I.N.K. (Inu No Kaneko) | Original Kemonomimi Light Novel

Chapter 2: A Day Without You

Kaneko slowly woke up, her senses coming to as her eyes focused, revealing Tamashi beginning to get ready for work.  "Morning" she said, Tamashi turning with a bit of a start.

"Oh, good morning hun.  I thought I'd let you sleep in, but since you're up" He walked over and lightly pecked her on the lips. "Good morning, have a good day" he smiled before kissing her head.  

"you too" she smiled, closing her eyes as she enjoyed his kiss on her head. "I love you" she smiled as he began out the door.

"I love you too!" he called back, the sound of him walking through and closing the door behind him sounding through the house, leaving the house in complete silence when he left.  Kaneko sat there as Utas smiling face walked through the door, tail wagging as he walked up, setting his head on her legs. 

 Kaneko smiled with a chuckle as she grabbed his chubby cheeks petting his ears as she nuzzled his nose. "Just you and me again huh?" she smirked sadly as Uta barked, panting happily.  

Kaneko walked down the quiet street, the crisp morning air making her tighten her tan wool cardigan around her torso.  The sunshine lightly warming her as she passed the buildings and walked out of their shade onto the decorated bridge, detailed with ribbons around the openings in the fencing, separating the passerby's from the water that run under the bridge.  She stopped, Uta sitting, knowing their routine all to well.  There she saw a small white ribbon, tied tightly around the metal wire.  She knelt down, untying it as she reached into her bag, pulling out a new, freshly cut ribbon.  She tied it around the wire to replace the other, tightening the knot as she slowly ran her finger over the fabric, staring at it as the wind caught the ends of it.  

Kaneko said a small prayer before lifting the tip of the ribbons end and kissing it.  "Please come back to me Inu" she said, tears beginning to lightly fall to the bridge, trickling into the cracks in the stone.  Kaneko began to lightly sob as she knelt over, setting her head to the gate, all of the ribbons whisping from the sudden movement.  "p-please... please come home" She pleaded quietly, just wishing he could hear her.  

Uta began to bark, catching Kaneko off guard as he barely ever does that unless...  She quickly looked around, wiping her tears as her heart stopped, wishing so badly for what she hoped she would see, her hands tightening as she turned.  Her eyes looking up to see a young boy, walking with his mother as he carried an ice cream cone.  Her heart sank as she realized just how foolish she was, how naive.  He wasn't coming back, and maybe... maybe that was for the best... but best for who?  "come on Uta" she said, kissing his head lightly before standing up, patting his head one more time before looking back over.  The mother and son passing by, just leaving a young man in a newsies cap, tilting it to her in greeting as he smirked sadly.  

Kaneko wiped her tears and nodded, waving awkwardly as she moved some messy hair for her face, trying to look presentable.  The man walked over, watching for cars as he quickly skipped to quicken his pace.  "aw crap" she growled to herself, not wanting him to come over, but realizing she had to be sociable.  "h-hi" she said trying to make herself look less like she just woke up, making sure her ring was very visible.  

"hello there" he smiled before gesturing to Uta, who seemed slightly excited for some odd reason, Kaneko never have seen this man before.  "couldn't help but notice your beautiful dog" he beamed. "may I?" he said as he gestured again to Uta.

"OH!  Of... of course" she smiled, nodding and moving aside slightly to give him room.  The young man knelt down, Uta jumping up and putting his front two paws on his shoulders, licking his face.

"ha ha, whoa there buddy" he chuckled.  "I'm sorry, I just love dogs, Shiba Inus are my personal favorite" he said as Uta got down, the man petting Utas face happily.  

"yeah... yeah they're pretty great" she smiled and patted Uta on the back.  "My husband and him were pretty much a package deal" she chuckled before setting her hand on her arm, smiling down at the dog.

The man chuckled and nodded "yeah" he smiled.  "So what were you wishing for?" he gestured to the ribbon, smiling at the gesture as he got up, brushing off the small pebbles and dirt from his knees.

"Oh! um... it was nothing.  Just..." Kaneko tried to think of something that would make sense but is not very good under pressure.  She sighed and put her head down before standing up straight, hugging her arm as she looked off to the side.  "It's for my son and daughter" she said, the mans face softening as it went to a sort of sad, yet thoughtful smirk.  "We lost them a little over a year ago.  Just taken from us out of no where" she said as tears began trickle down her cheek again, Kaneko wiping her face with her sleeve.  "it's amazing how everything can seem so perfect one moment... and than the next... everything changes" she said, with a sad chuckle.  "ugh, I'm sorry, just telling you my life story" she said, trying to sound like it was funny, though she felt completely embarrassed by it.

"No, no it's alright" he said, surprised she apologized. "I asked" he said kindly, seeming to reach over to comfort her, but stopping himself.  He put his arm back, breathing a calming breath before chuckling.  "well, I should probably head out.  But I hope things get better for you.  You never know what can happen with a little faith." he nodded before turning and beginning to walk away.

"R-right" she smiled to herself before realizing she never got his name.  "W-WAIT!  I NEVER GOT YOUR..." she turned, but by the time she had realized it, he was already out of sight.  She smirked sadly and huffed a sigh, Uta barking after where the man had been.  "Come on Uta, lets go" she smiled down at him, pulling on his collar lightly, it taking a moment before he finally turned around, following her.  

Their walk stopped next to the stream that connected the city to the park, Kaneko sitting down on her usual bench as she took out her painting materials.  The view overlooking the gazebo and the bridge over the stream.  She spent the next few hours painting before heading home, having eaten her picnic lunch at the park.  They walked back home as the sun began its trip back towards the horizon.  They made it to their door, Kaneko taking out her keys as she opened the screen door and slid it into the slot, unlocking the door.  She let Uta in first, Uta running to his bed and cuddling in as Kaneko began to get ready for Tamashi's return, cooking supper.  

Tamashi got home a little late, being held up.  He seemed tired as he took off his light sweat shirt, greeting Kaneko with a kiss.  He had taken on extra hours so Kaneko wouldn't have to work for a little while.  They ate together and got ready for bed, both of them quickly falling asleep from their day.  

Kanekos eyes slowly opened, the sound of Uta barking slowly beginning to grow in her ears as her senses came to. She slowly got up, rubbing her eyes as they attempted to focus. She got out of bed and put on her slippers. "I'm coming Uta" she called as she began down the hall way, trying to keep her voice down as to not wake up Tamashi. She walked to the door that led to where they normally let him out, but he wasn't there, Kaneko coming more awake as she realized something else was going on. "Uta?" she said as she turned around, looking towards the front door as she saw him sitting there, barking at the white, wooden door.

"what are you-" she started before she began to hear the door knob turn. Kaneko grabbed the nearest thing she could use as a weapon, holding it at the ready as slowly the door opened. The lock of the door turned, the knob following before the hinges began to carry the door open. Revealing a very familiar small, white haired child. Kaneko's heart stopped, the world seeming to slow as she stared at the form of Inu, standing right the door way, Uta running out of the room barking, the sound fading to nothing as he ran into the bedroom. Kaneko couldn't believe her eyes, Inu looked exactly like he had the last time she had seen him, though he looked rather cold since his skin was bare.

Inu held his bushy tail, looking up at her with a timid smile. "h-... hi... mommy"