Weeping Willows

By Dragoness

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story. They are the product of the wonderful mind of Rumiko Takahashi. I make no money off this. Only the story is mine.

Chapter 7

A Slippery Slope

"No, no. It's nothing at all," Kagome said a little too quickly. She stepped back brushing imaginary dirt from her shirt in a nervous fashion.

"You know clumsy me, I got startled and dropped the dip. Sesshomaru was just helping me clean up."

"Hn," he said with a nod handing Kagome the container and moving back towards the doorway. Chucking it in the trashcan Kagome went for the Clorox wipes and started cleaning up the mess on the floor.

Sesshomaru had become transfixed by something. Noticing this Miroku followed his line of sight to see what was so interesting. Miroku grinned as he followed Sesshomaru's line of sight. It seemed that in all the moving around Kagome's shirt had ridden up giving one a great view of her toned and shapely bottom.

"What are you grinning at?" Sango asked suspiciously.

"Ah, just how much I love you my dear and can't wait until were married," replied Miroku. Sango instantly brightened at the comment, smiling and giving him a peck on the check.

Miroku returned her smile and wrapped his arms around her waist while silently congratulating himself. Boy that was quick thinking. Miroku you are the man.

"So I guess we won't have any of your famous veggie dip today," pouted Sango. Standing up Kagome chucked the dirty wipes in the trash and went to wash her hands.

"Oh, don't worry I have more ingredients in the refrigerator if you're willing to help out a bit in the kitchen. The guys can go on in the living room and get things set up there. The cards are in the first drawer of the liquor cabinet," Kagome answered. Then maybe I will be able to actually concentrate on what I'm doing.

Twenty minutes later the dining room table was stacked with Buffalo wings, different varieties of chips and dips, and a veggie platter along with drinks. The four were laughing and playing cards. Even Sessomaru was talking as bit more.

This time Sango and Miroku left first saying they had a prior engagement. Sesshomaru stayed to help Kagome finish straightening up. Once they were done they sat in the living room and just talked. Kagome had brewed a pot of coffee and was currently smiling over her cup, enjoying the smell of the special blend.

Sesshomaru's POV

Sessomaru was pleasantly surprised. So far he knew she was a beautiful, a good cook and an excellent hostess. Although she was a little quirky at times she was very well rounded. Kagome was knowledgeable in various different areas and had a freshness about her. She also had a lust for life that Sesshomaru rarely saw in people today, let alone females.

There was definitely more to this little woman than he had originally thought at first glance. He had found a gem indeed. Everything as far as he was concerned was great. The only thing worrying him was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind. It was telling him that maybe he should back off a bit. However, he paid little attention as it was probably just him over thinking things.

Nothing Sesshomaru did was in the spur of the moment; everything was carefully planned out ahead of time. That was the only way to maintain order in one's life as far as he was concerned.

Kagome wasn't as calculating and at times this bugged him. She liked order but would be fine if things were chaotic as well. She often made plans or changed her mind about things at the last minute.

Sesshomaru was not overly worried though other than the nagging in the back of his mind. For him that was normal, he was certain they would find a happen medium. After all there is compromise in all relationships and he was definitely interested in starting one with Kagome.

Kagome's POV

Kagome was having a ball, she forgot how nice it was to just talk and be in the company of a male. It was different than her talks with Miroku and Sango though she couldn't exactly figure out just how it was different.

He also was quite interesting once you got him to talk. They liked a lot the same kind of music, and some of the same types of books. Conversation between them was no longer strained but flowed easy. More importantly when they didn't talk it was not awkward. She truly enjoyed his company and it was nice not to have to find things to talk about.

This went on for a few weeks and the two started seeing each other regularly. They went out at least once a week and more often without the company of Sango and Miroku. Kagome was more like her old fun loving self and her family and friends all took notice.

Things were going quite well and Kagome was very optimistic. She could handle having a male friend after all. Sure there was that unspoken attraction but they were both mature adults and they would not do anything rash. They enjoyed their friendship.

Kagome walked down the street humming as she went. The shopping bag containing her latest purchases dangling off her arm, swinging to the rhythm of her movements.

Sesshomaru had invited her to a Karaoke Bar tonight and having nothing new to wear that he hadn't already seen she decided to splurge. Kagome bought herself a new outfit and new undergarments to wear under them.

Kagome smiled as a soft breeze caressed her face. She loved the spring, the weather was warm and the sun was shining brightly. For the first time in years Kagome felt content. The painful emptiness that had kept her company for so long was slowly being filled. Nothing could go wrong now, or so she thought.

Maybe things would have gone differently, if she had only remembered her mother's favorite saying. If she had Kagome would have realized that this was only the calm before the storm.