She had ventured out onto the lake today. It was a rare day when she would take one of the motorized boats for herself and disappear for a bit, but she had a lot on her mind. This was one of her favourite traditions when she was younger, taking the fishing boat out with her grandfather, and spending the day on the water. They never caught anything worth eating, but she enjoyed the time spent with him. Now she enjoyed the solitude it brought, and the way fishing managed to clear her mind. Her tackle box was already loaded, as well as her rod, a small cooler with lunch, and all of her safety gear. She brought a book with her, and her sunscreen, knowing that she would not spend the whole day hoping for a bite. If she were honest with herself, she'd know that she'd grow bored of the act within an hour.
But she loved the water.
She loved everything it represented, peace, anger, the quiet moments and the moments she'd spend watching the waves crash along the shore. She remembered playing on the beach when she was younger and swimming against the current as she grew older. She loved to jump out of the canoes and just float with her life jacket on. She was meant to be around water, and though she had left for four years to study, it was the water she had yearned to return to.
She pulled the cord on the motor, enjoying the way it roared to life, breaking the mid-morning silence. One of her regular seasonal employees had returned to the lake and she took advantage of his presence by taking the morning for herself. Tourist season was nearly upon them, but she was ready for it. Now, she just needed to ensure that the rental hut was taken care of in her absence.
The lull of the quiet was absolute bliss, she thought as she parked the boat on calm area of a small bay. Of everywhere in the world this was her one favourite place to be. Near the houses she could only dream of ever affording. Near Sesshoumaru's house where she had so many happy memories. Throwing down a small anchor to keep her boat stable, Kagome soon leaned back and closed her eyes, listening to the rise and fall of the boat and the sound of the waves hitting the small rocks on the private beaches.
Losing track of time, Kagome continued to listen and think, and figure out what was suddenly happening to her.
Sesshoumaru had returned and turned her whole life upside down. He had happily stored away the memories of him in the special little box in her head labelled with his name. He was special to her, their time together was special and she treasured each moment. She remembered every word he wrote to her, and when he stopped, she had closed that chapter on her life. Then he had returned and opened it, as if he had never left, but also as if he were never there to begin with. She wasn't sure what he wanted, or what she wanted. When she was young their friendship was fuelled by childlike innocence. She wanted a friend and he needed a friend. Now, she was curious, she admitted. There's so much she wanted to learn and to know.
Why had he changed so much? Why did he refuse to speak of his father? Why was he so adamant on closing this chapter on his life? That last one hurt, though not as much as the idea that by closing, he would be walking away.
"He's a good man, grandpa," she spoke aloud, having one of her many private conversations with her late grandfather. She often used her time on the water to speak to him. "He's so lost but that doesn't take away from the goodness. Instead he hides both and insists that nothing is wrong. Help me help him." It was a difficult concept to believe, Sesshoumaru lost, as he was one who always knew what was on his mind and what to do about it. She doubted he was even able to admit this to himself. That would be like admitting a weakness. Even as a child he couldn't do that, and growing up to be the proud man that he was, it was even less a possibility.
Lost in her thoughts she failed to see the sky cloud over and blacken, and ignored the increasing wind as it was normal to feel that while out on the water. Weather changed very quickly and it could go from windy to calm back to windy in the blink of an eye. It wasn't until she heard the first crash of thunder that she realized where she was at. Sitting up she eyed the oncoming storm and the waves heading in her direction and decided she didn't have enough time to turn around and head back to her shop for safety.
In years past she had always avoiding heading near this particular dock, not that Sesshoumaru would have minded, but because it did belong to him, and out of respect she should always ask first, but it was infinitely more dangerous to remain on open water in the middle of a thunderstorm, so she was sure he would understand. Rain began to fall, lightly at first before becoming a steady downpour as she turned her boat around and looked toward his house. Water droplets rolled down her forehead and off her eyelashes as she ducked low in the boat, wanting to make herself as small a target as possible. Lightning flashed around her, the waves increased in ferocity and Kagome said a little prayer as she reached the dock and quickly tied the fishing boat to the post.
Lights were on, she noted thankfully. Lifting her hand she let it fall upon the glass doors that backed onto his back patio. Smiling a small smile, she looked up at Sesshoumaru sheepishly as he opened the sliding door.
"Hi, mind if I stop in?"
Written for dokuga_contest's Tempest prompt, word count 1021 words