Chapter 4: After School Meeting

Checking her phone for the third time, Kagome was comforted by her early arrival at the school. Tucking the device into her jacket pocket, she settled onto a bench nearby to wait. It would be about ten minutes before a flood of kids would be pouring into the street. She was early, but the priestess wanted to be there for Shippo after his first day. When she had dropped him off that morning he had feigned confidence and marched away with a straight back. Kagome didn't miss the slight tremor in his fists as he left.

After spending a week acclimating to living with Kaede, Shippo was enrolled into a nearby elementary school. Initially, the stubborn child refused to even consider going. It wasn't until some gentle pushing, he would be able to learn how to make more than just drawings in art class, that Kagome was able to convince him to go. According to Shippo he had never been in a school before as his father preferred to homeschool. The loss of his father was still fresh, but he seemed to be handling things well enough for an eleven year old. That morning she made sure to give him an extra big hug before they left.

'Three more minutes,' Kagome noted with a glance of her phone. Gathering herself to stand, she approached the school gate where other parents were also waiting. A couple of them gave her odd looks and she blushed. They likely assumed she was picking up her child. Doing her best to ignore their sideways glances, Kagome concentrated on a particular cloud in the sky, a curling cumulus cloud shaped like a big dog. Before she knew it, the school's bell rang followed by a rumbling crowd of small children. A smile spread along Kagome's face as they walked across the courtyard. In her future, she would hear these sounds everyday.

Blue eyes scanned the horde of children looking for Shippo's distinct auburn head. There was no slip of red to be seen. However, she did not miss a familiar head of silver hair. A few yards away stood Sesshomaru decked in his typical business attire, white shirt and red pants that day. The sight of her antisocial boss astonished her, why was he at an elementary school? Unable to stop herself, she approached him.

"Takahashi-san?" Kagome reached out to tap his shoulder, but was stopped by his hand. Surprised by the contact, she quickly retracted her hand. Trying to ignore the warmth that nestled into her skin from his hand, she huffed at him. Sesshomaru seemed equally taken aback to see her there which would explain why he grabbed her in such a manner. Or at least she assumed so from the fractional widening of his eyes. With the collected mask he presented it was difficult to tell.

"You shouldn't touch someone without permission, Higurashi-san," he scolded.

"What are you doing here?" Kagome questioned, crossing her arms as a chilled breeze brushed against her cheek. Sesshomaru said nothing, but her question was shortly answered as a young brunette approached him with a beaming smile. Kagome's jaw dropped.

"Papa!"

'Is he– he's a dad!' her thoughts were scattered, never in her life would she have assumed Sesshomaru was a parent of all things. An odd sensation wriggled in her stomach at the lack of a wedding band on his finger. Not married, but still a parent? The girl's warm smile was reciprocated with a slight nod of his head. Their interaction was endearing, in a stoic sort of way. Suddenly, she felt very awkward standing their and watching them.

"Who are you?" The girl asked, studying Kagome with blatant apprehension. Angling herself around Sesshomaru's shoulder, the girl's eyes were round and a darling shade of honey brown, nothing even close to Sesshomaru's angular and amber. In fact, there was nothing in her face that seemed to resemble him in the slightest. Before Kagome could respond, a young boy's voice excitedly cut through.

"Kagome! Look!" Shippo cried running up to her. His green eyes sparkled with excitement as he held up a piece of paper for her to look at. It was a crayon drawing of an orange fox. His line work and coloring seemed of a skill beyond his age, Kagome was thoroughly impressed.

"Shippo, this is wonderful," Kagome cooed, ruffling his hair a bit. Brushing off her hands, Shippo was grinning ear to ear with pride.

"That's so cool, Shippo," The girl interjected in awe of the drawing as well. At her compliment, Shippo blushed a shade of pink before holding his chin just a tad higher. Kagome giggled at the display, it flooded her heart with relief that he seemed to be acclimating to school well. And he had a friend!

"Is she your mom?" The girl pulled Shippo aside and whispered loudly in his ear. A bead of sweat dropped down Kagome's head at their lack of subtlety. She glanced towards Sesshomaru who simply watched from the sidelines, his usual nonchalant gaze observing them with traces of interest.

"Nah, Kagome's my big sister," Shippo proudly claimed, seemingly mollifying the girl. Their eyes met once again, this time with an approving nod and bowed.

"I'm Rin Takahashi." The sideways ponytail on her head bounced up as Rin proudly introduced herself.

"Kagome Higurashi."

Satisfied with the introductions, Rin turned her attention to Shippo to begin their own conversation. Kagome made eye contact with Sesshomaru briefly, before he turned to follow the kids. The adults followed behind until they reached the gate where they would part. They bid each other a goodbye, except for Sesshomaru who continued to walk away. Kagome rolled her eyes, he was not getting away that easily.

"See you tomorrow, Papa Takahashi!" Kagome called with a wave.

While Rin giggled, Sesshomaru glared over his shoulder to which Kagome smirked triumphantly at him. She accomplished in making that mask slip, just a smidge. With a satisfied nod, led Shippo away from the school. The entire walk home he chatted with non stop excitement, recounting the day he had and the friend he made in Rin.

Once they arrived at Kaede's shrine steps, Kagome gave him a tight hug before saying goodbye. Emotions bubbling up into her chest as she watched his retreating form. His posture was straight and his gait was light, relaxed. Salt water gathered in the corners of her eyes. She was so proud of the progress he was making. She had been particularly worried about Shippo making friends considering this was his first school experience. She was very grateful to Rin for making it easier. Kagome had a feeling those two would blossom into close friends one day. Perhaps she could arrange a playdate or something soon.

"I'd just have to deal with her dad," Kagome groaned aloud.

A blush immediately stained her cheeks as she caught the attention of a stranger passing by. She quickly walked forward away from her embarrassing outburst. The more she thought about Sesshomaru as a dad, an odd sensation she couldn't articulate flooded her mind. The fatherly image of him and Rin didn't align with her previous assumptions of the man.

Although he was seemingly single, of course he had a child. No one could be that handsome and not have been intimate with someone before. Her mind was going down a dangerous path. Giving her cheeks a light smack, Kagome pulled herself together lest her mind become worse than Miroku's.