Disclaimer- I don't own anything, but the idea.

Summary:Kagome has been on her own for a long time. Living life as best as she can, but what happens when she becomes entangled in the world of the Italian cusines.

Thoughts

"Talking"

"Italian."

Italian Cinnamon Spice

*In the Kitchen*

Kagome paced around the kitchen.

"Baka Kagome how did you get stuck in a situation like this? What kami could I have possibly angered?"

She stopped pacing, taking a deep breath. She already knew that there was only one thing to do. Make tea. Moving towards the fridge she started pulling out ingredients.

'After all I can't be rude and leaving him sitting there, my mamma taught me better than that!'

"Hey are you allergic to nuts!" She shouted, grinning when she heard a gruff no.

"Maybe this won't be so bad, I can try out my favorite tea recipe." Now in a better mood she grabbed out some other stuff.

'Well he can wait a little bit.'

*Ten Minutes Later*

"Sorry for the wait," bustling in with a small tray she set a steaming cup down in front of Taka.

Sitting opposite of him, she picked up her own cup taking a light sip.

Taka eyes the cup, before taking a tentative sip. His whole mouth suddenly came alive. Eyes widening slightly.

"Oh my it's delicious, it's sweet but a bit bitter." Taka spoke not realizing he had switched back to his main tongue.

Kagome blushed at the compliment, glad to know he liked it, "It's Marron Brandy tea, adding whipped cream and sugar-coated chestnuts to milk tea, then adding brandy to it to bring out the intoxicating aroma. Oh but don't worry about getting drunk, I only put a small cap full in."

Taka head quirked to the side, 'Did she just..speak Italian? No I must be imagining it. Surely she would have mentioned that in the past two weeks they had been talking in school or at lunch'

After all he had spoken in Italian several times and lunch and she never once commented. Actually she usually would look at him like he was crazy.

"You speak Italian?"

"Hnn." She spoke as if it was no big deal, "I speak and understand a little bit better than your average tourist, but I'm not an expert. I just watch a lot of Italian cooking shows." She explained lying through her teeth.

She was in fact well-versed in the language, but she wasn't going to tell him that.

'He'd probably get it in his head that we'll be all buddy buddy now that I speak his language. Oh kami what would happen if he found out I'm Italian.'

Kagome dreaded the thought.

Taka face was blank for a minute before a wide smile spread across his face. "Cool. Smart, can speak English, Japanese, Italian, and can cook, is there anything you can't do?"

Kagome touched her lip, pondering his question. Snickering she said the first thing that came to mind."Ride a horse."

"Ehh, ride a horse?' Chuckling softly, "Wow not exactly what I expected for an answer. Maybe sew, or swim, but not able to ride a horse interesting. Well let me tell you a secret." Leaning across the table, he motioned her closer. She leaned her ear in expectantly.

.

.

.

"Neither can I," he whispered, before pulling back. Laughing at the miffed expression on Kagome's face.

"Hmph whatever," her arms crossing under her chest, sticking her tongue out at him.

Taka just laughed even more. "Haha you look like a little kid!"

"i do not!"

"Do too."

"Do not."

Taka held his arms up in mock defense, "Fine whatever makes you feel better."

Uncrossing her arms, she picked up her cup taking another sip, before setting it down. The brandy washed over her system. Her emotions cooling and as she collected herself.

"You know you remind me of Adrian Calliope. She was a woman of many talents..." Taka took over most of the conversation regaling her with stories about his life in his home country. Their conversation then drifting to the differences in schooling. Debating about going to school six days a week. Taka felt like he was really drawing her in. Maybe she'll be thrilled at the chance to go to Italy. He thought about all the places he could show her in Rome.

The restaurants he could take her to.

Refilling their cups with some more tea, Kagome realized that she had forgot all about asking Taka what he wanted to talk about.

"Whatever, so what is it you wished to speak with me about?" She asked stiffly.

"Oh well I actually came to talk and give you something," Reaching into the satchel at his side, pulling out her notebook.

Kagome leaned forward to get a closer look. Her lighting up when she saw the familiar cover, "Ayah my notebook! I thought I lost it. Where did you find it?"

Taka cheeks dimpled, "Found it in the hall. I forgot to give it to you, so i asked someone where you lived to return it."

Kagome nodded, flipping through the notebook to make sure everything was in order. She sighed in relief holding the notebook close. 'Thank kami their still there!'

"Thank you so much, you don't know how much this notebook means to me." Her eyes were sparkling with gratefulness.

Taka felt a heavy feeling settle in his gut. Guilt. The notebook is obviously very precious to her. I probably should have looked to see what I was taking beforehand.'

Rubbing the back of his head, he chuckled awkwardly, "Ha ha ha...yeah no problem."

Kagome set the notebook down by her side, picking up her cup, "You know your Japanese has improved, although you still switch in an out a bit. Why were you with Aki-chan."

"Oh you mean Akitoki-san, well I got your address but not the apartment number. I met Akitoki-san outside of the building and after answering twenty questions about why I was visiting she led me to your apartment. which reminds me what is with the whole interrogation thing anyway, someone after you," he said jokingly.

Kagome's eyes narrowed, before realizing it was a joke. "No Aki-chan's just protective of me, so what did you want to talk about?"

"Talk about?" His brows furrowed before smacking himself on the head, "Oh yeah I uh wanted to talk about was—well as you know I'm from Italy."

One brow rose, the other quirked downward.

"Si, I believe that was clarified on the first day of school and our conversation today." Mocking him by replying in Italian.

His eyes rolled at his stupidity, "Right, anyway the point is...do you know of a man named Christo Romano?"

Kagome's cup clattered down onto the table, a little tea sloshed onto the table, the second the name left his lips.

"Shit!" Cursing sharply, she hurried and picked up a napkin dabbing the area like her life depended on it.

"Sorry about that, I' a bit clumsy, w—hat did you say?" She asked nervously. "A Christian? I believe you said, well that is a person who worships—"

"No no, I asked if you know a man named Christo Romano? Your grandfather!" Taka said exasperatedly.

Kagome started dabbed the tea more fervor, at his outburst.

Glancing worriedly at Kagome as she kept dabbing at the table, even though the spot was now dry. Taka felt a little uneasy.

Inside Kagome was in full panic mode and mentally berating herself.

'Maybe this was too soon. I probably should have tried to get a little closer before springing this on her. Aww how stupid can I be. She'll surely not talk to me again.'

His hand reached out stilling hers. Kagome stared at the hand like it was the hand of the devil and he drew back instantly.

"Um I'm sorry, I-I should go," Taka stuttered out, he didn't dare meet her eyes, instead rising from the table. 'She must not have known, or worse bad history. No wonder he sent me.'

He slung on his satchel. "I think I've over stayed my welcome."

"It would seem so," Kagome replied cooly standing up stiffly, escorting him to the door.

Taka stopped short of the door, turning around. He rubbed his arm.

"I'm sorry to have inconvenienced or offended you in anyway. I had a good time and ...the tea it really was delicious."

Kagome nodded, her guarded mood lessening a bit. She really couldn't totally dislike anyone when they complimented her cooking.

"Thank you, your presence here was tolerable for a brief time, now not so much," pausing when something came to mind and she looked at Taka sharply, "Tell me Taka about Christo, my ahem g-grandf-f-grandfather...does he know that I'm here, like my exact location" Swallowing over the word grandfather.

Taka hesitated and thought about lying, but the perceptive glare had him fearful if she caught him in a lie.

'Definitely don't want to have my ass kicked by a little Asian girl.'

"Yes, he knows." Answering truthfully.

Kagome persisted with her interrogation. "Did he send you?"

Nodding his head, "But it isn't how you think it is. I thought he was just offering me a free trip because he knew how much I love Asian culture. Then I found out it was to find you and convince you to come to Italy. He really wants you to come and see his home country, see what your father has denied you from birth. Meet the other side of your family in Italy. I know it its a lot to take in, but I saw that look on your face earlier when I was talking about my home country, the enchantment, the twinkle of curiosity and wonder. You can see it all with a family that will splurge on you..not leave you alone in this apartment."

The glare she set his way at the word family had him backing away slightly.

"Look I can see your not exactly in the mood to hear me out right now, so just sit think about it and call this number if you change your mind."

He whipped out a little business card from his pocket with his cell and address.

Honestly it had been a loose plan of his in case she hadn't decided to talk to him, or wasn't home.

Kagome took the card.

Taka opened the door walking out into the deserted hallway, but Kagome's voice stopped him.

"Taka."

"Yes." He turned hopeful spark in his eyes.

'I knew it, she can't really just kick me out. I mean this is her grandfather were talking about. Surely she'll be curious about her what is going on with her grandfather even if there may be some bad blood.' Christo had been good to him and his family. Friends of the family since before he was born.

But the steel look in her eye and the hard look on her face erased such hopeful thoughts.

"...don't come again." She said coldy, closing the door.

Taka stared at the door for a minute. Shocked to say the least.

When he finally overcame his shock he turned to head home.

A soft, high pitched voice stopped him. "Hey!"

Turning it was the nice girl from earlier who helped him find Kagome's apartment number, Akitoki-san, "Yes?"

Aki-chan grinned, "Did you give it to her?"

He was confused before remembering he had told her earlier his fake reason for seeing Kagome. "Oh yeah! She was elated to get the notebook back."

Aki-chan seemed happy, her expression brightening. "Good! That notebook means a lot to her."

She sat down on the last step leading to the next floor.

His brow rose in curiosity, "Umm sorry if I sound nosy, but why is the notebook so important?"

Aki-chan's expression dimmed slightly, her jaw slacking to the side a little. "That notebook, it's actually a cookbook. Back when Miss Higurashi was alive, they would make all types of cuisines. Kagome and her mom would write their recipes in that notebook. Since her mother's death it has been Kagome's most prized possession. It's rare that the book isn't with her. I'm sure she's glad to have it back."

Now Taka felt even more guilty about taking the book. "Oh, well then I'm glad I found it and got it back to her...so do you know when her father will be back."

Aki-chan looked at him quizzically. "You really don't know anything? Look I'll only tell you because you seem like a nice person."

Taka sat beside Akitoki-san.

"Kagome lives alone, except for her maid that comes twice a week. I mean she has dinner with us usually on the weekdays and on Sunday it's her special—we still check in, so don't think you can do any funny business with her."

"But what about her father, Mr. Romano?" Taka questioned. He didn't know much about Christo's son. He had only ever seen pictures of him and from what he had heard from some people. They had a bad falling out years ago. But to leave his daughter to live alone, he really was shirking his duties as a father.

"That man hasn't been here before not even when Miss Higurashi and Sota passed away. He never acknowledged Kagome, it was his wife who foots the bill for the place and hired the maid to check in on Kagome. That man is a right on bastard and I don't know how Kagome may secretly feel, but personally I don't even think she recognizes him as her father."

"I guess it's no wonder she didn't want to come to Italy," Taka whispered softly to himself. Aki-chan looked at Taka suspiciously.

"Go to Italy? Wait don't tell me, her father sent you!" Aki-chan stood up, her hands balling into fists and fire in her eyes ready to slug the guy.

"No, no it's not like that," waving his hands frantically trying to explain, "I was sent by her grandfather. He only found out about Kagome recently and heard through a small time journalist, trying to extort money from him that he was shirking his duties as a father and wanted me to come and convince her to come live with him in Italy. Have a family, people to love and care for her."

Aki-chan's fist went lax, her lips pursed as she digested Taka's words.

"Still sounds like bullshit if you ask me." Aki-chan chose to stand by her friend. "It sounds more like her grandfather just wants to make sure this journalist doesn't have any proof of his accusations by bringing her to Italy. A bastard just like her father" Aki-chan watched Taka's face for any signs to confirm her words.

Instead Taka stood up abruptly, anger building up in him, "Christo is not like that! He's a kind old man that loves his family. I don't know what his motives are, but I know he would never act like such a heartless cad. He's a good man and I won't stand for anyone badmouthing his name!"

He turned abruptly away from Kagome's best friend storming off. Leaving Aki-chan feeling a tinge of guilt, but she wouldn't waver. Instead she had to go tell Kagome what she had heard. No doubt the second Kagome had heard anyone from her father's side of the family being mentioned she had kicked him out.

She knew her friend well.

Taka's P.O.V.

After ten minutes of stomping angrily down the sidewalk My anger had waned, now feeling like a dufus for leaving without finding out more stuff.

'That friend of her's really has loose lips, when it comes to keeping stuff in.'

"What am I going to do now," kicking a stray can out of my path. I contemplated my choices. Well two choices anyways.

'Should I tell Christo? Or not?' Shaking that thought away.

I couldn't just tell the old man that his granddaughter had flat out flipped her pancake when she heard only his name mentioned.

"I'll give her a few days to calm down, then talk to her about it. Yeah that sounds good."

I sighed, joining in with the rest of the afternoon sidewalk traffic.

TBC. Review tell me what you think. Too long of a chapter in my opinion, but couldn't stop writing. Any suggestions for pairings, if you know the characters of Ristorante Paradiso.