Dropping the tape off was more complicated than she would have liked, especially since she didn't get to deal with Kouga. Apparently, he was out of town chasing down a lead and so she was left to deal with his partner. What should have only taken a few minutes took two hours as she went through her night again and again and again; as she was forced to listen to the tape, again and again and again.
The detective, Souton, did not seem to care that each time she heard his voice, the veneer of strength she had wallowed in the night before weakened. She did not seem to care that each time she heard him say her name in that disgusting sing-song, she felt nauseous. When it was over, Kagome could not bring herself to smile or thank the detective. She left as quickly as possible and stopped at the Shrine to let her mother know.
That too took longer than she would have liked. The tears, the fear, the reassurances that yes, she was fine, and no, she wasn't going to move back home. The only part of her morning that was blessedly short was the call to Sesshoumaru, because he didn't answer. She left a voice mail and then with still more reassurances to her mother, left the shrine.
It was only when she reached the relative safety and silence of the shop that she relaxed even minutely because finally she could focus on something else, on orders, on melting and stirring and baking. The simplicity of it typically relaxed her, helped her think things through. But today, her hands shook and her mind raced and the last thing she could do was focus.
o.O.o
Word Count - 287
