Title: An Unexpected Rendevous
Theme: Set #1 – Theme 21 – Ornamental Hairpin
Genres: Fluff, General
Pairings Represented: Kagome/Sesshoumaru – friends, Kagome/Inuyasha
Word Count: 1013
Rating: PG13
Disclaimer: Inuyasha is the sole property of its creator, Takahashi-sama. I merely use her characters for amusement. This was also inspired by the theme list at the livejournal community iynokakera.

Summary: One moonlit night, Sesshoumaru seeks out Kagome to determine the truth behind the rumors of her upcoming nuptials to his half-brother, Inuyasha, and in the process give her a gift…

An Unexpected Rendevous

Kagome's soft voice blended with the incessant chirping of cicadas. "There's no need to hide, Sesshoumaru."

The taiyoukai scowled, certain that no one would see the expression hidden in the shadows of a tree as he was. The miko had gotten to good at sensing his aura. This was now the fourth out of five times she'd acknowledged his presence, and the fifth one was an almost certain omission on her part.

Stepping into the moonlit clearing, he walked forward to stand side-by-side with the woman who had been the decisive element in the last battle against Naraku. He still roamed at large, true, but as a human, and not as a youkai. Somehow, Kagome managed to purify the evil right out of him which resulted in the annihilation of the persona known as Naraku. He still couldn't believe the incompetent woman had been the one to end all things.

Kagome sighed. He was always so quiet. "Why have you sought me out this time Sesshoumaru?"

"I do not seek," he intoned coldly, unwilling to admit she was right in this instance. "I came on business that would have been settled with or without your knowledge."

She smiled. He was always like this. Most often he came at Rin's insistence. Other times he came to see Inuyasha. A bond had formed between them as they fought repeatedly with each other, a bond of respect. Inuyasha respected Sesshoumaru for his speed and calm intellect. Sesshoumaru respected Inuyasha for his brashness. While predictable, it was often most effective when the hanyou managed to do something different; it was always unexpected. "I see. Well then, may I at least help you speed yourself on your way?"

Silence descended as Kagome waited. Their meetings often led to this, Sesshoumaru sulking and Kagome waiting. She sighed again.

Sesshoumaru shook himself from his reverie and spoke. "You will be mating Inuyasha on the morrow."

Kagome blushed. Studiously avoiding eye contact, she continued to stare across the clearing at the pond. "We will be married, yes." She couldn't believe that Sesshoumaru came to ask that although perhaps it wasn't so far-fetched. It took Inuyasha forever to get the courage to ask her that special question. Granted, he used the term 'be my mate' rather then 'be my wife,' but she couldn't protest to much. At least Kikyou was no longer living in limbo and had retreated quietly to hell after Naraku's demise.

Silence stretched between them again as the moon fell another inch in the sky. It was growing late, and Kagome needed to retire soon else Inuyasha would have a sleep deprived miko on his hands. Not much fun would be had for either party if she didn't rest soon. Turning to face Sesshoumaru, she was thrown off balance. He had a sad look in his eyes as the wind played softly with his Mokomoko-sama. He almost looked lost.

"Sesshoumaru?" she queried softly, breath barely disturbing the air in front of her.

He slowly turned to face her, eyes sliding past her own to rest on the pulse beating strongly at the base of her neck. Reaching into the folds of his obi, he pulled out an ornate, ornamental hairpin. It was made of fine jade with the visage of a wise old dog carved into the long pin with obsidian flecks for eyes. It was stunning.

"My father had this made for Izayoi. Since he could not mark her in the traditional ways of youkai, he had this commissioned as a sign of possession. If Inuyasha is determined to take you for mate, it would be best for you to wear this at all times as well."

Kagome watched as Sesshoumaru held out his hand with the pin resting on his palm in front of her. He obviously wished her to take it from him. Reaching out a trembling hand, she caressed the smooth jade lightly before picking it up. Eyes tearing, she looked up into Sesshoumaru's ever stoic face and looked for the hidden emotion in his eyes. There was guilt shining in them.

"Thank-you, Sesshoumaru, for giving me this. I'm sure Inuyasha will be happy to see it again."

Sesshoumaru nodded curtly, acknowledging her thanks. "He may not be, but let him know the pin will not be as ill-fated as its previous owner found it to be."

Kagome frowned as she watched the demon lord stride purposely away from the clearing. Many minutes passed as she pondered his strange words before making her way through the trees back to Kaede's hut. She really did need to rest, having only wandered in the night in an attempt to convince herself everything was real and not a dream. A moonlit meeting with Sesshoumaru had done little to alleviate that nagging doubt.

Walking up the steps, she felt a hand brush her shoulder. Turning, slightly startled, she smiled. Inuyasha was standing behind her, concern evident in his gaze. He must have realized why she wandered alone and been waiting for her return.

"Kagome," he breathed taking in her scent and the calm aura surrounding her. His ears twitched as a faint scent rose from her hand. It was musky and lined with the taste of wet hair, dog hair. Eyes drawn to her hand, he saw her pale fingers flex around a long, green stick. Cupping his hand around her own, he caressed the fingers into yielding their prize.

Eyes immediately flicked up into Kagome's rather curious ones. "Kagome, where did you get this?" he whispered, fear tightening his throat.

"Sesshoumaru gave it to me," she whispered, equally quiet. "He said it was no longer ill-fated." Her eyes widened as she felt a tear trickle onto her raised palm. "What did he mean?"

Inuyasha smiled and pulled her into a fierce hug, the hairpin lodged between himself and Kagome. "It means he'll protect you as a member of his family. He's accepted you and me with this ornament."

Kagome smiled, and hugged him back, silently murmuring a blessing to the wind and hoping Sesshoumaru would someday hear it.

Author's Note: When I wrote this, I was actually inspired with two alternate endings. One led to fluff and the other angst with character death. I decided to post the fluffy version here, but if you're interested in the alternate ending, just click on my webpage link listed on the profile and go to the first post. It's listed under "fiction haven."