First Impression
When he opened his eyes again it was early spring. Even in the shrouded forest canopy his keen eyes could pick out the individual new leaves, still pale green out of the bud. When he'd last been awake it was late summer and the last thing he saw was the blur of wooden shaft, feathered fletching and the deadly metal tip that shot clean through his heart half a second later.
A scent, scuffle and commotion.
Then unceremoniously, a small, female body flopped onto the forest floor on the far side of the clearing.
The eyes that met his were wide, startling blue and terrified. Kikyou's face. But a small part of his mind pointed out that those eyes were bigger, the apples of her cheeks plump like a child's, hair wild and free, curling about her shoulders. She showed more emotion than Kikyou ever did in the time he knew her, and her strange attire bared more skin than he'd ever seen on a woman.
Kikyou would be the easiest explanation and anger, the safest. So he went with that.
—
When he opened his eyes again it was almost light. The sky was that faintly glowing hue, slowly chasing away the darkness. Still nestled securely within his arms was a small, human female, one hand curled loosely around a handful of his haori. He shifted a little so he could see her face; she had a habit of burying it into the base of his neck, her nose always finding its way past the vee of his inner kosode in her sleep. The tousled curls of raven black mingled messily with his silver hair, as if every part of his body wished to surround her. Her jawline is not as sharp, lips fuller and slightly lax in sleep. This was a girl that never looked solemn, mouth never pulled thin and severe. There was one dimple that sometimes made an appearance on her left cheek, especially when she smiled as he pressed his lips on the fullness of her other cheek. This was Kagome's face. She still looked like a child, reared in safety and comfort. And he would do everything in his power to ensure she remained so.
It wasn't a perfect record but he's been trying to make her face the first he saw every time since that fateful day he awoke pinned to the Goshinboku.
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A/N: Here's some fluff for the holidays. Merry Christmas (or whatever it is you celebrate) to you and yours.