How Much Does A Kitsune Charge?

Chapter Two

She laughed lightly at something the kitsune said. He was jealous, he admitted, that the kitsune was able to make her laugh so. True, he had not yet said anything, but he was too shy to even speak.

Imagine that; a great and powerful demon like him, afraid to talk to a human girl.

The girl turned her laugh to him, and he parted his lips as his heartbeat quickened. The girls face was tinged pink, and he found it absolutely adorable.

"Sesshomaru, what do you do?" She asked, breaking the tension between them. He couldn't look away from her, and found he didn't want to. Her hair was in a messy bun, with inky tresses falling around her shoulders and neck. She had paint on her arms, yet none on her light yellow sundress. There was even a spot of red paint on her cheek. He wanted to reach across the table and wipe it away.

It seemed like an eternity had passed between them before he heard the kitsune clear his throat. Sesshomaru looked to the boy, then back to Kagome. "I am a musician."

Her eyes lit up as he spoke, and she leaned over the table enthusiastically.

"Really? What kind of music do you play?" She asked. He took a drink of his water, letting it sit in his mouth for a moment before replying.

"I am a concert pianist." He loved the way her eyes sparkled when she was intrigued. It was as if the girl herself was the goddess of the sky, and held all of the constellations in the galaxy – and every single one was twinkling before him. He was lost in them, and he was not sure he wanted to be found.

"I love music," she admitted, lowering her eyes to her feet, which were bare. She looked like the type of woman who lived off the land, a very simple woman, who did not need material objects to live a life of contentment.

From what he could tell, he was right in his assumptions.

He had the opportunity to look around her shop, which he also learned was her home. Behind the shop and the garden was a tiny house, where she and her son resided. He did not enter her home, for it would have been intrusive, but he could not hear the electric humming of multiple electronics in her home, as he had almost everywhere else. He could guess she had a fridge, a stove, and a telephone. Maybe a television, at the most.

Kagome saw him lost in thought, and stared obviously at his facial features. She felt the familiar itch in her hand – the itching to draw – and looked to her son. He nodded, running into her home to grab her supplies. When he came out, he held a bag and large pad. Sesshomaru stared at the boy, then back to her, raising a brow.

"Would you mind?" She asked, taking the drawing pad from Shippou as he returned. Sesshomaru shook his head, motioning for the girl to go on. She smiled happily, her hands making fast work on the paper.

"Mama's a talented artist. You should see her work." Shippou said, his chest beaming with pride. Kagome flushed, shaking her head.

"No, I'm not that good, Shippou. I still have a lot to learn." She said. Sesshomaru stared at her face, and kept trying to think of reasons he should not be here. When he couldn't, he admitted that he liked her modesty. "Can you turn your face, please?" She whispered, quite aware that his eyes were on hers.

He obliged, turning his head so that his profile was showing. She was very quiet when she worked, he remembered the kitsune saying, and he took this opportunity to talk to the child.

"You are a fox demon." He said. Shippou nodded, slurping a noodle rather ungracefully.

"Yep. You're a dog demon, right? I can smell it."

"One of the last of my kind." He said, saddened. Only he, his father, mother, and half-brother remained from his clan. His kind was slowly dying, and he was helpless to stop it.

Kagome looked up from her paper, her eyes misting. "I'm so sorry." Her lip was almost trembling, and he wanted nothing more than to calm her.

"Do not apologize; it is not your fault." He said, remaining in his position. She looked to her paper once more, before looking down to her feet.

"I'm done," she said, quietly.

"May I?" He asked. When she nodded, he stood, moving behind her, and felt his mouth hang in awe. In five minutes, she had drawn an outstanding, messy sketch of him. His eyes were dark, yet they were the main focus of the drawing. It looked just like him. She gasped as he leaned down, getting a closer look.

"The nose was my favorite part." She admitted.

"The kitsune is correct in his claim," he whispered, his breath hot against her neck. She could smell his natural scent – dirt, wine, and something sweet. It was wonderful, and she had to stop from leaning in to get a better sniff.

"Do you like it? It's very messy." She was embarrassed, and he thought it was endearing.

"I am speechless – thank you, Kagome." He replied, standing up. He looked to his watch and frowned. "I must leave. I'm due for a performance soon."

"Oh really, so soon?" She frowned, standing up. She fidgeted with her hands, looking to her feet again. He couldn't stand how cute she was.

"I have enjoyed our time together. Thank you for inviting me." He said, reaching for her hand for the second time that day. The butterflies in his stomach grew dangerous as she bit her lip, looking into his eyes.

"Thank you for staying." She was so quiet, he almost didn't hear her. He looked to the boy, nodding to the kitsune. He nodded back, knowing he would meet the boy again. There was something he had been after, he remembered, and he was curious to know what it was.

He left the shop, closing the door behind him. When he was about to walk away, he heard the bell of the door ring, and saw the girl standing at the entrance.

"Sesshomaru…" She said, fidgeting quite noticeably. He turned, seeing she held the drawing in her hands. "I want you to have this." She said, handing him her drawing.

He looked to her, his head tilted, and accepted the paper. "Are you certain?"

She nodded, looking up to him. He stepped closer to her, feeling his heart quicken when he neared her. He could feel his face flushing, watching as hers did the same.

"If I miss it… I could always draw another." She said. He stepped closer, gulping as he neared her.

"You would have to invite me again, for that to happen."

After a brief pause, she looked up to him, realizing their height differences, and smiled softly. "I suppose I would."

Shippou called her, and she looked to the door, then back to Sesshomaru. She smiled and bowed to him, before running back into the house. The sounds of the kitsune's shriek and laughter caused him to upturn his lip in a small smile. Turning, he walked away, knowing the drawing in his hand was his invitation for their next encounter.