Geto wants to puke. His stomach twists and lurches with every passing second he stands here watching this disgusting encounter. Why is this monkey breathing in the same air as Kagome? Polluting it with his taint? Geto wants to kill the man, but strays his hand. It would not do well to make a scene out in public. At least not with Kagome standing right there.

Geto still has some ways to go with convincing Kagome that his mentality is the right one.

"Suguru, this is Hojo." Kagome beams - fucking beams- at the plain brown-haired human with his plain, brown eyes that would look better if the life was completely out of them. The man is dressed in a polo and dark pants.

Hojo holds out his hand, and Geto nearly retches. The hell is he doing? Why on earth would Geto want to shake this man's hand? He doesn't, but ignoring the outstretched hand will not win him any favors with Kagome, so he stuffs down the bile and plasters an easy-going smile on his face. In his mind, Geto imagines letting a fly head or two out to suck away at the man's life.

A slow and agonizing death is what this lowly human deserves for ruining such a beautiful day. The sun is shining; the humidity is not overpowering today, and he finally got Kagome out of the house.

And here comes this damn Hojo running everything with his taint.

"Geto," he corrects because like hell is this man close enough to call him by his first name. He shakes Hojo's hand and gives it a little squeeze. Enough to have the man wincing, but not so hard that any bones are broken.

A pity.

But at least the warning seems to have gotten through.

"It's nice to meet you Geto-san," Hojo replies, rubbing his wounded hand. Hojo gives a strained smile. The kind one would give to their doctor when asked if they have been drinking enough water when the night before they guzzled a shit ton of booze. "At any rate, Kagome, are you busy today?" Hojo's smile is far too earnest and far too filled with expectations of how this conversation is going to go.

Geto tsks and shoves his hands into his pockets. Is this dull human trying to piss him off? Kagome frowns and then brightens when she turns her attention back to Hojo. What he would give to have her complete attention on him. It is taking far longer than he expected to gain Kagome's trust. To this day, she still refuses to see him and the others as her family.

One thing at a time, he reminds himself. This is a long game. And as long as he continues to insert himself into her life, she'll eventually come to realize that the only way forward is with him.

"Well, Suguru and I are just shopping right now—"

"Oh! I'll join you then. Nothing like an extra set of muscles to help carry the load," Hojo interrupts with a laugh. There is something about this boy that rubs Geto the wrong way. Besides how the cursed energy oozes out of him like a faucet. These damn monkeys and their lack of control over their cursed energy.

"We have other plans, Kagome," Geto says, cutting in before Kagome agrees to this nonsense. It's bad enough this scum is friendly with Kagome. Like hell is he going to allow this man to join them. And no matter how much he racks his brain, Geto cannot foresee an opportunity where he can unleash a curse on this monkey without Kagome noticing.

Her powers are sensitive like that and then he'd have to go down a rabbit hole of explaining why he sicked his curses on her friend. Something tells him she would not respond too favorably to his views. At least not yet, but he'll turn her to the right side, eventually. He just needs to keep her away from Satoru somehow and allow only his views and influence to help shape her view of these monkeys.

"That's right. Sorry, Hojo-kun," Kagome says. "Maybe some other time."

"Well, what kind of plans?" Hojo steps forward with that sickening smile on his face. A smile so bright that it reminds Geto of a dog that has been waiting for its owner to return home from an overseas trip. A smile that holds far too much familiarity and not enough subtlety. He wants to wipe that smile off his face. "Unless this is a date?"

Kagome plays with the purse strap. "Not a date—"

"We're on a date."

The silence descends on them like a veil. Kagome narrows her eyes and stares at him for an explanation, but Geto has none to offer her. He said what he said. They can talk about it later when he has her far away from the influence of others.

"That's interesting. You don't seem like Kagome's type." Hojo tilts his head and crosses his arms. "Not with the whole look of you." He uncrosses his arms and makes a sweeping motion.

The fuck does that mean? Geto glances down at his outfit. He dressed down today in a pair of jeans and a basic shirt. His monk like attire is nice, but for a day out with Kagome, he figured it would be better for her to see him as a man. His normal attire does not show off how appealing he is. At least with this fit, it will force Kagome to acknowledge how attractive he is.

At least that is the plan.

"Oh, I didn't know you were an expert on her type. Please enlighten me," Geto quips, eyes widening as he takes in this piss poor excuse of a man. It would be a shame if something happened to him. No, actually, it would be a day worth celebrating. Maybe he can send a text to someone to take care of this lowly human for him while he spends the day with Kagome.

Kagome exhales and tugs on his shirt. "What are you doing?" she whispers.

"We're exes... for now," Hojo grounds out. "I can see that Kagome is going through a rough patch if she is hanging out with someone like you. Which is understandable considering the loss you are going through, Kagome."

Geto barks out a laugh. She dated this buffoon? No wonder he feels so threatened by Geto. This Hojo is pathetic. "Funny how Kagome and I are on a first name basis, and she still calls you by your surname. Seems to me the only one that was in that relationship was you and your imagination."

The smirk on Hojo's face drops and behind is a look that couldn't even hurt a kitten.

"Alright, you two. Enough with the dick measuring contest." Kagome shoots Geto a look before plastering a fake smile on her face. "Hojo-kun, it was nice to see you, but Geto and I do have plans and need to get going now. Take care of yourself!" She pulls Geto along behind her. Her hand slips into his like it's normal for them to be so touchy.

Geto glances down at their intertwined hands. A warmth blossoms in his chest. The feeling reminds him of the unadulterated joy he gets when he rids the world of one more non-sorcerer. Perhaps when this day is over with and Kagome has exorcised the curse, he'll track down that Hojo guy.

A fly head will not do. That scum needs to suffer. Preferably for at least an hour or two while Geto watches the scene with popcorn in hand.

"Seriously, what the hell was that?" Kagome asks, as she drags him along into a store and down the aisle to the...baby section? He blinks. And blinks again. Has she been tainted? Geto gnashes on the inside of his cheek. If she is pregnant, then he hopes the child will inherit her purity and not the disgusting nature of her deceased family.

"Something you want to tell me?" He changes the subject to more pressing matters. If she is pregnant and that child is just as disgusting as the rest of her family, then how the hell is he supposed to dispose of it discreetly?

"What?"

"We're in a baby aisle. Is there something you need to tell me? I can't have you exorcising curses if you are pregnant."

"I'm not," she replies flatly. "I need to pick up stuff for a friend. And don't change the subject." She lets go of his hand and pokes him in the chest. "What the hell was that? Why would you lie and tell Hojo-kun that we are on a date? We aren't dating."

Geto wills every ounce of patience forth. "Have I told you how beautiful you look today? That dress is stunning on you." It's not a lie. That light pink dress compliments her beautiful, supple skin. Though it is a shame that others also get to see how beautiful she is. For a moment, he thinks it would be nice to hide her away somewhere where the taint of these monkeys cannot touch her.

"Thank you," she replies just as flat as before. "Why did you lie to Hojo-kun?"

"Why'd you let him insult you like that?" Geto sighs. Standing here makes his skin itch. The thought of more monkey babies being born is disturbing. "And to let him lie on you to boot. There's no way you dated him."

"I don't even know why I put up with you." Kagome clucks her tongue and reaches for a box of diapers. "Honestly, you are almost as bad as InuYasha."

"Who?"

"Eh, don't worry about it. He doesn't come around enough for you to remember his name." Kagome shoves the box of diapers to his chest and hums as she continues to pursue the aisle. Geto may as well be her shopping basket. This is not what he had in mind when he opted to join her out today, but it's better than nothing. If not for him, then she would have hung out with that Hojo guy.

Or worse, Gojo would have oh so conveniently bumped into her. It's annoying how many times he has caught Satoru sniffing around the shrine.

"That makes me want to meet this InuYasha even more. Another ex of yours?"

Kagome looks at him with a look he cannot quite place. "I suppose so, yeah. Actually, the baby stuff is for him and his wife."

The tightness in Geto's chest loosens considerably. This time, his smile is serene. "How wonderful. He's moved on."

"Subtly isn't your strong suit, is it?" Kagome grabs a couple containers of formula and points to a box of wipes.

"When you fight curses for a living, what point is there in being subtle? Never know when you might die." Not that he plans on dying anytime soon and with him being a special grade, the only one that can truly take him is Satoru.

"True. But I'm not looking for a relationship." The why hangs between them. Geto bites back another sigh. How much longer does he have to wait for her to get over her parasitic family? It's not as though she watched them die and she didn't have to hear their screams. Why she is still moping over their deaths is beyond him.

They were nothing but parasites. Clinging to her and using her purity as a shield. Even that grandfather of hers was nothing but a fraud. Passing off those charms as if he created them.

"We can take all the time you need."

"Hmm. It doesn't bother you that I was close to Satoru?"

Her attempts to push him away are laughable.

"Not at all. Satoru is good for one thing. He's not my competition. And besides, the keyword here is was. Which tells me you and Satoru haven't spoken recently." Geto walks past her and looks over his shoulder. "Are we all done here, or do you need something else?"

"For you to drop the attitude," she replies, as though she is not the one with the attitude. Kagome looks at her phone and curses. "Any chance we can exorcise that curse after this?" Her fingers quickly compose a message to who knows who.

"What's the rush?"

"The longer the curse is alive, the more people that could die."

"The curse has shown signs of being active at night. Might not find it if we go now." Why is she trying to switch up the plan? "Did you double-book on our date?"

"This is not a date." She looks up at him from her phone before diverting her attention back to whoever is commanding her attention.

Geto's smile drops as he levels a look at her. Not quite a glare, but close enough to let it be known how he feels about her comment. He scoffs, cracks his neck, and plasters the same easy-going smile he has practiced on. "Of course, Kagome-chan, this is just an outing. However, I'm afraid we can't exorcise that curse now. We need to wait for when it is active.

She blows out a breath. "You're right. Sorry for acting like such a bitch. Hojo started things with you and it just put me on edge."

He does not care for how effortlessly she calls herself such a vile name. Nodding his head, he accepts the apology for what it is. Whatever this is between them, it is clear she wants to establish boundaries. Too bad boundaries aren't his thing and there is too much at risk to allow her mind to continue to be influenced by these other people.

Or Satoru, for that matter. Geto knows Satoru like he knows the back of his hand. Sooner or later, Satoru will make a move.

"I'll find another curse for us to take care of—"

"No, we can keep the schedule for tonight. I just need to run back home after this, so I won't be able to join you for lunch." This time the apology is sincere and that pisses Geto off more than the fake ass one she gave him earlier.

"Whatever you want, Kagome-chan."

Geto grumbles to himself as he sulks around the Higurashi shrine like some low life rat. He's better than this, but it would be troublesome if Kagome catches him sneaking around the property. In his defense, she was far too frazzled after receiving that message earlier when they were at the store.

What is it she is hiding from him? A flux of power washes over the shrine, followed by something downright demonic. Geto forces his heart to beat normally.

What kind of curse has that much negative energy? A special grade, clearly, but how - why is a special grade here at the shrine? Geto moves to take a step forward when suddenly a figure in red comes out of the well house. It's clear that the energy is coming from that thing. That monster.

But why isn't Kagome reacting? From here, she looks as if she is radiating with joy.

"Oi! Kagome, where the hell have ya been?"

"Busy getting stuff for you. Jeez, you are so impatient," Kagome says, to the curse with dog like ears on top of his head.

Geto sucks in a haggard breath. This special grade can talk? It can understand human speech and Kagome is chummy with it? He fears his work may be cut out for him. How is he supposed to show her how much better the world would be without those that cannot harness cursed energy when she surrounds herself with monkeys and special grade curses?

"Well, c'mon Inu. I got the baby stuff in the house. I was going to bring it to you, but someone just does not know how to wait."

... That's InuYasha? Her ex? And he has a kid, but he's a curse? Geto massages his temple. The more he spends time with Kagome, the more layers he finds she has. What else is she keeping secret from him?

"Just a sec. Y'a know there is someone else here?" InuYasha says, hand reaching for his sword.

Guess he's been caught. Geto steps out and prepares to summon his strongest curses. There is no other choice available but to fight. Once he exorcizes this special grade and absorbs him, whatever curse - trick- this thing has put on Kagome should come to an end.

She'll thank him when it is all said in done.

A/N: Sometimes when I'm writing I ask the characters what is the worst thing that could happen to you right now? InuYasha was this close to taking a blow to the head, but I wasn't sure if he would be able to survive that so...Anywho! I hope you are doing well and staying healthy. Thank you everyone for your continued support!