Prompt: Discord Drabble Nights December 2021

Inspiration: "Crushed" by Rosette

Alter

Kagome cursed herself as she once again returned to her hut.

Alone.

He'd been right there, Rin having run off to look after Sango's children so she and Miroku could have some time alone together.

He had no other obligations, and Kagome could've easily altered her path. The fate she'd pigeonholed herself into with teenage ideals when she'd returned to the past.

She'd known what was waiting for her, what she'd be coming back to, what she was leaving behind.

And yet, she'd still jumped, the tiny spark of hope egging her on.

She'd wanted to see him again.

Cleansing

Sucking in a cleansing breath, Kagome dragged her hands down her face.

I'm such an idiot.

All she needed to do was simply talk to him. He was friendly enough now. And he seemed to tolerate her a lot more than he did before. Leaning back against her door, she grabbed the front of her robes, his name spilling from her lips in a wistful whisper.

"Sesshoumaru…"

Why was she always attracted to emotionally unavailable men?

She snorted. "'Attracted to'? Who am I kidding?"

It had been an attraction when they'd first met. It had been a crush when he'd defended her inside Naraku.

Now…

Now she was in trouble.

Mistletoe

She almost wished she'd never mentioned Christmas to her friends. Sango and Miroku had taken it upon themselves to try and cheer her up by holding a festival in Edo.

Origami had been hung on a few trees, the pale cranes dancing in the flickering glow of the lanterns.

They'd even found some mistletoe and put it above everyone's doorway.

Kagome wanted to burn it.

Every little berry reminded her of all the missed opportunities.

Of every word she wanted to say. Of every word she wanted him to hear.

She rested her chin in her hand, gazing into the roaring fire, his name escaping her lips, as it often did.

"Miko."

Log (Yule)

Kagome fell off the log she was sitting on, a clawed hand stopping her from hitting the ground. The heat from his palm scorched her flesh, raising a blush to her cheeks as she steadied herself.

"Hi."

"Hnn."

She wondered if she looked as obvious as she felt.

"I didn't think you'd be coming tonight."

"Rin insisted."

"I'm glad." Her eyes widened, her cheeks darkening before she turned away. "S-She enjoys it when you're here, I mean."

"And you?"

"Me?" she squeaked.

Silks rustled as he sat beside her, and Kagome wondered if her face would ever go back to its regular colour.

Tree

Branches swayed, doing their best to catch the falling snow. Kagome looked at them for guidance, but the trees only waved in silence.

"You are avoiding the question."

She managed not to fall this time, her hands clenched in her lap.

"I-I…" Drawing in a steadying breath, then faced him, the way the firelight turned gold to amber making her mouth run dry.

"Speak your mind, miko."

"I'm trying!" she wailed, unable to hide her desperation. "It's hard!"

"What is?"

"Talking to you."

"Only when you make it so."

"I'm not making it anything. You're the one who's-who's—" Kagome groaned, burying her face in her hands.

Winter Solstice

The silence that followed was palpable, and every second that passed weighed heavier on her shoulders.

Why is this so difficult?

She'd faced many demons—and humans for that matter—who'd come within inches of killing her, but a single confession had her shaking in her boots.

"Why do you wait to celebrate Winter Solstice?"

Grateful for the distraction, Kagome peeked at him from between her fingers. "It's actually a different celebration. We call it Christmas back home. There are lots of countries that celebrate it, usually with family and gifts. In Japan, it's mostly about—"

The blush returned, and she was painfully aware of how close he was.

High Priestess

"Mostly about what?"

People would go out of their way to be blessed by the Shikon Miko—the High Priestess of Edo. And yet here she was, reduced to the quivering, insecure teen she'd been when she first fell down the Bone Eater's well.

I'm so pathetic.

She was better than this. He deserved better than this. Even if he rejected her, which at this point seemed more likely, she needed to say it.

To say something.

Kagome opened her mouth again, digging her nails into her palms in order to force the words out.

"Christmas in Japan is about couples."

Crone

She felt like she would evaporate on the spot, but Kagome held his gaze, watching as various emotions flittered over his face.

Sesshoumaru tried to hide it, but he was just as emotional as his brother. Perhaps even more so.

It was one of the things she loved about him.

Not that that did her any good. At this rate, she'd be a crone before she told him how she felt.

"Couples as in those engaged in courting rituals?"

Kagome managed a single nod, her heart hammering in her chest. "Y-Yeah. People who are already courting spend the day together."

"And those who have not yet begun?"

Offering

Swallowing thickly, Kagome tried desperately to find her nerve. It was a simple question. She could answer a simple question.

"They—well—one of them normally confesses their feelings."

Brows furrowed before understanding dawned.

"They reveal their intentions."

Kagome felt her cheeks heat once more, but the words refused to form.

"Sesshoumaru… I-I—that is… Would you—"

The daiyoukai turned away from her, and Kagome visibly flinched.

Guess that's my answer.

Biting her lip, she got to her feet, willing herself not to cry before she got back to her hut.

Unable to even say goodbye, she turned to leave, only to be stopped by his fingers wrapping around her wrist.

And the circular branch of plum blossoms he was offering her.

Wreath

Blue eyes widened in shock, hands trembling as his claws tightened to keep her from retreating.

"What's that fo—"

"A beginning."

Kagome's mouth dropped open, her eyes darting between the wreath and his face.

His expression softened, and the tears she'd been holding back overflowed.

"You are not supposed to cry."

"I can't help it! I've been trying to say something for months, and you just waltz in here and are wonderful!"

"Then you accept?"

Launching herself at him, Kagome wrapped her arms around his waist, uncaring of the stains her tears would make as his arms returned her embrace.

Candles

Kagome fingered the branches, the wood somehow feeling warm against her fingers.

"Where did you even get this? It's winter!"

Sesshoumaru lifted his chin, arrogance shining like a candle in the darkness.

"I cannot reveal all my secrets on this day."

A watery laugh escaped her lips, the sound turning into a whimper as he nuzzled her temple. Being this close to him, the scent of pine and mint wafted over her senses, and she sighed in contentment, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time.

"How are you so much better at this than me?"

"Sometimes words are unnecessary."