InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed ❯ Day One Hundred ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter Six - Day One Hundred

 

 

The weather outside was miserable, just like it had been miserable for the past six days. It was safe to say that the two occupants of the little hut were getting a little stir crazy. Takana had used up her entire supply of carving wood and sat there putting finishing touches on projects that did not require finishing touches. Shin was not so lucky. He didn't have that kind of excuse to look like he had something to do. All he could do was sit there and stare at the leaves swirling around in this luke warm tea. It was not a fascinating as it sounded. He sighed.

 

Takana looked up at him. She drew one side of her lips up to the corner of her mouth with a look of consternation. She had no idea what to do about their current state of mutual boredom but soon both of them were going to go out of their minds of they didn't do something about it. An idea then popped into her head that she dismissed at first as silly and childish but the more she thought about it, the better it began to sound as the possibility of continued boredom continued to loom over them.

 

She stood from her carvings and gathered up a few things she would need in order to make this work. She grabbed a simple wooden cup and a few small stones from near the fire pit. Then she walked over to her hut mate and sat down next to him.

 

He glanced over at the woman and raised an eyebrow at her.

 

“Don't do that yet.” She warned. “I haven't even said anything yet.”

 

The eyebrow remained raised.

 

“I thought that maybe we could play a game to pass the time.” She said in a half hopeful, half skeptical voice. Always the contradiction.

 

“This...” He almost had something there but then lost it before he could really grab a hold of it so he finished the statement. “I do not play games.”

 

“I didn't think you would. Probably for the best since you'd just lose anyway.”

 

The eyebrow went back up. He knew he was being baited but the prospect of staring at his tea for the next few hours until he became tired enough to fall asleep didn't seem like that great of a plan either. He took the bait and the opportunity it presented.

 

“I also do no lose.”

 

She smirked. “No? A load of wood when this weather clears says you do.”

 

“Very well then, baked apples if I don't.”

 

She didn't have any apples left but she also wasn't going to lose so she nodded to him. “Here's how it's played. Pay attention, it's complicated.” She set the cup several feet away from them and then set an equal number of pebbles in front of both him and herself. “Whoever gets the most rocks in the cup wins. You got that?”

 

He rolled his eyes, complicated indeed. “I believe I will be able to manage.”

 

“New guy goes first. It will be the best of three games.”

 

“Very well.” Shin picked up his pile of four stones and looked at the cup critically.

 

He tossed the first stone...

 

Missed.

 

Takana smiled. Shin frowned.

 

He tossed the second stone...

Hit.

 

Shin smiled. Takana frowned.

 

He tossed the third stone...

 

Missed.

 

Appropriate expressions for each.

 

Fourth stone...Hit.

 

“Two of four, not bad for a beginner.” Takana tried to be a good sport.

 

It was now her turn. She did rather well.

 

First...hit

 

Second...miss

 

Third...hit

 

Fourth...hit

 

“Three out of four. Game one, Takana.” She announced as she stood to retrieve all the stones.

 

Shin had no desire to lose this bet and while she gathered the rocks, he scooted marginally closer to the cup. She didn't notice and moved once more to sit next to him. He wasn't sure if it was his change in proximity but he was more than pleased with his second showing. Four for four.

 

“Beginners luck.” She said with a hint of jealousy.

 

“Luck had nothing to do with it.” He stated in all seriousness.

 

Takana was not near as good in the second round. Two out of four.

 

“Game two, Shin.” He announced in the same manner as she once again stood to gather the stones. He heard her huff. Once she had returned to her spot, he spoke again. “Shall we make the final game more exciting?”

 

“What did you have in mind?” Asked a skeptical opponent.

 

“Instead of tossing all the stones per player, we take turns.”

 

Takana mulled it around in her head for a moment before agreeing with a sharp nod of the head. Shin began again.

 

First throw...hit.

 

Takana's first...hit

 

Shin's second...hit

 

Takana's second...hit

 

Shin's third...hit

 

Takana's third...hit

 

Shin took a deep breath and focused all his attention on the cup, just when he began his wined to toss the tiny stone at the suddenly very important wooden cup, Takana coughed. He stopped and looked at her. She feigned a platitude and then swore her silence. He no longer felt bad about his scoot closer. Again, he prepared to throw and held his breath when the stone alighted from his hand. It flew with perfect arch and passed into the mouth of the cup flawlessly.

 

“Four out of four.” Shin reminded Takana as she readied herself for the moment of truth. She gave him a fake smile that told him of her lack of amusement at the reminder and then concentrated on the cup as well. She tossed the pebble and watched it flow through the air. It struck the lip of the cup and bounced off to the side, landing on the floor of the hut.

 

Takana bowed her head at her defeat. She looked up to find a very self satisfied Shin sitting there looking at her.

 

“I told you that I do not lose but you did not listen.”

 

To add perfectly to the childish game they had just played, she stuck her tongue out at him. “Well, in the end it doesn't matter. We're out of apples so it will be some time before I have to make good on my end.” She said smugly.

 

“You will not get out of our agreement that easily.” He replied slyly.

 

Takana's heart suddenly beat irregularly as Shin moved over to her. She didn't move as he leaned over her so that their faces were only inches away from one another. He was so close, she could smell the scent of his skin, musky and masculine. For a moment, she was afraid that placing a wager on the game had not been such a good idea after all when suddenly he pulled away and two less than perfect apples were brought into her view.

 

“Why...you took those...”

 

“I simply placed them aside for a more appropriate time.” He smirked at her. He was well aware of the state he had just placed her in and it had been far more fun than the game they had just finished playing. He probably shouldn't have teased her like that but when the opportunity arose and her attitude was so defiant, he just couldn't help himself. He surprised himself though. He had liked being that close to her and now wished he had drug out the tease for a moment longer. She had smelled good and he'd had the strongest desire to taste the skin of her neck. He controlled himself however and was content by the flushed expression she now wore.

 

“If I hadn't come up with the game in the first place, I would think that you planned the whole thing.”

 

“But I did not, so I did not.” was his response. “Have you played that game before?” He asked.

 

“A long time ago, when I was a kid. My brother and I came up with it on a day that wasn't too unlike this one.”

 

“Your brother Shin?”

 

She nodded as she took the apples from Shin's grasp. She seemed to be remembering some long ago day. For a moment she looked amused but all too soon, her countenance turned sour.

 

Takana suddenly realized how she must have looked and quickly rectified her expression into that of her normal, easy going attitude. “Would you like them tonight, or another day?” She asked, changing the subject as best she could.

 

Shin didn't press her, he'd learned that lesson long ago, and allowed his attention to be drawn back to the subject of the apples. “I don't think their going to last much longer.”

 

Takana nodded and gathered the thick cooking pot she used to bake the apples in the pit. Shin watched as she picked several specific spices that would soon leave the hut smelling absolutely wonderful.

 

Lamb - I am so pleased to hear that I have successfully addicted you to another one of my stories and that you also like Takana. It is very nice of you to say it. I'm tired of only reading about beautiful people, I thought a little commonness would sidle up with my style very nicely. After all, how amazing can you really be if you get everything just because of the way you look? Also, my own personal shin has been used many times in the very same capacity as the one you described.

Cochrann - I'd like to say that my lack of theatrics in the turning of Sess to Shin was a thoroughly thought out plot devise but in the end, I was just too lazy to describe some amazing event. I'm very happy that you liked it.

Nikkie23534 - Sweet girl. I look forward to your review, as always. I hope your sister is enjoying it as well.

White Luna - It makes me proud that I haven't disappointed you. My mental picture of Sess getting those guys was very kung fu movie looking. Just a few quick raps, because let's face it, even human, the guy's a fighting badass. Also, I'll be reviewing yours as soon as I get a chance, no worries.

DYquem - Thanks for joining me again. I've said it before but I don't get tired of repeating myself on this one, I'm so happy you like Takana. It's fun to write her, especially since she's all mine.

angelsfalltearfully - You are too kind. Their banter is the most difficult part of the story to write so far. It's tough but in the end, even I was somewhat pleased with it. Pleased enough to post it anyway.

Vickey - I hurried as much as I could. His education continues but then again, so does Takana's. I love new reviewers, always brings a smile to my face. I hope I brightened your day today with this installment.

Puddle - Your review came in right before I updated this chapter, so I quick snuck you in. Ah, Sess and love, a complicated thing, we'll see. It was fun to have him whop up a little, get a little of his true self out there.