InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Gods' Opinion ❯ And for the Main Course ( Chapter 8 )

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

The Gods' Opinion
 
Disclaimer: Almost all characters belong to Takahashi Rumiko.
 
Warning: This is a mature story and I mean that in more than this story only containing sexual situations and bad language. It contains adult themes.
 
Summary: Kagome is trying hard to have a baby. But when things don't work out, she visits the best fertility doctor in the world. She finds her feelings and beliefs challenged as she struggles to hold onto her dreams.
 
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You may want to reread Chapter Seven and then go straight into this if you wish since they are a continuous scene I broke up.
 
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Chapter Eight And for the Main Course . . .
 
“Ah,” Kagome squeaked, nearly jumping out of her chair, the piece of furniture sliding gently against the wooden floor. She tossed her napkin onto the seat and rushed out of the dining room without another word said.
 
“Kagome?” Hojo asked, slightly concerned, but that concern left as she disappeared into the kitchen. It must be time for the main course.
 
“Is she okay?” Sango politely asked about Kagome's sudden sprint out of the dining room, curious if something said sparked a memory or feeling from her past.
 
“Of course she is,” Hojo replied as if Sango had implied that there was something else wrong.
 
Miroku picked up on the defensive tone Hojo used. Everyone at the table was well aware of Hojo and Kagome's problem, that wasn't what Sango was referring to however. Never would any of them so blatantly be that inconsiderate. Inuyasha was a bit rough, but he knew where the boundaries were at and knew never to cross when he could help it.
 
Clearing his throat, Miroku leaned over to Sango. “Could you pass me that bottle there?” Something needed to be said, even if he was already finished with his salad. The air needed to be filled with sound until Kagome returned as she was the one that really kept things going.
 
Sango handed Miroku the bottle with the yellow cap on it. “Did you try this?” she asked as it was the dressing she had used.
 
“No, I'm afraid that I didn't get to. What about you, Inuyasha?”
 
Inuyasha sighed at Miroku's obvious and poor attempt to include him in this farce of a conversation. Rolling his eyes, he mumbled a negative reply so that he at least pretended to be interested. He didn't want Hojo to think anything of him, other than being his doctor. Inuyasha didn't like the guy and the longer he sat here, the deeper that dislike burrowed into his heart.
 
“If you want, take it home with you.”
 
All heads turned to see Kagome back in the dining room with a large sterling silver deep dish pan with a lid covering the main course from peering eyes and eager noses. She sat the pan down in the clearing at the end of the table where no one was seated.
 
“Oh, Kagome, I couldn't.”
 
“Don't be silly. It's easy for me to make more for myself. Besides, it might make those things called salads at the clinic actually have some flavor.”
 
Sango and Miroku chuckled at Kagome's poking fun of Inuyasha and the cafeteria. Inuyasha playfully growled, but flashed Kagome a quick smirk letting her know that he found some humor with what she said. Hojo just sat there oblivious to anything other than being polite. He was here for Kagome and their baby. Kagome lifted the lid off the pan, inviting the aroma of the meal to float out and seek out the noses of those that were hungry.
 
“Dr. Takahashi, your plate please.”
 
Inuyasha handed Kagome his plate and watched as she filled it with pieces of flamed steak, broiled red potatoes, softened from the cooking process, and carrots, all covered in a thin, dark translucent sauce. Her motions were smooth and graceful, the dance of cooking. She didn't just dump the food onto his plate like they did at the clinic cafeteria, but each piece was quickly and meticulously place in some fashion that Kagome preferred to serve it.
 
“Here you go.”
 
“Thanks,” he muttered as he took the plate. His inu-hanyou senses soaked up the scent, causing his stomach to howl alive with hunger, the acidic gastric juices pumping and primed for the work ahead.
 
Inuyasha waited and then watched as Sango and Miroku passed around their plates to be filled with the dinner. Hojo held up his plate. Kagome scuttled over to him, took the plate and then hurried back over to the food. The guests did not miss it, but weren't sure how to question it. Kagome served Hojo his plate of food, setting his plate down on the table in front of him. Hojo shared a tiny, almost secretive, smile with Kagome.
 
Kagome picked up her plate and slopped her portion onto it, not giving it the attention to detail as she had done with the others. Finally, she was sitting down. It was time to eat.
 
“Please . . . “Kagome said softly, a nervous smile gracing her dry lips as she motioned for the others to start.
 
“What about you?” Inuyasha asked, noticing that Kagome didn't have any utensils in her hands, and that her hands were in her lap, fidgeting with the napkin instead.
 
“Oh, uh, I'd like for you to try it first, to see if it's any good.”
 
Inuyasha had to strain to hear her whispered words. She was oozing off nervousness in the gallons. He didn't think it was that big of a deal. It was just food. Heck, it smelt good enough. But, if it was important to her, he'd oblige her.
 
It seemed that everyone was waiting for Inuyasha to take the initial plunge. He thought it was strange of them. Delicious smelling food was in front of them and they hesitated. Why was he willing to be the guinea pig?
 
Kagome intently watched as Inuyasha selected a piece of browned steak, stabbing it with his fork, swirling it around in the sauce before lifting it up to his lips. After that piece was gone, Inuyasha picked up another and continued to eat. He wasn't going to tell the others that by sitting there like gapped-mouth idiots, they were missing out on some damn tasty grub.
 
“So, does this mean you like it?” Inuyasha vigorously nodded. He wasn't going to talk with his mouth full of food. He was too busy eating. Having ramen for all of his meals, he had forgotten what other foods tasted like.
 
Kagome clapped her hands together. “I'm so glad.” She picked up her fork and started in on her food. “I was so worried that flaming it would be a bit much. Or that I had flamed it too much.”
 
“Flaming?” It was the only word that escaped Inuyasha's mouth between bites.
 
“Yes. It's a cooking technique where you pour brandy on it . . . “
 
“I told you no alcohol.” He glared at her from the corners of his eyes, pausing from his meal to scold her, his fork rattling against a half-empty plate.
 
Kagome froze, her fork midway up to her mouth, pieces of steak and potato dangling helplessly from the metal prongs. His look, it was intense, scary. She gulped as she found her explanation. “I . . . uh . . . the alcohol, it's very volatile, so it burns out in the process. I-I've been following what you told me,” she said timidly, because she felt that it wasn't all true. She was ashamed that she had somehow disappointed him.
 
Inuyasha picked up his fork and began eating again. “As long as you understand. I'm not ordering you to do these things because I can. If you're serious about having a pup, then they are to be wholly followed.”
 
“And I am.” Kagome surprised even herself at the sound of desperation in her voice as she cried out to him, trying to convince him that she was doing almost everything he had told her to do. To convince him that she was worthy enough to have a child of her own.
 
“Keh, then we're clear.”
 
Sango and Miroku exchanged more knowing looks as they quietly ate their meal, content with just watching, for the time being, as Kagome and Inuyasha interacted with each other. It was surprising to see that Hojo remained quiet during Inuyasha's preaching - no - scolding of Kagome.
 
Kagome quietly turned back to her food, picking at several pieces before deciding on the smallest one to eat, a potato, something that didn't have contact with the brandied meat. She hung her shamed head low, afraid to look back at Inuyasha.
 
The table sat in silence other than the sounds of forks connecting with the ceramic plates, ringing out dully. Kagome didn't feel hungry anymore. She felt that eating this meal was wrong, that because she had poured an alcoholic beverage onto the steak, it was forever tainted, as well as the creamy-like sauce accompanying it. She hadn't thought about her recipe enough to consider all of the variables. This meal was a failure.
 
Kagome silently gasped as she remembered that one of the salad dressings she tried at school may have had alcohol in it. She hadn't paid much attention to the presenter, but was sure she'd heard the word `wine' spoken. Gods, I'm messing this all up, she thought. She didn't have much of it, but even a little could destroy her hard work.
 
“Seconds anyone?” Kagome asked a bit too sudden and cheery, ready to stand up. It would be a good distraction from eating her meal.
 
Inuyasha placed a hand on her arm, keeping her in her chair. “Eat your meal. I've got arms. I can serve myself.” Kagome planted herself back down into the chair, amazed that anyone could be so forceful, but soft and considerate at the same time.
 
The continued silence of the dinner was interrupted by a different ringing. That's my chance. Kagome stood up in her chair, this time, Hojo stopped her.
 
“I'll get the door. Dr. Takahashi is right, please eat,” Hojo insisted with one of his reassuring smiles that Kagome had found so much comfort in. She sat back down again as Hojo excused himself to answer the call of the door. Not even a minute later, Hojo was back at the table, by Kagome, but not sitting down.
 
“Who was it?” Kagome quietly asked, her face turned away from the guests to give her and Hojo some privacy.
 
Hojo glanced over at everyone. “I'll have to ask you all to excuse me for just a little bit longer.”
 
“Who is it?” Kagome asked again, curious as to who could drag Hojo away from this dinner.
 
“It's Kikyou,” and with that said Hojo left the dining room and left a speechless Kagome watching him as her mouth hung open.
 
“Who's Kikyou?” Miroku asked, not catching the shocked, pale look on Kagome's face. Sango elbowed him hard in his ribs. He was about to protest, but caught the look of despair on Kagome's face. Oops.
 
“Kikyou is, uh, she's Hojo's boss at his work,” Kagome spoke slowly, using this as another chance to forget about her food for the moment.
 
“What does Hojo do exactly?” Sango only knew that he worked at Bio-Guchi and that was the extent of it.
 
“He designs drugs, medicines. But that's all I'm allowed to know.”
 
“Allowed?” Miroku thought that sounded funny. Couples should be able to come home and talk about their day, not hide it.
 
“Yes. The information of new drugs, new medicines are a matter of privacy and above all, money. If he told me something, there's a chance I could say that something to the wrong person and another company might be able to put the drug on the market first, meaning Bio-Guchi would lose not only the research but a potential loss of billions.”
 
“Besides,” she chuckled, “even if he could explain it, I'd just get confused. All I do know is that what he is working on is nearing possible live species trials. Hojo has been working on this for a long time. Kikyou has been the project manager and his mentor for three, four years now. With her help, Hojo has turned an idea into something real and hopefully one day it will be beneficial to the sick.”
 
Her saccharine faith in Hojo and his work hurt the others. She spoke so deeply about it, but no one could feel her passion for him. Being left in the dark for so long made it difficult for Kagome to understand what it was she believed in.
 
“Dr. Miroku, Sango, seconds for you?”
 
“Don't you like your own food?”
 
Sango closed her eyes and shook her head. Miroku slouched back into his chair. Why did they ever think that for once, Inuyasha could keep his damaging opinions to himself? Kagome was struggling as it was. She didn't need her doctor to mock her.
 
“No, it's not that . . . “
 
“Then what? Is it because of the brandy?” He didn't need a verbal reply from her to know that was the problem. “There isn't any alcohol in it. I can't taste it. Besides, you need to eat.”
 
“Of course.” Picking up her fork, she did as she was told and started to eat her dinner. Superman he may not be, but if he said that there wasn't any, then she believed him.
 
“It's okay Kagome. We too can serve ourselves,” Miroku said as he shoved his plate in front of Sango with a dashing smile poorly plastered on his face. Sango roughly took his plate from him and messily slopped more onto the plate for him, not making it all neat and tidy like Kagome had it. “It's very good by the way. Something I'd expect from a five star restaurant.”
 
“Thank you,” she blushed, timidly eating tiny morsels of food.
 
“Kagome.” Kagome looked up to see Hojo beckoning for her. “A moment please.”
 
Kagome didn't want to leave her guests alone. It was improper as her role as the host. She mulled over it for a few seconds, even as she could tell that Hojo was growing impatient with her stubbornness, or was it defiance? Standing up, she tossed her napkin off of her lap and onto her chair.
 
“Please excuse me.” Kagome dashed off and disappeared with Hojo.
 
“Ow. Sango dear, please.” Miroku rubbed his arm where Sango unleashed an assault of punches and slaps against the arm nearest to her. He chuckled at her though. “I thought you'd hold out just a bit longer.”
 
“Pervert. I was going to, but you're being an ass.”
 
“Me? What . . . ? Sango, I'm only trying to help out our Kagome.”
 
“I know, but you're still an ass.” Sango turned back to her food, but caught Inuyasha smirking from below his bangs. “And you . . .“she glared at her boss and her friend, “stop.”
 
“What?” he asked innocently.
 
“I'm not saying anything, but stop. Just . . . stop.”
 
Inuyasha grumbled unmentionables at Sango, who just continued to glare at him with that `death gaze' of hers that she had perfected over the years they had known each other. He wasn't afraid of it, exactly, but he knew that she could hurt him if provoked enough. Kagome would not appreciate a fight in her dining room.
 
“You can be nice for once.” Sango finished the food off of her plate, warning Inuyasha that his behavior was uncalled for. Sango felt sorry for Kagome. For Sango, the dinner provided a glimpse into her life with Hojo. But, for Kagome, to invite people she barely knew over was courageous and utterly frightening. They all needed to be extra nice to her. Sango needed Kagome to open up to her.
 
“Keh.” Inuyasha dished himself a second helping of the meat and potato dish. He wouldn't to straight out admit it, but Kagome was a decent cook, something he would definitely look for in a mate of his own. A woman who could cook meant two things: he would be full and his pups would get the food they would need to grow.
 
“This doesn't mean you get to refrain from joining in the conversations,” Sango continued, trying to keep her voice from rising too much. She didn't need to draw any unnecessary attention to herself.
 
Thank the gods.
 
Inuyasha was glad that Sango apparently ran out of things to say to him about his actions and his words and his mere presence. It was the way he was, like he was going to change for her. Now that Sango wasn't talking, no one was. And with Kagome and Hojo both missing, dinner was at a standstill.
 
Not one to just sit and wait, Inuyasha found the intermission a chance to look around at the place. He was a minimalist, a typical male. A simple two bedroom apartment contained all he needed to live. Nothing more. There were no plants, no paintings or statues to add décor. The walls were white, same with the sheets and towels, and everything else was black. How much simpler could one get?
 
This place was filled with much more. Just a glance at the table spoke volumes, and it wasn't Hojo speaking it. Inuyasha figured that this was all of Kagome's doing and Hojo just agreed to it because he didn't really care.
 
And while the see-through curtains matched the plates, he admitted that it added a feeling of comfort his apartment lacked. He didn't know if it was from the use of vibrant colors or matching artwork, but there was something to say about a woman's touch. Now if he could find a woman.
 
`You're leaving?'
 
His ears swiveled in the direction of the voice he'd just heard. It was a woman's voice.
 
`I have to.'
 
`But, now? We have guests.' It was Kagome, talking, pleading to Hojo.
 
`It's very important.' That wasn't Kagome's voice. Another woman. Must be that Kikyou, the name Kagome mentioned, Hojo's boss. `We need Hojo to analyze the data from the previous experiment and compare it with the new results for we fear that there was a problem in the collection of data. It has to be done as soon as possible.'
 
`Can it wait, at least until after dinner? Kikyou, please, you are more than welcome to join us.' Inuyasha easily caught the desperation cracking in her voice.
 
`I'm not hungry,' he heard the Kikyou-woman snap back.
 
“Kagome, please understand, Hojo pleaded to his partner.
 
“Shame on you Inuyasha.” Inuyasha glanced over at Miroku, though his ears were still directed at the private conversation Kagome was having. He narrowed his eyes at the silver-tongued doctor, a warning not to continue with that. Besides, how did Miroku know he was snooping on them?
 
Inuyasha cleared his throat just as Kagome returned with Hojo and Kikyou. Miroku and Sango turned in their chairs to visually welcome them back; sparkling eyes and smiles.
 
Kagome looked over at Hojo and he nodded back. Bringing a fist to his mouth, he cleared his throat a few times, as if he preparing to deliver an important speech. He looked not to Kagome, but to Kikyou.
 
“I must apologize. I am being summoned away. An experiment that I have been working on has finished and I must review that data as quickly as possible. There is a deadline I must meet. Again, I am sorry to have to leave. But please, stay and enjoy the meal Kagome has prepared for you.”
 
Kagome gave Hojo a grim smile as he followed Kikyou out to the door, her eyes downcast, watching his feet walk away from her. Sango looked over at Miroku and Inuyasha, obviously worried for the girl. It was a blow to Kagome to have Hojo leave in the middle of what she wanted to be a nice dinner getting to know the people who would give them the miracle of a life.
 
“Are you all right?” Sango cautiously asked, keeping her voice steady and soft.
 
Kagome snapped her head around to her neglected guests. That grim smile of hers evolved into something slightly higher on the happiness scale, but not enough to reach her eyes. Kagome quickly returned to her seat, again, ignoring her food.
 
“Uh, I'm fine. He told me this was going to happen. If he gets the proposal in quickly, then they'll be able to start live species trials.” Kagome gently pushed her still filled plate away from her. “I just didn't think it'd be happening right now. . .” her voice trailed off as her eyes gazed at the candle that had almost burnt completely down.
 
Sharking herself from her thoughts, she slipped on a different smile for her guests. “Let's move to the living room for drinks and dessert.”
 
Kagome leapt out of the chair, waiting for the others to join her. They reluctantly stood up, unsure of what was going on in her head, but decided to go along with her to appease her fragile feelings. Following her into the living room, Sango and Miroku settled next to each other on the couch while Inuyasha settled into the chair he occupied earlier.
 
“Anything to drink?” Kagome easily slipped back into the role of host, using it as a cover. She knew of course that they all had thoughts running around in their head about what was going on, and it would no doubt end up as a topic for her and Sango to discuss at a future session.
 
Miroku lifted the glass he brought with him from the dinner table showing that it was still full. Inuyasha shook his head, his silver mane fluttering about as he leaned back into the chair. Sango lifted her glass, only to show Kagome that it was very empty. Kagome smiled before leaving for the kitchen.
 
Miroku opened his mouth only to have Sango slap a hand over it. “Don't,” she warned him before removing her hand.
 
“You don't even know what I was going to say.”
 
“Oh yes I do.” She leaned over to Miroku and whispered “save it for later.”
 
“Keh.” Inuyasha crossed his arms and pushed his back into the chair, causing his bottom and legs to stretch out in front of him. Hypocrites, he thought. It wasn't polite to talk about Kagome in her own home, so they would probably wait until they returned to whichever place was closer, probably Sango's, before talking about her while naked.
 
He really needed a girl. Or just sex.
 
Kagome returned with a tray covered in food and beverages. She must have stock in trays. Setting the tray down on the table, Kagome grabbed the bottle of the berry spritzer and filled Sango's glass up. She brought a pitcher of water, as well as some clear glasses in case Inuyasha, or the others, changed their minds.
 
But what really grabbed everyone's attention, sight, scent, taste buds, were the four perfectly sliced, perfectly sized pieces of what appeared to be cheesecake with a thick fudge sauce on top. Kagome passed out the slices, along with a small-sized dessert fork to everyone. And like before, she waited until the guests took the first bite.
 
No words were spoken, only moans and muffled praises were sung, except from Inuyasha. He quietly ate the slice in three quick bites. Kagome laughed at him. He sheepishly looked up at her, somewhat ashamed by how rude he may have appeared. Kagome held out her slice to him, which he greedily took to consume at a hasty speed.
 
“It's decided. Kagome, I am kidnapping you. I will force to you be my slave and make me these wondrous foods.”
 
Sango rolled her eyes at Miroku. She figured he'd force her to do other things if he completely had his way. And he wondered why he wasn't married yet. If only he could keep his thoughts on one woman instead of all women.
 
Kagome shook her head, blushing at Miroku's continuous praise of her skills. She knew her food wasn't that great. He was being overly polite for her sake. Kagome, however, missed the deep, very low growl that rolled from Inuyasha's chest.
 
No one will make her a slave.
 
Inuyasha forced the last bit of his cake into his mouth, hoping no one heard his growl and was entirely thankful that no one could read his thoughts. Even he didn't know where they came from.
 
“That's somewhat kind of you to say, I think. However, I won't be working in a kitchen.”
 
“Oh.” Sango placed her empty plate back down onto the table and reached for her spritzer. “What are your plans?” She had asked Kagome this before, but perhaps, in a more relaxed setting, she might talk more openly about her future plans, maybe say something she hadn't in the session.
 
“I still need to graduate first, which will be in another two months. Plus I'm scheduled to work, uh, teach during the summer session. So, if everything goes to plan, I'll hopefully be pregnant by then and will end up staying at home.”
 
Nope. She was still stuck on the same story. Sango wasn't trying to put down the girl, but she felt that Kagome was throwing her talent away. A lot of women did forgo their promising careers to instead raise a family. And with Hojo's career apparently on track, Kagome had the luxury of staying home.
 
Kagome settled with just having a glass of water. It was fine with her as she wasn't one to indulge in sweets unless she absolutely craved them. There was a time when she couldn't get enough of chocolates, caramels and other cavity-causing sweets. As she started to cook more and more, she grew conscious of her health and that it was important to her to remain healthy, but at the same time, able to enjoy good tasting food. Good eats didn't mean sweets, a valuable lesson learned from school.
 
The light conversation carried on for another hour until Sango realized the time. She proclaimed that she had an all day conference to attend tomorrow and needed to get up early to drive the hour to the campus where it was being held.
 
Kagome kept everyone a few minutes longer to give them small sized wooden boxes with an extra slice of cake and the bottle of dressing to take with them, assuring them that it was no trouble at all as she could easily shake up another batch if she so desired.
 
“Thank you so much for coming,” Kagome quipped as she handed them their jackets.
 
“No, no. Thank you. The food was great,” Sango said as Miroku helped her into her coat.
 
“Then we'll have to do this again.” Miroku nodded his head to Kagome's suggestion. “A pleasure meeting you Dr. Miroku.”
 
“Do not fret. I'll be seeing more of you later on,” he said in a lower register and waggling eyebrows. Sango smacked him across the back of his head. “What? It's gyno humor. I don't get to make career jokes often.” Sango pushed him out the door before he had any more chances to make a bigger ass out of himself.
 
“Coming Inuyasha?”
 
Inuyasha patted down his pockets. “Ah shit. I think I left my keys somewhere. Go on without me.” Sango and Miroku left, leaving Inuyasha alone with Kagome.
 
“Did you need help searching for them?”
 
“No. I'm sure they're in the chair I was in.” Inuyasha walked back into the living room, digging his hands into the cushions, finding his keys. He growled at the cushion's ability to steal his keys, cell phone or pocket change.
 
He found Kagome in the kitchen cleaning up. Watching her clean up alone made him feel bad. That Hobo - Hojo guy should be here to help her. Instead, he was at work with a woman that Inuyasha was unsure of. Inuyasha wondered how many nights this week Hojo had been at work.
 
That and she was still dressed up so nice. Her thick raven hair had been pulled back into a bun that settled at the top of her head with tendrils cascading down to frame her face. The dress she chose was stunning and it didn't surprise him that it matched with the rest of the colors and patterns she picked out for dinner. A sensual black mesh dress embellished with iridescent beads and embroidery. The v-neck, again, only gave him a hint of cleavage, but it was enough for him, for now. Kagome wore no jewelry at all, giving her an almost earthy, surreal look.
 
It wasn't a dress to clean up a kitchen alone in. To him, it was the type of dress you would unzip in the bedroom, to watch it fall at her dainty bare feet. And her hair, he would have to loosen it up, free it from that confining style. He would envision her like that, tonight, in his dreams.
 
“Did you find your keys Dr. Takahashi?” Kagome scooped the leftover meat and potato dish into a plastic container.
 
“Uh, yeah, I did.” The words brought him back to reality. His eyes watched as the tasty food was poured into a neat, but clumpy pile.
 
“Would you like to take this home with you?” she asked as she caught his eyes watching the food.
 
“Huh? Oh, yeah, I mean . . . if you aren't going to eat it, I'll make sure it doesn't go to waste.” Why did he feel like an idiot? Why did he feel like he sounded like one too?
 
“No, I insist.” Kagome sealed the container with the appropriate lid and put it in the box with his extra large slice of cake and a bottle of salad dressing, along with note saying that he could use the dressing on cold ramen noodles if he preferred. “I . . . I make too much food anyway and we hardly eat leftovers because I cook so many different meals for school.” Why did she feel like she was babbling like an idiot?
 
“Thanks.”
 
“Thank you for coming tonight Dr. Takahashi. I'm sorry that things didn't go well, with Hojo having to leave and all.” Why was she still talking to him? Was it to keep him here? Did she not want him to leave?
 
“Keh, not a big deal. I understand.” He remembered when he was in school, working on labs, living in the lab rooms, using Bunsen burners to heat water for instant ramen and liquid nitrogen to re-cool warm drinks.
 
“Are you okay?”
 
Kagome glanced up at him, losing herself in his inviting gaze. She hadn't expected him, out of all of the guests, to ask her that. Turning to the mess that was her kitchen, she worked on cleaning things up to keep her mind from other things.
 
“Hm. I'm fine. He'll be back later on tonight.” She only said it to make herself feel better. She really had no idea when he would be home.
 
Inuyasha was no fool, at least most of the time. He didn't need his youkai senses to tell him it was bothering her a great deal. Still, he really couldn't do anything about it. There was only one thing he could do.
 
“I gotta go. Thanks for the dinner Kagome. I'll probably have Saori call you later next week to set up the next appointment.”
 
Kagome walked with Inuyasha to the door. She opened the coat closet, handing him his jacket. He just slipped it over his arm instead of putting it on.
 
“Good night Kagome.”
 
She tilted her head to him, trying her best to put on one last smile for the night. “Good night Dr. Takahashi.” And she drifted in the entrance way, watching him until he disappeared into the elevator.
 
Sighing, she finally walked back in, closing the door and locking it up tight. Who was she kidding? Hojo wouldn't be home tonight at all. Most likely, he would stop by tomorrow to shower, get some fresh clothes and head out again until late Sunday night.
 
Leaving the mess where it sat, knowing it could wait until tomorrow to be taken care of, Kagome escaped into the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind her. Her body fell against the door. She felt heavy. Her knees buckled from underneath her and her body fell with a thud against the wooden floor.
 
Crawling into a fetal position, the tears she held back from her guests could now be set free. Her body shivered with sobs as deeply negative thoughts flooded her head. She felt that Hojo had abandoned her. His work could've easily waited an hour, but he still left. And on top of that, they hadn't had sex since that night before the post-coital exam.
 
So much for working on that baby they both wanted.
 
Kagome didn't know what to do. So she just lied there and cried. The cold tears froze her pale cheeks, sending shivers that she couldn't fight throughout her tired body. She cried hard until she had no strength to cry anymore. Her body shut down and went to sleep. Tough she knew that even in her dreams, she wouldn't find the comfort she was seeking.
 
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roshully's note:
This chapter is slightly shorter than the last only because I just wanted to finish the meal before jumping into the next part.