Disclaimer: All but the plot to this particular story rightfully belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.
Words: 435
Firelight
Kagome pulled her knees up to her chest as she stared into the small fire with a glower. She did not like to be handled, nor did she like to be refused her responsibilities. It was her obligation to tell the village she would be gone. As the resident miko. As a friend.
She exhaled hurriedly and rested her chin on her hand, looking over to the brush beside a dark gap in the trees where Sesshoumaru had disappeared through.
"I will hunt. Stay," he had instructed.
She huffed again and buried her face in her arms. Well, at least he was considerate.
A snap behind her made her instantly tense. She peered over her shoulder as her spine straightened. Instinctively, Kagome felt herself warm with power.
"Purification will not be necessary."
Kagome sighed, relieved.
Sesshoumaru's figure stepped out into the firelight with three rabbits in hand. He crouched beside the fire and tossed the unsuspecting Kagome one of his kill. "Prepare it as you please, human."
She yelped as several droplets of blood soiled her kimono. "Hey!" She glared. Her expression wavered as she remembered he had brought her a meal and she nodded her head in gratitude. "It's Kagome."
Sesshoumaru paid no attention. He skinned his rabbits effortlessly and wove the carcass around a large branch. Leaning back against a tree, he raised one knee and angled the branch over the fire.
Sighing yet again, Kagome filtered through several rocks with her hands. Settling on a flatter, sharper stone, she began her own tedious process. As she peeled away the rabbit's skin, she felt her frustrations slowly dissipate. After a while, however, she found herself feeling sort of awkward in their silence. Peeking up at him, she saw his golden gaze on her.
Kagome made a noise and returned her focus to her slaughter. Her shoulders slumped as she pulled back to survey her work. Her lap was soaked in blood and patches of jaggedly-cut fur hung from the rabbit's flesh. It had been a long time since she had to prepare her own meat, she realized. Usually it was Inuyasha who took it upon himself to get it done quickly, all the while complaining about being taken advantage of.
Shaking her head, she continued. Kagome allowed herself another glimpse in Sesshoumaru's direction before finally breaking the silence. "Sesshoumaru-sama?"
He grunted.
She pulled back another strip of fur with a grimace. "What's the rush?"
Sesshoumaru twisted the branch in his hand, dipping the rabbits into the fire. His ears twitched as the meat sizzled. "I believe Rin is in heat."
(A/N: No, Sesshoumaru will not be attracted to a child. Don't worry.)