A/N: I'm back. Laptop-less, however. Ugh. I really did wish that money actually DID grow on trees. Maybe if I tap my heels three time and wish for it?
I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters in this. Except the obviously made up ones, excluding Naomi. -Borrowed her.-
--
Kagome's mother sighed as she sat in her boss's office, a grim look on her face. Her boss seemed to be completely fine with the fact that he had fired his most expensive worker, however.
"It was lovely working for you, Takamoto-san." With a bow, she left the store, leaving her underlings to cast confused glances and gossip about her sudden leave.
Kanoko grabbed her cell phone from her pocket, dialing the number for Kagome's hospital as she walked home.
"Hello, this is Higurashi Kagome's mother. I was wondering if I could speak to Kagome's doctor about an urgent matter." Kanoko said, attempting to be calm as she was put on hold by a snobby sounding old woman. There was a ten minute wait until someone picked up the phone on the other side.
"Dr. Yashiro. How may I help you, Mrs. Higurashi?" A cool voice said into her ear. Kanoko sighed.
"I told you to call me Kanoko, Yashiro-san." Kanoko sighed. "I was fired just a few moments ago. It seems the company is cutting down on workers." Her voice almost broke, but the doctor on the other side stayed silent. "I can't pay for Kagome to receive treatment anymore. I'm asking you to release her, please."
There was silence on the other end of the phone for maybe a minute. "I'll see what I can do, Kanoko-san."
"Thank you, Doctor, for everything." Kanoko put her hand on her forehead. "I know Kagome can be a bit of a bother, but I do love her." Another sigh. "I just wish I knew how to help her myself."
"You know... Kanoko-san..." He paused for a moment, and then continued, "She seems to be doing very well. The higher-ups were thinking about releasing her early, because of that. But, when Kagome gets out, if you're still worried, I can do a few private sessions with her."
Kanoko gasped. "I couldn't ask such a thing. Besides, I wouldn't be able to repay you at all! I wouldn't be able to live with myself..." A chuckle answered her.
"I wouldn't accept your payment anyways, Kanoko-san. I've... I've come to care for the girl." He seemed to struggle with that last bit, and Kanoko couldn't help but smile. "I'll do my best to help her, not just for her, but for you, too."
"..Thank you, doctor... I don't know what to say." She replied, making her way up the many stairs of her shrine.
"I think I may be able to have her ready to leave by the end of the week, with my boss's permission." Dr. Yashiro said. The next thing was said with a small bit of humor. "Maybe they'll be so inclined as to release her tomorrow."
"That would take a miracle..."
"I know quite a few miracle-makers, Kanoko-san." A chuckle sounded through her ear. "Goodbye, I'll call you when I get more information."
Kanoko smiled. Dr. Yashiro was a good man. Almost perfect for her daughter, especially since Kagome was.. well.. Not right in the mind. "Thank you. Goodbye." Kanoko flipped the phone shut, finally reaching the top of the stairs. As she looked over at the God Tree, she frowned, a very faint memory, maybe even a dream, coming to her. A white haired boy with dog ears sat in her dining room, yelling at her daughter. Another one, a little clearer, of Kagome saying a word that sent the same boy into the floor. Kagome smiling at her mom while holding the boy's clawed hand. Kagome waving bye as she walked out of the door, a huge yellow bag strapped over her shoulders. Kagome coming back with tears in her eyes, Kagome sobbing about someone named 'Kikyou', Kagome screaming as the boy came from the bathroom with Souta, both stark naked and yelling. Kagome laughing with the boy about something Buyou had done to Souta.
Kanoko shut her eyes, blocking the some what painful images before a headache began. After a few moments, the visions began to fade. She shook her head, opening her eyes and continuing back into her home, attempting to ignore the fact that the silver haired boy fit the description that Kagome had given her of her so called Inuyasha so many times.
--
Shippou frowned as he dialed Sesshoumaru's number, knowing he had something to do with Kagome's mother being fired. A frigidly cold voice answered him. "What is it?"
"Don't get testy, Sesshoumaru. You knew I would call." Shippou snapped back. "Why did you fire Kanoko-san?"
"I would have thought that answer would be simple. Kagome is to be released tomorrow. I have already spoken.. well, let's both be honest, I threatened them with early retirement on their part if they didn't release her. Seeing as I am in charge of most of the things that happen in this town, they happily obliged." Shippou tapped his fingers on his desk, agitated that Sesshoumaru had been able to get Kagome out while he had to rely on only his job to help her.
"Alright, you can call Kanoko-san, then." Shippou switched to a more pleased voice when Sesshoumaru merely grunted. "I'm sure you know more about the specifics of Kagome's release and would be glad to inform Kagome's mother." With a quick bye, he pushed the 'end call' button on his phone and pressed a button on his office phone.
Keiko's voice replied. "Yes, Doctor?"
"Send someone to get Miss Higurashi."
"Right away, sir."
--
Kagome was, however, busy at that moment. From a white room, she was happily visiting with Kowaru. Well, being visited.
"... and you know they tried feeding us spaghetti and colslaw yesterday? Where are we, at a barbeque? Sure, I like the two choices, but not together..." Kowaru allowed Kagome to prattle on and on about random things for over a half hour now. He did this with a smile, he was happy to see his friend, even if it meant being fourty-five minutes late for work, not counting the time he would be caught in traffic.
There was a knock on the door before a plump nurse walked in on the two. "I'm sorry, but Dr. Yashiro needs to speak with Kagome. He said it was urgent." Kagome pouted, but Kowaru only nodded.
"I'll see you later, Kagome-chan." He smiled at her sad face, glad to know she still cared for him. "I need to get to work, anyways." He gave her a quick hug. "Goodbye for now."
"Bye..." Kagome said sadly as she watched him leave with not so much as a backwards glance. When he was gone, Kagome turned to the nurse. "Okay, show me to the devil-man."
--
Shippou watched Kagome closely as she walked into the room, clad in a pair of bright green scrubs and a pink Hello Kitty t-shirt. She gave him a suspicious look as she sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk. "Yes, O' Master?" Kagome said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
"However much I like the sound of that, you can just call me Dr. Yashiro." Shippou leaned back in his chair, his arms folding over his chest.
Kagome scoffed. "Whatever. What do you want? Today is my off day." She put her hands on her knees, leaning forward with a playful glare on her face.
Shippou started at her for a moment before answering. "You're being released tomorrow." Kagome gaped openly at him, her mouth falling open slightly and her eyes widening before she straightened up, looking almost hurt.
"Pull the other one." She said quietly. "You can't be serious. Don't joke about these things." Her fists clenched, her could see a small tear welling up in her eye.
"I wouldn't joke about it, Kagome." He smiled then, reassuringly. "Your mother is coming to pick you up some time tomorrow."
"Why?" She asked pathetically. "Why are you allowing this? I know you're a demon, I know you don't want me to spread random crap about you. I would want to keep me locked up if I were you." Her face scrunched up in disbelief. "I would want to get rid of me."
Shippou frowned. "I have my reasons." He stood, and walked around the desk to crouch in front of her. Kagome noticed the look of want in his eyes, hidden carelessly behind the cold. A hand reached up slowly to touch her face, but stopped just before it could. He paused, seeing the tear rolling down her face and clenched his fist before standing. "Pack your things. I assume your mother will get here early to retrieve you." With that he left the office, and the plump nurse returned to take Kagome to her room.
--
Early the next morning, Kagome was checking all of her things when a knock sounded on the door. Not waiting for anyone to answer, the person opened the door and walked in. She turned around to see Dr. Yashiro. He had an intense look on his face as she hesitantly spoke. "Uhm.. Hello, Dr. Yashiro."
"I wanted to apologize for my.. actions yesterday." His eyes didn't leave hers, though she desperately wished he would look else where. "It was unacceptable and I hope you will forgive me."
Kagome sighed at his formality, but she knew that was just how he acted. "Even though I'm usually one to hold grudges... It's alright."
"Then... Will you forgive me for this as well?" Without waiting for an answer yet again, he was in front of her in a second, holding her against his muscled chest while he pressed his lips to hers in an almost desperate fashion. After a moment Kagome seemed to realize what was happening and returned the kiss, her lips opening when his tongue ran over them slowly. His tongue plunged into her mouth, rubbing against hers in ways Kagome had never experienced as it explored her mouth. Kagome let a soft mewl escape her as their tongues assaulted each other, wrapping her arms around his neck. He pulled away from her, a small string of their mixed saliva connecting their lips as they both inhaled some much needed oxygen.
"I wanted to do that before you left." The red head said, leaning down to nuzzle at her neck. "You don't know how long it took me to work up the courage to do that..."
Kagome snorted, tightening her arms around his neck. "A couple of days?" She wanted to shiver at the rock hard body that held her, wishing it was longer than a couple of days, truthfully.
"Years, actually." He replied after a few moments. "I've wanted to do that for so long."
Kagome furrowed her brows. "But.. I've only known you for maybe 3 months..." The doctor shook his head.
"No... You've known me for much longer than that, Kagome-chan." He sighed as Kagome pulled away from him, an incredilous look on her face.
"What?"
"Your mother's here to pick you up." A smile showed on his face. "Would you like a hand with your things?" Kagome glared at him defiantly as he grabbed her two bags of clothes and held the door open for her.
"What do you mean, 'you've known me for much longer than that,' huh? I'm pretty sure I've never seen you before and... Hey! Get back here!" Shippou was already on his way out the door and down the hallway, intent on not saying anything to her.
In the elevator, though, he finally got fed up. "I'm not telling you anything, human. Figure it out yourself and then call me." He said coldly. He almost regretted it when she flinched ever so slightly. The lift came to a stop and Shippou ushured her out of it and into the main lobby, where her mother cut off any further arguements from the raven with a large hug.
Shippou frowned when Kagome glared at him angrily, her tongue sticking out as she left.
For Kagome, the next week was going to be hell.
For Shippou, it was going to be even worse when she figured it out.
--
A/N: Jeeze. I know you guys are like, 'urg! ten chapters and 6 months of waiting and all we get is a kiss and an uber short chapter!?' Yeah. I'm bad, and I know it.
I haven't gotten my laptop yet, guys, but I'm trying. Money is tight for a fifteen year-old though. Well... it's tight for my whole family right now. My mom and my stepdad are most likely getting a divorce and my oldest sister is being terrorized by a money spending ho. AKA my 19 year old sister. I say this because I love her, so don't jump down my throat being all, "That's your sister! How can you call her a ho?!" Uh... Cause she is. And she's my sister, so I'm allowed to. She's also a bitch...
Other than having money problems, my summer has been going really good. I flew over to Idaho and Utah for a bit. I was forced to visit the temple in Salt Lake because my grand parents are uber religious mormons even though I'm sort of atheist now. Before that I got to go to Cedar Point in Ohio for a band thing. It was the first time I'd ever been on a rollercoaster and I can't wait to go back, though that won't happen for a long time probably. I saw some really hot guys there, too. Not that I talked to any of them. -Is engaged and underage.- Yeah. That's new, too.
I would appreciate reviews. I stayed up all night to type this, and even though its nothing compared to how long some of you have been waiting for this chapter, I just haven't been up to writing anything because of my parents' divorce and my depression. Which is why summer is a good time to turn things around, right?
Seriously.
Review.