An Off-White Christmas by UnknownRandomness

Potential Danger Leads To Unfair Play

Prompt: Gifts

Word Count: 485

Kagome stared at the sign in complete and total shock, horror painted across her slack-jawed face and in the whites of her eyes. 

It was sold-out. 

The limited edition, only one-run copy of her favourite and most coveted author's latest book, was no longer available anywhere. Not even the miracle of the internet had been able to save her from spiralling into the depths of despair. Her mother had also assured her frantic daughter, that no, nobody had bought her a copy for her Christmas gift. 

With a heavy heart and teary eyes, the young woman peeled her hands away from the store window, about to turn back and head home when the kindly man behind the counter caught sight of her and waved cheerfully, clearly inviting her to come in and have a chat. 

Making her way into the bookshop, Kagome didn't even pause to look at the low-cost used bookshelf like she normally did, and clearly Mr Kawazawa noticed, because he immediately asked her what was wrong when she reached the counter and plopped down next to him.

"It's the book I had been waiting for for months, Kawazawa-san, and its sold out everywhere! And no one I know has a copy! I can't cope without it!" She wailed.

The elderly man rubbed her arm soothingly as she mumbled about the unfairness of it all through hiccups and sobs. How was she supposed to live in this cruel world if she didn't find out who Yuki chose in the end?!

Probably unthinkingly, the senior Kawazawa said distractedly,

"It was odd though, that someone could want so many copies of the same book. Perhaps he was running a book club? Although he didn't really look the type to be particularly sociable."

Kagome raised her tear-stained face from the plywood counter.

"What?"

The man smiled down at her.

"Oh, yes, it was very odd. A very tall and attractive demon came in here a few days ago and bought every single copy of the book we had - it was over one hundred and fifty copies y'know! He paid for them all in cash and then disappeared." Tapping his other hand against his chin, Kawazawa continued, "Although I can't say I agreed with his hairstyle; over five feet of pine tree green hair! It did contrast nicely with his golden eyes though."

Blue orbs almost disappeared as the miko's eyes narrowed. Standing from her seat, Kagome thanked the confused septuagenarian and stormed out of the bookstore, marching determinedly back to her home.

So that's how he wanted to play? It wasn't surprising that he could be so ruthless - he had probably killed hundreds in the past, but who knew that he could stoop so low? He clearly hadn't learned his lesson yet. 

As her long strides brought her closer and closer to her mate, a single question whizzed about her mind.

What would make him suffer? 

 

 

INUYASHA © Rumiko Takahashi/Shogakukan • Yomiuri TV • Sunrise 2000
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