AN: I took a little artistic license with the soul collectors. I doubt you guys will mind though ;) Don't forget to review for me, pretty please! Help me finish TSAM by Halloween!
ALSO! TSAM was just nominated at a new site called 'Born for Each Other' Do me a favor and vote for me at http : / bornforeachother .blogspot . com /
Evelyn: Yay! I was realllllllly hoping no one would guess the Kagome-Naraku connection. I was sure someone was going to guess it, but no one did. And don't worry, everything will be beaten to death before the end of the story. You should understand everything by then.
Adam: I dunno, where is she going to get ruby slippers on such short notice?
Nicole dowe: Don't worry, someone else very important will go over all the details again. Thanks for the review!
redbulllover: Yay! I'm really glad you did :)
InuKag4eva: I thought of it. Because I'm crazy like that ;)
Chazziegirl101: Good. I was worried someone would realize their connection, lol. Nope, she doesn't. But don't let me be the one to tell you Kikyo's plans. She's going to do that herself pretty soon...;)
Blank: Lol, sorry, I always feel like I'm late updating. Thanks for reading anyway!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and I make no money off this story.
November 17: 12:30 PM
Drive straight ahead, two miles.
Kagome tore her eyes away from the treasury blueprints to glance at the car's GPS, her grandfather reduced to a blue, blinking dot. Gramps hated blue, and she was half-tempted to lower the divider between the seats and ask the driver to change the color to something else.
Turn in 500 feet...400 feet...go back 600 feet...
Then again, the driver had enough stupid requests to handle.
Sango's tapping finger brought her back to the diagram. She leaned into Sango's shoulder, buried her hand in Kirara's fur as she dozed on her lap, and forced herself to focus.
"Right here is where the jewel is hidden. The layout looks straight forward. We need a plan for how to sneak in though in case Kikyo beats us there." Sango studied the map, a line furrowing between her eyebrows, "There doesn't seem to be much cover anymore, so we should memorize the basic layout for corners to duck behind-"
"Sango, we need to talk." Miroku interrupted, frustrated. He sat across from them in the large SUV Sess had supplied, being little help overall.
"We are talking." she replied back mildly, attention still focused on the blueprints, the lines on her forehead a little deeper.
"Not about this-"
"What's more important then trying to figure out how to save Inuyasha?" Kagome demanded. Miroku had all the time in the world to talk, later. His mate wasn't the one in danger.
"Kagome, I understand you're trying to protect your family." Miroku backtracked smoothly, "And I will do everything in my power to help you and keep them safe. But Sango-"
"Kagome is right." Sango said shortly. "This needs to come first. Lives are at stake-"
"I'm sorry!" Miroku snapped, clearly at his wit's end. He leaned towards them, hands braced on his knees. "I'm sorry, Sango. So incredibly sorry. I will be sorry, every day, for the rest of my life. You have no idea how much I regret what I've done. Just tell me, how many times do you need to hear it?"
Sango's shoulders fell, and she slumped against the seat, looking tired. "Probably more times then you can say it."
"Please Sango," Miroku reached forward and grabbed the hand that was tracing their path out on the blueprints, trying to meet her eyes. "Let me say it. Until my voice disappears. Until we're both wrinkled and ugly, and our minds are so old and gone we can't even remember why I apologize to you everyday."
Sango whipped her hand away, scowling. "I'm a demon. I never will get old enough to forget why you're sorry."
Any other time, Kagome would have been thrilled to play mediator to her friends and help them smooth things over. But not when Inuyasha was in Kikyo's clutches. If that made her a bitch, she wasn't prepared to care until after Inuyasha was back in her arms. "Guys-"
Destination arrival in 500 feet...400 feet...300 feet...
"This is not the time to discuss this, Miroku." Sango finished coldly, snapping the binder closed. "Kagome, have you decided what to do with your grandfather?"
Kagome nodded, "Grab him fast, then explain in the car while the driver takes him to the safe house Sesshomaru set up." She wasn't looking forward to the 'explaining' part. She had hoped she would have more time to plan out just how she was going to explain the miko, demon, mate thing.
Sango didn't look like she thought it would be that simple. "Let's just hope it's fast, but be prepared for...difficulty."
100 feet...arriving at destination, on left turn.
Kirara yawned lazily before shaking Kagome's hand off and stretching her back slowly. Sango hesitated over the corner of the car they had stashed their stuff in, before picking her sword up and sliding it into the belt around her stomach. Miroku gathered up his staff, and Kagome's powers came to attention as the car stopped.
"Shall I keep the car running, ma'am?" The driver asked through the intercom.
Kagome nodded before remembering he couldn't see her. "Yes please." Even if it wasn't a quick stop, at least they would be able to make a fast getaway.
"I'll go first and Miroku will guard our backs. Kagome, stay in the middle." Sango ordered, smoothing her hands over her hair to make sure it was still contained. "Let's try to make this fast."
It seemed like Miroku wanted to argue with her, but took one look at her claws and fangs and just nodded. He scanned the area before getting out of the car, staff tight in his hand and keeping easy access to the sutras filling his bag.
"Please hurry, Kagome." He murmured, positioning himself so he was covering her back as she slid out and fell in line behind Sango.
Kagome carefully glanced around, her power making her fingertips tingle. It seemed like a lifetime ago, but Gramps had been telling the truth when he told her his plans for the day over breakfast. He had gone to the other side of town to bless a temple that was getting ready to open.
The temple towered above them, much bigger then the modest one she lived next too. Arches practically touched the sky, and huge pillars held up a roof with platform upon platform. Luckily, there weren't as many steps as her grandfather's one.
"Keep your eyes open. We don't know what or if anything Kikyo has planned for us." Sango reminded her, Kirara mewing in agreement. "Let's go."
With Sango leading the way, they quickly scaled the staircase, ignoring the signs that stated the temple was closed until its grand opening. With each step they took without being stopped by a guard, Kagome grew more worried. With a temple this big, someone should have been worried about three strangers with weapons and a cat heading towards the entrance.
Stopping in front of the main temple, Sango flashed next to the door, ear pressed to the rice paper. A tense moment passed before she nodded, and slid the door back, Kirara jumping off her shoulder and strolling inside ahead of her. Miroku followed, while Sango 'helped' Kagome in with a quick shove before ducking in herself.
The door shut softly while their eyes adjusted to the darkness inside. The temple was mostly a huge, empty, unfurnished space, packages of wrapped boxes off to the side. Light filtered through open windows high up on the walls, dust particles floating in and out of the sunlight. Faint hints of incense and paint hung in the air, making Kirara sneeze delicately.
On the far side of the building, candlelight burned on a altar. Gramps kneeled before it, chanting softly with his hands raised above his head.
Kagome felt herself sag in relief. At least she knew for certain one member of her family was fine. Without thinking, she shoved past Miroku and Sango, her footsteps pounding loudly on the floor, "Gramps!"
His chanting stopped, as he looked back towards them. "Kagome?"
She threw herself at him without regard to his age, hugging him tightly, "I'm so glad you're ok."
"Of course I'm fine. Did you expect otherwise?" Gramps asked, his voice muffled by her shoulder. "But you Kagome, what about your ribs...and your head-"
"We don't have time, I promise I'll explain, but we need to get out." Kagome finally broke away from him and tucked his hand under her arm. "This is Sango and Miroku, they're here to help us."
Her grandfather's mouth fell open and his face went red, "Kagome Higurashi, more hooligans-?"
Abruptly, Sango dropped into a crouch, her fangs dipping over her lip. "Get out!"
Hisssssssssssssssssssssss...
Green mist began to creep out of the four corners of the temple, low to the floor and spreading fast. Sango sniffed and immediately fell to the ground, gagging. "Miroku..."
"Kagome! Shield up!" Miroku ordered, already next to his mate's side. He reached under the neck of her costume, and padded around her elbows and guards, looking for something.
"Shield what?" Kagome asked, clutching her grandfather to her. "I don't know what you mean."
Gramps disentangled himself from her determinedly. "Don't worry granddaughter; I will protect us." He announced, clasping his hands together.
Miroku cursed under his breath as Sango wheezed and Kirara prodded at her neck, "You need to protect yourself from the poison! Make something that will keep it out!"
With her grandfather's soft voice in her ears, Kagome closed her eyes, watching petals dance underneath her lids. She only half understood what Miroku meant, and needed to get it fast. She was a horrible miko. Shouldn't she instinctively know a way to protect-
Her power washed over her, purple all she could see. When she opened her eyes, an interlocking stream of violet petals hovered over them like an umbrella, bright and glittering.
Gramps gasped next to her. "Kagome! You have the gift!" He whispered reverently, looking at her like he had never seen her before.
"The gift for being late." Sango muttered, shoving Miroku's hands off her. "It's behind my neck. Idiot." she grumbled, standing up. She reached under her hair and pulled around a face guard. She fitted it around her nose and mouth, adjusting it so it was tight enough to stay. "Whatever you do, do not leave Kagome's shield. Assist me from here."
Miroku frowned. "What else are you expecting-"
The packaged containers in the corner began to shake.
Sango glanced at her cat. "Kirara?"
With a soft meow, fire suddenly broke out over her little cat's body, until the meow became a roar and a full fledged, flame covered, saber-toothed, jungle beast stood at Sango's side.
"Demon cat!" Her grandfather cried, pushing Kagome behind him. His trembling hands searched his robes frantically, "I know I have a ofuda somewhere around here..."
Eyebrow raised, Miroku reached into his own bag and offered the old man one of his, shrugging at Sango.
Gramps threw it at Kirara, slapping it on her forehead and narrowly avoiding getting burnt.
Cat and owner just stared at him, the edge of the paper covering one of Kirara's eyes. Grumbling, Kirara shook her head until the sutra fell loose, batting it around with one of her paws lazily.
Gramps went pale, "But...but..."
Kagome squirmed uncomfortably behind him, sympathizing with the children of people who claimed the pope was the second coming of the devil. "Gramps-"
"Kirara isn't the demon here." Sango slowly pulled her mouth guard down, making sure to catch her fangs flashing in the dim light. "Just. Fucking. Try. It."
The mist completely encircled the boxes as the shaking got worse, growling and moaning filling the room as well. Teeth bit through the lining of cardboard and tape, the ripping sound covering Gramp's stuttering.
Sango quickly replaced the mouth guard, her hand immediately falling to her sword. Kirara tensed up beside her, muscles tight and ready to pounce.
"Sango!" Miroku called out, hand outreached.
She only looked back at him, eyes unreadable.
His arm faltered, and dropped back to his side. He swallowed, his hands curling into a fist. "Please try to be careful." He only said.
A heartbeat of time passed before Sango nodded once and threw herself out of Kagome's shield and towards the creatures ripping their way towards them.
Inuyasha sat limply in the seat next to Kikyo, his head lulling around from side to side as the car turned. His entire body prickled and stung, jerking in random movements. His mouth was the only part of his body he now controlled, and even that was sporadic at best.
Kikyo patted his knee brightly while pulling out of the park she had driven them to after leaving Kagome's, looking satisfied with herself. "Don't be so glum Inuyasha, the spell is only effective for a little bit. You really didn't think I would give you the chance to try to run or kill me, did you?"
The awful sensation of strings tugging at him made his arm jerk up, and his hand curled into a thumbs up, no matter how hard he tried to fight it. Kikyo laughed, before letting his arm drop like a puppet whose strings had been released. But not cut.
"That wasn't so horrible, was it? Come on now, give me a smile." Kikyo cajoled.
The corners of his mouth twitched and burned, but his lips pushed back into a silent snarl, the growl trapped in the bottom of his throat.
"Spoilsport," Kikyo sighed, sounding put out. "There's no need to remind me there's no way of controlling your vocal cords or mouth." she grumbled. "If you had given me more time, I could have brewed the proper potion. Now I'm stuck with the simpler, non-permanent version."
He had never wanted to kill someone as much as he did now. If Naraku had been chilling in the back seat with them, he still would have gone for Kikyo first.
The cell phone in her cup holder started vibrating, shaking the coffee next to it. Kikyo scowled down at it, but forced herself to wait until stopping at a red light, sliding it open with one eye on the road.
With a gasp she slammed it back down, and drove into an empty spot on the street, cursing. She turned over to face him, scowling. "Is there some reason why your damn mate just decided to visit her grandfather right now?"
Inuyasha wanted to shrug innocently, "For grandaughter, grandfather bonding time? ...oh, sorry. You wouldn't understand that whole 'loved by your family' thing, would you?"
Kikyo's eyes narrowed just before Inuyasha slapped himself across the face, and slammed his head into the car window.
She grabbed her phone back up, pressing buttons like crazy. "You're going to regret that." She promised.
His entire head ached, grateful for the cool glass of the window. He wanted to tell Kikyo that she would be the regretful one once he had full use of his body again. But he had just gotten Kagome in trouble, so he kept quiet and let the cold soothe some of his headache.
She snapped her phone closed before shutting her eyes and taking a deep breath, gripping and ungripping her steering wheel. "Alright, this really isn't so bad. Kagome is my plan C after all." she muttered to herself, still breathing deeply. "And now I know the temple safety measures weren't overkill."
Inuyasha wished he could turn his head to look at her, wanting to read her expression. "What do you mean?"
His head slammed back into the window. "I am not going to be the stupid villain who reveals all her plans, Inuyasha!" Kikyo snapped. She roughly started the car and drove back onto the road, cutting someone off. "Just worry about yourself. You'll find out everything soon enough."
Cardboard shredded and packing tape was ripped apart as the creatures flew out of their containers, green mist swirling around them. They looked like white, dragon-worms, with flaring collars, red eyes and feelers. Their teeth gnashed together as they shot straight towards Sango, their tentacles out stretched towards her.
Miroku gasped, "Soul-collectors."
Gramps seemed pleased by this. "That's exactly right, young man!" He exclaimed. "They appear just as soul-collectors have always been described."
"And that's bad." Miroku shot back, hands fumbling at his bag. "And there's five...seven...nine, damn it, more than a dozen of them." His curse was vulgar enough to make Gramps blush, and glance at Kagome like he was considering covering her ears.
"Well, I suppose they're not the most pleasant." Gramps muttered, feeling reprimanded. "They do collect souls for the underworld after all."
"And I guess they want ours?" Kagome asked, not ever having heard of them. They looked like weird eels to her.
"If they can get past Sango." Miroku finally upended his bag, searching frantically through the pile of paper strips. "Kagome, try to extend the shield. We need to help her."
Sango had her sword drawn and sliced one of the collectors from head to tail, the body halves falling on either side of her. Kirara bounced up and bit another one in half, choking on the taste. The remaining collectors circled Sango and Kirara, biting teasingly close to them as Sango whacked them away.
Kagome raised a brow, "...does Sango even need our help? She looks like she's got it covered."
Miroku jerked his head up, "Sango, no!"
The bits and pieces of soul-collector that littered the ground at Sango's feet slowly began to shake, stream rising up from the flesh. Sango and Kirara exchanged a look as she slowly sheathed her sword, backing away from the pile.
"Get away from them, now!" Miroku ordered, panic in his voice. He put himself in front of Kagome and her grandfather, staff held defensively.
"Come back to the shield!" Kagome called out, horrified when the torn apart collectors began to bubble and shift, growing longer and longer.
More soul collectors were being formed from the broken pieces.
"She can't." Miroku chocked out. "There's too much poison in the air now. If we let her back into the shield, we'll be affected by it. Besides, the collectors would just follow her in."
Before the new collectors could grow wings, Sango hopped onto Kirara's back, holding tight as the giant cat leaped into the air, dodging the soul collectors nipping at their heels. Sango reached back with her sword when they got too close, cutting off their heads.
"Goddamn it, Sango! Stop cutting them!" He roared up at her, the heads already growing bodies.
He darted back to the pile of sutras on the floor, finally selecting the ones he wanted. "Work on the shield Kagome, and get some power burning up in your hands. I'll cover your grandfather."
At his suggestion, her hands got hot from fingertips to palm and the umbrella over them began to grow larger. "Cover him from what?" Weren't they safe in her shield?
Miroku looked at her like she was an idiot. "From the soul collectors. They will notice us sooner or later."
As if hearing their names, two little ones came creeping towards them, ignoring Kagome's gasp of outrage when they sailed right past her barrier, heading straight towards them.
Miroku angled his body and put his staff on his shoulder, crouching down. When they came close enough, he swung, knocking them back out.
"Home run!" Gramps cheered.
"Well, I did play baseball..." He sighed at Kagome. "They're soul collectors, Kagome. Barriers of any kind won't affect them. How else do you think they reach inside you to claim your soul?"
Kagome went pale. "What?"
"Don't worry Kagome, I'll protect you. Give me another ofuda, son." Gramps ordered, holding his hand out.
"I would if you had the power to back them up." Miroku said bluntly. "Stay between us. Kagome, try not to let them touch you. Also, behind you."
Kagome spun around to see a long, fat one slithering through the air towards her, fangs gleaming.
She shrieked in disgust, instinct making her hand fly up and slap at it. It hit the ground with a slapt, before springing back up to circle around her.
"Use your power, Kagome!" Miroku snapped, whacking at one of his own.
They were so gross. Scowling, Kagome turned her open hand into a fist and wound her arm back. Her knuckles connected with its meaty head, before a purple light flashed between her hand and its flesh, sparking it on fire. It squealed as the flames quickly spread across its body, sending it to the ground as it wiggled in agony.
"Nicely done, Kagome!" Miroku praised. "Did you see that, Sango?" He called out, "Get Kirara to paw at them!"
From the air, Kirara brushed her flaming tail against a group of them experimentally. They quickly caught on fire, plunging to the ground.
Roaring in excitement, Kirara swung back around, pawing at the soul collectors with her feet, chasing them through the air.
"Begone demon!" Gramps bellowed as he ran screaming towards a collector, waving a ofuda stolen from Miroku's pile.
"Gramps, no!" Kagome cried back, trying to jerk him away.
He slammed the paper onto its head, chanting loudly. The collector looked at him blankly, the sutra now stuck in his collar. It shook it loose before striking, the paper fluttering to the ground as it wrapped itself around Gramps. The coils stretched from Gramps shoulders to legs, squeezing tightly as Gramps went pale and slumped towards the ground.
"GRAMPS!" Her hands burning even brighter, she dove for her grandfather, the umbrella beginning to swirl above her, dropping petals. "Get the fuck off him!"
She wrapped her hands tight around the collector's head, ignoring its squirming attempts to bite her. The squirming became agonized writhing as steam rose from its skin, red burns spreading down. In a puff of smoke and one terrifying shriek, the soul collector completely vanished. Not even ash was left on Gramps robes.
"Kagome!" He wheezed, hugging her tight.
"Are you ok?" She asked urgently, checking him over for anywhere else the soul collector could have hurt him.
He squeezed her hand. "Never better."
"Your petals seem to be doing most of the work, but let's finish this." Miroku sounded strangely excited.
Kagome looked up, confused by what Miroku meant. The petals raining down from her cover struck the soul collectors, setting them on fire.
Miroku took up one of his ofuda, waiting for one of the soul collectors to get close. Quickly, he stuck the paper to its wiggling body, jerking back when it snapped at him. He twisted his back and using his staff like a baseball bat, hit the collector as hard as possible towards a larger group of them.
"Fire!" He yelled. Instantly, the sutra-attached demon caught on fire, sparking it off to the remaining collectors in the group.
Miroku smiled in satisfaction as the flaming demons rained down, littering the formally clean temple floor with ash. "I was pretty good at bat."
"So glad we could revisit your glory days." Kagome muttered.
Her grandfather frowned at her even through his panting. "Kagome Higurashi! We raised you to be more gracious then that!"
Miroku's smile only turned into a smirk at Kagome's scowl. "Don't worry about it sir. I'm just glad to be of help." He offered, showing how gracious he could be himself.
Kirara chased down the remaining soul collectors, batting them about like toys. Finally when the last one fell screaming to the ground, Kirara lazily flew back to the group, touching down delicately. Sango dismounted and stood just outside the shield, sweat glistening on what was visible of her face.
Miroku crossed his arms, grin slipping. "You were the greatest demonslayer of your time, and you didn't know not to cut up soul collectors?"
Maybe it was oblivious to Miroku, but Kagome knew if given the chance, Sango was going to beat the shit out of Miroku for that comment. What little they could see of her cheeks was red, and her fists clenched over her sword hilt. She didn't offer him a answer, just mentally killed him with her glare. "Kagome, if you can move your shield while walking, we can get out of here quickly without releasing too much of Kikyo's toxin to the public air. I don't suggest waiting until it dissipates."
Kagome cautiously took a step, and was glad to see the umbrella moved with her to keep her directly in the center. "Let's keep going. We don't have time to wait."
"We better have time for you to explain what's going on, young lady." Gramps reminded sternly.
Kagome hesitated before nodding, and linking her arm with her grandfathers, noticing that he was trembling just the faintest bit. As she helped him walk out of the temple, she finally told him everything. That yes, demons were real, but not as monstrous as the legends of old. As they waited for Miroku to seal the temple so no poison could leak out, she told him about how she was a miko, and they were descended from one of the most powerful priestesses in history. As she helped him down the steps, she had to explain how that also meant they were all in danger from a evil miko who wanted to use her to access one of the world's greatest evils, who they were also related to. Easing him into the still-running car she told him how desperately she was in love with Inuyasha, and begged him to understand why she had to go and save him.
Gramps stayed silent through her entire explanation, Sango and Miroku being helpful by staying out of it. He studied her for a few moments, his old face lined with new wrinkles.
Finally he sighed. "I can't call him hoodlum anymore, can I?"
Kagome grinned through the tears filling her eyes, before hugging him tightly. "Only as a joke." she allowed, relief making her weak.
"As long as he doesn't know that." Gramps added, rubbing her back. "I've taken a shine to that boy, Kagome. You get him back for us. And forget this Midoriko person, show that Kikyo what the best Higurashi miko in history can do."
Kagome broke down laughing, beginning to feel optimistic. She could do this. She could save Inuyasha. She wasn't a horrible miko, just an inexperienced one. Instead of losing her family again, she would protect them instead.
Gramps was safe now. She'd assure the same of her mother and brother, then go after Inuyasha.
Kikyo pulled into a reserved parking lot by the front of whatever building she had brought them to, flipping the mirror down to check her hair. She pulled it up into a bun, tiding a few strands here and there to make it neat and professional. She glanced over at him, studying him even as she spread on a new coat of lipstick.
"You'll have to hide your ears under your hair, I don't have a hat to cover them. Also, I don't want to be seen with a man who has longer hair then I do. Tie it back." She offered him a hair tie and he clumsily took it, winding it through his hair so it was gathered at the nape of his neck. He didn't need a mirror to know it didn't look good, but Kikyo seemed satisfied with it.
"That'll have to do. I always told you you would look better with short hair but you were so stubborn about it. Maybe that's something we can finally fix if we have time."
She reached out to fix the collar on his shirt, smoothing it against his skin. "Remember Inuyasha, I might not control your mouth, but I control your body, I control your actions, and I control the fate of your mate's family. Cross me by saying one, single, word, and they will all suffer. I can't kill them because I need them, but they will feel pain, and it will all be because of you. Understand?"
Inuyasha would have nodded if she had allowed it, but instead hoped she would see his reluctant acceptance instead.
She brightened. "Perfect! Let's get going then; I hate to be late."
She opened her car door and Inuyasha found his hand doing the same, stepping out against his will. He felt disconnected to his body as he fell into step next to Kikyo, her heels clicking smartly next to his own fumbling footsteps. His arms swung awkwardly at his side, and his jeans needed to be pulled up, but he'd die before asking Kikyo to let him do it.
An ambulance sat just before the entrance to the building, men pulling a stretcher into it. Kikyo nodded and smiled at them, smiling wider when they whistled back. With a happy swing to her hip, she led Inuyasha through the revolving doors into a bright lobby. There was a giant desk with one woman sitting in it, tapping away at her computer.
She glanced up at their entrance, and brightened, seemingly happy to see Kikyo. "Good afternoon, Kikyo! Your 1:30 appointment is waiting for you in your office."
Kikyo smiled back, "Then I'm right on time! Thanks, Ginger."
"Anytime. Have a good day."
Inuyasha wanted to frown at the weirdo who seemed to admire Kikyo, but could only walk beside her and sweat through the elevator ride, hating the enclosed space, especially next to her. She hummed softly, mostly ignoring him, and smoothing her jacket down again to make sure it was even with her skirt.
The doors thankfully opened, and they walked out, shuffling past a stretcher with a man tied to it, moaning.
"This one's off his meds again," The orderly rolled his eyes at Kikyo, pushing his stretcher into the elevator.
Kikyo smiled sympathetically, "Hang in there, five more hours till your shift ends, right?"
"Yeah, five hours to long. See ya later."
Inuyasha was slightly repulsed by him. Who could stomach being so friendly to Kikyo?
Finally the creepy hospital vibe softened into offices, with artwork on the walls and plants in the corner. Kikyo strode right towards a frost-tinted door and opened it without hesitation.
There was a small lobby, warm and cozy looking, with comfortable chairs lining the wall and a kind faced woman sitting at a desk by another door. "Good afternoon, Doctor!
Kikyo smiled as she made Inuyasha sit in one of the chairs, back straight and his hands neatly laid in his lap. "Good afternoon, Gretchen. This is my friend; he may be joining with us in a bit."
"Very good." Gretchen smiled back warmly, another idiot charmed by Kikyo. "Your 1:30 is here. I've already sent him inside, and he's very excited to see you. This is his last appointment, I'm gonna miss the little guy."
"I'll miss him as well, but I'm so happy he's made so much progress." Kikyo agreed, readjusting her glasses. "Now then, goodybye's are tough, but let's not keep him waiting any longer."
"Of course." Gretchen strode ahead of Kikyo, opening the office door to the back of a little boy's head, looking out the window patiently. "Hey there Souta! Dr. Saito is here to see you now."
AN:...so who knew Dr. Saito was even a woman?
