SUMMARY: Girl Scout cookies, a miko, and a demon lord...
Dedicated to Shastuhh. I'm glad to have been able to connect with you through fandom and always appreciate your kindness and encouragement!
He knew what he would find before getting out of his car.
The cookie booths had littered the roadside and parking lots as he drove home, the scent of sugar filtering in through his air vents while waiting in traffic. But it was the sight of excited giggles wearing khakis and green vests that warned him of the disaster he was about to walk into.
Switching off the ignition, Sesshoumaru sighed, grabbing his things just as another stampede of little girls came running down the sidewalk.
He recognized a few of them.
"Hi, Sesshoumaru!"
"That's rude, Emma. It's Mr. Sato!"
"I'm not being rude! You just don't know how to pronounce it yet."
"Yes, I do. Sesshmaro! Is that right?"
Sesshoumaru felt the corner of his mouth twitch. "Close."
"Aw, dang it."
Closing the car door, he chuckled. "You will get it." He glanced at the front porch. "Did Kagome take care of you?"
"Yes, thank you!"
A moment later, they waved, shouting goodbyes as they rushed to hit more houses before dark, and he watched them sprint down the sidewalk. It wasn't hard to imagine a little girl with a ponytail and an imp doing the same.
Only arguing.
Shaking off the nostalgia, he took his time climbing the porch steps, steeling himself for the inevitable. It didn't matter that it had been a long day. What waited inside was as sure as death and taxes, and as his foot hit the top step, he heard the thunder of petite, sock-covered feet tear across the carpet inside.
He grumbled, reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose.
Not worth delaying any longer, Sesshoumaru stuck his key in the lock, took a deep breath, and turned the bolt.
The door flew open before he could retrieve his key.
There was a squeal. Laughter. And then a frenzied blur of miko launched herself at him, legs cinching his waist as a hand with a death grip on a box of Samoas waved around dramatically.
"This is my favorite time of year!"
Sesshoumaru wobbled, trying to keep them both upright as Kagome flung herself backward, cackling like a mad woman.
Cookies scattered across the living room.
"Miko"—he twisted, managing to toss his keys on the console without toppling—"how many have you had?"
With a silly grin, she straightened, popping another into her mouth and chewing. "Just a few—"
"At least that is an improvement."
"—boxes."
Her grin turned sheepish.
Sesshoumaru gave her a flat look. "You are going to crash worse than a preschooler after a birthday party."
Maintaining eye contact, Kagome slowly lifted another cookie to her mouth. "I caffeinated." She took a bite. "And hydrated." Horror took over his face, and she laughed, wiggling on his hips as she leaned into his ear. "I can last for hours."
"I am going to pretend that did not have a double meaning." Looping an arm under her backside, Sesshoumaru headed for the kitchen.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
"You require protein, something green"—he tried to snatch the open cookie box from her hand and scowled when she jerked it over her head—"and more to drink."
"You're no fun."
"I am not trying to be." He went to set her down.
"No." Another cookie crunched as she popped it in her mouth, and she lifted an eyebrow, refusing to look away. "I'm happy here."
Her legs tightened around his middle.
"Incorrigible woman."
When she cracked another grin, he suppressed the urge to roll his eyes, instead glancing over her shoulder at the counter covered in cookie boxes.
The table hadn't fared any better.
Sighing, he let his head fall back. "Where are the Thin Mints?"
Kagome reached out to her right and opened the freezer door. "What kind of heathen do you take me for?"
Not dropping her eyes, Sesshoumaru pulled out one chilled sleeve and tore it open. "One that smells like coconut and caramel."
"That's because they're the best."
He scoffed, biting through his own cookie. "No, they are not."
"Yeah, they are." Kagome leaned over and opened her mouth, ready to steal the last half of the Thin Mint when he jerked it away.
"Get your own."
She pouted. "I'm going to have to hide those from you and don't pretend otherwise."
"I do not know what you're talking about."
"Yes, you do. And so does your mom." She snatched the chocolate and mint confection after he pulled out another one. "Or do you not remember how that went down?"
"Remember what?"
"Exactly."
Sesshoumaru chuckled and stole the sleeve back. "This One can stop when he wants to."
Throwing him a look, Kagome stared at him hard for a moment before loosening her legs and standing on her feet. "Excuse me."
He let her down. "Where are you going?"
She watched him take another bite and then spun on her heel. "To get a deck of cards. Sounds like you're ready for another round of Bullshit."
He glared. She smirked. And when he lobbed the Thin Mints at her retreating rear, she dodged them and then popped her face back around the corner and flashed a too-wide smile. "Missed."
Two seconds later, she was yelping a different tune as his youki whip cracked across her backside in the middle of the living room.
"Sesshoumaru!"
Smirking to himself, he ate another Thin Mint and glanced down at his hand. Still got it.
