Reprieve by Sereia

Chapter 1

Kagome's feet dragged against the pavement. Being a surgeon wasn't a glamorous job, not in the field she'd chosen, but she'd known it was the perfect job for her. She wanted to help people—to make an impact—and though there was still a fair way to go in cancer research, removing tumours was just another way of making the world a better place.

Every time a child was added to her roster, it broke her heart, but they deserved a second chance more than anyone else.

Rolling her shoulders, she quickened her pace. Today has been a particularly good one, so there was no reason to focus on the depressing what-ifs. The surgery to remove cancerous cells from a young boy's stomach had been successful, and all her other patients had shown no sign of remission.

Today had been a win. And she was determined to revel in it.

The scent of freshly baked pastries hit her nose, and she perked up, not realizing how close to the cafe she was. Brushing the lingering melancholy off, she gripped the door handle, a smile lifting her features as she met the eyes of the person standing behind the counter.

"Hello, miko."