The weekend came faster than Kagome would have liked. She wasn't quite ready to mingle in society yet, but Sesshomaru's stepmother was very persuasive, to make matters worse, however, Sesshomaru wasn't allowed to come. Apparently, it was a "Girls day" and Izayoi would be bringing a couple friends. Rin had asked to come too but was eventually convinced that it would be boring with a bunch of "old ladies" all day and decided instead to spend the day with Grandpa Toga.

When that dreaded knock on the door came Kagome was tempted to hide in her closet but decided to just grow a pair and get over herself. It's just one day at the mall after all. How bad could it be?

Izayoi came prepared with a few outfits in Kagome's size and made her do a little fashion show before she was finally happy with Kagome's apparel and they were ready to leave. They had finally decided on a light mint greet tee with a sweetheart neckline and three-quarter sleeves that flared on the ends, and a dark blue pair of distressed skinny jeans. Izayoi brushed and pulled Kagome's hair into a high ponytail for her as well as practically forcing Kagome to put on a thin layer of shimmery lip gloss. When all that was combined with a pair of worn out converse, Kagome looked like she wore these clothes all the time. Nobody would know they were hand-me-downs. Izayoi insisted that she looked "sexy". Kagome looked in the mirror and was forced to admit that she didn't look half bad, but she wouldn't go so far as to call herself sexy by any stretch of the imagination.

One thing did occur to Kagome before they left, however, and that was that she still had some pretty gnarly scars on her forearms, which had been covered by the dress she borrowed from her doctor's wife and the old dress shirts Sesshomaru had been letting her borrow. Eventually, after a little cajoling on Kagome's part, Izayoi was convinced to let her wear a light blue knit cardigan that went all the way down passed her fingertips and had to be scrunched up for her hands to be useful, but Kagome didn't care as long as the scars were covered, and bonus, the soft cashmere of the sweater didn't aggravate the still slightly raw skin.

Satisfied with her work, Izayoi had paraded Kagome out of her bedroom and in front of Sesshomaru, bragging rather childishly about her great success, and congratulating Sesshomaru on finding such a lovely young mate. Needless to say, poor Kagome was blushing redder than a maraschino cherry.

Sesshomaru was pleased with his stepmother's handiwork. She had a good eye for style and color and would make sure that his Mate didn't just opt for baggy sweaters and sturdy jeans which he was sure she would probably prefer right now. However, a day with Izayoi, finding styles that well became her natural beauty, and being loved on by his stepmother and her friends was, in Sesshomaru's "expert" opinion, exactly what the doctor ordered to possibly help Kagome regain a little of the self-esteem and respect that he was sure she used to have. He trusted Izayoi, even if the beginning of his relationship with his stepmother had been a little rocky, to begin with.

Sesshomaru smiled as he stood and walked around his desk to stand before his intended. "You look lovely little mate." he took her hands and kissed the top of her head. "Have fun today ladies. Mother, take my Debit card with you, use it for anything you think she needs." He reached into his pocket and handed his mother a glossy black card. "Do try not to bankrupt me though." He smirked and gave Izayoi a playful wink.

"Thank you, dear." Izayoi slipped it into her own wallet before reaching up and giving her stepson a kiss on the cheek. "When should I have her back?"

Sesshomaru glanced at Kagome. "Whenever you two feel like coming back is fine, just try not to stay out too late, Rin would like it if you helped tuck her in." He directed his last remark to Kagome who was still blushing from the kiss on the head. Sesshomaru almost chuckled at her reaction but refrained as he looked back to Izayoi.

"Understood." Turning and grabbing Kagome's hand she asked "Ready?"

Kagome nodded distractedly before following the older woman to the door.

"Oh, and mother..."

"Yes?" Izayoi paused and turned to her eldest.

"Call me if anything happens please." He suddenly looked slightly worried. Of course, this would be the longes they will have been apart since he found her, and he wasn't sure how either of them would take it.

"Of course dear," The motherly woman responded with an understanding smile. Izayoi knew, however, that a day apart was exactly what this new couple needed. Just a little bit of space and time for them each to take the time o evaluate their relationship before jumping in head first to something as new as this. And besides this would be like killing two birds with one stone. Kagome needed some clothing and other necessities, and both lovebirds needed some time away.

...

In the car, Kagome was finally able to calm and cool herself to return her complexion back to a relatively normal color. It was embarrassing how much the demon could affect her. Wringing her hands together and trying to ignore the awkward silence, Kagome looked out the window as Izayoi drove off in the direction of Koto.

They pulled into the parking garage next to DiverCity Tokyo Plaza and got out of the clean silver car. Not knowing where they were headed Kagome opted to just trail after Izayoi, who had started happily chatting about how much Kagome would just love the girls that would be helping Kagome pick out her new wardrobe today.

Kagome wasn't sure whether she was ready for more people or not, but either way, she was heading into a mob of people despite what she thought she was ready for. They walked into a small coffee shop inside the mall where Izayoi pulled out her phone and sent out a few messages before asking Kagome if she wanted anything while they were there.

Kagome opted for a hot chocolate and sat at the corner table with Izayoi while they waited for Izayoi's friends to show up.

Eventually, though, two young women showed up and after Izayoi motioned for them to come over they ordered and came to sit with them.

"Girls this is Kagome." Izayoi introduced "She is the one I told you about. Kagome these are Sango and Ayame." She pointed to each young woman respectively as she introduced them.

The girls smiled in turn, then Ayame smirked. "So how has our dear Sesshomaru been behaving?"

Kagome sighed exasperatedly. "Why does everyone keep asking me that? Sesshomaru is a complete gentleman. How else would he behave?"

Sango smirked. "Well, he is still a demon Kagome san. Despite his desire to make you feel safe, his instincts must be screaming at him to complete the mating. How long has it been since you two met?"

Kagome thought back. Two weeks in the hospital and one at his apartment. "3 weeks... Give or take a few days."

Ayame looked shocked. "Wow, I knew Sesshomaru had better self-control than your average youkai, even for a high ranking taiyoukai like him. waiting more than 3 weeks is some serious restraint."

Kagome blushed "How long do demons usually wait before mating? "

"3-4 days..." Ayame deadpanned. "For us, the need to procreate trumps the need for personal affection. Emotional bonds can be forged later."

"You're a demon Ayame?"

Ayame grinned. "Wolf Demon. My mate Koga is the Prince and alpha of the Tokyo pack."

Kagome looked awed. "So you're like a princess?"

"You could say that."

Kagome looked at Izayoi. "So how long did Toga wait with you?"

Izayoi smiled "He waited a whole year. That man has nerves of steel."

Ayame smirked again and nudged Izayoi in the ribs playfully. "Guess Lord fluffy takes after his father more than he likes to admit ey?"

Izayoi laughed when Kagome almost spewed her hot cocoa all over the other three women. "F-f-f-fluffy?"

Sango rolled her eyes. "Ayame wouldn't dare to call Sesshomaru sama that to his face."

Kagome's eyes were watering and she couldn't help the hysterical laughter that followed. "Why does that name fit him so well?"

"Right?" Ayame exclaimed.

"Alright ladies, we should really get moving, we have an entire wardrobe to fill" Sango nodded and threw away her cup.

As the girls all prepared to get moving Kagome smiled to herself. Lord Fluffy. It was a strangely fitting name for the Icy man. Kagome decided she would commandeer this particular nickname for herself. She was sure he wouldn't mind.

AN. A little more context for our dear Kagome, as well as some fun banter. Sorry, it's so short this time. I'll try to manage my time a little better and get a longer chapter next week.

Thanks for all the comments. I love hearing from you guys! I'll be back later.

Cassie :)