Creature Comforts by LordRandallsLady [Christmas Challenge]
Title: Creature Comforts
Author: LordRandallsLady
Theme: Sprinkling of Stars (Christmas Challenge)
Genre: AU, romance
Rating: T
Word Count: 680
Warnings: None
Summary: Kagome seeks solace in a trusted companion
AN: Yeah, I know it's after Christmas, but I know a lot of people who celebrate Orthodox Christmas so I figure I have until Jan. 6 :P. Thanks to LC for beta-ing this for me. Part eight of Heart of Mine.
Kagome lay in the darkness of her apartment, curled on her couch under an old quilt staring mournfully at her illuminated tree as soft carols played in the background. This was one of her favorite ways to end a tough day, to lose herself in the beauty of the sparkling lights, captured like so many brightly colored stars. The glowing tree always seemed just a bit more magical in the dark, but on this night, even that special Christmas magic failed to soothe a heart in turmoil.
The colors of the lights grew and blurred as Kagome’s vision swam once more with her tears. She could hardly believe she had any left. The party had been last night, but since her return home. she’d hardly moved from her position on the couch except to take care of life’s most basic needs.
“I can’t believe I kissed him, Buyo,” she whispered for the umpteenth time to the fat cat curled against her stomach. “What must he think of me?”
Buyo’s only reply was a rough lick against the arm curled around him. Sensing his owner’s distress, the feline purred harder in an attempt to calm the storm of emotions that raged in Kagome’s heart. Pulling him a little closer, she scratched under his chin as thanks for the offered comfort.
“I don’t know how I’m going to face him,” she whispered. “At least I have a week off to figure out what I’m going to say.”
The idea that her attachment toward Sesshoumaru was merely a crush had been shattered when their lips met and Kagome now recognized her feelings for what they were - she wanted him, needed him, in a way that made it difficult to breathe - and it made her heart ache to think about what she couldn’t have. She was certain that Sesshoumaru did not return her feelings and even if she were pitiful enough to offer herself up to him merely for sex, Kagome knew he was far to honorable a man to use her in that way.
‘Maybe I should just look for a new job,’ she thought miserably, burying her face in her companion’s thick fur.
As much as she loved working for the company and for Sesshoumaru, Kagome didn’t know if she could take the stress of being so close to him any more. Absently scratching under Buyo’s chin, she mulled over her employment options until the feline’s purring ceased unexpectedly. Ears perking, he stared intently at the front door.
“What is it, buddy?” Kagome asked, scratching behind one ear to get him to relax. The cat, however, jumped from the couch and slunk toward the door, tail twitching with irritation.
A soft knock sounded moments later causing Buyo to growl before skittering across the room to cower under the tree.
Sitting up and shaking her head at her cat’s attempt to show bravery, Kagome wondered who would be coming over so late. She’d already talked to Sango and several other coworkers, telling them all she didn’t feel up to company.
Thinking that she would just pretend she wasn’t home and ignore whoever it was, Kagome made to lie down again, but when the knock sounded the second time, she rose off the couch. Irritated that someone would have the gall to visit her at eleven-thirty Christmas Eve, when her lights were clearly off, she yanked open the door, a harsh reprimand ready on her tongue.
The words stuck in her throat, however, at the sight of the person on the other side.
“Sesshoumaru?” she whispered, heart racing as she stared up at the tall man.
Standing there, illuminated from behind by the soft glow of the streetlight, snow falling gently around him, Sesshoumaru seemed almost ethereal, and Kagome wasn’t entirely sure she wasn’t dreaming him into existence.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered, fearful of his answer.
Stepping closer, Sesshoumaru brushed ebony bangs from her upturned face. “You forgot your gift from Santa,” he replied, holding out a hand. In his palm rested a small box wrapped in green and sparkling gold.
Author: LordRandallsLady
Theme: Sprinkling of Stars (Christmas Challenge)
Genre: AU, romance
Rating: T
Word Count: 680
Warnings: None
Summary: Kagome seeks solace in a trusted companion
AN: Yeah, I know it's after Christmas, but I know a lot of people who celebrate Orthodox Christmas so I figure I have until Jan. 6 :P. Thanks to LC for beta-ing this for me. Part eight of Heart of Mine.
Kagome lay in the darkness of her apartment, curled on her couch under an old quilt staring mournfully at her illuminated tree as soft carols played in the background. This was one of her favorite ways to end a tough day, to lose herself in the beauty of the sparkling lights, captured like so many brightly colored stars. The glowing tree always seemed just a bit more magical in the dark, but on this night, even that special Christmas magic failed to soothe a heart in turmoil.
The colors of the lights grew and blurred as Kagome’s vision swam once more with her tears. She could hardly believe she had any left. The party had been last night, but since her return home. she’d hardly moved from her position on the couch except to take care of life’s most basic needs.
“I can’t believe I kissed him, Buyo,” she whispered for the umpteenth time to the fat cat curled against her stomach. “What must he think of me?”
Buyo’s only reply was a rough lick against the arm curled around him. Sensing his owner’s distress, the feline purred harder in an attempt to calm the storm of emotions that raged in Kagome’s heart. Pulling him a little closer, she scratched under his chin as thanks for the offered comfort.
“I don’t know how I’m going to face him,” she whispered. “At least I have a week off to figure out what I’m going to say.”
The idea that her attachment toward Sesshoumaru was merely a crush had been shattered when their lips met and Kagome now recognized her feelings for what they were - she wanted him, needed him, in a way that made it difficult to breathe - and it made her heart ache to think about what she couldn’t have. She was certain that Sesshoumaru did not return her feelings and even if she were pitiful enough to offer herself up to him merely for sex, Kagome knew he was far to honorable a man to use her in that way.
‘Maybe I should just look for a new job,’ she thought miserably, burying her face in her companion’s thick fur.
As much as she loved working for the company and for Sesshoumaru, Kagome didn’t know if she could take the stress of being so close to him any more. Absently scratching under Buyo’s chin, she mulled over her employment options until the feline’s purring ceased unexpectedly. Ears perking, he stared intently at the front door.
“What is it, buddy?” Kagome asked, scratching behind one ear to get him to relax. The cat, however, jumped from the couch and slunk toward the door, tail twitching with irritation.
A soft knock sounded moments later causing Buyo to growl before skittering across the room to cower under the tree.
Sitting up and shaking her head at her cat’s attempt to show bravery, Kagome wondered who would be coming over so late. She’d already talked to Sango and several other coworkers, telling them all she didn’t feel up to company.
Thinking that she would just pretend she wasn’t home and ignore whoever it was, Kagome made to lie down again, but when the knock sounded the second time, she rose off the couch. Irritated that someone would have the gall to visit her at eleven-thirty Christmas Eve, when her lights were clearly off, she yanked open the door, a harsh reprimand ready on her tongue.
The words stuck in her throat, however, at the sight of the person on the other side.
“Sesshoumaru?” she whispered, heart racing as she stared up at the tall man.
Standing there, illuminated from behind by the soft glow of the streetlight, snow falling gently around him, Sesshoumaru seemed almost ethereal, and Kagome wasn’t entirely sure she wasn’t dreaming him into existence.
“What are you doing here?” she whispered, fearful of his answer.
Stepping closer, Sesshoumaru brushed ebony bangs from her upturned face. “You forgot your gift from Santa,” he replied, holding out a hand. In his palm rested a small box wrapped in green and sparkling gold.