Title: Eternal Salvation

Summary: "Suicide is not the answer. No... really, it's not. I've already tried that method more times than I can count." Shouta Aizawa didn't know what to make of her. The woman who stood across from him on the roof, with shattered blue eyes laden in anguish and defeat.

Pairing: Kagome/Shouta

Anime: My Hero Academia/InuYasha

Rated: M

It was dark out by the time Kagome made it home. She'd spent most of the day avoiding Hizashi and Shouta, not that she really wanted to, but where her head was... well, she needed space. Nezu had been more than happy to help her in that department. He'd readily called for a private meeting with her, asking her to take care of some things. Small errands here and there, taking on a position in the Academy. Not that she'd really considered working on staff, but he was already thinking of the long-term advantages of having her there. What was it? A personal assistant? Yeah, that's right. He also wanted her to start running patrols in the area. A new program he had in the making for rehabilitating villains into the hero program but under the right conditions. He believed she had some innate ability to find and save lost souls. Kagome called bullshit, but she'd humor him.

Aside from that, her mind had been completely on the day's earlier happenings. Everything between her, Shouta, and Hizashi had been weird. All day today, she couldn't stop thinking about the kiss. She liked the kiss, hands down; she had no problem with it. Absolutely no problems. Well, she had one. She didn't like how she felt as if she'd betrayed Shouta. Were they in a relationship with a title? No. Did that change the way she felt? No. She stepped inside, and the first thing she saw was Hitoshi. He was asleep on the couch, his head on Hizashi's lap. He was going over a stack of papers, English work for next term, Tenko's term. Speaking of Tenko, she found him sitting across from Shouta at the kitchen island, the two talking in hushed voices as Shouta helped him with his algebra.

All in all, the scene was normal. Like nothing had happened that morning. So...was she supposed to pretend nothing had happened too?

Hanging her blazer up, she placed her bag on a hook and entered the kitchen. Suddenly, she felt their eyes on her. Bending over, she opened the fridge and grabbed a jelly pack; she hated herself for it. Always getting onto Shouta for living off of the packets of Konjac jelly, and yet, she didn't care to deal with anyone right now, so this was her escape. She didn't waste her time talking. Instead, she left to her room and chose not to come out again. That was the plan.

"Go talk to her," This comment came from Tenko, who was finishing his schoolwork while simultaneously tugging at a strand of his hair, most of which was tied back and out of his face. When he didn't hear anyone make any move to go after his mom, he looked up and gave Shouta the hardest stare he could muster. "Go...talk to her. Or I'll accidentally turn your entire wardrobe into dust."

A laugh came from behind him.

"You too." Looking back at Hizashi, "I know you both are cowards, but she doesn't deserve to feel so uncertain. You owe it to Kagome to talk to her." Finished with his work, he put it in a blue folder on the counter and filed it in his bag for tomorrow. Standing and stretching, Tenko moved to Hizashi's side and carefully picked up Hitoshi, who remained asleep as he was shifted into his arms. "I'll put Hitoshi to bed."

"You have an early start tomorrow, too," Shouta reminded.

"I know. I won't be up for much longer."

Kagome finished reading over the emails in her inbox, sitting on her bed with the packet of apple-flavored jelly hanging from her lips. She would go with Hitoshi to the park tomorrow while Tenko was at his extracurricular activities. She didn't want to admit that she was using her son, but she found herself thinking about it. Going there to get close to the young quirkless boy, she couldn't help but have him on her mind. 'Is it cheating if he gets a quirk before being accepted? Hmm, maybe, but I want him to get used to it. He'll need training...but not by Toshinori. Not yet, at least.'

When her door opened, she looked up and was mildly surprised to find Shouta leaning against the door's frame, just watching her. "Need something?"

"Nope, just looking at the milf in bed."

"...you did not just call me that." Her cheeks flushed, and she brought her phone up to block her face. Burying her attention in anything she could focus on. It didn't last long as Shouta was all but shoved inside the room by the blonde who'd stolen most of her attention today. "Is this some kind of intervention?"

"Mn, something like that?"

Shouta scoffed, "it's nothing like that,"

She waited for one of them to continue, the door to her room closing, and her only way out was the window. Her eyes traveled to that window and only managed to illicit a laugh from her lover. Pulling her throw around her shoulders, she snuggled into it like a protective shield. "What do you two want?"

"Is that a trick question?" Hizashi looked at Shouta, who shook his head and moved over to Kagome's side. Sliding in behind her before pulling the bundled-up girl into his arms. Hizashi felt awkward watching the intimate scene but choked down the feeling and instead focused on why he had come inside their room in the first place. "Kagome, I wanted to apologize for this morning."

She wasn't sure what had her asking, but she couldn't stop herself from opening her mouth. "You regret it then?" The confusion in her voice betrayed her inner turmoil. Hizashi seemed just as confused by her question. Not expecting it? Thrown off, guard? How to answer? She watched him muddle through his thoughts for a brief moment before he finally stumbled through a reply.

"I don't regret it, but I am upset that I caused you to feel...mn, well...how do you feel?"

She smiled. He was kind and good-hearted, unlike the perverted underground hero behind her, who had no problems taking her on a roof or his desk. Seriously, he couldn't care less. "I feel confused."

"What confuses you?" Shouta rested his chin on her shoulder, and a small smile broke free from her lips as the five o'clock shadow on his chin tickled her. He smirked at Hizashi, who was damn close to pouting.

"I'm confused...because I didn't hate it. I don't think I liked it as much as I might have if it had happened under different circumstances, but I didn't hate it, which bothers me most."

Hizashi nodded, though his cheeks began to take on a subtle tinge of pink. He tugged at his blonde hair, which he had pulled back in a low ponytail. He did it when he was worried, overthinking, or...that's what Shouta had told him. Was he overthinking something now? He moved over to her bed. Kagome's head was still buried in the throw blanket she'd used to shield herself from the conversation. Locking his eyes with Shouta's, he brought a knee to the bed and leaned forward, resting his hand on Kagome's shoulder. He waited until she lifted her eyes to meet his, all of his attention on her now. "Can I kiss you?"

"What?! N-no! Shouta is, he's..." she turned around, and Shouta was watching Hizashi, a familiar look in his eyes. One he had when he looked at her. She recognized it, and she was starting to understand the situation. It was nothing like it was with her, Inu and Kikyou. The difference was Shouta was letting Kagome decide just how they proceeded. How would she proceed? Turning back to Hizashi, she looked at him. He wouldn't do anything without her permission. He was waiting for her to decide. What did she want? No longer Kagome Higurashi of Sunset Shrine, traveling down a magical well and dealing with heartache and betrayal. She was Kagome Higurashi, just Kagome Higurashi. No, not just anything. She was strong, independent, and currently the mother of two. She was sitting in bed with two very attractive men, and the door was shut. Her eldest was most likely taking care of her youngest and going to bed himself.

Kagome could acknowledge that she was a different person and that the person she was now had choices. She chose...both. Leaning in, she met him halfway, savoring how his eyes widened in surprise. The hand on her shoulder tightened slightly, and the two hands on her waist ran soothing circles along the exposed skin of her midriff with supple fingers. This was her choice. It didn't make her less of a person, and it didn't make her a woman of low value! She was still Kagome.

Over her many years, Kagome had learned of many kinds of love. There were numerous types of love. Determining which ones she'd felt for her friends and family, Yoichi... and of course, Shouta... now, even Hizashi. So here, she focused on the feelings she felt strumming her heartstrings and listened to that pull of emotion. Thinking over the books she'd collected over the years, the topic had been prominent in many of them, and she had often wondered if it were something tangible she'd be able to grasp with her own hands. Here she was now... reaching out; she would take hold of this love, whatever strange yet amazing love this was, and she wouldn't let it go.

Tenko brushed his younger brother's hair and pulled it back out of his face, "your hair really is getting a bit long."

"Yours is long too,"

Tugging a bit at the lavender hair in his hands, he gave the smaller boy a playful glare. "Trying to be like me?"

"Well... no?"

"Then why does it matter if my hair is long?"

"It doesn't! Dad's hair is long too."

'Dads...' Tenko smiled; hearing Hitoshi call Shouta 'dad' always made him smile. He knew it made the man happy- and Kagome too. Not that he didn't think of him like a dad, he was the closest to one he'd ever had. His own father...

"Hey! Ten!"

Blinking away a familiar fog of unease and anger. Familiar, if not absent. He hadn't felt it in such a long time.

"Tenko, you destroyed my brush!"

Yes, he did. That wasn't good. He thought about how long it had taken him to learn to control his quirk and its effect on the things he touched. He'd been desperate to learn how not to destroy the things he touched and how many hours he'd spent working on his control with Shouta. He still wore gloves, of course. Except, he had finally gotten to the point where he could take them off sometimes and relax. Clapping the dusty remains of the brush from his hands, he closed his eyes and focused on his emotions, which poisoned his mind and crippled his control. When he opened his eyes again, his brother looked at him with worry. "Sorry, Toshi, I'll buy you another one. Let's get you in bed."

"Do you need to tell mom?"

Tenko smirked. His brother wasn't stupid. "Yes, I do, and I will. Tomorrow though. She's had a hard day and is..." he stopped and thought for a minute about how he should word what he wanted to say, "probably talking with dad and Hizashi right now...or something." Blushing, he shook his head and quickly redirected his thoughts to anything but what was happening downstairs.

"You won't forget?"

"I won't forget,"

Hitoshi nodded, climbing under his sheets and pulling his blankets up as he yawned. "Night, Tenko."

"Night, Toshi." Barely trailing his fingers across his brother's forehead as he brushed his bangs from his face, Tenko smiled at the sleepy boy. Giving the room a quick once over before reaching down and picking up a familiar stuffed toy, careful not to place all five fingers on the toy lest he face his brother's tears. Right now, his quirk was fighting him, so it was best not to test his luck on those he loved. Stepping over to Hitoshi's bed one more time, he laid the Present Mic toy beside his younger brother and quietly closed the door as he left for his own room. In the years that passed, he could say that he had made this room his own and truly felt that this was his home. He understood that he was safe here, with Kagome, Shouta and Hizashi, and of course, Hitoshi. Then at night, his mind would occasionally wander to Takeshi...Sensei...not that he would ever call him that again.

Once inside his room, he made the intelligent decision to turn in early. He had a few months left of school, so he couldn't start slacking; just because he took the exam for U.A. didn't mean he passed. Having a "dad" on the inside didn't help him either. Throwing himself back on his bed, the book beside his pillow bounced with the motion. Rolling onto his side, he picked it up and opened it to where he'd left off. "An hour won't kill me."

Kagome was curled into Hizashi's side asleep, her head resting against his chest as Shouta read silently beside the two. It was the most relaxing part of the night, but he'd have to leave shortly, and that was when his night would become stressful, his thoughts being all that kept him company. Peering at Hizashi, the blonde ran his fingers along the arm resting on his midriff. The night hadn't gone quite the way Shouta had imagined it would. Kagome had been more emotionally exhausted than he or Hizashi had noticed, and after she'd decided to push forward with the kiss... her body seeking his touch, her eyes closing ever so subtly as sleep tugged at the corner of her mind. Shouta had laughed and told her that she needed rest and that Hizashi would be here when she woke up. Both had looked at him, unsure if he was seriously saying that Hizashi would stay in their bed. Naturally, he wasn't going to kick him out. Right now was a pivotal moment for the three of them. He needed to allow the two some skinship, and then, well, the nights would certainly be warmer with two bodies on either side. Until then, he'd give them time to get familiar with the other, more so than they already were.

Placing the book he was reading aside on the table, he carefully removed himself from the sheets and started to move around the room. Dressing for another night on the town, stalking the shadows, patrolling the streets.

"Shou-"

Glancing over his shoulder as he adjusted his uniform, he looked to see Kagome staring up at him sleepily. "Hm?"

She sat up, stretching her arms, her breasts jutting out for attention at the sleepy motion before she dropped her arms to her side. "I need to get dressed too. Nezu requested that I do my own patrols for him."

"What?" Hizashi voiced Shouta's confusion, watching as Kagome dragged herself from bed and pulled on her undergarments. He leaned over on the bed and watched her pull on a pair of faded jeans and a black top with the word HELLO on the front in bold white. The two watched as she moved around the room, looking for something.

"Don't you need a license to conduct patrols?" Shouta knew the answer; that didn't stop him from bringing her lack of a license up to her.

Kagome smirked and gazed at her lover with a sultry look, "Licenses are for heroes. A hero, I am not." She returned to looking around the room, "where is that black and white striped cardigan?"

"Living room," Hizashi answered, having seen it the day before on the hat rack.

Shouta frowned, "why does Nezu want her patrolling?"

"No idea. Have you seen her in combat? All this time we've lived with her, have we seen her fight or utilize any hero traits?"

"I don't fight. Not really. Not that I can't. I'm just more of the support slash healer type." She replied to their curiosities while pulling her cardigan on and moving across the room to the dresser. A pair of socks and black combat boots followed in time, and she was tying her hair up to complete her nighttime ensemble. "Shields, barriers, healing injuries, and restoration if need be. No worries, though; I can take care of myself on a battlefront. That's not the reason for the patrols, however. I'll probably be back in a few hours before you get home." Leaning down, she kissed Hizashi on the lips, lingering a moment before pulling away and repeating the action with Shouta, who wasn't so easily satisfied with just a kiss. His hands found her wrists and held them captive while leaning in for a deeper kiss. Dipping down to a spot along her neck, he suckled along her pulse and pulled a throaty moan from her lips. Smirking along the exposed flesh, he pulled back and let her go.

The night was cool, not cold, just cool. Walking a clear path that had been sent to her phone, Kagome carried on her way. Nezu said there was a potential rehabilitation case in the area, which would be hard to handle and require a specific skill set. Her skill set. So, here she was.

"AHH~ G-GET OFF!"

Kagome jumped at the high-pitched scream. Not wasting any time, she ran in the direction of the continuous shrill screams. The voice was a child's voice. It was a girl. A young girl. She could hear it. Small. Kagome felt a tightening in her gut as she maneuvered closer to the screaming.

"SOMEONE! SOMEONE HELP!"

She rounded a corner; her eyes zeroed in on a few things all at the same time. A little girl was scratching along the arms of a man, and bloody lines were drawn along defined muscles. The girl's feet desperately kicked to no avail. A teen boy standing off to the side, blue flames spiraling in his hands before being thrown forward with the intent to burn the man alive. Kagome's hands moved to throw a barrier up just in time to protect the man, distracting the creep well enough that she could kick him off the girl he was holding down.

Meeting the teen's eyes, he watched her before repeating the action of burning the man alive, and this time... Kagome didn't stop him. Instead, she knelt in front of the little girl. Her fingers were already glowing as she reached out to her. She was scared and pulling away; Kagome had to move quickly to catch hold of her. She was careful of the injuries along her arms; even as she healed her, she scratched at Kagome as if her life depended on it.

"Hey, hey! Calm down; I'm not going to hurt you!" She said this, ignoring the pained screams of the man being tortured and killed by the hot flames of the boy not too far from her. "Come on, little one, open your eyes. Look at me."

Finally, her voice broke through, and the girl stared up with blurry, tear-filled eyes, fingers trembling as she released her vicelike grip on Kagome's forearm. There was asking and blood beneath her nails. Kagome wasn't worried about that, however. No, she pulled the girl into her arms, cradling her against her chest while healing her of any physical injuries her energy and quirk could reach. Kagome had been so scared when she heard the desperate plea for help, not sure what was happening or if she'd make it. How could someone do something so horrible to a child? To anyone, really! A child, though?! Hearing slow, heavy steps, she looked up and stared curiously at the looming figure. "...is he dead?" Perhaps she should have stopped him, but there was a dark part of her that didn't care about the man who'd tried hurting this little girl. If the boy in front of her didn't... she would probably kill him.

"He'll live... but those burns he's sustained... he'll feel them for the rest of his miserable life."

A smaller part of her was relieved that the boy hadn't killed him. Small as it was, she heaved a careful breath, realizing that he was still just a kid and killing wouldn't look all that great on his file. Still- she eyed the still-smoking flesh of the man not far from them. No, no, she shouldn't. She was meant to protect... not kill. Standing with the still-shaken girl held firmly in her arms, she stepped forward and tilted her head as she took the boy in. "Fire Tripper?"

He shrugged, "that seems to be what people have been calling me."

Kagome smiled, "are you hungry?"

"..."

His eyes widened. That was all she saw before stepping away to call for someone to come and pick up the dirtbag on the alley floor. Still holding the girl. Still hugging her close, she had no intention of letting her go until she was sure she was okay. "Hey, could you send someone to the cross-section across from the downtown arcade plaza-"

Her phone call lasted three minutes, with Nezu confirming that he'd have police en route to the given location. She didn't waste time turning to the boy and motioning him to follow. "Best if you're not around when the police show up. Come on," she walked through a few connecting alleyways, avoiding anyone as she slipped out onto the street and glanced around.

"Hey, lady?"

"Hm?"

"The kid, is she okay? Does she need to go to a hospital?"

"No, perhaps I'm just overconfident, but you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who could heal her up better than I can." Kagome smiled; turning around, she faced the boy. The light that shone down on him from the street lamp to her right allowed a better view of who had helped her.

"Even Recovery Girl?"

"I said what I said," Kagome muttered before shaking her head and stepping out of the way from a couple clinging to one another. She eyed them, still wary of her surroundings, then nodded towards a cafe not too far from them. "I asked if you were hungry, I don't believe you ever answered."

"You don't even know my name."

"I'm Himiko!" The girl in her arms said, finally lifting her head from where she'd had it resting against Kagome's chest. She was still holding onto her, wrapped in Kagome's arms like she was precious cargo.

"Himiko, huh?" Kagome gave a soft hum, "Himiko, why were you in such a scary place alone?"

"I- I was hiding."

"Who from?"

"..." she ducked her head into Kagome's shoulder and shook her head back and forth.

'Let me find out that she's in trouble; I'm so fucking done with people hurting children!'

A hand touched uncertainly along her arm, and she jumped before looking into the concerned eyes of the young boy who'd been the first to arrive at the girl's desperate cries. "What are you going to do with her?"

"What would you do with her?"

He looked down, staring at the lines of the floor before moving into a booth and taking a seat.

"Himiko, I know it won't change your scary night, but would you like a shake? This cafe has a bunch of yummy shakes!"

"I want one!" She said excitedly, moving from Kagome's hands and climbing into the booth across from the boy.

"What about you? Food, drink, whatever you want, it's on me." She held out the menu for Himiko, who ogled the shakes and burgers.

"Keep her."

"What's that?"

He looked up at her, and she met his eyes head-on. "I said, 'keep her.' You asked what I would do, and that's my answer."

"..." Kagome smiled, and then, unable to contain herself, she started laughing. "Alright, alright! Then I'll keep her, and I'll keep you too! Tell me, kid, what should I call you? The name the media gave you is a bit impersonal."

He looked completely taken aback by her. Himiko was staring up at her with bright eyes, and Kagome was eyeing the menu as she held this conversation regarding keeping the two strays. Would she truly do it? Well, she already had Tenko, and then there was Hitoshi... why not? She had never been so happy. The day she brought Toshi home, he became a part of her life, and she and Tenko started to really move forward. The world had begun spinning again. Now? Now she needed to be careful with how she proceeded.

"Which name should I give you? Are you serious about taking me with you too?"

"..." she took a careful breath, closed her eyes, and listened to the bustling of the civilians in the cafe. "Tell me about yourself. I'm not about kidnapping, but depending on the situation, I am not below starting a war to save a child. If that means getting legal rights for them, then so be it. I'll do it."

He laughed at that, "legal rights? You couldn't. My old man is too powerful."

Considering her words once more, she shook her head, "will you trust me?"

"..."

"What do you have to lose, kid?"

"Heh, fine... my name... is... Touya."

"So Himiko and Touya." She stalled as a waitress walked up to them with a smile. A hand reached out to hers, and she smiled down at Himiko, who leaned into her.

"Hi, welcome to Dai-ko Cafe! What can I start you guys off with?"

"Himiko-Chan?"

She looked up at Kagome, then back to the waitress before pointing at a burger and shake. She didn't say a word, turning her face into Kagome's side as she wrapped an arm around her.

"A bacon burger, dear? Do you like everything on it? Ketchup, mustard, mayo?"

"Mayo and mustard," Himiko finally answered. "Extra cheese and lettuce!"

"Awesome! Now that shake, you wanted the cookies and cream?"

Himiko nodded, smiling a little as the woman wrote down her order. Kagome placed a hand on her head, and she leaned into the touch.

"What about you, hun?"

"Just the number two, with everything but tomatoes. A coke too."

"I'll have a sweet tea. Thank you," she watched the woman leave before looking down at the girl who had curled in on her. "I never introduced myself, did I?"

Himiko looked up at her, shaking her head. She blushed as she stared at the woman who'd shown up for her.

"Kagome, that's my name. Actually, I came out here looking... for you," pointedly, her gaze settled on Touya. She wasn't completely sure if that was true, but it seemed to be what Nezu wanted. Not that she'd let the principal completely handle things, these two needed more than that. "So, who wants to start?"

"You should probably start, considering you're offering to take two kids off the streets without either of us knowing anything about you."

Kagome nodded, "I... I'm not what I would call a good person. I recently picked up a job at U.A. as the Personal Assistant of the Principal. I have two children, not married, but I'm not single either. My past is a long and winding road of poor choices and cowardly decisions that led me to finally decide to do something to protect someone important to me. If I were to describe myself in three words, I would say... cautious, protective, and elusive. This is me. Now, I threw some careless words by saying I would take you both home, but I am willing to hear you out to see if I can do something to help you both. Touya, tell me about yourself."

"..." he looked uncertainly at the table, tapping his finger on the glossed top as he thought critically about his next words. Honestly, he couldn't wrap his head around why he followed the woman; oh... that's right. The little girl. He wanted to make sure she didn't end up hurt. "I- my father is an asshole."

"Ah! That's bad..."

Kagome raised a brow at Touya, whose cheeks burned at the little blonde's gasp. Her eyes were wide as she listened.

"..."

She nodded, "you don't need to continue. I can speak with you both individually unless Himiko doesn't mind sharing in front of Touya?"

Himiko was quiet. Her head dropped forward as she stared at her fingers. Looking up for a moment, she pointed excitedly at the waitress bringing back the food and drinks. The table was quiet while she passed the food around, and drinks were placed on the table. As her shake found its way into her line of view, she quickly grabbed it and found the straw.

"Then, at least answer me this... " watching to ensure the waitress was out of hearing range. Once she was sure no one would hear her, she continued. "The two of you have families... are they looking for you?" The last thing she needed was for disgruntled parents to be beating at her door at odd hours of the night for kidnapping.

"My dad thinks I'm dead."

"..." well, that was something. Worrisome was the word. No, no, distressing hit a bit closer to home. "O-kaay..." Kagome looked to the bewildered Himiko, who pulled away from her shake long enough to answer her. There was a lot she'd have to delve into with Touya, absolutely no doubt in her mind, but now was seriously not the time.

"Mama and papa aren't looking for me... I got kicked out of my home."

Right, Kagome was truly contemplating whether or not she'd regret it if she just went on a killing spree. Some people, she thought, the world could really do without. Parents that disregard their children... it was infuriating. "I see," Kagome nodded, "then if you both aren't opposed to it, I would be happy to open my home to you both. Are you against the idea of three meals a day? Going to school? Or lots of hugs and cuddles?"

"I like hugs!" Himiko was quick to curl against her again, still drinking her shake, the chill of the cup fairly close to Kagome's side as she let the girl nestle against her. "Touya?"

Trying to look as unaffected by the idea as he possibly could, Touya cleared his throat, "...go easy on the hugs and the cuddles; the rest doesn't sound so bad, though. Um, as far as school goes... I'm already sixteen, and I never finished High School."

There was a lot that bothered her about these kids. Not the children particularly, but their situations. She wasn't worried about getting the boy in school or the girl, but she would definitely need to reach out to their parents. However, if the boy's father truly suspected he was dead... did she still need to talk to him. 'Hm, I'll talk to him... I'll kick the guy's ass too!' Kagome smiled, "I'll talk to Nezu... you may be getting private classes until we can integrate you into the semester. Would that be okay?" When did taking kids in become second nature to her, she wondered loosely.

"Hey, Kagome?"

"Hm?"

"Earlier, your hands were glowing pretty, and all my cuts and bruises went bai-bai! Does that mean your quirk is making people feel better?"

"...mn, something like that." Kagome wasn't interested in explaining her quirk. Technically, she'd just used her miko abilities, not her quirk. The injuries weren't severe enough that she needed to use her quirk. "All you need to know about my quirk is that if you're ever hurt, I'll make the pain disappear. From cuts to burns...if you ask, I'll take the pain away." Her eyes met Touya's, who looked dumbfounded by her declaration. Like he didn't think it possible, or the idea was not even one he'd entertain. "Eat up! I'll call Hizashi to tell him I'm bringing two cuties home!" Kagome slipped out of the booth and turned sternly to Himiko, still drinking her shake, "eat."

Himiko giggled cutely, a wide smile forming as she placed her shake down on the table and hurried forward to grab the burger.

Staying where Touya could still see her, not wanting the boy to think she would just up and leave them, Kagome first called Nezu. Informing him that she would need his assistance and would meet with him tomorrow concerning two children she'd be taking in. She ignored his laughter on the other end of the line before ending the call. Next, Hizashi. His groaning into the phone at being woken up had her pulling her lips into a pout. He sounded so cute right now. She could imagine him sleepily dragging himself across the bed to reach his phone, blinking sleepily as he tried to wake up just enough to be a functioning human. "Zashi, I have a favor. Could you set up one of the rooms not being used? I have two kids with me, and... well..." she didn't need to finish the sentence. He was laughing at her too. Not quite as manic as Nezu, but there was definitely a chuckle to be heard.

"I'll take care of it. You said there were two?"

"A sixteen-year-old boy, and... I'm not sure of the girl's age, but she looks around Toshi's age, maybe a year older?"

"...I'll figure out the rooms. I'd rather not have any unsavory incidents, so I'll set both mine and Shou's up. That is if you're okay with two really cute guys staying in bed with you..."

There was a question in there, and she clearly heard it. "I have absolutely no problem with that. I'll see you soon." Smiling at the sound of a relieved breath escaping him, she hung up and returned to the kids. She would stay as long as they wanted, and when they were ready, she would guide them home. Ah... home... there was a word she'd longed for, and now, she was doing something with it. Creating this safe place for these children who had nowhere to go, well... nowhere safe to go. On the streets, there was always somewhere you could go. It just... wasn't ever home.

Me: Here is chapter nine. I'm sorry it took so long. This has been sitting on my desktop for a good sweet minute, and well... it's up now. Much love!