InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Enlightenment ❯ Chapter 17 ( Chapter 17 )

Chapter 17

 

“I really don't know what to do,” sighed the man as he took a bite off his carrot stick.

 

It was late in the afternoon when Kouga had come over to discuss something that was troubling him. Kagome had Tai in the living room waiting for his father to pick him up. Upon letting Kouga in, Kagome realized that her friend was deeply troubled by something.

 

“What else did she say?” asked Kagome while dipping her celery stick in some ranch dressing.

 

“She said that we should give it another shot… and that I should come visit for the holidays,” Kouga said thoughtfully.

 

“Do you want to give it another shot?” she asked him with an inquisitive brow arching up.

 

“I don't know! Sometimes I feel like it would certainly make things easier for Chiyo if Ayame and I give it another shot,” he groaned.

 

Kagome furrowed her brows deep in thought. She couldn't imagine what Kouga was going through. While it was a horrible thing, it was also somewhat unnerving. Why would two previously married people want to get back together? Don't people get divorced for a reason?

 

Kouga had told her that the reason why he and his wife Ayame had gotten divorced was because things between them just fizzled out. They had only known each other for three years and after the first year, they had gotten married. Kouga explained how everything was rushed between them. At first they did have some chemistry and he truly believed that they could make it work. However, as the months went on, both of them had confessed to each other that they weren't happy. As a result, they had opted to get a divorce despite the fact that they had a baby on the way.

 

The divorce, as Kouga described, wasn't as traumatizing or life changing as others. They had remained friends and decided that it would be best for Ayame to have full custody over their child.

 

“What I don't get is why she is suggesting all of this now?” Kagome asked thoughtfully.

 

“She said that she realized that maybe now, we're more mature to handle a relationship with each other. Ayame also said that it was because Chiyo really needs a father figure, and not just for limited times a year.” Kouga paused in thought. “So what do you think I should do?”

 

“I think you should give it another shot with her. Maybe this time you'll be able to work things out and rekindle everything,” Kagome teased.

 

“You really think so?”

 

“What could it hurt?” she shrugged. “It's not like she cheated on you, so what's the problem?”

 

“The problem my dear Kagome,” he said reaching over to pinch her cheek, “is that I don't want to get Chiyo's hopes up. I can handle it not working out but what about Chiyo?”

 

“Kouga, Chiyo is a smart kid for her age. I'm sure if you just explain it to her then she'll understand what's going on,” Kagome simply answered.

 

“Can I really do this?” Kouga asked, still obviously unconvinced.

 

Kagome rolled her eyes at her friend's uncertain face. “So when do you leave?”

 

“Week… week and a half?” he shrugged.

 

“Will you help me get ready for Christmas before you go?” Kagome said sticking out her bottom lip.

 

“I do every year don't I?” Kouga said rolling his eyes.

 

“And I appreciate you for it. You're such a good friend,” she said reaching over and patting his head.

 

 

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Inuyasha pulled up in Kagome's driveway ready to pick up Tai. He wasn't sure how his time with Tai was going to change because of his job but he decided that he would try to handle it as best he could.

 

As he walked to the front door he could hear the television, and from what he could make out it was one of Tai's favourite cartoons. He smirked fondly at the thought of his son.

 

Once he rang the door bell he heard Tai running screaming `daddy's here'. While Tai spent two weeks with Kagome, Inuyasha often called during the evening. Kagome didn't mind, in fact she was more than okay with it. He guessed it was because she was also secretly afraid that he would neglect Tai.

 

Inuyasha waited until he heard Kagome's footsteps grow closer to the door. He had to brace himself because of what was about to happen and how it affected him.

 

Every time he picked up Tai, Kagome would open the front door to greet him. At that moment Tai and Kagome's scent would wash over him and he'd feel a sort of warmth overcome him. It reminded him of home…

 

“Hey,” the wolf youkai said opening the door wider to let Inuyasha through.

 

This wasn't Kagome. What the hell?

 

“Hey Kouga. Is Kagome not home?” Inuyasha asked feeling slightly awkward.

 

He wasn't going to admit that he was sorely disappointed. Smelling Kouga, Kagome, and Tai's scent in the house was a slap back into reality as opposed to a few seconds of euphoric nostalgia.

 

“She's just packing some food. I'll go get them for you,” Kouga said gesturing toward the kitchen.

 

Inuyasha gave Kouga a slight nod towards the other man. Okay, so he felt a bit sour. It didn't sit well with him that Kouga was more at home in Kagome's house. He watched as the other man disappeared in the direction of the kitchen. Keh.

 

He took a few seconds to let his eyes wander around the living room. Kagome had added more and more pieces in her living room through the years. He had to admit, her house had a nice cozy and welcoming décor. It had a nice feminine touch but not too much that it was overwhelming. Why was he surprised? Kagome does work as an interior designer.

 

“Mommy can I bring these?” asked Tai's voice from the kitchen.

 

Inuyasha smirked. He knew that Tai was probably asking for a whole bag of candy or something.

 

“Yeah can he mommy?” sing-songed Kouga's voice.

 

He couldn't help but flinch at Kouga's voice. He heard Kagome giggle followed by a light slap making contact with skin.

 

“You can only have this much to take with you,” said Kagome firmly.

 

Inuyasha continued to listen as the three voices in the kitchen continued to talk and joke with each other. He felt a pang of jealousy thinking of them interacting on such familiar terms. His heart clenched at the thought that Kagome and Tai were enjoying themselves in the presence of another man who may have taken his place.

 

“Tai!” Inuyasha called. He couldn't take it much longer. Everything about this house made him completely bitter.

“Daddy!” cried Tai barrelling into his legs.

 

“Hey buddy!” Inuyasha said grabbing hold of his son and lightly tossing him into the air.

 

“Don't worry about it. I have complete faith in you,” he heard Kagome whisper as the two emerged from the kitchen.

 

Inuyasha felt himself frown at what heard. How many times had she said that to him when they were together? How many times had she said that to the wolf now? Those lines from Kagome had what made him fall in love with her so much more. Suffice to say, that hearing those words out of her mouth only directed at him was something that he held so sentimentally close to his heart.

 

“This is your dinner for tonight” Kagome said handing him a few bento boxes, “And these are for snacks.”

 

Inuyasha felt himself nod at Kagome and take the packages from her hand after setting Tai down. He silently thanked her for knowing him so well after three years apart. Kagome knew that he couldn't cook and that he was secretly fond of home-cooked meals.

 

Inuyasha watched as Kagome planted loud kisses all over Tai's face playfully. He felt his heart melt at the very sight of his family. His eyes slowly drifted upwards and accidentally made eye contact with Kouga.

 

Damn it. He was doing it again. Inuyasha lost count of how many times he had stared adoringly at his little family without knowing. That usually went on until something that he'd remember or caught his eye to remind him that his relationship with Kagome solely revolved around Tai.

 

He knew it was his entire fault that their relationship, not to mention friendship, had all been tossed aside the moment their divorce had been finalized. There were times when he wished that he could go back in time and prevent himself from making the biggest mistake in his life. There were many times that he could recall wishing that Kagome was around for him to talk to, especially when he was troubled or lonely.

 

“Okay Tai,” Inuyasha said clearing his throat. “Time to go.” Inuyasha picked up Tai's duffle bags and Teddy.

 

Unknown to Inuyasha, Kouga had noticed his little epiphany.

 

“Well be good for daddy,” Kagome said straightening Tai's clothes and smoothing his hair one last time.

 

“Bye mommy, bye uncle Kouga,” Tai said with a cute wave of his tiny hand.

 

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“Look I'm working as fast as I can with these without screwing it up alright?”

 

Inuyasha was so aggravated with all the work that was dumped on him. As soon as he had brought his son to his place he had found his secretary outside his door. She carried a whole stack of files that resembled a phonebook in one arm and handed it off to him. She told him that the files needed to be looked over and needed some changes done that were to be approved by him and his father.

 

Everything was just so frustrating lately. Since the merger had been signed there was a whole batch of new work coming in to make sure that both companies received certain financial records of several sectors from each other. Being the head accountant of the company, Inuyasha needed to be the one who oversaw the minor details and made sure that all the numbers added up.

 

Because of all the work he had to complete, he had to bring home quite a few of the files if he wanted to finish them by the deadline that he was given. He barely had enough time to spend with his son.

 

Their days together so far consisted of him picking Tai up form Kagome's and then once they were at his place, they would watch television for the remainder of the night. To keep Tai company he tried to do his work in front of the television.

 

Sometimes Tai would ask him something and he'd try to answer it over his work. It proved to be terribly difficult. He wanted to get the massive amount of paperwork he had been entrusted to complete as soon as possible. At the same time, he wanted to be able to spend time with his son and show Tai that going back to work wouldn't change anything between them.

 

“Daddy?”

 

“What is it buddy?” he said giving his son an exhausted smile.

 

“Can teddy and I stay up with you?” spoke Tai from his position in front of the television.

 

“What would your mother say?” Inuyasha asked quirking up a brow.

 

Inuyasha had glanced at the clock that hung over the fireplace. It was almost ten o'clock and he had let Tai stay up an hour longer than usual. Tai gave him another sad puppy dog look, but this time it wouldn't work on him.

 

“Go get ready for bed. I'll be there soon to tuck you in,” Inuyasha said with a smirk before going back to his work.

 

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“And they lived happily ever after. The end,” Inuyasha finished sleepily.

 

Tai had somehow managed to get him to tell a bedtime story from the top of his head. The things he did for his son. He sighed. It really was getting late and Tai still had school the next day.

 

“But you didn't say what happened to the princess!” Tai protested.

 

“I promise to tell you what happened to the princess tomorrow night, okay? You need to get some sleep buddy,” he sighed slightly getting frustrated.

 

“One more story daddy!” begged Tai.

 

“Don't make me call your mother,” Inuyasha threatened.

 

“But daddy!”

 

“Tai! I mean it. You need to go to bed right now,” Inuyasha said pointing Tai with a strict glare.

 

Inuyasha just couldn't help it. He had so much work left to do and he was behind schedule as it was. The sooner he got Tai to bed, the sooner he could get back to work and finish as much as he could. Right now all he wanted to do was get it all out of the way because all his work was getting in the way of spending time with Tai.

 

Tomorrow would be Friday and to some extent he was relieved. His father had offered to take Tai home for the night. This way, Inuyasha could work through the night once he got out of work and then pick up Tai the next day.

 

Inuyasha looked expectantly at Tai. The six year-old quietly lay down and snuggled himself deeper into his sheets. Inuyasha sighed and sat back down on the bed. Great. Now he just felt guilty for losing his temper at his son.

 

“Tai, listen. You know I can't let you stay up tonight. You've still got school tomorrow,” Inuyasha reasoned.

 

Tai only nodded his head slightly to show that he was listening to his father.

 

“You don't want to be tired for tomorrow do you? You're staying with grandpa tomorrow and I know that he has a lot of fun things planned for you to do,” Inuyasha prodded.

 

Tai's eyes lit up with excitement. “Really?”

 

“Really,” Inuyasha replied smoothing the blankets and tucking Tai in. “Now get to bed.”

 

“Good night daddy,” Tai said, all the while trying to hide his yawn.

 

“Good night buddy. Sleep tight,” he smiled.

 

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Inuyasha glanced up at the clock on his office desk that was partially covered by the scattered papers and documents he was working on. It was almost ten in the evening and he was still in the office.

 

His stomach grumbled for the umpteenth time that day. He had a sandwich for lunch and skipped dinner. He was just to into his work and was reluctant to take a longer break than necessary.

 

“I can't take this anymore,” he grumbled to himself.

 

So without further hesitation, he packed up the work he was going to bring home, turned off his desk lamp, and was out of the building before he knew it.

 

It was when he reached his car that he realized he had nothing for dinner at home. He needed to go buy something to eat and then get back to work. On second thought, maybe a change in scenery would be good for him.

 

Ten minutes later he parked his car in front of his favourite restaurant. He hadn't been there in years. As soon as he stepped into the restaurant he remembered exactly why he loved it so much.

 

The atmosphere was relaxing, calming, and casual. It was dimly lit, clearly indicating that it was a restaurant opened for late night customers. In the center of the room was a two sided hearth, both sides sat two arm chairs.

 

Inuyasha found his favourite corner booth that offered him privacy. He was glad to see that it was vacant. Though he hadn't been in the restaurant for quite some time, little about it had changed. That little fact alone was enough to give him a small amount of comfort.

 

He slid himself into the booth and inhaled a calming breath. In this restaurant he could pretend that everything was the same, that everything hadn't changed…

 

Unfortunately for Inuyasha, his calm mood was interrupted when he felt someone slide into his booth and sat opposite of him.

 

He was about to tell the bastard to fuck off when his amber eyes were met with chocolate ones.

 

“Fancy meeting you here,” smirked the woman.

 

“Kikyou.”