Innocent Kisses in the Rain
Outside of Kagome's school, after school, Tokyo, Japan, July 31, 2004
Kagome stood outside the school for a moment before remembering that she and Sesshoumaru had a 'study date.'
Halfway between a sigh and a smile, Kagome turned into the side street beside her school where Sesshoumaru was inevitably waiting for her.
He came into view soon enough, and then a thought struck, causing her to freeze for an instant, before tripping.
'Souta's soccer game!' Kagome thought. It was in an hour! Kagome regained her composure and sprinted towards Sesshoumaru's looming figure.
His eyes flickered with confusion when she skidded to a half-halt, grabbed his hand, and dragged him in the other direction at a quick speed.
"Where are we going, Kagome?" He managed calmly without panting, looking at her questioningly.
"My brother has a soccer game today!" Kagome gasped.
"Ah." He seemed to calculate the rest in his head and once that was finished, he picked up his pace to match hers.
"You should come along too! We could study there! Do you have a cell phone?" Kagome asked.
"Yes." He replied, and his eyes flashed with amusement.
"Okay, here's the plan… We'll go to the park where Souta plays, and then we'll do your homework…" Kagome said…
"What is the point of going to watch your brothers soccer game, if you are not going to watch it?" Sesshoumaru asked laughingly.
Kagome glanced at him, then a smile lit her face.
"Then you can come along for the entertainment value!" Kagome laughed.
"Oh! Kagome. I'm glad you're here." Mrs. Higurashi smiled warmly at the pair as they dashed up to the lawn chairs set up around the soccer field.
Kagome smiled and released Sesshoumaru's hand.
"Hello, as well, to you, Sesshoumaru. It's nice to see you again." She bowed and her eyes sparkled with friendliness.
He did the same and mustered a small smile. "Likewise." He said quietly.
With that exchange finished, Mrs. Higurashi turned back to a gigantic bag sitting (slouching) behind her.
"Would you two mind taking pictures? I don't have the steadiest hands when it comes to cameras…" Mrs. Higurashi laughed sheepishly.
Kagome laughed with her and retrieved a camera from the older woman's hands. "Okay! That'll be fun!"
Sesshoumaru took one as well and bowed slightly in thanks.
As they took their positions parallel to the place Souta would be standing, a chant rang out from the huddle of soccer players and with a roaring cheer, the young players took their positions.
"Go Souta!" Kagome called loudly, jumping up and down, laughing with the others.
Sesshoumaru stole a glance at the easy-to-please, happy-go-lucky girl, and managed a small smile himself… But he would not lower himself to mad hooting and… hopping around making pointless ruckus.
Two young males stepped into the center of the field and the referee flipped a coin. With that, the game began.
Souta was an offensive player, but halfway through he was switched to the goalie. He saved five out of six balls, and one of his saves was so miraculous that some people forgot to cheer.
Kagome clicked away on her camera furiously, catching all the players on Souta's team in their best moments. Sesshoumaru did the same.
"Why does your mother want us to take pictures?" Sesshoumaru asked, lowering the disposable camera for a moment.
"Souta's team is making a big poster with all of their names and pictures on it. If they win one more game after this, they'll be in the news paper! Mom thought it would be cool to have a neat backdrop." Kagome explained, grinning.
"You volunteered to help?" Sesshoumaru asked.
"Yup. I thought it sounded like fun." Kagome said, spinning before she took another shot. "Eight shots left…" She spoke under her breath.
"You're a strange girl, Kagome." Sesshoumaru said, but when Kagome looked up in surprise at his comment, his camera was before his face again and his genuine smile was being well hidden by fluttering strands of loose pale blond hair…
"You let your hair down!" Kagome said in surprise. Sesshoumaru nodded without words.
"It's soooo pretty!" Kagome crooned… He nodded once more and lowered his camera to look at the soccer game through his own eyes…
Kagome turned and took a picture of him, but he didn't notice…
Kagome grinned and yelled more encouraging words for the soccer team… Souta's team was winning.
"Congratulations Souta!" Kagome said, but instead of the customary hug, she grinned and patted his head. It was possible just as embarrassing, but she allowed him to bat her hand away while in the presence of friends.
Souta's team had won.
"We have quite a bit to clean up." Mrs. Higurashi observed, and indeed, the sidelines of the soccer field were strewn with wrappers and water bottles and countless other things.
"We should take all this in to recycle it. We could get rich." Kagome said jokingly as they gathered the trash and put it in black trash bags.
"I imagine you would." Sesshoumaru agreed, fighting not to scrunch his nose every time he touched the wrapper of another beings disposal…
"How's Inuyasha? I bet he would have liked to come. Doesn't Inuyasha like sports?" Kagome asked, looking up at the setting sun.
"Inuyasha is fine… He plays soccer and football." Sesshoumaru said stoically.
"His version of anger management?" Kagome giggled.
"He's on the offensive… He's usually pulled out for excessive violence halfway through. The couch encourages it." A smile threatened to dawn on Sesshoumaru's lips.
Kagome's eyebrows raised but she didn't look too surprised.
"And you?" Kagome asked.
"Most of my physical education is in various forms of fighting…" Sesshoumaru did not know how better to explain.
"You mean… You fight with swords and… your hands and stuff?" Kagome asked. He looked at her strangely and she blushed and smiled sheepishly…
"That would be a fairly diluted version of it, yes…" Sesshoumaru fought the urge to grin.
"What else do you do then?" Kagome asked, turning back to her work.
"I'm studying English…" Sesshoumaru said.
"That's neat." Kagome exclaimed.
"Yeah." Sesshoumaru replied.
He looked up and met her eyes, smiled with an amused twinkle in the twin orbs, swimming gold beneath the fire, and looked back down, as the sun set behind them.