AN: Seriously thank you all so much for the reviews and the followings. Every time I get that little email alert it makes me so giddy. I'm trying to make it so I post a new chapter every few weeks. I'm planning on this story lasting to at least 20+ chapters, so there is a lot to cover! Again thank you guys so much for your encouragement and support.
Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha
Chapter 4: Keeps Getting Better
14 Months Later…
"Don't Worry Mrs. Wilmer, little Josey is going to be just fine. Just give her the medication once a day, every evening and that cold should clear up in no time" A plump woman nodded her head quickly as she clutched the small dog to her chest.
"Thank you so much Kagura!" a slim, yet curvy young woman smiled at Mrs. Wilmer and then leaned down and ran her hand across the small dogs head, "That's no problem at all Mrs. Wilmer, I'm always happy to help. If anything else comes up please don't hesitate to being her in after hours. If I'm not here, then my other associate would be able to help."
Kagura smiled again and added a little wave as she watched her last appointment leave through the door. Walking over to the door, Kagura quickly locked it into place and flipped over the closed sign. Calling over her shoulder, Kagura hollered to the back. "Its Closing Time! Turn off the phones!" Making sure all the locks were in place Kagura turned around to the newest member of her staff, she wasn't exactly new, but she was the last person Kagura had hired, which was over 9 months ago. She was very quiet when she first started out, very meek and easily intimidated, she would even jump when someone moved to fast.
"Did you get the phones?" The woman nodded her head and continued sweeping up the front of the lobby "Yeah, but Trixie is having a fit, she keeps pacing her cage. I think she's about the deliver those kittens." The woman heard Kagura sigh before she starts heading to the back room, "Hope you okay with staying a bit later, I could really use the help."
The woman placed the broom away after dumping the dust pans continents into the trash can. Placing her hands on her hips the woman grinned softly at Kagura, her grey eyes twinkling. "I already ordered us Pizza and some drinks"
Kagura laughed softly, "Oh Kagome what would I do without you?!"
Kagome's smile only widened, "Apparently you'd be a lonely overworked woman who barely eats 2 meals a day…"
Kagura glared playfully at her coworker, as she disappeared into the back room. Kagome was right, before she had come along, Kagura mostly had temps working for her, and nothing was wrong with that, but it was hard trying to find someone who was willing to work the long hours, and provide the care that all the animals in the shelter she fostered and also assist with veterinarian duties as well. When timid little Kagome came strolling in with an overly qualifying employment background that even on par with her own work history, Kagura immediately hired her on the spot and put Kaogme to work.
With the way Kagome had carried herself, Kagura could tell that she'd have to have been blind to not see that Kagome was a victim of a very strong handed individual. She had kept an eye on her for the first few weeks, seeing if new bruises would be replacing the old, but from what she could tell Kagome was one of the lucky few who got away.
OooOOOOooo
Kagome reached up and knocked quietly at the apartment door, trying not startle the small bundle in her arms. Adjusting the bow wrapped around the kitten's collar, Kagome smiled brightly as the door was flung open. Hazel eyes greeted grey-blue, before the other woman could hug her, Kagome gently raised her arms holding out the small kitten, who was meowing like crazy for attention.
"Happy Birthday Sango," Kagome giggled as she saw her friend jump up and down and pull the animal out of her hold to snuggle tightly to her chest. She watched as her friend cooed softly over the small creature. "Oh Kagome thank you so much I love her!"
Kagome shook her head slightly, and pointed to the man that stood behind her friend, "You should also thank Miroku, he has been bugging me about how you've been wanting a cat and ever since I started working at the Clinic he's been coming in once a week to find one for you." Sango turned around and kissed her husband on cheek, nodding her head to come inside, Sango walked further into the living room to show off her new pet.
The two of them laughed softly as they watched Sango bounce away excitedly. Glancing at Kagome, Miroku opened the door wider and ushered her inside. I'm glad you could make it, how have you been?"
Kagome slipped inside and pulled her jacket off slowly, glancing around the slightly crowed apartment, "I've been good, and I'm getting better everyday." Kagome smiled softly at Miroku, ever since Kagome was released from the hospital Miroku had been with her every step of the way.
At first she was wondering if he saw her as more than a friend, with the way he openly flirted with her, but when she spoke about taking a self defense class he all but shoved her towards his wife Sango, saying how she was the self defense instructor at the local police academy. Both Sango and Miroku became the brother and sister she never had, and their son Noaki was like a nephew. Noaki wasn't theirs by birth, but he was still very much part of their family and now they were all of hers. Something Kagome new she had been missing over the years.
A hand on her shoulder brought Kagome out of her musing, Glancing over she saw Miroku return her smile before he began leading her further into the apartment. Closing the door as they went.
OooOOOOooo
It was well into the party and Sango had put Kirara, her new kitten, to sleep in the master bed room, little thing had fall asleep snuggled up to her new owner.
Kagome was talking to a small petite girl name Rin Takahashi, her husband was currently running for D.A. Kagome knew of her husband, never met the man mind you, but from what she heard and saw, he was as cold as ice. His strange amber eyes hard and void of any emotion, and the fact that bright and happy Rin was married to him was odd, but is made sense at the same time. Studies did prove that opposites attract. A loud buzzing sound filled the apartment, alerting everyone that someone was at the door. Excusing herself from Rin, Kagome put down her glass and called over her shoulder, "I'll get it!"
Somewhere in the back she heard an equally loud 'Thank you'. Reaching the door, Kagome opened it and gasped loudly a bouquet of roses was shoved under her nose.
"Delivery for Sango Houshi…" Kagome quickly balanced the flowers in her hand as a clip broad was placed in front of her. Signing quickly she bowed a bit in thanks to the man, before he left swiftly. Closing and locking the door behind her Kagome tilted the assorted flowers under her face and took a small whiff. The smelled just wonderful.
Walking through the crowd, Kagome worked her way over to Sango, who immediately noticed the flowers. Instead of the excited look she was expecting, Kagome was only greeted with a pained smile.
"It's like clockwork with him I swear..." Sango mumble softly as she gently pulled the flowers from her friend's arms, and excused herself from the conversation. Nodding her head towards Kagome, Sango quietly motioned for her to follow her to the kitchen.
In the enclosed kitchen, Kagome watched as her friend arrange the beautiful bouquet neatly into the vase that was already prepped and waiting on the counter. Apparently Sango was expecting the said gift like she mentioned.
"They're from a close friend of mine and Miroku's from college, he was actually the one that finally convinced me to give the pervert a chance after his many failed attempts at wooing me"
Kagome giggled quietly from her place by the stove. Sango shook her head, and moved the vase full of flowers to small kitchen table in the corner. "You think I'm kidding, but Miroku was terrible. His idea of a romantic date back then was to take me to the amusement park."
Kagome giggled at the frown Sango was sporting. It was a known fact that Sango hated crowds, the heat and most of all she was deathly afraid of heights. "Not only that but didn't you tell me his wandering hand was 10 times worse back then, than it is now?"
Sango rolled her eyes and sat down in the chair in a huff." I swear I was two seconds away from commiting homicide, if Inuyasha didn't get to him first I would have killed Miroku."
Kagome moved closer to her friend and sat opposite of her. "I'm assume Inuyasha is the said friend who sent the flowers?"
Sango sighed and nodded, resting her head upon her hand, then lightly fingered the multicolored daisies." Yeah he was Miroku's best man, and Miroku was his. Those two were so close that were almost brothers. If I wanted to reach Miroku and he wouldn't pick up his phone, I'd call Inuyasha. I really miss how things used to be…"
Kagome could tell something was wrong, by the way her friend's eyes misted over. Reaching out Kagome took her friends hand gave it a light squeeze, not saying a word.
"Right after Inuyasha got married…something happened to his wife Kikyo. Something that she couldn't come back from, no it was more like she refused to come back from it."
Sango pulled her hand from Kagome's and wiped her eyes quickly, keeping the tears from falling. "Kikyo died about 3 months after that, since then Inuyasha, hasn't been the same. Its been 4 almost 5 years since I've seen him."
Kagome leaned forward and lightly placed her hand on Sango's shoulder, "He sends you flowers every year to remind you that he still cares, he still thinks about you Sango."
Sango, sniffled a little bit, and smiled reassuringly at her friend. "Why didn't you become a therapist Kagome?"
Kagome stuck out her tongue and made a face. "I'm more of an animal person."
Sango laughed loudly and stood up from the table. "Come on, my public has been without the birthday girl far too long."
This time it was Kagome's turn to laugh, as she and Sango left the kitchen.
OooOOOOooo
"Seriously Kagome its fine, just borrow some of my clothes, and let me wash that stain out for you.." She continued to dab at the red stain that was beginning to seep into her once white button up summer dress. Kagome threw down the towel, and looked over at her friend. "Fine…" Sango laughed at the kicked puppy look that Kagome sported. Handing her the Pink cotton robe to change into, Sango waited patiently outside the bathroom, sitting on her King size bed. She didn't have to wait long.
When Kagome came out in the robe, she raised an eyebrow at Sango. The robe dwarfed Kagome's already petite frame even more."This thing is like a tent on me," Sango smirked at her friend and shrugged. "It should be its Miroku's, Inuyasha bought it for him as a joke one year, saying how he was more of a girl than, I was." Kagome's mouth dropped open. "He didn't?!"
Sango laughed and stood up from the bed and headed to the door. "He was like that, I'll go throw this in the wash." Kagome nodded and continued to play will the ends of the ties as she shuffled around the room.
Coming to the dresser up against the wall, Kagome picked up a picture frame. It was of the picture showed a clearly younger and more carefree Miroku and Sango. Putting down the photo, Kagome went and picked up a much larger frame, this one had another photo of her friends but they were accompanied by another young man. All 3 were geared up from head to toe in paint ball equipment, covered in paint splatters, but still smiling gleefully at the camera.
Putting the photo down, Kagome picked up another but her hand paused a few centimeters from the photo. Right there was the all too familiar golden gaze. The man in the photo had his arm wrapped around another woman with dark brown eyes and soft features. But she barely paid attention to the woman…Kagome was too focused on how this very man could have the same eye color as 'him'.