Living Life by UnknownRandomness

Memories

A/N: Here's the next chapter! Hope I haven't made any spelling/grammatical mistakes (but I probably have). As always, I hope you enjoy it and please leave a review :)

Prompt: Friendship (Nigimitama)

"Blow out the candles Kagome and make a wish!" 

Sesshoumaru watched as the raven-haired girl screwed her eyes shut, before drawing in an over-exaggerated breath and blowing out the small, guttering flames in one fell swoop. He could practically see the gears in her mind working as she desperately prayed that her wish would come true, and when she opened her eyes with a victorious smile, he couldn't help but smile with her. 

That was the way it always was around Kagome; you just couldn't help yourself. 

It was interesting, he mused, as the others each received a slice of chocolate caramel fudge cake (naturally, he wasn't having any of that disgustingly sweet monstrosity), that this young girl had come into his life two fateful years ago, and that since then he hadn't left her side. As he watched her celebrate her tenth birthday (she had been ridiculously excited to have broken into double-digits), the inuyoukai thought over the times they had spent together.    

After saving her in the park from those horrific excuses for children, he'd taken her to her home, which he was surprised to learn was a shrine, and that her family were the keepers of a sacred tree he was quite familiar with. Her mother had met him with kindness and invited him in for tea, enourmously grateful when Kagome told her what had happened in the playground. The friendly woman had easily seen how besotted he was with her adorable daughter, and told him that he was welcome to visit anytime. Sesshoumaru had taken her up on her offer, and visited the shrine many times (more than he cared to count), taking Kagome and Souta to the park, playing with her and Buyo in the well-house, or attempting to teach the siblings shogi- much to their dismay and their grandfather's happiness.

A few months after their meeting, she visited his house for the first time, and the stoic demon couldn't help but chuckle as he remembered her wide-eyed expression, the awesomeness of his mansion causing her mouth to fall open and her normally chattering voice to leave her. Her first question upon entering the building was, "Is the hallway big enough to play catch in? Because I think it's going to rain." Yes, she was an odd one, but wonderful company. His life had never been so happy- work didn't seem so insufferable when he thought about returning home and playing with the young Higurashi. Although many still attempted to win his affections, they stood even less of a chance than before; since all his love was given to the girl he had saved.

Sesshoumaru wrinkled his nose as Kagome somehow managed to stuff her entire slice of cake into her mouth at once, and couldn't help but narrow his eyes when Inuyasha wiped the excess off her chin.

That day he still recalled with an uncomfortable twinge in his chest: the fateful day he had introduced his younger brother to Kagome and had felt jealousy for the very first time in his very long life. Actually, for quite a few weeks, he hadn't been able to place the emotion, owing to the fact that he had never experienced it before. When he finally realised what it was, he'd had a long and uncomfortable conversation with himself, arguing that he couldn't monopolize her, just because he'd known her first. Didn't stop him wanting to though.

Recently however, he'd managed to squash those unwanted feelings, when it became strikingly clear that although Kagome adored Inuyasha beyond the realms of belief, Sesshoumaru would always be her favourite.

He had taken her to the cinema (as he always did once or twice a month), and the on-screen friends had become lovers by the end of the feature. Sesshoumaru hadn't been able to stop himself snorting in degradation- these kiddies movies were always so damn predictable! 

But as they left the building, Kagome had surprised him by sighing cutely and stating, "They were friends but they became a couple. Even though that boy liked her too, she stuck to the one she loved... I hope that we're gonna be like that!"

The fully grown adult almost tripped over thin air in his shock.

"The heroine clearly loved the other boy too. There was a good chance that she would've abandoned the original boy."

The young girl's brow had furrowed as she gave the matter some very serious thought before answering.

"Well... it wasn't the same kind of love... they were more like family, whereas she very clearly loves the first boy, in... you know... that kind of way." 

His golden eyes had widened in surprise as he picked up her reddening cheeks and furtive glances towards him in the dusky light. He couldn't tell if it was from embarrassment due to the topic or because of some undisclosed feelings towards him, but Sesshoumaru had felt his heart calm as his worries were eased. She may not have said it directly, but then, she didn't need to; they understood one another so well that it gave his brother the creeps.

"...el-sama!"

Sesshoumaru blinked as he left his memories behind, only to find that Kagome had joined him in front of Goshinboku and had been trying to get his attention.

"Yes, Kagome?"

"You haven't wished me a Happy Birthday yet, Angel-sama, and it's almost over. It's not like you to forget something- especially when the others have been reminding you all day!" 

He couldn't help but smile as she puffed up her cheeks in indignation, her blue eyes sparkling in the muted light from the house. The affectionate nickname she'd called him when they had first met, before she knew his name, still made him grin. The ten-year old did use his real name too, but he much preferred the title she'd given him, because it was from her and she alone could use it.

"I am so very sorry, my esteemed lady, you have this lowly servant's humblest apologies. I should be flayed for my treachery!" Sesshoumaru adopted the gruff yet contrite tone he used to placate his young friend- it always made her laugh.

As he'd hoped, her tinkling giggle escaped from behind her hands, before she took one of his and smiled brightly at him.

"Happy Birthday, Kagome."

Her smile grew even wider as she leaned in and hugged him, her head resting on his stomach, her short arms clutching his jacket, not yet able to reach around his muscled midriff.

Sesshoumaru could practically feel her smile turn devilish before she poked him in the side, disrupting their tender moment.

"You little tyke! What has this Sesshoumaru done to deserve such treatment?"

"Nothing. But I want to thank you... for being such a good friend."

His eyes smiled along with his mouth as he patted the top of her head, and picked her up... before pretending to buckle under her weight.

"Kami! What have they been feeding you?! You weigh a ton!" Her eyes narrowed in irritation as she fell for his teasing, her little hands smacking his shoulders gently.

"I don't! You're just weak that's all!" 

His deep chuckle and her light giggles combined into the sound of joy as he walked with her in his arms back to the house, towards their waiting friends and family.