Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.
It's Different Now
Inuyasha searched. He caught five-year-old Aimiko's scent in the same direction as voices, and hurried, apprehensive.
He stopped cold.
"Fifteen!"
"Keep it up!"
Sixteen!"
"Go, girl!"
"Seventeen!"
Inuyasha stared.
"Eighteen!"
Children and adults. Smiles. Laughter. Cheering.
"Nineteen!"
In the center—
"Twenty!"
Aimiko started. The ball fell, accompanied by groans.
"Papa!" Aimiko ran and jumped into his arms, grinning. "Did you see what I can do?"
Inuyasha managed a smile. "Yes. Who taught you?"
"'Roki-'toki did!" She giggled. "He was playing, I wanted to play, too, and they said I couldn't do it 'cause I was a girl, 'Roki-'toki' bet Kei that he could teach me, and I'd be able to keep the ball up just as long as any of the boys, and—oh, no! Now, I have to start over!"
Down she went, back to the circle. "That one doesn't count! Papa surprised me! Let me go again!"
Argument ensued, Miroku's eldest son championing Aimiko.
Inuyasha watched, not quite shaking. Miroku, chuckling, slung his arm over Inuyasha's shoulders.
"She's a natural. Did you ever learn?"
Remembrance and pain, amazement and joy tangled and gripped: Inuyasha fought: he was far too old to bawl. "I—tried," he whispered. "Guests were at the palace, playing. I ran up ... one called me a stinking hanyo, threw the ball. I went after it, came back ... they'd left."
Hand gripped shoulder. "It's different now, isn't it? Aimiko has friends, you have friends, and Kagome, you're accepted..."
Inuyasha wanted to believe.
Author's Note: This was written for the prompt "Ball or Bawl" for the Issekiwa community. It was originally posted on March 14, 2012. It took first place.
"'Roki-'toki" is Aimiko's mangling of 'Hiroki-otoki' (cousin Hiroki), Miroku's son.
(12/26/2012)
