Lessons of Love
Lesson Four: Managing an Acceptable Time Schedule
-X-
Remember to always be on time for scheduled meetings and outings. Tardiness if frowned upon and if one wants to be viewed as professional, then one must practice promptness and always be on time. It tells someone how organized one is with their time management, and it speaks volumes for potential clients or employees. However, if you announce ahead of time that you might be late for an outing, it is not your fault that the person you are meeting is in a foul mood when you arrive, since you did, indeed, warn them that you might be tardy. If he still won't listen…be late just to annoy him.
-X-
Little bare feet padded across the carpeted floor down the fairly wide hallway, a fluffy lump of blue and brown being dragged across the floor behind her, clutched tightly in a small, clawed hand. At three feet and ten inches, the young half-demon's gait was soft and light, making nary a sound as she neared her destination, which happened to be the cracked open door at the end of the well-lit hallway.
Stopping before the door, Shaninri bit her lower lip in a rare show of nervousness and slowly pushed the door open enough so that she could poke her silver head through, golden eyes zeroing in on the figure before her.
In the room that he called a study, her father stood hunched over a large mahogany desk, the equally large rolling chair pushed back behind him as he bent over various sizes of blueprint paper. The light from the lamp situated at the corner of the desk illuminated his workspace and Shaninri could see papers overflowing the surface of it, hanging off the edge, littering the floor around it, and stacked in piles everywhere. The tools he used were located here and there on the desk, always within reach, and she praised herself for remembering what the tool he was currently using was called.
Her Papa certainly was a busy man. But never too busy for her, she was quick to realize at an early age.
Moving farther into the room, Shan watched silently as her father dragged a pencil after the wake of a compass, the two-pronged device he had told her it was named, as he pivoted it around in a half-circle, his expression one of intense concentration. That was why he hadn't noticed her yet – he was working really hard on his next assignment for his job.
Although how that weird looking metal thingie could help someone find their way home if they were lost was beyond her.
It was another moment or two before the older half-demon's ear flicked in her direction and eyes identical to her own lifted from the desk to gaze at the small figure standing before the doorway to his study and he frowned slightly at the hesitance in her stance. Idly he wondered how long she'd been standing there and then decided it didn't matter; that uneasy look on his precious girl's face was of more concern to him.
Straightening slightly from his hunch, Inuyasha jerked his head in invitation and returned his gaze back to his design. "What's up, baby?" he said, making sure to keep his voice soft and void of any irritation. He didn't want to make her more jumpy than she already was, and he suspected her reason for being as such.
He had never been angry in the first place from what had transpired earlier today at the store; he'd had the reaction of what any scared parent of a young child would do. His daughter wasn't in sight and he had instantly panicked and he made himself calm down so he could track her scent. No, he'd never been angry; he could never be mad at his little girl.
But the fear that had seized him was not something that he cared to go through again.
Seeming to relax a little at his soft tone and easy posture, Shaninri hugged her stuffed Beast plushie to her chest and dropped her gaze to the polished wood of the floor. "Um, I'm sorry I scared you today, Papa," she apologized in that soft tone of hers, the one she used when she wasn't sure what his reaction was going to be. "Are you…mad at me?" Sheepishly she scuffed her bare foot against the floor, her toe nudging at the edge of the rug a few inches away. She hoped her Papa wasn't mad at her. She really hadn't meant to make him afraid today; she'd just been happy to see Miss K'ome again.
Flicking his gaze back to his daughter, Inuyasha's features softened and he put down the compass before sitting down in his brown leather chair and beckoning her over to him. "C'mere, Shan." He patiently waited while she slowly made her way over to him and he effortlessly lifted her up onto his lap when she was close enough. Situating her so that her little legs draped over his thighs and she was tucked snuggly against his chest, Inuyasha let out a sigh and wrapped his arms securely around his precious little girl, the most important person in the world to him as a deep, soothing rumble emitted from his chest.
Shaninri cuddled in close, her ever-present companion Beast hugged tightly to her chest with her slim arms. She couldn't help but relax a bit, because she was in her number one most favoritest position in the world; her Papa's arms. She knew she was as safe as she could get while nestled in his strong embrace, and the thought brought her comfort, a content little sigh escaping her lips as her eyes fluttered close, a furry ear pressed against the rhythmic beating of his heart and lulling her into a light doze.
And just like that, Shaninri knew that her papa had never been mad at her.
The older hanyou's voice brought her back to the present, however, and her eyes flipped back open to stare at him with wide-eyed innocence.
Running a clawed hand through hair that was exactly like his own, Inuyasha teased the two appendages at the top of her head and smiled as they flicked beneath his touch, a soft giggle drifting up to his own ears. "I was never angry, baby," he told her even though she probably already knew this. "I was just…scared. One minute you were behind me, and the next you were suddenly gone. I didn't know where you were and…" He sighed heavily and bent to press his forehead against hers. "Just…don't do that again, okay? I wanna be able to know where you are so if something happens, I can be there right away." He tapped her nose. "Got me?" A smile curled his lips.
He laughed when her head bobbled up and down frantically, her face lit up from the wide smile spreading across her young face. "Okie, Papa. I promise to never do that again to you." She paused. "Can I have my Gummi Bears now?"
Chuckling, he shook his head and kissed his daughter's forehead. "Save some red ones for me, yeah? And tell your friend," he poked Beast in the belly with a finger, "to stop appearing randomly in my sock drawer. Scares the crap outta me to see a lump of brown in with my white socks." He gave her a pointed stare.
"Beast likes to play hide and seek," she informed matter-of-factly, completely serious.
Inuyasha arched a black brow. "Right." He plucked her off his lap and set her back on her feet, patting her bottom. "Now git. Pop's gotta finish this design before we head off."
Squealing at the reminder of her play date with Miss 'Gome, the young'un ran out of her father's study, giggling the whole way and leaving her father smiling warmly in her wake.
He kept his eyes on the door even after she disappeared around the corner and he could hear her chatting happily away to her ever-constant companion the Beast. The smile on his face faded, however, and he sighed heavily, leaning back into the plushness of his chair and dragging a hand down his face. He'd been anticipating that little conversation ever since they got home from the market, however he didn't think it would affect him this much.
Inuyasha frowned and stared blankly at the blueprints scattered on his desk, lost in his thoughts. Had Shaninri really thought he was angry with her? Sure, he'd been a little upset that she had wandered off on her own without telling him, but what he'd said was the truth; he'd never been angry with her.
The fear, however, had been one hundred percent real, and it was not just because she had disappeared from his sight; he could easily follow her scent.
What had really scared him was the possibility that his daughter could have run into someone that happened to not like half-demons and made it a sole purpose in life to rid the planet of them. Inuyasha knew such people existed, from both sides of the race, and it was not uncommon for one to mingle with humans and demons alike, performing mundane things such as shopping.
God…what if his baby girl had been kidnapped by one of those prejudiced bastards? The father didn't know what he would do. He doubted anybody would care enough to help rescue a half-demon child from some twisted fuck-up with no life. He knew Sesshomaru would offer his support; for reasons unknown to the hanyou father, his half-brother had a soft spot for Shaninri and seemed to be rather attached to her. Not to mention he spoiled her rotten and got her whatever she asked for.
Which was just as well; Inuyasha adored his niece Rin and gave into her whims all the time.
They were both two spineless saps, weren't they?
Chuckling into the silence of his study, Inuyasha heaved a sigh again and unwillingly set back to work on his next project. This was the worst part of his job; actually designing the houses. He had way more fun constructing the dwellings. Of course he was the only one he knew of in his profession that both designed the houses, and built them…but like that was going to stop him from what he enjoyed doing most.
Picking up his discarded compass and pencil, a wistful smile curled his lips as he brought to life masterpiece of a house. It was one of his more beautiful creations, and he couldn't wait to see the final product.
That was the best part of his job: gazing upon the final result of months of hard labor and planning and reveling in the look of happy satisfaction on his client's face.
With more vigor than before Inuyasha stood up from his chair and began what he does best.
-X-
Okay, Kagome, you can do this. Just tell him that something came up and you can't make it. Tell him Gramps is sick or something and you have to look after him while Mom goes out…somewhere…
Inwardly groaning, Kagome closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against the cool wood of the door separating her and the charismatic wolf-demon principle. She just knew this wasn't going to go as planned. Knowing Kouga, he'd pull her in and somehow trick her into accepting another date in compensation for the one she was about to cancel. While Kagome liked the wolf-demon well enough, she had no desire to move their relationship to a more…intimate level, unlike Kouga, who wasn't so subtle at hinting that he most certainly did.
Cringing at the mental image that that particular thought produced, Kagome shook her head and took a deep breath, nodding resolutely to herself. Well. It was now or never. She was already running late enough as it is from just stalling outside his door and knowing Mr. Takashi – no, wait. Knowing Inuyasha, he'd probably get sick of waiting for her and just leave.
Kagome frowned. But what about adorable little Shaninri? He wouldn't just let his daughter get all excited, and then suddenly take the promise of a play date away from her. He's not that cruel, is he?
…Dammit. She was stalling again.
Shoving all thoughts of irritable hanyous and their precious daughter's aside, Kagome braced herself, stood up straight, and firmly rapped twice on the door leading into the principal's office, hoping that nobody would answer.
Never mind that everyone knew that Kouga always spent his Saturday mornings at the office catching up on paper work.
Rustling of papers, then a distracted "enter" crushed her hopes and sealed her fate.
Well…it was now or never. Before she could talk herself out of it, Kagome twisted the metal handle down and pushed the door forward, plastering a smile onto her face as she stepped inside. She had an inkling that he was not going to make this easy for her.
Biting her lip, hoping this wouldn't take long, the wolf-demon principal lifted his eyes from the papers on his desk and instantly a charming smile graced his tanned features, his blue eyes lighting up as he stood from his desk. "Kagome," he greeted warmly, coming around to stand before his desk. "To what do I owe this pleasure?" He gestured to one of the two plush chairs before his desk and the school teacher reluctantly sat down.
She'd wanted this to be a quick affair; cancel their date, apologize, and then make her exit, but it looked like he had other ideas as he walked past her and shut the door, effectively closing them in. Mentally she groaned and refrained from dropping her head in her hands. Why, oh why did he have to make everything difficult?
Ambling back over, Kouga leaned against his desk and put his hands in his pockets, glad he had decided to don a regular tee shirt and blue jeans than the suit that his workplace required. It allowed for his woman to see the other side of him, the more laid back and easy going guy instead of the hard working, dedicated elementary school principal she was around most of the time.
Shifting nervously in her seat, biting her lip and trying to avoid his gaze, Kagome cleared her throat and focused on a random doo-hickie on his desk. "Ah, Kouga," she began, "I…actually came here to tell you that I…um…well, about our date—"
"Yeah, about that," he cut her off, grinning from ear to ear now. "I was thinking maybe I could take you to Luigi's if you're in the mood for Italian, or maybe Miguel's for some delicious Mexican. Or," he continued, oblivious to Kagome's growing apprehension, "we could even go traditional and I'll reserve us some seats at Tsuyo's Japanese Cuisine. I hear tell they've got this amazing teriyaki rice and chicken combination—…"
As he prattled on, oblivious, Kagome sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes. She really hoped this wouldn't make her too late; it was already quarter to twelve and she had yet to announce the reason for her visit.
God, but she hated being right sometimes.
"—and then afterward, we could go catch that new movie, what's it called? Something to do with a chick's body.* Or maybe that Sority…Sorority…Rue or whatever.** I heard it's got some good reviews—"
"Kouga," she finally interrupted him, her voice firm yet an apologetic smile on her face. "About the date…I don't think I'll be able to make it tomorrow tonight."
He blinked, a frown drawing his brows inward. He stared at her and Kagome had to look away, turning her gaze to the side as she bit her lip.
Finally he spoke. "Well…why the hell not?" His deep voice sent shivers down her spine, and they weren't the good kind.
She sucked in a breath and twisted her hands together nervously. "Ah…well…you see…I…had already made plans with someone and…I forgot until just recently." Oh yeah, Kagome, great excuse. Just whom exactly do you have plans with?
Kouga was thinking the same thing. "Plans? With who?" His frown deepened and he crossed his arms over his chest.
Crap. Crapcrapcrap. Shit. "Inuyasha Takashi."
Silence.
Oh god. Why that name? Why was it that his name was the first to come to her head?! God, she was so stupid. Inwardly groaning and beating herself up into a bloody pulp, Kagome forced herself to remain calm and dared to peek up at him, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth.
Kouga looked startled at her answer, his eyebrows shooting up into his dark bangs and his eyes rounding slightly in surprise. "Takashi? As in Brothers Takashi Designs and Construction?"
Kagome blinked and developed a frown of her own. "Yes…that Takashi." Come to think of it, Inuyasha's last name did match up to that of the business he was referring to. Did he own it? Or maybe his brother did, since it was Brothers Takashi… She'd definitely have to look into that further this afternoon at their meeting.
Meeting. Uh oh. Shooting a glance at the clock on the wall behind the wolf-demon, Kagome gasped and shot up from her seat, grabbing her purse from the floor and hurrying toward the door. "Sorry Kouga, but I gotta go! I'm late! Call me and we'll talk about another time, okay, bye!"
The door closed behind her, leaving a blinking wolf-demon behind.
"…Damn."
-X-
"Oh man, I hadn't realized how long I was in there for! It's already ten after!" Jumping in her car and revving it up, Kagome sped out of the parking lot and down the street, heading toward the park where she hoped the twosome were still there, waiting for her. "I hope they're still there…and that he's not too mad."
The jerk's words from yesterday had her cringing as she sped through a yellow light, barely making it.
"Just don't keep me waiting, got it? I have better things to do than wait for your late a—wait for you."
Turning a corner and almost running over a squirrel, the park came into view and a huge wave of relief swept through her when she saw two familiar figures at the playground, two heads of shiny silver hair giving away just who they were.
"Oh thank god," she muttered as she pulled up to the side of the road and put the car in park, cutting the engine. Quickly exiting, she almost forgot to shut the door and lock it before hastily making her way over to them, calling out, "Hey guys!"
Identical sets of golden eyes gazed her way, one lighting up in excitement while the other glowered heatedly, a scowl twisting his features.
"Miss 'Gome!" Shaninri shouted, jumping from the merry go round and running toward her new playmate. Laughing, Kagome caught the girl in her arms and accepting the hug she received, kneeling down to her level.
"Sorry I'm late," she said, smiling warmly. "I had something to deal with first and I didn't think it would take very long."
The tiny half-demon in her arms smiled and was about to assure her when her father scoffed, silencing her.
"Keh. Obviously, you were wrong. What could possibly take so long that you're fifteen minutes late? You're the one who said noon, wench, not me." Inuyasha glared down at her, arms folded across his chest haughtily.
Kagome frowned and stood up, her hands placed at her hips in a typical female stance. "I did say I might be a little late, Inuyasha," she intoned, enjoying the way he flinched as she said his name. Fighting back a smirk, Kagome looked back down at the half-demon girl and offered a fond smile. "Want me to push you on the swings again, Shan?"
Shaninri beamed and nodded eagerly before skipping to the swings, Kagome in two but not before giving her father a rather triumphant look over her shoulder.
Inuyasha growled and followed after them, muttering under his breath about sneaky wenches.
Coming up behind the youth, Kagome gave her a warning before grapping her sides and pulling backward, releasing her shortly afterward and reveling in the delighted laughter that met her ears. Kagome smiled and gave her a gentle push every time Shaninri swung back her way. Inuyasha plopped on the swing next to them, propping his chin in his hand and watching with a bored expression.
Kagome ignored him for the most part and focused on Shaninri, making idle chatter with her and chuckling when she received responses in one or two words whenever she was near enough to the school teacher to say them.
"Are you keeping up in your schoolwork, Shaninri?" Kagome asked, remembering Inuyasha mentioning something about bookwork yesterday.
"I almost—" She swung forward, then back again. "—got a whole—" Forward. Back. "—book done!"
"That's great! Good for you, Shan!"
Giggling, the young hanyou stopped the forward motion by skidding her feet on the ground, slowing down until she was able to hop off. Grabbing the pretty lady's hand, Shan dragged her over to the merry-go-round. "Spin me, Miss K'ome!"
"What do you say first, Shan?" Inuyasha gave his daughter a knowing look, arching a brow.
Shaninri gasped and blushed before smiling and correcting herself. "Could you please spin me, Miss K'ome?"
Charmed, Kagome smiled and nodded. "I'd be happy to, honey. Now get ready! I do this all the time when I take my students to the park on class trips!" Pretending to shove up her sleeves and puffing out her chest, eliciting a delighted giggle from the girl, Kagome grabbed hold of a cold steel bar and shoved it with all her might, efficiently sending the merry-go-round into motion.
Shaninri squealed and with her father's warning of "hold tight, baby," she wrapped her tiny arms around one of the cold steel bars and laughed as her father joined in on the spinning, making it go a tad faster.
Together the two adults spun the ride round and round, reveling in the child's peals of laughter and screams of delight. Soon, though, Kagome's arms were getting tired and she backed away, watching with a small, fond smile as Inuyasha jumped onto the spinning ride and pretended it was going way too fast, grabbing hold of his daughter and pleading to "not let him fall."
He really was a good father, she surmised, rubbing her tired arms and releasing a small, peaceful sigh. Right then and there Kagome decided that she liked this side of Inuyasha way better then the surly hanyou she'd had to deal with every time she ran into him.
Watching them interact, laughing and oblivious to any and everything around them, Kagome admitted to herself that she felt a little left out and a tad lonely. But far be it for her to disrupt the obvious fun the two were having goofing around. It was a comforting sight, the two of them, and Kagome didn't want to ruin the mood they'd set around themselves.
However, she didn't have to worry about that for long when abruptly Inuyasha jumped up, grabbed a steel bar as it spun by and effortlessly slowed down the ride until it came to a halt, where Shaninri jumped off and stumbled around, giggling and waving her arms about. Inuyasha feigned a roar and scooped her up in his arms, spinning her around and eliciting even more laughter from the giddy half-demon girl.
Laughing herself, Kagome ambled over to the two of them and reached up to tickle the girl's exposed sides, staring up at the flushed, bright face of Shaninri Takashi.
"Ah! Nooo!" Squirming in her father's grasp, still giggling insanely, Kagome finally took mercy and allowed her father to lower her down to the ground, where she promptly flopped onto her butt and gasped for breath, all with a smile on her flushed face.
Feeling strangely winded herself, Kagome sucked in a breath and enjoyed the brief break. That is until the child suddenly bolted up and ran toward the large slide. Damn, but she recovered fast.
Blowing out his cheeks and cracking his neck, Inuyasha followed after her at a more sedate pace, Kagome falling into step beside him.
"So," she began, wanting to fill the awkward silence between them. Inuyasha grunted. "Shaninri says she's in first grade, but I've never seen her in school before. Does she attend another school in the area?"
Inuyasha looked as if she'd grown a second head and stared at her with a scowl. "Are you stupid, woman?" Kagome's mouth dropped but before she could respond, he continued. "In case you haven't noticed, wench, Shan's a half-demon, like me. Ain't no way they'd let a half-demon in a school full of pure demons and humans. So the only choice she has really is to be homeschooled."
Kagome started. She actually hadn't thought of that.
"And besides," he continued in a softer and lower tone, "I can't let Shan go through what I did back when I was a pup. She…doesn't understand yet that she's different than other demons and humans. That she's a mixture of both." He stopped walking and bowed his head, silver bangs hiding his eyes. "I just…I can't do that to her. She's too innocent, too…" He sighed. "Too pure."
Kagome was silent, a frown marring her features as she took all of this in. There was no doubt about what he said was true; half-demon's in general were frowned upon, scoffed at and treated less than the average human or demon.
Kagome suddenly felt the need to right that wrong and a strong sense of determination swept through her and she nodded resolutely to herself. She'd have a chat with Kouga the next time she saw him.
Even though that probably meant a promise of another date, but… Glancing back at the little girl having the time of her life sliding down the large steel slide, Kagome decided that it would definitely be worth it if it meant she'd get to teach this precious little girl along with her other amazing students.
"You're a teacher, right?"
The sudden question brought her back from her thoughts and she focused her attention on him. "Ah, yeah, yes, I am. I teach the first grade at Tokyo Elementary School here in town." She paused. "How'd you know?" She didn't recall telling him…
The older half-demon scoffed and turned his gaze, his features softening as he watched his little girl slide down the smooth steel once more. "You said you took your students here on class trips, so I assumed…" He trailed off with a shrug, stuffing his hands in his leather coat's pockets.
The school teacher blinked. "Oh. Right." She actually hadn't been counting on him listening when she'd said that, and the thought that he had been caused her cheeks to redden slightly.
"Papa! Papa, watch me!" Shaninri yelled from her location at the top of the slide, waving her arm and smiling widely.
Inuyasha returned her smile with a grin and waved back. "I'm watching, baby," he called and chuckled as she squealed on her descent down once more. How many times was that now? Thirteen? Ah well. It didn't matter, as long as his baby girl was having fun.
"And you?" Kagome asked, drawing his attention back to her. "Your last name is Takashi, so I'm assuming you work with, or even own the business Brothers Takashi Designs and Construction."
Surprised, the hanyou hadn't been counting on her to piece the two together and he nodded. "Uh, yeah. I'm manager of the construction part, and my half-brother owns it and manages the designing. Although I take part in both professions, designing houses and building them." He shrugged and turned his attention back to his daughter, who had decided she'd had enough of the slide and was now riding on a plastic horse attached to a thick spring.
"Wow," Kagome said, impressed. "So you design houses and help build them?"
He shot her a look. "That's what I just said, isn't it?"
She leveled a glare at him. "Well no need to get all huffy with me. Jeez, it was just a question." She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, turning away.
Inuyasha glowered at her back and grumbled, stuffing his hands back in his coat pockets. "Keh."
Shaking her head, Kagome sighed and focused her attention to the small half-demon that had somehow managed to climb up onto the monkey bars without their noticing. "Shaninri, honey, be careful up there! I don't want you falling and hurting yourself?"
"'Kay!" was the answer she got before the child jumped and immersed herself into the steel jungle gym.
Satisfied, Kagome glanced at the hanyou beside her and blinked at the strange look he was giving her. "What?"
Inuyasha blinked back and shook his head, looking away and trying to hide the pink in his cheeks. "It's nothing. Forget about it."
She didn't look like she believed him, but let it go anyway. "O…kay." Shrugging it off, Kagome wandered back over to the swings, still able to keep on an eye on the young hanyou child, and sat down, her hands coming up to grasp the cold chains holding it up. She was surprised when Inuyasha joined her, sitting in the one to her right, but she didn't say anything, instead just lightly pushing with her feet on the ground, swaying gently back and forth.
It was strange, the silence they fell into. It wasn't awkward like before, but an almost companionable quiet, where words were unnecessary and Kagome was grateful.
It went on for several peaceful minutes, the only sounds Shaninri's delightful laughter and the slight squeaking of Kagome's swing as she swayed back and forth. Inuyasha's feet remained planted on the ground, his elbows resting on his knees and his eyes focused on his daughter, a slight half-smile gracing his features.
Kagome silently decided he should smile more often.
But then suddenly a brilliant idea occurred to Kagome right then and she halted her swaying, her eyes rounding in realization as she sat up straighter in her swing.
Her half-demon companion noticed the sudden change and cocked a black brow at her, curious. "What?"
"Inuyasha…" she started, a slight frown creasing her brow. "You said that Shaninri's homeschooled, and that she's in first grade, right?"
Said half-demon frowned and stared at her. "Yeah…so?"
Rolling her eyes at his denseness, Kagome turned toward him, adamant. "So? Hello, I'm a first grade teacher and Shaninri's in first grade! It's perfect!" Excited now, Kagome beamed and clapped her hands, proud of herself for coming up with it on her own.
"Wait," Inuyasha said and she blinked, turning back toward him. He was shaking his head, a puzzled expression on his face. "Do you mean to say…you wanna teach her? My Shan? But…" He looked as if the idea was ludicrous and Kagome was quick to assure him.
"But Inuyasha, think about it," she cajoled, waving her hands in the air. She was determined to get him to see it her way. "I could teach Shaninri what she really needs to know for a first grader and I won't even charge you for it. I mean, sure, she has those workbooks you mentioned, but she needs somebody there that can adequately explain to her a certain problem in terms she can understand."
She paused to let it sink in, hope welling up in her heart as his contemplative expression. She pressed on, emboldened. "I adore her, I know she likes me, and you could even think of me as a…a babysitter when you go to work, or need to run somewhere. I already have all the papers for my students, all the supplies, and I have a qualified degree in teaching first grade students. C'mon, Inuyasha…you have nothing to lose! Plus, I'm sure those workbook's aren't exactly cheap." She inwardly crowed at the grimace on his face from the mention of the expensive homeschooled workbooks.
And maybe I'll be able to make an honest woman out of myself from what I said earlier to Kouga. If he agrees, I most likely really will have plans tomorrow night. Hopefully.
Several minutes went by as Inuyasha digested his information, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow as he stared hard at the ground, lost in thought. He really couldn't argue with her. Those damn workbooks were hella expensive, and an architect can only earn so much. Sure, he got paid to lend a hand in constructing the buildings as well, but being a single father and raising an active five year old on his own wasn't exactly easy.
So…what did he have to lose? She could watch him while he was at work and at the same time teach her what she needed to know in order to graduate into the second grade. And she'd said the lessons were free of charge, so that was definitely a plus. Still…there had to be something he was missing…he was sure of it.
Kagome anxiously watched him, biting her lip and twisting her hands in her lap. Vaguely she heard Shaninri in the background singing a little ditty to herself, happy as can be, and out of habit she gave a cursory glance in the child's direction. She was in the sandbox this time, sitting on the wooden ledge and attempting to make a sandcastle.
Satisfied she was all right, the schoolteacher turned her attention back to the girl's father, still waiting on an answer.
The elder half-demon thought it over several times and he couldn't find even one loophole in the whole plan. But…there was still one thing that was bothering him.
Directing his golden gaze back to the young woman beside him, Inuyasha studied her closely, delicately sniffing the air around him and didn't know what to think when he detected no smells of deceit or selfishness. Only anxiety as she awaited his response.
He locked gazes with her and vaguely wondered if someone's eyes could get any wider.
"Why?" he blurted.
Kagome started and blinked, confused. "Why what?"
He growled and repeated himself. "Why? Why would you do something so…so nice for a half-demon girl that you've only known for a day? I don't understand how someone could be so…considerate as to offer real lessons to a half-breed. And from a certified teacher, no less. What's in it for you? What do you have to gain for this?" He watched her closely, his face stern, jaw set.
Kagome's mouth dropped at the insinuation and her brow furrowed. But as fast as the angry arrived, it suddenly vanished and in its place was a sense of understanding. Of course he was right. Not just anyone would offer to teach their half-demon child only after knowing them for a day, so Kagome couldn't blame him for his suspicions. What's to say she wouldn't take advantage of the situation in some way, gain their trust, then savagely thrust it back in their faces by some despicable means?
She could see where he was coming from, and she wanted to reassure him that she would never, ever do to that him, or his adorable little half-demon daughter she already adored. "Inuyasha…" she began softly, an understanding smile gracing her features. He was looking at her, waiting for an answer. "I enjoy doing what I do. I love children as well, and I like to help them learn, to succeed in life." Her smile faded somewhat and her eyes grew distant as she looked away. "I love being able to just be there for them, to help them in any way I can so that they might understand something better if it's difficult for them." She closed her eyes and tipped her head back, enjoying the light breeze caress her face. "I chose my career because I enjoy teaching children something new and help them get better at it every day and my gain…" She suddenly turned back to him and smiled, her brown eyes shining. "The only gain I achieve is to see a student solve a problem all by themselves, without any help from me."
Inuyasha stared at her in astonishment, awed by the total genuine tone of voice she had, and the serene expression on her face as she gazed at him, patiently waiting for a response. Never before had be ever met something like this woman. She truly didn't care that Shaninri was a half-demon. She didn't care they both had dog ears, claws for fingernails, and strangely colored eyes and hair. Kagome Higurashi…accepted them as half-demons.
And he believed what she said. Every last word. And that angelic expression was going to be in his head for days.
Clearing his throat, looking away to hide the blush that he could feel surfacing on his cheeks, Inuyasha drifted his gaze to his daughter, merrily playing in the sandbox, oblivious to their conversation concerning her.
Kagome sat still, cocking her head to the side, waiting.
Finally he heaved a sigh and ran a hand through his silver hair, blowing out his cheeks. "Let me…let me talk it over with her and see what she thinks." He glanced askance at her. "Good?"
Trying not to let the excitement show on her face, but probably failing, Kagome sucked in a breath and nodded eagerly. "Y-yeah, sounds good." She smiled and he looked away again, scoffing softly.
Another few minutes of silence before Inuyasha broke it with a heavy sigh and he stood up from his swing, stretching his back. "We gotta get going," he announced. "I gotta submit a design I finished today to a client and Sess'll have my ass if it's not in on time." He started toward the sandbox and Kagome hopped up from her swing, trailing after him.
"Okay. I'd like to start on Monday – if she agrees, that is – so how about I stop by at your place tomorrow night? Is that alright, or do you prefer earlier?"
He thought if over and nodded. "No, tomorrow night's good. We're meeting someone tomorrow morning and it'll give her the rest of the day to think it over." He suddenly stopped, pivoted and pointed across the massive baseball field and across the street toward a two-story home with a wraparound porch. "That house right there, the grayish one with the huge ass porch – that's ours. Be there at six and we'll see what happens. Got it?"
Wow. I never woulda guessed. Lucky, being so close to the park… Resisting the urge to pout, Kagome ignored how he practically demanded she be there at six and instead offered a tight smile instead. "Six sounds good, Mr. Takashi."
He glowered at her and scowled. "I told you, wench, don't call me that," he growled then stalked over to his daughter. Ignoring the snickers behind him, Inuyasha knelt down and informed his daughter it was time to go.
Shaninri pouted for a minute, but seemed to accept it and stood up from the sandbox, allowing her Papa to brush off the dirt on her skirt and shirt. Lastly, he adjusted her custom red beret on her head then lifted her into his arms.
Kagome trotted over to them and caught the hanyou child's gaze. She smiled. "I hope you had a good time today, Shan."
The youth beamed at her and nodded enthusiastically, almost losing the French hat atop her head. "I had lots of fun, Miss 'Gome! Can we do it again sometime?!"
Kagome laughed and this time didn't even bother addressing her father. "Of course we can, sweetie. And remember, no running off on your own, okay?" She winked as Shaninri blushed, but waved goodbye all the same as Inuyasha started walking away toward their house across the field.
"Bye Miss 'Gome! Thank you!"
"Bye, Shan! You're welcome!" She paused and switched her gaze to the older half-demon. She arched a brow and placed a hand at her hip. "Goodbye, Mr. Takashi." She smirked at the low growl.
"It's Inuyasha, dammit!"
She heard Shaninri gasp, aghast. "Papa! You said a bad word!"
Kagome laughed as Inuyasha groaned.
It was a very successful day, if she did say so herself.
-X-
*- Reference to the horror movie, Jennifer's Body. I haven't seen the previews for it, but it looks pretty damn good. –horror movie junkie– xD
** - Horror movie Sorority Row. I wanna seeeeeeee.
Yup. Been another whole year since I've updated this…I broke my promise from the last chapter. I hope it doesn't become habit.
Please accept my sincerest apologies when I say that I am truly sorry for the long awaited chapter. I'm not gonna lie; there really was nothing holding me back from finishing this chapter. The first three pages of it have been on my laptop ever since last year but I couldn't get the motivation to finish it, until recently.
Now, I want all of you to know. I've said this before, but I really want it ingrained in your skulls that when I start a story, I fully intend to finish it. I will never leave a story abandoned. The most I will do is not update for a while, but as you can clearly see, I still do try to update when I can. I will always, always finish a story. I could never leave my readers hanging. And if it really comes down to me not wanting to finish a story, I'd simply make the next chapter the last one, somehow cramming everything into that final chapter to make it complete.
Just please believe me when I say this.
In other news, here's a real shocker: I broke my right ankle. XD Haw. I'm still beating myself up for it, since I had to be sent home from my college for two weeks. I miss my friends, but hopefully I'll be able to go back this weekend! I can't wait. I get a real cast next Tuesday, the 22nd. Right now it's in a splint, and hurts like a bitch, but I'll survive. I just can't wait until November. D: Then I'll be completely healed, hallelujah.
But I can't complain about the royal treatment that I've been getting at home. D Since I can't walk, my mom gets everything for me, and even my dad is asking if I need anything. I love them so much. ^_^ They truly are the world's greatest parents. To me, anyway. Haha. But lemme tell you…crutches are a ROYAL PAIN IN THE ASS. My pits and hands hurt!
Welp, time to wrap this monster of a chapter up. I tried to make it longer than usual since it's been so long since I updated. I like the way it turned out, too, so we're all happy. I hope.
As always, feedback is adored and I love you all for putting up with me and my ridiculously long ass updates. e_e Just please bare with me. I promise this story will be finished, but no guarantees on speedy updates. Life just sucks at the moment.
Oh, and any grammatical errors or misspellings you might find is due to the fact that I'm drugged up on Ibuprofen and staying up to 12:46 am to finish this for you guys. Love me!
I love you all!
Until next time,
Keiz