Disclaimer: This piece is based on 'Inuyasha', owned by Rumiko Takahashi. No copyright infringement intended or implied.

Unexpected

Sayuri's hands were long and slender. One flashed up to her lips as she stared at Kaede, eyes widening. "Kaede?" Her eyes moved to stare at the headman, "Kikyo--is--Kikyo's the one who is--dead?"

Yasuo blinked, surprised. He placed his hand--large, bony, and square, roughened with work but still flexible enough to hold a brush--on Kaede's shoulder. "You weren't informed, Sayuri-sama?"

White-faced, the miko shook her head, eyes going back to Kaede. "I arrived at the temple, and the master told me that I was being sent here, to replace a dead miko. But, he didn't tell me ..." Abruptly, she crossed the hut. Kneeling, she grasped Kaede's upper arms. "It must have been so awful! Are you all right?"

Kaede tried not to shrink back. Though her first reaction was to push the woman away, she kept her small, nail-bitten hands, calloused from picking and gathering plants, and her practice with the bow, clenched at her sides. "I'm--fine."

"Are you sure, Kaede?" Sayuri reached up to touch Kaede's face. "Your eye..."

Kaede jerked away. "I'm fine!"

"Kaede." Yasuo's voice was low, disapproving.

Sayuri stood and bowed. "Forgive my rudeness, Yasuo-dono, Kaede-kun. I was not--a friend--of Kikyo's; my familiarity was--unwarranted." She returned her attention to the girl. "I truly am sorry to learn of Kikyo's death, Kaede. I will try my best for you: I hope we can at least be friends."

Kaede stared up at her, uncertain and wary. But, she knew what was expected, and nodded.


Author's Note: This drabble was written for the Inuyasha FanFiction Contest community on LiveJournal, for the prompt "Hands". It was originally published on March 8, 2010.