"You know, I was a little worried when you mentioned this trip," Kagome said, squeezing his hand, her hair turning amber as the last rays of sunlight filtered over the mountains.
Sesshoumaru swallowed thickly, reciting what he was going to say in his head for the third time since they'd finished dinner. She claimed he'd spoiled her with his cooking and preferred a packed picnic over eating at a restaurant.
"How so? We have been here before."
"True, but you've been very vague about the details. I thought you might be bringing me here to break up with me."
His control cracked, and a horrified expression widened his features. "That is not why we are here."
"I'm glad. It'd be a dick move if you fed me, then made me walk back to the onsen by myself." She leaned against his shoulder only to yelp as she fell over, Sesshoumaru moving to face her, her hand still in hers.
"That is not the purpose behind this trip," he repeated.
Kagome steadied herself before raising an eyebrow. "But there is one."
He nodded, then took a calming breath and reached into his robes.
Only to find them empty.
He blanched. Had he forgotten it in the suitcase in his haste to collect the food items? Or worse, back at the apartment? He scoured his mind, internally cursing until Kagome let out a soft chuckle.
"It's in your other pocket."
Sesshoumaru slowly met her gaze. "You knew?"
"It's kind of hard not to. You don't hide your emotions very well," she said, happiness and anticipation shining out of her eyes.
"You would be the only one to say so," he scowled. "It was supposed to be a surprise." He dug into his other pocket, finding the small box securely at the bottom.
"Does it matter if the answer is the same?" she asked, not even looking at it.
Heat crept up the back of his neck. "You agree, then?"
"To what? You still haven't asked me anything."
He cursed aloud this time, the tirade cut off by her lips on his. "I'd apologize, but you're so fun to tease."
"You have been taking lessons from Byakuya," he grumbled.
"Maybe."
Finally opening the box, he held it out to her. "Kagome, will you—" She tackled him to the ground, peppering his face with kisses until he was confident of her answer.
"We will need to find a bigger apartment," he said, his now fiancée curled in his lap.
"A house would be better," she said, her voice hopeful as she stared at the ring. Sesshoumaru finally relaxed, arms curled loosely around her waist.
"A house, then." It didn't matter where they lived as long as it was theirs. And with her under the same roof, he knew it wouldn't be long before it was considered home.