Romance Me!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Inuyasha created by Rumiko Takahashi
Chapter One: Not For Everyone...
Huffing, Kagome entered her quaint suburban home. Her duffel bag was bundled in her arms as she did her best no to trip; she used her foot to kick the door closed. She set the bags down on the deep redwood floors, and her ears perked at the furious clicking of a keyboard. Smiling she quickly removed her shoes, walked down the entry steps to where he sat; a frown of agitation on his beautiful face.
His old-man reading glasses slipped down to the end of his nose, as he continued his merciless glare to the screen. He mumbled incoherent swears, and resumed his wrath on the keys. He was so immersed in work, he hadn't even noticed her inching closer and closer, till she was right behind him. She slipped her arms over him, kissing his cheek.
"I have an idiot for a brother."
"You look so tired, love." She stayed, hugging him close. Breathing in same cologne that she fell in love with, feeling the same broad shoulders she had missed for the last week, Kagome felt at peace. He turned to look at her serene face, leaning into her embrace. Kissing her neck, he pulled her to his lap with a smile.
"I'm happy you're home."
"Me too. I missed you a lot, Sesshoumaru." He tucked her soft black hair behind her ear and hugged her even closer.3
"Did you have a good time at Yuka's wedding?"
"Ugh, it was awful. I'm so happy to be home." He raised an eyebrow, telling her to continue. "Well my week in the city was spent telling guests to take their gifts back with them and consoling the not bride." She kissed his cheek once more before hopping of his lap and walking in to their open kitchen. She generously bent down to grab the chocolate granola bars, reminding him of the things he so missed and loved.
"What happened?"
"She worked so hard to make this the perfect wedding; she literally went into overload. God, you know she started to work two jobs so that she could pay for it and not ask her parents. "
"Hn."
"Anyway, he told her he'd take care of the location. Wanted it to be special, to be the one thing he'd take care of. He said it would be like a palace, garden, summer courtyard thing, I'm not too sure. Hearing that and obviously believing him, she told the caterer, the florist, and the band to ask her husband where to meet. She was so excited Sesshoumaru! You should have seen her, beaming and laughing with all the girls. He comes in while she's getting dressed and tells her he couldn't get the place, and they had no venue at all."
"Really?"
"Yes! Oh it broke my heart Sesshoumaru! It really did. Seeing her face just fall from cloud nine, on that day of all days, it was horrible. She called the caterer, band and florist, all of them had pulled because of the confusion. The only person who was still available was the priest. So then, everyone goes into chaos. Just running around, doing damage control. I'm running around, seeing if there was anyone able to bring food for three hundred guests at the last minute."
"Why didn't you call me? I could have easily helped you out." He went back to his computer as she walked back over, still chewing down on her granola bar.
"I know, I know. With hindsight, I should have, but I figured you'd be busy with work stuff." Shrugging her shoulders she stood beside him, her arm lying across the back of his chair. She felt his silky hair between her fingers, enjoying his affectionate, growling reaction. "The worst part was his lack of responsibility, and care. He offered to take her to the MacDonald's across the street from the hotel and marry her, to honour the first meal they ever ate together. That...that...well, I don't even know what that is! Knowing how she poured her heart and soul into this wedding and then getting married at a MacDonald's?"
"So, they didn't get married?"
"No, she was too devastated to leave the room. All the guests eventually left, and the groom said he'd be at the bar with the priest for when she was ready. Can you believe that? Just so callous and wrong, it just makes me realize how unromantic this day and age is."
"Being someone who's watched this "romantic evolution," grow, you have a point."
"Right?" His golden stare watched as her face became more sullen by the second, and gave her hand a squeeze. "I just don't know. I mean... am I able to even criticize what others view as romantic? First meal...I guess that's romantic..."
"You don't think that at all."
"Ugh! I so don't! I just can't believe something I used to read about as a kid, is now suddenly gone. Like, nobody cares for chivalry, honour, and, I hate to be a broken record, romance. "
"What? You don't think I'm romantic?" He looked at her quizzically, as she looked like a deer in head lights. Struggling with words, she left out a small unsure giggle.
"Oh, Sesshoumaru..." She laid her head on top of his, "You are so many things. Courageous, honourable, fierce, competitive, driven, caring, loyal, generous, brav-"
"You're rambling, Kagome."
"You're so many wonderful things, Maru, just not romantic. " He looked to her incredulously as if it was the first time he'd ever heard criticism from anyone. "Don't be angry with me, love."
"I'm not angry, you're just mistaken."
"Face it Sesshoumaru, romance is dead." Shrugging and kissing his cheek, she went to grab her bags and take them upstairs. She smiled at him, not realizing how she had just challenged him.