Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, and in truth, I only own the interpretation of a certain narrator and some characters and perhaps bits and pieces of the nonexistent plot. Also, this is melancholy and kind of about Christmas but not really.

They were still in the winter months when Kagome saw Sesshoumaru-sama again. How long it had been, Kagome was unsure.

"Come on, Rin-chan," Kagome smiled. Rin glanced up to her Sesshoumaru-sama with a bright smile. Sesshoumaru-sama's 'hn' was enough for Rin to rush over.

With a bright smile, Kagome led Rin to Kaede's hut. "It must have been a long journey, Rin-chan, especially in the winter."

The girl shrugged with a smile. "Sesshoumaru-sama makes sure that I am safe, Kagome-nee-san."

From her bangs, Kagome studied the girl. She was changing, becoming more than a child. Already, her childhood cuteness was melting away to a certain prettiness, to gangly limbs and shapely face. Kagome ruffled Rin's hair with a soft smile.

"Go on to Kaede's," Kagome said, "I need to finish speaking with Sesshoumaru-sama."

In a rush of black hair, Rin was gone. Turning back, Kagome felt her brow furrow. Breathing deeply, she walked back to Sesshoumaru-sama. With each step she took, the more the uneasiness in her stomach grew. Kagome had never really understood the stoic yokai lord, and she'd never really wanted to. The memory of his dokasso was still too fresh. Kagome internally moaned at the sudden queasiness. Forget for now, Kagome, she told herself. Swallowing, Kagome looked up and nearly took a step back when she saw Sesshoumaru-sama's intense expression.

"Miko, my ward needs to learn human customs. She is on the cusp of adulthood."

"Eh," Kagome squinted, then her eyes widened. "Oh!" With a dull flush, Kagome fidgeted in the intermittent silence. "Erm, so Sesshoumaru-sama, what exactly do you want us to do?"

Sesshoumaru-sama only stared. Perhaps, Kagome reasoned to herself, he thought that what he wanted was obvious. Or maybe, Kagome frowned, he wasn't sure what he wanted. Either way, couldn't he dignify her with a response, any response? And what more, Kagome realized, why was he just bursting in here demanding? They weren't his servants, and they weren't at his disposal. Bristling, Kagome squared her shoulders.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, what would you like for Rin-chan? What kind of human customs? Did someone already speak to her about…" Kagome flushed anew, "About being an adult. Is she going to come and visit or will we meet to teach her occasionally-

"Cease."

Kagome opened her mouth. How dare he- Already, Kagome felt her reiki rising. Gritting her teeth, she forced it down. Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama was an arrogant dog, but he was also a powerful, deadly one. Breathing in deeply, Kagome curled her fists and waited.

It was several minutes before he spoke. "This Sesshoumaru-sama will leave his ward in your care for a year-"

"What?"

"You dare," he asked. The rest of his question remained unsaid, but Kagome understood. She understood perfectly.

"Yeah, I do," Kagome retorted, eyes flashing as she stared up to the demon lord. "Does Rin-chan know? What, were you just planning to leave her here?"

Gasping against, the demon lord's oppressive aura, Kagome finally allowed her powers to unfurl. Their gazes locked in a cool stand-off. The demon lord's blank gaze had turned coldly menacing.

"Your reiki is like a drop to an ocean against me, Miko. Do not forget," he said. Turning away in a silent flurry of silks, he began walking before pausing, "No, my ward was not informed."

"Sesshoumaru-sama," Kagome called, desperate, "You can't just leave Rin-chan here like this! You're practically her father!" However, he simply continued walking. "Sesshoumaru-sama," Kagome yelled, "human children are very fragile. You can't, it could cause her damage-"

It was only then that he stopped. Running to catch up, Kagome paused panting. Sesshoumaru only cocked his head and raised a brow in silent question.

Original Posting Date: December 30, 2017

Prompt: N/A

Word Count: 609

Note: Eh... Don't judge too much? Enjoy! Happy holidays! :)
***I have the dreadful habit of writing for fandoms I know nothing about. Let it be known: I have never actually read the InuYasha manga or seen the anime.