An Off-White Christmas by UnknownRandomness

Battles Lead To Secret Meetings

Prompt: Candles

Word Count: 465

Miroku smiled warmly at his friend, seated opposite her in the small and quaint cafe they visited whenever they were making devious plans or going for a simple break from their crazily exciting lives.

"So, you and Sesshoumaru are having a 'season of festive warfare' I take it?"

Kagome spluttered on her tea, face turning red as she desperately tried not to choke on the scalding liquid. After a few manic seconds she managed to force out a squeaked, 

"How did you know?"  

The lecher chuckled deeply, before revealing his secret. "Sango. Although that amazing woman may pretend to hate me, she can be very easily persuaded, particularly when I have her ear caught between my teeth." 

The miko raised both hands as if to block his words from reaching her. "O-kay, that's enough on that topic! I love both of you; I really don't want to have perverted images flashing through my mind the next time I see you two together."

"Why Kagome, you wound me!" His mouth pulled up into an incredibly not-innocent grin. "Why ever would you think that I was even remotely suggesting something perverted?"

Her disbelieving look caused him to laugh heartily. Smirking, he took a sip of his coffee and they sat quietly for a few minutes, simply soaking in the other's comforting presence. Kagome was glad for these moments of calm with her friend- she respected and adored him immeasurably, regardless of his hentai tendencies. 

But she wasn't a patient person, and she quickly wanted to move onto the real reason they were here. 

"As much as I love your company Miroku, you promised to bring him and I see no evidence of you keeping your promise." Kagome's eyebrow raised in a perfect replication of Sesshoumaru's doubting stare, completely unconsciously on her part. 

Abruptly, her phone rang and she answered it, gazing at her companion quizzically when his smile grew even wider as she put the device to her ear.

"Moshi Moshi?"

"Hi Kagome! Now don't go unjustly accusing Miroku; he kept his side of the bargain! It's not his fault if you're spectacularly unobservant."

"What, you're here?!"

"Yep. Look behind you."

Kagome turned expectantly, but there was nothing to be seen except a collection of candles shaped like the Three Wise Men. Glancing at the pervert, he just nodded at her and she looked again, but still couldn't see anything.

"Fine, I give up. You have thoroughly out-foxed me. Reveal yourself, you cheeky trickster!"

With a bright glare of turquoise fox-fire, Shippo appeared to materialise from thin air right behind her wicker chair. He leant down to embrace her, pecking her rosy cheek whilst stealing one of her miniature muffins at the same time.

The newcomer grinned. "Of course I have- after all, you did request a professional."