Week 4, Monday
Part of him didn't really expect her to even come. She had obviously been pissed, even though he had gone out of his way to help her. After all, he could have easily left her there soaking on the lawn, defenseless against the water's offensive strike. Although, the other part, the greater part, just knew she would be back. She was obviously stronger than most gave her credit for, and she wasn't one to run so easily. That is…he thought so, based on what he gathered from her personality.
She was definitely a stubborn one, never backing down in a verbal combat. That alone, enticed him and gave him all the more reason to challenge her, word for word. And he had a big feeling that if she could see, she would probably be pretty stubborn in physical combat as well. Although against someone like him, the scale was obviously tipped in his favor.
So he was almost certain that she would show up. Both of them had had the entire weekend to blow off whatever steam was left. She could gossip to her other girly friends and he, naturally took all his anger out on his students. So she had no reason to not be here. Unless of course she had trouble with letting things go…which he figured was just as likely.
He was walking down the path toward the playground when he spotted her, walking briskly with her cane in hand toward him down the same path he was on. She had arrived around the same time as always, and he couldn't help the small bit of relief that washed over him.
She heard him before he could even speak. "Inuyasha?" she called softly.
"Yeah. I'm here." He set his supplies down on the sand and moved toward the swings.
She sat down quietly, fingering her shirt nervously. He could practically see the words she wanted to say. Okay, maybe she wasn't over it completely. He was over it, for the most part. Great…he hated confrontations.
"Inuyasha?"
"What?"
"I wanted to uh…give you this back." In her hand she held out the shirt he had given her before. "It's yours right? Don't worry, I washed it."
He took it. It smelled like her. He had practically forgotten all about the shirt. He slung it over his shoulder. "Thanks."
"No problem." She took a deep breath. "Listen, I wanted to say sorry for Friday. I know it wasn't that big of a deal and I sort of made it in to one. So…thanks for helping me out."
"Your book."
"Huh?"
"Did your book get ruined?" He didn't know what prompted him to say that. It was one of the things that just stood out in his mind.
She blinked. "Oh…yeah. But it's okay. I can find a copy some other time." She smiled brightly.
He grunted in response. How was it that she was always so positive about everything? Didn't she even realize he had destroyed her book? If it were him, he wouldn't be smiling like world peace had finally happened.
"So, what do you need to do today?"
"Just need to oil down the swing sets so they don't rust up." He replied.
"Can I help?"
He stared at her in confusion? Was she serious? How could she possibly help when she was bli—
"Don't you dare say what I know you're going to say. I can help." Her face had taken a determined look and he noticed for the first time that she didn't have her purse with her like usual. She had come here, ready to help. Hell, probably even planning to help.
But the idea of her helping still seemed ridiculous.
"Look, I know where the swing sets are this time. I don't need y—."
"I'm not here to navigate. I want to help." She stood and walked toward him with surprising accuracy. "Give me the oil can and I'll show you."
He unconsciously clutched the item closer to him. "No." If she helped, he would never get it done. And this time, Totosai was going to check on him once he had finished. Apparently he was a bit touchy when it came to the swings. If it weren't for that, he might have considered it.
"Inuyasha. Come on! I know this place like the back of my hand! Now give it!" She moved forward to reach him, but he jumped over her, landing a few feet behind her. His feet crushed in to the sand with a thud and she spun around. "How did you…?"
"You're not helping me. I can do it myself." Her eyes darkened.
"Why won't you let me?"
He wanted to bark out the obvious answer, but held his tongue. "You'll just get in the way."
"No I won't."
"Yes you will."
She crossed her arms. "You think I can't do this because I'm just a helpless little blind girl right?"
That wasn't completely what he thought, but it wasn't far from it. He opened his mouth to respond but she raised her hand. "That was a rhetorical question." 'Did she just insult herself?'
"You're just like everyone else." She mumbled, a little sadder this time.
"Now wait…" he began, alarmed at her words.
"Name a spot." She commanded suddenly.
"What?"
She outstretched her arms. "I've been coming here almost every week ever since I could walk. I know this place, inside and out. Pick any spot in this entire place and I'll take you there."
Something inside of his sprung at the challenge, momentarily forgetting his little time crunch with Totosai. Her proposal was nothing short of what she would say. She had already impressed him in various ways, so perhaps her words were true. And who was he to deny a challenge? But what she was suggesting seemed…well impossible. True that she had found Fukai Fountain, but that was a landmark! Surely she couldn't know everything…
"Fine." He looked around. "The main building."
She smirked. "No problem." He picked up her cane and handed it to her, but she shoved it back in to his arms. "I'm fine."
Without hesitation, she set out toward her right, cutting down a more secluded path. She navigated her way flawlessly, never once tripping or second guessing. A few times she steadied herself against a tree, but she never lost her stride. It was like she could see. They made it to the main building faster than he usually would have. 'Damn her and her shortcuts.' But he wasn't through yet. He would stump her.
"Here we are." She said cheerfully, pointing right at the doors. "Want to go in? I know the best little lounge area on the second floor."
He scoffed. "Hopscotch Path."
"Alright then." She took off immediately toward her left, cutting back toward the playground. Her feet sunk in to the sand with her determined steps, and continued past the basketball courts and picnic benches. Eventually they arrived at a small, easy to miss, widened cement path area with half a dozen hopscotch squares etched in to the pavement. He grunted at her excited smile, but wasn't finished.
She picked up a rock. "I'll play you."
"Campfire Circle."
She smiled. "Right this way."
They took off, looping back toward the main building. She moved behind it, past a few barbeque pits, and through a few trees until they finally arrived. Campfire Circle was a sectioned off area of the park designed specifically for special events. There was a cluster of park benches surrounding a fire pit in the center. The area was most commonly used for Children's Nature Stories, occasionally held every month.
"Anywhere else you need?" She said amusingly. She was enjoying this far too much. And him? A slightly wounded ego. He had little doubt she could take them anywhere. Her confidence was overflowing. He wouldn't have minded taking her all around the park, but he didn't have the time for that.
"Just take us back to the playground." He muttered impatiently.
"So you give up?" she asked with a laugh.
"Keh. No. I just have work to do."
She grinned. "If you say so." She said in a sing song voice. Quickly, she led them back to the playground. He handed her the cane and he picked up the oil cans where he had left them. He had about three swing sets to go through and he had just wasted ten minutes of from walking with her. Luckily Totosai hadn't arrived, but he would most likely be here any minute to check on his progress.
He tossed her a rag. "Clean the bottom of the swings after I spray them."
Her eyes shined. "Okay."
He sprayed the bottom of each swing and she followed with her rag. As she worked on the bottom, he sprung to the top of the swing sets and worked on the hinges from there. They both worked in perfect unison, just in time for Totosai's arrival.