InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cheating Fate ❯ Hold the Phone ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Dr. Higurashi gently rubbed the back of her sobbing daughter. Kagome had just finished telling her what had happened upstairs. She shared in her daughter’s pain, but another part of her felt as if this had been inevitable. InuYasha was bound to find out about his child sooner or later, though she knew Kagome preferred the later.

“Kagome, I can see how upset you are, but . . . this really isn’t the end of the world.” she said quietly. Kagome looked up at her mother in horror.

“Not the end of the world! Mother, this will change everything!” she cried as she put her face back into her palms. She continued with her words just slightly muffled. “What am I supposed to tell Ami?”

“Nothing but the truth, Dear.” Though her words were meant to comfort Kagome they only caused her to groan. Her daughter’s response produced a smile on Dr. Higurashi’s lips. This was what was meant to happen. Or so she’d like to believe. Her granddaughter deserved a father and if that person happened to be her biological father then so be it. “Why don’t you and InuYasha tell Ami together? It’d be easier on you that way. It might even help her understand better.”

“I don’t want to tell her. That’s the whole problem!”

Her mother patter her on the arm and then pulled her into a standing position. “Come on now. You have to face this eventually. There’s no point mopping around about it now.”

Kagome let out a sigh as her gaze drifted over to Ami playing in to the corner with some of the toys her mother always left in her office. “Guess you’re right. I just wish none of this had happened.”

“I know Dear.” Dr. Higurashi soothed. “But this will all work out for the better. You’ll see.”

Kagome ran a hand through her hair to get rid of some of her anxiety. “I hope your right. For Ami’s sake at least.”

“Only time will tell I suppose.” she replied as she picked up Kagome’s purse and handed it to her. “In the mean time, why don’t you take the rest of the day off. It’ll do you good to get away from this place for now.”

Kagome pushed her arm through the handles of her purse. “Maybe that‘s for the best.” She walked over and picked Ami up off the floor. She protested a little for being interrupted, but settled down when her mother said they were going to the park.

“Really?”

“I promised you didn’t I?” Kagome told her as she looked back over at her mother. “I guess I’ll call you later?”

Dr. Higurashi smiled warmly. “Of course.”

She watched as Kagome let out another sigh as she turned and walked out of the office. This wasn’t going to be an easy journey her daughter was about to partake, but it was one that was more than necessary. She just hoped that Kagome was ready for it.

Miroku twirled a pencil between his fingers as he fought back the pending boredom of his solitude. He had been stuck on the couch all morning because it exhausted him when he used his crutches, he wasn’t yet use to them, and there was nothing on TV. He sighed as he stopped twirling the pencil and brought it down to his cast so he could use it to scratch a now unreachable area.

He looked over at the clock and grimaced. It was only ten forty. He supposed he could be studying. He did have new classes coming up, but the desk in his room seemed so far away. Instead of getting up and doing what he should have done, he let his mind wander onto other things. First he thought of setting up another party. He could invite all kinds of girls and they’d all want to take care of him because of his broken leg. Now of course Miroku relished in the idea, but soon his thoughts drifted onto his doctor.

Normally he would be opposed to seeing an older woman, but as he pictured her in his mind all he saw was her beauty. He wondered what it would be like to have his hands wander over the dips and curves of her body . . .

The ringing of the phone pulled him from his daydream. He heaved a sigh as he reached over for the phone that sat on the end table beside the couch. “Hello this is the love doctor speaking.” he said with an ego.

“Mr. Houshi?” an uncertain voice asked. The voice he recognized right away. It was the voice of the very doctor he had been fantasying about.

“Dr. Tajiya, what a pleasant surprise and what do I owe the honor of this call?” Miroku asked with a grin on his face.

She didn’t answer for a moment. “ . . .Don’t you remember our phone appointment? You said it would be alright to call you at ten forty-five.”

Miroku blinked suddenly remembering the little conversation they had before he checked out. “. . . You know, you don’t have to make up excuses to call me.”

“I-I’m not making excuses. We-you made this--” she stopped talking abruptly when she realized how flustered she was getting. Miroku couldn’t control the grin on his face as he listened to her regaining her control. “You made this appointment. If it’s no longer an appropriate time you can reschedule.”

He couldn’t believe how cute she sounded when she was flustered. It held so much more personality than her strict doctor’s voice. “Well maybe you could come by later. I really feel like it would be better for my recovery if you made a house call. I think I’m gonna need the hands-on examination.”

The line was silent and for a moment Miroku thought she had hung up, but her snide remark left him amused. “The only help my hands would give you right now would be to break your over leg.”

He had to contain the chuckle that rumbled in his chest as he answered, “Now, now Dr. Tajiya, violence is not the answer. You are supposed to heal not harm.”

“In your case I might make an exception.” Miroku could tell that her response was through clinched teeth. He couldn’t help thinking of putting her feistiness to better use.

The smirk that appeared upon his face was involuntary. “Perhaps you’d like to come over and test your limits? It’d probably be a wonderful learning experience. For both parties involved.”

“You have got to be kidding me!” she exclaimed, “Look Mr. Houshi, I don’t have time for you to ask me, very inappropriately I might add, if I’d come over and have sex with you.”

“I assure you I said nothing of the sort.” Miroku replied not even trying to hide the smile in his voice.

He heard her sigh into the phone. “I am your doctor and you are my patient. No matter what you say or do,” she put emphasis on the last word, “I am not having any other kind of relationship with you.”

Ouch. He had to admit that one damaged his ego a bit. “Well in that case I’ll just have to settle for you being my doctor.” he replied coolly. “. . . For now.”

He heard her sigh of frustration that sounded like static when it traveled through the phone. “You are impossible.” She paused for a moment. “Well it seems as if you do have time for this check up so if you don’t mind I’d like to get this over with.”

Her professional voice was back, but Miroku was pleased that he had been able to crack her shell. Even if it was for just a small amount of time. That meant there was hope for him yet. “Of course. Please begin.”

For the next fifteen minutes she asked him to do simple jobs with his leg and asked if was too much strain or if it was too much pressure for the rest of his leg. Once while lifting his leg higher than his resting one, he hissed in pain.

“Are you alright?” she asked worriedly. “There shouldn’t have been much pain. Maybe you should have someone drive you here. Maybe I should have an ambulance pick you up? I want to make sure everything is healing properly. Is there anyone there with y--” His laughing cut her off. He could practically hear her anger start to fester.

“I was only joking, Dr. Tajiya” He continued to laugh at her over reaction. “Maybe you do want to see me more than you thought.”

“I’ll have you know that I would have reacted the same for any of my other patients. It’s not just you.” she hissed out. “I can’t believe you would trick me like that!”

Miroku rolled his eyes. Her anger hadn’t affected his good nature. “You have to admit I got you good.” He let another laugh break loose.

Though at first he was sure he imagined it when a small giggle came through the receiver. “You really are immature, you know that?” Anger and any sort of authority was gone from her voice and Miroku got a glimpse of what she would be like outside of work. He had to confess that he liked it.

He smiled to himself. “I assure you that I am healing just fine.” He knew that it was time to end the call, but a part of him was reluctant. He enjoyed talking with her. Even if she was a little rough around the edges. “Now I know that you would prefer to talk to me all morning, but I’m sure other people request your assistance.”

“I’m not even going to comment on that.” she said, but Miroku could tell that she was warming up to him. “You should call in a couple days--to strictly schedule your next appointment.” She had to add the last part quickly so he wouldn’t be able to get a word in edgewise.

“Very well.” Miroku replied. “I look forward to talking with you again soon.”

“I guess I should treasure the moments until then.” she answered and Miroku chuckled to himself. This was definitely a good sign.

“Have a wonderful day Dr. Tajiya.”

“You too Mr. Houshi.” Miroku place the receiver back in its cradle, staring at if fondly. It wasn’t very often that a woman kept his interest. He wasn’t even reluctant to see where this would go. Everything about her seemed to attract him to her. Her quick temper, her wit, her voice . . . her everything. It would be fun to see where this whole thing would go. He leaned back against the couch with a thoughtful smile on his face.

InuYasha pushed past a group of nurses, too angry to care about how rude it made him seem. He had a one track mind and right now he wanted answers. If Kagome wasn’t going to be the person to give them to him then he’d find someone who would.

He stopped outside Dr. Higurashi’s office door and hesitated. As much as he wanted answers, he was still scared. Scared because he didn’t know the first thing about being a father. What if Kagome was right and he wasn’t ready?

InuYasha frowned at the thought of Kagome being right, but a little part of him knew that she was. He wasn’t ready. The whole thing had been a punch in the gut. He didn’t know how father a little girl . . . but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try.

He pushed open the door, not bothering to knock. “So why is it that everyone in this damn hospital is so determined to make sure I don’t find out that I have a daughter?” he asked, skipping the sentimental greeting.

“InuYasha!” Dr. Higurashi exclaimed, shocked by his sudden entrance. When his words finally registered, she sighed. Her earlier talk with her daughter hadn’t prepared her for this conversation. Although she had known he would seek her out. “I’m guessing you want to know about Ami. Well shut the door then.”

InuYasha quietly shut the door and the noisy hallway faded into background noise. He made his way over to the chair in front of the desk and sat down.

There was an awkward silence as the two continued to sit, looking in different directions. Neither of them knew where to start. The silence stretched on from a couple more moments before InuYasha finally asked, “. . . When’s her birthday?”

Dr. Higurashi smiled. She opened a drawer and pulled out a framed five by seven photograph. Ever since InuYasha had became an intern she had had to put any evidence of Ami away. She walked around the desk and handed it to him. “She was born on December eighth. She’s two days old in that picture.”

InuYasha gazed at the picture. It was professionally done. Anyone could tell by the way that Ami was perfectly placed with a teddy bear sitting just as perfectly next to her. A small smile formed on InuYasha’s face. Maybe it was the chubbiness of his daughter’s face, but he felt more attached to this picture than he ever thought he would be. Although, behind the pride that swelled within him, he couldn’t help but feel regret. Regret for not being there himself.

“This one’s her third birthday party.” Dr. Higurashi said as she handed him a smaller picture. It had Ami and Souta blowing out candles on two separate cakes. There was Minnie Mouse decorations on one half of the room while the other side had posters of Ireland’s soccer team. “Since Souta’s birthday’s the fifteenth we compromise by celebrating them both on the same day.”

InuYasha nodded in understanding as he continued to look at the picture. It was a hard concept to grasp. This was his daughter’s life. She’d had birthday parties, probably woken up in the middle of the night because of a bad dream, and he could tell that she brought joy to the people around her. And he had missed it all. He couldn’t help but think if she ever wondered about why her father wasn’t around.

“I have one more. Usually they’re set up around the office with the rest of the pictures, but . . . with you working here I had to put them away.” She handed him the last picture and he felt himself fighting for his breath. In the picture, Ami had her arms around her mother’s neck and Kagome had her arms around her daughter’s torso. It was the smile on Kagome’s face that had InuYasha trying to calm his breathing and Ami’s was just as bright. They were sitting on a green pin-stripped couch that InuYasha recognized as Kagome’s mother‘s. In fact, the room, in which the picture was taken, was Dr. Higurashi’s living room. They were happy. He felt as if he didn’t have the right to break up their little family. Even though Ami was technically his family, how could he impose on something that clearly didn’t need nor want his presence?

Dr. Higurashi seemed to have read the expression on his face because as she placed a hand on his shoulder she said, “She needs a father InuYasha. Whether Kagome admits it or not.”

“Do you think I’ll be any good at this?” he asked as he laid the pictures on her desk.

She didn’t answer for a moment needing to contemplate her response. “ . . . I think at first you’ll second guess yourself like you’re doing now. Then you’re instincts will start kicking in and what you thought you were struggling with will become second nature.”

InuYasha let out the breath he didn’t know he had been holding. “How long until it becomes second nature?”

Dr. Higurashi smiled. “I don’t know. Everyone’s different. Although, what I do know is that when it does happen it’ll be sudden. Like everything will become clear and you just . . . know what to do.” InuYasha sighed not liking the vague answer, but Dr. Higurashi continued to smile. “Well, if you want to see more pictures, Kagome’s got tons. She’s always taking ‘em.”

“Feh,” InuYasha exhaled. “That’ll be pleasant. Looking over her fond memories that she purposely cut me out of.”

She started at him for a moment before asking seriously, “InuYasha, do you want to be a part of your daughter’s life?” InuYasha looked over at her. It was a simple question and InuYasha didn’t even need to think about how to answer it. The answer was simple. “Yes.”

“Then she’ll come around. You just have to prove to her that you’re not the same guy you use to be. If you can do that then she’ll have no choice but to let you into Ami’s life. She wants what’s best for her.” she explained. Things were really going to get intricate. Kagome wanted things to stay the same, but InuYasha wanted to be in Ami’s life. Dr. Higurashi wanted to be on her daughter’s side, but she knew the best thing for her granddaughter would be if she had a father. Everything was complicated.

“Where is Kagome? I’m assuming that you talked to her since you showed me the pictures.” InuYasha asked wanting to get the dreaded conversation out of the way. He knew once he started talking to her all rational thoughts would leave his head. Might as well get it over with.

“I gave her the rest of the day off. She was in no state to work. She needed time to think.” she told him and then started writing something down on a piece of paper. She turned to him and handed him the paper that had a number written on it. “It’s Kagome’s cell phone number. I’m guessing you want to talk to her.” It wasn’t a question. Just a simple fact.

InuYasha nodded. “The sooner the better.”

“Mommy push me higher!” Ami laughed as Kagome pushed the swing just a little bit harder. Kagome couldn’t help but laugh along with her daughter.

It had been an exhausting day. She didn’t know what was gong to happen next. She was scared to think about what InuYasha would do. What if he wanted to take Ami away form her? Even though he wouldn’t stand a chance in court, it was still a fear.

Kagome was in the middle of pushing Ami again, when her cell phone started vibrating in her pocket. She waited for the swing to carry Ami back to stop it before she pulled her cell out. “Hello?” she answered, with the phone between her ear and shoulder, as she lifted Ami out of the swing. Ami took off toward the jungle gym.

“We need to talk.”

Kagome’s eyes widened at the voice. “InuYasha?” How did he get her number? She didn’t want to talk to him. Not about what he wanted to talk about anyway. She never wanted to have that conversation.

“I’m her father. I think that gives me the right to spend time with her.” InuYasha said ignoring the shock that had been in Kagome’s voice.

Kagome pulled her thoughts together. Sensing what he wanted. “I don’t think you have the right to do anything. I’ve raised her by myself for three years. I don’t need your help now.”

“You’ve only raised her by yourself because you never told me about her!”

“It’s not like I didn’t try!” Kagome almost yelled into the phone. InuYasha was shocked into silence. “I tried telling you twice. The first time was the day after I found out. . . . The day you left me . . .

“The second time was the day I brought her home from the hospital. Souta convinced me to call you. He thought it would be the best thing for Ami if she had a father . . . I called and tried to get you to meet me somewhere, but you were too busy . . . So you see . . . it’s not like I never gave you an opportunity to be her father.”

InuYasha was silent for a few moments after Kagome’s speech before he said, “I want the opportunity now.”

“You’re a little too late InuYasha.” Kagome was about to hang up on him, but what he said next made her reconsider.

“Kagome if you don’t let me see her now, I’ll just wait until tomorrow,” InuYasha said hurriedly. “and I will tell her.”

Kagome felt her blood run cold. “I hate you, InuYasha.” she finally replied venomously.

“I just want to know my daughter,” was InuYasha’s response. “and she will know I’m her father.”

“When does your shift end?” Kagome asked, unwillingly giving in.

“Five.”

“I guess I’ll see you then.” Kagome said coldly and then began to hang up again, but once again InuYasha stopped her.

“Wait! Aren’t you gonna give me directions?” he asked impatiently.

“Oh I’m sure you have a phone book.” This time Kagome really did hang up. She sighed as she looked out at the playground. Ami was making her way up the ladder of a slide. When she was at the top, she turned to her mother and waved. Kagome smiled and waved back. Satisfied, Ami turned back around and went down the slide.

Kagome gazed sadly at her daughter, who was heading back around the slide to go down again. Everything was about to change. At five o’clock Ami would know who her father was. It would no longer be just the two of them. That thought alone terrified her. She was being selfish again. Wanting things to stay the same rather than thinking about what was best for her daughter.

Kagome checked the time on her cell phone. It was noon. That meant there was only five hours until the dreadful meeting. It also meant it was time for lunch.

The day had flown by for InuYasha and he wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing. His shift had ended forty-five minutes early so he figured he’d run home first to check on Miroku and to change into something more causal.

He walked up the stairs to his apartment and unlocked the door. The first sound to assault his ears was a series of loud snores. He rolled his eyes as he recognized them. He had grown accustom to them over the years. He walked over the fridge and took out a water before walking into the living room to find Miroku passed out on the couch.

“Lazy lecher.” he mumbled as he went to stand in front of him. “Hey Miroku wake up.” he said louder than necessary. When that didn’t even wake the man, he proceeded to kick the pillow that cradled his head.

The shock of the unexpected jolt had Miroku jerking awake with one last snort. He looked around disoriented. His eyes finally came to lay on InuYasha and then shot to the clock. “Is it already five?”

“Just about.” InuYasha relied as he unscrewed the top of his water bottle to take a sip. “It a quarter till.” He twisted the cap back on then looked at Miroku’s incased leg. “How’s that feeling?”

Miroku shifted it on the couch so that he could place a pillow under it. “It’s a little sore. The phone appointment I had this morning had me working muscles I didn’t know I had.”

InuYasha rolled his eyes. “Well I’m glad your day was dull.” He went on in a mumble. “Someone’s should have been.”

Miroku gave him a peculiar look as he took in his friends appearance. He looked to be worn out. His hair was sticking out in places and his knuckles seemed to be in bad shape. Never a good sign when it came to InuYasha. “So what happened to make you resort to violence?” he asked as he nodded toward the injured hand.

InuYasha brought it up and flexed it in front of him. “I got a bit of news today.”

By the way InuYasha continued to concentrate on his hand made Miroku a little anxious. It must be big news. “Please tell me you didn’t lose your internship.”

InuYasha gave a humorless laugh. “I don’t even know if that would have as much impact as what actually did happen.”

Miroku was getting impatient. He had sat on this couch all day doing noting but watching TV. His patience were shot. “I wish you’d tell me already.”

InuYasha placed his barely touched water bottle on the end table. “I found out I have a daughter.” He watched as Miroku’s face went slack with shock. After not getting a response right away, he made his way back to his bedroom to change.

Miroku was trying to put together what he was just told. There was no way InuYasha could be a father. This had to a joke. Who the hell could he have had a daughter with anyway? When InuYasha reentered the room he was wearing loose fitting jeans and a white button-up pinstriped shirt. He sat down in the armchair on the other side of the couch. “So that was a joke right? Cause that’s messed up if it’s not.”

“Oh it’s anything but a joke.” InuYasha said as he ran a hand through his hair. “I’m a father and I’m gonna meet my daughter tonight.”

Miroku wiped his hand down his face as he really processed the information. “Who’d you knock up then?”

InuYasha sighed as he pictured Kagome. “She was my girlfriend in high school. I hadn’t seen her in about three years.” he reminisced. “She hadn’t even planned on telling me about either. If it hadn’t been for Ami I never would have found out in the first place.”

“And Ami is . . .”

Without even realizing it a small smile came upon his face. “My daughter. She‘s three.” He shook his head to continue his story. After explaining that Kagome Higurashi was the mother’s name, he told Miroku about how he had to work with her and how he wondered how he hadn’t figured it out sooner.

“This is serious stuff man.” Miroku said after a moment of silence. “I mean, no offense of anything, but are you even ready to be a father? I’ve never seen you around kids before so I wouldn’t know if you’re any good with them.”

It wasn’t a question that he hadn’t already asked himself a hundred times that day, but when Miroku asked he felt like he had something to prove. “Of course I’m good with them! I use to baby-sit my niece Rin all the time.”

Miroku tapped his chin thoughtfully then looked around the semi-clean apartment. “Well this place isn’t anywhere near childproof. So if you plan on having her over anytime soon I’d suggest doing some serious shopping.”

He had a point. Light sockets where left unprotected and cabinets with harmful chemicals left unlocked. This was no place for a child. But how did Miroku know so much about children anyway? InuYasha narrowed his eyes at his roommate. “And just how did you become so knowledgeable?”

“Well you don’t think I go around asking women to bear my child without knowing the first thing about a baby.” Miroku said in ’duh’ kind of voice. “I do my homework.”

“How much homework did you actually have to do?” InuYasha asked uncertainly. Maybe he didn’t know the first thing about being a father right now, but with a little time hitting the books he might just know what he’s up against.

“Oh my friend there is all kinds of books out there,” Miroku said and InuYasha gulped at the possibility. “but the best book for you would probably be Fatherhood by Bill Cosby. It’s given me all kinds of useful information.”

“Fatherhood, huh.” InuYasha murmured to himself.

“Yeah and if you really want to read it, it’s somewhere under my bed.” Miroku waved toward his room. “Good luck finding it.”

InuYasha sighed as he checked the clock on the far wall. “It’ll have to wait. I don’t want to be late.” he said as he pushed himself out of the chair. “Wish me luck. Kami knows I’ll need it.”

“Good luck.” InuYasha heard Miroku say as he rushed down the stairs and to his car. He was about to meet his daughter properly for the first time and he felt anxious. As he pulled out of the parking lot he couldn’t help but let his mind wander onto the a time didn’t seem all the long ago.

InuYasha waited impatiently at the dinner for Kagome. He was a half hour early and he was getting bored. He had no idea why he was there so early in the first place. It wasn’t like it was their first date or anything. They‘d been on at least four of five, and in that time they hadn‘t even kissed. That was probably what had him so wired up. He’d never been with a girl this long and not done anything at all with her. He scanned the dinner again and there was still was no sign of her. Didn’t girls like to be early? All the other girls he dated liked to be, so where was Kagome?

The waitress, that had asked five minutes ago if he had wanted something to drink, was back. He had declined her first offer but now he was reconsidering. “Are you sure you’re not thirsty, Hon?” she asked in a high soprano voice. She rested her hand on her hip and looked at him with the patience he lacked.

“Uh, I guess I’ll have a coke.” The waitress smiled then walked toward the kitchen. InuYasha sighed as he checked the dinner’s clock. ‘Shit. I still have twenty-three minutes left.’ InuYasha thought to himself. What was he supposed to do until she got there? He laid his head on the table in defeat.

“Here ya go Hon.” he heard the waitress say as she placed the drink near his head.

He mumbled a thanks not bothering to lift his head. He listened to the sounds of her footsteps as she walked away and hoped that they might lull him to sleep, but the sound of someone calling his name made him sit up. He looked toward the person who had called him and felt a little disappointed when it wasn’t Kagome. He watched as Bankotsu and Hiten made their way over to him.

They slid into the other side of the booth as Bankotsu asked, “Whatcha doing sitting here by yourself?”

InuYasha looked from Bankotsu to Hiten and then shrugged. “I’m waiting for Kagome.”

“You’re still with the Higurashi chick?” Hiten exclaimed, “How long have you been with her?”

Sensing he needed to defend himself he replied, “I haven’t been with her that long. This is only our fifth date. Or something like that.”

“She hasn’t put out yet huh?” Bankotsu asked and when InuYasha looked away it was confirmed. “It must be killing you. Having someone as hot as Kagome resisting your charms.”

“Shut up!” InuYasha growled as he slammed his fist against the table causing it to shake from the impact.

The outburst didn’t seem to faze Bankotsu. “How far have you gotten with her then? You know, if you haven’t had sex.”

“That is none of your damn business.” The growl in InuYasha’s throat grew louder as he failed to notice comprehension appear on Hiten’s face.

“You haven‘t gotten anywhere, have you!” he accused and InuYasha felt again the need to defend himself. This time by lying.

“Of course I have!” InuYasha sneered. “What do you take me for? A prude?”

Hiten laughed, “You’re lying! I can smell it!” With the truth there for the both of them to see, Bankotsu joined in the laughing with Hiten.

“I never thought I’d see the day when Takahashi couldn’t seduce a girl.” Bankotsu chastened. “And a nerd at that!”

“You don’t even know her! So why don’t you shut your damn mouth!” he yelled feeling he needed to protect Kagome’s name.

This outburst seemed to catch their attention. The astonished looks on their faces said it all. Although InuYasha himself didn’t show it on his face, he couldn’t believe what he’d done either. Sure he felt he needed to defend her when she couldn’t do it herself, but he’d never yelled at his friends over a girl before and that fact scared him.

“Holy hell.” Bankotsu breathed out, the shocked look on his face was still in place. InuYasha didn’t want to stay and listen to his friends complain about his odd behavior. So he stood up and threw some change onto the table for the drink he never touched. He didn’t even care if they stole it either. He was about to turn around when he heard, “InuYasha?”

He looked over his shoulder and found Kagome making her way through the dinner toward him. When she was at his side, he grabbed her hand and pulled her in the direction she just came.

She didn’t say anything until they were outside. “Where are we going InuYasha?” He didn’t answer her question. Instead, he continued to drag her towards his car.

“Get in.” he ordered. He guessed she sensed how angry he was since she didn’t argue. He was angry. Angry at his friends, but not nearly as angry as he was at himself. Why had he been a half hour early? If he had just been on time he wouldn’t have a mess to clean up with his friends. The whole thing could have been avoided if he hadn’t been so damn anxious to see Kagome. . . . Kagome. . . He heard her voice outside of his simmering angry. “InuYasha, where are we going?” . . . She was the one person he wasn’t mad at right now and he didn’t want her to be mad either.

Truth be told, he didn’t know where he was going. He looked at his surroundings as he stopped at a stoplight. Realizing where he was he was he made a left.

“InuY-”

“Your house.” he finally replied. He didn’t know why he decided he wanted to go to her house, but it was close and he didn’t really feel like doing anything over the top anymore.

“Why are we going to my house?” Kagome asked as he pulled up in front of the long journey of stairs that lead to her shrine. “Last time I asked you if you wanted to meet my family you had a fit about it. Why all of the sudden do you want to be here?”

InuYasha shrugged his shoulders. “I changed my mind.” He opened the door and met Kagome at the bottom of the stairs. He look up and sighed. How did she live like this? How could she walk up and down the those stairs everyday? She had to be in great shape. He looked beside him to find Kagome gone. “InuYasha, are you coming or not?” He whorled around to see her already halfway up the stairs. ‘Yep, she is in good shape.’ InuYasha was by her side in few moments which made Kagome gasp from surprise.

“Wow, that was fast!” she exclaimed still clutching her chest. InuYasha smirked. The surprised look on her face was adorable. ‘Screw the stairs.’ InuYasha thought as he scooped Kagome into his arms. He ignored her protest as he leaped to the top of the stairs. He chuckled as Kagome squirmed out of his arms.

She straightened her clothes then said, “Well, that was different.”

He chuckled some more when he noticed that her face was bright red. “You have to admit that it was better than walking up all those stairs.”

Kagome seemed to contemplate it then sighed. “It was definitely faster.” she said as she started walking toward her home. She looked over her shoulder at InuYasha, who hadn’t moved. “Well come on.”

InuYasha suddenly felt nervous. He’d never met any of his pervious girlfriends’ parents. He wasn’t good with the whole social thing. He raced after Kagome and grabbed her wrist. “Kagome wait.”

“What is it InuYasha?”

He felt stupid. Why should he feel nervous? He was InuYasha Takahashi. What was not to like? But he couldn’t deny that he did feel nervous. He looked down at the ground making it so that his bangs where covering his eyes. “What if they don’t like me?” he said through clinched teeth.

The next thing he heard was her laughter. He shot his gaze toward her and stared. How could she just laugh? This was a serious matter. “Stop laughing!”

She held her sides. “I’m sorry InuYasha, but . . . it’s just so funny to here you say that!” she told him as he rolled his eyes. After she calmed herself she continued. “I mean, you’ve had to have met tons of girls’ parents, so why get nervous over my mine. . . . Plus you’re dodging a bullet cause you won’t have to meet my father.”

InuYasha became uneasy at the mention of her father. She had told him that he had died when she was little the last time they had went out. He could tell that she missed him by the way she had talked about him. He just wasn’t sure how he should act when she brought him up. “Yeah well, I still have to meet your grandfather and from what you’ve told me about him, I think I’d rather had met your father.”

Kagome smiled then took his hand with hers. “Don’t worry so much. They’ll like you.” She started pulling him towards the shine and InuYasha tried to swallow the lump in his throat. Kagome entered the front door and yelled to anyone who was listening that she was home.

“Oh, Kagome, I wasn’t expecting you until later.” a woman who appeared to be in her early forties. InuYasha assumed that this was Kagome’s mother. Dr. Higurashi.

Kagome took off her shoes and walked over and hugged the woman. InuYasha, not knowing what to do, slowly preoccupied himself by following Kagome’s example and taking off his shoes. “Mom, I’d like you to meet InuYasha Takahashi, my . . .”

Kagome trailed off in uncertainty, but InuYasha quickly finished for her. “Boyfriend.” he said as he stuck out his hand in greeting. When Dr. Higurashi smiled and shook his hand he added, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He was better at this than he gave himself credit for.

“The pleasure’s all mine, InuYasha. Kagome’s told us so much about you and we were wondering when we were going to meet the boy she was talking about.” she replied as she let go of his hand.

InuYasha glanced over at Kagome and smirked when he saw that she was blushing. “Well, I’m sorry for keeping you waiting. I just hope I’ll be able to live up to my reputation then. Wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone.”

Kagome’s mother’s smile grew. “Well, why don’t you join us for dinner InuYasha? Unless you were only stopping by?”

“Not at all, Dr. Higurashi. I’d love to stay for dinner.” he said and just as she was about to answer with a hearty response there was a loud crash in the other room.

Dr. Higurashi shoulder’s sagged as she placed her hand to her temple and sighed. “Excuse me InuYasha, I have to go ground my son.” InuYasha watched her walk into the archway of the kitchen and into what he assumed to be the living room. “Sota Higurashi, how many times have I told not to play ball in the house? Now you’ve gone and broken one of my lamps.”

Though it was muffled, InuYasha heard the young boy reply, “Sorry Mom, but it’s dark outside and my tryouts are tomorrow. I need the practice.”

“Then you should have been planning to wake up early tomorrow. Now you’re grounded.” He heard her sigh. “You’re lucky I’m even letting you go to tryouts now. . . . Just clean up the mess.”

“Yes Mother.”

Dr. Higurashi made her way back into the kitchen replacing her annoyed expression with a warm smile. “Now where were we? . . . Oh yes, dinner will be ready in about ten minutes. Kagome why don’t you and InuYasha go watch TV until it’s ready.”

“Are you sure you don’t need any help Mom?” Kagome asked.

“Nonsense Kagome. You go enjoy your date.” InuYasha didn’t miss the wink Dr. Higurashi sent to Kagome and he didn’t even try to hid the smirk when he saw how red this made Kagome.

“If you’re sure . . .” she replied still red in the face, then she looked over at InuYasha. “Well, let’s go see what’s on then.”

InuYasha nodded and followed her into the living room. They passed Souta, who was sweeping up broken shards of the lamp, then made their way over to a green couch and plopped down. An old man, that InuYasha presumed to be Kagome’s grandfather, sat on the other end of the couch snoring. “Well, I’d introduce you to him, but that might give you a false impression of him. You’ll definitely like him better asleep then you will awake.” she explained as she picked up the remote that was laying next to the sleeping grandpa.

InuYasha sat silently as Kagome flipped through the channels. She sighed as she stopped on the Discovery channel. “Sorry, but this was the only option unless you’d rather learn about history?”

InuYasha gazed at the screen. There was a showing about wiping out disgusting infestations. He shrugged his shoulders. “This could be interesting.” After about five minutes of watching the television show, InuYasha noticed that Kagome was having trouble concentrating on the screen. She kept glancing over at him and it caused a smirk to form on his lips. Why not calm her worries? He reached over and took the hand off her lap and intertwined their fingers.

Kagome went stiff for a moment then seemed to like the idea. InuYasha started to gently rub his thumb over her index finger. They stayed like that until Dr. Higurashi called them to dinner.

They had country fried chicken for dinner and InuYasha was finally introduced to Kagome’s grandfather. She had been right about liking him better asleep. The whole way through dinner he kept asking why he looked funny and why he hadn’t trimmed his nails. Dr. Higurashi would scold her father every time he would ask. But InuYasha endured it. Kagome’s family entertained him.

Kagome looked over at the clock and gasped. “Is it already nine o’clock?” InuYasha looked at the clock as well as if to make sure she was telling the truth. “I’m sorry InuYasha, but I should have told you sooner. I have an important college interview tomorrow morning.”

“Oh that’s right, Dear.” her mother exclaimed as she put down her napkin. “If I had remembered I would have reminded you.”

“It’s alright Mom. I’ll just go to bed after I clean up in here and walk InuYasha out.” Kagome began to gather up the dirty plates on the table, but her mother stopped her.

“No, you just go ahead and walk InuYasha out. I’ll clean up in here.” Dr. Higurashi took the plates out of Kagome’s hands and then made her way over to the sink.

InuYasha had already put his shoes on during the exchange. “Wish you would have told me. I would have made sure I’d left by now.” They walked out the front door and strolled across the shrine courtyard.

“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you.” Kagome explained. “I didn’t want you to seem rushed.”

“Na, I just would have left sooner.” he said as they stopped before the steps. Kagome smiled at him shyly as he stared at her thoughtfully. He wondered if this was an appropriate time to kiss her. He started to lean forward, but Kagome cleared her throat and looked down at the ground.

“I hope my family didn’t frighten you too bad.”

InuYasha recovered quickly. “Not at all. They amuse me. I bet there’s never a dull moment in your house.” Kagome nodded in agreement. InuYasha let out a sigh as he tucked his hand under her chin making her look up at him. “I’d like to kiss you goodnight if you’d let me.”

Blush dusted her face, but she slowly nodded. He once again leaned closer yet this time his lips did meet with hers. The kiss was gentle and soothing. He let his lips massage hers until he felt he was pushing his luck. He pulled back and smiled at the dazed looking Kagome. “Night Kagome.”

“N-night InuYasha.” she stuttered.

He turned to make his way down the stairs then stopped and looked at her again. “Oh and good luck with your interview tomorrow.”

This seemed to pull her out of the trance she was in because her eyes widened. “Oh my gosh!” she said as she all but ran back to her house. “Goodnight InuYasha, thanks for coming.” she yelled.

InuYasha chuckled to himself as he made his way down the steps to his car.

Kagome was having a difficult time keeping Ami still. Every since she had told her that InuYasha was coming to visit she’d been bouncing off the walls. “Ami please, just sit and play with your toys.”

“When’s InuYasha gonna get here Mommy?” she asked, ignoring what her mother had said. Kagome sighed. Maybe it had been a mistake to tell her.

“Soon Sweetheart.” Kagome looked at the clock and sighed. She had fifteen minutes. Fifteen minutes before everything in her life would change. She let her head fall into her hands as she contemplated how this could be worse.

The sound of her telephone ringing startled her. Maybe it was InuYasha calling to cancel? She strode over the wall where the phone hung and answered. “Hello?”

“Oh my gosh Kagome! The whole hospital is talking about it! Did he really find out?” Sango’s frantic voice came through the line, dashing Kagome’s hopes to pieces.

“Unfortunately it’s true.” Kagome mumbled. “InuYasha knows. In fact he’s coming over at five to meet his little girl.” The last part was full of spite.

“Oh Kagome. This must be hell for you.” she said with her voice full of sorrow. “You know if you need anything at all me and Kaede are here for you.”

Kagome smiled sadly. “I know, but you guys have done all you can for me. My mom was right. This was going to happen one way or another. I guess I should be grateful that he hadn’t found through the grapevine.” Kagome paused. “Would you mind if we switched the subject? I really don’t want to think about this anymore than I have to.”

“No problem. Umm . . .” Sango hesitated. “Well I had an interesting phone appointment with that guy I told you about yesterday.”

“The one that groped you?” Kagome asked confused. It had been interesting? “How was it interesting?”

Sango didn’t say anything for a minute. “. . . It’s the first time I’ve been hit on over the phone. I mean don’t get me wrong, he’s immature pervert and he gets under my skin so easily, but I never lose my temper with a patient.”

Kagome bit down on her lip as she tried to suppress a giggle. “Well Sango, it sounds like you feel a little too comfortable around him. Why else would you be able to get mad at him?”

“That doesn’t make sense. He violated me. That’s the only reason I’m so mad at him.” Sango retorted.

Kagome shrugged her shoulder well aware that Sango couldn’t see the action. “Yeah well he’s not the first that’s done that and you didn’t drill that guy on personal boundaries.”

“Because he was an old man! You don’t yell at the elderly!”

Kagome laughed out loud at that. “Whatever makes you feel better Sango.”

“Hmph.” Sango expressed childishly. “I’ll have you know that do have some control. I didn’t go over to his house when he asked.”

Kagome was shocked by this. “Sango, you didn’t tell me he liked you like that.” This was more serious than she thought.

“It’s not like anything can happen. I’m his doctor. I could get fired if anything did happen.” Sango sighed.

“. . . Do you like him like that?” Kagome was very anxious to hear her response. She didn’t know how long Sango had gone between dates. Although she was right, she could get fired over this particular engagement.

“No! He’s a pervert!” Kagome’s smiled grew when she answered too quickly. She was just about to tease her about it when the door bell rang. She heard Ami shout that she’d get it in the background. “Was that what I thought it was?”

Kagome gulped. “Y-yeah. I guess I should get off now.”

“Good luck Kagome. Call me when it’s all over.” Kagome told her she would as she hung up the phone. ‘Well might as well get this over with.’ She thought as she walked over and lifted Ami up into her arms before she could reach the doorknob. She took a deep breath to steady herself before she swung the door open.