InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Handprint ❯ Chapter 11

Disclaimer: The characters of InuYasha are not mine, they are property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakukan, Yomiuri TV, Sunrise, and Viz. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

=#= Handprint part 11 =#=

 

Kagome returned, clutching a white bag that was sealed shut. Reluctantly, with sympathy in her eyes, she handed Rin the package.

“I'm sorry, Rin-chan,” she said.

Dread replaced the fragile light of hope in Rin's eyes as she broke the seal and the mingled smell of ripe carnage and toxic cleaner filled the air. Gingerly Rin reached into the bag and withdrew the toy, wrinkling her nose as the pungent scent intensified. The once white, once plush puppy was mottled with deep, red brown stains, its fur all but gone.

“We tried, my mother and I, but nothing worked…” Kagome trailed off, a look of helpless frustration on her face. “We all went and chose a new one. Even Souta, my little brother, helped pick this one out.”

Kagome held out a wrapped package towards Rin. “I know that you didn't want a new one, but my mother insisted that every little girl should have a doll to play with…although I don't think what we wound up with was what she had in mind.”

Rin eyed the bright, shiny paper, her curiosity peaked. Tucking the puppy back into its bag, she set it aside and reached for the present. Rin tore through the paper, fumbling with the cardboard box until the clear plastic side was face up.

For a long moment, Rin said nothing, her eyes wide with surprise. Giving in to their curiosity, everyone struggled to catch a peak at the toy in the box. Sesshoumaru, with an unfriendly, uncompromising glint to his gold eyes, commandeered the prime spot directly behind Rin. The inu taiyoukai caught one glimpse of what Rin was holding, and came down with an inexplicable case of sneezes that did not—quite—cover his muffled snorts. Excusing himself rapidly, Sesshoumaru distanced himself from Rin and the obnoxious scent of the puppy—which of course he blamed as the cause of his sudden fit.

“It's Jaken!” Rin piped up at last, a smile brightening her confused face.

“S-st-st-st-stupid!!” Jaken roared. “That looks nothing like my gorgeous self! My ears are not that big and I do not have wrinkles like that!!”

“Actually,” Kagome cut in as Jaken paused for breath, “It's name is Yoda. He's a character in a series of sci fi movies. But if you want to call it Jaken, you should. They do look alike.”

“Do not!” Jaken protested vehemently, but he was ignored. After a moment more, he realized that no one was listening and, with his sleeve dramatically covering his tearing eyes, fled the group.

“Thank you, Kagome-sama,” Rin said shyly. Completely absorbed with trying to open the packaging, Rin let Kagome coax her into Kaede's hut where she said she had a pair of “scissors,” whatever those were. Shippo scampered after the girls and Kirara started playing with the balls of wrapping paper. Sango and Miroku lapsed into a previous conversation as they drifted towards the hut, leaving Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru alone.

Inuyasha tentatively nudged the bag with his foot, his nose twitching in distaste.

With a slightly malicious smile, Sesshoumaru spoke.

“If you wish to roll in it, by all means, do not let my presence stop you,” he commented casually, his amber eyes lit with sardonic humor. In a rare good mood, Sesshoumaru found himself apathetic towards making the effort to kill his half brother. Regarding the hanyou with nothing more than instinctive distaste, he could not keep himself from verbally baiting the other inu.

Inuyasha was quick to take offense, his gold eyes flashing with instant anger.

“I do not want to roll in it!” the hanyou insisted furiously. “I was wondering how to get rid of it.”

“Do not concern yourself,” Sesshoumaru replied, his expression abruptly shifting from open, mocking humor to thoughtful preoccupation. “I will take care of it.”

“Taking it off so you can roll in it?” Inuyasha shot back, his tone sarcastic.

Sesshoumaru shot him a quelling frown. “If you can do nothing more than parrot back other's insults, then I suggest you remain quiet.”

When Inuyasha returned his frown, Sesshoumaru continued. “I will properly dispose of it. Should Rin inquire about its fate, I will be able to tell her about it exactly.”

Ignoring Inuyasha altogether, Sesshoumaru smiled, his expression at once smug and shrewd. “Besides, I have a use for it yet…”

 

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