Repercussions by Discord

Chapter 1

Repercussions

By: Discord

A/N:  Sesshoumaru demands an answer, and Kagome's none too keen on giving one he'll like.  Written for the SessKag Blog's October prompt, 'fear'.

--

            Kagome's heart thundered in her ears – deafening and deeply embarrassing in the face of the demon lord standing only an arm's length away.  Long, pointed ears twitched, confirming he could hear its pound as clearly as she, and Kagome decided dying right there on the spot would be most timely.

            This is going well, she thought glumly, staring at her shoes.

            "You have not answered my question," Sesshoumaru intoned, broaching her traitorous heart's sense-consuming thump.  A breeze drifted past, sending strands of silver over his braced, stiffened shoulders.  He waited on her word, gauging her with an unreadable expression.  They were alone, and she was acutely aware he had purposefully sought her out free of an audience.

            Kagome swallowed, willing a sinkhole to open up in the earth at her feet.  "I'm… processing."

            Golden eyes narrowed.  "Processing?"

            "Thinking," she clarified.

            "I believe my intentions have been clear," he said slowly.  "What is there to consider?"

            Kagome regarded the forest around them, desperate to focus on anything besides the expectant, otherworldly features before her.  Sunlight dappled merrily through the trees, brightening green leaves to speckled lime as long rays reached for the mossy, overgrown ground.

            Stupid sun.  Spitefully cheery.  Suppose the birds will start warbling just to add to my misery.

            On cue, a pair of swallows began crooning to each other.  Kagome gave a gusty sigh.

            "Do not make me ask again," the daiyoukai took a step closer, boring his gaze into the side of her face.  "What is your answer?"

            Trepidation climbed its way up Kagome's throat, and she searched for the birds, trying to ignore his silent demand to meet his eye.  She caught a beating flutter of wings as the swallows alighted together on a branch, cuddling up close in a sickening display of affection.  Feathery little jerks.

            "It's traditional in my time—," she started, before Sesshoumaru cut her off.

            "We are not in your time," he ground out.  "Youkai custom dictates—."

            "I am no youkai," Kagome countered.  "I didn't realize—."

            "I have made my preference well-known," he stated firmly, anger starting to simmer in his stare.  "You try to claim ignorance?"

            Kagome finally dragged her eyes to his, catching the tight set of his jaw.  "I'm sorry, Sesshoumaru.  I didn't mean to—."

            "Your actions are forgivable if you respond favorably."

            Kagome tried swallowing again, but her mouth had gone dry.  "I-I won't take it back," she managed, straightening her spine.  Her attempt at bravery was short-lived as Sesshoumaru's mouth turned down in a scowl.

            "You will," he ordered.

            She shook her head mutely.

            A nearby bush rustled and broke open as a small figure came crashing through, bits of detritus clinging to a set of oversized cat ears nestled in a head of black hair.

            "Kagome-sama!"  The newcomer cried, delight evident.  "I love it so much!"  A twirl followed, showing off a onesie of spotted fur, replete with a tail and paws.

            Sesshoumaru's scowl darkened, and Kagome shrank back.

            "She looks adorable," she whispered, surveying the cat costume Rin wore.  "She would get so much candy if there was trick-or-treating here."

            "You will explain to this Sesshoumaru why you gifted Rin such monstrous attire," he growled.  "Now."

            Kagome offered a sheepish smile.  "I couldn't help myself?" 

            "That is not good enough."

            She ducked through a nod, and with a wink at the girl in head-to-toe fuzz, turned and took off at a sprint, darting through the trees like her life depended on it.  Her heart renewed its hammer as she heard the daiyoukai utter an oath and give chase.  She pushed her legs harder, running faster as she leapt downed logs and skirted the reach of low-hanging branches.

            Emboldened by distance, Kagome risked a glance over her shoulder.  "I'm not sorry!"  She called.  "Totally worth it!"

            Sesshoumaru rushed forward in a blur, coming up behind her in an instant.  Clawed fingers shot through the air and captured a fistful of her uniform.  He stopped abruptly, and she almost toppled off-balance from the halting yank of his hold.

            Looking back on buckled knees, Kagome worked – and failed – to suddenly appear contrite.  "Uh…," she started.  "Happy Halloween?"

            Sesshoumaru frowned, craning down.  "Not sorry, you say?"

            "I was mistaken."

            "Indeed."

            "Let me go?"

            His lean dropped mokomoko and silver hair across her frame.  "You have forgotten what it means to fear this Sesshoumaru.  I will remind you."

            Kagome gulped as her heart sped once more.