Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all rights belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
Word count: 1,000
The autumn sun, orange and blazing, was slowly creeping down the Tokyo skyline by the time the first throng of costumed children and adults braved the long steps up the Sunset Shrine. Withholding the aging tradition, the shrine grounds were decorated with many stands displaying their goods to their inquisitive visitors. Some sold Japanese sweets and pastries; others sold jewelry, toys, and other curious trinkets.
At the center of the stoned pathway, just in front of the old well, sat the Higurashi stand, which sold all kinds of wards, blessed scrolls, amulets, and coins for good health, prosperity, and love, among other wishes.
Souta had been designated this year's official greeter. Kagome watched her younger brother from afar, admiring how well his tailored monk robes fit him. Unlike Kagome, Souta had always been more appreciative of their grandfather's stories and antics, accepting his role as next in line to inherit the shrine with a great sense of responsibility and honor.
It had once been their late father's job to look over the shrine, but he had died when they'd both been very young.
Kagome felt a warm hand lay on her shoulder, and she smiled, turning towards her mother who wore the traditional priestess garb of white kimono and red hakama pants. "He reminds me so much of Masato-san," Miyako spoke softly, and her daughter nodded.
"Father would have been very proud of him."
Miyako placed a gentle hand beneath Kagome's chin, tilting her daughter's head up. "He would have been very proud of you too, Kagome-chan. Miko or not. He loved you both so."
They met in an affectionate embrace. "We'll manage down here for a while," Miyako said as they parted. "Why don't you go upstairs and get ready, hm?"
A full moon loomed over the streets, its light shinning powerfully over the crowds. Halloween was yet another human celebration Sesshomaru saw no real point to, except for maybe the opportunity to overdo it on sugary treats.
Later, he would have to be the one to deal with the tummy aches and the cavities.
Rin had a deadly gift for theatrics, and a method of innocent manipulation that got to him every single time.
The girl had insisted on dressing up as a bee for this year's candy hunt. Two wobbly antennae bobbled on her head, and a glittery pair of wings fluttered behind her with every energetic step she took.
Apparently, Rin had stolen a look at Jaken's newspaper, and had read about some sort of festival being held in one of the city's most reputable shrines. It had taken many pitiful looks to convince Sesshomaru to grant his daughter permission to go, and even more pouting and persistence to convince her father to tag along with her.
Of course, he'd drawn the line at wearing a costume. Instead, he chose a navy blue turtleneck, slacks, and a leather jacket. His short, dark hair brushed against the back of his head in that annoying way he hated.
"Sesshomaru-sama! Rin thinks we are here already!" She exclaimed happily, tugging his hand with a sense of urgency he could not help but soften his gaze to. Farther down the street, a great jostle of people, noises, and smells invaded his senses. Scrunching his graceful nose in distaste, he sighed.
'All for you, Rin.'
"One more picture!" Miyako cooed, as her two children posed for the tenth time for a family picture. Souta groaned as soon as the camera flash went off, and unwrapped his arm from Kagome's waist. "Come on, Mom! I'm tired of smiling, anyways."
Kagome gushed over the pictures with her mom for a few minutes. "You look beautiful, Kagome-chan," Miyako sighed, smoothing a hand over the kimono fabric. It was an elegant twist to the traditional priestess robes. Though the color palette remained loyal to the original, it was a one piece bone white flowing kimono with a crimson red obi that tied around her petite frame. The sleeves were decorated with geese, sewn by Miyako's hand with shinning gold thread. A river of red flower petals adorned the neck, and the look was enhanced by a beautiful gold headpiece that held her elaborate bun in place. It made a delicate noise with every move she made.
She was heading off to her grandfather's stand when she heard a sweet, child-like voice call her name. "Kagome-chan!"
Much to her surprise, her boss's daughter ran up to her, wrapping her tiny arms around her leg. "Rin-chan is happy to see you. She convinced Sesshomaru-sama to come to Sunset Shrine, because Rin remembers Kagome's last name is Higurashi."
Not far behind from Rin was Sesshomaru, his hands tucked away inside his pockets. He looked sharp, as always, and she could not help but smile nervously as his amber orbs stared intensely into her own eyes. She brushed Rin's hair away from her face, tucking a stray lock behind her ear.
"Good evening, Taisho-sama. Fancy we should meet here tonight."
Sesshomaru sent a knowing glance at his daughter, who avoided his stare at all costs, and he could read all her mischievous intentions at once. 'She is attempting to play match-maker…'
He nodded. "Indeed. It is most curious."
Rin interceded. "Rin-chan loves sweets. Does Kagome-chan like sweets as well?"
The older girl giggled kindly. "Well, sure I do, Rin-chan. But, a lot of candy is bad for your teeth."
Sesshoumaru silently hummed in approval.
Kagome held the taunt bow tightly in her hand, inhaling and exhaling with a steady rhythm. Every year the Blessing Ceremony took place, shooting an arrow across a hoop of fire and towards a very tiny target some considerable distance away. Missing the shot would implicate a year of bad omens for all present.
'Concentrate…aim… shoot!'
The whizzing arrow rushed past the hoop and hit its target dead-center with a loud 'twang' that echoed across the shrine. As Higurashi-san gave the call, cheers erupted and Sesshomaru admired the young woman.
She truly was something.