Chapter Text
The summer breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers and the faint chatter of village life. Kagome hummed softly, her wicker basket swinging gently in her hand as she made her way to her favorite spot—a small hill just beyond Kaede’s village. It overlooked vast fields of wildflowers, the horizon stretching endlessly beyond. It was her peaceful retreat.
As she reached the crest of the hill, however, Kagome stopped in her tracks, startled to find someone already there. A tall, imposing figure stood near the edge of the hill, his silver hair shimmering in the sunlight and his regal posture unmistakable.
Sesshoumaru.
He hadn’t noticed her yet—or if he had, he gave no indication of it. His golden eyes were fixed on the horizon, his expression as unreadable as ever. Kagome hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should turn back and find another spot. But then, an idea struck her.
This could be the perfect chance.
Three years had passed since the battle with Naraku, and her return to this era had been a quiet yet fulfilling one. She had grown close to her friends again, settling into the rhythm of life in the Sengoku period. But Sesshoumaru remained a mystery—always hovering on the edges of their lives, watching over Rin but rarely engaging with anyone. Sesshoumaru scarcely ventured into the village unless it was to see Rin, and even then, he kept to the periphery. If she wanted to befriend him, she’d have to take advantage of moments like this.
Summoning her courage, Kagome walked toward him. “Konnichiwa, Sesshoumaru-sama,” she called, her voice light and friendly.
His golden eyes briefly flicked in her direction, but he gave no response. His attention returned to the horizon, as if her presence were no more significant than the rustling of the grass.
Undeterred, Kagome smiled and set her basket down. “I hope I’m not intruding. This is one of my favorite spots, and it looks like it’s yours too.”
Sesshoumaru said nothing, his stoic demeanor unchanging.
Kagome sighed internally. Not exactly a warm welcome, but I didn’t expect him to be chatty.
“Do you mind if I sit here?” she asked tentatively, gesturing to a patch of grass nearby.
Sesshoumaru didn’t reply.
Taking his silence as permission, Kagome spread out a small blanket and began unpacking her lunch. She hummed softly as she arranged the food—rice balls, pickled vegetables, and a small container of sweet bean paste for dessert.
For a while, neither of them spoke. Kagome nibbled on a rice ball, occasionally glancing at Sesshoumaru. He remained as still as a statue, his gaze distant and contemplative. The weight of his youki was palpable, a reminder of his immense power, yet Kagome felt no fear.
“You know,” she began tentatively, “this hill has the best view of the fields. It’s especially beautiful in the spring when the flowers are in bloom.”
Sesshoumaru didn’t respond, but his lack of a dismissive remark was enough to encourage her to keep talking.
“I come here a lot when I need to clear my head,” Kagome continued. “It’s peaceful, don’t you think?”
“Hnn.”
Kagome suppressed a sigh. She knew this was going to be an uphill battle, but she wasn’t going to give up. Sesshoumaru might act like he didn’t care, but she had seen the way he looked at Rin, the way he always ensured her safety. Beneath that cold exterior, there was a heart—she was sure of it.
She decided to press her luck. “Would you like something to eat? I brought plenty.”
Sesshoumaru turned slightly, his golden eyes meeting hers briefly before returning to the horizon. “This Sesshoumaru has no need for mortal sustenance.”
Kagome chuckled softly. “Well, if you change your mind...”
Silence settled between them again, but Kagome didn’t mind. She was content to enjoy the view and the quiet presence of the daiyoukai beside her. She couldn’t help but steal glances at him, marveling at how serene he looked. It was a stark contrast to the fearsome warrior she had seen in battle.
After some time, Kagome decided to try again. “You know, Rin talks about you all the time. She really looks up to you.”
This time, Sesshoumaru’s gaze shifted toward her, his expression as impassive as ever. “Rin is… content?”
Kagome smiled warmly. “She’s more than content. She’s thriving. Kaede says she’s a fast learner, especially when it comes to herbs and healing.”
A flicker of something crossed Sesshoumaru’s face—pride, perhaps? It was gone as quickly as it had appeared, but Kagome felt a surge of triumph.
“You’ve done a lot for her,” Kagome added. “It’s obvious how much she means to you.”
Sesshoumaru’s eyes narrowed slightly, though his tone remained calm. “This Sesshoumaru requires no validation.”
“I know,” Kagome said softly, “but it’s still true.”
The breeze picked up, rustling the grass around them. Kagome took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air and the feeling of progress—however small it might be. She knew it would take time to break through Sesshoumaru’s walls, but she was determined.
Time passed in companionable silence. Kagome nibbled on some rice balls, occasionally offering Sesshoumaru one, though he declined each time with a dismissive wave of his hand.
“Why do you persist, miko?” Sesshoumaru’s voice finally broke the silence, low and smooth, though tinged with something Kagome couldn’t quite place—curiosity, perhaps?
Kagome blinked at him, surprised that he had initiated conversation. “What do you mean?”
“This… effort,” he said, gesturing vaguely toward her. “It is unnecessary.”
Kagome tilted her head, considering his words. “I don’t see it as unnecessary. I think… I think you’ve done a lot for us, for Rin, for everyone. I just thought it’d be nice to get to know you better. That’s all.”
Sesshoumaru regarded her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “This Sesshoumaru requires no companionship.”
“Maybe not,” Kagome admitted, “but even you must get lonely sometimes.”
His eyes narrowed slightly, a warning perhaps, but Kagome held his gaze, her own steady and unafraid. She wasn’t accusing him of anything—she simply wanted him to see that it was okay to let others in.
“You are presumptuous,” he said finally, though there was no real bite to his words.
Kagome smiled softly. “Maybe. But I think Rin would agree with me.”
Sesshoumaru’s gaze flickered, and Kagome caught the faintest hint of amusement before it vanished. He said nothing more, but when she offered him a rice ball again, he took it this time, his claws brushing her fingers ever so slightly as he did.
The rest of the afternoon passed in a tentative but growing sense of camaraderie. Kagome didn’t push him to talk, instead filling the silence with her own chatter about the village, her friends, and the little things she’d come to appreciate about this era. Sesshoumaru listened, or at least he didn’t leave, which Kagome took as a victory.
When the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Sesshoumaru stood gracefully, his movements fluid and deliberate.
“This Sesshoumaru shall leave,” he said, his tone as composed as ever.
Kagome got to her feet as well, brushing grass from her skirt. “Alright. I’ll see you around, Sesshoumaru-sama.”
He inclined his head slightly, a gesture so subtle Kagome almost missed it, before turning and walking away.
As she watched him go, Kagome felt a small bubble of satisfaction rise within her. It was a start—a tentative one, but a start nonetheless.
And Kagome Higurashi was nothing if not persistent.
In the weeks that followed, Kagome persisted in her efforts to befriend Sesshoumaru. She would seek him out when she knew he was nearby, always armed with food or some little tidbit of news about Rin or the village. Sesshoumaru remained as stoic as ever, but Kagome began to notice small changes—subtle shifts in his demeanor that told her he was warming to her presence, even if he would never admit it outright.
One late afternoon, as they sat beneath the same tree where their tentative friendship had begun, Kagome hesitated before asking, “Do you ever miss your father?”
Sesshoumaru’s golden eyes flicked toward her, sharp and assessing. “Why do you ask?”
Kagome shrugged, gazing up at the cloudy skies. “I was just thinking… I miss my dad sometimes. He passed away when I was little, so I don’t remember much about him. But sometimes I wonder what he’d think of me now, you know?”
Sesshoumaru was silent for so long that Kagome began to think he wouldn’t answer. But then he spoke, his voice quieter than usual. “Toga was… formidable. A true warrior.”
Kagome glanced at him, surprised by the hint of emotion in his tone. “You must have admired him a lot.”
Sesshoumaru’s gaze remained fixed on the horizon. “I admired his strength.”
Kagome smiled softly. “I think he’d be proud of you. For everything you’ve done.”
Sesshoumaru turned his head to look at her, his expression unreadable, but something in his eyes made Kagome’s heart ache. "This Sesshoumaru requires no such assurances," he said coolly, though his tone lacked its usual edge.
“I know,” Kagome said gently. “But still.”
The silence that followed was not uncomfortable, and when Sesshoumaru finally rose to leave, Kagome felt a sense of contentment settle over her. She knew she still had a long way to go before Sesshoumaru would ever consider her a true friend, but for now, this was enough.
Friendship, after all, was built on tentative steps. And perhaps, just perhaps, he was starting to let her in.