"Oh, thank you, Mama! Thank you so much!"

Kagome launched herself at her mother, squealing in delight at her birthday gift. She had just turned 7, and this year she'd received a brand new bicycle! Well, it wasn't brand new, but her mom had cleaned it up and painted it her favorite shade of baby pink. Attached to the handled were white and pink tassels and the wheels were a sparkling white that she knew had probably put her mother back a bit in expenses.

However, she knew better than to say anything, and instead did her best to make certain her mother knew how much she appreciated the beautiful bike with all her heart. Her mother chuckled softly before gently gently nudging her back towards her present and a confused looking inuyoukai.

"Why don't you go show Sesshomaru how to ride it, okay Kagome?"

Blue eyes sparkled as she nodded, running back to her friend and bicycle. Kagome's mother smiled fondly at her exuberant offspring, and with a final glance turned to go finish up her daughter's birthday cake.

"Now, just watch me, Sessho-chan, and then I'll let you have a go at it!" Straddling the glitzed-out two-wheeler, she kicked up the stand with practiced ease before setting her foot against the sturdy plastic pedal.

"You have to raise the kickstand while you are riding, or else you'll catch on it and fall over," she explained diligently as she pressed down, catching the other pedal in the down-curve of rotation. Pumping her legs smoothly, she rode her bike in a circle around the now-curious lordling, noting the interest written in his eyes as he watched her.

"You use the handles to steer the bike in the direction you want to go, and press back on the pedals," she executed a quick stop, bracing a foot on the ground to maintain her balance, "when you want to brake."

"Amazing..." Sesshomaru said softly, a rare note of wonder tinting his voice. "Might I try?"

Kagome giggled, swinging off the bike in response. She held it for him as he mounted, humming in understanding when he wobbled for a moment trying to get a feel for the balance. "Normally, you start with training wheels until you learn how to keep the bike from-"

She was stopped as Sesshomaru eased away from her, operating her new bicycle as though he'd been riding one all his life. He began to pick up speed, moving around the shrine yard in zigzags and circles, careful to avoid getting to close to her. Grinning widely, she applauded his ease with the new skill, cheering, "You've got it! You ride like a pro!"

"Pro?" Golden eyes glanced at her in confusion, and in his momentary distraction he accidentally veered towards Goshinboku.

Kagome gasped at the accident in the making. Sesshomaru must have seen the warning in her expression, and before she could tell him to hit the brakes he turned back around, jerking his feet back as he'd seen her do before. However, he didn't take into account how fast he was going, and as the bike jerked to a halt the young inu flipped over the handlebars skidding into the base of the tree with his feet in the air.

"Sessho-chan!" The young girl rushed to her friend, kneeling beside him worriedly. "Oh Kami, are you okay?"

The young inu's eyes were squinted shut, his hands still clasped tightly to the handles of the bike as he lied there holding his breath. Squinting an eye open at the sound of her voice, he blinked up at her before taking in his current position. Then, he did the last thing she could have expected.

"Hahahahahahahaha!" Sesshomaru was shaking, legs still hanging uselessle above him as he succumbed to laughter. Kagome looked on in confusion, and when it became apparent that he'd suffered no real injuries she started laughing with him, relief sweeping through her at a dizzying rate.

"You baka!" She swatted playfully at his legs, pushing him onto his side as he continued to chortle in an undignified manner. "You have to be more careful- you really could have hurt yourself!"

She gasped as another thought occurred to her, and she scowled at him as she playfully chided, "You could have hurt my bike!"

At her indignant declaration Sesshomaru laughed harder, clutching at his sides as mirth strained at his ribs. Rolling her eyes at his antics, Kagome stood up and went to set her bike against the house, deciding that they'd had enough "practice" for one day.

...in which Sesshomaru participates in a long-standing milestone~ falling off the bike your first time riding it XD

This chapter is dedicated to Olivia Latimer (known as ~rosesbloodylove on dA) , as she gave me the idea for it! That's right, this is a completely unplanned chapter, but it just fit so well! Was so totally inspired by teh idea, that I wrote this chapter in an hour!

So be sure to go to her page and give her thanks... go on... right now... I'd rather you thank her for the awesome idea than comment XD

Sorry for the long wait for update- you can read my sorry excuses in my journal

On another note, if you haven't voted yet, please go to my profile to help me choose what Sessho-chan should be for Halloween! You choose the costume!

Poll is also up on my dA account, and I'll compile the results Tuesday night!

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!

ENJOY!

Characters Belong to Rumiko Takehashi

Plot Bunnies Belong to Me