Family Gatherings by Sereia

Chapter 1

Prompt: Discord Drabble Nights (November 2022) - Family Gatherings

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Shopping

It had been a routine shopping trip, one his mother had insisted upon even though they had only begun to partake in human festivities in the last half-century. She somehow found it fascinating to mingle with the droves of people as they spent money they did not have on people they barely spoke to the rest of the year.

Sesshoumaru found it tedious at best.

Thankful that the glamour they both wore dulled their senses so he could ignore the off-tune carollers stationed in the centre of the mall, he followed her through each shop, pretending to have any interest in the items she picked out.

"How is it you have so many people to make purchases for?" he groused, hands in the pockets of his peacoat.

Kimiko waved him off. "Your brother's pack has made it clear on more than one occasion that they prefer my company to yours."

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes. "I do not see the point in buying anyone's affections."

"There is a difference between buying and spoiling, my son. And the pups enjoy it."

Cooking

"You are attempting the impossible."

"Nothing is impossible."

"He has almost burned down his home more than once. The fire department has his name on their shortlist."

"It is an air fryer, Sesshoumaru. He will simply have to place the items in the basket and press a button. Even your brother can manage that." Kimiko placed the item into her cart with purposeful determination.

"He will find a way, Mother." He'd tried teaching Inuyasha the basics on several occasions, especially with the help of modern appliances, but his brother could not even boil water without it becoming an ordeal. "Cooking is not his forte."

"Not everyone is as meticulous as you," she said, continuing down the aisle. "And I am sure his mate will appreciate it."

Sesshoumaru snorted. The wolf prince claimed to enjoy it, but the scent of his lie was stronger than the charcoal on his meat.

Wrapping

"Could you not have ordered this online?" he asked, wincing as the carollers hit another sour note.

"Purchasing it in-store allows for customized gift-wrapping," she said, placing the rest of her items on the counter.

"There are other options avail—" Kimiko smacked the back of his head with her fan, a habit she'd used on him in his youth and never seemed to tire of.

"Just because you lack any holiday spirit does not mean the rest of us do. If waiting a few extra minutes aggravates you so, go drown your sorrows in an overpriced coffee." She waved him away, apologizing to the employee currently covering her packages in brightly coloured paper.

Stifling a sigh, Sesshoumaru did as he was told, hoping the sugary swill would distract him from the bustling crowds.

There was a line-up, so he had to wait for his drink, jaw clenching as he was forced to endure the sound of the carols close-up.

Gifting

The group swayed side to side, smiles plastered on their faces as small children danced to an invented rhythm. The singers were dressed in festive scarves, songbooks held in their hands as they moved flawlessly from tune to tune.

If only the notes flowed so well.

The barista called his name, gifting him a smile as she handed over his drink—one he promptly ignored. The lack of markings on his face softened his features enough for people to proposition him on a regular basis, the holiday season bolstering their confidence, and the number of invitations to frivolous gatherings.

There were things about this time of year that he enjoyed; the sight of newly fallen snow did much to comfort his weary soul, and contrary to his mother's opinion, he did actually enjoy the company of his brother's family.

As boisterous as Inuyasha was, he had learned much about how to run a household over the years, taking in strays and orphans along with the various pups from Kouga's pack. It seemed his years living—and scrounging—by himself had made him susceptible to ensuring anyone who wished for a family, got one.

Sesshoumaru included.

Gaming

It had become a game over the years, Inuyasha always sending a new child to invite the stoic daiyoukai over for the holidays. Sesshoumaru pretended to hate the crowds, but the endless chatter of his brother's home was a welcome reprieve to his apartment.

The only problem was returning to it after the gathering was finished.

He never had an issue with it beforehand, as he enjoyed his privacy, but after being immersed in such a warm and inviting household, the silence only remaindered him of what he lacked.

What he had lost.

Rin had accepted her mortality, often telling him how much she enjoyed his company anytime he prolonged his visits to her village. She'd chosen the young slayer as her mate, content to grow old with him, surrounded by children and grandchildren when her life finally came to an end.

Jaken had been inconsolable for weeks, finally requesting his services be transferred to her offspring. His loyalty had never faltered, promising to return to Sesshoumaru's side once her line had died out.

He had yet to fulfill that promise, Rin's decedents proving both versatile and fertile when it came to procreating, currently residing in various parts of Japan, some even going as far as the mainland. And Jaken kept track of them all, having acquired a knack for the stock market and keeping those in his care in constant comfort.

Eating

Gazing over at his mother, Sesshoumaru let out a sigh, half of the boxes still waiting to be wrapped. No store or display had caught his interest, so he made his way to one of the empty tables.

The carollers had shifted to a ballad, softening the blow to his ears as onlookers indulged in homemade and store-bought snacks, switching between eating and joining in on the songs. The selection was juvenile at best, the group going for familiarity rather than complexity. And judging by how the chords clashed every so often, they'd made the right choice.

They were intent and content to bring a little joy to patrons and families alike, and Sesshoumaru supposed he couldn't fault them for that, knowing all too well what a difference that could make.

He pursed his lips as the familiar pang entered his heart. No matter how he buried himself in his work or distracted himself with the antics of his brother's pack, this time of year always reminded him of her the most.

The miko.

"Kagome," he mouthed aloud, her voice echoing in his mind. She'd always been adamant about him calling her by name, going as far as to repeat it every time he called her anything but.

Gossiping/Talking

He'd never taken anything for granted until she'd disappeared. She'd been a force to be reckoned with, both on and off the battlefield, bestowing the title of friend upon him even when all he gave her in return was a sneer or the shrug of a shoulder.

His silence had only made her push harder.

She'd somehow been less annoying than Jaken, so he'd allowed her to talk and gossip while she bade him to listen. How little time it had taken for the woman to worm her way into his heart, leaving him bereft when her existence had been snuffed out by the very jewel she'd sought to destroy.

Teeth grinding, he fought to banish her image, the scent of sweetened citrus assaulting his senses as it always did when he was too weak to keep her shadow at bay. The constant yearning for one more day, one more minute, taunted him as his coffee was left untouched.

He would wait for his mother in the car.

Ignoring the protests of those around him wanting a clear view of the carollers, Sesshoumaru strode through the crowd, tempted to use his youki to force the other mallgoers out of his way.

The volume of the chorus decreased, allowing for the soloist to step forward, the soft melody of her voice causing Sesshoumaru to freeze in his tracks.

Laughing

His mind was playing tricks on him, a vision brought forth by regret and guilt and how much she gave to others. But as the notes echoed through the foyer, pristine compared to the rest of the group, he stared helplessly as a familiar smile lit up her face.

"Kagome." Her name fell from his lips once more, drawing the woman's attention between the laughter of excited children. Their eyes met, gold blazing through the confines of his glamour as sapphire widened in shock.

Time stopped, though just for a moment, the person standing next to her elbowing her in the side when the lyrics were forgotten, the woman quickly resuming her solo.

Perhaps he was mistaken; she was not the only one with blue eyes in Japan. It was just wishful thinking on his part, brought on by the sappiness of—a stroke of reiki had him taking a second look. It curled around his wrist, holding him in place as the song came to an end, the rest of the carollers whispering in confusion as the woman bolted from formation and threw herself at him.

Dancing

The force of her embrace had Sesshoumaru staggering back in an awkward dance, the sound of her excited chatter belied by the disbelief in her aura. The words were lost on him, his mind buzzing as she tugged at his collar.

He cupped her face, thumbs stroking as he brushed away her tears. She was alive, and seemed happy to see him, if the expression on her face was anything go by.

Giving into the need that had gnawed at him for centuries, Sesshoumaru lowered his head, claiming her mouth as a collective gasp was heard around them, the choir having paused their medley.

She was warm and pliant in his arms, his body sagging in relief when her arms slid around his neck, head slanting to give him better access. She tasted exactly how he thought she would, his knees buckling when her tongue slid along his bottom lip.

Vaguely recalling they had an audience, he forced himself to pull back, eyes still closed as he pressed their foreheads together. "I have missed you."

The confession gained him a warbled laugh, her arms tightening around him. "I wasn't sure if you'd even remember me."

"How could I forget?" he whispered, the scent of her tears increasing as her shoulders began to shake.

Living

"You never said—"

"A regret I have lived with for a very long time." He finally straightened, one arm still around her waist. "One I hope you will let me make up to you."

Kagome reached up, tracing the marks on his cheeks, leaving him to wonder if she could see through the glamour. "I'd settle for spending the holidays with you."

He wanted to tell her she could spend a lifetime with him, though he knew it would never be enough to quell the centuries of loneliness. Perhaps the memory of weeks spent next to the well would fade in time, but right now, he was barely holding it together, instincts screaming at him to remove her from the prying eye of the public so he could inspect her more thoroughly.

A collective cough sounded from the choir.

"It appears your assistance is required to finish the set," he mused, motioning to the group behind her.

Kagome flushed, tempting him to dip his head again, but he refrained—there would be time for that later. "We're more than halfway through. Can you wait a few minutes?" she asked hopefully.

"I will always wait for you."

Loving

"Do you have any preference for colour for these last ones, ma'am?" the gift-wrapper asked. Kimiko waved her off, eyes focused on the scene her son was causing in the foyer.

"Anything is fine," she said, then tapped the tallest box. "As long as it doesn't clash with the rest of them."

The worker gave her a warm smile. "You must have a very big family to buy them all these presents."

"Hnn. One I am hoping will grow larger within the next year."

"Oh?" the worker asked, placing a bow on the final package. "Is someone expecting?"

A smirk tugged at Kimiko's mouth as the miko returned to her choir, Sesshoumaru barely letting her do so, their fingers lingering together. "My son will be getting married soon."

"Congratulations! Hopefully you're a fan of the bride," she said with a wink.

"I have yet to officially meet her, but the stories I have heard present her in a positive light."

"That's so wonderful!" the wrapper gushed. "It's always better when people are open about loving each other."

"Indeed." Kimiko watched the miko sneak glances at Sesshoumaru until the carolling concluded, barely finishing the final note before jumping back into his arms. Some of her choirmates rolled their eyes, others following her to demand an introduction, each question causing the woman's face to grow a deeper shade of red.

Chuckling to herself, Kimiko paid the gift-wrapper extra to have the parcels delivered to her house, specifically having chosen this location for that option. She would require free hands to greet her future daughter-in-law properly.

Not that she'd known the miko would be there at this precise moment.

Not at all.