Since returning to the feudal era after high school, Kagome had stopped thinking of her home as 'the present'—and giving it the label of 'home' in general. As much as she loved her family, she was needed more in the past, so they treated each birthday as if it were the last time they'd see her. This time had been no exception, but Mama had been with her when she'd bought the glasses, ushering her toward the well as soon as the first round of cake had been eaten.
"I've still got an hour," Kagome said, though she opened the door without protest.
"And Lord Sesshoumaru is probably already waiting for you," her mother rebuked, a knowing grin on her face.
Kagome blushed. "It's not like that."
"Which is why you're giving this to him," she said, tapping the box. Kagome's blush deepened. Part of the youkai courting process was not only the ability to provide for a mate but to deeply understand their needs. What better way to show that than giving Sesshoumaru the colours he'd never experienced?
She bit her lip. Technically it was the male's job to initiate things, but if Sango could beat Inuyasha in a fight and Rin could help Jinenji with his garden, why couldn't she give Sesshoumaru a life-altering gift?
Her mother squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. "He will be thankful either way."
"Or thoroughly insulted," Kagome mumbled.
Her mother hummed softly. "Maybe I should tell Souta the real reason you're leaving early."
Kagome blanched and spun around. "You wouldn't dare!" After the debacle that was her high school infatuation with Inuyasha, her brother had gone out of his way to protect her from heartbreak. It was sweet, and helped her out when her friends tried to set her up on blind dates, but if he knew the glasses were a courting gift, he'd want to interrogate Sesshoumaru.
And somehow Kagome knew he'd find a way to meet up with the western lord, portal he damned. He'd at least interrogate her when she came back.
"Fine, fine! I'm going," she groaned. "And everyone thinks I get my stubbornness from Dad."
Her mother snorted, then patted her head. "I expect all the details next year."
"I know." Giving her one last hug, Kagome squared her shoulders and jumped.
