The Heroic and Super-Duper Trials of a Girl and a Demon by UnknownRandomness

Separate

A/N: Once again, I apologize for being so slow. This time I wasn't even busy- I just didn't want to write this chapter... but I had to eventually. Enjoy, if possible and please review :)

Prompt: Flame (Week 29)

Word Count: 419

"I've had enough Sesshoumaru. I can't take your cold shoulder any longer, so just, please, tell me what I need to do in order to earn your acceptance!"

The daiyoukai turned abruptly, forcing Kagome to stop walking or risk breaking her nose on his metal chest plate. 

"My acceptance?" He chuckled, the sound deep and humourless. "You have my acceptance; you are one of the very few who have earned it. How could you not notice that I had given it to you willingly, Kagome?"

The miko shivered at the sound of her name. Sesshoumaru rarely addressed her as anything other than 'miko'- her name sounded like a prayer on his tongue.

Her companion watched her closely, his eyes dancing with emotions she couldn't discern- it looked like his irises were coloured by miniature flames that burned fiercely inside him.

Sesshoumaru raised a hand and pushed her bangs back, leaving her azure eyes clear to his searching gaze.

Kagome could feel her limbs trembling at such close proximity and she silently prayed that whatever he required, she could give it to him.

"You haven't lost my acceptance, but you have squandered my trust. You lied. Now is the time to tell me the truth."

Kagome felt like screaming and crying until she woke up from this nightmare. Oh, the irony; the only thing that could right her wrong was the only thing she couldn't disclose. Taking in a deep, shuddering breath, the young woman dropped her head in shame.

"I... I can't. I'm sorry Sesshoumaru."

She felt his hand leave her forehead and his boots retreated from her vision. Slowly, Kagome mustered up the courage to look the inuyoukai in the eyes. His gaze no longer danced with fire, his irises were dull and flat.

"You will address this Sesshoumaru with the proper title, ningen."

Kagome held back a sob as a sharp pain lanced through her chest- was it her heart breaking? Horrified gaze fixed on the Western Lord, she inclined her head. It was as if she had gone back in time, before they travelled together, back to when they had first met and he had tried to kill her. Sesshoumaru looked exactly as he had then- cold, superior and lethal.

"Do not return to the shiro until you deign to tell the truth."

The futuristic miko flinched and her eyes dropped, his snide tone cutting at her resolve. "...Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama."

She raised her head to ask about Shippo's situation, only to find that she was alone.