Thank You for the wonderful reviews. -MC
Disclaimer: I do not own the InuYasha characters but I did create this story.
"..." Speaking '...' Thoughts
Our World Is A Canvas Chapter Four: On Their Way
After managing to remember an 'up-do' for her hair Rin taught her a while back, Kagome slipped into her attire for the evening and then carefully tucked her completed studies away in her yellow, old and decrepit book bag. 'I'll double check everything tomorrow. Right now they're out of the way and in a place where I can locate them.'
Sitting down at her vanity, she carefully slid a pair of earrings her mother had given to her through the holes in each ear, and lightly dabbed a tiny drop of apple blossom scented perfume behind each ear. Satisfied, she slowly stood up, smoothing out her dress. With one a final glimpse at herself in the full length mirror hanging behind her door, securing the straps to her dress snuggly, she vacated her cozy bedroom turning off the light for 'inspection'. Anytime she had to dress up for something, Miroku was the one she had gone to for advice and help. For some reason or other, he just had an eye for such things, which she hoped was because he loved her and not just the body she walked around in. All the same, it was inspection time and she knew he'd give her an honest response.
With those thoughts in mind, Kagome shyly stepped into the living room to find him sitting in his favorite black recliner reading a novel he'd picked up on reading the other day. Feeling her presence in the doorway without having to look up, he marked the page with a piece of paper and gently laid the closed book on the thick, cushioned armrest. Instantly he sat up and was quickly on his feet and dragging her into the center of the room and circled the beauty before him carefully, tapping his chin thoughtfully while randomly mumbling an "Mmhmm" to himself, taking in her form completely. The last time she had worn the dress was at their senior prom. Seeming to be a late bloomer, he had suggested to her the modification of the slit up the side for a later date to show off her "perfect legs" when she, as he so mildly put it, filled in the gaps. He got a swift kick to the chins for that comment, but he was right just the same.
She jerked when feeling fingers pulling the back of her dress, and was about to slap the one fiddling with her garment, when a soft, 'ziiip' echoed in her ear, as he finished pulling the zipper up a little bit where she must have been unable to reach. Knowing that he had had good intentions, she allowed herself to relax a little more.
She had indeed matured physically and she filled everything in, in all the right places. Miroku took in her raven black hair which she had neatly half pulled up onto her head and had randomly pinned the curls into neat loops, while the rest dried naturally, leaving it to gently cascade slightly to her shoulders in waves. Two thin shorter locks were spirally curled at both temples. The hair cut really did suit her. Her eyes had been painted a natural light shade of blue, which matched the floral pattern of her dress and eyes and lips thinly glossed. Silver rose earrings dangled from each ear and matched the few silver and rose gold colored rose pins placed up in her hair.
Kagome was a simple type of lady, never to over do, and so the dress was perfect. Its straps looked like they were tied together allowing extra material to drape down to cover her elbows freely. The neck line which sagged slightly to reveal a modern proportion of cleavage, also gave the impression of there being a little amount of extra fabric to drape over the edge for an added dramatic effect. The bodice was slender and hugged her hips just tightly enough to show off her curves in flattering ways. A slit ran up the side of the right leg to just above the knee, showing off her creamy complexion of skin (as it was just now nearing tanning season), as she walked or favored that leg when standing. Matching rhinestones stones elegantly lined around the bust and hips softly trailing an ivy-like pattern downward to the bottom of the see-through lining of the dress which covered the solid silk one underneath. A simple pair of open toed low heel shoes completed the looked of elegance with their lacing twined a couple inches over her ankles, much like ballet slippers.
Feeling albeit anxious over the scrutiny, she bit her lower lip and tangled her fingers together uneasily in front of her. Closing her eyes for a moment and taking in a slow breath, she looked up to see Miroku narrowing his eyes at her neck line.
"Miroku? Is this okay, or should I change? You know, on second thought; maybe I should just stay home and study some more. It was a bad idea, thanks anyway but I…"
And with a single finger placed upon her lips, he achieved his goal of gently quieting the paranoid woman with a friendly smirk, and stepped back.
"Actually, I was thinking how beautiful and perfect you look, Kagome…" he smiled again as her face tinted pink and returned the gesture. "Like a woman in the most beautiful portrait I have even had the honor of gazing upon. But, I think something is missing. Hai, there is something missing." He tried not to laugh at the confused and slightly terrified look on her face as she gently fingered her hair, ears, stomach, and looked down to her shoes to find any imperfections she might have had. Taking this time of distraction, he glided up behind her and removed something from a small black velvet box.
"My Lady, I ask for you to remain still for a moment and to close your eyes, please." he asked from behind but confused as she was, Kagome nodded and complied, closing her eyes.
She could feel his gentle warm breath upon the back of her neck and the sleeves of his shirt graze over her shoulders lightly. She raised an eye brow at his sudden closeness and her mind began to scatter in a ton of directions. 'Why is he so close? Is he trying to tell me something? He doesn't -like me-, like me. Does he? What is he going to do?' "Miroku? Wha…" suddenly something cool and dainty rested on her collar bone, felt something clasp behind her neck, and then let him slowly turn her around to face him again.
"There. The finishing touches are complete. You may open your eyes now."
Kagome slowly lifted her colored lids to see her friend smiling at her mischievously and then glanced in the small mirror hung on the wall behind him. He slipped his hands into his pants pockets, stepping aside when she gasped at the image staring back at her. Quickly rushing up to it for a better view she gingerly fingered the thin sterling silver chain and pendant in the shape of an artist palette. One small blue sapphire, emerald, yellow sapphire, and ruby each which represented paint, and in the center where the painter would hold the palette with his/her thumb three paint brushes with diamonds as the bristles were set.
"Do you like it, Kagome?" he asked her quietly. Tears began to pool up behind her eyes as Kagome rushed back into Miroku's arms in a solid embrace. Hugging her gently he chuckled. "I take that as a maybe?"
After a few moments, Kagome finally stepped back a to smile up at him. "It's wonderful, so very wonderful. Thank you, Miroku."
"I wanted to wait for just the right time to give it to you, and I thought that tonight would be as good as any. I'm pleased you like it."
"I love it and I love you. I couldn't have asked for a better friend." hugging him once more, she glanced at the clock on the wall. With a near deafening screech startling him almost out of his shoes, Kagome rushed out the living room to the next room to retrieve her purse sitting on the kitchen table, dragging him right along behind her. "Miroku, we're going to be late! Come on!"
"Whoa whoa whoa, slow down there girl!" he laughed and started back for the living room. "We're right on schedule. No worries."
"We are late, Mr. Know-It-All." she huffed while draping a thin black shawl over her shoulders. "How can you be so calm when you're late picking up your date? Huh?"
"At the moment, my reasoning is because I would truly be disappointed to see all that lovely hair fall out of place or see that stunning dress ripped caused by any haste in getting there." he replied appearing suddenly through the archway leading the kitchen into the living room. "So try to relax. We shall arrive when we arrive."
"Very well." Kagome nodded, straightening his tie for him. "I'm sorry for spazing out on you."
"No apologies needed, Kags. I too am just as excited to be on our way myself. So now that I have my coat on and have made sure to have my wallet and keys, shall we go?" he asked while offering her an arm.
She accepted his gentlemanly courtesy and smiled again. "Hai, lets." Together they left the apartment arm in arm and were headed off to pick up Ayme.
Miroku sat next to his date beaming with joy. His date and his best friend were chatting up a storm as they all enjoyed the ride to the dance. He eyed Rose's exposed knee, and was thrilled that once he set his hand on it, she hadn't pushed him away or left a handprint across his cheek.
Ayme's dress was also admirable. She had selected a single layered dusty rose, type and tied a matching silk chocker around her neck which had a rosebud and stem attached at it's center. It was a spaghetti strap, and though it wasn't very tight fitting, it still gently hugged her curves. It still left some to the imagination, as it covered a bit more cleavage then most dresses would, but she carried an air of confidence and pride in which it was suitable and elegant. Her dress, again like his best friends', had matching rhinestones, with the exception that Rose's started tightly around the waist and then scattered out downward rather than having an ivy or flower pattern. Her red hair was slightly longer than Kagome's, and so the right side was pinned back to one side with a blue and green winged butterfly barrette.
"So you're the best friend I've heard so much about." Ayme commented to the girl sitting across from her in the limousine. "It's a pleasure that I can finally meet you face to face."
"Hope it wasn't all bad." joked the young artist. "However, I'm sorry to say that he has neglected to tell me more about yourself, other than being a pediatric nurse." she chuckled. "So please, tell me about yourself."
"All good with the exception of not finding 'Mr. Right.' Don't worry, though. Love turns up where you'd least expect it. I'm still waiting for my Prince Charming, so you're not alone. As for me. Well, there's nothing much to tell, really. I graduated from Medical School here at Tokyo University. I went into pediatrics because as a child, I was always sick and in the hospital. The nurses and doctors were friendly and a comfort so I guess I felt like I wanted to pass along that kind of caring to children who are sick like I were."
"What were you sick from, if I may ask?"
"I was diagnosed with a rare type of leukemia around six or seven, and underwent several forms of chemotherapy when it became available. Almost didn't make it, but I've a cancer survivor for quite sometime now. I know what it's like to be sick, so I'm able to help the children through the process."
"Wow, I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you."
"Our lovely Ayme's a fighter," Miroku replied wrapping an arm around her shoulders gently. "Strong and spirited."
"Speaking of being strong and spirited," Kagome smirked, "how did you meet?"
Ayme giggled. "I was in the cafeteria on break one night, and happened to hear a strange squeal and slap from behind the salad bar. I saw a man dressed in black and purple robes nursing his cheek. I've seen him around the hospital but it was only then when I had the chance to actually speak with him. I said hello and offered the seat across the table from me. We started chatting, and a few good solid slaps and a couple of glasses of dumped water later, we became good friends over the week."
"So does this mean Miroku has found himself a girlfriend?" Kagome inquired. "I'm very impressed that you're able to put up with his, 'habit'."
"I can not help what I was born with, Lady Kagome. I would never take advantage of a woman, unless asked to of course. Or they offer first." he looked to Ayme with a suggestive wiggle of the eye brows and slowly began to trail his hand towards her hip before being plummeted to the car floor.
Sighing, Ayme looked over to Kagome and asked to sit next to her for the duration of the car ride which Kagome happily agreed. "If I need help of any sort, hoshi-sama, I will gladly let you know."
Kagome eased into the soft leather seat and sipped on a ginger ale she had spied in the limousine's cooler. After fiddling around with radio stations, the young miko and nurse shared the same tastes in music and opted to listen to a bit of classical. (Ayme also figured it'd help settle the nerves of her new friend.) Kagome watched as the car passed by people out walking their dogs, enjoying the warming weather. The streetlights lining the city streets were glowing, and the stars were peaking out against the lights pollution and scattered nighttime clouds.
Sitting there watching the scenery, Kagome felt a little strange about taking such lavish mode of transportation to such an event, and being the woman that she was, her knack of curiosity always prevailed. She didn't know if it'd be rude to ask or if Ayme would mind at all. After all, she was invited last minute and she had enjoyed Ayme's company so far. So choosing do the only thing to quench that thirst for knowledge, she went about finding the answer anyway.
"Ayme, may I ask you something?"
"Sure Kagome, what would you like to know?"
"I hope you don't think ill of me for asking, but may I ask why we are taking a limo to the dance? I mean, how big and formal is this going to be? I don't want to see rude or ungrateful, I'm thrilled to be going, but I'm just too curious for my own good." she asked nervously.
"You're fine Kagome." She laughed, allowing her to relax again. "We are riding in a limousine because the limo service has made a wonderful contribution to the Cancer Fund over the years and because of the hospitals effort of finding cures and being so good to the family and children, they have offered to send us to the dance 'in style' and free of charge to us this year. Kind of their way as a thank you. Another possibility is because the owner of the company. See, his mom was a cancer survivor who passed away last year at a ripe old age of ninety, and is doing this in her memory. She would volunteer to come in and read to us all, children and staff alike, and tried to teach the kids how to knit. She was a very kind and is missed by everyone."
"That certainly is nice of them. I would like to volunteer if I'm able. Can anyone come in and volunteer to read, or do you need to be a survivor or member of the hospital?" she asked.
"Well I can ask the other nurses and see what they have to say. How much time would you be able to donate?"
Kagome thought a minute. 'Between helping keep up the shrine and work for Rin, there won't be much time left in the week to help Ayme; but I'm sure I could take my days off to come in.' She turned her attention back towards Miroku who was just now able to sit upright in his seat again. "Miroku, you volunteer at the hospital don't you? What days are you there?"
"Hai. The children's hospital. I come in when asked, but generally, Saturday's and Thursday's. I offer prayer to those who seek guidance and help try to lift their spirits. Why do you ask?"
"I was wondering if you'd mind taking me in with you those days? I have to be at the shrine this summer and going to be taking the bus to get work at the salon, but I'd really like to volunteer to maybe paint with the children in the hospital. So do you think you could take me in with you?" she smiled.
"I had planned on helping you and your family with the shrine, so I'd be there those days anyway. I don't have a problem. Having company during the ride over sounds like a refreshing idea. How about it, Ayme?" he flashed her one of his more charming smirks. "Think you could talk to someone to let Kagome teach the kids how to paint?"
Ayme nodded and grabbed the other girls hand in excitement. "The kids would love it. We always encourage them to draw and what-not, but it'd be something else if someone was able to actually help teach them like the pro's. Like I said, parents and staff paint with them, but I think the encouragement to seek a profession in it when they're in remission would be a wonderful idea. We've got some amazing artists in that crowd. If not painting, would you be willing to draw or color?"
"Art is my passion, Ayme. I'm graduating really soon to teach art anyway, so this'll be a great experience."
"The it's settled. I'll see what I can do then."
"Thanks Ayme." Kagome smiled as Ayme leaned in to hug her, being mindful of their attire and hair.
"No Kagome, thank you for being so kind."
"Hey Ayme, I'm a bit curious. Do you know how many people are attending the dance tonight?"
"Personnel are encouraged to invite their family and friends plus there are going to be other sponsors. The hospital is hoping to raise over fifty-thousand dollars. It's a long shot, but we raised almost thirty-five thousand last year, so we're hoping for a good turn out. Every little bit helps."
The long white vehicle was beginning to pull in behind a long line of several limo's, taxi's and other personal vehicle's leading the way up to the large double doors at the top of carpeted stairs. Kagome choose this time to gaze out of the tinted window to her right. Many couples were ascending the steps dressed in their finest. "By the looks of it," she grinned, " I don't think you'll be far from your goal at all, because it seems you folks have a lot of help tonight."
I'm sorry it's not longer, but it seems like a good place to leave off. Next chapter has great potential to be quite longer, so I'm hoping that you like what I've written thus far. As always, your reviews are important to me, and I love hearing from you folks. Thank you for reading "Our World Is A Canvas".
-MC
Disclaimer: I do not own the InuYasha characters but I did create this story.
"..." Speaking '...' Thoughts
Our World Is A Canvas Chapter Four: On Their Way
After managing to remember an 'up-do' for her hair Rin taught her a while back, Kagome slipped into her attire for the evening and then carefully tucked her completed studies away in her yellow, old and decrepit book bag. 'I'll double check everything tomorrow. Right now they're out of the way and in a place where I can locate them.'
Sitting down at her vanity, she carefully slid a pair of earrings her mother had given to her through the holes in each ear, and lightly dabbed a tiny drop of apple blossom scented perfume behind each ear. Satisfied, she slowly stood up, smoothing out her dress. With one a final glimpse at herself in the full length mirror hanging behind her door, securing the straps to her dress snuggly, she vacated her cozy bedroom turning off the light for 'inspection'. Anytime she had to dress up for something, Miroku was the one she had gone to for advice and help. For some reason or other, he just had an eye for such things, which she hoped was because he loved her and not just the body she walked around in. All the same, it was inspection time and she knew he'd give her an honest response.
With those thoughts in mind, Kagome shyly stepped into the living room to find him sitting in his favorite black recliner reading a novel he'd picked up on reading the other day. Feeling her presence in the doorway without having to look up, he marked the page with a piece of paper and gently laid the closed book on the thick, cushioned armrest. Instantly he sat up and was quickly on his feet and dragging her into the center of the room and circled the beauty before him carefully, tapping his chin thoughtfully while randomly mumbling an "Mmhmm" to himself, taking in her form completely. The last time she had worn the dress was at their senior prom. Seeming to be a late bloomer, he had suggested to her the modification of the slit up the side for a later date to show off her "perfect legs" when she, as he so mildly put it, filled in the gaps. He got a swift kick to the chins for that comment, but he was right just the same.
She jerked when feeling fingers pulling the back of her dress, and was about to slap the one fiddling with her garment, when a soft, 'ziiip' echoed in her ear, as he finished pulling the zipper up a little bit where she must have been unable to reach. Knowing that he had had good intentions, she allowed herself to relax a little more.
She had indeed matured physically and she filled everything in, in all the right places. Miroku took in her raven black hair which she had neatly half pulled up onto her head and had randomly pinned the curls into neat loops, while the rest dried naturally, leaving it to gently cascade slightly to her shoulders in waves. Two thin shorter locks were spirally curled at both temples. The hair cut really did suit her. Her eyes had been painted a natural light shade of blue, which matched the floral pattern of her dress and eyes and lips thinly glossed. Silver rose earrings dangled from each ear and matched the few silver and rose gold colored rose pins placed up in her hair.
Kagome was a simple type of lady, never to over do, and so the dress was perfect. Its straps looked like they were tied together allowing extra material to drape down to cover her elbows freely. The neck line which sagged slightly to reveal a modern proportion of cleavage, also gave the impression of there being a little amount of extra fabric to drape over the edge for an added dramatic effect. The bodice was slender and hugged her hips just tightly enough to show off her curves in flattering ways. A slit ran up the side of the right leg to just above the knee, showing off her creamy complexion of skin (as it was just now nearing tanning season), as she walked or favored that leg when standing. Matching rhinestones stones elegantly lined around the bust and hips softly trailing an ivy-like pattern downward to the bottom of the see-through lining of the dress which covered the solid silk one underneath. A simple pair of open toed low heel shoes completed the looked of elegance with their lacing twined a couple inches over her ankles, much like ballet slippers.
Feeling albeit anxious over the scrutiny, she bit her lower lip and tangled her fingers together uneasily in front of her. Closing her eyes for a moment and taking in a slow breath, she looked up to see Miroku narrowing his eyes at her neck line.
"Miroku? Is this okay, or should I change? You know, on second thought; maybe I should just stay home and study some more. It was a bad idea, thanks anyway but I…"
And with a single finger placed upon her lips, he achieved his goal of gently quieting the paranoid woman with a friendly smirk, and stepped back.
"Actually, I was thinking how beautiful and perfect you look, Kagome…" he smiled again as her face tinted pink and returned the gesture. "Like a woman in the most beautiful portrait I have even had the honor of gazing upon. But, I think something is missing. Hai, there is something missing." He tried not to laugh at the confused and slightly terrified look on her face as she gently fingered her hair, ears, stomach, and looked down to her shoes to find any imperfections she might have had. Taking this time of distraction, he glided up behind her and removed something from a small black velvet box.
"My Lady, I ask for you to remain still for a moment and to close your eyes, please." he asked from behind but confused as she was, Kagome nodded and complied, closing her eyes.
She could feel his gentle warm breath upon the back of her neck and the sleeves of his shirt graze over her shoulders lightly. She raised an eye brow at his sudden closeness and her mind began to scatter in a ton of directions. 'Why is he so close? Is he trying to tell me something? He doesn't -like me-, like me. Does he? What is he going to do?' "Miroku? Wha…" suddenly something cool and dainty rested on her collar bone, felt something clasp behind her neck, and then let him slowly turn her around to face him again.
"There. The finishing touches are complete. You may open your eyes now."
Kagome slowly lifted her colored lids to see her friend smiling at her mischievously and then glanced in the small mirror hung on the wall behind him. He slipped his hands into his pants pockets, stepping aside when she gasped at the image staring back at her. Quickly rushing up to it for a better view she gingerly fingered the thin sterling silver chain and pendant in the shape of an artist palette. One small blue sapphire, emerald, yellow sapphire, and ruby each which represented paint, and in the center where the painter would hold the palette with his/her thumb three paint brushes with diamonds as the bristles were set.
"Do you like it, Kagome?" he asked her quietly. Tears began to pool up behind her eyes as Kagome rushed back into Miroku's arms in a solid embrace. Hugging her gently he chuckled. "I take that as a maybe?"
After a few moments, Kagome finally stepped back a to smile up at him. "It's wonderful, so very wonderful. Thank you, Miroku."
"I wanted to wait for just the right time to give it to you, and I thought that tonight would be as good as any. I'm pleased you like it."
"I love it and I love you. I couldn't have asked for a better friend." hugging him once more, she glanced at the clock on the wall. With a near deafening screech startling him almost out of his shoes, Kagome rushed out the living room to the next room to retrieve her purse sitting on the kitchen table, dragging him right along behind her. "Miroku, we're going to be late! Come on!"
"Whoa whoa whoa, slow down there girl!" he laughed and started back for the living room. "We're right on schedule. No worries."
"We are late, Mr. Know-It-All." she huffed while draping a thin black shawl over her shoulders. "How can you be so calm when you're late picking up your date? Huh?"
"At the moment, my reasoning is because I would truly be disappointed to see all that lovely hair fall out of place or see that stunning dress ripped caused by any haste in getting there." he replied appearing suddenly through the archway leading the kitchen into the living room. "So try to relax. We shall arrive when we arrive."
"Very well." Kagome nodded, straightening his tie for him. "I'm sorry for spazing out on you."
"No apologies needed, Kags. I too am just as excited to be on our way myself. So now that I have my coat on and have made sure to have my wallet and keys, shall we go?" he asked while offering her an arm.
She accepted his gentlemanly courtesy and smiled again. "Hai, lets." Together they left the apartment arm in arm and were headed off to pick up Ayme.
Miroku sat next to his date beaming with joy. His date and his best friend were chatting up a storm as they all enjoyed the ride to the dance. He eyed Rose's exposed knee, and was thrilled that once he set his hand on it, she hadn't pushed him away or left a handprint across his cheek.
Ayme's dress was also admirable. She had selected a single layered dusty rose, type and tied a matching silk chocker around her neck which had a rosebud and stem attached at it's center. It was a spaghetti strap, and though it wasn't very tight fitting, it still gently hugged her curves. It still left some to the imagination, as it covered a bit more cleavage then most dresses would, but she carried an air of confidence and pride in which it was suitable and elegant. Her dress, again like his best friends', had matching rhinestones, with the exception that Rose's started tightly around the waist and then scattered out downward rather than having an ivy or flower pattern. Her red hair was slightly longer than Kagome's, and so the right side was pinned back to one side with a blue and green winged butterfly barrette.
"So you're the best friend I've heard so much about." Ayme commented to the girl sitting across from her in the limousine. "It's a pleasure that I can finally meet you face to face."
"Hope it wasn't all bad." joked the young artist. "However, I'm sorry to say that he has neglected to tell me more about yourself, other than being a pediatric nurse." she chuckled. "So please, tell me about yourself."
"All good with the exception of not finding 'Mr. Right.' Don't worry, though. Love turns up where you'd least expect it. I'm still waiting for my Prince Charming, so you're not alone. As for me. Well, there's nothing much to tell, really. I graduated from Medical School here at Tokyo University. I went into pediatrics because as a child, I was always sick and in the hospital. The nurses and doctors were friendly and a comfort so I guess I felt like I wanted to pass along that kind of caring to children who are sick like I were."
"What were you sick from, if I may ask?"
"I was diagnosed with a rare type of leukemia around six or seven, and underwent several forms of chemotherapy when it became available. Almost didn't make it, but I've a cancer survivor for quite sometime now. I know what it's like to be sick, so I'm able to help the children through the process."
"Wow, I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you."
"Our lovely Ayme's a fighter," Miroku replied wrapping an arm around her shoulders gently. "Strong and spirited."
"Speaking of being strong and spirited," Kagome smirked, "how did you meet?"
Ayme giggled. "I was in the cafeteria on break one night, and happened to hear a strange squeal and slap from behind the salad bar. I saw a man dressed in black and purple robes nursing his cheek. I've seen him around the hospital but it was only then when I had the chance to actually speak with him. I said hello and offered the seat across the table from me. We started chatting, and a few good solid slaps and a couple of glasses of dumped water later, we became good friends over the week."
"So does this mean Miroku has found himself a girlfriend?" Kagome inquired. "I'm very impressed that you're able to put up with his, 'habit'."
"I can not help what I was born with, Lady Kagome. I would never take advantage of a woman, unless asked to of course. Or they offer first." he looked to Ayme with a suggestive wiggle of the eye brows and slowly began to trail his hand towards her hip before being plummeted to the car floor.
Sighing, Ayme looked over to Kagome and asked to sit next to her for the duration of the car ride which Kagome happily agreed. "If I need help of any sort, hoshi-sama, I will gladly let you know."
Kagome eased into the soft leather seat and sipped on a ginger ale she had spied in the limousine's cooler. After fiddling around with radio stations, the young miko and nurse shared the same tastes in music and opted to listen to a bit of classical. (Ayme also figured it'd help settle the nerves of her new friend.) Kagome watched as the car passed by people out walking their dogs, enjoying the warming weather. The streetlights lining the city streets were glowing, and the stars were peaking out against the lights pollution and scattered nighttime clouds.
Sitting there watching the scenery, Kagome felt a little strange about taking such lavish mode of transportation to such an event, and being the woman that she was, her knack of curiosity always prevailed. She didn't know if it'd be rude to ask or if Ayme would mind at all. After all, she was invited last minute and she had enjoyed Ayme's company so far. So choosing do the only thing to quench that thirst for knowledge, she went about finding the answer anyway.
"Ayme, may I ask you something?"
"Sure Kagome, what would you like to know?"
"I hope you don't think ill of me for asking, but may I ask why we are taking a limo to the dance? I mean, how big and formal is this going to be? I don't want to see rude or ungrateful, I'm thrilled to be going, but I'm just too curious for my own good." she asked nervously.
"You're fine Kagome." She laughed, allowing her to relax again. "We are riding in a limousine because the limo service has made a wonderful contribution to the Cancer Fund over the years and because of the hospitals effort of finding cures and being so good to the family and children, they have offered to send us to the dance 'in style' and free of charge to us this year. Kind of their way as a thank you. Another possibility is because the owner of the company. See, his mom was a cancer survivor who passed away last year at a ripe old age of ninety, and is doing this in her memory. She would volunteer to come in and read to us all, children and staff alike, and tried to teach the kids how to knit. She was a very kind and is missed by everyone."
"That certainly is nice of them. I would like to volunteer if I'm able. Can anyone come in and volunteer to read, or do you need to be a survivor or member of the hospital?" she asked.
"Well I can ask the other nurses and see what they have to say. How much time would you be able to donate?"
Kagome thought a minute. 'Between helping keep up the shrine and work for Rin, there won't be much time left in the week to help Ayme; but I'm sure I could take my days off to come in.' She turned her attention back towards Miroku who was just now able to sit upright in his seat again. "Miroku, you volunteer at the hospital don't you? What days are you there?"
"Hai. The children's hospital. I come in when asked, but generally, Saturday's and Thursday's. I offer prayer to those who seek guidance and help try to lift their spirits. Why do you ask?"
"I was wondering if you'd mind taking me in with you those days? I have to be at the shrine this summer and going to be taking the bus to get work at the salon, but I'd really like to volunteer to maybe paint with the children in the hospital. So do you think you could take me in with you?" she smiled.
"I had planned on helping you and your family with the shrine, so I'd be there those days anyway. I don't have a problem. Having company during the ride over sounds like a refreshing idea. How about it, Ayme?" he flashed her one of his more charming smirks. "Think you could talk to someone to let Kagome teach the kids how to paint?"
Ayme nodded and grabbed the other girls hand in excitement. "The kids would love it. We always encourage them to draw and what-not, but it'd be something else if someone was able to actually help teach them like the pro's. Like I said, parents and staff paint with them, but I think the encouragement to seek a profession in it when they're in remission would be a wonderful idea. We've got some amazing artists in that crowd. If not painting, would you be willing to draw or color?"
"Art is my passion, Ayme. I'm graduating really soon to teach art anyway, so this'll be a great experience."
"The it's settled. I'll see what I can do then."
"Thanks Ayme." Kagome smiled as Ayme leaned in to hug her, being mindful of their attire and hair.
"No Kagome, thank you for being so kind."
"Hey Ayme, I'm a bit curious. Do you know how many people are attending the dance tonight?"
"Personnel are encouraged to invite their family and friends plus there are going to be other sponsors. The hospital is hoping to raise over fifty-thousand dollars. It's a long shot, but we raised almost thirty-five thousand last year, so we're hoping for a good turn out. Every little bit helps."
The long white vehicle was beginning to pull in behind a long line of several limo's, taxi's and other personal vehicle's leading the way up to the large double doors at the top of carpeted stairs. Kagome choose this time to gaze out of the tinted window to her right. Many couples were ascending the steps dressed in their finest. "By the looks of it," she grinned, " I don't think you'll be far from your goal at all, because it seems you folks have a lot of help tonight."
I'm sorry it's not longer, but it seems like a good place to leave off. Next chapter has great potential to be quite longer, so I'm hoping that you like what I've written thus far. As always, your reviews are important to me, and I love hearing from you folks. Thank you for reading "Our World Is A Canvas".
-MC