InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The House of Mirth ❯ Goodbye Tsuyo ( Chapter 4 )

The House of Mirth

By: RedHerring

 

Chapter 4: Goodbye Tsuyo

 

It takes about forty five minutes to get down to the Doctor's office from the apartment. Onigumo took the car, like he always does, so walking is the only means of transportation available. Shippou is asleep against my shoulder, and shivering with cold, but I can think of now way to ease his discomfort. The wind is blowing hard, but my back is to it, so at least I can shield him a little.

 

The doctor's office is a far distance from the apartment; going by the shortest route, it's fifteen blocks and a shopping mall away. I used to walk down these streets all the time with my mom, when she would to go shopping. Before she got sick she would take me at least twice a week, and we would stop to get ice cream on the way back. I have only a few memories of my mother, but the ones I do have are mostly images of a loving, sweet woman.

 

Oddly enough, I miss Shippou's mother more. Even though my mother was kind and loving, Shippou's mom, Kyara, helped me more. She took care of me when I needed it most; especially while I was going through confusing changes. Changes that humans certainly don't go through. She offered her wisdom and tried her best to keep me out of trouble. She even taught me how to sew a little. Not that anyone knows, but Shippou's and my clothes have to be fixed somehow.

 

Kyara helped me a lot more than I realized at the time. I would probably be involved with drugs or even worse crimes right now if not for her, instead of holding a responsible job as a janitor at a daycare center. Constant abuse from Onigumo hasn't exactly done wonders for my personality or attitude.

 

When Kyara died, it was a blow for all of us. Shippou was inconsolable for weeks; even though he was too young to understand much, he still knew that his mother was gone. Onigumo refused to leave the house for a month, and between school, my job, and taking care of Shippou I didn't have time to grieve.

 

Tsuyo helped me as much as she could. She was a close friend to both my mother and Kyara. She let me take a couple of paid week's vacation from work, and she grieved for both of us. She also took care of Onigumo and Shippou when I drove myself to exhaustion and ended up in the hospital for three days.

 

With nothing to do, and being alone for hours on end, I finally got some time to myself. It was exactly what I needed, and I was able to really think about what I should do. I cried for Kyara in private, without anyone to see my weakness.

 

When I got out, I vowed to protect and care for Shippou. It was the least I could do to honor Kyara's memory, and it helped me to get over her death. Besides, the little squirt has grown on me.

 

I can remember the day that Onigumo came out of his funk. I don't think he ever got over of either of his wife's deaths, but he did go back to his abusive ways. It was also the first time I smelt that bitch's scent on him too.

 

Shippou was napping in his room, and I was doing homework at the kitchen table. I had gone shopping for food, besides chips and beer, and had only put some of the groceries away. Onigumo came in, but I paid him no attention, so I didn't notice when he hefted a big jar of mayonnaise. In the middle of memorizing some chemical equations, the jar flew past my face, shattering on the wall not two feet away from me. It startled the hell out of me, and my heart was racing so hard I thought I would have a heart attack.

 

He said, “Clean up this fucking kitchen right now, or the next thing I throw will be at your head.” His face was red, and his clothes were disheveled. That disgusting smell of sex surrounded him, and I sneered.

 

“Keh, idiot; you couldn't hurt me,” I said, eyes narrowed.

 

“But you're gonna let me. Unless you want your little brat to receive a few broken ribs,” he taunted. My eyes widened. `He wouldn't,' I thought.

 

“Think about it. I'm his legal guardian, so if I wanted to take him out of that daycare, the bitch running it would have no choice but to give him to me,” he said. Filled with fury and shock, I could do nothing but stare. I thought he had changed. I thought Kyara had done more for him, but I guess her death had undone all her good work. He reached in a bag and brought out a glass jar of grape jelly.

 

“Get up, and clean the kitchen. Now,” he said in a deadly quiet voice that I hadn't heard in three years. I quickly obeyed, remembering what life was like for the seven years before Kyara came into our lives. I knew most of the things that would get him angry, and from then on I did my best to pacify him. But I failed to stop him most of the time. Even though he's only human, he has always had some advantage over me. When I was younger, I didn't know I could fight back; he was stronger than me. Now, the habit stays with me, and it isn't abnormal to take his beatings. I wouldn't fight back anyway. He still has an advantage over me that counts for more than strength.

 

Now I will do everything in my power to take Shippou and me far away from his sadistic grip. Plans for our escape fly through my mind as I near youkai pediatrics.

.o.

.o.

.o.

Shippou is stirring from a restless sleep as I walk through the glass doors with the cartoon kangaroo decal on it.

 

“Where are we?” he asks sleepily.

 

“The doctor's, squirt.”

 

“I told you I don't like her,” he grumbled, burying his face in my shoulder.

 

“I don't care. You're sick, and the doctor needs to figure out what's wrong with you,” I tell him. Walking up to the counter, I give the secretary Shippou's name and turn to sit in the waiting area. It's filled with a couple of other youkai with their sick children. In a corner is an area with some toys and a few picture books. Shippou shows no interest in moving from my arms, so I let him rest as I sit down near a pile of magazines.

 

“Hey squirt, you hungry?” I ask, showing him the bag of cheerios.

 

“No,” he says shortly after glancing at the bag, and squirms to try and find a more comfortable position. I sigh, but don't push it.

 

A pair of crane youkai give me strange looks and glance from me to Shippou speculatively. I just ignore them, though. There's not much to do here. In the play area a young rabbit fools with some blocks and two fawn youkai fight over some toy. There are five fans on the ceiling.... Seventy two tiles on the ceiling.... Twenty slots filled with pamphlets against the wall.... A loose spring in the chair I'm sitting in.

 

My eyes drift to the table stacked with parenting magazines and a fake fish tank. The top one has a picture of a mother and a small boy on the cover, running in a field full of flowers. Large pink letters at the bottom left corner loudly declare “Single Parents: Joys and Trials”

 

Those two nosy crane youkai twitter since they apparently have nothing better to do than gossip. I guess staring at a parenting magazine would fuel some suspicions, but come on! I've got to look at something! I'm bored out of my mind here.

 

“Shippou Gize?” a nurse, who smells like a horse youkai, asks from the door I stand up and bring Shippou over to the perky blond nurse.

 

“He's here,” I say shortly. She nods and shoots me a dark look before she turns for us to follow her.

 

“Dr.Arcidi was called to the hospital on an emergency,” she informs me. “Dr.Neumann will be filling in for her. Can Shippou stand up so I can take his height and weight, please?” She says mechanically. Her only interest is finishing what she has to do, and leaving.

 

“Come on squirt. Wake up; they wanna take measurements,” I nudge him awake and kneel down to gently set him on his feet on the scale. He wobbles but steadies himself against the scale.

 

The nurse quickly takes Shippou's measurements—two feet high, even, fifty eight pounds—and then leads us into a small examination room. Going through the normal routine, she is painfully polite unless she's directing a question about Shippou's symptoms that need to be answered.

 

“Dr.Neumann will be with you momentarily,” she says, and quickly leaves. Keh, racist bitch. Once she's out the door, Shippou collapses onto his back on the bed with a groan. I look at him guiltily. The poor kit looks miserable.

 

“No falling asleep Shippou. You have to be awake for the doctor,” I scold him gently. It's fucking freezing in this room, and I'm pretty glad that I'm not the one that's going to be examined with cold hands.

 

“But Inuyasha, I'm tired!” he whines, sitting up to protest. He brings up a little hand to wipe at his eyes and runny nose. He sniffles a few times and looks close to tears. His flushed face and slightly bloodshot eyes plead for rest, and I feel even guiltier because I can't let him sleep yet.

 

“Squirt, you've been asleep for hours. I know you're sick, and I promise to let you rest when we're done here. Ok?” I reason, deftly swiping the snot off his face with a tissue.

 

“How about if I just lie down, but don't fall asleep?” he asks hopefully. I give him a flat stare.

 

“We both know that you're going to conk out the moment your head hits the bed,” I say tiredly, rubbing my eyes. I shift to lean back in the chair and loosely cross my legs.

 

“Which shows you how tired I am; so let's make this easier on both of us and just let me fall asleep,” he persists. I can't let my temper flare; Shippou is sick, and he doesn't mean to be a brat. Therefore I have no reason to get angry, but I can still feel my anger rising from all the stress.

 

“You know what?” I ask after a few deep breaths. “How about you eat those Cheerios that I brought for you?”

 

“No, I don't like them,” he says resolutely, pouting because I won't let him have his way. I remember him devouring those things all last week.

 

“But you barely ate anything else all last week. What happened?” I ask, pulling the bag from my pocket.

 

“I just don't like them anymore,” he continues to pout, his head turned away from me. He's brought up his little fox legs to tuck underneath him Indian style. He's got his arms crossed and his nose in the air. Dear God, when did he start pouting like me so much?

 

“Fine then; I'll just eat them all myself,” I say, turning my own nose in the air and trying to entice him. I open the bag and waft the smell towards him.

 

“Don't they smell yummy?” I taunt. He flicks his eyes toward the bag, but turns his head further away, and sticks his nose higher up in the air. If he tries to go any further in that direction, I think he might twist his head off.

 

I stick a hand in the bag and pull out a few pieces.

 

“Mmmm. Honey nut goodness,” I grab a few more pieces and smile tauntingly.

 

“All covered in sugar,” He grunts, looking at the bag more and more often. He wants it, but he has too much pride to ask after denouncing them.

 

“But I had breakfast, and I don't think I can eat all of these Cheerios. I guess they'll have to go to waste,” I sigh melodramatically. Shippou narrows his eyes at me, not appreciating my mocking tone.

 

“Oh, just give me the damn cereal,” he grumbles and holds out his hand. I toss a piece at him.

 

“No swearing Squirt. Just because I do it, doesn't mean that you can,” I reprimand him, tossing another Cheerio at him.

 

“Inuyasha,” he says in a flat tone. I ignore him and look at the fluorescent lights on the ceiling.

 

“Maybe I'll give them to you if you say you're sorry for swearing,” I tease.

 

“Inuyasha,” he says more insistently.

 

“You know you want them,”

 

“Inuyasha!” he yells. “I'm gonna throw up again!” he nearly sobs. He hates throwing up.

 

“Oh shit,” I jump up, searching for something for him to spew in. Spotting those kidney-shaped trays, I grab it just in time for him to heave. Since he threw up earlier, there was nothing much left in his stomach; but that didn't stop his stomach from trying. Even after nothing else was coming up, he continued to heave - whimpering heavily. His ribs must still be sore.

 

Just as Shippou is backing tentatively away from the tray, the doctor comes in. He sees Shippou's sweaty and worn out state, and frowns.

 

“Good morning, Shippou. How are you feeling?” He asks caringly. Shippou doesn't answer, more focused on breathing in a way that doesn't hurt than on answering a stupid question. I barely contain a snort. How does the kit look like he's doing? Keh, moron.

 

“Well, why don't we start?” he asks pleasantly, walking towards Shippou. Dr. Neumann looks to be some type of canine youkai. Maybe coyote or maybe some mix of coyote and wolf. He looks to be about seven hundred-ish. His hair is just starting to turn gray, showing signs of his late years.

 

Brown eyes closely examine Shippou and his reactions to all of the doctor's prodding. Going though the normal routine for a checkup, Neumann shines a light down Shippou's nose, and throat, and in his eyes. He listens to Shippou's heartbeat and breathing; and throughout the whole time his face remained impassive. If anything, Neumann's face got harder to read as he asked Shippou to take several deep breaths.

 

“Alright, Shippou, you've been a great little patient so far. Now, I'm going to press on your tummy, and I want you to tell me if anything hurts. Okay?” Neumann asks, smiling. I sit and idly watch as Shippou lies down and Neumann continues the examination.

 

Everything was going fine until the doctor pressed down on Shippou's stomach, a few inches below his solar plexus. Neumann frowned and I jumped up at Shippou's agonized scream after he prodded the kit's stomach.

 

“Inuyasha!” Shippou cried, seeking comfort. I rushed up next to him and took his hand as he cried and tried to edge away from Neumann, who had a very dark look on his face.

 

“I'm sorry Shippou, I didn't mean to hurt you,” Neumann says. His face clears and he looks at Shippou apologetically but does not move to touch him. Shippou's very upset right now, and his instincts would probably tell him to bite Neumann and try to protect himself. Being in pain, he would probably listen to those instincts rather than to his common sense.

 

“If it's alright with you, Shippou, I'd like to talk to Inuyasha for a minute. Do you think you'll be alright alone?” Neumann smiled.

 

“No!” Shippou yells and sits up, still clinging to me with his right hand and using his left to soothe the pain in his stomach.

 

“Well, I'm sorry Shippou, but I really must speak with Inuyasha. You'll have to let go of him,” Neumann persists.

 

“Hey! Let the kit let go when he's ready,” I yell. I'm still ticked off that Neumann hurt Shippou, even though he didn't mean to. The least he could do is wait till Shippou stops crying.

 

Neumann looks annoyed, but he nods his head and turns to leave the examining room.

 

“I'll be back shortly,” he says and exits, closing the door harder than necessary. Shippou winces at the slam and whimpers in pain. I don't know what I can do, but I try to calm him down by rubbing his back. It works, for the most part, and he stops crying and is reduced to small sniffles. Looking around, I spot a tissue box and hand Shippou one.

 

Once he's calmed down, I pick him up off of the table and settle him in my lap, sitting on the vinyl bed myself.

 

“Inuyasha, I wanna go home. I don't like it here,” Shippou pleads softly, his face buried in my chest and his hands clenching the tissue.

 

“Listen. Shippou, I'm sorry this is turning out to be a crappy doctor visit, but it's something we have to do. If you don't get better, who's going to color all those pictures for Tsuyo?” I ask, trying to cheer him up. He loves to draw and color pictures, and most of his work goes to Tsuyo.

 

“Well not you, that's for sure,” he grumbles.

 

“Hey!” I act offended. “I can draw just fine, and Tsuyo likes my pictures!” Granted, I haven't drawn a picture for Tsuyo in years, but Shippou does not need to know that.

 

The banter is helping Shippou take his mind off of his stomach and a small smile appears on his freckled face. “Oh yeah? Prove it! I bet I can draw better than you!” he claims, and his grin widens.

 

“Hmph, fine. When we're done here we'll go to Tsuyo's and we can have a contest. The winner gets a new crayon set, ok?” I ask, happy that Shippou isn't upset anymore.

 

“Ok,” Shippou says and sighs happily as he leans against me.

 

The door opens and Neumann steps in. He has regained his composure and is all smiles as he sets down a vial on the counter.

 

“Well, I think Shippou can hear this part—”

 

“Just tell us what's wrong, Neumann,” I growl impatiently. I don't want to be here any more than Shippou does.

 

“Yes, well,” Neumann clears his throat and aggrievedly continues. “Shippou has a minor case of pneumonia. There is fluid in his lungs that have allowed bacteria to multiply. However, it's early enough that there will be no problem after a few medicine shots,” Neumann looks expectantly at me and Shippou, waiting for an answer.

 

“No. No shots,” Shippou says in a stern voice.

 

“Oi, squirt, you don't have a choice. You won't get better without the shots,” I argue, turning Shippou's face to look at me.

 

“He's right Shippou. Pneumonia isn't just for humans. Children and very old youkai can contract pneumonia and are at just as much risk as any human,” Neumann explains patiently. Shippou receives this bit of news worriedly. He looks from me to Neumann, who is preparing the injections.

 

“But... but shots hurt,” he whimpers and clings to my arm.

 

“It's okay, squirt. It'll be over before you know it, and then we'll be out of this place,” I reassure him. Neumann has already prepared the three shots and brought them over on a tray. He sets them down on a nearby table and Shippou looks at the long needles dubiously.

 

“I'm going to count to ten, and then I'll give you the shot, okay?” he says briskly.

 

“Yeah... sure,” Shippou whispers quietly. He is keeping a close watch on Neumann as he readies the syringe.

 

“One,” he begins to count, “two, three—”

 

Faster than Shippou could see Neumann has the three syringes emptied into each shoulder and his thigh. Shippou sits on my lap for a few seconds, blinking in confusion before the pain hits. Oh, yeah. He's gonna scream. And here it comes, I'm probably not gonna be able to hear for a while.

 

“AHHHHHHHH!! That was a dirty trick!” he wails and great streams of tears flow down his beet red face.

 

“Look what you did!” I shout at Neumann over the racket as I try to hold onto a struggling Shippou. Damn, the little squirt's squirming so much that he's gonna fall off the table.

 

Neumann looks unconcerned and replies evenly, “Oh, he's just in shock. Those shots don't really hurt, he was just surprised.” He turns to throw the needles in a box and begins filling out a sheet, apparently unaffected by Shippou's desperate wailing. I just got him calmed down, too. Damn, he screeches loud! Shippou flails his arms wildly. I am barely able to hold on to him, and only just catch him from falling.

 

“All that remains now, Mr.Gize, is for Shippou to have lots of rest. No playing hard for at least a week, drink lots of fluids, vitamins would be advisable, and no candy,” Neumann explains. Standing with his feet crossed and a hand leaning on the counter, he looks like he's done this a thousand times. I nod to show I understand and finally get Shippou to sit still. “I'll be waiting outside. I need a few private words with you, and then you'll be able to go, okay?” he asks, but it sounds more like a demand. He doesn't even wait for an answer before he turns and walks out the door with his file.

 

I wonder what he wants to talk to me about. A cold shiver runs down my spine. What if it's about the bruises on Shippou? Oh God! There are thousands of other kids that get abused, and the situation is ignored. Why does it have to be us that they find out about?

 

I can't let them find out. Not before we leave.

 

“Inuyasha?” Shippou asks quietly. He has finally calmed down and is looking tearfully up at my face.

 

“What do you want?” I ask shortly. Worrying has put me in a really bad mood. I don't mean to be mean to the kit, but sometimes I just come across that way.

 

“Are- what's wrong?” he asks worriedly. He looks genuinely concerned, and for a moment I am confused.

 

“Why would something be wrong with me?” I ask. “You're the one wailing because of the shots.”

 

“Yeah, those don't hurt anymore. He just scared me when he did that,” he admits. “But you smell all scared, and your knuckles are white,” he points out, tapping my knuckles. I release my grip on the vinyl bed and the thing re-inflates with air.

 

“Don't worry about it,” I dismiss the issue. “Listen; I gotta to and talk to Dr.Neumann before we can leave. Are you gonna be alright in here for a few minutes, or do you want to stay in the play area?”

 

“Can I go in the play place? They have those cool metal swirly things that you can move the beads on like a rollercoaster, and blocks, and cool books!” he enthuses, perking up and looking better already. I suppose those shots are working.

 

“Alright, and then we can go to Tsuyo's,” I smile and get up. Shippou is all smiles again as he babbles about what he wants to do with his friends. He's nothing like the tearful mess before, but even through his talking, he slumps in my arms.

 

I gently set Shippou down next to some foam blocks in the play area and make sure he is occupied before I go back. Neumann beckons me to the examine room again and I follow. He shuts the door and stands there silently. His arms are crossed, and his face looks disapproving. I shift nervously, and lean against the examining bed.

 

“I have to say that there are some things that concern me,” He begins. “It's not often that we get this kind of case here, but when we do we act swiftly.

 

“Bruises on multiple areas, evidence of a bruised and bleeding nose, remains of eye damage, cracked ribs, and trace amounts of blood in the lungs,” he reads off of Shippou's file. He glances at me knowingly, he can smell my nervousness and I struggle to keep my emotions under control.

 

“It's obvious that that boy has been severely beaten,” he says, and pauses to let the silence get to me. “Who did it?”

 

“Well...” I begin. I am most certainly not going to tell him the truth. There's too much that will go wrong if I go that route. “You know how kitsunes are at that age. Shippou's always getting into trouble,” I finish lamely. I can tell by his pursed lips that he doesn't believe me, and becomes more aggressive, trying to get me to tell the truth. He uncrosses his arms and stands straighter as he walks towards me, hoping play on my instincts to submit to his elder authority.

 

“Children don't get those kind of injuries from play fighting. Who are you protecting? Did you beat him?” he growls. My eyes flash red. How dare he!

 

“I would never hurt Shippou!” I shout and barely keep myself from attacking him. That would just be contradictory to my point; but how dare he! How dare he even suggest that I would be as low as Onigumo and do that to a helpless child!

 

He backs off a little at my furious denial of his accusation, but he still persists. “Alright; calm down. You probably wouldn't hurt him with the way you both acted, but who are you protecting? If you let the child protection agency intervene, they can protect you.”

 

“Listen, we don't need your protection,” I say, keeping a tight reign on my temper. Anger is really the only safe emotion right now. The others - breaking down and crying, or panicking and running out of the room -- are unacceptable. This ignorant bastard doesn't know what's happening, and I have no intention of enlightening him. He just better keep his fucking nose out of our business. “We're doing fine on our own, and if you butt in, you'll ruin everything!”

 

“Fine on your own? The kit probably came close to death, and you call that fine? The longer you keep him exposed to that kind of treatment, the more you are to blame for his condition! By not reporting the abuse, you're exposing him to a harmful environment that can seriously damage someone his age!” he yells, pointing an accusing finger at me.

 

Does he think I don't know this? Does he think it hasn't killed me every minute since it happened? The Bastard can't know how much I hate myself for not preventing it!

 

“It's none of your business!”

 

“It is my business; firstly, because I'm treating him. Secondly, because it's my job to report suspected cases of abuse.”

 

“...What?” I ask incredulously. Uh-oh.

 

“Usually we would have you talk to the clinic's psychiatrist, but she's out. As it is, we're going to send someone over to analyze the situation and see if it's necessary to intervene,” he says with a note of finality in his voice. The blood drains from my face. My knees feel weak. The world feels as if it's crashing down around me.

 

“W-when?” I ask weakly. Neumann regards my reactions suspiciously, and no doubt notices the nervous twinge in my scent.

 

“It'll be unannounced. Usually they can get a warrant. In the past, we've found that the abusers were prepared for the interview and were able to hide evidence of the abuse. The element of surprise can expose things that would normally be hidden. You understand my reasons...” he tapers off and glances at me sympathetically. I must really look distressed. Damn, suck it up weakling! My face hardens, even though it feels like I'm crumbling inside.

 

“Look, they can help you too. If you've been subjected to abuse -”

 

“Whatever. I'm leaving now,” I interrupt. He only nods and moves out of the way. I can't believe this is happening! I was so careful too! After all of my hard work, I will not let them take Shippou away. It looks like this will be a hasty escape.

.o.

.o.

.o.

We get to Tsuyo's at about 2:00pm. Shippou has been quiet the whole way, sensing my foul mood, but once we walk inside he becomes energetic and jumpy. He's a little sad that he missed lunch with all his friends, but he cheers up when they give him his get well cards. I have to remind him that he can't play too hard, he is supposed to be resting; to help keep him still Tsuyo sets them up with clay and cookie cutters.

 

“Inuyasha?” At Tsuyo's call, I look up from where I am leaning tensely against the wall. “Why don't you come with me to my office, and we can have some coffee?” she offers kindly. I nod and follow her into the small, homey-looking office at the back of the daycare center. There stands a big desk in the corner, surrounded by child-like pictures, small sculptures, and cards. There are figurines by the thousands, made out of pipe cleaner, popsicle-stick huts, coasters, and picture frames are scattered over the coffee table that stands in the middle of the room. Under a map an old couch rests between the coffee table and the left wall, and a comfortable chair is behind the desk. This room has become like a second home to me.

 

I head straight for the couch, and the anger-induced adrenaline rush I'd been running on since leaving the doctor's office fades. Suddenly I feel extremely tired. Not getting enough sleep for too many days, getting beaten, and taking care of Shippou have really taken their toll. I can feel a headache coming on, and I try to stave it off by rubbing my temples. Damn, today was a shitty day.

 

I can hear Tsuyo fixing the coffee and the aromatic smell of fresh brew fills the air as I relax for a bit on the couch. In only a few minutes, a hot cup is in my hands, fixed just the way I like it, one packet of sugar and a third of the mug with cream. Tsuyo is behind her desk, her frail-seeming hands gripping a steaming mug of their own.

 

“So, is Shippou any better?” she begins.

 

“Yeah. He threw up a couple of times, and that seems to have gotten rid of something. The doctor gave him a few shots, and he made a racket crying, but he's fine now,” I answer, keeping the conversation normal.

 

“Well, these things happen. With everything children get into, I'm surprised that this is only the second time Shippou's gotten a bit of a cold,” she says with a light laugh.

 

“It's not just a cold. He's got pneumonia,” I correct. She looks uncomfortable, her tense expression letting me know that she knows what caused a simple cold to develop into something so serious.

 

“You said you were leaving,” she says abruptly, cutting right to the chase. I smile inwardly. Tsuyo has never been fond of beating around the bush. Still, I sigh heavily. This won't be easy. She has been such a good friend, and all throughout my life she has helped me. I'd probably be more messed up than I am now if not for her.

 

“Onigumo went too far. I said I'd leave if he ever hurt Shippou, and that's what I'm gonna do,” I say. I am determined, and I let it show.

 

“I can't change your mind?” she asks with a sad face. She already knows the answer.

 

“It's my job to protect him, and if I can't do it here, then I have to take him away from Onigumo.”

 

“But there are other alternatives.”

 

“All of which end up with us being separated!”

 

“But it would probably only be for a while. You'll be eighteen soon, and then you can legally adopt him.”

 

“But by then it might be too late,” I insist. “And then what? Would they let me keep him? The judge might be sympathetic to me since I've taking care of him for so long, but do you really think they'd let him go with me, when he can be with a family that has two parents and a steady income?”

 

“And you would deny him that?” she asks seriously.

 

“I can take care of him just fine. I can get a job and live off the money I have saved. I won't leave him to be with strangers.”

 

“Even if they're his own kind?” she asks. Would Shippou want that? He probably would get adopted by a kitsune family. A stable one that would take care of him.

 

“All I'm saying is that you should think of what's best for Shippou. I wouldn't be a good person if I didn't make you think of alternatives.” Tsuyo leans closer, fixing me with a steady gaze.

 

“Do you know the survival rate of runaways? Most end up on the street and are unable to obtain jobs because they don't have an address. Besides that, you are going to have a child to take care of with needs just like any other person,” she says gently. Everything she's saying makes sense, but I promised Kyara that I would take care of Shippou. And I will take care of Shippou. Whatever it takes, I will make sure that he is safe and provided for. My face clears of doubt and Tsuyo sits back in her chair. She knows what I have decided.

 

“I'm still leaving. I promised to protect him, and it'll be me that does it.”

 

“Inuyasha, you are so stubborn. Just like your mother,” I stiffen at the reminder of Iyazoi. “I knew you wouldn't change your mind, but it's my job to try to make you listen to reason....” She ends with a sigh. “How are you going to keep Onigumo from finding you?” she asks. Huh. I never thought of that. Would he be able to? Would he want to? Suddenly an image of him bursting in and dragging me and Shippou back to that hell appears in my mind. I shiver and glance at Tsuyo.

 

“So you're not as prepared as you'd like to be”

 

“I never thought of that,” I admit.

 

“Even though I don't agree with the road you choose to travel, would you accept my help?” she asks hopefully.

 

“O-of course. Why would I turn down your help? I trust you,” I say, and she smiles widely at my statement. She knows it's hard to gain my trust. I know it's hard to gain my trust, but I can't help it. That damn bastard has put me through too many kinds of hell for me to trust just anyone.

 

A conspiratorial smirk appears on Tsuyo's face that is so out of character, I can only stare. She winks and pulls out a thick yellow envelope from her desk.

 

“What's this?”

 

“Do you know Allison?” she asks instead of answering.

 

“Uh... yeah. Little blond one. She's always going on about `Care Bears,'” I respond, completely confused as to what turn the conversation has taken. Well, Tsuyo is old, and she can be a bit crazy at times.

 

“Her father works at the state house, and her uncle is a Justice of the Peace,” She says, and hands me the envelope. What I see inside makes my jaw drop. Birth certificates, Social Security cards, a driver's license, and a proof of guardianship certificate; for a Nuya Mitsishi, born November 14, 1986, and a Dayu Mitsishi, born April 3, 2000.

 

“These are...?”

 

“All I have to do is call, and he can make those legal. The only thing I need is a sample of your signature with your new name,” she says softly, observing my obviously shocked face.

 

“This -- this is... thank you,” I say, turning to her. She is a saint; she has done too much not to be. God, I could cry at this. Ok, regain control... dammit. She makes it so easy to let down my defenses.

 

“Whe—”I have to clear my throat of the lump that has annoyingly shown up, “When can I use them?”

 

“Oh, by tomorrow night; but I'd wait till Friday to be safe,” she answers calmly. Suddenly, I hear a knock on the door and Denise, a new helper at the daycare, comes in.

 

“Miss Tsuyo, there's been a problem with a few kids eating the clay. Would you mind watching the group while I take them to the bathroom?” she asks shyly.

 

“Of course, I'll be right there,” she says and Denise nods and shuts the door.

 

“Well....” Tsuyo says after a moment of sad silence.

 

“Well....” I repeat. We both stand up and she moves around her desk to the door while I take the mugs and set them next to the coffee table. Before she steps out the door, I surprise her with a rare hug. She hugs back silently and I can smell the salt of her tears.

 

“I'll miss you,” she says brokenly. Damn, I gotta get out of here \before I start crying, too.

 

“I know. I'll miss you too. You've been good to me,” I say. She can hear the strain in my voice and pulls away. Her lined and weathered face looks frail and sad, and suddenly her eighty two years seem to weigh heavily on her shoulders.

 

She smiles and opens the door; everything to be said having been said. Outside, Shippou is making figurines - or trying to - out of clay. When he sees me coming over to him he shouts “Inuyasha! Look at what I got!”

 

He waves a packet of cards in the air and as I kneel next to him he holds out his wrist. On it, he sports a little green bracelet with white fangs every three beads.

 

“Look at what Kayla gave me!” he smiles.

 

“That's because she's Shippou's girlfriend!” some random runt shouts and Shippou blushes.

 

“No she's not!” Shippou shouts and glares at the offender. I smile inwardly, but scowl at Shippou.

 

“What did I say about getting worked up? You aren't better yet, squirt,” I say and tap him on the nose.

 

“Awww, Inuyasha,” he complains, but quickly relents and goes back to his clay lump.

 

“Hey, Shippou, we gotta go home now.”

 

“But we didn't even have the coloring contest!” he exclaims and whips his head to stare at me in horror. It surprises me. I didn't know that he was so looking forward to it.

 

“I know, but I still gotta vacuum and cook supper before he comes home,” I say softly. Shippou still looks sad, but nods in understanding.

 

“Can we color later?” he asks hopefully. He really wants to, and he tries doing his big puppy eyes on me for good measure. It works.

 

“I don't see why not. But hurry up and get your things together.”

 

“`Kay!” he chirps and hands me his cards before going off to get his shoes.

 

He returns and I pick him up so he's sitting on my arm. Tsuyo is at the door, looking at us sadly.

 

“Goodbye Tsuyo,” Shippou says as he hugs her. She holds him for a few moments and then gives him back to me.

 

“Goodbye Shippou, Inuyasha. Good luck,” she smiles and pats me on my free shoulder. I nod and walk out the door.

 

As we walk down the street Shippou looks at me curiously. “Was something the matter with Tsuyo?” he asks. I pause before answering him. I don't want to tell him now, maybe later when there will be no risk of letting anything slip to Onigumo.

 

“Nothing serious; she's just having a bad day,” I tell him. He accepts it with a shrug and rests his head on my shoulder. In a few minutes he's asleep and snoring gently, his thumb stuck in his mouth.

 

As I watch the heart-warming sight, I wonder if I will regret my decision. How hard is this going to be?

 

AN: Ok, first of all, if you are going to comment on Inuyasha being OOC please note these two things. First: I don't care. Second: remember that this is my alternate universe fic. This is Inuyasha's character. But to explain it, Inuyasha does have his tender moments around Kagome in the anime. That's because he trusts her, knows her, and is comfortable around her. So in the case of Tsuyo, it's not really out of character, as well as the case with Shippou. Just consider their histories.

Second of all, thank you HieiWannabe!!!! The cool colors make it less boring, and even though you were sick, you still finished! You're the best ^___^

I think you gave me your cold. I feel like crap.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any related characters.