Chapter 8: Persuasion and the Journey

Kagome had to calm down, so she went with Komatsu to cook the beasts she caught. She didn't know of any pre-preparation that was necessary, so when Komatsu entered the kitchen after her, she bumped their forehead lightly to see his training days as a chief in the basics to compare to hers in her memories. When she straightened up, she grabbed an apron with a big grin. The basics weren't too different.

"Alright Komatsu, let's get started cooking!"

She did her sanitary ritual with him, making extra sure that her finger nails were clean. Kagome approached the beasts she caught, Komatsu was watching her. Her forefinger nail grew long and flat, like a really thin kitchen knife. She moved her hand toward the beast and within a quick series of foot movements; the beast was cut and sorted along with the other beast. Kagome gathered the bones and other parts edible and dumped them into two large pots of water for each beast. She didn't hear Komatsu's exclamations. Her focus was the food. Komatsu saw this as she washed her hands again to get started on the vegetables. Komatsu, with determination, went on to cook his portion. He glanced at her every now and then. He did see her put some kind of spice in the pots from her leather spice bag. When the smell wafted over to him, he sighed in bliss at the delicious scent. He did ask her questions now and then to help his cooking, of course, and she happily answered them for him. He learned many new things from her about the meat he usually cooked every day.

Kagome then took a wired ladle the used bones and other un-dissolvable things. She chopped her variety of vegetables and placed them in the pots respectably. Each meat has different textures and different flavors, so different vegetables are used or each pot. She answered Komatsu's questions when he asked and she showed him a few techniques that she knew. After that she went back toward the meat she left to roast. After gathering the common spices, she added her own spice from her spice bag. She rubbed it in and watched the meat mature. It was the spice of a Mature Tree bark. She ground the bark and whatever meat it was rubbed onto would age beautifully into tender meat after being roasted.

She then went to check on her stew, stirring it and tasting it. It had something missing. Kagome took a sample and gave it to Komatsu.

"The stew tastes like something is missing. Will you taste it for me, Komatsu?"

"Yeah, sure! Let's see"

He slurped up the sauce and froze starring at the sample bowl. It was the tastiest stew he had ever tasted, rich meaty flavor with subtle vegetable that are crisp and flavorful and the spices bring out a sultry yet mildly sweet taste in a perfect blend, but, like Kagome said, something is missing. He paced the spice cabinet with Kagome to search for it. Kagome must have found it since she called off the search. Komatsu looked in her hands to see cinnamon. Komatsu wondered about it before going back to his cooking.

Kagome added the cinnamon to her stews and roast rub. She popped the roast in the oven to cook. She got on to frying the other meats that are naturally tender, using flour, cinnamon, salt, and eggs. Kagome tasted one of them. It was crisp on the outside and tender on the inside with the right amount of flavoring from the cinnamon and salt. Kagome got to pan cooking the rest of the meat with a spiced up, yet tasty sauce. She also made fresh bread from scratch, and fluffy rice.

Kagome set about on plating the food. The stew were in nicer pots, the large roast was on a serving plate in slices, the fried bites of meat were placed on a warm rack, and the sautéed meat was in serving plates drizzled with the sauce she made. Komatsu, with the help of Kagome, got his more varied dishes out on the table. Kagome sat in her seat, waiting for Zebra. She fidgeted in her seat, listening to Warden Love and Toriko. She started to get nervous if he was going to like it or not. She didn't know much of the food and spices in the Human World, so she talked with Komatsu while cooking.

Kagome listened to Toriko, over the screaming of men, to learn more about Zebra. She can fight! Though, she didn't think she had a quick temper. Soon, Zebra came into the room. Kagome stood from her seat to stand next to Komatsu. Komatsu got scared and hid behind Kagome. Kagome stood there with a blank face, but there was that small flush to her cheeks.

"That's because there's nothing in this world more stimulating than a fight. Don't get so flustered, kid. Or I'll eat you."

Komatsu just tried to meld with Kagome to hide from Zebra. Toriko took care of that, by directing his attention towards himself. Kagome stood there, waiting for the fight to watch it. She then glanced at the food that going to go cold, then glanced at Komatsu. She sighed. Before Warden Love could do anything, Kagome grabbed both of Toriko and Zebra's arms and pulled them apart. Zebra looked to the cold stare of Kagome's eyes. He raised an eyebrow.

"Who are you, getting cocky aren't you?"

"No, the food's going to get cold if you fight right now. Eat first, after that, I'll fight you if you wish?"

Kagome put on a sly smile, letting go of Toriko's arms. Zebra grinned and slid her hand to hold his to grip on it hard. He was impressed that she didn't flinch. Her smile stayed the same, while her eyes turned feral.

"Keh, fine."

He turned to the table, noticing that she lead him to it without his notice. His grin got wider. Though, it turned to a frown when Warden Love yelled,

"Hey! Let go of Zebra-chan's hand this instant! He's mine!"

He turned to the Warden.

"I ain't anyone's so stop being cocky!"

He watched as she let go of his hand in surprise and scurried to her seat, with a bit of a blush on her face. He wondered about that, but he sat and started to eat some of the stew after hearing everyone thanking it.

Kagome watched his sip, then scarf down the rest. She was happy he liked it. Then she watched with interest that he started to fight with Toriko over it now, until it was gone. Then they started on the second pot of stew. Kagome just ate, as heartily, but avoided foods were her hand might have contacted with Zebra's, letting him have it instead. She also blocked out the Warden to watch, discreetly, Zebra.

Toriko watched Kagome closely. She was acting strange. She gets easily fluster around Zebra yet in moments she acts cool. Then there's her letting have the food that she was going for, yet letting Zebra take it. That was suspicious. She never shared her food with anyone, unless she had to. He still had the feeling that she liked him, which was more apparent. Toriko's attention on Kagome got put to the side as he ate the fried meat and a slice of roast.

"YYYYYUUUUUMMMMM! This is so delicious!"

Komatsu watched on as all the food that Kagome and him prepared disappear. He watched as Toriko and Zebra fight over the food that Kagome made. He glanced at her. She looked so happy, and cute. She had her hair in a high ponytail to keep it out of her face when they were cooking. He looked at the food again to see it gone, while Warden Love shouts the conditions of Zebra's release futilely.

Kagome glanced at Zebra when he finished eating. He turned to her and Komatsu and recounted about Toriko assigning Komatsu to cook Zebra his meal and her volunteering to help Komatsu. Plus when they were cooking, Zebra repeated what they said about what he would have liked. He told them not to get cocky, how much he hated cocky people, and what he likes to do too cocky people. Kagome nodded firmly while Komatsu stuttered an agreement. Komatsu apologized for no reason, setting off Zebra until he was stopped by the Vice Warden Ohban.

Ohban warned them of the "Demon of the Forest" had arrived. Warden Love explained the seasons. She also explained how powerful the magma turtle (demon of the forest) was. Ohban suggested waiting for the release of Zebra until the end of the season. Zebra said that the turtle was getting cocky, and he was going to catch it and eat it. Kagome wanted to watch, so she went to a window to look at the turtle. It looked tasty. Kagome watched with fascination as she listened to Toriko explain why Zebra was sent here and his abilities. He ate 26 species to extinction. Kagome listened intensely about Zebra's ability with sound.

'Fascinating,' she thought. She watched, in awe, how Zebra defeated the turtle. Her ears adapted to the volume a while ago. His attack, Voice Missile, shook the prison with tremendous power. Kagome stared with awe at Zebra, but when she heard that his voice was hoarse, she went into the kitchen. Komatsu came in later to cook the beasts that Zebra killed. Kagome helped after shyly giving Zebra his drink that she made.

Zebra accepted it and once he did, he watched Kagome smile happily and quickly go back into the kitchen. This throat felt better after drinking it. He stared at his glass in contemplation, before he started to eat the food that started to flow from the kitchen.

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Kagome was sitting next to Zebra on the couch, messaging his shoulders. She pouted a bit when he left to tell Komatsu that he was hungry. Kagome went quickly into the kitchen to get Zebra a drink. He just looked at her and took the drink. She smiled. He raised an eyebrow before looking at the doorway of the kitchen. Kagome watched giddily as Zebra was starting a fight with Toriko. Kagome want to join in on it, but knew that their current lodgings wouldn't be able to handle it. Kagome mentally sighed.

Three Days Later

Kagome and Komatsu were sitting at the table with paper and pencils in another room. Komatsu was continuing to teach Kagome how to write and speak more properly. Though Kagome was progressing really quickly, she often got distracted until she remembered that she was learning. That was why she asked Komatsu if they could move to a room so she wouldn't get distracted. He agreed.

Komatsu was grateful for moving to another room, since Zebra liked to fight with Toriko a lot since he gets bored easily. Kagome was writing sentences when Zebra busted through the door, startling Kagome and scaring Komatsu. Zebra looked at them before ordering Komatsu to cook something for him. Komatsu ran out the doorway to get started quickly. Kagome calmly went back to her writings.

Zebra leaned in close behind Kagome to see what she was working on. He could hear her heart beat go faster, though she didn't get scared. He smirked. Kagome is an interesting woman.

"Oi, Kagome! What are you doing?"

"I am learning – how to write. I didn't – know before – Komatsu – started to – teach me."

Kagome tried not to blush. She could feel his body heat on her back. What made it worse is that he's only on a bath robe. She was startled out of her thoughts when Zebra sat down on the opposite side of the table, staring at her. Kagome could feel the blush on her face increase and deepen in color when he stared at her. Kagome went back to writing her sentences as a distraction.

"Oi, why can't you speak right?"

Kagome looked at Zebra in confusion.

"Did Toriko – not tell – you? I am – from the – Gourmet World."

Zebra just stared at her again, this time to study her. Sure, he was going to beat Toriko for not telling him where she came from, but is what she said true. He'll just find out later. He could hear Komatsu placing the plates on the table.

"Come on, it's time to eat."

Kagome nodded and placed down her pencil. She got up, calming down at the thought of food. She walked with Zebra to the table. Toriko, Zebra, and she scarfed down the food that Komatsu prepared. Kagome noticed that Komatsu didn't eat, but before she could snag some food for him, the food was already gone. Kagome sighed and stood.

"Ah, Kagome? What's the matter?" Komatsu asked as he followed her to the kitchen. Kagome smiled.

"I am going – to cook you – something to – eat. I noticed – that you didn't – eat."

Kagome then heard Zebra from the living room.

"While you're cooking for the brat, I need more food! And don't get cocky!"

"Okay!"

Kagome opened the fridge to find only a piece of meat left. Komatsu stated this fact and wondered how they were going to survive the month. Kagome can hear fighting and yelling in the living room. Kagome gave a rue smile at Komatsu.

"Komatsu, I'm going to - go hunt - for more meat. This meat here - will go to you - and I'll bring - some more - for Toriko, Zebra, and I. Is that ok - with you?"

"Ah, ah yes! Yes! You are so kind Kagome, thank you."

"No problem"

Kagome smiled as Komatsu moved into the living room, only to hid back in the kitchen and watch as Kagome cook with his apron on. A table flew by Kagome, only she caught it and placed it down on the floor for Komatsu. Once she was done, he ate. It was delicious! It was sautéed vegetables and meat with a sauce he couldn't identify. It was rich and silky with wonderful flavor. The vegetables and meat were cooked to perfection. Along with the fluffy rice, when mixed together, it tastes heavenly. Komatsu smiled in bliss.

"Ah~ so yummy!"

Kagome smiled and thanked him. She was startled to find Zebra and Toriko trying to sample Komatsu's plate. She got mad. She stomped up to them and shoved them to the living room. Zebra wanted a fight; he got one, with Kagome. Kagome was pissed off at the moment so she just knocked him out on the floor. She just appeared behind him and drop-kicked at the base of the back of his neck, hitting the pressure point to make go to sleep. She turned to a stunned Toriko, and poked him with each word she said. Her speech regressing as she spoke.

"That was - Komatsu's dinner! Do - not - eat!"

Kagome huffed and left the frozen Toriko in favor of hunting. Kagome was going into a sandy desert but it was night already so the more beasts were going to be out, so her body adapted for one. Her skin got leathery and tough, her ears elongated to hear more things and if it was day outside, help release heat from her body to prevent over-heating. She grew hard plates over her arms and her back. The plates seem to go over her clothes without ripping them. They were for protection should anything suddenly attack her from behind. Kagome took off her shoes to show tough skinned feet with short thick claws, the same claws that were on her hands. Then she grew some downy fur to keep warm on the cold desert night, under course fur to keep out sand grains from sticking to her skin.

Kagome felt someone's stare on her person. She looked to see Zebra awake and staring. She grinned and stuck out her tongue. She went out the door and fell to the desert sand before Zebra could charge her for being cocky. Kagome rolled into a ball, her plates on her back enlarging to cover her. Now she looked, on the outside, a tan leather ball. She collided with the ground and rolled. She flexed her muscles to go faster until she hit a beast.

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Kagome came back early in the morning with a large haul of beasts. She did eat one, so she could us its skin as a bag for desert vegetables she found in an oasis and brought that back. Kagome had hopped on each building until she got back to the house they were using. Kagome quietly got to the kitchen to dump the dead beasts in there to prepare them later with Komatsu. She wasn't tired since she had many nights were she had to stay awake for defending her little cave and traveling without rest; she wasn't sore because she was used to changes and combat; but she was dirty and wanted to be clean.

Kagome went upstairs to turn on the shower. She turned back to get a towels. After placing them across the shower to accessible after she got out, she stripped and got in. It felt good to get rid of the dust on her skin. Kagome scrubbed and lathered her hair then rinsed. She turned off the water and squeezed her hair to get rid of extra water.

She got out of the shower and dried off. She was putting on stuff called lotion when she heard movement outside the door and harsh banging on the door.

"Hurry it up woman!"

Kagome was hoping to scrub her clothes in the bath, but it seems she won't be able to. She placed her clothes and the towel she used for her hair in the basket and wrapped the other one around her. She opened the door to an open mouthed Zebra, staring at her. He seemed frozen. Kagome didn't know why though. She waved at the bathroom.

"It free. Excuse me."

She moved past him. She could feel his stare until she got inside her room. She looked at the full length mirror to see her towel clung to her skin like it was second skin. It ended a few inches above her knees showing her shapely yet lightly scared legs. Her arms and cleavage had the same appearance, nice, yet lightly scared. Her skin was lightly tanned with scars all over, the scars themselves are light, but noticeable. Her hair is damp and hangs towards her knees in waves. Did Zebra like her scars? Kagome didn't know, but didn't think much of it. She dressed in her new outfit that she got with Tina since the one she got from Melk is dirty and tattered.

~~~~~~~~~~~Rest of the month later~~~~~~~~~~~

Kagome finished her lessons for today with Komatsu and right now she was next to him reading the tour guide book he found together, pointing out spots that looked good to go to if they had the time. Toriko was eating some meat that Komatsu made. When Toriko asked about the book, Kagome let Komatsu explain as she held the book for Toriko to see. She was sitting in between them. Kagome wanted to go to the Muscovado Desert. It sounded tasty to eat. She listened to Toriko talk about the other deserts. At the jewel desert, Kagome unconsciously rubbed the left side of her waist where her Shikon Jewel Fruit sits under her flesh, connected to her blood stream to make sure that it gets its nutrients. Though once she takes it out, it won't be bloody, but like an actual fruit to give to her partner when she finds him.

Supposedly, if you eat a Century Being's fruit, it will give you enormous power by multiplying yours by 10 fold. If you were to find someone who remembers the Century Being Flower, they would tell you that it appears to be a pink jewel of power, the strength of the jewel will depend on how powerful the Century Being is. They say it might grant you 1 wish, but there will be grave consequences if that wish was selfish. But, then again, they would say that it was myth, a legend, something only in stories.

Kagome looked up from the book when Zebra got in her face. Kagome was able to control her expressions so she wouldn't blush as much or at all anymore in the presence of Zebra. He pulled back seeing that she wouldn't get scared or fluster like she used to. He started on describing himself as an environment, so that she and Komatsu should adapt to if they wanted to live. Komatsu stuttered an agreement to the terms. Kagome just nodded, smirked, and changed her skin to her scales in mockery. Zebra then threw a punch at her for being cocky, but she caught it and reversed it back to him. After that, Zebra got close up to Komatsu. She heard Toriko say that they didn't have too. Kagome held up the book closer to her face to not show her bursting-to-laugh smile to Zebra, because if he saw it she would have laughed. Zebra turned his attention to Toriko to yell at him. Though it made, her wonder about Toriko.

When they got off at the station, Kagome listened to Komatsu. She turned when she heard the house break down behind them. Kagome gave a rue smile to Komatsu. She frowned when Zebra went to terrorize a man for staring at him in fright. She went over after him to try and calm him down. The man ran away after Kagome got into Zebra's face to pull his attention off the man and onto her. That ended up in a fight and a knocked out Zebra. She was taught by Knocking Master Jiro.

Kagome carried the unconscious Zebra on her back, piggy back style. His head rested on her head as his arms dangled over her shoulders. To her, Zebra was light. Toriko took the time to try and stifle his laughs while looking for a stall for desert gear. Komatsu spotted a food stall that sold sand ice. The man who was selling the food got nervous since he could see Zebra, but calmed down a bit when he noticed that Zebra was out for the count. Toriko got a single large cup, Kagome got two large cups (one was asked to be sealed for later), and Komatsu had a small cup. They were refreshing.

The man also put together what they needed in desert gear. Toriko and Komatsu dressed respectively, but Kagome had to hand over Zebra to Toriko so she could put on her hat and cape, that were honestly too big for her, but she said they were fine. Kagome planned on giving them to Zebra later. Kagome then looked at the table to see if they would need anything else. She got a few canteens for herself, while Komatsu got a strange food charm.

Kagome shifted Zebra on her back again to give Toriko some space to breathe and talk to the merchant freely. He was already carrying her large yellow bag. They started off in a direction the merchant suggested to get transportation. Kagome smelled food so she started to head over there, not being noticed by Komatsu or Toriko. Kagome stood in front of an empty and closed restraint, but food was being made, and she could smell it. The smell is what made Zebra wake up.

Later, Zebra lead her to the village that the merchant talked about. He calmed down seeing that she brought him to a restaurant and had given him some sand ice. She had given him her turban clothes for him that she got. After that, she went back to adaptation for the desert. When they got in sight of the village, Kagome changed back. Kagome watched, amused, by Zebra's yelling. Kagome slightly, and it was growing, panicked when people suddenly swarmed her and Zebra, but she could hear Toriko yelling over the crowd. She was going to attack the people.

"Kagome! Don't panic! Don't change!"

Kagome looked to Toriko to see him just ways in front of a Camel Rental Shop. Kagome calmed, now she understood that the people crowding round her, were not attacking. Kagome slipped from the crowd to the open with ease. She watched as Zebra stood in a direction, seemingly to wait for something.

Kagome got ready for the beast's attack.