One-shot #74 [First Time]
Title: Better Together
Author: Paynesgrey
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama/Romance
Word Count: 1,152
Universe: AU
Prompt: First Time
Notes: Part 17 of my Some Dreams Fade Anew serial.
Summary: Sesshoumaru makes sure that Kagome doesn't meet with Kikyou by herself.
As Kagome and Sesshoumaru departed from her mother’s house, it left an unsettling, sour feeling in the pit of Kagome’s stomach. Her grandfather never even came down to greet them during her mother’s confession about Kagome’s father, and Kagome was certain Jii-chan was listening to their conversations in the hallway, staying hidden to save face from his granddaughter. Kagome thought if her mother had been guilty about lying about her father, she figured her grandfather surely felt worse.
Kagome furrowed her brow. Maybe they deserved to feel guilty. Sure, a mother lies to a child sometimes about small stuff to protect them, but this was a life-changer. This was different, and it was the first time her mother had disappointed Kagome so much that she actually felt betrayed.
Well, at least the truth is out in the open, Kagome mused to herself. Sesshoumaru turned to her as she followed him to her car. She met his golden eyes, and his neutral expression scared her a little. No doubt he had a lot on his mind. Kagome was somewhat saddened, knowing he’d have to leave her to pursue some leads on her father; however, she was grateful for his help, even if it meant spending less time with him.
She glanced at the tattered manila envelope in his hand. Inside it held all the contents of what her mother had left of her father’s information and paperwork, such as old letters and expired identifications. Normally, Kagome would think her mother would be adamant against parting with such things, but out of her own shame, she gave them to Sesshoumaru readily, perhaps to ease the pain and anger Kagome felt toward her.
“I must go back to my office. I’ll have my assistant follow up on your father’s information,” he said, and Kagome nodded, noticing that he looked just as bothered at separating from her as she did. She saw him pause, look ahead of her as another idea struck him. “Kagome, do you intend to call Kikyou today and give your father’s information to her?”
“Well, of course,” she said with a heavy sigh. “Honestly, I just want to get it over with. Like you said, she should be appeased with the information we have, and then maybe she’ll leave me alone if you’re actively looking for him.”
“Hn,” he said, pondering. His eyes narrowed a little from a thought. “I’m not so sure she will if you go alone. She has a reputation for being a master manipulator.”
Kagome was miffed, but she saw his point. “Are you saying I can’t handle her by myself?” she asked testily.
He shot her a deadpanned stare. Apparently, Sesshoumaru wasn’t affected by her attitude. “Kagome, I do not wish to insult you, but I do not trust that woman, especially if you’re by yourself. I am certain she is involved in something that concerns you, and whether or not she is a willing participant, she is being cryptic about something. I intend to find out, and I’d rather study her demeanor at every chance we get with her.”
“So, you’re coming with me?” she asked, feeling her spirits rise. “I was just going to call her,” Kagome said. “You may be right. I don’t think I can handle her after what you told me. By myself anyway.”
Sesshoumaru nodded. “It is best we meet her in person. I want to study her mannerisms and see if I sense anything.” Kagome looked at him with uncertainty. “I have lived centuries studying humans. I know their tells, their lies, and their indications of secrets. Kikyou may be a high ranking priestess in the HMS, but she will not get anything by me. She tries by putting on a mask of coldness, but I know there is more to her underneath it all.”
“Are you telling me she’s a fragile little soul underneath that tough exterior?” Kagome said, slightly mocking.
“There’s no time for jokes, Kagome,” Sesshoumaru said quickly, almost scolding her.
Kagome sighed, waving her head. “Fine. It’s a good idea, and I’ll definitely feel much better if you’re there.” She met Sesshoumaru’s eyes again. “I admit I am a little nervous. I can’t believe this has anything to do with my father or me, or that any of this could run so deep.”
Sesshoumaru squeezed her shoulder in comfort, and instantly, Kagome leaned against him as he readily took her within a soft embrace. “There is nothing to be nervous about. We will find out what she is up to, and if it’s nothing and we are being overly cautious, then we’re better off.”
Kagome drew away, her expression still conflicted. “But you know it’s not nothing; you know she’s hiding something.” She bit her lip. “I know youkai have the best instincts ever, and I trust yours, Sesshoumaru, even if it’s scary sometimes,” Kagome ended wryly, and she caught a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
“We will figure this out,” he said as a stern promise, and Kagome turned back to her car.
“I should probably just leave my car here and get it later if I’m going with you,” she said, glancing at the house again and wondering if her mother was watching them from the window. She saw the white lacy fabric rustle as if someone had pulled them back and then left. She hated having to come back here any time soon after what had happened between them, but Kagome couldn’t think about that right now. She had more important things to deal with than her mother’s feelings right now.
Following Sesshoumaru to his car, he opened the door for her and she slid inside the seat, and before he shut the door, Kagome looked up at him and managed a genuine smile. “Thank you, for everything.”
“You do not have to thank me. Ever,” he said softly, gazing at her and Kagome wondered just what he was thinking about. His thoughts were probably always complicated, but how did they measure toward her? Were they as complex for his job? Probably not, so perhaps it was even stranger for him to think of her, to regard her as he did - beyond just his late brother’s widow. Naturally, they had made significant steps in their current relationship, and Kagome had to admit, without the assassination attempt and the news of her father, she was actually happy with him. They could be happier still, in time. His devotion throughout this craziness in her life was definite proof that he loved her; that he cared enough to even bother with her despite his reputation.
“I have to say it anyway. You know me,” she said with a light shrug. Her smile widened as he continued to stare. “Well, let’s go. I always wanted to see where you work.”
He rewarded her with an amused smirk. “Then, I promise you will not be disappointed.”
Author: Paynesgrey
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama/Romance
Word Count: 1,152
Universe: AU
Prompt: First Time
Notes: Part 17 of my Some Dreams Fade Anew serial.
Summary: Sesshoumaru makes sure that Kagome doesn't meet with Kikyou by herself.
As Kagome and Sesshoumaru departed from her mother’s house, it left an unsettling, sour feeling in the pit of Kagome’s stomach. Her grandfather never even came down to greet them during her mother’s confession about Kagome’s father, and Kagome was certain Jii-chan was listening to their conversations in the hallway, staying hidden to save face from his granddaughter. Kagome thought if her mother had been guilty about lying about her father, she figured her grandfather surely felt worse.
Kagome furrowed her brow. Maybe they deserved to feel guilty. Sure, a mother lies to a child sometimes about small stuff to protect them, but this was a life-changer. This was different, and it was the first time her mother had disappointed Kagome so much that she actually felt betrayed.
Well, at least the truth is out in the open, Kagome mused to herself. Sesshoumaru turned to her as she followed him to her car. She met his golden eyes, and his neutral expression scared her a little. No doubt he had a lot on his mind. Kagome was somewhat saddened, knowing he’d have to leave her to pursue some leads on her father; however, she was grateful for his help, even if it meant spending less time with him.
She glanced at the tattered manila envelope in his hand. Inside it held all the contents of what her mother had left of her father’s information and paperwork, such as old letters and expired identifications. Normally, Kagome would think her mother would be adamant against parting with such things, but out of her own shame, she gave them to Sesshoumaru readily, perhaps to ease the pain and anger Kagome felt toward her.
“I must go back to my office. I’ll have my assistant follow up on your father’s information,” he said, and Kagome nodded, noticing that he looked just as bothered at separating from her as she did. She saw him pause, look ahead of her as another idea struck him. “Kagome, do you intend to call Kikyou today and give your father’s information to her?”
“Well, of course,” she said with a heavy sigh. “Honestly, I just want to get it over with. Like you said, she should be appeased with the information we have, and then maybe she’ll leave me alone if you’re actively looking for him.”
“Hn,” he said, pondering. His eyes narrowed a little from a thought. “I’m not so sure she will if you go alone. She has a reputation for being a master manipulator.”
Kagome was miffed, but she saw his point. “Are you saying I can’t handle her by myself?” she asked testily.
He shot her a deadpanned stare. Apparently, Sesshoumaru wasn’t affected by her attitude. “Kagome, I do not wish to insult you, but I do not trust that woman, especially if you’re by yourself. I am certain she is involved in something that concerns you, and whether or not she is a willing participant, she is being cryptic about something. I intend to find out, and I’d rather study her demeanor at every chance we get with her.”
“So, you’re coming with me?” she asked, feeling her spirits rise. “I was just going to call her,” Kagome said. “You may be right. I don’t think I can handle her after what you told me. By myself anyway.”
Sesshoumaru nodded. “It is best we meet her in person. I want to study her mannerisms and see if I sense anything.” Kagome looked at him with uncertainty. “I have lived centuries studying humans. I know their tells, their lies, and their indications of secrets. Kikyou may be a high ranking priestess in the HMS, but she will not get anything by me. She tries by putting on a mask of coldness, but I know there is more to her underneath it all.”
“Are you telling me she’s a fragile little soul underneath that tough exterior?” Kagome said, slightly mocking.
“There’s no time for jokes, Kagome,” Sesshoumaru said quickly, almost scolding her.
Kagome sighed, waving her head. “Fine. It’s a good idea, and I’ll definitely feel much better if you’re there.” She met Sesshoumaru’s eyes again. “I admit I am a little nervous. I can’t believe this has anything to do with my father or me, or that any of this could run so deep.”
Sesshoumaru squeezed her shoulder in comfort, and instantly, Kagome leaned against him as he readily took her within a soft embrace. “There is nothing to be nervous about. We will find out what she is up to, and if it’s nothing and we are being overly cautious, then we’re better off.”
Kagome drew away, her expression still conflicted. “But you know it’s not nothing; you know she’s hiding something.” She bit her lip. “I know youkai have the best instincts ever, and I trust yours, Sesshoumaru, even if it’s scary sometimes,” Kagome ended wryly, and she caught a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
“We will figure this out,” he said as a stern promise, and Kagome turned back to her car.
“I should probably just leave my car here and get it later if I’m going with you,” she said, glancing at the house again and wondering if her mother was watching them from the window. She saw the white lacy fabric rustle as if someone had pulled them back and then left. She hated having to come back here any time soon after what had happened between them, but Kagome couldn’t think about that right now. She had more important things to deal with than her mother’s feelings right now.
Following Sesshoumaru to his car, he opened the door for her and she slid inside the seat, and before he shut the door, Kagome looked up at him and managed a genuine smile. “Thank you, for everything.”
“You do not have to thank me. Ever,” he said softly, gazing at her and Kagome wondered just what he was thinking about. His thoughts were probably always complicated, but how did they measure toward her? Were they as complex for his job? Probably not, so perhaps it was even stranger for him to think of her, to regard her as he did - beyond just his late brother’s widow. Naturally, they had made significant steps in their current relationship, and Kagome had to admit, without the assassination attempt and the news of her father, she was actually happy with him. They could be happier still, in time. His devotion throughout this craziness in her life was definite proof that he loved her; that he cared enough to even bother with her despite his reputation.
“I have to say it anyway. You know me,” she said with a light shrug. Her smile widened as he continued to stare. “Well, let’s go. I always wanted to see where you work.”
He rewarded her with an amused smirk. “Then, I promise you will not be disappointed.”