Obligatory Disclaimer: The "Inu Yasha" series and its characters are the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Sunrise, Shounen Sunday, Viz, and other corporate types. I am none of those entities. I'm just a silly fan writing silly stories because it's fun. Suing me would only be a waste of time and funds, so please don't. Any original characters that show up belong to themselves. Just ask them.
Author's Disclaimer: Thoughts and opinions expressed in this work of fiction do not necessarily reflect those of the author.
I CHOOSE NOT TO WARN!
This story contains material that may be disturbing or outright triggering to some. Reader discretion advised.
One Plus One
By Misarae
Chapter Six
Close Enough For Comfort
Inu Yasha felt as if his heart had been ripped from his chest as he gazed at the pale, unmoving form of his only son. They'd taken the hairpins out of his hair, but his ears still drooped from the strain on his body. Inu Yasha had followed suit, knowing that only those with youkai blood were allowed into the clinic. The stares and snide looks at the fact he was hanyou were nothing compared to proving beyond any reasonable doubt that Naoki was his.
He gently rubbed one of Naoki's ears, something he hadn't done directly since the pup started school. Both of them being of inu youkai descent, the emotions flowed both ways, and it was far too intense for Inu Yasha's own comfort. He couldn't justify the feelings of deep attachment that the gesture brought forward once Naoki was officially no longer a baby. Fathers were supposed to be cool, stand-offish, and Inu Yasha did his best, but for him, Naoki was the one good thing he'd ever done in his life. Losing him...
A knock came on the door, and the nurse on the other side didn't wait for a reply.
"Your wife is here, Takahashi-san."
Inu Yasha frowned. "My..?"
Kagome peered around the door, but Sachiko barged right in, racing to Naoki's bedside.
"Will Naoki be okay?" she asked in a tiny voice.
Naoki shifted in his sleep toward the sound of Sachiko's voice.
Knowing what had to be done, Inu Yasha rose and walked around the bed, going down on one knee so that he could look Sachiko in the eye.
"If I put you up on the bed, will you be a good girl and lie still? Naoki can hear you, and I think it'll help him recover if you're next to him."
"I'll be good! I promise!"
Feeling an odd pang in his heart, Inu Yasha lifted the girl onto the bed. She snuggled in on top of the blankets. Naoki's nose twitched and his head lolled toward Sachiko.
"He knows your scent. When he's ready to wake up, he'll follow it back to us."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"You look dead on your feet," Kagome said, pushing up a chair for him to sit in.
Inu Yasha shook his head, returning to the chair he'd originally been occupying. Kagome shrugged and took the new chair for herself.
"So, should I ask what that's about?" Kagome said, tilting her head to indicate the way Sachiko was curled up against Naoki's side.
"Inu youkai rely on their sense of smell. If Naoki is as serious as I think he is, it will bring him comfort and remind him of what's here waiting for him."
Kagome couldn't help but smile as she realized that Sachiko's breathing was growing deeper and more even. "I think she wore herself out, crying as much as she did."
"Keh, not her fault, and Naoki didn't know any better. Hopefully they'll both remember this."
"I don't think they could ever forget," Kagome said. "I've never seen Sachiko so upset."
"Sorry for what I said, by the way."
"What particular thing?" Kagome asked, trying to recall anything he'd said that would require an apology.
Inu Yasha's face turned slightly red. "Saying you were Naoki's mother."
Kagome bit back a smile. "I understand why you said it, and thank you. Otherwise, Sachiko and I wouldn't be allowed in here." Kagome reached out, taking Naoki's tiny hand in hers. For the first time, she realized that Naoki had his father's claws as well.
Inu Yasha couldn't believe his eyes. She was sitting there, holding Naoki's hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world, the corners of her mouth quirking upwards as she appeared to notice something about Naoki's fingers.
"He has his father's 'fingernails'," she said.
"Yeah," Inu Yasha replied. "He's got the teeth, too."
"The teeth?"
Inu Yasha took a chance, and flashed his fangs at her. Instead of screaming, or running away, she looked intrigued. What he caught next nearly bowled him over his shock. His nose had to be going haywire. He would almost swear that a delicate tendril of arousal had woven itself into the air.
Then Kagome shook herself, and it was gone.
"What the heck are you thinking, Higurashi Kagome?" she berated herself. "His son's unconscious, and you're daydreaming about what it would feel like for him to bite you with those fangs? Unbelievable!" She forced her inappropriate thoughts away, refocusing on the boy in the bed. "What did the doctors say?"
"They were actually surprised that his reaction was so severe," Inu Yasha said. "Fortunately, the fact that he threw up saved him a stomach pumping, and might have saved his life."
Inu Yasha jumped and nearly pulled away when he felt the gentle touch of another hand on his. He looked into Kagome's eyes, her expression making her own worry plain.
"Thank goodness for that," Kagome said.
"Yeah."
They let the silence linger after that, neither of them saying a word about the fact that their hands stayed joined, making a tangible bridge across the bed.
It wasn't until well after midnight that Naoki stirred. He took a deep breath in, recognizing Sachiko's scent instantly. He forced his eyes open to see her tucked against his side. Then he realized someone else had a hold of his hand. Expecting it to be his Dad, he was shocked to see that it was Sachiko's mother. She was sprawled out, her head cushioned on the bed, one hand holding his, the other holding his Dad's. His Dad was sitting half off his chair, his chin cushioned in his free hand.
Naoki let a little whimper escape his throat, knowing his Dad would hear him. He wasn't disappointed; Inu Yasha's golden eyes snapping open.
"Naoki," Inu Yasha said in a harsh whisper, withdrawing his hand from Kagome's hold. He stood up and, realizing that both females were still asleep, allowed himself to lean over and bury his nose in his son's hair. "Don't you ever scare me like that again!"
"I'm really sorry, Dad."
Inu Yasha snorted. "Pups do stupid things. Just don't do that particular stupid thing again, okay?"
"What happened?" Naoki asked.
"Chocolate's poisonous to inu youkai. You're lucky we got you here as fast as we did."
"Don't blame Sachiko! Please, Dad!"
Inu Yasha sighed. "I don't. There was no way she could have known, and I should have told you."
"It's okay."
"No, it isn't. Next time I say 'because I said so', remind me of this, okay?"
Naoki smiled weakly. "Sure, Dad."
"Naoki?"
Naoki looked down. "Hey, Sachiko."
"Naoki!"
"Oof!"
Naoki suffered Sachiko's enthusiastic hug.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Hey, it tasted great," Naoki said, his smile turning into a grin.
Sachiko thumped his chest. "Idiot."
"It seems I'm missing the party," Kagome said, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Then she realized that she was still holding onto Naoki's hand. "Sorry, Naoki-kun." She tried to let go, but he held on, giving her hand a squeeze.
"It's okay, Higurashi-san. I'm happy you and Sachiko are here."
They'd kept Naoki at the clinic an extra day, just to make sure that nothing would go wrong. It was Inu Yasha's executive decision to keep him out of school for the week, which he knew Naoki was enjoying to the utmost. It reminded them both of when Naoki was younger, watching his Dad work, helping out in any way he could. It was the third day of Naoki's recovery when he'd insisted he was absolutely starving for some ramen from the "Happy Hunting Ground".
Inu Yasha, cursing himself for being such a softy, was now on a mission.
"Ah, Inu Yasha. How is Naoki doing?"
"What are you blathering on about, old man?" Inu Yasha asked as Kaji-san made a rare appearance from the back of the restaurant.
"I ran into your young lady trying to find Hanashima Clinic. I must say, I like the idea of her being Naoki's mother rather than that evil vixen who wouldn't care if he lived or died!"
Inu Yasha frowned. "Watch it."
Kaji-san fixed him with a stern glare. "I'm only speaking the truth, and you know it. I saw the look in your young lady's eyes at the thought she might not be able to get into the clinic. She loves that boy of yours, whether she realizes it or not. Her daughter does, too."
Inu Yasha felt the pressure in his chest grow a bit more intense. He couldn't allow himself to hope. To dream. The one time he had, his faith had been thoroughly smashed into the dirt.
"Anyway, he's healthy enough to be demanding ramen from this place."
"As if you aren't missing your usual lunch," Kaji-san teased.
"Keh!"
Just then, Miyoko came out from the back carrying two separate metal containers, normally used for making deliveries. "Three bowls for you, two for Naoki, and one for a snack," she said, setting the carriers down on a table before making a quick exit.
Inu Yasha sighed. It bugged him that they knew him and Naoki so well. "How much?"
"On the house this time, Inu Yasha. Consider it a get well present."
Inu Yasha picked up the carriers and nodded his thanks before leaving.
"So, any bets on how long it'll take him to pull his head out of his butt?" Miyoko quipped, poking her head out of the kitchen.
Kajimaru grinned. "If he takes too long, we'll step in. Sound good?"
Miyoko nodded enthusiastically, halfway hoping it would come to that.
Author's Notes: Sadly, the potential plotline I left at the end of this chapter, I ended up not needing, but I think it still works to help show that in this world, it's not all youkai who hate hanyou. There are a handful who don't even frown on human/youkai relationships, even though they are in the minority.
On a totally different topic, the next chapter is entitled "Date Night". Just as a teaser. ;)
