Chapter 7: The cruise and meetings

After saying farewells to Melk and after on the road again to go back home, the question of where Kagome was going to stay at arose. Though the choice was obvious for her to live with Toriko, she refused. She spoke, brokenly but a bit more fluently, that if Toriko was going to be her possible intended if she meets more people, she couldn't live with him. It was something Jiro taught her that and her instincts told her so.

Thinking about it, they sorta decided to place her with Komatsu. She sorta explained that he was like a brother to her or something similar to that sense. After a night with Komatsu, it was settled that she would live with him and learn how things go in a city. And to speak more properly.

The next few weeks, Kagome collected necessaries for herself, with help from Toriko's card, but she still wore outfit from Melk until a few run-ins with Tina on one shopping trip were Tina dragged her store to store, then, finally spotted some clothes that she wanted, a white tank top with a red scarf big enough to cover her shoulders when she tied it around her neck and green cargo pants with comfortable brown combat boots. Though, she doesn't wear the boots or clothes since she still has Melk's outfit on, but Toriko and Komatsu asked her to get them anyways. Also, Tina gave the boys the relief of leaving the feminine stuffs for Kagome to her, plus a dress for Kagome should she go to any formal events with Toriko and another for every day wear. It was a formal dress, a simple, yet lovely blue gown much like Tina's but only Kagomes's goes to her ankles and has a split seem to show her shapely calves and sliver heels that went with them. The casual dress light green with darker green vines and leaves stitched in then with brown sandals.

It was when Kagome was with Komatsu, learning how to write in his living room, that Toriko called up to bring them to the Gourmet Carrage. Kagome didn't know what it was, but Komatsu did. He was ecstatic about it and agreed to join him. Komatsu then started to teach her etiquette. It. Was. Hell. Kagome's only saving grace from Komatsu gentle, yet strict teachings was braving her memories of early, early ancestors that were discovered and brought in to the human world, learning the same as Kagome is currently. Now, Kagome had grace outside of fights.

It was right now that Kagome is still wearing her borrowed outfit and hair in its usual braid. She was able to get Komatsu to stop staring at his new kitchen knife to get onto the cruise, if being late to meet Toriko. Komatsu told her early on that it was a 'formal' event, so Komatsu just told her to pack her dress to and extra clothes in her large yellow backpack. Kagome didn't know why Komatsu got that bag, but she could lift it; had space to put necessities and more; and she didn't really care. Though, she did sew on her old skin bag to make her new bag more durable.

Kagome smiled when she saw Toriko sitting at a table and walked over to him. She stopped before him and nodded her head, smiling brightly.

"Hello, - Toriko. How - are you?"

Toriko looked at Kagome, nodding in approval at her improved speech, making her smile more brightly. Kagome looked at Toriko's companions when the man with the hat on coughed politely.

"Toriko, who might this, be?"

Kagome stiffened, feeling that she being picked apart by his gaze. Kagome stiffened even more when she felt strands thinner than what she had ever felt, inspect her. Kagome's instincts told her that they are potently dangerous if they lived, beyond now, thus a danger to her. Kagome narrowed her eyes and slightly shifted her stance. Toriko must have had felt and seen this because he stood quickly to block her view of the men and placing both hands stern on her shoulders to restrain her. Kagome glared at Toriko, instincts going slightly wild, until locked gazes with her and squeezed his hands. She calmed as she stared in his eyes and when the strands were gone.

Toriko then let go of her. Kagome huffed and looked to the side before looking at the confused men.

"Alright, guys, this is Kagome. Kagome, that's Coco and the multi-color haired man is Sani."

Toriko gestured to each man in introduction. Kagome nodded, smiling a bit more openly and relaxing completely having been introduced properly to know that they don't mean harm to her. They returned greetings in their own fashion.

"Pleased to meet you, though, I'm more interested as to how you met each other."

"Nice 'ta meet you"

Then Kagome got distracted by Komastu and the voice that came from the boat. Kagome became giddy when she saw the Giga-horses pulling the cruise. Her eyes were bright with fascination and curiosity. They walked along the deck with varying snacks. Kagome and Komatsu both got many scoops of ice cream. Komastu was having a hard time balancing his while Kagome happily ate her ice cream. Komatsu's and Kagome's stuff were put away at the moment to enjoy the ship for the rest of the day.

Kagome leaned against the railing, finishing off her's and Komatsu's ice cream. Komatsu got full about half way down it. She didn't pay attention to the conversation behind her as she enjoyed the breeze until she heard Toriko say her name in the conversation. She turned to stiffen when the strands were back and was under Coco's stare again. They were talking about where she came from. Was it that hard to accept that she came from the Gourmet World? Apparently, it was. Kagome glared at Coco and made her skin turn to her newly remade scales after flexing every muscle in her body to force out Sani's touches.

Kagome sighed and turned back to her food when the men turned to discuss other things. Kagome let her skin go back to normal after she felt Sani's touches stop trying to get under her scales and skin.

Soon it was dusk and everyone in the group went to sit at a table at the main deck in front of the cruise. Kagome looked at all the wondrous food and started to eat when Tina came by with her camera and Kerupo. Then a gruff man in fur skins came by. Kagome only glanced at them before going back to get more food from the shops since she already ate all the food on the table already. She may have been able to control her appetite, but that doesn't mean it isn't still there.

Kagome came back to the table to see everyone clicking their glasses for some reason. She heard Toriko call it a toast or something. Then Toriko noticed all the empty plates Kagome left, complaining about it. Kagome sighed and walked over to set her trays down. She was carrying 2 medium trays full on both her arms and a large one balanced perfectly on her head. They were full and almost overflowing with food.

"Awesome, Kagome! I'll get some too!"

"Ah, what beautiful balance!"

Sani then used his touches to set the trays on the table. Kagome smiled brightly at Sani, and thanked him for the help. Sani just ignored her as he complained about the three men in skins not harmonizing with the cruise. Toriko also brought over a large tray of fresh sushi, plus he starts eating from the store fronts too.

Then, when it got dark, the cruise was passing an area in the middle of winter where it was snowing. The group, minus the skin wearing trio, got dressed up for the formal dance in the ball room the large ship had. Kagome had yet to appear with Tina as Tina rushed Kagome off to get her prepped.

When Kagome appeared in her formal dress with her hair up in a bun, but since she had so much hair, the rest fell out of the center of the bun to fall to her waist in delicate waves. She also had on light make-up to compliment her face in blue and silver. Kagome looked nervous and embarrassed. Tina came behind her with a victorious grin. The guys just stared as Kagome walked graceful over to them, gaining a few stares from the other male occupants. Kagome accepted a glass of wine from Coco, smiling at him with a cute little flush to her cheeks from so much attention.

Then, when Kagome finished sipping her wine, a new song played. Kagome giggled as Sani and Komatsu 'danced'. They looked cute and the dancing looked fun. The only problem is that she doesn't know how to dance, but as Kagome observed the other couples, mainly one female the other male, there was a rhythm in there steps. Kagome wanted to try it. So Kagome grabbed Coco before Toriko could walk up to him, and tugged him to the dance floor. Kagome felt something enter her system once she touched Coco's bare hand, it was enthralling. Coco tried to tug his hand out of hers, but she had a firm hand grip. Kagome then placed her hands on his shoulders to keep him in place as she started the motions with a confused Coco.

Kagome glanced at the other females dancing and mimicked them as to where she placed her hands on Coco, missing Coco's confused look. Then Kagome glanced at their feet and started the rhythm she counted in her observation, following Coco's lead as he understood and did his steps. 1,2,3 … 1,2,3 … ect.

Kagome looked at Coco and smiled as she accomplished her dancing. He smiled back at her. He was lightly glad and slightly confused that when holding her hand, she wasn't affected by him momentary slip of control of his poison. Though, he didn't ponder it while looking at her happy expression. He knew that she was from the Gourmet World and could possibly kill him if she had the chance to, but right now she was an ordinary woman having her first dance and having fun. They made small talk, Coco not perturbed by her poor speaking. Kagome liked Coco. He was nice and gentle, but with danger hidden under it after figuring out from him that he was full of poisons. Kagome enjoyed his calm presence.

Until, she was roughly tugged away from Coco and into more fun and wild dance with Sani. Kagome smiled brightly as she danced with Sani willingly and enjoying it. They both laughed as Kagome spun away from him with their hands together, and then spinning her to him making her dress flare to show her beautiful legs. As Sani caught Kagome in his arms to resume the dance, some officials ruined the atmosphere by chasing the big guy in skins and along with a tipsy Tina.

Kagome sighed in disappointment in Sani's arms when Toriko called it a night. Kagome had her back to Sani's chest so she could see everything. The hands on her waist and her hand, plus the man behind her, stiffened and held on to her tighter, pulling her to him more completely. Then she stiffened when his touches came back, but they were gentler. Kagome remembered what Toriko told her, "Don't change your skin with a lot of people around unless it's an emergency. We don't want them to panic."

Kagome felt them seep through her skin and into her body. It was skin crawling kind of feeling. Kagome can hear and feel the vibration of Sani's humming. Kagome, then, felt some of the strands heading towards her fruit, the Shikon Jewel Fruit, in the left side of her waist. Kagome flexed her muscles to get rid of the strands. They froze above her skin as she glared and Sani over her shoulder. He was curious and amused by her. She was defiantly beautiful and went with his dance instead of just flinging her weight around to spin like Komatsu did earlier.

"Why do – you do - that?"

" 'cause, I'm curious and I always do this. You're no' the only one to be touched, thou' you're the only one to feel it. Be'ides, if I were to do it later, you're reactions would 'ave been the same. You are a beautiful woman, Kagome."

Kagome narrowed her eyes as she hm-ed.

"True, but – ask next – time. I might – have – told you – what you – wanted."

Sani hm-ed and smiled as he let her go. Kagome left with Tina, giving Sani an interested backwards glance. Sani has entered her list as well as Coco.

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After getting Tina onto her bed when she passed out on the way to her room, Kagome used her bathroom to wash off the make-up and put on her earlier clothes. Kagome then travels a bit to find her bag in the room Toriko rented. She was able to get there when the loud man said that they arrived at some gates to somewhere. The vocabulary may have increased, but not enough to understand some of what he said. Kagome sighed and opened the door to move aside by a rushing Toriko and Komatsu. Toriko had her backpack, along with his bag of food/presents, on his back as he snatched her hand and dragged to get off the cruise along with Komastu running behind them.

Once they were off and in the safe zone, Toriko was yelling at the retreating boat, but more specifically at Sani and Coco, who, that Kagome gathered, refused to go with them. Komatsu spoke to calm down Toriko, but Toriko just huffed and lead the way towards the gates. When Komatsu asked about the bag, Kagome felt something coming. No, it was like a ringing in her ears was getting louder. When, toriko doubted the amount in his bag, it came. To make sure her ears wouldn't bleed from the pitch the message to be sent through, her ears adapted to cover her ear drums to make the sounds around her muffled, but she heard this clearly,

"it's ain't nearly enough, idiot!"

Kagome can see a ghostly figure of a man before it disappeared. Kagome was intrigued as to who the person was in the message, but Toriko was unnerved along with Komatsu, but Toriko shouted right back in a friendly manner. Kagome was getting a little excited to meet Zerbra.

(I had a thought of stopping here, but since I haven't updated in a while, I'm going to make this chapter really long)

Kagome went along with Toriko to hunt for more food that would satisfy Zebra. She went for the more powerful ones that Toriko couldn't handle. She also wanted to cook with Komatsu since the animals she took down are going to be beyond his skill. Kagome does know how to cook; it's just she doesn't do it often. Kagome fingered the spice bag she had in her pocket as she pulled on the rope of her load, one that was twice as big as Toriko if being two large animals.

Kagome sniffed the air, there are powerful animals coming from afar. They won't be here until a couple of hours from now. Kagome got out of her musings when they came at the wasp nest looking building hanging off of a cliff. There they met with the vice warden. A scary looking man in funny looking clothing, his name was Ohban.

He was going to be their tour guide of Honey Prison up until they get to the warden's office. Kagome walked up, tugging her load to where Ohban was with Toriko following behind speaking to Ohban. Soon the ground underneath Kagome's feet moved down, startling her to be visibly alert. Kagome subconsciously put a hand on Komatsu's shoulder to calm him down while she listened to Ohban explain about the 3 prisons the Human World had. Soon, he ended his talk with the 'Monster of the Forest' hinted warning. They came to the reception area. Komastu hugged her waist and buried his face in her stomach to not see the execution beast with Kagome's reassuring hand on his back. Kagome looked at the beasts in contemplation. Toriko saw her expression.

"We have enough, Kagome. We don't need anymore, so stop giving the beasts the predatory eye."

Kagome sighed in disappointment, but changed her glare to one that said "Back off!" for the execution beasts were eyeing her prey hungrily when they moved out of the elevator. Komatsu stuck to her side as they moved forward, but not literary like before just off to the side. Though, he got freaked out by the man behind the desk. Kagome contemplated on Zebra's obvious violent behavior as she had heard so much about. Komatsu did the same, only more verbally and about the warden.

Komatsu freaked out by the Convoy beast, and clung to Kagome's waist again as Kagome growled at the beast for coming near her caught prey. The beasts froze at her intimidation and moved back. Kagome smirked at them as Komatsu peeked at them from her stomach. With a pat from Kagome, Komatsu calmed down and let go.

They moved through a room call "Menu IV". Kagome listened to the explanation of the Punishment Menu(s). This was the menu for the criminals for "The Stolen Food Full Course".

Kagome listened to him as she looked at the men and very few women suffering from the lack of their favorite food. Kagome can smell and hear their distress. It brought no pity to Kagome. If they weren't prepared for the worst when doing whatever they did, they won't survive in Kagome's book. But, Kagome looked at Komatsu. As far as she knew about him, he was a chief and lived to bring happiness to people by cooking food for them. This place was opposite from he does. Kagome looked at him and placed a hand on his head until he looked at her. Kagome smiled as she patted his head.

"Don't worry. You know – what's right – in your – heart."

Komatsu processed what she said and smiled.

"Thanks Kagome."

She nodded and moved on with Komastu following beside her. Soon the beasts that Toriko and Kagome caught were taken to the kitchen for later. Kagome then looked on as they came to a large door. Kagome ignored Toriko as she studied the carvings. Soon a very small old lady that looks like young child, can though the opening of the door after being announced. The group entered the room as the warden formally introduced herself. Komatsu was still confused about the warden's appearance, until … Toriko got weird. It wasn't until Komatsu looked at the Warden Love again that he got weird too. Kagome didn't know what their reactions for were, but it was obvious that was to direct affections and attentions to Warden Love.

That irritated Kagome a bit to know that, but she didn't do anything except watch the amused warden, waiting for her to quit whatever she was doing. When Warden Love did, she and Vice Warden Ohban spoke of some interesting information about stuff called 'pheromones' and how she is able to control the beasts in Honey Prison. But after the explanation, Warden Love got upset because she isn't able to control someone with her pheromones. That person was Zebra. The reason why she didn't want Zebra to leave was because she "loved" him and wanted him to stay by her side.

They walked down a stone hallway towards where Zebra was kept. Warden Love explained that the floor they were walking on was the execution floor of their Main Dish of their Punishment Full Course Menu. Kagome placed her hand on Komastu's shoulder when an execution beast scared him. Though when Komastu asked why Zebra was placed here, Warden Love's answer confused Komastu and Kagome. Zebra was in here for eating too much.

Kagome learned that it was Zebra's idea that he was executed since he came here, but he's still alive. Kagome got more interested when they came to the windows of Zebra's cell. When Kagome saw Zebra, heat pooled in her body. He was larger and taller than Toriko from her spot so high up from him, but that isn't what Kagome noticed the most. It was his scars. Kagome believed that scars are battle that you have survived and got stronger from. She had her fair share of scars, but he has many from seeing him shirtless and pant-less. She could also feel how strong he is.

Her body noticed that she was over heating before her mind could process it and let out her heat in steam through her pores. Toriko smelled something sultry and felt a breeze of something warm. He looked to a blushing Kagome staring at Zebra. He looked to Zebra, then to Kagome, then to Zebra again. With dawning horror, he came to the conclusion that Kagome liked Zebra. Then he realized that Zebra hasn't said anything to him the whole time he entered Honey prison.

"Komastu! Kagome! Cover your ears! Now!"

After exclaiming it a second time, Komatsu did as told and crutched down while Toriko covered him for protection. Kagome had her ears adapted to the oncoming attack from Zebra. The Sound Bazooka fractured the cell and killed the execution beasts. The shock wave of the attack made Kagome's hair go undone from its braid. It unraveled to show knee length wavy, full-bodied black silk waterfall. The amount of heat that's emitted from Kagome increased. Kagome came out of her daze and cooled down when she heard Toriko yell at Zebra. Zebra just looked at them and laughed a bit.

"How's that Toriko? Did my voice wake you up? You've got an idiotic peaceful look on your face. It looks like the world was pretty boring without me." *grin*

Kagome absently nodded, not noticing Warden Love's suspicious looks. Zebra was placed at the top of Kagome's list.