Hanakotoba Matsuri 2023 Week 01: Beauty & Femininity
Prompt: Hyacinth (loveliness), Fuchsia, Love at first sight/When she smiles
Level: Blossom
..::**::..
"Pretty!"
Kagome started, then looked down at the small child tugging at her dress. Dazzling green eyes blinked up at her, a gapped smile forming after she didn't initially pull away, and she found herself smiling in return. "Hello, what's your name?"
"Pretty!" the child repeated, flapping Kagome's dress. She looked around, expecting to find a frantic parent hot on his heels, but everyone was mingling or lined up from the bar, leaving her to wonder whom he'd escaped from. He appeared to be wolf youkai, though his hair wasn't as dark as Kouga's, so she assumed he had to belong to another one of the guests.
The boy picked up the edge of her skirt, intent on inspecting the inside, and Kagome grabbed his hands with a laugh. "You can see my shoes just fine from there," she said, motioning to the floor. The distraction worked, the boy's eyes widening at the way the bows sparkled.
"Pretty pretty," he said, squatting down and patting her toes.
"Aren't they? My mama bought them for me." She tapped one of his feet with her own. "Where's your mama?" The boy chased her feet with a giggle, it becoming a game as she led him away from the bustle of the bar.
"Mama busy. Unca boss."
Kagome frowned slightly, taking another look around. "Unca? You mean uncle?" He hummed in agreement, then patted her bows again. "Where is your uncle now?"
The boy looked up as if suddenly realizing she was a stranger, looking around as well. "Unca gone?" His lower lip trembled, and Kagome tapped his foot again.
"I'm sure he's around here somewhere," she reassured him. "Why don't you and I have a dance until we find him?"
The toddler blinked away tears, then reached up, tiny hands opening and closing. "Dance!"
Kagome curtsied, then grabbed his hands, swaying side to side before spinning the boy around. He let out a gleeful laugh, clapping his hands before reaching for her again.
"Masaru!"
He turned around, smile widening as a youkai Kagome had never met before approached them, slightly out of breath but glaring at the boy. "Unca!"
"You were told to stay at the table," the male admonished, Masaru uncaring as he grabbed her skirt again.
"Pretty."
Kagome was unable to smother her laughter at the willful expression on the boy's face, automatically patting his head. "We can finish our dance later. You probably have to eat first, right?"
"Nope." He shook his head. "Dancing."
The youkai sighed, running a hand through his silver hair. "I apologize for my nephew's behaviour. He is due for photographs with the wedding party, but as soon as my back was turned—"
Kagome waved him off. "No problem at all! I'm sure there are lots of people clamouring to be his date tonight. I'm honoured that he chose me." She winked at Masaru, ruffling his face with the hem of her dress so he'd finally let go.
"I appreciate your understanding." He picked the boy up, bowing his head before turning around. "We need to go take pictures."
Masaru pouted, reaching for her over his uncle's shoulder, and Kagome waved at him. "We'll continue our dance later, okay?" It placated him long enough for his uncle to leave the room, and Kagome leaned against the nearest table, fanning herself.
Masaru's uncle was stunning.
..::**::..
As close as she was with Kouga, Kagome hadn't memorized the schedule, so she was surprised when they announced a group photoshoot on the hill outside the venue. She'd met the wolf demon in college, taking an instant liking to him when he'd accepted her refusal for a dance during a mixer.
It wasn't so often that a male of his calibre actually listened and didn't take a rejection personally. They'd kept in touch after that, often going out for coffee or helping each other study; Kouga needing reminders to do the second, especially after he'd met the apparent 'love of his life' a few months later. Given his sexuality, and his charm, she knew he wouldn't be lonely for too long.
Kagome was a little jealous, though just of Kouga's devotion in general. "Must be nice to have someone swoon over you all the time," she said, copying a set of notes for him after he claimed to be too distracted to focus.
Kouga snorted. "Tell him that, will ya? He keeps blowing me off, telling me I'm full of it."
"You love it, though, don't you?" she mused, not even looking up from her book.
"It's not my fault!" Kouga rolled onto his back and threw his hands in the air. "He's adorable when he blushes. Which he does a lot when I'm around."
Kagome picked up one of her pillows and smacked him on the head. "Have you kissed him yet?"
He pushed the pillow out of the way, giving her an upside-down grin. "Maybe."
"Slut."
"Hey! I haven't done anything more than that!"
Kagome raised her head, her eyebrow soon following, and he made a criss-cross motion over his chest. "Wow. You really do like him."
Kouga's expression softened, cerulean eyes looking wistful as he rolled back onto his stomach. "I really do."
Chuckling, she shoved a textbook at him. "Just don't go all mushy on me before finals," she said, flipping to the next chapter. "And make sure I'm invited to the wedding."
He'd stayed true to his word, Kagome being one of the first people he'd invited, and even though she'd never found a date for the event, she couldn't say she wasn't enjoying herself.
Following the throng of people outside and stepping lightly to keep her heels from sinking into the ground, she made her way up the hill. An autumn breeze tousled her hair, forcing her to tuck a wayward curl behind her ear as she faced the camera, wishing there was someone she could pose with.
As big as his pack was, Kouga's fiancé had insisted the wedding be an intimate affair, limiting the guestlist to 50 people. Kouga had eventually relented, but Kagome ended up being the only one of his college friends to make the cut. She'd promised the others that she'd take pictures, but she'd also thought she would be able to spend more time with Kouga.
Inuyasha was nice enough, but they hadn't hung out enough to really get to know each other. He ran a glass-blowing business with his brother, the older sibling handling most of the exporting overseas, while Inuyasha was in charge of the three shops they had in Japan. According to him, his brother was the brains behind the operation and was more comfortable in a boardroom than the showroom floor.
She'd never met him, but Inuyasha was never short of singing his praises, in his own way.
It was almost sweet how mismatched he was with Kouga. The wolf had never acquired a filter, his honesty and brashness getting him into more trouble than not during the time she'd known him. Inuyasha was a little more reserved, often walking away in a bluster, cursing up a storm to cover up his reaction to Kouga's over-the-top confessions.
Kagome knew better, though. She'd seen the way he snuck glances at her friend when he wasn't looking, the way their hands automatically found each other under the table, and how he leaned his head against Kouga's when the wolf was being overly affectionate.
Her words of congratulations had been honest and heartfelt when they'd broken the news to her about their engagement, staving off the loneliness for when she was alone.
Applause broke her out of her musings, and she shook her head, wincing when her hair got caught on something. She tried to pull it free, suddenly realizing it was stuck to a hand, expression brightening when she turned, and a hyacinth tickled her nose.
"Pretty!" Masaru greeted, still holding the lock of hair.
Kagome giggled, deftly pulling his fingers apart before accepting the flower. "Hello, again. Did you behave for the photographer?"
"I good boy," he said, puffing out his chest.
"If you call trying to disrobe in the middle of it being a good boy," his uncle grumbled, shifting his weight, Masaru balanced on one hip.
Kagome feigned disbelief, hands on the side of her face. "You did what? Naughty boy!" He blew a raspberry at her, causing them both to dissolve into giggles.
"Do not encourage him," his uncle said, clicking his tongue. "Getting him into the ensemble in the first place was hard enough."
Kagome leaned her head to the side, looking the boy over before walking her fingers up his suspenders to his fuchsia bow tie. "You shouldn't wrinkle your clothing, Masaru. You're almost as handsome as your uncle."
Masaru was very put out, looking between himself and the dashing youkai currently being used as his chauffeur. "Me good."
"Oh, you look very good, but your uncle's shirt is still tucked in, meaning he's been behaving himself better than you." Masaru's eyes widened, and he started squirming, demanding to be put down so he could fix himself.
Tilting his body to keep the boy from escaping, his uncle let out a sigh. "You are very skilled at this."
Kagome chuckled. "You're not used to dealing with children."
"My expertise lies in telling adults what to do." They watched as Masaru bent in all directions, shoving the edge of his shirt along with his entire arm into his pants.
"It's not that different," she said with a grin. "You just have to assume they have no idea what they're doing."
"That is usually how it works with adults, too." Kagome laughed outright, helping Masaru to untangle his suspenders before bowing.
"I'm Higurashi Kagome. I'm a friend of Kouga's."
"Taisho Sesshoumaru," he said, bowing in return.
"Inuyasha's brother?" she blurted, giving him an incredulous look. "I thought you were still in Switzerland!"
He pursed his lips. "I would not miss my own brother's wedding."
Kagome's chest warmed, though not as much as when Masaru tugged on his pant leg, requesting an inspection before raising his arms to be picked up again. His thumb automatically went into his mouth, and Taisho grabbed his wrist, tugging it away. "We have talked about this."
The boy pouted but didn't argue, making a silly face at Kagome, which she instantly returned with vigour. "You're not as terrible with kids as you think you are," she said before sticking out her tongue.
"Masaru has a strange infatuation with me," he admitted, shifting his weight again. "He was not supposed to be a guest, but the sitter had a family emergency. His routine was thrown off, and until I arrived, he was inconsolable."
Kagome leaned in, tickling Masaru's chin with the hyacinth. "You shouldn't give your uncle such a hard time if he's your favourite."
He grinned and wrapped his arms around Taisho's head. "Fav'rite!" The photographer called for everyone's attention, Kagome unable to step away as Masaru grabbed her hair again, making her stumble. She would've ended up on the dirt or even a broken heel if Taisho's arm hadn't shot out, wrapping around her waist to keep her upright.
She caught a whiff of his cologne, something sharp and earthy, and she flushed when she didn't immediately pull away. "Sorry. He's got a good grip."
"Perhaps it would be better to remain this way until the photos are taken," he said softly, not meeting her gaze. "To keep him from mussing your dress." She nodded, not trusting herself to speak and trying to relax as the photographer began snapping shots of the group.
His hand was clasped tightly just above her hip, his fingers burning through the fabric of her dress, and Kagome struggled not to lean closer. Masaru clapped happily, patting her head when they were finished.
Taisho's hold seemed to linger, but she stepped out of his embrace, bowing slightly. "Thanks. Now I won't have to worry about stains or anything."
He inclined his head, golden eyes searching before Masaru squirmed to be put down again. He latched onto her leg, looking up at her with pouted lips. "Dance?"
His uncle frowned, and he detangled him from her dress. "Miss Higurashi has other duties to attend to." The pouted lips began to tremble, and she squatted down.
"Your uncle's right, there are a few things I have to do for the grooms before I get to play, but once the music starts, we'll dance together, okay?"
Chubby cheeks scrunched up, but he nodded, holding up his index finger to her, green eyes squinting. "Pwomise?"
Kagome bit the inside of her cheek, presenting her own index finger before shaking on it. "I promise." That seemed to appease him, and he turned around and grabbed Taisho's hand, the youkai mouthing his thanks before leading him away.
She couldn't deny that she spent the rest of the night anticipating Masaru's return, often looking around the room for his eager green eyes—or a pair of gold ones.
Was it too much to hope that Masaru's invitation would be followed by one from his uncle?
The rest of the people at her table had gotten up to grab another round of drinks, leaving Kagome alone with nothing but the cutlery and a few empty plates. Sighing softly, she nearly jumped out of her chair when something grabbed her foot.
Yanking the tablecloth up, she nearly fell off again, this time with laughter as green eyes stared up at her. " Masaru! What are you doing under there?"
He grabbed the cloth out of her hands, giggling loudly. "Hide a' seek."
"Hide and—" Her eyes narrowed. "Masaru, did you tell your uncle you were coming over her here?" He gave her a look like she was stupid—what was the point in playing hide and seek if the person who was it knew where he was?
She opened her mouth to question him again when a shadow fell over her. Sitting back in her chair, she found herself drowning in amber, struggling to breathe before she remembered how to speak.
"Have you seen Masaru? He has disappeared again." Taisho looked more exasperated than worried, rubbing the back of his neck with a sigh.
"Oh no! And I was so looking forward to our dance," she replied, lips twitching. "He promised."
"He is normally better behaved than this," Taisho mused, looking around the room.
Kagome pointed at the table, then pretended to lock her mouth shut. He raised an eyebrow, noting how the tablecloth shook before extending a hand. "Well, if Masaru is not here to fulfil his promise for your first dance, I will have to offer up my services as a stand-in."
She grinned, expecting the boy to poke his head out from underneath the table and interject. When he didn't, she felt her face grow hot, Taisho giving her an oddly hopeful look. Swallowing slowly, she placed her hand in his, allowing him to pull up from her chair and onto the dance floor.
"I hope I am not a poor substitute," he murmured, breath wafting by her ear as they spun around.
She shook her head, unable to stop herself from leaning in. "Just as long as you don't step on my feet."
"Heaven forbid I ruin Masaru's favourite accessory." They shared a laugh, eyes flitting back to the table, eventually losing themselves in the hypnotic pull of the music.
..::**::..
Masaru ran up to Kouga, nearly tripping as he was tossed into the air. "How'd it go?"
He clapped his hands. "I good job. Unca happy."
Inuyasha approached them, leaning an arm on his now husband's shoulder. "Did he take the bait?" The three looked on as Sesshoumaru twirled Kagome around, her face flushed but sporting a smile, her eyes never leaving his.
"Glad we didn't put money on it," Kouga said, shifting Masaru to his other side.
Inuyasha snorted. "It would've been a sucker's bet. I'm surprised he didn't trip over himself when they first met." Noting the gleam of interest in his brother's eyes, he smirked, then ruffled Masaru's hair. "If he kisses her, you get a second dessert, squirt."
Kouga groaned and followed after his husband, knowing full well they'd be giving Masaru back to his sister loaded up on sugar.