Chapter 23
Birthday Wishes & Old Friends
A silent war waged between them. Violet and gray eyes flashed over the silver white hair of the child between them. One combatant pouted and the other caved with an attempted growl. The victor smiled and leaned forward to kiss her defeated foe. Standing in the men's room of the department store, Inu Yasha smiled as the little boy scooted himself more securely on the toilet seat. "Inu Yasha..." the childish voice happy and contented, "my birfday is coming soon."
"I know pup. Your Mommy told me."
"I know what I want for my birfday." Kenmaru nodded up at the temporarily human Inu Yasha.
"Oh? What?" Placing a hand on the boy's shoulder when he momentarily lost his balance.
"I want a Risky t-shirt, a Safety t-shirt, Roku needs a little brover and....."
Inu Yasha almost laughed at the comical expression on the boys face. Small fangs resting on his lips, silver eyes looking up through white hair. Ahh, the big gift he remembered this from Christmas. "And?" he prompted.
"I want you to be my Daddy." Kenmaru said standing up. Inu Yasha busied himself for a moment. The necessities of making the boy decent hiding his confusion. "Don't you want to be my Daddy?" Kenmaru asked his eyes filling with tears.
"Hai, pup, I would like to be your Daddy. That is something that your Mommy will have to decide," he answered, lifting the boy to the sink to wash his hands. "You'll have to ask her about that. Wash those hands good or no candy." He told the boy. "So how much have you conned your Uncle Sessho out of?"
"Four of those pieces of paper." Kenmaru chirped happily, unaware of the deliberate change of subject.
As Inu Yasha had walked off to take Kenmaru to the men's room, Kagome dashed to the children's section. Quickly making her selection she headed towards Lay-a-way, she'd pick them up in a couple of weeks, right before Kenmaru's birthday. With a sigh of relief, she watched the clerk pack them away and seal the box. She was heading back to Electronics when she saw two old friends. "Yuka! Eri!" The two turned and smiled, "It's been... what? Almost six years. How are you two?"
"About that." Yuka answered stiffly. Eri merely nodded.
"So how are you two? I've missed you. Why haven't you called? I mean, I've been busy with med school, my residency and Kenmaru. I know that's no excuse, but you know how time flies. Can you believe Kenmaru is going to be seven soon?" Kagome rambled. "You have to come over sometime so we can catch up."
"I don't know, Kagome... You know how hectic things can get." Eri said evasively.
"Hai, I mean work and all..." Yuka agreed, "Well it was nice running into you..."
Kagome frowned, two of her oldest friends were giving her the brush off? "What's with you two? Why do I get the feeling you aren't happy to see me again?"
Yuka huffed, "You want the truth Kagome?"
Kagome bristled but held her ground. "Hai, I think I deserve it."
"Fine, then. You're right we don't want to be around you." Kagome gasped, "You had a baby at eighteen, by a father who took off and hasn't contacted you since. Then you act like there is nothing wrong with the boy's birth defect."
Unseen by the three women, Inu Yasha and Kenmaru, were standing on the other side of the high rack of DVDs. "Inu Yasha? What's a birf defect?" Kenmaru asked looking up at his hero who quickly crouched beside him.
"What did you say?" Kagome's voice was soft and angry.
"Come on Kagome," Yuka continued, "Those ears? And then when Hojo was going to ask you to marry him, you said you were still in love with the boy's father. You should have forgotten him and married Hojo. At least then you wouldn't be raising a child alone."
Kenmaru reached up to the baseball cap, pushing it further onto his head. Tears fell from silver eyes to roll down plump cheeks. Inu Yasha gathered the boy into his arms, offering comfort. Whispering "Don't you listen Kenmaru, I've got those ears too. I think yours are perfect." He stroked the boy's back as silent sobs rocked his small frame.
"Is that how you really feel?" Yuka nodded. Turning her gaze to Eri, "Eri?" the girl nodded. "Then please don't let me keep you from your petty, vapid lives. Next time you see me, or my son, don't feel obligated to speak." Turning Kagome walked around the rack to see Inu Yasha holding Kenmaru. "Oh Baby." She cried rushing to take her son from Inu Yasha's arms.
Inu Yasha relinquished Kenmaru to his mother's embrace. His violet eyes usually warm and inviting, were twin chips of amethyst ice. He stood and moved around the DVD stand. The two girls were gone but it didn't take long for him to find them. They were still discussing Kagome when he came up behind them.
"I can't believe she said that." He recognized the voice of the one Kagome had called Yuka. "I mean vapid? Please."
"Oi" He called softly. He smirked as they turned, both girls giving him the same appraising look Kimusune had.
"Hi." The two girls said in unison. Each immediately having fantasies about the tall dark haired man.
"Heard you back in electronics." He said softly.
"Oh isn't it so sad, she just messed her life up." Yuka purred, taking a step towards him.
"Actually..." He drawled slowly, "I think you two .... obans didn't get near what Kagome should have given you. She's a nice woman, loving, considerate, forgiving, accepting, compassionate, loyal, beautiful, and passionate. Everything a man would want in a woman. A woman a man can depend on to try and defend him to his enemies. The kind of woman who'll fight at his side. The kind of woman that doesn't need a man to carry her, but will let him if he wants. The kind of woman that makes a man want to pull his hair out one moment and kiss her senseless the next. The kind of woman that has a fire burning in her, that is irresistible. The kind of woman that would make a man crawl out of hell to be with. Unlike the two of you." Yuka opened her mouth to speak but was cut off, "I wasn't finished speaking. You left a six year old little boy in tears." At their shocked looks, "Yea, Kenmaru heard your comments. Must be proud of the fact you can make a little boy cry. A little boy who is usually nothing but smiles and laughter. Quite an accomplishment." He turned and started back to Electronics.
"Who are you?" Eri asked.
Inu Yasha paused and turned, "Me? I'm just the guy who takes care of Kenmaru while Kagome's at the hospital. And her willing sex slave."