Someone is crying.
She should keep going, especially if she wants to make it to the kitsune school before it gets dark.
But.
The wails pierce her heart. She knows those cries. It is the same cries that strangled her when she found her family killed by those curses.
Kagome exhales and walks off the beaten path into the forest.
"Where are you going?" Suguru asks.
Kagome looks over her shoulder. Satoru and Suguru trail behind her, but they don't look as upset as she feels.
Can they not hear it? The cries?
"There's a woman crying. She might need help."
Satoru and Suguru look at each other and then back at her.
So, no, they don't hear the woman.
Kagome resumes walking. "Stick close, in case it's a trick. Some demons like to play mind games and make you see things that aren't true."
"If that's the case, let me walk in front," Satoru says, but Kagome ignores him and keeps moving.
He can't hear what she's hearing.
She walks until they come upon a clearing. The cries are louder. The woman is hunched over, holding onto something. A bundle.
A pit of despair threatens to swallow her whole.
"Ma'am?" Kagome calls softly, approaching with slow and even steps.
The woman snaps her head up, and the hood falls, showing a head full of white hair. Her purple eyes are dull. Tears stain her face. The woman looks past her.
Kagome follows the woman's gaze.
Satoru?
"Your eyes," the woman says, clutching the bundle closer to her chest. "Let me see your eyes. Please."
Satoru doesn't say anything, but he unwraps his bandages.
The woman smiles and then lets out a full-on crackle. "There can only be one," she mutters, rocking back and forth. "Only one."
"Only one, what?" Kagome says, keeping her face blank.
"Six eyes. There can only be one." The woman blinks and then looks at the bundle in her arms. She unwraps it and Kagome sucks in a breath.
White hair. Like the woman's. Like Satoru's.
Satoru walks forward and squats before the woman. "Did he have the six eyes?"
"Yes. But..." the woman's voice cracks. "Assassins. They—" she hiccups, her voice too thick with emotion to finish her words.
Kagome swallows.
"Please," the woman begs.
"What do you want me to do?" Satoru asks, but his voice lacks his normal humor. Kagome has never heard Satoru so void of anything.
"Kill me. Let me join my son." The woman reaches a hand out, but it's as though she can't touch Satoru. "You have both. Clan leader, please grant me this request," she pleads, lowering her hand. She rocks back and forth. "Please grant me this request. I know it's more than what I deserve. But." her voice cracks.
"Take Kagome away," Satoru says.
"What?" Kagome exclaims. He can't be serious. Suguru places his hand on her shoulder and urges her into his arms. "Suguru! He can't just—"
"I know," is all he says, but he takes her away despite that. "I don't know how much Satoru has shared, but he is the clan leader of the Gojo clan. That woman must have been a part of his clan."
"Just because they have white hair?" she asks, incredulous.
"No, the six eyes and limitless are clan inherited techniques. Satoru has both." He wraps his arms around her and kisses her forehead. "It's okay. He's honoring her wish."
There's a surge of power and just as quickly as it surges, it disappears.
Satoru walks over to them. His eyes are bandaged once more. He looks at her and Kagome takes in another breath.
So, he killed the woman.
"I don't have a shovel," she says, silently kicking herself because now that woman and child will just rot on the ground for crows to peck at.
"I know. That's why I used hollow purple. Nothing is left." He comes to a stop in front of her. "They would have hunted her down and pinned the blame on her." Even though she can't see his eyes, there's still a hollowness to his expression. "She would have been tortured for not protecting a child born with the six eyes."
"For assassins?"
"In this time? Yes." He reaches for her, pulling her out of Suguru's embrace. "I'm sorry you had to see that."
Kagome presses her lips together. She isn't sure what to think.
"It wouldn't happen in our time. Not as long as I'm clan leader."
"I didn't even know you were a part of a clan until now," she mutters. "And why couldn't she touch you? That was weird."
"His infinity?" Suguru says, but he words it like a question.
"Infinity doesn't affect Kagome. She's always gotten past it."
Kagome blinks. She pulls back. Satoru and Suguru seem to have their own wordless conversation.
"Come on, I'll carry you." Satoru bends and picks her up bridal style.
"I can walk."
"I know... but I need to hold you right now."
Kagome wraps her arms around his neck and places her head over his heart.
He's still Satoru.
Still hers.
"When I first heard her cries, I had hoped it was Shippo's crying mushrooms."
"Crying mushrooms?" Suguru asks, walking ahead of them. His hair is pulled into a high ponytail today.
"Yeah, sometimes if he's in trouble, he releases these mushrooms that cry. He uses them to lead someone to him when he needs help."
"Earlier, you said some demons can play mind games. Is there anything we need to know before we get to this school?"
Kagome sighs. "Well, foxes are tricksters, so they can shapeshift. They could turn into any of us. They could turn into an object, an animal. Anything really."
That woman's dull eyes haunt her. She needs Shippo to be okay.
"Shippo is fine," Satoru says. "Any child raised by you is strong by default."
"I've only raised one," she points out.
"Megumi and Tsumiki were pretty self-reliant when I took them in," he replies. "The girls were around the same age, right?"
"Yes, Mimiko and Nanako were around 6 when I took them in. Though because they were so severely ostracized for being different than the other villagers, it was like raising toddlers."
"Ostracized?" Kagome turns her head and looks at Suguru's back.
"Yes... the villagers blamed them for the curses, so they kept them locked up in a cage. They would beat them, talk down to them, starve them." He pauses. "I stepped away from Jujutsu society after that mission and raised them as my own."
"And he left me in the process," Satoru sighs. "Suguru is pretty bullheaded when he gets an idea in his mind."
Suguru stops and turns to look at them. "We were children then. We're together now."
"Aw, you guys are getting along," Kagome teases, grateful for the change in subject. That woman's eyes continue to haunt her. She was so... done. Even when Sango went through that grief with her family and Kohaku, she never looked quite like that woman.
"That's because of you." Satoru matches Suguru's strides. "You're the glue keeping us both sane."
Kagome bites her lip. Is he saying she's like their Tessaiga, keeping their demons at bay? Nah, she's reading too into it.
"Is that why you are always trying to stick to me?"
"I know a way to keep you sticky."
"Have you always thought with your cock?" Suguru huffs.
"Nah. Was doing fine, and then Kagome gave me a second awakening."
Kagome snorts. "Okay, I can walk now. My feet are falling asleep."
Satoru sets her down, though his hands linger on her hips. Kagome stretches her arms up above her head.
"Can I have my bow and quiver back?"
Suguru frowns, but retrieves it from the creepy worm curse's mouth.
"When we get there, remember not to accept anything they may give you. They are tricksters and they get graded on how well they play a trick on unsuspecting humans. Especially you Suguru."
"Me?" He points to himself.
"You're dressed like a monk. They'd get bonus points for tricking you."
"What about me?" Satoru reapplies his bandages. His white shirt stretches across his chest and does little to hide how muscular he is.
"Honestly, they'd probably think you're blind."
"That's fine, since I only have eyes for you."
"What about Suguru?"
"Ehhh, Suguru is alright. I'm not trying to look at him all night."
"A real charmer," Suguru deadpans.
"Heh. Charmed that ass."
Kagome shakes her head. "Just remember not to accept anything. Do not fight them. And please do not absorb them." She tilts her head. "I forgot to ask. Was Hojo okay when you saw him last night?"
"... He was alive?"
Kagome blinks.
Suguru snorts.
"That's good, but why do you sound unsure?"
"Well, he was alive when I left, but who knows what happened after I left?"
Kagome shrugs. "I'm sure he's fine. He's gotta live long enough to keep the Hojo line going after all."
"You know what keeps going?"
"Your mouth."
Satoru leans over and slaps the back of Suguru's head. Suguru glares and goes to hit Satoru back.
"Turn it off."
"No way." Satoru laughs.
"Whatever. I'll just gag you later."
"Gag? The hell you... Kagome, noooo."
"I didn't even say anything."
"It's all over your face. Take it easy on me. I'm delicate." Satoru placed a hand over his chest.
She rolls her eyes.
Wait. What's that sound?
Kagome shifts her bow. "Hold on. I hear something." She walks forward and crouches down. The sound gets louder, but she can't quite pinpoint it. Kagome sets her bow down and gets on her hands and knees, pressing her ear closer to the grass.
"Kagome," Satoru calls, his voice strained. "Those shorts are..." he trails off.
Kagome crawls forward and presses her head closer to the ground.
There!
She grabs the crying mushroom. "Shush, shush. It's okay," she tells the mushroom, holding it close to her. She stands and dusts her the dirt off her legs.
"A mushroom?" Suguru leans forward and pokes the mushroom. The mushroom shakes and then wails. "What the fuck?" he says, covering his ears.
"Please, whatever you do, don't eat that," Satoru remarks, wincing as he hands her, her bow.
"It's Shippo." Kagome holds the mushroom up and watches as it wiggles in her hand and tilts to the right. "This way."
"Hold on, let me get in front," Satoru says and this time, Kagome lets him take the lead.
"Why are you obsessed with being in the front?"
"Because," he stresses, "If anyone is gonna take a hit, it should be me. Not you."
"Oh." She peeks at Suguru behind her. He cracks his neck and gives her a sly grin. "I don't want you to take—"
"You're not winning this one," Satoru interrupts. "You can gag me tonight or whatever, but when it comes to your safety, I'm not budging."
Kagome rolls her eyes. "I appreciate it, but I'm not helpless."
"I'm on Satoru's side," Suguru says. "If something were to happen to you, I'd burn the world down."
Kagome huffs. "You wouldn't..." Something in Suguru's eyes gives her pause. "Well, I'm sure if you two had your way, I'd be in the house all day."
"I dunno know, I kind of like walking around out here, not having to worry about anything." Satoru blows out a breath. "But you being at home where it's safe sounds appealing."
Kagome scoffs. "If I wanted to be stuck at home all the time, I would have married Hojo."
Suguru makes a pained sound. Satoru fake gags.
Kagome frowns. "Or Koga," she mutters under her breath. Last she saw Koga and Ayame, Ayame was pregnant again with another litter of pups.
"Koga?" Suguru intones.
"Wolf demon," she replies off handily. "Don't worry, he has a mate."
"How'd that happen? A demon going for you?" Satoru asks conversationally.
Kagome squints. They're getting close and the sun is going down.
"Oh, he kidnapped me. Not because he wanted me. He needed me to do something for him, but I didn't appreciate being kidnapped, so I slapped him." She shrugs. "And after I slapped him, he decided I was going to be his woman until he finally realized I wasn't interested."
"How often do you get kidnapped?" Satoru asks, his voice slightly higher.
"These days?"
"These days!" Suguru parrots.
"These days, I don't," she continues. "I mean, when I was pulled down the well? I got kidnapped all the time. But I was 15 then, and I wasn't used to demons... or curses, for that matter." Kagome holds up the wiggling mushroom. It tilts to the left. "Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever run into curses here."
"The population is spread out. I'm not shocked there are fewer curses in this time," Suguru remarks. "But there are no demons in our time?"
Kagome sighs. "There was that Noh mask. Its seal broke, and it went on a slight rampage to get a physical body."
"Define slight."
"Uh, it did put Gramps in the hospital. Ate some humans, since it needed to consume human flesh to have a physical body. Started a fire. I'm sure it did other things."
"... And your family was okay with this?" Suguru asks.
"I mean, yeah? They didn't like that I was always in danger, but they didn't treat me differently. They welcomed InuYasha into the family, no problem." She rubs the back of her head. "The first time Mom met InuYasha, she didn't freak out. The first thing she did was ask if his dog ears were real. She and Sota fought over who got to pet his ears."
"But there aren't any demons in our time?" Suguru asks again.
"I haven't felt any. Though I spend most of my time here in the past." She frowns. "Honestly, I never gave it much thought. It's possible they died off, but I can't see how anything or anyone could take Sesshomaru out. Unless he's avoiding me in the future because of the whole time travel thing."
"Another demon?" Suguru asks, but his voice is off.
"The strongest."
Satoru makes a noise in the back of his throat. "I'm the... Suguru and I are the strongest."
"Suguru did take on that demon by himself, but—"
"What do you mean but?" Suguru huffs, walking closer to her and flanking her side.
"But strength isn't everything." She places her hand on his face and caresses his cheek. She pulls back, but he catches her hand and keeps it there. Suguru moves his head and kisses her palm. Her heart skips a beat. This softer side of Suguru is putting her through it.
A droplet of water hits her nose.
Shit.
Just like the woman's cries from earlier, the sky darkens and the rain assaults her.
Great, now she's soaked, and it's hard to see with how much it's pouring down.
"We need to find a cave. Somehow."
"There's one up ahead," Satoru says.
Wait. Why isn't he wet? Kagome wipes at her eyes, and it's like the rain is avoiding Satoru.
Oh. That's why he insists on taking the hits. Nothing touches him.
Suguru holds her hand as they trudge behind Satoru towards the cave. Kagome shivers as they make it into the dark cave. She hopes there's not a bear or something inside. Satoru gets a fire going for all of them. The light from the fire casts a soft glow along the cave walls.
She peels off her wet clothes and sits next to the fire. The last thing she needs is to get sick.
Satoru grins and shrugs off his top and then his pants. He undoes the bandages around his eyes.
"You aren't even wet." Kagome smiles even though this delay is ticking her off.
"Well, you know body heat is more effective. Or something like that."
Suguru reaches for her and urges her into his lap. His touch is no less needy than it was before, but there's a hesitation now, as though he is giving her a chance to pull away.
When did he get naked?
She stiffens. There's something in the cave with them.
A fox approaches. Its movements slow. Skittish. Kagome slides out of Suguru's lap and grabs some rabbit jerky and the fur from her bag. She approaches the fox, not head on, but to the side, and holds out the items.
The fox tilts its head, sniffs, and then runs back further into the cave. Kagome pouts.
"Come back, I'm sure it has food," Suguru calls.
Kagome sighs. She goes to move, but the fox comes running back with a kit in its mouth. It places the kit in front of her and nudges it with its nose.
Kagome swallows. The kit is hurt. She sets the jerky down on the fur and reaches for the kit, while keeping an eye on its mom. The kit lets out a low whine. The fox's ears perk up and it places both of its front paws on her arms.
"It's gonna be okay," Kagome soothes, holding her hand over the kit's stomach. She shivers, still cold from the rain, but she can handle the discomfort for now.
"Are you healing it?" Suguru asks.
"Yeah, her kit is hurt." She swallows the fresh wave of despair. Is her kit okay? There's really no telling with Shippo sometimes. He is stronger now, but he's still a child. But he also likes to play pranks, and she isn't sure how worried she should be.
She lowers her hand. The kit twitches and then jumps up. Its tail wags back and forth and then it pounces on its mom.
The fox yips and nudges its head against her lap. The kit bounces around and grabs some of the jerky. Kagome smiles and scratches the fox's ears. She pushes the rest of the items to the fox, who lingers for a moment before taking the items and running deeper into the cave with its kit hot on its heels.
"You healed it," Suguru states.
"You already asked me that," she quips, making her way back over to him and Satoru.
"I know. But." He presses his lips together in thought. "Healing is rare in the Jujutsu world."
"I'm not a sorcerer," she points out. "Healing is what priestesses do. It varies how much we can heal, but it's not uncommon."
"What's the coolest thing you've healed?" Satoru asks, rolling his shoulders back.
Kagome sits down next to Suguru and taps a finger to her lips. "A dragon."
"I have a dragon," Suguru says, tilting his body towards her.
"I don't want to see any curses," Kagome sighs. She might be slowly coming around to the curses he's tamed, but she's still not a fan of them, considering that they are born from negative emotions.
"No curses," Suguru says, moving closer to her with his palms on the floor. "But I got a dragon that needs to repent. Can you purify it in your holy waters?"
Kagome's face warms. Her mouth pops open. Suguru smiles and claims her lips.
"It wasn't that good," Satoru complains.
Suguru plucks her nipples and soothes the sting with his thumbs.
"Stop hogging her," Satoru grumbles.
Suguru sighs and pulls away. "I thought we were gagging him."
"That monkey ate some of my birth control," she reminds them.
"I could pull out?" They reply.
Kagome snorts. "Neither of you sound sure about that."
"I mean, I don't know about Suguru," Satoru drawls, "but I'm not going anywhere, so if you were—"
"You said you never wanted kids," Suguru snaps.
"I never thought I'd fuck you in the ass, and here we are."
Kagome crosses her arms. They want kids?
"How would that even work? I'm not trying to stay in a clan."
Satoru and Suguru freeze. They look at her, then at each other, and back at her.
"We could add on to the house if you don't mind giving up some of the shrine grounds."
Kagome blinks.
"I'm stepping away from the temple," Suguru says.
Satoru sucks in a breath.
Huh. That must be a big deal.
"Stepping away to do what?"
"Help you," he murmurs. "That'll be a lot of kids in the house."
"Who said anything about you two moving in?"
"You'd kick me out?" Suguru pouts.
Kagome closes her eyes. Kami give her strength. A pouting Suguru is too much.
"And who is supporting these kids?"
"I guess I am," Satoru says. "Not like I ain't got it." He laughs. "Suguru, you're gonna be my kept man?"
"You're hilarious."
Kagome opens one eye and peeks at them. "You guys are serious."
"Serious about you," Satoru coos.
"I'm seriously going to gag you," Suguru deadpans.
"Your cock ain't big enough to gag me."
Suguru splutters.
Kagome sighs. "Ignore him. You have a massive dragon." She stands and stretches her arms.
"What about me?"
"I think your ego has been stroked enough."
"You haven't stroked it at all today," Satoru sighs.
Kagome shakes her head and pulls out some clothes from her bag.
"What are you doing?" Suguru asks.
"Getting dressed. You want me to sleep naked?"
"Always."
She mock sighs. "Starting to think you guys just want me for my body."
They scramble over to her so fast Kagome's head spins. She was joking.
"I was kidding."
"We don't kid about you," Suguru says, brushing a locket of hair back.
Satoru lies his head on her shoulder.
Sango said to take it day by day, but ever since she's said yes to these two, it's been more like minute by minute.
"But you want a kid with me," she states. "Since when?"
Suguru averts his eyes. "Since the first night when you said you were on the pill. I wasn't thinking about kids then, but..." he swallows, and Kagome can't believe Suguru is struggling for words.
"I want to meet the twins." She pats Satoru's head. "And your kids too."
"Is that a, yes?"
"It's not a no, but that's not something you just do without considering everyone's feelings."
"The girls will love you," Suguru says, meeting her gaze.
"Tsumiki will love ya. Megumi is a grump, but he's a good kid."
Kagome hums. "So, the trouble one is Shippo," she says gravely.
Satoru lifts his head and glances at Suguru.
They're doing that wordless communication again.
"If the rain lets up, do you want to keep pushing through tonight?" Suguru asks.
"Yes." The answer is out of her mouth before she can catch it. Traveling at night is rough, but they are so close to the school. And the mushroom has been too quiet.
"Okay. We'll travel as much as we can."
Kagome leans forward and crawls into Suguru's lap. She cups his face and presses her lips to his.
Satoru grumbles.
"Come here, Satoru." She leans over and kisses Satoru. Suguru drops his head and kisses along the column of her neck. His hand cups her breast.
"For the record," Satoru says, "I support both of you being at home."
Kagome gasps. Suguru's tongue toys with her nipple. These two don't play fair. She was trying to be sweet.
"You trying to turn me into a housewife?"
"Yes." Satoru kisses her again. His hand wraps around her throat. The possessiveness throws her off and sends her mind into a tizzy.
Suguru slides his hand down and presses against her. She jerks, brushing against his cock. Her stomach clenches. Her walls clench around nothing, desperate to have Suguru inside.
"I'll pull out," Suguru pleads, moving his hands so they rest on her hips. He rocks her over his length. "Let me in."
"I don't believe you," she huffs out. Her eyes roll back. Satoru moves behind her and cups her breasts, teasing her. His breath is warm.
"Just once?"
Kagome huffs and then lets out a low moan. Oh, they are not playing fair. Satoru kisses her neck and then sucks the skin between her neck and shoulder.
Is he trying to mark her?
Minute by minute, right?
"If I get pregnant, you're changing—Suguru!"
Satoru chuckles behind her. She wants to say something witty, but her eyes roll back, and Satoru guides her partly into his arms, while Suguru bounces her off of him.
"Kami, you're beautiful," Satoru murmurs, bending his head down and kissing her again. He likes kissing her. Satoru doesn't have to say it, but it's obvious with how many kisses he sneaks in during the day. "Look at cha, riding his cock. How does he feel?"
"Good," she breathes. "Stretching me out."
"Yeah? You like how he stretches you out?" He fondles her breasts, alternating between squeezing and plucking her nipples like his own personal instrument. "Want him to fill you up?" he growls out, his breathing becoming more erratic.
"Fuck," Suguru says. "I think she does. Ease up a little," he says, a little breathless.
"Sorry," she replies, easing her muscles.
"Trying to kill me," Suguru jokes, but he thrusts into her like he's trying to send her to the other side. Suguru shifts and grabs her thighs, forcing her to lie back in Satoru's lap. "Lock those legs around me."
She holds on to Satoru for perchance. Her legs tremble.
She's gonna come.
"Don't hide from me," Suguru grunts out. Kagome snaps her eyes open. When did she close them? Suguru smiles, and it's downright sinful with the way his hair sticks to his forehead. She watches, transfixed at the way his cock slams into her.
"Suguru," she whines.
"That's it, open up for me." He places a palm over her stomach.
"I'm gonna—"
"Yeah? Let it out," Suguru babbles. "You're never leaving me. Mine." He snaps his hips and fills her to the brim.
Kagome lets out a shuddering sigh. It's not the first time he's come in her, but this time the weight of what they've done is heavier. She turns her head and looks up at Satoru.
His expression is feral.
"Give me her legs," Satoru commands, and Suguru must be too far gone from his orgasm, because he unwraps Kagome's legs from around his waist and pushes them up and toward Satoru.
"Put that flexibility to the test." Satoru smirks as his hands grip her thighs. Kagome sucks in a breath. Satoru leans forward, while pulling her closer to his mouth. He suctions his lips around her cunt and Kagome forgets her name.
"Taste so good," he murmurs, eating her out like he's been deprived of her for months.
"How's my come taste?" Suguru asks, but his voice is lower. Thick.
"It's missing something," Satoru quips, dipping his tongue inside. "I'm not sure what." He pulls back and nips at the inside of her thigh. "Ah, that's what it's missing." He lowers her legs.
Kagome swallows. Her legs may as well be jello at this point. Satoru maneuvers her so her back is to Suguru. He smiles down at her.
"I missed you," he coos, sinking into her.
"You are not talking to my—"
"Shhh, can't you hear how much she missed me too?" he asks, pulling back and thrusting into her. The sound reverberates off the walls. Kagome's eyes roll back.
The sounds he's coaxing out of her are scandalous.
Suguru leans down and kisses her.
Satoru smacks her cunt, pulling a squeal from her throat. "Don't stop talkin' to me," he says.
"You're so... Fuck!"
"Love it when you talk dirty." Satoru smiles, but it's all teeth. "Why don't cha praise my name instead, like a good girl?"
Kagome clamps down on him. His hips stutter.
"Minx," Satoru grunts out. "If ya wanna play dirty..." he trails off, pushing her legs further out and then wrapping an arm around her. "I can do it better." He reaches between them and smacks her cunt again, before rubbing around her clit and giving her just enough to drive her crazy.
Suguru kisses her, taking her moans for himself. Her vision goes in and out. The pressure mounts and she might break. She comes, trembling. Her whole body is so sensitive.
"That's what she was missing," Satoru says, breathless, as he fills her.
"You're such a perv," she huffs out, but her words lack any real heat.
"I'm whatever you want me to be." Satoru winks.
"The rain stopped," Suguru says after a moment. "Do you want us—"
Kagome pushes herself up, though her body really wants to fall asleep. Her thighs are slick.
"Wait," Satoru says, crawling on his hands and knees to her. "You got come leaking out."
"I just need... Satoru!" Kagome blinks as he licks at her thighs.
"That's better," he chirps. "Now you can get dressed."
"You're such a glutton," Suguru chastises. He puts out the fire and puts their items away, summoning that creepy curse of his. "I'm leaving out some jerky so we can snack on the walk."
"Good idea," Kagome says, pulling on her tank top and a pair of leggings.
"No bra?" Satoru wraps his bandages around his eyes and then crosses his arms.
"I don't feel like it."
Satoru presses his lips together like he wants to argue and then shrugs. "It's fine. I can fight."
Suguru snorts. "Come on." He holds out a hand for Kagome to take. She scoops up the not-so-crying mushroom and takes Suguru's outstretched hand.
"We can rest there. Hopefully. But remember, don't accept anything."
"What about if it's from Shippo?"
Kagome blows out a breath. "Especially if it's from Shippo. He's the biggest trickster there." She holds up the mushroom that leans forward. They push on, even though her legs are tired, and her brain is mush.
"This looks more like a mansion than a school," Satoru remarks.
"Yeah, that's how they get people in to trick them." Kagome steps forward, but Satoru holds out his arm. "It's fine."
The ground rumbles, and a cyclops appears in front of them with its tongue out. "Fear us!"
Another demon appears, one with wings, but it has claws for a mouth.
"Where's Shippo," Kagome says, crossing her arms.
The demons blink, and in an instant, only two red-haired foxes stand before them. "He's inside," they chime, pouting. A paper poofs in front of them and they groan. "Oh no! We lost points!"
"Come on," Kagome says, taking the lead. She walks up the stairs and opens the door. A few foxes stare at them. "Shippo?"
"Oh, in his room," one says, fiddling with a spinner.
"What kind of school is this?" Satoru asks.
"It's set up like a place to stay because then they can play tricks on unsuspecting travelers. It wouldn't make sense for it to be set up like a traditional school in our time." Kagome raises her fist to knock and shrugs. Shippo should have smelled her by now. She opens the door and blinks at the sight.
"...Oh...you're not InuYasha," Shippo says, hanging from the ceiling. There are bones scattered across the floor and is that the kibble he begged her to buy? "Uhhh, stay right there." Shippo hops down and tosses a toy at the floor. A hole appears and a bunch of fox statues land in the hole.
"That's not a trick," Suguru says.
"Who are you two?" Shippo crosses his arms and sniffs. "Mama...you got mates?"
"I guess that's what you can call them." She marches forward and bends down. "But you! Did you send a letter to InuYasha saying you were in danger?"
Shippo turns his head to the side. "I... uh... Wow! I can't believe I have two dads!" Shippo runs over to Satoru and Suguru. He must give them a look because Suguru bends down and ruffles his fingers through Shippo's hair.
"You know, we haven't had dinner yet," Suguru says. "And I'm curious about these tricks you like to play. Satoru would be a good test dummy."
"Hey!"
Shippo looks back at her.
Kagome sighs. "Fine. But don't take it too far."
Suguru scoops Shippo up and places him on his shoulder. Satoru tilts his head and pokes Shippo's paw, which sends Shippo into a giggling fit.
Kagome blinks. Her shoulders lower. She was worried for nothing. Everything seems to be working out just fine.
A/N: Happy Birthday Suguru! His birthday is actually Feb 3rd. The beginning of this chapter was a little hard to write. Felt really bad for the Mom and her baby, especially since I'm a mom myself and I unfortunately know what child loss is like. But after that, everything else was much easier to write.
The next update will be How To Tame and that will be sometime next week. I'm not sure what day, but I'm gonna binge some anime this weekend and refill my well.
Stay healthy. Stay warm. The weather is fluctuating where I am, so make sure to take your vitamins and bundle up if you need to. Drink your water. If you're tired, grab some water before grabbing another cup of coffee. And don't let anyone try to convince you that you aren't awesome!