Chap 16

Prejudice

The Takahashi clinic was unique. It allowed people to bring their pets with them to the clinic so long as the pets didn't bite the clinic staff. That's what was written on the door. In truth, the second the dogs got near the clinic they all submitted to Sesshomaru and Inuyasha as the supreme alphas. Owners marveled at their canines' excellent behavior. Cats behaved themselves and seldom visited with their slaves more than once.

That pet policy is what brought Sesshomaru his newest patient, a rich, corpulent city dame. The lady strolled into the clinic with purpose in her step, her two pound Chihuahua Fifi in her shoulder bag. After filling out the proper forms and getting her blood pressure taken she was escorted to Dr. S. Takahashi's exam room.

Sesshomaru reviewed the paperwork and then entered the exam room. Up to that point Fifi had sniffed all over the room in her normally active style. The second she sensed Sesshomaru she kneeled and keened a soft greeting. Sesshomaru surveyed the room and nodded to the dog and then to the woman. The dame was caught off guard that someone would notice her dog before her.

"How can I help you today?" Sesshomaru asked as he took a seat in front of the lady.

"I am told you are an excellent clinician." She looked down her nose at him.

He regarded the lady.

"My reputation is not at question here. If I can assist you I will. But you have to tell me what you need." Sesshomaru's pragmatic response again caught her by surprise.

"Why, you rude young man," she huffed. "My friends thought you might be an appropriate consultant for my inability to lose weight. I have seen several doctors and have had my blood drawn numerous times. No one seems to be able to figure out why I keep gaining weight. I have brought copies of all my doctors' notes as well as my 1600 calorie diet diary. My dietician's number is included should you wish to talk to her. However, now that we've met I'm not sure I want to be seen by you."

Sesshomaru struggled internally. He would like to just use his light whip and eliminate her from existence but he did love a good puzzle. As he silently stared at the dame, Fifi began whining softly. She was begging the Great Alpha to forgive her lady.

"Forgive her, my Lord. She is good to me. I know people think she is obnoxious and overbearing but it's because she is so lonely. I love her, my Lord. Please help her." The whine was short but the message was clear and Sesshomaru nodded to Fifi.

Turning to the flustered woman he regarded her once again.

"I will take your case because I enjoy a good mystery. I will figure out why you can't lose weight. Now, I will exam you." Sesshomaru rose from his chair and washed his hands with sanitizer and proceeded to grab his stethoscope.

The lady was about to get up when Fifi jumped in her lap, stretched up and licked her cheek.

"Such a sweet little girl, I have. Fifi, I will stay for your sake. You have been such a good girl today. I love you baby."

Sesshomaru lifted an eyebrow and regarded the two.

'To each their own.'

He shrugged and returned to work.

The exam done, and the paperwork exchanged, the woman exited the clinic with instructions to follow up in one week.

That week Sesshomaru sifted through the reams of medical reports, tests and labs. He conferred with the dietician. She reassure him that she had double checked the meals and had the dame make the meals and take photos of the size of the servings.

Sesshomaru was curious and conferred with Inuyasha. Inuyasha became curious also and poured through the same information in hopes that he would discover something.

Yuki was out of the flying rotation for a month and had spent her time in Canada with family. Kyo's schedule had not matched up. It was the first time they had been separated for many years. Inuyasha noticed they still spoke every night.

"I wouldn't mind seeing a bit of clinic if Yuki wouldn't mind babysitting." Inuyasha asked one evening at dinner.

"Sure Dad. Have fun." Yuki nodded.

"Do you mind if I see the dame this next week?" Inuyasha asked Sesshomaru.

"You are welcome to her. She reminds me of another bitch I don't want to see again." Sesshomaru growled softly. "Her dog is nice or I would have kicked her out of our clinic."

xxx

The following week the dame arrived for her appointment only to find her physician was Dr I. Takahashi.

The first impressions were smoother this time and the lady found Dr. Inuyasha Takahashi charming and friendly. Inuyasha had greeted the lady first and then spoke at length to Fifi. The lady found it amusing and nonsensical, however, Inuyasha found out a great deal from Fifi. Fifi reported that the lady walked in her sleep and would eat whatever was in the refrigerator; butter sticks, pickle jars contents, and even ketchup from the container before returning to bed.

Inuyasha found the information humorous and was trying to figure out how he was going to tell the dame when one of the clinic staff knocked on the exam room door.

"What is it? I'm with a patient." Inuyasha said as he opened the door just a crack. But as soon as he opened the door he smelled the blood.

"My baby!" he yelled as he rushed out of the door.

The lady stood up from her chair and looked around the door to see the commotion.

Yuki was at the front desk crying and hugging Rin to her chest. Blood had covered the front of Yuki's white shirt. Rin's white hair was all red and her face was bright red from crying.

Inuyasha rushed to Yuki's side and calmly asked for the details while checking Rin's pulse.

Yuki and Rin had been playing and Rin bumped her head on the sharp edge of the coffee table. It had started bleeding and wouldn't stop. Yuki said she put pressure on the wound but it kept bleeding and she didn't know what to do so she brought Rin to the clinic.

Sesshomaru had stepped out from his exam room just as Inuyasha had gotten the history of the incident. He was at their sides in a flash and escorted them all back to the treatment room. As they passed the dame's open door, Yuki was blubbering, "Daddy, I couldn't get to her in time. It happened so fast. Father, is she okay? Please Daddy, help her."

The dame was confused. Daddy, Father? Who was that girl talking to? The dame looked around. She saw a clinic employee cleaning blood from the floor.

"What's going on? Will my doctor return soon?" she demanded of the employee.

The employee glanced at the dame. "I'm not sure, Ma'am. That was his daughter so I'm sure he'll want to check her out first."

"Well, I can't wait all day!" she stomped. "Perhaps the other doctor would see me then." The dame sniffed and drew her head upright.

"I doubt it Ma'am. She's his daughter too." The employee continued cleaning the copious amount of blood off the floor.

The dame stood still for a moment and then shrieked.

"That's just sick! I must leave this place immediately! I can't believe I saw two married gay doctors!" And with that commotion she grabbed her coat, and purse and stormed out of the exam room. At the front desk she even refused to pay for the visit at the top of her voice.

"I refuse to pay. He didn't even finish my visit or help me and HE'S GAY!"

She opened the door and slammed it.

Fifi barked loudly.

The dame stopped just outside the door and quickly turning opened it and swiped her dog in her purse and left.

"Oh my precious Fifi, I'm so sorry I forgot you. I just got so flustered. Gay physicians—can you imagine!"

In the clinic, people waiting for their appointments were staring at the outrageous behavior of the dame. The employees were shaking their heads in disbelief. The office manager had come out of the back office to see what was going on.

A quick eye blink and the office manager started directing employees.

"You, go check on the docs and Rin and give us a report. You, start a letter that dismisses that human from our clinic. We serve all. The rainbow colors in the corner of the door state that. Next, receptionists help the patients that are waiting and call the rest. Rin's health will take priority to her parents. We all understand that. Let's go people."

At her comment several of the patients waiting came to the receptionists and started rescheduling. The first employee rushed back just then.

"Rin has lost consciousness. They are rushing to the hospital. They are going to have to operate!"

(T_T)