Chapter 5: Apologies
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its characters…
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Some Evening Prior:
Tension was high as all within the zoo stood in the courtyard, dim lights lighting up the night sky. They all waited, having been summoned, and all were anxious.
"What do you think is going on? Why has he called us?" murmured a female kitsune.
There was no answer, but they all wondered the same.
In but a moment a large, somewhat suffocating aura descended on them all, daring any to challenge it. All within the area knelt onto their knees, all but one foolish hanyou.
"You are disrespectful as always, little brother."
Inuyasha glared at his elder brother, a sneer forcing it's way forward.
"Go to hell, bastard. What exactly do you want?"
All were silent, eager for an answer.
The Taiyoukai stood tall and regal, the epitome of youkai beauty and power.
"It has come to my attention that this day you have all acted reprehensibly in regards to a certain miko."
Everyone cringed, feeling slightly shamed. It had been an off day for everyone at the zoo, emotions were running high and uncontrolled.
"This will not happen again." His voice left no room for refusal. "You will all learn to be respectful of those who are aiding our kind. Need I repeat myself?"
None said a word, not even Inuyasha. Even he had been a jerk to Kagome.
"Very well. I expect you all to behave accordingly tomorrow."
In a flurry of his aura he was gone again, returning to his private area. The rest returned to their exhibits quietly, thinking over their actions.
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Present Day:
Kagome was utterly confounded as she went about her daily routine. She was less than halfway through and already she had had to go back to her locker twice! And it was all very odd! For some reason or another every single youkai that she fed was giving her gifts. It was such a change from the other day that she simply could not readjust herself in time.
Attempting to prepare herself, she took a deep breath and entered Inuyasha's exhibit. She found him waiting for her, prodding the ground before him with a clawed toe. As she came near he glanced up for a moment before looking back down.
"Hey 'Gome."
"Hey Yasha, what's up? Is everything alright?" Her voice was timid and a little unsure.
"Yeah I'm fine. I-uh- just wanted to give you this." He held a hand up, somewhat at a distance from himself. Glancing down she saw something fluffy in his hand. Something white.
"Oh! What is that?" she asked, curious. He shoved it into her hand, but gently.
"It's an apology. For the other day."
She smiled when she realized it was one of the Inu plushies from one of the zoo's many gift shops.
"Aww, thanks Yasha, that's really sweet of you!" She held the doll close to her chest, grinning from ear to ear. "Thank you!" He snorted in reply, hunching his shoulders as he once more prodded the earth with a foot.
"Well I suppose I should leave you be," she murmured, sensing that he wanted to be alone. "I'll see you later, Inuyasha," she smiled and waved lightly, leaving his ramen for him.
"Later," he mumbled.
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As she continued on to her last exhibit of lunch time she began to wonder, would he give her something as well? She had to admit, she was curious about what he would give.
She was only to be disappointed, however, as she set out the food and they ate in silence. He said nothing; did not even look at her. She ate her food quietly, her mind deep in thought.
Eventually though his natural curiosity bade him to question her unusual silence.
"What ails you, miko?" His voice was low and quiet, but she heard it all the same.
Glancing up with her chopsticks resting on her bottom lip, she murmured an unintelligent "huh?".
"You seem troubled. Has the day not been pleasant?" There was a strange tone to his voice, as if there would be punishment should she say no.
"Oh! No! No, it's nothing like that! I'm just distracted is all," she waved away his minute frown, focusing again on her food.
"You are troubled."
"Well, it's just that I'm confused." At the look he was giving her, she elaborated. "Everyone's been acting…strangely today. I don't get it, has everyone turned bi-polar? I mean, one day they're all being jerks and then today they're all giving me presents! What gives?"
He was silent for a while as she mulled it all over in her mind.
"Perhaps it is their way of asking for forgiveness. An apology of sorts."
"An apology? But why would they all decide to apologize at once? Are they all on the same wavelength?" She frowned, slightly befuddled.
They were silent for the rest of lunch, both contemplative. It wasn't until Kagome was riding the bus home that she realized something. Sesshomaru hadn't given her a gift because unlike all of the others, he had had nothing to apologize for.
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A/N: A short one, I know, but this is gonna be a series of one-shots more than anything! ^^ Hope you guys enjoyed!