Plot: Sesshoumaru learns that not everything needs to be an argument.

Slice of life, not super fluffy.

.:o0o:.

Kagome hummed to herself as she stirred the pot, ensuring that it wouldn't scorch on the bottom. She had taken her time, following the recipe to a T, she really hoped to present a lovely western dinner for her husband.

Shuffling to the almost full sink, she went about washing each bowl and utensil she used. She was trying to be more like him in this respect, Sesshoumaru had a knack for washing each thing as soon as he used it. She wasn't sure what magic he used to keep the kitchen as spotless as he did while cooking but she was hoping to the Kami that they would impart the same enlightenment on her.

It was no small point of contention between them.

Everyone thought they wouldn't work; he was stoic and reserved while she was bright and open. They were complete opposites, but somehow against the odds they had found each other, fell in love and gotten married. Today was the anniversary of their first date four years ago and she wanted to celebrate it by cooking the meal they shared that night.

Turning off the faucet and wiping her hands in the cloth available, she smiled and nodded, deeming the kitchen acceptably clean from her use. Now all she had to do was wait for her darling husband to get home from work. She hoped he would appreciate the effort she put in.

While Kagome wasn't the sloppiest person, she wasn't as anal about cleaning as her husband was. Sesshoumaru needed order, while he wasn't always to the point of everything needing to stay in its place, he preferred a level of tidiness that Kagome found difficult to achieve sometimes.

The door opened, she twirled just in time to see Sesshoumaru slip on his house slippers and enter the living room.

"Hey Hun." She greeted, kissing his lips.

"Hey Babe." He replied, dropping his keys and wallet in the bowl designated for them by the doorway. "Something smells delicious."

She smiled and shuffled to the stove, once again stirring the pot and checking the progress of the meat in the oven. It wasn't long before she noticed Sesshoumaru take a cloth and start to wipe down the edges of the sink and countertop. She released a quiet sigh, It would seem she wasn't as thorough as she thought.

"Would it kill you to wipe down the sink after you've washed up? Or to put the dishes away when they're dry." He was saying exasperatedly, this was a regular refrain. "And what's the point of leaving all the spices on the countertop after you've used them." He went on and Kagome gritted her teeth, determined to not respond, she didn't want an argument.

But he wouldn't stop. It would seem that she left the broom she obviously used by the garbage instead of putting it back in its cupboard and so on.

"Why can't you just for once appreciate my effort and not nitpick at what I didn't get right?!" she snapped. They had been living together for almost three years, you would think by now he would have been used to what she did and didn't do.

It seemed she shocked him into silence, never before had she snapped at him when he was getting into one of these almost nagging modes. Normally she would agree with him or apologize, something to disarm the whole situation. But today, she had enough.

"Appreciate the effort? You want me to give you a ribbon for doing the bare minimum?" He asked, a perfect eyebrow raised.

"I'm not asking you to do that, I'm just saying that we've been married for almost two years and living together for three. You know how I am, and I know you. You do things that annoy me too, but do I make a big deal about them? No! When was the last time I asked you to close the shower curtains after you've had your shower? Or how about closing the cupboards in the morning after you open each one to get what you need for your morning coffee?" She took a heaving breath and watched the shock freeze his face.

"I don't complain about these things because in the grand scheme of things, they're inconsequential, they don't affect my life or change the way we live or how I feel about you. I had hoped that you would have come to the same conclusion yourself. Not everything needs to be an argument or nagging moment. Yes, I could be cleaner, but the fact is I'm not, but I am cleaner than I used to be, but you wouldn't notice that because you're too busy focusing on how horrible a housekeeper I am." She jerkily stirred the pot before her and ended up spilling some sauce on her wrist, burning herself.

With a hiss and a sigh, she walked around him to run her hand under some water, ignoring his concern for the moment. She glanced at him when he turned off the faucet and took her wet hands in his, drying them in a paper towel and inspecting her burn.

"I apologize, I hadn't realized I became so harsh. Please forgive me." He intoned, leaning his forehead against hers.

She looked up into his eyes and was about to respond when a burnt smell reached both of their noses.

"Oh no, our dinner!" She cried.

.:o0o:.

Who knew Sess was such a nag?

Much love!

-sora