InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dancing with Scissors ❯ Close Friends, Donuts, and Toys ( Chapter 2 )

The man crossing Third Street carrying two large white and green boxes yawned loudly. It was early in the morning, and he had been awake for hours. His hair, pulled back low, was still damp from the shower he had hoped would wake him up and wash off his sadness, and the wrinkled jeans and poorly buttoned oxford shirt completed the look that said, `I could give a shit about my appearance right now.' He knew the donuts in his arms would be greeted with groans and death threats from his health-and-calorie-conscious wife and friend, but he also was well aware that they would eat several apiece. And fight over the last one.

 

As he climbed the stairs, navigating around toys, shoes, and bones, he tried to stay cheerful. He had so many memories of this apartment, all connected to Inuyasha. They had been close friends—the two beleaguered, outnumbered men associated with the Kikyou, Kagome, Sango Triumvirate. Miroku sorely missed him already, but what better way to honor him than indulging in one of his favorite foods? A large canine head halted his progress and endangered the successful delivery of the boxes. “Kagome, call your dog!”

 

“Obi, come!” The head backed off, but continued staring at the source of the greasy, sugary odor.

 

Miroku entered the kitchen and saw that Rin was awake. He set the boxes on the table and picked the little girl up. She hugged him tightly around the neck. He knew Rin was petite, but she suddenly seemed so tiny and vulnerable. “Hey, sweetie. I brought you some breakfast.” Rin sniffed and attempted a smile.

 

“Miroku! Krispy Kreme?” Kagome exclaimed with annoyance. “I don't know if I should bless you or curse you. Two boxes? Dammit, what are you trying to do to me.”

 

He kissed her cheek. “Kagome, didn't you know,” he said with amusement, “donuts consumed within twenty-four hours of receiving really bad news have no calories?”

 

She kissed him back. “Thanks,” she said gratefully, breaking into a grin. “Are there any jellies?”

 

“Yellow and red.”

 

Kagome made a Homer Simpson-like noise. “Red jelly donuts…the coffee's almost done.”

 

Miroku kissed Rin and put her back on her chair, then embraced his wife. “How are you?”

 

Sango returned hug. “We're hanging in there. What do you think, Rin, we haven't cried in…oh…half an hour?”

 

Rin wasn't sure if she should respond. It seemed to her that grown-ups were always asking questions that didn't need an answer. “Can I have a donut?”

 

“That's why I brought them. Help yourself.” Rin opened the top box quickly, hoping to see a high proportion of chocolate to not-chocolate. Kagome put a glass of milk and several napkins in front of the child, then poured coffee for the adults. They all sat, not knowing how to break the silence.

 

“Rin Rin, what is it? You're not eating.”

 

“Kagome, Mommy didn't like it when I had just donuts for breakfast,” Rin said, almost crying.

 

Kagome's eyes filled with tears, but her voice was steady. “Rin, it's true; donuts are not the most nutritious food out there. But we don't have them that often, and I'll make sure you have a good lunch. Honey, I guarantee, your Mommy is in the Summerland wanting nothing more right now than for you to eat as many donuts as you want.” Kagome smiled. Rin smiled back and took a big bite, smearing chocolate all over her nose.

 

“What's the Summerland again?” Rin asked between bites.

 

“The Summerland is where your Mommy believed people go after they die. It sounds like a nice place, doesn't it?”

 

“What did Daddy believe?”

 

Kagome thought a moment. “Your Daddy didn't believe in anything, so…I guess that means he's everywhere.”

 

Sticky-fingered Rin crawled into Kagome's lap. “That's a nice place too.”

 

Kagome and Sango exchanged glances over the girl's head. Sango gave a melancholy, little nod that seemed to mean, `she'll be okay.' Kagome let out a shaky breath and asked, “Wanna split one?”

 

“Lemon jelly?”

 

“Uh, red jelly.”

 

“Jeez! Just eat a whole one, you weirdos. You both could use a little meat on your bones. And pass me a glazed cruller.”

 

Sango passed a box over to her husband. “Why did you bring so many? Two baker's dozen for the four of us?”

 

“I talked to Kouga already. He and, therefore, Ayame will be by soon. I assume Kanna is coming after her shift. Isaiah and Latrisha will probably come up with the kids. I doubt Jak and Bank will be awake before noon on a Sunday…though it might be the morning they go antiquing.”

 

“Drag queen by night, antiquing by day…could those two be more stereotypical?” Kagome asked, slicing a raspberry filled donut in half. There was a knock on the door. “Miroku, do you mind? And watch out for Lake Oberon on the floor.” The drooling dog had been watching Rin intently, knowing she was the messiest eater in the house and of the inevitability some morsel would fall to the floor. Miroku came back into the kitchen, followed by Kagome's downstairs neighbor.

 

“Kagome, we just saw it on the news. I am so, so sorry.” Kagome transferred Rin to Miroku's lap, got up, and hugged her neighbor. “How are you holding up?”

 

“Well, the shock has settled in, but I think I'm still in denial that it's really happening,” Kagome said, eyes watering.

 

“Isaiah's talking to the kids right now. Is it okay if they come up?”

 

Kagome took a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose. “Trish, thanks, its fine,” she smiled and looked toward Rin. “Honey would you like to see Jordan and Jericho?”

 

Rin brightened a little. Her downstairs neighbors were more like cousins. “Can we go to the park?”

 

“Not today, probably, but you three can play in your room.”

 

There was another knock on the door. “Come in!” Kagome yelled. A dark-haired man and a red-headed woman entered. “Hey, Kouga,” Kagome greeted.

 

He wrapped his arms around her. “Kagome, I'm so sorry. I know Inuyasha and I didn't always agree on everything, but I'll miss him. And you know I loved Kikyou.”

 

“Thanks Kouga. I appreciate it.” He kept holding her, rubbing her back, oblivious to his girlfriend behind him shooting daggers with her eyes. “You can let go now.” Kouga reluctantly released her, then hugged Sango and Rin. Kagome noticed a very pissed-looking Ayame standing still in the corner. None of them particularly liked Kouga's new girlfriend. She was whiny and clingy and jealous. But, after that hug, no fucking wonder, Kagome thought. No wonder she hates me; Kouga was obviously still obsessed. “Ayame, hi. Latrisha, you've met Kouga before; this is his girlfriend, Ayame.”

 

“Good to meet you, honey. Too bad it isn't under better circumstances. Kagome, do you mind if I help myself to some coffee? Ayame, can I get you some too?”

 

Kagome grinned. “Please, help yourselves. I'll put on another pot in a minute.” She mouthed her silent thanks to her neighbor, one of the warmest people she knew. If anyone could thaw out Ayame, Latrisha could.

 

A few minutes later, a tall man accompanied by two kids with dreadlocks entered, the children looking from Rin to the boxes of donuts with awe and envy. “Momma?” they said simultaneously.

 

“Go ahead, but don't eat too much; there's a picnic after church today,” Latrisha reminded them.

 

Kagome got out a plate and handed it to Rin. “You can each put two on a plate, then take it to Rin's room and play.” She sighed when they left, then embraced the tall man who had just joined them. “Isaiah, thanks for bringing the kids. I might need your help a lot the next few weeks.”

 

“Anytime you want to bring Rin down, go ahead. We love having her.”

 

“Thanks, I'll try not to abuse your hospitality. She's used to having the attention of three adults, you know?” She sniffed loudly and shook her head, trying to clear it. “Isaiah, is your uncle still a funeral director? Can I talk to him?”

 

“Yeah, do you want him to make the arrangements?”

 

She nodded. “It would have to be very secular or, at least, non-denominational. And they wanted to be cremated. How does it all work? Who do I need to call? Do I look up crematorium in the Yellow Pages?” Her voice was beginning to crack.

 

“Honey, calm down. I'll go call him soon. It can be however you want, and he manages everything. Just take care of yourself and Rin.”

 

She slumped into a chair. “Thanks. Uhhgh, I feel like shit. I'm getting that achy, shaky, `I've been up all night' queasiness.”

 

“Kagome,” Sango said gently, “why don't you go take a nap for a couple hours. We can handle Rin.”

 

“Okay, I think I might take you up on your offer.” She thought of something. “Shit. Miroku, what do I need to do to get legal custody of Rin. Nobody's going to come knocking on the door and try to take her, are they?”

 

“It's called guardianship; I'll file the petition tomorrow. And no, no one's going to take her.”

 

“Will it be expensive, because I can't afford much?”

 

“I'll just charge you court costs. It won't be a big deal; no one will contest it.”

 

There was another sharp knock, and a platinum blonde wearing hospital scrubs came in. “Hey, you all. I just finished my shift.” She and Kagome hugged tightly.

 

“Thanks for the phone call last night, Kanna. I'm glad I got to hear it from a friendly voice.”

 

“You doing okay?”

 

Kagome nodded weakly, then yawned. “Alright, I'll try to sleep. Not promising anything though. I'm tired, but my mind's still spinning.”

 

“Do you want a Valium?” Sango suggested.

 

“As much as I would like to spend the next two weeks numb, I'll pass. I don't want to wake up fuzzy, in case Rin needs me. Would someone mind taking the dog for a walk? Just take him to the park and let him chase squirrels. The poop bags are by the leash.”

 

Kagome peeked in on Rin. The kids were playing with blocks together, and she decided not to disturb them. She went up the stairs to her attic room. It was spacious, with a sloping ceiling and a turret, light pouring in from the several dormers. One half of the third floor housed her studio, packed with bolts of fabric, racks of thread and embroidery floss, two cutting tables, an ironing board, a serger, and two other sewing machines. The other half had her clothes and bed, a couch and coffee table, bookcases, and a stereo.

 

She stripped off her clothes and climbed in bed. On the nightstand was a black and white photograph. She picked it up, studying it like she'd done many times before. It was a photo of nude Inuyasha and Kikyou, when she was near full term carrying Rin.

 

Her sister had come out of the shower, wiped steam from the mirror, and noticed the veins in her chest and breasts and her nipples had darkened in color. Her skin seemed almost transparent against the lacy, deep blue lines that were her veins. Kikyou dried and asked Kagome to photograph her. Kagome was enchanted with her sister's pregnant body, which even six months earlier had still looked mostly like her own. At that time she was round and ripe and beautiful. Kagome happily grabbed her camera, and they took advantage of the morning sun streaming through Kikyou and Inuyasha's bedroom window.

 

A short time into the impromptu shoot, Inuyasha came home from errand running and saw them. He had a lump in his throat watching them connect. His two favorite women, one he loved like a sister, one he given his soul. Kagome noticed him and said, `well hurry up, are you coming or not?' So he took off his shirt. What had begun as an innocent photo session of a happy young couple expecting a baby, turned into something quietly erotic. Soon both of the subjects were naked, twisting limbs around each other. Most of the photos Kagome had given to Kikyou for her and Inuyasha's private enjoyment. The photo at which she was staring was one she had entered in a photography contest sponsored by the city's Council on the Arts. It won the grand prize and earned her five thousand dollars. She was immensely proud of it and kept it on her nightstand, more as a trophy and ego-booster, rather than a memento. The picture was of Kikyou facing forward, with her head turned toward the window. Inuyasha was behind her, his face partially hidden in the side of her neck, his long hair sweeping over their left shoulders. They both had their arms cradling Kikyou's belly.

 

Kagome had always looked at the photo in appreciation of its composition. Inuyasha had spent that summer and fall working for a landscaper and his whole upper body was deeply tanned. Kikyou avoided sun like a vampire. The contrast of her dark hair, his light hair; her pale skin against his, several shades darker; the contrast of her curves to his lean maleness and the way the morning sun shadowed and highlighted the differences in their bodies, those were the things Kagome normally absorbed, the artistic merits, the elements that made up the picture. At that moment though, Kagome only saw the people captured, forever caught at that precise point in time. For the first time Kagome saw that photo as a picture of the love Kikyou and Inuyasha had for each other. They held Kikyou's swollen belly like the child, the result, culmination of all they felt for one another, was already on the outside, breathing air. They held her belly as though it were a separate entity, but one that was impossible to disconnect from either of them. They were already a family.

 

She carefully put the picture under a pillow and lay down, as she began to sob. Oh well, she thought, I almost made it an hour before breaking down again.

 

XxXxX

 

Kagome was awaken by a small body curling up next to her. She pulled Rin in close. “Hi, honey,” she said sleepily. “You okay?”

 

“I just wanted you.”

 

“Here I am.” Kagome noted the time. Eleven a.m. She actually slept a few hours. “Who is still here?”

 

“Jordie and Jerie had to go to church, but Miroku and Sango and Kanna are still here. Kouga and that girl took Obi for a walk.”

 

“'That girl is named Ayame.”

 

“She doesn't like you.”

 

Kagome sighed, “Yeah, I get the feeling. It's because Kouga and I went out a few times, long ago, before you were even born. She's thinks he still likes me.”

 

“He does, though.”

 

“Hmm. I should tell him to give up. I thought after almost five years, he'd have figured it out.” How is it that someone so smart can be so damn clueless, she wondered. Kouga's star in the legal community reached stratospheric heights in just a few years, once he cut his hair and gave up pot, of course. He was recognized as having a bright future in corporate law, on the fast track to make partner at the large firm which employed him. It's not like they even dated that long or seriously. Time to give him the wake-the-fuck-up bitch slap. Thank god she had never let things progress beyond oral sex. If she'd slept with him, he'd probably never get it.

 

“Why don't you like him?” Rin asked curiously. Kagome was always fairly open and forthcoming, for a grown-up, but her mother frequently told her not to ask such personal questions. Now that Kagome was sharing, Rin felt special and didn't want her to stop.

 

“I love Kouga as a friend, sweetie, but he's just not my type. When we dated, I was kind of in a bad spot and didn't want a relationship. Later…I don't know…I just knew it wasn't meant to be.” She kissed Rin on the head and decided it was time for a change of topic. “Did you have an okay time with Jordan and Jericho?”

 

“Yeah. They seemed kind of weird at first. They didn't know what to say to me. But it got okay. We built a block tower, and Jordan showed me a dance she learned in kindergarten.”

 

“Oh honey,” Kagome began sadly, “you'll probably find the same thing when you go back to school. People have a hard time knowing how to act. I think mostly people just want to do the right thing, but unfortunately the right thing isn't always easy to figure. When my parents died it seemed like everyone was stuck between pretending nothing happened and avoiding me, because they were afraid to mention it, or sometimes they acted like I was broken or sick. But, Rin, it all gets better eventually. I promise.”

 

“When will we stop being so sad?” The scratchy throat and hot eyes were coming back. She buried her face in Kagome's pillow.

 

Kagome stroked the child's hair and let her cry. “We never really stop being sad. Sadness is part of what makes us human. Don't you think it would be worse to lose someone you love and not feel sad? And wouldn't it be boring if we were happy all the time?”

 

Rin actually thought perpetual happiness sounded great.

 

“We need hard times, so the good times seem that much better. But honey, I know how you feel. I really do. Anytime you want to talk about it, I'm here for you.”

 

Rin lifted her head and entwined arms around her aunt. “Kagome, if something bad happens to you, where will I go?”

 

She took a deep breath. “Rin, I won't lie to you and say nothing will ever happen to me. But as long as I'm around, I'll take care of you. I love you honey. If something did happen, hmm…you'd probably go live with Sango and Miroku.”

 

“Why not Jak and Bank?”

 

Kagome laughed at the thought of those two raising a kid. “Actually, sweetie, they would probably do an excellent job,” she admitted, then remembered something. “You know though, you have a set of grandparents and an uncle. I'm sure they would take care of you if anything happened to me.”

 

“Daddy's mom and dad?”

 

“Um hmm,” Kagome nodded.

 

“Why haven't I met them yet? Do they live far away?”

 

“No, honey, they live here. It's all complicated.”

 

Rin hated when grown-ups told her things were complicated and nothing else, as if complication explained anything.

 

“Your Daddy and his parents used to fight a lot, and a long time ago they had such a big fight that they got all stubborn and wouldn't talk to each other anymore. You know how I always say `never go to bed angry', well apparently the Taisho's go to bed angry all the time. You'll meet them at the funeral.” She started to get up. “Should we get some lunch?”

 

“Kagome, you don't have any clothes on,” she giggled.

 

“No, sometimes I like to sleep naked.” Or all the time, she thought.

 

“I just brushed my teeth. Nobody even told me to.” Rin knew that would impress her.

 

Kagome pulled on her t-shirt and hugged her niece. “So responsible. Just like your Mommy.”

 

“Except my eyes?” Nearly every grown-up she knew had at one point told her how much she resembled her mother.

 

“Definitely your Daddy's eyes. At least the color.” She brought her face down to Rin's. “Your eyes are a lot more…almond-shaped and tilted. Your Daddy always said his eye shape he got from his mother, and you have Taisho-shaped eyes. Your eyes are just like your uncle's. You'll see when you meet them.” Kagome decided it was getting too warm for jeans and took a clean skirt from the top of her laundry basket. She piggy-backed her niece downstairs and into the kitchen.

 

XxXxX

 

Sesshoumaru's cell rang. Thank god, he thought. It was four in the afternoon, and his father was driving him crazy, going on and on about `when is that Higurashi woman planning on telling us anything,' and `those damned, irresponsible artist types' and `does the woman even know how to use a phone?' “Yes,” he answered.

 

“Umm…hi, this is Kagome.”

 

“Yes, Kagome. Are you and Rin doing okay?”

 

“We're holding up. Thanks for asking. How are you all?”

 

He thought of his mother sedated, his father ranting. “We're fine,” he lied. “Have you contacted a funeral home?”

 

“Oh yeah. The funeral is Tuesday morning at ten. The place is Thomas and Sons; it's across the street from the Land of Galilee Baptist Church on South Washington.”

 

Sesshoumaru scribbled the information. South Washington was very urban. He had assumed it would have been out in the nicer suburbs. “They wanted a Christian service?”

 

“Oh, hell no! Inuyasha would haunt me forever if I did that. He was a devout atheist. I just picked them because I know the owner's nephew. They've been very helpful.”

 

Sesshoumaru groaned inwardly at the thought of what his father would say when he learned where the funeral service would be. He couldn't wait for this all to be over so he could go to his office and get back to work. “Thank you for calling, Kagome. We will see—”

 

“Wait, there's something else,” she interrupted. “Rin has never met you all, and I was thinking…perhaps her parents' funeral isn't the best place for introductions. Can we get together tomorrow, just so Rin can meet you in a more relaxed setting?”

 

He hadn't even considered the awkwardness of the first meeting. “I think that can be arranged,” he said evenly. “Did you have something in mind?”

 

“How about Memorial Park around, oh, noon? It's within walking distance of our apartment. There's a nice playground, and Rin likes it.”

 

“Fine. We will be there at noon tomorrow.” He hung up. His father looked at the name and street written on the paper.

 

“South Washington! If she thinks I will go downtown and risk getting mugged at my own son's funeral—”

 

“Father, no one's getting mugged,” Sesshoumaru said impatiently. “It's all arranged. She suggested getting together tomorrow, so the child could meet you before the service.”

 

“She probably wants money,” Ken Taisho said. “Your mother will be happy to finally meet her granddaughter, though. And where is this going to take place?”

 

“Memorial Park, at noon.”

 

“Memorial Park? Isn't that where all the car-jackings were last year?”

 

Sesshoumaru shook his head. “I'm going to the gym to work out. Don't worry about dinner.” He left.

 

Sesshoumaru admired his father a great deal, or at least, he had at one time. His father had taken a few properties he was able to purchase forty-five years earlier and turned it into a real estate empire, owning large portions of the city. He was well respected, sat on many boards of directors, and had a talent for investing. He was also unreasonable, argumentative, stubborn, and unable to admit when he was wrong. It had only gotten worse since he had been forced into semi-retirement, following a heart attack years before. Sesshoumaru had just finished graduate school and had no intentions of moving back to the place of his birth, but his father needed him to take over the business. Now he worked eighty hours a week and avoided the cantankerous old man when he could. Just a couple days, then things will be back to normal, he told himself.

 

XxXxX

 

Kagome put on a New Pornographers CD and flopped on the couch. “That wasn't bad at all. I thought she'd want a story-reading marathon, but she fell asleep fast. I guess it was a big day. Miroku, be a pet and make me a drink.”

“What's your poison?” he asked.

 

Kagome tried to picture what juices and mixers were in the fridge. “If we have cranberry juice and grapefruit juice, make me a Sea Breeze. If there's no grapefruit juice, but pineapple juice, make me a Bay Breeze. If there's grapefruit juice, but no cranberry juice, make me a Greyhound. If there's no cranberry juice and no grapefruit juice…make me a Tanqueray and Tonic.”

 

He tried to remember the pecking order. “What if there's no vodka?”

 

“We always have vodka.”

 

“Oh, Cabana Boy,” Sango called out, before Miroku left the room, “I'll take a gin and tonic. Extra lime!”

 

The women smiled at each other. “So nice to have good help, isn't it?” Sango giggled.

 

“And such a cutie! Maybe we should make him serve us in his underwear.”

 

“Do you have any idea how much he'd love that?” she said seriously.

 

“Sango dear, I hope you appreciate what a darling little pervert of a husband you have.”

 

“If by appreciate, you mean painfully aware…sometimes I don't know if I'm married to a frat boy or a dirty old man.”

 

“Oh, he's definitely more of the old-man-variety pervert.”

 

Miroku brought in the drinks and kissed Sango. “I'm going home. I've got a full day of work, and the cats are probably climbing the walls. See you soon?”

 

“Yeah, I'll be home before long. Bank and Jak are on their way; I'll hitch a ride with them on the way out.”

 

Miroku hugged Kagome. “I'll file the petition for guardianship tomorrow. Let me know if there's anything else.”

 

“Thanks, you don't know how much your help means,” Kagome said, starting to choke up again.

 

“Kagome, stop that. I'm happy to be useful.”

 

Once he had gone, Kagome looked at Sango gratefully. “Thanks for coming last night and staying all day. I really think I'll be alright.”

 

“You will be,” she assured.

 

“Sango, something's on my mind. I know it's inevitable that Rin and I will have to move. I won't be able to afford a place this big. Hell it's going to be a gigantic cluster fuck trying to find an apartment that will take a dog, so anyway, I'll probably just rent a storage unit for Kikyou and Yasha's stuff, until I have the fortitude to go through it and decide what to keep. But…what should I do with their sex toys?”

 

Sango gaped at her. “I have no earthly idea. I…never even thought of that.”

 

“The toys were an important part of their life. All that bondage shit, the nipple clamps…the whips… the cock rings…the hand cuffs…the leather…oh and don't forget the strap-on. God, they had some really nice dildos. I plan on confiscating the lube, but all the other stuff…I don't want to throw it away. It just seems kinda sacrilegious, not to mention, hardly any of its biodegradable.”

 

Two men suddenly entered the room. They were both incredibly good looking, one very effeminate. “We let ourselves in,” one said. “Did I hear someone say `really nice dildos'?” asked the other.

 

Kagome rose and hugged the taller of the two. “Bank, thanks for coming.”

 

“How you holding up hon?” Bank asked.

 

“I'm doing okay, I think,” Kagome said honestly. Kagome embraced the other, more feminine man. “Jak,” she said fondly.

 

“Kags, I'm so sorry. Poor Kikyou. And I can't believe Inuyasha had to go and die before I could convince him he's really gay and in love with me.” He saw Sango. “Speaking of straight boys I wish weren't…where's your better half, Sango.”

 

“You just missed him, Jak,” she muttered dryly. Sango often thought Jak went too far.

 

“Damn. Now what's this about dildos?”

 

“Have a seat.”

 

Bank went to the kitchen and came back with two beers.

 

“I was just telling Sango my concerns regarding proper disposal of sex toys.”

 

“Ooo Kikyou Higurashi's sex toys. You could probably make assloads of money selling them on eBay,” Jak pointed out naughtily.

 

Kagome scowled. “I will never be that fucking desperate for money. Seriously. They were very personal and intimately connected to them. Think of all the sexual energy in them. I was saying I don't want to just throw them away. It seems impersonal and not very environmentally responsible.”

 

Jak burst into derisive laughter. “Are you fucking joking? Environmentally responsible?”

 

Kagome took offense. “Dude, don't make fun. There is a burgeoning industry out there making socially-conscious sex toys.”

 

Jak turned merry. “You are shitting me! Like…free-range silicon or something?” He fell to the floor laughing. “You fucking tree-huggers will buy anything!”

 

“I swear Jak, if you wake up Rin I'm gonna toast your ass.” Kagome looked at Bank, who merely seemed amused at the antics of his flamboyant boyfriend. “Bank, what should I do? I was thinking about throwing them in the casket before they get cremated, but I'm worried about all the chemicals released into the atmosphere.”

 

Bank looked thoughtful. “If it's any comfort Kagome, the factories down in the slums probably spew out a million times whatever emissions would come out of a few dildos. There are companies though, that you can send used sex toys to; they strip the toys of reusable parts, then send the dangerous stuff to facilities that can handle hazardous waste.”

 

Kagome was perplexed. “I think I might just burn them. I hope the undertaker won't notice when I throw a huge plastic garbage bag in the casket. Which one should I put it in?”

 

“Kikyou's,” all three friends said at once.

 

“Maybe let Inuyasha have the strap-on,” Jak said. “Tell me more about these `green' sex toys.”

 

“Some are made of Pyrex glass, so they don't have PVCs and shit. And they can be boiled so they're cleaner. I've got one. It's really pretty actually. It doesn't vibrate on its own, so I use it with the Silver Bullet.”

 

“Hmm, it doesn't sound very flexible. Do they make glass butt plugs?”

 

“Yes, and you can get them with nubs and ridges,” Kagome said playfully.

 

Jak looked shocked. “How is it that I don't know about this?” He glanced sidelong at Bank. “Wanna play credit card online tonight, lover?”

 

“How did the call to the Taisho's go?” Sango asked Kagome, changing the subject.

 

“It was okay. We are meeting tomorrow at the park. I thought Rin should really see them before the funeral.”

 

“Good idea.” Sango asked the question that had been on the minds of both women. “What do you think Sesshoumaru looks like lately?”

 

Kagome sighed. “I get kinda puddly just thinking about the possibilities.”

 

“Sesshoumaru…I always forget they were brothers,” Bank said.

 

Jak spoke up. “Wait a minute. Inuyasha had a brother? Please tell me he's gay!”

 

“Sorry Jak, most certainly not gay. He dates supermodels and trust-fund princesses,” Sango informed him.

 

“Well, what does he look like?” Jak prompted.

 

“Oh…like Sex on a Silver Platter. You'll fucking die when you see him, Jak. Which will happen at the funeral, so mind your goddam manners.” Kagome warned.

 

“But whaht dooes hee loook liike?” Jak chanted, barely controlling himself.

 

“You know how Inuyasha had that crazy, gorgeous coloring? Well…okay, I thought Yasha was a doll, but he definitely got the short end of the stick genetically. Sesshoumaru, and I have to admit I haven't seen him since Rin was two weeks old, is taller, broader…”

 

“Beautiful enough to make you blush, but very male looking,” continued Sango.

 

“His eyes…Yasha's color, but his are more exotic.”

 

Sango and Kagome looked at each other. “Cheekbones,” they both sighed, melting.

 

Jak looked intrigued. “What else?”

 

Bank took over the narrative. “He's a genius business man. Old man Taisho owns tons of property, but when Sesshoumaru took the reins, he turned it into something else entirely. You know all the development and revitalization going on downtown? Sesshoumaru. And the new sports arena they want to build? Also Sesshoumaru Taisho. He has been on the Top Thirty Under Thirty list put out by the Chamber of Commerce so many times they had to change it to the Top Forty Under Forty a few years ago, when he wasn't in his twenties any longer. He's completely powerful, but behind the scenes. The fucking mayor answers to him.” Bank finished his beer. “I think it is time to go home. Sango, did you mention on the phone you'd like a ride?”

 

“Please. Kagome, call if you need anything. I have a couple clients tomorrow morning, but if you want to meet for lunch, let me know.”

 

“I'm meeting the Taisho's at noon, so no, but I'll let you know how it went. Thanks for everything.” They hugged and kissed. Sango left with the two men.

 

Kagome was alone again. She let the dog out, then got ready for bed. Rin wanted to sleep in her parents' bed, and Kagome thought it'd be best if she slept there too. At least for now.

 

&&&

 

I do not own Inuyasha, neither characters nor plots. I also have no claim to the names Krispy Kreme, Valium, New Pornographers, Tanqueray, eBay, Silver Bullet, or Pyrex.