Prompt: a kiss on the hipbone.
Inukimi proved to be an enigmatic creature. Poised and calculating one moment and then giggling with mirth the next, a flair to her dramatics. Kagome had spent enough time with con artists to know that these amiable moments meant to put her at ease were a thinly veiled attempt to get the miko to slip up and reveal something.
Kagome just wasn't sure what her goal was.
Sesshoumaru's knee brushed hers, sitting beside her and nursing a cup of saké. She'd declined the offer of alcohol, the mere idea of it making her stomach churn. He didn't talk much in the presence of his mother, which didn't seem to bother the demoness.
"You really must tell me about your funny garments," Inukimi was smiling, sitting across from them at a low table within a lavish sitting room. "I have never seen such strange material. You will make some for me."
Kagome bristled, about to open her mouth in protest- before noticing that the command wasn't intended for her. The brown-haired woman sitting not too far away near the door bowed.
Blue eyes slid back to Inukimi, who appeared perpetually amused by everyone around her. She frowned, "your servant's hand is badly burned. She should be allowed to tend to her wounds."
Inukimi fanned herself without a flutter of offence or reaction, spun silver hair caressing her perfect porcelain features. "What a bleeding heart you have. I find it interesting that you should accept my son's courtship, considering his own penchant for cruelty. It doesn't mesh too well with a miko's values, now does it?"
Sesshoumaru tensed beside her, staring a little too intently at the clear beverage in his cup. Kagome lay a hand over his knee. Inukimi missed none of this exchange.
"Maybe if Sesshoumaru was listing what he was good at, he'd talk about how he could slaughter hundreds or perform amazing feats of power, sure. But that doesn't mean he lacks kindness," Kagome said clearly. "It just means that he'd rather not reveal that side of himself to people who don't know him well enough."
Golden eyes flashed. Lean shoulders shook- Inukimi bursting into loud, elegant laughter, hiding her lips behind the fall of her sleeve. She glanced at Sesshoumaru, "ah I am so pleased you picked a spirited one. I half feared you'd choose a meek little thing like your father just because the softness was a novelty."
He snorted, sipping the saké. "Ridiculous," he uttered. "She is strong," Sesshoumaru looked at Kagome, pride barely concealed in his gaze. "And soft. But it is not a novelty to this one."
Inukimi seemed a little confused, sliding her attention back and forth between them. She then hummed and set her fan down in favour of sliding a long ornate pipe out from the heavy folds of her kimono. Lighting it, she took a drag, and Kagome was suddenly transported back to that fateful rainy night. She blushed and glanced away. In a lot of ways, Sesshoumaru seemed to take after his mother.
"So has he kissed your forehead yet?" Inukimi smiled, as though hoping to catch her off guard. "It means deep devotion, essentially saying 'I cherish you.' Oh my, Sesshoumaru. I hope I did not just spill something embarrassing~"
"Actually he has. And explained what it meant," Kagome gave a sweet smile.
Inukimi pouted, "well that's no fun."
Rising, the miko decided the suffering servant bothered her enough to excuse herself. Before she could take a step away though, an arm reached up to curve around her waist. Lips pressed to the curve of her hip, Sesshoumaru looking up at her through pale lashes. Kagome blinked and smiled, patting his arm.
"I won't be long," she murmured in assurance.
He nodded and released her. Inukimi's eyes were wide with shock, the pipe slack in her hold.
Despite the brown inuyoukai having attacked her, Kagome crossed the length of the room and urged her to rise, taking the woman out of the room with the intention of getting her wounded hand tended to.
Laughing a cloud of smoke, Inukimi glanced at her son. "I cannot believe she snubbed me for a servant," she sniffed, voice becoming amused. "I like her."
"This one does not care for your approval."
She sighed, "still childishly referring to yourself in the third person, son?"
"Still unpleasant and vain, mother?"
They stared at each other, soon sharing a sharp-toothed smile. Sesshoumaru took out his own pipe, which Inukimi lit for him, the room soon becoming thick with smoke as they talked.
After attending to the servant- who kept protesting and insisting a Lady should not look after a faithful servant- Kagome found herself a little lost within the Western Stronghold. She took a few wrong turns, trying to navigate by what she could see out of the elegant windows- which only resulted in getting more lost.
Dazed and disorientated, sweat beaded on Kagome's brow. All the servants seemed to have vanished. Which wing was she even in?
Losing her footing, she tripped and squeaked, bracing herself for impact.
An arm wound tight around her waist- halting her swift descent to the hardwood floors. Kagome breathed out with relief, turning her head with words of thanks intended for Sesshoumaru on her tongue.
Inukimi looked down at her, pipe jutting out from the corner of her mouth. She arched a delicate brow, helping to right the miko.
"T-thank you," Kagome blushed.
"Hm, no matter," the demoness swept her gaze over the miko, lingering in a particular area as she removed the pipe and exhaled like a dragon. "You should be more careful though, little one. Especially considering your condition. I should like my grandchild to be kept safe in there."
The world, which had been naturally turning on its axis- ground to a halt- flinging Kagome from the earth.
Her mouth dried up, blue eyes flying wide. Kagome's breath hitched as her mind screamed internally. "W-what?" she squeaked, suddenly backtracking. "O-oh! No, no- you're mistaken. Just because I didn't have any alcohol, it doesn't mean I'm covering up a pregnancy. We've both been very careful with drinking contraceptive tea, and I've taken pills. There's no way that could happen," she giggled thinly.
The vicious amusement that Inukimi had longed for all afternoon now lit up her beautiful, cruel features with strong delight. Golden eyes brightened into gleaming suns, ruby lips spreading wide.
Kagome's stomach dropped with dread.
"How adorable," Inukimi brushed lithe fingers over her mouth to partially hide her painfully large smirk. "But no, no- you are mistaken, little miko. This is not some pitiful guesswork on my part. A mother always knows. You are most assuredly with child, I can smell it in your scent," her tone rolled into a playfully dark thing, revelling in Kagome's shock.
"Congratulations~"