Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this long-awaited update... especially for the one who might be snooping. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Get Well Soon
A Few Days Later...
It took Kagome a few days to clear her schedule without raising Susan's suspicions. But it was going to be worth the little extra effort, especially since Shippo kept downplaying things and avoiding questions. All anyone knew was that Inuyasha had come down with something nasty… and that Shippo was keeping him home for a few more days, just to be safe.
She didn't know how to go about inviting herself over, so in the end, Kagome decided that the best way not to lose her nerve was to simply show up unannounced.
Their address was up past Nocking, which was an easy drive from Archer. She packed chicken soup and loaves of pumpkin bread into a box. A handful of apples. A jar of their honey. A box of herbal tea. All good for convalescents. Even better as a bribe, on the off chance that Shippo was put out. Not that she could imagine him ever being angry.
Using the address from their file, Kagome found the correct turning. The dirt road seemed to bump along forever, weaving through dense woods. Once in a while, a mailbox would appear on the side of the road, their numbers assuring her that she still had a long way to go. By the time she found their mailbox, she wondered if she wasn't in the next county.
The driveway was another rabbit trail, winding past a pond and through a grove of what looked like nut trees. She took it slow, not liking the whole lost-in-the-woods feeling. But all of the sudden she rolled into a clearing.
A small cabin stood before her, looking very authentic. Beyond it was an enormous barn, though nothing about the yard indicated it was used for livestock. Hardly surprising, given the long hours these guys put in at the school.
She parked. All was quiet, save the twitter of birds around several feeders.
She eased the box of goodies into her arms and faced the house. Marching up the sidewalk was relatively easy, but summoning up the nerve to knock was much harder.
Shippo spared her the trouble.
He opened the door, eyes wide, and asked, "Principal Higurashi? What are you doing here?"
"Being … neighborly?" She laughed at herself. "Or maybe nosy. What are you doing here?"
"Intercepting nosy neighbors …?" He looked tense and tired. And he hadn't invited her in.
"If Inuyasha's not up to having visitors, I can just leave this with you."
"I'm sorry. I'm being rude. Come in." Shippo eased back a step. "You're kind to check on us."
All his words rang empty. They were the kinds of things people were expected to say.
Kagome was suddenly sure she'd crossed a line. "I'll go. Really."
Shippo caught her wrist, and his gaze was pleading. "Say … do you know if Miroku's around anywhere? He hasn't been picking up."
"He wasn't at our place. Mom did mention that he didn't come home last night." Kagome felt like he wanted more information, so she rambled on. "He usually lets us know if work will be keeping him late, but Souta promised to check on him. Do you want me to call my brother?"
"Nooo. Thanks, though." Shippo gently tugged her over the threshold. "Since you're here, can I beg a huge favor?"
"Anything."
"Inuyasha's … umm. He kind of got worse in the night, which is why I decided to stick around the house today." Shippo fidgeted. "But I think I need to go for … medicine. And stuff."
"Is there a pharmacy in Nocking? I could go …?"
"What he needs is a little different. I've been trying to get ahold of … umm … the family doctor. I really can't explain right now. But if you'd stay right here, I'll track her down." He pulled out a chair at the table. "I'd feel a little better about leaving if he's not entirely alone."
"I'll stay!" she assured. "Not a problem."
He still hesitated. "Principal Higurashi, ma'am. I need you to promise me something."
"Sure."
"Don't go in there." He pointed to a door. "Inuyasha's room is off limits until I get back. I don't want you to catch anything or … anything. Okay?"
"You don't have to worry about me," she assured. "I have a strong constitution."
"I believe it. Just … promise?"
"Of course." She took the chair and folded her hands on the table. "I'll be right here."
For another long moment, he hesitated. But then he bolted out, the door slamming behind him. She half expected him to return. He'd forgotten the keys to his truck on their hook. But … nope. He was gone.
She peered around curiously.
Everything was tidy, with the exception of a small block of wood and some carving tools on the table in front of her. Shippo's handiwork, no doubt. It looked like it would be a small animal when he finished it. No other clutter. No frills. No television. The furnishings looked handmade. Actually, the house did, too. She supposed that with Shippo's hobby and Inuyasha's handiness, they could definitely have built this cabin.
For a while, she stayed put, but she was on edge. If Inuyasha was sick enough that Shippo wanted to bring a doctor … that couldn't be good. Finally, restlessness drove her to her feet, and she tiptoed around the room.
Personal touches weren't plentiful. No photographs. No books. But there was a bowl of paperclips on the kitchen counter, next to a bowl of change.
She bit her lip and stole toward one of the non-forbidden doors. To her relief, it was indeed the bathroom, and she availed herself of the facilities. Here, there were a few more personal items. Two shampoo bottles. Two towels on the rack. An expensive looking brush rested on the edge of the sink, alongside a ceramic bowl of hair ties.
Temptation struck, and she checked the old mirror. Yes, it was a medicine cabinet, and the door swung wide, revealing a shared tube of toothpaste, two toothbrushes, floss. And a list.
Rule #1 – Never leave the house without checking your hair color.
Rule #2 – We have a truck for a reason. Drive, even if it IS slower.
Rule #3 – Kitsune should clear the drain after every shower. Or else.
Rule #4 – Lift with the knees, not with the back. And grunt for effect.
What on earth?
Kagome scanned the remaining items, which had to be some kind of baffling inside joke. Rule #14 was, Use light switches. Rule #27 was, Elevator doors and tails do not mix. It continued all the way to Rule #52, which read, Never, but never, give in to the temptation of a cashmere sweater.
How … strange.
Very slowly, Kagome closed the cabinet door and returned to the kitchen. She'd love to ask Shippo about the list, but she'd basically be admitting to snooping. "I never should have peeked."
A groan sounded from behind the forbidden door.
Kagome hurried to it and held her breath, listening.
There was a low grumbling sound followed by a soft moan. Inuyasha sounded uncomfortable, but that wasn't any reason to break her promise to Shippo. She returned to the table, sat on her chair, and after a moment, tucked up her feet in order to hug her knees.
Minutes passed.
A louder moan came, followed by a whine.
She reluctantly held her ground.
But then came a raspy call. Had he called her name? How could he even know she was here?
Kagome eased to the door, listened a moment, then tapped lightly. "Are you okay? Inuyasha?"
No answer.
She tested the knob, and the door swung inward on well-oiled hinges.
End Note: Posted on October 2, 2021. 1,284 words. A week late because I've been prepping for the release of the fifth book in the Amaranthine Saga. Details can be found at ForthWrites dot com. Thanks to the brave few who dropped by my KO – FI account (and reminded me to check the nearest calendar). See you again at the end of the month!