"OH...MY...GOD. Sangooo, what am I going to do." Kagome whimpered into her cell phone.
"Really, it's not that bad. It's just a few articles"
Kagome could hear clatter from the other end, most likely from the twins and Miroku "My face is all over the news too. I had people recognizing me this morning when I went to get coffee. I didn't even want to try going to the grocery store."
"Let's be real for a moment, ok"
"Ok" Kagome said leerily.
"One, take a few deep breaths, two wasn't you just all over the European/fashion circuit?"
"Well yes, but-"
"And three, the photos are freakin gorgeous. You look drop dead gorgeous and honestly, you two look like the perfect power couple." Kagome's cheeks tinted red and she could feel the heat rising up her neck. "I know you don't like all this attention but it's not that that bad. You need to loosen up a little." She could hear Kagome grumble. "I mean why does it matter anymore? I mean we are all supporting you and as for Haruki... his parents love you. I mean if they had their way you two would already be married and popping out a pup or two."
"SONGO"
"What? You know it's true." Kagome could here Miroku mhmming in the back group.
"Yeah... I-I know. I guess I'm just not use to all of this. Sesshomaru was always just so private and then I made a point to avoid things because of his mother." Kagome said while walking around the corner of the busy street. "I just, I don't know feel like what if I'm not good enough? Or what will people say?" Blowing out a deep breath. "Sorry I just went really deep there for a moment."
"It's ok, that's what I'm here for and Kagome?"
"Mhm?"
"Listen to me... you are good enough; you always have been. And I know Sesshomaru thought so too."
Kagome was silent for a few beats and took in a long breath. "Thank you, Sango, really thank you."
"Like I said that's what I'm here for." Kagome could hear the smirk in her voice. "So, what are you doing? No wait let me guess, reverting back to the old ways of stress eating your weight in chocolate?"
"You know me so well. I am actually checking out this new bakery Rin told me about. Figured I'd stuff my face and binge watch some movies. You know total normal things...Speaking of, man they are freakin packed!"
"What bakery?"
"It's called Cutie Cakes. WOW, it looks like they-" all of the sudden Kagome was shoved forward into a man in front of her. Her phone flew out of her hand clattering to the floor. "I am so so sorry sir, are you ok? Some jerk bumped into me."
The man chuckled. "I am quite all right. Are you ok miss?"
"Yes, I am fine. Shoot where is my phone?" Kagome and the male patron began to look around. Kagome crouched down to look under a nearby table when a pair of leather soled feet appeared in her line of sigh. Kagome froze.
A deep baritone voice said "Sango, she will have to call you back." Kagome stilled, willing words to come forth that simply would not. "Sir I have found her phone. Thank you for your aid." A striped wrist appeared offering a hand up. Kagome numbly took it.
"T-thanks. Uh what are you doing here." The utter look of shock displayed on her face was quickly replaced with a plastered-on way to bright smile, "I mean what a surprise running into you here. Here of all places that is."
"Hn, here is your phone." Kagome quickly snatched it away and noticed he balled his hand into a fist. Blush swept across her cheeks causing him to relax.
Kagome glanced down at the bag in his hands. "I see you snagged yourself a few treats. Rin recommended this place to me you know. She swears everything is sinfully good here."
"Yes, that is how I came upon with place as well. They do have your favorite; I think you will find things agreeable. I mean well what I knew as your favorite anyways. That is what I got for myself." Sesshomaru seemed to not know what to do. One the outside he seems calm and collected, eye contact unwavering. Yet, Kagome noticed his clenching and unclenching the paper bag of treats.
Kagome regarded him then glanced back at the displace cases. "Well with everything looking so sinfully good how could I settle for just one option."
The corner of Sesshomaru's mouth ticked up. "Hnn."
"Well... I guess... I should maybe go pick out some chocolatey goodness." Kagome gave an awkward smile.
His mask slid into place. "Yes, sorry to keep you." Sesshomaru gave a sharp nod of his head not meeting her gaze. "Goodbye" and he turned to leave.
Kagome watched hi, turn and walk away. Indecision clawed at her, just as he reached the door she called out "WAIT! I mean, are you busy? I just thought-"
He turned around peering right at her "No."
A grin spread on Kagome's face. "Since you are familiar here, maybe you can help me make a few choices? If one is going to gorge and stuff her face, might as well be properly equipped to do so."
He made his way to her, lifting a brow. "I think I may be able to aid in that endeavor of yours, come."
— —
He watched as Kagome stuffed the last bite of her brownie in her mouth. Kagome closed her eyes savoring it. "Oh My God! That was so good. Rin was not joking about this place." Kagome licked her thumb and index finger for the last crumb, he gaze fallowed every motion.
Sesshomaru looked away and cleared his throat. "One of those nights I presume?"
"Yeahhhh, had the whole movie line up too." she gave a lop-sided grin. "You know me too well."
"Hmm." Sesshomaru hummed knowing a few possibilities that would be stressing her out at the moment. She was clearly talking to Songo about it but what right did he have to be privy to the same conversation. All he could do is hum, move on and privately speculate. He glanced over to her, seeing her eyes narrowed at him. He raised a questioning brow in response.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"No."
"Hnn."
Kagome narrowed her eyes. "Hnn!"
He smirked "Need I remind you that you are the one who said they didn't want to talk about it, not I."
"Ugh, you and your "Hmm's and Hnn's". You know exactly what you're doing Sesshomaru Tashio. You could always wiggle an answer out of me." She smirked.
"Yes well..."
"Yeah." Both remained quiet for a while looking out over the scenery.
"I know you haven't been fond of being in the spot light in the past so it's understandable that all of this is bothering you."
Kagome looked at him with an odd questioning Look. Trying to gather her words for the right response. "I mean it's that but it isn't at the same time."
"Hnn."
Taking a deep breath, she spilled her guts to him. "I've never minded being in the spot light per say, it's more like I don't like being judged by people."
"Truely? I had always assumed. Because we never was..."
"That wasn't my doing, but I didn't mind being a back ground character either." His eyes were searching hers before she looked away. "Anyways...yeah no it doesn't bother me. I was in the news and paper's left and right with Haruki back in London and then the whole Vogue nonsense. I think the difference was there no one knew me, no one cared, at least before Vogue. So, I could be my true self and even after that people embraced me, it was nice. Whereas here there are people that know me and judge and put me down."
"You should not care what they say. You know who you are and pack knows who you are. That is all that matters."
Kagome sighed, "I just don't want what people think they know about me or perceive to know hurt his image in anyways. I don't know, I'm a people pleaser to the bone."
Sesshomaru swallowed thickly, he knew what or more like who she was talking about. "I am sorry for any insecurity's I may have brought on, or my mother." Clearing his throat, "I truly didn't know, perhaps things would have been different if I had simply asked."
Kagome looked at him then looked away. Silence fell again between them. Kagome needed what was just said to be absorb. Did it solve all her problems and insecurities, no; but it was still good to hear none the less. "Thanks... I could have communicated it also but I didn't. Plus, it's not like your mister social yourself." She nudged him with her shoulder and looks at him and winked.
He looked at her and grinned. "Hnn."
"Hindsight am I right? There was plenty of things we both could have done differently." Kagome stood dusting off her pants. "Well, I better get back home, those movies won't watch themselves."
Sesshomaru opened and closed his mouth a few times. There was more he wanted to say. More things he wanted in genral, time, company... her. "Allow me to escort you to your car?"
"Nah, thanks Sesh. I got it from here. Good night." she smiled.
He had to respect her wishes but non the less he grinned and couldn't help his next question. "When will you be in the office?"
"Ummm good question, I think maybe Wednesdays or the next following Monday. It easy to work from home. Plus, my calendar is empty for now." She started to walk away. "Well goodbye."
"Hnn, see you soon. And Kagome?"
"Yes?"
"I enjoyed this. I m- I just enjoyed our chat."
"Yeah." She waved and left. He watched her walk away till she could not be seen.