InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Gods' Opinion ❯ A Divorce ( Chapter 13 )

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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Chapter Thirteen A Divorce

 

`Are you sure?'

 

“Where's Kagome?”

 

“Ah, good morning Inuyasha. Did you sleep well?”

 

“Yeah, I did actually.”

 

`I'm fairly sure.'

 

`Could you look again …?'

 

“Oh, Kagome went for her morning jog. She should be back soon as she plans on making breakfast.”

 

`Sorry this is taking so long, we're trying to digitalize everything and things are a bit disorganized.'

 

“Last time, she made these crepes filled with a sour cream cheese filling topped with a honey-raspberry sauce. I felt so bad for eating something so sweet for breakfast.”

 

`Thanks then.'

 

“Would you like something to drink as we wait for Kagome?”

 

“Sure.”

 

“It was very stormy last night. I'm glad Kagome asked you to stay the night. I was worried about what might happen with you driving out in that nasty weather.”

 

“Keh, it was late anyways.”

 

“Here.” Mama Higurashi sat down across from Inuyasha, handing him a large glass of orange juice, serving herself a smaller amount. “I see she found you some pajamas. Too many times did the children dress up in Shinto garb to entertain visitors. They hated it at the time, but now, I think Kagome misses it.”

 

A comfortable silence hung between the two as they waited for Kagome to return. Inuyasha was okay with it. He didn't know what he could say to Mama Higurashi and he didn't want to divulge any of his own personal history to her so early in the morning. And to him, it seemed that Mama Higurashi was just as hesitant to say anything about her own issues. That's even if she had any.

 

He drank the juice she had given to him. After a single gulp, he noticed that Mama Higurashi had gone to the fridge to grab the container of juice so she could re-fill his glass enough times until Kagome's return. Speaking of which, where was her daughter?

 

That question was answered by the kitchen door slamming open, following by two clunking sounds. Kagome emerged, her hair messy, but mostly contained by an elastic tie holding it in a bobbing ponytail.

 

“Kagome,” her mother called out, watching as her daughter ignored her and headed to the fridge, looking for something. “Kagome.” Not finding what she wanted, she closed the door, walking away and finally out of the kitchen. “Kagome,” her mother whined, unable to believe the lack of manners her daughter had just displayed. She figured she had raised the girl better than that.

 

“I'm sorry about that.” Mama Higurashi frowned briefly before smiling at the hanyou. “Normally, she's a bit more … friendlier than that.”

 

Inuyasha only nodded. He had been struck hard by Kagome's appearance to not care so much about manners and morning etiquette. It was definitely getting warmer outside. Kagome had dressed in anticipation of cool morning weather and exercising.

 

He didn't miss the way the black Lycra shorts and matching tank top hugged her curves and muscles. Only her breasts needed to be held in place. Every other part of her was perfect, in his opinion as it was a perfect mix of muscle and womanly curves. His demon sight didn't miss how the muscles twitched underneath her skin and wondered if it would be the same after an intense love-making session.

 

Lately, that was how his mind was working; taking something innocent and normal only to twist it into something so pornographic and erotic. He never saw it as something dirty. Sex wasn't dirty, sweaty, but not dirty, unless food or mud was involved. And it only happened with Kagome. Everything about her was doing this to him. Everything his senses picked up on was soiled with fantasies of what he could do with and to Kagome.

 

But it's spring.

 

Damn, why didn't he realize it sooner? His hormones, his mind and his overwhelming youki should have clued him in earlier to this natural part of the cycle of his life. Toss in a non-existent sex life and this was all magnified to an unimaginable degree. His infatuation with Kagome was nothing more than Mother Nature telling him that he needed to get some ass. And that was the end of it.

 

He didn't have to like her and he wasn't in love with her. Feelings like that came from his human side. And during the spring his demon side was mostly in command. His demon side only viewed Kagome as a quick fix to this springtime urge, another victim of the hump n' dump. Some inu-youkai were like that. Some of his kind were possessive and could mate for life, and others … well, they just didn't give a fuck, other than the fuck itself.

 

Kagome walked back into the kitchen, having changed into a cotton tank top and loose fitting jeans. Her first stop was the fridge. Kagome pulled out a handful of items, bags of fresh vegetables, wrapped, specially cut meat, and a cartoon of eggs. Those were carefully deposited onto the counter. Next, she rummaged through the cupboards to find the dry herbs and spices required for this morning's breakfast.

 

She ignored her mother and their guest so she could completely focus on the task ahead of her: to make the best breakfast possible. With every meal, she worked to outdo her previous meal and to make the recipient of said meal not only smile, but for the duration of that meal, to feel that everything in their lives was just good. It didn't have to be a perfect life, because that ideal perfection just didn't exist, but it didn't hurt to have that feeling for a moment. Kagome wanted her meals to mean more than just nutrients to sustain the body or something to quiet a grumbling belly for a few hours. Food was meant to mean so much more and even to be something personal.

 

For Kagome, meals, the food she cooked, had a different meaning, one that was now lost to her. She cooked, baked, broiled and grilled with the purpose of only pleasing others, never for herself. The food, the smells, the taste of flavors, the smiles, they were never for her, not anymore. She lost the right to enjoy in the indulgence of pleasing her own senses, her own self-inflicted sentence.

 

How long was she going to do this to herself? Kagome finely chopped up the tomatoes, cilantro, onions and peppers as her mind cycled through the reasons for her punishment. For starters, a dead grandfather and brother … and now, her added confusion about her doctor. He had to be something the devil himself sent to Earth as some kind of test. Perhaps, if she passed, she would be granted with a child of her own. She heard about these types of things; women having to prove themselves to some divine entity to be granted with a good life later on.

 

Once the vegetables were chopped up good, she tossed them into a heated skillet with some extra virgin olive oil and spiced them up with her own spicy signature mix. Mama Higurashi wanted to watch her daughter cook, wanted to see how her daughter created something memorable as well as edible. But with the guest seated across from her, she felt a duty to entertain him.

 

“Inuyasha, since the weather is nice, let me show you the grounds while Kagome is occupied in her cooking.”

 

“Uh, okay.” It would do him some good to get outside, away from Kagome for a few minutes, allow him some time to cool his youkai down. Inuyasha pushed himself away from the table and followed the older woman outside. He took a glance back at Kagome, catching her in the process of cooking, seeing something different about her, a calm he hadn't seen in her since that time at the grocery store, or a few times during the dinner. He thought he saw a smile tug at her lips, but decided that he imagined it the moment he stepped out into the morning sun.

 

Mama Higurashi smiled as she vibrantly told the stories her father-in-law shared to so many others. That was why it was sunny outside, just so she could tell Inuyasha the history of Kagome's family. Mama Higurashi felt that the sun's warmth was a little warmer, feeling more like a smile than some gaseous ball in space. Did it mean something? Living at the Shrine, she grew to believe that things had a time and purpose. Not everything was destined to be, but, there were paths laid down.

 

Inuyasha found his frazzled nerves cooling off under the shade of the tree he heard called The Goshinboku. Its grandiose trunk was thick, strong and it stood tall and proud. Inuyasha never before believed that a tree could be something to live up to in one's life. He wouldn't mind a life like that.

 

What he found here at the Shrine was something from a dream. And like all dreams, the moment he stepped away from the Shrine, he would wake and the dream would just fade away.

 

Once the stories were done being shared, Mama Higurashi and Inuyasha sat silently, but comfortably on the smooth, cool stone bench in the shade across from the grassy, yet protected and holy plot of The Goshinboku. The leaves danced and swayed with the gentle spring breeze as its partner, relishing in the cleanliness of the new morning. He closed his eyes, darkening one sense only to elevate the others.

 

The tiny baby birds, born confined to their nests now sang the fluted songs of freedom. Bright cheery notes swooned about the tiny hairs of his ears, flying about just like the songs' owners. Something about the spring, and things needing to escape to be free, the sun, a gentle breeze, birds, flowers and his damned horny youkai. The thought of Kagome frightened the birds away with a roar of charged up blood.

 

With his eyes and ears closed off to the worldly affects of spring, he hoped to relax with some peace of mind … and peace from hormones. He wasn't some adolescent pup turned on by anything and everything female. Those were wolves. He was strong and in control of his youkai and what little emotions he showed. He took in full, deep breaths, letting his lungs fill up like party balloons before slowly releasing the air out. In through his nose, catching the scents of spring washed leaves and grass, then releasing out through his mouth. Neutral earthy scents dominated the Shrine, keeping out the varied fossil fuels involved in the day-to-day livings of the outside world.

 

For him, as an inu-hanyou, scent was his most vital asset, as well as his worst enemy. But with the fresh air being the only thing he was inhaling, he could calm down. Seeing Kagome in Lycra, smelling her sweet sweat … he was sure someone would catch the claw marks in the chair. Another deep breath, in came the smell of the flowers Mama Higurashi had planted, the moldy wood of the old buildings, steak, eggs … His eyes popped open.

 

Breakfast.

 

Mama Higurashi was already on her feet, smiling warmly at him with her small hand extended out. His sparking sunshiny orbs dipped into melted warm chocolate ones, startling him from his peace. He saw not the sadness of a woman who lost her husband, her father and her child, but her happiness and love for Kagome and her approval of … him. It was a shock. No on accepted him, a hanyou so openly and pure like both Mama Higurashi and Kagome had.

 

He took her hand, so warm and soft, and stood up, following the woman through the kitchen door back into the Shrine house. Kagome greeted them both with a smile of her own. The table had been set with the prepared breakfast. The food seemed to be the only elaborate part of the morning meal. Also placed on the table were several jugs of juices, as well as tea and water. Kagome really went all out for these meals of hers.

 

They sat down silently as Kagome busied herself with little things, dirty dishes placed in the sink, salt and pepper on the table, napkins and the sort.

 

“Kagome, sit down and eat with us. Don't worry about the mess, I'll take care of that, remember?”

 

Kagome put the dirty pan she held in her hand back down onto the burner and made her way over to the table, the seat across from her mother and next to Inuyasha, the same seating assignment as last night's dinner.

 

“So, tell us what amazing dish we will be feasting upon this morning? It looks and smells so delicious.” Mama Higurashi hungrily eyed the morning treats displayed in front of her.

 

A sauce of fiery red juxtaposed against jealous green blanketed a pile of eggs with strips of succulently seasoned steak hidden underneath with two freshly oiled corn tortillas as the base. A pleasant swirl of acidic fruits of the salsas and the strong smell of the slightly pink meat quickly filled the room. The sizzling sounds of the meat were muffled and snuffed out by the quiet egg.

 

“It's called Huevos Divorciados, Spanish for … for di-divorced eggs, named for the obvious separation of the two eggs by the different colored salsas. I-I added steak to compliment the flavors of the salsas as well as a way to add meat to this dish.”

 

Kagome beamed at the meal, satisfied with the way it looked. And the smell reminded her of sitting at the Azul Luna with her friends.

 

“Itadakimasu,” her mother sang out, reaching out for the fork, something she really only used with Kagome came to visit. It was a utensil she reserved for her meals with Kagome and Kagome only.

 

Kagome and Inuyasha mumbled through their thanks and quietly started in on their breakfast. Mama Higurashi took a peep at the youngsters and sighed. The food was superb as Mama Higurashi had suspected, but the conversation was significantly lacking.

 

“So, Kagome, how was your jog this morning?”

 

Kagome slammed her fork onto the table, her face bunched up in a terrible scowl. “Stupid … ugh … where do people learn to drive? Seriously! I was jogging and this-this airhead, on his cell phone almost hit me.”

 

Mama Higurashi caught the low rumblings of Inuyasha's growl. She grinned to herself, turning back to her meal and Kagome's story. Still, she wanted to wonder, what such a growl could mean in this situation. Was it because of Kagome's usual clumsiness, or the air headed driver?

 

“As long as you're okay dear.”

 

“Mama, how can you be so calm? Sheesh.” Kagome picked up her forked and shoveled some food into her mouth, and chewed on it while she fumed over the fact that some boneheaded idiot almost banged her up with his piece of crap car.

 

“Where did you run?”

 

Kagome paused, holding the fork full of food just at her lips. “Huh?”

 

“What path did you decide to take this morning?”

 

“Oh, down by the high school and to the park,” Kagome muttered before stuffing her mouth full of spicy egg, juicy steak and the softening corn tortilla.

 

“Did you like it?”

 

“Like what?”

 

“The new flowers. Honestly Kagome, you should pay more attention to things when you're running. No wonder you almost jogged into a car.”

 

“I uh, I didn't actually run through the park. I just ran around it.”

 

“Oh, sorry dear. Inuyasha, honey, what do you think about Kagome's delectable breakfast?”

 

“Keh, its fine.” He had remained silent and was determined to finish the spicy meal without being drawn into their mother-daughter banter. It seemed to be a normal occurrence between the two women.

 

Kagome glanced over at Inuyasha, searching his eyes, face, perhaps looking for something along the lines of the truth. Something her mother told her about men and eating. Indeed his plate was mostly empty, but looking at his face, the blank look, his dull eyes, something was wrong with the meal.

 

Her question was answered the moment poured himself what was his fourth - maybe fifth glass of water. “Why didn't you say something?” Kagome jumped out of her chair, stomping over to the fridge. Opening the thick door, the burst of cool air was refreshing considering the heat of the meal. Kagome pulled out a jug of milk.

 

“Here, drink some of this.” Kagome filled his glass for him, handing it over. “Water isn't a good choice to cool a burning tongue.” Inuyasha gulped the large serving down in one swallow only to hold out his empty glass for her to refill it. She did. “It's because you're hanyou, you're sensitive to spices … guess it makes sense why you eat so much ramen. It's rather bland.”

 

“Keh, this was good. I can handle the heat,” he finally said after finishing the second glass of milk.

 

Kagome shook the empty jug of milk. “Right, I believe you.” She then smiled at him, letting him know that everything was really okay. It was okay that the milk was gone, that she wasn't at all offended by his reaction to her food and just everything else - hinting at the prospect of losing her chances at a child. She wasn't going to hold him responsible for that.

 

“Whatever wench. I might hold you yet to that ramen suggestion of Sango's.”

 

“You can't do that.”

 

“Watch me. I'll just go to the lawyer and have him write up a legally binding contract declaring payment to be received in fully prepared meals of ramen.”

 

“That sounds so … odd. Well, I guess I could always prepare the meals with items such as Perigord truffles and Baluga caviar. Oh and Kobe beef … “

 

“Truffles? How much does that cost?”

 

Kagome slyly grinned at the unknowing hanyou. “Well, there are several kinds, but the average cost is around $100 to $150 US per ounce.”

 

“Kagome, Perigord truffles, Baluga caviar … that's a bit extravagant just for a bowl of ramen.”

 

“But mama, ramen noodles are so cheap. They're practically free. I'd be cooking for him for life.”

 

Inuyasha leaned over to her, perhaps a little too close. His deep, gravelly voice ticked her ear as he spoke, “Good.” He then moved back into his chair, satisfied by his ability to silence her so he could finish the rest of his breakfast in quiet peace.

 

Kagome closed her eyes and tried to shake off the shiver that quaked through her chest, rumbling down her spin, hitting her pelvic area with a crushing thud. She buckled forward, gripping onto her chair for some support. One word. That was all it took and she crumbled into a soaking wet heap of overexcited hormones and desire. Not even Hojo could make her gush quite like this. Is this where the saying about needing a fresh pair of underwear came from?

 

“Inuyasha dear, would you like some extra steak? I believed I spared it from the salsas.”

 

“Oh, sure. Thanks.”

 

“Kagome, are you okay? You look flushed. Is the salsa getting to you as well?”

 

“Ah, no, I'm … fine. Really. Maybe too much running this morning.” Kagome had a hunch that the doctor knew. That he had figured it out, figured her out. He had to know that her body was attracted to him, yearned for a taste of his exotic and forbidden flavor.

 

What would he taste like? From the view of his muscular torso last night, he worked out. Working out meant sweat. She never had the pleasure of sampling the sweat of a male. Sweat was the carrier of pheromones, a bodily produced aphrodisiac, the body's sensual wine and any other metaphor she could toss at it. Hojo would never allow her permission to lick him, to taste him.

 

It was here, now that it dawned on Kagome. The clouds of her mind drifted away, evaporating from the horizon of her consciousness. She was finally admitting to herself that yes, she was sexually attracted to her doctor, that in him held the promise of her fantasies, the promise of raw, animalistic passion and pure sexual energy. With him, all of her bodily desires could be satisfied.

 

There was no passion in her and Hojo's relationship. There would never be all weekend sexual rendezvous. It was her naivety that kept her from seeing the truth. Hojo was her friend, companion, but not her lover. But Inuyasha was just carnal, and the truth be told, she did not love him. She loved Hojo and it would be on that premise alone that she would have to quench her desires for the hanyou and become the mother of a child with Hojo, the man she loved.

 

She would not let her body divorce itself from her heart's wishes. She would not let her unfilled desires lead her astray, down the street of temptation. Hojo was forever, Inuyasha was no more than an instrument in creating her and Hojo's family. He was a distraction that she could avoid, partially, and she would start by swearing off her private masturbation sessions in the bathroom. Ever since she laid her eyes on that piece of a hunk, he had been the hanyou of her fantasies, no one else. Her body would cease to crave his touch if she stopped touching herself when she thought of him. Simple.

 

Once Mama Higurashi finished with her breakfast, she started in on the mess Kagome created. Kagome was always making messes like this and that brought joy to her heart. Ever since Kagome was an infant, she had spent time in the kitchen so Mama Higurashi could watch over her daughter as she prepared dinner for the family. Instead of Play-Doh or clay, Kagome pounded, kneaded, and rolled dough.

 

Inuyasha pushed the empty plate away from him, stuffed and satisfied with the meal. “Pretty good Kagome. Thought I was in a restaurant for a sec.” Standing up, Inuyasha stretched his muscles out, catching Kagome looking not at him, but away. He frowned, but brushed it off. “Is it all right if I take a shower?”

 

“Yeah, bathroom's still upstairs,” Kagome explained as she gathered the empty plates up to take over to her mother. “Do you need a change of clothes?”

 

“Nope, got some in my truck. I'll just run out and grab my bag.”

 

Kagome gave him a quick smile before he left. She took the plates to the sink and decided to stay and help her mother out. They quickly fell into a routine of Mama Higurashi scrubbing the dishes and handing them to Kagome who took on the rinsing and drying duties, and then she stacked them in the rack next to the sink.

 

“Inuyasha is such a nice man. He's got a healthy appetite, a good sense of humor … “

 

“He's just my doctor mama.”

 

“Doesn't mean he can't be your friend.”

 

“Says you.”

 

“I do wish he would stop by again. He's so nice to talk to.”

 

“I don't know if that'll be possible. He's kinda got his own life. His job, a g-girl, his friends, none of which are mine. Our lives only crossed because I-I have this problem of mine. And once it's resolved, I'll have no reason to really see him again.”

 

“Kagome, that's not like you. I know you send birthday cards to your favorite teachers. Inuyasha doesn't have to be any different.”

 

“It'll be weird. There's me and Hojo, then there's him and this really pretty girl of his. And I don't think Hojo is too fond of Dr. Takahashi. They didn't talk at the dinner and he's missed appointments.”

 

“How is Hojo? I haven't seen or heard from him in, oh, I guess it would be a few months now, since your birthday party here.”

 

“He's fine. He's been all about work lately.”

 

Mama Higurashi left the plate floating in the sudsy water, turning to her daughter and wrapping her arms around the fragile girl. Kagome didn't know what to do. She definitely wasn't expecting her mother to do this. Come to think of it, why was her mother hugging her like something horrible had happened? Kagome lifted her hands up and held them up, unsure if she was to hug her mother back or not. Wouldn't that mean that there was something wrong, she was giving in, or up?

 

“Mama … “The soft word was the only word Kagome could say once the shock finally wore off. She hugged her mother back, tightly, but she didn't know why. Her read rested on her mother's shoulder. Kagome would not cry.

 

“I wish … I wish that I could take your hurt, pain and frustrations away from you.” Mama Higurashi released Kagome from the hug. She studied her daughters face, marveling at her daughter's beauty. “I just want you to be happy.”

 

“I am happy, despite the obvious blunders.”

 

The older woman shook her head. “I mean really happy. It's been a long time since I've seen you truly happy Kagome. Whatever you decide to do with your life, I want you to know that as long as you're happy, you can't, cannot disappoint me. I don't want you to ever feel that you've let me down. You're smart, beautiful, a talented cook, a good person and you deserve to have the best life that the gods gave you to work with. Think of your talents, your strengths and weaknesses as the ingredients the gods provided for you. Only you can take those ingredients and create the best dish you can.”

 

“Mama, where … where is all of this coming from?”

 

“My heart … and hopefully to yours.” Cocking her head to the side, Mama Higurashi warmed Kagome with a smile that only she could give her daughter. Peeling herself away from Kagome, she seamlessly returned to her duty at the sink. Kagome blinked a couple of times before going back to helping her mother.

 

Inuyasha returned from his shower just as the women were finishing up with the cleaning of the kitchen. He was simply dressed in loose fitting blue jeans and a plain black t-shirt. His long silver locks were wet, but not dripping.

 

“How was your shower?” Mama Higurashi asked from her place at the sink.

 

“Fine. You might need to get it fixed. The faucet was leaking pretty badly.”

 

“Oh, that's right. I was meaning to call Mr. Abe and see if he could come over.”

 

“I can fix it. Just need a wrench.”

 

“Really? Oh, that's so sweet. I'll send Kagome up with it as soon as I'm done here.”

 

“Sure.” Inuyasha left the women a lone to head back up to the bathroom.

 

“Kagome, in the drawer over there, you'll find the tools.” Kagome put down the towel she was using to dry the dishes and walked to the drawer. After opening it up, Kagome found a whole assortment of tools, digging through them until she found the large, red painted wrench. “Oh, good. Now take it upstairs to Inuyasha.”

 

Standing up, she let out a sigh as she exited the kitchen, heading up the stairs, she found Inuyasha in the bathroom with his shirt off. His back was to her as he worked on unfastening the shower head. Nibbling on her lower lip, she shut her eyes tightly and tried to order the naked image of his torso out of her head. She promised herself.

 

“Here,” she spoke out sharply, grabbing his attention and once again seeing his naked chest looking just like it did last night. She wanted to ask where his shirt had gone, but that would only unnecessary attention to a sight she shouldn't look at.

 

“Thanks.”

“I'll be downstairs,” the words rushed out as she turned to flee.

 

“What, you're not going to stay? It'll only take a few minutes.”

 

Stopping, she turned and gave up on her escape. If she ignored him too much, he would catch on and then maybe confront her about it. Kagome leaned up against the wall. Inuyasha gave her a quick smile before turning back to the shower.

 

“Are you sure you know what you're doing?”

 

“Keh, used to do odd jobs to pay for school,” he replied as he stepped into the tub to work on the pipe.

 

“Oh.” She crossed her arms and looked down at the floor, recalling the private conversation she had with herself at the breakfast table.

 

“What? No snide comment? Are you feeling okay?” Inuyasha stepped out of the tub and set the wrench down on the counter. Reaching for his shirt, he slipped the material back on, shaking his hair to loosen it from the t-shirt's hold.

 

“I'm fine.”

 

“No, you're not. Come on, you can tell me.”

 

“I can't.”

 

“Why?”

 

She looked up at him. “Because you're just my doctor and I'm just your patient and in that there's … there's a boundary I won't cross.”

 

“Where the fuck is all of this coming from? I just figured you were wigged out from the jog this morning.”

 

I have to say … this for myself.

 

“Look, I … I enjoyed talking to you last night and all, but … I don't think it's appropriate.”

 

“So you can't be my friend?”

“No. I-I love Hojo and- “

 

“Yeah, yeah. I hear that a lot,” he cut in, his eyes narrowing as he glanced down at the ground for the moment, playing with the hem of his shirt. “And are you so sure that he loves you back?” Kagome gasped at his remark, but Inuyasha continued. He lifted up both hands, holding up eight fingers, four digits on each, and stared directly into her wide eyes. “In all of my years working, this is the number of men that have missed the treatment appointment. Three were dead, two were seriously injured and in the hospital, another two were overseas for governmental reasons and … “He held up one finger in front of her face. “One. One guy who couldn't take twenty minutes out of his damn day. One guy who put work above a child.”

 

Inuyasha dropped his hand, upset at himself for doing this to her. He really had no right to. “Look, I'm sorry that you're one of the few people I've met that has treated me normally. I'm sorry that I thought we could be friends or some shit like that. Apparently, I was the one who was mistaken. I'm sorry that Homo doesn't trust you enough to be friends with a guy.” Grabbing the wrench, he left Kagome alone knowing that he had overstayed his welcome at the Higurashi Shrine.

 

“Did you get it fixed?”

 

“Yeah,” he replied, returning the wrench to Mama Higurashi. “I hate to do this, but I gotta jet. I … I've got some paperwork to take care of before tomorrow.”

 

“Oh, okay dear. What about Kagome's injections?”

 

Shit.

 

“She'll have to be back at the Izayoi clinic by two.”

 

“Oh no. We still have some boxes to go through. I'm afraid that she might not make it in time.” Mama Higurashi frowned briefly before a smile returned. “Kagome! Kagome!”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Inuyasha could you do me a favor and take Kagome home?”

 

“Mama … “

 

“I'll look through the rest of the boxes. This way you can be at the clinic for your injection at two. I'll call you if I find anything and I can make a trip to your place tomorrow to drop it off.”

 

“I should be the one looking for it.”

 

“Nope. Your injection is just as important. Am I right Inuyasha?”

 

“Yeah.” He hated being put on the spot.

 

“There. It's settled. Go upstairs and pack your stuff and then Inuyasha can take you home.”

 

Kagome, knowing she couldn't win against her mother, went back upstairs, defeated, to pack up her belongings. Everything was becoming more complicated; confusing and just … it was hard to deal with it all. She knew things; her relationship with Hojo would change with them wanting to have a child together, but like this?

 

Damn Inuyasha for making her have doubts that Hojo didn't love her as much as she loved him. He was so supportive of her, always wanting to take care of her, that she believed she couldn't love Hojo as much as he loved her. Why was this happening now?

 

Mama Higurashi wished the two a safe trip back into the city and waved them off as Inuyasha carried Kagome's bag down the stairs toward his truck. She thought about calling a taxi, but figured that there was a large enough strain between the two of them that she didn't want to make it worse. Kagome didn't talk once during the whole trip, the ultimatum she made to herself and Inuyasha's rant recycling through her head. It hurt. It made her brain pulse with a pain like those she would get right before math exams.

 

After her injection, she took several aspirin and curled up in her bed back at her apartment. Whether or not Hojo made it home that weekend was not something she considered even once.

 

xxxxx-----xxx-----xxxxx

 

Kagome had just returned from getting her hormone injection. She had this week still for injections and then a couple of days next week. Then it was the egg extraction, a two day rest and then the egg implantation. That was the nitty-gritty layman's description of the process. It was coming up soon.

 

In the meantime, she had another matter to attend to. Today was Monday and as she remembered from Inuyasha's office on Friday, it was the day she could make sure that she didn't receive any more letters threatening her with treatment cancellations just because she wasn't married. In any circumstance, it could be considered discrimination.

 

Not really sure where to go, she went to Saori's desk since she could get a hold of Dr. Takahashi through her. Like always, Saori was behind her desk carrying on with her secretarial duties.

 

“Hi Saori.”

 

Saori glanced up and saw Kagome. Immediately she noticed the change in the woman since she last saw her on Friday. Saori was glad that that woman hadn't shown up. “Hello Kagome, what can I do for you?”

 

“Is Dr. Takahashi available?”

 

“No, he's not. He's in surgery this afternoon assisting on a uterus reconstruction with Dr. Miroku. I'm afraid it'll be several hours before he's done.”

 

“Oh. Uh, he didn't happen to leave anything for me, did he?”

 

“No, but then again, he sorta forgot about the surgery today until Dr. Miroku made some uterus joke.”

 

“Okay. I guess I can try him later, maybe tomorrow.” Kagome was about to leave, but she had come to the clinic determined to settle this matter once and for all. “I do have something that maybe you can help me with.”

 

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roshully's notes: Sorry this is a short chapter, but I felt it was best to stop here before I got into any of the more complicated stuff. As Kagome said, the egg extraction and egg implantation are coming up and I didn't want to chop that up. Plus, it just didn't go with this chapter.

 

And to the replies:

 

Inusbabe - Thanks for adding me. I've been told that `almost' only counts in horseshoes. He still is aware of the whole doctor-patient thing. Stupid thing gets in the way. Oh, and he has honor too. Thanks.

 

Autumn the Reviewer - We knew about Kagome's past so I thought it was important to explain something about Inuyasha. And I wanted something that drew them to each other that wasn't just about physical attraction. Naming children already? Thanks.

 

Cwillia - Good, I'm glad I didn't come off snippy. Hard to say things without using descriptors. I could always reply in a manner similar to writing dialogue. Nah, I'm too sarcastic for that sort of thing. Yeah, we all have baggage. Though I find Hojo to be the type of guy that doesn't have baggage. Well, other than the baggage he's creating now with Kagome and ditching her at appointments and stuff. I try to pull in as much as I can from the manga/anime. Thanks.

 

@__@ - Hard to imagine that some girls like dull and boring. I totally upped the sexual tension. How could I not. That's how the injections are taken. Kagome can read into it any way she sees fit. Inuyasha can do the same. But, as this chapter goes to show, the belief that you are in love can hold you down. Thanks for the review.

 

Haily - Ah, yes, just like the manga. Don't know if you saw the chapter a few weeks ago when Kagome returned to her own time. Just borrowing the elements that Takahashi-sensei has given us. Thanks for your review.

 

rainydays - Everyone has a reason for being the best and that was Inuyasha's. Bittersweet, but neat at the same time. I swear to some god that Mama Higurashi has been blessed with certain abilities, mom power or something. Even in the manga/anime, she's like that. Don't know about her. Even Inuyasha was iffy about her. Thanks for your review.

 

lese majeste - Is it obvious that they are having an affair? I actually haven't seen Mona Lisa Smile though my sister tells me it's a good movie. You can read that situation any way you want. Not for me to tell you how to read any situation. I guess it all depends on how you define `affair' … Thanks for your review and I would hope to hear from you again.

 

InuyashasBiggestFan - Everyone has theories but no one shares them with me so I can laugh evilly at them. Take all my fun away. Oh well. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.

 

Inusbabe - This chapter sorta explained why Inu's attractiveness to Kagome is that much more powerful. So, we can ask: Is it real, these feelings Inu has? Only time will tell. Thanks for the review.

 

And thanks to all of the readers as well. Hope you are enjoying this. Have a great week.

 

roshully

 

Just fixed what Autumn the Reviewer pointed out. Gah, how could I do that to Saori's name?