Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.
Training Time
Though she'd promised Suriya not to talk about Hajime's training, Kaede really wanted to watch them. After all, she liked the idea of seeing that nasty man get hit by Suriya.
However, as she discovered the next morning, Suriya had apparently guessed her desire and plotted to thwart her. They were just finishing breakfast when someone knocked on the door frame. When Suriya invited the guest to enter, Kaede was surprised to see Takumi, a middle-aged man whom she knew little about, save that he seemed the be the man who called out most of the orders during a youkai attack.
And he was carrying a bow.
"Good morning, Suriya-sama, Kaede-kun," the short, rather stocky man said briskly. "The headman tells me you've asked to have someone work with Kaede on her archery."
Suriya nodded. "I have little skill with a bow, and Kaede needs someone to train her."
"But, he can't show me how to spell my arrows!"
"Kaede!" Suriya frowned at her. Kaede flushed and looked away.
"Sorry." A mutter.
Suriya sighed. "Kaede, hitting your target and transferring your power to the arrow are two different skills. I can teach the one, but not the other. And it should be easier to learn one skill at a time. I was proficient with the naginata before I went to the temple."
Kaede tried not to pout. "And you want Takumi to teach me, while you're off working with Hajime."
"Of course. It's the most logical time."
Drat!
Kaede told herself not to sulk; it was hardly worthy of a miko. And Suriya was right—she did need to work on her archery skill. Still, she couldn't quite make herself look at Suriya as she answered. "Yes, Suriya-sensei."
Author's Note: This was written for the prompt 'Plot' for the LiveJournal community "Inuyasha's Unsung Heroes." It was originally posted on July 16, 2012. It won first place.