Kagome fidgets with her fingers, trying her best to stop looking in the backseat. Koushi is sleeping. She knows this. But she can't see his face from the front passenger seat, and she really should have just climbed into the backseat and had Megumi take the front. Satoru covers her hands with his.
She stares at his hand and then relaxes. Satoru is right. Koushi is fine. She's just being antsy for no reason. Koushi is sleeping and the chances of him teleporting are slim, so long as Satoru is right there.
Still, she's about to enter unfamiliar territory and she doesn't have a bow with her.
"Is there anything I should know before we get there?" she asks, needing to break up the silent atmosphere. The car is too quiet. Maybe Satoru is afraid to talk while Koushi is sleeping, or maybe he isn't nearly as talkative as she thought he was.
"Besides that, you're mine?" He flashes her a smirk. "Well, they might say some out-of-pocket shi—crap since they're old-fashioned like that. But I think once they see Koushi and see that he has the six eyes and limitless, they'll probably sing a different tune."
Her brows bunch together. Why does that matter? A child is a child, regardless of how many extra abilities they have. They should be happy to have a grandson, period. Satoru glances at her and then back to the road.
"They're old-fashioned. In the jujutsu world, power and obedience are key, so when they realize how strong Koushi is, they'll change their tune. I got anything I wanted growing up."
"That explains a lot," Megumi quips from the backseat.
"You can get anything you want," Satoru retorts. "You're just not greedy enough."
Kagome pokes the inside of her cheek with her tongue. They don't seem to be talking about materialistic things anymore. No, not with how Satoru looks at Megumi through the rear-view mirror. She interlocks their fingers and looks out the window. Old-fashioned, huh? Annoying, but she can deal with it. Not like she didn't have to deal with that stuff when she was time-traveling. This should be a walk in the park.
"Anyway," Satoru says. "We're just introducing them to you and Koushi, so you two have more protection. We aren't staying for lunch or dinner. We get in, get out, and then stop by the hospital if you and Koushi are feeling up to it."
"I'll need to eat," Kagome points out. "I don't think this will be a get in and get out meeting like you're hoping. They'll have questions."
Satoru groans. "Questions? Ugh. Okay, we'll stop somewhere and then go to the hospital."
"Why are we going to a hospital?" Megumi questions. "Did something happen?"
"No, but Kagome may be able to help with whatever is going on with Tsumiki since it's curse related. We don't know for certain, but it doesn't hurt to try."
"Oh. That's... thank you."
"We'll also need groceries," Satoru says, tugging his hand free. He reaches for his phone in the cup holder and unlocks it. "But we can make Ijichi take care of that. He has a key to the apartment." He places the unlocked phone in her lap. "Just tell him what to get if you have any preferences."
"Now I'm doing the grocery shopping?" Kagome raises a brow.
"I thought you wanted to be a housewife?"
She sucks her teeth. There he goes again with that wife thing. He can't possibly be serious about wanting them to all live together? They barely know each other. "Sounds like you want me to be a housewife." She composes the text message to this Ijichi person and lists out some things that would be nice to have at Satoru's place.
"I mean... if you ever want to greet me just wearing an apron when I get home, I won't complain."
Kagome flushes.
"EW." Megumi grumbles from the back seat. "Can't you wait until I'm not around?"
Kagome grimaces and turns around to look back at Megumi. "Sorry, about him."
"Hey!"
"It's fine," Megumi says, turning his head towards the window. "Just not used to seeing him being anything other than an obnoxious idiot."
"Megumi is the sweetest," Satoru says, completely unfazed by the insult. Kagome turns back around and studies the side of his profile. "Kagome," he warns.
"I'm not doing anything."
"You're looking at me."
"I can't look at you now?"
Satoru bites his lip. "I've been wound up since last night." He clucks his tongue. "Make that more like a year."
She squints at him. Is he saying what she thinks he is saying? "You mean you haven't..." she trails off, trying to be mindful of the company in the backseat.
"Couldn't do it." He glances down at his lap, then at her, and finally back to the road. "You should take responsibility," he says with a sigh.
Kagome snorts. "That sounds like a personal problem."
He gasps.
"And no," she adds. "That was the last thing on my mind when I was pregnant."
"Was it hard?"
Kagome blinks. "Uh...no? It wasn't a hard pregnancy, though there were some weird things that happened with the ultrasounds. I thought it was me at first, but now I think it was Koushi."
"What was wrong with the ultrasounds?" Satoru makes a left turn, and it feels like they have been driving forever.
"The equipment just never wanted to act right. Like it would suddenly malfunction. Ended up just opting to labor at home because I thought it would be easier." She shrugs. "Mama actually got to hold him first since she caught him. I got some pushback from the doctor, of course, since they wanted me to deliver in the hospital, but... I'm glad I didn't. Between the ultrasound equipment and other equipment malfunctioning every time we went in, and then the day he was born, it snowed."
"July...7th? During the Star Festival? It snowed then, which was weird."
"Yep, that's when he wanted to come out."
"He also knocked Yuji into a wall," Megumi speaks up. Kagome whips her head toward Satoru. Who is Yuji? And how did Koushi knock someone into a wall?
"Yuji is fine," Satoru stresses. "More importantly, my son caused it to snow in July."
"Is that all you got from that?" Kagome shakes her head. Does anything faze this man? "I'm not saying he did, just that there were some things that didn't add up."
"Nah, my son was flexing from the womb."
"Please don't let Koushi grow up to be like his father," Megumi pleads.
"I don't know where I went wrong with Megumi," Satoru sighs. "I tried my best. Guess that's what happens when you become a teen parent."
"You aren't my father."
"See!"
Kagome covers her mouth with her hand and looks away from Satoru. She will not laugh. The phone vibrates in her lap. "Ijichi says he dropped off the groceries."
"Good, now have him do some more errands. Whatever you need." He turns down a road and Kagome perks up at the sight of a barrier.
"Is he your assistant?"
"Basically."
"Ijichi-san is the manager for the school, not Gojo-sensei's assistant."
That clears up absolutely nothing. Kagome yawns. They've been in this car so long, her butt hurts. She gets why Satoru mentioned getting a bigger apartment in Tokyo. If his clan is this far out, then it would take way too long for her to get back to the shrine. And it is out in the middle of nowhere. The estate, because that's what it is, looks as though it hasn't changed since the feudal era.
Satoru parks the car and cuts off the engine. He looks at her as he grabs his phone from her lap. "Just remember, they may say something that might piss you off. I'll handle it if it happens."
Kagome nods. Yeah, if they say something inappropriate, she'll smack the shit out of them herself.
Satoru smiles and then gets out of the car. Kagome goes to open her door and jerks back. How did he... She scratches her head as the door opens and Satoru rests his arms on top of the door, waiting for her to get out. Is it truly that serious for him to get the door for her? She shakes her head and thanks him.
Megumi shoots them a bewildered expression and stuffs his hands in his pockets.
Is this not normal behavior for Satoru, then? Kagome mentally shrugs as she walks around the car to get Koushi out of the car seat. Satoru carries her yellow backpack with some of Koushi's stuff. Hopefully, Ayumi can drop the baby bag off today.
"I probably should have called ahead," Satoru admits, striding in front of them. "But everyone is probably here, since they don't do too many missions these days. At least the people that matter, anyway."
"Don't you have missions?" Kagome asks, cradling Koushi to her chest.
"Yeah... but things got moved around because Koushi wanted to make a grand entrance. The missions aren't going anywhere, though I might be late coming home."
Late coming home? Why would she care if he gets in late?
Oh.
"Satoru, I was going to stay at the shrine tonight."
"Even though the bed is small?"
"Who said you were sleeping with me?"
"Are you guys even together?" Megumi questions.
"No."
"Yes."
Kagome shoots Satoru a look. They'll talk about this later. For whatever reason, he seems to think taking responsibility for Koushi means he has to be in a relationship with her. He shouldn't throw away his prospects. The last thing she wants is to get used to having Satoru around, fall in love with him, and then he wakes up one day and regrets everything.
Like InuYasha.
Kagome bites the inside of her cheeks. "It's complicated," she says. Kagome takes in the old structures and how quiet the estate is. "But yes, we're together." This place gives her the creeps. "Why is this place so cold?"
"You're cold?"
She shakes her head. "No, I mean like stiff. There's no noise. It may as well be a zombie estate with how quiet it is."
Satoru blinks. "Zombie?" He smiles. "Well... they like order."
"The Zenins are like that too," Megumi says. "At least when I visit."
"All the clans are probably similar in that aspect. There is a certain level of obedience that they want. I hate it, so I don't stick around here."
"But you're the clan leader," Kagome stresses. "Can't you make it livelier?" She does not want Koushi to be raised in such an environment. This place screams sterile.
Satoru stops. "Yeah. You're right. I could do something." He resumes walking and leads them down some halls. Some people walk by and bow their heads. Some stare at Kagome when they think she doesn't notice, or maybe more when they think Satoru doesn't notice. She isn't sure, but the whispers don't pick up until they get further away.
They come to a door and instead of knocking, Satoru bursts in. "Yo!" he greets.
"Why don't you ever knock?" A man asks.
"Knock? What for? Why would I knock when I came to show you your grandson?"
"... My what?"
Satoru steps into the office and steps aside for Kagome to stand next to him. She clutches Koushi closer to her chest. Koushi squirms a bit. He'll be getting up soon. He must have used a lot of energy teleporting to his dad because he doesn't normally nap for this long. So, this is Satoru's father and Koushi's grandfather? Kagome swallows back the sigh.
These Gojo genes are strong. Even the grandfather looks just like Satoru, except with longer hair. Though his build looks more muscular, or maybe it's the traditional haori top that makes him look more muscular? Satoru's work uniform slims him. Unless he's lost muscle mass since that night.
"Kagome, this is the old geezer. But you can call him Syouma."
Syouma presses his lips into a thin line and then rises from his chair. He walks around the desk right as Koushi wakes up. Koushi blinks and turns his head. Syouma inhales.
"Is that?"
"Yep, he's got it too."
Syouma takes a step forward and Koushi reaches a hand out towards him. Kagome bites her tongue as Syouma gently takes Koushi from her arms. Every muscle in her body twitches.
It's okay. It's okay. This is Koushi's grandfather. She gnaws on her tongue.
"This is impossible," Syouma whispers. "But you're here and you're perfect." Syouma turns to Satoru, completely dismissing Kagome. "We'll have a wet nurse come to the main wing and assign him an attendant."
"Excuse me?" Kagome hisses.
Syouma looks at her and scoffs. "Why did you bring this woman here?"
"About that." Satoru rubs the back of his head. "You need to watch your mouth when you address Kagome. There will be no wet nurses for Koushi. We didn't come here to drop Koushi off. I came to let you know you have a grandson, and others may come after him because he has the six eyes and limitless." Satoru jerks a thumb at Kagome. "Or my future wife. I don't want anyone getting any wise ideas."
Future wife?
"What's all this ruckus?" A man bellows.
Kagome turns and blinks at the sight of the man. He's bulky, like one of those American wrestlers. Not at all like the sumo ones. His hair is shorter than Satoru's, but his eyes are the same shade of blue as Syouma's. She needs to see more clan members. Do their genes just win in every single round?
"Why are you so loud?" Syouma sighs.
"This is my normal voice," the man says and then he leers at Kagome. He licks his lips. "Who is this pretty little thing?"
"Another word and I'll cut your tongue out and make you choke on it," Satoru says cheerily. "Kagome, this is my uncle Ryu. But feel free to always ignore him."
Megumi sighs. Kagome frowns. Perhaps Megumi was telling the truth that he isn't Satoru's kid. He doesn't look like him and the other members don't seem to be acknowledging him.
"We got another six eyes and limitless user in the family," Syouma says. "Since you like to talk so much, go and tell everyone about Koushi." Syouma pauses. "And it appears that our clan leader is taking a wife."
Ryu blanches. "Her?" He points at Kagome. "He's taking her as a... did you say there's another six eyes user?"
Koushi reaches up and pinches Syouma's face. He blinks and then winces. "You weren't even this strong when you were a baby," Syouma says.
"You remember me as a kid?" Satoru scoffs.
Oh boy. Did she just walk into some family trauma?
Syouma ignores Satoru and instead focuses on Koushi, who continues to tug at his face. "Ryu, why are you dallying?"
"I was thinking—"
"A first," Satoru quips.
"I was thinking that we don't know if this child was born with the prized abilities because of Satoru or because he simply is a miracle child. We should test this. In fact, I know neither of you cares too much about this, so I have taken on the liberty of sorting through the marriage prospects and have narrowed it down to the finest breeders."
Breeders? Kagome rubs her temple. She peeks at Megumi, who has his arms crossed and seems unfazed by this behavior. Satoru's face is stone cold, like the expression he wore last night at the station.
"None of that is happening. I'm with Kagome."
"But why? You would risk increasing our bloodline to stay with a non-sorcerer? There is no cursed energy within her. I cannot believe you even brought her back to the estate. What good is—"
Slam. Ryu's body hits the wall, and he slides down.
Kagome blinks. She didn't even Satoru move.
"Father, you'll make the proper announcements."
Syouma nods. "Ryu is an idiot. It's clear that something is abnormal about you," the last part he directs at Kagome. "And my grandson. There's some other energy here, but it's not cursed."
Kagome tilts her head. "You mean holy energy. Has no one felt holy energy around here?"
Syouma stares. Assesses. His eyes flint back to Satoru.
"Nope. Just you and Koushi." Satoru reaches for Koushi, but Koushi squeezes Syouma's face tighter and refuses to let go. "Kind of hurting my feelings here, bud. Don't you want me?" Satoru sighs. "Oh, and this stays in this room. At least for now. The last thing we need is for a manhunt to take place."
"Why would a man hunt take place?" She doesn't get it. So, what if she has holy powers? Why would others be hunted down because of that?
"Other clans may think they can replicate the same." Satoru shrugs. "No reason for innocents to get swept into this. Or they may try to go after you and try to replicate the same. Desperate sorcerers act like curse users."
Kagome nods. So, these sorcerers are less human and more demon-like in their society. That's fine. She can work with that. "For the record, I think it was simply Koushi wanting to be born. All things considered."
Satoru beams. "My super sperm." He winks at Kagome.
"And I'm disgusted," Megumi says. "I'm going back to the car." He walks out of the office and glances down at the knocked out Ryu on his way. Megumi says something under his breath, but Kagome can't make out what.
"Will you be moving back into the estate?"
"I'm not living here," Kagome says before Satoru can answer.
Syouma blinks. He assesses her again and Kagome stands up taller. What is with this guy?
"Nah, we're gonna get a bigger apartment. Space out future kids and go from there. The estate is too far from Kagome's family, and she'll need her support system around."
Kagome bites on her tongue again. Crap. She just implied she and Satoru are going to be living together. That she wants to live with him.
Syouma frowns.
"You can always come by and see him," she says. "Just give me a head's up in case he's down for a nap."
Syouma gives her the smallest smile and nods his head. He sniffs and then coughs. Ah, Koushi must have used his diaper. Kagome takes the bag from Satoru and looks for the supplies.
"I can do it," Syouma announces it, startling Kagome. Why does it sound like he's about to go off into battle?
"You? Change a diaper?" Satoru's tone drips with skepticism, but Syouma ignores him and, with Kagome's guidance, he changes Koushi's diaper. It's clear that Syouma isn't used to doing such tasks, but Kagome can't help but smile at seeing Koushi's grandfather trying.
"We should get going," Kagome says, taking Koushi back, who immediately pats her chest. "He's hungry and I'm hungry."
Satoru stares at Koushi's hand and then finally looks at her. "He just pats your breasts and gets what he wants?"
Kagome inhales. "Satoru."
He throws up his hands in surrender. "I was just curious. Not that I was thinking about doing such things."
She shakes her head as she walks over to the black leather chair and sits down. Syouma turns his back to her and faces Satoru, giving her some privacy as she nurses Koushi. "We can just stop at a drive-in on the way to the hospital and then back to the shrine."
"And then back to the apartment?"
Kagome presses her lips together. He really wants them in his apartment? "Just leave the car again and a key to get in."
Syouma sighs. "I will let the rest of the clan know. You may not want an attendant for Koushi, but Ito is around." Syouma drops the dirty diaper on Ryu's face.
"Another time," Satoru says. "Kagome looks like she might blow if she meets any more members."
Uh yeah, because if any of them are like his uncle, she might get slap-happy. At least Syouma is relatively okay, though he was dismissive in the beginning.
"Alright," Syouma says, grabbing Ryu's leg. "I'll ensure the word is out... and I would like to see Koushi again later this week."
"You just saw—"
"I'll make us lunch," Kagome says, fixing the top part of her dress. She burps Koushi, who settles back down. He seems to be taking in his surroundings.
"I'd like that," Syouma says, as he drags Ryu's unconscious body out of the office.
"He's never like that," Satoru says after a moment. "He was barely around during my childhood and now he's suddenly changing diapers?"
"That's called being a grandparent." Kagome stands and walks over to him. "He might have regrets from yours and is just trying to do better. I wouldn't think too hard about it." She yawns. "Come on, poor Megumi has been waiting for us in the car."
"No one told him to go back to the car," Satoru quips, leading them out of the estate. The yellow bookbag classes with his black uniform.
"I thought it would have been more intense. Meeting everyone."
Satoru blows out a breath. "I thought about it and decided it would be better to have the old man make the announcement. I didn't want you and Koushi to feel like you're under a microscope. The Gojo elders are annoying with their so-called counsel. And they're similar to my uncle, though he's more boisterous than they are. Didn't want you to deal with that. That's why I didn't call for an official meeting."
Oh.
"And about me being your future wife..."
"Ah yeah, what's your ring size?" He turns and reaches for her left hand. "A six or a seven, maybe?"
Kagome flushes. "I don't know, and I'm not asking you to marry me."
Satoru tilts his head. "Of course not. I'll be the one to propose."
She sighs. This man is going to be the death of her.
A/N: Happy Easter! I've been leaning more into this being a multiverse, so Syouma is officially in this story along with Ryu.
"Did Kagome and Satoru go to a love hotel?" - Ohhhh yeah, they went to a high-end one.
"Did Satoru wear shades that night?" - Yep, Satoru wears his shades when he isn't working or picking up women. So Kagome hasn't seen him wear his blindfold, though she was side-eyeing it since Satoru never pulled it back on.
"Did the slap knock Sukuna out or was he was afraid of getting smacked again?" - Sukuna was flabbergasted that a baby hit his soul and then pissed that Yuji is so dumb that he can't even dodge an attack from a baby. I'm sure Sukuna is going to give Yuji hell the rest of the day.
"Will people know Kagome has powers?" - After she heals Tsumiki, people are going to have more questions. I don't think Satoru is gonna be able to keep people away from Kagome like he wants.
So I couldn't help myself and I went ahead start posting the original story lolol. It's up on my tumblr, scribblehub, and tapas. For my Ao3 peeps, do you want it on Ao3 as well? Updates may be a little slower since A03 doesn't have a scheduler (sad). But if you do read it, I have the most serious question...should the sword-wielding cupcake be a recurring character?
Next update will be A Thousand Days and then How To Tame. Take care! I hope you have a wonderful Sunday and I hope Monday and the rest of the week is amazing for you. Get some sun if you can and drink your water!
Side note, I really need Satoru to come back and How To Tame so I can release some of these side stories.