InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Blessed Curse ❯ The Homemade Lunch ( Chapter 12 )

~ Blessed Curse ~

By: Youkai Yume

[A/N]

Yume: No, I'm not dead! Despite popular belief.

CF: CF don't know, Yume…Yume's been lying around the house a whole lot like Yume's dead.

Yume: Hush child, exams and stress will do that to you! Anyways, I'm back now and with a new fluff-filled chapter for Blessed Curse! In the last chap, Sesshy gave Kagome a library as a gift. Will this finally kick into warp-speed their love boat?

CF: Yeah! Like….ZOOOM!

Yume: Um, sure.

[Disclaimer]: The rights to Inuyasha belongs to me as much as that high score on my AP exam.

~*~*~*~*~

Act 12: The Homemade Lunch

The air was crisp but not completely cold, the atmosphere pleasing and quiet-yet not overly blanketed in solitude as to think it were a grave. It was cloudy, but not overshadowed in darkness as a few of the sun's rays peeked from gray clouds.

The demon lord breathed deeply, enjoying the cool air as it set on his pale skin and pulled at his silk robes. A smile threatened to grace his lips, and not being able to help himself, Sesshomaru allowed his satisfaction to show-a habit that he found himself continually getting used to, and yet strangely did not mind it as much as he used to.

Besides, Kagome had complimented him just the other day in the library that she liked seeing him smile. The demon lord couldn't explain it, but he felt extremely pleased when she said that. Even more so when the young girl flashed back a gentle smile of her own.

That was when the smiles truly started. Since his gift to her, she had been more and more cheerful, less worrisome about her friends and situation, and on more than one occasion, he was almost sure she enjoyed his company-despite his moody, caustic, and brooding façade.

At first, the Tiayoukai was rather dubious about whether or not it was a good idea to have given her such a grand gift. But after he saw her sapphire eyes light up in pure and utter joy like it did, all of his doubts melted away.

He couldn't the image of her happiness out of his mind…perhaps it was his human half…perhaps she just had this affect on people, Youkai and humans alike…but he had the sudden desire to see her more like that. He no longer wished to see the fear in her eyes that he so often expected to flash across the eyes of others. No, he wanted her happy…

Sesshomaru placed his hand on the rail of his balcony, golden eyes trailing down to the "snowman," Kagome had called it, that was in the middle of his snow-covered garden.

She and Rin had made it together, and the child was absolutely ecstatic when they finished-but whiny when she found out she wasn't allowed to take it inside. The smile on his face remained at the memory. Kagome had laughed then…and took the young girl in her arms, calling her silly and a "funny bunny," along with other endearments as she took Rin inside the castle.

He liked her laughter too…

'Gods, what is wrong with me?' He thought, his hand coming up to cover half of his face. 'Why can't I stop thinking about that damned human?' Sesshoamru pulled his hand away, gazing at the nearly human hands with sharp claws. 'More importantly, why do I allow myself to be plagued by her?'

It's just the curse

These feelings will fade

And she will be beneath you once more…

Sesshomaru could try to convince himself with these words as much as he wanted. But with each time that it echoed through his mind…the more he found it to be more of a lie than the truth…

With each time that Kagome called out his name…it seemed less like a harsh whip that struck fear into hearts, and more like a sweet caress of endearment…

'Are these feelings really my curse?' He thought with vague frustration. 'My torture?' The demon lord stepped from his balcony, leaving the serene solitude of the winter air that no longer seemed cold in its' passing days, but warmer with each breeze that drifted wayward snowflakes like fluttering feathers.

Yes, it certainly seemed that way. Or perhaps it was a trick of the weather, and perhaps the next day when he awoken, the moon halfway completing its' cycle as it disappeared into the dawn, the bitter winds of winter would return.

Or…perhaps it would usher in the presence of spring…

A delightful aroma began to assault his senses, and Sesshomaru found himself inhaling deeply the smell of mouth-watering food. Normally he did not need food, and again, he blamed his human half when his stomach grumbled slightly.

It was an odor of food that he was not familiar with, but nonetheless drawn to. Letting his curiosity overtake him, the demon lord found himself leaving the confinements of his room and walking down the hallway in the direction of the kitchen.

As he came ever closer to the delicious aroma, another scent wrapped around his senses-one of sakura blossoms and jasmine. And along with it came the cheerful humming and giggling chatter of a girl, laced in with many other voices that was no doubt in the kitchen with her.

'Kagome,' Sesshomaru recognized. Yes, perhaps it was the ushering, the ever beckoning sakura blossom winds of sweet, sweet spring.

~*~*~*~*~

"Salt! I need salt, and I need it quick!" Kagome exclaimed, and immediately there was a clamoring in the kitchen to get the said item for the girl.

"Rin has it!" The little girl announced, running quickly over and waving the little bottle of salt in the air. Kagome turned around, her eyes wide at the sight of the overly enthusiastic child.

"Oh, sweetie, be careful or you're going to fall!" She warned, and immediately after the words left her mouth, Rin slipped on some water spilt on the ground and was falling to the ground backwards, letting out a surprised yelp and sending the salt flying.

In a frenzied flurry of cries, a flash of blue rushed towards the falling child and caught Rin before her head hit the ground, and all the while managing to catch the bottle of salt to boot.

Rin's tightly shut eyes slowly opened, brown orbs peeking to meet with gentle gray ones. Nira pursed her lips at her.

"Rin, whatever where you thinking, running around in the kitchen like that?" The aged lynx youkai chided, and the little girl averted her eyes to the suddenly interesting tiles. At the sight of her, Nira softened her gaze and settled Rin back on her feet.

"Sorry Nira-san," She mumbled, sniffling a little.

Kagome let out a relieved sigh, and hurriedly scurried over to check Rin over.

"It's alright, Rin-chan. Just be more careful next time okay?" The older girl smiled, gently wiping away some of her brimming tears. "Are you alright? Does it hurt somewhere?" She asked softly, a worried look in her sapphire eyes. Immediately she shook her head.

"Rin is fine because Nira-san caught Rin!" She gushed, pointing to her aged guardian proudly.

"Yes, I can see that," Kagome smiled, looking at Nira gratefully. "She was like lightning-zipping across the kitchen like that!"

Nira chuckled, a light blush gracing her lined features.

"I may be one old, but I can still whip a wolf when it comes to racing," She jokingly bragged, though a bit of pride was laced in her voice.

"Even Koga?" Kagome exclaimed.

"That wolf prince? He doesn't count, child. The runt cheats by using those bloody shards of his," Nira nodded wisely. The young miko giggled.

"I didn't think you had it in you, Nira-san," Kagome admitted, taking the bottle of salt readily when the lynx youkai handed it over to her.

"What are making, Kagome-neesan?" Rin piped, following the older girl like a puppy at her heels over to the stove. Kagome smiled, pushing the sleeves up her arms and shaking a small amount of salt into the steaming pot.

"Miso soup," She answered, stirring the pot a bit before putting down the spoon and going over to another pot filled with meat. "Along with other specialties."

"It smells delicious, Kagome-san, who taught you how to cook? Even I am unfamiliar with the dishes that you are preparing," Nira ventured, gazing over Kagome's shoulder and taking the spoon for a taste herself. A purr emanated from her momentarily, and she licked her lips. "Exquisitely done!" The aged demoness complimented.

"Rin wants to try!" The child squealed. She was ushered into silence when Kagome put a finger to her lips, signaling for her to be quiet.

"Rin-chan, we've made enough noise, we don't want Sesshomaru-sama finding out do we-"

"Find out what?"

A voice sounded from the kitchen door, causing them to jump in surprise. For a split second, Kagome feared that it was the demon lord, drawn to the room by their undoubtedly loud ruckus. However, looking down all three of the females let out a sigh of relief.

"Aki, don't scare us like that!" Kagome huffed, turning back to her concoction of various meals. The little badger of a youkai bowed his apologies and slid the shoji door behind him.

"Forgive me, Kagome-san, but I couldn't help but…notice the wonderful aroma wafting throughout the castle…" Aki admitted, blushing slightly as he scooted closer to them. "If I may ask, what is cooking?" He smiled sheepishly.

"Miso soup and a whole lot of yummy things!" Rin piped, "And Kagome-neesan made it all!" She announced, beaming proudly at the miko who turned around at the mention of her name.

"What? Kagome-san's cooking?!" Aki asked, surprised.

"Yeah, is that bad?" Kagome inquired, a curious look on her face as she added a few additional ingredients into one of the pots.

"Well, it's just that…you're a guest here! To have you in the kitchens preparing lunch like a servant-what would Sesshomaru-sama say?" The badger youkai reasoned, tugging uncomfortably at his clothes. After all, he knew how strict the demon lord could be when it came to rules.

Kagome shuffled her feet a bit and she turned back to the boiling pots.

"Well, I don't see what's the big deal, I'm just making lunch is all," She said in a rather quiet tone-too quiet for Aki's liking, and he began to grow suspicious.

"Is that all?" He asked, scratching his furry head.

"Well…

"Kagome-neesan's making a surprise lunch for Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin piped before anyone could stop her. The badger's eyes widened in shock and Nira simply sighed as she took the child to the side. Kagome nearly froze on the spot as she gulped nervously.

'Man, that little girl's mouth runs like a waterfall…' Stiffly, the miko turned around, a rather strained smile on her face as she watched for Aki's reaction. Which at the moment still included him with his jaw halfway to the ground. 'But then again, now that I hear it aloud, it sounds like a pretty dumb idea…'

After several moments, Aki finally found his composure and spoke.

"Kagome-sama's doing what?" He repeated. Kagome sighed.

"I'm making lunch for the damn guy, why is that such a big shock?" She huffed, turning around to her preparations again.

"It's rather surprising to me, especially since the both of you hardly ever get along at all, no offense, Kagome-san," Aki said quickly. The young miko laughed weakly and shook her head.

"Maybe…but things have changed over the past couple of days. Sesshomaru's a lot nicer than he used to be…I mean, he gave me his whole library yesterday as a gift!" She said, stirring the soup a bit as a smile graced her delicate features.

She'd never admit it, but it was the sweetest thing that she had ever seen anyone done for her, and it stirred her heart more than anything else for the simple fact that it was Sesshomaru who was responsible for the act.

"I guess…I guess I just wanted to thank him in some way. But I don't have anything exactly to repay him by, so making him lunch is the least I can do."

Aki smiled slightly, his whiskers curling in knowing as he heard the soft tone in her melodic voice as she spoke of the demon lord.

"Besides, if I'm going to be staying here for what he says to be the rest of my life-or until Inuyasha comes to get me, I might as well try to get along with him!" Kagome finished, looking over her shoulder and winking at the servants.

"Yays! Like friends!" Rin squealed, jumping to Kagome's side once more.

"You know, if all you wanted was a meal with the demon lord, then why didn't you ask the servants?" Aki asked, looking over at Nira, who was taking out dishes and bowls. "We would've been more than happy to-"

"No thanks. This is something I want to do to show him my appreciation, and if I let you guys do all the work, then it's not really something from me, now is it?" Kagome reasoned, grinning as she pulled out more ingredients out of the shelves and worked her kitchen magic.

"Not to mention, there's a few dishes that I want to cook that you guys in the Feudal Era don't know about. So I gotta do it myself!"

"Such as?" The badger ventured, his eyes sparking at the mention of her refined cooking that could be sensed through his keen nose.

"Like this, Aki-san!" Rin quipped, bringing over a small little bowl of what seemed to be yellowish folded squares. He eyed the strange food warily, sniffing it and instantly his mouth watered. He took a little piece to his mouth and tasted it, black tipped ears perking at the new, yet delightful taste.

"Kagome-san! This is…"

"Good?" She smiled, turning around and taking one of the pots with her as she prepared to pour it into the dishes. Aki nodded fervently, taking more into his mouth as Rin looked on indignantly, pulling away as if to say, "Save some for Rin!"

"What is it?" The badger inquired, interested in the new food.

"Yes, I too am curious as to what this is, Kagome-san," Nira nodded, helping Kagome put the food into the dishes.

"Eggs," The girl answered simply. They both stared at her for a long while.

"Kagome-san, you eat eggs?" Nira asked in shock.

"Oh no! What if Rin accidentally ate the birdy?" The child cried, her face contorted into one of horror. Kagome burst out laughing.

"No! Those aren't eggs with actual chicks in them!" Kagome giggled. "They're chicken eggs, ones with only the yolk in them so it's perfectly fine to eat. And they're really simple to make too. The ones that I made today are fried."

Aki and Nira eyed the yellow folds once more before shrugging altogether. Kagome smiled, pulling down her sleeves and a triumphant looks on her face.

"Okay! All done!"

Suddenly, a gasp escaped from Nira's lips as her gray eyes widened.

"Kagome-sama, Lord Sesshomaru is coming this way!" She warned, and Kagome stiffened in panic.

"Quick! We have to get this stuff out of here and into the dining room before he gets here!"

Without a moment to waste, they all ran about the room carrying trays and dishes of Kagome's hard work. Nira ushered many of the other servants to carry it out to a secret passageway that led out of the kitchen as Kagome watched with fevered anticipation, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

When the door to the passage slid shut, she let out a sigh of relief, only to jump and scream slightly as a hand grasped her shoulder from behind, startling the wits out of her.

Ebony hair whipped around as golden eyes locked with sapphire ones. Kagome found herself staring into the almost emotionless face of the demon lord-if it had not been for the fact that his lips were tugged slightly upwards in a smile of amusement.

"What are you doing here?" His silky voice came wrapped her senses like a velvet blanket. She couldn't help but shudder slightly as his grip on her shoulder tightened. 'Why does he have that effect on me lately?'

"Uh…nothing, Sesshomaru-sama!" Kagome said nervously, smiling her best to look innocence. The demon lord raised an eyebrow at her. He could smell-and see the lie written all over her flushing face, and her voice was laced in something that reminded him of a Rin when she was caught doing something she wasn't supposed to.

His eyes scanned the room. The scent of food still lingered, though

"You know it is useless to hide from me-"

"Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin came ran to the demon lord' side and began to tug on his sleeve (and just in time too, Kagome thought). He turned from the miko to his ward, who was looking at him with a sparkle in her young eyes.

"What is it, Rin?" He said emotionlessly.

"Rin is hungry, and Rin wants to eat lunch with Sesshomaru-sama and Kagome-neesan!" She said huriedly, practically dragging the demon lord out of the kitchen and towards the dining hall.

Almost sighing, he nodded, noting that Kagome followed suit with a bowed head and a slight pink tint to her cheeks. He couldn't help but narrow his eyes at Rin's overly energetic behavior and persistence, as well as Kagome's quiet and shy behavior.

Something was amiss. Nevertheless, he decided to humor the child and allowed for her to lead him to the dining hall, Kagome close at his heels.

~*~*~*~*~

He was in a state of mild surprise, if not complete and utter shock. His golden eyes trailed continually from the assortment of foreign, and yet all the same impressive, dishes that were laid out before him, to the girl that prepared it all.

And what's more, Kagome had done all of this for him. He had never been given anything-without having to threaten for it of course-before in his entire life. And no, Tenseiga didn't exactly count. Sesshomaru found himself speechless when she turned to him and said, "Surprise," rather meekly, as if waiting to see if he approved.

So far, he had been unable to answer her at all, simply looking curiously at the laid out meal before him before he walked over to the table and wordlessly seated himself on the tatami mat.

And now that the three of them were all seated, putting various of the curious food into their dishes but not yet eaten, the demon lord imagined that Kagome must feel rather tense at the moment. After all, he had not said a word to her after he entered the room.

He picked up his bowl, chopsticks firmly in his hand. Before eating he glanced over at the miko, who was not looking at him at all. He noted, with a strange twinge in his gut, that a rather crestfallen look had shadowed her face, a saddened aura about her.

Sesshomaru couldn't help but frown when he realized that he was the cause of her unhappy face. 'She believes I am ungrateful for this gesture,' he thought with a softened look in his golden eyes. He looked at the bowl in his hands again, the smell was alluring, the food mouth-watering.

And yet, he did not find himself wanting to eat it-this food so carefully planned and prepared by Kagome if she was to sit beside him as restless as she was. It was just…he didn't understand why she went out of her way to do something for him-he, her captor.

'But Kagome has surprised you more than once during her stay,' He reasoned with himself. Unable to take the silence and her mood towards him, the demon lord put down his bowl and grasped Kagome by her chin, forcing her to look at him.

She did so without wavering, her sapphire eyes defiant-and at the same time sad as she looked into his golden depths.

"Thank you," He said emotionlessly, and her eyes widened momentarily at the words that passed his lips, "…Truly, Kagome," Sesshomaru added, and with the whisper of her name she smiled, forgetting her worries as he released her chin.

"Your welcome, Sesshomaru-sama," She replied, blushing. The demon lord nodded, his fingers lingering near her face as if he was willing himself to not caress her heated cheeks. Shaking the thoughts from his head, he took the bowl once more and brought the food to his lips.

It was a little while until he got used to all of the foreign dishes that Kagome prepared, but needless to say, he had never enjoyed a better meal. He had never known her to be such a wonderful cook-though he'd never admit it to anyone outside of her.

Because quite frankly, the first time he accidentally let a compliment for her food slip, her eyes lit up and her smile widened in such a way that it brought the familiar feeling of warmth to the demon lord. A feeling that he was growing to like more and more when she did so.

Their meal went on with such an air of accord that it surprised Sesshomaru even more. He had never thought he would be able to get through a meal with the miko without a bitter or snide remark here and there. But she proved to be quite the pleasing company, even when she was bantering with him. He was not offended by her remarks, nor did he ignore them.

"Don't get used to eating like this, Sesshomaru-sama. I'm not going to be your own private cook from now on!" She laughed.

"Please, you might poison me," He countered.

"There! You did it again!"

"I beg to inquire what you are talking about," Sesshomaru replied coolly, sipping his soup.

"That sarcasm thing! And don't be like that! You don't seem to care about poisoning when you're shoveling all that food down your throat!"

He shot her a look.

"I do not 'shovel my food down my throat,' that is you."

Kagome didn't even look offended at the comment, rather huffed playfully and giggled softly, a serene look on her face as she put down her empty bowl.

The demon lord…liked talking to her like this. He liked hearing her laughter and seeing her smile. He liked seeing her face light up at the simplest of his compliments, her blush at his softest of gazes. She was the first person he could talk to so casually in such a manner with such ease, without having being feared and being in his company simply because she enjoyed it.

What a strange human…

"Tell me," Sesshomaru began when almost everything off the table had been eaten, their bowls cast aside and Rin lay carelessly on the ground, deep in her nap as she used the tatami mat for a pillow, "Why did you do all of this?"

Kagome looked at him carefully, edging over to where Rin was and propping the child so that her head was in her lap.

"I wanted to thank you," She said honestly, wiping a few rice grains stained on Rin's cheek. Sesshomaru gazed curiously at her, running slender fingers through his hair.

"Whatever for? You should spite me. I took away your freedom, you know I am using you for my own purposes," He said coolly, though he knew that he would not have traded the last few days in which she did not fight him tooth and nail. She simply smiled, her eyes gazing intently back at him.

"I guess so. And believe me, I'm still a bit mad a you," Kagome grinned, her tone joking. Despite that, Sesshomaru could not help but feel uneasy at the thought, he waited as she continued. "But you have also been…good to me…and for that I thank you."

"Have you not thought of the possibility that this is a part of my tact? That I might just be doing so to get close to you, to let your guard down?" He countered, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. Kagome sighed in slight frustration, but she did not seem impatient with him.

"Maybe, but even if that were true, I don't think the great Sesshomaru-sama would be so stupid as to let his enemies know of his plans," She flashed him a wide victorious grin when she saw his lips thin and his golden eyes narrow. "I'm right, aren't I?"

The demon lord said nothing, rather turned his head away. Behind him he heard Kagome giggle lightly.

"Besides, even if you did mean all that stuff. The other day…in the library…I just can't bring myself to believe that you're as cold as you look." She blushed at the next words that passed her lips. "Not when I saw you smile the way you did."

Sesshomaru found himself compelled to look at her once more, staring as she bit her lower lip. It was then that he realized. She had meant it. Every word of it…Kagome met his gaze as well, sapphire eyes no longer holding the fear and loathing that often lingered in her irises, no longer seeing him as someone so impossible to reach.

"I hope this isn't the last time we do this," Kagome said softly, standing to leave. "Excuse me, Sesshomaru-sama, I promised to meet Kotori in the gardens," She gently moved Rin from her lap and excused herself, unaware of the pair of golden eyes that watched with the beginnings of silent admiration as she walked out of the door.

The demon lord closed his eyes, listening to her light footfalls as they resounded down the hallway.

For the first time, Sesshomaru felt…as if he truly wasn't doomed for a lonely existence. Because if someone so innocent and once a sworn enemy of his could learn to befriend him and earn his respect…and yes, friendship in such circumstances, then perhaps it was not so desperately impossible for a demon to know the true meaning of acceptance.

"I hope this wasn't the last time either…" He found himself saying to the empty room. Glancing at the empty dishes, Sesshomaru couldn't help but realize, that he truly meant it. 'Kagome…what are you doing to me?'

~End Chapter

[A/N]

Yume: Okay, so sorry once more for the long wait!

CF: Oh! We must punish ourselves Yume, for our shameful crime!

Yume: How about you punish yourself, CF?

CF: CF is naïve, not stupid.

Yume: Damn. Anyways, what's today's lesson?

CF: The quickest way to a man's heart is his stomach!

Yume: Yup! Lol. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR REVIEWS! You guys really keep me going.

CF: Read and Review Please! No flames!

Ja Ne! ^_~