The knife clattered to the floor, Kagome going with it. I can't do it. I can't. Sesshou stirred again but still did not wake. She smiled. Down the stairs she went to put the knife back in its place. Once she was back in her room, she sat on the edge of the bed, gently shaking Sesshoumaru awake.
"Sesshou," she called softly.
His eyes half-opened, then opened fully, seeing Kagome.
"Ne?" he said sleepily.
"Why don't you go take a shower?" she asked gently, her eyes seeming a little pained.
"What's wrong?" he asked, sitting up.
"Nothing. Going to take a shower?" she asked again.
"Something's wrong. What is it?" he asked gently.
"Nothing. Go take a shower. I'll go get you some pajamas," she said, rising to leave.
He caught her wrist. "Tell me what's wrong," he pleaded.
She turned to him, smirking. "You want to know what a human is thinking?"
"Feh. No." he let go of her wrist, allowing her to leave the room.
She returned in a few seconds, handing him the pajamas. They were black silk, long pants and a short-sleeved button-down shirt.
"Okay," she said, walking into the bathroom in front of him. "These turn on the water," she indicated the two different knobs, "This one for hot, this one for cold." She left the bathroom, then returned with a towel. "Here," she said, handing it to him. He took it wordlessly. "Tell me when you're done, and I'll show you how to work the blow dryer."
Without another word, she left and closed the bathroom door behind her. Soon, she could hear the sound of running water. Earlier, she had explained about the shampoo and body wash and stuff. He should be okay. Kagome settled down on the cushioned bench at the foot of her bed, turning on the TV. She turned it down, considering that Sesshoumaru's hearing was so sensitive. What am I going to do with him? What am I gonna do when Mom and Gramps get home? She sighed, wondering why she ever took him in the first place. Kagome heard the door open and turned to see Sesshoumaru standing in the jet-black silk nightclothes she had given him. Her breath caught at the sight of him. I wish I would stop doing that. She rose to help him with his still slightly wet hair.
Picking up the blow dryer, she explained how to turn it on and set the heat. She turned it on and started to dry his hair for him. He watched her in the mirror, a little surprised. She seemed to be doing everything in a dreamlike trance. Kagome silently moved the dryer over various areas of his hair, sometimes picking up some strands and letting them slip from her fingers. When it had finally dried, Kagome put the blow dryer down, took out a brush, and started to brush his hair. Sesshoumaru felt a little strange, having a someone brush his hair for him. Why is she doing this? The brush glided through his silvery white hair, stopping every once in a while to battle it out with a knot.
"You know, Sesshou," Kagome said carefully, "maybe we should cut your hair a little."
Kagome looked down the length of his hair, which fell slightly beyond his waist.
"Mmm? Why is that?" he asked.
"It's a little long," she answered, still brushing.
"So it is," he replied.
"Doesn't it get heavy?" she asked, surprised.
"No," he answered simply.
"Okay,
you win. I won't cut it," she said
teasingly. "Keep your precious, long
hair."
"Thank you," he said, smiling.
Kagome had finished with his hair, running her fingers through it. The youkai loved how it felt, her fingers gently tugging at the strands of hair.
"Mm. Okay. I'm done," she said, gently pushing him out of the bathroom.
Upon exiting, she strode past him towards the door. She turned back to look at him in the door to the hallway.
"Don't wake up too early! Sleep tight!" she called, smiling at him.
Then, she turned away and closed the door, leaving Sesshou to stare at it.
"Such a strange girl," he said softly, slipping under the covers of the bed. He closed his eyes, her scent engulfing him as he drifted off into a dreamless slumber.
Kagome walked down the stairs to the living room, lying down on the leather couch. What am I going to do? She, too, closed her eyes and drifted off into a dreamless sleep.