Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this bit of mischief… especially for the one who always gets apples. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
A Debt of Gratitude: Thanks are due to Fenikkusuken, my friend and beta.
Mid-December…
Delight
When Kagome returned to her office after the morning coffee break, she was genuinely surprised to discover a bow-bedecked box sitting on the corner of her desk. Inuyasha and Shippo had joined her and Gert in the kitchen, and she didn't see how any of her prime suspects could have placed the package here in the scant minutes since they'd parted company. One thing was certain, though. With a box like that, it has to be an apple.
Over the years, she'd received enough of them, and they always seemed to come in cube-shaped boxes. It wasn't that she was particularly fond of apples; the collection had been her mother's idea—not hers. The tradition simplified matters for friends and acquaintances, though. She was very easy to shop for… although it was becoming trickier for folks to find an apple she didn't already have. Sitting down, Kagome pulled the gift closer, lifting it to test its weight in one hand. Not stone or glass… which leaves metal or ceramic... she speculated with an inner sigh.
Kagome unwrapped the box and opened its lid, gently extracting the tissue-wrapped gift. Pulling back one corner of the crinkling paper, she arched a brow; this apple was made of smooth, polished wood. Casting aside the remains of the wrappings, she blinked once, then stared at her present in stunned disbelief. It's… not an apple. The only thing she could think was that someone somewhere had made an absurd mistake. Confused by her Santa's choice, Kagome examined the gentle curves of the skillfully-carved fruit that rested in the palm of her hand. Of all things, she'd been given a peach.
The fine grain of the light wood was silky under her fingertips, and there was a faint blush of stain, giving realistic shading to the carving. Turning it over in her hands, Kagome caught sight of writing on its base. Neat letters had been incised into the bottom along with some kanji that was probably the artist's signature. The letters had been darkened with stain so that they stood out, clear and legible. 'An apple is an excellent thing—until you have tried a peach. –George du Maurier' Kagome's laughter rang out as she hugged the peach to her heart in sheer delight.
Posted on December 26, 2008. 378 words.