"This is all your fault."

Kagome gave him an incredulous look. "How is this my fault? I can't even cook!"

Sesshoumaru motioned to the dozens of cupcakes littering their kitchen counters. "You are the one who told her that blue was boring. She has not been able to make up her mind about her preferred shade for three hours."

"Papa! These aren't right either! They're too green."

He sighed, managing not to run his claws through his hair, the silver locks already sporting various colours from all the food colouring they'd used. "They are turquoise and perfectly acceptable."

Mizuki shook her head—she was only seven years old by demon standards but had already shown a knack for baking, something Sesshoumaru had been more than happy to indulge in.

If only she weren't as stubborn as her mother.

"They have to be perfect! Grannie only likes fancy things!"

Sesshoumaru sighed again, then patted her head. "Your grandmother is more concerned about the taste; the colour means little."

"Nuh-uh! Grannie said the presentation was important too!" Mizuki huffed, adding a new combination of colours to the icing in her bowl.

"Yes, well, after you present these, I will force Mother to take them home. She is more than welcome to eat cupcakes for a week."

His mate's laughter mingled with that of his daughter as she kissed his shoulder, the edge of his lips twitching before he returned to Mizuki's mission of creating the perfect birthday dessert.