Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this series of moments... especially for the ones who match. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.


The Dame Made a Curtsey

When Higurashi stepped out of the sleeping chamber, Sesshoumaru happened to be looking at Hisoka, so he noticed the way his teacher's eyes widened. The lordling glanced curiously at the young woman, wondering if something was amiss, but she looked fine. Mother hadn't exactly approved of tonight's outing, and in a willful demonstration of her displeasure, she'd refused to bestow any favors on the human. Without a maid to dress her hair, Higurashi had simply left it unbound, the glossy black tresses falling to her waist. A wise choice since it mostly hides her clumsy obi knot.

"Is something wrong?" she ventured, fiddling self-consciously with the fan they'd included in the pile of looted clothing they'd delivered earlier.

"Not at all," Hisoka smoothly assured, striding forward to take her arm.

The neko-youkai steadied her while she stepped into her sandals, and Sesshoumaru carefully picked up the lit lantern. He turned to find her studying his attire, and he straightened proudly. His new kimono for the village festival was white with a pattern of red flowers; hers was reversed, red with a scattering of white petals. "We match," she remarked with a shy smile.

"Milord did the choosing," Hisoka revealed.

In an odd yet graceful movement, Higurashi crossed one foot behind the other, bending her knees in a sweeping gesture of gratitude, to which Sesshoumaru inclined his head.

Outside, they joined the procession of demons leaving the fortress; adults and children alike strolled along, their lights creating a winding trail of light into the distance. They hadn't gone far when a rush of wind sent hair and clothing into disarray, and Higurashi gasped, "What was that?"

"Wolves are so hasty," Hisoka answered dryly, pointing across the plain, where a pair of giant animals dashed ahead of them towards the youkai village.


The Dog Made a Bow

In many ways, the youkai village was like any village, and the festival was like any festival. Food. Music. Games. Laughter. Some of the same kitsune performers from the previous night roved the streets, playing simple tricks for children, and one of the recently-arrived dragon youkai set off fireworks, filling the sky with glittering lights. All that was missing were masks, for no masquerade was needed; everyone in attendance—save one—was youkai, and their true faces were strange, exotic, and many times beautiful. Even better, some were familiar.

"Good evening, little lady," boomed a deep voice.

"Katashi-san!" Kagome exclaimed in delight.

For the benefit of some whispering hawk youkai, the stableman bowed deeply to Sesshoumaru. "Your lordship," he greeted with overwhelming deference, only to undo his efforts with a broad wink.

The boy nodded graciously, and Hisoka spoke up. "Should you not be fussing over the eggs with your mares."

"On my way back now," Katashi admitted with a sheepish grin. Glancing curiously in Kagome's direction, he asked, "Will you be attending the hatching?"

Sesshoumaru's face betrayed nothing as he said, "Higurashi is not allowed."

"Ah, well... it ain't no nevermind," soothed Katashi. "We're keeping 'em, so after all this fuss is over, I've no doubt you'll be down to see the little lizards for yourself."

Kagome smiled, and even Sesshoumaru brightened somewhat.

"How much longer?" Hisoka inquired.

"Tomorrow... the next day at the latest," Katashi replied conspiratorially. "So I'll be seeing you again soon." With a casual wave of one clawed hand, he sauntered to the village's edge, transformed into a great black dog, and loped towards the fortress.

"Can all youkai do that?" Kagome asked in an awed voice.

Hisoka smiled faintly. "Reverting to that state is nothing to boast about; maintaining this one is what sets us apart."


The Dame Said, Your Servant

The Inu no Taishou roamed the village beside Lord Ryuukotsusei, talking of inconsequential things. Their diplomatic dancing was over for the day. Catching his son's scent, he followed it until Hisoka came into view. The neko-youkai showed uncommon delicacy in dealing with his willful son, and in the Western Lord's opinion, true loyalty lay under the cat's longsuffering guise.

"Isn't that your son?"

"Sesshoumaru," supplied the Western Lord.

"He favors his mother," the dragon youkai remarked neutrally.

It was a common assessment. Sesshoumaru had inherited the waning moon of his mother's line in addition to notable personality traits—caution, reserve, cunning. However, Hisoka vouched that there were glimmers aplenty of his sire... if you knew how to look.

Sesshoumaru's stance was alert, yet relaxed, and his father nodded approvingly. He never forgets himself. In contrast, Higurashi babbled like a brook, gushing nonsense about some human food that was spun like silk and eaten like a pink cloud.

The Inu no Taishou strolled right up behind the heedless creature, who was gesturing energetically enough to lose hold of her fan. When it clattered to the ground at her feet, he smirked and muttered, "Keh, clumsy."

She whirled so fast, he was actually startled, and for an instant, he thought Higurashi intended to grab him. Just as quickly, she shied away, gasping "M-my lord!"

Hisoka hauled the teetering girl backwards, apologizing, "She is indeed clumsy, milord."

As Sesshoumaru quietly placing himself between the two demon lords and his human, the Inu no Taishou quirked a brow at Hisoka, who shrugged minutely. With a sigh, the Western Lord answered, "Then it is well Higurashi has someone looking out for her." Sesshoumaru's eyes widened, and the demon lord realized that he hadn't seen his son so happy since the day Ah-Un hatched.


The Dog Said, Bow-wow

As the night grew late, then long, Kagome's companions noticed her flagging strength and quietly conferred. "Shall I carry Higurashi home?" Hisoka offered.

"I will do it."

"Milord?" the neko-youkai inquired uncertainly, but seeing the willful light in Sesshoumaru's eyes, he bowed his head. "Of course."

They led her beyond the village boundaries; Hisoka took Sesshoumaru's lantern, then stepped back to stand beside Kagome. There was a surge of youki, and almost before she realized what was happening, the transformation was over. A white dog the size of a small hut stood in front of her, blinking at her with luminous red eyes.

She squeaked and slapped her hands over her mouth.

"Do not be alarmed; this is Sesshoumaru-sama," Hisoka explained.

Not quite trusting her voice, Kagome nodded. She'd seen his canine form before—massive, majestic, malevolent. The memory made her shiver, but this Sesshoumaru was not that Sesshoumaru. Fuzzy puppy fur stood out in every direction, and his paws were far too big for his body. Kagome had no idea how she was going to preserve her dignity, let alone his.

"You are not frightened," Hisoka stated, sounding baffled.

She shook her head. Sesshoumaru's nostrils quivered, then he sat on his haunches; ears pricking, he cocked his head to one side and emitted a soft, high-pitched whine. Kagome's reservations melted into a puddle of puppy love. With a whimper of her own, she darted forward. "You're... so... cute!" she exclaimed in an awed whisper, brushing her fingers across his chest.

Sesshoumaru drew himself up, but then his tail thumped the ground. Taking that for permission, Kagome buried her face and hands in thick, soft fur. The pup made a grumbling sound in the back of his throat, and Hisoka chuckled. "Well, milord... now you know how Ah and Un feel."


End Note: If you didn't make the connection, the titles of each section were taken from a verse in "Old Mother Hubbard." This short series of drabbles was written for the Live Journal community fanfic(underscore)bakeoff and their Secret Ingredient for May 2010—Willful. Entries there have to be between 100-300 words; these drabbles are 300, 300, 297, and 300 words respectively. Posted on May 30, 2010.