Title: A Christmas to Remember
Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha and Co.
Summary: "Tell me Higurashi, did you and the mythological Lord have tea together?" Her teacher asked sarcastically. "No professor, The Lord of the Western lands and I never had tea together, although we did spend Christmas together." was her simple reply. S/K
A/N: I've been doing short chapters lately so here is a longer one! :) Revised and ready to read.
She stood there with nervousness and anxiety coursing through her entire body. Koga had just taken off and suddenly they were both alone. When had been the last time such a thing happened? Five hundred years ago around Christmas time? Blue eyes met amber and it felt like time was frozen in place. What was she supposed to do in such a situation? What would she say? At the moment, it felt like the only she could do was stare back at amber eyes in confusion.
Why was she so nervous and anxious?
Mentally, she cursed herself. When had the color of his eyes become so breathtaking? Had they always been that color? Staring deeply, she wondered what other mixes of colors were there. The longer she stared, the more certain she became that his eyes were not just amber but hints of different colors and specks. Was that a Youkai requirement? Gorgeous eyes?
Biting her lip nervously, she did not know what to make of this situation. Where did they go from here? What were they? Friends? Acquaintances? Yet, hadn't she just told herself that the Lord of the Western Lands and her had been friends? It wasn't until the sound of moving feet hit her ears did she realize that Sesshoumaru had turned away and was walking towards what appeared to be a large Japanese villa.
"Mik—Kagome, Come." He had caught himself. He had remembered that if she were to call him Sesshoumaru then he would have to call her Kagome. Not wanting to speak now anyway, Kagome nodded silently and followed quietly behind. As he walked confidently from room to room, she stared at the Youkai in wonder.
It was odd to think that at some point in her life she had thought him to be a monster. It was even more shocking to her that now, if anything, she viewed him as her guardian angel. However, even she would be foolish to think him truly that—an angel. He was not without power or impurity. He was dangerous and mighty but he was also trustworthy and protective. She knew the dangers of this magnificent youkai, yet she also knew of the rewards.
A youkai such as himself was one in a million.
It was not until she stumbling into a hard object did she realize that she had been zoning out and not paying attention. She felt a hand wrap around her waist as she nearly lost balance. Glancing up, she found, once again, a pair of amber eyes staring at her intently.
"Do be careful, Kagome—you would do well not to injure yourself."
It was too late to attempt to control the flush of her cheeks or the embarrassment that radiated off her. Tearing her gaze away from the Inu, she stared at the room in front of her. Initially, when they had arrived, Kagome had noticed that the Japanese villa was located in a remote and forest-covered valley. The home they had walked through appeared to feature traditional Japanese furniture in each room. The room in front of her was no different.
"You may open the door." Had his voice always been that smooth and deep? Had there always been that low rumble when he spoke? Not being brave enough to look up at him, she slowly opened the door. The room was large given the fact that it was in the middle of Tokyo but it had an elegant layout nonetheless. The room was surrounding by large windows on each side to allow in for natural lighting and in the middle was an elegant king size bed.
Walking in, she let out a sound of awe. It was simple but elegant. She was not sure how it was possible but the entire home screamed of Sesshoumaru. As she reached the bed, she sat down to test it out. Letting out a small giggle, she let her body fall back onto the soft mattress. Patting the location next to her, she silently prayed he would get the hint. It took what seemed like hours but she finally felt him sit next to her.
"Sesshoumaru." She began but then stopped. What was she planning on saying? Where was she going with this?
"I…" She began again but once more did not know what to say.
"You need to stop." His deep voice stated matter of factly. Confused and alarmed, Kagome pushed herself up and quickly sat up. Staring at Sesshoumaru in confusion, she waited for him to elaborate.
"It is not the Feudal Era. There is no need to spare ones feelings."
Again, she could not help but be confused. Spare ones feelings? What was he talking about? Whose feelings did he feel she was sparing? Surely not his. Yet, that still left her confused as to whom he was speaking of.
"The wolf." His tone held what seemed like mild irritation and annoyance. Eyes widening, she suddenly realized where he was going with the conversation. He had seen his behavior, and he had seen her reaction. She had not told Koga to stop but she had also not encouraged him. Even now, she did not want to hurt his feelings. Even now, she was not good at telling others 'no'.
"I…" She began to stutter in nervousness.
"Do you care for the wolf?" This time he looked at her intently and seriously. For some reason, she was not embarrassed or flustered anymore but simply nervous. He was telling her to be honest and pushier in how she felt.
"Of course I care for Koga." She shot back frustrated. That was exactly why she was being non-confrontational.
"Do you truly? You know what I speak of." He continued to stare at her with narrowed eyes. Was that frustration and annoyance she saw in his eyes? Nervously, she again began to bite her lip.
"Maybe? I don't know—no." It all came out before she could filter her thoughts. She did not, not really, not in the way that he loved her.
"But, what if it happens? You know? Crazier things have happened." She added. She was not sure where she was going with her argument but maybe she had just wanted to argue for the sake of arguing. Maybe, she just did not want him to be right all the time.
"I believe we both know that will not occur. Perhaps a moment of confusion on your part but not truly." He seemed to contemplate the thought for a while.
"You and the wolf are not good for each other." He said it with such confidence and disregard that it irritated her. What did he know about Koga? How could he honestly make such an assessment?
"Not good for each other? Why not? Besides, what do you know about whom is good for me?" She replied fiercely. Why was she so riled up and angry at such a simple statement? Had she not even told herself the same thing several times? Reluctantly, she decided she was upset because once again it seemed that Sesshoumaru knew her better than she knew herself. After all this time, he seemed to know exactly whom she was yet she continued to struggle with the simple task herself.
"If he's not right for me, then who is?!" She demanded hotly.
As she stared at his face that showed little to no emotion, she panicked. Why were they even having such a conversation? His face remained clear of any emotions but she wondered what was going through his head. When she had realized she was stuck permanently, in the future she often times thought about their time together. Occasionally she would wonder if their friendship could have become something more. Normally, the moment such a thought appeared in her head she would shake it away.
Their time together had shown her much more of Sesshoumaru than she had ever expected. The fact of the matter was that she had begun to care for him as a friend and sometimes she wondered why the icy lord had allowed even the friendship to happen. Typically, the thought of anything more would only surface in times of sleepiness or sometimes when she drank. She had convinced herself that it was normal and that there was no one else to view or wonder about in such a light. After all, she had grown to resent Inu Yasha, and Koga had never truly been on her radar.
To be honest, Sesshoumaru would not have been on her radar either, but then that winter had happened. Those moments had changed everything for her and had allowed those rare thoughts to surface. She would often times convince herself that it was simply her hormones reacting or even due to the fact that she refused to allow herself to have a relationship. Perhaps that was why at the current moment, she waited for his response in fear.
"Am I correct in assuming that we know one another well?"
His question brought her out of her thoughts but also rattled her. Was it a trick question? Not caring now, she nodded her head in response to the question since she was unable to say the words.
"Good." He responded simply. "You do not thrive in chaos and uncertainty, little Miko. The individual that is best suited for you would be one that values dedication, patience and potential."
"I did just fine—" She began while not really thinking about what the Lord of the Western Lands had just said.
"Little Miko, I said thrive—not survive. You survived in the Feudal Era surrounded by chaos, uncertainty and disregard. However, have you not wondered how you may have fared had you been exposed to a much different environment?"
To say she was baffled and stunned would have been an understatement. He had spoken the truth. She had never really thrived in the Feudal Era. In fact, she barely managed to survive. Yet, Sesshoumaru seemed to be implying that had she had someone other than Inu Yasha for a leader—it would have been much different.
Muddled with confusion, she could not say that he was wrong. Did not everyone do better when they were appreciated and acknowledged? It was with that thought that she realized he had not given a name but a description. Laughing off her bafflement, she pretended to not be so flustered.
"So you know someone that holds these values?" She asked boldly while asking herself what she wanted from this man. Did she want a name or did she want him to humor her? Did she truly think that the Lord of the Western Lands was going to declare his feelings for a human? Or even the possibility? Was she truly that naïve and silly? To her shock, he answered her question.
"I do, in fact, know such an individual, little Miko. Yet, it seems that it is time for you to rest and finish your recovery. Rest assure if anything is needed I will see to it." His voice had changed and gone back to its emotionless tone. With that said, he began to walk towards the door.
Stopping for a moment, he glanced back at her and gave her a nod as he exited her room.
A/N: AND SO IT BEGINS! ;) Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter! Like always, I read all the reviews and value them immensely.