"I didn't think it was that big of a deal," Inuyasha said, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "but my best friend said it was better to be safe than sorry."

"Sounds like your best friend has a good head on their shoulders," the veterinarian replied, looking over the cat's paws.

"Keh, yeah. She'd probably agree with you on that too."

"Even more of a reason to listen to her then." She scratched the cat's chin as she inspected the back paws. "I don't see any injuries. Are you sure you cleaned up all the glass?"

Inuyasha nodded, rubbing the back of his head. "I don't like wearing shoes inside the house, so I did it for myself too."

"One of those nature types, huh?"

A blush stained his cheeks as he shifted his weight. "Shoes are too confining," he admitted.

"I like sand, myself," the vet said, turning her light on and looking inside the feline's ears. "Doesn't matter how cold the water is, the feel of the waves washing over my toes is wonderful." Green eyes crinkled as she brushed her nose against the cat's. "You probably don't like the water, though."

"The sand at the lake is usually warm during the summertime," he blurted, heat rising to his cheeks when she turned her head. "So I've heard, I mean."

The vet eyed him for a moment, the cat pawing at her hand as she silently asked for more attention. She chuckled softly, scratching her ears. "Your owner has game, I'll give him that."

Inuyasha sputtered, giving them both panicked looks. "That's not—I was just sayin'—"

The vet put her hands on her hips, her auburn ponytail swaying back and forth from a taupe scrunchy. "So that wasn't a pickup line?" Inuyasha only flushed harder. She ran her hand over the cat's head, then pulled a card out of her pocket, writing something on the back before handing it to him.

"So, she's okay?" he mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

"She is. You did a good job of cleaning up the glass. There isn't a cut on her." She went to her desk, making a few notes on a clipboard.

Inuyasha picked up his pet, rubbing his chin against her face. "Thanks, doc. Sorry for wastin' yer time."

"It's never a waste of time when animals are involved," she said. Inuyasha turned to leave, only pausing when she clicked her pen against the desk. "And if it was a pickup line, my number's on the back of the card."

He blanched, whirling back around, and she blew him a kiss, chuckling as he stalked out of the office, even the tips of his ears tinged pink.