J: Huzzah for this story still living! All it took was a LOT of reading to build the buzz and a decision to throw some of my original plot outline out the window ahha. Also I have yet to grovel and beg at my Beta's feet to take me back so this chapter like the last is unedited. Sorry if that bothers anyone.
THANKS TO: Loveinthebattlefield, Inulover1993, lakeya2700, Tanoshii Shurui, Orihimekurosakiinoue, Wrecker Radioactive, Guest, and a huge thank you to Miss Katt18 for reading and reviewing every chapter up the present in what appears to be a span of two days XD
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY INUYASHA CHARACTERS.
Kagome wished she could be anywhere else besides this tiny, nasty smelly room. Her boss was a boar demon but he could at least leave his living tendencies at home.
The room that functioned as Tajomaru's office was just large enough to fit his cheap grey metal desk, the second hand computer that was barely functioning, a wobbly metal folding chair for visitors and a black pleather chair that had the stuffing coming out in two different places. The tiny bucket he used as a trash bin was overflowing with take-out containers, food scraps and other pieces of garbage she didn't want to identify. The bucket wasn't the only thing overflowing either. Any available flat surface was covered in take-out containers or crumpled up balls of paper.
There was no window or ventilation system whatsoever leaving the odor of the decaying food scraps to waft around. If it wouldn't offend her boss Kagome would have purified the air so she could breathe without wanting to gag.
"Do you know why I asked to speak to you Higurashi?" Tajomaru leaned forward in his chair letting his elbows rest on the desk with his fingers twined together to give the appearance of a concerned employer.
"Um I'm not entirely sure Mr. Hanamura." How could she have any idea what this was about when he'd called her to his office just as she'd walked into the building?
The appearance of concern shifted as he straightened his posture, the whites of his eyes flickered red as his youkai momentarily slipped from his control and overpowered his disguise charm. "The last time you were here Higurashi we had a slight…misunderstanding between us that lead to improper behavior on your side of the discussion."
Although he was phrasing his words carefully Kagome got the message loud and clear. The demon in her manager didn't appreciate being overpowered in front of an audience.
Her own posture straightening Kagome asked in a tone that barely contained her irritation," I agree that our last discussion could have gone better Mr. Hanamura but you left me no choice but to behave that way. It was an emergency involving my son."
Again there was a flicker of red; warts began to appear around his mouth. He snuffled and snorted in an attempt to take a deep breath, "Words would have sufficed alone Higurashi, instead you chose to threaten me, which is what I will tell the Demon Corps. if I don't receive some form of apology."
Kagome's breath lodged in her throat as a ripple of fury and fear skittered through her veins.
The Demon Corps. was a group of demons who acted as a SWAT unit that handled cases dealing with demons. From what Sango and Miroku had told her they didn't ask for full explanations until after they'd locked you in a cage. If any resistance was given in the process of arrest they would not hesitate to subdue you by any means. This treatment was regularly reserved for demons alone; but as a human with reiki and training to cause harm to demons Kagome could be detained in the same manner. If she was deemed guilty the punishment could be incarceration or even losing the right to keep Shippo since they could see her as a threat to his well-being.
She had worked for Mr. Hanamura for almost eight months. He knew her well enough to know she didn't dare to take the risk of the Demon Corps. being involved. Her reiki itched under her skin to lash out and purify the creep in response to her anger. Keeping it under control she responded in the best apologetic voice she could get out in her current mind set, "I am truly sorry for how I behaved Mr. Hanamura. I promise it will never happen again."
Tajomaru's youkai reigned in pleased to hear her words of submission. Smirking he rose from his seat and moved next to her, "Your apology is accepted Higurashi, how about putting some incentive into your promise?" Faster than she could anticipate Tajomaru's hands lashed out, one wrapped her wrist in a vice grip and his other landed on her upper thigh just on the edge of where her skirt ended.
His thumb grazed her skin in small circular motions as his voice became low and guttural, "You let me get a good feel of your 'promise' and I'll know we're on good terms again."
Kagome's stomach rolled in repulsion from the feel of his hand and stench from his breath. Being black mailed to apologize was one thing; letting this disgusting pig have his way with her to ensure she kept her job was pushing it too far. "Take your hands off me."
"Is that another threat Higurashi?" The hand on her wrist tightened to a painful pressure, "If I twist I'm sure something will break and you wouldn't want that would you?"
Slowly so that it didn't register as anything but warmth at first a burning sensation built up under his hands. When it began to truly sear his skin Tajomaru jumped back, looking at the skin of his hands he found them black and blistering. "Consider that to be my letter of resignation. I quit!" No longer being held to the chair Kagome stormed out of his office.
Outside in the cool Autumn air the fury that had compelled Kagome to cook the pig's meaty hands simmered to annoyance. Cradling her wrist Kagome sighed seeing that it was bruising in the pattern of his hand. "I've not only lost a source of income I've given Shippo something to worry about."
With little else to do Kagome decided to walk most of the way home and catch a bus for the remainder. This would give her time to list everything she'd need to do starting with wrapping an ice pack around her aching wrist.
"Does it still hurt?"
"Did they have to operate?"
"Did you get any ice cream? I heard they always give you ice cream."
Shippo and Rin stood in the middle of a ring of their classmates.
It was Shippo's first day back since the bully incident and everyone had been dying to know everything. Mr. Suikotsu had saved Shippo that morning by asking all the other children to wait until recess to ask Shippo their questions. Once the bell rang Shippo found he and Rin could barely talk to each other due to their friends trying to ask all their questions.
Shippo tried to answer as fast as he could to keep up, "It still stings a little if I bend over, and I did need stitches. They gave me ice cream for breakfast since I only stayed one night."
For her part Rin did her best to support Shippo. Sometimes she could answer the questions but she mostly just stood by and watched Shippo from the corner of her eye. She could tell Shippo didn't mind answering questions but it wasn't any fun. She was also worried that talking and remembering about it would bother Shippo over time. On Saturday when they'd been alone for a little bit Shippo had told her that he was still nervous about going back. The bullies that hurt him were gone but what if their friends wanted revenge for getting them kicked out of school?
At that time Rin was able to make Shippo feel better about coming back by reminding him that everyone in class had been mad about the older boys attacking them and that their classmates started a buddy watch system. Two friends would take turns each day walking around the playground and watching for bullies hurting other kids. If they heard or saw anything they'd go straight to the teacher on yard duty. So far they'd managed to get one bully in trouble for pushing around another boy that couldn't fight back.
Being reminded of that scary point in time was making Shippo forget this and making him more nervous. Reaching over Rin took Shippo's hand and squeezed back as his shoulders slightly relaxed from their tensed hunch.
Ten minutes later Rin and Shippo were relieved to be alone under their favorite tree. Still holding hands they laid on their backs staring up at the tree's leaves that were orange, red and yellow. The warm Autumn sunlight filtered through the colors making them feel as if the leaves were dancing around a bonfire.
"You know what Rin?"
"What?"
"You're my best friend."
Rin smiled giggling through her teeth, "I did know that. And you're my best friend Shippo."
Shippo mirrored Rin's smile showing all his disguised human teeth.
A breeze barely strong enough to make the leaves shift blew from the direction of the school. That tiny breeze was enough to carry a scent that made Shippo sit up quick with his eyes darting to the doors that lead into the building.
His Mama stood in front of the doors talking with Mr. Ookami, she was out of her work uniform and wearing simple blue jeans and a long sleeved blue turtle neck. She was using her 'nice' smile, the smile meant to hide that she was upset.
"Why is Kagome-san here Shippo?" Rin's hold on Shippo's hand had been broken when he'd sat up.
Rin watched Kagome-san; she looked really pretty with her blue clothes and her hair down but something seemed off. She didn't seem like the happy Kagome-san she'd played with on Saturday.
"I don't know but it's not good. I'm going to ask, do you want to come?" Shippo asked this while continuing to watch his Mama. Mr Ookami gave a cheery wave and a wink and went back into the school.
Rin wanted to know why Ms. Kagome wasn't happy and maybe see if she could help her be happy again. But when a Mama or Papa came to the school they always wanted to talk to their son or daughter alone. Before Rin could tell Shippo to go by himself Kagome-san turned towards them and gestured with her hands for them to come talk to her. Pleased to be included Rin ran alongside Shippo and into Kagome-san's open arms for a hug.
With one arm she scooped Shippo up off his feet to press against her left cheek, with her right arm she wrapped Rin around the shoulders and pulled her in tight.
Including Rin in the embrace hadn't been her first thought when Kagome decided to go see Shippo; the way Rin's eyes watched with worry and concern pulled at her heart. As a mother it was her job to comfort her children. Rin wasn't her daughter by blood or law but the amount of time they spent together made it impossible for Kagome not to think of Rin as one of her own. Mr. Taishou had never voiced a complaint against the familiar way she treated Rin so there was no need to worry about what was wrong with her actions.
Shippo frowned as he smelled the faint traces of tears from not too long ago, "Did something happen Mama?"
Heaving out a sigh Kagome rubbed her cheek against Shippo's, "Mama had a bad morning. She's not working at that restaurant anymore." Referring to herself in third person was more of a way to distance herself from the bitter memory of her morning. Her wrist still ached with the developing bruise despite the ice pack she'd wrapped around it for a half hour.
Rin hugged Kagome-san around the waist, she was just as upset as Shippo but she was curious to see that Shippo and his Mama nuzzled each other for comfort. On days that her Papa was unhappy with work for one reason or another he would hold her and bury his nose into her hair; if he was truly upset he would sometimes nuzzle her as well. He said it was a pack notion of comfort and support. "Will you be okay Kagome-san?"
Kagome shifted her hold on Shippo so she could give a reassuring smile, "I'll be okay now, I just needed some good hugs."
Hearing this Rin and Shippo relaxed with small smiles, hugging her tighter they giggled when Kagome wheezed out a laugh.
Knowing that the kids needed their remaining free time Kagome reluctantly let them go, "I was thinking Shippo, it's about time we visited the village."
"Really?! When?!" Shippo's muted brown eyes sparkled in excitement.
"We'll go Friday right after school. I'd like you to come along too Rin but I need to talk to your Papa first." Kagome hadn't missed the interested tilt to Rin's head at the change of topic. At the invitation Rin became a bright bubble of hope.
Bouncing on the balls of her feet Rin asked, "Will you talk to Papa today? Papa likes it when he gets a lot of time to make decisions for trips."
Straightening Kagome considered this tip. It was always better for someone to have time to consider all the variables when a journey was involved. 'Since I don't have any other plans for the day maybe I can speak to him in person, but that would be an inconvenience for him if he's busy. I better call ahead first.' Kagome's mind whirled with all the scenarios and outcomes.
Making up her mind just as quickly Kagome gave a nod, "I'll talk to your Papa today and if we're lucky he'll say yes by tomorrow or Wednesday. You two go enjoy your recess and I'll see you after school."
"Bye Mama."
"Bye Kagome-san."
Shippo and Rin waved her off as she went back into the school. Going back to their tree Rin asked, "What happens at the village?"
"It's a fox village where my teacher lives, he teaches me about my magic and one day when I've gotten really strong with my fox magic and pass my tests I'll get another tail." Shippo glanced over his shoulder to look at his backside where his tail should be.
Eyes bright Rin clapped her hands together, "You can get more than one tail?! That's incredible!"
"Fox demons can get up to nine tails. Some of them we get when we live for a really, really, long time, and some of them we get when we get really strong."
For the remainder of recess Shippo taught Rin more about fox demons; Rin shared what she knew about dog demons and imp demons.
By the time they went inside they were both buzzing in eager anticipation and hope of Sesshomaru's decision of Rin going on the trip.