The meeting stretched out longer than anyone initially intended. Mrs. Higurashi happily refilled the teapot twice before everyone felt the pangs of hunger finally creep up on them to let them know how late it actually was.
If there was one thing that Satoru was upset about, it was when Shippo stepped into to answer certain questions. The sparkling green and flash of teeth let Satoru know that the other male was aware of his displeasure of being denied any actual answers. So, was this what Shippo meant by keeping an eye on things? Ensuring that Kagome didn't accidentally share certain information?
Oh well, she couldn't be watched over all the time. Even with the work and teaching, he'd find some time alone with her. Still though, what had been shared had been fascinating and an eye-opener. His mind whirring with possibilities, even more questions, and wondering just how powerful she really was.
It was while Kagome was clearing their cups away, did the mood finally lighten. "How about dinner? My treat." Shippo looked at his watch as he stood up.
Kagome narrowed her eyes, about to speak when Mrs. Higurashi stepped in. "Go ahead, I sadly hadn't bought enough to feed everyone. Jii-chan will stay and Souta still has homework." her smile was warm and inviting, patting Kagome's hand before taking the tray of cups and the teapot. "Go on, you need to go out more."
"...Mama." lips pursed, Kagome searched the face of the older woman only to sigh after a few moments. "Alright. Call me if anything should happen."
"I will, don't worry dear." a hum escaped her when Shippo approached her, leaning down to her height and kissed her cheek. "It was lovely to see you again, Shippo."
"You as well, and the tea was wonderful as always." he turned to Kagome, leaned in close and whispered in her ear, too quietly to hear. After a pause, he grinned at her nod even if she didn't seem pleased with what was said. "I'll meet you outside." with that he already had his shoes on and was out the door.
Waiting a few moments until he felt was enough time to put a reasonable amount of distance between them, Satoru lingered while his students went to retrieve their shoes. "Everything alright?"
"..." her eyes cut to his students, lingering on Yuji a little longer than needed, before turning to him. "It would be best that they went home from here."
Following her gaze, he smiled and nodded his head when Yuji turned and gave an excited wave. "You friend promised us dinner."
"He did, but I don't think where he plans on taking us will be… appropriate. For them." she was obviously uncomfortable about something. "I know somewhere else they can go, and Shippo will still be paying."
Turning back to her, his head tipped, wondering why she was so insistent. "It's not a… gentlemen's club, is it?"
Cheeks immediate exploded into colour. "Wh-what?! No! Why would you think that?"
"You said it would be inappropriate for them. " shrugging his shoulders, he snickered when she buried her face into her raised hands. "Or is it some sort of bar?"
"No! Gah!" she scrubbed at her face, causing it to become more red. "Nothing like that! Where we're going is a respectable family establishment. It's just…" she bit her lip and looked out the back window. "...I… I trust the people running the other place."
It was then that he picked up on what she was saying. "Ah. They can handle it." and then Kagome surprised him again while he was trading the slippers for his own shoes. A hand clamped down on his wrist, halting his progress.
"Please. Trust me on this, for them. Especially for Itadori-kun's sake."
Looking down at her hand, he was actually stunned at the warmth that seared his skin and travelled up his arm. He was unsure if this was from a lack of human contact or her energies conflicting with his own. It took a minute squeeze to have him raise his gaze to see the actual concern. She was worried, for his students. Something squeezed at his heart. "There's nothing to worry about, I'm the strongest!" it didn't ease her expression, nor the grip on his wrist.
Lips pursed once again as she attempted to search his face, the blindfold more than likely not helping. With another squeeze, she let him go. She opened her mouth, as if to say something, before closing it and walking away. "I'll meet you out back." her words and movement a bit stiff.
It doesn't take long, meeting the others and getting to where Shippo plans on treating them. It's not overly swanky, but, like Kagome said it's a respectable looking restaurant. He quickly picks up on why she hadn't been so keen on going to this place.
"Shippo-san, how are- Lady Kagome!" the hostess instantly becomes a giddy little thing the moment their party enters the establishment.
Kagome takes the greetings with a smile, though it's a little strained. "Hello Nanao-chan, could we have a private room for the six of us?"
"Oh!" big brown eyes slide towards Shippo for a brief second before returning to Kagome. "Oh, um, I'm afraid all our private rooms are currently in use. If we had known you would be coming, we would have reserved one!" the hostess is all fluttering hands. "We have a lovely spot! Not as private, but it should do!"
Lips pursed, narrowed blue eyes are pinned on a grinning Shippo. "That's fine." it's terse, and Kagome follows behind a now flirting Shippo and giggling hostess in fuming silence.
Catching up o the petite woman, Satoru leans down to whisper. "Lady Kagome?"
Anger easing, Kagome pinches the bridge of her nose. "That's a story for another time."
Humming, he notices how the rest of the patrons are quietly murmuring similar greetings as they pass, only Megumi seems to pick up on the tense atmosphere as Yuji and Nobara are taking in the decor and pausing on the variety of spreads on each table they pass.
Megumi is now on Kagome's other side, face calm and not displaying his thoughts or emotions. "Did you also provide fertility checks for all these people, Higurashi-san?"
Cheeks instantly red, she whips around to slap a hand over his mouth, it's somewhat comical since the boy is taller than her. But Satoru's amused at the shock on Megumi's face at the scolding he's receiving. "Fushiguro-kun! Not only is that confidential information, it's also a highly inappropriate topic to discuss in public." at his nod, she sighs and removes her hand. "And please, call me Kagome."
Satoru on the other hand, is not so swayed by such. "But his question is valid, they all look ready to worship you." he's seen the look plenty of times, sometimes directed towards himself due to being the strongest sorcerer.
"I've helped in various ways." she clears her throat, leaving out what she's more embarrassed about. Before she can further explain, they arrive at their table. Just as the hostess said, it's not as private though it is somewhat tucked away.
"A server will be with you with some menus in just a moment." she flusters and giggles when Shippo thanks her by kissing the back of her hand, though her eyes do smoulder.
"Shippo." the warning tone has the hostess pull away with another giggle, turning to Kagome to bow deeply in respect before leaving. "Can't you behave for at least five minutes? And seriously, in front of the kids?"
The man shrugs as he sits down, easily pulling Kagome to sit next to him and drape an arm around her waist to pull her closer. "Relax, we're here to enjoy ourselves." a lingering kiss is pressed to her cheek.
"Are you in a relationship?" Nobara finally asks as she takes her seat, brows furrowed in confusion.
Shippo smirks as he easily ignores the warning pinch from Kagome. "You could say that." at another pinch, he lets out a sigh at the pointed look from Kagome. "But it's not that kind of relationship."
Nobara looks between the two, trying to figure out based from their interactions and ease with each other. "Then-"
"Unless you know our history, you wouldn't understand." there's a subtle sharpness to his tone and expression, it puts Satoru on edge for the first time since his six eyes couldn't see past whatever Shippo has that's 'hiding' him. It quickly melts into something more teasing. "And you're too young for me."
Nobara stammers and blushes as she pushes herself away from the table while Kagome once again pinches Shippo, quietly scolding the snickering male. Yuji also teases Nobara, poking and prodding in a teasing manner, asking if she had found Shippo attractive. It continued until Nobara reached over to pinch and stretch his cheeks.
"Energetic, aren't they." Shippo's comment earns a smile from Satoru, who's glad to see his students carefree.
"My students are cute." he snickers at Yuji and Nobara's quiet complaints about being described as cute.
"What exactly do you teach?" Kagome absently thanks and accepts the menu provided by their server.
Satoru picks up on how the serve watches him and his students like a hawk, in fact, all the patrons and the rest of the staff as watching them. "I'm teaching them how to be sorcerers. Curses aren't going to get rid of themselves." his smile is all teeth when he and his students finally receive their menus, it earns a mocking grin in return.
There's a hum from Shippo as he places his order after Kagome and hands the server their menus without looking at the man. "Interesting." there is a tilt to his voice as he tips his head. "How, traditional, are you teaching them?"
It's then that Satoru puts things into place, Shippo knows of sorcerers already. How, he doesn't know, nor the extent of his knowledge, but it's already enough that the elders would want him gone. He also understands why Kagome wanted his students to be else where, it's obvious that everyone here adores her for some reason or other, and now they know what he and his students look like. They seem to following their conversation, on edge with Shippo's tone all seem to be waiting. Whatever network this is, it's far more extensive than what sorcerers use, which is far more exclusive though it makes them far more isolated in turn.
Smiling, he places his order enjoying Kagome's utter shock and confusion at it, before replying. "Just the fundaments on how to work safely. Everything else, I encourage that they make decisions for themselves rather than be influence by what others state is absolute."
"You basically toss us in the deep end." Nobara comments, no doubt recalling her first lesson after being picked up not too long ago.
"Sometimes that's the only way." Satoru replies, though he was happy with how she had handled the situation, saving the boy's life. Most sorcerers would have done away with the curse, boy be damned and claim him collateral damage. The hierarchy had become twisted and broken, and they were blind to it. "But, I'm proud of you!"
For whatever reason, his answer and the short exchange pleased Shippo who now sported an honest smile, everyone in the restaurant relaxing as well. "Glad to hear that." he lets go of Kagome when their drinks arrive, raising his glass of amber liquid. "Here's to good teachers, promising students, and brighter futures."
Raising his own glass of the sweetest juice he could order, he nods his head in acceptance of Shippo's toast. He definitely knows more about them than Satoru knows about the two across from him. A disadvantage for sure, but he will get to the bottom of it.
When the server returns with a few others to place down their orders, Shippo turns to the young man and openly flirting with him just as he had the hostess.
"Seriously Shippo, do you have to flirt with everyone you meet?" Kagome pinches the bridge of her nose, eyes flicking to the three slightly flustered teens.
Shippo shows no ounce of shame. "I didn't flirt with your guest, doesn't that count?"
Satoru just sips his drink. He's used to others within his community propositioning themselves to him, man or woman, so he easily waves off Shippo's comment. "Sorry, you're not my type."
A flick of light in green has Shippo smirking at him. "Trust me, I'm everyone's type. It's more along the lines if they are mine." green eyes slowly drag along his form, the open perusal has Kagome groaning in embarrassment. "Yes you're handsome, but not my type."
"Okay!" a hand quickly covers Shippo's mouth, Kagome flustering as she thanks the obviously pleased server. "Thank you, that will be all for now. You'll get his number later."
Dark eyes turn to Kagome, Satoru raises a brow when the smoulder in the man's eyes only seem to intensify. "Of course, Lady Kagome, whatever you desire, just tell me." he bows lowly, though maintains eye contact and saunters off.
Her head thumps against the table with a strangled sigh. "This is why I hate going out with you when you're like this." Shippo only snickers as he pats her back.
AN: So, longer chapter, which I hope everyone finds enjoyable. A note on Shippo, as much as I love reading him being an energetic and loving 'son' as an adult, I wanted him to be a little more age appropriate. Don't worry, he'll still show a more familial affection towards Kagome, but it won't be as defined as mother/sister, he will still be mischevious, but it'll be more devious or darker depending on the situation. Might not be everyone's cup of tea, but that is how he'll be in this story.
With that said, read, enjoy, and please review.
- BunnyWK