THEME 19: MY INSPIRATION

(Words: 402)

Kurama watched as the girl flawlessly flowed through the kata, raising his brow in surprise. "She's certainly been practicing! Hiei just taught this to her yesterday!" The sound of sweeping reached his ears as grandpa Higurashi puttered around the compound, feigning indifference to his granddaughter's graceful movements. If one looked carefully, you could see the appreciative twinkle in his eyes. He came back to the situation at hand as the girl finished with a flourish, turned towards him with closed eyes, and executed a formal bow.

"Absolutely brilliant, Kagome," he purred. The girl sat at his side beneath the Goshinboku, taking a gulp of the offered water. He draped his arm across her shoulders and tugged her closer. Ignoring her giggle, he added, "You're coming along very quickly. It would take most people days to learn that kata, but I noticed no flaws when you performed it!"

Sapphire eyes shone up at him and he couldn't help the silly grin that crossed his face. This woman made him act like a love-struck teenager at the best. "I have to learn fast so I can help the others," she said. They scooted closer to escape the chill winter air, watching a brittle leaf as it tumbled through the sky. "Besides, I have motivation."

"Oh really? And what would that be?"

Kagome tapped her lips thoughtfully. "Well, Naraku's five hundred years in the past. I figure that if I can make a difference that far back in time, it'll make things safe here, in the future."

"Hmm."

"For Souta, Mama, Jii-chan, Yuka and Eri, your friends…I have people I need to protect."

The red-head tugged a lock of her hair, brushing a kiss against the grinning girl's lips. "It's important for you to have someone to protect…?"

"Well, someone else is always protecting me. I want to protect someone for a change," she blushed. The girl squeaked when he pulled her flush against him, lips pressing against hers urgently. Distracted by the soft, warm sensations he was causing, she didn't notice their audience.

Souta, Jii-chan, and Mrs. Higurashi stood on the concrete sidewalk not ten feet away, each with similar expressions of amusement. The elder man held out his hand as he exclaimed, "Pay up!"

They gave him a wad of bills, grumbling all the while.

Couldn't help but add a bit more fluff. I'm rather addicted to it. Please continue to read and review! -Master of all Perv's, out!