Chapter 9
Planning a Surprise
The water cascaded down his muscular frame as he stood under the shower nozzle. He was getting tired of the constant defending of Kenmaru's father from her. Why couldn't she see that he had left her seven years ago. That he wasn't coming back. Why did he always come up the looser in any comparison to the boy's father? Turning off the water, Inu Yasha shook before stepping out. Wrapping a towel about his waist. Today, he decided. Today he would show her that he was better for her. He was better for Kenmaru. The only question remained how. Looking at the clock, he realized if he didn't hurry he would miss her. Quickly he dressed and hurried down the hall. Listening to the conversation coming from the kitchen.
"Ok Rin, Kenmaru is in his room playing. I'll be back a little after midnight." Kagome called, he could see her in his mind heading towards the door, her lab coat over her arm.
"Kagome, I can't watch Kenmaru this afternoon. The Ladies Auxiliary meeting is today, and I need to leave now to make it." She explained.
Inu Yasha listened as the exchange continued. Here was his chance. "I can watch him." He said softly entering the kitchen. He chuckled as both women turned to face him. "I mean, it would just be till Rin got home from her meeting." Kagome's glowing smile was all the thanks he needed. Then she rushed across the kitchen and kissed him.
"Arigato, Inu Yasha. I know you will take good care of him." She called as she ran out the door.
"You better take good care of him, Inu Yasha." Rin warned following behind the young doctor at a more sedate pace.
Inu Yasha nodded to a now empty kitchen, his lips still tingling from the brief kiss. Whistling a simple melody, he made his way to Kenmaru's room. "Hey pup, looks like its you and me this afternoon." He said to the younger hanyou.
Kenmaru leapt up, toys forgotten now that his favorite person had arrived. "Really? You and me."
"Yep." Inu Yasha knelt down so his golden eyes met the pup's silver. "How would you like to help me surprise your momma?" Kenmaru nodded a big smile on his little face. "OK, while I go get dressed, you put your toys away. Then we'll go." Chuckling at the white haired tornado, tossing toys into the empty toy chest, he rose and dashed to his room. Changing into a pair of jeans and a plain black t-shirt, he arrived back at Kenmaru's room as the last toy was shoved into the now full toy chest. "That was fast. Do you think your momma would like a hot meal when she gets home?" At the nod he continued. "Ok grab us some caps and we'll go look at some recipes and then go get the stuff at the store."
Kenmaru riding on his shoulders, list in his pocket and a mission, Inu Yasha walked down the crowded streets of Tokyo. Pausing he looked at the pharmacy. The cook's suggestion had been so simple he had been angry at himself for not thinking of it. Easily swinging Kenmaru back to the ground and taking his hand the two walked in. Going up to the counter he spoke to the young man behind it. "Excuse me, I'm looking for the Epson salts."
"Yes sir, they are.. oh hello Kenmaru. How's your Mother?" Inu Yasha bristled at the brown haired clerk asking about Kagome.
"She's at work, Hojo-san." Kenmaru answered politely, "This is my friend Inu Yasha. We're gonna surprise mommy. With a foot soak and dinner."
"Well I think that's a wonderful idea." Hojo smiled down at him, "Why don't you run to the back and see my mom. I'm sure she has a cookie or something for you."
"Kenmaru, stay with me." Inu Yasha stopped the boy with a hand on his shoulder. "Sorry, I'm watching him today and..."
"Understand, you don't know me. That's fine. The Epson salts are this way." Hojo led the two of them to the salts. Kneeling down Hojo watched as Kenmaru found something that caught his attention. "You know it's kind of funny, as sick as Kagome was during junior high, to become a doctor."
"Kagome was sick a lot?" Inu Yasha asked concerned now as he knelt beside Hojo.
"Yea, she missed most of two almost three years of school. We were all really surprised they didn't expel her for being absent so much. Then suddenly she was better, at school all the time. About two months later she told us all she was pregnant with Kenmaru. Since then she's been healthy as a horse. But I still think she may be pushing herself to hard. Friendly warning, Kagome's still head over heels in love with Kenmaru's father. I realized it about six months after he was born. So don't get your hopes up that she'll fall for you."
Inu Yasha bit back the growl that threatened, but nodded. "Arigato." He managed to get out. Picking up a box of Pocky at the register Inu Yasha called. "Kenmaru, come on buddy."
"K, bye Hojo." Kenmaru waved as he and Inu Yasha left the store bag in hand.
Inu Yasha pulled the list the cook had helped him make when they reached the market. Picking up a basket he started at the fresh vegetable counter, a nice bunch of scallions was picked and placed in the basket. He was about to leave the section when the pears caught his eye. For a moment he argued with himself, that they weren't on the list, yet some inner voice told him to buy them. Picking a couple with a shrug he placed them in the basket. Looking down he to check on Kenmaru, he noticed the pup had wandered off. A frantic search located the pup bent down picking up a melon. "Kenmaru, I told you not to wander off." he scolded.
An elderly lady smiled up at him, "Don't scold the boy. He was helping me."
"Gomen, obasan. But his mother will skin me if something happens to him." Inu Yasha said.
"Oh I understand young man. But, that's a nice, sweet and kind little boy you have there." She said giving Kenmaru a pat. Holding up an one yin piece silently asking permission. At Inu Yasha's nod, she gave it to the pup. "Now save that and buy yourself something nice." She told him moving away.
The sun was setting as Inu Yasha and Kenmaru returned to the house. The rest of their shopping trip had been uneventful, no old friends of Kagome's wanting to talk. The fish market had been exciting for the pup. His nose had been on overdrive, with all the scents. They had stopped and had some suchi before leaving the market. Rin met them at the door, anger flashing in her eyes. One look at the number of bags and the exhausted child on his shoulders, she relaxed and left them alone. The cook shooed him out of the kitchen, telling him to take care of the pup, then she would help him with the meal. Fed, and bathed, Kenmaru was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. Inu Yasha whispered, "Sleep tight pup." As he left the room.
Returning to the kitchen Inu Yasha spent the next several hours reading and rereading the cooks notes. When Sesshomaru had come in around ten for a cup of tea, he'd chuckled at his brother only to be growled at. As the clock struck eleven, Inu Yasha dashed to his room. He was about to change into dress pants and shirt, but stopped and decided on the outfit he'd worn to the park a month and a half ago. Returning to the kitchen he followed the cooks notes. He had just finished when he heard her drive up. Serving up the rice, miso soup, and the grilled salmon he set it and two cups of tea on the table in the den.
As he was straightening up she entered the den. "I thought you might want something a bit nicer than a piece of toast." He explained, then turned on the stereo.
Suddenly from the speakers came "ooh eeh ooh ahah, ting tang wallawallabingbang". Kagome stared at the speakers, then turned to the table. Finally her eyes rested on Inu Yasha, his ears were back, his head down and shoulders slumped. With a soft chuckle she walked to the stereo.
"Why do I suspect that wasn't what you intended to play?" Stopping the song she opened the tray and selected softer music.