Disclaimer: Inuyasha belongs to Rumiko Takashi et al - not me! :(
A/N: I really should be doing my essay right now, but this idea wouldn't leave me alone. ;.; Designed as an exercise in dialogue/character interaction, so any feedback on that would be very much appreciated. :) Also, on whether you think the transition between last chapter and this is all right? Is their friendship too sudden? In character? I can never judge these things, so I'm relying on you guys. Anyway, enjoy.
No contest prompt, just an idea from me, thanks to the random word generator coming up with 'Rain'. Word count, 581 words. Un-beta'd.
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Continuing Misfortune (or, Should We Burst Into Song Now?)
'Why, oh why, oh why do things like this always happen to me??'
Kagome's lament fell unheard as she hurried through the pouring rain. Her thin sweater clung to her like a second skin, probably more liquid than fabric after almost five minutes on storm-style spin cycle. The carrier bags swung painfully into her legs with every step, and the wind made a habit of shoving her backwards just when she thought she'd got the hang of walking while blinded by water.
"If only I'd brought an umbrella. Or even a coat. Urgh. Stupid, unexpected weather. And the sky looked so blue before I left…"
Her impromptu shopping trip had taken a turn for the worse almost as soon as she set foot out of the supermarket. Looking down, the food was soaked.
Wonderful.
Bracing herself against another volley of rain, Kagome staggered along the road towards the looming apartment complex, a glowing salvation on the corner.
"Oi."
At first, she thought her ears were playing tricks on her, only hearing the rush of the weather. But then, something heavy was draped over her shoulders and hair, protecting her from the rain, and she looked up, startled.
Inuyasha scowled down at her, black hair lying in long strands against his soaked white shirt.
"Don't you know what an umbrella is, woman?"
She felt her cheeks beginning to burn.
"It wasn't raining when I went out! And I can't help it if the weather won't make up its mind…"
He rolled his eyes.
"There's something called the forecast – y'know, on TV? At lunchtime?"
"If you're trying to annoy me, you're doing a damn good job of it."
His scowl melted into a smirk, and he held up his hands, placating.
"Hey, just trying to help. Now, give me some of that shopping. The faster we get inside, the faster you can make me some coffee in return for getting my jacket drenched."
She snorted, but couldn't help her smile as Inuyasha scooped up some of the heavy bags, not bothering to retrieve said jacket from its perch on her head. As they walked, he peered into one of the carriers.
"Is that ramen?"
"Yes, why?"
"You eat ramen?"
"Yes. What else is an unemployed writer supposed to live off? Dust?"
"… Heh. Screw the coffee. Hope your microwave's up for some heavy duty heating. I eat these in bulk."
"Inuyasha! What am I supposed to eat this week?"
He waved a hand.
"I'll get Miroku to make up some of that stir-fry shit he always does. I'm surprised you couldn't smell it from the hallway."
"… Stir-fry?"
"Yeah. Every night. I hate it."
"Maybe we should swap flats. Or diets. I love stir-fry."
"… what, you want to live with that letch? You insane?"
"Well, since I don't know you two that well yet, I wouldn't be able to tell."
"Trust me. You don't want to."
His expression convinced her. Silence fell, broken only by the quiet patter of rain on paving.
"Inuyasha?"
"What?"
"Thanks. You know, for helping me."
The smirk returned.
"I saw that ramen a mile away. You think I wasn't going to help you after that?"
"Hey!"
The banter continued. Neither noticed when the rain stopped, nor did they see the scheming expression on Sango's face as she drove past the walking pair, heading for the dojo. Warming her hands in front of the heater, she smiled wickedly.
"All right, Kagome, keep your secrets. I'll wheedle them out of you, eventually…"
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Feedback is a wonderful thing - my version of Inuyasha's coffee fix, I suppose. So, feed my addiction? xD Concrit earns cookies. Thanks for reading!