The next chapter is up! I'm loving these flashbacks so you might find some more coming up soon. Hope you enjoy, tell me what you think? (:
Chp. 9, Additions to the family
"MAMA!" Shiori screamed jumping onto her mother. Kagome shot up from hearing her daughters screams disturbing another night a vivid dreaming she was keeping to herself.
"I'm up! I'm up!" She screamed sitting up.
"Hardly" Rin laughed climbing onto the bed.
"Oh shut up" Kagome threw a pillow at her, Shiori giggled as she crawled up to her mom.
"We wanna go flower shopping, mommy!" Shiori squealed.
"Really?" Kagome looked at Rin.
"Yup, care to join us?" Rin asked.
"Why of course!" Kagome sung out.
"You're rather cheery today." Rin noticed.
"Yea, what of it?" Kagome called as she was getting in her shower.
"There wouldn't have been another incident, would there?" Rin teased, Kagome froze in the shower and didn't answer,
"Oh my god,! there was wasn't there!" Rin screamed.
"Shut up RIN!" Kagome stuck her wet head out of the curtain.
"Seriously, when do you two find times for these moments. You're like never together!" Rin whined.
"Makes them all the sweeter, don't ya think?" Kagome winked as she got out of the shower. She got ready quickly and they were all rushing out the door ignoring the the men in the kitchen eating cereal and just watching them. Takumi was sitting next to Inuyasha watching the girls nearly run out the door without a second glance back.
"Guess it's just you and me, kid" Inuyasha looked at Takumi.
"And here we can find the flowers that are directly in season so obviously the..." Droned on the man giving Rin the tour of the greenhouses. Kagome's feet have been hurting since the second greenhouse. Shiori had her hand and was practically pulling her towards every flower she could find. So in other words, the two looked like the weirdest pairing completing full zigzags down every aisle. Shiori would pick up discarded flowers and eventually she had enough and starting making her own little crown. Kagome took this as her chance to finally sit down. They were in greenhouse 5 and Kagome was beginning to believe that this place went on forever.
"Mama.." Shiori looked up at her mother to show her her new toy.
"It's pretty baby" Kagome took it and placed it on her daughters head. "Now you're a real princess!" The little girl beamed before embracing her mother.
"Miss?" Someone tapped Kagome's shoulder and she turned around.
"Ye- H-Hojo?" Kagome's eyes went wide.
"Kagome?" He looked into her eyes.
"Oh my- HOJO!" Kagome squealed as she went to hug the brown haired man.
"ahaa, Hello Kagome."
"How are you? What on earth are you doing in a greenhouse?" Kagome looked at him.
"I'm good and well. I own the place." He smiled at her.
"Why am I not surprised that you own the only place to grow anything medicinal in the city" Kagome laughed.
"Yea well" The man looked shy.
"mama.."Shiori tugged on her mothers dress.
"Oh YES! Hojo, I would like you to meet my daughter.. Shiori." Kagome smiled as she pushed her daughter to stand in front of her. Hojo couldn't help the surprised look that came over him and honestly, Kagome didn't care anymore. Her kids were certainly a surprise but hey! The whole world technically knew now so what the hell.
"D-daughter? She- You- with hi-"
"Yes, their Inuyasha's. Slight sanity lapse at the age of 19 but I got two beauties from it." Kagome explained.
"Two?" he looked confused.
"Yup, two." Twins. Her brother is home with said father as we speak." Kagome said confidently mentally reminding herself to call and check up.
"Wow" He was still in shock. "Inuyasha huh?" Hojo started scratching his head.
"Yup" was all she said, suddenly feeling very awkward. Hojo was someone she met in middle school. He had always had this huge crush on her and Kagome thought it was sweet. Although, she never had the chance to even think of persuing the guy because Inuyasha thrived on scaring the kid away. Part of the many arguements the two had growing up.
"So.. a-are you two like.. together-still?" Hojo looked up at her from the ground. She honestly did not know how to answer that. She was taken aback by the question. They had a date yea but she didn't even know when it was or what it meant. This would be the first time she actully thought about it. Before she could answer Shiori sprinted from her arms and down an aisle'
"wel- Wha- SHIORI!" She ran after the girl leaving the boy blushed and staring after her.
"Shiori where are you going!" She screamed after the girl catching the attention of many around them but Shiori wouldn't stop.
"SHIORI!" She still didn't stop. Instead she crawled underneath one of the long dark green tables going throughout the greenhouse. She went underneath it to a part of the greenhouse that wasn't visible to those walking the aisle's. Realizing that there was no stopping the little girl, Kagome willed herself to crawl under the table and follow the very in-trouble hanyou child. The task was difficult considering how she was wearing a casual dress and sandals today. She was positive she was going to come out of this looking like she just finished a spartan race, what with basically rolling around in dirt under plants to follow a four year old.
Shiori wasn't paying attention to her mothers muttered threats even though she could very well hear them. She was focusing on her target. It was fast, really fast but Shiori was determined to get it. So, she didn't budge. The little girl kept crawling until she reached what looked like a shed behind the walls of the greenhouse. There was gardening equipment hanging along the walls and spread across the floor and several tables laying around. There was dim lighting but the didn't bother her much. She could still see it perfectly. At the moment, it was shaking underneath one of the tables in the corner of the room. Shiori finally stood up and attempted to dust off her own dress. She slowly started walked in that direction when her mother finally caught up to her.
"Shiori! What have I told you about running of-" Her mother took hold of her arms as she bent down to face the girl blocking the four year old's view but she didn't budge.
"But mama-"
"Don't but mama me- now. How do we get outta here?" Kagome started to look around when her gaze caught something interesting. There was a table on the far corner of the room that was slightly shaking. She walked over to it and bent down so she could see underneath. She found what was shaking it.
"Why, hello there" Kagome said to the little figure facing the wall. It was small, really small. Probably smaller than Shiori. She knew it was demon though. The large burnt orange colored tail was a dead giveaway. The tail almost looked like it was going through a seizure with how much it was shaking.
"hey.." Kagome called again reaching out her hand. The boy turned around and Kagome could see that his hair was the same color as his tail and behind the unshed tears in his eyes, they were a beautiful green. His face was flushed and he was doing his best to press himself against the wall as if it would suddenly vanish and he'd be able to get away. His clothes were ragged and his skin was just as dirty as his clothes. He was a kitsune, a fox demon. He was still just a child and Kagome could tell he obviously had no home to be hiding in a greenhouse
"Hey.. you don't have to be scared." Kagome tried again to reach out but the boy flinched before just staring at her hand. Shiori came up next to her mom and got down on her knees. Before Kagome could stop her, the girl crawled over by the boy and just sat next to him. The little fox just stared at Shiori as the girl got comfortable against the wall before turning to him. She smiled at him and the boy just looked stunned before a small smile tugged at his lips as well. Kagome almost felt proud seeing her daughter at work. She had to hold back the giggles.
Eventually, Shiori managed to calm to demon down and bring him out from under the table. He looked up at Kagome before turning away again. Shiori was holding his hand to comfort him and Kagome smiled before bending down in front of them.
"Hello there" Kagome smiled at him. "What's your name?"
The boy shifted form foot to foot before finally looking up at Kagome with shy eyes.
"I'm u- I'm Shippo." He said nervously. Without thinking, Kagome closed the distance and picked up the boy into a hug. She kept him in her arms as she looked back at Shiori.
"Well, my name is Kagome and this is my daughter, Shiori" Kagome smiled at the boy. He was calming down and it didnt scare him too much that the woman picked him up. She was smiling so much and he liked it. He thought they were both really pretty and acting really nice to him.
"mmm- hi?" He looked at her as she put him back down on the floor next to Shiori.
"Have you.. been staying here? Alone?" Kagome couldn't help but feel concerned for the little boy. He just nodded, not meeting her eyes.
"Where are your parents?" Kagome bent down to tug on his chin for him to face her. She saw that he was close to crying again and Kagome regretted ever opening her mouth. Instead, she just pulled the boy into another hug and gave a supporting look to a very silent Shiori.
"Shh, shhh. Don't cry. Hey- listen, how about this? How about I take you home with us and we can find a permanent home for you. Yea?" Kagome smiled at him to make him feel better and it worked.
"Really?" the kitsune beamed.
"yes" Kagome smiled at him and Shiori and turned to find a way out of this little shed.
"Wait-" the boy said from the floor.
"yea?"
"do-do you have r-room?" he looked down.
"I already said you were coming. I have more than enough room." Kagome smiled.
"no.. um. N-not just me.."
"Oh, are you here with someone?" Kagome looked worried.
"Sorta.." he said before bending underneath another table and lifting a hidden block of the wall. He moved it and pulled something out that was hidden in a blanket before coming back out. Kagome was just looking at him worriedly as Shiori walked over and moved the blanket. Kagome's breath was caught as she saw the cutest thing she has ever seen.
"Ahhhhh! She is so cute!" Kagome squealed and ran over to the little cat in the rags.
"Her name's Kirara" he smiled.
"I should have been warned" Kagome explained as she fell down on her bed and some flowers fell out of her hair. All day. All day they were in the greenhouses. Leave it to Kagome to come home with two new family members instead of plants.
"Kagome?" Rin called
"Hmm?" she didn't open her eyes.
"Care to explain yet?"
"Explain what?"
"The orange ball of fluff in the corner with Shiori!" Rin hissed
"So you haven't seen Kirara yet?"
"What is a 'kirara'?"
"Who-"
"Kagome I will smuggle you with a pillow if you do not talk, NOW." Rin demanded
"Alright-ALRIGHT!" Kagome finally sat up. "So I was talking to Hojo whe-"
"Hojo? Why and when were you talking to Hojo?" Rin interrupted.
"When you left me with them who looked like he knew more about plants than hygeine and because we bumped into each other- ANYWHO! So I was talking to him with Shiori when she just got up and ran making me stop and chase after her-"
"Thank GOD. That boy was always a ditz when he had a thing for you- there was always a reason Inuyasha hated him-"
"Rin!"
"Sorry- go on"
"Wait what? Why did Inuyasha het him?"
"Changing the subject- go ON!" Rin pushed attempting to change the subject.
"Whatever so.." She went on with the story of how they found shippo and then Kirara and Rin literally felt her heart warming at how Kagome acted for the little demon.
"So.. Do you think Izayoi would mind?" Kagome asked the girl.
"Sweetie, Izayoi is the only woman I know with a heart bigger than yours. If I'm correct, she'll wanna keep him" Rin laughed and Kagome beamed.
"Mama?" Shiori called.
"Yes, baby?" Kagome turned to find her daughter looking at what looked like a placecard that she found on her drawers. Kagome went to grab it and there was writing on it. All it read was 8 o'clock, sharp.
"Shit!"
"Mama!"
"Sorry baby!" Kagome said running to the bathroom calling Rin to follow her.
"Do I want to know?" Rin asked walking in as Kagome got behind the curtain.
"Can you watch the kids tonight, pleaseeeeee?" Kagome begged.
"And where exactly, will you be?" Rin teased
"Um, out?" Kagome nearly whispered but Rin caught on.
"No WAY!"was all Rin could squeal before Kagome was already out of the shower from the quick rinse and had one hand on her mouth.
"Shiori is within and ears distance and if I know that girl she has been straining to hear since you walked in after me." Was all Kagome said and Rin started to mouth the conversation.
'where?'
'no idea' Kagome mouthed back before they both squealed and kagome went to find something to wear.
"Okay so like obviously not too casual but then I have no idea where we're going so not to dressy either?" Kagome was freaking out as Rin, Shiori, Shippo, and Kirara were sitting on the bench at the end of her bed just watching her throw articles of clothing throughout the room.
"Kagome.. sweetie, relax before you give yourself an ulcer." Rin stood up and forced the former girl to sit where she just was by the kids. She went into the closet and pulled out a cute casual dress and a cardigan for Kagome and hurried to finish getting her ready before there was a knock on the door at exactly 8.
Kagome and Rin ran around trying to throw things out of the way so whoever was at the door didn't see the mess all while the kids watched from the bed. Kagome opened the door to find Inuyasha there with a rose in hand. He was wearing dark jeans with a dark red button down that wasn't tucked. His hair was brushed and flowing behind his shoulders. She was looking at him so she wasn't noticing him looking at her with an open mouth. She was wearing a strapless casual laced pink dress that went up to her knees and a white short cardigan over her shoulders with cap sleeves and a slight heel in her shoes. Her hair was up in a tight ponytail with her bang swept to the side over her forehead. She hand on daimond earrings and her single chain and pendant necklace. Her cheeks were flushed from the slight run and her lips rosy with lipstick. They both noticed each others staring and blushed even further. Behind them an out -of- breathe Rin stuck her hand out and Shiori high fived her before Rin collapsed back on the bed making the other kids laugh. Inuyasha finally caught himself and turned to look at the group and was instantly confused.
"Um- what is tha-" he was cut off
"Bye! RIN. try not to kill my kids! Not the new ones either!" Kagome yelled as she practically pulled Inuyasha out of the building.
"New ones?"
Kagome couldn't help but steal glances of the guy as they made their way to wherever he was taking her. He refused to tell her. It turned out to be this really light place. It was an Italian spot that was kind of hidden. There was nothing to catch the eye and obviously wasn't the type of place a Takahashi would show up so there were no waiting cameras sitting outside, so she was gratefull. The food was great but the tension with thick. They hadn't really spoken much and it was beyond awkward for both of them. Neither one of them could think of something to actually bring up as a conversation. At one point, Kagome just looked at the boy and had to laugh. His face looked so lost in thought and she couldn't help it.
"What's so funny, huh?" Inuyasha asked
"I was just thinking." She said
"bout?"
"How if someone asked me if I'd be on a date with you tonight a little over two weeks ago, I would have laughed at them." she said.
"Ouch" He put a hand to his chest
"Oh, you know what I mean." she shoved him.
"Yea yea. Did I do okay though? Nothing making you run home?" She flinched at his choice of words but ignored it.
"yea.. you did good." She said quickly.
"I'm glad" he said kind of nervously and she blushed but smiled at him.
"You look pretty tonight" He said taking her in, she blushed.
"Especially when you blush" he whispered to her and her body shivered but not from the cold and he noticed. He was the only person that could ever make her do things like that and she absolutely hated it. But he was loving it.
"You don't look to bad yourself" she threw at him before silence eveloped them again. It was a little more comfortable this time.
"4 years" she said sighing looking at the water
"4 years" he repeated
"Did you ever think we'd come back from it?" Kagome asked looking up at him, he sighed.
"I did actually. Some part of me always said somehow I'd get you back." he said looking at her
"Really?"
"Yup."
"And I was dead set on staying single for the rest of my life" she said more to herself.
"haha, what you never dated over the years?" he laughed
"uhh.. I mean a little but- It just never worked for me, you know?"
"I don't actually" he said.
"Right, I was the one raising twins-"
"By choice."
"Yes because the infamous club hopping Inuyasha Takahashi would give up all that partying for a set of twins." Kagome snorted.
"I would have!" he nearly yelled.
"We really shouldn't be talking about this right now-"
"Seems like a perfect time to me."
"Fuck you" she hissed.
"What did I do now!"
"Be an ass." she crossed her arms and pouted in the opposite direction. He wanted to stay mad, he really did. There was just something in the way she expressed her anger that swept his away. It was cute and melted away any thoughts he had against her at the moment. The only reason he was mad was because he could no longer feel mad at the girl in front of him. So, he just laughed.
"Why are YOU laughing?" she glared in his direction.
"You're just too cute when you're mad" he simply said before sipping his drink and she just blushed but kept her arms crossed.
"Shut up.." she mumbled.
Dinner went on with small talk and they both avoided conversation that would make either of them snap. It was a start but knew whatever they were about to jump into was going to need work. He paid the bill and took her outside to where there was now a cold breeze.
"crap.." Kagome muttered
"Whats up?" He asked her as they walked towards his car.
"I forgot to bring my jacket" she said waiting for him to unlock it. Before walking towards his side of the car he took off his button down and placed it over her shoulders. She nearly jumped at the warmth but didn't complain. He went in and unlocked the car before starting it up and driving away from the place. She was trying her best not to look at him but she couldn't help it. He had on only a wife beater and his jeans now and at some point during dinner he had tied his hair into a loose low ponytail just to keep it out of his face. It worked, there was nothing blocking the view of him now and Kagome was nearly drawn to it. Once she felt like she had been gawking for way too long she turned to look out the widow before something hit her.
"Inuyasha?"
"Yea?"
"Where the hell are we going?" She glared at him.
"Relax, I need to make an appearance somewhere real quick and then I go back to being the polite gentlemen that took you to dinner. Fair enough?"
"Pull anything stupid and I leave you there." She hissed.
"Last time I checked, this was my car."
"Last time I checked, taxi's still existed." she shot back as they pulled up to some club. A CLUB! Kagome inner voice was screaming to just steal his car now and get away but of course, she didn't listen. Instead, she walked out feeling embarrassed since she was only dressed in a casual dress. Inuyasha stuck out his hand for her but she ignored it and walked past him into the building.
what an idiot, she thought.
"Inuyasha!" a bartender yelled.
"Haku! Hey man, how's it goin?" Inuyasha shook hands with the guy in a way you only greet people you have known for long and that got Kagome worried. She was positive this might not be a five minute thing.
'and things were going so well. she thought before starting to walk up to her 'date'.
"Inu!" some woman yelled before literally throwing herself in his direction with poor accuracy. Inuyasha ended up having to catch her before she fell to the ground, much to Kagome's displeasure. The woman looked trashed honestly, aside from actually looking trashy. She had on this skimpy shiny leather miniskirt that could pass as a bandeau top and a tube top that was longer than the skirt. Not to mention the knee-high 'stilletos' which were obviously a poor choice for a drunken fool. Not at all pleased to see him even conversing with the woman Kagome went up to the bar herself.
"Pina Colada" she demanded.
"wow, something different" the bartender retorted.
"I'm sorry?" she asked him.
"no one really orders the mixed drinks. It's mostly just stuff to get drunk off of that's ordered here."
"And I take it the business thrives off of those drunks?" she raised a brow.
"The only reason we can stand so tall" He smiled at her in a cheesy way that made her laugh as he handed her her drink. Before anything else could be exchange someone grabbed her elbow and started pulling her away from the bar.
"Hey- what the- Inuyasha!"
"What!"
"You're making me spill my drink, moron!"
"Why were you flirting with him?" he demanded, still holding her elbow. She nearly spit the drink out in his face.
"What?!"
"You heard me" he hissed.
"oh.. you have got to be kidding me" she started to laugh.
"Why are you laughing?" he felt embarrassed.
"Because you're an idiot, that's why!" she screamed. Luckily the music was too loud and people were too drunk to care.
"I am no-"
"Hey! Inuyasha!"someone called from behind him making him put on a fake smile and turn around.
"Heeeey man, how you been?"
"Good man! Haven't seen you around. Heard you got kids! Don't tell me you're tied down now" the man teased, Kagome snorted.
"Aw- hell no! I can still party with two runts at home." Inuyasha smiled. They continued talking about useless things but Kagome didn't a word. The only word going though her mind right now was Idiot.
She was an idiot for going on this date.
He was an idiot for taking her to this fucking club.
She was an idiot for standing here with him.
And he was too much of an idiot to realize what he had just done. But, before he even knew it, she was walking out of the club. Without so much as a word, even to herself, she caught a cab home. She turned off her phone as soon as she got in and gave the driver the address. The ride home was short but nothing sweet. It was bitter- bittersweet and Kagome couldn't help but feel as though she's been through this before...
A/N: Well, now I couldn't actually write a story without little shippo ;)