Disclaimer: The characters of Inuyasha are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, but this story belongs to me. Parts of this story are based on my true events.
When the Rain Fell
Chapter Seven: Raining Cats and Dogs
Claws tore into her flesh as Kagome covered her face and woke with a scream.
She hadn't meant to fall asleep. The plan was to stay awake to guard her family. Instead, poor Buyo had felt the need to be protector.
With the leash still wrapped firmly around her wrist, Kagome pulled the screaming and hissing cat into her arms and away from the two dogs who had attacked her in her sleep. Using her body to shield her pet, Kagome rolled to the side and to her feet.
The dogs turned and ran ask Kagome radiated with anger, their retractable leashes trailing behind them (making sounds scraping the floor that would haunt her nightmares!).
Kagome turned to glare at the sleeping woman who had threatened harm to Buyo for making noise. It was That Woman's dogs that were currently enjoying the run of the kennel.
"What's wrong?" whispered Souta.
"Nothing," Kagome put her tiny fuzzy protector back in the cage. "Can you give Buyo some treats? I need to… uh… I'll be right back."
Stiffly Kagome walked out of the kennel and into the common area. She went to the bathroom to see if her face was bleeding very much. The face that stared back at her was almost unrecognizable. What would Inuyasha think of his shard collector now?
Her hair was knotted and grimy. She had attempted to use one of the plastic combs that had been donated, but it had been too flimsy to go through her hair. Her face looked dirty, with a slight bruising under the eyes. Across the right side of her face scratches from her forehead to her cheek, barely missing her eye. Other scratches created marks going the other direction.
"Hashtag Hurricane Head."
The door to the bathroom squeaked to announce a visitor.
"Hey, honey."
"Hi, Mama."
Her mother smiled sadly as she brushed the hair from Kagome's face. "Are you alright?"
Kagome put on her brightest smile. "Of course! It's just a scratch!"
"What happened?"
Kagome leaned against the wall and recounted the tale of the pet battle royale. She tried not to wince as her mother carefully cleaned her face with soap and water… and of course a washcloth they had been lucky enough to find among the tables. Paper towels would not have been pleasant against scratches.
"I would love a shower," Kagome said as took the cloth from her mother and cleaned it out in the sink.
"No bath?" her mother laughed.
Kagome made a face, "It would just be wallowing in my own filth. Shower first, bath later. After maybe ten or so showers."
The two women walked into the common room. Kagome peeked in to check on her brother and Buyo. The cat was sitting with an angrily swishing tail keeping watch on her sleeping brother. A quick glance showed her that her grandpa was laying still and breathing deep.
"Look what I found."
Kagome gasped, "A real comb!"
Unlike the smaller flimsy combs, this one as nice and sturdy with wide teeth. It was the most perfect comb Kagome had ever seen! At least, at that moment it sure was. Mama Higurashi pulled Kagome into the seat beside her that now faced away form her, allowing her daughter's hair to… well… not exactly "fall" in front of her.
Starting at the ends, Mama Higurashi began the very long process of detangling her daughter's hair. Before she could start a black scrunchie bounced off her head.
Kagome and her mother looked across room to find Grandpa pulling the cooler with their important documents walking towards them, a bleary eyed Souta and glaring Buyo followed. Mama cheerfully went back to their area and came back with four bottles of water and some snacks.
Kagome took the obnoxiously orange scrunchie and tied her hair up. At this point it may just be easier cutting it all off. The young miko gave a half a smile. At least this way he won't think I look like Kikyo anymore.
ooOOooOOooOOooOOooOOoo
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Mama Higurashi felt relief to see her father up and around, demanding the family play cards. She worried that the damp air would be too much for his lungs. She had promised her husband that she would always look after and care for him. It had terrified her how the usually agile and overly rambunctious man had curled into himself. Yes, it was their home… but it had been HIS home and shrine for so much longer.
Souta… he was doing his best to keep a brave front, but she could see the shadow of fear be a constant shadow in his eyes.
And Kagome… poor Kagome. Taking on so much responsibility. If only she had escaped to the past so at least one of them would not have to be a part of this sad story. At least there she would be safe. She would have Inuyasha.
Inuyasha… where are you?
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Author's Note: My dogs kept barking while in their cages, and the lady kept threatening them. They barked less when I kept them on leash next to me. I did, in fact, wake to claws ripping at my face as my dogs tried to protect me from HER dogs.
And nothing is as terrifying as that horrible scraping sound of that plastic handle of the retractable lead against the cement floor in the middle of the night.
I did not have my mom come clean me up, but I DID say outloud "My kingdom for a brush"! I now have more brushes than I can shake a stick at and multiple detangling combs.