Finally, the weekend had arrived. Kagome had been anxiously awaiting the break from classes to follow-up on her plan of seeking out self-defense classes from Sango, the mother of the twins. The entire rest of the week she had been on edge, expecting Yash to pop out from one of the many dark, isolated corners of the building. She'd even taken to eating lunch in her car instead of in her classroom so that she could get away in a hurry should the need arise. This was ridiculous! There was no reason she should be living her life in fear! Maybe she really had misjudged the poor man, but she just got an uneasy feeling she could not shake when he was around. Maybe once she'd had a few kickboxing lessons, she could stop being so paranoid and cut him some slack. She couldn't avoid him forever. After all, given their proximity due to their respective jobs, it was inevitable that they would run into each other again at some point. With this thought solidified in her mind, she got dressed in the athletic wear she'd purchased that morning and set off for the spa.
Sango was surprised to see Kagome when she arrived at work. They got along well when she would come to pick up Shippo and Rin from the after-school program, but the kind and quiet schoolteacher didn't seem like the type of person who would be interested in kickboxing. What disturbed her further was finding out that the sweet woman was having problems with a creepy coworker. She had no doubts that the children were safe at school, but the fact that their teacher was dealing with a situation like this was upsetting. Kagome had been hesitant to tell her the story at first. She didn't want to paint Yash in a disparaging light due to what could be just a misunderstanding, but Sango was adamant that instincts were there for a reason and praised the woman for coming to her for help when something didn't seem right.
"What you need is a massage to get your mind off of things. When you're calm and relaxed, we can talk about self-defense and situational awareness. I promise you'll feel much better about things once you have your mind and body at ease and in sync. Miroku is off today, but I have no doubts when he hears about your problem he'll be happy to help!" She made a mental note to warn her about the man's somewhat notorious habit of being a little too friendly with his more attractive customers but decided for the moment that the last thing Kagome needed was another weirdo to worry about.
Miroku was enjoying a lazy day-off curled up in bed with the latest best-selling romance novel and a cup of coffee when the sound of the phone ringing jarred him from his drowsy comfort. He reached over to the nightstand intending to reject the call, but his sudden movement disturbed his cream and black colored cat who had been slumbering on his feet. Startled from her dozing by the loud noise and sudden movement, she panicked, her fur standing on end, and jumped at his chest, clinging to the bare skin with razor-sharp claws. Hot coffee went everywhere, burning Miroku on the now talon-shredded skin and soaking the erstwhile demon feline. With an otherworldly yowl, she darted under the bed, soaking the sheets and carpet and leaving a dark trail of liquid in her wake. Cursing loudly, he reluctantly answered the phone.
"Miroku speaking." He ground out, irritated and trying to stem the bleeding cuts with the flat sheet of his bed. The four angry red lines soaked through the fabric instantly. Getting those stains out was not going to be an entertaining prospect.
"Hey Miroku, this is Sango from the health club. I have a customer here that could really use your expertise today. Seems her nerves have been quite strained from dealing with a pushy coworker," she added an amused, "not that we ever have problems like that, right Miroku? Anyway, I think she definitely could use your brand of therapy today. Can you fit her into your schedule? I know it's supposed to be your day off, but we both know you're just sitting around your house reading smutty books and she really needs your help."
"My dearest Sango, you wound my pride! I would never be so crude as to impose my person onto a fellow associate. For your information, 'The Cursed Cleric' is anything but a trashy novel! If you must know, however, my plans have hit quite the snag this weekend so I may be available. On a related note, do you know of anyone who may be looking to adopt a cat? Kirara seems to have turned into a one-cat death machine and I'd like to remain living."
"Feline trouble? I don't believe it one bit. That cat is an angel! Are you going to bring her to work? Your clients seem to love her. Anyway, what time can you get here?"
"Would you believe she attacked me unprovoked and tried to murder me with hot liquid? The phone startled her and she is cowering in her lair. If I can bribe her out from under the bed and get these awful cuts cleaned up, I can be there within the hour."
After a pleasant good-bye, he ended the call and worked his way to the bathroom to get cleaned up, depositing his soiled bedding in the hamper. After he had showered and tended to his injuries, he retrieved the pet carrier and began the task of luring the flighty feline out from under the bed where she'd sought refuge. Maybe telling Sango that they'd be ready in an hour had been pushing it, he reflected, as the creature in question glared at him and growled from the safety of her fabric cave.
Miroku had successfully corralled his now aromatic pet, and with the aid of a can of tuna fish, managed to avoid her dangerous claws as he coaxed her into the carrier. They departed for the spa and arrived with only a few moments to spare. He unlocked his office leading to a group of rooms, each featuring a massage table and various relaxing elements. He chose a room with a stereo and selected a playlist featuring rain and waterfalls before freeing Kirara from her confinement to roam the peaceful room. He turned on the lotion heater and the towel cabinet and put a lavender wax tart in the warmer before heading for the instruction rooms to find Sango and his new customer.
"The zen garden is not a litter box." He warned the feline before going to the door. She merely turned a nonplussed eye to him before settling into a beanbag chair in the corner to complete her nap which had been so rudely interrupted earlier in the morning. Distracted, Miroku failed to notice when the door didn't shut all the way behind him.
They located him in the hallway making his way to the fitness section of the building, the twins in tow. One of the benefits of the health club was the weekend daycare for instructors and Sango took full advantage of keeping her children close when circumstances allowed. At the moment, they were chatting animatedly with their teacher about the upcoming field trip to the local sanctuary. Kagome had decided that while the encounter with Yash about her lessons had been disturbing, the suggestion was a good one. Sango turned to ask a question, when she ran directly into Miroku, knocking them both to the ground.
"Mama!" Cried the twins in concern, rushing to her side. Kagome froze. Suddenly, warmth filled her brain as flashes of auburn fur and tiny paws began filling her mind. A dam had burst and the memories started to flow rapidly back into place.
"Shippo!" She cried reaching for her once-kitsune child as he turned, eyes wide. He began to sniffle and he felt the moisture gathering to flow down his face.
"Kagome!" He flung himself into her open arms and threw his tiny arms around her neck, holding on as though she would vanish.
Sango looked on in awe as the truth was revealed to the small group gathered in the hallway. She was startled from the heartwarming scene as she became aware of her own predicament, sped along by the sensation of a warm appendage massaging her generous bottom.
"HENTAI!" she shrieked at the individual she was currently pressing into the floor, aiming a blow at his head.
Miroku faltered and a glazed look came over his face. Sango likewise froze as they gazed at each other, the breath stolen from their lungs.
"Only for you, my love," Miroku whispered tenderly, the first to recover as he gently drew her face to him to place a soft kiss on her startled lips. She threw her arms around him and returned the kiss with fervor.
Rin stood befuddled at the scene in front of her. She jumped as a small tan-colored cat wrapped its way around her legs, glancing up at her and meowing to be picked up. She couldn't take it anymore. Her face scrunched up in a frown and she drew in a huge breath.
"What the heck is going on here?!"