Strawberry Shortcake

Chapter 29

Prompt: Soundtrack Challenge, "New Life."


Well… this was an awkward situation.

Kagome was sitting in her living room, with Sesshomaru next to her, waiting on her mother to bring tea in to them. Her grandfather had tried to exercise the demon, otherwise known as Sesshomaru, after her mother coaxed him into taking off his human guise.

"Grandpa, stop it! You're embarrassing me!" Kagome groaned, blushing as he tried to stick a sutra to his head. Sesshomaru was being unbelievably calm, to her surprise, considering that she had just seen what he used to be like five hundred years ago… and while he had been kind to her, she wasn't sure he was going to grant her grandfather the same favor.

"I will not harm Kagome, I can assure you." Sesshomaru spoke, trying to calm the old man down. His eyes were closed, his hands lying on his thighs open palmed. Kagome looked over to him, taking one of his hands in hers. He opened one eye, looking to her. He returned the smile she gave him, squeezing her hand in his.

"I knew this day would come! Your birthday is in a week, and just like everyone else, you've fallen in love with demon!" Her grandfather cried, falling to the floor. Her mother had come in at this point, pushing her father over with a slippered foot.

"Enough nonsense, father. She doesn't even know about that, yet." She sighed, handing Sesshomaru and Kagome a cup of tea. "Here you go, dear. It's hot, so be careful."

"Thanks, mom."

"Thank you."

She smiled, sitting across from the couple on a recliner. Kagome took a sip of her tea carefully, but looked to her mom with serious eyes. "What did grandpa mean… everyone else?"

Her mother chuckled, drinking her own tea calmly. "I was hoping you would not ask, but nothing ever gets by you, Kagome." She put her cup down, taking a deep breath. "You remember what I've told you about the Shikon jewel, yes?" At Kagome's nod, she continued. "Every woman in our family has been gifted with the jewel, entrusted to protect it generation after generation… as a result of this, we have been… blessed, with a truly ironic twist of fate."

"Which is…?" Kagome asked, feeling confused at her mothers ramblings.

"The holder of the jewel, since its creation, has been cursed to fall in love with a demon, for each generation. It is ironic, since it was a battle between priestess and demon that created the jewel."

Kagome blinked, looking to Sesshomaru, then back to her mother. "So does that mean… you fell in love with a demon, too?" Kagome asked, feeling a bit confused. Her mother nodded, a blush staining her face.

"I did. His name was Kyora, he was a Phoenix demon." She said, smiling. Sesshomaru's eyes widened, looking to Kagome. Seeing his concern, her mother chuckled softly. "Don't worry, Sesshomaru, we did not reproduce."

"Is that… bad?" Kagome asked, looking between her mother and boyfriend.

"I destroyed Kyora." Sesshomaru said, looking to her mother with bold eyes. "He was uncontrolled."

"Believe me, I know." She said, frowning. "He came through the Well, before I met your father. He was charming, and he was very beautiful. It was not mean to be, however, and he was sent back. I'm thankful for it." She said, looking to her daughter. "You are very lucky to have met such a nice demon. Not all of our ancestors have been so lucky."

"You knew…" Kagome said, realization hitting her. "You knew that I would go down the well, and meet a demon…"

"I never thought you'd meet him here, first, though." She chuckled, "If your wish is to be with this demon, then I will give you my blessings. I trust in you to take care of my daughter, Sesshomaru." She looked to him and smiled, standing up and motioning for him to do the same. She hugged him, patting his back gently. "Take good care of my daughter."

"Thank you for your blessing, Mrs. Higurashi." Sesshomaru replied, kissing her cheek sweetly. She smiled, taking her daughter into her arms tightly.

"Thank you, mama." Kagome said, hugging her mother back.

"It is my pleasure." She released her daughter, clapping her hands. "Okay! So, what are we having for dinner?"

Smiling, she led her daughter into the kitchen; leaving no room for discussion as to if Sesshomaru would be staying. Taking it as his invitation, he followed them, smiling softly as he did.