Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.

Teach

Exhausted from crying, Kaede was content to remain within the strong, warm arms about her.

Until she remembered who was holding her.

Embarrassed, she wriggled away, blushing. "Sorry," she muttered. "Didn't mean—"

A hand gently gripped her shoulder. "I offered," replied Suriya. "How are you feeling?"

Kaede wiped her cheeks off with her hand. "Okay," she muttered.

"I was wondering if you wanted to return to the village, or stay out here. I did bring food."

She didn't really want to go back. Not when it meant that she'd have to apologize to that nasty Hajime.

"Stay."

"I'm glad." Behind her, she heard the miko rising. "Shall we find a creek? Since this well is dry?"

Kaede assented, scrambling to her feet, avoiding looking at Suriya as she edged into the lead. "Are you going to teach me today, for real?" she asked presently.

"Being polite is a lesson, Kaede," Suriya replied drily. Then, her voice softened. "Actually..."

Kaede waited forever for her to continue, then, impatient, asked, "What?"

"Would you be willing to teach me about herbs?"

Complete stop, turn, stare upwards. "What! You don't know?"

Was Suriya really trying to suppress a grin?

"I fear I annoyed the teacher at the temple," Suriya said. "I thought that sort of learning was for peasants and medicine-sellers. Why did I need to know?" Kaede started to glare, but the miko continued. "I was wrong."

Kaede rocked back on her heels. The Suriya she remembered didn't ever admit being wrong! "Why'd you change your mind?"

"Experience." Not helpful. "I think I should at least learn how to make a good cup of willow bark tea. Please?"

Kaede stared up at the woman who was now smiling, eyes twinkling, disbelieving. Suriya wanted to learn, from her?

She thought about it. "Okay."

Author's Note: Whoops! I thought I'd posted this in weeks ago! Guess not! Sorry about the wait: there should be another in a couple of weeks (writing it today, but it'll be a couple of weeks before the contest is finished and I can post it here.) This drabble was originally posted on October 19th, 2011, on the LiveJournal community "Inuyasha's Unsung Heroes", for the prompt 'Learn.' It took first place. (12/31/2011)