A/N: Hi guys! The anticipated moment is now at hand! Kagome's homecoming! Lol yay! ALSO! Some of ya'll had questions that I will address…now:
Kagome's father WILL be making another appearance and he will be having a BIG role in the story. So don't count him down and out yet.
This story will not just take place in their childhood years, no. If it seems that way, just be patient. I don't rush anything and as I have stated, this will be at least a 50 chapter story. So you really see the development of all the characters and how they mature.
P.S. REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW! I cannot stress it any more than I have! Lol I thrive off of them.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything!
Chapter thirteen: Oh! Darling
Being with Amelia Turner, one-on-one, was one of the most intimidating situations Izayoi had ever been in. They were in the same conference room as the last time, but the discussion was much different. The social worker had all the paperwork prepared and was going over the foster process with her so quickly that Izayoi could barely keep up. She hadn't thought that there'd be so many hurdles to jump and papers to sign just to foster one child. There were background checks and in-home studies that had to be done, and she knew the men in her life would not appreciate that. But each time her will to do this began to falter, Izayoi remembered how much Kagome needed it and how it was the right thing to do for her. But still, she wished there wasn't so much homework to do.
As Amelia began to wrap up her spiel about the 'how-to's and this-and-that, Izayoi compiled all the papers given to her in a neat stack. She straightened them by letting their edges fall against the table with a 'clack-clack' sound, and then looked back at Amelia expectantly. And in turn, Amelia looked back at Izayoi with an unreadable expression.
"Ms. Turner, the other night my husband brought up something I think I should talk with you about. We told my son and step-son we're fostering Kagome, but then he said that it might not matter because Kagome may not want to go with us." Her voice trailed off and insecurity set in. Izayoi knew that Amelia would be the authority on this and would give her the advice needed in such a situation, but it was still nerve wracking being unable to tell what the woman was thinking. Her face was blank, eyes unreachable, and manor very aloof. She blinked her eyes at Izayoi and sighed lightly in deep thought.
"Well, Ms. Taisho, I will be seeing Kagome throughout her stay here, and I'm confident you will be too, so I'll make a judgment on how she feels about the whole idea soon. Let's just be glad you've agreed on taking her at all. Believe it or not, it's a miracle that you did under such pressure and time constraints. I don't say this often, when I do; I mean it. What you and your family have agreed to do is very generous and kind and I have very good feelings about this." Izayoi and Amelia looked at each other, sharing a knowing and appreciative smile that seemed to bring calm to the so far hectic meeting. But as soon as the moment came, it was gone and Ms. Turner was back to her forceful demeanor.
"Don't tell her of your decision yet. It's not a certain thing at the moment. Just be there for Kagome and get her to open up. I also suggest you bring your family in to visit at least twice, just so she can become more acquainted with them. If at the end of her stay here you meet all the requirements, then I don't see anything standing in your way. Technically, she will be a ward of the state and you are just providing a home for her. She isn't legally your daughter unless you chose to adopt her. I'll still be looking for a permanent home for her while she lives with you." At this, Amelia Turner began to gather her things to leave. Izayoi was still absorbing it all, and didn't realize the other woman was ready to leave until she heard a gentle cough and saw her standing in the open door way, waiting.
"Oh! Sorry," Izayoi sprang up, papers and purse in hand, and followed Amelia out of the room. She felt flustered, but excited at the same time. As they walked through the bustling pediatric floor, the two women talked for a short while before parting. Amelia had another client to see and Izayoi decided she'd wait around for Kagome to return to her room.
Almost an hour later Izayoi had exhausted her short attention span to its last leg and had read every word of the old fashion magazine available in the waiting room. She hadn't expected Kagome would take so long in the play area, and yet as the minutes ticked by she became more and more fed up. She wanted to see the girl before they started her new round of medication, which she was told would put her in bad moods and make her feel even more ill. Izayoi looked at her fancy wrist watch for the umpteenth time and sighed. She was almost ready to throw in the towel when suddenly she heard a familiar name being mentioned from across the busy room.
Whirling her head around, sending her neat hair flying, Izayoi saw Kagome being wheeled towards her by a friendly nurse. The metal pole keeping her I.V. bag elevated was attached to the mobilized chair, which appeared to be larger than most wheelchairs since Kagome's small body barely filled the seat, and her legs dangled childishly off the edge, unable to reach the foot pedals. She and the nurse were discussing something, and the animation on Kagome's face was undeniable and heartwarming. She was smiling, eyes bright with excitement and chattering away with the older woman, craning her neck so she could look up at the nurse to see recognition and mutual enthusiasm. Izayoi smiled when she heard Kagome laugh, it was a welcomed sound.
Rising to her feet, Izayoi took a few steps towards the two, but kept her distance as the nurse took Kagome into her room and shut the door. Izayoi watched from the window as Kagome was helped into her bed, new sheets and all. From the way she moved around though, it didn't seem like she'd need the help. Kagome sat up easily, pulled the covers over her body without wincing or becoming light headed. Izayoi wondered how much her current mood would change once her medicine was administered. But she didn't have much time to ponder this as Kagome noticed her standing outside her window and motioned for her to come in with a big wave of her hand. Playing along, Izayoi playfully shuffled to the door and entered flamboyantly with a big hello. This simple act pleased Kagome to no end and she laughed until her face turned red. The nurse, who'd been scribbling something onto Kagome's medical charts stopped to glance at Izayoi and chuckled kindly to herself.
"Hello, Miss Kagome," Izayoi started, coming to Kagome's side with a skip in her step. She knew how boring it must be for the girl having to be in such a dull room and would go to any length to make the experience more enjoyable. "How might you be feeling this morning?" She asked curiously after giving Kagome a tender hug, keeping clear of her precarious wires and tubes. Kagome was bouncing lightly in place, unable to contain herself. Her lips were stretched in the biggest smile of her life, exposing her less than sparkling teeth. But Izayoi ignored it for the moment. Her hair and teeth could be repaired easily and now wasn't the time to bring them up.
"I watched a movie! It was the Iron Giant! Mrs. Izayoi you ever seen it? It's got a big robot and a boy who finds him!" Kagome explained anxiously. Of course, Izayoi had seen it many times with Inuyasha, but she played along and shook her head animatedly. As Kagome began to re-tell the well known plot, reenacting her favorite parts, Izayoi felt warmth spread through her that she only got when Inuyasha was around. Kagome wasn't even her foster child yet and she was feeling motherly love for her.
"Kagome," The two chatting girls turned their heads to see the nurse standing on the other side of Kagome's bed with a syringe in hand and a sympathetic look on her face. Kagome's face was sheer confusion and awe, with her mouth hanging open and eyes darting between the nurse's face and the syringe. Izayoi understood immediately and chewed on her bottom lip nervously. She wasn't good with needles at all and wanted to be as far away from it as possible, but forced herself to stay for Kagome's sake. "Kagome it's time for your medicine. I need your arm honey." The nurse stepped closer to the bed and Kagome shrank away from her. This was obviously not going to be an easy administration and the two women in the room exchanged looks. Izayoi understood it was for Kagome's health and helped the nurse.
"Hey, don't worry about that little ol' needle, Kagome." She said lightly and with her finger under Kagome's chin, Izayoi guided the girls head to face her and not the needle. Kagome's eyes were scared and teary, but she wouldn't let them fall yet. Izayoi smiled at her kindly and carefully wrapped her arms around Kagome's body, hugging her tightly and with a hand placed comfortingly behind her head. "It'll only hurt for a second, I promise. But you gotta take your medicine Kagome or you won't get better." Kagome buried her head into Izayoi's chest, mumbling what sounded to be like another refusal to cooperate. The nurse leaned over to gently grasp Kagome's small wrist and as soon as contact was made, Kagome writhed to get free. She began to squeal and moan in rejection, but Izayoi's hold became vice-like and she couldn't get free. "Sssshhhh…Ssshhh, Kagome you need to be still." She cooed sweetly while the nurse poised the needle just an inch away from the crook of Kagome's elbow. The poor girl felt trapped and her little heart was racing, but she remained still long enough for the needle to plunge into her skin and puncture her vein. One last cry was the only noise Kagome made as the plunger sank and the medicine was injected into her system. Izayoi had to shut her eyes from the sight. In less than five seconds the needle was gone and in its place was a cartoon themed band-aid with a cotton swab pressed against the tiny wound.
"All done, Kagome. You did a good job." With a soft pat to the arm, the nurse left them alone. She had other rounds to perform and would only be back to give Kagome her daily pills and refill her I.V. bag hours from then. Izayoi watched the woman leave as she rubbed the tangled mess of Kagome's hair, waiting for the small girl in her arms to unclench all the muscles in her body. It wasn't until the door clicked shut that Kagome began to relax. Her lungs expanded with a desperate breath and shuddered miserably upon exhale. Izayoi leaned back and stared down at the now weeping girl in her arms, surprised to find her expensive blouse clotted with tears. In the back of her mind she was a bit upset that her shirt had gotten ruined, but Izayoi never became angry with the girl. Instead, she helped Kagome lay back and smiled. The poor thing was hiccupping and sniffling terribly as tears streamed down her red face and the offended arm was being held away from her, stiff as a board. Bleary eyes stared pathetically up at Izayoi, begging her to make everything better again.
"It's going to be alright, Kagome." Izayoi promised with a soft voice, leaning in close to Kagome. She took Kagome's small hand in hers, rubbed the pad of her thumb against the soft, pale skin there, and smoothed the stray hairs away from Kagome's face. And in return, Kagome offered a weak smile back to Izayoi, but it fell as soon as her mind returned to injured arm and new cries threatened to surface. Upon seeing the oncoming tears, Izayoi 'sushed' Kagome softly and whipped the new tears away quickly. "No tears. Does it hurt still?" She asked sweetly and gave a lop-sided grin when Kagome nodded. "Does this help?" In a graceful motion, Izayoi leaned over and brought Kagome's hurt arm up to place a gentle kiss atop the band-aid. She rest it back down carefully and sat back in her chair. Kagome sniffled her runny nose and a few moments later she nodded her head sheepishly. There was a comfortable silence between them as Izayoi continued to pet Kagome's hair and hum a calming tune, and then Kagome spoke up.
"This gonna happen tomorrow?" She mumbled miserably. Izayoi sadly nodded. Kagome sighed and looked off to the opposite wall blankly. Her blue eyes still shimmered with unshed tears, but there was no longer a heartbroken and betrayed look in them; it had been replaced with forlorn. "Can you come tomorrow?" She asked with a small, insecure voice. Izayoi felt her heart skip a beat and she let out a rushed, happy breath as her own tears began to well. Kagome was reaching out to her; it was the best thing she'd heard the entire day.
"Of course, Kagome. I'll be here every day. Would you like that?" Kagome beamed up at Izayoi with the most appreciative smile she could muster.
"Yeah," She whispered. Her throat was becoming uncomfortably dry and painful, but she didn't make too much of it so the oxygen mask wouldn't get involved.
"Alright, it's a promise." Izayoi managed to say through her emotionally strained voice and cleared the tears away with the back of her thumb. Kagome was confused as to why she was crying too, but she was too tired to worry. Izayoi sat by her side, rubbing her hair and saying sweet things until the young girl finally succumbed to the medicines fatiguing and nauseating effects.
That night, once dinner had been finished and the boys were put to bed, Izayoi sat with her husband in their large, Egyptian cotton sheeted bed with the social worker's papers laid out in front of them. Izayoi was settled comfortably, and intimately, between Inu-Taisho's legs as he sat up against their headboard with his reading glasses on and pen in hand. They were going over the protocol and after care requirements together, and now that he was on board with the whole thing, without much quarreling.
"Do they really need to know all this old information about us?" Izayoi asked her husband off-handedly as she read through one of the papers, scratching the area underneath her nose cutely. Inu-Taisho looked down at his wife and chuckled softly before signing his name on a signature line.
"I would assume so. You said she won't be told of this fostering stuff until later, right?" He gave Izayoi his filled out paperwork and she placed it in the completed pile, and in turn she handed him another small stack of papers for him to go through and sign.
"Yep. Ms. Amelia wants to be sure that Kagome's emotionally ready for this. But I have a feeling that she'll be more than willing. Today, I had this…connection with Kagome that makes me think she wants me to be around; like she needs me to be there. It made all of this grief worth it, ya know?" She rested her head against his broad chest in a tender gesture, and he placed a kiss against the dark hair there.
"Of course, darling." Izayoi rolled her eyes at his condescending tone, but didn't mention it. She knew fully that he didn't have any emotional attachment to the girl whatsoever, but he would eventually; she knew it to be a fact. Inu-Taisho was a hard man to crack and even a harder man to read. But when he warmed up to someone, it was a very sweet and endearing thing to see. He could be caring and gentle, but being that way hadn't been what made him so successful at everything he did. For his occupation, a tough exterior was necessary and unfortunately he had a difficult time turning that off when he walked into their home. It was just something Izayoi had told herself she would eventually fix and let it slide.
"Now, that social worker's assistant will be coming in the next day or so for the in-home study. So just be ready for that alright?" Inu-Taisho nodded quietly as he filed through the papers. He didn't really know what to expect, from the social worker or his children for that matter, and that unnerved him the most. He was just counting the days until they could bring the girl home and his life would once again be predictable and manageable like it had been before all the madness of late.
Over the week, Izayoi kept her promise to Kagome and continued to see her every day. She would arrive at 10 in the morning with new books and toys for Kagome to play with, and she would stay and comfort her every time the nurse administered the medicine. And just as the doctor had warned, Kagome had severe mood swings that had her to crying in pain and then suddenly screaming out in pure anger. These tantrums lead to her becoming nauseated and cause her to vomit or begin coughing. She lost her appetite and the already thin girl lost even more weight. It was heart wrenching to watch this transformation take place; Izayoi almost couldn't even bear it some days. She had difficulty seeing how this medication was helping her, it looked to be doing more harm than good, but Meiner continued to assure her that it was for the best. Kagome's system was being flushed of all the toxins she'd absorbed down in the subway and whatnot and she would bounce back quickly once it was all over. But still, her weak little heart was so faint on the monitor and the once glimmering, blue eyes were cloudy and unable to focus.
Every day after school, Inuyasha would join Kagome and his mother for the remainder of her visit there and he too saw the worsening state the girl was in. He was as well behaved as one could expect him to be, and for that Izayoi was grateful. He would play with Kagome or talk to her if Izayoi had to leave the room, but his formalities and bed side manner were lacking, to say the least. Impatience on his side and crankiness on hers lead to some verbal fights, but of course, Izayoi took Kagome's side each time; and after that happened, Inuyasha's disdain for Kagome grew. And she reciprocated the feeling.
At least the home study had gone over well and the family had been approved by the social worker to bring Kagome into their home. It had been awkward in the beginning, having a total stranger in the house and act as if they weren't there wasn't something Izayoi was used to, but eventually they stopped worrying about it and went on with their day. Inuyasha had stayed up in his room most of the time pouting over his continuing punishment and the unfairness of the world, but neither he nor Sesshoumaru went out of their way to ruin the important study. Now that they were in the clear, all that was left was to tell Kagome. Ms. Amelia had been visiting her as well, checking up on her emotional levels and gauging how she might feel about the idea. It was a positive report for Izayoi and they set up a day to speak with Kagome together and 'break the news' to her. It would be before she had her medicine so that her cognizance was still intact. And with that day quickly approaching, Izayoi began to prepare a room for Kagome's hopeful future stay there.
They would convert the guest bedroom, well the one guest bedroom that was across the hall from Inuyasha's room, forty or so feet aware from the master bedroom. Izayoi ordered all new sheets for the bed, had the room painted a friendly, uplifting yellow color, and purchased all new furniture appropriate for her age. There were toys stacked neatly in one corner and a bookshelf almost full with various novels for her to enjoy. There was a large bay window with long, white satin curtains that swayed in the draft from the ceiling fan. It was an idyllic room for Kagome, in Izayoi's opinion. And as she stood in the doorway, smelling the new paint and admiring the girlish theme, she couldn't help but wonder if this was how she would have decorated her now deceased daughter's room. A pain struck her heart as she thought about Rin and had to force back tears. Now wasn't the time to dwell on such things. Now was the time to anticipate Kagome's homecoming and be happy. She and Amelia would be telling Kagome the next day and she couldn't have something like this hanging over her head like a cloud of gloom.
Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Izayoi smiled and left the doorway, closing the wooden thing behind her as she walked away to meet her family downstairs for dinner.
It was Sunday, the day she was meeting Amelia at the hospital to deliver the news to Kagome. At nine o'clock she arrived at the hospital, eager to find the social worker and even more eager to see Kagome's reaction. They had been bonding over the past week or so and Izayoi was really beginning to see Kagome as part of their family now. She hoped Kagome would accept her as a mother, which was probably her biggest worry at the moment. The fear of rejection was not daunting enough to deter her happy mood though, and as she entered the grand hospital, Izayoi's steps became quicker and were accompanied with a subtle 'skip'.
By now Izayoi was well accustom to the layout of the hospital, especially the pediatric ward. She had become acquaintances with a few of the nurses and as she passed by them they exchanged friendly waves and smiles, but the only thing on her mind was finding Ms. Turner. They agreed to meet outside of Kagome's door since the conference room was being used, and the woman turned out to be quite punctual; as she was waiting for Izayoi by Kagome's room. Speeding up her pace, Izayoi approached Amelia and they exchanged equally happy smiles.
"Are you ready, Mrs. Taisho?" Amelia asked, clutching her smart looking purse to her side. Izayoi nodded her head and they entered the room with a quiet knock. Kagome was sitting up in her bed, hunched over something in her lap with dozens of crayons lying around her covered legs. When she heard the knocking and the door quietly swing open, she looked up from her coloring book and upon seeing Izayoi's lovely face, a great big smile spread from ear to ear behind a clear plastic mask. She hadn't been given the shot yet, so Kagome was still in a relatively good mood and it showed in how much her eyes lit up. Amelia moved towards the bed and Izayoi took a seat in the chair near Kagome, giving the girl a one-armed hug.
"Are you liking that coloring book Kagome?" Izayoi asked curiously and laughed with the young girl as she was shown the various colored pictures. Amelia gave them a moment before she spoke up.
"Kagome, there's something we need to talk about." She said slowly, getting Kagome's reluctant attention. "You'll be getting out of the hospital in a week, and after that we need to find you a new home." She waited to let that sink in, and as it did, Kagome's smile began to disappear. She had wondered what would happen to her when she would be forced to leave. And as she thought more about it, she thought about her father too. Would they have her go back with him? Kagome didn't like the sound of that and she began to fear for the worst. If she went back to live with him, everything would go back to how it was before and she'd be homeless again. The mask on her face began to fog and un-fog at a quicker rate as her breathing sped up nervously. Amelia continued on.
"We cannot find your father, I'm sorry to say. But even if we did, we cannot let you go back with him. Which means, Kagome, that you need to be adopted or put in a foster home where you can grow up normally and healthy. Do you understand?" Kagome looked up at Amelia with confused eyes. She was glad that she wouldn't have to live with her father again, but who would she live with? Would she get to pick them? Or would they be chosen for her? It was all too much for the young girl that it made her head swim. There was a gentle hand against her back and Kagome turned to Izayoi. For a moment her heart stopped. If she went to live with someone else, she might never see Izayoi again. A new dread began to seep into the back of her mind as tears formed in her eyes. Izayoi was her only happiness now. After so much unhappiness, having something so wonderful to only lose it so suddenly was heart breaking. The tears rolled down her cheeks in rivers.
Izayoi and Amelia instantly noticed and rushed to help the upset little girl. They each tried to ease and calm her down, but as soon as Amelia said that she had someone who already wanted to adopt Kagome, just more tears fell. Izayoi took Kagome in her arms and began to smooth her hair, just the way Kagome had come to find so enjoyable, and whispered softly.
"Kagome, why are you so upset? I know you'll miss your daddy, but you have to live with someone who can take care of you." She explained. Both women watched as Kagome shook her head and whipped her face with small, feminine hands. Her shoulders jumped and bottom lip trembled as she tried to speak.
"I – I don't wanna go wif' Daddy." She whimpered with a tiny voice muffled by the oxygen mask. Her blue eyes opened wide to look up at Izayoi with absolute desperation. "I wanna stay wif' you! Don't go away!" Suddenly Kagome was latching onto Izayoi's arm and bawling her eyes out into her sleeve. It would have torn at Izayoi's gentle heart if she wasn't already trying not to laugh. Amelia was also hiding a smile behind her hand despite Kagome's hurt feelings. Once Izayoi had composed herself, she carefully pulled Kagome off of her arm and cradled her red, puffy face in the palms of her hands. With the pad of her thumb, Izayoi whipped the tears from Kagome's face and smiled at her with the most caring smile Kagome had ever seen. She couldn't remember the last time someone had smiled at her with so much love in their eyes. But she couldn't understand why she was smiling.
"Kagome, I want to foster you. My family wants you to live with us." Of course she was telling a little white lie about how the 'family' wanted her to come live with them, but they weren't putting up too much of a fight so that was enough. Kagome blinked her round, stunned eyes as she took in the meaning of what Izayoi had just said.
"You…want me?" She said hoarsely, barely above a whisper. Izayoi nodded her head, as her throat was choked up with something painful and her eyes were blinded from tears. In an instant, the two of them were hugging. Amelia stared at them with a warm, proud look and took it as her time to leave. She would speak with Izayoi later. For now, her role in the story was over. Now was the time for the new mother and daughter to bond and be excited for the changes in store.
Nearly a week later, it was time for Kagome to be discharged. It was the second of November. Halloween and come and passed by, but even the children in the hospital were able to enjoy the holiday. Kagome was dressed as a witch, with the pointed hat nearly swallowing her head, and Izayoi pushed her down the halls of the pediatric ward in a wheelchair. Doctors and nurses gave the children candy in each room they passed, a magician put on a delightful show, and pictures were taken to commemorate Kagome's first Halloween with Izayoi. Sadly though, she hadn't been getting better, as the added medication in her system was taking full effect and she was rendered unable to do anything for herself. In the last few days of her time at the hospital, Izayoi had lifted Inuyasha's punishment and wouldn't force the two to be around each other. Kagome was too weak and susceptible to infection, and Inuyasha had proven he was sorry by that time with his good behavior. As she remained by Kagome's side, reading her books and playing games, Izayoi began to realize how much Kagome would depend on her. The nurses were changing her sheets and bedpan, giving her sponge baths and feeding her, and all of that would be her responsibility at home. But as daunting as that sounded, Izayoi remained faithful and unfailing to Kagome. A few times Inu-Taisho had come to visit, mostly to pick up Izayoi, but he would sit by Kagome's bed and talk to her for a short while.
On the day of Kagome's departure, the nurses had a small farewell gift for her, and even Dr. Meiner stopped by to wish Kagome well. Dressed in head to toe in jackets and blankets, as the weather was getting more and more chilly, Kagome sat in her new wheel chair looking swamped in her clothes. She had band-aids along her arms and atop her hand from where they had injected things and her still unruly hair was pulled back into a pony tail. Izayoi promised Kagome to a make-over; and after she explained what that was, Kagome had become very excited about the idea. Despite her weakened state, Kagome was still lucid and able to talk; it was just her body that inhibited her excitement. Dr. Meiner assured that it would only last a few weeks and she'd be back to normal. Kagome offered the kind woman a weak smile as Izayoi and Inu-Taisho wheeled her down the pediatric ward and towards the elevators.
Kagome was happy to be leaving the hospital, but at the same time wary about living in the same house as Inuyasha. They had been getting along fairly well lately, but she wasn't ready to forgive him. Her feelings were still sore from that fateful day. She tried to not think about it, and instead thought about her new life with the Taisho's; specifically Izayoi. A lazy grin curled across her pale face at the idea of having a mother again. Kagome's eyes began to feel heavy and her head lolled to the side as sleep took over her weary body. She had wanted to stay awake for the ride to her new home, but Izayoi didn't have the heart to wake her. So instead, Kagome snooze in her lap the entire time. Sitting next to them was Inu-Taisho, and from the corner of his eye he watched his wife pamper and coddle the sleeping girl. He had to admit that Izayoi did have a certain glow about her as she treated Kagome like a new mother would. His eyes trailed over to the sleepy girl's face. She was cute, in a manner of speaking. Certainly too skinny for someone her age, and her hair was atrocious. But he surmised that could be fixed with time and a good brush. He caught movement from the corner of his eye and looked up to see Izayoi staring at him. Inu-Taisho stared back with a quirked eyebrow. Quietly she leaned in and planted a chaste kiss on his cheek and whispered 'thanks'.
When the car came to its final stop, Kagome was barely waking up. She heard when Inu-Taisho got out of the car to get her wheelchair and when Izayoi opened their door to get out. She could feel the woman shifting underneath her and urging her to wake up.
"Kagome, we're home. Open your eyes and see your new house." She whispered excitedly and patted Kagome's back. With a reluctant moan, Kagome's blue eyes fluttered open and suddenly there was a bright, yellow light flooding her vision. She quickly shut her eyes and waited a moment to open them again. When she did, Kagome was amazed at what she saw. It was so bright outside, everything was alive and happy. The sky was blue and calm instead of a dreary grey color. There was grass growing, and there would be flowers in the trees if it wasn't so cold. She was taken from Izayoi's lap and placed in her wheelchair again by Inu-Taisho, who then helped his wife from the backseat as well. But Kagome was too captivated by the magnitude and grandeur of her new home to notice anything. It was like something from a fairytale. The shrubbery was sculpted neatly and home maintained to perfection. And as Kagome was wheeled up to the door, its looming height cast a shadow over her.
"This gonna be my house?" She asked in utter disbelief, totally missing Inu-Taisho cringe at her poor grammar. He opened the front door and let Izayoi wheel her inside before going in and shutting the door behind them. And if Kagome had thought the outside to be amazing, the inside was astonishing. It was so beautifully decorated and polished, everything had its own place and purpose. There was a grand staircase that curled and climbed all the way up to the second floor, which she could only imagine, was just as wonderful. Izayoi chuckled at Kagome's adorable expression of amazement.
"Yes, this is your home now. And your room is right up those stairs. But first we all have a house warming gift for you…wait, where are the boys?" She looked around for them, going into the adjoining living room and even into the kitchen in search. Eventually she had Inu-Taisho go and fetch them. "They might be up in the playroom." She shouted as he ascended the stairs. Kagome watched his retreating form curiously. Not two minutes later did he return with two others following behind. They both had their heads bowed and feet dragging as they came closer and closer, but also carrying something in their hands. Kagome shifted nervously in her seat and watched as Inuyasha stopped in front of her. He wouldn't make eye contact and could only mumble 'here' before shoving a poorly wrapped thing in her lap. Kagome stared at him for a moment, and then finally looked down at the thing in her lap. Her nimble fingers managed to tear off the luminescent paper with minimal scraps and held up a white, fluffy teddy bear. It was cute, and very soft. Kagome thanked him awkwardly and was surprised when there was another present being placed in her hands again, this time by Sesshoumaru. It ended up being a long, cashmere yellow scarf. It was lovely, and possibly the finest material Kagome had ever felt. She looked up at his distant face and smiled. He just turned on his heels and went to stand beside Inuyasha. Both of them watched with disinterested eyes and looking much like their father did as he held out a small box for Kagome to take.
"Here," He said bluntly. Izayoi roughly jabbed him in the side with her elbow, insisting he ought to be more sincere. Inu-Taisho resisted the urge to roll his eyes and put up a false mask of cheer for Kagome. "I thought you would enjoy it." He forced out through clenched teeth. Kagome hesitantly took the box from him and pried open the lid. Inside was the most dazzling bracelet she'd ever seen. It had small green gems set into the silver metal and sparkled in the light. It was the best gift so far. With a big, appreciative smile plastered on her face, Kagome turned to Inu-Taisho and thanked him. The show of unabashed gratitude and enthusiasm caught the man off guard for a moment and he was at a loss for words to say. It was hard to remain an unfeeling jerk in the presence of such an endearing person. But he managed to do so anyways. But even though he barely replied to her thanks, Kagome's happiness wasn't deterred. She was too pleased with admiring the fine piece of jewelry.
Izayoi gave Inu-Taisho a knowing grin and then had him help Kagome up the stairs. It took their combined forces, she carrying Kagome and he with the chair, and it took just a minute or so. Izayoi put Kagome back into her chair and carted her down the hallway, towards a certain door. Kagome was clutching the arms of her wheelchair with anticipation. And as if time itself slowed down, Kagome watched as the simple mahogany door was pushed open to reveal a world of yellow and white. Her eyes widened and hands came up to cover her gaping mouth. This was her room? This room was fit for royalty and it was hers. Izayoi quietly pushed her further into the room and watched as Kagome looked around. It was so gratifying to see such a genuine reaction from her. Kagome turned around to face Izayoi, fresh tears in her eyes, and had no way of articulating how immensely thankful she was. That look was all Izayoi needed though.
Once Kagome had become familiar with all of her new things, she was more than happy to go to sleep in her brand new bed. The sheets were all colors of yellow and decorated with daisies, looking so inviting to the tired six-year-old. Izayoi helped her into the beds and tucked the sheets around her small body, fluffing her pillow and making sure everything was comfortable for her. And as she mentally checked off everything that the doctor had told her to do, like having the humidifier, she remembered something. With a smack to the forehead, Izayoi quickly trotted around the bed to Kagome's closet.
"Now Kagome, I know you won't like this, but your doctor said it's very important for the next week or so." She began to wheel out a silver tank strapped to a dolly and gave Kagome a sympathetic look. On the side of the tank, in big red letters, was the word 'OXYGEN'. Kagome couldn't read that, but she knew what an oxygen tank was and gave Izayoi a scrunched, unappreciative look.
"Do I have to?" She whined as Izayoi got closer with the accursed thing. Izayoi apologized and affixed the mask's tube to the nozzle of the tank and adjusted the settings to the doctor's recommendations before slipping the plastic thing over Kagome's head. Kagome didn't fuss, but she wasn't happy either. Izayoi sighed and lowered herself onto the mattresses edge. She looked down at the pouty girl, and saw that her eyes were beginning to droop.
"For now, I want you to sleep. When dinner is ready I'll come up and eat with you." She said sweetly, trying to perk up Kagome's spirits.
"Why can't I eat wif' you guys?" Kagome rebuffed stubbornly. Izayoi shook her head and pulled the sheets higher up Kagome's chest.
"Because you have to stay in bed for now. But it's not for forever, I promise." Kagome let out a quick huff and looked past Izayoi and out the big window. The outdoors looked so inviting. Izayoi saw Kagome yearning to go outside and got an idea. With a gleeful smile, Izayoi leaned in closer to Kagome.
"How does this sound; when you get better, I'll take you out for a picnic outside. We'll lay out a blanket and eat sandwiches and play games. Will that make you happy?" She waited for Kagome's stubborn frown to slowly turn up into a smile again. Kagome looked back at Izayoi and silently nodded her head. "I don't hear you Kagome, you gotta speak up!" She said jokingly and suddenly tickled Kagome's neck until the little girl let out a shrill laugh, followed by a definite 'yes'. Izayoi relinquished her tickling hands and laughed as Kagome began to calm down and let out a big yawn. Giving a quick kiss to the forehead, Izayoi rose up from the bed and walked towards the door, turning the lights off as she stood in the doorway. And looking over her shoulder at the little girl drifting off to sleep in her brand new bed, Izayoi smiled once again that day; it seemed she couldn't stop now. "Welcome home, Kagome." She whispered and finally left her to rest.