inspired by "Watching Airplanes" by Gary Allen
The sound of gravel under tires served as a calming balm to Inuyasha's ears as he navigated the old red truck to the end of the airstrip. Once he got to his spot - the 4 rectangles of bald earth from his tires- Inuyasha parked and got out, jumping into the bed. Quick, skilled movements of clawed hands made work of the latches that held down the lid to the metal tool box beneath the window. Once it was opened, Inuyasha shrugged up his jeans and knelt before it's contents. The large shortwave radio sat in it's cushioned housing as Inuyasha flipped on the small electrical box and then the radio itself. The gentle crackle of the airband drew a sign from the half demon as he took a seat on the half of the toolbox that he had fashioned into a cushioned chair.
The pop of the connection made him smile as a familiar voice called out over the frequency "Moshi Moshi Dog Boy" greeted him. "Moshi Moshi Bouzu" he responded into the mic. The Air Traffic Controllers of the Kochi Ryoma Airport knew Inuyasha Taisho well. For the past three years he had come every evening at 4pm and parked at the end of their runway, watching the planes land and take off until 10 pm every night. "Hear anything?" He asked, leaning against the open lid of the tool box. "Not since yesterday. We have 9 scheduled take offs and 15 landings. No one has said anything but you will hear if they do. Here's to hoping there are no more false alarms, my friend." The voice over the radio sounded more soft today than usual, he felt bad for the silver haired man.
"Ah quit with that, Miroku. If today's the day then great. If not then, whatever. I ain't gettin tore up about it if so. By the way, you get her number yet?" Inuyasha asked, reaching down into the small cooler at his feet and pulling out a glass bottle of tea.
A deep sigh sounded over the radio and Inuyasha took that as a no. "She may have agreed to be our informant, my friend. But damn it if she isn't elusive. I got another backhand this morning when we crossed in the lounge. All i said wa-" "Will you two idiots shut up?" a second, more aggravated voice growled. "Why do you have me on channel 3? You know that skid mark hates me." Inuyasha sighed, watching as a small airplane started to back away from a terminal. "My apologies. Go to 4 for communications. " a quick turn of a nob added a new channel to the cast and allowed him to listen in on the pilots without jamming the waves and still being able to talk to Miroku on the ATC's smaller shortwave.
"As I was saying,.. Hold on. -Flight 786 You are clear to taxi the runway - Okay yeah all I said was I wanted my face to be the meat between her buns. That's a compliment. Inuyasha if you saw her ass… like two beautiful scoops of butter pecan ice cream. One day, my canine companion, one day I'll get her to go out with me." Hearing his friend's strike out with the brunette flight attendant brought a gentle smile to his face. Miroku was one hell of a ladies man.. With a mouth that often got him into a hole too deep to climb out of.
"I'm gonna sit back for a bit, kay Miroku?" Inuyasha sighed, taking a sip from his tea as he scrubbed the back of his neck with his clawed hand. "Sure enough, friend. Keep an ear out. Today could be the day!" Golden eyes watched as the red light indicating the second line connection blinked off. Inuyasha then stood and walked to the end of the bed, reaching over and unlatching the gate to let it fall open. As he went to go sit down, the gentle haze of his memories reminded him of his daily voyage.
"I don't know. I don't know, Inuyasha. It could be weeks.. It could be years.. Or it could be never. I can't lie to you and try and say that i know what's going to happen. I just know that they need me in France and mom is moving everyone out so that I won't be alone.." Kagome's soft voice pleaded, her hot tears streaming down her face. "Take ME, Kagome! I need you, damn it! An entire fucking year and it's this easy for you to go?! ", Inuyasha bellowed, slamming his hand on the wooden table, sending a small fissure to form. Kagome's chocolate eyes swam as she avoided eye contact with the hanyou in front of her. "I'm so sorry. I love you. And that means i can't take you from your family. I can't take you from the business. Your father needs you. But I know that I will never get this opportunity again. If the professor asks me to be his intern after the trial then I have to take it. Or I may never be as great a historian as I could be. He's only human. And hes 87. I don't have much time to take this offer." the entire time Kagome was pleading her case, Inuyasha watched her. Took in every single feature. Took in every move.
She was determined to further her education.. Even if that meant leaving him behind.
"Annnd flight 786 you are clear for take-off. " Miroku's voice snapped him out of his reverie as he watched the plane gain speed and then lift off of the tarmac and sore directly over his head. The thrumming bass of the engines made his ears twitch, but at this point he was used to it. The caramel colored sunset sky drew his attention for the moment, making him turn his eyes over the ocean behind him. Of all the airports he knew she would come to this one. She had always said it was her favorite thing to fly over the sea at sunset. That the colors reflecting off of the rippling waves gave her a sense of wonder that she couldn't quite recreate. Even though Shikoku was out of the way and it would just be easier to fly to Honshu and boat over, she refused. And that's why he knew she would be back here. It was her favorite.
Another hour passed and he watched as the runway lights got brighter. 5 landings and takeoffs had come and gone since his arrival tonight. And for a moment, he figured it was hopeless tonight. As he moved to go sit up, the distinct pop came over the radio. But the voice was different.
"ATC Operator Miroku Shajuko, this is Attendant Sango Taiji of Flight 496 requesting clearance to land." Inuyasha's ear perked. He knew the voices of every person allowed to come over this radio. And she wasn't one of them. Before he could click over and ask Miroku what the deal was, the aforementioned man very obviously fumbled with the mic. "Rodger, Flight 496 you are clear for landing. You got anything, Sango?"
Inuyasha's heart leaped into his throat at that question. This was his informant. This was the woman who had the undercover job of keeping a look out for her. This is the woman that had been given Inuyasha's only pocket sized photograph of the woman for reference.
With trembling hands, Inuyasha's clawed hands took the mic and clutched it tightly.
"I'm sorry. Goodbye, Inuyasha. I love you."
Her last words to him echoed through his skull as his pulse quickened. If this wasn't another false alarm… what was he going to do? Would she.. Would she want to see him?
"You are looking for a Japanese female, aged 24 years, height 5'4" with long black hair and brown eyes named Higurashi, Kagome. Is that correct?" oh kami. It was her. He felt like he was going to be sick.
"That is correct! Inuyasha. Are you listening down there?" Miroku asked, elation in his voice.
"Yeah.." he mumbled into the mic. Unable to really form words. "Well in that case, Shajuko, I have your girl on flight. She's a real sweetheart! She helped a woman with her upset daughter when we were crossing the Arabian Sea."
Well that sure as hell sounded like her.
"You know what to do, Dog boy! They are circling in!" Miroku laughed. In the fastest movement he had ever done, Inuyasha turned the radio off and slammed the tool box closed. And before he could stop himself, he lept the barrier fence and sprinted towards the service entrance that was currently being held open by a redheaded, smiling Kitsune ATC operator Inuyasha recognized as Shippo.
"Go get her, bud!" the fox laughed, his wide smile making Inuyasha realize how invested the entire staff had become. As he sped down the service corridors toward the terminal, Inuyasha thought of the friends he had made over these past 3 years. He stopped only momentarily to talk to a worker, "Which terminal is flight 496 scheduled to dock?" he panted, his golden eyes burning into the young woman. " Oh! Inuyasha! Gate 4.. Wait does.. OH MY GOODNESS DOES THIS MEAN SHE'S ACTUALLY HERE!?" Inuyasha didn't even answer as he hurried off at a much safer pace. But not before he heard the girl go over her walkie talkie. "Yuka? This is Rin! She's here! Get everyone you can to gate 4!"
He skidded to a halt in front of the gate, watching as the plane taxied to the gate through the glass. His heart thumping through his chest. He didn't even notice as random airport workers began to gather around him, keeping their distance but still close enough to the hanyou in the red hoodie to hear what was going on. As the first few people started to trickle out of the doors, and down the glass hallway, his super human eyes searched. And in the moment melted gold met chocolate his heart stopped. His feet began to move without his knowledge as he mirrored her. Kagome's face was beginning to pink as her eyes brimmed with tears, her feet quickening the pace. And suddenly she was running.
At the end of the glass corridor she stopped momentarily at the sliding glass doors, hurrying past them the moment they opened for her. In the exact moment she passed the red line stopping people from entering she was snatched into a bruising hug, being lifted off of her feet and swung in a circle. A joyous laugh mixed with a sob broke from her throat as she clung to Inuyasha's neck. The large crowd now surrounding them had erupted into applause, some of the women crying. She felt him talking, but had to strain to hear his hushed whisper, "Kagome..kagome..kagome.." It was her name. It sounded to her like pure bliss. The best thing she had ever heard. "Inuyasha.." He stopped spinning and held her by the hips above him, smiling. She rested her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes. " Inuyasha, I'm so sorry.. Were you waiting here for me?" Her voice cracked as she smiled. He brought her back down and tucked her head under his chin, pressing his lips into her dark hair. "Kagome.. You idiot.. What have you been doing all this time?"
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, MAN?!" a familiar voice called out. Inuyasha turned to see Miroku, standing beside Shippo and who he presumed to be Sango. "KISS HER, DAMN YOU!" Sango elbowed the man in the ribs hard enough to make him lose his breath.
"I'll explain later.. But for now.." Slowly, Inuyasha brought her chin up and met his lips to hers as she smiled. With that the entire terminal exploded in cheers.
Unknown to the couple, reuniting after three long years, social media was a buzz. They had hashtags. #AirportBoy #MysteryGirl and their joint tag #ReunitedAtTheGate