Title: Pepto Pink

Author: Priestess Skye

Word count 859

Genre: Romance, fluff

Rating: PG

Note: This is in special thanks to Youkai Yume who is allowing me to use her 'Everyday Love' series as picture prompts. Check them out at youkaiyume . deviantart . com (minus the spaces). This particular one is from Everyday Love 2 - Prizes.

She was surprised when he told her to dress casually, but not worry about her sweater and scarf. The evening was warm, slightly humid, and for a change she chose to wear a dress. The last five dates she had worn pants, half expecting to be brought to the skating rink each time. Tonight he packed her in his car and drove her to the opposite end of town, and to a small fair in a mall parking lot. Giddy with delight, she was impressed at his patience. While she was easily pleased, she was also easily excitable and planning a night out at a fair was just one of many ways to get her going.

The sounds of music from the various rides and bells ringing from the carnival games echoed in the background. She could smell a combination of popcorn, hot dogs and cotton candy depending on where she stood in the small carnival. It made her mouth water, though she didn't dare ask him for anything. It was enough that he had brought her here and it was more than enough that he had insisted on paying for their last several dates. She felt kind of odd not spending a penny on herself or him.

Fidgeting with the white flower in her hair, she turned toward the vendor and tried to recall how much money she had placed in her purse earlier. There should be enough to pay for dinner for them both she thought. "Hot dog?" she asked as she walked toward the vendor. He shook his head no but pulled his wallet out anyhow. "No, I've got it," she insisted, ready to open her own purse for change.

"Close your purse," he demanded, handing the vendor a five dollar bill before she could protest.

"I think I can afford a hot dog," she replied wryly, trying to push his hand away.

"It is not about what you can afford and can't afford. I brought you here so if you want food, I'll pay. You're my guest."

"Date." She handed the vendor her own five dollar bill, ignoring Sesshoumaru's outstretched hand. "You want to be a gentleman, you can win me a prize. I won't have you paying for everything all the time. You'll go broke."

Leaving the five dollar bill in his hand, he slipped his wallet in his back pocket. "My bank account won't go broke over a $2 hotdog."

"Neither will mine." Her eyes opened wide as she saw the man slip the hot dog between the bun, the juicy aroma infiltrating her nasal passages. Her stomach began to tumble and rumble, causing her mild embarrassment when Sesshoumaru began to chuckle, and she began her quest of creating the perfect mix of toppings. Minus the onions. She loved them but she couldn't imagine him wanting to kiss her after she ate them.

And oh lord did she ever want him to kiss her.

Five dates and he had done nothing more than hold her hand. He was a gentleman, but she felt he took it to the extreme. Obviously he wanted to be there, else he couldn't continue with the act, but why couldn't they progress forward? She supposed she should have taken initiative herself but there was no fun in that either. Making sure there was enough ketchup on her hot dog to enhance the flavour, yet not enough to drizzle down her shirt, she turned around to see Sesshoumaru walking away from her.

"Hey! Where are you going?" She ran to catch up to him, careful not to spill her food.

"To win you your prize."

"I was only joking!"

The stuffed dog was cute, she thought as she held it close. Soft and fluffy, it somehow reminded her of Sesshoumaru and she knew she would think of him whenever she saw it. Giddy, she wondered what the night could bring next. "The pink one," she heard him speak and turned around to see another vendor hand him another prize. Linking her arm with his, she tried to pull him away before he could receive the atrocity.

"Uhhh…" The white dog was nice. The fact that it was small meant that it wouldn't take up very much space in her apartment. The fact that it was small made it easier for her to carry around. The rabbit was something else. "Thanks?" she half-laughed as the vendor handed it over to Sesshoumaru.

"You don't like it?"

His face was blank as he held the rabbit up for her. He looked so ridiculous standing there holding such a large fuzzy pink object with golden eyes that looked near bored to tears. Except for the tiny sparkle way deep within that told her he felt precisely the same way about the monstrosity as she did. Smiling, she looked upon it and studied it closely. "It's hideous," she finally answered. "It's the colour of Pepto Bismal."

"So it is," Sesshoumaru confirmed, before absently handing it over to a little girl who looked upon with wide eyes.

"You're a sweet man, Sesshoumaru," Kagome cooed as she clutched the white dog closer to her.

"Hn."