A little note: As seen on Dokuga. Originally this was an interconnected drabble collection created with the prompts from dokuga_contest. However, since dokuga_contest is no longer running, I'll update as I see fit with prompts I select myself.

Disclaimer: I am not, in any way, affiliated with the creators or producers of Inuyasha. No profit is made from this writing.

Tea with Tsukiko

Kagome had to fight the urge to wince every single time she heard a scream echo through the fortress. Tsukiko, the pups and the youkai servants seemed unperturbed by what was occurring in the dungeon, but Kagome wasn't as comfortable with the situation as they obviously were.

"Shouldn't we stop him?" Kagome asked.

Tsukiko took a sip of her tea, then placed the cup down on the table. "No. If there is one thing you must understand about our culture, Kagome, it is that we do not let criminals go unpunished."

"But isn't this taking it too far?" Kagome questioned.

Tsukiko narrowed her eyes, then sighed. "What Nohime and Nobunaga are receiving is lenient. Sesshomaru wanted to kill them."

Kagome's eyes widened, which Tsukiko had expected. When Kagome moved to argue, the demoness raised her hand and shook her head.

"I have convinced him otherwise," Tsukiko explained. "But he can't just let them go. This is not the first time they have done him wrong. Just let it go, Kagome."

Kagome was not pleased, and she did not understand, but she knew she had no choice in the matter. She was part of their culture now, she had to learn to fit in. But she knew she would have to have a discussion with Sesshomaru later. Because if this was going to work, he had to learn about her culture too. Compromise, that's what needed to be done.

Kagome took a sip of her tea and closed her eyes. The sudden reminder that she was centuries in the past had been a strange shock to her system. Sometimes she forgot that her modern beliefs would never fit in this period. There were no prisons, no life sentences, and definitly no fight against death penalty. Things were done differently here. She knew that. But she still didn't like it.

"I'm sorry," Kagome apologised, surprising the demoness sitting across from her.

"No need to apologise, child," Tsukiko hummed.

Kagome shook her head. "No, I spoke out of turn. I sometimes forget that I'm not in Tokyo anymore."

"Tokyo? What is that?" Tsukiko asked, her golden eyes sparkling in curiosity.

Kagome laughed. "It's Edo, actually. It was renamed in 1868."

"Fascinating. I still cannot grasp the fact that you are from the future."

"Yeah, I still can't grasp I'm in the past sometimes."

"You seem comfortable here, though," Tsukiko pointed out.

Kagome blinked. She had never truly thought of it that way. At the beginning, coming to the Sengoku period was more out of duty - to gather the shards of the jewel and restore it. But now, she supposed she was here because she felt at home. She had friends, a lover...children. How had her life taken such a drastic turn? She could have sworn she was just an ordinary middle school student yesterday.

Another scream echoed through the fortress. Kagome winced again. Tsukiko smiled sadly.

"Some things still make you uncomfortable," Tsukiko stated.

Kagome nodded. "Yes, but it's like that in all new adventures you take in life. But, I suppose, it will take time for me. I come from an era where women my age still go to school. We don't worry about marriage and having children."

"You do realise that my son will not force you into anything until you are ready, correct?" Tsukiko asked.

"Yes," Kagome whispered. "I know. I trust him. But what if it takes me years?"

"Then it takes years. My son is a patient man, Kagome," Tsukiko replied. "I do admit, he was not always so. He was quite the brat - but my mate was always stern with him, and that is what has shaped my son into who he is today."

Kagome chuckled. "I can't imagine Sesshomaru as a brat."

Tsukiko snorted. "Trust me, it is not something you wish to witness. He set the kitchens on fire once because the cook refused to give him sweets."

"Are you sure we're talking about Sesshomaru here?"

"Oh, my dear, there is so much you don't know," Tsukiko laughed. She then signalled one of the servants over. "Get more tea and cake. I have gossip stories to exchange with my future daughter-in-law, and for that we'll need sustenance."