A/N: Okay guys. day 3 third chapter. not really much but I do hope you enjoy reading it. :)


Chapter 52: Healthy appetite

Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes from laughter. She struggled a minute or two to calm her mirth but each and every time she tried to speak, more laughter and giggles passed her lips. Frustration marred Inuyasha's features. He could taste a joke, there was no denying that, but only as long as he could actually understand it. He growled his displeasure and run a hand through his hair.

"Sorry, sorry..." she finally got out, waving a hand as if dismissing the little monsters tickling her thoughts. "I was just thinking, you have no money, no job, no place to go to..." she counted all those on her fingers. " And if I didn't blackmail Sesshomaru to let you sleep on the couch, you'd have shared the porch with a crossed Hatsuyo. Just like a stray." Inuyasha pondered her words for a second and a smile crossed his lips. What she said was true. About yesterday's events at least.

"But not anymore." he chuckled getting and actually liking her sense of humor. She grinned at him and ushered him to do her bidding while she finished cleaning. A minute later Shippo rushed inside covered in mud. The only visible things were his emerald eyes and face splitting grin.

"Shippo, what did you do?" she asked blocking his way to the stairs with the broom's stick. One hand on the hip and eyes questioning him. He fidgeted and gave a laugh.

"Nothing much." he ducked under the stick when Kagome's attention was drawn to the commotion outside. She let Shippo slip by and quickly walked to the open glass door facing the yard. Inuyasha's angry voice met her ears.

"You damn kid! How am I supposed to go out like this! Frigging kitsune, just you wait till I get my hands on you!" he continued stomping towards her. Shippo shouted out at him from the upper floor's balcony while Kagome stood there speechless.

"Hey, I did you a favor that shirt smelled bad!" Inuyasha growled and then glared at Kagome, daring her to laugh at the muddy face print on his shirt. She leaned against the door frame, hands around her abdomen. He actually fell for the little fox's trick, he really thought the kid had gotten hurt while tripping over the garden hose. He sighed and pulled at the shirt to get a better look at Shippo's masterpiece.

"It was the only one I had!" he whined and even pouted. Sure it didn't smell that great but with a bit of Sesshomaru deodorant it would be bearable to at least eat lunch. And then he'd wash it. Kagome shook her head and straightened, mouth opening to offer a change of clothes to the poor stray.


"Get changed already, Inuyasha." Sesshomaru's voice had their eyes shift towards him. He had changed to a pair of knee length khakis and a sleeveless white shirt. In his hand he held a similar change of clothes for Inuyasha. With a mumbled thanks he grabbed them and run inside Sesshomaru's house to shower the mud out of his hair. Kagome just stared for a moment. This was a change in Sesshomaru's usual style. A welcomed one because it made him look handsome and younger too. She bushed when his eyes locked to hers.

"I'll get ready too." she whispered and hurried inside. Left alone, Sesshomaru twirled his car keys around a finger while walking to the car. He'd most likely kill someone, probably Inuyasha, if he had to walk in this blasted heat. for more than two minutes.


Five minutes later they were all inside the car, heading towards the ramen house where Kagome had gotten them a reservation. The drive wasn't long but the air-conditioner was all worth it. Inuyasha stared out the front seat window, while Kagome and the kids talked on what they'd be ordering, in the back seat, Kagome on one side Rin on the seat behind Sesshomaru's and Shippo in the middle. Sesshomaru's eyes moved to Inuyasha as he swallowed. Most likely all their talk about ramen made his mouth water. And as Shippo was telling Rin of all the flavors he had tasted, he'd make sure to describe every little detail. Kagome giggled and he met her amused eyes in the rear-view mirror. Yes, it was plainly intentional, jut because it had an effect on Inuyasha. By the time he pulled into the driveway even his mouth was watery.

As they walked inside the owner's wife met them, babe held close to her chest. Her black hair was pulled back under a cap and the apron clothed her still visible belly from being pregnant. She smiled warmly.

"Kagome-chan it's so good to see you. My husband did say you were coming for lunch." she half hugged the younger woman. Kagome returned the smile as well as the hug.

"Yeah, well I was planing to come visit anyway." the woman's eyes looked over each of Kagome's companions. "They are my tenants, Sesshomaru-san, Rin-chan his daughter and Inuyasha-kun." they exchanged polite nods and then the owner's wife showed them to their table. As they walked Kagome leaned in to whisper into the elder woman's ear. "He's the stray asking for ramen." the woman gave a thoughtful look in his direction as they took their seats. Sesshomaru and Inuyasha on one side, Rin and Shippo on the other with Kagome sitting between the two.

"Not to worry dear, I'll make sure you guys get extras so I hope you brought along a healthy appetite." the woman patted Inuyasha's shoulder and then left to get the first serving as Kagome wordlessly asked for.


He probably should have felt insulted but frankly, at the moment he couldn't care less. All the food talking the brats did on the way here added up with all this delicious aromas it took every ounce of patience he had not to demand for food to be brought like some mannerless imbecile. He had learn to keep for himself and wait for the food to be served on the first of the few outings he had been with the whole family. He shuddered at the memory. His father went on and on with his conversation on the phone despite the waiters observation that he was disturbing the other costumers. He had brushed him off saying he'd pay for all their consummation so he could go and drown himself in wine. His mother held a very important conversation with Sesshomaru's mother, most of it was for the purpose of bashing their father, so all in all they thoroughly ignored him. Sesshomaru waited quietly in the chair to his right.

"Sesshomaru," he whispered with a whine. "I'm hung-" the word died on his lips as Sesshomaru sealed his mouth with his hand.

"Bear with it." he hissed before straightening again. A few minutes passed and finally the adults picked up the menus to start ordering. His poor little tummy started growling lightly and three sets of eyes turned to glare at him. "We'll be having the chicken legs with fries. Excuse us while we wash our hands." Sesshomaru had quickly intervened. He grabbed his hand and dragged him to the toilet. The ran all the way to the back room. Only there did they stop to catch their breath. "I told you to bear with it." Sesshomaru hissed through clenched teeth.

"But I did." Inuyasha protested and quickly wrapped his little hands around his tummy when the sound was heard again. The ten-year-old sighed and looked down with pity and the smaller child.

"We are so screwed." the four-year-old looked up confused. He didn't know the word his elder had used, but the grave tone he'd used promised that he won't ever forget it for the rest of his life.


Inuyasha shook his head to clear his mind of the memory before he recalled too much. Kagome's warm voice and touch startled him. His racing hearth calmed almost instantly at the kindness in her eyes and smile.

"Make sure to blow on it so you don't burn your tongue, alright?" he numbly nodded and did as she instructed. The tightness in his shoulders melted away as the delicious liquid poured down his throat. "Eat as much as you like,okay? My treat." she winked at him from across the table and he felt a dreadful memory being replaced with a pleasant one.


A/N: Okay... I'm hungry so I'll go get an onirigi before I get to bed. SO have a good morning, day, afternoon, evening or night. For me it's night/morning so I'm off to bed now. Thanks for reading! Bye!