Kagome stirred frantically, her forehead beaded with sweat as the oven heated the small kitchen. Out front, she could hear the quiet murmur of customers as they pursued the selection of chocolates. Where the hum of business usually filled her, all she could feel was frustration, the kind of building tension that typically left her breathless.
Today had been horrible. First the detective and then her mother and then to come into the shop and have a busy rush and so many special orders because the chocolate order had been late. In her rush to keep up, she had accidently knocked over a cake that was meant to be picked up within hours, shortly before close. It had dropped to the floor and become mush, just as her rationality and calm, cool composure had gone with it.
She had to finish. The shop was new and she couldn't afford a mistake now; she couldn't afford to ruin a reputation that was still being built, brick by tiny brick. She didn't notice how pale she was, how her hands shook or her shop girls sent her worried looks. There was so much to do and so little time to do it in!
When he entered the shop, she felt him. The peaceful joy from the night before did not return with his coming. In fact, she barely noticed him.
As Sesshoumaru stepped behind the counter and caught the nervous glances from her employees, he zeroed in on her, and frowned. It was the most unkempt he had seen her yet. She moved with frenetic energy, from one thing to another. Recognizing the kind of energy that would burst with the smallest prodding, he knew he had to tread carefully. "Higurashi," he murmured, holding his hand out to set on her shoulder.
She ignored him in favor of the bag of chocolate chips in her hands. The blasted thing wouldn't open. She couldn't find a knife or the scissors. The moment his hand settled on her shoulder the bag burst open and chocolate went flying. It pelted them both, clattering to the floor.
It was then that she saw him, as everything came crashing down around her. She yelped, whimpered and stumbled away from him until she backed into the other counter. Then she crumpled, covering her face to block the hit she knew was coming. "I'm sorry!" she pleaded softly, knowing it would only anger him more. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry…."
o.O.o
Word Count - 435
