"There's a moment between a glance, and a kiss, where the world stops for the briefest of times." - A series of unrelated one-shots to celebrate my 100th fic on Ao3, based off a pairing, occupation, and a colour (with a kiss).
Kikyou sighed as her friends turned their noses up at the enclosure, purposefully checking their shoes for feces they knew weren't there. "If you're so worried about your clothes, why did we bother coming?" she asked.
"Because it counts as our wilderness outing," Yura said.
Kikyou turned to Kanna, but the girl just shrugged. "It's an easy mark."
"We could've gone on a hike instead," Kikyou said. "There's a trail near my cousin's shrine—"
"That involved uphill walking," Yura sniffed. "And I wouldn't be caught dead in hiking boots."
Stifling a sigh, Kikyou leaned over the fence to the tiger pen. She'd actually been looking forward to this trip, having researched all the animals, but it was hard to enjoy herself when her friends had done nothing but complain and criticize since they'd arrived.
She'd never blame her parents for sending her to a private school, but many students thought it made them better than others, often staring down their noses and sneering at their lower breeding. Maybe she'd stay after the others left and do another round. It would give her a chance to—
There was a scuffle behind her, Yura yelling at someone to watch where they were going, and Kikyou was shoved forward, her eyes widening as she lost her balance and fell into the enclosure. Ears ringing and head pounding, she tried to push herself up, grimacing at the mud covering her pomegranate dress.
She heard screaming from above and tried to focus on what they were saying. If Yura uttered one word about her ruined outfit, she'd give her one to match.
"Stay calm, and don't move," a low voice sounded in her ear, lips moving against her temple as strong hands pressed down on her shoulders. Why was leaving a bad idea? Raising her head, she found a dark-haired man standing over her, eyes straight ahead as he shook his head once. "This'll get a lot worse if you scream."
Following his gaze, Kikyou froze, eyes widening at how close the tiger was. It wasn't baring its teeth, but it took a step toward them, the man's grip tightening as she tried to do the same in the opposite direction. "Keep your eyes down and back away slowly." Grabbing her hands, he helped her to her feet, and they slowly moved to the edge of the enclosure.
"I don't suppose they just ate?" she whispered.
There was a slight incline of his head. "No such luck. They don't usually go after humans, but let's not take our chances, shall we?" Controlling her breathing, she matched her steps to his. A lifetime seemed to pass before more shouting was heard, other employees pulling the beast's attention to the other side of the pen and allowing them to slip through a side door.
It wasn't until the lock slid into place that Kikyou sagged, his grip around her waist tightening as he lifted her into the nearest chair. "Are you hurt?" She shook her head, unable to find her voice. He snorted, then inspected her for blood, poking her occasionally and asking if it hurt.
When he was finally satisfied she'd only sustained a few bumps and bruises, he knelt in front of her, offering a cup of water. "I wouldn't suggest doing that again, no matter how much of an adrenaline junky you are."
Incensed, Kikyou grabbed the cup from him, eyes blazing. "I didn't do it on purpose!"
His features slid into an easy smile. "And here I thought you were speechless due to my good looks."
Realizing he'd been teasing her, Kikyou lifted her chin. "You wish."
"Maybe I do." She nearly choked on her water, giving him an incredulous look, and he chuckled. "Maybe I'm totally into the damsel in distress type."
"Maybe I preferred the tigers," she countered, hoping to knock him down a peg, but the man only smiled more.
"Most people who come here don't, so you'd be the first."
Kikyou frowned in confusion, eyeing the door behind them. "Why do they bother to come, then?"
He sighed, getting to his feet. "Because it's a spectacle to them. It makes them feel better about themselves because they're free to come and go as they please."
Yura and Kanna came to mind, and she nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry."
He patted her knee, uncaring of the mud that caked her dress. "You're supposed to say 'Thanks for saving me. How will I ever repay you?'"
She finally managed a smile. "How do you want me to repay you?" She wasn't about to fall over herself to do so, she'd had enough of falling in general, but he seemed to genuinely care about the animals, which was refreshing.
He'd also stopped her from being mauled, so she owed him something.
Dark brows raised in interest. "I'll take a coffee on my break in fifteen minutes," he said, grabbing a cloth so she could clean herself up. "It'll give me the chance to convince you to give me your number."
"Bold of you to think I even like coffee," she said, unable to hold back her smile.
The man chuckled. "I mean, I'd settle for your name first."
Cocking her head to the side, she purposefully looked him up and down, enjoying how he didn't so much as flinch, then extended her hand. "Kikyou."
His expression was halfway between a smile and a smirk as callused fingers wrapped around hers. "Hiten."
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