InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Gods' Opinion ❯ Bandaids ( Chapter 18 )

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.

 

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

 

Chapter Eighteen Bandaids

 

Inuyasha…

 

Kagome curled up on the couch in her decent sized manager's office, pulling the heavy blanket up and over her head. It was after one in the morning and the bar had just closed. It was sometimes a part of her routine to lock up the restaurant and bar according to the schedule she kept with the other employees. After closing up shop, she would sleep at the restaurant so she could get up in the morning, exercise, and shower and then work again. The trip to the Shrine was so time-consuming that she ended up just staying in her office.

 

Why did Sesshoumaru do that to her? Why did he bring Dr. Takahashi to her restaurant? She had specifically asked him not to bring him around. Luckily for her he didn't ask for an explanation. But he didn't seem to be the type to just forget a request like that. Nor did he seem to be the type to break an agreement. He was a lawyer after all.

 

She hadn't seen Dr. Takahashi since her graduation party. And she knew he was the one that left, though for the life of her, she couldn't figure out why. While she was thankful for the ice cream advice, she had the feeling he had been trying to tell her something, something difficult. First, he mentioned that she'd no longer be his patient, and then he shrugged off the wanting to be friends thing like…Kagome sniffled back the tears. He didn't want to be friends with her.

 

That, and the failed pregnancy, she had no reason to ever see him again. Kagome crouched into a tighter ball. She'd just get in the way. Closing her eyes, she willed back the tears, not wanting to spend another night crying herself to sleep.

 

Turning onto her back, she sighed as she stretched out on her back. She was just a child. A stupid, naïve little girl with a stupid crush on a male she couldn't have. Wasn't that how it always was? Whether it be an actor or a singer, it was a fantasy crush that could never be. And like all little girls, there'd be a day when she'd grow up. She knew she never really grew up, just grew…out. She grew out of love with Hojo and ended up here.

 

She was elated by being given this opportunity. Her portfolio was the physical manifestation of her dream. Her original plan was to have it graded, to graduate, and then box it up only to treasure it for always. Never did she think she'd get this far. Kagome was overly grateful to the school. It gave her something to really live for.

 

A yawn broke her from her fuzzy thoughts as she neared sleep. She hated to sleep as much as she needed it for she was constantly plagued by nightmares. Failed pregnancies, a failed business and of silver hair and dog ears. The restaurant was her excuse from pursuing a somewhat normal life, or at least that's what others thought. But to her, this was her real, normal life. Normal was overrated. What was normal anyways? Kagome was a career woman. She'd rather be that than the wife who couldn't give her husband children. That was grounds for a divorce. So, she would settle for this life instead.

 

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

 

Sango sat at her computer, typing up an analysis of this and that, recommendations, and even prescriptions for a patient of hers that needed some extra help with post-partum depression. Just as difficult as it was to work with women struggling to conceive, it was hard to watch those that felt as if the world was crashing down on them, suffocating, drowning and wondering why they didn't want the child they had spent so much time on trying to conceive. One time, she ordered a woman to the psychiatric ward for fear that she'd physically harm herself and her child.

 

And right about now, she was going to either commit herself or the man in her office. That's if she didn't kill him first.

 

The vein in her forehead throbbed as it grew until it was ready to burst the moment she couldn't take anymore of it. Slamming her hands down onto her desk, she had to yell, “Knock it off. You've been pacing in front of my desk now for the last 45 minutes. If you've got something to say, spill.”

 

Her guest narrowed his eyes at her, but she felt no angry intent on his part. Something was on his mind and his pacing, in her office of all places, meant he really needed to talk, choosing her as his victim. Sango calmed down with several deep breaths. She was waiting for him to speak when he was ready, but 45 minutes was ridiculous.

 

“Pretend I'm not here then and start talking,” she suggesedt as one means to get him started.

 

He sighed, but continued with his to and fro journey. “I want to see her again.”

 

Sango was a little startled by his low voice. He actually spoke. Her attitude softened considerably when it became clear about exactly what was on his mind. She should've known that this was why he came to her. If it had to do with work, their conversation would already be over with. “So, that's it.”

 

“I was dealin' just fine. But…I thought it was spring. The moment I saw her, it was all there again.” Inuyasha sighed as his eyes dropped to the floor. Running his claws through his bangs, he sighed out a frustrated `fuck'. Finally, he stopped pacing, turning to face her. “Can I see her?”

 

“You're asking me? Like permission?” Sango scoffed at the idea that this Inuyasha, her boss, would ask her permission to see Kagome, though she understood why. To Inuyasha, Sango was a pack-sister to Kagome. “I'm not going to tell you what you can or cannot do. Even if I could, you wouldn't listen.”

 

“I ran out on her engagement,” he vocally confessed.

 

“I know.”

 

“I broke my promise. I couldn't get her pregnant.”

 

“Inuyasha, this is a job, not something you are to make personal.”

 

“I know that but…I did it anyway. I couldn't help it.” Inuyasha resumed his pacing. “Kagome hates me.”

 

“No, she doesn't,” Sango replied, fairly sure he had just made a statement, one that she had to correct. “She only talked about you once.”

 

Inuyasha knew Sango was being honest with him. Kagome didn't hate him. That was really good news. Yet, he still didn't know if he should go to see her. What would he say? What would Kagome say? What would Kagome do? It was this human uncertainty crap that kept him in his office and not seeking her out.

 

Sango leaned back into her chair. “Her restaurant has lunch hours form 11-2 and dinner hours are 5-10, Tuesday through Saturday. However, the bar is open from 2 in the afternoon to 1 in the morning those same days. Word is that she hangs out at the restaurant between 2 to 5 preparing for the dinner shift. It's quiet and slow at that time.”

 

Inuyasha nodded. He didn't need any further explanation from her. This was her permission. Not as Kagome's friend, but as his as well. A blessing. Now, it was up to him and up to Kagome to see if anything were to happen between them. As soon as he gathered up his courage, he would visit her and attempt to tell her. Finally he could tell her that the feelings he had for her were real.

 

“Fine.” Quickly, he turned and bolted out of her office. Tomorrow. Tomorrow he'd tell her. He picked tomorrow because today was Monday and he needed to figure out what to actually say. Nothing too strong or too showy for that would scare her off. No, he'd have to play it casually and only if things went his way, then he could tell her his true feelings.

 

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

 

“You asked to see me?”

 

“Yes, please. Have a seat.” He waited until she sat down and was comfortable before he began. “There's something I wish to explain.”

 

“Please, go ahead.”

 

“About my brother, I apologize for bringing him here.”

 

Kagome shook her head. “It's all right, really. I was just a bit…I was surprised, that's all.”

 

“I do not understand why you refuse to see him.”

 

“It's nothing he did.”

 

“Are you sure? Inuyasha is normally the one at fault.”

 

“No, I'm sure. But, can I ask you why you brought him here?”

 

“I don't see you unless you make yourself known to me. I assumed the risk was minimal. However I erred when I did not calculate his temper and obnoxious obsession with ramen to spoil it.”

 

Kagome giggled. No matter how obnoxious his ramen obsession was, he was so cute about it. She just couldn't help it. There were a dozen questions she wanted to ask the taiyoukai about Dr. Takahashi, life, work and everything else.

 

“My brother is…curious about your well-being.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

“As much as I may despise my brother for personal reasons, he may have some good traits.”

 

“I'm aware of his good side as well as the bad.” Kagome stood up ready to take her leave so Sesshoumaru could eat his lunch in peace. “It's not his traits that I have a problem with, but my own. Enjoy your meal.”

 

Sesshoumaru glanced down at the meal set in front of him. Suddenly, he thought back to the time when he first met Kagome. In some strange way, it was he who initiated their first meeting by sending her that letter. Having never met her in person prior to the letter, he didn't know what kind of woman she was. Picking up his sandwich, he smirked. How quickly he found out.

 

xxxxx-----flash back -----xxxxx

 

Sesshoumaru sat behind his grand and expensive desk, reviewing contracts and research proposals. Some of the things he did at the clinic were outside the bounds of his job as the clinic's chief lawyer, but were within the bounds of his duty as the head of the board of directors. A knock on his door brought him out of the mundane work only for him to see his assistant.

 

“There's a Miss Higurashi here to see you.”

 

He knew exactly who the woman was, but didn't have a reason for why she wanted to see him. A nod to his assistant prompted the toad to disappear only to re-emerge seconds later with a petite woman following him. Sesshoumaru stood up at her presence. Neither spoke a word until the assistant disappeared with the door clicking shut behind him.

 

The young woman stared at him, standing there like a trout out of water. He bowed to her, offering her a chair to sit down in. Shaking her head, she apologized, bowed back to him and took the offered seat.

 

“You're Dr. Takahashi's brother,” she half-said, half-asked.

 

He nodded. “Older half-brother,” he quickly explained. But he didn't want to discuss his younger brother. “How can I help you?”

 

Once the initial shock of the sibling connection wore off, the woman got down to business. “I have an odd proposition. Would you hear me out first? Please?”

 

She was unlike any other woman he had met. Both confident and afraid, the woman spoke calmly, freely, but he heard the desperation in her voice. “I want to continue with my treatments. I was told that if I could provide proof of my grandfather's blessing that you may reconsider ceasing my treatments.”

 

Sesshoumaru nodded. “That has been brought to my attention.”

 

He watched as the woman started to give into her emotions only to find a retreat that offered her enough computers to get through this. “After an intensive search of my grandfather's belongings, such proof does not exist.”

 

He leaned back into his chair. “This creates a problem,” he calmly spoke as he brought his fingertips together.

 

“I realize that. However, I was also told that another condition for continuing the treatments was that we would be required to sign a contract exempting the clinic from any liability if the treatments are a failure or even a success so that as an unmarried couple, we were to separate, we'd still be responsible for the fees as a couple despite those other problems.”

 

Sesshoumaru didn't know what his brother had said to the woman, but she was very knowledgeable about her situation. “Is there a point to this?”

 

“Of course. I wouldn't want to waste your time or my time. I have a plan. I will sign a contract, myself, stating that I promise to pay all fees associated with the treatments and appointments we acquire here.”

 

“You? Yourself?” He was surprised by this, though he didn't show it.

 

“Yes. I read that your clinic allows women to undergo the in-vitro procedure as an individual.”

 

“Those are different circumstances.”

 

“I really don't see much difference. A man donating his seed to a lesbian couple. Or a gay couple paying for a woman to give birth to their child. Their situation isn't really that different.”

 

And he concurred with her. Basically, her situation, depending on the point of view was similar to the ones she described. Since she wasn't married, her status was the same as the lesbian woman, or the surrogate woman. He never thoroughly considered her situation as much as he should have.

 

“What about Mr. Akitoki? You plan to cover the costs that he has incurred?”

 

“Mr. Akitoki believes whole-heartedly in that blessing. It's almost too late now to back out of the treatments. His feelings about the blessing have nothing to do with this. Either way, someone has to pay for what we've done here. The sooner I can take care of it, the sooner I get put this behind me.”

 

Either way, as long as at least one of them was responsible for paying, he didn't care who it was. This woman knew exactly what she was doing. If she wanted to bear the sole responsibility of paying for the treatments, who was he to stop her?

 

Turning to his computer, he opened up one of the blank contract forms and quickly entered in the information to this particular case. In a few minutes, his printer spat the contract out. His assistant was called in as a witness to the signing. The woman carefully read the contract over, making sure she was satisfied with the wording before committing to it. Reaching for the pen, she signed her name and then took a step back from the contract. It was done.

 

Sesshoumaru followed by signing his name. His assistant signed as the witness. The contract was now a legal binding document. The assistant left with the document to make a copy for Miss Higurashi to take with her. It was only when they were alone did she speak.

 

“I ask that Dr. Takahashi not know about this.” Sesshoumaru cocked an eyebrow at the strange request. “there is not reason for him to know about it, right?”

 

“There is not,” he replied. Something about her almost intimidated him. Almost. Maybe this wasn't intimidation, but something else. This human woman was hiding something.

 

“Good.” The woman gathered her belongings. “Thank you,” she said softly, sincerely while looking at him, but not directly into his eyes. Apparently she knew that anything bolder would issue a challenge. With all she had to do done, he watched her leave.

 

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

 

It was from that short meeting that he learned about the kind of woman Kagome was. And her secret, that became clear when she continued to ask that he not know her whereabouts. During his visits to her restaurant, they would occasionally chat and that's when it dawned on him.

 

While Kagome had her reasons for not wanting to see his younger brother, they really had no firm ground to stand on. By scent alone he figured her out, her attraction to the hanyou. And word got around that Inuyasha may have had a crush on a pretty patient at the clinic. Normally, he wasn't one to run with the rumor mill, but a quick visit to Dr. Sango confirmed the rumor.

 

Not one to play matchmaker, he had no plans to set them up at all. Instead, he'd invited his brother to the restaurant and then would see if anything happened. Really, he just needed his brother to stop being so damned depressed all of the time. It was boring. Inuyasha refused to fight back on any issue making the hanyou appear more mature, which was really nothing more than a ruse to hide the fact that the hanyou was giving up. Even though he had no reason to help his brother out, Inuyasha was a damn good doctor and if the clinic was to survive and grow, he would need the old Inuyasha back.

 

“Is everything okay?”

 

Sesshoumaru looked up to see his waitress standing there waiting for some kind of answer. It was the same girl from his lunch with Inuyasha. “Everything is satisfactory.”

 

The girl repulsed at his reply, but said nothing about it. “Great then. I'll be back to check up on you,” she said cheerily.

 

He watched as she walked away, humming happily to herself some little song that belonged only to her. Never in his life had he met a female that confused him. She presented him with a challenge, one he was willing and ready to accept.

 

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

 

Like in Sango's office, he frantically paced outside the entrance to KenSen in the frigid weather internally debating with his other voices about whether or not he should go inside. His youkai was all for it, though his human side was hesitant to visit her since it was her desire not to see him. But, he really wanted to see her. And he needed too. He needed to hear it from her, what her desires were.

 

With that decided he pushed open the doors and made his way into KenSen. He was immediately glad that he took Sango's advice about coming when the restaurant wasn't so busy. He didn't like crowds and didn't need an audience when he approached her.

 

“Oh, it's you.”

 

Inuyasha found the waitress from the other day standing behind him. He turned to face her. “Is Kagome here?”

 

Rin was taken aback by his sincerity. Kagome was someone dear to him. Maybe Kagome had this guy figured out incorrectly. “Hold on for a sec. Let me check.” Rin left Inuyasha to try and patiently wait. And in each passing second, his tiny amount of patience wore away as his nervousness grew. Was she going to turn him away?

 

Rin finally returned. “She's in her office right now. However, if you head up to the bar, you'll find her up there a little past two.”

 

Inuyasha smirked at the young girl, grateful for her help. He followed her directions and made his way up the spiral staircase to enter the large bar. He was glad to also find this place lacking in customers, for his own reasons.

 

Lack of people meant he could sit anywhere he wanted. It didn't' matter where though. He found a booth next to a window. Sitting down, he took to watching the snow fall. This gave him a chance to really thing about what he wanted to say to her. What he could and should say to her.

 

Before he had a chance to really sort through the mess in his head, his nose caught her scent. Turning, he found her walking past the bar, chatting with the bartender before settling down at a table in the far corner. He wasn't in any position to just sit and watch her. He stood up, knowing it would either be now or never. For him, never was much too long.

 

Kagome sat down at the corner table she often sat in after the lunch shift to go over the paperwork, schedules and all the other business aspects of this job she managed. She was aware of the amount of work she would be required to invest into this, and faced it each day with vigor she never knew she had. Even though she wasn't in the kitchen, she loved it all. She was living the dream.

 

“Can I buy ya a drink?”

 

The pencil in her hand would've snapped if it wasn't one of those durable, thick mechanical pencils. She looked up, wide eyes looking at a smirking Dr. McHunky Hanyou, the one from her fantasies, even when she hadn't seen him for the past six months; he was still in her head. And now, he was in front of her, in person.

 

“Dr. Takahashi.” She wasn't even sure if she had said his name out loud or not. Hesitatively she stood up, dropping the damaged pencil onto her stack of papers. “Uh…sit…sit down.” She waited until he took the seat across from her before she sat back down. “What, uh, what brings you here?”

 

“I-I was surprised to see you,” Inuyasha started, not knowing what to say to her. “How are you doing?”

 

“Uh, good. Busy.” She too didn't know what to say to him as she never expected to see him again.

 

“This is yours?”

 

“Yeah. Kinda. The culinary school I graduated from approved funding to open a restaurant for training. This is my portfolio. They were really impressed with it, so they offered it to me.”

 

He nodded along, closely paying attention to her and thinking about what to say next. He had to be careful, and cool. “It's nice. Food's good.”

 

Kagome giggled that giggle he adored in private. “You haven't eaten anything off the menu.”

 

“Sorry,” he sheepishly replied.

 

“Are you hungry?”

 

“Uh…”

 

“Jakotsu!” The bartender wandered over to the table, blatantly checking out Kagome's silver-haired friend. He was cute and rough looking, the perfect kind of man for him. “Could you have Shippo make something, uh, wait…tonight's special, yeah. Two dinner specials.”

 

“Anything else hon?”

 

“A glass of merlot.”

 

Jakotsu turned to Inuyasha and waited for him to make a drink request. “Water.” The bartender nodded and went his way. Inuyasha glanced over at Kagome. “Merlot?”

 

“I think I forgot to add a wine to tonight's special. Need to test it out. And I can since…”Kagome paused when she realized who she was talking to and what about. She vividly remembered that night she had invited him and he reprimanded her about the use of brandy for her flaming technique. “Well, some restrictions on my lifestyle have been lifted.”

 

“Right.” Inuyasha struggled to find something to say next. She was already uncomfortable with his presence, though on the outside, he couldn't tell. “I'm…I'm glad things are good for you. The way you bailed…well, it had me worried.”

 

“You were…worried?”

 

“Shit, you didn't show up for the test, didn't call or anything. I went to your apartment to already find you gone. No one knew or would tell me anything about you.”

 

“I didn't know,” she whispered suddenly feeling guilty about her actions so many months ago.

 

“Didn't know what?”

 

“That you cared.”

 

“Why wouldn't I? I thought we were friends.”

 

“Yes, but-“Kagome halted the conversation when Jakotsu brought over their drinks for them.

 

“Shippo says no problemo. They wanna test it out first anyways since it's a new recipe you dumped on them.” Jaktosu let the two alone since it looked like they were having a personal conversation, or maybe that guy was looking for a job.

 

Once Jakotsu was gone, Kagome reached out for her glass, depending on it to get her through this. She wasn't one to depend on alcohol to calm her nerves, but today was different.

 

“But…what…?”

 

“I thought you had changed your mind about that, our friendship.”

 

“What made you come up with that fuckin' ridiculous conclusion?”

 

“You,” she stated matter-of-factly though her eyes failed to meet his. Inuyasha opened his mouth, but quickly shut it so he could hear her reasoning. Kagome lifted up the glass, stared at it, the contents, and then swirled around the mulberry colored liquid. “When you stormed out of my apartment at the graduation party.”

 

“Ka…gome…”

 

“After that…well…I really had no reason to go back to the clinic. I figured why go if you,” Kagome paused as she tried to get her words right. She took a sip of her merlot, letting the heavy berry liquid run down her drying throat. “You made it obvious that you didn't want to see me again.”

 

“It's okay,” she continued. Inuyasha didn't get a chance to reply as food was delivered to their table. “Looks great Shippo. I'll let you know how it tastes later, okay?” The fox demon gave Kagome a quick salute before dashing off. “It's Fried Curried Lamb Rolls,” Kagome explained as to what it was they were eating.

 

“Kagome…I never meant for you to think that.” Inuyasha stared at his food, avoiding her gaze until he said what he needed to. “I was…I don't fuckin' know…sad…jealous…angry…”

 

“Jealous?”

 

“Maybe.” He chuckled at his own reply. “Kagome…” He looked up at her, catching her stuffing a piece of the dim-sum filled wrap into her mouth. He shook his head, unable to once again say the words he wanted to say to her. He was beginning to think that maybe this was a bad idea. “Sorry.”

 

“About what?”

 

“Making you think that I hated you or something when…when all I did was have this crush on you.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“I liked you Kagome. More than I should have.” He tossed the napkin down onto the table, not really hungry anymore. “I really don't mean to do this to you. I didn't come here to make you feel bad about anything.” Figuring he had said too much too soon, he decided it was just best for him and for her to leave before things could actually get any worse. Standing up, he reached into his pocket to pull out his wallet. “I'll just go.” He pulled out what he believed to be enough cash to cover their food and tossed it onto the table.

 

“Dr. Takahashi,” Kagome desperately called out. He turned around waiting for her to say something. “Eh, perhaps it would be better if I made some ramen.”

 

“What?”

 

“I was wrong, about the being friends. Since I know…uh, I'm saying this all wrong. I'd still like to be, friends, if you still want to…”

 

“But, you told Sango…”

 

“I know what I told Sango, Miroku, my friends, your brother, even my mother. I told myself the same thing. I did think that you didn't like me at all, or that I was somehow this huge burden to you. So I told everyone that I had my own reasons, trying to convince myself that I was in control when in fact, June was a horrible month for me. And then July, August…”

 

“Don't do this to be nice.”

“I'm not. You know…when I discovered that the in-vitro failed, I felt more alone and afraid than during any of the other failures and I…I really, really wanted to see you. You were Hojo's idea. I didn't think I could go through it again, but you…”Kagome softly laughed at what she was about to say next. “You were right, about Hojo and his support. You were my support.”

 

“Keh,” he softly said though his inner youkai was doing a victory dance.

 

My youkai can dance?

 

“Please, stay. If you want…Maybe we can start over or something.”

 

“Okay.” There was tugging on his ears to obey her request. “But, you don't have to make me ramen.”

 

“Are you sure?” she lightly asked as he sat back down. “You were demanding it quite forcefully last week.”

 

“This place should serve it.”

 

“Well, if I explained to you why I don't serve it, I'd just inflate your ego to the point of bursting.”

 

“Who do fuckin' think I am, Miroku?”

“I definitely don't think that. Besides, he has Sango to keep him in line.”

 

“He's not doing a good job at keeping his eyes and hands only on her.”

 

“No, he's not. But, I will give him credit, he has tried. The first week we opened, Miroku tried to be supportive by coming in everyday. We spent a lot of money replacing trays that were broken over his head. Well, now we know better as all of our trays are reinforced with metal. Sango's idea.”

 

“Does he still get bonked?”

“Of course. It's gotten to the point where we now have either me or a male staff member wait on him.”

 

The conversation continued safely around the Miroku-Sango topic as they finished their meal. Kagome did most of the talking, animatedly describing past events she shared with his friends. He was saddened that he had missed being a part of those memories of theirs, but overall, was glad that starting now, they could begin as friends again. Start out as friends…

 

“Thanks for the food. It wasn't all that bad.”

 

“But it wasn't ramen.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Do you need to head back to your office?”

 

“Probably.”

 

Kagome stood up just as Inuyasha was, her heart thundering loudly in her chest. She had forgotten was it felt like to be in his presence, the pounding heart, the knotted stomach and the constant gulping. She slid her hands behind her back to keep him from seeing her fidgety hands.

 

“I'm really glad you came.”

 

Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders, trying to play it cool. “Yeah, me too.”

 

“Uh, so….yeah. I guess I'll see you later.”

 

“Tomorrow.”

 

“Tomorrow?”

 

“Can I see you tomorrow?”

 

“Can you?” she teased. “Yeah, this time is good.”

 

“Lunch then.”

 

“Ramen?”

 

“Of course. I'm still going to get my ramen payments out of you somehow.”

 

“Sure you are. Take care. Oh, and stay warm out there Dr. Takahashi.”

 

“I told you before, it's Inuyasha.”

 

Kagome blushed when he said that. “Inuyasha,” she breathed his name out for the first time. Her skin tingled saying it out loud like that.

 

“Later.”

 

“Bye.” Kagome sauntered over to the bar, keeping a keen eye on Inuyasha's body as he headed to and down the stairs. Once he had disappeared from her sight, she let out a sigh and slipped onto one of the barstools.

 

“Puh-lease tell me he wants a bartending job. Puh-lease tell me you are so going to hire that hottie. Puh-lease tell me he's totally single. Please. Please. Please.”

 

Kagome laughed a really good laugh for the first time since she first met the hanyou. “No's all around. Sorry.”

 

“Ugh! All the good ones are straight or taken.”

 

“We say the same thing, well, change straight to gay, but same dilemma.”

 

“So, who is he?”

 

“That's Dr. Takahashi. You know, the one I told you and Rin about. The ramen guy.”

 

“Well, that explains a lot. He's fuckin' hot. He's fuckable too. He confuses me.”

 

“Ah, it's okay. At least you're not his friend. It's so hard to just be a friend when you're attracted to him.”

 

“I s'pose you're right doll. But, a girl can always fantasize, right?”

 

Kagome blushed. “Every night,” she replied wishfully. “Sometimes, it's all we got.”

 

“Introduce me to him.”

 

“Wha…why?”

 

“So I can hear more of his voice. A fantasy isn't complete without a voice, ya know, for begging and moaning and…he's a howler.”

 

“Oh give it a rest. Pull out some extra bottles of merlot.”

 

“Kaggie…” Jakotsu whined out.

 

“It goes with the lamb,” she hollered at him as she returned to her table to gather her papers to take back downstairs while stopping by to tell Shippo that the dinner was fine.

 

“You're not fun.”

 

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

 

Each day after that, Inuyasha showed up at the closing of the lunch hour to meet up with Kagome. Together, they shared a lunch of that night's dinner special so the chefs could practice and ready what they needed for the night. Kagome noticed that the dinner hour went smoother because of it. She was able to select a wine or sake to taste and the customers were grateful when the staff could serve them that perfect drink to compliment the dinner.

 

It wasn't like she was using Inuyasha as an excuse to eat food or to have a few drinks just so she could improve the restaurant. They talked. Well, she did most of the talking, mostly about the restaurant. Both stayed cleared of the whole pregnancy issue and the engagement she declined. At least for now. Right now, it was about catching up and rekindling the friendship they were starting.

 

Kagome had stopped asking him if the food was delicious or not. When he ate, he remained quiet, focusing only on the food. Instead, Kagome just watched him, timing him and talking. The faster he finished his food, the better it must taste and she used that as her guide.

 

Inuyasha brought work with him to do. Kagome did her stuff and he did his, dragging out the time they could spend together. Saori had been instructed to keep the two to four o'clock hour block free unless it was for a procedure and even then, she was told to schedule it for Mondays if possible. The two worked quietly, Jakotsu and Rin watching them as they shared jokes about the cute friends.

 

This went on for days that turned into a couple of weeks. The friends grew close, but neither would say anything to the other about the attraction they shared. Everyone else could see it. Everyone else commented on it behind Inuyasha and Kagome's backs. Rin and Jakotsu thought about cornering their manager and pry the details from her. Miroku and Sango were thinking about doing the same thing to their boss.

 

The rush of Valentine's Day passed and neither made a move. Kagome still believed that Inuyasha and the pretty woman were still together. It was why she didn't act on her feelings. At least they were friends. That was the most she could hope for. She could value the lunch time she shared with him four days a week.

 

Inuyasha, on the other hand, thought of every possible way he could finally ask her out. And everything he thought he could do it, when he had that chance, his nerves, everything he depended on for strength failed him. He'd returned from those precious lunches with her pissed off at everyone and everything only to go to bed at night completely talking into finally saying something to her. Waking up, he was ready to go. But, somewhere during the middle of lunch, lost in her eyes or her smile, perhaps both, he just couldn't do it.

 

As the days turned into weeks, his anger only increased. He hadn't started in on the patients, yet, but Miroku and Sango noticed. It reminded them of those days as he waited for Kagome's pregnancy test results; the frazzled nerves, bags under his eyes and a attitude more temperamental than usual. Something had to be done right away.

 

Time for an intervention.

 

They waited until he was alone in his office at the end of the day, right before he was ready to leave. It would be the best time as there would be mostly employees and few patients around the clinic in case something did happen.

 

“Inuaysha.”

 

“No.”

 

Miroku and Sango just rolled their eyes. That's how it was going to be. Miroku politely cleared his throat as he had a speech somewhat prepared. “Please, listen.” He wasn't asking, he was advising. Inuyasha didn't make an attempt for a rebuttal, so Miroku took that as his cue to continue.

 

“Just…just ask her out already.” Some speech that was. But the hanyou wouldn't listen to pretty words.

 

“What if she says no?”

 

“Then at least you'll hear it from her own mouth and will stop second guessing yourself,” the gynecologist replied.

 

“I don't think she will,” Sango added, putting her input in to help both of her friends.

 

“You know something Sango?” Miroku questioned Sango's statement.

 

“Not really. I've gotten to know her pretty well thought. She's ready to start dating. We all want to see her and you have a turn at happiness.”

 

“What Sango said, “Miroku replied, agreeing with Sango. Sometimes, Sango, with all of her psychological training, had an advantage to dispensing useful advice. “This moping around of yours has the whole floor, the whole clinic, down in the dumps. Be the man, er, be the hanyou that you are, the one we know.”

 

Was Miroku challenging him? Damn. He couldn't turn down a challenge. That got him in a lot of trouble in school. Kids were always daring him to do this or that. It wasn't about gaining friends or trying to be cool, it was about proving his worth. And he could prove a deeper worth by being honest with Kagome and himself.

 

“We'll just leave you to think about it. Let's go Miroku.”

 

“Right behind you Sango.”

 

“One meter…”

 

“I know. I know. Gotta grow longer arms.”

 

“I heard that…”

 

Inuyasha didn't feel like time was running out, but instead, he was losing time he could be spending with Kagome. Tomorrow. Tomorrow would be the day.

 

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

 

roshully's note: Yeah, I know, I know, short chapter. Sorry. And I totally apologize for any spelling/grammar errors you spot. I kinda rushed on the typing with this so I could get it posted.

 

A little background info on Sesshoumaru and Kagome's meeting and how he ended up coming to the restaurant and stuff. There might be a few more flashbacks as I go back and mention stuff that happened during the six months. Don't know for sure yet, but just a heads up. Some people are into flashbacks and others aren't.

 

I don't think there's anything I need to really explain. No medical lingo or anything complicated like that that I need to go through.

 

And now for the replies…

 

Inusbabe - Yeah, they both needed some time to reorganize their lives, especially Kagome. Kagome really needed to live for herself, even if it's only been six months. I didn't plan as many awkward meetings, but they will have many more awkward moments as they still sort through things. I keep saying that. There will be no sex, right away. Give it time.

 

Seiteki_Tenshi - I just didn't want it to seem like she was being mean by just leaving. Yeah, it was a surprise, even to me. I was like `oh my god, she's going to escape' and then I was like `yeah, she's gotta escape', so that's how that happened. Yeah, they found each other again. Kinda sweet. Like it was destiny or something strange like that. I introduced a whole bunch of people into the story. Rin, Jakotsu, Shippo and Sesshoumaru. The party is just getting started. Rin and Jakotsu will be involved in Kagome's life since they work with her and know her as this hard worker who is still trying to find her place in the world and as her friends, they'll be there for her. Sometimes they will be beneficial and sometimes they might hinder, but, that's just the way it goes.

 

moussajinx - I can't remember if you've left a review or not either, so we're in the same boat on that one. Moving on. Yeah I love to cook. I cook every chance I get. When I'm at work, in the break room there's a tv with cable and I flip it to the food network to catch something, anything. I don't claim to be the best, but I try. I love to try new recipes, so send them my way. Kagome loves to try new recipes too . I've done what I can when it comes to the medical stuff. I have already claimed that I'm not a doctor, so I'm know I'm not completely accurate on that stuff. If I were a real author, then I would've done my research better, even consulting with a real doctor. As for the miscarriage thing, I really didn't want to go into it to much, and I wanted to focus more on the feelings than the medical side to it. I did the description of what Inuyasha saw and left it at that. All miscarriages are different and they are still not completely understood anyway, so I'll leave that part up to God, or Buddha or Mother Nature, or no one. Whoever wants it can claim it. Thanks for your review.

 

sweetkijo - I'm glad you enjoy reading this story that much. There'll be plenty of Inuyasha and Kagome interactions. And I think there is enough sexual tension between the two without actually doing much with it. I think just the two of them being in a room together sparks something. As for Inuyasha and his case of blue balls, well, he's a tough hanyou, he'll survive. And any respectful male will wait for the girl, no matter how bad his case of blue balls gets to be.

 

cwillia - I think it was important for her to find her niche too. She really needs to become the independent, confident woman she is in the anime/manga and this is how she's going to become that in this story. She'll still have her insecurities and stuff, but, she won't have that whole Hojo thing to worry about anymore. Sesshoumaru and Rin might be hinted to have an attraction, but I don't think I will actually write it, right now. I might one day when I decide to go back and fix it. I don't have the time. Yeah, I'm still unsure about Miroku and Sango not telling Inuyasha, but they not only didn't tell Inuyasha for Kagome's sake, but for Inuyasha's sake as well. He thought that his attraction for her might have just been spring fever, he was rattled by her just leaving like that, her miscarriage and the fact that he believed that he broke a promise, they both just needed some time apart. Miroku and Sango probably argued over whether or not to tell Inuyasha about Kagome when lying in bed or sitting on the couch, but they did this as his friend as well. There is a time to speak and then there isn't a time to speak. I hope you enjoyed their heart to heart. It's a start.

 

~Alanna - Yeah, everyone was happy to see them separated, but sad at the same time because it meant Kagome was still without child. Life is a compromise and a balancing act. Thanks for your review.

 

Autumn_the_Reviewer - I think I moved too fast in this chapter. I don't know. I'll just wait and see what everyone tells me. Doesn't mean I'll change it or anything. But, it's not going to stay going fast. Stupid potholes. My hometown was littered with potholes in the road. They'll make this story slow down some. Yeah, the plasma job…Thanks. They keep it really cold on the donor floor. A lot of our regular bring blankets and coats and dress for that reaction of losing blood and then having it returned to you. I have poor blood circulation (a disorder called Reynard's) and I'm very susceptible to the cold temperatures. We help out anyway we can.

 

@__@ - Kagome's goal of being a chef kind of came true. But the part about serving food that puts a smile on people's faces came true. Great tasting food at a reasonable price. Sounds like a corny commercial actually. Hope you enjoyed this.

 

violet blossom - What a way to meet though, huh? Neither were expecting it. It really was a surprise for both of them. Kagome disappeared quickly after that. Yes, that was the condition I was referring to. I couldn't think of the name off the top of my head. We have people at the plasma center that have the anti-D stuff in their blood that is also in the plasma that they use to help those mothers. It's really neat to think about how serving these people are helping women have babies. Too bad it won't work for Kagome. Thanks!

 

axel720 - I'm glad you are enjoying this, and where I've taken it. I don't know exactly where I've gone with it because when I write I sometimes lose control and just let whatever's there flow out. Please tell me about the gaps. I would love to fill them in one of these days, long after I finish this story. That would be a tremendous help.

 

Aylese1989 - Glad you are liking this. Maybe Kagome and Inuyasha should get together, but, who knows. Really? This is about the journey as well as the destination.

 

u ignorant fools - I haven't decided anything about that. About Kouga and the restaurant building. Even if that's the building, it doesn't mean much. She left him as much as she escaped from her depressing and imprisoned existence. There'll be happiness, and sadness and angst and all those types of goodies you see in dramas. Stayed turned.

 

Have a good weekend everyone.

roshully