Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this continuation… especially for the one with vivid memories. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
A Debt of Gratitude: With thanks to mine beta, Fenikkusuken, who's wise to my tricks.
The following Monday…
A Sweet Note
Principal Higurashi dragged herself towards her office, keeping a pleasant expression on her face by sheer force of will. She'd been stuck in back-to-back meetings all day long because of the abundance of little things people wanted to wrap up before the winter break, but her last appointment was finally over. Kagome tried to cheer herself with the fact that she could go home soon, but actually, the idea left her feeling cheated. She'd had to work right through her usual morning coffee break, and that meant a whole day had slipped by without a single glimpse of… friends.
As the jarring jangle of the school bell rang, signaling the students' release from another school day, she ducked into the administrative offices before the hallways flooded with homeward-bound children. Susan was on the phone, her message box was empty, and her bulletin board was bare. Lingering in her doorway, Kagome tapped a silver bell on the wreath that still hung there, scanning the office for any signs of a waiting gift. Today would be a good day for a little lift, she sighed to herself. This Wednesday was the last day of school before Christmas break, so there almost had to be something, but her desk bore no pleasant surprises.
Kagome crossed the room and set her neat stack of notes and files in her inbox. They'll keep until tomorrow, she decided firmly. After a moment's hesitation, she kicked off her heels and slipped out of her suit jacket, moving to hang it on the hook behind her door. As it swung outward, the air was stirred, and a high, sweet note made itself heard. That wasn't a jingle bell; it sounded more like a…
Looking up, Kagome discovered a tiny wind chime that had been suspended from the ceiling; it hung just above the level of her door, which is why she hadn't noticed it. I walked right under it. How long has it been there, I wonder? Reaching up on tiptoe, she tapped the wind catcher and was rewarded with a musical cascade of tinkling chimes. How sweet! Capturing the attached note in her fingertips, Kagome found the simple message, 'On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me….'
She sent the little gift spinning again, and closing her eyes, letting its music transport her back to another day… and another set of chimes. Kagome could almost feel strong arms around her shoulders and a hear a gruff voice murmuring near her ear. She thought perhaps this was the nicest present yet, if only because of the memories its soft notes stirred—silver hair, golden eyes, and a promise to protect.
Posted on February 2, 2009. 446 words.