Innocent Kisses in the Rain
After school, Sesshoumaru's house, Tokyo, Japan, August 18, 2004
Kagome lay on Sesshoumaru's bed, staring up at the ceiling.
Sesshoumaru clicked away, looking on the Internet for background information for his newest assignment that he was trying to finish.
Kagome was brainstorming.
Kagome blinked when, from the small dark speakers, the faint ringing of the 'happy birthday' song began.
Sesshoumaru gave an audible, exasperated sigh.
He didn't like music on websites, apparently. Kagome's eyes widened.
"Sesshoumaru!" She gasped, as if choking.
He turned in alarm, tossing a stray wisp of silver-gold over his shoulder.
His eyes asked the question that he was too quiet to vocally make known.
'What is it?'
See, because three words are three too many to be passing his pale lips…
"My brother's birthday! It's this Saturday!" She had the deer-in-the-headlights down pat.
'So?' He asked mentally.
"Today I've gotta buy him a gift!" She cried out.
"Why can't you do it tomorrow?" He asked bored.
"Because! I'm busy!" She said. "Mama already bought him a present yesterday… C'mon! We have to go!"
"Do you think your mother appreciates this constant show of unplanned errands?" He asked; if he was to talk an excessive amount, he would certainly do it with the air of aristocracy that was his personality.
"Japanese, lease!" Kagome said, distracted, hysterical, dragging him down the stairs.
"You did not inform your mother of an outing to the… store." He said.
She glared. "The word is 'tell,' and she doesn't mind… As long as I'm with an adult." Kagome finished.
"That adult would be?" He challenged.
"Well, if you're not capable… I guess tomorrow I can walk by myself."
That settled it.
Once there, Kagome dragged the seething Sesshoumaru out of the parked car and into the crowded mall.
Sesshoumaru rewarded her efforts with a withering glare, but Kagome smiled back knowingly.
"How old is your brother?" Sesshoumaru asked icily, but she giggled. He furrowed his brow; she was no longer affected by his antics.
"My brother is turning eight." She told him, looking to and fro, for a birthday gift.
"What does he enjoy?" He returned…
"Blocks… Cars… Hats…" Kagome named deftly.
"Hats?" He couldn't keep the incredulity out of his voice.
"My brother has a strange obsession and fascination with hats… Especially woman's hats… Especially red." Sesshoumaru decided not to ask her to go into detail.
"This is a funny one!" Kagome commented, trying to move the long white feather out of her line of sight to look at Sesshoumaru.
He nodded once, his eyes catching on the strange object before returning to the assorted shelves… of hats.
"Do you wanna go to his party?" She asked suddenly, scrutinizing a brilliant blue 'basket hat,' avoiding his gaze.
He didn't respond, so she promptly looked up in confusion. He stood before her, looking down at her with solemn amber eyes.
She squeaked and tumbled back a step, grabbing her chest immediately in shock.
"You scared me!" She scolded. He moved fast.
He continued to stare down at her, and she began to get apprehensive…
"If this is about my asking you to Souta's party --- you don't have to go…" She blushed, flustered, adverting her eyes once again while waving her hand in emphasis.
He caught her hand in mid air, held it firmly in his larger hand.
"Do you want me to go?" He asked boldly, unwaveringly.
She looked meekly up at him, trying to read his expression, painfully aware of the ring of extra heat around her slim wrist…
"Only if you want to." She responded softly, tugging halfheartedly at her captured hand.
He released it abruptly, turning back to pick up an exceptionally bright red hat, velvet with a pink rose in the front, glued atop a black band.
He placed it frivolously on her head, then turned towards the checkout, a second red had in tow.
"I will go." He replied, casting a glance back at her, amusement flickering temporarily in the pale orbs before he placed the item gently on the checkout counter.
She took a sharp intake of breath before following cautiously…
Kagome took the gigantic banana clip off the rack, the white polka dotted pink clip glittering beneath the fluorescent lights.
An almost-audible sigh was heard behind her but she only batted her hand back at him, as if shooing away a fly.
"Kagome…" He couldn't quite keep the growl out of his voice.
"Come on Sesshoumaru! Didn't you see the stuffed animal? This is the coolest place ever!" Stars and hearts alternated as substitutes for her normally chocolate colored eyes.
"I'm sure you would think so." He said monotonously.
"If you're so bored, go over to that sword place across the hall." She said, once again waving him away without even the slightest of tone changes.
He almost uttered a 'humph,' but Kagome heard it, and smiled secretively.
She finally straightened.
"Okay, we can leave now. You wanna help me with my math?" Kagome asked, the evil streak glittering in her eye for a moment.
He hesitated before nodding.
"Order of operations." He said simply, crossing his arms across his chest.
"I know that! Which goes first smarty pants? Division or multiplication?"…