InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Feni's Snippets ❯ Harbinger ( Chapter 21 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha; Rumiko Takahashi does. He's always returned in (fairly) good condition when I've finished tormenting him!

A/N: Written for LiveJournal's `FirstTweak' community and its drabble challenge prompt, `Tea'. Thanks to Ranuel for the beta job!

Warnings: None

First posted on LJ on October 23rd, 2009

290 words

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Harbinger

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Soft white flakes swirled through the slatted opening high up in the eaves; untouched by heat, they fluttered through the still air until they joined their fellows drifting on the worn floorboards. Some stuck fast to the iron kettle perched in the cold fire-pit, frosting the dark metal with delicate patterns, while others gave the fraying tatami the appearance of fresh linens. Silvery tendrils clung to the wooden sides of a small, toppled container, its liquid warmth long since turned solid; a sharp gust set the teacup to gently rocking and spun glittering motes in a wild dance around the hut's darkened, silent interior.

The flapping door mat abruptly swung aside and a stout, one-eyed woman entered. Stamping her feet free of the snow accumulated on her short journey across the frozen garden, she shivered and looked askance at the white coating every surface. Grumbling, she took up a straw broom and made quick work of winter's decorative arts, her remaining teeth chattering from the chill.

A flint sparked, and the fire-pit crackled to life, sending feeble scatters of light around the small room. As the kindling caught and the fire gained strength, the old woman brushed off the kettle, her breath forming hazy swirls in the frigid air. Breaking the icy skim in the water bucket, she refilled the vessel.

When the firelight caught on several crimson droplets dappling the front of her wrinkled kimono, she frowned and dabbed at them with gnarled fingertips. The wind moaned through the walls, but over that doleful sound rose the needy wail of a newborn from the direction of Inuyasha and Kagome's hut.

Kaede smiled, set the kettle on the leaping flames and rubbed her teacup free of winter's icy glaze.

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