Café
Inu-Tenshi
No character I use from Inuyasha belongs to me.
"For you see, each day I love you more...
Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow."
-Rosemonde Gerard
Day 7
"Sesshoumaru called in sick?" Narumi asked Kouga in the kitchen.
"Yeah. He looked fine yesterday," Kouga replied, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "What do you think, Kagome?"
"Oh. Umm... I don't know," Kagome said, looking away.
"Maybe you should give him a little visit..." Narumi suggested.
"No... I don't think so." Kagome laughed nervously.
"Don't worry about it. We'll cover for you," Kouga added.
Kagome's decision swayed and Narumi knew that all she had to do was say one more thing before Kagome gave in.
"You know... I don't think there's anyone that can take care of him right now... maybe you should?" Narumi watched Kagome's expression.
"... Alright. I'll give him a short visit." Kagome unbuttoned her uniform. "I'll be back, okay?"
"Take your time." Narumi said, smiling as if she knew something no one else knew about.
As soon as Kagome left, Narumi turned and gave Kouga a high five. "Thanks for playing along with me."
"No problem. I want them to fix their misunderstandings, too. Are you sure he's gonna be home though?"
"Yup. He called in because he was too busy with his other job. He's looking over some documents at home."
Kagome walked quickly. Does Sesshoumaru have a fever?
She quickened her pace. I hope he's alright.
As soon as she arrived at the door of his house, she knocked a few times before ringing the bell. Sesshoumaru opened it with his reading glasses still on. "Yes?" he asked.
"You should be in bed! Why are you up?" Kagome said frantically, looking him over.
"What?" he asked, startled by her voice.
"Aren't you sick?" she said, now confused. "Didn't you skip work because of that?"
"...No." He showed her the thick binder he held in his hand. "I was looking over some documents."
"Oh." There was a short, awkward pause. "Okay... glad to see you well... Bye."
"Wait." Sesshoumaru effectively stopped her from walking out the door. "I've been meaning to speak to you," he told her, taking his glasses off.
"Why are you avoiding me?"
"... What makes you think that?" Kagome returned with a question of her own.
"Perhaps the fact that you haven't been speaking to me and how you've stopped looking at me directly."
"... Really?" she asked innocently. At his look, she sighed. "Alright, I'll admit that I have been avoiding you. I don't think it worked, though."
"Really... I think it did."
"But I'm here now, aren't I?"
"And your reason?"
"Narumi."
He only nodded and shifted on the couch. "Excuse me," he said a moment later.
Kagome nodded, sipping green tea from a cup. A few minutes later, Sesshoumaru was back with a velvet box. He held it out to Kagome.
"What's this?" she asked.
"A present," he answered.
Hesitantly, she reached out to take the box from him. Her eyes widened in surprise at what was inside the box. "This is beautiful," she half whispered, stroking the pendant that was attached to a necklace. "Why are you giving this to me?"
"It was Christmas yesterday," he replied nonchalantly.
"Oh!" Kagome exclaimed, shocked at having forgotten one of her favorite holidays. "I have presents for everyone at home. I can't believe I forgot. It's never happened before," she laughed. I had too much on my mind. "And thanks. I really like what you got for me."
Sesshoumaru waved it off. However, he would only admit to himself the joy of watching Kagome smile happily at something he had given her.
"I'm going to go now, but I'll be back later," Kagome said.
He nodded and went back to reading documents. The phone conveniently rang right after Kagome left. "What is it?"
"CEO, our stock prices just dropped and our market share went down since your leave. Perhaps you should return for a day or two."
"Tomorrow," he promised, and hung up.
Kagome practically ran home. She fumbled around for the house keys in her bag, then ran up to her room as soon as the door was unlocked. She hastily grabbed a bag filled with gifts that was hidden under her bed.
She arrived at the café, breathless from running. "Thank God it's still not open yet. I don't know what the customers would have thought, seeing me run in like that."
"What's the hurry, Kagome?" Kouga asked.
"Oh, right." She fished for something in the bag that she was holding and gave it to him. "This is your late Christmas present."
"Thanks, Kagome," he grinned.
"Open it at home," she told him.
"Hey, Narumi!" she called out.
"Yeah?" Narumi answered, wiping her hands on a piece of cloth.
"I got you a present, too."
"Thanks... hey! This doesn't count! You already promised me clothes, so it shouldn't be a present."
Kagome shrugged. "Take what you can get."
"Aww..." Narumi pouted.
"Geez... alright." Kagome gave her a tiny package. The bag was clear, and Narumi could see the silver bracelet it contained.
"Thank you!!" Narumi gave her a hug, almost squeezing the air out of her. "You're the best."
"I know," Kagome laughed. "Now... where are my presents?" she joked.
"Oh, right. Here..."
"You shouldn't have, Narumi! This pendant seems so expensive."
"Don't worry about it."
Kouga chuckled. "This is my present to you."
He gave Kagome one of the most cuddly teddy bears she had ever seen. It was furry and white and on it, there was a light blue wool scarf. It also held a rose.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she said, hugging it close to her. "You guys are the best."
"Hey, Kagome, can I talk to you for a second?" Narumi waved her into the kitchen.
"What is it?" Kagome asked.
"I don't usually say things like this to people... but... life is short. You take risks and hold onto opportunities placed before you. If you take a chance, things may work out."
"Umm... thanks, I guess."
After work, as promised, Kagome went to Sesshoumaru's house. This time, as if he had been waiting for her, he had gotten to the door quicker than usual. When Kagome saw him, she thought of what Narumi had told her. "Life is short. You take risks and hold onto opportunities placed before you. If you take a chance, things may work out."
"This... is your present, but open it when I leave."
Sesshoumaru nodded. "Thank you, Kagome."
"And... umm..." Kagome bit her bottom lip nervously. "I..."
She squeezed her eyes shut. "Never mind! Good night!" she blushed, then waved.
On the way home, Kagome was occupied with thoughts on what she could have done instead of what she had done. I was so close, but my heart felt like it was going to burst.
Tomorrow... I'll try again tomorrow.
Note:
Ahh, I'm so ashamed. I should have updated yesterday since I just got back (it was later than I expected), but I couldn't even keep my eyes open. Now it's one in the morning and I am dead tired. Sorry for the long wait. My brain is asleep, I don't even remember what I just typed. This chapter was like a last minute thing I just thought of when I was on the bus, therefore, there will be an earlier update for the next chapter.
And for those who care to know, I had a lot of fun in Washington D.C. It was really eventful and I visited many of the monuments and museums there. I even had a picnic in front of the White House. All in all, it was a great experience.
