Chapter 24
Rubbing it in
"And her willing sex slave." His comment hung in the air between them for a moment. Inu Yasha watched as it penetrated their minds. He didn't exactly know why he'd said that, not that it wasn't true. Then they began to react, eyes widening in shock, mouths gaping open. With a smirk he left them. As he reentered the Electronics section a silver white haired boy ran to him. Catching the boy easily, he swung him up to sit on his shoulders, very aware of the two sets of eyes watching. Moving to Kagome's side he draped an arm around her shoulders. Kagome glanced up meeting his eyes and smiled. He felt her slip her arm around his waist. She slipped her thumb through a belt loop, her fingers sliding into his back pocket. Turning his head, he placed a soft kiss on her temple. When she turned puzzled eyes to him, Inu Yasha only winked at her.
Kagome didn't know why Inu Yasha was being so openly affectionate. It's just his human night, making him even more so, she rationalized. Whatever the reason she was enjoying it. They walked through the store, looking at clothes and household utensils. She almost laughed when during a knife demonstration, Inu Yasha stepped up and asked to see them. Flipping the knife several times, he then tossed it lightly from one hand to the other. Gasps from several of the audience followed his "test" of the knife. Finally he returned it to the demonstrator, who asked if he was interested in a set. Inu Yasha had looked at it for a moment then said, "No thank you. The balance is off."
Several times she would catch a glimpse of Yuka and Eri following them. Sometimes their heads close together as if whispering secrets. As Inu Yasha and Kenmaru looked at fish, she caught sight of them watching them in the glass of the display. "Oh, that does it." She hissed. Inu Yasha's arm tightened around her holding her in place. "Why are they following us?"
Seeing what had her so angry, Inu Yasha chuckled. "Might be something I said." At her questioning look he placed Kenmaru on the ground. "Pup, why don't you go pick out some candy." Kenmaru nodded and moved to the nearby candy isle. "I just told them what a wonderful, compassionate, accepting, loving, and forgiving woman you were."
"And?" She knew there was more, Inu Yasha wouldn't have sent Kenmaru away if there wasn't.
"That I was Kenmaru's baby-sitter and..." he paused, taking a deep breath he finished in a rush. "Yourwillingsexslave."
"What?!?" She squeaked.
"I told them I was your willing sex slave." He said a bit slower.
"In the name of all one hundred and eight Kami's sake ... why?" She hissed, trying to keep her voice down.
"Two reasons: one, it would piss them off and two," He leaned closer, "I'm more than willing to apply for the job."
Kagome laughed, even as she blushed to the roots of her hair. "Well you know, the interview process is quite exhaustive."
"When would you like to see my resume?" He replied, his voice soft and seductive.
"Resume?" She asked incredulously.
"It would be hard, but I'm sure I could work one up for you." He teased back.
"Those are the best kind." she giggled, stepping closer.
"Mommy... Mommy..." Kenmaru's voice interrupted the adult conversation. "Can I have these?" He held up a huge bag of gummy bears.
Looking at the bag, Kagome questioned, "What are you going to do with two kilograms of gummy bears?"
"Eat 'em. Share 'em with Roku and Inu Yasha." Kenmaru said brightly.
"Don't I get any?" she chuckled.
"Uh huh... So you'll get them for me?"
Over Inu Yasha's deep chuckle, Kagome scowled, "Your Aunt Rin is teaching you bad habits. I'm going to have a talk with her about this negotiating she's been teaching you." Turning to the still chuckling Inu Yasha, "And you stop laughing."
"Well, he's good." Inu Yasha said trying to control his laughter.
"Ok... I'll get them for you THIS time. Anything else comes out of your money."
"No," Inu Yasha said pulling her close. "I told him to get the candy, I'll buy it for him."
Throwing her hands in the air Kagome laughed, "Gods help me, if the two of you ever join forces against me."
The three moved on looking at displays. Sometimes pausing when one of them found something to further investigate. A new pant suit caught Kagome's attention, only to soon find it's way into the basket. When she balked, Inu Yasha pulled out a gold MasterCard, explaining that Sesshomaru had given it to him. The pant suit was soon followed by matching shoes and purse. Inu Yasha tested several more knife sets, before finding one that suited him. Inu Yasha and Kagome bit back laughs as Yuka and Eri continued to follow.
When they passed the children's area, a party catering service had set up a display. Complete with an inflatable jumping booth. Kenmaru asked if he could be play. Inu Yasha reached in and pulled out the five hundred yen admission. Admonishing the boy to be careful with his claws, he watched the pup climb in and begin jumping around laughing. When his baseball cap fell off, Kenmaru began to frantically look for it until a little girl came up to him holding it out. Inu Yasha and Kagome watched as the little girl said something. At Kenmaru's nod she reached up and touched his ears, before placing the cap back on his head. Kagome rested her head on Inu Yasha's shoulder as the two children jumped around. Kenmaru now keeping one hand on his cap while holding the little girls hand with another.
A few rows back, Yuka and Eri watched the touchingly sweet scene. Each wondering how, Kagome Higurashi the girl with a seven year old son, had managed what they saw before them. An otherworldly handsome man, who was obviously completely devoted to her and her child, ears and all. How had she managed that? While the two of them could only fantasize