By Rinseternalsoul
By 7:30 in the morning Kagome had already made her rounds in the kennel. All the dogs were fed and watered. Her pregnant German Shepherd looked ready to give birth any day now, which was always an exciting event. New puppies were just so cute.
Walking back inside of her home she washed up and headed over to her desk. After booting up her laptop she waited for her daily tasks to grace the screen. "Let's see...," she mumbled as she scanned the list. Count, her oldest male Doberman had an appointment to get his yearly rabies shots and annual checkup at 10:00. Plenty of time for that. Then there was the pressing matter of her article deadline tomorrow morning. She was almost finished, but still had some last minute changes and editing to do. She could get to work on that as soon as she got back from the vet's office with Count. The final thing on her little list of things to do was a haircut at 2:00. She turned her head and caught sight of her unkempt mane in the large mirror in the living room. She really needed to finish her article this afternoon. Would she have time to stop and go get her hair done? A flash of her best friend insisting that she take a trip to the salon assisted greatly in her decision.
She would keep the appointment.
Kagome set to work on making the necessary changes to her article, but was interrupted when the telephone rang. Grumbling she grabbed the phone. "Higurashi Kagome speaking."
The voice on the other end nearly blasted her eardrum apart. She always wondered if her editor was slightly deaf or if she felt like no one ever listened to her. "Kagome dear! This is Misaki speaking. How are you doing today?" Kagome never got the opportunity to answer before the loud giddy woman began speaking again. "Good, good. Dear, how is this month's article coming along? You know that it is due first thing tomorrow morning." Kagome rolled her eyes and forced a cheerful note into her voice. "Hai. I know Misaki-sama. I am putting the finishing touches on it now." Misaki made a gleeful sound, which Kagome felt was just a little too dramatic. Then Misaki said, "That's great, Kagome. Now give me the subject for your article next month and I will make a note of it."
Kagome's heart skipped a beat. She knew that she had been forgetting something! Misaki always wanted the information about the next months article when she finished one up. 'Ack! How could I have forgotten! Baka Kagome!' She had to think up something quick. Something unusual. The first thing that popped in her head. Kagome cleared her voice, "Sure Misaki-sama, Next months article will be about... Hypothyroidism in Huskies." When dead silence was her only answer, Kagome quickly tried to spice it up. "You see, I have a friend who's Prize Siberian Husky was just diagnosed with the disease. My plan is to follow the treatment from a personal viewpoint through a one on one with the owner and the vet who will be treating the dog. I really think that it could help bring awareness of the condition to all dog owners." Kagome waited for any sign that her spontaneous idea would be accepted.
"Hmm... That sounds interesting. It certainly has potential, especially if you can show the emotional strain of the owner as he strives to help his pet. I like it!" Misaki announce with her usual ear busting cheer. Kagome breathed a sigh of relief and silently congratulated herself on her ability to think on her feet. Misaki-sama said her good-bye's and Kagome hung up the phone.
The reality of what she had just committed herself to was beginning to set in. Chaser's rare illness was now her responsibility to research. That meant in-depth interviews with Chaser's vet. Kagome's slender hands slapped over her face and she groaned miserably. She was going to have to interview that awful man, Inuyasha's brother. 'What did Sango say his name was again? Fes... Tess... Oh whatever. Dr. Yamada.' Kami, how could she have been so stupid! He was the last man on Earth that she ever wanted to talk to again. Well, besides Hojo, and even that was debatable. With a heavy exasperated sigh, Kagome pushed it all aside for now. She had work to do before taking Count to the vet.
At 9:30 Kagome leashed Count and headed for her truck. In minutes the sleek male dog was safely locked down in the custom box built into the bed of her truck. She was about to step in the cab when she heard someone calling her name. Realization of who the voice belonged to hit and Kagome groaned inwardly. For a moment she debated on pretending that she didn't hear him and leaving anyway, but just as she started to pull the door closed the sounds of running feet became all to clear.
"Kagome! Wait up!" Hojo called breathlessly as he came to a stop between the truck door and her getaway. Kagome told herself to be patient with him. Hojo was obviously in desperate need of friendship. His boyishly handsome face wore his signature brilliant smile even as he fought to catch his breath. "Ohayou Kagome! I'm so glad that I made it before you left. I have a gift for you." Kagome smiled, but tried not to encourage him by entering into any kind of conversation. The warning that Kouga, Bankotsu and Jakotsu issued concerning Hojo suddenly rang strong in her memory.
Hojo reached out and handed Kagome an envelope, but when she made to open it he stopped her. "I would rather you read it once you are settled comfortably in your home for the evening, that way you will think of me as you drift off into dreamland." Her eyebrows rose in questioning surprise, before she forced a smile to her lips. "Um... arigato, Hojo-kun. I will open it later then." She had to admit that Hojo was really acting weird lately. Maybe the guys weren't as paranoid as she first thought? She mentally shook the silly notion from her mind. The Hojo that she knew was one of the happiest, nicest, guys she had ever met. So happy and nice, in fact, that he turned her stomach, but that was just her bad taste in men. If Hojo had been a jobless jerk, then she would have been falling all over herself to make a date with him.
Kagome decided right then that she is definitely dysfunctional.
With a quick glance to her watch she frowned at Hojo. "I'm really sorry Hojo, but I have to get Count to the vet by 10:00. Hojo didn't seem bothered in the least. He just stepped back and waved cheerfully. "Bye Kagome! I'll see you later!"
Kagome waved back, not nearly as enthusiastically, as she pulled off. She would have to hurry in order to make it there on time. She slipped the folded envelope into her pocket, where it was forgotten for now. The drive was fairly uneventful, and she pulled into the parking lot just in time for her appointment. She jumped out and ran back to retrieve Count. He was hesitant to leave his box once he realized where they were at. It was strange how the dogs all knew the vets office. It was as if they all remembered getting shots or something. After a few coos and friendly scratches behind his pert ears, her big male leaped gracefully to the ground.
Kagome led him inside, where a variety of other animal visitors were sitting with their owners. A feminine gasp and squeal announced that Jakotsu was among the patrons. Kagome barely had time to put on a smile her face before Jakotsu had wrapped her in a friendly hug. Kagome let out an 'eek!' when his pet reared its narrow head right between her eyes. Count immediately began to bristle and growl in warning, causing Jakotsu to jump away in alarm.
"Kami, Jakotsu, put that thing away!" Kagome snapped while fighting off the creepy shiver that just swept over her.
Jakotsu made a dramatically hurt pout and pulled his pet back protectively. "Now Kagome, watch what you say. You will hurt Jakotsuto's feelings." Kagome, however, could care less if she hurt Jokatsuto's feelings. She hated snakes. They were just plain creepy. No matter how long she had known Jakotsu, she could not get used to his fascination with snakes.
Kagome glared at her friend with mock threat, as she watched the unusual white-scaled snake slither about his shoulder and arm. Jakotsu was very proud of his pet, as he had ordered it from a specialty snake shop on the internet two years ago. It was a Leucistic Texas Ratsnake. It was fairly common in America and found in the state of Texas, which made it even more unusual here in Japan.
Jakotsu loved anything bizarre.
"Come on Kagome, come sit with me," Jakotsu urged. "But keep that beast in check." He looked at Count as if he would take off his hand, and he very well could, i if /i Kagome gave the word. "Don't be silly Jakotsu, you know Count would never attack unless provoked or I commanded it."
Jakotsu shrugged his shoulders carelessly. Rolling her eyes at his dramatic nature, she led Count over to the chair next to her friend. Jakotsu sat next to her and said, "Kouga and Chaser are in with Inuyasha right now." Kagome's pretty complexion turned into a look of worry. "How is he today?" Jakotsu waved his free hand loosely for emphasis before replying, "The dog seems a little better. It's Kouga that I'm worried about. He wouldn't eat a thing last night and when he finally came to bed he hardly slept at all. My poor baby. He's so worried for Chaser." Kagome caught the odd looks from several elderly people in the waiting room. She paid them no mind. "Inuyasha assured me that his brother is the best. Maybe he can get Chaser back to normal soon."
Sango spotted Kagome and called her to the front desk. Kagome walked up and leaned in the window partition with a bright smile. "Ohayou Songo-chan. How are you doing this morning?" Sango returned the smile and said, "Oh pretty good so far, that is i if /i Miroku will quite calling me long enough to get any work done."
Kagome laughed out lightheartedly. "Now Sango, you know he isn't that bad. Granted, he is a little on the flirtatious side, but I think he's a good man at heart." Sango turned a playful glare on Kagome. "It's not his heart I'm worried about. It's those wondering hands of his." She huffed in exasperation. "I'm tell you Kagome, that man can not be trusted around a female ass."
Kagome laughed again at her friend's matter-of-fact, although highly accurate, assessment of Miroku Takahashi. Poor Sango looked ready to pull her long brunette hair right from her scalp. Kagome shook her head at the insanity of dating. Things like this backed up her resolve to avoid relationships with men, at least at this point in her life. She had enough things to worry about right now. The last thing that she wanted to add to her list was some needy boyfriend.
Inuyasha glanced up from his examination when he heard the sound of feminine laughter dancing through the halls of his clinic. He smiled knowingly. "I'd recognize that laugh anywhere." He looked over to Kouga, who also recognized the sound as coming from Kagome. Inuyasha shook his head and bent back down to continue the exam of his patient lying on the table. "You know man, it's a good thing I'm dating Kikyo, or you may have some competition over your woman." Kouga looked at the lightly silver haired young vet and turned up his nose. "You baka. She's not my girlfriend."
Inuyasha glanced up in surprise. "Oh, well, I just assumed..." Kouga growled in irritation. "Well, you assumed wrong." Inuyasha stood up and took a step toward the asshole. "I meant nothing by it, so lay off unless you want to taste my fist." Kouga stood up, daring him to take a swing, but just then Chaser whimpered sadly on the table. The sound distracted him from the stand off.
He walked up to Chaser's side and gave him a scratch behind his furry ears. "It's okay boy. Well be leaving soon. I'm getting tired of looking at this pile of shit anyway." Kouga talked to Chaser soothingly, but with a definite slight toward Inuyasha. A grunt of disgust came from behind as Inuyasha made his mutual feelings clear.
Inuyasha was just as ready for that bastard to go as he was to leave. If he didn't love animals so much he would have kicked that guys ass and told him to find another clinic. He couldn't remember meeting anybody that had rubbed him the wrong way more than this guy. He shook off his violent urges, thanking Kami that Kikyo had talked him into taking those anger management classes, and picked up Chasers folder.
"We're finished here today. He seems to be much more comfortable than when you brought him in yesterday. Don't get me wrong, he's still not out of the water, but I can't really start a tailor made program for him until Sesshomaru comes back to work." He tossed a bottle of pills to Kouga, which he caught with ease. Inuyasha begrudgingly admitted to himself that the guy had quick reflexes. He wondered how he would fare as an opponent in a spar at the dojo. "Just give those to him as directed, and keep plenty of fresh water nearby. He may also be a little sore where I gave him the shot today."
Kouga nodded and helped Chaser down from the exam table. The echoing click of his neatly trimmed nails sounded behind them as Inuyasha led them out. At the door he stepped into the waiting room to call the next patient.
Her conversation with Sango was interrupted when Kouga and Chaser entered the waiting room. She smiled and walked up to give Kouga a warm hug. Jakotsu spoke up from behind her, "Okay, that's long enough. You know how jealous I am, Kagome." Kagome released Kouga and slapped Jakotsu's arm playfully. "Oh silly, you know better than that." If possible Inuyasha's pale complexion turned even lighter. Kouga released a hearty laugh and wrapped his muscular arm over Jakotsu's shoulder proudly. He winked at Inuyasha and said, " i This /i is my i boyfriend /i . Meet Jakotsu."
Inuyasha couldn't find his damn voice no matter how hard he tried. His mouth just opened slightly and snapped shut. His amber eyes were wide with shock. Finally he shook his head and said, "To each their own I guess." He turned his gaze to Kagome and flashed her a boyish grin. "Myself, I prefer pretty women." Kagome laughed and blushed despite herself. She scoffed at Inuyasha, "Watch it boy, or I'll tell Kikyo on you."
Inuyasha snapped to attention at her threat. His mischievous smile turned to worried pleading. "You know I was just messing with you, Kagome. You really wouldn't tell her, would you?" Kagome was about to reply when the subject of the discussion made her presence known. Just behind Inuyasha stood a playfully glaring Kikyo. "Are you hitting on my sister again Inuyasha?" Inuyasha stuttered and quickly moved to explain, but Kikyo just pushed him out of the way and hugged Kagome.
After her visit at the Yamada Brother's Veterinarian Clinic, Kagome drove back home and unloaded a frisky Count from the truck. Once she had him nice and comfy back in his pen she headed back inside to get back to work on finishing up her article for Misaki. She typed and edited, checked and re-checked until she was sure it was it was fit for publishing. Within seconds she had easily e-mailed the file to her editor.
She looked at the clock and realized that she had just enough time to make her hair appointment, so she grabbed her purse and headed out the door. She jumped into her Toyota Celica and raced off to make herself beautiful.
Yumi smiled and waved as she walked into the salon. "Konnichiwa Kagome! Have a seat and I'll be right with you." Kagome did as she asked and pulled out a magazine featuring hundreds of trendy hairdos. Flipping through the pages she marveled at the strange and often tacky looks. Only a scant few were even remotely considered as an option for her. Her hair was really long, and slightly wavy. It took her years to grow it so long, not really her intention, but not taking the time for a trim once in awhile can do that.
All too soon Yumi called her name and she took her seat in the barber chair. Yumi quickly adjusted it to her height and ran her fingers through her hair. "So what are you looking to do, Kagome? Any ideas?" Kagome sighed in frustration. "I don't know, Yumi. I don't want to loose all of my length, but I need help. I've been told that I need a makeover." Yumi laughed and grabbed up a comb. "It's not that bad Kagome. You just sit back and I will fix you right up."
Kagome watched in the wall length mirror as Yumi worked her magic. In half an hour Kagome stared back at the finished results. "Wow. Is that me?" Yumi giggled from behind her. "Well, what do you think?" Kagome turned and checked the back. It was still long, just shy a couple of inches. It was sculpted into a neat layered flow that curved up to frame her face. "I love it! Arigato Yumi."
After paying her stylist friend, Kagome left the beauty shop. After sitting down and cranking up the car she drove home thinking about her new assignment. The article was going to be a real challenge. She had not mentioned it to Kouga at the clinic, because she wanted to talk to Dr. Yamada first. It was really up to him if she could pull this off. If he refused to work with her on Chaser's case, then she would be forced to call Misaki and try to retract her subject. That was something that she didn't want to do. Misaki could get pretty frazzled when people started changing things.
She decided that once she got home, she would get a shower and go pay the jerk of a doctor a visit at the hospital. This time she wouldn't give him a reason to turn his nose up at her. She gritted her teeth in remembrance of the derogatory comment about her appearance. Just thinking about it caused tension to spread through her body, including her foot. Before she realized what she was doing Kagome was being pulled over for speeding.
"Damn!" she cursed as she pulled out her driver's license and insurance card. "Of all the stupid..."
"Konnichiwa young lady. Mind if I ask what's your hurry?"
Kagome shook her head and proceeded to give a lame excuse for her carelessness. The officer was pretty nice and she managed to get off with a warning. Thank goodness! In no time she was back in route to her home, with a whole new set of reasons to despise Sesshomaru Yamada.
Sesshomaru was completing the last line of the last crossword puzzle in the last crossword puzzle book in his room. Boredom was becoming a formidable force to be reckoned with, and he wondered what in the hell he was supposed to do after he finished the last question. There was nothing on television except game shows and talk shows, both of which he thoroughly despised. The only nurse that he could bear to converse with was off duty today, so there would be no trip outside. If he slept another wink his eyelids would probably seal shut for all time. Kami help him, but he had to get out of this place soon!
Just as he was about to throw the useless book in his hands across the room in a highly uncharacteristic temper tantrum, a soft knock sounded at the door. He glanced up, giving the command to enter. In stepped a woman that peeked his interest quite a bit. She was petite, curvy, with long shining ebony locks of hair. She wore dark sunglasses on her nose, hiding her eyes, but her lips were full as if begging for his attention. The woman wore a red, form fitting skirt with matching heels and a soft green sleeveless blouse that showed off slender creamy arms. As soon as she stepped inside the room it was filled with the soft scent of jasmine.
The bastards' admiring perusal of her entire body did not go un-noticed by Kagome. In fact, it turned her stomach. He was looking at her like she was some piece of meat on a hook and he was a starving dog! Inwardly she growled her utter disgust, but remembering her reasons for being here she graced him with her most stunning smile before slipping her glasses from her face. "Konnichiwa, Doctor Yamada. May I have a word with you?"
Now that her glasses had been removed he was struck with the odd sensation that he had met her before somewhere. He swiftly searched his memory for anything that would ring a bell, but nothing clicked. "Konnichiwa. I suppose my answer would depend on what it is that you wish to discuss, madam."
Kagome fought the urge to snarl at his 'almighty highness', and forced another smile to her lightly made up face. It was obvious that he didn't recognize her at all. For a moment she toyed with the idea of giving a different name, but that would be impossible to pull off. Instead she replied, "Oh, please drop the 'madam'. You can still call me Kagome." She waited for him to acknowledge, and the name did seem to spark something, but he still didn't remember her. She quickly added, "Remember, I came to you about my friends Siberian Husky?"
He thanked the heavens that he was well practiced at hiding his expressions, because had he not been, the girl standing before him would have clearly seen the complete and utter shock that he felt. This was the same truculent twit that had given him the finger just yesterday? He had to admit that she certainly cleaned up well. Who would have thought that beneath that disheveled appearance lay a very sexy morsel of a woman?
This could get interesting. "Ah yes, the woman with the disposition of a street urchin." He inwardly grinned as he watched her brilliant blue eyes narrow slightly. He expected a scathing remark in return, but none was forthcoming, which led him to believe that she wanted something from him. She was simply being too nice. "Speak your piece woman. It isn't like I have all day to cater to you."
Kagome bit her tongue so hard that she just knew that she had drawn blood. Her efforts to remain civil were being kept in check by a very thin thread, and she wasn't sure this was going to be worth it. Still, she had to give it a try, since she had already opened her big mouth and told Misaki that she was working on this story. Pushing the urge to punch him in his all too perfect nose, Kagome placed another smile on her face.
Her smile made him wary. Although it was quite lovely, it did not extend to her eyes. In her eyes he read anger. Smoldering anger. She was quite the interesting little crumpet. He briefly wondered what it would take to get her to drop the act, and show her smoldering temper. His thoughts were brought up short when she began to explain why she had sought him out.
"Doctor Yamada, I am a author for the respectable magazine, Pedigree Plus. I would like to do a story on Hypothyroidism in Huskies. It would involve a personal outlook from the owner focusing on the struggle to bring his cherished pet back to good health. It would also involve several interview sessions with yourself, as the specialist in charge of the dog's treatment. Your brother has spoken highly of your knowledge in this field." Kagome sat down and waited for his response. He turned away from her to stare out of the window, and she wondered if he had chosen to ignore her altogether.
Just when she was about to get up and walk out, he turned to her with a very wicked smile lighting his uncanny good looks. "My brother has a big mouth, Kagome, but he is right about one thing. I am very well versed in the condition. I will grant you your interviews, on one condition. They are done on my terms and at my convenience."
Kagome inhaled deeply and said, "Well actually that's two conditions, but who's counting?" She breathed out slowly, wondering what she was getting herself into. "It's a deal then." She stood and bowed slightly. "Doomo Arigato, Yamada-sama." His answer was a grunt, before he turned back to the window in dismissal. He was an infuriating creature, and she wondered how anyone could be so rude. With a little 'humph' she headed to the door, but stopped and said, "I will be contacting you soon. Thank you for your time." Just because he was rude didn't mean that she had to stoop to his level, right?
When she shut the door behind her she flipped him off.
A mischievous smirk appeared on the stoic face of young Doctor Yamada. He clearly caught the vulgar act once again thrown at him by the little vixen as she escaped his presence. His thoughts were rampant with ways to make her life miserable during this whole interviewing affair. It was pleasantly obvious that she needed his help and was forcing herself to be civil to him. She could prove to be quite an interesting diversion during the coming weeks. Sesshomaru leaned back and closed his golden eyes. He would catch a little nap before making further plans.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed! Next up... ShadyMinion
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