Chapter 2: Kits and Stolen Chocolates

The sticky note list of homework assignments stared at Kagome mockingly as she finally crossed one off. Morning classes had been canceled for the day, so she was determined to get things done before her shift started. Since she had gotten to university, the homework load had doubled what it had been in high school. Essays upon studying for tests upon readings that never seemed to cease.

Groaning, she took a sip of her now-cold latte, room temperature white mocha settled over her tongue in a highly unsatisfying swish. Taking up a pencil, Kagome began another list for herself so she'd be caught up by the weekend. Today, Thursday, was usually her getting-work-done day. Thursdays belonged to Sango, but she came down with a nasty cold. The girl was so out of it that it was her little brother, Kohaku, who texted Kagome.

Amidst her mental note to brew some tea for Sango after work, the café's bell tinkled as another customer stepped through. The noise threw her out of her thoughts and back on the reading that she was working on. Not on the clock, not her problem. Closing shift was slowly creeping up on her.

"Higurashi," Sesshomaru greeted, appearing at her booth.

"Takahashi-san!" Kagome jumped in her seat at his sudden appearance. Today Sesshomaru donned a magenta button up, gray slacks, and an impermeable expression. A hand gestured to the seat in front of her.

"May this one sit here? That is, if it isn't obtrusive to you."

Their eyes met only for a brief moment when his amber gaze slid to her pile of homework. The simple question hung in the air; Kagome held back a sigh as she pulled her mess towards her. She knew when her shift started he was going to give her hell, but since he asked politely she'd oblige.

Sesshomaru gracefully slid into the booth without a word, grabbing out a sleek gray laptop out of his bag. While he typed away, Kagome attempted to do the same with her own work. However, she could not peel her eyes off the man. First time he meets her, he insults her. Now he wants to sit next to her?

'What the hell!' Kagome thought, slowly becoming irate towards him.

"Staring is rather unbecoming, Higurashi," Sesshomaru said, eyes never leaving the laptop. His voice was almost teasing. Kagome could have sworn the slightest hint of a smirk curling. She rolled her eyes.

"It's just odd that you're here this early. Closing shift folks haven't come in yet," she replied with a bored look.

"You're here, are you not?"

"Well, I'm doing my homework not working right now," Kagome snorted, sending a spiteful glare at her to-do list. Curse colds and college busy work! With a sigh, she tucked away one of her textbooks into her yellow backpack. Unable to stand the silence, she continued on.

"There's always an assignment to do. I'm currently in university to become a teacher, I'm not sure if I prefer the little little ones or maybe the primary age yet. But I have to study hard to get there!" The words spilled freely from her mouth, her determination echoing in each syllable.

After another bout of silence, she tested a glance towards Sesshomaru who ceased his typing and was listening to her. Momentarily, Kagome was stunned by the attention until she noticed his gaze cast past her shoulder. Here she was thinking he was listening to her. An embarrassed flush warmed her cheeks as she turned to follow his line of sight.

Over her shoulder, a small child with burnished auburn hair had walked in. A little boy approached the café's counter, startling green eyes scanning the entire place. His height was diminutive enough that the barista working the counter didn't notice his approach. Slowly, he inched his body towards the basket of bagged treats. Based on the way the little boy entered the café twitching with a swiveling head, he was bound to steal something. Kagome slowly stood up about to make her way towards the child when he swiped a chocolate bar and bolted out the door.

"Hey!" She called, racing after the child. The glass door of the café harshly smacked into her shoulder, but Kagome shrugged off the sting.

Even with her lungs burning from their lack of use, Kagome quickened her pace until the boy was just an arm's reach from her. Noticing their proximity, the boy shoved several wooden tops onto the pavement. The attack took her by surprise, one of them under her shoe nearly making her slip into a passerby. Throwing a quick apology over her shoulder, Kagome didn't stop running. Once again, the running child was nearly in her grasp.

Her pursuit was cut short as the boy threw something at her face. The small object hit Kagome's eye just right, ceasing her running. A tiny wooden statue laid uselessly on the ground as he successfully crossed through the traffic crossing. Just as her shoe touched the brink of the crossing, the light glared red at her. Shoving her way through the small cluster of people, Kagome caught a glimpse of the child popping the chocolate bar victoriously into his mouth.

"Hey you! You have to pay for that!" Kagome shouted furiously. The auburn haired boy simply turned his head and stuck his tongue out at her before getting lost in the crowd of people. Left frustrated and thief-less, she could only turn back and return to the café empty handed. Daring a glance at her watch, the time noted that her shift starts in three minutes.

'Damn it.' Kagome cured angrily to herself, sprinting back towards the café. A thief had gotten away right in front of her new boss, who she was supposed to show that she deserved her job. Kami, she could only hope that he wouldn't fire her on the spot. As she approached, the crescent moon shop loomed over her head filling her stomach with dread. Entering the café, Sesshomaru was nowhere to be seen. Taking advantage of his absence, Kagome quickly slipped on her work apron; if she was going to be fired, she might as well appear on time for it!

After washing her hands, she splashed some cold water over her face. Sweat trickled down her temple and behind her neck, her blue turtleneck sweater was not made for exercise. Checking to make sure there were no stains under her arms, Kagome pulled out a couple bills and scanned one of the bars, similar to the ones from earlier. After paying, she placed the bar back in the front basket. Even though the event was frustrating, Kagome couldn't help but feel pity for the child. How desperate do you have to be for food that you'd steal just a chocolate bar?

'Maybe I should try to find him after work, he's probably starving.' Kagome decided. Her reverie was interrupted as she encircled into an embrace.

"Well good afternoon, my dear San– Kagome?" Miroku's gray eyes blinked at the girl in his arms. With a half hearted glare, she swatted his arms away.

"Sango's out, you're stuck with me tonight." Kagome said and couldn't help but giggle a bit at his surprise. Miroku sighed heavily, clearly wishing for the brunette.

"Hey, you have to be on your best behavior today. New boss is coming in." Kagome warned with a jab to his ribs when Miroku flashed her an innocent smile.

She and Miroku had been friends for so long that she couldn't really recall when they started their friendship. However, Kagome keenly remembered meeting him at her family's shrine during a festival when he brazenly asked her to "bear his children." Her slap from that night still resonated in the air between all these years later, posing as a warning.

"I don't think I'm the one who has to be worried about the boss, Kagome," Miroku teased, dodging her glare. When the café bell rang, he immediately scurried back to stock. Rolling her eyes, Kagome walked over to the counter to greet the customer. To her surprise, it was Sesshomaru holding a scruffy little boy by the back collar

"What the– you're the thief from earlier!" Kagome cried, pointing her finger at the child. "How did you catch him?"

Apparently, the question didn't dignify Sesshomaru enough for him to answer. Clearly uncomfortable by his display, the child's green eyes refused to meet hers, angrily glued to the floor. Kagome's heart softened, noticing the shadows flooded the hollows of the boy's face. One push and his body could collapse, even his arms seemed fragile.

"Here, let me talk to him for a moment, I already paid for the chocolate bar," Kagome said, crossing the threshold towards the two. "I'll be back in a moment."

Kagome mustered the best puppy-dog eyes she could muster, her blue eyes peeking from underneath her lashes. Narrowing his eyes, Sesshomaru merely nodded his head as placed the child onto the ground. Before she could thank him, he was already behind the counter with Miroku. Before the boy could skitter away, Kagome placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"I won't hurt you, please sit. I'll bring you real food," she said, her voice soothing. The boy stared at her in silent disbelief, but leaned into the booth with closed eyes. Kagome frowned at the display and quickly made her way to the kitchen. She brought out a simple bagel breakfast sandwich and water which the boy ate gratefully.

"Listen," she started. "It's not good to steal from people. You must be very desperate to be stealing from here. If you can wait here until I'm off of work, we can figure something out for you, okay?" The boy stared at her skeptically.

"Here, you can color while you wait. I can't believe I didn't even introduce myself. My name is Kagome. What's yours?" Kagome placed some sheets of paper and an array of her colorful pens in front of him.

"Shippo," was his short response. Her heart panged at how gravelly it sounded, but she masked the sensation with a smile.

"Okay, Shippo, you can color until we close tonight." Kagome said. Shippo didn't bother looking at her as he greedily took the art supplies and began drawing. Satisfied with the resolution, Kagome returned to her station where she was met with strange looks. She brushed them off, wordlessly explaining that she had the situation under control. Before Kagome could take her spot behind the register, Sesshomaru stopped her.

"We'll work on drinks tonight," he said, smirking as her jaw dropped. Miroku gave her an encouraging pat on the back.

"Ugh."

0-0

Luckily for Kagome, the closing shift went by in a blur. Customers, Sesshomaru's coaching, and cleaning chores expedited closing time as Kagome locked the café's doors. Drink training went a lot smoother than she initially thought. Although the man was stern and endlessly nitpicky, he didn't outright insult anything she made. The training must have done something, because she was able to make an edible matcha. Kagome triumphantly considered that improvement.

With a satisfying click of the lock, she turned to look at Shippo who was still drawing on the pieces of paper she had given him.

"Alright, I need to grab my school bag and then we can leave!" Kagome called over to him, who glanced up for only a second before going back to his drawing. It was just him, Kagome, and Sesshomaru left in the café. Noting that the drawers were counted and everything was ready for opening, Sesshomaru approved their departure with a nod. Kagome raised her head a tad higher, not bad for someone who doesn't close often.

Returning with her heavy bag, Kagome led the two out of the café and into the light of the city night. Just as they were to go their separate ways, Sesshomaru pulled her aside.

"Why bother with the kit?" he asked. Kagome cocked her head to the side slightly in confusion.

"What do you mean? He's a kid, I can't just leave him to suffer like that."

"You don't even know this child."

"I don't have to know someone to care about them, Takahashi-san," Kagome argued, crossing her arms. "Besides, I think he needs someone to care about him." Both adults looked towards Shippo's waned face.

While Kagome's attention stayed on the boy, Sesshomaru looked at her face curiously. Although her brow was creased, her blue eyes were shining with unconditional care for the boy. Her stubborn protectiveness over the child was admirable.

"Hn," was his only reply before giving a warning glare to the child. Implying heavily, if he ever stole from the café again, he'd face worse than capture. With that, Sesshomaru departed. His silver hair glowed iridescently, reflecting the cascades of color from the city's lights.

'Beautiful,' Kagome observed as his receding form was swallowed by the night. She turned to Shippo with a bright smile.

"Come on, I know someone who makes really delicious oden who would love to meet you," Kagome offered her hand to him. Shippo looked from her hand to her face, and back to her hand.

"How do I know I can trust you?" he asked cautiously. Kagome thought about it for a moment, but shrugged.

"Here, I'll make a promise," she said. "I promise that you'll be safe no matter what. Okay?"

"Okay." Shippo placed his hand in her extended palm.

A/N: Aaaand here's chapter two and we meet Shippo! Special thanks to Grimmjow1fan and Poet for being the first ones to review, your words made this chapter even easier to write. :)

Thank you for reading!