Living Life by UnknownRandomness

Comfort

A/N: I hope you like this chapter and please review if you feel so inclined. 

Prompt: Wisdom (Kushimitama)

"She's certainly grown hasn't she? It seemed like just the other day she came back with you in her little bow shoes." Mrs Higurashi said wistfully. 

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha couldn't help but nod in agreement as they watched Kagome's retreating figure, her long raven hair swaying in rhythm with her quick steps. The daiyoukai turned from the top of the shrine steps and walked back to the warmth of the house, where a soothing cup of green tea was awaiting him. Inuyasha followed him muttering under his breath about the swift passage of time.

Sesshoumaru couldn't help but agree with his half-brother; the years had passed by much too fast. Kagome Higurashi was no longer the innocent, adorable, baby-faced child he had let into his world, but a strong, sweet, and kind young woman. She would be eighteen next birthday...

Taking off his warm coat and slipping on the guest slippers he always wore, the inu let a small scowl cross his normally impassive face. Now that Kagome had blossomed- both mentally and physically- many boys had become interested in her. He snorted in derision. Boys. None of them were worth his precious companion's time, yet she seemed determined to ignore that fact, and had befriended many of them, much to his annoyance. 

There was one boy in particular, he thought as he took a sip of the scalding liquid, that shouldn't be allowed within a hundred miles of Kagome. His name was Kouga, and he was nothing but trouble. A wolf youkai with no manners and an irritating disposition; he had easily outdone the girl's other potential suitors and endlessly pestered Kagome for a date. Eventually, she'd given in and that was where she was headed now- on a date to the cinema with Kouga.

"Woah, calm down Fluffy, you're gonna have to pay for that you know."

Sesshoumaru started at the sound of Inuyasha's lightly mocking voice, only to realise that he had broken the ceramic mug in his clenched fist, the powdered shards mixing with the remnants of his drink on the table. At that very moment, Mrs Higurashi entered and immediately spotted the evidence of his frustration. An understanding smile fleeted across her face before she retrieved a tablecloth from the kitchen and neatly cleaned away the mess. The elder Tashio, slightly mortified but refusing to let it show, thanked the woman, left her money for a replacement- regardless of her refusal to accept it- and inconspicuously punched his sibling in the gut before leaving.

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What was wrong with him? He hadn't felt jealousy like this in years!

Golden eyes snapped open as he sat up from where he had been splayed on his sofa.

He was jealous. Jealous of Kouga. That left a bitter taste in his mouth, and he turned on the television, hoping to distract himself with the news. Inadvertently, he glanced at the clock and saw that Kagome's movie would've ended almost an hour ago. Sesshoumaru wondered if she had gotten home safely. He vegetated in front of the T.V, pleased to see that his closest competitors' shares had dropped considerably, whilst his company's swiftly climbed. 

A rattling at the front door caught his sensitive hearing, and he rose as the door quietly closed. A smile crept onto his face; Kagome often liked to surprise him by letting herself in with the keys that he had given to her on her sixteenth birthday. Leaving the living room, the tender smile disappeared as his eyes met Kagome's.

Her normally vibrant blue eyes shone with tears, and her usual smile had morphed into a horrible grimace as she tried to keep up a cheerful appearance. Sesshoumaru was by her side in an instant, grasping her shoulders in a firm grip.

"Kagome, what happened?" His voice was low and deadly, promising painful retribution for whoever had made his friend cry. Her slim shoulders shook as she threw her arms around his middle, and Sesshoumaru suddenly remembered a scared eight year-old clutching at his neck. His arms encompassed her completely, offering safety and comfort. 

Kagome sobbed silently, her tears staining his jumper as they slowly made their way to the sofa. The daiyoukai left her to make a hot chocolate, and when he returned her eyes were red but dry. That was one of the many things he admired about her- she refused to wallow in her sadness. Handing her the sweet drink, he offered her a warm smile, and was gratified when she returned it. 

Over the next half an hour Kagome told him that Kouga had stood her up, and so she had gone in and watched the movie alone, only to spot him 'sucking face' in the auditorium with the class slut Ayame. Sesshoumaru sucked in a deep breath, desperately trying to keep control over his rage. That boy would be missing a few limbs when school started on Monday.

Kagome, as if sensing his bloodlust, placed a small hand on his arm. "I may not have any feelings for him, but it still hurt to be stood up; especially when he seemed so eager."

It was as if a switch had been flipped inside his brain. Hearing her annoyed confession made his ire vanish. Smiling, he stood and took her empty mug from the coffee table.

"If you do not have feelings for that boy, then don't let him affect you. It may hurt now, but come Monday- he'll be the one hurting... The opinions of those you do not care about do not matter." 

The teen also stood and followed him into the comfortable kitchen, a thoughtful expression on her face. Taking a seat at the worktop, she picked up a shiny apple from the fruit bowl and bit into it, before fixing Sesshoumaru with an intense stare.

"How did you become so wise Angel-sama?" 

Golden eyes sparkled as Sesshoumaru swiveled round and tickled his companion, laughing at her indignant squeals.

"When you are as amazing as I am, giving good advice comes as second nature Kagome... I thought you knew that!"

Her struggles to get away became a vicious effort to tickle him back at that, but her tormentor easily evaded her limber fingers.

"There's no need to be so full of yourself! It wasn't that good anyway! I bet I can give better advice any day of the week!" Eventually, their tickle war came to an end with Kagome surrendering completely. Picking themselves up from the floor, they made their way back to the sofa, and Sesshoumaru eyed Kagome before sighing,

"And which insufferable child's movie are you going to pick this time?"

The blue-eyed woman smiled triumphantly, knowing she'd won. "You know me so well."