A/N: 00:33 on the 26/08/09 here. One more chapter of my unusual story coming up. This is where the story really kicks off. Slowly. Think of it as a slow motion moment. Is it weird that I find myself lacking when it comes to American college and college student's lifestyles? I shall have to consult someone!

Perfume

The particular pharmacy Jakotsu was after happened to be on the other side of the commercial centre of town, "Why not the closer one?" Sesshoumaru asked waspishly, he wanted to go see what pictures were being shown at the cinema. "Dad wants some special kind of headache medicine you can't get at the other place. It's coming up for mum's birthday in a fortnight and if I buy her gift at Shikon Makeup she'll find out because her friend's the manager and you know she can't keep a secret to save her life."

"You haven't bought her gift yet? This Sesshoumaru bought hers last month."

Jakotsu rolled his eyes, "Which of us is the crazy organised one who organises his films and books by author or title and genre?"

"It's logical."

"You've been doing that since you were eight." 'Tsu retorted, although he actually had found Sesshoumaru's organisational skills incredibly useful when they were younger.

"And if I recall correctly, and I do, you took to doing the same thing when we started high school." Sesshoumaru returned with a triumphant smirk. It occurred to Jakotsu that his friend was too knowing, and wasn't shocked when he then asked, "Isn't one of the tiller's there your crush of the month?"

He laughed wryly, "Oh, Sesshy, Sesshy, Sesshy, how wrong you are. That's old news. I gave up hope a while ago. He moved away. But if I see a nice boy or girl for you I'll be sure to point them out to you." Sesshoumaru only rolled his eyes, ''Tsu is on four missions today then.'

"This Sesshoumaru thinks that you're obsessed with getting him a date."

"Maaaaaaybe a little bit." 'Tsu admitted goodnaturedly. "But maybe you'll see something there that you want too." Barely a second later he added slyly, "Hopefully it'll be a person." He gasped as his friend gave him a little shove. "You're mean!" He shouted at Sesshoumaru who'd walked a little distance ahead while Jakotsu was trying to regain his balance. Running to catch up he called after him, "Try keeping your balance in heels and then you'll be treating me differently."

"I'm tall, I'll never need them." 'Tsu muttered something incomprehensible that he didn't catch and Sesshoumaru knew not to ask for as it was almost certainly some nonsense worthy of Carroll.

After a few more minutes of automatically taking short cuts 'Tsu spoke again, "I'm thinking of getting her some perfume, she's only got the dregs of a bottle left you know and she was talking about that only the other day. What did you get her Sesshy?"

"A book."

"Ah."

"Has everyone else got her presents?"

"I'm the last I think."

"If all your family knows she's out of perfume maybe your father'll buy it as an extra present, or one of your siblings." Sesshoumaru added offhandedly, supposing that Mrs. Shintachi had mentioned the perfume as an easy option for anyone stuck for ideas. "D'you really think so?"

"It's likely."

"Then I'm stuck again. If I buy a little bottle anyway, then I could get her some . . . clothes?" 'Tsu then fixed him with a pleading look. Sesshoumaru blinked and looked away, "You have a good taste in clothes. Izayoi and Father were surprised you didn't go into design and textiles for your degree, especially after all those years of begging Izayoi to show you how to sew."

"I like chemistry and it'll be useful later." Jakotsu replied. "Who knows, perhaps I'll turn Shikon Makeup into a world famous brand with branches all over the world.

"If that fails I can be a millionaire after discovering a new way of strengthening something or other important and useful."

"And then the philosopher's stone."

"And the elixir of life!" 'Tsu laughed, "I am after all a dashingly handsome young man, loved by everyone. It'd be a shame to deprive the world of my genius, Sesshy. It's my civic duty to all the world to live forever."

"Hnnn."

"'Hnnn' you say. You're a jealous little Sesshy." He joked as he walked into the pharmacy. "Come on then, my mum wants perfume, and perfume she shall get!" he said with a determined look on his face as they set off into the befuddling world of cosmetics. For Sesshoumaru it was a confusing experience, as he took his fist steps into an unknown world; Jakotsu at least, knew something of cosmetics thanks to his employment at the makeup shop.

Small little testers littered the shelves of each notable and famous brand as well as the lesser known, but far cheaper options. To the left sat in a glory of luxurious gilt and cream the glass cubes containing the most famous of fragrances: Chanel. Further on was Tweed, No. 7, all these and more were cast about in a bewildering array to the two young men!

Sesshoumaru wrinkled up his nose at the cloying scent that hovered as a clinging opiate in the narrow aisles. He hissed before beating a hasty retreat to the end of the row of perfumes and scents. "Ah, shit, Sesshy, I didn't think these would've aggravated you as much. You feeling okay?" 'Tsu asked, his face a mask of concern as he followed after his friend. "It's too much all at once. One or two's fine, but not all this" Sesshoumaru waved an encompassing hand at the bottles. "I'll feel better in a minute, go look for your mum's present."

Hesitatingly, Jakotsu began to peruse the myriad bottles, spraying them occasionally to see if they were of a scent his mum enjoyed; but he often looked back to his friend who now sported very lightly flushed cheeks. "I thought his asthma was all but gone." He confided quietly to a tester of overly strong fragrance created by some asinine celebrity. "This will never do. Mum likes a gentler scent." He said aloud as he thought, 'This would aggravate Sesshy's asthma terribly, gods, it's been years since he was last even affected by it. I didn't even realise it was still there. I doubt even he did.'

Idly plucking up a tester of something called Opium Jakotsu gave it a test and was pleasantly surprised by the subtle scent. It was a little floral, but quite like sandalwood too. Thinking quickly he read the back and saw that it was safe for asthmatics so he walked back to the corner where Sesshoumaru lurked and said, "Hey, can you smell this and tell me what you think?"

Sesshoumaru saw the hidden question in his friend's request: Was he up to it? Especially since he hadn't carried an inhaler for four years. He took a few breaths, and said, "Yes." 'Tsu looked at him for a long moment before he nodded to himself and then cheekily spritzed the unsuspecting Sesshoumaru with the perfume.

Flinching under the sudden assault he couldn't help but draw a startled breath. He blinked a little hazily and wiped at his watering eyes before giving his verdict. "It's nice. Better than some of Izayoi's ones."

"Really? I thought it was lovely too."

"It's not too strong, and it's not very flowery. I might buy some for Granny or Izayoi. How much is it?"

"Not much, I checked the price, and it's well within my budget. I could even buy Mum a designer top!"

"Then get it. And don't forget your dad's medicine."

"Hehehe, what would I do without you my dear Sesshy? It's gone clean out of my head." He reached into his pocket and drew out a piece of paper with the name of the medicine on it, "I'll go pay for these, if you want you can wait outside."

Sesshoumaru was pleased at the chance to escape the heat and bustle of the shop, so he waited patiently outside. 'Tsu was a littler slower in coming than he'd expected, but when he came positively skipping out of the exit Sesshoumaru gave a little smirk. "Who is it?"

"Oh, a darling little tiller complimented my jacket. I've got a new little crush, and one with such darling hair! It's long and pretty – not as long or pretty as yours Sesshy, but then again whose is? – and the poor dear! You won't believe this." He added, dropping his voice to a hush as if he were imparting a deep secret. Sesshoumaru's eyes laughed at the melodrama, but he still leant his head closer to his friend's to hear what he had to say. "He was wearing the most uncomplimentary clothing! I know it's uniform, but it doesn't suit his complexion one jot!"

"And the unfortunate paramour's name?"

Jakotsu stopped short and a young child walked right into the backs of their legs, falling down, before getting up and walking on; but not before casting a look of reproach at the stunned man, "I don't know!" he exclaimed, "I didn't look at his name badge."

"Fool." Sesshoumaru said affectionately.

"I'll just have to go back again later on." Jakotsu said decidedly before walking onwards. "It's getting late and I'm thirsty. Want to stop off at Delish?"

"Your treat."

Jakotsu sighed, "Fine."

Post – story A/N: Heh. I finished exactly twenty - four hours later. The perfume made an appearance. This gave me some trouble, mainly because I know nothing about perfumes and couldn't get into town to do some research.

Any guesses to Jakotsu's crush? Here's a clue: you don't need one. :P