Title: Wounds
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG-13
Pairings Represented: Sesshoumaru/Kagome Romantic
Theme: Set #1, Theme #053, "Scars"
Word Count: 400
Warnings:
Universe: Alternate Universe
Taking a deep breath, Kagome pushed her way through the crowds, dragging her suitcase behind her. She was nervous, she realized, as she moved closer to where he and Miroku were standing. She wasn't ready for this despite her earlier belief. How was she supposed to act as if everything was okay when he had sent her away a few days earlier? Just when things were becoming comfortable between them, well, at least to her, she was sent away. She knew she could take it one of two ways, despite the fact that he had explained himself to her before he left the office.
Seeing the crowd now, though, she knew why Sesshoumaru acted as he did. The words of the protesters and supporters of Naraku's moral values bills cut straight through her. Having never experienced direct malice in this form, she didn't know quite how to handle it. Of course, she had witnessed it many times directed at others. There was no way to avoid it when you worked in politics, but to hear them say such things about you? Well, it hurt.
And Kagome was sure that hurt was written all over her face. Approaching Sesshoumaru she could see the various emotions warring within his eyes - concern for her, anger at the crowd, confusion over his decision, and, she was sure, just the slightest bit of euphoria at seeing her arrive again. Or so she hoped.
At a slight nod of his head in her direction, she smiled, thankful at least for the acknowledgement. "I'm sorry," he apologized when she stood before him, gesturing to the crowd.
"I suppose it'll be something I'll have to get used to," she replied, somewhat stilted, still unsure how she was to proceed around him.
Bitch. Whore.
As the words echoed around her she was unsure if she would be able to handle it. Smiling on the outside, she handed Sesshoumaru the data she had collected last minute, before turning and walking away, lest he really see how she felt at this moment.
There were scars, she knew, that you could see. Those that applauded the hardships that you'd been through and overcome.
Then there were those that nobody could see, but in actual fact cut deeper. While she would never let anybody see how much they affected her, she knew they would be scars that she would have for years to come.
Title: Prelude
Genre: Romance
Rating: G
Pairings Represented: Sesshoumaru/Kagome Romantic
Theme: Set #1, Theme #47, "Conflict"
Word Count: 359
Warnings:
Universe: Alternate Universe
For all of a moment, Sesshoumaru felt his heart stop as he saw her walking toward them through the swarming mass of people. Ready to step forward and greet her, he stopped as he saw the cool look upon her face. Keeping his as emotionless as her's, he nearly sighed. Nearly. In front of such a large crowd he needed to appear reserved and any affection was best left in private. Especially given the way the crowd was reacting toward her.
Frowning, he clenched his fists, becoming increasingly frustrated and irritated with the crowd. The derogatory names being shouted at Kagome were not lost on him. At this single moment, he wished Naraku was standing in front of him so he could have the pleasure of ripping this heart out for causing such a scene. While he didn't have a hand in it directly, Naraku did launch the moral values proposal with his affair in mind.
"She's strong. Let her stand up to it," Miroku had said in his attempt to pacify him. "She won't thank you for interfering in something she believes will be her fight."
"She won't thank me anyway. I pushed her away and it did nothing to temper anybody, causing me nothing but endless frustration."
"She'll come around. You'll need to give her time. I told you she's strong. Not only physically and emotionally, but she's also strong-willed. Once she sees what we see, she'll also see that you were right in your decision. She's not heartless, nor is she stupid."
However strong she was, though, Sesshoumaru knew she wouldn't hold up to the cutting words for very long. Given the crowds, he thought about how appropriate it was to choose Atlanta to cover the anti-crime platform. The mob only seemed to become further inflamed the closer she came to him and his eyes narrowed in concern.
"Sesshoumaru," Miroku warned as he took a step forward to fetch her. Ignoring his campaign manager, Sesshoumaru followed instinct. Something wasn't right and, come hell or high water, he wasn't going to leave her alone any longer. She may be strong, but he was stronger.
Title: The War Begins
Genre: Romance
Rating: G
Pairings Represented: Sesshoumaru/Kagome Romantic
Theme: Set #1, Theme #072, "Reckless Courage"
Word Count: 661
Warnings:
Universe: Alternate Universe
A primal urge to run filled Kagome as she tried to push her way through the mob. In the beginning they had been a nuisance, something she had to put up with just to get to her goal. Now, she felt true fear, as they not only closed in on her, but many tried to grab her, getting hold of her arm, her jacket, and one, her hair. Her cry of pain was drowned out by the boisterous calls of those surrounding her and, though she fought tooth and nail to avoid the clawing, something inside her told it was going to be a losing battle.
"Keep moving," she heard Sesshoumaru call to her from the other side of the mob and, keeping her eyes trained on him, she ignored the names and the grabbing. If she weren't so afraid of the malicious crowd, she would have thought it funny. This was precisely what Sesshoumaru seemed so intent on protecting her from and she was ready to concede to him, admit that he was right in keeping her back. Not the entire campaign, but perhaps a little longer just to allow things to simmer down. Yes, she was hurt, but she was also reasonable.
"Ow!" she screamed again as another hand grabbed hold of her hair and yanked hard on it, snapping her head back. Swinging her arm around, Kagome decided enough was enough and if somebody came into contact with her flying fist, well, so be it. Freeing her hair from the culprit's hands, she pushed ahead and found herself just feet away from Sesshoumaru. She wanted to wither under his gaze, even though she knew his ire was not directed at her.
"We are leaving," he announced as he grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him, against him, shielding her from the crowd, though he couldn't do anything to silence the name-calling.
"Your announcement?"
"Can wait until we're at a venue that's not so open and security can control who enters and exits."
Looking around at Olympic Park, she knew he was right. This was, perhaps, not the best place to speak right now, but then they hadn't anticipated the moral values proposal. "They'll think you're backing down."
"Let them, there are more important things. This is only one state and the safety of my team comes first. If it means I must concede this state to Naraku, then so be it."
She couldn't argue with him. He was right. It was entirely too dangerous to stay in the venue that had been chosen and she wasn't the only one involved. Torn between thanking him for his interference, and smacking him for putting himself at risk to come and get her, she couldn't do anything but nod in agreement. What had been done was done. Now, there was nothing left to do but go with the flow and follow his movements.
"Miroku, get moving," Sesshoumaru instructed, as they made their way to the front of the crowd and joined with the rest of the team. A nod of acknowledgement from Miroku and her luggage was already being taken away to a nearby car.
Rushing to the car themselves she stopped as she heard a loud scream from within the crowd. She saw several people stop what they were doing to dive out the way. It was as if the sea of people just suddenly split in half to allow one person though. "Oh, God!" Kagome cried, noticing the metal glint of the handgun in his hand as it began to rise. Adrenalin kicking in, she pushed Sesshoumaru into the car, hoping the automobile could afford him some safety. What a mess! Climbing in afterward she barely heard the loud bag that echoed its way through the crowd, stunning them into silence.
And, within seconds, the only thing she felt was fire and sheer pain, as the world around her began to fade out.
Title: Restless
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG-13
Pairings Represented: Sesshoumaru/Kagome Romantic
Theme: Set #1, Theme #022, "Bloodstain"
Word Count: 386
Warnings:
Universe: Alternate Universe
For the first time in his life, Sesshoumaru found himself terrified, though outwardly he remained stoic. Or rather, he tried. The colour red would now continue to haunt him as he gazed at the bloodstain on his once white shirt.
Her blood.
That thought alone was enough to make his own go cold.
Logically he knew Kagome was fine, the paramedic had said so before they whisked her off to the nearest hospital, but he wasn't always logical. At least, not where she was concerned. Pacing up and down the sterile hallway of the hospital, he felt nervous, antsy, and tense. Just a graze, the doctor had told him upon arrival, but she hadn't woken up yet and they hadn't put her in a room so he could sit with her.
"Sit down Sesshoumaru," Miroku ordered from his own seat on the hard, plastic chairs across from him. "Pacing isn't going to help things go faster."
Replaying the scene in his mind Sesshoumaru tried to figure out where he went so wrong with his plans. They had planned for the mob, had security in full force. He had anticipated a few fanatics, but truly and honestly he never expected one to pull a gun on her. He had expected them to pull one on him, as it wasn't uncommon and he knew his views weren't popular for many. They were honest, but not popular. Instead they took out their frustration and anger on the one person he would give anything to protect.
However, listening to his friend's advice, he took a seat, dropping his head into his hands. He couldn't figure out why he was so torn up over the situation. Kagome was not seriously hurt and, while she still unconscious, it was simply because of shock and a mild concussion. If it were himself suffering from either of those, he wouldn't have given it a second thought.
Opening his eyes, they fell upon the red stain on his shirt and he scowled. Even after the shirt was long clean he knew he would never forget what he saw there. There are some memories you just can't erase.
But it asked the bigger question. Just how important was she to him? The answer came to him instantaneously, hitting him like a ton of bricks.
Very.
Title: After Everything
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG-13
Pairings Represented: Sesshoumaru/Kagome Romantic
Theme: Set #1, Theme #064, "Next World"
Word Count: 595
Warnings:
Universe: Alternate Universe
"I'm fine," Kagome gritted between her teeth as both Sesshoumaru and Miroku tried to lead her to her bed in their shared hotel suite. "I'm not an invalid so I suggest you stop treating me as such."
"You were shot." Sesshoumaru stated simply.
"Just barely. It grazed my forehead. Stitches and a mild concussion, which is over and done with, or else the doctor wouldn't have let me leave the hospital. I just want to sleep tonight, so I'll be ready to take on whatever comes tomorrow." Brushing away Miroku's hands, slipping under Sesshoumaru's arms, she made her way to her bedroom, knowing her luggage would be there waiting for her, and slammed the door in their faces.
They deserved it, she seethed as she slipped out of her bloodstained shirt and threw on her nightshirt. Debating about sending it down to the drycleaners, she tossed it in the garbage can instead, deciding she would probably never wear it again. There would be too many bad memories associated with it.
Despite what she had told the other two, for the first time she was truly scared. She knew how close she came to dying. Another inch to the left and she wouldn't be standing here in her hotel room, but instead would have crossed over to the other side. Moving before the mirror, she clenched her fists on the dresser.
She was pale. Pale, bedraggled, and the stitches would leave a scar. Was it all worth it in the end? Did she really need to put up with this aggravation? It seemed as if only in the last few days when everything felt like it was coming together, did it all come crashing down on her. Lifting her hand, she gently touched the bandage that covered the seven stitches on the side of her head. For the next week or so she would wear her hair down, knowing it would do much to hide the unsightly damage. She had lied to them when she said she was fine. Sore and unquestionably shaken, she was unsure as to how to proceed. Sleep would not come easily, especially since she turned down the medication that would have knocked her out.
Turning when she heard the door open, Kagome was surprised to see Sesshoumaru walk in before shutting the door behind him. When had they decided to stop knocking on doors? Were they at that point in their relationship yet? Was there still a relationship to be had, or would he send her away again, this time for good? Without saying a word, he walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close and knocking all of her thoughts out of her head, along with her breath. "Are you going to send me away?" she asked, closing her eyes as she sank into him, hoping the answer was in her favour.
"No," Sesshoumaru replied after a minute of silence. He didn't elaborate on his answer, but then, he didn't need to either.
"Are you going to let me go?" she asked after a moment when she realized he was still holding her to him tightly.
"No."
Wrapping her arms around him too, and carefully resting her head against his chest so as not to aggravate her injury, Kagome smiled. It was probably the first true one in the last twenty-four hours.
"Okay."
And, as he held her in the dim light of the room, Kagome realized one thing. The next world seemed to be moving farther and farther away from her with each passing moment.
Title: The Pity Vote
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG-13
Pairings Represented: Sesshoumaru/Kagome Romantic
Theme: Set #1, Theme #067, "Peace"
Word Count: 696
Warnings:
Universe: Alternate Universe
The morning was anything but peaceful it seemed. From the early hours of the am, the hotel suite had been filled with people from his team running in and out, preparing yet another plan for damage control. Apparently the media had been all over the story, though Sesshoumaru really didn't pay much attention to it. There were other pressing matters on his mind.
Watching Kagome sleep had been both soothing and disturbing. Her fists were curled into the white brocade of the duvet and, though she slept soundly at the moment, it wasn't like that through the night. Following her near-breakdown around midnight, she had settled into the bed while he took the chair next to her, intent on standing guard. He knew the next few days would not be easy for either of them, as they struggled to repair the rift that he had caused. She trusted him, yet she didn't. And, as she tried to ignore him during the night, even when she woke from her recurring nightmare, he couldn't help but feel stupid at times for allowing his campaign to come in between the two of them. It took her near-death for him to realize just how integral she was to his happiness.
Sesshoumaru didn't merely miss her while she was gone. It went far deeper than that.
But, even in the early hours he couldn't rest. His team was already preparing for the day, working on a statement to be issued regarding the incident, as well as looking at venues for a press conference. 'Media only' he had told Miroku last night before disappearing into Kagome's room. At the moment there were too many people out for blood.
Slipping quietly from the room, he glanced back one more time to make sure she was still sleeping. As far as he was concerned, Kagome had the day off. It was too soon for her to deal with the crazies of the world.
"Good news," Miroku said as Sesshoumaru was handed a piece of paper. "Yesterday's business has led to a jump in the polls for us. You're a whole ten points above Naraku."
Eying the headlines in the paper that went with the poll, his anger was increased tenfold. Throwing the paper in the trashcan, he moved to the carafe to pour himself a cup of coffee. "They can take their pity and shove it. I will win based on merit alone." Glaring at his aides, most of whom already had their laptops open, he spoke. "What happened yesterday is done and over with. I will deal with it as I see fit. Not one of you is to play it up and use it to our advantage. Anybody who tries will soon find themselves out of a job."
"The press is asking for press conference. I think we need to give it to them, if for nothing else than to show that Kagome is fine."
"The press will just have to deal without. We will released our anti-crime platform this afternoon, in front of media only, and that is the final."
Taking the second newspaper from Miroku, he glanced at the headlines to find the same thing, and shook his head in disgust.
"I didn't give you that to read the headlines. Open the paper to the second page and read the article. You'll see that Naraku Onigumo has released a statement."
Already reading the words, Sesshoumaru could only feel his anger rise. While Naraku couldn't be linked to the shooter directly, he was still at fault for this. To see him showing his support was simply the last straw.
"Book it for 10 am somewhere private. Bump up the anti-crime platform to then as well. We'll kill two birds with one stone."
Lips pressed into a thin line he moved back to the carafe, grabbing a second mug and filling it with coffee before leaving the living area for Kagome's room. It appeared she wasn't going to get her easy day after all. Placing the mug on the bedside table, he used his free hand to lightly shake her. There was much that needed to be done.