Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this fictional break… especially for the one who's early. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
A Debt of Gratitude: With a flutter and a wink to mine beta, Fenikkusuken… and a dimple and nod to my baituh, JMaxwell. I appreciate your fussing.
This oneshot first appeared on Live Journal on April 27, 2008.
Mid-October...
Coffee Break
Kagome peeked her head through the door to the elementary school's kitchen, feeling a little uncertain. Inuyasha's note had been clear enough, but short on details. 'Ten o'clock coffee break. Kitchen. Bring your own mug.' Clutching a red coffee cup to her chest, Principal Higurashi curiously scanned the stainless steel domain of the lunch ladies, wondering if she was too early.
Just then, a short woman bustled around the corner, wiping her hands on the checkered towel that hung from her apron ties. She was clad from head-to-toe in white, and her steel grey curls were haloed by an oversized hair net. The moment the little woman's warm, brown eyes lit on Kagome, they brightened. "Don't be shy, dear. Come on in. Shippo told me you'd be joining us—such a nice boy. Oh, good, you brought your mug. Paper cups are useful things, but I think coffee tastes better from a real cup, don't you?"
"Yes, it does," murmured Kagome, smiling in growing delight as she was efficiently herded into the room. There was a long, steel-topped work table gleaming in the center of the kitchen, and under its edges sat two rows of high stools. Her hostess pulled one out and patted it invitingly. Before Kagome could think of anything more to say, the lunch lady was off again.
"I know we've been introduced before, but that was weeks ago and names don't always stick. I'm Gert. Do you take cream and sugar? Honestly, I wish Shippo had told me sooner that you'd be coming. I would have done some company baking. As it is we only have muffins today. Do you like pumpkin? It's one of Shippo's favorites. Isn't his hair just about the color of pumpkin? So vibrant. Here you are, dear."
Accepting a steaming mug, Kagome smiled gratefully, but she wasn't sure how to respond to the flurry of questions and comments. Thankfully, the sound of boots announced the arrival of the two janitors. "Good morning, ladies!" caroled Shippo cheerfully as he strolled through the door, tossing a quick wink in Kagome's direction before hooking his foot into the rungs of a stool and claiming the seat at her right. "Gert, you didn't! That heavenly smell… Is that what I think it is? You shouldn't have!"
The lunch lady chortled and shook her finger at the red-haired janitor. "Shouldn't have, he says… You practically begged for these, young man." A plate of streusel-topped muffins was set in front of him.
"Me?" retorted Shippo, green eyes widening with affected innocence even as a hand sneaked towards the baked goods.
"Oh, so those weren't hints you were dropping yesterday afternoon?" bantered Gert, obviously enjoying the exchange.
In the midst of the byplay, Inuyasha ambled unobtrusively to the place across from Kagome. "Hey," he greeted, giving the principal a faint smile. Reaching at an angle across the table, he caught the edge of the plate of pumpkin muffins and deftly tugged it out of Shippo's reach, sliding it towards Kagome. Ignoring the redhead's yelp of protest, Inuyasha arched a brow at her. "Muffin?" he inquired seriously.
Gert tutted as she set two more mugs of coffee on the table, then filled her own cup and hopped up onto the stool across from Shippo. As soon as she was satisfied that everyone had been served, her curious gaze honed in on Kagome. "So, tell me, dear… Which one of these boys has set his cap for you, hmm? I can't get a straight answer out of either one of them. Thick as thieves, these two," she added conspiratorially.
Before Kagome could do more than blink, Shippo slung his arm around the startled principal's shoulders, and gave her a friendly squeeze. "Gert, I'm surprised at you. There's nothing to worry about. You know no one could steal the place you hold in my heart!"
"More like your stomach," Inuyasha corrected, smirking at his cohort.
The red-haired janitor grinned unapologetically and released Kagome to turn the full effect of his charms on the lunch lady. "Gert, the truth is… Principal Higurashi simply couldn't go another day without being introduced to your cooking." Turning to Kagome, Shippo's green eyes sparkled with mischief. "Did you know that Gert is the best cook in the county?"
"With the ribbons to prove it," Inuyasha added dutifully, a smile lurking behind his violet eyes.
Oh, now…" demurred the older woman, cheeks pinking under the janitors' praise. She pulled her dishtowel from her apron and shook it at Shippo. "Enough of that nonsense," she ordered, then pushed the platter back in front of the redhead. "Have another muffin."
Kagome was relieved that the lunch lady's line of inquiry had been diverted. Gert seems sweet, if a bit of a gossip. She glanced towards Inuyasha, only to find him watching her over the rim of his coffee cup, and her heart skipped a beat. Those eyes… The clatter of shoes on the cafeteria floor interrupted her thoughts, and all heads turned towards the kitchen doors in time to see the excitable Miss Burke dash in.
"Oh, good! I thought I'd find you two here," the kindergarten teacher blurted out.
Gert laughed merrily and patted the seat next to her. "Where else would Shippo be at this hour? Come, dear, join us," she urged.
"No, no… I can't stay. I actually came to beg a favor," Miss Burke announced, giving the red-haired janitor a pleading look. "I really, really, really need your help. Both of yours, actually," she amended, turning her wide, blue eyes on Inuyasha.
"What's up?" Shippo responded, frowning slightly in concern over the kindergarten teacher's fluster.
"There's a field trip tomorrow… a combined one for all the kindergarten classrooms. We have to have a certain number of adult supervisors to keep all the kids in order, but you know how the flu is going around? I just had a couple of parents notify me that they can't make it." Miss Burke's hands fluttered in her agitation. "Anyhow, I tried every other name on my list of volunteers, and nobody else can rearrange their schedules on short notice. Since you two are on the safety committee, I thought you guys might be willing to…" She let her sentence trail off hopefully.
Inuyasha looked askance at his partner. "Where's this field trip going?" he demanded brusquely.
"There's this wonderful apple orchard just north of town. They have apple picking and hayrides and a corn maze. That's one of the reasons we need so many adults—so we can send kids through the maze in small batches." Miss Burke paused, discouraged by the reluctance on the men's faces, then added, "There'll be apple turnovers." Shippo, brightened noticeably at the promise of food, causing Inuyasha to roll his eyes in exasperation. Next, the young teacher wheeled on Kagome, snapping her fingers as an idea seemed to occur to her. "It would be even better if you could come, too," she enthused.
Kagome cleared her throat doubtfully. "I suppose I could check my schedule."
"I haven't been up to Red Gate Farm since last year," mused the teacher. "Harvest time must be exciting!"
"It is," the principal agreed with a soft smile.
"Oh, of course!" Gert crowed, cluing in. "Honestly, I must be getting slow not to recognize your last name right off. I've been buying apples up your way for ages, dear. I'm quite partial to the Cortlands and the Macintoshes. I'm about due to make sauce. Do you suppose they'd let you bring a couple bushels back on the bus?"
Shippo was feeling very much out of the loop and had no intention of staying there. "Are you… fond of apples, ma'am?" he inquired, fishing for information.
Kagome dimpled at the janitor's complete transparency. "The farm and orchard belong to my family. It's where I grew up," she explained nonchalantly.
The redhead's eyes bulged in surprise. "That is so… cool!" he exclaimed. "Oh, oh, oh, hey," he interjected, stumbling over his words in his excitement. "Does this mean you know the way through the maze? I am so going to be on Principal Higurashi's team!"
Kagome chuckled at Shippo's antics, then glanced quickly at Inuyasha, who was gazing at her thoughtfully. "I did help plan this year's maze, actually, but Grandpa swore me to secrecy."
Miss Burke waved her hands for attention. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but you wouldn't be able to be on Principal Higurashi's team anyhow. You're more than likely going to be teamed up with three kids," she explained.
"Who'll be hopelessly lost with or without your guidance," opined the dark-haired janitor.
"Can I count on you, then?" begged the kindergarten teacher, giving her watch a glance and backing towards the door.
Inuyasha exchanged a look with the other janitor and nodded. "Where and when?" he sighed.
"The buses leave at nine o'clock. Check in with me out front, and I'll introduce you to your kids," she instructed. "I can't thank you enough! Umm… Principal Higurashi?" she asked next, as she hovered in the doorway.
"I'll let you know, Miss Burke," promised Kagome politely.
Once the kindergarten teacher dashed back to her classroom, Shippo elbowed the principal. "Why don't you come along? You could show us around. It'll be fun!" he wheedled.
Kagome shrugged noncommittally. "I'll have to see if Susan can rearrange my appointments," she hedged.
"I hope she can," announced Inuyasha quietly, drawing three pairs of eyes.
As Gert's expression sharpened with suspicion, Shippo draped a chummy arm over Kagome's shoulders once again. "Me too," he beamed.
End Note: This oneshot was written for the Live Journal community firsttweak and their writing prompt for Week 6—Ribbon. 1,594 words.