Theme: Ink
1000 words minimum: 1 340 words used.
Summary: Sesshomaru’s mother has come for a visit and Kagome gets a sense of her.
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Pleasant Presents
“Sesshomaru,” Kagome called out as she followed her mate, “What are we doing here?”
She was practically given the silent treatment for a few more steps before the inu turned towards her. It took her a moment to realize he was looking over her shoulder, past her, not at her like she had suspected.
Taking a glance over her shoulder, she personally saw nothing, yet it was the first time he sensed something she could not. The aura connecting her and her mate together rose and strengthened against the unseen threat. She knew that Sesshomaru was warning off a youkai that dare to draw near her. He was particularly protective now more than ever. His guard was always up and he never let her wander far from her.
“Sesshomaru can you please explain why you are bringing me away from the castle. Didn’t you say you preferred me inside the castle walls?”
“No, I said you were not to leave unless I accompanied you,” he bit out at last.
“Okay, but that doesn’t answer my first question.”
“Mother’s arrival, there are preparations that have yet to be seen to. It would be best retrieving her gift personally, or else she may feel insulted.”
“So what are you getting her?”
Rather than answer, Sesshomaru smirked and turned back to the destination he had in mind. Kagome followed obediently, as much as she hated it, due to her curiosity. She disliked the moods that her mate got into sometimes. The way he would play with her to the point that angered her. But she was learning to control her emotions so that he wouldn’t get the best of her. It always brightened her day when Sesshomaru didn’t get what he wanted from her.
“If I guess will you tell me?”
“I doubt you will be able to guess.”
“Rare flowers?” she began.
Kagome took the silence as a negative.
“A precious stone, jewel or gem,” she paused for a moment after her guess before continuing. “A pet?”
The woman could sense the amusement radiating from her mate. But she was determined that she would not waste her time in silence and this was one way of hitting two birds with one stone. But after a few more guess she gave a defeated sigh.
“You know I am not cut out for this,” she grumbled, “I mean I could probably guess if we were in my time. But what do you get a person in the feudal era?”
“Whatever her heart desires,” Sesshomaru answered.
Kagome smiled, “Do you know what I desire?” she asked playfully.
“You desire nothing that any other woman in this time period desires,” he stated confidently. He turned to face her again and she stopped just in time to prevent herself from walking into his plated chest. “Except the pleasure of this Sesshomaru.”
Blushing from his bold statement, she looked away. He knew her too well. Her only desire was to live a happy life with the people she loved. Material objects meant very little to her, which was rare in most cases. But then there was her mate, the only man she wanted to be with in her life, and also the male that many others wished to have for themselves.
“We are here,” the inu stated, pulling at a branch blocking the way. “We shall retrieve my mother’s present from here.”
With her breath stuck in her lungs, Kagome looked upon the scene in awe. The waves crashed against the shore. The wet sand was untouched, smooth with a few dunes. She immediately rushed forward to run into the water, only to run back when she realized how cold the water was.
“Ah,” she screamed in a fit of giggles.
After calming down from her high emotions, her blue eyes caught the attention of the pleased golden hues. It always appeared that he was happiest when she was smiling and laughing. But this thought only made her want to make him happier. To the point that he would laugh and smile too.
“So does your mother like sea shells or something?” Kagome asked at last.
“Octopus,” the inu replied, “mother is very much like your description of a typical man. To please her you must feed her. Her favourite food is octopus.”
“Oh… well, are they easy to catch?”
“The problem is keeping them alive long enough to get to the castle. My speed rivals no ones, therefore it is best for me to retrieve the octopus myself.”
“Okay, then how can I help?”
Sesshomaru moved closer to her and placed something in her hand. He sealed a chaste kiss upon her lips before allowing her to look down. Much to her confusion she found herself carrying her mate’s obi. In mere seconds she was holding all the silk items while his weapons and armour were resting upon a large boulder beside her.
“I wish to wear something dry when I return. You will remain here and protect my belongings while I retrieve dinner.”
Kagome watched as her mate, dressed only in his fundoshi, leap into the waves. As she waited, her eyes drifted over the surface of the water. Her mind returned to the thought she worried about. Her mother-in-law would be coming tonight and even Sesshomaru seemed unsettled about that idea, which made her nervous.
Thankfully she didn’t have to wait long before the inu returned, each hand baring many smaller octopi. He moved to the grassy area near the forest and forced each octopus to release their grasp. Only then did he returned to his mate and begin dressing in top speed. He hadn’t been joking about using his speed to return to the castle. Kagome was whisked off her feet and they stopped long enough for him to gather the octopi and then headed home.
In less than a few minutes they were on palace grounds and into the kitchen. Many large glass bowls were awaiting and Sesshomaru quickly places a few in each.
“Come mate, we must prepare for dinner,” Sesshomaru replied already heading out of the doors.
Everything that followed was rushed. She was assisted in adorning her formal kimono, pinning her hair and applying make-up. Then it was off to the greeting hall where Kagome was introduced to the beautiful, silver haired inu woman.
“Thank-you for having me,” Sesshomaru’s mother bowed respectfully.
“It is a pleasure to have you here,” Kagome answered as she was taught. “Please join us for dinner.”
Sesshomaru held out his arm toward his mate and nodded for his mother to follow. The grand dining room was set for three. Sesshomaru at the head, Kagome to his right, and his mother to his left. After they were all seated a silver dome plate was place in front of them before the cover was removed.
Hiding her displeasure as she realized she was going to have to actually eat the octopus from earlier, Kagome lifted the stick it was wrapped around and only then did she notice it was alive. Dropping the wiggling octopus caused it to land forcefully upon the edge of the plate. The stick that it was knotted around broke, freeing the octopus which in fright squirted a stream of ink in the direction of Sesshomaru.
Kagome gasped while Sesshomaru’s mother remained silent. The inu lord lifted his hand and brushed his napkin against the streak of ink upon his face. He darted his eyes open his mate as if to ‘tsk’ her before the silence of the room was broken by laughter.
Blue and golden averted to the woman who had been fairly silent thus far. Her laughter was not of mockery but of enjoyment. It wasn’t something that made Kagome more uptight, but calmed her.
“Sorry,” Kagome mumbled, “I was unaware you meant live octopus when you said we would be having it for dinner.”
“Don’t mind his uptightness child,” the other woman waved her hand. “He gets upset about any violation to his body. Now dear, tell me more about you.”
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Ja ne
Angelic Memories
2009