Tea For Two
"Sorry… I saw the light…"
Although it was nearing midnight, Sesshoumaru wasn't surprised to see Kagome. This wasn't her first late-night visit since Inuyasha's death, nor, he suspected, would it be the last.
"Don't apologize. You know it's fine."
Following him into the kitchen, Kagome pulled a mug from the cupboard waiting for him to prepare tea. It was a new routine – share a cup of tea in silence before she left again.
"Not tonight." He'd seen her bloodshot eyes. Taking the mug, Sesshoumaru guided her toward the bedroom.
"Sesshoumaru?"
"You need sleep."
"But…"
"Sleep, Kagome," he ordered, pulling back sheets before tucking her beneath the billowing comforter. He turned to leave, stilling when her hand gripped his.
"Stay? Please? I don't want to be alone."
Lying on the covers next to her, Sesshoumaru watched her drift into slumber. In the dim light, he could see the dark circles around her eyes, the sharp relief of cheekbones, both clear signs she wasn't caring for herself. He could imagine how angry Inuyasha would have been if he was able to see her like this.
'What am I going to do with you?' Sesshoumaru wondered, tucking back a stray lock of hair.
A/N: Written for the LiveJournal Community, dokuga_contest, and their Weekly Perfection prompt, Billow, this bit clocks in at 200 words, exactly. Originally posted April 24, 2010.