Chapter 7

Kagome rushed over to her game bag and pulled out a sheaf of paper. Holding the scroll-like object over her head, she exclaimed triumphantly, "Hah! See this? This proves everything!" as she brandished the rolled papers in the direction of the daiyoukai, smacking it into his chest.

Though it was not a weapon, somehow the roll carried just enough of Kagome's pink reiki to fizz lightly over his body, like the tingling warning of lightning before it strikes. Unable to keep his face completely impassive, Sesshoumaru's eyes widened slightly. His eyebrow lifted questioningly.

"Exactly what am I supposed to look at, miko-hime?" he said, his tone insinuating and dismissive. "A list of goals? A roll of accomplishments? A map of future conquests?"

"No, you impossible dog, this is a catalog of games that this gaming company sells. I brought it with me so that we could look through it and figure out what other games you might find interesting. My grandfather has been buying from this company for years. One of the most interesting things in the catalog is that the owners write a bit of history about each game. They even showcase some of them with longer articles. So you're going to read it! Then you'll see I'm not some pampered princess with an agenda!"

As Kagome finished hissing out those words, she puffed and wheezed as if she'd been running, her chest heaving. Her cheeks red with effort, blue eyes lit with the fire of their argument, as though it were a battleground. Observing her, Sesshoumaru had to admit it was an intriguing and attractive state. He was honest with himself, even if he did not like what that implied.

Sesshoumaru reached out with a clawed hand to pluck the catalog from Kagome's poking it into his sternum. He responded to her diatribe with a noncommittal, "Hnn," and went to sit on the opposite the cave from the others.

The catalog Kagome had foisted upon Sesshoumaru was everything she had described. There were many games in it's listing, all with brief descriptions of where the games originated. The dates were clear, citing imperial reign and description of the important identifiers. Afterward were strange characters Sesshoumaru did not recognize. Dismissing them as unimportant, Sesshoumaru continued to page through the document. He found he recognized many, but not all, of the games described.

The highlighted game of the catalog was one called 'Karuta'. A game with thin stiffened paper rectangles that involved memory and matching. There were several variants. Including one called, 'e-awase karuta' that was descended from a historical matching game involving clam shells. The miko had been correct. The game of his mother and her aristocratic peers had been changed, but the core of it was still present. And it was made in such a way as to be accessible to anyone, not just the nobles of his time. He had been…wrong? It was a humiliating thing to admit, even if just in his own mind.

However, the most interesting thing in the catalog was the history, name, and logo of the company itself. A fact Sesshoumaru decided to keep to himself for the time being. Perhaps he would ask what those unknown words and symbols represented at some point. Later, should it prove expedient, he could share the information he had gleaned.

"Miko….," Sesshoumaru paused then granted her a concession, "Kagome. This one has verified your statements. The earlier accusations are rescinded. This Sesshoumaru will keep the Catalog of Games, to prevent further assumptions from sullying our discourse."

Taken aback, Kagome wasn't exactly sure how to interpret Sesshoumaru's statement. She was still fuming from his earlier comments. She carefully calmed her emotionally charged reiki leakage. Slowly, she tried to control her breathing, while looking intently at the daiyokai's face for any clue into his inner thoughts. A look he returned, golden eyes gazing back at her blue eyes, steadily. She kept looking, forgetting why she was staring to begin with, as he also kept staring at her. They stopped when a sound from the other side of the cave interrupted.

Inuyasha snorted, "Wow, prick, that's a tricky non-apology. It would kill ya to say the words?"

Shippou used the opportunity to needle Inuyasha, "Hey, Bakayasha, it's not as if YOU ever say them."

Inuyasha flushed a bit, but responded in his usual fashion, "Keh,"

Kagome decided to interject, before yet another argument heated up. "That's okay. I understand his meaning. I'm just glad to have cleared up our little," she floundered a bit, hunting for a nonprovocative term, "err….misunderstanding."

"Good! Now that that's settled, Sesshoumaru, did you find any games mentioned that you want me to try and bring back with me? We don't have everything, but Grandpa might have one or two in storage."

"This requires additional thought. An answer will be forthcoming before you return home, miko."

'Aaaand we're back to 'miko',' thought Kagome, as well as the formal third person style'. Aloud, she responded, "That's fine. I'm sure there will be lots of time for me to find what we have stashed away."

"For tonight, while the others play the memory game, perhaps you would grant this one the privilege of a game of 'Go'?" Sesshoumaru suggested, as a peace offering.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, okay. 'Go' would be terrific. Though I'm sure you play it better than I do."

With Kagome's agreement, Sesshoumaru quickly retrieved a goban and stones from where he had it secured. Very soon the two were conversing lightly as they played, nearly regaining their comfortable badinage from before the fight. Sesshoumaru won, though not as easily as he originally presumed. Afterwards, Miroku claimed a game with the winner. Kagome took the opportunity to play a round of 'Memory' with the others. Later she rotated a turn to play 'Go' again.

The tension in the cave began to recede. Banter, laughter, the snap of the wood on the fire, and the click of 'Go' stones on the board were a cozy contrast to the vehemence of the wind and rain outside the cave. By the time the group mutually declared bedtime, it was almost as if the argument had never happened. Almost.