The drive into town is uneventful and if Kagome were to be honest with herself, which she likes to believe she is, the drive is just a smidge uncomfortable. She's not surprised that Satoru would have his—driver? Actually, she isn't quite sure what Ijichi-san's role is. All she knows is that man jumps at every command Satoru barks at him.
Remember to lecture Satoru later.
"Kagome-san," Ijichi speaks up as they come to a stop. "I wanted to thank you for the kind words you spoke to Yuji. And Gojo-san has been easier to deal with." He cuts the engine and steps out of the car.
Of course, he would assign her a bodyguard.
Joining Ijichi outside, her gaze cools as she assesses. There's a tick in his hands as the keys tremble on their way into his slack pockets. His face is no less sunken than it was the other day. Maybe a lack of rest, or maybe it's all the stress from this cursed world.
"Yuji-kun is still just a kid. I can't imagine the strain he's going through." She walks forward, eyeing the clothing store just up ahead. "You shouldn't let Satoru mistreat you. I'm sure you had better things to do than to drive me around today." Nothing in the window appeals to her, so she walks past the store. What she needs is just a couple of outfits for Yuji.
"Actually, Gojo-san compensated me for today." His smile is wobbly as if the action is foreign to his lips.
Taking a sharp turn down an alleyway, Kagome follows the tug on her soul. The sounds of footsteps thundering behind her becomes a distant noise as she walks briskly to the heart of the tugging.
The store is quaint and contains a variety of objects that scream 'curse me, please'. And yet, despite the dark decor and debatable merchandise, there's a familiarity that shifts her heart.
Demonic energy. Powerful demons at that. She knows that feel like a lover's caress.
Kagome runs a hand along a row of fake good luck charms. Humming a soft melody, one that Shippo-Chan favored, she continues to explore the shop, in search of calligraphy tools and white parchment.
"This place," Ijichi says, trembling as he avoids looking at any one thing.
It's odd that someone caught up in a world of curses is so afraid of being inside of an occult shop. Surely, he's seen worse things than a... mummified imp foot! She lets out a squeal as she snatches the hand up.
"I must advise that you do not eat that, Kagome-san."
"Oh, my goodness! Did you just tell a joke?" Clasping the foot to her chest, her mouth pops open.
"N-no." He waves his hands in front of him as sweat slides down his brow. His slicked down hair unravels, curling upwards. "This place isn't safe."
"What a rude assumption." Kagome and Ijichi turn towards the voice. At first glance, the man looks like an older Shippo with his vibrant hair twisted into an intricate side braid. Though it's the glow of the man's green eyes that gives him away. "This is a very safe shop. I personally assure you."
"Are you the owner?" Kagome asks, cutting off the start of Ijichi's stuttering. The mummified foot is heavy in her palm.
"Yakeru. A pleasure to meet you, Miss." He looks at Kagome but his words direct themselves to Ijichi. "This shop has been in the family for centuries. We've worked very hard to keep it afloat and provide for a variety of customers." He plucks the imp foot out of Kagome's grasp, turning it over. "Did you know that these are said to bring good luck to those that carry them?"
"It's not every day, you find such a rare find. Even in an occult shop," Kagome says. The air around them electrifies as Yakeru cools his gaze to nothing more than a forest green. His lips break out in a wide smile as the seconds pass by.
"A woman of my heart." He winks. Waiving his free hand, he twirls it in a manner to say, 'look at what all I have to offer'. His kimono flutters with the movement. From his attire, Kagome thinks he's more suited for shrine life than running a shop. "Is there anything I can help you find?"
"I need parchment and a calligraphy set. I'll want that foot too." She places a finger on her chin. There's still a tug on her soul that goes past the man, no demon, in front of her. Something else that he's hiding. "Would you by chance have any fox statures? I'm partial to nine tails."
His smile gets bigger as his eyes widen. "My dear, you truly are a gem!" He motions for them to follow him to the front desk. Depositing the hand onto the counter, he tilts his head towards the glass case behind the counter. "I'll go get the other items you want."
"We can grab them, sir." Ijichi pushes his glasses up.
"If you would please do me the honor of surprising you two. This is the most fun I've had in a long time." He walks off as Ijichi splutters after him.
"Kagome-san, we need to leave."
"There's nothing to worry about Ijichi-san." She places a hand on his shoulder and gives it a squeeze. "Trust me, he doesn't mean us harm. He's just... eccentric."
Satoru said that demons didn't exist in this world and now that she's found one that talks, there's no way she's going to allow this opportunity to pass by. Besides, she really is partial to foxes. That pull starts up again. Stronger. Her grip loosens when she sees just what is behind the glass case. "It can't be." She places both hands on the counter, leaning forward to look at the object.
"I assure you, that you will love these-" Yakeru's voice breaks out, but it's muffled like the background noise she puts on when she wants to get a bunch of cleaning done. She can't hear anything clearly over the blood pumping in her eardrums.
"Kagome-san?"
The glass shatters. She quickly ducks, throwing her hands up as the shards fall around her. She happens a look at Ijichi. The poor man is crouched down, lips muttering. Chanting a prayer? Pivoting, she looks over at Yakeru, who stands firm with the parchment, calligraphy set, and small wooden fox statue in his hands.
"The hell is going on out here!" A woman's voice flits from the back. Kagome stands, dusts the imaginary glass from her arms. Her focus is torn between the floating jewel and the angry voice fast approaching.
"For it to react," Yakeru says, as he moves around the glass on the floor to grab a bag behind the counter.
"Yakeru, what are you-" The woman stops and stares at the floating jewel. Her green eyes are vibrant with fury, so much so that they look more like a slit than a pupil. "Who are you?" Her nails lengthen into claws at her sides. The woman's hair, despite being in a high ponytail, reaches to her waist. Kagome may or may not be just a tad bit jealous of those red locks.
"No, no, no." Ijichi wails, hugging himself.
"I thought this was a simple shop," Kagome responds. The jewel floats towards her, pulsing blue. It looks just like the Shikon jewel, but the energy radiating off of it is different. Purer. Regardless, she doesn't trust its intentions. "And yet, there are two foxes running it."
"Humans don't typically know about demons," the woman's voice drips, as her hand twitches at her sides.
"Yumi, knock it off. Don't you see what's happening?" He places the bag on the counter and then grabs a broom. "I never thought that I'd see this day." Tears well in his eyes as he brushes the glass into a neat pile. "Inari-sama has blessed us on this day. I knew you were special from the moment you walked in." He retrieves a dustpan. It's like an out-of-body experience to watch him do something so mundane when there's a jewel hovering near her. With the glass swept up, he walks over to Kagome and bends down onto one knee.
"What are you doing?" She questions, taking a step back. At the same time, the jewel propels itself forward while she's distracted. Burying itself into her, her body pulses from the overwhelming amount of energy merging with her DNA. The shop glows pink. Her body is weightless.
Fuck. Satoru is going to have an aneurysm when she gets back home. She can already picture it, as he'll no doubt go on and on about why she can't be trusted to go anywhere without him.
Yakeru reaches out for her hand as the light fades away. "Shikon priestess, I have waited so long for you."
"No, you haven't," Yumi injects, her arms crossed with her claws digging into her own kimono.
"Hush, Yumi. I have always believed in the prophecy. My lady, please allow me to serve under you."
"What?"
"You can't be serious!"
"No, no, no."
There were too many voices all speaking at once. Kagome tugs her hand back. "Stop! Everyone, stop talking." Once everyone quiets down, she speaks up again. "What prophecy? And I don't know you, you don't know me. Dedicating yourself to me is a little..." She can't find the proper word to describe just how confused she's feeling.
"It's a children's tale. Nothing more," Yumi replies.
"It is not just some tale. The prophecy speaks that the Shikon priestess will arise to bring about a new world. That she alone, will change the world on its axis. The jewel has only one true master, and those that tried to control its power perished like insects. So, please, allow me to serve under you, my lady."
"Have you no pride? This is sickening." Yumi stomps away, her aura fluctuating with each coaster of emotion. Some of the merchandise gets knocked off of their shelves as Yumi leaves.
That one is going to be a problem.
"Um. Please stand." She waits for him to stand. His face is so earnest like a puppy waiting for its next command, that Kagome finds herself faltering. "I don't like the thought of being over on anyone. Why don't we start off as friends instead?" She thrusts a hand out.
"My lady," he starts as he shakes her hand, "it would be an honor."
"Kagome is just fine." Looking over at Ijichi, her head throbs. Hopefully, Satoru doesn't overreact. She's starting to learn that it's hit or miss with that guy. "Ijichi-san, let's pay for our things and go. We still need to pick up items for Yuji-kun."
The faster they get out of the shop, the better. Yakeru is practically harmless, but that other fox. Unease shifts in her gut. That other one might be trouble later.
"Anything you'd like to share with the class?" Satoru's voice hits the hairs of her neck before her brain has time to process what he's referring to. "A little mouse told me about the friends you made." Satoru sticks his hands into his jacket pockets.
"You sound like a jealous boyfriend." Kagome rolls her eyes as she motions for him to follow her into the bathroom. Turning the shower on, the room heats up with steam. The rhythmic noise of the water hitting the shower floor is so soothing.
"If you think us taking a shower is going to get you out of this conversation," he says. A flirty grin flashes her way as he moves to undo the blindfold.
"I don't want to risk Yuji-kun overhearing."
"We can be extra cautious-"
"I ran into a pair of demons," she interrupts. "Foxes to be specific. No, they aren't like Buyo Jr. These two have humanoid forms. They own an occult shop."
"You're hiding something. You bite your lip when something is bothering you." He sets the blindfold down on the countertops.
"I didn't share this because I didn't think it was relevant." Her heart speeds up as Satoru removes his jacket and then his shirt. "I'm the Shikon priestess. The jewel isn't a cursed object, but you can look at it that way, I guess." She looks up at the ceiling, careful to keep her focus on everything but him.
"Not a cursed object and you're its priestess," he sums up as he walks past to step into the shower. "What does that have to do with the demons?"
"There was a Shikon jewel in this world."
"Was or is?"
"Was," she reiterates. "The foxes had it, which is what led me to their shop, to begin with." The sound of the glass door sliding reaches her ears. Her heart rate accelerates.
Is she really having a serious conversation while he's taking a shower?
"You could have waited to shower. Did you forget that your shower door is glass?"
"Why would I waste water? What happened with the jewel? Your energy is off."
"How do you know my energy is off?"
"Six eyes."
She waits for him to elaborate. He doesn't. Huffing, she continues. "The jewel of this world came with a prophecy that I apparently fit the bill for. The jewel woke up and merged with me. I was born with the jewel in my world, but it wasn't merged with me."
Satoru hums.
He doesn't care about that. Of course, he doesn't.
"Yakeru pledged himself to me. He was always fascinated by the prophecy and wants to see it come to pass.
"I'm gonna fight him," he says it so gleefully as he slides the door back to peek his head out. Forgetting about his lack of attire, Kagome whips her head in his direction.
"Absolutely not!" She covers her eyes with her hands. Her skin flushes red. "Why are you naked!" The accusation sounds stupid to her own ears, but the sight of him shocked the intelligence out of her.
"You're so cute when you get flustered. Ah, but can I at least spar with him? Never fought a demon before."
"Don't you want to at least know what the prophecy says?" Changing the subject is the best course of action she determines.
"Can't be too bad if it involves you."
"It was something to the effect of me changing the world on its axis."
"Hey, I did the same thing when I was born! Hashtag world changers." He snickers, but Kagome only frowns in response.
"You aren't at all concerned about demons suddenly popping up or that volcano curse that could talk?"
"Worrying leads to wrinkles and Ijichi has enough of those for the both of us." He steps out of the shower, wrapping a towel around his waist. "Hey, can you do that thing from earlier?"
"Thing from earlier?" Her nose wrinkles as she racks her mind. Too much has happened since this morning. "Rub your forehead?" At his nod, she reaches out to caress his face. Droplets of water slide down onto her arms as he presses her back to the counters. Focusing on massaging his temples, Kagome ignores how her top is getting soaked from him. And she's for sure not focusing on how thin the towel is.
"We could just stay like this," he murmurs.
It strikes her then, from the way his body sags against her own, and the even rise and fall of his chest, that he's carrying a lot more on his shoulders than she thought. She pauses and pulls his face closer, ignoring the confusion on his face. Her lips brush against his.
They can stay like this for a while longer.
A/N: Thank you all for the kind reviews :) I do appreciate each and every one of you.