Sweet Rin’s Bakery by Ritska

Sweet Rin’s Bakery

Sweet Rin’s Bakery

Summary: Kagome entered a bakery to place an order for a wedding cake. She left with a whirl of surprises.

Rating: K+

Universe: CU

Challenge: Second Annual Fanfiction Tournament by Tangerine Dream

Prompt: Chocolate

Words: 3,624

Partner: Madison

This is my entry for the tournament by Tangerine, please read both my partner’s, Maddie, and my own story. Pleas PM Tangerine with your votes. Thank you and I have tried to correct has much mistakes as I can, if there is any please tell me so I can fix it.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha, which belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. (Edit 7/6/11)

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Kagome looked around her friend’s apartment, waiting for her to dress. They had an appointment at the new bakery that just opened. In a few weeks, she was going to be the new Mrs. Daichi Yoshi. No Kagome was not getting married, her best friend Mai was.

It has been more than five years since her return from the feudal era. She had been depressed at first, and one day decided to take a walk to clear her mind. That is when she ran into the one of the two people she missed the most. Sango and Miroku, well at least she thought they were. Kagome met Mai Nariku and Daichi Yoshi, the reincarnations of her best friends. She laughed at the memory of the newly engaged couple staring at her like she grown another head. That day she made a promise to herself, she was not going to let the leave again.

“Ok, I’m ready.” Mai came out wearing a pink top and a green skirt. Her high ponytail swayed has she looked for her keys. Kagome laughed as she lifted her hands showing the keys dangling from her fingers. The older woman made a sound that was close to a growl, and marched towards the door. Grabbing the keys as she passed, she yelled back at the younger woman to hurry up.

They exited the apartment; Kagome couldn’t help but worry for her friend. Mai seemed she couldn’t even put the key in the hole to lock her home. Mai choose the new bakery for their high reviews, and they use of only organic ingredients. The downfall was that the baker expected nothing if not punctuation from his clients. Judging by her watch, they were going to be late.

“Mai, why don’t I drive? I know a quicker route. Even if we just make it on time you could at least enter the bakery, will I look for parking.” Her friend merely nodded has she handed Kagome the keys.

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A young girl was smiled at the customer, making him blush. “Thank you for coming to Sweet Rin’s Bakery. Please come again sir!”

The young boy nodded and left. The young female had long black hair under a white hat. She had on a blue shirt that read “Sweet Rin’s” in white. Brown eyes looked up at the bakery’s door that was slammed open. It didn’t give time for the little gold bell on top to ring. A woman was bending over, hand on her knees, trying to catch her breath. “I’m…I’m here for an appointment at 1.”

“Oh yes, Ms. Nariku. My name is Suki, let me get tell them you are here. Is your fiancé going to decide on your wedding cakes as well?”

Suki watched as the woman shook her head. The small gold bell moved forward than back, making it sing. Brown eyes looked behind Ms. Nariku and spotted another young woman entering. Something told Suki that she was someone she should remember. The young girl shrugged. ‘Probably a previous customer.’

“No, I brought my maid of honor.” Kagome smiled at the eager girl. Suki showed the women were to wait as she went to find the baker’s assistant. She went to the back to find a young man frosting cupcakes.

“Hey Shippo, the one o’clock appointment is here.” The autumn haired male looked up with a scowl on his face.

“Suki, you know we shouldn’t say our real names when we are out.” Suki looked down at her shoes. She mumbled a sorry, as ‘Kyo’ passed her. Shippo loved her like a little sister, but there were times when she didn’t seem that bright.

He walked further to the back towards the oven. A tall male wearing a baker’s hat was baking a cake that was for a birthday party this weekend. “Hey Hisao, a client here looking for a wedding cake.”

Hisao, never took his eyes off his task, he waved one hand towards the boy. It was a signal that Shippo was in charge of the appointment. With a heavy sigh, he walked towards a desk to grab a sketching note book and color pencils. He walked towards the front of the store to see Suki was taking care of newly entered customers; he looked towards the waiting area. The moment his green eyes laid eyes on the females, he stopped breathing. There before him stood his mother, Kagome, and Sango. No, he had witness Sango on her deathbed; this would have to be her reincarnation. He knew he had to get himself together, and work through this. He calmly walked towards them, finding it impossible to ignore a spur of excitement with in him.

“Good afternoon ladies. My name is Kyo. Today I will be helping with your wedding cake. Please forgive our baker, Hisao, he has a big order to take care of, so I am going to take his place for this appointment.” He bowed and mentioned them to take a seat at the nearby table. He opened the sketch book and the box of color pencils.

Kagome looked around the bakery while Mai was giving the boy what her dream wedding cake should look like. She found the place adorable. The bakery had tables and chairs that reminder of the 50 era, which made her wonder where they could find that type of furniture in Japan. Then there was the glass display of all the delicious cupcakes they had. A sign on top read “Freshly Made”, she didn’t doubt that. At the end of the displays towards the left was the cash register, where she spotted the young girl. Kagome smiled, which quickly turned to a frown when she noticed they odd look the young female was giving her. She decided not to let it bother her; she turned her attention to the wedding cake design. She was sure Mai would probable give the boy carpel tunnel with all her idea.

As Mai continued making her ideal cake into reality, Kagome looked at the sketch. She looked up to see the young male looking at her, grinning. She blushed and turned her gaze towards her hands, which made the boy grin bigger. She noticed thought the consultation, he kept looking at her, with a grin on his face and bright green eyes shining at her. This would not work out, he look to young for her.

Kyo stood, taking the sketch of the cake and pencils. He mentioned that he would know bring a few cake sampling for them to try. Mai watched him left, the moment he was past hearing distance; she gave Kagome a smug look. “What?”

“I think he likes you.”

“Are you mad? He is way too young.”

“Maybe is into older woman. He kept looking at you the whole time. Come on you cougar, ask him out.” Mai gave her maid of honor’s shoulder a push, causing Kagome to laugh.

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Shippo didn’t know if he should be feeling; one side wanted to laugh at the thought, while the other wanted to shudder. He was not into incest, biological mother or not. His hands reached for two white rectangle plates. He searched through the freshly baked cupcakes on the racks. By the way the client was describing her cake; he had an idea of what to search for. Although, he did have one that he wanted Kagome to try, it was Sesshomaru’s specialty.

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Both women looked eager to try the pastries. Mai has not once stepped into this bakery before, but she instead she wanted her cake from Sweet Rin’s. They both eyed the three luscious innocent cupcakes sitting on the plate. Kyo smiled as he placed a plate in front of them. He placed a small white square napkin next to the plates, then a small fork on top of them.

“Ok ladies, we have three sampling for you. The one on the right is a lemon cake with fresh lemon filing and lemon cream frosting.”

Kagome removed the mini cake’s paper liner, and used her fork to take a bit. It taste scrumptious, a bit tangy for her, but it was still good. She could taste real lemons.

“The middle one is one of our popular ones. It is a strawberry champagne with a bitter sweet chocolate ganache. On top we placed a chocolate covered fresh strawberry with white chocolate drizzle.”

This was going to be on of Kagome’s favorite, she was going to make sure to come back and order a box of these chocolate covered strawberries. Who was she kidding; she was going to by some before she left.

“The last on the left, is our most popular, a red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.”

Kagome took on bite that took her by surprise. “There is chocolate in this cake!”

Kyo smiled. “That’s right. Coco powder is part of the ingredient. Although it doesn’t look like it has it, no red velvet is without some chocolate.”

Mai looked at the empty paper liners on her plate. She really wished she left at least half of the cupcakes. It would probable make it easier to decide which to pick if she had a second taste test. But they were so good.

“Mai have you decided?” Kagome could see the struggle in her friend’s eyes. She decided to remember how each cake tasted. “We will go with the strawberry champagne. It’s the perfect mixture of Daichi and you!”

Mai brightened. “Your right, Kagome! It will be perfect.”

As Kyo started to clean up, Kagome excused herself to go get some of those delicious strawberries. She lingered a bit at the display cases, wondering if she should take anything else while she is at it. Deciding on just the strawberries this time, she went towards the cash register to find the girl missing. She looked around to see Kyo had gone to the back and Mai was missing. ‘Probably went to the restroom.’

“WHAT! Really! We have to tell Sesshomaru!” Kagome felt her heart skip a beat. Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru here? In this bakery? In this era? Impossible.

She moved towards the back as quietly as possible. If Sesshomaru was really here, he would be able to hear her. More so smell her with that dog nose of his. Kagome passed a rack full of ready cupcakes, when she heard a harsh whisper. She peeked from a wall that showed were the sinks where.

“Hey.”

Kagome gasped. She turned, placing a hand over her heart. She saw Kyo looking at her. “I’m sorry miss, but you can’t be back here.”

“Oh I’m sorry. I was just looking for the bathroom.” He gave her a skeptical look but said nothing. He pointed towards the table they were at. A large sign reading “Restrooms” was starting at her.

She stuttered a sorry and rushed outside. Mai came out seconds after. “You ok Kagome? You ran out of there pretty quickly.”

“Yeah I’m fine, just remembered something I had to take care of. Sorry Sango, but I have to go!” Kagome ran out leaving a confused Mai. ‘Sango?’

It was the same name she had said when they first met. Mai wasn’t sure what it was that remind the girl of someone named ‘Sango’, but Kagome looked sad the first time she asked. Since then she would not bring it up again.

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Kagome sat on a bench on a park not too far from the bakery. This was too much for her. It has been years since she had heard that name. The knowledge that he was here in her era, brought memories of the Feudal Era and all her friends, at least the demon ones. She knew her human friends would not survive more than 500 years, although Mai and Daichi were reincarnations. But what of Inuyasha and Shippo? Did they survive?

“No.” She reminded herself. “I would have felt any demon auras.” Sesshomaru’s aura was powerful, one she would surly remembers.

But he knows how to conceal it. A little voice in the back of her head told her. That’s right! Sesshomaru was not a very common name. She decided she will go back.

Even if she doesn’t find the Lord of the West, she could at least buy her forgotten strawberries.

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Shippo watched Kagome run out of the bakery. He was sure she heard them. Suki had a loud mouth, much like her father and husband. He sighed as he returned back towards Suki. ”Please don’t yell out things again.”

“I’m sorry. But he has to know. He has waited far too long for her to return back.”

The autumn haired boy knew that was true. After Kagome was sent back, it was never the same without her. Sango and Miroku married soon after, he stayed with them. But with their small home and nine kids to fill it up with, he knew he could no longer stay with them. After a long discussion with Miroku, and one argument with Sango, he ventured off on his own. Inuyasha had seemed to disappear often; no one knew where he would go. But he tried to make the most of it with the few days he would stay. It was years later when he met up with Sesshomaru. When he opened his home to Shippo, he was more than freaked to hear such an offer. It took him a few days to finally accept. He soon found out that the icy lord was in love the young traveling miko. Jaken had informed him on how he planned to court her after Naraku’s death.

Alright so maybe the little toad didn’t give him that information willing. But a certain little girl always knew how to make the toad sing or in his case croak.

Shippo turned at the sound of a door opening. A tall silver haired Taiyoukai walked towards them. Though out the years he had been with them, he knew they were hiding something. Amber eyes narrowed as he saw the half-breed fidget.

“Suki?”

Suki reached to remove the white hat, reveling two furry dark ears on top of her head. She glanced towards her friend. She recognized the look he was giving her. But she couldn’t go against her alpha.

“Shippo said that one of the clients, who came in, was the girl you and Inuyasha would speak of. Kagome. I couldn’t recognize her but Shippo did.”

Amber eyes moved to the kitsune. “Is this true?”

“Yeah, she came in with another woman who looks like Sango. They came to make an order for a wedding cake.”

He noticed the old inu stiffen. “The name is under Nariku, Mai. I placed all the paper works on your desk. Sesshomaru nodded and left towards the office.

“She came.”

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Kagome walked towards the bakery. Her mind kept going through what was going on. Sesshomaru in a bakery? HA! That’s a laugh.

Kagome’s walk slowed stopped to a halt. Something, more like someone, was popping up on her head. It was a bit fuzzy, but it was there. Who was it? ‘It can’t be.’

When realization hit here, she ran. She opened the glass door, entering and searching for some familiar. Green eyes widen when he noticed she had returned.

Tears ran down her checks. “Shippo.”

Shippo smiled has his eyes soften. She remembered.

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“So you stayed with Sesshomaru all this time? How is that even possible?” Kagome laughed at the thought of Sesshomaru being a parent. They were sitting at one of the tables at the now closed bakery. “I know it sounds weird, but it worked out well. He taught me so much. Plus I wasn’t alone.” Kagome smiled, it was good to have him back. So many years had gone by and they were here right under her nose. She saw Shippo turned her attention behind her, and turned to see the young girl before hiding behind a wall.

Shippo rose, he went to bring Suki towards Kagome. “Kagome I like you to meet Suki. Suki this is Kagome the one we told you about.”

The young girl nervously smiled and did a quick bow. Kagome was distracted by the two adorable ears on top of her head. She raised and touched them. Suki blushed, she was warned about this.

“They’re so cute!”

“Um, thank you.”

Kagome dropped her arms, returning her attention to the kitsune she saw has her son. “I heard you speak of Sesshomaru. Is he here? If he is, is Inuyasha here too?”

Suki left at the mention of Inuyasha, making Kagome feel bad. Shippo assured her that it was nothing she said. The young half-breed returned, with a picture. She handed it to the older woman.

Kagome was shocked by what she saw on the photo. It has Suki and …

“Inuyasha.”

Suki smiled with a small blush on her checks. “Yes, we are mates. We also have a son, Hiro.”

Kagome looked at the bottom of the photo to see a young boy who looked to be around the age of eight, standing in between his parents. He looked just like his father, minus the ears. “He is so adorable.”

She hesitantly returned the photo. Suki shook her head. “You keep it. Your family.”

Kagome could feel tears coming up to her eyes again. Shippo motioned her to follow him towards the back. They stopped in front of a wood door that read “office”. Shippo knocked; when he heard ‘enter’ he opened the door and gave Kagome a slight push.

Kagome was surprise to see the might Lord Sesshomaru wearing a bakers uniform and doing paper work. She lifted a hand towards her hand, letting out a giggle. The silver Inu turned to face the once time traveling miko.

“Miko.”

“Sesshomaru.” He moved his hand towards the seat across from him. She accepted his offer. “I must say, this is a little weird to see you as a baker. I imagined you would be a CEO of a large company.”

“No, that would be Inuyasha’s area.”

“Inuyasha is a CEO? Really?” Today was nothing but surprises for her.

Sesshomaru nodded. An awkward silence soon fell, not sure what to say, Kagome said the first thing that popped in her mind.

“Is the bakery named after Rin?”

She saw a sad smile on his face. “Yes. After I took in your kit, Rin and Shippo were inseparable.”

He stood, walking towards the door, lost in his thoughts. “The young half-breed you’ve met is Rin’s daughter. A lower demon lord’s son came to me with a request. After proving himself, they were mated. Rin…..didn’t survive the child birth.”

Kagome silently grieved for the young spirited girl. “Half-breed births are difficult for human females. Her mate was grief stricken to care for his pup. I was asked to raise her. Suki and Shippo become best friends.

They both grow under my care, but I assure you that Suki’s father did check up on her. Throughout the years, Suki had found about pastries. Unfortunately she isn’t quiet the baker. She caused more fires then bread. She had informed me of her dream. Though she had never met her mother, she wanted to make a bakery to name it after her, so I took some classes. While I attended the classes, Suki met up with Inuyasha sparks flew and they were mated to soon after. We opened the bakery few years later. And you know the rest.

“Red velvet was the one I learned to perfect. She said she felt like her mother represented that cake: sweet looking but something hidden on the inside.”

“Coco.”

He nodded. “Yes although it the cake seems not to need it, it isn’t the same without that special ingredient.”

He walked towards the desk and opened on of the drawers. Kagome kept her eyes on him, watching as his left hand disappear for a second. When he lifted his arm, in his hand he had a clear small box showing four chocolate covered strawberries. She had to hold in her squeal when he handed her the box. “Oh I love this, thank you.”

“Of course, I had witness you earlier. You seemed to be ogling them for some time.”

“I was not ‘ogling’!”

“Woman, you were practically drooling all over the glass.” Kagome huffed in embarrassment, being caught ‘ogling’, as he put it, the strawberries. She crossed her arms and turned slightly to the right.

She heard a weird sound coming from the left of her. She turned to see Sesshomaru’s shoulders shaking a bit. ‘Is he laughing?’

Sesshomaru straighten, he removed his baker’s coat. He had on a nice blue button up shirt and wearing tight jeans. He looked nice. He held out his hand towards her. “I have spoken to Inuyasha earlier; he has agreed to meet us at a restaurant nearby. He is more than keen to see you again.”

Kagome laughed imagining an impatient half inu seating at a table. She took her small hand in his larger one. Together they left the little office to meet with Shippo and Suki. They both changed to more fitting clothing. Suki ran towards Kagome informing her of the good news and how excited she was. As she chattering away, the males took it upon themselves to start finishing up the closing of the shop. With the alarm set, they left.

Shippo and Suki were walking ahead, talking about the latest new music to hit the radio stations. Sesshomaru and Kagome walked slowly behind. She couldn’t help but have a wide smile on her face.

“It’s nice, isn’t it?” Sesshomaru turned towards her. Kagome looked up. “To have the family back together.”

He nodded. “Yes, family.”

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I had my sister help me with the corrections, because I know I will miss some. She told me that the end part was more interesting than the beginning, It both sadden me and made me laugh. Part of the end I wrote when I was really sleepy. I don’t remember half the things I typed that night.