It was 10 o'clock am when Sesshoumaru's stopped in front of the ward's door. Kagome's bright face answered his knock this morning.
"Good morning, Sesshou!" She beamed.
"Good morning, Miss Higurashi." he responded coolly.
Kagome had a characteristic spring in her step as they walked down the hall and to the kitchen. Sesshoumaru could smell fried eggs, fresh bread, butter and… he inhaled deeply …lavender.
Sure enough, when they entered the small room, he saw swatches of lavender hanging from the boards above the table among other herbs and plants. Seated, was an incandescent Miroku next to his estimable wife, Sango.
She greeted Sesshoumaru amiably, "Good morning, Doctor."
"Hnn." He inclined his head and took a seat at the large wooden table. Sango had been in a consistently lucid state for 3 days now, a record he was told. He found her to be an outspoken and strong woman, possessed of admirable qualities such that left little wonder of Miroku's deep respect for her.
The two women were great friends, much like sisters. They took great comfort in each other as both had recently lost their families in tragedy.
"So you remember everything, truly?" Kagome asked in wonder her as she wound twine around a large bunch of heather.
"Truly!" Sango replied, "It's absolute torture. A rational mind remains somewhere in the fog. I only wish the fog wasn't quite so angry. I abhor chasing you away." she finished, gazing longingly at her husband. Sesshoumaru noticed then just how bone-tired she appeared.
"I never take it personally", Miroku replied with a touch of amusement in his eyes.
"You know," continued Kagome, "We've given you a bit of a title."
Miroku met her cheeky grin with horror, "Don't-!"
Kagome finished, unaffected, "We often call you our own Miss Congeniality, with no small amount of sarcasm."
Sango erupted into mirthful giggling, "I'm glad you can find humor in my inconveniencing you both so very much. It does make me feel a bit better. Less guilty."
"Darling, don't ever feel guilty." Miroku added seriously, "We both love you so."
Sango smiled warmly at them.
Not wanting to leave him out, Kagome threw Sesshoumaru a boon, "It's been just the three of us for over a year now. We've become like family."
"Obviously." Sesshoumaru replied.
"Do you have any family?" Miroku asked.
"I do." Sesshoumaru answered, offering nothing more. He took a small bunch of lavender and began to arrange it.
He preferred to listen as conversation ebbed and flowed around him.
Sango looked at Kagome, "I take it you've spoken with Kaede recently. What news…?"
She trailed off as Kagome glanced meaningfully in Sesshoumaru's direction, an action that did not go unnoticed.
Sango tried again, "Tell me about the new patient! What news of him?"
Miroku's eyes darkened, "Onigumo is an interesting case. Since his arrival 6 months ago, he's shown no less than 9 entirely separate personalities and counting. Kagome said she doesn't recall him-"
He cut himself off suddenly, clearing his throat. He continued elsewhere, glancing apologetically at Kagame's wide eyes, "Each personality seems to have a characteristic trait or sound. Two personalities are exceptionally dominant. He calls himself Naraku and Kagura in turn. Naraku is plagued by swarms of imaginary spiders and Kagura 'controls' the wind. The wind in this case is Onigumu twirling around the room making whooshing noises."
"I hear him sometimes. When he gets loud." Sango said quietly, "He says horrid things late at night."
"Interesting." Miroku said, a spark glinting in his intelligent eyes, "What does he say?"
Sango merely shook her head, lowering her gaze to her own bundle of herbs.
Miroku's eyes gentled and he put his arm around his wife, "I see."
A deep voice entered the conversation, "What are your thoughts on the windows?"
All eyes turned to Sesshoumaru and it took a moment for them to realize the question had been directed at Sango.
She stuttered a bit but rallied, "I love them! It'll be nice to see outside again."
She brightened and began talking about how lively things had been since construction had started and how nice the builders were.
Sesshoumaru handed his bundle of lavender to Kagome and reached for a pile of thyme to his left. She hung it quietly, giving him a peculiar look as their resident couple brought back a positive energy to the conversation.
Dr. Taisho faded into the background once more, his thoughts driven by curiosity at the previous exchanges. He almost didn't notice when the talking once more went in Onigumo's direction. More specifically, they centered on the loss of the ward's head doctor, Myoga, at his hands.
As it were, the only things new to Sango since her last coherent period were Sesshoumaru himself and the absence of said lead physician.
That doctor became the subject of the current discussion.
Sango wasn't entirely shocked, "He's always been a cowardly, swayable man." she said, though not with contempt. A look of shock crossed her face and she backpedalled quickly, "Though I don't by any means wish his fate upon him or think him deserving of it."
Her friend and her husband laughed. Miroku held her hand and kissed it, smiling. "No one would suspect you of that, my love."
She returned his smile with a light blush on her cheeks.
"No one would wish his fate on any person. Least of all, you." Kagome said with teasing affection. "Though I more regret the loss of financial support that came with the loss of Dr. Myoga."
Sesshoumaru lifted his head from the sprig of lavender he had been quietly arranging, "What do you mean?"
Kagome raised her eyebrows but continued, "When Myoga had his bad turn," she phrased tactfully, "All of his wealthy connections pulled away, taking their generosity with them."
"All but one." Sango cheerfully added.
Sesshoumaru met the parties meaningful gazes and clarity struck.
"I am the last?" He questioned. The decrepit state he found the ward in upon his arrival now made sense. He remembered Miroku's initial gratitude. Gratitude which held new meaning for him now.
His gaze then fell on his sprig of lavender, now tied neatly with string.
He rose, unaware of the eyes still on his person. He stepped around the dining table and stopped before Miss Higurashi. He extended the sprig of lavender to her, she took it with cool fingers.
He looked up and met the wide eyes of his companions. Inclining his head, he said, "Excuse me. There are matters I must attend to immediately."
And he was gone.
When their second doctor had left them, the kitchen companions all turned to each other.
Kagome's eyes were wide with apprehension, "You don't think he'll pull away too, do you?" she asked fearfully. Terror added color to her cheeks, "He can't! What's to become of this place without his help?"
She looked down forlornly, "What's to become of me?"
Her lip trembled.
Miroku and Sango rose together with a cry and enveloped her in a group hug. Sango squeezed her tightly as she began to weep, "My dear, you have nothing at all to worry about! Even if the ward crumbles to the ground and blows away in the wind, you will always have us."
Kagome could not stop her grateful tears and so they continued to fall in the arms of her dearest friends.
Miroku was quite certain of his colleague's honorable intentions, "I know Dr. Taisho well enough at this point. At the very least he wouldn't want the dishonor of abandoning something in his charge, never mind in a time of need."
Kagome nodded, knowing he was right. Instead of calming down, though, she began to shake. Her eyes grew wide, her mouth fell open and her limbs stiffened as the panic took hold.
Pain-filled sobs filled the room as their friend crumpled and withered in their arms. Miroku and Sango shared a glance and took action.
Kagome was fortunate indeed, for the friends that kept her life.
—
Here's a little more for you! I'm revisiting my roots and watching/reading the whole series again. God, it's so good.
Rumiko Takahashi had worlds in her brain.
The next chapter will be coming sooner rather than later! Hope I can keep your interest.
Thanks for reading!