Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha nor do I make any profit from this work of fiction.
A newspaper slapped down on Kagome's rickety desk, stirring a veritable cloud of dust in the little cobwebbed office. Her antique lamp, or rather her boss's antique lamp, threatened to wobble off the table and she quickly steadied it on its precarious perch on the corner of the table.
"What is it?" Kagome asked curiously, glancing up with wide eyes at the towering visage of Sesshoumaru. In her damp cramped office he seemed even larger and more muscle bound than usual. His shirt was loose today and she mourned the loss of one of her favourite views.
A claw tip tapped an article in the newspaper in response and she clicked on her table lamp and drew the paper across the desk to peruse the article.
"No way."
"Hn."
"How did they... I don't even..." Kagome gave up speaking because fluidity of speech was obviously something shock robbed from her. She'd certainly never expected this.
Her father's impromptu visit to Japan had apparently all been caught on camera. Much like the slightly weird pursuit that had happened in the gardens as he'd tried to chase her into compliance.
"A photographer recognised your father," Sesshoumaru expounded.
"Clearly," she grumbled, "but what I don't get is how they know I'm his daughter," she ran her hands through her hair in exasperation. "Surely it's more rational to assume I'm his... lover or something?"
"Indeed," Sesshoumaru allowed, watching her confusion with concerned golden eyes, "assuming your father is innocent in all this."
Kagome frowned up at him, a slight pucker appearing between her eyebrows. "Huh?"
"The ratings for your father's show have been on the decline, and this stunt has boosted publicity."
Kagome stood abruptly and cursed under her breath as she accidentally kneed the table in the process. "That swine!" she raged.
"Does he have it in him?" Sesshoumaru inquired blandly.
"Yes," Kagome admitted morosely, hands clenching into fiercely frustrated fists. "He's always been out for himself, you know?"
"Indeed," Sesshoumaru nodded curtly, "Our fathers are chillingly similar in that respect."
Kagome threw her hands into the air exasperatedly and slumped back down into her seat. "Well, that's just great!" she groaned, sarcasm diluting her voice.
"They know your last name," he continued, a single claw underlining the appropriate part of the print.
Kagome scowled and swept the newspaper into the wastepaper basket dismissively. Lowering her head to the tabletop she made a groaning noise that perturbed Sesshoumaru enough to tug on a strand of her loose hair.
She jerked her face from the table and leant on her chin, arms dangling limply, and glowered at him. "What, can't you see me moping here?"
The corner of Sesshoumaru's mouth twitched as if he had fought down the urge to smile and he grabbed her chin, tilted her mouth open, and casually plopped a chocolate caramel inside.
"Cheer up," he instructed stiffly. His awkwardness warmed Kagome's heart. He'd brought her bad news she needed to know and a chocolate; could he be anymore perfect?
Prompt: Photographer
Words: 500