Propinquity by Ricotomat/Evil Bunny King

Difficult Conversations

A golden eye examined her silently from across the short circle of grass where he'd requested she'd meet him, the slit pupil narrowing as the taiyoukai’s gaze roamed between the nervous clasp of her hands and the awkward smile that graced her features, a barely masked shiver creeping down Kagome’s back at the sight of the obvious distaste that creased his features. Crossing his arms firmly – but not quite enough to appear strained, she noted despite herself; it was completely unfair how graceful demons were - her best friend’s brother’s eyebrows drew closer together and, with no further ado, he made to speak, the slender, black haired shadow that heralded the presence of Rin peeking out curiously from behind him.

“You are acquainted with the human sexual maturity process.”

Kagome started at the bluntness of the statement, a light blush colouring her cheeks. What?

“Uh, yes- I mean, we call it puberty, but… yes.”

He brushed off her helpful correction without the bat of an eyelash, his expression remaining unchanged as he continued to fix her with a level, intent gaze. “Then you are also acquainted with the bleeding cycle.”

Bleeding cycle? “You mean perio- the menstrual cycle?” Her eyes slid down to Rin as the young girl fidgeted behind her adopted guardian, hands tucked neatly behind her back- which only made Kagome blush brighter as understanding sparked and the situation became that little bit more awkward. In the three years that had passed before the reopening of the well, Rin, too, had grown up. Into a young woman, apparently. 

Kagome's cheeks flaming, she attempted to smile at her and turned her attention back to the stoic demon. He’d chosen her to talk to about this?

“Yes, I am – Has Rin started her period? Or bleeding, has she had her first… bleed?”

Rin nodded mutely and returned her smile, albeit shyly, as Sesshomaru lowered his head in affirmation, his expression changing minutely. She believed she saw an element of relief flickering his features before it was gone, his grip on his forearms readjusting. He’d been… worried? His eyebrows tightened up quickly once more, however, and Kagome prepared herself for another of the question/statements, feeling completely out of her depth.

“Does it occur… often?”

…


Ten minutes later, a flushed Kagome exited Kaede’s house, dodging the questions of a perplexed Inuyasha.

She was not having that conversation twice in a day.