Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.
Upstaged
Inuyasha dashed ahead, wanting to see Kaede's first reaction. He was proud of her new hut. It still rankled that Sesshomaru had perceived the need he hadn't, and had supplied the means of fixing it. But, damn, he had done a good job on the hut-he knew that, even without the old man telling him so. The pale wood glowed in the early morning sunlight, each board smooth and straight, with barely a crack between them. It wasn't a palace, but it was a damn fine hut!
Rin squealed, clapping her hands in delight, as she came into view. "Oh, it looks nice! Come on, Kaede-obaa-san—let's hurry! I want to see inside!"
The elderly miko chuckled. "Run on ahead, child. I'll be talking to Inuyasha first."
Rin grinned and galloped ahead, ducking through the bamboo covering as Kaede leisurely made a path to Inuyasha's side. "Manabu's most impressed with your work, Inuyasha," she said. "Thank-you."
"Feh!" He looked away. "It was nothing."
"Oh, I think—"
Rin's cry interrupted her. "Obaa-san! Look!" She exploded back outside, holding a wooden tray stacked with half a dozen cups. The edge of the tray blazed with sudden brilliance as embedded crystals took fire in the sun.
"Oh ... my ..." Kaede murmured.
"Did you make this, too, Inuyasha?" asked Rin.
He shook his head, feeling a sudden flare of resentment. "Sesshomaru."
Great. Not content with making Inuyasha do all the hard work, he had to upstage him, as well.
Author's Note: This was written for the prompt "Brilliance" for the community Inuyasha FanFiction Contest. It was originally posted on September 20, 2011. It tied for third place. (10/14/2011)