Straight Faced by Chiyoko Lace

Straight

A/N: So, I was bugged by Castle, and this scene demanded to be written. I might make it into a one-shot series, or a drabble series. I'm unsure yet. Enjoy, my loves!

Disclaimer: I do not own Castle, or Inuyasha. I only borrow them temporarily.

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Pale blue clashed coldly with molten ember, each regarding the other with the calculating gaze of an experienced warrior. Living through the centuries warranted that untrained abilities be tamed. Blunt fingers of the woman's free hand lifted to adjust the clear visor upon her brow, allowing a crinkle of frustration to form at her nose. Ebony locks were twisted to messily rest upon the top of her head, held securely in place by the elastic of the visor.

Lethal digits tenderly clutched his hidden weapon close to his figure, well aware of the fact that the human before him was not a mind-reader, nor a seer, and therefore unable to see it. The frustration cracking through her stoic mask was satisfying, almost more than receiving the answers he sought. Which were not forthcoming.

Struggling to maintain the infamous mask that her Lord and Mate was widely known for, Kagome reached out to the half deck of cards to her left. A pair of cards rested in the tight grip of her other hand. Unable to deny herself the butterflies that fluttered in her abdomen in suspension, she inhaled deeply, staring into the melting gaze of her Mate.

“Ready?” His slight nod was her response, and exhaling just as deeply, she flitted the final card to join the four laid out upon the table. Allowing her teeth to take purchase in her lower lip, she stared at the set-up before her, and the two in her hand.

Sesshomaru's brow raised at the final card lifted to lay next to it's kin. He refrained from allowing a victory growl to rumble from his throat, and instead let his ego take the reins. With all the elegance that was his being, he revealed his cards with a flourish, so eager to swipe up the chips placed in the center.

A nine of hearts and a six of spades granted him the small victory of a two pair. As the Daiyoukai reached out to sweep the chips toward his side of the board, she released an impressive growl for a human. Living with inu-youkai for almost five hundred years allows certain mannerisms to be adapted.

“Just you wait, Mister!”

Slamming her palm down upon the coffee table that she knelt at, she leveled a heated glare at her Mate. “You didn't let me show you my pretties!”

Golden orbs widened as she drew her smaller hand away to reveal her winning cards. A ten of spades and a seven of spades completed the set to create a straight. “A straight beats your two pair!”

Glowering down at the feeble cards before him, he turned his nose up in the air. “I do not see how your ten of spades and seven of spades creates a straight, Miko.”

Huffing in annoyance at having to yet again explain the situation to the youkai, she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Because! In order to have a straight, you must have at least two suits, and they must be in condescending order. Six of hearts, seven of spades, eight of clubs, nine of diamonds, and ten of spades. Five cards that complete a straight. All four suits are accounted for!”

Growling faintly at his defeat by the Miko's hands, he shifted his attention to the entry-way as the sound of the door opening reached his and Kagome's ears. The gentle click of heels against the tiled floor had Kagome glancing up to meet with the equally chilled gaze of her Mother-in-law.

“Lady Satomi, you are home early..” The miko mumbled, well-aware of the murderous gaze the older inu-youkai laid upon her pack mates. Releasing the grip upon the luggage in hand, she growled lightly in displeasure. “I am appalled... that there is gambling in this house...”

Drawing a cushion from the sofa behind Kagome, she flopped it down at the side of the small table she stood at. Lowering to a graceful kneel, a predatory grin spread across her lips as mischief overtook the murder in her gaze. “Now now, don't just sit there! Deal this one her cards, my son!”

Feeling her breath whoosh out of her in relief, she grinned widely, sliding the deck of cards across the table to Sesshomaru, whose scowl darkened his features. “Yes, my love, deal our Lady Mother her cards! Oh this shall be fun!”

Glowering at his bustling mate, who had been so eager to play against his Dame before, and was now finally granted her wish, he split the deck of cards, and formed the bridge, shuffling expertly.

“As you wish.”