Candy

The table was abound with chatter, every child attempting to talk over the other as the adults spoke amongst themselves. There was laughter and angry yells but never silence. It was such a contrast from his solitary meals in the large apartment that Sesshoumaru was momentarily uncertain how to proceed as he sat between the miko and her mother. Even with Rin, his meals had been relatively silent compared to this mayhem because though she had always had plenty to say, the little girl had learned to speak in quieter tones because of his sensitive years.

Now, there was no such restraint, especially between his half-brother and his new pack mate. At least their conversation was somewhat…entertaining, if nothing else.

"All I'm saying is that if you practiced more, Kikyo would get more enjoyment out of the whole thing!" she half-muttered, half-shouted.

"Keh! You don't know what the hell you're talkin' about!" His cheeks flushed as he glanced at his mate beside him, but she was surprisingly quiet as she sedately chewed on a bit of rice. She had yet to chime in on the argument and he was half inclined to believe the miko was telling a tale about his ability, or rather, inability, to satisfy his mate.

But then she looked at him, her wonderful brown eyes full of amusement, and smiled. "She's right you know. I've never said anything about it before but your technique leaves something to be desired. I've often felt it's as if you're using an axe, so to speak, when all that's necessary is a scalpel. It's a very delicate area, Love." Turning to Kagome, she smiled, her eyes glittering. "Maybe you should ask your brother, Inuyasha? Kagome says he was very good at it."

Kagome flushed, Sesshoumaru stilled and silence ensued in the dining room, especially as the children looked at the adults with confused curiosity. Shippou, precocious as always, looked to Kagome. "Kagome-chan, what is Kikyo-san talking about?" he demanded.

Deciding that she maybe ought naught speak anymore, she waved her arms about in nervous amusement and didn't notice as the child's eyes widened. "Just candy," she said brightly. "We were talking about….candy." She trailed off as she realized the tension in the room had only heightened and then she looked wearily down at the fork in her hand, now empty of the bite she had been about to take.

Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and then turned slowly to look at the man beside her. She had to bite her lip to keep from smiling as she watched the piece of pie from her fork slide slowly down his cheek and drop onto his shirt, then his lap, then the ground, leaving a dark purple trail in its wake. She couldn't hide the laughter forever though and it escaped her in peels of giggles. "Oh Kami, I'm so sorry Sesssh-

Sesshoumaru did not give her the chance to finish that sentence. He picked up his as yet untouched dessert and gently but firmly planted it in her face, paper plate and all.

There was more stunned silence, before someone else laughed, followed by someone else. Chagrined, Kagome pulled the plate away from her face and was pleased to see there was still a good bit left. She glanced at her laughing mother, and then at a chuckling Toga, and then back at Sesshoumaru, who it turned out was smirking. Sticking out her tongue at him, she held the plate thoughtfully and then with no hesitation, leveled the plate at Sesshoumaru's father.

Yet again, more stunned silence filled the room, before one of Inuyasha's children let loose with a war whoop and tossed a piece of pie at his father. "Food fight!" And then everyone was laughing and throwing and ducking, especially as the usually reserved Daiyoukai participated with deadly aim.

o.O.o

Word Count: 643