Chapter 26: Family
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha!
As Kagome was blow drying her hair after her and Inuyasha's shower, her phone rang. She walked out of the bathroom still wrapped in a towel to answer her phone as Inuyasha walked out of the closet dressed in a wifebeater, jeans and sneakers.
"Hello?" Kagome said after she answered and placed the phone on speaker and put it on the dresser so Inuyasha could also hear what's being said, it was a call from the hospital.
"Good morning, Kagome." Dr. Hojo's voice came through the phone.
"Good morning, Dr. Hojo." Kagome greeted back. "Is everything okay? How's Hiro doing?"
"Hiro is doing great today," Dr. Hojo said in a bright voice, "I was wondering if you'd have time to stop by the hospital today, there's something I need to discuss with you."
"Of course," Kagome agreed, "I was planning on coming after breakfast, if that's okay?"
"That's perfect, see you then." Dr. Hojo said.
"Okay, see you then." Kagome said before hanging up the phone and looking at it with a confused face. "That's kind of weird. He's never asked if I was going to come by the hospital before, I wonder what he needs to talk about."
"Yeah, that does sound kind of strange." Inuyasha agreed as he shrugged on a white button up shirt. "Especially since he said Hiro was doing great."
Kagome sighed as she walked over to button Inuyasha's shirt for him, receiving a kiss on the forehead for her help. "You wanna come with?" She asked as she buttoned his last button and looked up at him beneath her lashes.
Inuyasha sighed as he tucked a strand of raven colored hair behind her ear before tracing his claws down her jawline to gently grasp her chin in his hand. "Mm," he hummed as his face got closer to hers, "I wish I could," he murmured as he rubbed his nose against hers smirking as a small gasp escaped her lips, "but I have to go visit Hatchie and question him about something."
"Okay," Kagome said with a smile as she closed her eyes enjoying the attention Inuyasha was giving her, "that's fine."
"Mm." Inuyasha hummed again as he closed the distance the rest of the way in order to place his mouth over hers in a passionate kiss that stole her breath away. "Do you think you'll be okay on your own?" He asked against her lips. "I need Sango to come with us today." He said as he leaned away to gauge her reaction as he let go of her chin to run his hands over her shoulders, down her arms and gently grasped her elbows in his hands.
Kagome's eyelids fluttered opened as she looked at him and nodded. "I've been doing better, I've been trying to stay in our room for a little while, while Sango goes outside to do something, or in a different part of the house. I was even okay here completely by myself the other day while she ran to the gas station." She said with a small smile.
Inuyasha sent her his famous half-smile that he knows she loves, he was so fucking proud of her. He loved that even though she had been through hell and back, even before they had even met, she never let the trials in her life dim the brightness the shone in her eyes, nor did it steal the genuine smile off her face. "That's my girl." He rumbled as he moved his hand to cup her cheek. "I'm so proud of you, baby girl."
Kagome sent him one of her truly blinding smiles that had his breath hitching in his throat as she leaned into his touch. "Thank you." She breathed as she brought her hands up to place one onto his hand and one to grasp his wrist keeping his hand pressed against her cheek.
Inuyasha's smile widened as he pulled her in for another kiss before pulling away and resting his forehead against hers. He pulled away a few seconds later so Kagome could finish getting dressed, she opted for one of his wifebeaters and a pair of her jean shorts and a pair of white tennis shoes, she finished the look when she pulled her still drying hair up into a messy bun on top of her head. "Come, let's go see what's for breakfast." He said as he held his hand out for her to take.
With another smile sent his way, Kagome took his hand and allowed him to lead her out the room and into the kitchen where Sango was placing a big plate of bacon down on the table.
After breakfast, Kagome bid her goodbyes to Sango and Miroku before stepping into Inuyasha's arms for a warm embrace and a kiss goodbye. With a final smile and a wave Kagome got into one of Inuyasha's spare cars, since she still had to finish putting hers together - she figured that she could do that once she got back from the hospital today, and she was off.
Arriving at the hospital, Kagome walked into the cancer ward and looked around for Dr. Hojo, not seeing him she shrugged her shoulders and went ahead into Hiro's room.
"Hey, baby, how are you doing?" Kagome asked with a smile as she entered Hiro's room and saw a dazzling smile spread across his face.
"I'm doing great!" Hiro said with a smile. "I don't feel sick at all today."
"That's great!" Kagome said as her smile widened as she ruffled his hair before sitting down in the chair by Hiro's bed. "You wanna play a game of Go Fish?" She asked as she fished the deck of cards out of her purse.
"Sure!" Hiro said as his smile widened as Kagome sat on the edge of his bed and shuffled the deck of cards before handing out their cards.
"Got any threes" Hiro asked about ten minutes into their game, it was clear to anyone around that he was winning.
"How are you so good at this game?" Kagome asked with a laugh as she handed over her three.
Before Hiro could answer, there was a knock on the door before it opened revealing Dr. Hojo. "Good morning, how are you feeling today?"
"Morning," Hiro answered with a smile, "I feel great, I don't feel sick at all!"
"That's great to hear!" Dr. Hojo said with a bright smile. "Any pain?"
"Some in my chest," Hiro answered with a shrug, "but definitely not as bad as it has been. Maybe like a two on the pain level, for sure tolerable."
"Good, good." Dr. Hojo said nodding, his smile still in place as he looked at Kagome. "Can we have a word in the hall, please?"
Kagome nodded as she sat her cards on the bed before getting up and following Dr. Hojo out into the hall. "Is everything okay?" She asked as he stepped into the hallway and closed the door.
"Everything is remarkable actually." Dr. Hojo said with a smile.
Kagome tilted her head to the side in slight confusion as hope started to blossom in her chest. "What do you mean?"
"It's quite a miracle, considering everything Hiro has been through recently, but Hiro's cancer cells are rapidly decreasing. They get smaller and smaller every time we check them." Dr. Hojo said as he looked over his charts.
"Are you serious!?" Kagome asked with wide hopeful eyes full of tears as her hands came up to cover her mouth. "Oh my God, that's wonderful news!"
"Yes, it is." Hojo said looking up at Kagome. "If he stays like this, then he will be ready for a home trial - if he does good on the home trial, then all we would need to see him for is for his treatments!"
"That's amazing! Oh my God!" Kagome said with an excited laugh as the tears started to fall out of her eyes. "Thank you so much!" She said as she grabbed Dr. Hojo's hand with both of hers and shook it a couple times in her happiness. "When can we start the home trial?"
"You're welcome!" Dr. Hojo said with his bright smile, truly happy that he was able to help the young boy. "And we'd be able to start the trial at the start of next week."
"Okay!" Kagome said as her heart pounded in both happiness and excitement that her baby boy was finally coming home. "I'll have to get his room set up!"
Dr. Hojo watched Kagome turn around and walk back into the room to presumably tell Hiro the good news. He smiled as he turned and walked down the hall to check on his next patient.
Once Kagome told Hiro about him being able to come home soon and finding out that he wants a monster truck room and wanted a gaming system and a bunch of games, she left the room, to the parking garage as she took her phone out to call Inuyasha - she had taken longer than what she had originally thought so he was most likely already having the meeting with his father, but she knew he wouldn't mind at all if she called in the middle of the meeting and she was just so excited that she couldn't wait another second longer to tell him the good news.
"Hey, I have great news!" Kagome said when Inuyasha picked up. "Hiro-ah!"
*X*
Inuyasha stood on the porch with his arms crossed and a small smile curling his lips, watching Kagome pull out of the driveway with one of his cars. He didn't acknowledge Miroku as he stepped up next to him with Sango following right behind him.
"So, what's on the agenda today?" Miroku asked as he too watched as Kagome turned onto the highway before looking at Inuyasha.
"We're going to pay Hatchie a visit." Inuyasha said with a sigh as he stepped down the steps to walk to his car.
"Hm?" Miroku hummed confused. "Didn't we just see him the other day, why are we going back so soon?"
"Because he's lying to me." Inuyasha said as he got into the driver seat of his car before starting it up as Miroku got into the driver seat and Sango got into the back.
"I thought he sounded a little fishy." Miroku said with a sigh. "I wonder why he would do that." He wondered out loud.
"Someone's telling him what to do," Inuyasha answered as he drove out of his driveway and onto the highway, "and I would guess that it's Kio."
"He's been loyal to you for a long time before he started not paying the first time," Miroku mused as he bent his pointer finger before laying it on his chin in thought, "all of the others had already had problems with giving you the money that they owed you - what made Hatchie all of a sudden not want to pay you?"
"Do you remember when we first met Hatchie?" Inuyasha asked and when Miroku nodded he continued. "Do you remember that he had a wife and a baby boy?" He asked and again waited for Miroku to nod that he remembered. "Have you noticed that the last couple of visits we've made to his house that they are no longer around?" He asked and saw as Miroku thought about it.
"Yes, I've noticed that." Miroku said as he looked down with his eyebrows furrowed.
"I'd wager that Kio kidnapped his family and is forcing him to do what he's doing?" Inuyasha said as he turned down the road that led to Hatchie's house.
"You might be right." Miroku said as he looked up and out the windshield.
"What are you going to do about it?" Sango asked as her heart broke for Hatchie.
"Help him." Inuyasha said as he pulled into Hatchie's driveway.
"Help him?" Sango asked as she leaned up to look at him as Miroku turned his head to look at him as well.
"Miroku?" Inuyasha called as he parked his car.
"Hm?" Miroku answered with a raised eyebrow.
"What would you do if Sango were taken?" Inuyasha asked as he looked at Miroku.
"What I could to get her back." Miroku answered without missing a beat.
"Even if you had to betray me?" Inuyasha asked with a serious look on his face telling Miroku to tell the truth.
"Without a doubt." Miroku answered with a nod.
"And as I proved already, I'd do anything to get Kagome and Hiro back at any costs." Inuyasha said as he opened his door and exited, he waited for Miroku and Sango to exit the car as well before continuing. "That's all Hatchie is doing, and I do not fault him for doing what he has to in order to get his family back." He said as he climbed the steps before knocking on the door and waited for Hatchie to answer. "And that reason alone is why I've decided that I was going to help him instead of what I normally do. That's why I needed Sango here with us today, she has a kinder side than either you or I have - and Hatchie doesn't need to be intimidated today, he needs help."
Miroku nodded as Sango smiled at Inuyasha's decision as the door opened revealing a confused Hatchie.
"Oh, hello Phantom." Hatchie said as he opened the door wider. "I wasn't expecting you today."
"We need to talk about something important." Inuyasha said. "May we come in?"
"Sure," Hatchie said a little nervous but relaxed slightly since Inuyasha wasn't using his scary voice on him, "come in." He said as he stepped to the side.
Walking into his office, Hatchie took a seat at his desk as Inuyasha and Miroku sat in front of his desk in the chairs that were sitting there as Sango stayed standing as she stepped closer to his desk.
Hatchie looked up at Sango in confusion as she sent him a calm, understanding smile. "Hey, Hatchie, how are you doing?" She asked in a soft voice that instantly put him at ease and completely relaxed his tense muscles.
"I-I'm doing okay." Hatchie said as he continued to look up at her with wide eyes.
"Hmm," Sango hummed as she looked down at the picture frame that he kept at his desk as she lightly traced the picture frame with the tip of her finger before looking back at him from beneath her lashes, "are you sure?" She asked as she continued to trace the frame with her finger. "It's okay, you can tell us - maybe we can help." She kept her tone low and reassuring as she spoke to Hatchie.
"Help?" Hatchie squeaked as he looked from Sango's finger tracing the picture frame back to her face.
"Yes," Sango said as she picked up the picture frame, "I couldn't help but notice that your little family isn't here - where are they?"
"They are vacationing," Hatchie said as he started writing on a piece of paper, "they'll be back home next week." He said as he slid the piece of paper towards Sango and watched as she picked it up before handing it to Inuyasha.
'Room is bugged. I am so sorry that I double crossed you, Phantom, but Kio has my family and if I don't do what he says - he's going to kill them.'
Inuyasha sighed as he took his pen out of his pocket before writing something down on the paper then standing up. "We're done here, we'll see you when your first payment is due." He said as he laid the paper back down on Hatchie's desk before walking out the office.
Hatchie watched as they left the room before looking down at the paper that Inuyasha put there and picked it up and felt his heart kick up a notch and relief fill him as tears started to gather in his eyes at what was written on that piece of paper, just five simple words and yet they meant the world to him.
'We're going to help you.'
Pulling back up at his house about an hour before his meeting with his father, Inuyasha exited the car and noticed that Kagome wasn't home yet but shrugged it off knowing that Dr. Hojo and she was most likely talking about something important, and he didn't want to rush that for something as simple as a meeting - even if it had everything to do with her, he'd just wait for her to come home to start the meeting. Walking up his porch steps with the other two following and entering his house, he and Miroku made their way into his office to get everything situated before his father showed up, maybe he'd throw in the Hatchie situation into the mix and see if his father would be able to help with that.
As they were finishing up setting up for the meeting, Sango walked in with Toga and the rest of Inuyasha's following in after her.
"Afternoon, son." Toga greeted with a nod as he came in, shook hands with Inuyasha.
"Afternoon." Inuyasha greeted back as he stood up to shake hands with his father and watched as he went to sit down on a couch before his mother stepped up and opened her arms with a questioning but hopeful look on her face. He sighed as he stepped closer to her before wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. He heard her gasp before her arms wrapped around him tightly. "Hi, mom." He whispered before pulling away.
"Hi, dear." Izayoi smiled before placing her hand on his cheek and giving it a slight pat before taking a seat next to Toga.
Sesshomaru just nodded in greeting, Inuyasha didn't take any offense to it - that was just how Sesshomaru was - as he nodded back as he watched his older half-brother take his seat in an empty couch before resting his ankle on his knee.
"Kagome had to run to the hospital to discuss something important with the doctor, she hasn't returned yet." Inuyasha said as he took his seat at his desk. "I think that since this meeting as everything to do with her, we should wait for her to come back home."
"I'm in no rush." Toga said understandingly.
They talked about nothing really for about thirty minutes before Inuyasha's phone rang.
"It's Kagome." He said when he saw 'Baby Girl' come across the screen. "Hey, baby girl." He said as he answered the phone and placed it on speaker.
"Hey, I have great news!" Kagome started and everyone in the room could hear the excitement leaking out of every word. "Hiro-ah!" They heard her shriek and a thudding sound like she had dropped her phone.
"Kagome!"
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Until next time, buy!