To the Letter by Chante

Look Not a Gift Horse in the Mouth

So, she got in trouble with Lord Frosty. It was to be expected.

How dare she play with the little girl? She should be ashamed of herself. Corrupting the girl with her dastardly human ways. He was so sassy with his darn glare and hn’s and his calm, annoying demeanor. She’d like to kick him in his Icicle.

After two minutes of staring and a hn from Frosty, he turned the other way.

“You may watch Rin. I have an errand to run. If any harm befalls her, your life is forfeit.” And then, he was gone. The bastard.

Kagome looked to the little girl, still sleeping in the grass. She was to take care of the little girl? As far as she knew, Rin was practically part of Sesshomaru. It must be something big for him to leave her with the Inutachi.

“Well, I suppose this is a gift. Better not waste it. Still, he didn’t have to be such a jerk.” Kagome mumbled to herself, before hefting on both her bag and the little girl. Seems that Inuyasha wouldn’t be coming to get her, despite what he had promised.

The jerk. He is the biggest jerk from the jerk family. The king of jerks. She sighed.

A very long fifteen minutes later, Kagome stumbled into the hut, panting from the added 90 or so pounds to her normal load. Kaede looked up to the newcomer, and after a moment held out a bowl of rice for both girls. At the smell of food, Rin woke up.

“I take it that Inuyasha did not meet ye at the well?” Kaede sighed sadly, shifting enough to crack her back. The darn dog, he’d been playing with fire. It was only so long before he got burned.

“Yeah, but I met up with Sesshomaru on the way here. He passed Rin off to me, told me to watch her. I figure it’s the nicest thing he’s ever offered, so I rolled with it.” Kagome ate slowly, deigning to watch the little girl inhale her food.

I bet she struggles to find food. The poor thing. Kagome watched the girl for a while longer, before passing her own bowl of rice off to her.

“Oh, I couldn’t, Lady! That’s your food. Rin is grateful for what she has already been given.” Rin ducked her head and blushed at the offer, obviously bashful. Kagome grinned at the girl.

“I’m not hungry, Rin. You may have my share. I ate before I left home, anyways.” Rin hesitated for a moment more, but finally took the bowl from Kagome. She ate slowly at first, but then with gusto.

She eats kind of like Inuyasha… Kagome smiled at the little girl, who burped and blushed yet again, embarrassed. Rin bowed her head and thanked Kaede for the meal, and then offered to help in order to pay for the food.

“Nonsense, Rin. Kaede decided she wanted to feed you. You may decide to help, but do not feel obligated to do anything.” After smiles and laughter, it was agreed that they would go and collect herbs. Kaede was running low, and had a special need for something to help with her arthritis. Rin, although small, was quick-witted and fast with her hands, and a tremendous help. Not to mention that she could melt hearts with the barest look.

“Kagome! Kagome! What does this one do?” Kagome smiled and explained, her conscious light and at peace. She felt very maternally towards Rin, and although she could not place the roots for this feeling, she decided to go with it. She was a cute little girl, and would become a fine lady.

They passed the entire day in each other’s company, content with one another. Sometime during the day, Sango and Miroku rejoined the group and they passed the time doing chores and finishing up the last touches on a hut at the edge of town. All the better that it was upstream. Once the final board was placed and the reed mat hung, Kaede smiled at Kagome.

“This, my child, is yours.” She waited for Kagome to rant and rave about how this was too much, and how she would be fine living with Kaede.

“This is just as much for me as it is for you, child! As much as I love having visitors, my hut is built to house two people, not eight!” Kaede laughed, before leaving Kagome and her gang to figure out the living arrangements. A four room hut was unheard of, but here it was.

Sometime much later, Inuyasha slipped  into Kaede’s hut, nursing his wounds.