InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Something to Protect ❯ The Coffee Shop ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 1 : The Coffee Shop

 

Jessica and Inuyasha entered the coffee shop, as he held the door open for her. Looking a bit over her shoulder, Jessica couldn't help but wonder even still how one minute he could be so stubborn and hard-headed, then the next opening doors for her.

 

He's bipolar. She thought with an inward chuckle, but she knew it wasn't true. She could be the same way, really. That's what happens when you lose your reason for living. You try to protect yourself from death, even if there's no reason to hold on anymore. That, to her, was true strength.

 

The coffee shop smelled absolutely delicious and Jessica instantly deposited her empty smoothie cup into a garbage can and skittered over to the nearest barista. Inuyasha followed, amber eyes casting curiously about the place.

 

The scents almost overtaxed his sensitive nose, but he knew for a fact that if Kagome was there he'd find her. There was no doubt in his mind.

 

Jessica's cell phone was ringing. With a sigh, he watched as she picked it up.

 

“This is Dr. Edmunds. (pause) Oh, hi, Kouga.”

 

Inuyasha's skin bristled. He still detested that mangy wolf. Although he could still hear her due to his superior hearing abilities, he tried to ignore their conversation. He never should've introduced them, she was his buddy too. Buddy, not best friend. Big difference.

 

“No, he doesn't have them. We're at a coffee shop. Coffee shop. (pause) Because. You know why. (pause) No, I don't care. Sheesh.”

 

The only recognizable scents in the room were that of coffee and other spices, and of course, Jessica. She had a rather complex smell, he noticed. He'd studied her scent in the past.

 

She smelled like flowers, those purple ones… Lavender. Yes, it was definitely lavender. She'd always scoffed that it was her shampoo but he knew all too well that she used citrus. She'd chucked a bottle at him once when he was helping her unpack groceries. She had quite the arm.

 

He could still hear her talking, faintly, since he'd moved away a bit.

 

“The Takahashi file? Umm…”

 

She waved at him and mouthed `blueprints.' He cursed mentally. He worked with Kouga and Sesshomaru was an architect in their firm, `Taishou.' He was supposed to have blueprints finished for an impatient client ASAP.

 

`Tomorrow.' he mouthed back and she gave him a sour look before turning back to the conversation.

 

“He said he'll have the blueprints done by tomorrow. He'll just bring them by. (pause) Well tell Sesshomaru to can it.”

 

He blanched. She was the only person besides himself and Rin, Sesshomaru's mate, that ever spoke to the great Inu youkai lord like that and lived. He started thinking again.

 

Jessica's scent, similar to Kagome's, was calming and soothing to him. He'd been in love with Kagome, sure, but Jessica was his first true friend. He'd never been closer to anyone in that aspect.

 

Inuyasha's ears swiveled to listen to Jessica and Kouga's conversation.

 

“Of course we're coming tomorrow. He's excited. (pause) No really, he is. Does Ayame want me to bring a covered dish? (pause) Well ask her then!”

He snorted and zoned out again.

 

Emotions and environment were also evident in the young woman's scent. He could smell others' blood on her, and sickness, usually when she came home from a long day at work. She smelled faintly of sadness sometimes, and those were the particularly hard days were she'd lost a patient or two. He could smell her desire to help others, and it was a bit astonishing to him. How could she be so broken and still want to help people? He'd been through his share of hardship, and look at his attitude. He didn't give a crap about half the people he met, whereas she helped them even if they insulted her. But then, of course, once they were healed she'd give them a good shouting at.

 

“Okay, cool. You're an idiot. Tell her thanks. (pause) Aw, no problem. See you tomorrow.”

 

She's bipolar. He mused, watching as she shut her phone, came back with a white-chocolate mocha, and the two sat down at a small table. Of course, it wasn't true, she was caring and intelligent and was just trying to protect herself and get her point across. Of course she should know she'd never have to worry about that anymore, because he would protect her, but she was stubborn as him and he doubted the point had gotten too far across yet.

 

With a small sigh, Jessica grabbed her straw and started playing with it, watching as the dark green plastic drinking device made small lumps and air pockets in the cream filled to the brim under the plastic lid. Inuyasha watched her with a furrowed brow, concerned. She wasn't usually this quiet.

 

“Something on your mind?” he asked, and her intelligent eyes lifted to his, piercing grey meeting molten amber. She saw the lines of worry racing across his face, from where he was currently looking concerned at her. She looked away a bit, and sighed. “Not a thing.”

 

One of his dark ebony eyebrows shot into the air and he eyed her skeptically. “Sure, and I'm level-headed. What's the matter?”

 

Her eyes drifted back down to her drink and she resumed mutilating the cream with her straw. Her red bangs swept over her forehead, hiding her eyes from his view. “I'm okay, really, it's just...” she trailed off. He caught the spike of guilt in her scent, and though it confused him, his ears swiveled forward to catch every tone of her voice. “I really want you to find her. I don't want you getting disappointed again.”

 

His heart went out to her. She was always sad because of him, it seemed. Even when it wasn't her fault, even when she helped him and made him feel better there was always a lingering sadness in her eyes. Like she was dying to fix him, but knew she couldn't.

 

He allowed a small sigh to pass his lips and reached across the table, laying a clawed hand over hers. He didn't miss the skip in her heartbeat, she was a bit startled. She must've been day-dreaming again and almost forgotten he was there.

 

His hand wrapped around hers, and not for the first time he marveled at the size difference. Hers was small, light and delicate, while his was large, rough and calloused. He always had to be extremely gentle with her, and he was surprised she didn't flinch at even the slightest physical contact with him. He was always afraid he'd scrape her or cut her or something.

 

For a brief moment, she was still, but slowly her hand shifted a bit and her slender fingers wrapped around his. He smiled a bit, before squeezing her hand lightly and speaking.

 

“I'll find her.” he reassured and felt the sadness enter her scent once again. “And if I don't it's not our destiny.”

 

Slowly, her eyes lifted to his, sadness reflecting back at him. “But you love her, so much and, I don't want you to lose-“

 

“Then stay with me.” He said simply and her eyes widened slightly. “Be my friend, like you've always been, and I'll be okay.”

 

Still she frowned and he wondered what he'd said to make her upset.

 

There was an uneasy silence, until-

 

“I can't stay with you forever.”

 

Her hand slipped from his and he looked at her with wide eyes. But she'd promised, she'd-

 

“It's impossible.”

 

Inuyasha blinked at his human counterpart, thoroughly confused. “Jess-“ he began but she cut him off.

 

“Even if I stay with you all my life, even if I do then I'll die eventually. My hair will be silver like yours and you won't look as if you've aged a day.”

 

His ears lowered. He'd thought about that, all the time. He would miss her when she was gone. And she couldn't help it. She didn't want to abandon him, and for the first time he knew that he wouldn't lose her to another, since they were merely best friends. But Inuyasha had a jealous rival that he couldn't beat - Time. He knew one day he'd lose her. There was no way around it.

 

He opened his mouth to say something when a rapid beeping caught his attention and Jessica instantly grabbed the pager clipped to her belt, pressing a button to shut it off and reading the message. She sighed. “I have to go.”

 

She stood to leave, reaching into her pocket for her cell to call a cab but his hand stopped her. Surprised, she blinked up at him to see his eyes full of slight guilt and sadness. “I'll take you.” He said. “And we'll talk later.”

 

She smiled at him, a bit sadly, and they exited the coffee shop together. Turning off into an alleyway, Inuyasha crouched down slightly and felt the redhead surgeon climb on his back, holding tightly to his shoulders. He loved jumping and running about with her, but he couldn't do it often for fear of being sighted by humans ignorant to the existence of youkai.

 

“Free ticket on the Hanyou Express.” He said with a wink over his shoulder at her and, once she was secure, leapt high into the air onto the rooftop of the nearest building. Quickly, faster than a preoccupied human could track with the naked eye, he leapt and sped towards Tokyo hospital. He could hear her laughing lightly every so often, and that made him smile.

 

***

 

Presently, they landed on the roof of the hospital and Jessica slid off his back. “Want to come?” she asked him. “It might just be a check up, and if I have to stay longer you could always leave. I just don't want you to leave and come back in ten minutes because it's something trivial.”

 

He looked at her thoughtfully and nodded. “Sure.”

 

Smiling, she tucked a strand of fiery hair behind her ear and pushed open the roof walkway door, heading down the steps to the lobby.

 

She walked quickly, professionally, and here especially she was pulled together and composed. But the exhaustion fell off of her in waves, he noticed. He could smell it.

 

“Dr. Edmunds.” A receptionist smiled up at Jessica, and she returned the gesture in kind. “Good afternoon, Elizabeth. Have you seen Dr. Harper, she paged me.”

 

Elizabeth nodded. “She in the trauma room. Just called to see if you were in.”

 

Jessica sighed slightly. “Thanks.”

 

Inuyasha in tow, Jessica hurried to the trauma room, swiping her I.D. card and pulling her companion with her into the E.R.

 

A short, middle-aged blonde woman was waiting for her. Jessica's pace slowed to a stop as they met each other halfway. Instantly, Dr. Harper shoved a clipboard into Jessica's arms. Jessica frowned. “Lily.” She said quickly, her brow furrowed in worry. “What's going on? My shift is over, I was here since-“

 

“I know.” The short woman gave a small nod to Inuyasha, before taking Jessica's arm and leading her back to the surgery prep rooms. “I just thought you ought to see this.”

 

Inuyasha and Jessica exchanged glances and simultaneously turned their attention to Lily. She pulled back the curtain and Jessica felt her stomach drop. The clipboard fell to the floor with a small clink and her hands flew to her mouth. He'd never seen her look so terrified. Instantly, Inuyasha's arm was around her. He opened his mouth to ask what was wrong, but she answered his unasked question for him.

 

“Father.”