Part Two: Roasting Marshmallows

"Ta~daaa!"

Kagome turned back from her sleeping bag triumphantly. In her hands was a large, poofy bag of marshmallows, the obnoxiously large kind used for camping. Grabbing two sticks she'd set aside earlier while they were setting up camp, the young girl couldn't help the grin plastered across her face.

'There's no way he could mess this up!' She giggled to herself, plopping down next to her killjoy companion. Shoving the bag into Sesshomaru's hands, Kagome set to building the fire back up.

"Could you open the bag for me Sesshomaru? It's going to take me a minute to get the fire big enough for us to roast marshmallows."

Moving to their pile of collected branches, the small girl completely missed the look of utter bewilderment on the inuyoukai's face. Carefully arranging the sticks how her mother had shown them earlier, she had just bent down to blow on the crackling embers when...

SHHRRRK

A loud and slightly ominous burst noise came from behind her, followed by something pelting her back. Turning to look over her shoulder, cerulean eyes blinked in disbelief and mild disappointment. Surrounded by large marshmallow-shrapnel, Sesshomaru was staring at her with a horrified expression, claws still gripping the remainder of the bag. Which, surprisingly enough, had exactly two of the fluffy treats left inside.

Biting her lip as she was caught between being irritated and laughing at the sight he made, Kagome finally decided to take pity on her friend. It was hard not to, especially with the look of regret he was giving each dirt covered marshmallow now littering the area.

"Don't worry- I used to do that all the time! At least you managed to save one for each of us!"

She couldn't help the smile that strained her cheeks at the pout he sent her way, but still directed, "Go ahead and put one on the end of each stick, okay?"

Bracing her hands as she leaned down, Kagome blew on the embers until they caught once more, then added more kindling to help feed it into the new wood. Proud of herself for restarting the fire, the small girl settled back down by the sterling-haired youkai now holding the speared mallows. Brushing the dirt from her hands, she accepted one of the treat-tipped sticks with delight.

"And now we're ready! Just do exactly as I do, alright Sesshomaru?" With that said, Kagome promptly stuck her marshmallow above the fire. After a moment of hesitation, the inu followed suit, easily mimicking her movements as she turned her stick slowly.

"What exactly are we doing again?" His soft voice made her smile grow larger. The young girl realized that he hadn't spoken a word since she'd smacked him, and felt a bit guilty for losing her temper. After all, this was her idea, and they were supposed to be having fun!

Keeping an eye on their slowly browning treats, Kagome sheepishly answered, "We're roasting marshmallows! It is a long, time-honored tradition of camping- you put the mallow on a stick, like we've done, and slowly let them heat over the fire."

She watched him purse his lips as he considered her response, and was pleased when he adjusted his grip on his stick as he asked, "How can you tell when they are done?"

At least he was showing some enthusiasm for their new activity. Giggling, she said, "It depends on the person- a lot of people would have pulled theirs out by now, but I know the secret to getting the perfect gooey-mallow."

Leaning over, she looked around before she in a hushed voice, "If you want the best flavor, you wait until it's on fire!"

As she spoke, both their now blackened and bubbly mallows caught fire. Squealing excitedly, she quickly pulled hers out of the flames, blowing on her toasted morsel before looking at her friend in encouragement. Face set in concentration, Sesshomaru brought his flaming treat close as she had and, taking a deep breath, blew.

Unfortunately, his marshmallow wasn't seated as firmly on the stick, and both children watched as the still-flaming glob was propelled through the air, up over the fire, to land with a sickening plop.

Right on Kagome's bright-pink sleeping bag.

With a frantic screech, the girl dove for her water bottle, throwing it on the molten projectile and the small flames now licking at the shiny surface of her bedding. There was a soft hiss, and then the marshmallow was doused, leaving Kagome looking at the destroyed mess of her bag holding an empty water bottle and her quickly-cooling treat-tipped stick. Sesshomaru was beside her, staring morosely at the carnage he'd inadvertently caused, shoulders slumped in defeat.

"I'm so sorry, Kagome. I've ruined everything tonight and-" His apology was cut short by Kagome's raised hand. A moment passed and she looked between the crime scene at her feet, the only remaining marshmallow in her hand, and her friend, who was looking at her with a miserable expression. Sighing, she did the last thing young inu expected.

"Here." Her blackened mallow was thrust abruptly in his face, and the raven-haired girl smiled encouragingly at his confused expression.

"You still haven't tried a roasted marshmallow," she explained, having already forgiven him for the minor fiasco. "And your bag should be big enough for both of us tonight. We'll be more warm that way, so it's probably better in the long run."

When he continued to look at her in confusion, guilt and hope warring in his eyes, she shook her head as she leaned in, taking a large bite of gooey-delicious mallow. Wiping at the stickiness on her lips and chin, she took advantage of Sesshomaru's now shocked expression by shoving the rest of the treat into his open mouth.

Laughing when he stumbled back from her, she watched as he finally chewed and swallowed, enjoying the savoring expression on his face.

"Accidents happen. As long as we share, nothing's ruined, am I right?"

Her gently asked question had the desired effect, and Kagome felt the urge to dance at the grin now stretching her companion's striped cheeks. She decided that it didn't matter if nothing went as planned the rest of the night, as long as she could keep making him smile like that.

~o~

...in which everything that can go wrong, will. Because Sesshomaru is just good like that XD

Yeah, I destroyed her bed... cause now I have an excuse to have them cuddle together while they sleep C'mon... tell me you're not picturing the cuteness of that moment now?

This is the second chapter in a three-part story arc XD

I hope you are enjoying so far, and next and final part will be up tomorrow. Expect some SERIOUS fluff X3

This chapter is NOT beta'd because I'm not going to rush my loverly beta like that, so deal with the errors peeps.

As always, feedback and comments are VERY appreciated! I love you all for loving this story so much :3

ENJOY!

Characters Belong to Rumiko Takehashi

Plot Bunnies Belong to Me