Who: Kagome and Sesshomaru What: Kagome drops by Fluffy’s place to see how he’s doing. Where: Sesshomaru’s When: After New Years Rating: Low, some talk of missing Rin
Sesshomaru would never admit to such but he was grateful for the money this Santa person had provided. It meant he did not fully need to find one of these jobs. But more than money he had wanted Rin to be here. Yes she was most likely safe back in Kaede’s village where he had left her but if they could be brought here then he wanted her here where he could guarantee she would be safe under his protection. So when she hadn’t shown up during these gift giving holidays, saying he was angry was putting it mildly.
Knowing there wasn’t much of a place where he could go to unleash his rage he had withdrawn into the apartment he had been given and had torn it apart, keeping himself in enough check to not unleash the poison in his claws. He didn’t care too much about the mess. He could clean it later when needed. But for now it reflected his mood.
Staring at his dirty robes, he scowled when he realized he would have to finally wear the damnable modern clothing. Shedding his robes, he set them carefully to the side before picking up a pair of what were called jeans before he tugged them on. They were slightly confining and he hoped if he were in a fight while wearing these things they would still allow him to move around easily.
Even with their rocky past, Kagome still worried about Sesshomaru. Ever since Inuyasha had brought it to her attention that Sesshomaru was sad about Rin not being there and the agitation that had come with it on the time elder demons part, she had mostly given him some space. She knew better than to try and force her cheerfulness on him because it wouldn't work. Not that she hadn't thought about it. Sometimes she needed alone time to cool off and that's what she had tried to give Sesshomaru.
With the holidays out of the way, she decided to visit. Not without making some homemade ramen first. She had side-eyed Inuyasha’s “magic” ramen. He was lucky she had given in and gotten that for him. Even luckier that Santa had brought him a ton of it. Never again! Homemade was best in her opinion.
Once it was ready, Kagome packed up a large container just for Sesshomaru and headed out. It wasn't that long of a walk and arrived at his door about twenty minute later. She knocked on the door and waited patiently. Part of her wouldn't have been surprised if he refused to answer, another part thought that it might be strange for him to be at his apartment instead of out.
The knock on his door had Sesshomaru turning and arching a brow. He wasn’t expecting anyone and no one (so far as he knew) knew exactly where he lived here. Leaving his room he headed to the door and tugged it open. “You.” He turned and walked away, knowing that Kagome wouldn’t leave unless he caused some kind of scene. And he wasn’t really in the mood to deal with anyone. But at least ignoring Kagome was easier than the others here.
He walked calmly through the destroyed furniture of his apartment before turning and looking at her. “What do you want human?”
His greeting came as no surprise to Kagome. In fact, she was surprised he hadn't scowled at her instead. While she would have liked a more friendly greeting, she knew that was far fetched. That didn't stop her from smiling, however. “Hello, Sesshomaru.” She followed him inside the apartment, closing the door behind her but not going on any further than a few steps.
Her eyes scanned the room, surprised to see it was such a mess.”I…” she trailed off as she vaguely detected his question. Then she snapped out of it and looked over at him. “I brought some ramen,” she said with a friendly smile, holding up the container.
There were worse humans than Kagome, he supposed. But she was still annoying to him at times. When she stated her purpose he glanced at the container in her hand and arched a brow. “What is ramen?” he asked. He could smell it and could tell it was food but he wasn’t entirely sure of what it was. He turned and kicked the remains of the couch away to make some walking space.
Kagome could have said the same of him being better than some demons. However, unlike Inuyasha she knew when to keep her mouth shut and when to be friendly. She was friendly most of the time, but she had her breaking points. For this visit, she was determined not to get into any arguments. She had her suspicions at to his mood, but she wasn't about to voice it. That was better left unsaid and if he wanted to bring it up that was his choice. Being apart from Inuyasha for three years had been the worst three years of her life. She understood what it was like being apart from someone important, so she could empathize with Sesshomaru. “It's noodles,” she responded simply. “They're fresh. I can leave them on your table or wherever you'd like them.”
Sesshomaru had his suspicions of why Kagome had come by. He had been rather short with her (more so than he normally was) in regards to the Christmas gifts from Santa. This was no doubt her way of seeing how he was personally to ensure he wasn’t going to go on a rampage or some such thing. When she spoke of putting the noodles on the table, he glanced at the destroyed pieces of wood that had been the table.
“Perhaps there by that,” he suggested, pointing at the counter and sink. He retreated to his room before emerging again and tugging a shirt on rather awkwardly. “Is that the only reason you came? To drop off food?”
Kagome’s eyes followed his line of sight. Her eyes widened slightly when she now noticed the broken table pieces. Okay, so not the table, she thought to herself, rather than speaking aloud and possibly stirring the pot.
Maybe bringing food was a good cover for her true reason for coming over. People who knew her could easily see through her cover because she so often wanted to make sure others were okay. She walked over to where he indicated and set the container down. “It's part of the reason,” she said before going on to say a little more slowly, “I also wanted to make sure you're alright.” And apparently you're not.
He watched her move and set the container down. A quick sniff told him she was telling the truth about the reasons of why she had come over. Not just to give him food but to also see how he was. The demon gave a small snort and finished adjusting the shirt. “Why would I not be alright?” he asked boredly. True his apartment rendered that statement had been false at one point in time but he could still project calm and serenity until Kagome left. He folded his arms over his chest and watched Kagome carefully. He doubted she would do anything but she did have spiritual powers and they weren’t on the best of terms.
Kagome had her suspicions but she wasn't about to voice them. Sesshomaru wasn't the kind to open up and share his feelings, neither was Inuyasha and that frustrated her more than her not being able to get through to his brother. She shrugged and walked back to her original place a few steps near the door. She glanced around at the demolished portions of the room. “Uh… well….” she hesitated. “It looks a storm went through your apartment.” It wasn't like she was outright saying he had done it, more that he had been obviously in a sour enough mood to cause such destruction.
He glanced around at the room before looking back up at Kagome. “Better the room than finding this Santa person for failing to deliver what I requested,” he returned. “And doing to him what I did to the room.” He brushed some of his loose hair from his eyes and stared at her. “You disprove?”
That was a good point. At least he hadn't gone out and harmed someone or destroyed something rather publicly. She hadn't been sure what to expect by coming over, but she hadn't expected his apartment to look like this. She frowned, “It doesn't matter if I approve or disapprove of how you choose to express your anger.” Which was true. Kagome didn't have any place telling him how to run his life and she certainly didn't have any place telling him to handle himself differently. “I'm… I'm sorry you didn't get whatever it was you asked for.” He didn't have to believe her. It really didn't matter whether he did or not. She needed to say it to him in person.
For a human Kagome had quite a bit of sense. She was right in that it didn’t matter if she approved or not of the way he took out his anger. Even if he knew humans always had an opinion on matters. He turned from her and walked to the window, staring out at the horizon. His jaw clenched a little before his eyes dropped a little before raising. One word would tell Kagome what he had truly asked for. And no doubt she would understand.
“Rin.”
Kagome watched him, and after a moment bought maybe she ought to be on her way. That was, until he spoke Rin’s name. She had taken half a step and the stopped suddenly to stare at him. She hadn't expected him to tell her. She knew he wouldn't have admitted it to Inuyasha. Kagome had convinced Inuyasha to give Sesshomaru some space, and Kagome had done the same. “Oh,” was the only thing that escaped her mouth to now. She sounded surprised, and she was because he had told her what he had asked for. It was no surprise to her that it had been Rin he had asked for.
Perhaps it was this place. Perhaps it was because Rin had softened his heart and helped make him more compassionate towards humanity. But Sesshomaru spoke again. “If whatever power or being can bring us here on a whim then Rin could be brought here. It seemed best if I were to bring her she would be safer. I know she is safe if Kaede’s village. But this power or being cares not of who is brought through.”
He gave a huff of frustration before he turned to Kagome. “Though I suspect perhaps this Santa person did not have the power to bring forth live beings. Ah-Un was also requested but denied. Only money was given to this one.”
Kagome didn't say a word as he spoke, because he was opening up to her and she wasn't about to ruin it by speaking. Instead, she stood still and watched the back of his head. It was obvious he missed Rin and even if they weren't on the best of terms, they were in a better place than when they had first met. He was Inuyasha’s brother and that made him, and his feelings, important to her.
She straightened up a little when he turned around. She frowned and shook her head, “You're right, I don't think he has that kind of power. The stories were he brought toys to children.” Kagome was suddenly very happy he hadn't received a toy version of Rin. If he expressed his anger at not receiving the girl by destroying his apartment, she hated to think what he would do if he had gotten a toy instead.
Sesshomaru merely nodded at her words of this Santa person bringing toys to children. It was too bad Rin wasn’t there, she would have loved to have received some toys to play with. A small pang of guilt hit the demon lord as he thought about how he had selfishly dragged Rin along with him all over western Japan while the threat of Naraku and his forces loomed over them. As quickly as it came though he squashed it and looked back out of the window.
“Am I selfish for wishing Rin to be here?”
Why he was opening up so much to Kagome he wasn’t sure. Perhaps it was because she did have a level head and good heart, even if she did seem infatuated with his half-brother. No one could be perfect after all. Or perhaps it was because she knew him and they were from the same world. And if he had to confide in someone better her than Inuyasha. Just because they were no longer trying to kill each other didn’t mean they were friends.
The question threw her off. She hadn't expected it, certainly not from him. Plenty of people had confided in her over the course of her travels, but Sesshomaru was not one of them. Well, if he was willing to open up to her she was willing to listen and offer whatever words of comfort she could.
She shook her head, “No, you're not. She's important to you and it's only natural to want those important to us to be around.” Kagome had spent three long years wanting to go back to feudal Japan. It hadn't been until her plea was so desperate that the well opened up again. She understood how painful it was to be apart from the people she loved.
He just nodded in reply before he turned to stare back out of the window. “The only reason we are speaking as such is because this one realizes he cannot move through this world and time on his own.” He glanced down at his clothes and scowled a little. He much prefered his more refined looking robes. Though perhaps he could find some clothes that were modern yet were similar to his robes…
Sesshomaru glanced back up at Kagome. He let out a slow, grumbled breath. “This one...thanks you for your concern.”
Even if he couldn't see her, she nodded in return. “I understand,” she said simply. She wasn't about to let this turn into an argument or make it anymore strange than it already was. She figured it was better to keep her answer short and to the point. She could have said so much more, but she decided against it.
Kagome offered a little smile and nodded, “You're welcome.” She glanced around a moment. “I can leave now if you want me to, unless you'd like some help cleaning up.” Unless you're not finished destroying your apartment.
His golden eyes glanced over his shoulder and he studied the mess of his apartment. “This modern time relies too much on material things for happiness,” he murmured. He shook his head. “I have made this mess, I shall clean it up.” His eyes glanced over to the container she had brought. “...is it not customary to share a meal with acquaintances?” he asked.
Kagome said nothing about his comment on material things and shrugged a little. He wasn't wrong, but there were also people who didn't care so much about belongings and more about people. “Alright,” she said, figuring he was probably ready for her to get out of his sight. She had already started to turn back to the door to leave when he spoke again. She halted suddenly and looked back at him with surprise. Was he really inviting her to eat with him? However, she regained her composure quickly. She nodded, “It is, yes.”
He moved towards the kitchen and retrieved two bowls and placed them on the counter. “I have done thinking and given we are currently stuck here, it would perhaps be beneficial for us to at least make peace.” He turned and looked at her, folding his arms over his chest. “We have not gotten along in the past.” Understatement of the year. “But perhaps sharing a meal will help make some amends.” See? Sesshomaru could be civil when needed.
Kagome stepped further into the apartment now, following him to the entrance to the kitchen. She blinked, surprised at his declaration. Yes, they definitely were not the best of friends. Calling each other friend would be a long shot: Acquaintances who were mostly amicable toward each other was a better term. But here he was, extending an invitation to be on friendly terms. She wasn't about to pass up an opportunity like this. It was a once in a lifetime kind of opportunity. She offered a friendly smile, “I would like that.”
He rummaged through the drawers before retrieving a serving spoon. He ladled out two servings for the bowls before he slid one over to Kagome. Getting a set of chopsticks he placed a pair down for Kagome before taking his own set and began eating the ramen. A brow arched at the taste and he had to admit that this tasted good. “You made this meal?” he asked for clarification. Because it was rather good.
Kagome offered a little bow of her head when he offered her a bowl before picking it up. She picked up her pair of chopsticks and began eating quietly. Maybe it was slightly awkward eating in silence, but then again she was used to it being silent when Inuyasha was busy devouring his food. She looked at him with her own brows raised. She nodded, “Yes, it's homemade.” She didn't often make the magic ramen that Inuyasha was so fond of. She preferred homemade and she thought it tasted a thousand times better, but maybe she was being biased. Then a thought struck her, “Is it not good?” Maybe it tasted differently to him.
Sesshomaru finished his bite of ramen and shook his head, swallowing before speaking. He did have manners after all. “On the contrary. It is rather good.” He finished the bowl and set it down. “This one would not be opposed to you bringing over more should you make more.” He turned back to the container and gave himself another helping before he started in on it again.
Kagome couldn't help smiling more brightly. “I'm glad you like it.” She ate more slowly than him, but she was so used to that with Inuyasha practically inhaling his food. She nodded and swallowed her bite. “Absolutely. I make it fairly often. Inuyasha likes the instant ramen, but I think homemade tastes better.” Judging by the tone of her voice, it was obvious she didn't like that Inuyasha liked the instant more than her ramen.
A silver brow arched over a golden eye. “Instant ramen?” he questioned. He could tell from her voice that she was displeased that Inuyasha did not prefer fresh ramen but this instant stuff. He picked up some noodles in his chopsticks and ate them slowly as he waited for her answer. “Do these instant noodles taste different?”
Kagome gave a sharp nod before continuing eating. She thought that maybe she shouldn't have brought it up, but it was a sore topic because she was of the mindset that homemade was better. The girl from modern times preferred the home cooked ramen to the modern instant ramen, where it was the other way around for Inuyasha. She swallowed her bite and stared off at the window as she considered his question. She looked back to him, “Some of them have different flavors. I just think homemade is better, and the instant ramen tastes very processed to me.” She wondered if Sesshomaru would follow Inuyasha's tastes and prefer instant too.
“I am not fond of some of those...instant meals as they are called.” He picked up a wrapper for a package of hot dogs from the trash. “These taste...horrid.” He resumed eating his noodles and studied Kagome. “Fresh is decidedly better. As is homemade.” Jakku and Rin were often in charge of meals (more Jakku than Rin) but they tasted better than what he had bought here in this time.
She looked at the wrapper and grinned, “Those are an acquired taste.” She couldn't help agreeing overall about fresh and homemade being better. She looked pleased with his statement and finished her bowl. Instinctively, she moved to the sink and began cleaning the bowl and chopsticks. She was so used to cleaning immediately after eating. “I tend to agree,” she said as she washed her dishes. She proceeded to dry them and, not wanting to rummage through his cabinets, set them neatly in the counter. “I should probably be going. I can make ramen whenever you want, as long as it's a decent hour and I'm not working.”
“Clearly,” he murmured dryly. He watched as she cleaned her bowl and chopsticks before setting them down on the counter. As she stated her intention for leaving, he gave a nod. “I shall return the container to you when I am finished.” He gave a slight bow of his head to Kagome in thanks for the meal before he turned his attention back to the bowl.
Kagome couldn't help chuckling at that. She didn't hate hot dogs herself, but they weren't exactly a favorite meal. She nodded, “Alright. And let me know when you'd like more.” She offered a wave before turning and making a beeline for the door. Well, that had gone much better than anticipated and she could rub it in Inuyasha's face that Sesshomaru liked her ramen more than the instant stuff he loved so much.