Chapter 5: Komatsu's discovery and breakthrough

Kagome watched as Melk observed Komatsu's broken kitchen knife. Kagome smiled a knowing smile. She knew what Melk was thinking, and she thought the same too when she looked at it. Then Komatsu came in, in his underwear complimenting on the bath. Melk turned around, asking if it was warm until she caught sight of Komatsu. Melk blushed. When Kagome finally looked up from Komatsu's knife she looked between them, wonder what was wrong. Melk quickly turned around while questioning Komatsu about his state of dress. That was when Komatsu remembered that Kagome was there and then high tailed to get some clothes on, blushing badly.

Kagome just looked on confused as to what's going on. She just shook her head and jut not think about. She looked to Melk to see her still flustered. Kagome thought it was from working too hard.

"Melk – should – take – break - and – relax, - take – bath."

Melk looked to Kagome and then smiled and agreed but only later. Kagome asked if she could come too. Kagome figured that she really loved to bathe. Melk didn't really have a bathing partner before since she got too old for her dad, Melk senior, but it sounded nice to do it with Kagome and agreed.

Kagome watched as Melk work, but saw that she was agitated. Kagome sighed. Ever since Melk saw Komatsu after his bath, she blushes a lot. Kagome still didn't know why, until she remembered what Jiro said on time when he came to visit her.

Flashback

Kagome released her intimidation aura to the area so that she could relax and clean within the hot spring. Jiro was off behind a tree to fight off any beast that was brave enough to go through her intimidation aura. Kagome knew that it was safe enough not to guard her like that. Kagome sighed when she remembered how dirty Jiro was when he came to her cave to rest. Kagome then got an idea.

"Jiro! Come – in! Get - clean"

"Oh, Kagome, I can't do that. It's improper to do so. A man and woman who are not in a relationship or blood related should not bathe together."

Kagome pouted.

"But – you – father – to – me!"

"It's still improper, Kagome even if you think of me like that. Remember Kagome if you were to meet a man about your age then you will understand."

Kagome stayed quiet after that and just swam around with her fins, eating the snacks she could find at the bottom of the spring.

End of Flashback

Maybe this was what Jiro meant. It was a bit later that they finally took a bath. Melk looked at Kagome curiously when her skin and features changed. Kagome explained to the best of her ability as to how she is able to do it, though she thought of it so it was hard to explain. Melk just told her not to worry about it. Kagome pouted.

"Then – why – ask?"

"I was curious since the first time I saw you like this."

At Kagome's curious look, Melk elaborated.

"Last night, Komatsu and I noticed that you were gone so searched for you. Komatsu looked upstairs, but I saw your clothes lying on the ground by the bath. Though what's in the bag?"

"Seasonings – from – I – come."

"Oh, where are you from?"

"Toriko – say – Gourmet – World. He – says – it – dangerous – there. He – right. It – more – relax – here."

Melk just stared at her, thinking

'That would explain some things.'

Melk pulled her hair into a bun as she watched Kagome drift under the water. It amazed her as to what Kagome was and her abilities. Melk looked to the sky, thinking about Komatsu's words and Kagome's gestures. Melk stood up after letting her hair down. Kagome felt the shift in the water and stood too, her skin shifting to normal as they prepared to get out. Then Komatsu came out yelling about a midnight snack, soup.

Melk flustered along with Komatsu, but Kagome didn't know what was going on, she put on a towel on anyways and reaches for the soup Komatsu had, aslo blocking Komatsu's View of Melk as he now focused on her. He was blushing like mad now and a little bit of a nose bleed from looking at Kagome's slight curves for she had a ruler frame like the newly discovered female Melk, but once the soup bowl left his hand, he spun around to not look at them. He could hear Kagome drink the soup and Melk's questioning. Though, soon they were properly dressed to talk inside, Kagome in her fur clothing and Melk with wrappings around her chest and pants. Kagome wondered why he didn't think that Melk was a woman in the first place.

Kagome was going to get more soup and some for Melk too as there was a silence around Melk and Komatsu. Kagome sat down and placed the bowls respectably. Melk started her story. Of how Melk senior found her and took her in, her young age to take on an interest in sharpening kitchen knives, all the disciples that failed after just 3 days of training with him, and the insecurities the she has because she isn't strong enough to provide her own materials and how her sharpening technique is. Kagome remembered how she tried to be just like her past life, but she has moved on since then and she is fired up to help Melk to get her confidence and so was Komatsu. Komatsu argued hi opinion with Kagome nodding along and making wild gestures along it.

Then Komatsu started to gather Melk's sharpened kitchen knives and headed to the basement to cook with them. Kagome moved her block seat to be next to Melk. Kagome reach to Melk's neck and bumped their foreheads together. Before Melk could ask what Kagome was doing, Kagome started to bring up her memories of her strife and self-comparison. Kagome then sent those memories to Melk through there touching heads into Melks mind to see them. To let her she is not alone.

Melk's eyes were tearing up as the smell of food being cooked got stronger. When Kagome was done, she looked determinately into Melk's misty eyes.

"You are not alone Melk. I went through the same thing you did. If I can get through it, then so can you," Kagome gave Melk a soft smile as she pulled away, "we can help you if you let us. Please I don't want to see or hear you degrade yourself like this."

Then there was a large meal in front of the girls, no woman. All were prepared with Melk's kitchen knives.

"Kagome is right. Least's have a meal."

The food was delicious. Komatsu was telling which of Melk's knives he used for each of the dishes and all of them were most delicious. Melk and Komatsu are crying now, for being so happy. Kagome felt something wet slide down her cheeks too. She placed a hand to wipe away the liquid. Kagome stared at the sparking liquid. It smelled different, but at the moment, she didn't care. Kagome then hugged Melk while Komatsu held one of her hands in both of his.

When Melk calmed down, everyone ate the hearty meal. Once the food was all gone, Kagome felt something. A pulsation came running through her system. She has mastered her appetite. Then she began to shine like a star. Komatsu and Melk watched in awe as Kagome began to grow. When the light stop shining, Kagome looked up at Melk, then at Komatsu.

Kagome stood and almost lost her balance for her new height. To Komatsu, she was just as tall as Melk. A really big difference to her earlier height, at least 30 centimeters or more. Her once ankle length hair is now to the back of her knees. Then Komatsu whirled around to not look at Kagome's new hourglass curves. The reason why he did that is because her fur clothing can no longer fit her, they were too small. They split at the seams and are barely hanging on her frame.

Melk then swept Kagome upstairs to give her spare clothing she has. Once done they almost looking exactly alike, except for the eyes, scars, and hair length. They chuckled to each other. Kagome then, with a needle and twine, sewed her furs to go in a half squirt fashion on her backside, hanging on her hips, and the same around her shoulders like an poncho with an opening in the front to show her chest. The bandages used were for only concealment, not to constrain them. Now that had pockets, she put her spice pouch in on.

They went back down stairs when Melk braided Kagome's hair. The thick rope of hair now hangs over Kagome's shoulder. Her bangs framed her face beautifully.

Then it came morning after a few days. Komatsu had his hair tied back in a yellow turbine cloth. He was going to try and sharpen a kitchen knife like Melk. On his first swipe, he did it and it shined a flash. Melk complimented him. Now it was Kagome's turn. Kagome flicked her braid to land on her back. She took a swipe. The shine was bright and lasted a bit longer. Komatsu and Melk congratulated her on it too. Kagome blushed and rubbed the back of her neck.

Then Toriko came back with a bag. Komatsu ran up to him and hugged his waist, crying about how much he was worried. Melk welcomed him. Kagome smiled and stood. She had already given up the idea of having him, but if something where to happen then, meh.

"Welcome – back"

Toriko just stared at her. Kagome frowned. Toriko then walked up to her and compared their height.

"Heh, you're still shorter than me. How've you been?"

Kagome pouted while her cheeks puffed out with an angry flush. She grabbed his ear and pulled. It was not hard enough to pull it off, but hard enough to hurt.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Ow! Hey, stop it!"

"Hmph! That – what – you – get!"

Then Toriko began to tell us what happened when he was gone. Melk had her head hung as she muttered. Then Toriko presented the Melk Stardust to us. It looked just like big hunks of gold with their own glow. Melk marveled over them. Toriko then brought up their deal. Melk agreed and went down stairs to get something.

It turns out to be a piece of a Dragon King's Fang. It looked to be the perfect size for a kitchen knife, but for the irregular bulb at the top. Melk told them how it came to be in her possession. She was going to use it for Komatsu's new kitchen knife. Though, Melk will need to get rid of that irregular bulb at the top. That was when Kagome beckoned to hold it.

Kagome inspected it while Melk explained the reason why she is going to use it for Komatsu and also saying that she won't need money for it. Melk also want to use Komatsu's old broken kitchen knife, for it calls to her that it isn't dead and it can still go on. Kagome was thinking that it would be a fine kitchen knife. Kagome smiled and handed the tooth back to Melk. Toriko then relayed the thoughts of Melk senior about Komatsu's knife that he carried, saying he was interested in the owner of the kitchen knife.

Kagome spaced out a bit, thinking on how hard her scales will be if she ate some of the tooth when she heard Toriko talking about going on another journey to get some Mellow Cola. The ingredient is in a place called Gourmet Pyramid.

Komatsu and Melk started to worry over it, though Kagome could assume just how dangerous it is by the look on Toriko's face. Toriko then said that he will need Zebra's power. Kagome didn't really know who this Zebra is, but he must be powerful if Toriko needs his help. Suddenly, Kagome had a cold shiver slide down through her spine like someone strong just heard them and is waiting. Kagome rubbed her arms and contemplated on what this Zebra's personality is like.