Title: The Little Things

Genre: Romance

Rating: G

Pairings Represented: Sesshoumaru/Kagome Romantic

Theme: Set #1, Theme #094, "Rain"

Word Count: 633

Warnings:

Universe: Alternate Universe

Staring out the window, she couldn't help but feel the scenery before her was winsome. Day two of the campaign, and she stood off to the side as Sesshoumaru Taisho met with the mayor of the small town they were visiting. There was to be a rally in his honour, but the weather had cancelled that, as the rain continued to pour out of the sky in buckets.

There was a quality to it that she had never seen before, though, as the drops caused the little pond on the city hall lawn to ripple, distorting the image of the trees she knew would be reflected in it if it were a calm, sunny day.

She wanted to take a moment and step outside and just dance in it, much like she had when she was younger. Gone were the days when she would drag her mother outside with her just so she could feel the rain fall upon her face. It seemed like there was no time anymore to sit and enjoy the little things. She was constantly on the go and, if the start of this campaign was any indication, she knew it was only going to get busier.

Willimantic today. Hartford tomorrow, and then onto Boston for a town hall meeting in Feneuil Hall. Meeting with the mayor before lunch, chatting with the local residents after lunch, then the evening was to be spent debriefing and going over the plan of action for the next day. She doubted she would make it to bed before 11 pm and, even if she did, she would be too exhausted to do much of anything.

Longingly, she raised a hand to the windowpane, smiling just a little as the cool of the glass permeated her skin. Soon, she promised herself. When the campaign was over and the hustle and bustle of her current life was finished, she would take the time once again to enjoy the simple things she was beginning to miss.

What was it like to sleep in and be an hour late for something, or to sit in a chaise in the sun, stretch out with a good book and just relax? These days, if she wasn't stuck at her desk working on her computer, she was joined at the hip with her laptop.

But… catching him walking out of the meeting with the mayor, striding confidently down the hall, she knew somewhere deep down that this was something she would never want to miss.

The thrill of the chase as they each worked harder day after day to achieve their goal. And what an achievement it would be if he won, she thought wistfully. The celebration, the sense of satisfaction knowing that she was part of something huge that could make or break the country. It was a heady feeling, and one she wouldn't trade for anything.

Picking her briefcase off the ground, she met him halfway out the door, remaining just one step behind him. "Miroku is waiting for you at the pizzaria around the corner and he's already ordered," she informed him as she handed him an envelope his campaign manager had left with her. "The schedule has changed slightly and he wants to fit in as much as he can. The local radio station at the University of Connecticut has asked to speak with you while you're nearby today. You're scheduled to go on at four, which means we need to be on the road to Storrs by three."

A regal nod of his head as he glanced at the contents of the envelope was the only acknowledgement she received. Still, she smiled as she opened her umbrella and stepped outside.

The little things could wait for tomorrow. She would continue with her big adventure today.

Title: It All Comes Down To This

Genre: Romance

Rating: G

Pairings Represented: Sesshoumaru/Kagome Romantic

Theme: Set #1, Theme #030, "Fascinating People"

Word Count: 675

Warnings:

Universe: Alternate Universe

"I fail to see why I need to debase myself to speak to these people who couldn't care less," Sesshoumaru growled lowly over his pizza as Miroku began to debrief him on the neighbourhoods in the town he would visit. Day Two and he was growing bored with the game and wished he could take his rightful place within the executive branch. The chase, the thrill of the hunt should have amused him, entertained him for the time being, but then, he was also used to working at his own pace. He was in no mood to be told what to do.

Perhaps it was rain that caused him to be in such a foul mood. Or maybe it was the company. Looking at her across the large table, he wanted to growl at the small smile that graced her face, and the way her eyes would soften just slightest bit when she looked around the room. How could somebody so soft be an effective team member on a campaign that only the most battle-hardened workers could survive? There was a strength there, but not enough in his opinion. She was already proving to be a hindrance, distracting him when he should be focusing on other things. Yet, something inside protested vehemently at the thought of letting her go.

"Shhh, you don't want them to hear you like this. Whether you like it or not you still need to win these voters over to win the election," Miroku slapped another piece of paper on the table in front of him. Connecticut is a fairly easy state, full of wealthy socialites. You should have no problem taking the electoral college votes here, but that being said, you still need to appeal to small town people. They are the ones that tend to be forgotten."

"Look at them." He looked up to see Kagome looking at a far off table, a young man and woman sitting there enjoying their pizza as their four children clambered around the nearby tables and chairs. Pressing his lips together in a thin line, it was a sight he was all too used to, and none too fond of. There was a certain behavioural expectation for being out in public.

"They're happy," Kagome continued as she smiled at them. "They're sitting together as a family, and the children feel safe and secure enough to run around like that. Their parents feel safe and secure to let them run around here, despite the fact that most people find it to be a nuisance. Look at the restaurant owners."

Glancing behind the counter, he saw them standing there, watching the children with a smile. They weren't afraid of a lawsuit due to injury, or that they were disturbing other clients. They were happy to see people enjoying themselves.

"This is what we need to look at. It all comes down to this," Kagome said as she folded the napkin that was on her lap.

"How so?" he asked, curious as to her answer.

"The individual family. They need to know that they matter. Maybe not in the sense of the universe revolves around them, but knowing that we are protecting their freedoms and protecting their security. We focus on crime so their children could grow up in a low-crime environment. We protect the environment so their children could breathe clean air. We secure the economic prosperity of the country so their children will never know poverty. In the end it all comes down to that one family." Taking a sip of her water, she looked at him, catching his eyes with her own. For all of a moment, he felt empowered. "Four years down the road, when you run for re-election, you may not remember them. But they'll remember you."

Looking back at the family, he noticed the little girl run to her mother, her face alight with laughter.

Something stirred inside.

Placing his own napkin on the table, he threw some cash on the table to cover the bill. Her words echoed over and over in his mind.

They'll remember you.

Title: Ignorance

Genre: Romance

Rating: G

Pairings Represented: Sesshoumaru/Kagome Romantic

Theme: Set #1, Theme #05, "Respect"

Word Count: 341

Warnings:

Universe: Alternate Universe

Students, she concluded, fell into one of two categories. They were either extremely well-rounded and educated, or they were ignorant.

This caller went beyond all levels of ignorance. She wasn't sure she could categorize him. Yet she had to admire the way Sesshoumaru handled him. Quickly, efficiently, and without mincing words.

She wasn't sure if his tongue would get him in trouble or not, as the one thing she learned about him was this:

He was honest. Brutally so.

Leaning against the door looking in the soundproof booth, she could see the subtle hardening of his eyes as she listened to this particular student berate him for whatever issue he thought was important. She had to give the kid credit for calling in, regardless of his views, as it showed that he cared about the political sphere of the country.

But did he really have to make racist remarks?

It gave the rest of the kids a bad name. Sesshoumaru, however, deftly put him in his place with a grand total of five words.

"I don't deal with ignorance."

She nearly winced when she heard him say that. Still, he was right, and she had to praise him for sticking to his convictions. The way she saw it, it would either boost his popularity, or it would fall by a few points in the polls.

But, oh, she was proud. Any other politician she knew would have tried to work around it. They would have used words meant to placate yet get their own thoughts around.

Sesshoumaru went straight for the jugular.

Smiling lightly, she listened as the caller continued to huff and puff before Sesshoumaru issued the order to hang up on him.

She learned one more thing from him today. No bullshit. He didn't give any, and he certainly didn't take it.

Gutsy move, she noted, but a good one in her books.

And with the ease of a practiced politician, he moved onto the next caller, forgetting that the idiocy of the previous caller had ever existed.

Disclaimer: See first post