Different Sides of the Track
Chapter 20: Even more Bad News
"Shippo! Come here and get your pants on!" Kagome yelled as she chased the little kitsune through the apartment.
Shippo, however did not wish to spend the entire day at Ayame's while Kagome went on a mission for Naraku, and InuYasha went to meet his brother.
"Do I have to Kagome? Most of the time Ayame talks on the phone anyway! She doesn't want me there!"
Kagome frowned at Shippo, disapproving of his lying.
"Why are you being so mean to Ayame, Shippo? You know as well as I do that Ayame absolutely adores you! Why else would she agree EVERY single time I ask her to watch you?"
Shippo pouted. In all honesty he really did like Ayame, like an older sister. But, right now, he just really wanted to spend time with Kagome. The big fight between Naraku and everyone he loved was in 5 days… InuYasha and Kagome were packing in the training sessions, Miroku and Sango as well. Ayame was starting to get worried about Kouga. No one seemed to know just where that wolf was. He had been missing for three days, even Shippo was starting to get worried about the big brute.
"Alright Kagome… I'm sorry for lying about Ayame." Shippo apologized and cast his eyes downward as he spoke, tears starting to form. "It's just that… Everyone has been so busy lately, and I really miss all the time I used to spend with you and InuYasha…Can we hang out tonight? Just the three of us? My family?"
Kagome smiled down at her little child. Well… Not technically. She was going to get the adoption official after the final confrontation, she didn't want Shippo to get his hopes up if they didn't make it.
"Of course Shippo. How about we all go out for dinner tonight then go see that new anime movie that just came out. Fugi no?"
Shippo's face took on a very stern expression. Me motioned his little clawed finger downwards, making Kagome lean down to hear his very serious words.
"Kagome. I am only going to correct you once. His show is called Yugi Oh…Don't let me or any other duelist hear you say that…."
Kagome was trying hard not to burst out laughing. Shippo mistook her shaking shoulders of laughter for those of trembling fear. He nodded to himself. His job was done.
"I'm sorry Shippo, I know better now."
"What'd ya do? Insult the card dude?"
Kagome glanced up to see InuYasha leaning against the door in a black leather coat and a pair of baggy black pants. She smiled at him and he tweaked his ears in response.
" So we wanna try and do dinner tonight? I'm for it. I have a meeting with Sesshomaru at two but other then that I'm all for it. I guess training can be skipped just once…"
Shippo smiled boldly and jumped up into InuYasha's arms. InuYasha chuckled and patted Shippo's head. 'Twirp' slipped out of his mouth, but with a teasing tone.
"Yeah and I have a meeting with Fukushuu to go over some things for the job I have tomorrow, I told you two about that right? Anyway, I'll be gone early tomorrow morning and probably won't be home till the day after… What is that Thursday?"
InuYasha and Shippo just looked blankly at her, amazed at how women could just ramble on… They looked at each other and at Kagome's obliviousness. They walked into the kitchen and InuYasha got Shippo a glass of orange juice with a pop tart.
"Don't tell, Kagome hates it when I give you those things…"
Shippo nodded and munched merrily on his pop tart. Kagome walked in a few minutes later with a sheepish smile on her face.
"So exactly how long after I stopped talking did you two leave?"
The boys exchanged glances and burst out laughing. Kagome scowled. She stuck out her tongue and looked at her wrist. She jumped and grabbed her keys.
"InuYasha! Please take Shippo to Ayame's for me? I have to meet Fukushuu in 20 minutes downtown. Please!"
"Alright sure. I'm about to head out anyway…"
Kagome kissed him quickly on the lips then Shippo on the forehead. She waved quickly and ran out of the building grabbing her coat during the run out.
InuYasha looked to Shippo, who looked back at him. They both shrugged, then simultaneously rolled their eyes.
"Kagome will be…Kagome."
InuYasha grabbed his keys and Shippo, the left the hotel, locking the door behind him. He walked down the hall with Shippo on his back, they reached the elevator and traveled to InuYasha's convertible in silence. They got on and proceeded the few buildings away that was Ayame's place. They hopped off and started to the elevator…Again in silence.
Once they got to the elevator, InuYasha poked Shippo in the arm. She responded by poking InuYasha's cheek. InuYasha pulled Shippo's tail. Shippo crawled on top of InuYasha's head and pulled his mouth into funny positions, just as the door opened and an elderly lady stepped on. InuYasha looked over at her, trying to reach for Shippo who was still pulling at his mouth.
"Wisht Foor ma'm?"
The lady smiled at InuYasha and nodded at the screen. "Four." She said, then looked up at Shippo.
"Little brother?"
"Eh heh… Something like that. This is our stop."
They got off the elevator, InuYasha sighing and Shippo turning around to wave at the lady. Shippo tugged InuYasha's ear and, gritting his teeth, Inu got a wave in just before the door closed on the lady. He rolled his eyes up to Shippo, who in turn looked down at him.
"Why'd ya make me do that? I don't like old people…"
Shippo merely shrugged and pointed with a finger towards Ayame's apartment. He tugged InuYasha's ear, and a grumbling InuYasha moved over to the building. His ears twiked as he caught sobs coming from in the room. He knocked on the door. He heard a small gasp and some rustling of clothes then a slight thud and 'ouch' before a red eyed Ayame opened the door, hair down, grungy clothes, and a very fake smile.
"Oh hey guys! You're a little early! Sorry guys… Um. Shippo can you go play a game on the game station really quick? I need to talk to InuYasha."
Ayame rubbed furiously at her eyes, and sniffed slightly, but Shippo took no notice, as most children would do, and jumped off InuYasha's head onto his shoulder. He kissed InuYasha on the cheek quickly then went into the other room. InuYasha looked at Ayame, feeling very awkward. 'I hate it when women cry…' He thought to himself. He tried to comfort her by putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Let's go to the kitchen… I don't want Shippo to hear this. Though I don't really know if he would care…"
Ayame turned and walked into the other room. She got two cups down, then poured some coffee into them. She handed him a mug before sitting down at the small table and glancing around at the clutter.
"Sorry about the mess… Umm there's sorta.." She had to calm her breathing down and rub at her eyes again. Damn tears wouldn't stop. "T-There's b-been an accident… K-Kouga's in the hospital…One of his targets was a stronger opponent then he anticip-pated and he…"
Ayame couldn't say anymore before she broke down crying. She brought her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her knees and crying into the fabric of her sweat pants. InuYasha stared blankly at the wall.
"How bad was it?"
"He got out of intensive care last night…They say he'll be out around tomorrow, if he wakes up. But he…He is going to want to fight Naraku InuYasha! He can't…I mean, what if he gets hurt again! I just got off the phone with a nurse at the Osaka county hospice, and she said that he had deep cuts along both of his arms and one of his legs. A bad hit to the head. A hole in his stomach, and he loss so much blood. Even with his demon healing, he wont be ready. The only thing I can think-"
"Ayame, don't worry about him being ready. I'll make my appointment short, be back in 2 hours at the most. Pull yourself together Ayame, I'll get Shippo, then I want you to drive up there and see him. Don't even think about how it might effect the fight. Just… Make sure he's ok will ya? And don't you dare tell him I'm worried."
Ayame sniffed one last time before giving InuYasha a smile and stood up.
"Thanks Inu…"
InuYasha stood and nodded at her. He patted her shoulder one last time, then went out to the game room. He spoke a good bye and waved at Shippo. Then was out the door.