thinking of Tokyo,” she admitted.

She shifted her weight, lifted her free hand so she could run her fingers across his cheek in a feather-light caress. He leaned into the touch, his eyes hooded.

“But I made my choice, years ago,” Kagome continued. “My home is here, with you.”

He growled, but there was no threat in the sound; it was a declaration of pride.

His face relaxed into one of its rare smiles.

Kagome smiled back and let her head fall to rest against his shoulder, as they sat together in their garden, enjoying the night.

[chierafied]

SessKag Week Day 3 - Hanabi

Scent of Power

Modern Day AU / Meet-cute /  1,014 words

Sesshoumaru didn’t like crowds. For one, he valued his personal space… and crowds always generated too much noise, carried too many smells. He had very good control over his senses and could filter out most disctractions, but crowds were chaotic and unpleasant.

That was why he would – under normal circumstances – never consent to attend a summer festival in Tokyo.

But the cursed little girl had him wrapped around her finger; an irony so delicious that his mother never passed an opportunity to bring it up.

The girl only had to aim her large brown eyes at him, with her lower lip trembling just so, and Sesshoumaru would have given his left arm to make sure she’d get what she wanted. 

Even though he knew how irksome it was to grow back a whole limb.

So here he was, at the summer festival, wrinkling his nose at the loathsome crowd. The various stalls lining the both sides of the street made the space feel even narrower, and a whole river of people was meandering along the street, pausing occasionally at one stall or another.

Rin’s small hand securely clasping his larger one was the reason why Sesshoumaru didn’t snarl or turn on his heel. She looked even more adorable than usual, her hair on a side ponytail and adorned by a butterfly clip. 

The hair clip as well as the checkered yukata were of his mother’s making – Sesshoumaru wasn’t Rin’s only daiyoukai conquest.

Sweeter still was that bounce in Rin’s step as she walked beside him. She was bubbling with excitement, and Sesshoumaru was glad he’d given in to her whim despite his aversion to festivals such as this one.

As long as Rin was happy, Sesshoumaru was content.

“Sesshoumaru-sama! Look!” Rin gave him a toothy smile and tugged him towards a stall in front of which tiny goldfish swam in a shallow pool.

Someone bumped against Sesshoumaru’s back with a startled gasp. A squeaky “sorry!” followed soon after.

Sesshoumaru’s lips curled in a snarl, but the growl died in his throat.

That scent!

He whipped around, but saw nothing but a glimpse of purple and then the stranger was lost in the crowd.

He turned around and allowed Rin to pull him towards the goldfish, scenting the air. It was faint but there; a scent with a crisp edge of power. A scent he had not caught in decades, if not a full century.

The scent of a miko.

  The evening was darkening. The crowd was even bigger now, much to Sesshoumaru’s displeasure. He did like the sight of the paper lanterns, however. The light they provided created a much nicer mood than the harsh electric ones did – and it reminded him of different times, now long gone.  

The bounce was gone from Rin’s step. After hours of excitement and several tasty treats, she had tired enough to drag her feet.

They were almost done, Sesshoumaru assessed. There was only one thing left, the crowning event for the day.

“The fireworks display will start soon,” he told Rin. “Let’s go find seats.”

She perked up and grinned at him, walking lighter as they headed towards the designated area.

After the fireworks, they could finally leave.

The promise of going home should have been more of a relief to him, Sesshoumaru reflected. 

But a part of him was still remembering the scent he’d caught earlier.

A miko. Here. Now.

That same part would have loved to hunt her down – but finding her here at the festival would be close to an impossible task, even for him. With this many people about there were too many different smells mixing in the air, from food and sweat to various brands of shampoo. Too much information to flood his sensitive nose with.

A lot of people were already sitting down, waiting for the fireworks to start. Sesshoumaru stayed at the edge of the gathered crowd and settled down to wait.

Rin had more trouble staying patient; she couldn’t stop fidgeting.

Time passed slower for the young.

Finally, the fireworks show started. As the first burst of colour flashed against the evening sky, Rin gasped in delight.

Sesshoumaru spared only few sparse glances at the display. He had seen fireworks many times over the course of his long life.

Rin’s face, tilted up, her eyes reflecting the glowing colours, her smile bright and full of delight was much more precious sight.

Over the boom of the fireworks, Sesshoumaru caught a sound of rushing footsteps that came to a stop.

“Shoot,” the person muttered to herself, out of breath, “it already started.”

Something purple moved in Sesshoumaru’s peripheral vision, a few feet to his left.

He tore his gaze away from Rin and turned his head sharp enough to almost crack his neck.

It was a young woman, in her twenties if even that. She was wearing a purple yukata, and shadowing her eyes with one hand as she looked up at the fireworks splaying against the sky.

Sesshoumaru’s nostrils flared as he inhaled deep.

The familiar scent made his hackles rise.

Power. Cold and raw… and there was a lot of it.

His youki swirled restlessly, but Sesshoumaru was intrigued. She was not just a miko, she was a strong miko.

As if sensing his stare, she looked away from the fireworks. Startling blue eyes met his gaze, gleaming with curiosity.

“Sorry,” she said, her lips curving into a hesitant smile. “Am I bothering you?”

She couldn’t have been trained. Otherwise she would be wary of him.

But then, in a world where the old powers were fading, giving way to technology, who would be around to train young mikos?

Nonetheless, she must have felt his energy, because she was leaning towards him in a way Sesshoumaru suspected was wholly subconscious. The expression on her face mirrored his own intrigue.

“No. Not a bother.” He paused. “I’m Sesshoumaru.”

“Kagome.” Her smile grew surer, brighter. “Nice to meet you!”

It certainly was, Sesshoumaru agreed. And one way or another, he would have to make sure he would meet her again.

[chierafied]

SessKag Week Day 6 - Fireflies

Finding Happiness

Post-Canon / Romance / 1,323 words

The long summer day was turning to night, when Kagome slipped out of the village and climbed towards the shrine and the Bone Eater’s well. The sounds of merriment followed her up the stone stairs as she left the wedding celebration behind her.

At the top of the stairs, grass brushed at her ankles. She had just wanted a moment for herself, some peace and quiet – but when she walked past the well she knew where her feet were taking her.

Somehow, she thought, a small wry smile touching her lips, that seemed appropriate.

She paused before the tall tree, admired its wide trunk. She stepped even closer, rose to the tips of her toes and extended her hand. Her fingers brushed against the rough bark, caressing the scar she knew only too well.

She drew a quivering breath and bowed her head.

“I didn’t expect to feel bitter today,” she breathed, the God Tree the only audience for her quiet confession, “but I guess a part of me is, a little.”

“You left your home to come here, to a time you do not belong, just to be with him,” a deep voice remarked from behind.

Kagome jumped. Her hand that had been resting against the bark of the Goshinboku balled into a fist.

She had not heard him approach her; this was a predator who knew how to silence his steps. Likewise, he exercised perfect control over his powers – enough to apparently mask his energy, which was why she hadn’t felt him, either.

She turned around slowly.

The impassive golden eyes were narrowed in scrutiny, and Kagome’s shoulders stiffened.

“Yet you did not expect to feel bitter on a day he marries another?”

Kagome bit her lip and glared at him. She was still angry at how he’d sneaked up on her, and in any case she didn’t owe him any answers. But something about his voice caught her; a trace of curiosity that did not show on his still face.

“I thought I had put it behind me,” she said with a small shrug.

“Love is not something one can easily discard.”

Kagome scoffed. “Love comes in many forms,” she countered. “Inuyasha and I started out as friends. We still are friends now. And I love my friends.”

“That is not what this Sesshoumaru means.”

His voice sounded colder, but Kagome wasn’t fazed. The situation was too bizarre to frighten her; to stand here arguing about love with Sesshoumaru – on Inuyasha’s wedding day.

“I’m not sure I ever loved him the way you mean,” she replied. And that was the truth.

Oh, she had wholeheartedly believed she was in love with Inuyasha – but she had been young, even when she had returned three years later. The more she thought about it now, the more convinced she was that it had been just puppy love. 

It wasn’t Inuyasha she had truly been in love with, but the image she’d built of him in her head. What he could have been.

“We were together for a while. But it didn’t do either of us any good.” She shook her head, to rid herself of the memories – they still had the power to hurt her, but only if she let them. And she wasn’t going to, not today of all days. “It wasn’t working, and our decision to call it quits was mutual.”

He didn’t say anything, just stared at her. But the intensity of his gaze was troubling enough.

Kagome rubbed her arms and took a seat, settling on the cool grass and leaning her back against Goshinboku.

To her surprise, Sesshoumaru took a few steps forward, and gracefully lowered himself to the ground just a few scant feet away from her.

Unease curled in her stomach like a heavy weight as she suddenly wondered what game Sesshoumaru was playing here. Their interactions had always been brief and carefully courteous at best – expect perhaps that one moment battling Naraku when they’d been alone and united.

If anything, Kagome thought Sesshoumaru regarded her with mild irritation. So why was he here? Why had he followed her, when she had wanted a moment to herself? Why had he engaged her in a conversation? Why was he sitting so close?

Kagome looked across the clearing, focusing on the dancing glow of the fireflies gathering there. Normally, the sight would’ve made her smile, but now it only served as a momentary distraction from the growing sense of foreboding caused by Sesshoumaru’s unexplained presence.

“I meant what I said earlier,” Kagome said, when the silence grew too heavy for her, too much. “Inuyasha’s my friend. Maybe I’m still a bit bitter though I have tried to let go of the past. But more than anything else, I want him to be happy.”

“You did not find happiness with each other.”

It was not a question – and it stung, the way words always did when they struck true and scraped at old scars.

She was surprised that her voice was only a little tight when she replied. “No, but I’m glad he’s found it at last.”

Sesshoumaru stared at her.

She didn’t see it, because she was purposefully ignoring him, but the way her entire body tensed told her all his attention was focused on her.

Kagome gritted her teeth and watched the fireflies – though now that she looked at them more closely, buzzing about their business, their glow reminded her of the golden gleam of his eyes.

When Sesshoumaru finally spoke, his deep voice was soft; softer than Kagome would ever have believed possible.

“And what about you, Kagome?”

Startled, she turned towards him.

“What?”

He tilted his head and studied her, an odd look in his eyes.

“What about your happiness?”

Stunned by both his words and the pain flaring in their wake, Kagome managed a weak shrug.

He struck so quickly that Kagome had only time to flinch – his hand was a blur when it caught hers in a grip as relaxed as it was unyielding.

Kagome’s breath froze in her throat and she stared at his deadly claws delicately curved around her wrist. Panic flooded Kagome’s mind but cold logic followed right on its heels, reminding her that struggling was not a good idea, not when the most lethal predator of them all had caught a hold of her.

Therefore, she could only helplessly watch when he drew her hand towards him.

Kagome cringed internally, preparing for that deadly flash of his fangs while her heart thundered against her ribs.

But when his lips brushed against the tips of her fingers in a soft caress, the shiver creeping down her spine wasn’t all fear.

Kagome’s lips parted, her breath still caught in her throat.

His eyes were hooded, their golden colour almost luminous in the darkening night.

Kagome’s eyes were wide and wild, her mind scrambling to make sense of it all because hot damn Sessoumaru had just kissed her fingers.

“I think that my half-brother has it right, for once,” he murmured, still holding onto her hand, his thumb drawing a lazy circle along her flushing skin. “I would like to find my happiness. Would you, Kagome, be willing to help me look for it?”

Kagome blinked at him, her stomach in knots again but for a whole different reason that it had been earlier. 

It was really hard to keep thinking about anything while he traced whimsical patterns on the back of her hand and stared at her with those oddly intent, hooded eyes – let alone trying to process the situation.

Sesshoumaru couldn’t possibly be suggesting what she thought he was suggesting, right?

She swallowed.

And yet… Ridiculous and unwise as it might have been, she felt tempted.

Very tempted.

She took a deep breath. What did she have to lose, anyway?

Kagome squared her shoulders and drew herself up. She met his gaze and sealed her fate with one word.

“Yes.”

[chierafied]

SessKag Week Day 2 - Obon

Honouring the Dead

Post-Canon / Romance /  1,125 words 

Note: This one shot takes place in the same universe as my on-going chapter story Life After Loss. This snippet happens outside the events of the story so it works as a standalone and doesn’t spoil anything. :)

The mood in Edo was festive. A small smile touched Kagome’s lips as she watched everyone bustle around, preparing for the evening. The wood for the bonfire was slowly piling in the centre of the village.

Miroku oversaw everything with a watchful eye. Kaede might have been the miko of the village, but Obon was a Buddhist affair – like most matters pertaining to death.

Kagome nodded to Miroku in passing and continued walking towards the stone stairs rising towards the shrine.

Inuyasha had always liked Obon. He’d been intrigued about the human festivals, glad to participate in whatever way he could. Kagome suspected it was because after so many years, he had finally found a place to belong; in Edo, with her.

Sesshoumaru must have caught impressions of her mood through their mating bond, because he was watching her, his eyebrow arched in a silent question.

Kagome slanted a glance his way and shrugged her shoulders, starting the familiar climb.

“Inuyasha enjoyed this festival,” she explained, his presence a comfort at her back as he trailed after her up the stairs.

“And you?” he asked.

Kagome smiled again. Trust him to hear even the things left unsaid.

“I always felt like an outsider, even back when we were living here,” she admitted. “Obon is all about the spirits of the ancestors. How could I participate in the festivities with good conscience? I don’t know who my ancestors are, not this far in the past. My family can trace their line through most of the Edo period, but Sengoku era? And even if I did know my ancestors here, they’d likely still be alive.”

They reached the top of the stairs, and Kagome paused to flash Sesshoumaru a rueful smile. “So you see my problem.”

“I see how it would be difficult to be displaced in a different time.”

“With Inuyasha’s help, though, I was able to find a compromise,” Kagome said. She gathered her supplies: some cloth, incense and a bucket full of water. “So we came up with a tradition of our own.”

Sesshoumaru’s surprise bubbled through their mating bond, when Kagome stopped in front of the gravestone. He had probably expected her to pay her respects at the next grave over – and she would, in due time. But this was Obon, and the tradition had been hers and Inuyasha’s, so this was respecting his spirit, too.

“We figured,” she spoke softly, starting to clean the grave of her once rival, “that since I was Kikyou’s reincarnation, it would make her my ancestor.”

Sesshoumaru knelt beside her on the grass, and contemplated the silent gravestone.

“I suppose that is true, in a sense. I am glad Inuyasha found some way for you to celebrate.”

Warmth flooded Kagome, and she dipped her cloth in the water, starting the scrub the gravestone clean.

“And I do appreciate your conundrum. Of course, our kind does not always pay much attention to your human rituals.” He sounded almost apologetic.

“Why would you? You have a culture of your own,” she said. She’d learned enough about the demon society not to take offense.

“We, too, honour our dead. But the concept of ancestors is a difficult one, when a single generation spans centuries. So we use Obon to remember all our dead. It is not always easy for us, to notice the passage of time.”

“Using the human holidays helps you to keep track. Like an anchor.” Kagome nodded to herself. “That’s nice.”

Sesshoumaru stayed silent.

Kagome kept to her task. She could feel Sesshoumaru’s hesitation through their bond and guessed there was something he still wanted to say, but she waited. A small reflection of all the patience he had shown to her.

“I know,” he spoke at last, “that as his mate this would likely be your task but… May I take care of him?”

Kagome’s hands stilled. Her throat tightened and tears burned in her eyes.

She had cried enough for a lifetime, but this was different.

He caught the tear rolling down her cheek with the tip of his claw.

“This Sesshoumaru presumed too much,” he said, bowing his head. “Forgive me.”

Kagome shook her head. She flung down the cleaning cloth and turned to cup Sesshoumaru’s cheeks.

“No, you silly youkai,” she told him, meeting his eyes. “You do not.”

He frowned at her, displeasure written on his face.

“I made you cry.”

She smiled at him, soft and sad. She run her thumbs down to his jawline in a comforting caress.

“I’m sorry my wounds have made you wary. But not all tears are born from grief.” She leaned forward to press a lingering kiss to his lips. “I’d be happy – very happy – if took care of him.”

His golden eyes softened. The tender look in them echoed another one that Kagome still carried in her heart.

Sesshoumaru grabbed her wrists and gently pulled her hands from his cheeks. He kissed the back of both of her hands before he released them.

He got up, and walked over to the grave next to Kikyou’s. He knelt in front of it, then started plucking out weeds and clearing out the old ash from burnt incense.

Kagome picked up her own wash cloth again, but snuck glances at Sesshoumaru as they worked.

All the times they had visited his grave together, he had always watched her tend it. Sometimes, he had helped… But this was the first time he’d taken the task upon himself.

It felt right.

Kagome finished washing Kikyou’s grave. She lit fresh incense, and bowed her head in a prayer.

Down in the village, the sound of drums started, their steady rhythm filling the air like a heartbeat.

Sesshoumaru lit incense and rose. He set his hand on Kagome’s shoulder.

“Ready?”

She smiled up at him. “Yes.”

He pulled her to her feet. She put the cloth and the bucket back in their places, then spared one last look at the two graves.

Kikyou and Inuyasha, resting side by side.

That felt right, too.

Kagome laid her hand on Sesshoumaru’s arm. They walked over to the stairs and paused under the torii, looking down into the village. 

The bonfire was lit. The villagers, dressed in their better kimonos, had formed a circle around it. The drum beat a rhythm and the villagers stepped and turned, moving as one to the steps of the dance.

The steps might change, but five hundred years from now, people would still gather for the obon dance.

Kagome drew comfort in that.

Despite death and the teeth of time, some things would last.

Sesshoumaru’s voice was a soft murmur in her year. “What are you thinking, Kagome?”

“Love,” she replied, squeezing his arm. “I’m thinking about love.”

[chierafied]

SessKag Week Day 4 - Sunflower fields and Road trip

First for Everything

Modern Day AU / Romance /  1,077 words

Familiar chords filled the silence and Kagome perked up in her seat, unable to hold back a smile. She loved this song!

She leaned towards the radio and cranked up the volume.

Sesshoumaru’s fingers clenched against the steering wheel. He slanted a quick glance her way, his eyebrow arched.

Kagome raised her own eyebrows in a challenge.

Sesshoumaru was a private person as well as a control freak – but she could be just as stubborn as he was.

He fixed his attention back onto the road and shook his head. But he couldn’t mask the smile rising to his lips.

Victory was hers. Kagome slumped happily against her seat, her head bopping to the beat of the song.

It was a beautiful day. Sun was smiling at them from a clear blue sky. The air outside was hot and humid, and Kagome was glad to be sitting in the comfortable coolness of the air conditioned car.

Excitement bubbled through her as she watched the road stretching out before them. The train would have been faster, but a road trip was so much more fun. She was glad she had managed to talk Sesshoumaru into it – even if their given destination had her in jitters.

The song ended. Kagome grimaced at the commercials on the radio and turned the volume back down. She looked at the passing scenery and toyed with the hem of her sundress.

“It will be fine,” Sesshoumaru spoke, his deep voice pitched in a soothing tone.

Kagome bit her lip and snuck a glance at him.

“You can’t know that.”

Warm gold eyes met hers for a brief moment before he turned his head to watch the road again.

“I know you,” Sesshoumaru told her, in that utter confidence that bordered on arrogance. “And I know my mother. She’s going to love you.”

Kagome hummed. Somehow, she wasn’t as convinced of that as he was.  

Though, to be perfectly honest, it wasn’t just the thought of Sesshoumaru’s mother disliking her that made her stomach twisting into knots.

She’d dated before. Good guys, nice guys.

But never a guy like Sesshoumaru.

And she had never met any of her exes’ mothers either.

This was a big step, a step that made this is serious flash across her mind in neon letters.

Casual dating wasn’t really Kagome’s thing, so commitment didn’t scare her; not exactly… But even after months of dating, some part of her still couldn’t believe that someone like Sesshoumaru was interested in her.

And now he was driving them across Honshuu so he could introduce her to his mother.

She was giddy. She was nervous. She was humbled. She couldn’t believe her luck.

She was in love – that scared her more than Sesshoumaru’s mother ever could. Love opened a door to wonderful things but it was also a leap of faith.

Kagome had been hurt before. She and her ex both had been young and thoughtless but she could not unlearn the lesson: caring for someone deeply left you vulnerable to them.

Kagome stared out of the window, not even registering the landscape as her fingers worried the hem of her dress.

A warm weight flattened her fingers and settled over her hand.

Kagome’s gaze snapped to his hand, curling around her fingers in silent comfort.

She probably wasn’t able to keep the affection flooding her insides from showing in her eyes as she turned to look at him.

He didn’t speak or look back at her, fully focused on driving, but his usually impassive face bore such a tender expression that Kagome’s heart melted then and there.

And she knew that Sesshoumaru would never hurt her.

Kagome relaxed against her seat and smiled at the clear blue sky.

  Sesshoumaru drummed his finger against the steering wheel in the beat of the song playing quietly in the background. Beside him, Kagome sat on her seat and looked out of the window, resting her cheek against her hand. Her eyes were hooded, all signs of her earlier fidgeting gone.  

Sesshoumaru was glad to see her relaxed at last.

Kagome had no cause to fret. He had meant what he’d said earlier; his mother would welcome her with open arms.

After all the nagging and not-so-subtle hints he’d endured over the years, he was sure his mother would welcome any woman he’d bring to meet her with open arms.

And Kagome wasn’t just anyone, she was someone very special.

A soft gasp drew Sesshoumaru’s attention.

Kagome had sat up, and was raptly staring out of the window, unaware of his gaze. Outside the window there was a field of yellow, and it took Sesshoumaru a moment to realise it was a field of sunflowers.

They were her favourite flowers. He remembered her mentioning that on one of their first dates, and he’d stored the fact for later use.

His mind made, Sesshoumaru slowed down and found a good place to stop on the shoulder of the road.

Kagome turned to him.

“Why are we stopping?”

“We’re taking a short break so I can stretch my legs.”

He saw the suspicion in her eyes, but kept his features perfectly neutral. Kagome frowned but slipped out of the car and started towards the field.

Sesshoumaru got out and walked around the car. He propped himself against the passenger side door to watch Kagome. Her sundress fluttered in the small breeze as she walked towards the flowers.

When she reached the edge of the field, Sesshoumaru noticed some of the sunflowers were taller than she was. Somehow that made her even more endearing to him.

And then she looked at him over her shoulder and Sesshoumaru’s heart sang – her blue eyes danced in the sunlight, the pure joy writ on face and that smile…

It was her smile that had made Sesshoumaru fall for her in the first place.

Minutes stretched, as she admired the flowers and he admired her.

When she turned to walk back to him, he took a few steps forward to meet her.

Kagome slid her arms around his neck and Sesshoumaru instinctively pulled her body against his, not caring about the heat of the day.

Her head tilted to meet his gaze.

“I love you,” she whispered, a quiet confession she’d never voiced before.

Sesshoumaru, however, was a man of action, not words; he slid his hand to cradle the back of her neck and claimed her soft lips in a tender kiss.

[rin-afananditshows]

I’m sure she is very warm and comfortable where she is. ♥

(day late, sorry)

[jafndaegur]

Sesskag Week 2017: Day Two ~Obon~

Look for the Sakura

Word count: 1628, Goblin: the Great and Lonely God AU

                                                       ~ ~ ~

Sesshomaru fell to his knees, the hard and jarring against his sore bones. He gasped in pain as he dropped Bakusaiga, watching as Narkau melted into a pile of sizzling tar. The poltergeist had put up more of a fight dead, than when he had back during the search for the Jewel in the Feudal Era. Coughing, he spat up blood that made its way past his lips. This was it.

The sword had been pulled from his chest. Now he was to die here. Broken and undignified.

If it didn’t hurt to make noises, he would have scoffed.

“Sesshomaru!”

The goblin looked up to see Kagome rush toward her, panic set in her face. Inuyasha, the grim reaper version of his brother, followed closely behind. His ears were flattened against the top of his head and his gold eyes widened in disbelief. One hand hid in the leather of his coat pockets, while the other held the baseball cap for his other-worldly duties.

“Sesshomaru, look at me, we have to get you to a hospital,” the girl supported his shoulders as he slumped forward.

“Woman,” he shook his head, bangs scratching against his eyes. “You know what this means. No hospital can help this Sesshomaru now.”

“No, there has to be some way,” she insisted, her hands flying to his cheeks. Her fingers almost recoiled at how frozen he was to the touch. “Just because I pulled that stupid sword…you can’t…it’s not fair…”

His brow lifted, and he shook his head weakly. “Woman, several hundred years from the past has not changed how I dislike idle chatter.” A growl escaped from his mouth as his hand flew to his chest where the gaping hole pulsed. “You’ve pulled my curse from me. This is my end.”

“No, no it’s not fair,” Kagome whispered, her hands shaking.

“Hey Sesshomaru, what happens when I pull the sword from your chest?”

Hn. This one will transform into a broom, hehe.

“Jeez, old man. Had I known that one little beer would’ve gotten drunk, I would have told Mr. Grim Reaper to not take you out tonight.”

This Sesshomaru is hardly inebriated.

“Hm…if you turn into a broom, why don’t I pull the sword from your chest at first snowfall? We’ll need one then.”

…that is acceptable.

“I thought you would turn into a broom,” she muttered weakly, the pad of her thumb sweeping gently over his cheekbone.

The goblin shook his head. “This one will become a beautiful broom.”

“This isn’t funny,” she whispered. “I can’t bring you back. I can’t stop this. I’m just the Shikon Miko who can’t stop you from dying.”

“Hn…” his vision was blurring and his thoughts slurred together. “The Shikon Miko…was destined to be the goblin’s bride. You gave him much happiness in this life of his.”

“You didn’t grant my three wishes, you have to stay.”

“You know very well woman, this Sesshomaru takes orders from no one.”

“Please, old man,” her endearment died on her tongue and a sob came out instead. “I didn’t think I could but I lo…I love…”

He rested his forehead on hers, his white hair mixing with the black locks of her bangs. Ragged breaths came from him as he inhaled and exhaled. She held his face closer, trying to bring him as close as she could to him. Reiki brushed up against the fragile remains of his youki and he found it almost comforting. The small sizzles of the two contradicting powers soothed and relaxed him.

“You, have never been one to fall short of words,” he whispered. “Do not do so now.”

A firework, the first of many, shot into the sky. It blared out the words that moved when her lips did. But he allowed his generally solemn expression to melt into a small quirk of the corners of his mouth. His right hand found hers, and stroked the arch between her pointer finger and her palm. She trembled as his golden eyes found hers. “So do I,” he murmured, responding to the words hidden by the fire cracker’s boom.

More began to shoot into the sky, festive music heard from down below the roof top of their building. The world seemed so indifferent to his passing. Then again it always had been, since the moment he had become cursed.

“You should partake in the obon festival,” he inhaled, “such sorrow does not befit you.”

“How can you talk about me going to the celebration when you’re here, bleeding out and dying?” she demanded, her voice cracking with disbelief.

“I would hardly say I’m bleeding out. When you pulled the sword out there was hardly any blood.”

She squeaked in protest. In her mind, she could not believe that this was the last thing he would be talking about.

The goblin almost laughed and smile at her reaction, she had always been one for drama. But a surge of again sent rails of agony into his system. He grunted, his left arm burning as it began to turn to his telltale wisps of lavender power. Except this time, he was not controlling it. His clock was ticking.

“The sakura blossoms,” Sesshomaru said, his voice low and rumbling.

Kagome clung to his hand tighter, eyes watering as she tried to understand his statement. “What?”

He gave an amused chuckle and sat back on his heels with the last bits of his remaining strength. His still tangible hand tightened its grip on hers, trying to remember the feeling of her warmth. This last little bit of peace, he wanted to remember it through his punishment.

“This Sesshomaru will return as the sakura blossoms,” he sighed, the pain lacing from his arms up into his shoulders. “After the storms have rained and scattered the petals. This Sesshomaru will come as the winds that makes the sakura dance in the sky.”

Tears slid down the girl’s cheeks.

“I will command and demand the deity until it is so.”

“You can’t just leave,” she pressed, his grip was failing and she brought his clawed fingers to her lips, kissing the knuckles. “I’d just discovered that you weren’t such a horrible jerk. And that you’re selective about when you use your royal ‘we’. Please I want to spend more time with you learning those things.”

His eyes softened while his lips remained drawn in their almost straight line. “Wait for the sakura to bloom, and you will find those times with this one.”

Sesshomaru could feel his heart squeezing, he had only a few moments left.

She continued to talk to him, her words flying faster than he could catch. As a daiyokai, he had always prided himself on his keen senses. Even more so when he became the cursed goblin. However, now as his hearing and his sensation of touch died away, he felt more than content to watch her. The way the fireworks seemed to dye her hair and skin in radiant colors, and he tried to recall why his younger self had despised humanity. In front of him, the human woman dazzled—her teardrops in the colorful light looked like opals while her bloodstained hands looked as if they had been dipped in liquid ruby and amber.

“Kagome.”

Her attention snapped to him, and her eyes widened. “You…you said my name. But you promised you would ne—”

The goblin smiled, taking in a deep breath, scenting her and the night around her. “Look for the sakura.”

Kagome watched in horror as his body disappeared, leaving only thin tendrils of lilac and lavender smoke. She had only blinked. It hadn’t even been a second’s worth of time she passed. One moment, the proud goblin had been there, sitting in pain before her, the sword of his own on the ground beside him. Now, the only proof that he had been there was his blood on her hands that had come from when she had pulled the sword from her chest. A wail escaped as her throat felt raw—she didn’t even remember processing that she wanted to make the sound. She cried out, turning this way and that, trying to look for him.

“You jerk! I had just started to care for you! You can’t leave!”

Inuyasha stepped forward, placing the baseball cap on his head. Black streams of his powers surged around in the air as he went and rested his hand on her shoulder. She shook and sobbed, her body not in control. Helping her up, he gripped her despite the way she struggled.

“Oi, wench,” he insisted, embracing her. “I think tonight is the perfect night for him to go.”

Her eyes looked up at him in betrayal.

“It’s obon, so he won’t get lost. Other’s will be able to guide him,” he said, he patted the top of her head slowly. “Come on.”

Without waiting for her, he transported them to the street below. He guided her through the traffic of colorful kimonos and yukatas, his golden gaze determined. Not a single noise came from her as she followed him numbly.

They stopped at the small stream that ran behind Sesshomaru’s and his home. She collapsed at the bank, her eyes watching the moving water helplessly. He left her there for a moment before returning with the lanterns they had all been making that morning. By now the city’s fireworks were a dull throbbing in the night sky, the bright colors no longer vibrant—just far away.

The three lanterns seemed hugged in the tiny brook. But they began to float anyways, their little wooden platforms bobbing up and down. He gave Kagome a small smile, and she looked up at him weakly.

Together they released the lanterns and watched them sail away out of their reach.

[rin-afananditshows]

Apparently there is a sesskag week that start today?

So I did a real quick one before work. ♥

[jafndaegur]

Sesskag Week Day Six: ~Fireflies~

A Birthday not Meant to Be Word count: 1130, Goblin: the Lonely and Great God AU

A heart attack near seized his heart when Kagome’s foot slammed on the break again. He clutched the back of her chair, his claws digging into the upholstery. She shot him a sheepish glance before stepping on the gas again, her foot pressing down too much and sending them zooming forward before she braked again.

Sesshomaru tried to control the tone of his voice. “Woman, this Sesshomaru understands the essential need for driving.”

Her eyes flicked to him hesitantly.

“But perhaps it may be better,” he stated slowly, “if I finish the rest of the drive.”

“I can do it old man,” she insisted, tightening her grip on the steering wheel. “Promise I can.”

 “While this one believes you,” he eased, resting his free hand on her shoulder, “this Sesshomaru wishes to be home…on solid ground.”

Reluctantly the young woman obliged. With ever so slow caution, she inched the car over to the curb, the wheels bumping up onto the side walk. The goblin lifted his brow and stared at her sternly, and she laughed sheepishly. Shaking his head, he waited until she put the car in park before he got out of the vehicle and traded places with her. She strapped in to the passenger’s side and pouted. His gold eyes narrowed, never taking their focus off the road in front of him, but he chuckled in amusement.

“Worst birthday, Sessh,” she grouched, her arms crossed as she slumped in the seat.

“Now now, woman,” he mused, fingertips sparking with magic. “You forget that this one is the mighty goblin. No birthday of yours shall be worse.”

“You promised I could drive.”

“And you did.”

“Like ten feet!”

“Ten horrible feet, but none the less this Sesshomaru allowed you to drive his vehicle to which you have no insurance on.”

Huffing, Kagome slouched back into her chair and grumbled.

“For someone turning twenty human years, you are not acting very much like an adult,” he smirked, finally glancing over at her for a brief moment, his fangs flashing as his lips curled back in a laugh.

“You’re not treating me like one,” she insisted in a mumble. “An adult can drive the car.”

“Woman, this one, back five hundred years ago was renowned for being fearless, yes?” His voice was low and his gaze skeptical as he began to turn into his house’s driveway.

           “Yeah,” Kagome nodded as he parked the car next to his others, shutting the engine off as he turned the keys and pulled them from the ignition.

He opened the door.  “Nothing has terrified this Sesshomaru more than your driving.” Then he disappeared, stepping through the car door in a cloud of colored smoke.

“You can’t escape conflict like that Sessh! Sesshomaru!” the miko called after him, rushing out of the car and to the house. “Old man. Old maaan!”

Her fingers quickly typed out the key code for the door, and she entered with a broad, sinister grin. “If you think you can escape me, mister, you’ve got another thing coming.” She could hear him laugh from one of the many rooms of his grand home. That meant Inuyasha wasn’t there. The goblin hardly let himself laugh out loud when the grim reaper was around. She rushed up the stairs, looking around for him. With a playful growl, he pounced on her from behind, picking her up in his arms and carrying her down the hall. She squeaked in protest and squirmed to try and escape, but his grip held her in place.

“You cannot escape one such as myself,” he purred in her ear, opening a bedroom door, and stepping through.

His feet stepped into his field of buckwheat, he kicked the door shut behind him. Setting Kagome down, he gently rested his hands on her sides. The wooded park bench that took residence in his field of flowers was decorated with vines and other flowers. On the seat itself, was a bottle of sake and baked goods from the bakery he knew she enjoyed. For now, this would be just their celebration. He and Inuyasha planned to take her for a real meal later in the evening.

But this moment was just for them.

He rested his chin on the crown of her head, a pleased gasp fluttering from her lips.

“Would you like to greet your hostess?” he murmured.

She nodded. “Yes please.”

He led her through the dancing stalks, his eyes glowing just a moment to allow his power to surge through him. Each step she took released a cloud of fireflies from underneath her foot. She oohed in excitement, jumping at intervals to watch the glowing creatures slip into the sky like dancing stars. Gazing back at him, she beamed happily, heart swelling when he gave her a small wink a warm half-smirk.

He stopped her in front of the small stone shrine, several of the bio-luminescent creatures resting on the rock. They glittered prettily, as if decorating the burial place. Stepping forward, he patted the headstone.

“Rin is here,” he murmured.

Kagome gave him a more solemn glance before she bowed her head in respect. “She’s not buried in Quebec with the others?”

“She thought Kohaku had been killed here,” Sesshomaru whispered. “And the first time this one had died, was here as well. She wanted to be put to rest here. She said since both her husband and myself had been placed in this field, she wanted to turn its memory into something happy.”

“A place where a family could rest together,” the young woman finished for him, her hand on his arm in a comforting gesture. “You had a really sweet daughter, Sesshomaru.”

“This Sesshomaru did,” he agreed, resting his head on hers again. “She would be pleased to see you again. You were held fondly in her regards.”

“She was a sweet little kid when I knew her.”

“That she was.”

Stepping forward, careful not to dispel the sparkling fireflies, Kagome placed her hand on top of the goblin’s. His skin was warm beneath hers and she smiled softly. Kneeling close to the shrine, she began to speak.

“Hey Rin,” she whispered. “Don’t worry about Sesshomaru, okay? At first I had wondered if I got stuck on the wrong side of time, unable to go back to the past. But if I had stayed there, I would never had been able to find this silly old Goblin. So don’t worry. I’m happy here, and I’ll take care of him. That’s my job as the Goblin’s bride. I want him to be happy too.”

Sesshomaru raised his brow. She leaned forward and kissed the stone as a mother would kiss her child’s forehead.

“It’s my birthday wish. So don’t worry about your father, little one.”

[jafndaegur]

Sesskag Week Day 4: ~Sunflowers and Roadtrips~

I’m really sorry this is late, I got sick last night and was unable to upload this. Hope y’all enjoy.

Sunflowers and Kitsune Word Count: 1780, Goblin: the Lonely and Great God AU

Kagome tapped the lip of the well. It’d been two years since it had sealed, but still she found herself lingering to it every so often to check and see if the gates of time had been opened again to her. It disturbed her, the idea that all that remained of the Inuyasha forest and the Kaede’s village was her family’s shrine and the Goshinboku. Memories of her friends lingered here as much as her desires to return, and it hurt knowing the likeliness of seeing them again was very low.

Her hand reached to the pocket inside her school skirt and she pulled out the small package of matches that she kept there. She struck one and blew it out swiftly—scared that it would burn the tips of her fingers. There was a woosh of air but no other signal to tell her the signal had worked. Turning around, she found Sesshomaru leaning against the wall of the well house, a book in his hand. All his focus seemed poured into the literature, his eyebrows raised slightly when he flipped the page. He glanced at her briefly before returning to the words on the page. Unlike the other times, he didn’t seem annoyed or upset, so that was progress.

“It may surprise you,” he finally spoke, shutting the book slowly. “That this Sesshomaru is a busy man. Please refrain from summoning one such as myself again.”

“I needed to talk to you,” Kagome sighed, ready for his arrogant outburst at any moment. Perhaps they had not made any headway after all.

He looked at her and then the well, he brow cocked and he looked at her skeptically. “There is no honor in jumping down there, in case that was your question.”

“Haha, funny,” she snorted, her hands ran over the old wood. “This was how I ended up back there…you know back when you were younger, old man.”

“Testing,” he warned before nodding to her to continue.

“It’s closed now and I can’t go back…haven’t been able to go back—two years on this day.” Her fingers traced along the edge, as if waiting to feel that familiar surge of power that told her the well was alive again. “And I wanted to know if there was any way you could open it.”

The goblin’s tilted his head in disinterest.

Kagome tried another tactic. “Well, I mean, I’m sure someone like you could do it. You know, what with all that amazing power so a strong and might goblin has.”

With a jeering snort, Sesshomaru shook his head. “If you believe that flattery works on one such as I, woman, you are very wrong.”

Nevertheless he walked in front of the wooden structure and rested his hand next to hers. Peering down into the mouth, his grip tightened on the rim and he started to focus. Around the well he could feel the trapped power that the Miko had been talking about. Sesshomaru closed his eyes and tried to force the time gates open, however he found his abilities met with a strong wave of purification. While he was no longer affected by such troubling things, he recoiled nonetheless.

Humming, he stuck his hands in his coat pockets. “It is closed and sealed.”

“I was afraid of that,” she exhaled, her expression fell and became crestfallen. “Thanks for trying, Sesshomaru.”

He blinked, finding that this somber display did not fit the girl at all. “Who do you miss the most? The kit or Inuyasha?” The words tumbled out of his mouth faster than he could realize.

Kagome shot him a surprised glance. “What do you mean?”

“This Sesshomaru means what he said. Who would you prefer to see at the current moment?” Trying not to roll his eyes, he held his hands out as if for her to pick which one.

“I…I don’t know,” she whispered, her eyes flashing back to the day she and Inuyasha had fallen through the Meidou. “I didn’t really get to check on Shippou…to make sure he was okay. Can you take me to both?”

With a sigh, the goblin shook his head. “This one, on this matter, is not trying to be cruel. But for the moment, it would be best if you should only see one.”

The quiet that settled between them, unsettled him. In the time that he had known the girl—which given the circumstances, was a long time—she had always been chatty. Always ready to talk to anyone who had an ear. Not that was a necessarily bad thing, just for him. But the way her hands rubbed her cheeks worriedly as her eyes flicked to the ground as she thought, it bothered him.

“Today…will you take me to see Shippou?”

Her focus had returned to him and her lips seemed drawn.

A nod was his response. He held out his hand, to which she grabbed hesitantly. Sliding open the door to the well house, he stepped through with her. Their feet landed on the tile floor of his house and the walked in, closing the door behind them.

“Given where the kitsune is, it is better if we drive there.”

“Is it far?” she asked, following him down the hall, and out the front door where one of his many fancy cars waited.

“A half hour,” he responded curtly, unlocking the vehicle. “Get in.”

She slid into the car after opening the door, and closed it behind her. Sesshomaru started the car and pulled out of the driveway, driving out onto the road and away. Kagome’s sight never left her side window, feeling a tense silence between them. She had only known him, the current him, since she had gotten stuck on this side of time.

“Do you listen to music?”

His voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts, and she turned her focus to him. He pointed to the glovebox, his gaze never leaving the road. Although a smug smirk seemed to twitch along his lips.

“This Sessomaru has many CDs in there. Classical music to latest current pop songs. If you wish to put something on, there is no complaint from me,” he stated, tapping his fingers along the wheel.

Kagome smiled at his display, but shook her head. “It’s alright Sesshomaru. I like the silence.”

His proud expression disappeared, but the corner of his lip quirked just a bit. Perhaps she was not as talkative as he remembered. He continued to lead them to where the kitsune lived, or where he remembered the trouble maker to live. The city began to disperse and turn into country side instead. Trees and rice fields lined the sides of the road, and Kagome watched them with ever eager eyes. Unlike earlier, the hush between them comforted him. It was amiable and something he found he enjoyed. The goblin admitted, since he had found Kagome two years ago, he enjoyed their friendly excursions and companionship. Her being predicted to be the goblin’s bride had been brushed back to their worries and instead, the focused on anything other than that. While he relished the idea of pulling the sword from his chest, he found that for some reason he desired to linger just a bit longer.

A squeal caused him to pull from his thoughts and set himself on alert.

“What is it woman?” He demanded, scanning the road for any sign of danger. He found none.

“Sesshomaru, look at all the sunflowers!” She gasped, pressing up against the passenger door window. “There’s so many of them! Please, can we stop to look.”

“As pleasant as that would be,” he found that his voice sounded irritated. “The kitsune runs a tight schedule. We must hurry if you are to catch him.”

“Oh.” She looked down at her hands in her lap. “Okay.”

He disliked the disappointment that lowered on her, but he wasn’t lying about the tight schedule. She would see. Then perhaps she wouldn’t be so down.

The car began to drive in to a long winding driveway, and for some reason it seemed familiar to her. As they began to rise over the crest of the hill, Kagome’s face lit up and she recognized where they were. The kitsune school. Memories of the silly pranks played on her, Sango, Miroku and Inuyasha flooded her mind and she laughed, covering her mouth. So this was where Shippou was.

Sesshomaru parked by the pool and left the car running. He stepped out and watched with a lifted brow and internal amusement as Kagome nearly jumped out. She looked all around with high anticipation.

Together they walked up to the front door, Sesshomaru swirling the lavender plumes of smoke around them as if to shield them from any unwarranted tricks. He knocked on the large wooden doors. It didn’t take long for them to swing open.

A young man stood there, four tawny foxtails wavering flashily as he smirked—a fang curled over his lip. His ginger hair was cut below his ears, much in the same way as Sesshomaru’s was in the back. However, he had no bangs, and his hair at the front of his was neatly cropped and cut close to his hairline. It seemed almost modernly professional. He wore large brown hakama, and a dark green kimono with a blue haori.

He laughed when he saw Sesshomaru. “So the great and mighty Goblin returns! You haven’t been down here in fifty years. I hope it’s not another complaint you have.”

“Hardly,” the goblin crinkled his nose, miffed. “This Sesshomaru has brought a friend.”

“This Sesshomaru has brought a friend,” the kitsune copied annoyingly, before turning to look at Kagome. His mocking expression dropped and was replaced with surprise. He ran his fingers through his short ginger hair, his green eyes disbelieving. “Kagome?”

“Shippou?” Her voice was shaky and hopeful.

The embrace was sudden, but neither one of them complained. He held her close and nuzzled his nose against her shoulder. She shook against him.

“You’re so big!” She whispered, her eyes starting to tear-up.

“And you look almost exactly the same,” he answered, hugging her tight.

Kagome turned to look at the white-haired goblin. “I…Sesshomaru thank you.”

He inclined his head and blinked. “You two have much to discuss before the rats return.”

“The kits are out on holiday,” Shippou explained, looking down at Kagome. “They’ll be back later tonight.”

“I will return before then to pick you up,” Sesshomaru stated, before walking away. No longer in their sights, he returned to the car and smiled. He could still hear their excited chatter. While they were busy talking, he figured he would go pick some sunflowers.

[jafndaegur]

Sesskag Week: Day 3 ~Hanabi~

Wasn’t a Dream 1227 Words, Goblin: the Lonely and Great God AU

Stretching her arms above her head, Kagome gave a happy sigh. Work was finally over and she could finally pack up for the day. She put away any remaining texting, making sure that the edges of the old old paper wouldn’t crinkle or rip. Sometimes working in the museum’s archives made tedious work, but at the end of the day, it felt worth it. Taking her place among history, somehow it comforted her, as if it was a substitute for reopening the well.

She could wish anyways.

Speaking of wishes, Kagome smirked, her hand fishing into her cardigan pocket to search for her cigarette lighter.

If her boss caught her, she probably would see the end of her career. However, it was only three seconds. That was all she needed. Sliding the little spool with her thumb, a flame flickered to life. It fluttered and danced and she watched the pretty colors with excitement. Without second thought she blew the fire out in a single puff, her lips forming an “o” and her cheeks puffing up. The light disappeared in wispy plumes of smoke. Shoving the lighter back into her pocket, she picked up her purse and hopped anxiously up and down. In her mind she counted backwards, starting at three.

               Three…

                               Two…

                                               One.

He appeared suddenly without announcement or warning. A spatula was held in one hand while a salt shaker was held in the other. Sesshomaru looked up, his face as emotionless as ever—but his eyes pooled with confusion. One glance to the Shikon Miko told him she had wished him to her.

Shaking his head, lips quirking in their rare smirk, he tilted his chin toward her. “Hey, woman, dinner is going to burn if this Sesshomaru does not go back.”

“You smell like steak, old man,” she sniffed, grinning. “Nice to see that your expensive taste in food hasn’t changed one bit.”

Licking his top lip, he quirked his brow and allowed his formality to slip just a bit as he winked at her. “Well are you going to hurry up or not? Dinner will not taste any good burned.”

“Yes!” She squealed, rushing to him and grabbing onto his arm.

He rolled his eyes, nose nuzzling against the crown of her head. Leading her to the door of the archive’s room, he pulled her through followed by a plume of lilac smoke. They stepped into his kitchen not a moment later than when their feet passed through the door frame. Giggling, Kagome rushed immediately to the stove pulling off the slightly smoking pan from the burner. Sesshomaru waved his hand over it, the gray fumes dispelling instantly. The two looked down at the shriveled potatoes and the charred meat. Leaning her head on her palm, the young woman sent the goblin an almost smug smirk.

“Say anything and this Sesshomaru will put you back on the street,” he rumbled.

Nodding, she complied before tugging on his sleeve. “Take me back to Canada.”

“Canada? At this hour?” His nose wrinkled, whether in disapproval or surprise at the idea he left for her to decide.

“Yes. They have delicious steak there,” she nodded, casting up at him from underneath her thick lashes. “It’d be fun.”

“This Sesshomaru is hardly known for fun. But he is known for his ability to withstand feminine wiles,” he grunted, before setting down the flipper and the shaker of salt. “Go get your coat or I leave without you.”

With a quick kiss to his cheek, Kagome ran to the front door, trying to both pull her jacket off the coat rack and put it on simultaneously. With a shake of his head, and a very slight—and hardly audible—chuckle, he resumed his place at her side and helped her into the article of clothing. She beamed up at him gratefully before swinging the door open and pointing out. Determined to surprise her, he strolled out of the door with his power swirling around him as she followed.

The miko shrieked in shock at the sound of a loud whistling firework spiraling up into the air.

“It’s Canada Day,” he smirked. “You might be able to get treats more delectable than steak today.”

“Like what?” She oohed, watching as the sky erupted in colors of red and gold.

He leaned down and brushed his lips against the shell of her ear, pressing a soft and gentle kiss. “This Sesshomaru believes you will find that tangerine cake you so enjoy.”

“Oh,” she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him. “You planned this didn’t you?”

“I do have a tendency to spoil the goblin’s bride,” he murmured, holding her close.

She looked up to him, eyes wide and happy—

                                                                          —to find that he wasn’t there.

                                                      ~ ~ ~

Kagome awoke, gasping and clutching at her chest. Her legs rubbed against the soft linen of her twin bed in her small apartment. The sunlight barely streamed in through the curtains of her room window. Her heart sunk, as her eyes scanned the room frantically.

Sesshomaru was not there.

She twisted around, grabbing the scented candle that rested on the hutch over her bed. A small, round flame still wavered on the wick—almost a smolder rather than anything that resembled fire. Hoping and praying with all her might, she blew out the flame. Her fingers gripped the glass container tighter, the knuckles on her fingers and her hands turning white as she pulled it, and clutched it to her chest.

One…two….three…

Her breath came out in a shuddering sob as she lowered her head, seeing Sesshomaru disappear on that roof top in plumes of lavender and lilac tendrils.

…four…five…

The smell of sakura overwhelmed her and she looked up to see the white-haired goblin standing beside her bed. His clawed hand rested in his hair while the other one reached forward for her. He only wore a kimono, loose hakama, and slippers. Gold eyes closed and he sighed deeply—she wasn’t sure if he was made. He leaned forward, resting his forehead on hers. He said nothing, and did not bother to open his eyes to look at her.

“Surprised,” he whispered. “It is so early. This Sesshomaru dare not consider the possibility that something was amiss with you.”

“I was scared,” she whispered, her hands cupping his cheeks, thumbs running along the magenta stripes that decorated the skin there. “I was so scared it was a dream. I woke up and you weren’t here.”

“This Sesshomaru is now,” he murmured, kneeling at her bedside. His hand extended and stroked her bangs, the motions trying to soothe her as he extended his youki. It approached her reiki slowly, before the edges of his powers began to mix with hers, calming her spiritually as well.

A small cry escaped her lips. “You left me. That wasn’t a dream. You disappeared, in smoke and wind and…”

He hushed her, placing his fingertips on her lips. His mouth was drawn and his eyes finally opened. “This Sesshomaru knows.”

Her lip trembled. “You left.”

The goblin bowed his head and rested it on her shoulder. Against her collar bone, he could hear the patterns of her heart, thumping against her chest. He continued to brush both her hair and her power—trying his best to show the woman that he was here. Now he was. 

“I am sorry.”