Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
Tucked away in the shade of a gnarled hibiscus tree, Nami, future Lady of the Western lands, was waylaying Touga, who was already ten minutes late for practise.
Her small hand gasped his haori sleeve firmly, delicate claws digging into the material insistently as a small pout played on her childish features. Touga, who was still attempting to escape from his lady's grasp, couldn't help but smile at her petulant pout.
"I wish you would stay with me," the young demoness implored. Though barely a metre in height, Nami was used to getting her way and was not above foot stomping.
Silver topknot swishing, Touga bent to extract his sleeve gently. "I'll be back as soon as practise is over, I promise."
She scowled adorably. "It's boring without you."
Ruefully, Touga clasped one of her hands gently and met her obstinate gaze with his own unwavering determination. "If I do not practise, I cannot be the best at wielding the bokken," he explained seriously, "and if I'm not the best, Nami-sama's father will not let me stay by your side when we are older."
Nami looked away. Her sensei taught her to be logical in every nuance of her life, but when it came to Touga, rationality was not possible. She wanted to monopolise his attention.
"Fine," she sighed, reluctantly letting go of his sleeve, "but you'd better come back the minute practise is over!"
Touga bowed and grinned. "Of course, Nami-sama!"
A/N: Originally posted on fanfic_bakeoff for the prompt Escape it also filled the requirements for the bonus prompt Childhood. This piece totals 242 words. I hope you enjoyed enough to drop me a review!