An Off-White Christmas by UnknownRandomness

Scares Lead To False Reparations

Prompt: Poinsettia

Word Count: 450

Shivering, Kagome glared at the tiled wall of her shower, trying and failing to get the image of hundreds of disturbing doll faces from her mind. That wasn’t just a mean prank – it had been traumatizing! She couldn’t believe that Sesshoumaru would use that knowledge against her; she had told it to him in complete confidence many years ago and how old had she been then? Eight, nine? He really was stepping out of line… the young woman wasn’t sure that she’d ever forgive him.

Apparently, he had come to the same conclusion, since there was a large bouquet of vibrant crimson flowers with rich green leaves waiting for her when she returned to their bedroom. Poinsettia’s, her mind vaguely supplied as she inspected the flora for hidden dolls or booby traps. The miko clearly couldn’t rely on her mate to play fairly, so Kagome refused to take anything he sent her way at face value.  

But when her search yielded nothing, Kagome wondered if perhaps she was being a little too paranoid. They were mates after all, a little rivalry wouldn’t cause any serious separation in their bond, right? Annoyed with her worrisome thoughts, the raven-haired woman flung her towel back into the bathroom and hurriedly dressed, intent on finding and cornering her inuyoukai before anything else of a suspicious or dubious nature showed up.

Glancing back at the festive plant, she sighed. They were such pretty flowers – the least she could do was find them a vase so they didn’t wither away prematurely. Walking down to the kitchen, Kagome pulled the ribbon from its place around the stems and was surprised when a small card fluttered out, landing face down on the carpeted floor. Blinking in surprise, the miko bent down and picked the card up, noting how thick and luscious the fortified paper was before turning it around to inspect the writing that was unmistakably Sesshoumaru’s.

A little too far, perhaps? My apologies mate, I did not wish to cause you serious discomfort. Please do not forget that this Sesshoumaru loves you. Would you like a ceasefire?

Kagome smiled, touched despite herself. She was just about to consider calling off the whole charade when her eyes alighted on the slightly smaller sentences at the bottom edge of the note.

Oh, but do not forget that this Sesshoumaru is Lord of the Western Lands.

I will win.

A vein throbbed in her forehead as her previous mood evaporated with his last chance of forgiveness. So that’s how he wanted to play it, huh? Well, she would be as accommodating as any great wife should be. Kagome would make sure that she exceeded any and all of his expectations.