Kagome picked up a towel to dry her hands on. ⌠Sorry Kurama, I▓m having an old friend over for dinner, but you▓re more than welcome to join us if you want.■
⌠Are you sure that would be okay? I mean I understand if you just wanted to spend time with you friend.■ He replied.
She shook her head. ⌠Of course it▓s okay, I wouldn▓t have asked if it wasn▓t. We usually have dinner together at least once every month, so you are welcome.■
Kurama took a moment to think. She was basically giving him the okay to pursue her. ⌠That would be lovely. What time should I come by?■
⌠I finish work at five, so if you want to meet me here then, we can go straight to my apartment.■ Kagome replied. ⌠I hope you are okay with mousakka cause that▓s what▓s on the menu tonight.■
⌠What is mousakka exactly?■ He asked. ⌠I don▓t believe I▓ve ever heard of it.■
Kagome giggled slightly. ⌠It▓s a Greek dish with minced lamb, aubergine and mashed potatoes. It tastes better than it sounds.■
Kurama nodded. ⌠Should I bring a bottle of wine?■
⌠If you want to, a nice rose would go excellent with it.■ She replied. ⌠I▓m sorry to rush you, but Keiko will be here in about ten minutes.■
⌠Of course, I▓ll swing by at five to pick you up.■ Kurama said as he exited.
XOX
Kurama turned up at five to five. He waited patiently in the lobby for Kagome to some down from her office. While he was waiting, he made light conversation with Ayame. ⌠So how are you doing today Ayame? We never got a chance to talk earlier.■
⌠Doing good, the kids are alright. How are you doing?■ Ayame responded.
Kurama nodded. ⌠Pretty good actually. Do you know when Kagome will be out?■
Ayame picked up the phone and dialed a three-digit number. ⌠Kagome┘yes dear, he▓s here┘.calm down, I▓m sure he▓ll understand┘okay, bye.■ She hung up and looked at Kurama. ⌠She said she▓ll be a few more minutes and sorry to make you wait. She dropped a bottle of herbal lotion and smashed it, so she has to clean up quickly.■
Kagome came rushing into the reception a few moments later, panting. ⌠Sorry about making you wait Kurama. Ayame are you ready to go?■
Ayame nodded and turned all the lights off. ⌠Ready when you are Kagome.■
⌠Kurama I just have to drop Ayame off at home first, her car is with Koga, so if you want to follow me in your car, we can go straight to my place from there.■ Kagome explained.
⌠That sounds alright.■ He responded and walked through the reception and out the door.
Kagome and Ayame followed close behind, with Kagome tossing her car keys at the girl before turning and locking up the spa. She walked over to where Ayame was waiting by her black VW Beetle and go in. she pulled out of the parking lot and they were off, with Kurama trailing them in his red Cavalier. She dropped Ayame off at a nice town house about a dozen miles away and turned back on herself to go to her apartment complex. When they both got there, Kagome pulled up in front and parked with Kurama doing the same behind her. She opened the front door to the complex and he followed her up two flights of stairs and down the hall to her apartment. She opened the door and stepped in.
⌠Welcome to my humble abode. Please ignore the mess, Shippo likes to play with every toy he owns when Rin is over.■ She said as she slipped off her shoes. She noticed a pair of white Nikes that weren▓t hers nor Rin▓s and walked through to the living room.
⌠No need to explain Kagome, my brother is the same when I go to visit.■ Kurama smiled at her and followed her into the living room.
Kagome saw her brother on the couch next to her son and grinned. ⌠Hey Dork of Ages, what are you doing here?■
Sota looked at her and scowled. ⌠I told you not to call me that! Rin got sick as school today and had to go home so she asked me to watch Shippo and tell you that she was sorry.■
⌠Is she alright?■ She asked while picking up Shippo for a hug.
Sota shrugged. ⌠Said something about bad shrimp last night.■
⌠Okay then, as long as she▓s alright.■ Kagome said. ⌠Oh! Sota this is Kurama, Kurama this is Sota, my little brother.■
⌠Nice to meet you Sota.■ Kurama said politely.
⌠You too.■ Sota replied. ⌠Bout time you met someone sis.■
Kagome smacked her brother in the head with her free hand. ⌠Shut it brat.■ She turned her attention to Shippo. ⌠Did you have fun at school today baby?■
Shippo nodded. ⌠Yeah I did momma, we learned out ABC▓s! You wanna hear?■
⌠After dinner Shippo. But you need to pick up your toys okay, we▓re having company for dinner.■ She replied and put him down. ⌠Kurama would you like to join me in the kitchen?■
Kurama nodded and followed her to the kitchen. ⌠Did you need me to do anything?■
Kagome took the mousakka she had prepared the night before out of the fridge and put it in the over. ⌠You could help me make a salad if you like?■
⌠I could do that. Are the vegetables in the fridge?■ He asked.
⌠Yep, they▓re in the crisper.■ She replied as she took a knife out of the block and the chopping board from beside it. ⌠Could you please pass me the carrots?■
He handed her the carrots and began to tear the lettuce. ⌠So, how long have you owned Kiyasume Hirate for?■
⌠Oh, I started it after I left college. I always wanted to have something of my own so I opened the spa. Sango and Ayame are friends from high school so we all went in together.■ Kagome said, slicing the tomatoes. ⌠What about you? Ho did you get into the museum business?■
⌠I studied ancient myths, history and artifacts at college because I wanted to be an archeologist. When I left though, I kinda fell into the profession. I love what I do.■ He replied.
Kagome piled the vegetables into a bowl and placed it on the table. She was about to check the oven but the doorbell rang, so she called for her brother. ⌠Sota! Can you get that?■
⌠Sure sis.■ Sota called back and went to the door. ⌠Hey she▓s in the kitchen.■
The addition to the household walked into the kitchen holding a cake pan. ⌠Hey Kagome, I brought chocolate mocha cake for dessert.■
Kagome walked over to him and gave him a hug. ⌠Hey Kazuma, it▓s lovely to see you.■
He placed the cake in the fridge just as Shippo came bounding into the room. ⌠Hiya Kazuma! I learned my ABC▓s today, you wanna hear?■
⌠Maybe after dinner Shippo. Hey Kurama, what are you doing here?■ He asked, only now spotting the red head at the table.
⌠I was invited. What are you doing here?■ Kurama replied.
Kuwabara grinned. ⌠We do this at least one a month. Me and Kagome go way back.■
⌠Yeah we dated for about six months back in junior high before he moved. We stayed in touch though.■ Kagome explained. ⌠So who wants dinner?■
XOX