Higher Education by SunsetMiko

Chapter 76

Author's note: Thanks for the patience and the concern some of you expressed when I didn't update for a few days. Something did, indeed, happen that kept me from doing so. On Friday, our entire neighborhood flooded. The water was easily knee deep and it invaded our garage. It come in the front and back doors a little, but nothing bad enough to cause damage. The garage, however, wasn't any fun. We had to go through everything and throw a ton of stuff that had been in cardboard boxes away. My wedding album was soaked, but I managed to rescue the pictures out of it and they dried okay. Good thing, too, as they were the only ones we had. No digital copies back then. We had to move my mother's heavy dining room table into the house because it was sitting on sopping wet blankets. Thankfully, it wasn't damaged, but moving it nearly killed my husband and I. Real wood is HEAVY! The next day I was too sore to do much of anything, and even now, the cleanup of the garage isn't finished. It smells mildew-y out there and we're going to have to move all the plastic tubs to let that area dry out as well. No fun, I can assure you, and that is why I haven't posted for 3 days. I'm sad I broke my 75 day streak, but it really was unavoidable.

Prompt: Miscreation (Stella's Word Prompt Game) Words: 100

As Sesshoumaru lay in bed, holding Kagome tightly in his arms, his thoughts seemed to be stuck in a vicious cycle as he was repeatedly reminded of his lack of trust. He couldn't understand how she wasn't angry with him for his suspicions. He'd basically accused her of cheating on him. He hadn't trusted her when she'd never given him even the slightest reason to suspect she might betray him. The guilt in him grew and grew, and it felt like there was this wall between them, that no matter how close their bodies, their minds and hearts were separated.

Prompt: Deliquesce (Stella's Word Prompt Game) Words: 300

He needed to fix this. Sure, she didn't seem even the slightest bit upset with his behavior, but he was appalled by it and needed to make it right. It was obvious that sleep would not find him until he did.

"Kagome?" he murmured softly. "Are you still awake?"

"Hmm?" the miko hummed, and Sesshoumaru released a sigh of relief.

"I... I am so sorry that I treated you with suspicion instead of trust," he told her, his voice quiet, his breath brushing gently across her ear.

At first, she said nothing, and the feeling of guilt in his heart only grew. Finally, and much to his relief, she replied, though it was only one word. "Why?"

Why hadn't he trusted her? Why had he automatically assumed the worst? "Because I was afraid."

"Of?"

"I was afraid that you had finally realized that you deserve better, that you had found someone more appropriate, someone more deserving than myself. I've... I've been waiting for it to happen."

Kagome squirmed in his hold until she rolled over to face him, pressing her lips to his chin affectionately. "There is no one better, no one more deserving. I want you, you silly man."

"But..." Even as he sought to argue with her, to assure her that there was certainly someone more fitting, someone of her social standing, someone who knew what they were doing, he felt the tension in his heart, the wall he'd felt between them, began to melt away.

"No buts," she whispered, tracing the markings on his cheek with her fingertips. "I have never been happier than I am with you, Sesshoumaru. Next time, no matter what it is, trust me."

He nodded and ran his nose along her cheek. "I will. I never should have doubted you, my Kagome."

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Prompt: Motley (Stella's Word Prompt Game) Words: 400

The next morning, Kagome seemed cranky. She'd woken up grumbling, despite being able to sleep in. Nothing seemed to cooperate with her, as she kept dropping things, couldn't find what she was looking for in the closet, and nearly fell over a pair of her own shoes while digging for the right skirt. She didn't seem the slightest bit pleased with him, either. If he hadn't apologized last night, if she hadn't forgiven him, he would think that she was upset with him over what had occurred the day before. Not wishing to draw her anger, Sesshoumaru gave her a wide berth. He didn't dare try to join her in the shower, instead setting out to make her breakfast, in the hopes of cheering her up.

When she joined him at the table, she smiled at him, which sent a wave of relief through the taiyoukai. When she tried to take a bite of her waffle, however, it slipped off her fork just before making it to her mouth, dripping syrup all over her blouse. She cursed loudly and rose to go change and Sesshoumaru winced. If something could go wrong, it seemed like it was going to happen today. The world was out to get her.

She gave up trying to eat breakfast once she'd returned with a new shirt. She headed to her desk and began flipping through her papers in search of one specific sheet. He knew she was approaching the end of her rope when she began tossing things over her shoulder and out of the way in the hopes of uncovering whatever she was looking for.

He watched her closely, able to sense her growing frustration, and when she began to swear under her breath, Sesshoumaru swept her up in his arms and carried her back into the bedroom. He ignored it when she growled at him, settling her in her spot.

"Go back to sleep," he ordered. "Then you can wake up and try again. You don't have class until this afternoon anyway."

Kagome couldn't help but laugh despite herself. "I got out of bed on the same side I always do," she joked.

"Well, perhaps try my side this time," he replied with a smirk. "It might help. What did you do to make the gods angry anyway? They seem intent on punishing you this morning."

"Oh, I wish I knew," she sighed.

Prompt: Synthesis (Stella's Word Prompt Game) Words: 619

Sesshoumaru's thoughts had remained with the miko, even during his class. It seemed almost as if the world was responding to her bad mood, trying to make things worse for her. After some consideration, the taiyoukai decided to try and perk her up. As soon as class was dismissed, he hurried towards the deli they had eaten at several times. He quickly ordered the sandwich she'd declared the best ever invented, along with his own favorite, and then rushed back to the apartment, hoping she hadn't eaten lunch by the time he arrived.

When he entered, his eyes flitted around in search of Kagome, spotting her sitting at her desk, the mess she'd made earlier with her papers gone. She turned and smiled at him, though it seemed hollow. She looked exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes.

"Did you not go back to sleep?" he asked.

"I tried. Cramps refused to allow it."

"Cramps?"

The miko giggled. "You don't have a clue about women's bodies, do you?"

He tensed at her words. Was he really that pitiful? He'd thought that he had a pretty good grip on how her body worked. He'd figured out how to make her cry out in pleasure quickly enough and she always seemed to respond to his touch. He fought down the desire to ask what she meant, but apparently she saw the questions in his eyes.

"Not like that, pervert," she teased. "I mean the beauty of menstruation," she added rather bitterly. "I don't usually mind being a girl, but for five or six days a month, I despise it. It's really not fair. Guys don't have to suffer like this."

Sesshoumaru tilted his head to the side in confusion. "Suffer? Are you all right?"

Now, Kagome smiled a genuine smile. "Having my period is a combination of painful abdominal cramps, a sore back, and even headaches. Then there's the crazy hormones that have me so turned around, I don't know if I want to laugh or cry. Add to that the icky-ness of bleeding for days, wearing uncomfortable pads or tampons... It's just not fair."

"Do you not have pain relievers?"

She laughed, a rather bitter sound. "I have ibuprofen, but I'm running out so I'm saving it for the worst days."

The taiyoukai shook his head. "I will buy you more. Take the pills. Is there anything else you desire?" He knew he couldn't do much to help with most of her complaints, but if there was anything she craved that might make her happy, he would get it.

Kagome looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "You know what sounds really good? A giant cookie, the ones decorated with frosting."

"As you please, mi'lady," he said with a playful bow. "Did you find what you were looking for?" he asked while gesturing to her papers.

"Finally, yeah," she replied with a nod. "It was hiding in my textbook."

Suddenly, he remembered what he'd brought for her and held up the bag from the deli. "I hope you haven't eaten yet," he said with a smirk, loving the way her eyes lit up as she read the name on the bag. "I got your favorite."

"I knew there was a reason I loved you," she chimed happily.

"I certainly hope you love me for more than just supplying you with food," he replied with a mock pout.

"Well, there is this nice place, too," she teased. When he scowled, she laughed. "You're lucky I'm not cursing you along with all the other men right about now. I wish all of you would have to experience what we girls suffer through on a monthly basis, at least once. It's only fair."

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As soon as Kagome had left for her Psychology class, Sesshoumaru headed out to the store. While his list was a short one, he still meandered through the many aisles in search of anything that might help his miko through the coming week.

She'd been right when she said he didn't know a thing about a woman's body. He'd never really thought about it. He had no mother, no sisters, and no female friends. He'd never experienced what women suffer through on a regular basis and had no idea what to expect. His beast had a few things to share, but beyond his perverted suggestions, the taiyoukai was completely ignorant. Kagome's explanation helped somewhat, but he still felt like he needed to learn more. It was his responsibility to take care of her and all of her needs and he couldn't do that if he didn't know what they were.

It was this curiosity that had Sesshoumaru wandering slowly through the women's hygiene aisle, studying package after package of both pads and tampons. He knew he probably looked like a creep, and he'd definitely gotten a few looks from women passing through, but that didn't stop him from soaking in the knowledge. He'd already picked up a bottle of ibuprofen, as requested, but after some consideration of all the available products, the taiyoukai collected a package of Midol as well. If she didn't want it, no biggie, but if it might help her, then it was worth the chance.

He wondered what brand of feminine products she preferred. He hadn't noticed anything tucked away in the bathroom cupboards, but just because he hadn't stumbled across her supply didn't mean she didn't have one. Surely if she'd needed something, she would have told him. It might have been a little embarrassing, purchasing a box of tampons or pads, but he'd do it, for her.

He spent a good ten minutes trying to determine the purpose and proper use of a douche. The back of the box really wasn't all that helpful. Really, why did everything have to be so flowery and obscure, dancing around the facts? When might a woman feel 'not so fresh' and how in the hell was this spring meadow scented product supposed to help? This, he decided, was going to have to be further researched on the internet, because everything was worded in such a roundabout way that he was more confused after reading the packages than he was when he first stumbled across them.

It was rather the same for the yeast infection remedies. He had no idea, absolutely no clue, what the hell a yeast infection was. The more he looked things over in this section, the more ignorant he felt. Then there were wipes and sprays and creams, all suggesting that they were meant to treat odor. His sweet miko smelled absolutely delicious and tasted even better, so why... Just, why? Did some women not smell so appealing? Could it really be so bad that they needed all these treatments for it? Sesshoumaru shuddered at the thought. He was utterly lost and had a feeling he would be spending a great deal of time online, researching these new things he'd just discovered.

The feminine aisle faded into the family planning section and again, the taiyoukai was enthralled. There were so many different brands of condoms. Sure, their grab bag collection had given him the same impression, but staring at an entire wall of packages was slightly overwhelming. He looked over the pregnancy tests a few shelves below, surprised at the wide variety of those as well. Was everything that had to do with women this complicated? Why did there need to be a dozen different types of pregnancy tests? And what in the world was a personal massager?

Picking up a package and studying it closely, Sesshoumaru's eyebrows lodged themselves firmly in his hairline. They sold these things at the grocery store? Really? He was completely in shock, but incredibly intrigued as well. Had his sweet little miko ever tried one of these things? He picked up another package and compared the two, a slight blush flooding his cheeks as he imagined Kagome easing her own frustration with a battery powered toy. It was an incredibly appealing thought and he was tempted to purchase the things, perhaps even one of each kind, just to see how she might react.

Thankfully, he decided against it in the end. She didn't seem to be in the best of moods and he didn't want to push it just now. Perhaps the next time they went to the store together, he would guide her into this section and start a conversation about the interesting products available. If he'd come home with a wide variety of vibrators, she might just have strangled him.

Sesshoumaru forced himself out of the confusing and intriguing aisle, heading for the bakery section. He hoped and prayed they had the big cookies his miko was craving because he didn't want to let her down. Luck was with him as he looked over his choices, finally settling for the one with the most frosting. He hadn't forgotten her love of frosting and he was tempted to purchase her a cake as well, though he gave up that idea when there were none available that spoke to him.

With the medications, a giant cookie, and a few other surprises, the taiyoukai made his way to the checkout, intent on making in home before she arrived. He had a feeling she was going to be even more stressed upon her return than she had been when she left and he wanted to be there for her.