Chapter 17
Nice Carpet
Over the month, the temperature had dropped, the sun peeked shyly out from behind the clouds. Kinro kansha no hi (Labour Thanksgiving Day Nov. 23rd) had come and gone. Rumor mill at the hospital was working overtime thanks the repeated nudges given by one Kimusume Himura. Her snide comments to the Chief Resident had grown even more vicious. Constantly belittling the talented doctor, questioning how she had gotten the position. From inside the glass walled office of the ER manager, Sesshomaru watched as the woman made her comments. He watched as Kagome's aura flashed angrily, before subsiding, his sensitive hearing Kim's words as clear as if he stood next to her. "Must be nice to be fucking the administrator's little brother. Is that how you got the position of Chief Resident." Sesshomaru bristled momentarily, then turned to the manager.
"In one hour send Kimusume Himura to my office." He ordered, his voice betraying none of his carefully controlled fury. He could still remember the argument four months ago, when Kagome was about to refuse the position thinking he had a hand in it. Until he had explained he knew nothing about it. Now the very thing Kagome had feared was occurring. Sweeping from the room he made his way to the elevator, pushing the small up button he kept his face schooled in his carefully cultivated ice.
One hour ten minutes later Kim stood before Kagemusha-san's office. His secretary on the interoffice phone announcing her. The secretary looked up turning the lightest brown eyes, she had ever seen to Kim. "Kagemusha-san will be with you in one moment." Removing the paper from the tray of the printer, the secretary stepped into the office. Ten minutes later she exited holding the door open, "I'll get right on that Kagemusha-san." Turning to her, "He will see you now."
Smoothing the fabric of her short skirt, followed by a tug on the lab coat she wore, Kim entered the office. Stopping before the desk she looked at the administrator who calmly sat. Slightly leaned forward, elbows resting on the desk his hands clasped together, index fingers pressing against his lips, chin lightly on thumbs. His gold eyes watching her carefully. How long he studied her, she didn't know but the coldness behind those eyes made a shiver run down her spine. She swallowed.
Finally he spoke. "Sit down Doctor Himura." He waited as she settled herself nervously into the chair. "I am sure you are wondering why I have summoned you." She opened her mouth to speak but he continued ignoring it, "Some disturbing rumors have reached me. All reports indicate they originated from you. While it is not the policy of this hospital nor of myself to be concerned about the activities of the, I believe it is called, grapevine. These rumors directly effect my creditability as administrator of this hospital. In that vein it is important that I address this with you." He paused giving her a moment to speak.
"Kagemusha-san, I'm sure I don't know what you are speaking of." Kim said her voice dripping saccharine sweetness.
"You know well what I speak of. Do not insult me by lying. You have insinuated that Dr. Higurashi received her position to do her involvement with my brother. While the two of them do indeed have a past, going back many years. Until recently my brother has been in a coma, and has no memory of said past. In my own defense of your slander. I was unaware that Dr. Higurashi had been offered Chief Resident, until she confronted me about my supposed role in it. I will inform you now as I did her then. The decision of whom the Emergency Room Chief Resident has always been and always will be the prerogative of the Emergency Room Manager." He fixed her with an icy glare, "I am certain that I will hear no more of that rumor, Doctor."
"Hai Kagemusha-san." Kim felt a primal fear beginning to grip her as that glare stayed on her. She began to rise.
"Did I say our business was concluded, Doctor?" The ice cold silken voice continued. She sank back to the chair. "There is however some official business that must be addressed. While visiting the Emergency Room this morning I could not help but overhear your comments to Dr. Higurashi." He smiled inwardly at her gasp. "I believe your words were 'Must be nice to be fucking the administrator's little brother.' First let me address that statement, to my knowledge they are not 'fucking' as you so quaintly put it. Secondly, that language will not be tolerated in this hospital from its staff. I also have several signed statements for nurses of your questioning Dr. Higurashi's competency or orders to you. That behavior falls under the heading of insubordination and will not be tolerated at this hospital."
Now fear truly gripped the woman's heart. She could be kicked out nine months from finishing her residency and have to start all over again. With a nervous swallow, Kim nodded and spoke in the silence that followed his pronouncement. "I understand Kagemusha-san. I allowed my personal feelings to override my professional judgment."
"I was certain it was something like that." He answered smoothly. "However, there is a third matter to discuss. Several security camera's have captured your. . . shall we say immodest behavior in stock rooms. This will cease as well. This is a hospital not a brothel." He slid a piece of paper across his desk to her, a pen resting atop it. "This is a written warning on the three items that concern the hospital. If any of the three occur again, your residency will immediately be terminated." He waited as she shakingly signed the document. "I will have my secretary send you a copy for your records. Do you wish copies of the statements and video tapes as well? For these will go in to your file as well."
"That will not be necessary, Kagemusha-san." She whispered rising from the chair.
"Very good. Good day to you Doctor." Picking up the interoffice phone he spoke into it. "Send in my next appointment."
Kim reached the door as it opened, a small white haired figure dashed past her. At a more sedate pace came Kagome's white haired date from Halloween. He nodded coldly to her. Turning she watched as the boy climbed into the administrator's lap. "Uncle Sessho, Inu Yasha and I wanted to know if you could come..." Silver eyes turned to the one he'd come in with. "Oh yea. Have lunch with us at the fish market, then go pick out Aunt Rin's birfday gift."
Kim gasped as she saw it for the first time. Her mind reeling she continued out of the office, shutting the door. That little boy was Kagome's son, she'd seen enough pictures to know that. He was the spitting image of Inuyasha. He called Kagemusha-san Uncle. For the first time she admitted defeat in the conquest of a man.