Title: The Realization
Author: SakuraRyuu
Prompt: Six-Course Challenge - Entree
Genre: Romance
AU/CU: AU
Rating: T
Warnings: Language
A/N: Inuyasha and all characters in this fan fiction are the property of Rumiko Takahashi.
Sesshomaru spent the rest of the day trying to shake Kagome's infectious attitude, and the rest of the week trying to avoid his father. He still wasn't over his father's ambush lunch date, and he was unhappy at how Kagome kept creeping into his thoughts. He found himself thinking of her at all times of the day and night, and as the week wore on his mood was becoming increasingly more foul. By the end of the week he was snapping at everyone, and he had his secretary cancel all of his appointments from lunch on so he could leave early.
The first thing he did when he got home was change into his running shorts and sneakers. He pulled his hair back into its customary ponytail, strapped his iPod to his arm and headed out. He returned two hours later, covered in sweat. Grabbing a Gatorade from the refrigerator as he passed through the kitchen he made his way to his room, ready to get cleaned up and head out for the evening.
He had called the least clingy and talkative of his female companions, Kagura, to accompany him to dinner and a show. He had managed to get tickets to a performance of "Cats" that was being put on by the city's dance troupe.
The conversation throughout dinner was pleasant, but Sesshomaru kept being drawn back to how Kagome ate when he lunched with her, savoring every bite. He found himself trying to do the same. With every bite he tried to focus on what he was eating. The texture and the spices in his mouth along with the aroma of the food made the experience of eating much more pleasurable. And his wine matched the meal perfectly.
During the performance Sesshomaru paid more attention to the details of the performance than just the performance itself. He noticed the detail in the costumes and how the backdrop was used in the routines. He also paid attention to the music and how the dancers moved to it. Overall, the entire evening did not go as planned, but he couldn't say he was unhappy. His luncheon with Kagome had opened his eyes to experiences he hadn't paid attention to before, and he couldn't say he was disappointed.
As his car approached Kagura's home he parked and walked her to the door. Uninterested in escorting her inside Sesshomaru wished her a good evening and hurried back to his car. Taking out his cell phone he called his brother for Kagome's address.
Kagome was sitting on her couch in her "Frosty the Snowman" pajamas, her hair in pigtails, and fuzzy, blue socks on her feet. The last thing she was expecting was someone pounding on her door at almost midnight. Shuffling over she looked through the peep hole to see a head full of black hair.
"Inuyasha! I know you know what time it is." She unlocked her door and swung it open only to be greeted by Sesshomaru.
"May I come in?"
"Uh, yeah, sure." She stepped aside for him to enter, then closed and bolted the door shut behind him. Turning toward her guest she asked, "Would you like some tea? Or ice cream?"
"Tea would be fine, thank you." Sesshomaru stood in her entryway, unsure of where he should go.
Kagome noticed his unease and walked him toward the living room. "Make yourself at home, the remote is on the coffee table. I'll only be a few minutes." She rushed back to the kitchen to put some water on the stove to heat, and prepared two mugs with tea bags. Grabbing her phone off the charger she shot off a quick, "You're a dead man!" text to Inuyasha. As the pot began to whistle his return text came through. "LMAO!"
Kagome poured the hot water into the mugs, and sat them on a serving tray along with sugar, cream, and spoons. Turning off the stove she picked up the tray and headed into the living room.
She found Sesshomaru seated on her loveseat so she decided to sit on the couch. Sitting the tray on the coffee table she handed him a mug, offering cream and sugar. Once their drinks were settled, she asked him, "What brings you here? I certainly wasn't expecting anyone, as you can see from my elegant apparel."
Taking a sip of his tea he had to ask himself the same thing. "I'm not sure. While I was at dinner tonight all I could think about is how you ate with such abandon when we met for lunch, and I found myself paying more attention to what I was eating. And for the first time I found myself truly appreciating food for it's taste, and it's texture. Even the way it smelled was better than I remember." He sat his mug down and reclined on the loveseat.
"Then I went to see "Cats" and it was like seeing a live show for the first time. I paid attention to the costumes and backgrounds, and how the performers interacted with each other and the music. I have gained a new perspective on some of the most mundane experiences." Here he stopped to actually look at her and said, "I have thought about you all week."
"You have, huh?" Kagome smiled at him over her mug, taking a slow drink. "Then tell me, what kind of tea is this?"
Picking up his mug Sesshomaru tasted it again. He closed his eyes to really savor the taste and smell. Smiling he said, "Jasmine. Green tea." Kagome smiled in return.
