Chapter 13
Challenge
Kagome sat at the nurses station, finishing her charts. Looking at the clock she groaned, she still had ten more minutes on her shift. That meant more than enough time for an emergency case to come in and delay her getting home. It had been a quiet shift at least, she thought looking around the ward. One of the American nurses had told the staff about Halloween when Kagome first started her residency. Since then every year the ER was decorated in black and orange. Every skeleton they could find in the hospital was brought down. This year the skeleton's had been dressed as pirates. Fake spider webs filled corners, ghost made from sheets hung from the ceiling. Every October thirty first, the staff brought their kids in and passed out candy. She barely paid attention to the residents, nurses and doctors behind her as they talked. Until one called her.
"Higurashi, you coming to the Halloween party tomorrow night?" Suuichi Minamino asked. The red head resident and she had become friends at the beginning of their residency. Both shared a detailed knowledge of herbal medicines, often using those over the modern drugs. At first their initiative in using ancient herbal medicines had created friction between them and the more traditional doctors. Now they were consulted especially with older patients who refused current medical technology.
Kagome was about to answer the soft spoken resident when a feminine voice interrupted her. "Why would you invite her? I mean the Ice Princess? The prude? The oh dear I forgot what birth control is girl. Not like she could get a date. I mean really." Kagome's eyes narrowed as Kimusume Himura walked up. The two of them had hated each other on site. Kim, was a forward, party girl, who saw nothing wrong with one night stands with another woman's boyfriend, fiancé or husband. Her reputation as the department slut was more than deserved, the woman reveled in the title. Kagome was often amazed at how a woman whose name meant innocent young woman, could be so completely the opposite. Even her conservative clothes were cut low and high as she could get away with. "What man would want a woman with a six year old child that even the father didn't want to hang around." She chuckled.
Noticing his friends anger, Suuichi tried to defuse the situation. "Kim, you shouldn't say such things."
"Oh Suuichi, sweetie, you don't have to stick up for her. I'm sure Kagome knows she's going to end up with some geek who can deal with another mans left overs."
Kagome stood suddenly, the metal legs of the chair grating on the tile floor loudly. Not looking at the class slut, she turned to Suuichi, "What time and where?" she hissed. Three years of residency listening to Kim's taunts about Kenmaru's father. Kagome would swear with her attitude that the woman was Yura of the Hair's reincarnation, if Yura hadn't been a comb that is. Still she knew that Kim would happily don Yura's next to nothing dress. "Geek huh? Just wait till you meet Inu Yasha." she scoffed making note of the club and time. Looking at the clock she was thrilled to see it was time to go.
Half an hour later Kagome sat in her car looking at the large house she called home. Why, she wondered, had she risen to Kim's taunting this time? It wasn't like it was the first time the woman had made the same insults before. Why had today been different? Today, Kim had insulted Inu Yasha, that was the difference. A soft smile crossed her face as she thought of the hanyou she loved. He would have breakfast ready for her, sit with her letting her talk through the day. Offering a foot or shoulder rub. It had been the same ever since that night, she thought at first he was warming up the food. Until she arrived home early one day to find him standing over a wok, his hair tied back frying tempura. Rin had told her he went out each day and purchased the ingredients for the meal. Eventually the door opened, revealing a concerned Inu Yasha.
Having heard her car drive up, Inu Yasha had fried the eggs. Pouring up the miso and tea while he waited. When she hadn't appeared when the eggs were done, he went to find out what was wrong. Her face turned to his as he entered the garage. Something was troubling her, he could see it in her eyes. He stepped into the garage and met her halfway. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." She said brightly, at his frown she knew he didn't believe her. "Well, tomorrow is October thirty first in America they have a holiday called Halloween. Every year all the residents go out to this American club called, Uncle Sam's to their Halloween party. I usually don't go, but I got angry and said I would go. Would you..."
He cut her off, "Sure I'll watch Kenmaru. You go have a good time." He said hiding the hurt that she only wished him to watch the pup. They had made it to the kitchen and he handed her the plate he'd made for her, keeping his eyes hidden with his bangs.
"Inu Yasha, I ...I.." She stuttered, stopping she took a deep breath and started over. "I would like you to come with me. I know that there will be dancing, and it will be crowded and noisy, but I'd really like it if you would." She watched as his head snapped up, his golden eyes locking on to hers. She nodded as she answered the unspoken question in his eyes. "Really, I want you to come."
A smile touched the corner of his lips, "Umm Kagome, my ears... I'd love to go with you but..."
A bright smile lit her face, "That's the beauty of Halloween, Inu Yasha. You won't have to wear a hat. We'll get you a white mask and you'll be fine."
"Then I'd love to." He answered.
Hours later, Kagome had long since showered and gone to bed. Kenmaru was down for his afternoon nap when Rin returned from one of her many fund-raising lunches. She was met at the door by a very anxious Inu Yasha, who quickly explained the situation. "Please Rin?" he begged at the end of his explanation and request.
Smiling at him she answered, "Hai, gikei (brother-in-law) I'll help. Clothes, hmmm American club... dancing... well she did say Halloween.. so we could let you wear your fire rat.. but I've got a better idea." Putting her purse down she led the way to his room.