Connections by sarhea
A Blooming Relationship (Flowers)
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and company or InuYasha and company, I’m just playing with the characters.
AN: Saholia’s Flowers Challenge Feb 1, Prompt ‘Flowers’, Min 1K, Actual 1570
AN: The hanyous/youkais from InuYasha are not youkais/bijuus in this cross; they have kekkai genkais (bloodline limits) that mimic their youkai powers.
AN: Hanakotoba. Japanese language of flowers. Most of my information is from Wiki so apologies for any mistakes, completely unintentional. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanakotoba
Summary: Snapshots at three different points of their fledgling relationship: the start, the middle, the end.
AN: This one-shot happens a few weeks after First Meetings (Imperial).
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...ooO Connections: A Blooming Relationship (Flowers) Ooo...
Kagome frowned and chewed the back of her calligraphy brush before tossing it on the delicate lady’s writing desk.
“I can’t do this Kaa-san! My calligraphy is not good enough!”
Kun Loon paused in her embroidery and looked up at her daughter.
“I’ve never seen you so particular about your calligraphy Kagome-chan.” The older woman teased gently.
Kagome sighed. “It’s supposed to be a gift Kaa-san.”
The Hiragushi matriarch blinked. “A gift? For whom?”
Her daughter fidgeted before mumbling an indistinct response.
“Could you please repeat that Kagome-chan?”
Another mumbled response.
“I didn’t hear you dear.”
Finally the teen looked up and spoke slowly and clearly. “I’m trying to make a gift for Sesshoumaru-sama.”
That was not a recipient Kun Loon had even considered. “Nishimato Sesshoumaru? Touga-sama’s heir?”
“Hai.” Kagome fidgeted before continuing. “I met him a few days ago. He talked to me about Tou-san.” She blinked back tears. “Some of his trainers fought with Tou-san and told him stories. Things I didn’t know.”
Kun Loon inhaled deeply. The pain of losing her beloved husband was an ache now but times like this cut open the old wound making it bleed anew. She fought to keep her voice steady.
“I presume you are trying to show your appreciation. For what he has given you.”
“Hai. I want to write a note to express my gratitude but my calligraphy is very rough compared to the court ladies.” Kagome sighed as she crumpled up a sheet of expensive rag-paper.
Kun Loon thought hard and smiled. “You don’t need words on paper to show your appreciation Kagome-chan.”
The teen looked up with an eager expectant expression. “Do you have an idea Kaa-san?”
“Oh yes. It will take a bit of planning but this is what you’ll need to do…”
...ooOoo...
Nishimato Izayoi glanced at the arrangement of flowers and greenery on the dining room side table. Struck by the blend of strength and grace, elegant splendour and unexpected command the arrangement demanded she moved to stand before it and examined it carefully.
“Anata, do you know who created that?” She pointed at the unglazed terracotta vase holding the arrangement.
Her husband, Nishimato Touga, glanced up and smirked.
“I have a very good idea.”
Izayoi glared at her husband who hurriedly spilled all.
“It was delivered from the Hiragushi household. For Sesshoumaru.”
Dark violet eyes widened in shock before narrowing slightly. “Tell me more.”
Touga put down his chopsticks and stood up to join his wife in studying the artistic creation of flowers and leaves.
“I believe it was made by Kagome. Sesshoumaru has been spending quite a bit of time with her.”
Izayoi considered the information. “How odd! They appear to have very little in common.”
Touga shrugged. “I would have thought so myself if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes.” The daimyo hesitated as he remembered his son’s actions. “He genuinely enjoys her company.”
Izayoi huffed. “Of course! Kagome-chan is a wonderful young lady! Very honest and refreshing and loyal!” She glared up at her husband. “Anyone with sense would appreciate having her friendship and attention.”
Touga chuckled. “So we both agree. And it seems like Sesshoumaru feels the same way.”
“How do I feel Chichi-eu?”
The daimyo and his wife turned to greet the intruder.
“Good morning.” “Sesshoumaru!”
The young lord eyed his sire warily. “You were saying something?”
“Oh yes. Quite interesting. You have received a gift from Hiragushi Kagome.”
Sesshoumaru blinked. “A gift?”
“Oh yes.” His father smirked and moved aside to reveal an arrangement of leaves with small white flowers and large attention-drawing yellow blooms.
Sesshoumaru blinked and moved closer to study the arrangement. “Flowers?”
His stepmother made an impatient noise. “Not just flowers. Hanakotoba!”
Sesshoumaru made a non-committal sound. Carefully he studied the arrangement. He was not an expert but he could appreciate the clean strong lines of the arrangement, the way the eye was drawn by the large white and yellow blooms, the smaller white blooms with silvery-green narrow leaves.
Izayoi studied her stepson before speaking. She wanted him to understand the full meaning of the gift he had been given.
“The large multi-layered blooms are chrysanthemums. White signifies truth and yellow signifies imperial. The smaller silvery looking flowers are edelweiss; also known as the flower of eternity. It signifies courage and power. Kagome is saying she hopes you will continue to be in power forever.”
Sesshoumaru made a soft noise and touched the narrow grayish leaves.
“I’ve never been given flowers before.” He admitted after a small silence. “Most seek my favour with more material tokens of appreciation.”
Izayoi laughed softly. “Kagome is not the sort to follow the herd blindly.”
Sesshoumaru nodded in agreement as he stepped back. “I would like to reciprocate.” He glanced at his stepmother. “I would appreciate your aid in creating a suitable message.”
Izayoi smiled broadly. “I would be honoured.”
...ooOoo...
Kun Loon carefully shifted the arrangement of flowers in the shallow reed basket until it was perfectly centered on the reception table.
“Did you send for me Kaa-san?”
The Hiragushi matriarch turned to her eldest daughter and smiled.
“Oh yes! You’ve received a gift.”
Kagome blinked. “A gift?” Brown eyes fell on the brightly coloured and attention catching arrangement on the table. “For me?” She moved closer to study the bright yellow flowers, and curving stalks of delicate blue bells interspersed with small white star-shaped flowers.
Kun Loon smiled and answered the unvoiced question. “It came from the Daimyo’s palace. Delivered by Jaken. I believe he is Sesshoumaru-sama’s personal aide.”
Kagome touched a large yellow flower. “Daffodils indicating respect.” Careful fingers brushed a white flower. “White anemones for sincerity.” Then they moved to a curving stalk with small blooms dangling on the tip. “Blue bells saying thank you, indicating gratitude.”
A small smile curved unpainted pink lips as they brushed white star-shaped blooms.
“What do you think Kaa-san?”
Hiragushi Kun Loon studied the prominent presence of white anemones. “I think he is being sincere in his message. Respect and gratitude.”
Kagome smiled broadly. “I think so too.”
...ooOoo...
Sesshoumaru frowned as yet another servant brought in an arrangement of expensive and exotic blooms. Mentally he went through his knowledge of hanakotoba and translated the flowers in each arrangement.
White roses, primroses and yellow camellias. Innocent devotion, desperate love and longing.
White camellias, red camellias. Waiting and being in love.
Red roses and white camellias. Love and waiting.
Daisies and forget-me-nots. Faithful and ever lasting true love.
There was even an arrangement with an over-sized cactus indicating lust.
He glared at the cactus stifling the urge to melt it with his poison.
He hadn’t realized Kagome had so many interested suitors. Then he wondered why it was bothering him so much. She was just a friend. Someone he could talk to without any hidden expectations to meet.
“What are you glaring at?”
Sesshoumaru turned to his cheerful friend. “What do you usually do with those?”
“Break them up or give them away.” Kagome admitted cheerfully. Then sensing his hidden consternation. “I don’t want to keep the arrangements and give them any ideas about taking their suits seriously.” She smiled. “Your arrangement is in my bedroom under a preservative seal. It is sincere.”
Sesshoumaru wasn’t certain why he was so pleased his gift was retained while those from her suitors were not.
“You are not interested in any of them?” He asked hesitantly.
Kagome wrinkled her nose. “Oh no! They are just friends.” She smiled teasingly. “The local florist knows I have a standing order for yellow roses. Every time I get a delivery I respond with a yellow rose.”
Yellow rose indicating friendship, let’s just be friends.
Sesshoumaru thought hard then realized she had never given him a yellow rose. Did she not consider him a friend? But then again she spent more time talking with him than any of those immature puppies.
Uncertain of how he felt he shifted the topic into less dangerous waters.
...ooOoo...
Kagome smiled at the small basket delivered by Jaken. Small tendrils of morning glories in bloom trailed over the edge in a careless but pretty fashion. The center of the arrangement held other flowers. Daisies, lavenders and forget-me-nots.
She turned at her mother’s indrawn breath.
“Is it?”
“From Sesshoumaru.” Kagome confirmed.
Kun Loon studied the flowers carefully before translating. “Daisies indicating faithfulness. Lavender indicating you’re always in my heart. Forget-me-nots indicating everlasting true love. And morning glories saying I will keep my promise.” Kun Loon looked at her daughter closely. “Is there something you want to tell me Kagome-chan?”
The young woman smiled softly. “He spoke to me last night. Touga-sama is sending him to the Western Stronghold to take up the duties of the Western Lord. He will be returning in five weeks for it to be confirmed before all.” Brown eyes shimmered with tears of repressed joy. “Kaa-san he asked me to marry him! I said yes of course but he insisted on giving me time to think about it.” Kagome lifted her chin up. “I love him Kaa-san and I’m going to marry him. When he leaves again I will be going with him.”
“Oh Kagome…”
“Be happy for me Kaa-san.” The younger woman pulled a small star-shaped blue bloom from the basket. “He loves me.”
Hiragushi Kun Loon laughed and embraced her eldest child. “I’m so happy Kagome. You will understand how happy I am when your own daughter gives you the same glad news.”
...ooOoo...
The End.
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