Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.
Almost A Good Morning
Morning started slowly. Chagrined, Kaede found herself having overslept again. Suriya said nothing, only giving her a bowl of miso and rice, and a cheerful greeting. The dish was far too salty, but Kaede also said nothing. Fair was fair, after all.
She felt happy when Suriya bade her to bring along her bow and quiver. It just felt right, to sling the quiver over her shoulder, to carefully check the bowstrings, before setting one on the bow and storing the other in a sleeve pocket. She watched as Suriya checked the edged steel of her weapon, and wondered what it would be like to use a naginata instead of a bow.
She'd rather not fight that close in, she decided.
They stepped outside into a clear, brisk morning, and her spirits rose further. She was going to see Inuyasha again, though she'd have to be careful and not say anything. And Suriya was about ready to start teaching her. It wasn't going to fun; of course-Suriya, as teacher? But, she'd do her best to learn, because she wanted to, and it also meant things were finally going back to normal-well, as normal as things could be, with Kikyo dead.
Pain stabbed; happiness vanished. And before she could draw a single balancing breath, to stop the burning in her eyes and tightness in her throat, Hajime strolled around the corner of the nearest hut.
Not him! Go away!
He didn't, of course.
Author's Note: This piece was written for the Inuyasha FanFiction Community, for the prompt "Around the Corner." It was originally posted on August 1, 2011. (10/19/2011)