Sweet? by SeeYa

Chapter One

Sweet?

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Doodling around in the kitchen, I was test-baking a batch of cream puffs for my boyfriend.

Well, he's not really my boyfriend..

...yet.

But whenever we're together, there's this tingling feeling in the air, like we both know that something's gonna happen.

Just not now, or anytime soon, but somewhere beyond the horizon, and until we get there-

We're best friends.

I didn't really believe in the whole 'best friends' thing, but when I think about it, we totally fit into that category.

I'm not sure what I am to him, but at the very least,

He's my best confidant.

He's my shoulder to cry on, even when I'm totally unsure of everything else.

He's my friend to call when I suddenly feel like gorging myself on oden, but can't go to the oden shop alone because I'm shy.

He even understands my sudden urges to go to a museum, no matter that they have this real cool carnival next town.

He's so many things...

Ping!

Ooh, the oven!

I hurry over to check its contents.

'Dang, the recipe did state that the puffs should be checked every once in a while. And when the puffs seem puffy enough, I was supposed to lower the temperature..'

I gingerly open its door.

Wha-la!

What I have, are beautifully, golden puffs!

Um, maybe a little too golden.

They even look a mite too crispy..

Oh well.

You can't tell how it'll fare as a cream puff until it's got its cream-

I open the fridge and grab the container I filled with custard whipped with a little cream the day before.

I pick a puff that has apparently taken the brunt of the oven's heat and put a random cut in it.

With a clean spoon, I fill it with a full spoonful of the delectable mixture of cream.

'Hmm, I daresay it doesn't look that bad..'

Bringing it to my mouth, I found the smell tantalizing.

So I took a bite.

"Hoooray!"

Doing a victory jig around the kitchen, I gobble down the rest of the treat.

The cream puff was a success.

Even if it would be more aptly named with something like 'Cream Crisp.'

It tasted delicious.

Who cares if that's only because it's almost impossible to not successfully make good custard?

I bet Sesshoumaru won't be laughing at my cooking this time!

'But can I do this again?'

Thinking over my plans that week, I found that though not that difficult, I may very well find myself giving up on the plan to make my best friend 'ooh-and-ah' at my sometimes not so impeccable cooking.

I mean, who in their right mind would feel up to baking after a full day at school?

Cooking up a nice, simple meal would be fine. It's a neccesity, right? But for something as frivolous as cream puffs..

Nah.

And then, it struck me.

'Why not call him up, now?'

It seemed a good idea. Why not?

Striding out the kitchen into the semi-dark living room, I grab my cell and dial his number.

And I wait-

Ring,

ring,

ring_

"Hello?"

I belatedly realize he may be doing something important, although it's impossible to tell on the phone.

"Um, hi, this is Kagome.."

I twiddle my fingers on the phone, wondering how to ask him without being too pushy.

"Well, I know only one person who would call at what most people call 'dinner-time'-"

I mock-gasp in indignation.

"Well Mr. I'm Perfect In Everythin-!!"

"So what were you saying, Kagome?"

Oh, yes. The cream puffs.

Did I mention that he also has an extremely useful, if irritating, habit of correcting my mistakes and reminding me of stuff?

"I just baked some cream puffs, and I was wondering if you'd like some."

There. I said it. All that remains for this to go smoothly is for him to not mention-

"After the last time you filled your house with that unedible entity you called 'pancakes'?"

"They weren't that bad!"

"I assure you, they were."

"Sesshoumaru-"

"Fine, I'll be there."

I grin into the phone, happy that he'll be coming over.

'Maybe he'll learn not to laugh at my pancakes next..'

"Should I bring ice-cream, like last time?"

"No, this time my baking needs absolutely no saving."

"Hn."

It's strange that he can convey his slight derision and unbelief into that little sound, just by his voice.

"But I am a bit thirsty, so could you get me some coke on the way?"

"Pepsi."

"Huh?"

"I said pepsi."

"I know that, I just didn't get why you would have to repeat what I said."

"I did not repeat what you said. You said 'coke'."

"So?"

"Because there are so many kinds of 'coke,' you should be clear on which brand you would like."

"Yeah, but I thought that since it's an established fact that we both prefer Pepsi over Cola and Dr. Pepper and the like-"

"That is no excuse for overly simplifying your speech"

I burst out laughing. I couldn't help it.

It was so silly! You wouldn't believe it, but he would say stuff like that, obscene, unbelievable stuff like that with a straight face.

And he'd keep that straight face until you've finished laughing your lungs out.

Then he would finally smile, just a little.

You wouldn't even see it there unless you knew where to look.

It's in the little crook beneath his brow, and that quirk on the left side of his mouth.

As my laughter subsides, I feel his content expression across the phone.

"Okay, then Pepsi it is!

I hear the tingling of keys, and his wallet being stuffed into his pocket.

"-right. I'll be there."

Beep, beep

Getting hung up on isn't usually nice, but in his case, it's inevitable.

Not just because he has no qualms about hanging up like a jerk, but also because the entrance hall of his place doesn't accept phones well.

Try walking through it with a cell a few times, and you'll know what I mean.

It's impossible to talk on a phone there.

So I finish his sentence for him.

"-in a few minutes."

Feeling that strange, fuzzy feeling I get whenever I know I'll be seeing him soon, I bounce back into the kitchen to fill my remaining puffs.