Considering she only saw Inuyasha once every few months, Sesshoumaru was the last person she expected to come across in the university parking lot. Inuyasha had mentioned he owned his own business, but from the looks of it, it wasn't going so well.
They'd formed a reluctant alliance during the last half of their fight against Naraku, but Sesshoumaru had required a guarantee that Rin would make it out safely, and apparently, Kagome was his best bet at making that happen. Inuyasha had assumed there to be an ulterior motive, keeping an even closer look on his older brother when they'd camp for the night. But Sesshoumaru had made no move for Tessaiga—even after learning his own sword was meant to be a part of it.
She'd been worried, as Sesshoumaru had always been in a quest for power, but he'd kept his word, aiding them in their search for the shards and going as far as to protect her unprompted.
She'd never forget the image of his slicing through the horde of youkai as she lay bleeding on the ground.
"If you wish to do permanent damage, then I would advise you to put something in his gas tank," he said idly, still leaning against the pillar.
"As much as I'd like to be the one to set him on fire, there are too many variables with something like that," she said, gripping the paint can as she rose to her feet. "Someone getting hurt, setting off a chain reaction with other cars—"
"Witnesses." A smirk lit up his features.
She whirled around, eyes flashing. "You wouldn't."
He shrugged, pushing himself off the pillar. "It would be my civic duty to report such an incident."
If she weren't so sure he'd catch it, she'd have thrown the paint can at him. Kagome counted to ten. She wasn't about to let some spectre from her past be her downfall. "I'll buy you dinner."
Sesshoumaru blinked in surprise. "You are attempting to bribe me for my silence?"
She crossed her arms, leaning on one hip. "You get nothing out of reporting me, and I'd rather not have that particular conversation with the dean. Or Mama. Besides," she said, waving in his direction. "You look like you could use a good meal." He still towered over her at his full height, but by the sight of his clothes, even if he did own his own business, he was having to put in extra hours just to make ends meet.
She'd never known Sesshoumaru to be anything but immaculate, and the sight of him in ripped, dirty clothes made her head spin. However, that might've also been the paint fumes, which was another reason they needed to leave.
"Well?"
He considered her for a moment. "Do I get to choose the place?"
Kagome looked around, making sure the coast was still clear. "As long as it's within my budget. No fine dining tonight."
He chuckled, and it almost made him look human. "Very well."
