Playing Mister Romantic

It's been approximately a year since Sesshoumaru found Rin, his half-demon daughter on his front porch. It's been four months since Sesshoumaru had asked Miss Kagome to be his girlfriend. How can Daddy Fluffy possibly be a loving father and a loving boyfriend at the same time?

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters.

x x x

"Wow, Kago look pwetty!"

Rin, dressed in a purple kimono with butterflies on it with a pink obi sash and sandals, ran up to Kagome and tugged at the older woman's hakamas. The Fujiwara Shrine Festival was a hit, seeing all of the people dressed in traditional clothing around the duo. Kagome smiled at the small hanyou beside her, picking her up and allowing her to make herself comfortable.

Sesshoumaru had to agree—Kagome looked quite beautiful in her miko attire. She wore a pair of red hakamas with a white haori, her hair loosely tied with a single white bow. With the Shikon no Tama on her finger, all Kagome needed was her bow and arrows, then she would truly look like the miko that she really was.

"Oh, Rin. Look at you! You're so adorable!" Kagome crooned and in response, Rin gave her a toothy smile. From the corners of her eyes, the miko stole a glance at Sesshoumaru and felt her heart beat pick up again. He oozed demon royalty with his outfit of choice—a white kimono with red cherry blossom designs, white sashinuki hakamas, black ankle high boots, with a long fur pelt.

This is most probably what he used to wear all those years ago...Kagome thought. Here she was, walking with the actual Lord Sesshoumaru from the Western Lands. She felt giddy just being in his presence and it seemed as if her mood was successfully rubbing off on Little Rin.

"Kagome!"

At the sound of her name, Kagome and Sesshoumaru turned to see Sango, followed by a young man, approaching them. Sango was dressed in a long pink kimono with a white daisy pattern, staying securely closed with a yellow obi sash. Kagome noticed that she was wearing her taijiya jumpsuit underneath her kimono—typical for Sango. The man behind her wore monk clothing, with a string of beads wrapped around his right arm. Kagome concluded that this man was Miroku Fujiwara.

Sango came to a stop and glance at Sesshoumaru, holding back her glare. The last thing she wanted to do make conflict between her and Kagome. All Sango needed to do was act civil, that was it. "Oh, Kagome. I haven't seen you in your chihaya since freshmen year of high school. Brings back so many memories!" Sango chided, giving her a tight hug. A small cough came from her left and Sango realized that she had accidentally dragged a person along with her. "Oh yeah. Kagome, meet Miroku. Miroku, meet Kagome."

Kagome smiled and bowed in respect towards the man as he did the same. Turning towards Sesshoumaru, the miko did not dare want him to feel left out, not when their relationship was in a great state. "Sango, Miroku, this is Sesshoumaru and Rin," she introduced as Rin gave them both a bright smile as Sesshoumaru nodded towards their directions.

"I'm Rin!"

At the little girl's input, the rest of them couldn't help but chuckle at the girl's cheekiness.

Miroku began showing them around the shrine, explaining to them the history of his own family. He came from a long line of monks, but decided against being on by studying to become a doctor. His excuse was that he was not pure enough to live like a monk. But in his defense, he was still able to assist people as a doctor and get paid very well.

Sesshoumaru paid no attention to any of Miroku's babbles. He knew the shrine's history already, seeing that he passed this shrine many times during his journey across Feudal Japan. But Rin, Sango, and Kagome seemed engrossed with his story, which made Sesshoumaru shut his mouth.

"Ah, young Miroku. Are you telling these young folks about our temple?" an older man had asked, which who Kagome guessed was Mushin, Miroku's grandfather.

Kagome and Sesshoumaru were even more surprised to see Inuyasha, Kikyo, Kouga, and a red-haired wolf demon, who were all following the older monk.

"Oi, Sesshoumaru! Surprised to see you out of your cave!" Inuyasha teased, as Kikyo, along with the red-haired demon, approached Kagome, Rin, and Sango!

Kikyo and Kagome looked nearly identical in clothing, while the red-haired demon, whom Kikyo introduced as Ayame, Kouga's wife, wore an outfit that was similar to Kouga's.

"Kikyo, you're a miko?" Kagome questioned, looking at Kikyo with awe.

The older woman nodded and smiled. "I was, before I met Inuyasha. After I mated and married him, I left my duties and passed it on to the priestess-in-training."

Kagome nodded , feeling a bit more pride that she was able to know this information about her former professor. Kagome had always looked up to Kikyo even before she was in college. It was said that she had met Inuyasha around 1800s and abandoned her duties as a shrine maiden, saying that it was better to follow her heart than her duties. When Kagome had the opportunity to take her class in college, her name was first on the list.

Sango was amused at the fact that everyone's lives somehow intersected with each other.

Inuyasha took the privilege of explaining everyone's connection. "I met Miroku in college. We sat in the same Japanese History class and constantly made fun of our professor for getting his facts wrong. Ever since then, we've remained good friends and I took the liberty of introducing him to Kouga and Ayame too," Inuyasha explained as everyone nodded.

Kikyo, who was too tired to listen to her husband talk, clapped her hands loudly and pushed Inuyasha out of the way. "Okay! I'm not a fan of just standing around so," Kikyo paused, taking Rin out of her father's grasp, "Inuyasha, Miroku, and Miss Sango and I will be taking Rin around and showing off her adorable self to everyone. You lot can do whatever the hell you want!"

Sesshoumaru glared at Kikyo's usage of foul language but chose to ignore it. This meant having alone time with Kagome, which was a big plus on his part. He watched as Kagome shifted beside him, obviously anxious about Rin's well-being in the hands of Kikyo, Inuyasha, Miroku, and Sango. She was sure that Rin would be safe in Miroku and Sango's arms, seeing that she'd be in the hands of a doctor and an elementary teacher, but Inuyasha and Kikyo?

The older woman rolled her eyes. "Kagome, I've been around a billion children. Rin is safe with us—now scram!" Kikyo playfully explained as they began to walk away.

Feeling a bit left out, Kouga pouted and looked the pair and then back at the group. Grabbing Ayame's hands, Kouga gave them a wolfish grin before running after them. "As much as I love you both—more Kagome, less Sesshoumaru—but yeah. I'm not trying to cockblock, bye!"

And so there they were. Alone. By themselves. With no Rin. Again.

At least Mother is not here to ruin it. Sesshoumaru thought as Kagome began to look around.

"Is there any booths you want to check out?" Kagome asked, scanning the shrine for anything interesting.

Sesshoumaru decided to do the same, spotting a booth that he knew Kagome would find interesting. Grabbing her hand, Sesshoumaru silently led her to his destination, ignoring all the looks the people gave them. So what if he was Sesshoumaru Taisho and he was at a festival? If he wanted to be social, then he could be social.

Stopping at the both, Sesshoumaru wasn't shock to hear Kagome's gasp. The booth was filled with intricate gems, some resembling the Shikon no Tama that resided on her finger. He watched as she looked at each of them, lifting some of them at eye-level to get a better look. Kagome looked like a child in a candy shop, grinning widely at the sight of a new jewel.

"These look beautiful!"

Sesshoumaru nodded as she continued to bounce from booth to booth, her grip on his arm stronger than ever. He didn't mind—as long as she held on to him. She continued to hold numerous things up for him to look and comment at and he did, if that was what made her happy.

"Sesshoumaru, look!"

Kagome stood and pointed at the booth that was apparently holding an archery contest. There wasn't much attention going on at the booth, with most of the people just merely walking past by it. The young miko quickly shifted her grip to Sesshoumaru's hand before slowly walking up to touch one of the bows.

An old man suddenly appeared, grinning at Kagome's curiosity. "Are you an archer, dear child?"

Kagome shook her head, her fingers never leaving the bow's grip. "Oh no, I'm just a miko. I haven't been trained or anything..."

The old man shook his head and took the bow out of its case. "Nonsense! Every miko knows how to wield a bow and arrow! Here, have a try!"

Sesshoumaru gave her a little push, encouraging her to at least give it a try.

Kagome nervously held the bow in her hand as the old man handed her an arrow. She walked towards the line and breathed. Building up the courage, Kagome got into position, not knowing she even knew what to do but felt that it was the natural thing to do. Closing one eye and focusing on the target, Kagome cocked back the arrow and released.

Sesshoumaru, the old man, and those around them watched in amazement as the arrow was soon covered with a pink glow. Not only did it hit the mark—it destroyed the space around it, leaving only the middle.

Kagome quickly put down the bow and bowed deeply to the old man, a worried expression on her face. "I'm so sorry! I honestly didn't mean to do that—I didn't even know I could do that!" she apologized as Sesshoumaru came over to wrap an arm around her shoulder.

The old man laughed and helped Kagome stand up straight, a reassuring look plastered on his face. "No worries, my child. What you should be worried about is that strong miko energy you have!"

Sesshoumaru had to agree. Of all the years he had been alive, he had never witnessed such power. He had seen numerous mikos with the same pink glow around them but none as strong as Kagome's. And the fact that she had no idea she held such power shocked Sesshoumaru.

"My, my, my, Mister Taisho. I see you've gotten yourself a miko girlfriend. How ironic," a familiar voice taunted.

The taiyoukai groaned and held Kagome close to him. Turning around, he wasn't surprised to see Kagura, his former secretary. She was dressed in a basic green kosode with a yellow obi, along with green earrings and a feather on her hair. As she approached the duo, Kagura put her fan down and stared at Kagome.

"What do you want, Kagura?" Sesshoumaru snarled, his grip on Kagome tightening.

Kagura clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes. "Aren't you glad to see your former secretary? I have to say, I've missed you, Mister Tai-sho," she taunted, her voice oozing with seduction.

Kagome didn't like the woman in front of them and she didn't like the fact that she was watching Sesshoumaru like a hawk. Her demonic aura was weak but Kagome wanted to pummel her. Was this what jealous felt?

Sesshoumaru sensed Kagome's aura spike up, obviously not liking Kagura's presence. It made him feel...proud. It was as if Kagome was staking her claim on him. "Leave now, Kagura. Stop ruining our time," Sesshoumaru declared.

Kagura flipped her hair and scoffed. "Fine, I won't ruin your little date with this miko. But mark my words, Sesshoumaru," she paused, opening her fan and placing it in front of her lips, "This won't be the last time you see me."

After the wind demon left, Kagome felt herself calm down. She had never felt such emotion before, mixed in with her new-found miko energy, but it felt exhilarating.

Sesshoumaru held her in his arms, pushing back her bangs and checking her face. "Are you feeling okay? Don't worry about her. She's nothing," he reassured as he spotted Kouga and Inuyasha arguing with Miroku being the mediator, while Kikyo, Ayame, and Sango were keeping Rin company by the koi pond. "Let's see what our dear friends are doing, shall we?"

Kagome nodded. Spending time with Rin would keep her mind off of the woman. But before they left, Kagome's eyes couldn't help but wander back to the spot where Kagura had stood. What does that woman want from Sesshoumaru?

x x x

After realizing that it was getting late, Miroku suggested it was time to go home. Rin was comfortably nestled in Inuyasha's arms, to the surprise of Kikyo and Sesshoumaru.

"We'll tuck in Rin for you, Sesshou. You go drop Kagome off," Kikyo assured as everyone went their separate ways.

The car ride to the shrine had been a quiet one, but it was comfortable. His hand played with her fingers and she sighed in pleasure.

Sesshoumaru pulled up in front of the shrine and ran towards her side to open her door, being greeted with Kagome's sweet smile. She held his hand as she got out, careful not to step on the puddle and getting her hakamas wet.

"Today's been fun," she confessed as they reached the top of the stairs.

Sesshoumaru nodded in response. "Indeed. I've never seen Rin that hyperactive before," he stated, stopping at her front door.

"Sorry about the whole arrow and the target thing..." she started quietly, but before she could explain herself, Sesshoumaru hushed her with his lips.

It was a soft kiss and Sesshoumaru did nothing more to deepen it. He knew that Kagome was still unsure about where she stood with his feelings towards him and he didn't want to rush her. Pulling back, he watched as she fluttered her eyes open.

"You know, I can really get used to that."

Sesshoumaru felt his heart soar. She was the perfect woman. Intelligent, sassy, forgiving—strong. Although she was human, Kagome was different. She had single-handedly broke down his walls and took care of Rin like she was his own. His only wish was that she felt the same towards hims.

"I like you."

Her voice was so small that he barely heard it. He looked at her face, seeing a playful smile playing on her lips.

"I. Like. You. Do I have to repeat it, Sesshou?" she teased, poking his chest repeatedly. Sesshoumaru chuckled before re-claiming her lips. "I know, I know. It's not exactly an 'I love you', but it's close enough, right?" she giggled.

Sesshoumaru had to agree. She was getting there and with a bit more progress, Sesshoumaru was sure that he would be hearing an 'I love you' from here soon. "Don't call me Sesshou, Kago,"

Rolling her eyes, she half-stepped into her home and raised a brow. "Don't miss me too much, Sesshy!" she squealed out before running into the comforts of her home, afraid of how Sesshoumaru was going to react.

He stared at her retreating back and stood at her doorsteps for a few more minutes, a goofy smile on his lips.

Kagome, Kagome, Kagome. Where would I be without you? He thought as he went back to his car, smiling at the thought of a small miko named Kagome Higurashi.

x x x

Heheheh, here's Kagura and Kagome's spiritual character! Kind of wrote this
while I was in a rush buuuuuut whateves! A little bit of bonding time with the two,
but now that Kagura has been introduced, it's time to get down to business!

Hope you are all having fabulous nights ~ and don't forget to read and review!

xoxo kunfucious

xoxo kunfucious