InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Enlightenment ❯ chapter 4 ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter Five

“Got any threes Teddy?” asked Tai timidly.

“Oh come on Tai! How are we supposed to know if the damn bear has any threes? Why did I even agree to let your bear play . . .” grumbled Inuyasha looking down at his cards.

“Don't listen to daddy Teddy. Just take your time.”

“Keh! I don't want play anymore. Want anything to eat?” asked Inuyasha throwing his cards on the floor and getting up to make his way to the kitchen.

“Me and Teddy are going to keep on playing,” said Tai crawling over to the bear's cards and flipping all of them over searching for a three. “You have no threes! Get a card. Okay fine. I'll get it for you. You don't have to be lazy about it.”

Inuyasha smirked down at his son. During the two weeks they had spent together, he had found Tai rather amusing and annoyingly cute. Also, he and Tai had been communicating quite well. Their two weeks together would be done and tomorrow he'd have to bring Tai over to Kagome's. He had to admit that he was sure going to miss him. In the beginning Tai had been so eerily quiet around him. But as the days progressed, Tai started to feel comfortable with their arrangement and pretty soon, they became closer. Tai also seemed to stop asking questions about the divorce and he didn't suck his thumb as much, and he still had yet to be bitten.

“Come on Tai. Time for bed. You're going to mommy's house tomorrow remember?” Inuyasha said lifting Tai to his feet.

“You're coming with me aren't you?” he asked tilting his head to the side. Inuyasha smirked at his son remembering that he had a habit of tilting his head to the side sometimes as well.

“We talked about this. You get to live with mommy for two weeks just like you stayed with me for two weeks. Get it?” he explained as he carried Tai up the stairs.

“Just because you're afraid of mommy...You don't have to be scared. Mommy makes yummy breakfaseses and...” chatted Tai. Tai was amazingly smart for his age but he forgot sometimes that his son was only two and that the concept of divorce was hard for him to grasp.

“I'm staying here and that's final.”

“But what will you do while I'm gone?” Tai asked sadly. Tai's expression looked worried and for a moment he felt like rolling his eyes at his son. Tai knew too well that he did nothing all day and that only served as a reminder that he was still unemployed.

“Don't look at me like that. I think I'll manage.” scoffed Inuyasha putting him under the covers.

“It's okay daddy. If you want Teddy can stay here with you so you wont get lonely,” yawned his little son.

“Just go to sleep Tai,” he said giving Tai a playful pat on the butt.

He closed the door to Tai's room as soon as he had fallen asleep. Okay, maybe he was going to miss having the company. And without a job he doubted he'd have anything to do. He couldn't bother Miroku since he knew his friend's work hours were during the day and he couldn't stay in the house because that would just be too boring. Two whole weeks! He was going to die out of boredom. Having Tai around gave him something to keep his mind and tie occupied.

“Tai! Hurry up and eat your cereal. Your mommy wouldn't like it if we're late!” yelled Inuyasha all the way from his room down to the kitchen where Tai was.

Tai scrunched his nose up at the cereal. Cheerios...yuck. He hated them. There were absolutely no marshmallows anywhere! He liked the green leprechaun better. At least he looked cool. Tai walked to the sink cautiously keeping a close watch at the door for his dad who might come at any moment to check on him. When the coast was clear, he dragged his chair over to the sink and stood on it while he spilled all his untouched cereal down the drain.

“Damn yucky cereal...” he grumbled.

“Tai! Why are you wasting your cereal!” screamed Inuyasha apparently still in his bedroom. Inuyasha had been keeping his ears to check on Tai and as he heard the chair dragging across the floor he knew exactly what the toddler was up to. He knew that Tai hated cheerios so he figured what he might be up to since it was what kids usually do when they simply did not want to eat something their parents were forcing on them.

“It tastes like crap!”

Inuyasha rolled his eyes at his son even though he couldn't see him. Okay so his son had developed a mild swearing problem during their time together. He had to make sure he remembered to tell Tai to keep his swearing in check once he got to his mother's house. Kagome would definitely not appreciate that. He finished getting dressed and packed some of Tai's toys and clothes in a duffle bag.

“Fine eat at your mother's. I'm sure she has better tasting cereal than me,” he said sarcastically.

Tai raced out of the house and was already in the car by the time he was outside. Tai's excitement was evident and Inuyasha began to wonder how he could spend his next two weeks without his son, a job, and friends. Inuaysha buckled himself in after putting car in his car seat and saw from his rear view mirror that Tai could barely contain himself. How excited could this kid be? Well he couldn't blame him. Tai hadn't seen his mother since their first day together. All they ever had were phone calls before or after dinner every night. No doubt Kagome had already started her new job. Maybe he'd learn how to be lazy again?

The whole ride to Kagome's house, Tai was practically bouncing in his seat and Inuyasha couldn't help but feel jealous of Kagome for having two weeks. Well it was her turn, but still. Tai gave him something to do and it was certainly never boring with him around. The kid just found everything so amusing and in turn amused him. The two weeks had gone by like a blur and he hardly found it believable that he had dreaded having to spend two whole weeks alone with Tai, since he barely knew him. But he had grown so attached to Tai during those two weeks. They were certainly interesting.

When they finally pulled up in front of Kagome's house, the garage door slowly began to open to reveal Kagome's car. Kagome was already inside and started to pull out of the driveway.

“Kagome! Where are you going?” Inuyasha demanded as Kagome stepped out of her car.

She had an apologetic look on her face as she dashed out of her to Inuyasha;s side of the car. Tai had managed to get out of the car himself and attached himself to Kagome's legs like a leech.

“I really meant to tell you but can you watch Tai for the day? I have work and I won't be able to get home until later on,” she explained. She picked the boy up to cuddled him and gave him a kiss on the cheek after noticing his glum expression.

Inuyasha noticed that Kagome was wearing a suit and she seemed to be carrying a load in that briefcase of hers seated on the front seat of her car.

“What's wrong? That busy down at the law firm you're working at?” he sneered. He had heard that his father had made some calls to a few of his connections at a law firm and arranged for an opening for Kagome.

“Actually, I wouldn't know,” she answered snippily. “I got a job as an interior designer instead,” she replied dryly and turned to Tai and softening her tone. “Tai? Do you mind if daddy watches you for today?” she glanced back at Tai who looked up at her as if she was crazy.

Inuyasha scowled at her. Was she rubbing in the fact that he was still unemployed?

“But aren't you going to make me breakfast?” he asked meekly.

Kagome sighed and bent down so she would be eye level with Tai. “I would rather stay home and make breakfast for you.”

“Then why don't you?”

“Because I really can't Tai. Mommy has to go to work. I'm sorry. But you'll get to spend the day with daddy.” She smiled. “And as soon as I get home we'll do whatever you want.”

“Promise?” sniffed Tai.

“Promise,” she smiled kissing him on the forehead and standing up. “Now here is my house key and if anything happens just call me at work. The number should be by the phone,” she said turning to Inuyasha and handing him the key. “I'm going to be late. I'll see you two later!”

And with that, she hopped into her car and drove away leaving Tai and Inuyasha behind. Inuyasha glanced down at Tai. He knew it. Tai's eyes were bright with forming tears and his bottom lip trembled just like it always did before he cried. His tiny hand clutched Teddy slightly tighter and his face began to scrunch up . Then it came. Tai was crying a river and his wails were louder than a siren.

“Ssshh...we get to spend the day together. Now you won't have to worry about me being lonely right?” asked Inuyasha who had instantly pulled out a pack of kleenex from his pocket and was now wiping Tai's tears away. He learned that having akleenex around was handy for these types of situations and especially with toddlers.

“Why...did...mommy...leave me?” he sobbed.

“She had to go to work. She told us that. But you'll get to see her later,” he assured Tai.

“No I won't. Mommy would never leave me but now she doesn't want to make me breakfast!” he whined louder. “And...I won't get to see her until tomorrow.” Tai continued to cry and Inuaysha continued to give him Kleenex for his running nose and gushing tears.

“She told you she'd be back before dinner. What makes you think you won't get to see her until tomorrow?” Inuyasha asked picking Tai and walking toward the house.

“Because...that's what happened whenever you went to work,” he cried onto Inuyasha's shoulder.

Inuyasha flinched. He felt bad for having to neglect Tai because of his work. He had missed so many times that he would make it home for dinner only to call them minutes before dinner was ready that he wouldn't be able to make it. But he knew Kagome would never break her promise, especially to he son. She never broke her promise, which was one of the reasons why he fell in love with her...

“Mommy doesn't break her promises. I know so. Now stop crying and I'll make us some breakfast,” Inuyasha said as he turned the key and pushed the door open.

~*~

Kagome hurriedly drove her car up the driveway and ran straight into the house. She got out of work as fast as she could. She felt bad for leaving Tai and Inuyasha like that so she called during lunchtime but Tai refused to talk to her. He was still obviously disappointed about this morning. Before she left, she knew what was to come so she left in a hurry because if she didn't, she would've called in sick and stayed with her son.

“Tai! Inuyasha!” she screamed up the stairs.

She headed up the stairs and into the hallway with the bedrooms. Kagome stopped in front of the room she had reserved for Tai. She had bought him a new bed and toys and even clothes. Kagome slowly pushed open the bedroom across from hers to find Inuyasha and Tai cuddled on the bed. Kagome quietly walked towards the bed. They looked so cute when they were asleep. Who would've known they were such a handful and troublesome when they're awake. She brushed Tai's bangs aside like she had often done to Inuyasha's, and even after all this time, she still couldn't get over how much they looked alike. Even their skin tones were exactly alike. Her heart was melting at the moment, just staring at her husband and her son, well ex-husband. She hadn't witnessed this in such a long time...

“You better have something up your sleeve. You know how hard- headed your son is,” said Inuyasha cracking an eye open. His voice had a husky undertone to it because he had just woken up.

Kagome slightly jumped at the sound of his voice. Kagome remembered all the times he used that same husky, bedroom voice with her. She grasped her chest as she regained her composured breathing and push down the wave of nostalgia, feeling slightly embarassed.

“He gets it from you,” she whispered.

“No. He gets it from you.”

Kagome cocked an eyebrow up at him. Tai was by far more stubborn than her and Inuyasha combined. Maybe he did get his stubbornness from the both of them. She looked back up at Inuyasha who rubbed his eyes before he yawned. How ironic. They were finally spending time as a family, even if Tai was asleep at the moment, but she and Inuyasha had gotten a divorce.

“So how's your new job?” Inuyasha asked grudgingly.

“It's okay. Although it does get in the way of me spending time with Tai. Which is why I have to ask you if you can come over and everyday baby-sit Tai while I'm at work,” she said carefully. She still found it hard to keep eye contact with this man. It was strange to her. The tension was still undoubtedly there between them but they had come to an agreement to not let it get the best of them.

Not only that but she had to be extremely careful not to say anything that might start a fight between them. It was important that she didn't say anything that Inuyasha might think that implied about something. He could lose his temper and snap and she didn't want to have another repeat in front of Tai.

“Fine. I know I should've mentioned this on the phone with you but thanks for watching him today.”

“Keh. Whatever. It's not like I have anything better to do now do I?”

“I asked my bosses and they said that it wouldn't be a problem if I brought him to work with me.”

“I'll watch him. He is my son after all.” Inuyasha furrowed his brows noticing for the first time that Kagome had looked at everywhere except at him. Well of course she didn't. It's not like it was easy for him to look her straight in the eyes as well. It's just that he had a habit of looking at people from the corner of his eyes so that he wouldn't have to be directly looking at them and noticed that Kagome obviously wasn't all that comfortable with their little conversation.

“Mommy!”

Tai leaped at Kagome nearly knocking her off the bed.

“You came home!” he squealed onto her shoulder.

She should have known he'd think she wouldn't come home. All those nights waiting for Inuyasha to come home must've done a number on him. She felt awful for making him feel like she abandoned him. She smiled sadly at her son. “I promised you I would.”

Inuyasha sat up and shifted uncomfortably on the bed as he heard Tai chatting animatedly to Kagome. Did Tai think that he had abandoned him all this time?

“What about I make us some steaks for dinner and watch your favourite movie after?” she asked cheerfully and wiping his face with her hand.

“Yeah! I'm so hungry. Daddy tried to cook but his cooking tastes like crap!” exclaimed Tai jumping on the bed.

Uh oh. Inuyasha felt himself cower and thought about hiding under the blanket as he saw Kagome's eyes widen in shock at Tai. Then her eyes turned into narrow slits as she turned to face him. He covered his ears predicting what was to come.

“INUYASHA!”