#the little smile that blossoms on his face when the consequences of his actions flourish

[ratatatastic]

chirpy, chirpy~ like father like son i suppose

2024-25 Media Day | 9.18.24 (x)(x)

and absolutely delightful that colby kept up the inside joke yeah babey nothing like our beat and our cats opening up preseason hockey by being chirpy

[chaoswillfallrpg]

CECELIA ABBOTT is TWENTY-SIX YEARS OLD and a HEALER in the ‘DANGEROUS’ DAI LLEWELLYN WARD: SERIOUS BITES at ST MUNGOS HOSPITAL. She looks remarkably like HALEY LU RICHARDSON and considers herself NEUTRAL. She is currently TAKEN.

→ OVERVIEW:  

tw: death, blood

Benevolent yet self-preserving, Cecelia Abbott is the uncertain quiver in a wavering voice, the sweetness of peaches and drunk silence laced in a room filled with champagne problems. Born to PHILIP ABBOTT - the second born to Cecelia’s grandparents ARTHUR and EDITH -, Philip was a stern wizard who held blinding loyalty to family tradition, while MARIA WARRINGTON held a warm heart and an adoring smile. Though their marriage was initially contracted, the pair grew to love each other dearly and settled together in Cambridge. As an only child, Cecelia was cherished wholeheartedly. Spoiled under an adoring glow the Abbott’s exuberated the essence of privilege. Basking in lavish expenses and the praise that came with being members of The Sacred-Twenty Eight; she grew in an incandescent glow. Under the scrutinising gaze of her grandmother, Celia formed like fragmented light held trapped in the crystal glasses she admired; beautiful, magnetic, but confined. Comforted in the company of best friend ABIGAIL FERNSBY and cousin AUGUSTUS ABBOTT; the three were inseparable in their youth. Finding contentment when all there were were regulations; they dreamed by grand fireplaces, shared iced buns adorned in cherries and longed for a moment where they could simply be children and not just mere pieces in a Pure-Blooded game of chess. Protected under her parents guiding hand, Celia grew naive to the world around her. Encapsulated in an idealistic bubble, Celia danced in delicate daisy chains blind to the inequality that ravaged the community she held so dear. 

Words like ‘mudblood’ and ‘half-breed’ hung in the air leaving her baffled and confused; especially when they had been held in her father’s voice; only she swore she never saw his lips move. As time drew on, her ears were left ringing with thoughts that were not her own. Mind screaming like a whistling kettle, Celia was left overwhelmed and drowning in the pain of others. Pure-Blooded children namely NEPHTHYS NOTT scorned her insane after Celia suggested Nephthys had a squib for a sister after overhearing conversation amongst adults. Only, they were in another room entirely. Outcast from the esteemed likes of Nott and Wilkes, Cecelia was held in contempt for even in the wizarding world hearing voices was deemed strange. Left with tear stained cheeks from the rejection of peers she so desperately longed to please, Celia weeped to her mother for the burden and sorrow she harbored was too heavy for any to bear. Soothing her daughter, Maria explained that for a descendant of her blood line it wasn’t unusual. Inheriting the rare gift of Legilimency, an art that only a mere few harbored from birth, her mother warned that for a witch as compassionate as Celia, she could grow to feel suffocated in the pain and hatred other’s beared, but to not let darkness drown out her light. While her youth was glowing golds and sunkissed, as she grew Celia would claim she only remembered happiness in tales of a hundred fleeting moments. In the gentle memory of her mother’s smile, the laughter echoing from her father’s chest and the joy that lifted them all like starlight. 

Memories faded, she holds hope in lost dancing figures from crumbled photographs like whispered thoughts that fill her dreams. Pushing aside horrors as if they were simply nightmares and not her painful reality. The death of Maria Abbott struck the Abbott house like a meteorite, casting everything in darkness. Blurred in her memory with the ominous storm that rattled their grandmother’s home as if the sky itself was weeping, a romantic vacation between her parents ended in her father’s hunched figure, drenched in rain with his wife limp in his arms. Celia could feel the agony in every fibre of her body, swearing it felt like her heart was going to concave. Nothing was ever the same after that fateful day. Without her mother, her father grew cold and bitter for the loss of the only woman he’d ever loved. Controlling and determined not to lose the last piece of his wife he had left, he clung to Cecelia tightly; vowing to keep her safe no matter the cost. From then, her life became regimented. Barely able to take a shuddered breath without her father knowing, Celia bore his overprotective nature as misplaced love. Her gift enabled her to see into the mind of a broken man, with everything the pair had suffered, Cecelia played her part as to not give her father more woes than he was able to bear. While her father was ragged with worry at the idea of letting her out of his sight, under the watchful eye of family friend POMONA SPROUT, Celia was boarding the Hogwarts Express thrilled at the notion of spreading her wings outside of her fathers bounds.

Finding herself in an empty carriage, one by one fellow first years joined her sharing loud opinions of houses they’d soon join. MARIANNE MACMILLAN, BOOKER BAGNOLD, COINNEACH MCKINNON, GIDEON and FABIAN PREWETT, were all vibrant in their own ways; though they’d all be sorted into different houses they became Celia’s long standing group of confidants alongside LAURENCE GREEN. Despite his last name, with his paranoid thoughts about his false identity; Celia learned long before she was told that he was in fact an Abbott. While she wanted to greet her cousin warmly and question why they’d never met, doing so would reveal her secret talent; something that Celia wanted to harbour to herself in an effort to find normalcy. Sorted into Hufflepuff, Celia flourished with her fellow badgers as she held many of the traits commonly shared amongst the yellow house. Patient, hard-working and loyal, Celia dreamed in soft yellow’s and shined like sunbeams in dainty floral dresses, hand in hand with fellow Hufflepuff, cousin and close confidant ALYS WARRINGTON. As time passed, Celia drew closer to Booker who too dreamed of a better world. While he researched werewolves and vampires under the cover of night, Celia spent her days in the greenhouses at Hogwarts brewing healing potions; desperate to make a difference in the world just like her mother had once dreamed. Despite their differences, Celia held a romantic heart. Adamant that they were forged together in the stars, there was no part of her that doubted Booker was her Romeo and she, his Juliet.

The lingering feeling she held closely to her chest since that first day on the train showed no sign of dimming and it wasn’t long after Hogwarts that the pair started dating; affection slowly blossoming into love. Knowing that despite the odds, they’d find a way because love always prevailed. After years of stolen glances, to a hopeful girl it felt as if they were finally and simply meant to be. Though nothing was ever that easy. Booker spoke of liberation, of a world where creatures could be equal and free just as they were; but to her it was more complex. Torn in the lingering trauma of her mother’s death at the hands of a vampire, while Celia wanted to live in light and not let past turmoil make her fearful of the night; with her relatives' views weighing her under, she was left juggling family obligation, her relationship and own beliefs. Efforts to persuade her father to see reason against his purist ways fell on deaf ears. Asking if his heart darkened by hate was what her mother would have hoped for them, only left him bitterly agitated and hopeless. When Booker approached her with his petition, Celia knew with a sunken heart she couldn’t bring a quill to parchment with her name. Arguments arose, while Celia needed time to consider her high position within the Abbott name as the only child not smeared in the scandal of Albert Abbott, Booker needed action and pleaded with her to choose her place instead of lingering in the grey. Left with sour words, little did she know she’d never hold him dear again after his murder at Halloween 1982.

Hands clutching honeycomb hair to drown out others woes, Celia is left trying to find a path through cloaked darkness, desperately searching for peace in a world that doesn’t have Booker Bagnold in it. Drifting like a mere ghost of herself, while Laurence and Marianne offer comfort, kind words and warm affection to ease her, it did little in the face of grief over last words and broken promises. While ELEZAR SMITH offered more welcomed distractions, lingering lips gave peace to her war raged heartbreak despite the pain she knew it would cause FLORENCE JONES, Celia was too numb to comprehend the consequences. Using her gift for good despite herself, Celia is trying her best to make Booker and her mother proud with her actions as a Healer. Bringing light to those with her compassion and empathy, she offers a gentle hand and freshly conjured daisies with a soft swirl of her wand; hoping to take their heart ache for her own so they didn’t have to bear loss like she had. The first healer on the scene of BENJY FENWICK’S attack, Celia has become the wizard’s primary caregiver. Caring for him in bittersweet sorrow, with lacerations to the neck, Celia confirmed the incident as a vampire attack to Auror ALASTOR MOODY. While she longed to believe that creatures weren’t the monsters they were deemed as in fairytales like Booker claimed, with every passing attack Celia can’t help heed her father’s words of caution. As attacks continue to ravage the community and with Booker’s murderer SILAS CRUMP slipping through the grasp of the ministry, she fears her father was right all along. If even Benjy and Booker weren’t safe from their grasp, then who was?

→ ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Blood Status → Pure-Blood

Pronouns → She/Her

Identification → Cis Female

Sexuality  → Up To Player

Relationship Status → Single

Previous Education → Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Hufflepuff)

Family → Philip Abbott (father), Maria Abbott (mother), Arthur Abbott (grandfather), Edith Abbott (grandmother), Albert Abbott (uncle), Augustus Abbott (cousin), Laurence Abbott (cousin/close friend), Gilfred Abbott (cousin), Alys Warrington (cousin/close friend), Trystan Warrington (cousin)

Connections  → Marianne MacMillan (best friend/room mate), Gideon Prewett (close friend), Fabian Prewett (close friend), Booker Bagnold (deceased best friend/ex-boyfriend/potential love interest), Abigail Fernsby (childhood best friend), Eve Diggory (close friend/colleague), Elezar Smith (friend/romantic liaison), Florence Jones (friend), Keira Grey (colleague), Olivia Pomfrey (colleague), Poppy Pomfrey (colleague), Nephthys Nott (adversary), Persephone Wilkes (adversary), Benjy Fenwick (patient) 

Future Information → N/A  

CECELIA ABBOTT IS A LEVEL 5 WITCH.

[mythicamagic]

Sesskag Valentines fic: Affection

This is for the SessKag Valentine Big Bang 2020!

Prompt: Kisses

Rated K+, fluffy as heck, 4,000 words and available to read on Ao3 and Dokuga.

Partner: @jorocolove​ (I’ll link your art here as soon as you post it bud) Edit, here it is!: https://jorocolove.tumblr.com/post/190867996816/this-is-for-the-sesskag-valentines-big-bang

@sesskag​

Affection

For every action, there is a reaction. Or so he’d read in the miko’s textbook once while leaning surreptitiously over her shoulder.

The first action may have been him slaying a wild boar youkai that had been rampaging around the village. Or perhaps it had simply been his random inclination to visit Edo that morning.

But by far the action with the most devasting reaction and consequences came with an innocent peck on the cheek from a happy miko.

When Kagome’s lips had grazed his striped cheek in a quick kiss, one of several things had happened that Sesshoumaru was not proud of; the traitorous heart within his chest picking up speed, thundering loudly in his ears. His body shamefully stilling, indicative of its shock. The unfurling of bloodstained claws at his side, twitching with want.

And the inane, consuming thought that ‘this was it.’ This was what he’d been waiting for. A blessing, a sign that the months of one-sided, disgusting pining and various youkai signals of wishing to mate with the powerful, frustrating woman had paid off. Sesshoumaru’s pupils had dilated, limbs breaking free of their frozen surprise for him to whirl in her direction, fangs aching with the desire to claim-

Only to find that Kagome had flounced off to go help a villager fix his fence.

Well…that behaviour seemed unusual. But he’d surmised that she had a village to look after and responsibilities were not to be shirked. Yes, Kagome had merely given a sign that she’d address her acknowledgement of him later.

But that did not come to pass.

While lingering on in the village, watching its residents fix their chicken coops or clear away the debris from the boar’s rampage, the skies had darkened. Rin checked up on him every now and then, Sesshoumaru remaining in his reclined position against a tree. He could tell she was curious about his continued presence but the great lord Sesshoumaru did not explain himself.

Straightening, his ears pricked as Kagome jogged out of a hut, adjusting the strap of her backpack over one shoulder. Inuyasha finished up helping a farmer, and as easy as breathing the miko had done it again before Sesshoumaru’s very eyes; pecking Inuyasha on the cheek and saying goodbye, rushing off in the direction of the well.

Sesshoumaru stared, jaw ticking.

His reaction could be likened to jealousy, frustration and mild hurt but the proud lord would claim otherwise.

This did not stop him from glaring daggers at the whelp. He’d seen them break-up and get over their month long relationship, what on earth was the miko doing, handing out affection to one so undeserving? Were they an item again?

Inuyasha didn’t even notice him or get flustered, he just scratched his stomach and wandered into the older miko’s hut, loudly demanding food after a hard day’s work.

Sesshoumaru’s confusion did not end there, unfortunately. He watched when she hugged the Monk tight or took up a brush and glided it through the Demon’s Slayer’s hair. She’d pat villagers on the shoulder for a job well done, give gifts that were useful, chase and catch the kit, nuzzling her face against his, even hold hands with Rin as they walked back from herb collecting.

Sesshoumaru simply could not understand it. Kagome lavished those around her with care and affection. Sometimes she’d even change things up and hug a villager instead, marring her exquisite scent with their unpleasant sweat laced ones. She’d been extremely patient when the wolf Prince had visited, patting his fingers with a free hand while he held one of her soft palms captive.

The Daiyoukai sneered.

Such a loose display of touch would mean something else to youkai society, but…he’d clicked now. Kagome was not part of a youkai society, but a human one. And when observing other humans he noticed they did not touch each other as thoughtlessly as the miko did.

This left a conundrum. If the miko gave affection so freely it became difficult to distinguish between romantic interest or friendship on her part. She acted so ‘nice’ it felt next to impossible to know if someone among the rabble was special, a possible love.

He’d never get anywhere displaying for her in youkai ways to show his affection and interest. It hadn’t worked for months. No, another strategy was in order. He’d just have to follow her example.

—

Sunlight shone bright and radiant that day, bathing everything in a warm, wonderful glow. The humble village and rolling hills beyond Inuyasha’s Forest looked positively picturesque. Kagome sucked in a long breath of clear airs and scents from the Sengoku Jidai, exhaling with a pleased sigh. Maybe it was nostalgia talking but three years away from the place had really made her appreciate the little things about the era.

“Hey, Kagome!”

She smiled and waved, hurrying over to the children sitting near the border of the trees. “Hi, what are you two up to?”

Rin grinned, pointing to the tree stump which acted their own makeshift table. A scroll lay atop the surface. “Shippo is going to make some flowers using magic!”

Setting her bag down, Kagome rose a brow. “Really? That’s pretty cool. Care to show me as well, oh great fox youkai?” She returned the little girl’s infectious smile, taking a seat beside her.

Shippos chest puffed up with pride, hopping atop the scroll. “Of course. Witness my power! Fox petals!” He yelled, his tiny form jumping into the air with a flourish of his hand.

Some fox fire puffed out of his palm instead, soon whimpering into nothingness.

Kagome and Rin exchanged a glance before clapping uncertainly. “That’s uh…”

“No, that’s not it!” Shippo huffed, cheeks puffing up. Gritting his teeth and jumping again, he cried; “Fox petals!”

The same thing happened.

And again.

And again.

Finally, Kagome stood and lifted her hand placatingly. “Shippo, it’s okay. You just need practice to-”

“But I had it the other day!” He snapped, tail lowering while small shoulders fell, noting Kagome’s concern. “Sorry. Maybe if I saw a demonstration it would be easier to picture it but no one around here can teach me youki techniques.”

Kagome’s brows drew together, heart squeezing. She stepped closer and smoothed a hand through soft red locks, words of consolation on her tongue.

A ripple of heat danced along the back of her neck, that of stifling, rich youki. Kagome tensed, only to inhale and feel Sesshoumaru’s aura fill her lungs. Sharp energy crackled above their heads. Somewhere behind them, Rin gasped. “Pretty!”

Kagome and Shippo looked up, gaping at the silent explosion of red youki that fell like radiant confetti. The flecks of energy fell slowly, curling in the air as though replicating the fall of cherry blossoms brushed by a phantom wind, raining down around them.

Lifting a hand, Kagome twitched as a 'petal’ landed on her palm, giving the brief sensation of candle wax dripping on skin, fizzling away in the wake of her answering reiki.

“Lord Sesshoumaru! That was so beautiful!” Rin was cooing.

Turning, Kagome witnessed the girl race over to Sesshoumaru’s approaching figure. She collided against his leg, hugging his side.

Kagome bit the inside of her cheek to keep from grinning as deadly fingers unfurled to rest on her head.

Shippo scratched his cheek, hopping off the tree stump and following Rin a little awkwardly. He cleared his throat, “um…”

The Daiyoukai lifted snow kissed lashes to pin the full force of his golden stare upon the boy. Shippo wilted, taking a breath. “Y-you… could you um…could you teach me that technique, Lord Sesshoumaru?” He bowed his head, getting on hands and knees to touch his forehead to the floor in a bit of an over-exaggeration.

“Indeed,” the answer came easily, voice unruffled.

Straightening, Shippo blinked and slowly grinned, his joy palpable. This time Kagome couldn’t stop herself from outright grinning. The children gave happy shouts while running to each other and clasping hands. Spinning in a circle they chattered excitedly.

Kagome didn’t even notice Sesshoumaru until his voice caught her by surprise, sounding closer than anticipated. “Does this please you, miko?”

Raising her head, she gave a smile, finding that Sesshoumaru bathed in sunlight was truly a sight to behold. “Yes of course it does, thank you so much! Shippo’s been wanting a teacher for a little while now. There’s only so much to do around the village and I think he was getting bored.”

She was babbling, Kagome knew she had a penchant for it. Hopefully he didn’t mind. Blue eyes naturally sought out the children again and she watched them play with a warm, bubbly feeling.

“Hn, this one will start training him right away.”

She opened her mouth to answer- when the slight pressure of lips against her cheek halted her words and promptly threw them careening off a cliff. Kagome stiffened, body becoming a livewire. Her mouth became dry, heart stuttering in her chest.

The thin lips pressing against her cheek withdrew and Sesshoumaru straightened, smoothly pivoting on his heel and walking away. “Come, kit,” he threw over his shoulder.

Rin and Shippo were gawking at Kagome, having noticed. Shaking himself the kit hurried after Sesshoumaru’s retreating form, leaving the two stunned humans within the clearing.

—

The next incident, as Kagome would come to reflect on it, happened a few days later.

She’d been quite happily reaching over the side of the village well, (a usable one, not the Bone Eater’s monstrosity of old bones and dead earth) grasping the handle of the bucket while keeping hold of the rope.

She jumped when a striped wrist appeared in her eye line, helping her unhook the filled bucket and lift it away. Kagome set it down on the ground, straightening to see Sesshoumaru standing before her.

“H-hello Sesshoumaru,” she hated the squeak in her voice. Okay so perhaps that peck on the cheek had been an uncharacteristic move on his part but that was no reason to get weird with him. She remembered the burst of adrenaline that had made her rise on tiptoe and kiss his cheek a week or so ago. Maybe he thought that was how she said goodbye?

“Miko,” he inclined his head a touch stiffly before thrusting a hand out towards her. Kagome blinked and looked down at the parcel balanced perfectly in his palm.

She took it, tilting her head. “Do you want me to pass this on to Rin-”

“It is for you.”

“O-oh.”

She stared. He stared back. Belatedly, Kagome realised she was not dreaming and a demon lord was currently watching her a little impatiently. Kagome gave a nervous giggle and started unwrapping the white package, blinking when she uncovered sandals inside.

Gaping, she burst into a wide smile. “The strap of my sandal broke yesterday! This is- I mean thank you so much. It’s very thoughtful! I’m surprised you noticed.”

Sesshoumaru hummed, falling silent when she lifted her leg to check the size, only to notice they were a little too small against her foot.

“They are unusable,” he grit out stiffly.

“Ah, don’t worry!” Kagome dropped her leg, trying to assure him. Whatever had inspired his acts of kindness recently, she didn’t want to discourage him. “I can still use them.”

“No. They must be worthy of you,” turning on his heel, Sesshoumaru stalked away with heavy energy crackling around him, greatly displeased.

Once again he left the miko stunned, words caught in the usually talkative girl’s throat. What the heck is going on with him lately?

—

Letting out a happy sigh, Kagome stretched her arms above her towelled head, sitting on a log outside Kaede’s hut. She’d just experienced a wonderful dip in the nearby hot springs, managing to work out the stiff joints in her body. Honestly, she’d felt a little directionless and meandering after returning to the past without a villain to fight or shards to find, so helping the village improve with a little manual labour had been a good way to keep her mind off it. Maybe procrastinating wasn’t ideal in the long run but it helped. A secret desire to leave the village kept cropping up, but that would mean leaving her friends behind. Kagome wasn’t entirely sure what to do.

Letting out another sigh, one not so happy, she removed the towel from her hair. Damp locks hung down in disarray while Kagome made to pick up her brush-

Which wasn’t where she’d left it.

A soft pressure met the back of her head. Her muscles tensed all over again, youki curling around her like a summer breeze. Kagome felt the glide of her brush touch her neck. She hardly dared to turn around but glanced over her shoulder, mouth falling open. “Se-sesshoumaru?!”

The Demon Lord knelt behind her, grasping her head and turning it to face forward. “Hold still.”

“But you’re- why are you brushing my hair?!”

He continued, the bristles dragging through the damp ebony locks. “The Slayer grooms you often. Is there something wrong with this Sesshoumaru doing it?”

Kagome pressed a hand to her curiously red, burning cheek. “Not…wrong, per se but…you don’t usually.”

“Perhaps this one is seeking to rectify that.”

She swallowed and thought for a moment, about to ask a question when the brush snagged on her hair. “Ow.”

Sesshoumaru glided his claws through dark strands, untangling them. He continued in his careful ministrations, lulling the miko. Once the initial weirdness wore off it began to feel a little nice. Pleasant even.

The brush being set down broke Kagome out of her haze, along with silks rustling. She shifted to see Sesshoumaru walking away.

Standing, words collected on her tongue. “Sesshoumaru,” she called.

He halted, taking her by surprise. Kagome bit her lip and wrestled with what to say. Out of the thousands of questions that bubbled to the surface, nothing slipped out but a measly: “Won’t you tell me why…?”

Why are you doing this? Why are you getting close to me and doing things for me? Why…for me?

Silver hair picked up from a stray breeze, flowing around him as white and red patterned sleeves ruffled, teased by the wind. Despite the almost ethereal presence he possessed, the demon merely looked at her with a raised brow. An ordinary expression for a cripplingly ordinary answer: “Why not?”

Blue eyes widened and Kagome’s breath hitched. The cool breeze attacked her more fiercely in the wake of those quiet words and the miko hugged her arms, watching the pale demon leave.

—

Dead on her feet, Kagome panted, staring down at the fallen bear youkai. A few arrows were embedded in its hide, however, the hit that had taken it out had been a blast of reiki directly from her palm into its chest. She’d been sloppy, the bear shouldn’t have been able to get so close. At least her powers hadn’t faltered.

“Great job, Kagome.”

“So cool!”

“Yes well done, Lady Kagome.”

“Feh!”

Giggling weakly she glanced at her friends that lingered in the clearing, having followed the fight that had broken out on the border of the village into Inuyasha’s Forest. “Thanks, guys. It really wasn’t a big deal though, I can take these types of demons down no problem.”

Sango and Miroku smiled with pride, ready to head back to the village and relinquish Kaede of her sudden babysitting duties. Inuyasha huffed, Shippo grinning on his shoulder as they too were about to return and continue on like any other day, before a hand met her shoulder from behind.

Starting, Kagome turned- only to feel herself be pulled against a warm chest, arms encircling her.

“ACH-” Inuyasha made a strangled noise, ripping Tetsusaiga out of its sheath. “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOIN’!? LET GO OF HER, YA BASTARD!”

Kagome’s cheeks bloomed red, her cheek pressed against sublime silks. Subtly inhaling the scent of magnolia and a masculine, heady sort of spice, Kagome pushed past her shock and mild mortification to focus on the heart beating beneath her ear.

It drummed strong and quick.

Is he nervous? That didn’t sound right for the Killing Perfection. Nonetheless…

Her hands came up to touch his back, grateful for his lack of armour. “I-it’s okay, Inuyasha!” She muffled out, “Sesshoumaru is just giving me a quick f-friend hug. You know, as a job well done!”

“No friend hug lasts that long!” He bellowed somewhere behind her.

“Yes it is not a friend hug,” a silky voice uttered directly into Kagome’s ear, eliciting a shiver.

Mercifully or unmercifully, Sesshoumaru released her. Straightening, he met Kagome’s perplexed gaze as though waiting for something.

“W-well…” she squeaked, clearing her throat. “Even if you don’t consider me a friend, I consider you mine. So uh- thanks!” She chirped. “You give good hugs?”

His brows pulled down, eyes narrowing with what seemed to be frustration. Turning on his heel the Daiyoukai walked away once more.

Inuyasha cursed up a storm, following after his brother with loud demands to fight. Miroku and Sango lingered, muttering amongst themselves while Shippo dropped down from Inuyasha’s shoulder to climb up Kagome’s.

“Are you alright, Kagome?” The couple approached her with concern as if she’d just been through a traumatising ordeal.

Waving a dismissive hand, Kagome forced a smile. She felt like she’d just hurt his feelings though wasn’t sure why. “I’m fine, really. Sesshoumaru is just branching out with how he shows affection. It’s not that weird, right? I bet he does it to you…”

Sango and Miroku were firmly shaking their heads. Kagome looked at Shippo weakly, who also shook his head. “I haven’t seen him even give Rin a hug. Just head pats.”

“I thought he was going to impale his hand through your back,” Sango breathed a sigh of relief. “What other things has he done, Kagome?”

“There’s the gift giving-”

“He gives you gifts?”

Kagome bit her lip, glancing away. “Yeah. He’s brought me sandals- they were the wrong size so he brought me another pair and left them outside the hut. But also kimonos, yukatas, scrolls on different types of herbs and remedies, hair ornaments, a comb I’m pretty sure was made from demon bone, uh…oh and a bowl.”

They stared at her like she’d grown a second head.

“A…bowl?” Miroku asked weakly.

“Mhm, I shattered one the other day. Then a few hours later he just set one down in front of me and walked away again. I wanted to run after him but the tea was boiling. He’s kissed me on the cheek and also on the forehead just the other day when I was collecting herbs.”

Shippo sighed and patted her ear so that she’d turn her head to look at him- before grabbing both of her cheeks. “Kagome, are you blind?” He huffed, squishing them. “I thought you’d get it once he stopped performing youkai mating rites and started doing human things. He wants to take you as his mate. Real bad.”

Kagome stared, taking hold of the scruff of his happi coat to tug him away. “You’re going to have to run that by me again,” blue eyes narrowed. “And maybe explain why you didn’t share this helpful information with me sooner.”

—

Beyond frustrated, Sesshoumaru approached the crest of the hill that overlooked Kagome’s village. Apparently the humans called it Kaede’s village, but he did not see it as such. Yes…the woman who so damaged his pride with every rejection deserved a little respect. She had guts, he’d give her that.

Still, he could not continue in the same vein. His teeth ached, gut churning with the heavy waters of longing. No matter how much he covered her in his scent, she washed it off. No matter what he did it elicited no change.

It had been foolish to try in the first place. They were ill matched. Perhaps he should content himself with being Kagome’s 'friend’ and nothing more.

“You could have just said something out loud, you know.”

Sesshoumaru stilled, wondering where she’d come from. He scented the air and turned to see Kagome stepping out of the bushes, approaching from downwind.

Slit pupils dilated. Clever miko.

No. He could never see this woman as a friend. His instincts clamoured and demanded to see her as something else entirely. He realised then that the howling want for her might never go away, even if he could persuade it to sleep within his chest.

“Always doing stuff with actions but never words, huh?” Kagome stopped before him, hands coming to rest on her hips, causing his heart to thud rapidly. Claws twitched at his sides. She let out a sigh, shoulders falling. “I should have realised what you were doing. There’s actually this thing called Love Language,” she murmured. “There’s Acts of Service, which would be teaching Shippo. It means a lot to me…and I guess you know that.”

Sesshoumaru stared, unblinking, not moving an inch.

“There’s also Receiving Gifts and Physical Touch, which are self-explanatory,” she laughed a little nervously, cheeks turning red and making the strange, cosy thing in his chest flip flop.

“But…” Kagome raised her head. “There’s also Quality Time and Words of Affirmation.”

The Demon Lord took a step closer, until they were nearly touching. Slowly, the mask he usually presented to the world melted away a touch, brightening the gold of his eyes and curving his lips. “And what do those entail?” The tone of his voice dipped into a quiet, honeyed one.

Kagome’s hand curled in his trailing sleeve and if he focused, Sesshoumaru could hear her heart thundering. “For one thing you need to stop walking away all the time, mister,” she teased. “It means one on one time and uninterrupted conversation.”

“One on one time,” he repeated with a silky edge to his voice.

Fixing some dark hair behind her ear, Kagome nodded, making the locks fall loose again. “I didn’t realise what you were doing, because for me…I need Words of Affirmation the most.”

Inclining his head, Sesshoumaru’s fingers flexed wide, curling some dark strands around his fingers to return them behind her ear.

Kagome gently touched his wrist, freezing him in place. “Thing is, you’re not like that. You don’t talk about what you’re feeling and I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. In that way we might be incompatible-” his gut clenched and Sesshoumaru made to pull his hand back but Kagome wrapped her fingers around his wrist in a surprisingly strong grip. His lips parted, nerve endings flaring alive as she looked at him firmly. “I need someone who can clearly say that they want me. Because…” the passion in her gaze died. “I promised myself I’d never assume anything again. No dancing around the subject. No 'does he like me?’ or 'am I the only one feeling this?’ I’ve done that before and I didn’t like it,” she mumbled, eyes downcast.

A quiet but clear admission escaped into the space between them. “I want you.”

Kagome blinked, looking at him. Slowly, her tempting mouth tugged up at the corners, until the miko smiled so wide and brightly Sesshoumaru wondered why he hadn’t chosen this method in the first place.

Her hand gentled on his wrist, shaking a little as she released him and instead touched his chest. “Huh,” she murmured. “You said that easier than I thought you might.”

He nodded in agreement. “It was easier to say than anticipated.”

Giggling, Kagome leaned into his warmth, while the demon’s hands came up to rest on her hips. She didn’t pull away, making him inwardly purr, leaning so that his breath danced over her lips. “I have something for you,” she murmured. “In my backpack. I kind of forgot it because I was in such a hurry to catch you but it’s a book on Newton’s Laws of Motion. I saw you sneaking peeks at my old textbooks, nerd.”

Sesshoumaru quietly huffed, molten gaze warming slightly.

She grew thoughtful. “Shippo told me you were displaying demon mating rites. I’m sorry I didn’t pick up on them…or you apparently replicating how I acted.”

“Hn.”

Kagome blushed. “In my defence, you were replicating how I act with my friends.”

Sesshoumaru slow blinked, palms creating a gentle pressure on her hips to press her closer against him. “And in this one’s defence, I do not know how you act with someone romantically.”

“It’s pretty easy, I’ll show you,” standing on tiptoe, she used his shoulder as leverage, pressing soft lips to his. Sesshoumaru inhaled sharply, marvelling at the feel of her smiling against his mouth. Deepening the kiss, the demon lord buried long fingers in her exquisitely soft hair. A pleased, rumbling growl escaped his chest, sounding almost like a purr.

For Kagome’s action, he’d respond in kind with plenty of deserving reactions.

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Two Hundred Eighty-Five: Scissors ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: A Light Amongst Shadows ] [ AO3 Link ]

For most of her life, Hinata had no sway over her appearance. Hiashi kept her attire neat, always sporting their clan crest as not to let her forget who her actions represented. And even her hair was never allowed to grow, restricted to a traditional hime cut through all of her schooling, and even upon becoming a genin.

For the most part, Hinata didn’t really mind. Her clothes suited her well enough, especially with how baggy they were. Her lack of confidence coupled with her early blooming meant she was more than fine with being hidden under fabric. And in all honesty, her short hair was useful, keeping it out of her face when training or doing missions.

But after graduating from the Academy...things began to change for Hinata. Her teammates, a far cry from her own timid nature, helped bring out a subtle shift in her mindset. Watching her inspiration, Uzumaki Naruto, continue to defy odds made her believe that maybe there was still hope for her. 

The greatest change, however...came from her first attempt at the chūnin exams.

With mounting tensions behind the scenes, it was already slated to be an interesting year. Konoha’s junchūriki, as well as Suna’s, were going to be participating. Otogakure, a new village, was submitting entrants. And both Hinata and her cousin Neji would be thrown in together for the exams. At first, she’d simply hoped that they would skate past one another, never truly interacting.

But due to the high rate of completion in the Forest of Death, the proctors declared a preliminary round before arranging for the final task. And that was when random chance intersected with fate.

Hinata was to face Neji.

On one side, a girl attempting to change and defy the expectations and opinions of her clan. On the other, a boy born into servitude and mistreatment by that same clan, his genius overshadowed by his birthright. Hinata had long questioned the seal, knowing it was the reason behind her cousin’s anger and hate...and she knew it was justified.

If she were to be the outlet for that hate...then so be it.

But nor would she just give up…!

No matter her pain or stumbling, she refused to stay down, even as those around her cried for the match to end. It wasn’t until her heart was struck and Neji restrained that she was removed from the arena, rushed to the hospital and barely saved from an early death.

And still she wondered...had she changed? Even a sliver?

Would everyone be...proud of her?

Neji’s match against Naruto was quite the upset, Hinata torn between her cousin defying his fate, and her idol continuing on. In the end...Naruto was victorious, and Neji left to think. And his considerations were only deepened when Hiashi finally told him the truth of his father’s death.

From there...Neji too began to change. And Hinata was eager to see it, forgiving him his aggression and wanting only to rebuild what should have been a friendship from the start. Together, they began to train and strive to improve, gauging their progress against one another.

Hinata, finally, was flourishing. No longer did she have Naruto to worry about, the Uzumaki set to leave Konoha for three years. In those same years, she was determined to become someone worthy to walk beside a student of a sannin...and everyone else in their year. No longer would she be the timid, hesitating little genin. Hyūga Hinata was going to blossom at last.

And with her confidence...her hair began to grow. With Hiashi’s acceptance of her and Neji’s growth and independence, she was left to craft her own image. Foggy memories of her mother always included long, dark hair. So Hinata decided to emulate.

The next four years were filled with constant effort. Even upon Naruto’s return, she refused to waver. Though still soft compared to others she knew - Sakura’s take-no-shit attitude, Ino’s unshakable confidence, Tenten’s self-assured will to reach her goals - Hinata nonetheless kept training.

So when she stood before her village’s greatest enemy in the pits of its ruination, she did not tremble or flee. She stood her ground...even if, in the end, she knew it would be useless.

No more running away. No more second guessing. No more doubt. Even if she would face death...she’d do so with her head held high.

But Pein did not kill her, despite his best intentions. Hinata scraped through, her second near-death experience only serving to harden her resolve. Come wartime, she was ready, giving her all for her village, her country, her world. All of her hard work, all of her effort...it couldn’t be for nothing.

...and then the mokuton speared through her most beloved cousin’s chest.

Neji...unshakable pillar of strength and inspiration. Her cousin, her mentor, her friend...choosing his ultimate destiny. For her sake.

It shattered her, it boiled her...but only for an instant, heart pushed back to let her mind do what had to be done in the aftermath.

In the end...they were victorious. The cost was high, but that of losing would have been the ultimate price. Priorities, perspective...everything was changed.

A long-standing friendship would see her cousin brought back to her, and Hinata vowed then and there that she would never again let a brother die for a brother unless it was his own will. The Hyūga seal would die with him...but this time, stay dead.

Looking in the mirror of her rebuilt room, still novel after the leveling of Konoha, Hinata tries to recognize her reflection. The past several months after the war have been...difficult. Rewarding, but a test of her resolve and spirit. Hanabi has been working with her, alongside Neji, to end the Hyūga seal. Their Uchiha allies stand with them. But there’s still something missing...and she can’t quite place it.

She looks into the mirror...and in some ways, she doesn’t recognize who she sees. Hinata of the past is only caught in glimpses, pieces of the face that stares back. Her face isn’t as round as it once was, stripped of the stubborn baby fat that always made her look so childish. Still heart shaped, it’s more mature than it used to be. Her eyes are the most distinct difference. Hardened with all they’ve seen, shadowed with a lingering exhaustion she can’t seem to shake. So many time she closes her eyes and sees the war...sees Pein...sees the Tsukuyomi dream that now feels more like a nightmare.

...she really has changed. But has it been in all the way she’s wanted?

Studying her own face, she grips a pair of scissors in her hand. The tradition of long hair in the Hyūga is a prominent one. Her father, her cousin...Hanabi is the only exception, but she’s still young despite her heiress position. Soon, Hiashi will let her grow it out as a symbol of recognition.

Hinata, however...knows of another rite of passage. That of severing the past, giving oneself a clean slate. For four years now, she’s let her locks grow unfettered. These strands know of her failures, her victories, her joys and her sorrows. If she cuts them off - if she severs them now - will she get the rebirth she wants?

...for now, she sets the blades aside.

A bit more time to think.

“...you want to what?”

“It just feels like...maybe I should.” Hinata brings her hair around her shoulder, stroking at it slowly as Sasuke watches. He’s become a close companion during his stay in Konoha after his brother’s return. There’s only a handful of people she would consider breaching this topic with, and he was the first to come to mind that would give an honest answer. “...while I’ve grown a lot from all I’ve faced these past few years...it also feels like it’s all weighing on me. Part of me...wants to be rid of that weight.”

Sasuke knows the tradition well - Sakura did it during the chūnin exams, and another dear friend did the same for a fresh start so many years ago. “...I suppose that decision lies most with you.”

“...you really don’t have any o-opinion?”

“If you want to cut it, cut it. If you have any doubts, don’t. While it will, in time, grow back...it’s a lesson in consequences. This decision will have lasting ones. But…”

She glances up as he fades to silence, and then stiffens as he takes a section of strands. For a moment, Sasuke’s gaze is miles away...and she has to wonder what he’s seeing.

“...the rumors were true back then. I’ve always been fond of long hair. But no one ever really knew why.”

“...what was the reason?”

“...on most people, it’s never really mattered to me. Sakura’s didn’t, Ino’s didn’t...because it wasn’t quite right. But in your case...it fits rather well.” Slowly, he lets the hair slip from his grip. “...I like long hair because it reminds me of my mother. It’s not quite the same shade, but...yours reminds me of hers the most.”

In spite of herself, Hinata feels her heart quicken in her chest. She...she reminds Sasuke of his mother…?

“...but it’s still your choice. I can see the reasoning from both sides. Don’t make a call on my account, or anyone else’s. Like I said, your choice will have consequences, but...yours, at least, won’t be forever. It can grow back again. Not everything - or everyone - has that luxury.”

Hearing the weight in his words, Hinata swallows dryly. “I...I understand.”

“...good. Did you need anything else?”

“No, um...that was - that was all I wanted to ask you. Thank you...for being honest with me.”

“It’s one of my few virtues,” he replies, giving a hint of a smile. “Hope you find some peace, whatever you decide, Hyūga.”

Nodding, she watches him go, her heart finally calming as she finds herself alone. Pale eyes flicker back and forth as she thinks.

...maybe...the scissors can wait.

                                                            .oOo.

     I am...v tired, so I dunno if I'll have much to say this time around xD      Hinata's hair, as small of a detail as it might seem, is interesting to me. Kishi obviously kept it short to signify her lack of care about Sasuke's supposed preference, but...well, it obviously is a little different in a universe where they get together. The verse I write really only changes post 699, so maybe her motivations ARE still the same when she's little. But I also like the idea of the Hyūga influence, too. Neji is a bit of an outlier there, but that COULD be explained by his genius, even if he's not Main House.      ...I dunno, I'm too tired to elaborate as thoughtfully on this as I want to, but hopefully you get my meaning xD      With that tho, I'm gonna wrap up. Thanks for reading!