"Okay," you sigh. "I hate running out like this, but I need to go feed this Beast before it whines any louder. Can you do me a favor, sir? Let Tatsuki know that, if she's ready to talk about this mess again before you all have to leave, she can come find me. I should be in the cafeteria, or close by. Failing that, well..." You shrug. "You know how to get in touch with me."

Isshin frowns and is visibly reluctant to let you go, but he nods. He doesn't really have any right to stop you.

Hefting your various awards, you make for the cafeteria.

You arrive to find the place packed. Your entrance is noted, and earns a round of applause and cheering, which you do your best to accept graciously without slowing down too much. The call of food is strong, and cannot be denied much longer - if it is, you won't be held accountable for your actions.

It's the work of only a moment to find your friends - you just look for some particularly exotic hair-colors and Briar's puffball glow. The girls have picked up additional company, and the enlarged group appears to have claimed three, maybe four tables and pushed them together for personal convenience. You're a little surprised to note that Briar's invitation to the Shuzens was apparently accepted, as Akasha is talking to Tifa's not-so-old master-type, as well as the two men you saw with Kasumi and Ayane yesterday, a third you don't recognize but who has a similar bearing, and Altria's wizard companion. Lu-sensei is there as well, much to your amazement, plus the older ninja-boys. There are still plenty of unclaimed chairs left, with a group of them numerous enough to account for the Kurosaki family off to one end of the table, and several others scattered along its length. Most of the girls are gathered together and chattering away like any other group of young females you've ever seen; aside from the noteable distance between Cordelia and Kahlua and the somewhat sulky expression on Kokoa's face as she picks at her food, they seem to be getting along. Altria is a bit more focused on her food than on conversation, but does take the time to respond when somebody speaks to her.

Then someone calls your name, the entire group looks up, and a number of people smile. Most of them young girls.

...you're suddenly not as hungry as you thought you were.