Inspiration/Prompt: Discord Drabble Nights November 2021

Summary: A gathering of friends leads to unexpected discoveries

Cornucopia

It had been a last-minute thing.

Kagome ran around in a tizzy, trying desperately to make sure everything was perfect—as perfect as a large gathering could be in the feudal era, anyway.

The table was set, the fire roaring, and the cornucopia of offerings ready to be served.

All that was needed were the guests.

She checked herself in the mirror one last time, enjoying how the deep hue of her kimono made her eyes stand out in her reflection. Shippou had helped with her hair, his tiny claws strangely nimble when it came to intricate up-dos.

The night would be a success—one way or another.

Tradition

Dinner was meant to be a quiet affair, but Kagome was never one for tradition.

She preferred everyone chatting and sharing stories to the stilted and forced pleasantries that were expected.

Everyone chose their own seats, finding places next to those they wished to converse with, and it wasn't until everyone was settled that Kagome realized the only place left for her was in between Inuyasha and—

"Oi, who invited you, ya bastard?"

Not wishing to wreck all her hard work by sending her best friend crashing into the table, she settled with yanking hard on his ear.

"Behave! Sesshoumaru is family too."

Herbs

Grumbling under his breath, Inuyasha glared at his brother over her shoulder, then turned away, pulled into Miroku's current—and completely fabricated—story about their latest demon encounter.

Kagome shook her head in exasperation, then seated herself beside the Western Lord, giving him a sheepish smile.

"I wish I'd known you were coming. Do you want me to find something fresher?" She grimaced as she looked at the array of thoroughly cooked meat. "Maybe something with fewer herbs—"

"Do not distress yourself on my account, miko. What has been provided will do."

"But—"

"Your concern is appreciated, though."

Cranberries

The firelight must've been playing tricks on her, as she could've sworn Sesshoumaru had just smiled at her.

Shaking her head, she watched those she cared about set aside their squabbles to enjoy the night.

Well, almost everyone.

Inuyasha kept shooting daggers at his brother until Kagome finally grabbed some berries off the table and hit him square between the eyes.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"I told you to behave! That includes facial expressions!"

"Keh!"

She turned to apologize again to find Sesshoumaru holding a berry between his claws.

"These are poisonous."

Kagome giggled softly. "I know. But cranberries don't grow in Japan, so I had to improvise. They're just for decoration."

Archery

A pale eyebrow raised before he placed the berry back on the table.

"It seems you have been practicing. Your aim with drupelets is almost as accurate as your archery."

Kagome felt her face get hot.

How did he know that?

She tried to play it off, not meeting his gaze. "I've had a lot more free time now that Naraku's gone."

"Perhaps you require a new purpose to occupy your day."

"Who says I want anything to occupy my day? I spent an entire year looking for shards, then another three dealing with high school before I could come back here. I'm really for a break!"

Blessing

"Negligence will lead to complacency, miko."

Incensed, Kagome forgot who she was speaking to and poked him in the chest. "I don't need to hear that from you. I shot your armour off back when I could barely hold a bow."

His lips pulled back into a smirk, fangs flashing. "And what a blessing that was."

Her mouth dropped open.

Sesshoumaru, Lord of the West, the Killing Perfection, is not flirting with me.

Their proximity was suddenly too much, and she scooted backwards, feeling the backs of her ears heat again.

"You say that like it was a good thing."

Second Chances

Golden eyes lingered before glancing towards the fire.

"Indeed."

Her tongue felt thick, unable to form words even as questions threatened to overflow.

She'd always wondered about that day too.

Why she'd been able to hit him.

If she'd been more than a passing thought once his armour had been repaired.

Second chances could happen, right? They'd both grown and evolved since their first meeting.

The absence of said armour caught her eye, and she smiled again.

"It's nice that you can relax once in a while too." Motioning to his chest and shoulder when confusion pinched his brow.

Laughter

"No one can be on guard all the time." He looked behind her, then leaned in. "Especially when it causes my brother so much ire."

Kagome covered her mouth to stifle her laughter, Inuyasha's glare already burning the back of her head.

"Trust you to see it that way."

Claws reached out, snagging a lock of hair that had come loose from her elegant braid.

"I am glad you are able to show such joy as well. Especially in the present company."

Kagome felt her heart stop as he brought her hair to his lips, his golden gaze holding her captive.

Friendship

The expression on his face was not one of friendship.

The fire continued to blaze in the distance, but it was nothing compared to the heated gaze currently focused on her.

"Oi, K'gome! Stop wasting yer time with the emotionless bastard. You said the whole point of tonight was to have fun!"

Sesshoumaru's eyes iced over, his mask sliding back into place, and Kagome felt a pang in her chest.

She went to pull away, but he tugged on her hair, bringing their cheeks together as his lips brushed against her ear.

"Perhaps we can create our own fun later. Kagome."

Memories

Blue eyes widened as skin turned crimson.

Much to the chagrin of her friends.

The string of curses that exploded out of Inuyasha's mouth was smothered, the hanyou struggling against the grip of someone. Kagome wasn't sure, her attention still locked on silver hair and magenta stripes.

Memories of blindly following Inuyasha during their search for the Shikon shards flashed through her mind.

She'd been lured by the promise of a happy ending—the possibility of forever.

Forever now shone back at her from the eyes of a lethal daiyoukai.

Maybe she'd been preoccupied with more than just tonight's dinner preparations.

Family

After making sure everyone had been fed—and placating Inuyasha—Kagome found herself wandering to the edge of the forest, the smells of spices and roasted meat giving way to fresh air and pine.

Youki teased her senses, sliding up her back like a caress.

She stepped up to meet him, Sesshoumaru's pale silks glowing in the moonlight.

"Did my brother give you any more strife?"

Kagome chuckled and shrugged. "Family is supposed to do that. It's kind of in the job description."

"Hnn." He considered her for a moment, the heated glow returning to his eyes. "What are your expectations for tonight, miko?"

Biting her lip as her cheeks darkened again, Kagome shrugged once more. "I'm not sure. A walk could be nice though."

The harsh lines of his face softened, then he offered his hand—his claws seeming less dangerous when they weren't dripping with poison.

Accepting the invitation, Kagome allowed Sesshoumaru to lead her deeper in the forest.

And onto a new path.