A/N: I know I know I shouldn't be starting something but I couldn't help it! I accidentally stumbled upon this manga titled Himegoto Asobi and boom; this story came to my mind fully formed.

Credits to Sakuragi Yaya the mangaka of Himegoto Asobi (don't read this if you're not comfortable with yaoi but for me, I am absolutely in love with that genre.) This FF will have its premise similar to the setting of the manga, but apart from that (and of course the characters of Rumiko Takahashi), everything else is purely fiction.

This will be a short modern AU (no powers in this one) so hope you enjoy it!

PS: In this story, I have given them surnames because it's weird to call someone first name-san (although I will move towards this once our characters are familiar with each other). The characters are as follows:

Rin Nakamura + Hiroki Nakamura

Sesshomaru/ Inuyasha Oshiro

[Sanzen-san =Mr 3000 is Rin's nickname for Sess]

Kagome Suzuki

Sango/Kohaku Yamamoto

Kagura Kazeko

/ / / / /

MARCH

SESSHOUMARU

The moment he stepped out of the train station at Inuyama, Sesshoumaru couldn't help the scowl on his face. The five hour journey, he could bear. What he could not however was the idiot of his half- brother grinning at him like it was perfectly normal for him to be here in this sleepy town; just because their father thought it would be amusing for Sesshoumaru to work in a rundown local clinic.

His position as Head Paediatrician at the Tokyo University Hospital seemed to account for nothing when it came to the old man. Chichi-ue, also dubbed by the locals as Inutaisho-Sensei had decided to go into early retirement and leave the running of his clinic to his eldest son – the only good move on his part.

"Did Chichi-ue send his lapdog to fetch me?"

"Keh. As if. I'm here because she's here." Inuyasha jabbed his finger sideways to the dark haired woman beside him.

"Onii-san!"

Sesshoumaru still cringed at the title Kagome seemed to have conveniently adopted for him. Giving what he felt was his kindest smile, he pulled up the handle of his luggage and trudged towards the taxi stand. There was no way he'd be sharing breathing space with that brat and his wife a minute longer.

Just before he stepped into the taxi, Inuyasha stopped his door from closing. Leaning in, he didn't bother lowering his voice but growled as he spat out his mother's request.

"Oi Sesshoumaru! Okaa-san wants you to drop by for dinner tonight. Ja!"

Sesshoumaru offered his brother nothing in lieu of a response and merely pulled the taxi door shut. He didn't come here to socialize with his father's other family so dinner was definitely out. If he was going to take over a no name clinic, then he might as well catch up with rest and get to said sad excuse for a workplace early tomorrow.

/ / / / /

That night...

Sesshoumaru couldn't believe where he was seated at that moment. Between his stepmother Izayoi on his left and Kagome on his right, he felt like the meat between two extremely annoying, chit chattering buns.

"Sesshoumaru, would it kill you to be a bit lively for once?" His father picked out a portion of meat and placed it on top of his son's rice. "How you'd ever treat children without scaring them is beyond me."

Sesshoumaru tried not to be insulted by his father's words for he knew the old man was aware that he didn't treat children but operated on them. Interactions with his patients were mostly limited to the times when they were sedated and post-op with their mature and sensible parents. Oshiro medical centre on the other hand was mainly a consultation clinic. Surgery will be few if necessary.

"Onii-san, maybe you can try bribing them with something sweet. I do that sometimes at school when I'm really trying to get them to do what I want," offered Kagome, digging into her bag for some small packets of cheap sweets. "There's a shop not far from here that sells these."

Sesshoumaru took one look at her offering and snorted in disapproval. As if he needed stupid bribes to get his work done.

/ / /

Little did he know a few hours later that he would make all his morning miniature patients run out crying after coming to see him.

"Ah Oshiro-Sensei! We still have a few more patients. You can't just walk out -"

Sesshoumaru flicked an irritated glare at his nurse assistant, Sango Yamamoto. "Yamamoto-san, please reschedule them all to the afternoon. I do not want to cause a flood in this clinic. Already it's leaking as it is!"

Storming out, Sesshoumaru loosened his tie and tried to calm his temper. He knew it wasn't the children's fault. He had started the day in a foul mood, annoyed at his father for putting him in such a dump.

"I can't go on like this," he sighed, pressing his thumb and forefinger to the bridge of his nose. It would be easy to grumble and give up but that would only give ammunition to his brother's incessant teasing. Not to mention proving Chichi-ue right.

"If you don't think you have the balls to carry on the family name, then don't bother coming to Inuyama. I still have another son after all."

"But I am the only rightful heir!" His outburst was answered with a short squeak and his eyes darted upwards to catch a young boy cowering behind a tree. "Did I frighten you?"

The boy hid completely behind the trunk, only to be found shrinking to the ground as Sesshoumaru loomed above him. "Why are you alone? Where are your parents?"

The young child lifted a trembling finger and pointed to somewhere behind him. Turning around, Sesshoumaru frowned as he stared at the brightly coloured shop front. Nakamura candy store? That reminded him of something Kagome said the previous night. Looking down at the child, Sesshoumaru tried to give his friendliest smile –a feat considering his constant frown –before kneeling in front of him.

"Let's look for your mummy ok?" He offered a hand but was not surprised when the child shook his head and dashed over to the candy store. "Well, that went well."

Convincing himself that he was merely concerned for the child's safety, Sesshoumaru walked over to the candy store; the small bell behind the door signalling his entry.

"Irasshaimase!"

Ducking in, Sesshoumaru was greeted by a young lady behind the counter; a warm sunny smile on her face. Just looking at her, he could understand why the boy ran into the store rather than accept his help.

"How can I help you?" chimed the storekeeper.

Sesshoumaru caught the boy browsing through some sweets at the corner of the store. Not wanting to sound like a stalker, he mumbled something about looking around first and inched his way closer to the child.

"I like those kind too," he whispered, pointing to the mini circular candy. "Bet you can whistle pretty good with these. I'll take one." Sesshoumaru took the sweet, much to the surprise of the child before selecting a few others and walking to the counter.

"Oh… you're, you're buying all of this sir?" The female shopkeeper blinked a few times at his purchase.

"Yes. Is there a problem?" He looked down at his collection of about thirty odd sweets, then straight at her blushing face. Did he say something wrong?

"Ah, no. It's just, I've not had anyone spend this much for some time!" Her laugh sounded truly genuine as she packed his purchase into a small paper bag. "That'll be 2180 yen sir. Hope you'll enjoy them!"

Giving her some notes, he accepted the bag and tried a smile. "Keep the change." He was about to leave when he remembered the young boy. "Um, ano, this child? Is he a regular?"

"Oh? Hiro-chan?" The smile she had given him earlier shone even brighter as she gazed at the child. "Yes he is. Did he inconvenience you in any way sir?" That smile faltered slightly.

"Oh no no! I was just worried that he was lost. But if you know him then that's alright. I'll be off then." He gave a polite nod as he headed for the door, jiggling his purchase in his hands. "Let's see if Kagome's trick is of any use."

Much to his surprise, the charm of cheap sweets outshone anything he could ever imagine when it came to pleasing a child. From the cries plaguing him in the morning, his patients accepted his little bribe, albeit cautiously, with some breaking out in wide grins almost immediately.

By the end of the week, Sesshoumaru could hardly believe how quickly he had become a familiar face in the neighbourhood. The children who came to his clinic previously shouted his name across the streets, running gleefully to say hello –and for the few little girls, shyly whispering thank you for the sweets and toys he had given to them.

Seeing the success of his investment, Sesshoumaru conceded to the fact that Kagome was right and that he should get her something in lieu of a thank you. He wouldn't say it out loud of course, lest that annoying brat Inuyasha started gloating.

/ / / /

Saturdays were designated 'no-doctor day' so Sesshoumaru had planned to spend it on his couch looking through medical journals and catching up with the academic world he had left behind. However, he knew the hiatus was not permanent. Already, he had received an invitation by the Nagoya University school of Medicine to accept a position as an honorary professor.

It would provide him the challenge that a small-time clinic couldn't give but it was still at least an hour's drive or train ride away. A tempting offer nonetheless, so he wouldn't discard the idea.

Just as he settled into his sofa with his cup of coffee, Sesshoumaru received a phonecall, the caller ID stating: Chici-Ue. With a reluctant sigh, he picked it up.

"Moshi moshi… ah, yes I'm not working today… sakura what? No… I don't care what Chici-ue says… Kagome!" The phone call ended even before he could protest further. Just what in the world was his father thinking, asking that loudmouthed woman to invite him to a cherry blossoms viewing?

He didn't come here to socialise, didn't he make that clear before?

Turning his attention to his journals, Sesshoumaru sank deep into the publications; his mind absorbing all the latest findings and trends in his field of expertise. If he hadn't come to Inuyama, Sesshoumaru was sure that he would have moved to America or Europe and seek employment at one of their top paediatric medical centres.

He was still lamenting about this when his doorbell rang. Ignoring it at first, Sesshoumaru continued reading but after the tenth ring and incessant knocking, he jumped off his sofa and stormed towards the door.

"What the hell do you want?" he was shouting even before his hands could reach the doorknob. The moment he sprung it open, his voice took on a notch higher."Inuyasha! What is the meaning of this?"

"Didn't Kagome tell you?" shouted his brother back. "We're picking you up for the hanami! What? Don't tell me you said yes and you're still not ready?"

"I said NO!" Pinching the bridge of his nose, Sesshoumaru tried to see where he had gone wrong with his conversation with Kagome. Oh wait, that's right – none. She had simply bulldozed her way into making him accept the sakura viewing invitation. When did he ever think his words had any effect on that idiot?

"Go put something on. Otou-san and Okaa-san are waiting for us downstairs. Don't make me drag you by your stupid long hair."

Sesshoumaru didn't bother reminding Inuyasha that he had the same stupid long hair as his. Their blonde, almost white hair seemed to have an aversion to the shears for it always grew back within days to its original length. As a doctor, he had it pulled back in a tidy ponytail at the base of his neck but for Inuyasha, his half brother had chosen to let it free and unruly.

The look suited a more feudal era, which was why Inuyasha often preferred to dress in a traditional hakama than the business suits worn by Sesshoumaru.

But for today…

"Ah Sesshoumaru-kun! You look so perfect as ever, even in traditional clothes!" Sesshoumaru eyed Izayoi warily as he took the passenger seat next to Inuyasha.

"I thought it was fitting to be dressed this way," he replied as politely as he could. Regardless of how he felt about her, his father had chosen to be with this woman. "How are you Chichi-ue, Izayoi-san?"

The drive to the picnic spot under the sakura trees took less than fifteen minutes and soon the family was sprawled over the grass, munching on mochi and pouring sake for each other.

"I'm glad you took the time to come out today Sesshoumaru." The eldest Oshiro male patted a hand over his shoulder. "We never really spent that much time together didn't we?"

"That's because you were busy with the hospital then the clinic," replied Sesshoumaru in a monotone voice. There was no need to hint any emotions to his father, not when the damage was done nearly three decades ago.

"Well, I won't say it again but I'm proud of you. You're a fine doctor –still lots to catch up to me of course but still, fine." His father held out his empty saucer, to which Sesshoumaru filled with the clear sake.

He would never admit it to anyone, not even his father, that he had pursued medicine in hopes of being closer to the old man. He respected him a lot; looking up to him like an idol.

And yet, the moment he entered high school, his father announced that he was moving to Inuyama; leaving Sesshoumaru and his mother in Tokyo. Haha-ue was fine with it since they had been divorced for a long time but for Sesshoumaru, he had considered it abandonment on the part of his father.

Sure, there were the school breaks where he would grudgingly visit his step family but those instances became rarer and rarer as he grew older, until eventually he stopped communicating with them at all. It was only because of Inuyasha's and Kagome's wedding two years ago that he had resumed contact with them – not to mention that the pesky female badgered him constantly to spend time with them during Christmas and New year.

Speaking of which… "Why'd you let Kagome use your phone to call me?"

"Well because I know you wouldn't pick up her call! She's got an announcement to make which is why we're all gathered here," said his father with an amused grin on his face. "Looks like you've got more than one catching up to do."

Sesshoumaru only got the full meaning of the teasing when Kagome gathered them all and handed out a small postcard to each of the family members.

"What's this?" Inuyasha stared open mouthed at the card, putting it up into the sun with a deep frown. Sesshoumaru couldn't believe the stupid look Inuyasha had on his face –it was either he was in complete shock, or truly he was that much of an idiot.

"It's an ultrasound scan you silly!" Kagome began to squeal as she and Izayoi started to hug and cry in each other's' arms. "We're having a baby!"

"Congratulations Inuyasha, Kagome. We look forward to an addition to the family." Sesshoumaru caught his father's grin aimed his way. "And you Sesshoumaru? When are you going to settle down already? Thirty-seven and still unmarried. As the eldest son –"

"Chichi-ue, I believe I'll be taking my leave now. Thank you for your generosity everyone." There was only so much patience he had for his family.

"Onii-san! Wait, we haven't told you the best part yet!" Kagome immediately snatched his wrist, pulling him back into the group. "Inuyasha and I have been talking and we'd love it if you could be the baby's godfather."

"No."

"Please think about it. You have six months until the baby is born to decide." Kagome's smile never wavered but Sesshoumaru caught the glimpse of sadness in her eyes.

Perhaps it was his guilt at causing her unnecessary hurt that weighed on his conscience but Sesshoumaru found himself quietly returning to his seat, choosing to stuff his face with sweets rather than involve himself in further conversation.

Of course with Kagome, his wishes were never respected.

"Ne, Onii-san, how's work going? I might be swinging by sooner than you'd expect! My gynaecologist is taking up office in your clinic soon so we'll see each other a lot."

Sesshoumaru was not surprised to hear this. True, he was always calling his father's clinic a dump but for a local medical centre, it had surprisingly good facilities and equipment, with complementary disciplines of paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology as the centre's core foundation.

"Children love sweets."

"Oh! You went to the candy store I told you about?" At his reluctant nod, she became an excited chatter box. "Rin-chan, the storekeeper is an absolute gem. If she likes you, she sometimes slips in a little extra for the road. I love her pink bubble gums the most!"

"You shouldn't be eating so much sweets Kagome."

"Oh they're not for me. They're for the students. I'm going to get a new batch of grade one's this year, so I'd definitely drop by again soon. Want to come with me?"

For some reason, Sesshoumaru knew that his sanity was at risk if he said yes. "No that's fine. I still have a large stash in my drawer."

"Ah… you prefer to meet the pretty shopkeeper by yourself? You're such a tease Onii-san!" Kagome gave him a playful slap on his arm. "Ne, she is pretty right?"

"Uh huh." He hoped the mochi in his mouth was an excuse but she continued pestering him until he gave a resounding yes – not that it was far from the truth. She was pleasing to the eye, not overly gorgeous like some model but not your regular small town plain Jane either. What struck him most about her was the contrast between her fair skin and her dark hair. In another life, perhaps Kagome and her could have been sisters.

"You should ask her out," said Kagome before they parted their ways that evening. Sesshoumaru chose not to respond this time; fearing any sort of commitment to a 'promise' he would not keep. After all, how many times did he need to reiterate that he wasn't in Inuyama to socialise?

/ / / /

APRIL

RIN

When the handsome, well-dressed gentleman dropped by her shop again that week, Rin didn't question the large purchase of sweets this time. She figured that he either had a lot of children or a particular strange addiction of sugar.

Not that she particularly minded either. She was however, curious as to why someone looking so affluent would drop by her musty store to buy hundred yen sweets.

"That will be 3000 yen sir," she announced happily before packing his items. Then, on a whim, she pulled out an extra tube of pastilles and added it to the stash. "It's a free gift for buying this much," she informed him when she caught his suspiciously raised eyebrows.

From then on, their weekly encounter consisted of the same routine –he would gather a large amount of sweets, she would pack them and slip a small treat and he would leave after a polite nod. His consistent expenditure of 3000 yen also made her dub him 'Sanzen-san' since he hadn't offered a name. Those precious Mondays always saw her taking slightly longer to pick out her outfit for the day, much to her son's annoyance.

"Okaa-san, hayaku! You promised you'll let me choose one of the new sweets from the box today!"

Rin flitted her eyes to her dressing mirror and caught Hiroki's tousled dark hair from the reflection. Smiling, she beckoned him closer, grabbing him in a tight hug before attempting to tame his curls. "Hai, hai! First day at the big boy's school too. Maybe I should let you have two treats if…you give me two big kisses."

Her little boy struggled to entangle himself from her embrace. "Okaa-san! I'm six! I'm not a baby. Kisses are for babies."

"Oh is that so?" she released him slightly. "Then in that case, I'll take back my offer of the two sweets. Maybe we'll save them for tomorrow."

Those rosy cheeks went even redder with Hiroki's eyes watering slightly. "But Okaa-san… you promised! And we must never break our promises right?" At his puppy eyed plea, Rin knew she had been defeated.

Promises were very important between them – a lesson she fought hard to instil in her son –and so Rin gave her son a gentle kiss on his forehead before leading him into the backroom where she kept the new stocks of sweets.

"Only one, Hiro-chan."

The smile on his face was so earnest that Rin wondered, albeit regretfully, how his father could ever choose not to share custody of their child. Her thoughts were still on her ex-husband when Hiroki bounced towards her, prize in hand.

"I'd like this please Okaa-san. Can I put it in with my bento?" He was already running towards his packed lunchbox before she could say yes. A second later when she joined him, Hiroki had already laced his shoes and stood slightly teary-eyed as stared up at his mother from the genkan of the house. "Kaa-san…"

Stepping down barefooted, Rin folded her hands around her not-so-grown-up little boy, pulling him into a warm embrace. It looked like she would be sending him to his first day at elementary school after all. A good thing that she had the foresight to close the shop for the morning.

Slipping his hand into hers, Hiroki was silent as they strolled down the road towards his new Shōgakkō. Having lived in Inuyama all her life, Rin recalled fondly her own first day at school and for a moment, felt the same foreboding anxiety that her son was probably having right then.

"Hiro-chan? It'll be fine. You'll make friends in no time and soon you'll be home and telling me all about your day," assured Rin when they finally made it to the school gates. "Want me to walk you in?"

The boy nodded mutedly, still clutching his mother's hand. Rin knew this phase would soon come to pass in a few weeks. Some day he might not even want her to send him to school anymore.

"Hai! Grade 1c students, this way please!" Rin looked up and saw a female teacher waving Hiroki's class sign.

"Ah, that must be your new homeroom teacher. She looks nice no?" Rin slowly loosened his grip of her hand and gently guided him towards the classroom.

"Ohayo gozaimasu! Are you a student of this class?" The female teacher peered kindly down at Hiroki before giving a broad smile. "My name is Suzuki-Sensei. What's yours?"

Rin had to nudge his shoulder slightly before he muttered a hello and mumbled his name.

"Well then Hiroki-chan, why don't you join your new friends and I'll be with you shortly?" The raven haired teacher gestured towards the classroom.

Rin watched as her son gave her one last puppy-eyed look before disappearing past door. Don't cry Hiro-chan! Ganbatte!

"Ah, arigatou gozaimasu Sensei." Rin gave a polite bow. "Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu!"

But when she looked up, Suzuki-Sensei was laughing. "Oh you're the owner of the candy store around the corner aren't you? I've been hearing some lovely things about you! Well, I'll be sure to take good care of Hiroki-chan then."

Eh? Lovely things about her? From whom?

"Must be the children," she thought to herself. Best to prepare the shop for their after-school treat then!

/ / / /

It usually didn't rain much during Sakura season but that week, it came down in torrents. Every morning, Rin had to make sure Hiroki had his raincoat securely fastened and his boots on before they walked to his school together.

But that afternoon, despite bundling him up in warm blankets, Rin's motherly instincts knew for a fact that her son was about to come down with a cold. He had come home sneezing, his eyes slightly blurry and a lack of appetite even for his favourite nikujaga.

"Hiro-chan, you're burning up…" Rin placed a fresh cool towel on his forehead as she pulled his blanket under his chin. "Shall we go and see a doctor?"

Her son moaned a 'no' and turned his head into her lap before coughing his little lungs out.

"Alright that's it Hiroki." Rin scooped her son into a cradling position and started walking towards the door. "You'll only get worst through the night."

Due to the terrible weather, it wasn't surprising to see quite a few younglings huddled up beside their parents in the paediatric clinic that evening. Some were coughing, some sneezing but all were crying and moaning. When it was finally Hiroki's turn, Rin took him by the hand and knocked on the doctor's door before entering.

"Konnichiwa, how are you feeling –oh… it's you."

Whatever he didn't express in words was evident on his face. The surprise and shock clearly mirrored her own.

"Ah… Sensei." Her tongue suddenly felt glued to the ceiling of her mouth. "Ano…"

"Kaa-san… I don't feel too good," whimpered Hiroki by her side. "I want to go home…"

The two adults broke off from their staring silence and focused instead on Hiroki. Sanzen-san then beckoned Hiroki to the seat before him. "Okay open your mouth and say 'aaa'…" Rin watched as her son obediently complied. "Hmm, the back of your throat is as red as a monkey's bottom! I'm going to take your temperature now okay?"

An ear thermometer was placed in Hiroki's left ear and Sanzen-san announced that Hiroki definitely had a fever.

"I'll prescribe you some medicine but you're going to need to rest a lot at home and keep warm." When Hiroki nodded weakly, Sanzen-san smiled before opening his drawer to take out a small gray toy. "And here's a small something to keep you company okay?"

To her surprise, he whipped out a small keychain with a Totoro figurine attached to it. It looked achingly familiar to those twist and turn machines she had at her candy store. Did he buy all those sweets just so he could give them out to the children here?

As though aware that he was being observed, Sanzen-san suddenly looked up at Rin, those amber eyes of his sending a surprised jolt down her body. "Ano… Nakamura-san?" He called out tentatively.

"Hai, I'm Hiroki Nakamura's mother. Will my son be alright San – I mean, Sensei?"

The doctor raised his eyebrow at her slippery of the tongue but he merely shook his head. "It's a normal cold. He'll be fine if he rests at home for the next two days. You umm, have anyone to help take care of him or the shop?"

Ah, the touchy subject of her missing husband. People always feared that she couldn't take care of Hiroki as well just because she was a single mother.

"We'll be fine Sensei. Our house is actually just behind the shop so I can keep an eye on both at the same time."

He didn't seem convinced but he made no further comment. Thanking him for the trouble, Rin slipped out of the consultation room with her son and waited to collect his medicine.

Though still feeling woozy, Hiroki's face had lit up somewhat as he toyed with the Totoro keychain. "Sensei was really nice wasn't he Kaa-san? I thought he was scary but then he gave me this!"

Rin raised an eyebrow doubtfully at her son. "Wasn't it you before who said he was a scary man? That he reminded you of the Kuchisake Onna?" At the mention of the youkai, Hiroki gave a squeak. Everyone in town knew the story of the 'slit-mouthed woman' wearing a surgical mask who attacked random people after asking if she was pretty.

"Yeah but that's before Totoro-chan! How did he know I love Totoro?" whispered Hiroki into his mother's ears.

To that, she smiled slyly before turning to whisper back into his ears; her hands ready at the side of his waist for a tickle attack. "Perhaps he is a youkai and reads minds of little children so he can eat them."

Forgetting all about his fever, her son squealed under her expert playfulness, laughing as they huddled all the way home under their jumbo umbrella.

/ / / /

Rin didn't see Sanzen-san Sensei again until the following week when the skies started clearing up and the temperature became warmer. Hiroki had gotten much better, but Rin on the other hand…

"Okaa-san, want me to make you some hot tea? Your coughing is so bad!"

Slumped over her front desk, Rin felt miserable but she sat up immediately at her son's voice. "Welcome home Hiro-chan…"

Accepting the cup of comfort from her son, Rin took a sip before resting her head once more on the table.

"Irasshaimase!"

Rin didn't even have the energy to lift her head at Hiro-chan's greeting. As long as their customer didn't peek behind the counter, they wouldn't be able to see her pathetic form. Besides, Hiroki had been helping her out with the shop since he was much younger so it was not such a strange sight.

"Sensei!" Rin opened one eye cautiously, watching her son bounce off the seat and into the shop. Peeking from above the till, she saw him chatting with the stern faced doctor, showing him his favourite candies.

"You're alone in the shop?" She heard him asking.

At times like these, Rin wished her son knew the concept of white lies. "She's behind the counter. Okaa-san isn't feeling well. I think I made her ill…" A little shuffling of feet later, Rin sensed the duo standing just behind her – much to her dismay. "Do you think you could make Okaa-san feel better?"

Rin covered her face with her hands in embarrassment. Though of no fault of his, Hiroki had just made a statement worthy of having his mother bury her face in shame.

"Oh… well, I'm actually a children's doctor so I couldn't possibly administer adult medicine." Hiroki must have pouted at this point because Rin felt Sanzen-san kneeling beside her. "But, I could still have a look. Would that be okay Hiroki-chan?"

"Okaa-san, please let Sensei look at you." Her son's gentle tug felt like lead weight on her heart.

Finally pulling herself together, she lifted her head and came face to face with her dazzling 3000yen man. "I'm fine. I just need to get some water," she insisted, getting up and forcing her way towards the back entrance. "Please don't trouble yourself Sensei… If you need to buy anything, Hiro can –"

Whatever else she wanted to say was forgotten as darkness claimed her.

/ / / / /

Rin awoke sometime in the middle of the night to the warm presence of her son by her side. Reaching out, she stroked his hair gently, pulling back his fringe and running her fingers through the long strands.

He needed a haircut soon. Didn't she just take him to the hairdresser two weeks ago? How did his hair grow so long…

Rin sat up so suddenly that she knocked her knee against the snoozing body, waking the person up from slumber. This was clearly not her son!

"Who… who are you!" she screamed, inching backwards and pulling her blanket towards her. From the falling waterfall of white hair appeared her greatest nightmare. Not a lock out of place, not even a single crease from sleeping on the tatami mat! Who gave him permission to look that god-like even though he just woke up? "Sensei?!"

"My apologies." He took a step back and sat on his knees. "I've already tucked Hiroki into bed. He insisted on sleeping here but I told him he might catch a cold again."

He what? "You… gave him his night time bath and –"

"Yes read him a book and gave him a glass of warm milk. He was pretty insistent on those two rituals. But he is sound asleep now so please lie back down and rest."

She eyed him suspiciously. "Then who allowed you in my room?"

To that, Sanzen-san got to his feet and walked over to fetch a glass of water and some medicine which he shoved in her face. "Believe me, I will be sending a bill for this home consultation. So please Nakamura-san, take your medicine and get back to bed."

Knowing that arguing at this hour would be pointless, Rin took the glass and downed the pills he had set aside for her.

"You can go home now you know. I imagine it must be close to midnight." The medicine tasted strangely sweet. Did he give her a child's dose? "I don't want to be accused of being a husband stealer."

Something akin to surprise passed across Sanzen-san's face. Rin almost wanted to chide him for pretending to be ignorant when she realised that he was new to the town so he didn't know.

"I am divorced, in case you were wondering, so no husband is coming home to relieve you. Was that whom you were waiting for?" His nod confirmed her suspicion.

"I will leave immediately Nakamura-san. It wasn't my intention to make you uncomfortable but Hiroki would not sleep until I promised to stay here by your side." Sanzen-san walked over to the door but paused slightly to look at her.

"No, I should apologise for inconveniencing you Sensei. Please send the bill to me as soon as possible." No doubt, she would have to dig into her bank account for that. Home visits were never cheap, not even from a small town clinic like Oshiro's.

For a moment, the man didn't budge, seemingly frozen in his place.

"Sensei?"

Amber eyes blinked rapidly before lifting to gaze at her. "About the bill –"

"It's fine. Regardless the amount, I can pay for it."

"Ano… that's not it Nakamura-san. Thing is, I'm not charging you at all for today. I feel terrible for imposing myself in your home like this. Can I make it up to you somehow?"

What? Was the fever making her hallucinate? Surely she was the one at fault here? "That's not necessary Sensei."

"No I insist. Next Monday. Dinner, 7pm. I'll come by the store and fetch you."

He didn't give her time to refuse for he turned and left almost immediately; rendering her speechless. What… what just happened? Did Sanzen-san Sensei just offered to buy her dinner?

"This is one big nightmare," she reassured herself, taking in deep breaths, one after the other. "Everything will be fine and back to normal when I wake up."

/ / /

A/N: Cheeky monkey that Sesshoumaru! Ahah, hope you enjoyed the first chapter. This story won't be long, maybe 4-5 short chapter at most. I MUST get it out of my head.

Anyway for those of you who don't speak Japanese (I don't, but I know a little), the title is actually a punny one. It means Doctor, you are so sweet (kind/tender)! Apart from the obvious hint to the sweet shop, the word 'sweet' also has a connotation of naivety and I think this perfectly reflects Rin's and Hiroki's spiralling fall for the dashing hero later on. Hehe.

Also, did you know that Inuyama is a real place in Japan, near Nagoya? When I visited it, I immediately thought of Inuyasha (naturally).