InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dr. Miko ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

~~0.o~~

Kagome threw open the door to her apartment while nearly dropping the armful of groceries she was carrying. She set them up on the counter with a slight grunt and turned back to shut the door when she noticed the great white dog still in the hallway.

"This is where you live?"

"Yea," she replied while wiping a few loose strands of hair from her face.

"Feh, I thought you said you were a doctor." With that Kagome moved to close the door in his face.

"Fine, you can sleep in…" his nose stopped the path of the heavy door

"Geeze, tou-chy." He pushed past her and entered the small home. Shippou was already on the couch using his small paws to manipulate the remote control, flipping quickly from channel to channel. Inuyasha turned to watch the first person in 5 centuries that had invited him into their home enter the kitchen and begin sorting through her groceries. How may times had he dreamed of this? A warm home, a family, not eating from a garbage can… it was becoming overwhelming. She began humming as she cooked and it tugged his heartstrings even tighter. He shook it off quickly and plotted over to where the other pup sat curled up watching TV.

"Whacha watchin' squirt?" He jumped onto the couch, dislodging Pomeranian and launching him to the floor.

"Hey you big bully!! I was sitting there!"

"Not anymore, and what is this crap you're watching?"

"It's not crap, baka, it's Kenshin (!)." The pup jumped back up onto the couch making sure to sit in front of the intruder's face, blocking the TV with all his hair.

"Ken…what? Kenshin who… hey, get out of the way?" The older dog took a swipe and the pup, narrowly missing the small fluffy head in his way.

"Why do you care? I thought you said it was crap." This time the large paw did not miss its target. "Ouch! Kagomeeeeeee, he keeps hitting me." Inuyasha swatted the kid again, muttering under his breath about little tattle tails. Kagome came around the side of the couch then with 3 bowls in her hands.

"Alright you two, enough." She set two bowls on the floor and held the last one as she pushed the white canine over to make room for herself. "Hey Shippou, pop in the movie." The little fluff ball jumped off the sofa and pushed the video in with his nose before turning back and sitting down in front of one of the bowls on the floor, eating noisily. Inuyasha looked over at the woman sitting next to him and watched as she delicately pulled a piece of shrimp out with her chopsticks and place it in her mouth. she really had become beautiful, quite a jump from the scrawny child in the alley. She looked up and met his gaze questioningly.

"Aren't you going to eat?"

"Feh, make all your guests eat on the floor?" She just smirked and looked over the side to her puppy.

"What's the rule Shippou?"

"No thumbs, no couch, no way!" He smiled up at her and stuck his long pink tongue out before receiving a pat on the head. In a painstakingly slow movement, the white beast lowered himself to the ground and helped himself to the bowl in front of him. Ramen… how did she know his weakness for Ramen? She had even added egg, steak, carrots and corn. It was delicious. He turned to look up at her, confused by the extent of her generosity. Shippou finished eating and jumped back up to lay in Kagome's lap as she set her bowl off to the side. He finished as well and dragged his tired body back up to lay with the others.

As he lay curled up on the end of the couch, he suddenly felt little toes digging a tunnel underneath his large tail. He looked up to see a half asleep Kagome trying to stretch out without disturbing the fluff ball on her chest. She brought a hand up to push down the fur separating her gaze from the other dogs. "Sorry," she whispered, "my feet are cold." He humphed and laid his head back down. Subconsciously, he moved his tail to cover her feet and wrap around one of her ankles before falling into a peaceful sleep.

He awoke the next morning to more singing and the sound of running water. With an enormous yawn and a very dog-like stretch, he got up from the couch and plodded down the hall to the bathroom where his hostess was showering. He passed her bed where Shippou was sleeping soundly and quietly pushed the bathroom door open. Kagome's silhouette danced under the steaming water as she sang and shampooed her hair. He shook his head and moved over to the toilet, taking a few laps to cool his dry throat. There was a small squeak as Kagome pulled back the curtain slightly and peered out at him.

"Hey, what are you doing in here while I'm showering… and did you just drink out of my toilet?"

"Don't flatter yourself, I was thirsty, alright. Geeze, not like I was gonna jump in there with you." She wrinkled her nose at the comment and then smirked slightly.

"Don't bother, I made you an appointment at the groomers today so I wouldn't want to spoil your bath." With that she pulled the curtain back into place and continued singing. Mumbling, Inuyasha did the only thing he could to get her back for her remark… he flushed the toilet.

"Aaahhhh! Cold, cold, cold… Inuyasha! You'd better run `cause I'm gonna tell the groomers to shave you down and give you a poodle cut… with bows!!!" He chuckled as he left the room, walking past a now wide-awake and fuming puppy.

"You better watch it, `Inu-trasha', my mommy's nice but she's good on her word. I'd be careful at the groomers today, you never know what might happen."

"Ooo, I'm so scared. A human and her loyal pet, I can take care of myself."

~~0.o~~

Kagome held open the door waiting for the large white dog to enter. "Com'on, I'm not holding this all day." He still did not move from his spot in the hall.

"Gr…groomer?"

"Yea, groomer. You're all matted and dirty, plus you made my entire apartment smell like dog."

"News Flash, I AM a dog! I'm NOT getting a bath." With that he sat down defiantly, chin up and eyes averted from the raging doctor in the door way.

"Fine," she said through gritted teeth. "Hey, Jinenji?" An enormous man appeared beside Kagome and conversed with her briefly in quiet voices. With a large smile and a handshake, she took off jogging down the hall, yelling back over her shoulder to the stubborn canine, "Now be good for Jinenji and I'll make a huge dinner for you tonight, anything you want. See ya later, Com'on Shippou!" The little dog snickered as the other was roughly tackled and brought inside by the huge grooming attendant.

Kagome ran down the hall giggling with Shippou close underfoot. She turned to tell him something when her body was stopped mid step by a solid form. She bounced off and landed ungracefully on the tile, mere inches from the small puppy.

"Oops, sorry about… that?" Her eyes followed the tailored pants to the expensive chemise and silk tie, up into the most alluring face she'd ever seen; her breath caught. He looked down at her with exotic gold eyes, his silken silver hair tied at the base of his neck. She was speechless, he was gorgeous. He reached out a hand and helped her off the floor.

"Kagome, your exam'ssssss…" Rin stopped, eyes also glued to the handsome man, now holding her bosses hand as she tried to adjust the strap on her heels. "Ooo, Kagome, I don't believe I've met your friend," she said as she sauntered up to the pair in her "Cat In The Hat" scrubs.

"Uh…" Kagome stuttered, "We actually haven't been introduced either." She turned her gaze back to the man before her. "Hi, I'm Dr. Higorashi, and this is my assistant, Rin."

"Pleased to meet you both," he said with a slight smirk after noticing the way both women were drooling. "I knew my partner had good taste in business, but now I'm definitely giving him a raise." Both women giggled.

"Oh, Kagome, your exam's ready in room 4."

"Thank you, Rin. Well, it was nice meeting you,…"

"Mr. Taiyoukai, but you may call me Sesshoumaru. I will be back again, Dr. Higurashi, but perhaps I'll make an appointment next time." He picked up his suit jacket from a near by chair, tossed it casually over his shoulder and headed for the door with both Kagome and Rin staring after him.

"Ooo, I'd like to spread that man over toast and eat him whole," Rin muttered under her breath. Kagome chuckled and patted the girl on the shoulder as she left to take care of her appointment.

The rest of the day's excitement fail in comparison to the morning they shared with Sesshoumaru. The girls shot knowing glances back and forth during exams and gossiped quickly between them, speculating on who he might be and what he might want with their hospital. At lunch the two chatted wildly in the lunchroom until Sango came striding in, grin plastered across her face.

"Hey you, what's with the stupid grin?" Kagome had her suspicions, having known the girl for almost a quarter century, but she wanted it hear it straight for the doctor's mouth.

"I had the most incredible night last night," she said in a sing songy voice.

"The Yoga guy?"

"Ahhh, the Yoga guy." Both Kagome and Rin giggled as Sango sighed in memory.

"We laughed, we talked, we connected… and we had wild sex all night after I punched him in the face." Her colleagues' jaws dropped at the last statement, not knowing whether to applaud or cringe.

"Yea, he snuck up on me in my kick boxing class and I backhanded him. Then I was going to treat him to ice cream, but we ended up back at his place where he cooked me dinner… and I took care of dessert. We're doing it again tonight"

"Sango, you're such a slut." Kagome remarked playfully, receiving a hearty slap on the shoulder. They all laughed.

~~0.o~~

Kagome walked the long hallway that connected the hospital side from the boarding side and stopped before a swinging door. As quietly as she could, she pushed the door forward and stuck her head into the bustling room, her breath catching as she did. There on the high table stood a ferocious looking beast, teeth bared and coat gleaming, the silky tresses caught and blowing in the dryers around him. Inuyasha's eyes held promise of pain to anyone else who approached him, so it looked like he was stuck standing on the small table, the grooming leash still holding him in place since no one dared get any closer. Kagome giggled wildly after hearing the string of curses flowing from the dog's mouth and his head whipped around, bring their eyes together.

"You…," he growled menacingly at her.

"Now, Inuyasha, I don't know what you're so upset about, you look beautiful. Your coats clean and unmated, you have to be feeling better." His sour expression melted slightly at hearing that she thought he looked beautiful, but returned quickly.

"Keh, I'm not supposed to look `beautiful', I'm a hunter. Now get me out of here before I get angry." She loosened the leash and allowed him off the table, receiving a gasp from the staff in the room.

"Dr. Higorashi, what are you doing?"

"Yea, that dog is dangerous! You should muzzle him if your gonna take him anywhere." Kagome only nodded and smiled.

"I'm sorry about his behavior, he's just cautious of new people. We're still working on manners, right Inuyasha?" The dog just rolled his eyes as he headed for the door, letting loose a low growl to whomever stood in his way. "He's really as gentle as a kitten, once he's gotten used to you." With that she tussled the fur atop his head and bent low to kiss his nose to prove her point. He stared with wide eyes as she pulled away, leaving a pink lipstick mark on his muzzle and giggling again at the sight of it. HE shook off his surprise with a `hmmph' and followed her out the door.

"I hope you weren't too bad, those people all work for me and I'd hate to think you made their day miserable," she said in a low voice as they walked down the hall back towards her office.

"Keh, I only used the necessary force to get my point across."

"Oh yea, and what point was that?"

"Not to touch or get near me. The only one who didn't get that message was that Jinenji character." With that, Kagome stopped cold and turned on the beast, her eyes lowering the temperature of the room by several degrees. Inuyasha stopped and tried to keep the fear from showing on his face.

"If you did anything to that boy, I swear to God Inuyasha…"

"He carried me and cut my hair and tried to put a bow in it!"

"You're so self centered, he was only trying to help. Not everyone has such an easy time getting by in the world as you do. That poor boy has been through so much already, I'd hate to think you gave him more trouble that its worth…"

"What are you saying exactly?"

"I'm going to call him when we get to my office and if you hurt him, dinner's off. You can have leftovers from yesterday and I'll make the special meal for Shippou and I." She turned around and walked ahead, leaving Inuyasha to sit and think a moment. He'd never come across anyone like her, not in all his years of wandering. She was passionate and had a fiery spirit, wearing her emotions right on her sleeve. He could see everything she felt in her crystal blue eyes and smell it in her intoxicating scent. He was drawn to that scent, that sweetness like gardenias and fresh rain, as if by unseen forces. Just being near it calmed his raging blood, hiding his secrets and giving him control over his other half. The only other person to ever have this much control over him in this way was his mother, but that was so long ago and things were different then.

~~Flashback~~

It was back in the feudal era of Japan, demons and humans battled for power and recognition, chaos swallowed the lands and fear was rabid. There were few alone who were immune to the constant turmoil and it seemed his family had somehow slipped into that minority. In the palace of the western kingdom, Inuyasha lived and loved with his family. His father taught him and his brother about their history and heritage as inu youkai- a regal and long standing bloodline, while his mother provided all the comfort and love that kept the outside world from penetrating the haven. Her long raven hair was as dark as midnight but soft as down and her eyes sparkled with love and knowing. She would sit in the gardens and tell elaborate tales of far off kingdoms and beautiful princesses to her sons, though Inuyasha was always more interested than his older sibling. The way she held him close and whispered her secrets and stories made him doubt the rumors of chaos just beyond the palace walls even existed. That was the case until their sanctuary was overtaken and the darkness engulfed and tore apart the happy family. The palace was overthrown in revolution and he and his brother had barely escaped the clutches of the angry youkai. They had hidden themselves in the surrounding forests as their parents were tortured, his mother raped, and then both killed by those who once and been loyal to the western rulers.

~~Back~~

Inuyasha stomped down the painful memories that threatened to breach the wall he had created all those years ago. He shook himself back into reality and watched as Kagome swirled around as if in slow motion to look back at him. He could see a mischievous gleam in her ocean filled orbs that caused his heart to clench; she truly was magnificent, like the princesses his mother had described over 500 years ago. She winked and batted her thigh in a request for him to follow, which he did without a second thought.

~~0.o~~